Product packaging and method for the production thereof

Abstract

A product packaging, in particular a toothbrush packaging, has a shell-shaped main body which has at least one base part and multiple side walls which surround a receiving space. The receiving space is covered by means of a cover. A holding part is arranged in the receiving space, which holding part has at least one receptacle into which a product can be inserted. The shell-shaped main body has a partial-shell-shaped first shell part with a first base part and multiple first side walls, and a partial-shell-shaped second shell part with a second base part and multiple second side walls, wherein the shell parts and the holding part are formed from a one-piece, preferably flat blank, in particular made of cardboard or paper.

Description

[0001] Product packaging and methods for its manufacture

[0002] The invention relates to a product packaging and in particular a toothbrush packaging with a bowl-shaped base body, which has at least a bottom part and several side walls surrounding a receiving space, with a lid by means of which the receiving space is covered, and with a holding part which is arranged in the receiving space and which has at least one receptacle into which a product can be inserted.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a corresponding product packaging.

[0004] Such product packaging has long been known as blister packs, which consist of a plastic base, usually transparent, that is deep-drawn from a plastic film. The base has a recess or cavity that forms a receiving space into which a product can be placed.

[0005] The invention preferably relates to rod-shaped products, for example toothbrushes or writing pens, but is not limited thereto. In the following, a toothbrush-shaped product will be used as an example.

[0006] In a conventional blister pack, the toothbrush is placed in the prepared compartment and secured there by a clamp or snap-in mechanism. The base of the pack has a circumferential flange at its upper edge, which provides a surface for a lid, usually made of paper or cardboard and printed with product information. After the toothbrush is placed in the base, the lid is placed onto the flange and sealed by gluing, welding, or sealing.

[0007] A particular disadvantage of this type of packaging is that two different materials, namely plastic on the one hand and paper or cardboard on the other, are firmly bonded together and must be separated again for possible recycling.

[0008] Therefore, attempts have been made to produce a suitable blister pack entirely from a single material, and in particular from paper or cardboard. According to EP 3 736 221 Bl, a tray-shaped base is provided, formed from a blank of a cardboard element. A prefabricated folding element, also made of cardboard, is inserted into the resulting compartment and secured within it. The folding element serves to fix the toothbrush in the compartment. After the folding element is inserted and secured in the compartment, and after the toothbrush has been inserted, the compartment is closed with a lid by attaching the lid to the base.

[0009] A particular disadvantage of this product packaging is that the folding element must be prefabricated, then inserted into the receiving space of the base unit and secured there. This process is time-consuming and expensive.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of creating a product packaging of the aforementioned type that consists of as few components as possible and can be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0011] Furthermore, a process for manufacturing suitable product packaging should be created that can be carried out in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0012] With regard to the product packaging, this problem is solved by a product packaging with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the shell-shaped base body comprises a partially shell-shaped and, in particular, half-shell-shaped 1. shell part with a 1. bottom part and several 1. side walls, and a partially shell-shaped and, in particular, half-shell-shaped 2. shell part with a 2. bottom part and several 2. side walls, wherein the shell parts and the retaining part are formed from a single, preferably flat, blank.

[0013] According to the invention, the basic idea is not to form the base body as a single component, but to assemble it from several, and in particular two, partially shell-shaped shell parts. The two shell parts are part of the one-piece, preferably flat, blank, which is made in particular of paper or cardboard or another readily recyclable material.

[0014] The two shell parts are erected or formed from the common blank and then moved relative to each other, whereby the holding part is preferably erected and thereby formed by this moving movement.

