FR3040982A1 - PACKAGING AND FLAN WITH PERFECTED SHUTTER SUPPORT DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a blank and a package comprising a lateral opening (26) and a movable shutter (66). According to the invention, it comprises a device (60, 80) for supporting the shutter comprising: - a strip of end (60) closed on itself and carrying said shutter (66); at least two longitudinal connecting tabs (80) articulated to the corresponding main panel and connecting it to the end strip (60), each connecting lug (80) comprising an intermediate fold line (84) to allow movement of the strip end (60), by folding and unfolding the connecting tabs.

Description

The invention relates to the field of packaging and more particularly to the field of packaging obtained from a blank precut and folded from a sheet of material, in particular from a sheet of cardboard.

Such packages are widely used in many fields for packaging bulk content, or for packaging containers. A container here is itself a package of smaller size, closing itself for example a bulk content. A container may be a bag, a box, a tube, a capsule, etc. In all cases, it is more and more common to provide for the packaging to act as a dispenser and for this purpose has an opening. in a side panel that can be closed by a shutter. In the case where the package contains products having a certain size, or contains containers, the shutter provided by the shutter in a closed position is not necessarily sealed, and a partial closure of the opening may be sufficient. It is then only sought to prevent the unintentional exit of a content or a container packaged in the package.

Many packages therefore have an opening that can be closed by a shutter movable between an open position and a closed position. In most cases, the shutter is a pivoting shutter. A pivoting shutter can have the disadvantage that its opening movement is effected in the same direction as the thrust direction of the contents or containers, which can reduce the reliability of the closure. Other packs include inserts reported, that is to say, multi-piece packaging. Such packaging therefore involves the manufacture of separate parts that it is necessary to assemble by specific operations, which complicates the production and implementation of packaging by requiring the separate supply of parts, and by adding operations. of handling. The invention therefore aims to propose a new design of a package, and a blank to obtain this packaging or packaging element, which allows to produce a package with a resealable opening both simple and reliable .

In order to achieve this objective, the present invention proposes a package obtained from a pre-cut blank folded from a sheet of material, of the type in which: the package comprises a main envelope comprising at least three panels main lateral successively articulated to each other around parallel longitudinal fold lines, the envelope being closed on itself for the main panels define a closed contour around an inner space of the package in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal fold lines; the packaging comprises, preferably close to at least one longitudinal end, an opening formed in at least one of the main lateral panels, and a shutter which is movable between an open position in which the opening is at least partially cleared and a closed position in which the opening is at least partly closed by the shutter.

According to the invention, the package comprises a device for supporting the shutter comprising: an end strip closed on itself to define a closed contour in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, said shutter being carried by the end band; for at least two distinct main panels, at least one foldable longitudinal connecting lug which connects said main panel to the end strip, to allow movement of the end strip of the main envelope, in the longitudinal direction from a position opening towards a closed position, by folding the connecting tabs on themselves, and in the longitudinal direction from the closed position to the open position, by dépiiement of the connecting tabs. The invention also relates to a pre-cut blank for a packaging element, formed in one piece from a sheet of material, of the type in which: at least three main lateral panels are arranged successively one next to the other, and are attached by parallel longitudinal fold lines; the blank comprises, preferably near at least one longitudinal end, an opening provided in at least one of the main lateral panels, and a shutter.

According to the invention, the blank comprises a device for supporting the shutter comprising: - an end strip, said shutter being carried by the end strip comprising end panels, preferably as much as the number of panels main, successively attached to one another by fold lines arranged in alignment with the fold lines of the main panels; for at least two distinct main panels, at least one foldable longitudinal connecting lug which is articulated to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line and which connects said main panel to a corresponding end panel of the headband; end, each connecting lug having an intermediate transverse folding line, which delimits a main portion and an end portion of the connecting lug, respectively attached to the main panel and the end strip.

Thanks to such an arrangement of the blank, it is possible to produce a package in which the end strip of the main envelope is moved in the longitudinal direction from an open position to a closed position by folding of the connecting lugs on themselves, and in the longitudinal direction from the closed position to the open position, by unfolding the connecting lugs.

