ES2272748T3 - BOAT SUPPORT AND CARTON GROSS PART FOR BOAT SUPPORT. - Google Patents

Abstract

Cardboard support, preferably corrugated cardboard, for connecting a plurality of generally cylindrical boats (4), which are arranged in one or more rows and having an inclined upper part and an upper closure (6) with a circular edge (8) protruding, said support (1; 31) being made from a flat blank part (2; 32), which has, for each boat to be connected to the support, two essentially curved grooves (14; 44, 45), opposite each other, whose outer flanges engage below the edge (8) of the boats when the support is mounted on the plurality of boats to connect the support and the boats and form a package assembly, characterized in that the slits (14; 44, 45) essentially curved comprise a curved intermediate section (16; 46) and curved end sections (18; 48) on both sides thereof, said intermediate section (16; 46) being formed radially inside the sections (18; 48) of end c urvadas extended so that a tongue (22; 52) inwardly engaging hitch is formed between the end sections (18; 48), said tab being adapted to limit with the edge (3) and engage below it to connect the support (1; 31) and the boats (4) to a package assembly.

Description

Boat stand and cardboard blank for boat support.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a support of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard, to connect a plurality of generally cylindrical boats that are arranged in a or several rows and that have a sloping top and a upper closure with an outstanding circular edge. The support is manufactures from a flat blank, which has, for each canister that has to connect the support, two slits essentially curved, opposite each other, whose outer flanges get caught below the edge of the boats when the stand is mounted on the plurality of boats to connect the support and the boats and  Form a package assembly.

The invention also relates to a piece in Gross flat cardboard for a boat stand.

Background of the invention

Cylindrical boats are used in industries of beverage beverages, such as mineral water, Beer and soda. To transport a plurality of boats, they provide package mounts, which can comprise from two Up to ten boats So far many types have been provided different from package mounting means to allow for For example, a consumer, pick up and handle a plurality of boats

As package mounting means are used plastic materials, for example in the form of a wrap with plastic film that extends around the boats packaged or in the form of plastic rings connected to each other which are applied around the boats. However, these means of Package assembly are expensive and lead to problems environmental. Therefore other types of boat stands, made of cardboard, that have both environmental advantages as commercial. Also they have been used combinations of plastic and cardboard materials like package mounting means.

Taking into account the wide use of assemblies of package for drinks and the large number of boats sold in these packages or assemblies, the cost of the individual package, including the material as well as assembly costs, is an important factor in the cost of assembly packaged when sold. Therefore, the relatively small changes in assembly costs of Package are very important. In addition, it is important that Package contents are clearly visible and can Identify in package assembly.

A type of cardboard support is often used configured as a banner or a so-called cardboard packaging wavy that extends around the group of boats and is describe, for example, in the document US-A-3,194,476. This support of Corrugated cardboard packaging is expensive and also complicated to apply around boats on a production line of continuous operation An additional disadvantage is that the consumer cannot easily identify the contents of the package.

Other types of cardboard supports are known, which are adapted for application against the upper side of the container group and its connection to the containers. Such a support is described for example in US-A-3,094,210. The support is manufactured from a flat cardboard blank that has opposite U-shaped grooves for each container that the support has to connect. The flat blank is mounted in the group of containers by folding down side flanges towards the sides of the container, so that the outer flanges of the slits in the support are hooked below the projection of the containers. However, in order to prevent the edges of the grooves from disengaging from the projection, following movements between the containers relative to each other, an additional corresponding support must be applied to the bottom of the containers. The support described above is disadvantageous because it can only be used for a single row of containers and is expensive due to material costs and a more complicated assembly of a two-piece support. An additional disadvantage is that an adjacent package assembly or other element can easily be attached to the lateral projections of the support that protrude downward along the sides of the containers, so that the tabs are forced upwards and the flanges of the slits disengage from the projection of the
container.

