Abutment surfaces provided with recesses, corresponding semi-finished products, and processes for the preparation thereof

Abstract

The present invention refers to the field of the food packaging, particularly refers to a containment / containing structure (II), such as an abutment surface, comprising at least one cavity / recess / depression / hollow (γ) provided with a through hole (γ1), having different shapes, volumes / capacities and dimensions / sizes.

Description

[0001] Abutment surfaces provided with recesses, corresponding semi-finished products, and processes for the preparation thereof

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention refers to the field of the food packaging, particularly refers to a containment / containing structure, such as an abutment surface, comprising at least one cavity / recess / depression / hollow provided with a through hole, having different shapes, volumes / capacities and dimensions / sizes, such as for example an ovoid, spherical, or frusto-conical shape, adapted to contain food products which are not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, such as trays / dishes / plates / cassettes having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, which are perfectly compatible with food products, such as fruits and vegetables, showing improved containment / containing properties and being highly suitable to be completely recycled or composted.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] In the field of the agri-food field, there are many types of commercially available containers, such as: trays and plates made of plastic material, manufactured by press thermoforming a flat sheet made of a thermoformable polymer, or trays and plates made of shaped cellulose pulp: obtained from cellulose fibers by means of the pulping process, or trays and plates made of paper, fine paperboard or corrugated paperboard / paperboard: obtained by gluing or thermoforming a die-cut made of paper, fine paperboard or corrugated paperboard / paperboard.

[0006] All these products are characterized by serious limitations and inconveniences such as: they are not environmentally bio-compatible: they are not recyclable or compostable with reference to containers based on layers of thermoformable polymers, the poor containment / containing properties of a single product, and the low productivity in relation to the number of product units per time unit manufactured by a machine, besides the complexity of the same used processes, in case of containers made of cellulose pulp or in case of containers obtained by gluing or thermoforming a die-cut made of paper, fine paperboard or corrugated paperboard / paperboard.

[0007] The US patent 11 ,420,786 Bl describes a semi-finished product of a tray comprising two layers of corrugated paperboard, spaced from each other, characterized by through cavities concentric to each other, wherein the cavities of each layer (overlapped on each other) are characterized by tabs which are not overlapped on each other.

[0008] The patent application US 2007 / 228036 A1 describes a semi-finished product of a containment / containing system consisting of two layers of corrugated paperboard overlapped on each other, characterized by carvings and perforations such to enable to form containment / containing frusto-conica! seats, the lateral walls thereof being characterized by the fact that the two corrugated paperboard layers are completely overlapped.

[0009] The Korean patent KR 200 336 283 Y1 describes an internal frame made to be impact resistant, for boxes, wherein said frame made by a single corrugated paperboard layer is provided by carvings, perforations or cuts in order to create through cavities or through cavities provided at their edges with tabs, wherein the edges of said cavities coincide with the edges of the objects to be positioned inside said boxes.

[0010] Therefore, it was highly felt in the food packaging field, for products not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, the need to make new products destined to contain food, such as trays / plates / dishes / cassettes having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, perfectly compatible with the food products, having improved containment / containing properties, a perfect environmental bio-compatibility with an optimal recyclability and / or composting, obtainable both by simplified and high effective processes, which are efficient from the point of view of number of product units per time unit manufactured by a single machine.

[0011] Objects of the invention

[0012] Therefore, the main object of the present invention consists of overcoming the inconveniences beforehand described with reference to the prior art.

[0013] Therefore, it was highly felt in this field the necessity of developing new technical solutions capable to overcome the inconveniences of the present processes and techniques, new technical solutions characterized both by extremely simplified and highly effective processes, efficient from the point of view of the number of product units per time unit manufactured by a single used machine or products destined to contain food, such as trays / plates / dishes / cassettes having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, perfectly compatible with food products not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, such as fruits and vegetables, having improved containment / containing properties and adapted to be completely recycled or composted.

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] Aspects of the invention, being an integral part of the technical matter of the present patent document, are described in the following. Said aspects can be used for limiting the claims and / or defining further claims during the life of the present patent document.

[0016] The Applicant, during its research in the present technical field, has surprisingly and unexpectedly manufactured, as an object of the present invention:

[0017] - a containment / containing structure (II), such an abutment surface, comprising at least one cavity / recess / depression / holiow having a through hole, having different shapes, volumes / capacities and dimensions / sizes, such as for example an ovoid, spherical or frusto-conical shape, appropriate to contain food products not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, such as trays / plates / dishes / cassettes having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, perfectly compatible for food products, such as fruits and vegetables, exhibiting improved containment / containing properties and highly adapted to be completely recycled or composted, comprising at least two layers (a) and (b) of a cellulose-based material coupled to each other, overlapped and glued, said structure comprising at least one cavity (y), provided with a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (a?) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (bz) of the plane (b), for forming the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (72), placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) is interposed, at least in the partial overlapping zone (S), (for example, see the following Figures 4: 4a, 4b, and 4c).

