FR2792612A1 - Stackable package for cheese has octagonal base panel with sidewalls formed by panels with cut outs and grooves to form continuous wall - Google Patents

Abstract

The cheese package has a blank with a polygonal base panel (1) with folded sidewalls formed by peripheral panels (2a-d) which are connected to four non-consecutive side edges of the panels. The panels have grooves and cut outs to allow forming of a continuous sidewall. The base panel has cut outs to aid stacking.

Description

Stackable tray obtained from a sheet of prérainé cardboard and

  The present invention relates to a stackable tray provided with an octagonal bottom surrounded by continuous raised edges perpendicular to said bottom, formed from a single blank of flexible material, pre-punched and precut in

view of the formation of the plateau.

  This is more particularly intended for the transport and storage of large circular cheeses, and must in particular allow their automated packaging. Good resistance to vertical and lateral mechanical stresses is also essential, since the plates must

  be able to be stacked vertically.

  A plate of this type, that is to say made from a single blank provided with cutouts and grooves allowing folds leading to the constitution of the plate, is already described in French patent FR 92 07088 filed on 12 June

1992.

  However, this tray has several drawbacks: - some of the flaps delimited by said creases and cutouts do not optimally use the mechanical properties of the material from which the blank is cut. In most cases, it is corrugated cardboard, therefore having internal stiffening grooves. However, in the aforementioned flaps, these grooves are not oriented in the direction of action of the main forces, in this case vertical since these forces are exerted more particularly during the vertical stacking of the loaded plates; - the means for centering one tray on the other during stacking are configured and arranged so that their deformation by untimely folding is possible, making subsequent stacking all the less

  precise and less effective than their number is not enough.

  The invention overcomes these drawbacks by proposing a plate obtained from a blank whose design is optimized, that is to say, the layout of the creases and cutouts aims to obtain a three-dimensional configuration of

  as resistant as possible to vertical and lateral forces.

  Another objective of the invention is to integrate stacking means into the stack with identical trays of a stack, the number and design of which ensure optimum stacking precision and increased durability. An objective, finally, of this invention, consists in the achievement of the aforementioned aims using a blank as simple as possible to manufacture, for obvious

economic reasons.

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  Although the function and the principle of the tray of the invention are identical to those of the tray described in the French patent mentioned, the concern to best respond to the above problems, and to optimally fulfill the stated objectives, led to the development of a route substantially different from that of said existing plateau. Thus, even if it is also a stackable tray provided with an octagonal bottom surrounded by continuous raised edges perpendicular to said bottom, formed from a single blank of flexible material, pre-glazed and precut for the purpose of formation of the edges of the plate by folding and joining areas delimited by said pre-creases and pre-cuts, said zones also being composed of an octagonal central panel around which peripheral panels are arranged, the plate of the present invention is characterized in that the panels peripherals are located on four non-consecutive sides of the octagonal central panel, the four intermediate sides therefore being free, said peripheral panels comprising grooves and cutouts intended to constitute means for producing a continuous peripheral rim by cooperation with the adjacent peripheral panels, and means to ensure stacking has with other identical trays, by cooperation with cutouts made in the panel

central of each tray.

  The geometrical configuration therefore presents itself with an octagonal central surface of which one side out of two has an extension towards the outside. Preferably, the peripheral panels comprise at least one central flap separated from the octagonal central panel by a fold line, and two lateral flaps intended to come into contact with their counterparts of the adjacent peripheral panels when said panels are folded

  perpendicular to the central panel to form the edge.

  According to a possible configuration, at least two peripheral panels have an additional central flap, with an area substantially equal to that of the aforementioned central flap, separated from the latter by a double creasing parallel to the fold line separating the central panel from said central flap, at contact of which

it is intended to be folded.

  In fact, the central flap is then doubled by said additional flap, for reinforcement purposes in particular to better resist the vertical forces due to

  successive weights of the trays which stack one on top of the other.

  In the preferred layout of the invention, the side flaps are moreover

  arranged on either side of said additional central flap, where it exists.

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  They are also separated from the central flap, which they adjoin by a fold line perpendicular to that which separates the central flap adjoining the panel.

central of the latter.

  The peripheral panels therefore develop in a general direction parallel to their line of connection to the octagonal central panel. In the preferred configuration of the invention, only two of the peripheral panels, arranged one opposite the other, are provided with a flap

  additional central, while the other two do not.

