EP0885150A1

EP0885150A1 - Grouping element for assembling packages containing pots arranged in layers

Info

Publication number: EP0885150A1
Application number: EP97906230A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alain Meurant; Pierre Chretien; Gérard Deharbe; Dominique Poiret; Jacky Van Oycke; Claude Dix Neuf
Original assignee: Smurfit Socar SA
Current assignee: Smurfit Socar SA
Priority date: 1996-02-20
Filing date: 1997-02-20
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-20
Also published as: EP0885150B1; DE69701733T2; WO1997030908A1; ES2147437T3; DE69701733D1

Abstract

A grouping element for grouping at least two packages (12, 14, 16) that each contain at least one layer of pots (18) optionally joined together by a flange (20), said packages being arranged side by side in a single row so that their respective open sides face the same way. The grouping element includes a cardboard bottom wall (26) for supporting the packages, and two side cardboard flaps (28, 30) hinged to two opposite sides of said bottom wall. The end of each flap is provided with at least two tabs (32, 34, 36, 38) that may be folded at right angles to the side flaps and inserted into the two gaps (57, 58) between the pots in the two packages (12, 16) located furthest away, so that they are wedged under the flanges (20) of said pots or under the top walls of said packages.

Description

GROUPING ELEMENT FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF PACKAGES CONTAINING POTS JOINED INTO PLATES.

The present invention relates to a cardboard element for grouping several packages containing plates of pots or batches of individual pots, for example yogurt pots.

It is known to pack yogurt pots in one or more layers in cardboard sales packages which wrap them on four sides, the other two sides of the package remaining open. To transport them to the point of sale, these packages are placed in cardboard grouping trays with a rectangular bottom. The tray is shaped, by bonding two of its side walls on tabs provided at the ends of the other two side walls.

Such trays require for their manufacture the use of a large amount of cardboard and are therefore expensive.

In addition, once the packaging has been removed from the shelf and placed on the shelves of a sales area, the shelf becomes unusable and bulky. To allow storage in a small volume before disposal, its side walls must be torn and laid flat. This results in a large amount of waste. The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a cardboard element making it possible to group packages for transport, which uses a quantity of cardboard much less than that used in the manufacture of a tray according to the prior art and, therefore, more economical.

The invention also relates to a cardboard grouping element which can be dismantled without it being necessary to tear it and therefore without forming waste. The grouping element can even possibly be reused. Another subject of the invention is a grouping element of this type which allows the stacking of the packages, while avoiding the sliding of a grouping element relative to the one under him.

The invention finally relates to a grouping element which is fully mechanizable.

All these objects and advantages are obtained with the grouping element according to claim 1.

The grouping element according to the invention uses much less cardboard than the tray of the prior art since it has only two side walls, the other two walls being reduced to the studs. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall and the two side flaps are produced from a single blank of cardboard and the two side flaps are articulated on two opposite sides of the bottom wall. The posts have an upper edge which, in the service position, is horizontal and is placed against the flange of the pot plates.

The assembly of this grouping element is carried out by folding the studs perpendicularly to the side flaps, then by pivoting the latter to bring them into a position perpendicular to the bottom wall. To allow the studs to freely introduce into said vertical passages without their risk of abutting against the edge of the collar of the pots, the pot plates must be slightly raised inside their packaging enough so that the edge superior of the posts can pass and arrive at their final position. When the plates return to their low position, their flange comes to rest on said upper edge of the studs, thus blocking the side flaps and preventing them from opening spontaneously.

To dismantle the grouping element, the side flaps must simply be pivoted in the opposite direction, forcing slightly until the pins are released from under the flanges. The grouping element can be provided with means which make it possible to avoid lifting the pot plates to introduce the studs. Modes of realizing these means are the subject of claims 6 to 9.

In the case where the side flaps are articulated on the bottom wall, the grouping element may also include means making it possible to reinforce the blocking of the side flaps in the closed position so that they do not risk opening, even under the action of a tensile force exerted on them.

