WO2020121118A2

WO2020121118A2 - Packaging box for containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products

Info

Publication number: WO2020121118A2
Application number: PCT/IB2019/060392
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Ghini; Antonio Vitali; Salvatore Carboni; Andrea Biondi
Original assignee: G.D S.P.A.
Priority date: 2018-12-11
Filing date: 2019-12-03
Publication date: 2020-06-18
Also published as: WO2020121118A3

Abstract

This invention relates to a packaging box (1) for containers (C) of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products, comprising at least one base wall (2), a pair of parallel side walls (3) disposed perpendicularly to the base wall (2), a pair of parallel face walls (4) disposed perpendicularly to the base wall (2) and to the pair of side walls (3), two top walls (5) parallel to the base wall (2) and defined by extensions of the side walls (3). The top walls (5) of the packaging box (1) are configured to supportably receive the base wall (2) of another packaging box (1). The packaging box (1) defines a containing space which is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped and which is suitable for receiving a plurality of containers (C) in an ordered arrangement. Each top wall (5) has a plurality of sustaining tabs (6) defined by folding respective portions of the top wall (5) towards the inside of the containing space in such a way as to be positioned transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the base wall (2). Each side wall (3) has a plurality of supporting tabs (7) defined by folding respective portions of the side wall (3) towards the inside of the containing space in such a way as to be positioned parallel to the base wall (2), wherein the underside surface (7a) of each supporting tab (7) is configured to rest on non-compliant top surfaces (C1) of the containers (C). Each sustaining tab (6) of the top wall (5) is integral with a respective supporting tab (7) of the side wall (3) to define a single L-shaped supporting element inside the packaging box (1). Each L-shaped supporting element is disposed at an upper edge of the packaging box (1), between the respective side wall (3) and the respective top wall (5) and is laterally delimited by a pair of juxtaposed slots (8), preferably parallel, made partly on a respective side wall (3) and partly on a respective top wall (5).

Description

DESCRIPTION

PACKAGING BOX FOR CONTAINERS OF LIQUID OR SEMI-LIQUID OR POWDER PRODUCTS

Technical field

This invention relates to a packaging box for containers of liquid or semi liquid or powder products such as, for example, brick cartons or bottles made of plastic or cardboard to contain food products.

In particular, the containers referred to in this specification are of a reclosable type and have at least one compliant or fragile zone at the top end, where a cap or reclosable opening system is typically disposed.

Background art

The Applicant has observed that the packaging boxes commonly used to transport these containers, usually made of cardboard, are not capable of effectively preventing damage to the containers when the boxes are stored/stacked on top of one another.

In fact, when stored this way, the packaging box underneath tends to collapse, breaking the top wall that separates it from the box on top of it. Collapse is due to the weight of the containers packed in the boxes above and may result in crushing and deforming the compliant zones of the containers.

Typically, what happens is that the caps of the brick cartons are compressed downwards, forcing the containers out of shape and making them difficult to use or less attractive to buyers or even breaking them and causing the contents to spill out and dirty the adjacent containers and the surrounding packaging boxes, making the products unsuitable for sale, with evident economic repercussions.

The Applicant has thus identified in this field the need to be able to effectively transport and store boxes of containers stacked on top of one another without the risk of damaging the containers. Aim of the invention

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a packaging box for containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, this invention has for an aim to provide a packaging box for containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products which is structurally simple and easy to make and which, when filled with containers and stacked together with other packaging boxes full of containers, offers good resistance and stacking capacity by allowing optimal distribution of loads to prevent compression due to stacking from damaging or deforming the containers packed in the boxes.

The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a packaging box for containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, this invention provides a packaging box for containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products, comprising at least one base wall, a pair of parallel side walls disposed perpendicularly to the base wall, a pair of parallel face walls disposed perpendicularly to the base wall and to the pair of side walls, two top walls parallel to the base wall and defined by extensions of the side walls, wherein the top walls of the packaging box are configured to supportably receive the base wall of another packaging box. The packaging box defines a containing space which is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped and which is suitable for receiving a plurality of containers in an ordered arrangement.

Advantageously, each top wall has a plurality of sustaining tabs defined by folding respective portions of the top wall towards the inside of the containing space in such a way as to be positioned transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the base wall. Advantageously, each side wall has a plurality of supporting tabs defined by folding respective portions of the side wall towards the inside of the containing space in such a way as to be positioned parallel to the base wall, wherein the underside surface of each supporting tab is configured to rest on non-compliant top surfaces of the containers.

