EP3946916A1

EP3946916A1 - Method and device for pressing a container from a blank, blank and container folded from such a blank

Info

Publication number: EP3946916A1
Application number: EP19745315.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonius Lambertus KAMP
Original assignee: Ecotray Packaging BV
Current assignee: Ecotray Packaging BV
Priority date: 2019-04-02
Filing date: 2019-05-20
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: WO2020204695A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for pressing a container from a blank, the blank comprising: - a bottom part; - at least one side wall part; and - at least one flange part, wherein the method comprises: a. pressing the bottom part of the blank with respect to a mould; and b. pressing the at least one flange part. The invention also relates for a device for performing the method. The invention also relates to a blank and to a container being folded from a said blank.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRESSING A CONTAINER FROM A BLANK, BLANK AND CONTAINER FOLDED FROM SUCH A BLANK

The invention relates to a method for pressing a container from a blank. The invention further relates to a device for pressing a container out of a blank according to the method. The invention also relates to a blank out of which a container can be pressed. The invention also relates to a container folded from such a blank.

Folding a blank for obtaining a container is known from for example the Dutch patent NL2018522 B l .

It may be an object of the invention to improve the method disclosed in NL2018522 B l . It may be a further or alternative object to provide a method and/or device by means of which a container may easily and/or quickly be obtained from a blank.

At least one of the above objects may be obtained by a method for pressing a container from a blank, the blank comprising:

- a bottom part comprising at least one bottom edge;

- at least one side wall part, connected to the bottom part along the at least one bottom edge; and

- at least one flange part connected to the at least one side wall part along a side wall edge opposite the bottom part,

wherein the method comprises:

a. pressing the bottom part of the blank with respect to a mould for forming the blank and thereby folding the at least one side wall part with respect to the bottom part along the at least one bottom edge; and

b. pressing the at least one flange part and thereby folding the at least one flange part with respect to the at least one side wall part along the side wall edge in an outward direction.

An advantage of the method of the invention is that folding of the at least one side wall part and the at least one flange part may easily and/or quickly take place by pressing the bottom part of the blank and the at least one flange part, respectively. Possibly, steps a. and b. are therefore conducted consecutively, i.e. not at the same time.

It is noted that tire outward direction may in particular be defined with respect to a container space or inner space of the container that is made by performing the method of the invention. Said container space may at least partly be defined or delimited by said bottom part and said at least one side wall part of the blank being pressed into said container.

Said blank that is pressed in the method may in particular be a blank according to any of the embodiments described below of a blank according to the invention, more in particular for example a blank according to any of the claims 23 - 30. Optionally a device according to any of the below-described embodiments of a device according to the invention, more in particular for example a device according to any of the claims 7 - 22, may be used in the method according to the invention.

It is noted that said blank may in particular, but not limited thereto, comprise four side wall parts and four respective flange parts connected thereto. The bottom part may therefore be rectangular in shape.

It is noted that step a. may be performed before, simultaneously, or after step b., i.e., the steps may be performed in any suitable order. In a practical embodiment of the method of the invention, step a. is performed before step b.

Although step b. may be performed without using a mould, pressing the at least one flange part in step b. may optionally take place by pressing the at least one flange part with respect to a mould for fonning the blank.

Said mould optionally used in step b. may be a separate mould provided in addition to the mould used in step a., such that in total at least two moulds may be used for perfbnning the method of claim 1. Said mould used in step a. may be denoted as a first mould and said other mould used in step b. may be denoted as a second mould.

The container pressed according to the above-described method may be liquid and/or gas proof, in that it substantially prevents liquids such as water and/or gas from escaping or entering the container when it is sealed. Accordingly, the container may be suitable for use in the food industry.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, steps a. and b. are perfonned while the blank remains in a single mould.

An advantage of such a single mould is that the blank does not have to be transferred to another mould during pressing of the bottom part and the at least one flange part, which may improve the accuracy of folding the blank and/or the speed of folding the blank and/or may provide a relatively compact device.

In this embodiment of the method, in which a single mould is used, the bottom part of the blank may first be pressed with respect to said single mould, and next the at least one flange part may be pressed with respect to the same, single mould.

Said single mould may correspond to the shape of the container to be formed. More in particular, said single mould may have a bottom and at least one mould side wall part. Said bottom part of the blank may be pressed against the bottom of the mould. Said at least one mould side wall part may have a pressing surface for pressing against the at least one flange part. Said pressing surface may in particular be an inner surface of the mould side wall part.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, step a. is performed by moving a first press part towards said mould in a pressing direction, thereby pressing the blank in said mould, and step b. is performed by moving a second press part towards the same mould or a different mould in the pressing direction, thereby pressing the flange parts outwards against that mould .

In step a. the first press part may press the bottom part of the blank in the direction of the bottom of the mould used in step a. and/or against the bottom of that mould, wherein the at least one side wall part of the blank extends between the first press part and a or said at least one mould side wall part thereof and is thereby folded with respect to the bottom of the blank. In step b. said second press part may press the at least one flange part against the mould used in step b., in particular against a or said pressing surface thereof. Said mould used in step b. may be the same mould as used in step a., i.e. a single mould is used as described above. Alternatively, the mould used in step b. may be a different mould, i.e. the second mould as described above.

If a single mould is used in steps a. and b., the first press part may remain in the single mould while perfonning step b.. An advantage thereof is that the blank may be held firmly in said single mould by said first press part, thereby improving the accuracy of folding the at least one flange part. Further or alternatively, the first press part remaining in the single mould may allow creating a shaiper fold between the flange parts and side wall parts of the blank inside the mould.

The first and second press parts may be comprised by the same press and may be interconnected movably with respect to each other in the pressing direction. When the press parts are movable with respect to each other, they may be moved away from each other when perfonning step a. of the method, and towards each other when perfonning step b. of the method.

In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the first and second press part are connected by first pretension means pretensioning the first and second press parts away from each other, and wherein step b. comprises moving the second press part towards the first press part by applying a force on the second press part which is larger than said pretensioning force.

