Jacket for at least one portion of a fiber-comprising container, fiber-comprising container comprising at least one jacket, and method for arranging at least one jacket on a fiber-comprising container

Abstract

The invention relates to a jacket for at least one portion of a fiber-comprising container (1), for example a fiber-comprising beverage container, the jacket (2, 8, 9, 10) being designed to take on a supporting function in the at least one portion of the fiber-comprising container (1). The invention also relates to a fiber-comprising container (1) comprising at least one jacket (2, 8, 9, 10). The invention additionally relates to a method for arranging at least one jacket (2, 8, 9, 10) on a fiber-comprising container (1).

Description

[0001] Sheath for at least a portion of a container comprising fibers, container comprising fibers comprising at least one sheath and method for arranging at least one sheath on a container comprising fibers

[0002] The invention relates to a sheath for at least a partial region of a container comprising fibers, a container comprising fibers comprising at least one sheath and a method for arranging at least one sheath on a container comprising fibers according to the independent claims.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] It is well known that reducing the weight of packaging in the food industry can be achieved. Lighter packaging can reduce material consumption and transport costs. Reducing the amount of plastic used can reduce environmental impact.

[0005] When reducing weight, the stability and handling of the packaging must still be considered. For example, yogurt cups can be made of reduced-thickness plastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which can then be additionally supported and protected by an outer cardboard wrapping.

[0006] WO 2019 / 034707 A1 discloses the production of containers for flowable food from a pulp comprising fibers such as cellulose and / or mechanical pulp.

[0007] Task

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a casing for at least a partial area of ​​a container comprising fibers, a container comprising fibers comprising at least one casing and a method for arranging at least one casing on a container comprising fibers, which can enable a supporting effect on a container comprising fibers.

[0009] Solution

[0010] The object is achieved by the sheathing for at least a partial region of a container comprising fibers, the container comprising fibers comprising at least one sheathing, and the method for arranging at least one sheathing on a container comprising fibers according to the independent claims. Further embodiments are disclosed in the subclaims.

[0011] The sheathing according to the invention for at least a partial area of ​​a container comprising fibers, for example a beverage container comprising fibers, is designed to assume a supporting function in at least a partial area of ​​the container comprising fibers.

[0012] The sheath may be provided in a rectangular basic shape, for example, for a neck region or a main body of the container comprising fibers. For placement on such a container, the sheath may be arranged around a shell region of the container, for example, the neck region or the main body, and, for example, as described further below, the sheath may be glued to itself and / or the container. The shell region may have a circular-cylindrical cross-section with an outer circumference of the neck region or the main body.

[0013] Alternatively, the sheath may be formed as a circular ring, taking into account an outer circumference of the neck region, an outer circumference of the main body, and a length of the shoulder region. For placement on such a container, this sheath may be arranged around the shoulder region of the container, and, for example, as described below, the sheath may be glued to itself and / or the container.

[0014] The fibers are, for example, fibers of natural origin. The fibers can contain lignin and / or quinine. The fibers can include, for example, cellulose fibers, fibers from conifers, deciduous trees and / or plane trees and / or from grasses, reeds and / or bamboo, or the like. The fibers can include silk threads, spider fibers, algae, natural fibers (such as Danube silphium fibers, hemp, corn, cotton), banana peels, banana leaves, orange peels, grass, straw, potato starch, or processed cow dung. Cellulose fibers that originate from a process through which they were artificially cultivated can also be provided. These alternative materials can fully or partially replace the raw material in the event of a shortage of wood as a raw material for a fluid mass containing fibers.

[0015] The fibers may comprise fiber mixtures of non-wood materials, such as cotton, hemp, and / or textile fibers.

[0016] For example, the fibers may comprise viscose fibers. Viscose fibers are artificial fibers made from regenerated cellulose, where the viscose fibers are based on 100% cellulose, which is treated in a multi-stage process. The viscose fibers may have a flat or cable-like structure, a trilobular shape, or a double trilobular structure (cross-section). The fibers may have a sheet-like or hollow structure, or a ridged or rough outer surface. Different types of fibers may also be used in combination. For example, fibers with different outer surfaces and / or shapes and / or hollow structures and / or sheet structures and / or made of different materials can be combined.

[0017] Due to the natural origin of the fibers, they can be biodegradable. They are also sustainable and renewable.

[0018] The fibers can be used in a pulp, which can be used, for example, to manufacture the container comprising fibers. The pulp can be or comprise a mixture of water, for example with additives, and fibers. The pulp can comprise a mixture of fibers and liquid components.

