METHOD FOR PACKAGING AND PRODUCING A LARGE CARDBOARD STRUCTURE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional cardboard structure, in particular a game structure, characterized in that it consists successively of E1) producing a rectangular cardboard blank (10) having marking elements on its front (12) and / or back; - E2) producing packaging by folding the cardboard blank (10), in a wallet and / or accordion style and according to a generally rectangular template, around at least one horizontal folding line (LHP1) and / or around several vertical folding lines (LVP1-LVP2), then holding the folded cardboard blank (10) by means of at least one elongated closing element of the packaging which extends around the packaging; E3) removing said at least one elongated closing element, opening the packaging and unfolding the cardboard blank (10) to lay it flat;- E4) detach, totally or partially, from the unfolded cardboard blank (10) one or more parts (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35) of a main element of the young cardboard structure; E5) perform a cutting and / or pre-cutting step on certain areas or parts so as to facilitate later shaping of said main element in three dimensions. Figure for the abbreviation: 4;

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR PACKAGING AND PRODUCING A LARGE CARDBOARD STRUCTURE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to large cardboard structures, in particular toys made of cardboard, or similar materials, in three dimensions and of a so-called interactive nature which are in particular large enough to play inside.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a method of packaging and producing such structures and in particular such toys. Technical background

[0003] Many examples of toys or play structures as defined above are known which allow one or more children, or an animal, to interact with the toy, in particular by moving inside the toy.

[0004] The toy is presented for example in the form of a house (or cabin or tent) or a vehicle (car, boat, plane, rocket).

[0005] Each play structure concerned can be made in one or more parts and, due to its large dimensions, comprises one or more parts which are themselves large.

[0006] In order to offer a low-cost product, it is necessary to be able to manufacture it in large series and distribute it in large quantities, for example in supermarkets.

[0007] The invention aims to propose a global method for producing a three-dimensional interactive play structure which makes it possible to satisfy these requirements by proposing in particular a solution to the problems of packaging, transport and commercial distribution.

[0008] The invention notably proposes a three-dimensional play structure in the form of a house, a rocket or a boat. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention proposes a method for packaging and producing a three-dimensional cardboard structure, in particular a play structure, characterized in that it consists successively of: - El) produce a rectangular cardboard blank including, on its front and / or back, marking elements; - E2) produce packaging by folding the cardboard blank, in a wallet and / or accordion style and according to a generally rectangular template, around at least one horizontal folding line and / or around several vertical folding lines, then by holding the folded cardboard blank by means of at least one elongated packaging closure element which extends around the packaging; - E3) remove said at least one elongated closing element, open the packaging and unfold the cardboard blank to lay it flat again; - E4) separate, totally or partially, from the unfolded cardboard blank one or more parts of a main element of the cardboard structure; - E5) carrying out a cutting and / or pre-cutting step, along at least one of said horizontal and / or vertical folding lines, of certain zones or parts, including the creation of slits so as to subsequently facilitate certain localised folding operations and / or operations of complete or partial separation of at least one part belonging in particular, but not exclusively, to said at least one main element of the cardboard structure.

[0010] Advantageously, step E5) makes it possible to avoid weakening of the cardboard structure due to the correspondence of the lines used for at least certain cutting or pre-cutting operations during the production of the cardboard structure with at least one of the horizontal and / or vertical folding lines used during the production of the packaging.

[0011] According to other characteristics of the invention: - the largest dimension of the rectangular packaging is between 0.75 and 0.90 meters, and the smallest dimension of the rectangular packaging is between 0.50 and 0.60 meters; - step E2) of producing the packaging consists of folding the cardboard blank first around a said horizontal folding line, then around said several vertical folding lines; - prior to folding the cardboard blank along said horizontal folding line, folding is carried out along a vertical folding line; - the packaging is delimited by at least two opposite parallel edges, each closure element extends around said at least two opposite parallel edges, and each of these two opposite edges is continuous to allow the positioning of said at least one elongated closure element of the packaging, or of several elongated closure elements of the packaging; - each closing element extends parallel to a vertical fold line. - on one of its two opposite faces, the cardboard blank includes marking elements providing information relating to the process for producing the cardboard structure, and said information is visible on the outside of the packaging; - the height of the cardboard blank is between 1.10 and 1.80 meters and its length is between 2 and 3 meters; - step E2) of producing the packaging consists of folding the cardboard blank around a horizontal folding line to divide the cardboard blank into two horizontal sections, THS) the height of the highest of the sections of which is equal to the largest dimension of the rectangular packaging which is between 0.75 and 0.90 meters; - said several vertical folding lines divide the cardboard blank into at least three consecutive vertical sections, and the maximum length of each of these vertical sections is equal to the smallest dimension of the rectangular packaging which is between 0.50 and 0.60 meters; - step E2) of producing the packaging consists of folding the cardboard blank around a single horizontal folding line and around four vertical folding lines; - at the intersection of said at least one horizontal folding line with at least one of said several vertical folding lines, the cardboard blank comprises a hollowed-out area or an area of ​​reduced thickness of the cardboard; - on its front, the cardboard blank has markings indicating folding and / or separation lines and / or constituting decorative motifs; - step E5) of folding said main element of the cardboard structure consists of making several folds along several of said vertical folding lines to form several adjacent vertical panels extending in separate planes, constituting for example walls of a three-dimensional playhouse; - step E5) of folding said main element of the cardboard structure consists of carrying out at least one fold along at least one horizontal folding line to form two adjacent horizontal panels extending in separate planes, constituting for example a part of the roof of a three-dimensional playhouse; - the method comprises a step of separating from the unfolded cardboard blank the accessories of the cardboard structure and / or the elements used to reinforce or stabilize the cardboard structure shaped in three dimensions.

