WO2023281036A1

WO2023281036A1 - Compact batch of grouped containers, packaging method and facility

Info

Publication number: WO2023281036A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/069017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthieu OLIVIER; Quentin LANGLOIS; Tony THIRIET; Jonathan Hamel
Original assignee: Sidel Participations
Priority date: 2021-07-08
Filing date: 2022-07-07
Publication date: 2023-01-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to a batch (100) that comprises at least two containers (1) and at least one strip (2), which holds said containers together, said containers (1) being optionally provided with a label (14), each of said containers (1) having a body (3) and a bottom (4) aligned in a main direction (15), the body (3) having at least one planar portion (5). Said batch (100) is characterised in that said at least one strip (2) is made of paper, has a height less than or equal to the height of said planar portion (5) and is affixed around the batch (100) at said at least one planar portion (5) of each of said containers (1). The invention also relates to a method for packaging such a batch (100) and to a corresponding batch packaging facility.

Description

COMPACT BATCH OF GROUPED CONTAINERS, METHOD FOR

PACKAGING AND INSTALLATION

The present invention relates to the field of the packaging of containers in batches. It relates to a compact batch of grouped containers, a retaining strip intended to form said batch and a method implementing this batch.

In the context of the present invention, the container is a bottle or a flask. Such a container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the food-processing or cosmetic type.

In known manner, within an industrial line, the containers 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. Thus, each batch comprises several containers, brought together for example in a matrix arrangement, generally of generally parallelepipedic shape, often square or rectangle, according to columns and rows. By way of illustration, a typical batch groups together six containers in two rows and three columns.

Once the groups of containers have been made, each group is coated, in particular covered with a film, in order to hold the containers together and to facilitate the handling of such a batch thus obtained. Such encapsulation can be carried out through a step of filming or preferably wrapping. In particular, wrapping a group of containers 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 containers. In short, the sheet of film shrinks under the effect of heat to form a constriction ensuring the maintenance of the grouped containers.

The grouping of the containers, the coating and the heating are carried out by means of a dedicated installation of the bundler type, through several successive stations. Such a heating operation represents a significant energy expenditure. Such a packaging solution not only involves significant energy consumption from a financial point of view, but is also harmful to the environment. Indeed, the coating is carried out from a film of plastic material, essentially obtained from the petrochemical industry. However, almost half of the plastic waste found in the sea is single-use plastic objects.

Currently, many plastics are said to be “recyclable” but this approach is generally insufficient and unsatisfactory. Indeed, the use of shrink plastic films has many negative impacts on the environment: significant energy expenditure, single use, low recycling rate, massive export of plastic waste to countries with recycling infrastructure, etc. Furthermore, the composition of the film, which is only partially recyclable, will complicate the process and the resulting waste will not be recovered in the vast majority of cases.

Thus, 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, both by simplifying the packaging but also by reducing the total quantity of material used.

In this field, a known alternative to the use of a shrink-wrapped plastic film for the formation of a batch consists in holding the products together by means of strapping or a strap, which will surround the containers.

For example, patent US5570787 is known, which proposes keeping containers grouped together to form a batch, in particular by surrounding the containers with a wide band of elastic plastic. This band covers a large portion of the height of the products. The batch formed and surrounded is held by a lateral elastic strap, affixed to the outer contour of the containers, but also by a complementary strap, forming the handle, which holds the batch by the bottom of the containers. The handle and the side strap cooperate to allow the containers to be held together. This alternative certainly has the advantage of substantially reducing the total amount of plastic used but remains harmful to the environment, the two straps surrounding the lot being both made of elastic plastic material.

DE102011107265 proposes to connect the containers together by means of glue dots and to finalize the maintenance using an adhesive or self-adhesive band coming to encircle the lot. The self-adhesive strip is preferably transparent, placed at the level of the label of the products, to enable the consumer to view the information present on the label. This strap can be made of a composite material, that is to say composed of several different materials. It therefore has the disadvantage of being little or even not recyclable given the difficulty of separating so-called recyclable materials from other materials. Furthermore, it has another drawback, because when it is removed it risks damaging the label present on the container, insofar as it is self-adhesive.

Cooperation between a strapping tape and a carrying handle of the batch is also described in US20110089055. Complementary means are provided to keep the containers grouped together and a specific method is described to prevent the containers from turning on themselves, which would lead to a deformation of the batch and to an instability of the containers. Strapping tape is attached to the batch at two opposite points on the surface of a container to secure its position. This solution has the same disadvantages of using composite materials. Furthermore, the packaging process is complex and requires many steps to ensure that the containers are kept in a batch. In the field of the invention, it is therefore necessary to develop a device for packaging containers in batches, respectful of the environment, and which guarantees optimal maintenance of the batch, whether during its transport or during its storage duration.

The invention thus aims to provide a holding device that is reliable, solid and ecological, both in its composition and in the quantity of waste generated. Thus, the environmental impact of the invention is greatly reduced compared to packaging using plastic material.

To do this, the invention proposes a solution consisting in holding the containers integral with each other, in the form of a batch, with at least one strip of paper affixed at the level of a flat portion of each of the containers. This positioning of the band guarantees the solidity of the batch: the band does not slip and exerts adequate pressure on the wall of the containers.

The subject of the invention is thus a batch which comprises at least two containers, and at least one closed band which keeps them grouped together, said containers possibly being provided with a label, said containers each having a body and a bottom, aligned in a main direction, the body having at least one planar portion.

The lot is characterized in that said at least one strip is made of paper, has a height less than or equal to the height of said flat portion and is affixed around the lot at the level of said at least one flat portion of each of said containers, so as to form a contact zone between said flat portion and said at least one strip of paper.

The invention also relates to a paper holding strip for a batch as defined above.

The invention also relates to a method for implementing said batch, according to which at least two containers are grouped together.

This method is characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

- the batch is coated with at least one strip at the level of the at least one flat portion of each of said containers,

- Said at least one band is affixed with sufficient tension to hold said at least two containers together.

The invention will be better understood thanks to the description below, which is based on possible embodiments, explained in an illustrative and in no way limiting manner, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch, showing in particular a square matrix distribution of four containers, the containers of said batch being of the bottle type, of generally rectangular shape and said containers being surrounded by a strip of paper material ; FIG. 2 schematically represents a front view of a container of the batch represented in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 schematically represents a view similar to the batch represented in FIG. 1 where the containers are six in number, are distributed in staggered rows according to the invention and are generally circular in shape;

FIG. 4 schematically represents a front view of a container of the batch represented in FIG. 3;

Figure 5 shows a simplified top view of the lot shown in Figure 3;

FIG. 6 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of four containers having two distinct flat portions, being coated with a strip of paper;

FIG. 7 schematically represents a front view of a container of the batch represented in FIG. 6 and of the center of gravity of said container;

FIG. 8 schematically represents a front view of a container, having a flat portion, at the level of a right cylinder, located in a groove of said container;

FIG. 9 schematically represents a perspective view of a second packaging configuration of a batch similar to FIG. 1, the containers of said batch being surrounded by means of two strips of paper;

FIG. 10 schematically represents a top view of a third packaging configuration of a batch showing in particular additional adhesion means provided between the strip of paper and the peripheral wall of the containers;

FIG. 11 schematically represents a front view of a container of the batch represented in FIG. 10, where the container has grooves as well as a slight flare at the flat portion;

FIG. 12 schematically represents a simplified top view of a packaging configuration for a batch of six containers grouping together a sub-batch of four containers and two other containers, showing in particular additional adhesion means provided between the strip of paper of each sub-batch and the strip of paper encasing the batch, as well as additional adhesion means provided between the remaining containers and the strip of paper encasing the batch;

FIG. 13 schematically represents a perspective view of three sub-batches of each two products, of the bottle type, during the coating by a strip of paper;

FIG. 14 schematically represents a simplified top view of the batch shown in FIG. 13 showing additional adhesion means provided between the strips of paper surrounding the sub-batches and between the strip of paper surrounding the central sub-batch and the strip of paper surrounding the lot; FIG. 15 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch of six products, of the bottle type, showing in particular a covering of the label of the containers by the strip of paper and additional adhesion means 10, during the wrapping with a strip of paper;

FIG. 16 schematically represents a perspective view of a batch comprising three sub-batches of two products each, showing in particular a handle on the central sub-batch, during coating;

FIG. 17 schematically represents a view similar to FIG. 9, showing in particular a strip of paper covering the batch, and a strip of paper surrounding the sub-batch, said strip and said strip being positioned on different flat portions;

FIG. 18 schematically represents a simplified view of an example of architecture of a line for packaging batches of products according to the invention.

