MX2010012629A

MX2010012629A - Improvements in or relating to container blanks and containers.

Info

Publication number: MX2010012629A
Application number: MX2010012629A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Ivica Franic
Original assignee: Elopak Systems
Priority date: 2008-05-20
Filing date: 2009-05-20
Publication date: 2010-12-06
Also published as: CN102099256A; CO6310983A2; MA32404B1; BRPI0912840A2; KR20110018889A; IL209367A0; ZA201008399B; WO2009141389A3; EP2318281A2; US20110113733A1; GB0809082D0; CA2724411A1; WO2009141389A2; AU2009248777A1; EA201001808A1

Abstract

A carton blank (10) for forming a container, and comprising a row of body portion forming panels (P1-P5) arranged side-by-side, the boundaries between said panels (P1-P5) being defined by respective, substantially straight boundary lines of weakness (S1-S4) extending from top to bottom of said panels (P1-P5) substantially perpendicularly to said row, two adjacent boundary lines of weakness (S-S4) each having disposed at one side thereof a supplemental line of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31', S32', S41, S42), each supplemental line of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42) being substantially the length of a panel (P1-P5).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATED TO CONTAINER PREFORMS AND CONTAINERS DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY This invention relates to container preforms, containers formed from preforms, and methods and apparatus for forming them.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a carton package preform is provided to form a container, and comprising a row of panels forming the body portion disposed side by side, the boundaries between said panels being defined by respective straight, substantially delimiting lines of weakness, extending from the top to the bottom of said panels substantially perpendicular to said row, two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness each of which is disposed on one side thereof a line of complementary weakness, each line of complementary weakness being substantially the length of a panel.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a carton package preform is provided to form a container, and comprising a row of panels forming the body portion disposed side by side, the boundaries between said panels being defined by substantially straight delimiting lines of weakness extending from the top to the bottom of said panels, two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness, each of which has lines of complementary weakness disposed on respective opposite sides thereof, each line of complementary weakness being at least half the length of a panel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a container comprising a loop of body portions is provided, the delineations between said portions being defined by respective substantially straight delimiting lines of weakness, extending from the top to the top. lower part of said portions substantially perpendicular to the loop, two lines of adjacent delimiting weakness each of which has a line of complementary weakness disposed on one side thereof, each complementary line of weakness being substantially the length of a portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a container comprising a loop of body portions is provided, the delineations between said portions being defined by substantially straight delimiting lines of weakness extending from the upper part to the lower part of the body. said portions, two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness each of which has a line of complementary weakness disposed on respective opposite sides thereof, each complementary line of weakness being at least half the length of a portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for handling partially formed containers comprising a transport device that includes a plurality of receiving portions for receiving partially formed containers having a predetermined average cross-sectional portion, a device of filling arranged to fill the partially formed containers, and a pressure device arranged to press the middle portion to make the middle portion of rounded cross-section.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for handling partially formed containers, comprising advancing a plurality of partially formed containers through a pressure device and a filling device, said partially formed containers having a half portion of predetermined cross section, pressing the middle portion to make the middle portion of rounded cross section, and filling the plurality of partially formed containers in the filling station.

Due to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a container solution that allows substantial cost savings in the carton conversion process, that uses less material per preform for the same volume of liquid product, improves the ergonomic properties of the container , and that works in mandrel-based container forming technology. The provision of complementary weakness lines allows that the container is buckled and provides an opportunity to reduce the weight of cardboard from the substrate within the laminar unit of the package. The system is suitable for gable-top and flat-top configurations. The design of the container is such that it can be used with existing machinery. Supplementary weakness lines are provided at two adjacent vertical corner edges of the formed container. They could be provided in three of the edges, or in the four edges of a container of rectangular cross section. The lines of complementary weakness in one modality can be provided as a pair of complementary lines of weakness arranged on respective opposite sides of the delimiting lines of weakness, each of the lines of complementary weakness in the pair being at least half of the height of a panel.

The invention provides the opportunity to save approximately 5 to 20 mm in the height of the container and at the same time be able to fill it with 1000 ml of liquid, which is achieved by pressing the partially formed container over the substantially vertical corners after the part bottom is formed in the mandrel, and before and / or while filling with the content. This deformation can continue during filling by activating the additional marked lines in the substantially vertical corners. After filling, the container will adopt a new own shape, and the upper part can be sealed. The pressure can also take place after the container has been filled and sealed, which has the advantage of being able to carry out the pressure action outside the forming, filling and sealing machine. The degree of buckling in the side walls will determine how low the liquid level is made. Buckling is controlled by specially designed functional complementary weakness lines (marked lines), and will be recognized by the end user as an intentional design feature. The result will be a cheaper package with a new design appearance and excellent ergonomic properties.

To avoid the negative buckling deformation effect at the material and logistic handling levels (caused by the wider container), the footprint of the container can be resized to 65 x 65 mm. In this case, the container will be thinner and will fit in the logistics in the same way as the standard 1 liter 70 x 70 mm container. The container will be taller and more elegant looking. However, when the footprint of the container is reduced, the more elegant tall container can provide a logistics problem when adjusting in the existing forming, filling and sealing machine. In such taller and more elegant containers, it is important to keep the container as aesthetically pleasing as possible, by reducing intentional buckling to a minimum. With a single line of complementary weakness disposed on one side of each of two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness, so that, for example, the two complementary lines of weakness are located on the front panel of the container, intentional buckling is restricted to front panel and the Higher container retains its elegant appearance.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a carton package preform is provided for a container that includes a quadrangular upper sealing sub-panel, and disposed outward thereof, a top sealing sub-panel, a line of weakness separating the sealing sub-panel and the sealing sub-panel and buckling towards the sealing sub-panel.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a container including a top closure including a roof sub-panel and a top sealing sub-panel is provided, said roof sub-panel buckling towards the sub-panel of sealed.

