Laminated packaging material

Abstract

A laminated packaging material (16) for packaging a liquid food product is provided. The laminated packaging material comprises a main body layer 20 provided with at least two slits (22) forming a partially cut open opening, and the at least two slits (22) are arranged along a closed shape border defining the partially cut open opening. The closed shape border comprises at least one hinge portion (42) and a bridge region (43), the bridge region comprising at least one bridge portion (44) separating the at least two slits (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a laminated packaging material for packaging liquid food. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the laminated packaging material, and a packaging container. Background Technology

[0002] Single-use packaging containers for liquid foods are typically made from cardboard or rigid cardboard-based packaging laminates. One common type of such packaging container is the Tetra Pak Aseptic Packet. ® These containers are sold primarily for aseptic packaging of liquid foods such as milk and juice, intended for long-term storage at room temperature. The packaging material in these known containers is typically a laminate comprising a main layer or core layer made of paper, cardboard, or other cellulose-based materials, and an outer liquid-tight layer of thermoplastic. To ensure the containers are airtight, particularly oxygen-tight, for purposes such as aseptic packaging and packaging milk or juice, the laminates in these containers typically include at least one additional layer, in the form of a barrier film, most commonly aluminum foil, but other non-aluminum foil layers, such as barrier films comprising polyester, can also be used.

[0003] On the inner side of the laminate, that is, the side intended to face the food contents of the container made from the laminate, there is an innermost layer applied to the barrier film. This innermost layer may consist of one or more partial layers comprising heat-sealable thermoplastic polymers, such as adhesive polymers and / or polyolefins. An outermost heat-sealable polymer layer is also present outside the body layer.

[0004] Packaging containers are typically produced using modern high-speed packaging machines, the type that form, fill, and seal packages from rolls of packaging material or from preforms. Thus, packaging containers can be produced by reforming rolls of laminated packaging material into tubes, wherein the two longitudinal edges of the roll are joined together at an lap joint by welding the innermost and outermost heat-sealable thermoplastic polymer layers together. The tube is filled with the intended liquid food and is then separated into individual packages by repeatedly sealing the tube laterally at predetermined intervals below the level of the contents. These packages are separated from the tube by cuts along the laterally sealed sections and are given the desired geometry, typically a parallelepiped, by folding along pre-prepared creases in the packaging material.

[0005] The main advantage of this continuous tube forming, filling, and sealing concept is that the roll material can be continuously sterilized before tube formation, thus providing the possibility of aseptic packaging methods, i.e., methods that reduce bacteria in the liquid contents to be filled as well as in the packaging material itself. The filled packaging containers are manufactured under clean conditions, allowing for long-term storage even at ambient temperatures without the risk of microbial growth in the filled product. Tetra Pak (Tetra Pak bricks) ®) Another important advantage of this type of packaging method is, as mentioned above, the possibility of continuous high-speed packaging, which has a considerable impact on cost efficiency.

[0006] Packaging containers can also be produced from sheet preforms or preforms of laminated packaging material. Packaging containers are produced from flat, tubular preforms by folding the preform to form an open, tubular container sac, one open end of which is closed by folding and heat-sealing an integral end plate. The thus-closed container sac is filled with the food in question, such as juice, through its open end, which is then closed by further folding and heat-sealing of the corresponding integral end plate. An example of packaging containers produced from sheet and tubular preforms is the conventional so-called gable-top packaging. This type of packaging also exists, featuring a molded top and / or screw cap made of plastic.

[0007] Typically, liquid food packaging containers are provided with openings to allow consumers to access the contents. These openings can be, for example, straw holes, pull tabs, or plastic caps added to the container. For such openings, the packaging material of the container has some type of structure that locally reduces mechanical strength.

[0008] For example, a hole can be provided by punching the body layer or core layer before lamination, and then covering the hole with an additional laminate (including a barrier material) on the inside and outside. This pre-laminated hole will greatly reduce the required penetration force because the consumer does not have to drill a hole in the body layer. However, it is essential to ensure proper lamination within the hole.