The first pretension means may make pressing the container essentially a two-step process in a relatively simple manner. The two-step process consists of a first step wherein the first press part is pressed towards the mould and partly deforms the blank, and a second step. When the first press part reaches a certain limit position, defined by e.g. the mould and/or the blank, the first pretension means can be compressed by moving the second press part towards the first press part, which makes that the second press part will only defonn the blank during the second step of the twostep process. This has the advantage that the blank may be folded more gradually and therefore more accurately and/or with a smaller error probability. The first pretension means may further or alternatively offer the advantage of providing a smoothly developing pressing force on the blank during the pressing thereof, without having to control the pressing force very precisely. Said first pretension means may for example comprise at least one spring or the like, in particular any type of energy storing means, such as mechanical energy storing means, may be used. The spring may be a helical compression spring.

In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, said method comprises the further step of heating at least one section of the blank, said section being provided with a fixative. Said section may be the attachment section of a blank described below.

An advantage of this embodiment is that by heating said at least one section that is provided with a fixative, said at least one section is able to affix in other words, attach or adhere, to a corresponding section of the blank. Said blank of which at least one section is heated may in particular be a blank according to at least any one of claims 24 - 27.

In particular, the connection between said at least one section and its corresponding section is liquid proof and/or waterproof, and/or gas proof. This may be interpreted as that when otherwise sealed, leakage of liquids such as water and/or gases is substantially prevented. Accordingly, a container manufactured according to the described method may be used in the food industry.

The section and its corresponding section may comprise at least one of the following:

- the attachment section of a blank described below and its corresponding section of the blank; and

- one of the comer connecting parts of the blank described below, and the other of the comer connecting parts of the blank, belonging to the same comer, as described below.

Preferably the attachment section and the comer connecting parts are affixed together with their corresponding sections in a leak-tight way for e.g. liquids or gases.

Heating of said at least one section of the blank may for example occur by heating at least a part of said mould, for example said single mould, and/or by heating at least a part of the press means for pressing parts of the blank in step a. and/or step b..

Heating of said at least one section of the blank may for example be performed during or after performing steps a. and/or b.

Preferably, and if applicable, heating of said at least one section of the blank may be perfbnned while the first and second press part are in their pressing position in which they press the bottom part of the blank and the at least one flange part in and against said single mould, respectively. An advantage thereof is that the blank is held in its container shape by the first and second press part and the single mould while the at least one section thereof is heated, wherein after heating said at least one section the blank may maintain its container shape as a result of said fixative being heated and thereafter cooled and affixed to a corresponding section.

The invention also relates to a device for pressing a container out of a blank according to the method as described in any one or more of the embodiments described above or having any one or more of the features described above, alone or in any arbitral·}' combination, said device comprising:

- press means, for pressing the bottom part of the blank and thereby folding the at least one side wall part with respect to the bottom part along the at least one bottom edge, and for pressing the at least one flange part and thereby folding the at least one flange part with respect to the at least one side wall part along the side wall edge in an outward direction; and

- at least one mould cooperating with said press means, for fonning the blank, wherein the press means are movable with respect to the at least one mould in a pressing direction.

Said device may suitably be used for folding the blank into a container, in particular by pressing the container out of the blank using said press means and said at least one mould.

Said device, in particular said press means and/or said at least one mould, may have any one or more of the features described above with respect to method according to the invention, in any suitable combination, and/or may have any one or more of the advantages described above with respect to the method according to the invention.

Said blank which is pressed by the device according to the invention may in particular be a blank according to any of the embodiments described below of a blank according to the invention, more in particular and for example a blank according to any of the claims 23 - 30.

Said press means are movable with respect to the at least one mould in a pressing direction between a pressing position in which they press the blank and a non-pressing position in which they do not press the blank.

In an embodiment of the device according to the invention said device comprises exactly one mould cooperating with said press means, i.e. a single mould.

An advantage of such a single mould is that the blank does not have to be transferred to another mould during pressing of the bottom part and the at least one flange part. This may improve the accuracy of folding the blank and/or the speed of folding the blank and/or may provide a relatively compact device.

It is noted that optionally said device may comprise other, further moulds, and that said exactly one mould cooperates with said press means for pressing both the bottom part and the at least one flange part of the blank.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the press means comprise:

- a first press part, for pressing the bottom part of the blank and thereby folding the at least one side wall part with respect to the bottom part along the at least one bottom edge; and

- a second press part, for pressing the at least one flange part and thereby folding the at least one flange part with respect to the at least one side wall part along the side wall edge in an outward direction, wherein the first and second press part are movable with respect to each other in the pressing direction and each cooperate with a said at least one mould .

As described with respect to the method, the first press part may cooperate with a first mould, i.e. the mould used in step a. of the method, and said second press part may cooperate with a second mould, i.e. the mould used in step b. of the method, or a single mould may be used such that the first and second press part both cooperate with the same, single mould, i.e. the same, single mould is used in both step a. and step b. of the method.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention the first press part and the second press part each correspond to the shape and size of the respective mould with which they cooperate, or together correspond to the shape and size of said one mould.

Correspond may be understood here to mean that the first press part and the second press part are arranged for mutual cooperation with the respective mould or one mould . Alternatively or additionally, correspond may mean that the first press part has a shape and/or size such that it fits into the mould with which the first press part cooperates and/or that the second press part has a shape and/or size such that it is able to press the at least one flange part against the mould with which the second press part cooperates, said moulds being either two separate moulds or the same one, single mould.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention the first press part and the second press part are comprised by the same stamp and are interconnected movably in the pressing direction with respect to each other.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention the first and second press part are connected by first pretension means pretensioning the first and second press parts away from each other.

Said pretensioning means may for example comprise at least one spring or the like.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein said device comprises heating means for heating at least one section of the blank, said section being provided with a fixative, said heating means for example being arranged for heating at least part of the at least one mould and/or at least part of the press means.

