BOX FROM WALL SEGMENTS SURROUNDED BY A BAND

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a polygonal tightly surrounded object constructed from flat, plate-like wall segments, which wall segments each possess two contact sides opposite to each other, each contact side of a wall segment being positioned with its side along substantially the entire length of the adjacent wall segment, the contact sides forming straight edges of the polygonal surrounded object, and the edges being positioned parallel to each other, defining a polygonal space, bordered by the wall segments, with the body of wall segments being held together by a band stretched around the wall segment's outer perimeter, and means being present to prevent the wall segments from becoming displaced in relation to each other.

[0002] Such a surrounded object, in particular a container, is known from the American patent specification US-A-1,775,224. This relates to a wooden container having very many corners, which container is manufactured from a strip of interconnected rigid, plate-like segments. The strip is provided with a groove to receive a bottom plate. The segments are held together by means of hoops for which no groove is provided. To reinforce the container, a flexible metal band is provided in a groove extending around the perimeter of the container. Said patent publication mentions that said flexible band is not expected to be able to protect the container against forces in longitudinal direction.

[0003] The known container has various greater and lesser disadvantages. For instance, the strength of the container depends to a relatively large degree on temperature and atmospherical humidity. A change in these conditions may cause the wood to expand at first and cause the metal band and/or the hoop to compress the wood in a manner which may prove to be at any rate not quite reversible, with the result that after the conditions change, the container is weaker than it was before under the same conditions. Also, changing temperatures prevent the use of a metal band in combination with plastic wall segments. When using metal bands, the place where the ends of the bands are mechanically joined, is twice the thickness of the band used. A metal band is only flexible if it is sufficiently thin, making it at the same time sharp, which may cause injuries, for instance if the joint catches on a person. In addition, having colours other than the colour of metal makes the bands, and consequently the container, relatively expensive.

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to provide a surrounded object of the kind mentioned in the preamble from which said disadvantages have been eliminated.

[0005] To this end the surrounded object according to the invention is characterized in that the means for the prevention of displacement of the wall segments in relation to each other have been selected from:

i) a groove extending around the object's inside perimeter, which groove engages a bottom plate; and/or

ii) a groove extending around the object's outside perimeter, into which groove the stretched band is introduced, and the width of the groove substantially equals the width of the stretched band; and the band is a flexible plastic band.

[0006] A flexible plastic band is by nature more elastic than a metal band. This makes the container more resistant to ambient fluctuations. Also, the container may now be an object such as a container with fewer edges. The thickness of a plastic band may help to prevent displacement in the longitudinal direction as well as reduce the chance of a user cutting himself on the flexible band. Finally, the objects can be placed closer together because the band can be flushed completely. During transport, the assembled and optionally filled objects take up less space than the assembled containers disclosed in the American patent specification. Plastic bands are available in virtually any colour, so that the appearance of the polygonal object may be further embellished.

[0007] The German patent publication DE-U-84 04 834 discloses a wooden container comprising plate-like segments held together by means of a metal band. The segments comprise around the inside perimeter a groove engaging a bottom plate. This publication does not disclose the use of a flexible plastic band.

[0008] According to a favourable embodiment the flexible band is a thermoplastic plastic band whose ends are fusion-joined.

[0009] Such a joint is not thicker than twice the thickness of the flexible band. In contrast with the thermical joining of metal bands, the temperatures are so low that there is no risk of the wall segments discolouring. Even when using plastic wall segments, which in accordance with the present invention is also possible, there is no risk of them melting.

[0010] The use of plastic band is generally known in the packaging industry, in particular for sealing carton boxes, and makes it possible to manufacture objects such as containers very inexpensively, while nevertheless being strong. Surprisingly, the strength suffices also for light furniture such as chairs and small tables.

[0011] According to a favourable embodiment, the wall segments are provided at their outside with a groove, whose depth is at least almost equal to the thickness of the flexible band.

[0012] This prevents the plastic band from catching on something, as can happen with the band according to the prior art. An additional advantage to be achieved is the saving of space.

[0013] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an object surrounded by a band, which object comprises a bottom plate and wall segments.

