Semi-finished construction, construction, method for forming a semi-finished construction, and method for producing a construction made from a semi-finished construction

Abstract

A semi-finished construction (1) and a method for forming one, as well as a construction made from the semi-finished construction and a method for producing said construction from the semi-finished construction. The semi-finished construction (1), for instance a semi¬ finished cardboard box (1A) or a semi-finished tray or a semi-finished display stand (IB), comprises at least a first part (11) of cardboard sheet material, for example corrugated fibreboard, and a second part (12) of cardboard sheet material, for example corrugated fibreboard, wherein the first part is to be adhered to the second part of cardboard sheet material, and wherein said first part of cardboard sheet material is provided with at least a first amount (111, 131) of water activated adhesive.

Description

[0001] Title: Semi-finished construction, construction, method for forming a semi-finished construction, and method for producing a construction made from a semi-finished construction

[0002] The invention relates to a semi-finished construction, for instance a semi-finished cardboard box or a semi-finished tray or a semi-finished display stand, which preferably is substantially made out of cardboard material. The cardboard material could for instance be in the form of corrugated fibreboard material, but could be formed alternatively, for instance in the form of paperboard material. The invention further relates to a construction, such as for example a cardboard box or a display stand, made from a semi-finished construction. Further, the invention relates to a method for forming a semi-finished construction, such as for example a semi-finished cardboard box or a semi-finished tray or a semi-finished display stand. The invention also relates to a method for producing, preferably substantially finalising, a construction made from a semi-finished construction.

[0003] Constructions substantially made from cardboard material, in particular from cardboard sheet material, such as corrugated cardboard sheet material or the like, are known and are used in a wide range of applications. For example, cardboard boxes are for instance used as shipping packaging, for example for e-commerce purposes, and cardboard boxes are for instance also used for many other applications.

[0004] Besides boxes and trays, display stands substantially made out of cardboard material are also widely spread. Display stands are for instance used in grocery stores, conveniences stores and many other stores and shops, for example as a so-called point-of-sales (POS) display or the like.

[0005] Such and other constructions substantially made out of cardboard material are typically produced as semi-finished products, i.e. semi-finished constructions, for instance in order to store and / or transport them in a substantially flat packed or so-called “piano” state. The semi-finished construction may preferably be erected only shortly before it is to be used, for instance only shortly before a box or a tray or a display is to be provided with the content it has to hold.

[0006] It will be appreciated that a semi-finished construction can be understood as to refer to an intermediary product that has undergone some stages of the production process but is not yet a complete, ready-for-use construction, such as a completely erected and closed-off shipping box or a completely finished tray or display. The semi-finished construction is partway through a manufacturing cycle and still requires some additional assembly and / or processing, in particular still requiring at least one attachment action or step, more in particular at least one adhering action or step, before it becomes a finished construction such as a finished box, tray or display or the like. In the context of the present disclosure, an already erected box, which is almost completely finished, but not yet closed off and taped shut or sealed in a different manner, can thus be understood as still being a semi-finished construction. At least in embodiments, sealing the box can for instance be considered a finalising or finishing step for finishing or finalising the construction.

[0007] Typically, for instance during such erection and / or during finishing of the construction and / or closing off the construction, a first part of the construction may thus need to be attached to a second part. For example, a first part, such as a first flap or a first wall, of a single piece box or other packaging may need to be attached to a second part, e.g. a second wall or a second flap, of the same single piece box or other packaging in order to close it off. The attachment of the first part to the second part may for instance be performed using glue, such as for example hot glue or so-called hot melt, or double sided closing tape or staples or other attachment means.

[0008] However, such attachments means, such as for example staples, or hot glue, other glue, adhesive tape or the like, may have one or more disadvantages. For example, upon discarding a cardboard box or other cardboard construction, metal staples, glue (residue), adhesive tape and / or other attachment means, may for instance contaminate the paper material to be recycled.

[0009] Besides, it is noted that recycling and disposal issues may not only occur at the end of product life of the construction, but may, additionally or alternatively, also occur during the construction and / or finishing and / or closing or sealing of the construction. For example, the siliconized backing tape of double sided closing tape may typically be relatively difficult to recycle and / or dispose.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, it may be a disadvantage that one needs to have the attachment means, such as hot melt or adhesive tape or the like, at hand once they want to close the cardboard box, other packaging, or other construction and / or want to finish the substantially cardboard construction from a semi-finished construction not yet fully finished, assembled or put together. Furthermore, for example at a place such as a factory or a distribution centre where many cardboard boxes or the like have to be assembled and / or shut, there may be the need of having a working glueing installation at hand for the hot melt. Such glueing installation will not only require glue, but also energy and may require maintenance and / or repair, while it additionally may also possess the risk of causing burns and / or causing nasty smells and / or harmful gasses.

[0011] It is noted that also different cardboard joints, which can enable to close off a cardboard box and / or to connect different parts of cardboard sheet material to each other, are known, which different cardboard joints may require less or no additional attachment means at all. Such cardboard joints may for example use one or more tabs and one or more corresponding slots and / or other interlocking cardboard parts. Although such cardboard joints may thus counteract the need for using additional, in particular separate, attachment means such as staples, hot melt or adhesive tape, etc., such cardboard joints may typically do require quite some knowledge and / or dexterity / skil I , which may be a disadvantage. Additionally or alternatively, a cardboard joint may not stay properly secured and / or it may provide relatively little certainty, for instance regarding whether or not there has been tampered with a shipping box closed off merely by means of interlocking cardboard parts.

[0012] It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative method for producing, preferably substantially finalising, a construction made from a semi-finished construction comprising at least a first part of cardboard, for instance corrugated, sheet material and a second part of cardboard, for instance corrugated, sheet material to be attached or connected to said first part. In particular, it can be an object of the invention to provide a method for producing a construction, in particular a cardboard box or a cardboard tray or a cardboard display, for instance made from corrugated fibreboard sheet material, wherein at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art methods is counteracted to at least a certain extent. More in particular, the invention may aim to provide a method and / or a construction and / or a semi-finished construction, in particular one substantially made out of substantially paper based cardboard sheet material or the like, such as for example a corrugated fibreboard sheet material, wherein at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above is counteracted. In embodiments, the invention aims at providing a semi-finished construction, for instance a semi-finished cardboard box or a semi-finished tray or a semi-finished display stand, wherein at least two respect parts thereof, which said at least two parts for instance may both be part of one single cardboard piece, may be attached to each other, in particular to seal or close off and / or to assemble and / or to finish the construction, in particular a substantially cardboard construction, in a manner which is relatively environmental friendly and / or relatively secure and / or relatively safe and / or relatively simple.

[0013] Thereto, the invention provides for a semi-finished construction, for instance a semi-finished cardboard box or a semi-finished tray or a semi-finished display stand, comprising at least a first part of cardboard sheet material, in particular corrugated fibreboard sheet material, and a second part of cardboard sheet material, in particular corrugated fibreboard sheet material, wherein the first part is to be adhered to the second part of cardboard sheet material, and wherein said first part of cardboard sheet material is provided with at least a first amount of water activated adhesive.

