U.S. patent application number 14/116264 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-27 for method for packing strip-type objects, especially strips of chewing gum, and packaging produced thereby.
This patent application is currently assigned to LOESCH Verpackungstechnik GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is LOESCH Verpackungsterchnik GmbH. Invention is credited to Heinz-Peter Hammacher.
Application Number | 20140084048 14/116264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46085576 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140084048 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hammacher; Heinz-Peter |
March 27, 2014 |
Method for packing strip-type objects, especially strips of chewing
gum, and packaging produced thereby
Abstract
The invention relates to a packing method, according to which a
packaging is produced, wherein a plurality of stacks (20) or layers
of individual packed strip-type objects (12) are packed as a group
(10) in a second packaging material (52). One of the front surfaces
(16) of the individual strips (12) is stuck to the bottom (54) of
the formed packaging (50). The strip packaging material and the
adhesive are produced such that respectively one strip (12) can be
removed from the external packaging (50). The remaining strips (12)
remain arranged in the original position thereof in the packaging
(50) without sliding and falling into each other, when individual
strips (12) have already been removed from the packaging (50). A
package band or a half-wrapper for holding and fixing the strips
(12) inside the packaging (50) is rendered superfluous. The strips
(12) are preferably respectively packed in a piece of packaging
material that has a perforation (32) for separation into a first
part and a second part. The first part (34) is stuck to the
external packaging (50) and remains fixed in the external packaging
(50) when a strip (12) is removed from the full packaging. The
second part (36) remains on the strip (12) and is removed from the
external packaging (50) therewith, partially opening the strip
(12). As a result, the invention enables the production of an
advantageous, user-friendly packaging with an attractive
design.
Inventors: |
Hammacher; Heinz-Peter;
(Bamberg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LOESCH Verpackungsterchnik GmbH |
Altendorf |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
LOESCH Verpackungstechnik
GmbH
Altendorf
DE
|
Family ID: |
46085576 |
Appl. No.: |
14/116264 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
May 4, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/058205 |
371 Date: |
November 25, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.34 ;
53/447; 53/449; 53/456 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2313/10 20130101;
B65B 5/02 20130101; B65B 15/04 20130101; B65D 25/16 20130101; B65B
51/02 20130101; B65D 85/60 20130101; B65D 75/5833 20130101; B65B
5/062 20130101; B65B 25/005 20130101; B65D 77/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.34 ;
53/447; 53/456; 53/449 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/60 20060101
B65D085/60; B65B 5/02 20060101 B65B005/02; B65D 25/16 20060101
B65D025/16; B65B 5/06 20060101 B65B005/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 11, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 075 641.8 |
Claims
1. A method for packing strip-type objects, especially objects
suitable for consumption, especially strips of chewing gum, said
method having the following steps: preparing several identical,
individual strip-type objects by packing each in a first packaging
material; forming a substantially cuboid-shaped group of the packed
strip-type objects by arranging at least two of the strip-type
objects side-by-side and by stacking another at least one of the
strip-type objects on top of each of the at least two strip-type
objects arranged side-by-side, thus forming the substantially
cuboid-shaped group containing at least four of the strip-like
objects; and preparing a blank of a second packaging material,
which is to be folded and closed around the group as to form an
external packaging at a later step in this method; applying an
adhesive on a side of the second packaging material blank that
forms an inside surface of the external packaging once the external
packaging is folded, wherein the adhesive is applied onto the
inside surface substantially in a region that forms a bottom of the
external packaging once the external packaging is folded, the
bottom region being substantially opposite to a removal opening of
the external packaging once the external packaging is folded, the
bottom region including a bottom surface and side walls adjacent to
the bottom surface; and folding the prepared packaging material
blank about the formed group of the strip-type objects and closing
the formed external packaging; wherein the adhesive is applied
substantially in such a manner onto the packaging material blank
that each packed strip-type object of group inside the closed
external packaging, contacts the adhesive at least on an end face
surface of the packed strip-type object, the end face surface
facing the bottom of the external packaging once the external
packaging is folded, and wherein the first packaging material and
the adhesive are composed and interact in such a manner that a
single strip-type object is removable from the formed external
packaging.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that
the adhesive is applied in such a manner onto the packaging
material blank that the adhesive passes between each of the
strip-type objects in the vicinity of the end face surfaces of the
strip-type objects.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that
the composition of the adhesive is such that the first packaging
material is releasable from the adhesive for a removal of a single
packed strip-type object from the formed external packaging.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that
the individual strip-type objects are packed in each case in a
blank of the first packaging material, which has a perforation for
dividing the blank into a first part and a second part, wherein the
adhesive contacts the first part of the blank but not the second
part of the blank, and wherein, when a single strip-type object is
removed from the formed external packaging, the first part of the
blank is separated from the second part of the blank along the
perforation and remains fastened in the external packaging, while
the second part of the blank remains on the strip-type object and
is removed from the external packaging with said strip-type
object.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further characterized in that
the adhesive applied onto the blank of the second packaging
material includes a hot glue and a cold glue, each having a setting
rate, wherein the setting rate of the cold glue is slower than the
setting rate of the hot glue.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, further characterized in that
the hot glue and the cold glue are applied in each case
substantially in lines onto the bottom region of the second
packaging material blank, wherein the lines of the hot glue and the
lines of the cold glue alternate.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that
each packed strip-type object has a substantially flat
cuboid-shaped form, wherein each of the strip-type objects has a
width and a thickness, wherein a width of the formed, substantially
cuboid-shaped group corresponds substantially to an integer
multiple of the width of a single strip-type object, wherein a
thickness of the formed, substantially cuboid-shaped group
corresponds substantially to an integer multiple of the thickness
of a single strip-type object, and wherein a length of the formed,
substantially cuboid-shaped group corresponds substantially to the
length of a single strip-type object.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that
the first packaging material includes a foil material and the
second packaging material includes a cardboard material.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that
the removal opening can be closed by a lid, wherein the removal
opening extends over a width and a thickness of the external
packaging.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that
the formed group has three stacks of the packed strips, which are
arranged side-by-side with reference to their width, wherein each
stack includes four or five individual packed strips.
