FR2832389A1 - Packaging for yogurt pots connected by upper ends comprises upper, front, lower and rear walls. Latter comprising lower band passing between two successive pots - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging (4) for a set of at least two objects (3) connected by their upper ends (6) and arranged in a first row (10) comprises upper (15), front (16), lower and rear (24) walls. The rear wall comprises a lower band (25) which passes between two successive objects. The lower wall has a transverse width less than that of the upper wall. The lower bands of the rear and front walls converge transversely towards the lower wall. Independent claims are included for a blank for making packaging and a packaging unit.

Description

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 The present invention relates to a sheath type packaging for conditioning a group of at least two objects connected by their upper ends and arranged in at least one first row extending in a longitudinal direction, the packaging comprising an upper wall, a wall front, a lower wall and a rear wall, the front and rear walls connecting the lower and upper walls, the lower wall being intended to support at least one object of the group, the rear wall comprising at least one lower strip intended to pass between two successive objects in the first row to hold them longitudinally.

 The invention applies in particular to the packaging of containers whose upper ends are interconnected. These are, for example, yoghurt pots produced by thermoforming a plastic plate. This embodiment of the yoghurt pots ensures that their upper ends are well connected to each other.

 For the packaging of such pots, sheath packages of the aforementioned type are usually used which are of substantially rectangular cross section.

 Generally, the group of yoghurt pots comprises at least two rows of pots arranged one next to the other in the transverse direction, namely a rear row close to the rear wall and a front row close to the front wall.

 Short strips are cut in the front wall and the bottom wall overlapping the fold line connecting them, and other short strips are cut in the rear wall and the bottom wall overlapping the fold line connecting them. These strips are turned inside the packaging to insert each between two successive pots and hold them longitudinally. The bands are held in these positions by simple elastic return.

 The front wall of such a packaging forms an information carrier intended to be placed forward in the display units of the stores, to allow a consumer to identify the brand and the type of the product packaged in the jars wrapped by the packaging. .

 The yoghurt manufacturers impose on this wall before having dimensions, and in particular a height, as large as possible so that the information they carry is as visible as possible.

 This constraint so far opposes the limitation of the surface of the blank used to form the packaging and therefore its cost.

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 Document FR-2 781 204 also discloses sheath packaging for any other application, namely the packaging of separate yoghurt pots and convergent shapes. To limit the cost of such packaging while providing a large surface area for supporting information, this document suggests on the one hand reducing the transverse width of the lower wall compared to that of the upper wall, and on the other hand to oblique at least one section of the rear wall and to provide it with an opening for receiving and vertical retention of the pots in the rear row.

 However, this packaging is difficult to use for packaging pots made by thermoforming a plate, which very generally have constant sections over most of their height. In addition, these cross sections have essentially polygonal contours which would require making openings of complex contours in the oblique section. In addition, the unit cost of such packaging still appears high.

 An object of the invention is to solve this problem by providing packaging of the aforementioned type which is simple, of limited cost, and which makes it possible to offer a front wall of large dimensions.

 To this end, the invention relates to a package of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the lower wall has a transverse width less than that of the upper wall, and in that the longitudinal extent of the rear wall, at the level of the or each lower strip, is sufficiently small for the rear wall to connect the lower wall and the upper wall, passing only between successive objects in the first row via the or each lower strip.

 According to particular embodiments, the packaging may include one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination: - the or each lower strip intended to pass between two successive objects of the first row comprises two longitudinal support flaps against each of said successive objects, - the longitudinal support flaps are connected by a first fold line extending substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction, - at least one end of the or each strip lower intended to pass between two successive objects of the first row is flared towards the outside of said strip to transversely retain said two objects,

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 - Said end of the or each lower strip comprises at least two second fold lines converging towards said first fold line to form a transverse support gusset on said two objects, - the group of objects being intended to comprise a second row of objects placed above the first row, the packaging includes longitudinal retaining means of at least two successive objects of the second row, - the longitudinal retaining means comprise at least one tongue intended to extend between said two successive objects of the second row, - said tongue is connected by a fold line to the rear wall, and - said tongue is cut at least partially in a flap for fixing the rear wall to the upper wall.

