A levelling element to secure and protect an electric cooking appliance
A cellulose-based cushioning element with a retaining part formed by a cut-out section addresses the challenges of securing cooking utensils in electric cooking appliances, ensuring secure transport and reducing costs and environmental impact.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023010200
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-09-26
AI Technical Summary
The use of expanded polystyrene for protecting electric cooking appliances during transport and storage is prohibited due to regulatory and ecological concerns, and cellulose-based cushioning materials complicate the packaging process when securing cooking utensils like pans or fondue forks, increasing environmental impact and manufacturing costs.
A cushioning element made partially of cellulose-based material, featuring a dunnage element with a main housing and a retaining part formed by a cut-out section, which allows secure hold of cooking utensils without glue or complex assembly, ensuring easy assembly and reduced manufacturing costs.
The solution provides secure holding of cooking utensils during transport, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances recyclability by eliminating the need for glue and complex assembly equipment, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: A shoring element for shoring and protecting an electric cooking appliance technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cushioning elements configured to cushion and protect an electric cooking appliance in a package. State of the art
[0002] In order to protect an electric cooking appliance, particularly against impacts, during transport or storage, it is known to place the appliance in a cardboard box and secure it within the box using one or more protective elements made, for example, of expanded polystyrene. This material allows for the easy and inexpensive production of protective elements in a wide variety of shapes and thicknesses.
[0003] However, for regulatory and ecological reasons, the use of expanded polystyrene is increasingly prohibited for the production of shoring component(s).
[0004] To avoid using expanded polystyrene, it is known to use cellulose-based cushioning materials, particularly corrugated or honeycomb cardboard. However, when the electric cooking appliance is equipped with cooking utensils, such as pans for a raclette grill or a crepe maker, or fondue forks for a fondue set, it is necessary to have a multitude of cushioning materials that can be glued together to ensure that such cooking utensils are held securely. Thus, the multiplicity of cushioning materials and the use of glue complicate the industrial packaging process and increase the environmental impact. Summary of the invention
[0005] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.
[0006] The technical problem at the basis of the invention consists in particular of providing a support element for an electric cooking appliance which is of simple and economical structure, avoiding the use of support elements dedicated to the cooking utensils equipping the electric cooking appliance and while ensuring a satisfactory hold of these cooking utensils.
[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a cushioning element configured to secure and protect an electric cooking appliance, such as a raclette grill, a crepe maker, or a fondue set, within packaging, such as a cardboard box, the cushioning element being at least partially made of a material based on cellulose, the dunnage element comprising an upper wall and delimiting at least in part a main housing which is configured to house at least in part a main part of the electric cooking appliance and which is provided with a top opening leading into the upper wall of the dunnage element and through which the main part of the electric cooking appliance can be introduced into the main housing, the dunnage element comprising a fastening element, such as a fastening hole, provided on the upper wall of the dunnage element and a retaining part projecting from the upper face of the upper wall of the dunnage element, the retaining part being formed by a cut-out part, such as a main tab, which is cut into the upper wall of the dunnage element,the retaining portion comprising a first end portion connected to the upper wall of the support element by a main fold line located at a distance from the fastening element and a second end portion located opposite the first end portion and provided with a fastening element, such as a fastening finger, cooperating with the fastening element provided on the upper wall of the support element so as to fix the second end portion of the retaining portion to the upper wall of the support element, the retaining portion and the upper wall of the support element delimiting at least partially a retaining compartment configured to house, at least partially, at least one cooking utensil, such as a cooking cup also called a pan, of the electric cooking appliance.
[0008] Such a configuration of the cushioning element according to the present invention, and in particular the creation of the retaining portion by cutting and folding a cut-out section, allows for easy assembly of the cushioning element, without requiring, on the one hand, the use of glue and / or additional assembly elements, and on the other hand, the use of complex and expensive assembly equipment, which significantly reduces the manufacturing costs of such a cushioning element. Furthermore, the specific configuration of the retaining compartment ensures that at least one cooking utensil is held securely, particularly during transport or if a package containing a cushioning element according to the present invention is dropped.
[0009] Furthermore, the fact that the cushioning element is made at least partly from a cellulose-based material gives the cushioning element a very high recyclability rate.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main folding line, which connects the retaining part to the upper wall of the shim element, partly forms the upper opening of the main housing.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cut-out part has a surface area that is less than a passage section of the upper opening of the main housing.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cut-out part is a residual portion of at least one cut-out which formed the upper opening of the main housing.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main folding line is located in the extension of at least one cutout which formed the upper opening of the main housing.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining compartment is located at least partly above the upper face of the upper wall of the shoring element.
