EP3219633B1

EP3219633B1 - A sheet packaging material

Info

Publication number: EP3219633B1
Application number: EP16160793.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pietro Martini; Elisa Michelini; Marcello Barbieri
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Current assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority date: 2016-03-17
Filing date: 2016-03-17
Publication date: 2020-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-17
Also published as: EP3219633A1; WO2017157674A1

Description

The invention relates to a sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages for products, in particular food products. The sealed packages produced by using the sheet packaging material according to the invention are particularly suitable for containing pourable products. As is known, many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.
A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated strip packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, covered on both sides with layers of heat-sealable plastic material, e.g. polyethylene. In the case of aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminium foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-sealable plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines, on which a continuous tube is formed from a web-fed packaging material; the web of packaging material is sterilized on the packaging machine, e.g. by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which, once sterilization is completed, is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, e.g. evaporated by heating; the web so sterilized is then maintained in a closed, sterile environment, and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, which is fed vertically. Alternatively, the packaging material may be sterilized according to other techniques, e.g. by using low voltage electron beams.
In order to complete the forming operations, the tube is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product, and is sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced cross sections.
More precisely, the tube is sealed longitudinally and transversely to its own axis, so as to from pillow packs that will be eventually folded to form finished packages with a longitudinal seal and a top transversal seal and a bottom transversal seal.
Alternatively, the packaging material may be cut into blanks, which are formed into packages on forming spindles, and the packages are then filled with the food product and sealed.
In both cases, known packages are produced starting from a basic unit of packaging material, which is, in the first case, a portion of a web of packaging material and, in the second case, a precut blank.
In the first case, the web of packaging material comprises a succession of basic units and is:

folded into a cylinder to form a vertical tube and longitudinally sealed;
filled continuously with the food product; and
sealed transversely and cut into single package precursors, which are then folded to form successive packages.

In the second case, the basic unit is folded on the forming spindle, is filled with the food product and is sealed at the top to form the package.
In both cases, the basic unit has a crease pattern, i.e. a number of crease lines that define respective folding lines, along which the packaging material is folded to form the finished packages.
The crease lines bound a plurality of panels, which define the walls and the flaps of the finished package, once that the basic unit has been folded.
Although the parallelepiped-shaped package that has been mentioned above is one of the most common sealed packages for containing pourable food products, other kind of package shapes can also be produced. In particular, packages provided with so-called design elements are known. These packages may comprise at least one longitudinal border zone that, instead of being rectilinear, has a three-dimensional shape defined for example by two non-straight crease lines extending between respective common end points.
Producers of packaged products normally appreciate being capable of manufacturing differently shaped packages on the same machine. This allows the producers to offer more flexibility to their customers, as well as to vary, within a certain range, the quantity of product that may be contained within a single package. This is due to the fact that differently shaped packages have different internal volumes and hence are capable of containing different quantities of product.
However, in order to produce differently shaped packages, sheet materials having different crease patterns are required.
Hence, different creasing tools must be used, with a consequent cost increase and more complexity in the crease operations.
Furthermore, the producer of packaged products has to keep in his warehouse at least two different kinds of sheet packaging materials, with a consequent need for increased space.
WO2009/141389 discloses a carton blank for forming a container, and comprising a row of body portion forming panels arranged side-by-side, the boundaries between said panels being defined by respective, substantially straight boundary lines of weakness extending from top to bottom of said panels substantially perpendicularly to said row, two adjacent boundary lines of weakness each having disposed at one side thereof a supplemental line of weakness, each supplemental line of weakness being substantially the length of a panel.
WO99/25619 discloses a blank sheet of foldable material having vertical fold lines and horizontal fold lines defined thereon and a tab for forming the blank (10) into a closed shape. By creasing or folding the container along the preformed horizontal and vertical fold lines, containers of various shapes may be formed. An object of the invention is to improve sheet packaging materials for producing sealed packages for products, particularly pourable food products.
A further object is to increase flexibility in the shape of packages that producers of packaged products may offer to their customers.
Another object is to increase flexibility in the volume of packages that producers of packaged products may offer to their customers.
A further object is to allow producers of packaged products to manufacture packages having different shapes while avoiding excessively high creasing costs.
Another object is to allow producers of packaged products to manufacture packages having different shapes, without excessively increasing the space for storing packaging materials in warehouses.
According to the invention, there is provided a sheet packaging material for producing a sealed package intended to contain a product, the sheet packaging material comprising at least a first crease pattern and at least a second crease pattern, a common group of crease lines belonging to both the first crease pattern and the second crease pattern, the first crease pattern further comprising a first crease arrangement that is specific to the first crease pattern, the second crease pattern further comprising a second crease arrangement that is specific to the second crease pattern, whereby by folding the sheet packaging material along the first crease pattern a package having a first conformation is obtained and by folding the sheet packaging material along the second crease pattern a package having a second conformation is obtained, the first conformation being different from the second conformation.
Owing to the invention, a producer of packaged products can obtain two different package conformations from the same sheet packaging material. In particular, when folding the sheet packaging material along the first crease pattern, a certain package shape can be obtained, whereas a different package shape can be obtained by folding the sheet packaging material along the second crease pattern. High flexibility in the package shape can thus be achieved.
Since two packages having shapes that differ from one another normally also have different inner volumes, by using the sheet packaging material according to the invention a good flexibility in the volume of the resulting packages can also be achieved.
