FR2848993A1 - Pack for pots of yoghurt or similar is made from cut and folded card panel with flaps in base folded to form supports for pots - Google Patents

Abstract

The pack (4) for a group (2) of two or more containers (3) is made from a card panel cut and folded to make a sleeve (11) with top (15), bottom (25) and side (16, 27) walls. It has at least one support (64) projecting between the containers from the bottom wall, made from a flap (46) cut out of the bottom wall and folded upwards from a first fold line (48) adjacent to the base of a container. The flap is folded to make a rectangular projection, with its tip (56) fastened to the bottom wall of the pack e.g. by adhesive. The pack can have two layers of containers with a spacing layer of the card between them having folded supporting flaps.

Description

i

  The present invention relates to a package for packaging a group of at least two containers, the package being of the type comprising at least one sheath extending longitudinally and comprising an upper wall, a lower wall, two side walls connecting the lower walls 5 and upper, and at least one container holding member, the holding member projecting from the bottom wall to be disposed between containers, the holding member comprising a flap cut from the bottom wall and folded around a fold line, the flap being cut in the bottom wall of a first side of the fold line.

  The invention applies, for example, to the packaging of yoghurt or compote jars.

  A package of the aforementioned type is known from document EP-271,056.

  The sheath is made of cardboard and the lower wall is formed by two half-walls fixed to each other. The holding element is a beam which extends longitudinally between two rows of pots and which is formed at from a shutter cut in the edge of a first of the lower half-walls To form the beam, the shutter is folded relative to the first lower half-wall around a fold line and is fixed to the other lower half-wall In the sheath, the beam is located on the same side of the fold line as that where the shutter has been cut.

  Such a structure of holding element requires the use of a lot of cardboard, and in particular more than if the bottom wall were made in a single part.

  Thus, the cost of such packaging is high.

  An object of the invention is to solve this problem by providing a packaging of the aforementioned type in which the structure of the holding element makes it possible to reduce the cost of the packaging.

  To this end, the invention relates to a packaging of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the flap is folded and fixed relative to the bottom wall on the side opposite the first side relative to the fold line.

  According to particular embodiments, the packaging may include one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination: the fold line extends substantially longitudinally, and the holding element is a transverse holding element for the containers; the flap comprises an end region by which it is fixed to the bottom wall; the end region of the flap is fixed by gluing to the lower wall; the flap comprises several successive regions connected to each other by fold lines, the holding element having a quadrilateral section; the group being intended to comprise at least a lower level of containers and an upper level of containers, the packaging further comprises a spacer intended to be disposed between the lower level and the upper level of containers; The interlayer comprises first retaining means relative to the containers of the lower level and second retaining means of the containers of the upper level relative to the interlayer; the first retaining means comprise openings for receiving upper regions of containers of the lower level; the second retaining means protrude upwards from the interlayer to be arranged between containers of the upper level; and the second retaining means comprise at least two tabs cut from the interlayer, folded and engaged one inside the other.

  The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a group of at least two containers and a package conditioning the group, characterized in that the package is a package as defined above.

  The invention further relates to a cardboard blank previously cut and provided with grooves, characterized in that it is adapted to form the sheath of a package as defined above.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly comprising a group of containers conditioned in a package according to the invention, Figure 2 is a schematic view, enlarged, partial and in perspective illustrating the interlayer of the package of Figure 1 and its cooperation with two containers, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a carton blank to form the outer sheath of the packaging of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a similar view illustrating a carton blank to form the interlayer of the packaging of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating a carton blank for forming a package according to another embodiment of the invention.

  FIG. 1 represents a set 1 comprising a group 2 of eight pots of yogurt 3 and a package 4.

  The pots 3 are identical, arranged vertically and for example have a generally frustoconical shape converging downwards. As illustrated for example by FIG. 2, the pots 3 each have, at their upper open end, an annular rim 6 and a circular cover 7 closing this open end.

  The pots 3 have been shown in phantom in Figures 1 and 2 and some pots 3 have not been shown for more visibility.

  The pots 3 are arranged in two superposed levels, namely a lower level of four pots 3, and an upper level of four pots 3.

