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(11) | EP 3 248 896 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | PACKAGING FOR THE CONTAINMENT OF OBJECTS, PARTICULARLY BOTTLES |
| (57) The packaging (1) for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, comprises: - a main containment body (2) having: - four side walls (3) defining a housing compartment (4) and an access opening (5); - a bottom portion (9) for the support of at least a plurality of first bottles (11), formed on a portion of the housing compartment (4) opposite the access opening (5); - a first flap element (13) associated with a first edge (14) of the access opening (5) and foldable towards the bottom portion (9) for the closure of the access opening itself; - a second flap element (16) insertable within the housing compartment (4) resting on the first bottles (11) to define at least a horizontal separation plane supporting at least a plurality of second bottles (17) and substantially parallel to the bottom portion (9); - a third flap element (22) and a fourth flap element (23) associated with a third edge (24) and with a fourth edge (25) respectively of the access opening (5), the third edge (24) and the fourth edge (25) being adjacent to the first edge (14) and opposing each other; wherein the second flap element (16) comprises at least a first notch (20) and at least one of the third flap element (22) and the fourth flap element (23) is insertable within the first notch (20) to define at least a first vertical separation plane (28) of the bottles (11, 17), the first separation plane (28) being substantially transverse to the bottom portion (9). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles.
[0002] With particular reference to the packing sector, packaging is known which is made of die-cut cardboard and housing a plurality of bottles inside.
[0003] As known, the bottles have a lower supporting portion and a hollow body of elongated shape which extends from the lower base itself and is adapted to contain a beverage.
[0004] The hollow body is also provided with a neck arranged at a portion which is opposite to the lower base; specifically, the shape of the hollow body is variable according to the capacity of the latter as well as according to the different types of beverage contained therein.
[0005] Generally, the hollow body is provided with a narrowing which connects the hollow body itself to the neck. With particular reference to the glass bottles for the containment of wine, the latter are distinguished by their size, thickness of the glass, shape of the shoulder, bottom and hollow body.
[0006] Moreover, the hollow body comprises a label bearing, in addition to the wine organoleptic characteristics, information of various kind, such as e.g. the origin, the name of the wine and the vintage.
[0007] To date, labels are often elaborate and have a high aesthetic degree, thus contributing largely to the final aesthetic effect of the bottle towards customers.
[0008] In detail, the different types of bottle are distinguished from each other depending on the type of wine they contain.
[0009] For example, a first type of bottle, the so-called "Bordeaux" bottle, has the hollow body with a substantially cylindrical shape, a concave bottom portion and a prominent shoulder. A second type of bottle, the so-called "Burgundy" bottle, has the hollow body with a substantially cylindrical shape, free of shoulders, with a higher neck than the first type of bottle and a concave bottom portion.
[0010] It is easy to understand that the above types of bottle require special packaging to fit the shapes and sizes of the bottles themselves and, above all, that enables their secure fixing in such a way as to ensure their integrity during the transport and storage phases.
[0011] The known packaging comprises a containment body defined by a central portion corresponding to the bottom of the packaging, generally of square or rectangular shape, made of packaging die-cut cardboard, of the type of corrugated cardboard of more or less variable thickness according to the desired stiffness for the packaging itself and the desired degree of protection.
[0012] Each side of the central portion comprises a respective lateral surface connected to it by means of a respective folding line.
[0013] The lateral surfaces, after being folded and arranged substantially orthogonal to the central portion, define a housing compartment for the containment of the bottles and an access opening to the housing compartment itself.
[0014] Furthermore, each lateral surface comprises a respective flap element, in turn, connected to it by means of a respective folding line allowing it to fold back towards the central portion, so as to cover at least part of the access opening of the housing compartment.
[0015] Generally, two types of packaging are known: a first type in which the bottles are arranged vertically, that is, the central portion supports the bottom portion of each bottle, and a second type in which the bottles are arranged horizontally, that is, the central portion supports the hollow body.
[0016] In the first type of packaging, the bottles contained inside the housing compartment are spaced apart and securely fixed the one with respect to the other by means of a grid element fittable to measure inside the housing compartment itself and comprising a plurality of longitudinal elements arranged transversely to each other to define a plurality of housing seats.
