WO2016020509A1

WO2016020509A1 - Packaging for an assembly of bottles

Info

Publication number: WO2016020509A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/068220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicolas Normand
Original assignee: Nicolas Normand
Priority date: 2014-08-07
Filing date: 2015-08-06
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: EP3177544A1; FR3024712B1; WO2017021011A1; EP3177544B1; FR3024712A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging for an assembly of bottles with longitudinal axis XX, comprising at least a first cord (1) disposed in a first plane P1 substantially perpendicular to the axis XX and gripping said bottles; a second cord (2) disposed in a second plane P2 substantially parallel to said first plane, gripping said bottles and situated at a distance D, measured along the axis XX, from said first plane; a handle (4) formed by a cord which, in the stretched state, is disposed in a plane P4, referred to as the plane of the handle, perpendicular to said first and second planes, said at least one first cord and said at least one second cord being suitable for engaging in the grooves present on the external surface of said bottles. Interestingly, said handle (4) is connected at at least two points (40) to said first cord (1), the two points lying in a plane containing the centre of gravity of the packaging containing said bottles, and the packaging further comprises at least one third cord (3) disposed in a third plane P3 perpendicular to said first and second planes and to the plane of the handle, said at least one third cord being stretched between the first and second cord and disposed between at least two bottles.

Description

PACKAGING FOR A SET OF BOTTLES

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of packaging, and more particularly to the packaging of a set of bottles; it is also about being able to transport such a set.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

The packaging and transport of bottles together has generated many technological solutions more or less interesting economic, ecological, ergonomic and other plans. By 'bottles' is meant all kinds of containers, specifically but not exclusively, liquids.

There are known packaging in the form of thermo-deformable films surrounding sets or packs of bottles, for example by four or six. The cost of such packaging is not negligible, especially if it is compared to the cost of the liquid contained inside the bottles; moreover ecologically, their deterioration is very long or infinite. In addition, the energy required to produce these films is considerable, the investment is important because the production lines are complex.

So we tried to replace these so-called plastic films either by smaller films, or by strips placed in specific places of the pack. Document WO 2012/104258 illustrates an example of such a package where two so-called horizontal retention strips are stretched around the bottles and placed at two levels, namely just below the neck, and near the bottom of the bottles. The retention strips cooperate with grooves dug in the bottles to prevent them from escaping by translation along their longitudinal axes. In addition, this invention provides a handle, also in the form of a strip bonded to one of the horizontal retention strips. The strips can also be welded, in some points, to the bottles. With respect to thermoplastic films, this invention is probably interesting in terms of cost reduction, but not in terms of ecology because we still use plastic links.

A close realization is disclosed in US patent application 201 1/007351 1, wherein the plastic or binding strips cooperate with grooves provided in the bottles. One or two strips are provided, also fixed by welding to the bottles. It is again emphasized that this solution essentially uses plastic as a packaging material; moreover this method of attachment to bottles does not seem very suitable when the total weight of the package becomes important, for example greater than several kilograms.

Also known packaging having at least one adhesive tape that surrounds the bottles and allows their maintenance by gluing; but this solution seems unreliable, especially when the weight of the whole becomes important. In addition, the adhesive deteriorates over time and under certain storage conditions; its properties are altered so that these adhesive strips may no longer perform their function properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art and in particular to propose an ecological solution that is to say that uses natural materials and easily degradable or recyclable, while ensuring a perfect cohesion of bottles between them over the long time; easy transport is furthermore obtained according to the invention.

To do this is proposed according to a first aspect of the invention a package for a set of bottles of longitudinal axis XX, comprising at least a first rope disposed in a first plane P1 substantially perpendicular to the axis XX and enclosing the said bottles; a second chord disposed in a second plane P2 substantially parallel to said first plane P1, enclosing said bottles and situated at a distance D, measured along the axis XX, of said first plane P1; a handle formed by a rope which, in the stretched state, is disposed in a so-called plane of handle P4 perpendicular to the first and second planes, said at least one first rope and / or said at least one second rope being adapted to be engaged in grooves present on the outer surface of said bottles. Interestingly, said handle is linked in at least two points to said first rope, the two points belonging to a plane containing the center of gravity of the package containing said bottles, and the package further comprises at least a third rope disposed in a third plane P3 perpendicular to said first and second planes, said at least one third rope being stretched between the first and second rope and disposed between at least two bottles.

This solution is simple, economical, ecological and reliable; it is particularly adaptable to packs of two, four or six bottles.

Such an arrangement advantageously allows, particularly by the links and interdependencies between the ropes, an optimal distribution of efforts. This contributes to the cohesion of all the bottles.

Preferably, said at least one first rope and / or at least one second rope and / or at least one third rope consist of natural fibers such as hemp. This material is particularly well suited to the present invention.

In addition, the plane P3 may be perpendicular to the handle plane P4. This is achieved if the package includes more than two bottles. According to one embodiment of the invention, said distance D is between about 2 cm and about 6 cm.

Advantageously, said handle plane coincides with a plane of symmetry of the package. A very good balancing efforts is thus achieved according to the invention. According to one embodiment of the invention, the package is able to contain six bottles, and it comprises a first and a second rope.

[0016] Advantageously, the package may comprise two third strings; when six bottles form the pack, this arrangement is perfectly balanced. Preferably, said ropes are braided type.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said handle is linked to said first cord by a knotted connection.

Furthermore, the package may comprise a film, a layer or any technically equivalent means for surrounding and protecting said handle on all or part of its length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows, with reference to the single appended figure which illustrates an embodiment of a package according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS

THE INVENTION

Many combinations can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention; the skilled person will choose one or the other depending on the economic, ergonomic, dimensional or other constraints that must be respected.

