packaging

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging comprising a cardboard tray folded from a single blank, the cardboard tray having a bottom wall with a circumferential edge composed out of a number of straight bottom fold lines, wall parts each arranged to a straight bottom fold line of the bottom wall and extending upwardly, and horizontal flange parts each arranged along a flange fold line to a respective wall part, wherein each flange fold line is arranged to the respective wall part on the opposite side of, and preferably parallel to, the respective straight bottom fold line, wherein the horizontal flange parts compose a continuous horizontal peripheral flange enclosing an access opening of the cardboard tray, the packaging further comprising a top sheet attached to each of the flange parts and covering the access opening; wherein none of the wall parts have a flap adhered to an adjacent wall part of the wall parts and wherein no liner bridges bordering wall parts.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a packaging comprising a cardboard tray folded from a single blank, the cardboard tray having a bottom wall with a circumferential edge composed out of a number of straight bottom fold lines, wall parts each arranged to a straight bottom fold line of the bottom wall and extending upwardly, and horizontal flange parts each arranged along a flange fold line to a respective wall part, wherein each flange fold line is arranged to the respective wall part on the opposite side of, and preferably parallel to, the respective straight bottom fold line, wherein the horizontal flange parts compose a continuous horizontal peripheral flange enclosing an access opening of the cardboard tray, the packaging further comprising a top sheet attached to each of the flange parts and covering the access opening.

[0002] Such a packaging is for example known from EP 2441697 which discloses a cardboard tray folded from a blank. A plastic liner is laminated to the inside of the cardboard tray to keep the wall parts and flange parts together. Then the tray is filled with foodstuff and a top sheet is sealed onto the peripheral flange to provide an airtight packaging.

[0003] After opening the packaging by removing the top sheet and using the foodstuff, the liner can be pulled out of the cardboard tray, such that the plastic of the packaging and the cardboard can be disposed off separately.

[0004] In case the foodstuff does not need to be packaged airtight, such as vegetables and fruits, the packaging according to EP 2441697 is to expensive. It is known from WO 2018178508 to provide cardboard tray wherein at the corners additional wall parts are provided with flange parts, which are glued at the bottom of the flange parts of the adjacent wall parts. These glue flanges are not part of the flange parts from which the peripheral flange is composed. After use of this packaging, the glue flanges need to be torn from the other flange parts to flatten the tray for disposal and glue residue will remain at the cardboard.

[0005] It is further known from for example US 10232973 to provide a cardboard tray in which glue flaps are used to adhere adjacent wall parts together and to maintain the shape of the cardboard tray after folding the blank. Also in this case, the glue flaps need to be torn from the adjacent wall parts to be able to flatten the tray for disposal.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to reduce the above mentioned disadvantages.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention with a packaging according to the preamble, which is characterized in that none of the wall parts have a flap adhered to an adjacent wall part of the wall parts and wherein no liner bridges bordering wall parts.

[0008] With the packaging according to the invention, the folded shape of the cardboard tray is maintained by the top sheet which is adhered to each of the flange parts, which are in turn arranged to a respective wall part.

[0009] When the packaging is opened, by removing the top sheet, the shape of the cardboard tray will no longer be maintained and the cardboard will flatten, which facilitates disposal of the cardboard. There is thus no need to tear glue flaps loose or to remove a liner, which typically hold the shape of prior art cardboard trays.

[0010] In an embodiment of the packaging according to the invention longitudinal ends of the adjacent flange parts overlap. By overlapping the flange parts, additional rigidity is obtained, as one flange part will prevent an adjacent flange part from folding up. The top sheet furthermore holds these overlapping flange parts in position relative to each other. As a result, a firm peripheral horizontal flange is obtained.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention an adhesive, such as cold glue, is arranged between the overlapping parts of adjacent flange parts. This allows for a temporary hold of the shape of the folded cardboard tray, which allows for easier positioning of the folded cardboard tray for filling with foodstuff and then arranging the top sheet on the peripheral flange. When the top sheet is arranged on the peripheral flange, the packaging will have its full carrying capacity.

[0012] In yet another preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention an opening is provided in each wall part against the flange fold line.

[0013] A tool, such as a sealing ring, can be provided with protrusions, which extend into the openings in the wall parts, to keep the folded cardboard tray in the tool, while the tray is filled with foodstuff and closed by the top sheet.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the packaging according to the invention a tab is provided to each flange part, which tab is arranged in the same plane as the flange part, wherein the tab extends from the flange fold line in the opposite direction as the respective flange part, and wherein the shape of the tab corresponds to the shape of the opening in the respective wall part.