11. An item of packaging for strip-type objects, especially objects
suitable for consumption, especially strips of chewing gum, said
item of packaging being produced by way of a method as claimed in
claim 1.
12. The method as claimed in claim 4, further characterized in that
each packed strip-type object has a substantially flat
cuboid-shaped form, wherein each of the strip-type objects has a
width and a thickness, wherein a width of the formed, substantially
cuboid-shaped group corresponds substantially to an integer
multiple of the width of a single strip-type object, wherein a
thickness of the formed, substantially cuboid-shaped group
corresponds substantially to an integer multiple of the thickness
of a single strip-type object, and wherein a length of the formed,
substantially cuboid-shaped group corresponds substantially to the
length of a single strip-type object.
13. The method as claimed in claim 4, further characterized in that
the first packaging material includes a foil material and the
second packaging material includes a cardboard material.
14. The method as claimed in claim 2, further characterized in that
the composition of the adhesive is such that the first packaging
material is releasable from the adhesive for removal of a single
packed strip-type object from the formed external packaging.
15. The method as claimed in claim 2, further characterized in that
the individual strip-type objects are packed in each case in a
blank of the first packaging material, which has a perforation for
dividing the blank into a first part and a second part, wherein the
adhesive contacts the first part of the blank but not the second
part of the blank, and wherein, when a single strip-type object is
removed from the formed external packaging, the first part of the
blank is separated from the second part of the blank along the
perforation and remains fastened in the external packaging, while
the second part of the blank remains on the strip-type object and
is removed from the external packaging with said strip-type
object.
16. The method as claimed in claim 6, further characterized in that
each packed strip-type object has a substantially flat
cuboid-shaped form, wherein each of the strip-type objects has a
width and a thickness, wherein a width of the formed, substantially
cuboid-shaped group corresponds substantially to an integer
multiple of the width of a single strip-type object, wherein a
thickness of the formed, substantially cuboid-shaped group
corresponds substantially to an integer multiple of the thickness
of a single strip-type object, and wherein a length of the formed,
substantially cuboid-shaped group corresponds substantially to the
length of a single strip-type object.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further characterized in
that the removal opening can be closed by a lid, wherein the
removal opening extends over a width and a thickness of the
external packaging.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16, further characterized in
that the formed group has three stacks of the packed strips, which
are arranged side-by-side with reference to their width, wherein
each stack includes four or five individual packed strips.
19. The method as claimed in claim 4, further characterized in that
the removal opening can be closed by a lid, wherein the removal
opening extends over a width and a thickness of the external
packaging.
20. The method as claimed in claim 4, further characterized in that
the formed group has three stacks of the packed strips, which are
arranged side-by-side with reference to their width, wherein each
stack includes four or five individual packed strips.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a method for packing strip-type
objects, especially objects suitable for consumption, especially
strips of chewing gum. The invention also relates to an item of
packaging which is produced by way of said method.
[0002] Different methods for packing strip-type objects, especially
strips of chewing gum or chewing gum sticks, as well as items of
packaging produced using these types of methods are known in the
prior art. Insofar as chewing gums or strips of chewing gum or
chewing gum sticks are referred to below, this is to be understood
purely as an example. Along with chewing gums, the present
invention relates to any type of strip-shaped objects, especially
such objects which are suitable for human consumption. In this
connection, this also can be, for example, cakes and pastries or
confectionery and the like. Strip-shaped products which are not
intended for consumption such as, for example, medical or
pharmaceutical products, such as diagnostic strips and the like,
are, however, also included.
[0003] In the case of all these types of strip-shaped objects, the
essential point is that the objects are packed individually in a
first packaging material, for example in a blank of aluminum foil
or cellophane foil, and by forming a group of individual strip-type
objects which are packed in this manner, are then packed as a group
in a second packaging material, for example in a blank of a
cardboard material.
[0004] With reference to chewing gums, different designs of chewing
gum sticks with different dimensions are common on the market.
Relatively wide, long strips with a small thickness (so-called
stick gum) or strips which are narrower and shorter in comparison
thereto, but which are greater in thickness (so-called tab gum) are
on the market in particular. In addition, there are also further
formats for strips of chewing gum or stick chewing gum on the
market. The item of packaging of the present invention is to be
suitable especially for said known formats of strips of chewing
gum.