According to other optional features of a package and / or a blank according to the invention, taken separately or in combination: the end strip can be reversibly moved between its open and closed positions; closing ; the opening and closing positions of the end strip are stable distinct longitudinal positions, on either side of an unstable position in which the main parts of the connecting tabs extend in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; the foldable longitudinal connecting lug, preferably each foldable longitudinal connecting lug, is articulated to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line and comprises an intermediate transverse folding line which delimits a main part and a part end of the connecting lug, respectively attached to the main panel and the end strip, the folding of the connecting lug is preferably obtained by folding the two parts of the connecting lug on themselves, around the intermediate fold line; - The support device is a bi-articular device wherein its end portion of said at least two connecting lugs is attached to the end strip by a bending zone devoid of pre-marked transverse fold line; - The support device is elastically biased towards its two distinct longitudinal positions stable under the effect of a restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the bending zone of said at least two connecting lugs; - the length of the main part of a connecting leg, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transversal fold line of attachment to the main panel, is less than the length of the part end point of the connecting lug, defined as the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and a transverse divide corresponding to the last theoretical line, starting from the corresponding longitudinal end of the packaging element , for which there is a material continuity of the end strip over the entire transverse width of the corresponding end panel, or for which neither separating blanks on either side are intercepts or other of the connecting leg; the support device is a tri-articulated device in which the main part and the end part of the connecting lugs are both articulated respectively to the main panel and to the end strip by respective transverse fold lines, marked; - the length of the main part of a connecting leg, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transversal fold line of attachment to the main panel, is less than the length of the part end of said link tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line and the pre-marked transverse fold line of attachment to the end strip; the length of the main part of a connecting lug is 5 to 20 percent less than the length of the end portion of said connecting lug; the connecting lug of a main panel is distinct from the or the connecting lugs of the other main panels, the connecting lugs being separated from each other transversely by a separating blank in the sheet of material; - The connecting lugs each have a main portion whose geometry allows it to be received, folded at 90 ° to the inner space relative to the corresponding main panel, without contacting the adjacent main panels; - The support device comprises a closure device comprising at least one closure flap which is articulated on a transverse edge of the end strip to close longitudinally the interior space delimited by the main envelope; the end strip comprises as many end panels as the number of main panels, articulated successively to one another around fold lines arranged in alignment with the fold lines of the main panels; the shutter extends, in the open position and in the closed position, in a plane parallel to an extension plane of the main panel in which the opening is arranged; the shutter extends in extension of an end panel of the end strip which corresponds to the main panel in which the opening is arranged; - the opening is arranged in the form of a detachable portion of the main panel in which it is arranged; the detachable portion of the main panel that forms the opening is delimited by a line of weakness in the material; - The package and / or the blank is made in one piece from a single blank of cardboard whose grammage is greater than or equal to 180 g / m2, and less than or equal to 2000 g / m2. The invention also proposes a package obtained from such a pre-cut blank.

Various other characteristics appear from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an intermediate step of mounting the package obtained through the blank of FIG. 1.

Figures 3 to 6 are perspective views of the package obtained from the blank of FIG. 1.

7A, 7B and 7C are diagrammatic sectional views showing, in section through a longitudinal plane, different positions of the shutter support device of the package of FIG. 3.

Figure 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention.

It is illustrated in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a blank 10 according to the invention for obtaining a package 12 according to the invention, which is illustrated in FIG. 3.

The blank 10 which is illustrated in FIG. 1 is obtained by cutting a sheet of material and is preferably a single blank in that there is continuity of material in the blank, at least for the portion of the package comprising the opening and its shutter, the flan not being, in this case, for this portion at least, constituted by an assembly of several previously disjoint elements.

The blank material is preferably a conventional material for this type of packaging. It may for example be a cardboard whose weight is greater than or equal to 180 g per square meter. Generally, the carton used for such packages has a basis weight of less than or equal to 2,000 g per square meter. However, the use of other materials, including polymeric materials, is conceivable. Preferably, these materials have a semi-rigid appearance flexion about an axis in the plane of the sheet in which the blank is pre-cut.

In FIG. 1, there is shown in solid lines the free or cut edges of the blank. Dashed lines are marked in the material of the blank but at the level of which the blank is not entirely cut. The realization of the markings may involve one or more techniques, among which may be mentioned for example: - the technique of cutting half-flesh, in which the sheet of material is cut, but not over its entire thickness; - marking by crushing of material, etc ...

These markings, sometimes called creases, are intended to form a pre-marked fold line of the sheet of material for the realization of the packaging. Indeed, the blank 10, which is planar, must be subjected to folding operations and assembly, including gluing, to achieve a three-dimensional packaging.

The blank 10 comprises four main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 which are juxtaposed and articulated successively to one another around three fold lines 31, 32, 33 longitudinal. A first fold line 31 connects, delimiting them, a distal distal main panel 21 and a distal intermediate main panel 22. A second fold line 32 connects the distal intermediate main panel 22 to a proximal intermediate main panel 23, which is connected to an extreme proximal main panel 24 around a fold line 33. The fold lines 31, 32, 33 thus define longitudinal sides of the corresponding main panels.

The distal endmost main panel 21 also has a longitudinal side 30 through which it is connected to an assembly flap 18, the longitudinal side 30 corresponding to a fold line, preferably premarketed, between the panel 21 and the flap 18. Opposite the longitudinal side 30, the flap 18 has a longitudinal free edge 29, which is a free edge of the blank 10.

The main proximal end panel 24 has, opposite the longitudinal side 33, a longitudinal side 34 which, in this embodiment, is a free edge of the blank 10.

Thus, starting from the free edge 29 of the blank 10, and moving through the blank in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, one encounters successively, with continuity of the blank material, folds 18, the longitudinal side 30, the distal distal main panel 21, the longitudinal side 31, the distal intermediate main panel 22, the longitudinal side 32, the proximal intermediate main panel 23, the longitudinal side 33, the proximal proximal main panel 24 and the longitudinal side 34.

Each of the main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 has opposite upper and lower transverse sides 41, 42, 43, 44, which are arranged at the longitudinal ends of the corresponding panel. In the proposed example, the main panels all have the same dimension in the longitudinal direction so that the upper and lower transverse edges of the four main panels are respectively aligned along an upper transverse line and in a lower transverse line. The notions of "superior" and "inferior" that are used here are only illustrative to simplify the understanding of the description. These notions refer to the orientation of the blank as shown in FIG. 1 and in no way prejudge an orientation of the blank or the packaging in the space.

