Package for pourable product and corresponding production method

Abstract

Package (10) for pourable product, comprising a lower front wall (12), an opposing lower rear wall (13), a first (14) and a second (15) lower lateral wall interposed between them, a base wall (16), an upper front wall (17) in contact on a lower side thereof with an upper edge of the lower front wall (12) and an opposing upper rear wall (18) in contact on a lower side thereof with an upper edge of the lower rear wall (13), a first (19) and a second (21) folded lateral flap which are contiguous to the upper front wall (17) on opposite sides thereof and at least partly folded over respective upper end portions of the corresponding lower lateral wall (14, 15). The upper walls (17, 18) are inclined toward each other and sealed together in correspondence with respective sealed upper front (17a) and upper rear (18c) portions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a package for a pourable product, in particular foodstuffs such as fruit juice, milk, wine, tomato puree, water, but also flour, starch, breadcrumbs, sugar, salt and so on, or a pourable product for home care such as a detergent, for personal care or cosmetic such as a shampoo or soap, or other pourable products. The present invention also concerns the corresponding method for producing this package.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Packages for pourable products, for example liquid, granular or powdered, are known, which typically have a parallelepiped, truncated pyramid or similar shape, surmounted by an upper portion to which generally re-closable opening means can be applied.

[0003] These packages are generally manufactured starting from a flat sheet of multilayer material, such as a layer of cardboard covered on both sides with a heat-sealable plastic material, such as polyethylene. The sheet of multilayer material is suitably shaped and subjected to creasing in order to obtain folding lines useful for folding and forming the package. The result of these operations is known as a blank. The manufacturing of the package also provides suitable seals, which can be obtained by overlapping certain flaps or portions of the blank, heat sealing them together, or using ultrasonic or induction sealing. These types of seals are effective and reliable for sealing together up to four overlapping flaps, or five overlapping flaps in the event that one of the five flaps engages only a small portion of the seal, possibly already being involved in a previous seal, such as a longitudinal seal of the package.

[0004] The upper portion of the package can be variously conformed: flat upper portions are known, essentially consisting of a single wall that delimits the package at the top.

[0005] Gable top upper portions are also known, in which upper walls of the package combine to form a gable-shaped or pointed "roof". For example, WO 03 / 006327 discloses a package according to the preamble of claim 1, with a gable-shaped upper portion having an inclined upper front wall and upper rear wall, joined together in correspondence with a transverse top seal so as to be essentially symmetrical to each other. This package also has lower walls that are all essentially of the same height. The essential symmetry of the walls can make pouring the product less than optimal. For example, the pourable product tends to remain trapped in internal interstices created by the geometric shape of the package, so that the package cannot be emptied completely.

[0006] In addition, the folds necessary to create the upper gable-shaped portion tend to generate strong stresses in the package's material, especially underneath the transverse seal.

[0007] There is therefore the need to perfect a package for pourable product that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art. To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of providing a functional package without subjecting the package's material to excessive internal stresses.

[0008] One purpose of the present invention is to provide a package for pourable product and to perfect a corresponding production method which has a stable structure, without excessive internal stresses and therefore not subject to breakages or tears during its forming.

[0009] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a package for pourable product that allows the product contained therein to be easily poured.

[0010] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0012] In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, a package for pourable product according to the present invention comprises the features of claim 1.

[0013] Doing so achieves a package that is advantageously without any interstices in which the pourable product could remain trapped, thus facilitating the pouring of the product contained in the package.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the upper rear wall comprises a larger upper rear portion extending from the upper edge of the lower rear wall toward the upper wall and converging toward the sealed upper rear portion, forming with it an acute angle, and a connection upper rear portion interposed between and connecting the larger upper rear and sealed upper rear portions.

[0015] The connection upper rear portion allows to reduce the extent of the stresses present in the package's material caused by its geometric shape, particularly because of the acute angle formed by the larger upper rear and sealed upper rear portions.

[0016] The present invention also concerns a planar blank for forming a package for pourable product. The blank comprises a lower front panel; a first and second lower lateral panel, essentially shaped as a rectangle trapezoid, having respective larger bases coinciding with corresponding opposite larger sides of the lower front panel.

[0017] According to claim 7, the blank comprises a first and second lower rear half-panel, essentially rectangular, each having a respective larger side coinciding with the smaller base of the corresponding lower lateral panel. According to claim 8, the blank comprises an essentially rectangular lower rear panel having a larger side coinciding with the smaller base of the first lower lateral panel.

[0018] The blank comprises an upper front panel, adjacent to the lower front panel and having opposite sides coinciding with respective smaller bases of respective first and second upper lateral panel shaped as a rectangle trapezoid. Each upper lateral panel is configured to form, with the corresponding underlying lower lateral panel, a rectangle. In addition, each upper lateral panel is configured to form, when folded along suitable folding lines, a respective first or second folded lateral flap of the package.

[0019] The blank according to claim 7 also comprises a first and a second upper rear half-panel, each adjacent to the respective upper lateral panel on the opposite side to the upper front panel and to the respective lower rear half-panel in correspondence with a lower side thereof. The upper rear half-panels and the upper lateral and upper front panels form, with upper sides thereof aligned with each other, a rectilinear segment.