The sheet packaging material according to the invention provides flexibility in the shape and volume of the package without however requiring an excessive number of creasing tools. With one and the same creasing tool, both the first crease pattern and the second crease pattern can be obtained. Hence, the package conformations that a producer is capable of manufacturing can be doubled without doubling the number of creasing tools.
Furthermore, by using the sheet packaging material according to the invention, the producer of packaged products can choose between two different package conformations while saving space in the warehouses, since the two different package conformations can be obtained starting from the same sheet packaging material. Hence, there is no need to store in the warehouse a particular kind of sheet package material for each package conformation to be produced.
In an embodiment, the common group of crease lines comprises a plurality of crease lines that extend transversely to the first crease arrangement.
Said plurality of crease lines of the common group may extend transversely to the second crease arrangement. The common group of crease lines may in particular define at least the crease lines that extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a preset direction, e.g. an advancement direction (or machine direction) along which the sheet packaging material is advanced on the packaging machine.
In an embodiment, the first crease arrangement comprises a first crease line that is intended to define, at least partially, a longitudinal border zone of the package according to the first conformation.
The second crease arrangement may comprise at least one second crease line that is intended to define, at least partially, a longitudinal border zone of the package according to the second conformation.
In an embodiment, the first crease line and the at least one second crease line may extend between two common end points.
The package according to the first conformation and the package according to the second conformation may thus differ at least in the shape of a longitudinal edge.
In an embodiment, the first crease line may be a straight crease line.
The second crease arrangement may comprise at least two crease lines extending at opposite sides of the first crease line, so that the first crease line is interposed between the crease lines of the second crease arrangement.
In this case, if the sheet packaging material is folded along the first crease pattern, a straight longitudinal edge can be obtained, like the longitudinal edges of the standard parallelepiped-shaped package. If the sheet packaging material is folded along the second crease pattern, a three-dimensional design element may be provided along a longitudinal border zone.
In an embodiment, the sheet packaging material comprises at least one intermediate base layer and two outer layers made of heat-sealable plastic material.
Owing to the outer layers made of heat-sealable plastic material, the sheet packaging material according to the invention can be used to produce sealed packages on fully automatic packaging machines.
The invention will be better understood and carried out with reference to the attached drawings, which show an exemplifying and non-limiting example thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 shows, in plan view, a sheet packaging material that can be used to produce a package for a product;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a package having a first conformation that is obtainable from the sheet packaging material of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a package having a second conformation that is obtainable from the sheet packaging material of Figure 1.
Figure 1 shows a sheet packaging material 1 that can be used to produce a package intended to contain a product, particularly a pourable food product.

The sheet packaging material 1 may be configured as a basic unit 2 that can be used to produce a package. The basic unit 2 may be a precut blank, or a portion of a web of packaging material comprising a succession of basic units.
If the basic unit 2 is a precut blank, the basic unit 2 is folded on a known folding spindle, is filled with the food product, and is sealed at the top to form a package.
If the basic unit 2 is a portion of a web of packaging material, this web, which comprises a succession of basic units 2, is:

folded into a cylinder to form a vertical tube and longitudinally sealed;
filled continuously with the food product; and
sealed transversely and cut into single package precursors, which are then folded to form respective packages.

The sheet packaging material 1 has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, for stiffness, and a number of lamination layers covering both sides of the base layer.
For example, the lamination layers may comprise a first layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminum foil, and a number of second layers of heat-sealable plastic material covering both sides of both the base layer and the first layer. In other words, such solution comprises, in succession and from the side eventually forming the inside of a package, a layer of heat-sealable plastic material, a layer of barrier material, another layer of heat-sealable plastic material, the base layer, and another layer of heat-sealable plastic material.
The inner layer of heat-sealable plastic material contacting the food product, in use, may, for example, be made of strong, in particular, high-stretch, metallocene-catalyzed, low-linear-density (LLD) polyethylene.
Normally, the layers of heat-sealable plastic material are laminated on the base layer in a melted state, with successive cooling.
As a possible alternative, at least the inner layers of plastic material may be provided as prefabricated films, which are then laminated on the base layer.
The basic unit 2 has a first crease pattern 10 and a second crease pattern 20, each of which comprises a number of crease lines defining respective fold lines, along which the sheet packaging material 1 is folded to form a finished package.
A common group of crease lines 3 can be identified that are common to both the first crease pattern 10 and to the second crease pattern 20, i.e. belong to both the first crease pattern 10 and to the second crease pattern 20. The crease lines of the common group of crease lines 3 have been indicated in Figure 1 by a continuous line. The first crease pattern 10 comprises, in addition to the common group of crease lines 3, a first crease arrangement 11, comprising one or more crease lines that have been shown with a dash-dot line in Figure 1. The first crease arrangement 11 is specific to the first crease pattern 10, i.e. belongs only to the first crease pattern 10 and is not included in the second crease pattern 20.
Similarly, the second crease pattern 20 comprises, in addition to the common group of crease lines 3, a second crease arrangement 22, comprising one or more crease lines that have been shown with a dotted line in Figure 1. The second crease arrangement 22 is specific to the second crease pattern 20, i.e. belongs only to the second crease pattern 20 and is not included in the first crease pattern 10.
