Improved packaging device for a batch of at least two containers

Abstract

Title: Improved Batch Packaging Device for at Least Two Containers The present invention relates to a batch packaging device (1) for at least two containers (2), said containers (2) being bottles with a base (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting said body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans for example, said device comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks (6) of said containers (2), remarkable in that said sheet (8) is made of a raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers obtained by forming said raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers from an aqueous base slip and at least one decomposable and / or biodegradable vegetable fiber material in which is immersed a first mold having at least one impression of the sheet,said first mold being equipped with a vacuum suction system such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slip are suctioned into the cavity of the first mold, when the first mold is removed from the slip, additional vacuum suction being applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thus forming a sheet (8), then said sheet (8) positioned in the cavity of the first mold being pressed between said first mold and a second mold having at least one counter-cavity of said sheet (8) to reduce the water content and said sheet (8) being heated so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet (8) having a single-layer configuration. Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Improved device for packaging in a batch of at least two containers. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of batch container packaging and more particularly to a device for packaging at least two containers in a batch. State of the art

[0002] In the context of the present invention, the container is a bottle or flask, the container being composed of a base, a body, and a shoulder connecting said body to a neck. Such a container is intended to hold, but not limited to, a fluid, a liquid, powders, or granules, particularly of the food or cosmetic type.

[0003] For handling purposes, such finished containers are often packaged in batches. Thus, each batch comprises several containers, arranged, for example, in a matrix, generally of a roughly parallelepiped shape, often square or rectangular, in columns and rows, and possibly in a staggered pattern. By way of illustration, a typical batch groups six containers in two rows and three columns.

[0004] Once the groups of containers have been made, it is necessary to carry out a step called bundling, which consists of wrapping each group of containers with a film generally heat-shrinkable, in order to facilitate the handling of the batch thus obtained.

[0005] This bundling step entails a significant energy expenditure. Furthermore, the use of plastic film is harmful to the environment, as nearly half of the plastic waste found in the sea consists of single-use plastic items.

[0006] Currently, many plastics are described as "recyclable," but this approach is generally insufficient and unsatisfactory. Indeed, the use of shrink-wrapped plastic films has numerous negative environmental impacts: significant energy expenditure, single-use nature, low recycling rates, massive export of plastic waste to countries with recycling infrastructure, etc. Furthermore, the film's composition, being only partially recyclable, complicates the process, and the resulting waste will not be recovered in the vast majority of cases.

[0007] Furthermore, the use of a plastic film that coats the products makes it impossible to detach one of the containers from the batch without causing the complete or partial dislocation of the latter.

[0008] Thus, there is a growing need to find an alternative to the use of this material which generates a lot of waste and is energy costly, while guaranteeing its strength and allowing its handling.

[0009] In this regard, a known alternative to using shrink film for batch formation is to hold the products together by means of a plastic strap or band that encircles the containers. This solution is unsatisfactory because, in addition to requiring the use of plastic, it generally necessitates the use of other additional means of sealing the batch, such as adhesives, and, if a container is removed or the band breaks, it results in the complete separation of the batch of containers.

[0010] To address these drawbacks, packaging solutions using cardboard have already been devised. This is the case, in particular, for documents US2008 / 0257763 and WO2013 / 185898.

[0011] US patent 2008 / 0257763 describes a solution involving the use of a cardboard tray to support the bottom of the products. More specifically, this patent describes a bottle packaging system for bottles with a neck portion. The system includes a plate having a base on which a plurality of bottles are placed in a series of rows. The system also includes a bridge having a planar central portion and a plurality of arched recesses extending into a periphery of the planar central portion. Each recess is sized to receive a portion of the neck of one of the bottles. A means of joining the bottles together is provided, wherein the joining means creates an inward-directed force against the bottles. The bridge opposes the inward-directed force and thus holds the bottles in an upright position on the base.

[0012] This solution does not require the use of additional means such as glue. However, in this configuration, it is not possible to lift the batch or transport it easily. It is also not possible to easily transport a subgroup of the products in the batch.