In the document EP-B-0496807 unveils a similar support for boats. The support comprises two grooves opposite curves for each boat and short incisions that are extend radially from said slits. A plurality of fins, formed between the incisions, hooks below the boat protruding neck. Grip fins are provided on each side of the stand adapted to fold when the user grab and lift the stand with the boats. It has been proven that the support disclosed is insufficient to engage the support of boats safely, especially when forces are applied lifting on the grip recesses on the sides of the support. He support has a centrally arranged fold line, which serves as a "joint" when lifting forces are applied in the grip recesses on the opposite sides of the support, of so that the boats separate and tend to disengage from the support. In addition, the lateral fins are forced, by means of lifting forces, in an upward direction, thus increasing additionally the risk that the support is disengaged from the boats

Basic idea of the invention

The object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems providing support for boats, which can fit securely to boats with the in order to connect, hold and support the boats and provide a package assembly that can be lifted and handled without risk of that is disengaged, and that is effective with respect to the material and can be easily and efficiently applied to and mounted in a plurality of boats.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a boat stand and a cardboard blank for a stand for boats as described above and with the features characteristics defined in the appended claims.

According to the invention, the curved grooves opposite for each boat that the support has to connect comprise a curved intermediate section between two end sections curved, said middle section of the groove being formed radially inside the curved end sections of the slit, so that in the middle section of the slit a curved hitch tongue is formed that protrudes radially The tongue adapts to slide over the edge of the boat when the side panels and possibly the part centerpiece of the blank are forced in one direction descending to the sloping sides of the boat, and to fit below the edge of the boat to connect the support to the boats in a safe way. The boat is securely fixed in the holder by means of the fixing forces obtained from the pressure of support contact in the upper closure of the boat produced when the hitch tab fits underneath and rests on the edge of the boat The curvature of the hitch tongue follows perfectly the curvature of the boat and the deviation of the end sections of the slits and the tension that is obtained in these sections, effected by the contact pressure in the upper closure, the hook tabs are fixed and Provides a secure and secure connection.

The advantages and objects, previous and others, of the invention will become more apparent in the following description of embodiments of the invention and in the claims attached.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described with more detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a cardboard blank flat for a boat holder according to a first embodiment of the invention, said support being adapted for a row of boats with two boats,

Figure 2 shows in a perspective view a package assembly comprising a stand with two boats, the support being manufactured from the blank of cardboard of figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a cardboard blank flat for a boat holder according to a second embodiment of the invention, said support being adapted for two rows of boats with six boats, and

Figure 4 shows in a perspective view a package assembly comprising a stand with six boats, the support being manufactured from the blank of cardboard of figure 3.

Detailed description of the embodiments of the invention

The support according to the invention is manufactured to from a blank piece of flat cardboard, preferably corrugated paperboard. Preferably a compact corrugated cardboard is used and thin with a wave F. However, a corrugated wave cardboard F thicker may also constitute a suitable material for the support. In order to minimize the effect of moisture on the material, corrugated cardboard can be coated with a layer of plastic, preferably on its inner side. Apart from that layer plastic increases the resistance of the material against the moisture, the layer also increases the ductility of the material. The Advantages of environmentally friendly corrugated cardboard they also remain with a plastic coating, since it can recycle the plastic material in the coating layer.

Figure 1 shows the blank 2 flat for a support according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The stand is adapted to hold and connect a plurality of boats arranged in a single row, as shows in the embodiment, a row of two boats. Figure 2 shows the support 1 manufactured from the blank 2 of Figure 1 and mounted on the plurality of boats 4. The boats 4, which they are not part of the present invention, they are designed from the conventional way with a basic form essentially circular-cylindrical. The top of the boat It is slightly inclined and is closed by a closure 6 upper that is sealed by means of an outstanding flange 8 circular.

The flat blank 2 in figure 1 has an essentially rectangular basic shape, preferably with corners 10 serrated or inclined to reduce the risk of a adjacent element, such as another package assembly of boats, grab an overhanging part of the stand. On the sides 26 lengths of the blank are provided two recesses 12 of centrally arranged grip, forming a finger grip for two fingers The support 1 and the boats 4, which form a package assembly as shown in figure 2, they can simply be lifted by a two-finger grip on the recesses 12.

Two essentially curved grooves 14 and opposite each other are arranged in blank 2 for each boat 4 that the support has to connect. The curved groove 14 comprises a curved intermediate section 16 having end sections 18 curved on both sides of them. Enter section 16 intermediate and end sections 18 parts 20 are arranged staggered The curved end sections 18 are partly circular, their radius is equal to or slightly greater than the radius of edge 8 protruding from closure 6 superior in the canister, so that the end sections 18 are aligned with or protrude slightly out of the ledge of shoulder 8 in the assembled state as shown in figure 2. Therefore, the flange outside of the groove 14, along sections 18 of extreme, you can easily scroll down past the edge 8, as will be explained in more detail below.

