The invention relates to a packaging system with tablet-type objects, particularly friable tablets, with a polygonal exterior packaging formed from a folding blank of cardboard or the like and with film pouches which are individually arranged in the exterior packaging and in each of which at least one tablet-type object is received.
Washing and/or cleaning agent in tablet form, which, for example, due to their hygroscopic properties require additional protection against mixture, are generally packaged in film pouches. So-termed ‘flow packs’, which consist of a film tube pouch having a longitudinal seam and two transverse seams, so-called ‘fins’, have, by way of example, proved themselves in practice for that purpose. The production of such ‘flow packs’ is known and usually takes place on high-performance production plants directly after tablet manufacture. Such a film pouch is known from, for example, DE 295 09 593 U1.
Tablets wrapped in film pouches of that kind (individual or multiple wrapping) are loosely packed in a packaging container, such as a packet, carrier pack, drum or the like, which basically represents a sufficiently stable outer packaging or exterior packaging for storage and transport. In that case stability refers to the requisite compression resistance of the package in the event of pressure loading and weight loading within a pallet unit.
Washing agent tablets of that kind are, however, friable products which in general are loaded during the filling process and during transport in such a manner that edge breakage, fracture and abrasion cannot be avoided even with the usual rigid outer packaging. The tablet is also not protected with respect thereto by the film pouches, which offers only a slight additional protective effect relative to shock loading and in transport.
Packaging of the kind in question has become known from DE 198 52 936 A1 of the applicant, in which the film pouches are individually arranged in the exterior packaging with longitudinal seams aligned parallel to one another, wherein the length of the film pouches is greater than the spacing of the lateral walls—which are parallel to the transverse seams of the film pouches—of the exterior packaging in such a manner that at least one end region of the film pouches lies resiliently bent over in the exterior packaging and that at least the lateral walls, which are parallel to the longitudinal seams of the film pouches, of the exterior packaging are furnished with wall reinforcements. In the case of such a form of packaging, shock loads parallel to the longitudinal seam in the foil pouches are absorbed relatively satisfactorily at the outset by the segregated arrangement of the film pouches in the packaging, these shock loads being partly absorbed by the bent-over fins (transverse seams) of the film pouch. Since the film pouches are in additional designed to be longer than the respective package length (spacing of the lateral walls, which are parallel to the transverse seams of the film pouches, of the exterior packaging), at least one of the two fins of each film pouch is bent over when inserted into the exterior packaging, so that the fin lies resiliently in the exterior packaging, whereby shocks can be damped without giving rise to damage of the tablet-shaped products. Shock loads parallel in longitudinal direction of the film pouch thus cannot lead to damage of the tablets. Shock loads in transverse direction, i.e. parallel to the transverse seams, are absorbed by the special design of the exterior packaging with wall reinforcements in the corresponding lateral walls of the same.
This known packaging with a rectangular base cross-section thus offers significant advantages, but it is still worthy of improvement since due to the round, tablet-shaped objects there are cavities within the packaging, particularly in the corner regions, which impair the strength thereof.
A tablet, preferably a water-soluble cleaning agent tablet, is known from WO 99/50381, which is to have special strength characteristics primarily due to a special geometric shape.
Box-shaped packaging for reception of bottles or the like is known from DE 93 20 302 U1, which has an octagonal base surface. In that case the bottle-shaped objects are arranged on the base surface and subsequently the packaging lateral walls are folded in around the bottle-shaped objects. Completely different objects having nothing in common with washing or cleaning agent tablets packed in film pouches are obviously involved. A packaging blank with an octagonal base surface is also known from FR 2 780 703 A1.
It is the object of the invention to so further develop a packaging system of the kind in question that the strength thereof, particularly the stacking compressive pressure thereof, is increased and the mechanical loads on the tablet-shaped objects are further reduced.
According to the invention this object is fulfilled with a packaging system of the kind denoted in the introduction in that the folding blank has an at least octagonal base surface, which is formed symmetrically with respect to the centre, with two longitudinal edges and two narrow edges as well as with four short edges—which are adapted to the contour of the tablet-shaped objects—in the corner regions, wherein lateral walls able to be connected together are pivotably connected with the longitudinal edges and the narrow edges.
It has proved that through segregated arrangement of the tablet-like objects in the exterior packaging and matching of the corner regions of the exterior packaging to the contour of the tablet-like objects disposed in the corners the corner regions of the exterior packaging are substantially more stable, so that kinking in of the exterior packaging in the corner region is largely avoided and no transverse loading is exerted on the tablet-like objects in these regions. Moreover, the stacking compressive pressure of the packaging is significantly increased by these measures, so that several such packages can be stacked on, for example, a pallet without thereby prejudicing the tablet-shaped objects. Moreover, damage of packages, which are stacked on pallets, in the corner region by packing material such as stretch film is avoided, since the corners are not pressed in by the transverse loads. The packaging system according to the invention is protected from external influences along the entire circumferential surface.
Moreover, the packaging can be more easily handled, since it is readily possible to grip it, depending on the respective size of the packaging, by, for example, one hand. Cutting of the corner edge of the exterior packaging into the region between index finger and thumb is precluded by the flattened corner region and the risk of injury thus diminished.
In addition, a significantly reduced blank and cardboard consumption and thus reduced packing material costs can be achieved. Moreover, the exterior packaging can, by virtue of the corner design, also be used free of problems in a reusable container already in the hands of a user.
With particular preference narrow lateral wall parts respectively corresponding with the length of the corner edges are pivotably connected with two opposite lateral walls at the edges. In this design the blank can be produced in particularly simple and material-saving manner, since the narrow lateral wall parts forming the corner regions are pivotably connected with only two of the four lateral walls.
If the packaging has more than eight corners, it is proposed in a another embodiment that further narrow lateral wall parts are pivotably connected with the narrow lateral wall parts, wherein the overall length of all narrow lateral wall parts corresponds with at least the length of the corner edges. The narrow lateral wall parts are then appropriately adapted to the corner construction. For example, a sixteen-sided base surface can be provided.
In order to achieve a particularly good adaptation to the contour of the tablet-shaped objects in the corner regions, the corner edges are, with particular preference, formed to be radiused towards the outside, wherein the radius amounts to between 10 to 50 millimetres, preferably 20 to 40 millimetres and particularly preferably between 25 to 35 millimetres. Beyond that, this form of embodiment leads to even better sealing of the closed packaging and, in addition, the overall compressive pressure of the packaging can thereby be even further increased.
In order to further enhance the strength of the packaging, it is provided with particular preference to pivotably connect respective adhesive flaps, the width of which corresponds with at most the width of the associated lateral wall, by way of fold lines to each of the opposite narrow lateral wall parts at the edges. The relevant lateral wall in the case of this embodiment is then formed to be triple-layered, wherein this can also be provided only in sections in a lower region of the lateral wall.
In addition, preferably the lateral walls pivotably connected with the longitudinal edges have a length corresponding with the height of the packaging and the lateral walls pivotably connected with the narrow edges are preferably formed to be shorter. The narrow sides are then formed partly by the short lateral walls and over the entire height by the corresponding adhesive flaps.
In that case, the lateral walls pivotably connected with the narrow edges preferably have approximately half the length of the lateral walls, together with narrow lateral wall parts and adhesive flaps, pivotably connected with the longitudinal edges and the width of the adhesive flaps approximately corresponds with the width of the associated narrow lateral walls.
In addition, adhesive flaps, the width of which is preferably smaller than the corner edge, are preferably arranged at the narrow lateral walls by way of fold lines.
In order to further simplify production of the packaging it is further provided that a cover part is pivotably connected by way of a fold line with at least one wide lateral wall at the top as seen in position of use. The pivotable connection can be effected by way of either a fold line or a perforation line, if the cover is to be capable of being easily torn off.
The cover part is preferably constructed to be removable so that the packaging can be inserted into a reusable container. For that purpose the cover part is pivotably connected by means of, for example, a perforation line.
The folding blank of the packaging system can preferably consist of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, wherein the material of the folding blank preferably has a flat crush resistance of 100 to 4,000 N, preferably from 1,000 to 3,000 N, particularly preferably from 1,500 to 2,800 N.
If the folding blank consists of corrugated cardboard, the corrugated cardboard preferably has an F or E wave profile, wherein in the case of an E wave profile (DIN 55486 Part 1) a wave pitch of 3 to 3.5 mm and a wave height of 1.0 to 1.8, preferably 1.4, mm is provided and in the case of an F wave profile a wave pitch of 2 to 3 mm, preferably 2.38 mm, and a wave height of 0.6 to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.78 mm, is provided.
If the folding blank consists of solid cardboard, a solid cardboard with 350 to 600 g/qm, preferably 450 to 500 g/qm, is preferably used.
The tablets preferably have a diametral fracture hardness of 10 to 200 N, preferably 30 to 70 N, particularly preferably 35 to 55 N, wherein each tablet is protected by the film pouches and/or the exterior packaging against transverse loads.
Preferably several, especially two, tablets are arranged adjacent to one another in longitudinal direction of a film pouch, wherein their centre axes are aligned to be parallel. In that case preferably several film pouches are arranged separately in the exterior packaging to be parallel to one another in longitudinal direction, wherein several film pouches form a layer parallel to the base surface.
The length of the film pouches between transverse seams closing them at the ends preferably corresponds approximately with the width between two opposite lateral walls of the exterior packaging. In that case the length of the film pouches between transverse seams closing them at the ends is preferably greater than the width between two opposite lateral walls of the exterior packaging, so that at least one end region of the film pouches is bent over to bear against the lateral wall, whereby shocks can be resiliently damped.
With particular preference in that case two end regions of the film pouches are bent over to bear against the corresponding lateral walls.