Advantageously, each sustaining tab of the top wall is integral with a respective supporting tab of the side wall to define a single L-shaped supporting element inside the packaging box.

Each L-shaped supporting element is disposed at an upper edge of the packaging box, between the respective side wall and the respective top wall and is laterally delimited by a pair of juxtaposed slots, preferably parallel, made partly on a respective side wall and partly on a respective top wall. Thanks to the L-shaped supporting elements, therefore, the packaging box of this invention allows the weight of the containers in the boxes above to be placed on non-compliant zones of the containers below, thus preventing the compliant zones of the containers, in particular the caps of the containers, from being crushed and damaged.

This is made possible by the presence of the sustaining tabs and supporting tabs which transfer the load onto the non-compliant zones of the container, which are in contact only with the supporting tabs.

Thanks to the structure of the packaging box of this invention, the weight of the containers in the boxes when stacked is not carried by the compliant zones of the containers, which are thus protected against damage.

Advantageously, the L-shaped supporting elements create breaks in the edges between respective top walls and side walls, thereby stiffening the structure of the packaging box to prevent crushing the containers.

This invention allows the L-shaped supporting elements to be disposed inside the containing space so the walls can bear the weight of the containers.

Advantageously, the L-shaped supporting elements are obtained from slotted portions of the side walls and top walls, thus without having to provide supporting elements that are separate from, or external to, the structure of the packaging box.

A further aim of this invention, therefore, is to provide a packaging box of containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products which can be stacked safely and efficiently without the risk of damaging the containers.

A further aim of this invention, therefore, is to provide a blank for making a packaging box for containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products which is structurally simple and easy to make and which allows making a packaging box that is resistant to crushing.

A further aim of this invention is to provide a sub-unit and a method for folding a blank, specifically for folding the top panels relative to the side panels of the blank used to make the packaging box according to this invention, allowing the L-shaped supporting elements to be formed in a practical and efficient manner.

All the accompanying claims, which are incorporated herein by reference, correspond to different embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment of a packaging box for/of containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products, of a blank for making the packaging box and of the sub unit or making the packaging box, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging box (1 ) according to this invention, in which containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products are packed;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of two packaging boxes according to this invention, which are stacked on one another and in which containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products are packed;

Figure 3 is a schematic cross section of the packaging boxes of Figure 2 along a plane perpendicular to the side walls of the packaging boxes and passing through the tabs of the boxes, and showing also an enlarged detail D;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a blank used to make the packaging box of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a sub-unit for making the packaging box of Figure 1 ;

Figures 6A and 6B are schematic cross sections of the sub-unit of Figure 5 along parallel planes passing through a pusher of the first group of pushers and a pusher of the second group of pushers, respectively;

Figures 7A-7D schematically illustrate the steps of folding the side panels and the top panels of the blank of Figure 4 to make the packaging box of Figure 1 using the sub-unit of Figure 5.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a packaging box for containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products, hereinafter called box 1 and containers C for simplicity of description.

More specifically, Figures 1 and 2, by way of an example, illustrate boxes IMB of containers C, where each box contains fifteen containers C.

With reference to Figure 1 , the box 1 comprises at least a base wall 2, a pair of parallel side walls 3 disposed perpendicularly to the base wall 2, a pair of parallel face walls 4 disposed perpendicularly to the base wall 2 and to the pair of side walls 3, two top walls 5 parallel to the base wall 2 and defined by extensions of the side walls 3.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the box 1 thus defines a containing space which is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped and which is suitable for receiving a plurality of containers C in an ordered arrangement.

Preferably, each container C is tubular or parallelepipedal in shape and has a non-compliant top surface C1 provided with at least one upwardly protruding portion C2, specifically a cap or dispensing element.

The top walls 5 are configured to supportably receive the base wall 2 of another box IMB according to this invention.

Thus, the box 1 of this invention is of a stackable type, such that the base wall 2 of one box 1 is adapted to be placed on and supported by the top walls 5 of another box 1 , as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, and the box 1 is capable of protecting against damage the containers C adapted to be packed therein, as will become clearer as this description continues.