[0013] In order to be able to lift the batch, another solution, described in document WO2013 / 185898, consists of using a rigid plate, made of cardboard or plastic, to hold the containers at a restriction on the container body. More specifically, this document describes a cardboard support element, for example made of corrugated cardboard, cardboard, or a plastic material with increased rigidity, intended for containers grouped in a bundled package. This support element comprises a main support having a container area, horizontal in a position of use, with container slots (6) formed in the form of a U-shaped cutout comprising a rounded base and U-shaped arms acting as retaining supports, as well as a handle area. An external support can be connected to the container area, the external support, made in the form of a strip element, having a plurality of opposing housings corresponding to the number of housings for containers and made in a corresponding manner in the form of a U-shaped cutout with a rounded base and U-shaped arms acting as opposing support legs.

[0014] However, although this solution allows the batch to be lifted, it is very limited because it can only be applied to certain types of containers. Furthermore, the strength of the batch is not guaranteed, particularly in the case of packaging large-format containers.

[0015] All these solutions are therefore unsatisfactory. Indeed, either they are always made of a plastic material, or, if they are equipped with a gripping means, they do not guarantee the integrity of the batch during handling. Disclosure of the invention

[0016] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a packaging device in a batch of at least two containers of simple and inexpensive design, guaranteeing the integrity of the batch during handling and advantageously obtained in a recyclable material, without plastic material.

[0017] To this end, and in accordance with the invention, a packaging device is proposed for a batch of at least two containers, said containers being bottles with a base, a body and a shoulder connecting said body to a neck, or cylindrical cans for example, said device comprising at least one sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks of said containers, remarkable in that said sheet is made up of a raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers obtained by forming said raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers from an aqueous base slip and at least one decomposable and / or biodegradable vegetable fiber material in which is immersed a first mold having at least one impression of the sheet,said first mold being equipped with a vacuum suction system such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slip are drawn into the cavity of the first mold; when the first mold is removed from the slip, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thus forming a sheet; said sheet then positioned in the cavity of the first mold being pressed between said first mold and a second mold having at least one counter-cavity of said sheet to reduce the water content; and said sheet being heated so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet having a single-layer configuration.

[0018] Thus, the material from which the sheet is obtained has the advantage, in addition to being sufficiently rigid to package bottles, of providing improved mechanical and chemical properties to the cellulose sheet which is advantageously recyclable.

[0019] Said cellulose is made up of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers and the decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material consists of wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar.

[0020] Furthermore, the fibers have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and, preferably, a length between 1 and 1.5 mm.

[0021] Furthermore, the resulting sheet has a density between 0.2 g / cm3 and 2 g / cm3.

[0022] Preferably, said sheet obtained has a basis weight between 2 g / m2 and 30 g / m2.

[0023] Advantageously, the slip from which the sheet is obtained comprises one or more additives suitable for modifying the mechanical, hydrophobic and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet.

[0024] Said slip preferably comprises one or more additives from among starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, an alkylketene dimer (AKD), adenylyl succinic anhydrous (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbons, or a combination thereof.

[0025] Moreover, the sheet obtained advantageously exhibits a peel resistance of between 0.2 N / mm2 and 1 N / mm2.

[0026] According to a first embodiment, said sheet is flat and has a substantially rectangular shape and has at least two parallel rows of holes suitable for receiving the necks of the containers.

[0027] Each orifice has tabs extending in a corolla shape towards the inside of each orifice.

[0028] Said tabs are obtained by making radial slits from the inner edge of the orifices which have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the necks of the containers.

[0029] Advantageously, the conditioning device according to the invention includes frangible opening means for each orifice.

[0030] Said frangible opening means consist of two parallel pre-cut lines extending radially from the edge of an orifice.

[0031] Said pre-cut lines of the frangible opening means extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edge of the sheet.

[0032] Furthermore, the sheet has in its central part, between the rows of holes, two so-called gripping holes.