[0017] Each bottle is enclosed by the respective housing seat at the level of the median portion of the hollow body and is covered at the top by the relevant flap elements which are folded on the access opening.
[0018] Nevertheless, this first type of packaging has some drawbacks linked to the reduced compactness of the packaging and, at the same time, to the lack of stability of the bottles contained inside the housing compartment.
[0019] Specifically, the bottles, being enclosed only at the level of the median portion of the containment body, during the handling of the packaging, are subject to oscillations that lead them to come into contact with each other thus producing noise.
[0020] Additionally, the assembly of this type of packaging is long and difficult, in fact, being made in multiple pieces it involves big waste of material as well as long preparation times.
[0021] Moreover, this type of packaging has a poor aesthetic effect and is unattractive to customers. In detail, after opening the packaging, the hollow body and the label placed there are not visible.
[0022] In the second type of packaging, the bottles contained inside the housing compartment are secured firmly by a plurality of housing seats which have been formed as a result of the folding of the flap elements inside the compartment itself. More in detail, the flap elements are shaped and made foldable by folding lines so that, after being folded inside the housing compartment, they form a plurality of lower housing seats and a plurality of upper housing seats.
[0025] In fact, the flap elements forming the housing seats, during the manufacture of the packaging, are shaped and cut by discarding a large amount of material.
[0026] Additionally, the flap elements, after being folded inside the housing compartment to form the housing seats, define separation surfaces having little extension; in the present case, each bottle contained inside a respective housing seat is separated from the adjacent housing seat by a partition surface the extension of which is not the same as that of the hollow body and hence the oscillations produced by the handling of the packaging cause the bottles to come in contact with each other, thus producing noise.
[0027] Another drawback is linked to the fact that assembling the packaging to form the housing seats is a long and difficult operation, the bottles and the relevant labels are poorly visible after opening the packaging, greatly reducing the aesthetic effect of the packaging itself towards customers.
[0028] Moreover, also the above mentioned type of packaging is not very compact, especially if the packaging is handled and/or overturned to show the bottles contained therein.
[0029] The main aim of the present invention is to provide a packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, which has quick and easy assembly operations and which allows to secure firmly the bottles contained therein, thus eliminating the production of noise during the handling of the packaging itself.
[0030] Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, which allows significantly reducing the waste of material during the manufacture of the packaging itself.
[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, which is of higher aesthetic appeal than the known type of packaging, and which allows the free handling and/or overturning of the packaging itself by allowing to show the bottles contained therein without the risk of coming out of the same.
[0032] Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.
[0033] The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, having the characteristics of claim 1.
[0034] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a plan view of the packaging according to the invention in a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the packaging according to the invention in a second embodiment;
Figures 3-6 are axonometric views of the packaging of Figure 2 during the assembly step.
[0035] With particular reference to these illustrations, globally indicated with reference numeral 1 is a packaging for the containment of objects, particularly bottles.
[0036] The packaging 1 comprises at least a main body 2 having four side walls 3 defining a housing compartment 4 and an access opening 5 for the access to the housing compartment itself.
[0037] In a starting configuration, shown in Figures 1, 2, the main body 2 is arranged flat, i.e. with the side walls 3 outstretched and lying on horizontal planes; in fact, each side wall 3 comprises relevant lateral surfaces 6 of substantially rectangular shape which are interconnected by means of respective folding lines 7.
[0038] In detail, each lateral surface 6 comprises a pair of base sides opposite to each other and a pair of orthogonal sides opposite to each other.
[0040] Within the scope of this discussion, by the term "opposite" is meant two congruent segments, that is, having the same length and parallel to each other, while by the term "consecutive" are meant two segments having an extreme part in common.
[0041] Each lateral surface 6 has a base side connected by means of a folding line 7 to a bottom surface 8 which, in an assembly configuration shown in Figures 3-6, is folded and positioned close to another bottom surface 8 to define a bottom portion 9 of the main body 2.
[0042] The assembly operation of the side walls 3 and of the bottom portion 9 takes place by means of relevant overlapping surfaces 10 which are arranged on one orthogonal side of the lateral surfaces 6 and of the bottom surfaces 8, respectively.
[0043] The overlapping surface 10 of the lateral surfaces 6 is associated, by interposition of adhesive means, to the extremal lateral surface 6.