Each top wall 5 has a plurality of sustaining tabs 6 defined by folding respective portions of the top wall 5 towards the inside of the containing space of the box 1 in such a way as to be positioned transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the base wall 2.

Each side wall 3 has a plurality of supporting tabs 7 defined by folding respective portions of the side wall 3 towards the inside of the containing space of the box 1 in such a way as to be positioned parallel to the base wall 2.

In other words, the sustaining tabs 6 and the supporting tabs 7 are obtained by making in the top walls 5 and in the side walls 3 folds which are directed inwards towards the containing space of the box 1 .

Advantageously, as clearly visible in the detail shown in Figure 3, the underside surface 7a of each supporting tab 7 is configured to rest on the non-compliant top surfaces C1 of the containers C. That way, as will become clearer below, the weight of any boxes IMB of containers C above is carried at least partly by the non-compliant top surfaces C1 through the supporting tabs 7.

Advantageously, each sustaining tab 6 of the top wall 5 is integral with a respective supporting tab 7 of the side wall 3 to define a single L-shaped supporting element, labelled L in the drawings, inside the box 1 .

Thus, the load to which the sustaining tabs 6 are subjected (due to the boxes IMB on top of them) is advantageously transferred to the supporting tabs 7 which in turn transfer it to the non-compliant surfaces C1 of the containers C so as not to bear down on the caps C2, thereby preventing them from collapsing or becoming deformed and spoiling the quality of the containers C.

More specifically, each L-shaped supporting element defined by the tabs 6, 7 is disposed at an upper edge of the box 1 , between the respective side wall 3 and the respective top wall 5 and is laterally delimited by a pair of juxtaposed slots 8, preferably parallel, made partly on a respective side wall 3 and partly on a respective top wall 5.

As clearly shown in Figure 3, the folding geometry of the top wall 5 relative to the side wall 3 at the upper edge and the folding geometry of the L-shaped supporting element preferably define a quadrilateral, still more preferably a rectangle (as in the example box 1 illustrated in the accompanying drawings) or a square.

Preferably, the upper edge extends between the face walls 4 and is defined by a succession of edge segments S1 alternated with apertures A, each aperture A being defined by inwardly folding the L-shaped supporting element.

Advantageously, therefore, an intermediate segment S2, parallel to the upper edge segment S1 , is defined between each supporting tab 7 and the respective sustaining tab 6.

Preferably, the edge segments S1 have the same length s1 and the apertures A have the same length s2; in other possible embodiments not illustrated, however, the edge segments S1 might have different lengths s1 and the segments S2 might have different lengths s2.

With reference to Figure 3, the sustaining tabs 6 have a dimension X, measured perpendicularly to the top wall 5, such as to allow the supporting tab 7 to rest on the non-compliant surface C1 of the container C (preferably parallel to the top wall 5) in such a way that the cap C2 is spaced from the top wall 5.

In other words, the height Y of the cap C2, measured perpendicularly to the surface C1 of the container C is smaller than the dimension X of the sustaining tab 6; that way, it is advantageously possible to ensure that the caps C2 are not crushed when the boxes IMB are stacked.

In particular, this prevents transferring any part of the load onto the caps C2 and, instead, the load is transferred onto the non-compliant surfaces C1 of the containers C by resting the supporting tabs 7 thereon.

More specifically, each supporting tab 7 has a dimension Z which, measured parallel to the base wall 2, is smaller than the distance between the side wall 3 and the cap C2.

With reference to Figure 1 , preferably:

- each of the top walls 5 has respective opposite lateral extensions defining a pair of upper flaps 5a,

- the base wall 2 has respective opposite lateral extensions defining a pair of lower flaps 2a, and

- each of the side walls 3 has respective opposite lateral extensions defining a pair of lateral flaps 3a.

More specifically, each upper flap 5a and each lateral flap 3a are configured to be folded and fixed to a respective lower flap 2a which is folded perpendicularly to the base wall 2 to define a respective face wall 4.

Preferably, with reference to the embodiment of the box 1 illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the upper flaps 5a and the lateral flaps 3a are folded onto and fixed to the outside of the lower flaps 2a.

Advantageously, also, the lower flaps 2a and the upper flaps 5a have respective face edges placed in abutment with each other in such a way as to define a vertical reinforcement for the top walls 5.