In general, the single figure shows a set of six bottles packed with a package according to the invention. More specifically, the bottles have a longitudinal axis XX and are arranged side by side, arranged in a set of two rows of three bottles each. The package has a first rope 1 placed in a first plane P1 perpendicular to the axis XX of the bottles; the first rope 1 is tightened around the bottles for example through a connecting node between its two ends. A second chord 2 is here arranged in a second plane P2 substantially parallel to the first plane P1; it is tight around the bottles and is located at a distance D, for example between two centimeters and six centimeters of the first rope, distance measured along the axis XX. Of course, the distance D varies according to the type of bottle concerned. The first 1 and / or the second 2 ropes are adapted to be engaged in grooves 10, 20 present on the outer surface of the bottles. If such grooves are not present, then another type of connection between the ropes or 1, 2 and the bottles is expected. For example a collage in a number of specific points. By "grooves" is meant any negative or positive relief, hollow or hump vis-à-vis the outer surface of a bottle.

The package further comprises a handle 4 formed by a rope which, in the stretched state, is disposed in a plane P4, said handle, perpendicular to the planes P1 and P2. According to the invention, the handle 4 is linked in at least two points 40 (only one connection point is visible in the single figure) to the first rope 1; specifically the two points belong to a plane containing or close to the center of gravity of the assembly formed by the bottles. According to the illustrated embodiment, and as shown, the plane P4 is between the two rows of three bottles. The connection points between the handle 4 and the first rope 1 may be nodes or any equivalent. The plane P4 is advantageously coincident with the plane of symmetry of the package.

Additionally, the handle 4 can be linked to the second rope 2; this strengthens the connection between the first and the second rope.

Furthermore, the package according to the invention comprises at least a third rope 3 disposed in a third plane P3 perpendicular to both the planes P1 and P2 and the plane P4. This third rope 3 does not include the handle 4.

According to the illustrated example, the third strings 3 are two in number; they are stretched between the first 1 and the second 2 rope, and pass between the bottles, inside the pack. The third or third strings 3 allow a connection and they hold the first and the second string relative to each other. Insofar as the connection between the handle 4 and the rest of the package is operated at the first rope 1, the third or third strings 3 ensure the cohesion of the package. The traction forces and the weight pass through the third ropes 3; there is thus a distribution of charges between the different strings. The third strings may be knotted at their ends.

If the pack has two or four bottles, only one third rope 3 is to be expected; if the pack has six bottles, two third strings are envisaged, as illustrated; if the pack has more bottles, the skilled person will choose the number of third rope 3 to predict.

Advantageously, the ropes 1, 2, 3 are made of natural fibers, for example hemp. Any other natural fiber can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. These solutions are ecological in that the packaging is made of a natural material and not synthetic. Vis-à-vis solutions using plastic, a significant saving is achieved, due to the nature of the materials.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the ropes are braided; the person skilled in the art will choose the type of rope most suitable, as regards the type of rope, as well as their diameter, length, elasticity and / or other possible treatment.

In addition, the handle 4 may comprise a means such as a film, a layer placed on its outer surface and adapted to protect the rope 4 constituting the handle; the means also ensures a more comfortable and ergonomic grip because its roughness is less than that of the rope 4 so that the user is less vulnerable fingers when handling a pack, especially if it is heavy or if the user must wear the pack for a long time, holding it by the handle 4.

Other features and improvements of the invention, structural, functional, ergonomic, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be readily understood from the present application that the features of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the description of the present invention and the Related figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention but merely represent selected embodiments.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical features of a given embodiment may in fact be combined with features of another embodiment unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned or not it is obvious that these features are incompatible. In addition, the technical features described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other features of this mode unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, they should be considered illustrative and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims

1. Packaging for a set of bottles of longitudinal axis XX, comprising at least a first rope (1) disposed in a first plane P1 substantially perpendicular to the axis XX and enclosing said bottles; a second rope (2) disposed in a second plane P2 substantially parallel to said first plane P1, enclosing said bottles and situated at a distance D, measured along the axis XX, of said first plane P1; a handle (4) formed by a rope which, in the stretched state, is arranged in a plane P4 said handle perpendicular audits first and second planes, said at least a first rope (1) and / or said at least a second cord (2) being adapted to be engaged in grooves present on the outer surface of said bottles, characterized in that said handle (4) is tied by knots or any equivalent in at least two points (40) to said first rope (1 ), the two points belonging to a plane containing the center of gravity of the package containing said bottles, and in that it further comprises at least one third cord (3) disposed in a third plane P3 perpendicular to said first and second planes, said at least one third rope (3) being stretched between the first and second rope and disposed between at least two bottles.

2. Packaging according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least one first rope (1) and / or at least one second rope (2) and / or at least one third rope (3) consist of natural fibers such that the hemp.

3. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third plane P3 is perpendicular to the handle plane P4.

4. Package according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said distance D is between about 2 cm and about 6 cm.

5. Package according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said handle plane P4 coincides with a plane of symmetry of the package.

6. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is able to contain six bottles, and in that it comprises a first (1) and a second (2) strings.

7. Package according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises two third strings (3).

8. Package according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said ropes (1, 2, 3) are of the braided type.

9. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said handle (4) is connected to said first rope (1) by a knotted connection.

10. Package according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it further comprises a film, a layer or any technically equivalent means for surrounding and protecting said handle (4) over all or part of its length.