[0019] However, the fibers can also originate from a so-called dry processing method. For example, the fibers can be rolled or pressed. The original material can be a nonwoven fabric.

[0020] The containers can be or include bottles, cans or cups.

[0021] The sheathing can achieve a supporting function in the part of the container containing fibers in which the sheathing is provided, which can make the container with sheathing more stable than a corresponding container without sheathing.

[0022] For example, a wall thickness of the container can be provided, at least in the partial area of ​​the container comprising fibers in which the sheathing is provided, which without the sheathing would result in insufficient stability of the container, for example during a filling process, during transport, during storage and / or when handled by a human person.

[0023] Due to the container's wall thickness, deformation could result from external lateral loading and / or when grasped by a human. The casing, which can be applied to a container with this wall thickness, can prevent such deformation of the container from external lateral loading and / or when grasped by a human.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, the top load of the container with this wall thickness could be insufficient for sufficient container stability, for example during transport and / or storage. Due to the casing that can be arranged on the container with this wall thickness, the top load of the container with this wall thickness, together with the casing, can be sufficient for sufficient container stability, for example during transport and / or storage. Additionally or alternatively, increased internal pressure in a sealed container, for example due to a carbonated product being added, could cause the container wall to at least partially bulge outwards.The casing, which can be arranged on the container with this wall thickness, can prevent the container wall from at least partially bulging outwards in the event of increased internal pressure in a closed container, for example due to a carbonated product being filled in.

[0025] In addition, or alternatively, a loss of stability could occur after opening a filled container if the stabilizing internal pressure escapes. The jacket, which can be applied to a container with this wall thickness, can prevent a loss of stability after opening the filled container if the stabilizing internal pressure escapes.

[0026] In addition, or alternatively, external mechanical impacts can cause damage to the container wall. The casing, which can be applied to containers with this wall thickness, can prevent external mechanical impacts from causing damage to the container wall.

[0027] The casing can be made of cardboard, paper, another fiber material, and / or a biodegradable material, and / or a compostable material, and / or a recyclable material, or a metallic material. The use of cardboard, paper, or another fiber material can, for example, utilize renewable resources. For example, cardboard, paper, another fiber material, and / or a biodegradable material and / or a compostable material can be recyclable. The fiber material can comprise one or more of the fibers already mentioned above. The use of a metallic material can facilitate separation of the casing from the fiber-containing container during recycling.

[0028] For example, the sheath may comprise one of the aforementioned materials or a combination of several of the aforementioned materials.

[0029] The sheathing can, for example, be fully recyclable or recyclable. The sheathing can, for example, be biodegradable and / or compostable and / or recyclable via paper recycling and / or plastic recycling and / or metal recycling.

[0030] The sheathing may include a mechanical protective function. Damage to a container wall protected by the sheathing due to mechanical impact, for example, from outside, can be prevented. Mechanical impact can be caused, for example, by a sharp object. The sheathing may be printed. Such a sheathing may eliminate the need to place a label on the container containing fibers. It is also possible to provide a label on the container in addition to a printed sheath.

[0031] When providing an unprinted sheath on a container containing fibers, printing can occur after the sheath is arranged on the container. It can also be provided that an already printed sheath is subjected to further printing after being provided on a container containing fibers.

[0032] Different printing methods can be used for printing – before and / or after the sheathing is applied to the container. For example, special printing methods such as embossing or direct printing can be used. Printing the sheathing, for example, before the sheathing is applied to the container containing fibers, can result in a good print image, even if the container itself is not suitable for printing, for example, using direct printing, due to its shape, color, surface texture, and / or material.

[0033] The sheathing can be designed to be detachable from the fiber-containing container. This can be useful if the sheathing is made of a material that is not desired in a recycling process for the fiber-containing container and / or if the sheathing material is to be used in another recycling process.

[0034] The sheath may be designed as a moisture barrier and / or as a barrier against the passage of a gas, for example oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2) and / or nitrogen (N2), and / or as a light shield.

[0035] For example, the sheathing can provide a required barrier that cannot be achieved by the material of the container containing fibers, or by the container containing fibers without the sheathing. The walls of the container containing fibers can be porous, which means that a container containing fibers can offer virtually no gas barrier. The sheathing can counteract gas permeation. Depending on the percentage of the surface area of ​​the container containing fibers that is covered by the sheathing, the permeation can be influenced.