[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part comprises:
[0016] - a first section comprising the first end portion of the retaining part, the first flap forming the first side wall of the restraint compartment,
[0017] - a second flap which is connected to the first flap by a first folding line additional and which forms an upper wall of the restraint compartment, and
[0018] - a third flap comprising the second end portion of the part of restraint, the third flap being connected to the second flap by a second additional folding line and forming a second side wall of the restraint compartment, the second side wall of the restraint compartment being located at least partly opposite and at a distance from the first side wall of the restraint compartment.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is configured such that, when the fixing member is fixed to the fixing element, the lateral edges of the first flap are substantially located respectively in line with two adjacent lateral edges of the upper wall of the shim.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining part is configured such that, when the fixing member is fixed to the fixing element, the lateral edges of the third flap are substantially located respectively in line with two adjacent lateral edges of the upper wall of the shim.
[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper wall of the retaining compartment is configured to cover at least one cooking utensil when at least one cooking utensil is placed in the retaining compartment.
[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main fold line and the first and second additional fold lines are substantially parallel.
[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second side walls of the containment compartment are substantially parallel to each other. The first and second side walls of the containment compartment may, for example, be parallel to each other, or be inclined to each other at an angle of inclination of less than 15°, and for example less than 10°.
[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first flap has a maximum transverse dimension which is greater than a maximum transverse dimension of the third flap.
[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse dimension of the first flap is greater than the length of the main folding line.
[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second part has an overall rectangular shape.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third part has an overall polygonal shape.
[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cushioning element is obtained by folding a blank into a cellulose-based material, advantageously cardboard, and for example corrugated cardboard.
[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shimming element is three-dimensional.
[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cushioning element is made of cardboard, and by example in corrugated cardboard.
[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper wall of the shoring element has a substantially quadrilateral shape, the shoring element comprising lateral walls opposite each other in pairs, each lateral wall of the shoring element extending downwards relative to the upper wall of the shoring element and being connected to a respective lateral edge of the upper wall of the shoring element by a respective first fold line, the shoring element further comprising lower walls folded inwards towards the interior of the shoring element and each connected to a respective lateral wall of the shoring element by a respective second fold line, the lower walls extending opposite the lower face of the upper wall of the shoring element and at a distance from said upper wall so as to form a bottom part of the shoring element.
[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixing element is located near a corner of the upper wall of the shim element.
[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first and second folding lines associated with the same lateral wall of the shim are substantially parallel.
[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shim element has fixing openings provided at least in part on the lower walls, and fixing tabs folded downwards and partially delimiting the upper opening of the main housing, the fixing tabs being configured to cooperate with the fixing openings so as to lock the lower walls in position.
[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shoring element comprises a retaining opening provided on the upper wall of the shoring element and opening into the retention compartment, at least one cooking utensil being configured to be partially inserted into the retention opening when at least one cooking utensil is housed in the retention compartment.
[0036] The present invention also relates to a blank made of a cellulose-based material for forming a dunning element according to the invention, the blank comprising a main panel which includes a portion of panel configured to form the upper wall of the dunning element, the main panel further comprising at least one main recess configured to form at least in part the upper opening of the main housing and a cut-out portion configured to form the retaining portion, the cut-out portion comprising a first end portion connected to the portion of panel by a fold line intended to form the main fold line and a second end portion located opposite the first end portion and provided with the fastening member, the fastening member being provided on the portion of panel and at a distance from said fold line.
[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main panel has a substantially quadrilateral shape, the side comprising opposing side flaps in pairs, each side flap of the side being connected to a respective lateral edge of the main panel by a respective first lateral fold line and being configured to form a respective side wall of the chocking element, the side further comprising side flaps each connected to a respective lateral flap of the side by a respective second lateral fold line, the side flaps being configured to form the bottom part of the chocking element.
[0038] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a cushioning element configured to cushion and protect an electric cooking appliance and at least one cooking utensil in packaging, such as a cardboard box, the manufacturing method comprising the following steps:
[0039] - supply of a blank made of a cellulose-based material, the blank comprising a main panel which includes a portion of panel configured to form the upper wall of the shim,
[0040] - cutting the portion of the panel so as to form a fixing element,
[0041] - cutting the main panel so as to form a cut-out part, the part cut out comprising a first end portion connected to the panel portion by a main fold line located at a distance from the fastening element and a second end portion located opposite the first end portion and provided with a fastening member configured to cooperate with the fastening element,
[0042] - folding of the cut portion at least along the main fold line and fixing the fastener to the fastener element, so as to fix the second end portion of the cut part to the panel portion and to form a retaining compartment configured to house, at least partially, at least one cooking utensil, such as a cooking cup also called a pan, of the electric cooking appliance, the retaining compartment being delimited at least in part by the cut-out portion and the portion of panel. Brief description of the figures
[0043] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the attached schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of this shim.