[0044] The overlapping surfaces 10 of the bottom surfaces 8 are shaped in such a way as to associate with each other by interlocking.
[0046] With reference to the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the bottom portion 9 supports three first bottles 11.
[0047] Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the bottom portion 9 supports four, five, etc. first bottles 11.
[0048] The first bottles 11 have a longitudinal axis 12 arranged parallel to the bottom portion 9 and to the direction of longitudinal extension of the main body 2.
[0049] In this case, the bottom portion 9 is formed on a portion of the housing compartment 4 opposite to the access opening 5.
[0050] The main body 2 comprises a first flap element 13 associated with a first edge 14 of the access opening 5 and foldable towards the bottom portion 9 for the closure of the access opening itself.
[0051] As can be seen in the figures, the first flap element 13 has a rectangular shape and is also provided with a closure portion 15 connected to a base side of the first flap element 13 by means of a respective folding line 7.
[0052] The first flap element 13 is associated with the first edge 14 of the access opening 5 by means of a first folding line 7a.
[0053] The main body 2 comprises a second flap element 16 insertable within the housing compartment 4 resting on the first bottles 11 to define at least a horizontal separation plane supporting at least a plurality of second bottles 17 and substantially parallel to the bottom portion 9.
[0054] With reference to the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the second flap element 16 is associated with a second edge 18 of the access opening 5 by means of a second folding line 7b.
[0055] In this case, the second flap element 16 is associated with the second edge 18 by means of a connecting portion 19.
[0056] The connecting portion 19 has a predefined height and is adapted to space the second flap element 16 apart from the bottom portion 9; this means that the height of the connecting portion 19 may vary depending on the distance from the bottom portion 9 that is to be obtained.
[0057] In other words, the above mentioned height varies depending on the size of the bottles 11, 17 and of the size of the packaging 1.
[0058] Alternative embodiments cannot also be ruled out wherein the second flap element 16 is separated from the main body 2 and insertable substantially to measure inside the housing compartment 4; this means that the second flap element 16 has a length and width substantially coincident with the length and width of the packaging 1.
[0061] The first notch 20 and the second notch 21 have an elongated shape which extends along the direction of longitudinal extension of the main body 2.
[0063] The main body 2 comprises a third flap element 22 and a fourth flap element 23 associated with a third edge 24 of the access opening 5 and with a fourth edge 25 of the access opening 5, respectively.
[0064] Advantageously, the third edge 24 and the fourth edge 25 are adjacent to the first edge 14 and opposing each other.
[0065] Similarly to the first flap element 13 and to the second flap element 16, also the third flap element 22 is associated with the third edge 24 of the access opening 5 by means of a third folding line 7c.
[0066] Like the other flap elements 13, 16, 22, also the fourth flap element 23 is associated with the fourth edge 25 of the access opening 5 by means of a fourth folding line 7d.
[0067] According to the invention, at least one of the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 is insertable within at least one notch 20, 21 to define a first vertical separation plane 28 of the bottles 11, 17 which is substantially transverse to the bottom portion 9.
[0068] Advantageously, the first separation plane 28 defines first housing seats 29 and second housing seats 30 of the bottles 11, 17.
[0069] In the present case, each of the first housing seats 29 and each of the second housing seats 30 is defined on opposite sides with respect to the second flap element 16; this means that one of the first housing seats 29 and one of the second housing seats 30 is defined below the second flap element 16, and the other of the first housing seats 29 and the other of the second housing seats 30 is defined above the second flap element 16.
[0070] In the second notch 21 is insertable the fourth flap element 23 to define a second vertical separation plane 31 of the bottles 11, 17 substantially transverse to the bottom portion 9.
[0071] The second separation plane 31 is adapted to define third housing seats 32 arranged on opposite sides with respect to the second flap element 16.
[0072] The third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 have a length and width substantially equal to the length and width of the housing compartment 4.