Due to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a sub-panel for mounting, for example, a pouring nozzle fitting, which is larger than a corresponding sub-panel which does not buckle towards the sealing sub-panel. This supports a larger pouring nozzle accessory.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, a preform is provided for forming a container comprising a row of panels comprising first, second, third and fourth panels and a row of substantially rectangular end closure panels extending substantially parallel to the row of panels and comprising first, second, third and fourth end closure panels, each of the first and third end closure panels disposed outside of the a respective end seal panel extending across the width of the adjacent end closure panel, and each of the second and fourth end closure panels having a respective pair of tabs disposed therefrom, each tab extending to through less than half the width of the adjacent end closure panel.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, a container is provided comprising a loop of body portions comprising first, second, third and fourth body portions and an end housing comprising bent end portions and comprising first second, third and fourth end closure portions, each connected to a respective body portion, each of the first and third end closure portions being connected, at an edge opposite the connection to a body portion, to a respective end seal portion extending across the width of the adjacent end closure portion, and each of the second and fourth end closure portions being connected, at an edge opposite the connection to a body portion, to a pair of respective tongues, each tongue extending through less than half the width of the adjacent end closure portion, and a sealing flap that it comprises the extreme sealing portions and the pairs of tongues.

Due to these aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide an improved end closure, when the preform is formed in a container. The end closure is particularly suited for packaging applications aseptic, since there are no irregular edges of cardboard material inside the container nor is there any vertex point inside the finished container, since the folding procedure results in the vertices being outside the container.

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a carton preform, Figure 2 is a side view of a container formed from a preform similar to the preform of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of a pair of containers, each shown in three views, Figure 4a is a perspective view of an open top container, before activation, Figure 4b is a perspective view of an open top container, after activation, Figure 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the carton preform, Figure 6a is a perspective view of two containers, Figures 6b and 6c are respective top perspective and diagrammatic views of a container similar to those of the container on the right hand side of Figure 6a, Figure 7 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the carton preform, Figures 8 to 21 show additional embodiments of the preform, Figure 22 is a perspective view of a container formed from a preform similar to the preform of Figure 21, Figures 23 to 27 show additional embodiments of the preform, Figure 28 is a perspective view of a container formed from the preforms of Figure 25, Figure 29 is a perspective view of a container formed from the preforms of Figure 24, Figure 30 is a plan view of the container of the figure 29, Figure 31 is a side view and a front view of a plastic insert, Figure 32 is a plan view of an additional carton preform, Figure 33 is a plan view of an additional carton preform, Figure 34 is a perspective view of a container end closure in an intermediate training stage, Figure 35 is a perspective view of the end closure of container of figure 34 in a completed training stage, and Figure 36 is a perspective view of the container end closure of Figure 35 from inside the container.

Figure 1 shows a preform of carton 10 to form a container, and comprises a row of panels P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 arranged side by side, the boundaries between panels P1 to P5 being defined by lines of weakness respective delimiters, which are the lines marked S1, S2, S3 and S4. The delimiting weakness lines S1 to S4 are substantially straight and extend from the top to the bottom of the panels P1 to P5. Each of the panels P1 to P4 will become one side of the final container made from the preform 10, and the delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4 constitute the corner edges of the container. The delimiting weakness lines S1 to S4 are each a straight continuous line starting at the top of a panel P1 to P5 and ending at the bottom of the respective panel P1 to P5. The delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4 are each substantially perpendicular to the row of panels P1 to P5.

Each of the delimiting weakness lines S1 to S4 are arranged on respective opposite sides of the same complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42. Each complementary weakness line S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 is at least half the height of the final container, and they have upper regions 12 and lower regions 14 proximal to a line of delimiting weakness respective S1 to S4, and have a central region 16 remote from the respective delimiting weakness line S1 to S4 than any of the upper and lower regions 12 and 14.

The complementary weakness lines S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 are provided in the preform 10, so that when the preform 10 is finally formed in a container 18 (shown in Figure 2), they are activated by crushing the central region of the container, resulting in intentional buckling in the container. This buckling allows the container 18 (once the lines of weakness are activated) to contain a larger volume of content (e.g., a fluid such as milk) for a given height of the container. This is because a circular cross section has an area larger than the corresponding rectangular cross section.

On the preform 10, each of the complementary weakness lines S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 of a pair of complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, located on either side of a line of delimiting weakness S1-S4 defines a sub-panel P6, P7, P8 and P9. Each of the complementary weakness lines S11, S2, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 contacts the respective delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4 in the upper and lower regions 12 and 14.

To assist in the formation of buckling in the final container, the preform 10 further comprises transverse lines of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 starting at or near a line of delimiting weakness S1 -S4 and extending towards a respective complementary weakness line S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the transverse weakness lines S13, S23, S33, S43 actually start on a line of delimiting weakness S1-S4 and end on a respective complementary weakness line S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42. Each line of delimiting weakness S1-S4 is provided with a plurality of transverse weakness lines S13, S23, S33, S43. The cross-sectional weakness lines S 3, S23, S33, S43 provided in a line of delimiting weakness S1-S4 are parallel.