The intermediate section 16 curved in the slit 14 is formed radially inside sections 18 of curved end of the slit, so that the intermediate section it forms an arc inside the arched line formed by the extensions of the two end sections 18. Therefore the outer flange of intermediate section 16 of slit 14, forms a protruding engagement tab 22 directed towards the center of the blank. As mentioned earlier, the hitch tab 22 is arched and may be partly circular, its curvature corresponds to the curvature of the boat just below the edge. The tongue 22 also  it can be arched differently, for example the arc It can be partly circular and "wider". In this way, this hitch tab 22 has a top radius and a center that does not coincides with the center of the boats in the assembled state of the support. The hitch tab 22 is adapted to fit below the leading edge 8 of the boat 4 to connect and hold the boat in the holder, as described in continuation in more detail.

In the blank 2 there are several longitudinal fold lines 24, which extend parallel to the long 26 sides of the blank and the row of boats. The fold lines 24 connect the ends of the slits 14 curved together or with an adjacent short side 28 of the piece in stupid.

By forming support 1 as shown in Figure 2 from the flat blank 2 of Figure 1, the blank 2 is superimposed first on closures 6 upper of the boats, so that the grooves 14 in the piece rough generally coincide with the protruding edges 8 of the boats. The side panels 30 in the blank 2, formed between the long sides 26 and the fold lines 24, it force and thus fold down towards the surfaces inclined of the boats. In this way the external flange of groove 14 and latch tongue 22 outstanding leads to a slightly ascending direction. By therefore, the curved end sections 18 of the slit 14 they pass through the outer part of the edge 8 protruding from the closure 6 upper and the latch tongue 22 slides over the edge 8 and it fits under said edge, so that the support is securely attached to the boat using the tongue.

The curved hitch tongue 22 is formed to fit the cylindrical curvature of canister 4, so that the entire tongue 22 rests on the surface of the boat by under the edge 8 and exerts a fixing force that is obtained of the tensions distributed in the support along the external flanges of the slit end sections 18 from the contact pressure of the support 1 in the closure 6 superior, so that a stable and secure connection is achieved between the support and the boats. Package assembly stabilizes additionally by means of panels 30 that rely on the sloping surfaces of boats 4.

The width (along the short 28 sides) of the flat blank 2 is approximately equal to the diameter cylindrical boats. In the assembled state, with panels 30 laterals in an inclined position, the width of the support 1 is reduces further. Thus, in the mounted state, the support 1 flanges do not exceed the maximum dimensions of the boats Consequently the risk of a unilateral disengagement of the boat support due to forces on the side panels directed downwards. Flat parts upper of the mounted bracket 1, cover the upper parts of the boats, that is the upper closure 6, so that these parts are protected against contamination during transport and storage.

Figure 3 shows the blank 32 of flat cardboard for a support according to a second embodiment of the invention. In the assembled state, the blank is adapted to connect and sustain a plurality, that is, six in the shown embodiment, of boats 4 arranged in two rows. The piece Rough 32 is shown in a state assembled in Figure 4. The 32 flat blank has an essentially basic shape rectangular, preferably with serrated or inclined corners 10 as in the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 2. At least two grip recesses 42, preferably configured as openings circular or oval are arranged centrally in the blank between the rows of boats, forming a finger grip for two fingers  in order to lift and handle the package assembly.

In the blank 32 there are two slits 44, 45 essentially curved and opposite each other to each boat 4 to be connected to bracket 31. Each pair of grooves comprises an external groove 44, which corresponds substantially with the grooves 14 in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, and an internal groove 45 adjacent to the center 34 of the blank between the rows of boats. The cleft 45 internal differs from the external groove 44, mainly in the configuration of intermediate section 46, but also in that the curved end sections 48 are smaller than the corresponding end sections 18 in the recess 44 external Consequently, the intermediate section 46 of the slit internal is larger than the corresponding intermediate section 16 in the outer groove 44.

