IT202000014980A1 - PACKAGING IN CARDBOARD TYPE MATERIAL AND RELATIVE PACKAGING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

Title: PACKAGING IN CARDBOARD TYPE MATERIAL AND RELATIVE PACKAGING METHOD

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a package made of material such as cardboard and a related method of packaging.

In the packaging of kits and products such as vials, phials, cartridges, syringes, instruments and the like, it is known to use a shaped tray for housing these components, which is in turn inserted inside a case.

The tray, generally identified with the corresponding English language term "tray" in the sector, is always been made by means of a sheet of polymeric material suitably shaped to define stable housing seats for the various components provided.

Over the last few years the adoption of polymeric materials ? been partially abandoned to reduce the placing on the market of products with a high environmental impact.

The trays have recently been produced in alternative materials, including paper and cardboard.

The polymeric trays have the indisputable advantage of being very stable inside the respective case, moreover their capacity? to hold the components firmly in the dedicated seats makes them extremely safe.

Paper and/or cardboard trays do not allow a similar stability? and therefore the perception of the end user? according to which, in order to obtain a lower environmental impact of the package as a whole, it was necessary to compromise the effectiveness and functionality? of the package itself.

Main task of the present invention ? that of solving the problems set out above, proposing a packaging in material such as cardboard which guarantees good stability? of the housed components.

Within the scope of this task, a purpose of the invention is that of proposing a packaging in material such as cardboard which has a low environmental impact.

Another purpose of the invention? to propose a packaging method that ensures the stability? of the tray inside the respective case.

Another purpose of the present invention ? that of realizing a package in material such as cardboard and a relative method of packaging of contained costs, relatively simple, practical realization and safe application.

This aim and these objects are achieved by a package made of material such as cardboard, paper and the like, characterized in that it comprises

- at least one tray consisting of an elongated sheet provided with pairs of protruding opposite flaps defining an overall shape in the shape of a cross, the pair of said flaps of greater length being folded back on itself to delimit a prismatic volume, respective notches of said flaps of greater length constituting seats for at least partial housing of at least one respective element;

- at least one substantially parallelepiped case provided with closure flaps in correspondence with opposite ends and with a facilitated breaking line in proximity to the of the respective upper face for the opening of the same;

said flaps being resealable in a mutually overlapping configuration with the aid of an adhesive substance, between said flaps of each head there being interposed a flap of shorter length, of said elongated sheet, folded orthogonally with respect to its lower surface juxtaposed to the lower face of said carton in said package.

This task and these purposes are also achieved by means of a packaging method which consists of

- subjecting a first sheet of laminar material such as cardboard, paper and the like to cutting according to a predefined shape comprising two orthogonal pairs of protruding opposite flaps of different lengths defining an overall cross-shaped shape obtaining an elongated sheet;

- bending the elongated sheet so that the pair of said longer flaps are folded back on themselves to delimit a prismatic volume, respective notches of said longer flaps constituting seats for at least partial housing of at least one respective element and defining a tray;

- subjecting a second sheet of laminar material such as cardboard, paper and the like to cutting according to a predefined standardized shape for the subsequent partial formation of a case in which the flaps defining the opposite ends are open and in which a line is defined breakage facilitated near? of the respective upper face for the opening of the face itself;

- placing at least one element in the notches defined in said tray;

- inserting said tray into said case through one of the open heads, juxtaposing a shorter flap to a closure flap at each head;

- mutually coupling said flaps by means of an adhesive substance, a glue and the like, completely closing said case, between said mutually coupled flaps of each head a respective shorter edge of said tray being interposed and blocked.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the package in material such as the cardboard according to the invention, illustrated by way of example and not as a limitation, in the attached drawings, in which: fig 1 shows, in a schematic isometric view, a first packaging flow for making a package according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic isometric view of the final stages of a second packaging flow for making a package according to the invention which provides for a different type of gluing;

Fig. 3 is a schematic axonometric view of the final phases of a third packaging flow for making a package according to the invention which provides for a different type of gluing;

Fig. 4 is a schematic isometric view of the final stages of a fourth packaging flow for making a package according to the invention which provides for a different type of gluing;

