Improved packaging device for group packaging of at least two containers

Abstract

An improved packaging device for packaging at least two containers in groups. The invention relates to a packaging device (1) for the group packaging of at least two containers (2), such as bottles or cylindrical cans, having a bottom (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting the body (4) to a neck (6), comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material provided with at least two apertures (9) for receiving the neck (6) of the container (2), characterized in that the openings (9) of the neck (6) of the container (2) are formed in the sheet (8). The sheet (8) consists of a coarse structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers, obtained by forming the coarse structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers from at least one decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material and a water-based slurry, in which a first mould having at least one mould cavity of the sheet is immersed, the first mold is equipped with a vacuum suction system such that cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slurry are sucked into a mold cavity of the first mold, additional vacuum suction being applied to reduce the moisture content of cellulose and / or natural fibers when the first mold is removed from the slurry, thereby forming a sheet (8), the sheet (8) located in the mold cavity of the first mold is then pressed between the first mold and a second mold having at least one counter-mold cavity of the sheet (8) in order to reduce the moisture content, the sheet (8) being heated in order to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet (8) having a single-layer configuration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of group packaging of containers, and more particularly to a packaging device for group packaging of at least two containers. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the scope of the present invention, a container is a flask or a bottle, which is composed of a bottom, a body and a shoulder connecting the body to the neck. Such a container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, a powder or a granule, in particular of the agri-food or cosmetic type.

[0003] To be handled, such finished containers are generally packaged in groups. Thus, each group comprises a plurality of containers, for example grouped together in a matrix arrangement along columns and rows, if necessary staggered, the matrix arrangement generally having the shape of a substantially parallelepiped, generally a cube or a cuboid. By way of example, a usual group concentrates six containers in two rows of three.

[0004] Once the grouping of containers is completed, a so-called wrapping step is required, which consists in covering each group of containers with a film, generally heat-shrinkable, to facilitate the handling of the group of containers thus obtained.

[0005] This wrapping step leads to a significant energy consumption. In addition, the use of a film made of plastic material is harmful to the environment, since nearly half of the plastic waste found in the oceans is made of single-use plastic.

[0006] Currently, many plastics are so-called "recyclable" plastics, but this method is not sufficient and satisfactory overall. Indeed, the use of shrinkable plastic film has many negative impacts on the environment: significant energy consumption, single-use, low recycling rate, significant export of plastic waste to countries with recycling infrastructure, etc. In addition, the composition of the film, which is only partially recyclable, would complicate the process, and in most cases, the waste produced would not be reusable.

[0007] In addition, the use of a plastic film covering the product makes it impossible to separate one of the containers from the group of containers without causing it to be completely or partially disassembled.

[0008] There is therefore an increasing need to find an alternative to such a material, which generates a significant amount of waste and is energy-consuming to use, while guaranteeing its solidity and allowing it to be handled.

[0009] In this regard, a known alternative to using shrinkable plastic film to form groups of products is to use plastic straps or hoops around the containers to hold the products together. This approach is unsatisfactory because, in addition to requiring the use of plastic, it typically requires additional means of sealing the entire group of products, such as adhesives, and can cause the entire group of containers to fall apart if one container is removed or the strap breaks.

[0010] To overcome these drawbacks, packaging solutions using cardboard have been envisioned. This is particularly evident in documents US2008 / 0257763 and WO2013 / 185898.

[0011] Document US2008 / 0257763 describes a solution using a cardboard pallet that supports the product at its bottom. More specifically, the document describes a system for packaging bottles with neck portions, comprising a plate with a base on which multiple bottles are placed in a series of rows. The system also includes a bridging member having a planar central portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending around the periphery of the planar central portion. Each recess is sized to receive a portion of the neck of one of the bottles. A connecting device is provided for joining the bottles together, wherein the connecting device generates an inward force acting on the bottles. The bridging member resists the inward force, thereby holding the bottles in an upright position on the base.

[0012] This solution does not require additional means such as glue. However, in this configuration, it is impossible to easily lift or transport the entire assembly. It is also no longer possible to easily transport a sub-group of a product within a group of products.

