FR3115272A1 - Compact batch of grouped products and its packaging method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compact batch (100) of at least four grouped products (1), said products (1) being containers provided with a peripheral wall, distributed in a matrix according to columns and rows, said batch (100 ) comprising at least one member (2) for holding said at least four products (1) together, said member (2) being in the form of a closed strip (20) surrounding the products (1) of said batch (100); characterized in that it comprises at least one sub-batch (101) bringing together at least two of said products (1); at least one closed strip (3) surrounding the products (1) of each sub-lot (101); and in that the strip (20) of said member (2) and each strip (3) is made of at least one material devoid of plastic and based on vegetable fibres.The invention also relates to a method for packaging such a batch (100) of products (1). Figure for abstract: Fig. 7

Description

Compact batch of grouped products and its packaging method

The present invention falls within the field of packaging products in batches.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term “product” encompasses an individual object. Such a product is a container, such as a bottle or flask, or a cardboard brick, or even a can. A product can be made of any type of material, in particular plastic, metal or even glass. A product can be rigid or semi-rigid.
Such a container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the food-processing or cosmetic type.
In addition, a product can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not, regular or irregular. In addition, a product may have a rounded cross section, globally of circular or ovoidal shape, or else of polygonal cross section, in particular rectangle or square.

In a known manner, within an industrial line, the products can receive several different successive treatments, such as the manufacture of the container, for example during a plastic injection or stretch-blow molding operation in the case of a plastic bottle, followed by filling then closing with a cap and labelling. At the end of these treatments, the products are said to be "finished".

With a view to their handling, such finished products are packaged in batches.
In addition, each batch includes several products, grouped together in a matrix arrangement, generally of generally parallelepipedic shape, often square or rectangle, according to columns and rows. By way of example, a typical batch groups together six products in two rows and three columns.
In a complementary way, each group of products can be maintained below by means of a support forming a bottom, for example a cardboard tray.
Once the groups of products have been produced, each group can be coated, in particular covered with a film, in order to hold the products together and to facilitate the handling of such a batch thus obtained.
Such encapsulation by being carried out through a step of filming or preferably wrapping.

In particular, wrapping a group of products consists of wrapping it with a sheet of plastic film made of heat-shrinkable material. A coated group then undergoes a heating step so that the sheet conforms to the overall external shape of the products. In short, the sheet of film shrinks under the effect of heat to form a constriction ensuring the maintenance of the grouped products.
The grouping of the products, the coating and the heating are carried out by means of a dedicated installation of the bundler type, through several successive stations.
Further, the heating of a coated group is carried out by crossing a heating station; like an oven, tunnel oven type. Each group of products is transported on the upper face of one or more conveyors, from the entrance to the exit of said oven.
On the one hand, hot air is sent to the conveyor from below and allows to heat the underside and the lower edges of the groups transported on the conveyor, essentially aiming at the part of the film sheet located under each group of products. , in particular with a view to welding the ends of the coating sheet which, at the time of the prior coating, are superimposed and pressed against each other under the weight of the products of the group.
On the other hand, hot air is sent to the interior volume of the enclosure and makes it possible to heat the coated group, with a view to effecting a rise in temperature of the sheet of film so that a shrinkage comes apply in contact with the products, by deforming the sheet so that it conforms to part of the contours of said products.

Already, it is easy to see the substantial energy expenditure necessary for heating during the bundling operation. Such an expense is costly, but also detrimental from an environmental point of view.
In addition, the heating installations, especially in the form of a tunnel kiln, represent a substantial footprint on the ground within an industrial production site.

Furthermore, the coating is carried out using a film of plastic material, essentially obtained from the petrochemical industry. Currently many plastics can be composed of material improving their biodegradable character. In addition, the recycling and recovery of plastic waste is constantly evolving. However, there is a growing need to find an alternative to the use of this material, which generates a lot of waste and is energy costly.

