EP0567413B1 - Polygonal package made from sheet material and blank for making such package - Google Patents

Abstract

Package made from sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, whose shape is at least approximately parallelepipedic, and blank for making it. According to the invention, the faces (1 to 3) have different heights, the highest faces having a width at most equal to the distance separating two consecutive high faces, when the package is flat. Saving of material in the cutting out of blanks by the interleaving of the panels and/or flaps of two consecutive blanks. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or similar sheet material, having a polygonal section, and in particular of generally rectangular section, as well as a blank of such a sheet material for the production of said packaging.

It is known that the single blank from which such packages are formed comprises a series of flaps connected to each other by parallel fold lines and provided laterally with flaps, connected respectively to said flaps by fold lines perpendicular to the fold lines. connecting said flaps together and intended to form the bottom and the cover of said packages. The free edge of one of the end flaps of said assembly is provided with a tongue connected to said end flap by a fold line parallel to those connecting said flaps and intended to be fixed against the free edge of the opposite end flap.

Known packages of this type are called "American boxes" and they have a generally rectangular section (transverse to said flaps). As a result, all the flaps and all the flaps are also square or rectangular, all the flaps having, transverse to the fold lines which connect them to the flaps, the same width, chosen to be at least approximately equal to half. of the width of the section of said box.

The manufacture of these known American cases is carried out by a cardboard industrialist, who, from said blank, forms a flattened blank of the case by folding said blank around the median fold line of said set of flaps and fixing said tab on the extreme flap opposite. During this operation, the blank folded around said central fold line is guided laterally by stops bearing against the free edges of the cover and bottom flaps. It will be noted that, because all the flaps have the same width, the free edges of superimposed flaps are then themselves superimposed, so that each of said stops bears against the free edges of these superimposed flaps. This results in an at least approximate squaring of said blank when the tongue is fixed to the superimposed end flap.

After this operation, said blank therefore has a flattened parallelogram section, said lateral flaps respectively extending the corresponding flaps outwards. Then, these flattened blanks are delivered to a user, who, in order to accommodate objects to be packaged there, shapes them by expansion parallel to the flattened diagonal of said parallelogram, then folds and glues said flaps to form the bottom, and, after filling , the cover of said box.

The bottom and the cover of said box are then each formed by two small opposite internal rectangular flaps, not joined, and by two large external rectangular flaps, opposite, joining.

The cases thus produced constitute completely closed packages, which is often not necessary when the products packed in these cases are themselves enclosed in a container (bottle for example), see US-A-3,627,193.

The object of the present invention is to improve an American box as described above, in particular in order to save material (cardboard, corrugated cardboard, etc.) on its manufacture.

• au moins quatre faces latérales, rectangulaires ou sensiblement rectangulaires, deux à deux identiques et reliées entre elles par l'intermédiaire de premières lignes de pliage parallèles, deux faces latérales opposées ayant une hauteur (H) supérieure à la hauteur (h) des deux autres faces latérales opposées ;
• un fond constitué par des rabats reliés auxdites faces latérales par des deuxièmes lignes de pliage orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage ; et
• un couvercle formé par des rabats reliés auxdites faces latérales les plus hautes par des troisièmes lignes de pliage, orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage;

caractérisé en ce que :

• la largeur (x) des parties desdites faces latérales les plus hautes, qui font saillie par rapport auxdites faces latérales les moins hautes, est inférieure à la distance (X) séparant lesdites parties saillantes, lorsque ledit emballage est à plat ;
• le fond dudit emballage est formé par deux petits rabats inférieurs opposés, respectivement solidaires desdites faces latérales les moins hautes sur toute la longueur des deuxièmes lignes de pliage, et de deux grands rabats extérieurs opposés, respectivement solidaires desdites faces latérales les plus hautes sur toute la longueur des deuxièmes lignes de pliage, ces deux grands rabats extérieurs couvrant à eux deux sensiblement la totalité ou la totalité de la surface dudit fond, étant jointifs le long de leurs bords libres situés du côté opposé aux deuxièmes lignes de pliage, et présentant des bords latéraux libres par rapport aux bords latéraux des petits rabats intérieurs de volet adjacents.