[0013] To enable lifting of the entire assembly, another solution described in document WO2013 / 185898 involves the use of a rigid plate made of cardboard or plastic, allowing the container to be held at the container constriction at the container body. More precisely, the document describes a support element made of cardboard, such as corrugated cardboard, stiffened cardboard, or stiffened plastic material, intended for use in a combined packaging of multiple containers. The support element includes a main support having: a region for the container, which is horizontal in the use position, having slots for the container (6) implemented in the form of U-shaped cutouts, including rounded bottoms and U-shaped branches serving as retaining legs; and a handle region. An external support can be connected to the region for the container, implemented in the form of a strip element having a plurality of opposing slots corresponding to the number of slots for the container, the opposing slots being implemented in a corresponding manner in the form of U-shaped cutouts, having rounded bottoms and U-shaped branches serving as opposing retaining legs.

[0014] However, while this solution allows the entire assembly to be lifted, its limitations are significant, as it only works for containers of certain shapes. Furthermore, the overall stability of the assembly cannot be guaranteed, especially when packaging large containers.

[0015] Therefore, none of these solutions are satisfactory. In fact, they are either always made of plastic materials, or even if they are equipped with gripping devices, they cannot guarantee the integrity of the entire assembly when transporting it. Summary of the Invention

[0016] Therefore, one of the objectives of this invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing a packaging device for grouping at least two containers, which is simple in design and low in cost, ensures the integrity of the grouped containers during their handling, and is advantageously made from recyclable materials and free of plastic materials.

[0017] Therefore, according to the present invention, a packaging device for grouping at least two containers is proposed, the containers being, for example, bottles having a bottom, a body, and a shoulder connecting the body to a neck, or cylindrical cans, the packaging device comprising at least one sheet of a semi-rigid or rigid material, the sheet having at least two openings (9) for receiving the neck of the containers, characterized in that the sheet is composed of a coarse structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers, the coarse structure being formed from at least one degradable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material and a water-based slurry. A first mold having at least one cavity of sheet material is immersed in the slurry. The first mold is equipped with a vacuum suction system, which allows cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slurry to be drawn into the cavity of the first mold. When the first mold is removed from the slurry, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the moisture content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thereby forming a sheet material. The sheet material located in the cavity of the first mold is then squeezed between the first mold and a second mold having at least one reverse cavity of sheet material to reduce the moisture content. The sheet material is then heated to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fiber sheet material with a single-layer structure.

[0018] Therefore, the material used to obtain the sheet not only has sufficient rigidity to package bottles, but also has the advantage of providing improved mechanical and chemical properties for the advantageously recyclable cellulose sheet.

[0019] Cellulose consists of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers, and degradable and / or biodegradable plant fiber materials include wood pulp and / or sugarcane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar materials.

[0020] In addition, the fiber length is between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.

[0021] Furthermore, the density of the obtained sheet is 0.2 g / cm³. 3 Up to 2 g / cm 3 between.

[0022] Preferably, the basis weight of the obtained sheet is 2 g / m³. 2 Up to 30 g / m 2 between.

[0023] Advantageously, the slurry from which the sheet is obtained includes one or more additives capable of altering the mechanical properties, hydrophobic properties, and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet.

[0024] The slurry preferably includes one or more additives selected from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, alkyl ketene dimers (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbon compounds, or combinations thereof.

[0025] Furthermore, the obtained sheet advantageously exhibits a strength of 0.2 N / mm. 2 Up to 1 N / mm 2 The peel strength between them.

[0026] According to the first embodiment, the sheet is flat, has a generally rectangular shape, and includes at least two parallel rows of openings capable of receiving the neck of a container.

[0027] Each orifice includes a tongue that extends in a crown-like shape toward the interior of each orifice.

[0028] The tongue is obtained by creating a radial slit from the inner edge of an orifice with a diameter smaller than that of the neck of the container.

[0029] Advantageously, the packaging device according to the invention includes a breakable opening device for opening each opening.

