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EP0369871A1 - Conditioning method, packaging bolster and conditioning line - Google Patents

Conditioning method, packaging bolster and conditioning line Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0369871A1
EP0369871A1 EP19890403120 EP89403120A EP0369871A1 EP 0369871 A1 EP0369871 A1 EP 0369871A1 EP 19890403120 EP19890403120 EP 19890403120 EP 89403120 A EP89403120 A EP 89403120A EP 0369871 A1 EP0369871 A1 EP 0369871A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
support
product
container
packaging
wedging means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19890403120
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0369871B1 (en
Inventor
André Fromion
Jean-Claude Vilas Boas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bull SAS
Original Assignee
Bull SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by Bull SAS filed Critical Bull SAS
Publication of EP0369871A1 publication Critical patent/EP0369871A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/20—Embedding contents in shock-absorbing media, e.g. plastic foam, granular material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/03—Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
    • B65D81/05—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents
    • B65D81/107—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage maintaining contents at spaced relation from package walls, or from other contents using blocks of shock-absorbing material
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
    • Y10T428/1328—Shrinkable or shrunk [e.g., due to heat, solvent, volatile agent, restraint removal, etc.]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging method. It also relates to a packing block and a packing line implementing the method.
  • packaging in general, has an economic importance which significantly exceeds its non-technical aspect.
  • very elaborate devices are invented for specific products undergoing particular environments. There, a very high added value is brought by the packaging to the product distributed.
  • wedge shims and half-shells are known. Such devices, if they are satisfactory in many cases, do not allow progress to be made on the packaging processes. Indeed, the character of this kind of shims is their unsuitability for automated packaging methods.
  • the present invention relates to a method of packaging a product in a container, at least one wedge being interposed between the container and the product.
  • the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the wedging means is produced on the packaging site "on demand" in a continuous manner, then that the wedging means is interposed between a container and at least one product brought to proximity, and finally that the insertion of the product into the container performs the interposition of the wedging means between the internal walls of the container and the packaged product.
  • the invention also relates to a wedge, or wedging means particularly suitable for the method of the invention.
  • a wedge comprises at least one flexible support of elongated shape of indefinite length but cut to the required size on the packaging site, the support carrying cushions in determined positions, said wedge being remarkable in that the support comprises at least two sheets weldable to each other so as to form cushions or sausages filled with a blowing agent.
  • the invention finally relates to a packaging line particularly suitable for exploiting the resources of the hold of the invention and carrying out the process of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a part of a packaging chain according to the invention.
  • This part is a station for manufacturing the wedging means or wedge according to the invention.
  • Such a station includes a reserve 1-2 of a flexible support 3-4 constituted by a plastic film.
  • this film is composed of two sheets each wound on a reel 1 or 2 at the entrance to the packaging line.
  • the second step consists in constituting the wedging means preferably on the packaging site itself.
  • a single block manufacturing station according to the invention can be installed at the head of the packaging lines, several packaging or conditioning stations then receiving the setting means on demand.
  • two sheets of flexible plastic are wound on the reels 1 and 2 and are unwound during the manufacturing process of wedging means or shims.
  • At least one nozzle for injecting a blowing agent 5 makes it possible to form a cushion 10 which is an embodiment of an element d amortization of the invention.
  • the configurable shape of the cushion 10 can be seen.
  • Two welding heads 17 can deviate during the movement of the two sheets. They act during the longitudinal movement of the strip and can themselves move in the perpendicular direction 16. As the injection can be done with a configurable pressure on the nozzle 5, it is understood that all forms of cushions are possible.
  • Means 11 and 12 make it possible to cut the lateral parts of the support which are surplus and they are wound on driving wheels 19 and 20. It is these wheels 19 and 20 which control the speed of travel of the strip.
  • the strip along which the wedging means according to the invention succeed one another is constituted by a succession of spacing elements (the cushions 10 and 13) separated by thin parts 14 which serve, as we will see in the following, a hinge for two parts of the wedge.
  • a cushion 10 is terminated by welding using knobs 6 and 7, shown in the inactive position in the drawing.
  • the injection is then either cut or considerably reduced so as to produce parts 14, 15 on the strip whose thickness is reduced.
  • FIG 2 there is shown another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention which is visible there only in part and also in another phase of the packaging process of the invention: the phase of insertion into a container.
  • the term “container” in fact designates any kind of packaging, any means intended to constitute a package or a conditioned package in which the hold of the invention plays its role around a product.
  • the container 36 is a cardboard box which has an upper opening 36a through which the product 33 to be packaged is introduced. Only a bottom corner of the rectangular product is shown.
  • This elongated strip comprises a succession of cushions or spacing elements such as the dumbbell-shaped element 31, 32, 34.
  • a central part 34 is intended to make contact between a part of the product and the corresponding inner face of the container 36.
  • the part of the product 33 is its lower corner.
  • the two side parts 31 and 32 are components of the spacer, the function of which is to separate the product from the side walls of the container. It is noted that these two components of the spacer are obtained by displacements of the welding heads along an axis perpendicular to that of the unwinding of the support during the manufacture of the shim.
  • the element 31, 32, 34 is connected to its two neighbors, not shown, of the wedge by flat parts 30 and 35. They in fact constitute hinges which thus allow the wedge to surround the product at least partially.
  • FIG 3 there is shown another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention.
  • Two sheets 42 and 43, one high, the other low, are superposed and locally cushions like the cushion 40 are formed by injection of a blowing agent.
  • the blowing agent is held in the cushions by welds 41 which thus limit empty parts, or almost empty of blowing agent 39 which thus serve as a hinge, but also as a connecting element between the spacing elements 40 of the band of shims.
  • the strip shown in FIG. 3 is standardized. It is used to package a wide variety of products with a constant dimension ratio. It is thus possible by adjusting the respective lengths L and l respectively of the spacer and of the connecting part to adapt to a large number of situations. Such a strip can be delivered to the packaging line without a shim manufacturing station and cut to order.
  • FIG 4 there is shown a partial section of a package or package formed according to the invention.
  • a box 44 contains a product 45 and a wedge 46, 47, 48 is interposed between the two so that the spacer 46 is placed on a corner of the product.
  • the element 46 is always produced with the technique of the support with two films as it is visible on the two hinges 48 and 47.
  • FIG. 5 another embodiment is shown according to which the spacing elements 51, 52, 53 are cushions which bear on the faces of the product 50 and are interposed inside the box 49. note that two cushions are separated by short hinges between the welds of each cushion.
  • FIG 6 there is shown another embodiment of the invention.
  • a complete packaging station is shown schematically which mainly includes: - the hold manufacturing station, - a product loading station.
  • the wedge of the invention is always constituted on a thin support in the form of an elongated strip of indefinite length but cut to the desired length to at least partially surround the product to be packaged.
  • the shim manufacturing station includes a reserve of the flexible support 57 which takes place in the direction 58.
  • an automaton 55 deposits spacing elements 65, 67.
  • an automaton 56 Before removing the element spacing, an automaton 56 has a means for fixing the spacing element 65 on the relevant face of the flexible support.
  • the automaton 55 deposits the spacer element 65 in synchronism with the unwinding 58 of the support.
  • An element 67 is already deposited and the assembly is routed to the product loading station 64.
  • the product 64 is brought by an automaton 63 which disposes it above the opening of a box 59 itself brought by an automaton 60, 61.
  • the wedge is moved by the system already described in Figure 1, where the lateral excess parts of the flexible support are cut from the rest of the strip and wound on rollers 62.
  • the cutting is carried out by knives 68.
  • the knife 66 cuts the strip perpendicular to the direction 58.
  • the product is then introduced through the opening of the container 59 so that the spacer elements of the shim are placed in the desired relative position. Note that the directions of movement of the product and the container on the one hand and of the hold on the other are perpendicular.
  • FIG 7 there is shown another embodiment of a wedge according to the invention.
  • the flanges 73, 74 may be in greater number (3 or more). They can also be interrupted by welds made in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the strip to produce cushions separated by hinges in the longitudinal direction.
  • the container is not a specific necessity of the invention. It can be achieved by the flexible support itself.
  • FIG 8 there is shown a package formed according to the embodiment of the invention in Figure 7 by relating the corresponding pins.
  • the two flanges 73 and 75 which serve as spacers completely surround the product 79 packaged. They are here arranged on the solid surface of the faces of the product, but it will be seen later that, for certain applications, it is preferable that the shim is placed on the corners of the product.
  • these two spacing elements 73 and 74 are produced on a support made of a mechanically resistant and heat-shrinkable plastic material, it is possible to produce the container directly with this support, an element constituting the wedge of the invention.
  • the package is manufactured on the packaging line by introducing the wedge-product assembly into a former which temporarily acts as the container of Figure 6.
  • a flap machine the excess of shim on the side which remains free and performs, by means known to a person skilled in the art, a welding 76 of the ends of the strip constituting the wedging means.
  • a sort of withdrawal 78 on which one knows how to execute gripping means which will make the package a transportable element.
  • the side faces of the package in the shaper that is to say the faces which are not directly surrounded by the longitudinal wedge, are heated so that the excess parts 77 of the support retract and give mechanical cohesion to the package. Then the package is extracted by the gripping means provided on the flap 78.
  • this packaging is that it makes it possible to replace the cardboard boxes in particular.
  • Another notable advantage it allows using a translucent support to present the product while in the opaque packaging of the prior art, only an image deposited on the opaque container by a graphic process allowed the user to know the packaged product. It is therefore no longer necessary to open the package to get an idea of the product it contains or its condition after storage or transport.
  • FIG 9 there is shown another embodiment of a wedge according to the invention.
  • the spacing elements are studs of circular base deposited on an elongated support 80. They are divided into two groups 81 and 82 intended to garnish after the introduction into a container or a shaper the eight corners of the product. Note however that such a solution is not exclusive of parallelepiped products, but on the contrary it applies to all forms of products, regular or not.
  • the wedge 80 is shown in the packaging process before it is introduced into the shaper or the container 83a.
  • the product 83 is arranged on the block so that it is balanced on the spacers. This means that there are as many spacing elements to the left of the shaper 83a as there are to the right before insertion therein.
  • the package is protected over most of its periphery by the flexible support 80 heat-shrunk around the product 83 and it is protected on its corners for the most frequent drops and shocks by the elements of spacing on its eight corners. It is also noted that the flexible support is spaced from the walls of the product 83 which contributes, as in the conventional solution with a container such as a box, to prevent external attacks from reaching the product 83.