[0015] When the top sheet is arranged onto the flange parts, it will also hold the tabs in position. As the tabs are arranged on the fold line on the opposite side of the flange part, the top sheet also ensures that the flange part will not fold up, as this would require the tab to fold down, which will increase the tension in the top sheet.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the packaging according to the invention, the top sheet comprises a central access opening covered by a reclosable lid. This allows for the packaging to be opened and be closed again, without the cardboard tray to flatten itself. Only when the top sheet, including the reclosable lid, is removed, the shape of the tray will fall apart and flatten.

[0017] It is also possible to provide a top sheet with a central portion, which can be torn out to provide an access opening, while the remaining part of the top sheet keeps the horizontal flange parts together.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a packaging according to the invention, which method comprises the steps of: providing a single cardboard blank and folding the blank into a cardboard tray having a bottom wall with a circumferential edge composed out of a number of straight bottom fold lines, wall parts each arranged to a straight bottom fold line of the bottom wall and extending upwardly, and horizontal flange parts each arranged along a flange fold line to a respective wall part, wherein each flange fold line is arranged to the respective wall part on the opposite side of, and preferably parallel to, the respective straight bottom fold line, wherein the horizontal flange parts compose a continuous horizontal peripheral flange enclosing an access opening of the cardboard tray; providing a sealing ring; positioning the cardboard tray into the ring with the horizontal peripheral flange supported onto the sealing ring; filling the cardboard tray with objects, such as vegetables or fruits; proving a top sheet and attaching the sheet onto the peripheral flange to cover the access opening of the cardboard tray.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention the cardboard tray is folded by positioning the cardboard tray over the sealing ring and pushing the bottom wall through the opening of the sealing ring.

[0020] This allows for an inline solutions, in which blanks are fed to a manufacturing line and the cardboard tray is folded inline. With this embodiment it is not necessary to pre-fold the trays and to provide some temporary solution to keep the shape of the folded packaging.

[0021] In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention the sealing ring is provided with inwardly extending protrusions, which extend into the opening of each wall part to secure the cardboard tray in the sealing ring.

[0022] The protrusions hold the folded tray in position to allow filling the cardboard tray and arranging the top sheet on the peripheral flange.

[0023] These and other features of the invention will be elucidated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figures 1A and 1B show a first embodiment of the packaging according to the invention. Figures 2A - 2C show a second embodiment of the packaging according to the invention. Figures 3A and 3B show a third embodiment of the packaging according to the invention. Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the packaging according to the invention.

[0024] Figure 1A shows a blank 1, which can be folded into a cardboard tray. The blank 1 has a bottom wall 2, wall parts 3 and horizontal flange parts 4. The wall parts 3 are arranged to the bottom wall 2 along straight bottom fold lines 5, while the horizontal flange parts 3 are arranged to the respective wall parts 3 along flange fold lines 6.

[0025] Figure 1B shows a cross-section of the blank 1 folded into a cardboard tray. In order to keep the folded shape, a top sheet 7 is attached to the horizontal flange parts 4.

[0026] As is clear from the figures 1A and 1B, the packaging 1 does not have any glue flaps or a liner bridging bordering wall parts 3. Only the top sheet 7 keeps the packaging in the folded shape.

[0027] Figures 2A - 2C show a second embodiment of a packaging 10 according to the invention. Figure 2A shows a blank, which has an 8-sided wall part 11 to which wall parts 12 are arranged along a straight bottom fold line 13. Each wall part 12 has a horizontal flange part 14 arranged along a flange fold line 15.

[0028] Figure 2B shows a cross-section along the line IIB-IIB and shows the packaging 10 in folded state. The horizontal flange parts 14 overlap partially and are held together by a top sheet 16 (see also figure 2C). The top sheet 16 ensures that the packaging 10 keeps its folded shape.

[0029] In order to assist in temporarily keeping the folded shape of the blank 10 until the top sheet 16 is attached to the flange parts 14, a small amount of adhesive could be arranged between the overlapping flange parts 14.

[0030] Also in this embodiment 10 it is clear that no glue flaps or a liner bridging bordering wall parts 12 is required to keep the folded shape.

[0031] Figures 3A and 3B shows partially a third embodiment 20 of a packaging according to the invention. The packaging 20 is similar to the second embodiment 20 and also has a bottom wall 21, wall parts 22 with a horizontal flange part 23 arranged along a flange fold line 24. An opening 25 is provided in each wall part 22 against the flange fold line 24. This opening 25 corresponds with a tab 26 which is arranged in the same plane as the flange part 23, wherein the tab 26 extends from the flange fold line 24 in the opposite direction as the respective flange part 23.