[0020] In the blank of claim 8, the blank comprises an upper rear panel, adjacent to the first upper lateral panel on the opposite side to the upper front panel and to the lower rear panel in correspondence with a lower side thereof. The upper lateral, rear and front panels form, with upper sides thereof aligned with each other, a rectilinear segment.

[0021] The blank comprises suitable parts configured to contribute to the creation of longitudinal or transverse seals, such as an essentially rectangular rear longitudinal flap, in correspondence with an end opposite the first lower rear half-panel, if present, or alternatively the lower rear panel. The blank can comprise an essentially rectangular front sealing portion, having a larger lower side coinciding with an upper side of the upper front panel.

[0022] In other embodiments, the blank comprises a first and second essentially rectangular rear sealing portion, each having a smaller lower side coinciding with an upper side of the corresponding upper rear half-panel and configured to be overlappable and match with a respective half of the front sealing portion.

[0023] In alternative embodiments, the blank comprises an essentially rectangular rear sealing portion, having a larger lower side coinciding with an upper side of the upper rear panel and configured to be overlappable and match with the front sealing portion.

[0024] In some embodiments, the blank comprises two first and two second essentially rectangular lateral sealing flaps, adjacent to each other and interposed between the front sealing portion and, respectively, the first or second rear sealing portion. In alternative embodiments, the two first and two second lateral sealing flaps are instead interposed between the front sealing portion and, respectively, the rear sealing portion or the rear longitudinal flap.

[0025] The two first lateral sealing flaps are axially symmetrical with respect to a common side thereof, and the two second lateral sealing flaps are axially symmetrical with respect to a common side thereof.

[0026] In some embodiments, the blank comprises a first and second longitudinal folding line, each dividing the respective lower lateral panel in half. A terminal portion of each of these longitudinal folding lines coincides with the common side of the corresponding lateral sealing flaps.

[0027] The present invention also concerns a method for producing a package for pourable product. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method comprises forming, sealing and bonding steps in which the package is formed by means of successive folding and sealing of panels of a blank as described above.

[0028] According to claim 11, the method comprises a longitudinal sealing step able to fold the blank along the longitudinal folding lines, thus overlapping with the rear longitudinal flap a margin portion of the blank adjacent to the first rear sealing portion, to the first upper rear half-panel and to a free smaller side of the lower rear half-panel and then seal the rear longitudinal flap to the margin portion, thus forming a central longitudinal seal of the package; in this way, the lower rear half-panels together form a single lower rear panel, the upper rear half-panels together form a single upper rear panel, and the rear sealing portions together form a single rear sealing portion.

[0029] According to claim 12, the method comprises a longitudinal sealing step which provides to overlap with the rear longitudinal flap a margin portion of the blank adjacent to the rear sealing portion, to the upper rear panel and to a free smaller side of the lower rear panel, and then seal the rear longitudinal flap to the margin portion, thus forming a lateral longitudinal seal of the package, in such a way that the lower rear panel and second lateral panel have a common side.

[0030] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method also comprises an upper bonding step which provides to overlap and match the first lateral sealing flaps with each other, the second lateral sealing flaps with each other and the front sealing portion with the rear sealing portion, then sealing together these overlapping flaps and portions, thus forming a transverse seal. The upper bonding step also provides to press toward the inside of the package each upper lateral panel and each lower lateral panel, simultaneously folding each upper lateral panel along the respective first and second folding lines and subsequently folding each upper lateral panel on itself along the respective third and fourth folding lines, thus defining and forming an upper wall and first and second folded lateral flaps of the package.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: figs. 1a-b are perspective, schematic and not to scale views of a first embodiment of a package for pourable product; figs. 2a-b are perspective, schematic and not to scale views of a second embodiment of a package for pourable product; figs. 3a-b are perspective, schematic and not to scale views of a third embodiment of a package for pourable product; fig. 4 is a top view of a blank for producing the package of figs. 1a-b; fig. 5 is a top view of a blank for producing the package of figs. 2a-b; figs. 5a-b are enlarged details of fig. 5; fig. 6 is a top view of a blank for producing the package of figs. 3a-b; figs. 7-9 are a schematic and non to scale representation of a step of a sequence for producing the package of figs. 1a-b.

[0032] We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0033] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0034] With reference to figs. 1 a-b, a package 10 for a pourable product according to possible embodiments comprises a plurality of walls that delimit and define a containing body 11 able to contain a pourable product, for example a liquid, or granular, or powdered food product, or a pourable product for home care, for personal care or cosmetic, or other pourable products.

[0035] The package 10 comprises a lower front wall 12, an opposing lower rear wall 13, and interposing first 14 and second 15 lower lateral wall. These lower walls 12, 13, 14 and 15 delimit the containing body 11 laterally and at the bottom.

[0036] The package 10 comprises a base wall 16, which delimits the containing body 11 at its base. The package 10 can comprise a lower portion essentially in the shape of a parallelepiped or prism, in which case the base wall 16 is perpendicular or essentially perpendicular to the lower walls 12, 13, 14 and 15.

[0037] According to possible alternative embodiments, not shown, the lower portion of the package 10 can be essentially in the shape of a truncated pyramid, or a truncated cone, or suchlike.

