Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PDI,025/03.0l.92
Dividella AG, C~1-9472 Grabs
Packaging Component for Accommodation ~f Longitudinal Items.
The invention concerns a packaging component for accepting
longitudinal items, in particular ampules, according to the
preamble to claim l. These types of packaging components
often form an insert for a robust box, thus protecting the
items to be packed from knocks and shocks and avoiding mutual
contact. These types of packaging inserts are also refered to
as corrugated components.
With most of the known packaging components, the longitudinal
items are introduced into the corrugations between the
individual chambers, as, Eor example, is portrayed in CH-A-
263 453 or in FR-A-l 049 050. The ampules are thus, after
opening of the package, not protected over their entire
circumference, and stabilisation of the ampules axially is
not provided for. This is a disadvantage in that, when
opening the box lid, the individual ampules could fall out,
indeed in numerous directions depending on the nature of the
packaging.
It is therefore a purpose of the invention to create a
packaging component of the type mentioned in the
introduction, with which the longitudinal items are protected
over their entire outer diameter, and at the same time are
stabilised longitudinally. The manufacture and filling of the
packaging components shall be as simple as possible so that
they will also be suitable for automatic packaging lines.
This purpose is, according to the invention, solved with a
packaging component which possesses the features in claim l.
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Depending on the nature of the item, the securing element can
be arranged either on both ends or only on one end of the
chambers. With that, the chamber openings can be closed off
in the simplest way, without the need either for an
additional part or for a glueing operation. The manufacture
of the securing element ensues integrally with the carrier
sheet. The folding action required permits automation in the
packaging line by relatively simple means. An item which is
packed in this way is protected all around, also after
removal or opening of the outer packaging, and will not fall
out of the chamber, even when held in the vertical position.
The outer packaging can, for example, be a separate box, a
shrink foil or can even form a part of the carrier sheet, as
is portrayed in FR-A-1 049 050.
Particularly advantageous fixing of the items results if the
carrier sheet protrudes, at least on one side, beyond the
shaped sheet and if the securing element is a foldable
securing strip, with a bent over section, which is arranged
on the extended carrier sheet and which extends over numerous
chambers, the bent over section at least partly closing the
openings. The extension of the carrier sheet by the securing
strip in this way forms a kind of shock protection in the
longitudinal direction. This type of securing strip can be
arranged at both ends of the chambers. If the items possess a
section which protrudes out of the chamber such as, for
example, the tips of the ampules, apertures in the securing
strips and/or the bent over sections can be arranged in the
region of each chamber opening. These apertures can extend
over the folded edge between the securing strips and the bent
over sections and the bent over section can be directed
towards the carrier sheet. The securing strip is, with that,
inclined in relation to the carrier sheet, the ampule tips
being held in the openings. Thus, the relatively delicate
ampule tips are also well protected.
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A securing element can also be formed relatively simply in
that a securing strap, which is able to be folded away from
the original lirniting wall towards the inside of the chamber,
is cut out of the shaped sheet at least on one end of the
chamber. This step, too, permits blocking off of the chamber
opening, enabling in addition a stiffening of the chamber
cross section. The securing strap can be formed through an
incision, running parallel to the rim of the chamber, at the
end of the chamber.
In many cases it is practical if a securing strap is cut out
of the shaped sheet on both ends of the chambers. If ampules
with approximately cylindrical ampule bodies and with an
ampule tip form the contents of the packaging, the securing
straps, in their folded over condition, can form a support
bed for the tips on one end of the chambers. With that, the
ampule tips rest on the folded straps, the latter
simultaneously holding the ampules bodies firmly in the
longitudinal direction.
Further advantages can be achieved if the chambers are cut
out on one end, adjoining the securing straps. In this way
the contents of the packaging are clearly visible from the
outside and if necessary labelling can also be read without
the need for removal from the chambers. Naturally,
appropriate cutouts can be arranged at any position on the
chambers. The cutouts can form a decorative feature at the
same time.
It is particularly advantageous if the chambers possess a
polygonal cross section, with at least five corners. In this
way, items with a circular cross section can be held well, a
stiffening of the chambers also being produced at the same
time. The chambers have, with particular advantage, a
hexagonal a cross section, but could also have an octagonal form.
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Further advantages and individual features of the invention
result from the following description and from the drawings.
~amely:
igure 1 a perspective representation of a packaging
component before folding over of the
securing elements,
igure 2 the packaging component according to figure 1 with
an ampule secured in the chamber,
igure 3 a view of the rear of the packaging component
according to figure 2,
igure 4 a cross section through an alternative embodiment,
igure 5 a perspective representation of a packaging
component with a support bed for ampules,
and
igure 6 a perspective representation of an alternative
embodiment.
The packaging component according to figure 1 comprises, in
principle, a carrier sheet 2, and a shaped sheet 3 which is
attached to it. These sheets can comprise cardboard, plastic
or a laminate of differing materials. The shaped sheet 3 is
already folded in the form of a meander and is glued or
welded to the carrier sheet. With that, parallel, adjacent,
prismatic chambers 4 are formed which possess openings 5 and
5' at their faces. In the case of the embodiment in question,
the side walls of the chambers already possess fold lines 13,
in order that a sexagonal chamber shape can be formed from
the rectangular shape. It would also be conceivable to form
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the chambers 4 not angularly, but rounded-off and wave
shaped.
The deformation of the shaped sheet and its connection with
the carrier sheet ensues during a preceding working step,
different methods of applica-tion being able to be employed.
It is thus possible, for example, to process individual
sheets. Continuous manufacture is, however, also conceivable,
the carrier sheets and the shaped sheets being withdrawn from
rollers and the individual chambers 4 being continuously
created. ~ubsequently, separation of the material strip into
individual sheets ensues.
The carrier sheet 2 is extended outwards over the entire
width of the shaped sheet 3. A securing strip 7 and a bent
over section 8 join directly onto this extension, in the same
plane~ Once again, fold lines 9 are arranged between the bent
over section 8, the securing strip 7 and the extension 6.
Apertures 10 are cut out of the axial extensions of the
individual chamberc 4, which, with this embodiment, extend
beyond the securing strip 7 onto the bent over section 8. The
configuration and arrangement of these apertures is, however,
very dependent on the items which are to be secured within
the chambers 4.
~n addition, incisions are made on the rear end of the
chambers 4 which run parallel to the outer edge, from which a
securing strap 11 is formed from the shaped sheet 3 at each
chamber. These incisions 12 are preferably made before
deformation of the shaped sheet.
Figure 2 shows the packaging component according to figure I
after filling with an ampule 1. Before the filling procedure,
pressure is exerted upon the upper side of the chamber 4 in
the direction of the arrow a, the side walls of the chambers
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being ~inked outwards along the fold lines 13 to give the
chambers a honeycomb like, hexagonal configuration.
Naturally, the side walls of the chambers 4 can be kinked at
numerous points so that the chambers can assume an almost
circular confi~ration.
Prior to filli~g, the bent over section 8 can furthermore be
folded in relation to the securing strip 7 and the securing
strip can in turn be folded towards the openings 5 of the
chambers. With that, a ramp shaped configuration arises,
according to figure 2, the bent over section 8 being directed
towards the extension 6 and partly blocking off the openings
5.
The apertures 10 now form an opening to accommodate the
ampule tips 14, which are protected by this arrangement.
Since the hexagonal chambers have the tendency to return to
the rectangular configuration according to figure 1, the
ampules will be held by the chamber walls under tension so
that the ampules are not even able to rotate about their own
axis. After a chamber has been filled, the securing strap 11
is folded towards the centre of the chamber, as can be
observed in figure 3. The securing strap 11 forms a block in
the chamber opening 5' in this way, and prevents the ampules
1 from slipping out to the rear. The ampules or, as the case
may be, other longitudinal items such as technical devices
etc., are protected in this way on all sides and can be
packaged in a simple way.
Naturally, the securing elements on the chamber openings can
be formed in a totally different way. Thus, for example, it
would be possible to form the bent over section 8 with such a
width that the openings 5 are completely closed off. Figure 4
shows an embodiment with which the bent over section 8 is not
aligned towards the extension 6, but is aligned away from
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this. With that, the securing strip 7 runs parallel to the
plane of the extension 6. The securing strlp could, on the
other hand, however, also be so shaped so that it forms a
protective chamber, almost closed from all sides, for the
ampule tips. For this purpose, an additional wall section
must be arranged between the extension 6 and the securing
strip 7, the width of which approximately corresponds to the
width of the bent over section 8.
Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a packaging component with
which the securing element is formed from the shaped sheet on
both ends of the chambers. The three chambers 4a, 4b, and 4c
are portrayed at different stages of their deformation. The
carrier sheet 2 has approximately the same width as the
shaped sheet 3. The packaging contents are here likewise
ampules 1, possessing an ampule tip 14.
The chamber 4a has, in cross section, approximately the same
initial shape as is shown in figure 1. At the rear end of the
chamber the incision 12 forms a securing strap 11. The
incision 12' is arranged at a greater spacing from the outer
edge than the incision 12. However, it likewise defines a
type of securing strap which assumes the function of a
support bed 15.
The chamber 4b has already been deformed along the side fold
line 13 into a hexagonal cross section. Before an ampule can
be inserted into this type of chamber the support bed 15 must
be folded inwards. Now the ampule 1 can be inserted from the
rear, the tip 14 of which comes to rest on the support bed
15. At the same time the support bed forms a mechanical stop
for the shoulder part of the ampule 1. This position is
portrayed in the case of chamber 4c. Now only the securing
strap 11 remains to be folded inwards in order to support the
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ampule 1 at its base. The ampule tip 14 is also optimally
supported with this embodiment.
In the case of the embodiment according to figure 6, securing
straps 11 and L1' are likewise portrayed on both ends of the
chambers 4. ~ere, the contents of the packaging are not
ampules, but are approximately cylindrical bottles 17 with a
closure cap 18. A cutout 16, which extends in width somewhat
in the form of a trapezium~ adjoins the securing straps 11'.
Naturally, the cutout can possess another shape, and a
uniform shape could still adjoin the securing straps 11. The
cutout facilitates extraction of the bottles on the one hand,
and enables easy identification of the contents of the
packaging. Similar cutouts could naturally also be applied to
other embodiments.
