FR2783807A1 - Packaging material for fragile articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The material is made from popped grains of corn, wheat, rice or sorghum, joined together by strands of a biodegradable or synthetic material running in two perpendicular directions. The strands are in two layers and spaced at intervals corresponding ton the mean diameter of the grains. The strands are coated with a hot-melt adhesive to fasten the grains which, in the case of maize for example, are spread at a rate of 1000 to 3000 grains per sq. m. After popping, the grains can be processed to remove surface projections.

Description

The invention relates to a packaging material for various articles, such as

  material which can in particular be used to wedge these articles in boxes or the like. We already know a bulk dunnage which is in the form of independent elements produced

  in a cellular plastic material.

  There are also known thick packaging products, of the expanded polystyrene type, the shape of which is chosen so that they can follow the contours of the

product to protect.

  All known packaging or cushioning materials have the disadvantage of being relatively bulky. Their transport to the packing places, in particular the factories manufacturing the products, is in

consequence of a high cost.

  Furthermore, these materials are made of plastic and therefore they constitute, after use, polluting waste, the treatment of which poses significant environmental problems. Moreover,

  these materials are not always anti-static.

  The object of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a thick packaging material which can be easily produced on the very site of its use, which is largely biodegradable, and

naturally anti-static.

  The invention therefore relates to a thick packaging material for various products, consisting of popcorn seeds, the seeds being integral with each other, at

  less through an adhesive material.

  Throughout the description, a material

  thick packaging material will be understood as packaging material with an average thickness greater than

  average diameter of the popcorn seeds.

  In a first embodiment, the packaging material consists of agglomerated popcorn seeds, said seeds being held in a compact unit by an adhesive material distributed over at least part of the outer surface of said seeds. In a second embodiment, the packaging material comprises at least two plies of popcorn seeds, said plies being superimposed and connected together by links comprising an adhesive material, said links being fixed on said seeds

  and at least partly intertwined.

  In a first variant, this packaging material comprises at least three plies of popcorn seeds, with at least one layer of links between each layer of seeds, the direction of at least part of the links of a layer of links located between two layers of seeds forming a non-zero angle, in particular approximately, with the direction of at least part of the links of a layer of links located between one of said two layers of seeds and another layer of seeds which

is adjacent.

  In another alternative embodiment, this packaging material comprises a plurality of leaves based on split corn seeds, each sheet consisting of a sheet of split corn seeds and two sheets of ties fixed on said seeds, said seed ply being held between the two plies of links and at least part of the links of one of the two plies of links being intertwined with part of the links of the other ply of links, said sheets being superimposed and fixed together by the intermediary

said layers of links.

  In yet another alternative embodiment of this packaging material, the layers of seeds and ties

are compacted.

  In a particular embodiment, the links of the same layer of links extend in the same direction. Furthermore, these links can be made of an adhesive, thermoplastic, biodegradable and / or thermoformable material, or even of tapes of materials, in particular biodegradable, supporting such an adhesive material, in particular thermoplastic,

  biodegradable and / or thermoformable.

  The invention also relates to a thick packaging material comprising at least one zone free of seeds and of adhesive material, the dimensions and shape of which correspond to the external shape of a product or

  of a part of a product to wedge or pack.

  The invention also relates to a process for obtaining a thick packaging material according to the invention, from corn seeds capable of bursting, this process consisting in: - heating said corn seeds until they burst , - distribute an adhesive material on at least part of the external surface of said seeds, in particular by spraying, - place said seeds in a mold of suitable shape, - close said mold by applying an appropriate pressure to agglomerate said seeds between them and

  - unmold the packaging material.

  A preferred embodiment of this production process consists in using a thermoplastic adhesive material and in raising the temperature inside the mold, at the start of the molding step, to make said material sticky, then in cooling. inside the mold once the seeds are agglomerated, before

  release of the packaging material.

  The invention also relates to another method for obtaining a thick packaging material, from corn seeds capable of bursting, this method consisting in: - heating said corn seeds until they burst; - deposit on a substantially flat surface a first layer of links comprising an adhesive material, - distribute seeds on said links to form a first layer and fix them on said links, - deposit on a substantially flat surface a second layer of links comprising a adhesive material, - deposit the seeds with the first layer of links on said second layer of links, so that the two layers of links are located on either side of the layer of seeds, at least part of the links of the first layer of links forming a non-zero angle with at least part of the links of the second layer of links, - distributing seeds on the links of said second layer of links to form a second layer of seeds and fixing them on these links and - repeat the preceding operations in whole or in part until the desired thickness of the

packaging material.