[0005] In the chewing gum market sector, the items of packaging,
the forms of the packaging and packaging concepts play an important
role for marketing and sales purposes. In the market, the form,
method of use and method of operation of the respective items of
packaging are important for said products. The way in which the
packed products are presented plays a considerable role. The
relevant market, in this case, always demands new forms, styles and
types of packaging, and new produces are preferably sold by means
of such new forms of packaging.
[0006] Thus, chewing gum packaging, where the individual strips of
chewing gum, which in each case are already packed per se, are
packed in layers or stacks and in groups, i.e. several stacks
arranged side by side, are known in the market. In the case of
these types of arrangements there is the problem that the
individual strips of chewing gum are able to slip and become mixed
up in the overall packaging as soon as one or more strips have been
removed from the item of packaging. The individual strips can then
lie all over the place in the item of packaging, and the original
order of the individual, stacked or grouped strips is no longer
provided. In particular, said individual strips which are lying
loosely in the item of packaging can then slip out or fall out of
the packaging as they are no longer reciprocally supported and held
in the overall packaging by the groups or stacks of the further
strips. Such items of packaging are consequently not practical to
handle and are unattractive for visual, designer as well as
psychological reasons such that they are not desired on the
market.
[0007] To solve said problems it is already known to separate the
individual strips of chewing gum, which are in each case packed per
se, and/or the groups formed therefrom from one another inside an
overall item of packaging (e.g. a cardboard box with a lid which is
tiltable into an open and a closed position) for example by way of
additional means and to hold them, for example by means of
additional insert papers, wraparound bands or cardboard separating
webs. Thus, it is known, for example, to combine several strips to
form one stack and to surround them by way of a wraparound band or
a so-called half-wrapper. Several of these types of stacks, which
are surrounded in each case per se by a wraparound band, are then
arranged side by side in an overall item of packaging. The
wraparound bands hold the individual strips and/or stacks side by
side and aligned with respect to one another in the compartment
formed in each case by the wraparound band, even when individual
strips have already been removed. In the known embodiments, the
individual wraparound bands or half-wrappers are at the same time
glued against the external cardboard packaging in order to fasten
them inside the item of packaging. As, in the case of said
solution, the individual strips of chewing gum lie loosely inside
their respective wraparound band, it is, however, still possible
for the strips to slip out of the overall item of packaging in
their longitudinal direction even if the strips are prevented per
se from slipping in the cross direction.
[0008] To solve said latter problem, it is known in the prior art
to fasten the individual packed strips of chewing gum on the
wraparound band. In this connection, the packaging foil of one
single strip, of chewing gum is typically glued with the wraparound
band surrounding it. So that the strip of chewing gum is still able
to be removed from the item of packaging, said adhesion must be
releasable. Consequently, a suitable wax or a suitable adhesive is
typically used for this purpose. When pulling out the strip of
chewing gum, the wraparound band, which is firmly glued with the
cardboard packaging, then remains in the item of packaging. This
and similar solutions are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
7,032,754 B2 and JP-Patent 3955356.
[0009] In the case of said known embodiments of a fixing of the
individual packed strips of chewing gum on the surrounding
wraparound band, only one layer of strips of chewing gum arranged
side by side or a maximum of two layers of strips of chewing gum
arranged side by side can typically be arranged one on top of
another in the overall item of packaging. This is brought about in
particular by the necessity to fix (glue) the individual strips in
relation to the packaging band. Insofar as a stack of several
strips or several layers of such strips lying one on top of another
are otherwise surrounded by a wraparound band, only the outermost
strips in each case, i.e. only the topmost and the bottom-most
strips of the stack, can be glued with the wraparound band by way
of their top or bottom side faces. The central strips of the stack
lying between the two outermost strips, however, do not contact the
wraparound band and consequently are also not able to be glued with
said wraparound band. In this respect, there is additionally the
problem in this case that the central strips of the stack are able
to slip.
[0010] In the prior art it is additionally known to provide the
packaging foil blank of an individual strip of chewing gum in such
a manner with a perforation that said packaging foil blank is able
to be separated into two parts. The individual strip of chewing
gum, in this case, is then secured on the wraparound band inside
the external packaging by means of its packaging foil in such a
manner that when said strip of chewing gum is pulled out of the
overall packaging, the packaging foil of the strip of chewing gum
is divided along the perforation such that part of said foil, fixed
on the wraparound band, remains in the external packaging, whilst
the other part of the packaging foil of the strip of chewing gum
remains on said strip of chewing gum and is pulled out of the
overall packaging with said strip of chewing gum. The packaging of
the individual strip of chewing gum is torn open as a result, i.e.
the individual strip of chewing gum is already opened in part on
one side when pulled out and is consequently presented to the user
for consumption to a certain extent, whilst the other part of the
packaging foil remaining on the strip of chewing gum serves as
protection against contamination and/or as a handle for pulling
said strip of chewing gum out of the packaging.
