EP3156343B1

EP3156343B1 - Package blank

Info

Publication number: EP3156343B1
Application number: EP16194177.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kaisa PIETILÄ; Rauno VILJAKAINEN
Original assignee: A&R Carton Oy
Current assignee: GPI Finland Oy
Priority date: 2015-10-15
Filing date: 2016-10-17
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-17
Also published as: EP3156343A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a package blank for a scoop-type carton board package or box which can be used e.g. for French fries or other snack food. The invention relates also to a die-cutting layout for blanks and method for producing cardboard package from a blank.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Many types of package blanks are previously known. One blank for a scoop-type carton board package or box which can be used e.g. for French fries is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,955 .
There is always a need to minimize material consumption in producing carton board packages. Technical properties of an erected package, such as strength of glued seams, are to be maintained at an acceptable level. The effectiveness of the manufacturing process steps, such as printing, die-cutting, gluing and erecting of the blank or the package should be increased.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to reduce or even eliminate the above-mentioned problems appearing in prior art.
The present invention has especially an object of providing a new package blank and a new layout for printing and cutting to get material consumption per blank smaller.
One object of the present invention is to provide a blank for a package that is considered more efficient regarding carton consumption.
This invention may be used in rotary printing and flatbed die-cutting in line from a carton board reel. An object is to provide a solution for smaller production machines where maximum reel width is e.g. 650 mm and maximum die-cut size is e.g. 650 mm x 650 mm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among others, in order to realize the objects mentioned above, package blank layout and other objects according to the invention are characterized by what is presented in the enclosed independent claims. Enclosed dependent claims present some possible embodiments.
The embodiments, examples and advantages mentioned in this text relate, where applicable, as well to package blank as to other objects of the invention, even though it is not always specifically mentioned.
A typical package blank according to the invention can be used to produce e.g. a scoop-type carton board package for French fries or other snack food. The blank comprises

a back panel, intended to form a back panel of the package, comprising a back panel edge,
a front panel, intended to form a front panel of the package, comprising a front panel edge,
a bottom panel, intended to form a bottom panel of the package, comprising a bottom panel left side edge and a bottom panel right side edge,
a left side panel, intended to form a left panel of the package, comprising a left side panel edge,
a right side panel, intended to form a right panel of the package, comprising a right side panel edge,
a left glue flap, intended to adhere the left side panel to the back panel or the front panel of the package, comprising a left glue flap edge,
a right glue flap, intended to adhere the right side panel to the back panel or the front panel of the package, comprising a right glue flap edge.

The back panel and the front panel are typically arranged next to the bottom panel on opposite sides of it in a grain direction of the package blank. The left side panel and the right side panel are typically arranged next to the back panel or next to the front panel on opposite sides of it in a cross-grain direction of the package blank. The left glue flap and the right glue flap are typically arranged next to the back panel or next to the front panel on opposite sides of it in a cross-grain direction of the package blank. According to the invention the back panel and the front panel are separated from the bottom panel by curved folding lines.
In an embodiment the left side panel, the right side panel, the left glue flap and the right glue flap are separated from the back panel or the front panel by straight folding lines.
In an embodiment the bottom panel is divided in two sub-panels being separated from each other by a folding line arranged from the bottom panel left side edge to the bottom panel right side edge in a cross-grain direction of the package blank.
In an embodiment the width of the bottom panel in the cross-grain direction varies. In an embodiment the folding line dividing the bottom panel is arranged between the widest and narrowest points of the bottom panel.
In an embodiment the left side panel is divided into an inner left side sub-panel and an outer left side sub-panel by a straight folding line. In an embodiment the right side panel is divided into an inner right side sub-panel and an outer right side sub-panel by a straight folding line. The left side panel and the right side panel are arranged next to the front panel. The left glue flap and the right glue flap are arranged next to the back panel. According to the invention at least some straight first parts of each of the following

the left side panel edge,
the right glue flap edge,
the right side panel edge, and
the left glue flap edge,

In an embodiment at least one straight second part of at least one of the following

Inventive design and selection of folding lines and edges of the planks provides more effective production and material consumption. E.g. forming edges parallel to each other helps to arrange blanks in an optimal way near each other.
A typical layout or a carton layout according to the invention comprises multiple blanks according to the invention.
In an embodiment of the layout all package blanks are arranged in the same direction, i.e. in grain direction a back panel edge of one package blank is in contact with a front panel edge of a neighbouring blank package and in cross-grain direction a left side of one package blank is in contact with a right side of one or two neighbouring package blanks.
In an embodiment of the layout package blanks are arranged in two directions, i.e. in grain direction a back panel edge of one package blank is in contact with a front panel edge of a neighbouring blank package and in cross-grain direction a left side of one package blank is in contact with a left side of one or two neighbouring package blanks.
Size of a carton board blank according to the invention can be similar to cartons used previously e.g. in restaurants. A difference to previous cartons is that glue flaps are not situated next to the side panels but they are placed directly on the back or front panel. This modification makes the amount of stripping waste near to the reel edge smaller than in the previous scoop cartons. As the carton board material comes normally from a reel and is printed and die-cut in line, the material waste comes mainly from the edges and small areas on the corners of blanks in the layout. Amount of this waste material is now minimized.
The new place of the glue flap makes the glue area somewhat diagonal compared to the grain direction. If the glue from a gluing means, such as a gluing gun, is applied in the grain direction the size of the glue area is reduced. According to an embodiment edges of glue flaps and side panels can be divided e.g. in 2 to 4 sections to provide more room for glue. The sections may be separated e.g. by angles in the edge. With these adjustments a glue area with e.g. at least 50mm x 8mm size is achieved which is enough for the function of the package. In some embodiments glue flap edges and side panel edges meet in the layouts, so the directions of these edges must be conforming.
Folding lines can be made in any suitable way, e.g. as perforations or as crease lines, or combination of both.
One typical method for producing cardboard package from a layout for multiple similar package blanks comprises at least following steps:

cutting loose a package blank from the layout, the blank comprising:
- a back panel, a front panel and a bottom panel between them, arranged successively in a grain direction (A) and
- a left glue flap and a right glue flap next to the back panel or next to the front panel on opposite sides of it in a cross-grain direction of the package blank,
moving the blank in reference to a gluing means in the grain direction (A), and while moving
applying glue from the gluing means onto the blank,
folding the blank along folding lines so that the glue remains in contact with the left and right glue flaps and certain other parts of the blank, thereby adhering the glue flaps onto the said other parts of the blank, thereby forming a cardboard package.

In an embodiment of the method a layout according to the invention is used.
In an embodiment of the method a package blank according to the invention is cut loose from the layout.
Glue is applied e.g. as multiple drops or as a stripe.
In an embodiment of the method a package blank is cut loose, and then glued together in gluing machine.
In an embodiment a package blank is glued together in gluing machine by first folding the back part's reverse side together with front part's reverse side along the folding line that divides bottom part to two sub-parts.
In an embodiment glue is applied in grain direction e.g. from glue means, such as a glue gun. In an embodiment glue is applied on the back side of the blank, on the outermost sub-panels of the right and left side panels. Glue can also be applied from glue means in grain direction on the print side of the left and right glue flaps. Outermost left and right side sub-panels are folded on top of the glue flaps e.g. along folding lines that divide the side panels in sub-panels. Thereby the glue flaps are adhered to the outermost sub-panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

Figure 1: shows a package blank;
Figure 2: shows a package blank;
Figure 3: shows a layout with multiple package blanks of Fig. 1;
Figure 4: shows a layout with multiple package blanks of Fig. 2;
Figure 5: shows a package blank of Fig. 1 with possible glue strips;
Figure 6: shows a package blank of Fig. 1 with possible glue strips;
Figure 7: shows a package blank of Fig. 2 with possible glue strips;
Figure 8: shows a package blank of Fig. 2 with possible glue strips;
Figure 9: shows a package made of a blank of Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

For the sake of clarity, the same reference numbers are used for some corresponding parts in different embodiments.
A typical package blank comprises a back panel 1, a front panel 2, a bottom panel 3, right side panel 6, left side panel 7, right glue flap 4 and left glue flap 5. The front panel 2 and the back panel 1 are positioned next to the bottom panel 3 on opposite sides. The front 2 and back 1 panels are separated from the bottom part by curved folding lines 17, 18. Curved folding lines are shaped as arcs to get the erected package to keep its shape. Grain direction is shown by axis A.
Right side panel 6 and left side panel 7 are positioned opposite sides of the front panel 2 and glue flaps 4, 5 are positioned opposite sides of the back panel 1. Right side panel 6 and left side panel 7 are both divided in two sub-panels 7.1, 7.2 and 6.1, 6.2 by folding lines 19, 20.
Side panel edges and glue flap edges are typically according to this invention shaped to complement each other. In the layout 102 fig 3 where blanks are positioned in similar direction, which is preferred way to make the layout, left side panel edge 13 is parallel to right glue flap edge 16 and the opposite right side panel edge 14 is parallel to left glue flap edge 17. Both sub-panels and glue flaps forms long areas. Principle for that is that any line in outermost sub-panels of a side panel 6.1; 7.1 nor the glue flap 4, 5 can't be outside of the inner sub-panel lines of side panel 6.2; 7.2 when panels and flaps are folded along folding lines 10, 19 and 20 and that way arranged one panel or flap on the top of another panel or flap in gluing.
In some cases, e.g. when the blank size increases, it will be advantageous to turn every other blank 180 degrees. This may e.g. enable to fit at least eight blanks in the layout in Fig. 4, giving the material benefit according to this invention. When layout of Fig. 3 is possible, the side panel edges and glue flap edges are divided in two sections, see Fig 1. A longer section on the side panel edge 14 is parallel to glue flap edge 17. A longer section on the side panel edge 13 is parallel to glue flap edge 16. The shorter sections 21 and 22 of side panel edges are parallel to the grain direction axis A in order to ease the blank moving straight in gluing machine. Glue flap edge is chamfered from the other end which divides the edge in longer 16, 17 and shorter 23, 24 divisions. Reason for chamfer is to make total length of back panel 1 and glue flaps 4, 5 somewhat, e.g. at least 10 mm per side narrower than total length of side panels 6, 7 and front panel 2. This is made in order to ease folding and moving the blank in a gluing machine. The angle between the side panel edge 14 and the glue flap chamfer 24 as well as angle between side panel edge 13 and chamfer 23 in the layout of Fig. 3 should be adequate, e.g. bigger than 18 degrees, to ease die cutting tool building, die cutting and stripping.
In the examples the die-cut size, i.e. also the size of the layout used is e.g. 650 mm x 650 mm. In some cases blanks are so big that 8 blanks do not fit in the 650 x 650 mm layout with every blank in the same direction. Then every other row of blanks may be rotated 180 degrees, see fig. 4. Blanks are positioned following the principle that layout size in grain direction is close to the maximum size. The bigger the layout size is in the grain direction, the smaller the size is in cross-grain direction. The maximum size of the layout in cross-grain direction is defined by the reel width.
Fig 2 shows the blank in the layout of Fig. 4. There glue flap edges are divided in 4 sections 51 - 54 and 55 - 58 and side flap edges are divided in two sections 59-60 and 61-62. First sections 51 and 55 of glue flap edge are parallel to grain direction axis A. These sections make the difference between total length of back panel 1 and glue flaps 4, 5 smaller than total length of front panel 2 and side panels 7, 6. Second section 52 in right glue flap is parallel to shorter section 59 of right side flap edge, and second section 56 in the left glue flap is parallel to shorter section 61 of left side flap edge. Third section 53 of right glue flap edge is parallel to longer section 60 in the right side flap edge, and third section 57 of left glue flap edge is parallel to longer section 62 in the left side flap edge. Angle between fourth section 54 in glue flap edge and longer section of side flap edge 60 in the layout fig 4 is more than 18 degrees to ease die cutting and stripping.
Edge 12 of back panel, such as the short straight parts 32, 31 on both sides of edge, are shaped similar to edge 11 of front panel and straight parts 29, 30 on both sides of it to fit two blanks tightly together in the layouts, see Figures 3 and 4.
In the figure 1 lines 35 and 36 are angled so that the angle between line 35 and 27 and angle between lines 36 and 28 in the layout is preferably more than 20 degrees. Corners 25 and 26 are hidden behind the outermost parts of the side panels 6.1; 7.1 and the corners 43, 44 meet the lines 35, 36 when package is folded and glued to shape. Lines 33 and 34 are parallel to 27 and 28.
In the figure 2 lines 39, 40 are parallel to lines 38, 37. Lines 43 and 44 are angled so that corners 41 and 42 meet the lines 39 and 40 when package is folded and glued.
In figures 5-8 are shown positions of glue dots or glue lines 71 from a glue gun. And positions 72 where the glue attaches. While applying glue, the blank is moving in reference to the glue gun in grain direction A. Therefore the positions 71 are parallel to the grain direction A, whereas positions 72 for angles with the grain direction A.
Figure 9 shows package 101 erected from a package blank 100 of Fig. 1.
The figures show only a few preferred embodiments according to the invention. Facts of secondary importance with regards to the main idea of the invention, facts known as such or evident for a person skilled in the art are not necessarily separately shown in the figures. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited exclusively to the examples described above, but that the invention can vary within the scope of the claims presented below. The dependent claims present some possible embodiments of the invention, and they are not to be considered to restrict the scope of protection of the invention as such.