[0036] A water vapor permeability can be measured in the WVTR unit (g ■ 100 pm) / (1 m 2 ■ 1 day). For example, with a thickness of 100 pm, water vapor permeability values ​​in the range of 2 g / m 2 d up to 7 g / m 2d (e.g., at 23°C and 85% relative humidity). An insufficient water vapor barrier can lead to a loss of quality and / or volume. For shelf life storage of containers containing fibers that are filled with product and sealed, a limit of 15 ml / l can be considered.

[0037] An oxygen permeability can be measured in OTR units (cm 3 (S7F)- 100 pm) / (1 m 2 1 day 1 bar). For example, with a thickness of 100 pm, oxygen permeability values ​​can be given in a range of 7 cm 3 / m 2 d bar up to 20 cm 3 / m 2d bar (for example, at 23°C and 75% relative humidity). An oxygen barrier may be useful for sensitive products such as food or beverages that are filled into a fiber-containing container. For example, due to the sensitivity of beer or milk to oxygen, a limit of 1 mg / l can be considered.

[0038] Permeability to nitrogen or carbon dioxide can be specified in units of (gas volume ■ thickness) / (area ■ time ■ pressure). A nitrogen barrier may be useful to provide a protective atmosphere. A carbon dioxide barrier may be useful for carbonated soft drinks that are filled into a fiber-covered container.

[0039] For example, the following can apply to the permeability: N2 : O2 : CO2 = 1 : 4 : 16.

[0040] Light protection can be useful to preserve vitamins and / or flavor in products packaged in fiber-enclosed containers. Light transmission can depend on the wavelength of the light and / or the material and / or its thickness. Paper, for example, can be assigned a medium optical density.

[0041] When the jacket is applied to the container, the entry of ambient gas into the container on the surface where the jacket is applied can be reduced. This can reduce the total amount of gas, such as oxygen, CO2, and / or N2, entering the interior of the container, and thus, for example, into a filled product, and extend the product's shelf life.

[0042] Light protection can be achieved, for example, by densely printing the sleeve with one or more colors that reduce light transmission (for example, printing with a dark color can create light protection) and / or by ensuring sufficient thickness of the sleeve. If the sleeve is arranged on the container, the penetration of light into the container can be reduced on the surface on which the sleeve is arranged. Overall, light penetration into the container can be reduced, and, for example, the shelf life of a product in the container can be extended.

[0043] The sheathing can act as a moisture barrier and thus, for example, prevent the container containing fibers from becoming moistened from the outside. The sheathing can, for example, be designed to be moisture-repellent or, for example in an outer layer, can absorb moisture itself but not pass it on to the container. The sheathing can be designed to be at least partially glued to itself. A length of the sheathing can be longer than an outer circumference of the partial region of the container containing fibers on which the sheathing is arranged (for example a jacket region of the neck region or the main body of the container), such that the sheathing can completely enclose the container around its circumference and can also overlap in one region. In this region of the overlap, the sheathing can be glued to itself.For this purpose, an inner surface of the sheath in the area can be glued to an outer surface of the sheath in the area.

[0044] The casing may include a support net. The support net may be designed as a scissor-grid. The material of the support net may be more stable than the material of the rest of the casing.

[0045] The casing may comprise a coating on at least one outer surface. The coating may be a functional layer that can, for example, provide one or more of the above-mentioned barrier and / or protective functions. The coating may be formed from a different material than the casing material or may comprise the same material, for example, with added additives.

[0046] Furthermore, a container comprising fibers, for example a beverage container comprising fibers, comprising at least one casing, as described above or further below.

[0047] Furthermore, a method is provided for arranging at least one sheath, as described above or further below, on a container comprising fibers, for example a beverage container comprising fibers, wherein at least one sheath, as described above or further below, is attached to the container comprising fibers.

[0048] For the arrangement of a jacket, which may be provided for example for a neck region or a main body of the container comprising fibers and which may be in a rectangular shape, the jacket may be arranged around a shell region of the container, for example of the neck region or of the main body, and for example, as already described, the jacket may be glued to itself and / or to the container.

[0049] For the arrangement of a sheath, which may be provided for example for a neck region of the container and which may be formed as a circular ring, this sheath may be arranged around the shoulder region of the container and, for example, as already described, the sheath may be glued to itself and / or to the container.

