WO2022136645A1

WO2022136645A1 - Device and method for batch packaging of containers and such a batch

Info

Publication number: WO2022136645A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/087501
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthieu OLIVIER
Original assignee: Sidel Participations
Priority date: 2020-12-23
Filing date: 2021-12-23
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: FR3118010A1; EP4267485A1; FR3118010B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (3) for batch packaging (1) of containers (2), such a batch (1) and a corresponding packaging method, the containers (2) being bottles with a neck provided with a collar (22) having a first diameter. Said packaging device (3) comprises a sheet (4) made of cardboard material, provided with at least two openings (5), characterised in that each of the at least two openings (5) is oblong and comprises a first section (50) at least larger than or equal to the first diameter of said collar (22), and a second section (51) communicating with the first section (50) and smaller than the first diameter of the collar (22).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Device and process for packaging containers in batches and such a batch The present invention falls within the field of packaging containers of the bottle type in batches.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the terms “container” and “bottle” are equivalent. In addition, the term "container" is understood to mean an individual object. Further on, in the context of the present invention, a bottle has a body with, in the upper part, a neck surmounted by an opening, called the rim. After filling, the rim is intended to be hermetically closed by a closure element, such as a stopper or a capsule. Under this stopper, for constraints related to the production of such bottles, the neck is equipped with a collar, in the form of a ring projecting externally with respect to the peripheral wall of said neck. Such a collar serves in particular as a support in abutment against the upper face of the mold during the manufacture by blow molding or by stretch-blow molding of a bottle from a preform made of plastic material, as well as for the conveying and transfer of such a preform and such a bottle throughout a production line.

A bottle can be made of any type of material, in particular plastic, metal or even glass. A bottle can be rigid or semi-rigid.

Such a bottle is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, in particular of the food-processing or cosmetic type.

In addition, a bottle can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not, regular or irregular. In addition, a bottle can have a rounded section, generally circular or ovoid in shape, or else a polygonal section, in particular rectangle or square.

In a known manner, within an industrial line, the bottles can receive several different successive treatments, such as the manufacture of the container, for example during a plastic injection or stretch-blow molding operation in the case of a plastic bottle, followed by filling then closing with a cap and labelling. At the end of these treatments, the containers are said to be "finished". With a view to handling them, such finished containers are packaged in batches.

In addition, each batch comprises several bottles, grouped together in a matrix arrangement, generally of generally parallelepipedic shape, often square or rectangle, according to columns and rows. For example, a usual batch gathers six bottles in two rows and three columns.

Additionally, each group of bottles can be held below by means of a support forming a bottom, for example a cardboard tray.

Once the groups of bottles have been made, each group can be coated, in particular covered with a film, in order to hold the bottles together and to facilitate the handling of such a batch thus obtained.

Such a coating can be carried out through a filming or preferably wrapping step.

In particular, wrapping a group of bottles consists of wrapping it with a sheet of plastic film made of heat-shrinkable material. A coated group then undergoes a heating step so that the sheet conforms to the overall external shape of the bottles. In short, the sheet of film shrinks under the effect of heat to form a constriction ensuring the maintenance of the grouped bottles.

The grouping of the bottles, the coating and the heating are carried out by means of a dedicated installation of the bundler type, through several successive stations. Further, the heating of a coated group is carried out by crossing a heating station; like an oven, tunnel oven type. Each group of bottles is transported on the upper face of one or more conveyors, from the entrance to the exit of said oven.

On the one hand, hot air is sent to the conveyor from below and allows to heat the underside and the lower edges of the groups transported on the conveyor, essentially aiming at the part of the film sheet located under each group of bottles , in particular to weld the ends of the coating sheet which, at the time of the prior coating, are superimposed and pressed against each other under the weight of the bottles of the group.

On the other hand, hot air is sent to the interior volume of the enclosure and makes it possible to heat the coated group, with a view to effecting a rise in temperature of the sheet of film so that a shrinkage comes apply in contact with the bottles, by deforming the sheet so that it matches part of the contours of said bottles.

Already, it is easy to see the substantial energy expenditure necessary for heating during the bundling operation. Such an expense is costly, but also detrimental from an environmental point of view.

In addition, heating installations, especially in the form of tunnel kilns, represent a substantial footprint within an industrial production site.

Furthermore, the coating is carried out using a film of plastic material, essentially obtained from the petrochemical industry. Currently many plastics can be composed of material improving their biodegradable character. In addition, the recycling and recovery of plastic waste is constantly evolving. However, there is a growing need to find an alternative to the use of this material, which generates a lot of waste and is energy costly.

A known alternative consists in holding a group of bottles by strapping or strapping by means of ties made of plastic or composite material, in particular in the form of a strip of braided plastic fibers. Such a strip surrounds the body of the bottles and tension is applied before sealing the ends of said strip, in particular through a heat-sealing operation. If the use of a band saves a considerable amount of plastic material, the strapping does not make it possible to properly maintain batches of more than four bottles, especially when it comes to containers with a rounded section, whether it is generally circular or ovoid, which is more in the case of containers made of plastic material. Indeed, the walls of containers located in the center tend to slide against the walls of the containers on the periphery, which deforms the layout of the batch, or is even likely to cause its dislocation during its handling. This risk is all the greater, due to the large mass of liquid contained in the containers, with regard to the contact surface of the coating on the containers.

In addition, the plastic material of a strap is provided more resistant, making it all the more difficult to reprocess it for recycling.