[0033] According to a second embodiment, said sheet has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of substantially truncated conical or hemispherical or tronpyramidal or similar cups, the inner wall of which is able to bear on the shoulder of the containers and the apexes of which are respectively provided with an orifice able to receive the neck of a container.

[0034] Said cups are connected in pairs by longitudinal and transverse beams.

[0035] Said beams have a straight section in the shape of an inverted U.

[0036] Furthermore, each orifice has tabs extending in a corolla shape towards the inside of each orifice.

[0037] Said tabs are obtained by making radial slits from the inner edge of the orifices which have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the necks of the containers.

[0038] Advantageously, the conditioning device according to the invention includes frangible opening means for each orifice.

[0039] Said frangible opening means consist of two parallel lines of pre-cuts or lines of weakness (with less thickness) made in the cups and extending radially from the edge of an orifice.

[0040] According to one embodiment, said frangible opening means consist of two parallel lines of weakness having a lesser thickness, said lines of weakness being made in the cups and extending radially from the edge of an orifice.

[0041] Said pre-cut lines and / or said lines of weakness of the frangible opening means extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edge of the sheet.

[0042] Preferably, the conditioning device according to the invention comprises two rows of three cups, said cups being connected in pairs by a central transverse beam, two lateral transverse beams and longitudinal beams.

[0043] Furthermore, said device comprises two so-called central walls extending between two pairs of transverse and longitudinal beams, on either side of the central transverse beam.

[0044] Each central wall is inclined from top to bottom from the central transverse beam towards a lateral transverse beam, i.e. towards a transverse edge of the sheet.

[0045] Advantageously, each central wall has a so-called gripping hole.

[0046] Each gripping hole has a circular, oblong or ovoid shape.

[0047] Another object of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a packaging device for a batch of at least two containers, said containers being bottles with a base, a body and a shoulder connecting said body to a neck, or cylindrical cans, for example, said device comprising at least one sheet of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings for receiving the necks of said containers, according to the invention, which is remarkable in that it comprises at least the following steps:

[0048] a) Preparation of an aqueous base slip, also called pulp, by mixing water, cellulose and / or decomposable and / or biodegradable vegetable fiber material;

[0049] b) Introduction of a first mold having at least one impression of the sheet (8) into the slip, said first mold being equipped with a vacuum suction system such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slip is (are) sucked into the impression of the first mold, thus forming an intermediate sheet. ;

[0050] c) Pressing said intermediate sheet positioned in the cavity of the first mold between said first mold and a second mold comprising at least one counter-cavity of said sheet to reduce the water content;

[0051] d) Heating said sheet to a temperature between 120°C and 240°C.

[0052] Said decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fibre material consists of wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar.

[0053] Advantageously, one or more additives capable of modifying the mechanical, hydrophobic and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet is / are introduced into the slip during step a) of preparing said slip

[0054] The said additive(s) are selected from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, alkylketene dimer (AKD), adenylyl succinic anhydrous (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbons, or a combination thereof.

[0055] Furthermore, cellulose is made up of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers.

[0056] Preferably, said fibers have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and, preferably, a length between 1 and 1.5 mm.

[0057] Preferably, when the first mold is removed from the slip, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers.

[0058] Furthermore, the pressure applied between the molds 104 and 106 is between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa.

[0059] According to a first embodiment, said sheet is heated between the first mold and the second mold at a temperature between 120°C and 240°C before being removed so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet having a single-layer configuration.

[0060] According to a second embodiment, the heating step of the sheets is carried out in a heating tunnel, the sheets having been previously removed from the molds. Brief description of the drawings

[0061] Other advantages and features will become clearer from the following description of several embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, of the container conditioning device according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0062] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device packaging according to the invention

[0063] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device packaging according to the invention

[0064] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the sheet of the second embodiment of the conditioning device according to the invention shown in [Fig.2],

[0065] [Fig.4] is a top view of the sheet of the following conditioning device the invention shown in figures 2 and 3,

[0066] [Fig. 5] is a front view of the sheet of the following conditioning device the invention shown in figures 2 and 3,

