U.S. patent application number 17/439093 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-19 for method for folding a packaging and packaging.
This patent application is currently assigned to JT International S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JT International S.A.. Invention is credited to Laura Grau, Pranav Kulkarni, Jurgen Kumpel.
Application Number | 20220153459 17/439093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220153459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kumpel; Jurgen ; et
al. |
May 19, 2022 |
Method for Folding a Packaging and Packaging
Abstract
A method includes folding a packaging from a single piece of
foldable material, wherein the foldable material includes a back
panel with adjacent back side panels, a rectangular top panel
adjacent to the back panel with adjacent square top side panels, a
lid panel adjacent to the top panel with adjacent lid side panels,
a rectangular bottom panel adjacent to the back panel with adjacent
polygonal bottom side panels and a front panel adjacent to the
bottom panel with adjacent front side panels, wherein all of the
panels are integral with each other in the single piece of foldable
material. The method includes: a) wrapping the packaged good in an
inner liner; b) placing an inner stiffener at at least two adjacent
sides of the wrapped packaged good; and c) folding the foldable
material around the inner stiffener and the wrapped packaged good
forming a packaging.
Inventors: |
Kumpel; Jurgen; (Konz,
DE) ; Grau; Laura; (Illingen, DE) ; Kulkarni;
Pranav; (Trier, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JT International S.A. |
Geneva |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
JT International S.A.
Geneva
CH
|
Appl. No.: |
17/439093 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
March 20, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/057869 |
371 Date: |
September 14, 2021 |
International
Class: |
B65B 11/00 20060101
B65B011/00; B65B 19/20 20060101 B65B019/20; B65D 85/10 20060101
B65D085/10; B65B 19/22 20060101 B65B019/22; B65B 43/10 20060101
B65B043/10; B65B 61/20 20060101 B65B061/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2019 |
EP |
19170016.0 |
Oct 4, 2019 |
EP |
19201539.4 |
Claims
1. A method for folding a packaging from a single piece of foldable
material for a packaged good, wherein the foldable material
comprises a rectangular back panel with adjacent rectangular left
and right back side panels, a rectangular top panel adjacent to the
back panel with adjacent square left and right top side panels, a
lid panel adjacent to the top panel with adjacent left and right
lid side panels, a rectangular bottom panel adjacent to the back
panel with adjacent polygonal left and right bottom side panels and
a front panel adjacent to the bottom panel with adjacent left and
right front side panels, wherein the back panel, the top panel, the
lid panel, the bottom panel, and the front panel and all of the
left and right back side panels, the left and right top side
panels, the left and right lid side panels, the left and right
bottom side panels, and the left and right front side panels are
integral with each other in said single piece of foldable material,
the method comprising the steps of: a) wrapping the packaged good
in an inner liner; b) placing an inner stiffener at at least two
adjacent sides of the wrapped packaged good; and c) folding the
foldable material around the inner stiffener and the wrapped
packaged good forming a packaging.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the inner stiffener is
placed at at least five adjacent sides of the wrapped packaged
good.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the inner stiffener is
affixed to the inner liner at least one fixation point.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: a fixation point of
the at least one fixation point is located on an upper part of a
front panel of the inner stiffener, a top panel of the inner
stiffener, a lower part of the front panel of the inner stiffener,
a bottom panel of the inner stiffener and/or at least one side
panel of the inner stiffener.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: at least one
additional fixation point is located between the foldable material
and inner stiffener.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein: the front panel of the
inner stiffener comprises a perforation between the upper part and
the lower part of the inner stiffener and at a first opening of the
assembled packaging the top panel and the upper part of the front
panel of the inner stiffener are simultaneously removable together
with an upper part of the inner liner.
7. A packaging of a foldable material comprising: a rectangular
front panel, a rectangular back panel, a rectangular bottom panel
and rectangular left and right at least double-layered side panels,
wherein the front panel, the back panel, the bottom panel, and the
left and right side panels all together surround an inner cavity of
the packaging, wherein the packaging further comprises a lid, which
is hingedly connected to the back panel and with which a top
opening of the packaging is closable, and four lower corners
arranged between a first edge of the front panel, a second edge of
the back panel, third edges of the left and right side panels and
all edges of the bottom panel, wherein the foldable material fully
encloses the inner cavity at the four lower corners and all edges
of the bottom panel in directions of the left and right side
panels, the front panel and the back panel without any through
holes, wherein the packaging further comprises an inner liner and
an inner stiffener comprising at least a front panel and a top
panel.
8. The packaging according to claim 7, wherein: the inner stiffener
further comprises a bottom panel and two side panels.
9. The packaging according to claim 7, wherein: the foldable
material has a thickness of at least 0.08 mm and/or a maximum
thickness of 0.3 mm.
10. The packaging according to claim 7, wherein: the foldable
material comprises a weight of at least 80 gsm and/or a maximum
weight of 240 gsm.
11. The packaging according to claim 7, wherein: the front panel of
the inner stiffener comprises a perforation line along which the
top panel and an upper part of the front panel of the inner
stiffener are separable from a lower part of the front panel of the
inner stiffener.
12. The packaging according to claim 7, wherein: the inner liner
and the inner stiffener are affixed to each other at at least one
fixation point.
13. The packaging according to claim 12, wherein: a fixation point
of the at least one fixation point is located on an upper part of
the front panel of the inner stiffener, the top panel of the inner
stiffener, a lower part of the front panel of the inner stiffener,
a bottom panel of the inner stiffener and/or at least one side
panel of the inner stiffener.
14. The packaging according to claim 13, wherein: at least one
additional fixation point is located between the inner stiffener
and the foldable material.
15. The packaging according to claim 14, wherein: a fixation point
of the at least one additional fixation point is arranged at the
lower part of the front panel of the inner stiffener, the bottom
panel of the inner stiffener and/or the side panels of the inner
stiffener.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a national phase entry under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 371 of International Application No.
PCT/EP2020/057869, filed Mar. 20, 2020, published in English, which
claims priority to European Application No. 19201539.4 filed Oct.
4, 2019 and European Application No. 19170016.0 filed Apr. 18,
2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a method for folding a packaging
from a single piece of foldable material, wherein the foldable
material comprises a rectangular back panel with adjacent
rectangular left and right back side panels, a rectangular top
panel adjacent to the back panel with adjacent square left and
right top side panels, a lid panel adjacent to the top panel with
adjacent left and right lid side panels, a rectangular bottom panel
adjacent to the back panel with adjacent polygonal left and right
bottom side panels and a front panel adjacent to the bottom panel
with adjacent left and right front side panels, wherein the
respective adjacent panel panels and all of the left and all of the
right side panels are integral with each other in said single piece
of foldable material.
[0003] Product packages, in particular smoking articles packages,
are often produced from a foldable piece of material. The foldable
material is then folded to form a container or box enclosing an
inner cavity. Such containers or boxes generally have the
disadvantage that before the foldable material can be folded into
the shape of the container or box, the foldable material has to be
cut into a bespoke blank shape according to the pack format and
shape. When cutting the foldable material, a certain amount of the
foldable material is wasted, as it is cut away. Then upon erection
of the pack through folding, substantial adhesive quantities are
required to ensure proper fastening and holding of certain panels
of the pack together in order to provide a three-dimensional
package exhibiting sufficient internal storage capacity and
mechanical resistance for commercialization.
[0004] Accordingly, a major disadvantage of current foldable
containers or boxes and packaging methods lies in material waste
and overall associated packaging costs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide a
method for folding a packaging, which minimizes waste of the raw
material and improves the packaging itself. It is furthermore an
objective of the invention to provide a method for folding a
packaging, which is easy to use, cost effective and easy to
integrate in a production site. Additionally, it is an objective of
the invention to provide a packaging, which can be produced in a
cost-effective way and minimizes waste and adhesive use.
[0006] All of the panels and left and right-side panels are
integral with each other in a single piece of foldable material.
This means, that all panels consist of the same single piece of
foldable material without any cutouts or cuts. Preferably, the
single piece of foldable material comprises a rectangular shape. A
square shape is also possible, as being a specific embodiment of a
rectangular shape. The front panel, back panel, bottom and top
panel and the lid panel describe certain regions of the single
piece of foldable material according to their final
position/function in the finally constructed packaging after
folding of the foldable material.
