EP0963917A1 - Wrap-around multipack with carrying handle - Google Patents

Abstract

The pack is made from a single cardboard panel, cut, folded and glued to form a base, sides, top and end walls. Each end wall is made from two overlapping flaps (11,12), while a carrying handle is made at one end of the pack from two tongues (15,16) projecting from the side walls, folded over and glued to the inside of the lower end flap (11). The portion of the lower end flap glued to the tongues is pre-perforated so that it can be separated to make the carrying handle.

Description

The present invention relates to packaging cardboard parallelepiped with side handle pre-cut and integrated in one of the end faces for the packaging of a batch of containers.

The packaging according to the invention consists a bottom, side walls, two sides end closed by a succession of panels overlapping. One of the end faces has a side handle preformed in this end and individualized when the packaging is taken by the consumer.

There exists in the state of the art of lots of packaging for the packaging of a batch of containers such as small bottles. These known packaging comes from flat cuts in cardboard blanks that wrap the lots of containers by the action of mechanical means provided on packaging lines. In these previous packages neighbors or the like, the handle is integrated into the body from the packaging or attached to it.

There are thus pre-cut handles in the top panels of the packaging and individualized at the time of taking the packaging by the hand of the consumer who on the one hand opens a flap to dive into the interior volume and other hand makes a cut-ejection yield by a pressure of the thumb neighbor. The handle formed by the natural grip movement provides the consumer with means of gripping and wearing. Because of modest dimensions of this handle on various packaging including those of small capacity, it appears however some discomfort resulting from the small finger grip in the handle housing. Through elsewhere, the risk of rupture of the cardboard causing the bottles to fall.

There are also attached handles on the packaging during or after its creation allowing a better grip by the hand. A type of these types of handles are generally produced under the form of a more or less tight perimeter link around of the batch of containers.

French patent FR No. 2,434,763 is relates to a package having such a handle from a belt loop of the lot of containers on the outside of the package. This belt horizontal allows to release a side handle after crushing of edge structures coming to be pressed against the body of the corner bottles. The link is chosen solid in relation to the weight of the packaging to avoid breakage during transport. However, the packaging described in this patent has various disadvantages considered important selling point of view.

These are related to considerations techno-economic and consumer comfort while wearing the packaging.

First of all, it is necessary to add in the packaging lines a post for laying the link strapping and graduated tension of it to avoid that it does not crush compressible structures too much edge. In addition, this belt handle comes from a strapping strip not suitable for this kind of use. Thus, gripping and carrying by hand naked of such a packaging generate a sensation persistent unpleasant, even painful.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a packaging with integrated side handle forming taking the packaging, ensuring ease of grip, comfort in carrying the packaging and great strength of the handle.

Parallelepiped packaging according to the invention is composed of a bottom, a face upper, two side walls and two faces end in at least one of which comes form a side handle when taking packaging.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the handle, pre-cut flat at the same time that the cutting blank intended to constitute the packaging, is composed of a double thickness of cardboard: a first thickness consisting of two tongues formed in the extension of the walls side and a second thickness from a pre-cut strip in one of the panels on one side end of the packaging body.

The double thickness of the handle the packaging according to the invention ensures its solidity. Her width will determine design comfort.

According to another essential characteristic of the invention, the handle is perfectly integrated into one of the end faces when storing packaging, and it is not individualized until of its entry by the consumer.

According to a third characteristic essential of the invention, the handle is extended by notches in the side walls of packaging to allow it to its ends to come into contact with the adjacent side wall corner bottles when this is stretched and thus gain in length.

These notches make it possible to free up space between the adjacent face and the strip forming the handle sufficient for the consumer to pass the hand behind the handle and grip it comfortably.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'ensemble de l'emballage selon l'invention ;
• les figures 2 et 3 montrent en perspective l'emballage selon l'invention respectivement dans son état de stockage et de présentation à la vente et dans son état de port après formation de la poignée ;
• la figure 4 est une vue simplifiée de détail de l'extrémité avec poignée intégrée montrant le rabattement des structures destinées à former la poignée ;
• la figure 5 est la même vue simplifiée montrant ces mêmes structures montées mais représentées à l'état dissocié ;
• les figures 6 à 10 sont des vues en perspective illustrant pour la première série (6 à 8) la formation de la poignée dans une des faces d'extrémité lors de la constitution de l'emballage et pour la deuxième série (9 et 10) son individualisation lors de la préhension puis le port de l'emballage par la poignée ainsi constituée ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en plan de la découpe à plat de l'emballage selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description carried out on a preferred and non-limiting embodiment with reference to the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the packaging according to the invention;
• Figures 2 and 3 show in perspective the packaging according to the invention respectively in its state of storage and presentation for sale and in its wearing state after forming the handle;
• Figure 4 is a simplified detail view of the end with integrated handle showing the folding of the structures intended to form the handle;
• Figure 5 is the same simplified view showing these same structures mounted but shown in the dissociated state;
• Figures 6 to 10 are perspective views illustrating for the first series (6 to 8) the formation of the handle in one of the end faces during the constitution of the package and for the second series (9 and 10) its individualization during gripping then the carrying of the packaging by the handle thus formed;
• Figure 11 is a plan view of the flat blank of the packaging according to the invention.