In a context of environmental protection and recycling of materials, there are alternative solutions consisting in maintaining the bottles by means of a coating based on vegetable fibers, such as a cardboard material, in particular in the form of a pre-cut cardboard sheet, hereinafter referred to as "die-cut". Further on, a widely used solution consists of a cutout in which through orifices are provided with internal segments forming bendable fringes extending radially inward from each of the orifices. Such orifices are intended to receive by force insertion the closure elements closing the bottles to be kept in a batch. In particular, the insertion takes place vertically, the bottles coming from below push back said fringes, until they are clipped. This technique specifically targets glass bottles closed by a closure element in the form of so-called "crown" capsules (for

"crown"), the toothed periphery of which comes to cooperate in abutment against the edges of the fringes folded upwards.

The rest of the sheet is then folded over to surround two of the side walls of the batch thus formed, the ends of said sheet generally being glued or snapped overlapping at the level of the underside of said batch, namely under the bottles thus grouped together.

Several drawbacks are linked to such a solution for maintaining a batch of bottles by vertical insertion and coating of the entire circumference of said batch. First of all, the plugging elements must ensure sufficient strength for the abutment effect bearing against the folded fringes. In addition, the insertion by force requires suitable means for holding the bottles and applying each cutout properly, to allow the insertion by force.

Furthermore, the coating all around the batch, with an overlap of the ends under the batch, complicates the steps necessary to fold up and slide said ends under said batch. In addition, this all-around coating generates a significant amount of cardboard material.

The aim of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing an alternative solution for maintaining a batch of bottles by means of a cutout in paper or cardboard material.

Further, the invention provides a cutout whose insertion is carried out by vertical displacement of the cutout followed by a displacement in a lateral direction of the bottles, sliding in sliding inside orifices shaped complementary for, in a first step, allow the free insertion of the caps and the collars of the bottles, then ensure a vertical maintenance once the caps of the bottles close together, by abutment of the said collars against the surface of the cutout.

Once the bottles have been inserted in this way, the invention ensures that the bottles are held together laterally, limiting any freedom of movement in the opposite direction along said transverse direction of insertion, namely in the spacing of said bottles.

In particular, the invention has highlighted a superfluous aspect of the coating along the side walls of the bottles. In fact, in the case of support provided only in the upper part by a cutout added for insertion on the bottle caps, a bending effect causes the separation of said bottles, which essentially results in the lower part of the lot. In this case of packaging of the necks by a cutout, it is then only necessary to maintain the bottles of the batch at the level of their bottom and/or at the level of their body, which makes it possible to save a substantial quantity of material, compared to a coating surrounding an entire batch of bottles.

In addition, with separate elements, a holding operation by the bottom of the bottles and/or by the periphery of said batch is much easier to implement. To do this, the conditioning device comprises

- a sheet of cardboard material, provided with at least two orifices, characterized in that

- each of said at least two orifices is oblong and comprises:

- a first section at least greater than or equal to the first diameter of said flange,

- A second section communicating with said first section and less than said first diameter of said flange.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, within such a packaging device, said sheet may comprise at least two foldable side flaps positioned on either side of said sheet in a direction along a central axis passing through said first section and said second section of at least one of said at least two orifices.

Said sheet then comprises a downward folding line of each of said side flaps.

Said packaging device may comprise said fold line crossing the first section of at least one of said orifices.

Said side flaps may comprise two longitudinal flaps and two foldable transverse flaps; each of said transverse flaps comprising fastening means with said adjacent longitudinal flaps.

Said sheet may comprise at least four orifices distributed in a matrix.

Said sheet comprises six orifices distributed according to a rectangular matrix.

Ports can be open or closed.

Said sheet may comprise at least one tab that can be folded from a raised position to a position overlapping the first section of each of said at least two orifices, and vice versa. Said packaging device may comprise gripping means in the form of at least two holes provided within said sheet, each of said at least two holes communicating with one of the at least two orifices.

The invention also relates to a batch of bottles, equipped with such a packaging device.

In particular, such a batch comprises holding means by said grouped containers and is characterized in that said holding means comprise at least one packaging device.

According to additional, non-limiting characteristics, said holding means may comprise at least one band for strapping the body of said containers. Said at least one strip may be made of a material based on plant fibres, in particular paper.

Said holding means may comprise a tray surrounding the bottom of said containers.

The invention also relates to a process for packaging in batches at least two containers, said containers being bottles with a neck provided with a collar, said collar having a first diameter, in which

- a sheet provided with at least two orifices is deposited, each orifice being oblong and comprising

- a first section at least greater than or equal to said first diameter,

- a second section smaller than said first diameter,

- during removal, the neck of each of said at least two containers is inserted vertically within each of said at least two orifices through said first section, until said sheet is positioned under a horizontal plane comprising said collar; then

- a relative movement is carried out between said sheet and said containers in a horizontal and transverse direction, until said neck of each of said containers is positioned in said second section, said collar abutting against an upper wall of said sheet around said second section;

- Said at least two containers are held together.

According to additional, non-limiting features, during such a packaging process, the second sections of said at least two orifices can be oriented towards a median axis of said sheet; therefore, during the movement, said receptacles are applied to a convergent approaching movement towards said median axis.

Said first sections of said at least two orifices may be oriented towards a median axis of said sheet and spaced apart by an interval greater than a center distance between said containers; therefore, during movement, said receptacles are moved apart in a divergent manner with respect to said central axis; then a vertical folding of said interval of said sheet is carried out along said median axis.