[0012] The invention also proposes a method for packaging and producing a three-dimensional cardboard structure, in particular a play structure, comprising at least two main assembled elements, characterized in that it consists successively of: - El) produce two rectangular cardboard blanks, at least one of which has marking elements on its front and / or back; - E2) produce one or two packages in which each cardboard blank is folded, in a wallet and / or accordion style according to a generally rectangular template, around at least one horizontal folding line and around several vertical folding lines; - E3) open the packaging and unfold each cardboard panel to lay it flat; - E4) separate from the unfolded cardboard blank, one or more parts of the main element of the cardboard structure; - E5) carrying out a step of folding each main element of the cardboard structure along at least one of said horizontal and / or vertical folding lines to conform said main element in three dimensions; - E6) assembling said at least two main elements previously shaped in three dimensions.

[0013] According to still other characteristics: - the cardboard blank is made of single-flute, double-sided corrugated cardboard, the flutes of which extend in the vertical direction of the cardboard structure, and the thickness of which is 4 mm; - on at least one of its two opposite faces, the cardboard blank includes marking elements providing information relating to the instructions for producing the cardboard structure. Brief descriptions of the figures

[0014] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0015] [Fig.l] - [Fig.l] is a plan view of a first example of production of a cardboard blank at the end of the first step E1 of the method according to the invention for producing a play structure in the form of half a house;

[0016] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the packaging produced by folding and closing the cardboard blank of [Fig.l], at the end of the second step E2) of the method according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a partial perspective view illustrating a box containing a batch of packaging of the type illustrated in [Fig.2];

[0018] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the cardboard blank previously conditioned and which is represented in its new plan state at the end of the third step E3) of the method according to the invention;

[0019] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4] in which the side of cardboard is shown at the end of the fourth step E4) of decoupling of the process according to the invention;

[0020] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5] on which we have made a sub-step of the fifth step E5) of folding of the method according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.7] - [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6] after other sub- folding steps of the fifth folding step E5) of the method according to the invention;

[0022] [Fig.8] - [Fig.8] is a view similar to that of [Fig.7] after installation of various accessories previously separated;

[0023] [Fig.9] - [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8] in which the structure of play is represented in perspective from another angle of view;

[0024] [Fig. 10] - [Fig. 10] is a perspective view illustrating the combination of two play structures identical to those shown in Figures 8 and 9 to form a “complete” house;

[0025] [Fig. 11] - [Fig. 11] is a view similar to that of [Fig. 1] which represents a second example of production of a cardboard blank at the end of the first step E1 of the method according to the invention for producing a play structure in the form of a rocket;

[0026] [Fig. 12] - [Fig. 12] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l] which represents a third example of production of a cardboard blank at the end of the first step E1 of the method according to the invention for producing a play structure in the form of a boat. Detailed description of the invention

[0027] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted as a non-limiting example and without limiting reference to Earth's gravity.

[0028] By convention, the vertical axis is oriented from bottom to top, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from left to right and the transverse axis is oriented from front to back.

[0029] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0030] First example of realization - The cardboard house [Fig.l] is a plan view which represents a cardboard blank 10 of generally rectangular shape whose length is oriented along the horizontal direction of the longitudinal axis L and whose width is oriented along the vertical axis V.

[0031] The cardboard blank 10 is designed to constitute at least one main element of a three-dimensional play structure.