A known alternative consists in holding a group of products by strapping or strapping by means of ties made of plastic or composite material, in particular in the form of a strip of braided plastic fibers. Such a band surrounds the products and a tension is applied before operating a sealing of the ends of said band, in particular through a heat-sealing operation.
If the use of a band saves a considerable amount of plastic material, the strapping does not make it possible to properly maintain batches of more than four products, especially when it comes to containers with a rounded section, whether it is generally circular or ovoid, which is more in the case of containers made of plastic material. Indeed, the walls of containers located in the center tend to slide against the walls of the containers on the periphery, which deforms the layout of the batch, or is even likely to cause its dislocation during its handling. This risk is all the greater, due to the large mass of liquid contained in the containers, with regard to the contact surface of the coating on the containers.
In addition, the plastic material of a strap is provided more resistant, making it all the more difficult to reprocess it for recycling.

In this context, the present invention aims at an alternative to the formation of a batch by coating in plastic material of group of products, by considering a packaging from a material having an increased biodegradable character and a reduced environmental impact compared to the use of plastic material.
In short, the invention provides for the use of a material devoid of plastic in order to carry out the coating of the products.
To do this, the invention provides for packaging products in batches, using a material based on plant fibres, preferably using paper.

In addition, the invention provides for packaging of a batch of products which is specifically adapted to containers, in particular to a rounded section, in particular for containers made of plastic material. Such packaging takes into consideration the use of a material based on vegetable fibers such as paper and devoid of plastic, which reduces its resistance, in particular its elasticity.

To do this, the invention provides for subdividing the group of products into sub-batches and doubling the coating. In short, we coat each sub-batch and then coat several sub-batches together again.

Thus, the subject of the invention is a compact batch of at least four grouped products, said products being containers and are provided with a peripheral wall, said products being distributed according to a matrix configuration, according to columns and rows, said batch including
- at least one member for holding said at least four products together,
said member being in the form of a closed band surrounding the products of said batch.
Advantageously, such a batch is characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one sub-batch bringing together at least two of said products;
- at least one closed strip surrounding the products of each sub-lot;
and in that
- the strip of said organ and each strip is made of at least one material devoid of plastic and based on plant fibres.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, each sub-lot can bring together a maximum of four products.

Each sub-batch can be oriented transversely according to said columns.

Each sub-batch can be oriented longitudinally along said rows.

At least one pair of sub-lots positioned side by side can be oriented longitudinally along two of said rows, while at least one additional sub-lot can be positioned longitudinally at least on one side of said pair and oriented transversely, overlapping said two rows.

The strip of said member may be made of a material with a greater thickness than the material of each strip.

The strip of said member may be made of cardboard material.

Said products may have a rounded section, in particular generally circular or ovoid.

Said products can be made of plastic material.

Each of said products may include a label surrounding the periphery of their peripheral wall over part of the height of said products; each strip covering at least partially the label of the products of each sub-lot.

The strip of said at least one member can at least partially cover the strips of the sub-batches.

Said batch may comprise a handle in the form of at least one strap fixed partially covering at least one strip of one of the sub-batches, the strip of said member coming to cover said strap.

Said batch may comprise, on the inside face of the strip, an adhesive located at areas of contact with each product of a sub-batch.

Said batch may comprise, on the outer face of at least one strip, a complementary adhesive located at the level of adjoining zones between two sub-batches.

Said batch may comprise, on the inside face of the strip of said member, an additional adhesive located at the level of the areas where said member bears against the products of said batch.

The invention also relates to a method for packaging the aforementioned batch of products. During such a process:
- A grouping of at least four products is carried out, said products being containers;
- Said at least four products are coated by means of the strip of said at least one member;
characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:
- During grouping, the products are grouped into at least two sub-batches, each sub-batch grouping at least two products;
- Each sub-batch is circled by unrolling said at least one strip;
- The sub-batches are coated by unrolling the strip of said member until its ends are covered.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, in such a packaging method, the products can be grouped together in sub-batches by grouping two products.

Before coating, the sub-batches can be positioned in a transverse and/or longitudinal orientation with respect to said batch.

