NL2017421B1 - Bottle divider from a moulded pulp material with reduced surface roughness, and method for manufacturing such bottle divider - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bottle divider made of moulded pulp and a method for manufacturing such bottle divider. The bottle divider according to the present invention comprises: - a number of bottle receiving compartments; - bottle positioning elements configured for maintaining the bottle that is placed in one of the compartments in the desired position; and - a number of denesting elements, wherein the moulded pulp material comprises an amount of a surface roughness reducing agent.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

NL BI 2017421

(21) Application number: 2017421 © Application submitted: 06/09/2016 © 2017421

BI PATENT @ Int. CL:

B65D 81/133 (2016.01) B65D 85/32 (2017.01)

© Priority: 25/07/2016 NL 2017230 © Patent holder (s): Huhtamaki Molded Fiber Technology B.V. in Franeker. © Application registered: 31/01/2018 © Inventor (s): Gael Pierre Jean Bonnet © Request published: in Saint JEAN DE LIVERSAY (FR). © Patent granted: 31/01/2018 © Authorized representative: ir. P.J. Hylarides et al. In The Hague. © Patent issued: 21/02/2018

© Bottle divider from a molded pulp material with reduced surface roughness, and method for manufacturing such a bottle divider © The present invention relates to a bottle divider made of molded pulp and a method for manufacturing such a bottle divider. The bottle divider according to the present invention comprises:

- a number of bottle receiving compartments;

- bottle positioning elements configured to maintain the bottle that is placed in one of the compartments in the desired position; and

- a number of denesting elements, containing the molded pulp material comprising an amount or a surface roughness reducing agent.

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

Bottle divider from a molded pulp material with reduced surface roughness, and method for manufacturing such a bottle divider

The present invention relates to bottle dividers that are made of molded pulp. Such bottle dividers are used in the transport or storage of bottles, specifically including wine bottles.

Bottle dividers are known in practice. Such conventional bottle dividers are often made from molded pulp originating from paper material. These bottle dividers include a sheet or layer made from a molded pulp material separating different layers of bottles, and preferably separating bottles adjacent bottles in the same layer. This allows transport and storage of bottles, such as wine bottles.

A problem with conventional bottle dividers is that labels or markings are damaged during transport. This damage is often caused by the bottle dividers, more specifically, such damage is caused by the surface roughness or the bottle divider. When transporting and handling bottles with the bottle divider, for example in cartons, boxes, crates and the like, such labels or markings can be damaged, reducing the quality perception of a consumer.

The present invention has for its object to obviate or at least reduce the above stated problems in conventional bottle dividers and to provide a bottle divider that maintains or even improves the quality perception of the consumer.

For this purpose the present invention provides a bottle divider from a molded pulp material, the bottle divider according to the invention including:

a number of bottle receiving compartments;

bottle positioning elements configured for maintaining the bottle that is placed in one of the compartments in a desired position; and a number of denesting elements, containing the molded pulp material comprising an amount or a surface roughness reducing agent.

The bottle divider comprises a number of bottle receiving compartments, for example three or six compartments, each compartment is preferably capable of receiving one bottle, such as a wine bottle. It will be understood that another number of compartments can also be envisaged in accordance with the present invention.

The bottle divider further comprises bottle positioning elements that maintain the bottle in the desired position in the respective compartment. These bottle positioning elements may include nocks, embossments, protrusions, edges, compartment walls, chambers and the like. These positioning elements maintain a bottle that is placed in the compartment in its position and prevent adjacent bottles engaging each other.

The bottle divider according to the invention further comprises a number of denesting elements, such as nocks, protrusions, edges, stops, cams, and ridges. These elements are configured to enable denesting or a bottle divider from a stack of bottle dividers. This allows easy handling of the bottle dividers and packing of bottles.

According to the present invention the molded material or the bottle divider comprises an amount or a surface roughness reducing agent. By providing an amount of surface roughness reducing agent in the molded pulp material for the bottle divider, the overall surface roughness on a substantial part of the contact surface of the bottle divider with a bottle is reduced. This prevents or at least reduces damaging a label or marking on the bottle. This increases the quality perception or a consumer. Surface roughness can be measured with the so-called Bendtsen measurement process. The surface roughness reducing measures or the present invention reduce the Bendtsen measurement value (in ml / min). For example, a conventional rough molded fiber material may have a Bendtsen value of about 2000 ml / min, while a material for the bottle divider may have a value of 200 ml / min or even less. It will be understood that other values can also be envisaged depending on a number of parameters.