It is understood that the four main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 are intended to form, after a bending at 90 ° around each of the fold lines 31, 32, 33, a closed envelope on itself in which the main panels define a closed contour around an interior space E (seen more particularly in Figs 7A to 7C) of the package 12. In the illustrated example, comprising four main panels, the closed contour of the main envelope corresponds to a quadrilateral in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. If the folding is done at 90 ° around each fold line, a rectangle is obtained, and even more precisely a square in the case where, as in the case illustrated, the main panels also have an identical transverse width. It is also understood that the flap 18 can also be folded at 90 ° around the fold line 30 so as to be brought into contact, plane against plane, against the main proximal end panel 24. An assembly of the flap 18 on the panel 24, for example by gluing, makes it possible to fix the three-dimensional geometry of the packaging element comprising the four main panels. The fact that the envelope defines a closed contour does not prevent the main panels that compose it possibly have windows or openings. In a parallelepiped packaging, the four main panels that have the same length can be called side panels of the package. In the illustrated example, the package has a dimension in the longitudinal direction which is much greater than its dimensions in the other two directions, preferably at least two times greater, preferably at least five times greater.

In this case, the packaging 12 is intended to include a lateral opening 14 arranged in at least one of the main lateral panels 21, 22, 23, 24. This lateral opening 14 is more particularly visible in FIGS. 6 and 7A, 7B and 7C. In the blank 10, a side opening is provided in the form of a detachable portion 26 provided in one of the main panels, in this case the intermediate distal panel 22. Thus, in this embodiment, the lateral opening 14 is intended to be actually created only at the first opening of the packaging by an end user of the package, after the packaging has been assembled, that the packaging has been filled with the contents or containers that it is intended to enclose, for example through one of the longitudinal ends still open of the package, and after it has been closed, for example by closure of closure flaps of the longitudinal end. It can therefore be considered that, in the blank 10 or in the package 12 before a first opening, the lateral opening is constituted by a virtual opening arranged in the form of the detachable portion 26 of the main panel 22. Preferably, the portion detachable 26 of the main panel which forms the virtual opening is delimited by a line of weakness 28 in the material, which facilitates the detachment of the detachable portion from the rest of the main panel 22 by simple tearing along the line of weakness 28 However, the opening could be real already in the blank 10.

Preferably, the lateral opening 14, 26 is provided near one of the longitudinal ends of the package, in this case arbitrarily described as superior.

It could be expected that one and the same lateral opening will extend over several adjacent main panels, but in the example shown, the lateral opening 14, 26 extends only to a single main panel. The lateral opening 14, 26 could have a closed contour in the main panel in which it is arranged. In the illustrated example, the lateral opening 14, 26 has an open contour, in the sense that it opens into a free edge of the blank 10, in this case the upper edge 42 of the main panel or main panels in ie (s) which (s) the lateral opening 14, 26 is arranged. The line of weakness 28 is therefore an open line whose two ends open into a free edge of the blank 10, in this case the upper edge 42 of the main panel in (s) that (s) the line of weakening It is arranged.

As will be seen below, there is provided a shutter 66 which is movable between an open position in which the lateral opening 14 is at least partially disengaged and a closed position in which the lateral opening 14 is at least partly closed off by the shutter 66.

As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 4, the blank 10, and therefore the package 12, comprising the four main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 further includes, at at least one longitudinal end, an end band 60 which preferably comprises as many end panels 61, 62, 63, 64 as the number of main panels. Similar to the main panels, the end panels are successively hinged to one another around longitudinal fold lines 71, 72, 73 arranged in the alignment of the folding signs 31, 32, 33 of the main panels. . In the illustrated example, the package is provided with a single end strip 60, but one could provide two end bands, one at each longitudinal end of the main panels.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, for at least two separate main panels, at least one foldable longitudinal connecting lug 80 is provided which connects a main panel 21, 23, 24 to a corresponding end panel, i.e. end arranged longitudinally in the extension of the main panel considered. Thus, the end strip is connected to at least two distinct, preferably opposed, main panels by at least two separate foldable connecting tabs. In the example shown, only three of the four end panels 61, 63, 64 are connected to the corresponding main panel by a foldable connecting lug 80. In this embodiment, the connecting tabs do not all have the same geometry. It will be noted that the foldable connecting lug 80 of a main panel is distinct from the connection lug or tabs of the other main panels. In this sense, the connecting tabs are separated from each other transversely by a separating blank 82, 82 'in the sheet of material.

Each foldable connecting lug 80 preferably comprises an intermediate transverse folding line 84 which delimits the tab in two parts: a main part 80a which is attached to the corresponding main panel and an end portion 80b which is attached to the panel d corresponding end.

In the example shown, the main portion 80a of each folding linkage 80 is articulated to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line.

Within the meaning of this text, a pre-marked fold line is intended to form, at the time of folding, a net hinge between two portions of the material constituting the blank, in this case between the main panel and the main part 80a of the blank. link lug 80. At a pre-marked fold line, folding is done where the bulk of the deformation is concentrated on the fold line. At the level of a pre-marked line, the mechanical characteristics of the material, in particular in flexural strength, have a sudden weakening, which makes it a zone of deformation privileged with respect to the neighboring zones. The production of a pre-marked fold line may involve one or more techniques, among which may be mentioned, for example, the technique of cutting half-flesh, or marking by crushing of material, etc.

