Packaging system

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging system making a package formed by a rectangular or square tray (1), a sealing peripheral flap (3) and two cover plates (6, 7). The system comprises: a folding station (100) formed by a frame (101) having a central gap matched with the size of the tray (1); and a slider (103) protruding from the top at each corner of the frame (101). The sheet material in turn comprises: flaps (3) at each edge of the tray (1), said flaps (3) being connected together by corners (4) with diagonal radial cuts (5); the two cover plates (6 and 7) are located on the two opposite flaps (3), and each cover plate comprises a pair of inserting pieces (8) used for being inserted between the flaps (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging system that enables packaging to be formed quickly, simply and efficiently from a simple sheet material, without requiring any additional components and with minimal material waste in the most complete embodiment. Background Art

[0002] Various types of packaging solutions are known in the prior art. Among them, the solution has always been based on the well-known American box, especially in logistics and transportation. This American box is a regular structure with one edge closed by adhesive and two pairs of upper and lower folding wings at both ends, which need to be sealed with various types of packaging tapes after closing. As is known, self-assembled boxes also exist in many forms, such as ES1077780U, as well as padded envelopes. However, there is currently no packaging that can combine all of these efficiencies or advantages in one, without the need for adhesives, straps, packaging tapes or glue for assembly, and without the need for complex self-closing and locking operations of its different parts. At the same time, its surface unfolding design can make full use of the cut sheet material, and after closing, only simple labels or no labels are required to seal and achieve anti-tampering.

[0003] All of the above existing devices share several common features, such as the need to use one or, in some cases, two or more adhesive methods, or, in the absence of adhesive, reliance on packing tape for closure. Even the latest models of self-assembled boxes are very expensive to develop with a high percentage of scrap. In addition, assembly often takes several minutes and involves multiple steps, especially for the handling of the side flaps. Although some models use automated devices, the devices are complex and require many steps, and no matter how fast they are, they are not truly efficient.

[0004] The system of the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by its most complete embodiment. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention is a packaging system as claimed in the claims, which solves the deficiencies of the prior art through various embodiments.

[0006] The invention is based on designing a sheet of regular shape for conforming to a surface, with its unfolding designed to minimize material waste, a common feature of most current solutions.

[0007] The packaging system is used to form a package consisting of a folded sheet material, which includes a rectangular or square tray, a peripheral flap and one or more cover sheets. The system includes a folding station and a series of sheets (consumables) for forming the package. The sheets are usually made of corrugated cardboard, but other similar materials can also be used.

[0008] The folding station consists of a frame with a gap in the center that matches the size of the pallet. Each corner of the frame is provided with a slider protruding from the top. Top supports can be added as an option to protrude from other locations on the frame besides the corners. The height of these top supports is the same as or slightly lower than the height of the slider, preferably the same.

[0009] The sheet material then comprises flaps on each edge of the tray. The flaps are connected by corners, which comprise diagonal radial cuts. Thus, the flaps and the corners form a continuous annular structure without breaks. Two cover plates are provided on two opposing flaps, each of which has an insert that is inserted between the flaps. For this purpose, the insert is formed from the side edges of the cover plates.

[0010] The result is a completely new and highly efficient packaging.

[0011] In order to facilitate the operation of the folding station, it is preferred that lateral and forward stops are provided at the station to position the sheet material.

[0012] To facilitate insertion of the tabs into their closed position, the tabs preferably have an S-shaped curve at the edge on the side closest to the tray. This curved edge helps insertion by forming a "tip".

[0013] After the second cover is in place, it can be fixed in a variety of ways. The preferred way (no external elements are required) is that the second cover has two locking sliders on its insert that align with the perforations at the corresponding corners. Ideally, at least one of the sliders has an anti-vandal security perforation to warn against unauthorized opening.

[0014] Further variants are described in the dependent claims and in the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to better understand the present invention, the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0016] Figure 1 An example plate is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 A perspective view of an example folding station.

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of placing a sheet material on the above-mentioned example folding station.

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the above example, wherein the first cover panel is being inserted between the flaps.

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the above example, wherein the second cover is about to be installed.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a detail view of a plate with a slide for holding the insert of the second cover plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Several embodiments of the invention are briefly described below as illustrative and non-limiting examples thereof.

[0023] The packaging system of the illustrated embodiment is based on a series of sheets of cardboard or similar material and a folding station (101) for folding the sheets to form packages.

[0024] Each sheet has a rectangular or square base or tray (1), surrounded by a flexible peripheral ring. The ring is composed of four flaps (3) located on each edge of the tray (1) and four corners (4) with diagonal radial cuts (5). In other words, the cuts (5) are oriented approximately towards the center of the tray. When the flaps (3) are folded, the cuts (5) enable the corners (4) to be folded therewith. This allows the package to be free of gaps and slots when the flaps (3) are folded. In two opposing flaps (3) (usually located on the longer sides of the tray (1)), two cover plates (6, 7) are provided with two pairs of inserts (8) for insertion into the flaps (3). The inserts (8) have an S-shaped curved edge (9) on the side close to the tray (1).

[0025] The folding station (100) for the above-mentioned sheet material is as follows Figures 2 to 5 It is based on a frame (101) whose central gap corresponds to the dimensions of the tray (1). The stopper (102) allows the user to easily move the sheet ( Figure 3 ) is moved into position so that the tray (1) is completely located above the frame (101). The corners of the frame (101) are provided with sliders (103) on the inclined plane, and the sliders (103) protrude from the top to ensure that the corners (4) are bent in a predetermined direction. Therefore, when the user pushes the tray (1) downward, the sliders (103) first contact the plate and bend the corners (4) toward the inside of the tray (1) through the cutouts (5).

[0026] It can be seen that the frame (101) can be provided with top supports (104) protruding from the rest of the frame (101), and the flaps (3) are supported by the top supports (104) before the flaps (3) are pushed. These top supports (104) can be aligned with the sliders (103) and are particularly suitable for long flaps (3) to avoid that the bending stress caused by the push force is concentrated only on the corners (4).

[0027] The tray (1) may have markings (14) to indicate where the user needs to press in order to fold the flaps (3) without deforming the tray (1).

[0028] When assembling the package, the flap (3) is lifted so that the corner (4) is dragged by the flap and folded through its diagonal cutout (5). The corner (4) is pushed towards the inside of the package by the slider (103) and provides rigidity to the assembly. Once the flap (3) is lifted, the package can be refilled. When the package is to be closed, the first cover (6) is applied to the tray (1) and its insert (8) is inserted next to the flap (3). The second cover (7) is then folded down, with its insert (8) located between the insert (8) of the first cover (6) and the flap (3). The clamping action between the insert (8) and the flap (3) holds the second cover (7) and perfectly closes the package. The first cover (6) holds the contents.

[0029] At this point, a small piece of adhesive (e.g. a label) can be used to secure the second cover (7) from opening. The label can contain shipping information. In the embodiment shown, the cover (6, 7) can be provided with two locking projections or sliders (10) on their respective inserts (8) that align with corresponding perforations (11) in the corresponding corners (4). This design allows the packaging to be reused in a simple manner (e.g. in the case of returns) without the need for fasteners or seals to reuse the packaging.

[0030] The slider (10) may be provided with a more fragile anti-tampering security perforation (12). In the event of an attempt to open, the end of the slider (10) will fall off. It thus acts as a seal, ensuring that the recipient can know whether the package has been opened. Since the security perforation (12) is inside the package, it cannot be manipulated to open the package. If the user finds that the slider (10) provides no resistance when opening, it indicates that the security perforation (12) has been damaged.

[0031] Therefore, the unit is able to withstand all transportation accidents without any problems.

[0032] In the latter case, recycling is just as easy, as it is made entirely of unsorted recyclable material and can be placed in any container used for paper, making it a completely sustainable type of packaging. The fold lines (the cuts (5) and the gaps between the flaps (3), tray (1), cover sheets (6, 7) and inserts (8)) can be made by crimping.

Claims

1. A packaging system, used for packaging, consisting of the following items: Folding sheet material, comprising a rectangular or square tray (1); peripheral flaps (3), wherein the sheet material comprises flaps (3) at each edge of the tray (1), the flaps (3) being connected together by corners (4) with diagonal radial cuts (5); and one or more cover panels (6, 7); and A folding station (100) comprising a frame (101) having a central gap corresponding to the size of the tray (1); Features: The folding station (100) is provided with a slider (103) protruding from the top at each corner of the frame (101), and the frame (101) has a top support member (104) protruding from the top, and the top support member (104) is at the same height as the slider (103); and The sheet material comprises two cover plates (6, 7) on two opposite flaps (3), each of the cover plates (6, 7) having a pair of inserts (8) for inserting between the flaps (3); wherein the inserts (8) have a curved edge (9) on the side closest to the tray (1).

2. The packaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The folding station (100) has a stopper (102) for positioning the sheet material.

3. The packaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least the second cover plate (7) has two locking slides (10) on its insert piece (8), and the locking slides (10) are aligned with corresponding through holes (11) in the corresponding corners (4).

4. The packaging system according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least one of the sliders (10) has a vandal-proof safety perforation (12).

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