A packaging container, manufacturing process and manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

A container body provides a container wall defining a container space. An end-insert formed able to terminate the container space terminates the container space. The container body has a portion arranged in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially, then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, then further towards the wall of the container and back towards the first end. The end-insert has a curled portion arranged in a curl within the curl of the container wall so the end-insert is affixed by the shape of the sheet material, formed into curls and the container remains flexible and resilient. The flexible and resilient packaging container has parts assembled and fixed by only their shape to eliminate clamping operations, adhesion or cohesion steps or the need for rigid or ductile materials such as metals.

Description

[0001] A Packaging Container, Manufacturing Process and Manufacturing Apparatus

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to improvements in respect of packaging containers, such as tube packaging, and manufacturing processes for same.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] An example of conventional packaging provides a container defined by wall which is terminated, typically near a base of the container, by a disc-shaped element of material that spans the interior of the wall. This type of container is used to package a stack of items contained within the wall and supported by the material that spans interior of the wall.

[0006] Typically, this type of packaging is manufactured by providing a walled container, locating a disc-shaped element that spans the interior of the wall and providing a bead of glue the junction between the element and wall to affix the element in place.

[0007] Various steps, known to the reader, involved in the manufacture of this type of packaging are labour-intensive and time-consuming.

[0008] As known to the reader, there are various limitations and technical problems with using the bead of glue to affix the disc-shaped element to the wall of the container. The glue is a relatively precise and complex operation. Also, the glue can impact of the flexibility and resilience of the joints and the packaging container in general. Otherwise the glue joint can suffer reliability issues where a packaging container is flexed in use.

[0009] Other conventional containers have components formed of metal which is ductile to allow parts to be clamped into shapes and is rigid once in those shapes to provide reliable affixation of parts. One limitation of these containers is that they must be formed from metals which do not suit all applications of packaging containers, particularly where flexible, resilient containers are required. Another limitation is that clamped joints of these containers are generally not flexible or resilient. A further limitation is that clamping typically involves a number of operations and / or complex apparatus.

[0010] Other types of conventional apparatus are formed of sheet material which are held together by adhesion or cohesion. Many of these involve a seam clamping operation which requires a clamping device to move around the base, say. One limitation of these containers is complicated operations and / or coatings to form bonds by adhesion or cohesion. Another limitation is that adhered bonds typically require sufficient surface contact which impacts on resilience and flexibility of joints and the container in general.

[0011] It would therefore be of advantage to have improved packaging and / or manufacturing processes for these which could address any or all of the above problems, or at least provide the public with an alternative choice.

[0012] It would therefore be of particular advantage to have improved packaging and / or manufacturing processes and / or apparatus for manufacture packaging containers formed of flexible and resilient sheet material which could address any or all of the above problems, or at least provide the public with an alternative choice.

[0013] It would therefore be of particular advantage to have improved packaging and / or manufacturing processes and / or apparatus for manufacture packaging containers formed of sheet material that are flexible and resilient which could address any or all of the above problems, or at least provide the public with an alternative choice.

[0014] Disclosure of the Invention

[0015] In one aspect the invention provides a packaging container formed from one or more sheets of flexible resilient material, the packaging comprising : a container body formed of sheet material, and providing a container wall defining a container space; and an end-insert formed of a sheet material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and the end-insert having a second portion able to locate the first portion so as to terminate a first end of the container space; wherein the container body has a curled portion arranged in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, wherein the end-insert has a curled portion arranged in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, and wherein the curl of the second portion of the end-insert is arranged within the curl of the container body.

[0016] The sheet material may be material provided as a sheet.

[0017] The sheet material may be flexible.

[0018] The sheet material may be resilient.

[0019] The sheet material may be formable into a shape and be flexible and / or resilient after being formed into a shape.

[0020] The sheet material may be heat formable into a shape and be flexible and / or resilient after being formed into a shape.

[0021] The second portion of the end-insert may provide an affixation proportion.

[0022] The curled portion of the end-insert may be formed of flexible, resilient material and is affixed to the container body by the curled portion of the container body part also being formed of flexible resilient material.

[0023] The curled portion of the container body and curled portion of the second portion of the end-insert may further progress outward towards the container wall.

[0024] The curled portion of the container body and curled portion of the second portion of the end-insert may further progress back towards the first end of the container space.

[0025] The curled portion of container body and second portion of the end-insert may curl past an angle of 180 degrees from the container wall.

[0026] The curled portion of container body and second portion of the end-insert may curl past an angle of 270 degrees from the container wall.

[0027] The container wall part and second portion of the terminus part may curl past an angle 360 degrees from the container wall.

[0028] The first portion of the end-insert may provide a support element arranged to support an item in the container space proximate an end of the container wall, wherein the support element is arranged to deform under a force from the one or more items.

[0029] The support element may be arranged to support the one or more items and deform under a static force from the one or more items.

[0030] The support element may be arranged to support the one or more items and deform under the weight of the one or more items.

[0031] The support element may be arranged to support the one or more items and deform under a force having a component of feree caused by momentum of the one or more items.

[0032] The support element may be arranged to support the one or more items and deform under a force having a component of feree caused one or more items and arranged to provide an opposing force.

[0033] The opposing force may be provided by resilience of the support element under deformation caused by the one or more items.

[0034] The opposing force may be provided by the shape of support element before deformation caused by the one or more items.

[0035] The opposing force may be provided by the shape of support element under deformation caused by the one or more items.

[0036] The force which causes deformation and / or the force opposed may be characterised by vibration of the one or more items.

[0037] The momentum may be characterised by the one or more items being loaded into the container space.

[0038] The momentum may be characterised by one or more items being dropped into the container space.

[0039] The support element may be arranged to deform and provide damping and / or an opposing force under a dynamic load expected during loading of the items into the container space by dropping the items onto the support surface.

[0040] The support element is arranged to deform under a dynamic load expected during transport of the container with contained items.

[0041] The support element is arranged to provide an impulse under deformation to arrest movement of the items which causes the dynamic load so as to prevent an impact of the support element under deformation and a surface on which the container wall is supported.

[0042] The support element may comprise one or more bracing features which are able to brace against the surface of which the packaging container is supported to arrest movement of the one or more items.

[0043] The support element is shaped and located so as to terminate the container space at one end.

[0044] The support element may have a shape which is convex with respect to the container space.

[0045] The support element may be the first portion of the end-insert of any of the paragraphs above.

[0046] The support element may be arranged to deform so as to maintain contact with the one or more items over a range of deformation of the support element caused by the one or more items.

[0047] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing a packaging container comprising: providing container body formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, and providing a container wall which defines a container space; and providing an end-insert formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and having a second portion able to locate the first portion so as to terminate a first end of the container space; curling a section of the container body a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, curling the second portion of the end-insert in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, wherein the curl of the second portion end-insert is within the curl of the container body so that the terminus part is affixed to the container body.

[0048] Curling the section of the container body and curling the second portion of the end-insert may be performed simultaneously.

[0049] The process may comprise locating the end-insert within the wall prior to said curling.

[0050] Curling of the container body and curling of the second portion of the end-insert may comprise forcing container body and second portion of end-insert into a cavity provided by a tool.

[0051] The cavity may be a tapered cavity provided by a tool.

[0052] Curling the second portion of the end-insert may comprise forcing the container body and second portion of end-insert against a radius formed in the tool.

[0053] Curling the container wall and curling of the second portion of the terminus part may comprise forcing the container wall and terminus portion received within the container wall against an end face of a cavity provided by a tool.

[0054] The process may comprise heating a section of the container wall and second portion of the end-insert, wherein the flexible resilient material of one or both of the container body and end-insert is adapted to retain a shape after heating and subsequent cooling while remaining flexible and resilient, and wherein the end-insert is flexibly and resiliently affixed to the container wall by the retained shape.

[0055] The process may comprise forming the end-insert by providing a sheet of material lying in a plane, forming from the sheet a shape suitable to provide said end-insert said shape extending out of the plane, and separating said shape for the end-insert from the remainder of the sheet at a line outside a plane formed by the remainder of the sheet.

[0056] The process may comprise a cutting head being received in a the end-insert shape formed from the sheet of material, piercing the shape with a blade from within shape and moving the blade around the base shape to separate it from the remainder of the sheet.

[0057] Another aspect of the present invention provides a process of manufacturing a packaging container comprising: providing container body formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, and providing a container wall which defines a container space; and providing an end-insert formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and having a second portion able to locate the first portion so as to terminate a first end of the container space; curling a section of the container body a curl, curling the second portion of the end-insert in a curl, wherein curling the container body is performed simultaneously to curling the second portion of the end-insert.

[0058] Another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a packaging container comprising: a mandrel able to mount a container body formed of a flexible, resilient sheet, the body providing a container wall defining a container space; and a support on the mandrel for a container terminus formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and having a second portion arranged as a wall able to be inserted within the container wall near a first end of the container space when on the support, wherein the support is arranged to locate the end-insert within in the container wall at the first end of the container space to terminate the container space; a tool able to curl the container wall at the first end of the container space, and curling the second portion of the end insert to be arranged within a curl defined by the curled portion of the container body.

[0059] The tool may define a cavity with an end against which the container wall at the first end of the container space, and the second portion of the end-inset to cause them to curl.

[0060] The tool may define a tapered cavity.

[0061] The apparatus may comprise an actuator operable to move the mandrel relative to the tool.

[0062] A packaging container which comprises: a container wall arranged to define a prismatic container space for one or more items; a support element arranged to support an item in the container space proximate an end of the container wall; the support element arranged to deform under a force from the one or more items.

[0063] The packaging may comprise one or more of the features of any paragraph above.

[0064] The support element may be provided by an end insert formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and the end-insert having a second portion able to locate the first portion so as to terminate a first end of the container space.

[0065] The container wall may be provided by a container body wherein the container body has a curled portion arranged in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end.

[0066] The end-insert may have a curled portion arranged in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, and wherein the curl of the second portion of the end-insert is arranged within the curl of the container wall part.

