Method for packaging parallelepiped packages and package assembly packaged according to the method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of packaging parallelepiped packages according to which 2N packages are provided, each of the packages (88) having a top face and, two first (98) and two second (100) adjacent faces, each of said packages (88) comprising two glued corners respectively folded against said two first adjacent faces (98); two plates (116, 118) are provided having two ends (117, 119) connected together, and opposite, two edges folded to form two stopping shoulders; two rows (90, 92) of N packages are formed and joined, while said two plates (116, 118) are carried between said two rows (90, 92) so that said two stop shoulders come respectively under the 2 times N / 2 glued corners and said two ends (117, 119) extend above the upper faces;and, a skirt (124) is provided to cover said two rows (90, 92), so as to hold said packages together.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for packaging parallelepiped-shaped packages and to a set of packages packaged according to said methods.

[0002] One area of ​​application envisaged is, in particular, the packaging of food packaging commonly known as: "bricks".

[0003] Known methods of packaging parallelepiped-shaped containers, for example for packaging milk cartons, usually use plastic films.

[0004] Thus, milk cartons have a rectangular top face and, on one side, two narrow, adjacent sides, and on the other side, two wider, adjacent sides. These two opposing sides meet at the bottom. By construction, milk cartons are made from cylindrical sleeves of multi-layered cardboard materials. These sleeves, filled with milk, for example, are welded together along transverse weld strips and then cut to form cartons. Consequently, the cartons have four glued corners, two of which extend from the top face and are folded flat against the two narrow, adjacent sides. The other two glued corners extend from the narrow sides and are folded against the bottom face.This lower face then forms a support surface for the brick. Furthermore, one of the two glued corners, folded flat against one of the two adjacent front faces, can be broken off to create a spout.

[0005] According to other implementation methods, a plug is fitted in the upper face.

[0006] Also, such bricks are usually packaged in sets of six.

[0007] Two rows of three bricks are then formed, where their first adjacent, narrow faces are respectively flush against each other. The two rows are then joined together so that the second adjacent faces of one row are flush against the second adjacent faces of the other row.

[0008] The six bricks thus joined together are surrounded by a plastic film to form a single block.

[0009] In addition, a handle made of plastic ribbon is glued across the block so that it can be hung up and thus transported.

[0010] Such packaging uses synthetic materials with a high carbon footprint and whose resources are not unlimited, which leads to a gradual increase in cost.

[0011] Document DE19743565 A1 forms the basis of the preamble to claim 1.

[0012] Also, a problem that arises and that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a method for packaging parallelepiped-shaped packages, with a lower carbon footprint and more economical.

[0013] To this end, and according to a first objective, a method for packaging parallelepiped packages is proposed comprising the following steps: 2N parallelepiped packages are provided, N being greater than 1, each of the packages having a top face and two first and two second adjacent faces respectively opposite each other, each of said packages comprising two glued corners extending said top face and respectively folded flat against said two first adjacent faces; two cardboard sheets are provided back to back and having two ends connected together and opposite each other, two parallel edges folded opposite each other forming two stop shoulders;two rows of N packages are formed, second adjacent face against second adjacent face, and said two rows are joined, respectively first adjacent faces against first adjacent faces, while said two plates are placed between said two rows so that said two stop shoulders extend respectively under the 2 times N / 2 glued folded corners and said two ends joined together extend freely over the upper faces of said 2N packages; and, a cardboard skirt is provided to cover said two joined rows, so as to hold said 2N packages together, while said two ends extend through said skirt to form a handle.

[0014] Thus, one feature of the invention lies in the use of a cardboard material for packaging parallelepiped-shaped containers. This material is made from cellulose fibers derived from plants. Consequently, it utilizes inexhaustible resources and has a lower carbon footprint.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, N is greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to five.

[0016] Preferably, N is equal to three. In other words, six parallelepiped-shaped packages are provided. Usually, these packages have a volume of one liter, which, for most transported liquids, corresponds approximately to 1 kg.

[0017] As we will explain, the packaging which is the subject of the invention takes advantage of the two glued corners folded flat against the first two adjacent faces.