[0011] In the case of said known solution described last, an
individual strip of chewing gum is glued on its own packaging foil
with the wraparound band or the half-wrapper in that region of said
packaging foil which is to remain in the packaging after separation
of the perforation when said strip is pulled out. The wraparound
band or the half-wrapper is itself additionally glued with the
cardboard of the external packaging so that the wraparound band or
the half-wrapper also remains in the external packaging when a
strip of chewing gum is pulled out and is not pulled out at the
same time. So that said fastening functions securely on the one
side of the individual strip of chewing gum inside the wraparound
band and on the other side of the wraparound band in relation to
the cardboard external packaging, the strips of chewing gum can
only be accommodated, however, in the item of packaging in one
layer or in a maximum of two layers arranged one on top of the
other, as has already been stated above. In the event of the
double-layered design, the strips of chewing gum of the one, e.g.
top, layer are glued on their top side against the half-wrapper,
whilst the strips of chewing gum of the second, e.g. bottom, layer
are glued over their bottom side with the wraparound band.
[0012] A multi-layered design is consequently not possible as the
central layers of such an embodiment (i.e. the layers arranged
between the topmost and the bottom-most layer) are not able to be
glued or in any case are not able to be sufficiently securely and
firmly glued with the half-wrapper such that it would be ensured
that when a strip of chewing gum was pulled out and the perforation
was successfully separated at the same time, the bottom part of the
packaging foil of the individual strip of chewing gum would remain
fastened inside the wraparound band in the overall packaging.
[0013] Proceeding from said known embodiments, the object
underlying the invention is to create an item of packaging or a
form of packaging for strips of chewing gum which, compared to the
known forms of packaging, has new features which account for or
increase the attractiveness of these types of items of packaging on
the market. An item of packaging of this type, in this case, is to
enable the arrangement of several (i.e. more than two) layers or
stacks of individual strips of chewing gum inside an external
packaging. In this case, the individual strips of chewing gum are
to be fixed inside the overall external packaging such that they
can certainly be removed easily from the item of packaging, but
that in particular the order of the several layers or stacks of the
strips of chewing gun inside the overall packaging is maintained
when one or several individual strips of chewing gum have already
been removed from the item of packaging. In such a case, the strips
of chewing gum remaining in the item of packaging are therefore not
to slip and become disordered.
[0014] Over and above this, an item of packaging of this type for
strips of chewing gum is to be able to be produced industrially in
a simpler manner. For this purpose, a particular achievement is to
be that a wraparound band or a half-wrapper, on which the
individual strips of chewing gum were to be fixed, is avoided, the
wraparound band or the half-wrapper having to be fastened as such,
in turn, in relation to the packaging material of the external
packaging. The advantage of avoiding a wraparound band or a
half-wrapper is that the machine-driven method for producing such
an item of packaging is able to be simplified structurally since
corresponding machine components as well as the provision of the
additional packaging material for the wraparound band or the
half-wrapper are unnecessary. Said aspects also result in clear
cost savings in the end.
[0015] In one sub-aspect or the object underlying the invention, an
item of packaging is also to be created where the individual strips
of chewing gum are packed in each case per se in a packaging
material which is provided with a perforation in such a manner that
when an individual strip of chewing gum is pulled out of the
overall packaging, the individual packaging of the strip of chewing
gum is able to be separated into two parts along the perforation
such that a first, bottom part of the strip packaging remains in
the external packaging, whilst the other, top part of the strip
packaging is pulled out of the external packaging with the strip
and remains on the individual strip in the guise of a handle or a
protection means.
[0016] Said object is achieved as claimed in the invention by a
method for packing strip-type objects, especially objects suitable
for consumption, especially strips of chewing gum, corresponding to
claim 1, as well as by an item of packaging for the named objects
produced using said method.
[0017] Accordingly, a method is created for packing strip-type
objects, in particular objects suitable for consumption, in
particular strips of chewing gum, said method having the following
steps: prepare several identical, individual strip-type objects
which are packed in each case by way of a first packaging material;
form a substantially cuboid-shaped group of the prepared individual
packed strip-type objects in such a manner that several strip-type
objects are arranged lying side by side and stacked one on top of
another; and prepare a blank of a second packaging material which
is to be folded and closed around the group as external packaging
for the formed group of the strip-type objects. The method as
claimed in the invention also includes the step of applying at
least one adhesive on the side of the prepared packaging material
blank which forms the inside surface of the closed external
packaging of the group, wherein the adhesive is applied onto the
packaging material blank substantially in the regions which form a
bottom of the closed external packaging which lies substantially
opposite to a removal opening of the external packaging, wherein
the adhesive is applied substantially in such a manner onto the
packaging material blank that each packed strip-type object of the
group inside the closed external packaging contacts the adhesive in
each case at least on its end face surface which faces the bottom
of the external packaging, and wherein the first packaging material
and the adhesive are realized and interact in such a manner that in
each case one single strip-type object is removable from the formed
external packaging. The method as claimed in the invention finally
also includes the following further steps: fold the prepared
packaging material blank about the formed group of the strip-type
objects and close the formed external packaging.