[0018] - The corresponding press-forming process of the containment / containing structure (II) according to the present invention, said press-forming process comprising:

[0019] (I) loading / supplying a semi-finished product (I) according to the present invention, in a form-ing press comprising a punch (1 ), a counter mold (2) and a mold (3), (for example, see the following Figure 3a), a press being of a single, parallel, or matrix type (the terms single, parallel or matrix press indicate respectively the distribution of the triplet / s punch / countermold / moid of the press);

[0020] (ii) press-forming the containment / containing structure (II) (for example, see the following Figure 3b), characterized by at least one cavity (y) obtained by reciprocally sliding, upon only ripping the par-tial perforations or engravings at least two flaps (A1 ) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (a) of the layer (A) of the semi-finished product (I), with at least two flaps (B1 ) and (B2), complementary and / or con-tiguous to each other of the portion / area (p) of the layer (B) of the semi-finished product (I), said cavity with a first through hole (y1 ) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b) of the containment / containing structure (II), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (a1 ) and (a2) of the plane (a) and to flaps (b1) and (b2) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (y2) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, where a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c!) is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S) (for example, see the following Figures 4: 4a, 4b and 4c);

[0021] (iii) shearing off (with or without an edge) and extracting from the press, or vice versa, extract-ing from the press and shearing (with or without an edge), the containment / containing structure (II) (for example, see the following Figure 3c); o A semi-finished product (I) comprising at least one layer (A) and one layer (B), wherein said layers (A) and (B) are made of a cellulose-based material, and are suitably perforating / engraving in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said two portions / areas being paired with each other along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B) and wherein the flap (A1) and the flap (Bi) are partially overlapped on each other, said layers (A) and (B) being coupled to each other and between the contact surfaces thereof being interposed a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C), at the portions / areas (a) and (P), which was already pressure- or temperature-activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B); o the corresponding process of preparing the semi-finished product (I) according to the present invention (for example, see the following Figure 1 ), said process comprising:

[0022] (1 ) providing two layers (A) and (B) of a cellulose-based material, preferably each being in the shape of a sheet or continuous web, more preferably in the shape of a continuous web supplied by the associated supplying reel / roll (A’) and (B!), respectively;

[0023] (2) perforating / engraving the two layers (A) and (B), in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) being characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (A1) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (B1 ) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said perforation / engraving being preferably synchronously made on both the layers (A) and (B), or on each of these at different times, and so that the flap (A1 ) and the flap (B1 ) are only partially overlapped on each other (for example, see Figures 2: 2a, 2b and 2c);

[0024] (3) interposing a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) between the two layers (A) and (B), by applying said glue on at least one of the contact surfaces of one of the two layers (A) and (B), before coupling them;

[0025] (4) coupling the suitably engraved / perforated layers (A) and (B), after the application of the glue / adhesive layer (C), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) are paired with each other, and perfectly overlapped, and in aligned, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B), and wherein the flap (Al ) and the flap (B1 ) are only partially overlapped each other, preferably said portions / areas (a) and (p) having the same extension;

[0026] (5) obtaining a semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, wherein the glue / adhesive layer (C) is activated by pressure or temperature on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) paired with each other, perfectly overlapped, and in aligned, remain perfectly aligned in a position with each other.

[0027] Description of the figures

[0028] Figure 1 shows one of the embodiments of the process of preparing the semifinished product (I) according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 shows an exemplified embodiment of the result of the perforating / engraving steps of the two layers (A) and (B), coupled to each other in the Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, respectively, in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engrave, and giving at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (P), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving, and giving at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said perforating / engraving steps being preferably synchronously made on both the layers (A) and (B), or on each of these at different times, so that the flap (A1) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other;

[0030] Figure 3 shows one of the embodiments of the process of press-forming the containment / containing structure (II), particularly Figure 3a showing the step (i) of loading / supplying the semi-finished product (I) in a forming press comprising a punch (1 ), a counter mold (2) and a mold (3), Figure 3b showing the step (ii) of pressforming the containment / containing structure (II) and Figure 3c showing only the step (iii) wherein the containment / containing structure (li), characterized by the cavity (y), or by several cavities (y), (y’), (y”), etcetera, is extracted from the forming press;

[0031] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the containment / containing structure (II), according to the present invention, with an axonometric view thereof in Figure 4a, a top partial view thereof in Figure 4b, and a cross-section view thereof along the axis IVc in Figure 4c, wherein at least two layers (a) and (b) coupled to each other are shown (Figures 4a and 4c), overlapped and glued, said structure comprising at least one cavity (y) (Figures 4a and 4c), with a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (az) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (bs) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity (Figures 4b and 4c), said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (ys) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) is interposed, at least in the partial overlapping zone (S) (Figures 4a and 4c).

