Cardboard packaging configured to cover a batch of supporting or semi-supporting products

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secondary packaging unit (2) configured to accommodate a batch of primary packaging units (1) and comprising: • a first panel (10) forming a first potential bearing surface on its periphery, first flaps (14) orthogonal to the first potential bearing surface; • a second panel (18) extending parallel to the first panel (10) and forming a second potential bearing surface; • a first joining element (26) extending orthogonally to the first panel (10) and to the second panel (18) so as to connect the first and second panels (10, 18), wherein the first joining element (26) forms a first side of the secondary packaging unit (2); • a second joining element (32) configured to connect the first and second panels (10, 18), via a second side of the secondary packaging unit (2), opposite the first side of the secondary packaging unit (2) with respect to the primary packaging units (1).

Description

Grouping packaging made of cardboard covering a batch of load-bearing or semi-load-bearing products

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of packaging for the grouping, transport, storage, distribution and shelving of manufactured products.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to such packaging formed in particular from cardboard and strips of various possible materials associated with said cardboard. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Known in the prior art is packaging made of a flexible plastic film configured to receive and cover products intended for sale, the packaging making it possible to protect the batch of products, for example for transport or shelving. In many situations, the plastic film packaging is optionally supplemented to properly protect the products or group them into consumer sales units, by another element constituting secondary packaging, generally formed from a cardboard sheet. This operation is known to the person skilled in the art as the "bundling" technique, defined as being a shrinking of the plastic film, under the effect or not of a heat source, with or without said cardboard sheet supporting the batch of grouped products.

[0004] For environmental reasons, players in the packaging and freight transport sector are seeking to significantly reduce their plastic consumption by developing alternatives to bundling operations. The use of cardboard as the sole packaging for grouping, transport and distribution, known as secondary packaging, is therefore the subject of studies and developments. This packaging is referred to by the person skilled in the art as "secondary" packaging, as opposed to "primary" packaging, which refers to the manufacturer's packaging, particularly in contact with the product material. Secondary packaging then allows for the grouping of several primary packages into batches.

[0005] For example, document WO2020202016A1 describes a secondary cardboard packaging, comprising a cardboard support configured to accommodate at least two lines of products and a gripping strip. The support is folded to form a horizontal base and two vertical flaps, a horizontal face of each product resting on the base and vertical faces of each product resting and adhesively bonded to each other and to the flaps.

[0006] Although designed to be used as secondary packaging, theoretically making it possible to avoid the need for bundling using a flexible plastic material, there are many drawbacks to the use of such packaging. Firstly, the packaging described has only one orientation in space in which the batch of products is held securely in place, and induces the need to glue the constituent elements of the batch together. Such an operation has several major drawbacks, in particular the addition of an adhesive mass during packaging, which can alter the quality of the primary packaging and prevents reorganization of the packaged batch. Secondly, such packaging does not allow the stacking of several batches on top of each other, unless the geometry of the primary packaging and the rigidity of the products contained are fortuitously compatible with stacking.Furthermore, if stacking were possible, it could only be done in a preferred orientation in space, for the reasons described above.

[0007] Other embodiments that eliminate the need for bundling have been developed. Document FR2416625A7 describes, in particular, a secondary cardboard grouping package in which two contiguous foldable surfaces and at least one cut strip surround receptacles. While such an embodiment does indeed eliminate the need for bundling plastic, the difficulties of stacking several batches on top of each other remain the same. Indeed, unless the geometry of the primary packaging and the rigidity of the products contained are fortuitously compatible with stacking, the risk of damaging primary packaging or the products contained in such packaging is high.

[0008] The invention aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a secondary packaging for economical grouping of the surface material used, making it possible to avoid the need for plastic bundling of a batch of products, and allowing easy stacking, then palletizing and transport of said batch without any preferred orientation in the packaging space in which the products are held in place in the packaging.

[0009] The invention also aims to resolve all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing secondary packaging that can be mechanized on existing machines of the “wraparound” case packer or “wraparound” tray packer type in sequential kinematics or continuous kinematics. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] More specifically, the subject of the invention is a secondary packaging formed from cardboard, the secondary packaging being configured to receive and at least partially cover a batch of primary carrier or semi-carrier packaging and comprising: a first panel forming a first potential support surface configured to be in contact with a first face of each primary packaging, the first panel further comprising, on its periphery, first flaps orthogonal to the first potential support surface; a second panel extending parallel to the first panel and forming a second potential support surface configured to be in contact with a second face of each primary packaging, parallel to the first face of each primary packaging;a first joining element extending orthogonally to the first panel and to the second panel so as to connect the first and second panels, the first joining element forming a first side of the secondary packaging configured so that a third face of at least one primary packaging is likely to be in contact with the first side; a second added joining element configured to connect the first and second panels, by a second side of the secondary packaging, opposite the first side of the secondary packaging with respect to the primary packaging.;

[0011] The term "secondary packaging" refers to, as opposed to so-called "primary" packaging, which refers to packaging in particular in contact with the product material.

