FR3085670A1 - INSERTION ELEMENT AND PACK OF POTS INCLUDING AN INSERTION ELEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an intermediate element (1) made of cardboard, flat, intended for holding pots (2a, 2b) in a pack (20), the pack (20) comprising bottom pots (2a) of a layer lower and top pots (2b) of an upper layer, the intermediate element (1) comprising at least a first side panel (8), a central panel (9) and a second side panel (10): - the central panel (9) comprises first openings (13), each first opening (13) being suitable and intended to surround a top pot (2b), - the first and second side panels (8, 10) include second openings (14), each second opening (14) being suitable and intended to come into abutment with a bottom pot (2a), and - the second openings (14) are arranged at a distance (D) from the central panel (9 ) in a longitudinal direction (L).

Description

Intermediate element and pack of pots comprising an intermediate element

The invention relates to the field of packaging packs comprising several pots grouped one above the other, thanks to a cardboard packaging.

The invention more specifically relates to an intermediate element of a packaging of a pack.

There are known packs comprising a cardboard blank forming a package of at least two layers of pots. The top pots of the upper layer rest by their bottom walls on the closures of the pots of the bottom layer. The upper layer is therefore carried by the lower layer.

However, such packs are not entirely satisfactory.

In particular, in such packs, the top pots are not sufficiently well maintained in the event of sudden movement in the packaging. This results in poor maintenance likely to cause a displacement of the top pots relative to the bottom pots, and possibly a separation of the pack.

For this purpose, intermediate elements are known. Such spacers comprise holding elements respectively disposed partially around the side walls of the top pots in the vicinity of their bottom walls. The top pots are thus spaced and wedged together, and less likely to move relative to the bottom pots. Document FR 2684078 describes an example of such an intermediate element.

However, these intermediate elements are not entirely satisfactory.

In particular, the intermediate elements are often not robust enough so that an abrupt movement of the pack is likely to deteriorate the holding elements of the intermediate element and then make it inoperative. In addition, the pots are not held satisfactorily, and in particular equivalent, in all directions.

The invention thus aims to obtain an intermediate element and, more generally, a packaging of a pack, in which the top pots are held satisfactorily with respect to the bottom pots.

Thus, the invention relates to a cardboard interlayer element, flat, intended for holding pots in a pack, the pack comprising pots from below a lower layer and pots from above an upper layer, the element interlayer comprising at least a first side panel, a central panel and a second side panel. In addition :

the central panel comprises first openings, each first opening being suitable and intended to surround a top pot,

the first and second side panels include second openings, each second opening being suitable and intended to come into abutment with a pot from below, and

- The second openings are arranged at a distance from the central panel in a longitudinal direction.

Thanks to these provisions, the top pots are held satisfactorily. In particular, the fact of having the second openings at a distance from the central panel allows, once the intermediate element is shaped, that the first openings surround the side walls of the top pots with a spacing relative to their bottom walls . Thus, the top pots are particularly well kept.

According to one embodiment, each second opening is delimited by at least a first cut line and a second cut line, the first cut line being suitable and intended to come into abutment with a pot from below.

According to another embodiment, the first and second side panels are identical to each other.

According to another embodiment, the first side panel, the central panel and the second side panel are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction.

According to another embodiment, the first and second side panels are articulated with respect to the central panel respectively along fold lines extending in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The invention also relates to a pack comprising:

a lower layer comprising bottom pots and an upper layer comprising top pots, the top pots being arranged on the bottom pots, each pot comprising a bottom wall and a side wall, and

- a packaging comprising at least one intermediate element according to the invention.

According to one embodiment, the central panel of the intermediate element is raised a distance from the pots below.

According to another embodiment, each first opening of the intermediate element completely surrounds the side wall of a top pot.

Thus, the pots are maintained regardless of the direction of movement of the pack.