[0018] Thus, two rows of three packages are formed so that the adjacent second faces of two end packages come together against the two opposite adjacent second faces of a central package. These adjacent second faces have no folded-over glued corners. They therefore lie perfectly flat against each other.

[0019] The two rows are then joined by sandwiching the two cardboard sheets together, placing them back to back. The first three adjacent faces of one row, each with three folded glued corners, are positioned opposite the first three adjacent faces of the other row, which also have three folded glued corners. The two cardboard sheets are held pressed between them, with their two parallel folded edges extending under each of the three folded glued corners. In other words, the two shoulders are positioned to butt against the ends of the three folded glued corners.

[0020] Next, using the cardboard skirt, the two rows of three packages are covered to hold them tightly together. In this way, the six packages can be hung by the two ends of the joined plates, because the ends of the folded glued corners butt up against the stops of the folded parallel edges without either the edges or the folded glued corners being able to move apart.

[0021] Thus, we exclusively use a material with a low carbon footprint and, moreover, one that is easily recyclable.

[0022] The packaging process according to the invention can allow more than six bricks to be packaged, for example eight.

[0023] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first longitudinal blank, substantially rectangular and having two opposing parallel transverse edges, is provided. This first blank is folded in half along a median fold line equidistant from said transverse edges, while the two edges are folded back on themselves to form said two plates. In other words, from a single longitudinal blank, the two plates are formed, placed back to back. The two edges are then folded back on themselves at 180° and in opposite directions against the two plates. The edge of these edges then forms the shoulder.

[0024] Preferably, two symmetrical openings are made in the first blank, with respect to the median fold line, to form the handle. Thus, when the first blank is folded in half along the median fold line, the two openings extend opposite each other to create the handle. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the edges has N-1 notches to form N regularly spaced shoulder sections. For example, if six packages are joined, each edge has two notches creating three shoulder sections. The notches are thus made so that the shoulder sections lie approximately in the middle of the first adjacent faces. Also, the folded corners extend into the middle of the first adjacent faces.As explained in more detail below, the shoulder stop sections are applied between the edges of the packaging. Therefore, the shoulder stop sections conform to the shape of the first adjacent faces. In this way, they extend across the middle of the first adjacent faces and perfectly align with the folded glued corners.

[0025] Preferably, these two edges are delimited by two distal fold lines, and the N-1 notches respectively intersect these two distal fold lines. More precisely, the notches extend substantially beyond the two distal fold lines. In this way, the stop shoulder portions fit independently of each other against the folded-down glued corners, which are not necessarily perfectly aligned.Advantageously, a second blank is provided, which comprises: a substantially rectangular central panel having, on the one hand, two first opposite sides and two second opposite sides, and on the other hand, a median slit extending from one of said second sides to the other; two first flaps hinged respectively on said first sides and each having two opposing connecting tabs; two second flaps hinged respectively on said second sides; and said first flaps and said second flaps are erected in relation to said rectangular panel to connect them together by means of said opposing connecting tabs so as to provide said cardboard skirt.

[0026] For example, the connecting tabs are pre-glued and then first the first two panels are erected, then the four connecting tabs are folded down at 90° and the second two panels are erected to apply them against the four previously glued connecting tabs.

[0027] As will be explained later in the description, the cardboard skirt can be formed directly on the two rows joined together.

[0028] Furthermore, since each of the parallelepiped-shaped packages includes a cap extending beyond its upper face, the rectangular panel advantageously features two rows of N cutouts to allow the passage of the caps. In this way, the central rectangular panel of the second blank can be applied flat to all the upper faces of the parallelepiped-shaped packages. The caps then extend through the second blank.

[0029] Typically, the caps protrude near a corner of the rectangular top face. In one implementation method, the rectangular panel has two rows of N cutouts, one along each of the first two opposite sides and offset from each other in the direction defined by these opposite sides. Thus, after forming the two rows of N caps, second adjacent face to second adjacent face, they are joined, first adjacent faces to first adjacent faces, so that the caps are positioned away from the first adjacent faces in contact. Consequently, the rows of caps are offset from each other, since the caps are off-center on the top face.In this way, thanks to the implementation of the two rows of N cutouts along the aforementioned first opposite sides, at a distance from a median line, the connection of the handle with the rectangular panel is more rigid.

