PAPER-BASED OR CARDBOARD-BASED CONTAINER AND RELATED METHODS.

Abstract

A paper-based or cardboard-based container (100) for containing a pourable food product is described, the container comprising: a substantially flat lower portion; an upper portion positioned opposite the lower portion and comprising a top panel and an upper sealing region (126) forming a top seal of the container; and a wall portion extending between the lower and upper portions and comprising a plurality of wall sections (108b, 108c) surrounding the top panel and a longitudinal sealing strip (14) extending between the lower and upper portions and over at least one of the wall sections, wherein the upper sealing region is folded over and attached to at least one of the wall sections comprising the longitudinal sealing strip (14).A virgin part and a sleeve for producing the container are also described, as it is a method for producing the container.

Description

PAPER-BASED OR CARDBOARD-BASED CONTAINERS AND RELATED METHODS FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a pourable food container comprising a laminated sheet material based on paper or cardboard. In particular, the invention relates to such a container comprising an opening or closing device for dispensing and / or accessing the food product. The invention also relates to methods for producing such a container and to precursors of such a container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Within the field of cardboard packaging, the process involves producing a blank sheet, then folding and assembling it to create a container. This container can then be used to hold a pourable food product, such as a liquid like dairy products like milk or yogurt, or juice. The virgin part is typically produced from a laminated packaging material, which typically comprises a multi-fold cardboard sheet onto which one or more barrier layers are laminated to contain the food product and / or prevent the migration of air and flavors through the cardboard. Typically, a barrier layer may comprise a polyethylene or an aluminum layer. A method for producing the virgin part from the laminated packaging material comprises the steps of cutting the laminated packaging material into a predefined shape, and a method for producing the container from the virgin part typically comprises the step of bending the virgin part along predefined bend lines in order to produce the container. The blank may be provided with crease lines in the laminated packaging material to assist in folding the blank along the crease lines. A crease line or fold can be defined as a depression embossed or printed on one side of the laminated packaging material, with a corresponding raised ridge or strip, also referred to as a contour, forming on the other side a line along which the laminated packaging material is structurally weakened and along which the laminated packaging material will bend or fold when pressure is applied. Virgin parts can be produced in a converting process in which they are cut from a web made of the rolled material having substantially parallel and rectilinear lateral boundary edges. Typically, the converting process comprises feeding the rolled material web through one or more pressing spaces formed between a pair of cutting and / or folding rollers to produce the virgin parts cut from the web and formed with creases for subsequent folding and / or with cuts and / or holes, for example, to fit a closure for the virgin material when a container is produced from it. The design of the blank pattern on the halftone screen is known as a "nesting pattern." A nesting pattern is not a physical pattern visible on the halftone screen, but rather a pattern that illustrates how the blanks are intended to be cut from the halftone screen and / or how the blanks are printed. In other words, the nesting pattern illustrates the design of the blanks on the halftone screen and, consequently, how the available halftone material is used. The container may be provided with an opening or closing device that allows a consumer to open the container to access the food product. The opening device may be resealable, allowing the consumer to reseal the container, either airtight or non-airtight, after it has been opened. Alternatively, the opening device may not reseal once opened. A commonly used opening device comprises a patch defined by a small sheet of heat-sealed plastic material, which is heat-sealed to the inner surface of a packaging material covering an opening in the packaging material; and a pull tab applied to the opposite side of the packaging material and heat-sealed to the patch.The tab and patch adhere to each other so that when the tab is pulled out, the heat-sealed portion of the patch is also removed to reveal the hole. This configuration is sometimes referred to as a pre-laminated hole (PLH). While this configuration can provide an acceptable opening device, there is a general need to improve existing opening or closure devices, particularly to provide a more enjoyable drinking experience when drinking directly from the container. DE69817486T2 discusses a method of forming a packaging container that has sealing flaps, in which the packaging material is sealed from the inside, and also double-walled, projecting corner flaps. The corner flaps are folded down and seal to the outside of the packaging container. WO2013 / 010815A1 shows a box for packaging tea leaf products. The box is formed from a single piece of composite material that is folded twice and sealed by flaps. US3109574A discusses a manufacturing process for a container from a bendable sheet material. The method includes the steps of forming, from the sheet material, a tubular member of a polygonal cross section having a number of sides other than four, and bending together the ends of the tubular member in a manner that forms the end walls for the container, and forming endless closure bands integral with and extending from the end walls. Within the subject of cardboard-based containers, the proportion of an extended top panel area of ​​the container is known, achieved by folding down a top flap over the top panel in an off-center position. The extended top panel area thus obtained can be used to provide the container with an enlarged opening or closing device. Such containers are known, for example, from EP2392517A1 and US20190106239A1. Although not centered, the folded-down top flap extending across the top panel will still limit the use of the top panel. US6182887B1 and WO00 / 63081A2 show a container having an extended top panel, produced by sealing the top panel and a rear wall of the container together in a sealing region with the same extension as a top flap. Consequently, the top flap extends from the top panel into the plane of the rear wall, thus making essentially the entire top panel available for use, for example, attaching an opening or closing device. However, the extended top flap may still limit access to the top panel. For example, a top flap extending from the top panel into the plane of the rear wall may make it difficult for a consumer to drink directly from the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With the aforementioned challenges and known solutions in mind, and in accordance with a first exemplary aspect, the present description provides a paper-based or cardboard-based container for containing a pourable food product, comprising: - a flat or substantially flat lower portion; - an upper portion positioned opposite the lower portion and comprising a top panel and an upper sealing region forming a top seal of the container; and - a wall portion extending between the lower portion and the upper portion and comprising a plurality of wall sections that bound the upper panel and a longitudinal sealing strip extending between the lower portion and the upper portion over at least one of the wall sections, the upper sealing region folding over such at least one of the wall sections comprising the longitudinal sealing strip and being attached to it. Consequently, instead of the upper sealing region, or top flap, being folded and attached to the top panel of the container, as is common in prior art containers, the top flap or upper sealing region is folded over the wall portion comprising the longitudinal sealing strip, i.e., the longitudinal seam running from the bottom to the top of the container. This leaves the top panel free or substantially free of sealing structures, since the section of the longitudinal sealing strip extending into the upper sealing region will also be folded over the wall portion and, consequently, will not extend over the top panel. Such sealing structures may comprise permanent sealing structures such as welded, bonded, or otherwise permanently joined seams where panels of the laminated sheet material are permanently bonded together.This allows the top panel to be used efficiently. For example, a top opening or closing device can be placed anywhere on the top panel since there is no sealing structure to consider. Also, folding the top sealing region down over the side wall portion comprising the longitudinal sealing strip and securing the sealing region to it will give a consumer unrestricted access to the opening or closing device for easy access to or dispensing of the food product. Advantageously, the container may comprise reinforcing panels that fold over one another beneath the top panel during container formation, allowing the entire top sealing region to fold down and be secured to the wall section(s) comprising the longitudinal sealing strip. In other words, the entire top sealing region can be advantageously folded over at least one of the wall sections comprising the longitudinal sealing strip and secured to it. Typically, the top sealing region may be formed by a top sealing strip, and the entire top sealing strip can be folded down and secured to the wall section(s) comprising the longitudinal sealing strip. The container may include an opening device or a closure located on the top panel for dispensing and / or accessing the food product. The opening device may be resealable, allowing the container to be resealed after an initial opening. The container can be made of a laminated sheet material based on paper or cardboard, comprising a multi-fold cardboard sheet onto which one or a plurality of layers are laminated for containing the food product and / or preventing the migration of air and flavors through the cardboard sheet. The upper sealing region may be flat or substantially flat and be placed parallel or substantially parallel to at least one of the wall sections comprising the longitudinal sealing strip. The top panel and the upper sealing region may share a common boundary that forms a top edge of the container. The upper edge can be rectilinear or substantially rectilinear and be placed parallel or substantially parallel to the lower portion. An opening or closing device may be placed on the top panel for dispensing and / or accessing the food product. Unlike the sealing structures mentioned above, which include the top sealing region and the longitudinal sealing strip, this opening or closing device is not intended to permanently seal the container, but rather can be opened by a consumer to allow them to dispense or access the food product. The opening or closing device may comprise an opening that is placed adjacent to such an upper edge. The opening can be placed at an orthogonal distance of between 1 mm and 10 mm from the top edge. The top panel may be flat or substantially flat. The wall section or sections comprising the longitudinal sealing strip may also be flat or substantially flat, and the top panel may form an angle with respect to such wall section or sections that is any of: within the range of 10 degrees up to 90 degrees; within the range of 30 degrees up to 80 degrees; within the range of 45 degrees up to 75 degrees; and 60 degrees. The upper sealing region may comprise a plurality of sealed, sealing strip panels, all of which may be placed parallel or substantially parallel and / or in the same plane or substantially the same plane as the container. Sealing strip panels may comprise a central sealing strip that extends over the wall section or sections that comprise the sealing strip. MA / Ί 1 longitudinal and having a longitudinal extension that is any of: at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm and at least 30 mm. According to a second exemplary aspect, the present description provides a paper-based or cardboard-based cover for the production of the container according to the first exemplary aspect. According to a third exemplary aspect, the present description provides a virgin piece based on paper or carbon, for the production of the cover according to the second exemplary aspect. The virgin piece can be a symmetrical reflection around a central longitudinal axis of the virgin piece. The blank may comprise first and second boundary edges, rectilinear or substantially rectilinear, and parallel or substantially parallel, forming lateral or