U.S. patent application number 15/088439 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-28 for sealed package for pourable food products and packaging material for producing sealed packages for pourable food products.
This patent application is currently assigned to TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.. Invention is credited to Marcello BARBIERI, Joyce NASSIF, Alice OLIVIERI, Stefania PERTUSI, Siegrid PUTZER.
Application Number | 20160214757 15/088439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42831010 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160214757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BARBIERI; Marcello ; et
al. |
July 28, 2016 |
SEALED PACKAGE FOR POURABLE FOOD PRODUCTS AND PACKAGING MATERIAL
FOR PRODUCING SEALED PACKAGES FOR POURABLE FOOD PRODUCTS
Abstract
A sealed package for pourable food products, comprising a
quadrangular bottom panel with opposite first front edge and a
second rear edge; a quadrangular top panel opposite to bottom panel
and comprises a third front edge and a fourth rear edge; a front
panel between first and third edges; and a rear panel between
second and fourth edges; the distance between first and third edges
is smaller than the distance between second and fourth edges; top
panel angled with respect to a first plane defined by first and
second edges; first and third edge define a theoretical reference
plane; front panel comprises opposite fifth and sixth edges between
first and second edges; at least one of fifth and sixth front edge
extends at least partially on opposite side of theoretical plane
with respect to rear panel; front panel comprises at least a first
region on opposite side of theoretical plane.
Inventors: |
BARBIERI; Marcello; (Modena,
IT) ; PUTZER; Siegrid; (Modena, IT) ;
OLIVIERI; Alice; (Modena, IT) ; PERTUSI;
Stefania; (Sant'Agata Bolognese, IT) ; NASSIF;
Joyce; (Paris, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A. |
Pully |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE
S.A.
Pully
CH
|
Family ID: |
42831010 |
Appl. No.: |
15/088439 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13519973 |
Jun 29, 2012 |
9327862 |
|
|
PCT/EP2011/055385 |
Apr 6, 2011 |
|
|
|
15088439 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/064 20130101;
B65D 5/746 20130101; B65B 43/10 20130101; B65B 9/067 20130101; B65D
5/0209 20130101; B65B 43/24 20130101; B65B 3/025 20130101; B65D
5/4266 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/02 20060101
B65D005/02; B65D 5/42 20060101 B65D005/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 7, 2010 |
EP |
10165116.4 |
Claims
1. A sheet packaging material for producing a sealed package of a
pourable food product, comprising: at least one first crease line
and one second crease line; said first crease line comprising a
first portion which is adapted to define a top front edge of a top
panel of said sealed package; said second crease line comprising a
second portion which is adapted to define a bottom front edge of a
bottom panel of said sealed package; a third crease line which
extends between respective third portions of said first and second
crease lines; a fourth crease line which extends between respective
fourth portions of said first and second crease lines; said first
crease line further comprising a fifth portion interposed between
said first and respective third portions, and a sixth portion
interposed between respective said first and fourth portions; said
second crease line further comprising a seventh portion interposed
between said second and said respective third portions, and an
eighth portion interposed between said second and said respective
fourth portions; said third and fourth crease lines, and said third
and fourth portions being adapted to bound a rear panel of said
package, once said packaging material has been folded along said
third and fourth crease lines, and along said third and fourth
portions; said third and fourth portions of said first crease line
being adapted to define a top rear edge of said sealed package;
said third and fourth portions of said second crease line being
adapted to define a bottom rear edge of said sealed package; said
second, third, and fourth portions of said second crease line
defining a first theoretical reference plane once said packaging
material has been folded along said second, third, and fourth
portions; the distance between said third and fourth portions being
greater than the distance between said first and second portions,
so that the distance between said top rear edge and said bottom
rear edge is greater than the distance between said top front edge
and said bottom front edge of said sealed package; a fifth and a
sixth crease lines extending, at least partially, within a first
area which is bounded by a first reference theoretical segment and
a second reference theoretical segment, and by said first and
second portions; said first reference theoretical segment extending
between a first end of said second portion and a second end of said
first portion; said second reference theoretical segment extending
between a third end, opposite to said first end, of said second
portion and a fourth end, opposite to said second end, of said
first portion; said fifth and sixth crease lines and said second
and first portions being adapted to bound a front panel of said
package, once said packaging material has been folded along said
fifth and sixth crease lines and said second and first portions,
said first and second portions defining a second theoretical
reference plane once said packaging material has been folded along
said first and second portions; said fifth and seventh portions,
said fifth crease line, and at least one part of said third crease
line being adapted to define a first lateral concave panel
extending from said front panel to said rear panel of said package,
once said packaging material has been folded along said fifth
crease line, said fifth and seventh portions and said at least one
part of said third crease line; said sixth and eighth portions,
said sixth crease line and at least one part of said fourth crease
line being adapted to define a second lateral panel extending from
said front panel to said rear panel of said package, once said
packaging material has been folded along said sixth crease line,
said sixth and eighth portions and said at least one part of said
fourth crease line; and said fifth and sixth crease lines and said
second and first portions being configured so that the front panel
bounded by said fifth and sixth crease lines and said second and
first portions, once the packaging material has been folded along
the fifth and sixth crease lines and said second and first
portions, is a convex panel curved outwardly of the second
theoretical reference plane.
2. The sheet packaging material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
fifth crease line is the only one crease line originating from one
of said first and second end and extending towards the other one of
said first and second end; said sixth crease line being the only
one crease line originating from one of said third and fourth end
and extending towards the other one of said third and fourth
end.
3. The sheet packaging material as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
third and fourth portions are each located on an opposite side of
an axis, which joins a middle-point of said first portion and a
middle-point of said second portion.
4. The sheet packaging material as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
fifth and sixth crease lines wholly extend within said first
area.
5. The sheet packaging material as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
fifth and sixth crease lines at first converge towards one another
and then diverge from one another, proceeding from said first
portion towards said second portion.
6. The sheet packaging material as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
fifth and sixth crease lines are symmetrical with respect to an
axis, which joins a middle-point of said first portion and a
middle-point of said second portion.