In the illustrated example, the pre-marked fold line, by which each foldable connecting tab 80 is attached to the corresponding main panel, coincides with the upper end transverse edge 41, 43, 44 of the corresponding main panel.

Preferably, the intermediate fold lines 84 of all foldable connecting lugs 80 connecting an end strip 60 to the corresponding main panels are aligned in a transverse direction.

Preferably, the intermediate fold line 84 of each foldable tab 80 is also pre-marked in the sense defined above.

On the contrary, in this first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the end portion 80b of the foldable connecting tabs 80 is attached to the corresponding end panel by a bending zone devoid of pre-marked fold transverse line. In this sense, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, it is not possible to clearly distinguish the separation between the end panel and the end portion of the corresponding connecting lug. Preferably, there is no abrupt discontinuity in the mechanical characteristics of the material, in particular flexural strength, in the transition zone between the end panel 61, 63, 64 and this end portion 80b of the tab of FIG. corresponding link 80. In other words, if it is desired to deform the end portion of the connecting lug in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the blank, relative to the end panel, this deformation results in a progressive curvature that extends over any a transition zone, not a crisp fold at a hinge line.

The transition zone, between an end panel of the strip 60 and the end portion 80b of the corresponding connecting tab, has a greater stiffness in flexural strength than the transition zone between a main panel and the part. main 80a of the same link leg, the latter transition zone having a premarketed fold line.

In the example illustrated, an end panel 61, 63, 64 is connected to the main panel 21, 23, 24 corresponding by a single connecting tab 80 foldable. However, it could be expected that at least one end panel is connected to the corresponding main panel by a plurality of independent link tabs. Furthermore, it is not necessary that all the end panels are connected to the corresponding main panel by a connecting lug. In particular, in the context of a package with four main panels, it is possible for example to provide that only two of the four end panels, preferably non-adjacent, are connected to their corresponding main panel by one or more connecting lugs.

In the example shown, the end strip and its folding connecting lugs 80 are part of a support device for at least one movable shutter 66. The movable shutter 66 is carried by the support device, and more particularly by the end strip 60. In the illustrated example, the shutter 66 is carried by at least one end panel of the strip, in this case an end panel 62 which is not connected to the main panel 42 correspondent by no link leg. The shutter 66 extends longitudinally from this end panel, in the plane of this end panel 62, towards the corresponding main panel 42. Unlike a connecting lug, the shutter 66 is not bonded to any of the side panels, except possibly provisionally before the first opening of the package by an end user. Preferably, the shutter 66 is made integral in the single blank 10 which is intended to form this part of the package, for example in the continuity of the end panel or panels which support it. Preferably, no pre-marked line is provided between the shutter 66 and the end strip 60.

In the example illustrated, a separation cutout 82 between two connecting lugs, in this case the connecting lugs respectively associated with the proximal intermediate main panel 23 and the proximal end main panel 24, has a diamond shape with two longitudinal vertices. 82a, 82b and with two transverse vertices 82c. Preferably, the transverse vertices 82c of the diamond separation cutout 82 are each arranged at one end of the transverse intermediate fold line 84 of the two adjacent link tabs. In the example shown, the separation cutout 82 has an end, here formed by a longitudinal apex 82a, on the main panel side, which is located at the intersection of the fold line 33 between the two main panels 23, 24 with the pre-marked fold line 43, 44 by which each of the two adjacent connecting lugs, separated by the cut in question, are connected to said main panels. In the example shown, the diamond-shaped separation cutout 82 has an end, here formed by a longitudinal end 82b, on the end panel side, which is located on the folding line 71, 72, 73 these end panels.

In the example shown, the distal intermediate main panel 22 does not have a connecting lug with the end strip 60. In this way, at this panel, there is a separation cutout 82 'between the two legs of the link 80 respectively associated with the main proximal intermediate panel 23 and the distal extreme main panel 21. This cutout has lateral sides which extend substantially in the extension of the fold lines 31, 32, to their respective longitudinal vertices 82b ', at the end strip 60, substantially at the same height as the longitudinal apex 82b, at the end panel side, of the diamond separation cutout 82.

Thus, the two separation cutouts 82, 82 'between the connecting lugs have longitudinal vertices, on the side of the end panels 61, 62, 63, 64, which are aligned along a virtual transverse line LP1, which Figure approximately, for the link tabs 80, the bending area devoid of pre-marked folding cross line by which the end portion 80b of the connecting tabs 80 is attached to the corresponding end panel.

As seen, the shutter 66 extends from the end panel 62 of the end strip 60 into the partition blank 82 'between the lateral sides of the cutout toward the corresponding main panel 22. but does not reach the upper transverse edge 42 of this main panel 22.

As illustrated, one can provide at least one closure flap 125 hinged along a free end transverse edge of an end panel of the strip 60 which is opposite to the flexion zone LP1 to which is connected the leg In the present case, four such closure flaps 125 are provided for closing the package at the longitudinal end of the side of the end strip. Each closure flap 125 is hinged along a free end transverse edge of a corresponding end panel of the strip 60. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the flaps 125 are intended to be folded over each other and to be glued in pairs to close the end of the package 1.21.

