WO2004022326A1

WO2004022326A1 - Method of producing a package by forming and fixing a semi-rigid blank

Info

Publication number: WO2004022326A1
Application number: PCT/FR2003/002484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean Bodet
Original assignee: Societe Civile D'exploitation Des Brevets Bodet (Scebb)
Priority date: 2002-09-03
Filing date: 2003-08-07
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2003298134A1; FR2843910A1; FR2843910B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of producing a package by forming and fixing a semi-rigid blank. The inventive method consists in: cutting perforated lines (E1 to E5) into a substrate (PC) at pre-determined points; fixing a strip of heatweldable film to the substrate in the areas comprising said lines (E1 to E5) at least; cutting a blank from the support/film assembly, such that the cut for said lines (E1 to E5) enables parts of the film to project out; folding the blank and fixing at least two parts thereof by thermoforming at least one projecting part.

Description

PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING A PACKAGING BY FORMING AND FIXING A BLANK IN SEMI-RIGID MATERIAL.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a packaging by forming and fixing a blank of semi-rigid material such as cardboard or the like. It also relates to packaging produced in accordance with this process, and, in particular, packaging which may be in the form of boxes produced from a cardboard blank or the like partially covered with a film of heat-sealable plastic material used to ensure the tightness of the box and / or the fixing of two parts opposite the blank, after folding, as well as its inviolability.

It is known that, in this type of packaging, the fixing of two of its facing parts frequently involves the production of a blank in which the transparent film slightly protrudes from the edge of its cardboard or similar support, in predetermined zones of its periphery.

Thus in particular, international patent application PCT / FR 01/00635, filed in the name of the Applicant, describes an embodiment in which the protruding part of the film is turned over so as to cover the edge edge as well as an area of the outer wall of the body adjacent to this edge and to ensure a tight fixing of the cover, this protruding part being fixed both on the body and on a cover by heat sealing. It turns out that the production of blanks having protruding film portions poses many technical problems which are difficult to dissolve. Indeed, theoretically it is necessary to make separate cuts on the cardboard blank and on the film which covers it and then to carry out the fixing of the film on the cardboard so that the protruding parts of the film are well at desired locations.

It can be seen in practice that this process cannot be used with the machines usually used in this field.

The invention therefore more particularly aims to solve this problem in a relatively simple manner and suitable for industrialization with high production rates.

To this end, the method according to the invention comprises the following operating phases:

a first phase consisting in effecting on a substrate such as a sheet or a strip of semi-rigid material from which the blank must be cut, recesses at the locations where the protruding parts must be located, a second phase of fixing on this sheet or strip of a film of heat-sealable material, at least in the regions where said cutouts or said recesses are located, - a third phase of blank cutting on the assembly formed by the sheet or strip, such so that the cutting at the level of the above-mentioned recesses leaves the above-mentioned parts protruding from the blank, a phase of folding the blank and fixing, at least two parts of the blank, by heat-sealing at least one protruding part. Of course, the first phase of the process may also include the production of recesses intended to make windows in the packaging once assembled.

Likewise, this first phase may include the formation of precut lines or cutting lines (creasing, perforations, etc.). In this case, the presence of the film on these precut lines will guarantee sealing at this level. The third cutting phase may then include the formation of the precut primer of the film. This solution allows in particular to facilitate the opening of the packaging without compromising the seal.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a sheet of semi-rigid material in which cuts have been made in accordance with the first step of the method according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a blank made from the sheet shown in Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a box produced from the blank shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial section illustrating the principle of fixing a cover on the body of the box shown in FIG. 2.

Figure 5 is a blank of a box provided with a hanger. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the box obtained using the blank shown in FIG. 5.

Figure 7 is a partial section illustrating the method of fixing the two pads constituting the hanger.

Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of another box obtained according to the method according to the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a detail of the blank of the box shown in FIG. 8.

In the examples represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the method according to the invention applies to the production of a cardboard box of very simple structure, comprising a tabular body 1, of rectangular section, provided with a window 2 and whose two ends 3, 4 are closed by two respective covers 5, 6 of substantially parallelepiped shape.

The inner face of the body 1 and that of the covers 5, 6 are covered with a film of a heat-sealable material 7 which seals the box.