The container 18 produced from the preform 10 helps achieve low cost packaging by redesigning the existing carton configuration in a form that allows the same volume of liquid to be filled into a lower-level carton (with an identical footprint). ), which also means using less cardboard in the formation of the preform. For example, the preform will fill 1000 ml of liquid in a standard 1000 ml carton that is shorter by 5 to 20 mm. To achieve this goal, the preform 10 uses the fact that in bulged cardboard boxes the height level of the liquids drops.

However, since the first association of a consumer with a buckled cardboard packaging is that there is something wrong with the content, this important matter must be resolved. To overcome this problem, the preform 10 provides a design solution that leads to the re- configuration of container walls in a way that clearly demonstrates to the consumer (by their appearance) the intent behind their unique design. The real reason for "cost savings" will not necessarily be visible to the end user, but at the same time the consumer will recognize the shape of the package as a novelty. To achieve this goal with design tools, the preform 10 is configured to actually control the buckling with the additional marked lines, which are formed in a manner that follows and allows this buckling effect. The marked lines must be placed in the correct places to achieve the desired result.

To save approximately 5 to 20 mm in the height of the container and to allow it to be filled with 1000 ml of liquid, it is necessary to "crush" the container 18 in the corners after the lower part is formed in the mandrel and before / during / after of the filling. If the crushing occurs before / during filling, the deformation may continue during filling by activating the additional marked lines on all four walls (corners). After filling, the container 18 will adopt a new proper shape, and the upper part can be sealed. The degree of buckling on the side walls will determine how low the liquid level is made. The buckling will be controlled by specially designed functional lines, and will be recognized as a new intentional design feature. The result will be a cheaper package with a new design appearance and excellent ergonomic properties.

Figure 3 illustrates a comparison between the container 18 and a conventional container 20. Container 18a shows container 18 filled with a fluid content, which does not yet have the corners activated. The container 18b shows the container 18a after the activation of the complementary lines of weakness. The activation is executed by pressing the container 18 in the middle region, which changes the cross section of the container 18 from the predetermined rectangular cross section to a more rounded cross section. The activation of the corners of the container 18 in Figure 3 are shown to have been carried out in a filled and sealed container 18, but the process of activating the complementary lines of weakness may occur before or during the filling process, prior to sealing. the upper part of the container 8.

The container 18c is a final configuration of the container 18 after it has been filled, sealed at the top, activated and is the final product. The liquid level L as shown in the containers 18b and 18c is lower than the liquid level L in the pre-activated container 18a. The containers 20 have the same footprint as the containers 18, but the height of the containers 20 exceeds that of the containers 18, while they contain the same volume of content. It can be seen that the liquid level L in the container 20b is higher than the liquid level L in the corresponding container 18b.

An example of the activation of the container 18, prior to the sealing of the upper part of the container 18, is shown in figures 4a and 4b. The container 18a in figure 4a has been filled, but not yet activated. The Figures 4a and 4b show the level of liquid L in the 1000 ml container (which is 20 mm lower than a conventional container with the same footprint), filled with 1000 ml of water, before and after the lines marked vertical curves in all four corners are activated and container 18 crushed. Depending on the amount of crushing force and the shape and configuration of the curved lines marked, the liquid level L will fall between 5 and 25 mm.

Container 18 provides a low cost package configuration. In order to use the technology of carton packaging with existing mandrel, the container 18 is provided with four vertical corners which are necessary for the formation of the carton in the mandrel, as well as the transportation through the filling machine and equipment downstream. The design of the container is such that the requirements of standard logistics and material handling are maintained. The reconfiguration of the container construction is used to achieve a new and attractive visual appearance of the carton. An additional result of the design of the carton pack is that the ergonomic properties of the container 18 are also improved.

Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is provided with a hole 22 for receiving a pouring nozzle fitting, when the preform 10 is formed in a finished container. The preform 10 is provided with complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, which will eventually be used, when the container 18 is formed, to allow the section cross section of the container becomes more rounded. In this embodiment, each complementary weakness line S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 is substantially the height of the finished container, in length. Each line of complementary weakness is substantially the length of a panel P1 to P5. Each complementary weakness line S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 does not make contact with a respective delimiting weakness line S1 to S4.

Figure 6a shows two examples of containers 18 that have been formed, filled and sealed, a container with gable-shaped top part shown on the left hand side and a flat top container shown on the right hand side. The provision of the lines of weakness in the corners of the containers 18 allows these containers to buckle outwards, when the marked lines are activated by the application of pressure (shown by the arrows in figures 6b and 6c) in the middle portion 19 of the containers 18 wherein the subpanels P6 to P9 are at their maximum amplitude. The application of pressure in the middle portion 19 is advantageously directly over the delimiting weakness lines S1 to S4 at an obtuse angle relative to the vertically oriented panels P1 to P4 (as shown in Figures 6b and 6c), the obtuse angle being preferably about 135 °. The lines marked at the corners of the containers 18 can be used with cardboard boxes with square and rectangular flat top and gable.

A third embodiment of the preform 10 is shown in the figure 7. The preform 10 is provided with the complementary weakness line S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 and transverse weakness lines S3, S23, S33, S43 (which stop before reaching the lines of weakness complementary). Each pair of complementary weakness lines S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 around respective delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4 define subpanels P6 to P9. As before, when this preform 10 is formed in a container 18 that would have a planar top configuration instead of a gable top configuration, the subpanels P6 to P9 are pressed inward to change the cross section of the panel. container 18, to make container 18 more rounded.