  It follows that the configuration has symmetry with respect to a straight line

  passing through the middle of the octagon.

  According to one possibility, at least one of the two side flaps homologous to two neighboring peripheral panels intended to come into contact with one another has a length substantially equal to the length of the side of the central panel

  octagonal joining said peripheral panels.

  When this is the case for both, the lateral edge of the plate is reinforced on the whole of this side, since there is everywhere a double thickness. In each peripheral panel which is provided with it, the additional central flap is intended to be folded, in the direction of the octagonal central panel, in contact with the central flap contiguous to the latter, and may include slots protruding from its free edge, provided for s '' insert for fixing purposes in slots of corresponding dimensions made in said central panel, when the two central flaps pressed against each other are raised

  perpendicular to said central panel.

  A variant without said slots is also implemented, the connection between the central flap adjacent to the central panel and the additional central flap is then carried out for example by gluing. This solution presents

  the advantage of facilitating the speed of mechanization.

  This doubling of the central flaps is necessarily carried out by folding inwards of the plate, due to the existence of the aforementioned fixing means which cooperate with orifices located in the central orthogonal surface. Preferably, the double creasing separating the central flaps is interrupted by a crenellated cut intended to form a tab protruding from the edge, which is extracted when said edge is formed by folding the additional central flap against the central flap in the direction of the central panel. , said tab being intended to be inserted into a slot made in the octagonal central panel, along the fold line separating the latter from the central flap and at

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  right of said tab, in an upper plate of the stack, the existence of a cutout identical in shape to said tab in the free edge of the additional central flap creating, when the edge is formed, with said slot that it

  overcomes a housing for the same leg of the lower plate during stacking.

  By this configuration, the folding of the additional central flap on the flap contiguous to the octagonal panel simultaneously creates: - a centering tab for stacking with an upper plate;

  - a centering housing for stacking with a lower plate.

  In addition, that of two homologous side flaps of two adjacent peripheral panels 1 0 intended to come into contact with one another which is arranged inside the plate has an end portion transversely offset, so that when the edge perpendicular to the central panel is formed by contact with the second side flap of the adjacent peripheral panel, then placed outside, this portion being at a notch in the free edge of the central panel, the offset upwards creating on the side of said notch a housing for a tab of the lower plate formed by the other side of the offset end portion. Again, an iterative process allows the successive stacking of

panels.

  These means for stacking carry six, distributed around the periphery of the tray, the centering and fixing elements of one tray on the other. The precision and solidity of the connection are considerably enhanced,

  because the forces, particularly the lateral ones, are better distributed.

  According to one possibility, the side flaps of two peripheral panels

  are attached to each other with glue.

  Finally, as already mentioned, the flexible material is preferably, for reasons notably related to the preservation of the environment

  (recycling possible), cardboard and more particularly corrugated cardboard.

  The intrinsic qualities of the product of the invention are however preserved when other flexible materials, of the plastic type, are used. The invention will now be described in more detail, in particular with reference to the appended figures, for which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the blank unfolded at the base of the tray of the invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same blank after folding of the additional flaps on the central flaps of the two peripheral panels which are provided therewith;

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  - Figure 3 shows a view similar to the previous one, with the two peripheral panels provided with additional flaps in the final position relative to the octagonal central panel; - Figure 4 shows the start of folding of the two remaining peripheral panels; and - Figure 5 shows, still in perspective, the tray in its

configuration completed.

  In the figures, the same references designate identical elements.

  Thus, in Figure 1, the octagonal central panel (1) is surrounded by

  peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) composed of several components.

  The panels (2a, 2c) comprise a first central flap (3a, 3c) separated from the octagonal panel (1) by a fold line (4a, 4c) respecting the side of the octagon (1). This first component (3a, 3c) is contiguous with a central component

  additional (5a, 5c), from which it is separated by a double fold line (6a, 6c).

  This additional flap (5a, 5c) is itself bordered by two lateral flaps (7a, 8a; 7c, 8c), the ends of which have a geometric characteristic which

  will be explained in more detail below.

  The peripheral panels (2b, 2d) have only one flap

  central (3b, 3d) flanked by two side flaps (7b, 8b; 7d, 8d).