[0014] The term semi-finished construction can be understood as to refer to an intermediary construction that has undergone some stages of the production process but is not yet a complete, ready-for-use construction, such as a completely erected and closed-off shipping box or a completely finished tray or display. The semi-finished construction can thus be partway through a manufacturing cycle and may still require some additional assembly and / or processing, in particular it may still require at least one attachment action or step, more in particular at least one adhering action or step, before it becomes a finished construction such as a finished box, tray or display or the like. In the context of the present disclosure, an already erected box, which is almost completely finished, but not yet closed off and taped shut or sealed in a different manner, can thus be understood as still being a semi-finished construction. At least in embodiments, sealing the box can for instance be considered a finalising or finishing step for finishing or finalising the construction.

[0015] That the first part is to be adhered to the second part of cardboard sheet material can be understood as that the first part is intended to be adhered to said second part, in particular in order to facilitate finishing the construction from the semi-finished construction. Said adhering may in particular be done in a manner in which the first part and the second part overlap each other at least partly, more preferably such that a top or bottom surface of the sheet material of the first part is at least partly overlapping and being adhered to a top or bottom surface of the second part.

[0016] As mentioned above, according to an aspect of the invention, the first part of cardboard sheet material is provided with at least a first amount of water activated adhesive. The first part, which is to be adhered to the second part of cardboard sheet material, is thus arranged to be adhered to said second part at least partly by means of said first amount of water activated adhesive.

[0017] By providing the first part of cardboard sheet material with at least a first amount of water activated adhesive, it can be enabled that, in particular by simply applying some water and some pressure, the first part can be attached, in particular adhered, to the second part in a relatively simple and / or relatively environmental friendly and / or relatively secure and / or relatively safe manner. In addition, or alternatively, the use of water activated adhesive may reduce costs.

[0018] In particular, the use of water activated adhesive may make it superfluous to use hot melt or double sided closing tape or the like. This may thus counteract that their respective disadvantages.

[0019] At least partly in this context, it is also noted that water activated glue, which in embodiments could for instance be starch-based, may typically be much less polluting and / or may enable that the cardboard material provided with it can be recycled relatively easily and / or relatively economically and / or relatively cost effective in comparison with some other attachments means such as hot glue or (double sided) adhesive tape. For example, during the recycling of the cardboard material, which preferably is substantially paper based, the water activated adhesive may for instance simply dissolve, where hot melt on the other hand has typically to be filtered out and will typically end up in a landfill or will be burned. In addition, or alternatively, an advantage of the water activated glue may lie in that, contrary to for instance hot melt or staples or plastic based adhesive tape, the water activated glue, which may simply dissolve, will not provide a relatively large risk of causing clogging or obstructions, for instance in valves or other parts of a cardboard recycling system or the like.

[0020] Surprisingly, it has been found that, although cardboard sheet material, in particular corrugated fibreboard sheet material, typically is relatively porous and typically has a relatively rough surface, and in particular in case of corrugated fibreboard may also be relatively less smooth due to the fluting, water activated adhesive can nevertheless be used to attach two parts of cardboard sheet material together.

[0021] By providing the first amount of water activated adhesive in an elongate shape, preferably a substantially strip-shaped shape, which for instance may be provided substantially along or parallel with a respective edge, in particular an outer edge, of the first part of cardboard sheet material, it may be enabled that a relatively large area of water activated adhesive can be activated in a relatively simple and / or relatively fast manner, for instance by means of single stroke or sweep of a brush or sponge or the like. Also in case for instance a spray nozzle is used, such elongate shape may be advantage, for instance in order to wet or moisten the water activated adhesive upon travelling along a moistening means such as a spray nozzle, brush, sponge, etc, an / or by moving the respective moistening means.

[0022] Alternatively, the first amount of water activated adhesive, and / or additionally one or more further amounts of water activated adhesive, may be shaped differently, in particular substantially in the form of a spot or patch, which spot or patch may for example be substantially round, oval, square or rectangular. The spot or patch can be understood as something not being much wider than being long. Preferably, said spot or patch may have a width or length of at most 180%, more preferably at most 150%, such as at most 120%, of the length or width of said spot or patch. Additionally or alternatively, the spot or patch may cover a relatively small area, for example an area of at most 15 cm2, preferably at most 10 cm2, more preferably at most 8 cm2, yet more preferably at most 5 cm2, such as for instance at most 3 cm2.

[0023] Using such spot or patch may for instance enable that the respective amount (or amounts) of water activated adhesive can be touched up relatively simply and / or relatively quickly, for instance by stamping it with a sponge or by wetting it by means of one or multiple puffs of a spray. Additionally or alternatively, providing the first amount of water activated adhesive, and / or any other amount of water activated adhesive, in the shape of a spot or a patch, instead of providing it in a relatively large area and / or in a shape comprising a relatively elongate shape or form, may facilitate that the water activated adhesive can be remoistened in a relatively reliable manner, in particular when being remoistened by hand. It will be appreciated that in case the amount of water activated adhesive would be provided in a relatively large area and / or in a shape comprising a relatively long elongated shape, it may be relatively difficult to remoisten it relatively evenly, in particular when being remoistened by hand, more in particular when done by an untrained person, such as an untrained consumer who is to close, in particular reclose, a shipping box or the like.

[0024] Although spots or patches may be advantageous, in particular in respective embodiments, in embodiments one or more of the one or multiple amounts of water activated adhesive may nevertheless be provided in the form of a relatively large area, and / or in a form or shape comprising one or more relatively elongate shapes, such as for example in a substantially L-shaped shape or a substantially T-shaped shape or a substantially O-shaped shape.

[0025] Advantageously, the first amount of water activated adhesive is at least partly formed by a first layer of water activated adhesive applied substantially onto a first intermediate layer, wherein said first intermediate layer is provided between said first layer of water activated adhesive and the cardboard sheet material of the first part of cardboard sheet material. The first intermediate layer, which preferably may be formed at least partly by a second layer of water activated adhesive, more preferably one having substantially the same composition as the water activated adhesive of the first layer of water activated adhesive, may facilitate the process of applying the water activated adhesive onto the first part of cardboard sheet material.

[0026] Preferably, the first amount of water activated adhesive which is at least partly formed by the first layer of water activated adhesive may further be at least partly formed by said second layer of water activated adhesive. In other words, the first amount of water activated adhesive may thus be formed by applying two or more than two, for instance three, for instance four, or for instance five or more, layers of water activated adhesive on top of each other or at least partly on top of each other.

[0027] This may for instance be advantageous as it may enable applying relatively much water activated adhesive without having to apply it at once, which may be far less advantageous as the latter might cause unwanted deformations of the cardboard of the first part of cardboard sheet material, in particular its surface at which the water activated adhesive were to be applied, especially in cases in which the cardboard sheet material would be formed as corrugated cardboard, which deformations might be to hydro-expansion of paper of the cardboard material. In case a relatively thick layer of water activated adhesive were applied in one go, the surface of the cardboard material could, when the water activated adhesive and cardboard have dried, be deformed and uneven, and thus be much rougher than it was prior to the application of all the water activated adhesive. Such uneven surface would be highly disadvantageous, as an uneven surface would provide for poor contact between the cardboard parts to be bonded, which may make bonding the first part of cardboard sheet material to the second part of cardboard sheet material less effective, or even impossible.

