Packaging for hygienic sanitary products

Abstract

Packaging (10) for hygienic sanitary products comprising compostable material. The packaging comprises a front wall (12), a back wall (14) opposite the front wall, a first side wall (16), a second side wall (18) opposite the first side wall, a first end wall (20), a second end wall (22) opposite the first end wall. The packaging (10) further comprises a flap (24) movable to and from a closed position and formed on at least one of the front wall (12), the back wall (14), the first side wall (16), the second side wall (18), the first end wall (20), the second end wall (22). The flap (24) is connected to the packaging (10) by a hinge segment (26) extending between a respective first end and a respective second end. The flap (24) comprises a perimeter defined by the hinge segment (26) and at least one weakening segment (28) and at least one cutting segment (30). Each weakening segment (28) comprises, between the respective first and second ends, an alternation of perforated sections and continuous sections between the flap (24) and the wall on which it is formed. The at least one cutting segment (30) comprises a continuous through cut extending from a respective first end to a respective second end. The perimeter of the flap (24) comprises a pair of cutting segments (30a, 30b), each placed consecutively with respect to said hinge segment (26) and each inclined at an angle comprised between 35° and 65° with respect to said hinge segment (26).

Description

Technical field

[0001] This disclosure refers in general to the packaging of hygienic sanitary products and in particular to the packaging of toilet paper, household absorbent paper, towels, sanitary pads, diapers, napkins.Technological background

[0002] The material used for the packaging of hygienic sanitary products consists generally of flexible films made of polyolefin material. Recently, improved solutions in the packaging sector have been implemented in order to optimize the opening and closing methods of the packagings. In particular, packagings with easy opening have had increasing success as they are easy to open without the need to use knives or scissors. Such packagings have weakening segments or pre-cuts, for example made with laser engraving processes, which facilitate opening. These weakening segments or pre-cuts define the outline of a flap that, once pulled by the user, easily determines the opening of the packaging. Solutions of this type, for example disclosed in the document WO 2011 / 146627 A1, have proven to be ideal for flexible packaging made of thermoplastic polymers, such as polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene.

[0003] At the same time, however, the growing interest in counteracting the negative impact of plastic on the environment is directing research towards improved solutions that use more sustainable materials, such as compostable materials.

[0004] Compostable materials that can be used for the production of easy-opening packagings, however, may present critical issues related to their nature and composition.

[0005] In particular, properties of compostability (i.e. the ability of the material and the product to be modified by the surrounding environment in the sense of chemical-physical degradation) and mechanical resistance to breakage may not easily coexist in the same product.

[0006] Paper, as an example of compostable material produced in sheets, has a tendency to tear by its nature; this is because it is produced from a mixture of wet cellulose fibers deposited on a moving belt, pressed and dried. The drying phase involves the formation of gaps that are distributed between the cellulose fibers and are found in the sheet once formed. The presence of such gaps favors the propagation of cuts and consequently tears when the sheet is subjected to even slight mechanical stresses. A plastic polymer, on the other hand, does not present this type of critical issues because its molecular structure is ordered and compact and the propagation of a cut occurs only in the case of much stronger mechanical stresses.

[0007] Easy opening systems applied to packagings made of plastic material are likely to generate uncontrolled tears in packagings made of compostable material, such as paper, during the opening of the packaging. Even the winding phases, as well as the production phases of the packagings, could compromise the integrity of the material and therefore of the final product.Object and summary

[0008] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure have the object of providing a packaging comprising compostable material equipped with a distribution of weakening and cutting segments such as to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, this object is achieved thanks to a packaging having the features referred to in claim 1 and a precursor of the packaging having the features referred to in claim 10.

[0010] The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching provided here in relation to embodiments.Brief description of the figures

[0011] One or more embodiments will now be described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging according to embodiments of the disclosure in the closed position, Figure 2 is a schematic view on an enlarged scale of the detail indicated by the arrow II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a packaging according to embodiments in the open position, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a packaging according to embodiments in the closed position, Figure 5 is a schematic view on an enlarged scale of the detail indicated by the arrow III in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the packaging illustrated in Figure 4 in the open position, Figure 7 illustrates a precursor sheet of the packaging illustrated in Figures 1-3, Figure 8 illustrates a precursor sheet of the packaging illustrated in Figures 4-6. Detailed description

[0012] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated to aid in a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. The embodiments may be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or by other methods, materials, components, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments.