The basic unit 2 has a quadrilateral shape, particularly a rectangular or square shape. The basic unit 2 is delimited by a first longitudinal border 6 and by a second longitudinal border 7, which are parallel to one another and bound opposite sides of the basic unit 2. The basic unit 2 is further delimited by a first transverse border 8 and by a second transverse border 9, which are parallel to one another and bound opposite sides of the basic unit 2. The first longitudinal border 6 and the second longitudinal border 7 are each interposed between the first transverse border 8 and the second transverse border 9. The first longitudinal border 6 and the second longitudinal border 7 extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the first transverse border 8 and to the second transverse border 9.
The adjectives "transverse" and "longitudinal" are used in this context to indicate whether the line or border at issue will be arranged in a transverse direction or respectively in a longitudinal direction in the finished package.
The common group of crease lines 3 comprises a top transverse crease line 4, intended to form a plurality of top edges of the package. The common group of crease lines 3 comprises a further top transverse crease line 5, which is parallel to the top transverse crease line 4. The further top transverse crease line 5 is closer to the first transverse border 8 than the top transverse crease line 4.
The top transverse crease line 4 and the further top transverse crease line 5 extend continuously from the first longitudinal border 6 to the second longitudinal border 7.
The common group of crease lines 3 comprises a bottom transverse crease line 13, intended to form a plurality of bottom edges of the package. The common group of crease lines 3 comprises a further bottom transverse crease line 14, which is parallel to the bottom transverse crease line 13. The further bottom transverse crease line 14 is closer to the second transverse border 9 than the bottom transverse crease line 13.
The bottom transverse crease line 13 and the further bottom transverse crease line 14 extend from the first longitudinal border 6 to the second longitudinal border 7.
The adjectives "top" and "bottom" are used in this context to indicate whether the line at issue will be arranged in a top region or respectively in a bottom region of the finished package.
The common group of crease lines 3 further comprises a longitudinal crease line 16 that extends continuously from the further top transverse crease line 5 to the further bottom transverse crease line 14. The longitudinal crease line 16 is intended to define a longitudinal edge, particularly a rectilinear longitudinal edge, of the finished package. The longitudinal crease line 16 may be a straight line. The longitudinal crease line 16 extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the bottom transverse crease line 13.
The longitudinal crease line 16 intersects the top transverse crease line 4 in point P1 and the further top transverse crease line 5 in point P2. The longitudinal crease line 16 intersects the bottom transverse crease line 13 in point P3 and the further bottom transverse crease line 14 in point P4.
The longitudinal crease line 16 may be parallel to the first longitudinal border 6. The longitudinal crease line 16 is arranged in a region of the basic unit 2 close to the first longitudinal border 6.
The common group of crease lines 3 comprises a further longitudinal crease line 17, intended to define a further longitudinal edge, particularly having a rectilinear shape, of the finished package. The further longitudinal crease line 17 extends continuously from the further top transverse crease line 5 to the further bottom transverse crease line 14. The further longitudinal crease line 17 may be a straight line. The further longitudinal crease line 17 extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the bottom transverse crease line 13.
The further longitudinal crease line 17 intersects the top transverse crease line 4 in point Q1 and the further top transverse crease line 5 in point Q2. The further longitudinal crease line 17 intersects the bottom transverse crease line 13 in point Q3 and the further bottom transverse crease line 14 in point Q4.
The further longitudinal crease line 17 may be parallel to the second longitudinal border 7. The further longitudinal crease line 17 is arranged in a region of the basic unit 2 close to the second longitudinal border 7.
The first crease arrangement 11 comprises a first crease line 18 that is intended to define a longitudinal edge of the finished package, according to a first package conformation. The first crease line 18 extends between the top transverse crease line 4 and the bottom transverse crease line 13. The first crease line 18 is arranged transversely to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the bottom transverse crease line 13.
In the example shown, the first crease line 18 is a straight crease line. The first crease line 18 may be perpendicular to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the bottom transverse crease line 13.
The first crease line 18 intersects the top transverse crease line 4 in a point K1 and intersects the bottom transverse crease line 13 in a point K3.
The first crease arrangement 11 comprises a further first crease line 19 that is intended to define another longitudinal edge of the finished package, according to the first package conformation mentioned above. The further first crease line 19 extends between the top transverse crease line 4 and the bottom transverse crease line 13. The further first crease line 19 is arranged transversely to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the bottom transverse crease line 13.
In the example shown, the further first crease line 19 is a straight crease line. The further first crease line 19 may be perpendicular to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the bottom transverse crease line 13.
The further first crease line 19 intersects the top transverse crease line 4 in a point J1 and intersects the bottom transverse crease line 13 in a point J3.
The first crease line 18 is interposed between the longitudinal crease line 16 and the further first crease line 19.
The further first crease line 19 is interposed between the first longitudinal crease line 18 and the further longitudinal crease line 17.
The common group of crease lines 3 further comprises a top crease segment 21, which extends from the top transverse crease line 4 to the further top transverse crease line 5. In particular, the top crease segment 21 extends from the point K1 on the top transverse crease line 4 to a point K2 on the further top transverse crease line 5. The top crease segment 21 extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the further top transverse crease line 5.
The top crease segment 21 thus constitutes the prosecution of the first crease line 18.
A top oblique crease line 23 extends between the point P1 on the top transverse crease line 4 and a point A located in an intermediate position between points P2, K2 on the further top transverse crease line 5.
The top oblique crease line 23 is sloped relative to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the further top transverse crease line 5.
A further top oblique crease line 25 extends between point K1 on the top transverse crease line 4 and point A on the further top transverse crease line 5.
The further top oblique crease line 25 is sloped relative to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the further top transverse crease line 5.
The top oblique crease line 23 and the further top oblique crease line 25 are included in the common group of crease lines 3.