Fig. 5 is a schematic axonometric view of the final stages of a fifth packaging flow for making a package according to the invention which provides for a different type of gluing;

Fig. 6 is a schematic axonometric view of a tray for a package according to the invention;

fig.7 is a schematic isometric view of a sheet for making the tray of fig.6;

fig.8 is a schematic axonometric view of a variant of a tray for a package according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a schematic axonometric view of a variant of a tray for a package according to the invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic axonometric view of a variant of a tray for a package according to the invention;

Fig. 11 is a schematic axonometric view of a variant of a tray for a package according to the invention

Fig. 12 is a schematic axonometric view of the final stages of a fifth packaging flow for making a package according to the invention which provides for a different type of gluing.

With particular reference to these figures? indicated globally with 1 a package made of material such as cardboard and with 100 the operating sequence of a related packaging method.

The package 1 will be? made of material such as cardboard, paper and the like.

In this discussion, the term cardboard will refer to mainly to flat cardboard, as this material? the most suitable for the specific use that will be? described.

The specific type of packaging described, in fact, can be implemented in a simple way using flat cardboard, while it would be more? difficult to make by using corrugated cardboard.

The use of other compostable and biodegradable laminar materials such as cartene, derivatives of polylactic acid, polymers derived from corn starch or starch from other vegetables and the like is not excluded.

The package 1 according to the invention will comprise conveniently at least one tray 2 and at least one case 3.

Tray 2 will be advantageously constituted by an elongated sheet 4 provided with pairs of protruding edges 5, 6 opposite each other defining an overall shape in the shape of a cross.

The pair of flaps 5 of greater length, once the tray 4 is formed, will result validly folded back on itself to delimit a prismatic volume.

Respective notches 7 present on the longer flaps 5 will usefully constitute seats for at least partial housing of at least one respective element A.

The elements A can be of any type, although it should be noted that package 1 will be? particularly suitable for A elements such as vials, cartridges, bottles, syringes, tools and products intended for the medical sector, the aesthetic sector and the cosmetic sector.

However, further and different applications of the package according to the invention are not excluded, even in sectors completely different from those previously illustrated.

The at least one case 3 of the package 1 according to the invention ? substantially shaped like a parallelepiped, provided with closure flaps 8, 9 at opposite ends.

Case 2 will include also a breaking line facilitated 10 in the vicinity? of the respective upper face 11, made to facilitate the opening of the face 10 itself, so? to be able to easily access tray 2 and its contents (elements A).

The flaps 8 and 9 can be conveniently closed (closing operation which will be carried out during the packaging procedure described below) in order to make them assume a configuration of mutual overlapping with the aid of an adhesive substance for the respective fixing .

It should be noted that, in the package according to the invention, between the flaps 8 and 9 of each head of the case 3 there will be advantageously interposed a flap 6 of shorter length than the elongated sheet 4.

This flap 6, in the configuration of interposition between the flaps 8 and 9 of the case 3, will be? bent orthogonally with respect to its lower surface 12, which will result? juxtaposed to the lower face 13 of case 3 in package 1.

It is specified that, with particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, each of the longer flaps 5 comprises a first folding line 14 substantially aligned with the respective side edges of the shorter flaps 6 and at least one further folding line terminal fold 15, which defines a frame 16 intended for fixing on the lower surface 12 of the sheet 4 itself in order to form the tray 2.

It should further be pointed out that between the first folding line 14 and the terminal folding line 15? defined at least one further intermediate folding line 17 defining an edge of the delimited prismatic volume.

In order to identify some of the possible shapes of the tray 2 according to the invention, it is specified that the prismatic volume could present the shape of a right-angled prism with a triangular base in the presence of a single intermediate folding line 17 (constructive solution shown by way of non-limiting example in the attached figure 5), could it? present the shape of a right prism with a rectangular base in the presence of two distinct intermediate folding lines 17 (constructive solution shown by way of non-limiting example in the attached figures 2, 4, 6 and 7), could present the shape of a straight prism with a pentagonal base in the presence of three distinct intermediate fold lines 17.