[0030] The easily breakable opening device consists of two parallel pre-cut lines that extend radially from the edge of the orifice.

[0031] The pre-cut line of the easily breakable opening device extends perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet.

[0032] In addition, the sheet includes two so-called gripping holes in its central portion, between rows of holes.

[0033] According to the second embodiment, the sheet has a generally rectangular shape, including at least two parallel rows of cup-shaped bodies, which are generally truncated conical, hemispherical, truncated pyramidal, or similar in shape. The inner wall of the cup-shaped body can rest against the shoulder of the container, and each of its tops is provided with an opening that can receive the neck of the container.

[0034] The cup-shaped body is connected in pairs by beams called longitudinal beams and transverse beams.

[0035] The beam has an inverted U-shaped straight cross section.

[0036] In addition, each orifice includes a tongue that extends in a corolla shape toward the interior of each orifice.

[0037] The tongue is obtained by creating a radial slit from the inner edge of an orifice with a diameter smaller than that of the neck of the container.

[0038] Advantageously, the packaging device according to the invention includes a breakable opening device for opening each opening.

[0039] The easily breakable opening device consists of two parallel pre-cut lines or weak lines (with small thickness), which are made in the cup-shaped body and extend radially from the edge of the opening.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the easily breakable opening device consists of two parallel weak lines of relatively small thickness, which are formed in a cup-shaped body and extend radially from the edge of the opening.

[0041] The pre-cut line and / or weak line of the fragile opening device extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet.

[0042] Preferably, the packaging device according to the invention comprises two rows of cup-shaped bodies, wherein each row comprises three cup-shaped bodies, and the cup-shaped bodies are connected in pairs by a central crossbeam, two side crossbeams and some longitudinal beams.

[0043] In addition, the packaging device includes two so-called central walls, which are located on both sides of the central crossbeam and extend between two pairs of beams, namely a pair of crossbeams and a pair of longitudinal beams.

[0044] Each central wall slopes downwards from the central crossbeam toward the side crossbeams, that is, toward the lateral edge of the sheet.

[0045] Advantageously, each central wall includes a so-called gripping hole.

[0046] Each gripper hole has a circular, oval, or egg-shaped shape.

[0047] Another object of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a packaging device according to the invention, the packaging device being used for grouping at least two containers, said containers being, for example, bottles having a bottom, a body and a shoulder connecting the body to a neck, or cylindrical cans, the packaging device comprising at least one sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material, the sheet having at least two openings for receiving the neck of the containers, characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps:

[0048] a) The preparation of water-based slurries, also known as pastes, by mixing water, cellulose and / or biodegradable and / or biodegradable plant fiber materials;

[0049] b) Introduce a first mold having at least one cavity of sheet (8) into the slurry, the first mold being equipped with a vacuum suction system such that cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slurry are suctioned into the cavity of the first mold to form an intermediate sheet;

[0050] c) Extruding an intermediate sheet located in the cavity of the first mold between a first mold and a second mold having at least one reverse cavity of sheet material to reduce moisture content;

[0051] d) Heat the sheet to a temperature between 120 °C and 240 °C.

[0052] Degradable and / or biodegradable plant fiber materials include wood pulp and / or sugarcane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar materials.

[0053] Advantageously, during step a) of preparing the slurry, one or more additives capable of altering the mechanical properties, hydrophobic properties, and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet are introduced into the slurry.

[0054] The additive is selected from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, alkyl ketone dimers (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbon compounds, or combinations thereof.

[0055] In addition, cellulose is composed of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers.

[0056] Preferably, the fiber length is between 0.5 and 3 mm, and more preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.

[0057] Preferably, when the first mold is removed from the slurry, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the moisture content of cellulose and / or natural fibers.

[0058] In addition, the pressure applied between molds 104 and 106 is between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa.

[0059] According to the first embodiment, the sheet is heated to a temperature between 120 °C and 240 °C between the first and second molds before being removed to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fiber sheet with a single-layer structure.