[0030] Furthermore, one of the transverse flaps has two transverse tear lines joining the corresponding second side on either side of the central slot. In this way, the two tear lines define a detachable tab, which, when detached, allows the skirt to be easily separated from the parallelepiped-shaped packaging for release.

[0031] Furthermore, the packaging process according to the invention is easily automated. To this end, according to an advantageous feature, the two rows of N packages are adjusted at a distance from each other before being joined, and the two plates are inserted between the two rows. As will be explained below, this feature ensures perfect alignment of the shoulders and the folded glued corners. Indeed, the edges of the two back-to-back cardboard plates are folded, but they remain substantially inclined relative to the two plates. This is due to the resilience properties of cardboard, and after folding, the edges tend to partially return to their initial state. Thus, when the two plates are inserted between the two spaced rows of packages, the edges of the two plates are then in contact with the first adjacent faces under the folded glued corners.When the two rows of packaging are brought together, the two edges straighten and come into contact flat between the adjacent faces and the plates, while the edge of the edges comes to apply precisely opposite the end of the folded glued corners.

[0032] According to another object of the invention, a set of packages is proposed, conditioned in accordance with the process as described above.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of example but not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic top view of a first blank enabling the implementation of the process according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a schematic top view of a second blank enabling the implementation of the process according to the invention; [ Fig. 3A ] is a schematic top view of a preliminary step in implementing the method according to the invention; [ Fig. 3B ] is a schematic cross-sectional view along plane IIIB-IIIB shown on the [ Fig. 3A ] ; ] Fig. 4 ] is a schematic view along arrow IV illustrated on the [ Fig. 3A ] of another implementation step of the process according to the invention; [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic detail view of the object of the [ Fig. 4 ] of yet another step in implementing the process according to the invention; [ Fig. 6 ] is a schematic cross-sectional view along plane VI-VI illustrated on the [ Fig. 5 ] ; And, [ Fig. 7 ] is a flowchart illustrating the packaging process according to the invention; and, [ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic perspective view illustrating a set of packages conditioned according to the invention.

[0034] There [ Fig. 1 [ ] shows, viewed from above, a first cardboard blank 10 enabling the implementation of the process according to the invention, which will be described in detail later in the description. The cardboard is, for example, made from a sheet of double-sided corrugated cardboard. This first blank 10 is substantially rectangular and has, at its ends, two transverse edges 12, 14 opposite each other with respect to a median fold line 16.

[0035] Advantageously, the first flan 10 extends over a length approximately twice its width. For example, its width is between 15 cm and 21 cm, while its length is between 30 cm and 42 cm.

[0036] Also, the two transverse borders 12, 14 are delimited by two distal folding lines 18, 20 equidistant from the median folding line 16.

[0037] In addition, the first blank 10 has two oblong recesses 22, 24 symmetrical to each other with respect to the median fold line 16 and extending transversely at an equidistance from the two longitudinal edges 26, 28 of the first blank 10.

[0038] Also, each of the two transverse borders 12, 14 has here two notches 30, 32 spaced apart from each other by a distance close to one third of the width of the first flan 10 and respectively, spaced from the longitudinal borders 26, 28 by one third of the width of the first flan 10.

[0039] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the notches 30, 32 extend across the transverse edges 12, 14 substantially beyond the distal fold lines 16, 18 respectively.

[0040] Furthermore, each of the two transverse borders 12, 14 has, at their ends, two notches 34, 36. Consequently, each of the borders 12, 14 has three regularly spaced edge portions 38, 40, 42 with a length corresponding approximately to one-sixth of the width of the first blank 10. The advantages of such features will be explained in more detail later in the description.

[0041] We will now refer to the [ Fig. 2 showing a second cardboard blank 44 which also allows the implementation of the process according to the invention. The second blank 44 is advantageously also made of double-sided corrugated cardboard.

[0042] The second blank 44 comprises a central rectangular panel 46 having two first opposite sides 48, 50, and two second opposite sides 52, 54. The first two opposite sides 48, 50 have a length substantially greater than or equal to the width of the first blank 10.