  The invention will be better understood and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear

  more clearly on reading the following description

  nonlimiting examples, this description being made

  in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a sectional view of a first example of thick packaging material according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the packaging material of Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the packaging material of Figure 1, - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sheet of base of popcorn seeds, used to make the packaging material shown in Figures 2 and 3, - Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a device for making a sheet based on corn seeds, as shown in Figure 4 and - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second example of thick packaging material according to the invention. The elements common to the different figures will be

designated by the same references.

  We first refer to Figure 1 which schematically illustrates an example of material

  thick packaging according to the invention.

  This material comprises a plurality of corn seeds 10 which have been exploded beforehand. Popcorn popping methods of the popcorn type are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be

described in detail.

  In practice, after they have burst, the seeds of

  but do not have a regular exterior surface.

  It is therefore preferable to treat them beforehand so that the seeds have substantially all of the same diameter. However, slight differences in diameter may remain between the corn seeds, which do not appear on the representation

schematic of Figure 1.

  The packaging material illustrated in Figure 1 has five overlapping layers of corn seeds

  exploded 10, these plies bearing the references 11 to 15.

  Between each of these layers, a layer is provided

  links with references 21 to 24.

  In each of the layers of seeds, respectively of links, the seeds 10, respectively the links 1 to 4,

are spaced from each other.

  Furthermore, the links 1 or 3 of the plies 21 or 23 extend in the same direction which is substantially perpendicular to that of the links 2 and 4 of the plies 22 and 24. For more convenience, the links 1 and 3 will be referred to as " warp links ", plies 21 and 23" warp plies ", links 2 and 4" weft links "and

plies 22 and 24, "weft plies".

  The links 1 to 4 of the different layers are fixed to the seeds 10, in particular by gluing. Thus, the layer of links 21 provides the connection between the layers of seeds 11 and 12, the layer of links 22 provides the connection

  between the seed layers 12 and 13 and so on.

  The links 1 to 4 of the layers 22 to 24 include a

adhesive material.

  In particular, they may consist entirely of an adhesive material, preferably thermoplastic,

  biodegradable and / or thermoformable.

  These links can also be formed by a wire of natural or synthetic material, coated with an adhesive material, preferably thermoplastic,

  biodegradable and / or thermoformable.

  These links can also consist of strips or ribbons of materials, preferably biodegradable, such as kraft paper or raffia,

  these bands or these ribbons being previously glued.

  Thus, in general, these links are such that their properties are liable to be modified by a simple physical, thermal or chemical operation, this operation enabling them to ensure the fixing between

seeds 10.

  The invention is of course not limited to the example

  shown in Figure 1.

  First, the number of seed coats can

be any.

  Furthermore, all the links of the same sheet are not necessarily distributed in the same direction. In addition, the links located in two successive layers of links are not necessarily distributed according to

  two directions substantially perpendicular.

  Thus, to ensure the maintenance of the popcorn seeds 10 in the packaging material according to the invention, it suffices that at least part of the links of a sheet, for example a part of the links 1 of the sheet 21 forms a non-zero angle with at least a part of the links of the adjacent web of links, for example at

  at least part of the links 2 of the web 22.

  Other embodiments of the packaging material according to the invention are illustrated in the figures

2 and 3.

  In these two examples, the packaging material is produced by superimposing seed-based sheets 40

but exploded.

  Such a sheet is particularly illustrated in the

figure 4.

  This sheet 40 comprises a sheet 41 of popcorn seeds 10, fixed between two sheets of links 45

and 46.

  The links 5 of the layer 45 all extend in the same direction which is substantially perpendicular to

  that of the links 6 of the link layer 46.

  However, as explained with reference to FIG. 1, it suffices that part of the links 5 of the ply 45 extend in a direction making a non-zero angle

  with part of the links 6 of layer 46.

  A method of obtaining such a sheet 40 will be

  schematically described with reference to Figure 5.

  Returning to FIG. 2 which illustrates a packaging material according to the invention consisting of a stack

  sheets 40, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4.

  These sheets 40 are superimposed in the same direction, so that between two sheets 41 of seeds 10, are placed a sheet of links 46 and a sheet of links 45. Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which also illustrates a material packaging according to the invention made from sheets 40, such as that

illustrated in figure 4.

