The present invention relates to a package for containing and displaying precious and luxury products and items, such as perfumes, creams, alcoholic products, high end cosmetics, high fashion accessories and/or items, jewelry and/or the like.

The object of the present invention finds particular use in the field of paperboard and specifically, it relates to packing, packaging, boxes, coated boxes, jewelry boxes, cases and/or the like for containing, displaying, marketing and selling precious and luxury products .

As it is well known, the exhibition and display as well as the marketing and sale of precious and luxury products require the use of equally valuable and high- quality packages that are handled in the smallest details .

To this end, packages of various shapes and sizes have been manufactured, which may be of a simple or foldable type, coated with special materials, such as special papers and/or canvas and/or any other valuable material, or silk-screened and/or printed planographically or provided with plastic elements that are appropriately manufactured by thermoforming processes .

An example of a known package normally used for the sale and/or display of perfumes, beauty products, spirits and/or the like involves the presence of at least three components, i.e. a box-shaped body, a cover, and a special support for the products or items to be contained and/or displayed.

Generally, the box-shaped body is made of cardboard or a similar paper material and is provided with a base from which a plurality of lateral walls extends perpendicularly so as to define a respective housing compartment .

The cover is also made of cardboard or a similar paper material and has a covering wall from which a plurality of lateral walls extends to define a covering compartment capable of accommodating at least the upper part of the box-shaped body therein.

The support, that is completely made of plastic by an appropriate thermoforming process, has a monoblock structure having one or more housing cavities for accommodating in engagement the products to be contained and/or displayed and a plurality of support portions designed to engage the bottom of the box- shaped body when the support is inserted within the housing compartment thereof.

In order to visually cover a large part of the plastic support structure while at the same time allowing the aesthetic decoration of the latter, it is common practice to glue on the same a decorative mask appropriately made of a precious paper material. The decorative mask completely covers the support except for the housing cavities so as to allow the placing or removal of the products or items to be contained and/or displayed. The decorative mask is therefore provided, for each of the housing cavities provided on the support, with a corresponding through opening having the same shape and configuration of the corresponding housing cavity.

In order to solve some of the problems caused by the excessive use of plastic in known packaging, such as the drawbacks concerning waste recycling and waste disposal, as well as the cost of making plastic supports with configurations dedicated to particular combinations of products or items to be contained and/or displayed, a package, in which the use of plastic is reduced to the minimum, was designed, as described in Italian patent application no. 102015902324598 (MI2015A000129) on behalf of the same Applicant .

According to what is described in said document, this package provides a support structure made entirely of paper material, to which one or more bodies of thermoformed plastic material are applied.

Thermoformed bodies define the housing cavities suitable for receiving the items or products to be contained and/or displayed and can be coupled to the paper support structure by means of respective hooking and/or fitting elements suitably configured or by gluing .

Although this new evolution of known packages allows to significantly reduce the undesirable plastic material obtaining significant advantages according to the costs, waste disposal and recycling, the Applicant has found that an alternative solution can be envisaged simplifying the waste separation operations, helping the disposal of them, and optimizing the automation of the process of making and forming said packages.

In particular, the Applicant has found that one of the two embodiments described in document no. 102015902324598 (MI2015A000129) has the drawback of requiring an excessive number of manual actions for separating plastic components from cardboard components, while the other one, which involves the "sandwich" bonding of plastic components with cardboard components, makes it difficult to separate them.

Finally, it should be noted that packages conceived as the one described in the above document are difficult to be made by means of an automation process since the coupling by hooking and/or fitting of plastic thermoformed bodies to the paper support structure, like the bonding plastic components with cardboard components, requires the manual intervention of one or more operators. In the first case, the operators must fold the necessary parts of the paper support structure and the hooking or fitting of the respective parts with the corresponding parts of the thermoformed plastic bodies. In the second case, the operators must bond the plastic material with the paper material as well as check the quality of such bonding to avoid creating and forming defective packages not conforming to the desired quality.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a package for containing and displaying precious and luxury products or items, such as perfumes, creams, alcoholic products, high end cosmetics, high fashion accessories and/or items, jewelry and/or the like, capable of solving the problems of the prior art.

A further purpose of the present invention is to improve such packages in terms of waste disposal and/or recycling . Another purpose of the present invention is to allow the automation of production, forming and assembling processes of these packages.