longitudinal boundary edges of the blank. The blank may also comprise a third boundary edge, rectilinear or substantially rectilinear, extending orthogonally or substantially orthogonally between the lateral boundary edges and forming a lower boundary edge of the blank. In addition, the blank may comprise a fourth boundary edge, not rectilinear, extending between the lateral boundary edges and forming an upper boundary edge of the blank. The virgin part may comprise an upper region having a top fold line pattern and configured to form such an upper portion of the container. The upper region may comprise a top panel and reinforcing panels configured to fold over one another, beneath the top panel, when a container is formed from the virgin part. The upper boundary edge can be a symmetrical reflection around a central longitudinal axis of the virgin piece. The upper boundary edge may comprise a plurality of individually rectilinear upper boundary edge sections. In accordance with a fourth exemplary aspect, the present description provides a method for the production of a paper-based or cardboard-based container for containing a pourable food product, comprising the steps of: - seal a laminated sheet material based on paper or cardboard, along a longitudinal sealing strip that forms a tubular proto-container; - upper sealing of the proto-container in an upper sealing region; and - folding the upper sealing region over at least one wall section of the prototype container, comprising such a longitudinal sealing band and securing the upper sealing region to such at least one wall section. The method may comprise forming an upper portion of the container by folding reinforcing panels of laminated sheet material over one another, beneath a top panel of laminated sheet material. The method may further comprise placing an opening device or a closure for supplying or accessing the food product in the upper portion. The opening device may be resealable, thereby allowing the container to be resealed after an initial opening. The method may include the following stages: - sealing the bottom of the laminated sheet material to form a proto-container sealed at the bottom and open at the top, and - Filling the prototype container, sealed at the bottom and open at the top, with the pourable food product, wherein the top sealing step of the laminated sheet material is carried out after the filling step of the prototype container, sealed at the bottom and open at the top, with the pourable food product. In other words, the method may comprise filling the prototype container from the top. Alternatively, the top sealing stage of the proto-container in a top sealing region can produce a proto-container sealed at the top but open at the bottom, and the method may comprise the steps of: - fill the prototype container, sealed at the top and open at the bottom, with the pourable food product; and - seal the bottom of the laminated sheet material. Consequently, instead of filling the proto-container from the top side, the method may involve filling the proto-container from the bottom side. The method may comprise a step of providing the top panel of the container free of sealing structures. Such sealing structures may comprise permanently sealing structures, such as welded, bonded, or otherwise permanently joined seams, where panels of laminated sheet material are permanently bonded together. The method may comprise placing the upper sealing region flat or substantially flat and parallel or substantially parallel to at least one of the wall sections comprising the longitudinal sealing strip. The method may involve placing the top panel and the upper sealing region in such a way that they share a common boundary that forms an upper edge of the container. The method may comprise a step of placing the upper edge straight or substantially straight and the step of placing the upper edge parallel or substantially parallel to a flat or substantially flat lower portion of the container. The method may comprise a step of placing the opening device or a closure for supplying or accessing the food product on the top panel of the container. The method may comprise a step of placing an opening of the opening or closing device adjacent to such upper edge, which forms a boundary between the top panel and the upper sealing region. The method may comprise a step of placing the opening at an orthogonal distance of between 1 mm and 10 mm from the top edge. The method may comprise a step of positioning the flat or substantially flat top panel. The method may also comprise a step of positioning the wall section or sections comprising the flat or substantially flat longitudinal sealing strip. ML / Ί 1 flat, and a stage of placing the top panel at an angle to such wall section or wall sections that is any of: within the range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees; within the range of 30 degrees to 80 degrees; within the range of 45 degrees to 75 degrees, and 60 degrees. The upper sealing stage of the proto-container in the upper sealing region may comprise a sub-stage of sealing a plurality of sealing strip panels to one another. This sub-stage may comprise the placement of the sealed sealing strip panels in parallel or substantially parallel and / or in the same plane or substantially in the same plane within the container. This sub-stage may also comprise the placement of a central sealing strip panel among such sealing strip panels, such that it extends over the wall section or sections comprising the longitudinal sealing strip and has a longitudinal extension that is any of: at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, and at least 30 mm. According to a fifth exemplary aspect, the present description provides a container for containing a pourable food product comprising a laminated sheet material based on paper or cardboard, which forms: - a substantially flat lower portion; - an upper portion positioned opposite the lower portion and comprising a top panel and an upper sealing region forming a top seal of the container; and - a wall portion extending between the lower portion and the upper portion and comprising a plurality of wall sections surrounding the upper panel and a longitudinal sealing strip extending between the lower portion and the upper portion over at least one of the wall sections. The container may comprise a barrier positioned on the top panel to provide a seal over an opening in the top panel, and an opening or closing device positioned to break the seal during initial opening of the container and delivery and / or access to the food product. The upper sealing region is folded over and secured to at least one of the wall sections. The opening or closing device may comprise: - a first sheet extending over and attached to at least a partial section of the upper panel, the first sheet comprising a passage opening aligned with the barrier; and - a second sheet that is releasably attached to at least a partial section of the first sheet on an outer surface thereof, the second sheet being attached to the barrier through the passage opening before the first opening, and the second sheet being configured to tear open the barrier during the first opening. The second sheet can be manually operated from a closed position, in which the second sheet covers the passage opening, to an open position, in which the second sheet exposes the passage opening and allows the pourable food product to be supplied or accessed through the passage opening. Consequently, instead of the upper sealing region being folded over the top panel of the container, or extending from the top panel to form a top flap, as is the case in prior art containers, the present upper sealing region is folded entirely downwards over one or more wall portions. This leaves the top panel free of any upper sealing structures and allows for the free placement of the dispensing seal structure and the opening or closing device. Furthermore, since the section of the longitudinal sealing strip extending into the upper sealing region will also be folded over the wall portion(s), the longitudinal sealing strip will not extend over the top panel. After the first opening, the second blade can be manually operated from the open position to the closed position in order to reclose the passage opening. The first sheet can extend over at least a partial section of the upper sealing region and be attached to it. The first sheet may comprise a drinking surface extending from the passage opening to a distance, from the passage opening, of any of: at least 20 mm, at least 25 mm, and at least 30 mm. The drinking surface may be located over the upper sealing region. The top panel and the upper sealing region may share a common boundary that forms a supreme boundary of the top panel and a top edge of the container, and the first sheet may extend over such a top edge. The passage opening can be placed within 2-10 mm from such a supreme limit of the top panel. The first sheet and the second sheet may each comprise a first transverse edge placed on or adjacent to a minute boundary of the upper panel. The first sheet may comprise a second transverse edge that is placed on or adjacent to a minute boundary of the upper sealing region. An outer surface of the first sheet and / or an inner surface of the second sheet may comprise an adhesive. The inner surface of the second sheet may comprise, in a region facing the opening when the second sheet is in the closed position, a region of reduced adhesiveness. The barrier may comprise any of: - a pre-laminated hole; and - a removable section of the laminated sheet material of the top panel that is delimited by a cut made partially through the top panel, from an outer surface thereof, the cut leaving one or a plurality of internal layers of the laminated sheet material intact prior to the first opening. According to a sixth exemplary aspect, the present description provides a method for the production of virgin paper or cardboard parts for the production of a pourable food container, each virgin part comprising: - substantially rectilinear boundary edges, first and second, which extend, each, substantially parallel to a first longitudinal direction of the virgin piece, between end points, first and second; - a third boundary edge extending substantially parallel to a second transverse direction of the virgin piece, between the first endpoint of the first boundary edge and the first endpoint of the second boundary edge; - a fourth boundary edge, not rectilinear, extending between the second endpoint of the first boundary edge and the second endpoint of the second boundary edge, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - arranging, on a grid of laminated material, a first row and a second row of virgin part patterns, each row comprising a plurality of virgin part patterns, placed side by side, with the first boundary edge of the virgin part pattern attached to the second boundary edge of a surrounding virgin part pattern, and the fourth boundary edge of the virgin part patterns of the first row attached to the fourth boundary edge of the virgin part patterns of the second row; and - cut the weave along the arranged boundary edges, first, second, third and fourth, in order to form such virgin pieces. According to a seventh exemplary aspect, the present description provides a nesting pattern for the production of virgin paper or cardboard parts from a laminated material web, each virgin part comprising: - substantially rectilinear boundary edges, first and second, which extend, each, substantially parallel to a first longitudinal direction of the virgin piece between the end points, first and second; - a third boundary edge extending substantially parallel to a second transverse direction of the virgin piece, between the first endpoint of the first boundary edge and the first endpoint of the second boundary edge; - a four non-rectilinear boundary edge that extends between the second endpoint of the first boundary edge and the second endpoint of the second boundary edge. The nesting pattern comprises a first row and a second row of virgin part patterns, placed side by side, with the first boundary edge of a virgin part pattern attached to the second boundary edge of a surrounding virgin part pattern, and the fourth boundary edge of the virgin part patterns in the first row attached to the fourth boundary edge of the virgin part patterns in the second row. The fourth boundary edges can form a non-straight line that shows a two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a center located on such a line. The preferred and / or optional features discussed above of each aspect of the invention may be used alone or in a suitable combination in the other aspects of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The following figures are attached to facilitate understanding of the invention. Fig. 1 shows one type of virgin piece. Figures 2 and 3 show the virgin piece according to Figure 1, folded and sealed to form a sleeve. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sheath according to Figs. 2 and 3 after it has been erected in a tubular form. Fig. 5 shows a view from underneath the cover according to Fig. 4, after it has been sealed at the bottom. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the case according to Fig. 4 after it has been sealed at the bottom. Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate the upper sealing of the cover according to Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a front view of a container produced from the virgin part according to Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the container produced from the virgin piece according to Fig. 1. Figs. 11 and 12 are side views of the container produced from the virgin piece according to Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a front view of the container produced from the virgin part according to Fig. 1 in an open position. Figs. 14a and 14b illustrate cross-sections of the container produced from the virgin piece according to Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is an alternative representation of a virgin piece. Figs. 16 and 17 show the virgin piece according to Fig. 15, folded and sealed to form a sleeve. Figs. 18 to 21 are front, side and rear views of a container produced from the virgin piece according to Fig. 15. Fig. 22 shows one type of virgin piece. Figures 23 to 25 show a container formed from the virgin piece according to Figure 22. Figs. 26 and 27 show the container according to Figs. 23 to 25 in an open position. Figures 28 and 29 illustrate a container opening or closing device according to Figures 23 to 27. Fig. 30 shows one modality of a nesting pattern of the virgin part according to Fig. 1. Fig. 31 is a detailed view of the nesting pattern according to Fig. 30. Fig. 32 shows a second modality of a nesting pattern of the virgin piece according to Fig. 1. Fig. 33 shows a virgin piece produced from the nesting pattern of either Figs. 30 and 31. Fig. 34 shows one modality of a nesting pattern of a virgin piece. Fig. 35 shows a virgin part produced from the nesting pattern of Fig. 34. Fig. 36 shows a container produced from the virgin part according to Fig. 35. It should be understood that the figures are not intended to limit the invention to the subject matter described in the figures. In the figures, similar reference numbers have been used to indicate common parts, elements, or features, unless explicitly stated otherwise or understood implicitly from the context. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hereafter, specific embodiments of a virgin part and a container produced therefrom will be described in greater detail in relation to the figures. However, it is specifically intended that the invention, as defined in the following claims, is not limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but includes modified forms of the embodiments, including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims. Fig. 1 shows a first modality of a virgin part 10 for the production of a sleeve and, subsequently, a container for holding a pourable food product. The virgin part 10 may comprise several layers of different materials, for example, paper, cardboard, plastic, or metal, particularly aluminum. Typically, the virgin part 10 may be made of a laminated sheet material based on paper or cardboard, comprising a multi-fold cardboard sheet onto which one or more barrier layers are laminated to contain the food product and / or prevent the migration of air and flavors through the cardboard sheet. The virgin part 10 has several folds or creases that are intended to facilitate the folding of the virgin part 10 when it is produced, in order to form a container, and which divides the virgin part 10 into several regions and subregions. The virgin part 10 comprises boundary edges, first 12 and second 14, rectilinear or substantially rectilinear, which are parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction L of the virgin part 10. The boundary edges 12 and 14 are parallel or substantially parallel, of equal or substantially equal length and form lateral boundary edges of the virgin part 10. A central axis of the virgin piece 10 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction L equidistant from the lateral boundary edges 12 and 14. The virgin part 10 also comprises a third rectilinear or substantially rectilinear boundary edge 16, which is parallel or substantially parallel to a transverse direction T of the virgin part 10 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The boundary edge 16 extends between first lower end points 18, 20 of the lateral boundary edges 12, 14 and forms a lower boundary edge of the virgin part 10. The virgin piece 10 further comprises a fourth boundary edge 22 that extends between second upper end points 24, 26 of the lateral boundary edges 12, 14 and that form an upper boundary edge of the virgin piece 10. The lower end points 18 and 20 form the lower corner points of the virgin piece 10, and the upper end points 24 and 26 form the upper corner points. Since the edges The lateral boundary edges 12 and 14 are parallel or substantially parallel, and since the lower boundary edge 16 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the lateral boundary edges 12 and 14, the corner points 18, 20, 24, and 26 define a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape. However, in contrast to the lower boundary edge 16, the upper boundary edge 22 is not rectilinear and extends beyond the rectangular shape defined by the corner points 18, 20, 24, and 26. The upper boundary edge 22 comprises a plurality of individually rectilinear or substantially rectilinear sections 22a-22i. The upper boundary edge sections 22a and 22i are collinear or substantially collinear and extend, starting from the upper corner points 24 and 26, respectively, parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse direction T, i.e., parallel or substantially parallel to the lower boundary edge 16. The boundary sections 22a and 22i are of equal or substantially equal length. The boundary sections 22b and 22h extend from boundary sections 22a and 22i, respectively, and slope away from the lower boundary edge 16. The boundary sections 22b and 22h form an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the transverse direction T. The boundary sections 22c and 22g extend from boundary sections 22b and 22i, respectively, and form an angle of approximately 20 degrees with respect to the transverse direction T. T. Boundary sections 22d and 22f extend from boundary sections 22c and 22g, respectively, and form an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the transverse direction T. Finally, boundary section 22e extends between boundary sections 22d and 22f, parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse direction T, i.e., parallel or substantially parallel to the lower boundary edge 16. However, due to the inclined orientations of boundary sections 22b-22d and 22f-22h, boundary section 22e is positioned beyond the lower boundary edge 16 compared to boundary sections 22a and 22L The upper boundary edge 22 is a symmetric reflection about the central axis Ca. In other words, using the central axis Ca as an axis of symmetry, the sections of the upper boundary edge 22 located on one side of the central axis Ca are reflected by the corresponding sections located on the other side. Consequently, edge sections 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are reflected by edge sections 22i, 22h, 22g, and 22f, respectively, and the central axis Ca is reflected centrally through edge section 22e. The virgin piece 10 comprises fold lines, first 28 and second 30, each extending across the virgin piece 10, i.e., between the lateral boundary edges 12, 14. Fold lines 28 and 30 divide the virgin piece 10 into: - a lower region 32 having a lower fold line pattern and configured to form a lower portion of the container formed from the virgin piece 10; - an upper region 34 having an upper fold line pattern and configured to form an upper portion of the container; and - an intermediate region 36 contained between such fold lines, first 28 and second 30, placed between the lower region 32 and the upper region 34 and configured to form an intermediate wall portion of the container. ML / t / ZUZZ / UOUZ Ί 1 Fold line 28 is rectilinear or substantially rectilinear and extends parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse direction T, through panel 10. Dividing from the intermediate region 36 by the fold line 28, the lower region 32 comprises a plurality of rectangular or substantially rectangular bottom panels 40a, 40f, and 40k and a plurality of triangular or substantially triangular reinforcing panels 40b-40e and 40g-40j. The reinforcing panels 40b-40e and 40g-40j are positioned in two rectangular or substantially rectangular sub-regions arranged in a row with the bottom panels 40a, 40f, and 40k. When a container is produced from the virgin piece 10, the bottom and reinforcing panels 40a-40k are configured to fold in order to form a substantially flat bottom portion of the container in a manner that is known in the field. The lower region 32 also comprises a plurality of rectangular or substantially rectangular lower sealing strip panels, 38a-38g, extending between the lateral boundary edges 12, 14. The sealing strip panels 38a-38g are divided, in the transverse direction T, by longitudinal or substantially longitudinal fold lines. The sealing strip panels 38a-38g form a lower sealing strip 38 that extends along the lower boundary edge 16 and is divided from the lower and reinforcing panels 40a-40k by a straight or substantially straight fold line 42 that extends through the blank piece 10, parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse direction T.When a container is produced from virgin part 10, the sealing band panels 38a-38g are configured to be sealed together in order to form a bottom seal of the container in a manner that, as such, is known in the field. Returning now to the upper region 34 of the virgin piece 10, the fold line 30 comprises a plurality of fold line sections 30a-30e, of which fold line sections 30a, 30b, 30d, and 30e are individually rectilinear or substantially rectilinear, and fold line section 30c is curvilinear. Fold line sections 30a and 30e are collinear or substantially collinear and extend, starting from the lateral boundary edges 12 and 14, respectively, parallel or substantially parallel to the transverse direction T, i.e., parallel or substantially parallel to the edge sections 22a and 22i. Fold line sections 30a and 30e are of equal or substantially equal length. Fold line sections 30b and 30d extend from fold line sections 30a and 30e, respectively, and slope towards the lower boundary edge 16.Fold-line sections 30b and 30d form an angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the transverse direction T. Fold-line sections 30b and 30d are of equal or substantially equal length. Finally, fold-line section 30c extends between fold-line sections 30b and 30d and has a convex side facing the intermediate region 36. Similar to upper boundary edge 22, fold line 30 is a symmetric reflection around central axis Ca. In other words, using central axis Ca as an axis of symmetry, sections of fold line 30 located on one side of central axis Ca are reflected by corresponding sections located on the other side. Consequently, fold line sections 30a and 30b are reflected by fold line sections 30e and 30d, respectively, and central axis Ca passes from MA / Ί 1 central way through the fold line section 30c. Divided from the intermediate region 36 by the fold line 30, the upper region 34 comprises reinforcing panels, triangular or substantially triangular, 44a and 44b, placed on one side of the central axis and corresponding reinforcing panels, triangular or substantially triangular, 44c and 44d, divided by a fold line, straight or substantially straight 48, placed on the other side. Reinforcing panels 44a and 44b are divided by a straight or substantially straight fold line 46. Reinforcing panels 44c and 44d are divided by a straight or substantially straight fold line 48. Fold line 46 connects to fold line 30 at the intersection of fold line sections 30b and 30c, and fold line 48 connects to fold line 30 at the intersection of fold line sections 30d and 30e.Reinforcing panels 44a and 44b are equilateral and configured to be folded over one another when the blank 10 is folded to form the container. Consequently, reinforcing panels 44a and 44b are symmetrical reflections with respect to fold line 46, i.e., using fold line 46 as an axis of symmetry. Similarly, reinforcing panels 44c and 44d are equilateral and symmetrical reflections with respect to fold line 48, thus allowing reinforcing panels 44c and 44d to be folded over one another when the container is formed. Reinforcement panels 44a and 44c are divided from the intermediate region 36 by fold line sections 30b and 30e, respectively. The upper region 34 also comprises