The common group of crease lines 3 further comprises a bottom crease segment 24, which extends from the bottom transverse crease line 13 to the further bottom transverse crease line 14. In particular, the bottom crease segment 24 extends from the point K3 on the bottom transverse crease line 13 to a point K4 on the further bottom transverse crease line 14. The bottom crease segment 24 extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the bottom transverse crease line 13 and to the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
The bottom crease segment 24 thus constitutes the prosecution of the first crease line 18, at an end of the first crease line 18 opposite the end of the first crease line 18 adjacent to the top crease segment 21.
A bottom oblique crease line 26 extends between the point P3 on the bottom transverse crease line 13 and a point B located in an intermediate position between points P4, K4 on the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
The bottom oblique crease line 26 is sloped relative to the bottom transverse crease line 13 and to the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
A further bottom oblique crease line 27 extends between point K3 on the bottom transverse crease line 13 and point B on the further bottom transverse crease line 14. The further bottom oblique crease line 27 is sloped relative to the bottom transverse crease line 13 and to the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
The bottom oblique crease line 26 and the further bottom oblique crease line 27 are included in the common group of crease lines 3.
The common group of crease lines 3 comprises a further top crease segment 28, which extends from the top transverse crease line 4 to the further top transverse crease line 5. In particular, the further top crease segment 28 extends from the point J1 on the top transverse crease line 4 to a point J2 on the further top transverse crease line 5. The further top crease segment 28 extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the further top transverse crease line 5.
The further top crease segment 28 thus constitutes the prosecution of the further first crease line 19.
A top tilted crease line 29 extends between the point Q1 on the top transverse crease line 4 and a point C located in an intermediate position between points Q2, J2 on the further top transverse crease line 5.
The top tilted crease line 29 is sloped relative to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the further top transverse crease line 5.
A further top tilted crease line 30 extends between point J1 on the top transverse crease line 4 and point C on the further top transverse crease line 5.
The further top tilted crease line 30 is sloped relative to the top transverse crease line 4 and to the further top transverse crease line 5.
The top tilted crease line 29 and the further top tilted crease line 30 are included in the common group of crease lines 3.
The common group of crease lines 3 comprises a further bottom crease segment 31, which extends from the bottom transverse crease line 13 to the further bottom transverse crease line 14. In particular, the further bottom crease segment 31 extends from the point J3 on the bottom transverse crease line 13 to a point J4 on the further bottom transverse crease line 14. The further bottom crease segment 31 extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the bottom transverse crease line 13 and to the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
The further bottom crease segment 31 thus constitutes the prosecution of the further first crease line 19, at an end of the further first crease line 19 opposite the end of the further first crease line 19 adjacent to the further top crease segment 28.
A bottom tilted crease line 32 extends between the point Q3 on the bottom transverse crease line 13 and a point D located in an intermediate position between points Q4, J4 on the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
The bottom tilted crease line 32 is sloped relative to the bottom transverse crease line 13 and to the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
A further bottom tilted crease line 33 extends between point J3 on the bottom transverse crease line 13 and point D on the further bottom transverse crease line 14. The further bottom tilted crease line 33 is sloped relative to the bottom transverse crease line 13 and to the further bottom transverse crease line 14.
The bottom tilted crease line 32 and the further bottom tilted crease line 33 are included in the common group of crease lines 3.
The second crease arrangement 22 comprises a second crease line 34 and a third crease line 35 that cooperate to define a longitudinal border zone of the finished package, according to a second package conformation, and as an alternative to the first package conformation defined by the first crease line 18. The second crease line 34 and the third crease line 35 extend between the top transverse crease line 4 and the bottom transverse crease line 13. The second crease line 34 and the third crease line 35 may extend continuously from the top transverse crease line 4 to the bottom transverse crease line 13. In particular, the second crease line 34 and the third crease line 35 may each extend between points K1 and K3, at which the first crease line 18 intersects the top transverse crease line 4 and the bottom transverse crease line 13 respectively.
In other words, the first crease line 18, the second crease line 34 and the third crease line 35 may extend between common end points.
The first crease line 18 may be interposed between the second crease line 34 and the third crease line 35.
In the example shown, the second crease line 34 and the third crease line 35 are symmetrical relative to the first crease line 18. However, this condition is not essential.
In the example shown, the second crease line 34 has a concave conformation, with a concavity facing towards the first crease line 18. Similarly, the third crease line 35 has a concave conformation, with a concavity facing towards the first crease line 18.
The second crease line 34 may be conformed as a succession of two straight segments, which intersect one another to define an obtuse angle. In particular, the second crease line 34 may comprise a straight portion 36, which from point K1 extends towards the bottom transverse crease line 13, while diverging relative to the first crease line 18. The second crease line 34 may comprise a further straight portion 37, which from point K3 extends towards the top transverse crease line 4, while diverging relative to the first crease line 18. The straight portion 36 and the further straight portion 37 intersect in a point F that is arranged at a distance from the first crease line 18.
Similarly, the third crease line 35 may be conformed as a succession of two straight segments, which intersect one another to define an obtuse angle. In particular, the third crease line 35 may comprise a straight segment 38, which from point K1 extends towards the bottom transverse crease line 13, while diverging relative to the first crease line 18. The third crease line 35 may comprise a further straight segment 39, which from point K3 extends towards the top transverse crease line 4, while diverging relative to the first crease line 18. The straight segment 38 and the further straight segment 39 intersect in a point G that is arranged at a distance from the first crease line 18.
