EP0605268A1 - Package with polygonal cross-section made of sheet material, especially for bottles, blank and apparatus for such a package - Google Patents

Abstract

- Package (E1) in cardboard or corrugated cardboard, in the form of a basket, for packaging loads such as rows of bottles (BO). - According to the invention, the cover of the said package is formed from two trough pieces (1A, 12.1, 20.1 and 3A, 12.3 and 20.3) with a trapezoidal cross section, which are upturned and nested, permitting accurate production of the said cover regardless of the nature and/or the shape of the load. Provision is also made for a machine making it possible to continuously close the said packages during their progression towards their discharge. <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 with cut or rounded corners, as well as a blank and a machine for producing a such packaging.

• deux grandes faces latérales identiques et deux petites faces identiques, lesdites faces étant carrées ou rectangulaires et reliées entre elles par l'intermédiaire de premières lignes de pliage parallèles ;
• un fond constitué par des premiers rabats reliés à au moins certaines desdites faces latérales par des deuxièmes lignes de pliage orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage ;
• des prolongements prolongeant, du côté opposé audit fond, lesdites grandes faces latérales par rapport auxdites petites faces latérales ; et
• un couvercle formé par deux seconds rabats respectivement reliés auxdits prolongements par des troisièmes lignes de pliage orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage.

In French patent application No. 92 05069 of April 24, 1992, the applicant described such packaging in the general shape of a basket at least approximately parallelepipedic, comprising:

• two identical large side faces and two identical small faces, said faces being square or rectangular and connected together by means of first parallel fold lines;
• a bottom formed by first flaps connected to at least some of said lateral faces by second fold lines orthogonal to said first fold lines;
• extensions extending, on the side opposite to said bottom, said large lateral faces with respect to said small lateral faces; and
• a cover formed by two second flaps respectively connected to said extensions by third fold lines orthogonal to said first fold lines.

• une suite d'au moins deux grands et deux petits volets rectangulaires ou carrés alternés, deux à deux identiques pour former lesdites deux grandes et lesdites deux petites faces latérales, lesdits volets étant reliés les uns aux autres par des premières lignes de pliage parallèles ;
• des premiers rabats latéraux disposés d'un côté de ladite suite de volets, reliés à au moins certains desdits volets par des deuxièmes lignes de pliage perpendiculaires auxdites premières lignes de pliage et destinés à former le fond dudit emballage ;
• des prolongements prolongeant, du côté opposé auxdits premiers rabats latéraux, lesdits grands volets par rapport auxdits petits volets ; et
• deux seconds rabats, destinés à former le couvercle dudit emballage et respectivement reliés auxdits prolongements par des troisièmes lignes de pliage orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage.

For the production of such packaging, a blank of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, is provided, said blank comprising:

• a series of at least two large and two small alternating rectangular or square flaps, two by two identical to form said two large and said two small side faces, said flaps being connected to each other by first parallel fold lines;
• first side flaps arranged on one side of said series of flaps, connected to at least some of said flaps by second fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form the bottom of said package;
• extensions extending, on the side opposite to said first lateral flaps, said large flaps relative to said small flaps; and
• two second flaps, intended to form the cover of said packaging and respectively connected to said extensions by third fold lines orthogonal to said first fold lines.

From such a blank, it is formed in any way, by folding and gluing or stapling, but preferably by the implementation of the techniques described in American patents US-A-4,932,930 and US-A -5,147,271, an empty open package in which the lateral belt and the bottom are respectively formed by said series of flaps and by said first lateral flaps, said extensions and second flaps delimiting an upper opening through which the load intended for be contained in said packaging. Then, the two second flaps are folded over one another and fixed to each other, for example by dots or lines of glue arranged between them, by being pressed against the upper face of said load, which serves as a counter stop.

These second flaps thus form the cover of said packaging, this cover being at least approximately in contact with the upper face of said load.

From the foregoing, it is immediately noted that, since the upper face of the load serves as a counter-stop during the formation of the cover, the quality of the cover thus produced strongly depends on the flatness, the continuity and of the area of said upper face. It is easily understood that, if said upper face is small, discontinuous and / or rounded, the juxtaposition and the fixing of said second flaps can only be approximate.

Furthermore, in the case where the shape of said load is such that its upper part is narrower than its lower part, it becomes necessary, before forming the cover, to apply lateral pressure to said extensions in order to bring them together. on the other, so that they best match the side walls, converging upwards, of said load, when said load must be well maintained by said packaging, the latter marrying said load for this purpose. However, the application of such lateral pressure risks tilting said load somewhat laterally or a part thereof (if it is not unitary) in the case where said load is not perfectly stable vertically. This therefore results in another cause of defective formation of the cover.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to improve the packaging described above so that the formation of its cover is easy and of excellent quality, whatever the nature, the shape, the area and the discontinuity of the upper face of the load having to be contained in said packaging, the latter maintaining this load firmly because it best matches its shape.

• deux grandes faces latérales identiques et deux petites faces latérales identiques, lesdites faces étant carrées ou rectangulaires et reliées entre elles par l'intermédiaire de premières lignes de pliage parallèles ; et
• un fond constitué par des premiers rabats reliés à au moins certaines desdites faces latérales par des deuxièmes lignes de pliage orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage ;

ledit emballage comportant de plus :

• un premier et un second prolongements faisant saillie par rapport à ladite partie inférieure dudit emballage et prolongeant respectivement, du côté opposé audit fond, lesdites grandes faces latérales par rapport auxdites petites faces latérales ; et
• un couvercle comprenant un premier et un second deuxièmes rabats superposés et respectivement reliés auxdits premier et second prolongements par des troisièmes lignes de pliage orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage ;

est remarquable :

• en ce qu'il comporte deux troisièmes rabats, respectivement reliés auxdits deuxièmes rabats, du côté opposé auxdits premier et second prolongements, par des quatrièmes lignes de pliage parallèles auxdites troisièmes lignes de pliage ;
• en ce que le premier desdits troisièmes rabats, relié audit premier prolongement par l'intermédiaire du premier desdits deuxièmes rabats, est appliqué contre la face interne dudit second prolongement ;
• en ce que le second desdits troisièmes rabats, relié audit second prolongement par l'intermédiaire du second desdits deuxièmes rabats, est appliqué contre la face externe dudit premier prolongement ; et
• en ce qu'au moins des moyens de fixation sont prévus pour fixer ledit second desdits troisièmes rabats audit premier prolongement.