[0009] For consumer satisfaction, penetration should be as low as possible; however, a certain level of resistance is required in the opening structure to prevent accidental penetration. In modern packaging processes characterized by continuous and high-speed operations, ensuring a consistent and reliable seal of the container to the straw opening and other opening structures is crucial. This necessity stems from the need to prevent accidental breakage while maintaining manufacturing quality and efficiency. Therefore, there is a need for improved laminated packaging materials that both maintain the integrity of the lamination and seamlessly integrate into fast-paced packaging workflows. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In a first aspect, a laminated packaging material for packaging liquid food is provided. The packaging material includes a body layer having at least two slits forming partially cut openings, the at least two slits being arranged along a boundary defining a closed shape of the partially cut openings. The boundary of the closed shape includes at least one hinge portion and a bridging region, the bridging region including at least one bridging portion that separates the at least two slits. An improvement over previous solutions is that the slits allow easy penetration of the packaging material, while the hinge portion and the bridging region ensure that the body layer inside the boundary of the closed shape maintains a flat configuration during manufacturing, thereby ensuring lamination quality.

[0011] The main material layer remains intact along the boundary of the closed shape in at least one hinge portion and at least one bridging portion. This ensures the robustness of the main material layer at these portions.

[0012] The at least one hinge portion can be configured to fold into the packaging container when the partially closed opening is pierced by a straw or other piercing device. This reduces the risk of the material completely separating from the packaging material.

[0013] The at least one bridging portion can be configured to break when the partially closed opening is pierced by the straw or other piercing device. This ensures easy opening and good control over the required penetration force. The bridging portion can be less than 1 mm, for example, 0.80 ± 0.10 mm. Therefore, the desired ease of opening and good control over the required penetration force can be achieved. This also protects the packaging material during production, as will be explained later.

[0014] The at least one hinge portion may be longer than each of the at least one bridging portion. This effectively ensures the folding and breaking relationship between the hinge portion and the at least one bridging portion.

[0015] Compared to the hinge portion, the bridging region can be arranged on the opposite side of the boundary of the closed shape of the partially cut opening. This further ensures the original flat configuration of the body layer inside the boundary of the closed shape during lamination.

[0016] Preferably, the bridging region is enclosed in an area extending on both sides from the inward normal of the hinge portion at an angle of up to 45°. More preferably, the angle is less than 30°, and more preferably, the angle is less than 10°. This also ensures the original flat configuration of the main body layer inside the boundary of the closed shape during lamination.

[0017] The laminated packaging material may include a body layer of paper or paperboard or other cellulose-based material, a first outer liquid-tight layer disposed on the outside of the body layer, and an inner liquid-tight layer disposed on the inside of the body layer. This provides a very robust and reliable packaging material.

[0018] The laminated packaging material may further include a barrier film or barrier sheet laminated between the body layer and the inner liquid-tight layer, wherein the barrier film or barrier sheet is provided with at least two slits forming the partially cut opening, or wherein the barrier film or barrier sheet layer remains intact. This allows for flexibility in the selection of barrier film or barrier sheet materials—when the barrier film or barrier sheet material is easily permeable, it can remain intact. On the other hand, when the barrier film or barrier sheet material is difficult to permeate, it can be provided with the same slits as the body layer.

[0019] According to a second aspect, a method for manufacturing a laminated packaging material for packaging liquid food is provided. The method includes: providing a body layer; providing at least two slits forming partially slit openings in the body layer, wherein the partially slit openings include a boundary of a closed shape, wherein the slits are arranged along the boundary of the closed shape, the boundary of the closed shape including at least one hinge portion and a bridging region including at least one bridging portion separating the at least two slits; applying an inner liquid-tight layer to an inner side of the body layer; and applying an outer liquid-tight layer to an outer side of the body layer.