The distance between points F, G and the top transverse crease line 4 is smaller than the distance between points F, G and the bottom transverse crease line 13. The second crease arrangement 22 may comprise a further second crease line 40 and a further third crease line 41, which cooperate to define a longitudinal border zone of the finished package, in the second package conformation referred to above.
The further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41 extend between the top transverse crease line 4 and the bottom transverse crease line 13. In particular, the further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41 may extend continuously from the top transverse crease line 4 to the bottom transverse crease line 13.
The further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41 may both extend from point J1 on the top transverse crease line 4 to point J3 on the bottom transverse crease line 13. Since points J1 and J3 are the points at which the further first crease line 19 intersects the top transverse crease line 4 and the bottom transverse crease line 13 respectively, the further first crease line 19, the further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41 extend between common end points.
The further first crease line 19 is interposed between the further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41.
In the example shown, the further second crease line 40 has the same shape as the second crease line 34, whereas the further third crease line 41 has the same shape as the third crease line 35. Furthermore, the further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41 have the same dimensions as the second crease line 34 and the third crease line 35 respectively.
Thus, the further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41 each have a concavity facing the further first crease line 19. Furthermore, the further second crease line 40 and the further third crease line 41 are both configured as a succession of two straight crease portions.
Depending on the folding devices that are installed on the packaging machine, the sheet packaging material 1 can be folded so as to originate two different package conformations. In particular, when the sheet packaging material 1 is folded along the first crease pattern 10, i.e. along the first crease arrangement 11, as well as along the common group of creases 3, a package 42 having a first conformation is obtained, as shown in Figure 2. If, on the other hand, the sheet packaging material 1 is folded along the second crease pattern 20, i.e. along the second crease arrangement 22, as well as along the common group of creases 3, a package 43 having a second conformation is obtained, as shown in Figure 3.
The package 42 according to the first conformation comprises a top wall 44 that, in the example shown, is quadrilateral, particularly rectangular or square.
The package 42 according to the first conformation further comprises a bottom wall 45 that is opposite the top wall 44. The bottom wall 45 is intended to rest on a supporting surface, for example when the package 42 is stored in a warehouse or in a shop, as well as at a consumer's house. The bottom wall 45 can be quadrilateral, particularly rectangular or square. In the example shown, the top wall 44 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 45, but this condition is not essential, because the top wall 44 might be on a slanted plane relative to the bottom wall 45.
The package 42 according to the first conformation further comprises a front wall 46, which is interposed between the top wall 44 and the bottom wall 45. In the example shown, the front wall 46 has a quadrilateral shape, particularly rectangular or square.
A back wall 47 is further provided, which is opposite the front wall 46. Also the back wall 47 has a quadrilateral shape, particularly rectangular or square. In the example shown, the back wall 47 has substantially the same shape and dimensions as the front wall 46.
The package 42 further comprises a side wall 48 and a further side wall 49, which are opposite one another. The side wall 48 and the further side wall 49 are each interposed between the top wall 44 and the bottom wall 45. Furthermore, the side wall 48 and the further side wall 49 are each interposed between the front wall 46 and the back wall 47. In the example shown, the side wall 48 and the further side wall 49 have substantially the same shape and dimensions. In particular, the side wall 48 and the further side wall 49 may both be quadrilateral, for example rectangular or square.
The front wall 46 is delimited by a first longitudinal edge 50 and a second longitudinal edge 51, which is arranged opposite the first longitudinal edge 50. The front wall 46 is further delimited by a bottom edge 52 and a top edge 53, which are interposed between the first longitudinal edge 50 and the second longitudinal edge 51. The top edge 53 is arranged in a position opposite the bottom edge 52.
In the example shown, the first longitudinal edge 50 is rectilinear.
The first longitudinal edge 50 is obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the first crease line 18.
The second longitudinal edge 51 is generated by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the further first crease line 19. In the example shown, also the second longitudinal edge 51 is rectilinear. In particular, the second longitudinal edge 51 extends parallelly to the first longitudinal edge 50.
The back wall 47 is delimited by a further top edge 54, which is opposite the top edge 53, and by a further bottom edge that is not shown. The further bottom edge is opposite the further top edge 54, as well as the bottom edge 52.
The back wall 47 is also delimited by a further first longitudinal edge, which is not shown and is arranged opposite the first longitudinal edge 50.
Finally, the back wall 47 is delimited by a further second longitudinal edge 55, which is opposite the second longitudinal edge 51.
The further first longitudinal edge (not shown) and the further second longitudinal edge 55 are interposed between the further bottom edge (not shown) and the further top edge 54.
The further first longitudinal edge is obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the portion of the longitudinal crease line 16 interposed between points P1 and P3. Hence, in the example shown, the further first longitudinal edge is rectilinear. The further second longitudinal edge 55 is obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the portion of the further longitudinal crease line 17 interposed between points Q1 and Q3. Hence, the further second longitudinal edge 55 of the embodiment of Figure 2 is rectilinear.
The side wall 48 is delimited by the first longitudinal edge 50 and by the further first longitudinal edge (not shown), which also delimits the back wall 47.
The side wall 48 is also delimited by an upper edge 56, which is interposed between the top edge 53 and the further top edge 54. Furthermore, the side wall 48 is delimited by a lower edge, which is not shown, arranged opposite the upper edge 56. The lower edge is interposed between the bottom edge 52 and the further bottom edge (not shown) that delimits the back wall 47.