[0032] In order to obtain a structure of high rigidity, the cardboard blank 10 is for example a single-flute, double-sided corrugated cardboard blank, comprising an intermediate fluted paper arranged between two smooth faces constituting respectively a back 12 and a front 14 of the cardboard blank 10.

[0033] The grooves of the corrugated cardboard extend here in the vertical direction.

[0034] The thickness of the corrugated cardboard from which the blank 10 is cut is for example equal to 4 mm.

[0035] In a known manner, the production of the corrugated cardboard blank 10 comprises: - graphic or physical marking operations, possibly on the two opposite faces 12 and 14 of the cardboard blank 10, to include there, for example, decorative elements and patterns, indications of lines or tracings for the production of the play structure, or marking elements providing information relating to the method or instructions for the production of the play structure in three dimensions; - cutting out certain areas or parts, including making slits; - pre-cutting of certain areas or parts in order to subsequently facilitate certain localized folding operations and / or operations of detachment - complete or partial - of parts belonging in particular, but not exclusively - to at least one main element of the play structure.

[0036] The cardboard blank 10 is delimited vertically by an upper horizontal edge 16 and by a lower horizontal edge 18, and laterally by a left vertical lateral edge 20 and a right vertical lateral edge 22.

[0037] The cardboard blank 10 is designed to allow the production of a three-dimensional play structure which is presented here in the form of at least one “half” or part 100 (See [Fig.8] or 9) of a large play house or cabin.

[0038] This half includes in particular a front facade panel, two half-side wall panels on the left and right and a roof section.

[0039] The use of two identical cardboard blanks 10 can allow the production of a “complete” games house 1000 by associating two halves of house 100 then comprising in particular two opposite front and rear facade panels and two left and right side panels, each in two parts, connecting these two facade panels (See [Fig. 10]).

[0040] [Fig.l] shows a main horizontal folding line LHP1 which here extends halfway between the opposite horizontal edges 16 and 18 to mark the division of the cardboard blank 10 into two lower horizontal sections THI and upper THS.

[0041] In practice, each vertical fold line has a length or thickness of a few millimeters.

[0042] The two horizontal sections THI, THS are here of the same height HI, HS equal to 810 mm, i.e. a total height “H” equal to 1620 mm for the cardboard blank 10.

[0043] Four vertical folding lines LVP1, LVP2, LVP3 and LVP4 have also been shown to mark here the division of the cardboard blank 10 into five consecutive vertical sections TLG, TFG, TFC, TFD and TLD.

[0044] The five consecutive vertical sections are here of the same length equal to 585 mm, i.e. a total length “L” equal to 2925 mm for the cardboard blank 10.

[0045] At the intersection of horizontal fold line LH1 with each of the four lines vertical folding LVP1 to LVP4, the cardboard blank has a hollowed-out area 11, or alternatively an area of ​​reduced cardboard thickness produced by localized partial crushing.

[0046] In practice, the horizontal fold line has a width or thickness of approximately 5 mm.

[0047] The folding lines LHP1 and LVP1 to LVP4 thus mark the division of the cardboard blank 10 - delimited by the two vertical edges left 20 and right 22 - into ten rectangular sectors THS-TLG, THLTLG, THS-TFG, THLTFG, THS-TFC, THLTFC, THS-TFD, THLTFD, THS-TLD and THLTLD.

[0048] As can be seen in Figures 1 and 4, before any first folding or separation operations, the cardboard blank 10 is generally in the form of a large rectangular flat blank which is in particular delimited by pairs of parallel and opposite edges 16-18 and 20-22 which are rectilinear and generally continuous.

[0049] From such a cardboard blank produced during a first step E1, the following step E2 of the method according to the invention consists of producing packaging allowing the presentation and commercial distribution of the game concerned, here of part 100 of a “Cardboard House”.

[0050] This step consists of producing the packaging from the cardboard blank 10 by folding the latter, and using one or more elements or ties for closing the packaging.

[0051] For this purpose, a fold is made, in an accordion or in a wallet, by carrying out at least one folding operation around at least one of the horizontal and / or vertical folding lines.

[0052] By way of example, a first fold is carried out along the first horizontal fold line LHP1, by folding the back of the upper horizontal section THS onto the back of the lower horizontal section THI.

[0053] The various markings and information initially appearing on the front 12 of the cardboard blank thus remain visible on the front of each of the two horizontal sections THI and THS now superimposed.

[0054] At the end of this first folding operation, the total height of the product is divided by two.

[0055] A series of successive folds of the two superimposed horizontal sections THI and THS are then carried out along the four vertical folding lines LVP1 to LVP4, to obtain an accordion fold.

