CN108778958B

CN108778958B - Packaging for at least one ceramic tile and method for packaging at least one ceramic tile

Info

Publication number: CN108778958B
Application number: CN201780019610.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 毛里齐奥·巴尔迪
Original assignee: Nuova Sima SpA
Current assignee: Nuova Sima SpA
Priority date: 2016-03-24
Filing date: 2017-03-22
Publication date: 2020-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-22
Also published as: EP3433186A1; CN108778958A; ITUA20161969A1; WO2017163195A1; BR112018069356A2

Abstract

A package (1) for at least one ceramic tile (2) and a method of packaging at least one ceramic tile (2) are disclosed. The tile (2) includes an upper surface (20), the upper surface (20) having a peripheral edge portion and a central portion (20a) located inside the peripheral edge portion. The package (1) comprises: a first flap (3) and a second flap (4), the first flap (3) and the second flap (4) covering relative portions of peripheral edge portions of an upper surface (20) of the tile (2); a first protection element (5), the first protection element (5) being intended to protect a central portion (20) of the upper surface (20) of said at least one tile (2), and the first protection element (5) being strip-shaped, connecting the first tab (3) and the second tab (4) to each other, and being arranged facing a central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2), so as to divide the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) into a first area (21) and a second area (22); a first fixing means fixing the first protection element (5) to the first flap (3) and to the second flap (4).

Description

Packaging for at least one ceramic tile and method for packaging at least one ceramic tile

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the technical field related to the packaging of at least one tile. In particular, the present invention relates to a package for at least one tile and a method of packaging at least one tile.

Background

Tiles for cladding or flooring applications can be made of various materials (enamel, porcelain, terracotta, glass, artificial marble, enamelled metal, plastic, etc.) and have various shapes.

Typically, the tile includes an upper surface, which is the surface of the tile that remains in view once the tile is in use, and which has a peripheral edge portion and a central portion located inwardly of the peripheral edge portion.

For the transport and storage of at least one tile (or for example a stack of tiles), packages of at least one tile are known which comprise a first tab and a second tab which cover relative portions of peripheral edge portions of the upper surface of the tile.

Thus, the known packaging leaves free a central portion of the upper surface of the tile, so that the decoration applied on the upper surface of the tile remains in view.

However, this can cause the central portion of the upper surface of the tile to be impacted and scratched during shipping and storage, rendering the tile unsuitable for use and having to be returned.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to obviate the above disadvantages.

The above object is achieved by a package for at least one tile according to claim 1 and a method of packaging at least one tile according to claim 8.

The first protection element advantageously performs a protection function of the central portion of the upper surface of the tile, while making visible the decoration applied on the same upper surface of the tile: this is made possible by saving the use of additional material with respect to the known packages.

Furthermore, the first protection element performs a damping function on the tiles, considering that the transport of the packed tiles is performed by stacking packs of tiles on top of each other. In particular, during transport, the tiles are subjected to stresses which may, for example, cause cracks in the tiles arranged at the bottom (in particular in the case of large-size tiles): the first protection element has the advantage of reducing the tension acting on the tile to reduce the possibility of its damage.

Drawings

Particular embodiments of the invention will be described in the following portions of the specification in accordance with the contents set forth in the claims and with the aid of the drawings, in which:

figures 1 to 9 show various embodiments of a package of at least one ceramic tile of the present invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to the figures, reference numeral (1) indicates a package of at least one tile. It should be understood that the package (1) of the invention can be used for packing a tile (2) or a stack of tiles. Likewise, the method of packaging at least one tile (2) of the invention is suitable for packaging a tile (2) or a stack of tiles.

The tile (2) includes an upper surface (20), the upper surface (20) having a peripheral edge portion and a central portion (20a) located inside the peripheral edge portion.

Generally, the at least one tile (2) may comprise a lower surface opposite the upper surface (20) and also having a peripheral edge portion and a central portion located inside the peripheral edge portion. Furthermore, the tile (2) may comprise a plurality of sides.

The tiles (2) can have various shapes (quadrilateral, rectangular, hexagonal).