7. The sheet packaging material as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
said third crease line extends, at least partially, within a second
area which is bounded by a third reference theoretical segment, by
said third portions and by a first edge of said sheet packaging
material; said fourth crease line extends, at least partially,
within a third area which is bounded by a fourth reference
theoretical segment, by said fourth portions and by a second edge,
opposite to said first edge, of said sheet packaging material; said
third reference theoretical segment extending between a fifth end
of said third portion of said first crease line and a sixth end of
said third portion of said second crease line; said fourth
reference theoretical segment extending between a seventh end of
said fourth portion of said first crease line and an eighth end of
said fourth portion of said second crease line.
8. The sheet packaging material as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
third crease line is the only one crease line which originates from
one of said sixth and fifth ends and extends towards the other one
of said sixth and fifth ends; said fourth crease line being the
only one crease line which originates from one of said seventh and
eighth ends and extend towards the other one of said seventh and
eighth ends.
9. A sealed package for pourable food products, comprising: a
quadrangular bottom panel possessing a bottom front edge and a
bottom rear edge opposite to one another; a quadrangular top panel
positioned opposite to the bottom panel and possessing a top front
edge and a top rear edge; a front panel extending between the
bottom front edge and the top front edge; a rear panel extending
between the bottom rear edge and the top rear edge; two lateral
panels positioned opposite to each other and adjacent the front and
rear panel, the two lateral panels each extending from the front
panel to the rear panel; the distance between the bottom front edge
and the top front edge being smaller than the distance between the
bottom rear edge and the top rear edge; the top panel being angled
with respect to a first theoretical reference plane, the bottom
front edge and the bottom rear edge lying in the first theoretical
reference plane; the front panel possessing a first front lateral
edge and a second front lateral edge which are opposite to one
another and which each extend between the bottom front edge and the
top front edge; at least one of the lateral panels being concave;
and the rear panel being flat.
10. The sealed package as claimed in claim 9, the bottom front edge
and the top front edge lying in a second theoretical reference
plane, the front panel possessing a first region positioned on one
side of the second theoretical reference plane such that the second
theoretical reference plane is positioned between the rear panel
and the first region of the front panel, the front panel being
curved outwardly of the second theoretical reference plane.
11. The sealed package as claimed in claim 10, wherein an entirety
of the front panel extends on the one side of the second
theoretical reference plane.
12. The sealed package as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first
front lateral edge and the second front lateral edge each comprise
respective first portions which extend at increasing distances from
the second theoretical reference plane, proceeding from the top
front edge towards the bottom front edge.
13. The sealed package as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first
front lateral edge and the second front lateral edge each further
comprise respective second portions which are joined to
corresponding first portions and originate, on the opposite side to
the corresponding first portions, from the bottom front edge; the
second portions extending at increasing distances from the second
theoretical reference plane, proceeding from the bottom front edge
towards the first portions.
14. The sealed package as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first
and second portions join at a first and a second point; the first
and second points being arranged at the same distance from the
bottom front edge and the top front edge and being connected by a
segment; the first portions converging towards one another from the
top front edge towards the segment; the second portions converging
towards one another from the bottom front edge towards the
segment.
15. The sealed package as claimed in claim 14, wherein the front
panel extends symmetrically about an axis; the axis joining a
middle point of the bottom front edge, a middle point of the
segment, and a middle point of the top front edge.
16. The sealed package as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first
front lateral edge and the second front lateral edge are the only
edges extending between the bottom front edge and the top front
edge; the first front lateral edge and the second front lateral
edge being separate and distinct from each other.
17. The sealed package as claimed in claim 9, wherein all sections
of the package measured parallel to the bottom panel and between
the bottom front edge and the top front edge have a constant
perimeter.
18. The sealed package as claimed in claim 9, wherein the angle
between the first theoretical reference plane and the top panel
ranges between 15 and 20 degrees.
19. A sheet packaging material for producing a sealed package of a
pourable food product, comprising: at least one first crease line
and one second crease line; the first crease line comprising a
first portion which is configured to define a top front edge of a
top panel of the sealed package; the second crease line comprising
a second portion which is configured to define a bottom front edge
of a bottom panel of the sealed package; a third crease line which
extends between respective third portions of the first and second
crease lines; a fourth crease line which extends between respective
fourth portions of the first and second crease lines; the first
crease line further comprising a fifth portion interposed between
the first and respective third portions, and a sixth portion
interposed between respective the first and fourth portions; the
second crease line further comprising a seventh portion interposed
between the second and the respective third portions, and an eighth
portion interposed between the second and the respective fourth
portions; the third and fourth crease lines, and the third and
fourth portions being configured to bound a rear panel of the
package, once the packaging material has been folded along the
third and fourth crease lines, and along the third and fourth
portions; the third and fourth portions of the first crease line
being configured to define a top rear edge of the sealed package;
the third and fourth portions of the second crease line being
configured to define a bottom rear edge of the sealed package; the
distance between the third and between the fourth portions being
greater than the distance between the first and second portions, so
that the distance between the top rear edge and the bottom rear
edge is greater than the distance between the top front edge and
the bottom front edge of the sealed package; a fifth crease line
and a sixth crease line extending, at least partially, within a
first area which is bounded by a first reference theoretical
segment and a second reference theoretical segment, and by the
first and second portions; the first reference theoretical segment
extending between a first end of the second portion and a second
end of the first portion; the second reference theoretical segment
extending between a third end, opposite to the first end, of the
second portion and a fourth end, opposite to the second end, of the
first portion; the fifth and sixth crease lines and the second and
first portions being configured to bound a front panel of the
package, once the packaging material has been folded along the
fifth and sixth crease lines and the second and first portions; the
fifth and seventh portions, the fifth crease line, and at least one
part of the third crease line being configured to define a concave
first lateral panel extending from the front panel to the rear
panel of the package, once the packaging material has been folded
along the fifth crease line, the fifth and seventh portions and the
at least one part of the third crease line; the sixth and eighth
portions, the sixth crease line and at least one part of the fourth
crease line being configured to define a second lateral panel
extending from the front panel to the rear panel of the package,
once the packaging material has been folded along the sixth crease
line, the sixth and eighth portions and the at least one part of
the fourth crease line; and the third and fourth crease lines and
the third and fourth portions being configured so that the rear
panel bounded by the third and fourth crease lines and the third
and fourth portions, once the packaging material has been folded
along the third and fourth crease lines and the third and fourth
portions, is a flat panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/519,973 filed on Jun. 29, 2012 which is a U.S. national
stage application based on International Application No.