The invention thus firstly relates to a batch 100 which comprises at least two containers 1, and at least one closed strip 2 which keeps them grouped together, said containers 1 possibly being provided with a label 14, said containers 1 each having a body 3 and a bottom 4, aligned in a main direction 15, the body 3 having at least one flat portion 5.

In the context of the invention, the container 1 is a bottle or a flask. It can be made of any material, in particular plastic or even glass. Preferably, the container is made of polyethylene terephthalate, hereinafter PET. The container 1 can therefore be rigid or semi-rigid. It is intended to contain a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the food-processing or cosmetic type. The container 1 can have any type of shape, symmetrical or not. It may have a rounded section, generally of circular or ovoidal shape, or else of polygonal section, in particular rectangle or square. Preferably, said containers have a rounded section, in particular generally circular.

The container 1 may optionally have a label 14. Said label 14 may be affixed to the body 3 of the container 1, or be attached at the level of the neck of the said container 1, in the form of a ticket. The label 14 can also be in the form of a retractable sleeve, which will match the shape of said container 1. The label 14, when present, has the function of delivering information on the contents of the container 1 , or even an advertising message, a logo, a bar code.

With a view to handling them, such finished containers are packaged in batches. Each batch therefore comprises several containers, brought together for example in a matrix arrangement, generally of generally parallelepipedic shape, often square or rectangle, in columns and rows.

When they are packaged, the containers can also be staggered. The staggered lot can have different advantages. The staggered arrangement notably offers more points of contact between the grouped products. Furthermore, the additional friction between the containers will increase the strength of the batch. The staggered arrangement also makes it possible to optimize the space between the containers, and therefore represents a gain in storage capacity. It is then possible to stack more batches on a pallet.

As mentioned above, the containers 1 have a body 3 and a bottom 4. In a normal orientation, the container 1 rests on its bottom 4. The bottom 4 can be flat or petaloid in shape. The body 3 comprises a peripheral wall 7.

Furthermore, the term “compact” corresponds to a batch 100 in which containers 1 are brought together and positioned side by side, joined to each other during their grouping according to one of the configurations described. The containers 1 are held together by a closed strip 2, that is to say that said strip 2 coats all of the containers, being affixed against a portion of the peripheral wall 7, to form a batch 100. Once the containers 1 grouped and coated, they are then integral with each other, integrally forming a batch 100. The containers 1 of such a batch 100 are then inseparable, except to voluntarily dismantle said batch 100 to extract one or more containers 1.

Container 1 has at least one flat portion 5. At said portion 5, peripheral wall 7 of body 3 extends substantially parallel to main direction 15.

The flat portion 5 has a lower limit 18 and an upper limit 19. In a normal orientation, when the container 1 rests on the bottom 4, the lower limit 18 of the flat portion 5 is the edge which is located at the smallest height. relative to the total height of said container 1, starting from the bottom 4 of said container 1, in the main direction 15. The upper limit 19 therefore corresponds to the edge of said flat portion 5 which is located at the greatest height relative to the total height of the container 1, starting from the bottom 4. In other words, the flat portion 5 represents a section of the peripheral wall 7, of the body 3, extending between a lower limit 18 and an upper limit 19.

Conventionally, the perimeter of container 1, or its diameter when said container is circular in shape, can vary along its height. At the level of the flat portion 5, the body 3 has a shape close to that of a cylinder based on a circle, and in particular sufficiently close to such a cylinder of revolution for the strip 2 which is affixed to it to exert sufficient force. to hold the containers 1 together. When the container 1 has a circular section, the flat portion 5 can for example be located at the level of a right cylinder: the diameter of the bottle at the level of the upper limit 19 of the flat portion 5 is equal to the diameter of the bottle at the lower limit 18 of said portion. If the diameter varies, in this case, the difference in diameter between the lower limit 18 and the upper limit 19 of the flat portion 5 is at most 10mm (millimeters) every 100mm. Preferably, said difference in diameter is less than or equal to 4mm every 100mm. In other words, the container 1 can for example comprise sections of conical shape, and the planar portion 5 can be located at the level of such a section, insofar as the conical shape does not widen or shrink. beyond a certain angle, which corresponds to 10mm every 100mm, preferably 4mm every 100mm.

When the container 1 is not circular in shape, for example of generally rectangular, square or polygonal section, the difference in perimeter between the lower limit 18 and the upper limit 19 of the flat portion 5 is at most 10mm every 100mm , preferably equal to or less than 4mm every 100mm, in order to guarantee the cohesion of batch 100 in an optimal manner.

In general, the flat portion 5, at the level of the contact zone 6, extends in a direction parallel or substantially to the main direction 15. The body 3 of the container 1, at the level of the flat portion 5, optionally has the shape of a right cylinder. The tension exerted by the strip 2 of paper forming the batch 100 is then distributed evenly over the whole of the flat portion 5.

In some embodiments, the container 1 may have several flat portions 5.

According to the invention, the batch is characterized in that the at least one strip 2 is made of paper, has a height less than or equal to the height of said flat portion 5 and is affixed around the batch 100 at the level of said at least one flat portion 5 of each of said containers 1, so as to form a contact zone 6.

The flat portion 5 therefore comprises a contact zone 6. This contact zone 6 represents the contact surface between the at least one strip 2 of paper and the peripheral wall 7 of the body 3 at the level of the flat portion 5. The zone of contact 6 therefore corresponds to the effective surface against which the strip 2 of paper is affixed against the peripheral wall 7. In other words, the interaction between the strip 2 and the peripheral wall 7 at the level of the flat portion 5 forms the contact zone 6. Thus, in the case of a container with a circular base, the contact zone 6 corresponds to a quarter turn for a bottle located in a corner of the lot 100. For a container located in the center of the lot, c that is to say between the corners of said lot, the contact zone 6, formed by the affixing of the strip 2 to the peripheral wall 7, corresponds to a line contact in the main direction 15.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the strip 2 is made of paper, that is to say it is composed mainly or mainly of cellulose fibers. As such, the term "paper" falls within the specific field of container packaging 1 and is limited to wrapping paper. The term "paper" excludes cardboard, corrugated cardboard, and cartonboard.

In addition, such paper is based on cellulose fibers. By way of example, the paper used in the invention may be kraft paper or a derivative of kraft paper. Advantageously, the band is made of a paper having increased strength, an appropriate breaking limit, due to its manufacturing process. The resistance or the extensibility of the paper are characteristics which can be improved during the manufacturing process, for example by adding a weft, or specific fibers. The fibers can also be oriented in the longitudinal or transverse direction, to improve the resistance to elongation before rupture according to the direction of orientation.

Preferably, the strip 2 of paper consists mainly of biodegradable and/or recyclable components.

The positioning of at least one strip 2, made of paper, contributes to the solidity of lot 100.

According to another possible additional characteristic, said contact zone 6, formed by the affixing of the strip 2 of paper to the peripheral wall 7 of the container 1 at the level of the flat portion 5, extends over at least 50% (percentages ) of said flat portion 5, preferably at least 70%, in the main direction 15. In other words, at the level of the section considered, forming the flat portion 5 between the lower limit 18 and the upper limit 19, the at at least one strip 2 of paper must be in contact with the peripheral wall 7 over at least 50% of said flat portion 5, preferably at least 70%, so as to form an adequate contact zone 6.