Referring to fig.1 to 9, the tile (2) is parallelepiped and comprises: an upper surface; a lower surface; a first side surface; a second side surface; a third side; and a fourth side.

A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2), object of the present invention, comprises: at least one tile (2); and a first flap (3) and a second flap (4), wherein the first flap (3) and the second flap (4) cover relative portions of peripheral edge portions of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2). Furthermore, the package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) comprises a first protection element (5), the first protection element (5) being intended to protect a central portion (20) of the upper surface (20) of the at least one ceramic tile (2), and the first protection element (5) being strip-shaped, connecting the first tab (3) and the second tab (4) to each other and being arranged facing a central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the ceramic tile (2), so as to divide said central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the ceramic tile (2) into a first area (21) and a second area (22).

Preferably, a first end of the first protection element (5) is fixed to the first flap (3) and a second end of the first protection element (5) opposite to the first end of the first protection element (5) is fixed to the second flap (4).

The package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) further comprises first fixing means (which may comprise, for example, a glue or adhesive element) which fix the first protective element (5) to the first flap (3) and to the second flap (4).

Preferably, the first protection element (5) has a width of at least 20mm to perform the above-mentioned function of protecting the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of at least one tile (2). More preferably, the width of the first protection element (5) is between 40mm and 60 mm.

Preferably, the first protection element (5) has a thickness of at least 1.5mm to perform the above-mentioned function of protecting the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of at least one tile (2). In this case, the first protection element (5) is preferably made of a yielding material, preferably cardboard for packaging, for protecting the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tiles during transport, in particular when the packages (1) of at least one tile (2) are arranged in a stacked manner and unforeseen stresses may damage the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) or even break the tiles (2).

The first flap (3) may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging. The second flap (4) may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging.

The first protective element (5) can be made of plastic for packaging.

The first and second fins (3, 4) are preferably arranged parallel to each other.

The first protection element (5) is preferably arranged transversely with respect to the first and second flaps (3, 4). In particular, the first protection element (5) may be arranged perpendicularly with respect to the first flap (3) and the second flap (4).

The first protection element (5) preferably comprises a first end (5a) and a second end (5 b). The first end (5a) of the first protective element (5) overlaps the first flap (3) so as to define a first overlapping region (6). The second end (5b) of the first protective element (5) overlaps the second flap (4) to define a second overlapping area (7). The first fixing device is arranged at a first overlap region (6) and a second overlap region (7).

In particular, the first fixing means may be arranged between the first end (5a) of the first protection element (5) and the first flap (3) and between the second end (5b) of the first protection element (5) and the second flap (4).

The first protection element (5) is preferably in contact with the upper surface (20) of the tile (2).

The package (1) of at least one tile (2) may preferably comprise a third tab (8) and a fourth tab (9), the third tab (8) and the fourth tab (9) covering relative portions of peripheral edge portions of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2).

With particular reference to fig. 7 to 9, the package (1) for at least one ceramic tile (2) preferably comprises: a second protection element (10), the second protection element (10) being intended to protect a central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of at least one tile (2), and the second protection element (10) being strip-shaped, connecting the third tab (8) and the fourth tab (9) to each other, and being arranged facing the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2), and overlapping the first protection element (5) each other so as to divide the first area (21) and the second area (22) into two areas; second fixing means (which may for example comprise glue or adhesive elements) which fix the second protective element (10) to the third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9).

A first end of the second protective element (10) is preferably fixed to the third flap (8) and a second end of the second protective element (10), opposite to the first end of the second protective element (10), is fixed to the fourth flap (9).

The protection of the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) is further advantageously increased, in particular at the overlapping area between the first protection element (5) and the second protection element (10). Furthermore, thanks to the first protection element (5) and to the second protection element (10), the damping function of the package (1) of the invention is increased: during the transport of the tiles, when they are stacked on top of each other, the tension acting on the tiles (2) is also reduced, further reducing the possibility of damage thereto.

The third flap (8) may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging. The fourth flap (9) may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging.

The second protective element (10) can be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging.

The second protective element (10) may be identical to the first protective element (5). In other words, the second protective element (10) preferably has a width of at least 20mm, particularly preferably a width of between 40mm and 60 mm. It is further preferred that the thickness of the second protection element (10) is about 1.5mm to perform the function of protecting the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of at least one tile (2). It is also preferred that the second protective element (10) is made of a yielding material, preferably cardboard for packaging.

The third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9) are preferably arranged parallel to each other.

The second protective element (10) is preferably arranged transversely with respect to the third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9). In particular, the second protection element (10) may be arranged perpendicular to the third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9).

The second protective element (10) is preferably arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly, with respect to the third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9).

The first protective element (5) and the second protective element (10) are preferably arranged perpendicular to each other.

The second protective element (10) preferably comprises a first end (10a) and a second end (10 b). The first end (10a) of the second protective element (10) overlaps the third flap (8) so as to define a third overlapping area (11). The second end (10b) of the second protective element (10) overlaps the fourth flap (9) so as to define a fourth overlapping region (12). The second fixing device is arranged at the third overlap region (11) and the fourth overlap region (12).

In particular, the second fixing means can be arranged between the first end (10a) of the second protection element (10) and the third flap (8) and between the second end (10b) of the second protection element (10) and the fourth flap (9).

For example, with reference to tiles configured as parallelepipeds, such as the tiles shown in the figures, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) may comprise a first covering portion (15), which may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging, which first covering portion (15) covers a first side of the at least one tile (2), and a second covering portion, which may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging, which second covering portion covers a second side of the at least one tile (2). The first flap (3) may be hinged to the first cover portion (15) and the second flap (4) may be hinged to the second cover portion.

Furthermore, the package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) may comprise a third covering portion (16), which may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging, wherein the third covering portion (16) covers the third side of the at least one ceramic tile (2) and a fourth covering portion, which may be made of cardboard or plastic for packaging, wherein the fourth covering portion covers the fourth side of the at least one ceramic tile (2). The third flap (8) may be hinged to the third cover portion (16) and the fourth flap (9) may be hinged to the fourth cover portion.

The packaging (1) of at least one tile (2) may completely cover the lower surface of said at least one tile (2).

Alternatively, according to a first preferred embodiment, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) comprises a fifth flap covering at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion of the lower surface of the tile (2) to leave the central portion of the lower surface free from wrapping. Advantageously, the materials used are limited.

In this case, considering that during the transport of a plurality of packaged tiles, the tiles are stacked one on top of the other, the upper surface (20a) of a first packaged tile faces the lower surface of a second packaged tile arranged above the first tile. Furthermore, during transport it may happen that the first and second packaging tiles move relative to each other, which may damage the upper surface of the first tiles. The packaging (1) of at least one tile (2) advantageously protects the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) at least due to the presence of the first protection element (5), thus creating a protective padding layer between the first tile and the second tile, which saves on the use of material with respect to known packaging.

In fact, the first protection element (5) is much smaller than the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of said at least one tile (2). Likewise, the second protection element (10) is also much smaller in size than the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of said at least one tile (2).

Furthermore, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) may comprise at least one sixth flap covering a relative portion of the peripheral edge portion of the lower face. The sixth fin may be parallel to the fifth fin. The fifth flap may be hinged to the first cover portion (15) and the sixth flap may be hinged to the second cover portion.

The package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) may comprise a seventh flap covering a relative portion of the peripheral edge portion of the lower face. Furthermore, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) may comprise an eighth flap covering a corresponding portion of the peripheral edge portion of the lower surface. The seventh tab and the eighth tab may be parallel to each other.

Furthermore, the seventh flap may be hinged to the third cover portion (16) and the eighth flap may be hinged to the fourth cover portion.