Upon folding, a projecting wall can be formed upwards from said interval of said sheet.

Upon folding, an intermediate wall can be formed descending from said gap, said intermediate wall coming between said containers.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which will follow of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of two bottle-type products, equipped with a packaging device according to a first embodiment, showing in particular a holding of said two products by strapping by means of a band;

FIG. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of four bottle-type products, equipped with a packaging device according to the first embodiment, showing in particular a holding of the bottom of said four products by a tray;

FIG. 3 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of four bottle-type products, equipped with a packaging device according to a second embodiment, showing in particular a holding by folding of a part of the sheet of said packaging device. conditioning ;

FIG. 4 schematically represents a simplified top view of the first embodiment of the packaging device for a batch of six products, showing in particular the successive steps of inserting said products by transverse movement in approximation from the first section towards the second section of the orifices open on the sides of the leaf;

FIG. 5 schematically represents a simplified top view of a flat packaging device according to the second embodiment, showing in particular closed orifices, with a variant of lateral and longitudinal flaps intended to cooperate with each other; FIG. 6 schematically represents a top view of a packaging device according to a first variant of the second embodiment, showing in particular the successive steps of inserting said containers by transverse movement in approximation from the first section towards the second section of the orifices , with a configuration of longitudinal flaps for holding said containers once inserted;

FIG. 7 schematically represents a top view of a packaging device according to a second variant of the second embodiment, showing in particular the successive steps of inserting said containers by transverse displacement in spacing from the first section towards the second section of the orifices ;

FIG. 8 schematically represents a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, flat and without a container, showing in particular three successive stages of a bending upwards of the interval between the orifices;

FIG. 9 schematically represents a view in vertical section of the similar embodiment, with the containers, showing in particular three successive steps of downward folding by bringing said containers together;

FIG. 10 schematically represents a perspective view of an embodiment of the flat packaging device, showing in particular a gripping means in the form of holes communicating with the orifices;

FIG. 11 schematically represents a view of the packaging device of FIG. 10, after folding;

FIG. 12 schematically represents a perspective view of an embodiment of the packaging device, showing in particular retaining tabs according to a variant in two positions: flat and raised;

FIG. 13 schematically represents a perspective view of another embodiment of the packaging device, showing in particular retaining tabs according to another variant in two positions: flat and raised;

FIG. 14 schematically represents a perspective view of another embodiment of the packaging device, showing in particular pairs of holding tabs according to yet another variant in two positions: flat and raised;

FIG. 15 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of four bottle-type products, equipped with another embodiment of the packaging device, showing in particular flaps comprising cut sides; FIG. 16 schematically represents a view from above of another embodiment of the packaging device, showing in particular fringes taking the form of foldable internal segments; and

FIG. 17 schematically represents a perspective view of another embodiment of the packaging device, notably showing pre-cutouts facilitating the intentional single removal of a bottle-type container.

The present invention falls within the field of the packaging in batch 1 of containers 2 of the bottle type, hereinafter referred to as “container” or “bottle” in an equivalent manner.

As mentioned previously, a container 2 of the bottle type has a body 20 with in the upper part a neck surmounted by an opening, called a mouthpiece. After filling, the rim is intended to be hermetically closed by a closure element, such as a stopper 21 or a capsule. Under this stopper 21, for constraints related to the production of such bottles, the neck is equipped with a collar 22, in the form of a ring projecting outwardly with respect to the peripheral wall of said neck. Such a collar 22 serves in particular as a support in abutment against the upper face of the mold during the manufacture of a bottle by blow molding or by stretch-blow molding from a preform made of plastic material, as well as for the conveying and transfer of such a preform and such a bottle all along the production line. In particular, the collar 22 constitutes a rigid and solid part of the container 2. This collar 22 can also be standardized.

Within an industrial line, the bottles can receive several different successive treatments, such as the manufacture of the container, for example during a plastic injection or stretch-blow molding operation of a preform in the case of a bottle made of plastic material, followed by filling then closing with a cap 21 and labeling. At the end of these treatments, the containers 2 are said to be "finished". With a view to their handling, such finished containers 2 undergo packaging in batch 1.

In addition, each batch 1 comprises several bottles, grouped together in a matrix arrangement, generally of generally parallelepipedic shape, often square or rectangle, according to columns and rows. By way of example, a usual lot 1 groups together six bottles in two rows and three columns. Figure 1 shows a batch 1 of two containers, in one column and two rows (or vice versa), while Figures 2 and 3 show a batch 1 of four containers, configured in a square matrix, in two columns and two rows.

Further, once gathered, the containers 2 must be held together to form a batch 1 .

To this end, the invention firstly relates to a device 3 for packaging in a batch 1 of at least two containers 2.

As mentioned above, said containers 2 are bottles with a neck provided with a collar 22 having a first diameter, namely a diameter larger than the outside diameter of the neck, so that said collar 22 forms an annular projection.

Such a packaging device 3 comprises a sheet 4 of cardboard material. It will be noted that such a cardboard material includes paper and cardboard, as well as any material based on plant cellulosic fibers. In short, the material of the sheet 4 is devoid of plastic or of a material obtained from the petrochemical industry.

However, a layer or coating can be applied to the outer and/or inner face of sheet 4, in particular of the printing, varnish or waterproof type. This material can be single or multilayer material. In particular, the thickness of said sheet 4 is minimal, compared to its other dimensions, namely its length and its width.