[0032] Detailed description of the invention and of the embodiments thereof

[0033] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention a containment / containing structure (II), particularly a containment / containing structure such as an abutment surface, comprising at least one cavity / recess / depresslon / hollow with a through hole, of different shapes, volumes / capacities and dimensions / sizes, such as for example an ovoid, spherical, or frusto-conical shape, destined to contain food products, which are not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, such as a tray / plate / dish / cassette having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, being obtained by a semi-finished product (I) subjected to a press-forming step according to a pressforming process, said semi-finished product (I) and press-forming process being herein described are a further object of the present invention, said containment / containing structure (II) comprising at least two cellulose-based material layers (a) and (b), preferably made of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, more preferably paper, fine cardboard, corrugated cardboard / cardboard suitable to the food packaging, said layers being coupled, overlapped and glued to each other, said structure comprising at least one cavity (y), with a first through hole (yi) at the two overlapped layers (a) and (b), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (a,?) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (bs) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (72), placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c'), preferably a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (o') made of a biodegradable thermoplastic material, is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S) (for example, see the following Figures 4: 4a, 4b, and 4c).

[0034] It is a further object of the present invention a semi-finished product (I), suitable to be subjected to a press-forming process in order to obtain a contalnment / containing structure (II), said press-forming process and contalnment / containing structure (II) as herein described and forming a further object of the present invention, said semi-finished product (I) (for example, see Figure 1 and Figure 3a) comprising at least one layer (A) and one layer (B), preferably both made of a sheet or a continuous web, more preferably made of a continuous web, said semi-finished product being preferably in the shape of a sheet or a continuous web, more preferably in the shape of a continuous web wound as a reel / roll (X), wherein said layers (A) and (B) are made of cellulose-based material, preferably are made of paper material: paper, fine paperboard or corrugated paperboard / paperboard, more preferably paper, fine paperboard or corrugated paperboard / paperboard adapted to the food packaging, and are suitably perforating / engraving in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) being characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Ai) and (Az), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous to the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said two portions / areas being coupled, perfectly overlapped, "aligned”, to each other, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B) and wherein the flap (A1) and the flaps (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other, adapted to be subjected to the press-forming step (to the press-forming process), said layers (A) and (B) coupled to each other and between the contact surfaces thereof there is interposed a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C), preferably a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) made of biodegradable thermoplastic material, at the portions / areas (a) and (p), which was already pressure- or temperature-activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B).

[0035] In a further embodiment of the containment structure (II) according to the present invention, said structure comprises a cavity (y), and further cavities (y!), (y”), etcetera, having a first through hole (yi), and further first through holes y’i, y”i, etcetera, at the two coupled layers (a) and (b), said cavities comprising at least two flaps (a-i) and (az), (a’1) and (a z), (a”i) and (a”z), etcetera, respectively, of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (bz), (b’1) and (b’2), (b”i) and (b”z), etcetera, respectively, of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavities (y), (y’), (y”), etcetera, respectively, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), (S’), (S”), etcetera, said flaps being such to form a second through hole (ys), and further through holes y z, y”.?, etcetera, respectively, placed at a depth P, P’, P”, etcetera, from the corresponding through hole and having an extension less than these latter, wherein a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c’), preferably a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) of thermoplastic biodegradable material, is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S), (S’), (S”), etcetera.

[0036] The containment / containing structure (II) according to the present invention is preferably a containment / containing structure such as an abutment surface, comprising at least two layers (a) and (b) made of cellulose-based material, comprising at least one: (y), or more: (y), (y’), (y”), etcetera, cavity-cavities / recess- recesses / depression-depressions / hollow-hollows having through holes (yi and y? or yi and y2, y’i and y’2, y”i and y!i2, etcetera), for example see Figures 3c and 4, having different shapes, volumes / capacities and dimensions / sizes, such as for example an ovoid, spherical, or frusto-conical shape, destined to contain food products which are not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, such as trays / plates / dishes / cassettes having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, perfectly compatible with food products, such as fruits and vegetables, in order to improve the containment properties and in order to provide them with a high and complete recyclability or composting.

[0037] The cellulose-based material layers (A) and (B) or (a) and (b), preferably made of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, preferably paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard suitable to the food packaging, have a thickness the value thereof being a function of the type of the paper material: such as paper, fine cardboard and corrugated cardboard / cardboard suitable for the food packaging by which said layers are formed.