In other words, the lower flaps 2a, the upper flaps 5a and the lateral flaps 3a define a doubly reinforced face wall 4 which contributes to efficiently supporting the top walls 5 during transportation and storage of two or more boxes IMB stacked on top of one another.

Preferably, at least one face wall 4 is provided with a line of weakness 4’ which allows the user to easily remove a portion of the face wall in order to access the containers C more conveniently.

Preferably, the top walls 5 have respective free face edges 5' which are opposite to, and spaced from, each other in such a way as to define a top opening for accessing and/or inspecting the box 1.

More specifically, the top walls 5 may be variable in length, depending on the size of the containers C to be packed inside the box.

Preferably, the box 1 is made from a single blank 100 obtained by blank punching a single sheet of cardboard.

Also part of the invention, therefore, is a blank 100 for making the box 1 described above.

With reference to Figure 4, the blank 100 has two longitudinal fold lines K1 and two transverse fold lines K2 which are perpendicular to each other.

The blank 100 has:

- at least one central panel 102 interposed between the transverse fold lines K2 and defining the at least one base wall 2,

- a pair of opposite side panels 103, defining the side walls 3, adjacent to the central panel 102 and delimited with respect to the central panel 102 by the transverse fold lines K2,

- at least one pair of opposite face panels, adjacent to the central panel 102 or to the side panels 103 and delimited with respect to the central panel 102 or the side panels 103 by the longitudinal fold lines K1 ,

- a pair of top panels 105 defining the top walls 5, adjacent respectively to the side panels 103 and delimited with respect to the central panel 102 by respective outer fold lines K3 parallel to the transverse fold lines K2.

Advantageously, astride of each outer fold line K3, a series of pairs of juxtaposed slots 108 are made which are preferably parallel to each other, are oriented perpendicularly to the outer fold line K3 and extend partly on a respective side panel 103 and partly on a respective top panel 105.

More specifically, a first fold segment 109, located on the side panel 103, and a second fold segment 1 10, located on the top panel 105, are made between the slots 108 of each pair of slots 108.

The first and second fold segments 109, 1 10 are also parallel to each other and transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the slots 108 and, between them, delimit portions of the blank 100 corresponding to the L-shaped supporting elements of the box 1.

Between each first and each second fold segment 109, 1 10 there is defined a third fold segment 1 1 1 which is parallel to the first and second fold segments 109, 1 10 and defines an intermediate edge S2 of the box 1. Preferably, as in the example embodiment illustrated, the third fold segment

1 1 1 is parallel to, and offset from, the respective outer fold line K3 to define the supporting tab 7 and the sustaining tab 6 of different sizes. Alternatively, in a possible embodiment not illustrated, the third fold segment 1 11 is parallel to, and aligned with, the respective outer fold line K3 to define the supporting tab 7 and the sustaining tab 6 of the same size.

Preferably, the pairs of slots 108 are equispaced along the outer fold line K3.

Preferably the blank 100 also comprises:

- two pairs of peripheral panels 103a (defining the lateral flaps 3a), each pair 103a being adjacent to a respective side panel 103 so that each peripheral panel 103a of a pair of peripheral panels 103a is disposed on a respective side of the side panel 103 and joined to the side panel 103 by a respective longitudinal fold line K1 ,

- a pair of first reinforcing panels 102a (defining the lower flaps 2a) adjacent to the central panel 102 and joined to the central panel 102 by the longitudinal fold lines K1 ;

- two pairs of second reinforcing panels 105a (defining the upper flaps 5a), each of which is adjacent to a respective top panel 105 on opposite sides of the top panel 105 and preferably joined to the top panel 105 along the longitudinal fold lines K1. Advantageously, the fact that the box 1 is made from a single blank 100 simplifies the production process.

Also part of this invention are a sub-unit and a method for folding a blank, specifically for folding the top panels 105 relative to the side panels 103 of a blank 100 according to this invention.

Although the sub-unit and method of this invention can be used to fold a blank of any kind:

- comprising a first panel and a second panel separated by a fold line, and

- provided, astride of the fold line, with a series of pairs of slots which are juxtaposed, preferably parallel to each other, are oriented perpendicularly to the fold line and extend partly on the first panel and partly on the second panel,

reference will now be made to the blank 100 according to this invention. The sub-unit 20 according to this invention is configured to fold the top panel 105 (corresponding to the aforementioned first panel) relative to the side panel 103 (corresponding to the aforementioned second panel) about the outer fold line K3 (corresponding to the aforementioned fold line).

