EP4021822B1 - Heat-shrinkable packaging - Google Patents

Heat-shrinkable packaging Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4021822B1
EP4021822B1 EP20761243.3A EP20761243A EP4021822B1 EP 4021822 B1 EP4021822 B1 EP 4021822B1 EP 20761243 A EP20761243 A EP 20761243A EP 4021822 B1 EP4021822 B1 EP 4021822B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
packaging
containers
film
reinforcement strip
shrink
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP20761243.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4021822A1 (en
EP4021822C0 (en
Inventor
Frédéric Henry Schloesser
Mireille Paula Fluzin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Diopass Sprl
Original Assignee
Diopass Sprl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Diopass Sprl filed Critical Diopass Sprl
Publication of EP4021822A1 publication Critical patent/EP4021822A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4021822C0 publication Critical patent/EP4021822C0/en
Publication of EP4021822B1 publication Critical patent/EP4021822B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/14—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for incorporating, or forming and incorporating, handles or suspension means in packages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/54—Cards, coupons, or other inserts or accessories
    • B65D75/56—Handles or other suspension means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B21/00—Packaging or unpacking of bottles
    • B65B21/24—Enclosing bottles in wrappers
    • B65B21/245—Enclosing bottles in wrappers in flexible wrappers, e.g. foils
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
    • B65B41/12—Feeding webs from rolls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
    • B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
    • B65B53/06—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat supplied by gases, e.g. hot-air jets
    • B65B53/063—Tunnels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/04—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages
    • B65B61/06—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for severing webs, or for separating joined packages by cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
    • B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
    • B65D71/08—Wrappers shrunk by heat or under tension, e.g. stretch films or films tensioned by compressed articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of packaging and more particularly to shrink packaging intended to coat a series of containers.
  • the present invention further relates to a method for packaging containers with packaging.
  • the present invention further relates to a shrink wrap blank.
  • Shrink packaging is a product well known to manufacturers and consumers.
  • Shrink wrap film is very versatile in view of the type of items to be packaged or in view of the different sizes of items.
  • shrink packaging is used whether for food packaging, containers or any other item that can be packaged.
  • shrink wraps can wrap any type of items of any size, both large and small.
  • shrink packaging A large number of qualities are also known from shrink packaging. They are waterproof to protect the packed items from rain, humidity, condensation or dust. They are aesthetic, printed or not, with perfect transparency or with different degrees of opacity, in order to make the packaging attractive to consumers. Finally, they must have a resistance in order to withstand various mechanical stresses, to prevent them from tearing during transport, during storage in supermarkets or even during movement by consumers.
  • the most conventional shrink wraps for containers include an additional central handle for moving the wrap that holds the containers.
  • This type of handle generally consists of a first part in transparent or printed plastic used for gripping and reinforcement parts intended to be fixed to the packaging.
  • said packaging having a reinforcing strip arranged transversely to the parallel rows of containers.
  • the shrink packaging according to this document comprises a reinforcing strip, which forms a handle, coating the containers.
  • the packaging and the reinforcement strip are brought into contact beforehand, one on top of the other, then an incision step will take place in order to create two slots on the packaging, on either side of the strip. . This allows the consumer to slide their fingers into the slots and grasp the handle formed by the film and the strip to move the package.
  • the creation of the slits occurs after the assembly of the film and the strip, and these are therefore likely to be incorrectly positioned, which results in poor balance of the packaging and difficult handling for transport.
  • the slits are made before heat shrinking the packaging film and are of sufficient width to allow the user's fingers to pass through. Consequently, they can be deformed during heat shrinkage and form a packaging that is difficult to handle for handlers or end consumers.
  • the packaging known according to this prior document presents a risk of tearing in the event of incorrect positioning of the various elements such as the reinforcing strip or the opening slots.
  • the packaging that can be weakened no longer guarantees the protection of the containers because its strength is considerably reduced.
  • this type of packaging is not designed so that the consumer can easily extract a container, both in a store than at home.
  • the user To extract a container from the shrink wrap according to this prior document, the user must force the tear of the wrapping film from the slot towards the outside of the wrap.
  • the packaging film must be very resistant, this operation is complicated and sometimes impossible, for example for the elderly. This then contributes to additional deformation of the packaging, which is all the more weakened, its strength is critically reduced and it remains very difficult to move without the containers falling or else the packaging completely breaking.
  • the mess is typically unattractive for the consumer who no longer has any attraction for the bottles of a packaging torn in a forced manner and who will prefer to tear a new packaging to extract the containers therefrom. It is therefore easily understandable that the next consumer will also prefer to tear up a new packaging because the previous ones are rendered unattractive, thus causing disorder on the shelves of supermarkets.
  • the present invention provides a shrink-wrapped packaging as indicated above, characterized in that it comprises at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging , are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and each of which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the packaging, gradually diverges from the reinforcing strip .
  • central zone is meant within the meaning of the present invention, the surface of the upper part corresponding to an overlap which is substantially parallel to the lower part corresponding to a bottom. In other words, the central zone is in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lower part corresponding to the bottom of the package.
  • the central zone of a packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the center of the upper part to the outer ends of the necks, necks, caps and other closures. containers.
  • peripheral zone is meant within the meaning of the present invention, the surface of the upper part, peripheral and substantially oblique with respect to said central zone.
  • the peripheral zone is located as a whole, in a plane secant to the plane of the central zone and to the plane of the lower part corresponding to a bottom.
  • the peripheral zone of the packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the outer end of the necks, necks, stoppers and other closures of the containers to the parts bodies of storytellers, for example the shoulder parts of bottle-shaped containers.
  • the packaging according to the present invention allows opening in two stages.
  • the storekeeper the handler
  • the two lines of perforation arranged on the peripheral zone are broken in order to allow the opening of the shrink-wrapping and the removal of the containers in a simple and facilitated manner, without requiring insurmountable physical effort.
  • a shrink-wrapped packaging comprising at least two perforation lines which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the packaging, progressively deviate from the reinforcement strip, thus allowing simplified and easy opening of the packaging and therefore easy removal of the containers avoiding forced, irregular and undesirable tears.
  • the shrink packaging according to the present invention therefore provides a packaging having the two functionalities sought, both by users, handlers, manufacturers and supermarkets when the first stage of storage and movement of the packaging and both by consumers when opening the packaging at home or elsewhere.
  • the at least two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone make it possible, when they break, to create a first opening serving for the passage of the fingers of the user to grasp the handle formed by the reinforcement strip and the packaging film according to the present invention.
  • the formation of the first opening from the two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone makes it possible to maintain the holding of the packaging even after their rupture, by making it possible to maintain a shape similar to that of origin and by limiting deformations and the risk of accidental tearing during movement.
  • said reinforcement strip comprises a tackifier by which it is fixed to an interior surface of said shrink wrap enclosing the series of containers.
  • the reinforcing strip provided with a sticking agent makes it possible to be opposed in a fixed and precise manner to the packaging by limiting the risks of undesirable displacements thereof.
  • the reinforcement strip by being attached to an inner surface of the package and encasing the containers makes it possible to increase the overall strength of the package in such a way that the overall strength is the sum of the strength of the strip and the strength of the packaging as such. This allows a better resistance of the packaging to tearing or breaking when moving it using the handle.
  • the adhesive reinforcing strip can also be attached to an outer surface of the packaging or that it can even be provided integrated into the body of the packaging film at the time of its manufacture.
  • said packaging and said reinforcing strip are of at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95% similar material.
  • packaging and the reinforcing strip according to the present invention being of a similar material, take into account the constraints of recycling, facilitate this and consequently avoid an additional step of sorting the materials.
  • said reinforcement strip according to the present invention has a width of between 1 cm and 7 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 7 cm, preferentially between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm, advantageously between 4cm and 6cm.
  • said at least two lines of perforation are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval having a predetermined length.
  • said at least two lines of perforation have perforations spaced from each other by at least one space having a predetermined length, and wherein said at least one unperforated interval is of a length at least 1.5 times greater than said space between perforations, preferably at least 2 times greater, and preferably at least 2.5 times greater than this space between perforations.
  • the two lines of perforation are more resistant to accidental opening.
  • the opening of the packaging according to the present invention is advantageously carried out in two stages as presented above.
  • the first step of opening the perforation lines located on the central area allows the creation of the handle for moving the package.
  • the presence of a non-perforated interval located preferably at the junction of the central zone and the peripheral zone makes it possible to create an abutment after this first opening step and which prevents the involuntary tearing of the perforations located on the peripheral zone.
  • the second step of opening the perforation lines located on the peripheral zone then allows, deliberately and easily, the opening of the packaging and the easy removal of the containers.