[0020] The method may further include feeding the body layer in a machine direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the packaging material, wherein an axis passing through the center of the hinge portion and the center of the bridging region extends at least partially along the longitudinal direction of the packaging material. This ensures the original flat configuration of the body layer inside the boundary of the closed shape during lamination. In a possible embodiment, along the longitudinal direction, the hinge portion may be a first section of the partially cut opening that is wound (or in other words, separated from the roller forming the gap with another roller, e.g., from a cooling roller, after lamination in the roll gap). The separated first section has the highest stress on the packaging material. Therefore, the hinge portion ensures that the packaging material separates from the roller without breaking. On the opposite side of the partially cut opening, the bridging portion may be a final section that is wound (or in other words, separated from the roller, e.g., from a cooling roller, after lamination in the roll gap). The separated final section has lower stress compared to the first section. Therefore, the bridging portion sufficiently ensures that the packaging material separates from the roller without breaking.

[0021] The axis passing through the center of the hinge portion and the center of the bridging region is preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction of the packaging material. This further ensures the original flat configuration of the main body layer inside the boundary of the closed shape during lamination.

[0022] The method step of providing at least two slits to the body layer can be performed by laser cutting and / or mechanical cutting. This enables very fast, precise, and reliable manufacturing. In a possible implementation, providing at least two slits to the body layer, the cutting can be performed only to sever the fibers without removing any portion of the body layer. For example, the distance between the severed fibers, in other words, the thickness of the slits, can be less than one millimeter, for example, less than 0.5 mm. Therefore, the inner liquid-tight layer and / or the outer liquid-tight layer can be supported by the body layer because a relatively continuous surface is provided to be applied, in other words, a uniform surface is provided to be applied. With regard to this continuous surface and the liquid-tight layer applied thereon, in the case of a continuous connection / support between the body layer and the liquid-tight layer, the physical integrity of the body layer and / or the liquid-tight layer can be maintained during and / or after opening. This may be even more important for packaging materials that do not have a barrier film or barrier sheet laminated to the body layer. Packaging materials without a barrier film or barrier sheet may lack sufficient physical integrity during and / or after opening. As described above, the present invention can provide sufficient integrity for the packaging material during and / or after opening, even if it does not include a barrier film or barrier sheet.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a packaging container is provided. The packaging container comprises the laminated packaging material according to the first aspect, and / or is manufactured by the method according to the second aspect.

[0024] The disclosed aspects, embodiments, and / or appended claims may be appropriately combined with each other as will be apparent to any person skilled in the art. Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims, and drawings, and some of these will be apparent to those skilled in the art therefrom, or will be recognized by practice of the invention described herein. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The example is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing laminated packaging materials used to package liquid foods.

[0027] Figure 1B This is a schematic diagram of a system for producing packaging containers for liquid foods.

[0028] Figure 2A This is a cross-sectional view of a method for manufacturing laminated packaging materials used to package liquid foods.

[0029] Figure 2B This is a cross-sectional view of an alternative method for manufacturing laminated packaging materials used to package liquid foods.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic side view of laminated packaging material opened by a straw or other piercing device.

[0031] Figures 4A to 4C It is a schematic top view of different embodiments of the laminated packaging material, which are achieved by alternative variations of at least one hinge portion and at least one bridging portion.

[0032] Figure 5A H is a schematic top view of different embodiments of the laminated packaging material, which are achieved by alternative variations of at least one hinge portion and at least one bridging portion. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Reference Figure 1A An exemplary embodiment of a method for producing laminated packaging material 16 using a conversion processing system 30 is shown. The primary task of the conversion processing system 30 is to convert individual materials into a single packaging material product. Preferably, at station I, a body material layer 20 made of paper or cardboard or other cellulose-based material is fed into the conversion processing system 30 in a roll. The conversion processing system 30 is also configured to provide at least two slits 22 (see Figures 4 and 5) forming partially cut openings to the body layer 20 at station II, wherein the partially cut openings include the boundaries of a closed shape. The slits 22 can be provided using a stamping tool 31 arranged on a roller 32. As will be further described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the slits 22 are arranged along the boundaries of the closed shape, which include at least one hinge portion 42 and at least one bridging region including at least one bridging portion 44 separating the at least two slits 22. The conversion processing system 30 also includes one or more lamination stations III and IV, which are configured to apply an inner liquid-tight layer 28 to the inside of the main body layer 20 and / or apply an outer liquid-tight layer 26 to the outside of the main body layer 20.

