Package material and package container formed with said material

Abstract

A package material comprises a multilayer material structure with layers of plastic laminate, a penetration area (5, 62, 250) and two weakening lines (10) creating an area in between. The package material comprises an opening device with a first (3, 63, 220) and second (2, 222) portion attached to respective sides and a material bridge (31, 65, 231) penetrating the penetration area and connecting the first portion to the second portion. The second portion at least partly covers the penetration area and comprising a rupture section (13, 213) covering at least partly the two weakening lines. The rupture section comprises one or more rupture recesses (14, 141-145, 232) disposed over or adjacent to the weakening lines for guiding a rupture of the multilayer material structure along the weakening lines.

Claims

1. A package material assembly for forming a container, the package material assembly comprising: a package material structure formed of one or more layers of plastic laminate; a penetration area defined in the package material structure; at least one weakening line in the package material structure extending from the penetration area and defining an opening area of the package material structure; and an opening device, the opening device comprising: a first portion attached to an outer surface of the package material structure; a second portion attached to an inner surface of the package material structure, wherein a material layer of the second portion at least partially covers the opening area; and a material bridge penetrating through the penetration area and connecting the first portion of the opening device to the second portion of the opening device, wherein the second portion of the opening device includes a rupture section comprising: an inner rupture section portion situated inside the opening area, an outer rupture section portion situated outside of the opening area, the inner rupture section portion having a larger thickness than the outer rupture section portion, and a rupture recess bounded by the inner and outer rupture section portions, wherein the rupture recess is disposed over the at least one weakening line and is configured to guide a rupture of the package material structure along the at least one weakening line, wherein a thickness of the material layer of the second portion of the opening device is larger than a thickness of a material layer within the rupture recess and smaller than the thickness of the inner rupture section portion.

2. The package material assembly of claim 1, wherein the package material comprises two weakening lines, each weakening line having a first end and a second end, the two weakening lines defining the opening area therebetween, wherein the first ends of the two weakening lines extend from the penetration area, and wherein at least a portion of the material layer of the second portion of the opening device extends between the second ends of the two weakening lines.

3. The package material assembly according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the portion of the material layer extending between the second ends of the two weakening lines is larger than the thickness of the rupture recess and smaller than the thickness of the inner rupture section portion.

4. The package material assembly according to claim 2, wherein the rupture section covers the two weakening lines to their respective second ends.

5. The package material assembly according to claim 2, wherein the rupture recess transforms into a recess bulge over the second end of one of the two weakening lines.

6. The package material assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second portion of the opening device comprises a penetration area recess extending across a portion of the second portion of the opening device covering the penetration area, and wherein the penetration area recess extends between the first ends of the two weakening lines.

7. The package material assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rupture section includes two rupture recesses, each rupture recess disposed over one of the weakening lines, and wherein the penetration area recess joins with the two rupture recesses, such that the rupture recesses and the penetration area recess form a continuous recess structure in the second portion of the opening device.

8. The package material assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the opening device covers the penetration area and at least one of the following: an area outside the at least one weakening line; an area outside the penetration area; an area surrounding the penetration area, the at least one weakening line, and the opening area.

9. The package material assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rupture recess is a triangular recess forming of a portion of a sawtooth structure of the second portion of the opening device.

10. The package material assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the material layer within the rupture recess is about 10% to 20% of an average thickness of the material layer surrounding the rupture recess.

11. The package material assembly according to claim 1, wherein a width, along a lateral direction of the package material, of the inner rupture section portion is larger than a width of the outer rupture section portion.

12. The package material assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one weakening line is a perforated line that perforates through all layers except for one layer of the package material.

13. A package container comprising the package material assembly according to claim 1 that is formed into a package container.

14. The package material assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rupture section includes at least one step between the inner rupture section portion and the material layer of the second portion of the opening device, and wherein the at least one step extends around an end of the rupture recess such that the step extends along inner and outer sides of the rupture recess.

15. A package material assembly for forming a container, the assembly comprising: a package material structure formed of one or more layers of plastic laminate; a penetration area defined in the package material structure; two weakening lines in the package material structure defining an opening area of the package material structure therebetween, wherein the two weakening lines are configured to allow removal of the opening area to create an opening of the package material, and wherein each weakening line has a first end and a second end, the first ends of the two weakening lines extending from the penetration area; and an opening device, the opening device including: a first portion attached to an outer surface of the package material structure; a second portion attached to an inner surface of the package material structure, a material layer of the second portion at least partially covering the opening area; and a material bridge penetrating through the penetration area and connecting the first portion of the opening device to the second portion of the opening device, wherein the second portion of the opening device includes a rupture section comprising: an inner rupture section portion situated on an inner side of the opening area, an outer rupture section portion situated outside of the opening area, the inner rupture section portion having a larger thickness than the outer rupture section portion, and a rupture recess bounded by the inner and outer rupture section portions, wherein the rupture recess is disposed over one weakening line and configured to guide a rupture of the one weakening line, wherein a thickness of the material layer of the second portion of the opening device is larger than a thickness of the rupture recess and smaller than the thickness of the inner rupture section portion, and wherein at least a portion of the material layer of the second portion of the opening device extends between the second ends of the two weakening lines.