[0044] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a wedge element according to the invention in which an electric cooking appliance is wedged.
[0045] [Fig.2] is a top view of a blank used to form the shimming element of [Fig.1],
[0046] [Fig.3] is a partial top view of an alternative embodiment of the blank of [Fig.2],
[0047] [Fig.4] is a partial top view of the side of [Fig.3] after folding of a cut-out part.
[0048] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the shimming element of [Fig.1]. Detailed description
[0049] Fig. 1 represents a cushioning element 2 configured to cushion and protect an electric cooking appliance 3, such as a raclette grill, a crepe maker or a fondue set, in packaging, such as a cardboard packaging box.
[0050] The support element 2 comprises a flat upper wall 4, which is substantially quadrilateral in shape, for example square or rectangular, and two opposing side walls 5. Each side wall 5 is rectangular and extends vertically downwards from the upper wall 4 of the support element 2. Each side wall 5 is connected to a respective lateral edge of the upper wall 4 of the support element 2 by a first lateral fold line 6. Each first lateral fold line 6 may, for example, be formed by a grooving line or a series of straight cuts that are aligned and spaced apart.
[0051] The outrigger element 2 further comprises lower walls 7 folded inwards towards the inrigger element 2 and each connected to a respective side wall 5 of the inrigger element 2 by a second respective fold line 8. The lower walls 7 extend opposite the lower face of the upper wall 4 of the inrigger element 2 and at a distance from said upper wall 4 so as to form a bottom portion of the inrigger element 2. Advantageously, the first and The second fold lines 6 and 8 associated with the same side wall 5 of the support element 2 are substantially parallel. Each second fold line 8 can, for example, be formed by a scoring line or a series of straight cuts that are aligned and spaced apart.
[0052] The shoring element 2 delimits a main housing 9 which is configured to house at least in part a main part of the electric cooking appliance 3. The main part of the electric cooking appliance 3 can, for example, be a cooking plate or a main housing of the electric cooking appliance 3.
[0053] The main housing 9 is provided with a top opening 11 leading into the top wall 4 of the shoring element 2 and through which the main part of the electric cooking appliance 3 can be introduced into the main housing 9.
[0054] The shim 2 also includes a fastening element 12 provided on the upper wall 4 of the shim 2 and located, for example, near a corner of the upper wall 4. The function of the fastening element 12 is described below. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the fastening element 12 is a fastening hole which may, for example, be straight.
[0055] The shoring element 2 further comprises a retaining portion 13 projecting from the upper face of the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2. The retaining portion 13 comprises a first end portion 13.1 connected to the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2 by a main fold line 14 located at a distance from the fastening element 12, and a second end portion 13.2 located opposite the first end portion 13.1 and provided with a fastening member 130, such as a fastening finger, cooperating with the fastening element 12 provided on the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2 so as to fix the second end portion 13.2 of the retaining portion 13 to the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2. Advantageously, the main fold line 14, which connects the retaining portion 13 to the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2, partly forms the upper opening 11 of the main housing 9.
[0056] The retaining portion 13 and the upper wall 4 of the support element 2, together with the base formed by the lower walls 7, define a retaining compartment 15 configured to hold, at least partially, one or more cooking utensils 16 of the electric cooking appliance 3. The retaining compartment 15 can, for example, be configured to hold several cooking cups when the electric cooking appliance 3 is a raclette grill. Advantageously, the support element 2 includes a retaining opening 17 (see [Fig. 2]) provided on the upper wall 4 of the support element 2 and opening into the retaining compartment 15. The cooking utensil(s) 16 are configured to be partially inserted into the retaining opening 17 when said cooking utensil 16 is placed in the retention compartment 15, so as to ensure even greater retention of the cooking utensil(s) 16 in the retention compartment 15.
[0057] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining compartment 15 comprises a first side wall 15.1 and a second side wall 15.2 which is located at least partially opposite and at a distance from the first side wall 15.1. The retaining compartment 15 is advantageously configured such that the cooking utensils 16 extend substantially vertically between the first and second side walls 15.1, 15.2 of the retaining compartment 15 when they are arranged in the retaining compartment 15. The first and second side walls 15.1, 15.2 of the retaining compartment 15 may, for example, be parallel to each other, or be inclined to each other at an angle of inclination of less than 20°, and for example less than 15°.
