U.S. patent application number 13/501617 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for packaging unit comprising a packaging pouch and outer packaging.
This patent application is currently assigned to Amcor Flexibles Kreuzlingen Ltd.. Invention is credited to Daniel Bossel, Peter Kancsar, Yves Morgenthaler.
Application Number | 20120261413 13/501617 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43857954 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120261413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bossel; Daniel ; et
al. |
October 18, 2012 |
PACKAGING UNIT COMPRISING A PACKAGING POUCH AND OUTER PACKAGING
Abstract
In a packaging unit with a packaging pouch and with a
substantially dimensionally stable outer packaging, the outer
packaging) is tubular with a tube axis and is configured with open
ends and the ends, in the viewing direction of the tube axis in a
first position, form a polygon with at least two sides enclosing an
angle a<180.degree. and lying mirror-symmetrically with respect
to a plane of symmetry and, in a second position, form a polygon
with at least one side lying perpendicular to the plane of
symmetry, wherein a straight fold edge runs in the first position
between the corner points of the sides of the two ends lying
mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry, and, in
the second position, the sides of the two ends lying
mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry form an
angle a=180.degree., wherein the outer packaging can be brought
from the first position into the second position by pressing in the
straight fold edge(s), and wherein at least two curved fold edges
run in the first and second position between the two ends in such a
way that, in the second position, the outer face(s) of the outer
packaging extending between the side(s) of the two ends lying
perpendicular to the plane of symmetry is/are concavely curved.
Inventors: |
Bossel; Daniel;
(Schaffhausen, CH) ; Morgenthaler; Yves; (Schlatt
TG, CH) ; Kancsar; Peter; (Zurich, CH) |
Assignee: |
Amcor Flexibles Kreuzlingen
Ltd.
Kreuzlingen
CH
|
Family ID: |
43857954 |
Appl. No.: |
13/501617 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 6, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/006000 |
371 Date: |
June 22, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3628 20130101;
B65D 75/525 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.91 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/02 20060101
B65D033/02; B65D 30/02 20060101 B65D030/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 13, 2009 |
CH |
1577/09 |
Apr 21, 2010 |
CH |
572/10 |
Claims
1. A packaging unit with a packaging pouch made of a flexible
film-like first material and with a substantially dimensionally
stable outer packaging made of a second material, in which the
outer packaging is tubular with a tube axis and is configured with
open ends and the ends, in the viewing direction of the tube axis,
in a first position, form a polygon with at least two sides
enclosing an angle a<180.degree. and lying mirror-symmetrically
with respect to a plane of symmetry and, in a second position, form
a polygon with at least one side lying perpendicular to the plane
of symmetry, wherein a straight fold edge runs in the first
position between the corner points of the sides of the two ends
lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry,
and, in the second position, the sides of the two ends lying mirror
mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry form an
angle a=180.degree., wherein the outer packaging is adapted to be
brought into the second position from the first position by
pressing in the straight fold edge(s), and wherein at least two
curved or two straight fold edges which are bent in the centre
thereof run between the two ends in the first and second position
in such a way that, in the second position, the outer face(s) of
the outer packaging extending between the sides of the two ends
lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry is/are concavely
curved or bent inwardly over two level part faces, wherein the
outer packaging is divided along the straight fold edge(s) between
the centre thereof and the open ends and at a spacing from the open
ends and at a spacing from the centre over a part length.
2. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the ends, in the
first position, form a hexagon with two sides lying parallel and
two respective sides enclosing an angle a<180.degree. and lying
mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry and, in
the second position, form a quadrilateral with two sides lying
parallel and two sides lying perpendicular to the plane of
symmetry, wherein a straight fold edge, in each case, runs, in the
first position, between the corner points of the sides of the two
ends lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of
symmetry, and, in the second position, the sides of the two ends
lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry in
each case form an angle a=180.degree., wherein the outer packaging
is adapted to be brought into the second position from the first
position by pressing the straight fold edges against one
another.