Furthermore, the reduced surface roughness provides the opportunity to provide markings or signs in the bottle divider with a good quality. This further increases the quality perception of a consumer.

In one of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the surface roughness reducing agent comprises a biodegradable aliphatic polyester.

The use of a surface roughness reducing agent including a biodegradable aliphatic polyester provides a bottle divider with a further reduced surface roughness. This further enhances preventing damage to a label or marking of the bottle. This contributes to the overall quality perception by a consumer of the bottles.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention the biodegradable aliphatic polyester comprises an amount or one or more of PHB, PHA, PCL, PLA, PGA, PBS and PHBV. It is shown that these components effectively reduce the surface roughness or the bottle divider. In presently preferred, the weight percentage or one or more of the aforementioned components is in the range of 0.5-20%, more preferably in the range or 1-15%.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention the bottle positioning elements or the bottle divider engage the bottle neck.

By engaging the bottle neck the bottle positioning elements clearly define the position of the bottle in the bottle receiving compartment. This prevents a bottle moving in the compartment during transport or handling of the bottle. These positioning elements may include one or more of cams, nocks, ridges or other positioning elements. The actual size or number of bottle positioning elements may depend on the size and shape of the bottle.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention the bottle divider further comprises a marking area.

Providing the bottle divider with a marking area that comprises a marking of the origin of the intended bottle in the compartment, or other marking, contributions to the quality perception of a consumer.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the invention at least some of the denesting elements are positioned in a first configuration or in a second configuration, in which the first and second configurations have different positions for at least some of the denesting elements, and the positions are Such denesting elements are alternately positioned in the first and second configurations to enable denesting or a stack of bottle dividers.

By providing at least two different configurations for the position of denesting elements the overall stability or a stack of bottle dividers is significantly improved. For example, this reduces or prevents deflection or deforming or the bottle dividers when stacked.

The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a bottle divider from a molded pulp material, the method including the steps of:

preparing molded pulp material; molding the bottle divider; in-mold drying the bottle divider; and releasing the bottle divider from the mold.

Such method provides the same effects and advantages as described with respect to the bottle divider. The method preferably manufactures a bottle divider in one or the earlier described exponent. This method therefore reduces damage to the label or other marking during transport or handling of the bottles.

In a presently preferred embodiment the bottle divider is first molded into molds, where after the raw bottle divider is transferred to drying molds to perform the in-mold drying. After drying the bottle divider is released and a high quality bottle divider is achieved with a significantly lower surface roughness as compared to conventional bottle dividers. As already mentioned the surface roughness can be measured using the Bendtsen measurement process, for example.

In one of the presently preferred roughly the surface roughness is further reduced by providing an amount of a surface roughness reducing agent, in some of these presently preferred preferred the agent including a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, as described in relation to the bottle divider.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the method for manufacturing the bottle divider further comprises the step for providing the bottle divider with a marking. This further contributes to the overall quality perception of the consumer. Such marking is preferably achieved by placing an insert in the in-mold drying mold. This achieves a marking on the bottle divider in an effective manner without requiring additional efforts. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, a label can be placed in the in-mold drying mold to render the overall manufacturing process efficient and effective.

Preferably, in the manufacturing process a number of bottle positioning elements are provided that are configured for maintaining a bottle that is placed in one of the compartments in its desired position. This prevents movement of the bottle inside the compartment due to transport and / or handling of the bottles.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis or preferred otherwise, where reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1A-C a first embodiment of a bottle divider according to the present invention; figure 2A-C a second embodiment of a bottle divider according to the present invention;

figure 3A-C a third embodiment of a bottle divider according to the present invention; figure 4A-B a fourth embodiment of a bottle divider according to the present invention;

figure 5A-B a fifth embodiment or a bottle divider according to the present invention; figure 6A-C an embodiment or an insert for a marking according to an embodiment of the present invention; and figure 7 a schematic overview of the manufacturing process according to the present invention.

Bottle divider 2 (figures 1A-C) is provided with three bottle receiving compartments 4, 6, 8. Bottle divider 2 is provided with marking area 10 and a number of denesting elements 12.

In the illustrated embodiment height Hi is about 42.6 mm, width Wi is about 241 mm, length Li is about 287 mm.