[0012] The term "carrier" refers to a primary packaging having a substantially invariant outer envelope, for example a prismatic parallelepiped. A primary packaging is considered to be a carrier which, in the context of stacking several primary packagings vertically relative to the ground on top of each other, exhibits elastic deformation due to very low compressive stresses.

[0013] The term "semi-carrier" refers to a primary packaging whose outer envelope depends on a movement of the products it contains. When the mobility of the products contained by such a primary packaging is constrained, the outer envelope of said primary packaging is then substantially invariant, and said packaging behaves mechanically in a manner substantially identical to a carrier primary packaging, in particular in a context of vertical stacking as described above.

[0014] The term "cardboard" means any material of predominantly plant origin which comes in the form of sheets and / or plates of varying combinations, thicknesses, densities and shapes, regardless of the processes and physicochemical phenomena used to obtain said cardboard.

[0015] The term "potential" means that the support surfaces of the first panel and the second panel are each, in a given orientation, capable of supporting all or part of the weight of all the primary packaging received by the secondary packaging in a given orientation.

[0016] Thanks to such a combination of characteristics, such secondary packaging makes it possible to group together a plurality of primary packagings to form a batch while avoiding a bundling operation. In addition, such secondary packaging allows for simplified stacking and transport of said batch, for example on a transport pallet, regardless of the shape of the envelope of the primary packagings received. In addition, the primary packagings received are held in place in the secondary packaging regardless of the orientation in space of said secondary packaging, significantly reducing the quantity of cardboard required for each batch.

[0017] Furthermore, this combination of features makes it possible, in a large number of cases, to avoid the need to acquire new machines. Indeed, the folding and gluing of the targeted packaging has been designed and is configured to be achievable by standard modifications of tools, in particular on existing machines, in particular "wraparound case packer" type machines but also "wraparound tray packer".

[0018] Furthermore, the tilting from a horizontal plane to a vertical plane of folding, closing, the gluing of the upper and lower flaps of the packaging in question, compared to the packaging known to those skilled in the art such as a sidewalk tray, with a closure by adding a securing strip, all while remaining within a known kinematics of mechanization, is another major advantage of the present invention.

[0019] Furthermore, such secondary packaging allows for simplified stacking and transportation of said batch, for example on a transport pallet, regardless of the shape of the envelope of the primary packaging received. In addition, the primary packaging received is held in place in the secondary packaging regardless of the spatial orientation of said secondary packaging, significantly reducing the amount of cardboard required for each batch.

[0020] Advantageously, the first potential support surface and the second potential support surface are in simultaneous contact, respectively with the first face of each primary packaging and with the second face of each primary packaging. In such a configuration, a distance between the first panel and the second panel is substantially identical to a distance between the first face and the second face of each primary packaging of the batch. The primary packagings are then kept even more immobile in the secondary packaging, by eliminating any play between one of the panels and the primary packagings. Furthermore, in this configuration, the primary packagings participate in the distribution of mechanical stresses between the two panels, particularly when several secondary packagings are stacked.

[0021] According to another aspect, the first joining element is formed by a third panel connecting the first and second panels, the first panel, the second panel and the third panel being in one piece. In such a configuration, the secondary packaging can be obtained from a single piece of folded cardboard. Furthermore, in this configuration, the first side of the secondary packaging forms a third potential support surface for at least one primary packaging.

[0022] Advantageously, the third panel comprises third flaps orthogonal to both the first potential bearing surface and the second potential bearing surface. In such a configuration, the third flaps cooperate with the first flaps, so that the risks of the primary packaging tipping within the secondary packaging and towards the outside of the secondary packaging are significantly reduced.

[0023] According to another aspect, the first joining element is added and is formed by an adhesive or self-adhesive strip fixed on the one hand to a first outer face of the first panel opposite the first potential support surface, and on the other hand to a second outer face of the second panel opposite the second potential support surface. In such a configuration, the quantity of cardboard required to form the secondary packaging is further reduced.

[0024] Advantageously, the second panel comprises, on at least part of its periphery, second flaps orthogonal to the second potential support surface. In such a configuration, the second flaps cooperate with the first flaps, so that the risks of the primary packaging tipping within the secondary packaging and towards the outside of the secondary packaging are further significantly reduced.

