WO1999064301A1

WO1999064301A1 - Fast flattening packaging

Info

Publication number: WO1999064301A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/001170
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sylvie Royaux
Original assignee: Sca Emballage France
Priority date: 1998-06-08
Filing date: 1998-06-08
Publication date: 1999-12-16
Also published as: SK18602000A3; EP1089913A1; AU7924598A; HUP0102332A2; HUP0102332A3

Abstract

The invention concerns a package consisting of a polygonal base (2) whereof one of the sides at least is extended by a first wall element (3) provided with an end flap (9), which flap is integral with a second wall element (6) which extends one adjacent side of said base (2) for maintaining the volume. The invention is characterised in that the end flap (9) and/or the second wall element (6) with which said flap (9) is integral comprise(s) a cleavable part (12, 18) delimited by precut lines (14, 17), and the means making said flap (9) integral with said second wall element (6) are arranged on said cleavable part (12, 18) solely. The package can be re-flattened by tearing the cleavable parts (12, 18).

Description

QUICK FLAT RETURN PACKAGING

The present invention relates to the general field of packaging.

It relates more particularly to a cardboard or similar material packaging maintained in volume by securing some of its constituent parts and which comprises means allowing its rapid flattening.

This package consists of a polygonal bottom, at least one of the sides of which is extended by a first wall element provided with an end flap, which flap is secured to a second wall element which extends a contiguous side of said bottom, to maintain volume.

According to the invention, the end flap and / or the second wall element with which said flap is secured comprises (s) a breakable part delimited by precut lines, and the means for securing said flap with said second element wall are arranged on said breakable part only.

In this way, after using the packaging as a conditioning element, it suffices to tear off said breakable parts to obtain an instantaneous flattening of the cardboard blank. According to a first type of packaging, certain sides of the polygonal bottom are extended by side walls provided with end flaps and the other sides are extended by flaps, the external face of which is secured to the internal face of two of said flaps. ends, to maintain the volume and to form the other side walls. These flaps are each provided with at least two breakable parts delimited by precut lines on each of which is positioned one of said flaps, and the means for securing the flaps with the flaps are arranged on these breakable parts only. In a second type of packaging, it is the internal face of the flaps which is secured to the external face of two end flaps. These flaps are each provided with a breakable part delimited by lines of precut and the means for securing the flaps with the flaps are arranged on these breakable parts only.

For these two embodiments, the packaging may consist of a square or rectangular bottom, two opposite sides of which are extended by side walls provided with end flaps, the other two sides of this bottom being extended by flaps. directly secured to said end flaps.

According to a particular embodiment, the flaps which extend the bottom each comprise at least one breakable part which is delimited by precut lines, which breakable part is arranged in correspondence with also a breakable part arranged on each end flap, the means for securing said flaps with said flaps being disposed on said breakable parts only. According to an advantageous arrangement, the breakable part of the flaps is arranged in their central part and it extends over their entire height, delimited by two precut lines; the breakable part of the flaps is arranged at their end, over their entire height and the precut lines of said flaps and said flaps are placed in correspondence to form lateral breakable tabs. Preferably, an orifice adapted for the passage of one or more fingers is arranged on the edge of each of these breakable tabs, for example in the bottom, to facilitate gripping and tearing of the latter.

According to another feature of the invention, the packaging includes a closure cover. This cover is formed either by an element extending one of the walls which does not carry the breakable tabs, or by two elements extending the two facing walls which do not carry said breakable tabs; in both cases, the packaging includes means adapted to allow the automatic opening of this cover during the tear-off operation of the breakable tabs. However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of different embodiments, given only by way of examples and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a view of the cardboard blank adapted, after setting in volume, to obtain a possible embodiment of a packaging according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packaging obtained by the volume setting of the blank of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows the cardboard blank after removing the breakable tabs and flattening the packaging of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a view of a flat cardboard blank adapted to obtain another type of packaging according to the invention, with two half-covers;