[0007] By folding the top and bottom side panels diagonally in step
b) and by folding the triangularly folded bottom side panels under
the respective front side panel forming a smaller triangle in step
c), the packaging can be formed from a single piece of foldable
material solely by folding and without cutting the preferably
rectangular shape of the single piece of foldable material.
[0008] With this technique it is possible to form a packaging from
a single piece of foldable material without any through holes in
the corners. This is a major advantage, as the inner cavity
contained in the packaging is now better shielded from its external
environment. Especially air circulation, which would be allowed
through through-holes at corners, is now prevented or at least
significantly limited, only the material porosity allowing
potential gaseous circulation through the foldable material.
[0009] Due to the fact that the packaging is now foldable from a
single piece of material without any cutouts, cut waste is
minimized. It is even possible to cut the single piece of foldable
material from a bobbin without producing any cut waste.
[0010] Another advantage of this packaging is, that the lid, which
is formed of the lid panel, the left and right lid side panels, the
top panel and the left and right top side panels, is not only
connected to the back panel but also to the left and right back
panels serving as the side faces of the packaging. This connection
of the lid to the left and right back side panels is realized via
the left and right top side panels. This connection allows an
opening of the lid by an only 90.degree. rotation towards the top.
In an opened state, the only 90.degree. rotated lid reduces the
visibility of the interior of the packaging from the back side of
the packaging. This is advantageous, whenever a user of the
packaging desires to shield the therein contained product from any
third party view.
[0011] Preferably, in step b) the bottom and top side panels are
folded diagonally to the front.
[0012] In this way it is particularly easy to fold the triangularly
folded bottom side panels under the respective front side panel, as
specified in step c) of the method. The same folding procedure,
which is executed for the bottom side panels, is in this embodiment
also executed for the top side panels. The folding procedure for
the top side panels deviates in only one point from the folding
procedure of the bottom side panels. In contrast to the bottom side
panels, the top side panels are not folded under the front side
panels but under the lid side panels. In this embodiment, not only
the lower corners but also the upper corners comprise no through
holes. This even further improves the shielding of the contained
product in the packaging.
[0013] Preferably, in step b) the bottom side panels are folded
diagonally to the front and the top side panels are folded
diagonally to the back.
[0014] In this specific embodiment the bottom side panels are
folded the exact same way as in the previous embodiments, leading
to lower corners without any through holds. However, the top side
panels are folded diagonally to the back. This leads to an
arrangement of the packaging, in which the left and right lid side
panels are placed directly at and in full area contact with the lid
panel. In consequence, the left and right lid side panels are not
arranged directly and in full contact with the left and right front
side panels and left and right back side panels, when the lid is
closed. This makes an opening and closing of the lid much easier,
as the lid is easier to access for the consumer, in particular
because it is not circumferentially wrapped around the
packaging.
[0015] Preferably, in step b) the bottom side panels are folded
diagonally to the back and the foldable material further comprises
a cover panel adjacent to the front panel, which is folded
90.degree. to the front.
[0016] In this embodiment, the cover panel can be used as a first
closure additionally to the lid, serving as the second closure.
This means, that if a consumer wants to close the packaging, the
first step is to fold the cover panel 90.degree. to the front
already completely closing the opening at the top. In a second step
the lid panel is folded over the cover panel to now fully cover the
opening of the packaging.
[0017] This double closure of cover panel and lid panel improves
the shielding of the contained product in the packaging. It also
further limits the view of third parties on the product contained
in the packaging.
[0018] Preferably, the lid panel, the lid side panels, the front
panel and the front side panels have a rectangular shape.
[0019] The rectangular form of said panels is advantageous, as it
makes the overall form of the foldable material particularly easy
to cut, as this results in an overall purely rectangular form of
the single piece of foldable material. Nevertheless, it is also
conceivable that the lid panel, the lid side panels, the front
panel and the front side panels have a shape deviating from a
rectangular shape. In particular, the edges of each panel can be
tilted or the panel can comprise a recess, or a flap, or any other
desirable shape.
[0020] Preferably, the edge of the lid side panels being opposite
to the top side panels is tilted towards the respective top side
panel in a direction outward from the lid panel and the edge of the
front side panels being opposite to the bottom side panels is
tilted away from the respective bottom side panel in a direction
outwards from the front panel at the same angle as the edge of the
lid side panels.
[0021] With this embodiment, a standard cigarette packaging can be
resembled in shape. Due to the same angle of the front side panels
and the bottom side panels, a cutting of the single piece of
foldable material from a bobbin is still possible. Due to the
tilted front side panels, the edge of the front side panel, which
is arranged at the opening of the packaging, is positioned lower
with respect to the edge of the back side panel arranged at the
opening. This results in a plane of the opening which is tilted
towards the consumer. This gives the consumer the impression of an
opening tilted towards him, which makes the product contained in
the packaging more easily accessible to the consumer.
[0022] Preferably, the edge of the lid panel being opposite to the
top panel is curved in a convex shape in the edge of the front
panel being opposite to the bottom panel is curved in a concave
shape having the same curvature as the convex edge of the lid
panel.
[0023] Due to the curved shape of the edge of the front panel,
which is opposite to the bottom panel, the extent of the front
panel is reduced in height. In a completely folded state, the
foldable material forms the packaging. In this fully folded state,
the edge of the front panel, which is opposite to the bottom panel,
is arranged as an edge of the upper opening of the packaging. Due
to the concavely curved shape of this edge, the opening of the
packaging is enlarged. This enlarged opening makes the product
contained in the packaging more easily accessible. The analogously
shaped edge of the top panel, which is curved in a convex shape,
ensures that the foldable material in this embodiment is still
cutable from a bobbin. Furthermore, it also produces no cut waste
and is therefore very efficient in material use.
[0024] Preferably, the front panel has a cutout at the edge of the
front panel being opposite to the bottom panel.
[0025] The cutout at the edge of the front panel, which is opposite
to the bottom panel, ensures an even better accessibility of the
product contained in the packaging. As the edge of the lid panel
being opposite to the top panel preferably comprises a linear
shape, the foldable material in this embodiment is still cutable
from a bobbin although the area which is cut out at the edge of the
front panel being opposite to the bottom panel produces a minimal
amount of cut waste.
[0026] Preferably, the lid panel has an outward directed flap at
the edge being opposite to the top panel and the front panel having
a horizontal cut in which the flap is insertable.
[0027] In the fully folded state of the foldable material, which
forms the packaging, the flap of the lid panel is now inserted into
the horizontal cut of the front panel when the lid is closed. The
insertion of the flap into the horizontal cut secures the lid in
the closed position. An unwanted opening of the packaging is in
this manner prohibited. This is highly advantageous, as unwanted
air circulation between the inner cavity of the packaging and the
surrounding of the packaging is at least reduced or even
prohibited.
[0028] In this embodiment, the foldable material is still cutable
from a bobbin but with a minimum amount of cut waste. Depending on
selection of the length and height of the flap, the amount of cut
waste can be minimized.
[0029] Preferably, the foldable material comprises a cover panel
adjacent to the front panel, which is folded 180.degree. to the
front.
[0030] Preferably, the cover panel has a longer extent in a
longitudinal direction as the cut is distanced from the edge of the
front panel arranged at the opening. The longitudinal direction in
this case extends in the direction from the lid panel to the top
panel and further to the back, bottom and front panel of the single
piece of foldable material laid flat on a surface. The described
extent of the cover panel in the longitudinal direction ensures
that the cover panel, when folded 180.degree. to front, lines the
front panel from the inside of the packaging. This lining of the
front panel also lines the horizontal cut of the front panel. This
reduces air circulation through the horizontal cut from the inside
of the packaging to its outside. Furthermore, the flap, when
inserted into the horizontal cut, is not in direct contact with the
product placed in the packaging. This ensures that the flap does
not damage the product contained in the packaging.
[0031] Preferably, a second foldable material piece, which may also
be the inner stiffener, having at least a center panel of the same
size or slightly smaller than the front panel of the first foldable
material, is inserted parallel to the front panel into the
packaging, preferably before step c).
[0032] The second foldable material preferably serves the same
purpose as the cover panel. Additionally, the second foldable
material piece can be shaped more freely, as it not necessarily cut
from the same bobbin as the first piece of foldable material. For
example, the second foldable material piece may contain a second
cover panel additionally to the center panel which can be folded
90.degree. to the front. This second cover panel serves the same
purpose as the cover panel mentioned before, which is to cover the
product contained in the packaging when the lid is in the open
state. This means, to access the product, the consumer has to first
open the lid and then fold the cover portion back to its original
position. This double closure of the packaging opening additionally
shields the product contained in the packaging.
[0033] The second foldable material piece may also consist of a
different foldable material than the first piece of the foldable
material. For example, the second foldable material may have a
higher stiffness than the first piece of foldable material. Due to
the higher stiffness, the second foldable material piece may then
stabilize the packaging consisting of the first foldable material.
Such a stabilized packaging improves the protection of the product
contained in the packaging.
[0034] Preferably, the foldable material is paper, preferably
having a weight of 70-130 g/m.sup.2.
[0035] The use of paper as a foldable material ensures the broad
availability of the foldable material and the low cost of the
produced packaging. The preferred weight of 70-130 g/m.sup.2,
ensures the necessary stability of the packaging in its fully
folded and assembled form. This certain stability is necessary to
protect the product contained in the packaging from crushing or
squeezing. This is of even higher importance when the packaging is
carried in a pocket or a bag.
[0036] Preferably, the second foldable material is board.
Preferably, the material of the inner stiffener is board.
[0037] Board has a higher stiffness than paper. The use of board as
the second foldable material ensures the increased stiffness of the
second foldable material compared to the first foldable material,
which preferably is made of paper. This embodiment ensures the
stiffening properties of the second foldable material piece.
[0038] A cut pattern for cutting a foldable material, with which a
packaging is foldable according to the method of the invention,
wherein the cut pattern is a rectangle, is also conceivable
[0039] A rectangle denotes the most convenient shape to be cut from
a bobbin, as only a horizontal cut perpendicular to the
longitudinal extension direction of the bobbin material is
necessary. The cut pattern may also comprise shapes slightly
deviating from a rectangular shape. For example, the cut pattern
for the foldable material may comprise two at least partly curved
edges parallel to each other. Preferably, the edges perpendicular
to the longitudinal extension direction of the bobbin material are
curved. This embodiment is also easily cut from a bobbin with a
curved cutting tool. Regarding a specific embodiment with curved
edges, reference is made to the figure description of FIG. 3c). The
cut pattern for the foldable material may alternatively comprise
two at least in part angled edges at edges which are opposite to
each other. Preferably, the edges perpendicular to the longitudinal
extension direction of the bobbin material are at least in part
angled. This embodiment is also easily cut from a bobbin with an at
least in part angled cutting tool. Regarding a specific embodiment
with angled edges, reference is made to the figure description of
FIGS. 3b), 3h) and 3i). It is also conceivable to use a rectangular
cut pattern, which comprises v-shaped recesses at the left and
right bottom side panels 13, 14. The v-shaped recesses comprise the
size of one of the four triangles in which a square shaped left or
right bottom side panel would be dividable.
[0040] The invention may also comprise a packaging consisting of a
foldable material and comprising a rectangular front panel, a
rectangular back panel, a rectangular bottom panel and rectangular
left and right at least double-layered side panels, which all
together surround an inner cavity of the packaging, wherein the
packaging further comprises a lid, which is hingedly connected to
the back panel and with which a top opening of the packaging is
closable, and four lower corners arranged between a lower edge of
the front panel, a lower edge of the back panel, lower edges of the
left and right side panels and all edges of the bottom panel. The
invention is characterized in that, the foldable material fully
encloses the inner cavity at the four lower corners and all edges
of the bottom panel in the directions of the adjacent left and
right side panels, front panel and back panel without any through
holes.
[0041] The double layered nature of the side panels is achieved by
arranging the front side panels on the back side panels. Due to the
absence of any trough holes and the full enclosing of the inner
cavity at the four lower corners and all edges of the bottom panel
in the direction of the adjacent left and right side panels, front
panel and back panel, products contained in the inner cavity of the
packaging or parts thereof cannot trickle out of the packaging.
Also the airflow between the inner cavity of the packaging and the
outer surrounding is at least reduced or even completely
prohibited. This improves the freshness of the product contained in
the packaging. It also reduces the risk of any spilling of the
product or parts of the product out of the packaging.
[0042] Preferably, the foldable material also fully encloses the
inner cavity at the four upper corners and all edges of the top
panel in the directions of the adjacent left and right side panels,
lid panel and back panel without any through holes. This will even
further reduce the airflow between the inner cavity of the
packaging and the outer surrounding is at least reduced or even
completely prohibited. Also the spill-proofness of the packaging is
further increased in this embodiment.
[0043] The invention relates to a method for folding a packaging
from a single piece of foldable material for a packaged good,
wherein the foldable material comprises a rectangular back panel
with adjacent rectangular left and right back side panels, a
rectangular top panel adjacent to the back panel with adjacent
square left and right top side panels, lid panel adjacent to the
top panel with adjacent left and right lid side panels, a
rectangular bottom panel adjacent to the back panel with adjacent
polygonal left and right bottom side panels and a front panel
adjacent to the bottom panel with adjacent left and right front
side panels, wherein the respective adjacent panels and all of the
left and all of the right side panels are integral with each other
in said single piece of foldable material, comprising the steps:
[0044] a) Wrapping the packaged good in an inner liner; [0045] b)
Placing an inner stiffener at at least two adjacent sides of the
wrapped packaged good; [0046] c) Folding the foldable material
around the inner stiffener and the wrapped packaged good forming a
packaging.
[0047] This invention may be combined with the previously described
embodiments and/or with the embodiments described in the
following.
[0048] The packaged good, preferably a cigarette collation, is
wrapped in an inner liner. The inner liner stabilizes the packaged
good, which may consist of several individual items, in an overall
outer shape. This shape is preferably a cuboid. The cuboid shape
may divert from the ideal cuboid especially at the edges or
corners, which may be not right-angled, slightly rounded or
otherwise divergent from the ideal cuboid. The inner liner
preferably consists of a thin and bendable material. Therefore, the
inner liner cannot correct and/or stabilize the shape of the
packaged good. The material is preferably paper or plastic foil.
The paper may be coated, preferably with aluminum, or a food-grade
polymer coated paper sheet.
[0049] If such packaged goods wrapped in an inner liner are
supposed to be packaged in a packaging folded from a single piece
of foldable material, a problem arises regarding how the foldable
material is folded into the desired shape at the high machine speed
used in current production sites. The use of an inner stiffener as
a folding support is a possible solution to this problem. The inner
stiffener is placed at at least two adjacent sided of the packaged
good, which is already wrapped in the inner liner. After that, the
foldable material is folded around the packaged good, which is
wrapped in the inner liner and comprises the inner stiffener. In
this step, the inner stiffener serves as a folding support for the
foldable material. The packaging is folded around the packaged
good. This is in contrast to a technique in which the packaging is
folded without and separately of the packaged good and the packaged
good is inserted into the completed packaging after the folding
procedure. The folding of the packaging around the packaged good,
wherein the packaged good is stabilized with the inner stiffener
comprises the advantage, that the folding of the foldable material
is eased. Due to the supportive character of the inner stiffener,
the creases folded into the foldable material during the folding
process become much more sharp and exact. Also the production
wastage is reduced due to the more precise folding procedure with
the inner stiffener as folding support. By using the inner
stiffener as a folding support for the foldable material, the
folding method can be executed at high machine speed of state of
the art production machines. This means, that the inner stiffener
makes the concept of the packaging folded around the packaged good
workable on standard productions machines.
[0050] The inner stiffener comprises at least two panels which are
arranged at two adjacent sides of the packaged good. Preferably,
the inner stiffener comprises at least a front panel and a top
panel. The front and top panel are arranged at the front and top
sides of the packaged good. Preferably, the inner stiffener
consists of a thin but firm material. Preferably, the material is
board. Preferably, the inner stiffener comprises a contact area
with at least two sides of the packaged good, which extends over
the whole surface of the inner stiffener being directed towards the
packaged good.