[0015] The retaining element is also part of the single-piece blank, so that prefabrication and subsequent attachment of the retaining element are not necessary in the product packaging according to the invention. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a connecting element is arranged between the first shell part and the second shell part. This connecting element is also part of the blank and is integrally connected to the first shell part on one side and to the second shell part on the other, preferably opposite, side. In the finished product packaging, the connecting element forms the retaining element for holding the toothbrush and projects, in particular, from the bottom of the base body into the receiving space.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting part has several fastening tabs by which it is connected to the first shell part and / or the second shell part. The connecting tabs are an integral part of the connecting part and thus also an integral part of the blank, so that no additional components are necessary for the fastening tabs. By attaching the fastening tabs to the first and second shell parts, the two shell parts can be fixed in their desired relative position, preferably in a buttressed position. For this purpose, the connecting part can be connected to the first bottom part of the first shell part and / or to the second bottom part of the second shell part by means of the fastening tabs.

[0017] The fastening tabs of the connecting part can be glued, welded or sealed to the 1st bottom part and / or to the 2nd bottom part.

[0018] The base of the product packaging is preferably designed such that at least some, and preferably all, side walls each have a flanged section on their side edge facing away from the base. The (total) flange formed by the flanged sections of the side walls preferably extends completely around the upper side edge of the bowl-shaped base and forms a bearing surface onto which the lid can be placed. The lid is preferably made of the same material as the base, and in particular of paper or cardboard. The lid is connected to and attached to the flange, which can be done by gluing, welding, or sealing.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the connecting part has several cover tabs that at least partially cover a gap between the 1st shell part and the 2nd shell part.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting part has four cover tabs, namely two cover tabs at each end face of the connecting part, forming a pair of cover tabs.

[0021] The cover tabs can only rest on or against the gap between the two shell parts; however, in a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the connecting part is connected by means of the cover tabs to at least one of the side walls of the first shell part and preferably to two

[0022] 1. side walls of the 1st shell part and / or with at least one of the 2nd side walls of the 2nd shell part and preferably with two 2nd side walls of the 2nd shell part, wherein the connection can be made by plugging, gluing, welding or sealing.

[0023] The method for manufacturing a corresponding product packaging is characterized in that the partially shell-shaped, and in particular half-shell-shaped, first shell part is erected from the one-piece, preferably flat blank by pivoting its first side walls relative to the first bottom part. In this way, the first shell part is formed, which has a bottom and several, and preferably three, side walls and is open on one side, namely the side facing the second shell part. The partially shell-shaped, and in particular half-shell-shaped

[0024] The second shell section is also formed from the single-piece, flat blank by pivoting its two side walls relative to the second base section. In this way, the second shell section is formed, which has a base and several, preferably three, side walls and is open on one side, namely the side facing the first shell section. The first and second shell sections are still arranged at a distance, with the connecting element preferably positioned between them. To form the shell-shaped base body, the two erected, partially shell-shaped shell sections are moved towards each other until their open sides abut each other. During the relative movement between the first and second shell sections, the retaining element is formed simultaneously.

[0025] Preferably, the relative movement of the shell parts towards each other takes place after and / or simultaneously with the erection of the 1st shell part and / or the 2nd shell part.

[0026] The retaining part is preferably formed by the connecting part arranged between the 1st shell part and the 2nd shell part being pushed out of the plane of the blank, preferably upwards into the subsequent receiving space of the base body, by the relative movement of the shell parts towards each other, and erected to form the retaining part.

[0027] Subsequently, the first shell part and the second shell part can be fixed in their pushed-together position by connecting the fastening tabs of the connecting part to the first shell part and the second shell part, and in particular to the first bottom part and the second bottom part.

[0028] In a further process step, it may be provided that the cover tabs of the connecting part are aligned in such a way that they at least partially cover the gap between the 1st shell part and the 2nd shell part.

[0029] In a further development of the method, it may be provided that the cover tabs are connected to at least one of the 1st side walls of the 1st shell part and / or to at least one of the 2nd side walls of the 2nd shell part in order to fix and stabilize the base body in its oriented position.

[0030] The cover is then placed on the circumferential flange of the base body in a known manner and connected to the base body.