3. A packaging unit according to claim 2, wherein the curved fold
edges or the straight fold edges which are bent in the centre run
in the first and second position between the corner points of the
sides of the two ends lying parallel to the plane of symmetry in
such a way that, in the second position, the outer faces of the
outer packaging extending between the sides of the two ends lying
parallel to the plane of symmetry are convexly curved or bent
outwardly over two level part faces and the outer faces of the
outer packaging extending between the sides of the two ends lying
perpendicular to the plane of symmetry are concavely curved or are
bent inwardly over two level part faces.
4. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein one end of the
outer packaging provides a standing face for the packaging pouch
projecting from the other end with a separable opening part.
5. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging
pouch which is arranged in the outer packaging in a pouch
longitudinal direction corresponding to the tube axis is at least
partially fastened on the inside of the outer packaging.
6. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the part lengths
of the outer packaging separated along the straight fold edges are
at least 20% of the length of the fold edges.
7. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the part lengths
of the outer packaging separated along the straight fold edges are
spaced apart by at least 10% of the length of the fold edges from
the centre thereof and the ends.
8. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the outer
packaging has openings consisting of two halves which are
rotationally symmetrical with respect to the straight fold edges,
the part lengths corresponding to connecting lines of the
rotationally symmetrical halves of the openings.
9. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the pouch
material is a single-layer or multi-layer film made of plastics
material and optionally laminated with a paper layer, or a paper
laminated with plastics material, and wherein the outer packaging
material is cardboard or a transparent or opaque plastics
material.
10. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging
pouch is fastened to the inner wall of the outer packaging by
point-wise adhesive points.
11. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging
pouch is a stand-up pouch, a tubular pouch or an extruded
pouch.
12. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the arcuately
curved fold edges are severed in at least one region extending over
at least the centre thereof, forming at least one slot-like recess
or at least one separating cut.
13. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the
convexly curved outer faces between the fold edges bordering them
is provided with a curvature pointing away from the standing face
on the end forming a standing face.
14. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein a base with an
insertion flap or an automatic base is provided on the outer
packaging.
15. A method comprising using a packaging unit according to claim 1
to package a product.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a packaging unit with a packaging
pouch made of a flexible film-like first material and with a
substantially dimensionally stable outer packaging made of a second
material, in which the outer packaging is tubular with a tube axis
and is configured with open ends, and the ends, in the viewing
direction of the tube axis, in a first position, form a polygon
with at least two sides enclosing an angle .alpha.<180.degree.
and lying mirror symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry
and, in a second position, form a polygon with at least one side
lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, wherein a straight
fold edge runs in the first position between the corner points of
the sides of the two ends lying mirror symmetrically with respect
to the plane of symmetry, and, in the second position, the sides of
the two ends lying mirror symmetrically with respect to the plane
of symmetry form an angle .alpha.=180.degree., wherein the outer
packaging can be brought into the second position from the first
position by pressing in the straight fold edge(s), and wherein at
least two curved or two straight fold edges which are bent in the
centre thereof run between the two ends in the first and second
position in such a way that, in the second position, the outer
face(s) of the outer packaging extending between the side(s) of the
two ends lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry is/are
concavely curved or bent inwardly by two level part faces.
[0002] A packaging unit of the type mentioned at the outset is
known from EP 1 798 159 B1. A substantial drawback of this known
packaging unit is that concavely curved outer faces of the outer
packaging, which are formed during the pressing in of the straight
fold edges from the first into the second position, may tear along
the fold edges at their free ends. The risk of tearing is high,
particularly in the cardboard material which is preferably used for
the outer packaging.
[0003] The invention is based on the object of improving a
packaging unit of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way
that tearing of the concavely curved outer faces of the outer
packaging, which are formed during the pressing in of the straight
fold edges from the first into the second position, along the fold
edges at their free ends can also be prevented in tear-sensitive
materials, such as, for example, cardboard, by simple means.