[0014] The method according to the invention is characterized in that the wall segments are placed in mutual contact against the bottom plate, the mutually contacting wall segments being provided with means for prevention of displacement of the wall segments in relation to each other, the means being a groove extending around the object's inside perimeter, said groove engaging a bottom plate and/or a groove extending around the object's outside perimeter, into which groove the band 3 is introduced,
around the wall segments at least one plastic band is applied, as plastic band a band having two ends is used, and that the two ends are joined under a tensile stress.

[0015] It is relatively simple to automate this method. By using coloured plastic band, one operation suffices to produce an object with a colourful band, which band is inexpensive and whose colour does not flake off.

[0016] A second method, optionally to be combined with the method of manufacturing an object surrounded by a band as described above, is characterized in that mutually contacting wall segments are placed around and against a body serving as mould, which body conforms to the shape and dimensions of the space of an object to be formed, that at least one plastic band having two ends is applied around the wall segments, and that the two ends are joined under a tensile stress, after which the body serving as mould is removed from the thus formed space.

[0017] This manner makes it possible to quickly manufacture objects surrounded by a band according to the invention which can be very light.

[0018] To each of the above-described methods of manufacturing a surrounded container applies that preferably a thermoplastic plastic band is used and that joining occurs by supplying heat.

[0019] An alternative to thermically joining is the use of a cable binder. This is a plastic band having one jagged side. At a first end an opening is provided through which the other end of the band can be drawn. Once drawn through, the end cannot be pulled back.

[0020] According to an alternative method for manufacturing an object surrounded by a band, the wall segments are placed against an element defining the perimeter of the object to be formed and, with the aid of an auxiliary device, an endless plastic band of a length that in a state of rest is smaller than the circumference of the object to be formed is placed around the wall segments at the intended place, after which the element may be removed.

[0021] The element may be a bottom plate or a mould, the latter will naturally be removed after manufacture of the object. The advantage of this method is that the object may be supplied as a kit, taking up little space, and can be manufactured on site without requiring any costly equipment. Conveniently, the auxiliary means is a tool comprising a handle and a blade, which blade in the longitudinal direction is provided with a V-shaped groove. The handle is attached to the end of the blade. The angle of the V is larger than or identical with the angle of the polygonal object, so that it can be used to stretch the plastic band without difficulty in order to guide it over the wall segments and in particular over the edge formed by said wall segments.

[0022] Finally, the invention relates to a packing comprised of a lower element having standing walls and an upper element having rims that are directed downward, so that when the packing is closed, the rims of the upper element at least partially cover the walls of the lower element.

[0023] The packing according to the invention is characterized in that the lower element and the upper element have identical shapes, each comprising a surrounded container according to the invention.

[0024] The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of an object, in particular a container, according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the container seen in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of the container according to the invention; and

Fig. 4 shows a cross section of the container shown in Fig. 3 according to line IV-IV.

[0025] The embodiment of a surrounded object according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, is a surrounded container comprising a polygonal bottom plate 1 around which flat plate-like wall segments 2a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h are placed. In the present application the term flat means not curved. Each wall segment 2 possesses two contact sides opposite to each other, which are in contact with an adjacent wall segment 2. The assembly of bottom plate 1 and wall segments 2 is held together by means of a flexible plastic band 3 stretched around the wall segment's 2 outer perimeter (Fig. 2).

[0026] Practically any flexible plastic may be used as plastic. The expert will, for instance, use the plastic band commonly used for sealing carton boxes. The plastic band 3 is chiefly made from polyester (which can be stretched 4-7% before breaking), polypropylene (which can be stretched 10-12% before breaking), and advantageously foamed polypropylene (which can be stretched 10-20% before breaking). Such a plastic band is generally available and can be obtained, for example, from Compac GmbH, Elztal Dall, Germany.

[0027] The number of wall segments 2 of a container according to the invention may range for instance, from three to twenty. The wall segments may be made from plastic or wood, such as blockboard.

[0028] At their outside the wall segments are conveniently provided with a groove 4, whose depth is adapted for the reception of the plastic band 3. If the container does not have a groove extending around the inside of the perimeter, engaging a bottom plate 1, then the groove 4 extending around the outside of the perimeter is obligatory. It is preferred that the thickness of the band 3 is equal to the depth of the groove 4. It is also preferred that the width of the band 3 is equal to the width of the groove 4. This has a favourable influence on the strength of the surrounded container.