[0025] Advantageously, at least one of the second flaps is coplanar with the first joining element and / or at least one other of the second flaps is coplanar with the second joining element. Thus, the first joining element and the second joining element connect the first panel and the second panel via the first flaps and the second flaps. In such a configuration, a portion of the first and second flaps form with the first joining element the first side of the secondary packaging and another portion of the first and second flaps form with the second joining element the second side of the secondary packaging.

[0026] Advantageously, the second flaps of the second panel extend over its entire periphery. In such a configuration, the second flaps cooperate with the first flaps so as to reduce the risk of pivoting in all directions.

[0027] Advantageously, the second added joining element is formed by an adhesive or self-adhesive strip fixed on the one hand to a first outer face of the first panel opposite the first potential support surface, and on the other hand to a second outer face of the second panel opposite the second support surface. When the first joining element is added, the first joining element and the second joining element may be identical. In such a configuration, the manufacture of the secondary packaging is further simplified.

[0028] Advantageously, the second joining element forms a gripping member configured to be grasped by a user to lift the packaging covering the batch. In such a configuration, the secondary packaging receiving the batch can be easily transported by a user, for example for shelving in a store.

[0029] Alternatively, the gripping member may be an additional attached element. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0030] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings given as non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and in which:

[0031] This is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of a secondary packaging according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0032] This is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of a secondary packaging according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0033] This is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of the secondary packaging of the, receiving and covering a batch of primary packaging;

[0034] This is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of the secondary packaging of the, receiving and covering a batch of primary packaging;

[0035] The is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of a vertical stack of a plurality of secondary packagings of the, each receiving and covering a batch of primary packagings;

[0036] The is a schematic representation in isometric perspective of a vertical stack of a plurality of secondary packagings of the, each receiving and covering a batch of primary packagings;

[0037] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The invention relates to a secondary packaging 2 as illustrated in the and in the. The secondary packaging 2 is formed from cardboard.

[0039] The secondary packaging 2 comprises a first panel 10. The first panel 10 is substantially planar. The first panel 10 forms a first potential support surface 12. The secondary packaging 2 further comprises a second panel 18. The second panel 18 is substantially planar. The first panel 10 comprises, on its periphery, first flaps 14. Preferably, the first orthogonal flaps extend over the entire periphery of the first panel 10. The first panel 10 and the first flaps 14 are in one piece, and are obtained by folding the cardboard forming the first panel 10.

[0040] The second panel 18 forms a second potential bearing surface 20. The second panel 18 extends parallel to and at a distance from the first panel 10. The first and second panels 10, 18 preferably have a substantially rectangular geometry. Furthermore, the first and second panels 10, 18 have similar perimeters, excluding the first flaps 14.

[0041] The secondary packaging 2 also comprises a first joining element 26. The first joining element 26 extends, at least in part, orthogonally to both the first panel 10 and the second panel 18 so as to connect the first and second panels 10, 18. The first joining element 26 thus forms a first side of the secondary packaging 2.

[0042] The secondary packaging 2 also comprises a second joining element 32. The second joining element 32 extends, at least in part, parallel to both the first panel 10 and the second panel 18. The second joining element 32 is configured to perpendicularly connect the first and second panels 10, 18 by a second side of the secondary packaging 2.

[0043] The secondary packaging 2 is configured to receive and at least partially cover a batch of primary packagings 1, as illustrated in the and in the. The primary packagings 1 are preferably carrier or semi-carrier primary packagings.

[0044] When the secondary packaging 2 receives primary packaging 1, the first potential support surface 12 is then configured to be in contact with a first face of each primary packaging 1. In the same way, when the secondary packaging 2 receives primary packaging 1, the second potential support surface 20 is then configured to be in contact with a second face of each primary packaging.

[0045] When the secondary packaging 2 receives primary packagings 1, the first joining element 26 is configured so that a third face of at least one primary packaging 1 of the batch is likely to be in contact with the first side of the secondary packaging 2, that is to say with the first joining element 26. Advantageously, a part of the first flaps 14 forms with the first joining element 26 the first side of the secondary packaging 2.

[0046] When the secondary packaging 2 receives primary packagings 1, the second joining element 32 is configured to connect the first and second panels 10, 18, by a second side of the secondary packaging 2, opposite the first side of the secondary packaging 2 with respect to the primary packagings 1. The second joining element 32 is attached, and is preferably formed by an adhesive or self-adhesive strip. Advantageously, another part of the first flaps 14 forms with the second joining element 32 the second side of the secondary packaging 2.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiments, the first panel 10 comprises a first outer face 16, opposite the potential support surface 12. In the same way, the second panel 18 comprises a second outer face 24. Thus, the second joining element preferably connects the first and second panels 10, 18 by being partially adhesively bonded to the outer faces 16, 24 of each panel 10, 18.