[0034] Reference Figure 1B An embodiment of a machine 14 for producing filled packaging containers 10 for liquid food 12 is shown. The machine 14 can be fed in a roll form with laminated packaging material 16. The packaging container 10 can be made, by example, by forming the packaging material 16 into a tube, filling the tube with liquid food 12, and then cutting and sealing the laminated packaging material 16 by a corresponding cutting and sealing device 18.

[0035] Reference Figure 1A and Figure 2A -B, the laminated packaging material 16 may further include a barrier film or barrier sheet 24. This barrier film or barrier sheet 24 may be provided after the main body layer 20 has been provided with the at least two slits 22 (see [reference needed]). Figure 2A (According to the implementation scheme) or before the main body layer 20 is provided with the at least two slits 22 (see according to Figure 2B The implementation scheme) is laminated to the inner side of the main body layer 20. According to Figure 2B In one embodiment, the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 may be provided with the at least two slits 22 simultaneously with the body layer 20, resulting in the partially closed opening extending through both the body layer 20 and the barrier film or barrier sheet 24. Figure 2A In one embodiment, the at least two slits 22 are provided to the body layer 20 before the barrier film or barrier sheet is laminated to the inside of the body layer 20. In this embodiment, the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 can remain intact and, together with the inner liquid-tight layer 28, form an inner membrane that accommodates and shields the liquid food 12 inside the packaging container 10.

[0036] The barrier film or sheet 24 may be aluminum foil; alternatively, the barrier film or sheet 24 may be at least partially non-metallic and may comprise entirely of non-metallic material. The barrier film or sheet 24 may also be implemented as a composite material and thus comprise more than one layer. In a particular example, the barrier film or sheet 24 may be a fiber-based barrier film or sheet 24 (e.g., a paper-based barrier film or sheet 24). The fiber-based barrier film or sheet 24 has a paper base layer with a coating having barrier properties and applied to the paper base layer. The paper base layer may be coated using an aqueous dispersion coating method with a dispersion or solution of a composition capable of providing a barrier against oxygen, water vapor, and / or other migratory substances. Examples of such compositions are aqueous compositions comprising vinyl alcohol polymers or starch or other polysaccharides, optionally further comprising fillers or layered mineral compounds such as talc or bentonite or other clay minerals. Alternatively, or further, the paper substrate layer can be coated by vapor deposition methods, such as chemical vapor deposition and / or physical vapor deposition, and in a preferred embodiment, it can be metallized, i.e., deposited with a metal (such as aluminum) coating only nanometers thick. Depending on its thickness and mechanical properties, such fiber-based barrier films or sheets 24 may be difficult to stamp, cut, or penetrate, thus requiring specific and powerful equipment. In another specific example, the barrier film or sheet 24 can be a polymer-based barrier film or sheet 24. The polymer-based barrier film or sheet 24 may comprise a single polymer layer with inherent gas barrier properties; or comprise a layer having a polymer substrate layer and a coating with barrier properties coated onto the polymer substrate layer. The polymer substrate layer may be a pre-manufactured film having a single-layer or multi-layer structure, which is further coated by deposition methods such as chemical vapor deposition and / or physical vapor deposition in the same manner as described above with respect to the fiber-based barrier substrate. For example, such polymer barrier substrates can be metallized and / or deposited with inorganic oxides (such as metal oxides). Such polymer-based barrier layers have also been found to be difficult to punch or penetrate. These types of fiber-based or polymer-based barrier films or sheets 24 are considered advantageous, particularly in terms of recycling of packaging formed from the packaging material 16.