[0029] A suitable thickness for the wall segments is 3 to 25 mm, and preferably between 5 and 16 mm, this provides light and strong surrounded containers.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment the grain of the wood runs in the circumferential direction. Having the grain of the wooden wall segments run in the circumferential direction, ensures that despite shrinkage and expansion of the wood due to changes in temperature and humidity, the wall segments will remain under sufficient tension to guarantee a strong container.

[0031] A surrounded container according to the invention may be symmetrical and may, for instance, be formed from four to twelve wall segments. However, containers according to the present invention may also be irregular polygons. According to a preferred embodiment the wall segments 2 have substantially identical dimensions. Characteristically, wall segments 2 have bevelled contact sides, with the bevel angle of two adjacent wall segments being substantially identical. For a container having a symmetrically octagonal bottom plate 1, said angle is 180°/8 =22.5°.

[0032] The surfaces where the wall segments meet, as shown in Fig. 3, are provided with an axially extending groove 5 or an axially extending projection 6, which serve to further strengthen the container for demanding purposes.

[0033] Fig 4 shows how a groove 7 extending around the inside of a surrounded container engages the bottom plate 1. The thickness of the bottom plate 1 and the width of the groove 7 are adapted to each other, that is to say they are almost identical, preventing movement of the wall segments 2 in axial direction, thus guaranteeing a sturdy surrounded container.

[0034] To manufacture a container surrounded by a band 3 according to the invention, the mutually contacting wall segments 2 are placed against the bottom plate 1, and around the outside of the wall segments 2 at least one band 3 is applied. The band 3 is preferably a strip of plastic band having two ends, and the two ends are joined under a tensile stress.

[0035] The required tensile strength depends on how strong the holder is required to be, what kind of wood and plastic band 3 are used as well as its dimensions, and it lies within the capabilities of the expert to determine said tensile strength by experimentation without too much effort.

[0036] The plastic band is preferably a thermoplastic plastic band and is joined by supplying heat. This technique is generally known, for instance from UK 1,531,082 relating to the sealing of carton boxes and the holding together of products, and is surprisingly very suitable for the manufacture of the surrounded container according to the invention. According to another embodiment the ends may be joined with the aid of glue.

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that wall segments are placed against a body serving as mould, which body conforms to the shape and dimensions of the space of a container to be formed and a bottom plate. The plastic band is applied and the body serving as mould is removed from the space thus formed. The use of the mould facilitates the positioning of the wall segments 2 prior to their being surrounded by the band 3. They may also be held together temporarily by a rubber (elastic) band.

[0038] Two containers according to the invention together may form a packing if the size and shape of the first container are adapted to be inserted into the space of the second surrounded container. Making the thickness, and preferably also the width of the plastic band substantially identical to the depth (respectively the width) of the groove will prevent the container catching on anything, as may happen with containers according to the prior art.

[0039] The surrounded container and the packing according to the invention are suitable as receptacle for a variety of products for which an elegant surrounded container is required which is simple to manufacture. Said products may, for instance, include chocolates and building blocks.

[0040] A surrounded container according to the invention can also be used as tray, coaster, drawer, flower box, and as container for photographs, mirrors and jewellery. The surrounded container according to the invention may also be provided with handles. In addition, the surrounded object may further serve as base for other objects such as light furniture.

[0041] Finally, the invention also comprises container assemblies, that is to say products comprising at least two surrounded containers according to the invention. Such container assemblies can be used as furniture. Vertically placed containers do not require a bottom plate. One or more wall segments will serve as base for the product to be received. In this respect displays standing or hanging on a wall come to mind, for shops, wine racks and book cases.