An advantage of heating at least part of the mould and/or at least part of the press means is that heating may take place while the blank is held in its container shape by the press means and the at least one mould, preferably said one, single mould, while the at least one section thereof is heated, wherein after heating said at least one section of the blank may maintain its container shape as a result of said fixative being heated and thereafter cooled and affixed to a corresponding section.

Said heating means may for example comprise an electrical heating means or a fluid heating means, for example arranged in at least part of the at least one mould and/or at least part of the press means. In such an embodiment the at least one mould and/or the press means is preferably at least partly made of a heat conducting material, such as a metal, for conducting the heat of the electrical heating means or fluid heating means to the blank.

Alternatively or additionally ultrasonic heat means could be used, which may be provided in at least part of the at least one mould and/or at least part of the press means.

As yet another alternative or supplemental heating method, pressure heating may be employed.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention said mould comprises at least one protrusion protruding away from a surface of the at least one mould used for pressing the blank against, and/or said press means comprises at least one protrusion protruding in the direction of the at least one mould, wherein the at least one protrusion is heated by the heating means.

By heating the at least one protrusion a local heating may be obtained for heating said at least one section of the blank.

An advantage of such local heating may be that a relatively low amount of energy may be required for heating and/or that a relatively high temperature may be obtained.

Said surface of the at least one mould used for pressing the blank against may in particular be a said pressing surface of the at least one mould.

Said protrusion of the mould, if provided, may protrude in the direction of the press means.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention said at least one mould comprises a blank supporting surface, which is movable between a blank receiving position, in which it is positioned outside and above said mould for receiving a blank, and a pressing position, in which it is positioned inside the mould and forms a bottom part thereof.

Said blank supporting surface may for example be movable independently from the press means, or may be movable by the press means.

Practically said device comprises second pretension means for pretensioning the blank supporting surface towards its blank receiving position.

Such an embodiment may in particular be advantageous if said blank supporting surface is movable by the press means, such that the blank is moved to its pressing position by the press means and may automatically return to its receiving position upon removing the press means from the at least one mould.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention the at least one mould is disposed on a base which is movable with respect to said press means in the pressing direction, wherein said at least one mould is movable with respect to the base in the pressing direction, the device further comprising third pretension means for pretensioning the at least one mould away from the base. Said at least one mould may be moved towards the base by the press means pressing the blank in and/or against the mould, and may automatically return to its position away from the base upon removing the press means from the at least one mould.

An advantage of this embodiment may be that the movement of the press means, and in particular the pressing position thereof, can be controlled within relatively large margins, such that no exact and/or accurate control is required.

Said device may comprise a drive means for driving the movable elements of the device, such as for example the press means, more in particular for example the first press part and/or the second press part thereof, and/or for example the blank support surface.

Preferably, said device may comprise a single drive for pressing the blank, said drive being configured for reciprocally driving the second press part in the pressing direction.

An advantage of this embodiment is that no other drives are required for pressing the blank.

Reciprocally in the pressing direction may mean back and forward in the pressing direction, i.e. towards and away from the at least one mould.

In this embodiment, if the first press part is comprised by the same stamp as the second press part, the first press part is moveable by driving the second press part. In particular, the single drive may drive the second press part and thereby the first press part back and forth in the pressing direction. More in particular, in a first part of the movement of the second press part the first press part is moved into the, preferably single, mould and presses the bottom part of the blank against the bottom of the mould, i.e. into the pressing position of the first press part, and in a second part of the movement of the second press part the first press part may be maintained in its pressing position and the second press part is moved relative to the first press part, more in particular towards the first press part, such that the second press part is moved into its pressing position in which it presses the at least one flange part of the blank against the, preferably same, single, mould. In the first part of the movement the first and second press parts are thus not moved with respect to each other. When both the first press part and the second press part are in their pressing position, heating of the at least one section of the blank preferably takes place, such that the blank may maintain its container shape in which it is pressed by means of the first and second press parts and the, preferably single, mould.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention at least one side wall part of the at least one mould is movable in a direction substantially parallel to its normal, between a first position and a second position, the first position being located further inwards with respect to the at least one mould than the second position, the device further comprising fourth pretension means for pretensioning said at least one side wall part towards its first position. An advantage of this embodiment may be that the movement of the press means, and in particular the pressing position thereof, can be controlled within relatively large margins, such that no exact and/or accurate control is required.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention said device comprises a conveyor for moving blanks into a position above the mould, said conveyor comprising a conveyor surface upon which blanks can be disposed, said conveyor surface being provided with at least one through hole through which the press means can pass.

Said blank can be supported by said conveyor surface. More in particular, a circumferential zone of the blank can at least partly be supported by said conveyor surface. The press means are allowed to pass through the through hole for pressing the blank away from the conveyor surface via the through hole thereof into the at least one mould. If said at least one mould comprises said blank supporting surface, said blank supporting surface may be disposed under the conveyor surface, preferably directly under and/or near the conveyor surface, such that after pressing the blank through the through hole the blank may be held between the press means and the blank supporting surface. In order for the blank to pass through the through hole in the conveyor surface, they may be defonned slightly by the press means. The conveyor with the carriers forming the conveyor surface may therefore also be understood and/or used as an additional mould, or pre mould, to partly fold the blanks, along with its functions of supporting and/or transporting the blank.

It is noted that in particular the first press part and/or the second press part may pass through the at least one through hole.

The at least one through hole may substantially correspond in shape and size with the blank to be pressed by the device.

More in particular, the through hole may be slightly smaller than said blank, such that the circumferential zone is at least partly supported by said conveyor surface, while also allowing the blank to be pressed through the through hole, preferably without damaging the blank.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention said conveyor comprises two substantially parallel endless belts between which at least two carriers are disposed, wherein the at least two earners fonn at least a part of a periphery of the at least one through hole and substantially correspond to a shape and size of the blank to be pressed by the device.