[0004] The fact that the outer packaging is divided along the
straight fold edge(s) between the centre thereof and the open ends
and at a spacing from the open ends and at a spacing from the
centre over a respective part length leads to the achievement of
the object according to the invention in a packaging unit of the
type mentioned at the outset.
[0005] In a preferred embodiment of the packaging unit according to
the invention, the ends, in the first position, form a hexagon with
two sides lying parallel and two respective sides enclosing an
angle .alpha.<180.degree. and lying mirror symmetrically with
respect to a plane of symmetry and, in the second position, form a
quadrilateral with two sides lying parallel and two sides lying
perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, one respective straight
fold edge running in the first position between the corner points
of the sides of the two ends lying mirror symmetrically with
respect to the plane of symmetry, and the sides of the two ends
lying mirror symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry,
in the second position, each forming an angle .alpha.=180.degree.,
it being possible to bring the outer packaging into the second
position from the first position by pressing the straight fold
edges against one another.
[0006] The curved fold edges or the straight fold edges which are
bent in the centre preferably run in the first and second position
between the corner points of the two sides of the two ends lying
parallel to the plane of symmetry in such a way that, in the second
position, the outer faces of the outer packaging extending between
the sides of the two ends lying parallel to the plane of symmetry
are convexly curved or bent outwardly over two level part faces and
the outer faces of the outer packaging extending between the sides
of the two ends lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry are
concavely curved or are bent inwardly over two level part
faces.
[0007] One end of the outer packaging expediently provides a
standing face for the packaging pouch projecting from the other end
with a separable opening part.
[0008] The packaging pouch arranged in a pouch longitudinal
direction corresponding to the tube axis in the outer packaging is
preferably at least partially fastened to the inside of the outer
packaging.
[0009] The part lengths of the outer packaging which are separated
along the straight fold edges are at least 20% of the length of the
fold edges and are spaced apart by substantially at least 10% of
the length of the fold edges from the centre thereof and the
ends.
[0010] The outer packaging preferably has openings consisting of
the two halves, which are rotationally symmetrical with respect to
the straight fold edges, the part lengths corresponding to
connecting lines of the rotationally symmetrical halves of the
openings.
[0011] The fold edges which are curved in an arcuate manner are
preferably severed in at least one region extending over at least
the centre thereof, forming at least one slot-like recess or at
least one separating cut. This achieves a cushioning so the system
does not flatten so rapidly upon lateral pressure.
[0012] The edge of the convexly curved outer faces between the fold
edges limiting these is expediently provided with a curvature
pointing away from the standing face at the end forming a standing
face. After clicking into the second position, this brings about a
flat base and therefore stability of the standing face.
[0013] A base with an insertion flap or an automatic base may be
provided on the outer packaging.
[0014] An important advantage of the packaging unit according to
the invention is, on the one hand, the flat pouch form of the first
position, which is excellently suitable for transportation, and, on
the other hand, the cup-shaped, dimensionally stable second
position ideal for removing the filling product.
[0015] The pouch material and the outer packaging material are
preferably organoleptically and chemically neutral mono-materials
with respect to the filling product.
[0016] The packaging pouch itself may be a stand-up pouch without
its own stability, a tubular pouch or an extruded pouch. The pouch
material for the packaging pouch according to the invention may, in
comparison to the stiff material required for a stand-up pouch with
its own stability, have a smaller thickness and is therefore
economical. The removal opening which is formed after the removal
of the opening part by lateral pressure on the straight fold edges
of the outer packaging, owing to the dimensionally stable second
position of the outer packaging, remains completely and permanently
opened.
[0017] The pouch material of the packaging pouch according to the
invention is preferably a single-layer or multi-layer film made of
plastics material and optionally laminated with a paper layer, or a
paper laminated from plastics material, and is preferably present
as a mono-material.
[0018] To avoid migration of extraneous substances into the pouch
interior, the packaging pouch is preferably unprinted.
[0019] The outer packaging material may be made of any economical
mono-material. A preferred outer packaging material is cardboard,
corrugated cardboard or a transparent or opaque plastics material.
Starch, maize and similar biodegradable materials are also
suitable, for example, for the outer packaging. The outer packaging
may be printed as desired.
[0020] The packaging pouch is suitable, in particular, for
packaging drinkable or spoonable filling products and filling
products that can be stirred with liquid to form drinkable or
spoonable products. A further preferred application area is the
packaging of filling products which are provided for heating in
microwave ovens. The packaging is also suitable for animal
foodstuffs and for further filling products, such as, for example,
washing powder and other free-flowing and pourable filling
products.
[0021] Foods, such as for example soups, can be heated in the
packaging pouch according to the invention together with the outer
packaging in the opened state, optionally after stirring with cold
water, directly in a microwave device. The advantage here of the
packaging unit according to the invention is the heat-insulating
outer packaging, which makes it possible to hold it with the bare
hand. The use of corrugated cardboard as a material for the outer
packaging leads to a particularly heat-insulating
configuration.
[0022] With carbonated or uncarbonated water, the packaging system
serves to store the filling product and simultaneously serves as a
drinking vessel.
[0023] Depending on the type of filling product, this is also mixed
with liquid, such as, for example, soup pouches with hot water, or
the filling product is already in a liquid or spoonable form, for
example yogurt.
[0024] Further advantages, features and details of the invention
emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments, and
with the aid of the drawings in which, schematically
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging pouch with an
outer packaging in a first position;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a section through a part of the packaging pouch
with outer packaging of FIG. 1 along the line I-I in an enlarged
view;
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the packaging pouch with
outer packaging of FIG. 1 in a second position with a separated
opening part;
[0028] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the outer packaging of
FIG. 3 in an enlarged view;
[0029] FIG. 5 shows various punched-out forms for producing the
openings of the outer packaging of FIG. 4 being used to interrupt
the straight fold edges;
[0030] FIG. 6 shows the side view of the outer packaging in FIG. 4
in the first position;
[0031] FIG. 7 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG.
6;
[0032] FIG. 8 shows the side view of the outer packaging of FIG. 6
in the second position;
[0033] FIG. 9 shows the side view of the outer packaging of FIG. 8
rotated through 90.degree.;
[0034] FIG. 10 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG.
9;
[0035] FIG. 11 shows a side view of a different embodiment of the
outer packaging corresponding to the side view of FIG. 6, in the
first position;
[0036] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the outer packaging of
FIG. 11 in the second position;
[0037] FIG. 13 shows a side view of the packaging pouch with outer
packaging with a first opening variant in the first position;
[0038] FIG. 14 shows a side view of the packaging pouch with outer
packaging with a second opening variant in the first position;
[0039] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a packaging pouch with
outer packaging with a third opening variant in the transition from
the first position into the second position;
[0040] FIG. 16 shows a side view of a further embodiment of an
outer packaging corresponding to the side view of FIG. 6, in the
first position;
[0041] FIG. 17 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG.
16;
[0042] FIG. 18 shows the side view of the outer packaging of FIG.
16 in the second position;
[0043] FIG. 19 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG.
18;
[0044] FIG. 20, 21 show side views of the outer packaging of FIG. 4
in the first position with further options.
[0045] A packaging unit shown in FIG. 1 to 3 is composed of a
packaging pouch 10 and an outer packaging 28. The packaging pouch
10 which is produced from a flexible film material, such as, for
example, polyamide, and arranged in the outer packaging 28, in the
present example is a stand-up pouch with a sealed-in base, not
visible in the drawing, a front wall 14 and a rear wall 16. Two
longitudinal sealing seams 18, 19 which are arranged laterally and
defining a longitudinal direction l of the pouch connect the two
pouch walls 14, 16 projecting from the base and, together with a
transverse sealing seam 20 connecting the longitudinal sealing
seams 18, 19 at the end remote from the base, lead to the closed
packaging pouch 10.