[0038] The lower portion of the package 10 can comprise lateral edges, interposed between and connecting the walls 12, 13, 14 and 15, or not comprise lateral edges, comprising a lateral surface without edges such as a cylindrical or conical lateral surface, or suchlike. In general, the package 10 can have any geometric shape whatsoever suitable to delimit and define the containing body 11.

[0039] According to possible embodiments, the base wall 16 can be essentially rectangular; the lower front 12 and lower rear 13 walls can have an essentially rectangular shape, and the lower front wall 12 is longer than the lower rear wall 13, in the sense that a longitudinal dimension of the lower front wall 12 is larger than a longitudinal dimension of the lower rear wall 13. In this context, by the term "longitudinal" we mean longitudinal with respect to the package 10, meaning essentially perpendicular to the base wall 16.

[0040] The package 10 also comprises an upper front wall 17, which can have an essentially rectangular shape and be in contact on a lower side thereof with an upper margin, or edge, of the lower front wall 12. Opening means 20 can also be installed in a known manner on the upper front wall 17, which can for example comprise a threaded or pressure cap, or other opening means that are preferably, but not necessarily, re-closable.

[0041] The package 10 can comprise an upper rear wall 18 opposing the upper front wall 17 and a first 19 and second 21 folded lateral flap. The folded lateral flaps 19, 21 can be contiguous with the upper front wall 17 on opposite sides thereof and at least partly folded over upper end portions, respectively, of the first or second lower lateral wall 14, 15. The upper rear wall 18 can be in contact on a lower side thereof with an upper margin or edge of the lower rear wall 13.

[0042] The upper front 17 and upper rear 18 walls combine to form a "gable top" upper portion, being inclined toward each other and joined in correspondence with respective sealed upper front 17a and upper rear 18c portions, so that the package 10 is closed at the top. The upper front 17 and upper rear 18 walls delimit the containing body 11 at the top.

[0043] The Applicant has found that the gable-like shape of the upper portion, combined with the greater length of the lower front wall 12 with respect to the lower rear wall 13, makes the product contained in the package 10 easier to pour. With this shape, it is possible to place the opening means 20 on a side of the gable-shaped upper portion which is placed above the opposite side. As a result, the package 10 does not have any interstices where the pourable product can remain trapped.

[0044] The inclination of the upper front wall 17 can be chosen so as to obtain a relatively large surface available for the installation of the opening means 20, so as to be able to provide, for example, a cap with a larger diameter than packages with a traditional gable-shaped upper portion.

[0045] The upper rear wall 18 can comprise a larger upper rear portion 18a, a connection upper rear portion 18b, and the sealed upper rear portion 18c. The sealed upper rear portion 18c can be provided in correspondence with the upper seal between the upper front wall 17 and the upper rear wall 18, extending below the sealed upper front portion 17a. The larger upper rear portion 18a can extend from an upper edge of the lower rear wall 13 toward the upper wall 17.

[0046] The larger upper rear portion 18a and the sealed upper rear portion 18c can essentially converge toward each other toward the inside of the package 10 and below the upper front wall 17, forming an acute angle α. The connection upper rear portion 18b can be interposed between the larger 18a and sealed 18c upper rear portion, essentially connecting them.

[0047] The larger upper rear portion 18a can also be contiguous, on opposite sides thereof, with the lower lateral walls 14, 15.

[0048] According to possible embodiments, the folded lateral flaps 19, 21 can comprise respective first 19a and second 21a sealed lateral portions, essentially forming extensions folded over respective sides of the upper seal present between the sealed upper front portion 17a and the sealed upper rear portion 18c.

[0049] According to the examples of figs. 1a-b, 2a-b, the package 10 can comprise one (figs. 2a-b) or more (figs. 1a-b) curved edges 22, 23, for example a curved front edge 22 (figs. 1a, 2a) and / or a curved rear edge 23 (fig. 1b).

[0050] As shown in figs. 1a-b, 3a-b, the package 10 can comprise a central longitudinal seal 24a. By "central" we mean that the seal is located along a central longitudinal axis of one of the lower walls 12, 13, 14 or 15, preferably of the lower rear wall 13 (figs. 1b, 3b).

[0051] Alternatively in figs. 2a-b, the package 10 can comprise a lateral longitudinal seal 24b. By "lateral" we mean that the seal is located along a lateral edge of the package 10, for example, but not limited to, along an edge in common with the lower rear wall 13 and the second lower lateral wall 15 (figs. 1b, 3b).

[0052] The package 10 can comprise one (fig. 2a) or more (figs. 3a-b) smaller edge walls 25. A smaller edge wall 25 can be interposed between two adjacent lower walls 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0053] The smaller edge wall 25 can be configured as a sort of beveled edge, in the sense that it is placed replacing an edge of no more than 90° between two adjacent walls, and the two connection edges between the smaller edge wall 25 and each of the two adjacent walls are less pronounced or obtuse, that is, they form angles greater than 90°. The presence of one or more smaller edge walls 25 improves the shelf visibility of the package 10.

[0054] Figs. 2a, 3a-b show two examples of possible shapes for the smaller edge wall 25, but it is clear that other shapes are possible.

