Shipping packaging and its manufacturing process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shipping package of the pouch or envelope type, comprising a front wall (11) and a rear wall (12), assembled so as to define at least one inner compartment (13), said package comprising an opening in communication with said at least one inner compartment (13) for introducing at least one object, a flap (14) having an open position in which the inner compartment (13) is accessible through its opening, and a closed position in which the flap (14) covers at least part of this opening.According to the invention, at least one of the front and rear walls comprises at least two sheets, a first of said sheets being embossed to form a damping element, said first sheet (16) being made of paper having protrusions (18) on at least one of its faces corresponding to depressions on the other of its faces, the second sheet (17) or at least a second of said sheets being smooth or substantially smooth, at least the portions of these two sheets placed opposite said at least one compartment, being joined together solely by at least some of the peaks of said protrusions (18) on one face of said first sheet (16) being attached to said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet. [Fig. 2].

Description

Title of the invention: Shipping packaging and its manufacturing process. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of shipping packaging such as envelopes, pouches or boxes.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a shipping package incorporating a cushioning element to protect one or more fragile objects during their shipping and transport by mail.

[0003] It also relates to a method for manufacturing such shipping packaging. Previous technique

[0004] It is known to use padded envelopes or pouches, which include a protective element, for shipping fragile products.

[0005] As an example, envelopes or pouches are known whose walls delimiting their internal compartment to receive a product to be protected are covered with a layer of transparent bubble film.

[0006] Advantageously, these envelopes or pouches offer ease of use and good value for money compared to cardboard packaging for which it might be necessary to implement one or more separate protective elements such as bubble wrap and / or cushioning elements.

[0007] These air bubbles are also resistant and waterproof.

[0008] It is thus observed that padded envelopes or pouches have the advantage of ensuring good protection of their contents, which could otherwise be damaged during their shipment and transport by postal services.

[0009] In particular, the flexibility of the layers of bubble film or foams used in these padded envelopes or pouches offers a certain adaptability to the shape of their contents in order to ensure better protection.

[0010] Although giving good results, these products can still be improved.

[0011] First, these padded envelopes or pouches incorporate one or more layers of bubble wrap or foam that are made of plastic materials.

[0012] For example, it is known for the foam layer to implement expanded Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE).

[0013] However, the use of such plastic materials in padded envelopes or pouches, which are widespread and commonly used, is contrary to the imperatives of environmental protection.

[0014] Solutions have indeed been proposed in recent years to try to mitigate the effects of this problem. For example, envelopes with an outer paper sleeve containing a removable bubble wrap cover are known, allowing for reuse with a new sleeve after use.

[0015] However, the use of plastic material in these packages constitutes a major drawback, intrinsic to the nature of the product, particularly in terms of environmental pollution.

[0016] Also, it would be advantageous to have padded shipping packaging to protect the shipment of fragile products, the original design of which makes it possible to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages. Object of the invention

[0017] The present invention relates to a shipping package such as an envelope, simple in its design and in its operating method, economical and fully recyclable.

[0018] An object of the present invention is such shipping packaging offering improved protection against shocks.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is such a shipping package which is particularly compact and lightweight in its unfolded configuration and which defines a shipping box having an adequate storage volume by means of an easy folding of the latter.

[0020] It also relates to a manufacturing process for such shipping packaging that is particularly simple to implement. Description of the invention

[0021] To this end, the invention relates to a shipping package comprising a front wall and a rear wall, assembled so as to define at least one inner compartment, said package comprising an opening in communication with said at least one inner compartment for introducing at least one object, a flap having an open position in which the inner compartment is accessible through its opening, and a closed position in which the flap covers at least part of this opening. According to the invention, at least one of the front and rear walls comprises at least two sheets, a first of said sheets being embossed to form a damping element, said first paper sheet having protrusions on at least one of its faces corresponding to depressions on the other of its faces, the second sheet or at least one second of said sheets being smooth or substantially smooth, at least the portions of these two sheets located opposite said at least one interior compartment being joined together solely by at least certain the apexes of said protuberances on one face of said first sheet which are joined to said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet.

[0022] Note that this disclosure is not limited to the production of a padded envelope but applies to any other shipping packaging such as a bag, a pouch or a pouch designed to form a shipping box by folding, incorporating a shock-absorbing element to protect its contents.