Claims

1. A polygonal tightly surrounded object constructed from flat, plate-like wall segments (2), which wall segments (2) each possess two contact sides opposite to each other, each contact side of a wall segment (2) being positioned with its side along substantially the entire length of the adjacent wall segment (2), the contact sides forming straight edges of the polygonal surrounded object, and the edges being positioned parallel to each other, defining a polygonal space, bordered by the wall segments (2), with the body of wall segments (2) being held together by a band (3) stretched around the wall segment's (2) outer perimeter, and means being present to prevent the wall segments (2) from becoming displaced in relation to each other, characterized in that the means for the prevention of displacement of the wall segments (2) in relation to each other have been selected from:

i) a groove (7) extending around the object's inside perimeter, which groove engages a bottom plate (1); and/or

ii) a groove (4) extending around the object's outside perimeter, into which groove (4) the stretched band (3) is introduced, and the width of the groove (4) substantially equals the width of the stretched band (3);

and the band (3) is a flexible plastic band (3).

2. An object according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible band (3) is a thermoplastic plastic band (3) whose ends are fusion-joined.

3. An object according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wall segments (2) are provided at their outside with a groove (4), whose depth is at least almost equal to the thickness of the flexible band (3).

4. An object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the wall segments (2) is between 5 and 16 mm.

5. An object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall segments (2) are made from wood.

6. An object according to claim 5, characterized in that the grain of the wood runs in the circumferential direction.

7. An object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this is formed from 4 to 12 wall segments (2).

8. An object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall segments (2) have substantially identical dimensions.

9. A method of manufacturing an object surrounded by a band (3), which object comprises a bottom plate (1) and wall segments (2), characterized in that the wall segments are placed in mutual contact against the bottom plate (1) the mutually contacting wall segments (2) being provided with means for prevention of displacement of the wall segments (2) in relation to each other, the means being a groove (7) extending around the object's inside perimeter, said groove (7) engaging a bottom plate (1) and/or a groove (4) extending around the object's outside perimeter, into which groove (4) the band (3) is introduced,
around the wall segments (2) at least one plastic band (3) is applied, as plastic band (3) a band (3) having two ends is used, and that the two ends are joined under a tensile stress.

10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that as plastic band (3) a thermoplastic band (3) is used and joining occurs by supplying heat.

11. A method of manufacturing an object surrounded by a band (3), characterized in that mutually contacting wall segments (2) are placed around and against a body serving as mould, which body conforms to the shape and dimensions of the space of an object to be formed, that at least one plastic band (3) having two ends is applied around the wall segments (2), and that the two ends are joined under a tensile stress, after which the body serving as mould is removed from the thus formed space.

12. A method of manufacturing an object surrounded by a band (3), characterized in that the wall segments (2) are placed against an element defining the perimeter of the object to be formed and, with the aid of an auxiliary device, an endless plastic band (3) of a length that in a state of rest is smaller than the circumference of the object to be formed is placed around the wall segments (2) at the intended place, after which the element may be removed.

13. A packing comprised of a lower element having standing walls and an upper element having rims that are directed downward, so that when the packing is closed, the rims of the upper element at least partially cover the walls of the lower element, characterized in that the lower element and the upper element have identical shapes, each comprising a surrounded object according to one of the claims 1 to 8.

Ansprüche

1. Polygonaler, fest umschlossener Gegenstand, welcher aus ebenen, plattenförmigen Wandsegmenten (2) zusammengebaut ist, wobei die Wandsegmente (2) jeweils zwei gegenüberliegende Berührungsseiten besitzen, wobei jede Berührungsseite eines Wandsegments (2) mit ihrer Seite im Wesentlichen entlang der gesamten Länge des angrenzenden Wandsegments (2) angeordnet wird, wobei die Berührungsseiten gerade Kanten des polygonalen, umschlossenen Gegenstands bilden und die Kanten parallel zueinander angeordnet werden, so dass sie einen polygonalen Raum festlegen, welcher von den Wandsegmenten (2) begrenzt wird, wobei der Körper aus Wandsegmenten (2) mittels eines Bandes (3) zusammengehalten wird, welches um den äußeren Umfang der Wandsegmente (2) gespannt wird und ein Mittel vorhanden ist, welches verhindert, dass die Wandsegmente (2) gegeneinander verschoben werden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Mittel zur Verhinderung eines Gegeneinander-Verschiebens der Wandsegmente (2) ausgewählt wurde aus:

i) einer Nut (7), welche sich um den inneren Umfang des Gegenstandes erstreckt, wobei in die Nut eine Bodenplatte (1) eingreift, und/oder

ii) einer Nut (4), welche sich um den äußeren Umfang des Gegenstandes erstreckt, wobei das gespannte Band (3) in diese Nut (4) eingeführt wird und die Breite der Nut (4) im Wesentlichen der Breite des gespannten Bandes (3) entspricht,

und das Band (3) ein flexibles Kunststoffband (3) ist.