[0018] Consequently, as a result of the packing method an item of
packaging is created, where several (in particular more than two)
stacks or layers of individual packed, strip-type objects are
arranged in one regular group and are packed in the form of said
group in a blank of a second packaging material. In this case, the
individual strips are glued with the formed external packaging at
least on one of their end face surfaces in the region of the bottom
of the formed item of packaging by means of a suitable adhesive,
the packaging material of the individual strips and the adhesive
being composed and interacting in such a manner that in each case
it is possible to remove one strip from the external packaging.
[0019] In the case of the item of packaging formed by way of the
method as claimed in the invention, it is consequently ensured that
the individual strip-type objects (e.g. strips of chewing gum)
remain in an ordered manner in the item of packaging without
slipping and falling into disorder inside the packaging, and
without slipping out of the external packaging when one or several
of the strips have already been removed from the overall packaging.
Even when a larger part of the strips originally contained in the
overall packaging has been removed from the item of packaging, the
strips still remaining in the pack are held in each case in their
original position. An advantageous, easily manageable item of
packaging, which is also appealing as regards visual and designer
aspects and is consequently attractive for the market, is created
in this manner.
[0020] As a particular advantage, in the case of the item of
packaging as claimed in the invention, it is possible to dispense
with a wraparound band or a half-wrapper for holding and fixing the
individual strips inside the overall packaging. In this way, it is
possible to avoid a packaging material which would otherwise be
additionally necessary for a wraparound band or a half-wrapper and
correspondingly to simplify a corresponding machine-driven
production method in a structural manner, which leads not least to
corresponding cost savings.
[0021] In a first embodiment of the method as claimed in the
invention, the adhesive has a composition in such a manner that the
first packaging material, in which the strip type object is packed,
is releasable from the adhesive for a removal of an individual
packed strip from the overall packaging. In this case, the
individual packed strip can be removed as such from the overall
packaging. When the strip is pulled out of the packaging, the
adhesive releases said strip without the packaging material of the
strip tearing and without it remaining in parts or completely in
the external packaging and/or fastened on said external packaging.
The user can then unpack the individual strip for consumption once
it has been removed from the external packaging.
[0022] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, the
individual strip-type objects are packed in each case in a blank of
a first packaging material which has a perforation for dividing the
blank into a first part and a second part. In this case, the
adhesive only contacts the first part of the packaging material
blank of the individual strip inside the external packaging.
[0023] When one single strip-type object is removed from the
overall packaging, the first part of the blank is fastened in the
external packaging by means of the adhesive and is separated from
the second part of the blank of the strip packaging material along
the perforation. The second part of the blank, in this case,
remains on the strip and can be removed from the external packaging
with the said strip.
[0024] In this case, the product strip when being removed from the
external packaging is therefore partially opened by its packaging
being torn open at the perforation line such that the bottom part
of its individual packaging is held firmly in the external
packaging and remains there, whilst the other, top part of the
individual packaging of the strip remains on said strip and is
pulled out of the external packaging with said strip. Said latter
part of the individual strip packaging can consequently serve,
among other things, as a handle for the user and as means of
protection for the strip of chewing gum, for example against
contamination. It is obvious that the perforation in the packaging
material of the individual strip has to be developed such that the
separation of the packaging material into the two parts can be
easily performed when the user removes one strip from the overall
packaging.
[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the method as claimed
in the invention, it is provided that the adhesive used for gluing
the packaging material of the individual strip in relation to the
packaging material of the external packaging includes two parts or
components, namely on the one hand a quick-setting hot glue and on
the other hand a cold glue which sets at a slower rate compared
thereto. In a suitable manner in this case, the adhesive can be,
for example, a two-component adhesive which has a hot glue
component and a cold glue component. As an alternative to this, two
separate adhesives can also be used independently of one another
for the adhesive to be used, namely on the one hand a hot glue
adhesive and on the other hand a cold glue adhesive, which are
applied side by side or one after the other.
[0026] The adhesive or the two separate adhesives (hot glue and
cold glue) can be applied, for example, in lines or strokes onto
the packaging material of the cardboard external packaging, it
being possible to alternate said lines in the case of the two
different adhesives in a regular or irregular manner. The advantage
of said application of the adhesive in alternating lines is that
the hot glue and the cold glue are able to be applied at the same
time or substantially at the same time during the course of the
method for producing the item of packaging. Said aspect is
significant for the processing of the adhesive components (hot glue
or cold glue) during the course of the application thereof as well
as for bringing about their adhesive action, as is explained even
more below.
[0027] In particular in the case of the perforation of the
packaging material of the individual strip, it is necessary for
that part of the packaging material which is to remain in the
external packaging at separation to be glued firmly and permanently
with the material of the external packaging in such a manner that
the other part of the packaging material is separated from said
first part by means of the perforation when the strip is removed.
Along with a sufficiently strong perforation, this calls for the
adhesion between the first packaging material of the strip and the
material of the external packaging to be sufficiently firm. In this
connection, it must be taken into consideration that said adhesion,
as a result of its proximity to the foodstuffs (e.g. chewing gum)
to be consumed, must on the one hand be permanent and on the other
hand completely harmless as regards food safety law and food
chemistry. Said requirements are met typically by cold glue
adhesives.