[0031] Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0032] Fig. 1. A perspective view of a base body and a lid of the product packaging,

[0033] Fig. 2. A top view of the flat blank for forming the basic body,

[0034] Fig. 3. an intermediate state during the erection of the base body,

[0035] Fig. 4. the base body directed towards and

[0036] Fig. 5. A rear view of the finished product packaging.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a product packaging 10 with a bowl-shaped base body 11 and a lid 12, the lid 12 being shown detached from the base body 11. The base body 11 has a first, partially bowl-shaped (here: half-bowl-shaped) bowl section 13 and a second, partially bowl-shaped (here: half-bowl-shaped) bowl section 14, which together form the base body 11, which has an internal receiving chamber 42 for receiving one or more products.

[0038] In the receiving space 42 a holding part 29 is arranged which has several receiving parts 36 in the form of recesses, wherein a rod-shaped product, in particular a toothbrush, can be inserted into each receiving part 36 and is thereby held.

[0039] The base body 11 is formed from a flat, one-piece blank 50, which is shown in plan view in Figure 2. The blank 50 has a base part 15 to form the first shell part 13 (right area in Figure 2). This base part is a rectangular plate and, in the illustrated embodiment, trapezoidal. The base part 15 is integrally connected to a first side wall 16 or 17 at its opposite side edges 15a and 15b, respectively, with the side edges 15a and 15b being designed as folded edges. The first side walls 16 and 17 are integrally connected on their side facing away from the first base part 15 via a side edge 16a or 17a to a flange part 19 or 21, respectively, with the side edges 16a and 17a also being designed as folded edges.

[0040] On its right end face as shown in Figure 2, the first bottom part 15 is integrally connected via a side edge 15c to a further first side wall 18, which is integrally connected at its side edge 18a facing away from the first bottom part 15 to a flange part 20, the side edge 18a also being designed as a folded edge. The first bottom part 15, the first side walls 16, 17 and 18 and the flange parts 19, 20 and 21 are part of the flat, one-piece blank 50, which consists of cardboard or paper.

[0041] On its left side (as shown in Figure 2), facing away from the first side wall 18, the first bottom part 15 is connected to a flat second bottom part 22, which is square in the illustrated embodiment, via a connecting element 30. The second bottom part 22 is integrally connected to a second side wall 23 and 24, respectively, at two opposite side edges 22a and 22b, which are each formed as a folded edge. The second side walls 23 and 24 each have a flange 26 and 27 on their side edges 23a and 24a, respectively, facing away from the second bottom part 22. The side edges 23a and 24a are also formed as folded edges.

[0042] At its left side edge 22c, facing away from the connecting part 30 (as shown in Figure 2), the second bottom part 22 is connected to a further second side wall 25, with side edge 22c also being designed as a folded edge. A flange part 28 is integrally connected to the further second side wall 25 at its side edge 25a, facing away from the second bottom part 22, with side edge 25a also being designed as a folded edge.

[0043] The second bottom part 22, the second side walls 23, 24 and 25, as well as the flange parts 26, 27 and 28, are also integral components of the flat blank 50.

[0044] The connecting part 30 is designed in multiple parts and comprises a first erection part 31 and a second erection part 32. The first erection part 31 is integrally connected on its side facing the first base part 15 to a side edge 15d of the first base part 15, which is designed as a folded edge. On its opposite side, the first erection part 31 is integrally connected to the second erection part 32 at its side edge 31a, which is also designed as a folded edge. The second erection part 32 is integrally connected on its side facing the second base part 22 to a side edge 22d of the second base part 22, which is also designed as a folded edge.

[0045] Three fastening tabs 33, 34, 35 are partially punched out of the 1st erection part 31 and the 2nd erection part 32, with the fastening tabs 33 and 34 still being integrally connected to the 1st base part 15, while the intermediate fastening tab 35 is still connected to the 2nd base part 22.

[0046] The two upright parts 31 and 32 each have a cover flap 38, 39, 40, 41 on their transverse, opposite side edges 38a, 39a, 40a, 41a, which are each designed as a folded edge.