Indeed, the contact area must be large enough to guarantee the cohesion of the grouped containers. This is all the more necessary because of the material from which the strip 2 is made, paper being less extensible and less resistant than plastic. In particular, in the case of a batch of containers made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which are semi-rigid, a strip 2 of paper which would only hold the containers together by the tension exerted, on only a few points of the latter , would be highly susceptible to tearing: during their handling or transport, rubbing and friction between the containers would strongly stress the bearing areas.

This feature has the advantage of contributing to the strength of the batch 100, and preventing any risk of dislocation of said batch, for example by breaking the strip 2 of paper.

In some embodiments, batch 100 comprises a single strip 2 of paper. This has the advantage of further minimizing the amount of waste produced, while maintaining optimal maintenance of batch 100.

According to a possible additional characteristic, in the case where lot 100 comprises a single strip 2, said strip 2 of paper has a minimum height of one eighth of the height H of each containers 1 along the main direction 15. Preferably, said strip 2 of paper has a minimum height of a quarter of the height H of each of the containers 1 along the main direction 15.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the strip 2 of paper has a height less than or equal to the height of the flat portion 5. Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, the strip 2 of paper does not extend below the lower limit 18 and above the upper limit 19, along the main direction 15: it is then entirely included in the section of the plane portion 5.

In certain embodiments, the batch 100 comprises at least two strips 2 along the main direction 15, the cumulative total height of said strips representing at least a quarter of the height H of the containers 1. Preferably, the cumulative height of said strips represents at most two-thirds of the height of each of the containers 1 along the main direction 15. The considered height of a container 1 is its height H measured between the top of the stopper 22 and the contact surface of the bottom 4 of said container 1 The height H of a container 1 and the height of a strip 2 are measured along the main direction 15. The at least two strips 20 and 21 of paper are arranged along the main direction 15. They can rest on the same flat portion 5 or, preferably, on two separate flat portions 51 and 52.

The advantage resulting from such a minimum height is that the tension exerted on the containers 1 is distributed evenly over the contact zone 6. This will avoid deforming the body 3 of the containers 1 too much.

It is understood that, depending on the type of containers 1, their height or even depending on the total weight of the lot 100, it may be necessary to use one or more strips 2 of paper to guarantee the optimal maintenance of the containers 1 grouped together .

It may also be necessary to adapt the height of the at least one strip 2 of paper according to the different configurations or arrangement of the containers 1 together.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the at least one flat portion 5 comprises grooves 8, said grooves 8 covering less than 50% (percents), preferably less than 30%, of the flat portion 5.

A container 1 can in fact have grooves 8, for aesthetic or technical purposes, of any shape or pattern, these grooves 8 going around the body 3 of the container or not and being distributed homogeneously or not, symmetrical or not. . A container 1 can also present on its body reliefs, textures, also for aesthetic purposes, or for informative purposes. A container 1 can also have grooves, or belts, for technical purposes. These grooves 8, patterns, grooves or belts must not represent more than 30% of the surface of the flat portion. Indeed, the contact zone 6 between the strip or strips 2 of paper and the peripheral wall 7 of the container must preferably represent at least 70% of the flat portion 5, in the main direction 15

In other words, a section of the peripheral wall 7 having grooves 8, in the main direction 15, can be considered as a flat portion 5, if the surface of the grooves 8 does not cover more than 30% of the surface of said section.

It is understood that these grooves 8 or reliefs, or even grooves or belts, are not taken into account in the calculation of the diameter or the perimeter of the container 1, between the lower limit 18 and the upper limit 19 of the flat portion 5, insofar as their dimensions do not exceed 10mm (millimeters) in depth every 100mm, preferably 4mm in depth or elevation over a section of more than 8mm in height. In other words, on the flat portion 5, a groove, a relief or a pattern must not have a depth or an elevation of more than 10mm (millimeters) on a section of more than 8mm in height in the main direction 15 .

Furthermore, according to another additional characteristic, the lower 201 and upper 202 edges of the strip 2 of paper do not rest on a relief or in a groove 8 but directly on the contact zone 6 at the level of the peripheral wall 7.

In other embodiments, the batch 100 comprises at least four containers 1, at least one sub-batch 101 comprising at least two of said containers 1, at least one strip 13 of closed paper which holds together said containers 1 forming the sub-batch 101, at least one closed strip 2 of paper coating said batch 100 at the level of a flat portion 5 of each of said containers 1, so as to form a contact zone 6 between said flat portion 5 and said at least one band 2.

Such a configuration is particularly advantageous, the solidity of the lot 100 being reinforced. Indeed, in the case where more than four containers 1 are grouped together, the total contact area 6 is reduced for some of the containers 1. In particular, the containers 1 located in the center of the batch will tend to slide against the walls of the containers 1 located at the corners of lot 100. This phenomenon is all the more important when the containers have a rounded section, generally circular or ovoid, which is more in the case of plastic containers. In such a case, the batch 100 undergoes deformations which is likely to lead to its dismantling during its handling. Furthermore, it is understood that the strip 2 of paper covers a smaller portion of the peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1 located in the center of the lot 100, compared to the containers 1 located in the corners of said lot 100. In such a configuration, it is therefore preferable to double the coating, and therefore to subdivide lot 100 into one or more sub-lots 101. According to additional characteristics, each sub-batch 101 can bring together at most four containers 1. Each sub-batch 101 can extend transversely, that is to say along the columns of the batch 100, or even longitudinally, it i.e. along the rows of said lot. The sub-batch or batches 101 will advantageously be oriented according to the number of containers 1 forming the batch 100, in order to optimize its solidity. In other words, according to a preferred embodiment, a sub-batch 101 is composed of at least one container 1 having a large contact zone 6, for example one or more containers 1 located at an angle of the batch 100, and of at least one container 1 having a reduced contact area 6, for example one or more containers 1 located in the center of said lot 100. It is understood that here the maximum possible contact area 6 is linked to the location of the container 1 at the within batch 100. Each sub-batch 101 will ensure that the containers 1 component are kept together. As part of the handling or transport of the batch 100 thus formed, the sub-batches 101 will minimize the relative friction and the displacement of the containers 1, in particular the containers located in the center of said batch 100. Indeed, each container 1 will then be firmly held, either directly, by means of the at least one strip 2 of paper, or by means of a double coating, that is to say directly by means of the at least one strip 13 of paper and indirectly by means of the means of the at least one strip 2 of paper. It is understood that depending on the number of containers 1, it is not always necessary to surround all the containers 1 in the form of a sub-batch 101 prior to the coating of a batch 100. other words, in certain embodiments, certain containers 1 are not surrounded by a band 13 to form a sub-batch 101, before being coated to form a batch 100.

In certain embodiments, the at least one strip 2 is closed by overlapping its opposite ends 16 and 17. The adhesion between the two opposite ends 16 and 17 is achieved by means of a weld activated by ultrasound. It can also be made by gluing, by thermal activation (thermo sealing), staples, by or by any other means. These embodiments, concerning the closure of the strip 2 of paper, also apply to the at least one strip 13 of paper in the case where the batch 100 includes at least one sub-batch 101.

It should be noted that the position of the strip 2 of paper, at the level of a flat portion 5 of the containers 1 improves the mechanical strength of the joint of the strip 2 of paper, which is less stressed by friction caused by a movement containers 1 within batch 100. The join of the two opposite ends of the strip 2 of paper has strength characteristics at least equivalent to those of the strip 2 of paper.

According to another possible additional characteristic, the at least one strip 2 has a coating 9 on its outer face, of the paint, glue, lacquer or treatment type. The outer face of strip 2 of paper is the visible face of said strip 2 when it coats lot 100.