To this end, according to the invention, the packaging of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for the reception of a load whose side walls converge upwards, said load being held firmly in said packaging because of that said packaging at least partially follows its shape, and said packaging having the form general of a basket, the lower part of which is at least approximately rectangular and includes:

• two identical large side faces and two identical small side faces, said faces being square or rectangular and connected together by means of first parallel fold lines; and
• a bottom formed by first flaps connected to at least some of said lateral faces by second fold lines orthogonal to said first fold lines;

said packaging further comprising:

• first and second extensions projecting from said lower part of said package and extending respectively, on the side opposite to said bottom, said large lateral faces with respect to said small lateral faces; and
• a cover comprising first and second second overlapping flaps and respectively connected to said first and second extensions by third fold lines orthogonal to said first fold lines;

is remarkable:

• in that it comprises two third flaps, respectively connected to said second flaps, on the side opposite to said first and second extensions, by fourth fold lines parallel to said third fold lines;
• in that the first of said third flaps, connected to said first extension via the first of said second flaps, is applied against the internal face of said second extension;
• in that the second of said third flaps, connected to said second extension via the second of said second flaps, is applied against the external face of said first extension; and
• in that at least fixing means are provided for fixing said second of said third flaps to said first extension.

Thus, in the open position, the packaging according to the present invention is presented with its first and second extensions projecting from said lower part at least approximately parallelepiped, themselves extended at their free ends by said first and second second flaps. and by said first and second third flaps, respectively, all of said first extension, said first of second flaps and said first of third flaps being spaced from all of said second extension, said second of second flaps and said second of third flaps to form the opening of the loading of said packaging. We can then introduce said load through said opening, until it enters said lower part of the package.

When closing said packaging, the upper part of said first extension, the first of the second flaps and the first of said third flaps may be formed into a first inverted gutter with trapezoidal section laterally surrounding the upper end of the load, while the part upper of said second extension, the second of the second flaps and the second of said third flaps may be formed into a second gutter, also inverted and of trapezoidal section, laterally surrounding said first gutter. It then suffices to exert, in the direction of the load of the packaging, a pressure on the second flap of said second gutter so that the two gutters center with respect to each other, by wedge effect, so that the two second flaps are perfectly superimposed, forming a perfect cover. In addition, this cover is centered by compared to the upper part of the load, since no lateral pressure is necessary to bring one of the second flaps in superposition with the other. Said fixing means, for example points or lines of adhesive arranged on the external face of said first extension, ensure the fixing of the two gutters and therefore the closing of said packaging. Of course, additional fixing means can be provided between said second flaps and / or between said first of said third flaps and said second extension.

The packaging according to the present invention is particularly suitable for receiving a load consisting of a plurality of similar bottles. In this case, the lower part of the packaging is designed to match, both in length and in width, said plurality of bottles arranged in a row being at least approximately in contact with each other and said second overlapping flaps have a surface such that they can rest on all the upper ends of said bottles.

Said lower part of the package has, parallel to said bottom, a rectangular section. However, especially in the case where the load consists of bottles, it is advantageous, as regards the maintenance of said bottles, that the corners of said lower part are cut or rounded.

Preferably, said extensions comprise, on the side of said third flaps, openings for gripping the packaging. It will be noted that said third flaps increase - since they are applied and / or fixed to said extensions - the tear resistance of these and therefore serve as handle reinforcement.

It is advantageous, for this purpose, that the free edges of said third flaps include notches matching the upper part of the outline of said gripping openings. In addition, said gripping openings may each include a tongue articulated around the edge of the corresponding gripping opening and capable of engaging with part of the load contained in said packaging. Said tabs therefore serve to block said load in said packaging.

• une suite d'au moins deux grands et deux petits volets rectangulaires ou carrés alternés, deux à deux identiques pour former lesdites deux grandes et lesdites deux petites faces latérales, lesdits volets étant reliés les uns aux autres par des premières lignes de pliage parallèles ;
• des premiers rabats latéraux disposés d'un côté de ladite suite de volets, reliés à au moins certains desdits volets par des deuxièmes lignes de pliage perpendiculaires auxdites premières lignes de pliage et destinés à former le fond dudit emballage ;
• des prolongements prolongeant, du côté opposé auxdits premiers rabats latéraux, lesdits grands volets par rapport auxdits petits volets ; et
• deux deuxièmes rabats, destinés à former le couvercle dudit emballage et respectivement reliés auxdits prolongements par des troisièmes lignes de pliage orthogonales auxdites premières lignes de pliage.

The present invention also relates to a blank of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for the production of the packaging described above. Such a blank includes:

• a series of at least two large and two small alternating rectangular or square flaps, two by two identical to form said two large and said two small side faces, said flaps being connected to each other by first parallel fold lines;
• first side flaps arranged on one side of said series of flaps, connected to at least some of said flaps by second fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form the bottom of said package;
• extensions extending, on the side opposite to said first lateral flaps, said large flaps relative to said small flaps; and
• two second flaps, intended to form the cover of said package and respectively connected to said extensions by third fold lines orthogonal to said first fold lines.

According to the invention, this blank is remarkable in that it comprises two third flaps, respectively connected to said second flaps, on the side opposite to said first and second extensions, by fourth fold lines parallel to said third fold lines.

• parallèlement auxdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage, lesdits grands volets présentent une longueur correspondant à la longueur de ladite rangée de bouteilles ;
• parallèlement auxdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage, lesdits petits volets aient une dimension correspondant au diamètre desdites bouteilles ;
• parallèlement auxdites premières lignes de pliage, la distance séparant lesdites deuxièmes et troisièmes lignes de pliage corresponde à la hauteur desdites bouteilles ;
• parallèlement auxdites troisièmes lignes de pliage, la longueur desdits seconds rabats corresponde à la distance hors tout séparant les extrémités supérieures de la première et de la dernière bouteilles de ladite rangée ;
  et
• perpendiculairement auxdites troisièmes lignes de pliage, la largeur desdits seconds rabats corresponde au diamètre de l'extrémité supérieure desdites bouteilles.

In the case where the load of the packaging produced from said blank consists of a plurality of similar bottles arranged in a row being at least approximately in contact with each other, it is advantageous that:

• parallel to said second fold lines, said large flaps have a length corresponding to the length of said row of bottles;
• parallel to said second fold lines, said small flaps have a dimension corresponding to the diameter of said bottles;
• parallel to said first fold lines, the distance separating said second and third fold lines corresponds to the height of said bottles;
• parallel to said third fold lines, the length of said second flaps corresponds to the overall distance separating the upper ends of the first and last bottles of said row;
  and
• perpendicular to said third fold lines, the width of said second flaps corresponds to the diameter of the upper end of said bottles.

In the case where the lower part of the packaging has cut or rounded corners, said series of flaps comprises additional narrow flaps not carrying flaps at their ends and said first flaps have, in the vicinity of the second fold line the connecting to the corresponding flap, the shape of such a cut or rounded corner.

To form the gripping means mentioned above, it is advantageous that said extensions of the blank have openings on the side of said second flaps. In this case, the free edges of said third flaps may include notches whose outline corresponds to that of said openings. Each opening may have a tongue articulated around its edge.