a top panel 50 positioned between reinforcement panels 44b and 44d. The top panel 50 is separated from reinforcement panel 44b by a straight or substantially straight fold line 52 and from reinforcement panel 44d by a straight or substantially straight fold line 54. Fold line 52 connects to fold line 30 at the intersection of fold line sections 30b and 30c, and fold line 54 connects to fold line 30 at the intersection of fold line sections 30d and 30e. Fold lines 52 and 54 are not perfectly parallel to the central axis Ca but slightly convergent when moving along fold lines 52 and 54, towards the intermediate region 36. Fold lines 52 and 54 form an angle with respect to the central axis Cade of approximately 3 degrees. The upper panel 50 is divided from the intermediate region 36 by the fold line 30c. Consequently, the lower boundary of the upper panel 50, i.e., the boundary of the upper panel 50 facing the intermediate region 36, is convex. Reinforcing panels 44a-44d and the top panel 50 are positioned as symmetrical or substantially symmetrical reflections around the central axis Ca. In other words, by using the central axis Ca as an axis of symmetry, reinforcing panels 44a and 44b are reflected by reinforcing panels 44c and 44d, respectively, and the central axis Ca is reflected centrally through the top panel 50. The upper region 34 further comprises upper sealing band panels 56a-56g forming an upper sealing band 56 extending along the upper boundary edge 22 of the virgin part 10. When a container is formed from the virgin part 10, the upper sealing band panels 56a-56g are configured to seal against each other to form an upper seal of the IVIA / I container, as will be discussed in more detail later in the description. The sealing strip panel 56a extends from the lateral boundary edge 12 and passes between the fold line section 30a and the boundary edge section 22a. In a corresponding manner, the sealing strip panel 56g extends from the lateral boundary edge 14 and passes between the fold line section 30e and the boundary edge section 22i. Sealing band panel 56b extends from sealing band panel 56a and passes between reinforcement panel 44a and boundary edge section 22b. Correspondingly, sealing band panel 56f extends from sealing band panel 56g and passes between reinforcement panel 44c and boundary edge section 22h. Sealing band panel 56b is divided from reinforcement panel 44a by a straight or substantially straight fold line section 58a and from the surrounding sealing band panel 56a by a straight or substantially straight fold line 60. Fold line 60 extends between the intersection of boundary edge sections 22a and 22b and the intersection of fold line sections 30a and 30b. Fold line 60 forms an angle of approximately 15 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L.The fold line section 58a forms an angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L. The sealing strip panel 56f is divided from the reinforcement panel 44c by a straight or substantially straight fold line section 58e and from the surrounding sealing strip panel 56g by a straight or substantially straight fold line 70. Fold line 70 extends between the intersection of boundary edge sections 22I and 22h and the intersection of fold line sections 30e and 30d. Like fold line 60, fold line 70 forms an angle of approximately 15 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L, but is inclined in the opposite direction compared to fold line 60. Fold line section 58e forms an angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L, but is inclined in the opposite direction compared to fold line section 58a.Sealing strip panel 56c extends from sealing strip panel 56b and passes between reinforcement panel 44b and the combined extension of boundary edge sections 22c and 22d. In a corresponding manner, sealing strip panel 56e extends from sealing strip panel 56f and passes between reinforcement panel 44d and the combined extension of boundary edge sections 22g and 22f. The sealing strip panel 56c is divided from the reinforcement panel 44b by a straight or substantially straight fold line section 58b and from the surrounding sealing strip panel 56b by a straight or substantially straight fold line 62. The fold line 62 extends between the intersection of boundary edge sections 22b and 22c and the intersection of fold line sections 58a and 58b.Fold lines 62 and 46 are collinear or substantially collinear and form an angle of approximately 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Fold line section 58b forms an angle of approximately 85 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Sealing band panel 56e is divided from reinforcement panel 44d by a straight or substantially straight fold line section 58d and from the surrounding sealing band panel 56f by a straight or substantially straight fold line 68. Fold line 68 extends between the intersection of boundary edge sections 22h. MA / Ί 1 and 22g and the intersection of fold-line sections 58e and 58d. Fold lines 68 and 48 are collinear or substantially collinear and form an angle of approximately 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L, but are inclined in the opposite direction compared to fold lines 62 and 46. Fold-line section 58d forms an angle of approximately 85 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction L, but is inclined in the opposite direction compared to fold-line section 58b. Finally, sealing strip panel 56d extends between sealing strip panels 56c and 56e and passes between the top panel 50 and the boundary edge section 22e. Sealing strip panel 56d is divided from the top panel 50 by a straight or substantially straight fold line section 58c and from the surrounding sealing strip panels 56c and 56e by straight or substantially straight fold lines 64 and 66, respectively. Fold line 64 is parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L and extends between the intersection of boundary edge sections 22d and 22e and the intersection of fold line sections 58b and 58c. Fold line 66 is also parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L, but extends between the intersection of boundary edge sections 22f and 22e and the intersection of fold line sections 58d and 58c.The fold line section 58c and the boundary edge section 22e are parallel or substantially parallel. Sealing strip 56 is a symmetrical reflection around the central axis Ca. In other words, using the central axis Ca as an axis of symmetry, sealing strip panels 56a, 56b, and 56c are reflected by sealing strip panels 56g, 56f, and 56e, respectively, and the central axis Ca passes centrally through sealing strip panel 56d. The top panel 50 comprises a removable section 72, delimited by a vulnerability loop 74 that allows the section 72 to be removed from the container formed from the virgin part 10 when the container is initially opened. This opening action will be discussed in more detail later in the description. The vulnerability loop 74 may be, for example, a so-called “half-cut,” i.e., a cut made partially through the laminated substrate of the virgin part 10 from its outer surface, leaving one or more internal layers of the laminated substrate intact in order to provide, prior to the first opening of the container produced from the virgin part 10, an uninterrupted barrier against a food product to be contained in the container. Returning now to the intermediate region 36 of virgin piece 10, this region comprises panels 76a-76e divided by fold lines 82a-82d. Panel 76c is configured to form a front wall panel of a container produced from the virgin part 10. Adjacent to panel 76c, the intermediate region 36 comprises panels 76b and 76d, which are configured to form side wall panels of the produced container. Panel 76c is separated from panel 76d by a straight or substantially straight fold line 82c and from panel 76b by a straight or substantially straight fold line 82b. The intermediate region 36 further comprises panel 76a surrounding panel 76b and a fifth panel 76e surrounding panel 76d. Panels 76a and 76e are configured to form back wall panel sections of the produced container. Panel 76a is separated from panel 76b by a straight or substantially straight fold line 82a, and panel 76e is separated from panel 76d by a straight or substantially straight fold line 82d. Fold line 82c extends between fold line 28 and the intersection of fold line sections 30c and 30d. Fold line 82b extends between fold line 28 and the intersection of fold line sections 30b and 30c. Starting from upper region 34 and moving toward lower region 32, fold lines 82b and 83c converge. Consequently, the amplitude of panel 76c, i.e., the distance between fold lines 76c and 76d in the transverse direction T, decreases continuously when moving from the upper region 34 to the lower region 32. Using the central axis Ca as an axis of symmetry, fold line 82b is reflected by fold line 82c, and both fold lines 82b and 82c form an angle with respect to the central axis Ca of approximately 2 degrees, although diverging from the central axis Ca in opposite directions. Fold line 82a extends between fold line 28 and the intersection of fold line sections 30a and 30b. Starting from the upper region 34 and moving toward the lower region 32, fold lines 82a and 82b diverge. Consequently, the width of panel 76b increases continuously as it moves from the upper region 34 to the lower region 32. Fold line 82d extends between fold line 28 and the intersection of fold line sections 30d and 30e. Starting from the upper region 34 and moving toward the lower region 32, fold lines 82d and 82c diverge. Consequently, similarly to panel 76b, the width of panel 76d increases continuously as it moves from the upper region 34 to the lower region 32.Fold lines 82a and 82d both form an angle of approximately 3 degrees with respect to the central axis Cade, although they diverge from the central axis Caen in opposite directions. Consequently, when using the central axis Cade as an axis of symmetry, panel 76b is mirrored by panel 76d. The virgin piece 10 also comprises two straight or substantially straight fold lines 92 and 94 that extend over the entire length of the virgin piece 10, i.e., between the lower boundary edge 16 and the upper boundary edge 22, parallel or substantially parallel to the central axis Ca. The fold lines 92 and 94 extend centrally or substantially centrally into panels 76b and 76d, respectively, and consequently divide panels 76b and 76d into two panel sections 76b-l, 76b-ll and 76d-l, 76d-ll, respectively. Also, in the lower region 32, fold lines 92 and 94 extend centrally or substantially centrally into the reinforcement panel subregions formed by reinforcement panels 40b-40e and 40g-40j, respectively. Figure 2 shows a case 96 produced from the blank 10 of Figure 1 in a rear view, and Figure 3 shows case 96 in a front view. The characteristics of the case already described in relation to Figure 1 are provided with corresponding reference numbers in Figures 2 and 3. The sleeve 63 is created from the virgin part 10 by folding the virgin part 10 along the two fold lines 92 and 94, leading to panel 76e overlapping panel 76a. In the overlap region, panels 76a and 76e are then sealed together, for example, welded together, in order to form a longitudinal sealing strip 14 that forms a flat or substantially flat back wall section. The sleeve 96 thus obtains a circumferential structure, closed in the circumferential direction, with an opening in the region of the lower boundary edge 16 and with an opening in the region of the upper boundary edge 22. The lateral boundary edge that terminates inside the sleeve, i.e., boundary edge 12 in this case, is covered, either before the folding of the virgin piece 10, along the fold lines 92 and 94 or after the overlapping regions of panels 76a and 76e have been connected together.The cut edge cover of the composite material opening is intended to prevent any contact between the container's contents and this layer, particularly the paper or cardboard layer inside. As is known in the field, the cut edge cover can be achieved by removing layers of composite material from the edge and folding a remaining, waterproof layer over the edge. Alternatively, as is also known in the field, a strip of sealing material (not shown) can be applied to the lateral boundary edge that terminates inside the sleeve. In the front view (Fig. 3), panel 76c is visible as curved panel sections 76b-ll and 76d-l. The vulnerability loop 74 surrounding the removable section 72 of the top panel 50 is also visible in the front view. However, the vulnerability loop is not visible in the rear view (Fig. 2) because the inner layer of laminated material in the top panel 50 is not broken, providing an uninterrupted barrier. In the rear view (Fig. 2), panels 76a and 76e are visible as curved panel sections 76b-l and 76d-ll. Figure 4 shows the sleeve 96 of Figures 2 and 3 in an upright state. The upright state is achieved by reversing the previous fold along fold lines 92 and 94 and folding the