The further side wall 49 is delimited by the second longitudinal edge 51 and by the further second longitudinal edge 55, as well as by a further upper edge 57 and by a further lower edge 58. The further upper edge 57 is arranged opposite the further lower edge 58. The further upper edge 57 is interposed between the top edge 53 and the further top edge 54. The further lower edge 58 is adjacent to the bottom edge 52.
The top wall 44 is delimited by the top edge 53, by the upper edge 56, by the further top edge 54 and by the further upper edge 57.
The bottom wall 45 is delimited by the bottom edge 52, by the lower edge (not shown) that also delimits the side wall 48, by the further bottom edge (not shown) that also delimits the back wall 47 and by the further lower edge 58.
The bottom edge 52 is parallel to the top edge 53.
The further top edge 54 is parallel to the further bottom edge (not shown) interposed between the bottom wall 45 and the back wall 47.
The upper edge 56 is parallel to the lower edge (not shown) interposed between the side wall 48 and the bottom wall 45.
The further lower edge 58 is parallel to the further upper edge 57.
When the bottom wall 45 rests on a supporting surface, the top edge 53, the upper edge 56, the further top edge 54 and the further upper edge 57 are arranged horizontally, respectively above the bottom edge 52, the lower edge (not shown) of the side wall 48, the further bottom edge (not shown) of the back wall 47 and the further lower edge 58.
The top edge 53, the upper edge 56, the further top edge 54 and the further upper edge 57 are obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the top transverse crease line 4.
In particular, the upper edge 56 corresponds to the portion of the top transverse crease line 4 interposed between points P1 and K1.
The top edge 53 corresponds to the portion of the top transverse crease line 4 interposed between points K1 and J1.
The further upper edge 57 corresponds to the portion of the top transverse crease line 4 interposed between points J1 and Q1.
The further top edge 54 is generated by the two portions of the top transverse crease line 4 interposed between the first longitudinal border 6 and point P1, and respectively between point Q1 and the second longitudinal border 7.
The bottom edge 52, the lower edge delimiting the side wall 48, the further bottom edge delimiting the back wall 47 and the further lower edge 58 are obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the bottom transverse crease line 13.
In particular, the lower edge interposed between the side wall 48 and the bottom wall 45 corresponds to the portion of the bottom transverse crease line 13 interposed between points P3 and K3.
The bottom edge 52 corresponds to the portion of the bottom transverse crease line 13 interposed between points K3 and J3.
The further lower edge 58 corresponds to the portion of the bottom transverse crease line 13 interposed between points J3 and Q3.
The further bottom edge interposed between the back wall 47 and the bottom wall 45 is generated by the two portions of the bottom transverse crease line 13 interposed between the first longitudinal border 6 and point P3, and respectively between point Q3 and the second longitudinal border 7.
The package 42 according to the first conformation further comprises a top transverse sealing band 59 that extends across the top wall 44, from the upper edge 56 to the further upper edge 57.
A similar bottom transverse sealing band, which is not shown in Figure 2, extends across the bottom wall 45, from the lower edge delimiting the side wall 48 to the further lower edge 58.
The top transverse sealing band 59 divides the top wall 44 into a first wall portion 60 and a second wall portion 61. The first wall portion 60, which is adjacent to the front wall 44 and bounded by the top edge 53, defines an area on which a reclosable opening device may be applied. The opening device, which is not shown, may be made of a plastic material.
The opening device can be applied to the package 42 by conventional fastening systems, such as adhesives, or by microflame, electric-current-induction, ultrasound, laser, or other heat-sealing techniques.
The second wall portion 61, which is adjacent to the back wall 47 and bounded by the further top edge 54, comprises, in a center region thereof, an end portion of a flat longitudinal sealing band 62 of package 42.
More specifically, the longitudinal sealing band 62 extends perpendicularly between the top transverse sealing band 59 and the bottom transverse sealing band, and substantially along the centerline of the back wall 47.
The top transverse sealing band 59 extends beyond the top wall 44 into respective flat, substantially triangular lateral top flaps 63 (only one of which is shown in Figure 2) of packaging material folded coplanar with and respectively onto the side wall 48 and the further side wall 49.
The top transverse sealing band 59 also forms, lengthwise, a rectangular flat top tab 64 projecting from portions 60, 61 and from lateral top flaps 63 and folded onto the second wall portion 61 along a bend line formed at the base of top tab 64.
The further top transverse crease line 5 allows the top transverse sealing band 59 to be folded.
Similarly, the bottom transverse sealing band divides the bottom wall 45 into two wall portions, one of which is adjacent to the back wall 47 and comprises, in a central region thereof, an end portion of the longitudinal sealing band 62.
The bottom transverse sealing band comprises a main portion and a pair of end portions, which are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the main portion. The main portion is folded onto the bottom wall 45 while the end portions form two respective flat, substantially triangular lateral bottom flaps of packaging material folded over the main portion.
The further bottom transverse crease line 14 allows the bottom transverse sealing band to be folded.
In conclusion, the package 42 according to the first conformation has a substantially parallelepiped shape.
Figure 3 shows the package 43 according to the second conformation. The parts of the package 43 that are common to the package 42 according to the first conformation will be indicated with the same reference numbers used in Figure 2 and will not be described in detail herebelow.
The package 43 according to the second conformation differs from the package 42 according to the first conformation basically because it comprises, in place of the rectilinear first longitudinal edge 50 and of the rectilinear second longitudinal edge 51, two longitudinal border zones having a three-dimensional configuration.