[0056] If, for example, the upper left sector THS-TLG belonging to the upper horizontal section THS and to the left lateral vertical section TLG has markings or indications which must be visible on one of the two external faces packaging, we carry out for example successively: - folding along line LHP1; - a fold along line LVP1 to superimpose the fronts of the THI-TLG and THI-TFG sectors; - a fold along line LVP2 to superimpose the fronts of the THS-TFG and THS-TFC sectors; - a fold along line LVP3 to superimpose the fronts of the THI-TFC and THI-TFD sectors; and - a fold along the LVP4 line to superimpose the fronts of the THS-TFD and THS-TLD sectors.

[0057] Once these five successive folding operations have been carried out, a folded state called packaging 50 is obtained according to a generally rectangular template whose area corresponds to that of a rectangular sector, i.e. here one tenth of the initial area of ​​the cardboard blank 10, with dimensions height x length substantially equal to 810m x 585mm.

[0058] The two opposite and visible outer faces of the packaging correspond to the fronts of the THS-TLC and THLTLD sectors.

[0059] To complete the production of the packaging 50 shown in [Fig.2], while maintaining the folding made of the cardboard blank 10, the packaging is closed by surrounding it by means of one or more elongated elements for closing or strapping the packaging.

[0060] By way of non-limiting example, the packaging is here closed by means of two identical ties 52, each of which completely surrounds the packaging 52, extending here parallel to the vertical folding lines.

[0061] Here, each closing link extends around on the one hand the two adjacent horizontal edges 14 and 16 and, on the other hand, around an opposite horizontal edge corresponding to the horizontal folding line LHP1.

[0062] If the marketed product to be produced can comprise two main components each made from a cardboard blank, for example two identical house halves 100, it is possible to fold each cardboard blank into packaging 50, then to superimpose them and surround them together with common closing ties.

[0063] The design of the closing elements or ties 52 may take any form known and suitable for this purpose, and for example in the form of polypropylene strap ties commonly used in the field of packaging.

[0064] We thus have a packaged product 50 of reduced dimensions (here substantially equal to 800 mm x 600 mm x 50 mm).

[0065] A batch, for example of ten superimposed 50 packages, can easily be accommodated in a 60 cardboard transport box allowing it to be placed in a sales area. (See [Fig.3]).

[0066] For the buyer, the external face visible in the store, corresponding here to the rectangular sector THS-TLG, may include in particular all the information relating to the play structure concerned, its final representation, the legal standards to which the product complies, etc.

[0067] For the purchaser and end user of the play structure, after purchase, its production includes a following step E3) of “unpacking” which is extremely simple because it only consists of removing or cutting the closing elements 52.

[0068] The instructions for use to be followed for the following operations and steps can preferably be printed on one of the two opposite sides of the cardboard blank, and preferably on the front.

[0069] Step E3 continues by unfolding the cardboard blank to return it to a flat position, i.e. back to its state shown in Figures 1 and 4.

[0070] During the next step E4, still following the instructions for making the play structure, the user will carry out different operations of total or partial separation of different parts of the main element which is here the half of the cardboard house itself.

[0071] These operations may aim to remove parts to be discarded in order to make openings, to detach parts which will then be used to constitute accessories to be assembled with the main element or to be associated with it, or even to partially detach parts which remain connected to the main element.

[0072] By way of example, and as can be seen in particular in figures 1, 4 and 5, these different parts to be totally or partially separated comprise a chimney 24, a letter box 26, four window copings with planters 28, window openings 30, door openings 32, etc.

[0073] Here they also include slotted legs 34 reinforcing the stability of the play structure which are then put in place along the lower horizontal edge 18 which includes associated slots 36.

[0074] After having carried out all or part of these detachment operations, the production continues with a step E5 comprising new folding operations in order to conform the main element 100 in three dimensions.

[0075] Advantageously, according to the invention, some of the new folds are made around at least one of the fold lines previously used for producing the packaging 50.

[0076] Here, to conform in three dimensions the half of house 100 according to its representation in figures 8 and 9 with: - a vertical front panel 102 made up of three vertical sections left coplanar frontals TFG, central TFC and right TFD; - and with two half-side wall panels, left 104G and right 104D, each of which consists of a part of the left lateral vertical section TLG and right TLD respectively, two folds must be made along the two vertical fold lines LVP1 and LVP4 which then extend along the end angles of the facade panel 102.

[0077] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the front 12 of the cardboard blank 10 here includes the marking of two additional horizontal folding lines LHP2 and LHP3 which are located in the upper horizontal section THS.