[0046] The transverse sealing seam 20 at the end of the packaging
pouch 10 which is remote from the base is part of an opening part
26 that can be separated from the pouch. To open the packaging
pouch 10, the opening part 26 is torn away along a tearing line 24
arranged in the pouch walls 14, 16 and parallel to and at a short
spacing from the transverse sealing seam 20. Tearing notches 22, 23
with a tip ending at the tearing line 24 are provided as a tearing
aid in the longitudinal sealing seams 18, 19.
[0047] The tubular outer packaging 28 which is produced from a
substantially dimensionally stable material, such as, for example,
cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, the open ends 31, 33
of which lie parallel to one another and perpendicular to a tube
axis z, encloses the packaging pouch 10 in a first position shown
in FIG. 1 with a front wall 30 and rear wall 32, extends from the
base thereof over the pouch walls 14, 16 toward the opening part 26
and ends at a short spacing from the tearing line 24. The pouch
longitudinal direction l of the packaging pouch 10 lies in the tube
axis z of the outer packaging 28. One end 31 of the tubular outer
packaging 28 is used as a standing face for the packaging unit, so
the packaging pouch 10 does not itself have to be stable. The
packaging pouch 10 can therefore also be a simple tubular pouch
with a longitudinal seam, or an extruded pouch without a
longitudinal seam with two transverse seams.
[0048] The packaging pouch 10 which is arranged in the outer
packaging 28 is at least partially fastened to the inside of the
outer packaging 28. The pouch walls 14, 16 are, for example,
partially fastened to the inside of the outer packaging 28, in
particular to the edge thereof close to the opening part 26 of the
packaging pouch 10, by point-wise adhesive points 36. A second
adhesion preferably takes place, for example, approximately in the
centre or even below the centre between the open ends of the outer
packaging 28. This lower second adhesion gives the pouch 10
increased stability in the outer packaging 28 and leads to improved
mounting of the pouch base.
[0049] The outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 1 to 3 is shown in
detail in FIG. 6 to 10.
[0050] The tubular outer packaging 28 is produced by an overlap 34
of the two ends of a level pre-cut part and the adhesion of the
ends in the overlap region (FIG. 6, 7).
[0051] The open ends 31, 33 of the outer packaging 28, in the first
position in the viewing direction of the tube axis z, form
congruent hexagons with two sides a, b lying parallel to a plane E
of symmetry and two respective sides c1, c2 or d1, d2 enclosing an
angle .alpha.<180.degree. and lying mirror symmetrically with
respect to the plane E of symmetry.
[0052] A straight fold edge g, h, in each case, runs between the
common corner points of the sides c1, c2 or d1, d2 of the two ends
31, 33 lying mirror symmetrically with respect to the plane E of
symmetry.
[0053] In the second position shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8 to 10, the
open ends 31, 33, in the viewing direction of the tube axis z, form
congruent quadrilaterals with the two sides a b, lying parallel to
the plane E of symmetry and the two quadrilateral sides c, d lying
perpendicular to the plane E of symmetry and formed from the
hexagon sides c1, c2 or d1, d2 by widening the angle .alpha. to
180.degree.. One end 31 of the tubular outer packing 28 is used as
a standing face.
[0054] In a first embodiment of an outer packaging 28, arcuately
curved fold edges i, k, l, m run between the mutually corresponding
corner points of the congruent quadrilaterals of the open ends 31,
33. Two mutually adjacent, arcuately curved fold edges i, k, l, m
in each case form, together with the sides a, b, c, d connecting
them, outer faces 37, 39, or 41, 43 of the outer packaging 28. The
outer faces 37, 39 or 41, 43 of the outer packing 28, which oppose
one another pair-wise, are concavely or convexly curved
pair-wise.