Before surrounding a sub-batch, an adhesive located at the contact zones with each product of a sub-batch can be applied to the inside face of each strip;
- Can be applied on the outer face of at least one strip, a complementary adhesive located at the level of adjoining areas between two sub-lots;
and or
- Before encapsulation, an additional adhesive located at the bearing zones of said member can be applied on the inside face of the strip of said member against the products of said batch.

After wrapping, a handle can be fixed in the form of at least one strap partially covering at least one strip of one of the sub-batches; at the time of encapsulation, said strap can be covered with the strip of said member.

Consequently, the batch of products thus packaged, with a material devoid of plastic and based on vegetable fibers, has increased resistance and limits the risks of dislocation. Indeed, the products maintained in sub-batches have, on the one hand, a larger contact surface with the strip which connects the products together in the same sub-batch and, on the other hand, a more adjoining zone. large between the sub-batches of the same batch girded by the organ.
In addition, the doubling of the coating increases the resistance of the batch formed, with regard to this material having a certain fragility, which usually excludes its use for containers, especially of rounded section and/or made of plastic material.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which will follow of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

schematically represents a perspective view of two sub-batches of products, of the metal can type, showing in particular a first sub-batch grouping four products and a second sub-batch grouping two products;

schematically represents a view similar to FIG. 1 of the two sub-batches coated in a single batch according to the invention;

schematically represents a top view of a first packaging configuration of the batch of FIG. 2;

schematically represents a top view of a second packaging configuration of a batch grouping three sub-batches oriented transversely;

schematically represents a top view of a third packaging configuration of a batch grouping three sub-batches, of which two sub-batches are oriented longitudinally and one sub-batch is oriented transversely;

schematically represents a top view of a packaging configuration of a log grouping four sub-lots;

schematically represents a perspective view of three sub-batches of each two products, of the bottle type, during the coating by the strip of a single member;

schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of six products, of the bottle type, showing in particular a partial covering of the strip of a single organ on the strips of each sub-batch;

schematically represents a view similar to FIG. 8, showing in particular two organs, only one of which covers the strips of each sub-batch;

schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of three sub-batches of two products, showing in particular a handle on the central sub-batch;

schematically shows a view similar to Figure 10, showing in particular the positioning of the handle covering the strip of the central sub-batch at the time of coating of said batch; And

schematically represents a simplified view of an example of architecture of a line for packaging batches of products according to the invention.

The present invention falls within the field of packaging products 1 in batch 100.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term “product” encompasses an individual object. Such a product 1 is a container, such as a bottle or a flask, or a cardboard brick, or even a can. A product 1 can be made of any type of material, in particular plastic material, metal or even glass. Preferably, a product 1 is made of plastic material, in particular PET (for “polyethylene terephthalate”). A product 1 can be rigid or semi-rigid.
Such a container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the food-processing or cosmetic type.
In addition, a product 1 can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not, regular or irregular. In addition, a product 1 can have a rounded cross-section, generally circular or ovoid in shape, or even a polygonal cross-section, in particular rectangular or square. Preferably, said products 1 have a rounded section, in particular generally circular or ovoid.

In known manner, within an industrial line, the products 1 can receive several different successive treatments, such as the manufacture of the container, for example during a plastic injection or stretch-blow molding operation in the case of a plastic bottle, followed by filling then closing with a cap and labelling. At the end of these treatments, the products 1 are said to be "finished".
With a view to their handling, such finished products 1 undergo packaging in batches 100.
In addition, each batch 100 comprises several products 1, grouped together in a matrix arrangement, generally of polygonal or globally parallelepipedal shape, often square or rectangle, according to columns and rows, but also triangular or polygonal, the columns and rows then being inclined. By way of example, a usual batch 100 groups together six products 1 according to a rectangular matrix, namely according to two rows and three columns, as visible in FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 6 shows a batch 100 of eight products 1 distributed according to a rectangular matrix, with two rows and four columns.
Complementarily, each group of products 1 can be maintained below by means of a support forming a bottom, for example a cardboard tray.
Once the groups of products 1 have been made, each group can be coated, in order to keep the products 1 together and to facilitate the handling of such a batch 100 thus packaged.