[0073] In this regard it is worth specifying that the flap elements 13, 16, 22, 23 are movable between a reference configuration wherein the main body 2 rests on a plane, the side walls 3 are substantially orthogonal to the plane and the flap elements 13, 16, 22, 23 are moved away from the access opening 5 (Figure 3), and a packaging configuration wherein the bottles 11, 17 are housed inside the housing compartment 4, the second flap element 16 is folded inside the housing compartment 4 to separate the bottles 11, 17 horizontally, the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 are inserted inside the first notch 20 and the second notch 21 respectively to define the housing seats 29, 30 and to separate the bottles 11, 17 vertically (Figure 6).
[0074] Specifically, the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23, in the assembly configuration, define a space, comprised between the second edge 18 and the first portions 26, in which the closure portion 15 is insertable to measure.
[0075] At least one of the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 comprises at least a fifth folding line 7e which, in the packaging configuration, is adapted to divide it into a first portion 26 substantially coplanar to the access opening 5, and into a second portion 27 substantially coplanar to at least one of the aforementioned separation planes 28, 31.
[0076] With reference to the particular embodiment shown in the figures, both the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 comprise the fifth folding line 7e.
[0077] In the packaging configuration, the first portions 26 define a continuous surface and the latter are shaped complementary to each other.
[0078] Furthermore, the packaging 1 comprises deformation means 33, 34 for deforming at least one of the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 according to the conformation of the bottles 11, 17; this means that depending on the size and the diameter of the bottles 11, 17, the deformation means 33, 34 allow varying the size of the relevant housing seats 29, 30, 32.
[0079] In the present case, the deformation means 33, 34 comprise at least a first weakening line 33 formed on the second portion 27 of at least one of the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 and that, in the packaging configuration, is substantially parallel to the bottom.
[0080] Preferably, both the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 comprise a first weakening line 33 which, in the assembly configuration, is substantially parallel to the bottom portion 9.
[0081] It is worth specifying that in this discussion the term "weakening line" means a portion of the third flap element 22 and of the fourth flap element 23 having weakened section and adapted to facilitate its partial folding according to the size of the bottles 11, 17.
[0082] The deformation means 33, 34 comprise a second weakening line 34 formed on the second portion 27 of at least one of the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 and that, in the packaging configuration, is substantially transverse to the bottom portion 9.
[0085] Initially, the packaging is in the reference configuration and is assembled by folding, along the relevant folding lines 7, the lateral surfaces 6 and the bottom surfaces 8.
[0087] At this point, the first bottles 11 are positioned inside the housing compartment 4 resting on the bottom portion 9.
[0088] The second flap element 16 is folded towards the bottom portion 9 and positioned in support on the first bottles 11. The second bottles 17 are therefore housed inside the housing compartment 4, resting on the second flap element 16.
[0089] The first and the second housing seats 29, 30 are formed by means of the insertion of the third flap element 22 and of the fourth flap element 23 inside the first notch 20 and the second notch 21, respectively.
[0090] In detail, the third flap element 22 and the fourth flap element 23 are folded along the fifth folding line 7e, defining the first portion 26 and the second portion 27.
[0091] Even more in detail, the relevant second portion 27 of the third flap element 22 and of the fourth flap element 23 is inserted inside the first notch 20 and the second notch 21 respectively, thus defining the first separation plane 28 and the second separation plane 31.
[0092] Finally, the packaging 1 is closed by folding the first flap element 13 towards the access opening 5 and by inserting the closure portion 15, substantially to measure or with a slight interference, inside the space comprised between the relevant first portions 26 and the second edge 18.
[0094] It should be emphasized that the particular solution of providing a horizontal separation plane and two vertical separation planes allows obtaining continuous partitions, the extension of which is substantially coincident with the height and width of the packaging, securing each bottle firmly inside the relevant housing seats, allowing the free handling and/or overturning of the packaging itself thus enabling to show the bottles contained therein without the risk of coming out of the same.
[0095] Furthermore, the presence of the flap elements having extensions substantially coincident with the size of the access opening to the housing compartment allows significantly reducing the production of waste during the production of the packaging.
[0096] In addition, the formation of the housing seats of the bottles, caused by the folding of the flap elements, allows obtaining a packaging with a high aesthetic value, in which the continuity of the surfaces defining the housing seats themselves greatly increases the visual effect for the consumers.
