Packaging and packaging blank

Abstract

The invention provides a packaging comprising opposing and spaced apart front and back panels separated by side panels extending therebetween, wherein a marginal sealing region of each end of the front and back panels is sealed together and wherein at least a portion of an edge of at least one end of the side panels is not connected to the marginal sealed regions of the front and back panels, and, wherein the panels are formed from cartonboard.

Claims

1. A packaging comprising opposing and spaced apart front and back panels separated by side panels extending therebetween, wherein a marginal sealing region of each end of the front and back panels is sealed together to form a fin region and wherein at least a portion of an edge of at least one end of the side panels is not connected to the marginal sealed regions of the front and back panels, and, wherein the panels are formed from cartonboard, and wherein at least one end of the side panels comprises at least one cut-out region or aperture, edge or edges of which are not connected to the marginal sealed regions of the front and back panels and is positioned between the fin region and a remainder of the side panel, to enable a user to push a digit to push apart the sealed ends of the front and back panels.

2. A packaging as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one end of the side panels comprises a plurality of cut-out regions or apertures, edge or edges of which are not connected to the marginal sealed regions of the front and back panels.

3. A packaging as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a fold line extending along each side panel enabling the packaging to be flattened, if required.

4. A packaging according to claim 1 wherein the end regions of the side panels comprise gabled end regions.

5. A packaging as claimed in claim 1 wherein the marginal regions of the front and back panels are sealed by way of a peelable or reclosable adhesive.

6. A packaging as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealed marginal regions of the front and back panels are crimped or embossed along at least a portion thereof.

7. A packaged product comprising packaging of claim 1 containing at least one product or item.

8. A packaged product as claimed in claim 7 wherein the product or item is a food item selected from a confectionary item, bakery item, fruit, vegetable, meat, cheese, beverage, powdered food, powdered beverage and snack item.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a blank in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention for an embodiment of a packaging of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging of the invention formed from the blank of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the packaging of the invention formed from the blank of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a blank in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention for an embodiment of a packaging of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the packaging of the invention formed from the blank of FIG. 4.

(7) A blank 2 of an embodiment of a packaging of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. The blank 2 is formed from cartonboard and comprises a front panel 4 and a back panel 6 each comprising opposite longitudinal edges. Extending between the edges of the front and back panels 4, 6 is a first side panel 8 integrally formed with front and back panels 4, 6 and connected via fold lines 12, 14. Integrally formed with the opposite edge of the front panel 4 to which the first side panel 8 is connected is a second side panel 10 extending therealong, connected to the front panel 4 by fold line 16. Integrally formed with the opposite edge of the second side panel 10 to which the front panel 4 is connected is a securement tab 18. The securement tab 18 is connected to the edge of the second side panel 10 by fold line 20.

(8) At the longitudinal ends of the front panel 4 and the back panel 6 are end regions 22, 24 at a first end, and end regions 26, 28 at the opposite end. The end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 are defined on the front 4 and rear 6 panels by respective fold lines 32, 34, 36, 38. Integrally formed with each end region 22, 24, 26, 28 are respective marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 connected to their respective end region 22, 24, 26, 28 by fold lines 52, 54, 56, 58. The marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 extend outwardly from their respective end regions 22, 24, 26, 28.

(9) The first side panel 8 and second side panel 10 are provided with end regions 60, 62, 64, 66 at the ends thereof. End regions 60, 62 are located adjacent to the end regions 22, 24 and end regions 26, 28 respectively of the front and rear panels 4, 6. End regions 64, 66 are located adjacent to the end region 22 and end region 26 respectively of the front panel 4. The side panel end regions 60, 62, 64, 66 include respective apertures 68, 68, 68, 68 at a point along their respective free edges 72, 74, 76, 78. Furthermore, each side panel end region 60, 62, 64, 66 includes a triangular fold-line assembly 70, 70, 70, 70.

(10) A method of forming an embodiment of a packaging 100 in accordance with the present invention, using the blank as illustrated in FIG. 1, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

(11) Initially, the front and rear panels 4, 6 are folded along the fold lines 12, 14 such that they are spaced apart and opposing, whilst being perpendicular to the first side panel 8.

