U.S. patent application number 15/107795 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-10 for sealed package for pourable food products and a basic unit of sheet 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, Roberto DE PIETRI TONELLI, Davide MORCIANO, Stefania PERTUSI.
Application Number | 20160325872 15/107795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49885063 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160325872 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BARBIERI; Marcello ; et
al. |
November 10, 2016 |
SEALED PACKAGE FOR POURABLE FOOD PRODUCTS AND A BASIC UNIT OF SHEET
PACKAGING MATERIAL FOR PRODUCING SEALED PACKAGES FOR POURABLE FOOD
PRODUCTS
Abstract
There is described a sealed package for pourable food product,
comprising: a first wall, which is adapted to define, in a normal
use position, a bottom wall of package, and which comprises a
plurality of boundary first edges defining a first plane; a second
wall, which is opposite to first wall, comprises a second edge and
a third edge opposite to each other, and is adapted to define, in
the normal use position, a top wall of package; second edge and
third edge define a second plane, which is angled with respect to
first plane for a first angle smaller than 90 degrees; the first
angle ranges between 1 and 7 degrees.
Inventors: |
BARBIERI; Marcello; (Modena,
IT) ; DE PIETRI TONELLI; Roberto; (Formigine, IT)
; MORCIANO; Davide; (Modena, IT) ; PERTUSI;
Stefania; (Sant'Agata Bolognese, IT) |
|
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: |
49885063 |
Appl. No.: |
15/107795 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
November 25, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/075468 |
371 Date: |
June 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4266 20130101;
B65D 5/064 20130101; B65D 2231/022 20130101; B65D 77/10 20130101;
B65D 5/029 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/06 20060101
B65D005/06; B65D 5/42 20060101 B65D005/42; B65D 77/10 20060101
B65D077/10; B65D 5/02 20060101 B65D005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2013 |
EP |
13199496.4 |
Claims
1. A sealed package for pourable food product, comprising: a first
wall, which is adapted to define, in a normal use position, a
bottom wall of said package, and which comprises a plurality of
boundary first edges defining a first plane; and a second wall,
which is opposite to said first wall, comprises a second edge and a
third edge opposite to each other, and is adapted to define, in
said normal use position, a top wall of said package; said second
edge and said third edge defining a second plane, which is angled
with respect to said first plane for a first angle smaller than 90
degrees; wherein said first angle ranges between 1 and 7
degrees.
2. The sealed package of claim 1, wherein said angle ranges between
3 and 5 degrees.
3. The sealed package of claim 1, comprising: a third wall, which
extends between said first wall and said second wall, and is
bounded by said second edge; a fourth wall, which extends between
said first wall and said second wall, is opposite to said third
wall, and is bounded by said third edge; said third wall having a
first height measured orthogonally to said first plane; said fourth
wall having a second height measured orthogonally to said first
plane; said first height being greater than said second height.
4. The sealed package of claim 3, wherein said second wall defines
a closed hole; said hole being closer to said second edge than to
said third edge.
5. The sealed package of claim 3, comprising a first sealing band,
which is folded, at least partially, on said second wall, and forms
a tab bounded by a fourth free edge and by a bend line formed at
the base of said first sealing band; said bend line and said fourth
free edge being opposite to one another; said first sealing band
being folded on the side of said third edge, so that said fourth
free edge is interposed between said bend line (40) and said third
edge.
6. The sealed package of claim 5, wherein said fourth free edge and
said second edge define a third plane which is angled with respect
to said first plane for a second angle smaller than said first
angle.
7. The sealed package of claim 6, wherein said third plane is
parallel to said first plane.
8. The sealed package of claim 3, comprising a second sealing band,
which extends transversally to said first sealing band along said
fourth wall, so as to leave free said third wall from any sealing
band.
9. A sealed package for pourable food product, comprising: a first
wall, which is adapted to define, in a normal use position, a
bottom wall of said package, and which comprises a plurality of
boundary first edges defining a first plane; and a second wall,
which is opposite to said first wall, comprises a second edge and a
third edge opposite to each other, and is adapted to define, in
said normal use position, a top wall of said package; a first
distance of said second edge from said first plane being greater
than a second distance of said third edge from said first plane;
said package further comprising a sealing band, which is folded, at
least partially, on said second wall, and forms a tab bounded by a
fourth free edge and by a bend line formed at the base of said
first sealing band; said bend line and said fourth free edge being
opposite to one another; wherein said first sealing band is folded
on the side of said third edge, so that said fourth free edge is
interposed between said bend line and said third edge.
