CA2343290C - A packaging container with an opening device, knife apparatus and method to produce said container - Google Patents
A packaging container with an opening device, knife apparatus and method to produce said container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2343290C CA2343290C CA002343290A CA2343290A CA2343290C CA 2343290 C CA2343290 C CA 2343290C CA 002343290 A CA002343290 A CA 002343290A CA 2343290 A CA2343290 A CA 2343290A CA 2343290 C CA2343290 C CA 2343290C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- packaging container
- container
- segment
- packaging
- cut edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 57
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title abstract description 6
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005030 aluminium foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002657 fibrous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013611 frozen food Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013067 intermediate product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000015067 sauces Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000015113 tomato pastes and purées Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/06—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements formed by folding inwardly a wall extending from, and continuously around, an end of the tubular body
- B65D5/067—Gable-top containers
- B65D5/068—Gable-top containers with supplemental means facilitating the opening, e.g. tear lines, tear tabs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/06—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements formed by folding inwardly a wall extending from, and continuously around, an end of the tubular body
- B65D5/064—Rectangular containers having a body with gusset-flaps folded outwardly or adhered to the side or the top of the container
- B65D5/065—Rectangular containers having a body with gusset-flaps folded outwardly or adhered to the side or the top of the container with supplemental means facilitating the opening, e.g. tear lines, tear tabs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5816—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a corner or other small portion next to the edge, e.g. a U-shaped portion
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
- Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Making Paper Articles (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to packaging containers (10) for pourable food products, comprising a laminated, tubular packaging material with opposed end fin portions (11, 12) that have been produced by sealing and cutting a continuous packaging material web between consecutive packages. A line (14) of perforations extends across a corner of one of the end portions (11) to facilitate the opening of the container. The cut edge of the end fin portion (11) with the line (14) of perforations is provided with a bend (11d), so that a first segment (11b) of the cut edge extends more close to the product-filled part (13) of the container than a second segment (11c) of the cut edge. The second segment (11c) of the cut edge which is more distant from the product-filled part of the container than the first segment, forms a grip-tab (11a) for opening the perforated corner.
The invention also relates to a knife apparatus and a method to produce the packaging container.
The invention also relates to a knife apparatus and a method to produce the packaging container.
Description
WO 00/32494 PCT/'EP99/07232 A PACKAGING CONTAINER WITH AN OPENING DEVICE, KNIFE APPARATUS AND METHOD TO
PRODUCE SAID
CONTAINER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a packaging container for pourable food products, comprising a laminated, tubular packaging material with two-opposed end portions that have been produced by sealing and cutting a continuous packaging material web between consecutive packages, wherein a line of perforations extends across a corner of one of said end portions to facilitate the opening of the container. The invention also relates to a knife apparatus for cutting the material web, as well as a method to produce the packaging container.
BACKGROUND ART
The invention relates to the technical field of packaging of pourable food products, such as fruit juice, heat treated milk subjected to so-called LJHT
(ultra high temperature) treatment, tomato puree, sauces, etc. Some food products, particularly for children, are sold in a liquid state for storage in a domestic freezer, and then consumed in a frozen state.
Such products are packaged in packages that are manufactured from a previously sterilised or sterile-treated packaging material.
PRODUCE SAID
CONTAINER
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a packaging container for pourable food products, comprising a laminated, tubular packaging material with two-opposed end portions that have been produced by sealing and cutting a continuous packaging material web between consecutive packages, wherein a line of perforations extends across a corner of one of said end portions to facilitate the opening of the container. The invention also relates to a knife apparatus for cutting the material web, as well as a method to produce the packaging container.
BACKGROUND ART
The invention relates to the technical field of packaging of pourable food products, such as fruit juice, heat treated milk subjected to so-called LJHT
(ultra high temperature) treatment, tomato puree, sauces, etc. Some food products, particularly for children, are sold in a liquid state for storage in a domestic freezer, and then consumed in a frozen state.
Such products are packaged in packages that are manufactured from a previously sterilised or sterile-treated packaging material.