[0067] The packaging container may comprise any of the features of any paragraph above.

[0068] The support element may be arranged to support the one or more items and deform under a static force from the one or more items.

[0069] The support element may be arranged to support the one or more items and deform under the weight of the one or more items.

[0070] The support element may be arranged to support the one or more items and deform under a force having a component of feree caused by momentum of the one or more items.

[0071] The force may be characterised by vibration of the one or more items.

[0072] The momentum may be characterised by the one or more items being loaded into the container space.

[0073] The momentum may be characterised by one or more items being dropped into the container space.

[0074] The support element may be arranged to deform under a dynamic load expected during loading of the items into the container space by dropping the items onto the support surface.

[0075] The support element is arranged to deform under a dynamic load expected during transport of the container with contained items.

[0076] The support element is arranged to provide an impulse under deformation to arrest movement of the items which causes the dynamic load so as to prevent an impact of the support element under deformation and a surface on which the container wall is supported.

[0077] The support element may comprise one or more bracing features which are able to brace against the surface of which the packaging container is supported to arrest movement of the one or more items.

[0078] The support element is shaped and located so as to terminate the container space at one end.

[0079] The support element has a shape which is convex with respect to the container space.

[0080] The support element may be the first portion of the end-insert of any of the paragraphs above.

[0081] The support element may be arranged to deform so as to maintain contact with the one or more items over a range of deformation of the support element caused by the one or more items.

[0082] The range of deformation may be 0.5 approximately centimetres.

[0083] Said range of movement may be approximately 1 centimetre.

[0084] Said range of deformation is approximately 2 centimetres.

[0085] Said range of movement may be in the range of 1 to 2 centimetres.

[0086] The convex shape may be elliptical.

[0087] The convex shape may have a different profile in each of two perpendicular axes, each perpendicular with a central axis of a prismatic container space defined by the container body.

[0088] The support element may be arranged to deform with a first modulus of strain for smaller deformations and a second modulus of deformation for greater deformations, wherein the second modulus is higher than the first modulus.

[0089] The support element may be arranged to provide damping for moving items.

[0090] The support element end part may be provided as a first portion of an end-insert which affixed to a wall of a container body section of the tube wall proximate an end of the container region, a section of the container wall arranged in a curl which progresses in a first curl back towards an end of the container space distal from said terminated end, and wherein the second portion of the end-insert is arranged in a second curl arranged within the first curl to affix the end-insert to the container wall.

[0091] The first curl may extend initially inwards towards the container space.

[0092] The second portion of the end-insert may define a prism with a cross-section which is complementary to a cross-section of a prismatic container region defined by a wall provided by the container body for the second portion of the end-insert to be received within the prismatic container region.

[0093] The element may be formed from a sheet of material.

[0094] The end-insert may be formed from a sheet of material to have an affixation portion defining a prism, wherein the affixation portion is separated from the sheet of material at a cut in the affixation portion, the cut extending around the perimeter of the prism.

[0095] Another aspect of the invention provides a packaging container which comprises: a wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end-part received within the tube wall at a first end of the container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the first end of the container space and having a second portion affixed to the tube wall to locate the first portion within the tube wall, wherein a section of the tube wall proximate the end of the container space which is terminated by the first portion of the of the end-insert extends in a first curl back towards an end of the container space distal from said terminated end, and wherein the second portion of the end-part extends in a second curl inside the first curl.

[0096] The end part may be dimensioned to be inserted within the wall during manufacture.

[0097] The second portion of the end part may extend in the curl initially inward towards the centre of the prismatic container space before extending in the curl towards the distal end of the container space.

[0098] Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing packaging, the apparatus comprising: one or more mandrels each able to receive packaging bodies comprising a wall defining a prismatic container region within the wall, each mandrel comprising a support surface operable to support and locate an end-insert shaped to be received in an end of the body to terminate the prismatic region at a first end and comprising a wall which extends alongside a section of the wall of the body at said first end of the prismatic container region; and a tool able to curl the wall of the end-insert and the section of the wall of the body to affix the insert to the body.

[0099] Said tool may be able to curl the wall of the insert and the section of the wall to simultaneously curl said end section of the wall and said second portion of the end-insert.

[0100] Said device may comprise a tool providing a tapered cavity into which said section of the container wall and second portion of the insert are forced.

[0101] The mandrel and tool may be movable relative to each other to insert and force the wall of the insert and the section of the wall.

[0102] A process of manufacturing a packaging container, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic container region; providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic region, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic region and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall; affixing the insert to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert.

[0103] The wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert may be curled back towards an end of the container space distal from said terminated.

[0104] The end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert may be curled simultaneously.

[0105] Said curling may be performed by inserting and forcing said section of the container wall and second portion into a cavity provided by a tool.

[0106] Said inserting and forcing comprises moving a mandrel relative to the tool.

[0107] The end-insert may be provided by providing a sheet of material lying in a plane, forming a shape suitable to provide said end-insert formed from the sheet and extending out of the plane, and separating the end-insert from the remainder of the sheet at a line outside a plane formed by the remainder of the sheet to prevent a residual flange extending out from the endinsert.

[0108] Another aspect of the present invention provides a packaging which comprises: a wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end-insert received within the tube wall at a first end of the container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the first end of the container space and having a second portion affixed to the wall to locate the first portion within the wall, wherein the second portion of the end-insert is affixed to said section of the wall by a process of curling the second portion and said section of the tube wall.

[0109] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; providing an end-part, the end-part, the end-part having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and having a second portion shaped to define a prism complementary to the prismatic space defined by the wall so to allow one of the wall and second part of the end part to be received within the other; and affixing the end-part to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and the second portion of the end part.

[0110] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an end-insert for a container which provides a container space within the wall, the end-insert able to terminate the container space, the process comprising : providing a sheet of material lying in a plane; forming a shape suitable to provide said insert formed from the sheet and extending out of the plane.

[0111] The process may comprise separating part of said shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at a line located out of the plane to provide the base.

[0112] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; and providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic space, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall, wherein the insert is formed from a sheet of material and separated from the sheet at a line outside a plane formed by the remainder of the sheet.

[0113] As used herein the terms 'curled', 'curl' and similar may be intended to describe a static shape after manufacture or to describe a dynamic process of curling during manufacture.

[0114] As used herein the term 'progresses' in a curl may be intended to describe a static shape or a dynamic process of curling or to describe a dynamic process of curling during manufacture.

[0115] As used herein the term 'element' is intended to be used broadly to describe a mechanical element or a part.

[0116] In various aspects and embodiments illustrated herein 'end-part' may be interchanged with 'end-insert'.

[0117] As used herein the term 'relative' is used to cover one device moving towards or away the other, vice versa or both parts moving together or apart.

[0118] Further aspects comprise any combination of features recited in any of the paragraphs above.

[0119] Brief description of the drawings

[0120] Additional and further aspects of the present invention will be apparent to the reader from the following description of embodiments, given in by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0121] Figure 1 shows cutaway side elevation of a base part of a packaging container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0122] Figure 2 shows cutaway side elevation of a tube body of the part of the packaging container figure 1 with an end-insert received within the tube body prior to affixation;

[0123] Figure 3 shows a cutaway side elevation in close-up of a part of the packaging where the end-insert figure 2 is affixed to the tube body;

[0124] Figure 4 shows initial steps in the manufacturing process of tube packaging figures 1 to 3, where bodies are added to mandrels and end-inserts a place to tube bodies shows a closer view of a mandrel used in the process of figure 3 supporting a tube wall and an end-insert; and

[0125] Figure 5 shows a closer view of a mandrel used in the process of figure 3 supporting a tube wall and an end-insert; and

[0126] Figure 6 shows later steps in the process of figure 4, where in inserts are affixed to tube bodies;

[0127] Figure 7 shows shows an apparatus is operable to form bases for tube packaging;

[0128] Figure 8 shows a closer view of the base-separating apparatus;

[0129] Figure 9 shows an underside plan view of a cutting head;

[0130] Figure 10 shows a side elevation view of a station of an apparatus which assembles a tube body with a base to provide tube packaging; Figure 11 shows a plan view, from above, of an apparatus used to form terminated tubes for tube packaging;

[0131] Figures 12 to 14 show a tool of an embodiment of the invention used to affix bases to the tube bodies;

[0132] Figures 15 to 17 show a first part of a moulding tool used to manufacture bases;

[0133] Figures 18 to 20 show a second part of a moulding tool used to manufacture bases;

[0134] Figure 21 to 23 schematically depict shapes of curl used to affix the end-insert to the container body;

[0135] Figure 24 shows a side elevation of an end-insert according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0136] Figure 25 shows a side elevation of an end-insert according to the embodiment of Figure 24 deformed by an item in use; and

[0137] Figure 26 shows a side elevation of the end-insert of Figure 25 deformed further by the item;

[0138] Figures 27 to 30 show a plan view, side elevation, top perspective view and bottom perspective view of an end-insert according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0139] Figure 31 to 34 show a plan view, side elevation, top perspective view and bottom perspective view of an end-insert according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0140] Figure 34 to 39 show a plan view, side elevation, top perspective view and bottom perspective view of an end-insert according to an additional embodiment of the present invention.

[0141] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is given by way of example only of particular embodiments.

[0142] Best modes for carrying out the invention

[0143] Figure 1 shows a base section 1 of a packaging container according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0144] The packaging has a body part 2 which provides a wall 3 which defines a prismatic space 4 to contain goods or items to be packaged. This space 4 may be referred to herein as a container space.

[0145] In this embodiment the wall 3 has the form of a tube intended to be stood upright and extend vertically. In this embodiment a tube wall 3 forms a cylindrical tube and the prismatic container space 4 is cylindrical. In other embodiments the wall be arranges as alternatives to a tube, such as defining a square cross-section or other cros-sections.

[0146] Figure 1 shows an end-insert 5 which provides an end element 6, or stop, located within the wall 3 substantially at an end of the body 2 to delimit, close-off or terminate the container space 4.