16. The package material assembly according to claim 15, further comprising: two rupture recesses, each rupture recess disposed over one weakening line; and a penetration area recess extending across a portion of the second portion of the opening device covering the penetration area, wherein the penetration area recess joins with the two rupture recesses such that the rupture recesses and the penetration area recess form a single, continuous recess structure in the second portion of the opening device.

17. The package material assembly according to claim 15, wherein the rupture section includes at least one step between the inner rupture section portion and the material layer of the second portion of the opening device, wherein the at least one step extends around an end of the rupture recess such that the step extends along inner and outer sides of the rupture recess.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following the present invention will be explained in more detailed with support of the accompanying drawing, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a package material with an opening;

(3) FIG. 1A shows the side view of a package material with an opening;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of a package material embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

(5) FIG. 2A illustrates a bottom view of a second embodiment;

(6) FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom view of a third embodiment;

(7) FIG. 3 shows a cut view along the X-X axis of the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

(8) FIG. 4 shows a cut view along the X-X axis of the embodiment of FIG. 2B;

(9) FIG. 5A illustrates a bottom view of a fourth embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

(10) FIG. 5B shows a detailed portion of the fourth embodiment;

(11) FIG. 6 shows a cut view along the X-X axis of the embodiment of FIG. 5A;

(12) FIG. 7 illustrates the fourth embodiment including the outline of the penetration area and weakening lines;

(13) FIG. 8 shows the fourth embodiment in a slightly misaligned state;

(14) FIG. 9 shows an example of a packaging container produced from the packaging material according to embodiments described herein;

(15) FIG. 10 shows the principle of how such packaging containers are manufactured from the packaging material in a continuous forming, filling and sealing process;

(16) FIG. 11A shows another example of a packaging container produced from the packaging material according to embodiments described herein;

(17) FIG. 11B shows the packaging container in FIG. 11A on the opposite side;

(18) FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of a package material with an opening;

(19) FIG. 12B shows a bottom view of a package material an embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(20) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of an opening device attached to a package material. The package material comprises a multilayer structure with one or more layers of plastic laminate. Between two layers of plastic laminate, one or more carton layers can be arranged. Such package material is well known and for example manufactured by Tetra Pak?. The package material comprises two weakening lines 10, implemented as perforation, which extend from a penetration area 5 in a slightly curved like manner. The package material can be ruptured along these perforations to create an opening in a package made from such material. Consequently, area 12 between the two perforations 10 acts as an opening.

(21) The opening device itself comprises a spout 4 for better pourability and a grip portion 3. The grip portion 3 contains several periodically arranged ripples 30 for an improved grip by a user. Grip portion 3 is attached to a bridge portion 31 penetrating through the material in penetration area 5. Penetration area 5 contains at least one layer less than the surrounding material in the present embodiment.

(22) A bottom view of an embodiment of the opening device attached to the package material is illustrated in FIG. 2. The opening device is injected molded into the package material, wherein as stated above, the bridge portion 31 connects the first portion to a second portion 2 shown in FIG. 2. Second portion 2 comprises a substantial rectangular plastic material area, 20. Area 20 is arranged over the penetration area 5 (shown here as a circle) and the two perforation lines 10 and consequently covers all features.

(23) Bridge 31 (not shown) is penetrating area 5 and transforms into bridge portion 31A, said bridge portion being part of the second portion 2. A small circular step 53 surrounds the penetrating area of bridge 31. The material of section 2 covering penetration area 5 also comprises a recess 52 (shown in more detail in FIG. 1A), which follows the shape of bridge portion 31A and transforms in the area of the perforation 10 into a rupture recess 14. Said rupture recess is part of a rupture section 13, substantially arranged over and covering the whole perforation. At the respective end portion of perforation 10, the rupturing section forms a hook 130, wherein a short side 131 of hook 130 is facing outwards.

(24) In the present embodiment, area 120 is not covered by any plastic material. Area 121 is slightly protruded and material steps 122 are provided to transform from area 120 into area 121 and the rupture sections 13 towards penetration. The rupture recess 14 is arranged over the perforation 10. When the package material is ruptured by a user, the recess 14 supports for guiding the rupturing line along the perforation 10.

(25) The thickened areas on both sides of the recess 14 prevent a pulling of the rupturing out from its intended path.