  In this case, the position of the sheets 40 is alternately reversed in the stack. Thus, between two layers of seeds 41, are arranged, i.e. two

  type 45 tablecloths, or two type 46 tablecloths.

  Of course, as in the example of packaging material according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the links 5 and 6 provide the connection between the plies of

seeds.

  Other alternative embodiments of the packaging material could of course be envisaged, in particular by arranging the sheets 40 in patterns

  and changing the number of sheets.

  The packaging material which has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 has the advantage of being relatively flexible and therefore of being able to adapt to the

  shape of the product to be packaged or wedged.

  It is also possible to compact the thick packaging material according to the invention and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. In this case, the material is of course

less flexible.

  Furthermore, it is possible to produce thick packaging materials according to the invention, ready for use and having a particular shape, by

example the shape of a box.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which schematically represents a device making it possible to implement the process for obtaining the materials

  shown in Figures 1 to 3.

  Reference 100 designates a seed distributor

but exploded 10.

  The device illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a support 50 in the form of a band which is rotated by a cylinder, one of which, the cylinder 51, is

shown in Figure 5.

  The method consists in depositing on the support 50

  links 6 which will be referred to as "frame links".

  Due to the rotation of the support 50, the weft links 6 move in the direction of arrow F. Exploded corn seeds 10 are thus deposited, by means of the distributor 100, on the weft links 6 as and when

  measurement of their movement under the distributor 100.

  Depending on the nature of the links used, a specific action is taken to ensure the bonding of

  seeds 10 on the weft links 6.

  Reference 52 designates means for applying pressure to the seeds 10 to ensure

their bonding on the links 6.

  Means can be provided for cooling or drying the weft links 6,

  depending on the types of links used.

  The assembly constituted by the weft links 6 and the seeds 10 are then in the position

  illustrated in the lower part of figure 5.

  It is then necessary to apply links 5 to the

  seeds 10, these links 6 being called "chain links".

  The attachment of chain links 5 to the seeds is preferably carried out by gluing, by acting on

  chain links according to their nature.

  This device therefore makes it possible to obtain a sheet 40 as illustrated in FIG. 4, the sheets then being superimposed, as in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, to obtain a packaging material

thick according to the invention.

  This device can also be part of a more complete device, making it possible to obtain the packaging material illustrated in FIG. 1 and by means of which seeds and links are successively applied, to

get such a material.

  Referring now to Figure 6 which illustrates another embodiment of the packaging material

according to the invention.

  This material consists of corn seeds which are agglomerated. These seeds are held in a compact unit by an adhesive material distributed over at least a part of the external surface of these seeds 10. Such a packaging material is obtained from popcorn seeds which are coated, on at least one part of their outer surface, of an adhesive material. This adhesive material can be distributed

especially by spraying.

  These seeds are then placed in a mold of suitable shape, corresponding to that of the product to be

  wrap, or wedge, or part of this product.

  The mold is then closed by applying appropriate pressure to agglomerate the seeds between

  them and the packaging material is finally removed from the mold.

  When the adhesive material used is of the thermoplastic type, this process can also consist in raising the temperature inside the mold, at the start of

  the molding step, to make this material sticky.

  The interior of the mold is then cooled, once the seeds are agglomerated, before demolding the

packaging material.

  All the packaging materials according to the invention, whether of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 or in FIG. 6, may include at least one zone free of seeds and of adhesive material, the dimensions and the shape of this zone. corresponding to the external shape of a product to be packaged, or wedged, or part of a

such product.

  Furthermore, by using a thermoformable adhesive material, it is easy to give the thick packaging material according to the invention a desired shape,

  corresponding in particular to the article to be packaged.

  Also in all cases, it is understood that the packaging material according to the invention can be easily manufactured on the premises of its

  use, from seeds of but not exploded.

  The cost of transporting the packaging material according to the invention is therefore considerably reduced, compared with conventional packaging materials, of the type elements in

  cellular plastic or expanded polystyrene.

  In addition, corn seeds are completely biodegradable. They can also be destroyed

  by combustion, without emission of toxic gases.

  The only polluting waste that the packaging material according to the invention can generate consists of the adhesive material or the ties used to hold the corn seeds together. However, these binding materials can also be

biodegradable.

