FR2964645A1 - Lid i.e. rectangular lid, for horizontal bottle in case, has base including spline connected to partition by connection segment such that application of force on partition drives displacement of partition and spline with respect to bases - Google Patents

Abstract

The lid (1) has plane bases (2-4), where each base comprises a form to receive a bottle. The bases are laid out in side by side and in a head to tail manner. A partition (5) is arranged between the bases, where the partition includes two sub-parts connected by ridges. The base includes a spline extending from the bases, where the spline is connected to the partition by a connection segment such that application of a force on the partition along direction perpendicular to the bases drives relative displacement of the partition and the spline with respect to the bases. The lid is made of cardboard. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for shaping a lid (2) a system for shaping of a lid, comprising a robot.

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of holds for bottles arranged in a container such as a box. STATE OF THE ART

The packaging of bottles in packages such as crates has many constraints in terms of bottle protection and in terms of legislation.

Thus, in bottles of bottles intended for export, the bottles are necessarily arranged horizontally. It is then necessary to have shims, in order to keep the bottles in position in their container and to avoid any movement that could break them.

Conventional solutions have wedges made of cardboard or corrugated cardboard arranged in a box, in order to keep the bottles in position. However, such calluses are complex to perform, and require complicated and expensive formatting steps.

For example, the hold for bottles as presented in the document FR 2903966 comprises multiple elements to be shaped: - a return flap for setting the neck of the bottle, - a return flap for the wedging of the ass bottle, - shutters. Shaping this wedge therefore requires individually manipulating multiple elements. In addition, since these elements have no links between them, it is necessary to ensure the proper positioning of each individual element. In addition, the realization of certain elements of the hold, such as the support of the neck can cause significant losses of material during the realization of the hold. For example, JP 2004115071 discloses a bottle hold comprising a neck support member forming an outgrowth during formation of the shim in a plate of material.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a bottle wedge made from a single sheet of material and requiring reduced shaping operations.

The invention also relates to a packaging for bottles provided with such a wedge, and a method of shaping such a wedge. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wedge for coated bottles adapted to support at least two bottles arranged side by side and head-to-tail, said wedge being characterized in that it is formed from a single sheet of material, and in that it comprises: at least two substantially flat bases, each said base having a shape adapted to receive a bottle disposed lying on said base, said bases being arranged side by side and head; at least one partition disposed between two successive bases, each of said partitions comprising two sub-parts connected by a ridge line, said wedge being further characterized in that: each of the bases comprises a tongue extending from the bases; each of the tongues being connected to at least one partition by a connecting segment, so that the application of a force on the partition in a direction substantially perpendicular to the bases causes the relative movement of the partitions and tabs relative to the bases.

According to a particular embodiment, each of the bases comprises at least one stop, each of said at least one stop extending in the plane of the base from an edge of said base, said stop being adapted to define a spacing between two successive bases.

According to a variant, each of the bases comprises at least one perforation adapted to allow air to pass through said bases.

According to another variant, the spacer comprises: - three bases, 15 - two partitions, each of said partitions being arranged between two consecutive bases, each of the partitions being connected to each of the tabs of the adjacent bases by a connecting segment.

According to another variant, the wedge comprises holding elements 20 disposed in the extension of said tongues, at one end of the tabs opposite to the base from which it extends.

According to another embodiment, said partitions are adapted to be shaped so as to project relative to the bases, so as to define housings delimited by a base and at least one partition, said partitions cooperating with the segments of binding so that the formatting of the partitions causes the displacement of the tabs so that they are inclined relative to the bases. According to a variant, said wedge is made of cardboard.

The present invention also relates to a packaging for bottles, comprising a box and at least one shim as defined above, said shim being arranged in the box. According to one variant, said package comprises at least two shims arranged in the box, superimposed according to the height of the fund.

