GB2265595A - A packing structure for groups of comodities enclosed in respective wrapping means - Google Patents

Abstract

A packing structure (1) of substantially regular geometrical appearance, suitable for the wholesale distribution of wrapped commodities (2) packable in groups. consists in a length of tubular netting (4) enveloping and clinging substantially to the entire peripheral surface of the commodities, which occupy stable positions one in relation to another inside the packing such that the selected geometry can be maintained. Each end of the tubular netting (4) is secured typically by a seal (5) or with a clip positioned so as to apply tension from either side of the assembled commodities (2), which are thus restrained firmly and with a predeterminable degree of force. <IMAGE>

Description

2.2. 6 5 5 9 5 1 A packing structure for groups of commodities enclosed in

respective wrapping means

The present invention concerns a packing structure for groups of commodities enclosed in respective wrapping means. In particular, the invention relates to a structure designed to provide the outer packing element for a plurality of single packs, each holding a plurality of commodities, and more in particular containing a plurality of rolls of paper material consisting by way of example in rolls of toilet tissue or other paper for household use, albeit the references made to such products in the specification should in no sense be interpreted as limiting the wider scope of the present invention. Conventionally, in many countries, toilet tissue is packaged for retail in a wrapping of plastic film, for example containing four rolls in the case of a standard pack, whereas for wholesale distribution a plurality of the same standard packs will in turn be enveloped in a single wrapper of somewhat larger dimensions, likewise fashioned from plastic film.

2 is It is the common practice to provide such a wrapper (which can take on voluminous proportions, bringing difficulties in carrying) with at least one handle, also fashioned from plastic, by which the wrapper and its contents are made easier to grip and more readily manageable. one obvious drawback affecting this type of packing solution is the high cost of the piastic film used for its implementation. Furthermore, the equipment needed to fashion wrappers of the type in question is relatively complex, able as it must be to create a package of substantially parallelepiped shape, often incorporating a plurality of flaps which are flattened in succession during the course of the wrapping operation. In effect, the expedient generally adopted hitherto has been one of adapting conventional machines, as used for wrapping single standard packs, in such a way as to work to the dimensions of the wholesale or maxi wrapper; inevitably, however, an additional envelopment of already packaged commodities has its negative aspect, namely the utilization of notable weights (and volumes) of outer wrapping material which must be recycled or collected ultimately, and often at the expense of the seller.

3 is It therefore occurs to the applicant, in the light of the foregoing, that there is room for a decided improvement on the prior art as reflected in its currently negative state, attainable through the adoption of a packing structure totally different to those utilized hitherto in the particular field in question, which also exploits the fact that the commodities are already wrapped in single packs. Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, through the provision of a packing structure for groups of commodities enclosed in respective wrapping means such as will be simple in embodiment and markedly more economic in structural terms than wrappers of the conventional type described above. The stated object is realized according to the present invention in a packing structure for groups of commodities enclosed in respective wrapping means, exhibiting a definite geometrical shape, inside of which the commodities are disposed in predetermined mutual positions to form an assembly of definite geometrical shape, characterized in that it comprises a tubular body enveloping and restraining the group of commodities tightly with a predetermined force, reticulate in embodiment and