1. Packaging (1) for the containment of objects, particularly bottles, comprising:
- at least a main containment body (2) having:
- at least four side walls (3) defining a housing compartment (4) and an access opening (5);
- a bottom portion (9) for the support of at least a plurality of first bottles (11), formed on a portion of said housing compartment (4) opposite said access opening (5);
- at least a first flap element (13) associated with a first edge (14) of said access opening (5) and foldable towards said bottom portion (9) for the closure of said access opening itself;
- at least a second flap element (16) insertable within said housing compartment (4) resting on said first bottles (11) to define at least a horizontal separation plane supporting at least a plurality of second bottles (17) and substantially parallel to said bottom portion (9);
- at least a third flap element (22) and at least a fourth flap element (23) associated with a third edge (24) and with a fourth edge (25) respectively of said access opening (5), said third edge (24) and said fourth edge (25) being adjacent to said first edge (14) and opposing each other;
characterized by the fact that said second flap element (16) comprises at least a first notch (20) and at least one of said third flap element (22) and said fourth flap element (23) is insertable within said first notch (20) to define at least a first vertical separation plane (28) of said bottles (11, 17), said first separation plane (28) being substantially transverse to said bottom portion (9).2. Packaging (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said first separation plane (28) defines at least first housing seats
(29) and at least second housing seats (30) of said bottles (11, 17), each of said
first housing seats (29) and each of said second housing seats (30) being defined
on opposite sides with respect to said second flap element (16).
3. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said second flap element (16) comprises at least a second notch (21)
wherein said fourth flap element (23) is insertable to define at least a second vertical
separation plane (31) of said bottles (11, 17) substantially transverse to said bottom
portion (9).
4. Packaging (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said second separation plane (31) is adapted to define third housing
seats (32) arranged on opposite sides with respect to said second flap element (16).
5. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said second flap element (16) is associated with a second edge (18)
of said access opening (5), said second edge (18) being opposite to said first edge
(14) and adjacent to said third edge (24) and to said fourth edge (25).
6. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that:
- said first flap element (13) is associated with said first edge (14) of said access opening (5) by means of a first folding line (7a);
- said second flap element (16) is associated with said second edge (18) of said access opening (5) by means of a second folding line (7b);
- said third flap element (22) is associated with said third edge (24) of said access opening (5) by means of a third folding line (7c);
- said fourth flap element (23) is associated with said fourth edge (25) of said access opening (5) by means of a fourth folding line (7d).
7. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said flap elements (13, 16, 22, 23) are movable between:
- a reference configuration wherein said main body (2) rests on a plane, said side walls (3) are substantially orthogonal to said plane and said flap elements (13, 16, 22, 23) are moved away from said access opening (5); and
- a packaging configuration wherein said bottles (11, 17) are housed inside said housing compartment (4), said second flap element (16) is folded inside said housing compartment (4) to horizontally separate said bottles (11, 17), said third flap element (22) and said fourth flap element (23) are inserted inside said first notch (20) and said second notch (21) respectively, to define said housing seats (29, 30) and to vertically separate said bottles (11, 17).
8. Packaging (1) according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that at least one of said third flap element (22) and said fourth flap element
(23) comprises at least a fifth folding line (7e) which, in said packaging configuration,
is adapted to divide it into at least a first portion (26) substantially coplanar
to said access opening (5), and into at least a second portion (27) substantially
coplanar to at least one of said separation planes (28, 31).
9. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said third flap element (22) and said fourth flap element (23) comprise
said fifth folding line (7e), said first portions (26) being shaped complementary
to each other.
10. Packaging (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises deformation means (33, 34) for deforming at least one
of said third flap element (22) and said fourth flap element (23) according to the
conformation of said bottles (11, 17).
11. Packaging (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that said deformation means (33, 34) comprise at least a first weakening
line (33) formed on said second portion (27) of at least one of said third flap element
(22) and said fourth flap element (23) and that, in said packaging configuration,
is substantially parallel to said bottom portion (9).
12. Packaging (1) according to claims 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that said deformation means (33, 34) comprise at least a second weakening
line (34) formed on said second portion (27) of at least one of said third flap element
(22) and said fourth flap element (23) and that, in said packaging configuration,
is substantially transverse to said bottom portion (9).
13. Packaging (1) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that said weakening lines (33, 34) are substantially orthogonal to each
other.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description