According to another embodiment, each first opening of the intermediate element is suitable and intended to stop a top pot on its side wall, in the vicinity of its bottom wall.

According to another embodiment, the packaging also comprises a blank set in volume to surround the pots below and the pots above.

According to another embodiment, the intermediate element is shaped by folding the first and second panels sideways relative to the central panel, the side holding the intermediate element shaped.

Thus, the intermediate element is kept in shape by the sidewall, which prevents the intermediate element from being able to be moved once the pack has been formed.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of constituting a pack, in which:

- there is an intermediate element according to the invention, a blank, bottom pots and top pots intended to be part of the pack, each pot comprising a bottom wall and a side wall,

- the pots below are placed successively or simultaneously in a lower layer on the blank,

- we have the intermediate element on the bottom layer of pots,

- the top pots are placed successively or simultaneously in an upper layer on the bottom pots, and

- the blank is placed in volume around the bottom pots and the top pots so as to keep the intermediate element in shape.

The various embodiments of the invention which have just been described can be implemented independently of one another or in combination with one another.

The figures of the drawings are now briefly described.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an intermediate element according to the invention, shown flat, intended for producing a package of a pack formed from at least two layers of pots, namely a lower layer and an upper layer.

Figure 1B is a top view of the insert in Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cardboard blank, flat, intended for the production of a package, with the intermediate element of Figures 1 and 2, of a pack having at least two layers of pots.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, from above, of a pack in which only the pots from below the lower layer are arranged on the side of FIG. 2 with the intermediate element of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, from above, of the pack of Figure 3, in which the pots above the upper layer are also arranged on the pots below the lower layer.

Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of the pack of Figure 4 once the blank closed on itself.

The invention relates to an intermediate element 1 made of cardboard, flat, intended for holding pots 2 of a pack 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1 B.

By "interlayer", it is understood that the element 1 is suitable and intended to be arranged at, or in the vicinity of, the junction of two layers of pots 2 of the pack 20.

By "cardboard" is meant a layered material, such as that commonly used or suitable for the intended purpose. Such cardboard should be neither too rigid nor too flexible. It must be able to be folded at the place of fold lines, such as grooved lines and / or cut lines, provided for this purpose.

By "flat", it should be understood that the intermediate element 1 is deployed, so as to be at least substantially in one and the same plane P.

The term "pack" should be understood as meaning a batch formed by several pots 2 presented grouped in superimposed layers, in longitudinal rows and / or in transverse rows, in a packaging, so as to form a unitary unit, intended to be stored, handled, moved, sold and sold as such.

A pot 2 comprises a bottom wall 3a, a side wall closed on itself 3b and an opening opposite to the bottom wall 3a with top closure 4.

In one embodiment, a pot 2 is in the form of a cylinder or truncated cone and has a flange 5 transverse to its upper opening, the top closure 4 being a flat cover secured to and on the flange 5. In other embodiments , the generatrix of the side wall 3b is a line other than a straight line, having a more or less complex shape, and the directing curve is other than a circle, being for example a curvilinear square with rounded corners. Such a pot 2 can stand upright by resting on its bottom wall 3a forming a seat.

Depending on the case, the pots 2 are individualized or else they are interconnected, for example by their flanges 5, so as to form a plate of pots 2. In the context of the invention, the pots 2 are similar, quite especially identical, and they are filled with a certain content, identical or not for the different pots 2, and closed.

In one embodiment, a pot 2 is made of thermoformed plastic and it has a certain hold allowing it to be self-supporting, but the pot can be made of other materials and by other methods.

A pot 2 is typically intended to contain a homogeneous content or not, having a more or less fluid overall state, which does not exclude the presence of more or less solid pieces. Such content is for example a dairy product or a dessert, this list not being exhaustive.

In one embodiment, the pot 2 is intended to receive a dose of such content for individual and unitary use, for example of the order of a hundred grams and, in this case, it may have a height of order of a few centimeters and register laterally in a cylinder whose diameter is also of the order of a few centimeters. In other embodiments, the pot 2, intended for a mini-dose, is smaller or, on the contrary, intended for a larger dose, is larger.