  The packaging material according to the invention is easier to handle than loose packing materials and is in particular more resistant than seeds

but split loose.

  This thick packaging material also makes it possible to advantageously replace plastic materials of the expanded polystyrene type. It even appears that the packaging material according to the invention provides greater impact protection than that provided by expanded polystyrene, when the material according to the invention comprises ties, which absorb the

side impacts.

  Finally, the packaging material according to the invention

  is naturally anti-static and also non-abrasive.

  The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics appearing in the

  claims are intended only to facilitate the

  understanding of these and cannot limit them

the scope.

Claims (13)

  1. Thick packaging material consisting of popcorn seeds (10), the seeds being integral with each other, at least by means of an adhesive material. 2. Packaging material according to claim 1, consisting of agglomerated corn seeds (10), said seeds being held in a compact unit by an adhesive material distributed over at least part   of the outer surface of said seeds.   3. Packaging material according to claim 1, comprising at least two plies (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of popcorn seeds (10), said plies being superimposed and connected together by links (1, 2, 3, 4) comprising an adhesive material, said links being fixed on said seeds and at least partly intertwined. 4. Packaging material according to claim 3, comprising at least three layers (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of popcorn seeds (10), with at least one layer of links (21, 22, 23, 24) between each layer of seeds, the direction of at least part of the links (1, 2, 3, 4) of a sheet of links (21, 22, 23, 24) located between two layers of seeds (11 , 12, 13, 14, 15) forming a non-zero angle, in particular of approximately 90, with the direction of at least part of the links of a sheet of links located between one of said two sheets of seeds and another   a sheet of seeds adjacent to it.   5. Packaging material according to claim 3 or 4, comprising a plurality of sheets (40) based on exploded mals seeds (10), each sheet (40) consisting of a sheet (41) of mals seeds exploded (10) and two plies (45, 46) of links (5, 6) fixed on said seeds, said ply (41) of seeds being held between the two plies (45, 46) of links and at least part links (5, 6) of one of the two plies (45, 46) of links being intertwined with a part of the links (6, 5) of the other ply (46, 45) of links, said sheets (40) being superimposed and fixed together by means of said plies of links. 6. Packaging material according to one of   claims 3 to 5, including the seed and links are compacted.   7. Packaging material according to one of   claims 4 to 6, wherein the links (1, 2, 3, 4;   , 6) of the same sheet (21, 22, 23, 24; 45, 46) of links   extend in the same direction.   8. Packaging material according to one of   claims 3 to 7, said links are made in   an adhesive, thermoplastic, biodegradable and / or thermoformable.   9. Packaging material according to one of   claims 3 to 7, said links are made in   tapes of materials, in particular biodegradable, supporting an adhesive material, in particular   thermoplastic, biodegradable and / or thermoformable.   10. Packaging material according to one of   Claims 1 to 9, comprising at least one zone   free of seeds and adhesive material, the dimensions and shape of which correspond to the external shape of a product to be wedged or packaged or of a part of such a product.   11. A method of obtaining a packaging material according to claim 2 or 10, from corn seeds capable of bursting, the method consisting in: - heating said corn seeds until they burst, - distributing an adhesive material on at least part of the external surface of said exploded seeds (10), in particular by spraying, placing said seeds (10) in a mold of suitable shape, - closing said mold by applying an appropriate pressure to agglomerate said seeds ( 10) between them and   - unmold the packaging material.   12. Obtaining method according to claim 11, consisting in using a thermoplastic adhesive material and in raising the temperature inside the mold, at the start of the molding step, to make said material sticky, then in cooling the inside the mold once the seeds are agglomerated, before   release of the packaging material.   13. Method of obtaining packaging material   thick according to one of Claims 3 to 10, from   corn seeds liable to burst, the process consisting in: heating said corn seeds until they burst, - depositing on a substantially flat surface a first layer of ties comprising an adhesive material, - distributing seeds (10) on said links to form a first layer and fix them on said links, - deposit on a substantially flat surface a second layer of links comprising an adhesive material, - deposit the seeds (10) with the first layer of links on said second layer of links, so that the two plies of links are located on either side of said ply of seeds, at least part of the links of the first ply of links forming a non-zero angle with at least part of the links of the second layer of links, - distribute seeds (10) on the links of said second layer of links to form a second layer of seeds and fix them on these links, and - repeat the operations pr in whole or in part until the desired thickness is obtained for the packaging material.