Various embodiments of these means are described in claims 13 to 31. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a grouping element according to a first embodiment, for assembly of packages comprising two layers of pot plates; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the grouping element in an intermediate assembly phase around three packages of yogurt pots; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the grouping element in the assembled state; Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 3 and showing, in phantom, an intermediate position of the side flap and the studs, and, in solid lines, the final position of the latter; FIG. 5 represents a grouping element according to a second embodiment, formed of three distinct parts; Figure 6 is a partial perspective view showing one of the independent side flaps of Figure 5, in the insertion position between the pots; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the grouping member of Figure 5 in the assembled state; FIG. 8 shows a grouping element according to a third embodiment, in two parts; FIG. 9 shows a grouping element for packaging comprising a single layer of pot plates; Figure 10 is an alternative embodiment of the grouping element, with a cover; FIG. 11 shows a blank spread out flat and provided with means for blocking the side walls according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the grouping member of Figure 11 during assembly; Figure 13 shows a second embodiment of the locking means; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the grouping member of Figure 13 during assembly; FIG. 15 shows a third embodiment of the locking means; Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the grouping element of Figure 15; Figure 17 shows a fourth embodiment of the locking means; FIG. 18 represents the grouping element of FIG. 17 during assembly; Figure 19 shows a fifth embodiment of the locking means; FIG. 20 represents the grouping element of FIG. 19 during assembly; FIG. 21 shows a sixth embodiment of the locking means; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the grouping member of Figure 21 during assembly; and FIG. 23 is a sectional view on a larger scale, along the line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22.

The grouping element 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is intended to group three packages 12, 14, 16 each containing two layers of plates, each plate comprising six pots 18, for example of yogurt, arranged in two rows of three pots . In a manner known per se, the pots of the same plate are joined together by their upper peripheral flange 20. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to this example alone, but that it also applies grouping of at least two packages and these packages may contain one, two, three or more layers of plates, each plate may include any even number of pots. The pots can also be independent of each other and arranged in one or more layers. As shown in Figure 3, each package is formed of a cardboard envelope, substantially parallelepiped, open at two opposite ends.

The grouping element of Figure 1 consists of a single blank of substantially rectangular cardboard on which are marked two parallel fold lines 22, 24 extending in the transverse direction of the blank at equal distances from the transverse edges thereof. this. These fold lines define a rectangular central portion or bottom wall 26 and two rectangular side flaps 28, 30, these three surfaces extending in the transverse direction of the blank.

The bottom wall 26 has a width equal to the length of each of the packages and a length at most equal to three times the width of a package. The three packages 12, 14, 16 are placed side by side on the bottom wall in the longitudinal direction of the blank and they rest by their entire base on the bottom wall. However, the length of the bottom wall can be shorter and be chosen in such a way that the end packages 12, 16 only rest on part of their base surface. This saves on the amount of cardboard used to manufacture the grouping element.

Each of the side flaps is provided at its ends with substantially rectangular tenons 32, 34 and 36, 38 respectively, articulated on the side flap along a fold line 40. The dimension of the tenons in the longitudinal direction of the blank 10 is equal at the height of a plate of pots. The outer longitudinal edge 42 of the outer studs 32, 36 is straight, while the edge 44 of the studs 34, 38 which is contiguous to the studs 32, 36 is rounded and extended by a notch 46 located at a distance from the fold line 22 equal to the height of a plate.

The bottom wall 26 has slots 52, 54 adjoining the fold lines 22, 24 of the side flaps on the bottom wall. The side flaps are provided on their free longitudinal edge with lugs 48, 50. These lugs are capable of fitting into the slots when several grouping elements are superimposed.

The side flaps 28, 30 are pierced with holes 56 allowing the free circulation of air as well as the insertion of the fingers to lift the grouped packages.

We will now describe the method of assembling the packages 12, 14, 16 with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. This method, which is entirely automatic, consists first of all in removing a grouping element 10 from a store, not shown , and place it on a work surface of a grouping machine. The packages 12, 14, 16, conveyed by a conveyor belt, are arranged side by side on the bottom wall 26 with their open faces facing the side flaps.

The tenons 32, 34, 36 and 38 are then erected perpendicular to the lateral flaps by folding around the fold lines 40. This position is illustrated in FIG. 2. The length 1 of the lateral flaps is chosen so that the tenons are then located in the same plane as the vertical passages 57, 58 defined between the rows of pots of the end packages 12 and 16.