[0047] The erection and manufacture of the base body 11 are explained below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The semi-shell-shaped first shell section 13 is formed by pivoting the first side walls 16, 17, 18 about their respective side edges 15a, 15b, 15c, where they are connected to the first base section 15, into an upright position that is essentially perpendicular to the base section 15. The flange sections 19, 20, 21 are each pivoted or folded outwards about their side edges 16a, 17a, 18a so that they are essentially parallel to the first base section 15 and lie in one plane. Through the aforementioned steps, the first shell part 13 is oriented, which is bounded on three sides by the respective first side walls 16, 17, 18 and is open on its side facing the connecting part 30 or the second shell part 14, as shown in Figure 3.

[0048] Simultaneously or at a time offset from the erection of the 1st shell part 13, the 2nd shell part 14 is erected accordingly by pivoting the 2nd side walls 23, 24, 25 about the side edges 22a, 22b, 22c of the 2nd bottom part 22 and erecting them so that they run essentially perpendicular to the 2nd bottom part 22.

[0049] The flange parts 26, 27, 28 are pivoted outwards around the side edges 23a, 24a, 25a, by which they are connected to the respective side walls 23, 24, 25, so that they run essentially parallel to the second bottom part 22. In this way, the second shell part 14 is formed, which is bounded on three sides by the second side walls 23, 24, 25 and is open on its side facing the connecting part 30 or the first shell part 13, as shown in Figure 3.

[0050] The shell parts 13 and 14, which are directed upwards, are held in their upright position by means of a device not shown.

[0051] After the two shell parts 13, 14 have been erected, or simultaneously with the erection of the shell parts 13, 14, the shell parts 13, 14 are moved towards each other, as indicated by arrows A and B in Figure 3. This converging movement of the two shell parts 13 and 14 exerts a compressive force on the connecting part 30 on its opposite sides, causing the connecting part 30, and thus the two erection tabs 31 and 32, to be pushed upwards out of the plane of the blank 50 and protrude into the receiving space 42. The two erection tabs 31 and 32 pivot about the side edges 15d and 22d, respectively, where they are connected to the shell parts 13 and 14, and about the side edge 31a, where they are connected to each other.

[0052] The fastening tabs 33, 34, 35 are not erected, as they are only connected on one side to the first shell part 13 or the second shell part 14. Those areas of the connecting part 30 from which the fastening tabs 33, 34, and 35 are punched out form, in the erected state of the connecting part 30 or the two erecting parts 31 and 32, recesses which can be used as the receptacles 36 for the product or products, as shown in Figure 4.

[0053] The two shell parts 13 and 14 move towards each other until they abut. This state is shown in Figure 4. The two upright parts 31 and 32 project into the receiving space 42 of the base body 11 and define the aforementioned recesses 36. The fastening tabs 33 and 34, which are still connected to the first base part 15, rest on the upper surface of the second base part 22. The fastening tab 35, which is still connected to the second base part 22, rests on the upper surface of the first base part 15, as shown in Figure 4. When the connecting part 30 is erected, the cover tabs 38, 39, 40 and 41 pivot together with the erection parts 31 and 32 to which they are connected, and in the erected state they lie against the inside of the first side walls 16, 17 and the second side walls 23, 24, respectively. This is also shown in Figure 4.

[0054] The base body is then fixed in the upright position shown in Figure 4. For this purpose, the fastening tabs 33 and 34 are connected to the second base part 22, on which they rest. The fastening tab 35 is connected to the first base part 15, on which it rests. The connection can be made by gluing, welding, or sealing.

[0055] The cover tabs 38, 39, 40, 41 are positioned such that they at least partially cover the gap formed between the two shell parts 13 and 14 on the side walls 16, 17 and 23, 24, respectively. To stabilize the base body 11, the cover tabs 38, 39, 40, 41 can be connected to the side walls 16, 17, 23 and 24, which can be done by gluing, welding, or sealing.