This being so, the invention relates to such a compact batch 100 of at least four grouped products 1.

As mentioned above, said products 1 are containers and are provided with a peripheral wall. Said products 1 are distributed according to a matrix configuration, according to columns and rows.

Furthermore, the term “compact” corresponds to products 1 which are close together and positioned side by side, joined to each other during their grouping according to one of the configurations as described. Once the products 1 grouped coated, they are then integral with each other, forming a batch 100 in their entirety. The products 1 of such a batch 100 are then inseparable, except to voluntarily dislocate said batch 100 to extract one or more products 1.

Such a batch 100 comprises at least one member 2 for holding said at least four products 1 together. Such a member 2 is in the form of at least one, but preferably a single closed strip 20 surrounding the products 1 of said batch 100 Figures 2, 7, 8 and 11 show a member in the form of a single strip 20, while Figure 9 shows a member 2 in the form of two strips 20. In short, the member has a generally flattened shape. , with a length intended to extend around the products 1, while its width is smaller than said length.
In particular, the length of the member 2 is greater than the total perimeter of the zone of the grouped products 1. Indeed, the strip 20 of the member 2 is closed, namely that it is a so-called "endless" strip, obtained by overlapping one end 21 on an opposite end 22, said ends 21 and opposite ends 22 being held together by a suitable fastener, such as an adhesive, bonding or heat-sealing. It will be noted that several portions of a strip 20 can be butted together in order to form a single and same member 2.
In addition, the width of the member 2 extends along the height of the products 1 and is less than said height, in particular less than half the height of a product 1, preferably less than a third of the height of a product 1.

Advantageously, the strip 20 of said member 2 is made of at least one material devoid of plastic and based on vegetable fibres. In short, the strip 20 can be made of several materials, without the presence of plastic and based on vegetable fibers.
In particular, the main or majority material of the member 2 is devoid of a compound other than vegetable, such as plastic, especially obtained from the petrochemical sector.

Preferably, said at least one member 2 is paper-based. In short, the member 2 comprises a main or majority component in the form of paper.

According to the preferred embodiment, said member 2 is made of paper. In other words, all of the material(s) constituting the member 2 is made of paper.

As such, the term “paper” falls within the specific field of product packaging 1 and is limited to wrapping paper. Further, the term “paper” excludes cardboard, as well as corrugated papers, used in the manufacture of corrugated cardboard, and flat cardboard.

In addition, such paper is based on plant cellulosic fibers.

Preferably, the paper of member 2 has increased strength, due to its composition or one or more of its characteristics, such as thickness, weight or strength, hand, rigidity, length of rupture, or cohesion.
The resistance of the paper used for the member 2 can be improved by a weft or specific fibres, in particular natural or natural based, preferably vegetable or vegetable based, introduced into the material constituting said paper. In particular, fibers can be arranged longitudinally or transversely, in order to improve the resistance to stretching before rupture in this direction.
In all cases, the resistance of the paper is determined according to the total mass of the group of products 1 to be coated and maintained, depending on the products 1, their material, their size and what they contain.

By way of example, the paper can be kraft paper or a derivative of kraft paper.
Remember that kraft paper is obtained by processes that separate the lignin to promote hydrogen bonds between the remaining cellulose in the fibers, giving increased resistance to traction and tearing of the paper thus obtained. Also, kraft paper can be made from any type of wood and other plants, such as hemp and bamboo.

Advantageously, the invention provides for subdividing batch 100 into several sub-batches 101. In addition, the invention provides for surrounding each sub-batch 101 with an additional product holding element 1, in order to provide resistance increased to lot 100.

To do this, said batch 100 comprises at least one sub-batch 101 bringing together at least two of said products 1. Such a sub-batch 101 can therefore bring together two products 1, as shown in Figure 1, three products 1, four products as also visible in Figure 1, or even more products 1.
Preferably, each sub-batch 101 brings together at most four products. Indeed, a distribution of two, three or four products 1 in a sub-batch 101 makes it possible to surround it with an element which does not simply come into contact tangentially with a limited zone of each product 1, but comes into contact with a zone extending over part of the periphery of each of said products 1 of said sub-batch 101, thereby improving the hold thus obtained by this element.

Thus, batch 100 includes at least one closed strip 3 surrounding products 1 of each sub-batch 101.

Advantageously, similarly to the member 2, each strip 3 is made of at least one material devoid of plastic and based on vegetable fibers. In short, the strip 3 is made of one or more materials having the same prerequisites mentioned above as those of the strip 20 of the member 2.

In addition, said at least one strip 20 of member 2 and/or said at least one strip 30 can be printed independently, with dedicated visual and commercial information and according to said grouped products 1.

According to one embodiment, the strip 20 and the strip 3 are made of an identical material. Preferably, the strip 20 of said member 2 is made of a material of greater thickness than the material of each strip 3. In addition, the strip 20 of said member 2 can be made of cardboard material.

As for the strip 20 of the member 2, the strip 3 has similar dimensional characteristics, coming to surround the products 1 of a sub-batch 101 according to its length, while its width is much less and extends according to the height. of said products 1 of sub-batch 101. In particular, the height of strip 3 is less than that of strip 20, in particular less than a third or half of strip 20, in particular so that said strip 20 can completely cover each strip 3.

As such, according to one embodiment, each of said products 1 comprises a label surrounding the periphery of their peripheral wall over part of the height of said products 1. Therefore, each strip 3 at least partially covers the label of the products 1 of each sub-batch 101. In short, a strip 3 comes into contact over part of its width against the peripheral wall of the products 1 and over another part of its width against the label already present on the products 1.
According to other configurations, the strip 3 comes completely into contact with the peripheral wall of the products 1, without covering the label if it is present, or else completely covers the label of the products 1, or even overflows beyond it if said strip 3 is wider than the label, then coming into contact with the peripheral wall above and below said label.

According to one embodiment, similarly, the strip 20 of said at least one member 2 at least partially covers the strips 3 of the sub-lots 101. Figures 8 and 9 show strips 20 partially covering the strips 3 of the sub-lots 101.
Preferably, the strip 20 completely covers the strips of each of the sub-lots 101, given that the strip 20 can have a greater width than that of the strips 3. Such total coverage is particularly visible in Figures 2, 7, 10 and 11.
The strip 20 therefore has a contact against said strips 3 but also with the peripheral walls of the products, which improves the behavior and the resistance of the batch thus formed.

Subsequently, the terms "transverse" and "longitudinal" extend relative to a median plane P crossing lot 100 along its greatest length, namely that a longitudinal orientation extends parallel or substantially parallel along said plane P, while a transverse orientation extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally with respect to said plane P. With reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, representing an example of modeling of said plane P, the longitudinal direction corresponds to a horizontal alignment of the rows, while that a transverse direction corresponds to the vertical alignment of the columns.
Furthermore, in the case of a lot 100 in the form of a square, the transverse and longitudinal orientations can be reversed.

This being so, the invention provides for improving the resistance of a batch 100 formed of sub-batches 101, by configuring the orientation of each of them.

To do this, according to one embodiment, each sub-batch 101 is oriented transversely along said columns. Figure 3 shows an example of such a transverse arrangement of three sub-batches 101 in a batch 100 of six products 1, namely that all the sub-batches 101 are oriented vertically, parallel to each other.

According to another embodiment, not shown, each sub-batch 101 is oriented longitudinally along said rows. Such a configuration is preferably possible for an even number of sub-lots 101.

According to yet another embodiment, as seen in Figures 4 and 6, at least one pair 102 of sub-batches 101 positioned side by side are oriented longitudinally along two of said rows, while at least one additional sub-batch 103 is positioned longitudinally at least on one side of said pair and oriented transversely, then overlapping said two rows. In short, two sub-lots 101 forming a pair 102 are aligned along the length of the lot 100 and at least one additional sub-lot 103 is positioned transversely at one and/or the other of the ends of said pair 102.
In such a configuration, it is also possible for the pair 102 of sub-batches 101 to be a single sub-batch 101 of four products 1 grouped and surrounded according to a square matrix, as shown in FIG. 3. As mentioned above, a sub-batch lots 101 square then has an orientation independently longitudinal or transverse with respect to lot 100.
Thus, the difference in orientation between some of the sub-batches 101 of products 1 within the same batch 100, makes it possible to reduce the risks of tearing of the member 2 during the handling of such a batch 100.

Other configurations can be envisaged, in particular for sub-batches 101 grouping together an odd number of products, very particularly grouping together three products 1 and then having a triangular matrix.

According to one embodiment, a gripping means can be added to a batch 100, in order to facilitate its handling.
To do this, a lot 100 includes a handle 4 in the form of at least one strap 40 attached to lot 100.
According to a preferred embodiment, as visible in Figures 10 and 11, said handle 4 is in the form of at least one strap 40 fixed partially overlapping at least one strip 3 of one of the sub-batches 101. In addition, strip 20 of said member 2 covers said strap 40. In other words, each end of strap 40 is attached to a strip 3 of one or other of the sub-batches 101, then the strip 20 is fixed from below. This sandwich fastening of the strap 40 between a strip 3 and the strip 20 improves the resistance and the maintenance at this level of the handle 4.

According to one embodiment, in order to ensure the fixing of the various elements forming the batch 100 and each of the sub-batches 101, as well as possibly the handle 4, the invention provides a fastening means attached to these elements, in order to ensuring their adhesion, on the one hand, in contact with the products 1, in particular with their peripheral wall, specifically when it is rounded, and, on the other hand, in contact with the elements between them, namely the strip 20 with the strips 3, but also between the strips 3 of contiguous sub-lots 101, as well as possibly the strap 40 with the strip 20 and/or with the strip 3,

To do this, the batch 100 may include on the inside face of the strip 3, an adhesive located at the contact zones with each product 1 of a sub-batch 101. In short, an adhesive is applied to the strip 3 of the side which comes into contact with the peripheral wall of the products 1 to be kept in a sub-batch 101.
It will be noted that the adhesive can be applied over the entire length of the strip 3 or else only along the portions corresponding to the zones which come into contact with the products 1. In addition, the adhesive can be used to fix the ends of a strip 3, to close it.

According to one embodiment, the batch 100 comprises on the outer face of at least one strip 3, an additional adhesive located at the level of adjoining zones between two sub-batches 101. In short, the additional adhesive is applied to the strip 3, preferably after surrounding the sub-batches 101, on the outside which will come into contact with another sub-batch 101, in order to improve their cohesion together within the same batch 100.

According to one embodiment, Lot 100 comprises, on the inside face of the strip 20 of said member 2, an additional adhesive located at the level of the bearing zones of said member 2 against the products 1 of said lot 100. In short, the additional adhesive on the strip 20, on the inside which will come into contact with the peripheral wall of the products 1, as well as possibly in contact with the strips 3 of each of the sub-batches 101, possibly see the label of the products 1.
It will be noted that the additional adhesive can be applied over all or part of the length of the strips 3 of all the sub-batches 101, in order to replace but preferably be combined with the additional adhesive of the strip 20.

Furthermore, the invention that one and/or the other of the adhesive, complementary adhesive, additional adhesive comprise a specific component. According to different embodiments, this component can be activated in different ways, for example by heat through a heating, heat-sealing or heat-bonding operation, or can be activated with water, for example by humidification in particular sprinkling, or even moistening in contact with a damp surface, or even by emission of radiation, in particular sound emission, for example by emission of ultrasound.
Furthermore, one and/or the other of the adhesive, complementary adhesive, additional adhesive can be an adhesive or a tacky coating applied to one and/or the other of the faces of the strip 20 and/or of the strips 3.
According to one embodiment, the complementary adhesive of the strips 3 between the sub-lots 101, but possibly between the outside of the strips 3 and the inside of the strip 2 when the latter completely covers said strips 3, can form with said strips 3 a double-sided adhesive tape.

The invention also relates to a process for packaging a batch 100 of products 1 as previously described.
Such a conditioning process is carried out along a dedicated conditioning line 10, an example of the architecture of which is represented in FIG. 12.