[0038] The term “glue / adhesive” of the pressure- or temperature-activated (o’) or activatable (C) glue or adhesive layer according to the present invention, means a glue / adhesive adapted to perform the action of fixing, upon a pressure or temperature activation thereof between the two layers (A) and (B) or (a) and (b) made of cellulose-based material, preferably of paper material: paper, cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, preferably paper, cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard adapted to the food packaging, which does not cause any disaggregating or corrosive process in said layers.

[0039] The value of the thickness of the pressure- or temperature-activated (o’) or activable (C) glue / adhesive layers, according to the present invention, is such to enable to adhere the two layers (A) and (B) or (a) and (b) to each other, said value being dependent on the thickness and therefore on the type of the paper material by which said layers are made of.

[0040] Preferably, the layers (A) and (B) of cellulose-based material, preferably of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, preferably paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard adapted to the food packaging, preferably made of sheets or continuous webs, have the same width and / or length. More preferably, the layers (A) and (B) of cellulose-based material, preferably of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, preferably paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard adapted to the food packaging, preferably in the shape of sheets or continuous webs, and the pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) have the same width and / or length.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the layers (A) and (B) are selected among:

[0042] - single sheets, or

[0043] - two sheets obtained by a same folded sheet, or

[0044] - two continuous webs, which after being coupled to obtain the semi-finished product (I), are wound in a single reel / roll, or

[0045] - a continuous web folded at half of its length or width in order to obtain the two layers (A) and (B) which, after being coupled, form the semi-finished product (I) which is wound in a single reel / roll.

[0046] It is a further object of the present invention, the process of preparing the semi-finished product (I) comprising at least one layer (A) and one layer (B), preferably both in the shape of a sheet or a continuous web, more preferably being in the shape of a continuous web, preferably, said semi-finished product being in the shape of a sheet or a continuous web, more preferably made in the shape of a continuous web wound as a reel / roll (X), wherein said layers (A) and (B) are made of a cellulose-based material, preferably of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, more preferably paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard being adapted to the food packaging, and are suitably pe rfo rati ng / e ng raving in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (P), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said two portions / areas being paired to each other, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B) and wherein the flap (A1) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other, adapted to be subjected to a press-forming step (to the press-forming process), said layers (A) and (B) being coupled to each other and between the contact surfaces thereof there is interposed a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C), preferably a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) made of biodegradable thermoplastic material, at the portions / areas (a) and (P), which was already pressure- or temperature-activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B), said process comprising (for example, see Figure 1 ):

[0047] (1 ) providing two layers (A) and (B) of a cellulose-based material, preferably each being in the shape of a sheet or of a continuous web, more preferably in the shape of a continuous web fed by the corresponding supplying reel / roll (A’) and (S’), respectively;

[0048] (2) perforating / engraving the two layers (A) and (B), in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (A1) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a continuous side with the remaining part of said layer (B), said engrave / perforation being preferably synchronously made on both the layers (A) and (B), or on each of these in different times, so that the flap (A1) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other (for example see Figure 2: 2a, 2b and 2c);

[0049] (3) interposing a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) between the two layers (A) and (B), by applying said glue on at least one of the contact surfaces of one of the two layers (A) and (B), before coupling them;

[0050] (4) coupling the suitably engraved / perforated layers (A) and (B), after applying the glue / adhesive layer (C), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) are paired to each other, perfectly overlapped on each other, “aligned”, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B), and wherein the flap (At) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other, preferably said portions / areas (a) and (p) having the same extension;

[0051] (5) obtaining a semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, wherein the glue / adhesive layer (C) is pressure- or temperature-activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) paired to each other, perfectly overlapped on each other, “aligned”, remain in a position perfectly aligned with each other.

[0052] Optionally, in the process of preparing the semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, and as above described, as a further embodiment thereof, the step (2) of containment / contalning the two layers (A) and (B) is executed before the step (3) of interposing a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) between the two layers (A) and (B), by applying said glue on at least one of the contact surfaces of one of the two layers (A) and (B), and is followed by the step (4) of coupling the suitably engraved / perforated layers (A) and (B), the glue / adhesive layer (C) being interposed between these latter.

[0053] In a further embodiment of the process of preparing the semi-finished product (I), the layer (A) and the layer (B) are selected among:

[0054] - single sheets, or

[0055] - two sheets obtained from a same folded sheet, or

[0056] - two continuous webs, which, after being coupled to obtain the semi-finished product (I), are wound in order to obtain a single reel / roll, or

[0057] - a continuous web folded at half of its length or width in order to have the two layers (A) and (B) which, after being coupled, form the semi-finished product (I) to be wound in order to form a reel / roll.

[0058] The semi-finished product (I) according to the present invention and obtained according to the above-described process, is preferably in the shape of a sheet or continuous web, more preferably being in the shape of a continuous web wound in a reel / roll (X).

