Improved packaging apparatus for packaging at least two containers in a batch

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging device (1) for packaging at least two containers (2) in a batch, the containers (2) being bottles or, for example, cylindrical canisters, having a base (3), a body (4) and a shoulder (5) connecting the body (4) to a neck (6), the device comprising at least one sheet (8) made of a semi-rigid or rigid material provided with at least two openings (9) for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2), the packaging device (1) being characterized in that the sheet (8) has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of cups (15) of substantially frusto-conical or hemispherical, or frusto-conical or similar shape, the inner walls of which can abut against the shoulders (5) of the containers (2) and at their extremities each provided with an opening (9) capable of receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging containers in batches, and more particularly to a packaging device for packaging at least two containers in a batch. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional technology In the context of the present invention, a container is a bottle or a vial, the container consisting of a base, a body and a shoulder connecting said body to a neck. Such containers are intended to contain fluids, liquids, powders or granules, in particular of the agri-food or cosmetic type, although this list is not exhaustive.

[0003] For their handling, such finished containers are often packaged in batches. Thus, each batch includes a plurality of containers assembled, for example, in a matrix arrangement with rows and columns in the form of a generally parallelepiped, often square or rectangular shape. Illustratively, a conventional batch might group six containers together in two rows and three columns.

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

[0005] This bundling process results in significant energy consumption. Furthermore, the use of films made from plastic materials is harmful to the environment, with nearly half of the plastic waste found in the oceans being single-use plastic objects.

[0006] While many plastics are currently said to be "recyclable," this approach is generally inadequate and unsatisfactory. Specifically, the use of heat-shrinkable plastic films has many negative environmental impacts, including significant energy consumption, single-use requirements, low recycling rates, and the export of large amounts of plastic waste to countries with recycling infrastructure. Furthermore, the composition of films that are only partially recyclable complicates the process, and the waste generated often has no beneficial use.

[0007] Furthermore, the use of plastic film to encase the product makes it impossible to remove one of the containers from the batch without causing complete or partial dislocation of the batch.

[0008] There is therefore an increasing need to find alternatives to the use of this material, which generates large amounts of waste and is energy intensive, while at the same time guaranteeing its robustness and making it possible to handle it.

[0009] In this respect, a known alternative to the use of heat-shrinkable plastic films for forming batches consists of holding the products together by means of plastic strapping or straps that come around the containers, this solution is unsatisfactory because, in addition to the fact that it requires the use of plastic material, it generally requires other additional means for sealing the batch, for example adhesives, which leads to the complete displacement of the batch of containers when the containers are removed or the straps break.

[0010] To remedy these problems, packaging solutions using corrugated cardboard have already been considered, as is the case in particular in the documents US 2008 / 0257763 and WO 2013 / 185898.

[0011] The document U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0257763 describes a solution consisting of the use of a cardboard tray to support the product at its bottom. More specifically, this document describes a system for packaging bottles with necks. The system includes a plate having a base on which a plurality of bottles are arranged in a series of rows. The system also includes a bridge having a planar central portion and a plurality of arched recesses extending around the planar central portion. Each recess is sized to receive a portion of the neck of one of the bottles. Means for connecting the bottles to each other are provided, and the connecting means generate an inward force on the bottles. The bridge counters the inward force, thus holding the bottles in a vertical position on the base.

[0012] This solution does not require the use of additional means such as glue, etc. Nevertheless, this configuration does not allow the batch to be lifted or transported in an easy way, nor does it allow easy transport of subgroups of products of the batch.

[0013] Another solution described in document WO 2013 / 185898 to enable the lifting of batches consists of using a rigid plate made of cardboard or plastic, by means of which the container can be held in the narrowed part of its body. More specifically, this document describes a support element made of corrugated cardboard, for example corrugated cardboard, or a stiffened cardboard or plastic material intended for containers assembled into grouped packages. The support element comprises a main support having an area for the container, which is horizontal in the use position, in which the housing (6) for the container is made in the form of a U-shaped cutout with a rounded base and U-shaped branches that act as holding legs, and a handle area. The external support may be connected to the area for the container, the external support being made in the form of a strip-like element, having a number of opposing housings corresponding to the number of housings for the container, and made in a corresponding manner in the form of U-shaped cutouts, having a rounded base and U-shaped branches that act as opposing holding legs.

[0014] Nevertheless, this solution, although allowing the batch to be lifted, is very limited since it can only be applied to containers of a certain shape, and furthermore, the robustness of the batch is not guaranteed, especially when packaging large format containers.

[0015] All these solutions are therefore unsatisfactory, in particular because they are still made from plastic material or, if gripping means are provided, do not guarantee the integrity of the batches during their handling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0016] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0257763 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2013 / 185898 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0017] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to remedy these problems by proposing a packaging device of simple and inexpensive design, capable of packaging at least two containers in a batch, ensuring the integrity of the batch during its handling, and advantageously made from recyclable materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] For this purpose and according to the invention, a packaging device is proposed for packaging at least two containers in a batch, the containers being bottles or, for example, cylindrical canisters, having a base, a body and a shoulder connecting the body to the neck, the device comprising at least one sheet made of a semi-rigid or rigid material provided with at least two holes for receiving the necks of the containers, the sheet having a substantially rectangular shape and comprising at least two parallel rows of cups, substantially frusto-conical or hemispherical, or frusto-pyramidal or similar, the inner walls of which can abut against the shoulders of the containers and the extremities of which are each provided with an orifice capable of receiving the necks of the containers.