PCT/EP2011/055385 filed on Apr. 6, 2011 and which claims priority
to European Application No. 10165116.4 filed on Jun. 7, 2010, the
entire content of all three of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a sealed package for
pourable food products.
[0003] The present invention also relates to a sheet packaging
material for producing sealed packages for pourable food
products.
BACKGROUND ART
[0004] As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as
fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine,
tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized
packaging material.
[0005] A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for
liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic
(registered trademark), which is made by creasing and sealing
laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a
multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper,
covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material,
e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage
products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a
layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminium foil, which is
superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in
turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material
forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the
food product.
[0006] Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully
automatic packaging machines, on which a continuous tube is formed
from the web-fed packaging material; the web of packaging material
is sterilized on the packaging machine, e.g. by applying a chemical
sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which,
once sterilization is completed, is removed from the surfaces of
the packaging material, e.g. evaporated by heating; the web so
sterilized is then maintained in a closed, sterile environment, and
is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, which is fed
vertically.
[0007] In order to complete the forming operations, the tube is
filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product, and
is sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced cross
sections.
[0008] More precisely, the tube is sealed longitudinally and
transversally to its own axis.
[0009] Pillow packs are so obtained, which have a longitudinal seal
and a pair of top and bottom transversal seals.
[0010] Alternatively, the packaging material may be cut into
blanks, which are formed into packages on forming spindles, and the
packages are then filled with the food product and sealed. One
example of this type of package is the so-called "gable-top"
package known by the trade name Tetra Rex (registered
trademark).
[0011] A package is known which comprises: [0012] a rectangular
bottom panel which is crossed by a bottom transversal seal; [0013]
a rectangular top panel, which is crossed by a top transversal
seal; [0014] a rear panel which extends between corresponding first
edges of top and bottom panels; [0015] a front panel which is
opposite to the rear panel and extends between corresponding second
edges, opposite to first edges, of top and bottom panels; and
[0016] a pair of lateral panels interposed between bottom and top
panels, and between rear and front panels.
[0017] A longitudinal seal extends perpendicularly between the
transversal seals and along the centerline of the rear panel.
[0018] In greater detail, rear and front panels are parallel to one
another, lateral panels are parallel to one another, and lateral
panels are orthogonal to both rear and front panels.
[0019] Furthermore, the top panel is slanted with respect to the
bottom panel and is descending proceeding from the relative first
edge to the relative second edge.
[0020] In other words, the distance between first edges of bottom
and top panels is greater than the distance between second edges of
such bottom and top panels.
[0021] As a consequence, the height of the rear panel is greater
than the height of the front panel.
[0022] The top panel also comprises: [0023] a first area which
accommodates an opening device and is bounded, on opposite sides,
by the second edge and the transversal seal; and [0024] a second
area which is bounded, on opposite sides, by the first edge and the
transversal seal.
[0025] More precisely, the opening device substantially comprises a
frame fitted to the first area of the top panel and a cap which is
releasably coupled with the frame, so as to free a pouring opening
of the food product, when unscrewed.
[0026] The above type of package is known under the name Tetra Brik
Edge (Registered Trademark). Its main characteristic is the slanted
top panel, which brings two advantages: an angled top panel which
improves the pourability, and a transversal seal, crossing the top
panel, being offset towards the rear panel, leaving a greater area
for placing a cap.
[0027] Such a known package could be uncomfortable to pick up,
especially when it stands between several other similar packages on
the shelf, or in a secondary package such as a cardboard box.
[0028] Furthermore, in correspondence with other carton packages,
the reduced circulation of air between the packages, as a
consequence of being tightly packed, could cause the formation of
moisture onto such packages, especially if packed in a closed
environment, such as a plastic wrap or a cardboard box, and even
more so when subjected to humid weather conditions.
[0029] Due to the height of an opening device and to the
inclination of the top panel, the opening device may protrude from
the first area of the top panel beyond a hypothetical prolongation
of the front panel as shown in FIG. 1. Since consumers today want
bigger caps, for an improved drinking experience and improved
pouring performance, this problem will only increase. Furthermore,
newly developed one-step opening caps are higher than previous
two-step opening caps, and this means that the caps stick out even
more outside of the front panel. A one-step opening cap is a cap
that only requires one action from the user, such as unscrewing the
cap, in order to prepare the package for pouring or drinking.
[0030] A group of packages is often stored and transported in boxes
as shown in FIG. 2a. In this condition, the front panel of a second
package contacts the rear panel of a first package. Furthermore,
the front panel of an initial package and the rear panel of a last
package are in contact with respective inner walls of the box.
[0031] Furthermore, the opening device of the second package
interferes with the rear panel of the first package and therefore
exerts a pressure against this rear panel.
[0032] Accordingly, there is a risk that such pressure causes the
opening devices to come off from the relative packages. The opening
device could also cause a dent on the adjacent package, which
causes an unwanted appearance and could make a customer reject the
package. The dent could in worst case also affect the integrity of
the package.
[0033] Furthermore, the interference between the opening device of
the second package and the rear panel of the first package tends to
slightly detach the front panel of the second package from the rear
panel of the first package.
[0034] Accordingly, the rear panel of the last package and the
front panel of the first package are forced against the walls of
the box.
[0035] As a consequence, there is a risk of damaging the packages
within the box or the shrink wrap, or even to cause damage to the
secondary box or shrink wrap itself.
[0036] Finally, packages with opening devices applied thereon are
normally transferred on a belt conveyor within the packaging
plant.
[0037] In case that the conveyor is stopped or packages are
grouped, a queue of packages with opening devices is formed. This
happens relatively regularly in the packaging line.
[0038] In this situation, the packages are pushed against each
other, and can become slightly angled or leaning with respect to
the conveyor as a consequence of the interference between their
opening devices and the rear panel of the adjacent package, as
shown in FIG. 2b.
[0039] As a result, there is the risk that one or more of the
packages fall over on the conveyor. This can cause a jam and the
filling line must be stopped to fix the problem. It is also
possible that some packages fall off the conveyor, due to this
inclination, leading to waste of packaging material and
product.
[0040] Furthermore, a need is felt within the industry to easily
detected the fermentation of the pourable food product within the
package and/or the leakage of air (or another gas) into the
package.