[0147] When the packaging is in use, the tube wall 3 defines a container space for items to be packaged and the end element 5 defines a lower end of the container space 4. In this example goods are to be packaged n the container space. In this specific example the packaged goods are horticultural goods.

[0148] The end-insert 5 is shown received, or inserted, into the tube wall during a manufacturing process described and illustrated herein. The end-insert of this embodiment has been formed of a sheet of material into a prism which is able to be received, or inserted, into an end of the container space. In this case the prism is a cylinder, and specifically a short cylinder closed at one end by the end element 6.

[0149] The end-insert 5 has two parts. A first part of the end-insert 5 is the end element 6, or stop, which terminates the container space 4. A second part of the end-insert is an affixation part 7 which is affixed to the tube wall to locate and / or secure the end element 6 in the tube body so as to terminate the container space 4.

[0150] Figure 2 shows a tube body 3 with an end-insert 5 received in the tube body prior to affixation. A gap or separation shown in Figure 2 between the tube wall 3 and end-insert 5 merely depicts the parts as separate, though in the present embodiment the insert 5 is received in the tube body 3 with a smaller tolerance. Typically the tolerance is such the endinsert 5 fits snugly yet the end-insert can be inserted with minimal force, such as the under the weght of the end element into an inverted wall 3.

[0151] Figure 2 shows the first part 6 of the end-insert 5 as the end element extending across the space within the tube body. Figure 2 also shows a second part 7 of the insert 5 which is affixed to the wall 3 to locate and / or secure the end element 6 within the tube body. The second part 7 defines a wall section giving the end-insert a prismatic shape which is complementary to the prismatic cross-section of the tube body at an end part 8 of the wall 3. The complementary shape allows the insert to fit within the wall.

[0152] In the present embodiment, the end-insert 5 is a vacuum-formed part. In this embodiment the end-insert has been formed from a flat sheet of material to the prism shown in crosssection in Figure 2.

[0153] A first part of the end element is the end element 5, stop or stopper, which terminates the container space. The end element is located within the tube wall by a second portion which is formed as a wall shaped to fit within the tube wall. In this example the wall is dimensioned to have a snug fit, with the wall of the insert parallel to the tube wall prior to an affixation step illustrated below.

[0154] Figure 3 shows a close-up, cut-away side elevation of the packaging of Figure 1 at an end where the end-insert 5 is affixed to the wall 3. An affixation portion 8 of the body 2 is shown arranged, or formed, in a curled shape. The affixaion portion has been formed from an end portion of the wall body 2. An affixation portion 7 of the insert 5 is shown as formed in a shape complementary to an end portion 8 of the wall 3. Figure 3 shows the affixation portion 7 of the end-insert and the and end portion 8 of the body in a curled configuration to arranged as a double-layered curled-over structure. A first, outer layer 9 is provided by the end portion 8 of the tube body 2 and a second, inner layer 10 is provided by the affixation portion 7 of the end-insert 5. The second layer 10 shown curled within, or inside, the first layer 9. In this embodiment the curl that the end portion 8 of the wall follows progresses initially towards a central axis (not shown) of the prismsmatic container space 4 then progresses back towards an end of the container space 4 that is distal from the end portion 8 of the wall. The curl followed by the affixation part of the end-insert is within the curl of the end portion 8 of the body. Here the term progresses refers to describing a static curled shape.

[0155] Figure 4 shows a step in the manufacture of an packaging container according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in Figure 4 are bodies 103a to 103d, which are open-ended tubes referred to herein as tube bodies. The bodies 103 of this embodiments have the features of the body 2 of Figure 1, though may possibly differ in dimensions. In this embodiment the wall of the bodies 2 define a circularly prismatic tube. Also shown in Figure 4 are end-inserts 105a-105c suitable to to delimit, terminate or close- off, an end of each respective tube 103. The end-inserts 105 of this embodiment have the features of the end-inserts 5 of Figure 1, are the end-inserts though may possibly differ in dimensions.

[0156] The bodies 103 resemble the walls 3 of Figure 3 except that they have not yet had an end portion curled to affix end-inserts 105.

[0157] Figure 4 also shows a series of mandrels fitted with tube bodies 103.

[0158] In a step in the process depicted a end-inserts are inserted into an upper end of the tube body 103, as shown inverted compared to Figure 1, and pushed in to abut against the upper supports 125. In this example an end-insert 105 rests on the upper supports 125.

[0159] As shown in Figure 4, mandrels 104a and 104d are fitted only with a tube body 103 leaving an upper support 125 exposed. A mandrel 104b is in the process of a end-insert 105b being provided.

[0160] In other examples the end-insert may be a tight, frictional fit in the tube body and the upper support may serve only to locate the end insert 105.

[0161] In other examples the end-insert may have a tolerance that allows the end-insert to move into the tube body 103 under the weiht of the end-insert. The the upper support 125 locates the end insert 105 relative to a portion of the wall 103.

[0162] Mandrel 104c is shown with an end-insert 105c fitted into an end of the tube body and abuting the upper support 125c. Due to the location of the lower support for a given length of tube body the upper end of the end-insert, as shown, is flush with the upper end of the tube body, as shown. Altough shown as upper ends of the end-insert and tube body, these are intended to be the bottom of the packaging that comprised the tube body and endinsert in use, namely when the packaging is being used. In use the end-insert will delimit or close-off the bottom of the tube body and tube packaging.

[0163] Figure 4 also shows a moving platform 110 on which the mandrels are mounted. The moving platform is able to move the mandrels to stations for further manufacting steps described and illustrated below.

[0164] Figure 5 shows a tube which has been placed on a mandrel 120. The mandrel 120 has a base 121 which is mounted on a platform or table 110. In this example the table is a rotating table which is able to rotate to align the mandrels with various manufacturing stations, not shown in Figure 5 but illutrated below.

[0165] The mandrel 120 has a lower support 122 for the tube body 103, able to support a lower end of the tube body 103 a given distance from the upper end of the mandrel 120. The location of lower support relative to the upper support arranges the uppers ends of the endinsert and wall provided by body 103 to be flush. In this embodiment the relative locations lower support relative to the upper support is adjusted for given lengths of wall and affixation portion of the end-insert.

[0166] As shown in Figure 5 the tube body 103 is inverted compared to it's intended use. The upper end of the tube as shown in Figure 5 will be a lower end of the tube in it's intended use. The lower support 122 for the tube may be referred to herein as the lower tube support. In this example the tube support 122 has an insertion portion 123 which is inserted into the tube by action of the tube being fitted over the mandrel and allowed to rest on the lower support. The insertion portion 123 of the lower tube support tapers to a tube-support flange 124 provided as a rest for the tube 103, to support the tube 103. The tapered portion allignes the body 103 with the mandrel even if simply dropped over the mandrel to facilitate the speed of the step of fitting bodies 103 to mandrels fitting and to minimise any labour involved. The tube support flange 124 may be referred to herein as a mandrel flange or support flange.

[0167] As shown, the mandrel 122 has an upper support 125. The upper support may be referred to herein as an end-insert support or upper mandrel-support. In this example the upper support is fixed to a mandrel post 126 which is fixed to the base to provide stuctural support for the rest of the mandrel.

[0168] The distance of the tube-support flange from the upper support 125 and the length of the tube body determine the distance 127 the tube body 103 extends above the upper support 125.

[0169] In this example the lower support 122 is adjustable with respect to heights on the mandrel post. This allows the distance a tube body of given length will extend above an upper suport 125.

[0170] In various embodiments a tube body 103 mounted on a mandrel rests on a lower support flange which is located on a point on the post of the mandrel that allows the tube body to extend by a selected length above the upper support.

[0171] In the embodiment of Figure 5 the end-insert is shown abuting the upper support which locates the end-insert so that the top of the end-insert, as shown, is adjacent the end of the tube body. In alternative embodiments the upper end, of the end-insert, as shown, and the upper end of the tube body may not be flush or aligned.

[0172] Figure 6 shows a series of mandrels 103e and 103h onto which tube bodies 103e to 103h and end-inserts 105e to 103h have been fitted. In this embodiment a step in the process affixes end-inserts to tube bodies in the position the end-inserts assume in relation to the tube body when the inserts are located by the upper support and the tube bodies are located by the tube body supports. The affixed end-inserts provide affixed lower elements for the contained space provided by the tube.

[0173] In the embodiment shown, portions of the upper ends, as shown, of the tube body and endinserts are rolled, or curled, to affix the end-insert in place in the tube bodies. In this example, the place is as determined by the location of lower support relative to the upper support and the length of tube body.

[0174] In this embodiment the tube bodies and end-inserts are curled by heating and forcing the ends into a cavity (not shown). In tis embodiment the vcavity is tapered. In this example the curling is inwards towards the centre of the tube and back in a direction away from the top of the tube body as shown. This is inwards and upwards as the tube body is intended to be used used or inwards and downward as the tube body is shown in Figure 6. The ends of the tube body and end-inserts form a double-layered curled shape. The curled ends form a base for the tube.

[0175] In one example the cavity is provided by a tool which provides the cavity in a metal disc. In one example the metal is brass. In some examples the heating is performed by a heating element with which the tube is in contact.

[0176] The curled ends form a double-layer rounded end, or curled end, for the tube body which affixes the end-insert in place to provide a lower surface, in use, for the container space of the tube. In this embodiment the shape of the curled end affixes the end-insert in place. The reader will appreciate that this means of affixation allows flexible, resilient wall and end-insert to be affixed merely by their shape and may allow them to remain affixed while remaining flexible and resilient. In some alternative embodiments heating and curling of the ends also bonds the end-inserts to the tube body. Various alternative embodiments may use various combinations of affixing by shape or bonding.

[0177] A moving platform on which mabdrels are monted is able to move to move the mandrels with tube bodies and end-inserts from stations where the tube bodies are placed on the mandrels, to other stations where the end-inserts are added to stations where the ends are curled. The movong platform is also able to move the tube bodies and end-inserts to stations which afix the end-inserts to the tube bodies.