One can define, relative to the intermediate element 1 flat in the plane P, a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T, perpendicular to each other, as well as a direction Z perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane P.

The intermediate element 1 is generally rectangular in shape and is bounded by two free edges 6 in the longitudinal direction L and by two free edges 7 in the transverse direction T. The longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T intersect perpendicularly. one with the other at a point O in the center of the intermediate element 1.

The intermediate element 1 comprises, arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction L, and between the two free edges 6, a first side panel 8, a central panel 9 and a second side panel 10.

By "panel" is meant a flat piece in the form of a layer, made of cardboard in this case, delimited by a border comprising fold lines, such as grooved lines and / or cut lines.

The intermediate element 1 is preferably such that the two side panels 8, 10 are identical to each other.

The intermediate element 1 also comprises fold lines, such as grooved lines of transverse direction T. Grooved lines are well known in the field of packaging and cardboard and allow the relative folding of two adjacent panels in one predefined location. Such grooved lines are formed by using a creasing tool. It is understood that the expression "grooved line" must be understood in the broadest sense as meaning that the line is suitable and intended for the relative folding of two adjacent panels.

More particularly, the intermediate element 1 comprises two fold lines 11, 12 respectively between the central panel 9 and the two side panels 8, 10.

Advantageously, the two fold lines 11, 12 are alternately cut lines. By "alternating cutting", it should be understood that on the line, the cardboard is regularly and alternately cut through and then not cut, and so on, so as to create a mixed line.

The two side panels 8, 10 are thus articulated relative to the central panel 9 along the fold lines 11, 12, advantageously parallel to one another. These two fold lines 11, 12 are thus suitable and intended for the relative folding of the side panels 8, 10 with respect to the central panel 9 to form the intermediate element 1. Once the intermediate element is shaped, the two side panels 8, 10 form an angle a, in particular obtuse, with the central panel 9, for example of the order of 120 degrees, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The central panel 9 includes first openings 13, advantageously through.

Each first opening 13 is suitable and intended to come and surround the side wall 3b of a pot 2, in particular in the vicinity of its bottom wall 3a once the pack 20 has been formed.

Each first opening 13 advantageously has a circular shape, or more generally a shape corresponding to the section shape of a side wall 3b of the pot.

2. Each first opening 13 is however slightly wider than the side wall 3b of a pot 2, in particular in the vicinity of its bottom wall 3a, so that a pot can be placed in a first opening 13, while leaving a space E between the intermediate element 1 and the side wall 3b of the pot 2 disposed in the first opening 13, illustrated in FIG. 5.

The side panels 8, 10 also include second openings 14, advantageously through.

Each second opening 14 is suitable and intended to come into contact, for example in abutment, with the top closure 4 of a pot 2, in particular in the vicinity of its flange 5 once the pack 20 has been formed.

To this end, each second opening 14 of a side panel 8, 10 is spaced from the central panel 9 by a distance D in the longitudinal direction L. More particularly, each second opening 14 of a side panel 8, 10 is spaced by a distance D from the fold line 11,12 allowing the respective articulation of the side panel 8, 10 relative to the central panel 9.

Each second opening 14 can be delimited by a first cut line 15 and a second cut line 16.

The first cut line 15 is straight or substantially straight. The first cut line 15 is more particularly adapted to come into contact, advantageously over substantially its entire length, with the closure 4 of a jar 2. The second cut line 16 is in an arc. Alternatively, the second cut line 16 can take other forms.

The intermediate element 1 is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical by axial rotation around the direction Z.

According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the intermediate element 1 comprises four first openings 13 and four second openings 14.