The preform 10 shown in Figure 7 is a so-called central seam design. The preforms 10 of figures 1 and 5 show a corner seam design. This refers to the final location of the seam when the preform 10 wraps around a mandrel in the forming machine and sealed in a container sleeve. At the sewing location, a flap 24 of the preform (which is bounded by the dotted line 26) wraps the other side of the preform 10 from below. The design of Figure 7 results in the flap being present in the seam. center of a body portion instead of the corner as in the preform of figures 1 and 5. This means that the preform of figure 7, when formed in a container, does not have a double layer of material in a corner (which is the case with the preforms 10 of figures 1 and 5). This means that all the corners in the container 18 formed from the preforms 10 of Figure 7 require the same amount of pressure to press inwardly.

The carton preform 10 of Figure 7 includes a quadrangular upper seal sub-panel P10, and disposed outwardly thereof, a top sealing sub-panel P11, a line of weakness S50 separating the sub-panel from P10 seal of the sealing sub-panel P11 and which is bent in the sealing sub-panel P1. The line of weakness S50 which is separating the sealing sub-panel P10 and the sealing sub-panel P11 is arched. The sealing sub-panel P10 includes a hole 22 for receiving a pouring nozzle fitting. The line of weakness S50 which separates the sealing sub-panel P10 and the sealing sub-panel P11 is continuous along the boundary between the sealing sub-panel P10 and the sealing sub-panel P11. The preform 10 further comprises a second line of weakness S52 which separates the sealing sub-panel P10 from a body sub-panel P3 and which is buckled in the body sub-panel P3. This second line of weakness S52 that separates the shutter sub-panel P10 and the body sub-panel P11 is also arched. The shape of the weakness lines S50 and S52 allows a larger sealing sub-panel P10 and thus a larger hole 22 for a larger pouring nozzle attachment.

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 1, but complementary weakness lines S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 they end before they reach the delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4. In addition, between each pair of complementary weakness lines, a single line of transverse weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 is provided which is substantially provided at the midpoint in the preform 10, and is perpendicular to the respective delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4. Additional lines of weakness S54 are provided ranging from complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 to lines of weakness delimiters S1 to S4. These additional weakness lines S54 in the upper region 12 form a "V" shape, and in the lower portion 14, they form an inverted "V" shape.

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 8, but has a line of oblique transverse weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 that ranges from complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 to delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4.

Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 5, but complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 are shaped different. In Figure 10, the central region 16 of the complementary weakness lines is further buckled from the respective adjacent delimiting weakness line S1 to S4. There is a single line of transverse weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 between each pair of complementary lines of weakness, which ends before they reach the lines of complementary weakness.

Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. The complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 end before they reach the delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4. Each pair of complementary weakness lines is provided with two oblique cross-crossed lines of weakness S13, S23, S33, S43 ranging from a line of complementary weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 to through the lines of weakness delimiters S1 to S4 to the other line of weakness complementary to the pair. Each line of complementary weakness is composed of three substantially straight portions instead of one or more curved portions.

Figure 12 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 1, but complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 extend the entire length of the sub-panels that eventually form the sides of the appropriate container 18.

Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 1, but does not have transverse lines of weakness. Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Fig. 1, but has a pair of parallel transverse weakness lines S13, S23, S33, S43 between each pair of lines of weaknesses, in the central region 16. Figure 15 shows a modality additional of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in figure 8, but the lines marked S54 are substantially perpendicular to the delimiting lines of weakness S1 to S4.

Figure 16 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 5, but complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 are more short in length. Figure 17 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 14, but complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 extend to the entire length of the sub-panels that finally form the sides of the finished container 18.

Figure 18 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. In this preform 10, complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42 are formed by two substantially straight lines. Each pair of complementary weakness lines forms a respective diamond-shaped sub-panel P6 to P9. The preform 10 is also provided with a single line of straight transverse weakness S56, which is located in the central region 16 of the preform 10 and bisects each of the diamond-shaped sub-panels P6 to P9 at the widest point, and panels P1 to P5. Figure 19 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10. This preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 shown in Figure 18, but the diamond-shaped sub-panel P6 to P9 includes additional transverse weakness lines S13, S23, S33 , S43, parallel to the line of transverse weakness S56.

Figure 20 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10 in which two adjacent delimiting weakness lines S1 and S2 have respective areas of complementary weakness lines S12, S21, S22 and S31 associated therewith. The preform 10 is provided with lines of transverse weakness, as described above with reference to other modalities. The container that is formed from the preforms 10 of Figure 20, when complementary lines of weakness S12, S21, S22 and S31 have been activated, provides buckling of three of the four sides of the resulting container. The preform 10 is similar to the preform 10 of Figure 7, in that a line of weakness S50 is provided, which allows a larger sub-panel P10. In addition, the preform 10 of FIG. 20 also includes a line of additional weakness S51 in an opposing sealing sub-panel P20, which separates the sub-panel P20 from an upper sealing sub-panel P21, and buckles within the sub-panel. - Shutter panel P20. This line of weakness S51 is equal to and opposite to the line of weakness S50, and when the container is formed from the preforms 10, in a gable top configuration, then these two complementary lines of weakness S50 and S51 ensure a satisfactory upper fin.