[0032] Figure 3B shows the folded packaging 20 arranged in a first sealing ring 27, which has protrusions 28 extending inwardly and into the openings 25 in the wall parts 23. These protrusions 28 keep the packaging 20 in folded state and allows for filling the packaging 20 with foodstuff, after which a top sheet 29 can be sealed onto the horizontal flange parts 23 and the tabs 26 by pressing a second sealing ring 30 onto the first sealing ring 27.

[0033] Because the tab 26 extends from the flange fold line 24 in the opposite direction as the respective flange part 23, and the top sheet 29 is sealed on both the tabs 26 and the flange parts 23, the top sheet prevents the flange parts 23 from folding back, keeping the horizontal position of the flange parts 23.

[0034] Also from this embodiment 20 it is clear that no additional glue flaps or liner bridging adjacent wall parts 23 are required to maintain the folded shape of the packaging 20.

[0035] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment 40 of the packaging according to the invention. The packaging 40 has a bottom 41, wall parts 42, 43, 44 and horizontal flange parts 45, 46, 47 arranged to the respective wall parts 42, 43, 44.

[0036] The flange part 46 is arranged partially underneath the adjacent flange parts 45, 47. This provides for additional strength of the horizontal flange at the corner of the packaging 40.

[0037] Both flange parts 45, 47 have tabs 48, 49 which extend over the top edge of the wall part 43 and extend inwardly.

[0038] When a top sheet is arranged on the horizontal flange, the top sheet will adhere to the flange parts 45, 46, 47 and also to the tabs 48, 49. This will keep the shape of the packaging 40 and the adherance to the tabs 48, 49 in combination with the horizontal flange part 46 being partially arranged underneath the flange parts 45, 47 will provide a strong corner and will counter bending of the horizontal flange 45, 46, 47.

Claims

1. Packaging comprising a cardboard tray folded from a single blank, the cardboard tray having a bottom wall with a circumferential edge composed out of a number of straight bottom fold lines, wall parts each arranged to a straight bottom fold line of the bottom wall and extending upwardly, and horizontal flange parts each arranged along a flange fold line to a respective wall part, wherein each flange fold line is arranged to the respective wall part on the opposite side of, and preferably parallel to, the respective straight bottom fold line, wherein the horizontal flange parts compose a continuous horizontal peripheral flange enclosing an access opening of the cardboard tray, the packaging further comprising a top sheet attached to each of the flange parts and covering the access opening characterized in that none of the wall parts have a flap adhered to an adjacent wall part of the wall parts and wherein no liner bridges bordering wall parts.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein longitudinal ends of the adjacent flange parts overlap.

3. Packaging according to claim 2, wherein an adhesive, such as cold glue, is arranged between the overlapping parts of adjacent flange parts.

4. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an opening is provided in each wall part against the flange fold line.

5. Packaging according to claim 4, wherein a tab is provided to each flange part, which tab is arranged in the same plane as the flange part, wherein the tab extends from the flange fold line in the opposite direction as the respective flange part, and wherein the shape of the tab corresponds to the shape of the opening in the respective wall part.

6. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims, the top sheet comprises a central access opening covered by a reclosable lid.

7. Method for manufacturing a packaging according to any of the preceding claims, which method comprises the steps of: - providing a single cardboard blank and folding the blank into a cardboard tray having a bottom wall with a circumferential edge composed out of a number of straight bottom fold lines, wall parts each arranged to a straight bottom fold line of the bottom wall and extending upwardly, and horizontal flange parts each arranged along a flange fold line to a respective wall part, wherein each flange fold line is arranged to the respective wall part on the opposite side of, and preferably parallel to, the respective straight bottom fold line, wherein the horizontal flange parts compose a continuous horizontal peripheral flange enclosing an access opening of the cardboard tray; - providing a sealing ring; - positioning the cardboard tray into the ring with the horizontal peripheral flange supported onto the sealing ring; - filling the cardboard tray with objects, such as vegetables or fruits; - proving a top sheet and attaching the sheet onto the peripheral flange to cover the access opening of the cardboard tray.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the cardboard tray is folded by positioning the cardboard tray over the sealing ring and pushing the bottom wall through the opening of the sealing ring.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8 with a cardboard tray according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sealing ring is provided with inwardly extending protrusions, which extend into the opening of each wall part to secure the cardboard tray in the sealing ring.

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