EP0268541A1 - Adaptable modular package - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular packaging intended for packing goods with a view to protecting them during handling operations and transportation. It will be particularly applicable to the cardboard industry. The modular packaging, whose inner volume matches the dimensions of the goods enclosed, is formed by an assembly of modular elements (3) and (4) formed from a rectangular base (7) bordered by three lateral faces (8, 9 and 10). Moreover, it has means for reinforcing the lateral ends and/or means for securing the contents, permitting stacking of various similar packages. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to modular packaging intended for the packaging of goods in order to provide them with protection during handling and transport. It will particularly find its application in the cardboard industry.

With the increasing decentralization of manufacturing, the transport of detailed parts to the assembly places poses certain difficulties in terms of packaging.

In particular, it is necessary to wrap the parts with a protective element which must prevent them from being damaged during transport and handling. In certain industries, such as, for example, the automobile industry, the parts to be transported can take on large dimensions, just as special shapes can be encountered. In these conditions, it is necessary to provide specific packaging adapted to the profile of the goods to be protected.

Until now, it is by multiplying the available formats of boxes that we have managed to adapt the packaging more or less to the products to be packaged. Where appropriate, specially adapted cutting and folding boxes are used.

When the series produced are large, the unit cost of packaging remains acceptable. On the other hand, in the case of limited series, any particular achievement cannot easily be amortized, which considerably increases the cost of the packaging. It should also be added that the management of the stock of packaging in packaging stores becomes very quickly complex when the number of different formats is large.

Since the interior volume of a case or a box is fixed, there can be no immediate adaptation of the packaging to different forms of goods encountered.

To overcome this difficulty, in some cases, flexible packaging, of the plastic film or other type, can be used. However, the protection provided by this type of flexible packaging is considerably less mechanically compared to semi-rigid sheets, such as corrugated cardboard which may have one or more grooves. Under these conditions, many specific cases cannot be resolved by the use of flexible packaging.

The second solution that is offered is the use of a large cardboard box compared to the products contained, the empty spaces being filled with a filling material such as foam or expanded polystyrene. This solution is satisfactory on the mechanical level, moreover, it makes it possible to reduce the number of packaging formats necessary for packaging goods of very variable shape and size.

However, this solution has many drawbacks. In particular, the external volume of the packaging is generally much greater than the dimensions of the goods, which causes loss of space which is particularly harmful in terms of storage and transport. Then, the unit cost of the packaging is important because not only is the cardboard area large, but moreover, it is necessary to use a filling material with a corresponding labor time which increases the cost of the packaging.

The example of the automobile industry taken previously is not isolated and in many areas, difficulties in adapting packaging as goods to be packaged are deplored.

The main object of the present invention is to present a modular packaging which offers the same guarantees of protection as a standard packaging made of semi-rigid material with, however, the ability to be able to adapt to the dimensions of the goods contained inside. It is a property that has significant economic benefits. In fact, the use of the modular packaging of the present invention will make it possible to very significantly reduce the stocks required for packaging. Management will be reduced and the unit cost of packaging will be reduced.

At the cardboard manufacturer, the production series may be larger and suit several customers. Not only the user will find his advantage there but also the manufacturer who will be able to reduce his number of cutting forms.

Another advantage of the present invention is to propose a modular packaging which can be produced on traditional manufacturing equipment. No modification of the tooling is necessary and therefore, the generalization of the use of the invention can be carried out at low cost without difficulty.

Furthermore, in many cases, such as in the field of packaging automotive body parts, it is common to package these parts and then to form stacks of the formed packaging.

Such stacks must first of all have good stability and secondly, it is necessary to avoid that, due to the stack, the packaged materials deform by the weight of the stack.

This is particularly the case for vehicle hoods which have quite diverse shapes and relatively fragile areas due to their dimensions.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a modular packaging which can adapt on the one hand to the various shapes of the parts to be packaged, and on the other hand to effectively protect the packaged goods by wedging them perfectly in the packaging and finally, to authorize the stacking of packaging, the efforts being taken up by the packaging itself and not supported by the goods included.

Although it has been more particularly developed for the cardboard industry, the present invention may also be of interest to other types of materials. The advantage of cardboard is its low cost, its work is easy and it already benefits from a good introduction in the various sectors of the industry. The degree of protection provided by the packaging from the present invention is of course a function of the very properties of the material used.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear in the course of the description which follows, which is however given only for information and which is not intended to limit it.