  The fold lines (4a, 4c) are bordered by three holes or slots

  rectangular (9a, 9'a, 10a; 9c, 9'c, 10c) performing two distinct functions.

  Thus, the slots (9a, 9'a; 9c, 9'c), located near the tops of the octagon, are provided to cooperate with legs (1a, 1a; 1 1c, 1 1 ' c) protruding from the free edge of the additional central flap (5a; 5c), after folding of the lattercentre the central flap (3a, 3c) and when the edge thus formed

  is made perpendicular to the bottom (1) of the plate (see in particular in Figure 3).

  With reference to FIG. 2, when the central flaps (3a, 5a; 3c, 5c) are folded one in contact with the other, a tab (1 2a, 12c) precut in the double creasing zone (6a, 6c) and in the central flap (3a, 3c) is naturally extracted from the latter and protrudes from the double edge formed after folding. The additional central flap (5a, 5c) in turn comprises a notch (13a, 13c) of a shape similar to that of said tab (1 2a, 12c), which allows, as will be seen below, to create a space for said tab (1 2a, 12c) at the time of stacking. The side flaps (7a, 8a; 7c, 8c) have an end portion (14a, a; 14c, 15c) transversely offset. In other words, in this end portion, one of the sides has a protruding tab (16a, 17a;

  16c, 17c) while the other side has a notch (18a, 19a; 18c, 19c).

  When the rewinding is carried out, and the edge raised to 90 from the bottom, thus

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  as shown in Figure 3, the notches (18a, 19a; 18c, 19c) are positioned above notches (20a, 21a; 20c, 21c) made in the octagonal central panel (1) when said raised edge is configured so

  that the side flaps (7a, 8a; 7c, 8c) run along the sides of the octagon, i.e.

  say after folding said side flaps (7a, 8a; 7c, 8c) at 45 around the line

  vertical folding separating them from the central flaps (5a, 5c).

  Conversely, the legs (16a, 17a; 16c, 17c) are then oriented upwards.

  Figures 2 and 3 show the folding steps that affect the

  peripheral panels (2a, 2c) with two central flaps (3a, 5a; 3c, 5c), that is

  ie including an additional central flap. Figure 4 shows the initial folding of the two remaining panels (2b, 2d). Their central section (3b, 3d) is simply

  raised perpendicular to the octagonal panel (1).

  In a second step, the side flaps (7b, 8b; 7d, 8d) are folded around a vertical axis in contact with the homologous side flaps (7a, 8a 1 5 7c, 8c) to complete the erection of the raised edge of the tray. The flaps (7b, 8b 7d, 8d) are necessarily disposed outside, because the notches (18a, 19a; 18c, 19c) must be placed above the notches (20a, 21a; c, 21c). According to one possibility, said side flaps are glued to each other

- others.

  The tray formed appears in Figure 5. It has six protruding upper legs intended to be inserted into the slots and notches of the tray, stacked immediately above it. It should be noted that the notches (13a, 13c, 18a, 19a, 18c, 19c), arranged above the orifices or notches (10la, 10Oc, 20a, 21a, 20c, 21c) form in combination what have been called

  "housings" for the legs (12a, 12c, 16a, 17a, 16c, 17c).

  Six of the eight faces of the plate have an edge reinforced by doubling, at least one of the layers of which may have grooves oriented vertically, giving the edges of the plate optimum resistance in

this direction.

  The notches (22b, 22d) allow in particular the separation of two stacked trays. They also participate in the aeration of the cheese, and

  avoid overly rapid fermentation.

  The above description is of course not limitative of the invention, of which

  it is only an example. The invention, on the contrary, encompasses the variants of form and constitution which are included in the field of protection.

  delimited by the appended claims.