sleeve 96 back along fold lines 92 and 94 approximately 180 degrees. The backfold along fold line 92 results in the two panel sections 76b-ly and 76b-ll no longer lying on top of each other, but lying in the same or substantially the same plane. Correspondingly, the backfold along fold line 94 results in the two panel sections 76d-ly and 76d-ll no longer lying on top of each other, but lying in the same or substantially the same plane.The backfolding action also involves folding the sleeve 96 along fold lines 82a, 82b, 82c and 82d, by approximately 90 degrees, thus forming side edges of the container to be formed. Next, the bottom row of the erect sleeve is folded and sealed. This involves bringing the lower sealing band panels 38f and 38b into a tight fit with the sealing band panels 38e and 38c, respectively, and bringing the lower sealing band panels 38g and 38s into a tight fit with the sealing band panel 38d. The tight fit can be effected by welding in a manner known as such in the field. The folding and sealing of the lower region also involves folding reinforcement panels 40j and 40g inward over reinforcement panels 40i and 40h, respectively, and folding the corresponding reinforcement panels 40b and 40e inward over reinforcement panels 40d and 40c, respectively.It also involves folding the now sealed sealing strip downwards over the lower panel 40f and the reinforcement panels 40e and 40g and connecting the sealing strip to them, for example. ML / Ί 1 by welding and finally bending into handles formed by the previously bent reinforcement panels, thus reaching the sealed and substantially flat configuration illustrated in Fig. 5. However, it should be understood that other configurations of a sealed and flat lower region are known in the field and may be used instead of the above described. The erection and bottom sealing of the sleeve can be carried out on a packaging machine (not shown), where the sleeve 96 can be supplied from a drum and erected onto a mandrel. The lower region can be formed and sealed onto the mandrel, and the proto-container, i.e., the partially formed container shown in Fig. 6, can then be discharged from the mandrel onto a conveyor. The conveyor can transport the partially formed container to a sterilization station and then to a filling station. At the filling station, a food product can be supplied into the partially formed container through the open top. The filled and partially formed container can then be transported to an upper folding and sealing station for folding and sealing of the upper region. When the top region is folded, the inclined top panels 44c and 44d are pushed inwards at the fold line 48 to fold panel 44d over panel 44c and panel 56e over 56f (see Fig. 6). A similar operation is performed on panels 44a, 44b, 56c, and 56b (see also Fig. 1). At the end of this folding operation, the top panel 50 will have assumed an inclined orientation, as shown in Fig. 7. In this position, the reinforcing panels 44a–44d are folded over each other, beneath the top panel 50, and the sealing strip panels 56 can be sealed together, for example, by welding, thereby sealing the top region. The folded and sealed sealing strip, 56, is then folded down and attached to the back wall panels 76a and 76e, as shown in Fig. 8. Since the top sealing strip panels 56b, 56c, 56e, and 56f are pushed inward when the top seal is formed, the top sealing strip panels 56b, 56c, 56e, and 56f will be contained between the top sealing strip panel 56d and the joined top sealing strip panels 56g and 56a. Consequently, the folded and sealed sealing strip 56 will have a lateral extension corresponding to the lateral extension of the top sealing strip panel 56d, thus allowing the entire sealing strip 56 to be folded down and secured to the back wall panels 76a and 76e. Consequently, the folded and sealed sealing strip 56 forms an upper sealing region that is folded and attached to a rear wall section of the container formed from rear wall panels 76a and 76e, i.e., the wall section containing the longitudinal sealing strip 14. The consequence of this arrangement, as will be discussed in more detail later, is that a top panel of the container 124 (see Fig. 13) formed from panel 50 (see Fig. 3) will be free of sealing structures, such as welding, gluing, or other permanently joined seams, where panels of laminated sheet material are permanently bonded together. This allows the top panel to be used efficiently. A tear-off flap can be placed over and attached to the removable section 72 of the top panel 50 (see Fig. 3) in order to allow easy removal of the removable section 72. Figures 9 to 12 show a container 100 produced from the virgin part 10 described above. The container 100 comprises a substantially flat bottom portion 102, a top portion 104, and a wall portion 106. The wall portion 106 comprises a front wall section 108 formed from panel 76c and a rear wall section 108c formed from panels 76a and 76e. In addition, the wall portion 106 comprises side wall sections 108b and 108d, formed from panels 76d and 76b, respectively. A border 116, formed by fold line 82b, defines an intersection of front wall section 108a and side wall section 108d, and a border 118, formed by fold line 82c, defines an intersection of front wall section 108a and side wall section 108b.In addition, edge 120, formed by fold line 82a, defines an intersection of back wall section 108c and side wall section 108d, and edge 122, formed by fold line 82d, defines an intersection of back wall section 108c and side wall section 108b. The upper portion 104 comprises a top panel 124, formed from panel 50, and a sealing region 126, formed from the sealing strip, sealed 56, i.e., the folded and sealed top sealing strip panels 56a-56g, forming a top seal of the container 100. A sloping side edge 128, formed by the fold line 52, defines an intersection of the top panel 124 and the side wall section 108d, and a sloping side edge 130, formed by the fold line 54, defines an intersection of the top panel 124 and the side wall section 108b. A front edge 132, formed by the fold line section 30c, defines an intersection of the top panel 124 and the front wall section 108a. Container 100 also comprises a rear edge 134, formed by the fold line section 58c, corresponding to the intersection of the top panel 124 and the sealing region 126.Consequently, the top panel 124 extends between the top edges 128, 130, 132 and 134. As previously discussed, the sealing region 126 folds down and is attached to the back wall section 108c, i.e., the wall section formed by panels 76ay and 76e and containing the longitudinal sealing band 14. Panel 76c has a length Lf along the central axis Ca (see Fig. 1). Panels 76a and 76e have a length Lb in the direction of the central axis Ca, which is less than Lf. Consequently, the front wall section 108a has a length that is less than the length of the back wall section 108c (when viewed in the longitudinal direction of box 100). This difference in lengths, i.e., Lf <Lb, crea una configuración extendida del panel superior 124. Por lo tanto, el borde frontal 132 es menor que el borde posterior 134 cuando el contenedor 100 se encuentra en una posición vertical, según se muestra. El panel superior 124 se encuentra en un ángulo predeterminado a respecto a la sección de pared posterior 108c (ver Figs. 11 y 12). El ángulo a puede ser de aproximadamente 10 grados hasta aproximadamente 90 grados y, preferentemente, de aproximadamente 30 grados hasta aproximadamente 80 grados.More preferably, angle α is approximately 45 degrees to approximately 75 degrees. In the present embodiment, the angle is approximately 60 degrees, as dictated by the angle between fold line sections 30b and 30d and fold lines 82ay and 82d, respectively (see Fig. 1). Referring now to Figs. 14a and 14b, the flat lower portion 102 is substantially square, that is, it has a length and width of substantially equal length, as illustrated in Fig. 14a (see also Fig. 5). However, in the upper portion 104, the cross-section of the container 100, when viewed in a plane parallel to the plane of the lower portion 102, is rectangular. In other words, above the lower portion 102, the length of the container 100 is greater than its width, as illustrated in Fig. 14b. This asymmetry increases as one moves from the lower portion 102 to the upper portion 104. Referring now to Figs. 9, 10, and 13, the container 100 comprises an opening or closing device 136 having a tear flap 138 that covers and is secured to the removable section 72 of the top panel 50 (see also Fig. 1). As discussed previously, the removable section 72 is delimited by a vulnerability line 74 that allows the section 72 to be removed from the container 100 together with the tear flap 138 when the container is initially opened. However, until this first opening, the section 72, together with the rest of the top panel 124, forms an uninterrupted barrier to the food product contained in the packaging.The vulnerability line 74 may be, for example, a so-called “half-cut,” i.e., a cut made partially through the laminated substrate of the virgin part from its outer surface, leaving one or more internal layers of the laminated substrate intact in order to provide an uninterrupted barrier against the contained food product. When the tear flap and the clamping section 72 are removed from the container 100, an opening 140 (see Fig. 13) will be revealed in the top panel 124, through which the food product in the container 100 can be supplied or accessed. The tear flap 138 can be extended downward over the back wall section 108c that passes through the sealing region 126. The tear flap 138 can be clamped to the container 100 after the container 100 has been filled and sealed at the top.Alternatively, tear flap 138 can be attached to the proto-container upstream of the filling station. However, it should be understood that the container can, in principle, be adapted to any type of opening or closing device known in the field, for example, an opening or closing device comprising a pouring spout and a plug resealably placed on the pouring spout. Alternatively, the opening or closing device can be implemented using so-called pre-laminated hole (PLH) technology in order to provide the uninterrupted barrier.As is known in the field, such technology involves making a through hole in the virgin part, i.e., in the paper-based or cardboard-based laminated sheet material of the container, and covering the hole, preferably from the inner surface of the container, with a suitable barrier layer, for example, a polymer film, the barrier layer of which is attached to a tear flap in order to be removed from the hole together with the tear flap, in a first opening. The opening 140 is positioned close to the rear edge 134, substantially equidistant from the angled edges 128 and 130. The opening 140 can be positioned at an orthogonal distance D from 1 mm to 10 mm from the fourth top edge 134. In other words, with respect to Fig. 1, the removable section 72 can be positioned at an orthogonal distance D from 1 mm to 10 mm from the fold-line section 58c. Since the sealing region 126 folds down over and is secured to the rear wall containing the longitudinal sealing strip 14, the top panel 124 will be free of sealing structures, and there will be no obstructions extending above its surface. Specifically, the longitudinal sealing strip 14 and the upper sealing region 126 will be confined to the rear wall section 108c of the container.Therefore, when the tear flap 138 and section 72 are removed, the opening 140, then revealed, will be easily accessible, in particular from the side of the rear wall section 108c of the container 100, allowing a consumer to place their lower lips in the sealing region 126 and their upper lips over the opening 140. The longitudinal extension of the sealing band panel 56d, i.e., the distance A between the fold line section 58c and the upper boundary section 22e (see Fig. 1), which defines the length of the sealing region 126 in the longitudinal direction of the container 100, can be at least 15 mm, or more preferably at least 20 mm, or even more preferably at least 30 mm, to comfortably accommodate a consumer's lower lips and thus provide a pleasant drinking experience.With the tear flap 138 extending downwards over the rear wall section 108c that passes through the sealing region 126, the outer surface of the sealing region 126, intended to come into contact with a consumer's mouth, will be protected until the container 100 is opened. The sloping top panel 124 and the position of the opening 140 near the rear edge 134 allow for an ergonomically advantageous drinking position, thus enabling a consumer to drink directly from the container 100. Consequently, the described container 100 may be suitable for use as a so-called single-serving package, i.e., a type of container configured to hold a liquid intended for on-the-go consumption, without the container necessarily needing to be resealed once it has been opened. Because the reinforcing panels 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d fold inwards during the top sealing of the container (see Fig. 6), these panels will end up below the top panel 50 (e.g., see Fig. 3) in the filled and sealed container. Therefore, when designing the opening, it must be taken into account that the reinforcing panels 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d must be considered. In the present embodiment, the opening 140 is positioned so that the reinforcing panels 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d do not interfere with drinking or dispensing from the container. Fig. 15 shows another embodiment of a virgin part 10' according to the invention. Figs. 16 and 17 show a sleeve 96' produced from the virgin part 10' and Figs. 18 to 21 illustrate a container 100' produced from the sleeves 96'. The virgin part 10' differs from the previously described virgin part 10, in that virgin part 10' comprises two straight or substantially straight fold line sections 30c'-ly 30c'-ll instead of the curvilinear fold line 30c of virgin part 10. Furthermore, the virgin part 10' comprises a semicircular vulnerability line 74' instead of the vulnerability loop 74 of virgin part 10, the semicircular vulnerability line 74' defining a panel section 72' positioned to be folded outward from the plane of panel 50' during the first opening. Also, the vulnerability line 74' is positioned beyond the fold line section 58c' compared to the vulnerability loop 74 of the fold line section 58c. Similar to the vulnerability loop 74 of virgin part 10, the semicircular vulnerability line 74' may be a so-called "half cut," i.e., a cut made partially through the laminated substrate of the virgin part from its outer surface, leaving one or more internal layers of the laminated substrate intact to provide an uninterrupted barrier against the contained food product. The virgin piece 10' differs from the virgin piece 10 also in that the intermediate region of the virgin piece 10' comprises inclined fold lines 82a'-82g', instead of the substantially longitudinal extension fold lines 82a-82d of the virgin piece 10. The inclined fold lines 82a'-82h' divide inclined panels 76a'-76¡'. Otherwise, the virgin piece 10' is identical to the virgin piece 10, and the sleeve 96' (see Figs. 16 and 17) is produced substantially in the same way as sleeve 96. Container 100' is produced from sleeve 96' substantially in the same way as container 100 is produced from sleeve 96. However, when sleeve 96' is erected and folded, the angled panels 76a'-76i' will form a pattern of angled and slightly warped wall sections 108a'-108h' in the wall portion 106' of container 100'. The wall sections 108a', 108g', 108e', and 108c' extend diagonally across the front wall, first side wall, back wall, and second side wall, respectively, of container 100'. When box 100' is produced, the sealing region 126' is folded down over wall section 108d' and wall section 108e' (i.e., the wall section containing the longitudinal sealing band 14jy) is attached to it.Accordingly, like the previously described 100 container, the 100' container comprises a 124' top panel that is free of sealing structures. Also, instead of being provided with a tear flap, the box 100' is provided with an opening or closing device 136' comprising a plug 142' and a pouring spout having a flange 144' attached to the top panel 124' above the vulnerability line 74'. The opening or closing device 136' is configured to break the vulnerability line 74' during a first opening of the container 100' in a manner that is known in the art. For example, the opening or closing device 136' may comprise a seal-breaking member (not shown) positioned inside the pouring spout, which is activated during the first opening to press the panel section 72' against the container so as to create an opening in the top panel substrate.However, section 72' will not separate from the rest of the upper panel substrate, but will remain attached to it through the uncut substrate region located between the endpoints of vulnerability line 74'. Figure 22 shows a 10' blank that is substantially identical to the 10' blank shown in Figure 1, except that the upper boundary edge sections 22a”, 22e”, and 22i” are curvilinear and the top panel 50” is provided with a circular, pre-cut opening 140” in the paper-based or cardboard-based laminated sheet material of the 10' blank. The 140” opening is positioned adjacent to the fold line section 58c” and, similarly to the removable section 72 in the Fig. 1, can be positioned at an orthogonal distance D of between 1 mm and 10 mm from the fold line section 58c”. Also, compared to the virgin piece 10 shown in Fig. 1, panel 76a” is somewhat wider than panel 76e”, allowing the boundary edge 14” to be positioned substantially the same distance from edges 120” and 122” in a 100” container produced from the virgin piece 10” (see Figs. 23 to 27). In the region of the 140” opening, the inner surface of the virgin part 10’ is provided with a foil membrane (not shown) covering the 140” opening, thus providing a pre-laminated hole (PLH) configuration that forms a barrier separating the 140” opening from the food product prior to the first opening of the container. However, it is understood that the barrier, instead of being formed by a pre-laminated hole (PLH) configuration, may comprise, as in the embodiment described in Figs. 1 to 13, a removable section delimited by a half-cut, i.e., a cut partially made through the top panel from an outer surface thereof, leaving one or more inner layers of the laminated substrate or foil material intact, in order to provide such a barrier. Figures 23 to 27 show the 100” container produced from the virgin piece 10”. The 100” container is produced substantially in the same way as described above in relation to Figures 2 to 8. Due to the curvilinear nature of the upper boundary edge sections 22a”, 22e” and 22i”, the sealing region 126” shows a curvilinear edge 127” in this embodiment of the container. The 100” container comprises an opening or closing device 136” positioned over the opening 140” that allows a consumer to break the PLH barrier, open the container and supply or access the food product. The opening or closing device 136” comprises a first sheet 150 and a second sheet 160. The first sheet 150 is attached to the outer surface of the paper-based or cardboard-based laminated sheet material of the container 100”. The second sheet 160 is loosely attached to the outer surface of the first sheet 150, allowing the second sheet 160 to be guided from a first position, in which the opening or closing device 136” is closed (see Figs. 23 to 25) to a second position, in which the opening or closing device 136” is opened (see Figs. 26 and 27). The first sheet 150 is generally rectangular and extends between longitudinal edges 151, 152 and transverse edges 153, 154 (see Fig. 28, which shows the first sheet 150 before it has been mounted on the laminated sheet material). The first sheet 150 has a passage opening 155 that is substantially the same size and shape as the opening 140” (see Fig. 22). In other words, the opening 140” and the passage opening 152 are congruent. The first sheet 150 is attached to the outer surface of the laminated sheet material of the container 100” so that the passage opening 155 is aligned with the opening 140”. Consequently, in the present embodiment, in which the opening 140” and the passage opening 155 are circular, the opening 140” and the passage opening 155 are positioned coaxially. The first sheet 150 comprises a first section 150a extending over the top panel 124”, between the top edge 134” of the container 100” and a region near edge 132” (see Fig. 26). In the described embodiment, the first sheet 150 also comprises a second sheet section 150b extending downward from the top edge 134”, over the sealing region 126”, to a region near edge 127” (see Fig. 27). Consequently, because the cross edge 153 of the first sheet 150 is positioned adjacent to edge 132” and the cross edge 154 is positioned adjacent to edge 127”, the first sheet 150 extends over the top edge 134” of the container 100” and over substantially the entire length of the top panel 124” and the sealing region 126”, respectively. In the present embodiment, the width of the first sheet 150 is somewhat less than the width of the top panel 124”. In other words, sheet 150 does not extend the full length to the edges 128” and 130” (see Fig. 26). In alternative embodiments, the width of the first sheet 150 may be substantially equal to the width of the top panel 124”. However, the extension of the first sheet 150 must be sufficient to surround the opening 140”. The second sheet 160 is also generally rectangular and extends between longitudinal edges 161, 162 and transverse edges 163, 164 (see Fig. 29, which shows the second sheet 160 before it has been mounted from the opening or closing device 136). The second sheet 160 has substantially the same width as the first sheet 150. However, the length of the second sheet 160 is substantially twice the length of the first sheet 150. The second sheet 160 comprises a first sheet section 160a which, prior to a first opening of the container 100”, extends over the first sheet 150, between the upper edge 134” of the container 100” and a region near edge 132” (see Figs. 24 and 29). The transverse edge 163 of the second sheet 160 is substantially aligned with the transverse edge 153 of the first sheet 150. The second sheet 160 also comprises a second sheet section 160b which, prior to the first opening of the container 100”, extends from the upper edge 134” downward over the second sheet section 150b of the first sheet 150, over edge 127” of the sealing region 126” and downward over the wall section 108c” of the container 100” (see Fig. 25). The outer surface of the first sheet 150 may comprise an adhesive (indicated by a dotted pattern in Fig. 28). The inner surface of the second sheet 160, i.e., the surface configured to contact the first sheet 150 and the laminated sheet material of the container 100” in the side wall section 108c”, prior to the first opening, may also comprise an adhesive. However, in one embodiment, the inner surface of the sheet 160 may comprise a region 165, positioned to cover the passage opening 155 of the first sheet 150, in which the adhesive capacity is reduced compared to the surrounding sections 166 and 167 (see Fig. 29). Prior to the first opening of the 100” container, the second sheet 160 is attached to the outer surface of the first sheet 150. Also, to ensure that the second sheet 160 remains level with the 100” container before the first opening, the second sheet 160 can be attached to the side wall section 108c”. As previously determined, the inner surface of the 10’ blank is provided with a sheet membrane (not shown) that covers the 140” opening and forms a barrier prior to the first opening. The outer surface of the sheet membrane, which is exposed to ML / t / zuzz / uoyz Ί 1 through the opening 140” and the passage opening 155, is attached to the inner surface of the second sheet 160. However, if the barrier comprises a removable section, bounded by a cut in half rather than being formed by a PLH configuration, the inner surface of the second sheet material 160 would instead be attached to the outer surface of the removable section, which is exposed through the passage opening 155 in a manner similar to the PLH membrane. In order to create the first opening, a consumer manually grasps the transverse edge 164 of the second sheet 160 and pulls the second sheet 160 upward over the upper edge 134” and then downward toward edge 132”, thus driving the second sheet 160 into the position shown in Fig. 26. The downward pulling action will reveal the passage opening 155 and break the sheet membrane covering the opening 140”. If the barrier comprises a removable section bounded by a cut in half, as discussed previously, the downward pulling action will break the cut in half, lift the removable section, and reveal an opening similar to opening 140”. When the second sheet 160 has been driven into the position shown in Fig. 26, the consumer will be able to supply or access the food product through the opening 140” and the passage opening 155. Because the first sheet 150 extends from the passage opening 155, over the upper edge 134” and downwards over the sealing region 126” to the region near the edge 127” (see Fig. 27), a drinking surface, which before the first opening was covered by the second sheet 160, will be available for the consumer to choose to drink from the container 100”, from the side of the wall section 108c”. In order to prevent the consumer’s mouth from coming into contact with the outer surface of the laminated sheet material of the container during such a drinking operation, and thus provide a pleasant drinking experience, the first sheet 150 should preferably extend from the passage opening 155 to a distance A from the passage opening 155 of at least 20 mm and more preferably at least 25 mm, and even more preferably