  • the flexible support does not need to be welded, nor heat-shrunk.
  • FIG. 10 another type of wedging according to the invention has been shown, which always comprises an elongated support in the form of a strip of indefinite length cut on demand and spacing elements formed on this support which are sometimes also intended to act as a shock absorber in the event of falls or similar events.
  • the spacer element is unitary or discrete, that is to say that its manufacture can be distinct from that of the rest of the hold and that there are several of them. packing block.
  • the spacer element is formed by forming a thick plate (typically a few millimeters) of a plastic material such as polyurethane.
  • the sheet 87 is formed in a cup provided with two lateral wings which are intended either to come to press on one side of the product, or else to come to rest on an internal face of the container.
  • the bucket has two vertical faces 85 and 89 which connect the wings 87 with a bottom which is substantially parallel to them.
  • this cup is of generally frustoconical or pyramidal shape in order to allow that, before the manufacture of the wedging means "on demand", a large quantity of spacers is stored near the manufacturing station of the hold under a reduced volume. This solution also saves transport costs if the spacers are not produced on the packaging line by reducing the volumes transported.
  • a stack 84 of spacers according to the invention in the form of buckets is arranged in an automatic machine for installing the spacers.
  • This automaton not shown in FIG. 10, but within the reach of those skilled in the art, first realizes a means of fixing the spacer element on the support initially stored on a reserve wheel 90.
  • This wheel 90 is driven by the traction in direction 92 due to means 93 like those explained in FIG. 1.
  • Such means are tractors of excess lateral parts of the support strip after cutting in the loading area 95. It is noted that these motor means must be disposed beyond this loading area to allow the full effectiveness of the invention. Indeed, in particular in the case of an introduction of the product by gravity, the wedge before its cutting also serves as a means of carrying the product during the introduction. It is only during this that the cutting of the excess lateral parts is carried out.
  • the automatic device for constituting the spacing elements on the support 90 comes to deposit for fixing, for example by gluing, at least one spacing element on the opposite face of the support in direction 91. It is noted that the synchronism of this removal 91 with the unwinding of the support 92 ensures a configurable positioning of the spacing elements relative to the product to be packaged in real time.
  • the speed of travel of the support in direction 92 can be temporarily canceled to allow the operation of removing a spacer element.
  • the wedging element comprises, from an initial sheet, three frustoconical cavities or cups whose functions differ.
  • the lateral fins 97 make it possible to give support to the spacer element as will be seen below.
  • the central cavity 98 in FIG. 12 has the function of receiving a part of the periphery of the product to be packaged, whether it is an angle or corner of the product or a face or portion. In fact, only the lateral edges 98a and 98b of the central cavity 98 are in contact with the product. The bottom of this cavity 98 remains away from the product to perform the spacing function.
  • the central cavity 98 is damping.
  • its profile is in the form of a bellows to form a spring whose stiffness can be adapted to the fragility of the product and the environment in which it is stored or transported during the time it is conditioned.
  • the two lateral cavities or cups 96a and 96b have the function of producing a separation of the product from its container on the lateral faces relative to the setting.
  • Their tapered shape also ensures the nesting characteristic and can be completed by a shape bellows for producing a shock absorbing spring and other energy transmissions in a direction perpendicular to the direction of setting.
  • FIG 17 there is shown an embodiment of a package using a bucket block as in Figures 10 to 13.
  • the product 123 is enclosed in a container 120 like a cardboard box.
  • the cups of these spacers are arranged on the corners of the product 123.
  • the support completely surrounds the product. In the case where no box like 123 is provided, it is always possible if the material of the support lends itself to it to make a container by welding the free ends of the wedge after cutting and by carrying out a retraction by heating of the entire support.
  • FIG 13 there is shown another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention of the type with spacer elements in the form of a cushion filled with a blowing agent.
  • a wedging means according to the invention of the type with spacer elements in the form of a cushion filled with a blowing agent.
  • the wedge is produced on a support 99 of indefinite length cut on demand to the dimension required by the product to be packaged.
  • This support comprises lateral parts 100 and 101 intended in part for ensuring the drive of the support 99 on the packaging line, and for the rest after cutting to achieve at least partial lateral protection of the product after forming in the package shaper.
  • the setting is shown seen from above before introduction into the shaper.
  • Two spacer elements are provided 102 and 103 on either side of the product so that these two elements are arranged around the vertical faces (relative to the drawing) of the product and on their angles.
  • the base 104 of the product rests on first transverse parts of the spacer elements which are obtained by a first welding perpendicular to the main dimension of the support in two sheets.
  • first welding perpendicular to the main dimension of the support in two sheets.
  • Welding members are provided both in the direction of the strip or longitudinal direction and welding means are provided in the direction orthogonal to the previous one, or transverse direction.
  • the displacements and actions of these organs being configurable, it is possible to produce the shapes of cushions or sausages in FIG. 13.
  • the first spacer 103 to pass to the shimming manufacturing station is produced by a first transverse weld 103a of the two sheets of the support. Then, the injection of blowing agent is started. In this way, by setting the injection agent flow rate or by adjusting the longitudinal running speed of the support 99, a transverse rod of determined size.
  • welding means perform welding of the exteriors 103b of the spacer 103. This welding will be maintained throughout the duration of travel of the support for the manufacture of the spacer 103.
  • a transverse welding whose position and length can be configured as a function of the desired shape of the rod, is executed.
  • a transverse welding is carried out to start the manufacture of the last transverse rod of the spacer element 103.
  • the injection of swelling product is maintained and finally a last transverse weld completes the element of spacing.
  • the manufacture of the second spacer 102 is started in the same way.
  • FIG. 14 the package produced according to the method described in FIG. 13 is shown.
  • the two elements 102 and 103 have been manufactured in such a way that their external dimensions "catch up" with the non-uniformity of the shape of the product 105. They occupy the corners of the product and the support has been welded by its free edges 99, 106 of the FIG. 13 to constitute a gripping means 107.
  • the excess part 101 which has not been cut to carry out the support of the support at the manufacturing station is folded down on the lateral face of the product after hot shrinking of the support in a shaper as has already been described.
  • FIG. 15 there is an application of the invention for producing a single package of several products.
  • the invention also works for an introduction of the wedge-product assembly other than by gravity or along a vertical axis.
  • An automaton 110 loads a succession of products which may have variable packaging characteristics in a single container.
  • Five products 111 to 115 are provided, the product 115 already being installed in the container 117 brought to the loading station 116 of the packaging line.
  • the continuous support strip is supplied as already described by a reserve 119.
  • wedge is manufactured as has already been described between positions 121 and 122 where knives cut the wedge as the product wedge assembly 114 is introduced into the container by a loading arm (not shown) in the direction of the arrows. The products are pushed successively so as to completely fill the container 117.
  • the balanced edges of the shim 120 are gradually folded down around the product when it is introduced into the container 117.
  • spacers 120a to 120d are arranged to line the four corners of the product 114 as it was already practiced on the first product installed 115.
  • the four spacers as 120a to 120d are deposited on the support so as to wedge the single rightmost face of the product 115 which abuts at the bottom of the container 117.
  • Two spacing elements as shown in the drawing are arranged on the face to the left of product 115. These are the outermost spacer elements of the wedging means. They are given a T shape so that the right-most side of the next product (here 114) comes to be embedded in these two elements.
  • a single block 140-142 is provided which includes eight cushions.
  • the invention here makes it possible to constitute shims with 2N + 2 cushions if one wants to package N products in a single package.
  • the wedge is manufactured continuously. But N + 1 cushions are manufactured first, taking into account the dimensions of the N products that we want to package.
  • the cushions most upstream of the process are manufactured before the introduction of the N products, but, the invention also applies for a successive manufacture of these N + 1 cushions most upstream as the products are introduced.
  • the first product 133 is approached by the wedging means in the loading area.
  • the two cushions 136 and 137 at the bottom of the package are connected by the support 134 and descend into the container 130.
  • the N products are introduced into the package as the timing means unfolds before a control member of the loading operation.
  • the N products thus follow the direction 135 until touching the bottom of the container 130, which completes the loading operation.
  • an automaton performs the closure 138 of the opening of the container and ensures its fixing, the package constituted is evacuated and the operation can start again.
  • FIG. 16 can be like the rest of the invention carried out both with a container of the type of a cardboard box and with a shaping device which shapes the support of the wedge of the invention.
  • the support 150 carries two spacers 153 and 154 whose hollow shapes complement each other to allow the product to be completely wedged on the one hand and produce a compact package whose spacers are joined and even in certain embodiments not shown, nested.
  • Each spacer has two projections on a base, the two projections of each of the spacers being in orthogonal directions two by two.
  • the first wedging element 154 has two projections 158 and 159 transverse to the direction of the support 150, while their counterparts 156 and 157 of the second spacer element 153 are longitudinal.
  • Their respective spacings L and l are substantially equal to the dimensions of the product 155 to be packaged, as well as the two depths of the spacing elements not visible in view a, have for sum the value of the height of the product.
  • view b there is shown the package formed after passage to the shaper. The two spacers 153 and 154 are joined, which guarantees great solidity to the product.
  • the excess lateral parts 152 and 151, after hot shrinkage constitute a cutout 162 visible on the two lateral faces of the product and the free edges of the support are assembled at 160 to form a gripping element.
  • spacers are made from thermosetting resins which are used as blowing agents in the process of the invention and which are in fact molded in the former.
  • the wedging means can be constituted by a stamped in a material of controlled rigidity such as, for example, polyurethane.
  • these spacer elements are produced in a unitary manner and placed according to the method of FIG. 6 for example.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Buffer Packaging (AREA)
  • Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé de conditionnement. Elle concerne aussi une cale de conditionnement et une chaîne de conditionnement mettant en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention. La cale de l'invention, particulièrement adaptée au procédé de l'invention, comporte au moins un support souple de forme allongée de longueur indéfinie, destiné à être découpé à la dimension requise sur le site de conditionnement, le support portant des éléments d'écartement (40) du produit à conditionner à des positions déterminées, ladite cale est remarquable en ce que le support comporte au moins deux feuilles (42, 43) soudables l'une à l'autre de façon à constituer des coussins ou des boudins emplis d'un agent gonflant..The present invention relates to a packaging method. It also relates to a packing block and a packing line implementing the method of the invention. The shim of the invention, particularly suitable for the process of the invention, comprises at least one flexible support of elongated shape of indefinite length, intended to be cut to the required size on the packaging site, the support carrying elements of spacing (40) of the product to be packaged at determined positions, said shim is remarkable in that the support comprises at least two sheets (42, 43) which can be welded together so as to form filled cushions or tubes of a blowing agent ..