  • said at least two lines of perforations, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging may comprise at least a starter part, thus facilitating their breaking.
  • the two lines of perforations in the central zone are therefore arranged substantially parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip.
  • said containers are chosen from the group consisting of bottles, tins, jars, boxes for liquids, cartons, and cans.
  • Bottles can be glass, plastic, PET, HDPE, PVC, PP, PC, PLA.
  • Jars can be glass, plastic, metal.
  • the boxes for liquids can be cardboard boxes or even tetrapack ® .
  • a row of containers contains two, three or four containers.
  • the method according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a step of incising in said shrink film at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging, are arranged parallel to each other, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and each of which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the package, gradually deviates from the reinforcing strip.
  • the method according to the present invention makes it possible to provide a shrink-wrapped packaging to be opened in two stages, with the formation of a handle allowing movement in a simplified manner, and then the formation of one or more openings of the easy removal packaging from containers is facilitated, avoiding forced, irregular and undesirable tears.
  • the supply comprises an unwinding of the shrink film from a supply roll, and the positioning of the reinforcing strip takes place on the shrink film before said supply step, on a surface of the film which forms an interior surface of said packaging after wrapping.
  • the positioning of the reinforcing strip on the inner surface of the shrink film advantageously makes it possible to provide a shrink wrapper having a higher mechanical strength and to better withstand the stresses occurring during its gripping and its movement.
  • the method according to the invention further comprises at least one step of cutting the shrink film which takes place after said positioning of the reinforcing strip and before said feeding step.
  • said incision step takes place before said shrink film is brought onto the conveyor belt.
  • said incision step of the method according to the invention takes place before said unwinding of the shrink film from said supply roll.
  • the step of incising the two lines of incision takes place before the unwinding of the shrink film.
  • the step of positioning the reinforcement strip takes place after the unwinding of the shrink film and before the step of positioning the containers. This advantageously makes it possible to position the reinforcement strip perfectly with respect to the incision lines and therefore to have a balanced final shrink wrapper that is easily handled and moved.
  • said method according to the present invention further comprises at least one step of printing at least one pattern on said film before and/or after said feeding step.
  • said at least one printing step takes place before and/or after said step of incising said shrink film.
  • the present invention also relates to a shrink-wrapping blank intended to wrap a series of containers by wrapping, based on a shrink-wrap film of rectangular shape, having two short sides in width and two long sides in length.
  • the shrink packaging blank according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a reinforcing strip which extends between the two short sides halfway between the two long sides as well as, in the center of the blank, at least two rows of perforations which are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and which at each of their ends gradually diverge from the reinforcing strip.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a shrink wrapper 1 comprising 6 containers 2.
  • the shrink wrapper 1 comprises a lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom and located in a first plane.
  • the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprises an upper part 4 which is opposite the lower part 3, and which corresponds to a covering of the containers 2, which are arranged in rows parallel to each other.
  • the upper part 4 comprises a central zone 5 which is a surface substantially parallel to the lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom. Also, the central zone 5 is located in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane of the lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom.
  • the central zone 5 of a packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the center of the upper part 4 to the outer ends of the necks, necks, plugs and other closures of the containers 2.
  • the upper part 4 of a packaging according to the invention comprises a peripheral zone 6 which is a surface of the upper part 4, peripheral and substantially oblique with respect to the central zone 5. Also, the peripheral zone 6 as a whole is , in a third plane secant to the first and second planes respectively of the bottom part 3 and of the central zone 5.
  • the peripheral zone 6 of a packaging according to the invention is therefore a zone which extends from the outer end of the necks, necks, stoppers or other closures of the containers 2 to the body parts of the containers 2.
  • the peripheral zone 6 covers the shoulder parts of the containers 2 in the form of a bottle.
  • the shrink packaging 1 also comprises side parts 7 connecting the lower part 3 to the upper part 4.
  • the side parts 7 of the packaging 1 cover the body parts of the containers 2.
  • the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprises a reinforcing strip 8, arranged transversely to the parallel rows of the containers 2.
  • the reinforcing strip 8 comprises a sticky agent and is arranged to be fixed on an interior surface of the packaging 1 wrapping the containers 2.
  • the reinforcement strip 8 makes it possible to increase the overall resistance of the packaging 1 in such a way that the overall resistance is the sum of the resistance of the reinforcement strip 8 and of the resistance of packaging 1 as such. This allows a better resistance of the package 1 to tearing and breaking when moving using the handle.
  • the reinforcement strip 8 is provided with a tiny percentage of sticking agent, it is therefore considered that the reinforcement strip 8 and the packaging 1 are made of a similar material, this making it possible to take into account account recycling constraints and facilitate it by avoiding an additional step of sorting materials for recycling of the packaging 1 according to the invention.
  • the reinforcement strip 8 shown has a width of between 2 cm and 6 cm, this allowing better resistance of the packaging 1 when it is moved using the handle.
  • the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 shown comprises two lines of perforations 9a, 9b, shown with a solid line bracket, which, in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 are arranged parallel to each other. , on either side of the reinforcing strip 8.
  • the two lines of perforations 9a, 9b, in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 can comprise at least a starter part, thus facilitating the rupture perforation lines 9a and 9b they are therefore arranged substantially parallel to each other, on either side of the reinforcing strip 8.
  • the two perforation lines 9a and 9b located in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 make it possible, when they break, to create a first opening 13 serving for the passage of the fingers of the user (see figure 3 And 4 ).
  • This opening 13 also allows the user to grasp the handle formed by the reinforcing strip 8 and the packaging film.
  • the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 retains a similar shape and a similar rigidity to that of departure, thus limiting the risk of tears or undesirable deformations .
  • the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval 10, shown with a bracket in a solid line, having a predetermined length.
  • This non-perforated gap 10 facilitates opening in two separate stages with more resistance between the two stages to avoid accidental complete opening.
  • the first opening step 13 comprises the breaking of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b located on the area central 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, this making it possible to create the handle of the packaging 1 for its easy movement.
  • the second opening step 14 comprises the breaking of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b located on the peripheral zone 6 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, this allowing the opening of the packaging 1 and the facilitated removal of the containers 2.
  • the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b have a series of perforations 11 which are each spaced apart by a space 12 having a predetermined length.
  • the length of the non-perforated interval 10 is at least 1.5 times greater than the length of the space 12 between perforations 11.
  • the illustrated retractable packaging 1 after complete rupture of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b, and creation of said second opening 14 allowing the easy removal of the containers 2, retains a firmness and rigidity allowing it to be moved and avoiding total rupture or the tearing of the packaging 1.
  • FIG. 7 And 8 illustrate a device for implementing the process for packaging containers with shrink-wrapped packaging 1 according to the present invention.
  • the method illustrated comprises, in a common way, a supply of a shrink film 15 on at least one conveyor belt 16, in a determined direction of movement, and an arrangement of the containers 2 on the conveyor belt 16 provided with the shrink film 15, the containers 2 being arranged in rows parallel to each other and the rows being arranged perpendicular to the determined direction of movement of the film.
  • the supply step of the illustrated method comprises unwinding the shrink film 15 from a supply roll 22.
  • the method also comprises wrapping 17 of the containers 2 using the shrink film 15 forming a shrink film wrapping 15 around the containers 2 and heat shrinking 18 of the shrink film 15 containing the containers 2, in order to maintain them pressed against each other.
  • the method according to the invention illustrated further comprises a step of positioning a reinforcing strip 8 on the shrink film 15, parallel to the direction of movement in which the film is fed.
  • the step of positioning the reinforcing strip 8 takes place on the shrink film 15 before the feed step, on the surface of the film which will form the inner surface of the shrink film 15.
  • a step of incising at least two lines of perforation 9a, 9b takes place in the shrink film 15.
  • the perforations 11 are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip 8.
  • the lines of perforations 9a, 9b deviate each gradually from the reinforcement strip 8.
  • the incision step can be carried out by any type of machine allowing the formation of lines of perforations in a film, for example by the machine described in the European patent EP2954990 which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the incision step of the method takes place before the step of supplying the shrink film 15 and preferably before the unwinding of the shrink film from the feed roll 22, this is therefore formed from a wound perforated shrink film.
  • a step of cutting by a cutting element 19 is provided to cut the shrink film 15 unwound from the supply roll, so as to form a blank 21 of individual packaging (as illustrated figure 9 ) intended to form the shrink wrapper 1.
  • the packaging blank 21 illustrated also includes a mark 23, used as an indication for the cut by the cutting element 19 of the film unrolled in the wrapper blank 21.
  • the cutting step takes place after the positioning of the reinforcing strip 8 and before the feeding step.
  • the method according to the present invention comprises at least one step of printing at least one pattern on the film 15 before and/or after the unwinding of the shrink film 15.
  • the printing step in the method according to the invention takes place before and/or after the step of incising the shrink film.
  • the illustrated device comprises at least one support element 20, in order to direct the shrink film 15 unwound. It also comprises at least one cutting element 19 intended to cut the unwound shrink film 15, before the wrapping step 17, into blank 21 of individual packaging intended to form the shrink packaging 1.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)