[0078] A second lowest horizontal fold line LHP2 corresponds to the upper edge of the facade panel 102

[0079] A third higher horizontal folding line LHP3 corresponds to the delimitation of a roof part or panel 106 which comprises a horizontal lower part 108 and an upper part 110.

[0080] To achieve the three-dimensional conformation of the roof part 106, it is necessary: - as can be seen in figures 5 to 9, cut and separate laterally to the left and to the right the horizontal lower part 108 according to the vertical folding line LVP1, LVP2 respectively so as to facilitate localized folding operations and / or complete or partial detachment operations; - make two folds along the two horizontal lines LHP2 and LHP3.

[0081] These two vertical folding lines LVP1 and LVP 2 locally constitute pre-cutting or partial cutting lines for the horizontal lower part 108.

[0082] Second example of realization - The cardboard rocket We will now describe the second example of the production of a cardboard blank 10 for the production of a three-dimensional rocket.

[0083] As in the first embodiment, the cardboard blank comprises a main horizontal folding line LHP1 which delimits two lower horizontal sections THI and upper THS of equivalent height here equal to approximately 790 mm for a total height “H” equal to approximately 1580 mm.

[0084] The cardboard blank 10 also comprises four vertical folding lines LVP1 to LVP4 which divide the cardboard blank 10 into five consecutive vertical sections, from left to right, TV0, TV1, TV2, TV3, and TV4.

[0085] The four consecutive sections TV 1 to TV4 are of the same width, here equal to 580 mm.

[0086] Thus, the folding lines LHP1 and LVP1 to LVP4 mark the division of the cardboard blank 10 into eight rectangular sectors THS-TV1, THI-TV1, THS-TV2, THLTV2, THS-TV3, THLTV3, THS-TV4 and THLTV4.

[0087] On the other hand, the left lateral vertical section TV0 which extends between the edge vertical 20 and the first vertical folding line LVP1 is a vertical section of reduced width here equal to 140 mm, for a total length “L” of the cardboard blank here equal to 2520 mm.

[0088] From such a cardboard blank produced during a first step E1, the following step E2 of the method according to the invention consists of producing its packaging allowing the presentation and commercial distribution of the game concerned, here a “Rocket”.

[0089] For this purpose, a folding is carried out, partially in an accordion and in a portfolio, by carrying out folding operations around different folding lines.

[0090] As an example, a first fold is carried out along the first line

[0091] vertical folding LVP1 to superimpose the back of the vertical section TV0 on the back of the adjacent vertical section TV1.

[0092] Then, a fold is carried out along the horizontal fold line LHP1, by folding the back of the upper horizontal section THS onto the back of the lower horizontal section THI.

[0093] The various markings and information initially appearing on the front 12 of the cardboard blank thus remain visible on the front of each of the two horizontal sections THI and THS now superimposed.

[0094] At the end of this folding operation, the total height of the product is divided by two.

[0095] A series of successive folds of the two superimposed horizontal sections THI and THS are then carried out along the three vertical fold lines LVP2 to LVP4.

[0096] If, for example, the upper rectangular sector THS-TV1 belonging to the upper horizontal section THS and to the vertical section TV 1 includes markings or indications which must be visible on one of the two external faces of the packaging, the following are carried out successively:

[0097] - a folding along the vertical folding line LVP1; - folding along the horizontal folding line LHP1; - a fold along the LVP2 line to superimpose the fronts of the THI-TV and THLTV2 sectors; - a fold along the LVP3 line to superimpose the fronts of the THS-TV2 and THS-TV3 sectors; and - a fold along line LVP4 to superimpose the fronts of sectors THLTV3 and THLTV4.

[0098] In each of the first and second embodiments, the cardboard blank comprises only one main element 100 which alone occupies the greater part of the total area of ​​the cardboard blank 10, namely the three main panels 104G, 102 and 104D of walls and facade of the half of the house, or the four consecutive and adjacent vertical panels corresponding to the four vertical sections TV1 to TV4 which allow the body of the Rocket and the four parts of the warhead located above the second horizontal folding line LHYP2 to be produced in a single piece

[0099] Third example of realization - The cardboard boat We will now describe the third example of the production of a cardboard blank 10 for the production of a three-dimensional boat.

[0100] Without limitation, the cardboard blank 10 here comprises five vertical panels PV1 to PV5.

[0101] The cardboard blank 10 here comprises four vertical folding lines LVP1, LVP2, LVP3 and LVP4 which mark the division of the cardboard blank 10 into five consecutive vertical panels PV1, PV2, PV3, PV4 and PV5 arranged from left to right considering [Fig.l].