Coating 9 can cover both sides of at least one strip 2, or only one of its sides. In one embodiment, the strip 2 of paper has a coating 9 on its face interior, that is to say the face which is in contact with the flat portion 5 of the containers 1. This coating 9 can therefore cover the entirety of one of the two faces, or be produced discontinuously, or even cover partially the length of the strip, for example only at one of the ends 16 or 17. This coating 9 can be a purely aesthetic coating, of the varnish or lacquer type for example, to improve the visual rendering of the product, or even for technical purposes, for example to facilitate the printing of information, messages, drawings, signs, etc.

In particular, according to one embodiment, this coating 9 is a coating for technical purposes, in particular a heat-sealing coating in order to promote the adhesion of the two opposite ends 16 and 17 of the at least one strip 2 of paper. Such a heat-sealing coating 9 is activated by ultrasound or thermally. This embodiment advantageously makes it possible to activate the sealing properties in a localized manner. In other words, before activation, the coating 9 is inactive, that is to say unable to play an adhesive role, and after activation, it takes on adhesive properties. According to another variant, the heat-sealing coating 9 covers the entire inner face of the strip 2 of paper, and is activated locally, for example by ultrasound, to form one or more adhesive zones. In this embodiment, the activation of said heat-sealing coating 9 can be carried out in a targeted manner at the level of the contact zone 6 between the at least one strip 2 of paper and the peripheral wall 7 of one or more containers 1.

According to other additional characteristics, the coating 9 may be intended to improve the coefficient of friction, or even to improve the resistance to humidity of the strip 2 of paper.

In embodiments where the batch 100 comprises at least one sub-batch 101, the at least one strip 13 of paper can also have a coating 9. Thus, the strip or strips 2 and the strip or strips 13 can have the same coating 9. The strip(s) 2 and the band(s) 13 may have a different coating 9, or even no coating 9. The coating 9 may be lacquer, paint, or even be a surface treatment for technical purposes , such as a heat-sealing treatment, which can be activated with water, or for aesthetic purposes.

According to another possible additional characteristic, the batch 100 comprises an additional adhesion means 10 at the level of the contact zone 6, between the flat portion 5 and the strip 2. The additional means 10 can be placed initially either on the peripheral wall 7, at the flat portion 5, either on the inner face of the corresponding strip 2, or both. Before the batch 100 is coated with the strip 2 of paper, said additional adhesion means 10 can be placed either on the peripheral wall 7 of the container 1, at the level of the flat portion 5, or on the inside face of the strip 2 of paper, or both. This additional adhesion means 10 makes it possible to improve the holding in position of the strip 2 of paper. This additional adhesion means may for example be one or more dots of glue, or even double-sided adhesive tape. According to an additional characteristic, this additional adhesion means 10 is a heat-sealing coating 9, local or not, which can be activated by ultrasound or thermally. In embodiments where the container 1 has a label 14, glued to its body 3, and where the flat portion 5 is located in this same zone, therefore at the level of the label 14, the additional adhesion means 10 does not is not located on the label 14 but on its periphery. Indeed, it is essential to preserve the integrity of said label.

In addition, in a configuration where the batch 100 is subdivided into one or more sub-batches 101, this additional adhesion means 10, before surrounding, can be present on the inner face of the strip or strips 13 of paper coating the containers 1 forming the sub-batch or batches 101. Said additional adhesion means 10 can also, cumulatively or alternatively, be present on the outer face of the strip or strips 13 of paper, in order to improve the bond between the at least one strip 2 of paper and the strip or strips 13 of paper. This embodiment has the advantage of improving the cohesion of the lot 100.

It is understood that this additional adhesion means 10 relates to the adhesion between the band 2 or the strip 13 and one or more containers 1, and not the adhesion between two containers 1. In other words, the additional adhesion means 10 is located at the interface between at least one strip 2 of paper and the at least one strip 13 of paper and/or at the interface between the at least one strip 2 of paper and the peripheral wall 7 of one or more containers 1.

Finally, according to a possible additional characteristic, the batch 100 comprises a handle 11 in the form of at least one strap 12. The strap 12 makes it possible to grasp and lift the batch 100 from above said batch, in a normal orientation. This strap 12 can be fixed by partial covering of at least one strip 2 of paper.

According to another variant, each end of the strap 12 can be sandwiched between a strip 13 of paper from a sub-batch 101 and a strip 2 of paper from batch 100.

According to another possible characteristic, the strap 12 is fixed both by partial covering of at least one strip 2 of paper and on a portion of the peripheral wall of two containers 1. In such a configuration, the strap 12 extends to the -beyond the at least one strip 2 and is attached to the portion of the peripheral wall 7 of the container 1 located below said strip 2, in the direction of the main direction 15. Optionally, the strap 12 can also be fixed on the portion of the peripheral wall 7 located above said strip 2, in the direction of the main direction 15.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it allows collaboration between the strap 12 forming the handle 11 and the strip 2 of paper ensuring the integrity of the lot 100. When lifting said lot 100, the strap 12 will contribute to maintaining the position of the band 2. In this embodiment, the strap 12 is fixed, by means of a double-sided adhesive tape or by glue dots, on a part of the peripheral wall 7, in addition to its fixing on the at least one strip 2 of paper. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when the batch 100 does not include sub-batches 101. In addition, this variant makes it possible to produce a batch 100 of more than four containers without forming sub-batches 101 beforehand and therefore to obtain a optimal support while using few raw materials, which is an ecological advantage.

According to another possible characteristic, the strap 12 is made of a different material from the strip 2 of paper. In particular, according to a variant, the strap 12 has several adhesive areas on its inner face. In one embodiment, the strap 12 has a heat-sealing coating 9 on its inside face. The strap 12 is then fixed by thermal activation or by means of ultrasound.

In certain embodiments, each of the containers 1 comprises a label 14 surrounding the periphery of their peripheral wall 7 over part of the height of said containers 1. The strip 2 of paper then preferably covers at least partially or even totally the height of said label. 14 when said strip coats said containers 1 to form batch 100.

The invention also relates to a paper holding strip 2 for a batch 100 as defined above.

According to a possible additional characteristic, the holding strip 2 is made of a paper material, based on vegetable fibers. According to the invention, the strip 2 of paper contains a limited quantity of polymers, namely a quantity of less than 30%, preferably less than 10%, of the total mass. The composition of the retaining band 2 allows it to meet the criteria of standard EN13430 in terms of recyclability.

This holding strip 2, in certain embodiments, is made of a paper having a weight of between 50 and 150 g/m2 (gram per square meter), preferably between 90 and 120 g/m2. In addition, according to other characteristics, the strip 2 has increased resistance, which limits the risks of dismantling the batch 100 or unbundling the containers 1.

In embodiments where batch 100 comprises one or more sub-batches 101, strip 13 of paper has properties similar to strip 2 in terms of material. In other words, the band 13 is made of paper, based on plant fibers, and its composition contains at most 30% polymers, preferably 10%. Its weight may or may not be identical to that of strip 2 of paper. In particular, the strip 13 of paper may be of a thickness less than the thickness of the strip 2 of paper.

According to another additional characteristic, the strip 2 of paper is such that, once the batch 100 has been formed, it exerts a force of between 0.2 and 5kN/m (kilonewton per meter), of preferably between 0.2 and 1kN/m, at the flat portion 5. For example, for a strip 2 of paper with a height of 50mm, the force applied is between 10 and 50N. This applied force contributes to the holding together of the containers 1 in the form of a compact batch 100. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in the case where the containers 1 are semi-rigid.

The invention also relates to a method for packaging the aforementioned batch 100, in which at least two containers 1 are grouped together.

According to the invention, this method is characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps

- the batch is coated with at least one strip 2 at the level of the at least one flat portion 5 of each of said containers 1,

- said at least one strip 2 is affixed with sufficient tension to hold said at least two containers 1 in batch 100.

According to a possible additional characteristic, in such a packaging method, the containers 1 can be grouped together in one or more sub-batches 101.