The present invention proceeds from the idea general inventive that a side handle is integrated into one of the end faces of a the packaging and is formed at the time of gripping by traction on its central part. The handle is formed by two tabs extending the adjacent side faces folded back against the face end and covered as a bond and lining with a detachable end strip from one of the shutter panels. The handle arrow comes from the subsidence of the ridge at the right of handle ends along every two times parallel cuts. These subsidence ends of the handle when pulling on it against the side surface of the corner bottles contained in the packaging.

Figure 1 shows the packaging in perspective according to the invention designated by reference 1. On this figure we notice a side handle P individualized because detached from the rear end of the packaging and wide enough to allow good grip and a certain grip comfort and support when the packaging is worn.

Figure 2 illustrates packaging 1 according to the invention in the storage state, with the handle P integrated in the end face, and in the state of transport with handle P free and taut.

The packaging 1 according to the invention, parallelepiped, is composed of a bottom 2, of a face upper 3, two side walls 4 and 5, two end faces 6 and 7 in at least one of which, for example face 6 called rear face, is integrated side handle P according to the invention.

The upper face 3 is made for example in the form of a double hatch with two flaps 8 and 9 to access the bottles contained in the packaging. A cut-ejection 10 precut and centered on the above 3 clears the flaps 8 and 9 of the access hatch articulated around two lines of folding.

The side walls 4 and 5 are formed each of two parts: a lower plane 4A and 5A each perpendicular to the bottom, and an upper plane 4B and 5B inclined inward inclined with ramp converges upwards when the packaging is assembled and placed on its bottom 2. The lower planes and upper side walls 4 and 5 are separated by a fold line.

The end faces 6 and 7 are formed each by two folding panels respectively lower and upper 11, 12 and 13, 14 which come fold back in the extension of the bottom and the face upper to classically close each side end 6 and 7. Thus, the handle P of the packaging 1 according to the invention comes in part from one of the closure panels of the end face 6, by example of the bottom panel 11 as described in detail below.

The side walls 4 and 5 are extended, on one side, by tabs 15 and 16 coming fold over the end face 6 between the two panels 11 and 12. These tabs are long sufficient to join halfway down the handle and thus constitute the base thickness of the handle P. These tabs 15 and 16 are located at the junction between lower and upper parts side walls 4 and 5, and extended by respectively lower and upper notches 17, 18 and 19, 20 located, one in the part lower side walls 4A and 5A, and the others on the fold line of the side walls. These notches will allow the ends of the P handle to press against the lateral surface of the body adjacent containers from corner of package 1 according to the invention as described below.

As illustrated in Figure 3, package 1 according to the invention is cut flat in a blank of cardboard. The lower part of the side wall 5 is extended by an assembly tab 21 which will fixed under the bottom 2 during assembly.

The face will be described in more detail below. end 6 of the package 1 including the handle integrated P. It consists of two panels shutter 11 and 12. The first panel 11 is the bottom panel which extends the bottom 2 with a slight stall and the second panel 12 is the panel upper which is located in the extension of the face upper 3 and is articulated to the parts upper side walls 4B and 5B by bellows 22 and 23.

The opposite end face 7 of the package 1 also consists of two panels 13 and 14, the first panel 13 extending the bottom 2 with a slight stall and the second panel 14 located in the extension of the upper face 3 and articulated to upper parts of the side walls 4B and 5B by identical bellows 24 and 25.

The lower shutter panel 11 is composed of three parts. A first part 26 which extends the bottom 2 with a slight stall. A second part 27 delimits a detachable strip pre-cut 28 in panel 11 over its entire width and will later constitute the handle P of packaging 1. The third part constitutes a tab 29 centered on the top of the band 28 and suitable for fold inwards to release the handle P when entering the packaging 1 and improving the border strength.

The packaging 1 according to the invention is also provided with lateral closing flaps respectively two per end face 30, 31, 32 and 33 located in the extension of the lower parts of the walls side and allowing to assemble the packaging according to conventional recovery techniques.

The installation and assembly of packaging 1 according to the invention is carried out according to methods conventional in the field of packaging in cardboard precut flat.

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the main steps for closing the end face 6 with handle P.

The basic step is to wrap the lot of containers by the cutting blank. After this operation, the end faces 6 and 7 remain open and the next operation concerns their shutter. The body of the package consists of sheath pre-glued by sticking the tongue assembly 21 at the bottom 2.

The next step is to fold down with appropriate mechanical means each upper panel 12 and 14, operation which results in closure each corresponding pair of side gussets 22 to 25. Regarding end 6, the side flaps lower 30 and 31 as well as the tabs end 15 and 16 forming the handle P are then folded down and covered by the lower panel 11 previously suitably glued in various places. Solidarity takes place in the areas following: tabs and side flaps and the part center of bottom panel against panel superior.

The upper panel 12 passes freely under the area of the tongues 15 and 16 covered by the detachable strip 28 at the top of the panel lower end 11 and is not stuck to it lower panel 11 than at its end lower.

The end tab 29 of the lower panel 11 is not glued and will release the handle P at the appropriate time. Tabs 15 and 16 are also not glued to the top panel 12 but at the detachable upper part 28 of the panel lower 11 to form the handle P.

The detachable strip 28 of the lower panel end 11 is therefore exactly placed above the tabs 15 and 16 and secured by bonding thereto, which gives the handle P of the package according to the invention a double thickness for better increased rigidity and strength.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the entry of packaging 1 according to the invention by its handle P. On provides indications on the end face comprising the handle P to guide the consumer in the steps to follow.

First, the consumer must turn down the tab 29 of the bottom panel 11, and engage his hand between the end of this lower panel 11 and the top panel 12.

By pulling towards him, the consumer will tear the panel 11 along the pre-cut line when manufacturing the individual packaging as well a strip of double thickness of cardboard constituting the handle body P. The lower part 26 of the panel 11 remains glued to panel 12 and the strip 28 is secured to tabs 15 and 16. The consumer has thus released the handle P consisting of tabs 15 and 16 and the central strip 28 of the panel 11 attached to the tabs as binding and lining.

During the pull the consumer has created a space between the end face 6 of packaging and handle P. This space is easily obtained without damaging the packaging thanks to the notches 17 to 20 along the ends of the tabs 15 and 16. These notches, of a few centimeters, allow ensure the deflection required for the handle P, because the tabs are pressed against the surface side of body of adjacent corner containers enclosed in the packaging. We thus free up a space sufficient to use the handle for the gripping and wearing the packaging.

After forming the handle, we note that the packaging remains completely closed. Indeed, the end face 6 from which the handle P has been extracted is closed by the top panel 12 on which the side flaps 30 and 31 have been folded down and on which the lower part 26 of the panel 11 has been pasted.

The invention has been described in the context of a packaging known as sheath or pre-glued case. She stays fully valid in the case of packaging to be installed by wrapping.

Claims (8)

Cardboard packaging of the pre-glued case type or to be placed by wrapping for packaging a batch of containers, formed from a blank flat, consisting of a bottom (2), side walls (4 and 5), two end faces (6 and 7) consisting of at least at least two panels folded over each other (11, 12 and 13, 14), and an upper face (3) having a access to the bottles, said packaging (1) comprising a handle (P) integrated into its body for its grip and its port characterized in that the handle P is lateral and integrated into one of the end faces in being formed for its central part in one of the closure panels of this end, the the ends of this handle being formed by the extensions of adjacent side faces (4 and 5) of the body of the packaging made free at the right of passage of adjacent edges, the end face comprising the side handle P remaining closed after individualization of the handle P. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal extensions side walls (4 and 5) are two tabs free (15 and 16), these tabs being folded between the two panels (11, 12) of one of the end faces (6) and secured by bonding to the rear face of a detachable strip (28) precut in the end upper of the lower panel (11), in order to constitute the side handle (P) capable of not being individualized that at the time of its seizure then of its outward traction of the packaging by a consumer and coming during his tension to stick by its ends against the adjacent lateral surface neighboring corner containers to form the arrow necessary for its gripping. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the side tabs (15 and 16) are free by being extended respectively on each side face by two notches (17,18 and 19.20). Packaging according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the free tongues (15) and (16) are joined together by the detachable strip (28) to form the handle lateral P. Packaging according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the lower panel (11) of said package (1) is composed of three parts, a first part (26) extending the bottom (2) with a slight stall, one second part delimiting a precut strip (28), and a third part, centered on the top of the strip (28), constituting a tab (29) capable of being folded towards inside to release the handle (P) when seizure of the packaging (1). Packaging according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle (P) is precut flat in the upper end of the lower panel (11) at the same time as the packaging (1). Packaging according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that each of the side walls (4 and 5) is composed of two parts ; a lower part (4A and 5A) vertical, and an upper part (4B and 5B) forming a slanting pan inclined inward when the packaging is assembled, the lower parts and upper being separated by a fold line. Packaging according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the end face panels (12 and 14) located in the extension of the top (3) are articulated to upper parts of the side walls (4 and 5) by side bellows (22,23 and 24,25).

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