Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Liquid packaging means
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The invention relates to a packaging~means for liquids,
comprising si~e walls which are connected together in a tubular
configuration by way of at least one longitudinal sealing seam,
and end walls which are mounted to the ends of the tube configuration
and which form a cover which is round in cross-section, and a
square or rectangular bottom, wherein the side walls are formed
from c~ardboard which is coated with plastics material at least
on one side while the cover comprises thermoplastic synthetic
material without a carrier material and is mounted along its
outside edge to the side walls.
At the present time, for the purposes of transporting
fluids, in particular liquids, such as milk and fruit juices,
there are parallelepipedic packaging means or cartons which
comprise a tube made of carrier material which is coated on
both sides with plastics material and which is closed at
its ends, in the region of the end walls, by transverse
closure ribs, and is put into a parallelepipedic form so
that two oppositely disposed, double-walled triangular flaps
are formed at each end wall, the flaps initially projecting out-
wardly from the end walls of the packaging means or carton andfinally being folded over on to adjacent side walls or the
end walls of the packaging means.
By virtue of the pouring openings being formed by means
of perforations, holes which are covered by separate strips,
and the like, a packaging means has also already been
developed, which has a round cover at one end of the tube and
a square or rectangular kottom at the other end (German laid-
open application (DE-OS) No 32 17 156.0).
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The underlying object of the present invention is to
provide a packaging means which is even more stable, stronger and
can be better grasped by the user, even if the one end wall is
round and the opposite end wall is square or rectangular, using
simple means and without additional expenditure in respect of
material.
The invention provides a packaging means Eor liquids,
comprising side walls which are connected together in a tubular
configuration by way of at least one longitudinal sealing seam, an
end wall which is injection moulded in situ to the end of the tube
configuration and which forms a cover of round cross-section and a
square or rectangular bottom, wherein the side walls are Eormed
from cardboard which is coated with plastics material at least on
one side while the cover comprises thermoplastic synthetic
material without a carrier material and is mounted by injection
moulding along its outside edge to the side walls, characterized
in that provided in oppositely disposed regions in the tube are
two long fold lines which extend over the entire height oE the
tube and parallel to the central axis thereoE, said two long fold
~0 lines at the other end of the tube passing through the tips of two
oppositely disposed triangular double walled flaps which are
formed by block bottom folding of the bottom with a transverse
sealing seam and in thatl extending from the four corners of the
bottom, there are fold lines forming a transition in respect of
shape in the tube, the transitional fold lines being arranged to
exténd from the bottom over one-third to two-thirds of the height
of the tube in the direction o:E the cover.
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The so-called long fold lines make it easier to form
the tube because, when using the features in accordance with the
invention, the mandrel doeg not necessarily have to be of round
cross-section but may also be oval or really flat at least at
the edges, thus giving advantages from the point of view of the
production process, while however it is possible to produce the
shape of the tube which is closed all around (by way of the
longitudinal sealing seam) because the long fold lines take up
positions at the regions of the mandrel which are of large
curvature, and permit a satisfactory Eolding-over operation to
ke carried out.
With regard to the transitional fold lines, there is
the additional advantage of a good shaped transition ~rom the
square or rectangular cross-section of the packaging means to
th~ round cross-section. When using the bottom configuration
which is referred to as the block bottom which is also to be
found in
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the known packaging means, more specifically on one side thereof,
although fold lines are always formed in the respective corners of
the square or rectangular bottom, such fold lines are so short
and uncontrollable that the packaging means, without such
transitional fold lines, is not of a reliable and certain
configuration In the parallelepipedic packaging means, fold
lines do in any case extend over the entire height of the packaging
means, starting from the corners of the bottom thereof. If
however the end wall which is in opposite relationship to the block
bottom is round, as in the case of some known packaging means,
then a transitional fold line cannot be arranged in the known
fashion. Ir such lines are omitted entirely, then the spontaneous
bend lines which occur in the folding operation may even extend
in a direction transversely with respect to the general
longitudinal axis of the packaging means; or possibly may
additionally even extend with longitudinal components. At any event,
that then gives an uncontrollable configuration for the packaging
means, with a correspondingly high risk in regard to its being
properly sealed.
For a non-elastic material such as for example paper,
it is theoretically not possible to provide for a transition in
a packaging means from a round cross-section at one end to a
square or rectangular cross-section at the other end. Even if it
is assumed that paper is stretchable or elastic to a certain
degree, nonetheless it is difficult to make a good transitional
formation from a round to a square or rectangular cross-section.