With reference to figures 1 to 9, said at least one tile (2) is parallelepiped and the packaging (1) of said at least one tile (2) covers the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) by means of a first flap (3), a second flap (4), a third flap (8) and a fourth flap (9), the peripheral edge portion of the lower surface of the tile (2) is covered by a fifth flap, a sixth flap, a seventh flap and an eighth flap, covering the first side face by a first covering portion, the second side face by a second covering portion, the third side face by a third covering portion, the fourth side face by a fourth covering portion, and covering a portion of the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) by means of a first protective element (5) and/or a second protective element (10).

With reference to fig.1 and 4, a package (1) of at least one tile (2) is realised using one blank, a first covering portion and first fixing means. With reference to fig. 7, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) comprises, in addition to said one blank, the first covering portion and the first fixing means, a second covering portion and second fixing means.

With reference to figures 2 and 5, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) is realised using a pair of blanks, a first covering portion and first fixing means. With reference to fig. 8, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) comprises, in addition to said pair of blanks, a first covering portion and first fixing means, a second covering portion and second fixing means.

With reference to fig.3 and 6, a package (1) of at least one tile (2) is realised using four blanks, a first covering portion and first fixing means. With reference to fig. 9, the package (1) of at least one tile (2) comprises, in addition to said four blanks, a first covering portion and first fixing means, a second covering portion and second fixing means.

In the following, a method of packaging at least one tile (2) is described, which is the object of the present invention. The method comprises the following steps: covering a relevant portion of the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) with a first flap (3) and a second flap (4); arranging a first protection element (5), the first protection element (5) being intended to protect a central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of said at least one tile (2), and the first protection element (5) being strip-shaped so as to connect the first flap (3) and the second flap (4), and the first protection element (5) facing the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) so as to divide the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) into a first zone (21) and a second zone (22); -fixing the first protection element (5) to the first flap (3) and the second flap (4).

The step of covering the relative portion of the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) with the first flap (3) and the second flap (4) is preferably carried out after the following steps: the first protection element (5) is arranged so that the first protection element (5) connects the first tab (3) and the second tab (4) and faces the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2). In particular, in this case, the first protection element (5) is arranged in contact with the upper surface (20) of the tile (2).

The step of fixing the first protective element (5) to the first flap (3) and the second flap (4) preferably comprises the step of applying glue.

The step of connecting the first flap (3) and the second flap (4) by means of the first protective element (5) may comprise the steps of: -overlapping a first end (5a) of the first protective element (5) and the first flap (3) with each other, defining a first overlapping area (6), and-overlapping a second end (5b) of the first protective element (5) and the second flap (4) with each other, defining a second overlapping area (7). Furthermore, the step of fixing the first protection element (5) to the first tab (3) and to the second tab (4) is carried out by fixing them at the first overlapping area (6) and at the second overlapping area (7), i.e. by pre-setting glue.

The method may further comprise the steps of: covering the relevant portion of the peripheral edge portion of the lower surface of the tile (2) with a third flap (8) and a fourth flap (9); arranging a second protection element (10) connecting the third tab (8) and the fourth tab (9) so as to face a central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) and to overlap the first protection element (5) so as to divide each of the first zone (21) and the second zone (22) into two zones; -fixing the second protective element (10) to the third flap (8) and to the fourth flap (9).

The step of fixing the second protective element (10) to the third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9) preferably comprises a step of applying glue.

The step of connecting the third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9) by means of the second protective element (10) may comprise the steps of: -overlapping the first end (10a) of the second protective element (10) with the third flap (8) so as to define a third overlapping area (11), and-overlapping the second end (10b) of the second protective element (10) with the fourth flap (9) so as to define a fourth overlapping area (12). Furthermore, the step of fixing the second protective element (10) to the third flap (8) and the fourth flap (9) is carried out by fixing them at the third overlapping area (11) and the fourth overlapping area (12), i.e. by pre-setting glue.

