Patent Application
20220242641
The invention relates to packaging comprising a folded shell made of a cellulose-containing flat material and a cover, the shell and the cover enclosing an interior of the packaging, the shell having a first side wall on which a first sealing rim is angled outwardly away from the interior along a first fold edge and wherein the cover is glued to the first sealing rim.
Such packaging is known, for example, from EP 2 085 315 B1.
In the known packaging, a flap serving to open the packaging is separated from the shell and has an outwardly angled pull-tab which is adjacent to a plastic part forming the cover and is peelably sealed to it. An outwardly protruding grip tongue is articulated on the pull-tab.
However, the use of plastic—in the case of the packaging known from EP 2 085 315 B1 for the cover—is increasingly regarded as problematic for ecological reasons, particularly with regard to aspects of disposal or recycling.
An airtight packaging is known from WO 01/66425 A1, which has offset perforation lines. A pouring opening of the packaging can thus be opened.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,289,236 A discloses a packaging, for example for toothbrushes, which has a locking mechanism at each end. If the packaging is unlocked at both ends, the packaging can be opened.
DE 195 32 162 A1 discloses a cardboard packaging which is composed of a front wall and a rear wall. A container is formed in the front wall, which has a perforation line in the edge region to the rear wall. The packaging can be opened along the perforation line.
It is an object of the invention to provide an environmentally friendly packaging that can be produced efficiently and that can be opened in a defined and simple manner.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a packaging according to claim 1. In further aspects, the invention relates to a bundle according to claim 10, a method for opening a packaging according to claim 11 and a method for providing an object according to claim 13.
According to the invention, a packaging is provided with at least one perforation, which has a weakening, the reduction in bending resistance, of the cellulose-containing material of the packaging in the region of the perforation or the perforation line.
Perforation in the context of the packaging according to the invention, the bundle according to the invention and the method for packaging and/or opening the packaging according to the invention is to be understood as meaning a weakening of the material, wherein the perforation is a score line which partially cuts through the cellulose-containing material starting from one side or the score line is formed by scoring from both sides of the cellulose-containing material. The scorings are spaced apart.
In a further embodiment, the perforation is a cutting line with notches, the notches being distributed evenly and/or unevenly.
Alternatively, the perforation is designed as a groove, which loosens the cellulose-containing material, in particular the fiber structure, and thereby weakens the material in the region of the perforation line.
Mechanical kinking or folding of the cellulose-containing material in the region of the fold edge is a perforation within the meaning of the packaging according to the invention.
All perforation shapes described can be formed individually or in combination on the packaging according to the invention and produce a material weakening in the region of the perforation line.
The packaging is used in particular for packaging piece goods, i.e. in other words individual objects. An object to be packaged can be a toothbrush, for example. However, the packaging according to the invention is basically suitable for packaging a wide variety of objects. In particular, the packaging can also be designed for packaging bulk goods. The packaging is preferably designed in the form of a blister pack (visible packaging). This makes it possible to view the packaged goods without opening the packaging.
The packaging has a folded shell made of cellulose-containing flat material and a cover. Cellulose-containing flat material can be easily processed and recycled. In particular, the folding can be efficiently automated. The shell typically forms a hollow body that is open on one side. The shell and cover enclose an interior of the packaging. For this purpose, the cover is arranged on the shell or placed on the shell. The cover may be flat. In particular, the cover can extend in one plane. The goods to be packaged can be arranged in the interior. The cellulose-containing flat material can be coated or impregnated on one or both sides, in particular to be water-repellent. The coating or impregnation is preferably biodegradable.
The shell has a first side wall. The first side wall delimits the interior of the packaging. On the first side wall, a first sealing rim is angled outwardly away from the interior along a first fold edge. In other words, the first sealing rim protrudes outwardly from the first side wall. The first sealing rim forms an edge strip of desired width. The first sealing rim and the first side wall typically each extend in one plane. The first sealing rim and the first side wall may (on the outside with respect to the interior) enclose an angle of at least 60°, in particular at least 75° and/or at most 145°, in particular at most 120°. In a preferred embodiment, the first sealing rim and the first side wall can enclose a right angle.
The cover is glued to the first sealing rim. The bond can be implemented as a heat seal, in particular with blister coating. For gluing to the first sealing rim, the cover can have a portion (area) that covers the first sealing rim. The cover and the first sealing rim can have an outer contour that ends substantially flush with one another. The cover preferably protrudes slightly, in particular by a maximum of 2 mm, preferably by a maximum of 1 mm, over the first sealing rim.
Since the first sealing rim and the cover protrude from the interior, they can be easily and comfortably gripped with fingers, in particular the thumb and forefinger of one hand. A free length of the first sealing rim and the cover may be at least 1 cm, preferably at least 1.5 cm.
According to the invention, it is provided that a perforation is formed on the first fold edge for tearing off the first sealing rim together with the portion of the cover glued to it from the first side wall. The perforation extends at least in portions along the first fold edge. The perforation makes it easier to open the packaging. In particular, the perforation can be used to establish a constantly low force required for opening over a large number of packagings produced. To open the packaging, the first sealing rim protruding outwardly and the region of the cover fastened thereon can be grasped and torn off together from the first side wall. To do this, the first sealing rim and the glued-on portion of the cover are moved away from the first side wall, so that the flat material of the shell is severed along the perforation. The shell has a second side wall on which a second sealing rim is angled outwardly away from the interior along a second fold edge. The second side wall also delimits the interior of the packaging. The cover is glued to the second sealing rim. As with the first edge seal, a marginal strip having a width is formed with the second edge seal and is permanently bonded to the cover. As a result, the packaging can be closed particularly tightly. To open the packaging, the cover can be pulled off the second sealing rim after the first sealing rim has been torn off from the first side wall. The tearing off of the first sealing rim together with the glued-on portion of the cover and the detachment of the cover from the second sealing rim may be carried out particularly conveniently in a single movement and without having to change your grip.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the perforation is formed with perforation openings that completely penetrate the flat material of the shell. As a result, the packaging can be opened with particularly little effort. Such a perforation is also particularly easy to produce.
Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the perforation is formed with indentations in the flat material of the shell, wherein the remaining thickness of the flat material is further reduced at the indentations compared to the fold edge. The indentations do not completely penetrate the flat material of the shell. In other words, the flat material is continuous along the perforation. In this way, the interior of the packaging or the packaged goods can be protected particularly effectively from contamination, for example from dust and/or liquids. In the region of the indentations, in particular laterally next to the indentations, fibers, in particular cellulose fibers, of the flat material can be severed. Alternatively or additionally, the flat material can be compressed below (viewed in the direction of thickness) the depressions.
The perforation on the first fold edge preferably extends over the entire length of the first fold edge. This further simplifies the tearing of the first sealing rim from the first side wall. In particular, when opening the packaging, it is not necessary to pay attention to which end of the fold edge the perforation is formed on. Rather, the opening of the packaging can be initiated from both ends of the fold edge and continued comfortably with substantially the same tear propagation resistance of the perforated fold edge.
A base element of the cover can consist of cellulose-containing flat material. This is considered advantageous in terms of environmental protection. The cover can be formed entirely by the base element made of cellulose-containing flat material. Alternatively, an additional element of the cover, in particular a closure element for a viewing window, can be attached to the base element. The additional element can also consist of a cellulose-containing flat material. The cellulose-containing flat material of the shell, the base element and the additional element can each be of the same type. Alternatively, a different type of cellulose-containing flat material can be provided for the shell, the base element and/or the additional element.
The first and second side walls typically abut each other. The first and the second side wall are preferably connected to one another via an adhesive flap. This can increase the stability of the shell or packaging. The second sealing rim and the second side wall typically each extend in one plane. The second sealing rim and the second side wall can (on the outside with respect to the interior) enclose an angle of at least 60°, in particular at least 75° and/or at most 145°, in particular at most 120°. In a preferred development, the second sealing rim and the second side wall can enclose a right angle. Typically, the shell has two second side walls and each has an outwardly angled second sealing rim.
The shell may have a third side wall, preferably adjacent to the second side wall or second side walls, on which a third sealing rim is angled outwardly away from the interior along a third fold edge to which third sealing rim the cover is glued. The third sealing rim also forms an edge strip with a strip width that is suitable for placing and gluing the cover to the shell. The third sealing rim and the third side wall typically each extend in one plane. The third sealing rim and the third side wall can (on the outside with respect to the interior) enclose an angle of at least 60°, in particular at least 75° and/or at most 145°, in particular at most 120°. In a preferred development, the third sealing rim and the third side wall can enclose a right angle. The third side wall also delimits the interior of the packaging. In particular, the interior of the packaging can be delimited circumferentially by the first side wall, the two second side walls and the third side wall.
The shell typically has a base which delimits the interior on a side facing away from the cover. The side walls may each be angled from the base along a fold line. The base and the first, second and/or third side wall or side walls each typically extend in one plane. The base and the first, second and/or third side wall or side walls may enclose an angle of at least 60°, in particular at least 75° and/or at most 145°, in particular at most 120° (on the interior with respect to the interior). In a preferred development, the base and the first, second and/or third side wall or side walls may enclose a right angle.
A strength, in particular a peel strength, of the adhesion of the cover to the second sealing rim is preferably greater than a strength of the material of the cover and/or the shell. As a result, when the cover is pulled off the second sealing rim, the adhesive connection between the cover and the second sealing rim is retained and instead the material of the cover or the shell is separated. This has proven to be advantageous with regard to the opening behavior of the packaging, in particular the force required to open it.
Alternatively or additionally, provision may be made for a perforation to be formed on the second fold edge for tearing off the second sealing rim together with the portion of the cover glued to it from the second side wall. The perforation on the second fold edge can be set up such that the packaging can be opened with particularly little effort. Like the perforation on the first fold edge, the perforation on the second fold edge can be designed with through-going perforation openings or with indentations. The perforation on the second fold edge extends at least in portions along the second fold edge. Typically, the perforation is formed at the second fold edge on a region of the second side wall adjacent to the first side wall.
The cover and/or the shell can have at least one viewing window. The viewing window allows you to look inside the packaging without opening the packaging. The viewing window can be formed by a cutout in the material of the shell or the cover. This simplifies the manufacture of the packaging. The viewing window is preferably closed by a transparent closure element. As a result, the goods received in the interior of the packaging can be effectively protected from contamination, in particular from dust and/or liquid. The closure element can consist of a cellulose-containing flat material, for example a bio-based film.
It is advantageously provided that a hanging recess breaks through the first sealing rim and the portion of the cover glued to it. The packaging can be hung up in a simple manner by means of the hanging recess, in particular for the presentation of the packaged goods or the packaging. Furthermore, the hanging recess can facilitate the retention of the first sealing rim and the portion of the cover bonded to it when torn from the first side wall. The gluing of the cover to the first sealing rim typically extends circumferentially, preferably continuously circumferentially, around the hanging recess. This can increase the stability of the packaging in the region of the hanging recess and, in particular, help to avoid tearing or tearing through the hanging recess.
An insert part for fixing an object that can be received in the packaging can be arranged in the shell. The insert can help prevent damage to the object and/or the packaging. Preferably, the insert consists of a cellulose-containing flat material.
The scope of the present invention also includes a bundle with a packaging according to the invention as described above and with an object that is received in the packaging. With the bundle, the advantages of the packaging according to the invention can be utilized for the packaged object, in particular its presentation for sale. The object is typically in the form of piece goods. The object can be a toothbrush, for example. In principle, however, there are no restrictions with regard to the object, as long as it is suitable for packaging with cellulose-containing flat material, in particular with regard to its size and nature. The size of the object, particularly a largest dimension, is typically in the centimeter to decimeter range; in special cases also in the millimeter range. The bundle may contain a single object. Alternatively, it can be provided that the bundle comprises several (typically up to 10 or 20, in special cases also more) separate objects in a single packaging according to the invention as described above.
The bundle can contain several objects in the form of bulk goods, which are included in the packaging. If the perforation is formed on the first and/or the second fold edge with through-going perforation openings, the smallest particle size of the bulk material is preferably substantially, in particular at least 5 times, larger than a largest dimension of one of the perforation openings. The particle size of the bulk material can be in the millimeter range in particular.
A method for opening a packaging also falls within the scope of the present invention. The packaging has a folded shell made of cellulose-containing flat material and a cover. The shell and cover enclose an interior of the packaging. The shell has a first side wall on which a first sealing rim is angled outwardly away from the interior along a first fold edge. The shell also has a second side wall on which a second sealing rim is angled outwardly away from the interior space along a second fold edge. The cover is glued to the first edge seal and to the second edge seal. A perforation is formed on the first fold edge. The packaging can have further features of the packaging according to the invention described above.
The procedure comprises the steps:
a) joint tearing the first sealing rim and the portion of the cover glued to it from the first side wall along the perforation at the first fold edge; and
b) pulling off the cover from the second sealing rim.
Step a) serves to prepare step b). Due to the perforation on the first fold edge, the tearing off in step a) can be carried out easily, in particular with little effort. Furthermore, a defined course of tearing can be specified by means of the perforation. As a principle, the first sealing rim and the portion of the cover glued to it are torn off the first side wall in step a) without separating the first sealing rim from the cover. In other words, when the first sealing rim and the portion of the cover glued to it are torn off from the first side wall, the first sealing rim and the cover remain glued to one another. To carry out step a), typically the first sealing rim and the region of the cover glued to the first sealing rim are gripped by the fingers of one hand, in particular the index finger and thumb, and pulled away from the first side wall. The packaging can be gripped by a second hand in the region of the shell or around the interior.
As a result of step b), the packaging is opened further, in particular completely. When carrying out step b), the interior is uncovered. The detachment of the cover from the second sealing rim can be carried out particularly conveniently as a result of the preparatory step a). By tearing off the first sealing rim together with the glued-on portion of the cover from the first side wall, a partially opened configuration of the packaging is automatically obtained, starting from which the further detachment of the cover from the second sealing rim can be carried out particularly easily, in particular by peeling it off. Steps a) and b) can advantageously be carried out in a single, smooth movement. Step b) may begin before step a) is completed. In other words, regions of the cover can already be detached from the second sealing rim before the first sealing rim and the portion of the cover glued to it have also been completely torn off the first side wall.
The shell and/or the cover preferably contain fibers, in particular cellulose fibers, which are torn in step b). In other words, the fibers are destroyed or severed in step b). The tearing of the fibers has proven advantageous with regard to the opening behavior of the packaging. In order to ensure that the fibers are torn in step b), a strength, in particular a peeling strength, of the adhesion of the cover to the second sealing rim can be greater than a strength of the material of the cover and/or the shell.
Finally, a method for providing an object falls within the scope of the present invention. The procedure comprises the steps
A) providing a blank made of cellulose-containing flat material and a cover,
B) creating a first fold edge with a perforation in the blank, wherein the first fold edge delimits a first side wall from a first sealing rim, and creating a second fold edge in the blank, wherein the second fold edge delimits a second side wall from a second sealing rim,
C) folding a shell from the blank,
D) inserting the object in the shell,
E) gluing the cover to the first and the second sealing rim of the shell,
F) opening the packaging by tearing off the first sealing rim together with the portion of the cover glued to it along the perforation on the first fold edge from the first side wall in a step a) and pulling the cover off the second sealing rim in a step b).
Typically, in a step G), the object is removed from the shell of the opened packaging.
Steps A), B), C) and E) can be used to produce a packaging according to the invention, as described above, with a first and a second side wall, each with a first and second sealing rim. The packaging obtained by steps A), B), C) and E) can have other characteristics of the packaging according to the invention described above. In particular, it can be provided that perforation openings that completely penetrate the blank are produced in step B). Alternatively, it can be provided that in step B) indentations are produced in the flat material of the blank along the fold edge. The first and second fold edge can be embossed into the blank. The shell can be folded in step C) manually, partially automatically or preferably fully automatically (automated). Typically, following the folding, the first and the second side wall are connected to one another, for example glued to one another by means of an adhesive tab. Between steps C) and D), an insert can be inserted into the shell to fix the object.
What is achieved by step D) is that the object is arranged in the interior of the closed packaging. Furthermore, step D) can be used to obtain a bundle according to the invention as described above. The bundle may have other features as described above. After step E) has been carried out, the object is enclosed by the packaging. The packaging can in particular protect the object from contamination and/or damage. The cover can be glued to the first and second sealing rims in step E) by heat sealing, in particular using blister coating. The cover can be glued to the first and second sealing rims in step E) manually, partially automatically or preferably fully automatically (automated).
In step F) the packaging is opened. After the packaging has been opened, the object can be removed from the packaging in a step G). The packaging is opened in step F) using the method according to the invention described above. The advantages of the opening method according to the invention can thus be utilized for providing the object, in particular with regard to removing the packaging from the object. When the cover is pulled off the second sealing rim in step b), fibers, in particular cellulose fibers, of the shell and/or the cover are preferably torn.
Further features and advantages of the invention can be found in the description and the drawings. The aforementioned features and those which are to be explained below can each be used individually for themselves or for a plurality of expedient combinations of any kind. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive enumeration but rather have exemplary character for the description of the invention.
The invention is illustrated in the drawing and is explained in more detail using example. In which:
The packaging 10 includes a shell 16 and a cover 18. The shell 16 is folded from a cellulose-containing flat material such as paper or cardboard. The cover 18 has a base element 20, which here also consists of cellulose-containing flat material, for example paper or cardboard. Two viewing windows 22 are formed in the base element 20. The viewing windows 22 may be closed by a transparent closure element that is not shown in detail. The closure element may consist of a transparent flat material, for example bio-based film.
The shell 16 and the cover 18 together enclose an interior 24 of the packaging 10 (in the closed state of the packaging 10). The object 12 is arranged in the interior 24. Furthermore, an insert 26 for fixing the object 12 may be provided in the interior 24.
The shell 16 is substantially cuboid here. The shell 16 has a base 28. A first side wall 30, two second side walls 32 and a third side wall 34 (hidden in
The shell 16 has a first sealing rim 36. The first sealing rim 36 is angled relative to the first side wall 30 along a first fold edge 38. The first sealing rim 36 protrudes outwardly from the interior 24 away from the first side wall 30.
The shell 16 has two second sealing rims 40, one of which is hidden in
The shell 16 may have a third sealing rim (hidden in
The cover 18 is glued to the first sealing rim 36, the two second sealing rims 40 and the third sealing rim. The bond can in each case be implemented as a heat seal. The bonding is typically over the entire surface, in particular over the entire surface of the sealing rims 36, 40 facing the cover 18. A peel strength of the bond may exceed a corresponding strength of the shell 16 and cover 18 materials.
A perforation 44 is formed on the first fold edge 38. The perforation 44 extends here over the entire length of the first fold edge 38. In other words, the cellulose-containing flat material from which the shell 16 is folded is perforated along the first fold edge 38. The first fold edge 38 and the perforation 44 may have been introduced into the flat material in a common work step.
The perforation 44 can be formed with through-going perforation openings 46, see
Alternatively, the perforation 44 can be formed with indentations 50, see
A further perforation can also be formed, at least in portions, along the second fold edge(s) 42 (not shown in more detail). The further perforation can be formed in particular at the end of the second fold edge(s) 42 close to the first fold edge 38. The further perforation can be designed with through-going perforation openings 46 or with indentations 50; in this respect, reference is made to the above description.
The packaging 10 can have a hanging recess 54. The hanging recess 54 breaks through the first sealing rim 36 and the cover 18 in the region where they are glued. Consequently, the hanging recess 54 is bordered here by two layers.
To open the packaging 10, in a first step 102, see
A partially torn-off state of the packaging 10 is shown in
To open the packaging 10 further, in a step 104, see
When the cover 18 is pulled away from the second sealing rims 40, cellulose-containing fibers (not shown in detail) of the cover 18 and/or the shell 16 can be torn. This tearing of cellulose fibers can be favored by the fact that the (peeling) strength of the bond between the cover 18 and the shell 16 is greater than a corresponding strength of the material of the shell 16 or the cover 18. Due to the tearing of the cellulose fibers, parts of the torn cellulose fibers from the second sealing rims 40 can remain on the cover 18 in regions 58 of the original bonding of the second sealing rims 40 to the cover 18. Correspondingly, parts of the torn cellulose-containing fibers from the cover 18 can also remain on the second sealing rims 40.
First, in steps 202 and 204, a blank of cellulose-containing flat material and a cover 18 are provided. A shell 16 is obtained from the blank in the course of the method 200. For this purpose, in steps 206 and 208, a first fold edge 38 with a perforation 44 and a second fold edge 42 are introduced into the blank. The first fold edge 38 delimits a first side wall 30 of the shell 16 being formed from a first sealing rim 36. The second fold edge 42 correspondingly delimits a second side wall 32 of the shell 16 being formed from a second sealing rim 40. Typically, a further second fold edge 42 is also introduced into the blank in the step 208, which delimits a further second side wall 32 of the shell 16 being formed from a further second sealing rim 40. Correspondingly, a third fold edge can also be introduced into the blank in the step 208, which delimits a third side wall of the shell 16 being formed from a third sealing rim. The blank can then be folded in a step 210 so that the shell 16 is obtained.
In an optional step 212 an insert 26 can be inserted into the shell 16. In a step 214 an object 12 is placed in the shell 16. Alternatively, the insert 26 or another, additional insert (not shown) can also be inserted into the shell 16 in the step 214 after the object 12 has been inserted.
After inserting the object 12 and possibly all inserts 26, in a step 216 the cover 18 is glued to the first sealing rim 36, the second sealing rim 40 or the second sealing rims 40 and optionally the third sealing rim. As a result, a closed packaging 10 or a bundle 14 having a closed packaging 10 in which the object 12 is arranged is obtained.
The packaging 10 is then opened by means of a method 100 described above, see
In summary, the invention relates to packaging 10, in particular for piece goods, comprising a folded shell 16 made of cellulose-containing flat material and a cover 18, wherein the shell 16 and the cover 18 enclose an interior 24 of the packaging 10, wherein the shell 16 has a first side wall 30, on which a first sealing rim 36 is angled outwardly away from the interior 24 along a first fold edge 38, and wherein the cover 18 is glued to the first sealing rim 36, which is characterized in that a perforation 44 for tearing off the first sealing rim 36 together with the portion of the cover 18 glued to it from the first side wall 30 is formed on the first fold edge 38. The invention also relates to a bundle 14 with such a packaging 10 and having an object 12 which is received in the packaging 10. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method 100 for opening a package 10, which also has a second side wall 32, on which a second sealing rim 40 is angled outwardly away from the interior 24 along a second fold edge 42, with the cover 18 being glued to the first sealing rim 36 and to the second sealing rim 40, comprising the steps:
a) tearing off 102 the first sealing rim 36 together with the portion of the cover 18 glued to it from the first side wall 30 along the perforation 44 on the first fold edge 38;
b) pulling off 104 the cover 18 from the second sealing rim 40.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2019 216 307.6 | Oct 2019 | DE | national |
This continuation application claims priority to PCT/EP2020/079706 filed on Oct. 22, 2020 which has published as WO 2021/078838 A1 and also the German application number 10 2019 216 307.6 filed on Oct. 23, 2019, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated herein with these references.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2020/079706 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Child | 17660175 | US |