The machine then rotates the side flaps 28, 30 around the fold lines 22, 24 upwards in FIG. 2. At the start of this movement, the lower studs 34, 38 can pass freely under the flanges of the lower plates thanks to the rounded shape of their edge. To allow the upper tenons 32, 36 to also be inserted in the passages 57, 58 without abutting against the flanges 20 of the upper plates, pushers 60 are provided for lifting the two contained plates as a whole in the end packages 12 and 16, from their normal position shown in solid lines in Figure 4 to their raised position shown in phantom. The pushers act through holes 61 drilled in the bottom wall 26. This movement is possible due to the ability of the packages to deform.

In the raised position of the plates, the upper tenons 32, 36 can be inserted freely under the flange of the upper plates or under the upper wall of the packages 12, 16 and the flange of the lower plates comes into the notches 46. The side flaps are then in the vertical position shown in Figure 4. When the pushers 60 retract, the plates descend. The flanges of the upper plates then come to rest on the upper edge 42 of the upper pins 32, 36, while the edge of the flanges of the lower plates is inserted in the notches 46. The side flaps are then in the position shown in FIG. 3 They cannot spontaneously disengage from this position because of the jamming of the upper studs 32, 36 under the upper flange. To open the grouping element, it is necessary to exert sufficient traction on the side flaps so that the studs manage to disengage from under the upper flange. This movement is done without damage to the grouping element, so that it can be reused.

We will now describe the grouping element according to the embodiment of Figure 5. This grouping element is formed of three separate parts constituting the bottom wall 26 and the two side flaps 28, 30. The bottom wall is provided on its longitudinal edges of legs 64,66 foldable along the fold lines 22, 24 and serving to glue the side flaps.

Grouping of packaging is easier than before. After the packages 12, 14, 16 have been placed on the bottom wall 26, the two side flaps 28, 30, whose studs 32, 34, 36, 38 have been previously folded, are approached the packages in the direction of the arrow in Figure 6. The pins fit exactly between the rows of pots of the extreme packages 12 and 16 without it being necessary to lift the pot plates. Once the side flaps in place, the legs 64, 66 are glued on them. Nor is it necessary here that the edge of the lower studs 34, 38 be rounded.

Figure 7 shows the assembly obtained. To open the grouping element, the procedure is as in the previous embodiment.

Another advantage of this grouping element is that the bottom wall 26 and the side flaps 28, 30 can be produced in different boxes which are best suited to their respective function. Thus, the bottom wall can be made of a cardboard that is not very resistant since it does not support forces, while the side flaps can be made of strong cardboard in order to be able to withstand the forces of vertical compression.

These same advantages can be obtained with the grouping element of FIG. 8 which is formed in two parts instead of three, namely a bottom wall 26 secured to a side flap 28 and a second separate side flap 30. In this embodiment, we start by engaging the pins 32, 34, 36, 38 of the side flap 26 between the rows of pots by approaching them laterally as in the embodiment of Figure 6. We then fold the bottom wall 26 to bring it into a horizontal position under the packaging and finally the side flap 30 is put in place as in the embodiment of FIG. 6. The grouping element of FIG. 9 is used to assemble packaging containing a single plate of pots. This grouping element is of the same type as that of FIG. 1 and is distinguished from it only by the fact that the side flaps 28, 30 have at their ends only one pin 32, 36.

It goes without saying that this grouping element can be formed in two or three parts as in the embodiments Figures 5 and 8.

As shown in FIG. 10, the grouping element according to the invention can be supplemented by the addition of a cover 70 consisting of a cardboard plate provided with four slots 72 in which fit the lugs 48, 50 of the grouping element. The cover is provided with two foldable tabs 74 intended to be glued to the side flaps 28, 30. This gives a unit of three grouped packages suitable for promotional sales to consumers.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12. On each side flap are cut tabs 80, 82 elongated in the direction of the height of the flap and can be folded along the fold lines 84, 86 located in the extension of the edge upper 88 of the flap, inside stacking portions 48, 50 projecting from said edge. The distance separating the two tabs is substantially equal to twice the width of a package. The stacking portions are intended to fit into holes 52 drilled in the bottom 26 when packages are stacked.

Each tongue is provided at its end opposite the fold line, with a hooking portion 90 in the form of a double hook. The grouping process is completely automatic. FIG. 12 illustrates this process in the case of the grouping of three packages 12, 14, 16.