[0178] Figure 7 shows an apparatus 200 which is operable to provide end-inserts having base shapes 201 for tube packaging. The end-inserts delimit or terminate a container space defined by walls of a container body. In this example the container body defines a prismatic container space. In a specific example the prism is cylindrical.

[0179] As shown in Figure 7 a sheet of material 202 has a set of base shapes formed in it. In this embodiment the bases are formed by heating the sheet of material 202 and clamping it between tools to form the shape of a base, or end-insert, for tube packaging. The shapes in the sheet shown are joined by remaining parts of the sheet located between base shapes. Other than the base shapes the remainder of the sheet of material defines in a plane. The base shapes 201 formed from the sheet need to be separated from the remaining parts of the sheet to be used as bases for tube packaging.

[0180] The sheet 202 is shown on a support 203.

[0181] In this embodiment the first and second actuators are arranged to move a separation device 206 relative to the support 203 and sheet 202 in a horizontal plane.

[0182] A first base-sheet actuator 204 is operable to translate the separation device 206 relative to the support 203 in a first axis. A second base-sheet actuator 205 is operable to translate the separation device 206 relative to the support 203 in a second axis.

[0183] Figure 7 shows the base-separating apparatus 206. The base-separating apparatus is operable to separate a base shape 201 formed in the sheet from the sheet 202. Movement by first and second translators can arrange the base-separating apparatus to be aligned in a horizontal plane as shown with any base shape formed in the sheet. The base-separating apparatus 206 is mounted on a vertical actuator 207 operable to translate or move the cutting apparatus vertically relatively towards an aligned base-shape 201.

[0184] The sheet 202 is shown with the base shapes 201 arranged concave upwards as shown. The support of this embodiment has cylindrical cavities to receive the base shapes and may be recognised as a jig. In this example the jig has apertures formed in a plate of support material to provide the cavities.

[0185] Figure 8 shows a closer view of the base-separating apparatus 206. As shown the baseseparating apparatus has mounts 210 to mount it to the vertical actuator. The baseseparating apparatus has a motor 211 and a cutting head 212.

[0186] Figure 9 shows an underside plan view of the cutting head 212. This view is from below as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0187] As shown in Figure 9 the cutting head 212 has a blade mount 213 and a mounted blade 214. The blade of this specific embodiment is adapted to pierce the base shape and has a point 215 extending from a part that provides the mount 213. In this case the piercing is arranged by a blade being moved outwards from within the concave base shape 201. The blade is also adapted to cut the base-shape at a circumference of a wall formed in the base shape to separate the base from the remainder of the sheet and provide an end-insert for a container package. The blade mount allows adjustment of the position of the blade to adjust how far the point 215 extends.

[0188] In this embodiment the base-separator actuator is operable to move the base-separator such that that part of the cutting head 212 that mounts the blade is received in the upwardly concave base-shape. In this embodiment the base-separator 206 is able to move the cutting head such that the blade 214 pierces the sheet at the base-shape 201 outside the plane of the rest of the sheet of material. In this embodiment the blade pierces the base-shape near a periphery of the concave shape of the base-shape. The base shape of one example has a base portion arranged to terminate a tube container and has a side wall arranged in parallel with a wall of the tube when the base is inserted into a tube packaging. In this example the base-separating apparatus is operable to make a cut around the wall to separate the base-shape at the wall to provide a base. In this example the base shape 201 has a wall that defines a cylinder that fits within a cylinder of a tube body and a cut in this wall separates the base shape from the sheet.

[0189] Figure 10 shows a side elevation view of a station 220 of an apparatus 221 according to another embodiment. The apparatus shown assembles a tube body with a base to provide tube packaging. Here the base is equivalent to an end-insert of embodiments described herein. The station 220 has a mandrel 222 which is movable. In this embodiment the mandrel 222 is movable to translate between this and other stations of the apparatus 221.

[0190] In this example the mandrel 222 has a post over which a tube body 223 can be fitted. The station shown in Figure 10 is operable to locate a base 221 in a tube body 223 prior to the base before being affixed to provide a base terminus for the tube. In this embodiment the base is inserted into an end of the tube and may be recognised as an end-insert. The tube may be recognised as defining a prismatic container space. In this particular embodiment the base 221 is shaped to have a wall that defines a prism which is complementary to the prismatic space defined by a wall of the tube body 223.

[0191] The mandrel 222 shown in Figure 10 has been fitted with a tube body 223. The mandrel provides an upper support 224 which is exposed by the tube body prior to it being provided with a base 225. The base rests on the upper-support 224. The upper-support is arranged at a height, as shown in Figure 10, such that the top of a base, or the top of the wall of a base that defines a complementary prism, is aligned with an end of the wall of the tube (not shown). This may be recognised as neither the wall of the base nor the wall of the tube body extending beyond the other.

[0192] Figure 11 shows a plan view, from above, of an apparatus 230 used to form terminated tubes for tube packaging. In this embodiment the tube packaging is provided by a terminated tube and a lid or cap (not shown). In this example a terminated tube is provided by a tube wall, or body, end-insert, or base.

[0193] A first station 231 is operable to punch apertures (not shown) in a wall of the tube body at an end distal from the end terminated by base. In use the apertures would be at an upper end of the tube packaging. The apertures are engaged in use by projections (not shown) formed in a lid.

[0194] The apparatus 230 has five mandrel actuators 232 to 236 which are each operable to move the mandrels 237 to 241, with bases fitted, left across the page as shown in Figure 11.

[0195] Figure 11 shows affixation stations 242 and 243 provided for each mandrel actuator 232. A first affixation station 242 shown has a tool which defines a cavity which is heated. The tool of the first affixation station 242 may be referred to as a hot tool. The heated cavity is operable to heat the end of the tube wall and adjacent end of a wall of the end-insert or base. The tube wall and base of this embodiment are formed of a material which softens and becomes compliant when heated.

[0196] The first affixation station 242 is operable to move the hot tool down, or into the page as shown, over the tube and fitted base to heat ends of each.

[0197] The second affixation station 243 shown has a tool which defines a cavity which is cooler than the heated cavity. The tool of the second affixation station may be referred to as a cold tool. In this embodiment the cooler cavity is at a temperature selected, for the material used for the tube body and end-insert, which sets the material in a final shape or configuration. In this embodiment the cooler cavity is at room temperature.

[0198] The first affixation station 242 is operable to move the hot cavity down, into the page as shown Figure 11, and over the tube body and base insert to heat an end of the tube body and end insert. In this embodiment ends of the walls defined by the tube body and endinserts are received in the cavity in the hot tool, or heating tool, to be heated and made compliant.

[0199] The second affixation station is operable to move the cold cavity down, into the page as shown Figure 11, and over the tube body and base insert. In this embodiment ends of the walls defined by the tube body and end-inserts are received in the cavity in the cold tool.

[0200] The hot tool and cold tool act to form an end of the wall of the tube body and end of the wall of the base into a shape which affixes the end-insert to the tube body. In tis example the shape is a two-layered curl, one layer provided by the tube wall and the other provided by the wall of the base.

[0201] The mandrel actuators, 232 for example, is operable to translate the mandrel with tube body and insert to the first affixation station and then the second affixation station to allow the end-insert to be affixed to the tube body.

[0202] Figures 12 to 14 show a tool 250 of an embodiment of the invention used to affix the endinsert to the tube body of various embodiments of the invention described herein.

[0203] Figure 12 shows a plan view of the tool.

[0204] Figure 13 shows a cut-away elevation of the tool. A station of the embodiment of Figures 7 to 11 is operable to move the tool vertically or up and down the page as shown in Figure 13 to move the tool relative to the tube body. In other embodiments the mandrel may move.

[0205] Figure 13 also shows a tube body 223 in an entry position. A base, or end-insert, which would be fitted into the tube body is omitted from Figure 13 for clarity. As shown the tool 250 defines a cavity 252 in a lower side. The cavity 252 shown has a width, or diameter in this example, that is wider than the tube. The cavity tapers upward and inward towards an interior of the cavity. A tube body which is heated and has the tool forced relative to the tube body it would have a leading edge, upper end as shown, directed inward towards the interior of the cavity and towards the centre of the tube body.

[0206] Figure 14 shows a closer cut-away elevation of part of the tool 250 to illustrate the shape of the cavity provided by the tool. As shown in Figure 14 the cavity 252 of this embodiment has a periphery 253 at an open end 254 of the cavity which is wider than the tube body and the end-insert, which is received in the tube body. As shown this embodiment the cavity has a peripheral wall 255 which tapers inwards up and in from the periphery of the open end. The cavity of the embodiment of Figure 14 has an end of the cavity, or cavity terminus, 256 distal the cavity opening 254. In this embodiment the end 256 of the cavity is arranged to be parallel with an end part of the base (not shown) that terminates the tube packaging and parallel to a leading edge 257 of the tube body. As shown in Figure 14 a radius 258 has been formed between the cavity wall 255 and cavity terminus 256. In this embodiment the radius extends past, or above as shown, the cavity terminus. In alternative embodiments the radius 258 may not extend past the cavity terminus.

[0207] A process of manufacturing a tube packaging, less a lid, using a preformed end-insert is illustrated below.

[0208] In a preliminary step S3-1 a set of base shapes are formed in a sheet of material and separated to provide individual bases.

[0209] In a first step S2-1 a sheet of material is formed into a tube.

[0210] In a second step S2-2 the tube is cut to length to provide a tube body.

[0211] In a third step S2-3 apertures are formed in the side of the tube body, or the wall formed by the tube body, at an end that will become the opening of the tube packaging and which will be terminated by a lid or cap. These apertures will be engaged by projections of the lid or cap.

[0212] A tube body is placed on a mandrel 222 at a fourth step S2-4. The mandrel provides a lower support for the tube body and an upper support 224 for a tube base proximate an end of the tube body 223 that is to be terminated by the base.

[0213] A tube base, or end-insert, is received in or inserted into an end of the tube body 223 and is located by the upper support in a fifth step S2-5. The location of the upper support 224 is arranged so that the top of the base is flush with the proximate end of the tube body. In this embodiment the base defines a wall with a shape complementary with the wall of the tube body. In parallel steps end-inserts are placed on each of mandrel of the five parallel lines shown in Figure 11.