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé de conditionnement. Elle concerne aussi une cale de conditionnement et une chaîne de conditionnement mettant en oeuvre le procédé.The present invention relates to a packaging method. It also relates to a packing block and a packing line implementing the method.

Dans l'art antérieur, on sait conditionner des objets fragiles dans des caisses en carton notamment en interposant entre les parois intérieures de l'emballage et le produit emballé ou conditionné une ou plusieurs cales qui ont deux fonctions principales. D'une part, elles servent à écarter le produit de ces parois. On considère qu'ainsi des agressions destructrices de l'emballage pourraient ne pas atteindre le produit. C'est le cas d'un accrochage dans lequel l'énergie de choc n'est pas trop élevée dans la direction de l'impact au produit.In the prior art, it is known to package fragile objects in cardboard boxes, in particular by interposing between the inner walls of the packaging and the packaged or conditioned product one or more wedges which have two main functions. On the one hand, they serve to separate the product from these walls. It is therefore considered that destructive attacks on the packaging may not reach the product. This is the case of an attachment in which the impact energy is not too high in the direction of impact to the product.

D'autre part, de telles cales ont une fonction d'amortissement de certains chocs.On the other hand, such shims have a shock absorption function.

Il est clair que l'emballage, d'une manière générale revêt une importance économique qui dépasse notablement son aspect peu technique. Cependant, des dispositifs très élaborés sont inventés pour des produits spécifiques subissant des environnements particuliers. Là, une très forte valeur ajoutée est apportée par le conditionnement au produit distribué.It is clear that packaging, in general, has an economic importance which significantly exceeds its non-technical aspect. However, very elaborate devices are invented for specific products undergoing particular environments. There, a very high added value is brought by the packaging to the product distributed.

Mais, d'une manière plus large, les produits fragiles courants ne bénéficient pas d'emballages particulièrement performants.But, more generally, common fragile products do not benefit from particularly efficient packaging.

C'est un premier but de l'invention de proposer une technique nouvelle particulièrement sophistiquée sans que son surcoût soit un motif de l'écarter pour des produits de coûts unitaires même modérés.It is a first aim of the invention to propose a particularly sophisticated new technique without its additional cost being a reason to exclude it for products of even moderate unit costs.

Parmi les cales de l'art antérieur que l'on rencontre classiquement pour des produits relativement fragiles comme les produits électroniques de grande diffusion, on connaît les cales de coin, et les demi-coques. De tels dispositifs, s'ils donnent satisfaction dans de nombreux cas, ne permettent pas de réaliser des progrès sur les procédés de conditionnement. En effet, le caractère de ce genre de cales est leur inadaptation aux méthodes de conditionnement automatisées.Among the shims of the prior art that are conventionally encountered for relatively fragile products such as mass market electronic products, wedge shims and half-shells are known. Such devices, if they are satisfactory in many cases, do not allow progress to be made on the packaging processes. Indeed, the character of this kind of shims is their unsuitability for automated packaging methods.

C'est un autre but de la présente invention de proposer un procédé de conditionement particulièrement orienté, mais non exclusivemenent vers une automatisation des opérations de conditionnement.It is another object of the present invention to provide a conditioning method which is particularly oriented, but not exclusively towards automation of the packaging operations.

En effet, la présente invention concerne un procédé de conditionnement d'un produit dans un contenant, au moins une cale étant interposée entre le contenant et le produit. L'invention se caractérise notamment par le fait que le moyen de calage est produit sur le site de conditionnement "à la demande" d'une manière continue, puis que le moyen de calage est interposé entre un contenant et au moins un produit amené à proximité, et enfin que l'insertion du produit dans le contenant exécute l'interposition du moyen de calage entre les parois internes du contenant et le produit conditionné.Indeed, the present invention relates to a method of packaging a product in a container, at least one wedge being interposed between the container and the product. The invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the wedging means is produced on the packaging site "on demand" in a continuous manner, then that the wedging means is interposed between a container and at least one product brought to proximity, and finally that the insertion of the product into the container performs the interposition of the wedging means between the internal walls of the container and the packaged product.

L'invention concerne aussi une cale, ou moyen de calage particulièrement adapté au procédé de l'invention. Une telle cale comporte au moins un support souple de forme allongée de longueur indéfinie mais découpée à la dimension requise sur le site de conditionnement, le support portant des coussins à des positions déterminées,ladite cale étant remarquable en ce que le support comporte au moins deux feuilles soudables l'une à l'autre de façon à constituer des coussins ou des boudins emplis d'un agent gonflant.The invention also relates to a wedge, or wedging means particularly suitable for the method of the invention. Such a wedge comprises at least one flexible support of elongated shape of indefinite length but cut to the required size on the packaging site, the support carrying cushions in determined positions, said wedge being remarkable in that the support comprises at least two sheets weldable to each other so as to form cushions or sausages filled with a blowing agent.

L'invention concerne enfin une chaîne de conditionnement particulièrement adaptée pour exploiter les ressources de la cale de l'invention et exécuter le procédé de l'invention.The invention finally relates to a packaging line particularly suitable for exploiting the resources of the hold of the invention and carrying out the process of the invention.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention seront mieux compris à l'aide de la description et des figures qui sont :

  • - la figure 1 : deux vues a et b d'une chaîne de conditionnement selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 2 : une vue d'une partie d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention avant son insertion dans un contenant,
  • - la figure 3 : un mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 4 : une vue en coupe d'un paquet constitué avec un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 5 : une vue en coupe d'un paquet constitué avec un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 6 : une autre chaîne de conditionnement selon l'invention mettant en oeuvre un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 7 : un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 8 : une vue d'un colis constitué selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 9 : un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 10 : un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 11 : un schéma d'un mode de réalisation d'un élément d'écartement selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 12 : un schéma d'un autre mode de réalisation d'un élément d'écartement selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 13 : un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 14 : une vue d'un colis constitué selon l'invention,
  • - la figure 15 : une étape du procédé de conditionnement dans une variante de l'invention,
  • - la figure 16 : une étape du procédé de conditionnement dans une variante de l'invention,
  • - la figure 17 : un schéma d'un colis constitué selon le procédé de la figure 11,
  • - la figure 18 : un autre mode de réalisation selon l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description and the figures which are:
  • FIG. 1: two views a and b of a packaging line according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2: a view of part of a wedging means according to the invention before its insertion into a container,
  • FIG. 3: an embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 4: a sectional view of a package formed with another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 5: a sectional view of a package made up with another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 6: another packaging line according to the invention implementing another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 7: another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 8: a view of a package made up according to the invention,
  • FIG. 9: another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 10: another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 11: a diagram of an embodiment of a spacer element according to the invention,
  • FIG. 12: a diagram of another embodiment of a spacer element according to the invention,
  • FIG. 13: another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention,
  • FIG. 14: a view of a package made up according to the invention,
  • FIG. 15: a step of the packaging process in a variant of the invention,
  • FIG. 16: a step of the packaging method in a variant of the invention,
  • FIG. 17: a diagram of a package constituted according to the method of FIG. 11,
  • - Figure 18: another embodiment according to the invention.

A la figure 1, on a représenté une partie d'une chaîne de conditionnement selon l'invention. Cette partie est un poste de fabrication du moyen de calage ou cale selon l'invention. Un tel poste comporte une réserve 1-2 d'un support souple 3-4 constitué par un film plastique. Dans l'exemple de réalisation de la figure 1, sur la vue a, ce film est composé de deux feuilles enroulées chacune sur une bobine 1 ou 2 à l'entrée de la chaîne de conditionnement.In Figure 1, there is shown a part of a packaging chain according to the invention. This part is a station for manufacturing the wedging means or wedge according to the invention. Such a station includes a reserve 1-2 of a flexible support 3-4 constituted by a plastic film. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, in view a, this film is composed of two sheets each wound on a reel 1 or 2 at the entrance to the packaging line.

Dans le procédé de conditionnement de l'invention, la seconde étape consiste à constituer le moyen de calage de manière préférentielle sur le site de conditionnement lui-même. Une telle solution évite les frais de stockage et de transport des cales qui sont des frais morts, inutiles dans le processus industriel en général.In the packaging method of the invention, the second step consists in constituting the wedging means preferably on the packaging site itself. Such a solution avoids the costs of storage and transport of the holds which are dead costs, unnecessary in the industrial process in general.

Cependant, rien n'empêche dans certaines applications de fabriquer à part le moyen de calage, par exemple sous forme d'une bande de longueur indéfinie qui porte un nombre important de moyens de calage qui seront chacun découpés sur le site de conditionnement.However, nothing prevents in certain applications from manufacturing apart from the wedging means, for example in the form of a band of indefinite length which carries a large number of wedging means which will each be cut on the packaging site.

Une telle solution peut être exploitée en particulier dans le cas où les cadences de conditionnement proprement dit sont plus faibles que celles de fabrication du moyen de calage. Dans ce cas, un seul poste de fabrication de cales selon l'invention peut être installé en tête des chaînes de conditionnement, plusieurs postes d'emballage ou de conditionnement recevant alors les moyens de calage à la demande.Such a solution can be exploited in particular in the case where the actual packing rates are lower than those of manufacturing the wedging means. In this case, a single block manufacturing station according to the invention can be installed at the head of the packaging lines, several packaging or conditioning stations then receiving the setting means on demand.

Dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 1, deux feuilles de plastique souple sont enroulées sur les bobines 1 et 2 et sont déroulées au cours du procédé de fabrication des moyens de calage ou cales.In the embodiment of Figure 1, two sheets of flexible plastic are wound on the reels 1 and 2 and are unwound during the manufacturing process of wedging means or shims.

Les feuilles tirées passent entre des mollettes 8 et 9. Dans l'interstice entre les deux feuilles, au moins une buse d'injection d'un agent gonflant 5 permet de constituer un coussin 10 qui est un mode de réalisation d'un élément d'amortissement de l'invention.The pulled sheets pass between knobs 8 and 9. In the gap between the two sheets, at least one nozzle for injecting a blowing agent 5 makes it possible to form a cushion 10 which is an embodiment of an element d amortization of the invention.

Dans la vue b qui est une vue de dessous du poste de fabrication des moyens de calage, on remarque la forme paramétrable du coussin 10. Deux têtes de soudage 17 peuvent s'écarter au cours du défilement des deux feuilles. Elles agissent pendant le mouvement longitudinal de la bande et peuvent elles-mêmes se déplacer dans la direction perpendiculaire 16. Comme l'injection peut se faire avec une pression paramétrable sur la buse 5, on conçoit que toutes formes de coussins sont possibles.In view b which is a view from below of the station for manufacturing the wedging means, the configurable shape of the cushion 10 can be seen. Two welding heads 17 can deviate during the movement of the two sheets. They act during the longitudinal movement of the strip and can themselves move in the perpendicular direction 16. As the injection can be done with a configurable pressure on the nozzle 5, it is understood that all forms of cushions are possible.

Des moyens 11 et 12 permettent de découper les parties latérales du support qui sont excédentaires et elles sont enroulées sur des roues menantes 19 et 20. Ce sont ces roues 19 et 20 qui contrôlent la vitesse de défilement de la bande.Means 11 and 12 make it possible to cut the lateral parts of the support which are surplus and they are wound on driving wheels 19 and 20. It is these wheels 19 and 20 which control the speed of travel of the strip.

A la figure 1, la bande le long de laquelle se succèdent les moyens de calage selon l'invention, est constituée par une succession d'éléments d'écartement (les coussins 10 et 13) séparés par des parties minces 14 qui servent, comme on le verra dans la suite, de charnière pour deux parties de la cale.In FIG. 1, the strip along which the wedging means according to the invention succeed one another, is constituted by a succession of spacing elements (the cushions 10 and 13) separated by thin parts 14 which serve, as we will see in the following, a hinge for two parts of the wedge.

A la figure 1, un coussin 10 est terminé par un soudage grâce à des molettes 6 et 7, représentées en position inactive au dessin. L'injection est alors ou bien coupée ou considérablement réduite de façon à réaliser des parties 14, 15 sur la bande dont l'épaisseur est réduite.In FIG. 1, a cushion 10 is terminated by welding using knobs 6 and 7, shown in the inactive position in the drawing. The injection is then either cut or considerably reduced so as to produce parts 14, 15 on the strip whose thickness is reduced.

A la figure 2, on a représenté un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention qui y est visible en partie seulement et de plus dans une autre phase du procédé de conditionnement de l'invention: la phase d'insertion dans un contenant.In Figure 2, there is shown another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention which is visible there only in part and also in another phase of the packaging process of the invention: the phase of insertion into a container.

