Improved device for packaging at least two containers in one batch

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for packaging at least two containers (2) in one batch, the containers (2) being bottles with a bottom (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting the body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans for example, the device comprising at least one sheet (8) made from semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2); the packaging device (1) being characterised in that the sheet (8) has a substantially rectangular shape and includes at least two parallel rows of cups (15) that are substantially frusto-conical or hemispherical or frusto-pyramidal or the like, the inner wall of which is capable of bearing on the shoulder (5) of the containers (2) and the vertices of which are respectively provided with an opening (9) capable of receiving the neck (6) of a container (2).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] TITLE: Improved device for packaging at least two containers in a batch

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of packaging containers in batches and relates more particularly to a device for packaging at least two containers in a batch.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In the context of the present invention, the container is a bottle or flask, the container consisting of a base, a body and a shoulder connecting said body to a neck. Such a container is intended to contain, in a non-exhaustive manner, a fluid, a liquid, powders or granules, in particular of the agri-food or cosmetic type.

[0007] For handling purposes, such finished containers are often packaged in batches. Thus, each batch comprises several containers, grouped together, for example, in a matrix arrangement, generally of a parallelepiped shape, often square or rectangular, in columns and rows. For illustration, a typical batch comprises six containers in two rows and three columns.

[0008] Once the groups of containers have been produced, it is necessary to carry out a step called bundling, which consists of covering each group of containers with a generally heat-shrinkable film, in order to facilitate the handling of the batch thus obtained.

[0009] This bundling step involves significant energy expenditure. Furthermore, using plastic film is harmful to the environment, as nearly half of the plastic waste found in the sea is single-use plastic items.

[0010] Currently, many plastics are said to be "recyclable," but this approach is generally insufficient and unsatisfactory. Indeed, the use of shrink-wrapped plastic films has many negative impacts on the environment: significant energy expenditure, single use, low recycling rates, massive export of plastic waste to countries with recycling infrastructure, etc. In addition, the composition of the film, which is only partially recyclable, will complicate the process, and the resulting waste will not be recovered in the vast majority of cases.

[0011] Furthermore, the use of a plastic film that covers the products makes it impossible to detach one of the containers from the batch without causing the complete or partial dislocation of the latter.

[0012] Thus, there is a growing need to find an alternative to the use of this material, which generates a lot of waste and is energy-intensive, while still guaranteeing its strength and allowing it to be handled.

[0013] In this regard, a known alternative to using shrink-wrapped plastic film to form a batch is to hold the products together using plastic strapping or banding, which will surround the containers. This solution is not satisfactory because, in addition to requiring the use of plastic, it generally requires the use of other additional means of sealing the batch, such as adhesives, and, in the event of removal of a container or breakage of the strap, results in a total dislocation of the batch of containers.

[0014] To overcome these drawbacks, packaging solutions using cardboard have already been devised. This is particularly the case in documents US2008 / 0257763 and WO2013 / 185898.

[0015] Document US2008 / 0257763 describes a solution consisting of using a cardboard tray, which will support the products at their bottom. More specifically, this document describes a system for packaging bottles having a neck portion. The system comprises a plate having a base on which a plurality of bottles are placed in a series of rows. The system also comprises a bridge having a planar central portion and a plurality of arcuate recesses extending into a periphery of the planar central portion. Each recess is sized to receive a portion of the neck of one of the bottles. A means for bonding the bottles together is provided, wherein the bonding means creates an inwardly directed force against the bottles. The bridge opposes the inwardly directed force and thus holds the bottles upright on the base. This solution does not require the use of additional means such as glue.However, in this configuration, it is not possible to lift the batch or transport it easily. It is also not possible to easily transport a subgroup of the products in the batch.

[0016] In order to be able to lift the batch, another solution, described in document WO2013 / 185898, consists of using a rigid plate, made of cardboard or plastic, allowing the containers to be held at a restriction of the container at its body. More specifically, this document describes a support element made of cardboard, for example corrugated cardboard, cardboard or plastic with increased rigidity, intended for containers grouped in a group package. Said support element comprises a main support which has a container area, horizontal in a position of use, with container housings (6) which are made in the form of a U-shaped cutout comprising a rounded base and U-shaped branches acting as a holding leg, as well as a handle area.An outer support can be connected to the container area, the outer support, designed as a strip element, having a plurality of opposing housings corresponding to the number of container housings and correspondingly designed as a U-shaped cutout with a rounded base and U-shaped branches acting as opposing support legs.