[0214] At a sixth step S2-6 the mandrel 222 is moved to a first affixation station 242 to align the tube 223 and tool 250 as shown in Figure 13.

[0215] At a seventh step S2-7 the hot tool is moved down and onto the end of the tube body and base and the tube and base are received in the hot cavity. In this embodiment the hot cavity is the cavity 252 provided by the tool 250. Parallel steps are performed for each of the five lines depicted in Figure 11 by actuators 232 to 236.

[0216] At an eighth step S2-8 the cold tool is moved down onto the tube and the tube and end insert is received in the cold cavity.

[0217] The effect of the hot and cold tubes is to curl an end of the tube body proximate the endinsert to affix the insert to the tube body at an end of the tube wall. The tube wall defines a container space and an end element of the end-insert terminates the container space at an end intended to be near the base of the packaging container.

[0218] In a final step the tube body with affixed base is released from the apparatus.

[0219] A process of manufacturing end-inserts, bases or base terminuses for tube packaging is illustrated below.

[0220] In a first step S3-1 a set of base shapes 201 are formed in a sheet of material.

[0221] In a second step S3-2 the sheet of material with base shapes formed in it is placed on a jig 203 of an apparatus, such as shown in Figure 7. The base shapes of this embodiment are concave upwards. This step typically involves forming each base shape one after the other.

[0222] In a third step S3-3 a base-separating apparatus is moved by actuators 205, 206 and 207 to a position over a base shape. In a forth step S3-4 a blade 215 is forced through a side wall of the base shape and moved around the wall to separate the base shape from the rest of the sheet of material.

[0223] Separation by this process does not leave a residual flange formed on the wall of the base shape. This avoids any flange impeding a curling operation used to affix the base to the tube body. Base shape separated from the rest of the sheet provides an end-insert, such as end-insert 5 of one embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0224] Figures 15 to 17 show a first part 260 of a moulding tool used to manufacture bases or endinserts. Figures 18 to 20 show a second part 261 that is complementary to the part 260. Typically, the sheet of material is heated and then clamped between the two parts 260 and 261 shown. The first part 260 defines a convex shape 262 and is used to form a concave shape in a sheet of material. In this embodiment the convex shape is an ellipse.

[0225] At the periphery of the convex region 262 of the first part is a rim 263 above a wall 264.

[0226] A second part 270, shown in Figures 18 to 20, has a concave cavity 271 used to form a convex part of the base shape. Material heated and clamped between the first part 260 and second part 270 is formed into a shape approximately of a dome in this particular embodiment. The dome is able to deform to allow the base to act as a spring or biasing element to absorb momentum and / or vibration and / or shock of items within the container. Alternative base shapes are used in alternative embodiments.

[0227] At the periphery of the concave region 271 of the second part 270, of Figures 18 to 20, is a ring-shaped region 272 projecting from the part and arranged to be complementary in shape to the rim of the part of Figures 15 to 17. In use material is clamped between the rim and the ring-shaped region and rim to be formed into base shapes.

[0228] The second part, shown in Figures 17 to 20, has a bore 273 and recess 274 to facilitate connection to other parts (not shown) of an apparatus, such as actuators or mounts for clamping operations.

[0229] The working mechanism of the affixation of the end-insert to the container wall will be further illustrated with reference to Figures 21 to 23.

[0230] Figure 21 shows a section of the container wall part at a first end of the container space and second, affixation portion of the end-insert both curled. The second, affixation portion of the end-insert is arranged in a curl within the curl of the section of the container wall part. In this example the curl has progressed towards a centre axis of the prismatic container space defined by the wall and progressed further towards the second end of the container space. As shown the curl progresses through angle A and more than 180 degrees from a line formed by a side of the wall, or the central axis of the container space.

[0231] Figure 22 shows a section of the container wall part at a first end of the container space and second, affixation portion of the end-insert both curled. The second, affixation portion of the end-insert is arranged in a curl within the curl of the section of the container wall part. In this example the curl progresses towards a centre axis of the prismatic container space defined by the wall and progresses further towards the second end of the container space and further again towards the container wall and yet further back towards the first end of the container space. As shown the curl progresses through angle B and more than 270 degrees from a line formed by a side of the wall, or the central axis of the container space.

[0232] Figure 23 shows a section of the container wall part at a first end of the container space and second, affixation portion of the end-insert both curled. The second, affixation portion of the end-insert is arranged in a curl within the curl of the section of the container wall part. In this example the curl has progressed towards a centre axis of the prismatic container space defined by the wall and progresses further towards the second end of the container space, further again towards the container wall, further back towards the first end of the container space and yet further away from the container wall. As shown the curl extends by angle C and more than 360 degrees from a line formed by a side of the wall, or the central axis of the container space.

[0233] In a process of manufacturing the packaging the curl to more than 180, 270 degrees or 360 degrees is formed by forcing a sufficient length of container body and sufficient length of affixation part of an end-insert against the tool. In some embodiments the container body and end-insert are forced against a face which terminates a cavity in a tool. In other embodiments the container body and end-insert are forced against a radius formed in the tool.

[0234] The curled container wall formed of flexible and resilient sheet material with end-insert second portion also formed of flexible, arranged in a curl within the curled provides a flexible, resilient affixation of the end-insert. The affixation provided relies only on the resilient material retaining its shape while allowing the material to flex. Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide container packaging which is generally flexible and resilient. Specifically, embodiments of the invention provide container package with flexible and resilient affixation of an end part, end-insert, or terminus. The packaging container formed of flexible sheet material is generally flexible and resilient.

[0235] Figure 24 shows a container 201. The container 1 has a wall 202 which defines a container space 203 to contain one or more items (not shown in Figure 1). In this example the container is a packaging item suitable to package the contained items. In this example the items are fruit. In other examples the items may any items which the reader is aware the container is suitable to contain. Typically, the items have dimensions suitable to be contained in the container space in a stack.

[0236] The container has a support element 204 for supporting contained items. The support element supports the items within the container walls. Figure 24 shows a base end of the container, and the support element supports the items to terminate a base end of the container region to prevent egress of the items from the base end of the container space.

[0237] The support element 4 shown in Figure 24 has profile, as seen in a vertical bisection, that has a horizontal portion 206 at the centre and portion 205 that is relatively vertical, relative to the centre portion, at the periphery proximate the container wall 202. This profile allows the support element to deform near the centre under a given force but deform towards the periphery under a greater force. In some embodiments the horizontal and relatively vertical portions provide a graduated modulus of strain in response to a stress provided by the one or more items. The stress may be provided by static weight of the items. More particularly, the stress has a dynamic component provided by items moving within the container space. For example, the items may fall onto the support element. Also for example, the items may vibrate or shake during transport. In some embodiments the graduated modulus of deformation allows a range of deformation under given forces provided by the items where the force to cause initial deformation is less than the force required to cause ongoing deformation. Initial deformation occurs mainly in the horizontal portion. Ongoing deformation requires deformation also of the relatively vertical portion of the support element.

[0238] In the embodiment shown the support element is resilient and provides an opposing force to the items. This may be a biasing force. In some embodiments the support element acts as a spring. In various embodiments the support element acts as a biasing element to bias the items away from the base end of the container region.

[0239] In some embodiments the support element has an elliptical profile. In some embodiments the support element has approximately an elliptical profile.

[0240] In some embodiments the support element has a profile of a spheroid.

[0241] In some embodiments the support element has approximately a profile of half a spheroid.

[0242] Figure 24 shows the support element as an end part of the container with a first portion 207 which terminates the container space 203 and a second portion which is affixed to the container wall 2 to locate the end part.

[0243] As shown the end part, or support element, is located proximate an end of the container wall 202.

[0244] Figure 24 shows the end or the container wall providing a base for the container.

[0245] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the second portion of the end part has a shape complementary to the container wall. In this embodiment the second portion is affixed by the affixed to the container wall by the end of the container wall and second portion of the end part being curled inwards towards a central axis of the container space and back up away from the end of the container proximate the end part. This is, inward and upward as shown in Figure 24.

[0246] In the embodiment shown in Figure 24, the support element is vacuum formed.

[0247] The support element of the embodiment of Figure 24 is vacuum formed from a sheet of material.

[0248] The support element of this embodiments is formed from a sheet of material to have an affixation portion defining a prism which is complementary to the container wall. This is, the prism defined by the second portion of the support element or end part, is has the same cross-section as the container shape though may have a lesser width to provide a tolerance the support element to be received within the container wall.

[0249] In this embodiment the affixation portion is separated from the sheet of material at a cut in the affixation portion. The cut extends around the perimeter of the prism. This eliminates any flange that might be left by a tolerance around the prism of a punch moving longitudinally to the prism, or downward as shown in Figure 24.

[0250] In this example the support element is formed by a sheet of material using a horizontally oriented mould to form the support element with a vertical wall defining a prism and then separating the support element from the rest of the sheet of material with a cut made around the vertical wall. In other examples, the mould may not be oriented horizontally, and orientation of the other parts and steps described are adjusted accordingly.

[0251] Figure 25 shows a container according to the embodiment of Figure 1 with the support element supporting an item 210. Figure 25 shows a central portion 205 of the support element deformed by the item and providing an opposing force to support the item. The item may be considered to be suspended. This may be suspended above a surface 211 on which the container 201 is supported. If the item 210 was moving towards the surface 11 the opposing force provided by the support element is shown in Figure 25 to have arrested the movement. In some example scenarios movement of the item 210 is arrested before it receives an opposing impulse from the surface 211 that may damage and / or bruise the item.

[0252] Figure 25 shows a region within an inflexion perimeter 212 that is deformed to be concave towards the container region.

[0253] Figure 25 shows the item 210 supported at a position proximate the base end of the container wall 2. Figure 2 shows the item 210 supported at a position proximate the base end of the container 1.

[0254] Figure 26 shows a container according to the embodiment of Figure 24 and Figure 25 with the support element supporting an item 210 with the item moved further towards the base end of the container. This is closer to the end proximate the end of the container wall 202 that provides a base.

[0255] In this example Figure 26 shows movement of the item 210 arrested with a greater opposing force that in Figure 25. In this example Figure 25 shows movement such as vibration of an item arrested by the supporting element. In this example also Figure 26 shows movement of an item such as when a stack of items is dropped into the top of the container space.

[0256] In another example, Figure 25 shows deformation prior to the movement being arrested and Figure 26 shows the item after a delay.

[0257] In another example deformation of the portion inside the perimeter of inflexion concave and counter to the rest of the convex support element dissipates energy and provides damping for movement of the item supported.

[0258] In other embodiments the materials, thickness of the materials shape of the support element or any other parameters known to the reader are selected to provide damping.

[0259] In alternative embodiments the support element may be part of an end part for the container to terminate the container space. In these embodiments the end part may also have an affixation part which is affixed to the container wall to locate the support element.

[0260] In alternative embodiments the support element is a container base cap.

[0261] In alternative embodiments the support element is affixed by a portion which receives an end of the container wall.

[0262] Further and additional embodiments will now be illustrated.

[0263] Various embodiments of the invention provide container packaging which eliminates the need for adhesives.

[0264] Various embodiments of the invention provide container packaging which eliminates the need for adhesion or cohesion.

[0265] Various embodiments of the invention provide container packaging which eliminates the need for materials that rigidly retain their shape.

[0266] Various embodiments of the invention provide container packaging, process of manufacture or apparatus for manufacturing which eliminates the need for seam clamping.

[0267] Various embodiments of the invention provide container packaging, process of manufacture or apparatus for manufacturing which allows container packaging to be made with a few number of steps.

[0268] Various embodiments of the invention provide container packaging, process of manufacture or apparatus for manufacturing which allows container packaging to be made quickly and cost effectively.

[0269] Further and additional embodiments will now be illustrated.

[0270] An alternative embodiment of the invention is a process of manufacturing tube packaging. The process has a step of providing a tube body, similar to the tube body embodiments described above. In another step in a vacuum formed tube insert is placed over a mandrel. In this example, the vacuum formed end-insert has a prismatic portion dimensioned to be inserted for a given tube body. This example, the prismatic portion is a circular prism or cylindrically shaped for insertion into a cylindrical tube body.

[0271] In this example the vacuum-formed end-insert is dimensioned to extend a short way into the tube body.

[0272] In a further step, the tube body is fitted over the end-insert while the end-insert is mounted on the mandrel.

[0273] In a further step, the tube body is affixed to the cylindrical portion of the end-insert. In this example, the two bodies affixed by plastic welding.

[0274] In another step, the tube body and end-insert are cut so that a selected length of tube body and end-insert extend away from an interior space of the tube body. In this example, the cutting is made by moving the blade against the tube body and rotating mandrel with fitted end-insert.

[0275] In another step the tube body and end insert are forced, in the longitudinal direction of the tube body, against a tool a tapered cavity and heated cavity end to cause the walls of the tube body and end-insert to be killed back on themselves to provide a double-layered curled, or curled, base for the packaging and also to seal the space formed by the the tube body and end element provided by the end-insert.

[0276] In alternative embodiments the tube wall is substituted with a wall arranged in a shape that is an alternative to a tube . In alternative embodiments a wall arranged in a shape that is an alternative to a tube is substituted for the tube body. The alternative shape in which the walls arranged may be any prismatic shape known to the reader is suitable for specific applications or implementations of the invention, may include but not be limited to square prisms triangular prisms, star-shaped prisms, and oval prisms.

[0277] In various embodiments alternative to the end element of the insert may terminate a space within the wall of the container, or tube wall. In these and various other embodiments and end element may be substituted with a closure element able to close the whole or part of the container space. In these and various other embodiments and end element may be substituted with a terminating element able to terminate the whole or part of the container space.

[0278] In various embodiemnts an end part or end insert may be affixed so as to terminatea midpart of a container space. The terms 'end-part' and 'end insert' are used interchangeably herein. The term end-insert used in reference to packaging to refer to a part merely reflects that the part was inserted into the container wall in a process of manufacturing the packaging.

[0279] As used herein the term 'portion' is intended to refer broadly to a part of a whole.

[0280] As used herein the term 'container' is used broadly to include any packaging able to contain items and does is not limited to a container with a lid.

[0281] The reader may recognise the end element of some embodiments illustrated herein as terminating the container space at it's base.

[0282] In various alternative embodiments the container wall, or similar part described herein, may not have a circular cross-section or define a cylindrical region but may have any alternative profile and define alternative prisms known to the reader as suitable for given applications.

[0283] This space 4 defined by the wall 3, and similar space in other embodiments, may be referred to herein as a container space, prsmatic container space or container region. In alternative embodiments the first and second base-sheet actuators are arranged vertically or in orientations other than horizontal with other parts of the apparatus arranged to have the same relationship to the actuators as illustrated with reference to Figure 7.

[0284] In alternative embodiments the blade is substituted with an alternative separator. In various examples the separator may be a cutting wheel, laser, water cutter or any alternatives known to the reader.

[0285] The reader may appreciate that separating the base-shape from the remainder of the sheet at the periphery of the base-shape can eliminate a flange portion forming at the periphery of the base-shape. This is the case, for example, when the base-shape is separated at a wall of the base-shape.

[0286] In alternative embodiments the base-separator is operable to move the cutting head as a whole. In these embodiments the base-separator is operable to move the cutting head such that the bade pierces the base-shape. This may be recognised as a radial movement relative to the base shape.

[0287] In various embodiments the tool illustrated with reference to Figures 12 to 14 provides a hot tool to heat the end-insert and tube body as illustrated herein.

[0288] In various embodiments the tool illustrated with reference to Figures 12 to 14 provides the cold tool as illustrated herein.

[0289] In some embodiments the hot tool and cold tool are similarly shaped tools differing only in the temperature they operate. In one of these embodiments the tool illustrated with reference to Figures 12 to 14 provide both the hot and cold tools.

[0290] In some embodiments only a hot tool is used and a cold tool is omitted.

[0291] In various embodiments a radius formed between a cavity wall provided by a tool and a cavity terminus is arranged to cause a wall of a tube and wall of an end terminus to be curled inwards towards the cavity and away from the cavity wall when a tube body and endinsert are forced into the cavity.

[0292] In alternative embodiments the clamping parts, such as exemplified in Figures 15 to 20, have alternative shaped formed in regions to form alternative base shapes. Various embodiments include stepped shapes, high domes, low domes, elliptical shapes, and shapes with different profiles in axes perpendicular to an axis of movement in a clamping operation and other shapes known to the reader as suitable for given wights, types of items to be packaged, ripeness of fruit, types of fruit or other characteristics of items to be packaged.

[0293] Embodiments of the invention may provide a base suitable to terminate container spaces defined by walled containers and / or tube containers the bases formed from a sheet of material and separated from the sheet without a residual flange of material remaining from the sheet of material when the base is separated from the remainder of the sheet.

[0294] Embodiments may provide a base without a flange that may inhibit curling to affix the base to a container body or container wall.

[0295] Embodiments of the invention may provide an end insert for a container body defining a wall containers and / or tube containers the bases formed from a sheet of material and separated from the sheet without a residual flange of material remaining from the sheet of material when the base is separated from the remainder of the sheet. Embodiments may provide a base without a flange that may inhibit curling to affix the base to a container body or container wall.

[0296] In additional embodiments the dome of a base for a tube packaging is able to act as a shock-absorber, provide mechanical damping, in addition to acting as a spring. In alternative embodiments curling a wall of the container and portion or wall of the end insert, terminus or base may be substituted with any process of deformation known by the reader as suitable to affix the end insert, terminus, or base to the wall of the container.

[0297] In alternative embodiments curling a wall of the container and portion or wall of the end insert, terminus, or base (base) may be substituted with any process of arranging a profile shape for the insert, base or terminus and the wall known by the reader as suitable to affix the end insert, terminus, or base to the wall of the container. This profile may include a fold, curl, bend to the whole circumference of the wall and base or to one or more parts of the circumference of the wall and base.

[0298] In various additional aspects and embodiments equivalent parts are substituted for given parts. For example, any of end-insert, insert, base, base terminus, terminus may be substituted for any other of these in further aspects and embodiments.

[0299] In the embodiment of Figure 5 the end-insert is shown abuting the upper support which locates the end-insert so that the top of the end-insert, as shown, is adjacent the end of the tube body. In alternative embodiments the upper end, of the end-insert, as shown, and the upper end of the tube body may not be flush or aligned. In some alternative embodiments the wall may extend beyond, or above as shown, the affixation portion of the end-insert.

[0300] Figures 27 to 30 show an end-insert 305 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Figures 27 to 30 show the end-insert with second portion, or affixation portion, as it apears before curling with a container body (not shown) to affix the end-insert to to the container body. The end-insert 305 of this embodiment has an annular region 321 which extends upwards as shown and upwards in use. A recessed region 322 is shown also. The recessed region is shaped to spread force and reduce pressure over the surface of an item (not shown) that is supported by the end-insert in use. In use, when an item to be supported moves downward, the item is supported by the recessed region with force spread and pressure reduced. The recessed region is suppoted by the annular deformation region 321. The annular region 321 is suppoted by the affixation portion 321. The annular region 321 deforms, or flexes, to absorb any shock or movement of items (not shown) towards a surface on which the packaging container is supported. The item may described as suspended by the recessed region 322 and deformation region 321.

[0301] Figures 31 to 34 show an end-insert 405 acording to another embodiment of the invention. The affixation portion 407 is visible. Also shown is a support region 422 to support an item (not shown). The end-insert of these Figures 31 to 34 has bracing elements 421 with ends 423 which abut a surface on which the container is supported to support the support region 422. Depending on the dimensions of the bracing elements they will prevent movement, absorb shock, arrest movement of of items in the container.