Selon l'invention, on désigne par contenant en fait tout genre d'emballage, tout moyen destiné à constituer un paquet ou un colis conditionné dans lequel la cale de l'invention joue son rôle autour d'un produit.According to the invention, the term “container” in fact designates any kind of packaging, any means intended to constitute a package or a conditioned package in which the hold of the invention plays its role around a product.

Ici, le contenant 36 est une caisse en carton qui comporte une ouverture supérieure 36a par laquelle est introduit le produit 33 à conditionner. Seul un coin inférieur du produit de forme parallélépipédique est montré.Here, the container 36 is a cardboard box which has an upper opening 36a through which the product 33 to be packaged is introduced. Only a bottom corner of the rectangular product is shown.

Entre l'ouverture 36a du contenant 36 est disposé un moyen de calage 30 dont seule une partie est visible au dessin. Cette bande allongée comporte une succession de coussins ou éléments d'écartement comme l'élément 31, 32, 34 en forme d'haltère.Between the opening 36a of the container 36 is arranged a wedging means 30 of which only a part is visible in the drawing. This elongated strip comprises a succession of cushions or spacing elements such as the dumbbell-shaped element 31, 32, 34.

Dans ce type d'élément d'écartement, une partie centrale 34 est destinée à faire le contact entre une partie du produit et la face correspondante intérieure du contenant 36. Ici, la partie du produit 33 est son coin inférieur. Les deux parties latérales 31 et 32 sont des composants de l'élément d'écartement dont la fonction est d'écarter le produit des parois latérales du contenant. On remarque que ces deux composants de l'élément d'écartement sont obtenus par des déplacements de têtes de soudage selon un axe perpendiculaire à celui du déroulement du support au cours de la fabrication de la cale.In this type of spacer, a central part 34 is intended to make contact between a part of the product and the corresponding inner face of the container 36. Here, the part of the product 33 is its lower corner. The two side parts 31 and 32 are components of the spacer, the function of which is to separate the product from the side walls of the container. It is noted that these two components of the spacer are obtained by displacements of the welding heads along an axis perpendicular to that of the unwinding of the support during the manufacture of the shim.

L'élément 31, 32, 34 est relié à ses deux voisins non représentés de la cale par des parties plates 30 et 35. Elles contituent en fait des charnières qui permettent ainsi à la cale d'entourer au moins partiellement le produit.The element 31, 32, 34 is connected to its two neighbors, not shown, of the wedge by flat parts 30 and 35. They in fact constitute hinges which thus allow the wedge to surround the product at least partially.

A la figure 3, on a représenté une autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention. Deux feuilles 42 et 43, l'une haute, l'autre basse, sont superposées et localement des coussins comme le coussin 40 sont constitués par injection d'un agent gonflant. L'agent gonflant est maintenu dans les coussins par des soudures 41 qui limitent ainsi des parties vides, ou quasiment vides d'agent gonflant 39 qui servent ainsi de charnière, mais aussi d'élément de liaison entre les éléments d'écartement 40 de la bande de cales.In Figure 3, there is shown another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention. Two sheets 42 and 43, one high, the other low, are superposed and locally cushions like the cushion 40 are formed by injection of a blowing agent. The blowing agent is held in the cushions by welds 41 which thus limit empty parts, or almost empty of blowing agent 39 which thus serve as a hinge, but also as a connecting element between the spacing elements 40 of the band of shims.

Dans un mode de réalisation en hors site, la bande représentée à la figure 3 est standardisée. Elle sert à emballer une grande variété de produits dont le rapport des dimensions est une constante. Il est ainsi possible en réglant les longueurs respectives L et l respectivement de l'élément d'écartement et de la partie de liaison de s'adapter à un grand nombre de situations. Une telle bande peut être livrée sur la chaîne de conditionnement sans poste de fabrication de cales et découpée à la demande.In an off-site embodiment, the strip shown in FIG. 3 is standardized. It is used to package a wide variety of products with a constant dimension ratio. It is thus possible by adjusting the respective lengths L and l respectively of the spacer and of the connecting part to adapt to a large number of situations. Such a strip can be delivered to the packaging line without a shim manufacturing station and cut to order.

A la figure 4, on a représenté une coupe partielle d'un paquet ou colis constitué selon l'invention. Une caisse 44 contient un produit 45 et une cale 46, 47, 48 est interposée entre les deux de telle sorte que l'élément d'écartement 46 soit disposé sur un coin du produit. L'élément 46 est toujours réalisé avec la technique du support à deux films ainsi qu'il est visible sur les deux charnières 48 et 47.In Figure 4, there is shown a partial section of a package or package formed according to the invention. A box 44 contains a product 45 and a wedge 46, 47, 48 is interposed between the two so that the spacer 46 is placed on a corner of the product. The element 46 is always produced with the technique of the support with two films as it is visible on the two hinges 48 and 47.

A la figure 5, on a représenté un autre mode de réalisation selon lequel les éléments d'écartement 51, 52, 53 sont des coussins qui portent sur des faces du produit 50 et s'interposent à l'intérieur de la caisse 49. On remarque que deux coussins sont séparés par de courtes charnières entre les soudures de chaque coussin.In FIG. 5, another embodiment is shown according to which the spacing elements 51, 52, 53 are cushions which bear on the faces of the product 50 and are interposed inside the box 49. note that two cushions are separated by short hinges between the welds of each cushion.

A la figure 6, on a représenté un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention. Un poste complet de conditionnement y est schématisé qui comporte principalement :
- le poste de fabrication de la cale,
- un poste de chargement du produit.In Figure 6, there is shown another embodiment of the invention. A complete packaging station is shown schematically which mainly includes:
- the hold manufacturing station,
- a product loading station.

La cale de l'invention est toujours constituée sur un support mince en forme de bande allongée de longueur indéfinie mais coupée à la longueur désirée pour entourer au moins partiellement le produit à conditionner.The wedge of the invention is always constituted on a thin support in the form of an elongated strip of indefinite length but cut to the desired length to at least partially surround the product to be packaged.

Le poste de fabrication de la cale comporte une réserve du support souple 57 qui se déroule dans le sens 58. Sur une face du support, un automate 55 dépose des éléments d'écartement 65, 67. Avant la dépose de l'élément d'écartement, un automate 56 vient disposer un moyen de fixation de l'élément d'écartement 65 sur la face concernée du support souple.The shim manufacturing station includes a reserve of the flexible support 57 which takes place in the direction 58. On one face of the support, an automaton 55 deposits spacing elements 65, 67. Before removing the element spacing, an automaton 56 has a means for fixing the spacing element 65 on the relevant face of the flexible support.

Puis l'automate 55 dépose l'élément d'écartement 65 en synchronisme avec le déroulement 58 du support. Un élément 67 est déjà déposé et l'ensemble est acheminé vers le poste de chargement du produit 64.Then the automaton 55 deposits the spacer element 65 in synchronism with the unwinding 58 of the support. An element 67 is already deposited and the assembly is routed to the product loading station 64.

Le produit 64 est amené par un automate 63 qui le dispose au dessus de l'ouverture d'une caisse 59 elle-même amenée par un automate 60, 61.The product 64 is brought by an automaton 63 which disposes it above the opening of a box 59 itself brought by an automaton 60, 61.

La cale est mue par le système déjà décrit à la figure 1, où les parties excédentaires latérales du support souple sont découpées du reste de la bande et enroulées sur des rouleaux 62. La découpe est réalisée par des couteaux 68. Quand une longueur suffisante de cale est prête, le couteau 66 découpe la bande perpendiculairement à la direction 58.The wedge is moved by the system already described in Figure 1, where the lateral excess parts of the flexible support are cut from the rest of the strip and wound on rollers 62. The cutting is carried out by knives 68. When a sufficient length of wedge is ready, the knife 66 cuts the strip perpendicular to the direction 58.

Le produit est ensuite introduit à travers l'ouverture du contenant 59 de telle sorte que les éléments d'écartement de la cale se placent dans la position relative désirée. On remarque que les directions de déplacement du produit et du contenant d'une part et de la cale de l'autre sont perpendiculaires.The product is then introduced through the opening of the container 59 so that the spacer elements of the shim are placed in the desired relative position. Note that the directions of movement of the product and the container on the one hand and of the hold on the other are perpendicular.

A la figure 7, on a représenté un autre mode de réalisation d'une cale selon l'invention. Réalisée sous la forme d'une bande allongée d'un support de deux films souples 70, 71 elle comporte deux boudins 73, 75 séparés l'un de l'autre par une charnière 74 qui sont les éléments d'écartement de la cale.In Figure 7, there is shown another embodiment of a wedge according to the invention. Produced in the form of an elongated strip of a support for two flexible films 70, 71 it comprises two flanges 73, 75 separated from one another by a hinge 74 which are the spacing elements of the wedge.

Les boudins 73, 74 peuvent être en nombre plus élevé (3 ou plus). lls peuvent aussi être interrompus par des soudures réalisées dans la direction perpendiculaire à la direction de la bande pour produire des coussins séparés par des charnières dans le sens longitudinal.The flanges 73, 74 may be in greater number (3 or more). They can also be interrupted by welds made in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the strip to produce cushions separated by hinges in the longitudinal direction.

D'autres variantes de l'invention sont possibles. En particulier, le contenant n'est pas une nécessité spécifique de l'invention. Il peut être réalisé par le support souple lui-même.Other variants of the invention are possible. In particular, the container is not a specific necessity of the invention. It can be achieved by the flexible support itself.

A la figure 8, on a représenté un colis constitué selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention à la figure 7 en y rapportant les repères correspondants.In Figure 8, there is shown a package formed according to the embodiment of the invention in Figure 7 by relating the corresponding pins.

Les deux boudins 73 et 75 qui servent d'élements d'écartement entourent complètement le produit 79 conditionné. Ils sont ici disposés sur la surface pleine des faces du produit, mais on verra plus loin que, pour certaines applications, il est préférable que la cale soit disposée sur les angles du produit.The two flanges 73 and 75 which serve as spacers completely surround the product 79 packaged. They are here arranged on the solid surface of the faces of the product, but it will be seen later that, for certain applications, it is preferable that the shim is placed on the corners of the product.

Comme d'autre part ces deux éléments d'écartement 73 et 74 sont fabriqués sur un support en un matériau plastique résistant mécaniquement et thermorétractable, il est possible de réaliser le contenant directement avec ce support élément constitutif de la cale de l'invention.As, on the other hand, these two spacing elements 73 and 74 are produced on a support made of a mechanically resistant and heat-shrinkable plastic material, it is possible to produce the container directly with this support, an element constituting the wedge of the invention.

A cette fin, le colis est fabriqué sur la chaîne de conditionnement par introduction de l'ensemble cale-­produit dans un conformateur qui joue temporairement le rôle du contenant de la figure 6. Quand au moins trois faces du produit sont entourées, un automate rabat l'excédent de cale sur la face restée libre et exécute par un moyen connu de l'homme de métier une soudure 76 des extrêmités de la bande constituant le moyen de calage. On obtient ainsi une sorte de repli 78 sur lequel on sait exécuter des moyens de préhension qui feront du colis un élément transportable.To this end, the package is manufactured on the packaging line by introducing the wedge-product assembly into a former which temporarily acts as the container of Figure 6. When at least three sides of the product are surrounded, a flap machine the excess of shim on the side which remains free and performs, by means known to a person skilled in the art, a welding 76 of the ends of the strip constituting the wedging means. One thus obtains a sort of withdrawal 78 on which one knows how to execute gripping means which will make the package a transportable element.

