U.S. patent application number 13/514919 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-01 for film package with opening device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rupp AG. Invention is credited to Ludwig Rupp.
Application Number | 20120273560 13/514919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43500322 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120273560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rupp; Ludwig |
November 1, 2012 |
FILM PACKAGE WITH OPENING DEVICE
Abstract
A film packaging solution in the form of a tetrahedron with an
opening device in the form of a dotted score line, the use of such
a packaging film for packaging objects and film tetrahedrons
according to the present invention, which are filled with cheese
spread, especially film tetrahedrons filled with cheese spread
according to the invention, which are packaged according to the
present invention.
Inventors: |
Rupp; Ludwig; (Lochau,
AT) |
Assignee: |
Rupp AG
Hoerbranz
AT
|
Family ID: |
43500322 |
Appl. No.: |
13/514919 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
November 22, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AT2010/000457 |
371 Date: |
June 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/87.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/50 20130101;
B65D 75/5833 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/87.05 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/26 20060101
B65D065/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 10, 2009 |
AT |
A 1956/2009 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A film packaging for packaged goods, said film packaging
comprising an opening device having dotted scored lines, said film
packaging substantially having the shape of a tetrahedron.
12. A film packaging according to claim 11, wherein said dotted
score lines comprise lines of prefabricated and predetermined
breaking points, said breaking points being arranged in a dot-like
in series in such a way so that the packaged goods are sealed
towards the outside.
13. A film packaging according to claim 12, said film packaging
further comprising at least one tetrahedron face having a
circumference, wherein said dotted score lines are located along
the circumference of said at least one tetrahedron face and only at
two sides of the triangle forming the tetrahedron face, wherein the
basis line of the triangle does not have a dotted score line.
14. A film packaging according to claim 11 further comprising
transverse sealed seams and sealed film portions, said sealed film
portions projecting beyond said transverse sealed seams and being
graspable by a consumer's fingers.
15. A film packaging according to claim 14 further comprising
formed grooves or cuts at said sealed film portions projecting
beyond said transverse sealed seams, wherein the film packaging is
capable of being torn open along said dotted score lines by
grasping said sealed film portions at said grooves or cuts and by
applying a force, said force being primarily directed in the
direction of the dotted score lines.
16. The use of a film packaging according to claim 11 for packaging
one of the following selected from the group consisting of
foodstuff, cheese and cheese spread.
17. A film package according to claim 11 wherein the packaged goods
are cheese spread snacks.
18. A film tetrahedron filled with cheese spread, said film
tetrahedron comprising dotted score lines at a tetrahedron face,
wherein the film is transversely sealed, and wherein sealed film
portions projecting beyond a transverse sealed seam are provided
with a cut or a groove.
19. A film tetrahedron according to claim 18 further comprising two
sealed film portions projecting beyond the transverse sealed seams,
wherein one of the two projecting film portions is provided with a
groove or cut, and wherein a tetrahedron face is provided with a
dotted, essentially triangular score line, wherein the two
transverse sealed seams are arranged in a way so that they do not
touch each other in the tetrahedron, and further comprising a
longitudinal sealed seam, wherein sealed film portions projecting
beyond the longitudinal sealed seam are sealed to the tetrahedron
surface.
20. A film packaging according to claim 11 wherein said shape of
the film packaging is an equilateral tetrahedron.
21. A film packaging according to claim 12 wherein the
predetermined breaking points are formed by laser scoring.
22. A film packaging according to claim 14, wherein the film
package is capable of being torn open along said dotted score lines
by grasping said sealed film portions and by applying a force, said
force being primarily directed in the direction of the dotted score
lines.
Description
[0001] This application is a National Stage application of
International Application No. PCT/AT2010/000457, filed on Nov. 22,
2010, which claims priority of Austrian Application Serial No.
A1956/2009 filed on Dec. 10, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a film package with an
opening device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Film packaging solutions of the most varied forms using
different plastic materials have already been well-known. These
packaging products, however, have various advantages and
disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] There has now been found a film package in the form of a
tetrahedron with an opening device, enabling the package to being
opened rather easily and conveniently.
[0007] In one aspect the present invention provides a film package,
characterized in that it essentially has the form of a tetrahedron
and is equipped with an opening device in the form of a dotted
score lines.
[0008] A film package provided by the present invention is below
also designated as "film package(s) according to the present
invention."
[0009] A film packaging according to the present invention has
essentially the form of a tetrahedron, this is essentially the form
of a body with four triangular faces. "Tetrahedron" hence includes
the regular (or equilateral) tetrahedron and the general
tetrahedron also designated as three-sided pyramid or
three-dimensional simplex.