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Claims (12)

  1. Stackable tray provided with an octagonal bottom (1) surrounded by continuous raised edges perpendicular to said bottom (1), formed from a single blank of flexible material, pre-brushed and precut in order to form the edges of the tray by folding and joining areas delimited by said pre-rinsing and pre-cutting, said areas comprising an octagonal central panel (1) around which are disposed peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), characterized in that the peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are located on four non-consecutive sides of the octagonal central panel (1), the four intermediate sides therefore being free, said peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprising grooves and cutouts intended to constitute means for producing a continuous peripheral rim by cooperation with the adjacent peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), and means for ensuring stacking with other identical trays, by cooperation with cutouts made in the central panel (1) of each tray.   2. stackable tray according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) comprise at least one central flap (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) separated from the octagonal central panel (1) by a fold line (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), and two side flaps (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d; 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) intended to come into contact with their counterparts of the peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) adjacent when said panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are folded perpendicular to the octagonal central panel (1) for build the edge.   3. stackable tray according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least two peripheral panels (2a; 2c,) comprise an additional central flap (5a, 5c), with an area substantially equal to that of the central flap (3a, 3c), separated from the latter by a double groove (6a, 6c) parallel to the fold line (4a, 4c) separating the octagonal central panel (1) from said flap   central (3a, 3c), in contact with which it is intended to be folded.   4. Stackable tray according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the side flaps (7a, 7c; 8a, 8c) are arranged on either side of said   3 5 additional central flap (5a, 5c).   5. stackable tray according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in   that the side flaps (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d; 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) are separated from the central flap (5a, 3b, 5c, 3d) to which they are connected by a fold line 8 2792612   perpendicular to that which separates the central flap (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) adjoining the central panel (1) of the latter.   6. stackable tray according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in   that two peripheral panels (2a, 2c), arranged one opposite the other, are provided with an additional central flap (5a, 5c), while the other two (2b, 2d) lack them.   7. stackable tray according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in   that at least one of the two homologous lateral flaps (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d; 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) of two adjacent peripheral panels (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) intended to come into contact with each other has a length substantially equal to the length of the side of the octagonal central panel (1) joining said panels peripherals (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d).   8. stackable tray according to any one of claims 3 to 7,   characterized in that the additional central flap (5a, 5c) is intended to be folded, in the direction of the central panel (1), in contact with the central flap (3a, 3c) contiguous to the latter, and has slots (1 1 a, 1 1 a '; 1 c, 1 c') protruding from its free edge, intended to be inserted for fixing purposes in slots (9a, 9a '; 9c, 9c') of corresponding dimensions made in said central panel (1), when the two central flaps (3a, 5a; 3c, 5c) pressed against each other   are raised perpendicular to said central panel (1).   9. stackable tray according to any one of claims 3 to 8,   characterized in that the double creasing (6a, 6c) separating the central flaps (3a, 5a; 3c, 5c) is interrupted by a crenellated cut intended to form a tab (12a, 12c) protruding from the edge, which is extracted when said edge is formed by folding the additional central flap (5a, 5c) against the central flap (3a, 3c) in the direction of the central panel (1), said tab (12a, 12c) being intended to be inserted in a slot (1 Oa, 1 Oc) formed in the central panel (1), along the fold line (4a, 4c) separating the latter from the central flap (3a, 3c) and in line with said tab (1 2a, 12c ), in another tray placed above in the stack, the existence of a cutout (13a, 13c) of identical shape to said tab (12a, 12c) in the free edge of the additional central flap (5a, 5c) creating, during the constitution of the edge, with said slot (1 Oa, 10c) that it surmounts a   housing for the same leg (1 2a, 12c) of the lower plate during stacking.   10. stackable tray according to any one of claims 3 to 9,   3 5 characterized in that that of the two side flaps (7a, 8a; 7c, 8c) counterparts of two adjacent peripheral panels (2a, 2c) intended to come into contact with the other which is arranged inside the tray has an end portion (14a, 15a; 14c, 15c) transversely offset, so that when the edge perpendicular to the octagonal central panel (1) is 9 2792612   formed by contact with the second lateral flap (7b, 8b; 7d, 8d) of the adjacent peripheral panel (2b, 2d), then disposed outside, this portion (14a, a; 14c, 15c) is at the level of a notch (20a, 21a; 20c, 21c) formed in the free edge of the central panel (1), the upward offset creating on the side of said notch (20a, 21a; 20c, 21c) a housing (18a, 19a ; 18c, 19c) for a leg (1 6a, 17a; 16c, 17c) of the lower plate formed by the other side of the   offset end portion (14a, 15a; 14c, 15c).   11. stackable tray according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in   that the side panels (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d; 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) of two panels   adjacent devices (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are fixed to each other by glue.   12. stackable tray according to any one of claims   above, characterized in that the flexible material is corrugated cardboard.