When the side flap is in the vertical position, its tongues 80, 82 are located at the upper face of the packages, straddling the adjacent upper edges of the neighboring packages respectively. Their hooking portion 90 is then pushed through adjacent openings 92, 94 formed on said edges and is snapped under a notch 96 usually provided on the edge of the flange 20, at the junction between two pots.

The other side flap 30 is shaped in the same so that the flap 28.

It goes without saying that each flap can be provided with a single tongue identical to the tongues 80, 82 and which is located in the middle of the length of the flap. In this case, the hooking portion of this tab is pressed through an opening formed in the middle of the upper face 93 of the central packaging 14 and snaps into a hole formed between four neighboring pots.

Each side flap can also be provided with as many tabs as there are packages in the group.

We will now refer to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. This embodiment differs from the previous one only in that the tongues 95, 97 are located outside the side flaps 28, 30 and are articulated on the upper edge 88 of the latter along fold lines 98, 100. The tongues have a length slightly less than the width of a package.

The grouping is carried out as in FIG. 12, with the difference that the tongues are here inserted between the upper wall 93 of the central packaging 14 and the flange 20 of the upper plate contained in said packaging.

The side flaps are therefore kept in the closed position by the combined action of the wedging of the pins 32, 36 under the upper flange and the friction force exerted by the tabs 95, 97 on the flange and on the upper wall of the packaging. .

Of course, each component can be provided with two or three tabs which can be inserted, like tabs 95, 97, in two or in the three packages.

The grouping element of FIG. 11 or of FIG. 13 is produced in a single blank of cardboard, but it can be formed from three distinct blanks constituting the bottom wall and the two side flaps. We will now refer to Figures 15 and 16.

On the upper edge 88 of the side flaps are hinged gluing tabs. In the mode of embodiment of Figure 1, there are provided three bonding tabs 101, 102, 104 alternating with two projecting stacking portions 48, 50. The latter are intended to fit into holes 51 drilled in the bottom wall, when packages are stacked.

The grouping process is completely automatic. FIG. 15 illustrates this process in the case of the grouping of three packages 12, 14, 16. The pins 32, 34, 36 and 38 as well as the tabs 101, 102, 104 are then erected perpendicular to the side flap 28.

The tabs 101, 102, 104 are then bonded to the upper wall 93 of the three packages 12, 14, 16, using a conventional adhesive. To prevent any trace of glue from remaining on the upper walls of the packages after the tabs are peeled off, the latter are glued to precut areas 106, for example in the form of a semicircle. When the side flaps open, said zones are cut according to their precut line.

The tabs can also be glued using a peel-off adhesive which leaves no trace on the upper walls of the packaging.

It goes without saying that the side flaps can be provided with only one central tab, for example the tab 102. In the embodiment of Figures 17 and 18, the side flaps 28, 30 are provided on their upper edge with a single tab 112 which extends over the entire length of said edge. On the tab are cut two U-shaped incisions defining internally stacking portions 48, 50. The tab is foldable along a fold line 114 and it is glued to the upper surface 93 of at least one of the packages.

The grouping element of FIGS. 19 and 20 comprises, on each side flap, two vertical bonding tabs 116, cut out by making a U-shaped incision 118 and by folding the tabs thus formed inwards along vertical fold lines 120 The latter are positioned from so that when the pins 32 to 38 are engaged between the pots of the end packages 12, 14, the tabs 116 lie in the plane of the vertical walls 122, 124 of the central package 14. The tabs 116 can then be glued to said walls, preferably on semicircular portions 118 precut on the latter.

Of course, the side flaps can be provided with both horizontal tabs 101, 102, 104 on their upper edge and vertical tabs 116. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 21 to 23 which show another embodiment of the means of blocking of the side flaps in the closed position.

Advantage is taken of the presence on the flange 20 of recesses 19 at the junctions between each group of four adjacent pots and a lug 43 is provided on the straight edge 42 of each upper tenon.

When the side flap 28 has been brought, as described above, to its vertical position, the pins 43 are located opposite the recesses 19 of the upper flange. As soon as the pushers are retracted, the pot plates return to their low position. The pins 43 then enter the recesses 19 and the upper flanges 20 come to bear on the edges 39 of the upper studs 32, 36. The side flaps are thus blocked by the locking of the pins in the recesses and cannot be opened by pivoting.