 The subject of the invention is also a blank for the formation of a package as defined above comprising successive elements intended to form the upper, front, bottom and rear walls of the packaging, in that the element intended forming the lower wall has a transverse width less than that of the element intended to form the upper wall, in that the element intended to form the rear wall comprises a strip intended to pass between two successive objects of the first row, and in that the longitudinal extent of the element intended to form the rear wall is, at the level of the or each strip, sufficiently small so that the rear wall connects the lower wall and the upper wall by passing only between objects successive rows in the first row through the or each strip.

 According to particular embodiments, the blank may include one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination: - the or each strip intended to pass between two successive objects of the first row comprises two longitudinal support flaps against each of said successive objects, the longitudinal support flaps are connected by a first fold line intended to extend substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction,

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 - at least one end of the or each strip intended to pass between two successive objects of the first row is adapted to be flared towards the outside of said strip to retain said two objects transversely, - said end of the or each strip comprises at least two second fold lines converging towards said first fold line to form a transverse bearing gusset on said two objects, - the group of objects being intended to comprise a second row of objects arranged above the first row, the blank comprises longitudinal retaining means of at least two successive objects of the second row, - the longitudinal retaining means comprise at least one tongue intended to extend between said two successive objects of the second row, - said tongue is connected by a fold line to the element intended to form the rear wall, and - said tongue is cut out at least partially in a flap for fixing the element intended to form the rear wall to the element intended to form the upper wall.

 The invention also relates to an assembly comprising on the one hand a group of at least two objects connected by their upper ends and arranged in at least a first row extending in a longitudinal direction, and on the other hand a packaging as defined above, the lower wall supporting at least one object of the group, and the rear wall connecting the lower wall and the upper wall passing only between the successive objects of the first row through the or each lower band.

 According to variants: - the group of objects comprises a second row of objects arranged above the first row and the packaging comprises means for longitudinal retention of at least two successive objects of the second row, and - the longitudinal retaining means comprise at least one tongue which extends between said two successive objects of the second row.

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 The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, the packaging enveloping the group of objects, - Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating more particularly the rear wall of the packaging of Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a cardboard blank to form the packaging of Figures 1 and 2, - Figure 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the cutting of several blanks according to Figure 3 in the same sheet of cardboard, - the Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention, the packaging being partially open, and - Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of a cardboard blank to form the figur packaging e 5.

 FIG. 1 represents a set 1 comprising a group 2 of pots 3 of yogurt and a sheath packaging 4 enveloping group 2.

 In all that follows, the terms vertical, horizontal, front, rear, lower, upper, right and left will be understood relative to the position of the assembly 1 in FIG. 1. In this position, the assembly 1 rests normally on a horizontal surface, with the bottoms of the pots 3 facing down.

 The pots 3 are identical, arranged vertically and have a substantially square horizontal section with strongly rounded angles. The pots 3 include upper flanges 6 which are connected to each other due to the production of the pots by thermoforming of the same plastic plate.

 Thus, the pots 3 are integral with each other.

 Finally, the upper ends of these pots 3 are covered by lids 8. The pots 3 therefore form closed containers at their upper ends.

 Group 2 comprises four pots 3, arranged in two rows 10 extending along a horizontal longitudinal direction L of the package 4.

Thus, each row 10 comprises two pots 3 arranged one next to the other in the direction L. The pots 3 of each row are spaced from one another in this direction L, except at their ends upper 6 which are connected.

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 The two rows 10 are spaced from each other along a horizontal transverse direction T, except at the level of the upper ends 6 of the pots 3 which are connected. Group 2 thus comprises a row 10 front and a row 10 rear.