[0055] In the event that the package 10 comprises a lateral longitudinal seal 24b (figs. 2a-b), it is not possible to create a smaller edge wall 25 in correspondence with the edge occupied by this seal.

[0056] The package 10 can be made starting from a respective single planar blank 100, that is, from a flat sheet of relatively rigid and preferably impermeable material, suitably pre-cut and creased to form folding lines thereon (figs. 4-6) along which the blank 100 is folded to form the package 10. In some embodiments, the blank 100 is made with a layer of cardboard covered on both sides with a heat-sealable plastic material, for example polyethylene. The material constituting the blank 100 can also comprise at least one coupled aluminum layer.

[0057] The heat-sealable plastic material makes the package 10 obtained from the blank 100 impermeable, and therefore suitable to contain a pourable liquid product. The plastic material makes it possible to seal together several overlapping portions or flaps of the blank 100, preferably between two and four or five, using heat, ultrasonic or induction sealing. The seals are able to keep the package 10 in the correct conformation and bond it.

[0058] The folding lines divide the blank 100 into a plurality of panels configured to define, in the formed package 10, the walls of the package 10 itself, as described above.

[0059] In particular, the blank 100 comprises an essentially rectangular lower front panel 112 configured to define, in the formed package 10, the lower front wall 12.

[0060] The blank 100 also provides a first 114 and a second 115 lower lateral panel, essentially in the shape of a rectangular trapezoid, which are adjacent to the lower front panel 112 on opposite sides thereof and configured to define, in the formed package 10, the respective first and second lower lateral wall 14 and 15. In particular, the lower lateral panels 114 and 115 have the respective larger bases coinciding with the two opposite larger sides of the lower front panel 112.

[0061] In the embodiments of packages 10 provided with a central longitudinal seal 24a (figs. 4, 6), the blank 100 also comprises a first lower rear half-panel 113a and a second lower rear half-panel 113b, both essentially rectangular, adjacent respectively to the first 114 or to the second 115 lower lateral panel on a side opposite the lower front panel 112, having a larger side coinciding with the smaller base of the corresponding lower lateral panel 114 or 115.

[0062] The lower rear half-panels 113a, 113b are configured to contribute to defining, in the package 10 provided with central longitudinal seal 24a (figs. 1a-b, 3a-b), the lower rear wall 13.

[0063] In the embodiments of packages 10 provided with a lateral longitudinal seal 24b, as in fig. 5, the blank 100 comprises instead an essentially rectangular single lower rear panel 113, adjacent to the first lower lateral panel 114 on a side thereof opposite the lower front panel 112, in particular having a larger side coinciding with the smaller base of the first lower lateral panel 114.

[0064] The lower rear panel 113 is configured to define, in the package 10 equipped with lateral longitudinal seal 24b (figs. 2a-b), the lower rear wall 13.

[0065] The blank 100 also provides, in a known manner, a plurality of base flaps 116a-e, 116e', 116e" configured to define, when suitably folded and at least partly overlapping, the base wall 16. In some embodiments, triangular base flaps 116a are provided adjacent to the first and second lower lateral panel 114, 115, on sides thereof opposite their oblique sides. Furthermore, a first 116b and a second 116c lateral base flap can be provided on opposite sides of each triangular base flap 116a.

[0066] An essentially rectangular front base flap 116d can be provided adjacent to the lower front panel 112 and interposed between the two second lower lateral flaps 116c.

[0067] An essentially rectangular first 116e' and second 116e" rear base flap (figs. 4, 6) can be provided adjacent to the first 113a or the second 113b lower rear half-panel and to the nearest first lateral base flap 116b, respectively. In the embodiments of fig. 5, an essentially rectangular rear base flap 116e can be provided adjacent to the lower rear panel 113 and to the first lateral base flap 116b closest to the latter.

[0068] The blank 100 also comprises an upper front panel 117, essentially rectangular in shape, configured to define, in the formed package 10, the upper front wall 17. The upper front panel 117 is adjacent to the lower front panel 112 in correspondence with a side thereof opposite the front base flap 116d. In some embodiments, the lower side of the upper front panel 117, coinciding with the upper side of the lower front panel 112, is rectilinear (fig. 6). In embodiments in which the corresponding package 10 has a curved front edge 22, this side is curvilinear (figs. 4, 5).

[0069] An opening portion 120 suitable for the installation of the opening means 20 can also be provided in the upper front panel 117. For example, the opening portion 120 can be a hole mating in shape with the opening means 20, or a pierceable or removable portion, for example made of aluminate material. The perimeter of the opening portion 120 could be pre-cut, that is, weakened by folds, holes or partial cuts to facilitate a subsequent actual cut.