- Figure 5 shows the closed package obtained by the volume of the blank of Figure 4; - Figure 6 illustrates the start of the opening and reworking of the packaging shown in Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows the cardboard blank after flattening the packaging of Figures 5 and 6;

- Figure 8 is a view of a flat cardboard blank which is adapted to obtain another possible embodiment of a packaging according to the invention;

- Figure 9 is a perspective view of the packaging obtained by the volume setting of the blank of Figure 8;

- Figure 10 shows a flat cardboard blank, suitable for obtaining another type of packaging according to the invention, with a one-piece cover element;

- Figure 11 shows the closed package obtained by the volume of the blank of Figure 10;

- Figure 12 is a view of a flat cardboard blank, adapted to obtain another type of packaging according to the present invention;

- Figure 13 shows the closed package obtained by the volume setting of the blank of Figure 12; - Figure 14 shows the start of the operation of opening and flattening the packaging shown in Figure 13;

- Figure 15 is a view of a flat cardboard blank, adapted to obtain another type of packaging according to the invention; - Figure 16 shows the packaging obtained by the volume setting of the blank of Figure 15;

FIG. 17 shows the cardboard blank after the packaging of FIG. 16 has been flattened out.

The cardboard blank 1, for example corrugated cardboard, which is shown in FIG. 1 consists of a rectangular bottom 2 whose long sides are extended by two longitudinal walls 3 connected by the fold lines 4, and whose small sides are extended by two end flaps 6 connected by the fold lines 7.

The height of the longitudinal walls 3 corresponds substantially to that of the end flaps 6.

The longitudinal walls 3 have flaps 9 at each of their ends. These flaps 9 are connected by fold lines 10 arranged practically in continuity with the fold lines 7, slightly offset inwards; their height corresponds to that of the adjoining walls 3 and they each have a length which is slightly less than half the width of the rectangular bottom 2.

The central part of the flaps 6 comprises a breakable strip 12 which extends over their entire height, from the fold line 7 to their end edge 13. This breakable strip 12 is delimited by two pre-cut lines 14 in the form general bayonet which gives it a greater width at the end edge 13 than at the fold line 7, near the bottom 2. From the edge 13 of the flaps 6, the precut lines 14 break down into a first section which extends perpendicular to the fold lines 7, followed by a second inclined section, oriented towards the median axis of said flaps 6; this second section is itself extended by a third section perpendicular to the fold lines 7 and which stops at the level thereof.

In the embodiment shown, the first section of the lines 14 extends substantially over half the height of the flaps 6 and it actually consists of precuts; the other two sections which extend to the fold line 7 are made up of complete cutouts.

The bottom 2 of the cardboard blank 1 also includes orifices 15 arranged from the fold lines 7, in the extension of each breakable strip 12. These orifices 15 are dimensioned to allow the passage of one or more fingers; their function will be explained below.

The flaps 9 also have precut lines 17 in the general shape of a bayonet and which extend over their entire height. These precut lines 17 define a breakable zone 18 at the end of each flap 9; they are arranged so as to be superimposed exactly on the precut lines 14 of the flaps 6 during assembly of the packaging.

The blanking operation 1 is carried out by pivoting the longitudinal walls 3 and the flaps 6 respectively around the fold lines 4 and 7, then by joining the external face of the flaps

9 with the internal face of the flaps 6, exclusively on the breakable parts

12 and 18 which overlap. This joining can be achieved by gluing, stapling or any other means. The packaging is obtained in the form of an open box illustrated in FIG. 2, consisting of a bottom 2 bordered by two longitudinal walls 3, on the one hand, and by two end walls 20 formed by the association of the flaps 6 with the flaps 9, on the other hand.

Each end wall 20 has a breakable tongue 12-18 arranged over its entire height, in its central part. The function of these tabs is to allow the packaging to be flattened quickly and without difficulty, after use. The precut lines 14 and 17 are adapted to allow manual removal of these breakable tabs 12-18, while ensuring correct resistance to the packaging.