[0028] On the other hand, applying multiple relatively thin layers of water activated adhesive on top of each other, in particular while firs substantially drying the latest layer before applying a next layer on top of it, may counteract deformation, such as deformation due to hydro-expansion, and may thus provide for a relatively smooth surface, which may provide relatively good contact between the cardboard parts to be bonded, which in turn may result in a relatively well bond.

[0029] An additional, or alternative, disadvantage of applying relatively much water activated adhesive at once may be that it might weaken the cardboard material as it may apply too much water to the cardboard at once.

[0030] It will be appreciated that, for instance in order to store or transport the semi-finished construction, the first amount of water activated adhesive may, for instance at least at one or multiple of such stages (such as a storage state or a transport stage) or other moments in time, be in a dry state and / or may not be sticky.

[0031] It has been found that in order to enable facilitating a secure attachment of the first part of cardboard sheet material to the second part of cardboard sheet material, the first amount of water activated adhesive may advantageously be provided such that it, when it is in a dry state, has a coating mass of at least 1.5 gram / m2, preferably at least 2 gram / m2, more preferably at least 4 gram / m2, yet more preferably at least 6 gram / m2, such as for instance at least 8 gram / m2.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, the first amount of water activated adhesive may preferably be arranged such as to enable adhering the first part to the second part by means of said first amount of water activated adhesive in such manner that it provides for a peel strength that, when pulled apart, results in visible fibre tear. For example, the peel strength may be at least 3 N / 30mm or 0.1 N / mm, preferably at least 6 N / 30mm or 0.2 N / mm, more preferably at least 0.3 N / mm or 9 N / 30mm, for example around 12 N / 30mm or 0.4 N / mm. The peel strength may be measured by a peel test known to the skilled person, such as for example the ASTM D903 peel test, which may be adapted for peel strength measurement of glued cardboard specimens, preferably corrugated cardboard specimens.

[0033] An advantage of providing such a peel strength, which in particular may be at least 0.2 N / mm, may for instance not only lie in that the adhesive bond is relatively strong, as the cardboard fibres may break before the adhesive joint, but may for instance also facilitate to provide tamper-evidence.

[0034] Preferably, the adhesive bonds may be arranged to withstand climates with relatively high humidity, preferably at least 80% RH, more preferably at least 90% RH, and / or with relatively low temperatures, preferably at least -15°C, more preferably at least -20°C. This can be advantageous, for example, when cardboard boxes are stored in refrigerated or frozen environments, or similar conditions.

[0035] The invention also relates to a construction made from a semi-finished construction, in particular one such as described above, preferably wherein the second part is adhered to the first part at least partly, and more preferably substantially only, by means of the first amount of water activated adhesive. In particular, the first amount of water activated adhesive may have been remoistened in order to make it sticky prior to adhering the second part to the first part at least partly, and preferably substantially entirely, by means of said first amount of water activated adhesive. It will be appreciated that the water active adhesive can subsequently be let dry again.

[0036] The construction may for example be a cardboard packaging, for instance a shipping packaging, for example for e-commerce purposes. The cardboard packaging may for instance be in the form of a cardboard box, in particular a sealed cardboard box. The box or other packaging may preferably be formed as a single piece packaging, for instance comprising multiple panels which are hingedly connected to each other, in particular by means of folds or fold lines or the like. Advantageously, the first part, for example formed by a first panel, for instance in the form of a first flap or a first wall or the like, and the second part, for example formed by a second panel, for instance in the form of a second flap or a second wall or the like, to which the first part is attached, are both formed out of single sheet of cardboard material.

[0037] It is noted that the second part, which is to be adhered to the first part, may be considered to be, and / or may be referred to as being, a counterpart for the first part.

[0038] The cardboard packaging, in particular a box or a tray, may preferably be made substantially out of substantially paper based cardboard sheet material or the like, such as for example a corrugated fibreboard sheet material. However, in alternative embodiments, the cardboard packaging may be made substantially out of other cardboard sheet material, such as for example paperboard.

[0039] In other embodiments, the construction may for example be a display stand, for example as a so-called point-of-sales (POS) display, a so-called free standing display unit (FSDll), or the like. The display stand, or other construction, may preferably be made substantially out of substantially paper based cardboard sheet material or the like, such as for example a corrugated fibreboard sheet material. However, it may also comprise one or multiple elements formed from other materials. For example, a display stand may comprise, or may be attached to, a pallet, e.g. a plastic pallet or a wooden pallet, which may be used as a base of or for the display stand.

[0040] Further, the invention relates to a method for forming a semi-finished construction, in particular one such as described above, and / or a construction, in particular one such as described above.

[0041] In particular, the method may comprise the steps of providing at least a first sheet of cardboard sheet material and applying at least a first layer of water activated adhesive in order to form at least part of the first amount of water activated adhesive. Preferably, the method may further comprise a step of applying one or multiple further layers of water activated adhesive, in particular before applying said first layer of water activated adhesive.

[0042] Additionally, at least one of the first layer of water activated adhesive and the one or multiple further layers of water activated adhesive, and preferably each of said layers, may be applied when the respective layer is in a wet state, and may be substantially dried or let dry substantially after applying it. Once the respective layer of water activated adhesive is in its dry state, it may preferably provide for a coating mass of at least 0.5 gram / m2, preferably at least 1 gram / m2, more preferably at least 1.5 gram / m2, such as for instance between about 1 and 3.5 gram / m2, such as for example about 2 gram / m2.

[0043] It will be appreciated that since multiple layers comprising water activated adhesive may thus be applied in a manner in which they at least partly, and preferably substantially entirely, overlap, in order to together form the first amount of water activated adhesive, the combined first amount of water activated adhesive may provide for a larger combined coating mass, for instance one of at least 1.5 gram / m2, preferably at least 5 gram / m2, more preferably at least 6 gram / m2, yet more preferably at least 7 gram / m2, such as for instance at least 8 gram / m2.

[0044] By applying for example about 2 gram / m2per coating round, one needs for instance only four coating rounds to arrive at a combined coating mass of about 8 gram / m2.

[0045] It has be found to be advantageous to apply at least one of the first layer of water activated adhesive and the one or multiple further layers of water activated adhesive, and preferably each of said layers, in a wet state in which it contains more than 30 % by weight of solids, preferably at least 35 % by weight of solids, more preferably at least 40 % by weight of solids, yet more preferably at least about 45 % by weight of solids, the water activated adhesive can be applied in a relatively dry form. As such, weakening the cardboard material, due to too much moisture, can be counteracted.

[0046] Advantageously, at least one of the first layer of water activated adhesive and the one or multiple further layers of water activated adhesive, if any, may be applied by means of a flexography process, in particular by means of a flexographic plate provided on a plate cylinder which transfers water activated adhesive in a wet state from an anilox roller or so-called anilox roll to the cardboard sheet material.

[0047] Applying one or more layers of water activated adhesive by means of a flexography process may be advantageous. For example, applying the water activated adhesive by means of a flexography process may facilitate that the water activated adhesive can be applied locally, e.g. exactly where it is wanted and / or in any shape or form which is desired, which may be contrary to what would be possible when using an applicator wheel which typically could not facilitate that and typically could apply only in the transfer direction of the cardboard sheet. Additionally, or alternatively, the flexography process may enable relatively well that the water activated adhesive can be applied in a discontinuous process for applying the water activated adhesive to an individual blank, e.g. a separate die-cut blank for forming a one-piece box, i.e. a box formed out of a single blank or from a single sheet of cardboard, in particular a single sheet of corrugated cardboard.