10. A basic unit of a sheet packaging material for producing a
sealed package of a pourable food product, comprising: at least one
first crease line, which is adapted to define first edges of a top
first wall of said finished package once said basic unit has been
folded; at least one straight second crease line, which is adapted
to define second edges of a bottom second wall, opposite to said
first wall, of said finished package once said basic unit has been
folded; a first panel, which is adapted to define at least a
portion of said top first wall of said finished package once said
basic unit has been folded; and at least one second panel, which is
arranged on the opposite side of said first panel with respect to
said first crease line, and is adapted to define a lateral third
wall, interposed between said top first wall and said bottom second
wall of said finished package once said basic unit has been folded;
said first crease line comprising, in turn: a first segment, which
bounds said first panel and is adapted to define one of said first
edges of said finished package once said basic unit has been
folded; and at least one second segment, which is adjacent and
consecutive to said first segment, bounds said second panel and is
adapted to define another one of said first edges once said basic
unit has been folded; said first segment and second segment being
angled at an angle smaller than 90 degrees; wherein said angle
ranges between 1 and 7 degrees.
11. The basic unit of claim 10, wherein said angle ranges between 3
and 5 degrees.
12. The basic unit of claim 10, wherein said second segment
diverges from said second crease line, starting from said first
segment and proceeding along said first crease line.
13. The basic unit of claim 12, comprising: a third panel arranged
on the same side of said first panel with respect to said first
crease line and adapted to define an additional portion of said top
first wall of said package, once said basic unit has been folded;
and a closed third crease line arranged inside said third panel and
adapted to define a boundary for a hole of said package; said first
crease line comprising a third segment, which bounds said third
panel and is arranged on the opposite side of said second segment
relative to said first segment.
14. The basic unit of claim 10, wherein said second segment
converges towards said second crease line, starting from said first
segment and proceeding along said first crease line.
15. The basic unit of claim 14, comprising a closed third crease
line, which is arranged inside said first panel and is adapted to
define a boundary for a hole of said package and intended to be
perforated by a straw.
16. The basic unit of claim 10, comprising a pair of said second
panels, which are arranged on respective lateral sides of said
first panel and are adapted to define respective lateral second
walls of said finished package, once said basic unit has been
folded; said first crease line comprising a pair of second
segments, which bound respective said second panels, extend on
opposite lateral sides of said first segment and are adapted to
define respective first edges, once said basic unit has been
folded.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a sealed package for
pourable food products.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a basic unit of sheet
packaging material for producing sealed packages for pourable food
products.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] More precisely, the tube is sealed longitudinally and
transversally to its own axis.
[0008] Pillow packs are so obtained, which have a longitudinal
sealing band and a pair of top and bottom transversal sealing
bands.
[0009] 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).
[0010] A parallelepiped package is known which comprises: [0011] a
rectangular bottom wall which is crossed by the bottom transversal
sealing band; [0012] a rectangular top wall, which is crossed by
the top transversal sealing band; [0013] a rear wall which extends
between corresponding first edges of top and bottom walls; [0014] a
front wall which is opposite to the rear wall and extends between
corresponding second edges, opposite to first edges, of top and
bottom walls; and [0015] a pair of lateral walls interposed between
bottom and top walls, and between rear and front walls.
[0016] In greater detail, the top transversal sealing band extends
beyond the top wall of the package into respective flat,
substantially triangular top flaps of packaging material folded
coplanar with and onto respective lateral wall as of top wall.
[0017] The top transversal sealing band also forms, lengthwise, a
rectangular top tab, which comprises a free edge and is folded onto
top wall along a bend line formed at the base of the same tab.
[0018] The longitudinal sealing band extends perpendicularly
between the transversal sealing bands and along the centerline of
the rear wall.
[0019] Furthermore, the rear and the front walls are parallel to
one another, the lateral walls are parallel to one another, and the
lateral walls are orthogonal to both the rear and the front
walls.
Parallelepiped packages are known, which have a hole for a straw on
the top wall and which are completely filled with the pourable
product, i.e. with the pourable product in contact with the inner
side of the top wall.
[0020] On one hand, those parallelepiped packages are not optimally
stackable one on the other, i.e. with the bottom wall of the top
package resting on the top wall of the bottom package.
[0021] As a matter of fact, the rectangular top tab upwardly
protrudes from the top wall, thus rendering the latter not
perfectly flat.
[0022] On the other hand, when the user perforates the hole with
the straw and exerts an action with his/her fingers on the lateral
walls, the level of the pourable product at first decreases and
then reaches the perforated hole due to the action of the fingers
of the user. As a consequence, the pourable product leaks from the
perforated hole on the top wall of the package.
[0023] This is due to the fact that the sealed packages are formed
by folding a corresponding basic unit of sheet packaging material
along a plurality of crease lines. The volume of each package is
slightly less than the theoretical volumes, which is defined by the
corresponding basic unit, so that the forming and sealing of the
package slightly compresses the packaging material thereof.