According to the invention, modular packaging, intended for the packaging of goods with a view to providing them with protection during handling and transport, the internal volume of which adapts to the dimensions of the goods contained, is characterized by the fact that it is formed by an assembly of modular elements formed by a rectangular base bordered by three lateral faces.

• - la figure 1 schématise l'aspect extérieur de l'emballage modulaire de la présente invention dans sa forme la plus réduite,
• - la figure 2 schématise les facultés d'adaptation en dimensions de l'emballage modulaire de la présente invention,
• - la figure 3 illustre la mise en place des éléments modulaires destinés à former l'emballage représenté à la figure 1,
• - la figure 4 montre une réalisation de l'emballage modulaire de la présente invention disposant d'un volume intérieur double par rapport à celui de la figure 1,
• - la figure 5 illustre la mise en place des éléments modulaires destinés à former l'emballage de la figure 4,
• - la figure 6 montre une réalisation de l'emballage modulaire de la présente invention présentant un volume intérieur triple par rapport au volume de l'emballage de la figure 1,
• - la figure 7 représente la mise en place des éléments modulaires destinés à former l'emballage de la figure 6,
• - la figure 8 schématise la fixation amovible de la face latérale centrale bordant l'embase de l'élément modulaire selon un premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention,
• - la figure 9 illustre la possibilité de débattement angulaire des faces latérales extérieures de l'élément modulaire de la présente invention,
• - la figure 10 schématise la fixation amovible de la face latérale centrale bordant l'embase de l'élément modulaire selon une variante de la présente invention,
• - la figure 11 montre une vue en perspective d'un élément modulaire selon la figure 10, monté,
• - la figure 12 illustre un autre mode de réalisation de l'élément modulaire de la présente invention permettant notamment le calage du contenu,
• - la figure 13 montre une variante de réalisation de la figure 12,
• - la figure 14 montre une vue en coupe, selon l'axe VII-VII de la figure 15, montrant le renforcement d'un emballage modulaire, selon la figure 4, et le positionnement relatif de la pièce à emballer,
• - la figure 15 montre une vue de dessus, selon VIII-VIII de la figure 14,
• - la figure 16 montre une vue de détail de l'emballage modulaire de la présente invention en coupe selon l'axe IX-IX de la figure 11,
• - la figure 17 montre une vue de détail de l'emballage modulaire de la présente invention en coupe selon l'axe X-X de la figure 13,
• - la figure 18 montre une vue de détail de l'emballage modulaire de la présente invention en coupe selon l'axe XI-XI de la figure 12.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by attached drawings, among which:

• FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically the external appearance of the modular packaging of the present invention in its most reduced form,
• FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically the adaptability in dimensions of the modular packaging of the present invention,
• FIG. 3 illustrates the installation of the modular elements intended to form the packaging shown in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the modular packaging of the present invention having a double interior volume compared to that of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 5 illustrates the installation of the modular elements intended to form the packaging of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the modular packaging of the present invention having a triple interior volume compared to the volume of the packaging of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 7 represents the installation of the modular elements intended to form the packaging of FIG. 6,
• FIG. 8 shows diagrammatically the removable attachment of the central lateral face bordering the base of the modular element according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
• FIG. 9 illustrates the possibility of angular movement of the external lateral faces of the modular element of the present invention,
• FIG. 10 shows diagrammatically the removable attachment of the central lateral face bordering the base of the modular element according to a variant of the present invention,
• FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a modular element according to FIG. 10, mounted,
• FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the modular element of the present invention allowing in particular the calibration of the content,
• FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 12,
• FIG. 14 shows a sectional view, along the axis VII-VII of FIG. 15, showing the reinforcement of a modular packaging, according to FIG. 4, and the relative positioning of the part to be packaged,
• FIG. 15 shows a top view, along VIII-VIII of FIG. 14,
• FIG. 16 shows a detailed view of the modular packaging of the present invention in section along the axis IX-IX of FIG. 11,
• FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of the modular packaging of the present invention in section along the axis XX of FIG. 13,
• FIG. 18 shows a detailed view of the modular packaging of the present invention in section along the axis XI-XI of FIG. 12.

The present invention relates to a modular packaging intended for the packaging of goods in order to provide them with protection during handling and transport. It relates more particularly to the cardboard industry, however, other materials can perfectly be used for making the packaging of the present invention.

Cardboard remains however the recommended material because of its low cost and its mechanical properties well suited to the packaging field and which can be modulated according to the choice of structure, in particular the number of grooves or sheets used.

With the exception of flexible packaging, the generalization of which cannot be guaranteed due to its mechanical weaknesses, packaging makes extensive use of cardboard boxes and boxes to protect Goods during their transport and handling.