  The pots 3 of the upper level each surmount a pot 3 of the lower level. For each level, the four pots 3 are regularly arranged in two rows 10 extending in a longitudinal direction L of the package 4.

  The packaging 4 comprises an outer sheath 11 which surrounds the group 2 externally, and an interlayer 12 disposed between the lower level and the upper level of pots 3.

  The structures of the sleeve 11 and then of the interlayer 12 will now be described from FIGS. 1 to 4 In this description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical", "horizontal", "front", " rear "," lower "," upper "," right "and" left "will be understood relative to the package 4 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

  The sheath 11, which is formed from a cardboard blank 13 previously cut and grooved (FIG. 3), mainly comprises: a substantially rectangular upper wall 15, a substantially rectangular straight side wall 16 connected to the upper wall 15 by a longitudinal fold line 17, the wall 16 further having a median and longitudinal fold line 21 and a lower and longitudinal fold line 22 which delimits a lower region 23, a lower wall 25, of generally rectangular shape and of corresponding dimensions substantially to those of the upper wall 15, and 10 connected to the side wall 16 by a longitudinal fold line 26, a left side wall 27 for example of the same dimensions as the right side wall 16, connected to the lower wall 25 by a longitudinal fold line 28, the left side wall 27 comprising a middle and longitudinal fold line 29 and a lig ne of lower and longitudinal folding 30 delimiting a lower region 31, and a flap 32 for fixing the left side wall 27 to the upper wall 15, this flap 32 being connected to the left side wall 27 by a longitudinal folding line 33 .

  The fold line 17 is interrupted by two cutouts 35 formed in the right side wall 16 These cutouts 35 delimit two flanges 36 extending the upper wall 15 and two clearances 37 substantially rectangular.

  Two openings 38 in the form of a disc sector are formed in the lower region 23 of the right side wall 16.

  Two oblong slots 40 are formed substantially in the center of the bottom wall 25, opposite the openings 38.

  Two cutouts 41 are provided in the lower region 31 of the left side wall 27 and in the lower wall 25 These cutouts 41 each include a section 42 in an arc formed in the region 31. The sections 42 have for example a corresponding shape around the openings 38 The sections 42 are each extended by two curved end sections 44 which extend in the bottom wall 25 towards the slots 40. The cutouts 41 delimit two flaps 46 which are connected to the bottom wall 25 by fold lines 48 which are each understood between the ends of the two sections 44 of the corresponding cut 41.

  Each flap 46 is therefore cut on the left side (at the top in FIG. 3) of the corresponding fold line 48.

  Each flap 46 comprises from the corresponding fold line 48 four successive panels 50, 52, 54, 56 separated by longitudinal fold lines 58.

  The panel 56 furthest from the fold line 48, hereinafter referred to as the end panel, has a disc sector shape.

  The fold line 33 is interrupted by two cutouts 60 in U which delimit flanges 62 extending the flap 32 for fixing.

  In the sheath 11 set in volume (Figure 1), the flaps 46 are folded from the side to the left of the fold lines 48 to the side to the right 15 thereof The end panels 56 are glued to the wall lower 25, to the right of the fold lines 48 and beyond the oblong slots 40.

  The panels 50, 52, 54 and 56 are then folded with respect to each other around the fold lines 58 substantially at right angles, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

  Each flap 46 thus forms a beam 64 of substantially square section. As a variant, this section can be rectangular. The beam 64 is located to the right of the corresponding fold line 48, while the flap 46 has been cut to the left of this fold line. 48.

  The side walls 16 and 27 are folded upwards relative to the bottom wall 25.

  The formation of the beams 64 has released in the lower region 31 of the left side wall 27 two openings 38 of shape corresponding to that of the openings 38 formed in the lower region 23 of the right side wall 16.

  The lower ends of the lower pots 3 are engaged in the openings 38 of the right side wall 16 and of the left side wall 27, thus ensuring a longitudinal retention of the lower pots 3 relative to the sheath 11.

  The two beams 64 project upwards from the bottom wall between the right and left rows of the lower pots 3.