The two kinds of fold lines, namely the first-described long
fold line and the transitional fold lines which are additionally
provided at the corners of the bottom co-operate in a combinatory
fashion with each other, for they make the packaging means more
elastic and make it easier to provide a defined shaping with a
satisfactory transition from the square or rectangular cross-section
to the round cross-section.
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The transitional fold lines also have the advantage
that, when the packaging means is produced by means of a
pressing stamp or die, they provide a predisposition for the
material to be of a round configuration in cross section,
with the result that the material can be drawn apart trans-
versely with respect to such a rounded stamped or pressed
configuration (straight line), the material acting like a
spring. Material is accumulated in the region of the
stamped transitional fold line, being a region which is of
rounded cross-section, thereby giving rise to a reduction in
the length of the material in a direction transversely with
respect to the stamped fold line, which, without damaging the
material, permits an increase in length in the manner of the
spring as referred to akove.
However, in regard to the transition of the cross-section
of a packaging means of the kind described herein, being
square ox rectangular at one end of the tube and round at the
other end, the reduction in length or resilient stretching
and extension of the material of the packaging means in a
direction transversely with respect to the transitional fold
lines plays a particular part because, by virtue of that
arrangement, the material which is non-elastic in itself
permits better shaping and thus a controllable transition from
the square or rectangular section to the round section.
In that connection, it is desirable if, in accordance
with the invention, the two long fold lines are in mutually
diametrally opposite relationship and are preferably arranged
between each two transitional fold lines. That symmetrical
arrangement facilitates production and it is then even possible
to use a metal sheet which is almost flattened, as the mandrel
when forming the tubular configuration. By virtue of the uniform
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spacing between the fold lines, the material is uniformly
distributed or the configuration can be altered in a uniform
manner.
It is also advantageous, in accordànce with the invention,
if the -two long fold lines extend through the tips of two
oppositely disposed triangular flaps which are formed by block
bottom folding of the bottom with transverse weld s~a~.
Apart from the advantages in production when using such a
blank, the elasticity which goes from the long fold line towards
both sides takes effect over the entire region of the material,
into the tips of the triangular flaps.
An advantageous development of the invention provides
that the longitudinal sealing seam is arranged between two
transitional fold lines and at a spacing from the long fold
lines. For example, the longitudinal sealing seam can be
arranged substantially centrally between the pair of -trans-
itional fold lines, in such a way that the pair of long fold
lines is arranged at a spacing even further outwardly.
In the case of a short packaging means and/or when
using stiffer material, the transitional fold lines should be
made somewhat longer, preferably then going into the range of
the length of two-thirds of the height of the tubular
configuration.
Further advantages, features and possible uses of the
present invention are set forth in the following description of
a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the closed packaging
means in the condition of being ready for use, with the round
cover upwardly,
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Figure 2 is also a perspective view of the same packaging
means but with the bottom upwardly, the cover which is arranged
at the bottom in this drawing and which is not visible therein
being pushed in in such a way that no par~ts of the opening means
project beyond the lower edge of the cover, over the entire
contour of the packaging means,
Figure 3 shows a plan view of a blank,
Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the bottom as in Figure 2,
before however the triangular flaps are folded over inwardly,
and
Figure 5 shows a similar view to that shown in Figure 2, but
with the longitudinal sealing seam at the front, as in Figure 4,
with the triangular flaps not being folded over inwardly as in
Figure 2 but being folded over outwardly on to the side walls
and attached thereto.
The finished packaging means or carton, as shown in Figures
1 and 2, for materials which are capable of flow, comprises
side walls which are generally denoted by reference nurneral 1.
A distinction is drawn between the panel or portion lb and the
side panel or portion la, at the right in Figure 3 and at the
front in Figures 4 and 5. In the region of the cover 2, the
packaging means is of round cross-section for the cover 2 is
also circular in plan view. On the end wall which forms the
bottom 3 of the packaging means, it is not possible to draw
a distinction between the four side walls because at that point
the cross-section is round. The side walls l are forrned into a
tube and are joined along the longitudinal sealing seam 4,
to definitively form the closed tube. It will be seen frorn
Figures 2, 4 and 5 that the longitudinal sealing seam 4
extends into the bottom 3. That can also be seen from the view
of the blank illustrated in Figure 3.
