U.S. patent application number 13/551070 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-24 for multiple compartment folding package.
This patent application is currently assigned to Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Hans MONDRY. Invention is credited to Hans MONDRY.
Application Number | 20130020222 13/551070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46578799 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130020222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MONDRY; Hans |
January 24, 2013 |
MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT FOLDING PACKAGE
Abstract
The present invention relates to a multiple compartment folding
package that comprises two folding lines, so that the multiple
compartment folding package comprises a base area located between
the two folding lines and a first and a second partial areas, each
partial area comprising one or more compartments.
Inventors: |
MONDRY; Hans; (Kempten,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MONDRY; Hans |
Kempten |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH
& Co. KG
Wolfertschwenden
DE
|
Family ID: |
46578799 |
Appl. No.: |
13/551070 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5 ;
206/561 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/327 20130101;
B65B 61/02 20130101; B65B 11/50 20130101; B65D 75/245 20130101;
A61F 13/551 20130101; B65B 2230/02 20130101; B65D 81/3294 20130101;
B65B 61/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.5 ;
206/561 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/34 20060101
B65D075/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2011 |
DE |
202011103391.4 |
Claims
1. A multiple compartment folding package with several
compartments, said multiple compartment folding package comprising:
a continuous lower film forming package trays in the compartments;
an upper film sealing the package trays; first and second partial
areas, each said partial area comprising one or more compartments;
a base area located between the first and second partial areas; and
at least two folding lines, wherein one said folding line is
located between the base area and the first partial area and the
other said folding line is located between the base area and the
second partial area.
2. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 1, wherein the
folding lines extend parallel to one another.
3. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 1, wherein
each said partial area has the same number of compartments.
4. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 1, wherein
each said partial area can be swiveled with respect to the base
area by about 90.degree..
5. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 1, wherein the
base area is located centrically on the multiple compartment
folding package.
6. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 1, wherein in
a put-up state of the multiple compartment folding package, the
first partial area is arranged in parallel to the second partial
area.
7. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 1, wherein at
least one of the two folding lines includes a perforation.
8. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 7, wherein one
perforation is provided between all adjacent compartments.
9. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 7, wherein
webs having a width of about 0.5 mm to about 1.0 mm are provided
between two adjacent holes of the perforation.
10. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 1 further
comprising a closure for releasably holding the multiple
compartment folding package in a closed state.
11. The multiple compartment folding package of claim 10, wherein
at least one label is provided as a closure element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application claims priority to German Application
Number 202011103391.4 filed Jul. 18, 2011 to Hans Mondry entitled
"Multiple Compartment Folding Package," currently pending, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a multiple compartment
folding package.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Multiple compartment folding packages are well-known. These
packages have several compartments--that is why they are called
multiple compartment packages. One individual product, for example
one portion of food, can be packed in each compartment of the
multiple compartment package. It is also known from practice to
fold such multiple compartment packages, thereby forming a multiple
compartment folding (or folded) package. By folding it, the
external dimensions of the package can be reduced, for example to
better accommodate the package in an external packaging, such as a
cardboard box. The handling of such multiple compartment folding
packages showed to be disadvantageous under certain
circumstances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is the object of the present invention to improve
handling by means that are constructively as simple as
possible.
[0005] The multiple compartment folding package according to the
invention comprises first and second partial areas which each
comprise one or several compartments. A base area is located
between these two partial areas. Between the base area and each of
the two lateral partial areas, there is one folding line each about
which the multiple compartment folding package is folded. The
advantage of the multiple compartment folding package according to
the invention consists in that the base area formed between the two
folding lines defines a two-dimensional base for the multiple
compartment folding package, so that the multiple compartment
folding package can be put up in a stable manner and be presented
to a customer in this put-up state without there being any risk of
the multiple compartment folding package tipping over or buckling
at a horizontal perforation line.
[0006] The stability of the multiple compartment folding package
becomes particularly high and its manufacture particularly easy if
the folding lines extend in parallel with respect to each other.
However, it would also be conceivable to have the two folding lines
extend at an angle with respect to each other to achieve
geometrically exceptional package shapes which therefore draw the
customers' attention even more. It would moreover also be possible
to provide more than only two folding lines.