A typical example pf this kind of package is=the tetrahedral packaging container for liquid or pourable food products, which is known by the name TETRA CLASSIC
ASEPTIC (Registered Trade Mark), which is manufactured by folding and sealing of a web-shaped laminated packaging material. The laminated packaging material comprises a support layer, made of e.g. fibrous material such as paper, coated on either side with a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. On the side of the laminated packaging material which is destined to be in contact with the food contents of the package, there is also a layer of barrier material, such as e.g.
aluminium foil, which is also coated with a thermoplastic layer.
In order to manufacture tetrahedral packaging containers of the above-mentioned type, filling or packaging machines are fed with laminated packaging material in web form. The packaging material web is sterilised in the packaging machine by the application of a chemical sterilisation agent such as e.g. hydrogen peroxide solution. Upon completion of sterilisation, the sterilisation agent is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, for example, it may be vaporised by heating.
The sterilised packaging material is folded and longitudinally sealed to form a tube, which is filled wi.th sterile-treated. food product. The tube passes between two pairs of endless chains bearing sealing members which clamp and seal the tube therebetween to produce a first sealed band of material extending in a first direction, and a second sealed band of material extending in a perpendicular direction. The resulting packages have a tetrahedral shape. The sealed packaging material bands are cut between consecutive filled and sealed tetrahedral packages.- An example of this type of packaging machine is the TETRA CLASSIC ASEPTIC
(Registered Trade Mark) filling machine, manufactured by Tetra Pak Stalvall, in Partille, Sweden.
In order to open this type of package, several solutions have been proposed. One solution consists in the provision of a line of perforations, partially penetrating the outer layers of the laminated packaging material but leaving the internal barrier layer or layers intact, and extending across a corner of the package. By cutting or tearing along the perforations, the package was opened, and the contents could be poured from the package. However, it has been found that some persons, e.g. children and elderly, may have a problem to open this package due to the lack of finger power or due to the lack of suitable scissors.
Another solution consisted in the provision of a hole formed in the package and covered by a pull-tab .applied over the opening. In order to access the contents of the package, a user simply removes the pull-tab and accesses the contents of the package through the hole. However, in order to consume a frozen food product packaged in a tetrahedral package of the above-mentioned type, there is ageneral need to provide an improved means for opening the package.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
One of the objects of the invention is to provide t0 better means for opening a packaging container having a tear-off corner. Another object is to improve the aseptic properties of this type of container. Still another object of the invention is to avoid production of waste material.
For these objects, the packaging container according to invention is characterized in that the cut edge of the end fin portion with the line of perforations is provided with a bend, so that a first segment of the cut edge extends more close to the product-filled part of the container than a second segment of the cut edge, wherein the second segment of the cut edge, which is more distant from the product-filled part of the container than the first segment, forms a grip-tab for opening the perforated corner. This grip-tab equipped corner makes it much easier to open the packaging container, both by providing a clear indication to which of the corners oi the container that is provided with the tear-off facility, and by providing a larger grip surface for the fingers. Also, the protruding grip-tab provides a better leverage for initiating the tear-off.
Preferably, the cut edge bend is located near the line of perforations. It is possible to cut both ends of the packaging container with identical knife means by providing the cut edge of the other end portion with a corresponding bend.
It is advantageous to make the cut edge substantially Z-shaped. The tear-off process is further facilitated by providing the cutting edge bend with a notch into the perforation line of the end portion. The packaging container may be a tetrahedral packaging container, a parallelepiped packaging container, a wedge-shaped packaging container, or a non-folded pillow-shaped packaging container.
A knife apparatus according to the invention is characterized in a cutting knife edge comprising a first edge segment and a second, edge segment which is laterally displaced with reference to the first edge segment, and that the two edge segments are interconnected by means of a third edge segment which extends at an angle between said two edge segments. This knife apparatus makes it possible to cut the sealed web -portion between consecutive packaging containers in a single operation, to provide a grip-tab without producing any waste material.
The angle between the first edge segment and the third edge segment may be between 900 and 145 and more advantageously, the angle is about 1200.