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In the form shown in Figure 2, the tube is of a height
H which, having regard to the shaping operation prior to
production of the bottom 3, is obviously less than the overall
height of the blank shown in Figure 3, a~ measured frGm top
to bottom. The height H of the tube is measured from the upper
edge 6 of the cover 2 to the fold line 7, that is to sa~, as
far as the plane of the block bottom 3 when in the finished,
folded form. In that connection, the height between the lines
5 and 7 in Figure 3 disappears.
llhe lower edge of the finished packaging means is formed
from the above-mentioned line 7 which is to be seen in Figures
2 and 3. In the per se known block bottom forming operation, the
various fold and stamped lines (not designated in greater detail)
provide for the formation of the doubled cardboard strip 8
(see Figures 3 to 5) in which is disposed the transverse sealing
seam 9 which is to be found in Figure 2, although scarcely
visible therein, and which is indicated in Figures 3 to 5
by a short broken line. The triangular flaps 10 are also formed
in that phase of the operation. After the doubled cardboard strip
8 has been pressed together and the transverse sealing seam 9
has been formed, the bottom end wall (the bottom 3) is
put into the condition shown in Figure 4, whereafter the
triangular flaps 10 are folded over with their outermost points
or tips 21 on to the bottom 3 (as shown in Figure 2) or on to
the side walls (as shown in Figure 5), where they are attached
for example by punctiform heating.
me akove-indicated operation of closing the packaging
means at the bottom 3 is carried out after the packaging means
has been filled. The cover 2 is already sealed in position in
a fluid-tight manner, before the operation of filling the
packaging means. The cover 2 may be prefabricated, taken from
store and sealed in position OII the round tubular config~ration,
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or it may be injected directly on to the round end of the tube.
In contrast to the square or rectangular bottorn 3, the cover
2 is only made of thermoplastic material, without a carrier
material. The operation of injecting the cover on to the
tube is perforrned with the former in its configuration of use,
wherein the opening means is turned outwardly, as shown in
Figure 1. That makes it easier for the user of the packaging rneans
to open it.
The pouring means is generally indicated by reference
numeral 13 and is folded in after the operation of injecting
the cover or sealing it in position, before the packaging means
is turned over into the position shown in Figure 2, so that
there are no individual parts of the pouring means 13 projecting
beyond the outer edge 6. 1`hat ensures that the packaging means
can satisfactorily stand in a stable position while also guaranteeing
a good wrapping effect (by means of shrink films or the like).
The pouring means 13 is carried centrally on the cover
2 in the forrn of an annular collar 14 which projects outwardly,
extending upwardly in Figure 1. The upper edge 15 of the
collar 14 is connected to a closure plug or stopper 16 with a
gripping ring 17 welded thereto. The upper edge 6 of the cover
2 is practically only a ring which is injected on to or sealed
on to the top side of the tube, at the end which is opposite
to the lower edge 5 in Figure 3. A connecting means or location
23 (see Figure 1) for the gripping ring 17 is disposed beside
a weakened line (not shown).
In the packaging means shown in the drawings, so-called
long fold lines 18 are disposed in the tube 1 in diametrally
opposite relationship, the fold lines 18 extending over the
entire height H of the tube and parallel to the centre line
thereof. The drawings do not show the centre line of the tube,
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but all lines which extend from the bottom of the packaging
means to the cover thereof are parallel to the centre line,
in the illustrated embcdiment in particular also the longitudinal
sealing seam 4 over the region of the height H. The long fold
lines 18 are also disposed between two fold lines 20 which
constitute a transition in resp~ct of shape, as can be seen
at the left-hand tip 21 in Figure 3 and in the SaTne manner at
the right-hand tip 21. The transitional fold lines 20 extend
from the four corners 19 of the bottom and extend over
approximately half the height H of the tube, see Figure 3. It
will also be seen that the two long fold lines 18 extend
through the tips 21 of the triangular flaps 10.
When considered in another fashion, if for example
Figures 4 and 5 are viewed, the longitudinal sealing seam 4
is disposed between the two adjacent transitional lines 20,
of which Figures 4 and 5 only illustrate that which is shown
at the front on the right, as a 'short line', and at an
equal spacing from the long fold lines 18 of which Figures 4
and 5 also only show the respective line which is on the right
at the front. The right-hand edge 4' in Figure 3 is on the
line of the longitudinal sealing seam 4 so that the above-
specified positional relationships of the short transitional
fold lines 20 with respect to the long fold line 18 or with
respec~: to the ~ongitudinal sealing seam 4 can also be seen.
The long fold lines 18 have the important advantage,
alone and in conjunction with the transitional fold lines 20,
that they represent a means for stiffening the packaging means
for the purposes of gripping thereof by a user. If more
specifically the direction of flow of the poured jet of liguid,
after opening the opening means, is considered, then the above-
mentioned fold lines, in particular the long fold lines 18,
are disposed at the top in the region where the user of the
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packaging means grips same, perpendicularly to the direction of
flow of the jet of fluid being poured from the packaging means.
That means -that the novel packaging means can be held in a
substantially better fashion and the perso`n using same has the
feeling of greater security and accordingly has better control
in regard to movements with the novel packaging means.