[0059] The semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, can have one or more pairs of the portions / areas (a) and (p), paired with each other and perfectly overlapped, according to the present invention and as herein described and in this option of said plural pairs of the portions / areas (a) and (p), for example also the further pairs of the portions / areas: (o’) and (P’), (a”) and (p”), (cf) and (pw), etcetera, each of said portions / areas coupled to each other, paired and perfectly overlapped, having the same features of the portions / areas (a) and (p), are preferably maintained at the same distance from each other, since the same distance is maintained between the different portions / areas a, a’, a”, a”, etcetera, and the different portions / areas p, P’,P”, P", etcetera, on the corresponding layers (A) and (B).

[0060] This is explained both in Figure 1 at points (2) and (4) of the process of preparing the semi-finished product (I), and in Figure 2 which shows the two layers (A) and (B) paired to each other (Figures 2a, 2b and 2c), characterized by different types of portions / area, a, o’, a”, a'", etcetera, and of portions / areas p, p’,p”, pw, etcetera since they are characterized, from time to time, by a different type of partial perforation or engraving. In some cases, said recesses are equal to each other but have a different orientation, in order to obtain the respective flaps (AT), (A2), (A3), (A’2), etcetera and (Bi), (B2), (B 3), (B’2) etcetera, for example see Figures 2a and 2b, or in other cases such recesses are different from each other, also for portions / areas of the same layer (not shown in the figures), and consequently with a different orientation, in order to obtain the respective flaps (A1), (A2) etcetera and (Bi), (Ba), etcetera, for example see Figure 2c.

[0061] It is a further process of the present invention, the process of press-forming a containment / containing structure (II) according to the present invention: a containment / containing structure (II), particularly a containment / containing structure such as an abutment surface, comprising at least one cavity / recess / depresslon / hollow having a through hole, of different shapes, volumes / capacities and dimensions / sizes, such as for example an ovoid, spherical, or frusto-conical shape, destined to the containment / containing of food products, which are not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, such as a tray / plate / dish / cassette having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, obtained from a semi-finished product (I) subjected to a press-forming step according to a press- forming process, said semi-finished product (I) and said press-forming process, as herein described and which are a part of a further object of the present invention, said containment / containing structure (II) comprising at feast two layers (a) and (b) made of a celiulose-based material, preferably made of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, more preferably paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / carboard adapted to the food packaging, said layers being coupled, overlapped and glued to each other, said structure comprising at least one cavity (y), having a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (az) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (bz) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (yz), placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (o’), preferably a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) made of a biodegradable thermoplastic material, is interposed at least in the overlapping partial zone (S), said press-forming process comprising:

[0062] (i) loading / supplying a semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, said semi-finished product (I) comprising at least one layer (A) and a layer (B), wherein said layers (A) and (B) are made of a cellulose-based material, preferably of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, more preferably paper, fine paperboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard adapted to the food packaging, and are suitably engraved / perforated in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Ai) and (Az), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said two portions / areas being paired to each other perfectly overlapped “aligned”, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B) and wherein the flap (Ai) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other, predisposed to be subjected to the press-forming step (to the press-forming process), said layers (A) and (B) being coupled to each other and between the contact surfaces thereof there is interposed a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C), preferably a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) made of a biodegradable thermoplastic material, at the portions / areas (a) and (p), which was already pressure- or temperature-activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B), in a forming press comprising a punch (1), a counter-mold (2) and a mold (3), said press being single or parallel or of a matrix type (for example, see Figure 3a) (the terms single, parallel or matrix type mean the distribution of the triplet / s punch / counter-mold / mold of the press);

[0063] (ii) press-forming the containment / containing structure (II) (for example, see Figure 3b), characterized by at least one cavity (y) which is obtained by reciprocally sliding, after ripping only the partial perforations or engravings, of at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (a) of the layer (A) of the semi-finished product (I), at least two flaps (Bt) and (B2) being complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (p) of the layer (B) of the semi-finished product (I), said cavity having a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b) of the containment / containing structure (II), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (as) of the plane (a) and two flaps (bi) and (ba) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (72) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S) (for example, see Figures 4: 4a, 4b and 4c);

[0064] (Hi) shearing off (with or without an edge) and extracting from the press or vice versa, extracting from the press and shearing off (with or without an edge), the containment / containing structure (II), according to the present invention (for example, see Figure 3c).