[0043] Also, the two second opposite sides 52, 54 have a length considerably greater than the length of the first two opposite sides 48, 50.

[0044] The second blank 44 also includes two first flaps 56, 58 hinged respectively on the first sides 48, 50 of the central panel 46 and two second flaps 60, 62 hinged respectively on the two second sides 52, 54. In addition, the two first flaps 56, 58 each have two opposing connecting tabs 64, 66, which are hinged on the first flaps 56, 58. The two opposing connecting tabs 64, 66 are hinged along folding lines extending in line with the two second sides 52, 54 respectively.

[0045] Also, the central panel 46 has a median slot 68 which extends from one of the two second sides 52 to the other 54.

[0046] Furthermore, the central panel 46 has three openings, a first 70, a second 72 and a third 74, regularly spaced along one 50 of the first two opposite sides 48, 50. Among the three openings, the first 70 is located along one 52 of the second two opposite sides 52, 54, while the third 74 is located at a distance from the other 54 second opposite side.

[0047] Furthermore, a cutout 76 opening into the median slot 68 has a corrugated edge 78, precisely opposite the slot 68. It will be observed that the undulations of the corrugated edge 78 have three hollows 80, 82, and 84, respectively located directly above the three openings 70, 72, and 74. The reasons for and advantages of this will be explained below. According to another embodiment, three other openings are made at regular intervals along the other 48 of the first two opposite sides. They are evenly spaced at the same interval from the other second opposite side 54. Therefore, the two rows of openings are offset from each other on each side of the slot 68, which is then delimited by the dashed line. Also, one 62 of the two second flaps 60, 62 has two transverse tear lines 83, 85 extending from the edge of the flap to the second side 54 on each side of the median slot 68.In this way, the two tear-off lines define a detachable tab 87. Its function will be explained later in the description.

[0048] We will now refer to the flowchart shown on the [ Fig. 7 ], and to the [ Fig. 3A] et [Fig. 3B ] to describe the conditioning process according to the invention and in accordance with a non-limiting method of implementation.

[0049] According to a positioning step 86, the [ Fig. 3A ] illustrates, seen from above, 2 × 3 parallelepiped packages 88, or bricks, identical, and distributed in two parallel rows 90, 92 of three bricks 10.

[0050] Each of the bricks 88 has a top face 94 and, on the one hand, two first adjacent faces 96, 98 opposite each other, and on the other hand two second adjacent faces 100, 102, respectively also opposite each other.

[0051] In this case, the first two adjacent faces 96 and 98 are narrower than the second two adjacent faces 100 and 102. For example, the first faces 96 and 98 have a width between 60 mm and 70 mm, while the second adjacent faces 100 and 102 have a width between 90 mm and 100 mm. Furthermore, each of the bricks 88 has a plug 104 mounted in a corner of the upper face 94.

[0052] Thus, the three bricks 88 of each of the two rows 90, 92 are applied against each other, second adjacent face 102 against second adjacent face 100.

[0053] It will also be observed that, according to this positioning step 86, the two parallel rows 90, 92 are adjusted, one opposite the other so that the first adjacent faces 96 of one of the two rows 92 come respectively opposite the first adjacent faces 98 of the other of the two rows 90. In addition, the two rows 90, 92 are adjusted to each other at a predetermined distance.

[0054] Thus the [ Fig. 3B ] illustrates the said other 90 of the two rows 90, 92 of bricks 88, view of the first adjacent faces 98.

[0055] For example, the 88 bricks extend over a height of between 170 mm and 180 mm.

[0056] Also, each of their upper face 94, from which the plug 104 extends, is extended by two glued corners 106, 108 folded respectively against the first adjacent faces 96, 98. Thus, each of the glued corners 106, 108 defines an end 110 suitable for forming a stop extending outward from the first adjacent faces 96, 98.

[0057] One advantage of the invention is precisely to take advantage of these glued corners 106, 108, resulting from the structure of the bricks 88, to be able to suspend the two rows 98, 92 as will be explained below.