The first four openings 13 are arranged in pairs, face to face, on the central panel 9. The second openings 14 are arranged on the side panels 8, 10. More specifically, two second openings 14 are arranged, advantageously side by side in the transverse direction T on a side panel 8, and two other second openings 14 are arranged, advantageously side by side in the transverse direction T on the other side panel 10.

The intermediate element 1 is suitable and intended to produce, with a blank 30, a package 40 of a pack of pots 20, the pack 20 comprising the pots 2 and the package 40.

A cardboard blank 30, flat (the terms "cardboard" and "flat" to be understood as above), is intended for producing the packaging 40.

The packaging 40 produced in particular by the sidewall 30 is of the tubular envelope type and it is produced by setting in volume and closing on itself the blank 30, so as to match the jars 2 of the pack 20 which are thus kept grouped.

By "tubular envelope", it should be understood that the package 40 has six faces overall and is in a generally parallelepiped shape, has four adjacent faces closed in on themselves and two opposite faces open.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the blank 30, flat, is of generally rectangular shape. The blank 30 comprises, arranged one after the other, a first top panel 31a, a first side panel 32a, a bottom panel 33, a second side panel 32b and a second top panel 31b (the term "panel "To be understood as above).

The blank 30 is such that the two side panels 32a and 32b have the same dimensions.

The first top panel 31a is relatively wide, intended to form the entire surface of a top wall 34, while the second top panel 31b is relatively narrower, like a shutter, able to come to the front of the first top panel 31a. Such an embodiment may include a means of attachment between the first top panel 31a and the second top panel 31b, such as tabs, notches or an attachment adhesive.

The blank 30 also includes fold lines, such as grooved lines. These lines are suitable and intended for the relative folding of the panels 31a, 32a, 33, 32b, 31b, for the setting up of the blank 30, for the packaging 40 and the constitution of the pack 20.

More specifically, the blank 30 comprises two grooved lines from below 35a, 35b between the bottom panel 33 and the two side panels 32a, 32b, and two grooved lines from above 36a, 36b between the two top panels 31a, 31b and the two side panels 32a, 32b.

The volume setting of the blank 30 and the shaping of the intermediate element 1 allows the packaging 40 of the pack 20 to be produced.

The pack 20 comprises at least two layers of pots, an upper layer comprising top pots 2b and a lower layer comprising bottom pots 2a. The qualification of "bottom pot 2a" thus aims to distinguish such a pot from another pot from pack 20, namely a "top pot 2b" from the upper layer. The bottom pots 2a of the lower layer and the top pots 2b of the upper layer are advantageously identical to each other.

However, more generally, the invention also relates to any pack 20 comprising at least two or more layers of pots. The pack 20 can comprise three or a greater number of layers of pots (not illustrated), then having several upper layers of pots and one or more intermediate elements 1, in particular for each of the upper layers of the pack 20.

According to the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the lower and upper layers of the pack 20 each comprise four pots arranged two by two, facing each other.

However, more generally, the invention also relates to a pack 20 in which the layers of pots comprise a greater or lesser number of pots 2, as well as a variable arrangement of the pots in a lower or upper layer.

The invention also relates to a process for producing the packaging 40 and constituting the pack 20.

For this process, there is an intermediate element 1 flat, a flat blank, bottom pots 2a and top pots 2b intended to be part of the pack 20.

The bottom pots 2a are placed, successively or simultaneously, in a lower layer on the bottom panel 33 of the blank 30. The intermediate element 1 is placed on the bottom layer of bottom pots 2a, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and the top pots 2b are placed, successively or simultaneously, in an upper layer on the lower layer as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Each top pot 2b is advantageously arranged directly above a bottom pot 2a. More precisely, each top pot 2b is centered on a bottom pot 2a.

Each top pot 2b is also placed in a first opening 13 of the intermediate element 1.

The intermediate element 1 is formed by folding the two side panels 8, 10 around the two grooved lines 11, 12, relative to the central panel 9.

