DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning packaging of tiles and like articles concerning construction. Once produced, tiles are usually wrapped or packaged, either in single articles or in stacks with one placed on another to form a stack of tiles.

A first known method for packaging and wrapping a tile or a stack of tiles includes realising a packaging structure, having a frame shape, made of packaging material, such as for example corrugated cardboard, along the border of the tile or stack of tiles.

The cardboard frame wraps around the tile or stack of tiles and has a central portion, which covers the sides and corners thereof, and lateral flaps, hinged to the central portion, folded against parts of the upper surface and/or against parts of the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles which are in proximity of the sides.

For example, use is known of a single cardboard blank, having substantially a strip shape, having a length that is substantially equal to or slightly greater than the length of the border of the tile or stack of tiles which are to be packaged and wrapped. The cardboard strip is usually made in such a way as to comprise a central longitudinal region, having a height that is at least equal to the height of the sides of the tile or stack of tiles, and vertical fold lines which identify, in the central longitudinal region, longitudinal sectors each having a length of at least equal to the length of each side of the tile or stack of tiles. The tiles usually have a polygonal shape, in particular square or rectangular, and the cardboard strip has vertical fold lines so as to identify, in the relative central longitudinal region, four longitudinal sectors, each having a length equal to a corresponding side of the tile or stack of tiles.

The cardboard strip further comprises, for each of the longitudinal sectors of the central longitudinal region, two lateral flaps, one upper and the other lower, and respective parallel longitudinal fold lines between the longitudinal sector and the relative two lateral flaps.

The strip of cardboard is then folded about the vertical fold lines to wrap it about the border/perimeter (four sides in the case of square or rectangular tiles) of the tile or stack of tiles so that each longitudinal sector of the central longitudinal region is facing and in contact with a corresponding side of the tile or stack of tiles.

The two ends of the strip of cardboard can be superposed on one another and reciprocally fixed, for example by application of an adhesive, to form a packaging structure having a frame shape about the sides of the tile or of the stack of tiles. The lateral flaps are then folded about the longitudinal fold lines with respect to the relative longitudinal sector so as to be folded and to cover a part of the portion of the upper surface and a part of the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles in proximity of the relative sides.

Alternatively, in the place of a single cardboard blank, another known solution is the use of two cardboard blanks, each having a strip shape, and therefore two cardboard strips.

The two cardboard strips can be made so as each to have a vertical fold line in order to define two central longitudinal sectors, each having a length that is at least equal to a corresponding side of the tile or stack of tiles and height equal to the tile or stack of tiles.

In this way, each cardboard strip can be folded about the relative vertical fold line to be wound, and to cover, two consecutive sides of the tile or stack of tiles, to form a packaging structure having a frame shape about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles formed, in the case of square or rectangular tiles constituted by two cardboard strips folded into an L-shape.

Alternatively the two cardboard strips can be made so as each to have two vertical fold lines, in order to define a central longitudinal sector and two longitudinal sectors that are lateral to the central sector.

In this case, the two cardboard strips are made in such a way that the central longitudinal sector has a length of at least equal to the length of a first side of the tile or stack of tiles, while the two lateral longitudinal sectors have a length that substantially corresponds to half the length of the sides adjacent to the first side.

In this way, the first cardboard strip can be folded about the relative vertical fold lines so as to flank and face the relative central longitudinal sector to a first side of the tile or stack of tiles, and fold the two lateral longitudinal sectors against the two sides adjacent to the first side, and the second cardboard strip can be folded about the relative vertical fold lines so as to flank and face the relative central longitudinal sector to a second side, opposite the first side, of the tile or stack of tiles, and fold the two longitudinal sectors against the two sides adjacent to the second side, obtaining a packaging structure having the shape of a frame which wraps the border of the tile or stack of tiles constituted by the two cardboard strips folded into a U-shape.

The ends of the two cardboard strips, according to the length thereof, can overlap or not; in a case in which they overlap they can be reciprocally fixed to one another, for example using glue.

In the latter two cases, the cardboard strips have upper flaps and lower flaps hinged to the central longitudinal sectors and/or the longitudinal sectors, which are folded against a portion of the upper surface and/or against a portion of the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles.

This packaging and wrapping mode of the tiles, which includes realising a packaging structure made of a packaging material, such as corrugated cardboard, in the form of a frame about the relative border, has, however, a drawback.

The frame-shaped packaging structure obtained, while laterally covering the whole outline of the frame of the tile or stack of tiles, also providing protection to the corners, leaves the majority of the upper face uncovered, where there are often ornamental motifs or decorations, in view, some of which may be precious.

This can lead to the risk, during transport or storage, that the upper surface of the tile, or the surface of the tile at the top of the stack of tiles, can be subject to impacts that may cause scratches, abrasions or chipping.

Another and different packaging method of known type includes the use of a cardboard blank made so as to have a central region having a polygonal shape, for example rectangular or square, corresponding to the shape of the tile or stack of tiles, and lateral flaps hinged, by means of relative fold lines, to the central region.

The blank must be made in such a way that the central region has a shape and a surface exactly corresponding to the shape and surface of the upper surface of the tiles or stack of tiles to be packaged. The blank must be positioned above the tile or stack of tiles so that the relative central region is in contact and exactly centred to the upper surface of the tile or stack of tiles and then the lateral flaps are folded so as to cover the sides of the tile or stack of tiles.

In this way a package is made which totally covers the upper surface of the tile or stack of tiles and at the same time the relative border.

The lateral strips can possibly have relative flaps that can also be folded below the tile or stack of tiles. This type of package is known in the sector by the term“tray package”.

This other known method of packaging has, however, various drawbacks.

Firstly the ways in which the cardboard blank is applied to the tile or stack of tiles are complex. Secondly, blanks of various sizes must be available, according to the effective dimensions and shape of the tiles to be packaged; this involves significant costs for provision of the cardboard blanks, as well as high costs for transport and storage.

Further, the packages thus obtained do not adequately cover the corners of the tile or stack of tiles.

Lastly, in the case of packaging with large-dimension tiles, the size of the warehouses for storing the blanks is especially large.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a new method for packaging tiles, and the relative package which is obtained, able to obviate the drawbacks of the prior art described in the foregoing.

In particular, an aim of the present invention is to provide a novel method for packaging tiles, able to realise a package that includes protection and safeguarding of both the upper surface and the border of the tiles, including the corners, in a simple and effective way, reducing the costs for supplying and storing the packaging material which is used.

The stated aims are obtained with a method for the packaging of tiles, according to claim 1 , and with a package according to claim 17.

The characteristics of preferred embodiments of the method for packaging tiles, and the relative package obtained, of the present invention, will be described in the following with reference to the appended tables of drawings, in which: - figure 1 schematically illustrates, in perspective views, a possible sequence of the operating steps, denoted by labels a), b), c), d), of a first preferred embodiment of the method of the invention;

- figure 2 schematically illustrates, in perspective views, a possible sequence of the operating steps, denoted by labels a), b), c), d), of a second preferred embodiment of the method of the invention;

- figure 3A is a perspective view of a particular possible step of the method of the invention according to the first embodiment of figure 1 ;

- figure 3B is a perspective view of a particular possible step of the method of the method of the invention according to the second embodiment of figure 2;

- figures 4A, 4B and 4C schematically illustrate in perspective views, packages of tiles which can be obtained according to the method for packaging tiles of the invention.

The method for packaging tiles and other like articles for construction comprises:

- advancing the tiles (P) or stacks of tiles (P) along an advancement direction

(V);

- providing sheets (F) of packaging material and a warehouse (M) in which the sheets (F) are stocked one on top of other sheets, wherein the sheets (F) have a shape that is such as to comprise a surface that is smaller than or at most corresponds to an upper surface of the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles, in order to cover a part or at most all of the upper surface of the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles (P) (see for example figure 1 , label (a), or figure 2, label (a)).

In particular, the special characteristics of the method provided by the present invention consist in the fact that it comprises: a step of collecting (1) a sheet (F1) from the warehouse (M) (see for example figure 1 , label (b), or figure 2, label (b)); a step of positioning (2) the sheet (F1) above the upper surface (S) of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P) to cover a part of or all the upper surface (S) of the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles (P) so that at least a first edge of the sheet (F1) is in proximity or at a first edge of the upper surface (S) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) (see for example figure 1 , label (b), or figure 2, (label (b)); a step of realising (3) a packaging structure in a shape of a frame with packaging material comprising realising a frame (C) about sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) (see for example figure 1 , labels (c) and (d), or figure 2, labels (c) and (d)).

In detail, the step of realising (3) a frame (C) is carried out in such a way as to realise a frame (C) that comprises longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) facing and in contact with the sides (B) of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P) and at least an upper flap (A1 ; A7) which is hinged to a first longitudinal portion (L1 ; L7) of the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11), facing and alongside a first side of the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles (P), the at least an upper flap (A1 , A7) being folded with respect to the first longitudinal portion (L1 , L7) so as to superpose on at least a part of the first edge of the sheet (F1) (see for example figure 1 , label (d), or figure 2, label (d)).

The method further comprises a step of fixing, by fixing the frame (C) with the sheet (F1).

With the method of the invention it is thus possible to realise a package (10) of tiles (P), such as the ones illustrated for example in figures 4A, 4B and 4C, in which the package (10) comprises: a tile (P) or a stack of tiles (P); a sheet (F1) of packaging material positioned above the upper surface (S) of the stile (P) or the stack of tiles (P), which is dimensioned so as to have a surface that is smaller or at most corresponding to the upper surface of the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles (P), so as to cover a part or at most all of the upper surface of the tile (P) or stack of tiles (P), with at least a first edge of the sheet (F1) being in proximity or at a first edge of the upper surface (S) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P); a packaging structure having a frame (C) shape made of packaging material about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) wherein the frame (C) comprises longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11), facing and in contact with the sides (B) of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P) and at least an upper flap (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6; A7, A8, A9, A10, A11), which is hinged to a longitudinal portion (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) of the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) and which is folded above a part of the sheet (F1).

The fact of realising a package which comprises a sheet that covers a part or at most all the upper surface of the tile or the stack of tiles and a frame that wraps around the sides of the tile or stack of tiles gives protection to any possible damage, such as scratching, chipping, nicking, etc., as the parts most exposed to the risk of impacts, i.e. the upper parts, the sides/borders and the corners, are covered by both the sheet and the frame.

Both the sheet and the frame are preferably made of a packaging material constituted by corrugated cardboard.

The fact of using a sheet having a shape and dimension that afford a surface smaller than or at most corresponding to the upper surface of the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles (P), so as to cover a part or at most all of the upper surface of the tile or stack of tiles, i.e. a substantially flat sheet, with no folds or flaps hinged to it, enables the step of collecting and positioning the sheet to be done in a very simple and rapid way.

Further, significant spaces or volumes are not required for the positioning of the relative warehouse and for the movement of the sheets from the warehouse above the tiles. A single sheet can preferably be used that has dimensions such as to substantially cover all the surface of the tile or stack of tiles, or a single sheet that has dimensions such as to be able to cover a central strip of the surface of the tile or stack of tiles, leaving uncovered, possibly, only lateral parts of the surface in proximity of the edges, at which the frame is present.

The method can possibly include using sheets having dimensions such as to cover at most a half, or a fraction of a half, of the surface of the tile or stack of tiles, and then comprise positioning two or more flanked sheets above the tile or stack of tiles. This enables using the same sheets also in the case of a format change of the tiles, and thus packaging tiles having different dimensions to one another.

The tiles generally have a square or rectangular polygonal shape and consequently the method will comprise using sheets having a polygonal square or rectangular shape such as to be positioned above the tile or stack of tiles in order to be able to cover a part or the whole upper surface thereof.

The step of realising a packaging structure preferably having a frame shape comprises realising a frame about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles having longitudinal portions such as to cover the whole perimeter or border extension thereof, or to cover only a part thereof, for example in proximity of the corners. The step of realising a packaging structure having a frame shape preferably comprises realising a frame having a shape that is such as to have upper flaps hinged to the longitudinal portions and folded with respect to the longitudinal portions in order to be positioned above the parts of the edges of the sheet positioned above the tile or stack of tiles. This enables keeping the sheet still and stable above the tile or stack of tiles.

The central part of the cardboard sheet positioned above the tile or stack of tiles not involved with the flaps of the frame thus remain in-view and can be printed with writing, drawings or other information relating to the characteristics of the tiles present in the package or other information relating to the producer of the tiles.

The sheet that is positioned above the tile or the tile or stack of tiles can comprise a window in order to make some parts of the upper surface of the tile or stack of tiles visible; the window might also be covered with transparent packaging material.

Other advantageous characteristics of the method of the present invention are set out in the following.

The method preferably comprises supplying sheets (F) of packaging material, for example corrugated cardboard, having a shape that is similar to or corresponding to the shape of the tiles (P) (for example square or rectangular polygonal) and such as to substantially cover all the upper surface (S) of the tiles (P) or of the stack of tiles (P).

In this case, the step of positioning (2) a sheet (F1) comprises positioning a sheet (F1) above the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles (P) so that the edges (FB) of the sheet (F1) are in proximity or at the sides (B) of the upper surface of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P).

Preferably, the step of realising (3) a packaging structure having a frame shape comprises realising a frame (C), for example of corrugated cardboard, about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) wherein the frame (C) comprises a series of longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11), facing and in contact with the sides (B) of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P), and a series of upper flaps (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6; A7, A8, A9, A10, A11) each of which is hinged to a longitudinal portion (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) of the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5,

L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) with the series of upper flaps (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6; A7, A8, A9, A10, A11) being folded above parts of the edges (FB) of the sheet (F1). For example, in the case of square or rectangular tiles, the longitudinal portions of the frame cover the four sides of the tiles, over the whole extension or on a part thereof in proximity of the corners, while the upper flaps associated to the longitudinal portions are folded above parts of the four edges of the sheet.

The method of the invention is preferably such that the step of realising (3) a packaging structure in the shape of a frame with packaging material comprises realising a frame (C) further comprising a series of lower flaps, each being hinged to a longitudinal portion (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) of the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6; L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) the series of lower flaps being folded against the lower surface of the tiles (P) or the stack of tiles (P).

For the step of fixing for fixing the frame (C) to the sheet (F1), the method can comprise application of adhesive material.

Preferably, the step of fixing for the fixing of the frame (C) with the sheet (F1) comprises application of adhesive material at least on an upper flap (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6; A7, A8, A9, A10, A11) of the frame (C) which is folded above parts of a first edge of the sheet (F1).

In particular, the step of fixing comprises application of adhesive material, for example a series of glue points, on all the upper flaps of the frame, in this way, when they are folded above parts of the edges of the sheet (F1), they can adhere to the sheet and remain in adherence to the sheet.

This enables not only guaranteeing keeping the sheet still and stable above the tile or stack of tiles, but also preventing one or more flaps from rising from the sheet, due to the cardboard’s shape memory, and thus give the package obtained a pleasant aesthetic appearance.

In a preferred embodiment (see for example figure 1), the method of the invention is such that the step of realising (3) a packaging structure in the form of a frame (C) with a packaging material comprises providing a first strip (S1) of packaging material (for example corrugated cardboard) and a second strip (S2) of packaging material (for example corrugated cardboard) for each tile (P) or stack of tiles (P) to be packaged.

In this case, each single strip (S1 , S2) comprises transversal fold lines (z) so as to define there-between longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6) each of which has a height that is equal to a height of the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) and at least a series of upper flaps (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6) hinged by longitudinal fold lines (t) to the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6).

The first strip (S1) and the second strip (S2) are folded about the transversal fold lines (z) in order to be wound about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) so as to form a frame (C) about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) wherein the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6) of the two strips (S1 , S2) face and are in contact with the sides (B) of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P), while the upper flaps (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6) are folded above parts of the edges of the sheet (F1) positioned above the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P).

The two strips can be folded about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles by a relative movement of the tile or stack of tiles with respect to the two strips and with recourse to folding means that might be fixed or movable.

For example, the two strips can be positioned transversally to the advancement direction of the tile or stack of tiles, one upstream and one downstream, and then the tile or stack can be moved first against a first strip to bring it to abut the fixed or movable folding means, so as to fold it about the tile or stack of tiles, and then the tile or stack, with the first strip folded in this way, can be moved to abut the second strip to bring it against the fixed or movable folding means, so as to fold it about the tile to complete the frame.

The method preferably comprises providing a first strip (S1) and a second strip (S2) having a length such that, when the first strip (S1) and second strip (S2) are wound about the transversal fold lines (z) so as to be wrapped about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P), the ends of the two strips (S1 , S2) mutually superpose (as shown for example in figure 1 , label (d), or in figure 4A).

Adhesive material can then be applied in the overlapping parts of the two strips (S1 , S2) in order to stabilise the frame obtained.

Alternatively, in a further preferred aspect, the method can include providing a first strip (S1) and a second strip (S2) having a length such that, when the first strip (S1) and second strip (S2) are wound about the transversal fold lines (z) so as to be wrapped about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P), the ends of the two strips (S1 , S2) are distanced from one another (see for example figure 4C).

In this case the fixing of the frame with the sheet is however guaranteed by the fixing of the flaps of the frame to the sheet, thanks for example to the adhesive material previously applied on the flaps before they are folded above the sheet.

Additionally straps might be used.

The method can include use of two strips (S1 , S2) are realised and conformed so as to fold in a“U” shape when folded about the transversal fold lines (z), or two strips (S1 , S2) are realised and conformed so as to fold in an“L” shape when folded about the transversal fold lines (z).

In a further preferred aspect, the method includes use of a first strip (S1) and a second strip (S2) further comprising a series of lower flaps (B1 , B2, B3, B4, B5, B6) hinged by longitudinal fold lines (t1) to the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3, L4, L5, L6) and which are folded against the lower surface of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P).

For example, in the case of tiles having a square or rectangular polygonal shape, two strips (S1 , S2) of corrugated cardboard can be used, as illustrated in figure 1.

A first strip (S1) can include two transversal fold lines (z) which identify three longitudinal portions: a central longitudinal portion (L1) and two lateral longitudinal portions (L2, L3).

The second strip (S2) can correspondingly in turn include two transversal fold lines (z) which identify three longitudinal portions: a central longitudinal portion (L4) and two lateral longitudinal portions (L5, L6).

The two strips (S1 , S2) are made in such a way that the relative central longitudinal portions (L1 , L4) have a length that is equal to corresponding sides opposite one another of the tile or stack of tiles, while the lateral longitudinal portions (L2, L3; L5, L6) will have a length that is at least equal to or slightly larger than half the length of the other two transversal sides, so that when the two strips (S1 , S2) are folded so as to be wrapped about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles to form the frame (C), the ends of the two strips (S1 , S2) can be mutually superposed on one another for reciprocal fixing.

In this case, the frame (C) will be formed by two strips completely wound in a U-shape, as illustrated in figure 1 , labelled (d) and figure 4A.

The upper flaps (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6) hinged to the longitudinal portions (L1 , L2, L3; L4, L5, L6) of the two strips (S1 , S2) are folded above parts of the edges of the sheet (F1) positioned above the tile or stack of tiles, and the lower flaps (B1 , B2, B3, B4, B5, B6) are folded against the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles.

Before folding the upper flaps (A1 , A2, A3, A4, A5, A6), the method includes applying points of adhesive material on the parts of the flaps that are to be folded above parts of the edges of the sheet (F1) positioned above the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P), as illustrated in detail in figure 3A.

The spots of adhesive material might also be applied at the lower flaps (B1 , B2, B3, B4, B5, B6) before they are folded against the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles.

In other aspects, not illustrated, the method can include the use of two strips conformed differently, for example having only one line for transversal folding and two longitudinal portions, each having a length of at least equal to the length of two consecutive sides of the tile or the stack of tiles.

In this case the two strips can be folded in an L-shape about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles to form the frame.

The method might also include the use of more than two strips, for example three strips or even four or more than four strips of corrugated cardboard to form and realise the frame.

For example, in the case of use of four strips, each strip will have a relative upper flap for folding above the parts of a border of the sheet positioned above the tile or stack of tiles, wherein each strip will have a relative upper flap for folding above the parts of a border of the sheet positioned above the tile or stack of tiles, and also, possibly a relative lower flap to be folded against the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles.

In a further possible preferred embodiment, the method is such as to use a single strip (S3) of packaging material, such as for example corrugated cardboard, for realising the frame structure (C).

In this case, the single strip (S3) comprises transversal fold lines (z1) so as to define there-between longitudinal portions (L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) each of which has a height that is equal to a height of the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) and at least a series of upper flaps (A7, A8, A9, A10, A11) hinged by longitudinal fold lines (t2) to the longitudinal portions (L7, L8, L9, L10, L11).

The single strip (S3) is folded about the transversal fold lines (z1) so as to be wound about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) so as to form a frame (C) about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P) wherein the longitudinal portions (L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) of the single strip (S3) face and are in contact with the sides (B) of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P), and wherein the upper flaps (A7, A8, A9, A10, A11) are folded above parts of the edges of the sheet (F1) positioned above the tile or stack of tiles (P).

The single strip can be folded about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles by a relative movement of the tile or stack of tiles with respect to the strip and with recourse to folding means that might be fixed or movable.

For example, the strip can be positioned transversally to the advancement direction of the tile or stack of tiles, and then the tile or stack can be moved against the strip to bring it to abut the fixed or movable folding means, so as to fold it about the tile or stack of tiles, to complete the frame.

The single strip (S3) has a length that is such that, when it is folded about the transversal fold lines (z1) so as to be wound about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P), the ends of the single strip (S3) are mutually superposed, to enable the reciprocal fixing and stabilising of the frame.

Alternatively, the single strip (S3) can have a length that is such that, when it is folded about the transversal fold lines (z1) so as to be wound about the sides (B) of the tile (P) or of the stack of tiles (P), the ends of the single strip (S3) are distanced from one another; in this case straps can be used to stabilise the frame.

The method can include using a single strip (S3) further comprising a series of lower flaps (B7, B8, B9, B10, B11) hinged by longitudinal fold lines (t3) to the longitudinal portions (L7, L8, L9, L10, L11) and which are folded against the lower surface of the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P).

For example, in the case of square or rectangular polygonal tiles, a single strip (S3) made of corrugated cardboard can be used, such as the one in figure 2.

The single strip (S3) can include four transversal fold lines (z1) which identify five longitudinal portions: a central longitudinal portion (L7), two first lateral longitudinal portions (L8, L9), on a first side of the central portion (L7), and two second lateral longitudinal portions (L10, L11) on a second side of the central longitudinal portion (L7). The single strip (S3) is realised in such a way that: the central longitudinal portion (L7) has a length that is equal to a first side of the tile or stack of tiles, the lateral longitudinal portions (L8, L10) contiguous to the central longitudinal portion (L7) have a length that is equal to the two sides of the tile transversal to the first side, and the remaining other two lateral longitudinal portions (L9, L11) have a length that is equal to or slightly larger than half the length of the fourth side of the tile or stack of tiles opposite the first side, so that when the single strip (S3) is folded so as to be wrapped about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles to form the frame (C), the two ends of the strip can be mutually superposed on one another for reciprocal fixing. In this case, the frame (C) will be formed by a single strip completely wound about the sides of the tile or stack of tiles, as illustrated in figure 2, labelled (d) and figure 4B.

The upper flaps (A7, A8, A9, A10 A11) hinged to the longitudinal portions (L7, L8, L9; L10, L11) of the strip (S3) are folded above parts of the edges of the sheet (F1) positioned above the tile (P) or the stack of tiles, and the lower flaps (B7, B8, B9, B10, B11) are folded against the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles.

Before folding the upper flaps (A7, A8, A9, A10, A11), the method includes applying points of adhesive material on the parts of the flaps that are to be folded above parts of the edges of the sheet (F1) positioned above the tile (P) or the stack of tiles (P), as illustrated in detail in figure 3B.

The spots of adhesive material might also be applied at the lower flaps (B7, B8, B9, B10, B11) before they are folded against the lower surface of the tile or stack of tiles.