Accordingly, when the user perforates the holes with the straws,
the inner volume of the packages increases up to the theoretical
volume, thus causing a decrease in the level of the pourable
product. The action of the fingers of the user causes the
subsequent increase in this value, up to the level of the hole.
[0024] A need is felt within the industry to improve the vertical
stackability of the known parallelepiped packages.
[0025] Furthermore, a need is felt to reduce the risk of leakage of
the pourable product from the perforated hole for a given action
exerted by the user.
[0026] Furthermore, packages are known, for example from
EP-A-2392517 or EP-A-1332969 in the name of the same Applicant, in
which the top wall is slanted with respect to the bottom wall and
is descending from the relative first edge to the relative second
edge.
[0027] In both the above-identified packages, the top wall
comprises: [0028] a first area, which accommodates an opening
device and is bounded, on opposite sides, by the second edge and
the transversal seal; and [0029] a second area, which is bounded,
on opposite sides, by the first edge and the transversal seal.
[0030] Due to the fact that the top wall is slanted with respect to
the bottom wall, the extension of the first area is increased with
respect to the parallelepiped packages, in which the top wall is
parallel to the bottom wall.
[0031] Accordingly, the above-identified known packages allow the
fitting of greater opening device in the first area.
[0032] Furthermore, in the packages known from EP-A-2392517 or
EP-A-1332969, the sealing band is folded on the top wall on the
side of the first edge, i.e. the higher edge of the package.
[0033] A drawback of the above-identified known packages is that
they cannot be vertically stacked one on the other, i.e. with the
bottom wall of a top package resting on the top wall of a bottom
package.
[0034] This is because the angle existing between the top wall and
the bottom wall is more than 20 degrees, thus causing the slipping,
under gravity action, of the top package on the bottom package.
[0035] Furthermore, in the packages known from EP-A-2392517 or
EP-A-1332969, the height of the rear wall is greater than the
height of the front wall.
[0036] In other words, the taller wall, i.e. the rear wall, is
crossed by the longitudinal sealing band whereas the smaller wall,
i.e. the front wall, is free from that longitudinal sealing
band.
[0037] In the point of sales, packages are stored with the wall
free from the longitudinal sealing line on the side of the
potential customers.
[0038] Accordingly, in the known solution, the potential customers
are presented with the smaller wall, thus dramatically reducing the
visual impression of the packages in the point of sales.
[0039] A need is felt to present the potential customers with the
larger wall, so as to increase as far as possible the visual
impression of the packages in the point of sales.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0040] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages
for pourable food products, which meets at least one of the
above-identified needs.
[0041] According to the present invention, there is provided a
sealed package for pourable food products, as claimed in claim
1.
[0042] The present invention also relates to a sealed package for
pourable food products, as claimed in claim 9.
[0043] The present invention also relates to a basic unit of sheet
packaging material for producing sealed packages for pourable food
products, as claimed in claim 10.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] Two preferred, non-limiting embodiments of the present
invention will be described by way of example with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealed package according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 2 shows two packages of FIG. 1 vertically stacked one
on the other;
[0047] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the package of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0048] FIG. 4 is a bottom view, with parts removed for clarity, of
the package of FIGS. 1 and 3;
[0049] FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the package of FIGS. 1 to 4;
[0050] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a first embodiment of a basic unit of
sheet packaging material according to the present invention and
adapted, once folded, to form the sealed packages of FIGS. 1 to
4;
[0051] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sealed package according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 9 shows two packages of FIG. 8 vertically stacked one
on the other;
[0053] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the package of FIGS. 8 and 9;
[0054] FIG. 11 is a bottom view, with parts removed for clarity, of
the package of FIGS. 8 to 10; and
[0055] FIG. 12 is a second embodiment of a basic unit of sheet
packaging material according to the present invention and adapted,
once folded, to form the sealed packages of FIGS. 8 to 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0056] Number 1 in FIGS. 1 to 5 indicates as a whole a sealed
package for pourable food products, which is made of multilayer
sheet packaging material 2 (shown in FIG. 6).
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] 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.
[0060] Normally, layers of heat-seal plastic material are laminated
on the base layer in a melted state, with successive cooling.
[0061] 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.
[0062] Package 1 has preferably a volume between 80 ml and 375
ml.
[0063] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, package 1 comprises: [0064]
a quadrilateral (in the example shown, rectangular or square) top
wall 5; [0065] a quadrilateral (in this case, rectangular or
square) bottom wall 6, which is opposite to top panel 5; [0066] a
flat wall 7, which extends between top panel 5 and bottom panel 6;
[0067] a flat wall 8, which extends between top panel 5 and bottom
panel 6, and is opposite to wall 7; and [0068] two lateral walls 9
opposite to each other, and which extend between top wall 5 and
bottom wall 6, and between walls 7, 8.