Dans une étape suivante du procédé de conditionnement de l'invention, les faces latérales du colis dans le conformateur, c'est-à-dire les faces qui ne sont pas directement entourées par la cale longitudinale, sont réchauffées de manière à ce que les parties excédentaires 77 du support se rétractent et donnent une cohésion mécanique au colis. Puis le colis est extrait par les moyens de préhension ménagés sur le rabat 78.In a next step of the packaging method of the invention, the side faces of the package in the shaper, that is to say the faces which are not directly surrounded by the longitudinal wedge, are heated so that the excess parts 77 of the support retract and give mechanical cohesion to the package. Then the package is extracted by the gripping means provided on the flap 78.

On note qu'un avantage notable de ce conditionnement est de permettre de remplacer les caisses en carton notamment. Autre avantage notable, il permet en utilisant un support translucide de présenter le produit alors que dans les conditionnements opaques de l'art antérieur, seule une image déposée sur le contenant opaque par un procédé graphique permettait à l'utilisateur de connaître le produit conditionné. Il n'est donc plus besoin d'ouvrir le colis pour avoir une idée du produit qu'il contient ni de son état après stockage ou transport.It is noted that a notable advantage of this packaging is that it makes it possible to replace the cardboard boxes in particular. Another notable advantage, it allows using a translucent support to present the product while in the opaque packaging of the prior art, only an image deposited on the opaque container by a graphic process allowed the user to know the packaged product. It is therefore no longer necessary to open the package to get an idea of the product it contains or its condition after storage or transport.

Cependant, un tel avantage n'est pas exclusif de l'inscription ou du marquage par dépôt de caractères graphiques ou alphanumériques, de dessins ou de couleurs qui permettent de restituer à l'emballage son rôle de support d'informations (codes barre d'identification, numéros, marques déposées) ou de publicité.However, such an advantage is not exclusive of the inscription or the marking by deposit of graphic or alphanumeric characters, of drawings or colors which make it possible to restore to the packaging its role of support of information (bar codes of identification, numbers, trademarks) or advertising.

A la figure 9, on a représenté un autre mode de réalisation d'une cale selon l'invention. Ici, sur la vue a qui est une vue de dessus de la cale seule après sa fabrication, les éléments d'écartement sont des plots de base circulaire déposés sur un support allongé 80. Ils sont répartis en deux groupes 81 et 82 destinés à garnir après l'introduction dans un contenant ou un conformateur les huit coins du produit. On notera cependant qu'une telle solution n'est pas exclusive des produits parallélépipédiques, mais qu'au contraire elle s'applique à toutes formes de produits, régulières ou non.In Figure 9, there is shown another embodiment of a wedge according to the invention. Here, in view a which is a top view of the shim alone after its manufacture, the spacing elements are studs of circular base deposited on an elongated support 80. They are divided into two groups 81 and 82 intended to garnish after the introduction into a container or a shaper the eight corners of the product. Note however that such a solution is not exclusive of parallelepiped products, but on the contrary it applies to all forms of products, regular or not.

A la vue b, on a représenté la cale 80 dans le procédé de conditionnement avant son introduction dans le conformateur ou le contenant 83a. On remarque que le produit 83 est disposé sur la cale de telle manière qu'il soit équilibré sur les éléments d'écartement. Cela signifie qu'il y a autant d'éléments d'écartement à gauche du conformateur 83a qu'à droite avant l'introduction dans celui-ci.In view b, the wedge 80 is shown in the packaging process before it is introduced into the shaper or the container 83a. Note that the product 83 is arranged on the block so that it is balanced on the spacers. This means that there are as many spacing elements to the left of the shaper 83a as there are to the right before insertion therein.

De cette manière, lors du mouvement d'introduction du produit 83 dans son conformateur ou son contenant 83a, les bords 80a et 80b de la cale se rabattent facilement au-dessus du produit ce qui termine l'opération de conditionnement.In this way, during the movement of introduction of the product 83 into its shaper or its container 83a, the edges 80a and 80b of the wedge easily fold over the product which ends the packaging operation.

Il suffit ensuite de rendre cohérent le colis par exemple en refermant le contenant 83a si cette solution est choisie ou en chauffant et en soudant les bords 80a et 80b de la cale si on a choisi la solution du conformateur.It then suffices to make the package coherent, for example by closing the container 83a if this solution is chosen or by heating and welding the edges 80a and 80b of the shim if the solution of the conformator has been chosen.

Dans le cas d'un conformateur, le colis est protégé sur la plus grande partie de sa périphérie par le support souple 80 thermorétracté autour du produit 83 et il est protégé sur ses coins pour les chutes et chocs les plus fréquents par les éléments d'écartement sur ses huit coins. On remarque aussi que le support souple est écarté des parois du produit 83 ce qui contribue, comme dans la solution classique avec un contenant comme une caisse, à empêcher que des agressions externes atteignent le produit 83.In the case of a conformator, the package is protected over most of its periphery by the flexible support 80 heat-shrunk around the product 83 and it is protected on its corners for the most frequent drops and shocks by the elements of spacing on its eight corners. It is also noted that the flexible support is spaced from the walls of the product 83 which contributes, as in the conventional solution with a container such as a box, to prevent external attacks from reaching the product 83.

Dans le cas d'un contenant du genre d'une caisse en carton, le support souple n'a pas besoin d'être soudé, ni thermorétracté.In the case of a container of the kind of a cardboard box, the flexible support does not need to be welded, nor heat-shrunk.

Il suffit qu'un automate spécialisé referme l'ouverture par laquelle le produit et sa cale ont été introduits et pose un lien ou une fixation quelquonque.It suffices that a specialized automaton closes the opening through which the product and its wedge were introduced and poses a link or some fixing.

A la figure 10, on a représenté un autre type de calage selon l'invention, qui comporte toujours un support allongé en forme de bande de longueur indéfinie découpée à la demande et des éléments d'écartement constitués sur ce support qui sont parfois destinés aussi à jouer le rôle d'amortisseur de chocs en cas de chutes ou évènements analogues.In FIG. 10, another type of wedging according to the invention has been shown, which always comprises an elongated support in the form of a strip of indefinite length cut on demand and spacing elements formed on this support which are sometimes also intended to act as a shock absorber in the event of falls or similar events.

Ici, l'élément d'écartement, plus particulièrement représenté à la figure 11 en perspective, est unitaire ou discret, c'est à dire que sa fabrication peut être distincte de celle du reste de la cale et qu'il en existe plusieurs par cale de conditionnement.Here, the spacer element, more particularly shown in FIG. 11 in perspective, is unitary or discrete, that is to say that its manufacture can be distinct from that of the rest of the hold and that there are several of them. packing block.

Dans un mode de fabrication, non exclusif à l'invention, l'élément d'écartement est constitué par formage d'une plaque épaisse (typiquement quelques millimètres) d'un matériau plastique comme du polyurétane. La feuille 87 est formée en un godet muni de deux ailes latérales qui sont destinées ou bien à venir appuyer sur une face du produit, ou bien à venir en appui sur une face interne du contenant.In a manufacturing method, not exclusive to the invention, the spacer element is formed by forming a thick plate (typically a few millimeters) of a plastic material such as polyurethane. The sheet 87 is formed in a cup provided with two lateral wings which are intended either to come to press on one side of the product, or else to come to rest on an internal face of the container.

Le godet comporte deux faces verticales 85 et 89 qui relient les ailes 87 avec un fond qui leur est sensiblement parallèle.The bucket has two vertical faces 85 and 89 which connect the wings 87 with a bottom which is substantially parallel to them.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, ce godet est de forme générale tronconique ou pyramidale afin de permettre que, avant la fabrication du moyen de calage "à la demande", une grande quantité d'éléments d'écartement soit stockée près du poste de fabrication de la cale sous un volume réduit. Cette solution permet aussi d'économiser des frais de transport si les éléments d'écartement ne sont pas fabriqués sur la chaîne de conditionement par réduction des volumes transportés.In a preferred embodiment, this cup is of generally frustoconical or pyramidal shape in order to allow that, before the manufacture of the wedging means "on demand", a large quantity of spacers is stored near the manufacturing station of the hold under a reduced volume. This solution also saves transport costs if the spacers are not produced on the packaging line by reducing the volumes transported.

A la figure 10, une pile 84 d'éléments d'écartement selon l'invention en forme de godets est disposée dans un automate de pose des éléments d'écartement. Cet automate non représenté à la figure 10, mais à la portée de l'homme de métier, réalise d'abord un moyen de fixation de l'élément d'écartement sur le support stocké initialement sur une roue de réserve 90. Cette roue 90 est menée par la traction selon la direction 92 due à des moyens 93 comme ceux expliqués à la figure 1. De tels moyens sont tracteurs de parties latérales excédentaires de la bande de support après une découpe dans la zone de chargement 95. On note que ces moyens moteurs doivent être disposés au delà de cette zone de chargement pour permettre la pleine efficacité de l'invention. En effet, en particulier dans le cas d'une introduction du produit par gravité, la cale avant sa découpe sert aussi de moyen de portage du produit lors de l'introduction. Ce n'est qu'au cours de celle-ci que le découpage des parties latérales excédentaires est réalisé.In FIG. 10, a stack 84 of spacers according to the invention in the form of buckets is arranged in an automatic machine for installing the spacers. This automaton, not shown in FIG. 10, but within the reach of those skilled in the art, first realizes a means of fixing the spacer element on the support initially stored on a reserve wheel 90. This wheel 90 is driven by the traction in direction 92 due to means 93 like those explained in FIG. 1. Such means are tractors of excess lateral parts of the support strip after cutting in the loading area 95. It is noted that these motor means must be disposed beyond this loading area to allow the full effectiveness of the invention. Indeed, in particular in the case of an introduction of the product by gravity, the wedge before its cutting also serves as a means of carrying the product during the introduction. It is only during this that the cutting of the excess lateral parts is carried out.

Avant la zone de chargement, on trouve une zone de dépose 94 ou de constitution des éléments d'écartement. Dans cette zone, l'automate de constitution des éléments d'écartement sur le support 90 vient déposer pour fixation, par exemple par collage, au moins un élément d'écartement sur la face en regard du support selon la direction 91. On remarque que le synchronisme de cette dépose 91 avec le déroulement du support 92 assure un positionnement paramétrable des éléments d'écartement relativement au produit à conditionner en temps réel.Before the loading area, there is a removal area 94 or for constituting the spacer elements. In this zone, the automatic device for constituting the spacing elements on the support 90 comes to deposit for fixing, for example by gluing, at least one spacing element on the opposite face of the support in direction 91. It is noted that the synchronism of this removal 91 with the unwinding of the support 92 ensures a configurable positioning of the spacing elements relative to the product to be packaged in real time.

En effet, quand un produit est amené dans la zone de chargement 94, ses caractéristiques de conditionnement (dimensions, fragilité, forme) sont relevées par un moyen connu. La vitesse de défilement selon la direction 92 est alors adaptée à l'instant de dépose et de fixation de l'élément d'écartement selon la direction 91.Indeed, when a product is brought into the loading area 94, its packaging characteristics (dimensions, fragility, shape) are noted by known means. The running speed in direction 92 is then adapted to the moment of removal and fixing of the spacer element in direction 91.

Dans certaines applications, la vitesse de défilement du support selon la direction 92 peut être annulée temporairement pour permettre l'opération de dépose d'un élement d'écartement.In certain applications, the speed of travel of the support in direction 92 can be temporarily canceled to allow the operation of removing a spacer element.

A la figure 12 on a représenté une variante de réalisation d'un élément de calage selon l'invention. Ici, l'élément de calage comporte, à partir d'une feuille initiale, trois cavités ou godets tronconiques dont les fonctions diffèrent. Les ailettes latérales 97 permettent de donner de l'appui à l'élément d'écartement ainsi qu'on le verra plus loin. La cavité centrale 98 à la figure 12 a pour fonction de recevoir une partie de la périphérie du produit à conditionner, que ce soit un angle ou coin du produit ou une face ou portion. En fait, seuls les bords latéraux 98a et 98b de la cavité centrale 98 sont en contact avec le produit. Le fond de cette cavité 98 reste écarté du produit pour réaliser la fonction d'écartement.In Figure 12 there is shown an alternative embodiment of a wedging element according to the invention. Here, the wedging element comprises, from an initial sheet, three frustoconical cavities or cups whose functions differ. The lateral fins 97 make it possible to give support to the spacer element as will be seen below. The central cavity 98 in FIG. 12 has the function of receiving a part of the periphery of the product to be packaged, whether it is an angle or corner of the product or a face or portion. In fact, only the lateral edges 98a and 98b of the central cavity 98 are in contact with the product. The bottom of this cavity 98 remains away from the product to perform the spacing function.

Dans un mode de réalisation non représenté au dessin, la cavité centrale 98 est amortissante. A cette fin, son profil est en forme de soufflet pour constituer un ressort dont la raideur peut être adaptée à la fragilité du produit et à l'environnement de son stockage ou de son transport pendant le temps qu'il est conditionné.In an embodiment not shown in the drawing, the central cavity 98 is damping. To this end, its profile is in the form of a bellows to form a spring whose stiffness can be adapted to the fragility of the product and the environment in which it is stored or transported during the time it is conditioned.

Les deux cavités ou godets latéraux 96a et 96b ont pour fonction de réaliser un écartement du produit de son contenant sur les faces latérales relativement au calage. Leur forme tronconique assure aussi la caractéristique d'emboitement et peut être complétée par une forme en soufflet pour réaliser un ressort d'amortissement des chocs et autres transmissions d'énergies dans un sens perpendiculaire à la direction du calage.The two lateral cavities or cups 96a and 96b have the function of producing a separation of the product from its container on the lateral faces relative to the setting. Their tapered shape also ensures the nesting characteristic and can be completed by a shape bellows for producing a shock absorbing spring and other energy transmissions in a direction perpendicular to the direction of setting.

A la figure 17, on a représenté un mode de réalisation d'un colis utilisant une cale à godets comme selon les figures 10 à 13. Le produit 123 est enfermé dans un contenant 120 comme une caisse en carton.In Figure 17, there is shown an embodiment of a package using a bucket block as in Figures 10 to 13. The product 123 is enclosed in a container 120 like a cardboard box.

On rappelle que cette solution n'est pas exclusive à l'invention mais qu'au contraire, le support de la cale, quand il est réalisé en matériau plastique thermorétractable et de qualités mécaniques convenables peut servir de contenant après passge dans un conformateur.It will be recalled that this solution is not exclusive to the invention but that, on the contrary, the support of the wedge, when it is made of heat-shrinkable plastic material and of suitable mechanical qualities, can serve as a container after passge in a conformator.

Sur la cale ont été déposés quatre éléments d'écartement 124 à 127 qui sont de la forme indiquée plus haut. On remarque que leurs ailettes latérales comme 97 de la figure 12 ou 87 de la figure 11 sont en appui sur les faces internes du contenant 120.On the hold were deposited four spacers 124 to 127 which are of the form indicated above. We note that their lateral fins like 97 in Figure 12 or 87 in Figure 11 are supported on the internal faces of the container 120.

De même, on remarque que les godets de ces éléments d'écartement sont disposés sur les coins du produit 123. Le support entoure complètement le produit. Dans le cas où aucune caisse comme 123 n'est prévue, il est toujours possible si la matière du support s'y prête de réaliser un contenant en soudant les extrêmités libres de la cale après découpe et en réalisant une rétraction par chauffage de l'ensemble du support.Similarly, it is noted that the cups of these spacers are arranged on the corners of the product 123. The support completely surrounds the product. In the case where no box like 123 is provided, it is always possible if the material of the support lends itself to it to make a container by welding the free ends of the wedge after cutting and by carrying out a retraction by heating of the entire support.

A la figure 13, on a représenté un autre mode de réalisation d'un moyen de calage selon l'invention du type à éléments d'écartement en forme de coussin empli d'un agent gonflant. Ici, il s'agit de réaliser un conditionnement sans caisse externe d'un produit 104-105 de forme non régulière.In Figure 13, there is shown another embodiment of a wedging means according to the invention of the type with spacer elements in the form of a cushion filled with a blowing agent. Here, it is a question of carrying out a packaging without external box of a product 104-105 of non regular shape.

La cale est réalisée sur un support 99 de longueur indéfinie coupée à la demande à la dimension requise par le produit à conditionner. Ce support comporte des parties latérales 100 et 101 destinées pour partie à assurer l'entraînement du support 99 sur la chaîne de conditionnement, et pour le reste après découpe à réaliser une protection latérale au moins partielle du produit après formage dans le conformateur du colis.The wedge is produced on a support 99 of indefinite length cut on demand to the dimension required by the product to be packaged. This support comprises lateral parts 100 and 101 intended in part for ensuring the drive of the support 99 on the packaging line, and for the rest after cutting to achieve at least partial lateral protection of the product after forming in the package shaper.

Le calage est représenté vu de dessus avant l'introduction dans le conformateur. Deux éléments d'écartement sont prévus 102 et 103 de part et d'autre du produit de telle sorte que ces deux éléments se disposent autour des faces verticales (relativement au dessin) du produit et sur leurs angles.The setting is shown seen from above before introduction into the shaper. Two spacer elements are provided 102 and 103 on either side of the product so that these two elements are arranged around the vertical faces (relative to the drawing) of the product and on their angles.

La base 104 du produit repose sur des premières parties transversales des éléments d'écartement qui sont obtenues par un premier soudage perpendiculaire à la dimension principale du support en deux feuilles. Pour cela, on utilise la machine dont le principe est décrit à la figure 1. Des organes de soudages sont prévus à la fois dans la direction de la bande ou direction longitudinale et des moyens de soudage sont prévus dans la direction orthogonale à la précédente, ou direction transversale. Les déplacements et actions de ces organes étant paramétrables, il est possible de réaliser les formes de coussins ou de boudins de la figure 13.The base 104 of the product rests on first transverse parts of the spacer elements which are obtained by a first welding perpendicular to the main dimension of the support in two sheets. For this, the machine is used, the principle of which is described in FIG. 1. Welding members are provided both in the direction of the strip or longitudinal direction and welding means are provided in the direction orthogonal to the previous one, or transverse direction. The displacements and actions of these organs being configurable, it is possible to produce the shapes of cushions or sausages in FIG. 13.

Ainsi, le premier élément d'écartement 103 à passer au poste de fabrication du calage est réalisé par une première soudure transversale 103a des deux feuilles du support. Puis, l'injection d'agent gonflant est commencée. On exécute ainsi en paramétrant le débit d'injection d'agent gonflant ou en réglant la vitesse de défilement longitudinale du support 99 un boudin transversal de dimension déterminée.Thus, the first spacer 103 to pass to the shimming manufacturing station is produced by a first transverse weld 103a of the two sheets of the support. Then, the injection of blowing agent is started. In this way, by setting the injection agent flow rate or by adjusting the longitudinal running speed of the support 99, a transverse rod of determined size.

Pendant ce temps, des moyens de soudage réalisent un soudage des extérieurs 103b de l'élément d'écartement 103. Ce soudage sera maintenu pendant toute la durée de défilement du support pour la fabrication de l'élément d'écartement 103.During this time, welding means perform welding of the exteriors 103b of the spacer 103. This welding will be maintained throughout the duration of travel of the support for the manufacture of the spacer 103.

Arrivé au niveau du bord 103c de l'élément 103, un soudage transversal dont la position et la longueur sont paramétrables en fonction de la forme désirée du boudin, est exécuté.Arrived at the edge 103c of the element 103, a transverse welding whose position and length can be configured as a function of the desired shape of the rod, is executed.

Deux buses d'injection sont ensuite nécessaires pour réaliser les deux boudins longitudinaux de l'éléments 103. Pendant tout le temps de cette injection double, quatre soudures longitudinales, dont les positions transversales sont paramétrables en fonction de la forme du produit à conditionner, sont exécutées par quatre têtes indépendantes.Two injection nozzles are then necessary to make the two longitudinal strands of the elements 103. During the entire time of this double injection, four longitudinal welds, the transverse positions of which can be configured according to the shape of the product to be packaged, are executed by four independent heads.

Arrivé au niveau du bord 103d transversal, un soudage transversal est opéré pour démarrer la fabrication du dernier boudin transversal de l'élément d'écartement 103. L'injection de produit gonflant est maintenue et enfin une dernière soudure transversale achève l'élément d'écartement.Arrived at the level of the transverse edge 103d, a transverse welding is carried out to start the manufacture of the last transverse rod of the spacer element 103. The injection of swelling product is maintained and finally a last transverse weld completes the element of spacing.

Après un déplacement du support d'une longueur désirée fonction de la dimension correspondante de la base d'appui du produit à conditionner, la fabrication du second élément d'écartement 102 est commencée de la même façon.After a displacement of the support of a desired length depending on the corresponding dimension of the support base of the product to be packaged, the manufacture of the second spacer 102 is started in the same way.

A la figure 14, on a représenté le colis réalisé selon le procédé décrit à la figure 13.In FIG. 14, the package produced according to the method described in FIG. 13 is shown.

Les deux éléments 102 et 103 ont été fabriqués de telle sorte que leurs dimensions externes "rattrapent" la non uniformité de la forme du produit 105. Ils occupent les angles du produit et le support a été soudé par ses bords libres 99, 106 de la figure 13 pour constituer un moyen de préhension 107.The two elements 102 and 103 have been manufactured in such a way that their external dimensions "catch up" with the non-uniformity of the shape of the product 105. They occupy the corners of the product and the support has been welded by its free edges 99, 106 of the FIG. 13 to constitute a gripping means 107.

La partie excédentaire 101 qui n'a pas été découpée pour réaliser l'entraînement du support au poste de fabrication est rabattue sur la face latérale du produit après rétraction à chaud du support dans un conformateur comme on l'a déjà décrit.The excess part 101 which has not been cut to carry out the support of the support at the manufacturing station is folded down on the lateral face of the product after hot shrinking of the support in a shaper as has already been described.