[0023] Advantageously, this shipping packaging can be made entirely of paper with a natural, emission-free assembly adhesive, while ensuring the durability of the assembly, such as a wheat starch-based adhesive. This packaging is therefore environmentally friendly.

[0024] Advantageously, the applicant has found, during tests carried out with packaging of the present disclosure, significantly better results in terms of shock protection than bubble envelopes. Indeed, the joining of the peaks of the protuberances of the first sheet with the second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet, allows the damping effect, or spring, of the envelope to be maintained after a first shock.

[0025] This damping effect was found to be significantly degraded after a first shock in the absence of connection of the tops of the protuberances with the second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet.

[0026] For illustrative purposes only, this shipping packaging may have a rectangular or even square shape in its basic configuration.

[0027] Preferably, the first sheet of paper is fully embossed.

[0028] Advantageously, at least this first sheet of paper is made of vellum paper, kraft paper or cardboard.

[0029] Similarly, all the sheets of this shipping packaging can be made of paper, kraft paper, cardboard, ... with or without a window.

[0030] According to a particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, at least the portions of these two sheets placed opposite said at least one internal compartment are joined together solely by dots of glue connecting at least some of the tops of said protrusions of one face of said first sheet to said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet.

[0031] According to another particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, said first sheet of paper has an alternation of protrusions and depressions on one of its faces corresponding respectively to depressions and protrusions on the other of its faces, the apexes of said protrusions being placed in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

[0032] Preferably, these protrusions are aligned along lines oblique to the main axis of the packaging. As an example, the first sheet being entirely embossed, it can present an alveolar configuration like in a tray of eggs.

[0033] According to yet another particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, the height H of its protrusions is at least equal to 1 mm, and even better to 1.5 mm. The first sheet of paper having protrusions on both sides, the thickness of this first sheet forming a damping element is thus at least equal to 2.5 mm, and even better at least equal to 4 mm.

[0034] For illustrative purposes only, the number of protuberances of said embossed sheet on its two faces is approximately 0.5 per cm2.

[0035] According to yet another particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, at least forty percent (40%), and even better at least sixty percent (60%), and even more preferably at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the peaks of the protrusions of said first sheet of paper are assembled with said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet. Most advantageously, at least ninety percent (90%) of the tips of the protuberances of said first leaf are assembled with said second or second smooth or substantially smooth leaf.

[0036] According to yet another particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, said protuberances have a shape chosen from the group comprising dome, conical, truncated conical, ... and combinations of these elements. Preferably, these protuberances forming domes, or hemispheres, have a base diameter of at least 4 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, giving them a surface area of ​​at least 12.5 mm2, preferably at least 20 mm2.

[0037] According to yet another particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, each of said front and rear walls comprises at least two sheets, a first of said sheets being embossed to form a cushioning element, said first paper sheet having protrusions on at least one of its faces corresponding to depressions on the other of its faces, the second sheet or at least a second of said sheets being smooth or substantially smooth, at least the portions of these two sheets placed opposite said at least one compartment, being joined together solely by dots of glue connecting at least some of the peaks of said protrusions on one face of said first sheet to said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet.

[0038] According to yet another particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, said front and rear walls each comprise three sheets, said first embossed sheet being received between a smooth or substantially smooth sheet referred to as the outer face of the packaging and another smooth or substantially smooth sheet said to be the inner face of the packaging, the portion of said first embossed sheet placed opposite said at least one inner compartment being assembled only with said smooth or substantially smooth sheet forming the outer face of said packaging.

[0039] According to yet another particular embodiment of this shipping package, said package comprising a first edge having said opening and a second opposite edge defining the bottom of said package, said second edge comprising a bottom gusset and the edges of the package connecting said first and second edges each comprising a so-called side gusset, said gussets being configured to give said package the shape of a box when deployed, or activated, the flap being shaped to ensure the closure of this box in the closed position.

[0040] Preferably, each of said side edges of said flap has a cut and a V-shaped groove to ensure by folding the engagement of a part of this flap between the side gussets when closing said packaging, said part forming a side face of said box. A portion of this flap containing a closure element such as an adhesive strip then comes against the back wall of the packaging to close the packaging.

[0041] According to yet another particular embodiment of this shipping packaging, it includes at least one closure element configured to hold the flap in a non-reversible manner in the closed position. This closure element can be configured to hold the flap in the closed position by non-reversibly fixing the inner face of the flap to the outer face of the back wall of the shipping package. For illustrative purposes only, this closure element could be an adhesive strip covered by a peelable protective film.