The body 1 of this box is produced using a blank 8 such as that which is represented in FIG. 2 which consists of a strip of rectangular cardboard divided into five successive areas P [to P ₅ by four fold lines successive Lj to L _4s the ranges P _t to P ₄ constituting the lateral sides of the box. The narrower area 5 constitutes a fixing tab intended to be fixed on the tab P] by means of a film strip 11 so as to obtain the tubular shape of the body 1.

The covers 5, 6 are fixed to the body 1 by two strips of film 9, 10 which protrude respectively from the longitudinal edges of the blank 8 (and therefore from the upper and lower edges of the body 1). During fixing, the covers 5, 6 are fitted onto the body 1. The strips of film which protrude from the body 1 are turned over and then overlap on the edges of the corresponding edges and are slightly folded over the outside of the body 1 in an area adjacent to the edge. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the fixing by heat sealing makes it possible to obtain a sealed fixing at the level of the edge T and of the overlap zone R of the external face of the body 1.

Of course, the film strips which protrude from the body 1 could be turned inward to come to bear and be welded against the bottom of the cover 5.

As previously mentioned, the object of the present invention is to facilitate the production of film strips projecting from the cardboard blank, so as to be able to produce industrial production at a rapid rate using existing machines.

In this example, it uses substrates consisting of PC cardboard plates, of standard format, in which it proposes to produce two blanks of the type shown in FIG. 2.

To this end, the manufacturing process comprises, in accordance with the invention:

A first step consisting in making recesses E] to E ₅ in the cardboard plate PC at the locations where the strips of film used to fix the box must be located. In this example, three parallel longitudinal recesses Ej, E ₂ , E ₃ and two transverse recesses E ₄ , E _{5 are produced} . The central recess E ₂ , which has a width twice that of the recesses E _b E ₃ , is intended to be divided into two to form two strips of film belonging respectively to the two blanks.

A second step during which a heat-sealable film is fixed on one of the two faces of the PC cardboard plate. This sheet therefore extends over the recesses previously made Ej to E ₅ . (It is the same with regard to the windows F, the creasing, the precuts etc ... made during the first stage.)

A third step of cutting the contours of the blank, this step including cutting the areas of films which extend over recesses Ej to E ₅ so as to obtain the film strips 9, 10, 1 1. In FIG. 1 the cut lines have been shown in broken lines. A fourth step of folding and fixing to obtain the body 1 of the box shown in FIG. 3.

This step can also include creasing operations to facilitate subsequent folding, pre-cutting operations, areas with easy break, etc. It can also include a printing process.

Of course, between the second and the third step, intermediate steps may possibly be provided, for example printing the film, creasing, etc.

An advantage of the method according to the invention consists in that it allows blanks of complex shapes to be produced without increasing the complexity and the cost of the manufacturing process.

Thus for example without increasing the number of manufacturing steps, it is possible to produce boxes of the type illustrated in FIG. 6 which is produced using a blank comprising, as shown in FIG. 5: A longitudinal central strip BC comprising five successive areas P ₆ to Pio, separated by four fold lines L ₅ to L ₈ , the pages P ₆ to P ₉ constituting the four lateral sides of the body of the box while the area Pι ₀ , narrower, serves as a fixing lug for the body.

Pads Pu to Pι ₅ transversely extending the pads P ₆ to P ₉ of the central strip BC, by means of longitudinal fold lines extending along the upper edge of this strip BC, namely:

^{• areas} Pι ₂ , P ₁₃ divided into two parts by a longitudinal fold line L ₉ which extends the area P ₇ to successively form the top of the box (area Pj ₂ ) and a range of suspension of the box (area P ₁₃ ). This area Pπ is provided with an obviously ESi, in which a suspension rod can pass, ^• two areas Pπ, P _{] 4} respectively extending areas P ₆ and P ₈ to form reinforcement tabs on the top of the box, a area P ₁₅ extending the area P ₉ to form a lining of the suspension area (area P ₁₃ ), comprising a recess ES ₂ identical to the recess ES],

Areas P _{] 6} to P ₁₉ extending transversely areas P ₆ and P ₉ , of the central strip BC by means of longitudinal fold lines L ₁₀ to L _{] 3} which extend along the lower edge of the strip BC, namely: ^• Areas P _{] 7} , P _J9 which extend the areas P ₇ and P ₉ to respectively constitute the bottom and the lining of the bottom of the box, and Areas Pι ₆ , P _{] 8} which respectively extend the areas P ₆ , P ₈ to form two reinforcements at the bottom.