[0065] In the step (I) of loading / supplying the forming press, the portions / areas (a) and (p), (or) and (P’), (a”) and (P”), (a'") and (P”'), etcetera, when present, paired to each other and perfectly overlapped, of the semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, are placed “aligned” at the triplet / s, punch / counter-mold / mold of the press itself. In the press-forming step (ii), the semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, enables to manufacture the containment / containing structure (II) characterized by at least one cavity (y) which is obtained by reciprocally sliding, after ripping only the partial perforations or engravings, at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (a) of the layer (A) of the semi-finished product (I), with at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (p) of the layer (B) of the semi-finished product (I), said cavity having a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b) of the containment / containing structure (II), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (02) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (b2) of the plane (b), in order to form the wails of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (ys) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein a pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S).

[0066] The semi-finished product (I) according to the present invention, being loaded / fed (i) into a single, parallel or matrix forming press (the terms single, parallel, or matrix mean the distribution of the triplet / s punch / counter-mold / mold of the press), is subjected to the press-forming step (ii) enabling the mass production, continuously or parallel, of one or more containment / containing structures (II) according to the present invention, particularly an abutment surface, comprising at least one cavity / recess / depression / hollow having a through hole, having different shapes, volumes / capacities and dimensions / sizes, such as for example an ovoid, spherical, or frusto-conical shape, destined to contain food products, which are not in a liquid or granular / dusty state, such as trays / plates / dishes / cassettes having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, being respectively compatible with food products, such as fruits and vegetables, exhibiting improved containment / containing properties and being highly adapted to be completely recycled or composted.

[0067] The dimensions / sizes and shapes of the portions / areas (a) and (P), (a’) and (P’), (a”) and (p”), (a"') and (P”), etcetera, when present, paired to each other and perfectly overlapped, adapted to the press-forming of the semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, are dependent on the dimensions / sizes and shapes of the final containment / containing structure (II) which it is desired to obtain, preferably depending on the containment / containing depth / volume of the containment / containing structure of interest (which, by the invention object of the present patent application, is up to 10 times the containment depth / capacity of the concave products or of the paper based containers offered on the market), also in relation to the dimensions / sizes and shape of the triplet / s punch / countermold / mold of the used forming press.

[0068] It is a further object of the present invention the process of preparing the containment / containing structure (II) according to the present invention, said process comprising: preparing the semi-finished product (I) according to the present invention which is then subjected to the press-forming process, according to the present invention, in order to obtain the containment / containing structure (II).

[0069] Therefore, it is a further object of the present invention a process of preparing the containment / containing structure (II), said process comprising: preparing a semifinished product (I) wherein:

[0070] (1) providing two layers (A) and (B), made of a cellulose-based material, preferably of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard, preferably paper, fine cardboard or corrugated cardboard / cardboard adapted to the food packaging, preferably each being in the shape of a sheet or continuous web, more preferably being in the shape of a continuous web fed by the corresponding feed reel / roll (A’) and (B’), respectively;

[0071] (2) perforating / engraving the two layers (A) and (B), in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Ai) and (As), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and in order to form at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said perforating / engraving being preferably synchronously made on both the layers (A) and (B), or on each of them in different times, so that the flap (A1) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other;

[0072] (3) interposing a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) between the two layers (A) and (B), by applying said glue on at least one of the contact surfaces of one of the two layers (A) and (B), before coupling them;

[0073] (4) coupling the suitably perforated / e ng raved layers (A) and (B), after the application of the glue / adhesive layer (C), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) are paired to each other and perfectly overlapped, “aligned”, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B), and wherein the flap (Ai) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped on each other, preferably said portions / areas (a) and (P) having the same extension;

[0074] (5) obtaining a semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, wherein the glue / adhesive layer (C) is pressure- or temperature-activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B), so that the portions / areas (a) and (P) reciprocally paired, perfectly overlapped, “aligned”, remain in a perfectly aligned position with respect to each other; the so-obtained semi-finished product (I) is subjected to the press-forming process wherein there is:

[0075] (i) loading / supplying the semi-finished product (I) in a forming press comprising a punch (1 ), a counter mold (2) and a mold (3), the press being of a single, parallel, or matrix type (the terms “single”, “parallel” or “matrix” mean the distribution of the triplet / s punch / counter-mold / mold of the press);

[0076] (ii) press-forming the containment / containing structure characterized by at least one cavity (y) obtained by reciprocally sliding, after ripping only the partial perforations or engraves, of at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (a) of the layer (A) of the semi-finished product (I), at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), being complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (p) of the layer (B) of the semi-finished product (I), said cavity having a first through hole (y-i) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b) of the containment / containing structure (II), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (az) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (bz) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped on each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (¥2) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein the pressure- or temperature-activated glue / adhesive layer (o’) is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S),

[0077] (iii) shearing off (with or without an edge) and extracting from the press or vice versa, extracting from the press and shearing off (with or without an edge), the containment / containing structure (II).