The film pouches of the packaging system preferably consist of a film with the following parameters: water vapour permeability (23° C., 85% r.h.) (according to DIN 53122) between 0.7 to 1.5 g/qm/24 h, preferably 0.9 to 1.3 g/qm/24 h, particularly preferably 1.0 g/qm/24 h, modulus of elasticity (according to DIN 53455) 1,200 to 2,500 N/qmm, preferably 1,800 N/qmm, tensile strength (according to DIN 53455) 150 to 500 N/qmm, preferably 250 N/qmm, thickness 20 to 40 μm, preferably 25 to 35 μm, particularly preferably 30 μm.
Moreover, the film pouches preferably consist of a sealable film, particularly a cold-sealable film or a film sealable at low temperature, such as co-extruded OPP film.
The invention is explained in more detail by way of example in the following by reference to the drawings, in which:
A packaging system according to the invention with tablet-type objects, particularly friable washing and/or cleaning agent tablets, is denoted in
As further evident from
Of significance for the form of the packaging system 20 is the corner construction of the exterior packaging 21, these corner regions being denoted in
As best evident from
The form of embodiment according to
Through this embodiment of the corner regions E a cavity between the tablet-shaped objects 23, which are received in the film pouches 22, and the exterior packaging 21 can be almost completely avoided, so that kinking in of the corner regions by transverse loads is securely avoided. The stacking compressive pressure of the exterior packaging can thereby be substantially increased and in addition grasping or gripping of a package 20 even by one hand is possible substantially more simply.
Different forms of embodiment for the design of the exterior packaging 21 are illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9 on the basis of differently shaped folding blanks.
In the form of embodiment according to
The ends of the longitudinal edges 25 go over into the narrow edges 26 by way of the short corner edges 27. In that case the corner edges 27 in the octagonal base surface 1 are so aligned that they form a tangent to the tablet-shaped objects 23 (not illustrated in
Narrow lateral wall parts 7 and 8 or 6 and 9 are pivotably connected by way of fold lines with the front or rear wall 2 or 3. The width of these narrow lateral wall parts 6, 7, 8, 9 in that case corresponds with the length of the corner edges 27. Respective adhesive flaps 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, the width of which corresponds with the width of the lateral walls 4 and 5, are pivotably connected by way of fold lines with these narrow lateral wall parts 6, 7, 8, 9 at the outer side. On folding of the folding blank for formation of the exterior packaging 21 from the flatly disposed blank there is effected, by way of the mutual adhesion of the adhesive flaps and lateral walls 5, 5a and 5b or 4, 4a and 4b, formation of a stable righthand or lefthand lateral wall; it is then recognisable, at least in the lower region thereof which is then of triple-layered construction, that in the folding blank according to
The film pouches 22 with the tablet-shaped objects 23 disposed therein are then inserted, segregated, in the thus-erected exterior packaging 21, so that the tablet-shaped objects 23 disposed in the corner regions bear tangentially against the corner edges 27 whereby cavities in the corners are avoided. Due to the stable, multi-layer lateral walls 4, 5 with multiple adhesion the tablet-shaped objects 23 are protected against impacts or other external loads.
A modified form of embodiment of a folding blank is illustrated in
By contrast to the form of embodiment according to
A further form of embodiment of a folding blank for packaging is illustrated in
The form of embodiment according to
It is also recognisable from
Finally, there is shown in
Apart from the afore-described advantages a package made from a folding blank according to
A comparison of the specific strength (crush pressure) of the standard box, which is currently used by the applicant, with a rectangular base surface for thirty tablets with the packaging system according to the invention for thirty tablets (according to
The following results were ascertained by laboratory tests:
*flat width: 96.5 mm
**flat width: 61.5 mm
The specific strength for the different designs of the packaging system according to the invention is between 30 to 70 higher than in the case of the known standard box with rectangular cross-section.
Obviously the invention is not restricted to the illustrated examples of embodiment, for example exterior packaging with lateral walls of the same width can be equally developed in accordance with the invention. Further embodiments are possible without departing from the basic concept.
As used herein, and in particular as used herein to define the elements of the claims that follow, the articles “a” and “an” are synonymous and used interchangeably with “at least one” or “one or more,” disclosing or encompassing both the singular and the plural, unless specifically defined otherwise. The conjunction “or” is used herein in its inclusive disjunctive sense, such that phrases formed by terms conjoined by “or” disclose or encompass each term alone as well as any combination of terms so conjoined, unless specifically defined otherwise. All numerical quantities are understood to be modified by the word “about,” unless specifically modified otherwise or unless an exact amount is needed to define the invention over the prior art.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102 61 535.7 | Dec 2002 | DE | national |
This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. § 365(c) and 35 U.S.C. § 120 of international application PCT/EP2003/014125, filed on Dec. 12, 2003. This application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of DE 102 61 535.7, filed Dec. 23, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/EP03/14125 | Dec 2003 | US |
Child | 11157194 | Jun 2005 | US |