[0070] The blank 100 also provides a first 119 and a second 121 upper lateral panel, adjacent to the upper front panel 117 on opposite sides thereof. The upper lateral panels 119, 121 preferably have the shape of rectangular trapezoids and are configured to form rectangles together with the corresponding underlying lower lateral panels 114, 115. Furthermore, each upper lateral panel 119, 121 has its smaller base coinciding with a corresponding side of the upper front panel 117, its larger base essentially forming a rectilinear extension of an adjacent side of the corresponding lower rear half-panel 113a, 113b, its oblique side coinciding with the upper side of the corresponding lower lateral panel 114, 115, and an opposite upper side essentially aligned with an upper side of the upper front panel 117. The upper lateral panels 119, 121 are divided by suitable folding lines (figs. 5a-b), respectively, into a plurality of first 119a-e or second 121a-e upper flaps configured to define, when folded and suitably overlapping, or partly overlapping, with each other, the first 19 and the second 21 folded lateral flap, respectively. The upper flaps 119a-c, 119e, 121a-c, 121e can have a triangular shape; the upper flaps 119d, 121d a quadrilateral shape.

[0071] For example, first folding lines L1 can extend from respective vertices V1, V2 common to the upper 117 and lower 112 front panel to respective midpoints PM1, PM2 of each upper side of the corresponding upper lateral panel 119, 121, thus defining a first 119a and a second 121a external upper flap adjacent to the upper front panel 117 on opposite sides thereof.

[0072] Furthermore, second folding lines L2 can extend from the midpoints PM1, PM2 to respective upper vertices of the corresponding lower lateral panels 114, 115 opposite the vertices V1, V2. A suitable internal point PI1, PI2 can belong to each second folding line L2, and a suitable base point PB1, PB2 can belong to the larger base of each upper lateral panel 119, 121. Respective third folding lines L3 can extend from each vertex V1, V2 to the corresponding internal point PI1, PI2, thus defining, respectively, a first 119b or a second 121b intermediate upper flap and a first 119c or a second 121c underlying upper flap. The intermediate upper flaps 119b, 121b have respective first sides in common with the first 119a or the second 121a external upper flap and respective second sides coinciding with first sides of the underlying upper flaps 119c, 121c.

[0073] Fourth folding lines L4 can also extend from each internal point PI1, PI2 to the corresponding base point PB1, PB2, thus defining, respectively, a first 119d or a second 121d overlying upper flap and a first 119e or a second 121e internal upper flap.

[0074] Each overlying upper flap 119d, 121d has a first side in common with the corresponding intermediate upper flap 119b, 121b and a consecutive second side coinciding with a first side of the corresponding internal upper flap 119e, 121e. Each internal upper flap 119e, 121e has a second side in common with the corresponding underlying upper flap 119c, 121c. Each underlying upper flap 119c, 121c has a lower side coinciding with the upper side of the corresponding lower lateral panel 114, 115.

[0075] The blank 100 (figs. 4, 6) can comprise a first 118a and a second 118b upper rear half-panel, essentially rectangular in shape, configured to contribute to defining, in the formed package 10, the upper rear wall 18.

[0076] These half-panels 118a, 118b are respectively adjacent to the first 119e or to the second 121e internal upper flap and are respectively adjacent, in correspondence with lower sides thereof, to the first 113a or to the second 113b lower rear half-panel.

[0077] The blank 100 (fig. 5) comprises an upper rear panel 118, essentially rectangular in shape, configured to define, in the formed package 10, the upper rear wall 18. The upper rear panel 118 can be adjacent to the first internal upper flap 119e and, in correspondence with a lower side thereof, to the lower rear panel 113. In some embodiments, the lower side of the upper rear panel 118 (fig. 5), or alternatively of each upper rear half-panel 118a, 118b (fig. 6), is rectilinear. When the corresponding formed package 10 has a curved rear edge 23, these lower sides are curvilinear (fig. 4).

[0078] According to possible embodiments, each overlying upper flap 119d, 121d can comprise a first 102 or a second 103 triangular lateral portion, respectively, preferably in the shape of a right triangle, comprising a right angle thereof not adjacent to the upper front panel 117.

[0079] Each upper rear half-panel 118a, 118b (figs. 4, 6) comprises a respective first 104a or second 104b rectangular central portion in correspondence with an upper end thereof. Each rectangular central portion 104a, 104b is adjacent, respectively, to the first triangular lateral portion 102 or the second triangular lateral portion 103, preferably having a respective smaller side coinciding with a lateral cathetus of the respective nearest triangular lateral portion 102, 103.

[0080] The upper rear panel 118 (fig. 5) comprises a rectangular central portion 104 in correspondence with an upper end thereof, adjacent to the first triangular lateral portion 102.

[0081] Preferably, the rectangular central portions 104 or 104a and 104b, the first triangular lateral portion 102, the first external upper flap 119a, the upper front panel 117, the second external upper flap 121a, and the second triangular lateral portion 103 form, with their upper sides aligned with each other, a rectilinear segment.

[0082] The blank 100 (figs. 4, 6) can comprise a first 106a and a second 106b essentially rectangular rear sealing portion, having a lower smaller side coinciding with an upper side, respectively, of the first 118a or second 118b upper rear half-panel. The rear sealing portions 106a, 106b can be rectangular (fig. 6) of have the shape of a rectangle with a curvilinear upper side (fig. 4).

[0083] The blank 100 (fig. 5) comprises a rear sealing portion 106, essentially rectangular or rectangular with curvilinear upper side, having a lower smaller side coinciding with an upper side of the upper rear panel 118.