[0013] Reference to "an / one embodiment" in this disclosure means that a particular configuration, structure, or feature described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, phrases such as "in an / one embodiment," which may appear in several places in this disclosure, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular configurations, structures, or features may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0014] The references used herein are for convenience only and do not define the scope or extent of the embodiments.

[0015] In the figures, the numerical reference 10 indicates as a whole a packaging for containing hygienic sanitary products. The numerical reference 100 in Figures 7 and 8 indicates a precursor of the packaging 10 comprising a foldable sheet made of compostable material. In the following description, the identical elements of the packaging 10 and the precursor 100 are indicated with the same reference numbers.

[0016] The packaging 10 may include napkins, but also for example household absorbent paper, toilet paper, towels, diapers, sanitary pads.

[0017] The packaging 10 illustrated in Figures 1-6 comprises a front wall 12, a back wall 14 opposite the front wall, a first side wall 16, a second side wall 18 opposite the first side wall 16, a first end wall 20 (bottom wall), a second end wall 22 (closing wall or upper wall) opposite the first end wall 20.

[0018] Figures 1-3 relate to a packaging 10 containing paper napkins; Figures 4-6 illustrate a packaging containing sanitary pads such as hygienic sanitary products.

[0019] Configurations, shapes and dimensions of the packaging 10 can vary in order to adapt to the articles to be contained. In the case of paper napkins, for example, the packaging can have a parallelepiped shape.

[0020] The packaging 10 comprises a flap 24 that is movable between a closed position and an open position of the packaging. The flap 24 can be formed for example on at least one wall of the packaging, in particular on at least one of the front wall 12, the back wall 14, the first side wall 16, the second side wall 18, the first end wall 20, the second end wall 22 of the packaging 10.

[0021] Figures 1-3 illustrate an example of a packaging in which the flap 24 is formed and extends over the front wall 12. Figures 4-6 illustrate an example of a packaging in which the flap 24 is formed and extends over the front wall 12 and the end wall 22.

[0022] The flap 24 may be connected - by a hinge segment that extends between a respective first end and a respective second end - to the first end wall 20, to the second end wall 22, to the first side wall 16 or to the second side wall 18.

[0023] In Figures 1-3, the packaging 10 comprises a flap 24 connected to the second end wall 22 by means of the hinge segment 26.

[0024] In particular, in the packaging 10 of Figures 1-3, the hinge segment 26, on which the flap 24 swings, is positioned between the front wall 12 and the end wall 22. In this case, the flap 24 is formed and extends only over the front wall 12.

[0025] In the packaging 10 of Figures 4-6, the hinge segment 26, on which the flap 24 swings, is positioned between the end wall 22 and the back wall 14. In this case, the flap is formed and extends over two of the walls of the packaging 10, the front wall 12 and the end wall 22.

[0026] The flap 24 comprises a perimeter that is defined by a portion of the hinge segment 26, by at least one weakening segment 28 and at least one cutting segment 30. The weakening segment 28 and the cutting segment 30 may be consecutive, as illustrated in the figures.

[0027] The weakening segment 28, which may have, for example, at least one curvilinear profile, as for example shown in the figures, comprises a first end 28a and a second end 28b.

[0028] The weakening segment 28 comprises, between the two ends 28a and 28b, perforated sections alternating with continuous sections. The weakening segment 28 comprises, between the two ends 28a and 28b, an alternation of perforated sections and continuous sections that can be arranged between the flap 24 and the wall on which it is formed, the front wall 12 in the example illustrated in Figures 1-3.

[0029] Each perforated section alternating with each continuous section can have a length comprised between 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm.

[0030] Each continuous section alternating with each perforated section can have a length comprised between 0.8 mm and 1.4 mm.

[0031] The cutting segment 30 comprises a continuous through cut that extends from a respective first end to a respective second end. In one or more embodiments, one end of the cutting segment is consecutive to the hinge segment, the other end is consecutive to the weakening segment 28.