[0019] Preferably, the cup is formed so that at least 5 to 30% of the surface of the shoulder of the container abuts against the inner wall of the cup.

[0020] The cups are connected in pairs by beams called longitudinal and transverse beams.

[0021] The beam has an inverted V or U shaped cross section.

[0022] Additionally, each orifice has a tongue extending in a circular fashion toward the inside of each orifice.

[0023] Said tongue is obtained by making a radial slot from the inner edge of the orifice, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the neck of the container.

[0024] Advantageously, the packaging device according to the invention has frangible opening means for each orifice.

[0025] The frangible opening means consists of two parallel pre-cut lines formed in the cup and extending radially from the edge of the orifice.

[0026] According to one embodiment variant, the frangible opening means consist of two parallel lines of weakness of smaller thickness, said lines of weakness being made in the cup and extending radially from the edge of the orifice.

[0027] The pre-cut lines and / or the lines of weakness of the frangible opening means extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edges of the sheet.

[0028] Preferably, the packaging device according to the invention has two rows of three cups, said cups being connected in pairs by a central transverse beam, two lateral transverse beams and a longitudinal beam.

[0029] The device further comprises two walls, called central walls, which extend on either side of the central transverse beam between the pair of transverse beams and the two pairs of longitudinal beams.

[0030] Each central wall slopes from top to bottom from the central transverse beam towards a side transverse beam, i.e. towards the transverse edge of the sheet.

[0031] Advantageously, each central wall has a hole called a gripping hole or a breakable flap capable of forming a hole called a gripping hole.

[0032] Each gripping hole has a circular, oval, or oval shape.

[0033] Other advantages and features will be better understood from the following description of some variants, given as non-limiting examples of packaging devices for packaging containers according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet of the packaging device according to the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of a sheet of packaging equipment according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of a sheet of packaging equipment according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of a sheet of packaging equipment according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] In the remainder of the description of a packaging apparatus for packaging containers according to the present invention, like reference numerals refer to like elements.The various figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0036] 1, an apparatus 1 according to the invention will now be described for packaging a batch of at least two containers 2, said containers 2 being bottles having a base 3, a substantially cylindrical body 4 and a shoulder 5 connecting said body 4 to a neck 6, said neck receiving a stopper 7. The packaging apparatus 1 comprises at least one sheet 8 made of a semi-rigid or rigid material, which will be described in more detail below, and provided with at least two orifices 9 for receiving the necks 6 of said containers 2.

[0037] In this particular embodiment, the sheet 8 has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises at least two parallel rows of cups 15, of substantially frustoconical or hemispherical, or pyramidal, or similar form, the inner walls of which can abut against the shoulders 5 of the containers 2 and the tips of which are each provided with an orifice 9 capable of receiving the necks 6 of the containers 2. It will be noted that the tips of the cups 15 extend in one and the same plane, which is considered to be horizontal insofar as the containers 2 are packed in a batch in a substantially vertical position. It will be appreciated that the fact that the shoulders 5 of the containers 2 rest against the inner walls of the cups 15 ensures better retention of the containers 2 on the sheet 8 by preventing rotation of the necks 6 of the containers 2 within the orifices 9, and that the containers are held relative to each other to prevent them from separating during handling, transport, etc. of the batch.

[0038] It will be understood that the cup 15 may have a shape that matches the shape of the shoulder of the container without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, in particular since the container 2, in this case a bottle, may have a shoulder that has a substantially hemispherical, frustoconical or frustopyramidal shape, in particular since the body of the bottle may have a circular, oval, square, etc. cross section.

[0039] Furthermore, preferably, the cup 15 is formed so that at least 5 to 30% of the surface of the shoulder portion 5 of the container 2 abuts against the inner wall of the cup 15 .

[0040] The cups 15 are connected in pairs by beams called longitudinal beams 16 and transverse beams 17. The beams 16, 17 extend in one and the same horizontal plane, extend below the horizontal plane of the orifice 9, and have a cross section in the form of an inverted V or U, with the concave surface of the beam facing downwards. These beams 16, 17 make it possible to stiffen the sheet 8 and prevent displacement of the batch.

[0041] Of course, the beam may be of any shape and / or solid without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0042] Each orifice 9 for receiving the neck 6 of the container has a tongue 10 extending circularly towards the inside of the orifice 9. The tongue 10 is obtained by making a radial slot 11 from the inner edge of the orifice 10, the diameter of which is smaller than that of the neck 6 of the container 2. After the neck 6 of the container 2 is introduced into the orifice 9, the free end of the tongue 10 is received below the lower end of the stopper and extends 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 grip the container 2 by its body 4, applying a downward pulling and / or an outward rotating force, so that the tongue 10 rotates or tears.