[0042] The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a shipping package of the envelope or pouch type, comprising at least steps of creasing, folding and gluing on a part of its edges a portion of strip to define at least one internal compartment in communication with an opening to access said compartment. According to the invention, this portion of the strip is first obtained by unrolling a first strip of paper, embossing it on an embossing unit to form protrusions on at least one of its faces corresponding to depressions on the other of its faces, unrolling a second smooth or substantially smooth strip of paper, superimposing the two strips downstream of said embossing unit, and assembling said strips solely by gluing at least some of the vertices of the protuberances on one face of said first strip thus embossed with said strip smooth or substantially smooth.

[0043] Preferably, the embossing step aims to achieve a regular distribution of protrusions over the entire face of said first paper strip.

[0044] According to a particular embodiment of this method of manufacturing a shipping package, the embossing step of said first strip comprises the formation of an alternation of protrusions and depressions on one of the faces of said first strip corresponding respectively to depressions and protrusions on the other of its faces, the apexes of said protrusions on each face of said first strip being placed in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

[0045] According to another particular embodiment of this method of manufacturing a shipping package, the embossing step is carried out to give said first cushioning strip a thickness of at least three times its initial thickness, and even better at least five times its initial thickness.

[0046] According to yet another particular embodiment of this method of manufacturing a shipping package, the embossing step includes heating said first strip to treat the constituent fibers of the paper of said first strip and to reinforce the damping effect, or the spring effect. For illustrative purposes only, the heating temperature of the paper fibers in the said first strip is between 40°C and 90°C, and even better between 50°C and 60°C, and even more preferably between 50°C and 55°C.

[0047] According to yet another particular embodiment of this method of manufacturing a shipping package, after embossing, glue is deposited on at least 50%, and even better at least 70%, and even more preferably at least 80% of the peaks of the protuberances on the face of said first strip to ensure the assembly of said first and second strips.

[0048] According to yet another particular embodiment of this method for manufacturing shipping packaging, this method comprises a step of forming, by appropriate folding and creasing, a so-called bottom gusset on the edge opposite to that delimiting the opening communicating with the inner compartment, as well as a gusset on each of the lateral edges of said portion of the strip

[0049] Preferably, this process further includes a step of cutting and creasing in the shape of V of a part of said portion of strip forming the flap of said packaging to ensure by folding the engagement of a part of this flap between the side gussets while allowing the closure of said packaging. This part forms a side face of the said box.

[0050] Preferably, the inner face of the flap is in contact with the outer face of the rear wall of the shipping package when the flap is in the closed position. Brief description of the drawings

[0051] Other advantages, purposes and special features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes and in no way as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0052] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of protective enclosures according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2

[0053] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view and opening of an envelope of protection illustrated in [Fig.1]; Fig. 3

[0054] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a protective pouch forming a box in its folded configuration according to another particular embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4

[0055] [Fig.4] is another view of the protective pouch illustrated in [Fig.3]; Fig. 5

[0056] [Fig.5] shows a first of the different folding stages of the pouch protection represented in [Fig.3] leading to the formation of a shipping box; Fig. 6

[0057] [Fig.6] shows a second of the different folding stages of the pouch protection represented in [Fig.3] leading to the formation of a shipping box; Fig. 7

[0058] [Fig.7] shows a third of the different folding stages of the pouch protection represented in [Fig.3] leading to the formation of a shipping box; Fig. 8

[0059] [Fig.8] shows a fourth of the different folding steps of the pouch protection represented in [Fig.3] leading to the formation of a shipping box; Description of the implementation methods

[0060] The drawings and the description below contain, essentially, elements of a definite nature. They may therefore not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0061] First of all, it should be noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0062] Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a protective enclosure according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] This protective enclosure 10 comprises a front wall 11 and a rear wall 12, assembled so as to define an internal compartment 13.

[0064] This protective cover 10 has a general rectangular shape and includes an opening in communication with its inner compartment 13 to allow access to the latter.

[0065] This protective envelope 10 also includes a flap 14 placed here in the extension of its front wall 11, this flap 14 being movable between an open position, in which the inner compartment 13 is accessible through its opening, and a closed position in which the flap 14 covers at least part of this opening to close the envelope 10.