Finally, the present invention relates to a method of shaping a wedge as defined above, said method comprising the steps of: - positioning a plane or substantially flat wedge, - maintaining in a plane of the bases of said wedge, - Application of a pulse at each of the partitions, so that the at least one wall projects from the bases.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and nonlimiting, and which should be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example 1 for a bottle according to a particular embodiment of the invention, respectively flat and shaped, - Figure 3 has such a shim placed in a box, - Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. a shim according to the invention; FIG. 5 shows an exemplary device for implementing this wedge forming method according to the invention; Figures 6, 7 and 8 show particular embodiments of wedge forming tools.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a shim 1 for a bottle according to a particular embodiment of the invention, respectively flat and shaped. The shim 1 is typically made from a sheet of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, such materials having advantages in terms of weight, cost and ease of shaping.

In order to allow simplified shaping of the shim, the connections between two adjacent elements of the shim are made by folding lines, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.

The shim 1 as illustrated comprises five parts: - three bases, respectively 2, 3 and 4, - two partitions 5 and 6, each of the partitions being arranged between two successive base parts.

The partitions 5 and 6 are adapted to, following a shaping step, protrude from the bases 2, 3 and 4, so as to define three housings, each housing having substantially a bottle shape.

The bases 2, 3 and 4 each have a shape adapted to meet a dual requirement: to allow the insertion of the shim 1 into a container such as a box having typically a rectangular section, and to hold in position bottles arranged in the accommodation of the hold 1.

The base 2 is a flat strip shaped to correspond to the general shape of the bottle with - a first part which extends over a given height and whose width is constant5 - a second part which extends the first and whose width goes decreasing.

This base 2 is thus delimited by: - a lateral edge 7 of the cardboard sheet, which is a straight edge designed to fit the walls of a box, - a first fold line 8 which delimits with the side edge 7 the first portion of constant width, - an edge 9 of an opening 10 in the continuity of the first fold line 8, and a second fold line 11 itself in the extension of this edge 9, the edge of opening 9 and the second fold line 11 defining, with the lateral edge 7, the second part of decreasing width of the base 2.

The base 4 has a geometry similar to that of the base 2, and will not be described in more detail.

The base 3, disposed in the central part of the shim 1, is itself bounded on both sides by fold lines and edges of openings similar to those of the bases 2 and 4.

Each of the bases 2, 3 and 4 is further extended by a tongue 12, 13 and 14, from which it is separated by a fold line (crease line of the end of the neck), respectively 15, 16 and 17 intended for be at the neck of a bottle laid flat in the bases 2, 3 and 4.

These tongues 12, 13 and 14 are, once the shim 1 has been shaped, inclined with respect to the base parts, and are adapted to serve as a support for the neck of bottles arranged in the shim 1.

The tongues 12, 13 and 14 are themselves extended by holding elements, respectively 18, 19 and 20, which with said tongue are slightly protruding with respect to the remainder of the sheet from which the shim 1 is formed, which has a substantially rectangular shape, as can be seen in FIG.

When the shim 1 is placed in position in a container such as a box, these holding elements 18, 19 and 20 are pressed against the walls of the box, as shown in Figure 3. They thus allow to solidify maintaining the tabs 12, 13 and 14 in an inclined position, despite the force exerted by the neck of a bottle disposed in the hold 1.

Figure 3 also shows a scale of dimensions for the shim 1; the bases 2, 3 and 4 have a length substantially equal to that of a bottle, their parts with constant width has a width corresponding substantially to the diameter of the barrel of a bottle while their portion whose width decreases to a width minimum substantially equal to the diameter of the neck of a bottle.

A box may include several shims superimposed in the direction of the height of the box, thus defining several tiers of bottles. Thus, a box comprising two shims as shown in Figures 2 and 3 will accommodate six bottles lying.

The shims superimposed in a box may be arranged either identically on each other, or head to tail, this arrangement being chosen in particular according to the height of the box.

The partition 5 can be subdivided into two identical sub-parts 21 and 22 linked by a ridge 23 and arranged upside down. The crest line 23 extends over the entire length of the partition 5, and consists essentially of a fold line.