[0048] Additionally or alternatively, it can be an advantage that the flexography process creates the possibility to apply glue simultaneously in various places on the cardboard. The glue can be applied in glue spots that can have arbitrary shapes and / or various, even irregular, shapes. An advantage of this can be that a large diversity of semi-finished constructions can be made within the same process.

[0049] It has been surprisingly found that, although the flexography process is typically used to apply ink, it can also be used to apply water activated adhesive to cardboard sheet material. By applying multiple layers of water activated adhesive on top of each other, a relatively thick combined layer of water activated adhesive can be provided, without the need of applying it in one go. Applying a relatively thick layer may be advantageous, in particular when the cardboard sheet material is relatively porous and / or relatively rough and / or not almost perfectly flat, such as a label or post stamp can be. The relatively thick combined layer of water activated adhesive may facilitate that two parts of cardboard sheet material can be adhered onto each other relatively well, in particular while obtaining a relatively strong bond, for instance a bond having a relatively high peel strength, in particular a peel strength being greater than that of a relatively thin item such as a post stamp or a label adhered to an envelope or the like.

[0050] As mentioned above, in embodiments, multiple layers comprising water activated adhesive may be applied in a manner in which they at least partly, and preferably substantially entirely, overlap, in order to together with each other form the first amount of water activated adhesive.

[0051] In embodiments, at least two layers of water activated adhesive, in particular layers of substantially the same composition, may be applied at least substantially on top of each other in order to together form at least part of the first amount of water activated adhesive. Advantageously, after applying a lower one of two successive ones of said at least two layers, said lower one is dried to certain extent, before the upper one of said two successive ones of said at least two layers is applied substantially on top of said lower one.

[0052] Preferably, before the upper one of said two successive ones of said at least two layers is applied substantially on top of said lower one, said lower one may dried at least to such an extent that it contains less than half of the water which it originally contained when being applied, preferably containing no more than 30 % of the water it originally contained, more preferably containing no more than 20 % of the water it originally contained, yet more preferably containing no more than 10 % of the water it originally contained. In embodiments, the drying may for instance be done at least partly by means of a dryer, such as for example a hot air dryer, an infrared dryer, a microwave dryer, or any other suitable dryer. Alternatively, or additionally, the drying may be performed at least partly in a more passive manner, for example by letting the water activated adhesive air dry to a certain extent and / or by letting water content, of the water activated adhesive applied on the cardboard sheet material, seep at least partially into said cardboard sheet material.

[0053] By having the lower one of two subsequent layers dry substantially, in particular such that it does not contain more than 30 %, 20 %, or 10 % of the amount of water it original contained when it was being applied, it can be counteracted that the water activated adhesive of said lower layer would prevent that the still relatively wet water activated adhesive for the subsequent layer (to be applied on top of said lower layer) could be deposit relatively well on said lower layer. Indeed, if the adhesive of the lower layer would still have been relatively wet and / or sticky, and said relatively wet lower layer would come in contact with the (also relatively wet) water activated adhesive present on the flexographic plate (which is provided on the plate cylinder), relatively much of the water activated adhesive present on the flexographic plate would stay behind on the flexographic plate. This is because the combined “stack” of the relatively wet water activated adhesive layer (already present on the cardboard) and the relatively wet water activated adhesive provided on the flexographic plate will “split” somewhere in the “stack” (for instance near the middle of said stack) when the flexographic plate, which is provided on the plate cylinder, rolls over the cardboard sheet when said sheet is moved / transferred relatively to said plate cylinder provided with the flexographic plate. In other words, it has been found that if the lower layer of water activated adhesive (which is then already provided on the cardboard sheet) would still be relatively wet, relatively little water activated adhesive present on the flexographic plate will be applied on top of said lower layer. It has thus been found that by firstly substantially drying said already applied lower layer of water activated adhesive, relatively much water activated adhesive may be transferred from the flexographic plate, provided on the plate cylinder, onto said lower layer.

[0054] The invention also relates to a method for producing, preferably substantially finalising, a construction made from a semi-finished construction, in particular a semi-finished construction as described in one of the embodiments above. In the method, the second part is adhered to the first part at least partly by means of the first amount of water activated adhesive. In particular, the first amount of water activated adhesive has been remoistened in order to make it sticky prior to adhering the second part to the first part at least partly by means of said first amount of water activated adhesive, preferably by also pressing said first part and second part together. It will be appreciated that the remoistening may be done by any suitable means, for example by means of a spray nozzle, a sponge, an applicator wheel, an applicator roller or roll, a brush, etc, which may apply the water, or a water containing liquid or the like, directly to the respective amount of water activated adhesive which is to be activated.

[0055] However, in a further, non-obvious aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the water, or at least a portion of a water containing liquid or the like, which is to be used to activate the water activated adhesive, may be applied to a corresponding area of the counterpart, and thus not directly onto the water activated adhesive itself. This is, for instance instead of applying water (or the like) directly to the first amount of water (or in addition thereto), water may be applied to an area of the second part of cardboard sheet material, which area of the second part corresponds to the area of the first part of cardboard sheet material which is provided with said first amount of water activated adhesive. Said area of the second part may thus form a target area against / on which the corresponding amount of water activated adhesive provided on the first part is to be adhered.

[0056] An advantage of applying water to a corresponding area on the surface of the second part, or other counterpart, instead of - or in addition to - applying it directly to the water activated adhesive, may be that it can counteract that too much water will be applied to the water activated adhesive, for instance as a surplus of water applied to the second part or other counterpart may at least partly seep away into the second part or other counterpart, in particular before it is brought in contact with the water activated adhesive. This may for instance in particular be an advantage in case the water will be applied by hand, in particular by a relatively unskilled or untrained person.

[0057] Alternatively, or additionally, an advantage may be that the cardboard material of the counterpart, e.g. the second part, may provide for relatively good visual feedback when being wettened, in particular due to a discolouring of the cardboard when it becomes wet, which, at least in embodiments, may be easier observed than a change in appearance between dry water activated adhesive and wet water activated adhesive, which appearance for instance may only change relatively little, and which for instance may merely be a change in the degree of shine. This may for instance in particular be an advantage in case the water will be applied by hand, in particular by a relatively unskilled or untrained person.

[0058] An alternative or additional advantage of applying water to a corresponding area on the surface of the second part, or other counterpart, may be that it can counteract that water, for example in particular when it is applied by means of spraying, would be partly deposited besides a surface on which the respective amount of water activated adhesive is provided. This may for instance be due to that the amount of water activated adhesive may in many embodiments typically be provided relatively nearby an edge of a respective flap, wall or other part, whereas the location on the second part against which said first flap is to be adhered may be located relatively further away from an edge.

[0059] As such, applying, in particular spraying, the water to the second part instead of directly onto the water activated adhesive on the first part, may for example counteract that water could be accidentally sprayed or deposited between the flutes of cardboard material. Besides, it may, alternatively or additionally, also counteract that parts of machinery or tooling, for instance transports rolls or wheels thereof, may be moistened, which could otherwise lead to premature wear or the like. It will thus be appreciated that, for instance therefore or for other reasons, applying water onto the counterpart may also be advantageous in embodiments in which the construction is finished in an automated or semi-automated manner and / or relatively professional setting.

