GB2527342A - Packaging and packaging blank - Google Patents

Abstract

A blank of four card panels in a row separated by fold lines. Flaps 42-48 extend from the top of alternate panels and need not be connected to anything else. The flaps preferably extend from the top and bottom so that the blank can be folded and the flaps brought together and sealed with releasable adhesive to form a symmetrical lozenge shaped container. The panels without flaps may have cutout regions 68 at their bottoms and tops. The package may be for food and the sides without flaps can include a longitudinal fold line to allow it to be flattened.

Description

Packa.gin and Packaginu Blank

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to cartonboard-based packaging and blanks for the same. The invention also relates to methods of forming packaging from packaging S blanks and filled packaging ck&ound to the invention It is known to provide so-called flow-wrap packaging which consists of a flexible container comprising front and hack panels, side panels, and sealed at either end, normally with crimping or embossing to provide patterned sealing portions.

In general, this type of flow-wrap packaging is manufactured by horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal processes. In horizontal fill, form and seal processes flexible packaging film is run through machinery which folds the material around a product and then clamps and seals the ends of the folded material followed by cutting, to provide a sealed packaging. Such packaging can be run through appropriate machinery relatively rapidly, in order to produce many filled packages per minute.

Conversely, there are many lypes or cartonhoard-based packaging which are formed from cartonboard blanks, and folded to provide a packaging container which may then be scaled by appropriate means. Examples of eartonboard (cardboard) packaging include standard cartonhoard boxes, shelf-ready packaging and the like for

example.

Up to now, it has not been thought possible to provide eartonboard-based packaging which mimics the shape and appearance of flow-wrapped packaging made by standard horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal processes.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a cartonboard-packaging which mimics the shape and appearance of standard flow-wrap packaging, whilst being economical and simple to produce from cartonboard blanks, preferably using standard cartonboard packaging apparatus.

In addition, it would be advantageous to provide eartonboard packaging in which the crimped or patterned end fin portions of flow-wrapped packaging are present, in order to provide a generally authentic flow-wrap look to the cartonboard packaging, and which arc easy to open despite the increased thickness of the material compared to standard film seals.

It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the present invention to overcome or mitigate at least some of the problems of the prior art.

ofthe invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging comprising opposing and spaced apart front and back panels separated by side panels extending therebetween, wherein a nmrginal sealing region of each end of the front and back panels is sealed together and wherein at least a portion of an edge of at least one end of the side panels is not connected to thc marginal sealed regions of the front and back panels, and wherein the panels are formed substantially from cartonboard.

In some embodiments at least a portion of an edge of an end of both side panels is not connected to the marginal sealed regions. In yet other embodiments at least a portion of an edge of both ends of both side panels is not connected to the marginal sealed regions.

In some embodiments at least one end of at least one side panel or both side panels comprises at least one cut-out region or aperture, the edge or edges of which are not connected to the marginal sealed regions of the front and hack panels.

In some embodiments at least one end of at least one side panel or both side panels comprises a plurality of cut-out regions or apertures, the edge or edges of which are not connected to the marginal sealed regions of the front and back panels.

In some embodiments each of the panels consists essentially of cartonhoard, but may include minor amounts of other materials such as a laminated film on one or both sides thereof, printed material or the like, for example.

The marginal regions of the front and back pane]s may be scaled by way of a re-closable seal or a peelable seal. The seal may be formed by way of a peclablc adhesive, which may be re-sealable adhesive, such as a heat-sensitive adhesive, a cold seal adhesive, or the like, for example. In alternative embodiments, or in addition to use of an adhcsivc, the seal may be formed from a weld, such as a peelable weld.

In other embodiments the marginal regions of the front and back panels may be sealed by means of a mechanical seal such as a zip lock, linger press sealing strip, grip seal of the like, for example.

In some embodiments a re-sealing tab may be provided for securing the marginal regions together after initial opening. The tab may have an adhesive on at least one face by means of which the tab is secured to the outside of the marginal portions or front or hack panel to couple and secure the portions together.