In addition, there is illustrated in FIG. 1, at the longitudinal end of the main panels opposite the strip 60, four closure flaps 126 for closing the package at this opposite longitudinal end. Each closure flap 126 is articulated along the lower transverse edge of one of the main panels 21, 22, 23, 24. The flaps 126 are intended to be folded over each other and to be glued in pairs to close the door. opposite end of the package 12.

To form a package starting from the blank thus described, the procedure is as shown in FIG. 2, for example by folding at 90 ° the flap 18, then successively the main panels 21, 22, 23, 24 respectively around the fold lines 30, 31, 32, 33. At the same time, the end panels 61 62, 63, 64 of the end strip 60 are bent at 90 ° respectively around the fold lines 71, 72, 73 to form the package 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3. As explained above, the outer face of the assembly flap 18 is assembled, for example by gluing, against the inner face of the main proximal end panel 24 by making the fold line 30 coincide with the free edge 34 of the main panel distal extremity. The packaging element thus formed thus has a closed contour, in this square example, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, it will preferably be carried out, prior to the step of assembling the package 12, at a step of pre-folding the connecting lugs 80 of the end strip or strips 60. This pre-folding consists of folding , for example at 120 ° or 180 °, by folding the entire end strip 60 inwardly around the line constituted by the alignment of the upper transverse edges 41, 42, 43, 44 of the main panels, then to fold in the opposite direction, for example at 120 ° or 180 ° outwards, the end strip around the intermediate transverse fold lines 84 of the connecting lugs 80. Thus, naturally, a conformation of the connecting lugs is created 80 so that they are slightly folded, relative to the main panels, inwardly around their pre-marked fold line by which they are connected to the main panel. On the other hand, the foldable connecting lugs may then have, at the level of the intermediate fold line 84, an outwardly facing concavity.

Before the folding and winding operation described above to form the package, it is possible to choose to redeploy the end strips by putting the connecting tabs flat, or almost flat, to end the packaging as as shown in FIG. 3.

On the contrary, it is possible to retain the folded connecting tabs, to arrive at the package illustrated in FIG. 4. It may even be provided that one or more of the connecting tabs 80 is held folded against the corresponding main panel. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, to glue, with a glue with low adhesive power, the two facing faces of the two parts 80a, 80b of a connecting lug 80, or the face of the main part 80a of a lug. with the inner face of the associated main panel.

In cases where, in this position, the shutter 66 is arranged facing a detachable portion 26 corresponding to the opening 14, it is also possible to glue the shutter 66 on the detachable portion 26. In this case , it can be provided that the bonding of the shutter 66 on the detachable portion 26 is achieved, in particular with a low adhesion adhesive, so that, during a first opening by an end user, the shutter 66 can it is brought to its open position by detaching from the detachable portions 26 without detaching the detachable portion 26. The user must then detach the detachable portion by a separate operation. The detachable portion 26 can then be discarded. Alternatively, it can be provided that the bonding of the shutter 66 to the detachable portion 26 is achieved, in particular with a highly adhesive glue, so that, during a first manipulation by the end user of the device of FIG. support, bringing the shutter 66 from its closed position to its open position, the bonding causes detachment of the detachable portion 26. It can then remain attached to the shutter during subsequent opening and closing of the shutter 66, then possibly participating in the shutter function.

It will be noted that the end strip 60 also has an assembly flap 18a, which can be arranged in the longitudinal extension of the assembly flap 18, which is integral with an end end panel 61, and which is intended to be folded down and assembled, for example by gluing, against the other extreme end panel 64 to give the end strip a closed contour, preferably substantially identical to the closed contour determined by the main panels. The assembly flap 18a of the end strip 60 may have an upper extension 18al intended to be assembled with that of the closure flaps 125 which is integral with the end end panel 64.

It can be seen that each end panel 61, 62, 63, 64 of the end strip is then preferably arranged in the same plane as the corresponding main panel of the package.

The end strip 60 and the connecting tabs 80 form, at one longitudinal end of the packaging element, a support device for the movable shutter 66 intended to close at least partially the opening formed in a main panel. 21, 22, 23, 24 of the package.

With this support device, the shutter 66 is reversibly movable between the open position illustrated in FIG. 6 in which the opening 14 is at least partially disengaged, and the closed position illustrated in FIG. 5 in which the opening is at least partly closed by the shutter.

It is illustrated in Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C schematic sectional views that illustrate different positions of the support device and the shutter with respect to the package 12 and its lateral opening 14.

In this first embodiment of the invention, because of the absence of a pre-marked fold line in the transition zone LP1 between the end panel and the end portion 80b of the corresponding connecting lugs 80 , this transition zone thus forming a flexion zone, the support device can be described as a bi-articulated device because the connecting lug 80 has only two net joints, namely the intermediate transverse fold line 84 and the Pre-marked bending line connecting to the corresponding main panel.

In FIG. 7A, the support device is illustrated in an extended longitudinal position towards the outside. In this position, the connecting lugs 80 are unfolded in the sense that the two parts of the connecting lugs form, between them, an angle preferably greater than 90 °.