The first subpart 21 comprises - a first partition segment 24, disposed in the extension of the section 8, - a second partition segment 25, arranged in the extension of the section 11, - a roof segment 26, disposed in the extension of the first partition segment 24, and connected to the second partition segment (identical to the partition segment 25) of the second sub-portion 22 of the partition 5, - a connecting segment 27, arranged to connect the second segment of partition 25 and the tongue 12.

The first partition segment 24 and the second partition segment 25 are separated by an opening 28 arranged in the partition 5. The second subpart 22 of the partition 5 has a structure identical to that of the subpart 21, and will not be therefore not described in detail. Similarly, the partition 6 has a structure identical to that of the partition 5.

According to a particular embodiment, each of the bases 2, 3 and 4 comprises holes, typically of circular shape As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the bases 2, 3 and 4 comprises two circular bores, the arrangement of these holes in the bases may vary. These holes allow an air passage through the shim 1, thus facilitating its insertion into a container such as a crate.

On the other hand, the shim 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 has linkage holes 29, 30 and 31. The linkage holes 29, 30 and 31 are arranged at the junction between the base, the tongue, the second wall element and the connecting segment. These linkage holes 29, 30 and 31 make it possible to facilitate the shaping of the shim 1, by reducing the resistance to shaping which results from the junction point between several elements. wedge 1 which would be likely to cause a jam because of the multiple fold lines converging at the same point ..

Finally, the shim 1 as illustrated has stops 32, 33, 34 and 35 extending in the extension of the edges 9 of the openings 10 delimiting the bases 2, 3 and 4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is no fold line between the stops 32, 33, 34 and 35 and the bases 2,3 and 4, the stops 32, 33, 34 and 35 extending directly in the extension of the bases.

These stops 32, 33, 34 and 35 make it possible to define a minimum spacing between the bases 2, 3 and 4 once the wedge 1 has been shaped, that is to say once the partitions 5 and 6 project from compared to the basics. Indeed, once the wedge 1 put in position, the partitions 5 and 6 will be arranged substantially perpendicular to the bases, which could lead to contact between the bases according to their fold lines 8 and 11 and / or edges 9 .

The stops make it possible to prevent this contact between the bases; indeed, during the shaping of the shim 1, the stop 33 will come into contact with the base 2 at the fold line, limiting the approximation between the bases 2 and 3. The stops 32, 34 and 35 perform a function identical to that of the stop 33.

Such minimum spacing between the bases allows the partitions 5 and 6 to play a role of shock absorber between bottles arranged lying on the bases. Indeed, in the event of a very thin partition, it could transmit shocks from one bottle to another, while ensuring a minimum spacing between the bases, such transmission of shocks between two bottles adjacent is not possible. In addition, defining the thickness of the partitions 5 and 6 makes it possible to fill all the space available over the width of the box in which the shim 1 is intended to be arranged. In order to shape the shim 1, an operator will urge the fold lines, so that the partitions 5 and 6 protrude from the bases 2, 3 and 4.

This bias is typically achieved by the application of a force, for example a "wrist shot" or a pulse that can be applied for example at the level of the crest line L while maintaining the bases 2, 3 and 4 in the same plan.

When the pulse is applied at the level of the peak line 23, the latter will exit from the plane in which the bases 2, 3 and 4 are held, and cause the partitions 5 and 6 to move in its movement. their movement, the partitions 5 and 6 respectively drive in motion the connecting segments 27, the latter 20 in turn causing the tongues 18, 19 and 20 to move.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the wedge according to the invention, which comprises only two bases 40 and 41, separated by a single partition 42. This presents elements identical to those presented in FIGS. illustrate a more complex embodiment of the hold. All these elements have been described previously.

On reading the foregoing, it is understood that the shaping of shim 1 is easy, and is limited to a single operation of applying a pulse, this single pulse causing the relative displacement of all the constituent elements of the shim. Because of their particular arrangement, thus, the shaping of the shim 1 comprises a reduced number of steps, not requiring individual handling of several disjoint parts of the shim.