[0041] EP-A-277673 discloses a sealed package comprising a
quadrilateral top wall, a quadrilateral bottom wall, front and rear
sidewalls and lateral sidewalls. The top wall is not provided with
an opening device.
[0042] The joint portion between each two adjacent walls of the
front, rear and lateral four side walls is formed with two
ridgelines interconnecting the corresponding pair of corners of the
top and the bottom walls.
[0043] The front wall extends between the front edges of top and
bottom walls. The rear wall extends between the rear edges of top
and bottom walls.
[0044] The two ridgelines are joined to each other at their upper
and lower ends but are spaced apart from each other between these
ends. The ridgelines extend smoothly as curved inwardly of the
package to form a joint wall therebetween.
[0045] WO-A-2009/030910 discloses a package comprising a top and
bottom walls, a front and a rear wall. And two lateral walls.
[0046] Top wall is sloped relative to sidewalls and to bottom wall.
In a first embodiment, the front edge of the top wall--which
coincides with the top edge of the front sidewall--is curved.
[0047] In a second embodiment, the package comprises a recess for
receiving the nose of a consumer drinking directly from a spout.
The recess is formed by providing a lenticular panel in the sheet
packaging material from which package is formed.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0048] Disclosed here is a sealed package for food product, which
reduces at least one afore-mentioned drawback connected with the
known packages and preserving, at the same time, the number of
panels of the known packages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] Two preferred, non-limiting embodiments of the present
invention will be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a queue of known sealed packages which have
been disclosed in the introductory part of the present
description;
[0051] FIG. 2a shows the known sealed packages of FIG. 1 when
accommodated within a box;
[0052] FIG. 2b shows the known packages in a queue, as they are
falling off the conveyor;
[0053] FIG. 3 shows a frontal view of a first embodiment of a
sealed package for pourable food product, in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a lateral view of the sealed package of FIG.
3;
[0055] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the sealed package of
FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of a basic unit of a sheet
packaging material by which to produce one package of the type
shown in FIGS. 3 to 5;
[0057] FIG. 7 shows a queue of sealed packages of the type shown in
FIGS. 3 to 5;
[0058] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
sealed package for pourable food product;
[0059] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a frontal and back view of the sealed
package of FIG. 8;
[0060] FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of a basic unit of sheet
packaging material by which to produce one package of the type
shown in FIGS. 7 to 10; and
[0061] FIG. 12 shows a queue of sealed packages of the type shown
in FIGS. 8 to 10.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0062] Number 1 in FIG. 3 indicates as a whole a sealed package for
pourable food products, which is made of multilayer sheet packaging
material 2 (FIG. 6) and may be fitted with a reclosable opening
device 3 (shown in FIG. 7) preferably made of a plastic
material.
[0063] Opening device 3 is applied to package 1 by conventional
fastening systems, such as adhesives, or by microflame,
electric-current-induction, ultrasound, laser, or other
heat-sealing techniques.
[0064] With reference to FIG. 3, package 1 comprises: [0065] a
quadrilateral (in the example shown, rectangular or square) top
panel 5; [0066] a quadrilateral (in this case, rectangular or
square) bottom panel 6, which is opposite to top panel 5; [0067] a
flat rear panel 7, which extends between top panel 5 and bottom
panel 6; [0068] a front panel 8, which extends between top panel 5
and bottom panel 6, and is opposite to rear panel 7; and [0069] two
lateral panels 9 opposite to each other, and which extend between
top panel 5 and bottom panel 6, and between rear and front panels
7, 8.
[0070] Lateral panels 9 extend each from front panel 8 to rear
panel 7.
[0071] Front panel 8 and rear panel 7 are adjacent to both lateral
panels 9.
[0072] Bottom panel 6 comprises two horizontal edges 10, 11
parallel to one another, and two horizontal edges 12 interposed
between and orthogonal to edges 10, 11. Edges 12 are parallel to
one another.
[0073] Panel 5 comprises two horizontal edges 15, 16 opposite to
each other and parallel to one another. More precisely, horizontal
edges 15, 16 are parallel to and arranged over edges 10, 11
respectively.
[0074] Edges 15, 16 are rectilinear.
[0075] Panel 5 also comprises two edges 17, which extend between
edges 15, 16 and are parallel to one another.
[0076] Edges 17 are arranged over respective edges 12.
[0077] In particular, the distance between edges 11, 16 is greater
than the distance between edges 10, 15.
[0078] In other words, the height of rear panel 7 is greater than
front panel 8.
[0079] Edges 10, 11 and 12 define a plane; top panel 5 is slanted
with respect to such a plane, and is descending, proceeding from
edge 16 to edge 15.
[0080] The rear panel 7 extends between edges 11, 16 and comprises
two vertical edges 18a, 18b, which are parallel to one another and
extend between edges 11, 16.
[0081] Front panel 8 extends between edges 10, 15 and comprises two
edges 19, 20, which extend between edges 10, 15.
[0082] Each lateral panel 9 is bounded by edge 12, 17, by a
relative edge 18a; 18b, and by a relative edge 19; 20.
[0083] Edges 19, 20 are the only edges which extend between edges
10, 15.
[0084] Edges 19, 20 are distinct and separate from each other, i.e.
they do not have any common point.
[0085] Edge 19 bounds both front panel 8 and one lateral wall
9.
[0086] Edge 20 bounds both front panel 8 and the other lateral wall
9.
[0087] Edges 10, 15 define a theoretical plane P, which is
perpendicular to bottom panel 6, parallel to rear panel 7 and
arranged, when package 1 is standing on the bottom panel 6,
vertically.
[0088] Package 1 also comprises a top transversal sealing 21 and a
bottom transversal sealing (not shown), which extends across
respective top and bottom panels 5, 6.
[0089] Sealing band 21 divides top panel 5 into two portions 22,
23, one (22) of which, adjacent to front panel 8 and bounded by
edge 15, defines an area for the potential application of opening
device 3, while the other portion (23), adjacent to rear panel 7
and bounded by edge 16, comprises along the centerline, an end
portion of a flat longitudinal sealing band 24 of package 1. More
specifically, sealing band 24 extends perpendicularly between
sealing band 21 and bottom sealing band, and substantially along
the centerline of rear panel 7.
[0090] Sealing band 21 extends beyond top panel 5 of package 1 into
respective flat, substantially triangular lateral portions 26 of
packaging material folded coplanar with and onto respective lateral
panels 9 as of top panel 5.
[0091] Sealing band 21 also forms, lengthwise, a flat top tab 30
projecting from portions 22, 23 and from lateral portions 26 and
folded onto portions 23 and onto portions 26 along a bend line
formed at the base of tab 30.
[0092] Advantageously, edges 19, 20 extend on the opposite side of
plane P with respect to panel 7; the whole front panel 8 extends on
the opposite side of plane P with respect to panel 7; and panels 9
are concave.
[0093] In greater detail, edges 19, 20 comprise, proceeding from
edge 15 towards edge 10: [0094] respective portions 40, 41 which
extend at increasing distances from plane P; and [0095] respective
portions 42, 43 which extend at decreasing distance from plane
P.
[0096] In other words, edges 19, 20 extend outside of plane P with
reference to panel 7.
[0097] Distances between edges 19, 20 and plane P are measured
orthogonally to such plane P.
[0098] Portions 40, 42 join to one another at point Q while
portions 41, 43 join to one another at point R (FIG. 3).
[0099] In other words, each edge 19, 20 comprises, proceeding from
edge 15 to edge 10, a relative portion 40, 41 which extends at
increasing distances from plane P and a relative portion 42, 43
which extend at decreasing distances from such plane P.
[0100] Portions 40, 41 converge towards one another, i.e. have a
decreasing distance from each other, from edge 15 to a segment S,
which connects points Q, R. Segment S is, in the embodiment shown,
horizontal, and is arranged on the opposite side of edges 10, 15
relative to rear panel 7.
[0101] Points Q, R are arranged at the same distance from edge 10
and at the same distance from edge 15.
[0102] The distance of points Q, R, i.e. the length of segment S,
is within +/-5% of the half of the distance between edges 10,
15.
[0103] Alternatively, the distance of points Q, R, i.e. the length
of segment S, is within +/-5% of the average of the distance
between edges 10, 15 and the distance between edges 11, 16.
[0104] Portions 42, 43 converge towards one another, i.e. have a
decreasing distance from each other, from edge 10 towards segment
S.
[0105] In other words, portions 40, 41 extend at increasing
distances from plane P and at decreasing distances from one
another, proceeding from edge 15 to segment S. Differently,
portions 42, 43 extend at decreasing distance from plane P and at
increasing distances from one another, proceeding from segment S to
edge 10.
[0106] In this way, edges 19, 20 are arranged at the narrowest
distance from one another at points Q, R.
[0107] As a consequence of the shape of edges 19, 20, lateral
panels 9 are not flat but are defined by relative concave surfaces
which at first converge towards one another and then diverge from
one another, proceeding from relative edges 17 to relative edges
12.
[0108] Portions 40, 41, 42, 43 are, in the embodiment shown,
curvilinear.
[0109] More precisely, edges 19, 20 are shaped, in the embodiment
shown, as parabolic arcs.
[0110] Panel 8 is convex.
[0111] The maximum distance of panel 8 from plane P is reached at
the mid-section of package 1, i.e. at a plane orthogonal of plane P
and having the same distance from edges 15, 10.
[0112] Bottom panel 6 coincides with the projection of top panel 5
on a plane orthogonal to an axis D (FIGS. 4 and 5). More precisely,
axis D joins the center points of panels 5, 6. Center points of
panels 5, 6 coincide with respective intersection points of the
diagonals of panels 5, 6.
[0113] Furthermore, the inclination angle of panel 5 relative to
the plane defined by edges 10, 11 ranges between 15 and 20 degrees.
In particular, such an inclination angle is 17 degrees.
[0114] Front panel 8 is symmetrical with respect to a curvilinear
axis C which joins the middle-point of edge 15, the middle-point of
segment S and the middle-point of edge 10. Axis C lies on and
follows the front panel 8.
[0115] Axis C extends at increasing distance from plane P,
proceeding from edge 15 to segment S; and extends at decreasing
distances from plane P proceeding from segment S to edge 15.
[0116] Axis C has a similar conformation of edges 19, 20. In the
embodiment shown, axis C is, therefore, shaped as a parabolic arc,
although other curvatures are possible.
[0117] All sections of package 1 parallel to a plane U (FIG. 4)
parallel to bottom panel 6, between edges 10 and 15, have the same
perimeter or circumference, since the package 1 is formed from a
cylindrical tube with constant diameter.
[0118] In top panel 5, the package 1 may have a removable portion
(not shown in FIG. 6) that, in use, can be detached from packaging
material 2 by an opening device 3 to free a pour opening by which
to pour the food product from package 1.
[0119] Opening device 3 substantially comprises a frame 51 applied
onto portion 22 of top panel 5, and a cap 52 screwed onto a neck
defined by frame 51 (FIG. 7).
[0120] Packaging material 2 from which package 1 is made has a
multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, for
stiffness, and a number of lamination layers covering both sides of
base layer.
[0121] In the example shown, the lamination layers comprise a first
layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminum foil, and a
number of second layers of heat-seal plastic material covering both
sides of both base layer and first layer. In other words, such
solution comprises, in succession and from the side eventually
forming the inside of package 1, a layer of heat-seal plastic
material, a layer of barrier material, another layer of heat-seal
plastic material, base layer, and another layer of heat-seal
plastic material.
[0122] The inner layer of heat-seal plastic material contacting the
food product, in use, may, for example, be made of strong, in
particular, high-stretch, metallocene-catalyzed, low-linear-density
(LLD) polyethylene.
[0123] Normally, layers of heat-seal plastic material are laminated
on the base layer in a melted state, with successive cooling.
[0124] As a possible alternative, at least the inner layers of
plastic material may be provided as prefabricated films, which are
laminated on the base layer; this technique allows reducing any
risk of formation of holes or cracks at or around the removable
portion during the forming operations for producing sealed package
1.
[0125] The letter M in FIG. 6 indicates a basic unit of packaging
material 2, by which to produce package 1, and which may be a
precut blank, or a portion of a web of packaging material
comprising a succession of units M.