[0028] Cold glue adhesives, on the other hand however, have the
disadvantage of a long setting time, i.e. a long interval between
the point of producing contact between the object to be glued and
the adhesive and the point at which the full adhesive action and
adhesive force of the glue occurs. In the case of cold glues said
setting time can be, for example, 10 seconds, which is a long
period for the item of packaging to be formed to run through a
corresponding high-performance packaging machine. Insofar as during
said production method at the end a hermetically sealed overall
packaging is immediately formed, the duration of the setting time
of the cold glue can be even longer. In said phase of the setting
of the adhesive, the individual products (strips) inside the
overall packaging are, however, not yet or not sufficiently well
secured such that there is still the risk in said phase of the
individual products slipping inside the external packaging, as a
result of which possibly no dimensionally stable overall packaging
can finally be formed.
[0029] In order to overcome said problems, there is provided in the
named preferred embodiment of the invention, along with the use of
a cold glue adhesive, the additional use of a hot glue adhesive
which clearly sets more quickly in comparison to the cold glue
adhesive and consequently brings about a quick fixing of the
individual products inside the overall packaging during the course
of the production thereof. For example, a suitable hot glue
adhesive can set within approximately 0.1 seconds (i.e. the typical
interval between applying the hot glue in a hot state and the onset
of the full ability to bond or of the adhesive force after
application on the object to be glued).
[0030] Consequently the hot glue, as a result of its quickly
occurring adhesive action, bridges the period until the cold glue,
applied in parallel, sets and ensures a preliminary fixing of the
objects to be glued within said period, following which a fixed and
permanent adhesive connection is then brought about by the cold
glue.
[0031] The use of the combination of hot glue and cold glue is
typically necessary since, as described above, the use exclusively
of a cold glue does not ensure sufficiently secure and rapid fixing
of the objects to be glued inside the packaging and consequently
does not ensure sufficient certainty for the forming of a correct
and dimensionally stable packaging structure. In reverse, however,
it is typically also not possible to use exclusively a hot glue
adhesive and to dispense with a cold glue adhesive. In particular
where chewing gums are the objects to be packed, there is the
problem that a hot glue can be dissolved by essential oils which
are released by the chewing gum. If a hot glue loses its ability to
bond and its adhesive force in this manner, it does not ensure a
permanent and firm fixing of the strips of chewing gum inside the
external packaging. By using both a cold glue and also a hot glue,
the advantages of the two sorts of glue are utilized and the
achievement is consequently that a permanent and firm connection is
generated and maintained between the packaging material of the
strip of chewing gum and the external packaging, said connection in
the end being permanently necessary in order to open the individual
strip packaging by means of the perforation when the strip is
removed from the external packaging, as has been described
above.
[0032] All in all, by using the packing method as claimed in the
invention, a dimensionally stable, attractive and easy to handle
item of packaging for strip-type objects, especially strips of
chewing gum, is consequently created. With said item of packaging,
it is ensured that even after the removal of one or several
individual strips, the individual strips still remaining in the
item of packaging are held in their original position and
consequently the order inside the box is maintained. In a preferred
embodiment as claimed in the invention, an item of packaging for
strips of chewing gum is created where the individual packed strips
of chewing gum are opened during the course of their removal. The
item of packaging as claimed in the invention is realized, in this
case, without an additional packaging material in the form of an
intermediate layer or wraparound band or a half-wrapper being
necessary for grouping and holding the individual strips. In this
case, stacks or layers of more than two individual strips can be
arranged one on top of another or side by side in the item of
packaging.
[0033] Further details and advantages of the invention are produced
from the following description of an exemplary embodiment by way of
the accompanying drawings.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a group of strip-type objects which form the
contents of an item of packaging to be formed;
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a blank of a packaging material for an external
packaging of the item of packaging to be formed;
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the external packaging of the formed item of
packaging without contents;
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the formed item of packaging with contents;
and
[0038] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged representation of the bottom region
of the formed item of packaging with contents in a cross section
from the side.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a regular group 10 of identical strip-type
objects 12, especially strips of chewing gum. Said individual
strips 12 are in each case packed per se in a first packaging
material which can be, for example, a foil material, in particular
a cellophane foil or an aluminum foil. The strips 12 are arranged
side by side and one on top of another such that they form a
regular, cuboid-shaped group 10. In the example in FIG. 1, three
stacks 20 of such individual strips 12 are, in this case, arranged
side by side, each stack 20 in the present case including four
individual strips 12 which lie one above another or one on top of
another. It is obvious that other groupings of the individual
strips 12 are possible to form the stacks 20 and the group 10.
[0040] With regard to machine-driven production, the group 10 can
be formed by individual layers of several strips 12 lying laterally
side by side being formed one after another and said formed layers
then being stacked one above another. As an alternative to this,
the group 10 can also be formed in a process-control manner such
that initially one stack 20 of several strips 12 is formed and
several stacks 20 of this type are then arranged laterally side by
side, adjoining one another or touching one another.