Figure 21 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10 for forming a container 18 (shown in Figure 22), which has a reduced footprint size compared to a standard footprint, for example the container 18 formed from the preforms of figure 21 has a footprint of 66 mm x 66 mm compared to a standard of 70 mm x 70 mm for a 1 liter container. In this embodiment, two adjacent delimiting weakness lines S2 and S3 have respective individual complementary weakness lines S31 'and S32' associated therewith wherein both complementary weakness lines S21 'and S22' are located on the front panel P3, sub-panels P7 and P8 in this modality being defined and delimited by respective complementary lines of weakness S31 'and S32' and delimiting lines of weakness S2 and S3. In this way, the intentional buckling of the panels, when complementary lines of weakness S3 and S32 'have been activated, is restricted to the front panel P3. The preform 10 is also provided with transverse weakness lines S23 and S33, as described above with reference to other embodiments.

Fig. 23 shows a further embodiment of the preform 10 which is substantially the same as the preform 10 shown in Fig. 21 except that the transverse weakness lines S60 are longer and are on a line of delimiting weakness S1 and S4 and extend through a second line of delimiting weakness S2 and S3 towards a line of complementary weakness S31 'and S32'. This line of transverse weakness S60 is divided into two lines of weakness after crossing the respective line of weakness delimiter S2 or S3 and ends before the line of complementary weakness. The preform 10 could be provided with additional complementary lines of weakness as described above on opposite sides of the second line of delimiting weakness S2 and S3 and in this case the transversal weakness lines S60 will cross the line of respective additional complementary weakness.

When a container is formed from the preforms 10 of Figure 23 it is activated by pressing on the container in the middle region, to activate the complementary marked lines S31 'and S32' and the cross-marked lines S60. This results in a container with a more rounded cross section in the middle region. The longer transverse weakness lines S60, when compared to the shorter transverse weakness lines S23 and S33 of Figure 21, are less likely to crack the sheet material from which the preform is made, when activated. The extension of the transverse S60 weakness lines, along the entire side panels P2 and P4, it is important for the activation of front sub-panels (in the activator) without causing cracks in the cardboard in the side walls. The S60 lines guide the forces in the paper structure produced by crushing, along the extended marked lines S60 without allowing cracks. At the same time, the lines marked S60 form a clamping area that gives an ergonomic advantage.

A further embodiment of the elongated transverse weakness lines S60 is shown in Figure 24. A pair of transverse weakness lines S60 are provided, which start at the line of delimiting weakness S1 and S4 and extend through the second line of weakness. delimiting weakness S2 and S3 and ending in the line of complementary weakness S31 ' and S32 '. The pair of transverse weakness lines S60 define a sub-panel P30. When a container is formed from the preform 10 of Figure 24, the sub-panel P30 provides a target area for a user to hold when emptying the fluid contents of the container. Figs. 25 to 27 show additional embodiments of the preform 10 using the elongated transverse weakness lines S60.

Fig. 28 shows a container 18 made from the preform 10 of Fig. 25. The lines of transverse weakness S60 can be seen, as can be seen the complementary lines of weakness S3 and S32 '. The cross section of the container 18 in the middle region is more rounded, since the container 18 has been activated by pressing on this middle region to activate the various marked lines. The activation of the lines of weakness S21 'and S31' can take place before, after or during the filling of the container 18 with its fluid content. Fig. 29 shows a container 18 as manufactured from the preform 10 of Fig. 24. The two transverse weakness lines S60 define the sub-panel P30 which can be highlighted with printed material as the holding area for the user hold container 18, when emptying the fluid contents of the container.

The effect of holding the container 18 by the user, and the activation of the grip area P30 provide a functional improvement. During the emptying of the contents of the container 18, the rear panel P1 maintains the same shape, however, the front panel P3 collapses along the lines of complementary weakness S31 ', S32' with the hold by the user and the weight of the content and has a smaller width than the rear panel P3. This makes a very safe and pleasant cross-section for the user in the middle section of the container 18, where the sub-panel P30 is placed. Referring to Figure 30, the cross-sectional profiles of the middle section of the container 18 are shown before activation (shown by the profile PF1) and after the activation and clamping (shown by the profile PF2). When the container 18 has the profile PF2 in its middle section, then the rear panel P1 maintains the same width as in the profile PF1 while the front panel P3 collapses as mentioned above to a narrower width than as in the profile PF1 resulting in intentional buckling in the front of the container 18 as the emptying takes place.

Figure 31 shows two views of a plastic insert 60. The insert 60 has a profile corresponding to the sub-panels P6 to P9 of Figures 1 and 2 and includes a vertical indentation 62 that goes from the entire length of the insert 60 which corresponds to the delimiting weakness lines S1 to S4 in the preform 10. The insert 60 also includes horizontal ribs 64, which also correspond to the transverse weakness lines S13, S23, S33 and S43 of the preform 10. The shape and configuration of the insert 60 may be such that they match any of the corresponding panels and lines of weakness of other embodiments of the preform 10. Instead of the horizontal ribs 64, the plastic insert 60 may have various designs of adequate surface.

The insert 60 is formed of plastic material such as any polyolefin plastics or rubber material, and can be provided in any color. The insert 60 is designed to be post-applied to the container 18 that is formed from the preform 10, in any or all of the vertical corners of that container 18. The length of the plastic insert 60 is preferably substantially equal to the length of the an adjacent complementary weakness line S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, and the same shape as a body sub-portion P6 to P9 to which the plastic insert 60 is fixed. The insert 60 helps to provide an aesthetic container (for example, through the use of different colors), provides better container stability through the support of the edges of the container and improves the ergonomic properties of the container.