The shape of the breakable tabs 12-18 is adapted to optimize manual pulling. Of course, other forms than that presented can be envisaged, in flared Vee or in rectilinear strip for example; the precut lines 14 and 17 will be adapted accordingly.

The flattening of the packaging is obtained by manually tearing off the end tabs 12-18, preferably from the bottom up using the orifices 15 arranged in the bottom 2. These orifices 15 are indeed dimensioned to ensure the passage of one or more fingers; as they are attached to the breakable tabs 12-18, they allow the direct grip of these at their lower edge.

When the two tabs made up of the breakable parts 12 and 18 have been completely torn off, the packaging unfolds and it is automatically repositioned flat. We obtain the cardboard blank shown in Figure 3 which can be stored as is, for subsequent destruction for example. On this cardboard blank, we notice the disappearance of the breakable parts 12 and 18.

The flattening means arranged on the packaging according to the present invention are very quick to implement and they do not require significant effort. The automatic flattening is linked to the fact that all of the means which maintain the volume of the packaging are provided on parts previously arranged to be easily torn off.

Figures 4 to 17 illustrate other possible embodiments of packaging according to the invention. On the cardboard blanks or the packaging concerned, the identical parts keep the same references to simplify the description. Figures 4 to 7 illustrate a first alternative embodiment with a cover in two parts.

The cardboard blank 22 shown in Figure 4 has a general structure similar to that of the blank 1 of Figure 1 which has just been described. On the blank 22, it can only be noted that the longitudinal walls 3 and their flaps 9 have a height greater than that of the flaps 6 and that each wall 3 has an extension 24 in the form of a half-cover. The blank 22 is set in volume by joining the external face of the flaps 9 with the internal face of the flaps 6, only at the level of the contact zones between the breakable parts 12 and 18. This joining can be carried out by gluing, stapling or any other means. After packaging of the product or products, the two half-covers 24 are folded down and the packaging is closed by means of an adhesive strip 25 placed on the junction line of said half-covers 24, as shown in the figure. 5. Preferably, the adhesive strip 25 is extended laterally on the median axis of the end walls 20, at the level of the junction line of the end flaps 9, in order to come together with the breakable tabs 12-18. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this strip 25 extends substantially up to the upper edge 13 of the flaps 6, but it can also extend beyond it, on the breakable parts 12.

The opening of the packaging is obtained by manually tearing off the two breakable tabs 12-18 at each end of the packaging. This maneuver allows by the same movement the complete removal of the adhesive strip 25 (Figure 6).

The tear-off operation of the breakable tabs 12-18 and of the adhesive strip 25 simultaneously ensures the opening of the packaging and its automatic flattening. The cardboard blank from this flattening is shown in FIG. 7. With respect to the blank 22 of FIG. 4, we notice the disappearance of the breakable parts 12 and 18. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a very similar embodiment in which the half-covers 24 have end flaps 26 intended to be secured by gluing, stapling or the like with the end walls 20, and more particularly with the flaps 9. On the cardboard blank 27 of FIG. 8, we notice these end flaps 26 attached to the half-covers 24 by a fold line 28, and whose height is less than the difference in height between the flaps 9 and the flaps 6. It will also be noted that these flaps 26 comprise a breakable flap 29 delimited by a precut line in L 30. The breakable flap 29 corresponds to the external part of the flaps 26; the pre-cut line 30 is positioned on the fold line 28 and it extends orthogonally thereto, so that the breakable parts 29 are exactly superimposed on the upper ends of the breakable parts 18 of the flaps 9 during assembly and closing the packaging.

The packaging of the packaging, FIG. 9, is always obtained by joining the internal face of the flaps 6 with the external face of the flaps 9, only on the contact zones between the respective breakable parts 12 and 18.

After having folded down the half-covers 24, the vertical portion of the precut lines 30 is positioned on the precut lines 17 of the flaps 9 and their horizontal portion defines the upper edge of the package connecting the cover 24 to the side walls 20 For closing, the end flaps 26 are secured to the external face of the flaps 9 which extend the longitudinal walls 3, only on the contact zones between the respective breakable parts 29 and 18. To open the packaging, it suffices tear the side tabs 12-18-26. The two cover portions 24 are released; the cardboard blank unfolds and is automatically repositioned flat.

In a very similar embodiment, provision may be made, in addition, for precut lines over the entire length of the fold lines 28. We can then secure the entire surface of the flaps 26 with the flaps 9; after tearing off the lateral tabs 12-18, the packaging is completely flattened out by separating the rest of the flaps 26 from the cover portions 24. FIGS. 10 and 11 relate to another alternative embodiment _. with a cover element in one piece.

On the cardboard blank 32 of FIG. 10, this cover element 33 can be seen attached to one of the longitudinal walls 3 by the fold line 34. The shape and dimensions of the cover 33 correspond substantially to those of the bottom 2.

Laterally, the cover 33 has flaps 36 each connected by a fold line 37; these flaps 36 have a height which is less than the difference in height between the flaps 9 and the flaps 6. On the other hand, at its end edge, the cover 33 includes a fastening tab 38 connected by a line folding 40; this fold line 40 is parallel to the fold line 34 which connects the cover element 33 and the adjoining side wall 3.

A breakable strip 41 delimited by two precut lines 42 extends over the entire length of the cover 33 and over the entire height of its lateral flaps 36. The breakable strip 41 is centered on the cover 33 and on the flaps 36. The lines pre-cut 42 are parallel to the fold lines 34 and 40; their portions arranged on the flaps 36 are adapted to be positioned on the precut lines 17 of the breakable parts 18 during assembly of the packaging. The width of the strip 41 corresponds to the width of the breakable strips 12-18.

The cardboard blank 32 is placed in volume by joining the internal face of the flaps 6 with the external face of the flaps 9, exclusively on the contact zones between the breakable parts 12 and 18. After packaging of the products, the closure of the packaging (Figure 11) is obtained by folding the cover 33 and securing its end tab 38 with the longitudinal wall 3 in correspondence. The precut lines 42 arranged on the flaps 36 are placed on the precut lines 17 of the flaps 9. The flaps 36 are secured to the external face of the flaps 9, exclusively on the contact zones between the breakable strip 41 and the parts breakable 18. The packaging is opened by tearing off the breakable strip 12-18-41 formed by the various aforementioned assemblies. Once this strip has been completely removed, an instant flattening of the cardboard blank is obtained.

Again, as for the previous embodiment, it is possible to provide precut lines on the fold lines 37, in particular on either side of the breakable strip 41, to allow the entire surface of the flaps 36 to be joined together. with the flaps 9. After tearing off the lateral tabs 12-18, the packaging is completely flattened out by separating the rest of the flaps 36 from the cover 33. FIGS. 12 to 14 show another type of packaging according to the present invention in which only the flaps 9 which extend the side walls 3 have breakable parts.

The cardboard blank 44 shown flat in FIG. 12 comprises a bottom element 2 bordered by two large walls 3 connected by the fold lines 4 and by two end flaps 6 connected by the fold lines 7. Each wall 3 comprises two end flaps 9 connected by the fold lines 10, as well as an extension 24 in the form of a half-cover. The flaps 9 extend over the entire height of the walls 3 and this height is greater than that of the flaps 6.

Each flap 9 has a breakable part 45 delimited by a precut line 46. The breakable parts 45 are located in an area of the flaps 9 which is intended to come into contact with the flaps 6 during assembly of the packaging. In the illustrated embodiment, these breakable parts 45 are formed by the angle of each flap 9 located opposite the flaps 6. The precut lines 46 extend from the meeting point of the fold lines 4, 7 and 10, up to the end edge of said flaps 9 which is parallel to the fold line 10.