[0041] As is additionally shown in FIG. 1, each individual strip 12
has a substantially rectangular form, in particular a flat
cuboid-shaped form. Each end face surface 14, 16 of a strip 12, in
this case, is substantially the product of the width and the
thickness of the strip 12. With reference to its outer dimensions,
the group 10 shown in FIG. 1 and formed from the individual strips
12 consequently has a thickness which corresponds substantially to
an integral multiple of the thickness of one strip 12, and a width
which corresponds substantially to an integral multiple of the
width of one strip 12. The height of the group 10 in FIG. 1
corresponds substantially to the length of one strip 12.
[0042] The group 10 of individual strips 12 formed in this manner
is then accommodated in an external packaging 50 in which the
products (individual strips 12) are combined, for example, to form
one sales unit. Such a finished item of packaging or a pack 70 is
shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the external packaging 50 consists
of a second packaging material, for example a cardboard material,
and the ultimately formed pack 70 consequently consists, for
example, of a cardboard box 50 in which the group 10 of strips 12
of chewing gum are accommodated. FIG. 3 shows the box or external
packaging 50 without contents.
[0043] The box 50 is formed from a blank 52 of the second packaging
material (cardboard material) by the prepared, substantially flat
blank 51 being folded around the group 10 and being sealed in a
suitable manner. FIG. 2 shows the blank 52 in an opened-out and
stretched out state, it being possible to see all the individual
faces and tabs of the cardboard material blank 52 which are then
folded over one another or hinged to form the box 50 and partially
abut against one another and/or are fitted into one another. In
order to form a closed box 50, the corresponding parts of the blank
52 which interact and/or lie one on top of another, are glued
together. As an example of this, FIG. 2 shows several glue points
62, which are first of all applied onto said blank 52 from one side
during the course of preparing the packaging blank 52 and which,
after the corresponding folding of the individual faces of the
blank 52 one over another, then glue the corresponding, interacting
or abutting regions of the packaging 50 together. FIG. 3 shows the
box 50 (without contents) formed and prepared in this manner, it
being possible to see the position of the glue points 62 shown in
FIG. 2 once the box 50 has been completed. The box 50 is glued in a
durable, permanent manner in this way.
[0044] As has been explained in the introduction, the group 10 of
the strips 12 is to be fixed inside the box 50 in a suitable
manner. For this purpose, the strips 12 of the group 10 are glued
with the box 50, as can be seen in FIG. 4 in the region of the
bottom and/or the bottom side faces of the box 50 in the form of
glue strokes 66, 68. In order to produce said bonding, first of all
an adhesive 66, 68 is applied on one side of the prepared packaging
material blank 52 during the course of the method for producing the
overall packaging (pack 70). The adhesive 66, 68, in this case, is
applied on that side of the blank 52 which forms the inside surface
of the external packaging or box 50 to be formed. As FIGS. 2 and 4
show, the adhesive 66, 68, in this case, is applied onto the blank
52 substantially in those regions which form the bottom 54 of the
box 50 or in those regions which are adjacent to the bottom 54 of
the box 50, i.e. in the bottom regions of the front and rear side
faces of the box 50 (cf. FIG. 4). As FIGS. 2 and 4 show further,
the adhesive 66, 68 is applied, in this case, in the named region
of the packaging material blank 52 in particular in the form of
several strokes or lines.
[0045] When the packing material blank 52 is then subsequently
folded around the group 10 in order to form the external packaging
or box 50, the adhesive 66, 68 contacts the packed strips 12 of
chewing gum in the region of the bottom 54 or of the bottom side
faces of the box 50. In this case, the adhesive contacts, in
particular, in each case that end face surface 16 of each strip 12
which is oriented toward the bottom 54 of the box 50, i.e. which is
adjacent to the bottom 54 of the box 50 (cf. FIGS. 4 and 5). In
this way, each individual strip 12 is glued with the box 50 by way
of its bottom end face surface 16 which is located opposite the box
bottom 54.
[0046] As FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 show, the adhesive lines 66, 68 extend
in particular at right angles to the cross extension of the bottom
end face surfaces 16 of the individual strips 12. In this way, each
bottom end face surface 16 of the strips 12 comes into contact with
individual or several of the adhesive lines 66, 68. As the end face
surface 16 of each strip 12 is relatively small corresponding to
the thickness of an individual strip 12, the contact face between
an individual adhesive line 66, 68 and the end face surface 16 is
also relatively small. However, several adhesive lines 66, 68 are
provided in the region of one strip 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) such
that the bonding is sufficiently strong for fixing each individual
strip 12 inside the box 50 in an efficient manner.
[0047] In order to improve said fixing of the strips 12 even
further it can be provided that the adhesive or the adhesive lines
66, 68 are applied in a form and/or quantity in such a manner onto
the packaging material blank 52 that the adhesive not only contacts
the respective end face surfaces 16 of the strips 12, but also
passes between the individual stacked strips 12 in the region of
the bottom 54 of the box 50. Said state is shown in the cross
section of the bottom part of the overall packaging 70 in FIG. 5.
The individual strips 12 are also bonded together in this way and
not only with the cardboard packaging material surrounding
them.