[0078] In a further embodiment of the process of preparing the containment / containing structure (II), in the step of preparing the semi-finished product (I), the layer (A) and the layer (B) are selected among:

[0079] - single sheets, or

[0080] - two sheets obtained by a same folded sheet, or

[0081] - two continuous webs, which after being coupled in order to obtain the semifinished product (I), are wound in a single reel / roll, or

[0082] - a continuous web folded at half its length or width in order to obtain the two layers (A) and (B) which, after being coupled, form the semi-finished product (I) which is then wound in a single reel / roll.

[0083] ADVANTAGES

[0084] The main advantages obtained by the present in-vention, both from the point of view of the prod-uct, as the containment / containing structure (II), according to the present invention, and the corre-sponding semi-finished product (I), according to the present invention, and from the point of view of the processes used for making them, are:

[0085] - from the point of view of the products: o products destined to contain food, such as trays / plates / dishes / cassettes having different shapes, dimensions / sizes and volumes / capacities, perfectly compati-ble with the food products, o products exhibiting improved contain-ment / containing properties, also 10 times the con-talnment volume / capacity of the already commercial-ly available paper-based food containers; o products for the food packaging exhibiting a complete environmental bio-compatibility character-ized by an optimal recyclability and / or composting; o products for the food packaging, said products showing a very high cellulose content, adapted to be also at the same time a support for the digital print by water-based ink and possibly also for oth-er more conventional types of print, for showing information regarding the contents, both the law-enforced information about the product and the com-mercial ones, in order to eliminate a further step of using labels which are not eco-compatible;

[0086] - from the point of view of their manufacturing: o extremely but highly effective and efficient processes from the point of view of the number of product units per time unit for every used machine; o use of already existent press-forming ma-chines: both the machines as the ones used for man-ufacturing already commercially available paper-based food containers, which are actually used with a very low production rates, and the machines actu-ally used for thermoforming polymeric material plates which manufacture non-biodegradable plastic containers.

Claims

Claims1 . Semi-finished product (I) comprising at least one layer (A) and at least one layer (B), wherein said layers (A) and (B) are made of a cellulose-based material, and are suitably engraved, / perforated in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (Ai) and (Az), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (Bi) and (Bz), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said two portions / areas being paired with each other along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B) and wherein the flap (Ai) and the flap (Bi) are partially overlapped each other, said layers (A) and (B) coupled with each other and between the contact surfaces thereof is interposed a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C), at the portions / areas (a) and (p), but which is already pressure or temperature activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B).

2. Semi-finished product (I) according to claim 1 , wherein the layers (A) and (B) are made of a paper material: paper, fine cardboard or cardboard / corrugated carboard, preferably paper, fine carboard or carboard / corrugated carboard suitable for the food packaging.

3. Semi-finished product (I) according to claim 1 , wherein the layers (A) and (B) are selected among:- single sheets, or- two sheets obtained by a same folded sheet, or- two continuous webs, which after being coupled to obtain the semi-finished product (I), are wound in a single reel / roll, or- a continuous web folded at half of its length or width in order to obtain the two layers (A) and (B) which, after being coupled, form the semi-finished product (I) which is wound in a single reel / roll.

4. Process of preparing the semi-finished product (I) according to claim 1 , said process comprising:(1 ) providing two layers (A) and (B) of a cellulose-based material, preferably each being in the shape of a sheet or continuous web, more preferably in the shape of acontinuous web supplied by the associated supplying reel / roll (A’) and (B’), respectively;(2) perforating / engraving the two layers (A) and (B), in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (Ai) and (As), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (Bi) and (B?), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said perforation / engraving being preferably synchronously made on both the layers (A) and (B), or on each of these at different times, and so that the flap (Ai) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped each other;(3) interposing a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) between the two layers (A) and (B), by applying said glue on at least one of the contact surfaces of one of the two layers (A) and (B), before coupling them;(4) coupling the suitably engraved / perforated layers (A) and (B), after the application of the glue / adhesive layer (C), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) are paired with each other, perfectly overlapped and in alignment, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B), and wherein the flap (Ai) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped each other, preferably said portions / areas (a) and (p) having the same extension;(5) obtaining a semi-finished product (I), according to claim 1 , wherein the glue / adhesive layer (C) is pressure or temperature activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B), so that the portions / areas (a) and (P) paired with each other, perfectly overlapped and in alignment, remain reciprocally in a perfectly aligned position.

5. Process of preparing the semi-finished product (I) according to claim 4, wherein the layer (A) and the layer (B) are selected among:- single sheets, or- two sheets obtained by a same folded sheet, or- two continuous webs, which after being coupled to obtain the semi-finished product (I), are wound in a single reel / roll, or- a continuous web folded at half of its length or width in order to obtain the twolayers (A) and (B) which, after being coupled, form the semi-finished product (I) which is wound in a single reel / rolL6. Containing structure (II) comprising at least two layers (a) and (b) made of a cellulose-based material coupled, overlapped and glued to each other, said structure comprising at least one cavity (y), having a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (as) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (bs) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (72) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this latter, wherein a pressure or temperature activated glue / adhesive layer (o’) is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S).