The packaging according to the invention can be formed, filled and closed in any known manner. However, according to another aspect of the present invention, a machine is provided for closing said packaging which, before closing, is in an open position for which, on the one hand, its first and second extensions project from said lower part. at least approximately parallelepiped and are themselves extended at their free ends by said first and second second flaps and by said first and second third flaps, respectively, the whole of said first extension, said first of said second flaps and said first of said third flaps being separated from the assembly of said second extension, said second of said second flaps and said second of said third flaps, and, on the other hand, said load is in place in said open package.

• des moyens de déplacement pour déplacer en continu ledit emballage, parallèlement à ses grandes faces latérales, depuis une position initiale pour laquelle ledit emballage est dans sa position ouverte et chargée définie ci-dessus jusqu'à une position finale fermée, enfermant ladite charge ;
• des moyens de pression pour presser en continu, pendant ledit déplacement, lesdites grandes faces latérales contre ladite charge ; et
• une combinaison de moyens agissant successivement ou partiellement simultanément pendant ledit déplacement continu dudit emballage et comprenant :
  • . des premiers moyens pour former, autour de l'extrémité supérieure de ladite charge, une première gouttière renversée à section trapézoïdale par conformation de la partie supérieure dudit premier prolongement, du premier desdits deuxièmes rabats et du premier desdits troisièmes rabats ;
  • . des deuxièmes moyens pour appliquer et maintenir ladite première gouttière renversée contre ladite extrémité supérieure de ladite charge ;
  • . des troisièmes moyens pour former, autour de ladite première gouttière renversée appliquée et maintenue contre ladite extrémité supérieure de ladite charge, une seconde gouttière renversée à section trapézoïdale par conformation de la partie supérieure dudit second prolongement, du second desdits deuxièmes rabats et du second desdits troisièmes rabats ;
  • . des quatrièmes moyens pour appliquer des points ou lignes d'adhésif au moins entre ledit premier prolongement et le second desdits troisièmes rabats ;
  • . des cinquièmes moyens pour appliquer et maintenir ladite seconde gouttière renversée, emboîtée dans ladite première gouttière renversée ; et
  • . des sixièmes moyens pour presser ledit second desdits troisièmes rabats contre ledit premier prolongement.

According to the invention, this machine is remarkable in that it comprises:

• displacement means for continuously moving said package, parallel to its large lateral faces, from an initial position for which said package is in its open and loaded position defined above to a final closed position, enclosing said load;
• pressing means for continuously pressing, during said movement, said large lateral faces against said load; and
• a combination of means acting successively or partially simultaneously during said continuous movement of said packaging and comprising:
  • . first means for forming, around the upper end of said load, a first inverted gutter with trapezoidal section by conformation of the upper part of said first extension, of the first of said second flaps and of the first of said third flaps;
  • . second means for applying and holding said first gutter inverted against said upper end of said load;
  • . third means for forming, around said first inverted gutter applied and held against said upper end of said load, a second inverted gutter with trapezoidal section by conformation of the upper part of said second extension, of the second of said second flaps and of the second of said third flaps;
  • . fourth means for applying dots or lines of adhesive at least between said first extension and the second of said third flaps;
  • . fifth means for applying and maintaining said second inverted gutter, fitted into said first inverted gutter; and
  • . sixth means for pressing said second of said third flaps against said first extension.

Thus, thanks to the machine according to the invention, said loaded packages can be closed, without stopping said packages, during the progression of the latter towards their evacuation.

• lesdits moyens de déplacement de l'emballage peuvent être formés par un convoyeur ;
• lesdits premiers moyens de formation et ladite première gouttière peuvent comporter des premières rampes fixes agissant sur ladite partie supérieure dudit premier prolongement, sur le premier desdits deuxièmes rabats et sur le premier desdits troisièmes rabats ;
• lesdits deuxièmes moyens pour appliquer et maintenir ladite première gouttière renversée contre ladite extrémité supérieure de ladite charge peuvent comporter un galet de pression et des premières rampes fixes desdits premiers moyens de formation ;
• lesdits troisièmes moyens de formation de ladite seconde gouttière peuvent comporter des secondes rampes fixes agissant sur ladite partie supérieure dudit second prolongement, sur le second desdits deuxièmes rabats et sur le second desdits troisièmes rabats ;
• lesdits cinquièmes moyens pour appliquer et maintenir ladite seconde gouttière emboîtée dans ladite première gouttière peuvent comporter une bande sans fin de pression et au moins une troisième rampe fixe ; et
• lesdits sixièmes moyens de pression peuvent comporter des bandes sans fin antagonistes.

As we will see in more detail later:

• said means for moving the packaging can be formed by a conveyor;
• said first forming means and said first gutter may comprise first fixed ramps acting on said upper part of said first extension, on the first of said second flaps and on the first of said third flaps;
• said second means for applying and keeping said first gutter inverted against said upper end of said load may comprise a pressure roller and first fixed ramps of said first forming means;
• said third means for forming said second gutter may comprise second fixed ramps acting on said upper part of said second extension, on the second of said second flaps and on the second of said third flaps;
• said fifth means for applying and maintaining said second gutter nested in said first gutter can comprise an endless pressure band and at least a third fixed ramp; and
• said sixth pressure means may include endless opposing bands.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an installation is provided for the packaging of loads, for example pluralities of contiguous bottles arranged in a row, in packages in accordance with the invention, produced from blanks also in accordance with 'invention.

• des moyens de transport ;
• au moins une machine pour la réalisation, à partir desdits flans, d'emballages ouverts, adressés auxdits moyens de transport ;
• au moins une machine, alimentée en charges, recevant lesdits emballages ouverts, véhiculés par lesdits moyens de transport et introduisant lesdites charges dans lesdits emballages ouverts ; et
• au moins une machine de fermeture d'emballages telle que spécifiée ci-dessus.

Such an installation may include:

• means of transport ;
• at least one machine for producing, from said blanks, open packages addressed to said means of transport;
• at least one machine, supplied with loads, receiving said open packages, conveyed by said means transport and introducing said loads into said open packages; and
• at least one packaging closure machine as specified above.

In this installation, the transporter, the machine for producing open packages and the machine for loading said open packages can be of any known type.

However, in an advantageous embodiment of said installation, said machine for making open packages is of the type described in American patents US-A-4,932,930 and US-A-5,147,271.

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 front parts of the corresponding packages, as well as for the dimensions (length, width, height) of said flaps and flaps and said faces, thus disregarding the thickness of the sheet material constituting the packages and the blanks.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a set of bottles arranged in row contiguously, said assembly constituting an example of a load for the packaging according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the bottle assembly of Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above of a first example of embodiment of a packaging conforming to the present invention, suitable for receiving the load of Figures 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows, flat, a cardboard blank allowing the packaging of FIG. 3 to be produced.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the packaging of FIG. 3, before closing on the load of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Figures 6A to 6H schematically illustrate the process of closing the packaging of Figures 3 and 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view corresponding to the line VII-VII of Figure 1.

