Packaging device for forming a pack

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (I) for packaging products, including at least a first container (2A) and a second container (2B) that are each intended to contain a product, the first container (2A) and the second container (2B) being intended to be grouped together to form a pack, each of the first container (2A) and the second container (2B) being provided with a label (3) forming a sheath in which the first container (2A) or the second container (2B) is received, characterized in that each label (3) has at least an attachment face (31) and at least a receiving face, the attachment face (31) of the label (3) of the first container (2A) being secured to the receiving face of the label (3) of the second container (2B) by breakable means of connection between said attachment face (31) and said receiving face.

Claims

1. A product packaging device (1), the device (1) comprising at least a first container (2A), a second container (2B) and a third container (2C) which each contain product, the first container (2A), the second container (2B) and the third container (2C) being grouped in order to form a pack, each of the first container (2A), second container (2B) and third container (2C) being provided with a label (3) which forms a sheath inside which the first container (2A) or the second container (2B) or the third container (2C) is received, wherein each label (3) is made from cardboard, paper or molded cellulose and has at least one attachment face (31), at least one receiving face (32), or both, wherein the attachment face (31) of the label (3) of the first container (2A) is fixedly joined to the receiving face (32) of the label (3) of the second container (2B) by frangible connection means between the attachment face (31) and the receiving face (32) of the first container (2A) and the second container (2B), respectively, and wherein the attachment face (31) of the label (3) of the second container (2B) is fixedly joined to the receiving face (32) of the label (3) of the third container (2C) by frangible connection means between the attachment face (31) and the receiving face (32) of the second container (2B) and the third container (2C), respectively.

2. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first container (2A) and the second container (2B) has a body (21) and a base (22) of the hemispherical type which extends the body (21), and wherein each label (3) extends as far as an end of the base (22) opposite the body (21), or beyond the end, and forms a positioning plane for the first container (2A) and the second container (2B).

3. The device (1) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each label (3) has a plurality of tongues (34) which extend from a free end (33) of the label (3) which forms the positioning plane, the plurality of tongues (34) being able to be folded onto each other in order to form a base wall (35) of the label (3).

4. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frangible connection means between the attachment face (31) and the receiving face (32) comprise at least one line of adhesive or strip of adhesive.

5. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein for each label (3), the attachment face (31) and the receiving face (32) are planar.

6. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each label (3) has a polygonal cross section.

7. The device (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each label (3) has at least one internal wall, wherein at least one of the internal walls of each label (3) is adhesively bonded to a body (21) of the container (2).

8. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein for each label (3), the attachment face (31) has a concave shape and the receiving face (32) has a convex shape, or vice versa.

9. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frangible connection means between the attachment face (31) and the receiving face (32) are produced by means of form-fitting cooperation between the concave shape and the convex shape.

10. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each label (3) comprises at least one reinforcement rib (4) which extends along an axis (A) about which the label (3) is wound.

11. A container (2), comprising a label (3) which has at least one attachment face (31), at least one receiving face (32), or both in order to form a product packaging device (1) where the product packaging device comprises: at least a first container (2A), a second container (2B) and a third container (2C) which each contain product, the first container (2A), the second container (2B) and the third container (2C) being grouped in order to form a pack, each of the first container (2A), second container (2B) and third container (2C) being provided with a label (3) which forms a sheath inside which the first container (2A) or the second container (2B) or the third container (2C) is received, wherein each label (3) is made from cardboard, paper or molded cellulose and has at least one attachment face (31), at least one receiving face (32), or both, wherein the attachment face (31) of the label (3) of the first container (2A) is fixedly joined to the receiving face (32) of the label (3) of the second container (2B) by frangible connection means between the attachment face (31) and the receiving face (32) of the first container (2A) and the second container (2B), respectively, and wherein the attachment face (31) of the label (3) of the second container (2B) is fixedly joined to the receiving face (32) of the label (3) of the third container (2C) by frangible connection means between the attachment face (31) and the receiving face (32) of the second container (2B) and the third container (2C), respectively.

Description

[0056] Other features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated more clearly from a reading of the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are given by way of non-limiting illustrative examples, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from above of a product packaging device according to a first embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from below of a product packaging device according to the first embodiment;

[0059] FIG. 3 show a perspective view from below of a variant of a label of a product packaging device according to the first embodiment;

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a perspective plan view of a product packaging device according to a second embodiment;

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a product packaging device according to the second embodiment;

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a perspective plan view of another variant of a product packaging device according to the first embodiment;

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the variant of the product packaging device according to the first embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0064] FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 illustrate a product packaging device 1 according to the invention, according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment, respectively.

[0065] In a common manner, the product packaging device 1 comprises containers 2 and labels 3 which are associated with the containers 2.

[0066] A label 3 is defined as being a sheath which surrounds the containers 2 and which may have indications intended for consumers, such as, for example, but not exclusively, a brand, a description of the product contained in the containers, a barcode or a logo.

[0067] Preferably, each label has a cylindrical shape, that is to say, the contour thereof is formed by a straight line which moves parallel with itself along a planar curve. In this instance, the planar curve is plotted in a plane perpendicular to an extension axis of the containers 2.

[0068] The product is advantageously a product of the liquid type, such as a drink (water, fruit juice, carbonated drink, etc.) or a semi-liquid product or which has a significant viscosity such as a liquid soap or detergent.

[0069] More specifically, the packaging device 1 comprises: [0070] at least a first container 2A and a second container 2B which are each intended to contain a product, and [0071] for each of the first container 2A and second container 2B, a first label 3A which forms a sheath in which the first container 2A is received, and a second label 3B which forms a label in which the second container 2B is received.

[0072] As explained below, the first container 2A and the second container 2B are grouped to form all or a portion of a pack.

[0073] The term pack is intended to be understood to be a group of containers 2 which are positioned against each other and held together. The grouping of containers 2 in the form of a pack enables each container 2 to be given stability in a vertical position, that is to say, a position where the extension axis of the containers 2 is perpendicular to a surface on which the containers 2 rest, or virtually rest.

[0074] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the packaging device 1 comprises six containers 2 and the same number of labels 3.

[0075] More specifically, the packaging device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises: [0076] a first container 2A associated with a first label 3A; [0077] a second container 2B associated with a second label 3B; [0078] a third container 2C associated with a third label 3C; [0079] a fourth container 2D associated with a fourth label 3D; [0080] a fifth container 2E associated with a fifth label 3E, and a sixth container 2F associated with a sixth label 3F.

[0081] In contrast, the packaging device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises: [0082] a first container 2A associated with a first label 3A; [0083] a second container 2B associated with a second label 3B; [0084] a third container 2C associated with a third label 3C.

[0085] By way of illustration, the containers 2 each contain a liquid or semi-liquid product, such as, for example, a drink.

[0086] In order to enable the generation of the pack, each label 3 has at least one attachment face 31 and at least one receiving face 32.

[0087] The formation of the pack is thus carried out by fixedly joining the attachment face 31 of a first label 3 to the receiving face 32 of a second label 3 using frangible connection means between the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32.

[0088] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the attachment face 31 of the first label 3A which is fixedly joined to the first container 2A is fixedly joined to the receiving face 32 of the second label 3b which is fixedly joined to the second container 2b.

[0089] According to a first advantageous aspect, the frangible connection means between the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32 comprise at least one line of adhesive or strip of adhesive.

[0090] Preferably, this line of adhesive or strip of adhesive is of the type which can be repositioned, that is to say, it enables detachment and repositioning of the attachment face 31 with respect to the receiving face 32.

[0091] According to a second advantageous aspect, the frangible connection means between the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32 are produced by means of form-fitting cooperation. More specifically, as is explained in greater detail below, the form-fitting cooperation is carried out between a concave shape provided by one of the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32, and a convex shape provided by the other of the receiving face 32 and the attachment face 31.

[0092] According to a third advantageous aspect, the frangible connection means between the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32 are produced by means of a mechanical adhesive which comprises a looped portion which is carried by the receiving face 32 and a hooked portion which is carried by the attachment face 31, or vice versa.

[0093] The hooks of the hooked portion are intended to grip in the loops of the looped portion in order to ensure the adhesion between the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32.

[0094] Such connection means are particularly known as hook and loop strips.

[0095] According to another advantageous aspect, each label 3 comprises at least one reinforcement rib 4 which extends along an axis A about which the label 3 is wound. The reinforcement ribs 4 are illustrated in FIG. 1 by dotted lines.

[0096] The axis A is advantageously in alignment with an extension axis (not illustrated) of the container 2.

[0097] Each container 2 has a body 21 and a base 22 of the hemispherical type which extends the body 21.

[0098] Such a container 2 thus cannot keep itself stable only when it rests vertically by being supported on the base 22 thereof. To this end, the labels 3 are used to ensure the vertical behavior of these containers 2.

[0099] Each label has a free end 33 opposite the body 21 of the container 2.

[0100] Each label 3 extends at least as far as an end of the base 22 opposite the body 21.

[0101] Preferably, the label 3 extends beyond the end of the base 22.

[0102] In other words, the free end 33 of the label 3 is located at the same level as the end of the base 22, or beyond the end of the base 22.

[0103] The free end 33 of the label 3 thus forms a positioning plane of the container 2 to which the label 3 is fixedly joined.

[0104] More particularly, the free end 33 of the label 3 forms a closed contour which enables the label 3 to rest vertically on itself.

[0105] According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a variant illustrated in FIG. 3, each label 3 has a polygonal cross section.

[0106] Such a cross section is produced in a plane of section transverse to the extension axis of the containers 2 and does not involve the positioning plane formed by the label 3.

[0107] To this end, the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32 are planar.

[0108] According to a variant of the first embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, each label 3 has a plurality of tongues 34 which extend from a free end 33 which forms the positioning plane.

[0109] The tongues 34 can be folded one on the other, as illustrated by the arrow F, in order to form a base wall 35 of the label 3.

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 3, each tongue 34 extends from the free end 33 beyond a center of the base wall 35. In a variant, the tongues 34 may extend over a distance less than a radius of the base wall 35 in order to enable a hollow space to be left in the base of the base wall 35.

[0111] Such a hollow space thus enables the neck of a container 2 to be able to be received and several containers 2 thus to be allowed to be superimposed in a stable manner.

[0112] According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the attachment face 31 has a concave shape and the receiving face has a convex shape. Conversely, although it is not illustrated, the attachment face 31 could have a convex shape and the receiving face 32 could have a concave shape.

[0113] As illustrated in FIG. 5, for the connection between two containers 2, via their respective label 3, each label 3 of a container 2 comprises an attachment face 31 and a receiving face 32 which are adjacent and which cooperate with an adjacent receiving face 32 and an adjacent attachment face 31, respectively, of a label 3 of another container 2.

[0114] Below, a description is set out for a pack comprising a first container 2A, a second container 2B and a third container 2C.

[0115] The first container 2A is associated with a first label 3A, the second container 2B is associated with a second label 3B and the third container 2C is associated with a third label 3C.

[0116] In order to form the pack, the first label 3A cooperates with the second label 3B and the third label 3C, the second label 3B cooperates with the first label 3A and the third label 3C, and the third label 3C cooperates with the first label 3A and the second label 3B.

[0117] More specifically, in order to form a pack, the cooperation between the first label 3A, the second label 3B and the third label 3C is produced as follows: [0118] an adjacent attachment face 31 and an adjacent receiving face 32 of the first label 3A cooperate with an adjacent receiving face 32 and an adjacent attachment face 31 of the second label 3B, respectively; [0119] another adjacent attachment face 31 and another adjacent receiving face 32 of the first label 3A cooperate with an adjacent receiving face 32 and an adjacent attachment face 31 of the third label, respectively, and [0120] another adjacent attachment face 31 and another adjacent receiving face 32 of the second label 3B cooperate with another adjacent receiving face 32 and another adjacent attachment face 31 of the third label 3C, respectively.

[0121] Advantageously, the labels 3 are made from cardboard, paper, molded cellulose or a plastics film which is widely used for producing labels which are attached to some containers which are already marketed. Preferably, the labels 3 have a thickness of from 0.1 mm to 4 mm.

[0122] According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 which is particularly suitable for packaging bottles made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which are lightweight, have thin walls and are therefore deformable, the product packaging device 1 according to the invention, the product packaging device 1 comprises in the same manner as above containers 2 and labels 3 which are associated with the containers 2.

[0123] Each label 3 is defined as being a sheath of polygonal cross section of which at least one of the internal walls is adhesively bonded to the body 21 of the container 2, i.e. the bottle, just below the shoulder of the bottle.

[0124] In this specific embodiment, the packaging device 1 comprises four containers 2 and the same number of labels 3.

[0125] More specifically, the packaging device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 comprises: [0126] a first container 2A which is associated with a first label 3A; [0127] a second container 2B which is associated with a second label 3B; [0128] a third container 2C which is associated with a third label 3C; [0129] a fourth container 2D which is associated with a fourth label 3D.

[0130] It is evident that the pack may comprise 2 or 6 containers, for example, without for all that departing from the scope of the invention.

[0131] In order to enable the generation of the pack, each label 3 has at least one attachment face 31 and at least one receiving face 32.

[0132] The formation of the pack is thus carried out by fixedly joining the attachment face 31 of a first label 3 to the receiving face 32 of a second label 3 using frangible connection means between the attachment face 31 and the receiving face 32, the frangible connection means comprising a strip or a line or a dot of adhesive of the type which can be repositioned or any other frangible connection means which are well known to the person skilled in the art such as a mechanical adhesive or the like.

[0133] Of course, each label 3 may also comprise at least one reinforcement rib which is not illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and which extends along an axis A about which the label 3 is wound.

[0134] It should be noted that, advantageously, the labels 3, in addition to producing a pack of bottles, enable a gripping of each bottle to be provided without it becoming deformed, thus preventing the content of the bottle from overflowing when it is gripped.