Then the blank 30 is placed in volume, around the pots 2 of the pack 20, by folding the two side panels 32a, 32b, around the two grooved lines from below 35a, 35b,

Alternatively, the intermediate element 1 can be shaped when the blank 30 is put into volume, the side panels 32a, 32b then exerting a force on the side panels 8, 10 of the intermediate element 1 in order to cause the folding of the side panels 8, 10 relative to the central panel 9.

During the shaping of the intermediate element 1, the second openings 14 respectively come into abutment with the closings 4 of a bottom pot 2a, in particular in the vicinity of their flanges 5. More particularly, part of the flange 5 of the bottom pots 2a is inserted into the second openings 14, the first cut line 15 then coming into contact with the closure 4 of the bottom pots 2a.

We also finish setting the blank 30 in volume, around the pots 2 of the pack 20, by folding the two side panels 32a, 32b around the two grooved lines from above 36a, 36b.

We have in a coplanar manner, for example one on the other, and the two top panels 31 a and 31 b are joined to each other, so as to close the blank 1 on itself, to form the top wall 34, by using the securing means, and to produce the packaging 40 surrounding the pots 2 of the pack 20.

In the pack 20 thus formed and the packaging 40 thus produced, the blank 30 is then placed around the pots 2. More precisely, the two side panels 32aa, 32bb are erected, upwards, with respect to the plane of the bottom panel 33 and form with it an angle, notably obtuse. The side panels 32a, 32b extend to the top wall 34. The top wall 34 is arranged above and directly above the bottom panel 33.

The sidewall 30 keeps the intermediate element 1 shaped, in particular due to the side panels 32a, 32b which exert a force on the side panels 8, 10 of the intermediate element 1.

In such a pack 20, the intermediate element 1 is arranged between, and advantageously parallel to, the bottom panel 33 and the top wall 34.

Such a pack 20 and such a packaging 40 are illustrated in FIG. 5. The form of detail of the packaging 40 is adapted to the form of detail of the pots 2. The description of the packaging 40 which has just been given is therefore not exclusive of other shapes, in the case of 2 pots of different shapes.

In the case of a pack 20 having more than two layers of pots, the packaging 40 is, as a whole, similar to that of a pack 20 with two layers of pots, except, first of all, that its dimension is larger so as to be adapted to the number of layers.

The intermediate element 1 is adapted so that each first opening 13 is arranged around a top pot 2b of the upper layer. In addition, the intermediate element 1 is adapted so that each second opening 14 is in contact, advantageously in abutment, with a bottom pot 2a of the lower layer.

The top pots 2b are respectively arranged in the first openings 13 of the intermediate element 1, so as to ensure the spacing and wedging of these top pots 2b in the vicinity of their bottom walls 3a. The first openings 13 are thus intended to stop the top pots 2b on their side walls 3b, in the vicinity of their bottom walls 3a.

By "stopping the top pots 2b on their side walls 3b", it should be understood that, in pack 20, the top pots 2b are prevented, at least to some extent, from moving relatively (so untimely) with respect to the packaging 40 and / or to the bottom pots 2a, or to shock one another, since the displacement of the side wall 3b of each top pot 2b is adjacent to a first opening 13, in particular spaced d 'limited space E. The top pots 2b are thus held in all directions, in particular in the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T of the intermediate element 1.

By stopping the top pots 2b on their side walls 3b "in the vicinity of their bottom walls 3a", it should be understood that the intermediate element 1, and in particular the first openings 13, are spaced from the bottom wall 3a of the top pots 2b with a spacing H.

More specifically, due in particular to the distance D separating the second openings 14 from the central panel 9, the intermediate element 1 is suitable and intended to allow the spacing H between the central panel 10 and the bottom wall 3a of the top pots 2b or the closure 4 of the bottom pots 2a (since the top pots 2b rest by their bottom walls 3a on the closings 4 of the bottom pots 2a).