at least 30 mm (see Fig. 28). According to one embodiment, the second sheet 160 can be configured to allow the consumer to reseal the opening or closing device 136” after the first opening. This can be accomplished by the consumer returning the second sheet 160 to its original first position, allowing the second sheet 160 to adhere to the first sheet region 150a of the first sheet 150 in the sealing region 126”. While this may not necessarily be sufficient to provide a liquid-tight seal, it may be sufficient to prevent foreign objects from entering the passage opening 155. In the region of the edges 153 and 163, the sheets, first and second, 150, 160, can be permanently joined together, for example, by heat sealing them together, thus ensuring that the second sheet 160 remains attached to the first sheet 150 even after the first opening. The first 150 sheet can be heat-sealed to the outer surface of the 100 container. Alternatively, the first 150 sheet can be permanently attached to the outer surface of the 100 container by other means, for example, using a suitable adhesive. The sheets, first and second, 150, 160, may comprise a polymer sheet, by MA / Ί 1 example, a sheet comprising a polyethylene layer or a polypropylene layer or both. At least the second sheet 160 can be a laminated sheet, for example, comprising a plurality of polymer layers and / or a layer comprising cellulose fibers, for example, a paper layer. In one embodiment, the second sheet 160 can comprise an aluminum layer. During the production of the 100” container, the first and second sheets, 150 and 160, can be clamped together to form a sheet aggregate. This sheet aggregate can then be clamped to the outer surface of the container's laminated sheet material. Alternatively, the first sheet, 150, can be clamped to the outer surface of the container's laminated sheet material in a first stage, and the second sheet, 160, can be clamped to the first sheet, 150, in a subsequent second stage. The sheet aggregate, or the first sheet, 150, and subsequently the second sheet, 160, can be clamped to the container's laminated sheet material after the container has been folded, filled, and sealed at the top. In an alternative production method for the 100” container, the first sheet, 150, can be clamped to the 10” blank before the blank is folded to form the liner. As previously determined, virgin parts are produced in a converting process in which they are cut from a web of rolled material having substantially parallel and rectilinear lateral boundary edges. Typically, the converting process comprises feeding the web of rolled material through one or more pressing spaces formed between a pair of cutting and / or folding rolls to produce virgin parts cut from the web and formed with fold lines for subsequent folding and / or with cuts and / or holes, for example, to accommodate a closure in the virgin part material when a box is produced from it. Figure 30 shows one instance of a nesting pattern of virgin pieces arranged on a 204 grid of laminated material. Such a pattern is sometimes referred to as a nesting pattern. The virgin pieces are identical to those previously discussed in relation to Figure 1, and Figure 31 is a detailed view of the nesting pattern in Figure 30, showing some of the fold lines and the vulnerability loop previously discussed in relation to Figure 1. As is known in the field, a nesting pattern is not a physical pattern visible on the screen, but rather a pattern that illustrates how the blanks are intended to be cut from the screen and / or how the blanks are printed. In other words, the nesting pattern illustrates the design of the blanks on the screen and, consequently, how the available screen material is used. The nesting pattern 200, shown in Fig. 30, comprises two rows 202a, 202b of congruent virgin parts 10a, 10b. Each row comprises virgin parts placed side by side, with the first lateral boundary edge 12 attached to the second lateral boundary edge 14 of a surrounding virgin part and vice versa. Consequently, in the pressing space of the cutting rolls (not shown), attached lateral boundary edges 12 and 14 can be produced simultaneously in each row using the same cutting tool that uses a single cutting edge. The virgin pieces 10a of the first row 202a are placed facing the virgin pieces 10b ML / IZ / ZZυZZZ / υ03ZΊ 1 of the second row 202b, so that the upper boundary edge 22 of the virgin pieces of the first row 202a is attached to the upper boundary edge 22 of the virgin pieces of the second row 202b. In the longitudinal direction Lw of the laminated material weave 204, the rows 202a, 202b are displaced so that the upper boundary edge section 22e of the virgin pieces of the first row 202a is attached to the upper boundary edge sections 22a and 22i of the virgin pieces of the second row 202b and vice versa (see Fig. 31). Consequently, in the pressing space of the cutting rollers (not shown), the attached upper boundary edges 22 of oppositely placed virgin parts can also be produced simultaneously using the same cutting tool that uses a single cutting edge. In each row 202a, 202b, the lower boundary edges 16 are positioned substantially parallel to the side boundary edges 204a, 204b of the weft 204, either substantially collinear with the side boundary edges of the weft 204 or within a small distance of the side boundary edges of the weft 204, for example, within 1 mm to 5 mm of the side boundary edges 204a, 204b. This will provide a nesting pattern that allows substantially the entire area of ​​the weft 204 to be covered, with little or no wasted weft material. Consequently, the described nesting pattern is highly efficient, as substantially all of the available weft material is used to form virgin pieces. In nesting pattern 200, the boundary quarter edges 22 form a non-straight line 222 that extends substantially centrally in the longitudinal direction Lw of weave 204. Line 22 exhibits two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a plurality of centers 220 located on line 222. In other words, when line 222 is rotated 180 degrees around any of the centers 220, it will assume the same orientation as before the rotation. This symmetry allows rows 202a and 202b to be placed adjacent to each other, without any intervening space, thus providing efficient nesting. Efficient nesting can also be achieved by placing a plurality of such pairs of rows adjacent to each other, for example, as described in Fig. 32, which shows two pairs of rows in such a configuration. Figure 33 illustrates the geometry of the blank that allows the efficient nesting pattern discussed above. The blank 10 is the same blank shown previously in Figure 1. The upper boundary edge 22 is a symmetric reflection with respect to the central axis Ca. In other words, by using the central axis Ca as an axis of symmetry, the upper boundary edge 22 on one side of the axis Ca is reflected by the upper boundary edge 22 on the other side of the axis Ca. The upper boundary edge 22 is inscribed in a right rectangle 206. In other words, the upper boundary edge 22 is encompassed and “fits snugly” within rectangle 206. Rectangle 206 has a first pair of sides 208, 210 that are parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the blank and a second pair of sides 212, 214 that are parallel to the transverse direction T. The central axis Ca divides rectangle 206 into two congruent right sub-rectangles 216 and 218. In other words, sub-rectangles 216 and 218 are identical in size and shape. Sub-rectangle 216 has a center 220, that is, a position where the diagonals of sub-rectangle 216 intersect. Within sub-rectangle 216, the upper boundary edge 22 shows a two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to an axis that passes through the center 220 and is orthogonal to the plane of the virgin piece 10. In other words, the part of the upper boundary edge 22 inscribed in sub-rectangle 216 assumes the same orientation after a rotation of 180 degrees (360 / 2 degrees) around the center 220. The above is equally true for the part of the upper boundary edge 22 that is inscribed in the sub-rectangle 218 - within the sub-rectangle 218 of the upper boundary edge 22 shows a two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to an orthogonal axis passing through the center 222 of the sub-rectangle 218. This follows directly from the fact that the upper boundary edge 22 is a symmetric reflection with respect to the central axis Ca - such reflection symmetry implies equal rotational symmetry about the respective center in the sub-rectangles 216 and 218.In other words, if the upper boundary edge 22 is mirror-symmetric with respect to the central axis Ca, and if the part of the upper boundary edge 22 inscribed in one of the sub-rectangles shows a two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the center of that sub-rectangle, the part of the upper boundary edge 22 inscribed in the other sub-rectangle will also show a two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to the center of that other sub-rectangle. Placing the upper boundary edge of the virgin piece 10 in symmetrical reflection with respect to the central axis Cay, for the part of the upper boundary edge 22 that is inscribed in the respective subrectangle, the rotating symmetrical reflection of two folds with respect to the center of the subrectangle, as described above, will allow the effective nesting pattern described in Fig. 30. In particular, it will allow the arrangement of the pattern of virgin pieces in the weft 204, such that the upper boundary edge 22 of the row of virgin pieces 202a coincides with the upper boundary edge 22 of the row of virgin pieces 202b, thus resulting in no unused weft material between rows 202a and 202b. In Fig. 31, the upper boundary edge sections 22a and 22i are equally long, and the upper boundary edge section 22e is twice as long as either of the boundary sections 22a and 22i. However, it is understood that an efficient nesting pattern can be achieved with other geometries as well. Fig. 34 shows an additional embodiment of a nesting pattern of virgin pieces arranged on a grid of laminated material, and Fig. 35 shows a 10” virgin piece cut and embossed according to the nesting pattern shown in Fig. 34. In this embodiment, the upper boundary edge 22” comprises curvilinear edge sections 22a” and 22e” and 22i” that have an extension and curvature that allow the nesting pattern to be arranged with the upper boundary edges of the virgin pieces attached to each other, without an intervening space, as illustrated in Fig. 34.Once cut from the laminated material weave, the 10” virgin piece can be folded, filled, and sealed in a manner similar to the 10” virgin piece described in Fig. 1. Fig. 36 shows a 100” container produced from the 10” virgin piece according to Fig. 35. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which for clarity have been described above in the context of separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which, for brevity, have been described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. In the preceding description, various aspects of the blank and the container according to the invention have been described in relation to the illustrative embodiment. For the purpose of explanation, specific numbers, systems, and configurations were determined to provide a detailed understanding of the apparatus and its operation. However, this description is not intended to be exhaustive. Various modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the apparatus, which are apparent to a person skilled in the art to which the described subject matter belongs, may lie within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A paper-based or cardboard-based container (100, 100') for containing a pourable food product comprises: - a substantially flat lower portion (102); - an upper portion (104) positioned opposite the lower portion (102) and comprising a top panel (124, 124') and an upper sealing region (126, 126j) forming a top seal of the container (100, 100'); - an opening or closing device (136, 136j) positioned on the upper panel (124, 124j) for supplying and / or accessing the food product; and - a wall portion (106) extending between the lower portion (102) and the upper portion (104) and comprising a plurality of wall sections (108a-108d, 108a'-108hj) surrounding the upper panel (124, 124j) and a longitudinal sealing band (14, 14j) extending between the lower portion (102) and the upper portion (104) over at least one of the wall sections (108c, 108d', 108ej;characterized in that the upper sealing region (126, 126') is folded over at least one of the wall sections (108c, 108d', 108ej) comprising the longitudinal sealing strip (14, 14') and attached thereto, the upper panel (124, 124') being free of sealing structures.; 2. The container (100, 100j according to claim 1, further characterized in that the container (100, 100j) comprises reinforcing panels (44a-44d, 44a'-44dj) that fold over each other, below the upper panel (124, 124j).