7. Containing structure (II) according to claim (6), wherein the layers (a) and (b) are made of paper material: paper, fine cardboard or cardboard / corrugated cardboard, preferably paper, fine cardboard or cardboard / corrugated cardboard suitable for the food packaging.

8. Process of press forming the containing structure (II) according to claim 6, said press forming process comprising:(i) loading / supplying a semi-finished product (I), according to claim 1 , in a forming press comprising a punch (1 ), a counter mold (2) and a mold (3),(ii) press forming the containing structure (II) characterized by at least one cavity (y) which is obtained by reciprocally sliding, after tearing only the partial perforations or engravings, at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (a) of the layer (A) of the semi-finished product (I), with at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (P) of the layer (B) of the semi-finished product (I), said cavity with a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b) of the containing structure (II), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (a2) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (b2) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (72) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this one, wherein, a pressure or temperature activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S);(iii) shearing off (with or without edge) and extracting from the press, or vice versa,extracting from the press and shearing (with or without edge), the containing structure (II).

9. Process of preparing the containing structure (II) according to claim 6, said process comprising: preparing a semi-finished product (I) wherein there are the steps of:(1 ) providing two layers (A) and (B) made of a cellulose-based material, preferably each being in the shape of a sheet or continuous web, more preferably being in the shape of a continuous web supplied by the associated supplying reel / roll (A’) and (B!), respectively;(2) perforating / engraving the two layers (A) and (B), in order to form at least two portions / areas of said layers, one for each of said layers: a portion / area (a) characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (Ai) and (As), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (A), and a portion / area (p), present on the layer (B), characterized by a partial perforation or engraving and giving at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, each having a side continuous with the remaining part of said layer (B), said perforation / engraving is preferably synchronously made on both the layers (A) and (B), or on each of these at different times, so that the flap (A1) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped each other;(3) interposing a pressure or temperature activatable glue / adhesive layer (C) between the two layers (A) and (B), by applying said glue on at least one of the contact surfaces of one of the two layers (A) and (B), before coupling them;(4) coupling the suitably engraved / perforated layers (A) and (B), after the application of the glue / adhesive layer (C), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) are paired with each other, perfectly overlapped, in alignment, along the contact surfaces between the layers (A) and (B), and wherein the flap (A1) and the flap (Bi) are only partially overlapped each other, preferably said portions / areas (a) and (|3) having the same extension;(5) obtaining a semi-finished product (I), wherein the glue / adhesive layer (C) is pressure or temperature activated on one or more of the remaining portions or areas of the contact surfaces of the layers (A) and (B), so that the portions / areas (a) and (p) paired with each other, perfectly overlapped, in alignment, reciprocally remain in a perfectly aligned position,the semi-finished product (I) obtained in this way, is subjected to the press forming process, wherein there are the steps of:(i) loading / supplying the semi-finished product (I). in a forming press comprising a punch (1), a counter mold (2) and a mold (3),(ii) press forming the containing structure (II) characterized by at least one cavity (y) which is obtained by reciprocally sliding, after tearing only the partial perforations or engravings, of at least two flaps (Ai) and (A2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (a) of the layer (A) of the semi-finished product (I), with at least two flaps (Bi) and (B2), complementary and / or contiguous to each other, of the portion / area (p) of the layer (B) of the semi-finished product (I), said cavity having a first through hole (yi) at the two coupled layers (a) and (b) of the containing structure (II), said cavity comprising at least two flaps (ai) and (as) of the plane (a) and at least two flaps (bi) and (ba) of the plane (b), in order to form the walls of such cavity, said flaps being partially overlapped each other (S), said flaps being such to form a second through hole (ys) placed at a depth P from the first through hole and having an extension less than this one, wherein, a pressure or temperature activated glue / adhesive layer (c’) is interposed at least in the partial overlapping zone (S);(iii) shearing off (with or without edge) and extracting from the press or vice versa, extracting from the press and shearing off (with or without edge), the containing structure (II).

10. Process of preparing the containing structure (II) according to claim 9, wherein in the step of preparing the semi-finished product (I), the layer (A) and the layer (B) are selected among:- single sheets, or- two sheets obtained by a same folded sheet, or- two continuous webs, which after being coupled to obtain the semi-finished product (I), are wound in a single reel / roll, or- a continuous web folded at half of its length or width in order to obtain the two layers (A) and (B) which, after being coupled, form the semi-finished product (I) which is wound in a single reel / roll.

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