[0043] In this particular exemplary embodiment, it is observed that the tongues 10 extend radially towards the centre of each orifice 9, in the same plane as and parallel to the orifices 9, before the neck 6 of the container 2 is inserted into the orifices 9. However, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, the tongues 10 may form an angle of, for example, between 5 and 30° with the plane containing the orifices 9, such that the tongues 10 form a truncated cone projecting above each orifice 9, before the neck 6 of the container 2 is inserted into the orifices 9.

[0044] Advantageously, to facilitate the removal of the containers 2 from the sheet 8, the packaging device 1 according to the invention comprises at each orifice 9 a breakable opening means 12. Said breakable opening means 12 consist of two parallel pre-cut lines 13 extending radially from the edge of the orifice 9. Said pre-cut lines 13 of the breakable opening means 11 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the sheet 8.

[0045] According to an embodiment variant not shown in the figures, said pre-cut lines 13 of the destructible opening means 12 can be replaced by parallel lines of weakness, characterized by a thinner thickness of the cup 15 at these lines of weakness.

[0046] Of course, the pre-cut line 13 of the frangible opening means 12 may be replaced by any other equivalent means known to those skilled in the art without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0047] Furthermore, in a specific exemplary embodiment, the packaging device 1 according to the present invention comprises two rows of three cups 15, the cups 15 being connected in pairs by a central transverse beam 17a, two side transverse beams 17b, and a longitudinal beam 16. The device further comprises two walls, referred to as central walls 18, extending on either side of the central transverse beam 17a between the pair of transverse beams 17 and the two pairs of longitudinal beams 16. Each central wall 18 is preferably planar and slopes downward from the central transverse beam 17a toward the side transverse beams 17b, i.e., toward the transverse edges of the sheet 8. Each central wall 18 forms an angle of 5 to 30° with the horizontal plane containing the orifices 9. It should be noted that the central walls 18 can advantageously accommodate labels, not shown in the figures.

[0048] It goes without saying that a packaging device according to the invention may have two rows of cups, a first row of cups 15 having an even number of cups and a second row of cups 15 having an odd number of cups 15, such that the cups 15 alternate. Furthermore, it is quite clear that a packaging device according to the invention may comprise three or more rows of cups 15 without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

[0049] Furthermore, to facilitate gripping of the packaging device according to the invention, the sheet 8 has, in its central part, two frangible flaps 19 between the rows of orifices 9, which can form gripping holes. After lowering the frangible flaps 19, the packaging device can therefore be gripped by introducing two fingers, such as the thumb and index finger of one and the same hand, into the gripping holes. The frangible flaps 19 have a substantially oval shape. However, the frangible flaps 19 can have any shape, for example rectangular, circular or oval, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050] Of course, said breakable flap 19 may be replaced by a gripping hole without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

[0051] Furthermore, the sheet 8 is preferably obtained from corrugated cardboard, or a rigid or semi-rigid cellulose material, or a bioplastic. However, it goes without saying that the sheet 8 may be obtained from any other rigid or semi-rigid material known to those skilled in the art. It is observed that "bioplastic" is understood to mean two types of polymers, namely bio-based plastics (derived from biomass, in particular from plants) and / or biodegradable plastics (including compostable plastics), including those derived from fossil resources (petrochemical reactions), in particular thermoplastic polymers and, less frequently, thermosetting polymers.

[0052] Finally, it is very clear that the examples just given are only specific illustrations which are in no way limiting with regard to the field of application of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A packaging device (1) for packaging at least two containers (2) in a batch, the containers (2) being bottles or, for example, cylindrical canisters, having a base (3), a body (4), and a shoulder (5) connecting the body (4) to a neck (6), the device comprising at least one sheet (8) made of a semi-rigid or rigid material provided with at least two orifices (9) for receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2), the sheet (8) having a substantially rectangular shape and carrying at least two parallel rows of cups (15) of substantially truncated conical or hemispherical, or truncated pyramidal, or similar shape, the inner walls of which can abut against the shoulders (5) of the containers (2), and the extremities of which are each provided with an orifice (9) capable of receiving the necks (6) of the containers (2).

2. 2. The packaging device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cup (15) is shaped so that at least 5 to 30% of the surface of the shoulder (5) of the container (2) abuts against the inner wall of the cup (15).

3. 3. Packaging device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cups (15) are connected in pairs by beams, called longitudinal beams (16) and transverse beams (17).

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

5. Packaging device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each orifice (9) has a tongue (10) extending in a circular manner towards the inside of each orifice (9).

6. 5. A packaging device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the tongue (10) is obtained by making a radial slot (11) from the inner edge of an orifice (9) having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the neck (6) of the container (2).

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

8. 8. The packaging device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the frangible opening means (12) consist of two parallel pre-cut lines (13) formed in the cup (15) and extending radially from the edge of the orifice (9).

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

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

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

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

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

14. 14. Packaging device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that each central wall (18) has a hole called a gripping hole.

15. 14. Packaging device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that each central wall (18) has a breakable flap (19) capable of forming a hole called a gripping hole.

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

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