[0060] In embodiments, one or more areas of the second part and / or of any other counterpart may be provided with one or more indicators indicating a respective location at which the respective amount of water activated adhesive is to be adhered to said second part or other counterpart. Said indicator may thus indicate the location at which water is or water containing liquid is to be applied in order to let the water activated adhesive become activated and allow it to stick to thereto. Thereto, said indicator may indicate a size of an area at which the first amount of water activated adhesive is to be adhered to said second part, such that it can be seen relatively easily where the water should be applied. Preferably, said indicator may a visual indicator, for example in the form of a print or a debossing or the like. In an alternative embodiment, it may be the respective part of cardboard sheet provided with the first amount of water activated adhesive and / or any other amount of water activated adhesive, if any, which can be provided with an indicating means to indicate a location where the respective amount of water activated adhesive is present. This may facilitate directly moistening said respective amount of wate activated adhesive. This is advantageous in preventing situations where, during the assembly of a box or other construction, not all amounts of adhesive are easily spotted. As such, the indicating means may counteract that accidently one or more amounts of water activated adhesive are not moistened, which could otherwise result in an insufficiently strong construction.

[0061] In an inventive embodiment, the water activated adhesive may be provided with a colorant, such as a pigment or a dye. An advantage thereof is that the colorant can serve as an indicator and can enable that an otherwise substantially colourless or so-called clear adhesive can thus be spotted relatively easily by a user due to the colorant. Preferably, the colour and / or the amount of the colorant is such that, when the water activated adhesive is applied to the cardboard and is in its substantially dry state, it results in a colour that is distinguishable relatively well from the colour of the cardboard sheet material. An advantage of providing the water activated adhesive itself with colorant, which serves as an indicator, over printing a separate indicator at the location of the water activated adhesive, is that this can in a simple and elegant manner counteract that the location of an indicator could be misplaced, thus counteracting that it would indicate the wrong location.

[0062] Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

[0063] By way of non-limiting examples only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described and elucidated with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a semi-finished construction according to an aspect of the invention;

[0065] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a semi-finished construction according to an aspect of the invention; FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a flexography process which can be used in embodiments according to methods according to an aspect of the invention; and

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a detail of the flexography process.

[0067] It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to aspects of the invention. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

[0068] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of of a semi-finished construction 1. The semi-finished construction 1 comprises multiple parts 11 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 191 , 192, 193, 194, 195 of cardboard sheet material, wherein at least a first one 11 of said parts of cardboard sheet material is intended and arranged to be adhered to a second one 12 of said parts of cardboard sheet material. Thereto, the said first part 11 of cardboard sheet material is provided with at least a first amount 111 of water activated adhesive.

[0069] It is noted that the term “water activated adhesive” does not mean that said adhesive has to be in its active, i.e. wet and / or sticky, state. Actually, the water activated adhesive may be in a dry, not yet activated, state or may for instance be dried up again into an adhering state in which it for instance already adheres the respective parts 11 , 12, 13 together. The term “water activated adhesive” could, with respect to the respective context, thus be interpreted as “water activatable adhesive”, as that is also a meaning this term normally has in the relevant art, but it may also be considered to be “water activated adhesive” after it has been activated and is still wet, and it may for instance also considered to be “water activated adhesive” when it is in a redried state, after it has dried up again.

[0070] Advantageously, the first amount 111 of water activated adhesive and / or any other amount of water activated adhesive 131 , 132, 133, if any, may be provided such that it, when it is in a dry state, has a coating mass of at least 1.5 gram / m2, preferably at least 2 gram / m2, more preferably at least 4 gram / m2, yet more preferably at least 6 gram / m2, such as for instance at least 8 gram / m2. It is noted that the dry state may at least in embodiments be considered a state in which the water activated adhesive contains no more than 30%, preferably no more than 20%, yet more preferably no more than 10% of its original water content when it was applied. Since the first amount 111 of water activated adhesive and / or any other amount of water activated adhesive 131 , 132, 133, if any, may be applied by means of applying multiple layers 111 D, 111 C, 111 B, 111A on top of each other, a single one of the layers can contain less coating mass than the combined amount 111 , 131 , 132, 133. For example, at least one of the layers 111A, 111 B, 111C, 111 D of water activated adhesive, and preferably each of said layers, which may be applied in a wet state, may, once the respective layer is its dry state, provide for a coating mass of at least 0.5 gram / m2, preferably at least 1 gram / m2, more preferably at least 1.5 gram / m2such as for instance between about 1 and 3.5 gram / m2, such as for example about 2 gram / m2.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the semi-finished construction 1 is formed as a semi-finished cardboard box 1A. As can be seen here, the box 1A may for instance have been substantially erected, but not yet shut and sealed.

[0072] In order to produce a construction made from the semi-finished construction 1 , respective parts, e.g. flaps 193, 194, 195, of the semi-finished box 1A may for instance be folded to their desired positions, e.g. their closing positions. Here, also a part 192, provided with a sealing flap 191 , forming the lid of the finalised box may be folded to its closing position. After the first amount 111 of water activated adhesive has been activated by remoistening it, e.g. by means of one or more spray nozzles and / or more other moistening devices, such as for instance sponges or brushes, the then activated water activated adhesive has become sticky, and the first part 11 can then be adhered to the second part 12 at least partly by means of said first amount 111 of water activated adhesive. As will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art, pressure may be applied, in particular at least during some initial moments after bringing said parts 11 , 12 together, in order to facilitate a relatively well bound between the first and second part 11 , 12.

[0073] Although the water activated adhesive can be remoistened by applying water, or any suitable water containing liquid, directly onto the respective amount 111 , 131 , 132, 133 of water activated adhesive, the water activated adhesive may alternatively, or additionally, be remoistened, in particular remoistened by hand, by applying said water or liquid onto a counterpart, in particular a counterpart formed by the second part 12. For instance in order to facilitate applying said water or liquid substantially to the right location, the second part 12 (or any other respective counterpart to which a respective amount of water activated adhesive is to be adhered) may be provided with at least a first indicator 121 , and one or more further indicators 122, 123, which can indicate a respective location at which a respective amount 131 , 132, 133 of water activated adhesive is to be adhered to said second part 12 (or other counterpart).

[0074] For example, said indicator 121 may be a visual indicator, for instance in the form of a print, in particular one including ink, or in the form of a debossing or the like.

[0075] In embodiments, said indicator 121 may also indicate a size of an area at which the first amount 111 of water activated adhesive is to be adhered to said second part 12, for example by providing at least part of an outline of said area and / or by providing at least part of the area, such as by means of a hatching, an embossing, and / or an debossing and / or any other suitable means.

[0076] In particular when the remoistening is done by hand, e.g. by a consumer or other person reclosing a shipping box or the like, the indicator 121 , 122, 123 may advantageously be in the form of a spot or a patch, for instance as that may enable a relatively quick and / or relatively even application of water or water containing liquid.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the semi-finished construction 1 is formed as a semi-finished box 1A, such as a semi-finished shipping box. However, the semi-finished construction 1 may be formed differently, for instance in the form of another semi-finished box or so-called semi-finished case, in the form of another semi-finished packaging, such as a semi-finished cardboard tray, or in the form of another semi-finished product or product part. For example, the semi-finished construction 1 may be formed as a semi-finished display stand 1 B, an exemplary embodiment of which is schematically shown in FIG. 2.