 The structure of the package 4 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

 The package 4 extends along the longitudinal direction L and its longitudinal ends are open. The package 4 which is formed from a single blank of cardboard 14, previously cut and grooved (FIG. 3), mainly comprises: - an upper wall 15 substantially rectangular, - a front wall 16 connected to the upper wall 15 by a horizontal fold line 17, the front wall 16 comprising an upper rectangular region 18, of the same width as the upper wall 15, and a lower region 19 in the form of an isosceles trapezium converging downward and extending the upper region 18, - a lower wall 20 connected by a horizontal fold line 21 to the front wall 16, this lower wall 20 comprising a front region 22 (top in FIG. 3) in the form of an isosceles trapezoid and a rear region 23 (bottom in the figure) 3) substantially rectangular and extending the front region 22, the region 22 diverging towards the fold line 21 to extend the lower region 19 of the front wall 16 when the blank 14 is flat, - a rear wall 24 comprising a strip 25 connected by a horizontal fold line 26 to the lower wall 20, and - a flap 30 for fixing the rear wall 24 to the upper wall 15, this flap 30 being connected by a fold line 31 horizontal to the rear wall 24.

 The fold lines 17, 21, 26 and 31 are substantially longitudinal.

 The strip 25 has a central main fold line 32 which divides the strip 25 into two lateral flaps 33 over the essential height of the strip 24.

 A triangular opening 35 is formed in the lower end 36 of the strip 25. This opening 35 is connected by its upper angle 37 (below in FIG. 3) to the main fold line 32.

 Two auxiliary fold lines 38 extend from the free lateral edges of the lower end 36, converging towards and towards the angle 37. Two other auxiliary fold lines 39 extend in the lower end 36, from the lateral ends of the fold line 26,

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 up to the upper corners 40 of the opening 35, converging towards one another.

 The fold lines 26 and 39 and the lower side (at the top in FIG. 3) of the triangular opening 35 delimit in the strip 25 a lower flap 42 in the form of an isosceles trapezoid.

 The fold lines 38 and 39 and the lateral sides of the triangular opening 35 delimit two intermediate flaps 43 each disposed between the lower flap 42 and a side flap 33.

 Another triangular opening 45 is formed at the upper end 46 of the strip 25. The lower angle 47 (at the top in FIG. 3) of this opening 45 coincides with the upper end of the main fold line 32. Two auxiliary fold lines 48 extend from the free lateral edges of the strip 25, converging towards each other, each up to a respective upper angle 50 of the opening 45.

 The rear wall 24 comprises, in addition to the strip 25, an upper flap 52 which diverges towards the fold line 31 (downwards in FIG. 3). This flap 52 is connected on the one hand to the upper end 46 of the strip 25 by the fold lines 48, and on the other hand to the fixing flap 30 by the fold line 31.

 To form the assembly 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the pots 3 of the rear row 10 are placed for example on the horizontal lower wall 20 so that they rest on the latter.

 We then press on the lower end 36 of the strip 25, and in particular on the lower flap 42 to pivot the rear wall 24, relative to the lower wall 20, around the fold line 26.

 During this simple pivoting movement, the lateral flaps 33 of the strip 25 pass between the two pots 3 of the front row 10, approaching each other by folding around the main fold line 32.

During this approximation, the intermediate flaps 43 tilt relative to each other and relative to the flaps 42 and 33, thanks to the auxiliary folding lines 38 and 39, to form a lower gusset 54 (Figure 2). This lower gusset 54 has a shape of a trihedron diverging towards the outside of group 2 and more precisely downwards and backwards.

 The lower end 36 of the strip 25 is therefore flared towards the outside of the strip so that the intermediate flaps 43 are applied transversely each against a respective pot 3 of the rear row 10.

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 Likewise, the upper flap 52 is folded relative to the side flaps 33, by virtue of the auxiliary folding lines 48, to form an upper gusset 56.