In FIG. 7C, the support device is illustrated in a longitudinal position which is brought closer inwards. In this position, the two parts of the connecting lugs 80 are folded over one another, in the sense that they form, between them, an angle of less than 90 °, preferably less than 30 °. As illustrated, the tabs 80 are directed longitudinally inwards and may form a harpoon directed longitudinally towards the interior space E delimited by the envelope formed by the main panels which carry them. In the close position illustrated in FIG. 7C, the intermediate folding sign 84 of the connecting lugs may form a projecting edge of the folded connecting lug 80, this projecting edge being able to bear against a product contained in the packaging for make sure they are stuck.

The support device can be reversibly moved between these two distinct stable longitudinal positions, on either side of an unstable intermediate position, illustrated in FIG. 7B, wherein the main portions 80a of the connecting lugs 80 extend substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction. Due to the absence of a pre-marked transverse bending line between the end panel and the end portion 80b of the corresponding connecting tabs, the bi-articulated support device is elastically biased toward one or the other these two longitudinal positions are stable under the effect of a restoring force which is due in particular to the elastic deformation of the bending zone at the transition between the end panel and the end portion of the connecting lug. The same restoring force makes the position illustrated in FIG. 7B is an unstable position. Note that the closed nature of the contour formed by the end strip 60 contributes to that the transverse forces generated at two legs carried by opposite main panels tend to cancel each other out. Moreover, the closed nature of the contour formed by the end strip 60 contributes to the fact that the end panels can not move individually in the transverse direction, and the end strip 60 thus forms a rigid base for taking up the ends. bending stresses generated in the transition zone between the end panel and its end portion 80b of corresponding connecting tabs, which allows this transition zone to generate a relatively large restoring force.

In the same manner, the separating blanks 82, 82 'between two adjacent connecting tabs 80 are preferably arranged, as in the illustrated example, in the form of an openwork, that is to say in the form a cut that is not a simple cut line.

In addition, it will be advantageously provided that the connecting tabs each have a main portion 80a whose geometry allows it to be received, folded at 90 ° to the inner space relative to the corresponding main panel, without contacting the adjacent main panels.

Furthermore, it is possible to define the length of the end portion 80b of a connecting lug as being the shortest distance "Ib" between the intermediate fold line 84 and a transverse partition line between this end portion 80b. and the corresponding end panel. In a bi-articulated support device, this dividing line is not marked. It is therefore a theoretical line. It can be defined as the last theoretical line, starting from the corresponding longitudinal end of the packing element, for which there is continuity of material of the end strip over the entire transverse width of the end panel. corresponding. In other words, this theoretical line may be the last theoretical sign for which neither of the separating blanks 82, 82 'on either side of the link tab under consideration is intercepted. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, these two definitions correspond to the virtual transversal line LP1 along which the longitudinal vertices 82b of the cuts 82, on the side of the end panels 61, 62, 63, 64, are aligned.

Preferably, the length "la" of the main portion 80a of a connecting lug 80 is less than the length "1b" of the end portion 80b of the same connecting lug. In this way, it tends to avoid that, during the tilting of the support device between these two stable positions, the bending zone of the end portion of the connecting lug undergoes irreversible damage. Thus, this bending zone remains essentially in its field of elastic deformation and thus retains the elasticity sufficient to maintain the support device in one or other of its stable positions.

In FIG. 8, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that it is provided with a support device which is not bi-articulated as in the first embodiment, but which is a tri-articulated device,

The elements common to the two embodiments are designated by the same references and are not described in more detail.

The end strip 60 thus comprises four end panels 61, 62, 63, 64, intended to form, after folding of the end panels around their respective fold lines 71, 72, 73, a closed contour when a flap 18a, secured to an end end panel 61, is assembled, for example by gluing, to an end end panel 64. The end strip 60 is connected to some of the main panels by connecting lugs 80 foldable. Each foldable connecting lug 80 preferably comprises an intermediate transverse fold line 84 which delimits a main portion 80a and an end portion 80b of the connecting lug 80 respectively attached to a main panel and to a panel corresponding end.

As in the first embodiment, the main portion 80a of the foldable connecting tab is attached to the main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line which preferably coincides with a transverse longitudinal end edge 41, 42, 43, 44 of the main panel. Preferably, as in the previous embodiment, for all the foldable connecting tabs 80 of the support device, the pre-marked transverse fold lines of the main part 80a with the corresponding main panel are all aligned along a transverse line 83 which, in this example, coincides with the transverse longitudinal end edge 41, 42, 43, 44 of the corresponding main panel of the wedging element 12.

In contrast, contrary to what has been seen for the first embodiment, the end portion 80b of the connecting tab 80 is attached to the corresponding end panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line 85. , unlike the first embodiment, the end portion 80b of the foldable connecting tab is connected to the end panel of the corresponding end strip by a net hinge, which can be characterized in particular by a sudden drop mechanical characteristics, in particular flexural strength, of the material.

The pre-marked transverse fold line 85 can thus be considered as a demarcation line between the end panel and the corresponding connecting lug 80. Preferably, for all the connecting lugs 80 of the same tri-articulated support device, the pre-marked transversal fold lines 85 of attachment of the connecting lug to the corresponding end panel are aligned along a transverse line.