In addition, because of the connection between the different elements of the wedge during their positioning, the relative positioning of the elements relative to each other is determined by the geometry of the various elements, and does not require adjustments. when formatting.

More specifically, the shaping of a wedge as presented above comprises the following steps: - positioning a flat wedge, typically a wedge cut in a sheet of material such as cardboard, - the maintenance in position of the bases 2, 3 and 4 of the wedge, this holding in position may for example be achieved through the openings disposed in the bases 2, 3 and 4, the application of a pulse, typically in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the bases 2, 3 and 4 are maintained, at the level of the partitions 5 and 6, or more particularly at the line or lines of folding of the wedge, or more particularly at the level of the line or lines ( s) 23, ie at the level of the roof segment (s) 26, which will have the effect of creating an offset of the folding line (s) 23, of the roof segment (s) 26 or partitions 5 and 6 with respect to the bases 2, 3 and 4, and thus to bend the partitions and to make them project from the plane in which the bases 2, 3 and 4 of the hold are held, this movement of the partitions causing, due to the geometry of the wedge, a movement of the connecting segments 27, which will in turn cause a movement of the tabs 18, 19 and 20.

The movement of the different elements of the shim 1 is limited by the presence of the stops.

These formatting steps can be performed manually, or automatically, for example via a shaping chain.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary device for implementing this wedge forming method according to the invention.

Such a device comprises a robot 50 provided with a suitable tool (here a gripping element 51, a folding table 52, or more generally a flat surface on which are disposed one or more sheets of cardboard 53 intended to be put into place. forms to form wedges 1 according to the invention, and boxes 54, intended to receive the wedges 1 a 15 times these formatted.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the robot 50 comprises a gripping element 51 provided with suction cups, allowing both the bases 2, 3, 4 of the hold 1 to be held in position in a plane before application of the effort for shaping the wedge 1, and, once the wedge formed, put it in position in the body 54 associated.

Other specific tools can be adapted to the robot 50 for shaping shims 1, for example a tool comprising a jack 25 adapted to apply a pulse at the line or lines of folding of the shim, so to achieve its formatting as described above, or a pantograph.

More generally, the tools providing the robot 50 make it possible, while maintaining the bases 2, 3, 4, to exert a force so as to cause the relative displacement of the partitions 5 and 6 with respect to the bases 2, 3, 4, so that said partitions 5, 6 protrude from said bases 2, 3, 4.

The device as shown in FIG. 5 is adapted for shaping two wedges per cycle, but this number is obviously variable, such a device being able to be limited to a single wedge per cycle, or three wedges (such as it will be seen in Figure 8) or more per cycle.

According to a particular embodiment shown in Figure 6, the robot 50 is provided with a tool comprising three stirrups 55, 56 and 57 mobile succeeding each of these stirrups being provided with suction cups 58. These suckers will come to seize a sheet 53 disposed on the table 52 at the bases 2, 3 and 4, and the stirrups are moved relative to each other so as to approach. This approximation of the stirrups causes a rapprochement of the bases 2, 3 and 4, which causes the folding of the sheet 53 along its fold lines, and the projection of the walls 5 and 6 and the shaping of the wedge 1.

According to another variant illustrated in FIG. 7, the tool may comprise ramps of pins 60 adapted to be inserted into the openings of the bases 2, 3 and 4, these ramps of pins being actuated by jacks 61 and pulleys. 62. According to yet another variant, the tool may comprise angular grippers guided by rails and coming to close on the cardboard sheet 53 placed on the table 52.

Alternatively, the table 52 may include means to encourage the folding of the cardboard sheet 53, such as jacks or specific reliefs.