[0102] The four consecutive panels, from the right, PV2 to PV5 are here of the same length equal to 580 mm, while the left panel PV1, delimited by the left vertical lateral edge 20 and by the first vertical folding line LVP1, is of reduced length equal to 546 mm, i.e. a total length separating the lateral edges 20 and 22 of the cardboard blank 10 equal to 2886 mm.

[0103] As can be seen in [Fig. 12], the cardboard blank 10 has a horizontal folding line LHP which here extends almost halfway between the upper 16 and lower 18 opposite longitudinal edges.

[0104] The total height “H” separating the opposite horizontal edges 16 and 18 of the cardboard blank 10 is equal to 1620 mm and the central horizontal line LHP divides the cardboard blank into two upper horizontal sections THS and lower THI of height “HS” and “HI” equal to 807.5 mm.

[0105] At the intersection of the horizontal folding line LHP with each of the four vertical folding lines LVP1 to LVP4, the cardboard blank 10 comprises a hollowed-out zone 11, or alternatively a zone of reduced thickness of the cardboard produced by localized partial crushing.

[0106] As can be seen in [Fig. 12], before any first folding or separation operations, the cardboard blank 10 generally appears in the form of a large rectangular flat blank which is notably delimited by its pairs of parallel and opposite edges 16-18 and 20-22 which are rectilinear and continuous.

[0107] From such a cardboard blank, it is possible to produce packaging of reduced dimensions, allowing in particular the marketing of the boat 100.

[0108] The step of producing the packaging here consists of folding it by carrying out at least one folding operation, here around the horizontal folding line LHP, and around the four vertical folding lines LVP1 to LVP4.

[0109] At the end of these folding operations, the total height of the product then corresponds approximately the length of each of the four panels PV1 to PV4.

[0110] Once these folding operations have been carried out, the folded state known as packaging is obtained according to a generally rectangular template whose area corresponds to that of a rectangular sector with dimensions height x length substantially equal to 810m x 585mm.

[0111] To complete the production of the packaging while maintaining the folding of the cardboard blank 10, it is closed by surrounding it by means of one or more elongated elements for closing or strapping the packaging.

[0112] The boat is made from the flat cardboard blank 10, possibly after unfolding the cardboard blank to put it back flat, that is to say in its state shown in [Fig. 12].

[0113] The cardboard blank 10 is designed to allow the creation of a three-dimensional play structure which is in the form of a large boat.

[0114] The boat here presents a general symmetry of design with respect to a median longitudinal and vertical plane.

[0115] The boat 100 is here a bottomless boat which essentially comprises the hull part 24; a front deck part 26; and a transom part 28 which incorporates a rear bench.

[0116] The boat also comprises a support frame which is capable of being arranged under a rear horizontal panel 86 of the rear bench seat and which is produced by assembly by interlocking elements 320 and 340.

[0117] In this embodiment, the boat 100 also includes a steering wheel 38; an anchor 36; and a foresail made up of two triangular pieces 42 superimposed and assembled together.

[0118] All the parts, elements and components which have just been listed all belong to the rectangular cardboard blank 10.

[0119] Hull part 24: - is delimited by a lower edge 44 capable of resting on the ground, by two vertical rear stern edges 48 and by an upper edge 46 which includes a notch 47; - and it is divided into two symmetrical lateral parts, port and starboard, which are connected to each other by a vertical median folding line (bow) which is a forward folding line 52.

[0120] Each port and starboard side portion is divided, by an intermediate vertical folding line 50, into a bow front panel 23 and a longitudinal stern rear panel 25.

[0121] For the assembly of the different main parts 24, 26 and 28 to conform the boat 100 into a three-dimensional play structure, each side part 23-25 ​​of the hull part 24 has six pairs of fixing slots, four pairs 54, 56, 58 and 60 of which belong to the bow front panel 23, and two pairs 62 and 64 of which belong to the longitudinal stern rear panel 25.

[0122] In the vicinity of the two pairs of slots 62 and 64, the rear side panel 25 further comprises three positioning slots 66, 68 and 70.

[0123] The front deck piece 26 comprises a front upper horizontal panel 72 of generally triangular shape and a front vertical panel 74 in the shape of a trapezoid.

[0124] The horizontal 72 and vertical 74 panels are connected to each other by a transverse fold 76 which corresponds to the vertical folding line LVP1 of the cardboard blank 10 (See [Fig.12]).

[0125] The front vertical panel 74 has a large diameter circular central hole 78 that allows a user to access the area below the upper front horizontal panel 72 and between the two front panels 23.