In general, the prismatic volume has the shape of a straight prism with a polygonal base with "n" sides in the presence of "n-2" distinct intermediate folding lines 17.

It is specified that for the correct formation of tray 2 ? the interposition between each frame 16 and the lower surface 12 of the sheet 4 of a fixing glue is foreseen.

It should also be pointed out that the flaps 8 and 9 of each head of the case 3 can profitably be mutually coupled by means of an adhesive substance 18 (for example an adhesive, hot glue, strips of double-sided tape and the like).

The flap 6 of shorter length than the tray 6 will result? then held between juxtaposed portions of flaps 8 and 9.

Embodimental solutions are envisaged in which the flap 5 of shorter length is locked between the flaps 8 and 9 of the case 3 exclusively because it is closed. placed between them, which will instead be glued together; further embodiments are also envisaged in which the shorter flap 5 is also glued together with the flaps 8 and 9 of the case.

In order to give optimal usability? of the package 1 according to the invention, it is envisaged that the notches 7 of a first flap 5 of greater length are substantially aligned with corresponding notches 5 of a second flap 5 of greater length, thus defining, overall, a seat for respective portions of a respective element A (as shown by way of non-limiting example in the attached figures 2, 4 and 6).

Isn't it excluded for? to make notches 7 intended to completely house an element A (as shown by way of non-limiting example in the attached figures 5 and 7).

A variant of the tray 2 according to the invention provides for the creation, on at least one flap 5 of greater length, of at least one recess for the temporary housing of an element A in one of its configurations of use.

In particular it will be possible to extract the bottle (element A) from the seat defined by the notches 7 and insert it in the alveolus while ? open (deprived of the cap or the closing terminal), cos? that its contents can be accessed with a tool or a syringe. Insertion in the alveolus ensures blocking of element A and therefore facilitates the operations that must be performed. carry out the user.

From a manufacturing point of view, it is specified that the shorter flaps 6 may be rectangular in shape (in a version of maximum simplicity thereof represented by way of example in the attached figures 2, 3 and 7) or substantially trapezoidal in shape (in a their version represented by way of example in the attached figure 4).

It is not excluded to realize flaps 6 of shorter length constituted by two distinct and side by side bands 6a, 6b.

The present invention also extends its protection to a packaging method which consists in carrying out a series of consecutive steps. In the first place it will be it is necessary to subject a first sheet of laminar material such as cardboard, paper and the like to be cut according to a predefined shape.

This default form should comprising two orthogonal pairs of protruding flaps 5, 6 opposite each other of different lengths, defining an overall cross-shaped shape obtaining an elongated sheet 4.

The cutting operation can be favorably performed by means of a die of predefined shape and size in order to maximize productivity? with which to do this. It is therefore necessary to fold the elongated sheet 4 so that the pair of longer flaps 5 are folded back on themselves to delimit a prismatic volume.

The presence of respective notches on the longer flaps 5 will allow to define specific seats for at least partial housing of at least one respective element A.

The elongated sheet 4, after the flaps 5 have been suitably folded and fixed, will assume the conformation of a tray 2.

These first steps of the packaging method according to the invention can also be carried out preventively (with respect to the actual packaging activities of the elements A), at a plant that deals exclusively with paper converting (which could also be an external supplier of the subject who will instead take care of the actual packaging of the product A).

At this paper converting plant we will proceed? then cutting the sheet of laminar material such as cardboard to size, folding it and gluing the frame 16 onto the lower surface 12 of the sheet 4.

The semi-finished product obtained sar? flattened (by pressing the folded portions of the flaps 5 on a plane containing the lower surface 12 of the sheet 4) to facilitate the relative storage (necessary for any shipment/transport to the place where the subsequent packaging operations will be performed).

Similarly, during a phase that may also be carried out in parallel with those described up to now, will you render? necessary to subject a second sheet of laminar material such as cardboard, paper and the like to be cut according to a predefined standardized shape for the subsequent partial formation of a case 3 in which the flaps 8, 9 defining the opposite ends are open and in which is defined a line of easy break 10 in the vicinity? of the respective upper face 11 for the opening of the face 11 itself.