[0032] The cutting segment can have a length comprised between 6 mm and 12 mm between the first end and the second end.

[0033] The perimeter of the flap 24 may comprise a pair of cutting segments 30a and 30b, as illustrated for example in Figure 1. Each cutting segment 30a, 30b may have a length comprised between 6 mm and 12 mm.

[0034] Each cutting segment 30a, 30b is positioned consecutively with respect to the hinge segment 26 and is inclined at an angle comprised between 35° and 65° with respect to the hinge segment 26, indicated in the detail of Figure 1 and Figure 5 with α1. An angle α1 (external to the flap) comprised between 35° and 65° is therefore defined between the hinge segment 26 and the cutting segment 30. The internal angle to the flap may consequently be comprised between 115° and 145°.

[0035] The cutting segments 30a and 30b may be arranged in a symmetrical and mirrored position as illustrated in the figures.

[0036] The flap can then be connected to the wall on which it is formed by means of ends (cutting segments) that are not arranged in a perpendicular position with respect to the hinge segment. As illustrated in the figures, these ends are inclined towards the inside of the flap with respect to the hinge segment.

[0037] Figures 2 and 5 illustrate a detail of the cutting segment 30a and the hinge segment 26 to which the flap 24 of the packagings of Figures 1 and 3 and Figures 4 and 6 is connected respectively.

[0038] Each cutting segment 30a, 30b can comprise a first cutting segment and a second cutting segment that are consecutive to each other (30a'; 30a'' and 30b'; 30b'' respectively). The first cutting segment 30a' and 30b' is inclined at an angle α1 (external to the flap) comprised between 35° and 65° with respect to the hinge segment 26. The internal angle to the flap can consequently be comprised between 115° and 145°. As illustrated in the figures, it follows that with respect to the hinge segment, the cutting segments 30a' and 30b' are inclined towards the inside of the flap.

[0039] Between the first cutting segment 30a' and 30b' and the second cutting segment 30a'' and 30b'' respectively, an internal angle α2 comprised between 115° and 145° is delimited. Between the two consecutive segments 30a'; 30a'' and 30b'; 30b'' respectively, an angle α2 (internal to the edge) comprised between 115° and 145° is therefore defined. The second cutting segment 30a'' and 30b'' is consecutive to the end 28a and 28b respectively of the weakening segment 28, as illustrated for example in Figure 5.

[0040] Each cutting segment 30a', 30a'' and 30b', 30b'' respectively can have a length comprised between 3 mm and 6 mm.

[0041] The weakening segment 28 and the cutting segment 30 facilitate the easy and controlled opening of the packaging. The user exerts a light pressure on the weakening segment to start the opening phase by lifting the flap 24; the cutting segment facilitates the complete opening of the packaging.

[0042] The Inventors of the present application have observed that the profile of the flap, in particular the specific arrangement of the cutting segments inclined with respect to the hinge segment by which the flap is connected to the wall, allows to overcome drawbacks associated with the use of compostable material, instead of plastic material, to make the packaging. Thanks to this specific measure it is possible to open the packaging without causing the propagation of uncontrolled tears of the flap that would cause the breakage of the packaging and the impossibility of closing it correctly while preserving the integrity of the product contained.

[0043] The flap 24 of the packaging can also be at least partially covered by a closing layer 34, such as for example an adhesive label. This closing layer allows to close the packaging once opened.

[0044] Advantageously, all the walls of the packaging 10 comprise, preferably are made of, compostable material.

[0045] With reference to the compostable material that can be used to produce the packaging, it can be selected from paper, cardboard, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyesters (for example the material commercially available as Mater-Bi (R)< from Novamont, Novara), combinations thereof.

[0046] Preferably, the compostable material is paper, more preferably selected from kraft, coated paper, calendered paper, crystallized paper.

[0047] Advantageously, the compostable material that can be used to produce the packaging is in the form of a foldable sheet.

[0048] Such compostable material, preferably in the form of a sheet, has a grammage comprised between 20 gsm and 70 gsm.

[0049] The thickness of the walls of the packaging 10 can be comprised between 20 µm and 70 µm.

