Sealing Disc For Paperboard Container And A Packaging Container Comprising The Sealing Disc

Abstract

A sealing disc for sealing an inner compartment in a packaging container, said sealing disc having a first surface and a second surface and being delimited by a sealing disc outer edge, the sealing disc comprising a peripheral edge portion surrounding at least two fully or partly removable tear-open parts, each fully or partly removable tear-open part being arranged to be fully or partly separated from said peripheral edge portion along a contour line. A packaging container comprising the sealing disc is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A sealing disc for sealing an inner compartment in a packaging container, said sealing disc having a first surface and a second surface and being delimited by a sealing disc outer edge, said sealing disc comprising a peripheral edge portion surrounding at least two fully or partly removable tear-open parts, each said fully or partly removable tear-open part being arranged to be fully or partly separated from said peripheral edge portion along a contour line, characterized in that one or more hinge folding lines arranged between a pair of interruption points on said contour line partly delimit one or more of said fully or partly removable tear-open parts from said peripheral edge portion.

2. The sealing disc according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said fully or partly removable tear-open parts is provided with an opening arrangement such as a pull-tab or a push-tab.

3. The sealing disc according to claim 1, wherein one or more separating tear lines extending between one or more pairs of intersections arranged on the contour line delimit said fully or partly removable tear-open parts from each other.

4. The sealing disc according to claim 3, wherein one or more tear lines arranged along said contour line fully or partly delimit said fully or partly removable tear-open parts from said peripheral edge portion.

5. The sealing disc according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said fully or partly removable tear-open parts is provided with spout folding lines extending from said pair of interruption points to said separating tear line on said second surface of said sealing disc to form a pouring spout.

6. The sealing disc according to claim 1, wherein said sealing disc comprises or consists of a first fully or partly removable tear-open part and a second fully or partly removable tear-open part.

7. The sealing disc according to claim 6, wherein said first fully or partly removable tear-open part is smaller than the second fully or partly removable tear-open part.

8. The sealing disc according to claim 6, wherein a first separating tear line extending between a pair of first and a second intersections arranged on said contour line, delimits said first fully or partly removable tear-open part from said second fully or partly removable tear-open part, and a first tear line extending along said contour line from the first intersection to the second intersection of said first pair of intersections delimits said first fully or partly removable tear-open part from said peripheral edge portion.

9. The sealing disc according to claim 8, wherein a second tear line extending along said contour line from said second intersection to said first intersection delimits said second fully or partly removable tear-open part from said peripheral edge portion.

10. The sealing disc according to claim 7, wherein the first interruption point and the second interruption point are arranged on said first tear line with a first hinge folding line arranged between said first and said second interruption points.

11. The sealing disc according to claim 10, wherein said first fully or partly removable tear-open part is provided with first spout folding lines (21′, 21″) extending from said first and second interruption points to said first separating tear line on said second surface of said sealing disc to form a pouring spout.

12. The sealing disc according to claim 9, wherein said second fully or partly removable tear-open part is provided with a tear-strip being part of said second fully or partly removable tear-open part.

13. The sealing disc according to claim 12, wherein said second tear line extends from a first intersection through a second intersection and to an end point, said first intersection and said second intersection being arranged on said contour line, and said end point being arranged within said second fully or partly tear-open part, and wherein a first portion of said second tear line extending between said first intersection and said second intersection along said contour line constitutes a contour section of said contour line, and a second portion of said second tear line extending between said second intersection and said end point constitutes a tear-strip section, said tear-strip section delimiting said pull-tab and an inner edge of said tear strip.

14. The sealing disc according to claim 9, wherein a third interruption point and a fourth interruption point are arranged along said second tear line with a second hinge folding line arranged between said third and said fourth interruption points.

15. The sealing disc according to claim 14, wherein said second fully or partly removable tear-open part is provided with second spout folding lines extending from said third and fourth interruption points to said first separating tear line on said second surface of said sealing disc to form a second pouring spout.