[0126] In the first case, basic unit M is folded on a known crease
spindle (not shown), is filled with the food product, and is sealed
at the top and bottom to form package 1. In the second case, the
web of packaging material 2, comprising a succession of basic units
M, is: [0127] folded into a cylinder to form a vertical tube having
constant circumference; [0128] filled continuously with the food
product; and [0129] sealed transversely and cut into basic units M,
which are then folded to form respective packages 1.
[0130] Basic unit M has a crease pattern 60, i.e. a number of
crease lines defining respective fold lines, along which packaging
material 2 is folded to form the finished package 1.
[0131] It is important to mention that the term crease lines is
used in the present description lines along which basic unit M is
folded to form a relative package 1, 1'. In particular, decorative
lines are not crease line in the meaning of the present
description.
[0132] Crease pattern 60 substantially comprises: [0133] a
transversal crease line 63 for forming edges 10, 11, 12 of finished
package 1; [0134] a piecewise transversal crease line 67 for
forming edges 15, 16, 17 of finished package 1; [0135] a pair of
transversal crease lines 61, 62 for allowing the folding of top
seal 21 and of the bottom seal; [0136] a pair of longitudinal
crease lines 65, 66a having respective main portions 86, 87 adapted
to form respective edges 18a, 18b of finished package 1; [0137] a
pair of longitudinal crease lines 68, 69 which are separated from
and aligned to one another and comprise respectively inner end
points 100, 101; [0138] a pair of longitudinal crease lines 70, 71
which are separated from and aligned to one another, are parallel
to respective crease lines 68, 69, and comprise respectively inner
end points 102, 103; [0139] a pair of crease lines 120, 121 for
forming respectively edges 19, 20 of finished package 1; and [0140]
an edge area 60 to be sealed on an opposite edge 64 of basic unit M
to form a cylinder.
[0141] Crease lines 63, 61, 62 are parallel to each other and
orthogonal to crease lines 65, 66a.
[0142] In particular, crease line 63 comprises a first segment 80
which extends between an edge 64 of crease pattern 60 and crease
line 65; [0143] a second segment 81 which extends between crease
line 65 and end point 100 of crease line 68; [0144] a third segment
82 which extends between end point 100 of line 68 and a top end
point 102 of crease line 70; [0145] a fourth segment 83 which
extends between end point 102 of line 70 and crease line 66a; and
[0146] a fifth segment 84 which extends between crease line 66a and
an edge area 66b.
[0147] Crease line 67 comprises: [0148] a first segment 90 parallel
to first segment 80 of line 63 and which extends between edge 64
and crease line 65; [0149] a second segment 91 slanted with respect
to second segment 81 of line 63 and which extends between crease
line 65 and end point 101 of crease line 69; [0150] a third segment
92 parallel to third segment 82 of line 63 and which extends
between end point 101 and end point 103 of crease line 71; [0151] a
fourth segment 93 slanted with respect to third segment 83 of line
63 and which extends between end point 103 of crease line 71 and
crease line 66a; and [0152] a fifth segment 94, which extends
between crease line 66a and edge area 66b.
[0153] Furthermore, crease pattern 60 comprises: [0154] two pairs
of crease lines 110, 111 and 112, 113 adapted to form respective
top flaps 26 of finished package 1; and [0155] two pairs of crease
lines 114, 115 and 116, 117 adapted to form bottom flaps (not shown
in FIGS. 3 to 5) of finished package 1.
[0156] More precisely, the bottom flaps are folded onto panel 6 of
finished package 1.
[0157] Crease line 110 (112; 115; 117) extends between end point
101 (103; 100; 102) and the midpoint of a segment of crease line 61
(61; 62; 62) interposed between crease lines 65, 69 (66a, 71; 65,
68; 66a, 70). Crease line 111 (113; 114; 116) extends between
intersection point of crease lines 65, 67 (66a, 67; 65, 63; 66a,
63) and the midpoint of the segment of crease line 61 (61; 62; 62)
interposed between crease line 65, 69 (66a, 71; 65, 68; 66a,
70).
[0158] End points 100, 101 are joined by a theoretical reference
segment 105 (shown in a dotted-line in FIG. 6 but not present on
basic unit M) and end points 102, 103 are joined by a theoretical
reference segments 106 (shown in a dotted-line in FIG. 6 but not
present on basic unit M).
[0159] Advantageously, crease lines 120, 121 extend within an area
123, rectangular in the embodiment shown, bounded by segment 82 of
crease line 63, segment 92 of crease line 67 and by theoretical
reference segments 105, 106.
[0160] In greater detail, crease lines 120, 121 comprise relative
first ends which coincide with end points 100, 102, and second ends
124, 125, opposite to first ends, which are at a certain distance
from relative end points 101, 103 of crease lines 69, 71.
[0161] Crease line 120 is the only crease line which originates
from one (100) of end points 100, 101 and extends towards the other
one (101) of end points 100, 101.
[0162] In the very same way, crease line 121 is the only crease
line which originates from one (102) of end points 102, 103 and
extends towards the other one (103) of end points 102, 103.
[0163] Crease lines 120, 121 are distinct and separate from each
other, i.e. they do not have common points.
[0164] Crease lines 120, 121 at first converge towards one another
and then diverge from one another, proceeding from end points 100,
102 of crease lines 68, 70 towards relative second ends 124,
125.
[0165] Crease lines 120, 121 extend at first at increasing
distances from relative theoretical reference segments 105, 106 and
then at decreasing distances from relative theoretical reference
segments 105, 106, proceeding from end points 100, 102 of crease
lines 68, 70 towards relative second ends 124, 125.
[0166] Crease lines 120, 121 extend also symmetrically with respect
to an axis B, which joins the middle-points of segments 82, 92.
Axis B is, in the embodiment shown, vertical.
[0167] Basic unit M has a constant width measured orthogonally to
axis B. In this way, it could form a tube of packaging material
from which packages 1, 1' are obtained after their folding.
[0168] Crease lines 120, 121 are curvilinear. More precisely,
crease lines 120, 121 are, in the embodiment shown, shaped as
parabolic arcs.
[0169] Number 1' in FIGS. 8 to 10 and 12 indicates a second
embodiment of a sealed package in accordance with the present
invention; sealed packages 1, 1' being similar to each other, the
following description is limited to the differences between them,
and using the same references, where possible, for identical or
corresponding parts.