[0048] The secondary packaging 2 makes it possible to group together a plurality of primary packagings 1 to form a batch while avoiding a bundling operation. In addition, such a secondary packaging 2 allows simplified stacking and transport of said batch, for example on a transport pallet, independently of the shape of the envelope of the primary packagings 1 received. In addition, the primary packagings 1 received are held in place in the secondary packaging 2 regardless of the orientation in space of said secondary packaging 2, substantially reducing the quantity of cardboard required for each batch. The second joining element 32 is attached to the second side once the primary packagings 1 are received by the secondary packaging 2. The second joining element 32 is preferably, and in certain cases, elastically deformable and is stretched longitudinally, before being adhesively bonded to the outer faces 16, 24.Consequently, in reaction, the second joining element 32 applies a mechanical force tending to bring the first panel 10 and the second panel 18 closer to each other.

[0049] Advantageously, the second panel 18 comprises, on at least a portion of its periphery, second flaps 22 orthogonal to the second potential bearing surface. In the embodiment of the, the second flaps 22 of the second panel 18 extend over its entire periphery. The second flaps 22 cooperate with the first flaps 14 so as to reduce the risk of tipping of the primary packages received, in all directions. In this configuration, a portion of the second flaps 22 forms with the first joining element 26 the first side of the secondary package 2. Also, another portion of the second flaps 14 forms with the second joining element 32 the second side of the secondary package 2. A portion of the first flaps 14, a portion of the second flaps 22 and the first joining element 26 are coplanar.Another part of the first flaps 14, another part of the second flaps 22 and the second joining element 32 are advantageously coplanar.

[0050] As illustrated in the and in the, the first potential support surface 12 (obscured by the primary packaging 1) and the second potential support surface 20 are concomitantly in contact, respectively with the first face of each primary packaging 1 and with the second face of each primary packaging 1. In such a configuration, a distance between the first panel 10 and the second panel 18 is substantially identical to a distance between the first face and the second face of each primary packaging 1 of the batch, in other words a height of the primary packaging 1.

[0051] The primary packages 1 are then further held immobile in the secondary package, by eliminating any play between one of the panels and the primary packages. Furthermore, in this configuration, the primary packages 1 contribute to the distribution of mechanical stresses between the two panels 10, 18, particularly when several secondary packages 2 are stacked. By thus constraining the primary packages 1 and in addition to a prestressing of the second joining element 32, it is also ensured that the mobility of the products contained in the primary packages 1 is eliminated, allowing the semi-supporting primary packages 1 to behave mechanically like supporting primary packages 1.

[0052] Laet illustrate the invention according to the same first embodiment. Here, the first joining element 26 is formed by a third panel, connecting the first and second panels 10, 18.

[0053] Preferably, the first panel 10, the second panel 18 and the third panel are monobloc, in other words a single piece. In such a configuration, the secondary packaging 2 can be obtained from a single piece of folded cardboard. Furthermore, in this configuration, the first side of the secondary packaging 2 forms a third potential support surface 28 for at least one primary packaging 1. When the secondary packagings are received in rows within the secondary packaging 2, the third potential support surface 28 is in contact with a third face of at least one row of primary packagings 1, closest to the first side of the secondary packaging 2.

[0054] Advantageously, the third panel comprises third flaps 30. The third flaps 30 are orthogonal to both the first potential bearing surface 12 and the second potential bearing surface 20, i.e. both the first panel 10 and the second panel 18. In such a configuration, the third flaps 30 cooperate with the first flaps 14, so that the risks of the primary packages 1 tipping over within the secondary package 2 and towards the outside of the secondary package are substantially reduced. The third flaps 30 overlap at least in part with the first flaps 14, and can advantageously be glued, for example using an adhesive.

[0055] When the second panel 18 comprises second flaps 22, the third flaps 30 also cooperate with the second flaps 22, so that the risks of the primary packages 1 tipping over within the secondary package 2 and towards the outside of the secondary package 2 are substantially reduced. The third flaps 30 overlap at least in part with the first flaps 14, and can advantageously be glued, for example by applying an adhesive mass. Alternatively, the first flaps 14 and the third flaps 30 can be snapped together.