16. The sealing disc according to claim 6, further comprising a section not to be removed from said sealing disc, wherein a first separating tear line extending between a pair of first and a second intersections arranged on said contour line, delimits said first fully or partly removable tear-open part from said section not to be removed; and a second separating tear line extending between a pair of third and fourth intersections arranged on said contour line delimits said second fully or partly removable tear-open part from said section not to be removed; a first tear line extending along said contour line from a first intersection to a second intersection of said first pair of intersections delimits said first fully or partly removable tear-open part from said peripheral edge portion; and a second tear line extending along said contour line between a third intersection and a fourth intersection of said second pair of intersections delimits said second fully or partly removable tear-open part from said peripheral edge portion.

17. The sealing disc according to claim 16, wherein said first fully or partly removable tear-open part is provided with first spout folding lines extending from said first and second interruption points to said first separating tear line on said second surface of said sealing disc.

18. The sealing disc according to claim 16, wherein a third interruption point and a fourth interruption point are arranged along said second tear line with a second hinge folding line arranged between said third and fourth interruption points.

19. The sealing disc according to claim 18, wherein said second fully or partly removable tear-open part is provided with second spout folding lines extending from said third and fourth interruption points to said second separating tear line on said second surface.

20. The sealing disc according to claim 1, wherein said sealing disc is made from paperboard, aluminum foil, silicon-coated paper, plastic film or a combination thereof.

21. A packaging container comprising the sealing disc according to claim 1, wherein said packaging container comprises a container body comprising a container wall extending from a container bottom to a container opening, and a closure arrangement comprising a lid, a peripheral edge portion of said sealing disc being attached to an inner surface of said container wall, said sealing disc forming a seal across said container opening.

22. The packaging container according to claim 21, wherein the packaging container is a paperboard packaging container.

23. The packaging container according to claim 21, wherein the sealing disc is a container lid.

24. The packaging container according to claim 21, wherein said container comprises a container lid and wherein the sealing disc is a transport closure.

25. The packaging container according to claim 21, wherein the sealing disc is attached to said inner surface of said packaging container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a top view of a sealing disc comprising two fully or partly removable tear-open parts, wherein in FIG. 1B one fully or partly removable tear-open part has been removed.

[0058] FIGS. 2A and 2B show two different embodiments of sealing discs wherein the first fully or partly removable tear-open part comprises hinge folding lines and spout folding lines.

[0059] FIGS. 3A-3D show different embodiments of sealing discs comprising a fully or partly removable tear-open part provided with a tear strip.

[0060] FIGS. 4A-4C show different embodiments of sealing discs wherein both fully or partly removable tear-open part are provided with hinge folding lines.

[0061] FIGS. 5A-5H show the steps for opening a paperboard container with a sealing disc as disclosed herein, and the steps for folding a pourable spout from a fully or partly removable tear-open part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] It is to be understood that the drawings are schematic and that individual components are not necessarily drawn to scale. The packaging container and the sealing disc shown in the figures are provided as examples only and should not be considered limiting to the invention as disclosed herein. In particular, it should be understood that the sealing disc as disclosed herein may be applied to any packaging container where a breakable transport seal is desired in addition to the provision of a reclosable lid. Furthermore, the size and shape of the packaging container and a corresponding sealing disc may be different from what is shown in the figures. The tear-open parts may have a different sizes and shapes, and may have a differently shaped pull-tab portion or may be provided with other opening means than a pull-tab or no particular opening means at all, as set out herein.

[0063] FIG. 1A discloses a sealing disc 1 for sealing an inner compartment in a packaging container 100. The sealing disc 1 has a first surface 3 and a second surface 4 and is delimited by a sealing disc outer edge 2. When mounted in a packaging container 100 the first surface 3 of the sealing disc 1 faces towards the opening and the lid 114 of the packaging container 100, and the second surface 4 faces the interior and the bulk goods inside the packaging container 100 as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5H.

[0064] The sealing disc 1 comprises at least two fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 which are delimited by a contour line 8 surrounded by a peripheral edge portion 5. The sealing disc normally has the same shape as the contour of the inner walls of the container it is supposed to seal and when inserted into a packaging container 100 the peripheral edge portion 5 of the sealing disc is attached to the inner surface of the container wall e.g. by welding. The sealing disc may alternatively be attached to a reinforcing rim of the packaging container (not shown) or to a top edge, such as a curled top edge of the packaging container, as known in the art.

[0065] Upon removal of one or more of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30, the peripheral edge portion 5 of the sealing disc 1 remains attached to the inner side of the container wall 103. The remaining peripheral edge portion 5 may contribute to stabilizing the container opening 105. Any such remaining part of the sealing disc 1 is preferably as small as possible, in order not to encroach on the opening area. It may be preferred that a remaining sealing disc edge part has a width of at most 7 millimeters such as from 1-6 millimeters, from 2-5 millimeters or from 3-4 millimeters. It may be preferred that the inward extension of a remaining sealing disc part is 4 millimeters or less.

[0066] The sealing disc 1 may contain more than two fully or partly removable tear-open parts, but ideally it contains only two fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 as seen in figures herein. Each one of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 is configured to be fully or partly separated from said peripheral edge portion 5 along the contour line 8.

[0067] In order to facilitate the full or part removal of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 arranged in the sealing disc 1, at least one of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 is provided with an opening arrangement 9 such as e.g. pull-tabs, grip-tabs, opening rings, etc. Advantageously the end edge 19′, 19″ of a pull-tab is exposed from the fully or partly removable tear-open part to facilitate gripping and lifting of the pull-tab. Both of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 may be provided with an opening arrangement 9′, 9″.

[0068] The sealing disc 1 is provided with one or more separating tear lines 12, 34 which delimit the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 from each other or from sections 40 of the sealing disc 1 not intended to be removed (see e.g. FIG. 4C). The separating tear lines 12, 34 extend perpendicularly from a first intersection 13′, 39′ of a pair of intersections arranged on the contour line 8 and across the first surface 3 of the sealing disc 1 to a second intersection 13″, 39″ of the pair of intersections arranged on the contour line 8 and opposite to the first intersection 13′, 39′. The separating tear lines 12, 34 in the FIGS. herein extend in a straight line across the sealing disc. However, the separating tear lines 12, 34 may also extend in a curved line 60 across the sealing disc or may have any other suitable shape, as set out herein (see e.g. FIG. 3D).

[0069] One or more tear lines 11, 31 are arranged along the contour line 8. As seen in the figures the tear lines 11, 31 may fully or partly delimit said fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 from said peripheral edge portion 5. The tear lines 11, 31 are intersected by one or more separating tear lines 12, 34 extending between intersections of the one or more pairs of intersections 13′, 13″, 39′, 39″ arranged on the contour line 8.

[0070] At intersections 13′, 13″, 39′, 39″ one or more tear lines 11, 11′, 11″, 31, 31′, 31″ arranged along the contour line 8 intersect with a separating tear line 12, 34 extending across the sealing disc between pairs of intersections 13′, 13″, 39′, 39″, and during the tearing of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 the tearing action along the tear lines 11, 11′, 11″, 31, 31′, 31″ and separating tear lines 12, 34 is discontinued when reaching an intersection 13′, 13″, 39′, 39″.

[0071] The tear lines 11, 31 may also be interrupted by one or more hinge folding lines 14, 33 extending between pairs of interruption points 20′, 20″, 32′, 32″ arranged on the contour line 8. The hinge folding lines 14, 33 delimit one or more of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 from the peripheral edge portion 5 and prevent full removal of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 from the sealing disc 1. When tearing the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 along the tear lines 11′, 11″, 31′, 31″ the tearing action will be interrupted when reaching one of the interruption points 20′, 20″, 32′, 32″ arranged on either side of hinge folding lines 14, 33.

[0072] Hinge folding lines 14, 33 (see e.g. FIGS. 2A and 2B) will enable the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 to be folded upwards from the sealing disc first surface 3 and outwards over the peripheral edge portion 5 of the sealing disc 1 to be used as pouring spouts 15, 37 as described below. Due to the “hinged” feature of the folding lines 14, 33 the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 can be repeatedly closed and reopened. However, it is contemplated that the hinge folding lines 14, 33 may be provided with a partially cut tear line which is stronger than the separating tear lines and the tear lines delimiting the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 from the peripheral edge portion, but which will tear if sufficient tearing force is applied.

[0073] As set out herein, the tear lines 11, 31 and the separating tear lines 12, 34 may be formed as continuous cuts, or may be formed as intermittent cuts with one or more un-cut tabs 17 between cut sections, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Such uncut tabs 17 in the first and second tear lines 11, 31 may have a length of at most 2 millimetres, preferably at most 1 millimetre. The uncut tabs 17 serve to stabilize the sealing disc 1 and make it easier to handle in a production process when applying sealing discs 1 to packaging containers 100. The number and locations of the un-cut tabs 17 as shown in the figures are only intended as examples and it is to be understood that fewer or more un-cut tabs 17 could be provided, and that an un-cut tab 17 may be arranged at any desirable location along the tear lines 11, 31.

[0074] The the tear lines 11, 31 and the separating tear lines 12, 34 are cut into the sealing disc 1 from the first surface 3. The tear lines 11, 31 and the separating tear lines 12, 34 extend into the sealing disc 1 by a cutting depth of from 15-80% of the sealing disc 1 thickness.

[0075] The sealing disc 1 may comprise two or more fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30, but advantageously it only consists of a first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 and a second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30. The first and second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 may have the same size, but advantageously they are of different sizes and the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is smaller than the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 as can be seen in the figures herein.

[0076] The proportion of the surface area for the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 in relation to the surface area of the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is less than 1:1 such as 1:2-1:9, or 1:2-1:8, or 1:3-1:7, or 1:4-1:6.

[0077] FIG. 1A discloses one embodiment of a sealing disc 1 having a first and a second fully or partly removable tear-open part 10, 30 wherein the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is smaller than the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30.

[0078] A first separating tear line 12 extends between a pair of first and second intersections 13′, 13″ arranged on the contour line 8 delimiting said first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 from said second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30. The first separating tear line 12 extends from the first intersection 13′ in a direction perpendicular to the contour line 8 and across the first surface 3 of the sealing disc 1 to the second intersection 13″ arranged on the contour line 8 opposite to the first intersection 13′ (see the separating tear line 12 in FIG. 1A).

[0079] A first tear line 11 extending along said contour line 8 from the first intersection 13′ to the second intersection 13″ fully delimits the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 from the peripheral edge portion 8, and a second tear line 31 extends along the contour line 8 between the second and first intersections 13″, 13′ delimiting the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 from the peripheral edge portion 5. In this embodiment there are no hinge folding lines arranged on any of the tear lines and therefore the first or second fully or partly removable tear-open part 10, 30 will be completely removed from the sealing disc 1 when a user pulls the pull-tabs 9′, 9″ provided on the fully or partly removable tear-open part 10, 30.

[0080] The consumer may here choose whether to remove only the first or both of the first and second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30. FIG. 1B discloses a sealing disc 1 wherein the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 has been removed and the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 remains. If full access to the interior of the packaging container 100 is required, the remaining second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is easily removed from the sealing disc 1 by gripping the torn edge 18 of the first separating tear line 12 and tearing the remaining second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 away from the peripheral edge portion 5 along the remaining tear line 31. Alternatively, if the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is provided with an opening arrangement, the user may also use e.g. a pull-tab 9″ to remove the remaining second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 from the sealing disc 1.

[0081] FIG. 2A discloses a sealing disc 1 wherein the first tear line 11 delimiting the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is provided with a first pair of first and second interruption points 20′, 20″ with a first hinge folding line 14 arranged therebetween. The first hinged folding line 14 prevents complete removal of the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 and instead the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 remains attached to the peripheral edge portion 5 between the first pair of interruption points 20′, 20″.

[0082] In order to open the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 the user grabs and pulls the opening arrangement 9′ arranged on the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 upwards and away from the first surface 3 of the sealing disc 1. A tear is propagated along the first separating tear line 12 between the first and second intersections 13′, 13″ creating a separation between the first and second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30. When the tear reaches the first and second intersections 13′, 13″ it is interrupted and thereafter the tearing action continues along first and second portions 11′, 11″ of the first tear line, separating the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 from the peripheral edge portion 5 until the tear reaches the first and second interruption points 20′, 20″.

[0083] The first portion 11′ of the first tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the first intersection 13′ and the first interruption point 20′, and the second portion 11″ of the first tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the second intersection 13″ and the second interruption point 20″ (see FIG. 2A). Thus the entire first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10, except for the part constituting the first hinged folding line 14 extending between the first and second interruption points 20′, 20″ has been separated from the sealing disc 1 and can be folded outwards to enable access to the content inside the packaging container 100 through a first access opening 23.

[0084] Advantageously the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is provided with first spout folding lines 21′, 21″ extending from the first and second interruption points 20′, 20″ to the first separating tear line 12 (see FIG. 2A). The spout folding lines 21′, 21″ are arranged on the second surface 4 of the sealing disc 1 (i.e. the side facing the interior of the packaging container 100), and when the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is folded outwards, outer edge portions 22′, 22″ of the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 may be folded along the first spout folding lines 21′, 21″ to form a first pouring spout 15 (see FIGS. 5D and 5E).

[0085] The sealing disc 1 disclosed in FIG. 2A is advantageous when the consumer desires to retain a major part of the sealing disc 1 in order to prevent contamination of the content stored in the packaging container. A smaller access opening provided with a pouring spout 15 will facilitate and improve the preciseness of the pouring action for the user while simultaneously protecting the content stored in the packaging container from exposure to the environment.

[0086] In case a larger access opening is required, also the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 may be removed completely in a similar manner as described for the embodiment in FIG. 1B above.

[0087] An advantageous embodiment of the sealing disc 1 is shown in FIG. 2B wherein the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is provided with a tear-strip 51 being part of the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30.

[0088] In this embodiment the second tear line 31 extends from the first intersection 13′ through a second intersection 13″ and to an end point 52. The first and second intersections 13′, 13″ are arranged on the contour line 8, and the end point 52 is arranged within the second fully or partly tear-open part 30. A first portion 31′ of the second tear line extends between the first intersection 13′ and the second intersection 13″ along the contour line 8 and constitutes a contour section 53 of the contour line 8. A second portion 31″ of the second tear line extending between the second intersection 13″ and the end point 52 constitutes a tear-strip section 54. The tear-strip section 54 delimits the pull-tab 9′″ and an inner edge 55 of the tear strip 51.

[0089] When tearing open a sealing disc provided with a tear-strip 51 being part of the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 as disclosed herein, the pulling may be made in a smooth and controlled continuous tearing movement.

[0090] FIGS. 3A-3D disclose alternative advantageous embodiments of the sealing disc 1 shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 3A discloses a sealing disc 1 wherein the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 has no hinge folding line. Thus, the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 can be removed completely from the sealing disc 1, and optionally the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 can be removed by pulling the tear strip 51.

[0091] FIGS. 3B and 3C disclose sealing discs 1 wherein the first fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10 are very small. Here the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 function as a push-tab and is preferably opened by pressing the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 downwards and into the packaging container. This embodiment is advantageous when the user wants to open a very small access opening in the sealing disc 1. The first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 of the sealing disc 1 shown in FIG. 3C is provided with a first hinge folding line 14 and therefore also provides the possibility to close the access opening in the sealing disc 1 after use to further improve the protection against contamination.

[0092] FIG. 3D discloses an alternative sealing disc 1 wherein a section of the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 comprising the pull-tab 9′ protrudes into the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30. The second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is provided with a similar tear strip 51 as disclosed in FIG. 2B, 3A-3C. In this embodiment the separation tear line 60 extending between first and second intersection points curves around the protruding section of the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10.

[0093] Advantageously the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is provided with first spout folding lines 21′, 21″ extending from the first and second interruption points 20′, 20″ to the curved separating tear line 60 on either side of the protruding section with the pull tab 9′ (see FIG. 3D). The spout folding lines 21′, 21″ are arranged on the second surface 4 of the sealing disc 1 (i.e. the side facing the interior of the packaging container 100), and when the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is folded outwards, outer edge portions 22′, 22″ of the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 may be folded along the first spout folding lines 21′, 21″ to form a pouring spout 15.

[0094] The second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 may be removed by pulling the tear strip 51 as described above for the sealing disc 1 in FIG. 2B.

[0095] For all sealing discs 1 in FIGS. 3A-3D the second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 30 are opened or removed by tearing the tear strip 51. The tear strip 51 is optional and the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 in the sealing discs 1 of FIGS. 3A-3D may alternatively be opened or removed by gripping the edge formed along the separating tear line 12, 60 between the first and second fully or partly removable tear open parts 10, 30 after the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 has been opened or removed.

[0096] In the sealing discs 1 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the first push-in tear open part 10 may be used as a grip member for pulling away the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30. In such embodiments, no first hinge folding line 14 as shown in FIG. 3C is provided and instead the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is provided with a hinge folding line on the separating tear line 12 in a position generally opposite the first hinge folding line 14 as shown in FIG. 3C and between the first and second intersections 13′, 13″ which are arranged on the separating tear line 12.

[0097] When using a first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 as an opening or removal member for a second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30, the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is pushed into the interior of the container body and folded in under the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 while staying attached to the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 along the hinge folding line connecting the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 with the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30. In this manner, the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 forms a grippable reinforcement of the edge formed along the separating tear line 12 between the first and second fully or partly removable tear open parts 10, 30 after the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 has been opened.

[0098] FIGS. 4A-4C disclose sealing discs 1 which are especially suitable for packaging containers provided with removable lids. In these embodiments both the first and the second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 are provided with hinge folding lines 14, 33 arranged on the tear lines 11, 31.

[0099] In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 4A a second pair of third and fourth interruption points 32′, 32″ are arranged along said second tear line 31 with a second hinge folding line 33 arranged between the third and the fourth interruption points 32′, 32″.

[0100] Here the user may choose, depending on the intended use, to open either the first or the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 10, 30 first. Both the first and the second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 are in this embodiment provided with opening arrangements 9′, 9″, and if it is decided that the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is to be opened first, the user will grab the opening arrangement 9″ (a pull-tab as seen in FIG. 4A) arranged on the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30, and start tearing the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 from the sealing disc 1.

[0101] The tearing action starts along the first separating tear line 12 in the direction towards the first and second intersections 13′, 13″ arranged on the contour line 8. When the tear reaches the first and second intersections 13′, 13″ it is interrupted and thereafter the tearing action continues along first and second portions 31′, 31″ of the second tear line, separating the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 from the peripheral edge portion 5 until the tears reach the third and the fourth interruption points 32′, 32″.

[0102] The first portion 31′ of the second tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the first intersection 13′ and the third interruption point 32′ and the second portion 31″ of the second tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the second intersection 13″ and a fourth interruption point 32″. Thus, the entire first fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 except the portion constituting the second hinged folding line 33 extending between the third and fourth interruption points 32′, 32″ may be separated from the sealing disc 1 and can be folded outwards to enable access to the content inside the packaging container 100 through a second access opening 34.

[0103] Advantageously, also the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is provided with second spout folding lines 35′, 35″ extending from the third and fourth interruption points 32′, 32″ to the first separating tear line 12 (see FIG. 4B). The second spout folding lines 35′, 35″ are arranged on the second surface 4 of the sealing disc 1 and when the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is folded outwards, outer portions 36′, 36′ of the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 may be folded along the second spout folding lines 35′, 35″ to form a second pouring spout (not shown).

[0104] In a further embodiment disclosed in FIG. 4C, the sealing disc 1 may contain two fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 wherein a section 40 not intended to be removed from the sealing disc 1 is arranged between the first and second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30. The section 40 intended to remain is not provided with any tear lines along the sealing disc contour line 8 and will thus remain attached to the peripheral edge portion 5 after both of the first and second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 have been fully or partly removed from the sealing disc 1. The remaining section 40 may provide improved stability to the container opening.

[0105] The section 40 intended to remain is delimited from the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 by the first separating tear line 12, and from the second fully or partly 20 removable tear-open part 30 by a second separating tear line 34 extending between a second pair of third and fourth intersections 39′, 39″ arranged on the contour line 8.The second separating tear line 34 extends from the third intersection 39′ in a direction perpendicular to the contour line 8 and across the first surface 3 of the sealing disc 1 to a fourth intersection 39″ arranged on the contour line 8 opposite to the third intersection 39′ (see FIG. 4C).

[0106] In this embodiment one or both of the first and second fully or partly removable tear-open parts, 10, 30 may be provided with hinge folding lines 14, 33 as described above, which will enable the user to fold the fully or partly removable tear-open parts outwards to enable access to the container through an access opening. Advantageously the first and/or second fully or partly removable tear-open parts, 10, 30 are also provided with spout folding lines 21′, 21″, 35′, 35″ to enable the user form pouring spouts 15 which will facilitate pouring content from the container through the access openings 23.

[0107] Both of the tear-open parts 10, 30 are advantageously provided with opening arrangements 9′, 9″ and the user may thereby choose which one of the first and second fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 to remove first.

[0108] The first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 may be fully or partly removed from the sealing disc 1 as follows:

[0109] The tearing action starts by gripping and pulling the opening arrangement 9′ provided on the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10, thereby separating the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 from the section 40 to remain along the first separating tear line 12 between the third and fourth intersections 13′, 13″ arranged on the contour line 8. When the tear reaches the first and second intersections 13′, 13″ it is interrupted and is thereafter continued along the first tear line 11 until the entire first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is separated from the peripheral edge portion 5 and can be removed from the sealing disc 1.

[0110] However, if the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is provided with a hinge folding line 14, the tearing action starts by separating the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 from the section 40 to remain along the first separating tear line 12, and thereafter it will continue along first and second portions 11′, 11″ of the first tear line, separating the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 from the peripheral edge portion 5 until the first and second interruption points 20′, 20″ are reached.

[0111] The first portion 11′ of the first tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the first intersection 13′ and the first interruption point 20′, and the second portion 11″ of the first tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the second intersection 13″ and the second interruption point 20″. Thus the entire first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 except for the portion constituting the first hinged folding line 14 extending between the first and second interruption points 20′, 20″ has been separated from the sealing disc 1 and can be folded outwards to enable access to the content inside the packaging container 100 through a first access opening 23.

[0112] The second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 may be fully or partly removed from the sealing disc 1 as follows:

[0113] The tearing action starts by grabbing and pulling the opening arrangement 9″ provided on the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 thereby separating the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 from the section 40 to remain along the second separating tear line 34. The tearing action is propagated towards the third and fourth intersections 39′, 39″ arranged on the contour line 8 and when the tear reaches the third and fourth intersections 39′, 39″, it is interrupted and is thereafter continued along the second tear line 31 until the entire second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is separated from the peripheral edge portion 5 and can be removed from the sealing disc 1.

[0114] However, if the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 is provided with a hinge folding line 33, the tearing action starts by separating the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 from the section 40 to remain along the second separating tear line 34, and thereafter it will continue along first and second portions 31′, 31″ of the second tear line, separating the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 from the peripheral edge portion 5 until the third and fourth interruption point 32′, 32″ are reached.

[0115] The first portion 31′ of the second tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the third intersection 39′ and the third interruption point 32′, and the second portion 31″ of the second tear line extends along the contour line 8 between the fourth intersection 39″ and the fourth interruption point 32″. Thus, the entire second fully or partly removable tear-15 open part 30 except for the portion constituting the second hinged folding line 33 extending between the third and fourth interruption points 32′, 32″ has been separated from the sealing disc 1 and can be folded outwards to enable access to the content inside the packaging container 100 through a second access opening. The section 40 to remain preferably has at least one straight edge allowing it to be used as a scraper bar.

[0116] In the illustrations disclosed herein, the fully or partly removable tear-open parts are arranged on the shorter edges of the generally rectangular packaging containers. However, it is conceivable that the fully or partly removable tear-open parts may be arranged also on the longer sides of the rectangular container, or in a corner portion of the container.

[0117] The sealing disc 1 as described herein is advantageously made from paperboard, aluminum foil, silicon-coated paper, plastic film or any combination thereof.

[0118] The packaging container 100 which is shown in FIGS. 5A-5H is a packaging container 100 for pourable or scoopable bulk solids as defined herein and comprises a container body 102 comprising a container wall 103 including a front wall portion 103a, a rear wall portion 103b and two side wall portions 103c, 103d. The container wall 103 extends from a container bottom 104 to a container opening 105. The container wall 103 has an inner surface facing towards an inner compartment in the packaging container 100 and an outer surface facing away from the inner compartment and being exposed to the exterior of the packaging container 100. A bottom disc is positioned at the bottom 104 of the container body 102.