Figures 8 and 10 are perspective views from above of two other embodiments of the packaging according to the invention.

FIGS. 9 and 11 show, flat, cardboard blanks intended respectively for producing the packages of FIGS. 8 and 10.

Figure 12 is a schematic top view of an installation for manufacturing the packaging according to the present invention, filling it with its load and closing it around the latter.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic views, respectively in elevation and in top view, of the closing machine of the installation of FIG. 12.

Figures 15A to 15I explain the operation of the closing machine of Figures 13 and 14.

The set R of bottles BO, shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a plurality of similar bottles (three in the example shown) arranged in a row, said bottles being contiguous. Each BO bottle has a diameter Φ a height γ. The upper part ES of each bottle has a diameter β.

The assembly R has a length λ and the overall distance separating the upper ends of the first and the last bottles is designated by α.

The exemplary embodiments of cardboard or corrugated cardboard packaging in accordance with the present invention, described below and bearing the references E1, E2 and E3 respectively, have the general form of baskets and are intended to receive, as fillers , said set R of the bottles, at least partially matching the shapes thereof, in order to firmly hold the said bottles BO. It will be noted that, since usually the diameter β of the upper parts ES of the bottles BO is smaller than the diameter Φ of the said bottles, the said packages must have oblique side walls (hereinafter referred to as 1A and 3A), converging the one towards the other and upwards.

These packages E1, E2 and E3 comprise a lower part PI, closed off by a bottom 10.1, 10.3 and surmounted by two converging side walls 1A and 3A, said packages comprising a cover 12.1, 12.3.

The lower part PI of the packages E1, E2 and E3 is substantially rectangular with a rectangular section. This rectangular section has a length L and a width l .

To make the packaging E1 according to the invention and shown in FIG. 3, one starts from a blank F1, such as that shown in FIG. 4.

The blank F1 of sheet material, for example of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, shown in FIG. 4 comprises a series of four aligned flaps 1, 2, 3 and 4, two by two linked by first preformed and parallel fold lines 5, 6 and 7. The first parallel fold lines 5, 6 and 7 are respectively disposed 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 at 4 is arranged a tongue 8, 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 and 3, are provided first flaps 10.1 and 10.3. Each lateral flap 10.1 and 10.3 is articulated to the corresponding flap 1 or 3 by a second preformed fold line 11.1 or 11.3. The second fold lines 11.1 and 11.3 are aligned and perpendicular to the first fold lines 5, 6 and 7. Perpendicular to the fold lines 11.1 and 11.3, the height H of the flaps 1 and 3 is greater than the height h of the flaps 2 and 4, so that said flaps 1 and 3 have, with respect to flaps 2 and 4, extensions 1A and 3A on the side opposite to the flaps 10.1 and 10.3. Parts 1 and 3, on the one hand, and parts 2 and 4, on the other hand, are identical. In addition, the flaps 10.1 and 10.3 are identical and their length, parallel to the corresponding preformed fold line 11.1 and 11.3, is equal to the corresponding dimension L of the flap 1 or 3 to which said flap is connected. At the end of the first and second extensions 1A and 3A of the flaps 1 and 3, opposite the first flaps 10.1 and 10.3, is articulated a second flap 12.1 or 12.3 respectively, articulated around a third fold line 13.1 or 13.3 respectively. The third fold lines 13.1 and 13.3 are aligned and perpendicular to the first fold lines 5 to 7. Parallel to the second fold lines 11.1 and 11.3, the dimension l of the flaps 2 and 4 is less than the dimension L of the flaps 1 and 3.

Thus, the blank F1 comprises two large flaps 1 and 3, to which are respectively associated two first flaps 10.1 and 10.3, on the one hand, and two second flaps 12.1 and 12.3, on the other hand. On the other hand, the two small flaps 2 and 4 have no flaps. The extensions 1A and 3A of the large flaps 1 and 3 projecting from the small flaps 2 and 4, which are narrower than the base of said large flaps, are connected to the latter by a recess 19.

The width D of each of said first flaps 10.1 and 10.3 is greater than half the width 1 of the package E1. The free edges 14.1 and 14.3 of the flaps 10.1 and 10.3 are aligned. Likewise, the edges 15.1 and 15.3, opposite the flaps 1 and 3, of the second flaps 12.1 and 12.3 are at least approximately aligned. A pre-folding line 16.1 or 16.3, respectively, parallel to the folding lines 11.1 and 11.3, is provided in the large flaps 1 and 3.

In addition, third end flaps 20.1 and 20.3 are articulated to said second flaps 12.1 and 12.3, along said edges 15.1 and 15.3 which then form fourth pre-folding lines parallel to the second and third fold lines 11.1, 11.3, 13.1, 13.3, as well as the fold lines 16.1, 16.3.

In the large flaps 1 and 3, cutouts 21 may be provided. In addition, in the first and second extensions 1A and 3A of the flaps 1 and 3 are cut tabs 22, articulated to said extensions 1A and 3A by a line of articulation. 23 and having a notch 24 in their free edge.

In their free edges 25, the third end flaps 20.1 and 20.3 have a notch 26, in correspondence with the tongues 22.

To make the packaging E1 of FIG. 3 from the blank F1 of FIG. 4, at least one line d is applied to the tongue 8 of the latter (or to the flap 1, along its free edge 27). adhesive 28, and said blank F1 is folded around the first fold lines 5, 6, 7 and 9, and said tongue 8 is fixed on the flap 1, in the vicinity of said free edge 27.

A blank (not shown) of the packaging E1 is thus obtained, said blank having a lower part PI of rectangular section, with the first flaps 10.1 and 10.3 and the extensions 1A and 3A extending the flaps 1 and 3 outwards. The first flaps 10.1 and 10.3 are then folded towards each other around the second fold lines 11.1 and 11.3, respectively, and fixed to each other, for example by gluing, to form the bottom of the packaging. We then obtain the open packaging shown on a larger scale in section in FIG. 5. In this latter figure, the bonding area of the flaps 10.1 and 10.3 bears the reference 29.

The open packaging of FIG. 5 can then be filled with the load R which it must contain, namely in this case by the plurality of bottles BO, aligned in a row R. Said bottles BO are introduced between the extensions 1A and 3A, then in the separated position, the intervening width and length of the packaging corresponding respectively to the diameter Φ of said bottles and to the length λ of the load R, so that this introduction is carried out with gentle friction. Thus, said bottles are held laterally by flaps 1 to 4.