[0066] In the closed position, the inner face of the flap 14 is in contact with the rear wall 12 of the envelope 10. This inner face of the flap 14 may have one or more lines or strips of adhesive 15 to ensure the attachment of the flap 14 to this rear wall 12 of the envelope.

[0067] Each front wall 11 and rear wall 12 of this envelope 10 is made up of two sheets of paper 16, 17 assembled on part of their perimeter.

[0068] A first 16 of these sheets is entirely embossed to form a damping element. It thus presents an alternation of protrusions 18 and hollows on one of its faces corresponding respectively to depressions and protrusions on the other of its faces.

[0069] The inner face of this first sheet 16 delimits the inner compartment 13 of the envelope 10 so that these protuberances 18 and depressions are visible when opening this inner compartment.

[0070] As an example, this first sheet 16 is made of vellum paper with a weight of 90 or 120 gr / m2.

[0071] The second sheet 17, also made of paper, is smooth or substantially smooth. Here it is made of white vellum paper, but it could also be any other color or even be made of kraft paper or cardboard to give the envelope some rigidity.

[0072] In order to guarantee the desired damping effect, these two sheets 16, 17 are assembled together only by dots of glue connecting all the vertices of said protuberances 18 of the external face of this first sheet 16 to the second sheet 17 smooth or substantially smooth.

[0073] The glue used here to ensure this bonding is based on modified starch in an aqueous water solution.

[0074] Advantageously, during an embossing step, the first sheet 16 is heated during its mechanical deformation to create protrusions 17 and depressions on its two faces, by means of heated cylinders. The temperature of the first sheet thus heated is slightly above 55 °C, which corresponds to the freezing point. of this glue. Thus, when the two sheets are assembled, the temperature of the first sheet is adequate to ensure proper bonding of these two sheets.

[0075] In addition, it has been advantageously found that heating the paper fibers of the first sheet 16 enhances the damping effect of the protrusions 18.

[0076] Figures 3 to 8 schematically represent a protective pouch according to another particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] This protective pouch 30 has an unfolded configuration in which it is substantially flat, being compact for storage and handling, and a folded configuration in which it advantageously defines a shipping box.

[0078] This pouch has front walls 31 and rear walls 32 identical in structure to those described for the envelope above. The front wall has a flap portion 33 for closing the pouch.

[0079] This protective pouch 30 has a side defining the bottom of this pouch, which includes a bottom gusset 34, as well as longitudinal edges of the pouch each including a lateral gusset 35.

[0080] In a conventional manner, these longitudinal edges connect the side forming the bottom of the protective pouch 30 to its upper side including the opening of the latter to access its inner compartment.

[0081] As illustrated in [Fig.5] to 8, these gussets 34, 35 are configured to give this pouch the shape of a box when activated by folding.

[0082] Preferably, each of the side edges of the flap 33 has a cut and a V-shaped groove 36 to ensure, by folding, the engagement of a part of this flap 33 between the side gussets 35 when closing the protective pouch 30.

[0083] This part of the flap 33 then delimited a lateral face 37 of said box.

[0084] The inner face of this flap 33 also includes a closing element 38, such as that an adhesive strip which comes in the closed position of the flap 33, opposite the rear wall of the protective pouch 30 to ensure its closure.

[0085] Advantageously, it has been found that the creasing and shaping method used for the production of the three gussets 34, 35 of the protective pouch 30 allows the user to instantly shape this pouch into a box, by simple pressure (arrow 3) exerted on the sides of the protective pouch 30.

Claims

Demands

1. A shipping package of the pouch or envelope type, comprising a front wall (11) and a rear wall (12), assembled so as to define at least one internal compartment (13), said package comprising an opening communicating with said at least one internal compartment (13) for the insertion of at least one object, a flap (14) having an open position in which the internal compartment (13) is accessible through its opening, and a closed position in which the flap (14) covers at least part of this opening, characterized in that at least one of the front and rear walls comprises at least two sheets, a first of said sheets being embossed to form a cushioning element, said first sheet (16) of paper having protrusions (18) on at least one of its faces corresponding to depressions on the other of its faces,the second sheet (17) or at least a second of said sheets being smooth or substantially smooth, at least the portions of these two sheets placed opposite said at least one internal compartment (13), being joined together, solely by at least some of the peaks of said protrusions (18) on one face of said first sheet (16) which are attached to said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet, and in that said packaging comprising a first edge having said opening and a second opposite edge defining the bottom of said packaging, said second edge comprising a bottom gusset and the edges of the packaging connecting said first and second edges each comprising a so-called side gusset, said gussets being configured to give said packaging the shape of a box when deployed, the flap (14) being shaped to ensure the closure of this box in the closed position,Each of the said lateral edges of said flap (14) having a V-shaped cut and groove to ensure, by folding, the engagement of a portion of said flap (14) between the lateral gussets when closing said packaging, said portion forming a lateral face of said box.