Preferably, the knife edge also comprises a fourth edge segment extending in a laterally opposing direction away from the third edge segment. The angle between the first edge segment and this fourth edge segment may be between 90 and 145 .
The segments of the knife edge are preferably arranged in the same plane. A counterdie is provided for cooperation with the knife edge during the cutting operation, which may be manufactured from a thermosetting plastic. Advantageously, the therrnosetting plastic is polyurethane.
The method in accordance with the invention is characterized in the step of cutting the packaging material between two sealings in the sealed area between two containers, to simultaneously produce a trailing edge of a preceding container and a front edge of a following container, wherein each of the corresponding cut edges is provided with a bend, so that a first segment of the cut edge extends close to the product-filled part of one of said containers, and that a second segment of the cut edge extends close to the product-filled part of the other container_ In an advantageous embodiment one of the wider cut edge end portions of the container is located at the end portion corner having the line of perforations, so that this corner forms a grip-tab. More precisely, the bend may be laterally located with reference to the sealed web, so that the grip-tab end portion ends near the perforaticns .
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a packaging container for pourable food products, the packing container comprising a laminated, tubular packaging material with two opposed end fin portions that have been produced by sealing and cutting a continuous packaging material web between consecutive packages, wherein a line of perforations extends across a corner of one of the end portions to facilitate the opening of the container, wherein the cut edge of the end fin portion with the line of perforations is provided with a bend, so that a first segment of the cut edge extends closer to the product-filled part of the container than a second segment of the cut edge, wherein the second segment of the cut edge which is more distant from the product-filled part of the container than the first segment, forms a grip-tab for opening the perforated corner, and wherein the intersection between the cut edge bend and the first segment is provided with a notch into the perforation line of the end portion.
-7a-BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further described in a non-limiting manner in the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a tetrahedral packaging container according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a knife apparatus according to the invention, for cutting a material web to produce a packaging container according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the knife apparatus of FIG. 2 showing the knife edge;
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the knife apparatus in operative position;
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a part of a parallelepiped packaging container according to a second embodiment of the invention;
ASEPTIC (Registered Trade Mark), which is manufactured by folding and sealing of a web-shaped laminated packaging material. The laminated packaging material comprises a support layer, made of e.g. fibrous material such as paper, coated on either side with a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. On the side of the laminated packaging material which is destined to be in contact with the food contents of the package, there is also a layer of barrier material, such as e.g.
aluminium foil, which is also coated with a thermoplastic layer.
In order to manufacture tetrahedral packaging containers of the above-mentioned type, filling or packaging machines are fed with laminated packaging material in web form. The packaging material web is sterilised in the packaging machine by the application of a chemical sterilisation agent such as e.g. hydrogen peroxide solution. Upon completion of sterilisation, the sterilisation agent is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, for example, it may be vaporised by heating.
The sterilised packaging material is folded and longitudinally sealed to form a tube, which is filled wi.th sterile-treated. food product. The tube passes between two pairs of endless chains bearing sealing members which clamp and seal the tube therebetween to produce a first sealed band of material extending in a first direction, and a second sealed band of material extending in a perpendicular direction. The resulting packages have a tetrahedral shape. The sealed packaging material bands are cut between consecutive filled and sealed tetrahedral packages.- An example of this type of packaging machine is the TETRA CLASSIC ASEPTIC
(Registered Trade Mark) filling machine, manufactured by Tetra Pak Stalvall, in Partille, Sweden.
In order to open this type of package, several solutions have been proposed. One solution consists in the provision of a line of perforations, partially penetrating the outer layers of the laminated packaging material but leaving the internal barrier layer or layers intact, and extending across a corner of the package. By cutting or tearing along the perforations, the package was opened, and the contents could be poured from the package. However, it has been found that some persons, e.g. children and elderly, may have a problem to open this package due to the lack of finger power or due to the lack of suitable scissors.
Another solution consisted in the provision of a hole formed in the package and covered by a pull-tab .applied over the opening. In order to access the contents of the package, a user simply removes the pull-tab and accesses the contents of the package through the hole. However, in order to consume a frozen food product packaged in a tetrahedral package of the above-mentioned type, there is ageneral need to provide an improved means for opening the package.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
One of the objects of the invention is to provide t0 better means for opening a packaging container having a tear-off corner. Another object is to improve the aseptic properties of this type of container. Still another object of the invention is to avoid production of waste material.
For these objects, the packaging container according to invention is characterized in that the cut edge of the end fin portion with the line of perforations is provided with a bend, so that a first segment of the cut edge extends more close to the product-filled part of the container than a second segment of the cut edge, wherein the second segment of the cut edge, which is more distant from the product-filled part of the container than the first segment, forms a grip-tab for opening the perforated corner. This grip-tab equipped corner makes it much easier to open the packaging container, both by providing a clear indication to which of the corners oi the container that is provided with the tear-off facility, and by providing a larger grip surface for the fingers. Also, the protruding grip-tab provides a better leverage for initiating the tear-off.
Preferably, the cut edge bend is located near the line of perforations. It is possible to cut both ends of the packaging container with identical knife means by providing the cut edge of the other end portion with a corresponding bend.
It is advantageous to make the cut edge substantially Z-shaped. The tear-off process is further facilitated by providing the cutting edge bend with a notch into the perforation line of the end portion. The packaging container may be a tetrahedral packaging container, a parallelepiped packaging container, a wedge-shaped packaging container, or a non-folded pillow-shaped packaging container.
A knife apparatus according to the invention is characterized in a cutting knife edge comprising a first edge segment and a second, edge segment which is laterally displaced with reference to the first edge segment, and that the two edge segments are interconnected by means of a third edge segment which extends at an angle between said two edge segments. This knife apparatus makes it possible to cut the sealed web -portion between consecutive packaging containers in a single operation, to provide a grip-tab without producing any waste material.
The angle between the first edge segment and the third edge segment may be between 900 and 145 and more advantageously, the angle is about 1200.
Preferably, the knife edge also comprises a fourth edge segment extending in a laterally opposing direction away from the third edge segment. The angle between the first edge segment and this fourth edge segment may be between 90 and 145 .
The segments of the knife edge are preferably arranged in the same plane. A counterdie is provided for cooperation with the knife edge during the cutting operation, which may be manufactured from a thermosetting plastic. Advantageously, the therrnosetting plastic is polyurethane.
The method in accordance with the invention is characterized in the step of cutting the packaging material between two sealings in the sealed area between two containers, to simultaneously produce a trailing edge of a preceding container and a front edge of a following container, wherein each of the corresponding cut edges is provided with a bend, so that a first segment of the cut edge extends close to the product-filled part of one of said containers, and that a second segment of the cut edge extends close to the product-filled part of the other container_ In an advantageous embodiment one of the wider cut edge end portions of the container is located at the end portion corner having the line of perforations, so that this corner forms a grip-tab. More precisely, the bend may be laterally located with reference to the sealed web, so that the grip-tab end portion ends near the perforaticns .
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a packaging container for pourable food products, the packing container comprising a laminated, tubular packaging material with two opposed end fin portions that have been produced by sealing and cutting a continuous packaging material web between consecutive packages, wherein a line of perforations extends across a corner of one of the end portions to facilitate the opening of the container, wherein the cut edge of the end fin portion with the line of perforations is provided with a bend, so that a first segment of the cut edge extends closer to the product-filled part of the container than a second segment of the cut edge, wherein the second segment of the cut edge which is more distant from the product-filled part of the container than the first segment, forms a grip-tab for opening the perforated corner, and wherein the intersection between the cut edge bend and the first segment is provided with a notch into the perforation line of the end portion.