2. Gegenstand nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das flexible Band (3) ein thermoplastisches Kunststoffband (3) ist, dessen Enden durch Schmelzen verbunden werden.

3. Gegenstand nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Wandsegmente (2) an ihren Außenseiten mit einer Nut (4) versehen sind, deren Tiefe zumindest fast der Dicke des flexiblen Bands (3) entspricht.

4. Gegenstand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Dicke der Wandsegmente (2) zwischen 5 und 16 mm beträgt.

5. Gegenstand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Wandsegmente (2) aus Holz hergestellt sind.

6. Gegenstand nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Maserung des Holzes in Umfangsrichtung verläuft.

7. Gegenstand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass er aus 4 bis 12 Wandsegmenten (2) gebildet wird.

8. Gegenstand nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Wandsegmente (2) im Wesentlichen identische Abmessungen aufweisen.

9. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines von einem Band (3) umschlossenen Gegenstands, welcher eine Bodenplatte (1) und Wandsegmente (2) umfasst,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,

dass die sich gegenseitig berührenden Wandsegmente gegen die Bodenplatte (1) platziert werden, wobei die sich gegenseitig berührenden Wandsegmente (2) mit Mitteln zur Verhinderung eines Verschiebens der Wandsegmente (2) gegeneinander versehen sind, wobei diese Mittel aus einer Nut (7) bestehen, welche sich um den inneren Umfang des Gegenstandes erstreckt, wobei in die Nut (7) eine Bodenplatte (1) eingreift, und/oder aus einer Nut (4), welche sich um den äußeren Umfang des Gegenstandes erstreckt, wobei das Band (3) in diese Nut (4) eingeführt wird,

um die Wandsegmente (2) zumindest ein Kunststoffband (3) angebracht wird, als Kunststoffband (3) ein thermoplastisches Band (3) verwendet wird, welches zwei Enden aufweist, und dass die beiden Enden unter einer Zugspannung verbunden werden.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass als Kunststoffband (3) ein thermoplastisches Band (3) verwendet wird und das Verbinden durch Hitzezufuhr geschieht.

11. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines von einem Band (3) umschlossenen Gegenstands,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,

dass gegenseitig kontaktierende Wandsegmente (2) um und gegen einen Körper platziert werden, der als Form dient, wobei der Körper der Form und den Abmessungen des Raums des zu bildenden Gegenstands entspricht,

dass zumindest ein Kunststoffband (3), welches zwei Enden aufweist, um die Wandsegmente (2) angebracht wird, und dass die beiden Enden unter einer Zugspannung verbunden werden, wonach der als Form dienende Körper aus dem dadurch gebildeten Raum entfernt wird.

12. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines von einem Band (3) umschlossenen Gegenstands,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Wandsegmente (2) gegen ein Element platziert werden, welches den Umfang des zu bildenden Gegenstands festlegt, und mit Hilfe eines Hilfsmittels ein endloses Kunststoffband (3) einer Länge, welche im Ruhezustand kleiner ist als der Umfang des zu bildenden Gegenstandes, am beabsichtigten Ort um die Wandsegmente (2) platziert wird, wonach das Element entfernt werden kann.

13. Verpackung, welche aus einem unteren Element mit stehenden Wänden und einem oberen Element mit nach unten gerichteten Rändern besteht, so dass bei geschlossener Verpackung die Ränder des oberen Elements zumindest teilweise die Wände des unteren Elements bedecken,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das untere Element und das obere Element eine identische Form aufweisen, wobei jedes Element ein umschlossenes Objekt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8 umfasst.