Figures 32 and 33 show two embodiments of a preform 10 ', the preform 10' being to form a container. In both embodiments, the preform 10 'comprises a row of panels P1 to P4 comprising first, second, third and fourth panels P1 to P4. The preform 10 'also comprises a row of substantially rectangular end closure panels P12 to P15 which extend substantially parallel to the row of panels P1 to P4 and comprise first, second, third and fourth end closure panels P12 to P15. Each of the first and third end closure panels P12, P14 have disposed thereon a respective end sealing panel P17, P18 extending through the width of the adjacent end closure panel P12, P14. Each of the second and fourth end closure panels P 3, P 15 have a pair of respective tabs T1 to T4 disposed therefrom, each tab extending through less than half the width of the adjacent end closure panel P13 , P15.

The preform 10 'also comprises a fifth panel P5 having outwardly disposed therefrom a fifth end closure panel P16, the fifth end closure panel P16 having disposed outwardly thereof an end sealing panel P19 extending through the width of the fifth end closing panel P16. Each tab T1 to T4 is connected to an adjacent end seal panel P17 to P19, and the width of each tab T1 to T4 is substantially equal. The tongues T1 to T4 are in pairs, and each tongue T1 to T4 of a pair of tongues T1, T2 and T3, T4 are substantially equal and opposite in shape. The depth of each tab T1 to T4 is substantially equal to the depth of each sealing panel P17 to P19.

The design of the end closure panels P12 to P16, end seal panels P17 to P19 and tabs T1 to T4 is to provide an improved end closure, when the preform 10 'is formed into a container. The end closure is particularly suited for aseptic packaging applications, since there are no rough edges of cardboard material inside the container nor are there corner points inside the finished container, since the folding procedure (described in more detail) later) means that the vertices are on the outside of the container. A vertex point occurs when a panel is folded to form a triangular sub-panel. A vertex point is particularly susceptible to the ingress of the fluid content of the container, once the container has been filled. The preform 10 'can be bent in a mandrel, when the end closure is being formed.

The preforms 10 'of Figs. 32 and 33 differ in that the preform 10' of Fig. 32 is forming a container having a central seam in the rear body panel, and the preform 10 'of Fig. 33 is to form a container having a side seam extending along a corner edge of the container. When the preform 10 'is provided with complementary lines of weakness S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42, it is advantageous to have a central seam in the finished container, otherwise the lines of weakness present in the corner where the container is the first sealed panel P1 to the fifth panel P5 demotivates the activation of complementary lines of weakness in that corner. The end closure provided by the preform 10 'of FIGS. 32 and 33 is particularly adapted for use with a central seaming container, such as that formed from the preform 10' of FIG. 32. This is because many configurations Extreme closing standards are made sub-optimal, when used with a container that is designed to have central seam. For example, some standard end closure configurations will end with the center seam passing through the vertex of a sub-panel in the lower end closure, which increases the probability of content leakage or content entry to the cardboard substrate.

Figure 34 shows the end closure 70 in a partial formation stage. The second and fourth end closure panels P13 and P15 have first and second oblique lines of weakness dividing the respective end closure panels P13 and P15 into triangular sub-panels. As the end closure 70 is formed, the end closure panel P14 and the combined end closure panel P12 and P16 that are opposed, are bent toward each other. This results in the end closure panels P13 and P15 being bent in their triangular sub-panels, as can be seen in Figure 34. The tabs T1 to T4 and the sealing panels P17 to P19 are finally sealed face-to-face to form a sealing flap 72. This flap 72 is folded flat to the bottom of the container. The end closure 70 is completed by the vertices A1 and A2 which are bent inward to be sealed flat to the bottom of the container, as can be seen in Figure 35. The interior of the end closure 70 is shown in the figure 36. The fold of the bottom closure 70 is such that no vertices are present within the interior of the container, nor is there any irregular edge of exposed paper.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A preform of carton (10) to form a container, and comprising a row of panels forming the body portion (P1 - P5) arranged side by side, the boundaries between said panels (P1 - P5) being defined by respective straight substantially delimiting lines of weakness (S1-S4) extending from the top to the bottom of said panels (P1-P5) substantially perpendicular to the spinneret, two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness (S1-S4) ) each of which has a line of complementary weakness disposed on one side thereof (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42), each line of complementary weakness (S11). , S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42) being substantially the length of a panel (P1 -P5).

2. - A preform of carton (10) to form a container, and comprising a row of panels forming the body portion (P1 - P5) arranged side by side, the boundaries between said panels (P1 - P5) being defined by lines of weakness delimiting substantially straight (S1 - S4) extending from the top to the bottom of said panels (P1 - P5), two lines of adjacent delimiting weakness (S1 - S4) each of which has arranged in respective opposite sides of the same complementary lines of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42), each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31) , S32, S41, S42) being at least half the length of the panel (P1 - P5).

3. - The preform according to claim 1, further characterized in that each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S3V, S32 ', S41, S42) is located in one of the rows of panels ( P1 -P5).

4. - The preform according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further characterized by each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) and a respective delimiting weakness line (S1-S4) define a sub-panel (P6-P9).

5. - The preform according to claim 1, 3 or claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, further characterized by comprising a line of additional complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42) , wherein the adjacent delimiting lines of weakness have disposed on respective opposite sides thereof a pair of complementary lines of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42).

6. - The preform according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that each line of complementary weakness (S1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) has upper and lower regions proximal to a line of weakness respective delimiter (S1-S4) and has a central region beyond the respective delimiting line of weakness (S1-S4) as the upper or lower region.

7. - The preform according to claim 1, 5 or claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, further characterized by each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42) of a pair of complementary weakness lines (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42), located on either side of a line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4) defines a sub-panel (P6-P9).

8. - The preform according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized by each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32 ', S41, S42) makes contact with the delimiting line of weakness respective (S1-S4) in the upper and lower regions.

9. - The preform according to any of claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) does not contact a line of respective delimiting weakness (S1 - S4).

10. - The preform according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized by comprising lines of transverse weakness (S13, S23, S33, S43) that start at or near a line of delimiting weakness (S1 - S4) and that extend towards a line of respective complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32", S41, S42).

11. - The preform according to claim 10, further characterized in that said lines of transverse weakness (S13, S23, S33, S43) being in a line of delimiting weakness (S1 -S4) and ending in a line of respective complementary weakness (S11) , S12, S21, 522, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42).

12. - The preform according to claim 10 or 11, further characterized in that each line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4) is provided with a plurality of transverse weakness lines (S13, S23, S33, S43).

13. - The preform according to claim 12, further characterized in that said lines of transverse weakness (S13, 523, S33, S43) provided in a line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4) are parallel.

14. - The preform according to claim 2, further characterized in that each complementary weakness line (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) is substantially the length of a panel (P1) - P5).

15. - The preform according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized by comprising a line of transverse weakness (S60) that starts at or near a line of delimiting weakness (S1 - S4) and extends through a second line of delimiting weakness (S1 - S4) towards a line of weakness complementary (S1 1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42).

16. - A container comprising a loop of body portions (P1 - P4), the boundaries between the portions (P1 - P4) being defined by respective straight substantially delimiting lines of weakness (S1 - S4) extending from the top to the lower part of the portions (P1-P4) substantially perpendicular to said loop, two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness (S1-S4) each of which has a line of complementary weakness disposed on one side thereof (S1) 1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32 ', S41, S42), each line of complementary weakness (S1 1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31', S32 ', S41, S42). ) being substantially the length of a portion (P1 -P4).

17. - A container comprising a loop of body portions (P1 - P4), the boundaries between said portions (P1 - P4) being defined by substantially straight delimiting lines of weakness (S1 -S4) extending from the top to the top lower part of the portions (P1-P4), two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness (S1 -S4) each of which has a line of complementary weakness disposed on respective opposite sides thereof (S1 1, S 2, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42), each line of complementary weakness (S1 1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) being at least half the length of a portion (P1 - P4).

18. - The container according to claim 16, characterized further in that each complementary weakness line (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32 ', S41, S42) is located on one side of the body portion loop (P1 -P4).

19. - The container according to claim 16, 17 or 18, further characterized by each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32 \ S41, S42) and a respective delimiting weakness line (S1-S4) define a body sub-portion (P6-P9).

20. - The container according to any of claims 16, 18 or 19 as appended to 16 or 18, further characterized by comprising a line of additional complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42) , wherein said adjacent delimiting lines of weakness have arranged on respective opposite sides thereof a pair of complementary lines of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42).

21. - The container according to any of claims 16 to 20, further characterized in that each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) has upper and lower regions proximal to a line of respective delimiting weakness (S1-S4) and has a central region beyond the respective delimiting weakness line (S1-S4) than the upper or lower region.

22. - The container according to claim 17, 20 or claim 21 when dependent on claim 20, characterized also because each complementary line of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42) of a pair of complementary lines of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S41, S42), located on either side of a delimiting weakness line (S1 - S4) define a body sub-portion (P6 -P9).

23. - The container according to any of claims 16 to 22, further characterized in that each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) makes contact with the line of respective delimiting weakness (S1-S4) in the upper and lower regions.

24. - The container according to any of claims 16 to 22, further characterized in that each complementary line of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) does not contact a line of respective delimiting weakness (S1 - S4).

25. - The container according to any of claims 16 to 24, further characterized by comprising lines of transverse weakness (S13, S23, S33, S43) that start at or near a line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4) and which is extend to a respective complementary line of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32 ', S41, S42).

26. - The container according to claim 25, further characterized in that the lines of transverse weakness (S13, S23, S33, S43) are in a line of delimiting weakness (S1 -S4) and end in a line of respective complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, 532, S31 ', S32', S41, S42).

27. - The container according to claim 25 or 26, further characterized in that each line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4) is provided with a plurality of transverse weakness lines (S13, S23, 533, S43).

28. - The container according to claim 27, further characterized in that said transverse weakness lines (S13, S23, S33, S43) provided in a line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4) are parallel.

29. - The container according to claim 17, further characterized in that each complementary weakness line (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) is substantially the height of the container, in length .

30. - The container according to any of claims 16 to 29, further characterized by additionally comprising a line of transverse weakness (S60) starting at or near a line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4) and extending through a second line of delimiting weakness (S1 - S4) towards a line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42).

31. - The container in accordance with any of the claims 16 to 30, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a plastic insert (60) attached to a line of delimiting weakness (S1-S4).

32. - The container according to claim 31, further characterized in that the length of said plastic insert (60) is substantially equal to the length of an adjacent complementary weakness line (S11, S12..S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32 ', S41, S42).

33. - The container according to claim 31 or 32, when dependent on claim 19 or claim 22, further characterized in that the plastic insert (60) is substantially the same shape as a body sub-portion (P6-P9) to which the plastic insert (60) is fixed.

34. - The container according to claim 31, 32 or 33, further characterized in that said plastic insert (60) is provided with transverse ribs (64).

35. - The container according to claim 34, when dependent on claim 25, further characterized in that said transverse ribs (64) substantially correspond to the lines of transverse weakness (S13, S23, S33, S43).