[0084] The blank 100 can comprise (figs. 4-6) a rectangular (figs. 5, 6) or essentially rectangular (fig. 4) front sealing portion 105, having a lower larger side coinciding with an upper side of the upper front panel 117.

[0085] The rear sealing portion 106, or alternatively the first and second rear sealing portion 106a, 106b, and the front sealing portion 105, are configured to be overlappable and match, so as to form, in the formed package 10, the sealed upper front 17a and upper rear 18c portions, respectively.

[0086] The blank 100 can also comprise (figs. 4-6) two first 107 and two second 108 rectangular (figs. 5, 6) or essentially rectangular (fig. 4) lateral sealing flaps, adjacent to the front sealing portion 105 on opposite smaller sides thereof. The two first lateral sealing flaps 107 have respective lower sides coinciding one with an upper cathetus of the first triangular lateral portion 102 and the other with an upper side of the first external upper flap 119a.

[0087] The two second lateral sealing flaps 108 have respective lower sides coinciding one with an upper cathetus of the second triangular lateral portion 103 and the other with an upper side of the second external upper flap 121a.

[0088] The first flaps 107 preferably have a smaller side in common and are axially symmetrical to each other, with respect to said side. The second flaps 108 preferably have a smaller side in common and are axially symmetrical to each other, with respect to said side. The first flaps 107 are conformed to be folded along their common side so as to overlap with, and essentially match, each other so as to form, in the formed package 10, the first sealed lateral portion 19a.

[0089] Similarly, also the second flaps 108 are conformed to be folded along their common side so as to overlap with, and essentially match, each other, so as to form, in the formed package 10, the second sealed lateral portion 21a.

[0090] Some embodiments of the blank 100 (figs. 4, 6) can comprise a first 109 and a second 110 longitudinal folding line that preferably divide the first or second lower lateral panel 114, 115 and the nearest triangular base flap 116a, respectively, in half. Preferably, a terminal portion of the first or second longitudinal folding line 109, 110 coincides with the common side of the two first or second lateral sealing flaps 107, 108, respectively.

[0091] The blank 100 also comprises an essentially rectangular rear longitudinal flap 101, in correspondence either with an end thereof opposite the first lower rear half-panel 113a and adjacent to the second rear sealing portion 106b, to the second rectangular central portion 104b, to the second upper rear half-panel 118b, to the second lower rear half-panel 113b and to the second rear base flap 116e" (figs. 4, 6), or with an end thereof opposite the lower rear panel 113 and adjacent to one of the second lateral sealing flaps 108, to the second triangular lateral portion 103, to the second internal upper flap 121e, to the second lower lateral panel 115 and to the first lateral base flap 116b closest thereto (fig. 5). A longitudinal margin portion of the blank 100 opposite the rear longitudinal flap 101 is configured to be partly overlapping the entire rear longitudinal flap 101, to be able to make a longitudinal seal as described in detail below.

[0092] The embodiments of the blank 100 designed to make a package 10 provided with one or more smaller edge walls 25 can also provide one (fig. 5) or more (fig. 6) suitably conformed edge panels 125.

[0093] The embodiments of the method for manufacturing the package 10 comprise the following steps. An initial preparation step in which a flat sheet of relatively rigid and preferably impermeable material is made available.

[0094] This flat sheet can be a multilayer material formed by a layer of cardboard covered on both sides with a heat-sealable plastic material. In possible embodiments, the multilayer material comprises at least one aluminum coupled layer.

[0095] A subsequent shaping and creasing step provides to shape and crease the flat sheet in order to obtain the blank 100 described above using figs. 4-6.

[0096] Subsequently, in the event a package 10 provided with a central longitudinal seal 24a is being manufactured, a longitudinal sealing step provides to fold the blank 100 along the longitudinal folding lines 109, 110, thus overlapping the rear longitudinal flap 101 with the margin portion of the blank 100 (figs. 4, 6) adjacent to the first rear sealing portion 106a, to the first upper rear half-panel 118a, to the free smaller side of the lower rear half-panel 113a and to the free underlying side of the first rear base flap 116e', and then seal the rear longitudinal flap 101 to the margin portion, for example using heat, ultrasonic or induction sealing, thus forming the central longitudinal seal 24a. In this way, the lower rear half-panels 113a, 113b essentially together form a single lower rear panel 113 (fig. 7). Furthermore, the rear base flaps 116e', 116e" essentially together form a single rear base flap 116e; the upper rear half-panels 118a, 118b essentially together form a single upper rear panel 118, with the respective rectangular central portions 104a, 104b forming together a single rectangular central portion 104 (fig. 7); and the rear sealing portions 106a, 106b together form a single rear sealing portion 106 (fig. 7).

[0097] In this case, it is also possible to create up to four smaller edge walls 25 in correspondence with the lateral edges of the package 10 (figs. 3a-b) starting from suitable edge panels 125 (fig. 6).

[0098] In the alternative case in which the package 10 is provided with a lateral longitudinal seal 24b, the longitudinal sealing step provides to overlap the rear longitudinal flap 101 with a margin portion of the blank 100 adjacent to the rear sealing portion 106, to the upper rear panel 118, to the free smaller side of the lower rear panel 113 and to the free underlying side of the rear base flap 116e, and then seal the rear longitudinal flap 101 to the margin portion, thus forming the lateral longitudinal seal 24b. In this way, the lower rear panel 113 and the second lower lateral panel 115 have a side in common.