[0069] Bottom wall 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.
[0070] Top wall 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.
[0071] Top wall 5 also comprises two edges 17, which extend between
edges 15, 16 and are parallel to one another.
[0072] Edges 17 are arranged over respective edges 12.
[0073] Wall 7 extends between edges 11, 16 and comprises two
vertical opposite edges 18, which are parallel to one another and
extend between edges 11, 16.
[0074] Wall 8 extends between edges 10, 15 and comprises two
vertical opposite edges 19, which extend between edges 10, 15.
[0075] Each lateral wall 9 is bounded by edges 12, 17, by a
relative edge 18, and by a relative edge 19.
[0076] Package 1 also comprises a top transversal sealing band 21
(FIG. 1) and a bottom transversal sealing band 25 (FIG. 4), which
extends across respective top and bottom walls 5, 6.
[0077] Sealing band 21 divides top wall 5 into two portions 22, 23,
one (22) of which is adjacent to front wall 8 and bounded by edge
15. The other portion (23), adjacent to rear panel 7 and bounded by
edge 16, comprises along the centerline, a top end portion of a
flat longitudinal sealing band 24 of package 1 (FIG. 4).
[0078] More specifically, longitudinal sealing band 24 extends
perpendicularly between transversal top and bottom sealing bands
21, 25, and, in the embodiment shown, substantially along the
centerline of wall 7.
[0079] Top transversal sealing band 21 extends beyond top wall 5 of
package 1 into respective flat, substantially triangular lateral
top flaps 26 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) of
packaging material folded coplanar with and onto respective lateral
walls 9 as of top wall 5.
[0080] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, top transversal sealing
band 21 also forms, lengthwise, a rectangular flat top tab 29
projecting from portions 22, 23 and from lateral top flaps 26 and
folded onto wall 5 along a bend line 40 formed at the base of tab
29.
[0081] Tab 29 is bounded, on the opposite side of bend line 40, by
a free edge 41.
[0082] In the points of sales, wall 8 free of longitudinal sealing
band 24 is positioned on the side of the potential customers and
is, therefore, commonly regarded as the front wall of package
1.
[0083] On the contrary, wall 7 is positioned on the opposite side
of the potential customers and is, therefore, commonly regarded as
the back wall of package 1.
[0084] With reference to FIG. 4, bottom transversal sealing band 25
divides bottom wall 6 into two portions 27, 28.
[0085] Portion 27 is adjacent to wall 7, is bound by edge and
comprises along the centerline a bottom end portion of longitudinal
sealing band 24.
[0086] Portion 28 is adjacent to wall 8 and is bound by edge
10.
[0087] Bottom transversal sealing band 25 comprises (FIG. 4) a main
portion 30 and a pair of end portions 31, which are arranged on
opposite lateral sides of portion 30.
[0088] Portion 30 is folded onto wall 6 while portions 31 form two
respective flat, substantially triangular lateral bottom flaps 32
of packaging material folded over portion 30.
[0089] Furthermore, bottom transversal sealing band 25 also forms,
lengthwise, a flat rectangular bottom tab 33 projecting from
portions 27, 28 and which extends into bottom flaps 32. Tab 33
comprises, in turn, a main portion folded over bottom wall 8 and a
pair of lateral portions folded onto the main portion of tab 33
itself along a bend line formed at the base of tab 33.
[0090] Edges 15, 16 of top wall 5 define a plane P.
[0091] Edges 10, 11, 12 of bottom wall 6 define a plane Q, in use,
horizontal and onto which package 1 normally rests, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 5.
[0092] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, plane P is angled with
respect to plane Q for an angle .alpha. smaller than 90
degrees.
[0093] Advantageously, angle .alpha. ranges between 1 and 7 degrees
(FIG. 5).
[0094] Still more precisely, angle .alpha. ranges between 3 and 5
degrees.
[0095] In greater detail, edge 16 is at first distance H1 from edge
11 measured orthogonally to plane Q while edge 15 is at a second
distance H2 from edge 10 measured orthogonally to plane Q.
[0096] First distance H1 is greater than second distance H2.
[0097] As a result, the height of wall 7 is higher than the height
of wall 8.
[0098] Advantageously, tab 29 is folded on the side of edge 15,
i.e. on portion 22 and on the side of wall 8, so that edge 41 is
interposed between bend-line 40 and edge 15 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5).
[0099] In this way, thanks to the thickness of the bottom
transversal sealing band 25, edge 41 and edge 16 define a plane R,
as shown in FIG. 5.
[0100] Plane R is angled relative to plane Q for an angle smaller
than angle .alpha..