[0126] Each of the two opposite sides 73 of the front upper panel has two fixing tabs 154 and 156 adapted to be received in the associated pairs of slots 54 and 56 of the front panels 23.

[0127] Each of the two lateral and vertical sides 75 of the front vertical panel 74 comprises two fixing tabs 158 and 160 adapted to be received in the associated pairs of slots 58 and 60 of the rear panels 25.

[0128] At mid-length of the transverse fold 76, the front bridge piece 26 has a tab 80 forming a hook, for the attachment and rotational mounting of the steering wheel 38 which is part of the disc-shaped portion 82 which must be detached from the cardboard blank 10 for the formation of the circular hole 78 of the front vertical panel 74.

[0129] The main front deck piece 26 is adjacent to the lower longitudinal edge 18 and the lower edge of the front vertical panel 74 corresponds to a section of the left vertical edge 20 of the cardboard blank 10.

[0130] For its conformation into a rear bench, the rear transom piece 28 successively comprises a vertical and transverse rear transom panel 84, an upper rear horizontal panel 86, and a vertical and transverse reinforcement panel 88.

[0131] Each of these three panels 84, 86 and 88 is trapezoidal in shape.

[0132] Panels 84 and 88 are connected to each other by a horizontal upper wing and transverse 90 which is delimited by two transverse folds 92 and 94, and by an upper and vertical wing 91 which is delimited by two transverse folds 94 and 95.

[0133] The panels 86 and 88 are connected to each other by a transverse fold 96.

[0134] Each of the two opposite side edges 85 of the panel 84 has a tab fastener 162 adapted to be received in an associated pair of fastener slots 64 of a panel 25.

[0135] Each of the two opposite side edges 89 of the panel 88 has a tab fastener 164 adapted to be received in an associated pair of fastener slots 62 of a panel 25.

[0136] Each of the two opposite lateral edges 87 of the panel 86 comprises a positioning tab 166 adapted to be received in an associated positioning slot 66 of a panel 25.

[0137] Each of the two opposite lateral edges of the vertical wing 91 comprises a positioning tab 168 adapted to be received in an associated positioning slot 68 of a panel 25.

[0138] Each of the two opposite lateral edges of the horizontal wing 90 comprises a positioning tab 170 capable of being received in an associated positioning slot 70 of a panel 25.

[0139] As can be seen in [Fig. 12], before its detachment, the main rear panel part 28 is adjacent to the lower longitudinal edge 18 and the lower edge of the vertical reinforcement panel 88 corresponds to a section of the right vertical edge 22 of the cardboard blank 10.

[0140] To produce the main part of the boat 100 by assembling and fixing together the three main parts 24, 26 and 28, we begin with a first step of separating these three parts from the cardboard blank 10, then by separating the disc-shaped portion 82.

[0141] The three-dimensional conformation of the shell part 24 is carried out by making the folds along the fold lines 50 and 52.

[0142] The three-dimensional conformation of the bridge piece 26 is carried out by folding along the folding line 76, and folding the hook-forming tab 80.

[0143] The three-dimensional conformation of the transom part 28 is carried out by making the various folds along the parallel fold lines 92, 94, 95 and 96.

[0144] The next step is to position the front deck piece 26 and the rear transom piece 28 so that they extend transversely between the front panels 23 and the rear panels 25 so that they connect them together.

[0145] The next step is to transversely insert the fixing tabs and the positioning tabs through the associated slots formed in the panels 23 and 25 of the shell part 24.

[0146] The assembly continues for example by mounting the bar wheel 38 on the hook-forming lug 80. To this end, the wheel 38 itself is separated from the non-useful parts of the disc 82, including to make the central hole 83 into which the lug 80 is introduced.

[0147] The assembly may also include the production and installation of the foresail.

[0148] For this purpose, the upper front horizontal panel 72 has a hole 71 in which we can insert a mast 39 which is for example made of a broom handle.

[0149] The foresail 40 is made up of the assembly of two identical triangular pieces 42, each of which is triangular in shape.

[0150] The hypotenuse of each right triangular part 42 corresponds to a section of the lower edge 44 of the shell part 24.

[0151] Among the accessories capable of equipping the boat 100, the cardboard blank 10 comprises the anchor 36 which must be detached from the cardboard blank 10 and of which a hole 37 (corresponding to a hollowed-out zone 11) can allow it to be equipped with a string or a rope.

[0152] The anchor 36 is arranged in the area of ​​the cardboard blank 10 delimited by the starboard notch 47 and the transom piece 28.