[0067] [Fig.6] is a side view of the sheet of the following conditioning device the invention shown in figures 2 and 3,

[0068] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of a first step in the process of manufacturing a packaging device according to the invention,

[0069] [Fig.8] is a schematic representation of a second step in the process of manufacturing of the packaging device according to the invention,

[0070] [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of a third step in the process of manufacturing of the packaging device according to the invention,

[0071] [Fig.10] is a schematic representation of a fourth and final stage of the manufacturing process of the packaging device according to the invention. Method of embodying the invention

[0072] In the remainder of the description of the container packaging device according to the invention, the same numerical references designate the same elements. The different views are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0073] With reference to [Fig. 1], a packaging device 1 according to the invention will be described below in a batch of at least two containers 2, said containers 2 being bottles with a base 3, a body 4, substantially cylindrical, and a shoulder 5 connecting said body 4 to a neck 6, said neck receiving a stopper 7. Said packaging device 1 comprises at least one sheet 8 of semi-rigid or rigid material, which will be described in more detail later, provided with at least two openings 9 for receiving the necks 6 of said containers 2.

[0074] In this particular embodiment, said sheet 8 is flat, has a substantially rectangular shape and has at least two parallel rows of three orifices 9 suitable for receiving the necks 6 of the containers 2, in order to obtain a batch of six bottles, batches of bottles usually comprising six bottles.

[0075] Each orifice 9 receiving the necks 6 of the containers has tabs 10 extending in a corolla shape towards the inside of each orifice 9. Said tabs 10 are obtained by making radial slits 11 from the inner edge of the orifices 10 which have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the necks 6 of the containers 2. After the necks 6 of the containers 2 are inserted into the orifices 9, the free ends of the tabs 10 come to rest under the lower end of the stoppers, extending between the neck 6 and the lower end of the stopper, thus preventing the container 2 from escaping from the orifice 9. To remove the container 2, it is sufficient to exert a downward pulling force and / or an outward rotational force by grasping the container 2 by its body 4 in such a way that said tabs 10 turn around or tear off.

[0076] Advantageously, in order to facilitate the removal of the containers 2 from the sheet 8, the packaging device 1 according to the invention comprises frangible opening means 12 for each orifice 9. Said frangible opening means 12 consist of two parallel lines of pre-cuts 13 extending radially from the edge of an orifice 9. Said pre-cut lines 13 of the frangible opening means 12 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edge of the sheet 8.

[0077] According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, said pre-cut lines 13 of frangible opening means 12 may be replaced by parallel lines of weakness which are characterized by a lesser thickness of the cups 15 at the level of these lines of weakness.

[0078] It goes without saying that the pre-cut lines 13 of frangible opening means 12 can be substituted by any other equivalent means well known to the Man skilled in the art without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0079] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the grasping of the packaging device according to the invention, the sheet 8 has, in its central part, between the rows of holes 9, two so-called grasping holes 14. Thus, it is possible to grasp the device conditioning by inserting two fingers, such as the thumb and index finger of the same hand, into said gripping holes.

[0080] It is quite clear that the said gripping holes 14 can be replaced by frangible flaps of substantially ovoid shape without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0081] Incidentally, the corners of sheet 8 are rounded to avoid any injury when handling the batch of bottles.

[0082] According to an essential feature of the packaging device according to the invention, said sheet 8 consists of a raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers obtained by forming said raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers from an aqueous base slip and at least one decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material in which a first mold having at least one impression of the sheet is immersed, said first mold being equipped with a vacuum suction system such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slip is (are) suctioned into the impression of the first mold, when the first mold is removed from the slip, additional vacuum suction being applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thus forming a sheet 8,then said sheet 8, positioned in the cavity of the first mold, is pressed between said first mold and a second mold having at least one counter-cavity of said sheet 8 to reduce the water content, and said sheet 8 is heated between the first mold and the second mold before being removed so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet 8 having a single-layer configuration.