In such an embodiment: at least two containers 1 are grouped into at least one sub-batch 101; each sub-batch 101 is surrounded by a band 13 of paper; the sub-batch or batches 101 are coated in batch 100.

According to a possible additional characteristic, at least one container 1 is not part of a sub-batch 101. In other words, certain containers 1 can be grouped together in a sub-batch 101, then surrounded by at least one strip paper, while other containers 1 remain free before being coated, with the sub-batch(s) 101, by means of at least one strip 2 of paper, to form a batch 100.

In some embodiments, before coating the batch 100, the sub-batches 101 can be composed according to a transverse and/or longitudinal orientation with respect to the largest dimension of the matrix formed by the batch 100 in order to optimize the strength of batch 100. In other words, it is possible to group into one or more sub-batches 101 containers 1 forming all or part of a row or forming all or part of a column within batch 100. A sub-batch batch 101 is composed of at most four containers 1, preferably two containers 1. It is also possible to have multiple configurations, with an arrangement of sub-batches 101 distributed transversely and longitudinally with respect to batch 100. A configuration of A lot 100, comprising one or more sub-lots 101, arranged diagonally with respect to lot 100, is also possible.

Before surrounding a sub-lot 101, - Can be applied on the inside of each strip 13 of paper, an adhesion means 10, located at the contact zone 6 of each container 1 of a sub-batch 101;

- can be applied to the outer face of at least one strip 13 of paper, an additional adhesion means 10 located at the level of adjoining zones between two sub-batches, or between a sub-batch 101 and one or more containers 1; and or

- before coating, an adhesion means 10 can be applied to the inside face of the at least one strip 2.

Finally, in certain embodiments, the packaging method comprises a step of fixing a handle 11 in the form of at least one strap 12. Preferably, said strap 12 is fixed by its opposite ends on the inside face of the band 2 of paper, by partial covering, before coating. It can also be fixed after coating batch 100, on the outer face of strip 2 of paper.

In other embodiments, the step of fixing a handle 11 in the form of at least one strap 12 is carried out by fixing both by covering the at least one holding band 2, on its external face, but also by fixing said strap 12 on a portion of the peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1. Preferably, said strap 12 is fixed by glue dots below the at least one strip 2, in the main direction 15. Thus, the strap 12 covers the at least one band 2 on either side of the batch 100, and each of its ends is fixed on a portion of the peripheral wall 7 of a container 1, located below said at least one strip 2, in the main direction 15. In an embodiment where the lot 100 is formed by means of two strips 2, the strap 12 can cover each of said strips 2 or only one of said strips 2 .

According to another possible additional characteristic, in the case where the lot 100 comprises one or more sub-lots 101, after wrapping, a handle 11 can be fixed in the form of at least one strap 12 partially overlapping at least one band 13 of one of the sub-batches 101. Then, when said sub-batch 101 is coated, said strap 12 can be covered, at the level of the adjoining portion with the at least one band 13, with the band 2 forming lot 100. This sandwich fastening of the strap 12 between a headband 13 and a band 2 improves the resistance and the maintenance at this level of the handle 11.

Consequently, the batch 100 of containers thus packaged has increased resistance and limits the risks of dismantling of the batch 100 or of unbundling of the containers 1. Indeed, the containers 1, maintained in sub-batches 101, have on the one hand a larger contact surface with the strip 13 of paper which connects the containers 1 together in the same sub-batch 101 and, on the other hand, a larger adjoining zone between the sub-lots 101 of the same lot 100 surrounded by the strip 2 of paper.

In addition, the doubling of the coating increases the resistance of the batch 100 formed, with regard to this material having a certain fragility, which usually excludes its use for containers 1, especially of rounded section and/or made of plastic material. Moreover, in embodiments where the batch 100 comprises more than four containers 1, this makes it possible to ensure that the containers 1 are kept together, regardless of their position within said batch 100.

Possible embodiments will now be described.

In a first embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, four containers 1, of rectangular or substantially rectangular section are grouped. The containers 1 are held together by the strip 2 of paper, forming a batch 100. The strip 2 of paper therefore encircles the containers 1 so as to form mechanical cohesion and a compact batch 100: in the context of its handling, if the batch 100 is moved by gripping only one of the containers 1, all the containers 1 remain attached and are also moved, lifted, namely lifted inseparably from each other within the same batch.

To do this, the strip 2 of paper surrounds the containers 1, grouped in the form of a matrix. Said band 2 is affixed around the containers grouped at the flat portion 5 in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main direction 15, namely orthogonally to the height of the containers 1. In other words, the strip 2 of paper coats the assembly formed by the containers 1 by resting on a flat portion 5 of the body 3 of each of the containers 1 forming the batch 100.

In this embodiment of the invention, the container 1 has a height of 400mm (millimeters), and comprises a section with a height of 120mm. On this section, the difference between the diameter at the level of the lower limit 18 and the diameter at the level of the upper limit 19 is 3 mm. Thus, this section can be considered as a flat portion 5. In addition, said section, in this example, does not include grooves 8 or other pattern. The strip 2 of paper has a height of 100mm and coats the containers 1, coming to rest at the level of this flat portion 5, to form the batch 100. A front view of such a container 1 is represented schematically on the figure 2.

In another embodiment, the containers 1, of generally circular section, are grouped in staggered rows, as shown in FIG. 5, in a simplified top view. The strip 2 of paper surrounds the containers 1 at the level of a flat portion 5, which is located towards the bottom of the container 1, in the direction of the main direction 15. In this illustrative example, the strip 2 has a coating 9 of type varnish on its outer face. The container 1 is illustrated in a front view in FIG. 4. This embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, is particularly advantageous when the containers are small. This embodiment also contributes to the grouped maintenance containers 1 which, when lifting the lot 100, may tend to move apart at their bottom, and then increase the pressure exerted on the band 2 for maintenance.

The staggered distribution of the containers 1 has various advantages. In particular, in the case of plastic containers, of cylindrical section, this distribution makes it possible to reduce the friction between the peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1 within the batch 100, during the handling of the latter, and also makes it possible to have a slightly reduced size.

It should be noted that, in the case where several sections can be qualified as a flat portion 5 within the meaning of the invention, the strip 2 of paper can be affixed to one or the other of the flat portions 5 of the containers 1. Nevertheless, as illustrated in Figure 6, preferably, the strip 2 of paper will coat the containers 1 at the flat portion 5 located closest to the center of gravity 28 of said containers 1. Figure 6 shows a lot 100 , formed by four containers 1. The strip 2 of paper surrounds said containers 1 at the level of the flat portion 5 located towards the bottom of a container 1, in order to improve the overall stability of the batch 100. This embodiment is further illustrated in Figure 7, where the center of gravity 28 of such a container 1 is shown schematically. It is understood that this criterion for choosing the flat portion is all the more important as the containers 1 are high, or contain a large volume. Indeed, the solidity of lot 100 will be all the more tested during transport or handling of the latter.

In another embodiment, not illustrated here, the strip 2 of paper does not cover the entire surface of the flat portion 5. In such a case, the strip 2 of paper can be affixed, from and above above the lower limit 18, from and below the upper limit 19, or at a respective distance from one and the other. Advantageously, the strip 2 of paper is affixed as close as possible to the center of gravity 28 of the containers 1, since the latter is located between the two aforementioned limits, that is to say in the zone of the flat portion 5.

Figure 8 shows a front view of a particular container 1. In this embodiment, the container 1 has a flat portion 5 which takes the form of a right cylinder, the central axis of which is aligned with the central axis of said container 1. The flat portion 5, in this illustrative example, is arranged in a groove 29 of the body 3 of the container 1. Advantageously, the strip 2 of paper has a height equal to or less than the height of said flat portion 5, which allows it to come to rest against the latter. This form of container 1, having a groove of sufficient relative height, allows a particularly advantageous positioning of the strip 2 of paper: the groove makes it possible to further improve the holding in position of the strip 2 of paper. Indeed, in this configuration, the strip 2 of paper cannot slip or be moved during the handling or transport of said batch 100.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 9, the batch 100 comprises two strips 20 and 21 of paper. In such an embodiment, the cumulative height of the two bands 20 and 21 does not exceed one third of the height of the containers 1. Such an embodiment may in particular be favored for the packaging of containers 1 of great height, greater than 400mm, or of substantial weight, for example greater than to nine kilograms.

Advantageously, batch 100 may comprise additional adhesion means 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, batch 100 comprises six containers 1 distributed in a rectangular matrix, in three columns and two rows. The strip 2 of paper forms the compact batch 100 by surrounding all the containers 1, at the level of their peripheral wall 7.

Additional adhesion means 10, here glue dots, are present on said peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1, and more particularly at the level of the flat portion 5, which receives said strip 2 of paper during the coating of the batch 100. These dots of glue 10 have the advantage of improving the mechanical strength of the strip 2 of paper.

This embodiment is particularly desirable when the batch 100 comprises more than four containers 1. Indeed, in such a configuration, the containers 1 located in the middle of the matrix, that is to say the containers 1 of the second column , are surrounded by the strip 2 of paper on a smaller portion compared to the containers 1 located in the corners of the matrix, in the first or third column. The contact zone 6 is therefore greater for a container 1 located in a corner of lot 100 than for a container 1 located in the center of said lot 100, as shown in Figure 10.

In one embodiment, illustrated in figure 11 by a front view, the container 1 is semi-rigid, has grooves 8 and a slightly flared shape at the flat portion 5.

On this section, with a height of 100mm, the body 3 of the container 1 flares out, that is to say that the perimeter of the body 3 from the upper limit 19 to the lower limit 18 increases by 6mm. In addition, the grooves 8 cover approximately 25% of the surface of said flat portion 5.

The batch 100 is formed by the coating of the containers 1 grouped in staggered rows by means of a strip 2 of paper, affixed at the level of the flat portion 5. In such an embodiment, the contact surface 6, between the wall peripheral 7 of the containers 1 and the strip 2 of paper is sufficient because is 75%: in other words, at the flat portion 5, the strip 2 of paper is in contact with 75% of the peripheral wall 7, the grooves 8 occupying the other 25% are not in contact with the strip 2. The joining of the strip 2 of paper is then sufficient to keep the batch 100 compact. Indeed, the strip 2 is made of paper material, and not of self-adhesive plastic material. Thus, it is likely to undergo friction, movement, and move during the handling or transport of lot 100.

Consequently, the mechanical strength of the strip 2 of paper is only ensured on the one hand by the choice of its positioning and on the other hand by the tension applied by said strip 2 of paper around lot 100. Once affixed, the strip 2 of paper is in a state of tension such that it applies a force of between 0.2 and 5kN/m against the peripheral wall 7.

By this illustrative example, it is understood that the presence of reliefs, grooves 8, or even patterns does not disqualify a section of the body 3 to constitute the flat portion 5, insofar as, for this section, said reliefs, grooves 8, belt, do not have a depth and/or an altitude exceeding 4mm (millimeters) in the direction perpendicular to the main direction 15, over a height greater than 8mm in the main direction 15.

On the other hand, the contact surface 6 between the strip 2 of paper and the peripheral wall 7 must be sufficient, and in particular at least equal to 50% of the surface of the flat portion 5, preferably 70%, at the level of the joining area.

Furthermore, advantageously, the height of the retaining strip 2 is appropriate in order to evenly distribute the tension applied to the body of the containers 1. This makes it possible to avoid excessive deformation of the body 3 of the containers 1, in particular in an embodiment where the containers 1 are PET. For this purpose, the strip 2 of paper is for example of a height representing a quarter of the height of the containers 1. An example of a suitable height is between 40 and 120mm.

Another advantage which results from this minimum height is the fact that the strip 2 of paper is then capable of absorbing both the shocks associated with transport and the intrinsic deformation of the container 1, due to its content. Indeed, it is known in the field of packaging containers 1, that the latter undergo deformations at the level of their body 3: once the container is filled, then closed, it is said to be "finished". However, during its transport, its storage, said container will undergo slight variations in volume, generally between 0.1 and 4%, increasing or decreasing. The volume of the containers 1 can thus increase or decrease depending on the content, for example depending on whether the content is a carbonated drink or not. These variations can also be linked to storage conditions, to a rise in temperature for example. Thus, the volume of a container 1 can vary between the coating operation of a batch 100 of several grouped containers 1, and its final destination, that is to say its consumption or its use.

The variation in the volume of a container 1 will therefore be influenced by various factors. In particular, the degassing of the contents of a container 1 during its storage will cause a variation in the volume of said container, and therefore in its diameter.

The coating of the grouped containers 1 must therefore be solid and reliable: it must make it possible to guarantee the transport, the handling of the batches 100 whatever the intrinsic properties of the container 1, the external conditions and whatever the content of said containers 1.

The strip 2 of paper must therefore be capable of absorbing these variations in volume of the body 3 of the containers 1 while keeping the batch 100 compact. Strip 2 of paper must not tear under the effect of the variation or on the contrary to relax too much, which would lead to a dismantling of the batch 100. The optimal positioning of the strip 2 of paper, which coats the containers 1 grouped at the level of a flat portion 5 , in order to constitute a compact and solid batch 100, contributes to avoid these problems.

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment in which the batch 100 comprises a sub-batch 101. In this configuration, six containers 1 are grouped together in a rectangular matrix, in the form of three columns and two rows.

In this illustrative example, a sub-batch 101 of four containers 1 is formed by the last two columns of two products each, by surrounding said four containers 1 with a band 13 of paper. Batch 100 is formed by the coating with a strip 2 of paper of sub-batch 101 and the two remaining containers 1.

Furthermore, optionally, additional adhesion means 10 are present on the strip 13 of paper in order to improve its cohesion with the strip 2 of paper. Optionally, additional adhesion means 10 are provided between the remaining containers 1 and the strip 2 of paper.

In another embodiment, not illustrated here, the batch 100 of six containers 1 comprises two sub-batches 101 of two containers 1, said sub-batches 101 grouping two containers 1 located diagonally, that is to say on two different rows and two different columns. In other words, the sub-lots 101 are then arranged at an angle to the rectangular matrix formed by the six containers 1.

According to yet another embodiment, at least one pair of sub-batches 101 and 102 positioned side by side are oriented longitudinally along two rows, while at least one additional sub-batch 103 is positioned longitudinally at least on one side of said pair and oriented transversely, thus forming a column. In other words, two sub-lots 101 and 102 forming a pair of containers 1 are aligned along the length of the lot 100 and at least one additional sub-lot 103 is positioned transversely at one and/or the other end of a sub-lot 101 or 102.

Thus, it is understood that the batch 100 can have different configurations, according to which all the containers 1 of the same batch 100 are previously grouped into different sub-batches 101, according to which only part of the total number of containers 1 of the same batch 100 is previously grouped into at least one sub-batch 101 or according to which all the containers 1 of the same batch 100 are directly grouped to form said batch 100.

This versatility and versatility as to the possible difference in orientation between some of the sub-batches 101 of containers 1 within the same batch 100, makes it possible to reduce the risks of tearing of the strip 2 of paper during the handling of such a lot 100. Other configurations can be envisaged, in particular for sub-batches 101 grouping together an odd number of containers 1, more particularly grouping together three containers 1 and then having a triangular-shaped base.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a batch 100 comprising three sub-batches 101, 102 and 103 being coated. In this illustrative example, the strip 13 of paper from each of the sub-lots 101, 102 and 103 surrounds the containers 1 grouped at the flat portion 5.

The strip 2 of paper will coat the sub-batches 101 to form the batch 100, coming to rest against the peripheral wall 7, at the level of the same flat portion 5. In other words, in this embodiment, the strip 2 of paper covers the bands 13 of paper.