To be effective, packaging must necessarily be adapted to the dimensions of the goods to be packaged. In this regard, many formats of cases or cartons are available and special designs can also be envisaged. The fact remains that when a user has many goods of variable shapes and volumes to be packaged, he must have a number of formats of boxes or corresponding boxes. In certain sectors of activity such as the automotive industry, the parts encountered are of such diverse natures and dimensions that it is necessary to have a range of packaging that is very difficult to manage.

The solution used so far to try to reduce the number of packaging formats is to use a box of large in relation to the products to be contained, the empty spaces being filled with a filling material such as foam or polystyrene. This technique is satisfactory in terms of results, however, it is relatively expensive since a waste of packaging material is systematically carried out and a large workforce is necessary.

The present invention precisely offers the advantage of being able to adapt to a large extent to the shapes and dimensions of the goods to be packaged.

Figure 1 illustrates a modular package 1 of the present invention in its most reduced form. The external appearance of the packaging, due to its parallelepiped profile, is similar to traditional boxes or boxes.

The various sides of the goods are almost entirely covered by the modular packaging 1 of the present invention which provides it with total protection.

Although the closure of the modular packaging 1 of the present invention can be conceived by gluing, stapling or other similar means, the use of a strapping 2 is recommended. Indeed, the strapping 2 facilitates the grip for handling and on the other hand guarantees a correct application of the modular packaging 1 against the internal goods.

The dimensional adaptability of the modular packaging 1 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The fundamental characteristic of the modular packaging 1 of the present invention is to be made up of two independent and strictly identical modular elements 3 and 4.

The modular elements 3 and 4 are movable with respect to each other, which makes it possible to effect a lengthwise displacement shown diagrammatically by the arrow 5 and a displacement in height diagrammatically represented by the arrow 6 in FIG. 2.

Under these conditions, it is possible to adapt, to a certain extent, the dimensions of the packaging 1 to those of the goods placed inside.

FIG. 3 illustrates the installation of modular elements 3 and 4 each formed by a base 7 bordered by three lateral faces 8, 9 and 10.

The assembly of elements 3 and 4 is formed by a fitting of the two elements, of identical external dimensions, turned symmetrically with respect to each other as illustrated in FIG. 3. Although of identical dimensions, the modular elements 3 and 4 can fit together given the relative flexibility of the material used in their making.

In this case, the use of a single modular element makes it possible to reduce the cost and facilitates the management of the stock.

As shown in Figure 2, part of the packaging faces is not covered, which reveals the product. This small opening is, in most cases, perfectly acceptable and does not cause any discomfort. However, if the total recovery of the goods was imperative, the installation of an additional cardboard sheet would very easily resolve this problem.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a modular packaging 11 according to the present invention, the internal volume of which can be double compared to that illustrated in FIG. 1, while also being constituted by an assembly of modular elements 12 , 13, 14 and 15, of identical external dimensions, similar to those used 3 and 4 for the preparation of the first presentation of the modular packaging 1 of the present invention.

The adaptability to the dimensions of the goods contained are also present in this embodiment, the length and height of which can vary from simple to double.

Figure 5 shows the assembly of modular elements 12, 13, 14 and 15 arranged symmetrically with respect to each other.

According to this embodiment, the entirety of the faces of the goods are covered by the packaging which thus has total efficiency.

FIG. 6 represents a third design 16 of the modular packaging according to the present invention. According to this embodiment, the modular packaging 16 has a triple interior volume compared to that described in FIG. 1. The faculties of adaptation to the dimensions are also present since the length and the height are modular.

The modular package 16 is formed by four modular elements 17, 18, 19 and 20 arranged symmetrically one by the other. compared to the others at the ends of the package 16, according to the technique described above, and central modular elements 21 and 22 bringing together the extreme modular elements, all of these elements being similar.

To allow their installation, the central elements 21 and 22 must have a U-shaped profile. For this purpose, the modular elements described so far preferably have a retractable central side wall 9 and precisely the central wall. 9 of the modular elements 21 and 22 is retracted so that they have a U-shaped profile.

FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically the deployment of the central lateral face 9 of the central modular elements 21 and 22 so that they can be assembled with the external modular elements 17, 18 19 and 20.

Figure 8 shows schematically an embodiment and fixing of the side faces 8, 9 and 10 of a modular element 3. Each of the outer side faces 8 and 10 is provided with a tongue 23 and 24. Said tongue comes s' immobilize inside a folding of the central lateral face 9 which is double as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The fold of the central lateral face 9 is fixed by means of pins 25 and 26 which fit into cutouts 27 and 28 made in the base 7 of the modular element 3.