The middle section 46 of the recess 45 internal has at least one, in the embodiment shown two, incisions 47 that extend radially. The incisions 47 are extend between the flange of the groove 45 and a line 53 of curved fold, extending between end sections 48 and that delimits a hook tab between the parts 50 staggered Incisions 47 divide the hitch tab into three 52 hooks. The curvature of section 46 middle of the groove 45 differs from the curvature of the line 53 curved fold in that it is wider and has a radius above the fold line 53. The curved fold line 53 it has a curvature that corresponds to the curvature of the line of contact on the inclined surface of the boat, as will describe below in more detail with reference to the figure 4.

As Figure 3 shows, in the piece in gross 32 a plurality of fold lines are arranged additional. Three longitudinal fold lines 54 for each row of boats extend parallel to the long 56 sides of the Rough piece and rows of boats. Two of the three lines 54 of Longitudinal folds connect the ends of the slits 44, 45 curved together or with an adjacent short side 58 of the piece raw and the third fold line 54 connects the parts 20 staggered in the recesses 44 external to each other or with one side 58 adjacent short of the blank. In addition, in the blank a plurality of oblique fold lines 55 are provided, connecting said fold lines the hook fins 52 external with a recess 42 of adjacent grip or with a short side adjacent to the blank.

The plurality of boats 4, arranged in two rows, connect and hold together by support 31 in a package assembly, as shown in figure 4. When forming the support as shown in figure 4 from the blank 32 flat in figure 3, the flat blank is superimposed on first on the rows of boats and then the 60 side panels on the long sides as well as the parts centerpieces of the blank and thus fold in one direction descending, preferably using an application tool specially designed pressure. During this procedure of pressing, the essentially circular parts of the blank between the recesses 44, 45 rest on and cover the closures 6 upper of the boats, while the side panels 60 and the central parts are forced down. By pressure directed downward, the blank 32 is folded by the lines 54, 55 fold. In this way, the panels 60 are folded lateral in two stages by the two fold lines 54 longitudinal, while the curved outer flange of the external grooves 44 moves in a downward direction past the edge 8 of the boat, in a manner corresponding to the Figure 2. Additionally, the outermost part of the side panels 60, so that the latch tongue 22 is slides over edge 8 and fits below said edge towards its holding position.

Between the rows of boats, centrally in the blank 32, a specially designed tool applies pressure at certain points along the center line 34 of the blank piece. The blank 32 is folded along line 54 of longitudinal internal fold, so that the outer flanges of the internal grooves 45 move in one direction descending past the edge 8 of the boat. In addition, the blank 32 folds down the oblique fold lines 55 and lines 53 curved fold. The down pressure is applied, so that the curved fold lines 53 are forced against the surfaces inclined from the boats, and the hook wings 52 fold up to finally fit under the edge 8 of the boat in a holding position. The down pressure is applied in certain parts of the blank between each pair of boats, thus forming indentations concavely between lines 55 of oblique fold and curved fold lines 53.

When the stand 31 of Figure 4 is lifted, with its heavy load of boats 4 filled with liquid by a grip of two fingers on the grip recesses 42, the fold lines 55 oblique and especially the indentations formed between themselves on support 31 prevent lifting forces, such as in other previously known media, they become a separation of the boats and movements between them, which can cause a release of the support boats. According to invention, instead the lifting forces are distributed in the direction of the oblique fold lines 55 and are transformed at an increased pressure of the hooks 52 against with respect to the edge 8.

According to the invention, the blanks can ride effectively on boats in a line of automated production However, the blanks also can be mounted effectively in a line semi-automated or in a packaging line and it is also convenient to mount the blank manually in a package assembly.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to  embodiments thereof described above by way of example and that various conceivable modifications of the invention within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (17)