In addition, the strip 2 of paper has a height greater than the height of the strip 13. The strip 2 of paper and the strips 13 of paper have a similar thickness, for example approximately 90 g/m2, and are made in the same paper material.

In this illustrative example, the strip 2 of paper has a coating 9 on its inner face, at the level of its end 16, said coating being a heat-sealable coating, which can be activated by means of ultrasound.

In this embodiment, additional adhesion means 10 are positioned between the various sub-batches 101, 102 and 103, on the outer face of each of the strips 13 of paper and between each strip 13 and the strip 2. In particular , the additional adhesion means 10 are positioned at places where the contact zone 6 between a strip 13 and the containers 1 or between the strip 2 and the containers 1 is the weakest. This illustrative example is further shown in Figure 14, where lot 100, as shown in Figure 13, is seen from above. The cohesion of the batch 100 is then improved thanks to the double coating: each container 1 is maintained on a sufficient contact zone 6, either by the strip 2 of paper and/or by the strip 13 of paper.

According to another variant, the additional adhesion means 10 can be applied both to the outer face of the at least one strip 13 of paper and to the inner face of the strip 2 of paper, when the latter completely covers the at least less a strip 13 of paper, to form a double-sided adhesive tape.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 15, each of the containers 1 has a label 14. In this illustrative example, the label 14 is affixed to the body 3 at the level of a flat portion 5. Nevertheless, the label 14 has a height less than the height of said flat portion 5.

This advantageously allows the addition of additional adhesion means 10, and in particular glue dots. Thus, the strip 2 of paper, which here completely covers the label 14, will have greater mechanical strength. Moreover, during the removal of the band 2, that is to say during the voluntary dismantling of the batch 100, the integrity of the label 14 will be preserved. In addition, this mode The embodiment advantageously makes it possible to protect said labels during transport or storage of the batches 100, or even the printing of information specific to the batch 100, of the advertising or commercial type, or else for example a bar code. The strip 2 of paper can then have a coating 9 on its outer face, for aesthetic and/or informative purposes.

Furthermore, this coating 9, when it is for technical purposes, can comprise a specific component. The properties of this component can be activated in different ways, for example by heat through a heating, heat-sealing or heat-bonding operation, or can be activated with water, for example by humidification, in particular spraying, or even wetting by contact with a damp surface, or by any other means.

In addition, the coating 9 may be an adhesive or a sticky coating applied to one and/or the other of the faces of the strip 2 of paper and/or to the strip 13 of paper.

In one embodiment, the coating 9 is only applied to the opposite ends 16 and 17 of the strip 2 of paper, and is activated by ultrasound during the coating of the batch 100.

Figure 17 shows another embodiment, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 9. In this example, the strip 13 of paper surrounds each sub-batch 101 and 102 at the level of a flat portion 5.

Two strips 20 and 21 of paper then form the lot 100: a first strip 20 of paper will be affixed to the band 13 of paper while a second strip 21 of paper will be affixed against the peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1, at another flat portion 5. In addition, in this illustrative example, the height of the strip 13 is equivalent to the height of the strip 20 of paper.

This embodiment is particularly advantageous for containers 1 of great height or of a large volume, in order to further improve the cohesion of the batch 100.

The invention also relates to a strip 2 of paper to form a batch 100 as described previously.

The strip 2 is of a minimum height corresponding to one eighth of the height of the containers 1 forming the batch 100. Preferably, the height of the strip 2 corresponds to a quarter of the height of the said containers 1.

Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the basis weight of the paper constituting the strip is between 50 and 150 grams per square meter (g/m2), preferably between 90 and 120 g/m2, and even more preferably around 90 g/m2.

Indeed, in order for the strip 2 of paper to be able to keep the batch 100 compact, it must first of all be able to conform and be affixed against the peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1. In a case where said strip 2 would be too thick, for example in order to improve its solidity, it would become difficult or even impossible to guarantee an adequate contact zone 6 between said strip 2 of paper and the flat portion 5.

In particular, on the contours of lot 100, the strip 2 would not be flexible enough to be able to be attached to the peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1, which could cause it to slide along the body 3 of said containers 1 without being able to hold them together. . However, the strip 2 of paper must also be strong enough not to tear from the first handling of the batch 100, or during its storage, for example under the effect of the variation in volume of said containers 1 forming said batch, or even of the mechanical tension necessary to hold together the containers 1 in lot 100.

According to an additional characteristic, the strip 2 of paper has properties of increased resistance compared to a strip made of conventional paper, for a similar thickness, and in particular properties of elongation at break greater than 4% and resistance to traction greater than or equal to 5kN/m (kilonewtons per meter). These properties can be measured perpendicularly and/or parallel to the main direction 15 and these parameters are measured in accordance with the ISO 187 standard and the ISO 1924 standard.

The strip 2 of paper must therefore be sufficiently flexible and resistant, while avoiding the use of plastic in its composition. This is obtained in particular thanks to properties of elongation at break of between 4 and 11%, for a basis weight of the strip 2 of paper of between 50 and 150 g/m2 (grams per square meter).

The invention finally relates to a method for packaging a batch 100 of containers 1 as described above.

Such a packaging method is executed within a packaging line 23, an example of architecture of which is shown in FIG. 18.

During such a packaging process, a grouping of at least two containers 1 is first carried out, as previously mentioned. The grouping step consists in distributing a defined number of receptacles 1, namely at least two receptacles 1, for example from a single-wire stream as seen in FIG. 18, or else from a multi-wire stream, or even from an accumulation ordered or in bulk of containers 1, or others.

The grouped containers 1 will then be assembled and held together to form a batch 100. In addition, this initial quantity of containers 1 can be supplied by a line located upstream, such as for example a production line for said containers 1.

Said grouping can be carried out by a grouping station 24 intervening to separate the initial quantity of containers 1 and bring together the number of containers 1 determined to form the batch 100. Then, the method comprises a step of coating at least two containers 1 by means of the strip 2 of paper. The coating therefore makes it possible to form the batch 100 of containers 1 to hold them together. During this stage, lot 100 no longer circulates: the conveyor belt or the shuttle on which it rests is stopped. In some embodiments, batch 100 is coated as it travels, at reduced speed. Furthermore, the batch 100 remains stationary while the strip feed performs the coating by rotating around said batch 100. According to certain embodiments, the batch 100 performs clockwise and/or anti-clockwise rotations by with respect to the feeding of the strip 2 of paper.

In an embodiment where more than four containers 1 are combined, advantageously, during grouping, the containers 1 are optionally combined into at least one sub-batch 101, each sub-batch 101 grouping together at least two containers 1. The grouping step then makes it possible to gather the corresponding number of containers 1 from each sub-batch 101, namely at least by two containers 1, as shown in Figure 18.

Then, each sub-batch 101 is surrounded by unrolling at least one strip 13 of paper, which will be affixed to the peripheral wall 7 of the containers 1, at the level of a flat portion 5. According to a mode of realization, a strip 13 is unrolled at least until its ends are covered. In another embodiment, several strips 13 of paper can be unrolled on either side of the containers 1 of each sub-batch 101, until they are connected together.

Such an entourage is performed by a station 25 of entourage of the line 23 of conditioning.

During this step, the sub-lot(s) 101 are stationary or travel at reduced speed. In addition, the sub-lots 101 can be stationary or perform clockwise and/or anti-clockwise rotations relative to the supply of the strip 13 of paper.

Afterwards, the at least one sub-batch 101, and possibly the remaining containers 1, is coated by unrolling said at least one strip 2 of paper until its ends 16 and 17 are covered. The at least one strip 2 of paper will come to rest against the peripheral wall 7 of the container 1, at the level of a flat portion 5. The coating step makes it possible to hold the containers 1 of a batch 100, possibly once a part of these containers 1 has previously been surrounded to form one or more sub-batches 101.

Such coating is carried out by a coating station 26 of the line 23 of packaging. Figure 18 shows a step of positioning the sub-batches 101 transversely side by side at the entrance to the station 26 of coating.