With reference to Figures 5, 6A and 6B, the sub-unit 20 comprises:

- a supporting head 21 ,

- a first group of pushers 22 mounted on the supporting head 21 and configured to intercept and push corresponding portions of the top panel 105 alternated with pairs of adjacent slots 108,

- a second group of pushers 23 mounted on the supporting head 21 and configured to intercept and push a portion of blank disposed between the pairs of slots 108,

- first movement means 24 operating on the first group of pushers

22,

- second movement means 25 operating on the second group of pushers 23;

- a control unit, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, operating on the first and second movement means 24, 25 to actuate the first and second movement means 24, 25 in controlled manner in such a way as to erect the portion of the blank 100 disposed between the pairs of slots 108 extending astride between the top panel 105 and the side panel 103, thereby defining a plurality of L-shaped elements of the box 1 . Advantageously, the presence of two groups of pushers 22, 23 allows effectively making the L-shaped supporting elements of the box 1 by simply erecting the portions of the blank 100 between each pair of slots 108 and between the fold segments 109, 1 10, as illustrated in the sequence shown in Figures 7A-7D.

Advantageously, therefore, the two groups of pushers 22, 23 are configured to fold the portions of the top panel 105 corresponding to the supporting tabs 7 about the first fold segments 109 and to fold the portions of the side panel 103 corresponding to the sustaining tabs 6 about the second fold segments 1 10 by discordant angles, in such a way as to erect the portions of the blank 100 that define the tabs of the L-shaped supporting elements. Preferably, the portions of the top panel 105 corresponding to the sustaining tabs 6 are pushed gradually along a pushing trajectory between the third fold segment 1 1 1 and the second fold segment 109.

Preferably, the second movement means 25 operate between the first and the second group of pushers 22, 23 to move the second group of pushers 23 relative to the first group of pushers 22.

Preferably, the pushers of the first and the second group of pushers 22, 23 are mounted rotatably about the same axis of rotation 26 and are preferably mounted on the same mounting shaft 27.

Advantageously, the single axis of rotation 26 allows folding to be performed with a high degree of precision.

As clearly shown in the example embodiment of Figure 5, the pushers of the first group of pushers 22 and the pushers of the second group of pushers 23 are disposed alternately so that each first pusher 22 follows a second pusher 23 and so on according to the number of apertures A to be made. Preferably, the pushers of the first group of pushers 22 are connected to each other by a first movement pin 22a parallel and eccentric relative to the axis of rotation 26 so that they rotate as one about the axis of rotation 26. Preferably, the pushers of the second group of pushers 23 are connected to each other by a second movement pin 23a parallel and eccentric relative to the axis of rotation 26 and the first movement pin 22a so that they rotate as one about the axis of rotation 26.

The first movement means 24 operate between the supporting head 21 and the first movement pin 22a and the second movement means 25 operate between the first and the second movement pin 22a, 23a.

As illustrated in Figures 5, 6A and 6B, the first and second movement means 24, 25 preferably comprise respective linear actuators 24a, 25a, still more preferably, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

In the example embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the sub-unit 20 preferably comprises two first groups of pushers 22 and two second groups of pushers 23, disposed on opposite sides of the supporting head 21 so that the supporting head 21 has a first group and a second group of pushers 22, 23 alternately on each side of it.

That way, it is advantageously possible to make the L-shaped supporting elements simultaneously at the respective top panels 105 and side panels 103 of the blank to make the upper edges of the box 1 of Figure 1 .

The method for folding the top panels 105 relative to the side panels 103 of the blank 100 about the outer fold line K3 according to this invention comprises the following steps:

- disposing a blank 100,

- intercepting and pushing a portion of the blank 100 disposed between the pairs of slots 108 extending astride between the top panel 105 and the side panel 103, in such a way as to erect that portion of the blank to define a plurality of L-shaped elements, and - intercepting and pushing corresponding portions of the first panel 105 alternated between pairs of adjacent slots 108 to fold the first panel 105 about the outer fold line K3.

In other words, with reference to Figures 7A-7D, while the top panel 105 and the side panel 103 lie in the same plane (Figure 7A), the second pushers 23 are moved to intercept and push the portion of the blank between the pairs of slots 108 and between the second fold segment 1 10 and the first fold segment 109, preferably between the third fold segment 1 1 1 and the first fold segment 109, in order to start erecting the portion of the blank that will form the L-shaped element (Figures 7B-7C).