[0050] During arrangement, the at least one sheath can be pulled tightly onto the container. The sheath can thus be arranged in an unchangeable position on the container, for example, even if it is only glued to itself (and, for example, there is no adhesive connection between the sheath and the container). For example, slipping (for example parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container) and / or twisting (for example along the circumference of the container) of the sheath can be prevented. For example, by pulling it tightly onto the container, the support function can be assisted and / or achieved in at least one partial region of the container in which the sheath is arranged.

[0051] For a sheathing around the shoulder area of ​​a container, it can be provided with at least one counterpart to which it can be clamped. This can prevent it from sliding upwards and / or twisting on the container, for example, in the neck area. The at least one counterpart can comprise protrusions and / or depressions in the form of dots and / or lines.

[0052] The at least one casing can be bonded to an inner surface on an outer surface of the container using an adhesive. Bonding can occur at one or more locations, for example, along a line, a curve, a surface, across the entire surface, or along individual points.

[0053] The adhesive can be biodegradable.

[0054] The at least one sleeve can be attached to a main body of the container, to a neck region of the container, and / or to a shoulder region of the container. A sleeve in the shoulder region can be configured as a rim.

[0055] A first sheath may be provided for the main body, a second sheath for the neck area, and a third sheath for the shoulder area. The first, second, and third sheaths may each be provided as individual sheaths.

[0056] Alternatively, a sheath may be provided for the neck area and the shoulder area, or a sheath for the shoulder area and the main body, or a sheath for the neck area, shoulder area and main body.

[0057] It can be provided that a sheath for the neck area is designed in such a way that not the entire neck area or the entire neck area is covered by the sheath.

[0058] It can be provided that a sheath for the shoulder region is designed such that not the entire shoulder region or the entire shoulder region is covered by the sheath. It can be provided that a sheath for the main body is designed such that not the entire main body or the entire main body is covered by the sheath.

[0059] At least one sheath can be at least partially bonded to itself. The above description applies here.

[0060] Short character description

[0061] The attached figures represent aspects and / or embodiments of the invention by way of example for better understanding and illustration. It shows:

[0062] Figure 1 shows a container comprising fibres comprising a sheath on the main body of the container,

[0063] Figure 2 shows a container comprising fibres and comprising a sheath at the neck region of the container,

[0064] Figure 3 shows a container comprising fibres, comprising a sheath on the main body and a sheath on the neck region of the container,

[0065] Figure 4 shows a container comprising fibres and comprising a sheath on the shoulder area of ​​the container and

[0066] Figure 5 shows a container comprising fibers comprising a jacket on the main body, a jacket on the neck region and a jacket on the shoulder region of the container.

[0067] Detailed character description

[0068] Figure 1 shows a container 1 comprising fibers, comprising a casing 2 on the main body 3 of the container 1. The container further comprises a shoulder region 4 and a neck region 5, which includes an opening 6. The casing 2 can have a rectangular basic shape before being arranged on the main body 3, wherein a length of the casing 2 in the illustration shown is longer than the outer circumference of a casing region of the container 1 on the main body 3. For arrangement on the container 1, the casing 2 can be arranged around the casing region of the container 1. Since the length of the casing 2 is greater than the outer circumference of the casing region, the casing 2 completely surrounds the container 1 once on the main body and, in addition, the casing 2 overlaps in an area 7, which has been indicated by hatching in Figure 1. In this area 7 of the overlap, the casing 2 is glued to itself in the illustration.For this purpose, an inner surface of the casing 2 in the region 7 can be glued to an outer surface of the casing 2 in the region 7. The adhesive can be biodegradable. Furthermore, the casing 2 can be glued to the container 1. For this purpose, the at least one casing 2 can be glued to an inner surface on an outer surface of the container 1 using an adhesive. The bonding can occur at one or more locations, for example, along a line, a curve, a surface, over the entire surface, or along individual points. The adhesive can be biodegradable.

[0069] Figure 2 shows a container 1 comprising fibers, comprising a sheath 8 on the neck region 5 of the container 1. The container 1 corresponds to the one already described with reference to Figure 1. The sheath 8 can have a rectangular basic shape before being arranged on the neck region 5, wherein a length of the sheath 8 can be longer than the outer circumference of a jacket region of the container 1 at the neck region 5. For arrangement on the container 1, the sheath 8 can be arranged around this jacket region of the container 1. If the length of the sheath 8 is greater than the outer circumference of the jacket region, the sheath 8 can completely enclose the container 1 once around the neck region and, in addition, the sheath 8 can overlap in one region. In this area of ​​overlap, the sheath 8 can be glued to itself.For this purpose, an inner surface of the casing 8 in the region can be glued to an outer surface of the casing 8 in the region. The adhesive can be biodegradable.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the casing 8 can be glued to the container 1. For this purpose, the at least one casing 8 can be glued to an inner surface on an outer surface of the container 1 at the neck region 5 using an adhesive. The bonding can be carried out as already described with regard to Figure 1.