[0056] Laet illustrate the invention according to the same second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in particular in that the first joining element 26 is also added and is also formed by an adhesive or self-adhesive strip fixed on the one hand to the first outer face 16 of the first panel 10, and on the other hand to a second outer face 24 of the second panel 20. In such a configuration, the quantity of cardboard necessary to form the secondary packaging is even further reduced.

[0057] Advantageously, as illustrated, the first joining element 26 and the second joining element 32 may be identical, allowing simplified manufacture of the secondary packaging 2. Alternatively, the joining elements 26, 32 may be in one piece and are then fixed over an entire length of the first outer face of the first panel 10.

[0058] The illustrated secondary packaging comprises a gripping member 34, surrounding the primary packagings 1 and fixed on two first flaps 14. Alternatively, the first joining element 26 and / or the second joining element 32 can form the gripping member 34. Such a member allows a user to grasp the secondary packaging 2, for example for handling during shelf placement. Naturally, in the first embodiment, the gripping member can be formed by means of only one of the two joining elements 26, 32.

[0059] In a manner not exclusive to the second embodiment described, the first panel 10 and / or the second panel 18 may have opening orifices 36. These orifices 36 are configured so that a portion of the primary packaging 1, for example caps, pass through said orifices 36 as illustrated in the.

[0060] Laet illustrate a plurality of secondary packages 2, forming stacks 3. The formation of such stacks 3 is skillfully enabled by the structure of the secondary packages 2 previously described, using a minimum of cardboard, and particularly suitable for packaging on a pallet. In the embodiment illustrated in the, one of the outer faces 16, 24 of a secondary stack 2 is in contact with the other outer face 16, 24 of the secondary stack 2. Alternatively, as illustrated in the, the primary packages 1 of a first secondary package 2 are in contact with the second outer face 24 of the second panel 18 of a second secondary package 2 stacked on the first secondary package 2.Whatever the configuration chosen, the primary packaging 1 received by the secondary packaging 2 contributes to a homogeneous distribution of forces, allowing the stability and mechanical strength of the stack, and the successive formation of layers of packaging during their palletization, and this whatever the organizational schemes chosen.3.

[0061] It will also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or variants can be made to the embodiment described above, in the light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to him, among other things, and not exclusively, in the number and orientation of the joining elements 26 and 32.

[0062] In the detailed presentation of the invention given above, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set forth in this description, but should be interpreted to include all equivalents the prediction of which is within the reach of those skilled in the art by applying their general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching just disclosed to them.

Claims

Secondary packaging (2) formed from cardboard, the secondary packaging (2) being configured to receive and at least partially cover a batch of primary packaging (1) carriers or semi-carriers and comprising: a first panel (10) forming a first potential support surface (12) configured to be in contact with a first face of each primary packaging (1), the first panel (10) further comprising, on its periphery, first flaps (14) orthogonal to the first potential support surface (12); a second panel (18) extending parallel to the first panel (10) and forming a second potential support surface (20) configured to be in contact with a second face of each primary packaging (1), parallel to the first face of each primary packaging (1);a first joining element (26) extending orthogonally to the first panel (10) and to the second panel (18) so as to connect the first and second panels (10, 18), the first joining element (26) forming a first side of the secondary packaging (2) configured so that a third face of at least one primary packaging (1) is capable of being in contact with the first side, the first joining element (26) is formed by a third panel connecting the first and second panels (10, 18), the first panel (10), the second panel (18) and the third panel being in one piece;a second added joining element (32) configured to connect the first and second panels (10, 18), by a second side of the secondary packaging (2), opposite the first side of the secondary packaging (2), the second added joining element (32) being formed by an elastically deformable and prestressed adhesive or self-adhesive strip, fixed on the one hand to a first outer face (16) of the first panel (10) opposite the first potential support surface (12), and on the other hand to a second outer face (24) of the second panel (18) opposite the second support surface.; Secondary packaging (2) according to claim 1, in which the first potential support surface (12) and the second potential support surface (20) are configured to be in simultaneous contact, respectively with the first face of each primary packaging (1) and with the second face of each primary packaging (1). Secondary packaging (2) according to claim 3, wherein the third panel comprises third flaps (30) orthogonal to both the first potential bearing surface (12) and the second potential bearing surface (20). Secondary packaging (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second panel (18) comprises, on at least part of its periphery, second flaps (22) orthogonal to the second potential support surface. Secondary packaging (2) according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the second flaps (22) is coplanar with the first joining element (26) and / or at least one other of the second (22) flaps is coplanar with the second joining element. Secondary packaging (2) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second flaps (22) of the second panel (18) extend over its entire periphery. Secondary packaging (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second joining element (32) forms a gripping member configured to be grasped by a user to lift the secondary packaging.

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