[0055] In a second embodiment of an outer packaging 28, indicated
by dashed lines in FIG. 4, 6, 8, 9, straight fold edges i'-i'',
k'-k''; l'-l'', m'-m'' which are bent in the centre thereof run
between the mutually corresponding corner points of the congruent
quadrilaterals of the open ends 31, 33. Two mutually adjacent
straight fold edges i'-i'', k'-k''; l'-l'', m'-m'' which are bent
in the centre in each case form, together with the sides a, b, c, d
connecting them, outer faces 37, 39, 41, 43 of the outer packaging
28. The outer faces 37, 39 or 41, 43 of the outer packaging 28,
which oppose one another pair-wise, are composed pair-wise of two
respective level part faces 37'-37'', 39'-39'' or 41'-41'',
43'-43'' and are bent inwardly or outwardly.
[0056] The concavely curved outer faces 37, 39 in each case have
two openings 50, 52.
[0057] As emerges from FIG. 6, the outer packaging 28 is divided
along the straight fold edges g, h between the centre M thereof and
the open ends 31, 33 over a part length u, in each case. The
separation has a spacing s from the open ends 31, 33 and a spacing
t from the centre M. The part lengths u of the outer packaging 28
which are separated along the straight fold edges g, h are at least
20% of the length of the fold edges g, h and are spaced apart by at
least 10% of the length of the fold edges g, h from the centre M
thereof and to the ends 31, 33.
[0058] In the outer packaging 28 which is shown by way of example
in FIG. 6, the latter has openings 50, 52, which consist of two
halves, which are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the
straight fold edges g, h, the part lengths u corresponding to
connecting lines of the rotationally symmetrical halves of the
openings 50, 52.
[0059] As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the convexly curved outer
faces 41, 43 may also have openings 60, 62. The opening 60 may, for
example, be designed as a tear-off part bordered by a perforation
line. This tear-off part, which is connected to the packaging pouch
located therebelow, is, if necessary, released from the outer
packaging, so a pour-out or shake-out opening is produced.
[0060] The contours of the open ends 31, 33 which are formed in the
second position of the outer packaging 28 in the viewing direction
of the tube axis z may, as quadrilaterals, be square or
rectangular, with outwardly curved side edges or with outwardly
pointing corners, or may also have other continuous or
discontinuous contours.
[0061] The outer packaging 28 present in the first position can be
pressed together in a planar manner, so the hexagonal sides c1, b,
d1 rest congruently at the two ends 31, 33 on the sides c2, a, d2
lying mirror symmetrically with respect to the plane E of symmetry,
and the fold edges i, k, or the outer face 41 bordered by them rest
congruently on the fold edges l, m or on the outer face 43 bordered
by them. Likewise, the first halves of the outer faces 37, 39 which
are bordered by the arcuately curved fold edges i, k, and the
straight fold edges g, h rest congruently on the second halves of
the outer faces 37, 39 bordered by the fold edges m, l and the
straight fold edge g, h.
[0062] In the first position, pressed together in a planar manner,
of the outer packaging 28, the openings 50, 52 can be produced by
simultaneous punching out of two halves, which are rotationally
symmetrical with respect to the straight fold edge g, h.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows a selection of punched figures, which represent
rotationally symmetrical halves of the openings 50, 52 with respect
to the straight fold edge g, h. The punched figures are not limited
to the selection shown and may have practically any desired
contours. The openings 50, 52 of an outer packaging 28 may all, or
for example pair-wise, have the same contour. However, the openings
50, 52 may also all have different contours on one and the same
outer packaging 28.
[0064] As explained below with the aid of FIG. 6 to 10, the form
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the outer packaging 28 is produced by
transferring it from a first position into a second position,
forming the concave curvature of the outer faces 37, 39.