[0051] According to another embodiment, the inner stiffener is
placed at at least five adjacent sides of the wrapped packaged
good. By covering at least five sides of the packaged good,
preferably wrapped in the inner liner, the supportive character of
the inner stiffener for the folding of the foldable material is
further increased. Preferably, the inner stiffener comprises at
least five panels, which are arranged to the sides of the packaged
good. Preferably, the inner stiffener comprises a contact area with
at least five sides of the packaged good, which extends over the
whole surface of the inner stiffener, which is directed towards the
packaged good. Preferably, the inner stiffener comprises at least a
front panel, a top panel, a bottom panel and two side panels.
[0052] According to another embodiment, the inner stiffener is
affixed to the inner liner at at least one fixation point. Thus,
the packaged good together with the inner liner and the inner
stiffener becomes easier to handle. The grouped bundle of packaged
good, inner liner and inner stiffener can now be easily turned
and/or moved without the risk of moving one of the bundle
components with respect to one of the other components.
[0053] According to another embodiment, the fixation point is
located on an upper part of a front panel of the inner stiffener, a
top panel of the inner stiffener, a lower part of the front panel
of the inner stiffener, a bottom panel of the inner stiffener
and/or at least one side panel of the inner stiffener. Preferably,
the fixation point is located at the top panel of the inner
stiffener. Preferably, the fixation point is located at the front
panel, preferably at an upper part of the front panel. Preferably,
the inner stiffener is affixed to the inner liner at more than one
fixation point. In this case, at least one of the fixation points
is preferably located at the top panel or the upper part of the
front panel, wherein the other fixations points are located at the
top, front, bottom and/or side panels.
[0054] According to another embodiment, at least one additional
fixation point is located between the foldable material and inner
stiffener. With the additional fixation point between the foldable
material and the inner stiffener, the positioning of the foldable
material during the folding process is eased. The foldable material
is fixed at the inner stiffener. In particular, the fixation
prohibits or at least reduces any misalignment between foldable
material and inner stiffener. This means, that any kind of shift or
slip of the foldable material with respect to the inner stiffener
is prevented or at least reduced. This secures the correct
alignment of all creases to each other and to the packaged good
and/or the inner stiffener.
[0055] According to another embodiment, the front panel of the
inner stiffener comprises a perforation between the upper part and
the lower part of the inner stiffener and at a first opening of the
assembled packaging the top panel and the upper part of the front
panel of inner stiffener are simultaneously removable together with
an upper part of the inner liner. The perforation separates the
upper part of the front panel from the lower part of the front
panel. With the perforation, the upper part of the front panel and
the top panel of the inner stiffener are removable. This means,
that after the top panel and the upper part of the front panel have
been removed, the packaged good can be accessed through an opening
located at the previous position of the top panel and the upper
part of the front panel. By simultaneous removal of the removable
part of the inner stiffener (i.e. top panel and upper part of front
panel) and the upper part of the inner liner, the consumer access
to the packaged good is eased in contrast to a situation in which
the consumer would have to first remove the removable parts of the
inner stiffener and after that the upper part of the inner liner.
Preferably, this embodiment is combined with at least one fixation
point between the top panel and/or the upper part of the front
panel of the inner stiffener. This makes the simultaneous removal
even easier.
[0056] The invention also relates to a packaging consisting of a
foldable material and comprising a rectangular front panel, a
rectangular back panel, a rectangular bottom panel and rectangular
left and right at least double-layered side panels, which all
together surround an inner cavity of the packaging, wherein the
packaging further comprises a lid, which is hingedly connected to
the back panel and with which a top opening of the packaging is
closable, and four lower corners arranged between a first edge of
the front panel, a second edge of the back panel, third edges of
the left and right side panels and all edges of the bottom panel,
wherein the foldable material fully encloses the inner cavity at
the four lower corners and all edges of the bottom panel in the
directions of the adjacent left and right side panels, front panel
and back panel without any through holes. The invention is
characterized in that the packaging further comprises an inner
liner and an inner stiffener consisting of at least a front panel
and a top panel.
[0057] The term packaging here relates to a packaging obtained by a
method according to at least claim 1. Due to the combination of the
foldable material with the inner liner and the inner stiffener, the
packaging exhibits superior manufacturing quality as previously
pointed out with respect to the manufacturing method.
[0058] According to another embodiment, the foldable material has a
thickness of at least 0.08 mm, preferably 0.09 mm, even more
preferred 0.1 mm and/or a maximum thickness of 0.3 mm, preferably
0.25 mm, even more preferred 0.2 mm. Preferably the material
thickness of the foldable material is between 0.08 and 0.3 mm, more
preferably between 0.09 and 0.25 mm and most preferred between 0.1
and 0.2 mm. Such low thicknesses of the foldable material are only
possible due to the supportive character of the inner stiffener
during the folding process. Furthermore, the given thickness ranges
ensure proper machine run properties for the foldable material.
With the mentioned thickness ranges, it is possible to achieve
sufficient folding quality at highest manufacturing speeds. With
too high thicknesses the foldable material would need higher forces
for folding. Also the creases would become less exact. With lower
than optimal thickness, the foldable material will not fold in
sufficient quality, as the material will become extremely bendable
and less foldable.
[0059] According to another embodiment, the foldable material
comprises a weight of at least 80 gsm (gram per square meter),
preferably 100 gsm, even more preferred 120 gsm and/or a maximum
weight of 240 gsm, preferably 210 gsm, even more preferred 180 gsm.
Preferably, the foldable material comprises a weight between 80 and
240 gsm, more preferably between 100 and 210 gsm and most preferred
between 120 and 180 gsm. The weight also affects the machine run
properties and the folding quality. The given ranges ensure good
machine run properties and high folding quality. This means, that
the manufacturing process can be executed at highest speeds.
[0060] According to another embodiment, at least one additional
fixation point is located between the inner stiffener and the
foldable material. As already pointed out, this affixation of the
foldable material at the inner stiffener improves the handling
properties of the packaged good with the inner liner and the inner
stiffener during the folding process.
[0061] According to another embodiment, the additional fixation
point is arranged at the lower part of the front panel, the bottom
panel and/or the side panels of the inner stiffener. The
positioning of the additional fixation point at these locations
ensures good fixation of the foldable material at the inner
stiffener without compromising the removable part of the inner
stiffener and/or inner liner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] Further advantages, objectives and features of the present
invention will be described, by way of example only, in the
following description with reference to the appended figures. In
the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit
the same reference symbols. The figures show:
[0063] FIG. 1 schematic view of the foldable material 2.
[0064] FIG. 2a-k a detailed view of the respective steps in the
folding method of the foldable material 2.
[0065] FIG. 3a-i schematic view of different embodiments of the
foldable material 2.
[0066] FIG. 4 a schematic view of the packaged good 100.
[0067] FIG. 5 a schematic view of the packaged good 100 wrapped in
the inner liner 200.
[0068] FIG. 6 a schematic view of the packaged good 100 wrapped in
the inner liner 200 with the inner stiffener 26.
[0069] FIG. 7 a schematic view of two other embodiments of the
foldable material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0070] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the foldable material 2.
The foldable material 2 comprises a rectangular shape having four
edges 2a, 2b, 2c 2d. The first and third edge 2a, 2c are arranged
parallel to a horizontal direction H. The fourth and second edge
2b, 2d are arranged in a vertical direction V, which is
perpendicular to the horizontal direction H.
[0071] The foldable material comprises panels 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, which are arranged between the
edges 2a-d. In the following the arrangement of the respective
panels is described. Two edges are referred to as to coincide, if
the panels, which are in contact via these two edges, are integral
with each other.
[0072] At the first edge 2a of the foldable material 2, the lid
panel 9, the left lid side panel 10 and the right lid side panel 11
are arranged. The first edge 10a of the left lid side panel 10 is
arranged on the first edge 2a of the foldable material. The first
edge 9a of the lid panel 9 is arranged on the first edge 2a of the
foldable material. The first edge 11a of the right lid side panel
11 is arranged on the first edge 2a of the foldable material. The
fourth edge 10d of the left lid side panel 10 is arranged on the
fourth edge 2d of the foldable material 2. The left lid side panel
10 is arranged directly adjacent to the lid panel 9. This means,
that the second edge 10b of the left lid side panel 10 coincides
with the fourth edge 9d of the lid panel 9. The lid panel 9 is
arranged directly adjacent to the right lid side panel 11. This
means, that the second edge 9b of the lid panel 9 coincides with
the fourth edge 11d of the right lid side panel 11. The second edge
11b of the right lid side panel 11 is arranged on the second edge
2b of the foldable material 2.
[0073] Directly below the lid panel 9 and the left and right lid
side panels 10, 11 the top panel 6 and the left and right top side
panels 7, 8 are arranged. The first edge 7a of the left top side
panel 7 coincides with the third edge 10c of the left lid side
panel 10. The first edge 6a of the top panel 6 coincides with the
third edge 9c of the lid panel 9. The first edge 8a of the right
top side panel 8 coincides with the third edge 11c of the right lid
side panel 11. The fourth edge 7d of the left top side panel 7 is
arranged on the fourth edge 2d of the foldable material 2. The left
top side panel 7 is arranged directly adjacent to the top panel 6.
This means, that the second edge 7b of the left top side panel 7
coincides with the fourth edge 6d of the top panel 6. The top panel
6 is arranged directly adjacent to the right top side panel 8. This
means, that the second edge 6b of the top panel 6 coincides with
the fourth edge 8d of the right top side panel 8. The second edge
6b of the right top side panel 11 is arranged on the second edge 2b
of the foldable material 2.
[0074] Directly below the top panel 6 and the left and right top
side panels 7, 8, the back panel 3 and the left and right back side
panels 4, 5 are arranged. The first edge 4a of the left back side
panel 4 coincides with the third edge 7c of the left top side panel
7. The first edge 3a of the back panel 3 coincides with the third
edge 6c of the top panel 6. The first edge 5a of the right back
side panel 5 coincides with the third edge 8c of the right top side
panel 8. The fourth edge 4d of the left back side panel 4 is
arranged on the fourth edge 2d of the foldable material 2. The left
back side panel 4 is arranged directly adjacent to the back panel
3. This means, that the second edge 4b of the left back side panel
4 coincides with the fourth edge 3d of the back panel 3. The back
panel 3 is arranged directly adjacent to the right back side panel
5. This means, that the second edge 3b of the back panel 3
coincides with the fourth edge 5d of the right back side panel 5.
The second edge 5b of the right back side panel 5 is arranged on
the second edge 2b of the foldable material 2.
[0075] Directly below the back panel 3 and the left and right back
side panels 4, 5, the bottom panel 12 and the left and right bottom
side panels 13, 14 are arranged. The first edge 13a of the left
bottom side panel 13 coincides with the third edge 4c of the left
back side panel 4. The first edge 12a of the bottom panel 12
coincides with the third edge 3c of the back panel 3. The first
edge 14a of the right bottom side panel 14 coincides with the third
edge 5c of the right back side panel 5. The fourth edge 13d of the
left bottom side panel 13 is arranged on the fourth edge 2d of the
foldable material 2. The left bottom side panel 13 is arranged
directly adjacent to the bottom panel 12. This means, that the
second edge 13b of the left bottom side panel 13 coincides with the
fourth edge 12d of the bottom panel 12. The bottom panel 12 is
arranged directly adjacent to the right bottom side panel 14. This
means, that the second edge 12b of the bottom panel 12 coincides
with the fourth edge 14d of the right bottom side panel 14. The
second edge 14b of the right bottom side panel 14 is arranged on
the second edge 2b of the foldable material 2.
[0076] Directly below the bottom panel 12 and the left and right
bottom side panels 13, 14, the front panel 15 and the left and
right front side panels 16, 17 are arranged. The first edge 16a of
the left front side panel 16 coincides with the third edge 13c of
the left bottom side panel 13. The first edge 15a of the front
panel 15 coincides with the third edge 12c of the bottom panel 12.
The first edge 17a of the right front side panel 17 coincides with
the third edge 14c of the right bottom side panel 14. The fourth
edge 16d of the left front side panel 16 is arranged on the fourth
edge 2d of the foldable material 2. The left front side panel 16 is
arranged directly adjacent to the front panel 15. This means, that
the second edge 16b of the left front side panel 16 coincides with
the fourth edge 15d of the front panel 15. The front panel 15 is
arranged directly adjacent to the right front side panel 17. This
means, that the second edge 15b of the front panel 15 coincides
with the fourth edge 17d of the right front side panel 17. The
second edge 17b of the right front side panel 17 is arranged on the
second edge 2b of the foldable material 2.
[0077] The third edge 16c of the left front side panel 16 is
arranged on the third edge 2c of the foldable material. The third
edge 15c of the front panel 15 is arranged on the third edge 2c of
the foldable material. The third edge 17c of the right front side
panel 17 is arranged on the third edge 2c of the foldable
material.
[0078] The left and right top side panels 7, 8 and the left and
right bottom side panels 13, 14 each have a square shape. The left
top side panel 7 comprises a first corner 71, a second corner 72, a
third corner 73 and a fourth corner 74. The right top side panel 8
comprises a first corner 81, a second corner 82, a third corner 83
and a fourth corner 84. The left bottom side panel 13 comprises a
first corner 131, a second corner 132, a third corner 133 and a
fourth corner 134. The right bottom side panel 14 comprises a first
corner 141, a second corner 142, a third corner 143 and a fourth
corner 144.
[0079] Every first corner 71, 81, 131, 141 is arranged at the
intersection point of the respective first edge 7a, 8a, 13a ,14a
with the respective second edge 7b, 8b, 13b, 14b. Every second
corner 72, 82, 132, 142 is arranged at the intersection point of
the respective second edge 7b, 8b, 13b, 14b with the respective
third edge 7c, 8c, 13c, 14c. Every third corner 73, 83, 133, 143 is
arranged at the intersection point of the respective third edge 7c,
8c, 13c, 14c with the respective fourth edge 7d, 8d, 13d, 14d.
Every fourth corner 74, 84, 134, 144 is arranged at the
intersection point of the respective fourth edge 7d, 8d, 13d, 14d
with the respective first edge 7a, 8a, 13a, 14a.
[0080] The FIGS. 2a)-2h) show the different steps for folding a
packaging 1 from the sheet of foldable material 2. FIG. 2a) depicts
the piece of foldable material 2 lying flat on a surface. In a
first step all side panels 16, 13, 4, 7, 10, 17, 14, 5, 8, 11 are
folded 90.degree. to the front with respect to the lid, top, back,
bottom and front panels 9, 6, 3, 12, 15. This results a first
crease along the second edges 16b, 13b, 4b, 7b, 10b of all left
side panels 16, 13, 4, 7, 10. It also results in a second crease
along the fourth edges 17d, 14d, 5d, 8d, 11d of all right side
panels 17, 14, 5, 8, 11.
[0081] In the next step, which is depicted in FIG. 2c), the top
panels 6, 7, 8 are folded 90.degree. to the front with respect to
the back panel 3. This results in an additional crease along the
third edge 6c of the top panel 6. In addition to that, the top side
panels 7, 8 are folded diagonally to each form a triangle. This
creates two diagonal creases 7e, 8e, which extend along the linear
connection line from the second to the fourth corner 72, 74 for the
left top side panel 7 and from the first to the third corner 81, 83
for the right top side panel 8. For the left top side panel 7 this
means, that the first corner 71 is placed on the third corner 73.
It furthermore means, that the first edge 7a is placed on the
fourth edge 7d and that the second edge 7b is placed on the third
edge 7c. For the right top side panel 8 this means, that the second
corner 82 is placed on the fourth corner 84. It furthermore means,
that the first edge 8a is placed on the second edge 8b and that the
third edge 8c is placed on the fourth edge 8d.
[0082] In the next step, which is depicted in FIG. 2d), the bottom
panels 12, 13, 14 are folded 90.degree. to the front with respect
to the back panel 3. This results in an additional crease along the
fourth edge 12a of the bottom panel 12. In addition to that, the
bottom side panels 13, 14 are folded diagonally to each form a
triangle. This creates two diagonal creases 13e, 14e, which extend
along the linear connection line from the first to the third corner
131, 133 for the left bottom side panel 13 and from the second to
the fourth corner 142, 144 for the right bottom side panel 14. For
the left bottom side panel 13 this means, that the second corner
132 is placed on the fourth corner 134. It furthermore means, that
the first edge 13a is placed on the second edge 13b and that the
third edge 13c is placed on the fourth edge 13d. For the right
bottom side panel 14 this means, that the first corner 141 is
placed on the third corner 143. It furthermore means, that the
first edge 14a is placed on the fourth edge 14d and that the second
edge 14b is placed on the third edge 14c.
[0083] In step e) the front panels 15, 16, 17 are folded 90.degree.
to the front with respect to the bottom panels 12, 13, 14. This
creates a crease along the first edges 15a, 16a, 17a of the front
panels 15, 16, 17. In the next step, depicted in FIG. 2f), the
triangularly folded bottom side panels 13, 14 are folded under the
respective front side panel 16, 17 forming a smaller triangle. For
the left bottom side panel 13, this operation arranges the third
edge 13c on the second edge 13b and the third corner 133 on the
first corner 131. For the right bottom side panel 14, this
operation arranges third edge 14c on the fourth edge 14d and the
second corner 142 on the fourth corner 144. In this arrangement,
the respective diagonal crease 13e, 14e is folded under the
respective front side panel 16, 17. This folding operation is
accompanied by a folding of the front side panels 16, 17 90.degree.
to the front, which arranges the respective front side panel 16, 17
on the respective back side panel 4, 5. In this stage, the twice
diagonally folded bottom side panels 13, 14 are arranged between
the respective back side panel 4, 5 and the respective front side
panel 16, 17. For better fixation of the packaging, it is possible
to fix both front side panels 16, 17 on the respective back side
panel 4, 5.
[0084] The same is now executed for the lid panels 9, 10, 11. This
is depicted in FIGS. 2g) and 2h). First the lid panels 9, 10, 11
are folded 90.degree. to the front, creating a crease along the
third edges 9c, 10c, 11c. The triangularly folded top side panels
7, 8 are folded under the respective lid side panel 10, 11 forming
a smaller triangle. For the left top side panel 7, this operation
arranges the first edge 7a on the second edge 7b and the second
corner 72 on the fourth corner 74. For the right top side panel 8,
this operation arranges first edge 8a on the fourth edge 8d and the
first corner 81 on the third corner 83. In this arrangement, the
respective diagonal crease 7e, 8e is folded under the respective
lid side panel 10, 11. This folding operation is accompanied by a
folding of the lid side panels 10, 11 90.degree. to the front,
which arranges the respective lid side panel 10, 11 on the
respective front side panel 16, 17. In this stage, the twice
diagonally folded top side panels 7, 8 are arranged between the
respective front side panel 16, 17 and the respective lid side
panel 10, 11. At this point, the packaging 1 is fully
assembled.
[0085] As an alternative to the previously described folding
method, all the top panels 6, 7, 8 and all the lid panels 9, 10, 11
may be folded according to the FIGS. 2i)-2k). The bottom and front
panels 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 are folded as previously described.
Only the folding method for the top and lid panels 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11 deviates. FIG. 2i) depicts the starting position for this
alternative folding method. In the next step, depicted in FIG. 2j),
the left and right lid side panels 10, 11 are folded 180.degree. to
the front, in that they are arranged on the lid panel 9. For better
fixation, it is possible to affix the left and right lid side
panels 10, 11 with glue on the lid panel 9. This folding step is
accompanied by an inward movement of the fourth corner 74 of the
left top side panel 7 and of the first corner 81 of the right top
side panel 8 towards the center of the first edge 6a of the top
panel 6. In the next step, the top panel 6 is folded 90.degree. to
the front with respect to the back panel 3. This arranges the first
corner 71 on the third corner 73 of the left top side panel 7 and
the fourth corner 84 on the second corner 82 of the right top side
panel. In addition to that, it arranges the first edge 7a of the
left top side panel on the fourth edge 7d, the second edge 7b on
the third edge 7c and, for the right top side panel 8, the first
edge 8a on the second edge 8b and the third edge 8c on the fourth
edge 8d. This denotes a diagonal folding of the left and right top
side panels 7, 8 to the back.
[0086] As a last step, depicted in FIG. 2k), the lid panel 9 is
folded 90.degree. to the front together with the left and right lid
side panels 10, 11. This arranges the lid panel 9 on the front
panel 15. The lid side panels 10, 11 are arranged between the front
panel 15 and the lid panel 9. At this point, the packaging 1 is
fully assembled.
[0087] In FIGS. 3a)-3i), different embodiments of the single piece
2 of foldable material are depicted. The respective figures show
the single piece of foldable material 2 according to the specific
cut pattern of the respective embodiment together with the fully
assembled packaging 1 folded out of the respective single piece of
foldable material 2.
[0088] FIG. 3a) shows a very easy embodiment of the single piece of
foldable material 2. The first edge 2a and the third edge 2c of the
single piece of foldable material 2 are completely linear. This
results in a horizontally arranged edge 9a, 10a, 11a of the lid
consisting of the lid panel 9 and the left and right lid side
panels 10, 11 on the packaging 1. The edges 15c, 16c, 17c of the
front panel 15 and the left and right front side panels 16, 17 are
also horizontally arranged on the packaging 1. The lid panel 9 and
the left and right lid side panels 10, 11 overlap with the front
panel 15 and the left and right front side panels 16, 17. In this
way, the packaging is fully closed.
[0089] FIG. 3b) shows an embodiment in which the first edges 10a,
11a of the left and right lid side panels 10, 11 are angled. The
first edge 10a of the left lid side panel 10 is angled towards the
fourth corner 74 of the left top side panel 7. This makes the
second edge 10b longer than the fourth edge 10d of the left top
side panel 7. The first edge 11a of the right top side panel 11 is
angled towards the first corner 81 of the right top side panel 81.
This makes the second edge 11b shorter than the fourth edge 11d of
the right top side panel 11.
[0090] The third edges 16c, 17c of the left and right front side
panels 16, 17 are also angled in this embodiment. The third edge
16c of the left front side panel 16 is angled away from the third
corner 133 of the left bottom side panel 13. This makes the second
edge 16b shorter than the fourth edge 16d of the left front side
panel 16. The third edge 17c of the right front side panel 17 is
angled away from the second corner 142 of the right bottom side
panel 14. This makes the second edge 17b longer than the fourth
edge 17d of the left front side panel. This overall shape of the
single piece of foldable material 2 results in a horizontally
arranged first edge 9a of the lid panel 9 and third edge 15c of the
front panel 15 together with an angled arrangement of the first
edges 10a, 11a of the left and right lid side panels 10, 11 and the
third edges 16c, 17c of the left and right front side panels 16, 17
in the fully assembled packaging 1.
[0091] The FIG. 3c) shows an embodiment, in which the first edge 9a
of the lid panel 9 is curved in a convex shape and the third edge
15c of the front panel 15 is curved in a complementary concave
shape. This results in a curved first edge 9a of the lid panel 9
and third edge 15c of the front panel 15 in the fully assembled
packaging 1.
[0092] FIG. 3d) shows an embodiment, in which the single piece of
foldable material 2 comprises an additional cover panel 18 and left
and right cover side panels 19, 20, which are arranged with their
first edges 18a, 19a, 20a to the respective third edges 15c, 16c,
17c of the front panel 15 and front side panels 16, 17. The lid
panel 9 and the lid side panels 10, 11 are slightly shorter in
their extent parallel to the longitudinal direction L. In the fully
assembled packaging 1, the bottom side panels 13, 14 have been
folded diagonally to the back. The front side panels 16, 17 are
covered by the back side panels 4, 5. The cover side panels 19, 20
have been folded diagonally to the back. The cover panel 18 has
been folded 90.degree. to the front. This means, that the
diagonally folded cover panels 19, 20 are arranged under the cover
panel 20 in the folded and closed state of the packaging 1. The
cover panel 18 and the cover side panels 19, 20 serve as a first
closure of the packaging 1, wherein the lid panel 9 and the lid
side panels 10, 11 serve as a second closure of the packaging
1.
[0093] FIG. 3e) depicts an embodiment comprising a cut-out 150 at
the front panel 15. This results in a recess of the third edge 15c.
Preferably, the cut-out 150 comprises two recessing portions 151,
153, which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction L
and a horizontal portion 152, which is arranged perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction L. The two recessing portions together
with the horizontal portions form a mainly rectangular recess of
the third edge 15c of the front panel 15, which forms the cut-out
150. Preferably, the mainly rectangular shape of the cut-out 150
comprises rounded corners between the transition from recess
portion 151, 153 to horizontal portion 152 and also at the
transition the remaining horizontally arranged parts of the third
edge 15c of the front panel 15. The packaging 1 now comprises the
cut-out 150 in the front panel 15, which can be fully covered with
the lid panel 9 in the fully assembled and closed state of the
packaging 1.
[0094] FIG. 3f) shows another embodiment of the single piece of
foldable material 2. The single piece of foldable material 2
comprises an outward directed flap 21, which is arranged at the
first edge 9a of the lid panel 9. It further comprises a horizontal
cut 22 in the front panel 15, in which the flap 21 is insertable.
In addition to that, the foldable material 2 comprises a cover
panel 23 with adjacent cover side panels 24, 25. The cover panel 13
is folded 180.degree. to the front, so that it lines the front
panel 15 from the inside of the packaging 1. The extent of the
cover panel 23 in the longitudinal direction L is preferably longer
than the distance between the cut 22 and the third edge 15c of the
front panel 15.
[0095] The cover side panels 24, 25 may be completely omitted.
Alternatively, respective cuts may be arranged at the first edge
24a, 25a of the cover side panels where they are directly adjacent
to the front side panels 16, 17. The cover side panels 24, 25 may
then be folded 180.degree. to the front. This results in an
arrangement of the cover side panels 24, 25 between the front panel
15 and the cover panel 23 in the packaging 1.
[0096] FIG. 3g) depicts an embodiment of the foldable material 2
with an inner stiffener 26 also referred to as additional second
foldable material piece 26. In this embodiment, the inner stiffener
26 comprises a front panel 27, left and right side panels 28, 29,
wherein the side panels 28, 29 may be omitted the side panels 28,
29 are both folded 90.degree. with respect to the front panel 27.
The inner stiffener 26 may also comprise a top panel 30. The top
panel 30 is folded 90.degree. in the same direction as the side
panels 28, 29. As described below, with reference to FIGS. 4-6, the
inner stiffener serves as a folding support for the foldable
material. The completed packaged, folded from the foldable
material, which in one embodiment is depicted on the far right in
FIG. 3g, comprises the inner stiffener in the inside of the
packaging 1. The front panel 27 then lines the front panel 15 with
the cut 22 from the inside of the packaging 1. The top panel 30
with the side panels 28. 29 may act as a first closure of the
packaging 1, wherein the lid panel 9 with the lid side panels 10,
11 acts as a second closure of the packaging 1. Alternatively, the
inner stiffener 26 may comprise a perforation 300. The perforation
300 divides the front panel 27 in an upper part 27a and a lower
part 27b. At the perforation 300 the upper part 27a is separable
from the lower part 27b. Preferably, the upper part 27a is
separable from the lower part 27b by tearing off the upper part 27a
at the perforation 300 from the lower part. Together with the upper
part 27a the top panel 30 is separated from the lower part 27b of
the front panel 27. Viewed transverse to the longitudinal direction
L, the outside portion 300a of the perforation 300 is located at
the edge between front panel 27 and top panel 30. A center portion
300b is located parallel to the edge between front panel 27 and top
panel 30 but shifted towards the center of the front panel 27. The
outside portion 300a and the center portion 300b of the perforation
300 are connected via two longitudinal portions 300c. The
longitudinal portions 300c are aligned parallel to the longitudinal
direction L. The longitudinal portions 300c are aligned
perpendicular to the outside and center portions 300a, 300b. Along
the edge between front and top panel 27, 30 viewed perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction L a first outside portion 300a, which is
parallel to the longitudinal direction L, is followed by a first
longitudinal portion 300c parallel to the longitudinal direction L,
then followed by the center portion 300b being perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction L, followed by a second longitudinal portion
300c and finally another outside portion 300a. The corners between
the outside portion 300a and the longitudinal portion 300c and/or
the center portion 300b and the longitudinal portion 300c may be
rounded. In other words, the perforation 300 forms a recess from
the edge between front panel 27 and top panel 30 towards the center
of the front panel 27.
[0097] FIG. 3h) shows another embodiment. The fourth edge 10d of
the left lid side panel 10 is tilted towards the first edge 9a of
the lid panel 9. The second edge 11b of the right lid side panel 11
is tilted towards the first edge 9a of the lid panel 9. The corner
between fourth edge 10d and the first edge 10a of the left lid side
panel 10 is rounded. The corner between first edge 11a and the
second edge 11b of the right lid side panel 11 is rounded. The
foldable material 2 also comprises a liner panel 33, which is
folded 180.degree. to the front. In this position, the liner panel
33 lines the lid panel 9 from the inside of the packaging 1,
stabilizing the lid panel 9.
[0098] The lid panel 9 also comprises a flap 21 directly adjacent
to the first edge 9a of the lid panel 9. The edge 21a of the flap
is cut, whereas the part of the first edge 9a, which is arranged
adjacent to the flap 21 in a direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction L, is not cut but creased.
[0099] The lid panel 9 comprises an additional crease 9e, which is
arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L in the
middle of the lid panel 9 extending perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction L from the fourth edge 10d of the left lid
side panel 10 through the lid panel 9 until the second edge 11b of
the right lid side panel 11. This crease makes the flap 21 more
easily insertable into the cut 22.
[0100] The cut 22 may not be a simple cut in the foldable material
2 but comprise an extent in the longitudinal direction L. This
means that a specific area of the front panel 15 is completely cut
away. This makes the insertion of the flap 21 into the cut 22
easier.
[0101] The FIG. 3i) shows another embodiment of the foldable
material 2. The front side panels 16, 17 comprise a tilted third
edge 16c, 17c. The third edges 16c, 17c is tilted the same way as
described in the description of FIG. 3b). The first edges 10a, 11a
of the lid side panels 10, 11 are also tilted. Their tilt is larger
and/or the extent of the lid side panels 10, 11 in the longitudinal
direction L is smaller, so that the fourth edge 10d of the left lid
side panel 10 and the second edge 11b of the right lid side panel
11 is completely omitted. This means, that the lid side panels 10,
11 comprise a triangular shape.
[0102] Preferably, the extent of the lid panel 9 in the
longitudinal direction L is slightly longer than that of the lid
side panels 10, 11. Preferably, the corners at the beginning and
the end of the first edge 9a of the lid panel 9 are rounded. The
foldable material may also comprise a liner panel 33 directly
adjacent to the first edge 9a of the lid panel 9. The two corners
of the liner panel directly arranged at the first edge 9a of the
lid panel 9 may also be rounded. Preferably, all edges are rounded
with the same curvature.
[0103] The FIGS. 3h) and 3i) also show an embodiment of the inner
stiffener 26. This inner stiffener 26 comprises a bottom panel 31.
This bottom panel 31 may be arranged lining the bottom panel 12
from the inside of the packaging 1. This further stabilizes the
packaging 1. The bottom panel also further eases the folding
procedure of the foldable material 2, when folding this around the
packaged good 100. The inner stiffener 26 may also comprise a
recess 32 in the top panel 30. This recess 32 allows for an easier
opening of the top panel 30 serving as a first closure of the
packaging 1 or, if combined with the perforation 300, allows an
easier gripping of the top panel for the consumer for removing the
top panel 30 together with the upper part 27a of the front panel 27
and preferably also together with an upper part 202 of the inner
liner 200.
[0104] The inner stiffener 26 may also comprise fixation points
301, 302 at which the inner stiffener 26 is affixed to an inner
liner 200 and/or to the foldable material 2. For the affixation of
the inner stiffener 26 to the inner liner 200, the fixation points
301 are located on the side of the inner stiffener 26 facing
towards the inside of the packaging 1 and towards the inner
stiffener 26. For affixation of the foldable material 2 to the
inner stiffener 26, additional fixation points 302 are located on
the side of the inner stiffener 26 facing towards the outside of
the packaging 1 and towards the foldable material 2. In this case,
the fixation points are preferably located on the lower part 27b of
the front panel 27, on one or both side panels 28, 29 and/or the
bottom panel 31. The fixation points 301, 302 are preferably
located at the top panel 30, the upper part 27a of the front panel
27, the lower part 27b of the front panel 27, the bottom panel
and/or one or both of the side panels 28, 29. Preferably, the
fixation points 301, 302 are located at the center of the
respective panel or part. In alternative to the position of the
fixation point 301 at the center of the top panel 30, the top panel
30 may comprise two fixation points 301, which are located on the
top panel 30 left and right from the recess 32.