With reference to Figure 7A, erecting can start preferably before the step of folding the top panel 105 and continue during at least one initial sub-step of the self-same step of folding.

In addition, erecting may proceed through the action of the second pushers 23 or by being induced by the folding of the top panel 105 about the outer fold line K3 by the first pushers 22.

In other words, depending on the characteristics of the cardboard the blank 100 is made of, it is possible to continue pushing the portions of the blank 100 to proceed with erection even while the top panel 105 is being folded or to interrupt the pushing action upon reaching the fold angle between the portion that will form the sustaining tab 6 and the portion that will form the supporting tab 7 of the box 1 , so that erection is induced automatically by simply folding the top panel 105 onto the side panel 103.

At the same time as, or after, the second pushers 23 are actuated (Figures 7B, 7C), the first pushers 22 are moved to intercept and push the portions of the first panel 105 alternated between pairs of adjacent slots 108 to fold the top panel 105 about the outer fold line K3.

Erecting, whether performed by the second pushers 23 or induced by the first pushers 22, continues until the top panel 105 is disposed perpendicularly to the side panel 103 (Figure 7D).

As mentioned above, the blank 100 preferably comprises two pairs of top panels 105 and side panels 103 joined to each other by the central panel 102; the steps of the method described above can therefore be carried out simultaneously on both sides of the blank 100 - using, for example, two groups of first and second pushers 22, 23 according to this invention.

Advantageously, this invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a packaging box 1 which, thanks to the special shape of its upper edges, allows stacking and storing two or more packaging boxes 1 , IMB of containers C on top of each other without the risk of damaging the containers C, in particular without the risk of damaging the caps C2.

Claims

1 . A packaging box (1 ) for containers (C) of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products, comprising at least one base wall (2), a pair of parallel side walls

(3) disposed perpendicularly to the base wall (2), a pair of parallel face walls

(4) disposed perpendicularly to the base wall (2) and to the pair of side walls (3), two top walls (5) parallel to the base wall (2) and defined by extensions of the side walls (3), the top walls (5) of the packaging box (1 ) being configured to supportably receive the base wall (2) of another packaging box (1 ),

the packaging box (1 ) defining a containing space which is substantially in the shape of a parallelepiped and which is suitable for receiving a plurality of containers (C) in an ordered arrangement,

each top wall (5) having a plurality of sustaining tabs (6) defined by folding respective portions of the top wall (5) towards the inside of the containing space in such a way as to be positioned transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the base wall (2),

each side wall (3) having a plurality of supporting tabs (7) defined by folding respective portions of the side wall (3) towards the inside of the containing space in such a way as to be positioned parallel to the base wall (2), wherein the underside surface (7a) of each supporting tab (7) is configured to rest on non-compliant top surfaces (C1 ) of the containers (C),

each sustaining tab (6) of the top wall (5) being integral with a respective supporting tab (7) of the side wall (3) to define a single L-shaped supporting element inside the packaging box (1 ),

each L-shaped supporting element being disposed at an upper edge of the packaging box (1 ), between the respective side wall (3) and the respective top wall (5) and being laterally delimited by a pair of juxtaposed slots (8), preferably parallel, made partly on a respective side wall (3) and partly on a respective top wall (5).

2. The packaging box (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the folding geometry of the top wall (5) relative to the side wall (3) at the upper edge and the folding geometry of the L-shaped supporting element define a quadrilateral, preferably a rectangle or a square.

3. The packaging box (1 ) according to one or both of the preceding claims, wherein the upper edge extends between the face walls (4) and is defined by a succession of edge segments (S1 ) alternated with apertures (A), each aperture (A) being defined by the inward folding of the L-shaped supporting element.

4. The packaging box (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the edge segments (S1 ) have the same length (s1 ) and wherein the apertures (A) have the same length (s2).

5. The packaging box (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the containers (C) are tubular or parallelepipedal in shape and have a non-compliant top surface (C1 ) provided with at least one upwardly protruding portion (C2), specifically a cap or dispensing element, and wherein the sustaining tabs (6) have a dimension (X) which, perpendicularly to the top wall (5), is such that the tab rests on the top surface (C1 ) of the container so that the upwardly protruding portion (C2) of the container (C) is spaced from the top wall (5).