The sealed marginal portions may be crimped or embossed along at least a portion thereof and in some embodiments along substantially the whole of the marginal portions. Crimping or embossing the sealed marginal portions, in addition to the configuration of the overall structure of the packaging enables the cartonhoard packaging to look identical or substantially identical to equivalent polymeric flow-wrap packaging formed by conventional horizontal or vertical fill, form mid seal processes.

The side panels may comprise substantially planar panels. In other embodiments the side panels may comprise a crease or fold-line extending therealong.

0 By providing side panels comprising fold lines extending therealong, this may enable the packaging to he substantially flattened before filling with a product, during storage and transport, or to gradually flatten after products are removed therefrom.

In some embodiments the end regions of the side panels comprise gabled end regions. The gabled end regions of the side panels may comprise a crease or fold-line.

In some embodiments the gabled end region comprises a quadrilateral panel comprising a triangular or V-shaped fold-line configuration. This configuration enables the gabled end region to fold between the front and back panels, in use, in order to provide the partially sealed end regions of the packaging, whilst enabling the side panels to remain substantially perpendicular to the front and back panels.

The inclusion of at least a portion of an edge of the side panels which is not connected to the sealed marginal regions enables a user to push his or her fingers against the end of the side panel to gain greater leverage in pushing apart the sealed ends of the front and back panels. If an opening or cut-out is present in the edge, this gives a user frirther room to insert his or her fingers; According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a packaged product comprising a packaging of the first aspect of the invention containing at least one product or item.

The product or item may he a food item, which may comprise a secondary packaging such as a wrapper or the like, for example. The food item may he a confectionery item, bakery item, fruit, vegetable, meat, cheese, snack item, or the like.

Suitable confectionery items include chocolate, chocolate products, candy, chewing gum or a combination thereof, for example. Suitable bakery items may include biscuits, cookies, chips, crisps, dough-based products or the like. There may be a single food item or a plurality of food items, mid there may he a combination of different food items, such as a combination of confectionery and bakery items, or of different confectionery items, for example. In some embodiments the food item is a block or bar of chocolate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging blank comprising front and back panels having opposing side edges and connected by a first side panel extending therebetween via a fold-line, one of the front and back panels also being connected to a second side panel extending along the opposite edge of the front or back panel to that connected to the first side panel via a fold-line, wherein the front and back panels include marginal sealing regions extending from each end thereof and wherein at least a portion of an edge of at least one end of the side panels is not connected to the sealing regions at the ends of the front and back panels, and wherein each of the front, hack and first and second side panels are formed substantially from eartonboard.

In some embodiments at least a portion of an edge of at least one end of both side panels is not connected to the marginal sealed regions, and in some embodiments at least a portion of an edge of both ends of both side panels is not connected to the marginal sealing regions.

In some embodiments there is provided a region at one or both ends of the side panels comprising at least one fold line, and in some embodiments there may be a plurality of fold lines in at least one of the end regions of the side panels. In other embodiments there is provided a plurality of fold lines in each end region of the side panels. There may he provided three fold lines in the end region of each side panel which forms a triangular fold-line assembly.

In some embodiments at least one edge of at least one end of the side panels may comprise at least one aperture or cut-out region located therein. ftc at least one aperture or cut-out region may comprise an aperture or cut-out region along a portion of the length of the at least one fold line, for example. In other embodiments the at least one aperture/eut-out region maybe located on a free edge of the end region of the side panel.

In some embodiments there is provided more than one aperture or cut-out region in at least one of the end regions of the side panels. The plurality of apertures/cut-out regions may include both an aperture/cut-out region along a portion of the length of the at least one fold line, and an aperture or cut-out region located on a free edge of the end region of the side panel, for example.

In some embodiments at least one of the or each fold lines located in the end regions of the side panels comprises an aperture or cut-out region located along at portion of its length. In other embodiments all of the fold lines located within the end regions of the side panels comprise apertures/cuLout regions.

The blank may comprise one or more securement tabs or flaps, arranged to enable securernent of the blank in a foicLed configuration after folding of the blank, in use. The securement tabs or flaps may comprise adhesive means, such as glue, adhesive, or the like, which may be thermal adhesive.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a packaging in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention using a blank of the third aspect of the present invention, comprising the I 0 steps of: a) providing a blank in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention; b) folding and securing the front panel, back panel and side panels to form a substantially tubular container; and c) sealing the sealing regions of the front and back panels to form a partially sealed packaging comprising marginal sealed regions at each end, wherein at least a portion of an edge of at least one end of the side panels is not connected to the marginal sealed regions at the ends of the packaging.

In sonic embodiments the sealing regions are then crimped or embossed to form patterned sealing regions, either after step c), before step h) or otherwise.

In some embodiments the method may further comprise placing at least one item on the inside surface of the front or paclc panel before step h) or at leasi one item is placed in the container or packaging after steps b) or c).

Detailed description of the invention

In order that the invention may bc more clearly undersLood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 illustrates a blank for an embodiment of a packaging of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the packaging of the invention formed from the blank of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the packaging of the invention formed from the blank of Figure 1.

A blank 2 of an embodiment of a packaging of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1 The blank 2 is formed from eartonboard and comprises a front panel 4 and a back panel 6 each comprising opposite longitudinal edges. Extending between the edges of the front and back panels 4, 6 is a first side panel 8 integrally formed with front and hack panels 4, 6 and connected via fold lines 12, 14. Integrally formed with the opposite edge of the front panel 4 to which the first side panel 8 is connected is a second side panel 10 extending therealong, connected to the front panel 4 by fold line 1 6. Integrally formed with the opposite edge of the second side panel 1 0 o which the front panel 4 is connected is a securernent tab 1 8.

The securement tab 1 8 is connected to the edge of the second side panel 10 by fold line 20.

At the longitudinal ends of the front panel 4 and the back panel 6 are end regions 22, 24 at a first end, and end regions 26, 28 at the opposite end. The end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 are defined on the front 4 and rear 6 panels by respective fold lines 32, 34, 36, 38. Integrally formed with each end region 22, 24, 26, 28 are respective marginai sealing regions 42. 44, 46, 48 connected to their respective end region 22, 24, 26, 28 by fold lines 52, 54, 56, 58. The marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 extend outwardly from their respective end regions 22, 24, 26, 28.

The first side panel 8 and second side panel 10 are provided wtli end regions 60, 62. 64, 66 at the ends thereof End regions 60, 62 are located adjacent to the end regions 22, 24 and end regions 26, 28 respectively of the front and rear panels 4,6.

End regions 64, 66 are located adjacent to the end region 22 and end region 26 respectively of the front panel 4. The side panel end regions 60. 62, 64, 66 include respective apertures 68, 68', 68", 68" at a point along their respective free edges 72, 74, 76, 78. Furthermore, each side panel end region 60, 62, 64, 66 includes a triangular fold-line assembly 70, 70', 70", 70".

A method of forniing an embodiment of a packaging 100 in accordance with the present invention, using the blank as illustrated in Figure 1, will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

Initially, the front and rear panels 4, 6 are folded along the fold lines 12, 14 such that they are spaced apart and opposing, whilst being perpendicular to the first side panel 8.

The second side panel 10 is subsequently folded along fold line 16 such tha.t it too is orientated perpendicular to both the front panel 4 and the rear panel 6. Fold line 20 is also folded such that securement tab 18 is located within the volume defined by the front and rear panels 4, 6. In the illustrated embodiment, securcmcnt tab 18 is provided with an adhesive means such as an adhesive strip, a cold seal adhesive, hot melt adhesive or the like, and this is adhered to the inside the rear panel 6 in order to secure the front panel 4, rear panel 6, and side panels 8, 10 in a substantially tubular configuration.

In other embodiments the order of folding of the side panels 8, 10 and front 4 and back 6 panels may he performed in a different order, such as one side panel 8, I 0 being folded about its respective fold lines 12, 14, 16, 20 before the front 4 and back 6 panels are folded, for example.

