DE2202001A1 - One-piece container with several chambers - Google Patents

Description

concerning
One-piece container with several combs

The invention relates to a one-piece container made of semi-rigid material, the several prismatic compartments includes, and is made available to the user in a flat-folded state.

The invention particularly relates to a foldable multi-chamber container from two flat material cuttings for liquid, pasty or powdery goods.

Because of the advances that have been made in the field of food storage, consumer habits have changed significantly. Consumers show a clear tendency to buy food supplies for several repayments or even for a whole week, so that the labor-saving handling of foodstuffs is becoming increasingly important, especially in self-service stores.

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The industry has met this novel need by having multiple individual containers in collection or Has united deck packs.

However, this measure does not solve various tasks that arise on the way from the container manufacturer surrender to the user and the retailer to the consumer.

Rigid individual containers, e.g. bottles, cannot be used economically when empty deliver and store. In the case of soft individual containers, the multipack must necessarily be rigid so that their Costs become relatively high compared to the price of the packaged goods.

In addition, such multipacks often have a very large space requirement compared to their capacity, the leads to waste of space for the consumer and also for the retailer, who requires rather large sales stands for such packs.

Simple multipacks in the form of removable covers made of plastic do not have this disadvantage, but there is a disadvantage with them that the individual containers do not be held together more once the shell is opened.

According to another known proposal, one-piece containers with several compartments are produced by thermoforming a flat material blank or a plastic film with open cells and closing the openings of these cells with a film drawn over them. In this case, however, the volume of these cells prevents the still empty containers from being able to be stored and transported economically. Moreover, such containers can be only a relatively LOW i ^ ea ProduktLorisgeschv / in-

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to create strength.

The invention is based on the object of providing a container with a plurality of mutually closed, individually openable To create packaging units that can be easily removed from the packaging units at a high production speed respective liquid, paste or powdery filling goods Manufacture common materials and save space until filling can be stored.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the both flat material blanks are placed on top of one another in the flat state and connected to one another in connection zones, which extend in strips and at right angles to their longitudinal edges from one longitudinal edge to the other and in regular, half the circumferential length of the base of a chamber corresponding intervals are arranged that the gap between two adjacent connecting zones at least one extending over the entire width of each of the blanks, has a fold line parallel to the connecting zones, and that at least one further fold line in addition to at least one of the longitudinal edges of each blank and is arranged parallel to it, forming a continuous strip delimits, are formed from the closure caps.

The containers according to the invention are easy to store and transport them to the bottling plant, because when empty they can be delivered folded flat, e.g. in Shape of a molding cut to the required dimensions. Furthermore, such a container can be in the form an endless web, which is wound on a roll or folded in a zigzag shape, a considerable amount Has length and has numerous individual chambers. In both cases, the container can be fully automated Machines used v / ground.

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Because of its one-piece construction, the inventive However, containers have a considerable rigidity in the filled state, which makes them easy to handle by the dealer and by the consumer relieved; at the same time the possibility remains, to the extent to which the container contents are used, in each case to separate a packaging unit from the association without the cohesion and rigidity of the rest not yet used units is affected.

The individual flat material blanks can either be components an endless path or sections of one Be railway; all of the details given below apply equally to these two training options.

If when closing chambers that have been filled, the or each longitudinal edge of the blanks is folded along a fold line running parallel to a longitudinal edge, becomes that part of the connection zone that is separated from a Longitudinal edge of the interconnected blanks extends out to this fold line, also folded so that it a rigid connection between two consecutive ones Chambers forms.

The connection zones can be delimited by folding lines be. It is sufficient if every second connection zone is delimited in this way for each cut. When the two Blanks are laid on top of one another, one lies through fold lines delimited connection zone of one blank on a connection zone not delimited by fold lines of the other blank.

The fold line running between two connection zones and parallel to them can be determined by the two connections. ".-

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zones must be equidistant. In this case the individual chambers of the container have a square base.

So that each chamber can be securely closed, it is advantageous if each section of the to a longitudinal edge parallel fold line between each two intersection points of these Fold line with the transverse fold lines or the flounders the connecting zones forms the base of an isosceles triangle, the legs of which are formed by folds, which extend in alignment on the relevant longitudinal edge or, if necessary, by extending these fold lines, if your virtual intersection point is outside of the blanks lies.

In the embodiment described, the limit outside of the fold lines lying parallel to a longitudinal edge of the fold line of flat material sections which, when the Container are folded over and form alternating gussets and flaps. Also, the fold lines that appear in the described manner form an isosceles triangle to open the relevant flap so that it forms a spout.

The folding lines described are in the manner known from collapsible containers as more or less deep grooves or grooves educated.

To make it easier to separate the individual packaging units, the connection zones can each be weakened in their longitudinal direction by a pre-cut dividing line be.

At least those parts of the blanks that are permanent to be connected to each other can be covered with a layer of heat-weldable material.

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The invention is described below with advantageous details explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings of an exemplary embodiment. It shows:

1 shows a plan view of one of the flat material blanks provided for producing a container;

Fig. 2 in plan a second flat material blank which is to be connected to the first blank in order to produce a To form containers;

Fig. 3, 4- and 5, each in cross-section, the two together connected blanks showing the initial stages of forming the container;

6 is a perspective view of a partially prepared closing Container;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 each show a stage of closing the base of a container;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a closed complete container;

11 shows a separated individual container with the contents being removed; and

12 shows the container after it has been set up in a horizontal section.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the following description, a container is chosen as an embodiment that has four individual chambers and consists of two

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sections 2 and 3 is made of corresponding dimensions. However, blanks of different types and shapes could also be used for differently designed containers, e.g. the closures are designed differently.

The two blanks 2 and 3 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 can be made of any material that is adapted to the product provided that the fabric is foldable and has a possesses a certain rigidity.

For example, cardboard, foils or sheets made of homogeneous and possibly expanded plastic or composite materials can be used uses v / earth. Cardboard can be covered with a film made of plastic, e.g. polyethylene. For aesthetic or For functional reasons, the outside of the material can be laminated with aluminum foil; attached to the inside, such a film can in many cases be particularly suitable for the product protection. All of the layers mentioned can be connected to one another in a known manner.

The blanks 2 and 3 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 have connection zones h which extend at right angles to the longitudinal edges of the blanks. Similar, but narrower zones 5 are provided on the transverse edges or ends of the blanks. The longitudinal distance between two adjacent connecting zones corresponds to half the circumferential length of the base of an individual chamber of the container.

Both blanks 2 and 3 are provided with a fold on, the unfolding of the molded parts formed by two interconnected blanks and when the container is set up to make it easier to fold caps. Thus, the cut points between two adjacent connections. ^ -

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zones 4 and 5 have a folding groove 6, which is parallel to the Connection zones and at right angles to the longitudinal edges of the blank extends.

In the illustrated embodiment, the folding grooves 6 are each the same distance from two adjacent connecting zones removed. Each different in this embodiment resulting prismatic chamber has a square base.

If chambers with a rectangular base are to be produced, it is sufficient to use the folding grooves on the two superimposed Cut to size in the same ratio, but to move in opposite directions. Within the next Section that extends to the next connecting zone, these ratios are preferably reversed, so that after assembly, two opposing walls of each individual chamber have the same dimensions to have.

The connecting zones 4 and 5 can be delimited by folding grooves 7 which are parallel to the aforementioned folding grooves get lost; however, preferably only one of every two connection zones is provided with such folding grooves 7, see above that in the case of two blanks lying one above the other, a connecting zone of one blank, which is delimited by folding grooves is assigned to a connection zone of the other blank that is not delimited by folding grooves.

The object of the described transverse folding grooves and 7 is to form adjacent tubular Chambers to facilitate. They complement each other with longitudinal folding grooves 8 and 10, with which they are when closing

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- 9 of the tubular chambers cooperate.

The first folding groove 8, seen to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 from the middle part of the blanks 2, 3, extends in parallel to the longitudinal edges and delimits a foldable strip 9, within which closure caps and gussets are formed are. The width of the foldable strip 9 corresponds essentially to half the width of a side face of the base a single chamber. A second folding groove 10 is arranged near the left longitudinal edge and parallel to it, which a sealing strip 11 delimits. The two strips 9 and 11 are also provided with oblique folding grooves 12, the proceed from the intersections of certain transverse folding grooves 6, 7 with the first longitudinal folding groove 8 and Form isosceles triangles, the apex of which in the embodiment described here corresponds to the sealing strip 11 delimiting longitudinal folding groove 10 coincide. Another fold groove 13 extends from this apex and runs according to FIG. 1 at right angles to the longitudinal edges of the blank 2 and 3, respectively.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the right-hand part of each blank 2, 3 has similarly arranged folding grooves 8 »10} 12» and 13 'which correspond to the folding grooves 8, 10, 12 and 13. Additional isosceles triangles are delimited by additional folding grooves 14 on the right-hand part, the base of which ^{is formed by the part of the field groove 8 1} which extends between the edge of a connecting zone 4 or 5 and the next transverse folding groove 6. The vertices of these further triangles lie on the right longitudinal edge of the relevant blank 2, 3.

The distance between the folding grooves 8 'and 10', which ^{delimit an overhead strip 9 1} in the finished container, is greater than that between the folding grooves 8 and 10,

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which lie at the base of the finished container. This greater width of the foldable strip 9 ¹ results in an upwardly protruding ridge-like approach being formed when the closure of a filling opening is formed.

Finally, each connection zone 4 is provided with a line of weakness 15, which is formed, for example, by punctiform or line-shaped perforations, parallel to the edges of the relevant connection zone and equidistant from the removed from both edges.

Fig. 3 shows the way in which the two blanks 2 and 3 are connected to one another to form a container molding to build. The contacting parts of the connection zones are connected to one another in a known manner. When the blanks made of thick paper or cardboard, they can be glued together. When blanks made of composite material are used in which the surface that comes into contact with the product is made of plastic - e.g. a Hiyolefinfilm - exists, the connections can be made by hot welding, ultrasonic welding or another method will.

To unfold the molding before filling the container, is shown in FIG. 4 on its two front edges in the direction of arrows 16 and 17, a pressure is applied which causes the blanks to assume a shape in which they are in cross-section form a sequence of four diamonds A, B, C and D, which finally relate to squares in the manner shown in FIG will.

According to FIG. 5, the connection zones lie alternately on one side or the other of one through the four individual chambers extending central plane X-Y. So are

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the individual chambers aligned with one another and connected to one another.

Before filling , the individual chambers, two of which are shown in the left part of FIG. 6, must be closed at one end. For this purpose, according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the strips 9 are folded over inwards along the folding grooves 8, and the sealing strips 11 are placed against one another. Because of the folding grooves 14, gussets 18 are created by themselves.

The sealing strips 11 are then connected to one another by gluing, welding or some other method in order to produce a tight seal. The ridge-like extension formed when the sealing strips 11 are connected can be folded over as shown in FIG. 9 and attached to the base of the container . The folding groove 8 can in each case where it forms the base of a triangle, the other sides of which are formed by the folding grooves 12, are curved to a small extent in the direction of the inside of the molding, so that the container can be placed upright on a flat surface can.

When the chambers produced in this way have passed through a filling machine, the upper openings are closed in the same way as the lower openings. The upwardly projecting ridge resulting from the connection of the strips ^11f extends continuously over all chambers.

The folding of the strips 9 and 9 ¹ leads to a result which is an important feature of the container according to the invention: the strips forming the connecting zones 4 are folded over at their ends so that they act as bridges to establish a rigid connection between adjacent chambers.

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These bridges withstand the considerable stresses that occur when handling the container without tearing, if it contains a heavy product.

If a closure is used that differs from the one described, for example a flat closure by completely folding over the side strips 9 and / or 9 ¹ previously cut as foldable tongues, care must be taken that foldable strips of sufficient width are provided so that the Parts of the connecting zones 4 lying on these strips withstand the stresses, taking into account on the one hand the rigidity of the selected container material and on the other hand the weight of the contents.

In the finished state, the one-piece multi-chamber container described has the general shape of a cuboid with a front and a rear end wall formed by it are that the individual chambers are arranged side by side with a square cross-section. The rigidity of this arrangement is by the connection zones 4 described and in particular by those parts of the connection zones ensures that lie between the folded parts of adjacent chambers.

As the above shows, the container according to the invention is particularly easy to manufacture.

In order to ensure that the zones to be connected are brought exactly into congruence with one another, it can be expedient be, as a starting material instead of the described separate Ätreifen- or band-shaped blanks one the use a double width strip folded along its center line; in this In the case of the case, the strip is cut along the center line after the two surfaces along the connecting zones with-

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have been connected to each other.

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Claims (7)

h M C NCMKN OO SCIlW EiOBRSTHASSE:> TKl.KFON (0811) «(> ■ _> <)."> 1 TKLEX 3 24 070 TKLKO HA MMK: PROTECTPATBN-r MitNCIIKN 1A-40 765 claims 1.) Foldable multi-chamber container made of two flat material blanks for liquid, pasty or powdery goods, characterized in that the two flat material blanks (2, 3) are placed on top of one another in the flat state and are connected to one another in connecting onen (4, 5), which are strip-shaped and extend at right angles to their longitudinal edges, from one longitudinal edge to the other and are arranged at regular intervals corresponding to half the circumferential length of the base of a chamber, so that the space between two adjacent connecting zones extends at least one across the entire width of each of the blanks to the Connecting zones has parallel fold line (6), and that at least one further fold line (8) is arranged next to at least one of the longitudinal edges of each blank and parallel to it, which delimits a continuous strip {9) from which closure flaps are formed. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in chn marked e t that at least every second connection zone (4) of each blank (2, 3) is delimited by two fold lines (7). 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the between each two connecting zones (4) arranged folding lines (6) are each equidistant from both connection zones. / 2 209834/0674 4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that each section of the fold line parallel to the longitudinal edges {8) between two intersections of this fold line with one of the other fold lines (6, 7) forms the base of an isosceles triangle whose legs are in Direction of the adjacent longitudinal edge of the relevant blank (2, 3) extending fold lines (12, 14) are formed. 5. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized characterized in that the connection zones (4) are provided in the longitudinal direction with perforations which form a weakened cut or tear line. 6. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized characterized in that at least those parts of the blanks that are permanently connected to one another are to be covered with a layer of heat-weldable material. 7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that its individual chambers are essentially cuboid in the erected state, one front boundary wall and one rear boundary wall have and rigidly fixed in a row aligned with one another by the connecting zones (4) are, which lie alternately in front of and behind a central plane (X-Y) that extends through the aligned Chambers extends. 209834/0674 Blank page