[0007] The stability of the multiple compartment folding package
can be further improved if each partial area includes the same
number of compartments. These compartments can extend in one or
more rows on either side of the base.
[0008] Preferably, each partial area of the multiple compartment
folding package can be swiveled by 90.degree. each with respect to
the base area. This results in the two partial areas being at least
approximately aligned vertically when the flat base area is placed
on an even horizontal ground.
[0009] To further increase the stability of the multiple
compartment folding package when it is put up, it is advantageous
for the base area to be located centrically on the multiple
compartment folding package.
[0010] In a put-up state of the multiple compartment folding
package, where the folding package is put up, for example, with its
base area on an even ground, the first partial area should be
suitably located in parallel to the second partial area. This
prevents a moment that could cause the folding package to tip
over.
[0011] However, the multiple compartment folding package according
to the invention will become particularly stable if, in a put-up
state, a center of gravity of the folding package is located
vertically above the base area as soon as this base area is
arranged on a horizontal ground. In particular, a center of gravity
of the multiple compartment folding package filled with a product
could even be located vertically above this base area. If there are
no further external influences, the multiple compartment folding
package is thus prevented from tipping over.
[0012] Preferably, either no upper film is provided in the base
area of the folding package, or the upper film is lying flat on the
subfilm (viz. lower film) in the base area. Either case facilitates
the formation of folding or crease lines as the multiple
compartment folding package becomes particularly flat in the base
area or at the two outer edges of the base area, respectively.
[0013] The handling of the multiple compartment folding package can
be further improved if at least one of the two folding lines
includes a perforation. This perforation permits the separation of
the two partial areas of the multiple compartment folding package
from each other to be able to separately withdraw or store the
products accommodated therein.
[0014] In a further variant, it would be even conceivable to
provide a perforation between all adjacent compartments of the
multiple compartment folding package. In this manner, all
compartments could be separated from each other.
[0015] Depending on the type of employed packaging films, it may be
advantageous to provide webs having a width of 0.5 to 1.0 mm, in
particular having a width of about 0.7 mm, between two adjacent
holes of the perforation. Webs having such dimensions prevent an
unintentional separation of adjacent compartments, while they still
permit a purposeful separation of adjacent compartments without too
many efforts.
[0016] The functionality of the multiple compartment folding
package according to the invention can be further improved by
providing a closure for maintaining the multiple compartment
folding package in a releasably closed state or in a put-up state.
This closure prevents the multiple compartment folding package from
unintentionally being transferred from the put-up state to an
opened state. Such a closure is particularly advantageous if it is
resealable.
[0017] The closure could in particular comprise at least one
mechanical closure element. For example, a snap-on closure or a
hook and loop fastener would be conceivable. For the manufacture,
however, it may be more advantageous for the closure element to
comprise a burl or projection on one of the two partial areas and a
recess allocated to the burl on the other one of the two partial
areas. In this manner, a snap fastener is formed which can be
easily manufactured in the deep-drawing process of the packaging
film. Of course, several burls and a corresponding number of
recesses could also be provided.
[0018] In a preferred variant, at least one label could be provided
as the closure element of the multiple compartment folding package,
which label can be either torn at the edge or peeled off when the
package is being opened.
[0019] The invention also relates to a packaging machine for
manufacturing such a multiple compartment folding package. This
packaging machine comprises means for producing two folding lines
in the multiple compartment folding package, in particular two
parallel folding lines, so that the base area can be formed between
these folding lines.
[0020] If a perforation is to be provided in the folding lines,
preferably two punching tools or rotary cutters disposed in
parallel are provided for incorporating this perforation.
[0021] The manufacture and handling of the multiple compartment
folding package can be furthermore facilitated if the packaging
machine comprises a folding over tool for automatically folding
over the first and second partial areas of the multiple compartment
folding package about the folding lines.