4 is adhering substantially to the entire peripheral surface of the group of commodities; also closure means serving to secure the two ends of the tubular body disposed on opposite sides of the group of commodities. To advantage, the closure means consist in a heat seal effected across each end of the tubular body. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the packing structure also affords an appendage of reticulate material associated with at least one end of the tubular body, obtainable by extending the tubular body a given distance on the side of the closure means opposite from the commodities. one advantage afforded by the present invention consists essentially in the fact that the packing structure is easily gripped and readily manageable, notwithstanding the conventional type of handle forms no part of the solution. The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which: -fig 1 is the schematic representation of a packing structure according to the present invention, seen in perspective, which contains a plurality of packs each enveloping rolls of toilet tissue; is -fig 2 is an alternative embodiment of the packing structure of fig 1, illustrated schematically and in perspective. In fig 1 of the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a packing structure, in its entirety, containing a plurality of commodities consisting in packs 2 of substantially parallelepiped appearance disposed one alongside another, in mutual contact by way of their larger faces 3. Each single pack 2 contains at least one item (not illustrated in the drawings) and, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, will envelop a number of rolls of paper material (not illustrated). The packs 2 occupy predetermined positions internally of the packing structure 1 one in relation to another, combining in such a manner as to exhibit a definite geometrical shape, and are restrained thus firmly inside the structure I with a predetermined force. The packing structure 1 consists essentially in a tubular body 4 fashioned from netting, preferably in plastic material, of which the ends are secured by closure means appearing in the example of fig 1 as a horizontal or transverse heat-sealed seam 5, produced by a packaging machine not illustrated in the drawings.

6 In the alternative embodiment shown in fig 2, each end of the tubular body 4 is secured by closure means consisting in a clip 6, fashioned preferably from a plastic or a metallic material. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, of which the features are indicated by phantom lines in fig 1, the packing structure 1 exhibits a portion 7 of netting material associated with one end and constituting an extension of the tubular body 4, located on the side of the seam 5 opposite from the packs 2; the resulting appendage thus affords an eminently serviceable grip such as allows the packing and its contents to be seized by hand and carried from place to place. To advantage, the appendage might be looped back and fastened to the tubular body 4 as shown in fig 2, emulating the nature of a grip or handle to even better effect. The tubular body 4 referred to above will consist in a continuous sheath denoted 10, illustrated with phantom lines in fig 2, which is readily available' through commercial channels and similar to that used, for example, in the packaging of salami and other cured or processed meat products; the sheath appears relatively narrow when contracted, but can be stretched diametrally to considerable widths by 7 is virtue of the very elasticity of the material and the intrinsic deformability of the reticulation. Naturally enough, the force with which the packs 2 are restrained internally of the tubular body 4, preferably following an elastic deformation of the sheath material, can be determined in advance by proportioning the tubular body 4 accordingly and, as discernible from fig 2, by timing the heat seal operations such that the two seams 5 are positioned to generate the appropriate tension. In the packing structure 1 of fig 2, similarly, the force with which the packs 2 are restrained can be determined by appropriate selection of the positions in which the clips 6 are applied to the tubular body 4. It will be evident that the object stated at the outset is fully realized in the packing structure 1 described and illustrated, which can be produced with notable economy (the weight of the netting material is some 8 or 10 times less that that of the heat-shrinkable plastics utilized hitherto, which signifies a corresponding reduction in cost given that cost and weight are directly related), fashioned with ease (the use of a longitudinally enclosed tubular structure as the starting material permits of dispensing altogether with the various 8 devices required to fashion a bag from a roll of continuous sheet material), and readily manageable by hand, as with the fingers insertable through the holes afforded by the preferred netting material, the application of additional handles is rendered unnecessary.

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Claims (1)

1. Claims

   1) 2) A packing structure for groups of commodities enclosed in respective wrapping means, exhibiting a definite geometrical shape, internally of which the commodities are disposed in predetermined mutual positions to form an assembly of definite geometrical shape, characterized in that it comprises: - a tubular body enveloping and restraining the group of commodities tightly with a predetermined force, reticulate in embodiment and adhering substantially to the entire peripheral surfac( of the group of commodities; closure means serving to secure the two ends of the tubular body disposed on opposite sides of the group of commodities.

   A packing structure as in claim 1, wherein closure means consist in a heat sealed seam applied across and securing each end of the tubular body.

   3) 4) 5) A packing structure as in claim 1, wherein closure means consist in a clip encircling and securing each end of the tubular body.

   A packing structure as in preceding claims, further comprising a portion of netting material associated with at least one end and constituting an extension of the tubular body, positioned on the side of the closure means remote from the group of commodities.

   A packing structure for groups of commodities in respective wrapping means, as in preceding claims, as described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings and intended for the stated objects.