[0017] However, although this solution allows the batch to be lifted, it is very limited because it can only be applied to certain container shapes. Furthermore, the strength of the batch is not guaranteed, especially when packaging large containers.

[0018] All these solutions are therefore unsatisfactory. Indeed, either they are always made of a plastic material, or, if they are provided with a means of gripping, they do not guarantee the integrity of the batch during its handling.

[0019] Disclosure of the invention

[0020] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a packaging device in a batch of at least two containers of simple and inexpensive design, guaranteeing the integrity of the batch during handling and advantageously obtained from a recyclable material.

[0021] For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention, a device is proposed for packaging at least two containers in a batch, said containers being bottles with a bottom, a body and a shoulder connecting said body to a neck, or cylindrical cans for example, said device comprising at least one sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two orifices for receiving the necks of said containers; said packaging device is remarkable in that said sheet has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of substantially truncated cone-shaped or hemispherical or truncated pyramidal or similar cups, the internal wall of which is capable of bearing on the shoulder of the containers and the tops of which are respectively provided with an orifice capable of receiving the neck of a container.

[0022] Preferably, said cups are shaped in such a way that at least 5 to 30% of the surface area of ​​the shoulder of a container bears on the inner wall of said cups.

[0023] The said cups are connected two by two by so-called longitudinal and transverse beams.

[0024] The said beams have a straight section in the shape of a U or an inverted V.

[0025] Furthermore, each orifice has tabs extending in a corolla towards the inside of each orifice.

[0026] The said tabs are obtained by making radial slots from the inner edge of the orifices which have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the necks of the containers.

[0027] Advantageously, the packaging device according to the invention comprises frangible opening means for each orifice. Said frangible opening means consist of two parallel pre-cut lines made in the cups and extending radially from the edge of an orifice.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment, said frangible opening means consist of two parallel lines of weakness having a lesser thickness, said lines of weakness being made in the cups and extending radially from the edge of an orifice.

[0029] Said pre-cut lines and / or said lines of weakness of the frangible opening means extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet.

[0030] Preferably, the packaging device according to the invention comprises two rows of three cups, said cups being connected two by two by a central transverse beam, two lateral transverse beams and longitudinal beams.

[0031] Furthermore, said device comprises two so-called central walls extending between two pairs of transverse and longitudinal beams, on either side of the central transverse beam.

[0032] Each central wall slopes up and down from the central cross beam to a lateral cross beam, i.e. to a transverse edge of the sheet.

[0033] Advantageously, each central wall comprises a so-called gripping hole or a frangible flap capable of forming a so-called gripping hole.

[0034] Each gripping hole has a circular, oblong or ovoid shape.

[0035] Brief description of the drawings

[0036] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of several variant embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, of the container packaging device according to the invention, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of the packaging device according to the invention, [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of the sheet of the packaging device according to the invention shown in Figure 1,

[0037] [Fig. 3] is a top view of the sheet of the packaging device according to the invention,

[0038] [Fig. 4] is a front view of the sheet of the packaging device according to the invention,

[0039] [Fig. 5] is a side view of the sheet of the packaging device according to the invention.

[0040] Method of carrying out the invention

[0041] In the following description of the container packaging device according to the invention, the same numerical references designate the same elements. The different views are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0042] With reference to Figure 1, a packaging device 1 according to the invention will be described below in a batch of at least two containers 2, said containers 2 being bottles with a bottom 3, a body 4, substantially cylindrical, and a shoulder 5 connecting said body 4 to a neck 6, said neck receiving a stopper 7. Said packaging device 1 comprises at least one sheet 8 of semi-rigid or rigid material, which will be described in more detail a little later, provided with at least two orifices 9 for receiving the necks 6 of said containers 2.