[0058] After positioning step 86, or simultaneously, a folding step 112 of the first cardboard blank 10 illustrated on the [ Fig. 1 ]. Thus, first, the first blank 10 is folded in half along its median fold line 16, then the two transverse edges 12, 14 are folded in the opposite direction, respectively, along their respective distal fold lines 18, 20. In other words, the cardboard blank 10 is folded into a W. Consequently, two cardboard sheets are obtained, hinged one on the other along the median fold line 16, and which have opposite each other two parallel edges folded in opposite directions.

[0059] According to a first adjustment step 114, the cardboard blank 10 folded in a W shape is precisely placed between the two rows of bricks 90, 92 as illustrated on the [ Fig. 4 ].

[0060] This [ Fig. 4 ] is a view of the two rows 90, 92 according to arrow IV illustrated on the [ Fig. 3A ] with, in addition, the cardboard blank 10 folded into a W, fitted between the two, and of which appears on the [ Fig. 4 ], one of the two longitudinal edges 26, 28.

[0061] We find on this [ Fig. 4 ] the adjacent faces 98, 96 of the bricks 88 of the two rows 90, 92 facing each other respectively and also, the glued folded corners 108 of the bricks 88 of one of the rows 90 facing the glued folded corners 106 of the bricks 88 of the other row 92.

[0062] The W-folded blank 10 thus defines two plates 116, 118 joined together by their upper ends 117, 119, which are located above the level of the upper faces 94 of the bricks 88. And opposite their upper end 117, 119, the two transverse edges 12, 14 are folded opposite each other and they extend below the folded glued corners 108, 106.

[0063] Also, the three edge portions 38, 40, 42 of the two transverse borders 12, 14 are respectively oriented towards the ends 110 of the glued folded corners 108, 106.

[0064] It will be observed that the two blank sections 10, as well as the two transverse edges 12 and 14, have been folded at 180° to each other, but appear noticeably separated from one another because the cardboard exhibits a certain resistance to deformation. This is why blank 10 appears in this W shape.

[0065] As will be explained below, this feature presents an advantage in the next step of the process according to the invention.

[0066] Thus, after the adjustment step 114, in a bringing together step 120 of the two rows 90, 92 of bricks 88, the two rows 90, 92 are pressed together so that the adjacent faces 98, 96 of the bricks 88 of the two rows 90, 92 facing each other come together to support each other by sandwiching the cardboard blank 10 folded in W.

[0067] During this approach, firstly, the two sets of three edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 of the two transverse borders 12, 14, respectively come into contact with the two sets of three adjacent faces 98, 96 of the bricks 88 of the two rows 90, 92. As indicated above, the edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 have a width less than the width of the adjacent faces 98, 96 and consequently, they come into contact at the center of the adjacent faces 98, 96 at a distance from the edges of the bricks 88. In this way, the possible deformation of these adjacent faces is avoided. Indeed, they can be deformed inward relative to the plane defined by the edges of the bricks 88. And in this case, it is important that the edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 come into contact with the adjacent faces 98, 96 and not with the edges of the bricks 88. This would indeed be the case if the edge portions had the same width as the bricks 88.

[0068] After the two times three edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 of the two transverse borders 12, 14, have been brought respectively into contact with the two times three adjacent faces 98, 96, and the approach continuing, the edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 are driven into sliding support against the adjacent faces 98, 96 while the transverse borders 12, 14, fold back against the two plates 116, 118. These last two also tend to approach each other.

[0069] When the two rows 90, 92 of 88 bricks are finally pressed against each other, as illustrated in detail on the [ Fig. 5 ], the transverse edges 12, 14 are substantially flat-supported between the two plates 116, 118 and the adjacent faces 98, 96 respectively, while the folded glued corners 108, 106 are also substantially flat-supported between the two plates 116, 118 and the adjacent faces 98, 96 respectively.

[0070] Moreover, the two times three edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 of the two transverse borders 12, 14, extend respectively, forming a shoulder, opposite the ends 110 of the folded glued corners 108, 106 of each of the bricks 88.