1. Cardboard support, preferably corrugated cardboard, for connecting a plurality of generally cylindrical boats (4), which are arranged in one or more rows and having an inclined upper part and an upper closure (6) with an edge (8 ) protruding circular, said support (1; 31) being manufactured from a flat blank (2; 32), which has, for each boat to be connected to the support, two slits (14; 44, 45) essentially curved, opposite each other, whose outer flanges engage below the edge (8) of the boats when the support is mounted on the plurality of boats to connect the support and the boats and form a package assembly, characterized in that the slits ( 14; 44, 45) essentially curved comprise a curved intermediate section (16; 46) and curved end sections (18; 48) on both sides thereof, said intermediate section (16; 46) being formed radially inside the sections (18; 48) of extrem or extended curves so that a tongue (22; 52) inwardly engaging hitch is formed between the end sections (18; 48), said tab being adapted to limit with the edge (3) and engage below it to connect the support (1; 31) and the boats (4) to a package assembly. 2. Support according to claim 1, characterized in that the curved end sections (18; 48) are circular and have a radius that is equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the circular edge (8). 3. Support according to claim 2, characterized in that the blank piece (2; 32) is essentially rectangular and that in the blank piece folding panels (30; 60) are arranged, parallel with respect to the long sides of the piece in stupid. 4. Support according to claim 3, characterized in that the honeycombs (30; 60) are foldable in fold lines (24; 54), which connect the ends of the grooves (14; 44, 45) curved together or with one side (28; 58) adjacent the blank. 5. Support according to claim 4, characterized in that the external flanges of the support are arranged aligned with or inside the maximum external dimensions of the boat group (4) in the package assembly. 6. Support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the support blank there are grab recesses (12; 42), adapted to be grasped by fingers to lift and handle the package assembly. 7. Support according to claim 6, characterized in that the support is adapted to connect two or more boats (4) in a row, and that said grip recesses (12) are arranged centrally on the sides (26) of the blank . Support according to claim 6, characterized in that the support is adapted to connect two or more boats (4) in two rows, and because said grip recesses (42) constitute openings, preferably circular or oval, arranged centrally between the rows of boats (4). A support according to claim 8, characterized in that the internal curved groove (45) in each pair of opposite grooves (44, 45) has an intermediate section (46) curved with a radius that is greater than the radius of the sections (48) Curved end. A support according to claim 9, characterized in that the curved intermediate section (46) of said internal groove (45) forms an protruding engagement tongue (52, 52, 52) that is delimited by a curved fold line (53) that it extends between the end sections (48) and is divided by radially extending incisions (47), so that at least two hooks (52) are formed, said hooks (52) being adapted to fold towards above to rest on the inclined surface of the boat (4) and to catch below the edge (8) of the boat when the support is mounted on the boats. 11. Support according to claim 10, characterized in that the oblique fold lines (55) are arranged in the support blank (32) each of which connects the outermost engagement flap (52) with a recess (42) of adjacent grip or with an adjacent side (58) of the blank (32). 12. Support according to claim 11, characterized in that a fold line (54) is arranged in the support blank (32) that extends parallel to the sides (56) of the blank and to the rows of boats , said fold line (54) connecting staggered parts (20) between the intermediate section (16) and the end sections (18) and the external grooves (44) with each other or with an adjacent side (58) for the purpose of form an external folding panel on each side (56) long. 13. Flat blank piece of cardboard, preferably corrugated cardboard, said blank being adapted to be mounted as a support for cylindrical boats and having, for each boat to be connected to the support, a pair of two slits (14; 44 , 45) essentially curved, opposite each other, characterized in that the essentially curved grooves (14; 44, 45) comprise a curved intermediate section (16; 46) and curved end sections (18; 48) on both sides thereof, and because the intermediate section (16; 46) is formed radially inside the extended curved end sections (18; 48) so that a tongue (22; 52) is formed between the end sections (18; 48) hitch protruding inwards. 14. A flat blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the curved end sections (18; 48) are circular and have a radius that is equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the boats. 15. Flat blank according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that in the blank, folding panels (30; 60) are arranged and foldable in fold lines (24; 54), said fold lines being parallel to the long sides of the blank and connecting the ends of the slits (14; 44, 45) curved together or with an adjacent side (28; 58) of the blank. 16. Flat blank according to claim 13, characterized in that said pairs of two essentially curved grooves (14) opposite each other are arranged in a row and because the grip recesses (12) are centrally arranged on the sides (26 ) of the blank. 17. Flat blank according to claim 13, characterized in that said pairs of two essentially curved grooves (44, 45) opposite each other are arranged in two rows and because the grip recesses (42) are centrally arranged between said rows .