(26) Two alternative embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively. Area 31A comprises a rectangular shape in the upper part adjacent to penetration area 5 and a round part on its lower end. Area 120 is covered by a thin material plastic layer. Rupture section 13 and 122 comprises a higher thickness and covers perforations 10 completely. The rupture recess 14 in rupture section 13 and 122 transforms into a recess covering penetration area 5 and following the borderline of bridge 31A. As one can see, step 122 follow a curved shape in the upper part close to penetration area 5. This is different in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2B, in which it provides a more rectangular shape. Further only a single step 122A is disposed between area 120 and area 121 of the rupture section.

(27) In addition, rupture section 13 comprise a bulge recess 134 in its end part covering the end portion of perforation 10.

(28) The bulge recess is facing inward and surrounded by a protruded part of section 13.

(29) FIG. 3 illustrates a cut view through axis X-X* of FIG. 2A. Rupturing recess 14 is arranged directly over the perforation 10 of material 12. The thickness of the remaining material inside recess 14 is approximately 20% to 10% of an average thickness of the surrounding material, or in other words a couple of ?m. In this embodiment, the thickness D of the inner part 13A of the rupture section is larger than thickness D1. This is to prevent the tendency of the rupturing of moving inwards. The additional material effectively prevents this behavior. Towards the outer border of second portion 2, the rupturing section transforms into area 121.

(30) FIG. 4 illustrating the cut view along the X-X axis of the device at FIG. 2B differs mainly in the position between the perforation 10 and the rupture recesses 14. In the embodiment the rupture recesses 14 are staggered with respect to the perforation, namely recesses 14 are arranged further outwards. In other words, rupture section 13A are disposed above the perforations 10 in material 12.

(31) A further aspect deals with a potential misalignment between the plastic material injection and the weakening lines of the material during production of the opening device in an injection molding process. Such mismatch most often occurs due to tolerances in the positions procedures short before or during the molding process. Smaller deviation in the relative position between the weakening lines and the recess in the injected plastic material can be compensated by broadening the recess 14 in the plastic material of the rupture section.

(32) While those small deviations will not affect the quality of the opening, higher deviation (i.e. caused by a less sophisticated positioning system) may result in an undesired fraying. Such fraying is not only unappealing to a consumer, but may also cause food safety issues as small particles may be ripped off and fall into the consumable product.

(33) FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an embodiment which is more tolerant to misalignment between the weakening or perforation in the package material and the rupture section of the opening device. The opening device comprises a rupture section in section 2 having a plurality of adjacently arranged grooves or recesses 141 to 145. They are extending from an area close to penetration area 5 symmetrically to a mirror axis M. Their shape follows the direction of the weakening lines (not shown here). Recess 52 (similar as shown in FIG. 1A) in penetration area surrounding the border of bridget 3A transforms into the most outward rupture recess 141. Area 53 is recessed with respect to the surrounding part of section 2, the step 54 is a circular segment starting and ending on the transition between recess 52 and the outermost rupture recess 141.

(34) As seen in FIG. 6, the each of the rupture recesses 141 to 145 are of triangular shape. Their respective heights (of each triangle) are smaller than the height T2 of the outer rupture section or height T1 of the inner rupture section. In other words, the triangles are smaller than both guiding parts 13A and 28 of the rupture section. The triangles form a tooth structure. The thickness of the remaining material goes down to a few ?m. The area 120 in between the rupture guiding section has about the same thickness as the triangles.

(35) The plurality of rupture recesses 141 to 145 increase the tolerances concerning misalignment between the opening device and the perforation lines in the package material in direction parallel but also transversal to the mirror axis M. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a respective example. FIG. 7 shows the penetration area 5 and the perforations 10 extending from the perforation area. In this example, section 2 of the opening device and the package material are aligned. As one can see the perforation crosses three rupture recesses 141 to 143, as their angle and direction are slightly misaligned. In a larger distance from penetration area, perforation line 10 and the rupture recesses become both aligned and substantially parallel. Due to the slight misalignment in the direction, one of the rupture recesses 141 to 145 catches the rupture in the perforation line during the initial rupture process, after line 52 has been ruptured and the rupture extends from penetration area 5 into the package material. The misalignment in the upper parts between the perforation and the rupture recesses therefore ensure that the rupture is guided by one the rupture recesses and the perforation. The tendency by the rupture to move inwards is prevented. At the same time fraying is reduced.

(36) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a misaligned structure, in which the opening device is displaced to the left compared to the penetration area and perforation. However the plurality of rupture recesses adjacent to each other result in a relative large cross distance in which section 2 can be displaced. Still as one can see, one of the rupture recesses, e.g rupture recess 146 and 143 overlap the perforation nonetheless in the lower par of the structure. During a rupturing process, the rupture recesses may catch the rupture and guide it along the perforation. The plurality of rupture recesses therefore ensure that even in a misalignment, the weakening or perforation is covered by one or more rupture recesses to provide proper guiding during the rupture process.

(37) The present solution, also referred to as track solution provides a possibility to guide the rupturing along the perforation or any other weakening in package material, while at the same time reducing the risk for leakage through the weakening. Positioning tolerances can be increased using different techniques, like the multi-track solution in FIG. 5, but also larger recesses, inclined recess slopes in the rupture recesses and the like. The material used can be very thin and even on its thickest portion not exceed some 100 ?m. the inner or central portion surrounded by the weakening or perforation lines can be covered by plastic material to enhance visible appeal but also increase stability during the opening procedure.

(38) FIG. 9 shows an example of a packaging container 60 produced from the packaging material with an opening device described in FIG. 1 and which as specified herein has been provided with weakening lines 61, implemented as perforation, which extend from a penetration area 62 in a slightly curved manner. The package material can be ruptured along these perforations to create an opening in a package made from such material. Consequently, area 62 between the two perforations 61 acts as an opening. The opening device itself comprises a spout 64 for better pourability and a grip portion 63. Grip portion 63 is attached to a bridge portion 65 penetrating through the material in penetration area 66. Penetration area 66 contains at least one layer less than the surrounding material in the present embodiment. Consequently, the area 62 between the two perforations 61 acts as an opening.

(39) The packaging container is particularly suitable for liquid or semi-liquid food products such as beverages, sauces, soups or the like. Typically, such a package has a volume of about 100 to 2000 ml. It may be of any configuration such as those described herein, but is for example brick-shaped, having transversal and longitudinal seals 56 and 57.

(40) FIG. 10 shows the principle as described in the introduction of the present application, i.e. a web of packaging material is formed into a tube 71 by the longitudinal edges 72, 72 of the web being united to one another in an overlap heat-sealed joint 73. The tube is filled 74 with the intended liquid food product and is divided into individual packages by repeated transversal seals 56 of the tube at a pre-determined distance from one another below the level of the filled contents in the tube exclusively by way of example, and that modifications and alterations obvious to a person skilled in the art are possible without departing from the concept as disclosed in the appended claims.

(41) FIGS. 11A and 11B shows another example of a packaging container 90 shaped as a pouch produced from the packaging material with an opening device described before and in FIGS. 12A and B. The pouch 90 is produced in a similar way as described in FIG. 10. The packaging container 90 is particularly suitable for liquid or semi-liquid food products such as beverages, sauces, soups or the like. It could also be used for frozen food products. Typically, such a package has a volume of about 70 to 250 ml. The packaging container 90 has transversal and longitudinal seals 96 and 97.

(42) FIG. 12A shows a perspective view of a part of an opening device attached to a package material and to a packaging container 90 as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The package material comprises a multilayer structure with one or more layers of plastic laminate. Between two layers of plastic laminate, one or more carton layers can be arranged. Such package material is well known and for example manufactured by Tetra Pak?.

(43) The opening device itself comprises a first grip portion 220. The grip portion 220 contains several periodically arranged ripples 230 for an improved grip by a user. Grip portion 220 is attached to a bridge portion 231 penetrating through the material in penetration area 250. Penetration area 250 contains at least one layer less than the surrounding material in the present embodiment.

(44) A bottom view of an embodiment of the opening device attached to the package material is illustrated in FIG. 12B. The opening device is injected molded into the package material, wherein as stated above, the bridge portion 231 (only shown in FIG. 12A) connects the first portion to a second portion 222 shown in FIG. 12B. Second portion 222 comprises a substantial rectangular plastic material area, 224. Area 224 is arranged over the penetration area 250 and extends from the longitudinal sealing 97 around the packaging container 90 and stops before the longitudinal sealing 97, as can be seen in FIGS. 11A and 11B. There is a gap over the longitudinal sealing 97 where there is no opening. Often this opening is arranged close to the longitudinal sealing 97, but it could also be arranged in the middle of the packaging container 90 with approximately equal distance to the two transversal sealings 96. The area 224 can also be arranged on two perforation lines 98 in a similar way as described before.

(45) Area 231A comprises a rectangular shape in the upper part adjacent to penetration area 250 and is rounded 231B in to a single track or single recess 232. Rupture section 213 comprises a higher thickness. The single rupture recess 232 could also be a multi rupture recess. When the package material is ruptured by a user, the recess 232 supports for guiding the opening of the package container.

(46) Bridge 231 (not shown) is arranged in a similar way as described in FIG. 2.

(47) The thickened areas on both sides of the recess 232 prevent a pulling of the rupturing out from its intended path.

(48) The package material may comprise two weakening lines 98, as mentioned before, implemented as perforation, which extend from the penetration area 250 in two approximately parallel lines. The package material can be ruptured along these perforations to create an opening in a package made from such material. Consequently, area 212 between the two perforations 210 acts as an opening.