[0083] The material from which the sheet 8 is obtained has the advantage, besides being sufficiently rigid to package bottles, of providing improved mechanical and chemical properties to the cellulose sheet 8 which is advantageously recyclable.

[0084] Cellulose is made up of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers and the plant fiber and / or biodegradable material consists of wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar.

[0085] Said fibres have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and, preferably, a length between 1 and 1.5 mm.

[0086] Furthermore, the sheet obtained has a density between 0.2 g / cm3 and 2 g / cm3 and, preferably between 0.3 g / cm3 and 1 g / cm3, said sheet obtained having a basis weight between 2 g / m2 and 30 g / m2.

[0087] Advantageously, the slip from which the sheet 8 is obtained comprises one or more additives suitable for modifying the mechanical, hydrophobic and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet.

[0088] The said additive(s) are chosen, for example, from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, an alkylketene dimer (AKD), adenylyl succinic anhydrous (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbons, or a combination thereof.

[0089] Furthermore, the resulting sheet 8 exhibits a peel strength of between 0.2 N / mm² and 1 N / mm². It should also be noted that the sheet 8 is held between the first mold containing the impression of sheet 8 and the second mold containing the counter-impression of sheet 8 by applying a pressure of between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa and a temperature of between 120°C and 240°C.

[0090] The manufacturing process of the conditioning device according to the invention will now be explained with reference to figures 7 to 10.

[0091] In a first step, with reference to [Fig.7], the aqueous base slip, also called pulp, is prepared in a pulper 100 consisting of a tank 101 and rotating blades 102 and / or toothed discs by introducing into said pulper 100 water, cellulose and / or a decomposable and / or biodegradable vegetable fiber material such as wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or similar.Incidentally, in this step, one or more additives capable of modifying the mechanical, hydrophobic, and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet may be introduced into the pulper 100. These additives may be chosen, for example, from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, an alkylketene dimer (AKD), adenylyl succinic anhydrous (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbons, or a combination thereof. The cellulose consists of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers with a length between 0.5 and 3 mm, and preferably between 1 and 1.5 mm. The mixture is blended until a homogeneous slurry or pulp with the desired viscosity is obtained.

[0092] In a second step, with reference to [Fig. 8], the slip obtained in the previous step being transferred into a molding vat 103, a first mold 104 having at least one impression of the sheet 8 is immersed in the slip of the molding vat 103, said first mold 104 being equipped with a vacuum suction system 105 such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slip is (are) sucked into the impression of the first mold 104. When the first mold 104 is removed from the slip, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thus forming an intermediate sheet 8.

[0093] Then, in a third step, with reference to [Fig. 9], said intermediate sheet 8, positioned in the cavity of the first mold 104, is pressed between said first mold 104 and a second mold 106 having at least one counter-cavity of said sheet 8 to reduce the water content, the pressure applied between the molds 104 and 106 being between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa. Furthermore, said sheet 8 is heated between the first mold 104 and the second mold 105 to a temperature between 120°C and 240°C before being removed so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet 8 having a single-layer configuration.

[0094] It will be observed that, in this variant of the embodiment, said sheet 8 is heated by means of a heating system 107 of the first mold 104 and / or the second mold 106; However, it is quite evident that the sheet 8 could be transferred into other molds specifically dedicated to heating without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0095] Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the heating step of the sheets 8 can be carried out in a heating tunnel, the sheets 8 being previously removed from the molds 104 and 106.

[0096] In a final step, with reference to [Fig. 10], after heating, the sheets 8 are removed from the molds 104 and 106 and are finally stacked and palletized, ready to package in a batch several containers such as PET bottles for example.

[0097] According to a second embodiment of the packaging device according to the invention, with reference to Figures 2 to 6, said packaging device 1 according to the invention in a batch of at least two containers 2, said containers 2 being bottles with a base 3, a body 4, substantially cylindrical, and a shoulder 5 connecting said body 4 to a neck 6, said neck receiving a stopper 7, comprises in the same way as before at least one sheet 8 of semi-rigid or rigid material, said material being identical to that described previously, provided with at least two openings 9 for receiving the necks 6 of said containers 2.