[0153] In order to provide great strength and stability to the rear bench, the boat 100 according to the invention provides for the use of a support frame housed in the space delimited longitudinally by the vertical and transverse panel 84 of the rear transom and the vertical and transverse reinforcement panel 88 in such a way that the rear upper horizontal panel 86 rests on the support frame, in particular when a person is seated on the panel 86, the upper face 186 of which constitutes the seating surface of the rear bench, the vertical wing 91 constituting a “mini” backrest surface.

[0154] Advantageously, the parts or elements 320 and 340 constituting the support frame 30, which are illustrated in [Fig. 12], belong to the cardboard blank 10.

[0155] The vertical and transverse element 320 is a rectangular part which, in a horizontal free edge, has six slots 1320 which extend substantially over half the height of the part 320.

[0156] Each of the six vertical and longitudinal elements 340 is a rectangular piece of smaller dimensions which, in a lower horizontal free edge, has a slot 1340 which extends substantially over half the height of the piece 340.

[0157] As can be seen in [Fig. 12], two of the six vertical and longitudinal elements 340 are arranged in the central vertical panel PV3, between the two vertical fold lines LVP2 and LVP3.

[0158] These two vertical folding lines LVP2 and LVP3 locally constitute pre-cutting or partial cutting lines of these two elements 340 so as to subsequently facilitate their separation from the cardboard blank.

[0159] In the assembled position, each part 340 with its slot 1340 is fitted into a slot 1320 of the part 320.

[0160] .

Claims

Claims

1. Method for packaging and producing a three-dimensional cardboard structure, in particular a play structure (100), characterized in that it consists successively of: - El) producing a rectangular cardboard blank (10) comprising, on its front (12) and / or its back (14), marking elements; - E2) producing a packaging (50) of the cardboard blank (10), allowing the presentation and commercial distribution of the cardboard structure, by folding the cardboard blank (10), in a wallet and / or accordion shape and according to a generally rectangular template, around at least one horizontal folding line (LHP1) and / or around several vertical folding lines (LVP1-LVP2), then by keeping the cardboard blank (10) folded by means of at least one elongated element (52) for closing the packaging (50) which extends around the packaging (50);- E3) removing said at least one elongated closure element (52), opening the packaging (50) and unfolding the cardboard blank (10) to lay it flat again; - E4) separating, totally or partially, from the unfolded cardboard blank (10) one or more parts (24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35) of a main element (100) of the cardboard structure (100); - E5) carrying out a cutting and / or pre-cutting step, along at least one of said horizontal (LHP1) and / or vertical (LVP1-LVP4) folding lines, of certain zones or parts, including the creation of slits so as to subsequently facilitate certain localized folding operations and / or operations of separating, completely or partially, at least one part belonging in particular, but not exclusively to said at least one main element of the cardboard structure.;

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the largest dimension of the rectangular packaging (50) is between 0.75 and 0.90 meters, and in that the smallest dimension of the rectangular packaging (50) is between 0.50 and 0.60 meters.

3. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the packaging (50) is delimited by at least two opposite parallel edges (16, 18), in that each closure element (52) extends around said at least two opposite parallel edges (16, 18), and in that each of these two opposite edges is continuous to allow the positioning of said at least one elongated element (52) for closing the packaging (50), or of several elongated elements for closing the packaging (50).

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each closure element (52) extends parallel to a vertical fold line.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height (H) of the cardboard blank (10) is between 1.10 and 1.80 meters and in that its length (L) is between 2 and 3 meters.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step E2) of producing the packaging (50) consists of folding the cardboard blank (10) around a horizontal folding line (LHP1) to divide the cardboard blank (10) into two horizontal sections (THI, THS) the height of the highest of the sections of which is equal to the largest dimension of the rectangular packaging (50) which is between 0.75 and 0.90 meters.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said several vertical folding lines (LVP1, LVP4) divide the cardboard blank (10) into at least three consecutive vertical sections, and in that the maximum length of each of these vertical sections is equal to the smallest dimension of the rectangular packaging (50) which is between 0.50 and 0.60 meters.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the intersection of said at least one horizontal folding line (LHP1) with at least one of said several vertical folding lines, the cardboard blank (10) comprises a hollowed-out zone (11) or a zone of reduced thickness of the cardboard.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a step consisting of separating from the unfolded cardboard blank (10) the accessories of the cardboard structure (100) and / or the elements (34, 35) used to reinforce or stabilize the cardboard structure (100) shaped in three dimensions.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cardboard blank (10) is made of single-flute, double-sided corrugated cardboard, the flutes of which extend in the vertical direction of the cardboard structure, and the thickness of which is equal to 4 mm.

Images