[0037] The laminating material for the outer liquid-tight layer 26 and the inner liquid-tight layer 28 is preferably a heat-sealable thermoplastic layer.

[0038] The laminated packaging material can be... Figure 1A The method is exemplarily illustrated in the figure. Two alternative embodiments of the method of the present invention are shown in... Figure 2A In section B, the details of these implementation schemes will be explained below.

[0039] Reference Figure 2A This shows the process in step I (also in Figure 1A (As shown in step I), a body layer 20 is provided, preferably made of paper or paperboard or other cellulose-based material.

[0040] In step II (also Figure 1A (As shown in step II), the at least two slits 22 are provided to the main body layer 20 to form a partially cut opening including the boundary of the closed shape, wherein the slits are arranged along the boundary of the closed shape, the boundary of the closed shape including the at least one hinge portion 42 and the at least one bridging region including the at least one bridging portion 44 that separates the at least two slits 22.

[0041] In step III, the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 may be laminated to the main body layer 20 such that the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 forms a membrane covering the at least two slits 22 of the partially cut opening.

[0042] In step IV (also Figure 1A (As shown in step III), the inner liquid-tight layer 28 is applied to the inside of the main body layer 20 to directly contact the filled food 12.

[0043] In step V (also Figure 1A (As shown in step IV), the outer liquid-tight layer 26 is applied to the outside of the main body layer 20 to form the outside of the packaging container 10 formed by the packaging material 16. This is done in such a way that the outer liquid-tight layer 26, the inner liquid-tight layer 28, and the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 together form the laminate at the area of ​​the partially cut opening.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 2B This shows the process in step I (also in Figure 1A (as shown in step 1), a body layer 20 is provided, preferably made of paper or paperboard or other cellulose-based material.

[0045] In step II, the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 may be laminated onto the main body layer 20.

[0046] In step III (also Figure 1A (As shown in step II), the at least two slits 22 are provided to the main body layer 20 and the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 to form a partially cut opening including the boundary of the closed shape, wherein the slits are arranged along the boundary of the closed shape, the boundary of the closed shape including the at least one hinge portion 42 and the at least one bridging region including the at least one bridging portion 44 that separates the at least two slits 22.

[0047] In step IV (also Figure 1A (As shown in step III), the inner liquid-tight layer 28 is applied to the inside of the main body layer 20 to directly contact the filled food 12.

[0048] In step V (also Figure 1A (As shown in step IV), the outer liquid-tight layer 26 is applied to the outside of the main body layer 20 to form the outside of the packaging container 10 formed by the packaging material 16. This is done in such a way that the outer liquid-tight layer 26, the inner liquid-tight layer 28, and the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 together form the laminate at the area of ​​the partially cut opening.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 The embodiment shown illustrates the laminated packaging material 16 before the opening cut by the piercing device 50 (see [link]). Figure 3 (the upper part) and an exemplary cross-section thereafter / during (see) Figure 3 (Lower part). The puncture device 50 may be, for example, a drinking straw. It should be noted that the dotted line and the dashed line refer to the main material layer 20 of the bridging portion 44 and the hinge portion 42, respectively, wherein the main material layer preferably remains intact.

[0050] When an external force is applied to the partially cut opening via the piercing device 50, the at least one bridging portion 44 is configured to break, and the at least one hinge portion 42 is configured to fold into the packaging container 10. To make the bridging portion 44 more easily broken from forces that fold the hinge portion 42 without breaking it, the hinge portion 42 is preferably longer than the bridging portion 44. However, the bridging portion 44 may have a length equal to or longer than the hinge portion 42, which can be suitably arranged by, for example, informing and guiding the user of the straw and / or appropriately arranging the piercing path of the piercing device 50. When the partially cut opening is pierced, the folding rather than breaking of the hinge portion 42 prevents fragments of the laminated packaging material 16 from falling into the liquid food 12 after the packaging container 10 is opened by the user.