Bottle divider 2 is further provided with edge or area 14 having a thickness of about 0.8 mm. In the illustrated edition edge or wall d ₂ extends over a height of about 4.1 mm. These elements 16 engage a neck of a bottle that is placed in one of the bottle receiving compartments 4, 6, 8. A second marking area 18 is provided in or on a bottle divider 2. Further support elements 20 may also act as denesting elements. Stops 21 also act as denesting elements. In the illustrated embodiment stop 21 is provided with height d ₀ or about 4.1 mm.

In the illustrated embodiment elements 20 and / or stops 21 are shown in a first configuration. It will be understood that in an optional second configuration, elements 20 and / or stops 21 are differently positioned in or on bottle divider 2 to provide improved support for a stack of bottle dividers. In such stack bottle dividers or different configurations are provided adjacently. Walls 22 separate adjacent compartments 4, 6, 8. In the illustrated embodiment the overall roughness or contact surface 24 or compartment 4, 6, 8 is provided with a reduced roughness as compared to conventional bottle dividers.

Similar elements are provided in bottle divider 102 (figures 2A-C). In the illustrated edition length L ₂ or bottle divider 102 is about 295 mm, height H ₂ is about 43 mm, width W ₂ is about 251 mm and the height of wall elements 104 d ₃ is about 4.1 mm and the thickness d ₄ of area 106 is about 0.8 mm. Bottle divider 102 is provided with marking areas 108, and in the illustrated embodiment with three bottle receiving compartments 110, 112, 114. Denesting nocks 116 are provided and an additional marking area 118. Also in this illustrated edition stops 120 are provided.

A third embodiment 202 (figures 3A-C) or a bottle divider having a different outer shape is provided with length L ₃ or about 310.7 mm, width W ₃ or about 255.1 mm, height H ₃ or about 46.4 mm, a thickness d ₅ or about 0.8 mm, and distance W _o, or about 81 mm. Bottle divider 202 comprises a number of denesting elements 204 with a thickness of ₆ or about 10 mm. Further denesting elements 206 are provided at a distance of ₇ in the range of 110.7 mm. In the illustrated embodiment bottle divider 202 is provided with three bottle receiving compartments 208, 210, 212. Bottle divider 202 is further provided with marking areas 214, 216. In the illustrated embodiment stop 218 is provided at a small distance from the centreline of bottle divider 202.

A fourth edition of bottle divider 302 (figures 4A-B) comprises six bottle receiving compartments 304, 306, 308, 310, 312. Denesting nocks 314 are provided with height d ₈ of about

6.2 mm. Thickness d ₉ or area 316 is about 0.8 mm. Fength F ₄ is about 288 mm and width W ₄ is about 469 mm, height H ₄ is about 37.7 mm. Height hi or bottle receiving compartments 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 is about 34 mm and edge 318 is provided with height h ₂ or about 24.2 mm. Bottle divider 302 in the illustrated embodiment is provided with first part 320 and second part 322 that are connected by perforated line 324 enabling separating or splitting both parts 320, 322. Marking areas 326, 328, 330 are provided.

A fifth embodiment of bottle divider 402 (figures 5A-B) is also provided with six compartments 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514. Bottle divider 502 further comprises denesting elements 516 having a height d ₁₀ or about 6.2 mm. Edge area 518 has a thickness d _n or about 0.8 mm. Bottle divider 502 further comprises marking areas 520, 522. Bottle divider 502 has a length F ₅ or about 281.6 mm and a width W ₅ or about 495 mm, a height H ₅ or about 41.8 mm. In the illustrated bottle divider 502 is provided with a sort of embossment or having an extension depth of ₁₂ or about 3 mm.

It will be understood that the dimensions that are mentioned for the different illustrated are different examples and other configurations and / or dimensions of a bottle divider can be envisaged in accordance with the invention.

In a preferred embodiment a marking is introduced into a bottle divider 602 (figures 6A-C) introducing insert 604 into a mold. Part 606 or insert 604 extends over the product edge 608 over a distance of ₃ or about 10 mm. In the illustrated embodiment a narrower edge 610 is provided.

When manufacturing a bottle divider 2, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 in manufacturing process 5 702 (figure 7) in first preparation step 704 the molded pulp is prepared including an amount or surface roughness reducing agent. In molding step 706 the bottle divider in its raw version is molded. After transferring the divider in transfer step 708 to the drying mold a drying step 710 is performed. After terminating drying step 710, the releasing step 712 releases bottle divider 2, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 from the drying mold. Optionally, insert 604 can be provided and / or labels can be provided. Optionally, drying step 710 is performed in a conventional manner or with the bottle divider remaining in the mold that is used in the molding step.