Due to the presence of the pins 43, bosses 45 are formed on the upper wall 47 of the end packages 12, 16. If several groups of packages similar to that of FIG. 22 are sheaved, these bosses are absorbed by the holes 61 of the packaging group located above the group considered.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the example illustrated by the figures, but that it also applies to the grouping of at least two packages which may contain one, two, three or more layers of plates, each plate may include a number any pair of pots. The pots can also be independent of each other and be arranged in one or more layers.

On the other hand, the grouping element can be produced in the form of three independent parts. The side flaps can then be approached laterally to engage the studs between the yogurt pots.

Claims

1. grouping element intended to group at least two packages (12, 14, 26) each containing at least one plate of pots (18) connected by a flange (20) or of individual pots, said packages being arranged side by side in a single row so that their respective open faces are turned on the same side, characterized in that it comprises a bottom wall (26) of cardboard on which the packages rest and two lateral flaps of cardboard (28, 30) each provided at its ends at least two tenons (32, 34, 36, 38) capable of being bent at 90 ° relative to the side flaps and of being fitted respectively in the two passages (57, 58) which are defined between the pots being in the two most distant packages (12, 16) from said row of packages, so as to get stuck under the flanges (20) of said pots or under the wall of said packages.

2. grouping element according to claim 1, characterized in that the length 1 of the side flaps (28, 30) is chosen so that when the studs (32,34,36,38) are folded perpendicular to the side flaps, they are in the same planes as the vertical passages (57, 58) defined between the rows of pots of the extreme packages (12, 16).

3. grouping element according to one of the preceding claims, for grouping packages each containing a single plate of pots, characterized in that the side flaps (28, 30) are provided at each of their ends with a single tenon (32, 36), the latter being provided with a horizontal edge (42) intended to be inserted under the flange (20) of the plate of pots.

4. grouping element according to one of claims 1 to 5, for grouping packages each containing two or more layers of pot plates, characterized in that the side flaps (28, 30) are provided each of their ends as many studs (32, 34, 36, 38) as there are layers of plates in the packaging, only the upper pins (32, 36) being provided with a horizontal edge (42) intended to be inserted under the flange (20) of the upper plate, while the lower pins (34, 38) have an edge (44) rounded on an inlet portion so as to allow the free insertion of the lower studs under the flanges (20) of the lower plates, said rounded edge being followed by a notch (46) which overlaps the edge of the flange .

5. grouping element according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made from a single blank of cardboard.

6. grouping element according to claim 1, characterized in that it is produced in at least two separate parts.

7. grouping element according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottom wall (26) consists of a cardboard blank provided on two opposite sides with foldable legs (64, 66) and in that the side flaps ( 28, 30) are produced separately from the bottom wall and can be attached thereto, after their studs have been put in place in said passages (57, 58), by bonding to said legs.

8. grouping element according to claim 7, characterized in that the side flaps (28, 30) are made of a cardboard resistant to vertical compression forces, and the bottom wall (26) is made of a less resistant cardboard.

9. grouping element according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottom wall (26) and one of the side flaps (28) are made in the same blank of cardboard and in that the other side flap (30 ) is produced separately and attached to the bottom wall by bonding to a foldable tab (66) provided on the edge of the bottom wall opposite the first side flap (28).

10. grouping element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom wall (26) has slots (52, 54) adjoining the fold lines (22, 24) of the side flaps on the bottom wall and the side flaps are provided on their longitudinal edge free of lugs (48, 50), the lugs of a grouping element being capable of fitting into the slots of a grouping element placed above it.

11. grouping element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side flaps are pierced with holes (56) for the passage of the fingers and to allow air circulation between the pots.

12. grouping element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a cover (70) consisting of a cardboard plate provided with slots (72) in which fit the pins (48, 50 ), said cover being provided with foldable tabs (74) intended to be glued to the side flaps (28, 30).

13. grouping element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side flaps (28, 30) are each provided with at least one tongue (80, 82; 95, 97) which can be folded along d '' a fold line (84, 86; 98, 100) to come to the level of the upper face (93) of the packages, said tongue being provided with a hooking portion (90) capable of coming into engagement with means retaining (92, 94, 96) formed on the flange (20) located under said upper face.