Claims

A package blank (100) for a scoop-type carton board package which can be used e.g. for French fries or other snack food, the blank comprising
- a back panel (1), intended to form a back panel of the package, comprising a back panel edge,

- a front panel (2), intended to form a front panel of the package, comprising a front panel edge,

- a bottom panel (3), intended to form a bottom panel of the package, comprising a bottom panel left side edge and a bottom panel right side edge,

- a left side panel (7), intended to form a left panel of the package, comprising a left side panel edge,

- a right side panel (6), intended to form a right panel of the package, comprising a right side panel edge,

- a left glue flap (5), intended to adhere the left side panel to the back panel or the front panel of the package, comprising a left glue flap edge,

- a right glue flap (4), intended to adhere the right side panel to the back panel or the front panel of the package, comprising a right glue flap edge,
whereby the back panel (1) and the front panel (2) are separated from the bottom panel by curved folding lines and the back panel (1) and the front panel (2) are arranged next to the bottom panel (3) on opposite sides of it in a grain direction (A) of the package blank,
and whereby the left side panel (7) and the right side panel (6) are arranged next to the front panel (2) on opposite sides of it in a cross-grain direction of the package blank,
characterised by that the left glue flap (5) and the right glue flap (4) are arranged next to the back panel (1) on opposite sides of it in a cross-grain direction of the package blank and a part of a left side panel edge (13) is parallel to at least a part of a right glue flap edge (16) and that at least a part of a right side panel edge (14) is parallel to at least a part of a left glue flap edge (17) and at least some straight first parts of each of the following
- the left side panel edge (13),

- the right glue flap edge (16),

- the right side panel edge (14), and

- the left glue flap edge (17),
are arranged at an angle of same size against the grain direction (A) of the package blank, where said angle is advantageously between 7,5 and 10,5 degrees or between 8,5 and 9,5 degrees.
A package blank according to any previous claim, characterised by that the left side panel (7), the right side panel (6), the left glue flap (5) and the right glue flap (4) are separated from the back panel (1) or the front panel (2) by straight folding lines.
A package blank according to any previous claim, characterised by that the bottom panel (3) is divided in two sub-panels being separated from each other by a folding line arranged from the bottom panel left side edge to the bottom panel right side edge in a cross-grain direction of the package blank.
A package blank according to claim 3, characterised by that the width of the bottom panel (3) in the cross-grain direction varies and that the folding line dividing the bottom panel (3) is arranged between widest and narrowest points of the bottom panel.
A package blank according to any previous claim, characterised by that the left side panel (7) is divided into an inner left side sub-panel (7.2) and an outer left side sub-panel (7.1) by a straight folding line (20) and that the right side panel (6) is divided into an inner right side sub-panel (6.2) and an outer right side sub-panel (6.1) by a straight folding line (19).
A package blank according to any previous claim, characterised by that a left side of the package blank is defined by the left side panel edge (13), the bottom panel left side edge and the left glue flap edge (17) and that a right side of the package blank is defined by the right side panel edge (14), the bottom panel right side edge and the right glue flap edge (16).
A package blank according to any previous claim, characterised by that at least a part (61) of the left side panel edge is parallel to at least a part (56) of the left glue flap edge and that at least a part (59) of the right side panel edge is parallel to at least a part (52) of the right glue flap edge.
A package blank according to any previous claim, characterised by that at least one straight second part of at least one of the following
- the left side panel edge (13),

- the right glue flap edge (16),

- the right side panel edge (14), and

- the left glue flap edge (17),
is arranged parallel to the grain direction (A) of the package blank.
Layout (102) for multiple similar package blanks for a scoop-type carton board package which can be used e.g. for French fries or other snack food, the layout (102) comprising multiple package blanks (100) according to any of the previous claims 1 to 9.
A layout (102) according to claim 9, characterised by that all package blanks (100) are arranged in the same direction, i.e. in grain direction (A) a back panel edge of one package blank is in contact with a front panel edge of a neighbouring blank package and in cross-grain direction a left side of one package blank is in contact with a right side of one or two neighbouring package blanks.
A layout according to claim 9, characterised by that package blanks (100) are arranged in two directions, i.e. in grain direction (A) a back panel edge of one package blank is in contact with a front panel edge of a neighbouring blank package and in cross-grain direction a left side of one package blank is in contact with a left side of one or two neighbouring package blanks.
Method for producing cardboard package from a layout (102) for multiple similar package blanks comprising at least following steps:
- cutting loose a package blank (100) from the layout (102) in accordance with claim 9, the package blank (100) comprising:
• a back panel (1), a front panel (2) and a bottom panel (3) between them, arranged successively in a grain direction (A),

• a left side panel (7) and a right side panel (6) next to the front panel (2) on opposite sides of it in a cross-grain direction of the package blank, and

• a left glue flap (5) and a right glue flap (4) next to the back panel (1) on opposite sides of it in a cross-grain direction of the package blank,

- moving the blank (100) in reference to a gluing means in the grain direction (A), and while moving

- applying glue from the gluing means onto the blank (100),

- folding the blank (100) along folding lines so that the glue remains in contact with the left glue flap (5) and right glue flap (4) and certain other parts of the blank, thereby adhering the glue flaps onto the said other parts of the blank, thereby forming a cardboard package (101).