When wrapping a sub-batch 101 or wrapping a batch 100, the corresponding items 25 and 26 can be configured to indicate what force must be applied by the strip 13 of paper and/or or by strip 2 of paper. In particular, the force applied by the strip 13 of paper and/or strip 2 of paper must be between 0.2 and 5 kN/m (kilonewtons per meter), preferably 0.2 to lkN/m at the flat portion 5. For example, for a strip 2 of paper with a height of 50mm, the force applied is between 10 and 50N. This applied force helps hold the containers 1 together as a compact pack 100.

In other embodiments, each sub-batch 101 is surrounded by a separate station 25: there are therefore several stations 25 on the same packaging line 23.

In the case where two strips 20 and 21 coat batch 100, packaging line 23 includes two coating stations 26.

In another embodiment, not represented here, the same station 25 carries out the entourage of at least one sub-batch 101 then the coating of the batch 100. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to increase the rate of the packaging line 23. This also has an ecological impact because it makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of said line.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, when it is desired to add a gripping means to batch 100, the method comprises an additional step.

To do this, according to one embodiment, after surrounding a sub-batch 101, a handle 11 is fixed in the form of at least one strap 12 partially overlapping at least one band 13 of paper from one of the sub-batches 101. Then, at the time of coating, said strap 12 is covered with strip 2 of paper.

Such fixing of the handle 11 is performed by a station 27 for fixing the line 23 of packaging. Such a fixing station 27 can intervene between the surrounding station 25 and the encapsulating station 26, directly along the stream of sub-batches 101, or else by taking a sub-batch 101 from said stream and then reinserting it before coating in the flow of sub-batches 101, at a determined position, for example in the center of the batch 100 to be formed, as seen in the example of Figure 16.

The method may include an additional step: before coating a batch 100, an additional adhesion means 10 is applied to the inside face of each strip 2 of paper, located at the level of the contact zone 6 of each container 1 of the batch 100.

According to different variants, an additional adhesion means 10 is applied to the outer face of a strip 13 of a sub-batch 101, at the level of adjoining zones between two sub-batches 101, or between a sub-batch 101 and one or more other containers 1.

Thus, through the lot 100 as described above, as well as its packaging method, the invention makes it possible to obtain excellent hold and a solid hold of at least two containers 1 grouped together, by means of a band 2 of paper, affixed to a flat portion of said containers, which guarantees packaging that respects the environment.

In possible embodiments, the strip 2 of paper is made of paper having a weight of between 50 and 150 g/m2 (gram per square meter). This allows both to use little of raw materials for the production of strip 2, and to generate little waste. In addition, such a weight allows the strip 2 to adapt to the general shape of the containers 1. In particular, the strip 2 will be able to bend, to conform to the outer contour of the batch 100. Too great a thickness of the strip 2 would lead to a lack of flexibility of the latter, which could then not match the shape of the containers 1 forming the batch 100. However, so that the batch 100 does not break up, it is necessary to have an adequate contact zone between the strip 2 of paper and each of the containers 1 of said batch 100. Such a weight makes it possible to combine good shape retention as well as good mechanical strength of the strip 2 itself.

In possible embodiments, the containers 1 rest on their bottom in a normal orientation. In other words, the containers 1 which form the batch 100 are in a vertical position. This allows a user to have a classic and adapted use.

In some embodiments, the paper strip 2 has a height of at least fifty percent of the height H of each of the containers 1 along the main direction 15.

The invention, by affixing a strip 2 of paper against the flat portion of a container 1, makes it possible both to guarantee great solidity of the batch, but also to considerably reduce the volume of waste.

The invention also relates to an installation 100 for packaging containers 1 in batches implementing the method of the invention, said installation thus producing batches 100 as described here in the different possible variants.

The packaging installation therefore produces batches 100 of at least two containers 1 according to the invention.

The batch packaging installation is characterized in that it uses a strip 2 of paper.

The packaging installation comprises in particular a grouping station 24 of at least two containers 1, at least one coating station 26 of at least one strip 2 of paper around the assembly that they form. Advantageously, the installation includes an entourage station 25 for creating sub-lots 101.

According to one possible characteristic, the wrapping station 25 and/or the enrobing station 26 comprises a sealing module for closing said strip 2 around the lot 100 by linking its opposite ends 16 and 17 to close it on itself. This sealing module can be an adhesive activation module by water, or else by heat. According to an additional characteristic, the sealing module is an ultrasonic welding module.

According to a possible characteristic, the tape sealing module is a separate module from stations 25 and 26. According to a possible variant, the installation comprises at least one fixing station 27 of a strap 12 in the form of a handle 11 around the lot 100.

Advantageously, the fixing station 27 is located downstream of the module for affixing the strip 2 of paper. In some embodiments, the surrounding station 25 and the encapsulating station 26 of at least one strip 2 of paper form a single and same station.

According to a possible variant, the station 26 for encapsulating at least one strip 2 of paper and the fixing station 27 form one and the same station. In other words, the enrobing station 26 is capable of depositing a strap 12 in the form of a handle 11 around the lot 100. Although the description above is based on particular embodiments, it is by no means limitation of the scope of the invention, and modifications may be made, in particular by substitution of technical equivalents or by different combination of all or part of the characteristics developed above.

Claims

1. Lot (100) which comprises at least two containers (1), of the bottle or flask type, and at least one closed strip (2) which keeps them grouped together, said containers (1) optionally being provided with a label ( 14), said containers (1) each having a body (3) and a bottom (4), aligned in a main direction (15), the body (3) having at least one flat portion (5), characterized in that said at least one strip (2) is made of paper having a weight of between 50 and 150g/m2 (gram per square meter), has a height less than or equal to the height of said flat portion (5) and is affixed around the lot (100) at said at least one flat portion (5) of each of said containers (1), so as to form a contact zone (6) between said flat portion (5) and said at least one strip (2) of paper, said contact zone (6), formed by the affixing of said strip (2) of paper on the peripheral wall (7) of said container (1) at the level of said po flat portion (5), extending over at least 50% of said flat portion (5) in the main direction (15).

2. Lot (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a single band (2).

3. Lot (100) according to claim (2), characterized in that the strip (2) has a minimum height of one eighth of the height (H) of each of the containers (1) along the main direction ( 15).

4. Batch (100) according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least two strips (2) along the main direction (15), the cumulative total height of said strips (2) representing at least a quarter of the height of containers (1).

5. Lot (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one flat portion (5) comprises grooves (8), said grooves (8) covering less than 50% of the portion flat (5).

6. Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said batch (100) comprises: at least four containers (1), at least one sub-batch (101) comprising at least two of said containers ( 1), at least one strip (13) of closed paper which holds together said containers (1) forming the sub-batch (101).

7. Lot (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one strip (2) is closed by covering its opposite ends (16) and (17), the adhesion between said ends being for example made by means of ultrasonic welding.

8. Batch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one strip (2) has a coating (9) on its outer face, of the paint, glue, lacquer or treatment type.

9. Lot (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises additional adhesion means (10) at the level of the contact zone (6), between the flat portion (5) and the strip (2).

10. Lot (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a handle (11) in the form of at least one strap (12), said strap (12) being fixed by partial overlap of the at least one band (2).

11. Lot (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a label (14) surrounds the body of each of said containers (1), the at least one strip (2) at least partially covering said label (14) at the level of the contact zone (6).

12. Paper retaining strip (2) for a batch (100) as defined in one of claims 1 to 12.

13. Method for packaging at least two containers (1) in a batch (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which

- at least two containers (1) are grouped together, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

- the batch is coated with at least one strip (2) at the level of the at least one flat portion (5) of each of said containers (1),

- Said at least one strip (2) is affixed with sufficient tension to hold said at least two containers (1) in a batch (100).

14. Installation for packaging at least two containers (1) in a batch (100) according to the claims

1 to 11 implementing the packaging method according to claim 13.