3. The container (100, 100') according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the upper sealing region (126, 126j) is substantially flat and is positioned substantially parallel to at least one of the wall sections (108c, 108d', 108ej) comprising the longitudinal sealing strip (14).

4. The container (100, 100') according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the upper panel (124, 124j) and the upper sealing region (126, 126') share a common boundary (58c) forming an upper edge (134) of the container (100, 100j).

5. The container (100, 100j according to claim 4, further characterized in that the upper edge (134) is substantially rectilinear and is placed parallel to the lower portion (102).

6. The container (100, 100j according to any of claims 5 and 6, further characterized in that the opening or closing device (136) comprising an opening (140) is placed adjacent to such upper edge (134).

7. The container (100, 100') according to claim 6, further characterized in that the opening (140) is placed at an orthogonal distance of between 1 mm and 10 mm from the upper edge (134).

8. The container (100, 100') according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the top panel (124, 124j) and at least one of the wall sections (108c, 108ej) comprise the longitudinal sealing strip (14) which is substantially flat, and in that the top panel (124, 124j) forms an angle (a) with respect to at least one of the wall sections (108c, 108ej) comprising the longitudinal sealing strip (14) which is any of: within the range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees, within the range of 30 degrees to 80 degrees, within the range of 45 degrees to 75 degrees, and 60 degrees.

9. The container (100, 100j in accordance with any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the upper sealing region (126, 126') comprises a plurality of sealing strip panels, sealed (56a-56g), all the sealing strip panels, sealed (56a-56g) of the upper sealing region (126, 126') being substantially parallel and / or substantially coplanar.

10. The container (100, 100') according to claim 9, further characterized in that the sealing strip panels (56a-56g) comprise a central sealing strip panel (56d) having a longitudinal extension (A) that is any of: at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm and at least 30 mm.

11. A paper-based or cardboard-based sleeve (96, 96') for producing the container (100, 100') in accordance with any of the preceding claims.

12. A virgin paper-based or cardboard-based piece (10, 10j) for the production of the cover (96, 96j) in accordance with claim 11.

13. The virgin part (10, 10j according to claim 12, further characterized in that an upper region (34) comprises an upper panel (50, 50j) and reinforcing panels (44a-44d, 44a'-44d j) configured to be folded over each other under the upper panel (50).

14. The virgin piece (10, 10j) according to any of claims 12 and 13, further characterized in that the virgin piece (10, 10j) is a symmetric reflection about a central longitudinal axis (Ca) of the virgin piece (10, 10j).

15. A method for producing a paper-based or cardboard-based container (100, 100') for containing a pourable food product, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - sealing a laminated sheet material based on paper or cardboard, along a longitudinal sealing strip (14) forming a tubular proto-container (96, 96j); - sealing the top of the proto-container in an upper sealing region (126, 126j); and - folding the upper sealing region (126, 126') over at least one wall section (108c, 108d', 108ej) of the proto-container comprising such a longitudinal sealing strip (14) and attaching the upper sealing region (126, 126j) to such at least one wall section (108c, 108d', 108ej).

16. The method according to claim 15, further characterized in that it comprises a step of forming an upper portion (104) of the container, by folding reinforcing panels (44a-44d, 44a'-44dj) of the laminated sheet material, one on top of the other under an upper panel (50, 50j) of the laminated sheet material.

17. The method according to claim 16, further characterized in that it comprises a step of placing an opening or closing device (136, 136) for supplying or accessing the food product in the upper portion (104).

18. The method according to any of claims 15 to 17, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - sealing the bottom of the laminated sheet material to form a proto-container sealed at the bottom and open at the top; and - filling the proto-container sealed at the bottom and open at the top with the pourable food product, wherein such step of sealing the top of the laminated sheet material is carried out after such step of filling the proto-container sealed at the bottom and open at the top with the pourable food product.

19. The method according to claims 15 to 17, further characterized in that such a sealing step of the top of the proto-container produces a proto-container sealed at the top and open at the bottom, the method further comprising the steps of: - filling the proto-container sealed at the top and open at the bottom with the pourable food product; and - sealing the laminated sheet material at the bottom.

20. The container (100”) for containing a pourable food product, comprising a laminated sheet material based on paper or cardboard, forming: - a substantially flat lower portion (102); - an upper portion (104) positioned opposite the lower portion (102) and comprising a top panel (124”) and an upper sealing region (126”) forming a top seal of the container (100”); and - a wall portion (106) extending between the lower portion (102) and the upper portion (104) and comprising a plurality of wall sections (108a”-108d’j) surrounding the top panel (124”) and a longitudinal sealing strip (14”) extending between the lower portion (102) and the upper portion (104) over at least one of the wall sections (108c’j;comprising the container (100”) a barrier placed on the top panel (124”) for providing a seal in an opening (140”) in the top panel (124”), and an opening or closing device (136’j) that is positioned for breaking the seal during a first opening of the container (100’j) for supply and / or access to the food product, further characterized in that the top panel (124”) is free of top sealing structures and the top sealing region (126”) is folded over at least one of the wall sections (108’j) and attached thereto, and by means of the opening or closing device (136”) comprising: - a first sheet (150) extending over at least a partial section of the top panel (124’j) and attached thereto, the first sheet (150) comprising a passage opening (155) that aligns with the barrier;and - a second sheet (160) that is releasably attached to at least a partial section of the first sheet (150) on an outer surface thereof, the second sheet (160) being attached to the barrier through the passage opening (155) prior to the first opening, and the second sheet (160) being configured to tear open the barrier during the first opening; the second sheet (160) being manually operable from a closed position, in which the second sheet (160) covers the passage opening (155), to an open position, in which the second sheet (160) exposes the passage opening (155) and permits the pourable food product to be supplied through or accessed through the passage opening (155).

21. The container (100”) according to claim 20, further characterized in that the second sheet (160), after the first opening, is manually operable from the first position to the closed position to reclose the passage opening (155).

22. The container (100'j in accordance with any of claims 20 and 21, further characterized in that the first sheet (150) extends over at least a partial section of the upper sealing region (126”) and is attached thereto.

23. The container (100”) according to any of claims 20 to 22, further characterized in that the first sheet (150) comprises a drinking surface extending from the passage opening (155) to a distance (A) from the passage opening (155) of any of: at least 20 mm, at least 25 mm and at least 30 mm.

24. The container (100”) according to claim 23, further characterized in that the drinking surface extends towards the upper sealing region (126”).

25. The container (100”) according to any of claims 20 to 24, further characterized in that the top panel (124”) and the upper sealing region (126”) share a common boundary (58c”) forming a supreme boundary of the top panel (124”) and an upper edge (134”) of the container (100”) and in that the first sheet (150) extends over such upper edge (134”).

26. The container (100”) according to claim 25, further characterized in that the passage opening (155) is placed 2 to 10 mm from such upper limit of the upper panel (124”).

27. The container (100”) according to any of claims 20 to 26, further characterized in that the first sheet (150) and the second sheet (160) each comprise a first transverse edge (153, 163) that is placed on or adjacent to a minute limit (132”) of the upper panel (124”).

28. The container (100'j according to claim 27, further characterized in that the first sheet (150) comprises a second transverse edge (154) that is placed on or adjacent to a minute limit (127”) of the upper sealing region (126”).

29. The container (100'j in accordance with any of claims 20 to 28, further characterized in that an outer surface of the first sheet (150) and / or an inner surface of the second sheet (160) comprise an adhesive.

30. The container (100'j according to claim 29, further characterized in that the inner surface of the second sheet (160) comprises, in a region facing the passage opening (155), when the second sheet (160) is in the closed position, a region (165) of reduced adhesive capacity.

31. The container (100'j) according to any of claims 20 to 30, further characterized in that such barrier comprises any of: - a pre-laminated hole (140'j; and MA / Ί 1 - a removable section (72) of the laminated sheet material of the top panel (124”) that is delimited by a cut (74) made partially through the top panel, from an outer surface thereof.

32. A method for producing virgin paper or cardboard parts (10, 10j) for the production of a container (100) for holding a pourable food product, each virgin part (10, 10j) comprising: - substantially rectilinear boundary edges, first (12) and second (14), each extending substantially parallel to a first longitudinal direction (L) of the virgin part (10, 10') between the first (18, 20) and second (24, 26) end points; - a third boundary edge (16) extending substantially parallel to a second transverse (T) direction of the virgin part (10, 10j) between the first end point (18) of the first boundary edge (12) and the first end point (20) of the second boundary edge (14); - a fourth boundary edge non-rectilinear (22) extending between the second endpoint (24) of the first boundary edge (12) and the second endpoint (26) of the second boundary edge (14);The method is characterized in that the steps of: - arranging, on a web (204) of laminated material, a first row (202a) and a second row (202b) of virgin piece patterns (200), each row (202a, 202b) comprising a plurality of virgin piece patterns placed side by side with the first boundary edge (12) of a virgin piece pattern attached to the second boundary edge (14) of a surrounding virgin piece pattern, and the fourth boundary edge (22) of the virgin piece patterns of the first row (202a) attached to the fourth boundary edge (22) of the virgin piece patterns of the second row (202b); and - cutting the web along the first (12), second (14), third (16) and fourth (22) boundary edges, arranged, in order to form such virgin pieces (10, 10j.; 33. A nesting pattern (200) for producing virgin paper or cardboard-based parts (10, 10j) from a web (204) of laminated material, each virgin part (10, 10') comprising: - substantially rectilinear boundary edges, first (12) and second (14), each extending substantially parallel to a first longitudinal direction (L) of the virgin part (10, 10') between first (18, 20) and second (24, 26) end points; - a third boundary edge (16) extending substantially parallel to a second transverse direction (T) of the virgin part (10, 10j) between the first end point (18) of the first boundary edge (12) and the first end point (20) of the second boundary edge (14);- a fourth non-rectilinear boundary edge (22) extending between the second endpoint (24) of the first boundary edge (12) and the second endpoint (26) of the second boundary edge (14), characterized in that the nesting pattern (200) comprises a first row (202a) and a second row (202b) of blank patterns (200) placed side by side with the first boundary edge (12) of a blank pattern attached to the second boundary edge (14) of a surrounding blank pattern, and the fourth boundary edge (22) of the blank patterns of the first row (202a) attached to the fourth boundary edge (22) of the blank patterns of the second row (202b). MA / Ί 1 ML / ; 34. A nesting pattern (400) according to claim 33, characterized in that the fourth boundary edge (22) forms a non-straight line (222) exhibiting a two-fold rotational symmetry with respect to a center (220) located on such line (222).

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