-7a-BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further described in a non-limiting manner in the following, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a tetrahedral packaging container according to a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a knife apparatus according to the invention, for cutting a material web to produce a packaging container according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the knife apparatus of FIG. 2 showing the knife edge;
FIG. 4 is a side view showing the knife apparatus in operative position;
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a part of a parallelepiped packaging container according to a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG,. 6 is a side view showing a wedge-shaped packaging container according to a third embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 7 is a side view showing a non-folded pillow-shaped packaging container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OtJT THE INVENTION
The tetrahedral container 10 shown in FIG.1, is essentially of a conventional type, having two sealed fin portions 11 and 12 and an intermediate product filled container portion 13. One of the four corners of the container is provided with a perforation 14 that partially penetrates the outer layers of the laminated packaging material but leaves the internal barrier layer or layers intact.
According to the invention, the fin portion 11 is provided with a protruding grip-tab lla, which is located at the corner which is provided with the perforation 14. The grip-tab 11a has been produced by cutting the fin so that the cut edge portion 11b of its remaining part, i.e. except the cut edge portion lic of the grip-tab lla, extends close to or immediately along the sealing weld 15 that seals the fin portion 11. The cut edge portions llb and lic are interconnected by means'of a bent cut edge portion Iid.
The intersection between the bent edge portion lid and 'the edge portion llb, is provided with a notch 16 into the perforation 14. The fin portion 11 has a shorter segment where the fin is wide and a longer segment where the fin is narrow.
By using identical knives 17, of which one is shown in FIG. 2 and 3, a single cut is made at each end of the container, without generating any packaging material waste. The packaging material that has been "removed"
from the fin portion 11 with the grip-tab is now transferred to the opposite fin portion 12, which has a longer segment where the fin is wide and a shorter segment where the fin is narrow.
When the grip-tab corner is removed from the packaging container, the remaining part of the fin which may contain a residue of the very small volume of product that was trapped between the two sealing welds bridging two sealed containers, is also removed from this end of the container. Thus, the aseptic properties of this end of the container is improved.
The knife 17 for cutting the sealed bands of packaging material between consecutive packages in the packaging machine, has a first linear segment 17a for cutting the unsealed part of the fin (i.e. the outermost part of the fin which remains unsealed) from the sealed part of the fin (located adjacent the product filled part of the package) along a linear tract. The knife also has a second shaped segment 17b for leaving a protruding grip-tab at one end of the fin, and a third intermediate segment 17c including an angled cutting edge 17d for forming a pre-cut tearing line between the grip-tab and the linear tract.
FIG. 4 shows four knives 17 that are mounted with equal angular distribution around the circumference of a first rotatable member 18. A corresponding number of counterdies 19 are mounted in the'same manner around the circumference of a second rotatable member 20, so that each knife cooperates with a corresponding counterdie.
Each time the knives 17 and counterdies 19 meet, the material web 21 is cut off simultaneously producing a trailing edge of a preceding container and a front edge of a following container.
The concept of the present invention is of course also applicable to other types of packaging containers for pourable food products, for example to packaging containers 101, 1011, 10111 shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and respectively known by the names TETRA BRIK, TETRA WEDGE
and TETRA FINO (Registered Trade Marks).
Packaging container 10' (Figure 5) presents 'a parallelepiped shape and has a product-filled part 13' corresponding to the part 13 of packaging container 10 and delimited by end walls 25, first lateral walls 26 and second lateral walls 27 wider than first lateral wall 26.
Packaging container 10' has two sealed fin portions 28 (only one of which is shown) parallel one another and similar to fin portions 11, 12 of packaging container 10. Each fin portion 28 presents a main portion 29 folded on a relative end wall 28 and opposite corner portions 30 folded on respective first lateral walls 26 and having a substantially triangular shape. One of the corner portions 30 is provided with the perforation 14 and the protruding grip-tab 12a according to the present invention, described in detail above with reference to packaging container 10.
Packaging container 10" (Figure 6) presents a wedge shape and has a product-filled part 13 "
corresponding to the part 13 of packaging container 10 and delimited by a bottom rectangular wall 31, a pair of isosceles trapezoidal-shaped lateral walls 32 projecting from wall 31 and having the minor side adjacent to wall 31 itself, and a pair of triangular-shaped lateral walls 33 projecting from wall 31 and joined to walls 32 to form a wedge 34. Packaging container 10" has two sealed fin portions 35 (only one of which is visible in Figure 6) similar to fin portions 11, 12 of packaging container 10; one (not shown) of fin portions 35 is folded on wall 31, whilst the other one defines the wedge 34 and is provided with the perforation 14 and the protruding grip-tab Ila according to the present invention, described in detail above with reference to packaging container 10.