2. Shipping packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the portions of these two sheets placed opposite said at least one inner compartment (13) are assembled between them only by points of glue connecting at least some of the tops of said protuberances (18) of one face of said first sheet (16) to said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet.

3. Shipping packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first sheet (16) of paper has an alternation of protrusions (18) and depressions on one of its faces corresponding respectively to depressions and protrusions (18) on the other of its faces, the apexes of said protrusions (18) being placed in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

4. Shipping packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the height of the protrusions (18) H is at least equal to 1 mm, and even better to 1.5 mm so that the thickness of said first sheet (16) forming cushioning element is at least equal to 2.5 mm, and even better to at least equal to 4 mm.

5. Shipping packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least forty percent (40%), and even better at least sixty percent (60%), and even more preferably at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the peaks of the protrusions (18) of said first sheet (16) of paper are assembled with said second or second smooth or substantially smooth sheet.

6. Shipping packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protrusions (18) have a shape selected from the group comprising dome, conical, frustoconical and combinations of these elements.

7. Shipping packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said front and rear walls comprises at least two sheets, a first of said sheets being embossed to form a cushioning element, said first sheet (16) being made of paper having protrusions (18) on at least one of its faces corresponding to depressions on the other of its faces, the second sheet (17) or at least a second of said sheets being smooth or substantially smooth, at least the portions of these two sheets placed opposite said at least one compartment, being joined together solely by dots of glue connecting at least some of the peaks of said protrusions (18) from one face of said first sheet (16) to said second or second sheet smooth or substantially smooth.

8. Shipping package according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front and rear walls each comprise three sheets, said first embossed sheet (16) being received between a smooth or substantially smooth sheet said outer face of the package and another smooth or substantially smooth sheet said inner face of the package, the portion of said first embossed sheet (16) placed opposite said at least one inner compartment (13) being assembled only with said smooth or substantially smooth sheet forming the outer face of said package.

9. A method for manufacturing a shipping package of the envelope or pouch type, comprising at least the steps of creasing, folding and gluing on a portion of its edges a portion of a strip to define at least one internal compartment (13) in communication with an opening for accessing said compartment, characterized in that said portion of the strip is first obtained by unwinding a first strip of paper, embossing it on an embossing unit to form protrusions (18) on at least one of its faces corresponding to depressions on the other of its faces, unwinding a second smooth or substantially smooth paper strip, superimposing the two strips downstream of said embossing unit and assembling said strips solely by gluing at least some of the peaks of the protrusions (18) of one face of said first strip thus embossed with said smooth or substantially smooth strip,and in that it comprises a step of forming, by appropriate folding and creasing, a so-called bottom gusset on the edge opposite to that delimiting the opening in communication with the inner compartment (13) as well as a gusset on each of the lateral edges of said portion of the strip, as well as a step of cutting and creasing in a V-shape a portion of said portion of the strip forming the flap (14) of said packaging to ensure, by folding, the engagement of a portion of this flap (14) between the lateral gussets while allowing the closure of said packaging.

10. A method for manufacturing a shipping package according to claim 9, characterized in that the embossing step of said first strip comprises the formation of an alternating pattern of protuberances (18) and depressions on one face of said first band corresponding respectively to depressions and protuberances (18) on the other of its faces, the vertices of said protuberances (18) of each face of said first band being placed in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

11. A method for manufacturing a shipping package according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the embossing step includes heating said first strip to treat the constituent fibers of the paper of said first strip and to enhance the damping effect, or the spring effect.

12. A method for manufacturing a shipping package according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that after embossing, glue is deposited on at least 50%, and even better at least 70%, and even more preferably at least 80% of the tops of the protrusions (18) on the face of said first strip to ensure the assembly of said first and second strips.

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