[0098] In this particular embodiment, said sheet 8 has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of substantially frustoconical, hemispherical, tronpyramidal, or similar cups 15, the inner wall of which is adapted to bear against the shoulder 5 of the containers 2 and the apexes of which are respectively provided with an orifice 9 adapted to receive the neck 6 of a container 2. It should be noted that the apexes of said cups 15 extend in the same plane, which is considered horizontal insofar as the containers 2 are packaged in batches in a usually vertical position. It is clear that the fact that the shoulders 5 of the containers rest on the inner wall of the cups 15 ensures better support of the containers 2 on the sheet 8 by preventing the rotation of the neck 6 of the containers 2 in the orifices 9 and keeps the containers against each other, preventing them from separating, during handling, conveying, etc. of the batch.

[0099] It is quite clear that said cups 15 will have a shape that conforms to that of the shoulders of the containers without departing from the scope of the invention. Indeed, said containers 2, in this case bottles, may have shoulders of substantially hemispherical, frustoconical or tronpyramidal shape, in particular, the body of the bottles may have a circular, ovoid, square, etc. cross-section.

[0100] The cups 15 are connected in pairs by longitudinal beams 16 and transverse beams 17. These beams 16, 17 extend in the same horizontal plane, extending below the horizontal plane of the openings 9, and have a U-shaped or inverted V-shaped cross-section, with the concavity of the beams facing downwards. These beams 16, 17 stiffen the sheet 8 and prevent the assembly from dislocating.

[0101] It goes without saying that said beams 16,17 may have any shape and / or be solid without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0102] Each orifice 9 receiving the necks 6 of the containers has tabs 10 extending in a corolla shape towards the inside of each orifice 9. Said tabs 10 are obtained by making radial slits 11 from the inner edge of the orifices 10 which have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the necks 6 of the containers 2. After the necks 6 of the containers 2 are inserted into the orifices 9, the free ends of the tabs 10 come to rest under the lower end of the stoppers, extending between the neck 6 and the lower end of the stopper, thus preventing the container 2 from escaping from the orifice 9. To remove the container 2, it is sufficient to exert a downward pulling force by grasping the container 2 by its 4 so that said tabs 10 turn around or tear off.

[0103] Advantageously, in order to facilitate the removal of the containers 2 from the sheet 8, the packaging device 1 according to the invention comprises frangible opening means 12 for each orifice 9. Said frangible opening means 12 consist of two parallel lines of pre-cuts 13 extending radially from the edge of an orifice 9. Said pre-cut lines 13 of the frangible opening means 12 extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edge of the sheet 8.

[0104] In the same manner as before, and according to an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, said pre-cut lines 13 of opening means The 12 frangibles can be replaced by parallel lines of weakness which are characterized by a lesser thickness of the cups 15 at the level of these lines of weakness.

[0105] It goes without saying that the pre-cut lines 13 of frangible opening means 12 can be substituted by any other equivalent means well known to the person skilled in the art without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0106] Furthermore, in this particular embodiment, the conditioning device 1 according to the invention comprises two rows of three cups 15, said cups 15 being connected in pairs by a central transverse beam 17a, two lateral transverse beams 17b, and longitudinal beams 16. The device also comprises two central walls 18 extending between two pairs of transverse beams 17 and longitudinal beams 16, on either side of the central transverse beam 17a. Each central wall 18 is preferably flat and inclined downwards from the central transverse beam 17a towards a lateral transverse beam 17b, i.e., towards a transverse edge of the sheet 8. Each central wall 18 forms an angle of between 5 and 30° with the horizontal plane containing the openings 9.It should be noted that the aforementioned central walls 18 could advantageously accommodate a label, not shown in the figures.