Revendications

1. Objet polygonal entouré serré, construit à partir de segments de parois du type plaques, plats (2), lesquels segments de parois (2) possèdent chacun deux faces de contact opposées, chaque face de contact d'un segment de paroi (2) étant positionnée avec sa face le long sensiblement de la totalité de la longueur du segment de paroi adjacent (2), les faces de contact formant des bords droits de l'objet polygonal entouré, et les bords étant positionnés parallèlement les uns aux autres, définissant un espace polygonal, bordé des segments de parois (2), avec les corps des segments de parois (2) étant maintenus les uns avec les autres par une bande (3) étirée autour du périmètre externe des segments de parois (2), et des moyens étant présents pour empêcher les segments de parois (2) d'être déplacés les uns par rapport aux autres, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour empêcher le déplacement des segments de parois (2) les uns par rapport aux autres ont été sélectionnés parmi :

i) une rainure (7) s'étendant autour du périmètre intérieur de l'objet, laquelle rainure engage une plaque inférieure (1) ; et/ou

ii) une rainure (4) s'étendant autour du périmètre extérieur de l'objet, dans laquelle rainure (4) la bande étirée (3) est introduite, et la largeur de la rainure (4) est sensiblement égale à la largeur de la bande étirée (3) ;

   et la bande (3) est une bande de plastique flexible (3).

2. Objet selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la bande flexible (3) est une bande de plastique thermoplastique (3) dont les extrémités sont reliées par fusion.

3. Objet selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les segments de parois (2) sont dotés, à leur extérieur, d'une rainure (4), dont la profondeur est au moins sensiblement égale à l'épaisseur de la bande flexible (3).

4. Objet selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'épaisseur des segments de parois (2) est comprise entre 5 et 16 mm.

5. Objet selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les segments de parois (2) sont constitués de bois.

6. Objet selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que la fibre du bois s'étend dans la direction circonférentielle.

7. Objet selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'objet est constitué de 4 à 12 segments de parois (2).

8. Objet selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les segments de parois (2) ont des dimensions sensiblement identiques.

9. Procédé de fabrication d'un objet entouré d'une bande (3), lequel objet comprend une plaque inférieure (1) et des segments de parois (2), caractérisé en ce que les segments de parois sont placés en contact mutuel contre la plaque inférieure (1), les segments de parois (2) en contact mutuel étant dotés de moyens pour empêcher le déplacement des segments de parois (2) les uns par rapport aux autres, les moyens consistant en une rainure (7) s'étendant autour du périmètre intérieur de l'objet, ladite rainure (7) engageant une plaque inférieure (1) et/ou une rainure (4) s'étendant autour du périmètre extérieur de l'objet, dans laquelle rainure (4) la bande (3) est introduite,
   autour des segments de parois (2) au moins une bande de plastique (3) est appliquée, comme bande de plastique (3) une bande (3) comportant deux extrémités est utilisée, et en ce que les deux extrémités sont reliées sous une contrainte de traction.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que, comme bande de plastique (3), une bande thermoplastique (3) est utilisée et la jonction est réalisée par application de chaleur.

11. Procédé de fabrication d'un objet entouré d'une bande (3), caractérisé en ce que des segments de parois (2) en contact mutuel sont placés autour de, et contre, un corps servant de moule, lequel corps épouse la forme et les dimensions de l'espace d'un objet à former, en ce qu'au moins une bande de plastique (3) comportant deux extrémités est appliquée autour des segments de parois (2), et en ce que les deux extrémités sont reliées sous une contrainte de traction, après quoi le corps servant de moule est ôté de l'espace ainsi formé.

12. Procédé de fabrication d'un objet entouré d'une bande (3), caractérisé en ce que les segments de parois (2) sont placés contre un élément définissant le périmètre de l'objet à former et, à l'aide d'un dispositif auxiliaire, une bande de plastique sans fin (3) d'une longueur qui, au repos est inférieure à la circonférence de l'objet à former, est placée autour des segments de parois (2) à l'emplacement prévu, après quoi l'élément peut être ôté.

13. Emballage composé d'un élément inférieur comportant des parois dressées et un élément supérieur comportant des bordures qui sont dirigées vers le bas, de manière que, lorsque l'emballage est fermé, les bordures de l'élément supérieur recouvrent au moins en partie les parois de l'élément inférieur, caractérisé en ce que l'élément inférieur et l'élément supérieur ont des formes identiques, chacun comprenant un objet entouré selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8.

Drawing