These further steps of the packaging method according to the invention can also be carried out preventively (with respect to the actual packaging activities of the elements A), at a plant that deals exclusively with paper converting (which could also be a supplier of the subject who will instead take care of the actual packaging of the product A).

At this paper converting plant we will proceed? then to the cutting to size of the second sheet of laminar material such as cardboard, to its folding and gluing until it is given a substantially tubular shape (with a generally polygonal section) open at both ends. opposing (the flaps 8, 9 defining the opposing end caps will therefore be open).

The semi-finished product obtained sar? flattened (squeezing the upper face 11 of the case 3 onto the lower face 13) to facilitate its storage (necessary for any shipment/transport to the place where the subsequent packaging operations will be carried out).

However, it is not excluded that all the operations of the method according to the invention are carried out (therefore also those for which the intervention of a specialized paper converting plant is envisaged) even within a single industrial unit (even if this method of implementation is certainly less frequent).

In the event that the semi-finished products (tray 2 and case 3) arrive at the place where the packaging operations will be carried out in a flattened configuration, it will be expected then a preventive operation of putting in volume (sromboidatura), in which you will restore? the shape of the tray 2 and of the case 3 provided for the realization of a package 1 according to the invention.

Will we proceed? then to the arrangement of at least one element A in the notches defined in tray 2. At this point it will be? It is possible to insert the tray 2 into the case 3 through one of the open ends, juxtaposing a shorter edge 6 of the tray to a closure flap 8 in correspondence with each end of the case 3. then mutually couple the flaps 8, 9 by means of an adhesive substance 18, a glue and the like, completely closing the case 3.

Among the mutually coupled flaps 8, 9 of each head will result? interposed, and blocked, a respective flap 6 of shorter length than the tray 2.

It is also specified that the method according to the invention can include an optional opening step of the upper face 11 of the case 3 subordinated to the separation of a perimeter frame of the face 11 from the rest of the case 3 along the facilitated breaking line 10, guaranteeing access to the elements A stably housed inside the notches 7 of tray 2.

The package 1 according to the invention provides for the adoption of a case 3 of the tamper evident type. because once opened it can't? be closed as before opening allowing you to immediately identify a pack 1 already? opened by those still closed. Furthermore, the recycling of packaging 1? facilitated why? tray 2 and case 3 form a single indivisible package: there? ensures that all the material used (in particular paper and/or cardboard) can validly be recycled together as part of the operations connected to separate waste collection.

It should be noted that the tray 2 and the box 3 can be treated by standard machines (which carry out the boxing of trays of a known type, such as those made of shaped polymeric material), without the adoption of a paper tray 2 and/or cardboard could penalize the speed? of production.

Tray 2 will also be able to be housed in any carton 3 of the standard type, using any carton machine to carry out this operation.

Inserting tray 2 into case 3 can happen both from the side where it will be? the operator is on the opposite side, and you can? provide, in this insertion phase, also for the insertion of a prospectus sleeve, a booklet and/or other accessories.

The insertion process provides that, once tray 2 has been completely inserted into the case 3 leaving only the flaps 6 protruding, all the flaps 8 and 9 of the case 3 are rotated towards tray 2.

On the flaps 8 and 9 of the case 3 will it be? deposited a glue 18, the subsequent mutual juxtaposition of the flaps 8 and 9 will determine? the closure of the case 3 and the locking of the tray 2 inside the same.

Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems set forth above, proposing a package 1 made of material such as cardboard which guarantees good stability. of the housed components: in particular, tray 2 will result? constrained inside the case 3 and therefore the elements A retained in the notches 7 of the tray 2 will be stably housed.

Conveniently, the package 1 according to the invention has a low environmental impact: as seen, it can in fact be completely made of paper, cardboard and other materials of this type.

Conveniently, the packaging method according to the invention ensures the stability of the product. of the tray 2 inside the respective case 3. Effectively, the package 1 and the method according to the invention are relatively simple to make in practice and have low costs: these characteristics make the package 1 and the method according to the invention an innovation of sure application .