(12) The second side panel 10 is subsequently folded along fold line 16 such that it too is orientated perpendicular to both the front panel 4 and the rear panel 6. Fold line 20 is also folded such that securement tab 18 is located within the volume defined by the front and rear panels 4, 6. In the illustrated embodiment, securement tab 18 is provided with an adhesive means such as an adhesive strip, a cold seal adhesive, hot melt adhesive or the like, and this is adhered to the inside the rear panel 6 in order to secure the front panel 4, rear panel 6, and side panels 8, 10 in a substantially tubular configuration.

(13) In other embodiments the order of folding of the side panels 8, 10 and front 4 and back 6 panels may be performed in a different order, such as one side panel 8, 10 being folded about its respective fold lines 12, 14, 16, 20 before the front 4 and back 6 panels are folded, for example.

(14) The end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 of the front and rear panels 4, 6 are brought together by folding fold lines 32, 34, 36, 38. In doing so, sealing regions 42, 44 and 46, 48 are brought together also. Marginal sealing regions 42, 46 of the front panel 4 are secured to the corresponding marginal sealing regions 44, 48 of the back panel 6 by pressing them together. An adhesive strip 200 is applied to at least one of the sealing regions at each end of the packaging 100. The adhesive strip 200 may comprise a hot melt adhesive or other suitable adhesive. As the marginal sealing regions 42, 46 and 44, 48 are pressed together, end regions 60, 62, 64, 66 of the first and second side panels 8, 10 fold about their respective triangular fold-line assemblies 70, 70, 70, 70 to form gabled end regions 102, 104, 106, 108 having openings formed therein by apertures 68, 68, 68, 68 along the respective free edges 72, 74, 76, 78 of end regions 60, 62, 64, 66. The triangular fold line assemblies 70, 70, 70, 70 enable the folding of the end regions 60, 62, 64, 66 without affecting the orientation of the first and second side panels 8, 10 which remain substantially perpendicular to the front panel 4 and rear panel 6.

(15) Gabled end region 102, as illustrated in FIG. 3, also comprises a further opening 202. This further opening 202 is formed by providing an aperture/cut-out region in the end region 60 of side panel 8. This aperture/cut-out region may be provided along at least a portion of the length of one of the fold lines forming the triangular fold line assembly 70. Further apertures/cut out regions may be provided along the length of one or both of the other two fold lines forming the fold line assembly 70.

(16) Although illustrated as only providing an opening 202 within gabled end region 102, it is to be appreciated that further openings may be provided in at least one further gabled end region 104, 106, 108. These further openings may be formed by providing apertures/cut-out regions along at least a portion of the length of at least one fold line forming triangular fold line assemblies 70, 70, 70.

(17) As the marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 are secured together, they may also be embossed using suitable sealing jaw patterns, in order to provide an embossed pattern. In alternative embodiments, an image of an embossing pattern may be printed on the marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 in place of actual embossing of the regions.

(18) In use, while the packaging 100 is in the substantially tubular configuration described hereinabove, and after one end of the tubular configuration has been sealed, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the open end of the packaging 100 can be utilised to fill the packaging 100 with products or items such as, for example, confectionery or bakery items. In alternative embodiments, the interior of the packaging may be provided with an item, such as a bar or a tablet of chocolate, placed on the inside surface of the front panel 4 or back panel 6 before the packaging 100 is folded to the final, sealed configuration.

(19) In alternative embodiments of the packaging blank/packaging shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46 and 48 may be provided with a thermo-sealant layer, such as a polyethylene thermo-sealant which is used as an adhesive. Any adhesive may be formed from adhesive strips directly deposited on to the sealing regions, laminated film or the like.

(20) In yet other embodiments, the first and second side panels 8, 10 may be provided with a fold-line along the entire length thereof, so that the entirety of the first 8 and/or second 10 side panels can be folded in order to enable the packaging to fold relatively flat before or during use. Any fold-line extending along the entirety of the first and second side panels 8, 10 may also be used to provide non-planar shape to the first and second side panels 8, 10.