[0048] During the course of the production of the overall
packaging, pressure can also be exerted additionally onto the side
faces of the packaging in this region (i.e. in FIG. 5 is particular
from above and below). This results in an even better distribution
of the adhesive between the individual, stacked strips 12 in the
region of the bottom 54 of the box 50. As a result, it is possible
to achieve an even bettor, more secure bonding of the strips 12
together and in relation to the box 50 and, all in all, a
dimensionally stable, sturdy overall packaging 70 is formed in this
manner.
[0049] In the case of said packet, it is essential that the center
strips 12 of a respective stack 20, i.e. the strips 12 arranged
between the two outer strips 12 inside a stack 20, are also bonded
securely and permanently with the box 50 (cf. FIG. 5). In this way
it is possible to accommodate stacks 20 which consist of more than
two strips, i.e. in other words more than one or two layers of
individual strips 12 which are arranged side by side, in the item
of packaging.
[0050] In the case of the item of packaging produced by way of the
above-described method, the first packaging material, in which each
individual strip 12 of chewing gum is packed, and the adhesive 66,
68 are composed or realized in such a manner and they interact in
such manner that it is possible to remove in each case one single
strip 12 from the external packaging or box 50. In a first
embodiment it can be provided, in this connection, that the
adhesive has a composition in such a manner that the packaging
material of the strips 12 is releasable from the adhesive for a
removal of a strip 12 from the box 50. Consequently, a strip 12
which is packed completely in the first packaging material can be
removed from the box 50 without the respective packaging of the
individual strip 12 being damaged and in particular torn open.
Consequently, the composition of the adhesive 66, 68 in this case
is in such a manner that, on the one hand, it certainly fixes the
individual strips in the box 50 against slipping, on the other
hand, however, the holding force of the adhesive is able to be
overcome by the pulling force when a strip 12 is removed.
[0051] In an alternative embodiment which is shown in particular in
the drawings, the strip 12 which is packed as such is removable
from the box 50 in such a manner that it is already opened in part
on removal and is consequently presented to the user directly for
consumption, another part of the packaging of the individual strip,
however, remaining on the strip 12 on removal. This is, in
particular, that part of the strip packaging by which the user
grasps and pulls out the strip 12 arranged in the box 50.
[0052] For this purpose, the individual strips 12 of chewing gum
are in each case packed in a blank of the first packaging material
which has a perforation 32 for a division of said blank into a
first part 34 and a second part 36 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 4). In this
case, the adhesive 66, 68 is applied in such a manner on the
packaging material blank 52 during the forming of the item of
packaging (cf. FIG. 2) that, when forming the overall packaging, in
each case it contacts only one of the two parts 34, 36 of the blank
of the strip packaging material, namely a first bottom part 34 of
said strip packaging material blank associated with the bottom 54
of the box 50 (cf. FIG. 4). When an individual strip 12 is removed
from the box 50, the first bottom part 34 of the strip packaging
material blank is then separated from the second top part 36 of the
packaging material blank on account of the active pulling force
along the perforation line 32. In this case, the first bottom part
34 remains fixed in the box 50 as a result of its fastening
(adhesion) on the inside surface of the box 50, whilst the second
top part 36 of the strip packaging material blank remains on the
strip 12 and is pulled out of the box 50 with said strip.
[0053] In addition, it can be provided that the adhesive 66, 68
consists of two components, namely on the one hand a quick-setting
hot glue 66 and on the other hand a cold glue 68 which sets slower
in comparison thereto. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, the hot
glue 66 and the cold glue 68 are applied onto the packaging
material blank 52. In this case, in particular in lines or strokes,
it being possible for said lines of the hot glue 66 and of the cold
glue 68 to alternate in a regular or irregular manner. The reasons
for using both a hot glue and a cold glue have already been
explained above in detail. Details of the direction of the lines of
adhesive in relation to the components of the item of packaging
have also already been shown above.
[0054] The glue points 62 for gluing the box 50 as such (cf. FIGS.
2 and 3 and the description above) can preferably be formed using
the same adhesive as the adhesive lines 66, 68 for gluing the strip
packaging with the external packaging 50. The glue points 62, in
this case, can be applied by machine onto the cardboard material
blank 52 more or less at the same time as the adhesive lines 66,
68. Insofar as two different types of adhesive (hot glue 66 and
cold glue 68) are used in this case for the adhesive lines 66, 68
(as described above), said two types of adhesive can then also be
used for the glue points 62. In this case, the glue points 62 can
then also be formed from the two types of adhesive (hot glue 66 and
cold glue 68), for example alternately in a regular or irregular
manner (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0055] As shown in particular in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the external
packaging or box 50 can be developed in such a manner that it has a
removal opening 42, it being possible to remove the individual
strips 12 through said opening. The removal opening 42, in this
case, can be closed by a lid, for example a hinged lid 44 which
closes the box 50 in a suitable manner, for example by engaging in
a corresponding opening 48 of the box 50 by means of a tab 46 or
being inserted into the box 50 in another manner. The removal
opening 42 extends preferably over the entire width and thickness
of the box 50 on the top side thereof such that all the individual
strips 12 are accessible and are able to be pulled out of the box
50 (see FIG. 4).
* * * * *