[0065] By pressing the straight fold edges g, h together between
the openings 50, 52 in the arrow direction A, the second position
of the outer packaging 28 is produced from the first position. The
outer faces 41, 43 of the outer packaging 28 extending between the
sides a, b of the two ends 31, 33 lying parallel to the plane E of
symmetry are formed pair-wise into convexly curved faces or bent
outwardly over two level part faces 41'-41'', 43'-43'', and the
outer faces 37, 39 extending between the sides c, d lying
perpendicular to the plane E of symmetry are formed pair-wise into
concavely curved faces or bent inwardly over two level part faces
37'-37'', 39'-39''. When pressing the straight fold edges g, h
together, the outer faces 37, 39 spontaneously spring, shortly
before reaching the second position, into their dimensionally
stable end position, which is concavely curved or bent inwardly
over the two level part faces 37'-37'', 39 '-39''.
[0066] It should also be mentioned here that the particular
configuration of the outer packaging 28 with the two openings 50,
52 on the two sides of a centre plane M does not only prevent the
tearing of the outer packaging 28 on the fold lines g, h in the
region of the open ends 31, 33, but simultaneously leads to the
user pressing the outer packing 28 together in the optimal region
between the two openings 50, 52.
[0067] The second position of the outer packaging 28 shown in FIG.
6 to 10 has, for example, the following dimensions:
TABLE-US-00001 height H 80 mm first width A1 of the open ends 31,
33 50 mm second width B1 of the open ends 31, 33 35 mm first width
A2 halfway up (40 mm) 35 mm second width B2 halfway up (40 mm) 50
mm
[0068] Proceeding from these dimensions, all uniformly
symmetrically enlarged or reduced forms, lead to ideal outer
packagings with regard to the formation and stability of the second
position. Obviously, other forms with differing proportions are
also possible. Further possible forms with proportions differing
from the ideal form can be determined by simple tests.
[0069] The outer packaging 28 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 only has two
arcuately curved fold edges i, l. In the second position, this
produces only a concavely curved outer face 37, and the open ends
31, 33 have a substantially triangular contour.
[0070] In the packaging unit shown in FIG. 13, an opening 53 is not
completely punched out, but limited by a weakening line 51, for
example in the form of a line perforation. The packaging pouch 10
is glued, for example by hot-melt, in the region of the weakening
line 51 to the outer packaging 28 in such a way that when the part
of the outer packaging 28 freeing the opening 53 and bordered by
the weakening line 51 is separated, an opening is also produced in
the packaging pouch 10 located therebelow. The packaging pouch is
preferably also provided in this region with a weakening line. The
separation which is required to protect the straight fold edge from
being torn takes place simultaneously here with the formation of
the opening 53, which can be used as a pouring or shaking opening,
depending on the type of filling product.
[0071] In the packaging unit shown in FIG. 14, a weakening line 54,
for example in the form of a line perforation, is arranged below
the upper end 33 of the outer packaging 28. The weakening line 54
begins at the straight fold edge g, runs for a short distance
parallel to the upper end 33 of the outer packaging 28 and then to
the upper end 33, forming a tear-off part 56. The packaging pouch
10, in the region below the weakening line 54, is provided with a
tear notch and connected to the tear-off part 54, for example by
hot-melt. When the tear-off part 56 is torn away, the packaging
pouch 10 also tears, and by further pulling of the tear-off part 56
along the upper end 33 of the outer packaging 28, the packaging
pouch 10 is opened close to the upper end. Therefore, the
transverse sealing seam 20 may be arranged just above the upper end
33, so packaging material can be saved.
[0072] In the packaging unit shown in FIG. 15, the transverse
sealing seam 20 of the packaging pouch 20 is peelable in such a way
that when the straight fold edges g, h are pressed together in the
arrow direction A, the separating force acting on the transverse
sealing seam 20 in the arrow direction B is exceeded. During the
transition of the outer packaging 28 from the first into the second
position, an automatic opening of the packaging pouch 10 therefore
takes place. By selecting a correspondingly stiff material for the
outer packaging 28, the transverse sealing seam 20 may have an
adequately high adhesive force for many filling products. Apart
from a peelable hot seal, a cold seal may also be used, for
example.