[0099] Subsequently, a step of forming the base wall 16 provides to fold, overlap and seal the base flaps 116a-e in a known manner, in order to form the base wall 16.

[0100] The step of forming the base wall 16 can provide to fold the second lateral base flaps 116c and the rear base flap 116e over the triangular base flap 116a, and then the first lateral base flaps 116b and the rear base flap 116e over the rear base flap 116d, in order to define respective overlapping portions configured to be sealed together. This forming step can take place by folding and forming the panels of the tubular blank around a forming mandrel. Concurrently with the realization of the base wall 16, the lower walls 12, 13, 14 and 15 are also defined or partly defined, thus creating a containing body 11 open at the top.

[0101] According to possible embodiments, after the step of forming the base wall 16, there can be provided a step of filling the containing body 11 with a pourable product, or a step of installing the opening means 20 in correspondence with the opening portion 120, or both of these steps in the desired order. Alternatively, the filling step and / or the step of installing the opening means 20 can instead take place after a step of upper bonding of the package 10.

[0102] The Applicant has found that the lower sides of the first and second underlying upper flap 119c, 121c allow to guide the first or second upper flaps 119a-e, 121a-e, respectively, into correct lateral positions that are outside the containing body 11 during the upper bonding step. This step comprises a transverse bonding sub-step, which overlaps and matches the first lateral sealing flaps 107 with each other, the second lateral sealing flaps 108 with each other and the front sealing portion 105 with the rear sealing portion 106. A transverse seal 111 (fig. 7) is thus formed having an upper and lower portion which are formed, respectively, by the front sealing portion 105 and by the first 107 and second 108 lateral sealing flap adjacent thereto, and by the rear sealing portion 106 and by the first 107 and second 108 lateral sealing flap adjacent thereto.

[0103] The upper bonding step then comprises a lateral folding sub-step, in which each upper 119, 121 and lower 114, 115 lateral panel is pressed toward the inside of the package 10, at the same time folding each upper lateral panel 119, 121 along the respective first and second folding lines L1, L2. The first and second underlying upper flap 119c, 121c are thus pressed toward the inside of the containing body 11 (fig. 7) so that each lower lateral panel 114, 115 and the respective underlying upper flap 119c, 121c are essentially coplanar, forming the respective lower lateral walls 14, 15. The lateral folding sub-step then provides to fold each upper lateral panel 119, 121 on itself along the respective third and fourth folding lines L3, L4, thus forming the corresponding folded lateral flaps 19, 21. In this way, the upper front wall 17 is defined and formed, including the sealed upper front portion 17a, by a transverse sealing portion 111 corresponding to the front sealing portion 105.

[0104] The following are thus defined and formed: the first folded lateral flap 19, by the at least partial overlapping of the first upper flaps 119a-e and the first triangular lateral portion 102, and the second folded lateral flap 21, by the at least partial overlapping of the second upper flaps 121a-e and the second triangular lateral portion 103. Moreover, the sealed lateral portions 19a, 21a are defined and formed by folding transverse sealing lateral portions 111 corresponding to the first or second lateral sealing flaps 107, 108, respectively. The folded lateral flaps 19, 21 thus formed are then fixed in position, for example using heat, ultrasonic or induction sealing.

[0105] The upper rear wall 18 is also defined and formed, with the larger upper rear portion 18a deriving from the upper rear panel 118, the connection upper rear portion 18b deriving from the rectangular central portion 104, and the sealed upper rear portion 18c deriving from the rear sealing portion 106.

[0106] Advantageously, the connection upper rear portion 18b allows to reduce the magnitude of the stresses generated in the material of the package 10 by the folds performed in the upper bonding step described above, providing a more gradual passage between the inclination of the sealed upper rear portion 18c to the different inclination of the larger upper rear portion 18a.

[0107] The upper bonding step can possibly be followed by additional steps of manufacturing the package 10. For example, if not yet performed, a step of installing the opening means 20 in correspondence with the opening portion 120 can be provided.

[0108] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the package 10, to the blank 100 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims. Although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of package for pourable product and corresponding production method, all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0109] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Package (10) for pourable product, comprising a lower front wall (12), an opposing lower rear wall (13), a first (14) and a second (15) lower lateral wall interposed between them, a base wall (16), an upper front wall (17) in contact on a lower side thereof with an upper edge of said lower front wall (12) and an opposing upper rear wall (18) in contact on a lower side thereof with an upper edge of said lower rear wall (13), a first (19) and a second (21) folded lateral flap which are contiguous to said upper front wall (17) on opposite sides thereof and at least partly folded over respective upper end portions of the corresponding lower lateral wall (14, 15), said upper walls (17, 18) being inclined toward each other and sealed together in correspondence with respective sealed upper front (17a) and upper rear (18c) portions, characterized in that the length of said lower front wall (12) which is longitudinal with respect to said package (10) is greater than the length of said lower rear wall (13) which is longitudinal with respect to said package (10).