[0078] As can be seen in FIG. 2, multiple parts 11 , 12 of the semi-finished construction 1 may be formed by separate elements or portions of separate elements. For example, as is the case in the here shown embodiment, the second part 12 may for instance be formed by a side wall of the display stand 1 B, whereas the first part 11 may be formed by a separately formed ornament to be adhered to said sidewall by means of one or more amounts of water activated adhesive. Although in this case the ornament forms the first part 11 provided with at least a first amount 111 of water activated adhesive, in alternative embodiments the side wall may form the first part provided with said first amount 111 of water activated adhesive while the ornament may then form the second part.

[0079] It will be appreciated that not all parts 11 , 12, 13, etc. of the semi-finished construction 1 , and thus also not all parts of the finally formed construction, need to be formed from the same cardboard sheet material. For example, at least the first part 11 , e.g. a side wall of a display stand 1 B, may be formed out of corrugated cardboard sheet material or so-called fibreboard material, whereas at least the second part 12 may be formed out of paperboard sheet material or so-called solid paper-based sheet material. This may for instance be an advantageous solution to provide one or multiple ornaments, for example as paperboard sheet material may for instance be better or easier printable than corrugated sheet material, for instance in order to facilitate providing a high-quality printing.

[0080] Although thus not all parts need to be formed out the same sheet material, it may in embodiments be advantageous to form all cardboard sheet material parts 11 , 12, etc. from the same material, for instance the same corrugated cardboard sheet material. This may for instance ease production (for example as all parts can be cut by the same or similar tools) and / or this may for instance ease logistics (for example as only one type of sheet material may be needed).

[0081] Although thus not all parts need to be formed out of a single piece of sheet material, it may in embodiments be advantageous to form all cardboard sheet material parts 11 , 12, etc. from a single piece and / or a single blank of cardboard sheet material, in particular corrugated cardboard sheet material or so-called corrugated fibreboard.

[0082] The semi-finished box 1 A of FIG. 1 is for instance an example of a semi-finished construction 1 formed from a single blank. In this embodiment, the side walls 15 are provided with attachment flaps or gluing flaps 16, 17 which are adhered to the front wall 12 and rear wall 18, respectively.

[0083] In particular, the semi-finished box 1A or other semi-finished construction 1 may be pre-glued to a certain extent, preferably in a manner in which the semi-finished construction 1 may be folded into a flat sate, .e.g. in the form of a flat box or flat container, which can be fold out in order to erect it.

[0084] In embodiments, the bottom of the semi-finished box 1A may also comprise one or more parts which may be attached to each other, in particular adhered, for instance by means of one or more further gluing flaps (not shown to one or more of the front, rear and side walls 12, 18, 15.

[0085] It will be appreciated that any parts 12, 16; 17, 18 which may be adhered, in particular pre-glued, to each other in order to form the semi-finished construction 1 may be adhered by means of other adhesive than the water activated adhesive. For example, they may be adhered by means of hot melt or any other suitable means. Although the use of such hot melt may have disadvantages, for instance in view of recycling the finished construction after its lifetime, such a semi-finished construction 1 which not only comprises water activated adhesive as adhesive may still be advantageous with respect to semi-finished constructions which cannot be sealed and / or finalised by means of water activated adhesive, for instance as they may still counteract that during the sealing and / or finalising a glueing installation (for instance for hot melt) needs to be present and / or for instance as they may counteract that during the sealing and / or finalising, waste, for instance in the form of backing tape, is released.

[0086] Alternatively, or additionally, the bottom of the semi-finished box 1A may preferably be provided with a folding mechanism enabling the semi-finished box 1A to be folded substantially flat or so-called piano, which for instance may facilitate relatively economical storage and / or transportation of the semi-finished boxes 1A.

[0087] It will be appreciated that producing the final construction, e.g. the finalised box, may thus include folding out the semi-finished construction 1 in order to at least partly erect it. Subsequently, in particular after the semi-finished box 1A has been provided with content to hold by it, the lid may be closed and the construction may be finalised by closing it off and sealing it by adhering the first part 11 and the second part 12 together.

[0088] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the first part 11 is connected to a further part 13 by means of an intermediate part 14 formed as a tear-off strip, which at both its lateral side may be connected to said first part 11 and further part 13, respectively, at least partly by means of tear lines, for instance formed at least partly by means of preformed perforation lines. Such a tear-off strip is well known, for instance in the field of transportation boxes or the like. Once a receiver of the box has torn off the tear-off strip 14, the first part 11 , e.g. an initial seal strip, may stay connected to the second part 12, e.g. the front wall. In this exemplary embodiment, the box comprises a further part 13 provided with at least one further amount 131 of water activated adhesive. Said further part 13 may be used to at least partly reclose and / or reseal the box 1A, for instance in order to return the shipping box. The at least one further amount 131 and / or one or more additional amounts 132, 133 of water activated adhesive, if any, may be used, after moistening and activating it / them, to close off and / or seal the box 1 A again.

[0089] As can be further seen in FIG. 1 , the first amount 11 , or any other amount, of water activated adhesive may for instance be provided in an elongate shape, preferably a substantially strip-shaped shape.

[0090] Alternatively, the first amount 111 of water activated adhesive, and / or additionally one or more further or additional amounts 131 , 132, 133 of water activated adhesive, may be shaped differently, in particular substantially in the form of a spot or patch, as can be seen in FIG. 1. This may for instance enable that the respective amount or amounts 13, 132, 133 of water activated adhesive can be touched up relatively simply and / or relatively quickly by a consumer, for instance by stamping it with a sponge or a wet cloth or any other suitable means.

[0091] At least one of the one or more amounts 111 , 131 , 132, 133 of water activated adhesive may be formed by applying multiple layers 111 D, 111 C, 111 B, 111A at least partly on top of each other. Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 shows four layers, another amount of layers may be possible, such as for example two, three, five or six layers.

[0092] Although one or more of the layers, in particular one or more of the lower layers 111 C, 111 D provided closest to the sheet material 2, may be formed as a barrier or barrier coating, or part thereof, and said one or more layers, or one or more other layers, may not comprise water activated adhesive but may have another composition, e.g. a barrier coating composition, also embodiments are possible wherein multiple ones 111 B, 11A of the layers, or even all of the layers 111 D, 111 C, 111 B, 111 A are substantially formed out of water activated adhesive.

[0093] For example, the barrier coating may be arranged to form a barrier for moisture, for example in order to counteract that moisture or water may seep relatively easily into the cardboard material. For example, the barrier may counteract that water applied in order to remoisten the water activated adhesive (in particular in order to activate it, i.e. make it sticky) may seep into the cardboard. Although the barrier coating may be part of the amount of water activated adhesive or may be provided at least partly below the amount of water activated adhesive, it may be provided at another place, such as for instance at least partly at an area of the second part which area is to be adhered to the first part’s area provided with the first amount of water activated adhesive.

[0094] It is noted that although the barrier coating is now disclosed in the context of embodiments corresponding to the example shown in FIG. 1 , the barrier coating can also be used in other embodiments, such as for instance in embodiments relating to a semi-finished or finished tray or display or other construction.