The connecting lugs 80 are defined between them by cutouts 82, 82 'which, as in the previous embodiment, are formed by perforations and not by simple cuts. In the example illustrated, the longitudinal vertices 82b of the cutouts 82, on the side of the end panels of the end strip 60, are aligned on the pre-marked transverse fold line 85 for attaching the connecting lug 80 to the panel. corresponding end.

Preferably, the transverse intermediate folding lines 84 of the connecting lugs 80 of the support device are aligned along a transverse line.

In this embodiment, each foldable connecting lug 80 is therefore associated with three pre-marked fold lines 83, 84, 85, which justify the designation of tri-articulated support device. Advantageously, the three pre-marked fold lines 83, 84, 85 are parallel to each other.

As for the embodiment described above, the tri-articulated support device can be moved reversibly between at least one longitudinal position extended outwardly, and a longitudinal position closer inwards.

In this latter position, the foldable connecting tabs 80 are folded on themselves and extend substantially across the interior space. In particular, the intermediate fold line 84 of the connecting lugs forms a projecting edge of the folded connecting lug 80, this projecting edge being able to bear against a product contained in the packaging to ensure the wedging.

In the context of a tri-articulated type of support device, it is possible to define the length "Ib" of the end portion 80b of a connecting tab 80 as the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line 84 and the pre-marked transverse fold line 85 by which it is attached to the end panel. This length "Ib" may be chosen to be greater than the length "la" of the main portion 80a of the connecting lug 80, which is defined, as before, as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line 84 and the pre-marked transverse fold line 83 of main panel attachment. For example, the length "la" of the main portion 80a of a connecting lug 80 may be 5 to 20% less than the length "Ib" of the end portion 80b of said connecting lug. With such a feature, which is illustrated in its figures, it is seen that, in the close position of the endstop device, the connecting lugs 80 are across the interior space but slightly turned longitudinally inwardly of this space.

In addition, this difference in length tends to reinforce a bi-stable effect of the support device, by forcing it towards one or the other of these extended or close positions. Indeed, in an intermediate position, in which the legs are substantially oriented transversely, the difference in length tends to cause deformation of the main panels, and / or end panels, in a transverse direction. This deformation, preferably in the elastic range of the material, provides a spring effect which tends to move the support device from its intermediate position. This effect also exists in a bi-articulated device as described above. However, its relative importance is greater in a tri-articulated support device that does not have a flexion zone.

The device for supporting the shutter according to the invention is particularly advantageous for several reasons. On the one hand, the support device according to the invention can be obtained from the same single blank as the package.

Furthermore, the realization of the support device shutter according to the invention is relatively simple, including at the time of assembly, because it does not require particularly complicated cuts or complex assembly operations. In particular, all the fold lines are either longitudinal or transverse, without the need for folding around oblique fold lines.

Note that there is no need to provide either a particular operation or additional holding means to keep the support device in its close position and thus keep the shutter in the closed position, this maintenance resulting from the bistable character as described above. The maintenance obtained by the return force of the connecting lugs is sufficient to prevent unintentional opening, and can even stall a product in the longitudinal direction. It will be noted that the passage of the support device from one to the other of its stable positions is reversible, allowing several manipulations. The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown because various modifications can be made without departing from its scope. The invention is not limited to packaging of square or rectangular section comprising four successive main panels. In a more general manner, it is possible to use it for packaging whose peripheral envelope has three, five, six, seven, eight or more successive main panels.

A package according to the invention, and therefore the blank from which this package is obtained, may have several lateral openings closed by a shutter as described above.

It is thus possible, at the same longitudinal end, several openings and several shutters carried by the same support device. Preferably, the openings are in this case arranged in non-adjacent main panels of the package, for example panels which are arranged opposite each other in the package, on both sides. other of the interior space delimited by the packaging. It is also possible to provide openings at both longitudinal ends. One can then provide a support device at each end, each provided with at least one shutter.

Claims (21)