To this end, the present invention essentially provides a packaging of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, of at least approximately rectangular shape, comprising:

• at least four lateral faces, rectangular or substantially rectangular, two by two identical and interconnected by means of first parallel fold lines, two opposite lateral faces having a height (H) greater than the height (h) of the other two opposite side faces;
• a bottom formed by flaps connected to said lateral faces by second fold lines orthogonal to said first fold lines; and
• a cover formed by flaps connected to said uppermost side faces by third fold lines, orthogonal to said first fold lines;

characterized in that:

• the width (x) of the parts of said highest side faces, which project with respect to said least high side faces, is less than the distance (X) separating said projecting parts, when said packaging is flat;
• the bottom of said package is formed by two small opposite lower flaps, respectively integral with said least high lateral faces over the entire length of the second fold lines, and by two large opposite external flaps, respectively integral with said highest lateral faces over all length of the second fold lines, these two large outer flaps together covering substantially all or all of the surface of said bottom, being contiguous along their free edges situated on the side opposite to the second fold lines, and having edges lateral free with respect to the lateral edges of the small interior flaps of adjacent flap.

A basket-shaped packaging is thus obtained, in which two opposite faces are perforated and which can be obtained from blanks the projecting parts of which interpenetrate, so that a significant gain in material is achieved.

It will be noted that, since, according to the invention, the flaps have different heights, it is necessary to modify the abutments for guiding and squaring, mentioned above, to adapt them to the packaging according to the present invention. , or, preferably, use a method of producing a different body, for example of the type described in American patent US-A-4,932,930.

• la largeur (d) desdits petits rabats intérieurs, perpendiculairement auxdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage correspondantes, est inférieure à celle (D) desdits grands rabats extérieurs de fond,
• les extrémités desdits grands rabats extérieurs de fond comportent des échancrures dans les bords libres de ceux-ci,
• au moins au voisinage desdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage, la largeur (L) desdites faces latérales les plus hautes est plus grande que la largeur 1 desdites faces latérales les moins hautes,
• l'emballage est en carton ondulé, d'épaisseur comprise entre de l'ordre de 2 mm et de l'ordre de 5 mm,
• au moins au voisinage de son fond, il présente une section rectangulaire à coins coupés,
• au moins au voisinage de son fond, il présente une section rectangulaire à coins arrondis.

Advantageously, one and / or the other of the following provisions are used:

• the width (d) of said small interior flaps, perpendicular to said second lines of corresponding folding, is less than that (D) of said large outer bottom flaps,
• the ends of said large outer bottom flaps have notches in the free edges thereof,
• at least in the vicinity of said second fold lines, the width (L) of said highest side faces is greater than the width 1 of said least side faces,
• the packaging is made of corrugated cardboard, with a thickness of between around 2 mm and around 5 mm,
• at least in the vicinity of its bottom, it has a rectangular section with cut corners,
• at least near its bottom, it has a rectangular section with rounded corners.

Thus thanks to its provisions, it is in particular possible to provide blanks for producing the packaging, in which the flaps of the two successive blanks also interpenetrate, so that an additional sheet material gain is achieved.

• une suite d'au moins quatre volets rectangulaires ou sensiblement rectangulaires, deux à deux identiques, reliés les uns aux autres par des premières lignes de pliage parallèles ;
• un premier ensemble de rabats latéraux disposés d'un côté de ladite suite de volets, reliés à celle-ci par des deuxièmes lignes de pliage perpendiculaires auxdites premières lignes de pliage et destinés à former le fond dudit emballage, deux volets non consécutifs ayant une hauteur (H), perpendiculairement auxdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage, supérieure à la hauteur (h) des deux autres volets non consécutifs et un second ensemble de rabats latéraux, destinés à former le couvercle dudit emballage, reliés aux volets les plus hauts par des troisièmes lignes de pliage, orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage ;
  caractérisé en ce que :
• la largeur (x) des parties desdits volets les plus hauts qui font saillie par rapport auxdits volets les moins hauts est inférieure à la distance (X) séparant lesdites parties saillantes ;
• ledit premier ensemble de rabats latéraux comporte deux petits rabats, respectivement solidaires desdits volets les moins hauts sur toute la longueur desdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage et deux grands rabats, respectivement solidaires desdits volets les plus hauts sur toute la longueur desdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage, les bords latéraux des rabats dudit premier ensemble étant libres, respectivement, par rapport aux bords latéraux des rabats adjacents situés en vis-à-vis.