It is a removable attachment which is therefore entirely suited to the need for retraction for the production of the packaging of FIG. 6.

In addition, the assembly of the modular element can be operated directly by the user since it is an extremely simple manipulation.

Figure 9 shows schematically the angular displacement faculty available to the outer side faces 8 and 10 to allow the interlocking of modular elements of identical dimensions. When cardboard or a material with similar bending properties is used, the elasticity necessary for the angular movement of the side walls 8 and 10 can be found in the very nature of the material used.

However, this possibility of angular movement of the side faces 8 and 10 can be found by using tongues 23 and 24 slightly bevelled at least in their upper part.

Figures 10 to 18 show alternative embodiments of the modular packaging of the present invention.

When the goods to be packaged do not quite correspond to the volume defined by said modular packaging, and given the effort caused by the strapping, there is sometimes a deformation of the packaging at this level.

In this regard, according to the present invention, the modular packaging has reinforcing means 30 of its lateral ends 31, 32 at the level of the central lateral walls 9 bordering the base 7 of the modular elements 3 or 4 constituting said packaging 1.

FIG. 10 shows such a reinforced modular element 3 or 4 during the forming and folding phase. We find the base 7 bordered by two lateral sides 8 and 10 and a central lateral wall 9.

The latter is formed by folding the cardboard side around the tongues 23, 24 and by snap-fastening of the pins 25, 26 in the cutouts 27, 28 made in the base 7 at the common edge 29 of the base 7 and of the central side wall 9.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in a first embodiment, said reinforcing means 30 are in the form of a tongue 33 disposed on the base 7 at the edge 29 formed by it and the said central lateral wall 9.

In this case, the tongue 33 is substantially formed by an extension of the lateral face 9 having at least one fold line 34 defining a common edge substantially coinciding with the edge 29 formed at the meeting of the base 7 and the wall central lateral 9.

In addition, the tongue 33 has cutouts 35, 36 in order to form, during folding, the abovementioned studs 27, 28.

In the case shown, these pins are two in number, but depending on the width of the central side wall 9 and the quality of the material composing it, their number could be higher.

The embodiment which has just been described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 has on the one hand the advantage of reinforcing the lateral ends of the packaging, in particular at the edges 29 of the elements 3 or 4 but also makes it possible to facilitate the latching of the pins in the cutouts to form the central lateral wall 9.

To complete the explanations which have just been given concerning the reinforcement means 30 substantially constituted by the tongue 33, there is shown in FIG. 16 an enlarged view of the different walls which shows the folding of the base 7 and of the side wall. central 9 around the tongues 23 or 24 as well as the snap-fastening of the said nipples 25 or 26 in the cutouts 27, 28 respectively.

Figures 12 and 13 show two variants of another embodiment of the reinforcing means 30, object of the present invention.

In these cases, the reinforcement means 30 also substantially constitute means for wedging the content and allow stacking of different similar packages 1.

More specifically, the reinforcing means are in the form of a wedge 37 or 38 of polygonal section disposed at least on a part of the base 7 at the edge 29 formed at the junction of the base 7 and of the central side wall 9.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, said shim 37 or 38 is substantially constituted by an extension of the lateral face 9, as was the case moreover in the embodiment described above with the tongue 33.

However, said extension comprising in addition to the fold line marked 34 in the previous case, other fold lines, marked 39 to 41 to obtain said polygonal section by folding.

As in the case described above, said common edge 34, created at the junction of the extension and of the central lateral face 9 substantially coincides with the edge 29 formed by the base 7 and the central lateral wall 9.

It should be noted that the two illustrated shims 37, 38 have a substantially parallelepiped shape. However, other forms of shims could be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

However, the length of the shims inside the modular element is also adapted to the part to be packaged. In this regard, Figures 14 and 15 show a flat piece 42 of large size and specific shape.

Such a part could for example be a vehicle hood. These parts are generally sensitive to the level of impacts both on their edge and on their surface.

Such parts traditionally packaged and superimposed to allow stacking are irreparably subject to blows and deformations.

The specific device of the means of the present invention overcomes these drawbacks by ensuring safe packaging that can be stacked on several heights.

FIG. 15 schematically shows a shaped part 42 to be packaged; however, other forms could be envisaged and this is in no way limiting.

In this case, the modular packaging 1 of the present invention has reinforcing means 30, substantially constituted by shims 37 or 38 as they have just been described, this at the lateral ends 31, 32 in the packaging.