[0010] According to the present invention there is preferred
essentially as a film package an equilateral tetrahedron, this is
all sides of the triangle have essentially the same length.
[0011] "Essentially", as used herein, is to mean that deviations in
regard to the form of the tetrahedron or the regular tetrahedron,
respectively, for example due to the type of production employed
for film packaging products, such as rounded edges, all sides of
the triangle not having the same length, may be possible.
[0012] "Films" in a film package according to the present invention
include thin (for example <1 mm) plastic sheets, which will, for
example, be produced in continuous web material, rolled up and
subsequently cut in suitable pieces and, optionally, sealed in the
form of a plastic tube, with any kind of plastic material that may
be provided in the form of films being applicable. "Films" includes
colourless, coloured, printed and blank, coated and not coated
films. It is especially possible to apply a logo and/or indication
for the sales product and/or advertisement for a product on a
packaging film according to the invention.
[0013] A film packaging product according to the present invention
includes for example also a composite film, for example comprising
at least two layers: one inner film forming the internal packaging
surface and another external film, mono- or poly-layered, applied
onto the internal film.
[0014] A film packaging product according to the present invention
includes dotted score lines presenting an aid for opening the
package.
[0015] A dotted score line, as used herein, designates a line in a
packaging film according to the present invention, in which there
are provided dot-like prefabricated and predetermined breaking
points, with the packaged goods, however, being sealed, especially
air-tight sealed, towards the outside.
[0016] In a further aspect the present invention provides a film
packaging solution according to the present invention,
characterized in that the dotted score lines include lines of
prefabricated and predetermined breaking points, which are
essentially arranged dot-like in series in a ways so that the
packaged goods are sealed, preferably air-tight, towards the
outside.
[0017] The dot-like prefabricated and predetermined breaking points
effect a weakening of film strength alongside the line so that the
film package may be torn open along these lines by applying force
in the direction of the dotted score line.
[0018] The dot-like predetermined breaking points may be produced
by suitable methods, for example by use of wheels for chamfering
flat objects or by use of laser scoring, wherein there are produced
dot-like indentations, for example grooves, in the film by the
laser, so that there is created a scored (dot-like) laser trace on
the film following the laser treatment.
[0019] A dotted score line formed of predetermined breaking points
and created by means of laser scoring is preferred in a packaging
film according to the present invention.
[0020] With composite films, there may be weakened in a dot-like
way for example at least one of the two composite films, either by
means of perforation or groove, while at least one or several
further films constituting the composite film do not have a
dot-like score line, hence sealing the packaged good towards the
outside, for example in an air-tight way.
[0021] In a special embodiment of a film package according to the
present invention the dotted score lines extend along the
circumference of a, preferably single, tetrahedron face. The dotted
score lines may be formed alongside the entire circumference of the
tetrahedron face or, preferably, at only two sides of the triangle
forming the tetrahedron face, for example at two triangle sides,
with the base line of the triangle having no dotted score line. It
is preferred that a dotted score line has essentially the same
length in each embodiment at each triangle side, if existent, for
example at two triangle sides, of the tetrahedron face.
[0022] The dotted score line is situated either essentially on the
edges of the tetrahedron triangle, or it is slightly set off from
the edges in the triangle towards the inside. The dotted score
line, however, essentially follows the edges of the triangle and
hence is essentially on the tetrahedron triangular face in a
triangular form or arranged like a triangle with a not-dotted and
not-scored base line and two dotted score lines alongside the
triangle sides, respectively.
[0023] In a further aspect the present invention provides a film
package according to the present invention, wherein the dotted
score lines are formed essentially alongside the circumference of a
tetrahedron face, for example alongside the entire circumference of
a tetrahedron face or, preferably, only at two sides of the
triangle forming the tetrahedron face, wherein the base line of the
triangle does not have a dotted score line or wherein the dotted
score lines are slightly set off from the edges in the triangle of
the tetrahedron face; especially wherein the package may be torn
open along the dotted score lines by applying a force in the
direction of the dotted score lines.
[0024] "Essentially on the edges" means that the dotted score line
may also be slightly set off from the edges, for example due to the
type and the production process of the tetrahedron.
[0025] With triangular and dotted score lines, the application of
force in the direction of the dotted score lines leads to the
removal of a piece of film from a triangular film area of the
tetrahedron, the form of which is essentially triangular. With
dotted score lines, which are arranged only at two sides of a
triangle of the tetrahedron face, with the base line of the
triangle being neither dotted nor scored, the process of opening
forms an essentially triangular opening, wherein, however, the film
removed from the tetrahedron triangle face will remain at the
neither dotted nor scored base line of the triangle.
[0026] "Essentially triangular" means that there is formed an
opening in the packaging film, corresponding to a triangle, wherein
deviations of the exact form of a triangle, however, may be
possible, for example due to the not exact punctuation of the film
or due to a slipping of the film in the course of the tetrahedron
formation.
[0027] A film packaging solution according to the present invention
may be produced from a film tube having dotted score lines.
[0028] In the production of the tetrahedron of a film package
according to the present invention from a film tube, there are
formed two transverse sealed seams at the two edges of the
tetrahedron, each set off about 90.degree., in a way so that the
two transverse sealed seams do not touch each other in the
tetrahedron.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 schematically shows a triangular face of a
tetrahedron according to the present invention, on which there is
situated a dotted score line (1), slightly set-off from the edges
of the tetrahedron, and on which there are shown sealed film
portions (3) projecting slightly beyond the edges of the
tetrahedron and being formed by transversely sealing a film tube in
the production of the tetrahedron.
[0030] FIG. 2 schematically shows another triangle face of a
tetrahedron according to the present invention, on which there have
been formed sealed film portions (3) projecting beyond the edges of
the tetrahedron due to the transverse sealing of the film tube in
the production of the tetrahedron and on which there is shown a
sealed film portion 4, which has been formed by longitudinally
sealing the film tube in the production of the tetrahedron.
[0031] FIG. 3 schematically shows a film tetrahedron according to
the present invention, on which there are shown a dotted score line
(I), the, slightly set-off from the edges of the tetrahedron,
sealed film portions (3), which project beyond the edges of the
tetrahedron and have been formed due to the transverse sealing of a
film tube in the production of the tetrahedron and a groove (2) in
one of the two sealed film portions (3) projecting beyond the edges
of the tetrahedron.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] The sealed film projects especially through the transverse
sealing beyond the two transverse sealed seams, with the protruding
sealed film extending in parallel to the edge of the tetrahedron.
This projection of the sealed film beyond the transverse sealed
seam is, for example, schematically shown in the drawings with the
reference number (3).
[0033] The sealed and protruding film, for example, projects
slightly beyond the edge of the tetrahedron, for example to such an
extent that a person may grasp the protruding sealed film with
his/her fingers. The sealed film projects beyond the transverse
sealed seams in a dimension of 0.05 to 3 cm, for example 0.2 to 1
cm, such as 0.2 to 0.6 cm.
[0034] A further sealed seam is formed in the production of a
tetrahedron of a film packaging solution according to the present
invention from a film tube by means of longitudinal sealing. This
longitudinal sealed seam extends thus from an edge of that triangle
of the tetrahedron, at which there is situated a transverse sealed
seam in parallel to the basis line of the triangle, to the opposite
tip of the same triangle, at which there is arranged the second
transverse sealed seam, as this is for example shown in FIG. 2,
reference number (4).
[0035] A portion of the film sealed in the longitudinal direction
protrudes through the sealing, as in the transverse sealing, beyond
the longitudinal sealed seam, and it is preferably sealed, for
example, bent over and sealingly attached at the tetrahedron
face.
[0036] In order to provide for an easier opening of the film
package according to the present invention, there may be formed a
groove or cut at one point in the film portion protruding through
the transverse sealed seam in a preferred embodiment, for example
in a V-form or so that the cut or the groove has a smaller depth
than the width of the protruding sealed film so that the sealed
tightness of the package remains unaffected. Such a groove or such
a cut, respectively, is for example shown in FIG. 3 with the
reference number (2).
[0037] A consumer may grasp the protruding, transversely sealed
film portion, for example next to the groove or the cut, with the
fingers and may tear open the film package by applying a force in
the direction of the dotted score lines.
[0038] The groove or cut is, as may also be seen in FIG. 2,
arranged either in that film portion (3) protruding from the
transverse sealing, which is not situated at the triangle face with
the dotted score lines, or it is equally effectively arranged also
in that film portion (3) protruding from the transverse sealing,
which is situated at the triangle face with the dotted score lines,
wherein the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 and the second
embodiment is not shown at all.
[0039] In the first embodiment, wherein the groove or cut according
to FIG. 2 is arranged in that film portion (3) protruding from the
transverse sealing, which is not situated at the triangle face with
the dotted score lines, the dotted score lines extend, as may also
be seen in FIG. 2, preferably from the tip of the triangle formed
by the dotted score lines in the tetrahedron face in the direction
towards the groove or the cut. The groove or cut is hence situated
in the protruding film portion at that point that is as near as
possible to the tip of the triangle formed by the dotted score
lines. The dotted, triangular score lines in the tetrahedron face
are hence also, as may be seen in FIG. 3, extended across the
neighbouring tetrahedron face in the direction of the groove or
cut.
[0040] In the second embodiment the groove or cut is created near
one of the dotted, triangular score lines. In this embodiment it is
not necessary to further extend the dotted, triangular score
lines.
[0041] As soon as the film is grasped by the fingers at the groove
or cut, the packaging film may be opened by applying a force, which
is mainly directed towards the dotted score lines, at a triangle
side of the tetrahedron alongside the dotted score lines. Firstly,
the film is torn at the groove or cut and subsequently alongside
the dotted score lines if further force is applied.
[0042] In a further aspect the present invention provides a film
packaging solution according to the present invention, wherein the
film comprises transverse sealed seams, with the sealed film
portion projecting beyond the transverse sealed seams; especially
wherein in the film there is formed a groove or cut at one of the
sealed film portions protruding the transverse sealed seam, so that
sealed film portions projecting beyond the transverse sealed seams
may be grasped , for example at the groove or cut, by a consumer
with his/her fingers, and the film wrapping may be torn open along
the dotted score lines, especially by applying a force, which is
mainly directed in the direction of the dotted score line(s).
[0043] A packaging film according to the present invention may be
used for packing any kind of objects.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the packaging film is used for
packing foodstuff, for example, cheese such as cheese spread.
[0045] In a further aspect the present invention provided the use
of a film package according to the present invention for packing
foodstuff, especially for packing cheese such as cheese spread;
especially for producing cheese spread snacks.
[0046] The production of a packed cheese spread tetrahedron may be
realized using a vertical device by means of which a film tube
comprising a dotted score line may be formed and sealed; this is
realized, for example, by using a device by means of which several
film tubes may be formed and sealed in parallel, wherein the hot
cheese mass, for example, is dosed as a liquid by a piston filler
and then discharged, for example under a CO.sub.2 cushion, in time
into the transversely sealed tube; wherein subsequently the tube is
offset about 90.degree. and then longitudinally sealed; especially
wherein the film portion projecting beyond the longitudinal sealed
seam is sealed at the tetrahedron surface.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment, a sealed film portion projects
through the transverse sealing beyond the sealed seam, for example
slightly, about 0.05 cm to 3 cm, such as 0.2 to 0.6 cm.
[0048] The film tube is pre-machined and comprises dotted score
lines in an essentially triangular form, for example in triangular
form, with the basis line of the triangle not being scored in a
dot-like way; for example the film has been pre-machined using a
laser beam ("laser scoring").
[0049] Analogously, there may also be packaged bulk material in a
packaging film according to the present invention.
[0050] The size of the package is not dependent on the present
invention.
[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is
used a packaging film according to the present invention, for
example, for the production of packaged cheese spread, wherein the
size of the tetrahedron is not dependent on the present invention.
The cheese is preferably provided in the form of snacks, which may
be put into the mouth in one piece and then be eaten. Such snacks
may have a size of several centimetres of side length of the
triangles in the tetrahedron, for example 2.5 cm to about 8 cm side
length, such as 4 cm to 6 cm.
[0052] In a further aspect the present invention provides a film
tetrahedron, which is filled with cheese spread, wherein the film
comprises at one of the tetrahedron faces a dotted score line,
especially wherein the film is transversely sealed twice and once
in the longitudinal direction, especially wherein that film portion
that projects beyond the transverse sealed seam comprises a cut or
groove, for example wherein the side length of the tetrahedron
triangles has 2.5 to 8 cm.
[0053] The packaging of an object using a film in the form of a
tetrahedron comprising a dotted score line is novel and original
and hence beneficial and advantageous for technics and
technology.
[0054] Especially novel is, for example, the packaging of cheese
spread tetrahedrons, which are packaged according to the present
invention, in a packaging film in the form of a tetrahedron
according to the present invention, for example in a printed
packaged film.
[0055] In a further aspect the present invention provides a film
tetrahedron filled with cheese spread, characterized in that it
comprises two sealed film portions (3) projecting beyond the
transverse sealed seams, wherein one of the two projecting film
portions is provided with a groove or a cut (2), and wherein a
tetrahedron face is provided with a dotted, essentially triangular
score line (1), for example wherein the two transverse sealed seams
are arranged in a way so that they do not touch within the
tetrahedron; for example and further comprising a longitudinal
sealed seam, wherein the sealed film portions (4) projecting the
longitudinal sealed seam are sealed to the tetrahedron surface.
[0056] Such film tetrahedrons and portions of such film
tetrahedrons are schematically shown in the figures.
[0057] In a further aspect the present invention provides a film
packaging according to the present invention, in which packaged
cheese spread snacks, which may be produced according to the
invention, are packaged.
* * * * *