[0060] According to the second embodiment, the step of heating the sheet is carried out in a heating tunnel, and the sheet has been pre-removed from the mold. Attached Figure Description

[0061] Other advantages and features will become clearer with reference to the accompanying drawings, which describe several embodiments of the container packaging apparatus according to the invention by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0062] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a packaging device according to the present invention.

[0063] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the packaging device according to the present invention.

[0064] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a sheet according to a second embodiment of a packaging device according to the present invention.

[0065] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagram shows a top view of the sheet of the packaging device according to the present invention.

[0066] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 The front view of the sheet of the packaging device according to the present invention is shown.

[0067] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 and Figure 3 The side view of the sheet of the packaging device according to the present invention is shown.

[0068] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the first step of the manufacturing method of the packaging device according to the present invention.

[0069] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the second step of the manufacturing method of the packaging device according to the present invention.

[0070] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the third step of the manufacturing method of the packaging device according to the present invention.

[0071] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the final fourth step of the manufacturing method of the packaging device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0072] In the following description of the container packaging apparatus according to the invention, the same reference numerals denote the same elements. Different views are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0073] Reference Figure 1The following describes a packaging device 1 according to the invention for grouping at least two containers 2, said container 2 being a bottle having a bottom 3, a generally cylindrical body 4 and a shoulder 5 connecting the body 4 to a neck 6, said neck receiving cap 7. The packaging device 1 includes at least one sheet 8 made of a semi-rigid or rigid material, which will be described in more detail below, the sheet 8 having at least two openings 9 for receiving the neck 6 of the container 2.

[0074] In this particular embodiment, the sheet 8 is flat, has a generally rectangular shape, and includes at least two parallel rows of openings 9 that can receive the neck 6 of the container 2—with three openings 9 in each row—to obtain a set of six bottles, typically comprising six bottles in a set.

[0075] Each opening 9 of the neck 6 of the receiving container includes a tongue 10 extending in a crown-like shape toward the interior of each opening 9. These tongues 10 are obtained by forming radial slits 11 from the inner edge of the opening 10, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the neck 6 of the container 2. After the neck 6 of the container 2 is introduced into the opening 9, the free end of the tongue 10 will be positioned below the lower end of the cap, extending between the neck 6 and the lower end of the cap, thus preventing the container 2 from slipping out of the opening 9. To remove the container 2, the tongue 10 can be flipped or torn off simply by applying a downward pulling force and / or an outward rotational force by gripping the container 2 by the body 4 of the container.

[0076] Advantageously, to facilitate removal of the container 2 from the sheet 8, the packaging device 1 according to the invention includes an easy-opening device 12 for opening each orifice 9. The easy-opening device 12 is composed of two parallel pre-cut lines 13 extending radially from the edge of the orifice 9. The pre-cut lines 13 of the easy-opening device 12 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet 8.

[0077] According to a variant not shown in the figure, the pre-cut line 13 of the easily broken opening device 12 can be replaced by parallel weak lines, characterized in that the cup-shaped body 15 at these weak lines has a smaller thickness.

[0078] It goes without saying that the pre-cut line 13 of the easily broken opening device 12 can be replaced by any other equivalent device known to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0079] Furthermore, to facilitate gripping the packaging device according to the invention, the sheet 8 includes two so-called gripping holes 14 in its central portion, between rows of openings 9. Therefore, the packaging device can be gripped by inserting two fingers, like the thumb and forefinger of one hand, into the gripping holes.

[0080] It is quite clear that the gripping hole 14 can be replaced by a generally oval-shaped fragile wing, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0081] In addition, the corners of sheet 8 are rounded to avoid any injury when handling groups of bottles.

[0082] According to a fundamental feature of the packaging device of the present invention, the sheet 8 is composed of a cellulose and / or natural fiber-based structure brute, obtained by forming the cellulose and / or natural fiber-based structure brute from at least one degradable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material and a water-based slurry. A first mold having at least one empreinte of the sheet is immersed in the slurry. The first mold is equipped with a vacuum suction system, such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slurry are suctioned into the empreinte of the first mold. When the first mold is removed from the slurry, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the moisture content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thereby forming the sheet 8. The sheet 8 located in the empreinte of the first mold is then squeezed between the first mold and a second mold having at least one contre-empreinte of the sheet 8 to reduce the moisture content. The sheet 8 is heated between the first mold and the second mold before removal to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fiber sheet 8 having a single-layer structure.