On remarque la souplesse de l'invention qui permet la fabrication de calages de formes extrêmement variées permettant son adaptation aux produits de formes et caractéristiques de conditionnement les plus variées.Note the flexibility of the invention which allows the manufacture of wedges of extremely varied shapes allowing its adaptation to products of the most varied shapes and packaging characteristics.

A la figure 15, on a une application de l'invention pour réaliser un colis unique de plusieurs produits. On utilise un moyen de calage utilisant des éléments d'écartement unitaires comme ceux de la figure 6. Dans cet exemple de réalisation, on remarque que l'invention fonctionne aussi pour une introduction de l'ensemble cale-produit autrement que par gravité ou que selon un axe vertical.In FIG. 15, there is an application of the invention for producing a single package of several products. We use a wedging means using elements unit spacing like those of FIG. 6. In this embodiment, it is noted that the invention also works for an introduction of the wedge-product assembly other than by gravity or along a vertical axis.

Un automate 110 charge une succession de produits qui peuvent avoir des caractéristiques de conditionnement variables dans un seul contenant. Cinq produits 111 à 115 sont prévus, le produit 115 étant déjà installé dans le contenant 117 amené au poste de chargement 116 de la chaîne de conditionnement.La bande continue de support est fournie comme on l'a déjà décrit par une réserve 119. La cale est fabriquée ainsi qu'on l'a déjà décrit entre les positions 121 et 122 où des couteaux viennent découper la cale au fur et à mesure de l'introduction de l'ensemble cale produit 114 dans le contenant par un bras de chargement (non montré) dans la direction des flèches. Les produits sont poussés successivement de façon à remplir complètement le contenant 117.An automaton 110 loads a succession of products which may have variable packaging characteristics in a single container. Five products 111 to 115 are provided, the product 115 already being installed in the container 117 brought to the loading station 116 of the packaging line. The continuous support strip is supplied as already described by a reserve 119. wedge is manufactured as has already been described between positions 121 and 122 where knives cut the wedge as the product wedge assembly 114 is introduced into the container by a loading arm ( not shown) in the direction of the arrows. The products are pushed successively so as to completely fill the container 117.

Comme il est prévu selon l'invention, les bords équilibrés de la cale 120 sont rabattus progressivement autour du produit lors de son introduction dans le contenant 117.As provided according to the invention, the balanced edges of the shim 120 are gradually folded down around the product when it is introduced into the container 117.

On remarque aussi que quatre éléments d'écartement 120a à 120d sont disposés pour garnir les quatre angles du produit 114 ainsi qu'il a déjà été pratiqué sur le premier produit installé 115. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, les quatre éléments d'écartement comme 120a à 120d sont déposés sur le support de façon à venir caler la seule face la plus à droite du produit 115 qui vient en butée au fond du contenant 117. Deux éléments d'écartement comme il est représenté au dessin sont disposés sur la face à gauche du produit 115. Il s'agit des éléments d'écartement les plus à l'extérieur du moyen de calage. On leur donne une forme en T de façon à ce que la face la plus à droite du produit suivant (ici 114) vienne s'encastrer dans ces deux éléments.We also note that four spacers 120a to 120d are arranged to line the four corners of the product 114 as it was already practiced on the first product installed 115. In a preferred embodiment, the four spacers as 120a to 120d are deposited on the support so as to wedge the single rightmost face of the product 115 which abuts at the bottom of the container 117. Two spacing elements as shown in the drawing are arranged on the face to the left of product 115. These are the outermost spacer elements of the wedging means. They are given a T shape so that the right-most side of the next product (here 114) comes to be embedded in these two elements.

Par contre, pour les N produits suivants, seuls les éléments d'écartement latéraux comme 120a et 120d sont déposés sur le support et affectent une forme en T pour venir caler la face la plus à gauche de chaque produit.On the other hand, for the following N products, only the lateral spacing elements such as 120a and 120d are deposited on the support and have a T shape to wedge the leftmost face of each product.

On peut ainsi constituer rapidement et à moindre frais un colis de plusieurs produits dans un seul contenant.We can thus quickly and inexpensively build a package of several products in a single container.

On sait aussi utiliser le support du moyen de calage du produit le premier introduit dans le conformateur de l'invention en lui donnant une extension suffisante de façon à entourer complètement le colis et par soudage des bords puis rétraction à constituer un colis.It is also known to use the support of the product wedging means, the first introduced into the shaping device of the invention by giving it a sufficient extension so as to completely surround the package and by welding the edges then shrinking to constitute a package.

A la figure 16, on a représenté un mode de réalisation d'un colis de plusieurs produits qui utilise le calage à coussins gonflés.In Figure 16, there is shown an embodiment of a package of several products which uses cushioning inflated cushions.

Dans cet exemple de réalisation d'un colis selon l'invention, trois produits 131 à 133 sont introduits successivement dans un contenant 130. Une seule cale 140-­142 est prévue qui comporte huit coussins. D'une manière générale, l'invention permet ici de constituer des cales avec 2N+2 coussins si on veut conditionner N produits dans un seul colis.In this embodiment of a package according to the invention, three products 131 to 133 are successively introduced into a container 130. A single block 140-142 is provided which includes eight cushions. In general, the invention here makes it possible to constitute shims with 2N + 2 cushions if one wants to package N products in a single package.

Comme précédemment, la cale est fabriquée en continu. Mais N+1 coussins sont fabriqués d'abord en tenant compte des dimensions des N produits que l'on désire mettre en colis. Dans l'exemple de réalisation préféré, les coussins les plus en amont du procédé sont fabriqués avant l'introduction des N produits, mais, l'invention s'applique aussi pour une fabrication successive de ces N+1 coussins les plus en amont au fur et à mesure de l'introduction des produits.As before, the wedge is manufactured continuously. But N + 1 cushions are manufactured first, taking into account the dimensions of the N products that we want to package. In the preferred embodiment, the cushions most upstream of the process are manufactured before the introduction of the N products, but, the invention also applies for a successive manufacture of these N + 1 cushions most upstream as the products are introduced.

Puis, le premier produit 133 est approché du moyen de calage dans la zone de chargement. Les deux coussins 136 et 137 de fond du colis sont reliés par le support 134 et descendent dans le contenant 130.Then, the first product 133 is approached by the wedging means in the loading area. The two cushions 136 and 137 at the bottom of the package are connected by the support 134 and descend into the container 130.

Successivement les N produits sont introduits dans le colis au fur et mesure du déroulement du moyen de calage devant un organe de contrôle de l'opération de chargement. Les N produits suivent ainsi la direction 135 jusqu'à toucher le fond du contenant 130, ce qui termine l'opération de chargement.Successively, the N products are introduced into the package as the timing means unfolds before a control member of the loading operation. The N products thus follow the direction 135 until touching the bottom of the container 130, which completes the loading operation.

Ensuite, un automate réalise la fermeture 138 de l'ouverture du contenant et assure sa fixation, le colis constitué est évacué et l'opération peut recommencer.Then, an automaton performs the closure 138 of the opening of the container and ensures its fixing, the package constituted is evacuated and the operation can start again.

On remarque aussi que l'opération décrite à la figure 16 peut être comme le reste de l'invention réalisée aussi bien avec un contenant du type d'une caisse en carton qu'avec un conformateur qui met en forme le support de la cale de l'invention.We also note that the operation described in FIG. 16 can be like the rest of the invention carried out both with a container of the type of a cardboard box and with a shaping device which shapes the support of the wedge of the invention.

A la figure 18, on a représenté en vue a l'étape de chargement d'un produit 155 sur un moyen de calage selon l'invention qui permet de réaliser un colis de haute cohérence.In Figure 18, there is shown in view at the step of loading a product 155 on a wedging means according to the invention which allows for a package of high consistency.

Dans ce colis, le support 150 porte deux éléments d'écartement 153 et 154 dont les formes en creux se complètent pour permettre de caler complètement le produit d'une part et réaliser un colis compact dont les éléments d'écartement sont jointifs et même dans certains modes de réalisation non représentés, emboités.In this package, the support 150 carries two spacers 153 and 154 whose hollow shapes complement each other to allow the product to be completely wedged on the one hand and produce a compact package whose spacers are joined and even in certain embodiments not shown, nested.

Chaque élément d'écartement comporte deux avancées sur une base, les deux avancées de chacun des éléments d'écartement étant de directions orthogonales deux à deux.Each spacer has two projections on a base, the two projections of each of the spacers being in orthogonal directions two by two.

A la figure 18, on remarque que le premier élément de calage 154 comporte deux avancées 158 et 159 transversales à la direction du support 150, tandis que leurs homologues 156 et 157 du second élément d'écartement 153 sont longitudinales. Leurs écartements respectifs L et l sont sensiblement égaux aux dimensions du produit 155 à conditionner, de même que les deux profondeurs des éléments d'écartement non visibles sur la vue a, ont pour somme la valeur de la hauteur du produit. A la vue b, on a représenté le colis constitué après passage au conformateur. Les deux éléments d'écartement 153 et 154 sont jointifs, ce qui garantit une grande solidité au produit.In FIG. 18, it can be seen that the first wedging element 154 has two projections 158 and 159 transverse to the direction of the support 150, while their counterparts 156 and 157 of the second spacer element 153 are longitudinal. Their respective spacings L and l are substantially equal to the dimensions of the product 155 to be packaged, as well as the two depths of the spacing elements not visible in view a, have for sum the value of the height of the product. In view b, there is shown the package formed after passage to the shaper. The two spacers 153 and 154 are joined, which guarantees great solidity to the product.

Seules quatre fenêtres comme la fenêtre 161 subsistent à travers lesquelles le produit 155 est visible.Only four windows like window 161 remain through which the product 155 is visible.

De même, les parties latérales 152 et 151 excédentaires, après rétraction à chaud constituent une découpe 162 visible sur les deux faces latérales du produit et les bords libres du support sont assemblés en 160 pour constituer un élément de préhension.Similarly, the excess lateral parts 152 and 151, after hot shrinkage constitute a cutout 162 visible on the two lateral faces of the product and the free edges of the support are assembled at 160 to form a gripping element.

D'autres formes sont possibles en particulier qui ménagent des mortaises et des emboitements entre les éléments d'écartement jointifs.Other forms are possible in particular which provide mortises and interlockings between the adjoining spacer elements.

De tels éléments d'écartement sont réalisés à partir de résines thermodurcissables qui sont utilisées comme agents gonflants dans le procédé de l'invention et qui sont en fait moulées dans le conformateur.Such spacers are made from thermosetting resins which are used as blowing agents in the process of the invention and which are in fact molded in the former.

Le moyen de calage peut être constitué par un embouti en un matériau de rigidité contrôlée comme, par exemple, du polyuréthane.The wedging means can be constituted by a stamped in a material of controlled rigidity such as, for example, polyurethane.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation, ces éléments d'écartement sont réalisés de manière unitaire et posés selon le procédé de la figure 6 par exemple.In another embodiment, these spacer elements are produced in a unitary manner and placed according to the method of FIG. 6 for example.