14. grouping element according to claim 13, characterized in that the tongue (80, 82) has an elongated shape in the direction of the height of the corresponding side flap (28, 30) and is cut in the surface of the side flap and folded along a horizontal fold line (84, 86) located in alignment with the upper edge (88) of the side flap, said tab being placed above the upper wall (93) by at least l '' one of the packages of the group and its attachment portion (90) being snapped through an opening (92) formed in said upper wall of the package, in a notch (96) formed in the flange of the upper plate contained in said packaging.

15. grouping element according to claim 14, characterized in that the fold lines (84, 86) of the tongues (80, 82) are located on stacking portions (48, 50) projecting from said upper edge ( 88) of the side flap.

16. grouping element according to claim 14, characterized in that each lateral flap (28, 30) is provided with at least one tongue (80, 82) which, in the service position, overlaps the adjacent upper edges belonging to two neighboring packages respectively (12, 14 and 14, 16), the hooking portion of this tab snapping, through contiguous openings (92, 94) formed in the region of these edges, in a notch (96) provided on the outer edge of the collar.

17. grouping element according to claim 14, characterized in that each side flap (28, 30) is provided with at least one tongue, the hooking portion of which is pressed through an opening formed in the middle of one packages, preferably the central package (14), and engages with a notch formed in the middle of the collar.

18. grouping element according to claim 13, characterized in that the tongues (95, 97) are external to the side flaps (28, 30) and are articulated along the upper edges (88) of the side flaps, said tongues coming s 'Insert between the upper wall of one of the packaging of the grouping and the flange (20) of the upper plate contained in said packaging.

19. grouping element according to claim 18, characterized in that each side flap is provided with several tabs capable of being inserted in each of the packages of the group, between the upper wall of these packages and the upper flange.

20. grouping element according to one of claims 18 and 19, characterized in that the length of the tongues (95, 97) is slightly less than the width of a package.

21. grouping element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is produced from three separate blanks of cardboard constituting the bottom wall (26) and the two side flaps (28, 30), the latter being connected to the bottom wall, after the placement of the tenons and tongues, by gluing on foldable legs formed on the longitudinal edges of the bottom wall.

22. grouping element according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that each of the side flaps (28, 30) is provided with at least one foldable tab (101, 102, 104; 112; 116) intended to be glued to at least one of the walls (93; 122, 124) of at least one of the packages.

23. grouping element according to claim 22, characterized in that the lug (s) (101, 102, 104; 112) are articulated on the upper edge (88) of the side flaps and are glued to the upper wall (93) d '' at least one of the packages.

24. grouping element according to claim 23, characterized in that in the case where the side flap has only one lug, the latter being formed in the middle of the length of the upper edge (88) of the side flap and is glued to the upper wall of the package (14) located in the center of the packaging group.

25. grouping element according to claim 22, characterized in that the tabs are in number equal to that of the grouped packages (12, 14, 16), and are respectively glued to the upper walls of the packages.

26. grouping element according to claim 22, characterized in that each lateral flap is provided on its upper edge (88) with a single tab (112) of length equal to the total width of all the packages of the grouping, said tab being glued to the upper walls of all packages.

27. grouping element according to claim 22, characterized in that the bonding tabs (116) are cut in the surface of the side flaps and are articulated on fold lines (120) arranged so that when the pins (32, 34, 36, 38) are engaged between the pots, the tabs (116) are located in the blank of the vertical walls (122, 124) of one of the packages.

28. grouping element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive used is of the type which does not leave any trace on the wall of the packaging when the tab is peeled off.

29. grouping element according to one of claims 22 to 27, characterized in that the adhesive used can also be a conventional adhesive, the tab being glued in this case to a pre-cut area (106) of the wall of the package , for example in the form of a semicircle, which is cut out at the same time as the tear is torn off.

30. grouping element according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper lugs (32, 36) are provided on their upper edge with lugs (43) capable of locking in the recesses (19) formed on the collar (20) at the junctions between each group of four pots.

31. grouping element according to claim 30, characterized in that the bottom wall (26) has four holes (61) intended to absorb the bosses (45) appearing on the upper wall (47) of the packages (12, 16) the most distant, and which are due to the presence of the pins (43).