2. Package (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said upper rear wall (18) comprises a larger upper rear portion (18a) extending from said upper edge of said lower rear wall (13) toward said upper wall (17) and converging toward said sealed upper rear portion (18c) forming with it an acute angle (α), and a connection upper rear portion (18b) interposed between and connecting said larger upper rear (18a) and sealed upper rear (18c) portion.

3. Package (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a central longitudinal seal (24a).

4. Package (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a lateral longitudinal seal (24b).

5. Package (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises one or more curved margins or edges (22, 23).

6. Package (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises at least one smaller edge wall (25), interposed between two adjacent walls of said package (10) and forming, with each of them, angles greater than 90°.

7. Planar blank (100) configured for forming a package (10) for pourable product according to any claims from 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a lower front panel (112); a first and second (114, 115) lower lateral panel having respective larger bases coinciding with corresponding opposite larger sides of said lower front panel (112); a first and second (113a, 113b) lower rear half-panel, each having a respective larger side coinciding with the smaller base of the corresponding lower lateral panel (114, 115); an upper front panel (117), adjacent to said lower front panel (112) and having opposite sides coinciding with respective smaller bases of respective first and second (119, 121) upper lateral panel, each of which is configured to form, when folded along suitable folding lines (L1, L2, L3, L4), a respective first or second (19, 21) folded lateral flap of said package (10); a first and a second (118a, 118b) upper rear half-panel, each adjacent to said respective upper lateral panel (119, 121) on the opposite side to said upper front panel (117) and to said respective lower rear half-panel (113a, 113b) in correspondence with a lower side thereof; and suitable parts configured to contribute to the creation of longitudinal (101) or transverse (105, 106a, 106b, 107, 108) seals.

8. Planar blank (100) configured for forming a package (10) for pourable product according to any claims from 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a lower front panel (112), a first and second (114, 115) lower lateral panel, having respective larger bases coinciding with corresponding opposite larger sides of said lower front panel (112); a lower rear panel (113), having a larger side coinciding with the smaller base of said first lower lateral panel (114); an upper front panel (117), adjacent to said lower front panel (112) and having opposite sides coinciding with respective smaller bases of respective first and second (119, 121) upper lateral panel, each of which is configured to form, when folded along suitable folding lines (L1, L2, L3, L4), a respective first or second (19, 21) folded lateral flap of said package (10); an upper rear panel (118), adjacent to said first panel (119) on the opposite side to said upper front panel (117) and to said lower rear panel (113) in correspondence with a lower side thereof; and suitable parts configured to contribute to the creation of longitudinal (101) or transverse (105, 106, 107, 108) seals.

9. Blank (100) as in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of said upper lateral panels (119, 121) provides a respective first or second (102, 103) triangular lateral portion in the shape of a right triangle, comprising a right angle thereof not adjacent to said upper front panel (117), and in that each of said upper rear half-panels (118a, 118b), or panel (118) comprises a respective (104a, 104b, 104) rectangular central portion, in correspondence with an upper end thereof, each having a respective smaller side coinciding with a lateral cathetus of the respective closest triangular lateral portion (102, 103).

10. Blank (100) as in claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a first and second (109, 110) longitudinal folding line, each dividing said respective lower lateral panel (114, 115) in half.

11. Method for producing a package (10) for pourable product, characterized in that it comprises forming, sealing and bonding steps in which said package (10) is formed by means of successive folding and sealing of panels of a blank (100) as in either claim 7, 9 or 10, and in that it comprises a longitudinal sealing step which provides to overlap a rear longitudinal flap (101) with an opposite margin portion of said blank (100) adjacent to said first upper rear half-panel (118a) and to a free smaller side of said lower rear half-panel (113a) and then seal said rear longitudinal flap (101) to said margin portion, thus forming a central longitudinal seal (24a) of said package (10), in such a way that said lower rear half-panels (113a, 113b) together form a single lower rear panel (113) and said upper rear half-panels (118a, 118b) together form a single upper rear panel (118).

12. Method for producing a package (10) for pourable product, characterized in that it comprises forming, sealing and bonding steps in which said package (10) is formed by means of successive folding and sealing of panels of a blank (100) as in either claim 8 or 9, and in that it comprises a longitudinal sealing step which provides to overlap a rear longitudinal flap (101) with an opposite margin portion of said blank (100) adjacent to said upper rear panel (118) and to a free smaller side of said lower rear panel (113), and then seal said rear longitudinal flap (101) to said margin portion, thus forming a lateral longitudinal seal (24b) of said package (10), in such a way that said lower rear panel (113) and second lateral panel (115) have a common side.

13. Method as in either claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it also comprises an upper bonding step which provides to overlap, match and seal suitable flaps and sealing portions (107, 108, 105, 106) of said blank (100), thus forming a transverse seal (111), said upper bonding step also providing to press toward the inside of said package (10) each one of said upper lateral panels (119, 121) and each one of said lower lateral panels (114, 115), simultaneously folding each upper lateral panel (119, 121) along respective first and second folding lines (L1, L2) and subsequently folding each upper lateral panel (119, 121) on itself along respective third and fourth folding lines (L3, L4), thus defining and forming an upper wall (17) and first and second (19, 21) folded lateral flaps of said package (10).

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