The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred expend. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims (14)

Clauses 1. Bottle divider from a molded pulp material, including the bottle divider: a number of bottle receiving compartments; bottle positioning elements configured for maintaining the bottle that is placed in one of the compartments in a desired position; and a number of denesting elements, containing the molded pulp material comprising an amount or a surface roughness reducing agent. 2. Bottle divider according to clause 1, containing the surface roughness reducing agent comprising a biodegradable aliphatic polyester. 3. Bottle divider according to clause 2, the biodegradable aliphatic polyester comprises an amount or one or more or PHB, PHA, PCL, PLA, PGA, PBS and PHBV. 4. Bottle divider according to clause 1, 2 or 3, the bottle positioning elements engage the bottle neck. 5. Bottle divider according to clause 4, where the bottle positioning elements comprises a number or bottle engaging cam, nock or edges. 6. Bottle divider according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, further including a marking area. 7. Bottle divider according to one or more of the foregoing clauses, at least some of the denesting elements are positioned in a first configuration or in a second configuration, in the first and second configurations have different positions for at least some of the denesting elements and the positions are such that the denesting elements are alternately positioned in the first and second configurations to enable denesting or a stack of bottle dividers. 8. Method for manufacturing a bottle divider from a molded pulp material, the method including the steps of: preparing molded pulp material; molding the bottle divider; in-mold drying the bottle divider; and releasing the bottle divider from the mold. 9. Method according to clause 8, preparing molded pulp material comprises providing an amount of a surface roughness reducing agent. 10. Method according to clause 9, providing the surface roughness reducing agent comprises providing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester. 11. Method according to clause 8, 9 or 10, further including the step of providing the bottle divider with a marking. 12. Method according to clause 11, providing the marking comprises placing an insert in the in-mold drying mold. 13. Method according to clause 11 or 12, providing the marking comprises placing a label in the in-mold drying mold. 14. Method according to one or more of the clauses 8-13, further comprising the step of providing bottle positioning elements configured for maintaining the bottle that is placed in one of the compartments in the desired position. Conclusions A bottle separator of a formed pulp material, the bottle separator comprising: a number of bottle receiving compartments; bottle positioning elements configured to hold the bottle that is placed in one of the compartments in a desired position; and a plurality of denesting elements, wherein the pulp material formed comprises an amount of a surface roughness reducing agent. The bottle separator of claim 1, wherein the surface roughness reducing agent comprises a biodegradable aliphatic polyester. The bottle separator of claim 2, wherein the biodegradable aliphatic polyester comprises an amount of one or more of PHB, PHA, PCL, PLA, PGA, PBS and PHBV. A bottle separator according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bottle positioning elements engage the bottle neck. A bottle separator according to claim 4, wherein the bottle positioning elements comprise a number of cams, edges or wall engaging the bottle. 6. Bottle separator according to one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a marking area. A bottle separator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the denesting elements are positioned in a first configuration or in a second configuration, wherein the first and second configurations have different positions for at least some of the denesting elements and the positions such that the denesting elements are alternately positioned in the first and second configurations to allow the denesting of a stack of bottle separators. A method for manufacturing a bottle separator from a molded pulp material, the method comprising the steps of: manufacturing a shaped pulp material; forming the bottle separator; drying the bottle separator in the mold; and removing the bottle separator from the mold. The method of claim 8, wherein manufacturing the formed pulp material comprises providing an amount of a surface roughness reducing agent. The method of claim 9, wherein providing the surface roughness reducing agent comprises providing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester. A method according to claim 8, 9 or 10, further comprising the step of providing the bottle separator with a marker. The method of claim 11, wherein the marking includes placing an insert in the mold for drying in the mold. A method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said marking comprises placing a label in the mold for drying in the mold. The method of any one of claims 8-13, further comprising the step of providing bottle positioning elements configured to hold the bottle that is placed in the one or more compartments in the desired position. 1/6 2/6 FIG. 2A 102 FIG. 2B 1-2 108 FIG. 2C 120 3/6 SECTION K-K 4/6 302 eCnONArA h ₂ FIG. 4B 5/6 OJ o ut OO i_n oo UT FIG. FIG. 6B FIG. 6C 702