 This upper gusset 56 has a shape of a trihedron diverging towards the outside of group 2 and more specifically towards the bottom and the rear. The upper end 46 of the strip 25 is flared towards the outside of the strip so that the upper ends of the flaps 33 are applied transversely each on a respective pot 3 of row 10.

 The upper flap 52 is then placed under the edges 6 of the pots 3 of the rear row 10.

 Furthermore, the side flaps 33 are applied over most of their length longitudinally each on a respective pot 3 of the rear row 10.

 Thus, the strip 25 partly conforms to the external contours of the two successive pots 3 of the rear row 10 by applying to them holding forces with longitudinal and transverse components, which forces are obtained by elastic return of the elements constituting the wall. rear 24 against pots 3.

 Then, the front wall 16 is folded relative to the bottom wall 20 by means of the fold line 21, so that the front wall 16 extends over the entire height of the pots 3 of the front row 10. The front wall 16 then transversely retains the pots 3 before.

 The upper wall 15 is then folded over the upper ends of all the pots 3 of group 2 to cover them.

 Then fixed, for example by gluing, the free rear edge of the upper wall 15 on the fixing flap 30 which has previously been folded horizontally on the upper ends of the pots 3 of the rear row 10, thanks to the fold line 31 .

 The upper wall 15 then extends horizontally just like the lower wall 20. The strip 25 of the rear wall 24 extends obliquely forward and downward. The front wall 16 extends substantially vertically. The front 16 and rear 24 walls therefore converge transversely downwards and the bottom wall 20, as can be seen in FIG. 1.

 Package 4 envelops group 2 of pots 3 with the following advantages.

 Thanks to the shape of the rear wall 24, the strip 25 of which is pressed elastically, longitudinally and transversely on the pots 3 of the rear row 10, maintaining the pots 3 rear, and therefore of all of the pots 3 which are integral with the each other, is satisfactory.

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 In particular, the maintenance is ensured both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction.

 The rear wall 24 itself passing entirely between the pots 3 of the rear row 10 to form means of longitudinal retention of the pots 10, these means cannot be taken out of service without destroying the packaging 4, unlike the packaging of the 'state of the art where these retaining means were formed by a short strip cut in the rear wall.

 The installation of the rear wall 24 is particularly simple and can be easily automated since it can be carried out by a simple push on the lower flap 42.

 The front wall 16 extends over the entire height of the pots 3 and therefore offers a surface of satisfactory dimensions to be able to withstand information.

 In addition, the lower wall 20 has a transverse width 1 (FIG. 3) significantly less than the transverse width L of the upper wall 15. This characteristic, linked to the fact that the strip 25 of the rear wall 24 and the front wall 16 converge towards the lower wall 20 in a transverse plane, allows the use of a blank 14 of reduced dimensions compared to the blanks of the packages 4 of rectangular cross section.

 In addition, the rear wall 24 connects the upper wall 15 to the lower wall 20 passing only between the pots 3 of the rear row 10 by means of the strip 25.

 Thus in the blank 14, the longitudinal extent e (FIG. 3) of the rear wall region 24 intended to cooperate with the lower part of the rear row 10, that is to say the longitudinal extent of the strip 25, is particularly low.

 This characteristic also makes it possible to reduce the unit cost of the blank 14, on the one hand thanks to the fact that the quantity of cardboard necessary to make it is reduced, and on the other hand because this characteristic makes it possible to limit the falls during the cutting of several blanks 14 in the same sheet of cardboard.

 Indeed, and as illustrated by FIG. 4, it can be seen that the blanks 14 cut from the same sheet of cardboard can be placed head to tail to be nested one inside the other.

 The part of large longitudinal extent of a blank 14, that is to say its upper wall 15, being placed between the parts of small longitudinal extent (the rear walls 24) of the two adjacent blanks 14.

 The regions 19 and 22 of the adjacent blanks 14 complement each other.

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 Thus, the unit cost of the blank 14 and therefore of the packaging 4 is reduced.

