WO1998019919A1

WO1998019919A1 - Variable volume package made from a blank

Info

Publication number: WO1998019919A1
Application number: PCT/SK1997/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrej Simko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-06
Filing date: 1997-11-06
Publication date: 1998-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 1999-05-06
Also published as: AU4799397A; SK143796A3

Abstract

The gist of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1) is that it consists of the deformable walls (3 and/or 3') interconnected into a polygon of at least three edges, with the first wall (5) connected to the edges, and the second wall (6) connected opposite the first wall (5), at the opposite side of the deformable walls (3 and/or 3'), and the two walls form the enclosed jacket (2). The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1) makes it possible to squeeze out very efficiently the contents by application of insignificant force.

Description

VARIABLE VOLUME PACKAGE MADE FROM A BLANK

Scope

The invention concerns a variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane which is designed for a wide range of products of the foodstuff, cosmetic, pharmaceutic, chemical, petrochemical, and other industries.

State of the arts

The contemporary variable volume packages, such as tubes, do not make it possible to squeeze out the complete volume of the package regardless the force applied. They are heavy, and an incorrect squeezing technique results in making a hole in a tube, or wearing off the applied colour, which soils user's hands. In addition, these packages are not recy cable, or hardly recycable.

Other variable volume packages of circular cross-section are mostly made of plastics and are heavy, because they can only be produced by plastic blow moulding, which does not allow for making the walls thinner. These packages are not recycable, or hardly recycable.

Another variable volume package, for example, that based on the DE 40 09 852 Al patent, is not designed for squeezing out the contents. Rather, it is used for folding up the package after it has been unloaded. This kind of package has no enclosing walls, and therefore it cannot prevent external factors, including air, light, temperature changes, detrimental substances, dust, etc., from affecting the contents of the package. The package contents is in the open air, which accelerates the process of ageing.

Design principles

The above mentioned shortcomings are eliminated by the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane. It consists of an enclosed jacket made of interconnected deformable walls. The gable-shaped deformable walls (a system of interconnected planes) turn the package contents into wedge-shaped space elements. By application of deformation forces, the deformable wall edges approach one another, thus reducing the wedge-shaped contents element volume, with the latter being shifted towards the outlet of the package.

One of the jacket walls is provided with at least one hole. The deformable walls without interconnecting surfaces are mutually connected. The deformable walls with interconnecting surfaces are mutually connected by interconnecting surfaces. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane is fitted with at least one puncher. Each package variant features at least one jacket wall provided with at least one push-out hole. Another variant of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane is fitted with a stabilizer. Other variants of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane are provided with a secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, and may have at least one common wall, or a common hole which can be of the push-out type. Other variable volume packages with a jacket unfoldable in plane are fitted with a puncher, or a common stabilizer.

This package allows for profound squeezing out the contents by application a respective deformation force. When squeezing is interrupted and the package is closed, no air space occurs between the contents and the cap, thus avoiding oxidation of the contents, and extending the period of use of the contents. The package can be made of a flat material such as aluminium foil, iron-steel foil, foils made of alloys based on various elements, paper-based foil, foil based on paper equivalents, cellulose, foils consisting of several materials (multi-layer foils), and other foils, which facilitates and, at the same time, transfers package production to the product-filling shop at a manufacturer's plant. The spatially divided package design makes it possible to significantly reduce the package thickness, and, consequently, its weight. The package can be made of a single material type, which allows for its recycling.

Advantages of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane:

- Considerable package weight reduction;

- Application of thinner flat materials - foils, which is related to the fact that the deformation wall is divided into several subwalls; as a result, the undesirable bulging pressure is smaller;

It can be produced from an endless foil band coiled into the form of a cylinder; Simpler package production;

Lower power consumption in package production;

Use of several hole types (those which cannot and those which can be closed); High contents squeeze-out efficiency; Higher package recycling efficiency prior to their next use;

In the case of package dumping, the benefits include lower mass and volume, and minimizing the package contents left unused;

The air layer between the package contents and the cap has been eliminated, thus avoiding the contents oxidation, and extending the period of use of the contents; Pressure will be exerted upon producers to produce larger volume packages for the sake of extending the period of the product use, including the guarantee period; Emptying the package is simple; in addition, the package can be deaerated; Minimization of the volume of transported packages - the semi-products - from the place of production to the filling shop;

The package design makes it possible to modify - within certain limits - the package form;

^• The external form of the walls is gable-like. The gables damp the dynamic force effects if the package falls down, which reduces the danger of damaging the package and its contents;

■ Minimization of the risk of injury in the case of inappropriate package handling;

^■ A jacket stabilizer can be incorporated in the wall;

■ An external stabilizer can be used for transportation;

- A puncher can be used;

^■ The design allows for mterconnecting two or more variable volume packages with a jacket unfoldable in plane, for providing them with a common hole (that cannot be closed or can be closed by a cap), a common stabilizer (a jacket or an external one), or a common puncher;

- Improved hygiene, especially with regard to the foodstuff industry. A list of Figures on the drawings

Fig. 1 - A variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected without any interconnecting surfaces; representation of individual volume deformations; Fig. 2 - A different variant of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected without any interconnecting surfaces; Fig. 3 - An unfolded jacket of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected without any interconnecting surfaces, in accordance with Figure 1; Fig. 4 - An unfolded jacket of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected without any interconnecting surfaces, in accordance with Figure 2; Fig. 5 - Various variants of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected by interconnecting surfaces; Fig. 6 - Unfolded jackets of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected by interconnecting surfaces, in accordance with Figure 5; Fig. 7 - A special design of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected without any interconnecting surfaces; they are also interconnected at the point of the other, non-existent, wall; representation of individual volume deformations; Fig. 8 - An unfolded jacket of the special design of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, with deformable walls mutually connected without any interconnecting surfaces, in accordance with Fig. 7; Fig. 9 - The position of a hole in the wall being deformed;

Fig. 10 - A variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, connected to a secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, including their common hole; Fig. 11 - A different method of connecting the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, and a secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 12 - A different variant of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 13 - A different variant of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 14 - A different variant of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 15 - A different method of connecting the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane and the secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, their common hole and common puncher; Fig. 16 - A different method of connecting the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, and the secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 17 - An external stabilizer and sanitary coating of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 18 - A jacket stabilizer of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 19 - Details of a jacket stabilizer which can be used for wall connection; Fig. 20 - A push-out hole and its two basic positions, including sanitary coating of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, and a push-out element; Fig. 21 - A different design of the push-out hole and its two positions, including sanitary coating of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, and a push-out element; Fig. 22 - A common push-out hole of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane, and a secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; Fig. 23 - A cross-section of an equivalent design of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane; common walls are designated for a variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane and a secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane.

Examples of implementation of the invention

A variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane 1 consists of an enclosed jacket 2 which consists of deformable walls without the interconnecting surfaces 3 , or deformable walls with the mterconnecting surfaces 31 whose edges are connected to the first wall 5 opposite to, or in the direction of, deformation of the deformable walls 3 and 31. The cross-section of the jacket 2 is triangular, quadratic, rectangular, or polygonal. The jacket 2 is advantageously provided with the second wall 6 opposite the first wall 5. The first wall 5 , or, alternatively, the second wall 6 , is replaced by the secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane V, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. A different variant of connecting the secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane V_ through a part of the first wall 5 and /or the second wall 6, is illustrated in Figure 1 The connection may be through the common deformation wall 11. Another design is based on placing the secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane H inside the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane 1. In this case, the two packages have the common hole _ , or the common push-out hole 8 . Alternatively, the enclosed jacket 2 can be provided with the hole 7. In a similar variant, the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane 1 is connected to the secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane V_. The two packages feature the common hole Zl or the common push-out hole 81. The hole 7 and /or the common hole 71 at the enclosed jackets of the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane JL or the secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane Y_ , can be made by tearing off, shearing off, cutting off, by means of the puncher 9 , the common puncher 91 , a thread, a bayonet, etc. In addition, a hole in the jacket 2 of the packages 1 and Y_ can be made in several other ways, for example, by means of the push-out element 8H connected to the jacket 2 through the edges, with the opposite end being provided with various hole types (tearing off, shearing off, cutting off, thread, bayonet, etc.). An alternative design, focused on the sanitary aspects, features sanitary coating 12 on the upper edge. The sanitary coating 12 can be applied to the area round the hole 7 , the common hole 7 , the push-out hole 8 , and the common push-out hole 81. The sanitary coating 12 can be removed prior to use. The deformable walls with the interconnection surfaces 31 have the interconnection surfaces 4 which enable the walls 31 to be continuously connected. The package form stabilization design obtains in several variants. One of them includes the stabilizer 10 positioned on a transport pallet as its integral part. Another variant includes the stabilizer 10 connected to the variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane 1 or Y_. In this case, the stabilizer 10 is independent, or is an integral part of the jacket 2.

Application fields

- Foodstuff industry: creams, yoghurts, custards, evaporated milk, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, pates, fat, frozen fruit creams, sauces, liquid chocolate, oil, vinegar, syrups, ...

- Cosmetic industry: cosmetic gels, liquid soap, shampoos, creams, tooth-pastes, stiffening agents, liquid starch, ...

- Pharmaceutical industry: ointments, oils, gels, medicaments, syrups, ...

- Chemical industry: adhesives, detergents, dyes, ...

- Petrochemical industry: lubricants, oils, ...

List of references

1 - variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane

V - secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane

2 - jacket

3 - deformable walls without interconnecting surfaces 3' - deformable walls with interconnecting surfaces

4 - interconnecting surfaces

5 - the first wall

6 - the second wall

7 - hole

7' - common hole

8 - push-out hole

8' - common push-out hole 8"- push-out element

9 - puncher

9' - common puncher

10 - stabilizer

10' - common stabilizer

11 - common wall

12 - sanitary coating

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane consisting of deformable jacket walls and one first wall connected to them at the edges, wherein opposite the first wall (5) of the jacket (2) there is the second wall (6) connected at its edges to the opposite end of the deformable walls (3, 3'), and the wall (6) encloses the inner space of the package (1).

2. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the walls (3, 3', 5, 6) of the jacket (2) has at least one hole (7).

3. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims

1 and 2, wherein the deformable walls without the interconnecting surfaces (3) are mutually connected without the interconnecting surfaces (4).

4. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 3, wherein the deformable walls with the connecting surfaces (3') are mutually connected by the interconnecting surfaces (4).

5. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 4, wherein it has at least one puncher (9).

6. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one of the walls (3, 3', 5, 6) of the jacket (2) has at least one push-out hole (8).

7. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 6, wherein it has at least one stabilizer (10).

8. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 7, wherein it has at least one secondary variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1').

9. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 8, wherein it has at least one wall (11) common with the secondary variable volume package or packages with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1').

10. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 9, wherein it has at least one hole (7') common with the secondary variable volume package or packages with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1').

11. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims

1 to 10, wherein it has at least one push-out hole (8') common with the secondary variable volume package or packages with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1').

12. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims 1 to 11, wherein it has at least one puncher (9') common with the secondary variable volume package or packages with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1').

13. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims

1 to 12, wherein it has at least one stabilizer (10') common with the secondary variable volume package or packages with a jacket unfoldable in plane (1').

14. The variable volume package with a jacket unfoldable in plane as in claims

1 to 13, wherein the jacket (2) in the area of the hole (7), the common hole (7') and /or the push-out hole (8), and the common push-out hole (8') is provided with sanitary coating (12).