[0022] Other and further objects of the invention, together with
the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the
course of the following description.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0023] In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the
specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith in which
like reference numerals are used to indicate like or similar parts
in the various views:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple compartment
folding package in an opened position in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a side view of the multiple compartment folding
package in an opened state in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of the multiple compartment folding
package in a closed or put-up state with an enlarged representation
of the closure region in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of the multiple compartment folding
package in a situation where it is put up on a ground in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the multiple compartment
folding package in a closed state in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative multiple
compartment folding package in an opened position in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a side view of the alternative multiple
compartment folding package in an opened state in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a side view of the alternative multiple
compartment folding package in a closed state in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0032] FIG. 9 is a side view of the alternative multiple
compartment folding package in a situation where it is put up on a
ground in a closed state.
[0033] Equal components are always provided with equal reference
numerals in the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like
parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the
characteristics of the present invention, proportional
relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained
in the drawing figures.
[0035] The following detailed description of the invention
references specific embodiments in which the invention can be
practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the
invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and
changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims
and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a multiple compartment folding package 1
according to one embodiment of the invention. The multiple
compartment folding package, or below briefly referred to as
package 1, can have a group of four compartments 2 which can each
accommodate one portion of a product, for example food. In the
represented embodiment, the compartments 2 are arranged in two rows
R with two compartments 2 each, one behind the other. The
compartments themselves are formed by deep-drawing them in a
comparably stable lower film or subfilm 3. A transparent (and
therefore not visible in FIG. 1) upper film 4 is sealed upon the
subfilm 3 such that it hermetically seals each compartment 2 in the
common plane of the edges 5 of all compartments 2. The subfilm 3 as
well as the upper film 4 may extend continuously, or in one piece,
across the complete multiple compartment folding package 1.
[0037] The one row R of compartments 2 forms a first partial area 6
of the multiple compartment folding package, while the second row R
of compartments 2 forms a second partial area 7 of the multiple
compartment folding package 1. Each of the two partial areas 6, 7
comprises two compartments 2 in the represented embodiment. There
is a base area 8 centrically on the multiple compartment folding
package 1 between the two partial areas 6, 7. In the represented
embodiment, it is rectangular and located between two parallel
folding lines 9, 10 which are located between the base area 8 and
the respective first or second partial area 6, 7. Along the folding
line 9, 10, the multiple compartment folding package 1 can be
creased. This can be facilitated by the folding lines 9, 10
comprising weakened material and/or a perforation.
[0038] Such perforation, which can comprise, for example, holes
spaced apart by webs, can be used to more easily separate the
compartments 2 of the first partial area 6 from those of the second
partial area 7. Moreover, a transverse perforation 11 can also be
provided between adjacent compartments 2 of an individual partial
area 6 or 7 to be able to separate the compartments 2 of the
partial area 6, 7 from each other.
[0039] In the four outer corners of the multiple compartment
folding package 1, closure elements may be provided to form a
releasable and resealable closure 12 (see FIG. 3) for the package
1. Two of these closure elements can be closure burls (or
projections) 13 which project downwards from the bottom of the
multiple compartment folding package 1. The two other closure
elements can be recesses 14 which are each embodied to closely
receive a closure burl 13. In one embodiment, the two closure burls
13 are located at the outer corners of the one partial area 6, the
recesses 14 are located at the outer corners of the other partial
area 7 of the package 1.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the multiple compartment folding
package 1. As in FIG. 1, the package 1 is here in an opened
position in which the compartments 2 of the two partial areas 6, 7
are lying in a common plane. Here, one can in particular see the
upper film 4 spanned in a continuous plane. One can also see that
the subfilm 3 is not deep-drawn in the base area 8, i.e., between
the two folding lines 9, 10. In this base area 8, the upper film 4
is therefore lying flat on the subfilm 3 so that the package 1 is
comparably flat in this region. This, together with the weakened
material or perforation of the package 1 in the region of the
folding lines 9, 10, permits to fold the package 1 in the direction
shown by the arrow P. Here, the first partial area 6 represented in
the left of FIG. 2 is swiveled counter-clockwise downwards by
90.degree. about the folding line 10. The second partial area 7
shown in the right, however, is swiveled clockwise downwards about
the folding line 9.
[0041] The result of this procedure can be seen in FIG. 3 where the
multiple compartment folding package 1 is in a closed or put-up
state, respectively. In this state, the compartments 2 of the first
and second partial areas 6, 7 are adjacent with their bottoms 15.