[0051] Reference Figure 4A-B shows a top view of the laminated packaging material 16 and the partially cut opening. Preferably, the bridging region 43 (in these embodiments, only one bridging portion 44) is surrounded by an area extending on both sides from the inward normal N of the hinge portion 42 at an angle α of up to 45°, more preferably at a maximum of 30°, and even more preferably at 10°. The arrangement of the hinge 42 and the bridging portion 44 relative to each other helps to keep the portion of the body layer 20 surrounded by the partially cut opening flat and flush with the body layer 20 surrounding the partially cut opening. Otherwise, the at least two slits 22 may cause the portion of the body layer 20 surrounded by the partially cut opening to bend slightly downward or upward relative to the surrounding body layer 20. Avoiding such deformation of the portion of the main body layer 20 surrounded by the partially cut opening prevents bubbles and / or wrinkles from forming around the barrier film or barrier sheet 24 and / or the liquid-tight layers 26, 28 during the manufacture or use of the laminated packaging material.

[0052] The main material layer 20 remains intact along the boundaries of the closed shape in at least one hinge portion 42 and at least one bridging portion 44. The intact material at these portions 42, 44 enhances the robustness of the partially cut opening and reduces the risk of accidental breakage. Preferably, the length of these intact portions 42, 44 is such that the force required to break the partially cut opening using a straw or other piercing device 50 does not increase to a level beyond consumer acceptableness. Consumer surveys have revealed a desired penetration force of about 15 N or less, and penetration forces of about 10 to 12 N have proven satisfactory in terms of packaging container integrity and handling.

[0053] Reference Figure 4C The diagram shows a top view of the laminated packaging material 16 and the partially cut opening. Preferably, the bridging region 43 (in this embodiment, it includes two bridging portions 44) is surrounded by an area extending on both sides from the inward normal N of the hinge portion 42 at an angle α of up to 45°, more preferably at a maximum of 30°, and even more preferably at 10°. The arrangement of the hinge 42 and the bridging portions 44 relative to each other helps to keep the portion of the body layer 20 surrounded by the partially cut opening flush with the body layer 20 surrounding the partially cut opening.

[0054] Now refer to Figure 5A -H will describe in more detail the different embodiments of the laminated packaging material 16, with particular attention to preferred variations of the partially cut opening.

[0055] For this purpose, Figure 1A , 2AThe manufacturing direction L is defined and shown in -B and 5A-H. The machine direction L refers to the fact that the laminated packaging material 16 is typically manufactured in a continuous process with a material feed direction; in other words, this material feed direction is the machine direction L. Based on this, the longitudinal direction L of the laminated packaging material 16 is obtained, which is parallel to the machine direction L. As is well known, parallel direction vectors can be shifted relative to each other, as long as they still point in the same direction. Therefore, in the following description, the machine direction L and the longitudinal direction L will not be further distinguished, and the same reference numeral L will be used to emphasize their equivalence.

[0056] exist Figure 5A In the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is circular. The two slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and a bridging portion 44. The hinge portion 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the bridging portion 44. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0057] exist Figure 5B In the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is circular. The two slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and a bridging portion 44. The bridging portion 44 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the hinge portion 42. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0058] exist Figure 5C In the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is circular. The two slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and a bridging portion 44. The hinge portion 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the bridging portion 44. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is partially along the longitudinal direction L.

[0059] exist Figure 5D In the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is circular. The three slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and two bridging portions 44. The hinge portion 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the bridging portions 44. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0060] exist Figure 5E In the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is triangular / trapezoidal. The two slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and a bridging portion 44. The hinge portion 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the bridging portion 44. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0061] exist Figure 5FIn the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is semi-circular. The two slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and a bridging portion 44. The hinge portion 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the bridging portion 44. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0062] exist Figure 5G In the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is hexagonal. The three slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and two bridging portions 44. The hinge portion 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the bridging portions 44. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0063] exist Figure 5H In the illustrated embodiment, the closed shape is square. The two slits 22 separate a hinge portion 42 and a bridging portion 44. The hinge portion 42 is arranged in the longitudinal direction L before the bridging portion 44. In this embodiment, the angle α is less than 30°, and the axis A is parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0064] Figure 5A The embodiments shown in -H are merely examples and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments having more than three slits 22, one hinge portion 42, and two bridging portions 44 are possible and may be best suited to certain embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also be able to infer that many other closed shapes can be used and that the orientation between the at least one hinge portion 42 and the at least one bridging portion 44 can be manipulated.

[0065] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the aspects described above and shown in the accompanying drawings; rather, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. The aspects disclosed in the drawings and specification are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes, and the scope of this disclosure is set forth by the following claims.

Claims

1. A laminated packaging material (16) for packaging liquid food, comprising a body layer (20) having at least two slits (22) forming a partially cut opening, the at least two slits being arranged along a boundary defining a closed shape of the partially cut opening, the boundary of the closed shape including at least one hinge portion (42) and a bridging region (43), the bridging region including at least one bridging portion (44) separating the at least two slits (22).

2. The laminated packaging material (16) according to claim 1, wherein the body material layer (20) remains intact along the boundary of the closed shape in the at least one hinge portion (42) and the at least one bridging portion (44).

3. The laminated packaging material (16) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one hinge portion (42) is configured to fold into the packaging container when the partially closed opening is pierced by a straw or other piercing device.

4. The laminated packaging material (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one bridging portion (44) is configured to break when the partially closed opening is penetrated by the straw or other piercing device.

5. The laminated packaging material (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one hinge portion (42) is longer than each of the at least one bridging portion (44).

6. The laminated packaging material (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bridging region (43) is located on the opposite side of the boundary of the closed shape of the partially cut opening, compared to the hinge portion (42).

7. The laminated packaging material (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridging region (43) is surrounded in a region extending on both sides from the inward normal (N) of the hinge portion (42) at a maximum angle (α) of 45°.

8. The laminated packaging material (16) according to claim 7, wherein the angle (α) is less than 30°, preferably the angle (α) is less than 10°.

9. The laminated packaging material (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a main body layer (20) of paper or paperboard or other cellulose-based material, an outer liquid-tight layer (26) disposed on the outer side of the main body layer (20), and an inner liquid-tight layer (28) disposed on the inner side of the main body layer (20).

10. The laminated packaging material (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the laminated material (16) further comprises a barrier film or barrier sheet (24) laminated between the main body layer (20) and the inner liquid-tight layer (28), wherein the barrier film or barrier sheet is provided with at least two slits (22) forming the partially cut opening, or wherein the barrier film or barrier sheet layer (24) remains intact.

11. A method for manufacturing a laminated packaging material (16) for packaging liquid food, comprising: a. Provide the main body layer (20) b. Providing the main body layer with at least two slits (22) forming partially cut-out openings, wherein the partially cut-out openings include the boundary of a closed shape, wherein the at least two slits (22) are arranged along the boundary of the closed shape, the boundary of the closed shape including the at least one hinge portion (42) and the bridging region (43) including the at least one bridging portion (44) that separates the at least two slits (22). c. Apply the inner liquid-tight layer (28) to the inner side of the main body layer (20), and d. Apply the outer liquid-tight layer (26) to the outer side of the main body layer (20).

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising feeding the body layer (20) in a machine direction (L) corresponding to the longitudinal direction (L) of the laminated packaging material (16), wherein an axis (A) passing through the center of the hinge portion (42) and the center of the bridging region (43) extends at least partially along the longitudinal direction (L) of the packaging material (16).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the axis (A) passing through the center of the hinge portion (42) and the center of the bridging region (43) is parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the laminated packaging material (16).

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the step of providing at least two slits (22) to the main body layer (20) is performed by laser cutting and / or mechanical cutting.

15. A packaging container (10) comprising a laminated packaging material (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

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