Packaging Blank Crease Layout for Stronger Pouring Corners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging blanks for pourable products, such as those used in forming Tetra Brik Aseptic packages, do not fully optimize the formation and structural integrity of packages, particularly in terms of corner formation and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A packaging blank with a multilayer structure, featuring specific crease patterns including main and auxiliary inclined crease lines, allows for improved corner formation and user-friendly design, facilitating the production of packages with distinct top and bottom portions and a side wall, enhancing the overall package structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a typical packaging blank with standard crease patterns is used, then the package can be formed into a parallelepiped shape, but the corner design does not provide optimal handling and pouring functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling and pouring functionalityVSAvoidcorner design quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric corner designs where only specific corners (first and third corners) are rounded while second and fourth corners remain sharp. This localized modification optimizes handling and pouring functionality at critical locations without compromising the overall package structure or requiring changes to the entire crease pattern system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If a multilayer structure with oxygen-barrier layer is used, then storage stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidpackaging blank structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by integrating multiple functional layers including fibrous base layer, heat-seal plastic layers, and oxygen-barrier material (such as aluminum foil or EVOH film). This layered composite structure provides enhanced storage stability through oxygen barrier properties while maintaining compatibility with standard packaging formation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If crease lines are added to facilitate package formation, then the packaging process is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage formationVSAvoidcrease line positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the crease pattern into distinct functional elements: primary crease lines for major folds, secondary crease lines for additional folding, and auxiliary crease lines for corner formation. This segmented approach facilitates package formation through systematic folding while allowing for tolerance in individual crease line positioning through the hierarchical structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables easier and more efficient package formation with improved corners and user accessibility, leading to enhanced structural integrity and usability of pourable product containers.

Implementation Method 1

layers of heat-seal plastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat sealing: Heating

Implementation Method 2

layer of oxygen-barrier material (an oxygen-barrier layer)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen barrier: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4458708B1Packaging blank for forming a package and package formed from a packaging blank
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4458708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4458708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4458708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described a packaging blank (2; 2') having two longitudinal boundary edges (10; 11), two transversal boundary edges (10; 11) and a top crease pattern (14). The top crease pattern (14) comprises a first transversal crease line (16) and a second transversal crease line (17). The second transversal crease line (17) comprises at least two lateral portions (21), a central portion (22) and two inclined portions (23). The top crease pattern (14) comprises one or more main inclined crease lines (27) and one or more auxiliary crease lines (28). Each lateral portion (21) defines a respective imaginary endless line (24) comprising the respective lateral portion (21) and the respective inclined portion (23) defines an imaginary inclined endless line (25) comprising the respective inclined portion (23) intersecting the respective imaginary endless line (23) at an intersection point (26). Each main inclined crease line (27) intersects the respective intersection point (26) and each auxiliary crease line (28) does not intersect the second transversal crease line (17), the imaginary endless line (24), the respective intersection point (26) and the respective main inclined crease line (27).