[0058] The retaining compartment 15 also includes an upper wall 15.3 connecting the upper edges of the first and second side walls 15.1, 15.2 of the retaining compartment 15 and configured to cover the cooking utensils 16 when the latter are arranged in the retaining compartment 15. Advantageously, the upper wall 4 of the securing element 2 forms a bottom wall of the retaining compartment 15.
[0059] The cushioning element 2 is advantageously obtained by folding and assembling a blank 18 made of cardboard sheet, and for example of corrugated cardboard sheet.
[0060] As shown in [Fig. 2], the blank 18 comprises a main panel 19 having a substantially quadrilateral shape, for example square or rectangular. The main panel 19 includes a portion of panel 20 configured to form the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2. Advantageously, the portion of panel 20 is a peripheral portion of the main panel 19.
[0061] The main panel 19 also includes a main recess 21 configured to form at least in part the upper opening 11 of the main housing 9. Advantageously, the main recess 21 is formed in a central portion of the main panel 19.
[0062] The main panel 19 also includes a cut-out portion 22, such as a main tongue, configured to form the retaining portion 13. Advantageously, the cut-out portion 22 is a residual portion of the at least one cut-out that formed the upper opening 11 of the main housing 9, and thus has a surface area that is less than a passage section of the upper opening 11 of the main housing 9.
[0063] The cut-out portion 22 comprises, in particular:
[0064] - a first part 23 comprising the first end portion 13.1 of the part retaining 13 and being connected to the panel portion 20 by the main folding line 14, the first flap 23 being configured to form the first side wall 15.1 of the retention compartment 15,
[0065] - a second panel 24 which is connected to the first panel 23 by a first line of additional folding 25 and which is configured to form the upper wall 15.3 of the retention compartment 15, and
[0066] - a third part 26 comprising the second end portion 13.2 of the part of retention 13, the third flap 26 being connected to the second flap 24 by a second additional folding line 27 and being configured to form the second side wall 15.2 of the retention compartment 15.
[0067] Advantageously, the main fold line 14 and the first and second additional fold lines 25, 27 are parallel. Each of the main fold line 14 and the first and second additional fold lines 25, 27 can, for example, be formed by a respective creasing line or a series of respective straight cuts that are aligned and spaced apart.
[0068] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first flap 23 has a maximum transverse dimension, namely a maximum width, which is greater than a maximum transverse dimension, namely a maximum width, of the third flap 26 and which is also greater than the length of the main fold line 14. The second flap 24 can, for example, have an overall rectangular shape, and the third flap 26 can, for example, have an overall polygonal shape, and in particular an overall pentagonal shape.
[0069] Advantageously, the cut-out portion 22 is configured such that, when the fastener 130 is attached to the fastener 12, the lateral edges of the first flap 23 are substantially located respectively in line with two adjacent lateral edges of the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2. Similarly, the cut-out portion 22 could also be configured such that, when the fastener 130 is attached to the fastener 12, the lateral edges of the third flap 26 are substantially located respectively in line with two adjacent lateral edges of the upper wall 4 of the shoring element 2.Such a configuration of the cut-out part 22, and therefore of the retaining part 13, ensures increased retention of the cooking utensils 16 in the retaining compartment 15, due to the fact that the respective side walls of the packaging box receiving the cushioning element 2 are then located close to the retaining compartment 15 and allow the two open ends of the retaining compartment 15 to be closed at least partially.
[0070] The blank 18 also includes opposing side flaps 28. Each side flap 28 of the blank 18 is connected to a respective side edge of the main panel 19 by a respective fold line, forming a first lateral fold line 6 respective, and is configured to form a respective side wall 5 of the dunning element 2. The blank 18 further includes side flaps 29 each connected to a respective side flap 28 of the blank 18 by a respective fold line, forming a respective second side fold line 8, the side flaps 29 being configured to form the lower walls 7 of the dunning element 2, and thus the bottom part of the dunning element 2.
[0071] The side 18 also includes fastening openings 31 provided at least in part on the side flaps 29, and fastening tabs 32 configured to partially delimit the upper opening 11 of the main housing 9 and to be folded downwards, the fastening tabs 32 being configured to cooperate with the fastening openings 31 so as to lock the side flaps 29 in position. Advantageously, the fastening tabs 32 are distributed around the perimeter of the upper opening 11 of the main housing 9.
[0072] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.3], the second end portion of the cut-out part 22 could be connected to a fixing tab 32 by a connecting part 33, intended to be discarded, so as to ensure that the cut-out part 22 is held in the plane of the main panel 19 until the cut-out part 22 is folded to form the retaining part 13.