[0170] Sealed package 1' differs from sealed package 1 in that
edges 18a', 18b' extend on the opposite side of a theoretical
reference plane T' defined by edges 11, 16, relative to panel 8;
and in that the whole panel 7' extends, on the opposite side of
plane T', relative to panel 8 (FIG. 12).
[0171] Panel 7' is, in particular, convex.
[0172] Edges 18a', 18b' are the only edges which extend between
edges 11, 16.
[0173] Edges 18a', 18b' are distinct and separate from each other,
i.e. they do not have any common point.
[0174] Edge 18a' bounds both rear wall 7 and one lateral wall
9.
[0175] Edge 18b' bounds both rear wall 7 and one lateral wall
9.
[0176] Plane T' is, in the embodiment shown, parallel to plane
P.
[0177] In greater detail, edges 18a', 18b' comprise, proceeding
from edge 16 towards edge 11 (FIG. 10): [0178] respective portions
45', 46' which extend at increasing distance from plane T' and
converge to one another, i.e. have a decreasing distance from one
another; and [0179] respective portions 47', 48' which extend at
decreasing distance from plane T' and diverge from one another,
i.e. have an increasing distance from one another.
[0180] The distance between edges 18a', 18b' and plane T' are
measured orthogonally to such plane T'.
[0181] Portions 45', 47' and 46', 48' join to one another
respectively at points W', Z' which are joined by a theoretical
reference segment V'.
[0182] Segment V' is, in the embodiment shown, horizontal, is
arranged on the opposite side of edges 11, 16 relative to panel 8,
and is parallel and staggered relative to edges 11, 16.
[0183] Portions 45', 46', 47', 48' are, in the embodiment shown,
curvilinear.
[0184] More precisely, edges 18a', 18b' are shaped, in the
embodiment shown, as parabolic arcs. Other curvatures or shapes are
possible of edges 18a', 18b'.
[0185] Rear panel 7' is symmetrical with respect to a curvilinear
axis A' which joins the middle-point of edge 16, the middle-point
of segment V' and the middle-point of edge 11.
[0186] Axis A' extends at increasing distances from plane T',
proceeding from edge 16 to segment V'; and extends at decreasing
distance from plane T', proceeding from segment V' to edge 16.
[0187] Axis A' has a similar conformation of edges 18a', 18b', and
is, therefore, shaped as a parabolic arc in the embodiment
shown.
[0188] The maximum distance of panel 7' from plane T' is reached at
the mid-section of package 1', i.e. at a plane orthogonal of plane
T' and having the same distance from edges 16, 11.
[0189] Package 1' also differs from package 1 in that opening
device 3' substantially comprises a frame 51' which straddles edge
15 and comprises two fastening portions 53a', 53b' at a
predetermined angle to each other (FIG. 8). Cap 52' is releasably
fitted to a neck portion of frame 51'.
[0190] More precisely, portion 53a' is applied onto portion 22 of
top panel 5 while portion 53b' is applied onto an area of front
panel 8 adjacent to edge 15.
[0191] Letter M' in FIG. 11 indicates a second embodiment of a
basic unit of packaging material 2', by which to produce package
1'; the basic units of packaging material 2, 2' for making the two
different package embodiments 1, 1' are similar to each other, the
following description is limited to the differences between them,
and using the same references, where possible, for identical or
corresponding parts.
[0192] Basic unit of packaging material 2' differs from basic unit
of packaging material 2 in that crease pattern 60' does not
comprise crease line 65. Furthermore, crease pattern 60' comprises,
instead of crease line 65: [0193] a segment 186' which extends from
an end point 187' of segment 80 on the opposite side of crease line
67 and orthogonally to segment 80; and [0194] a segment 191' which
extends from an end point 188' of segment 90 on the opposite side
of crease line 63 and orthogonally to segment 90.
[0195] End point 187' is in common between segments 80, 186' as
well as end point 188' is in common between segments 90, 191'.
[0196] Furthermore basic unit of packaging material 2' differs from
basic unit of packaging material 2 in that it does not comprise
crease line 66a.
[0197] Crease pattern 60' comprises, instead of crease line 66a:
[0198] a segment 192' which extends from an end point 189' of
segment 84 on the opposite side of crease line 67 and orthogonally
to segment 84; [0199] a segment 193' which extends from an end
point 190' of segment 93 on the opposite side of crease line 63 and
orthogonally to segment 94.
[0200] End point 189' is in common between segments 84, 192' and
end point 190' is in common between segments 94, 193'.
[0201] End points 187', 188' are joined by a theoretical reference
segment 180' (shown in a dotted-line in FIG. 11 but not present on
basic unit M) and end points 189', 190' are joined by a theoretical
reference segment 181' (shown in a dotted-line in FIG. 11).
[0202] Crease pattern 60' finally comprises: [0203] a crease line
182' which extends between end points 187', 188', and is adapted to
define edge 18a' of finished package 1'; and [0204] a crease line
183' which extends between end points 189', 190' and is adapted to
define edge 18b' of finished package 1'.
[0205] More precisely, crease line 182' originates from end point
187' and extends towards end point 188'. Differently, crease line
183' originates from end point 189' and extends towards end point
190'.
[0206] In greater detail, crease lines 182', 183' comprise relative
first ends which coincide respectively with end points 187', 189';
and second ends which are at a certain distance from relative end
points 188', 190'.
[0207] Advantageously, crease line 182' extends within an area 184'
bounded by segments 80, 90, by a segment 85 of edge 64 interposed
between segments 80, 90, and by theoretical reference segment 180';
and crease line 183' extends within an area 185' bounded by
segments 84, 94, by a segment 88 along edge area 66b, and by
theoretical reference segment 181'; crease line 182' is the only
crease line which originates from one (187') of end points 187',
188' and extends towards the other one (188) of end points 187',
188'.
[0208] In the very same way, crease line 183' is the only crease
line which originates from one (189') of end points 189', 190' and
extends towards the other one (190) of end points 189', 190'.
[0209] Crease lines 182', 183' are distinct from each other, i.e.
they do not have common points.
[0210] Areas 184', 185' are, in the embodiment shown,
rectangular.
[0211] In greater detail, crease line 182' (183') at first converge
towards segment 85 (88) and then diverge from such segment 85 (88),
proceeding from end points 188' (190') towards end points 187'
(189').