The invention also provides a blank of sheet material, of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for producing a packaging of at least approximately parallelepiped shape, said blank comprising:

• a series of at least four rectangular or substantially rectangular flaps, two by two identical, connected to each other by first parallel fold lines;
• a first set of lateral flaps arranged on one side of said series of flaps, connected thereto by second fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form the bottom of said package, two non-consecutive flaps having a height (H), perpendicular to said second lines of folding, greater than the height (h) of the two other non-consecutive flaps and a second set of side flaps, intended to form the cover of said package, connected to the highest flaps by third fold lines, orthogonal to said first fold lines ;
  characterized in that:
• the width (x) of the parts of said highest flaps which project with respect to said least flaps is less than the distance (X) separating said protruding parts;
• said first set of lateral flaps comprises two small flaps, respectively integral with said lowest flaps over the entire length of said second fold lines and two large flaps, respectively integral with said highest flaps over the entire length of said second fold lines, the lateral edges of the flaps of said first set being free, respectively, with respect to the lateral edges of the adjacent flaps located opposite.

Advantageously, at least in the vicinity of said second fold lines, the width of said highest flaps is greater than the width of said lowest flaps.

• la largeur (d) desdits petits rabats dudit premier ensemble, perpendiculairement auxdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage correspondantes, est inférieure à celle (D) desdits grands rabats dudit premier ensemble,
• le flan est en carton ondulé d'épaisseur comprise entre de l'ordre de 2 mm et de l'ordre de 5 mm,
• au moins au voisinage desdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage, la largeur (L) desdits volets les plus hauts est plus grande que la largeur (l) desdits volets les moins hauts,
• les extrémités latérales desdits grands rabats dudit premier ensemble comportent des échancrures dans les bords libres de ceux-ci,
• la profondeur (p) desdites échancrures, parallèlement auxdits bords libres desdits grands rabats dudit premier ensemble, est au plus égale à ladite largeur (d) desdits petits rabats dudit premier ensemble,
• la suite de volets comporte des volets étroits supplémentaires ne portant pas de rabats à leurs extrémités, au moins certains desdits rabats présentant, au voisinage de la ligne de pliage les reliant au volet correspondant, la forme de la section de l'emballage obtenu à partir dudit flan.

In preferred embodiments, use is also made of the following arrangements:

• the width (d) of said small flaps of said first set, perpendicular to said second corresponding fold lines, is less than that (D) of said large flaps of said first set,
• the blank is made of corrugated cardboard with a thickness of between about 2 mm and about 5 mm,
• at least in the vicinity of said second fold lines, the width (L) of said highest flaps is greater than the width (l) of said lowest flaps,
• the lateral ends of said large flaps of said first assembly include notches in the free edges thereof,
• the depth (p) of said notches, parallel to said free edges of said large flaps of said first set, is at most equal to said width (d) of said small flaps of said first set,
• the series of flaps comprises additional narrow flaps not carrying flaps at their ends, at least some of said flaps having, in the vicinity of the fold line connecting them to the corresponding flap, the shape of the section of the packaging obtained from of said blank.

When such a blank is intended to form a box with cut corners (octagonal section) or rounded, there are provided in the following shutters additional narrow shutters not carrying flaps at their ends. On the other hand, at least some of the flaps of the first set have, in the vicinity of the fold line connecting them to the corresponding flap, the shape of the section of the box obtained from said blank.

The invention also provides a method for cutting identical blanks as described above, from a sheet or strip of corrugated cardboard, two successive cut blanks being turned 180 ° in their plane relative to one another. other, the projecting parts of the highest flaps of one of said blanks being nested with the projecting parts of the highest flaps of the other of said blanks, characterized in that recesses are made between the free lateral edges in with respect to the tallest flaps belonging respectively to two consecutive blanks in opposition, the most extreme lateral outer edges of the two consecutive blanks in opposition, respectively located on either side of said blanks, being aligned.

In addition, two successively cut blanks can be rotated in their plane by 180 ° relative to each other, the small flaps and the large flaps of said first set of one of the blanks being respectively opposite the large flaps and small flaps of said first set of the other of said blanks, the small and large flaps suitable for forming the bottom being contiguous along the entire free edges of the small flaps opposite the second fold lines.

Advantageously, the blanks are cut, the first fold lines being parallel to the corrugation lines of the corrugated cardboard.

In another embodiment, the first fold lines are perpendicular to the corrugation lines of the corrugated board.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements. In addition, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, identical references have been used for the flaps and flaps of the blanks and for the faces or face parts of the corresponding boxes.