Description

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine des emballages et plus particulièrement aux emballages rétractables prévus pour enrober une série de conteneurs.The present invention relates to the field of packaging and more particularly to shrink packaging intended to coat a series of containers.

La présente invention se rapporte en outre à un procédé conditionnement de conteneurs par un emballage.The present invention further relates to a method for packaging containers with packaging.

La présente invention se rapporte de plus à un flan d'emballage rétractable.The present invention further relates to a shrink wrap blank.

Les emballages rétractables sont des produits bien connus des industriels et des consommateurs. Le film de l'emballage rétractable est d'une très grande polyvalence au vu du type d'articles à emballer ou bien au vu des différentes tailles d'articles. En effet les emballages rétractables sont utilisés que ce soit pour l'emballage d'aliments, de conteneurs ou encore de tout autre article pouvant être emballé. En outre, les emballages rétractables peuvent emballer tout type d'articles de toute taille, aussi bien grands que petits.Shrink packaging is a product well known to manufacturers and consumers. Shrink wrap film is very versatile in view of the type of items to be packaged or in view of the different sizes of items. In fact, shrink packaging is used whether for food packaging, containers or any other item that can be packaged. Also, shrink wraps can wrap any type of items of any size, both large and small.

Un grand nombre de qualités sont également connues des emballages rétractables. Ils sont imperméables afin de protéger les articles emballés de la pluie, de l'humidité, de la condensation ou encore des poussières. Ils sont esthétiques, imprimés ou non, d'une transparence parfaite ou avec différents degrés d'opacité, afin de rendre l'emballage attrayant pour les consommateurs. Enfin, ils doivent présenter une résistance afin de supporter diverses contraintes mécaniques, pour éviter qu'ils ne se déchirent lors du transport, lors du stockage dans les grandes surfaces ou encore lors du déplacement par les consommateurs.A large number of qualities are also known from shrink packaging. They are waterproof to protect the packed items from rain, humidity, condensation or dust. They are aesthetic, printed or not, with perfect transparency or with different degrees of opacity, in order to make the packaging attractive to consumers. Finally, they must have a resistance in order to withstand various mechanical stresses, to prevent them from tearing during transport, during storage in supermarkets or even during movement by consumers.

Souvent, les emballages rétractables pour conteneurs les plus conventionnels, comprennent une poignée centrale additionnelle servant à déplacer l'emballage qui contient les conteneurs. Ce genre de poignée se compose généralement d'une première partie en plastique transparent ou imprimé servant à la préhension et de parties de renforts destinées à être fixées à l'emballage.Often, the most conventional shrink wraps for containers include an additional central handle for moving the wrap that holds the containers. This type of handle generally consists of a first part in transparent or printed plastic used for gripping and reinforcement parts intended to be fixed to the packaging.

La présence d'une telle poignée est problématique puisqu'elle est généralement faite d'un renfort en papier, en carton souple ou encore en mousse par exemple synthétique, qui est différent du matériau du film d'emballage, ce qui doit entraîner un tri des matériaux, contradictoire avec la perspective d'optimiser le recyclage. De plus, une telle poignée nécessite une machine de pose intégrée dans la ligne de production des emballages rétractables qui est conséquente et coûteuse. Enfin, la poignée additionnelle a un coût par unité non négligeable.The presence of such a handle is problematic since it is generally made of a reinforcement of paper, flexible cardboard or even foam, for example synthetic, which is different from the material of the packaging film, which must lead to sorting materials, contradictory with the prospect of optimizing recycling. In addition, such a handle requires a laying machine integrated into the shrink packaging production line, which is substantial and costly. Finally, the additional handle has a significant cost per unit.

Actuellement, il existe un emballage qui résout partiellement les inconvénients cités ci-dessus. Cet emballage est connu du document WO2009/038679 .Currently, there is a packaging that partially solves the drawbacks mentioned above. This packaging is known from the document WO2009/038679 .

Ce document divulgue un emballage rétractable prévu pour enrober une série de conteneurs, comprenant :

  • une partie inférieure correspondant à un fond,
  • une partie supérieure, opposée à ladite partie inférieure et correspondant à un recouvrement desdits conteneurs qui sont agencés en rangées parallèles les unes par rapport aux autres, ladite partie supérieure comprenant une zone centrale et une zone périphérique,
  • des parties latérales reliant la partie inférieure à la partie supérieure,
This document discloses a shrink wrap intended to wrap a series of containers, comprising:
  • a lower part corresponding to a bottom,
  • an upper part, opposite to said lower part and corresponding to an overlap of said containers which are arranged in rows parallel to each other, said upper part comprising a central zone and a peripheral zone,
  • side parts connecting the lower part to the upper part,

ledit emballage présentant une bande de renforcement disposée transversalement aux rangées parallèles de conteneurs.said packaging having a reinforcing strip arranged transversely to the parallel rows of containers.

En effet, l'emballage rétractable selon ce document comprend une bande de renforcement, qui forme une poignée, enrobant les conteneurs. L'emballage et la bande de renforcement sont préalablement mis en contact, l'un sur l'autre, puis une étape d'incision va avoir lieu afin de créer deux fentes sur l'emballage, de part et d'autre de la bande. Cela permet au consommateur de glisser les doigts dans les fentes et de se saisir de la poignée formée par le film et la bande pour déplacer l'emballage.Indeed, the shrink packaging according to this document comprises a reinforcing strip, which forms a handle, coating the containers. The packaging and the reinforcement strip are brought into contact beforehand, one on top of the other, then an incision step will take place in order to create two slots on the packaging, on either side of the strip. . This allows the consumer to slide their fingers into the slots and grasp the handle formed by the film and the strip to move the package.

Malheureusement, ce type d'emballage rend la manipulation difficile. En effet la création des fentes intervient après l'assemblage du film et de la bande, et celles-ci sont donc susceptibles d'être mal positionnées ce qui entraîne un mauvais équilibre de l'emballage et une manipulation pour le transport difficile. Les fentes sont réalisées avant la rétractation à la chaleur du film d'emballage et sont d'une largeur suffisante pour laisser passer les doigts de l'utilisateur. Par conséquent, elles peuvent être déformées lors de la rétractation à la chaleur et former un emballage difficilement manipulable pour les manutentionnaires ou les consommateurs finaux.Unfortunately, this type of packaging makes handling difficult. In fact, the creation of the slits occurs after the assembly of the film and the strip, and these are therefore likely to be incorrectly positioned, which results in poor balance of the packaging and difficult handling for transport. The slits are made before heat shrinking the packaging film and are of sufficient width to allow the user's fingers to pass through. Consequently, they can be deformed during heat shrinkage and form a packaging that is difficult to handle for handlers or end consumers.

En outre, dans un magasin, il est souvent nécessaire de déplacer rapidement les emballages sans risquer un déchirement indésirable. L'emballage connu selon ce document antérieur, présente un risque de déchirure en cas de mauvais positionnement des différents éléments tels que la bande de renforcement ou les fentes d'ouverture. L'emballage pouvant être fragilisé ne permet plus de garantir la protection des conteneurs car sa tenue est considérablement réduite.In addition, in a store it is often necessary to move packages quickly without risking unwanted tearing. The packaging known according to this prior document presents a risk of tearing in the event of incorrect positioning of the various elements such as the reinforcing strip or the opening slots. The packaging that can be weakened no longer guarantees the protection of the containers because its strength is considerably reduced.

De plus, ce type d'emballage n'est pas prévu pour que le consommateur puisse extraire facilement un conteneur, aussi bien dans un magasin qu'à son domicile. Pour extraire un conteneur de l'emballage rétractable selon ce document antérieur, l'utilisateur doit forcer la déchirure du film d'emballage depuis la fente vers l'extérieur de l'emballage. Comme le film d'emballage doit être très résistant, cette opération est compliquée et parfois impossible par exemple pour des personnes âgées. Ce qui contribue alors à une déformation supplémentaire de l'emballage, qui est d'autant plus fragilisé, sa tenue est réduite de manière critique et il reste très difficilement déplaçable sans chute des conteneurs ou bien rupture complète de l'emballage.In addition, this type of packaging is not designed so that the consumer can easily extract a container, both in a store than at home. To extract a container from the shrink wrap according to this prior document, the user must force the tear of the wrapping film from the slot towards the outside of the wrap. As the packaging film must be very resistant, this operation is complicated and sometimes impossible, for example for the elderly. This then contributes to additional deformation of the packaging, which is all the more weakened, its strength is critically reduced and it remains very difficult to move without the containers falling or else the packaging completely breaking.

Le désordre est typiquement non attractif pour le consommateur qui n'a plus d'attrait pour les bouteilles d'un emballage déchiré de manière forcée et qui préfèrera déchirer un nouvel emballage pour en extraire les conteneurs. Il est alors aisément compréhensible que le consommateur suivant préférera également déchirer un nouvel emballage car les précédents sont rendus non attrayants, entraînant ainsi désordre dans les rayons des grandes surfaces.The mess is typically unattractive for the consumer who no longer has any attraction for the bottles of a packaging torn in a forced manner and who will prefer to tear a new packaging to extract the containers therefrom. It is therefore easily understandable that the next consumer will also prefer to tear up a new packaging because the previous ones are rendered unattractive, thus causing disorder on the shelves of supermarkets.

Aussi, lors de déchirures forcées de l'emballage, des morceaux de film d'emballage déchirés sont répandus sur les autres emballages ou sur le sol. Cela forme une palette d'emballages peu attrayantes pour le consommateur. Cet effet est bien connu des grandes surfaces qui doivent compter sur le travail des manutentionnaires pour ranger les rayons, ramasser les résidus d'emballages déchirés ou encore ramasser les emballages s'étant déchirés complètement.Also, during forced tearing of the packaging, pieces of torn packaging film are spread on the other packaging or on the floor. This forms a palette of unattractive packaging for the consumer. This effect is well known to supermarkets, which must rely on the work of handlers to arrange the shelves, collect the residues of torn packaging or even collect packaging that has been completely torn.

Il existe donc un réel besoin de fournir aux industriels, aux grandes surfaces, aux manutentionnaires et aux consommateurs, un emballage rétractable permettant son déplacement de manière simplifiée, et dont l'ouverture de l'emballage et le retrait des conteneurs sont facilités, évitant ainsi les déchirures forcées, irrégulières et indésirables.There is therefore a real need to provide manufacturers, supermarkets, handlers and consumers with shrink packaging allowing it to be moved in a simplified manner, and in which opening the packaging and removing the containers are facilitated, thus avoiding forced, irregular and unwanted tears.

Pour résoudre ces problèmes, il est prévu par la présente invention, un emballage rétractable tel qu'indiqué ci-dessus caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins deux lignes de perforation qui, dans la zone centrale de la partie supérieure de l'emballage, sont disposées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement, et qui chacune, dans la zone périphérique de la partie supérieure de l'emballage, s'écartent progressivement de la bande de renforcement.To solve these problems, the present invention provides a shrink-wrapped packaging as indicated above, characterized in that it comprises at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging , are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and each of which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the packaging, gradually diverges from the reinforcing strip .