[0302] Figures 36 to 39 show an end-insert 405 acording to an additional embodiment of the invention. Clearly shown is the affixation portion 507. A horizontal, as shown as in use, deformation element extends from the affixation portion 507 to a first support region 422 which supports a second support region. In use an item (not shown) is suported by regions 422 and 423 and region 421 deforms. Depending on the specific application the deformation element deforms to arrest movement of items, dampen movement of items, or absorb shock that items may experience.

[0303] In the first aspect of the present invention provides a packaging item which comprises: a wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end-insert received within the tube wall at a first end of the container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the first end of the container space and having a second portion affixed to the tube wall to locate the first portion within the tube wall, wherein a section of the tube wall proximate the end of the container space which is terminated by the first portion of the of the end-insert extends in a first curl back towards an end of the container space distal from said terminated end, and wherein the second portion of the end-insert extends in a second curl inside the first curl.

[0304] Another aspect of the present invention provides a packaging item which comprises: a wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end-part located at a first end of the container space so as to terminate the prismatic container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the container space and having a second portion affixed to the tube wall to locate the first portion, wherein the second portion of the end-part is affixed to said section of the tube wall by a process of curling the second portion and said section of the tube wall.

[0305] Another aspect of the present invention provides a packaging item which comprises: a container wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end part located so as to terminate the prismatic container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the container space and having a second portion affixed to the tube wall to locate the first portion, wherein the second portion of the end-insert is affixed to said section of the tube wall by the second portion and said section of the container wall each arranged in a curl with one of the container wall and second portion of the end part arranged within the other.

[0306] Another aspect of the present invention provides a packaging which comprises: a wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end-insert received within the tube wall at a first end of the container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the first end of the container space and having a second portion affixed to the wall to locate the first portion within the wall, wherein the second portion of the end-insert is affixed to said section of the wall by a process of curling the second portion and said section of the tube wall.

[0307] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic space, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall; and affixing the insert to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert.

[0308] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; providing an end-part, the end-part, the end-part having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and having a second portion shaped to define a prism complementary to the prismatic space defined by the wall so to allow one of the wall and second part of the end part to be received within the other; and affixing the insert to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and the second portion of the end part.

[0309] Said curling of an end section of the wall and curling the second portion of the insert may be performed simultaneously.

[0310] Another aspect provides an apparatus for manufacturing tube packaging, the apparatus comprising: one or more mandrels each able to receive bodies comprising a wall defining a prismatic space within the wall; each mandrel comprising a support surface operable to support an insert shaped to be received in an end of the body to terminate the prismatic space at one end and comprising a wall which extends alongside a section of the wall of the body at said end of the prismatic space; a device able to curl the wall of the insert and the section of the wall of the body to affix the insert to the body.

[0311] Said curling of an end section of the wall and curling the second portion of the insert may comprise simultaneously curling said end section of the wall and the second portion of the insert.

[0312] Said curling may comprise forcing the wall and / or the second portion of the insert into a tapered cavity formed of a tool. In embodiments where the prismatic shape is a cylinder said cavity may have a frusto-conical shape. Said cavity may have the shape of a truncated cone. The tapered cavity may comprise a radius at a juncture between a wall of the cavity and an end of the cavity.

[0313] Said curling may comprise heating the wall and / or the second portion of the insert.

[0314] Said second portion of the insert may be arranged as a wall having a shape complimentary to said wall defining a prismatic space so as to allow the insert to be inserted into the end of the prismatic space defined by the wall.

[0315] The wall may be a container wall and the prismatic space may be a prismatic shaped container space. The container space may be able to contain items to be packaged.

[0316] The insert may be formed from a sheet of material.

[0317] The insert be vacuum formed from a sheet of material.

[0318] The insert may be vacuum formed from a sheet of plastic material.

[0319] The wall may be a tube wall defining the tube-shaped container space.

[0320] The end part may be an end-insert able to be inserted into a space defined by the tube wall.

[0321] Aspects of the present invention provide a process of fixing an end element of a prismatic shaped container to a wall of the container by simultaneously curling a wall of said end element and said wall of the container. This may arrange a curled end of said wall of the container and complimentary wall of said end element. In one example this process may provide a curled end of said wall with the curled wall of said end element arranged within the curled section of the container wall. The container may be a packaging container suitable for packaging items.

[0322] Aspects of the present invention provide a process of terminating an end of a space within a wall of a container with an insert which has an end element able to close an end of the space and a wall element arranged to fit within said wall. The process may comprise arranging the wall element and a section of said wall of the container into a curled shape to fix the insert to the wall of the container. The process may comprise arranging the wall element and section of the wall into a two-layer curled shape, with a first layer comprising the wall element of the insert and a second layer comprising the section of the wall.

[0323] Aspects of the present invention provide a process of manufacturing an end-insert for a container which provides a container space within the wall, the end-insert able to terminate the container space, the process comprising : providing a sheet of material lying in a plane; forming a shape suitable to provide said insert formed from the sheet and extending out of the plane.

[0324] The process may comprise separating part of said shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at a line located out of the plane to provide the base. This may provide a base which does not have a residual flange at a periphery.

[0325] The process may comprise separating part of said shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at a line located out of the plane. This may provide a base which does not have a residual flange at a periphery.

[0326] The process may comprise separating part of said shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at a wall formed in the base shape to provide the base.

[0327] The process may comprise separating part of said shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at a portion which extends transverse to the remainder of the to provide the base.

[0328] Aspects of the present invention provide a process of terminating an end of a space within a wall of a container with an insert which has an end element able to close an end of the space and a wall element arranged to fit within said wall.

[0329] The process may comprise providing a sheet of material lying in a plane and having a shape suitable to provide said insert formed from the sheet and extending out of the plane. The process may comprise separating part of said shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at a line located out of the plane.

[0330] The shape may comprise a region extending transverse to the plane of the sheet of material and the process may comprise separating part of the shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at the transverse region.

[0331] The shape may comprise a region extending perpendicular to the plane of the sheet of material. The process may comprise separating part of the shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at the perpendicular region.

[0332] The shape may define a wall portion which defines a prismatic space. The process may comprise separating the shape from the remainder of the sheet at the wall.

[0333] The shape may define a wall portion which defines a prismatic space. The process may comprise cutting the shape from the remainder of the sheet at the wall.

[0334] The shape may comprise a region extending out of the plane of the sheet of material and the process may comprise separating part of the shape formed at a region extending out of the plane. The process may comprise separating the base shape from the sheet using a blade.

[0335] The process may comprise piercing the base shape formed from a sheet of material with a blade and moving the blade around the base shape to separate it from the remainder of the sheet.

[0336] The process may comprise a cutting head being received in a concave region of a base shape formed from a sheet of material, piercing the base shape with a blade from within the concave region and moving the blade around the base shape to separate it from the remainder of the sheet.

[0337] The process may comprise a cutting head being received in a concave region of a base shape formed from a sheet of material, piercing the base shape with a blade from within the concave region and moving the blade around the base shape to cut the base shape.

[0338] The process may comprise arranging the wall element and a section of said wall of the container into a curled shape to fix the insert to the wall of the container.

[0339] The process may comprise arranging the wall element and section of the wall into a two- layer curled shape, with a first layer comprising the wall element of the insert and a second layer comprising the section of the wall.

[0340] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic space, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall, wherein the insert is formed from a sheet of material and separated from the sheet at a line outside a plane formed by the remainder of the sheet.

[0341] The process may comprise affixing the insert to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert.

[0342] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic space, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall, wherein the insert is formed from a sheet of material and separated from the sheet at a line at a part of the insert that defines a wall of the prism defined by the insert.

[0343] The process may comprise affixing the insert to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert.

[0344] Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic space, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall, wherein the insert is formed from a sheet of material and separated from the sheet at a contour at a part of the insert that defines a wall of the prism defined by the insert.

[0345] The process may comprise affixing the insert to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert.

[0346] As used herein the term "extending transverse to" refers to extending in a direction that is transverse to or a direction that is across a plane for example. In the preceding description and the following claims, the word "comprise" or equivalent variations thereof is used in an inclusive sense to specify the presence of the stated feature or features. This term does not preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and further and additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled reader from the examples illustrated with reference to the drawings. In particular, the invention may reside in any combination of features described herein, or may reside in alternative embodiments or combinations of these features with known equivalents to given features. Modifications and variations of the example embodiments of the invention discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departure of the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A packaging container formed from one or more sheets of flexible resilient material, the packaging comprising: a container body formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, and providing a container wall defining a container space; and an end-insert formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and the end-insert having a second portion able to locate the first portion so as to terminate a first end of the container space; wherein the container body has a curled portion arranged in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, wherein the end-insert has a curled portion arranged in a curl which progresses initially inward towards the central axis of the container space initially and then progresses towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, and wherein the curl of the second portion of the end-insert is arranged within the curl of the container body to affix the second portion of end-insert to the container body.

2. The packaging container of claim 1 wherein the curled portion of the end-insert which is formed of flexible, resilient material is affixed to the container body by the curled portion of the container wall part also being formed of flexible resilient material to provide a flexible and resilient packaging container.

3. The packaging container of claim 2 wherein the curled portion of the container body and curled portion of the second portion of the end-insert further progresses in the curl outward towards the container wall.

4. The packaging container of claim 3 wherein the curled portion of the container body and curled portion of the second portion of the end-insert further progress in the curl back towards the first end of the container space.

5. The packaging container of claim 1 wherein the curled portion of container body and second portion of the end-insert curl past an angle of 180 degrees from the container wall.

6. The packaging container of claim 5 wherein the curled portion of container body and second portion of the end-insert curl past an angle of 270 degrees from the container wall.

7. The packaging container of claim 6 wherein the container wall part and second portion of the terminus part curl past an angle 360 degrees from the container wall.

8. A process of manufacturing a packaging container comprising: providing container body formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the container body providing a container wall which defines a container space; and providing an end-insert formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and having a second portion able to locate the first portion so as to terminate a first end of the container space; curling a section of the container body to curl initially inward towards the central axis of the container space and then progressively curl towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, curling the second portion of the end-insert in to curl initially inward towards the centralaxis of the container space and then progressively curl towards a second end or the container space distal the first end, wherein the second portion of the end-insert curls within the curled portion of the container body so that the end-insert is affixed to the container body.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein curling the section of the container body and curling the second portion of the end-insert are performed simultaneously.

10. The process of any one of claims 8 to 9 comprising locating the end-insert within the wall prior to said curling.

11. The process of any one of claims 10 wherein curling of the container body and curling of the second portion of the end-insert comprises forcing an portion the container body at the first end and second portion of end-insert against a tool.

12. The process of claim 11 the cavity is tapered cavity provided by a tool.

13. The process of claim 11 or claim 12 wherein curling of the second portion of the endinsert comprises forcing container body and second portion of end-insert against a radius formed in the tool.

14. The process of any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein curling of the container wall and curling of the second portion of the end-insert comprises forcing the container wall and terminus portion received within the container wall against an end face of a cavity provided by a tool.

15. The process of any one of claims 8 to 14 comprising heating a section of the container wall and second portion of the end-insert, wherein the flexible resilient material of one or both of the container body and end-insert is adapted to retain a shape after heating and subsequent cooling while remaining flexible and resilient, and wherein the end-insert is flexibly and resiliently affixed to the container wall by the retained shape.

16. The process of any one of claims 8 to 15 comprising forming the end-insert by providing a sheet of material lying in a plane, forming from the sheet a shape suitable to provide said end-insert said shape extending out of the plane, and separating said shape for the end-insert from the remainder of the sheet at a line outside a plane formed by the remainder of the sheet.

17. The process of any one of claim 16 comprising a cutting head being received in a the end-insert shape formed from the sheet of material, piercing the shape with a blade from within shape and moving the blade around the base shape to separate it from the remainder of the sheet.

18. A process of manufacturing a packaging container comprising: providing a container body formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the container body providing a container wall which defines a container space; and providing an end-insert formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and having a second portion able to locate the first portion so as to terminate a first end of the container space; curling a section of the container body a curl, curling the second portion of the end-insert in a curl,wherein curling the container body is performed simultaneously with curling the second portion of the end-insert.

19. An apparatus for manufacturing a packaging container comprising: a mandrel able to mount a container wall part formed of a flexible, resilient sheet, the wallpart providing a container wall defining a container space; and a support on the mandrel for a container terminus formed of a sheet of flexible, resilient material, the end-insert having a first portion able to terminate the container space and having a second portion arranged as a wall able to be inserted within the container wall near a first end of the container space when on the support, wherein the support is arranged to locate the terminus part in the container wall at the first end of the container space to terminate the container space; a tool able to curl the container wall at the first end of the container space, and able to curl the second portion of the terminus part to be arranged within a curl defined by the curled portion of the container wall part.

20. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the tool defines a cavity with an end against which the container wall at the first end of the container space, and the second portion of the terminus part to cause them to curl.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20 wherein the tool defines a tapered cavity.

22. The apparatus of any one of claim 19 to 21 wherein the apparatus comprises an actuator operable to move the mandrel relative to the tool.

23. A packaging container which comprises: a container wall arranged to define a prismatic container space for one or more items; a support element arranged to support an item in the container space proximate an end of the container wall; the support element arranged to deform under a force from the one or more items.

24. The packaging container of claim 23 wherein the support element is arranged to support the one or more items and deform under a static force from the one or more items.

25. The packaging container of claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the support element is arranged to support the one or more items and deform under the weight of the one or more items.

26. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 25 wherein the support element is arranged to support the one or more items and deform under a force having a component of force caused by momentum of the one or more items.

27. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein force is characterised by vibration of the one or more items.

28. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 27 wherein the momentum is characterised by the one or more items being loaded into the container space.

29. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 28 wherein the momentum is characterised by one or more items being dropped into the container space.

30. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 29, wherein the support element is arranged to deform under a dynamic load expected during loading of the items into the container space by dropping the items onto the support surface.

31. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein the support element is arranged to deform under a dynamic load expected during transport of the container with contained items.

32. The packaging container of claims 23 or claim 31, wherein the support element is arranged to provide an impulse under deformation to arrest movement of the items which causes the dynamic load so as to prevent an impact of the support element under deformation and a surface on which the container wall is supported.

33. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 32 wherein the support element is shaped and located so as to terminate the container space at one end.

34. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 33 wherein the support element has a shape which is convex with respect to the container space.

35. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 34 wherein the element is arranged to deform so as to maintain contact with the one or more items over a range of deformation of the support element caused by the one or more items.

36. The packaging container of claim 35 wherein range of deformation is 0.5 approximately centimetres.

37. The packaging container of claim 35 or claim 36 wherein said range of movement is approximately 1 centimetre.

38. The packaging container of any one of any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein said range of deformation is approximately 2 centimetres.

39. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 18, wherein said range of movement may be in the range of 1 to 2 centimetres.

40. The packaging container of claim 13, wherein convex shape may be elliptical.

41. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 40 wherein the support element is arranged to deform with a first modulus of strain for smaller deformations and an second modulus of deformation for greater deformations, wherein the second modulus is higher than the first modulus.

42. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 41, wherein the support element is arranged to provide damping for moving items.

43. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 42 wherein the support element end part is provided as a first portion of an end-insert which affixed to a wall of a container body section of the tube wall proximate an end of the container region, a section of the container wall arranged in a curl which progresses in a first curl back towards an end of the container space distal from said terminated end, and wherein the second portion of the end-insert is arranged in a second curl arranged within the first curl to affix the end-insert to the container wall.

44. The packaging container of claim 43 wherein the first curl extends initially inwards towards the container space.

45. The packaging container of claim 43 or claim 44, wherein the second portion of the endinsert defines a prism with a cross-section which is complementary to a cross-section of a prismatic container region defined by a wall provided by the container body for the second portion of the end-insert to be received within the prismatic container region.

46. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 45, wherein the support element is formed from a sheet of material.

47. The packaging container of any one of claims 23 to 46, wherein the end-insert is formed from a sheet of material to have an affixation portion defining a prism, wherein the affixation portion is separated from the sheet of material at a cut in the affixation portion, the cut extending around the perimeter of the prism.

48. A packaging container which comprises: a wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end-insert received within the tube wall at a first end of the container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the first end of the container space and having a second portion affixed to the tube wall to locate the first portion within the tube wall, wherein a section of the tube wall proximate the end of the container space which is terminated by the first portion of the of the end-insert extends in a first curl back towards an end of the container space distal from said terminated end, and wherein the second portion of the end-insert extends in a second curl inside the first curl.

49. The packaging container of claim 48, wherein the second portion of the end part extends in the curl initially inward towards the centre of the prismatic container space before extending in the curl towards the distal end of the container space.

50. An apparatus for manufacturing packaging, the apparatus comprising : one or more mandrels each able to receive packaging bodies comprising a wall defining a prismatic container region within the wall, each mandrel comprising a support surface operable to support and locate an end-insert shaped to be received in an end of the body to terminate the prismatic region at a first end and comprising a wall which extends alongside a section of the wall of the body at said first end of the prismatic container region; and a tool able to curl the wall of the end-insert and the section of the wall of the body to affix the insert to the body.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein said tool is able to curl the wall of the insert and the section of the wall to simultaneously curl said end section of the wall and said second portion of the end-insert.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said device may comprise a tool providing a tapered cavity into which said section of the container wall and second portion of the insert are forced.

53. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the mandrel and tool are movable relative to each other to insert and force the wall of the insert and the section of the wall.

54. A process of manufacturing a packaging container, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic container region; providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic region, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic region and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall; affixing the insert to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert.

55. The process of claim 54 wherein end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert are curled back towards an end of the container space distal from said terminated.

56. The process of claim 54 or 55 wherein the end section of the wall proximate the insert and curling the second portion of the insert are curled simultaneously.

57. The process of any one of claims 54 to 56 wherein said curling is performed by inserting and forcing said section of the container wall and second portion into a cavity provided by a tool.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein said inserting and forcing comprises moving a mandrel relative to the tool.

59. The process of any one of claims 54 to 58 comprising the end-insert is provided by providing a sheet of material lying in a plane, forming a shape suitable to provide said end-insert formed from the sheet and extending out of the plane, and separating the end-insert from the remainder of the sheet at a line outside a plane formed by the remainder of the sheet to prevent a residual flange extending out from the endinsert.

60. Another aspect of the present invention provides a packaging which comprises: a wall arranged to define a prismatic container space; and an end-insert received within the tube wall at a first end of the container space, the end part having a first portion which terminates the first end of the container space and having a second portion affixed to the wall to locate the first portion within the wall, wherein the second portion of the end-insert is affixed to said section of the wall by a process of curling the second portion and said section of the tube wall.

61. Another aspect of the invention provides a process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; providing an end-part, the end-part, the end-part having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and having a second portion shaped to define a prism complementary to the prismatic space defined by the wall so to allow one of the wall and second part of the end part to be received within the other; and affixing the end-part to the wall by curling an end section of the wall proximate the insert and the second portion of the end part.

62. A process of manufacturing an end-insert for a container which provides a container space within the wall, the end-insert able to terminate the container space, the process comprising: providing a sheet of material lying in a plane; forming a shape suitable to provide said insert formed from the sheet and extending out of the plane.

63. The process of claim 36 or claim 37 comprising separating part of said shape formed from the remainder of the sheet at a line located out of the plane to provide the base.

64. A process of manufacturing an item of packaging, the process comprising the steps of: providing a wall defining a prismatic space; and providing an insert, the insert shaped to define a prism shaped to be inserted into the prismatic space, the insert having a first portion able to terminate the prismatic space and the insert having a second portion able to be affixed to the wall, wherein the insert isformed from a sheet of material and separated from the sheet at a line outside a plane formed by the remainder of the sheet.

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