[0073] An example of a manufacturing method for a shim 2 according to the present invention is described below. Such a manufacturing method comprises the following steps:
[0074] - supply of a blank 18 made of cardboard, and for example of corrugated cardboard, the blank 18 comprising a main panel 19, four side panels 28 and four side flaps 29,
[0075] - cutting the main panel 19 so as to form the fixing element 12 and the opening of retention 17,
[0076] - cutting the main panel 19 so as to form the cut-out part 22, the panel section 20 and fixing brackets 32,
[0077] - folding of the side flaps 28 and side flaps 29,
[0078] - folding of the fixing tabs 32 and insertion of the fixing tabs 32 into the fixing openings 31 so as to lock the side panels 28 and the side flaps 29 in position,
[0079] - folding the cut-out part 22 along the main folding line 14 and the first and second additional folding lines 25, 27,
[0080] - fixing the fastening member 130 to the fastening element 12, so as to fix the second end portion of the cut-out part 22 to the panel portion 20 and to form the retaining compartment 15.
[0081] Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
Claims
1.
2.
3. Demands A bracing element (2) configured to brace and protect an electric cooking appliance (3), the bracing element (2) being at least partly made of a cellulose-based material, the bracing element (2) comprising an upper wall (4) and delimiting at least partly a main housing (9) which is configured to house at least partly a main part of the electric cooking appliance (3) and which is provided with a top opening (11) leading into the upper wall (4) of the bracing element (2) and through which the main part of the electric cooking appliance (3) can be introduced into the main housing (9), the bracing element (2) comprising a fixing element (12) provided on the upper wall (4) of the bracing element (2) and a retaining part (13) projecting from the upper face of the upper wall (4) of the bracing element (2),the retaining part (13) being formed by a cut-out portion (22) which is cut out of the upper wall (4) of the shoring element (2), the retaining part (13) comprising a first end portion (13.1) connected to the upper wall (4) of the shoring element (2) by a main fold line (14) located at a distance from the fixing element (12) and a second end portion (13.2) located opposite the first end portion (13.1) and provided with a fixing member (130) cooperating with the fixing element (12) provided on the upper wall (4) of the shoring element (2) so as to fix the second end portion (13.2) of the retaining part (13) to the upper wall (4) of the shoring element (2) delimiting at least in part a containment compartment (15) configured to house, at least in part,at least one cooking utensil (16) of the electric cooking appliance (3). Shimming element (2) according to claim 1, wherein the main fold line (14), which connects the retaining part (13) to the upper wall (4) of the shimming element (2), forms in part the upper opening (11) of the main housing (9). A shimming element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cut-out portion (22) has a surface area that is less than a passage section of the upper opening (11) of the main dwelling (9).
4. Shim element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cut-out part (22) is a residual portion of at least one cut-out which formed the upper opening (11) of the main housing (9).
5. A securing element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining portion (13) comprises: - a first flap (23) comprising the first end portion (13.1) of the retaining portion (13), the first flap (23) forming a first side wall (15.1) of the retaining compartment (15), - a second flap (24) which is connected to the first flap (23) by a first additional fold line (25) and which forms an upper wall (15.3) of the retaining compartment (15), and - a third flap (26) comprising the second end portion (13.2) of the retaining portion (13), the third flap (26) being connected to the second flap (24) by a second additional fold line (27) and forming a second side wall (15.2) of the retaining compartment (15), the second side wall (15.2) of the retaining compartment (15) being located at least partly opposite and at a distance from the first side wall (15.1) of the restraint compartment (15).
6. Shim element (2) according to claim 5, wherein the first flap (23) has a maximum transverse dimension which is greater than a maximum transverse dimension of the third flap (26).
7. A shim (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is obtained by folding a blank (18) into a cellulose-based material.
8. Cushioning element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is made of cardboard.
9. A shim (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the upper wall (4) of the shim (2) has a substantially quadrilateral shape, the shim (2) comprising lateral walls (5) arranged in pairs, each lateral wall (5) of the shim (2) extending downwards relative to the upper wall (4) of the shim (2) and being connected to a respective lateral edge of the upper wall
10. (4) of the dunning element (2) by a respective first fold line (6), the dunning element (2) further comprising lower walls folded inwards of the dunning element (2) and each connected to a respective side wall (5) of the dunning element (2) by a respective second fold line, the lower walls (5) extending opposite the lower face of the upper wall (4) of the dunning element (2) and at a distance from said upper wall (4) so as to form a bottom part of the dunning element (2). Assembly comprising a shimming element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and an electric cooking appliance (3) comprising at least one cooking utensil (16).