Sealed package for liquid or paste food products and method for manufacturing the package

Abstract

A sealed package for liquid or pasty food products is described, comprising a single sheet (1) having a longitudinal and a transverse weakening line and folded along the weakening line to form a container (C) having a triangular prism shape, comprising two opposite front walls (1A, 1B) parallel to each other and triangular, two opposite inclined rectangular side walls (1C, 1D) converging towards a common vertex (V) and a substantially rectangular bottom wall (1E), the two front walls (1A, 1B) extending from opposite larger edges of the bottom wall, while the two side walls (1C, 1D) extend from opposite smaller edges of the bottom wall; a first seal and a second seal form a first seal ridge (P1) and a second seal ridge (P2); the first seal and the second seal define a cavity delimited by the front walls (1A, 1B) and the side walls (1C, 1D), and a single opening (10) for accessing the cavity; the opening (10) is formed at the bottom wall (1E) to allow the cavity to be filled with the product poured by pouring through the opening (10), the opening (10) being closed again by a third seal formed by sealing together the inner faces of the two front walls (1A, 1B) to form a third bottom seal ridge (P3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealable packaging with a triangular prism shape for liquid or paste food products.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sealable packaging containing the above-mentioned food products. BACKGROUND

[0003] In the present description, by liquid or paste product we mean a product that can be fed through a nozzle into a packaging, both cold and hot, such as processed cheese, butter, chocolate, jam, etc.

[0004] It is known that the above-mentioned food products of the paste type can be formed by separate packaging portions.

[0005] According to a first prior art solution, these packaging portions (or casings) of the liquid or paste product are obtained from an aluminium film and are formed according to a predetermined sequence of folds to form a partially open container in which the hot and cold liquid or paste product (usually at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature) is dosed.

[0006] Once the product has been dosed, the portion that will form the lid (also made of aluminium) is positioned on the open portion of the packaging and is sealed in its entirety.

[0007] According to a second prior art solution, the packaging can also be made of a paper-based material.

[0008] This type of packaging has two blanks, one for forming the container and the other for forming the lid, which, after filling the container, is placed on the product poured into the container and is sealed in its entirety.

[0009] Both types of packaging can have a convenient opening system obtained by a tear strip made of plastic glued in a portion of the packaging before forming.

[0010] As is known, the production costs of these types of "in several portions" product packaging are low and provide a relative seal that allows the dosed product to be satisfactorily preserved under difficult logistic conditions, that is, they must guarantee an optimal barrier seal and the absence of empty spaces inside to obtain an acceptable shelf life.

[0011] However, the structure of the two-part packaging and the way it is closed can easily lead to imperfect sealing.

[0012] In fact, over time, the packaging can have a loss of weight of the packaged product due to the evaporation of the water contained in its portions, which can be caused by the presence of leaks in the packaging.

[0013] It has been noted that the application of a previously pre-folded lid (sealed on the cheese) can create micro-holes in which the product can deposit, which over time can cause leaks.

[0014] These leaks have a negative impact on the preservation of the product.

[0015] Leakage also allows oxygen to enter the package and limits the shelf life due to oxidation of the product. SUMMARY

[0016] The aim of the present invention is to provide a sealable packaging for liquid or pasty food products, having a prismatic shape, in particular having a triangular cross-section, which can be opened, which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and which is able to have an optimal closing quality to guarantee a long duration of the product and to maintain its quality.

[0017] Another aim of the present invention is to provide a sealable packaging for liquid or pasty food products, having a prismatic shape, in particular having a triangular cross-section, which can be opened, which can be quickly and easily obtained.

[0018] Said aim is fully achieved by the packaging for liquid or pasty food products, having a prismatic shape, in particular having a triangular cross-section, which can be opened, according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The characteristics of the packaging will become more apparent through the following detailed description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the packaging, illustrated by way of example in the attached drawings, in which:

[0020] - Figures 1A-1F the formation of a first sealable packaging for liquid or pasty food products, having a prismatic shape, in particular having a triangular cross-section, which can be opened, according to the present invention, is illustrated in perspective view;

[0021] - Figures 2A-2F the formation of a second type of sealable packaging for liquid or pasty food products, having a prismatic shape, in particular having a triangular cross-section, which can be opened, according to the present invention, is illustrated in perspective view;

[0022] - Figures 3A-3F the formation of a third type of sealable packaging for liquid or pasty food products, having a prismatic shape, in particular having a triangular cross-section, which can be opened, according to the present invention, is illustrated in perspective view;

[0023] - Figures 4A-4G the formation of a fourth type of sealable packaging for liquid or pasty food products, having a prismatic shape, in particular having a triangular cross-section, which can be opened, according to the present invention, is illustrated in perspective view;

[0024] - Figure 5 and Figure 6 A method for manufacturing a sealed package containing a liquid or paste food product obtained on a forming mandrel is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] With reference to the drawings, and in particular to figures 1-4, a sealed package (indicated as C) according to the present application is for containing a portion of a liquid or paste food product, such as processed cheese, butter, chocolate, jam, etc.

[0026] In particular, the package C according to the present application has a tri-prismatic shape.

[0027] As shown, the package C for a liquid or paste food product comprises a single sheet 1 having a longitudinal and a transversal line of weakening.

[0028] The sheet 1 is folded along the lines of weakening to form a container C having a tri-prismatic shape.

[0029] The package C comprises two opposite front walls 1A, 1B parallel to each other and triangular.

[0030] The package C further comprises two opposite rectangular side walls 1C, 1D inclined towards a common vertex V.

[0031] The package C further comprises a substantially rectangular bottom wall 1E from which the two front walls 1A, 1B depart from opposite large edges and from which the two side walls 1C, 1D depart from opposite small edges.

[0032] The longitudinal line is therefore a line along the edges between the front walls 1A, 1B and the side walls 1C, 1D, while the transversal line is considered a line along the edges between the bottom wall 1E and the remaining front and side walls, as well as a line along the vertex V.

[0033] Again as shown, the container C is first sealed with a first seal and a second seal configured to form the container C with a single opening 10 providing access to the cavity delimited by the front walls 1A, 1B and by the side walls 1C and 1D.

[0034] The first seal and the second seal are formed by joining corresponding inner faces of at least one of the front walls 1A, 1B and / or of the side walls 1C, 1D to create a first sealing ridge P1 and a second sealing ridge P2.

[0035] At least one of the first sealing ridge P1 and the second sealing ridge P2 is of the peelable or tearable type.

[0036] The inner face refers to the side of the sheet 1 that will be in contact with the product, while the opposite side is the outer face.

[0037] An access opening 10 is formed at the bottom wall IE to allow the cavity to be filled with the product poured through the access opening 10.

[0038] As shown again, after filling, the access opening 10 is closed by a third seal formed by welding the inner faces of the two opposite end tail portions of the front walls IA, IB to each other and the inner faces of the two pairs of opposite end tail portions of the side walls IC, ID to each other to form a single third bottom seal ridge P3 on the bottom wall IE.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the package is obtained from a single sheet with extremely simple but safe sealing and high mechanical sealing.

[0040] This type of package has a very high structural variability, as demonstrated by the four forms shown by way of example only in Figures 1-4, which can be obtained using the features described above.

[0041] In the package shown in Figures 1 and 2, the package is obtained from a single sheet 1 having a "fan" shape, with the bottom wall IE formed in a larger arc and the common vertex V formed in a narrower arc.

[0042] According to the package shown in Figures 3 and 4, the package is obtained from a single sheet 1 having a double-wing shape joined at a common central region; in this case, the common vertex V of the package will be formed in the common central region, while the two free end portions, once folded with respect to the vertex, will form the bottom wall IE.

[0043] According to the package form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first seal defining the first seal ridge PI is formed longitudinally and centrally in one of the front walls IA or IB, or in one of the side walls IC or ID, from the vertex up to the center of the bottom wall IE.

[0044] The second seal defining the second seal ridge P2 is formed transversely along the common vertex V, formed at the intersection of the side walls IC, ID.

[0045] More specifically, in the package of Figure 1, the first seal defining the first seal ridge PI is formed longitudinally and centrally in the front wall IA.

[0046] It should be noted that, in the package of Figure 2, the first seal defining the first seal ridge PI is formed longitudinally in the side wall IC.

[0047] According to the package form shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first and second seals defining the first and second seal ridges PI and P2, respectively, are formed longitudinally and centrally in each of the front walls IA, IB or in each of the side walls IC, ID, respectively.

[0048] In more detail, in the package of Figure 3, the first and second seals defining the first and second sealing beads P1 and P2, respectively, are formed longitudinally and centrally on each of the two front walls 1A and 1B.

[0049] In the package of Figure 4, the first and second seals defining the first and second sealing beads P1 and P2, respectively, are formed longitudinally on each of the two side walls 1C, 1D.

[0050] In all the packages illustrated, the third bottom sealing bead P3 is formed centrally and folded on the bottom wall 1E.

[0051] In all the packages, the third seal forming the third bottom sealing bead P3 also forms, after folding the third bottom sealing bead P3 on the bottom wall 1E, a pair of flaps 3 projecting from the bottom wall 1E on both sides.

[0052] These flaps 3 are preferably folded on the nearest side walls 1C and 1D.

[0053] Preferably, the bottom wall 1E comprises a projecting bottom protrusion 2 configured to facilitate opening of the package C.

[0054] Preferably, the bottom protrusion 2 is formed on the third bottom sealing bead P3.

[0055] It should be noted that on the bottom 1E, that is to say on the third bottom sealing bead P3, two protrusions 2 can be provided side by side (Figures 1 and 3).

[0056] According to another variant embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, at least one of the first and second sealing beads P1 and P2 can comprise a (further) projecting side protrusion 2’ configured for opening of the package C.

[0057] In Figure 4, a respective protrusion 2’ is formed on each of the beads P1 and P2.

[0058] It should be noted that the protrusions 2, 2’ (bottom and side) are preferably, but not necessarily, flat half-moon shaped.

[0059] These protrusions 2, 2’ facilitate opening starting from the beads P1 and / or P2 and / or P3, as they define a grip point on the package C.

[0060] As illustrated, at least one of the first sealing bead P1, the second sealing bead P2 and the third bottom sealing bead P3 is folded on the respective wall 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E of the container C.

[0061] Preferably, each of the first sealing ridge P1, the second sealing ridge P2 and the third bottom sealing ridge P3 is folded on the corresponding wall 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E forming it after the forming.

[0062] According to the illustrated embodiment, the single third bottom sealing ridge P3 extends perpendicularly to the common vertex V.

[0063] It should be noted that the third bottom sealing ridge P3 is formed only by two opposite layers of the single sheet 1 and is formed on the bottom wall 1E in a position such that there is no blank space without product in the package close to the bottom wall 1E.

[0064] According to the present application, all the sealing ridges P1, P2 and P3 are formed by an inner-inner joint, that is to say, joining together two internal faces of the sheet, thus guaranteeing a perfect seal.

[0065] The joining of the portions forming the sealing ridges can be realized by applying glue, by simple pressing in the presence of a hot sealant or of an adhesive material (permanent or peelable type) pre-applied on the sheet, or by ultrasonic sealing.

[0066] The present application also relates to a method for manufacturing a package C for food products (see Figure 5 and Figure 6 ).

[0067] The illustrated method steps are related to the package shown in Figure 1, but can also be used for other packages C, without particular distinction.

[0068] The method comprises the following steps:

[0069] - feeding a continuous film;

[0070] - cutting the continuous film to form a plurality of single sheets 1 and forming on each single sheet longitudinal and transversal lines of weakening to define folding lines for forming a container C having a triangular prism shape;

[0071] - providing a shaped mandrel 4 having a prism shape;

[0072] - coupling the single sheet 1 to the shaped mandrel 4;

[0073] - folding the sheet 1 around the shaped mandrel 4 by folding the sheet 1 along the lines of weakening, so as to wrap the shaped mandrel 4 forming:

[0074] two opposite front walls 1A, 1B parallel to each other and in a triangular shape; and

[0075] two opposite rectangular side walls 1C, 1D inclined towards the common vertex V,

[0076] - when the sheet 1 is wrapped on the forming mandrel 4, a sealing is made by a first seal and a second seal to make a container C having a single opening 10 which opens onto a cavity delimited by two front walls 1A, 1B and two side walls 1C, 1D,

[0077] - the first seal and the second seal are made by joining the corresponding inner faces of at least one of the front walls 1A, 1B and / or of the side walls 1C, 1D to create a first sealing ridge P1 and a second sealing ridge P2, at least one of which is of the peelable or tearable type.

[0078] The method then comprises the following steps:

[0079] - separating the container C, already formed with the first sealing ridge P1 and the second sealing ridge P2, from the forming mandrel 4 to form a cavity accessible from the access opening 10;

[0080] - filling the cavity with a product poured by dripping through the access opening 10, followed by

[0081] - closing the container C by a third final seal made by sealing the inner faces of the at least two front walls 1A, 1B to create a single third bottom sealing ridge P3 on the bottom wall 1E, opposite and extending perpendicularly to the common vertex V on the bottom wall 1E.

[0082] In other words, the package is obtained by folding a single sheet around a mandrel configured to obtain a tri-prismatic shape. This wrapping makes it possible to quickly and easily obtain a closed ridge.

[0083] Furthermore, by acting in opposition to the forming mandrel, it is possible to increase the temperature and the pressure without risking damaging the product which is only introduced subsequently.

[0084] It should also be noted that the various versions of the final package depend only on the type of initial configuration of the sheet, while the forming step is the same for a high degree of operating flexibility.

[0085] Preferably, the step of sealing the sheet 1 in the step of wrapping on the forming mandrel 4 comprises the following sub-steps:

[0086] - a first seal defining a first sealing ridge P1 is made longitudinally on one of the front walls 1A or 1B of the package C or on one of the side walls 1C or 1D; Figure 5 ) and

[0087] - a second seal defining a second sealing ridge P2 is made transversely along the common vertex V formed at the intersection of the front walls 1A, 1B with the side walls 1C, 1DFigure 5 and Figure 6 (This corresponds to the implementation shown in Figures 1 and 2.)

[0088] Alternatively, in the step of wrapping around the forming mandrel 4, the steps of performing the first and second sealing on the sheet 1 include the following sub-steps:

[0089] - A first seal is defined longitudinally on one of the front walls 1A or 1B of the packaging C or on one of the side walls 1C or 1D, with a first sealing ridge P1; and

[0090] - A second seal is formed longitudinally on another front wall 1A or 1B or another side wall 1C or 1D relative to the first seal, defining a second sealing ridge P2. This corresponds to the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0091] It should be noted that after the step of closing the container C to create the third bottom sealing ridge P3, there is a step of folding the third bottom sealing ridge P3 centered on the bottom wall 1E.

[0092] After the steps of forming the first sealing ridge P1, the second sealing ridge P2 and the third bottom sealing ridge P3, there is a corresponding step: folding and stably attaching to the corresponding walls 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E of the container C on which each ridge P1, P2 and P3 are formed.

[0093] like Figure 6 As shown, the step of separating the container C from the forming mandrel 4 is performed by sliding the container C on the outer surface of the forming mandrel 4 to remove the container C from the forming mandrel 4.

[0094] After separating container C from mandrel 4, fill container C and then seal the bottom wall 1E.

Claims

1. A sealed package for liquid or pasty food products, comprising a single sheet (1) having lines of weakness in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction, which is folded along the lines of weakness to form a container (C) having a shape of a triangular prism, comprising: - two opposite front walls (1A, 1B) parallel to each other and triangular; - two opposite inclined rectangular side walls (1C, 1D) converging towards a common vertex (V); and - a rectangular bottom wall (1E) from which the two front walls (1A, 1B) depart from two opposite large edges and the two side walls (1C, 1D) depart from two opposite small edges; - a first seal and a second seal formed by joining corresponding inner faces of at least one of the front walls (1A, 1B) and / or side walls (1C, 1D) to create a first seal ridge (P1) and a second seal ridge (P2), at least one of the first seal ridge (P1) and the second seal ridge (P2) being of the peelable or tearable type, the first seal and the second seal defining a cavity delimited by the front walls (1A, 1B) and the side walls (1C, 1D) and a single opening (10) for accessing the cavity; - the opening (10) being formed in correspondence with the bottom wall (1E) to allow the cavity to be filled with the product poured through the opening (10), wherein the opening (10) is closed by a third seal formed by welding the inner faces of the two opposite end tail portions of the front walls (1A, 1B) to each other or by welding the inner faces of the two opposite end tail portions of the front walls (1A, 1B) to each other and the inner faces of the two opposite end tail portions of each of the side walls (1C, 1D) to each other to form a single third bottom seal ridge (P3) on the bottom wall (1E) opposite the common vertex (V).

2. The package of claim 1, wherein, The first seal defining the first seal ridge (P1) is formed longitudinally on one of the front walls (1A, 1B) or on one of the side walls (1C, 1D), and the second seal defining the second seal ridge (P2) is formed transversely to the common vertex (V) formed where the front walls (1A, 1B) and side walls (1C, 1D) intersect each other.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein, The first seal and the second seal defining the first seal ridge (P1) and the second seal ridge (P2), respectively, are formed longitudinally on each of the two front walls (1A, 1B) or on each of the two side walls (1C, 1D), respectively.

4. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The third bottom seal ridge (P3) is formed centrally and folded on the bottom wall (1E).

5. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The bottom wall (1E) comprises at least one protruding bottom protrusion (2) configured to open the package.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein, The bottom protrusion (2) is formed on the third bottom seal ridge (P3).

7. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of said first (P1) and second (P2) sealing beads comprises a protruding lateral protrusion (2') configured to open said package.

8. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of said first (P1), second (P2) and third bottom (P3) sealing beads is folded on a respective wall.

9. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Said third sealing forming said third bottom sealing bead (P3) also forms, after said third bottom sealing bead (P3) is folded on said bottom wall (1 E), a pair of flaps (3) protruding bilaterally from said bottom wall (1 E), each flap of said pair of flaps (3) being folded on a respective nearest lateral wall (1 C, 1 D).

10. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Said third bottom sealing bead (P3) is formed only by two opposite end tail portions of said single sheet (1) and is formed on said bottom wall (1 E) in a position such that no blank space without product is left in said container (C) near said bottom wall (1 E).

11. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said third bottom sealing bead (P3) extends perpendicularly to said common vertex (V).

12. A method for manufacturing a sealed package for liquid or paste-like food products, comprising the following steps: - feeding a continuous film; - cutting said continuous film to form a plurality of single sheets (1) and forming, on each single sheet (1), longitudinal and transversal lines of weakening to define folding lines for forming a container (C) having a tri-prismatic conformation; - providing a shaped mandrel (4) having a prismatic shape; - coupling said single sheet (1) to said shaped mandrel (4); - folding said single sheet (1) around said shaped mandrel (4) by folding the single sheet (1) along said lines of weakening, so as to form, around said shaped mandrel (4): - two opposite front walls (1 A, 1 B) parallel to each other and triangular; - and - two opposite rectangular lateral walls (1 C, 1 D) inclined towards a common vertex (V), - when said single sheet (1) is wrapped on said shaped mandrel (4), sealing by a first and a second sealing to manufacture a container (C) having a single opening (10) to a cavity delimited by two front walls (1 A, 1 B) and two lateral walls (1 C, 1 D), - said first and second sealing being formed by joining corresponding inner faces of at least one of said front walls (1 A, 1 B) and / or lateral walls (1 C, 1 D) to create a first (P1) and a second (P2) sealing bead, at least one of said first (P1) and second (P2) sealing beads being of the peelable or tearable type, and subsequently - removing said container (C) with said first (P1) and second (P2) sealing beads from said shaped mandrel (4) to form said cavity accessible from said opening (10); - filling said cavity with a product poured by falling through said opening (10), and subsequently - sealing said opening (10) by a third sealing. - closing said container (C) by a third final seal, said third final seal being formed by welding the inner faces of the two opposite end tails of the two front walls (1A, 1B) to each other or by welding the inner faces of the two opposite end tails of the two front walls (1A, 1B) to each other and welding the inner faces of the two opposite end tails of each of the side walls (1C, 1D) to each other to produce a single third bottom seal ridge (P3) on the bottom wall (1E) opposite said common vertex (V).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The sealing step comprises the following sub-steps: - said first seal defining said first seal ridge (P1) has been made longitudinally on one of the front walls (1A or 1B) or on one of the side walls (1C or 1D) of said container (C), and - said second seal defining said second seal ridge (P2) has been made transversely to said common vertex (V) formed at the intersection of said front walls (1A, 1B) and side walls (1C, 1D) with each other.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The sealing step comprises the following sub-steps: - said first seal defining said first seal ridge (P1) has been made longitudinally on one of the front walls (1A or 1B) or on one of the side walls (1C or 1D) of said container (C), and - said second seal defining said second seal ridge (P2) has been made longitudinally on the remaining front wall (1A or 1B) or on the remaining side wall (1C or 1D) with respect to said first seal.

15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, Said third bottom seal ridge (P3) is formed centrally and folded on said bottom wall (1E).

16. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, At least one of said first seal ridge (P1), second seal ridge (P2) and third bottom seal ridge (P3) is folded and stably associated on the corresponding respective wall of said container (C).

17. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein, Said third bottom seal ridge (P3) is formed by engaging only the two opposite end tails of said single sheet (1) and is formed on said bottom wall (1E) in such a way as to leave no blank space without product in said container (C) close to said bottom wall (1E). Said third bottom seal ridge (P3) is formed by engaging only the two opposite end tails of said single sheet (1) and is formed on said bottom wall (1E) in such a way as to leave no blank space without product in said container (C) close to said bottom wall (1E).

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