Packaging container 10 (Figure 7) comprises a non-folded pillow-shaped product-filled part 13"' corresponding to the part 13 of packaging container 10 and delimited by opposite sealed fin portions 36, 37 similar to fin portions 11, 12; a corner of fin portion 36 is provided with the perforation 14 and the grip-tab Ila according to the present invention, described in detail above with reference to packaging container 10.
The invention is in no way limited to the shown embodiments but can be varied in a number ways within the scope of the appended claims. For example, instead of rotating members 18 and 21 for carrying the knives and the counterdies, these means may be mounted on respective sets of chains. The sealing arrangements for forming the packages may perform the sealing operation substantially simultaneously with the cutting operation.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OtJT THE INVENTION
The tetrahedral container 10 shown in FIG.1, is essentially of a conventional type, having two sealed fin portions 11 and 12 and an intermediate product filled container portion 13. One of the four corners of the container is provided with a perforation 14 that partially penetrates the outer layers of the laminated packaging material but leaves the internal barrier layer or layers intact.
According to the invention, the fin portion 11 is provided with a protruding grip-tab lla, which is located at the corner which is provided with the perforation 14. The grip-tab 11a has been produced by cutting the fin so that the cut edge portion 11b of its remaining part, i.e. except the cut edge portion lic of the grip-tab lla, extends close to or immediately along the sealing weld 15 that seals the fin portion 11. The cut edge portions llb and lic are interconnected by means'of a bent cut edge portion Iid.
The intersection between the bent edge portion lid and 'the edge portion llb, is provided with a notch 16 into the perforation 14. The fin portion 11 has a shorter segment where the fin is wide and a longer segment where the fin is narrow.
By using identical knives 17, of which one is shown in FIG. 2 and 3, a single cut is made at each end of the container, without generating any packaging material waste. The packaging material that has been "removed"
from the fin portion 11 with the grip-tab is now transferred to the opposite fin portion 12, which has a longer segment where the fin is wide and a shorter segment where the fin is narrow.
When the grip-tab corner is removed from the packaging container, the remaining part of the fin which may contain a residue of the very small volume of product that was trapped between the two sealing welds bridging two sealed containers, is also removed from this end of the container. Thus, the aseptic properties of this end of the container is improved.
The knife 17 for cutting the sealed bands of packaging material between consecutive packages in the packaging machine, has a first linear segment 17a for cutting the unsealed part of the fin (i.e. the outermost part of the fin which remains unsealed) from the sealed part of the fin (located adjacent the product filled part of the package) along a linear tract. The knife also has a second shaped segment 17b for leaving a protruding grip-tab at one end of the fin, and a third intermediate segment 17c including an angled cutting edge 17d for forming a pre-cut tearing line between the grip-tab and the linear tract.
FIG. 4 shows four knives 17 that are mounted with equal angular distribution around the circumference of a first rotatable member 18. A corresponding number of counterdies 19 are mounted in the'same manner around the circumference of a second rotatable member 20, so that each knife cooperates with a corresponding counterdie.
Each time the knives 17 and counterdies 19 meet, the material web 21 is cut off simultaneously producing a trailing edge of a preceding container and a front edge of a following container.
The concept of the present invention is of course also applicable to other types of packaging containers for pourable food products, for example to packaging containers 101, 1011, 10111 shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and respectively known by the names TETRA BRIK, TETRA WEDGE
and TETRA FINO (Registered Trade Marks).
Packaging container 10' (Figure 5) presents 'a parallelepiped shape and has a product-filled part 13' corresponding to the part 13 of packaging container 10 and delimited by end walls 25, first lateral walls 26 and second lateral walls 27 wider than first lateral wall 26.