 The above principles can be applied to the packaging of other types of objects than pots, in particular containers which can contain all types of products, in particular food products.

 It will also be noted that these principles make it possible to condition groups of variable numbers of objects, for example 2 x 3 objects or 2 x 4 objects or even a single row of objects.

 Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention where the group 2 comprises twelve pots 3 arranged in a lower level 60 comprising a rear row 10 of three pots and a front row 10 of three pots, and a level 60 upper likewise comprising a rear row 10 of three pots and a front row 10 of three pots. The pots 3 of the upper level 60 each surmount a pot 3 of the lower level 60.

 In FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper wall 15 has been shown slightly raised relative to the pots 3. However, it is in reality fixed to the flap 30, as in the previous case.

 The packaging 4 is essentially distinguished from that of FIGS. 1 to 3 by the following.

 The front wall 16 comprises an upper rectangular section 62 and a lower section 64 delimited by a horizontal and longitudinal fold line 66. Regions 18 and 19 are located in the lower section 64.

 The rear wall 24 comprises: a lower section formed on the one hand by two strips 25 similar to those of FIGS. 1 to 3, these two strips 25 being arranged one next to the other and spaced longitudinally one of the other, and on the other hand two corresponding upper flaps 52 which extend mutually longitudinally, and - an upper section 68 connected by a fold line 70 to the two upper flaps 52.

 Two tabs 72 are cut from the fixing flap 30, each facing a strip 25. Each tab 72 is connected to the upper section 68 of the rear wall 24 by means of a fold line 74 slightly set back from the line folding 31.

 These tongues 72 have a substantially rectangular shape having in their two free angles curved recesses 76.

 In the assembly 1 of FIG. 5, each strip 25 passes between two successive pots 3 of the lower rear row 10.

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 The upper section 68 of the rear wall 24 extends over the entire height of the upper rear row 10 while maintaining it transversely.

 The lower section 64 of the front wall 16 extends over the entire height of the lower front row 10, while the upper section 62 extends over the entire height of the upper front row 10. Thus, the front wall 16 transversely retains the pots 3 of these rows 10 before.

 Finally, the tongues 72 are folded so as to each engage between two successive pots of the upper rear row 10, under their upper edges 6. Thanks to their recesses 76, each of these tongues 72 comes to marry the walls of the two adjacent pots 3 by engaging transversely between them. Thus, these tongues 72 form means for longitudinal and transverse retention of the pots 3 of the upper rear row 10.

 The packaging 4 of this second embodiment also has the advantages of that of the first embodiment.

 In particular, it will be noted that the overall longitudinal extent E (FIG. 6) of the rear wall 24, in the strips 25 intended to cooperate with the lower ends of the pots 3 of the lower rear row 10 is reduced, and in particular more reduced than that of the other walls of the package 4.

Claims (21)