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, respectively from above and below, of an exemplary embodiment of a package according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows, flat and nested, two cardboard blanks, each of which allows the packaging of FIGS. 1 and 2 to be produced.

FIG. 4 shows, flat and nested, three cardboard blanks different from those of FIG. 3, each of which makes it possible to produce a packaging slightly different from that of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below of the packaging obtained by the implementation of a blank of FIG. 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of an alternative embodiment of the packaging according to the present invention, comprising cut corners.

FIG. 7 shows, flat and nested, two cardboard blanks, each of which enables the packaging of FIG. 6 to be produced.

FIG. 8 shows, flat and nested, three blanks of cardboard different from those of FIG. 7, each of which makes it possible to produce a packaging slightly different from that of FIG. 6.

Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of an alternative embodiment of the packaging according to the present invention, having rounded corners.

FIG. 10 shows, flat and nested, three cardboard blanks, each of which allows the packaging of FIG. 9 to be produced.

The packaging E1, according to the invention and shown in Figures 1 and 2, is substantially rectangular with a rectangular section. This rectangular section has a length L and a width l .

To make the packaging E1, we start from one of the two identical blanks F1, shown in FIG. 3.

Each blank F1 of sheet material, for example of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, shown in FIG. 3 comprises a series of four aligned flaps 1, 2, 3 and 4, two by two linked by preformed and parallel fold lines 5 , 6 and 7. These parallel fold lines 5, 6 and 7 are respectively arranged between the flaps 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 3 and 4. Along the free edge of the end flap 4 of said set of flaps 1 to 4 a tongue 8 is arranged, connected to said end flap 4 by a fold line 9, parallel to the fold lines 5, 6 and 7.

Furthermore, on one side of each flap 1 to 4, flaps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 are provided. Each lateral flap 10.1 to 10.4 is articulated to the corresponding flap 1 to 4 by a preformed fold line 11.1 to 11.4. The lines of folds 11.1 to 11.4 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 5, 6 and 7. Perpendicular to the fold lines 11.1 to 11.4, the height H of the flaps 1 and 3 is greater than the height h of the flaps 2 and 4, the flaps 1 and 3, on the one hand, and 2 and 4, on the other hand, being identical. Furthermore, the width x of the parts of the flaps 1 and 3 which protrude beyond the flaps 2 and 4 is smaller than the distance X separating the facing edges of these projecting parts. In addition, the flaps 10.1, 10.3, 11.1 and 11.3 are identical. The length of each of the flaps 10.1 to 10.4, parallel to the corresponding preformed fold line 11.1 to 11.4, is equal to the corresponding dimension L or l of the flap 1 to 4 to which said flap is connected. At the end of the flaps 1 and 3, opposite the flaps 10.1 and 10.3, is articulated a flap 12.1 or 12.3 respectively, articulated around a fold line 13.1 or 13.3 respectively. The fold lines 13.1 and 13.3 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 5 to 7.

Thus, a blank F1 comprises two large flaps 1 and 3, to which are associated respectively two large flaps 10.1 and 10.3, on the one hand, and two flaps 12.1 and 12.3, on the other hand, as well as two small flaps 2 and 4, which are respectively associated with two small flaps 10.2 and 10.4. The part of the large flaps 1 and 3 projecting from the flaps 2 and 4, less wide than the base of the said large flaps, is connected to the latter by a recess 19.

The width D of each of said small and large flaps 10.1 to 10.4 is approximately equal to half the width l of the package E1. As a result, the free edges 14.1 to 14.4 of the flaps 10.1 to 10.4 are aligned. Similarly, the free edges 15.1 and 15.3 of the flaps 12.1 and 12.3 are aligned. Optionally, a pre-folding line 16.1 or 16.3, respectively, parallel to the folding lines 11.1,13.1 and 11.3,13.3, is provided in sections 1 and 3.

To make the packaging E1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 from a blank F1, there is applied to the tongue 8 thereof (or to the flap 1, along its free edge 18) at least one line of adhesive 17, then said blank F1 is folded around the fold line 6 and said tongue 8 is fixed to the flap 1, in the vicinity of said free edge 18.