FIG. 8 shows another particular embodiment of a tool for shaping wedges as defined previously from sheets of cardboard 53, this tool comprising: wings 70 provided with pins 71, inserted into the bores of the sheet 53 as previously described, - suction cups 72 for gripping the sheet 53, - a jack 73 to achieve a pulse, or more generally to apply a force leading to the shaping of the shim 1 from a sheet of cardboard 53, jacks 74 to bring the flaps 70, and thus bring the bases 2, 3 and 4 of the wedge to be shaped. In a variant, this tool may also comprise a jack that buffers the shim 1 in the bottom of the box in which it is arranged once it has been shaped.

In addition, it can clearly be seen when the shim is disposed flat that it has a simple overall shape.

The wedge can be made from a single sheet of material, of substantially rectangular shape while limiting the loss of material due to the absence of bulky excrescences.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Hold (1) for coated bottles adapted to support at least two bottles arranged side by side and head to tail, said wedge being characterized in that it is formed from a single sheet of material, and in that it comprises: - at least two substantially planar bases (2, 3, 4), each of said bases (2, 3, 4) having a shape adapted to receive a bottle disposed lying on said base (2, 3, 4), said bases (2, 3, 4) being arranged side by side and head-to-tail; - at least one partition (5, 6) arranged between two successive bases (2, 3, 4), each of said partitions (5, 6) comprising two sub-parts (21, 22) connected by a ridge (23) said wedge (1) being further characterized in that: - each of the bases (2, 3, 4) comprises a tongue (12, 13, 14) extending from the bases (2, 3, 4), each of the tabs (12, 13, 14) being connected to at least one partition (5, 6) by a connecting segment (27), so that the application of a force to the partition (5, 6) according to a direction substantially perpendicular to the bases (2, 3, 4) causes the relative displacement of the partitions (5, 6) and tabs (12, 13, 14) relative to the bases (2, 3, 4). 2. Shim (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the bases (2, 3, 4) comprises at least one stop (32, 33, 34, 35), each of said at least one stop (32, 33). , 34, 35) extending in the plane of the base (2, 3, 4) from an edge of said base, said stop (32, 33, 34, 35) being adapted to define a spacing between two successive bases. 3. Shim (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the bases (2, 3, 4) comprises at least one perforation adapted to allow an air passage through said bases (2, 3, 4) .4. Wedge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - three bases (2, 3, 4), - two partitions (5, 6), each of said partitions (5, 6) being arranged between two consecutive bases (2, 3, 4), each of the partitions (5, 6) being bonded to each of the tabs (18, 19, 20) of the adjacent bases (2, 3, 4) by a connecting segment (27). ). 5. Shim (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises holding elements (18, 19, 20), arranged in the extension of said tongues (12, 13, 14), at one end. tabs (12, 13, 14) opposite the base from which it extends. 6. shim (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said partitions (5, 6) are adapted to be shaped so as to project relative to the bases (2, 3, 4), in order to define housing delimited by a base (2, 3, 4) and at least one partition (5, 6), said partitions (5, 6) cooperating with the connecting segments (27) so that the setting shaped partitions (5, 6) causes the movement of the tabs (12, 13, 14) so that they are inclined relative to the bases (2, 3, 4). 7. Wedge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of cardboard. 8. Packaging for bottles, comprising a box and at least one shim (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said shim (1) being arranged in the box 9. A method of shaping a shim (1) according to one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the steps of: - positioning a shim (1) flat or substantially flat, - maintaining in a plane of the bases (2, 3, 4) of said shim (1), - application of a pulse at each of the partitions (5, 6), so that the at least one partition (5, 6) protrudes from bases (2, 3, 4). 10. Wedge forming system (1) as defined in one of claims 1 to 8, said system comprising: - a robot (50), provided with gripping elements (51), - a flat surface (52) adapted to receive a flat cardboard sheet, said system being characterized in that the gripping elements (51) comprise means for maintaining in a plane the bases (2, 3, 4) of the shim (1) while a force is applied so that the partitions (5, 6) protrude from the bases (2, 3, 4).