1. Packaging (4) of the sheath type for conditioning a group (2) of at least two objects (3) connected by their upper ends (6) and arranged in at least a first row (10) extending in a direction longitudinal (L), the package comprising an upper wall (15), a front wall (16), a lower wall (20) and a rear wall (24), the front (16) and rear (24) walls connecting the lower (20) and upper (15) walls, the lower wall being intended to support at least one object (3) of the group, the rear wall (24) comprising at least one lower strip (25) intended to pass between two objects ( 3) successive of the first row (10) to retain them longitudinally, characterized in that the lower wall (20) has a transverse width (l) less than that (L) of the upper wall (15), and in that the longitudinal extent (e; E) of the rear wall, at the level of the or each lower strip (25), e st low enough for the rear wall (24) to connect the lower wall (20) and the upper wall (15) passing only between successive objects in the first row (10) via the or each lower strip (25).  2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each lower strip (25) intended to pass between two successive objects of the first row (10) comprises two flaps (33) of longitudinal support against each of said successive objects ( 3).  3. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the longitudinal support flaps (33) are connected by a first fold line (32) extending substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction (L).  4. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one end (36,46) of the or each lower strip (25) intended to pass between two successive objects (3) of the first row (10) is flared outward from said strip to transversely retain said two objects (3).  5. Packaging according to claims 3 and 4 taken together, characterized in that said end (36,46) of the or each lower strip (25) comprises at least two second fold lines (38,39, 48) converging towards said first fold line (32) to form a gusset (54, 56) of transverse support on said two objects (3). <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  6. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the group (2) of objects being intended to comprise a second row of objects (3) disposed above the first row (10), l 'packaging includes means (72) for longitudinal retention of at least two successive objects (3) of the second row.  7. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the longitudinal retaining means comprise at least one tongue (72) intended to extend between said two successive objects (3) of the second row (10).  8. Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that said tongue (72) is connected by a fold line (74) to the rear wall (24).  9. Packaging according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said tongue (72) is cut at least partially in a flap (30) for fixing the rear wall (24) to the upper wall (15).  10. Blank for forming a package according to any one of the preceding claims, the blank comprising successive elements (15, 16, 20, 24) intended to form the upper, front, bottom and rear walls of the package. (4), in that the element (20) intended to form the lower wall has a transverse width (l) less than that (L) of the element (15) intended to form the upper wall, in that l element (24) intended to form the rear wall comprises a strip (25) intended to pass between two successive objects (3) of the first row (10), and in that the longitudinal extent (e; E) of l element (24) intended to form the rear wall is, at the level of or each strip (25), sufficiently weak so that the rear wall (24) connects the lower wall (20) and the upper wall (16) in passing only between successive objects of the first row (10) via the or each strip (25) .  11. Blank according to claim 10, characterized in that the or each strip (25) intended to pass between two successive objects of the first row (10) comprises two flaps (33) of longitudinal support against each of said successive objects (3 ).  12. Blank according to claim 11, characterized in that the longitudinal support flaps (33) are connected by a first fold line (32) <Desc / Clms Page number 14>  intended to extend substantially orthogonally to the longitudinal direction (L).  13. Blank according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that at least one end (36,46) of the or each strip (25) intended to pass between two successive objects (3) of the first row (10) is adapted to be flared towards the outside of said strip (25) for transversely retaining said two objects (3).  14. Blank according to claims 12 and 13 taken together, characterized in that said end (36,46) of the or each strip (25) comprises at least two second fold lines (38,39, 48) converging towards said first fold line (32) to form a gusset (54,56) for transverse support on said two objects.  15. Blank according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, the group (2) of objects being intended to comprise a second row of objects (3) disposed above the first row (10) , the blank comprises means (72) for longitudinal retention of at least two successive objects (3) of the second row.  16. A blank according to claim 15, characterized in that the longitudinal retaining means comprise at least one tongue (72) intended to extend between said two successive objects of the second row (10).  17. Blank according to claim 16, characterized in that said tongue (72) is connected by a fold line (74) to the element (24) intended to form the rear wall.  18. Blank according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that said tongue (72) is cut at least partially in a flap (30) for fixing the element (24) intended to form the rear wall to the element ( 15) intended to form the upper wall.  19. Assembly (1) comprising on the one hand a group (2) of at least two objects (3) connected by their upper ends (6) and arranged in at least a first row (10) extending in a direction longitudinal (L), and secondly a package according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the lower wall (20) supporting at least one object (3) of the group, and the rear wall (24) connecting the wall lower (20) and the upper wall (16) passing <Desc / CRUD Page number 15>  only between the successive objects of the first row (10) via the or each lower strip (25).  20. The assembly of claim 19, characterized in that the group (2) of objects comprises a second row of objects (3) arranged above the first row (10) and in that the packaging comprises means ( 72) of longitudinal retention of at least two successive objects (3) of the second row (10).  21. The assembly of claim 20, characterized in that the longitudinal retaining means comprise at least one tongue (72) which extends between said two successive objects (3) of the second row.