[0043] In this particular embodiment, said sheet 8 has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of cups 15 that are substantially truncated conical or hemispherical or truncated pyramidal or similar, the internal wall of which is capable of bearing on the shoulder 5 of the containers 2 and the tops of which are respectively provided with an orifice 9 capable of receiving the neck 6 of a container 2. It will be noted that the tops of said cups 15 extend in the same plane, which is considered horizontal insofar as the containers 2 are packaged in batches in a usually vertical position.It is understood that the fact that the shoulders 5 of the containers bear on the inner wall of the cups 15 makes it possible to ensure better support of the containers 2 on the sheet 8 by avoiding rotation of the neck 6 of the containers 2 in the orifices 9 and to hold the containers against each other by avoiding their separation, during handling, conveying, etc. of the batch.

[0044] It is obvious that said cups 15 will have a shape which conforms to that of the shoulders of the containers without departing from the scope of the invention. Indeed, said containers 2, in this case bottles, may have shoulders of a substantially hemispherical, truncated cone or truncated pyramidal shape in particular, the body of the bottles being able to have a circular, ovoid, square, etc. cross section.

[0045] Furthermore, preferably, said cups 15 are shaped in such a way that at least 5 to 30% of the surface of the shoulder 5 of a container 2 bears on the inner wall of the cups 15.

[0046] Said cups 15 are connected two by two by beams called longitudinal 16 and transverse 17. Said beams 16, 17 extend in the same horizontal plane, extending under the horizontal plane of the orifices 9, and have a cross section in the shape of a U or an inverted V, the concavity of the beams being oriented downwards. These beams 16, 17 make it possible to stiffen the sheet 8 and prevent dislocation of the batch.

[0047] It goes without saying that said beams may have any shape and / or be solid without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0048] Each orifice 9 receiving the necks 6 of the containers comprises tabs 10 extending in a corolla towards the inside of each orifice 9. Said tabs 10 are obtained by making radial slots 11 from the inner edge of the orifices 10 which have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the necks 6 of the containers 2. After introduction of the necks 6 of the containers 2 into the orifices 9, the free ends of the tabs 10 are housed under the lower end of the caps, extending between the neck 6 and the lower end of the cap, thus preventing the container 2 from escaping from the orifice 9. To remove the container 2, it is sufficient to exert a downward and / or outward rotational pulling force by grasping the container 2 by its body 4 so that said tabs 10 turn over or tear off.

[0049] It will be observed that, in this particular embodiment, said tongues 10 extend parallel in the same plane as the orifices 9, radially towards the center of each orifice 9 before the necks 6 of the containers 2 are introduced into said orifices 9. However, it is quite obvious that, before the necks 6 of the containers 2 are introduced into said orifices 9, the tongues 10 may form an angle, for example between 5 and 30°, with the plane containing the orifices 9 so that said tongues 10 form a truncated cone projecting above each orifice 9, without however departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050] Advantageously, in order to facilitate the removal of the containers 2 from the sheet 8, the packaging device 1 according to the invention comprises frangible opening means 12 for each orifice 9. Said frangible opening means 12 consist of two parallel pre-cut lines 13 extending radially from the edge of an orifice 9. Said pre-cut lines 13 of the frangible opening means 11 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet 8.

[0051] According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, said pre-cut lines 13 of frangible opening means 12 may be substituted by parallel lines of weakness which are characterized by a lesser thickness of the cups 15 at the level of these lines of weakness.

