Package Material Blank and Method of Forming the Same

Abstract

A package material blank comprises a body panel having a main panel, two second panels arranged adjacent to the main panel and at least one third panel. End closure panels arranged adjacent to the body panel, the end closure panels comprising a top and bottom closure panels arranged adjacent to the main and the at least one third panel, respectively and flap closure panels arranged adjacent to the two second panels. Lines of weakness separate each of the body and end closure panels. A line of weakness is provided on the main panel having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from a first point to a second point and the second portion extend from a third point to the second point.

Claims

1. A package material blank comprising a multilayer material structure having a layer of cellulosic material and one or more layers of plastic laminate, the package material blank comprising: an opening device comprising: a tab arranged on a first surface of the blank; an elongated opening strip arranged on a second surface of the blank opposite the first surface, wherein the tab is connected to the opening strip via a material bridge penetrating through the multilayer material structure; a first support portion arranged on the first side of the blank, wherein the first support portion comprises an elongated strip extending parallel with the opening strip.

2. A package material blank according to claim 1, wherein the opening strip is arranged at a distance from the first support portion, wherein the distance is smaller than a thickness of the multilayer material structure.

3. A package material blank according to claim 2, wherein the distance is in the range 0.1-0.5 times the thickness.

4. A package material blank according to claim 1, wherein the opening devices comprises a second support portion arranged on the first side of the blank, wherein the first and second support portions are positioned on either side of the opening strip in a longitudinal direction of the multilayer material structure to define a pre-determined rupture line.

5. A package material blank according to claim 4, wherein a height of the first and second support portions is higher than a height of the opening strip.

6. A package material blank according to claim 4, wherein the first and second support portions are connected by bridge portions.

7. A package material blank according to claim 4, wherein the opening strip extends along an area, and wherein the area is surrounded by the first and second support portions.

8. A package material blank according to claim 7, wherein the first and second support portions define the direction in which the opening device is opened.

9. A package material blank according to claim 1, wherein the tab is connected to the elongated opening strip via a material bridge penetrating through the multilayer material structure in a weakened area which comprises a reduced thickness compared to a surrounding area of the multilayer material structure.

10. A package material blank according to claim 1, wherein the opening strip extends substantially parallel to an upper transversal crease line.

11. A package material blank according to claim 10, wherein the opening strip extends along an area, and wherein the first support portion extends between the area and the upper transversal crease line.

12. A package material blank according to claim 1, wherein the opening strip extends along the entire width of a main panel of the package material blank.

13. A package material blank according to claim 12, wherein the opening strip extends partly onto side panels of the package material blank.

14. A package material blank according to claim 4, wherein the second support portion is a pouring support.

15. A method of forming a package material blank comprising providing a blank comprising a multilayer material structure having a layer of cellulosic material and one or more layers of plastic laminate, providing an opening device comprising; a tab arranged on a first surface of the blank, an elongated opening strip arranged on a second surface of the blank opposite the first surface, wherein the tab is connected to the opening strip via a bridge penetrating through the multilayer material structure, a first support portion arranged on the first side of the blank, wherein the first support portion comprises an elongated strip extending parallel with the opening strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating several aspects and embodiments of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a package material blank according to the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a package material blank on a package material web according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a brick-like package using an embodiment of a blank according to the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 in an open state;

[0031] FIG. 5, illustrates brick-like package made from an embodiment of a blank according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 5A illustrates a respective cut-view along the axis X-X of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

[0033] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a blank made on a package material web;

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of a blank made on a package material web.

[0035] Similar features in the drawings bear similar reference signs. It should be noted that the features in the different embodiments can of course be combined by a skilled person to form yet another alternative without deviating from the inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a blank of package material according to the present invention. The package material blank comprises several body panels 20, 21 and 29a. Two side panels 21 arranged on respective sides of a main panel 20. Crease lines 28 extending in the longitudinal direction are separating main panel 20 from the two side panels 21. The term crease line refers to a line of weakness, in which the structure of the package material laminate is changed compared to the surrounding structure. For instance, a crease line can be manufactures by crushing part of the material structure, i.e. fibers in the carton board.