A blank (not shown) of the packaging E1 is thus obtained, said blank having a flattened parallelogram section, with the flaps 10.1 to 10.4 and 12.1 and 12.3 extending the flaps 1 to 4 outwards. In this draft, the aligned free edges 14.1 and 14.2 of the large and small flaps 10.1 and 10.2 are superimposed on the aligned free edges 14.3 and 14.4 of the large and small flaps 10.3 and 10.4. Likewise, the aligned free edges 15.1 and 15.3 of the large flaps 12.1 and 12.3 are superimposed. This superimposition allows the lateral stops (not shown) to guide and square the said blank when the tongue 8 is fixed on the flap 1, the said stops cooperating respectively with the superposed free edges 14.1, 14.2 and 14.3, 14.4, on the one hand, and with the free edges 15.1 and 15.3 superimposed, on the other.

When the packaging is used, said blank is shaped and the bottom is formed by folding, around the fold lines 11.1 to 11.4, flaps 10.1 to 10.4 which are fixed to each other, by example by collage.

The two small flaps 10.2 and 10.4 are arranged on the inside of the package, while the two large flaps 10.1 and 10.3 are exterior and together cover the entire surface of the bottom of the package (see Figure 2) .

As can be seen in Figure 2, the free edges 14.1 and 14.3 of the large flaps 10.1 and 10.3 are then joined.

After filling the packaging with the objects it must contain, the cover is formed by folding the flaps 12.1 and 12.3 around the fold lines 13.1 and 13.3, then fixing said flaps together, possibly with a slight folding of the flaps 1 and 3 around fold lines 16.1 and 16.3.

In FIG. 3, the arrangement of two successive blanks F1 has been illustrated, cut from a plate or a strip of cardboard or corrugated cardboard.

As can be seen, in order to gain material from said plate or from said strip, the two successive blanks F1 are turned in their plane by 180 ° relative to each other, so that the flaps 1 and 3 of one are located opposite flaps 4 and 2 of the other, that is to say that the projecting parts of said flaps 1 and 3 of the two blanks 1 interpenetrate.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, a variant F1 ′ of the blank F1 and the corresponding variant E1 ′ of the packaging E1 have been shown respectively, making it possible to further increase the gain in material.

• les petits rabats intérieurs 10.2 et 10.4, au lieu de présenter la largeur D des grands rabats extérieurs 10.1 et 10.3, ont une largeur d inférieure à D ;
• les extrémités des grands rabats extérieurs 10.1 et 10.3 comportent des échancrures 20 dans les bords libres 14.1 et 14.3 desdits grands rabats extérieurs ;
• la profondeur p desdites échancrures 20, parallèlement auxdits bords libres jointifs 14.1 et 14.3 des grands rabats extérieurs 10.1 et 10.3, est inférieure à ladite largeur d des petits rabats intérieurs 10.2 et 10.4.

To this end, in this alternative embodiment, the blank F'1 and the packaging E1 'are respectively identical to the blank F1 and the packaging E1, except as regards the following points:

• the small internal flaps 10.2 and 10.4, instead of having the width D of the large external flaps 10.1 and 10.3, have a width d less than D;
• the ends of the large outer flaps 10.1 and 10.3 have notches 20 in the free edges 14.1 and 14.3 of said large outer flaps;
• the depth p of said notches 20, parallel to said contiguous free edges 14.1 and 14.3 of the large outer flaps 10.1 and 10.3, is less than said width d of small inner flaps 10.2 and 10.4.

Figure 5 shows the bottom of the package E1 ', thus obtained. It can be seen there that, when the large outer flaps 10.1 and 10.3 form the exterior of the bottom of the package E1 ′, the notches 20 of said flaps are in pairs facing each other, to form two double notches 20 in said bottom. Because the depth p of the notches 20 is less than the width d of the small flaps 10.2 and 10.4, each of said double notches 20 is closed by the corresponding small flap 10.2, 10.4.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4 in its upper part, thanks to the features mentioned above, it is possible to nest two consecutive blanks F1 ′ by their flaps in a sheet or a strip of cardboard or of corrugated cardboard, to gain material when cutting said blanks.

In FIG. 4, at the upper part, an example of nesting of the flaps 10.1 to 10.4 of a blank F1 'has been shown with the flaps 10.1 to 10.4 of another blank F1', rotated by 180 °. It is thus possible to have opposite the large flaps 10.1 and 10.3 of one of the blanks F1 'with the small flaps 10.2 and 10.4 of the other of said blanks and to gain a strip of material (cardboard, corrugated cardboard) of width q .

As illustrated in FIG. 4, it can therefore be seen that the successive blanks F1 ′ can be turned 180 ° in their plane to nest successively by their flaps 1 to 4 or by their flaps 10.1 to 10.4.