[0052] It goes without saying that the pre-cut lines 13 of frangible opening means 12 may be substituted by any other equivalent means well known to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0053] Furthermore, in this particular embodiment, the packaging device 1 according to the invention comprises two rows of three cups 15, said cups 15 being connected two by two by a central transverse beam 17a, two lateral transverse beams 17b and longitudinal beams 16. Said device also comprises two so-called central walls 18 extending between two pairs of transverse beams 17 and longitudinal beams 16, on either side of the central transverse beam 17a. Each central wall 18 is preferably flat and is inclined from top to bottom from the central transverse beam 17a towards a lateral transverse beam 17b, i.e. towards a transverse edge of the sheet 8. Each central wall 18 forms an angle of between 5 and 30° with the horizontal plane containing the orifices 9. It will be noted that said central walls 18 can advantageously receive a label, not shown in the figures.It goes without saying that the packaging device according to the invention may comprise two rows of cups 15, a first row of cups 15 comprising an even number of cups and a second row of cups comprising an odd number of cups 15, such that said cups 15 are staggered. Furthermore, it is obvious that the packaging device according to the invention may comprise more than two rows of cups 15 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0054] Furthermore, in order to facilitate gripping of the packaging device according to the invention, the sheet 8 comprises in its central part, between the rows of orifices 9, two frangible flaps 19 capable of forming gripping holes. Thus, it is possible to grip the packaging device by inserting two fingers, such as the thumb and index finger of the same hand, into said gripping holes after lowering said frangible flaps 19. Said frangible flaps 19 have a substantially oblong shape; however, said frangible flaps 19 may have any shape, such as a rectangular, circular or ovoid shape for example, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0055] It is obvious that said frangible flaps 19 may be substituted by gripping holes without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0056] In addition, the sheet 8 is preferably obtained from cardboard or from a cellulosic material, rigid or semi-rigid, or from a bioplastic; However, it goes without saying that the sheet 8 may be obtained from any other rigid or semi-rigid material well known to those skilled in the art. It will be noted that “bioplastic” means polymers, especially thermoplastics, less often thermosetting, of two types, namely biosourced plastics (derived from biomass, especially plants) and / or biodegradable plastics (including compostable ones), including those derived from fossil resources (petrochemical reactions).

[0057] Finally, it is clear that the examples just given are only specific illustrations and are in no way limiting as to the fields of application of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Packaging device (1) in a batch of at least two containers (2), said containers (2) being bottles with a bottom (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting said body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans for example, said device comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two orifices (9) for receiving the necks (6) of said containers (2), characterized in that said sheet (8) has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of cups (15) substantially frustoconical or hemispherical or tronpyramidal or similar, the internal wall of which is capable of bearing on the shoulder (5) of the containers (2) and the tops of which are respectively provided with an orifice (9) capable of receiving the neck (6) of a container (2).

2. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said cups (15) are shaped in such a way that at least 5 to 30% of the surface of the shoulder (5) of a container (2) bears on the inner wall of said cups (15).

3. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the cups (15) are connected two by two by beams called longitudinal (16) and transverse (17).

4. Packaging device (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that said beams (16, 17) have a cross section in the shape of a U or an inverted V.

5. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each orifice (9) comprises tabs (10) extending in a corolla towards the inside of each orifice (9).

6. Packaging device (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that said tabs (10) are obtained by making radial slots (11) from the inner edge of the orifices (9) which have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the necks (6) of the containers (2).

7. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises frangible opening means (12) for each orifice (9).

8. Packaging device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that said frangible opening means (12) consist of two parallel pre-cut lines (13) made in the cups (15) and extending radially from the edge of an orifice (9).

9. Packaging device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that said frangible opening means (12) consist of two parallel lines of weakness having a lesser thickness, said lines of weakness being made in the cups (15) and extending radially from the edge of an orifice (9).

10. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 8 or 9 characterized in that said pre-cut lines (13) and / or said lines of weakness of the frangible opening means (12) extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet (8).

11. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that it comprises two rows of three cups (15), said cups (15) being connected two by two by a central transverse beam (17a), two lateral transverse beams (17b) and longitudinal beams (16).

12. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that it comprises two so-called central walls (18) extending between two pairs of transverse (17) and longitudinal (16) beams, on either side of the central transverse beam (17a).

13. Packaging device (1) according to claim 12 characterized in that each central wall (18) is inclined from top to bottom from the central transverse beam (17a) towards a lateral transverse beam (17b), i.e. towards a transverse edge of the sheet (8).

14. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that each central wall (18) comprises a so-called gripping hole.

15. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that each central wall (18) comprises a frangible flap (19) capable of forming a so-called gripping hole.

16. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 14 or 15 characterized in that each gripping hole has a circular, oblong or ovoid shape.

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