[0073] A special embodiment of an outer packaging 28 is shown in
FIG. 16 to 19. Here, a part of the rear wall 32 in the form of a
handle 44 projects over the straight fold edge h. The fold edge h
runs as a limiting line to a narrow strip 35, which is glued to the
inside of the rear wall 32 to form the tubular outer packaging 28,
in the front wall 30. The sides d1, d2 adjacent to the handle, of
the open ends 31, 33 are longer than the more distant sides c1, c2.
When the straight fold edges g, h are pressed together in the arrow
direction A, a concave outer face is produced only on the side
opposing the handle, so the ends 31, 33 of the outer packaging 28
form a pentagon. A packaging unit with a packaging pouch 10 and an
outer packaging 28 according to FIG. 16 to 19, in the first
position, produces a flat pouch packaging and, in the second
position, a cup.
[0074] The handle 44 which is formed as an arched handle, can also
be configured as a strip, which is parallel to the fold edge h and
optionally also separable from the outer packaging 28.
[0075] On tearing the opening part 26 away or on opening the
packaging pouch 10 by cutting away the pouch end, an opening 38 is
produced in all the embodiments of the invention in the packaging
pouch 10, said opening being able to be adjusted by pressing
together the straight fold edges g, h or the sealing seams 34, 35
of the outer packaging 28 in the arrow direction A to the maximum
opening size predetermined by the second position.
[0076] Further design possibilities of the outer packaging 28 are
shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.
[0077] In the outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 20, the arcuately
curved fold edges i, k, l, m are severed in a region extending over
the centre M thereof, forming a slot-like recess 64. In the example
shown, the recesses 64 in each case extend into the concavely
curved outer faces 37, 39. Instead of the recesses 64, only
separating cuts may also be provided in the curved fold edges. For
example, three to five separating cuts may be provided between the
open ends 31, 33 in each of the arcuately curved fold edges i, k,
l, m. These slot-like recesses 64 or separating cuts can prevent
the concavely curved outer faces 37, 39 from springing back from
the folded open second position of the outer packaging 28 even
during strong pressing together of the two convexly curved outer
faces 41, 43.
[0078] Furthermore, it is provided in the outer packaging 28 shown
in FIG. 20 that on the end 31 forming the standing face, the edge
of the convexly curved outer faces 41, 43, between the fold edges
i, k, or l, m bordering them, is provided with a curvature 66
pointing away from the standing face. This produces a more stable
standing face for the outer packaging 28 in the folded open second
position.
[0079] In the outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 21, a base 68, which
projects from the edge of one of the convexly curved outer faces
41, 43, is provided with an insertion flap 70 at the end 31 forming
the standing face. The base 68 projects upwardly in the first,
folded-together position. When the outer packaging 28 is
transferred from the first into the second, folded open position,
the base 68 folds down against the standing face and the insertion
flap 70 springs into an insertion opening 72 which is arranged in
the opposing outer face 41, 43. The base 68 gives the outer
packaging 28 increased stability and improved standing ability. The
base 68 also prevents the concavely curved outer faces 37, 39 from
springing back. The base 68 can also be configured as a
conventional automatic base.
[0080] It should also be mentioned at this point that the radii of
the arcuately curved fold edges i, k, l, m may also lie
asymmetrically with respect to the centre of the outer packaging
28, so that in the second, folded open position, for example, a
square upper and a rectangular lower opening is produced.
[0081] All the elements contained in FIGS. 20 and 21, such as the
recesses 64 or part cuts in the curved fold edges i, k, l, m, the
base 68 and the curved edge 66, may be present in the outer
packaging 28 individually or else in any desired combination.
* * * * *