In particular, the package 43 according to the second conformation comprises a top wall 44 and a bottom wall 45, opposite the top wall 44, which are substantially identical to the corresponding walls of the package 42 according to the first conformation.
The package 43 according to the second conformation further comprises a back wall 47, interposed between the top wall 44 and the bottom wall 45, the back wall 47 being substantially identical to the corresponding wall of the package 42 according to the first conformation.
Furthermore, the package 43 according to the second conformation comprises a front wall 146, a side wall 148 and a further side wall 149. The back wall 47 is interposed between the side wall 148 and the further side wall 149.
A corner panel 65 is interposed between the side wall 148 and the front wall 146. Similarly, a further corner panel 66 is interposed between the front panel 146 and the further side wall 149.
The corner panel 65 is arranged at a longitudinal border zone of the package 43, the longitudinal border zone being defined between the side wall 148 and the front wall 146. Similarly, the further corner panel 66 is arranged at a further longitudinal border zone of the package 43, defined between the front wall 146 and the further side wall 149.
The corner panel 65 extends between a first vertex V1 of the top wall 44 and a second vertex V2 of the bottom wall 45. The first vertex V1 is defined as an intersection point between the top edge 53 and the upper edge 56 delimiting the top wall 44. The second vertex V2 is defined as an intersection point between the bottom edge 52 and a lower edge delimiting the bottom wall 45. The corner panel 65 is delimited by a first border 67 and by a second border 68, each of which extends between the first vertex V1 and the second vertex V2. In particular, the first border 67 is interposed between the side wall 148 and the corner panel 65, whereas the second border 68 is interposed between the corner panel 65 and the front wall 146.
The first vertex V1 corresponds to point K1 on the sheet packaging material 1, whereas the second vertex V2 corresponds to point K3 on the sheet packaging material 1.
The first border 67 is obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the second crease line 34, whereas the second border 68 is obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the third crease line 35.
Consequently, the first border 67 and the second border 68 do not have a straight shape. The first border 67 is shaped like a non-symmetrical "V", with the vertex of the "V" pointing towards the side wall 148. Also the second border 68 is shaped like a non-symmetrical "V", but the vertex of the "V" points towards the front wall 146.
The further corner panel 66 extends between a further first vertex V3 of the top wall 44 and a further second vertex V4 of the bottom wall 45. The further first vertex V3 is defined as an intersection point between the top edge 53 and the further upper edge 57 delimiting the top wall 44. The further second vertex V4 is defined as an intersection point between the bottom edge 52 and the further lower edge 58 delimiting the bottom wall 45. The further first vertex V3 corresponds to point J1 on the sheet packaging material 1, whereas the further second vertex V4 corresponds to point J3 on the sheet packaging material 1.
The further corner panel 66 is delimited by a further first border 69 and by a further second border 70, each of which extends between the further first vertex V3 and the further second vertex V4. In particular, the further first border 69 is interposed between the further side wall 149 and the further corner panel 66, whereas the further second border 70 is interposed between the further corner panel 66 and the front wall 146.
The further first border 69 is obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the further third crease line 41, whereas the further second border 70 is obtained by folding the sheet packaging material 1 along the further second crease line 40.
Consequently, the further first border 69 and the further second border 70 do not have a straight shape. The further first border 69 is shaped like a non-symmetrical "V", with the vertex of the "V" pointing towards the further side wall 149. Also the further second border 70 is shaped like a non-symmetrical "V", but the vertex of the "V" points towards the front wall 146.
The front wall 146, the side wall 148 and the further side wall 149 have a shape that is different from the shape of the corresponding walls of the package 42 according to the first conformation. The front wall 146 is delimited by the top edge 53 and the bottom edge 52, which are straight, but also by the second border 68 and by the further second border 70, which are non-straight. Also the side wall 148 and the further side wall 149 are delimited by a plurality of borders or edges, at least one of which is non-straight, i.e. the first border 67 and the further first border 69 respectively.
It is clear from the above that package 42 according to the first conformation differs from package 43 according to the second conformation in the shape. The package 42 has a simple, standard, parallelepiped shape, whereas the package 43 has a more complicated shape, due to the corner panel 65 and to the further corner panel 66.
The package 42 according to the first conformation also has a volume that differs from the volume of the package 43 according to the second conformation. The package 42 according to the first conformation has a substantially rectangular or square cross-section, which - for a given height H, length L and width W of the finished package 42 - corresponds to a preset volume.
The corner panel 65 and the further corner panel 66 cause the cross-section of the package 43 according to the second conformation to deviate from a rectangular or square geometry. The cross-section of the package 43 varies along the height H and has generally the shape of a six-sided polygon. Thus - for the same values of the height H, length L and width W of the finished package 43 - the volume defined by the package 43 differs from that defined by the package 42.
Packages 42 and 43 can therefore be used to contain respective different quantities of products.
Packages 42 and 43 can be obtained from the same sheet packaging material 1, which comprises a plurality of basic units 2 each having a given width W1 and a given length L1. The length L1 of a basic unit 2 is measured in an advancement direction along which the basic unit 2 is advanced in the packaging machine. The length L1 can therefore be considered as a pitch or repeat length of the basic units 2. The width W1 is measured transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the advancement direction. If it is desired to switch production between packages 42 and 43, the folding devices used on the packaging machine need to be changed. However, there is no need to change the advancement devices that index the packaging material along the packaging machine, because the length L1 does not change. Hence, the modifications that need to be made on the packaging machine are limited.