During such a packaging process, a grouping of at least four products 1 is first carried out, said products 1 being containers, as previously mentioned. In short, the grouping step consists of distributing a defined number of products 1, namely at least four products 1, from a larger initial quantity, for example from a single-line flow as seen in Figure 12, either from a multi-line flow, or even from an ordered or bulk accumulation of products 1. The number of grouped products 1 will then be gathered and kept together to form a batch 100.
In addition, this initial quantity of products 1 can be supplied by a line located upstream, such as for example a production line for said products 1.
Said grouping can be carried out by a grouping station 11 intervening to separate the initial quantity of products 1 and gather the number of products 1 determined to form the batch 100.
Then, the method comprises a step of coating at least four products 1 by means of the strip 20 of said at least one member 2. The coating therefore makes it possible to form the batch 100 of products 1 to hold them together.
Advantageously, during the grouping, the products 1 are grouped into at least two sub-batches 101, each sub-batch 101 grouping at least two products 1. Preferably, the products 1 are grouped into sub-batches 101 by grouping two products 1.
In short, the grouping step makes it possible to gather the corresponding number of products 1 from each sub-batch 101, namely at least by two products 1, as shown in figure 12.
Next, each sub-batch 101 is surrounded by unrolling said at least one strip 3. According to one embodiment, a strip 3 is unrolled at least until its ends are covered. According to another embodiment, several strips 3 can be unrolled on either side of the products 1 of each sub-batch 101, until they are connected together.
Such surrounding is carried out by a station 12 of dedicated entourage of the line 10 of conditioning.
Afterwards, the sub-batches 101 are coated by unrolling said at least strip 20 of said member 2 until its ends are covered. In short, the coating step makes it possible to maintain the products 1 of a batch 100, once these products 1 have previously been surrounded to form sub-batches 101.
Such coating is carried out by a dedicated coating station 13 of the packaging line 10 .

According to one embodiment, before coating, the sub-batches 101 are positioned in a transverse and/or longitudinal orientation relative to said batch 100. FIG. 12 shows a step for positioning the sub-batches 101 transversely, in particular by unbundling a single-line flow of sub-batches 101 so as to position said sub-batches 101 side by side at the entrance to the station 13 of coating.

According to one embodiment, in order to improve the holding of the various elements, such as the strip 20 or the strips 3, as well as possibly the handle 4, a component is added to these elements intended to ensure adhesion.
To do this, according to one embodiment, before surrounding a sub-batch 101, an adhesive located at the contact zones with each product 1 of a sub-batch 101 is applied to the inside face of each strip 3. .
According to another embodiment, combined or not, is applied to the outer face of at least one strip 3, an additional adhesive located at the level of adjoining zones between two sub-batches 101.
According to yet another embodiment, combined or not, before coating, an additional adhesive is applied to the inside face of the strip 20 of said member 2 located at the bearing zones of said member 2 against the products 1 of said batch 100, in particular in support against the sub-lots 101, in particular against the strips 3.

According to one embodiment, when it is desired to add a gripping means to batch 100, the method comprises an additional step.
To do this, after wrapping, a handle 4 is fixed in the form of at least one strap 40 partially covering at least one strip 3 of one of the sub-batches 101. Then, at the time of coating, covers said strap 40 with strip 20 of said member 2.

Such fixing of the handle 4 is carried out by a dedicated fixing station 14 of the line 10 of packaging. Such a fixing station 14 can intervene between the surrounding station 12 and the encapsulating station 13, directly along the flow of sub-batches 101, or by taking a sub-batch 101 from said stream and then re-inserting before coating in the flow of sub-batches 101, at a determined position, for example in the center of the batch 100 to be formed, as shown in the example of Figure 12.

Thus, through the batch 100 as previously described, as well as its process for packaging such a batch 100, the invention makes it possible to obtain a better hold by enclosing sub-batches 101 within said batch 100, allowing to use a less resistant material than those usually required, in particular based on plastic, for products 1 in the form of containers having a substantial mass relative to their volume. The sub-batches 101 first surrounded and then gathered in a coated batch 100 makes it possible to use a material devoid of plastic and based on vegetable fibers, or even paper and / or cardboard, offering a better environmental solution to the packaging of products 1 in such a lot 100.