In addition, the thickness of said sheet 4, as well as the material constituting it, are determined with regard to the number of containers 2 to be maintained, as well as certain characteristics of said containers 2, such as in particular their format and their weight. Preferably, said sheet 4 has a sufficient thickness to impart rigidity to the containers once held by the packaging device 3.

As such, said sheet 4 is provided with at least two orifices 5. Sheet 4 comprises as many orifices 5 as containers 2 to be held together.

According to one embodiment, said sheet 4 comprises at least four orifices divided into a matrix. This configuration can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3. According to another embodiment, said sheet 4 comprises six orifices distributed according to a rectangular matrix. This configuration is particularly visible in Figures 4 to 7. In addition, the dimensions of an orifice 5 are determined according to the container 2 to receive, in particular with respect to the dimensions of the neck of said container 2, especially with respect to a first diameter of said collar 22. Indeed, each orifice 5 is intended to receive the neck of the containers 2 for insertion, so that said sheet 4 holds the containers 2 together by their necks in a batch 1 after insertion.

To do this, each of said at least two orifices 5 is oblong. In other words, each orifice 5 has a longitudinal median axis longer than a transverse median axis (extending orthogonally or substantially orthogonally with respect to said longitudinal axis).

In addition, on the one hand, each orifice 5 comprises a first section 50 at least greater than or equal to the first diameter of said flange 22. In short, the dimensions of the first section 50 are greater than the diameter of the flange 22. Therefore , the flange 22 can be introduced and pass freely through the first section 50 of an orifice 5.

On the other hand, each orifice 5 comprises a second section 51 communicating with said first section 50. In short, the first section 50 is connected to the second section 51, together delimiting the orifice 5.

In addition, said second section 51 is smaller than said first diameter of said collar 22. In short, the dimensions of the second section 51 are smaller than the dimensions of the first section 50. Therefore, the collar 22 cannot cross said second section 51 and the periphery of the latter comes to support said collar 22 while allowing the neck to pass. Therefore, the dimensions of the second section 51 must be greater than the diameter of the neck, in order to allow its insertion. According to different embodiments, the sections 50, 51 can have any shape, in particular polygonal and/or rounded, with straight and/or curved edges. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 5, each orifice 5 has a rounded shape resembling a “keyhole”.

Thus, each orifice 5 allows the insertion of a container 2 at its first section 50, then the transverse displacement of said container 2 along the longitudinal median axis of said orifice 5, towards the second section 51 where the container 2 is found. then blocked vertically: its collar 22 comes to rest on the upper face of the sheet 4 at the level of the periphery of the second section 51 . In short, once introduced in the second section 51, a container 2 has only one horizontal degree of freedom from the second section 51 to the first section 50.

According to one embodiment, as visible in Figures 1, 2, 4, each orifice 5 is open, namely that it communicates with an edge of the sheet 4. More specifically, the first section 50 of larger diameter opens towards the outside of the conditioning device 3. Such an open configuration makes it possible in particular to insert the containers 2 by the side of the sheet 4, without vertical displacement of said containers 2 and/or of said sheet 4. In short, it is possible to insert the containers 2 only by transverse displacement , horizontally or substantially horizontally. Such a transverse displacement of the containers 2 in an open orifice 5 is in particular highlighted in FIG. 4.

According to another embodiment, each orifice 5 is closed. In short, each orifice 5 is formed inside the sheet 4, not opening outwards. Such a configuration is particularly visible in Figures 5,6,7.

Consequently, during the insertion of the containers 2, it is necessary to effect a relative vertical displacement of the sheet 4 and/or of said containers 2, so that the flange 22 of each of said container 2 crosses the first section 50 of each orifice 5, then to move the containers 2 transversely towards the second section 51, in order to lock them vertically.

Further, once introduced by transverse movement in the second section 51, it is necessary to maintain the containers 2 in this second section 51, namely to limit their degree of transverse movement, namely horizontally from the second section 51 towards the first section 50. According to one embodiment, such maintenance can be obtained by related bodies, attached to the device 3 for conditioning. Such related members may be distinct and separate from said packaging device 3, or else the packaging device 3 comprises said related members for transversely holding the containers 2.

Such related holding members will be described later.

According to different configurations, the holding is obtained by holding means integrated into the packaging device 3 .

According to one embodiment, as seen in Figures 3 and 6, said sheet 4 comprises at least two foldable side flaps positioned on either side of said sheet 4. These side flaps extend in a direction along a central axis passing through said first section 50 and said second section 51 of at least one of said at least two orifices 5. In other words, the side flaps are positioned on each side of the sheet 4, on either side of the orifices 5. In short, the side flaps are located at the edge of the sheet 4 , orthogonally or substantially orthogonally to a median axis passing through said at least two orifices 5.

Furthermore, said sheet 4 includes a downward folding line of each of said side flaps.

Thus, it is possible to fold the flaps downwards, in order to block the containers 2 introduced into the second section 51 of the orifices 5, ensuring the transverse maintenance in the upper part of the batch 1 thus formed.

Furthermore, the dimensions of the flaps depend on the dimensions of the containers 2 to be maintained. Once folded, these flaps come into contact with part of the containers 2, in particular their neck, their body and/or the junction between the neck and the body.