[0095] Although the water activated adhesive may be applied by other means, it has been found to be advantageous to do so by means of a flexography process. In particular, the flexography process has been found to be relatively advantageous to apply water activated adhesive in a wet state in which it still is in relatively dry form or state, for instance a wet state in which it contains more than 30 %, more than 40 % or at least about 45 % by weight of solids, as the flexography process may enable to do this in a relatively easy and / or relatively reliable and / or relatively well adjustable way.

[0096] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of such flexography process, which can thus be advantageously used in order to provide a sheet 2 of cardboard material with one or more layers of one or more amounts 111 , 131 , 132, 133 of water activated adhesive, and / or with one or more other layers, e.g. one or more base layers, such as one or more barrier layers, which may form a base of the respective amount 111 , 131 , 132, 133 of water activated adhesive.

[0097] As can be seen in FIG. 4, which shows a detail of the process which is also partly shown in FIG. 3, the first layer 111 A of water activated adhesive is being applied by means of a flexographic plate 31 provided on a plate cylinder 32. A support, for example in the form of an impression cylinder 39 or a so-called print anvil may be provided to apply counterpressure to the flexographic plate 31 and / or the plate cylinder 32. Said first layer 111A is deposited, at least partly, and preferably substantially entirely, on top of a stack of previously applies layers 111 B, 111 C, 111 D, which, at least partly, form also parts of the same finally formed amount 111 of water activated adhesive.

[0098] With regard to FIG. 3, it is noted that an anilox roller or roll 33 or so-called metering roller or roll 33, which may comprise anilox cells, for instance finely engraved in said roller 33, which may have a particular adhesive containing / holding capacity, can be used to transfer the water activated adhesive (or other compound for forming a respective layer, such as a barrier or base layer) to the flexographic plate 31 (or so-called printing plate 31), in particular a flexible flexographic plate, provided, in particular releasably mounted, on the plate cylinder 32.

[0099] Although the anilox roller 33 may in preferred embodiments directly pick up the water activated adhesive 36 (or other compound 36) from a container, in particular a so-called doctor chamber, the anilox roller 33 may also be provided with the compound 36, e.g. the water activated adhesive 36, by other means, for instance by means of an intermediate roller 34 which typically is called a so-called fountain roller or roll 34, which may pick up the water activated adhesive 36 (or other compound 36) from a container 35 or chamber 35, as is shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3. In embodiments in which no intermediate roller 34 is used, the chamber, in particular a so-called doctor chamber or so-called doctor blade chamber, may be substantially closed off, in particular by means of the anilox roller which may cover an opening in the chamber, which opening may extend between a containment blade and a scraper blade 37 or so-called doctor blade or so-called metering blade at the opposite end of the opening.

[0100] As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, in embodiments in which an intermediate roller 34 is used, as a further option, a scraper blade 37 may then be provided for removing surplus compound, in particular surplus water activated adhesive 36, from said intermediate roller or so-called fountain roller 34 and / or a so- called doctor blade may be provided to scrape surplus compound, in particular surplus water activated adhesive 36, off from the anilox roller 33, in particular in a manner such that said compound, in particular said water activated adhesive 36, will substantially only be contained in the so-called anilox cells. This may facilitate that an specific amount and / or specific thickness of said compound, in particular said water activated adhesive, will be transferred from said anilox roller 33 onto the flexographic plate 31. Hence, the amount of compound being applied to the sheet 2 can be controlled relatively well.

[0101] Preferably, after applying a lower one 111 B of two successive ones 111 B, 111 A of said at least two layers, said lower one 111 B may be dried to certain extent, for instance by means of a drying station, which may comprise dryer, for example a hot air dryer, before the upper one 111 A of said two successive ones of said at least two layers is applied substantially on top of said lower one 111 B. In embodiments, each layer may for instance be applied by the same flexography station 3. For instance, once the sheet 2 has been passed one time through a flexography station 3, in a feeding direction D3, to apply the bottom layer 111 D, as is schematically shown in FIG. 3, it may, preferably after said bottom layer 111 D has dried up, more preferably by means of a drying station (not shown), be passed through the same flexography station 3 again in order to apply an upper one 111C of at least two successive ones of at least two layers at least partly, and preferably substantially entirely, on top of said lower one 111 D.

[0102] However, in alternative embodiments a flexography system may be provide which comprises multiple flexography stations 3, e.g. one for each of the layers 111 D, 111C, 111 B, 111 A to be applied at least partly on top of each other. Optionally, the flexography system may also comprise multiple drying stations, in particular at least one between each of the subsequent flexography stations 3, and preferably also at least one subsequent to the last flexography station for drying the top layer 111A applied by means of the last flexography station.

[0103] The flexography system, the drying station and / or the method may be arranged and / or controlled such that, before feeding it into the subsequent flexography station or re-entering it into the also previously used flexography station, the respective layer can be dried to such extent that it contains less than half of the water which it originally contained when it was applied, preferably containing no more than 30 % of the water it originally contained, more preferably containing no more than 20 % of the water it originally contained, yet more preferably containing no more than 10 % of the water it originally contained.

[0104] It is noted that in embodiments, the barrier coating may comprise one or multiple layers, one or multiple of which may be applied by means of a flexography process. Using the flexography process for applying one or more layers of a barrier coating, if any, may for instance enable that it / they can be applied locally, e.g. exactly where it / they is / are wanted and / or in any shape or form which is desired.

[0105] It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to any embodiment described herein and that modifications are possible which can be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0106] For example, features only disclosed in the context of the first amount of water activated adhesive may also apply to any further amount of water activated adhesive and any feature or step relating to applying the first amount of water activated adhesive or a layer thereof may also apply to applying any other layer or any other amount of water activated adhesive or any other amount of composition, such a barrier coating, or any layer thereof.

[0107] Also kinematic inversions and the like are considered inherent to the invention disclosed herein.

[0108] In the claims, any reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

[0109] Terms such as “comprising”, “having” and “including” when used in this description or the appended claims should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense, but rather in an inclusive sense. Thus, expressions as “comprising”, “having” and “including” do not excluded the presence of more of the same and / or additional other elements, structures, steps, etc. in addition to those explicitly listed. Moreover, the words “a” and “an” should not be interpreted as being limited to “only one”, but should instead be interpreted as to mean “at least one”. These words “a” and “an” do thus not exclude a plurality. Features that are not specifically or explicitly described or claimed may be additionally be included in the structure of the invention without departing from its scope.

[0110] Besides, it is noted that expressions such as “means for ...” or "... means” should be interpreted as “component configured for ...” or “member constructed to ...” or the like, and should be construed to include equivalents for any specific or exemplary structures explicitly disclosed. The use of expressions like “preferably”, “in particular” and “for instance” is not intended to limit the invention.

[0111] Additions, deletions and modifications within in the purview of the skilled person may generally be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as determined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Semi-finished construction (1), for instance a semi-finished cardboard box (1A) or a semi-finished tray or a semi-finished display stand (1 B), comprising: at least a first part (11) of cardboard sheet material and a second part (12) of cardboard sheet material, wherein the first part (11) is to be adhered to the second part (12) of cardboard sheet material, characterized in that said first part (11) of cardboard sheet material is provided with at least a first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive.

2. Semi-finished construction (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the first part (11) of cardboard sheet material is formed as corrugated cardboard sheet material, preferably wherein the second part (12) of cardboard sheet material is also formed as corrugated cardboard sheet material.