[0083] In addition to having sufficient rigidity to package bottles, the material that yields sheet 8 has the advantage of providing improved mechanical and chemical properties for the advantageously recyclable cellulose sheet 8.

[0084] Cellulose consists of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers, and degradable and / or biodegradable plant fiber materials include wood pulp and / or sugarcane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar materials.

[0085] The fiber has a length between 0.5 and 3 mm, and preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.

[0086] Furthermore, the obtained sheet has a density of 0.2 g / cm³. 3 Up to 2 g / cm 3 Between 0.3 g / cm³, preferably 0.3 g / cm³ 3 Up to 1g / cm 3 The basis weight of the obtained sheet is between 2 g / m². 2 Up to 30 g / m 2 between.

[0087] Advantageously, the slurry from which the sheet 8 is obtained includes one or more additives capable of altering the mechanical properties, hydrophobic properties, and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet.

[0088] The additives are selected, for example, from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, alkyl ketene dimers (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbon compounds, or combinations thereof.

[0089] Furthermore, the obtained sheet 8 has a strength of 0.2 N / mm. 2 Up to 1 N / mm 2 The peel strength between them. It should also be noted that the sheet 8 is held between a first mold having the cavity of the sheet 8 and a second mold having the cavity of the sheet 8 by applying a pressure between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa and by applying a temperature between 120°C and 240°C.

[0090] Now refer to Figures 7 to 10 Explain the method for manufacturing the packaging device according to the present invention.

[0091] In the first step, refer to Figure 7 A water-based pulp, also known as a pulpe, is prepared in a pulper 100, which consists of a tank 101, rotating blades 102, and / or a toothed disc, by introducing water, cellulose, and / or degradable and / or biodegradable plant fiber materials such as wood pulp and / or sugarcane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar materials into a pulper 100. Furthermore, in this step, one or more additives capable of altering the mechanical properties, hydrophobic properties, and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet can be introduced into the pulper 100. These additives are, for example, selected from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, alkyl ketone dimers (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbon compounds, or combinations thereof. The cellulose is composed of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers with a fiber length between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm. Mix the mixture until a homogeneous slurry or paste with the desired viscosity is obtained.

[0092] In the second step, refer to Figure 8 The slurry obtained in the previous step is transferred to a so-called forming tank 103. A first mold 104, having at least one cavity of sheet 8, is immersed in the slurry in the forming tank 103. The first mold 104 is equipped with a vacuum suction system 105, which draws cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slurry into the cavity of the first mold 104. When the first mold 104 is removed from the slurry, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the moisture content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thereby forming the intermediate sheet 8.

[0093] Then, in the third step, refer to Figure 9The intermediate sheet 8 located in the cavity of the first mold 104 is pressed between a first mold 104 and a second mold 106 having at least one anti-mold cavity containing the sheet 8 to reduce its moisture content. The pressure applied between the molds 104 and 106 is between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa. Furthermore, the sheet 8 is heated between the first mold 104 and the second mold 105 to a temperature between 120 °C and 240 °C before removal to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fiber sheet 8 with a single-layer structure.

[0094] It will be observed that in this embodiment, the sheet 8 is heated by means of the heating system 107 of the first mold 104 and / or the second mold 106; however, it is quite clear that the sheet 8 can be transferred to other molds specifically designed for heating, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0095] Furthermore, in an embodiment variant not shown in the figure, the step of heating sheet 8 can be carried out in a heating tunnel, where sheet 8 has been pre-removed from molds 104 and 106.

[0096] In the final step, refer to Figure 10 After heating, the sheet 8 is removed from the molds 104 and 106, and these sheets are finally stacked and stored on a base tray, ready to package multiple containers such as PET bottles into a group.