[0071] Figure 3 shows a container 1 comprising fibers, comprising a sheath 2 on the main body 3 and a sheath 8 on the neck region 5 of the container 1. The sheaths 2, 8 correspond to those which have already been described with regard to Figure 1 and Figure 2, respectively.

[0072] Figure 4 shows a container 1 comprising fibers, comprising a sheath 9 on the shoulder region 4 of the container 1. Before being arranged on the shoulder region 4 of the container, the sheath 9 can be formed as a circular ring, wherein an outer circumference of the neck region 5, an outer circumference of the main body 3, and a length of the shoulder region 4 can be taken into account.

[0073] The sheath 9 can be glued to itself in an area where it overlaps. For this purpose, an inner surface of the sheath 9 in that area can be glued to an outer surface of the sheath 9 in that area. The adhesive can be biodegradable. Additionally or alternatively, the sheath 9 can be glued to the container 1 in the shoulder area 4. For this purpose, the sheath 9 can be glued to an inner surface on an outer surface of the container 1 at the shoulder area 4 using an adhesive. The gluing can be carried out as already described with regard to Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a container 1 comprising fibers, comprising a sheath 10 on the main body 3, a sheath 8 on the neck area 5, and a sheath 9 on the shoulder area 4 of the container 1. The sheaths 8, 9 correspond to those already described with regard to Figures 2 and 4, respectively.

[0074] The casing 10 on the main body 3 of the container 1 essentially corresponds to the casing 2 already described with reference to Figure 1, but the main body 3 of the container 1 is completely enclosed by the casing 10 both circumferentially and in terms of its height. The length of the casing 10 is greater than the outer circumference of the casing region of the main body, so that the casing 10 completely surrounds the container 1 once on the main body 3 and also overlaps in an area 11, which is indicated by hatching in Figure 5. In this area 11 of the overlap, the casing 10 is glued to itself in the illustration. For this purpose, an inner surface of the casing 10 in the area 11 can be glued to an outer surface of the casing 10 in the area 11. The adhesive can be biodegradable.

Claims

Claims 1. Sheathing for at least a partial area of ​​a container (1) comprising fibers, for example a beverage container comprising fibers, wherein the sheathing (2, 8, 9, 10) is designed to assume a supporting function in at least a partial area of ​​the container (1) comprising fibers.

2. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the casing (2, 8, 9, 10) comprises cardboard, paper, another fiber material and / or a biodegradable material and / or a compostable material and / or a recyclable material or a metallic material as material.

3. The sheath according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheath (2, 8, 9, 10) comprises a mechanical protection function.

4. The casing according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the casing (2, 8, 9, 10) is printed.

5. The sheath according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheath (2, 8, 9, 10) is designed to be separable from the container (1) comprising fibers.

6. The casing according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the casing (2, 8, 9, 10) is designed as a moisture barrier and / or as a barrier against the passage of a gas, for example oxygen, CO2 and / or N2, and / or as a light shield.

7. The sheath according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheath (2, 8, 9, 10) is designed to be at least partially glued to itself.

8. The casing according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the casing (2, 8, 9, 10) comprises a support net.

9. The sheath according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheath (2, 8, 9, 10) comprises a coating on at least one outer surface.

10. A container (1) comprising fibers, for example a beverage container comprising fibers, comprising at least one casing (2, 8, 9, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method for arranging at least one sheath (2, 8, 9, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 on a container (1) comprising fibers, for example a beverage container comprising fibers, wherein at least one sheath (2, 8, 9, 10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 is attached to the container (1) comprising fibers.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein during the arrangement the at least one casing (2, 8, 9, 10) is pulled tightly onto the container (1).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one casing (2, 8, 9, 10) is glued to an inner surface on an outer surface of the container (1) by means of an adhesive.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the adhesive is biodegradable.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the at least one jacket (2, 8, 9, 10) is attached to a main body (3) of the container (1), to a neck region (5) of the container (1), and / or to a shoulder region (4) of the container (1).

16. The method according to one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the at least one sheath (2, 8, 9, 10) is at least partially glued to itself.

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