(21) In still further embodiments, some of the components, such as the side panels 8, 10 and end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 may be connected to rather than integral with the front panel 4 and back panel 6, and may be adhered or secured via suitable adhesive means. In some embodiments, some of the components, such as sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 and/or end regions 60, 62, 64, 66 may be connected to rather than integral with the end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 or the side panels 8, 10 respectively, and may be adhered or secured via suitable adhesive means.

(22) In yet further embodiments, at least one of the fold lines forming each of the triangular fold line assemblies 70, 70. 70, 70 may comprise an aperture located therein to form further openings in the gabled end regions 102, 104, 106, 108 of the formed packaging 100.

(23) FIG. 4 illustrates a blank 302 of another embodiment of a packaging of the present invention. The blank 302 is formed from cartonboard and comprises a front panel 304 and back panel 306 each comprising opposite longitudinal edges. The front 304 and back 306 panels are substantially rectangular in shape. Extending between edges of the front 304 and back 306 panels is a first side panel 308 which is integrally formed with the front 304 and back 306 panels. Connected to the opposite edge of the front panel 304 to which the first side panel 308 is connected is a second side panel 310 extending therealong. The first side panel 308 is separated from the front panel 304 and back panel 306 via fin regions 315 and 319 respectively, formed via respective fold-lines 313, 313 and fold-lines 317, 317, arranged in use to form the fin regions 315, 319. Likewise, the second side panel 310 is connected to the front panel 304 via a fin region 323 formed between fold lines 321, 321, which are arranged to fold and form the fin region 323 in use. A fin region 325 also extends along the free edge of the back panel 306, formed from a fold-line 327. At the distal edge of the fin 325 is a securement tab 318, arranged in use to be secured beneath the second side panel 310 in use.

(24) At the longitudinal ends of the front panel 304 and back panel 306 are marginal sealing regions 342, 344 at one end and marginal sealing regions 346, 348 at the other end. The sealing regions 342, 344, 346, 348 extend up to the fin regions 323, 315, 319 and 325. The extent of the sealing regions 342, 344, 346, 348 is defined by transverse fold-lines 352, 354, 356, 358 extending across the front panel 304 and back panel 306 towards the longitudinal ends thereof.

(25) The first side panel 308 and second side panel 310 are provided with gusseted regions 362, 364, 366, 368 at the ends thereof. The gusseted regions 362, 364, 366, 368 include a central fold-line 349, 349, 349, 349 extending from the distal edge thereof and ending in a triangular fold-line assembly 370, 370, 370, 370. The fold-lines 349, 349, 349, 349 extend along the first 308 and second 310 side panels to a distance substantially identical to the length of the sealing portions 342, 344, 346, 348 of the front 304 and back 306 panels.

(26) The back panel 306 also includes a securement tab 318 arranged to be adhered to the second side panel 310 in use.

(27) Formation of the embodiment of the packaging 300 shown in FIG. 5 from the blank 302 will now be described.

(28) Firstly the front panel 304 and rear panel 306 are folded along the fold-lines 313 and 317 such that the front 304 and rear 306 panel are spaced apart and opposing, and perpendicular to the first side panel 308. The first side panel 308 is then folded about the longitudinal fold-lines 313, 317 such that the fins 315, 319 are formed and the first side panel 308 rests below the peripheral edges thereof.

(29) The second side panel 310 is then folded about the fold-line 321 and fold-line 321 in order to provide the fin region 323, and orient the second side panel 310 perpendicular and beneath the front 304 and back 306 panels. The fold-line 327 extending along the free edge of the back panel 306 is then folded, and the securement tab 318 folded between the interior formed by the front panel 304 and back panel 306, and the second side panel 310. The securement flap 318 is provided with an adhesive means such as an adhesive strip, a cold seal adhesive, hot melt adhesive or the like, and this is adhered to the inside the second panel 310, in order to secure the front panel 304, back panel 306 and first and second side panels 308, 310 in a substantially tubular configuration.