In this example, the film strips BFi to BF which protrude from the cardboard substrate are located in the extension of the areas P _{] 3} , P ₁ , P ₁₅ and Pio- La band BF _{4 is} used to fix the body of the box, band BF ₂ ensures the fixing of the bottom while the bands BF _! and BF ₃ secure the suspension range to its support, as shown in FIG. 7.

To this end, the two areas P ₁₃ and P] ₅ are pressed against each other and the two strips of film BF _{l 5} BF ₃ are turned over on the edges of the two areas P ₁₃ and P _{15 in} order to be fixed. , one on the other, against the outer face of one of these two areas, here the suspension area Pι ₅ .

This solution makes it possible to considerably increase the tear resistance of the suspension pad and of its lining between their recesses ESi and their upper edges.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the box comprises four lateral sides CL extended beyond their upper and / or lower edges by four pads, namely a pad PL], constituting the top of the box, a pad PL ₂ , constituting the lining of this area PL] and two areas PL ₃ , PL ₄ which respectively constitute reinforcements from above.

This box is made from a blank in which the areas are separated from each other by recesses E, here triangular.

According to the invention, the film which covers the substrate extends over these recesses E.

Thus, during the folding of the blank, the portions of film which extend over the recesses E fold back on themselves and, after the heat-sealing, a continuity of the sealing is obtained at the junction between the top and the tubular body of the box.

Claims

claims

1. Method for manufacturing a packaging by forming and fixing a blank comprising a substrate (PC) of semi-rigid material, at least partially covered with a film of heat-sealable plastic (7), which protrudes slightly from the edge of the substrate (PC) in predetermined areas of its periphery, characterized in that it comprises the following operating phases: a first phase consisting in carrying out on a substrate (PC) such as a sheet or a strip of semi material rigid in which the blank must be cut, recesses (Ei to E ₅ ) at the locations where the protruding parts must be located, a second phase of fixing on this sheet or this strip of a film of heat-sealable material (7), at least in the regions where said cuts or said recesses are located (E] to E ₅ ), a third phase of cutting the blank on the assembly formed by the sheet or the strip and the film (7), so that the decor upe at the level of the above-mentioned recesses (E] to E ₅ ) allows the above-mentioned protruding parts to remain, - a phase of folding the blank (7) and fixing, at least two parts of the blank by heat-sealing at least one part protruding.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid first phase further comprises the production of recesses intended to make windows (F) in the package once assembled.

3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the aforesaid first phase further comprises the production of precut lines or cutting initiation on the substrate (PC).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said first phase comprises the printing of the substrate (PC).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, following the second phase, a film printing phase (7) and / or a creasing phase of the fold lines.

6. Packaging produced according to the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a tabular body produced using a blank covered with a film and one edge of which is extended by a film strip ( 11) used to ensure fixing by heat sealing.

7. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that said edge is a transverse edge of the blank and in that the film strip (7) is used to secure the body.

8. Packaging according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that one of the longitudinal edges of the blank is extended by a strip of film of heat-sealable material (Ej to E ₃ ).

9. Packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that the strip of heat-sealable material (E] to E ₃ ) is folded over the edge of the blank and on its opposite face so as to ensure a tight attachment with a cover.

10. Packaging according to one of claims 6 to 8, a top range is extended by a suspension range (Pι ₃ ) and one of the faces side of the body is extended by a pad (P ₁₅ ) serving as a lining for the hanging pad, characterized in that the upper edges of the hanging pad and the lining pad are extended by two strips of film (BF _ls BF ₃ ) in heat-sealable material, these two bands (BF _ls BF ₃ ) being turned over to come and fix one on the other against the outside face of one of these two pads.

11. Packaging according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises lateral sides (CL) extended beyond their upper and / or lower edges of the areas (PLj to PL ₄ ) separated from one another others by recesses (E) through which portions of said film extend, and in that the heat-sealing of these film portions ensures, in addition to the fixing of said areas, a continuity of sealing at the junction between said areas (PL] to PL ₄ ) and said lateral sides (CL).