[0037] Portions of a back panel 29a are arranged adjacent to side panels 21. Crease lines 28b extending from the top to the bottom of the blank are separating the back panels 29a from the side panels. When forming the package, the back panel portions 29a are sealed together using a longitudinal seal portion 22c. Said portions overlap after folding and are glued together using a longitudinal seal.

[0038] The blank also comprises end closure panels arranged on the top and bottom portion of the body panels. The end closure panels are separated from the body panels by a crease lines extending in the transversal direction and substantially perpendicular to the crease lines 28 and 28b. Consequently these crease lines are referred to a transversal crease lines. A top closure panel 23 is arranged on top of main panel 20 and another top closure panel 23b is arranged portion-wise on top of pack panel portion 29a. Likewise, bottom closure panels 23a and 23c are arranged adjacent to main panel 20 and back panel portions 29a, respectively. Finally, flap panel portions 22a and 22b are arranged on the side panels 21. The crease line separating the main panel from the top closure panels is referred to as upper transversal crease line, the crease line separating the main panel from the bottom closure panel is referred to a lower transversal crease line. When folding the package, the flap panel portions 22a are folded onto the side panels, while flap panel portions 22b are folded on the bottom closure portion 23a, 23c.

[0039] The blank according to the present invention also comprises a weakened area 109 arranged partly on the top closure panel 23 and the main panel 20 close to corner 25a. Hence, it covers part of the crease line separating top panel 23 from main panel 20. In the embodiment, the weakened area 19 is arranged adjacent to the longitudinal crease line 28 separating main panel 20 from side panel 21 and the top panel 23 from one of the flap panel portion 22a.

[0040] The weakened area 19 comprises a laminate structure, which is thinner than the remaining package material structure. For instance, the weakened area may comprise one or more layers less than the remaining package material structure. More particular, the weakened area may lack the carton or fiber board layer, which is otherwise present in the layer structure of the remaining blank. Consequently, said weakened area can be penetrated more easily than other areas of the blank to create an opening. The weakened area 19 can be created during the manufacturing process of the blank, by for instance punching a hole through the carton based layer and then laminating the carton based layer, thereby covering the punched hole. A skilled person is aware of several techniques to provide such weakened area on the desired spot in the upper portion of the main panel or in the top closure portion close to the crease line.

[0041] The main panel 20 further comprises another crease line 25 with a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of crease line 25 extends from the corner 25a to a point 26 centrally arranged on the lower transversal crease line separating the main panel form the bottom closure panel. The second portion of crease line 25 extends from corner 25c to point 26. Thereby point 26 forms a common intersection between the first and the second portion of the crease line and the lower transversal crease line. Crease line 25 forms a triangle together with the upper transversal crease. A further crease line 25 c is arranged centrally on the main panel (one can say it divides the main panel into two sections) and extends from a center in the upper transversal crease line to the common intersection 26.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention in a further manufacturing step, slightly different to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The blank of FIG. 2 is part of a packaging web, in which a plurality of blanks is rolled onto a reel following one another. Separating the web along a line in the middle of crease line 24a and 24b, respectively, provides individual blanks. In FIG. 2, the weakened area 190 is arranged on the main panel close to the corner 25a and adjacent to the crease line separating main panel 20 from top panel portion 23. An opening device is molded onto the blank.

[0043] Said opening device comprises a tab portion 101 made of plastic material. Tab portion 101 is molded through a material bridge in the weakened area 190 to an opening strip portion 102 on the other side of the blank (indicated in FIG. 2 by the dotted line). Opening strip portion 102 is made of plastic and extends as an elongated strip substantially parallel to the crease line towards corner 25b. In other words, opening strip 102 substantially extend from close to corner 25a close to corner 25b. Said opening strip portion determines a preferred rupture line, when the tab 190 is pulled from corner 25a towards corner 25b, or more general from one side to the other side of the package.

[0044] After folding the package into its final shape, the crease lines 25 and 25c remains unfolded. When opening the package substantially parallel to the upper crease line separating main panel 20 from top panel portion 23 as described above, the crease lines 25 and 25c can facilitate a funnel shaped opening for an improved pouring.