(30) In other embodiments the order of folding of the side panels 308, 310 and front 304 and back 306 panels may be performed in a different order, such as one side panel 308, 310 being folded about its respective fold lines 313, 317, 321, 321 before the front 304 and back 306 panels are folded, for example.

(31) In order to seal the ends of the now substantially tubular packaging 300, the sealing regions 342 and 346 of the front panel 304 are secured to the sealing regions 344, 348 of the back panel 306 and pressed together to seal the regions together. Hot melt adhesive or other suitable adhesive is applied to at least one of the sealing regions at each end of the packaging 300. As the regions 342, 346 and sealing regions 344, 348 are pressed together, the gusseted regions 362, 364, 366, 368 of the first and second side panels 308, 310 fold about the gusset fold lines 349, 349, 349, 349, in order that the packaging 300 is fully sealed at each of the four corners formed at the edge of the sealing regions 342, 344 and sealing regions 346, 348. The triangular gusset assembly 370, 370, 370 and 370 enables the folding of fold-lines 349, 349, 349, 349 without affecting the orientation of the first and second side panels 308, 310 substantially perpendicular to the front panel 304 and rear panel 306.

(32) As with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, many variations are possible, and include, but are not limited to the following.

(33) As the sealing regions 342, 344, 346, 348 are secured together, they may also be embossed using suitable sealing jaw patterns, in order to provide an embossed pattern as shown in FIG. 5. The resultant fully formed packaging 300 is as shown in FIG. 5. In alternative embodiments, an image of an embossing pattern may be printed on the sealing regions 342, 344, 346, 348 in place of actual embossing of the regions.

(34) In use, while the packaging 300 is in the substantially tubular configuration described hereinabove, and after one end of the tubular configuration has been sealed, the open end of the packaging 300 can be utilised to fill the packaging 300 with products or items such as, for example, confectionery or bakery items. In alternative embodiments, the interior of the packaging may be provided with an item, such as a bar or a tablet of chocolate, placed on the inside surface of the front panel 304 or back panel 306 before the packaging 300 is folded to the final, sealed configuration.

(35) In alternative embodiments of the packaging shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sealing portions 342, 344, 346, 348 may be provided with a thermo-sealant layer, such as a polyethylene thermo-sealant which is used as an adhesive. Any adhesive may be formed from adhesive strips directly deposited on to the sealing regions, laminated film or the like.

(36) In yet other embodiments, the first and second side panels 308, 310 may be provided with a gusset fold-line along the entire length thereof, so that the entirety of the first 308 and or second 310 side panels can be folded in order to enable the packaging to fold relatively flat before or during use. Any gusset fold-line extending along the entirety of the first and second side panels 308, 310 may also be used to provide non-planar shape to the first and second side panels 308, 310.

(37) In still further embodiments, some of the components, such as the sealing regions, side panels 308, 310 and gusset regions 362, 364, 366, 368 may be connected to rather than integral with the front panel 304 and back panel 306, and maybe adhered or secured via suitable adhesive means.

(38) The use of end sealing regions 342, 344, 346, 348, combined with gusset portions 362, 364, 366, 368 of the side panels 308, 310, or end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 of the front and rear panels 4, 6 and marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48, combined with end portions 60, 62, 64, 66 of the side panels 8, 10 enables a cartonboard packaging to be manufactured and constructed which can mimic the shape and orientation of a flexible flow-wrap packaging manufactured by standard horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal processes.

(39) In addition, the presence of the peripheral fin portions 315, 319, 323, 325 extending upwardly from along the longitudinal edges of the front panel 304 and rear panel 306 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 enable the cartonboard packaging 300 of the invention to appear to be manufactured using flexible flow-wrap technologies, whilst maintaining stability and rigidity in order that the packaging 300 of the invention can be stood securely along its first and second side panels 308, 310.

(40) Furthermore, the packaging 100, 300 maybe decorated in any suitable manner with branding and artwork, which will enable masking the cartonboard appearance, further helping to give the packaging the impression of being produced in a flow-wrap process.

(41) The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims.