Technical Field

The present invention relates to a packaging for plate-shaped elements, particularly for tiles in ceramic material, stone, wood and/or glass.

Background Art

In the field of packaging of plate-shaped elements, in particular articles for the building sector such as tiles in ceramic material, stone, wood and/or glass, packaging is known generally made of packaging material blanks, of the type of corrugated cardboard of a more or less variable thickness depending on the stiffness required for the packaging itself and the desired degree of protection. In this field two types of packaging are known: a first type, in which the packaging material completely covers any surface of the plate- shaped element, and a second type, in which the packaging material partially covers the surfaces of the plate-shaped element, particularly leaving the decorated face exposed. Generally, the plate- shaped elements have a substantially rectangular or quadrangular shape and comprise an upper face, a lower face opposite the upper face and four opposed sides which are perpendicular in twos.

In the first type of packaging, the plate-shaped elements comprise a central surface of quadrangular or rectangular shape substantially coincident with the upper and lower face of the plate- shaped element.

Each side of the central surface comprises a respective lateral surface connected to it by means of a respective folding line.

The central surface receives in support the lower or upper face of the plate- shaped element, whereas the lateral surfaces are suitably folded along the folding lines to wrap the sides of the plate- shaped element so that they are completely covered and protected from any shocks that would cause damage and/or breakage.

This first type of packaging has drawbacks mainly related to the large amount of material used for the total coverage of the upper and lower face and of the sides of the plate- shaped elements. Storing warehouses are also required for the packaging material, divided according to the size of the plate- shaped elements to be packed.

In the second type of packaging, on the other hand, the plate-shaped elements comprise a lateral surface which in turn comprises two lateral bands connected to the central surface by means of respective folding lines.

The folding of such packaging on the plate- shaped elements creates packs which have a substantially C shape covering both the sides, corners and vertices of the plate-shaped elements themselves, leaving partially uncovered portions of the lower and upper central surfaces.

A first example of the above-mentioned second type of packaging for plate- shaped elements is shown in patent document EP2029445 in which the packaging is made up of a blank in a packaging material with a substantially polygonal shape arranged on the lower or upper face of the plate- shaped element.

Such packaging also comprises a plurality of consecutive lateral portions of packaging material arranged on each side of the plate- shaped element for the protection of the surfaces, corners and vertices of the plate-shaped element. In the overlapping areas of the consecutive lateral portions are arranged bonding material portions in order to provide greater rigidity and strength to the packaging.

The packaging shown in patent document EP2029445 is achievable both for a single plate- shaped element and for a plurality of plate- shaped elements stacked one on top of the other.

This packaging is not without drawbacks, in fact, following the opening they are unusable as the blanks are torn off.

Another drawback is linked to the fact that each side of the plate-shaped elements is fully covered with the packaging material, therefore the demand for such material is high and the related costs affect the retail prices.

A second example of the second type of packaging for plate- shaped elements is shown in the patent document IT 1406305 in which the packaging comprises a pair of blanks in a packaging material in turn comprising a central portion and two lateral portions, in which the two lateral portions are arranged partially on two opposite sides of the plate-shaped element.

The central portion and the two lateral portions comprise an upper and lower flap that are positioned on the edges of the lower and upper face, respectively of the plate- shaped element.

The lateral portions of each blank, once folded, are partially overlapped with each other and define two overlapping areas.

The fixing of the pair of blanks occurs by means of bands closed in a loop and wrapped on two opposite sides of the plate-shaped element at the overlapping areas of the lateral portions.

Similarly to the packaging shown in patent document EP2029445, also the packaging in the patent document IT 1406305 is achievable both for a single plate- shaped element and for a plurality of plate- shaped elements stacked one on top of the other.

Even the packaging according to the patent document IT 1406305 has some drawbacks.

A first drawback is related to the fact that this example of packaging requires a considerable amount of packaging material because, despite the fact that the upper and lower face of the plate- shaped element is partly covered, on the other hand, the sides are fully covered by the packaging material.

Another drawback is the fact that, in the event of a plurality of packaging being stacked one on top of the other, the overlapping areas of the lateral portions jeopardize the stability and proper contact between one packaging and the other, with the consequent risk of falling and breakage of the plate- shaped elements. Furthermore, these overlapping areas represent a strong limit for the packaging since the manufacturer is obliged to pack the packs of plate- shaped elements always in the same manner while, depending on the type of plate- shaped element to be packed, it could be advantageous to have higher ductility and versatility in the realization of the packaging.

A packaging method according to the patent document IT 1406305 is shown in patent document EP2712347 in which the packaging is obtained by conveying a single plate- shaped element, or a plurality of plate- shaped elements stacked one on top of the other, to two separate packaging stations. In the first station the first blank is applied to a first side of the plate- shaped element, while in the second station the second blank is applied to a second side, opposite the first side, of the plate-shaped element itself.

This packaging method, however, shows a further drawback of the packaging according to patent document IT 1406305, namely the fact that their realization requires for long and impractical work processes that are executed in two next operations/stations .

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a packaging for plate- shaped elements, particularly for tiles in ceramic material, stone, wood and/or glass which allows to fix the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular to reduce the amount of packaging material required for the realization of the packaging, with related reduction in costs and packaging waste.

One object of the present invention consists in obtaining packaging for plate- shaped elements whose realization is unrelated to the size of the plate-shaped elements themselves to be packed, so as to reduce the waste of blanks cut to special measures not usable for the packaging of plate-shaped elements which have different dimensions.

A further object is linked to the fact of realizing packaging for plate-shaped elements which ensures the protection of the vertices while leaving the corners uncovered and exposed, in order to make the plate-shaped element as visible as possible.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a packaging, the realization of which occurs regardless of the size of the blanks, so as to limit the need for dividing the storing warehouses according to the dimensions of the blanks contained in them.

Another object of the present invention consists in the reduction of the time required for the packaging of plate-shaped elements, while maximizing the level of productivity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging for plate- shaped elements, particularly for tiles in ceramic material, stone, wood and/or glass which allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution. The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present packaging for plate- shaped elements, particularly for tiles in ceramic material, stone, wood and/or glass, having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a packaging for plate-shaped elements, particularly for tiles in ceramic material, stone, wood and/or glass, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting, example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the packaging according to the invention in the reference configuration;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view that shows the realization of the packaging of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the packaging of Figure 1 in the packaging configuration;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the packaging according to the invention in the packaging configuration;

Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a third embodiment of the packaging according to the invention in the packaging configuration;

Figure 6 is an axonometric view of several packagings according to the invention in the packaging configuration.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such figures, globally indicated with 1 is a packaging for plate-shaped elements, particularly for tiles in ceramic material, stone, wood and/or glass.

The packaging 1 comprises a pair of blanks 2 in packaging material folded partly on a pack of plate- shaped elements 3 to be packed.

The pack of plate-shaped elements 3 can be composed both of a single plate - shaped element and of a plurality of plate-shaped elements stacked one on top of the other.

The pack of plate- shaped elements 3 comprises an upper face 4, a lower face 5, a first side 6, a second side 7, a third side 8 and a fourth side 9.

More in detail, the upper face 4 is opposite to the lower face 5, the first side 6 is opposite to the third side 8 and the second side 7 is opposite to the fourth side 9. The pack of plate- shaped elements 3 also comprises twelve corners and eight vertices.

In this specification, the term corner means the junction between two faces positioned orthogonally to each other.

The term vertex, instead, means the point in which three faces and three corners join together of the pack of plate- shaped elements 3, in which the three faces are orthogonal in twos.

In the event of the pack of plate-shaped elements 3 comprising a single plate- shaped element, the upper face, the lower face and the sides of the plate- shaped element coincide with the upper face 4, the lower face 5 and the sides 6, 7, 8, 9 of the pack of the plate-shaped elements 3.

In the event, on the other hand, of the pack of plate- shaped elements 3 comprising a plurality of plate- shaped elements stacked one on top of other, the upper face 4 of the pack of plate-shaped elements 3 coincides with the upper face of the plate- shaped element arranged above, the lower face 5 of the pack of plate- shaped elements 3 coincides with the lower face of the plate- shaped element arranged below, the sides 6, 7, 8, 9 of the pack of plate-shaped elements 3 coincide with the set of sides of the plate- shaped elements stacked one on top of the other.

Generally, the blanks 2 are made of packaging material of the type of corrugated cardboard.

More in detail, each blank 2 can be defined as a single piece of suitably contoured packaging material depending on the sizes of the pack of plate- shaped elements 3, or each blank 2 can be defined as a plurality of pieces of packaging material joined together by means of suitable bonding elements to obtain the contour corresponding to the sizes of the pack of plate- shaped elements 3 to be packed.

The dimensions of the packs of plate- shaped elements 3, and therefore of the blanks 2 most available on the market are variable between e.g. the small formats of 10x10 cm type, the larger formats of 60x60 cm type, 100x100 cm and more, and particular formats of the type of elongated strips, such as 10x120 cm strips and the like.

According to the invention, each blank 2 comprises:

- a first central flap 10;

a first lower flap 11 connected to the first central flap 10 by means of a first lower folding line 12;

a first upper flap 13 connected to the first central flap 10 by means of a first upper folding line 14;

- a second central flap 15 connected to the first central flap 10 by means of a first lateral folding line 16;

a second lower flap 17 connected to the second central flap 15 by means of a second lower folding line 18;

a second upper flap 19 connected to the second central flap 15 by means of a second upper folding line 20;

a third central flap 21 connected to the first central flap 10 by means of a second lateral folding line 22 opposite to the first lateral folding line 16; a third lower flap 23 connected to the third central flap 21 by means of a third lower folding line 24;

- a third upper flap 25 connected to the third central flap 21 by means of a third upper folding line 26.

The blanks 2 are placed in a packaging configuration wherein the first central flap 10 of each of the blanks 2 is arranged to fully and respectively cover the first side 6 and the third side 8, the second central flap 15 and the third central flap 21 of each of the blanks 2 are arranged to partly and respectively cover the second side 7 and the fourth side 9, the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 of each of the blanks 2 are arranged to partly cover the upper face 4, the lower flaps 11, 17, 23 of each of the blanks 2 are arranged to partly cover the lower face 5.

In the packaging configuration, all the flaps 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 of a blank 2 are spaced apart from all the flaps 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 of the other blank 2.

The first upper flap 13 of each of the blanks 2 comprises a first upper edge 27 opposite to the first upper folding line 14 and, in the packaging configuration, the first upper edges 27 are spaced apart from one another.

The first lower flap 11 of each of the blanks 2 comprises a first lower edge 28 opposite to the first lower folding line 12 and, in the packaging configuration, the first lower edges 28 are spaced apart from one another.

The second central flap 15 of each of the blanks 2 comprises a first lateral edge 29 opposite to the first lateral folding line 16 and, in the packaging configuration, the first lateral edges 29 are spaced apart from one another.

The third central flap 21 of each of the blanks 2 comprises a second lateral edge 30 opposite to the second lateral folding line 22 and, in the packaging configuration, the second lateral edges 30 are spaced apart from one another. Each of the flaps 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 has a substantially rectangular contour that has a base side coinciding with the length of each single flap 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, and a side orthogonal to the base side coinciding with the height of each single flap 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25. Figure 1 shows a reference configuration wherein the pack of plate-shaped elements 3 is arranged substantially horizontal and, more particularly, the upper face 4 and the lower face 5 lie on substantially horizontal and parallel planes, while the blanks 2 are totally extended and lie on substantially vertical planes and orthogonal to the horizontal planes on which the upper and lower faces 4, 5 lie.

In this reference configuration, the length of each flap 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 has a substantially horizontal extension and the height of each flap 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 has a substantially vertical extension.

In particular, the first flaps 10, 11, 13 have all the same length, the second flaps 15, 17, 19 have all the same length and the third flaps 21, 23, 25 have all the same length.

In addition, the central flaps 10, 15, 21 have all the same height, the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 have all the same height and the lower flaps 11, 17, 23 have all the same height.

This way the blanks 2 are obtainable from a packaging material sheet which, in the reference configuration, is substantially rectangular, thus minimizing the consumption of material.

Conveniently, the height of the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 coincides with the height of the lower flaps 11, 17, 23 and the length of the second flaps 15, 17, 19 coincides with the length of the third flaps 21, 23, 25, even if alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out wherein the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 are higher or smaller than the lower flaps 11, 17, 23 and the second flaps 15, 17, 19 are longer or shorter than the third flaps 21, 23, 25.

In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second central flaps 15 and the third central flaps 21 have a length equal to the height of the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 and of the lower flaps 11, 17, 23.

In this first embodiment, the surface extension being equal, the blanks 2, arranged in a packaging configuration, ensure greater rigidity to the packaging 1 and therefore greater protection to the packaged pack of plate- shaped elements 3.

In a second embodiment shown in Figure 4, the length of the second and third central flaps 15, 21 is substantially less than the height of the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 and of the lower flaps 11, 17, 23.

In this second embodiment, the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 and the lower flaps 11, 17, 23 cover a larger portion of the upper face 4 and of the lower face 5 and the first upper and lower edges 27, 28 are less spaced apart than the first embodiment.

The blanks thus made, their surface extension being equal, allow to ensure greater protection to the upper face 4 and to the lower face 5, in particular protecting the decorated face from shocks and damage.

Furthermore, the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 and the lower flaps 11, 17, 23, mostly covering the upper face 4 and the lower face 5, have a larger exposure surface, wherein logos and information are indicated referring to the production process and the traceability of the material, technical information on, e.g., the compositions of materials or instructions for the correct installation, and on maintenance and the cleaning methods of the packaged pack of plate-shaped elements 3.

In a third embodiment shown in Figure 5, the length of the second and third central flaps 15, 21 is substantially more than the height of the upper flaps 13, 19, 25 and of the lower flaps 11, 17, 23.

At the same time, on the other hand, the second and third central flaps 15, 21 cover a larger portion of the second and fourth side 7, 9 and the first lateral edges 29 and the second lateral edges 30 are respectively mutually less spaced apart than in the first embodiment.

The blanks 2 thus made, their surface extension being equal, allow to better cover the second side 7 and the fourth side 9 of the pack of plate- shaped elements 3, giving greater protection to the various exposed corners.

Moreover, the upper face 4 and the lower face 5 are less covered, thus leaving the upper face 4 more visible.

In the packaging configuration:

the first upper flap 13 and the second upper flap 19 of each of the blanks 2 are folded on the upper face 4 and are overlapped with each other in a first overlapping area 31 ;

the first upper flap 13 and the third upper flap 25 of each of the blanks 2 are folded on the upper face 4 and are overlapped with each other in a second overlapping area 32;

the first lower flap 11 and the second lower flap 17 of each of the blanks 2 are folded on the lower face 5 and are overlapped with each other in a third overlapping area 33;

the first lower flap 11 and the third lower flap 23 of each of the blanks 2 are folded on the lower face 5 and are overlapped with each other in a fourth overlapping area 34.

More in detail, in the embodiments shown in the figures:

in the first overlapping area 31 the second upper flap 19 of each of the blanks 2 is placed between the first upper flap 13 and the upper face 4;

in the second overlapping area 32 the third upper flap 25 of each of the blanks 2 is placed between the first upper flap 13 and the upper face 4;

- in the third overlapping area 33 the second lower flap 17 of each of the blanks 2 is placed between the first lower flap 11 and the lower face 5;

in the fourth overlapping area 34 the third lower flap 23 of each of the blanks 2 is placed between the first lower flap 11 and the lower face 5.

These overlapping areas 31, 32, 33, 34 are defined at the portions of the upper face 4 and of the lower face 5 respectively, next to each of the eight vertices of the pack of plate-shaped elements 3.

The packaging 1 comprises fixing means 35, 36 adapted to maintain each of the blanks 2 folded on the pack of plate- shaped elements 3 in the packaging configuration.

In particular, the fixing means 35, 36 comprise:

at least one adhesive element 35 arranged at each of the overlapping areas 31, 32, 33, 34;

at least one strap element 36 wrapped around the pack of plate- shaped elements 3 at the upper face 4, at the lower face 5, at the first side 6 and at the third side 8.

The adhesive element 35 can be of the type of glue or adhesive tape for cardboard packaging material.

The strap element 36 can be of the type of a metal, plastic or vegetable fiber clamp.

One or more strap elements 36 can be used to maintain stacked one on top of the other and in a fixed position a plurality of packs of plate-shaped elements 3 each having the relative blanks 2 in the packaging configuration (Figure 6).

Conveniently, the strap elements 64 are wrapped around the packs of plate- shaped elements 3 and are arranged in contact with the first central flap 10 of each blank 2 at the first side 6 and the third side 8.

Other embodiments cannot be ruled out wherein the maintenance of the blanks 2 in the packaging configuration is achieved by means of fixing means of the type of various kind of glue e.g. of the type of stapling and/or punching of the portions of flaps 13, 19, 25, 11, 17, 23 overlapping each other.

Alternatively, for a possible reduction in adhesive elements, the various flaps

10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 can be made with a particular toothed contour that allows interlocking the flaps 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 with each other, making the packaging 1 even more rigid and sturdy for the protection of the pack of plate-shaped elements 3. It has in practice been found that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the distance between the second and third central, upper and lower flaps of each blank arranged on the pack of plate- shaped elements allows to reduce consumption of packaging material and adhesive elements placed at the overlapping areas between one blank and another.

In addition, such packaging allows to keep covered, and therefore protected, all of the vertices of the pack of plate- shaped elements while leaving uncovered, and therefore visible, part of the corners of the pack of plate-shaped elements. Such packaging also has a remarkable versatility of use for the packing of packs of plate-shaped elements since, being the blanks arranged on the opposite side of the pack of plate-shaped elements, they are kept in contact with the pack itself in a fixed position by means of one or more strap elements.

This way the operations to obtain the packaging configuration are also reduced. Unlike the known type of packaging, the packaging thus made provides the manufacturer the possibility of using each packaging in a customized manner depending on the packaging needs and on the different types of packs of plate- shaped elements to be packaged.

To this is added that in the field of ceramic industry, the need is increasingly felt for re-packing, or removing the protection cardboard of a pack of plate- shaped elements (bearing e.g. the trademark of the manufacturer) and replacing with another (bearing e.g. the trademark of the seller).

The packaging according to the invention can fulfill this aim very easily since it is possible to reuse the two blanks once they have been removed from the pack of plate- shaped elements.

In particular, since there are no overlapping areas between one blank and the other, it is unnecessary to interpose adhesive elements to keep them anchored. This way, each blank can be removed by simply pulling it from the pack of plate-shaped elements, without the need of tearing it off and therefore making it unusable for future packaging.

The packaging according to the invention therefore allows to re-pack in the event of the formats of the new packs to be packaged coinciding with the packaging already made.