[0045] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the first embodiment according to the invention after folding and sealing it into a brick-like package container 2. Container 2 comprises a front wall 20, two sidewalls 21 and a back wall 29. Flaps 22 are arranged on the sidewall by folding them after the top portion 23 of the package container is transversally sealed. The transversal seal 24 is folded such that it faces the front wall 20. Likewise flaps are arranged on the bottom of the package (not shown). A longitudinal seal 22a is provided on the bottom side of the package container.

[0046] The container 2 further includes an opening device 200 arranged on an edge separating the front wall 20 from the top portion 23. The opening device extends from an upper outside corner 27 of the package container along substantially the whole width in the transversal direction T to a weakened area 209 close to the other upper corner and the edge 28. Two support strips extend along the width of the package, a first one on the top portion of the package container, right adjacent to the edge, and a second support strip 203 on the front wall adjacent to the edge. The two strips thereby enclose the edge of the package container separating front wall 20 from top portion 23. The opening device comprises a tab 201 in the shape of a pull tab of a zipper like-alike, which is flatly arranged on the top portion 23. Tab 201 is connected via a material bridge to an opening strip portion (not shown) arranged on the inside of the package along the edge to corner 27.

[0047] The package container further comprises two crease lines 25 extending from the upper corners 27 and 27a to a common center point 26 on the lower edge of the package. A central crease line 29a extends from a central point 210 on the upper edge down to the common central point 26.

[0048] The open configuration of the package is illustrated in FIG. 4. The opening strip portion 202 arranged on the inner surface of wall 20 has ruptured the material and created a small elongated opening. By exerting pressure on the sidewalls, the crease lines 25 and 29a fold to provide a V-shaped opening to facilitate the pouring. Support strip 203 stabilizes the opening and comprises a small weakening in the area 210 for a better bending or folding. The top portion in this embodiment remains flat, but it may bend up-wards or downwards, depending on the folding of the transversal seal 24.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the inventive concept. Package container 3 is of brick like shape with its top seal 34 being folded not facing the front side. The longitudinal seal 32a is arranged on the top, the bottom and the back side of container 3. Container 3 comprises a different opening device on its front side 30. A tab 301 arranged on the front side 30 is connected in a circular weakened area 309 to an opening strip portion 302 arranged on an inner surface of front side. The opening strip portion extends substantially parallel to upper edge 38a from about one edge 38 to the about other edge 38 of the package container. A small distance D is between the opening strip portion and the respective edges 38.

[0050] On the outer surface of front side 30, two support portions 305 and 306 are arranged. The support portions include the weakened area 309 and surround said area and the entire opening strip portion on the inner surface being area 306. Support portion 305 comprises an elongated strip extending parallel between the upper edge 38a and the opening strip por-portion. Second support portion 306 comprises a first part with increased thickness (referring o the dimension into the longitudinal direction), arranged centrally and two adjacent small portions of about the same thickness as support portion 305. Bridge portions connect both support portions 304 and 305. A transition between the thick central area and the thinner adjacent area is S-shaped, but other shapes, can be used as well. The central thick area improves the pouring functionality after the package container has been opened. It hence may act as pouring support. The lower support 304 comprises a centrally arranged small recess 310 which acts as a bending point. The recess is aligned with two crease lines 25 extending from said recess two the longitudinal edges 38 in a curve shaped manner. They intersect at about a third of the height of the package. When opening the package exerting pressure the front side 30 bends forward, as does the top portion due to the folding of the top transversal seal, thereby creating a funnel-shaped big opening.

[0051] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the opening strip portion in area 306 on the inner surface extends about 90% of the packaging container width. As it is slightly spaced from the upper edge 38a, it is possible to extend the opening strip portion around longitudinal edges 38 and onto the sidewall(s) of the container. Consequently, the weakened area is arranged on a sidewall of the package close the longitudinal edge, with the opening strip portion extending around the edge, along the main panel and to the other sidewall.