[0097] According to a second embodiment of the packaging device conforming to the present invention, referring to... Figures 2 to 6 According to the invention, the packaging device 1 for grouping at least two containers 2 includes, in the same manner as described above, at least one sheet 8 made of a semi-rigid or rigid material (the same material as described above), the sheet 8 having at least two openings 9 for receiving a neck 6 of the container 2, wherein the container 2 is a bottle having a bottom 3, a generally cylindrical body 4 and a shoulder 5 connecting the body 4 to the neck 6, the neck receiving cap 7.

[0098] In this particular embodiment, the sheet 8 has a generally rectangular shape, comprising at least two parallel rows of cup-shaped bodies 15, which are generally truncated conical, hemispherical, truncated pyramidal, or similar in shape. The inner walls of the cup-shaped bodies are able to rest against the shoulders 5 of the container 2, and each of their tops has an opening 9 for receiving the neck 6 of the container 2. It should be noted that the tops of these cup-shaped bodies 15 extend in the same plane, which is considered to be horizontal, since the containers 2 are packaged in a group in a normally vertical position. It should be understood that the fact that the shoulders 5 of the containers abut against the inner walls of the cup-shaped bodies 15 allows for better retention of the containers 2 on the sheet 8, prevents the neck 6 of the containers 2 from rotating in the openings 9, and keeps the containers close to each other, preventing the containers from separating during handling, transporting the entire group, etc.

[0099] It is fairly clear that the shape of the cup-shaped body 15 will conform to the shape of the container shoulder, without departing from the scope of the invention. In fact, the container 2, in this case a bottle, may include a shoulder that is generally hemispherical, truncated conical, or truncated pyramidal, and the body of the bottle may have a circular, oval, square, or other cross-sections.

[0100] These cup-shaped bodies 15 are connected in pairs by beams called longitudinal beams 16 and transverse beams 17. These beams 16 and 17 extend in the same horizontal plane below the horizontal plane of the opening 9 and have straight cross-sections in the shape of an inverted U or V, with the concave side of the beam oriented downwards. These beams 16 and 17 can strengthen the sheet 8 and prevent the whole assembly from falling apart.

[0101] It goes without saying that these beams 16, 17 can have any shape and / or can be solid, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0102] Each opening 9 of the neck 6 of the receiving container includes a tongue 10 extending in a crown-like shape toward the interior of each opening 9. These tongues 10 are obtained by forming radial slits 11 from the inner edge of the opening 10, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the neck 6 of the container 2. After the neck 6 of the container 2 is introduced into the opening 9, the free end of the tongue 10 will be positioned below the lower end of the cap, extending between the neck 6 and the lower end of the cap, thus preventing the container 2 from slipping out of the opening 9. To remove the container 2, the tongue 10 can be flipped or torn off simply by applying a downward pulling force by gripping the container 2 with the body 4 of the container.

[0103] Advantageously, to facilitate removal of the container 2 from the sheet 8, the packaging device 1 according to the invention includes an easy-opening device 12 for opening each orifice 9. The easy-opening device 12 is composed of two parallel pre-cut lines 13 extending radially from the edge of the orifice 9. The pre-cut lines 13 of the easy-opening device 12 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet 8.

[0104] In the same manner as described above, and according to an embodiment variation not shown in the figure, the pre-cut line 13 of the easily broken opening device 12 can be replaced by parallel weak lines, characterized in that the cup-shaped body 15 at these weak lines has a smaller thickness.

[0105] It goes without saying that the pre-cut line 13 of the easily broken opening device 12 can be replaced by any other equivalent device known to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0106] Furthermore, in this particular embodiment, the packaging device 1 according to the invention comprises two rows of cup-shaped bodies 15—three cup-shaped bodies in each row—connected in pairs by a central crossbeam 17a, two side crossbeams 17b, and a number of longitudinal beams 16. The packaging device also includes two so-called central walls 18 on either side of the central crossbeam 17a, each extending between two pairs of beams, i.e., a pair of crossbeams 17 and a pair of longitudinal beams 16. Each central wall 18 is preferably flat, sloping downwards from the central crossbeam 17a toward a side crossbeam 17b, i.e., toward a transverse edge of the sheet 8. Each central wall 18 forms an angle between 5° and 30° with the horizontal plane containing the orifice 9. It will be noted that the central walls 18 can advantageously receive labels not shown in the figures.