[0107] Furthermore, to facilitate the grasping of the packaging device according to the invention, the sheet 8 has, in its central part, between the rows of holes 9, two frangible flaps 19 adapted to form gripping holes. Thus, it is possible to grasp the packaging device by inserting two fingers, such as the thumb and forefinger of the same hand, into said gripping holes after lowering said frangible flaps 19. Said frangible flaps 19 have a substantially oblong shape; however, said frangible flaps 19 may have any shape whatsoever, such as a rectangular, circular, or ovoid shape, for example, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0108] It is quite clear that the said frangible flaps 19 can be replaced by gripping holes without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0109] Finally, it is quite clear that the examples just given are only particular illustrations and in no way limiting as to the fields of application of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Packaging device (1) in a batch of at least two containers (2), said containers (2) being bottles with a base (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting said body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans for example, said device comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks (6) of said containers (2), characterized in that said sheet (8) is made of a raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers obtained by forming said raw structure based on cellulose and / or natural fibers from an aqueous base slip and at least one decomposable and / or biodegradable vegetable fiber material in which is immersed a first mold having at least one impression of the sheet,said first mold being equipped with a vacuum suction system such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slip are suctioned into the cavity of the first mold, when the first mold is removed from the slip, additional vacuum suction being applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers, thus forming a sheet (8), then said sheet (8) positioned in the cavity of the first mold being pressed between said first mold and a second mold having at least one counter-cavity of said sheet (8) to reduce the water content and said sheet (8) being heated so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet (8) having a single-layer configuration.

2. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the cellulose is made up of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers.

3. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fibre material consists of wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or the like.

4. A conditioning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fibers have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and, preferably, a length between 1 and 1.5 mm.

5. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the sheet (8) obtained has a density between 0.2 g / cm3 and 2 g / cm3.

6. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said sheet (8) obtained has a basis weight between 2 g / m2 and 30 g / m2.

7. Conditioning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the slip from which the sheet (8) is obtained comprises one or more additives capable of modifying the mechanical, hydrophobic and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet.

8. Packaging device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the slurry comprises one or more additives from among starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, alkylketene dimer (AKD), adenylyl succinic anhydrous (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbons, or a combination thereof.

9. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the sheet (8) obtained has a peel resistance of between 0.2 N / mm2 and 1 N / mm2.

10. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that said sheet (8) is flat and has a substantially rectangular shape and has at least two parallel rows of orifices (9) suitable for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2).

11. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that each orifice (9) has tabs (10) extending in a corolla shape towards the inside of each orifice (9).

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

13. A conditioning device according to any one of claims 10 to 12 characterized in that it comprises frangible opening means (12) for each orifice (9).

14. Packaging device according to claim 13 characterized in that said frangible opening means (12) consist of two parallel lines of pre-cuts (13) extending radially from the edge of an orifice (9).

15. Packaging device according to claim 13 characterized in that said frangible opening means (12) consist of two parallel lines of weakness, of lesser thickness, extending from the edge of an orifice (9).

16. Packaging device according to any one of claims 14 or 15 characterized in that said pre-cut lines (13) and / or lines of weakness of frangible opening means (12) extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edge of the sheet (8).

17. Packaging device according to any one of claims 10 to 16 characterized in that the sheet (8) has in its central part, between the rows of holes (9), two so-called gripping holes (14).

18. Packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that said sheet (8) has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of substantially frustoconical or hemispherical or tronpyramidal or similar cups (15), the inner wall of which is adapted to bear against the shoulder (5) of the containers (2) and the apexes of which are respectively provided with an orifice (9) adapted to receive the neck (6) of a container (2).

19. Conditioning device according to claim 18 characterized in that the cups (15) are connected in pairs by beams (16,17) referred to as longitudinal (16) and transverse (17).

20. Conditioning device according to claim 19 characterized in that said beams (16,17) have a straight section in the general shape of a U or an inverted V.

21. A conditioning device according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that each orifice (9) includes tabs (10) extending in a corolla shape towards the inside of each orifice (9).

22. Packaging device according to claim 20 characterized in that said tabs (10) are obtained by making radial slits (11) from the inner edge of the orifices (9) which have a diameter less than the diameter of the necks (6) of the containers (2).

