Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
  • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
  • B65D77/2028—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab
  • B65D77/2032—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab by peeling or tearing the cover from the container
  • B65D77/2044—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab by peeling or tearing the cover from the container whereby a layer of the container or cover fails, e.g. cohesive failure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
  • B29C49/06905—Using combined techniques for making the preform
  • B29C49/0691—Using combined techniques for making the preform using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C2793/00—Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
  • B29C2793/0045—Perforating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
  • B29C49/06905—Using combined techniques for making the preform
  • B29C49/0691—Using combined techniques for making the preform using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets
  • B29C49/06914—Using combined techniques for making the preform using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets using parallel sheets as a preform
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/02—Combined blow-moulding and manufacture of the preform or the parison
  • B29C49/06905—Using combined techniques for making the preform
  • B29C49/0691—Using combined techniques for making the preform using sheet like material, e.g. sheet blow-moulding from joined sheets
  • B29C49/06916—Means for avoiding parts of the sheets to stick together, e.g. to provide blow opening
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/22—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor using multilayered preforms or parisons
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/4273—Auxiliary operations after the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
  • B29C49/42808—Filling the article
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/48—Moulds
  • B29C49/48185—Moulds with more than one separate mould cavity
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
  • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
  • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
  • B29C49/48—Moulds
  • B29C49/54—Moulds for undercut articles
  • B29C49/541—Moulds for undercut articles having a recessed undersurface
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
  • B29K2023/04—Polymers of ethylene
  • B29K2023/06—PE, i.e. polyethylene
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
  • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
  • B29K2995/0037—Other properties
  • B29K2995/0068—Permeability to liquids; Adsorption
  • B29K2995/0069—Permeability to liquids; Adsorption non-permeable
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
  • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
  • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
  • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
  • B29L2031/7162—Boxes, cartons, cases
  • B29L2031/7164—Blister packages
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2577/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
  • B65D2577/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D2577/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers
  • B65D2577/2041—Pull tabs
  • B65D2577/205—Pull tabs integral with the closure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2577/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
  • B65D2577/10—Container closures formed after filling
  • B65D2577/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers
  • B65D2577/2075—Lines of weakness or apertures
  • B65D2577/2091—Lines of weakness or apertures in cover

Definitions

• the invention concerns apparatuses and methods for forming containers and the relative containers, which. are particularly suitable for diffusing a volatile substance, such as a perfumed substance, in an environment through a permeable wall .
• containers for volatile- substances comprising a first transparent .wall in plastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another therm ⁇ formable material, that is shaped in such a way as to define a cavity that is suitable for receiving the perfumed substance.
• Said cavity is closed at the back by a second wall made from a sheet material comprising a layer of aluminium superimposed on a layer of polyethylene (PE) .
• PE polyethylene
• the layer of aluminium has to be peeled off the layer of polyethylene PE, which, being permeable to the perfumed substance, enables the perfumed substance to . be diffused in the environment.
• a container has been proposed that is provided with a grip portion comprising a perimeter portion in which the first wall is locally deformed so that it is positioned at a certain distance from the second wall. In this way, between the first wall and the second wall a free space is defined in which the consumer can insert a nail- to remove the layer of aluminium.
• a drawback -of the containers described- above is that after application of a pressure force the first wall come into contact with the second wall also at the grip portion and the two walls may stick together, particularly • if relatively high temperatures occur; This situation occurs frequently- .when the containers are attached as free gifts to magazines. In this case in fact, as the magazines are stacked during transit and storage, pressure force may be generated that causes the two initially separate walls to stick together. This sticking • together is encouraged by the temperatures higher than ambient temperature that may occur in storage areas or in means of- transport. A similar situation, in which there is a combination of undesired- temperature and pressure, may also occur in the packaging machine,. for example during cutting -of the containers.
• WO 01/49472 describes - apparatuses for forming .prior-art containers comprising a forming and sealing station in which a forming fluid is injected between, the two walls arranged, inside a mould provided with recesses shaped . as the corresponding container that is to be formed.