According to one embodiment, as seen in particular in Figure 6, each fold line crosses the first section 50 of at least one of said orifices 5. Preferably, a fold line crosses each longitudinal alignment of orifices 5. Therefore, the folding of the sheet 4 makes it possible to close the first section 50 of the orifices 5, maintaining the containers 2 within the second section 51 .

According to one embodiment, said side flaps comprise two longitudinal flaps 6, namely that they extend along the length of the sheet 4. Such longitudinal flaps 6 are particularly visible in Figures 5 to 7.

According to the corresponding embodiment, said sheet 4 comprises a longitudinal line 7 of downward folding of each of said longitudinal flaps 6 .

According to another embodiment, as seen in Figure 6, each longitudinal fold line 7 passes through the first section 50 of at least one of said orifices 5.

According to one embodiment, represented in particular in FIG. 6, said side flaps comprise transverse flaps 60 . These transverse flaps 60 are located along the other edges of the sheet 4, relative to the longitudinal flaps 6. Said transverse flaps 60 are folded along transverse fold lines 70 . In addition, each of said transverse flaps 60 comprises means 8 for fixing with said adjacent longitudinal flaps 6 .

Said fixing means 8 can be of any type, in particular in the form of a strapping around the flaps 6,60. Preferably, the fixing means 8 comprise inserts and notches shaped complementary to come cooperating together, in particular by force-fitting, with notches on said inserts forming a stop once inserted within said notches. An example of such fixing means 8 is shown in Figure 5.

According to one embodiment, the first section 50 is located outside of the second section 51 . In short, the second section 51 is closest to the longitudinal median axis of the sheet 4. Such a configuration is particularly visible in Figures 4 to 6.

Consequently, the insertion of the receptacles 2 takes place by convergent transverse displacement, oriented towards the inside of the sheet 4, from the first section 50 towards the second section 51 located towards the center.

According to another embodiment, the first section 50 is located internally with respect to the second section 51 . In short, the first section 50 is as close as possible to the longitudinal median axis of the sheet 4. Such a configuration is particularly visible in FIG. 7.

Consequently, the insertion of the containers 2 takes place by divergent transverse displacement, oriented towards the outside of the sheet 4, from the first section 50 towards the second section 51 located towards the outside, namely in opposition to the center of said sheet 4. In this configuration, once inserted into the second section 51, the containers 2 must be maintained at the level of the center of the sheet 4.

To do this, according to one embodiment, said at least two orifices 5 are spaced apart by an interval greater than a center distance between said containers 2. In addition, the sheet 4 comprises several central folding lines. Each centerline extends longitudinally.

It will be noted that the center distance corresponds to the distance between the axes of revolution of two containers 2 placed side by side, namely approximately the diameter of a container 2.

In addition, the interval is greater than or equal to said spacing, preferably greater than or equal to two spacings.

Further, the sheet 4 comprises a central central folding line 9 and two central central lines 90 located on either side, parallel and equidistant from said central line 9.

Thus, after moving the receptacles 2 apart from the first section 50 to the second section 51, a vertical folding can be performed along the center line 9, bringing said receptacles closer together.

According to one embodiment, as visible in the three successive steps of Figure 8, the folding is carried out upwards, namely upwards, by rising of the midline 9. The part of the sheet 4 then forms a vertically projecting wall 10, as shown in FIG. of such a stack. Such a projecting wall 10 also makes it possible to be used for gripping batch 1, as will be specified later.

According to another embodiment, as visible in the three successive steps of Figure 9, the folding is carried out downwards, namely downwards, by lowering the center line 9. The part of the folded sheet 4 then forms an intermediate wall 11 between the receptacles 2. Such an intermediate wall 11 makes it possible in particular to serve as a buffer between the receptacles 2, avoiding their direct contact and improving the horizontal maintenance between them, due to the folding extra thickness of said sheet 4.

It will be noted that side flaps can be combined with the aforementioned central folding, in order to improve the maintenance of the lot 1 thus formed.

According to one embodiment, the packaging device 3 comprises gripping means.

These gripping means can be attached externally and independently to said device 3.

Preferably, the gripping means are integrated into the packaging device 3 . The gripping means are then in the form of at least two holes 12 made within said sheet 4. These holes 12 can be located at different places on the sheet 4, at spacings suitable for manual gripping. In addition, the holes 12 are sized to ensure such gripping by a hand and/or fingers.

Preferably, two holes 12 are located symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the sheet 4.

According to one embodiment, each of said at least two holes 12 communicates with one of the at least two orifices 5. As can be seen in the example of FIG. 10, the holes 12 are oblong, shaped to receive a hand for handling.

According to one embodiment, holes 12 are separate from orifices 5. Preferably, each of said at least two holes 12 communicates with each of said at least two orifices 5.

Thus, it is possible to enter lot 1 through the holes 12 of sheet 4 flat.

According to one embodiment, visible in FIG. 11, the configuration of the holes 12 open to the orifices 5 is combined with the upward vertical folding along the line 9 central median folding, so that the projecting wall 10 then forms a handle.

According to one embodiment, as seen in Figures 12 to 14, said sheet 4 comprises at least one tab 13 foldable from a raised position to a position overlapping the first section 50 of each of said at least two orifices 5, and vice versa .