6. The packaging box (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein:

each of the top walls (5) has respective opposite lateral extensions defining a pair of upper flaps (5a),

the at least one base wall (2) has respective opposite lateral extensions defining a pair of lower flaps (2a), and

each of the side walls (3) has respective opposite lateral extensions defining a pair of lateral flaps (3a),

each upper flap (5a) and each lateral flap (3a) being configured to be folded and fixed to a respective lower flap (2a) which is folded perpendicularly to the base wall (2) to define a respective face wall (4); the lower flaps (2a) and the upper flaps (5a) having respective face edges placed in abutment with each other in such a way as to define a vertical reinforcement for the top walls (5).

7. The packaging box (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the top walls (5) have respective free face edges (5') which are opposite to, and spaced from, each other in such a way as to define a top opening for accessing and/or inspecting the packaging box (1 ).

8. The packaging box (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging box (1 ) is made from a single blank (100) obtained by blank punching a single sheet of cardboard.

9. A packaging box of containers of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products (IMB), comprising a packaging box (1 ) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of containers (C) positioned to rest on the base wall (2) of the packaging box (1 ), wherein each container (C) is tubular or parallelepipedal in shape and has a non-compliant top surface (C1 ) provided with at least one upwardly protruding portion (C2), specifically a cap or dispensing element, and wherein the sustaining tabs (6) have a dimension which, perpendicularly to the top wall (5), is such that the tab rests on the top surface (C1 ) of the container (C) so that the upwardly protruding portion (C2) of the container (C) is spaced from the top wall (5).

10. A blank (100) for making a packaging box (1 ) for containers (C) of liquid or semi-liquid or powder products according to one or more of claims 1 -8, having two longitudinal fold lines (K1 ) and two transverse fold lines (K2) which are perpendicular to each other, the blank (100) comprising:

at least one central panel (102) interposed between the transverse fold lines (K2) and defining the at least one base wall (2);

a pair of opposite side panels (103), defining the side walls (3), adjacent to the central panel (102) and delimited with respect to the central panel (102) by the transverse fold lines (K2),

at least one pair of opposite face panels, adjacent to the central panel (102) or to the side panels (103) and delimited with respect to the central panel (102) or the side panels (103) by the longitudinal fold lines (K1 ), a pair of top panels (105) defining the top walls (5), adjacent respectively to the side panels (103) and delimited with respect to the central panel (102) by respective outer fold lines (K3) parallel to the transverse fold lines (K2);

wherein, astride of each outer fold line (K3), a series of pairs of juxtaposed slots (108) are made which are preferably parallel to each other, are oriented perpendicularly to the outer fold line (K3) and extend partly on a respective side panel (103) and partly on a respective top panel (105); wherein a first fold segment (109), located on the side panel (103), and a second fold segment (1 10), located on the top panel (105), are made between the slots (108) of each pair of slots (108),

the first and second fold segments (109, 1 10) being parallel to each other and transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the slots (108) and, between them, delimiting portions of the blank (100) corresponding to the L-shaped supporting elements,

between each first and second fold segment (109, 1 1 0) there being defined a third fold segment (1 1 1 ), which is parallel to the first and second fold segments (109, 1 10) and defining an intermediate edge (S2) of the packaging box (1 ).

1 1 . The blank (100) according to claim 10, wherein the third fold segment (1 1 1 ) is parallel to and offset from the respective outer fold line (K3) to define a supporting tab (7) and a sustaining tab (6) of different size, or the third fold segment (1 1 1 ) is parallel to and aligned with the respective outer fold line (K3) to define a supporting tab (7) and a sustaining tab (6) of the same size.

12. The blank (100) according to claim 10 or 1 1 , comprising:

two pairs of peripheral panels (103a), each pair being adjacent to a respective side panel (103) so that each peripheral panel (103a) of a pair of peripheral panels (103a) is disposed on a respective side of the side panel (103) and joined to the side panel (103) by a respective longitudinal fold line (K1 ), the peripheral panels (103a) defining the side flaps (103),

a pair of first reinforcing panels (102a) adjacent to the central panel (102) and joined to the central panel (102) by the longitudinal fold lines (K1 ), the first reinforcing panels (102a) defining the lower flaps (2a);

two pairs of second reinforcing panels (105a), each of which is adjacent to a respective top panel (105) on opposite sides of the top panel (105) and preferably joined to the top panel (105) along the longitudinal fold lines (K1 ), the second reinforcing panels (105a) defining the top panels (105).