[0119] The container body 102 is made from paperboard material as defined herein. The container body 102 may be formed by bringing together the side edges of a web of paperboard causing the material to assume a tubular shape, whereafter the side edges are sealed together. Sealing of the side edges may be made by any suitable method as known in the art, such as by welding or gluing, with welding being preferred. Sealing of the side edges of the container body web may involve using a sealing strip, as known in the art. The bottom disc may be made from paperboard, metal, plastic, or from any suitable combination of such materials as known in the art. The body may be formed into any desired tubular shape including circular, oval, rectangular and modified rectangular shapes, such as the modified rectangular shape with rounded corners which is shown in FIGS. 5A-5H.

[0120] The container bottom 104 may alternatively be formed without a bottom disc by folding of the container wall material, as known in the art.

[0121] The paperboard packaging container 100 is provided with a closure arrangement at the container opening 105, such as a lid 114 provided with a grip tab.

[0122] The paperboard packaging container 100 may furthermore be provided with a locking arrangement for retaining the container lid 114 in a closed position after closure of the lid 114.

[0123] Moreover, the lid may be of the removable kind, without any permanent connection to the container body. It is further to be understood that the closure arrangement as shown in FIGS. 5A-5H is non-limiting and that the sealing disc 1 as disclosed herein may be used as a transport seal in packaging containers having other types of closure arrangements such as closure arrangements wherein a lid cooperates with a reinforcement rim or with a frame structure of the container body to close and open the packaging container. The lid may be provided as a part of a lid component. A lid component comprises a rim to which the lid is connected with a hinge. The rim is attached to the container body and stabilizes the container opening. The lid component may be provided with features such as locking means for keeping the lid in a closed position, tamper evidence means, stacking means, etc. as known in the art. Lid components are usually formed by injection molding of thermoplastic material

[0124] The interior compartment is sealed with a sealing disc 1 as disclosed herein, e.g. a sealing disc 1 as shown in FIG. 2B. The sealing disc 1 forms a transport seal over packaged goods which are contained in the interior compartment. A peripheral edge portion 5 of the sealing disc 1 is attached to the container wall, e.g. by welding. The seal between the peripheral edge portion 5 and the container wall 103 is preferably a gas-tight seal or at least a sift-proof seal. The sealing disc 1 may be attached to the container wall 103 either from the top end of the container body 102 or from the bottom end of the container body 102, in which case it is attached before attaching the bottom disc 109. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A-5H, the sealing disc 1 has been applied from the top end of the container body 102, with the peripheral edge portion 5 of the sealing disc 1 which is attached to the container wall 103 being upwardly directed.

[0125] The procedure of gaining access to the packaging container sealed with a sealing disc as disclosed in FIG. 2B will now be described.

[0126] In order to gain a first access to the packaged goods, a user needs to open the lid 114 (see FIG. 5B) and then expose the packaged goods by gripping the pull-tab 9′ of the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 to either fully or partly removing one or more of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 of the sealing disc 1 (see FIG. 5C). In FIG. 5C it is seen that the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 has been partly opened since it is provided with a first hinge folding line (not shown), and folded upwards and away from the first surface 3 of the sealing disc 1. The fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 is provided with first spout folding lines 21′, 21″ on the second surface 4 of the sealing disc 1 and the outer edges 22′, 22″ of the first fully or partly removable tear-open part 10 have been folded to form a pouring spout 15 (see FIG. 5D).The content may now be poured from the container 100 through the first access opening 23 by means of the pouring spout 15.

[0127] If a larger access opening is required, the user may use the tear strip 51 to open also the second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 (see FIGS. 5F) and remove it completely from the sealing disc 1 (see FIG. 5G). The second fully or partly removable tear-open part 30 contains no hinge folding line and can therefore be removed completely.

[0128] Once one or more of the fully or partly removable tear-open parts 10, 30 have been removed, it is sufficient to open the lid 114 in order to gain access to the packaged goods in the interior compartment through the container opening 105.