[0212] Crease line 182' (183') extends at first at increasing
distances from theoretical reference segment 180' (181') and then
at decreasing distance from theoretical reference segment 180'
(181'), proceeding from end points 188' (190') towards end points
187' (189').
[0213] Crease lines 182', 183' are curvilinear and, in the
embodiment shown, shaped as parabolic arcs.
[0214] As a consequence, crease pattern 60' comprises a first
region and a second region adapted to define rear panel 7' of
finished package 1', once that blank M' has been folded along
segments 90, 94 and crease lines 181', 182', and edge 85 has been
sealed to edge area 66b.
[0215] In particular, the first region is bounded by segments 80,
85, 90 and by crease line 182' while the second region is bounded
by segments 84, 94, 88 and by crease line 183'.
[0216] Points Q, RE
[0217] The advantages of package 1, 1' and sheet packaging material
2, 2' and of the method of forming package 1, 1' according to the
present invention will be clear from the above description.
[0218] In particular, package 1, 1' is easy to grip, in particular
when it stands between several other similar packages 1, 1'.
[0219] As a matter of fact, when several packages 1, 1' are placed
side-by-side, such as on a retailer shelf, the waist of the
packages, caused by the central narrowing of the front panels 8
(and rear panels 7' if applicable), makes it easier to insert a
finger on each side and pick out an individual package 1, 1'.
[0220] The presence of such a gap is due to the fact that front
panel 8 extends on the opposite side of plane P with respect to
rear panel 7, 7',
[0221] Furthermore, due to the fact that each package 1, 1' is not
in full contact with adjacent packages 1, 1', air is allowed to
circulate between such packages 1, 1', so reducing the moisture
surrounding packages 1, 1'.
[0222] As a result, packages 1, 1' are conserved in a particularly
hygienic environment.
[0223] Furthermore, even when they are provided with an opening
device 3, 3' which protrudes beyond rear panel 7, packages 1, 1'
are prevented from being damaged when stored and/or transported in
a plurality of rows within a box or when conveyed in a packaging
plant.
[0224] As a consequence, when packages 1, 1' are arranged in rows,
for example within a box to be stored and/or transported, even if
front panel 8 of a second package 1, 1' contacts rear panel 7 of a
first package 1, 1', cap 52, 52' of opening device 3, 3' of second
package 1, 1' is substantially prevented from interfering with rear
panel 7, 7' of first package 1, 1' (FIGS. 7 and 12).
[0225] Accordingly, the pressure exerted by cap 52, 52' of opening
device 3, 3' against rear panel 7, 7' of a first package 1, 1' is
dramatically reduced. As a consequence, also the risk that the cap
52, 52' of the opening device 3, 3' comes off as a result of the
above-mentioned pressure is dramatically reduced.
[0226] Furthermore, rear panels 7, 7' of packages 1, 1' which
contact the inner wall of the box are substantially prevented to
exert a pressure against such inner wall.
[0227] Accordingly, also the risk of damaging packages 1, 1' within
box is dramatically reduced.
[0228] In case that packages 1, 1' with opening device 3, 3'
applied thereon form a queue on a conveyor, packages 1, 1' are
substantially prevented from leaning with respect to one
another.
[0229] In this way, even if a queue is particularly long, there is
no risk that some packages 1, 1' fall over onto the conveyor.
[0230] Due to the fact that panels 9 are concave, package 1, 1' is
particularly advantageous.
[0231] As a matter of fact, panels 9 create a space between
packages 2 place side by side with respective panels 9 arranged
side by side. This is effective in preventing mildew in
shrink-wrapped multipack and/or in very difficult ambient
conditions.
[0232] Furthermore, thanks to the presence of panels 9, it is much
easier to detect if the pourable product has been fermented. In
such a case, an internal pressure will press out panels 9 easily,
making detection with available apparatus easily conducted.
Furthermore, panels 9 could lose their concavity if air (or another
gas) leaks into package 1, 1', through an untight sealing, or a
micro-crack. In this case, this leakage may be easily detected and
the package 1, 1' may be so discarded. In both the above cases,
concave panels 9 create a small vacuum pressure inside package 1,
1', which is used for the above visualizations.
[0233] Finally, if edges 18a, 18b are curved, they work like an
arch-type reinformencent and are, therefore, able to contrast a
force exerted from an adjacent package 1'.
[0234] Package 1' reaches all the above-identified advantages, even
when it is fitted with an opening device 3' which extends a
considerable distance outside of front panel 8.
[0235] As a matter of fact, not only front panel 8 of package 1'
extends on the opposite side of plane P with respect to rear panel
7', but also rear panel 7' of package 1' extends on the opposite
side of plane T' with respect to front panel 8.
[0236] In this way, as shown in FIG. 12, the gap available for cap
52' of opening device 3' substantially equals the sum of: [0237]
the distance between segment S and plane P of relative package 1';
and [0238] the distance between segment V' and plane T' of
following package 1'.
[0239] It is important to mention that all the above-mentioned
advantages are reached by the present invention without changing
the quadrangular shape of package 1, 1', i.e. by a package 1, 1'
which has two quadrangular bottom and top panel 6, 5 and four
panels--front panel 8, rear panel 7, 7' and two panels
9--interposed therebetween.
[0240] Clearly, changes may be made to packaging material 2, 2' and
the package 1, 1' as described and illustrated herein without,
however, departing from the scope defined in the accompanying
claims.
[0241] In particular, only the portion of front panel 8 adjacent to
edge 15 could extend on the opposite side of plane P with respect
to rear panel 7. In a completely analogous way, only the portion of
rear panel 7' adjacent to edge 16 could extend on the opposite side
of plane T' with respect front panel 8.
[0242] Furthermore, second ends 124, 125 may coincide with end
points 101, 103. In this case, crease lines 120, 121 extend between
relative end points 100, 102 and relative end points 101, 103.
[0243] In a completely analogous way, second ends of crease lines
182', 183' may coincide with end points 188', 190'.
[0244] Edges 18a, 18b, 19, 20 and crease lines 120, 121, 182', 183'
may not be parabolic. For example, edges 18a, 18b, 19, 20 and
crease lines 120, 121, 182', 183' may be shaped as a series of
straight segments joined to one another and inclined with respect
to one another.
[0245] Finally, the longitudinal seal of package 1, 1' may extend
along a panel other than rear panel 7, 7'.
* * * * *