More specifically, at said ends, the two modular elements 12, 13, or 14, 15, corresponding superimposed have one 13 or 15 a shim 37 over the entire length of the central side wall 9, the other 12 or 14 a wedge 38 eq uiping only the middle part of said corresponding lateral central wall 9.

However, at the level of the wedge 39, provision will still be made for the presence of a reinforcement tab over the entire width of the central wall according to the principle described for example in FIG. 11.

In addition, the packaging and its dimensions are determined so that the two shims 37, 38 at each lateral end 31, are in abutment when the packaging is formed. This is illustrated in particular in Figure 14.

Furthermore, depending on the shape of the part 42 to be packaged, the shim 37 provided over the entire length is wider than the shim 38 provided on the middle part.

Thanks to the arrangements which have just been described, the part to be packaged 42 is on the one hand perfectly wedged in translation as shown in particular in FIG. 15 between the shims 38 and on the other hand does not support the weight of other superimposed packages, the latter being supported by the shims 37 and 38 superimposed in open support at each end as shown in FIG.

The explanations which have just been described can be supplemented by FIGS. 17 and 18 in which we find all the elements which have just been described. These figures show the folding of the extension of the central lateral part 9 to form the reinforcement means 30 substantially constituted by the shims 37 or 38.

However, to facilitate the maintenance in position of the wedge 37 which occupies the entire length of the central side wall 9, there will advantageously be an additional return 43 whose end will form a tongue 44 cooperating with a cutout 45 to immobilize the wedge in its shape. This arrangement is also briefly shown in FIG. 5.

Other implementations of the present invention, within the reach of ordinary skill in the art, may also be used without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (13)

1. Modular packaging, intended for the packaging of goods with a view to ensuring their protection during handling and transport, the internal volume of which adapts to the dimensions of the goods contained, characterized in that it is formed by an assembly of 'modular elements (3) and (4) formed of a rectangular base (7) bordered by three lateral faces (8, 9, and 10). 2. Modular packaging, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has reinforcing means (30) of its lateral ends (31, 32) at the level of the central lateral walls (9) bordering the base (7) modular elements (3 or 4) constituting said packaging (1). 3. Modular packaging, according to claim 2, characterized in that the said reinforcing means also constitute substantially means for wedging the content and allow stacking of different similar packaging (1). 4. Modular packaging, according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly is formed at least by an interlocking of two elements (3) and (4) turned symmetrically with respect to each other. 5. Modular packaging, according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly is formed by an interlocking of four elements (12, 13, 14 and 15) arranged symmetrically with respect to each other. 6. Modular packaging, according to claim 1, characterized in that the central side wall (9) which borders the base (7) of the modular elements (3) and (4) is retractable. 7. Modular packaging, according to claim 1, characterized in that the extreme side walls (8) and (10) have means of slight angular deflections. 8. Modular packaging, according to claim 7, characterized in that the angular displacement means of the extreme side walls (8) and (10) are in the form of bevelling of the upper part of the tongues (23) and (24). 9. Modular packaging, according to claim 2, characterized in that the said reinforcing means (30) are in the form of a tongue (33) disposed on the base (7) at the edge (29) formed by the base (7) and said central side wall (9). 10. Modular packaging, according to claim 8, characterized in that said tongue (33) is substantially constituted by an extension of the central lateral face (9) having at least one fold line (34) defining a common edge ( 34) substantially coinciding with the edge (29) formed at the junction of the base (7) and the central side wall (9). 11. Modular packaging, according to claim 3, characterized in that the said reinforcing means (30) are in the form of a wedge (37, 38) of polygonal section arranged at least on a part of the base. (7) at the edge (29) formed by the latter (7) and the said central wall (9). 12. Modular packaging, according to claim 11, characterized in that the said shim (37 or 38) is substantially constituted by an extension of the lateral face (9) having fold lines (34, 39 to 41) to define a substantially parallelepiped shape by folding and defining an edge (34) common between the extension and the central lateral face (9) coinciding substantially with the edge (29) defined by the base (7) and the central lateral wall (9) . 13. Modular packaging, according to claim 12, characterized in that at the lateral ends (31, 32) of the packaging (1), the two modular elements (12 and 13) or (14 and 15) superimposed corresponding comprise one (13 or 15) a shim (37) over the entire length, the other (12 or 14) a shim (38) equipping only part of the length of the wall (9), the two shims (37 and 38) being in abutment when the packaging (1) is formed, the shim (37) provided over the entire length being wider than the shim (38) provided partially over the length of the wall (9).

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