The found, what? conceived, ? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In the examples of embodiment illustrated, single characteristics, reported in relation to specific examples, could actually be? interchanged with other different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as? the dimensions may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claims (10)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S 1. Packaging made of material such as cardboard, paper and the like, characterized in that it comprises - at least one tray (2) consisting of an elongated sheet (4) provided with pairs of protruding opposite flaps (5, 6) defining an overall shape in the shape of a cross, the pair of said flaps (5) of greater length being folded over itself to delimit a prismatic volume, respective notches (7) of said longer flaps (6) constituting seats for at least partial housing of at least one respective element (A); - at least one case (3) substantially parallelepiped provided with closure flaps (8, 9) in correspondence with opposite ends and with an easy breaking line (10) near the of the respective upper face (11) for opening the same; said flaps (8, 9) being resealable in mutual overlapping configuration with the aid of an adhesive substance, between said flaps (8, 9) of each head there being interposed a flap (6) of shorter length of said elongated sheet (4 ), folded orthogonally with respect to its lower surface (12) juxtaposed to the lower face (13) of said case (3) in said package (1). 2. Package, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said longer flaps (5) comprises a first fold line (14) substantially aligned with the respective side edges of the shorter flaps (6) and at least one further terminal folding line (15) defining a frame (16) intended for fixing on the lower surface of said sheet (4). 3. Package, according to claim 2, characterized in that between said first folding line (14) and said terminal folding line (15) there is defined at least one further intermediate folding line (17) defining an edge of said prismatic volume delimited. 4. Package, according to claim 3, characterized in that said prismatic volume has the shape of a right prism with a triangular base in the presence of a single intermediate folding line (17), has the shape of a right prism with a rectangular base in presence of two distinct intermediate folding lines (17), has the shape of a right prism with a pentagonal base in the presence of three distinct intermediate folding lines (17), has the shape of a right prism with a polygonal base with "n" sides in the presence of "n-2" distinct intermediate fold lines (17). 5. Package, according to claim 1, characterized in that between said frame (16) and said lower surface (12) of said sheet (4) is interposed a fixing glue. 6. Package, according to claim 1, characterized in that said flaps (8, 9) of each head are mutually coupled by means of an adhesive substance (18), said flap (6) of shorter length being held between juxtaposed portions of called patte (8, 9). 7. Packaging, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said notches (7) of a first flap (5) of greater length are substantially aligned with corresponding notches (7) of a second flap (5) of greater length, defining, overall, a seat for respective portions of a respective element (A). 8. Packaging, according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that each flap (5) of greater length comprises at least one recess for the temporary housing of an element (A) in one of its configurations of use. 9. Packaging method which consists of - subjecting a first sheet of laminar material such as cardboard, paper and the like to cutting according to a predefined shape comprising two orthogonal pairs of protruding opposite flaps (5, 6) of different lengths defining an overall shape in the shape of a cross, obtaining a elongated sheet (4); - bending the elongated sheet (4) so that the pair of said flaps (5) of greater length are folded back on themselves to delimit a prismatic volume, respective notches (7) of said flaps (5) of greater length constituting seats for at least partially housing at least one respective element (A) and defining a tray (2); - subjecting a second sheet of laminar material such as cardboard, paper and the like to cutting according to a predefined standardized shape for the subsequent partial formation of a case (3) in which the flaps (, 9) defining the opposite ends are open and in which an easy breaking line (10) is defined near? of the respective upper face (11) for opening the face (11) itself; - placing at least one element (A) in the notches (7) defined in said tray (2); - inserting said tray (2) into said case (3) through one of the open heads, juxtaposing a shorter flap (6) to a closure flap (8, 9) at each head; - mutually coupling said flaps (8, 9) by means of an adhesive substance (18), a glue and the like, completely closing said case (3), between said mutually coupled flaps (8, 9) of each head being interposed, and locked, a respective flap (6) of shorter length of said tray (2). 10. Packaging method, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a step of opening said upper face (11) of said case (3) subordinated to the separation of a perimeter frame of said face (11) from the rest of said case (3) along said easy breaking line (10), guaranteeing accessibility? of the elements (A) stably housed within notches (7) of said tray (2).