23. A conditioning device according to any one of claims 18 to 22 characterized in that it comprises frangible opening means (12) for each orifice (9).

24. Packaging device according to claim 23 characterized in that said frangible opening means (12) consist of two parallel lines of pre-cuts (13) made in the cups (15) and extending radially from the edge of an orifice (9).

25. Packaging device according to claim 24 characterized in that said pre-cut lines (13) of the frangible opening means (12) extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal edge of the sheet (8).

26. A conditioning device according to any one of claims 18 to 25 characterized in that it comprises two rows of three cups (15), said cups (15) being connected in pairs by a central transverse beam (17a), two lateral transverse beams (17b) and longitudinal beams (16).

27. ​​A conditioning device according to any one of claims 19 to 26 characterized in that it comprises two so-called central walls (18) extending between two pairs of transverse (17) and longitudinal (16) beams, on either side of the central transverse beam (17a).

28. Packaging device according to claim 27 characterized in that each central wall (18) is inclined from top to bottom from the central transverse beam (17a) towards a lateral transverse beam (17b), i.e. towards a transverse edge of the sheet (8).

29. Packaging device according to any one of claims 27 or 28 characterized in that each central wall (18) has a hole (14) called a gripping hole.

30. Packaging device according to claim 29 characterized in that each gripping hole (13) has a circular, oblong or ovoid shape.

31. A method for manufacturing a packaging device in a batch of at least two containers (2), said containers (2) being bottles with a base (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting said body (4) to a neck (6), or cylindrical cans for example, said device comprising at least one sheet (8) of semi-rigid or rigid material, provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks (6) of said containers (2), according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps of: a) Preparation of an aqueous base slurry, also called pulp, by mixing water, cellulose and / or decomposable and / or biodegradable vegetable fiber material;b) Introducing a first mold (104) having at least one impression of the sheet (8) into the slip, said first mold (104) being equipped with a vacuum suction system (105) such that the cellulose and / or natural fibers suspended in the slip are drawn into the impression of the first mold (104), thus forming an intermediate sheet (8); c) Pressing said intermediate sheet (8), positioned in the impression of the first mold (104), between said first mold (104) and a second mold (106) having at least one counter-impression of said sheet (8) to reduce the water content; d) Heating said sheet (8) to a temperature between 120°C and 240°C.

32. The process according to claim 31 characterized in that the decomposable and / or biodegradable plant fiber material consists of wood pulp and / or sugar cane pulp and / or reed pulp and / or bamboo pulp and / or palm pulp or the like.

33. A method according to any one of claims 31 or 32 characterized in that one or more additives capable of modifying the mechanical, hydrophobic and / or oleophobic properties of the sheet (8) is / are introduced into the slip during step a) of preparing said slip

34. A process according to claim 33 characterized in that said additive(s) are selected from starch compounds, rosin compounds, butanetetracarboxylic acid, gelatin compounds, an alkylketene dimer (AKD), adenylyl succinic anhydrous (ASA), wax compounds, silicon compounds, calcium compounds, fluorocarbons, or a combination thereof.

35. A process according to any one of claims 31 to 34 characterized in that the cellulose is made up of recycled or non-recycled cellulose fibers.

36. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 35 characterized in that said fibers have a length between 0.5 and 3 mm and, preferably, a length between 1 and 1.5 mm.

37. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 36 characterized in that, when the first mold (104) is removed from the slip, additional vacuum suction is applied to reduce the water content of the cellulose and / or natural fibers.

38. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 37 characterized in that the pressure applied between the molds (104) and (106) is between 0.5 MPa and 60 MPa.

39. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 38 characterized in that said sheet (8) is heated between the first mold (104) and the second mold (105) at a temperature between 120°C and 240°C before being removed so as to obtain a two-dimensional or three-dimensional fibrous sheet (8) having a single-layer configuration.

40. A method according to any one of claims 31 to 38 characterized in that the heating step of the sheets (8) is carried out in a heating tunnel, the sheets (8) being previously removed from the molds (104) and (106).

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