Claims

1. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2), comprising at least one ceramic tile (2), said ceramic tile (2) comprising an upper surface (20), said upper surface (20) having a peripheral edge portion and a central portion (20a) located inside said peripheral edge portion, wherein said package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) comprises a first tab (3) and a second tab (4), said first tab (3) and said second tab (4) covering relative portions of the peripheral edge portion of the upper surface (20) of said ceramic tile (2);

the packaging (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) is characterized in that it comprises:

a first protection element (5), said first protection element (5) being intended to protect a central portion (20) of an upper surface (20) of said at least one tile (2), and said first protection element (5) being strip-shaped, connecting said first tab (3) and said second tab (4) to each other, and being arranged facing a central portion (20a) of an upper surface (20) of said tile (2), so as to divide said central portion (20a) of an upper surface (20) of said tile (2) into a first area (21) and a second area (22);

-first fixing means to fix the first protection element (5) to the first flap (3) and to the second flap (4);

wherein the first protection element (5) comprises a first end (5a) and a second end (5 b):

wherein the first end (5a) of the first protection element (5) and the first flap (3) overlap each other, defining a first overlapping area (6);

wherein the second end (5b) of the first protection element (5) overlaps the second flap (4) to define a second overlapping area (7);

wherein the first fixing means are arranged at the first overlap area (6) and the second overlap area (7).

2. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 1, wherein said first protection element (5) has a width of at least 20 mm.

3. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 2, wherein said first protection element (5) has a width comprised between 40mm and 60 mm.

4. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, wherein said first protective element (5) has a thickness of at least 1.5 mm.

5. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 4, wherein said first protection element (5) is made of cardboard for packaging.

6. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 5, wherein said first tab (3) and said second tab (4) are arranged parallel to each other.

7. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 4, wherein said first tab (3) and said second tab (4) are arranged parallel to each other.

8. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7, wherein said first protection element (5) is arranged transversally with respect to said first tab (3) and said second tab (4).

9. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 4, wherein said first protection element (5) is arranged transversally with respect to said first tab (3) and said second tab (4).

10. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2), according to claim 6, wherein said first protection element (5) is arranged transversally with respect to said first tab (3) and said second tab (4).

11. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 1, wherein said first protection element (5) is made of a yielding material.

12. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 1, comprising:

-a third flap (8) and a fourth flap (9), said third flap (8) and said fourth flap (9) covering relative portions of peripheral edge portions of an upper surface (20) of said tile (2);

-a second protection element (10), said second protection element (10) being intended to protect a central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of said at least one tile (2), and said second protection element (10) being strip-shaped, connecting said third tab (8) and said fourth tab (9) to each other, and being arranged facing the central portion (20a) of the upper surface (20) of said tile (2) and overlapping each other with said first protection element (5) so as to divide each of said first area (21) and said second area (22) into two areas;

-second fixing means to fix said second protection element (10) to said third flap (8) and to said fourth flap (9).

13. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 12, wherein said second protective element (10) comprises a first end (10a) and a second end (10b), and wherein:

-the first end (10a) of the second protective element (10) and the third flap (8) overlap each other, so as to define a third overlapping area (11);

-a second end (10b) of said second protection element (10) overlaps said fourth flap (9) so as to define a fourth overlapping area (12);

the second fixing means are arranged at the third overlap area (11) and the fourth overlap area (12).

14. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said second protective element (10) is made of a yielding material.

15. A package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 1 or 12 or 13, wherein said at least one ceramic tile (2) comprises a lower surface opposite to said upper surface (20) and having a peripheral edge portion and a central portion located inside the peripheral edge portion;

the package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) comprises a fifth flap covering at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion of the lower surface, so as to leave the central portion of the lower surface uncovered.

16. A method of packaging at least one tile (2), said tile (2) comprising an upper surface (20), said upper surface (20) having a peripheral edge portion and a central portion (20a) located inside said peripheral edge portion, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

covering a relevant portion of a peripheral edge portion of the upper surface (20) of the tile (2) with a first flap (3) and a second flap (4);

-overlapping a first end (5a) of a first protection element (5) and said first tab (3) in a package (1) of at least one ceramic tile (2) according to claim 1, defining a first overlapping area (6);

overlapping a second end (5b) of the first protection element (5) with the second flap (4) to define a second overlapping area (7);

arranging first fixing means at the first overlap area (6) and the second overlap area (7).