Thus, it is possible to close off at least the first section 50, in order to block the containers 2 introduced and to hold them transversely in the second section 51 . In particular, an edge of each tongue 13 located on the side of the second section 51 can come into contact with the wall of the neck of each container 2, applying a retaining force to grip said neck in said second section 51 . Preferably, during the folding of each tab 13 towards the closed position of the first section 50, said edge can be inserted by force during the passage of the collar 22, possibly deforming to come to be housed below said collar 22 , which then bears against the upper face of said tongue 13 in addition to the upper face of the periphery of the second section 51 .

According to one embodiment, as visible in Figures 12 and 13, the sheet 4 comprises a single tongue 13 per orifice 5.

According to one configuration, visible in Figure 12, the orifice 5 is open and the tab 13 extends to the edge of the sheet 4.

According to another configuration, visible in figure 13, the orifice 5 is closed and the tongue 13 is contained inside the sheet 4.

According to one embodiment, the sheet 4 comprises two tongues 13, on either side of each orifice 5, each bending to close the first section 51 of the corresponding orifice 5.

According to the configuration visible in Figure 14, the two tabs 13 may be identical and symmetrical.

It will be noted that each tongue 13 can have a specific shape, in particular polygonal and/or rounded, namely with straight or rounded edges. In particular, the inner edge of each tab 13 may be concave, in order to cooperate with the rounding of the outer wall of the neck of the container 2 to be blocked in the second section 51 .

Consequently, before insertion of the containers 2, the tongues 13 are folded upwards, in order to free the first section 50 of the orifice 5, allowing the containers 2 to be introduced therein. Then, once the containers 2 have been moved transversely to accommodate in the second section 51, the first section 50 is closed by folding in the opposite direction, descending, the tabs 13 until the containers 2 are blocked and at least partially closes said first section 50.

It will be noted that each element of the packaging device 3 is produced during a step of cutting and/or forming the sheet 4 carried out prior to packaging.

The invention also relates to a batch 1 of at least two containers 2.

As mentioned above, said containers 2 are bottles provided with a body 20. Such a body 20 comprises a bottom 23. Said body 20 is surmounted by a neck provided with said collar 22.

Such a batch 1 comprises means for holding said grouped bottles, Such holding is carried out at least in the upper part of the containers 2 grouped together beforehand, by blocking the necks and the collars 22.

To do this, said holding means comprise at least one packaging device 3 according to the invention, as previously described.

According to a preferred embodiment, a batch 1 comprises a single packaging device 3, namely a single sheet 4, within the orifices 5 of which the necks of the containers 2 are inserted.

According to another embodiment, a batch 1 comprises several packaging devices 3, namely that sub-batches are formed, for example of two containers 2 inserted until they are held in the orifices 5, then said sub-batches are grouped. batches and we keep them together.

According to one embodiment, the maintenance by the conditioning device 3 can be coupled with other related organs.

Such related members make it possible to hold the containers 2 of a batch 1 and/or the containers 2 of each sub-batch and/or the sub-batches together to form said batch 1. Therefore, according to one embodiment, said holding members comprise at least one band 100 for strapping the body 20 of said bottles. One or more strips 100 can therefore be wrapped around the grouped containers 2, with a view to gripping them against each other. In addition, the ends of each of said strips 100 can overlap one another and then fixed in any way whatsoever, in particular by gluing.

In addition, during this strapping, the group of containers 2 is maintained in matrix configuration by the packaging device 3 already positioned at the level of the necks of said containers 2. Such a strip 100 can be made of any type of material. For environmental and recycling reasons, said at least one strip 100 is preferably made of a material based on plant fibres, in particular paper.

Figure 1 shows an example of batch 1 of two containers 2 provided with holding means integrated into the packaging device 3 in the upper part of the group of containers, to which is added a related member in the form of a single band 100 encircling the perimeter of the group of this pair of containers 2.

According to another embodiment, said related members comprise a tray 101 surrounding the bottom 23 of said bottles. In short, such a tray 101 is positioned and configured to surround the bottom 23 of the containers 2, keeping them together in the matrix configuration of the group thus partially enclosed.

According to another embodiment, one or more strips 100 combined with a tray 101 can form the related organs for transverse holding of the containers 2 of batch 1.

Thus, the strip 100 and/or the tray 101 maintain the periphery and/or the bottom of the containers 2, in particular under their center of gravity, preventing any separation in the lower part of said containers when gripping the batch 1 from the top, ensuring improved maintenance of the packaging device 3.

According to one embodiment, batch 1 may include gripping means, in order to ensure the handling of each batch 1 independently.

These gripping means can be of any type, in particular in the form of a handle attached for attachment to one and/or the other of the containers 2 of batch 1, in particular by gluing along the body 20 of said containers 2 and/or on some of the outer faces of the packaging device 3.

Preferably, said gripping means are integrated into the packaging device 3 . This configuration corresponds to the embodiments of the packaging device 3, in which the gripping means comprise the holes 12 made in the sheet 4, in particular communicating with each of the orifices 5.

The invention also relates to a process for packaging in batch 1 of at least two containers 2.

As mentioned above, said containers 2 are bottles with a neck provided with a flange 22 of a first diameter. In addition, said neck has a second diameter smaller than said first diameter of said collar 22. Such a packaging method can be envisaged for the implementation of the packaging device 3, as previously described, with a view to obtaining a batch 1, as mentioned above.

During this packaging process, a sheet 4 provided with at least two orifices 5 is deposited.