[0050] The thickness of the flap 24 may be comprised between 20 µm and 70 µm. In one or more embodiments, at least one wall of the packaging 10 may comprise a layered structure of at least one compostable material.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the walls of the packaging 10 may comprise compostable material coated with at least one coating layer adapted for making the packaging waterproof. In one or more embodiments, such a coating layer may be coupled with a layer of compostable material e.g. by a lamination or extrusion coating process, commonly used in the art.

[0052] The present disclosure also provides a precursor 100 of the described packaging 10, the precursor being a foldable sheet made of compostable material. In particular, Figure 7 illustrates a precursor sheet of the packaging illustrated in Figures 1-3; Figure 8 illustrates a precursor sheet of the packaging illustrated in Figures 4-6. The lines 110 indicate the folding lines of the sheet for the production of the respective packaging. The shaded areas in Figure 8 represent the areas of hot joints on the various walls (or faces) that will form the packaging.

[0053] The sheet 100 comprises a flap 24 connected to the sheet itself by a hinge segment 26 that extends between a respective first end and a respective second end. The flap 24 comprises a perimeter defined by a hinge segment 26, at least one weakening segment 28 and at least one cutting segment 30, in which each weakening segment 28 comprises, between the respective first and second ends, an alternation of perforated sections and continuous sections between the flap 24 and the sheet on which it is formed.

[0054] Each perforated section alternating with the continuous sections can have a length comprised between 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm.

[0055] Each continuous section alternating with the perforated sections can have a length comprised between 0.8 mm and 1.4 mm.

[0056] The cutting segment 30 comprises a continuous through cut extending from a respective first end to a respective second end.

[0057] The cutting segment 30 can have a length comprised between 6 mm and 12 mm.

[0058] The perimeter of the flap 24 comprises a pair of cutting segments 30a and 30b. Each cutting segment 30a, 30b can have a length comprised between 6 mm and 12 mm.

[0059] The perimeter of the flap 24 comprises a pair of cutting segments 30a, 30b, each placed consecutively with respect to the hinge segment 26 and each inclined at an angle α1 (external of the flap) comprised between 35° and 65° with respect to said hinge segment 26.

[0060] Each cutting segment 30a, 30b may comprise two consecutive segments (30a'; 30a'' and 30b'; 30b'' respectively) that delimit an angle internal to the flap α2 comprised between 115° and 145°. Each cutting segment 30a' and 30a'', 30b' and 30b'' may have a length comprised between 3 mm and 6 mm.

[0061] The weakening and cutting segments may be made by mechanical or laser engraving. The black segment in Figure 8 represents a notch used as a reference in the sheet cutting and packaging production process.

[0062] The weakening and cutting segments facilitate easy and controlled opening of the packaging once produced.

[0063] With reference to the compostable material of the sheet that can be used to produce the packaging 10, it can be selected from paper, cardboard, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyesters (for example the material commercially available as Mater-Bi (R)< from Novamont, Novara), combinations thereof.

[0064] Preferably, the compostable material is paper, more preferably selected from kraft, coated paper, calendered paper, crystallized paper.

[0065] Advantageously, the sheet made of compostable material that can be used to produce the packaging has a grammage comprised between 20 gsm and 70 gsm.

[0066] The thickness of the sheet can be comprised between 20 µm and 70 µm. In one or more embodiments, the sheet can comprise a layered structure of at least one compostable material. In one or more embodiments, overlapping layers of the sheet comprising compostable material may form at least one wall of the packaging, for example the side walls 14 and 16 as illustrated for example in Figure 5.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the sheet made of compostable material may be coated with at least one coating layer adapted for making the packaging waterproof. In one or more embodiments, such a coating layer may be coupled with a layer made of compostable material e.g. by a lamination or extrusion coating process, currently used in the art.Example 1 - Production process of the packaging precursor

[0068] A reel of a sheet made of compostable material is printed and thermo-lacquered in register (only in the spatial position where the sheet material needs to seal) with acrylic aqueous dispersion using a printing or coating machine with rotogravure and / or flexographic technique. The sheet is then made sealable only in the areas intended for sealing and not on the entire surface which is instead covered with printing inks that define the brand and the components of the packaged product.