Claims (27)

1. Procédé de conditionnement d'au moins un produit dans un contenant, une cale ou moyen de calage étant interposé entre le contenant et le produit, caractérisé par le fait que, dans une première étape le moyen de calage est produit au moins en partie sur le site de conditionnement "à la demande" d'une manière continue sous forme d'une bande de longueur indéfinie, puis que dans une seconde étape le moyen de calage est interposé entre le contenant et au moins un produit amené à proximité, et enfin qu' au cours d'une troisième étape l'insertion du produit dans le contenant exécute l'interposition du moyen de calage entre les parois internes du contenant et le produit conditionné pendant qu'éventuellement le reste de la cale est fabriquée au cours de l'introduction du ou des produits.1. Method for packaging at least one product in a container, a wedge or wedging means being interposed between the container and the product, characterized in that, in a first step, the wedging means is produced at least in part on the packaging site "on demand" in a continuous manner in the form of a strip of indefinite length, then in a second step the wedging means is interposed between the container and at least one product brought in proximity, and finally that during a third step the insertion of the product into the container performs the interposition of the wedging means between the internal walls of the container and the conditioned product while possibly the rest of the wedge is manufactured during the introduction of the product (s). 2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, pour produire le moyen de calage, on dispose sur un support souple comme un film plastique (3, 4) des éléments d'écartement (10, 13) ayant des dimensions et des caractéristiques mécaniques déterminées en fonction de la position relative de l'élément au produit, une fois celui-ci installé dans un contenant et des caractéristiques de conditionnement du produit.2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, to produce the wedging means, there are arranged on a flexible support such as a plastic film (3, 4) spacer elements (10, 13) having dimensions and mechanical characteristics determined as a function of the relative position of the element with the product, once the latter is installed in a container and the packaging characteristics of the product. 3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractéérisé en ce qu'il consiste à disposer comme contenant temporaire un conformateur qui au cours d'une étape supplémentaire du procédé exécute une rétraction à chaud du support du moyen de calage après que les bords libres de celui-ci ont été soudés.3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists in disposing as a temporary container a shaping device which during an additional step of the process performs a hot shrinkage of the support of the wedging means after the free edges of that -were welded. 4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à ménager ensuite un moyen de préhension sur le rabat constitué avec une partie excédentaire des bords libres du support après leur soudage.4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it consists in then providing a gripping means on the flap formed with an excess part of the free edges of the support after their welding. 5. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à déposer des éléments d'écartement unitaires sur une face du support dans des positions paramétrées en fonction des caractéristiques du produit à conditionner.5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists in depositing unitary spacing elements on one face of the support in positions configured according to the characteristics of the product to be packaged. 6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à déposer entre chaque élément d'écartement et le support un moyen de fixation comme de la colle.6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that it consists in depositing between each spacer and the support a fixing means like glue. 7. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à fabriquer par injection d'un agent gonflant entre deux feuilles du support soudées progressivement au cours du défilement du support devant le poste de fabrication de la cale.7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists in manufacturing by injection of a swelling agent between two sheets of the support progressively welded during the running of the support in front of the block manufacturing station. 8. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à réaliser un soudage dans deux directions la première longitudinale et la seconde transversale, de manière à obtenir toutes formes de coussins.8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists in carrying out a welding in two directions the first longitudinal and the second transverse, so as to obtain all forms of cushions. 9. Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'agent gonflant est durci à chaud lors du passage dans un conformateur du colis constitué.9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the swelling agent is hardened hot when passing through a conforming package. 10. Moyen de calage particulièrement adapté au procédé de l'invention, comportant au moins un support souple de forme allongée de longueur indéfinie, destiné à être découpé à la dimension requise sur le site de conditionnement, le support portant des éléments d'écartement du produit à conditionner à des positions déterminées caractérisé en ce que le support comporte au moins deux feuilles soudables l'une à l'autre de façon à constituer des coussins ou des boudins emplis d'un agent gonflant.10. Wedging means particularly suitable for the method of the invention, comprising at least one flexible support of elongated shape of indefinite length, intended to be cut to the required size on the packaging site, the support carrying spacers of the product to be packaged at determined positions, characterized in that the support comprises at least two sheets which can be welded together so as to form cushions or tubes filled with a swelling agent. 11. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que au moins une feuille du support est constituée d'un matériau plastique à caractéristiques mécaniques convenables et thermorétractable.11. Wedging means according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one sheet of the support consists of a plastic material with suitable mechanical characteristics and heat shrinkable. 12. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 10 ou 11, caractérisé en ce que l'agent gonflant est à caractéristiques mécaniques permettant un amortissement des chocs.12. Chocking means according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the swelling agent has mechanical characteristics allowing shock absorption. 13. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que l'agent gonflant est thermodurcissable de façon à permettre de conformer les coussins ou boudins qui servent d'éléments d'écartement.13. wedging means according to claim 12, characterized in that the swelling agent is thermosetting so as to allow to conform the cushions or tubes which serve as spacers. 14. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que la feuille thermorétractable est disposée vers l'extérieur de manière à permettre de réaliser par passage dans un conformateur chauffant un colis cohérent et homogène autour du produit à emballer.14. Wedging means according to claim 11, characterized in that the heat-shrinkable sheet is arranged outward so as to allow to achieve by passing through a heating shaper a coherent and homogeneous package around the product to be packaged. 15. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que les bords libres du support du moyen de calage sont soudés pour constituer un rabat qui porte aussi des moyens de préhension du colis.15. wedging means according to claim 14, characterized in that the free edges of the support of the wedging means are welded to form a flap which also carries means for gripping the package. 16. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que les éléments d'écartement sont des éléments unitaires destinés à venir écarter le produit des parois de son contenant, caisse ou support du moyen de calage.16. Wedging means according to claim 10, characterized in that the spacer elements are unitary elements intended to move the product away from the walls of its container, case or support of the wedging means. 17. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 16, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de calage est constitué par un embouti en un matériau de rigidité contrôlée comme du polyuréthane.17. Wedging means according to claim 16, characterized in that the wedging element is constituted by a stamped in a material of controlled rigidity such as polyurethane. 18. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 16, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de calage sont munis d'au moins un godet de forme tronconique ou pyramidale de manière à permettre leur stockage avant dépose sur le support de la cale.18. wedging means according to claim 16, characterized in that the wedging elements are provided with at least one cup of frustoconical or pyramidal shape so as to allow their storage before depositing on the support of the wedge. 19. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 18, caractérisé en ce que les éléments de calage comportent un godet central destiné à écarter le produit des parois du contenant, caisse ou support de la cale thermorétractée, parois dans un plan d'une première direction, entouré d'au moins deux godets latéraux destinés à écarter le produit des parois internes du contenant dans une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à la précédente.19. Wedging means according to claim 18, characterized in that the wedging elements comprise a central bucket intended to separate the product from the walls of the container, case or support of the heat-shrunk wedge, walls in a plane in a first direction, surrounded by at least two side cups intended to separate the product from the internal walls of the container in a direction substantially perpendicular to the previous one. 20. Moyen de calage selon l'une des revendications 10 à 19, caractérisé en ce que les éléments d'écartement sont jointifs une fois le colis constitué.20. Wedging means according to one of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that the spacing elements are contiguous once the package is formed. 21. Moyen de calage selon la revendication 20, caractérisé en ce que les éléments d'écartement sont emboitables.21. Wedging means according to claim 20, characterized in that the spacer elements are nestable. 22. Chaîne de conditionnement, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte au moins un poste de fabrication d'un moyen de calage selon l'une des revendications 10 à 18, comportant d'une part dans une zone de dépose :
- une réserve de support souple (1,2),
- et des moyens pour constituer (5, 8, 9, 17) des éléments d'écartement sur le support (3, 4),
et au moins un poste de chargement d'au moins un produit dans un contenant.22. Packaging line, characterized in that it comprises at least one station for manufacturing a wedging means according to one of claims 10 to 18, comprising on the one hand in a deposit area:
- a reserve of flexible support (1,2),
- and means for constituting (5, 8, 9, 17) spacer elements on the support (3, 4),
and at least one station for loading at least one product into a container. 23. Chaîne de conditionnement selon la revendication 22, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte aussi des moyens moteurs du support dans une direction longitudinale relativement à la forme allongée du support.23. Packaging chain according to claim 22, characterized in that it also comprises means for driving the support in a longitudinal direction relative to the elongated shape of the support. 24. Chaîne de conditionnement selon la revendication 23, caractérisée en ce que les moyens moteurs du support sont constitués par des roues (19, 20) qui enroulent des parties latérales excédentaires du support découpées pendant le chargement de l'ensemble cale/produit dans son contenant.24. A packaging chain according to claim 23, characterized in that the drive means of the support consist of wheels (19, 20) which wind up excess lateral parts of the support cut during the loading of the wedge / product assembly in its container. 25. Chaîne de conditionnement selon la revendication 22, caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour former les éléments d'écartement sont synchronisés sur le déplacement longitudinal du support du moyen de calage en fonction des caractéristiques géométriques et de conditionnement du produit présent au poste de chargement.25. A packaging chain according to claim 22, characterized in that the means for forming the spacer elements are synchronized with the longitudinal movement of the support of the wedging means as a function of the geometrical and packaging characteristics of the product present at the loading station. . 26. Chaîne de conditionnement selon la revendication 25, caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour former les éléments d'écartement comportent des têtes de soudage des deux feuilles constituant le support dans au moins une direction perpendiculaire au déplacement du support et éventuellement dans une seconde direction perpendiculaire dite transversale, les deux séries de têtes étant actives en synchronisme avec le déplacement du support et paramétrables en fonction des caractéristiques géométriques et de conditionnement du produit présent au poste de chargement.26. A packaging chain according to claim 25, characterized in that the means for forming the spacers comprise welding heads of the two sheets constituting the support in at least one direction perpendicular to the movement of the support and optionally in a second direction. perpendicular said transverse, the two series of heads being active in synchronism with the movement of the support and configurable according to the geometrical and packaging characteristics of the product present at the loading station. 27. Chaîne de conditionnement selon la revendication 22, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte aussi un conformateur de colis constitué par une cavité formant contenant temporaire de l'ensemble cale/produit lors de l'opération de chargement et qui donne ensuite une forme cohérente et permanente au colis, par exemple par thermoformage de la feuille externe du support.27. Packaging line according to claim 22, characterized in that it also comprises a package shaper constituted by a cavity forming a temporary container of the hold / product assembly during the loading operation and which then gives a coherent shape. and permanent to the package, for example by thermoforming of the external sheet of the support.
EP89403120A 1988-11-14 1989-11-13 Conditioning method, packaging bolster and conditioning line Expired - Lifetime EP0369871B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR8814767A FR2639024B1 (en) 1988-11-14 1988-11-14 PACKAGING PROCESS, PACKAGING SHIM AND PACKAGING CHAIN
FR8814767 1988-11-14

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EP0369871B1 EP0369871B1 (en) 1994-01-19

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EP (1) EP0369871B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07115692B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2002706C (en)
DE (1) DE68912527T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2050265T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2639024B1 (en)

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Publication number Publication date
JPH02242702A (en) 1990-09-27
FR2639024A1 (en) 1990-05-18
FR2639024B1 (en) 1991-08-02
JPH07115692B2 (en) 1995-12-13
CA2002706C (en) 1996-03-05
DE68912527D1 (en) 1994-03-03
EP0369871B1 (en) 1994-01-19
DE68912527T2 (en) 1994-05-05
US5022217A (en) 1991-06-11
US5145069A (en) 1992-09-08
ES2050265T3 (en) 1994-05-16
CA2002706A1 (en) 1990-05-14

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