Because of this spacing H, it is possible to satisfactorily maintain the top pots in the pack 20. In fact, in the absence of spacing, the top pots 2b could otherwise easily come out of the first openings 13 during '' a sudden displacement of the pack 20.

The spacing H is relatively small with regard to the distance between the bottom wall 3a and the top closure 5 of a pot 2. The spacing H is more than 0.5 centimeters, or even more than one centimeter, or even more than two centimeters. This achievement is not, however, limiting, the spacing H can be smaller or larger.

The first openings 13 being able to stop the top pots 2b, as has just been explained, they participate in that, in the pack 20, the top pots 2b cannot, or can only move a little inadvertently or shocking each other.

The pack 20 can also have slots or cutouts 21, 22 to allow the collar 5 of the top pots 2b to protrude or the bottom wall 3a of the bottom pots 2a towards the outside of the pack 20.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided only by way of example. It includes various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the present invention and in particular any combination of the different operating modes described above, which can be taken separately or in combination.

Claims (12)

1. Intermediate element (1) made of cardboard, flat, intended for holding pots (2a, 2b) in a pack (20), the pack (20) comprising bottom pots (2a) with a lower layer and top pots (2b) of an upper layer, the intermediate element (1) comprising at least a first side panel (8), a central panel (9) and a second side panel (10), characterized in that than : the central panel (9) comprises first openings (13), each first opening (13) being suitable and intended to surround a top pot (2b), the first and second side panels (8, 10) comprise second openings (14), each second opening (14) being suitable and intended to come into abutment with a bottom pot (2a), and - The second openings (14) are arranged at a distance (D) from the central panel (9) in a longitudinal direction (L). 2. spacer element (1) according to claim 1, in which each second opening (14) is delimited by at least a first cut line (15) and a second cut line (16), the first cut line (15) being suitable and intended to come into abutment with a bottom pot (2a). 3. A spacer element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second side panels (8,10) are identical to each other. 4. spacer element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first side panel (8), the central panel (9) and the second side panel (10) are arranged one after the other. others in the longitudinal direction (L). 5. spacer element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second side panels (8, 10) are articulated with respect to the central panel (9) respectively along fold lines (11, 12) extending in a transverse direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L). 6. Pack (20) including: - a lower layer comprising bottom pots (2a) and an upper layer comprising top pots (2b), the top pots (2b) being arranged on the bottom pots (2a), each pot (2a, 2b) comprising a bottom wall (3a) and a side wall (3b), and - a package (40) comprising at least one intermediate element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. Pack (20) according to claim 6, wherein the central panel (9) of the intermediate element (1) is raised by a spacing (H) relative to the bottom pots (2a). 8. Pack (20) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein each first opening (13) of the intermediate element (1) completely surrounds the side wall (3b) of a top pot (2b) . 9. Pack (20) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each first opening (13) of the intermediate element (1) is suitable and intended to stop a top pot (2b) on its side wall (3b), in the vicinity of its bottom wall (3a). 10. Pack (20) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which the packaging (40) also comprises a blank (30) set in volume to surround the bottom pots (2a) and the top pots (2b ). 11. Pack (20) according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate element (1) is shaped by folding the first and second side panels (8, 10) relative to the central panel (9), the side ( 30) now of the intermediate element (1) shaped. 12. Method of constituting a pack (20), in which: - there is an intermediate element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a blank (30), bottom pots (2a) and top pots (2b) intended to be part of pack (20), each pot (2a, 2b) comprising a bottom wall (3a) and a side wall (3b), - there are, successively or simultaneously, the bottom pots (2a) in a lower layer on the blank (30), - the intermediate element (1) is placed on the layer of bottom pots (2a), - the top pots (2b) are placed successively or simultaneously in an upper layer on the bottom pots (2a), and - the blank (30) is set in volume around the bottom pots (2a) and the top pots (2b) so as to keep the intermediate element (1) in shape.