[0107] Furthermore, to facilitate gripping the packaging device according to the invention, the sheet 8 includes two fragile flaps 19 in its central portion, between rows of openings 9, capable of forming gripping holes. Therefore, the packaging device can be gripped by inserting two fingers, like the thumb and forefinger of one hand, into the gripping holes after the fragile flaps 19 are pressed down. The fragile flaps 19 have a generally elliptical shape; however, the fragile flaps 19 can have any shape, such as rectangular, circular, or oval, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0108] It is quite clear that these fragile blades 19 can be replaced by gripping holes, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0109] Finally, it is quite clear that the examples given are merely illustrative and in no way limit the scope of application of the present invention.

Claims

1. Packaging device (1) for the grouped packaging of at least two containers (2), for example bottles having a base (3), a main body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting the main body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans, comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material provided with at least two apertures (9) for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2), characterized in that, The sheet (8) is made of a coarse structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers, obtained from at least one decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material and a water-based slurry forming the coarse structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers, a first mold having at least one mold cavity of the sheet is immersed in the slurry, the first mold is equipped with a vacuum suction system, so that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slurry are sucked into the mold cavity of the first mold, when the first mold is taken out of the slurry, an additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thereby forming the sheet (8), then the sheet (8) located in the mold cavity of the first mold is pressed between the first mold and a second mold having at least one counter-mold cavity of the sheet (8) to reduce the water content, and the sheet (8) is heated to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fiber sheet (8) having a single-layer structure.

2. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cellulose is made of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers.

3. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material includes wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar materials.

4. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The length of the fibers is between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.

5. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The density of the obtained sheet (8) is between 0.2 g / cm 3 and 2 g / cm 3 .

6. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The basis weight of the obtained sheet (8) is between 2 g / m 2 and 30 g / m 2 .

7. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The slurry from which the sheet (8) is obtained includes one or more additives capable of changing the mechanical properties, hydrophobic properties and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet.

8. Packaging device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The slurry includes one or more additives selected from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butane tetracarboxylic acids, gelatin compounds, alkyl alkenyl ketone dimers (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbon compounds or combinations thereof.

9. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The obtained sheet (8) has a peel strength between 0.2 N / mm 2 and 1 N / mm 2 .

10. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The sheet (8) is flat, has a generally rectangular shape and includes at least two parallel rows of orifices (9) capable of receiving the neck (6) of the container (2).

11. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that Each orifice (9) includes a tongue (10) extending corolla-like towards the inside of each orifice (9).

12. The packaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The tongue (10) is obtained by making a radial slit (11) from the inner edge of the orifice (9) with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the neck (6) of the container (2).

13. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The packaging device includes a breakable opening device (12) for opening each orifice (9).

14. The packaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The breakable opening device (12) is made of two parallel pre-cut lines (13) extending radially from the edge of the orifice (9).

15. The packaging apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The breakable opening device (12) is made of two parallel lines of weakness, the lines of weakness being thinner, the lines of weakness extending from the edge of the orifice (9).

16. Packaging device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The pre-cut lines (13) and / or the lines of weakness of the breakable opening device (12) extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges of the sheet (8).

17. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein, The sheet (8) includes two grip holes (14) in its central portion, between the rows of orifices (9).

18. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The sheet (8) has a generally rectangular shape, includes at least two parallel rows of cup-shaped bodies (15) which are generally frustoconical or semispherical or frustopyramidal or similar in shape, the inner walls of the cup-shaped bodies being capable of resting on the shoulder (5) of the container (2) and each having a top provided with an orifice (9) capable of receiving the neck (6) of the container (2).