[0056] Through the aforementioned steps, the bowl-shaped base body 11 is erected and fixed in its shape. After one or more products, in particular toothbrushes, are inserted into the receiving chamber 42 of the base body 11, with each toothbrush being fitted into one of the receptacles 36, the product packaging is closed by placing the lid 12, which is preferably designed as a flat, plate-shaped blank and made of the same material as the base body 11, onto the circumferential flange 43 formed by the flange parts 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and securing it there, which can be done by gluing, welding, or sealing. The products or toothbrushes (not shown) are then enclosed in the receiving chamber 17 of the product packaging 10, as shown in Figure 5.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Product packaging (10) with a shell-shaped base body (11) comprising at least one bottom part (15, 22) and several side walls (16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25) surrounding a receiving chamber (42), with a lid (12) covering the receiving chamber (42), and with a retaining part (29) arranged in the receiving chamber (42) and having at least one receptacle (36) into which a product can be inserted, characterized in that the shell-shaped base body (11) comprises a partially shell-shaped first shell part (13) with a first bottom part (15) and several first side walls (16, 17, 18) and a partially shell-shaped second shell part (14) with a second bottom part (22) and several second side walls (23, 24, 25). 25) and that the shell parts (13, 14) and the retaining part (29) are formed from a single, preferably flat blank (50).

2. Product packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the one-piece blank (50) consists of paper or cardboard.

3. Product packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a connecting part (30) is arranged between the 1st shell part (13) and the 2nd shell part (14), which is part of the blank (50) and is integrally connected on one side to the 1st shell part (13) and on another side to the 2nd shell part (14) and which projects into the receiving space (42) and forms the retaining part (29).

4. Product packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting part (30) has several fastening tabs (33, 34, 35) with which the connecting part (30) is connected to the 1st shell part (13) and / or to the 2nd shell part (14).

5. Product packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting part (30) is connected to the 1st bottom part (15) and / or to the 2nd bottom part (22) by means of the fastening tabs (33, 34, 35).

6. Product packaging according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening tabs (33, 34, 35) are glued, welded or sealed to the 1st bottom part (15) and / or to the 2nd bottom part (22).

7. Product packaging according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least some of the side walls (16, 17, 28, 23, 24, 25) have a flange part (19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28) on their side edge facing away from the bottom part (15, 22), wherein the lid (12) rests on a flange (43) formed from the flange parts (19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28). and is connected to the flange (43).

8. Product packaging according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the connecting part (30) has several cover flaps (38, 39, 40, 41) which at least partially cover a gap (37) between the 1st shell part (13) and the 2nd shell part (14).

9. Product packaging according to claim 8, characterized in that the connecting part (30) is connected by means of the cover flaps (38, 39, 40, 41) to at least one of the 1st side walls (16, 17) of the 1st shell part (13) and / or to at least one of the 2nd side walls (23, 24) of the 2nd shell part (14).

10. Method for manufacturing a product packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the semi-shell-shaped 1st shell part (13) is erected from the one-piece, flat blank by pivoting its 1st side walls (16, 17, 18) relative to the 1st bottom part (15), wherein the semi-shell-shaped 2nd shell part (14) is erected from the one-piece, flat blank by pivoting its 2nd side walls (23, 24, 25) relative to the 2nd bottom part (22), and wherein the semi-shell-shaped 1st shell part (13) and the semi-shell-shaped 2nd shell part (14) are moved towards each other while simultaneously forming the retaining part (29).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the relative movement of the shell parts (13, 14) directed towards each other occurs after and / or simultaneously with the erection of the first shell part (13) and / or the 2. Shell part (14) is completed.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the connecting part (30) arranged between the 1st shell part (13) and the 2nd shell part (14) is pushed out of the plane of the blank (50) by the relative movement of the shell parts (13, 14) towards each other and is erected to form the retaining part (29).

13. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the first shell part (13) and the second shell part (14) are fixed in their pushed-together position by the fastening tabs (33, 34, 35) of the connecting part (30) are connected to the 1st shell part (13) and the 2nd shell part (14).

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