The two carriers may be attached at two opposing ends thereof to the two parallel endless belts.

The carriers may be moveable by the belts.

The at least two carriers may form at least part of the conveyor surface and thereby at least a part of the periphery of the at least one through hole. Said device may further comprise control means for controlling the device, for example in accordance with the method steps to be performed using the device. More in particular, the control means may control the movement of some or all moveable parts or elements of the device, such as for example the press means and/or the conveyor.

The invention also relates to a blank for pressing a container out of, wherein the blank comprises:

- a bottom part comprising at least one convex corner and a first and a second bottom edge adjacent thereto;

- a first and a second side wall part, connected to the bottom part along the first and the second bottom edges respectively;

- a first and a second triangular comer connecting part, mutually connected along a comer connecting folding line, the first triangular comer connecting part being connected to the first side wall part along a first folding line and the second comer connecting part being connected to the second side wall part along a second folding line;

- a comer connecting flange part, connected to the first comer connecting part along a comer connecting edge opposite the bottom part; and

- a side wall flange part, connected to the second side wall part along a side wall edge opposite the bottom part,

wherein the blank can be brought to a folded state in which it forms a container by folding the first and second side wall parts towards a same side of the bottom part along the first and second bottom edges respectively upon folding along the corner connecting folding line and along the first and second folding lines, so that the second corner connecting part lies flat against the second side wall part and the first comer connecting part lies flat against the second corner connecting part,

wherein the corner connecting flange part connected to the first corner connecting part comprises an attachment section, which attachment section in the folded state of the blank lies flat directly against the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part.

An advantage of this blank in comparison to the blank disclosed in NL2018522 B1 is that said attachment section is provided which attachment section in the folded state of the blank lies flat directly against the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part, and by means of which attachment section the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part can be attached to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part. After attaching the attachment section to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part, the blank being pressed into a container may maintain its container shape. The container may be further rigid ified by affixing the comer connecting parts belonging to the same corner to each other. Said blank may be pressed into a container using the method and/or device as described above in any one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or having any one or more of the above-described features.

Said attachment section lying directly against the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part may mean without any other parts of the blank in between.

Folding the first and second side wall parts towards a same side of the bottom part may mean towards each other and/or in the same direction, for example in an upward direction.

The corner connecting flange part and the side wall flange part may be folded along the comer connecting edge and along the side wall edge, respectively. After folding thereof, the comer connecting flange part and the side wall flange part may extend under an angle being smaller than 180°, for example approximately between 80° - 100°, with respect to the first comer connecting part and the second side wall part, respectively.

In an embodiment of the blank according to the invention at least the attachment section or a corresponding section of the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part against which the attachment section lies flat in the folded state of the blank is provided with a fixative for affixing the corner connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part at the attachment section and said corresponding section.

Said fixative may be any suitable fixative by means of which the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part can be affixed, in other words attached or adhered, to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part at the attachment section and said corresponding section.

For example, but not limited thereto, said fixative may be an adhesive, such as glue, a (meltable) polymer, a (meltable) plastic, and/or a thennoplastic.

Practically the fixative is a polymer layer spanning at least the attachment section and/or said corresponding section.

In yet another embodiment of the blank according to the invention substantially an entire surface of the blank corresponding to an inside of the container in the folded state is spanned by the polymer layer.

An advantage thereof is that said polymer layer may provide a dual function of making the blank non-absorbing for at least liquids and/or for providing a liquid and/or gas leak-tight container and/or for making the container suitable for food products and for affixing the container in its folded state.

Practically said blank may be made of paper or paperboard, wherein the polymer layer makes at least the inside of the container suitable for food products, e.g. by forming a leak-tight barrier for liquids and/or gases. In yet another embodiment of the blank according to the invention the fixative affixes the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part at the attachment section and said corresponding section after being heated.

By heating the fixative, for example the polymer layer, the fixative may melt or be otherwise brought into an affixing state for affixing the comer connecting flange part connected to the first corner connecting part to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part at the attachment section and said corresponding section.

After cooling the fixative the attachment section and said corresponding section may be attached to each other, preferably in a liquid and/or gas leak-tight manner.

The two comer connecting parts belonging to the same corner may be attached to each other in the same way.

The fixative being the polymer layer may have the advantage that the polymer layer can perform a double function, i.e. that of fixative and as a leak-tight barrier for liquid and/or gas.

In yet another embodiment of the blank according to the invention, said blank comprises a comer connecting flange part connected to the second comer connecting part along a corner connecting edge opposite the bottom part and a side wall flange part connected to the first side wall connected along a side wall edge opposite the bottom part, wherein in the folded state of the blank a part of the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part lies flat against the comer connecting flange part connected to the second comer connecting part, while the attachment section lies flat against the or a corresponding section of the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part against which the attachment section lies flat in the folded state of the blank.

In yet another embodiment of the blank according to the invention, a free end of the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part has an arcuate shape.

In yet another embodiment of the blank according to the invention, the corner connecting flange part connected to the first corner connecting part intersects and extends beyond an extension of the corner connecting folding line.

The invention further relates to a container folded from a blank as described above in any one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or having any one or more of the above- described features.

Said container may for example, but not limited thereto, be used for containing food products.

Said container may comprise a top seal connected with at least the side wall flange parts connected to the first and second side wall parts, which top seal seals an enclosed space within the container. Sealing the container may make the container particularly suitable for containing for example, but not limited thereto, food products. In particular, sealing the container may render it at least substantially free of leaks for liquids and/or gases.

It is noted that the top seal may further be connected with the comer connecting flange parts.