3. Semi-finished construction (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive is provided in an elongate shape, preferably a substantially strip-shaped shape.

4. Semi-finished construction (1) according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive is at least partly formed by a first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive applied substantially onto a first intermediate layer (111’), and wherein said first intermediate layer (111’) is provided between said first layer (111A) of water activated adhesive and the cardboard sheet material of the first part (11) of cardboard sheet material, preferably wherein the first intermediate layer (111’) is formed at least partly by a second layer (111 B) of water activated adhesive, more preferably wherein the water activated adhesive of the first layer (111 A) and the water activated adhesive of the said second layer (111 B) both have substantially the same composition.

5. Semi-finished construction (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first amount (111) of water activated adhesive at least partly formed by the first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive is further at least partly formed by said second layer (112) of water activated adhesive.

6. Semi-finished construction (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first amount (111) of water activated adhesive is in a dry state and / or not sticky.

7. Semi-finished construction (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive is provided such that it, when it is in a dry state, has a coating mass of at least 1.5 gram / m2, preferably at least 2 gram / m2, more preferably at least 4 gram / m2, yet more preferably at least 6 gram / m2, such as for instance at least 8 gram / m2, and / or wherein the first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive is arranged such as to enable adhering the first part (11) to the second part (12) by means of said first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive in such manner that it provides for a peel strength that, when pulled apart, results in visible fibre tear.

8. Semi-finished construction (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the second part (12) is provided with at least a first indicator (121), for example in the form of a spot or a patch, which indicates a location at which the first amount (131) of water activated adhesive is to be adhered to said second part (12), such that said first indicator (121) can indicate a location at which water or water containing liquid is to be applied in order to enable the first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive to be indirectly moistened by said water or water containing liquid when the first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive will be brought into contact with said location at the second part (12) after said water or water containing liquid has been applied to said location at the second part (12) indicated by said first indicator (121), preferably wherein said indicator (121) is a visual indicator, for example in the form of a print or a debossing or the like,more preferably wherein said indicator (121) also indicates a size of an area at which the first amount (131) of water activated adhesive is to be adhered to said second part (12), for example by providing at least part of an outline of said area and / or by providing at least an representation of the area, such as by means of a hatching, an embossing, and / or an debossing and / or any other suitable means.

9. Semi-finished construction (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first amount (111 , 131) of water activated adhesive is at least partly formed by a first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive applied substantially onto a first intermediate layer (111’), and wherein said first intermediate layer (111’) is provided between said first layer (111A) of water activated adhesive and the cardboard sheet material of the first part (11) of cardboard sheet material, wherein the first intermediate layer (111’) is formed at least partly by a second layer (111 B) of water activated adhesive, and wherein the water activated adhesive of the first layer (111 A) and the water activated adhesive of the said second layer (111 B) both have substantially the same composition, preferably wherein at least one of the first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive and the second layer (111 B) of water activated adhesive have been applied by means of a flexography process, in particular by means of a flexographic plate (31) provided on a plate cylinder (32) which transfers water activated adhesive in a wet state from an anilox roller (33) to the first part (11) of cardboard sheet material.

10. Construction made from a semi-finished construction (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, preferably wherein the second part (12) is adhered to the first part (11) at least partly by means of the first amount (111) of water activated adhesive, more preferably wherein the first amount of water activated adhesive (111) has been remoistened in order to make it sticky prior to adhering the second part (12) to the first part (11) at least partly by means of said first amount (111) of water activated adhesive,yet more preferably wherein the adhesion between the first part (11) and the second part (12) provides for a peel strength of at least 0.1 N / mm, in particular at least 0.2 N / mm, more in particular at least 0.3 N / mm, such as for example around 0.4 N / mm, and / or provides for a peel strength that, when pulled apart, results in visible fibre tear.

11. Method for forming a semi-finished construction (1) according to anyone of claims 1-9 and / or a construction according to claim 10, comprising the steps of: providing at least a first sheet (2) of cardboard sheet material; and applying at least a first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive in order to form at least part of the first amount (111) of water activated adhesive, preferably wherein the method further comprises: applying one or multiple further layers of water activated adhesive, in particular before applying said first layer (111A) of water activated adhesive.

12. Method according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive and the one or multiple further layers (111 B, 111 C, 111 D) of water activated adhesive, and preferably each of said layers, is applied in a wet state, and wherein the respective layer (111 A, 111 B, 111C, 111 D) of water activated adhesive, once it its dry state, provides for a coating mass of at least 0.5 gram / m2, preferably at least 1 gram / m2, more preferably at least 1.5 gram / m2, such as for instance between about 1 and 3.5 gram / m2, such as for example about 2 gram / m2.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one of the first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive and the one or multiple further layers (111 B, 111 C, 111 D) of water activated adhesive, and preferably each of said layers (111A, 111 B, 111 C, 111 D), is applied in a wet state in which it contains more than 30 % by weight of solids, preferably at least 35 % by weight of solids, more preferably at least 40 % by weight of solids, yet more preferably at least about 45 % by weight of solids.

14. Method according to anyone of the claims 11-13,wherein at least one of the first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive and the one or multiple further layers (111 B, 111 C, 111 D) of water activated adhesive, and preferably each of said layers (111 A, 111 B, 111 C, 111 D), is applied as a mixture or solution in a wet state, wherein the amount of water in said mixture or solution in said wet state is less than 70 % of its weight, preferably at most 65 %, more preferably at most 60 %, yet more preferably at most about 55 %.

15. Method according to anyone of the claims 11-14, wherein at least one of the first layer (111 A) of water activated adhesive and the one or multiple further layers (111 B, 111C, 111 D) of water activated adhesive is applied by means of a flexography process, in particular by means of a flexographic plate (31) provided on a plate cylinder (32) which transfers water activated adhesive in a wet state from an anilox roller (33) to the first sheet (2) of cardboard sheet material.

16. Method according to anyone of the claims 11-14, wherein at least two layers (111 D, 111 C) of water activated adhesive, in particular of substantially the same composition, are applied at least substantially on top of each other in order to together form at least part of the first amount (111) of water activated adhesive, wherein after applying a lower one (111 D) of two successive ones (111 D, 111 C) of said at least two layers, said lower one (111 D) is dried to a certain extent, before the upper one (111 C) of said two successive ones of said at least two layers is applied substantially on top of said lower one (111 D).

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein, before the upper one (111C) of said two successive ones of said at least two layers is applied substantially on top of said lower one (111 D), said lower one (111 D) is dried to at least such an extent that it contains less than half of the water which it originally contained when being applied, preferably containing no more than 30 % of the water it originally contained, more preferably containing no more than 20 % of the water it originally contained, yet more preferably containing no more than 10 % of the water it originally contained.

18. Method for producing, preferably substantially finalising, a construction made from a semi-finished construction (1 , 1A, 1 B), wherein the semi-finished construction (1) is according to anyone of claims 1-9 and / or is formed by a method according to anyone of claims 11-17, wherein the second part (12) is adhered to the first part (11) at least partly by means of the first amount (111) of water activated adhesive, and preferably wherein the first amount (111) of water activated adhesive has been remoistened in order to make it sticky prior to adhering the second part (12) to the first part (11) at least partly by means of said first amount (11) of water activated adhesive.

Images