• a supply channel is provided through which the forming fluid can originate the cavity of the container intended to house the perfumed substance, and a further supply channel of the forming fluid through which grip means is formed.
• a further drawback of the prior-art containers is that it is be difficult to separate the layer of aluminium from the layer of PE to .enable the diffusion of, the volatile substance in the surrounding environment. By exerting, peeling action on .the layer of aluminium the consumer may in fact simultaneously remove both the latter and the layer of PE, which causes the volatile substance to flow out of the cavity that initially
• the aluminium layer may also break during peeling, remaining partially attached to the PE layer underneath.
• the surface of the container that is - able ' to. diffuse the volatile substance is limited, thus - impairing the effectiveness of the container's action.
• a yet -further drawback of the prior-art containers is that any deformations of the layer of aluminium may give the consumer the impression that . the container has not been completely filled with perfumed substance. If, for example, the layer of aluminium is swollen towards the outside ' of the : container the level of perfumed substance will be lower than if the layer of aluminium is protruding towards the inside of the container, although the quantity of perfumed substance is constant. Nevertheless, . the consumer prefers to .buy containers with an apparently greater quantity of perfumed substance and leave on the shelves of the sales outlets containers in which the filling level seems to be less.
• One object of this invention is to improve the production of -containers.
• a further object of this invention is to- supply containers provided with a grip portion that may be effectively gripped even if it is subjected to crushing and possibly heating, and the relative production apparatus .
• a further object is to simplify • the methods and the apparatuses . for producing containers provided ⁇ ith more than one cavity. .
• Another further object is to provide containers provided with a multilayered wall, in which one layer of said wall may be easily separated from the layer underneath, and provide the relative production apparatus and method.
• Another object is to obtain containers, -together with an apparatus for producing them, in which, the potential purchaser' s perception of filling level of the containers is ' as constant as possible, in other words in which the level of contents is noticeably constant.
• a container that comprises first wall means connected to second wall means along a sealing zone in such a way as to define cavity means suitable for receiving contents, a grip portion in which said second wall means is detached from said first wall means in such a way as to enable a user to grip said second wall means to cause said contents to communicate with an external environment, characterised in that in said grip portion spacer means is provided that is suitable for keeping said first wall means spaced away from said second wall means.
• the grip portion in the grip portion the first wall means is kept separate from the second wall means even if forces are applied to the container that tend to crush them together, this enables the grip portion to keep its effectiveness and functionality. It is therefore easy for the user to remove all or part of the second wall means from the first wall means, in other words to cause the contents of the cavity means to communicate with the outside environment.
• a container comprising first wall means connected to second wall means along a sealing zone in such a way as to define cavity means suitable for receiving contents, said second wall means comprising internal layer means facing said cavity means and barrier layer means associated with said internal layer means, characterised in that it further comprises preferential separation means suitable for encouraging separation of said barrier layer means from said internal layer means at a preset zone.
• the barrier layer means can be removed from the internal layer means in a controlled manner, causing the barrier layer means to separate from the internal layer means in at least one of said preset zones and avoiding lacerations in undesired zones. Removing the ' barrier . layer means from .- the internal .. layer means, when peeling affects the preferential separation means, the internal layer -means remains attached to the first wall means, whilst the barrier layer means is removed to make the container active.
• ⁇ provided that- comprises first wall means connected to second wall means along a sealing zone in such a way as to define cavity means suitable for receiving contents, characterised in that said second wall means comprises ⁇ a stretched • area in which said second wall means is arranged in a substantially taut configuration.
• an apparatus for forming ' containers from strip means comprising first strip means and second strip means, which are intended to be joined along a sealing zone, provided with a forming station suitable ' for obtaining cavity means from said strip means, characterised in- that it further comprises protruding means arranged .to form on said strip -means spacer' means suitable for keeping said first strip means .-spaced from said second strip means -near a grip portion of said containers. .
• the protruding means advantageously enables containers provided with spacer means to be formed, which spacer means maintains the effectiveness of the grip, portion even when the latter is subjected to crushing.
• an- apparatus is provided for forming containers from strip, means comprising first strip means' and -second strip means, intended to -be joined
• a sealing zone .provided with a forming station suitable for obtaining cavity means and further • cavity means from said strip mean ' s, said forming station being provided with inlet means for a forming ' fluid suitable for forming said' cavity means, and with passage means for enabling said forming fluid to form said -further cavity means, characterised- in that said
• a method for forming containers comprising advancing along a preset direction strip means provided with first strip means and second strip means, injecting a forming fluid between said first strip means . and said second strip means to create cavity means and further cavity means, sealing said first strip means to said second strip means along a sealing zone-, characterised in that said injecting comprises sending said forming fluid coming from said cavity means to said further • cavity means through a precursory - section of said sealing zone.
• .an- apparatus ' - for forming containers from strip means having first strip means and second strip means, comprising a forming station suitable for obtaining cavity means from said- strip means and a sealing station in which the first strip means is sealed to said, second strip means along a sealing zone, characterised- in that it further comprises- weakening means arranged to obtain on said strip means preferential separation means suitable for encouraging the separation of said first strip means from at least part of said second- strip means.
• said second strip means comprises internal layer means and barrier layer means .
• the apparatus provided with weakening means enables containers to be formed in which the barrier layer means can be removed by separating it in a controlled manner from the internal layer means, without lacerations of the barrier . layer means and/or of the internal layer means occurring in undesired zones.
• an ⁇ apparatus is .provided for forming containers from strip means comprising first strip means and second strip means intended to be joined along a sealing zone, provided with a forming station suitable for obtaining ⁇ cavity means from said strip means, characterised in that it further comprises • stretching means suitable for stretching said second strip means over a preset area.
• the stretching means enables the second strip means to be arranged in a substantially flat configuration near the preset- area, preventing the formation of creases or bulges that could impair the consumer's perception of filling, particularly if the first strip means is transparent.
• a method for obtaining containers from strip means having first strip means- and second strip means comprising forming said strip means to obtain from it cavity means, and sealing said first -strip means to said second strip means .along a sealing zone, characterised in that it further comprises weakening said strip means to encourage the separation of. said- first strip- means from at least part of said second strip means. .
• the ninth aspect of the invention it is possible to separate the first strip means from a ' desired zone- ' of the second strip ' means in an effective - manner, and .-without lacerations occurring in undesired zones.- .
• This is of great importance in containers suitable for receiving a volatile substance that can be diffused into an environment by means of an internal layer means of the second strip means, inasmuch as it is possible to separate the second layer means from the first layer means at a grip portion, ' causing- a part of the second strip means to remain associated with the first strip means in zones outside the grip portion, namely the internal layer .means associated. with the first strip means.
• Figure 1 is a .front view of a container according to the first three aspects of the invention.
• Figure 2 is a rear view of the container in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a cross-section of the container in Figure 1, taken along the plane III-III of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a cross-section like the ⁇ one in Figure 3, in a configuration . in which a substance placed in the container communicates with the outside environment; ⁇
• Figure 5 is a rear view of an embodiment of the container' in Figure 1;
• Figure 6 is a cross-section like the one of Figure 3 of the embodiment of the container in Figure 5; •
• Figure 7 is a cross-section like the One in Figure 6, in . a configuration wherein .a substance in the container is caused to communicate with the outside environment;
• Figure 8 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for forming the container in . Figure 1;
• Figure 9 is a schematic and enlarged cross-section, taken along plane IX-IX in Figure 8, showing a forming station of- the apparatus in Figure 8.;
• Figure , 1:0 is - a front view of a half mould provided ' in the ' forming station in Figure 9;
• Figure 11 is an enlarged - and interrupted cross-section like- the one in Figure 9, showing protruding- means provided in the forming station;
• Figure 12 is a partially cross-sectioned view of a sealing station of the apparatus in Figure 8,- 'in- the direction indicated by the arrow F in Figure 8;
• Figure 13 is a front view of a central sealing plate provided in the sealing station in Figure 12;
• Figure 14 ⁇ is a plan view of an insert that can- be fitted to the central .sealing plate in Figure 13;
• Figure 15 is the cross-section taken along the plane XV-XV in
• Figure 14 is a plan view of an inse,rt that can be fitted to the central sealing plate in Figure 13;
• Figure 17 is the cross-section taken along the plane XVII-XVII - in Figure 16;
• Figure 18 is a diagrammatic side view, enlarged and interrupted, of a perforating portion of the insert in Figures -
• Figure 19 is a partially cross-sectioned view of advancing means of the apparatus in Figure 8, in the direction indicated by the arrow F in said figure, showing stretching means with which the advancing means is provided.