As mentioned previously, each orifice 5 is oblong and comprises a first section 50 at least greater than or equal to said first diameter of collar 22, as well as a second section 51 less than said first diameter. In addition, during removal, the neck of each of said at least two containers 2 is inserted vertically within each of said at least two orifices 5 through said first section 50, until said sheet is positioned under a horizontal plane comprising said collar 22. In short, the collar 22 crosses the first section 50 until it ends up above the sheet 4.

Then, a movement is made between said sheet 4 and said containers 2 in a horizontal and transverse direction, until said neck of each of said containers 2 is positioned in said second section 51 . In this position, said flange 22 then abuts against an upper wall of said sheet 4 around said second section 51 .

In this configuration, the containers 2 are then held vertically, having only one degree of freedom of transverse movement back from the second section 51 to the first section 50.

To counter this freedom of movement, said at least two containers 2 are held together at least in a direction opposite to said horizontal transverse direction.

As mentioned above, such maintenance can be operated by dedicated bodies, similar to the bodies of said packaging device 3 or related reported on lot 1, such as a strip 100 or a tray 101.

Further on, at the time of depositing the sheet 4, the insertion of the containers 2 through the first section 50 can be carried out by a "relative" vertical displacement between said sheet 4 and the containers 2, namely by displacement downward vertical movement of said sheet 4 with respect to the receptacles 2, by upward vertical displacement of the receptacles 2 with respect to the said sheet 4, or else by a combination of vertical movements of the said sheet 4 and the receptacles 2.

This insertion can also be provided only by horizontal displacement of each of said containers 2, coming to be introduced transversely within the orifices 5 correspondents. Such a horizontal displacement takes place in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the sheet 4, in particular horizontal or substantially horizontal. This horizontal displacement takes place parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the elongated orifices 5 which are then open.

Said insertion can also be a combination of relative vertical displacement and horizontal displacement.

In addition, the removal of the sheet 4 can be carried out in a synchronized manner with the conveying of the containers 2. The removal of the sheet 4 can also be done continuously by following the progress of the containers 2, or else discontinuously, by temporarily stopping the containers 2 which are capped by the sheet 4 during this period of time. In the case of open orifices 5, it is also possible to come down a sheet 4 to a suitable level, the containers 2 being conveyed along a converging path to be introduced into each orifice 5. This mode of removal considerably simplifies the operation of the method, freeing itself from any vertical displacement.

According to one embodiment, as seen in Figure 6, the second sections 51 of said at least two orifices 5 are oriented towards a median axis of said sheet 4. Therefore, during the movement, said containers 2 are applied a movement towards convergent towards said median axis. In short, the containers 2 are brought closer to the center of the sheet 4.

According to another embodiment, as seen in Figure 7, said first sections 50 of said at least two orifices 5 are oriented towards a median axis of said sheet and spaced apart by an interval greater than a center distance between said containers 2. Therefore , during movement, said receptacles 2 are moved apart in a divergent manner with respect to said central axis.

Then, once the containers 2 have been introduced into the second section 51, a vertical folding is carried out of said interval of said sheet 4 along said central axis.

Further, such folding may occur along fold lines 9,90, similar to the above.

According to one configuration, during folding, a wall 10 projecting upwards is formed from said interval of said sheet 4. In addition, such a projecting wall 10 can make it possible to form a handle, in particular provided with holes mentioned above, said holes 12 being connected or not in a communicating manner with some of the orifices 5.

According to another configuration, during the folding, a descending manner is formed intermediate wall 11 from said interval, said intermediate wall 11 coming between said containers 2.

In certain embodiments, the flaps 6 of the sheet 4 comprise cut sides. On the edges of the flaps 6, a flat surface forms the contours. In this type of construction, each corner of the flaps 6 no longer forms a right angle but two obtuse angles. Thus, when the transverse flaps 60 are fixed with the adjacent longitudinal flaps 6 with the fixing means 8, they then follow the outer contour of the containers 2 located at the corners of the lot 1 .

This type of construction is particularly advantageous because the cut sides formed by the flaps 6 and 60 allow better retention of the containers 2 and therefore to optimize the packaging device 3. Indeed, the flaps are then also in contact with the containers 2 at the corners of the lot 1. In addition, the packaging device 3 is more reliable and the solidity of batch 1 is improved: the absence of sharp edges reduces the risk of deformation of batch 1. Finally, this embodiment makes it possible to optimize the palletization step, in particular by limiting the potential tearing of the film in the corners, by improving the hold of the palletization film.

This kind of realization is represented in figure 15.

According to another possible characteristic, the sheet 4 comprises fringes 14 which match the shape of the first section 50 communicating with the second section 51: a plurality of fringes 14 extend radially from the center of the first section 50, up to at the opening of the second section 51 . In other words, the fringes 14 take the form of bendable inner segments extending radially inward from the second section 51 . This makes it possible to further improve the rigidity of the packaging device 3, in particular at the point where it is particularly necessary to hold the containers 2 in place. This embodiment therefore reinforces the stability of the containers 2 in batch 1 during its lifting, its transport, its handling in particular. Furthermore, once this is desired, the unit removal of a container 2 is facilitated. In addition, this saves a step during the packaging process, because it is then not necessary to lift the tab 13 in order to be able to insert the container 2.

This embodiment is shown in figure 16.