The cardboard blank 44 is set in volume by joining the internal face of the flaps 6 with the external face of the flaps 9, only on the breakable parts 45.

As shown in FIG. 13, after packaging of the products, the packaging is closed by means of an adhesive strip 48 which extends over the junction line of the half-covers 24 and, laterally, on the junction line of the flaps 9, substantially up to the end edge 13 of the flaps 6.

The opening of the packaging (FIG. 14) is obtained by manually pulling on the flaps 6 in order to tear off the breakable parts 45, then by removing the adhesive strip 48. This opening maneuver causes the packaging to be instantly unfolded. and its automatic flattening. In this FIG. 14, we notice the two breakable parts 45 torn off from the flaps 9 and which remain secured to the flap 6.

Figures 15 to 17 illustrate yet another possible embodiment of a packaging according to the invention in which only the flaps 6 have breakable parts. As shown in FIG. 15, the corresponding cardboard blank 49 consists of a rectangular bottom 2 bordered by two large longitudinal walls 3 connected by the fold lines 4, and by two end flaps 6 connected by the lines of folding 7. The large walls 3 are extended at the folding lines 10 by side flaps 9 intended to be secured to the flaps 6 to maintain the volume of the packaging.

Note that the fold lines 10 are located practically in alignment with the fold lines 7, slightly offset towards the outside. The end flaps 6 each comprise two breakable parts 50 delimited by precut lines 51. Each breakable part 50 is positioned so as to come completely into contact with one of the flaps 9 during the packaging of the packaging. . In the illustrated embodiment, the breakable parts 50 have a generally circular shape and they are substantially centered on each portion of the flaps 6 intended to be covered by one of the flaps 9. Of course, these breakable parts can take other shapes and be positioned in different places on the shutters 6.

The packaging is assembled by securing the internal face of the flaps 9 with the external face of the flaps 6. The securing means used (gluing, stapling ...) are arranged exclusively on the breakable parts 50. We obtain the open packaging illustrated in figure 16.

The flattening of this packaging is simply achieved by a pulling operation on each flap 9. This operation pulls out the breakable parts 50 and the packaging is automatically returned to flat. The cardboard blank obtained is shown in Figure 17; we can see the cardboard pellets 50 torn off, secured to the internal face of the flaps 9 and their imprints 52, in the form of circular openings, on the flaps 6.

Note that for this embodiment, a similar result will be obtained by securing the external face of the flaps 9 with the internal face of the flaps 6; in this case, the fold lines 7 and 10 will be adapted accordingly.

For all of the embodiments which have just been described, it will be possible to provide end flaps 9 having a width substantially less than half the width of the bottom 2. In certain cases, this will result in packaging. providing visual access to the packaged product (s).

Claims

- CLAIMS - 1. - Quick-return packaging obtained from a blank of cardboard or similar material, which packaging consists of a polygonal bottom (2) of which at least one side is extended by a first wall element (3) provided with an end flap (9), which flap (9) is secured to a second wall element (6) which extends an adjoining side of said bottom (2) to maintain the volume, characterized in that said end flap (9) and / or the second wall element (6) with which said flap (9) is secured comprises (s) a breakable part (12, 18, 45, 50) delimited by precut lines (14, 17, 46, 51) and in that the means for securing said flap (9) with said second wall element (6) are arranged on said breakable part (12, 18, 45, 50) only.

2.- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a polygonal bottom (2) of which certain sides are extended by side walls (3) provided with end flaps (9) and of which the others sides are extended by flaps (6) the external face of which is secured to the internal face of two of said end flaps (9) to maintain the volume and to form the other side walls (20), said flaps (6 ) being provided with at least two breakable parts (50) delimited by precut lines (51), on each of which is positioned one of said flaps (9), and in that the means for securing said flaps (6 ) with said flaps (9) are arranged on said breakable parts (50) only.