It is further noted that the enclosed space may be the container space.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

Figure 1A shows a plan view of an embodiment of a blank according to the invention;

Figure IB shows enlarged a section of figure 1A;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the blank of figure 1 after a first folding step;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the blank of figures 1 and 2 after a second folding step, so that the blank forms a container according to the invention;

Figures 4A and 4B show respectively a perspective view and a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for pressing a container out of a blank, in a rest position;

Figures 5A and 5B show respectively a perspective view and a cross sectional view of the device of figure 4A and 4B, in a first pressing position;

Figures 6A and 6B show respectively a perspective view and a cross sectional view of the device of figures 4A - 5B, in a second pressing position;

Figures 7A shows a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the device according to the invention for pressing a container out of a blank;

Figure 7B shows a detail of figure 7A; and

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of transport means which may part an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Across all figures, like elements are referred to by like numerals. Like elements across different embodiments are referred to with reference numerals increased by one hundred (100).

Figures 1A - 3 show a blank 1 according to the invention. A container may be pressed out of the blank 1. As shown the blank I comprises a bottom part 2 which has four convex comers 3. As will be appreciated, the blank 1 may also have a different number of convex comers 3, such as one, two, three or more. Adjacent to each convex corner 3 is a first bottom edge 4 and a second bottom edge 5. The blank 1 also comprises a first side wall part 6 and a second side wall part 7 at each convex corner 3. The side wall parts 6, 7 are connected to the bottom part along respective bottom edges 4, 5. The blank 1 further comprises a first triangular comer connecting part 8 and a second corner connecting part 9 at each convex comer 3. The first and second corner connecting parts 8, 9 are mutually connected along a corner connecting folding line 10. The first corner connecting parts 8 are connected to the first side wall parts 6 along first folding lines 11. The second comer connecting parts 9 are connected to the second side wall parts 7 along second folding lines 12. The blank 1 further comprises a comer connecting flange part 13 connected to the first comer connecting part 8 along a comer connecting edge 14 which is opposite the bottom part 2, and a side wall flange part 15 which is connected to the second side wall 7 along a side wall edge 16 opposite the bottom part 2. The comer connecting flange parts 13 connected to the first corner connecting parts 8 comprise an attachment section 21, which in the folded state of the blank

1 referred to later, lies flat directly against the side wall flange part 15 connected to the second side wall part 7.

In the embodiment shown, the attachment section 21 is provided with a fixative for affixing the comer connecting flange part 13 which is connected to the first comer connecting part 8 on the one hand to the side wall flange part 15 which is connected to the second side wall part 7 on the other hand. In this case the fixative is a polymer layer which spans the entire upper surface of the blank 1 which will fonn the inside of the container when folded. Although different fixatives or polymers could be used, in particular use is made of a polymer which affixes the corner connecting flange part 13 connected to the first comer connecting part 8 to the side wall flange part 15 connected to the second side wall part 7 at the attachment section 21 after being heated, particularly in a liquid and/or gas leak-tight manner. In this case the polymer is PET, particularly a PET suitable for use in the food industry, but other suitable fixatives or polymers may be used. The polymer, specifically PET, may make the surface of the blank substantially impenneable to liquids and/or gases, so that a container made from the blank can be used to fonn a liquid and/or gas leak- tight container. As the polymer layer is used for its impermeability and for its properties as a fixative when heated, it thus perfonns a double function.

The blank 1 shown also has a corner connecting flange part 17 connected to the second corner connecting part 9 along a comer connecting edge 18 opposite the bottom part 2 and a side wall flange part 19 connected to the first side wall 6 connected along a side wall edge 20 opposite the bottom part 2.

The blank 1 can be brought to a folded state in which it forms a container. This can be achieved by folding the first and second side wall parts 6, 7 towards a same side of the bottom part

2 along the first and second bottom edges 4, 5 respectively upon folding along the corner connecting folding line 10 and the first and second folding lines 11, 12. The side wall parts 6, 7 partly folded with respect to the bottom part 2 are shown in figure 2. By folding the side wall parts

6, 7 further towards the same side, and thus by folding along the comer connecting folding line 10 and the first and second folding lines 11, 12, the second comer connecting part 9 lies flat against the second side wall part 7, and the first corner connecting part 8 lies flat against the second corner connecting part 9 on side of the second comer connecting part 9 opposite the second side wall part

7. The second comer connecting part 9 is thus disposed between the first comer connecting part 8 and the second side wall part 7. The first comer connecting part 8 is in this example affixed to the second comer connecting part 9 in a liquid or gas leak-tight manner. Particularly, this is achieved by heating the PET between the two comer connecting parts 8. 9. According to the invention, the attachment section 21 of the comer connecting flange part 13 connected to the first corner connecting part 8 lies flat directly against the side wall flange part 15 connected to the second side wall part 7. In the blank 1 shown, the attachment section 21 of the comer connecting flange part 13 connected to the first comer connecting part 8 lying flat directly against the side wall flange part 15 connected to the second side wall part 7 is achieved by making the comer connecting flange part 13 connected to the first corner connecting part 8 of a different shape than the comer connecting flange part 17 connected to the second corner connecting flange part 9. In this case, the comer connecting flange part 17 connected to the second comer connecting part 9 is recessed with respect to the corner connecting flange part 13 connected to the first comer connecting part 8. Therefore, in the folded state of the blank 1 a part of the comer connecting flange part 13 connected to the first comer connecting part 8 lies flat against the comer connecting flange part 17 connected to the second comer connecting part 9, while the attachment section 21 lies flat against a corresponding section of the side wall flange part 15 connected to the second side wall part 7 against which the attachment section 21 lies flat in the folded state of the blank 1. Because of the fixative at the attachment section 21 , the attachment section 21 can be affixed to the corresponding section of the side wall flange part 15 connected to the second side wall part 7. It will be understood that instead of the attachment section 21. this corresponding section could have the fixative, or both could comprise fixatives. The attachment section 21 affixes the corner connecting flange part 13 to the side wall flange part 15 connected to the second side wall part 7, and thereby fixes the relative position of the first and second side wall parts 6, 7, so that the blank 1 forms a container with a bottom, formed by the bottom part 2, and a circumferential wall, formed by the side wall parts 6, 7 and possibly the corner connecting parts 8, 9. Although figures 2 and 3 show the corner connecting parts 8, 9 being folded towards a side of the second side wall part 7 which in the folded state of the blank 1 fonns the outside of the container, they may alternatively be folded towards the inside. It is further noted that side wall parts 6, 7 may differ in size from that shown in the figures. The skilled person will thus understand that various shapes of containers can be folded with appropriately dimensioned blanks.

One comer area of blank I of figure 1A is shown enlarged in figure IB. A free end 22 of the comer connecting flange part 13 connected to the first corner connecting part 8 is of arcuate shape. The same corner connecting flange part 13 also intersects and extends beyond an extension 10 of the corner comiecting folding line 10, as is shown at arrow 23.

In relation to the method according to the invention, folding up the side walls 6, 7 and folding along the first, second and comer connecting folding lines 11, 12, 10. is achieved by a first step, i.e. pressing the bottom part of the blank with respect to the mould for forming the blank and thereby folding the at least one side wall part with respect to the bottom part along the at least one bottom edge. Folding the flange parts 13, 15, 17, 19 outwards is achieved by a second step, i.e. pressing the at least one flange part and thereby folding the at least one flange part with respect to the at least one side wall part along the side wall edge in an outward direction.

Figures 4A - 6B show a first embodiment of a device 51 according to the invention. The device 51 is used for pressing a container out of a blank 1. The device 51 comprises press means 52 for pressing the blank 1 and thereby folding the at least one side wall part 6, 7 with respect to the bottom part 2 along the at least one bottom edge 4, 5, and for pressing the at least one flange part 15, 19 and thereby folding the at least one flange part 15, 19 with respect to the at least one side wall part 6, 7 along the side wall edge 16, 20 in an outward direction. The same press means 52 may be used to press outwards comer connecting flange parts 13, 17 with respect to the comer connecting parts 8, 9 to which they are attached. The device 51 further comprises exactly one mould 53 cooperating or configured to cooperate with the press means 52, which can hold the blank 1. More than one mould 53 may however be provided. The press means 52 are movable with respect to the mould 53 in a pressing direction P. As shown, the press means 52 comprise a first press part 54 for pressing the blank 1 and thereby folding the at least one side wall part 6, 7 with respect to the bottom part 2 along the at least one bottom edge 4, 5, and a second press part 55 for pressing the at least one flange part 15, 19 and thereby folding the at least one flange part 15, 19 with respect to the at least one side wall part 6, 7 along the side wall edge 16. 20 in an outward direction. The second press part 55 also presses the comer connecting flange parts 13, 17. The first and second press parts 54, 55 are movable with respect to each other in the pressing direction P. Each of the press parts 54, 55 cooperate or are configured to cooperate with the mould 53. In this embodiment the press parts 54, 55 together correspond to the shape and size of the mould 53. As best seen in a cross sectional view, such as figure 4B, the press parts 54, 55 are comprised by the same stamp 52 and are interconnected movably with respect to each other in the pressing direction P. Interconnection is made by first pretensioning means 56 which pretension the first and second press parts 54, 55 away from each other. In this embodiment the first pretensioning means 56 comprise multiple compression springs which create a preferred non-zero distance between the first press part 54 and the second press part 55. The mould 53 comprises heating means (not shown) for heating at least part of the mould 53. In particular, the heating means may heat an inside surface of the mould 53. which may correspond to at least an attachment section 21 of a blank 1 to be pressed. Additionally, it is possible that the heat generated in mould 53 can be used to heat the press means 52, which are thereby heated indirectly. This indirect heating may make the folding of blank 1 more accurate and/or easier. Indirectly heating the press means 52 is not required however, since isolating the press means 52 whilst heating the mould 53 has also proven to give satisfactory results.

The mould comprises a blank supporting surface 57, which is movable between a blank receiving position (see figures 4A - 4B) and a pressing position (see figures 6A - 6B). In the blank receiving position the blank supporting surface 57 is positioned outside and over the mould 53, so that it can receive a blank 1. The blank 1 may be transported in sideways by suitable transport means, which will be discussed further down. In the pressing position, the blank supporting surface is positioned inside the mould, and it fonns a part thereof. Specifically, in this position the blank supporting surface 57 forms a bottom part of the mould. The blank supporting surface 57 can be moved between its blank receiving position and its pressing position in the pressing direction P. In this embodiment, the blank supporting surface 57 is pretensioned towards its blank receiving position by second pretension means 58. The device 51 further comprises a base 59 upon which the mould 53 is disposed. The first and second press parts 54, 55. i.e. the press means 52, are movable with respect to the base 59 in the pressing direction P. The mould 53 is also movable with respect to the base 59 in the pressing direction P, and pretensioned away from it by third pretension means 60. In the embodiment of the device 51 which is shown in figures 4 A - 6B. the device 51 comprises a single drive (not shown) for pressing the blank. The drive is configured for reciprocally driving the second press part 55 with respect to the base 59 in the pressing direction. Since the first press part 54 is connected to the second press part 55, this is also driven by the same drive indirectly. Since the mould 53 is disposed on the base, the drive drives both press parts 54, 55 with respect to the mould. The blank supporting surface 57 is driven down into the mould 53 by the first press means 54 when this is moved down far enough. Starting from figures 4A and 4B, a blank 1 may be inserted between the blank supporting surface 57 and the first press part 54. The blank 1 may be disposed on the blank supporting surface 57 or held above it. The drive then drives the second press part 55 towards the base 59. In practice the base 59 is fixed, whilst the second press part 55 is driven downwardly towards the base 59. The first press part 54 is thus also driven down, until it contacts the blank 1 disposed on or above the blank supporting surface 57. By driving the second press part 55 further down, the first pretension means 56 and the second pretension means 58 are somewhat compressed . The drive can then move the second press means 55 and thus the first press means 54, the blank 1 and the blank supporting surface 57 further down until the blank supporting surface 57 is disposed inside the mould 53 and forms a bottom part of it, see figures 5A and 5B. The first press part 54 is at this position also at least partly inside the mould 53, meaning that it has pressed the blank 1 into the mould 53, so that the cooperation between the first press part 54 and the mould 53 has folded the side wall parts 6, 7 of the blank 1 upwards. If the device 51 is used for perfonning the earlier described method, this is the step of that method. Later, the second press part 55 can be driven even further down towards the base 59 by the drive, the first, second and third pretension means 56, 58, 60 are thereby compressed, until the first and second press parts 54. 55 lie directly against each other. The first and second press parts 54, 55 thereby correspond in shape and size to the mould 53, see figures 6A and 6B. At this point, the first and second press parts 54, 55 have pressed the blank 1 into the mould upon folding its flange parts 15, 19 with respect to its wall parts 6, 7. If the blank 1 has more flange parts 13, 17, such as the blank 1 in figure 1A, all flange parts 13, 15, 17, 19 may be folded at the same time. This is the second step of the above-described method.

During the first and second steps, the press means 52 exert a force on the mould 53 via the blank 1. Since the mould 53 is pretensioned away from the base 59 by the third pretensioning means 60, the mould 53 is pressed towards the base 59 as the press means 52 move towards the base 59. At the end of the second step, as shown in figures 6A and 6B, the mould 53 lies flat against the base 59.

The blank 1, which is now folded into a container with flanges, may be released from the device 51 by driving the second press part 55, and thus the first press part 54 away from the base. The second pretension means 58 will push the blank supporting surface 57 out of the mould 53, thereby releasing the folded container, which may be transported away by transport means.

As best seen in figures 4B, 5B and 6B, the side walls 61 of the mould 53 are carried by fourth pretension means 62, which pretension the side walls 61 towards a first position which is located further inwards with respect to the mould than a second position. The movable side walls 61 together with their pretension means 62 allow a gradual increase in pressing force on the blank 1 when the press means 52 are driven towards the mould 53.

Figures 7A and 7B show another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

The device 151 comprises press means 152 and a mould 153, which may be similar to those described above and is similar to the device described above unless stated otherwise. The mould 153 of the device 151 comprises eight protrusions 163, 164. For even' comer point of a blank 1, a top protrusion 163 is arranged for affixing flange parts together, and a bottom protrusion 164 is arranged for affixing the first comer connecting part 8 to the other, second comer connecting part 9 and/or one of the comer connecting parts 8,9 to side wall parts 6, 7. The protrusions 163, 164 protrude away from a surface of the mould 153 for pressing the blank against, i.e. an inside surface of the mould. The protrusions 163, 164 are heated by heating means 165, which heats the mould 153 and therewith the protrusions 163, 164. Any suitable heating means may be used. The protrusions 163, 164 serve to focus pressure and heat onto areas of the blank corresponding to the protrusions 163, 164, e.g. the attachment section 21 and corner connecting parts 8, 9 of a blank 1 to be pressed respectively. Using the protrusions 163, 164, a particularly strong fixation may be achieved, e.g. by melting a fixative present on the blank 1, and pressing together the sections of the blank 1 to be fixed together. The protrusions 163, 164 may also be applied on the device 51 of figures 4 A - 6B. The skilled person understands that when a fixative is used that does not require being heated to affix sections of blank 1 to their corresponding sections heating the protrusions 163, 164 is not required either. In that case the increased pressure caused by the protrustions 163, 164 may be sufficient for affixing the sections of the blank 1 to each other.

The above-described devices 51, 151 may further comprise transport means 71 as shown in figure 8. The transport means 71 comprise a conveyor 72 for moving blanks 1 over the mould 53, 153 of the device 51, 151. The conveyor 72 comprises a conveyor surface upon which blanks 1 can be disposed, and is provided with several through holes 73 through which at least the first press part 54 can pass. The through holes 73 correspond in shape and size with the blanks 1 to be pressed by the device 51, 151. The transport means 71 further include a double cassette 74 for holding stacks of unfolded blanks 1. The double cassette 74 may be replaced by a single cassette or a cassette holding even more stacks of blanks 1, such as three, four or more stacks. The conveyor consists of two substantially parallel endless belts 75, with carrier elements 76 disposed therebetween. The carrier elements 76 form a periphery of the through holes 73 and therefore correspond in shape and size to the blanks 1 to be pressed. The earner elements 76 also include support bars 77, which extend from the carrier elements 76 into the through holes 73 defined by the carrier elements 76. When destacking blanks 1 one by one at the double cassette 74, the blanks are disposed on the support bars 77 between two carrier elements 76 and between the two endless belts 75, so that the blanks 1 span the through holes 73. A conveyor drive 78 then moves the conveyor belts 75, and thus the earner elements 76 and the blanks 1 towards a pressing position 79. The pressing position 79 is thus downstream of the double cassette 74. A device 51, 151 may be placed at the pressing position for pressing containers out of the blanks 1. In practice, the conveyor surface may run over the blank supporting surface 57 of the device 51 when the device is in the rest position. The first press part 54 may then be driven down towards the base 59, thereby passing through and pushing the blank 1 through the through hole 73 into the mould 53. By pushing the blank 1 through the through hole 73, the blank 1 slightly deforms. The carrier elements 76 with support parts 77 and the two endless belts 75 thus perfbnn a pre-shaping function together with the press means 52. In that respect, the earner elements 76. support parts 77 and the endless belts 75 together may be regarded as an additional, or pre-mould.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples, the invention is not limited thereto. Instead, the scope of the invention is also defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Method for pressing a container from a blank, the blank comprising:

- a bottom part comprising at least one bottom edge;

wherein the method comprises:

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein steps a. and b. are performed while the blank remains in a single mould.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein step a. is performed by moving a first press part towards said mould in a pressing direction, thereby pressing the blank in said mould, and step b. is performed by moving a second press part towards the same mould or a different mould in the pressing direction, thereby pressing the flange parts outwards against that mould.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the first and second press parts are comprised by the same press and are interconnected movably with respect to each other in the pressing direction.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the first and second press part are connected by first pretension means pretensioning the first and second press parts away from each other, and wherein step b. comprises moving the second press part towards the first press part by applying a force on the second press part which is larger than said pretensioning force.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of heating at least one section of the blank, said section being provided with a fixative .

7. Device for pressing a container out of a blank according to the method of any one of claims 1 - 6, said device comprising: - press means, for pressing the bottom part of the blank and thereby folding the at least one side wall part with respect to the bottom part along the at least one bottom edge, and for pressing the at least one flange part and thereby folding the at least one flange part with respect to the at least one side wall part along the side wall edge in an outward direction; and

- at least one mould cooperating with said press means, for fonning the blank,

wherein the press means are movable with respect to the at least one mould in a pressing direction.

8. Device according to claim 7, comprising exactly one mould cooperating with said press means.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8. wherein the press means comprise:

- a second press part, for pressing the at least one flange part and thereby folding the at least one flange part with respect to the at least one side wall part along the side wall edge in an outward direction,

wherein the first and second press part are movable with respect to each other in the pressing direction and each cooperate with a said at least one mould.

10. Device according to any one of claims 7 - 9, wherein the first press part and the second press part each correspond to the shape and size of the respective mould with which they cooperate, or together correspond to the shape and size of said one mould.

11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the first press part and the second press part are comprised by the same stamp and are interconnected movably in the pressing direction with respect to each other.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the first and second press part are connected by first pretension means pretensioning the first and second press parts away from each other.

13. Device according any one of claims 7 - 12, wherein said device comprises heating means for heating at least one section of the blank, said section being provided with a fixative, said heating means for example being arranged for heating at least part of the at least one mould and/or at least part of the press means.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein said mould comprises at least one protrusion protruding away from a surface of the at least one mould used for pressing the blank against, and/or said press means comprises at least one protrusion protruding in the direction of the at least one mould, wherein the at least one protrusion is heated by the heating means.

15. Device according to any one of claims 7 - 14, wherein said at least one mould comprises a blank supporting surface, which is movable between a blank receiving position, in which it is positioned outside and above said mould for receiving a blank, and a pressing position, in which it is positioned inside the mould and fonns a bottom part thereof.

16. Device according to claim 15, comprising second pretension means for pretensioning the blank supporting surface towards its blank receiving position.

17. Device according to any one of the claims 7 - 16, wherein the at least one mould is disposed on a base which is movable with respect to said press means in the pressing direction, wherein said at least one mould is movable with respect to the base in the pressing direction, the device further comprising third pretension means for pretensioning the at least one mould away from the base.

18. Device according to any one of the claims 7 - 17, comprising a single drive for pressing the blank, said drive being configured for reciprocally driving the second press part in the pressing direction.

19. Device according to any one of the claims 7 - 18, wherein at least one side wall part of the at least one mould is movable in a direction substantially parallel to its normal, between a first position and a second position, the first position being located further inwards with respect to the at least one mould than the second position, the device further comprising fourth pretension means for pretensioning said at least one side wall part towards its first position.

20. Device according to any one of the claims 7 - 19, further comprising a conveyor for moving blanks into a position above the mould, said conveyor comprising a conveyor surface upon which blanks can be disposed, said conveyor surface being provided with at least one through hole through which the press means can pass.

21. Device according to claim 20, wherein the at least one through hole substantially corresponds in shape and size with the blank to be pressed by the device.

22. Device according to claim 21, wherein said conveyor comprises two substantially parallel endless belts between which at least two carriers are disposed, wherein the at least two carriers form at least a part of a periphery' of the at least one through hole and substantially correspond to a shape and size of the blank to be pressed by the device.

23. Blank for pressing a container out of, wherein the blank comprises:

wherein the blank can be brought to a folded state in which it fomis a container by folding the first and second side wall parts towards a same side of the bottom part along the first and second bottom edges respectively upon folding along the corner connecting folding line and along the first and second folding lines, so that the second corner connecting part lies flat against the second side wall part and the first comer connecting part lies flat against the second corner connecting part,

characterized in that the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part comprises an attachment section, which attachment section in the folded state of the blank lies flat directly against the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part.

24. Blank according to claim 23, wherein at least the attachment section or a corresponding section of the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part against which the attachment section lies flat in the folded state of the blank is provided with a fixative for affixing the comer connecting flange part connected to the first corner connecting part to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part at the attachment section and said corresponding section.

25. Blank according to claim 24. wherein the fixative is a polymer layer spanning at least the attachment section and/or said corresponding section.

26. Blank according to claim 25, wherein substantially an entire surface of the blank corresponding to an inside of the container in the folded state is spanned by the polymer layer.

27. Blank according to any of the claims 24 - 26, wherein the fixative affixes the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part to the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part at the attachment section and said corresponding section after being heated.

28. Blank according to any one of claims 23 - 27, comprising a comer connecting flange part connected to the second corner connecting part along a corner connecting edge opposite the bottom part and a side wall flange part connected to the first side wall connected along a side wall edge opposite the bottom part, wherein in the folded state of the blank a part of the comer connecting flange part connected to the first corner connecting part lies flat against the comer connecting flange part connected to the second corner connecting part, while the attachment section lies flat against the or a corresponding section of the side wall flange part connected to the second side wall part against which the attachment section lies flat in the folded state of the blank.

29. Blank according to any one of claims 23 - 28, wherein a free end of the comer connecting flange part connected to the first comer connecting part has an arcuate shape.

30. Blank according to any one of claims 23 - 29, wherein the comer connecting flange part connected to the first corner connecting part intersects and extends beyond an extension of the comer connecting folding line.

31. Container folded from a blank according to any one of claims 23 - 30, preferably being gas and/or liquid leak-tight.

32. Container according to claim 31, further comprising a top seal connected with at least the side wall flange parts connected to the first and second side wall parts and sealing an enclosed space within the container.