According to certain embodiments, the sheet 4 comprises pre-cuts 15, in order to be able to facilitate the removal of a container 2 individually. In certain embodiments, the pre-cuts extend from the median axis of the sheet 4 in the longitudinal direction to the edges of said sheet 4. According to another characteristic possible, the pre-cuts 15 extend from the second section 51 to the edges of the sheet 4. In an alternative according to which the sheet 4 comprises flaps, the pre-cuts 15 can then extend from the median axis of the sheet 4 in the longitudinal direction to the edges of said flaps 6. They can also extend from the first or the second section (50, 51) to the edges of the flaps 6. These pre-cuts 15 are for example in the form of dotted lines, which correspond to micro-perforations making it possible to tear said sheet according to a precise and determined path. According to yet another alternative, the pre-cuts 15 are made to form lines of rupture or of lesser resistance of the material, favoring tearing along said lines in the event of voluntary tension or torsion.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it facilitates removal from the container unit 2 when desired, that is to say intentional. In addition, this makes it possible, according to a possible alternative, to retain certain information printed on the sheet 4 even when a container 2 is made unitary, that is to say after the sheet 4 has been intentionally torn and the said container 2 has been removed. information may for example be a barcode, a logo, a brand, or may even relate to the nutritional characteristics of the drink or other content of said container 2. The packaging device according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to obtain a batch 1 of 2 strong and reliable containers. The containers 2 are both well maintained by means of the sheet 4 and can be removed voluntarily if necessary.

This kind of realization is presented in figure 17.

Claims

1. Device (3) for packaging in a batch (1) of at least two containers (2), said containers (2) being bottles with a neck provided with a collar (22) having a first diameter, comprising

- a sheet (4) of cardboard material, provided with at least two orifices (5), characterized in that

- each of said at least two orifices (5) is oblong and comprises:

- - a first section (50) at least greater than or equal to the first diameter of said flange (22),

- - A second section (51) communicating with said first section (50) and less than said first diameter of said flange (22).

2. Device (3) for conditioning according to the preceding claim, characterized in that

- said sheet (4) comprises at least two foldable side flaps positioned on either side of said sheet in a direction along a central axis passing through said first section (50) and said second section (51) of at least one said at least two orifices (5);

- said sheet (4) comprises a downward folding line of each of said side flaps.

3. Packaging device (3) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises

- said fold line passing through the first section of at least one of said orifices.

4. Device (3) for packaging according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that

- Said side flaps comprise two longitudinal flaps (6) and two foldable transverse flaps (60);

- each of said transverse flaps (60) comprises means (8) for fixing with said adjacent longitudinal flaps (6).

5. Device (3) for packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that

- said sheet (4) comprises at least four orifices (5) distributed in a matrix.

6. Device (3) for packaging according to the preceding claim, characterized in that

- said sheet (4) comprises six orifices (5) distributed according to a rectangular matrix.

7. Device (3) for packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

- the orifices (5) are open, communicating with an edge of the sheet (4).

8. Packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that

- the orifices (5) are closed, formed inside the sheet 4, not opening outwards.

9. Device (3) for packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

- said sheet (4) comprises at least one tab (13) foldable from a raised position to a position overlapping the first section (50) of each of said at least two orifices (5), and vice versa.

10. Packaging device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises

- Gripping means in the form of at least two holes (12) formed within said sheet (4), each of said at least two holes (12) communicating with one of the at least two orifices (5).

11. Lot (1) of at least two containers (2), said containers (2) being bottles provided with a body (20) with a bottom (23), said body (20) being surmounted by a neck , including

- holding means by said receptacles (2) grouped together, characterized in that:

- Said holding means comprise at least one packaging device (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Batch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that

- Said holding means comprise at least one band (100) for strapping the body (20) of said containers (2).

13. Batch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that

- Said at least one strip (100) is made of a material based on plant fibers, in particular paper.

14. Lot (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that

- Said holding means comprise a container (101) surrounding the bottom (23) of said containers (2).

15. Batch packaging method (1) of at least two containers (2), said containers (2) being bottles with a neck provided with a collar (22), said collar (22) having a first diameter, in which

- a sheet (4) of cardboard material provided with at least two orifices (5) is deposited, each orifice (5) being oblong and comprising

- a first section (50) at least greater than or equal to said first diameter,

- a second section (51) communicating with said first section (50) and smaller than said first diameter,

- during removal, the neck of each of said at least two containers (2) is inserted vertically within each of said at least two orifices (5) through said first section (50), until said sheet (4) is positioned under a horizontal plane comprising said flange (22); then

- a relative movement is carried out between said sheet (4) and said containers (2) in a horizontal and transverse direction, until said neck of each of said containers (2) is positioned in said second section (51), said flange (22) abutting against an upper wall of said sheet (4) around said second section (51);

- Said at least two containers (2) are held together.

16. Packaging method according to the preceding claim, in which

- the second sections (51) of said at least two orifices (5) are oriented towards a central axis of said sheet (4); characterized by the fact that

- During movement, said receptacles (2) are applied towards a convergent movement towards said central axis.

17. Packaging method according to claim 15,

- said first sections (50) of said at least two orifices (5) are oriented towards a median axis of said sheet and (4) spaced apart by an interval greater than a center distance between said containers (2); characterized by the fact that

- During movement, said receptacles (2) are moved apart in a divergent manner with respect to said central axis; then - a vertical folding of said interval of said sheet (4) is carried out along said central axis.

18. Packaging method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that

- During folding, a wall (10) protruding from said interval of said sheet (4) is formed upwardly.

19. Packaging method according to claim 17, characterized in that

- During folding, an intermediate wall (11) is formed descending from said gap, said intermediate wall (11) coming between said containers (2).