19. The packaging apparatus of claim 18, wherein, The cup-shaped bodies (15) are connected two by two by beams (16, 17) called longitudinal beams (16) and transverse beams (17).

20. The packaging apparatus of claim 19, wherein, The beams (16, 17) have a straight section which is overall inverted U-shaped or inverted V-shaped.

21. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein, Each orifice (9) comprises a tongue (10) which extends corolla-like towards the inside of each orifice (9).

22. The packaging apparatus of claim 20, wherein, The tongue (10) is obtained by making a radial slit (11) from the inner edge of the orifice (9) which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the neck (6) of the container (2).

23. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein, The packaging device comprises a frangible opening device (12) for opening each orifice (9).

24. The packaging apparatus of claim 23, wherein, The frangible opening device (12) is constituted by two parallel pre-cut lines (13) made in the cup-shaped body (15) and extending radially from the edge of the orifice (9).

25. The packaging apparatus of claim 24, wherein, The pre-cut lines (13) of the frangible opening device (12) extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edges of the sheet (8).

26. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein, The packaging device comprises two rows of cup-shaped bodies (15), with three cup-shaped bodies in each row, the cup-shaped bodies (15) being connected two by two by a central transverse beam (17a), two side transverse beams (17b) and some longitudinal beams (16).

27. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein, The packaging device comprises two central walls (18) which extend between two pairs of beams, namely one pair of transverse beams (17) and one pair of longitudinal beams (16), on either side of the central transverse beam (17a).

28. The packaging apparatus of claim 27, wherein, Each central wall (18) slopes from the central transverse beam (17a) towards the side transverse beams (17b), i.e. towards the transverse edges of the sheet (8), from top to bottom.

29. The packaging device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that Each central wall (18) comprises a gripping hole (14).

30. The packaging apparatus of claim 29, wherein, Each gripping hole (13) has a circular, elliptical or oval shape.

31. A method for manufacturing a packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, for packaging in groups at least two containers (2), for example bottles having a base (3), a main body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting the main body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans, the packaging device comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material provided with at least two apertures (9) for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2), characterized in that, The method comprises at least the following steps: a) preparing a water-based slurry, also called pulp, by mixing water, cellulose and / or decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fibre material; b) introducing a first mould (104) having at least one mould cavity of a sheet (8) into the slurry, the first mould (104) being equipped with a vacuum suction system (105) such that the cellulose and / or natural fibres suspended in the slurry are sucked into the mould cavity of the first mould (104), thereby forming an intermediate sheet (8); c) pressing the intermediate sheet (8) located in the mould cavity of the first mould (104) between the first mould (104) and a second mould (106) having at least one counter-mould cavity of a sheet (8) to reduce the water content; d) heating the sheet (8) to a temperature of between 120 °C and 240 °C.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein, The decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fibre material comprises wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar.

33. The method of claim 31 or 32, wherein, During the step a) of preparing the slurry, one or more additives capable of modifying the mechanical properties, the hydrophobic properties and / or the oleophobic properties of the sheet (8) are introduced into the slurry.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein, The additives are chosen from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butane tetracarboxylic acids, gelatin compounds, alkyl alkenyl ketene dimers (AKD), alkenyl succinic anhydrides (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbon compounds or combinations thereof.

35. The method of any one of claims 31-34, wherein, The cellulose is constituted of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibres.

36. The method of any one of claims 31-35, wherein, The length of the fibres is between 0.5 and 3 mm, preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm.

37. The method of any one of claims 31-36, wherein, When the first mould (104) is removed from the slurry, an additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibres.

38. The method of any one of claims 31-37, wherein, The pressure applied between the first mould (104) and the second mould (106) is between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa.

39. The method of any one of claims 31-38, wherein, The sheet (8) is heated between the first mould (104) and the second mould (105) before being removed to a temperature between 120 °C and 240 °C to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet (8) having a single-layer configuration.

40. The method of any one of claims 31-38, wherein, The step of heating the sheet (8) is carried out in a heating tunnel, the sheet (8) having been previously removed from the first mould (104) and the second mould (106).

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