In the package E2, in accordance with the present invention and shown in FIG. 6, the base is no longer of rectangular section as for the packages E1 and E1 'described above, but with an octagonal section, because the lateral corners of said packaging have been cut.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 7 which can be compared to FIG. 3, each of the blanks F2 intended to form a package E2 comprises additional narrow flaps 30, respectively interposed between the flaps 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 4, and 4 and 1. Fold lines 5 ', 5' '- 6', 6 '' - 7 ', 7' 'and 9', 9 '', similar to fold lines 5 to 9, connect said narrow flaps 30 to said flaps 1 to 4.

The narrow flaps 30 are not associated with any flaps similar to the flaps 10.1 to 10.4. In the example of FIG. 7, the large flaps 10.1 and 10.3 remain at least substantially rectangular, while, in the vicinity of the fold lines connecting them to the corresponding flap 2 or 4, the small flaps 10.2 and 10.4 have the shape of the section of the octagonal packaging E2, that is to say comprising flares 31.

The blanks F2 of FIG. 7 are nested by their projecting flaps 1 and 3, but cannot be nested by their flaps 10.1 to 10.4.

In the alternative embodiment F2 'of Figure 8 (which can be compared to Figure 4), the blanks F2' can be nested by their flaps and by their flaps, because the width d of the flaps 10.2 and 10.4 is less at the width D of the flaps 10.1 and 10.3 and that the ends thereof are provided with notches 20 in their free edges.

It will be noted that, in the example of FIG. 8, the flaring 31 is carried by the large flaps 10.1 and 10.3 and no longer by the small flaps 10.2 and 10.4.

In the packaging E3, in accordance with the present invention and shown in FIG. 9, the corners of the base are rounded. As shown in FIG. 10, which can be compared to FIGS. 4 and 8, each of the blanks F3 intended to form a package E3 comprises sets of small intermediate flaps 40, respectively interposed between the flaps 1 and 2.2 and 3, 3 and 4 and 4 and 1. In a set of flaps 40, these flaps are hinged to each other by fold lines 41. Fold lines 5 ', 5' '- 6.6' '- 7', 7 '' and 9 ', 9' ', similar to fold lines 5 to 9, connect each set of flaps 40 to said flaps 1 to 4.

Each of the flaps 10.1 to 10.4 has rounded flares 42, in the vicinity of the fold line connecting it to the corresponding flap, in order to be able to match the rounded shape of the corners of the packaging E3.

It will be noted that the notch 20 of the large flaps 10.1 and 10.3 is formed by the bias cut of the corners thereof.

It goes without saying that said notches 20 may have any suitable shape allowing the nesting of the flaps 10.1 to 10.4. These notches can be of curved outline or consist of segment (s) on the right.

Claims (17)

1. Packaging of material in sheet form, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, having a shape at least approximating to that of a parallelepiped, comprising:

   - at least four lateral faces (1 to 4), rectangular or substantially rectangular, identical in pairs and connected to each other through the intermediary of first parallel folding lines (5 to 7), two opposite lateral faces (1 and 3) having a height (H) greater than the height (h) of the other two opposite lateral faces (2 and 4);

   - a bottom formed by flaps (10.1 to 10.4) connected to the said lateral faces by second folding lines (11.1 to 11.4) orthogonal to the said first folding lines; and

   - a lid formed by flaps (12.1, 12.3) connected to the said taller lateral faces by third folding lines (13.1, 13.3) orthogonal to the said first folding lines;
   characterised in that:

   - the width (x) of the parts of the said taller lateral faces (1 to 3) which protrude with respect to the said shorter lateral faces (2 to 4) is less than the distance (X) separating the said protruding parts, when the said packaging is laid flat;