Packaging container 10' has two sealed fin portions 28 (only one of which is shown) parallel one another and similar to fin portions 11, 12 of packaging container 10. Each fin portion 28 presents a main portion 29 folded on a relative end wall 28 and opposite corner portions 30 folded on respective first lateral walls 26 and having a substantially triangular shape. One of the corner portions 30 is provided with the perforation 14 and the protruding grip-tab 12a according to the present invention, described in detail above with reference to packaging container 10.
Packaging container 10" (Figure 6) presents a wedge shape and has a product-filled part 13 "
corresponding to the part 13 of packaging container 10 and delimited by a bottom rectangular wall 31, a pair of isosceles trapezoidal-shaped lateral walls 32 projecting from wall 31 and having the minor side adjacent to wall 31 itself, and a pair of triangular-shaped lateral walls 33 projecting from wall 31 and joined to walls 32 to form a wedge 34. Packaging container 10" has two sealed fin portions 35 (only one of which is visible in Figure 6) similar to fin portions 11, 12 of packaging container 10; one (not shown) of fin portions 35 is folded on wall 31, whilst the other one defines the wedge 34 and is provided with the perforation 14 and the protruding grip-tab Ila according to the present invention, described in detail above with reference to packaging container 10.
Packaging container 10 (Figure 7) comprises a non-folded pillow-shaped product-filled part 13"' corresponding to the part 13 of packaging container 10 and delimited by opposite sealed fin portions 36, 37 similar to fin portions 11, 12; a corner of fin portion 36 is provided with the perforation 14 and the grip-tab Ila according to the present invention, described in detail above with reference to packaging container 10.
The invention is in no way limited to the shown embodiments but can be varied in a number ways within the scope of the appended claims. For example, instead of rotating members 18 and 21 for carrying the knives and the counterdies, these means may be mounted on respective sets of chains. The sealing arrangements for forming the packages may perform the sealing operation substantially simultaneously with the cutting operation.
Claims (7)
1. A packaging container for pourable food products, the packaging comprising a laminated, tubular packaging material with two opposed end fin portions that have been produced by sealing and cutting a,continuous packaging material web between consecutive packages, wherein a line of perforations extends across a corner of one of said end portions to facilitate the opening of the container, wherein the cut edge of the end fin portion with the line of perforations is provided with a bend, so that a first segment of the cut edge extends closer to the product-filled part of the container than a second segment of the cut edge, wherein the second segment of the cut edge which is more distant from the product-filled part of the container than the first segment, forms a grip-tab for opening the perforated corner, and wherein the intersection between the cut edge bend and the first segment is provided with a notch into the perforation line of the end portion.
2. A packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the cut edge of the other end portion is provided with a corresponding bend.
3. A packaging container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cut edge is substantially Z-shaped.
4. A packaging container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is a tetrahedral packaging container.
5. A packaging container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is a parallelepiped packaging container.
6. A packaging container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is a wedge-shaped packaging container.
7. A packaging container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is a non-folded pillow-shaped packaging container.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE9804121-3 | 1998-11-30 | ||
| SE9804121A SE519009C2 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 1998-11-30 | A packaging container, a knife device for cutting the fabric web, and a method for making the packaging container |
| PCT/EP1999/007232 WO2000032494A1 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-09-29 | A packaging container with an opening device, knife apparatus and method to produce said container |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2343290A1 CA2343290A1 (en) | 2000-06-08 |
| CA2343290C true CA2343290C (en) | 2008-09-23 |
Family
ID=20413479