The width of the base area 8 approximately corresponds to twice the
depth of one individual compartment 2, but it can also be larger.
The enlargement shows how a closure 12 is formed on the side of the
multiple compartment folding package 1 opposite the base area 8 to
releasably hold the package 1 in the closed position. This closure
12 is achieved by the projection 13 projecting downwards beyond the
bottom 15 (see FIG. 2) being engaged with a recess 14 by folding
the package 1. This recess 14 is designed such that the projection
or closure burl 13 is held in the recess 14 in a form fit by
friction.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows the multiple compartment folding package 1 in a
put-up state. It is located here in the closed state on a flat
horizontal ground 16 such that the base area 8 of the package 1 is
lying flat on the ground 16. The multiple compartment folding
package 1 is designed such that its center of gravity 17 is located
vertically above the base area 8, preferably approximately
centrically above the base area 8. By this, a particularly stable
position of the multiple compartment folding package 1 is achieved
which protects it from tipping over. In this put-up position, the
multiple compartment folding package 1 can be accordingly stored
stably and for example presented to consumers.
[0043] FIG. 5 finally shows the multiple compartment folding
package 1 in a perspective view in its closed state. From above,
the two compartments 2 of one of the partial areas 6, 7 can be
seen. The compartments of the two partial areas are lying flat
against each other, in particular at the bottoms 15 of the
compartments 2. The base area 8 defined by the two folding lines 9,
10 angled by 90.degree. is approximately perpendicular to the plane
formed by the upper film 4.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a multiple
compartment folding package 1 according to the invention. The
multiple compartment folding package, or below briefly package 1,
has a group of four compartments 2, 2a which can each accommodate
one portion of a product, for example food. In the represented
embodiment, the compartments 2, 2a are embodied in two rows R with
two compartments 2, 2a each one behind the other. The compartments
themselves are formed by deep-drawing them in a comparably stable
subfilm 3. A transparent, and therefore in FIG. 6 not visible,
upper film 4 is sealed upon the subfilm 3 such that it hermetically
seals each compartment 2, 2a in the common plane of the edges 5 of
all compartments 2, 2a. The subfilm 3 as well as the upper film 4
may extend continuously, or in one piece, across the complete
multiple compartment folding package 1 shown in FIG. 6.
[0045] The one row R of compartments 2 forms a first partial area 6
of the multiple compartment folding package, while the second row R
of compartments 2a forms a second partial area 7 of the multiple
compartment folding package 1. Each of the two partial areas 6, 7
comprises two compartments 2, 2a in the represented embodiment. A
base area 8 is centrically located on the multiple compartment
folding package 1 between the two partial areas 6, 7. In the
represented embodiment, it is rectangular and located between two
parallel folding lines 9, 10 which are located between the base
area 8 and the respective first or second partial area 6, 7. The
multiple compartment folding package 1 can be creased along the
folding line 9, 10. This can be facilitated by the folding lines 9,
10 comprising weakened material and/or a perforation.
[0046] Such perforation, which can comprise, for example, holes
spaced apart by webs, can be used to more easily separate the
compartments 2 of the first partial area 6 from those of the second
partial area 7. Moreover, a transverse perforation 11 can also be
provided between adjacent compartments 2 or 2a, respectively, of an
individual partial area 6 or 7 to be able to separate the
compartments 2 and 2a, respectively, of the partial areas 6, 7,
from each other.
[0047] The compartments 2 comprise a package bottom 20 formed
downwards, and the compartments 2a comprise a complementary package
bottom 20a formed upwards, that means in the direction of the upper
film 4.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the multiple compartment folding
package 1. As in FIG. 6, the package 1 is here in an opened
position in which the compartments 2, 2a of the two partial areas
6, 7 are lying in a common plane. One can here in particular see
the upper film 4 spanned in a continuous plane. One can also see
that the subfilm (or lower film) 3 is not deep-drawn in the base
area 8, i.e., between the two folding lines 9, 10. In this base
area 8, the upper film 4 is therefore lying flat on the subfilm 3,
so that the package 1 is comparably flat in this region. This,
together with the weakened material or perforation of the package 1
in the region of the folding lines 9, 10, permits to fold the
package 1 in the direction shown by the arrow P. Here, the first
partial area 6 represented in the left of FIG. 7 is swiveled
counter-clockwise downwards by 90.degree. about the folding line
10. The second partial area 7 shown in the right, however, is
swiveled clockwise downwards about the folding line 9.
[0049] The result of this procedure can be seen in FIG. 8 where the
multiple compartment folding package 1 is in a closed or put-up
state, respectively. In this state, the compartments 2 of the first
partial area 6 and the compartments 2a of the second partial area 7
are adjacent with their bottoms 20 and 20a, i.e., the two partial
areas 6 and 7 are engaged. The width of the base area 8
approximately corresponds to twice the depth of one individual
compartment 2, 2a, but it can also be larger.
[0050] FIG. 9 shows the multiple compartment folding package 1 in a
put-up state. It is held together by a label 19 at the side
opposite the base area 8. The label 19 can have the property of
being resealable even after it has been peeled off due to a
corresponding adhesive property. Here, the package 1 is located in
the closed state on a flat horizontal ground 16 such that the base
area 8 of the package 1 is lying flat on the ground 16. The
multiple compartment folding package 1 is designed such that its
center of gravity 17 is located vertically above the base area 8,
preferably approximately centrically above the base area 8. Here, a
particularly stable position of the multiple compartment folding
package 1 is achieved which protects it against tipping over. In
this put-up position, the multiple compartment folding package 1
can be accordingly stored stably and for example presented to
consumers. The engaged package bottoms 20 and 20a are congruent
with respect to each other such that they show high stability in
the joined state of the package 1.
[0051] Starting from the represented embodiment, the package 1
according to the invention can be modified in many ways. It would
be of course conceivable, for example, to provide in each of the
two partial area 6, 7, several rows R of compartments 2 lying next
to each other as well as only one compartment or even more
compartments 2 one behind the other. Moreover, the number and
arrangement of the compartments 2 in the two partial areas 6, 7 do
not necessarily have to be symmetrical.
[0052] A variant where the two partial areas are not folded to be
adjacent with the bottoms 15 of the compartments 2, but rather with
the upper films 4, would also be conceivable. This would be the
case if in FIG. 2, the right partial area 7 was folded counter
clockwise upwards and the left partial area 6 was also folded
upwards, but clockwise. Instead of a closure 12 with mechanical
closure elements, then, for example, a label could connect the two
partial areas 6, 7 at the free end opposite the base area 8 to hold
the package 1 in its closed state.
[0053] Equally, a package is conceivable which, instead of a flat
upper film 4, comprises an upper film that is shaped similarly to
or like the compartments 2, 2a. Correspondingly, the deformation of
the package bottoms 20, 20a can also be included in the shaped
upper film, for example to have two adjacent packages 1 lie
adjacent to each other by the package bottoms of the one package
cooperating with the shaped upper film of the other package.
[0054] The invention also relates to a packaging machine for
manufacturing the represented multiple compartment folding package.
This packaging machine can be designed, for example, in the form of
a deep-drawing packaging machine which produces the multiple
compartment folding package 1 each in one main cycle. Rotary
cutters can serve to produce perforations in the longitudinal
direction of the deep-drawn packaging film to produce the folding
lines 9, 10. A punching tool arranged transversely to the direction
of production can serve to produce the transverse perforations 11.
After the perforations have been produced, the multiple compartment
folding package 1 is individualized. A subsequent folding over tool
can serve to fold the two partial areas 6, 7 of the package 1 about
the folding lines 9, 10 and to seal the closure 12 and/or attach
the label 19.
[0055] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set
forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which
are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain
features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed
without reference to other features and sub combinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many
possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing
from the scope thereof, it is also to be understood that all
matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are
to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
[0056] The constructions and methods described above and
illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only
and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the
present invention. Thus, there has been shown and described several
embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing
description, certain aspects of the present invention are not
limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated
herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications
and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those
skilled in the art. The terms "having" and "including" and similar
terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense
of "optional" or "may include" and not as "required". Many changes,
modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the
present construction will, however, become apparent to those
skilled in the art after considering the specification and the
accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations
and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the
invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *