Composite packaging material sheet, method for forming a composite packaging material sheet, composite package, and method for forming a composite package
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023558145
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-05-18
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-16
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing composite packaging materials and methods for pourable products, such as fruit juices and UHT milk, are costly and complex, lacking improvements in forming efficient and cost-effective composite packages with reliable opening devices.
A composite packaging material sheet with a multilayer structure, including fibrous material, heat-sealable plastic, and gas-barrier layers, integrated with a simple and low-cost opening device, is formed using a folding and sealing process to create packages with a controllable opening mechanism.
The solution provides a convenient, low-cost, and efficient method for forming composite packages with improved resealing properties and reduced risk of deformation, enhancing the packaging process for pourable products.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The invention particularly relates to a sheet of composite packaging material for forming a composite package having a sealed body filled with a pourable product, especially a pourable food product, and an opening device.
[0002] Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of forming a sheet of composite packaging material to form a composite package.
[0003] Advantageously, the invention also relates to a composite package, in particular a composite package filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, having a sealed body and provided with an opening device.
[0004] Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of forming a composite package for pourable products, particularly pourable food products. [Background technology]
[0005] As is well known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature processed) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in composite packages made from multi-layer composite packaging materials.
[0006] A typical example is the parallelepiped package for pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic®, which is made by sealing and folding a laminated strip of packaging material. This packaging material has a multi-layer structure with a base layer of carton and / or paper, covered on both sides with a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packaging for shelf-stable products, the packaging material comprises a layer of oxygen barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil, which overlaps with a layer of heat-sealable plastic material and is covered with another layer of heat-sealable plastic material to form the inner surface of the package that ultimately comes into contact with the food.
[0007] Some of the known composite packages are: a body formed from a composite packaging material sheet having a multi-layer structure and having a predetermined opening; an opening device connected to the body and controllable into an opening configuration for sealing the predetermined opening around the predetermined opening and opening the predetermined opening; Each of them is equipped with:
[0008] A typical opening device includes a base frame that connects the opening device to the body near a predetermined opening, a collar extending from the base frame having an outlet, and a lid for selectively opening and closing the outlet.
[0009] Moreover, such composite packages are known to be formed in an automatic packaging machine from respective sheets of composite packaging material, the sheets being provided in the form of a web of single or continuous elementary units.
[0010] Although known composite packages perform satisfactorily, there is a desire in the art to provide improved composite packaging material sheets for forming composite packages.
[0011] It is also desirable in the art to provide an improved method of forming sheets of composite packaging material for forming composite packages.
[0012] Additionally, there is a desire in the art to provide improved composite packaging for pourable products.
[0013] It is further desirable in the art to provide improved methods for forming composite packages for pourable products. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0014] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved composite packaging material sheet for conveniently and inexpensively forming composite packages filled with pourable products, particularly pourable food products.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, low cost method of forming a composite sheet of packaging material for forming a composite package for pourable products, particularly pourable food products.
[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost composite package for pourable products, particularly pourable food products.
[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a simple, low-cost method for forming composite packages for pourable products, particularly pourable food products.
[0018] According to the present invention there is provided a composite packaging material sheet as claimed in independent claim 1.
[0019] Further preferred embodiments of the composite packaging material sheet are defined in the claims which depend directly or indirectly on claim 1.
[0020] According to the present invention there is provided a method for forming a composite packaging material sheet as set forth in independent claim 7.
[0021] Further preferred embodiments of the method for forming a composite packaging material sheet are defined in the claims which depend directly or indirectly from claim 7.
[0022] According to the invention there is provided a composite package according to independent claim 9.
[0023] Further preferred embodiments of the composite package are defined in the claims which depend directly or indirectly from claim 9.
[0024] According to the present invention there is provided a method for forming a composite package according to independent claim 15. [Means for solving the problem]
[0025] Three non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]
[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a composite package according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the composite package opening device of FIG. 1 with parts removed for clarity; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of a sheet of packaging material for forming a composite package according to FIG. 1, with parts removed for clarity. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a composite package according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the composite package opening arrangement of FIG. 4 with parts removed for clarity. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a top view of a sheet of packaging material for forming a composite package according to FIG. 4, with parts removed for clarity. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a composite package according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity; [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the composite package opening arrangement of FIG. 7 with parts removed for clarity. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a top view of a sheet of packaging material for forming a composite package according to FIG. 7, with parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] Number 1 indicates generally a first embodiment of a composite package for pourable products, in particular for pourable food products, more in particular for liquid food products, the composite package comprising: a (composite) body 2, in particular a sealed (composite) body 2, filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, more in particular a liquid food product, and having a defined opening adapted to allow the pourable product to flow out of the body 2; an opening device 3, in particular made of plastic, connected to the body 2 around the given opening and adapted to seal said given opening, in particular before the first use of the package 1; Includes.
[0028] In particular, the package 1 may be made from a composite packaging material sheet 4 having a multi-layer structure, for example as disclosed in FIG.
[0029] 1 , the package 1, and in particular the body 2, may extend along a longitudinal axis A, a first transverse axis B and a second transverse axis C. In particular, the extension of the package 2 along the longitudinal axis A may be greater than the extension of the package 2 along the first transverse axis B and the second transverse axis C.
[0030] Preferably, the package 1, and in particular the body 2, may be of parallelepiped shape. Alternatively, the package 1, and in particular the body 2, may have a cylindrical or other shape.
[0031] More specifically, the body 2 may comprise a number of walls, in particular a first wall 5, one or more side walls 6, in particular four, and at least one second wall 7, in particular one.
[0032] More specifically, the first wall 5 may be transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis A, and the body 2 may extend from the first wall 5 along the longitudinal axis A. Preferably, the first wall 5 may define a support surface of the package 1, in particular the body 2, which support surface is designed to come into contact with a support, such as, for example, a shelf, in particular when exposed in use, for example in a point of sale, or when stored. In particular, when placed on a support, the first wall 5 defines a bottom wall of the package 1.
[0033] Additionally, the first wall 5 may define a bottom wall of the package 1 during normal use of the package 1 .
[0034] Furthermore, the side wall 6 may be (fixedly) connected to the first wall 5 and extend from the first wall 5, in particular (substantially) parallel to the longitudinal axis A. In particular, the side wall 6 (substantially) defines the extension of the package 1 along the longitudinal axis A.
[0035] Furthermore, the second wall 7 may be arranged opposite the first wall 5 and (fixedly) connected to (at least some of) the side walls 6. In particular, the second wall 7 may be transverse to the longitudinal axis A.
[0036] In particular, the side wall 6 may be interposed between the first wall 5 and the second wall 7 .
[0037] In particular, the second wall 7 may define a top wall of the body 2 when placed on a support and / or during normal use of the package 1 .
[0038] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the first wall 5 and the second wall 7 may be parallel to each other.
[0039] According to an alternative non-limiting embodiment not shown, the first wall 5 and the second wall 7 may be inclined with respect to each other.
[0040] According to another alternative embodiment, not shown, the second wall 7 may have two parts perpendicular to each other (i.e. forming a gable-top configuration).
[0041] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the second wall 7 may carry and / or comprise a predefined opening.
[0042] Furthermore, the body 2 may have a number of edges, in particular a plurality of longitudinal edges 8, four in the illustrative embodiment, each disposed and / or formed between two adjacent side walls 6; a plurality of first lateral edges 9, four of which are shown in the specific example, each disposed and / or formed between one respective side wall 6 and the first wall 5; a plurality of second lateral edges 10, four of which are shown in the illustrative embodiment, each disposed and / or formed between one respective side wall 6 and the second wall 7; Equipped with.
[0043] In particular, the first lateral edge 9 and the second lateral edge 10 may be oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal edge 8 .
[0044] More specifically, the first lateral edge 9 may define a bottom lateral edge of the body 2 and the second lateral edge 10 may define an upper lateral edge of the body 2 .
[0045] Furthermore, the longitudinal edge 8 may be (substantially) parallel to the longitudinal axis A.
[0046] Furthermore, the body 2 may comprise an interior space 11 for a pourable product. In particular, the first wall 5, the side wall 6 and the second wall 7 may define the interior space 11.
[0047] Furthermore, the predetermined opening may be configured to allow pourable product to be poured out of the body 2, and in particular from the interior space 11.
[0048] Furthermore, the package 1, in particular the body 2, may comprise an inner surface 12 facing the interior space 11 and / or in contact with the pourable product, and in particular an outer surface 13 opposite the inner surface 12.
[0049] 1 to 3, the opening device 3 is configured to close and seal the predetermined opening prior to first use of the package 1 and is controllable in an open configuration in which the opening device 3 opens at least a portion of the predetermined opening to allow pouring of the pourable product from the package 1, and in particular the body 2.
[0050] Additionally, the opening device 3 may be controllable in a closed configuration in which the opening device 3 closes a predetermined opening.
[0051] Further, before the first use of the package 1, the opening device 3 is controlled to a closed configuration and configured to seal and close the predetermined opening, and after the first use of the opening device 3, it is controlled to an open configuration and when the opening device 3 is returned to the closed configuration, the opening device 3 is adapted to close the predetermined opening.
[0052] 1 to 3, the opening device 3 includes at least a base frame 15 for connecting the opening device 3 to the main body 2. As shown in FIG.
[0053] Additionally, the base frame 15 may be disposed around the predetermined opening. In particular, the base frame 15 may include a passageway aligned with at least a portion of the predetermined opening.
[0054] Additionally, the opening device 3 may include a collar 17 extending from the base frame 15 and a lid 18 coupled and / or connectable to the collar 17 .
[0055] More specifically, the collar 17 may include an outlet opening configured to align with the passageway and the predetermined opening and to allow the pourable product to flow out, and the lid 18 is configured to selectively close and open the outlet opening.
[0056] More specifically, prior to first use, the lid 18 may be in a closed position, where the lid 18 closes and seals the outlet opening. Additionally, the lid 18 may be movable to an open position, where the lid 18 opens the outlet opening. Additionally, once the lid 18 is initially moved to the open position, the lid 18 is repeatedly movable between the open and closed positions, but when in the closed position, the lid 18 is configured to close the outlet opening.
[0057] In particular, the opening device 3 is controlled in an open and closed configuration, with the lid 18 in an open and closed position.
[0058] More specifically, prior to the first time the lid 18 is controlled from the closed position to the open position, the lid 18 is breakably joined to a rim of the collar 17, the rim defining the outlet opening.
[0059] Furthermore, the opening device 3 may, in the particular case shown at the collar 17 , comprise anchoring elements 19 for anchoring the lid 18 to the collar 17 and / or to the base frame 15 .
[0060] Furthermore, the opening device 3 may comprise a retaining element 20 configured to retain the lid 18 in the open position. In particular, the retaining element 20 may be configured to interact with the anchoring element 19 so as to retain the lid 18 in the open position.
[0061] In particular, the retaining element 20 is (integrally) connected to the base frame 15 and extends from the base frame 15 .
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the package 1 is formed from a sheet of packaging material 21, which comprises: - a (composite) packaging material sheet substrate 22 comprising a multi-layer packaging material having a predetermined opening; an opening device 3 which is applied around a given opening on a packaging material sheet substrate 22; Equipped with.
[0063] It should be noted that the packaging material sheet base material 22 has a predetermined opening, and after the package 1 is formed from the packaging material sheet 21, the predetermined opening of the main body 2 originates from the predetermined opening of the packaging material sheet base material 22.
[0064] It should further be noted that since the main body 2 is obtained by folding and sealing the packaging material sheet substrate 22 and the opening device 3 is connected to the packaging material sheet substrate 22 (as part of the packaging material sheet 21), the opening device 3 is also connected to the main body 2 after the package 1 as a whole is formed.
[0065] Additionally, the substrate sheet of packaging material 22 may include a first side and a second side 24 opposite the first side. In particular, when a package 1 is formed from the sheet of packaging material 21, the first side defines the exterior surface 13 and the second side 24 defines the interior surface 12.
[0066] More specifically, the packaging material sheet substrate 22 may comprise at least one layer of fibrous material, such as paper or cardboard, and at least two layers of heat seal plastic material, such as polyethylene, sandwiching the layer of fibrous material between each other, one layer defining a first side and the other layer defining a second side 24.
[0067] Furthermore, the packaging material sheet substrate 22 may in particular comprise a layer of gas and light barrier material, such as an aluminum foil or an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, arranged between one of the layers of heat-sealable plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Preferably, the packaging material may include a further layer of heat-sealable plastic material interposed between the layer of gas and light barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
[0068] With reference to FIG. 3, the sheet of packaging material 21, and in particular the substrate sheet of packaging material 22, includes a plurality of fold lines 30 that separate and / or define a plurality of panels 31 of the sheet of packaging material 21, and in particular the substrate sheet of packaging material 22.
[0069] More specifically, the sheet of packaging material 21, and in particular the base sheet of packaging material 22, is folded along crease lines 30 to obtain the package 1.
[0070] At least some of the fold lines 30 define and / or correspond to longitudinal edges 8, at least some of the fold lines 30 define and / or correspond to first lateral edges 9, and at least some of the fold lines 30 define and / or correspond to second lateral edges 10.
[0071] More specifically, each panel 31 may at least partially define a respective wall of the body 2 (the first wall 5, or one side wall 6, or the second wall 7).
[0072] Furthermore, at least one panel 31 may be provided with a predetermined opening. In particular, according to the specific embodiment shown in Figure 3, one panel 31 is provided with a predetermined opening.
[0073] Preferably, the panel 31 with the predetermined opening may at least partially form the second wall 7 after the package 1 has been formed.
[0074] More specifically, a panel 31 having a predetermined opening may be sealed with another panel 31 during formation of the package 1 to form the second wall 7 .
[0075] Additionally, the panel 31 having a given opening may be bounded by a number of fold lines 30 and / or may have a rectangular shape.
[0076] 2 and 3, the base frame 15 may include at least a first flange 34 connected, particularly fused, and more particularly molded thereon to the second surface 24.
[0077] More particularly, the first flange 34 may in particular have at least a periphery 35 having an annular shape.
[0078] More specifically, the first flange 34, and in particular the periphery 35, may comprise a linear periphery 36 adjacent and parallel to one respective fold line 30 defining a reference fold line 37. In particular, the reference fold line 37 also has a linear shape.
[0079] Furthermore, the first flange 34, and in particular the periphery 35, may include an auxiliary periphery 38 that is spaced apart from the linear periphery 36 and faces away from the reference fold line 37. In the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary periphery 38 has a linear shape and in particular is (substantially) parallel to the linear periphery 36. Alternatively, the auxiliary periphery 38 may have a shape different from a straight line.
[0080] Additionally, the first flange 34, and in particular the periphery 35, may further include a secondary periphery 39 connecting the linear periphery 36 and the secondary periphery 38 to one another. In particular, the secondary periphery 39, the linear periphery 36 and the secondary periphery 38 may define an annular shape.
[0081] More specifically, the first flange 34 may include a passageway.
[0082] Furthermore, the first flange 34 may comprise an inner portion 40 connected to the periphery 35. In particular, the periphery 35 may be disposed radially outward and the inner portion 40 may be disposed radially inward.
[0083] Moreover, the periphery 35 may extend in a first plane and the inner portion 40 may extend in a second plane spaced apart from the first plane. In particular, the inner portion 40, and more particularly the second plane, may be flush with the first plane.
[0084] Additionally, the first plane may be flush with the second plane 24 .
[0085] Additionally, collar 17 is integral with and extends from first flange 34 .
[0086] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the distance between the linear perimeter 36 and the reference fold line 37 may be 2.0 mm or less, in particular 1.0 mm or less, and more particularly 0.9 mm or less. In particular, the distance between the linear perimeter 34 and the reference fold line 37 is determined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the fold line 37 and the linear perimeter 34.
[0087] According to some possible embodiments, the linear perimeter 36 may be in contact with the fold reference line 37. In particular, the linear perimeter 36 may be in contact with the fold reference line 37 or may extend into the fold reference line 37 (i.e., the linear perimeter 36 may overlap a portion of the fold reference line 37).
[0088] When the package 1 is formed from the sheet of packaging material 21, the first flange 34 may be connected, in particular fused, to the inner surface 12 (i.e., the first flange 34 is disposed within the interior space 11). Furthermore, the linear perimeter 36 may be adjacent to and parallel to the reference fold line 37. In particular, the reference fold line 37 corresponds to and / or defines one respective second lateral edge 10.
[0089] Furthermore, the linear perimeter 36 may adjoin one respective side wall 6. In particular, the distance between the linear perimeter 36 and the respective side wall 6 may be equal to or less than 2.0 mm, in particular equal to or less than 1.0 mm, and more particularly equal to or less than 0.9 mm.
[0090] According to some possible embodiments, the linear perimeter 36 may abut the respective side wall 6 .
[0091] With reference to FIG. 2, the retaining element 20 is (integrally) connected to the first flange 15 , in particular to the peripheral portion 35 , and extends therefrom.
[0092] According to the specific embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the peripheral portion 35 may be disposed within the interior space 11. As shown in FIG.
[0093] Furthermore, the formation of one respective sheet of packaging material 21 includes at least the following steps: - providing a respective packaging material sheet substrate 22 having a predetermined opening; -Placing the mold around the predefined opening; - Molten polymer is fed into a mold to form the respective opening device 3 on the packaging material sheet substrate 21 and around the desired opening.
[0094] In particular, the mould has a cavity which corresponds to the shape of the opening device 3 .
[0095] According to some possible embodiments, in particular to improve the accuracy of the positioning of the opening device 3, the formation of the sheet of packaging material 21 also comprises the following steps. - reading the markings applied to the packaging material sheet substrate 22; -Aligning the mold around the given opening according to the position of the marks.
[0096] In particular, the mark may be a magnetic mark or another type of mark. Preferably, the mark is a magnetic mark allowing a precise positioning of the mould and therefore of the opening device 3.
[0097] More particularly, the packaging material sheet substrate 22 may be provided in the form of a web. In particular, the web comprises a plurality of elementary units, each elementary unit corresponding to one respective packaging material sheet substrate 22. During the providing step, the web of packaging material sheet substrate 22 is thus advanced, in particular intermittently, to a forming station, in which an opening device 3 is formed on the respective packaging material sheet substrate 22. In this way, a web of packaging material sheet 21 is obtained.
[0098] The formation of the package 1 further includes the following steps. - providing a sheet of packaging material 21; - folding the sheet of packaging material 21 along the crease line 30 to obtain the package 1; - sealing the package 1, in particular longitudinally and transversely; and -Fill package 1 with pourable product.
[0099] More specifically, the sheet of packaging material 21 may be provided in the form of a web of the sheet of packaging material 21, and the web of the sheet of packaging material 21 may be (continuously) advanced to a tube forming station, where the web of the sheet of packaging material 21 may be formed into a tube.
[0100] Additionally, the sealing step may include sealing the tube both longitudinally and laterally.
[0101] Furthermore, during the filling step the tube may be filled with a pourable product.
[0102] The formation of the package 1 may comprise a forming step, in which a tube is formed, and a step of cutting the tube transversely to obtain the single packages 1.
[0103] 4, numeral 1' denotes an alternative embodiment of a package according to the present invention. Because package 1' is similar to package 1, the following description will be limited to the differences between the two and, wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used for identical or corresponding parts.
[0104] In particular, package 1' differs from package 1 in that it is provided with an opening device 3'.
[0105] Similarly, package 1' differs from package 1 in that package 1' is formed from a sheet of packaging material 21' (see FIG. 6).
[0106] Because the sheet of packaging material 21' is similar to the sheet of packaging material 21, the following description will be limited to the differences between the two and, wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to identical or corresponding parts.
[0107] In particular, the sheet of packaging material 21' also differs from the sheet of packaging material 21 in that it comprises an opening device 3'.
[0108] More specifically, referring to Figures 4 and 5, the opening device 3' differs from the opening device 3 in that the base frame 15 further comprises a second flange 40 spaced apart from the first flange 34 and, in particular, arranged parallel to the first flange 34.
[0109] Preferably, the first flange 34 and the second flange 40 may be connected to one another.
[0110] In particular, the second flange 40 is connected, in particular fused, more in particular molded, to the first face or outer face 13 after formation of the package 1 .
[0111] Furthermore, the first flange 34 and the second flange 40 define a respective space therebetween after formation of the package 1 of the second wall 7 or part of the substrate sheet 22 of packaging material.
[0112] 4 and 5, the second flange 40 may include a periphery 42 having, in particular, the same shape as the periphery 35. Alternatively, the periphery 42 may have a shape that is at least partially different from the shape of the periphery 35.
[0113] The formation of the packaging material sheet 21' is similar to the formation of the packaging material sheet 21, so reference is made to the description regarding the formation of the packaging material sheet 21.
[0114] Furthermore, since the formation of package 1' is similar to the formation of package 1, reference is made to the description regarding the formation of package 1.
[0115] 7, numeral 1'' denotes an alternative embodiment of a package according to the present invention. Because package 1'' is similar to package 1, the following description will be limited to the differences between the two and, wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used for identical or corresponding parts.
[0116] In particular, package 1 ″ differs from package 1 in that it is provided with an opening device 3 ″, the designated opening extending across two respective walls, in particular the second wall 7 and one side wall 6 .
[0117] Similarly, package 1'' differs from package 1' in that package 1'' is formed from a sheet of packaging material 21'' (see FIG. 9).
[0118] Because sheet of packaging material 21'' is similar to sheet of packaging material 21', the following description will be limited to the differences between the two and, wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used for identical or corresponding parts.
[0119] In particular, the sheet of packaging material 21'' differs from the sheet of packaging material 21' in that it comprises an opening device 3'' and a substrate 22''.
[0120] More particularly, the substrate sheet of packaging material 22'' differs from the substrate sheet of packaging material 22 in that a given opening comprises a first opening and a second opening.
[0121] Furthermore, one panel 31, in particular the panel that at least partially defines the second wall 7, is provided with a first opening, and the other panel 31, in particular the panel that defines one side wall 6, is provided with a second opening.
[0122] More specifically, one fold line 30, which is transverse and more particularly perpendicular to the reference fold line 37, is interposed between a panel 31 having a first opening and a panel 31 having a second opening.
[0123] More specifically, the fold line 30 interposed between the panel 31 having the first opening and the panel 31 having the second opening defines an auxiliary reference fold line 46 transversely, and in particular perpendicularly, to the reference fold line 37.
[0124] 7 to 9, the opening device 3″ differs from the opening device 3′ in that the first flange 34 may comprise a first flange portion 47, a second flange portion 48 and a fold line 49 interposed between the first flange portion 47 and the second flange portion 48. In particular, the fold line 49 is configured such that during the formation of the package 1, i.e. during the folding of the respective sheet of packaging material 21″, the first flange 34 is folded along the fold line 49 such that the first flange portion 47 and the second flange portion 48 are arranged laterally, in particular (substantially) perpendicular to one another.
[0125] Preferably, the fold line 49 may be parallel to the auxiliary reference fold line 46. In particular, the fold line 49 may be aligned with the auxiliary reference fold line 46.
[0126] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the distance between the auxiliary reference fold line 46 and the fold line 49 may be 2.0 mm or less, particularly 1.0 mm or less, and more particularly 0.5 mm or less.
[0127] Additionally, a first flange portion 47 may be associated with the first opening and a second flange portion 48 may cover and seal the second opening.
[0128] Additionally, the auxiliary reference fold line 46 may include a first section 50 and a second section that are separated from one another.
[0129] Preferably, the fold lines 49 may be parallel and intervening between the first section 50 and the second section 51. In particular, the fold lines 49 may extend between the first section 50 and the second section 51.
[0130] Furthermore, the first flange portion 47 may comprise a periphery 35 , in particular a linear periphery 36 .
[0131] Additionally, the first flange portion 47 may include a passageway, and the collar 17 may be connected to and extend from the first flange portion 47. Similarly, the retaining element 20 may extend from the first flange portion 47.
[0132] It should be noted that when the package 1'' is formed from the sheet of packaging material 21'', one respective wall of the body 2 is provided with a first opening and another wall is provided with a second opening, in particular the two walls being lateral to each other. More particularly, the second wall 7 is provided with the first opening and one lateral wall 6 is provided with the second opening.
[0133] The formation of the packaging material sheet 21'' is similar to the formation of the packaging material sheet 21, and therefore reference is made to the description regarding the formation of the packaging material sheet 21.
[0134] Furthermore, since the formation of package 1'' is similar to the formation of package 1, reference is made to the description regarding the formation of package 1.
[0135] The advantages of the packaging material sheet 21, 21', 21'' and / or the package 1, 1', 1'' and / or the method for forming the packaging material sheet 21, 21', 21'' and / or the method for forming the package 1, 1', 1'' according to the present invention will be apparent from the above description.
[0136] In particular, by relying on the sheets of packaging material 21, 21', 21'' for the formation of the packages 1, 1', 1'', it is possible to improve the transport and reseal properties of the packages 1, 1', 1''. In particular, by having the straight periphery 35 adjacent and parallel to the reference fold line 37 (respective second lateral edges 10), it is possible to transfer loads acting on the respective opening device 3, 3', 3'' to the one or more side walls 6. This makes it possible to avoid any risk of deformation of the respective body 2.
[0137] A further advantage is that by providing a first flange 34 having a first flange portion 47 and a second flange portion 48, the effect of the straight peripheral portion 35 being adjacent to and parallel to the reference fold line 37 (respective second lateral edges 10) is further enhanced.
[0138] A further advantage is that having a straight periphery 35 adjacent and parallel to the reference fold line 37 improves folding of the sheets of packaging material 21, 21', 21'' into their respective packages 1, 1', 1''.
[0139] Obviously, changes may be made to the packaging material sheets 21, 21', 21'' and / or to the packages 1, 1', 1'' and / or to the method for forming the packaging material sheets 21, 21', 21'' and / or to the method for forming the packages 1, 1', 1'' described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.
[0140] According to some possible embodiments, not shown, the opening device 3 ″ may not comprise the second flange 41 .
Claims
1. A composite packaging material sheet (21, 21', 21'') for forming a composite package (1, 1', 1'') filled with a pourable product, comprising: a packaging material sheet substrate (22, 22'') comprising a multi-layer packaging material having a predetermined opening; an opening device (3, 3', 3'') applied on said packaging material sheet substrate (22, 22') around said predetermined opening and controllable in an open position to seal said predetermined opening and to release at least a portion of said predetermined opening; At least The packaging material sheet substrate (22, 22″) has at least a first surface and a second surface (24) opposite the first surface; the second surface (24) defines an inner surface (12) of the composite package (1, 1', 1'') formed from the composite packaging material sheet (21, 21', 21''); The packaging material sheet base (22, 22″) has a plurality of fold lines (30) that divide a plurality of panels (31), the opening device (3, 3', 3'') comprises a base frame (15) for connecting the opening device (3, 3', 3'') to the packaging material sheet substrate (22, 22'',) and around the predetermined opening; the base frame (15) comprises at least a first flange (34) connected to the second surface (24) and having a linear periphery (36); said linear periphery (36) being adjacent to and parallel to one respective fold line (30) defining a reference fold line (37); A composite packaging material sheet (21, 21', 21'').
2. The reference crease line (37) defines at least one panel (31) that defines at least a portion of the predetermined opening.
2. The composite packaging material sheet of claim 1.
3. The linear periphery (36) is tangent to the reference fold line (37).
2. The composite packaging material sheet of claim 1.
4. The linear peripheral portion (36) abuts against the reference fold line (37). The composite packaging material sheet of claim 3.
5. The linear periphery (36) extends into the reference fold line (37); The composite packaging material sheet of claim 3.
6. the predetermined opening comprises a first opening and a second opening; A first panel (31) has the first opening, and a second panel (31) has the second opening; the first flange (34) comprises a first flange portion (47), a second flange portion (48), and a fold line (49) connecting the first flange portion (47) and the second flange portion (48) to each other; the second flange portion (48) is configured to cover and seal the second opening; a fold line (30) transverse to the reference fold line (37) is interposed between and in contact with the first panel (31) and the second panel (31) to define an auxiliary reference fold line (46); The fold line (49) is parallel to the auxiliary reference fold line (46).
2. The composite packaging material sheet of claim 1.
7. A method for forming a composite packaging material sheet (21, 21', 21'') according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate sheet of packaging material (22, 22'') having a predetermined opening; Positioning a mold around the predetermined opening; supplying molten polymer to said mould to form an opening device (3, 3', 3'') on said substrate sheet of packaging material (22, 22'') and around said predetermined opening; The method includes at least the following steps.
8. reading a mark applied to said packaging material sheet substrate (22, 22''); positioning the mold around the predetermined opening in accordance with the position of the mark; The method of claim 7 further comprising:
9. A composite package (1, 1', 1'') for a pourable product, comprising: A body (2) formed from a composite packaging material and having a predetermined opening and an internal space (11); an opening device (3, 3', 3'') coupled to the body (2) and around the predetermined opening and controllable at least in an open position to seal the predetermined opening and to release at least a portion of the predetermined opening; Equipped with The body (2) comprises a plurality of walls (5, 6, 7) each bounded by a respective plurality of fold lines (30) of the composite packaging material; The main body (2) has an inner surface (12) facing the internal space (11) and an outer surface (13) opposite the inner surface (12), The opening device (3, 3', 3'') comprises a base frame (15) for connecting the opening device (3, 3', 3'') to the body (2) and around the predetermined opening, the base frame (15) comprises at least a first flange (34) connected to the inner surface (12) and having a linear periphery (36); said linear periphery (36) being adjacent to and parallel to one respective fold line (30) defining a reference fold line (37); Composite package (1, 1', 1'').
10. the reference fold line (37) is interposed between a first wall (7) of the package (1, 1', 1'') and a second wall (6) of the package (1, 1', 1'') which are perpendicular to each other, The composite package of claim 9.
11. The linear periphery (36) is in contact with the reference fold line (37). The composite package of claim 9.
12. The linear periphery (36) abuts the reference fold line (37) or extends within the reference fold line (37). The composite package of claim 11.
13. the predetermined opening comprises a first opening and a second opening; a first wall (7) comprising said first opening and a second wall (6) comprising said second opening; the first flange (34) comprises a first flange portion (47), a second flange portion (48), and a fold line (49) connecting the first flange portion (47) and the second flange portion (48) to each other; the second flange portion (48) is configured to cover and seal the second opening; a fold line (30) transverse to the reference fold line (37) is interposed between and in contact with the first panel (31) and the second panel (31) to define an auxiliary reference fold line (46); The fold line (49) is parallel to the auxiliary reference fold line (46). The composite package of claim 9.
14. A composite package formed from the composite packaging material sheet (21, 21', 21'') according to claim 1.
15. A method for forming a composite package, comprising: Providing a composite packaging material sheet (21, 21', 21'') according to claim 1; folding said composite packaging material sheet according to crease lines to obtain said composite package (1, 1', 1''); sealing said composite package (1, 1', 1''); - filling said composite package (1, 1', 1'') with a pourable product; The method includes at least the following steps.