[0071] When, according to the aforementioned variant, the notches 30, 32 extend substantially beyond the distal fold lines 16, 18, a better fit is obtained of the three edge portions forming a shoulder against the ends of the folded glued corners, which are not necessarily fitted at the same height.

[0072] It is then understood that the two plates 116, 118 are adapted to be blocked in translation in an upward direction, since the two times three edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 are able to come into contact with the ends 110 of the glued folded corners 108, 106.

[0073] There [ Fig. 6 ] shows according to the cutting plane VI - VI of the [ Fig. 5 ] and through one of the plates 116, three edge portions 38, 40, 42 forming a shoulder and coming opposite the ends 110 of the glued folded corners 108. In the same way, and opposite, the three other edge portions come opposite the ends of the glued folded corners of the bricks of the other row.

[0074] Also, we find the oblong recess 22 of the first flan 10 which extends above the upper face 94 of the bricks 88. We understand that the other oblong recess will come opposite the oblong recess 22 in order to form a handle as will be explained below.

[0075] Thus, starting from this situation where the two rows 90, 92 of bricks 88 are pressed against each other, in a bonding step 122, the second cardboard blank 44 is applied, as illustrated on the [ Fig. 2 ], on the two rows 90, 92 so that the central rectangular panel 46 comes to lie flat against the upper faces 94 of the bricks 88, while the upper ends 117, 119 of the two plates 116, 118 joined together, pass through the median slot 68 of the central panel 46, and that a first row of plugs 104 extend across the three holes 70, 72 and 74, the second row of plugs 104 coming to engage inside the cut 76 and more precisely in the three hollows 80, 82 and 84.

[0076] When, during the positioning step, the 2 × 3 parallelepiped packages 88, as illustrated on the [ Fig. 3A ], are adjusted so that one 92 of the two parallel rows is rotated 180°, the plugs 104 are then oriented in the opposite direction, and after the two rows 90, 92 have been pressed against each other, the second blank is then applied according to the other method described above. In this way, the 2 × 3 plugs 104 respectively engage in the two rows of holes offset from each other, while the upper ends of the two plates pass through the median slot of the central panel.

[0077] Also, before applying the second blank 44 to the two rows 90, 92, or immediately after, the two sets of two opposing connecting tabs 64, 66 are glued.

[0078] Next, the first two flaps 56, 58 are folded respectively against the first free adjacent faces 96, 98 of the two sets of three bricks 88, while the two sets of two opposing connecting tabs 64, 66 are folded against the two sets of two second adjacent faces 100, 102. Then finally, the two second flaps 60, 62 of the second blank 44 are folded against the two sets of two second adjacent faces 100, 102 and applied to the two sets of two opposing connecting tabs 64, 66. And the two second flaps 60, 62 are pressed in this position so as to achieve their adhesion with the tabs.

[0079] This forms a skirt 124, as shown on the [ Fig. 8 ], which comes to cap the two rows 90, 92 joined together and which holds the bricks 88 together in a single block.

[0080] In this way, the first W-folded blank 10 is held in contact between the two rows 90, 92. The two plates 116, 118 joined together thus pass through the central panel 46 and their ends 117, 119 extend above the upper faces of the bricks 88 and also, above the central panel 46 of the second blank 44. In other words, the skirt 124 cooperates mechanically with the first W-folded blank 10 which passes through it via the two rows 90, 92 of bricks 88.

[0081] The two oblong recesses 22, 24 that are found on the [ Fig. 8 ] facing each other and through which it is possible to pass a hand, thus form a handle 126.

[0082] In this way, the set of six bricks 88 can be suspended by means of the handle 126. Thanks to the skirt 124, the bricks 88 are held against each other, while the two plates 116, 118 are pressed between the two rows 90, 92. As a result, the ends 110 of the folded glued corners 108, 106 are adapted to come to rest against the two times three edge portions 38, 40, 42, 42, 40, 38 to retain the six bricks 88 and prevent them from escaping the reach of the skirt 124.

[0083] The separation of the bricks 88 is achieved simply by pulling off the detachable tab 87 along the transverse pull lines 83, 85. This pulling effectively cuts the skirt axially. And by deformation, it is easily detached from the six bricks 88.