   - the bottom of the said packaging is formed by two small opposite inner flaps (10.2 and 10.4), attached respectively to the said shorter lateral faces over the whole length of the second folding lines, and by two large opposite outer flaps (10.1, 10.3), attached respectively to the said taller lateral faces over the whole length of the second folding lines, these two large outer flaps both covering the whole or substantially the whole of the surface of the said bottom, being joined along their free edges (14.1, 14.3) located on the opposite side to the second folding lines, and having lateral edges free with respect to the lateral edges of the small inner flaps of adjacent panels.
2. Packaging according to Claim 1, characterised in that the width (d) of the said small inner flaps (10.2, 10.4), in a direction perpendicular to the said corresponding second folding lines, is less than that (D) of the said large outer bottom flaps (10.1, 10.3).
3. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ends of the said large outer bottom flaps have cut-outs (20) in the free edges (14.1, 14.3) of the latter.
4. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, at least near the said second folding lines, the width (L) of the said taller lateral faces (1 and 3) is greater than the width (l) of the said shorter lateral faces (2 and 4).
5. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is made of corrugated cardboard with a thickness between approximately 2 mm and approximately 5 mm.
6. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, at least near its bottom, it has a rectangular cross-section with cut-off corners.
7. Packaging according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that, at least near its bottom, it has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners.
8. Blank of material in sheet form, made of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for the production of packaging having a shape at least approximating to that of a parallelepiped, the said blank comprising:

   - a set of at least four rectangular or substantially rectangular panels (1 to 4), identical in pairs, connected to each other by first parallel folding lines,

   - a first set of lateral flaps (10.1 to 10.4) positioned on one side of the said set of panels, connected to the latter by second folding lines perpendicular to the said first folding lines and intended to form the bottom of the said packaging, two non-consecutive panels (1 and 3) having a height (H) in a direction perpendicular to the said second folding lines greater than the height (h) of the other two non-consecutive panels (2 and 4) and a second set of lateral flaps (12.1, 12.3), intended to form the lid of the said packaging, connected to the taller panels by third folding lines (13.1, 13.3) orthogonal to the said first folding lines;
   characterised in that:

   - the width (x) of the parts of the said taller panels (1 and 3) which protrude with respect to the said shorter panels (2 and 4) is less than the distance (X) separating the said protruding parts;

   - the said first set of lateral flaps includes two small flaps (10.2 and 10.4) attached respectively to the said shorter panels over the whole length of the said second folding lines (11.2 and 11.4) and two large flaps (10.1 and 10.3) attached respectively to the said taller panels over the whole length of the said second folding lines (11.1 and 11.3), the lateral edges of the flaps of the said first set being free, respectively, with respect to the lateral edges of the adjacent flaps located opposite each other.
9. Blank according to Claim 8, characterised in that the width (d) of the said small flaps (10.2, 10.4) of the said first set, in a direction perpendicular to the said corresponding second folding lines, is less than that (D) of the said large flaps of the first set.
10. Blank according to any one of Claims 8 and 9, characterised in that it is made of corrugated cardboard with a thickness between approximately 2 mm and approximately 5 mm.
11. Blank according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterised in that, at least near the said second folding lines, the width (L) of the said taller panels (1 and 3) is greater than the width (l) of the said shorter panels (2 and 4).
12. Blank according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the lateral ends of the said large flaps of the said first set have cut-outs (20) in the free edges of the latter.
13. Blank according to Claim 12, characterised in that the depth (p) of the said cut-outs (20) in a direction parallel to the said free edges of the said large flaps of the said first set, is at most equal to the said width (d) of the said small flaps of the said first set.
14. Blank according to one of Claims 8 to 13, intended to form packaging with cut-off or rounded corners, characterised in that the set of panels has additional narrow panels (30, 40) not carrying flaps at their ends and in that at least some of the said flaps have, near the folding line connecting them to the corresponding panel, the shape (31, 42) of the cross-section of the packaging obtained from the said blank.
15. Method for cutting out identical blanks according to one of Claims 8 to 14, from a sheet or a strip of corrugated cardboard, two successive cut-out blanks being rotated through 180° in their own plane with respect to each other, the protruding parts of the taller panels of one of the said blanks overlapping the protruding parts of the taller panels of the said other blanks, characterised in that portions are cut out between the neighbouring lateral free edges of the taller panels belonging respectively to two consecutive blanks in opposition, the endmost lateral outer edges of the two consecutive blanks in opposition, located respectively on either side of the said blanks, being aligned.
16. Method for cutting out identical blanks according to Claim 15, characterised in that two successively cut-out blanks are rotated in their own plane through 180° with respect to each other, the small flaps (10.2, 10.4) and the large flaps (10.1, 10.3) of the said first set of one of the blanks being located respectively opposite the large flaps and the small flaps of the said first set of the other of the said blanks, the small and large flaps specifically intended to form the bottom being joined all along the free edges of the small flaps opposite the second folding lines.
17. Method for cutting out identical blanks according to Claim 15, characterised in that the blanks are cut out, the first folding lines being parallel to the lines of corrugation in the corrugated cardboard.

Images