[0105] FIG. 4 shows the packaged good 100. In this embodiment, the
packaged good 100 is a collation of cigarettes. The packaged good
100 comprises a cuboid shape 101. The longest axis 102 of the
cuboid shape 101 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis
L.
[0106] FIG. 5 shows the packaged good 100 wrapped in an inner liner
200. The inner liner 200 completely covers the packaged good 100.
The inner liner 200 comprises a removable upper part 202, which is
separable from the remaining part 201 of the inner liner 200 at a
perforation 203. The packaged good 100 wrapped in the inner liner
200 comprises a cuboid shape comprising a front and back side 200a,
200f, a bottom and top side 200c, 200e and two side faces 200b,
200d.
[0107] After the packaged good 100 has been wrapped in the inner
liner 200, the inner stiffener 26 is placed at the front side 200a,
the top and bottom side 200c and the two side faces 200b of the
inner liner 200 in which the packaged good 100 is wrapped. For
better visibility, the inner stiffener 26 is depicted slightly
shifted from the inner liner in FIG. 6. When placed at the inner
liner 200, the front panel 27 of the inner liner is in contact with
the front side 200a of the inner liner 200. Furthermore, the top
panel 30 of the inner stiffener 27 is in contact with the top side
200e of the inner liner 200. The bottom panel 31 is in contact with
the bottom side 200c. The side panels 28, 29 are in contact with
the respective side face 200b, 200d. Preferably, all contact faces
between inner stiffener 26 and inner liner 200 extend over the
whole respective panels 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 of the inner stiffener
26. The upper part 27a of the inner stiffener 26 is in contact with
the upper part 202 of the inner liner 200. The top panel 30 of the
inner stiffener 26 is affixed to the upper part 202 being part the
top side 200e of the inner liner 200 at a fixation point 301.
Additionally, the upper part 27a of the inner stiffener 26 may be
affixed to the upper part 202 being part of the front side 200a of
the inner liner 200 at a fixation point 301. The packaged good
being wrapped in the inner liner 200 with the arranged inner
stiffener 26 is now further wrapped in the foldable material 2. The
foldable material 2 is folded around the packaged good 100 wrapped
in the inner liner 200 and inner stiffener 26.
[0108] The folding process may be executed as previously described
(cf. FIGS. 2a-k). Alternatively, a foldable material 2 according to
FIG. 7 may be used. FIG. 7 shows two embodiments of the foldable
material 2 which comprise the same altered feature in comparison to
the embodiments of the foldable material 2 shown in FIGS. 3h and
3i. The bottom left and right side panels 13, 14 comprise a
polygonal shape 400. The polygonal shape 400 consists of the outer
edge of three identical right-angled triangles 400a-c. The three
triangles 400a-c are arranged to each other in a way, where the
right-angled corners are positioned at the same point 404, the
hypotenuses 13a-c, 14a-c of the triangles 400a-c are arranged
perpendicular to the respective neighboring triangle 400a-c and the
towards each other facing catheti 401, 402 of two neighboring
triangles 400a-c are lined up onto each other. This polygonal shape
400 therefore comprises a v-shaped recess 403 of the same shape as
the triangles 400a-c. In comparison to the square shape, the
packaging 1 folded from a foldable material 2 with polygonal left
and right bottom side panels 13, 14 comprises one material layer
less in the region, in which the polygonal left and right bottom
side panels 13, 14 are arranged in the folded state. This make the
packaging 1 less bulky. This leads to an improved visible
appearance from the outside of the packaging 1. It is also
prevented, that the folded left and right bottom side panels 13, 14
extend into the inside of the packaging and occupy any room that is
dedicated to the packaged good 100.
[0109] In the first step of the folding process, as already
depicted in FIG. 2c, all side panels 16, 13, 4, 7, 10, 17, 14, 5,
8, 11 are folded 90.degree. to the front with respect to the lid,
top, back, bottom and front panels 9, 6, 3, 12, 15. In the second
step, as already depicted in FIG. 2c, the top panels 6, 7, 8 are
folded 90.degree. to the front with respect to the back panel 3. In
this step, the second triangles 400b, comprising the second edge
13b, 14b as hypotenuse, are simultaneously folded to the front onto
the first triangles 400a, comprising the first edge 13a, 14a as
hypotenuse creating a crease at the coinciding catheti 401 of the
first and second triangles 400a,b. In this folding step, the first
edges 13a, 14a are placed on the second edges 13b, 14b. In the next
step, the first triangles 400a together with the second triangles
400b are folded 90 degrees onto the left and right back side panels
4, 5 along the now coinciding first and second edges 13a, 13b, 14a,
14b. In a fourth step, the third triangles, comprising the third
edge 13c, 14c as hypotenuse, are folded 180 degrees onto the second
triangles 400b, wherein the third edges 13c, 14c are placed onto
the second edges 13b, 14b and the left and right front side panels
16, 17 are placed onto the respective left and right back side
panels 4, 5. After this step, the folding process may be continued
according to the previously given description (cf. FIGS. 2f-k).
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0110] 1 packaging [0111] 2 foldable material [0112] 2a-d first to
fourth edge [0113] 3 back panel [0114] 3a-d first to fourth edge
[0115] 4 left back side panel [0116] 4a-d first to fourth edge
[0117] 5 right back side panel [0118] 5a-d first to fourth edge
[0119] 6 top panel [0120] 6a-d first to fourth edge [0121] 7 left
top side panel [0122] 7a-d first to fourth edge [0123] 8 right top
side panel [0124] 8a-d first to fourth edge [0125] 9 lid panel
[0126] 9a-d first to fourth edge [0127] 9e additional crease [0128]
10 left lid side panel [0129] 10a-d first to fourth edge [0130] 11
right lid side panel [0131] 11a-d first to fourth edge [0132] 12
bottom panel [0133] 12a-d first to fourth edge [0134] 13 left
bottom side panel [0135] 13a-d first to fourth edge [0136] 14 right
bottom side panel [0137] 14a-d first to fourth edge [0138] 15 front
panel [0139] 15a-d first to fourth edge [0140] 16 left front side
panel [0141] 16a-d first to fourth edge [0142] 17 right front side
panel [0143] 17a-d first to fourth edge [0144] 18 cover panel
[0145] 18a first edge [0146] 19 left cover side panel [0147] 19a
first edge [0148] 20 right cover side panels [0149] 20a first edge
[0150] 21 flap [0151] 21a edge [0152] 22 cut [0153] 23 cover panel
[0154] 24 left cover side panel [0155] 24a first edge [0156] 25
right cover side panel [0157] 25a first edge [0158] 26 second
foldable material piece [0159] 27 center panel [0160] 28 left
center side panel [0161] 29 right center side panel [0162] 30 cover
panel [0163] 31 lower panel [0164] 32 recess [0165] 33 liner panel
[0166] 71-74 first to fourth corner of the left top side panel
[0167] 81-84 first to fourth corner of the right top side panel
[0168] 100 packaged good [0169] 101 cuboid shape [0170] 102 longest
axis [0171] 131-134 first to fourth corner of the left bottom side
panel [0172] 141-144 first to fourth corner of the right bottom
side panel [0173] 150 cut-out [0174] 151,153 recessing portions
[0175] 152 horizontal portion [0176] 200 inner liner [0177] 200a
front side of inner liner [0178] 200b side face of inner liner
[0179] 200c bottom side of inner liner [0180] 200d side face of
inner liner [0181] 200e top side of inner liner [0182] 200f back
side of inner liner [0183] 201 remaining part of inner liner [0184]
202 upper part of inner liner [0185] 300 perforation [0186] 301
fixation point [0187] 302 additional fixation point [0188] 400
polygonal shape [0189] 400a-c first, second and third triangle
[0190] 401 cathetus [0191] 402 cathetus [0192] 403 v-shaped recess
[0193] 404 point of right-angled corners [0194] L longitudinal
direction [0195] H horizontal direction [0196] V vertical
direction
* * * * *