  Thus, the front beam 64 in FIG. 1 is arranged between the lower front pots 3, and the rear beam 64 is arranged between the rear lower pots 3. The beams 64 transversely hold the lower pots 3 and press them in particular at the bottom of the openings 38.

  The lower right pots 3 each rest on the end panel 56 of the corresponding beam 64.

  The upper flap 32 is folded relative to the left side wall 27 and glued under the upper wall 15 which is itself folded relative to the right side wall 16.

  The folding of the flap 32 has released in the left side wall 27 of the openings 68 which receive the upper edges 6 of the upper left 3 pots 3 These openings 68 will provide longitudinal retention of the upper left pots 3.

  Similarly, the folding of the upper wall 15 relative to the right side wall 16 has released in the side wall 16 of the receiving openings of the upper edges 6 of the upper right pots 3.

  The interlayer 12 (Figure 2), which is formed from a cardboard blank 72 previously cut and grooved (Figure 4), mainly comprises: a central wall 74 substantially rectangular, a right side flap 76 connected to the central panel 74 by a longitudinal fold line 78 interrupted by two U-shaped cutouts 80 delimiting two flanges 82 extending the central wall 74, and a left lateral flap 84 connected to the central wall 74 by a longitudinal fold line 86 interrupted by two cutouts 88 U-shaped delimiting two flanges 90 extending the central wall 74.

  Two oblong slots 92 are provided in the center of the central wall 74 one behind the other.

  A female tab 94 is cut in the central wall 74 to the left of each slot 92 and a male tab 96 is cut in the central wall 74 to the right of each slot 92.

  The female legs 94 and the male legs 96 have substantially inverted U shapes. They are connected to the rest of the central wall 74 by longitudinal fold lines 98 arranged at the ends of the branches of the legs 94 and 96.

  A notch 100 in the form of a disk sector is formed in each female tab 94.

  Each male tab 96 is extended by a tongue 102 in the form of a semi-disc.

  In assembly 1 of FIG. 1, the side flaps 76 and 84 are folded down with respect to the central wall 74, thus freeing openings 104 (FIG. 2) in the side flaps 76 and 84.

  The interlayer 12 is disposed inside the sheath 11 and the central wall 74 covers the lower pots 3 while the upper pots 3 rest on the central wall 74.

  The upper edges 6 of the lower pots 3 are each engaged in an opening 104 thereby ensuring longitudinal retention of the lower pots 3 relative to the interlayer 12.

  The tabs 94 and 96 bordering each slot 92 are folded towards each other above the central wall 74 to form a retaining element 106 in the form of a trestle. The tongue 102 of the male tab 96 is then engaged in the notch 100 of the female tab 94 thus ensuring the holding of the retaining element 106.

  The two retaining elements 106 thus formed are arranged one behind the other above the central wall 74, the front element 106 being arranged between the upper front pots 3 and the rear element 106 between the pots 3 rear superiors.

  The folding of the legs 94 and 96 has released between their branches semi-circular recesses 108 Each clearance 108 receives the lower end of an upper pot 3.

  Thus, the retaining elements 106 retain the upper pots 3 both longitudinally and transversely relative to the interlayer 12.

  To form the assembly 1, one can for example proceed as follows.

  We start by forming the beams 64 on the lower wall 25 of the sleeve 11 and then we have the lower pots 3 on the lower wall 25.

  The interlayer 12 is then placed on the lower pots 3 after having formed the retaining elements 106 on the central wall 74.

  The upper pots 3 are then placed on the interlayer 12 and the side walls 16 and 27 of the sheath 11 are folded back to envelop the group 2 deposits 3.

  Finally, the upper wall 15 is fixed to the fixing flap 32 by gluing.

  It will be noted that the slots 40 and 92 provided in the blanks 13 and 72 make it possible to handle them easily using suction cups and therefore to automate the production of the assembly 1.

  The flaps 46 being each cut on the same side of a fold line 48 and folded over the bottom wall 25 on the other side of this fold line 48, the bottom wall 25 may be of reduced dimensions. cost of the blank 13 and of the packaging 4 is therefore particularly reduced.

  In addition, it will be observed that the structure of the beams 64 formed by the flaps 46, and in particular their section, gives them significant rigidity so that the size of the openings 38 can be reduced. Thus, the risks of tearing of the sheath 11 are reduced. and a light weight cardboard or recycled cardboard can be used to form the sheath 11, which further reduces the cost.

  In addition, the panels 56, on which the lower right pots 3 rest, also contribute to the solidity of the beams 64.

  The interlayer 12 interposed between the lower pots 3 and the upper pots 3 protects the covers of the lower pots 3.

  In addition, the openings 104 form means for retaining the lower pots 3 which, in combination with the retaining elements 106 for the upper pots 3, allow the pots 3 to be held satisfactorily in the sheath 11.

  It will be noted that these retaining means 104 and 106 do not lead to overconsumption of cardboard.

  It will be noted that the self-supporting structure of the retaining elements 106 also makes it possible to reduce the grammage of the cardboard used to form the interlayer 12 so that the overall cost of the packaging 4 can be reduced. In addition, the two side walls 16 and 27 are not cut or damaged to ensure the retention of the lower pots 3 relative to the upper pots 3. More generally, the holding beams 64 and the retaining means 104 and 106 may have shapes different from those described above.

  It should also be noted that these two aspects can be used independently of one another.

  Thus, it is possible to use a spacer 12 with retaining means 104 and 106 without using the structure of retaining elements 64 in the lower wall 25 of the sleeve 11.

  The reverse is also true and illustrated by FIG. 5 which represents a blank 13 to form a sheath 11 according to a second embodiment.

  This blank 13 differs from that of FIG. 3 by the fact that the lateral walls 16 and 27 are of reduced height and do not have a center fold line. Thus, this blank 13 is intended to form a packaging 4 for packaging. of a group of pots 3 arranged in a single level The packaging 4 therefore does not include an interlayer 12.

  The principles described above can also apply to the packaging of pots 3, the upper ends of which are connected together, for example yoghurt pots produced by thermoforming a plastic plate.

  More generally, these principles can be used to condition other types of containers than yogurt pots. 25

Claims (10)

  1 package (4) for packaging a group (2) of at least two containers (3), the package being of the type comprising at least one sheath (11) extending longitudinally and comprising an upper wall (15), a lower wall (25), two side walls (16, 27) connecting the lower and upper walls, and at least one container holding element (64) (3), the holding element (64) projecting from the lower wall (25) to be placed between containers (3), the retaining element (64) comprising a flap (46) cut out from the lower wall (25) and folded around a fold line (48), the flap being cut in the lower wall (25) on a first side of the fold line (48), characterized in that the flap (46) is folded and fixed relative to the lower wall (25) on the side opposite the first side with respect to the fold line (48).   2 Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the fold line (48) extends substantially longitudinally, and in that the holding element (64) is a transverse holding element for the containers (3).   3 Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flap (46) comprises an end region (56) by which it is fixed to the bottom wall (25).   4 Packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the end region (56) of the flap (46) is fixed by gluing to the bottom wall (25).   Packaging according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the flap (46) comprises several successive regions (50, 52, 54, 56) connected to each other by fold lines (58), the holding element ( 64) having a quadrilateral section.   6 Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the group (2) being intended to comprise at least a lower level of containers (3) and an upper level of containers (3), the packaging further comprises a spacer (12) intended to be disposed between the lower level and the upper level of containers (3).   7 Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the interlayer (12) comprises first means (104) for retaining relative to the containers (3) of the lower level and second means (106) for retaining the containers (3) of the upper level in relation to the interlayer (12). he   8 Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the first retaining means comprise openings (104) for receiving upper regions of containers (3) of the lower level.   9 Packaging according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the 5 second retaining means (106) protrude upwards from the interlayer (12) to be arranged between containers (3) of the upper level.   Packaging according to claim 9, characterized in that the second retaining means comprise at least two tabs (94, 96) cut from the interlayer (12), folded and engaged one inside the other.   11 Assembly comprising a group (2) of at least two containers (3) and a package (4) conditioning the group, characterized in that the package is a package according to one of the preceding claims.   12 Cardboard blank previously cut and provided with grooves, characterized in that it is adapted to form the sheath (11) of a package 15 according to any one of claims 1 to 10.