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002343290A Expired - Fee Related CA2343290C (en) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-09-29 | A packaging container with an opening device, knife apparatus and method to produce said container |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1135309B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1131821C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE247041T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6330499A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9915740B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2343290C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69910428T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK1135309T3 (en) |
| ID (1) | ID28815A (en) |
| MY (1) | MY121374A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE519009C2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000032494A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE533300C2 (en) * | 2008-12-15 | 2010-08-17 | Ecolean Res & Dev As | Device for removing an end seal |
| WO2010133212A1 (en) | 2009-05-16 | 2010-11-25 | Vita Pak Ug | Packaging container for solid matter |
| DE102009022045A1 (en) | 2009-05-16 | 2010-11-18 | Vita Pak Ug | Packaging container for solids e.g. sugar, has inner bag comprising emptying opening and connected to surface of outer casing that forms part of outer surfaces of container, where container is designed in stackable manner |
| DE102010011208A1 (en) | 2010-03-09 | 2011-09-15 | Vita Pak Ug | packaging system |
| BR202014008158U2 (en) * | 2014-04-04 | 2014-11-18 | Edilberto Acacio Da Silva | CONSTRUCTIVE PROVISION APPLIED TO PACKAGING |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE398095B (en) * | 1975-06-11 | 1977-12-05 | Ziristor Ab | PACKAGING CONTAINER |
| FR2329518A1 (en) * | 1975-11-03 | 1977-05-27 | Automatisme & Technique | Laminated cardboard carton opening arrangement - has perforated tear off strip formed at one end of container top with wall separated to form spout |
| US4301927A (en) * | 1979-05-08 | 1981-11-24 | Tetra Pak International Ab | Packing containers with pouring spout |
| SE416931B (en) * | 1979-05-10 | 1981-02-16 | Tetra Pak Int | OPENING DEVICE AT PARALLELLEPIPEDIC PACKAGING CONTAINER |
| US4327833A (en) * | 1979-12-10 | 1982-05-04 | American Can Company | Liquid tight pouring carton |
| DE3301086C2 (en) * | 1983-01-14 | 1985-10-03 | PKL Papier- und Kunststoff-Werke Linnich GmbH, 4000 Düsseldorf | Pack on flat material such as paper, cardboard or the like. in particular cuboid liquid packing made of paper-plastic composite material |
| US5477656A (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-12-26 | Sig Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft | Apparatus for making groups of interconnected bag packages |
| DE29516496U1 (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 1996-04-18 | Bischof Und Klein Gmbh & Co, 49525 Lengerich | Bags made of thermoplastic plastic film |
| FR2752414B1 (en) * | 1996-08-14 | 1998-09-18 | Thimonnier Sa | FLEXIBLE PACKAGING FOR THE PACKAGING OF LIQUID OR VISCOUS PRODUCTS |
-
1998
- 1998-11-30 SE SE9804121A patent/SE519009C2/en unknown
-
1999
- 1999-07-27 MY MYPI99003151A patent/MY121374A/en unknown
- 1999-09-29 WO PCT/EP1999/007232 patent/WO2000032494A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-09-29 DE DE69910428T patent/DE69910428T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-09-29 AT AT99950571T patent/ATE247041T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-09-29 CN CN99813870.3A patent/CN1131821C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-29 BR BRPI9915740-3A patent/BR9915740B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-09-29 ID IDW00200101147A patent/ID28815A/en unknown
- 1999-09-29 EP EP99950571A patent/EP1135309B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-09-29 CA CA002343290A patent/CA2343290C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-29 AU AU63304/99A patent/AU6330499A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-09-29 DK DK99950571T patent/DK1135309T3/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP1135309A1 (en) | 2001-09-26 |
| DK1135309T3 (en) | 2003-11-24 |
| DE69910428D1 (en) | 2003-09-18 |
| DE69910428T2 (en) | 2004-06-24 |
| EP1135309B1 (en) | 2003-08-13 |
| SE9804121L (en) | 2000-05-31 |
| CA2343290A1 (en) | 2000-06-08 |
| SE519009C2 (en) | 2002-12-23 |
| CN1131821C (en) | 2003-12-24 |
| ID28815A (en) | 2001-07-05 |
| AU6330499A (en) | 2000-06-19 |
| HK1042679A1 (en) | 2002-08-23 |
| WO2000032494A1 (en) | 2000-06-08 |
| BR9915740B1 (en) | 2008-11-18 |
| ATE247041T1 (en) | 2003-08-15 |
| BR9915740A (en) | 2001-08-14 |
| CN1328519A (en) | 2001-12-26 |
| MY121374A (en) | 2006-01-28 |
| SE9804121D0 (en) | 1998-11-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20131001 |