• on commence par plier légèrement le premier prolongement 1A solidaire du volet 1 autour de la ligne de pliage 16.1, pour amener ledit prolongement 1A latéralement contre les bouteilles BO (figure 6B) ; pendant cette opération, le second prolongement 1B peut être légèrement écarté desdites bouteilles par léger pliage vers l'extérieur, autour de la ligne 16.3 ;
• le deuxième rabat 12.1 est alors replié autour de la troisième ligne de pliage 13.1 pour pouvoir être appliqué contre l'extrémité supérieure ES des bouteilles BO (figure 6C)
• ensuite (figure 6D), le troisième rabat 20.1 est replié, autour de la quatrième ligne de pliage 15.1, pour pouvoir être appliqué latéralement contre les bouteilles BO, du côté opposé audit premier prolongement 1A, les cols desdites bouteilles étant enveloppés entre le prolongement 1A et les rabats 20.1 et 20.3 ;
• puis (figure 6E), le second prolongement 3A est légèrement plié autour de la ligne de pliage 16.3 pour venir s'appliquer contre le rabat 20.1 ;
• après quoi (figure 6F), le rabat 12.3 est plié autour de la ligne de pliage 13.3 (alors superposée avec la ligne de pliage 15.1) et appliqué contre le rabat 12.1 ; et
• le rabat 20.3 est plié autour de la ligne de pliage 15.3 (alors superposé avec la ligne de pliage 13.1) pour être appliqué contre le prolongement 1A (figure 6G).

The closure of the packaging around the bottles BO is illustrated by schematic figures 6A to 6H, FIG. 6A corresponding to FIG. 5:

• we start by slightly folding the first extension 1A integral with the shutter 1 around the fold line 16.1, to bring said extension 1A laterally against the bottles BO (FIG. 6B); during this operation, the second extension 1B can be slightly moved away from said bottles by slight outward folding, around line 16.3;
• the second flap 12.1 is then folded around the third fold line 13.1 so that it can be applied against the upper end ES of the bottles BO (FIG. 6C)
• then (FIG. 6D), the third flap 20.1 is folded, around the fourth fold line 15.1, so that it can be applied laterally against the bottles BO, on the side opposite to said first extension 1A, the necks of said bottles being wrapped between the extension 1A and the flaps 20.1 and 20.3;
• then (FIG. 6E), the second extension 3A is slightly folded around the fold line 16.3 to come to bear against the flap 20.1;
• after which (FIG. 6F), the flap 12.3 is folded around the fold line 13.3 (then superimposed with the fold line 15.1) and applied against the flap 12.1; and
• the flap 20.3 is folded around the fold line 15.3 (then superimposed on the fold line 13.1) to be applied against the extension 1A (FIG. 6G).

The first and second extensions 1A and 3A and flaps 12.1, 15.1, 12.3 and 15.3 are made integral with each other, by applying dots or lines of glue 30 between the inner face of the flap 20.3 and the outer face of the second extension 3A ( Figure 6G). Optionally, other points or lines of glue 31 can be provided between the outer face of the flap 20.1 and the inner face of the first extension 1A.

We then obtain the filled packaging E1 shown in FIGS. 6H and 7, in which the first extension 1A and the second and third flaps 12.1 and 20.1 envelop, by marrying, the upper end ES of the bottles BO, while the second extension 3A and the second and third flaps 12.3 and 20.3 envelop, by marrying them, said first extension 1A and said flaps 12.1 and 20.1. It will be noted that, because of this wrapping of the extension 1A and the flaps 12.1 and 20.1 by the extension 3A and the flaps 12.3 and 20.3, the fold lines 13.1 and 13.3, on the one hand, and the fold lines 15.1 and 15.3 , on the other hand, are not rigorously aligned to take account of the thickness of the sheet material constituting said blank F1.

As described above, the lower part PI of the package E1 follows, both in length and in width, the row R of the bottles BO. Furthermore, the second overlapping flaps 12.1 and 12.3 have a surface such that they can rest on all the upper ends ES of all the bottles BO of the load R.

• parallèlement auxdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage 11.1, 11.3, lesdits grands volets 1, 3 présentent une longueur L correspondant à la longueur λ de ladite rangée R de bouteilles BO ;
• parallèlement auxdites deuxièmes lignes de pliage 11.1, 11.3, lesdites petites volets 2, 4 ont une dimension l correspondant au diamètre Φ desdites bouteilles ;
• parallèlement auxdites premières lignes de pliage 5, 6, 7, 9, la distance H séparant lesdites deuxièmes et troisièmes lignes de pliage correspond à la hauteur γ desdites bouteilles ;
• parallèlement auxdites troisièmes lignes de pliage 13.1, 13.3, la longueur a desdits seconds rabats 12.1, 12.3 correspond à la distance hors tout a séparant les extrémités supérieures de la première et de la dernière bouteilles de ladite rangée ; et
• perpendiculairement auxdites troisièmes lignes de pliage, la largeur b desdits seconds rabats correspond au diamètre β de l'extrémité supérieure desdites bouteilles.

More explicitly, so that said bottles BO are firmly held in the packaging E1, provision is made for:

• parallel to said second fold lines 11.1, 11.3, said large flaps 1, 3 have a length L corresponding to the length λ of said row R of bottles BO;
• parallel to said second fold lines 11.1, 11.3, said small flaps 2, 4 have a dimension l corresponding to the diameter Φ of said bottles;
• parallel to said first fold lines 5, 6, 7, 9, the distance H separating said second and third fold lines corresponds to the height γ of said bottles;
• parallel to said third fold lines 13.1, 13.3, the length a of said second flaps 12.1, 12.3 corresponds to the distance separating overall has the upper ends of the first and last bottles of the said row; and
• perpendicular to said third fold lines, the width b of said second flaps corresponds to the diameter β of the upper end of said bottles.

In the situation in FIGS. 6H and 7, it can be seen that the folding of the tongues 22 towards the inside of the package E1, that is to say towards one another, around the fold lines 23, d on the one hand, there are openings 32 capable of serving as manual gripping means for said packaging E1, and on the other hand it allows the bottle BO to be blocked facing each other, said notches 24 then enclosing the neck of this bottle (see FIG. 7) .

It will be noted that each of said third flaps 20.1 and 20.3 (whose notch 26 is then superimposed on the upper edge of the opening 32) applied against the extension 1A or 3A plumb with the corresponding opening 32, thereby reinforces the resistance to tearing of the packaging E1, when it is grasped by the openings 32.

The variant embodiment E2 of the packaging according to the present invention, shown in FIG. 8, is essentially similar to the packaging E1 of FIG. 3. The only difference is that, in order to be able to adapt at best to the shape of the end BO bottles, the corners of the parallelepipedal lower part PI have been cut, to give rise to oblique faces 40. In this case, the small faces 2 and 4 are reduced in width to become respectively end facets 2A and 4A connected on either side to the oblique faces 40 by fold lines 41 (parallel to the fold lines 5, 6, 7, 9), said oblique faces 40 then being connected to the flaps 1 and 3 by the first fold lines 5, 6, 7 and 9. FIG. 9 shows the blank F2 for the production of the packaging E2, this FIG. 9 being at compare to FIG. 4 showing a blank F1 for the packaging E1.

In FIG. 9, it can be seen that the first flaps 10.1 and 10.3 have, parallel to the second fold lines 11.1 and 11.3, a dimension greater than that of the corresponding flaps 1 and 3 and have, in the vicinity of said second fold lines, oblique edges 46 corresponding to said oblique faces 40. Thus, when said first flaps 10.1 and 10.3 are folded towards each other to form the bottom of the package E2, they are adapted to the octagonal section (rectangular with cut corners) from the bottom PI of it.

The second alternative embodiment E3 of the packaging according to the present invention, shown in FIG. 10, is also essentially similar to the packaging E1 of FIG. 3. Here the difference lies in that, for reasons identical to those mentioned for packaging E2, the corners of the parallelepipedal lower part PI have been rounded, to give rise to at least substantially cylindrical parts 42. Here too, the small faces 2 and 4 are reduced in width to become respectively end facets 2B and 4B, connected on either side to the cylindrical parts 42 by fold lines 43, said cylindrical parts 42 then being connected to the faces 1 and 3 by the first fold lines 5, 6, 7 and 9. Each cylindrical part 42 is formed by a plurality of facets 44, interconnected by fold lines 45. The fold lines 43 and 45 are parallel to the fold lines 5, 6, 7 and 9. FIG. 11 shows the blank F3 for making the packaging E3, this figure 11 being to be compared with FIGS. 4 and 9 showing the blanks F1 and F2 respectively. In this case, instead of the oblique edges 46, rounded edges 47 are provided, adapted to the cylindrical parts 42.

In Figure 12, there is shown schematically, in top view, an installation 50 according to the present invention for the packaging of loads R, in packages according to the invention.

This installation 50 comprises a machine 51, for example of the type described in American patents US-A-4,932,930 and US-A-5,147,271, supplied with FL blanks (FL for F1, F2 or F3) and delivering to a transporter 52 of the open packages EM (EM for E1, E2 or E3). These packages rest on the conveyor 52 by their lower parts PI, they are oriented longitudinally relative to the direction of advance of said conveyor 52 and their extensions 1A and 3A, as well as the second and third flaps which are integral therewith, are spaced apart. one of the other.

Optionally, another machine 53, similar to the machine 51, is provided to supply the conveyor 52 with EM packaging.

The conveyor 52 addresses the EM packages, open and empty, to a loading machine 54, also supplied with bottles BO. The loading machine 54 introduces (in known manner) said bottles BO into the packaging EM, so that at the outlet of the machine 54, each packaging EM contains its charge R of bottles BO. The EM packages are then in the open, loaded position, shown schematically in Figures 5 and 6A. On the Figure 12, the loaded and opened packages are designated by the reference (EM + BO) o.

A conveyor 55 addresses the EM packages, filled with their load R and delivered by the machine 54, to a closing machine 56, an exemplary embodiment of which is described below, with reference to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.

Thus, after passing through the closing machine 56, the packages EM are closed on their load R, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 3, 6H, 7, 8 and 10.

The EM packages, thus loaded and closed, designated in FIG. 12 by the reference (EM + BO) f, are removed from the closing machine 56, for example by means of a conveyor 57.

• un convoyeur à bande sans fin 61, supportant les emballages EM par leurs parties inférieures PI, et transportant lesdits emballages depuis une position initiale (illustrée par la figure 15A) pour laquelle lesdits emballages EM sont en position ouverte et chargée jusqu'à une position finale fermée (illustrée par la figure 151). Pendant le déplacement des emballages EM par le convoyeur 61, de l'une des positions à l'autre, les grandes faces 1 et 3 de ceux-ci sont parallèles audit déplacement ;
• des bandes sans fin latérales 62 destinées à presser en continu, pendant toute la durée du déplacement desdits emballages, les grandes faces 1 et 3 de ces derniers, contre la charge R desdites bouteilles BO ;
• une pluralité de rampes fixes 63 à 66 et 68 à 70, disposées sur le trajet desdits emballages EM ;
• un galet de pression 67 ;
• des bandes sans fin de pression 71 et 72 ;
• des vérins de pression 73 ; et
• un dispositif d'encollage 74.

As schematically shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the closing machine 56 comprises a frame 58 resting on the ground and, mounted on this frame 58:

• an endless belt conveyor 61, supporting the EM packages by their lower parts PI, and transporting said packages from an initial position (illustrated by FIG. 15A) for which said EM packages are in the open position and loaded to a final position closed (illustrated in Figure 151). During the displacement of the EM packages by the conveyor 61, from one of the positions to the other, the large faces 1 and 3 of these are parallel to said displacement;
• lateral endless bands 62 intended to press continuously, throughout the duration of movement of said packages, the large faces 1 and 3 of the latter, against the load R of said bottles BO;
• a plurality of fixed ramps 63 to 66 and 68 to 70, arranged on the path of said EM packages;
• a pressure roller 67;
• endless pressure bands 71 and 72;
• pressure cylinders 73; and
• a gluing device 74.

For a good understanding of the operating process of the closing machine 56, there are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 15A to 15I nine stages A to I of the closing (stage E being double) and we have indicated, in FIGS. 13 and 14, the zones of said closing machine 56 in which said steps A to I are carried out respectively.

In successive stages B, C and D, a first inverted gutter with trapezoidal section is formed around the upper end ES of the bottles of the charges R, by conformation of the upper part of the first extension 1A, of the first of the second flaps 12.1 and the first of the third flaps 20.1, and applying and maintaining said first gutter overturned against said upper end ES of said loads R.

• 1/ à partir de la position initiale de la figure 15A, la rampe 63 oblige le premier prolongement 1A et les rabats 12.1 et 20.1 qui en sont solidaires à se rapprocher des bouteilles BO, jusqu'à ce que ledit premier prolongement 1A soit appliqué latéralement contre ces bouteilles. Pendant ce temps, la rampe 64 oblige le second prolongement 3A et les rabats 12.3 et 20.3 qui en sont solidaires à s'écarter desdites bouteilles BO (pour faciliter le repliement ultérieur des rabats 12.1 et 20.1). Le résultat de cette étape B est illustré par la figure 15B ;
• 2/ les rampes 63 et 64 continuant à appliquer et à écarter les prolongements 1A et 3A respectivement, la rampe 65 amène le rabat 12.1 en appui contre l'extrémité supérieure ES des bouteilles BO et la rampe 66 commence le repliement du rabat 20.1 contre la face des bouteilles BO, disposée en regard du prolongement 3A (voir la figure 15C) ;
• 3/ les rampes 63 et 64 continuant à appliquer et à écarter les prolongements 1A et 3A respectivement, la rampe 66 amène le rabat 20.1 en appui latéral contre les bouteilles BO et le galet de pression 67 presse le rabat 12.1 contre l'extrémité supérieure ES desdites bouteilles (voir la figure 15D).

To do this, as the EM packaging moves, the following steps occur successively:

• 1 / from the initial position in FIG. 15A, the ramp 63 forces the first extension 1A and the flaps 12.1 and 20.1 which are integral therewith to approach the bottles BO, until the said first extension 1A is applied laterally against these bottles. During this time, the ramp 64 forces the second extension 3A and the flaps 12.3 and 20.3 which are integral therewith to move away from said bottles BO (to facilitate the subsequent folding of the flaps 12.1 and 20.1). The result of this step B is illustrated in FIG. 15B;
• 2 / the ramps 63 and 64 continuing to apply and spread the extensions 1A and 3A respectively, the ramp 65 brings the flap 12.1 in abutment against the upper end ES of the bottles BO and the ramp 66 begins the folding of the flap 20.1 against the face of the bottles BO, disposed opposite the extension 3A (see FIG. 15C);
• 3 / the ramps 63 and 64 continuing to apply and spread the extensions 1A and 3A respectively, the ramp 66 brings the flap 20.1 in lateral support against the bottles BO and the pressure roller 67 presses the flap 12.1 against the upper end ES said bottles (see Figure 15D).

Then, in successive steps E, F, G and H, a second inverted gutter with trapezoidal section is formed around said first inverted gutter, applied and held against said upper end ES of the load R, by conformation of the upper part. of said second extension 3A, of the second of said second flaps 12.3 and of the second of said third flaps 20.3, and said second gutter is applied, maintained and fixed on said first gutter.

• 4/ les rampes 63 et 66 continuant leur action décrite dans l'étape D, la rampe 64 s'interrompt et la rampe 68 oblige le second prolongement 3A et les rabats 12.3 et 20.3 qui en sont solidaires à se rapprocher des bouteilles BO (voir la figure 15E de gauche). Puis, la rampe 68 amène ledit second prolongement 3A en appui latéral contre lesdites bouteilles, alors que la rampe 66 s'interrompt, la pression latérale exercée par la rampe 66 étant reprise, sans relâchement, par la rampe 68 (voir la figure 15E de droite) ;
• 5/ la rampe 68 poursuivant son action, la rampe 69 amène le rabat 12.3 en appui contre l'extrémité supérieure ES des bouteilles BO et le dispositif d'encollage 74 dépose les lignes ou points de colle 30 sur la face externe du prolongement 1A (voir la figure 15F) ;
• 6/ la rampe 68 poursuivant son action, l'application du rabat 12.3 contre l'extrémité supérieure ES des bouteilles BO est prise en charge sans discontinuité par la bande sans fin 71, la rampe 69 s'interrompant. De plus, la rampe 70 replie progressivement le rabat 20.3 en direction du prolongement 3A et des lignes ou points de colle 30 (voir la figure 15G) ;
• 7/ les rampes 68 et 70 sont alors relayées dans leur action par des bandes sans fin 72, exerçant des pressions latérales antagonistes permettant le collage du rabat 20.3 sur le prolongement 1A, tandis que la bande sans fin 71 poursuit sa pression sur le rabat 12.3 contre l'extrémité supérieure ES des bouteilles BO (voir la figure 15H).

For this, following steps B, C and D above, the following successive steps are carried out:

• 4 / the ramps 63 and 66 continuing their action described in step D, the ramp 64 is interrupted and the ramp 68 forces the second extension 3A and the flaps 12.3 and 20.3 which are integral therewith to approach the bottles BO (see Figure 15E on the left). Then, the ramp 68 brings said second extension 3A into lateral abutment against said bottles, while the ramp 66 stops, the lateral pressure exerted by the ramp 66 being taken up, without loosening, by the ramp 68 (see FIG. 15E of right);
• 5 / the ramp 68 continuing its action, the ramp 69 brings the flap 12.3 in abutment against the upper end ES of the bottles BO and the gluing device 74 deposits the lines or dots of glue 30 on the external face of the extension 1A ( see Figure 15F);
• 6 / the ramp 68 continuing its action, the application of the flap 12.3 against the upper end ES of the bottles BO is taken care of continuously by the endless belt 71, the ramp 69 being interrupted. In addition, the ramp 70 progressively folds the flap 20.3 in the direction of the extension 3A and the lines or dots of glue 30 (see FIG. 15G);
• 7 / the ramps 68 and 70 are then relayed in their action by endless bands 72, exerting opposing lateral pressures allowing the flap 20.3 to be bonded to the extension 1A, while the endless band 71 continues to press on the flap 12.3 against the upper end ES of the bottles BO (see Figure 15H).

Downstream of the endless belts 71 and 72, the counter cylinders 73 apply lateral pressure pulses, to pre-crush the tongues 22 and indicate to the user the gripping cutouts 32.

Then, the EM packages, loaded and closed, are removed by the conveyor 57.

Claims (21)

Packaging (E1, E2, E3) of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for receiving a load (R) whose side walls converge upwards, said load being held firmly in said packaging because said packaging conforms at least partially to its shape, and said packaging has the general shape of a basket, the lower part (PI) of which is at least approximately rectangular and comprises: - two large identical side faces (1, 3) and two identical small side faces (2, 4), said faces being square or rectangular and connected to each other by means of first parallel fold lines (5, 6, 7, 9); and - A bottom formed by first flaps (10.1, 10.3) connected to at least some of said lateral faces by second fold lines (11.1, 11.3) orthogonal to said first fold lines; said packaging further comprising: - a first and a second extension (1A, 3A) projecting with respect to said lower part (PI) of said package and respectively extending, on the side opposite to said bottom, said large lateral faces (1, 3) with respect to said small lateral faces ; and - a cover comprising first and second second flaps (12.1, 12.3) superimposed and respectively connected to said first and second extensions (1A, 3A) by third fold lines (13.1, 13.3) orthogonal to said first fold lines (5, 6, 7, 9); characterized: - in that it comprises two third flaps (20.1, 20.3), respectively connected to said second flaps (12.1, 12.3), on the side opposite to said first and second extensions (1A, 3A), by fourth fold lines (15.1, 15.3) parallel to said third fold lines (13.1, 13.3); - in that the first (20.1) of said third flaps, connected to said first extension (1A) via the first of said second flaps (12.1), is applied against the internal face of said second extension (3A); - in that the second (20.3) of said third flaps, connected to said second extension (3A) via the second of said second flaps (12.3), is applied against the external face of said first extension (1A);
and - in that at least fixing means (30) are provided for fixing said second of said third flaps (20.3) to said first extension (1A). Packaging according to claim 1, intended to receive a load (R) consisting of a plurality of similar bottles (BO),
characterized in that the lower part (PI) of the packaging, both in length and in width, said plurality of bottles (BO) arranged in a row being at least approximately in contact with each other and in this that said second overlapping flaps (12.1, 12.3) have a surface such that they can rest on all the upper ends (ES) of said bottles (BO). Packaging according to any one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that said lower part (PI) has, parallel to said bottom, a rectangular section with cut corners. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that said lower part (PI) has, parallel to said bottom, a rectangular section with rounded corners. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that said extensions (1A and 3A) comprise, on the side of said third flaps (20.1 and 20.3) gripping openings (32). Packaging according to claim 5,
characterized in that the free edges (25) of said third flaps (20.1 and 20.3) include notches (26) matching the upper part of the outline of said gripping openings (32). Packaging according to one of claims 5 or 6,
characterized in that said gripping openings (32) each have a tongue (22) hinged around the edge of the corresponding gripping opening (32) and capable of engaging with part of the load (R) contained in said packaging. Blank (F1, F2, F3) of sheet material, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for producing the packaging specified under any one of Claims 1 to 7, said blank comprising: - a series of at least two large (1, 3) and two small (2, 4) alternating rectangular or square flaps, two by two identical to form said two large and said two small side faces, said flaps being connected to the others by first parallel fold lines (5, 6, 7, 9); - first lateral flaps (10.1, 10.3) arranged on one side of said series of flaps (1 to 4), connected to at least some of said flaps by second fold lines (11.1, 11.3) perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form the bottom of said packaging; - Extensions (1A, 3A) extending, on the side opposite to said first lateral flaps (10.1, 10.3), said large flaps (1, 3) relative to said small flaps (2, 4); and - two second flaps (12.1, 12.3), intended to form the cover of said packaging and respectively connected to said extensions (1A, 3A) by third fold lines (13.1, 13.3) orthogonal to said first fold lines, characterized in that it comprises two third flaps (20.1, 20.3), respectively connected to said second flaps (12.1, 12.3), on the side opposite to said first and second extensions (1A, 3A), by fourth fold lines (15.1, 15.3) parallel to said third fold lines (13.1, 13.3). Blank according to claim 8, for producing a package intended to receive a load (R) consisting of a plurality of similar bottles (BO) arranged in a row at least approximately in contact with one another,
characterized in that: - parallel to said second fold lines (11.1, 11.3), said large flaps (1, 3) have a length (L) corresponding to the length (λ) of said row of bottles; - parallel to said second fold lines (11.1, 11.3), said small flaps (2, 4) have a dimension (1) corresponding to the diameter (Φ) of said bottles; - parallel to said first fold lines (5, 6, 7, 9), the distance (H) separating said second and third fold lines corresponds to the height (γ) of said bottles; - parallel to said third fold lines (13.1, 13.3), the length (a) of said second flaps (12.1, 12.3) corresponds to the overall distance (α) separating the upper ends of the first and last bottles of said row ; and - perpendicular to said third fold lines, the width (b) of said second flaps corresponds to the diameter (β) of the upper end of said bottles. Blank according to one of claims 8 or 9, intended to form a package whose lower part has, parallel to said bottom, a rectangular section with cut or rounded corners,
characterized in that said series of flaps comprises additional narrow flaps (40, 44) not carrying flaps at their ends and in that said first flaps have, in the vicinity of the second fold line connecting them to the corresponding flap, the shape of such a cut or rounded corner. Blank according to one of claims 8 to 10,
characterized in that said extensions (1A and 3A) have, on the side of said second flaps (12.1 and 12.3) openings (32). Blank according to claim 11,
characterized in that the free edges (25) of said third flaps (20.1 and 20.3) include notches (26) whose outline corresponds to that of said openings. Blank according to one of claims 11 or 12,
characterized in that said openings (32) each have a tongue (22) articulated around the edge of the corresponding opening (32). Machine for closing said packaging specified under any one of Claims 1 to 7, said packaging being, before closing, in an open position for which, on the one hand, its first and second extensions (1A, 3A) project by relative to said lower part (PI) at least approximately parallelepipedic and are themselves extended at their free ends by said first and second second flaps (12.1, 12.3) and by said first and second third flaps (20.1, 20.3), respectively, all of said first extension, said first of said second flaps and said first of said third flaps being spaced from all of said second extension, said second of said second flaps and said second of said third flaps, and, on the other hand, said load is in place in said open package,
characterized in that it comprises: - displacement means (61) for continuously moving said packaging, parallel to its large lateral faces, from an initial position for which said packaging is in its open and loaded position defined in the preamble to a final closed position as defined in claim 1; - pressure means (62) for continuously pressing, during said movement, said large lateral faces against said load; and a combination of means acting successively or partially simultaneously during said continuous movement of said packaging and comprising: . first means (63, 65, 66) for forming, around the upper end of said load, a first inverted gutter with trapezoidal section by conformation of the upper part of said first extension (1A), of the first (12.1) of said second flaps and the first (20.1) of said third flaps; . second means (63, 65, 66, 67) for applying and holding said first gutter inverted against said upper end of said load; . third means (68, 69, 70) for forming, around said first inverted gutter applied and held against said upper end of said load, a second inverted gutter with trapezoidal section by conformation of the upper part of said second extension (3A), the second (12.3) of said second flaps and the second (20.3) of said third flaps; . fourth means (74) for applying dots or lines of adhesive (30) at least between said first extension (1A) and the second (20.3) of said third flaps; . fifth means (70, 71) for applying and holding said second inverted gutter, nested in said first inverted gutter; and . sixth means (72) for pressing said second of said third flaps against said first extension. Machine according to claim 14,
characterized in that said means for moving the packaging are formed by a conveyor (61). Machine according to one of claims 14 or 15,
characterized in that said first means for forming said first gutter comprise first fixed ramps (63, 65, 66) acting on said upper part of said first extension (1A), on the first (12.1) of said second flaps and on the first (20.1) of said third flaps. Machine according to claim 16,
characterized in that said second means for applying and holding said first gutter inverted against said upper end of said load, comprising a pressure roller (67) and first fixed ramps (68, 69, 66, 67) of said first forming means . Machine according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
characterized in that said third means for forming said second gutter comprise second fixed ramps (68, 69, 70) acting on said upper part of said second extension (3A), on the second (12.3) of said second flaps and on the second (20.3) of said third flaps. Machine according to any one of Claims 14 to 18,
characterized in that said fifth means for applying and maintaining said second gutter fitted into said first gutter comprise an endless pressure strip (71) and at least a third fixed ramp (70). Machine according to any one of Claims 14 to 19,
characterized in that said sixth pressure means comprise endless opposing bands (72). Installation for conditioning a load (R) in packages specified under any one of claims 1 to 7 and produced from blanks as specified under any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that it involves : - means of transport (52); - At least one machine (51) for producing, from said blanks, open packages addressed to said means of transport (52); - At least one machine (54), supplied with loads (BO), receiving said open packages (EM), transported by said means of transport (52) and introducing said loads (BO) into said open packages; and - at least one packaging closing machine (56) as specified in any one of claims 14 to 20.

Images