3.- Package according to claim 2, characterized in that it consists of a square or rectangular bottom (2), two opposite sides are extended by side walls (3) provided with end flaps (9) , the two other sides of said bottom (2) being extended by flaps (6), the external face of which is secured to the internal face of two of said end flaps (9) to maintain the volume and to form the other two side walls (20), said flaps (6) being provided with at least two breakable parts (50) delimited by lines of pre-cut (51), on each of which is positioned one of said flaps (9), and in that the means for securing said flaps (6) with said flaps (9) are disposed on said breakable parts (50) only.

4.- Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a polygonal bottom (2) of which certain sides are extended by side walls (3) provided with end flaps (9) and of which the others sides are extended by flaps (6) whose internal face is secured to the external face of two of said end flaps (9) to maintain the volume and to form the other side walls (20), said flaps ends (9) each being provided with a breakable part (18, 45) delimited by precut lines (17, 46), and in that the means for securing said flaps (9) with said flaps (6) are arranged on said breakable parts (18, 45) only.

5.- Packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that it consists of a square or rectangular bottom (2) of which two opposing sides are extended by side walls (3) provided with end flaps (9) , the two other sides of said bottom (2) being extended by flaps (6) whose internal face is secured to the external face of two of said end flaps (9) to maintain the volume and to form the other two side walls (20), said end flaps (9) each being provided with a breakable part (18, 45) delimited by precut lines (17, 46), and the means for securing said flaps (9) with said flaps (6) being arranged on said breakable parts (18, 45) only.

6.- Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flaps (6) which extend the bottom (2) each comprise at least one breakable part (12) delimited by precut lines (14) , which breakable part (12) is arranged in correspondence with breakable parts (18) arranged on the end flaps (9), the means for securing said flaps (9) with said flaps (6) being arranged on said breakable parts (12, 18) only.

7.- Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the breakable part (12) of the flaps (6) which extend the bottom (2) is disposed in the central part of said flaps (6) and extends over the entire height of these, delimited by two pre-cut lines (14), and in that the breakable part (18) of the flaps (9) is arranged at their end, over their entire height, the pre-cut lines (14, 17 ) said flaps (6) and said flaps (9) being placed in correspondence to form lateral breakable tabs (12-18).

8.- Packaging according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises an orifice (15) adapted for the passage of one or more fingers, arranged on the edge of each of said breakable tabs (12-18), for example in the bottom (2), to facilitate gripping and tearing of the latter.

9.- Packaging according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the side walls (3) which do not carry the breakable tabs (12-18) are provided with extensions in the form of half-covers (24) , the closure of said packaging being carried out by means of an adhesive strip (25) placed on the junction line of said half-covers (24) and which extends, on the sides, to at least partially cover said breakable tabs (12 -18).

10.- Package according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the side walls (3) which do not carry the breakable tabs (12-18) are provided with extensions in the form of half-covers (24) , said half-covers (24) comprising end flaps (26) intended to be joined to the adjacent walls (20) provided with said breakable tabs (12-18), said flaps (26) coming in partial overlap on said breakable tabs (12-18) and themselves comprising a breakable part (29) on said overlap zone, the means for securing between said flaps (26) and said adjacent walls (20) being disposed on said overlap area.

11.- Package according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that one of the side walls (3) which does not carry the breakable tabs (12-18) is provided with an extension (33) in cover form, which cover (33) has end flaps (36) intended to be joined to the adjacent walls (20) provided with said breakable tabs (12-18), said cover (33) and said flaps (36 ) themselves comprising a breakable part (41) in the form of a centered strip which extends over the entire length of said cover (33) and over the entire height of said flaps (36), said flaps (36) overlapping partially over said breakable tabs (12, 18) and the means for securing between said flaps (36) and said adjacent walls (20) being arranged on said overlap zones.

12. A blank of cardboard or similar material for obtaining a packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 11.