The above purposes as well as others are substantially achieved by a package for containing and displaying precious and luxury products or items, such as perfumes, creams, alcoholic products, high end cosmetics, high fashion accessories and/or items, jewelry and/or the like, as set forth and described in the following claims.

A preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a package for containing and displaying precious and luxury products or items, such as perfumes, creams, alcoholic products, high end cosmetics, high fashion accessories and/or items, jewelry and/or the like, according to the present invention, is described hereinafter.

The description is given hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided only for illustrative and, therefore, non-limiting purposes, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a package, in open condition, for containing and displaying precious and luxury products or items, such as perfumes, creams, alcoholic products, high end cosmetics, high fashion accessories and/or items, jewelry and/or the like, according to the present invention;

figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the package of figure 1;

figure 3 is a top perspective view of a main portion of a support structure of the package shown in figures 1 and 2 ;

figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the component shown in figure 3;

figure 5 is a top perspective view of the component shown in figures 3 and 4, provided with respective housing seats for the items or products to be contained and displayed;

figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the components shown in figure 5;

figure 7 is a perspective view of an auxiliary portion of the support structure of the package shown in figures 1 and 2.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates as a whole a package for containing and displaying precious and luxury products or items, such as perfumes, creams, alcoholic products, high end cosmetics, high fashion accessories and/or items, jewelry and/or the like, according to the present invention .

As shown in figures 1 and 2, package 1 comprises a box- shaped body 2 having a bottom 3 and at least one lateral wall 4 which extends transversely, preferably perpendicular, from bottom 3.

In detail, the box-shaped body 2 is provided with a bottom 3 whose shape is substantially rectangular or square, and with four lateral walls 4 which extend substantially perpendicular from bottom 3, according to a configuration two by two, opposite each other.

For the purposes of the present invention, the shape of bottom 3 of the box-shaped body 2 and the number of lateral walls 4 are irrelevant, whereby the box-shaped body 2 may have any shape.

Bottom 3 and the lateral walls 4 delimit, at least partially, a housing compartment 5 open on the side opposite the bottom 3.

Package 1 further comprises a cover (not visible in the accompanying figures) which can be engaged, in particular which can be fitted from top to bottom, with the box-shaped body 2 to close the housing compartment 5.

Of course, the configuration of the cover may also vary depending on the needs and on the different packaging configurations to be made. In fact, covers may also be designed to engage the box-shaped body 2 through sliding or by means of one or more hinge points.

With reference again to figures 1 and 2, package 1 advantageously comprises at least one support structure 6 entirely made of a paper material, preferably cardboard, insertable into the housing compartment 5 of the box-shaped body 2.

Advantageously, the support structure 6 comprises a main portion 7 (figures 2 to 6) having at least one through opening 8, preferably two or more through openings 8 arranged according to a predetermined configuration .

The support structure 6 further comprises an auxiliary portion 9, optionally laminar, engaged, in particular joined to the main portion 7 of the support structure 6, according to a configuration at least partly superimposed, preferably entirely superimposed.

The auxiliary portion 9 has a respective through opening 10 corresponding to the respective through opening 8 of the main portion 7.

In detail, the auxiliary portion 9 has a through opening 10 for each through opening 8 provided on the main portion 7 of the support structure 6. As shown in the accompanying figures, the through openings 8, 10 of the main portion 7 and of the auxiliary portion 9 of the support structure 6 preferably have the same shape that reproduces at least one portion, preferably almost completely or completely, the shape of the product or item to be contained and displayed.

The through openings 8, 10 of the main 7 and auxiliary 9 portions of the support structure 6 are also aligned vertically, accurately matching each other.

As shown in figures 2 to 6, the support structure 6 has at least one structural separation area 11 in which the main portion 7 is disjointed from the auxiliary portion 9.

It should be noted that the term disjointed means the absence of any mechanical element of connection or junction, such as connection or fitting elements, or glues and/or sealing substances, whereby, at the separation area 11, the main 7 and auxiliary 9 portions may come into contact without being, however, bound to one another.

Preferably, the support structure 6 is provided with a structural separation area 11 for each pair of through openings 8, 10 of the portions 7, 9 of the support structure 6.

Advantageously, each structural separation structure 11 circumscribes, at least partially, preferably completely, a respective pair of through openings 8, 10, of the main 7 and auxiliary 9 portions of the support structure 6.

Package 1 further comprises at least one housing seat 12, optionally two or more, made of a plastic material, preferably thermoformed, engageable to the support structure 6 for housing and/or supporting a corresponding product or item (not shown in the accompanying figures) to be contained and/or retained and/or displayed according to a predetermined position. In detail, each housing seat 12 comprises at least one body 13 (figures 1 to 4) having at least one substantially plate-shaped engagement portion 14 adapted to engage the support structure 6 and at least one housing cavity 15 for the engagement of a respective product or item to be contained and/or displayed .

Preferably, the housing cavity 14 of each housing seat 12 is, at least partly, counter-shaped to at least one portion of the respective product or item to be contained and/or displayed.

Advantageously, body 13 of each housing seat 12 may comprise, on the side opposite the housing cavity 15, at least one support portion 16 (figures 2 and 6) adapted to rest on bottom 3 of the box-shaped body 2 of package 1 when the support structure 6 is inserted inside the housing compartment 5 of the latter.

Preferably, the engagement portion 14 of each housing seat 12 is interposed between the main portion 7 and the auxiliary portion 9 of the support structure 6 in the corresponding structural separation area 11 of the latter, so as to be retained between such portions 7, 9, advantageously without the aid of any engagement mechanical or connection element or glues or similar bonding substances.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, at least one of portions 7, 9 of the support structure 6 has, at each structural separation area 11 of the latter, at least a yielding or removable structural part 17 to allow the removal of the respective housing seat 12 from the respective separation area 11 of the support structure 6.

As shown in figures 2 to 6, each yielding or removable structural part 17 of the support structure 6 is made on the main portion 7 of the latter so that it is not visible from the outside of package 1 when the cover is disengaged from the box-shaped body 2 and the support structure 6 is inserted into the housing compartment 5 of the latter.

With reference again to figures 2 to 6, each yielding or removable structural part 17 of the support structure 6 is at least partly, preferably entirely, delimited by a respective pre-breakage line 18 which is made on the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 at the respective structural separation area 11. The breakage of the pre-breakage line 18 of each structural separation area 11 of the support structure 6 allows the removal of the corresponding housing seat 12 retained therein.

In more detail, the pre-breakage line 18 of the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 circumscribes at least partially, preferably entirely, the corresponding through-opening 8.

Advantageously, package 1 comprises at least one actuating element 19 for each structural separation area 11 of the support structure 6, designed to break the respective pre-breakage line 18 which circumscribes the corresponding yielding or removable structural part 17, thereby allowing the at least partial removal thereof, as well as the removal of the respective housing seat 12.

Preferably, each actuating element 19 comprises at least tear tab 19a engaged with, advantageously integrally connected to, a respective housing seat 12. In detail, the tear tab 19a of each actuating element 19 extends from the respective body 13 crossing the main portion 7 of the support structure 6.

As shown in figures 2 to 6, each tear tab 19a crosses a respective tear through opening 7a made on the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 along a respective pre-breakage line 18 so as to project from the support structure 6 on the side opposite the auxiliary portion 9 thereof.

As shown in figures 2, 5 and 6, the tear tab 19a of each housing seat 12 has a gripping end 19b manually graspable. By acting on the gripping portion 19b of each tear tab 19a it is possible to break the respective pre-breakage line 18 and allow the removal of the respective housing seat 12 from the respective structural separation area 11 of the support structure 6.

More and more in detail, by pulling the gripping end 19b of each tear tab 19a from the opposite side with respect to the auxiliary portion 9 of the support structure 6 it is possible to force the respective structural part 17 of the main portion 7 by means of the engagement portion 14 of the respective housing seat 12 in such a way as to cause the breakage of the respective pre-breakage line 18 and have access to body 13 of the respective housing seat 12.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the present invention, body 13 of each housing seat 12 is provided with one or more clamping elements 20 (figures

1, 2 and 5), preferably one or more interference reliefs, optionally elastically deformable, made at the respective housing cavity 15, for locking the respective product or item to be housed and/or retained and/or displayed at the latter.

As shown in figures 2 to 6, the support structure 6 comprises a plurality of support portions 21, 22 for supporting the same on bottom 3 of the box-shaped body

2. At least two of the support portions 21, 22 extend from opposite ends of the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 while the remaining support portions 22 extend from the edges of the respective through openings 8 of the main portion 7.

Advantageously, all support portions 21, 22 are obtained by folding structural parts of the main portion 7 of the support structure 6.

Preferably, the main portion 7 and the auxiliary portion 9 of the support structure 6 are engaged to each other by means of at least one gluing substance or a similar bonding substance.

Advantageously, the bonding substance comprises at least one water-based vinyl glue and/or an animal glue and/or a glue or an adhesive substance suitable for waste disposal and recycling.

The bonding glue may be applied between the main portion 7 and the auxiliary portion 9 of the support structure 6 in any part of the latter with the exception of the structural separation areas 11 that must accommodate and retain the respective engagement portions 14 of the respective housing seats 12 provided .

The structural configuration of the above package 1 is particularly advantageous as it allows the complete automation of the manufacturing and assembly process thereof.

In detail, the process for manufacturing package 1 described above comprises a first step of picking a box-shaped body 2 from a first feeding station (not shown in the accompanying figures) . Subsequently, the box-shaped body 2 is placed on a conveyor belt (also not graphically shown as known) or a similar conveyor element that carries it up to a first assembly station (not shown) .

At the first assembly station, a first picking and transport device (not shown) picks up the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 to be formed, from a respective feeding station (not shown) , folds the corresponding support portions 21, 22 along the corresponding bending lines and places such a main portion 7 inside the housing compartment 5 of the box- shaped body 2.

Once the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 to be formed has been inserted into the housing compartment 5 of the box-shaped body 2, the conveyor belt carries the latter to a second assembly station (not shown) , at which a second picking and transport device (not shown) picks up, sequentially or simultaneously, the housing seats 12 provided for supporting the same into the corresponding through openings 8 of the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 to be formed.

In detail, each housing seat 12 is inserted into the corresponding through opening 8 of the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 to be formed so that the corresponding engagement portion 14 rests along at least a part of the edge of the respective through opening 8.

By means of one or more injectors (not shown), a predetermined amount of glue is then applied on the main portion 7 outside the respective structural separation areas 11 provided, i.e. both outside of the respective yielding or removable structural parts 17 and outside the respective pre-breakage lines 18 provided on the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 to be formed.

Since the injectors are generally arranged above the conveyor belt, the glue is applied by gravity on the main portion 7 of the respective support structure 6 to be formed, thereby defining respective bonding strips thereon which develop substantially parallel to the feeding direction of the conveyor belt.

Thereafter, the conveyor belt takes the box-shaped body 2 at a third assembly station (not shown) in which a third picking and transport device (not shown) picks up from a corresponding feeding station (not shown) a corresponding auxiliary portion 9 to place it on the main portion 7 into the housing compartment 5 of the box-shaped body 2.

The glue firmly joins the main portion 7 and the auxiliary portion 9, thus forming the support structure 6. The engagement portion 14 of each housing seat 12 is thus trapped in the respective structural separation area 11 of the support structure 6 thus formed, between the main portion 7 and the auxiliary portion 9 of the latter .

Advantageously, the tear tab 19a of each housing seat 12 projects from the respective tear opening 7a of the main portion 7 of the support structure 6 formed.

Alternately, it is possible to also provide that the support structure 6 with the respective housing seats 7 is formed outside the box-shaped body 2 to be placed in the housing compartment 5 of the latter at a later time .

Once the support structure 6 formed is inserted into the respective box-shaped body 2, it is also possible to provide for the automated insertion of the products or items into the corresponding housing cavities 15 of each housing seat 12 of the support structure 6 and the final application of the cover.

The package described above solves the problems of the prior art and achieves important advantages.

Firstly, the particular structural configuration of the package described above allows, with a simple gesture, the removal and thus the separation of components made of plastic from components made of paper material, with significant advantages in terms of waste disposal and recycling .

It should also be noted that the packages according to the configuration described and illustrated significantly facilitates the relative formation and production process of the same as it allows the total automation of the assembly steps of the packages in production. By thus eliminating any manual production step, significant production results may be obtained, in parallel with a reduction in production and thus marketing costs of the packages produced.