Par les termes « zone centrale », on entend au sens de la présente invention, la surface de la partie supérieure correspondant à un recouvrement qui est sensiblement parallèle à la partie inférieure correspondant à un fond. Autrement dit, la zone centrale se trouve dans un plan sensiblement parallèle au plan de la partie inférieure correspondant au fond de l'emballage.By the terms “central zone”, is meant within the meaning of the present invention, the surface of the upper part corresponding to an overlap which is substantially parallel to the lower part corresponding to a bottom. In other words, the central zone is in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lower part corresponding to the bottom of the package.

Par exemple, dans le cas de conteneurs de type bouteilles, la zone centrale d'un emballage suivant l'invention est une zone qui s'étend du centre de la partie supérieure jusqu'aux extrémités extérieures des goulots, cols, bouchons et autres fermetures des conteneurs.For example, in the case of bottle-type containers, the central zone of a packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the center of the upper part to the outer ends of the necks, necks, caps and other closures. containers.

Par les termes « zone périphérique », on entend au sens de la présente invention, la surface de la partie supérieure, périphérique et sensiblement oblique par rapport à ladite zone centrale. Autrement dit, la zone périphérique se trouve dans son ensemble, dans un plan sécant au plan de la zone centrale et au plan de la partie inférieure correspondant à un fond.By the terms “peripheral zone”, is meant within the meaning of the present invention, the surface of the upper part, peripheral and substantially oblique with respect to said central zone. In other words, the peripheral zone is located as a whole, in a plane secant to the plane of the central zone and to the plane of the lower part corresponding to a bottom.

Par exemple, dans le cas de conteneurs de type bouteille, la zone périphérique de l'emballage suivant l'invention est une zone qui s'étend de l'extrémité extérieure des goulots, cols, bouchons et autres fermetures des conteneurs jusqu'aux parties de corps des conteurs, par exemple les parties d'épaulement des conteneurs en forme de bouteille.For example, in the case of bottle-type containers, the peripheral zone of the packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the outer end of the necks, necks, stoppers and other closures of the containers to the parts bodies of storytellers, for example the shoulder parts of bottle-shaped containers.

L'emballage selon la présente invention permet une ouverture en deux étapes.The packaging according to the present invention allows opening in two stages.

Lors d'une première étape l'utilisateur, le magasinier, le manutentionnaire, peut rompre les deux lignes de perforation disposées sur la zone centrale en enfonçant les doigts d'une main de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement ce qui crée ladite poignée, permettant ainsi le déplacement facilité de l'emballage.During a first step the user, the storekeeper, the handler, can break the two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone by pushing the fingers of one hand on either side of the reinforcement strip which creates said handle, thus allowing easy movement of the package.

Il est ainsi apparu selon la présente invention, et ce de manière particulièrement avantageuse, que procurer un emballage rétractable comprenant au moins deux lignes de perforation qui, dans la zone centrale de la partie supérieure de l'emballage sont disposées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement, permet un déplacement simplifié de l'emballage.It has thus appeared according to the present invention, and this in a particularly advantageous manner, that providing a shrink-wrapped packaging comprising at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging, are arranged parallel to one another 'other, on either side of the reinforcement strip, allows a simplified movement of the package.

Lors d'une deuxième étape, les deux lignes de perforation disposées sur la zone périphérique sont rompues afin de permettre l'ouverture de l'emballage rétractable et le retrait des conteneurs de manière simple et facilitée, sans demander d'efforts physiques insurmontables.During a second step, the two lines of perforation arranged on the peripheral zone are broken in order to allow the opening of the shrink-wrapping and the removal of the containers in a simple and facilitated manner, without requiring insurmountable physical effort.

Procurer un emballage rétractable selon l'invention comprenant au moins deux lignes de perforation qui, dans la zone périphérique de la partie supérieure de l'emballage, s'écartent progressivement de la bande de renforcement permet ainsi une ouverture simplifiée et aisée de l'emballage et par conséquent un retrait des conteneurs facilité en évitant des déchirures forcées, irrégulières et indésirables.Providing a shrink-wrapped packaging according to the invention comprising at least two perforation lines which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the packaging, progressively deviate from the reinforcement strip, thus allowing simplified and easy opening of the packaging and therefore easy removal of the containers avoiding forced, irregular and undesirable tears.

L'emballage rétractable selon la présente invention procure donc un emballage ayant les deux fonctionnalités recherchées, à la fois par les utilisateurs, manutentionnaires, industriels et grandes surfaces lors de la première étape de stockage et du déplacement de l'emballage et à la fois par les consommateurs lors de l'ouverture de l'emballage à leur domicile ou autre part.The shrink packaging according to the present invention therefore provides a packaging having the two functionalities sought, both by users, handlers, manufacturers and supermarkets when the first stage of storage and movement of the packaging and both by consumers when opening the packaging at home or elsewhere.

En effet, les au moins deux lignes de perforation disposées sur la zone centrale, permettent, lors de leur rupture, de créer une première ouverture servant au passage des doigts de l'utilisateur pour se saisir de la poignée formée par la bande de renforcement et le film d'emballage selon la présente invention.Indeed, the at least two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone, make it possible, when they break, to create a first opening serving for the passage of the fingers of the user to grasp the handle formed by the reinforcement strip and the packaging film according to the present invention.

De plus, la formation de la première ouverture à partir des deux lignes de perforation disposées sur la zone centrale permet de conserver la tenue de l'emballage même après leur rupture, en permettant de conserver une forme semblable à celle d'origine et en limitant les déformations et le risque de déchirures accidentelles lors du déplacement.In addition, the formation of the first opening from the two lines of perforation arranged on the central zone makes it possible to maintain the holding of the packaging even after their rupture, by making it possible to maintain a shape similar to that of origin and by limiting deformations and the risk of accidental tearing during movement.

La présence des deux lignes de perforation qui, dans la zone périphérique de la partie supérieure de l'emballage, s'écartent progressivement de la bande de renforcement permet de fournir un emballage selon la présente invention avec une deuxième ouverture guidée et facilitée pour le retrait des conteneurs. En effet, lors de leur rupture, l'utilisateur peut facilement, de manière guidée et précise ouvrir l'emballage rétractable afin d'en retirer les conteneurs, et ce, sans déchirures forcées ou irrégulières et ainsi en évitant la formation de résidus d'emballages indésirables susceptibles de joncher le sol et sans nécessiter des efforts considérables pour parvenir à accéder aux conteneurs.The presence of the two lines of perforation which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the package, progressively deviate from the reinforcement strip, makes it possible to provide a package according to the present invention with a second opening guided and facilitated for removal. containers. Indeed, when they break, the user can easily, in a guided and precise manner, open the shrink packaging in order to remove the containers, and this, without forced or irregular tears and thus avoiding the formation of residues of unwanted packaging that can litter the floor and without requiring considerable effort to gain access to the containers.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré selon la présente invention, ladite bande de renforcement comprend un agent collant par lequel elle est fixée sur une surface intérieure dudit emballage rétractable enrobant la série de conteneurs.In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, said reinforcement strip comprises a tackifier by which it is fixed to an interior surface of said shrink wrap enclosing the series of containers.

En effet, la bande de renforcement pourvue d'un agent collant permet d'être opposée de manière fixe et précise à l'emballage en limitant les risques de déplacements indésirables de celle-ci.Indeed, the reinforcing strip provided with a sticking agent makes it possible to be opposed in a fixed and precise manner to the packaging by limiting the risks of undesirable displacements thereof.

En outre, la bande de renforcement en étant fixée sur une surface intérieure de l'emballage et en enrobant les conteneurs permet d'accroître la résistance globale de l'emballage de telle manière que la résistance globale est la somme de la résistance de la bande et de la résistance de l'emballage en tant que tel. Cela permet une meilleure résistance de l'emballage à la déchirure ou à la rupture lors du déplacement de celui-ci à l'aide de la poignée.Further, the reinforcement strip by being attached to an inner surface of the package and encasing the containers makes it possible to increase the overall strength of the package in such a way that the overall strength is the sum of the strength of the strip and the strength of the packaging as such. This allows a better resistance of the packaging to tearing or breaking when moving it using the handle.

Il est bien entendu que la bande de renforcement adhésive peut aussi être fixée sur une surface extérieure de l'emballage ou qu'elle peut même être prévue intégrée dans le corps du film d'emballage au moment de sa fabrication.It is understood that the adhesive reinforcing strip can also be attached to an outer surface of the packaging or that it can even be provided integrated into the body of the packaging film at the time of its manufacture.

Dans une variante selon la présente invention, ledit emballage et ladite bande de renforcement sont d'un matériau similaire à au moins 80%, de préférence au moins 85%, préférentiellement au moins 90%, de manière préférée au moins 95%.In a variant according to the present invention, said packaging and said reinforcing strip are of at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95% similar material.

En effet l'emballage et la bande de renforcement selon la présente invention, en étant d'un matériau similaire, prennent en compte les contraintes de recyclage, facilitent celui-ci et évitent par conséquent une étape supplémentaire de tri des matériaux.Indeed, the packaging and the reinforcing strip according to the present invention, being of a similar material, take into account the constraints of recycling, facilitate this and consequently avoid an additional step of sorting the materials.

Avantageusement, ladite bande de renforcement selon la présente invention possède une largeur comprise entre 1 cm et 7 cm, de préférence entre 2 cm et 7 cm, préférentiellement entre 2 cm et 6 cm, de manière préférée entre 3 cm et 6 cm, avantageusement entre 4 cm et 6 cm.Advantageously, said reinforcement strip according to the present invention has a width of between 1 cm and 7 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 7 cm, preferentially between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 6 cm, advantageously between 4cm and 6cm.