[0069] On the sheet made of compostable material, continuous cutting segments and weakening segments including perforated sections and continuous sections are carried out using a laser system in order to define the outline of the opening flap. As a final step, the sheet is wound into a reel which is then cut to form smaller reels (daughter reels). These reels will then be used in a packaging machine to produce the packaging.Example 2 - Packaging production process

[0070] The reels produced as described in Example 1 are unrolled on a horizontal machine (wrapper) that cuts the sheet of compostable material according to the desired format. The hygienic sanitary products, such as napkins, are then deposited and an arm of the machine wraps these products with the sheet made of compostable material. A sealing bar seals the material by welding the inside to the outside, generating a sleeve that compacts the stacked products. As the sleeve advances, other arms move from the sides to fold the sheet made of compostable material, defining the shape of the packaging, which is then forced through hot metal guides to the side seal. The last step of the packaging involves the possible application of the closing layer, such as the adhesive label, on the flap of the packaging.

Claims

1. Packaging (10) for hygienic sanitary products, the packaging comprising compostable material, wherein the packaging comprises: a front wall (12), a back wall (14) opposite the front wall (12), a first side wall (16), a second side wall (18) opposite the first side wall (16), a first end wall (20), a second end wall (22) opposite the first end wall (20), a flap (24) movable from and to a closed position and formed on at least one of the front wall (12), the back wall (14), the first side wall (16), the second side wall (18), the first end wall (20), the second end wall (22), the flap (24) being connected to the packaging by a hinge segment (26) extending between a respective first end and a respective second end, wherein the flap (24) comprises a perimeter defined by said hinge segment (26) and at least one weakening segment (28) and at least one cutting segment (30), wherein each weakening segment (28) comprises, between the respective first and second ends (28a, 28b), an alternation of perforated sections and continuous sections between the flap (24) and the wall on which it is formed, wherein the at least one cutting segment (30) comprises a continuous through cut extending from a respective first end to a respective second end, and wherein the perimeter of the flap (24) comprises a pair of cutting segments (30a, 30b), each positioned consecutively with respect to said hinge segment (26) and each inclined at an angle (α1) comprised between 35° and 65° with respect to said hinge segment (26).

2. Packaging (10) according to claim 1, wherein each perforated section of the weakening segment (28) has a length comprised between 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm.

3. Packaging (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each continuous section of the weakening segment (28) has a length comprised between 0.8 mm and 1.4 mm.

4. Packaging (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting segment (30) has a length comprised between 6 mm and 12 mm.

5. Packaging (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compostable material is selected from paper, cardboard, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyesters, combinations thereof.

6. Packaging (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compostable material is in the form of a foldable sheet having a grammage comprised between 20 gsm and 70 gsm.

7. Packaging (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness of the flap (24) of the packaging is comprised between 20 µm and 70 µm.

8. Precursor (100) for a packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the precursor (100) comprises a sheet comprising compostable material, wherein the sheet comprises a flap (24), the flap (24) being connected to the sheet by a hinge segment (26) extending between a respective first end and a respective second end, wherein the flap (24) comprises a perimeter defined by the hinge segment (26) and at least one weakening segment (28) and at least one cutting segment (30), wherein each weakening segment (28) comprises, between the respective first and second ends (28a, 28b), an alternation of perforated sections and continuous sections between the flap (24) and the wall on which it is formed, wherein the at least one cutting segment (30) comprises a continuous through cut extending from a respective first end to a respective second end, and wherein the perimeter of the flap (24) comprises a pair of cutting segments (30a, 30b), each arranged consecutively with respect to said hinge segment (26) and each inclined at an angle (α1) comprised between 35° and 65° with respect to said hinge segment (26).

9. Precursor (100) according to claim 8, wherein each perforated section of the weakening segment (28) has a length comprised between 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm.

10. Precursor (100) according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein each continuous section of the weakening segment (28) has a length comprised between 0.8 mm and 1.4 mm.

11. Precursor (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the compostable material is selected from paper, cardboard, cellulose acetate, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyesters, combinations thereof.

12. Precursor (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the sheet comprising compostable material has a grammage comprised between 20 gsm and 70 gsm.

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