[0084] The invention also relates to a set of packages prepared according to the process described above.

[0085] Furthermore, the example presented concerns the packaging of two sets of three parallelepiped-shaped packages. However, the process according to the invention is not limited to this number of packages but can be used, for example, for eight parallelepiped-shaped packages or even ten packages. The dimensions of the first and second cardboard blanks are obviously adapted accordingly.

Claims

1. Method for packaging parallelepiped packages comprising the following steps: - 2N parallelepiped packages (88) are provided, with N being greater than 1, each of the packages (88) having an upper face (94) and two first (96, 98) and two second adjacent faces (100, 102) that are respectively opposite one another, each of said packages (88) comprising two glued corners (106, 108) extending from said upper face (94) and respectively folded flat against said two first adjacent faces (96, 98); - two cardboard plates (116, 118) provided back to back, with two ends (117, 119) connected together, and on the opposite side, two parallel edges (12, 14) folded away from each other to form two stop shoulders (38, 40, 42) ; - two rows (90, 92) of N packages are formed, with the second adjacent face (102) against the second adjacent face (100), and these two rows are joined with the first adjacent faces (96) against the first adjacent faces (98), while the two plates (116, 118) are positioned between said two rows (90, 92) so that said two stop shoulders (38, 40, 42) extend respectively beneath the two times N / 2 folded glued corners (106, 108), and said two ends (117, 119) connected together extend freely above the upper faces (94) of said 2N packages (88); said method being characterised in that a cardboard sleeve (124) is provided to cover said two joined rows (90, 92), thereby holding said 2N packages together, while said two ends extend through said skirt (124) to form a handle (126).

2. Packaging method according to Claim 1, characterised in that N is equal to 3.

3. Packaging method according to either one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that a first longitudinal blank (10) is provided that is substantially rectangular and has two opposing parallel transverse edges (12, 14), and in that said first blank (10) is folded in half along a median fold line (16) equidistant from said transverse edges, while folding said two edges (12, 14) in opposite directions, to form said two plates (116, 118).

4. Packaging method according to Claim 3, characterised in that two openings (22, 24) are provided in said first blank (10) which are symmetrical with respect to said median fold line (16) to create said handle (126).

5. Packaging method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each of said edges (12, 14) has N-1 notches to form N stop shoulder portions (38, 40, 42) regularly spaced apart from each other.

6. Packaging method according to Claims 3 and 5, characterised in that said two edges (12, 14) are delimited by two distal fold lines (18, 20), and in that said N-1 notches respectively intersect said two distal fold lines (18, 20).

7. Packaging method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a second blank (44) is provided, comprising: - a substantially rectangular central panel (46) featuring, on the one hand, two first opposite sides (48, 50) and two second opposite sides (52, 54), and on the other hand, a median slot (68) extending from one of said second sides to the other; - two initial flaps (56, 58) hinged respectively on said first sides (48, 50) and each featuring two opposing connecting tabs (64, 66); - two second flaps (60, 62) hinged respectively on said second sides (52, 54); and in that said first flaps (56, 58) and said second flaps (60, 62) are arranged in relation to said rectangular panel (46) to connect them together using the said opposing connecting tabs (64, 66), so as to provide said cardboard sleeve (124).

8. Packaging method according to Claim 7, characterised in that, each of the parallelepiped packages (88) comprising a cap (104) that extends outward from said upper face (94), said rectangular panel (46) features two rows of N cut-outs (70, 72, 74; 76) to allow the passage of said caps.

9. Packaging method according to Claim 8, characterised in that said rectangular panel (46) has two rows of N cut-outs formed respectively along said first opposite sides (48, 50) and offset from one another in the direction defined by said first opposite sides (48, 50).

10. Packaging method according to Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that one of said second flaps (62) has two transverse tear lines (83, 85) connecting to the corresponding second side (54) on either side of said median slot (68).

11. Packaging method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said two rows (90, 92) of N packages (88) are spaced apart before being joined together, in order to position said two plates (116, 118) between said two rows.

12. Set of packages packaged in accordance with the method according to one of Claims 1 to 9.

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