Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
  • B65B61/20—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
  • B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
  • B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material
• • 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
  • B65D77/22—Details
  • B65D77/24—Inserts or accessories added or incorporated during filling of containers
  • B65D77/245—Utensils for removing the contents from the package, e.g. spoons, forks, spatulas
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
  • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it

Definitions

• the two shells can be thermoformed adjacent to one another and be joined together by a thin strip of plastics, that acts as an elastic hinge in the rotation movement that is necessary for superimposing the two shells.
• Another drawback consists in the fact that the step of introducing the spatula is very laborious and requires a proper operating station in the apparatus that is able to remove the spatulas from a magazine and position the spatulas on a correct position inside the lower shells. If positioning of the spatulas is not correct, the subsequent welding of the container may be compromised with the result that said container is not hermetically closed. In addition to that, the closure may not be completely hermetic, also due to the fact that the material of the spatulas is not weldable to that of the container.
• Still another object is to make containers that are easy, practical and hygienic for a user to use .
• an apparatus comprising means for advancing along an advancing direction a sheet material that is thermoformable through a forming station, in which there is provided forming means arranged for deforming portions of said sheet material so as to make shells of containers joined by non-deformed parts of said sheet material, a filling station in which said shells are filled with product, characterised in that between said forming station and said filling station there is interposed an inserting station comprising inserting means for inserting spatula elements into respective shells so that gripping portions of said spatula elements protrude from an edge of said sheet material .
• a container having wall means made by deforming sheet material that is thermoformable, comprising a first shell and a second shell, superimposed on one another and joined at a surrounding portion to form a chamber, and a spatula element inserted into said chamber, characterised in that said spatula element is inserted so that a gripping portion thereof protrudes from said chamber.
• wall means made by deforming sheet material that is thermoformable, comprising a first shell and a second shell, superimposed on one another and joined at a surrounding portion to form a chamber, and a spatula element inserted into said chamber, characterised in that said spatula element is inserted so that a gripping portion thereof protrudes from said chamber.
• Figures 5A, 5B, 5C are respectively front, plan and perspective views of the folded sheet material of Figure 4A welded at surrounding portions of said superimposed shells;
• Figure 6A is an enlarged plan view of a row of separated containers, obtained by blanking the sheet material in Figure 5A;
• Figure 6B is an enlarged plan view of a row of containers that are joined together by connecting strips, obtained by blanking the sheet material in Figure 5A;
• Figures 1OA, 1OB, 1OC illustrate respectively front, plan and perspective views of a container in Figure 6A in an open condition
• Figure 11 is a section along plane XI-XI of Figure 1OB; • Figures 12A, 12B, 12C illustrate respectively front, plan and perspective views of a version of the container in Figure 6A in an open condition;
• Figure 13A is a schematic front view of another embodiment of the apparatus for making a respective embodiment of container according to the invention.
• Figures 16A, 16B are respectively front and perspective views of the sheet material in Figure 15A partially folded along a first folding line,-
• Figures 17A, 17B, 17C are respectively front, plan and perspective views of the sheet material in Figure 15A completely folded along the first folding line;
• Figures 22A, 22B, 22C illustrate respectively front, plan and perspective views of a container in Figure 2OA in a close condition
• Figure 24A, 24B, 24c illustrate respectively front, plan and perspective views of a container in Figure 2OA in an open condition
• Figure 25 is a section along plane XXV-XXV in Figure 24B;
• Figure 28 is a front view of a further embodiment of the apparatus for making a respective embodiment of container according to the invention.
• Figures 3OA, 3OB are respectively plan and perspective views of the sheet material in Figure 29A subjected to a first blanking to make operating portions of spatula elements;
• Figure 31 is a perspective view of the sheet material in
• Figure 3OA partially folded along the longitudinal folding line
• Figures 32A, 32B, 32C are respectively front, plan and perspective views of the sheet material in Figure 3OA completely folded along the longitudinal folding line;
• Figures 33A, 33B are respectively plan and perspective views of the folded sheet material in Figure 32A on which further sheet material is superimposed;
• Figures 34A, 34B, 34C are respectively front, plan and perspective views of the sheet materials in Figure 33A welded at the shells;
• Figures 35A, 35B, 35C are respectively front, plan and perspective views of a row of separated containers, obtained by blanking the sheet materials in Figure 34A;
• Figures 36A, 36B are respectively enlarged plan and perspective views of a container in Figure 35A in a close condition;
• Figure 38 is a perspective schematic view of a still another embodiment of the apparatus for making a respective embodiment of container according to the invention.
• Figures 39A, 39B are respectively plan and perspective views of a first sheet material and of a second sheet material that are respectively thermoformed with shells of containers and cavities of spatula elements;
• Figure 39A wherein the second sheet material is subjected to a first blanking to make operating portions of spatula elements ;
• Figures 42A, 42B are respectively plan and perspective views of the first sheet material in Figure 41 folded along a longitudinal folding line;
• the line S constitutes a folding line along which the sheet material 100 is folded, through the folding means 10 to place the plurality of second shells 52 on the plurality of first shells 51.