[0052] FIG. 5A illustrates a cut view through the axis X-X of FIG. 5. Starting from upper edge 38a, the support portion 306 as a thin strip is arranged on the outer surface of first wall 30. The opening strip portion 302 is arranged on the inner surface of in a longitudinal distance d form the support portion 305. Said distance d might be smaller than a thickness M of the material laminate structure of the front side. For example it may be as small as 0.1 to 0.5 times the thickness of material M. A small longitudinal distance between the support portions 304, 305 on the outer surface and the opening strip portion on the inner surface may improve the opening process, as it facilitates a pre-determined rupturing line. The height h of the support portions is higher than the height of the opening strip line 302.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a processed blank according to the present invention, the blank being part of a package material web. The blank can be used to create a package similar to the embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 5.

[0054] The blank is of similar structure as the blanks already described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The major difference is in the opening device attached to the blank as well as the crease line in the main panel of the blank. The main panel 30, comprises a crease line having two portions 30a. The first portion starts from a point 38b, which is lying adjacent to or on the longitudinal crease line 38a at about a third of the total length of said crease line 38 measured from the bottom closure panel 340. The portion is curved and ends at 36a at a molded support portion 304 described later herein. The second portion of the crease line starts at point 38c on crease line 38a at the same distance from the bottom closure panel 340. The distance from the bottom panel 340 is selected such as to provide an opening of the upper portions of main panel 30 enclosed by the crease lines 38a, 38a between points 38b and 38c and the top panel portion.

[0055] The processed blank also comprises a weakened area 309, on which an opening device is arranged. The weakened area 309 is arranged close to the upper left corner 35 with a distance D from the upper transversal crease line and a distance d from the longitudinal crease line. Both distances can be equal. Distance D is chosen such that the created opening after using the opening device is above a level of liquid filled in the container. The opening device contains a tab portion (not shown) with a material bridge through the weakened area and connected to an elongated opening strip on the other side of the package material blank. The opening strip extends along an area 306 substantially parallel to the upper transversal crease line. Area 306 is surrounded by a support portion of the opening device. The support portion comprises a first portion 305 extended between area 306 and the upper transversal crease line. First portion 305 is a relatively thin plastic line attached on the upper surface of the blank's main panel 30. The second portion 304 is molded onto the main panel between area 306 an the lower transversal crease line. The second portion comprises a central area having a higher thickness than the end elements of second portion 304. First and second portion are via two bridges completely surround area 306 and can therefore support the opening procedure, as they may define the direction in which the package is opened and also determine the end point of the opening.

[0056] The support portion 305 comprises a small central recess 36b which extends into the crease line 30a at point 36 After opening the package made from such blank, a user may exert pressure on the then sidewalls 30c which causes support portion 304 to bend in recess 305 thereby creating a funnel like opening of main panel 30.

[0057] In the alternative embodiment as described above, the area 306, under which the strip portion is attached to extends of the entire width of main panel 30 and partly into the side panels 30c. the support portion however extend as strips only over the width of the main panel, and are open on the end side, so the support portion does not completely surround area 306 as shown in FIG. 6. In fact support portion 304 may just comprise two strips one above and one below area 306. Weakened area 309 may be arranged on the sidewall and the opening strip on the inner surface extends at least over crease line 38a. In such embodiment the line of weakness may also extend over the respective longitudinal crease lines 38a and 38a and into sidewalls 30c. Respective first and third point are then placed on the longitudinal lines of weaknesses.

[0058] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a blank in a web according to the present invention. The crease line 30a with its two portion extends centrally form pint 36a on the upper transversal crease line in an s-shaped manner to the corners 38b and 38c, respectively. The weakened area is in this embodiment not arranged on the main panel, but on the top closure panel 340. Consequently, an opening device (not shown) will be arranged on the top closure panel 304 with its opening strip portion adjacent to the upper transversal crease line as indicated by the dotted line.

[0059] Although the embodiment illustrate a crease line with several portions starting or ending on a point placed adjacent to or on one of the blank crease lines, it should be noted, that the crease line on the main panel is selected such as to provide an opening. Consequently another crease line structure on the main panel is also possible. For instance the crease line can be structured as to form a V with its lower intersection point on the main panel and the top ends close to an opening. Also the shapes and curvature of the crease lines can be different and follow also aesthetical aspects, as there are any variances to form a bulge and a respective funnel shaped opening.