Avantageusement selon la présente invention, lesdites au moins deux lignes de perforation sont chacune interrompues par au moins un intervalle non perforé présentant une longueur prédéterminée.Advantageously according to the present invention, said at least two lines of perforation are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval having a predetermined length.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré selon la présente invention, lesdites au moins deux lignes de perforation présentent des perforations espacées l'une de l'autre d'au moins un espace présentant une longueur prédéterminée, et dans lequel ledit au moins un intervalle non perforé est d'une longueur au moins 1,5 fois supérieure audit espace entre perforations, de préférence au moins 2 fois supérieure, et préférentiellement au moins 2,5 fois supérieure à cet espace entre perforations.In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, said at least two lines of perforation have perforations spaced from each other by at least one space having a predetermined length, and wherein said at least one unperforated interval is of a length at least 1.5 times greater than said space between perforations, preferably at least 2 times greater, and preferably at least 2.5 times greater than this space between perforations.

En étant interrompues par au moins un intervalle non perforé, les deux lignes de perforation sont davantage résistantes à une ouverture accidentelle. En effet, l'ouverture de l'emballage selon la présente invention est avantageusement réalisée en deux étapes comme présenté précédemment. La première étape d'ouverture des lignes de perforation situées sur la zone centrale permet la création de la poignée de déplacement de l'emballage. La présence d'un intervalle non perforé localisé de préférence à la jonction de la zone centrale et de la zone périphérique, permet de créer une butée après cette première étape d'ouverture et qui empêche la déchirure involontaire des perforations situées sur la zone périphérique. La deuxième étape d'ouverture des lignes de perforation situées sur la zone périphérique permet ensuite, de manière volontaire et aisée, l'ouverture de l'emballage et le retrait facilité des conteneurs.By being interrupted by at least one unperforated gap, the two lines of perforation are more resistant to accidental opening. Indeed, the opening of the packaging according to the present invention is advantageously carried out in two stages as presented above. The first step of opening the perforation lines located on the central area allows the creation of the handle for moving the package. The presence of a non-perforated interval located preferably at the junction of the central zone and the peripheral zone, makes it possible to create an abutment after this first opening step and which prevents the involuntary tearing of the perforations located on the peripheral zone. The second step of opening the perforation lines located on the peripheral zone then allows, deliberately and easily, the opening of the packaging and the easy removal of the containers.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation de la présente invention, lesdites au moins deux lignes de perforations, dans la zone centrale de la partie supérieure de l'emballage peuvent comprendre au moins une partie d'amorce, facilitant ainsi leur rupture. Les deux lignes de perforations, dans la zone centrale sont donc disposées sensiblement parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement.In another embodiment of the present invention, said at least two lines of perforations, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging, may comprise at least a starter part, thus facilitating their breaking. The two lines of perforations in the central zone are therefore arranged substantially parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip.

Dans une variante selon la présente invention, lesdits conteneurs sont choisis dans le groupe constitués des bouteilles, boîtes de conserves, bocaux, boîtes pour liquides, berlingots, et cannettes. Les bouteilles peuvent être en verre, en plastique, en PET, PEHD, PVC, PP, PC, PLA. Les bocaux peuvent être en verre, en plastique, en métal. Les boîtes pour liquides peuvent être des boîtes en carton ou encore tétrapack®.In a variant according to the present invention, said containers are chosen from the group consisting of bottles, tins, jars, boxes for liquids, cartons, and cans. Bottles can be glass, plastic, PET, HDPE, PVC, PP, PC, PLA. Jars can be glass, plastic, metal. The boxes for liquids can be cardboard boxes or even tetrapack ® .

Avantageusement, selon la présente invention, une rangée de conteneurs contient deux, trois ou quatre conteneurs.Advantageously, according to the present invention, a row of containers contains two, three or four containers.

D'autres formes de réalisation de l'emballage rétractable selon la présente invention sont indiquées dans les revendications annexées.Other embodiments of the shrink wrap according to the present invention are indicated in the appended claims.

La présente invention se rapporte aussi à un procédé de conditionnement de conteneurs par un emballage suivant la présente invention, comprenant les étapes d' :

  • une amenée d'un film rétractable sur au moins une bande transporteuse, suivant une direction de déplacement déterminée,
  • un agencement desdits conteneurs sur ladite au moins une bande transporteuse munie dudit film rétractable, lesdits conteneurs étant disposés en rangées parallèles les unes par rapport aux autres, lesdites rangées étant agencées perpendiculairement à ladite direction de déplacement du film,
  • un fardelage desdits conteneurs à l'aide dudit film rétractable formant un emballage de film rétractable autour desdits conteneurs, et
  • une rétractation à la chaleur dudit film rétractable contenant lesdits conteneurs, en vue de maintenir lesdits conteneurs, serrés les uns contre les autres,
  • un positionnement d'une bande de renforcement sur ledit film rétractable, parallèlement à ladite direction de déplacement d'amenée du film.
The present invention also relates to a process for packaging containers with a packaging according to the present invention, comprising the steps of:
  • a supply of a shrink film on at least one conveyor belt, in a determined direction of movement,
  • an arrangement of said containers on said at least one conveyor belt provided with said shrink film, said containers being arranged in rows parallel to each other, said rows being arranged perpendicular to said direction of movement of the film,
  • bundling said containers with said shrink wrap forming a shrink wrap around said containers, and
  • heat shrinking said shrink film containing said containers, with a view to keeping said containers tight against each other,
  • a positioning of a reinforcing strip on said shrink film, parallel to said direction of film feed movement.

Le procédé selon l'invention est caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre une étape d'incision dans ledit film rétractable d'au moins deux lignes de perforation qui, dans la zone centrale de la partie supérieure de l'emballage, sont disposées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement, et qui chacune, dans la zone périphérique de la partie supérieure de l'emballage, s'écartent progressivement de la bande de renforcement.The method according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a step of incising in said shrink film at least two lines of perforation which, in the central zone of the upper part of the packaging, are arranged parallel to each other, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and each of which, in the peripheral zone of the upper part of the package, gradually deviates from the reinforcing strip.

Il est apparu de manière particulièrement avantageuse que le procédé selon la présente invention permet de fournir un emballage rétractable à ouvrir en deux étapes, avec formation d'une poignée permettant un déplacement de manière simplifiée, et puis formation d'une ou plusieurs ouvertures de l'emballage permettant le retrait aisé des conteneurs est facilité, en évitant les déchirures forcées, irrégulières et indésirables.It has appeared in a particularly advantageous manner that the method according to the present invention makes it possible to provide a shrink-wrapped packaging to be opened in two stages, with the formation of a handle allowing movement in a simplified manner, and then the formation of one or more openings of the easy removal packaging from containers is facilitated, avoiding forced, irregular and undesirable tears.

Avantageusement, selon le procédé de la présente invention, l'amenée comprend un déroulement du film rétractable à partir d'un rouleau d'alimentation, et le positionnement de la bande de renforcement a lieu sur le film rétractable avant ladite étape d'amenée, sur une surface du film qui forme une surface intérieure dudit emballage après le fardelage.Advantageously, according to the method of the present invention, the supply comprises an unwinding of the shrink film from a supply roll, and the positioning of the reinforcing strip takes place on the shrink film before said supply step, on a surface of the film which forms an interior surface of said packaging after wrapping.

Le positionnement de la bande de renforcement sur la surface intérieure du film rétractable permet avantageusement de fournir un emballage rétractable ayant une résistance mécanique supérieure et de résister davantage aux contraintes survenant lors de sa préhension et de son déplacement.The positioning of the reinforcing strip on the inner surface of the shrink film advantageously makes it possible to provide a shrink wrapper having a higher mechanical strength and to better withstand the stresses occurring during its gripping and its movement.

Dans un mode de réalisation avantageux, le procédé selon l'invention comprend en outre au moins une étape de découpe du film rétractable qui a lieu après ledit positionnement de la bande de renforcement et avant ladite étape d'amenée.In an advantageous embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises at least one step of cutting the shrink film which takes place after said positioning of the reinforcing strip and before said feeding step.

Dans un autre mode de réalisation particulièrement avantageux du procédé selon l'invention, ladite étape d'incision a lieu avant l'amenée dudit film rétractable sur la bande transporteuse.In another particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, said incision step takes place before said shrink film is brought onto the conveyor belt.

Avantageusement, ladite étape d'incision du procédé selon l'invention a lieu avant ledit déroulement du film rétractable à partir dudit rouleau d'alimentation.Advantageously, said incision step of the method according to the invention takes place before said unwinding of the shrink film from said supply roll.

Par exemple, selon le procédé de la présente invention, l'étape d'incision des deux lignes d'incision a lieu avant le déroulement du film rétractable. L'étape de positionnement de la bande de renforcement a lieu après le déroulement du film rétractable et avant l'étape de positionnement des conteneurs. Cela permet avantageusement de positionner parfaitement la bande de renforcement par rapport aux lignes d'incision et donc d'avoir un emballage rétractable final équilibré, facilement manipulable et déplaçable.For example, according to the method of the present invention, the step of incising the two lines of incision takes place before the unwinding of the shrink film. The step of positioning the reinforcement strip takes place after the unwinding of the shrink film and before the step of positioning the containers. This advantageously makes it possible to position the reinforcement strip perfectly with respect to the incision lines and therefore to have a balanced final shrink wrapper that is easily handled and moved.

Avantageusement, ledit procédé selon la présente invention comprend en outre au moins une étape d'impression d'au moins un motif sur ledit film avant et/ou après ladite étape d'amenée.Advantageously, said method according to the present invention further comprises at least one step of printing at least one pattern on said film before and/or after said feeding step.

Dans une variante du procédé selon la présente invention, ladite au moins une étape d'impression a lieu avant et/ou après ladite étape d'incision dudit film rétractable.In a variant of the method according to the present invention, said at least one printing step takes place before and/or after said step of incising said shrink film.

D'autres formes de réalisation du procédé suivant l'invention sont indiquées dans les revendications annexées.Other embodiments of the process according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

La présente invention se rapporte en outre à un flan d'emballage rétractable prévu pour enrober par fardelage une série de conteneurs, à base d'un film rétractable de forme rectangulaire, présentant en largeur deux petits côtés et en longueur deux grands côtés.The present invention also relates to a shrink-wrapping blank intended to wrap a series of containers by wrapping, based on a shrink-wrap film of rectangular shape, having two short sides in width and two long sides in length.

Le flan d'emballage rétractable selon la présente invention est caractérisé en ce qu'il présente une bande de renforcement qui s'étend entre les deux petits côtés à mi-distance des deux grands côtés ainsi que, au centre du flan, au moins deux lignes de perforations qui sont disposées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement, et qui à chacune de leur extrémité, s'écartent progressivement de la bande de renforcement.The shrink packaging blank according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a reinforcing strip which extends between the two short sides halfway between the two long sides as well as, in the center of the blank, at least two rows of perforations which are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip, and which at each of their ends gradually diverge from the reinforcing strip.

D'autres formes de réalisation du flan d'emballage suivant l'invention sont indiquées dans les revendications annexées.Other embodiments of the packaging blank according to the invention are indicated in the appended claims.

D'autres caractéristiques, détails et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de la description donnée ci-après, à titre non limitatif et en faisant référence aux dessins annexés.

  • La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un emballage rétractable selon l'invention comprenant 6 bouteilles.
  • La figure 2 est une vue d'en haut de l'emballage rétractable de la figure 1.
  • La figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un emballage rétractable selon l'invention comprenant 6 bouteilles, après rupture des perforations situées dans la zone centrale.
  • La figure 4 est une vue d'en haut de l'emballage rétractable de la figure 3.
  • La figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un emballage rétractable selon l'invention comprenant 6 bouteilles, après rupture des perforations situées dans la zone centrale et rupture des perforations situées dans la zone périphérique.
  • La figure 6 est une vue d'en haut de l'emballage rétractable de la figure 5.
  • La figure 7 est une vue schématique latérale d'un dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon la présente invention.
  • La figure 8 est une vue schématique en perspective du dispositif selon la figure 7.
  • La figure 9 est une vue d'en haut du flan d'emballage selon la présente invention.
Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description given below, without limitation and with reference to the appended drawings.
  • There figure 1 is a perspective view of a shrink wrap according to the invention comprising 6 bottles.
  • There picture 2 is a top view of the shrink wrap of the figure 1 .
  • There picture 3 is a perspective view of a shrink wrapper according to the invention comprising 6 bottles, after breaking the perforations located in the central zone.
  • There figure 4 is a top view of the shrink wrap of the picture 3 .
  • There figure 5 is a perspective view of a shrink wrapper according to the invention comprising 6 bottles, after breaking the perforations located in the central zone and breaking the perforations located in the peripheral zone.
  • There figure 6 is a top view of the shrink wrap of the figure 5 .
  • There figure 7 is a schematic side view of a device for implementing the method according to the present invention.
  • There figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to figure 7 .
  • There figure 9 is a top view of the packaging blank according to the present invention.

Sur les figures, les éléments identiques ou analogues portent les mêmes références. Il faut par ailleurs noter que pour des raisons de facilité de dessin, seule la figure 1 montre un emballage avec le film rétractable sur les bouteilles emballées. Sur les figures suivantes, la représentation est plus schématique.In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same references. It should also be noted that for reasons of ease of drawing, only the figure 1 shows packaging with the shrink film on the wrapped bottles. In the following figures, the representation is more schematic.

La figure 1 illustre un emballage 1 rétractable comprenant 6 conteneurs 2. L'emballage 1 rétractable comprend une partie inférieure 3 correspondant à un fond et se situant dans un premier plan. L'emballage 1 rétractable comprend une partie supérieure 4 qui est opposée à la partie inférieure 3, et qui correspond à un recouvrement des conteneurs 2, lesquels sont agencés en rangées parallèles les unes par rapport aux autres.There figure 1 illustrates a shrink wrapper 1 comprising 6 containers 2. The shrink wrapper 1 comprises a lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom and located in a first plane. The shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprises an upper part 4 which is opposite the lower part 3, and which corresponds to a covering of the containers 2, which are arranged in rows parallel to each other.

La partie supérieure 4 comprend une zone centrale 5 qui est une surface sensiblement parallèle à la partie inférieure 3 correspondant à un fond. Aussi, la zone centrale 5 se trouve dans un deuxième plan sensiblement parallèle au premier plan de la partie inférieure 3 correspondant à un fond.The upper part 4 comprises a central zone 5 which is a surface substantially parallel to the lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom. Also, the central zone 5 is located in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane of the lower part 3 corresponding to a bottom.

La zone centrale 5 d'un emballage suivant l'invention est une zone qui s'étend du centre de la partie supérieure 4 jusqu'aux extrémités extérieures des goulots, cols, bouchons et autres fermetures des conteneurs 2.The central zone 5 of a packaging according to the invention is a zone which extends from the center of the upper part 4 to the outer ends of the necks, necks, plugs and other closures of the containers 2.

La partie supérieure 4 d'un emballage suivant l'invention comprend une zone périphérique 6 qui est une surface de la partie supérieure 4, périphérique et sensiblement oblique par rapport à la zone centrale 5. Aussi, la zone périphérique 6 se trouve dans son ensemble, dans un troisième plan sécant aux premier et deuxième plans respectivement de la partie de fond 3 et de la zone centrale 5.The upper part 4 of a packaging according to the invention comprises a peripheral zone 6 which is a surface of the upper part 4, peripheral and substantially oblique with respect to the central zone 5. Also, the peripheral zone 6 as a whole is , in a third plane secant to the first and second planes respectively of the bottom part 3 and of the central zone 5.

La zone périphérique 6 d'un emballage suivant l'invention est donc une zone qui s'étend de l'extrémité extérieure des goulots, cols, bouchons ou autres fermetures des conteneurs 2 jusqu'aux parties de corps des conteneurs 2. Par exemple, dans l'exemple illustré, la zone périphérique 6 recouvre les parties d'épaulement des conteneurs 2 en forme de bouteille.The peripheral zone 6 of a packaging according to the invention is therefore a zone which extends from the outer end of the necks, necks, stoppers or other closures of the containers 2 to the body parts of the containers 2. For example, in the example illustrated, the peripheral zone 6 covers the shoulder parts of the containers 2 in the form of a bottle.

L'emballage 1 rétractable comprend également des parties latérales 7 reliant la partie inférieure 3 à la partie supérieure 4. En outre les parties latérales 7 de l'emballage 1 recouvrent les parties de corps des conteneurs 2.The shrink packaging 1 also comprises side parts 7 connecting the lower part 3 to the upper part 4. In addition the side parts 7 of the packaging 1 cover the body parts of the containers 2.

En outre, l'emballage 1 rétractable comprend une bande de renforcement 8, disposée transversalement aux rangées parallèles des conteneurs 2. Dans l'exemple illustré, la bande de renforcement 8 comprend un agent collant et est agencée pour être fixée sur une surface intérieure de l'emballage 1 enrobant les conteneurs 2. Ainsi, la bande de renforcement 8 permet d'accroître la résistance globale de l'emballage 1 de telle manière que la résistance globale est la somme de la résistance de la bande de renforcement 8 et de la résistance de l'emballage 1 en tant que tel. Cela permettant une meilleure résistance de l'emballage 1 à la déchirure et à la rupture lors du déplacement à l'aide de la poignée.In addition, the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprises a reinforcing strip 8, arranged transversely to the parallel rows of the containers 2. In the example illustrated, the reinforcing strip 8 comprises a sticky agent and is arranged to be fixed on an interior surface of the packaging 1 wrapping the containers 2. Thus, the reinforcement strip 8 makes it possible to increase the overall resistance of the packaging 1 in such a way that the overall resistance is the sum of the resistance of the reinforcement strip 8 and of the resistance of packaging 1 as such. This allows a better resistance of the package 1 to tearing and breaking when moving using the handle.

Dans l'exemple illustré, la bande de renforcement 8 est pourvue d'un infime pourcentage d'agent collant, on considère donc que la bande de renforcement 8 et l'emballage 1 sont fait d'un matériau similaire, cela permettant de prendre en compte les contraintes de recyclage et de faciliter celui-ci en évitant une étape supplémentaire de tri des matériaux en vue du recyclage de l'emballage 1 selon l'invention.In the example illustrated, the reinforcement strip 8 is provided with a tiny percentage of sticking agent, it is therefore considered that the reinforcement strip 8 and the packaging 1 are made of a similar material, this making it possible to take into account account recycling constraints and facilitate it by avoiding an additional step of sorting materials for recycling of the packaging 1 according to the invention.

La bande de renforcement 8 illustrée, présente une largeur comprise entre 2 cm et 6 cm, cela permettant une meilleure résistance de l'emballage 1 lors de son déplacement à l'aide de la poignée.The reinforcement strip 8 shown has a width of between 2 cm and 6 cm, this allowing better resistance of the packaging 1 when it is moved using the handle.

L'emballage 1 rétractable représenté comprend deux lignes de perforations 9a, 9b, représentées avec une accolade en trait plein, qui, dans la zone centrale 5 de la partie supérieure 4 de l'emballage 1 sont disposées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement 8.The shrink-wrapped packaging 1 shown comprises two lines of perforations 9a, 9b, shown with a solid line bracket, which, in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 are arranged parallel to each other. , on either side of the reinforcing strip 8.

Dans un mode de réalisation de la présente invention non illustré, les deux lignes de perforations 9a, 9b, dans la zone centrale 5 de la partie supérieure 4 de l'emballage 1 peuvent comprendre au moins une partie d'amorce, facilitant ainsi la rupture des lignes de perforations 9a et 9b elles sont donc disposées sensiblement parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement 8.In an embodiment of the present invention not illustrated, the two lines of perforations 9a, 9b, in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 can comprise at least a starter part, thus facilitating the rupture perforation lines 9a and 9b they are therefore arranged substantially parallel to each other, on either side of the reinforcing strip 8.

Les deux lignes de perforation 9a et 9b situées dans la zone centrale 5 de la partie supérieure 4 de l'emballage 1 permettent, lors de leur rupture, de créer une première ouverture 13 servant au passage des doigts de l'utilisateur (voir figures 3 et 4). Cette ouverture 13 permet en outre à l'utilisateur de se saisir de la poignée formée par la bande de renforcement 8 et le film d'emballage.The two perforation lines 9a and 9b located in the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1 make it possible, when they break, to create a first opening 13 serving for the passage of the fingers of the user (see figure 3 And 4 ). This opening 13 also allows the user to grasp the handle formed by the reinforcing strip 8 and the packaging film.

Il est apparu de manière particulièrement avantageuse, que, même après rupture des deux lignes de perforation 9a et 9b, l'emballage 1 rétractable conserve une forme semblable et une rigidité semblable à celle de départ, limitant ainsi le risque de déchirures ou de déformations indésirables.It has appeared in a particularly advantageous manner that, even after the two perforation lines 9a and 9b have broken, the shrink-wrapped packaging 1 retains a similar shape and a similar rigidity to that of departure, thus limiting the risk of tears or undesirable deformations .

Les deux lignes de perforation 9a, 9b de l'emballage 1 rétractable, dans la zone périphérique 6 de la partie supérieure 4, s'écartent progressivement de la bande de renforcement 8. Cela permet de manière particulièrement avantageuse, lors de leur rupture de fournir un emballage 1 rétractable comprenant une deuxième ouverture 14 et donc un système d'ouverture guidé et facilité pour le retrait des conteneurs 2 hors de l'emballage 1 (voir figures 5 et 6).The two lines of perforation 9a, 9b of the shrink-wrapped packaging 1, in the peripheral zone 6 of the upper part 4, gradually deviate from the reinforcement strip 8. This makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner, when they break, to provide a shrink-wrapped packaging 1 comprising a second opening 14 and therefore a guided and facilitated opening system for removing the containers 2 from the packaging 1 (see figure 5 And 6 ).

Dans l'exemple illustré, les deux lignes de perforations 9a et 9b sont chacune interrompues par au moins un intervalle non perforé 10, représenté avec une accolade en trait plein, présentant une longueur prédéterminée. Cet intervalle non perforé 10 facilite l'ouverture en deux étapes distinctes avec davantage de résistance entre les deux étapes pour éviter l'ouverture complète accidentelle.In the example illustrated, the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval 10, shown with a bracket in a solid line, having a predetermined length. This non-perforated gap 10 facilitates opening in two separate stages with more resistance between the two stages to avoid accidental complete opening.

En effet, la première étape d'ouverture 13 comprend la rupture des deux lignes de perforations 9a et 9b situées sur la zone centrale 5 de la partie supérieure 4 de l'emballage 1, cela permettant de créer la poignée de l'emballage 1 pour son déplacement facilité.Indeed, the first opening step 13 comprises the breaking of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b located on the area central 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, this making it possible to create the handle of the packaging 1 for its easy movement.

La deuxième étape d'ouverture 14 comprend la rupture des deux lignes de perforations 9a et 9b situées sur la zone périphérique 6 de la partie supérieure 4 de l'emballage 1, cela permettant l'ouverture de l'emballage 1 et le retrait facilité des conteneurs 2.The second opening step 14 comprises the breaking of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b located on the peripheral zone 6 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, this allowing the opening of the packaging 1 and the facilitated removal of the containers 2.

La présence de l'intervalle non perforé 10 localisé dans la forme illustrée à la jonction entre la zone centrale 5 et la zone périphérique 6, permet de créer cette butée entre les deux étapes d'ouverture et d'éviter une ouverture totale accidentelle.The presence of the non-perforated gap 10 located in the shape illustrated at the junction between the central zone 5 and the peripheral zone 6, makes it possible to create this stop between the two opening stages and to avoid accidental total opening.

Les deux lignes de perforations 9a et 9b présentent une série de perforations 11 qui sont chacune espacées l'une de l'autre d'un espace 12 présentant une longueur prédéterminée.The two lines of perforations 9a and 9b have a series of perforations 11 which are each spaced apart by a space 12 having a predetermined length.

Dans l'exemple illustré, la longueur de l'intervalle non perforé 10 est au moins 1,5 fois supérieure à la longueur de l'espace 12 entre perforations 11.In the example illustrated, the length of the non-perforated interval 10 is at least 1.5 times greater than the length of the space 12 between perforations 11.

L'emballage 1 rétractable illustré, après rupture complète des deux lignes de perforations 9a et 9b, et création de ladite deuxième ouverture 14 permettant le retrait facilité des conteneurs 2, conserve une tenue et une rigidité permettant son déplacement et en évitant la rupture totale ou le déchirement de l'emballage 1.The illustrated retractable packaging 1, after complete rupture of the two lines of perforations 9a and 9b, and creation of said second opening 14 allowing the easy removal of the containers 2, retains a firmness and rigidity allowing it to be moved and avoiding total rupture or the tearing of the packaging 1.

Les figure 7 et 8 illustrent un dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé de conditionnement de conteneurs par un emballage 1 rétractable selon la présente invention.THE figure 7 And 8 illustrate a device for implementing the process for packaging containers with shrink-wrapped packaging 1 according to the present invention.

Le procédé illustré comprend, de manière courante, une amenée d'un film rétractable 15 sur au moins une bande transporteuse 16, suivant une direction de déplacement déterminée, et un agencement des conteneurs 2 sur la bande transporteuse 16 munie du film rétractable 15, les conteneurs 2 étant disposés en rangées parallèles les unes par rapport aux autres et les rangées étant agencées perpendiculairement à la direction de déplacement déterminée du film. L'étape d'amenée du procédé illustré comprend un déroulement du film rétractable 15 à partir d'un rouleau d'alimentation 22.The method illustrated comprises, in a common way, a supply of a shrink film 15 on at least one conveyor belt 16, in a determined direction of movement, and an arrangement of the containers 2 on the conveyor belt 16 provided with the shrink film 15, the containers 2 being arranged in rows parallel to each other and the rows being arranged perpendicular to the determined direction of movement of the film. The supply step of the illustrated method comprises unwinding the shrink film 15 from a supply roll 22.

Le procédé comprend également un fardelage 17 des conteneurs 2 à l'aide du film rétractable 15 formant un emballage de film rétractable 15 autour des conteneurs 2 et une rétractation à la chaleur 18 du film rétractable 15 contenant les conteneurs 2, en vue de les maintenir serrés les uns contre les autres.The method also comprises wrapping 17 of the containers 2 using the shrink film 15 forming a shrink film wrapping 15 around the containers 2 and heat shrinking 18 of the shrink film 15 containing the containers 2, in order to maintain them pressed against each other.

Le procédé selon l'invention illustré comprend en outre une étape de positionnement d'une bande de renforcement 8 sur le film rétractable 15, parallèlement à la direction de déplacement d'amenée du film.The method according to the invention illustrated further comprises a step of positioning a reinforcing strip 8 on the shrink film 15, parallel to the direction of movement in which the film is fed.

L'étape de positionnement de la bande de renforcement 8 a lieu sur le film rétractable 15 avant l'étape d'amenée, sur la surface du film qui va former la surface intérieure du film rétractable 15.The step of positioning the reinforcing strip 8 takes place on the shrink film 15 before the feed step, on the surface of the film which will form the inner surface of the shrink film 15.

Dans l'exemple illustré, une étape d'incision d'au moins deux lignes de perforation 9a, 9b a lieu dans le film rétractable 15. Dans la zone centrale 5 de la partie supérieure 4 de l'emballage 1, les perforations 11 sont disposées parallèlement l'une à l'autre, de part et d'autre de la bande de renforcement 8. Dans la zone périphérique 6 de la partie supérieure 4 de l'emballage 1, les lignes de perforations 9a, 9b, s'écartent chacune progressivement de la bande de renforcement 8.In the example illustrated, a step of incising at least two lines of perforation 9a, 9b takes place in the shrink film 15. In the central zone 5 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, the perforations 11 are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcing strip 8. In the peripheral zone 6 of the upper part 4 of the packaging 1, the lines of perforations 9a, 9b deviate each gradually from the reinforcement strip 8.

L'étape d'incision peut être réalisée par tout type de machine permettant la formation de lignes de perforations dans un film, par exemple par la machine décrite dans le brevet européen EP2954990 qui est incorporé ici par référence.The incision step can be carried out by any type of machine allowing the formation of lines of perforations in a film, for example by the machine described in the European patent EP2954990 which is incorporated herein by reference.

Dans l'exemple illustré, l'étape d'incision du procédé a lieu avant l'étape d'amenée du film rétractable 15 et de préférence avant le déroulement du film rétractable à partir du rouleau d'alimentation 22, celui-ci est donc formé d'un film rétractable 15 perforé enroulé.In the example illustrated, the incision step of the method takes place before the step of supplying the shrink film 15 and preferably before the unwinding of the shrink film from the feed roll 22, this is therefore formed from a wound perforated shrink film.

Dans l'exemple illustré, une étape de découpe par un élément coupant 19 est prévue pour couper le film rétractable 15 déroulé depuis le rouleau d'alimentation, de façon à former un flan 21 d'emballage individuel (tel qu'illustré figure 9) destiné à former l'emballage rétractable 1. Le flan 21 d'emballage illustré comprend également un repère 23, utilisé comme indication pour la coupe par l'élément coupant 19 du film déroulé en flan d'emballage 21.In the example illustrated, a step of cutting by a cutting element 19 is provided to cut the shrink film 15 unwound from the supply roll, so as to form a blank 21 of individual packaging (as illustrated figure 9 ) intended to form the shrink wrapper 1. The packaging blank 21 illustrated also includes a mark 23, used as an indication for the cut by the cutting element 19 of the film unrolled in the wrapper blank 21.

L'étape de découpe a lieu après le positionnement de la bande de renforcement 8 et avant l'étape d'amenée.The cutting step takes place after the positioning of the reinforcing strip 8 and before the feeding step.

En outre, le procédé selon la présente invention comprend au moins une étape d'impression d'au moins un motif sur le film 15 avant et/ou après le déroulement du film rétractable 15.In addition, the method according to the present invention comprises at least one step of printing at least one pattern on the film 15 before and/or after the unwinding of the shrink film 15.

L'étape d'impression dans le procédé selon l'invention a lieu avant et/ou après l'étape d'incision du film 15 rétractable. En outre, le dispositif illustré comprend au moins un élément support 20, afin de diriger le film rétractable 15 déroulé. Il comprend également au moins un élément coupant 19 destiné à couper le film rétractable 15 déroulé, avant l'étape de fardelage 17, en flan 21 d'emballage individuel destiné à former l'emballage rétractable 1.The printing step in the method according to the invention takes place before and/or after the step of incising the shrink film. Furthermore, the illustrated device comprises at least one support element 20, in order to direct the shrink film 15 unwound. It also comprises at least one cutting element 19 intended to cut the unwound shrink film 15, before the wrapping step 17, into blank 21 of individual packaging intended to form the shrink packaging 1.

Il est bien entendu que la présente invention n'est en aucune façon limitée aux formes de réalisations décrites ci-dessus et que bien des modifications peuvent y être apportées sans sortir du cadre des revendications annexéesIt is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

  1. Shrinkable packaging (1) intended for wrapping a series of containers (2), comprising:
    - a lower portion (3) corresponding to a bottom,
    - an upper portion (4) opposite said lower portion (3) and corresponding to a covering of said containers (2) which are arranged in rows parallel against one another, said upper portion (4) comprising a central zone (5) and a peripheral zone (6),
    - lateral portions (7) connecting the lower portion (3) to the upper portion (4),
    said packaging (1) having a reinforcement strip (8) arranged transversely to the parallel rows of containers (2),
    characterised in that it comprises at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) which, in the central zone (5) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcement strip (8), and which each, in the peripheral zone (6) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are progressively deviated from the reinforcement strip (8).
  2. Packaging (1) according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcement strip (8) comprises a gluing agent by which it is fixed on an inner surface of said shrinkable packaging (1) wrapping the series of containers (2).
  3. Packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said packaging (1) and said reinforcement strip (8) are made of a material similar to at least 80%, preferably at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, preferably at least 95%.
  4. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) are each interrupted by at least one non-perforated interval (10) having a predetermined length.
  5. Packaging (1) according to claim 4, wherein said at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) have perforations (11), spaced apart from one another by at least one space (12) having a predetermined length, and wherein said at least one non-perforated interval (10) is of a length at least 1.5 times greater than said space (12) between perforations (11), preferably at least twice greater, and preferably at least 2.5 times greater than this space (12) between perforations (11).
  6. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said containers (2) are chosen from the group constituted of bottles, tins, jars, boxes for liquids, cartons, and cans.
  7. Packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a row of containers (2) contains two, three or four containers (2).
  8. Method for packaging containers (2) by a packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:
    - a supply of a shrinkable film (15) on at least one conveyor belt (16), in a determined movement direction,
    - an arrangement of said containers (2) on said at least one conveyor belt (16) provided with said shrinkable film (15), said containers (2) being arranged in rows which are parallel against one another, said rows being arranged perpendicularly to said movement direction of the film,
    - a shrink-wrapping (17) of said containers (2) using said shrinkable film (15) forming a shrinkable film packaging (15) around said containers (2), and
    - a heat-shrinking (18) of said shrinkable film (15) containing said containers (2), in view of keeping said containers (2), clamped against one another,
    - a positioning of a reinforcement strip (8) on said shrinkable film (15), parallel to said movement direction of supplying the film,
    characterised in that it further comprises a step of incising in said shrinkable film (15) at least two perforation lines (9a, 9b) which, in the central zone (5) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcement strip (8), and which each, in the peripheral zone (6) of the upper portion (4) of the packaging (1), are progressively deviated from the reinforcement strip (8).
  9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the supply comprises a winding of shrinkable film (15) from a supply reel (22), and the positioning of the reinforcement strip (8) occurs on the shrinkable film (15) before said supply step, on a surface of the film which forms an inner surface of said packaging after shrink-wrapping.
  10. Method according to claim 9, further comprising at least one step of cutting the shrinkable film which occurs after said positioning of the reinforcement strip (8) and before said supply step.
  11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said incision step occurs before the supply of said shrinkable film (15) on said conveyor belt (16).
  12. Method according to claim 11, wherein said incision step occurs before said winding of the shrinkable film (15) from said supply reel (22).
  13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one step of printing at least one pattern on said film before and/or after said supply step.
  14. Shrinkable packaging (1) blank (21) provided to wrap a series of containers (2) by shrink-wrapping, with the basis of a rectangular-shaped shrinkable film (15), having in width, two small sides and in length, two large sides, characterised in that it has a reinforcement strip (8) which extends between the two small sides halfway from the two large sides, as well as, at the centre of the blank (21), at least two perforation lines which are arranged parallel to one another, on either side of the reinforcement strip, and which, at each of their ends, are progressively deviated from the reinforcement strip.
EP20761243.3A 2019-08-27 2020-08-26 Heat-shrinkable packaging Active EP4021822B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE20195559A BE1027531B1 (en) 2019-08-27 2019-08-27 HEAT SHRINK PACKAGING
PCT/EP2020/073821 WO2021037893A1 (en) 2019-08-27 2020-08-26 Heat-shrinkable packaging

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4021822A1 EP4021822A1 (en) 2022-07-06
EP4021822C0 EP4021822C0 (en) 2023-08-02
EP4021822B1 true EP4021822B1 (en) 2023-08-02

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20761243.3A Active EP4021822B1 (en) 2019-08-27 2020-08-26 Heat-shrinkable packaging

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US (1) US11993413B2 (en)
EP (1) EP4021822B1 (en)
BE (1) BE1027531B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2955810T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2021037893A1 (en)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0178142B1 (en) * 1984-10-12 1988-09-14 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Heat shrink package handle

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US4815589A (en) * 1986-09-17 1989-03-28 Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc. Can package
EP0442111A3 (en) * 1989-12-22 1991-09-25 Officina Meccanica Sestese S.P.A. Process to package loose objects, particularly bottles, machine to carry out said process, and transportable packaging obtained with said process
FR2766465B1 (en) * 1997-07-24 1999-09-03 Soplaril Sa PACK OF PACKAGED OBJECTS WITH A PLASTIC FILM, PLASTIC FILM FOR PACKAGING A PACK, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE PLASTIC FILM
DE29915989U1 (en) * 1999-09-11 1999-12-09 Schmidt Verpackungstechnik Gmb Collective packaging for individual merchandise units
US6513657B2 (en) * 2001-04-26 2003-02-04 3M Innovative Properties Co. Product packaging with handle-forming tearable tape system
US8424272B2 (en) * 2007-09-17 2013-04-23 Alain Cerf Apparatus and process for wrapping an article with a heat shrink film having a strip that acts as a handle
DE102008020522A1 (en) * 2008-04-23 2009-10-29 Krones Ag Container with carrying handle and device and method for its production
DE102009003653A1 (en) * 2009-03-23 2010-09-30 Krones Ag Shrinkable packaging and process for its production
ITMI20091512A1 (en) * 2009-08-28 2011-02-28 Al Ma C Packaging S R L PROCEDURE FOR THE PACKAGING OF CONTAINER GROUPS FOR FOOD LIQUID PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR WATER BOTTLES AND / OR DRINKS, AND FARDEL OBTAINABLE BY MEANS OF THIS PROCEDURE
BE1020797A3 (en) * 2012-07-20 2014-05-06 Diopass Sprl RETRACTABLE PACKAGING.
PT2954990T (en) 2014-06-12 2016-10-12 Diopass Sprl Device for perforating a film

Patent Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0178142B1 (en) * 1984-10-12 1988-09-14 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Heat shrink package handle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE1027531A1 (en) 2021-03-23
BE1027531B1 (en) 2021-03-30
EP4021822A1 (en) 2022-07-06
WO2021037893A1 (en) 2021-03-04
US20220274728A1 (en) 2022-09-01
ES2955810T3 (en) 2023-12-07
EP4021822C0 (en) 2023-08-02
US11993413B2 (en) 2024-05-28

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