• the sheet material 100 is cut by cutting means that is of known type and is not illustrated, along a line T that is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the advancing direction F and which traverses the second part 100b coming from a remaining longitudinal edge 10Oe of said sheet material 100 at least as far as the folding line S.
• the welding on the surrounding portion 55 is interrupted at a portion 56 of a size such as to let the gripping portion 40a protrude from the spatula element 40.
• the plastic material with which the spatula element 40 is made is not, in fact, heat weldable to the sheet material 100 ( Figure 8C) . Nevertheless, during the welding process the material of the two portions 100a, 100b of the sheet material 100 at the gripping portion 40a is deformed locally so as to adhere almost sealingly to surfaces of said gripping portion 40a.
• the blanking means 14 performs a form blanking and separates the containers 50 that are thermoformed, filled and closed by the sheet material 100.
• a first tab 53 belongs to the first part 100a and is connected to the first shell 51
• a second tab 54 belongs to the second part 100b and is connected to the second shell 51.
• Each tab 53, 54 comprises, for example, two lobes or portions 53a, 53b, 54a, 54b that are opposite one another with respect to the gripping portion 40a of the spatula element 40.
• the forming means 23 substantially similar to those disclosed in the preceding embodiment of the apparatus, makes on the sheet material 100 a plurality of first shells 61, second shells 62 and hollows or cavities 63a arranged on three respective rows that are adjacent and parallel to the advancing direction F of the sheet material 100 along the apparatus and separated by lines Sl, S2 that longitudinally divide the sheet material 100 into three parts 100a, 100b, 100c that are adjacent to one another.
• a first separating line Sl longitudinally divides a first part 100a that is central, containing the row of the first shells 61 from a second part 100b that is adjacent and contains the row of the cavities 63a.
• the forming means 23 does not make any hollow or cavity on the second part 100b of the sheet material 100, the operating portions 63 being in this case substantially flat.
• the forming means 23 may form on said operating portions 63 hollows or stiffening ribs .
• the first line Sl and the second line S2 may be respective ideal folding lines, or incisions made on the sheet material 100 to promote the subsequent foldings thereof, as explained in detail further on in the description.
• first blanking means 26 obtains from the second part 100b of the sheet material 100 a plurality of operating portions 63 of respective spatula elements 70 that will be completely formed in the second blanking station 33.
• Each operating portion 63 is provided with a respective previously formed hollow or cavity 63a, and is connected to the second part 100b by a connecting strip 67.
• the welding station 31 Downstream of the second folding station 35 there is provided the welding station 31 in which the welding means 32 performs a welding, for example a peelable welding, between the portions 100a, 100b, 100c of the sheet material 100.
• the welding means 32 performs a first welding between the first part 100a and the second part 100b of the sheet material 100 along a surrounding portion 65 of the shells 61, 62, and a second welding of more limited extent between the third part 100c and the second part 100b and between the latter and the first part 100a in a further surrounding portion 66 of said shells 61, 62.
• This apparatus 200 comprises in sequence the following operating stations : - a heating station 127 where heating means 128 heats the sheet material 100 to a temperature near the softening temperature ; a forming station 122 in which the forming means 123 deforms portions of the sheet material 100 for forming shells 161 of containers 160 having a desired shape; - a first blanking station 125 in which first blanking means 126 makes operating portions 163 of spatula elements 170 to be formed; a filling station 124 in which the shells 161 receive a product 80 to be packaged; - a folding station 129 in which folding means 130 folds a part 100b' of said sheet .material 100 until the part 100b' is superimposed on another part 100a' ; a joining station 131 in which a further sheet material 150 that is superimposed on said sheet material 100 is joined to said parts 100a', 100b'; and a second blanking station 133 where second blanking means 134 separates from the sheet material 100 and from the further sheet material 150 containers 160 that
• the forming means 123 makes on the sheet material 100 a plurality of shells 161 of said containers 160, arranged on a row parallel to the advancing direction F of the sheet material along the apparatus .
• a line Sl' longitudinally divides the sheet material 100 into two parts 100a', 100b' that are placed side by side.
• a first part 100a' contains the row of the shells 161, a second part 100b' is not, on the other hand, deformed by the forming means 123, for forming in the first blanking station 125 operating portions 163 of the substantially flat spatula elements 170. Nevertheless, it is provided for the forming means 123 to be arranged for forming on said second part 100b' hollows, cavities, ribs for said operating portions 163.
• the surrounding portions 165, 166 that are welded have an annular shape of almost constant width, around each shell 161 containing a corresponding operating portion 163 inside the respective cavity 178.
• thermoformed, filled and closed containers 160 are separated from the sheet material 100 and from the further sheet material 150.
• the blanking means 134 separates from said sheet materials 100, 150 the spatula elements 170, making the respective gripping portions. 171 thereof.
• Each container 160 thus obtained has, in addition to the surrounding portion 165, 166, that is welded a closing portion 162 obtained by blanking said further sheet material 150 and a pair of tabs or fins 168, 169 that are superimposed and not welded, belonging respectively to the first part 100a' and to the closing portion 162.
• This embodiment of apparatus 250 comprises in sequence the operating stations listed below: a heating station 227 where heating means 228 heats the first sheet material 100 and the second sheet material 300 to a temperature near the softening temperature; - a forming station 222 in which the forming means 223 deforms portions of the first sheet material 100 for forming shells 261, 262 of containers 260 and portions of the second sheet material 300 for forming cavities 263a of spatula elements 270; - a first blanking station 225 in which first blanking means 226 makes operating portions 263 of said spatula elements 270 to be formed; a first folding station 229 in which said second sheet material 300 is arranged above a first part 100a of said first sheet material 100; a filling station 224 in which shells 261 receive a product 80 to be packaged; a second folding station 235 in which second folding means 236 folds a second part 100b of said first sheet material 100 until the second part 100b is superimposed on the second sheet material 300 that is superimposed on the first part 100a;
• the first part 100a contains the row of the first shells 261
• the second part 100b contains the row of the second shells
• the forming means 223 also makes on the second sheet material 300 hollows or cavities 263a arranged aligned along the advancing direction F ( Figures 39A, 39B) .
• first blanking means 226 obtains from the second sheet material 300 a plurality of operating portions 263 of respective spatula elements 270 that will be completely formed in the second blanking station 33.
• Each, operating portion 263 is provided with a respective hollow or cavity 263a and is connected to the second sheet material 300 by a respective connecting strip 267 ( Figure 40) .
• the operating portions 263 may be substantially flat and devoid of hollows or cavities.
• Cutting means that is of known type and is not illustrated is provided for cutting the second sheet material 300 along a line T that is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to the advancing direction F to enable the portion that has thus been cut to rotate and be superimposed on the first sheet material 100.
• the line S constitutes a folding line along which the first sheet material 100 is folded, through the folding means 36, so as to superimpose the second part 100b on the second sheet material 300 that is already superimposed on the first part 100a, so as to place the second shells 262 on the first shells 261, thus enclosing the respective operating portions 263 of the spatula elements 270 ( Figures 42A, 42B) .
• the welding station 231 Downstream of the second folding station 235, there is provided the welding station 231 in which the welding means 232 performs a welding, for example a peelable welding. In particular, it performs a first welding between the first part 100a and the second part 100b of the first sheet material 100, along a surrounding portion 265 of the shells 261, 262, and a second welding between the second part 100b and the second sheet material 300 and between the latter and the second part 100b along a further surrounding portion 266 of said shells 261, 262.
• a welding for example a peelable welding.
• Each container 260 thus obtained has, in addition to the surrounding portions 265, 266, that are welded, a pair of tabs or fins 268, 269 that are superimposed and not welded, belonging respectively to the first part 100a and to the second part 100c of the first sheet material 100 and which are usable for opening the container 260.
• the spatula element 270 comprises in addition to the operating portion 263 a gripping portion 271.
• a first sheet material 100 with a reduced thickness can be used, for example, for forming more easily shells of complex shapes and/or for obtaining a lighter container, with a saving in material .
• a filling station 324 Downstream of the first blanking station, there is provided a filling station 324 in which the shells 361 are filled with product 80.
• the second sheet material 300 is superimposed on the first sheet material 100 so as to place the operating portions 363 at the respective shells 361 ( Figure 47) .
• Downstream of the folding station 329 superimposing means 335 is provided arranged for superimposing a third sheet material 150, for example a film of coupled aluminium, on the first sheet material 100 and on the second sheet material 300, so as to close the shells 361.
• the joining station 131 Downstream of the superimposing means 335, there is provided the joining station 131, in particular a welding station, wherein said sheet materials 100, 300, 150 is joined to the surrounding portions 365, 366 of said containers 360 and of said spatula elements 370 ( Figure 48) .
• thermoformed, filled and closed containers 360 are separated from the first sheet material 100 and from the third sheet material 150 by second blanking means 334.
• the blanking means 334 separates from the second sheet material 300 the spatula elements 370, making respective gripping portions 371.
• Each container 360 thus obtained has, in addition to the surrounding portion 365, 366, that is welded a closing portion 362 obtained by blanking the third sheet material 150 and a pair of tabs or fins 368, 369 that are superimposed and not welded, belonging respectively to the shell 361 and to the closing portion 362.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
• Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
• Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)
• Stackable Containers (AREA)
• Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

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• 2007
  • 2007-08-03 IT IT000261A patent/ITMO20070261A1/it unknown
• 2008
  • 2008-07-31 ES ES08788961.4T patent/ES2543596T3/es active Active
  • 2008-07-31 WO PCT/IB2008/001986 patent/WO2009019556A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2008-07-31 EP EP15166185.7A patent/EP3025968B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2008-07-31 EP EP20080788961 patent/EP2190746B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2008-07-31 ES ES15166185.7T patent/ES2653792T3/es active Active

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