• Figures 1 to 7 show a container 1, for example with a circular shape, that is suitable for containing a ⁇ olatile substance, for .example' a - deodorant- for environments- or an insecticide designed to be diffused into an environment.
• the container 1 comprises a cavity 4, shaped according to a preset shape and suitable for receiving a substance 5 in flowing form, • the cavity 4 being made in a first wall 2 facing a second wall 3.
• the first wall 2 can be made of thermoformable and heat- sealable material that is preferably transparent, whilst- the second wall 3 comprises an internal layer 6, suitable, for ⁇ coming into contact with the substance.5, and a barrier layer
• the internal layer 6 is preferably made of- heat-sealable material that -is permeable to the substance 5, for example PE, whilst the- barrier layer 7 is not permeable to the substance 5 and may- comprise an aluminium sheet.
• the - cavity 4 is externally delimited by a sealing zone comprising a .peripheral seal 8 and a further seal 9, arranged to close a feeding channel 10 through which the substance 5 was inserted into the cavity 4.
• a grip portion 11 is provided comprising a further cavity 59 made in the first wall 2 and delimited by a line in the form of an upturned "V" in a region adjacent to the peripheral seal 8.
• the first wall 2 is positioned at a distance D from the second wall. 3, in such a way that a consumer can easily grip the second wall 3 to separate it -with a peeling movement from the first .wall 2.
• spacer means is preferably obtained that comprises a tooth 12 protruding from . .the . first wall 2 towards the • second wall 3 and arranged in - contact with the latter at a contact, surface 13, in a configuration in . which the container 1 is closed by the barrier layer 7, such .as the one shown in Figure 3.
• the tooth 12. prevents any crushing of the container 1 causing the first wall 2. to stick to the second wall 3 and make the- grip portion 11 ineffective.
• the first wall 2 and the second wall 3 can stick together only at the contact surface 13 of the tooth 12, -but' not .in the surrounding zones. In said zones, the- first wall 2 remains at a distance from the second wall 3 in such a- way that the consumer can easily grasp the barrier layer 7 to remove it.
• the tooth 12 may be arranged in a central region of the grip portion 11, as shown in Figure 1.
• preferential separation means is made that comprises -a scoring line 14, shaped in' the form of an upturned "V", which affects both the barrier layer 7 and the internal layer 6.
• the scoring line 14 is positioned at the border between the peripheral- seal 8 and the grip portion 11. If peeling is carried out on the second wall 3 to make the cavity 4 communicate with the outside environment, - at the scoring line 14 the internal layer. 6 breaks and divides into two parts. As Figure .4 shows, a first part 15 remains stuck to the barrier layer 7 with which said first part 15 " is removed, whereas a second part 16 remains joined to the container 1 near the peripheral seal 8 and the further seal 9.
• the scoring line 14 reduces the risk that the internal layer 6 and/or the barrier layer 7 tear at undesired points.
• preferential separation means comprises continuity interruption means- provided with a first continuity interruption line 14' and a second continuity interruption line 14' ' that are arranged in such a way as to form an upturned "V" and engage both the barrier layer ' 7 and the internal layer 6.
• the first continuity interruption line 14' and the second continuity interruption line 14'' have..a plurality of interruption sections arranged to interrupt .the material continuity of the second wall 3, separated at intervals by a plurality of joining sections.
• a cutting - line 60 is provided- that crosses both the barrier layer 7 and the internal layer -6 of the second -wall 3.
• The' length of the cutting line 60 is • significantly ' greater than the length, of the interruption sections provided in the first continuity interruption line 14' and in the second continuity interruption line 14''.
• the continuity interruption means are positioned at the border between the peripheral seal 8 and the grip portion 11. When the second wall 3 is subjected to peeling action .
• the -internal- layer 6 breaks and divides into the first part 15 of the internal layer 6 and the second part- 16.
• the first part 15 is removed together with the barrier layer 7, whereas the second part 16 remains joined to the container 1 near the peripheral seal 8 and the further seal 9.
• the first continuity interruption line 14' and the second continuity interruption line 14'' weaken the second wall 3 in a desired region and reduce the risk of the internal layer 6 and/or the barrier layer 7 tearing at undesirable points.
• the cutting line 60 also ensures decisive separation of the barrier layer 7 from the internal layer 6 even if the barrier layer 7 and the internal layer 6 are made of material that is particularly tough and difficult to tear, so they might, after correctly separating along the first continuity interruption line 14' ' and the second continuity interruption line 14'', • tend to remain joined at the top of. the "V" delimiting the grip portion 11. . . - ,
• a stretched area 17 can be furthermore provided, shaped according to a form corresponding to the form of the cavity 4 and arranged in a region of the second wall 3 that is inside the peripheral seal 8, that is 'to. say surrounded by the peripheral -seal 8.
• the stretched area ' 17 protrudes in the direction of the inside of the container 1.
• the material of the second wall 3, and particularly the - barrier layer 7,- is arranged in a configuration that gives the container • a pleasant appearance, being substantially taut ' and free of bulges or creases, and that ensures that a user perceives, through the first preferably transparent wall 2 a constant and repetitive initial level of several ' containers 1 of the substance 5 in the cavity 4.
• the stretched area 17 can be also provided in • the embodiment of the container 1 shown in Figures 5 to 7.
• Figure 8 diagrammatically shows an apparatus 18 for producing containers 1 of the. previously described type. -.In ⁇ the apparatus 18, a first strip 19 that is suitable for. creating the first wall 2 and is therefore preferably made of a transparent thermoformable material, can advance stepwise in the direction of the arrow F together with a second strip 20, shown in Figure 11, designed to form, the second wall 3 of the containers 1.
• the second- strip 20 has a coupled structure in which the internal layer 6' , preferably in PE, is superimposed on the barrier layer 7' , which can be made of aluminium.
• the first strip 19 and the second strip 20 are advanced stepwise through a heating station 21, in which heat is supplied to ' take the first strip 19 to a temperature at which it acquires • a certain deformability, and- subsequently a forming station 22, shown in detail in Figure- 9, in which a forming fluid is injected through the feeding channel 10 to shape the first strip 19 and the second strip 20 according to a desired geometry.
• a sealing station 32 Downstream of the forming station 22, a sealing station 32 is provided, disclosed in detail in Figure 12, in. "Which the peripheral seal 8 is obtained that delimits the- cavity 4 of each container ' 1.
• the embodiment of the apparatus 18 disclosed in Figure 9 ' is- suitable for processing in addition to the first strip 19 and the second strip 20., a further first strip 23 and a further second strip 24 that are arranged to form two rows of containers 1 positioned on opposite sides • in relation to a central division plate -25.
• the containers 1 belonging to - a first row: of the two said rows may have the same form as, or a • different form from, -the containers 1 belonging to the second row.
• On the two sides of the central division plate 25 two forming half moulds 26 are arranged, each one of which is provided with a hollow 27 that is suitable for originating the cavity 4 of a container 1.
• a recess 28 is furthermore provided that is arranged to form the further cavity 59 placed in the grip portion 11 of the containers 1.
• the recess 28 communicates with the hollow 27 by a passage 29, in such a- way that a forming fluid, for example heated compressed air, that enters between- the forming half mould 26 and the central division plate 25 through an inlet 30 in order to form the cavity 4, can reach the recess 28. and origin the further cavity 59 of the grip portion 11.
• the passage 29 is created by machining the forming half mould 26 for- a depth X,- which- is preferably 0.2 mm, in such a way as to form on the first strip 19 and on the further ' first strip 23 a connecting conduit 45 that can be easily closed during the sealing phase to • insulate the cavity 4 from the grip portion 11.
• Each forming half mould 26 is furthermore provided with protruding means 31 that protrudes in relation to the recess 28 and is shaped in such a way as to form the . tooth 12 of the containers 1.
• the two facing forming . half' moulds 26 press .against the- central division plate 25, moving in the direction, .of the arrows FI, in such a way as to tighten the first, strip 19 and the .second strip 2.0 against the central division plate 25 on one side and to . tighten the further first strip 23.and the further second strip 24 against the central division plate 25 on - the other side.
• heated compressed air is injected into the forming half moulds 26 through the inlets.30, as shown by the- arrows F2.- Said compressed air forms, the feeding channel 10 and furthermore pushes the material of the first strip 19.and of the further first strip 23, which have already been heated and can therefore be easily deformed, against the walls of the hollow 27 to create cavities 4.
• the connecting conduits 45 are furthermore formed, through which the compressed air. passes inside the recesses.28 .in such a way as to origin .the. grip portions 11, provided with the relative teeth 12;
• the two forming half moulds 26 and the central division plate 25 are usually cooled so ' that the shape given by the forming fluid on the first strip 19 and. on the further first strip 23 is. maintained.
• the compressed- air supply is interrupted, and the forming half moulds 26 are removed from the -central division plate.25, in such a- way as to enable the strips 1,9, 20, 23 and 24- to move towards a sealing -station 32;
• the latter shown in detail in Figure 12, comprises a central sealing plate 33 cooperating with two sealing half moulds 34 arranged on opposite sides from said central sealing plate 33.
• Each sealing half mould 34 is provided with a further hollow 35, suitable for receiving the cavity 4 of the container 1 being newly formed, and with a further recess- 36, suitable for receiving the grip' portion 11.
• Each sealing half mould. 34 is supported by a pair of shanks 37, that move in translation in the direction of the arrows F3 inside guide. bushes 38.
• ' projections 39 made in the sealing half moulds 34 enable respectively the first' strip 19 to be sealed to the second strip 20 and the further first strip -23 to be sealed to the further second strip 24, in such a way as to origin the peripheral seal 8 of the containers 1.
• a heating system that is not shown enables the sealing half moulds 34, and possibly the . central sealing plate 33 to be maintained at a temperature that allows sealing of the materials -that form the containers 1. - It should be noted that, during this operation and at the end of- the sealing operation, the feeding channel 10 of the containers 1 remains open, so as to - allow subsequent filling of the ' containers 1.
• the connecting conduit- 45 is closed by the projections 39.
• -the connecting conduit 45 is obtained in a precursory section for the peripheral seal 8, i.e. ' in a - section designed to be closed at the moment that the sealing is carried out.
• the .central sealing plate 33 is shown in detail in Figure 13, in an embodiment that enables two containers 1 to be created simultaneously on each side of the central sealing plate 33, up to a total of four containers 1 at a time.
• seats 40 are obtained- that are suitable for receiving in.
• a movable manner weakening means comprising inserts 41, shown in Figures 14 to 18, which enable the scoring .line 14 and/or the first continuity interruption line 14', the second continuity- interruption line 14'' and the cutting line 60 to be ' obtained on the second strip 20 and on the further second strip 24.
• the embodiment of the ' insert 41' shown in Figures 14 and 15 comprises a base body 42, provided with a fixing hole 43 that enables fixing .to the central sealing plate 33, and a scoring profile 4.4 protruding from the. base body 42.
• the scoring profile 44 can be shaped as an upturned • ⁇ "V", or according to the geometry of the scoring lines 14 required. Naturally, it is also possible' to envisage scoring lines 14 with different shapes, depending on the type of containers 1 required. .
• a perforation profile 44' is provided which protrudes from the -base body 42 of the insert 41.- On the perforation profile 44' a first perforating portion 65,.. a second perforating portion 66 and a cutting portion 67 can be identified that are arranged to form on- the second strip 20, and on any further second strip 24, the first continuity interruption- line 14',- the second continuity interruption line 14'' and the . cutting -line 60 respectively.
• the first perforating portion 65 and the second perforating portion 66 comprise a plurality of protruding elements 68 separated at intervals by hollow zones 69 which follow one another at a pitch P, which is preferably regular.
• the protruding elements 68 protrude by a height H in relation to an ideal base line.
• the pitch P can, for example, have the value 0.8 mm whereas the height H may be near to 0.3 mm. Nevertheless, these values are merely by ⁇ way of example inasmuch as they can be modified, according to the type of material of the second ' wall 3 or the type of interruption to continuity that is required.
• the protruding elements 68 enable the interruption sections to be obtained on the second strip 20 and on any further second strip 24, .interruption sections are separated at intervals with joining sections that are formed at the hollow zones 69 of the perforation profile 44' .
• the perforation profile 44' can be shaped as a "V" or as any desired form, according to the geometry of the continuity interruption means required and to the type .of the container 1 needed.
• scoring lines 14 or continuity interruption means with, a different shape from, the one previously described are required or which belong to another dimensional range, it is sufficient to replace the inserts 41 without having to modify the central sealing plate 33.
• an advancing gripper 46 shown in detail in Figure 19, grips on one side the first strip 19, which is sealed to the second strip 2-0, and on the other side the further first strip 23, sealed to- the -further second strip 24, advancing them in the direction of arrow F.
• the advancing gripper 46 comprises a central- .advancing plate 47, which * acts' as a fixed jaw, on the two sides, of- which advancing half moulds 4.8 are arranged, which act as. mobile jaws.
• -the advancing half moulds 48 can translate in- . the direction of the arrows F4,- as they can be actuated by actuators . 49 that- are connected to support plates 50.
• the latter are provided with further guide bushes 51 inside which shafts 52 run that are fixed to- the- advancing half moulds 48.
• the advancing gripper 46 can translate in the direction of the arrow F along guide columns
• the advancing gripper 46 can be equipped with a prior-art cooling system in such a way as to lower the temperature • of the containers 1, which have been previously heated, and to bring about a stabilisation of their form.
• the containers 1 are subsequently . conveyed towards a filling station 57, in which a filling device 58 inserts the substance 5 into the cavities 4 . through the feeding- channels 10 that are still open.
• a filling device 58 inserts the substance 5 into the cavities 4 . through the feeding- channels 10 that are still open.
• the further seals- 9 are. then carried out to close the. f.eeding channels 10 by sealing the containers 1, which are subsequently separated by shearing.
• the apparatus according to the invention enables only the first strip 19 and the second strip 20 to be processed in such a way as to form -a single row of containers 1 rather then two rows of facing .containers.
• the spacer means a ⁇ d/or the stretched area 17 can also be provided in containers that are different from those described above, for example in containers in. which no barrier ' layer is provided that can be peeled off an internal layer but in which the second wall acts as a single sheet of material.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
• Stackable Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=30117223

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2003
  • 2003-07-08 AU AU2003250907A patent/AU2003250907A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-07-08 BR BR0305425-0A patent/BR0305425A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-07-08 EP EP03762655A patent/EP1549563A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-07-08 WO PCT/EP2003/007329 patent/WO2004005158A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events