13. A sub-unit (20) for folding a blank, specifically for folding the top panels (105) relative to the side panels (103) of a blank (100) according to one or more of claims 10-12, configured to fold a first panel (105) of the blank (100) relative to a second panel (103) of the blank (100) about a fold line (K3) which separates the panels (105, 103) from each other, the blank (100) being provided, astride of the fold line (K3), with a series of pairs of slots (108) which are juxtaposed, preferably parallel to each other, are oriented perpendicularly to the fold line (K3) and extend partly on the first panel (105) and partly on the second panel (103),

the sub-unit (20) comprising:

a supporting head (21 );

a first group of pushers (22) mounted on the supporting head (21 ) and configured to intercept and push corresponding portions of the first panel (105) alternated with pairs of adjacent slots (108);

a second group of pushers (23) mounted on the supporting head (21 ) and configured to intercept and push a portion of blank disposed between the pairs of slots (108) extending astride between the first and the second panel (105, 103);

first movement means (24) operating on the first group of pushers (22); second movement means (25) operating on the second group of pushers (23);

a control unit operating on the first and second movement means (24, 25) to actuate the first and second movement means (24, 25) in controlled manner in such a way as to erect the portion of blank disposed between the pairs of slots (108) extending astride between the first and the second panel (105, 103), thereby defining a plurality of L-shaped elements.

14. The sub-unit (20) according to claim 13, wherein the second movement means (25) operate between the first and the second group of pushers (22, 23) to move the second group of pushers (23) relative to the first group of pushers (22).

15. The sub-unit (20) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the pushers of the first and the second group of pushers (22, 23) are mounted rotatably about the same axis of rotation (26) and are preferably mounted on the same mounting shaft (27).

16. The sub-unit (20) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the pushers of the first group of pushers (22) and the pushers of the second group of pushers (23) are arranged alternately in alternating succession.

17. The sub-unit (20) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the pushers of the first group of pushers (22) are connected to each other by a first movement pin (22a) parallel to, and eccentric relative to, the axis of rotation (26) so as to rotate as one about the axis of rotation (26), and wherein the pushers of the second group of pushers (23) are connected to each other by a second movement pin (23a) parallel to, and eccentric relative to, the axis of rotation (26) and the first movement pin (22a), so as to rotate as one about the axis of rotation (26); the first movement means (24) operating between the supporting head (21 ) and the first movement pin (22a) and the second movement means (25) operating between the first and the second movement pin (22a, 23a).

18. The sub-unit (20) according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the first and the second movement means (24, 25) comprise respective linear actuators (24a, 25a), preferably hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

19. The sub-unit (20) according to any one of claims 13 to 18, comprising two first groups of pushers (22) and two second groups of pushers (23) disposed on opposite sides of the supporting head (21 ) so that the supporting head (21 ) has a first group and a second group of pushers (22, 23) on each side of it.

20. A method for folding a blank, specifically for folding the top panels (105) relative to the side panels (103) of a blank (100) according to one or more of claims 10-12, comprising the following steps:

disposing a blank (100) comprising a first panel (105) and a second panel (103) separated from each other by a fold line (K3), the blank (100) being provided, astride of the fold line (K3), with a series of pairs of slots (108) which are juxtaposed, preferably parallel to each other, are oriented perpendicularly to the fold line (K3) and extend partly on the first panel (105) and partly on the second panel (103),

intercepting and pushing a portion of the blank (100) disposed between the pairs of slots (108) extending astride between the first and the second panel (105, 103), in such a way as to erect that portion of the blank (100) to define a plurality of L-shaped elements;

intercepting and pushing corresponding portions of the first panel (105) alternated between pairs of adjacent slots (1 08) to fold the first panel (105) about the fold line (K3).

21 . The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of erecting starts before the step of folding and proceeds during at least one initial sub-step of the step of folding the first panel (105).

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21 , wherein the blank (100) comprises two pairs of first and second panels (105, 103) joined to each other by a third panel (102), and wherein the step of folding the first pair of first and second panels (105, 103) is carried out simultaneously with the step of folding the second pair of first and second panels (105, 103).