1 - Packaging obtained from a blank precut and folded from a sheet of material, of the type in which; the package comprises a main envelope comprising at least three main articulated lateral panels (21, 22, 23, 24) successively one to the other around parallel longitudinal folding lines (31, 32, 33, 34), the envelope being closed on itself, the main panels define a closed contour around an inner space of the package in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal fold lines; the package comprises an opening (14, 26) arranged in at least one of the main lateral panels, and a shutter (66) which is movable between an open position in which the opening is at least partially disengaged and a closing position in which the opening is at least partly closed by the shutter, characterized in that the package comprises a device (60, 80) for supporting the shutter comprising: - an end strip (60 ) closed on itself to define a closed contour in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, said shutter (66) being carried by the end strip (60); - for at least two separate main panels (21, 22, 23, 24), at least one foldable longitudinal connecting lug (80) which connects said main panel to the end strip (60) to allow movement of the strip end (60) of the main wraps, in the longitudinal direction from an open position to a closed position, by folding of the connecting tabs on themselves, and in the longitudinal direction from the closed position to the opening position, by unfolding the connecting lugs. 2 - Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the end strip (60) can be reversibly moved between its open and closed positions. 3 - Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the opening and closing positions of the end strip are stable longitudinal positions, on both sides of an unstable position in which the main parts (80a ) connecting tabs (80) extend in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. 4 - Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the foldable longitudinal connecting lug (80) is articulated to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line (41, 42, 43, 44) and has an intermediate transverse fold line (84) which delimits a main portion (80a) and an end portion (80b) of the tie tab (80) respectively attached to the main panel and the end strip . 5 - Packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the support device is a bi-articulated device wherein the end portion (80b) of said at least two connecting lugs (80) is attached to the end strip (61, 62, 63, 64) by a bending zone devoid of pre-marked folding cross line. 6 - Packaging according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the length (fa) of the main portion (80a) of a connecting lug, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line ( 84) and the pre-marked transversal fold line (41, 42, 43, 44) of attachment to the main panel, is less than the length (fb) of the end portion (80b) of the connecting lug, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate folding line (84) and a transverse partition line corresponding to the last theoretical line (LP1), starting from the corresponding longitudinal end of the packaging element, for which one finds continuity of material of the end strip (60) over the entire transverse width of the corresponding end panel (61, 62, 63, 64), or for which neither one nor the other is intercepted two separating cutouts (82) on both sides of the patt e link (80). 7 - Packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the support device (60, 80) is a tri-articulated device in which the main portion (80a) and the end portion (80b) of the connecting tabs are all the two articulated respectively to the main panel and the end strip by pre-marked transverse folding lines (83, 85). 8 - Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that the length (la) of the main part of a connecting lug, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84) and the transverse fold line pre-marked (83) of attachment to the main panel, is less than the length (Ib) of the end portion of said connecting lug, defined as the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84) and the pre-marked transverse folding line (85) for attachment to the end strip. 9 - Package according to any one of claims 6 or 8, characterized in that the length (la) of the main portion (80a) of a connecting lug (80) is 5 to 20 percent less than the length ( Ib) of the end portion (80b) of said connecting lug. 10 - Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shutter (66) extends, in the open position and in the closed position, in a plane parallel to an extension plane of the main panel. (22) in which is arranged the opening (14, 26). 11 - Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shutter (66) extends in extension of an end panel (62) of the end strip (60) which corresponds to the main panel (22) in which is arranged the opening (14, 26). 12 - Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (14, 26) is arranged in the form of a detachable portion of the main panel (22) in which it is arranged. 13 - Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made in one piece from a single blank of cardboard whose grammage is greater than or equal to 180 g / m2, and less than or equal to 2000 g / m2. 14 ~ Blank precut for a package, formed in one piece from a sheet of material, of the type in which: - at least three main side panels (21, 22, 23, 24) are arranged successively i'un next to each other, and are attached by parallel longitudinal fold lines (31, 32, 33, 34), the blank comprises an opening (14, 26) arranged in at least one of the main lateral panels, and a shutter (66), characterized in that the blank comprises a device (60, 80) for supporting the shutter comprising: - an end strip, said shutter being carried by the end strip (60) comprising panels of ends (61, 62, 63, 64) successively attached to one another by fold lines (71, 72, 73) arranged in alignment with the fold lines of the main panels; - for at least two separate main panels, at least one foldable longitudinal connecting lug (80) which is articulated to the corresponding main panel by a pre-marked transverse fold line (41, 42, 43, 44) and which connects said panel to a corresponding end panel of the end strip, each connecting lug (80) having an intermediate transverse fold line (84) which delimits a main portion (80a) and an end portion (80b). the connecting tab (80) respectively attached to the main panel and the end strip. 15 - blank according to claim 14, characterized in that the support device is a bi-artuculé device in which the end portion (80b) of said at least two connecting lugs (80) is attached to the end strip (61, 62, 63, 64) by a bending zone devoid of pre-marked folding cross line. 16 - blank according to claim 15, characterized in that the length (la) of the main portion (80a) of a connecting lug, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84) and the line pre-marked transverse folding plate (41, 42, 43, 44) attached to the main panel, is less than the length (Ib) of the end portion (80b) of the connecting tab, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate folding line (84) and a transverse partition line corresponding to the last theoretical line (LP1), starting from the corresponding longitudinal end of the packaging element, for which there is a continuity of material the end strip (60) over the entire transverse width of the corresponding end panel (61, 62, 63, 64), or for which no two separating blanks are intercepts (82) on both sides of the connecting leg (80 ). 17 - blank according to claim 14, characterized in that the support device (60, 80) is a tri-articulated device in which the main portion (80a) and the end portion (80b) of the connecting lugs are all the two articulated respectively to the main panel and to the end strip by respective pre-marked transverse folding lines (83, 85). 18 - blank according to claim 17, characterized in that the length (la) of the main part of a connecting lug, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84) and the transverse fold line pre-marked (83) of attachment to the main panel, is less than the length (1b) of the end portion of said connecting lug, defined as being the shortest distance between the intermediate fold line (84) and the pre-marked transverse folding line (85) for attachment to the end strip. 19 - blank according to any one of claims 16 or 18, characterized in that the length (la) of the main portion (80a) of a connecting lug (80, 80 ") is 5 to 20% lower than the length (Ib) of the end portion (80b) of said connecting lug. 20 - blank according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the shutter (66) extends in extension of an end panel (62) of the end strip (60) which corresponds to the main panel (22) in which is arranged the opening (14, 26). 21 - blank according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the opening (14, 26) is arranged in the form of a detachable portion of the main panel in which it is arranged.