Claims (20)

Compact lot (100) of at least four (1) grouped products,
said products (1) being containers and are provided with a peripheral wall,
said products (1) being distributed according to a matrix configuration, according to columns and rows,
said batch (100) comprising
- at least one member (2) for holding said at least four products (1) together,
said member (2) being in the form of a closed band (20) surrounding the products (1) of said batch (100);
characterized in that it comprises:
- at least one sub-batch (101) bringing together at least two of said products (1);
- at least one closed strip (3) surrounding the products (1) of each sub-batch (101);
and in that
- the strip (20) of said member (2) and each strip (3) is made of at least one material devoid of plastic and based on vegetable fibers. Batch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that
- each sub-lot (101) brings together at most four products (1). Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
- each sub-batch (101) is oriented transversely along said columns. Batch (100) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that
- each sub-batch (101) is oriented longitudinally along said rows. Batch (100) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that
- at least one pair (102) of sub-lots (101) positioned side by side is oriented longitudinally along two of said rows,
- at least one additional sub-batch (103) is positioned longitudinally at least on one side of said pair (102) and oriented transversely, overlapping said two rows. Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
- the strip (20) of said member (2) is made of a material of greater thickness than the material of each strip (3). Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
- the strip (20) of said member (2) is made of cardboard material. Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
- Said products (1) have a rounded section, in particular generally circular or ovoid. Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
- Said products (1) are made of plastic material. Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
- each of said products (1) comprises a label surrounding the periphery of their peripheral wall over part of the height of said products (1);
- each strip (3) covering at least partially the label of the products (1) of each sub-batch (101). Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
- the strip (20) of said at least one member (2) at least partially covers the strips (3) of the sub-batches (101). Batch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises
- a handle (4) in the form of at least one strap (40) fixed partially overlapping at least one strip (3) of one of the sub-batches (101), the strip (20) of said member (2 ) covering said strap (40). Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises
- on the inside face of the strip (3), an adhesive located at the contact zones with each product (1) of a sub-batch (101). Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises
- on the outer face of at least one strip (3), an additional adhesive located at the level of adjoining zones between two sub-lots (101). Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises
- on the inside face of the strip (20) of said member (2), an additional adhesive located at the bearing zones of said member (2) against the products (1) of said batch (100). Process for packaging a batch (100) of products (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which
- performing a grouping of at least four products (1), said products (1) being containers;
- Said at least four products (1) are coated by means of the strip (20) of said at least one member (2);
characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:
- During grouping, the products (1) are grouped into at least two sub-batches (101), each sub-batch (101) grouping at least two products (1);
- an entourage of each sub-batch (101) is carried out by unrolling said at least one strip (3);
- The sub-batches (101) are coated by unrolling the strip (20) of said member (2) until its ends are covered. Packaging process according to the preceding claim, characterized in that
- the products (1) are grouped into sub-lots (101) by grouping two products (1). Packaging method according to one of Claims 16 or 17, characterized in that
- before coating, the sub-batches (101) are positioned in a transverse and/or longitudinal orientation with respect to said batch (100). Packaging method according to any one of Claims 16 to 18, characterized in that
- Before surrounding a sub-batch (101), is applied to the inside of each strip (3), an adhesive located at contact areas with each product (1) of a sub-batch (101);
- Is applied to the outer face of at least one strip (3), an additional adhesive located at the level of adjoining areas between two sub-lots (101);
and or
- before coating, an additional adhesive is applied to the inside face of the strip (20) of said member (2) located at the bearing zones of said member (2) against the products (1) of said batch (100). Packaging method according to any one of Claims 16 to 19, characterized in that
- After surrounding, a handle (4) is fixed in the form of at least one strap (40) partially overlapping at least one strip (3) of one of the sub-batches (101);
- At the time of coating, said strap (40) is covered with the strip (20) of said member (2).