In any case, the sheet packaging material 1 allows package producers to offer to their customers two different package conformations, starting from a common packaging sheet material 1. The latter can be produced by means of a single creasing tool, and can be easily stored in the producers' warehouses, with consequently reduced tool and logistics costs.
Although, in the embodiment disclosed with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the first crease arrangement 11 and the second crease arrangement 22 affect only two longitudinal border zones of the finished package, alternative embodiments could be provided in which the first crease arrangement 11 and the second crease arrangement 22 are intended to define only one, or more than two, longitudinal border zones of the finished package.
Furthermore, the crease lines of the first crease arrangement 11 and/or of the second crease arrangement 22 could also have a shape that is different from the shape shown in Figures 1 to 3. For example, the crease lines of the second crease arrangement 22 could have a curved shape.
Finally, the crease lines of the first crease arrangement 11 and/or of the second crease arrangement 22 intended to define a first longitudinal border zone of the finished package may have a shape that is different from the shape of the crease lines of the first crease arrangement 11 and/or of the second crease arrangement 22 intended to define a second longitudinal border zone of the finished package.

Claims

A sheet packaging material for producing a sealed package (42; 43) intended to contain a product, the sheet packaging material (1) comprising at least a first crease pattern (10) and at least a second crease pattern (20), a common group of crease lines (3) belonging to both the first crease pattern (10) and the second crease pattern (20), the first crease pattern (10) further comprising a first crease arrangement (11) that is specific to the first crease pattern (10), belongs only to the first crease pattern (10) and is not included in the second crease pattern (20), the second crease pattern (20) further comprising a second crease arrangement (22) that is specific to the second crease pattern (20), belongs only to the second crease pattern (20) and is not included in the first crease pattern (10), wherein the common group of crease lines (3) comprises a top transverse crease line (4) intended to define a plurality of top edges (53, 54, 56, 57) of the package (42; 43), and a bottom transverse crease line (13) intended to define a plurality of bottom edges (52, 58) of the package (42; 43), the first crease arrangement (11) and the second crease arrangement (22) comprising respective crease lines that are interposed between the top transverse crease line (4) and the bottom transverse crease line (13) and extend transversely to the top transverse crease line (4) and to the bottom transverse crease line (13), wherein the common group of crease lines (3) comprises a further top transverse crease line (5) arranged between the top transverse crease line (4) and a first transverse border (8) of the sheet packaging material (1), and a further bottom transverse crease line (14) arranged between the bottom transverse crease line (13) and a second transverse border (9) of the sheet packaging material (1), the further top transverse crease line (5) and the further bottom transverse crease line (14) allowing respective transverse sealing bands (59) of the package (42; 43) to be folded, wherein the top transverse crease line (4) and the further top transverse crease line (5) extend continuously from a first longitudinal border (6) of the sheet packaging material (1) to a second longitudinal border (7) of the sheet packaging material (1), the bottom transverse crease line (13) and the further bottom transverse crease line (14) extend from the first longitudinal border (6) to the second longitudinal border (7), whereby by folding the sheet packaging material (1) along the first crease pattern (10) a package (42) having a first conformation is obtained and by folding the sheet packaging material (1) along the second crease pattern (20) a package (43) having a second conformation is obtained, the first conformation being different from the second conformation and being an alternative to the second conformation, wherein the first crease arrangement (11) comprises a first crease line (18; 19) that is intended to define, at least partially, a longitudinal border zone of the package (42) according to the first conformation, the second crease arrangement (22) comprising at least a second crease line (34; 40) that is intended to define, at least partially, a longitudinal border zone of the package (43) according to the second conformation, wherein the first crease line (18; 19) and the second crease line (34; 40) extend between two common end points (K1, K3; J1, J3).
A sheet packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the second crease arrangement (22) further comprises a third crease line (35; 41) that cooperates with the second crease line (34; 40) to define at least partially said longitudinal border zone of the package (43) according to the second conformation.
A sheet packaging material according to claim 2, wherein the third crease line (35; 41) extends between said two common end points (K1, K3; J1, J3).
A sheet packaging material according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first crease line (18; 19) is interposed between the second crease line (34; 40) and the third crease line (35; 41).
A sheet packaging material according to claim 4, wherein the second crease line (34; 40) and the third crease line (35; 41) each has a concave shape, with a respective concavity facing the first crease line (18; 19) .
A sheet packaging material according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second crease line (34; 40) and the third crease line (35; 41) have a shape that is symmetrical relative to the first crease line (18; 19) .
A sheet packaging material according to any preceding claim, wherein the first crease line (18; 19) is a straight crease line.
A sheet packaging material according to any preceding claim, wherein the second crease line (34; 40) comprises a succession of two straight lines (36, 37) converging in a point (F) located at a distance from the first crease line (18; 19).
A sheet packaging material according to any preceding claim, wherein the common group of crease lines (3) comprises at least a straight longitudinal crease line (16; 17) arranged transversely to the top transverse crease line (4) and to the bottom transverse crease line (13) in order to define a rectilinear longitudinal edge
(55) of the package (42) according to the first conformation and of the package (43) according to the second conformation.
A sheet packaging material according to any preceding claim, the sheet packaging material (1) being so configured that the package (42) according to the first conformation has a shape and a volume different from the shape and volume of the package (43) according to the second conformation.
A sheet packaging material according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheet packaging material (1) comprises at least one intermediate base layer and two outer layers made of heat-sealable plastic material.