Field of the invention: The invention pertains to the technical field of packaging stacked compressible products in a stable manner, in particular packaging disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence products, pants, sanitary napkins, swim pants which may be pre-packed, e.g., in open cartons which are stacked on a pallet.
Applicant(s): Ontex BV; Ontex Group NV
Inventor(s): GARCIA GUADALUPE
Patent application number: EP4261150
The problem
Consumer products such as baby diaper bags are often packed in tray cartons, stacked on pallets, provided with edge protectors, and wrapped with stretch film. The packages of the prior art (e.g., EP2835314 and WO1996041753) require great quantities of stretch film, which is not environmentally friendly. These packages require the use of expensive edge protectors and frequently do not have sufficient stability, often at the expense of transportation safety and logistical handling. There remains a need for improved packaging for these consumer goods.
The present invention aims to provide a more sustainable packaging that increases the stability of the packages (e.g., baby diaper cartons on pallets) and significantly reduce the need for stretch film.
The Solution
The present invention provides a cardboard packaging and a method for stabilizing a stack of products, preferably pre-packed units of products, in particular products such as absorbent articles. The invention concerns a cardboard packaging for stabilizing a stack of pre-packed units of products, preferably a stack of pre-packed units of absorbent articles, wherein said cardboard packaging comprises three distinct components comprising, or selected from : a base comprising at least one bottom panel and four bottom side panels and delimiting a container to stack pre-packed units of products, at least two elongated arms extending in a perpendicular direction in relation to the plane delimited by the bottom panel, and a top comprising at least one top panel, four side panel and delimiting a container to stack pre-packed units of products. According to the invention, the base comprises a fastening element to fasten said arms to the base.
More precisely, the invention pertains to a cardboard packaging (8) for stabilizing a stack (2) of pre-packed units of products (4), preferably a stack of pre-packed units of absorbent articles, wherein said cardboard packaging (8) comprises three distinct components comprising: (a) a base (10) comprising at least one bottom panel (18) and four bottom side panels (16) and delimiting a container to stack pre-packed units of products (4), (b) at least two elongated arms (12) extending in a perpendicular direction in relation to the plane delimited by the bottom panel (18), and (c) a top (14) comprising at least one top panel (22), four side panel (20) and delimiting a container to stack pre-packed units of products (4), according to the invention, the base (10) comprises a fastening element (24) to fasten said arms (12) to the base (10).
The invention also concerns the use of such a cardboard packaging (8) for stabilizing a stack (2) of pre-packed units of products (4) and a method to stabilize a stack (2) of pre-packed units of products (4) using such cardboard packaging (8) and an assembly comprising a stack (2) of pre-packed units of products (4) and such a cardboard packaging (8).
The cardboard packaging comprises three separate or discrete components and the arms are reversibly fastened to the base and/or top. In other words, the cardboard packaging according to the invention, comprises three components, elements or modules, the base, the arms and the top that are discrete or separated meaning that these three components do not form a continuity of matter, at least in the final configuration, i.e. once the stack of pre-packed units of products is stabilized. The components are associated with one another in a reversible manner, meaning that they can be associated and separated without causing any irreversible damage. Preferably, the components are mechanically attached and separable without causing any irreversible damage.
Advantages
The present invention provides a more sustainable packaging that increases the stability of the packages (e.g., baby diaper cartons on pallets) and significantly reduce the need for stretch film.
Independent Claims:
Cardboard packaging (8) for stabilizing a stack (2) of pre-packed units of products (4), preferably a stack of pre-packed units of absorbent articles, wherein said cardboard packaging (8) comprises three distinct components comprising: a. a base (10) comprising at least one bottom panel (18) and four bottom side panels (16) and delimiting a container to stack pre-packed units of products (4), b. at least two elongated arms (12) extending in a perpendicular direction in relation to the plane delimited by the bottom panel (18), and c. a top (14) comprising at least one top panel (22), four side panel (20) and delimiting a container to stack pre-packed units of products (4), wherein, the base (10) comprises a fastening element (24) to fasten said arms (12) to the base (10).
Use of a cardboard packaging (8) as described previously to stabilize a stack (2) of pre-packed unit of products (4), preferably a stack of pre-packed unit of absorbent articles.