The end regions 52, 54. 56, 58 of the front and rear panels 4, 6 are brought together by folding fold lines 32, 34, 36, 38. In doing so, scaling regions 42, 44 and 46, 48 are brought together also. Marginal sealing regions 42. 46 of the front panel 4 are secured to the corresponding marginal sealing regions 44, 48 of the back panel 6 by pressing them together. An adhesive strip 200 is applied to at least one of the sealing regions at each end of the packaging 100. The adhesive strip 200 may comprise a hot melt adhesive or other suitable adhesive. As the marginal sealing regions 42, 46 and 44. 48 are pressed together, end regions 60, 62, 64, 66 of the first and second side panels 8, 10 fold about their respective triangular fold-line assemblies 70, 70', 70", 70" to form gabled end regions 102, 104, 106, 108 having openings formed therein by apertures 68, 68', 68", 68" along the respective free edges 72, 74, 76, 78 of end regions 60, 62, 64, 66. The triangular fold line assemblies 70, 70', 70", 70" enable the folding of the end regions 60. 62, 64, 66 without affecting the orientation of the first and second side panels 8, 10 which remain substantially perpendeular to the front panel 4) and rear panel 6.

Gabled end region 1 02, as illustrated in Figure 3. also comprises a further opening 202. This further opening 202 is formed by providing an aperture/cut-out region in the end region 60 of side panel 8. This aperture/cut-out region may be provided along at least a portion of the length of one of the fold lines forming the triangular fold line assembly 70. Further apertures/cut out regions may be provided along the length of one or hoth of the other two fold lines forming the fold line assembly 70.

Although illustrated as only providing an opening 202 within gabled end region 102, it is to be appreciated that further openings may he provided in at least one further gabled end region 104, 1 06, 108. These further openings may he formed by providing apertures/cut-out regions along at least a portion of the length of at least one fold line forming triangular fold line assemblies 70', 70", 70".

As the marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 are secured together, they may also be embossed using suitable sealing jaw patterns, in order to provide an embossed pattern. In aheniative embodiments, an image of an embossing pattern maybe printed on the marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 in place of actual embossing of the regions.

In use, while the packaging 100 is in the substantially tubular configuration described hereinabove, and after one end of the tubular configuration has been sealed, as illustrated in Figure 3, the open end of the packaging 100 can he utilised to fill the packaging 1 00 with products or items such as, br example, confectionery or bakery items, In alternative embodiments, the interior of the packaging may be provided with an item, such as a bar or a tablet of chocolate, placed on the inside surface of the front panel 4 or back panel 6 before the packaging 100 is Folded to the final, sealed configuration.

In alternative embodiments of the packaging blank/packaging shown in Figures 1 to 3. the marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 may be provided with a thermo-sealant layer, such as a polyethylene thermo-sealant which is used as an adhesive. Any adhesive may be formed from adhesive strips directly deposited on to the sealing regions, laminated film or the like.

In yet other embodinieilts, the first and second side panels 8, 10 may be provided with a fold-line along the entire length thereof, so that the entirety of the first 8 and/or second 10 side panels can he folded in order to enable the packaging to fold relalively flat before or during use. Any fold-line extending along the entirety of the first and second side panels 8, 10 may also be used to provide non-planar shape to the first and second side panels 8, 10.

In still further embodiments, some of the components, such as the side panels 8, 10 and end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 may be connected to rather than integral with the front panel 4 and back panel 6, and may be adhered or secured via suitable adhesive means. In some embodiments, some of the components, such as sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48 and/or end regions 60, 62, 64, 66 may be connected to rather than integral with the end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 or the side panels 8, 10 respectively, and may be adhered or secured via suitable adhesive means.

The use of end regions 22, 24, 26, 28 of the front and rear panels 4, 6 and marginal sealing regions 42, 44, 46, 48, combined with end portions 60, 62. 64, 66 of the side panels 8, 10 enables a eartonboard packaging to be manufactured and constructed which can mimic the shape and orientation of a flexible flow-wrap packaging manufactured by standard horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal processes. The packaging (2) may he decorated in any suitable manner with branding and artwork, which will enable masking the cartonboard appearance, further helping to give the packaging the impression of being produced in a flow-wrap process.

In yet further embodiments, at least one of the fold lines forming each of the triangular fold line assemblies 70, 70'. 70", 70" may comprise an aperture located therein to form further openings in the gabled end regions 102, 104, 106, 108 of the formed packaging 100.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations arc possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appending c1ams.