[0101] In the embodiment shown, plane R and plane Q are parallel to
one another.
[0102] In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, a further top package 1a
can be stacked on a bottom package 1, with its wall 6a resting on
edges 16, 41 of wall 5 of bottom package 1.
[0103] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, top end of longitudinal
sealing band 24 divides portion 23 in two areas 23a, 23b.
[0104] Package 1 also comprises a closed hole 45, circular in the
embodiment shown, from which the base layer has been removed.
[0105] Hole 45 is adapted to be perforated by a not-shown straw, so
as to allow a user to drink the pourable product contained in
package 1.
[0106] In the embodiment shown, hole 45 is arranged in area
23a.
[0107] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, package 1 does not
comprise any opening device fitted on wall 5.
[0108] Letter M in FIGS. 6 and 7 indicate 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.
[0109] 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: [0110] folded into a cylinder to form a vertical tube having
constant circumference; [0111] filled continuously with the food
product; and [0112] sealed transversely and cut into basic units M,
which are then folded to form respective packages 1.
[0113] The theoretical volume defined by basic unit M is greater
than the volume of sealed package 1. As a result, the packaging
material of sealed package 1 is slightly compressed.
[0114] Crease pattern 60 substantially comprises: [0115] a
transversal crease line 67 for forming edges 10, 11, 12 of finished
package 1; [0116] a transversal crease line 63 for forming edges
15, 16, 17 of finished package 1; and [0117] a pair of transversal
crease lines 61, 62 for allowing the folding of top transversal
sealing band 21 and of the bottom transversal sealing band 25.
[0118] Crease lines 67, 61, 62 are straight, i.e. they do not have
any angles.
[0119] Crease lines 67, 61, 62 are parallel to one another.
[0120] Crease lines 63, 67 are interposed between crease lines 61,
62.
[0121] Crease pattern 60 comprises: [0122] a pair of longitudinal
crease lines 65, 66 parallel to each other; [0123] a pair of
longitudinal crease lines 68, 69 parallel to each other and
interposed between crease lines 65, 66; [0124] a pair of
longitudinal end edges 64, 57 opposite to each other; and [0125] an
edge area 59 bounded by edge 64 and a longitudinal crease line 58,
and which is intended to be sealed on opposite edge 57 of basic
unit M to form a cylinder.
[0126] In detail, crease lines 58, 65, 68, 69, 66 and edges 64, 57
are parallel to each other and orthogonal to crease lines 67, 61,
62.
[0127] Crease lines 65, 66 are interposed between crease line 58
and edge 57.
[0128] Crease pattern 60 also comprises (FIG. 6): [0129] a
rectangular end area 78, which is bounded by crease line 61 and by
a transversal end edge 77 of basic unit M on the opposite side of
crease line 61; and [0130] a rectangular end area 79, which is
bounded by crease line 62 and by a further transversal end edge,
opposite to edge 77, of basic unit M on the opposite side of crease
line 62.
[0131] End area 78 is adapted to form top tab 29 and end area 79 is
adapted to form bottom tab 33 of finished package 1, once basic
unit M has been folded.
[0132] When package 1 is formed by a tube of packaging material 2,
end edge 77 and further transversal end edge are formed by the
transversal cutting of the tube.
[0133] Crease line 61 is adapted to form bend line 40 of top tab 29
and edge 77 is adapted to form edge 41 of tab 29 of finished
package 1.
[0134] Crease line 61 intersects crease lines 58, 65, 68, 69, 66
and end edge 57 respectively at intersection points 80, 81, 82, 83,
84, 85.
[0135] Crease line 63 intersects crease lines 58, 65, 68, 69, 66
and end edge 57 respectively at intersection points 90, 91, 92, 93,
94, 95.
[0136] Crease line 67 intersects crease lines 58, 65, 68, 69, 66
and end edge 57 respectively at intersection points 100, 101, 102,
103, 104, 105.
[0137] Crease line 62 intersects crease lines 58, 65, 68, 69, 66
and end edge 57 respectively at intersection points 110, 111, 112,
113, 114, 115.
[0138] Pattern 60 comprises (FIG. 7): [0139] a panel 150, which is
bounded by points 92, 93, 102, 103 and is adapted to define wall 8
of the finished package 1, once basic unit M has been folded;
[0140] a pair of panels 151 arranged on opposite sides of panel
150, one of which is defined by points 91, 92, 101, 102 and the
other one of which is defined by points 93, 94, 103, 104, and
adapted to define lateral walls 9 of the finished package 1; and
[0141] a pair of panels 152 arranged on opposite sides of panels
151 relative to panel 150, one of which is defined by points 90,
91, 100, 101 and the other one of which is defined by points 94,
95, 104, 105, and adapted to define rear wall 7 of finished package
1, once basic unit M has been folded and edge area 59 has been
sealed on edge 57.
[0142] Pattern 60 also comprises (FIG. 7): [0143] a rectangular
panel 153 defined by points 82, 83, 92, 93, and adapted to define
portion 22 of top wall 5; [0144] a pair of rectangular panels 154
arranged on opposite lateral sides of panel 153, defined
respectively by points 80, 81, 90, 91 and 84, 85, 94, 95 and
adapted to define portion 23 of top wall 5 of finished package 1;
[0145] a rectangular panel 155 defined by points 102, 103, 112,
113, and adapted to define portion 28 of bottom wall 6; and [0146]
a pair of rectangular panels 156 arranged on opposite lateral sides
of panel 155, defined respectively by points 100, 101, 110, 111 and
104, 105, 114 and 115, and adapted to define portion 27 of bottom
wall 6.
[0147] Pattern 60 further comprises (FIG. 6): [0148] a pair of
crease lines 70, 71 (72, 73), which extend each between a
respective point 91, 92 (93, 94) and a common point 86 (87) on
crease line 61 and in position interposed between points 81, 82
(83, 84); and [0149] a pair of crease lines 74, 75 (76, 77), which
extend each between a respective point 101, 102 (103, 104) and a
common point 116 (117) on crease line 62 and in position interposed
between points 111, 112 (113, 114).
[0150] Crease lines 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 are sloped with
respect to crease lines 61, 67, 63, 62, edges 64, 57 and crease
lines 65, 68, 69, 66, 60.
[0151] Thanks to the presence of crease lines 70, 71, 72, 73, 74,
75, 76, 77, pattern 60 comprises (FIG. 7): [0152] a pair of top
triangular panels 160, 161 defined by points 86, 91, 92 and points
87, 93, 94, and arranged on respective opposite sides of panel 153;
[0153] a triangular panel 162 transversally interposed between
panel 160 and panel 154, and defined by points 91, 81, 86; [0154] a
triangular panel 163 transversally interposed between panel 160 and
panel 153, and defined by points 82, 86, 92: [0155] a triangular
panel 164 transversally interposed between panel 161 and panel 153,
and defined by points 83, 87, 93; and [0156] a triangular panel 165
transversally interposed between panel 161 and panel 154, and
defined by points 84, 87, 94.
[0157] Once basic unit M has been folded to form finished package
1, panels 163, 162 and 160 form one top flap 26 while panels 165,
161, 164 form other top flap 26.
[0158] Still more precisely, panels 160, 161 define inner surfaces
of respective top flaps 26 superimposed on the upper portion of
respective lateral walls 9 while panels 162, 163 and 164, 165
define outer surfaces of respective top flaps 26 with respect to
lateral walls 9 of finished package 1.
[0159] Furthermore, pattern 60 comprises (FIGS. 6 and 7): [0160] a
pair of bottom triangular panels 170, 171 defined by points 101,
102, 116 and points 103, 104, 117; [0161] a triangular panel 172
interposed between panel 170 and panel 156, and defined by points
101, 111, 116; [0162] a triangular panel 173 interposed between
panel 170 and panel 155, and defined by points 102, 112, 116;
[0163] a triangular panel 174 interposed between panel 171 and
panel 155, and defined by points 103, 113, 117; and [0164] a
triangular panel 175 interposed between panel 171 and panel 156,
and defined by points 104, 117, 114.
[0165] Once basic unit M has been folded to form finished package
1, panels 173, 172 and 170 form one bottom flap 32 while panels
175, 171, 174 form other bottom flap 32.
[0166] Still more precisely, panels 172, 173 and 174, 175 define
inner surfaces of respective bottom flaps 32 superimposed on
respective bottom walls 6 while panels 170, 171 define outer
surfaces of respective flaps 32 with respect to bottom walls 6 of
finished package 1.
[0167] Crease line 63 comprises, in turn, (FIG. 7): [0168] a
segment 200, which extends between points 92, 93 and is adapted to
define edge 15 of the finished package 1; [0169] a pair of segments
201, which are consecutive to and are arranged on opposite lateral
sides of segment 200, extend respectively between points 91, 92;
93, 94, and are adapted to define edges 17 of finished package 1;
and [0170] a pair of segments 202, which are consecutive to
respective segments 201 and are arranged on opposite lateral sides
of segments 201 with respect to segment 200, extend respectively
between points 90, 91; 93, 94 and are adapted to define edge 16 of
finished package 1.
[0171] Each segment 201 is advantageously angled relative to
segment 200 for an angle .beta. smaller than 90 degrees and ranging
between 1 and 7 degrees.
[0172] In this way, plane P of finished package 1 is angled
relative to plane Q defined by wall 5 once basic unit M has been
folded
[0173] More precisely, each angle .beta. ranges, in the embodiment
shown, between 3 and 5 degrees.
[0174] Once basic unit M has been folded to form finished package
1, each angle .beta. form a relative angle .alpha..
[0175] Furthermore, segments 201 diverge from crease line 67,
proceeding from segment 200 towards respective segments 202.
[0176] In other words, the distance between the points of each
segment 201 and crease line 67 is increasing, proceeding from
points 92, 93 towards respective points 91, 94.
[0177] Crease pattern 60 also comprises a closed, circular in the
embodiment shown, line 190, which is arranged inside panel 154
bounded by crease lines 58, 65, and defines a closed area 191 from
which the paper layer has been removed.
[0178] Area 191 is adapted to define hole 45, once basic unit M has
been folded to from finished package 1.
[0179] Crease line 67 is straight, i.e. with no angles, and defines
edges 10, 11, 12 of wall 6.
[0180] Crease line 67 lies on plane Q, once basic unit M of
packaging material 2 has been folded to form finished package
1.
[0181] In greater detail, crease line 67 comprises (FIG. 7): [0182]
a segment 210, which extends between points 102, 103 and is adapted
to define edge 10 of finished package 1; [0183] a pair of segments
211, which are consecutive to and are arranged on opposite lateral
sides of segment 210, extend respectively between points 101, 102
and 103, 104, and are adapted to define respective edges 12 of
finished package 1; and [0184] a pair of segments 212, which are
consecutive to respective segments 211 and are arranged on opposite
lateral sides of segment 211 with respect to segment 210, and are
adapted to define edge 11 of finished package 1.
[0185] The distance between segments 200, 210 equals height H2
while the distance between segments 202, 212 equals height H1,
which is greater than height H2.
[0186] As a result, panel 150 has an area smaller than the sum of
areas of panel 152.
[0187] Finally, crease lines 65, 66 define respective segments
which extend between points 91, 101; 94; 104 and are adapted to
define edges 18 of finished package 1, once basic unit M has been
folded to form it.
[0188] Crease lines 68, 69 define respective segments which extends
between points 92, 102; 93, 103 and are adapted to define edges 19
of finished package 1, once basic unit M has been folded to form
it.
[0189] In use, package 1 is positioned, in the points of sales,
with wall 8 having smaller height H2 in front of the potential
customers.
[0190] Furthermore, packages 1 can be vertically stacked one on the
other, as shown in FIG. 2, with wall 6a of top package 1a resting
on edge 16 of wall 5 of bottom package 1 and on free edge 41 of tab
29.
[0191] In order to drink the pourable product contained in package
1, the user keeps walls 7, 8, 9 with his/her fingers and perforates
hole 45 with a straw (not-shown).
[0192] When the user perforates hole 45 with packages 1 gripped
between his/her fingers, the level of the pourable product at first
decreases due to the fact the package 1, 1' returns to the
theoretical volume defined by basic unit M and then increases, but
remains slightly spaced from hole 45 at least if the load exerted
on the walls 7, 8, 9 is not excessive.
[0193] Number 1' in FIGS. 8 to 11 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.
[0194] Sealed package 1' differs from sealed package 1 in that
longitudinal sealing band 24' extends along the centerline of
portion 22' of wall 5, of portion 28 of wall 6, and substantially
along the centerline of smaller wall 8'.
[0195] As a result, taller wall 7' is free from longitudinal
sealing band 24.
[0196] Accordingly, in the points of sales, smaller wall 8' of
height H2 defines a rear wall of packages 1' positioned on the
opposite side of the potential customers. On the contrary, taller
wall 7' of height H1 defines, in the point of sales, a front wall
of package 1' which is on the side of potential customers.
[0197] Furthermore, sealed package 1' differs from sealed package 1
in that hole 45' is arranged in the centerline of portion 23' of
wall 6.
[0198] Finally, sealed package 1' differs from sealed package 1 in
that top end of longitudinal sealing band 24' divides portion 22'
in two areas 22a', 22b'.
[0199] Letter M' in FIG. 12 indicates a second embodiment of a
basic unit of packaging material 2', by which to produce package
1'; basic units M, M' of packaging material 2, 2' 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.
[0200] Basic unit M' differs from basic unit M in that segments
201' converge towards crease line 67, proceeding from segment 200
towards respective segment 202.
[0201] In other words, the distance between the points of each
segment 201' and crease line 67 is decreasing, proceeding from
points 92, 93 towards respective points 91, 94.
[0202] Furthermore, basic unit M' differs from basic unit M in that
the distance between segments 200, 210 equals height H1 while the
distance between segments 202, 212 equals height H2 smaller than
height H1.
[0203] In this way, panel 150 has an area greater than the sum of
the areas of panels 152.
[0204] Finally, basic unit M' differs from basic unit M in that
area 191' is arranged inside panel 153 and, in the embodiment
shown, in a central position inside panel 153.
[0205] The advantages of packages 1, 1' and sheet packaging
material 2, 2' according to the present invention will be clear
from the above description.
[0206] In particular, plane P defined by edges 15, 16 of wall 5 is
angled with respect to plane Q defined by wall 6 by angle .alpha.
ranging between 1 and 7 degrees.
[0207] Accordingly, packages 1, 1' are stackable one on the other
(as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9) more efficiently than the known
parallelepiped packages described in the introductory part of the
present description.
[0208] As a matter of fact, the inclination of plane P is recovered
by the thickness of tab 29, thus containing any risk of sliding
between packages 1, 1' stacked one on the other.
[0209] Furthermore, the Applicant has found that due to these
values of angle .alpha., the load on walls 7, 8, 9; 7', 8', 9
required to generate the leakage of the pourable product from the
boundary of perforated hole 45; 45' is increased with respect to
the known parallelepiped packages described in the introductory
part of the present description.
[0210] In other words, the risk of leakage of the pourable product,
when the straw has perforated hole 45, 45' and a given load is
exerted by the user on walls 7, 8, 9; 7', 8', 9 is reduced with
respect to the known parallelepiped packages described in the
introductory part of the present description.
[0211] As a matter of fact, being plane P angled with respect to
plane Q, which is horizontal in use, the level of pourable product
inside package 1, 1' is slightly lower than the level of hole 45
perforated by the straw.
[0212] Accordingly, after hole 45 has been perforated by straw and
the user applies a given load onto walls 7, 8, 9; 7', 8', 9, the
level of pourable product inside packages 1, 1' at first decreases
due to the fact that packages 1, 1' returns to the greater original
volume and then increases due to the action of the user, but
remains slightly below the level of hole 45, thus reducing the risk
of leaking towards the contour of perforated hole 45, 45' engaged
by straw.
[0213] As a matter of fact, packages 1, 1', when sealed, define a
volume less than the geometrical volume defined by sheet packaging
material 2, 2'. This happens because the packaging material 2, 2'
forming package 1, 1' is slightly compressed when forming package
1, 1'.
[0214] In the end, angles .alpha. ranging between 1 and 7 degrees,
packages 1, 1' are, on one hand, stackable better than the known
parallelepiped packages and, on the other hand, less affected by
the leakage problem associated to these known parallelepiped
packages.
[0215] The Applicant has also found that the above-identified
advantages can be especially achieved by using angles .alpha.
ranging between 3 and 5 degrees.
[0216] Hole 45, 45' is closer to edge 16, which is at a greater
distance than edge 15 from plane Q. Accordingly, the risk that
pourable product leaks through the boundary of perforated hole 45,
45' is reduced also for even higher loads exerted by user onto
walls 7, 8, 9; 7', 8', 9.
[0217] Furthermore, tab 29 is folded on the side of edge 15, which
is closer to plane Q than edge 16.
[0218] In this way, due to the thickness of the packaging material,
free edge 41 of tab 29 and edge 16 define plane R which is less
angled than plane P with respect to plane Q and, in the embodiment
shown, substantially parallel to plane Q horizontal in use.
[0219] Accordingly, when two or more packages 1, 1' are vertically
stacked one on the other (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9), bottom wall 6
of top package 1, 1' can be firmly supported on edges 16, 41, even
if plane P is slightly angled relative to plane Q.
[0220] Wall 7' of packages 1' has height H1 greater than height H2
of wall 8' and is free from longitudinal band 24.
[0221] Accordingly, packages 1' can be stored in the point of sales
with larger wall 7' in front of the customers, thus increasing
their visual impression.
[0222] Segments 201 define with segments 200 angles 13, which range
between 1 and 7 degrees.
[0223] In this way, blanks M, M' of sheet packaging material 2, 2',
once folded, can form packages 1, 1', which have the previously
discussed advantages.
[0224] Clearly, changes may be made to package 1, 1' and blanks M,
M' of sheet packaging material 2, 2' as described and illustrated
herein without, however, departing from the scope defined in the
accompanying claims.
[0225] In particular, finished packages 1, 1' could comprise one or
more further walls interposed between wall 9 and wall 7, 7' or 8,
8'.
[0226] Furthermore, holes 45, 45' could be replaced by through
holes in the packaging material 2, 2', which are closed on the
inner side of package 1, 1' by tightness layer, e.g. polyethylene,
and on the outer side by a barrier layer.
[0227] The tightness layer and the barrier layer may be either
perforated by a straw or manually removed by the user.
* * * * *