36. - An apparatus for handling partially formed containers comprising a transport device including a plurality of receiving portions for receiving partially formed containers having a middle portion of cross section predetermined, a filling device arranged to fill the partially formed containers, and a pressure device arranged to press on the middle portion to make said middle portion more rounded in cross section.

37. - The apparatus according to claim 36, further characterized in that each partially formed container comprises a loop of body portions (P1 - P4), the boundaries between said portions (P1 - P4) being defined by lines of delimiting weakness (S1 - S4), two adjacent delimiting lines of weakness (S1-S4) having on one side thereof a line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42). ), each line of complementary weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) being at least half the height of the container, having upper and lower regions proximal to a line of respective delimiting weakness (S1-S4) and having a central region beyond the respective delimiting weakness line (S1-S4) that is either the upper or lower region, and said pressure device is further arranged to activate the lines of weakness complementary (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42).

38. - The apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, further characterized in that the pressure device is arranged to activate complementary lines of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) ), before the filling station being arranged to fill the partially formed containers.

39. - The apparatus according to claim 36, 37 or 38, further characterized in that the pressure device is arranged to activate complementary lines of weakness (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41) , S42), during the filling station being arranged to fill the partially formed containers.

40. - The apparatus according to any of claims 36 to 39, further characterized in that the transport device comprises a rotating turret and the receiving portions comprise mandrels.

41. - The apparatus according to any of claims 36 to 39, further characterized in that the transport device comprises a linear conveyor and the receiving portions comprise bags.

42. - A method for handling partially formed containers, comprising advancing a plurality of partially formed containers through a pressure device and a filling device, said partially formed containers having a middle portion of predetermined cross section, pressing on the middle portion to make said middle portion more rounded cross section, and fill said plurality of partially formed containers in the filling station.

43. - The method according to claim 42, further characterized in that each partially formed container comprises a loop of body portions (P1-P4), the boundaries between said portions (P1-P4) being defined by lines of delimiting weakness (S1-S4), two adjacent lines of weakness delimiters (S1-S4) having a line of complementary weakness disposed on one side thereof (S1 1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42), the complementary weakness line (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) being at least half the height of the container, having upper and lower regions proximal to a line of respective delimiting weakness (S1-S4) and having a central region beyond the respective delimiting line of weakness (S1-S4) that either the region or lower, and activating complementary lines of weakness (S1 1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32 ', S41, S42) in the pressure device.

44. - He . method according to claim 43, further characterized in that said activation of complementary lines of weakness (S1 1, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 \ S32 ', S41, S42), occurs before filling of the containers partially formed

45. - The method according to claim 43 or 44, further characterized in that the activation of complementary weakness lines (S11, S12, S21, S22, S31, S32, S31 ', S32', S41, S42) occurs during the filling of partially formed containers.

46. - A cardboard container preform for a container that includes a quadrangular upper sealing sub-panel, and disposed towards outside it, an upper sealing sub-panel, a line of weakness that separates the sealing sub-panel and the sealing sub-panel and buckles inside the sealing sub-panel.

47. - The preform according to claim 46, further characterized in that the line of weakness separating the sealing sub-panel and the sealing sub-panel is arcuate.

48. The preform according to claim 46 or 47, further characterized in that the line of weakness separating the sealing sub-panel and the said sealing sub-panel is continuous along the boundary between the sealing sub-panel and the sealing sub-panel.

49 -. 49 - The preform according to claim 46, 47 or 48, further characterized in that the sealing sub-panel includes a hole for receiving a pouring nozzle accessory.

50. - The preform according to any of claims 46 to 49, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a second line of weakness separating the sealing sub-panel from a body sub-panel and buckling within the body sub-panel.

51. - The preform according to claim 50, further characterized in that the second line of weakness separating the sealing sub-panel and the body sub-panel is arcuate.

52. - The preform according to any of claims 46 to 51, further characterized in that it comprises additionally a second quadrangular upper sealing sub-panel and disposed outward thereof, a second upper sealing sub-panel, a third line of weakness separating the sealing sub-panel and the sealing sub-panel and buckling within the sub-panel shutter.

53. - The preform according to claim 52, further characterized in that the third line of weakness is substantially the same and opposite to the first line of weakness.

54. - A container that includes a top closure that includes a roof sub-panel and an upper sealing sub-panel, the roof sub-panel buckling within the sealing sub-panel.

55. - The container according to claim 54, further characterized in that the roof sub-panel that buckles within the sealing sub-panel defines a line of arcuate weakness.

56. - The container according to claim 55, further characterized in that the line of weakness is continuous along the boundary between the roof sub-panel and the upper sealing sub-panel.

57. - The container according to claim 54, 55 or 56, further characterized in that the roof sub-panel has a discharge nozzle accessory sealed thereto.

58. - The container according to any of claims 54 to 57, further characterized in that it additionally comprises the adjacent roof sub-panel, a body portion, the roof sub-panel buckling within the body portion.

59. - The container according to claim 58, further characterized in that the roof sub-panel that is buckled within the body portion defines a line of arcuate weakness.

60 -. 60 - The container according to any of claims 54 to 59, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a second roof sub-panel and a second upper sealing sub-panel, a third line of weakness separating the second sub-panel from roof and the second upper seal sub-panel and buckling inside the roof sub-panel.

61. - The container according to claim 60, further characterized in that the third line of weakness is substantially the same and opposite to the first line of weakness.

62 -. 62 - A preform (10 ') for forming a container comprising a row of panels (P1 to P4) comprising first, second, third and fourth panels (P1 to P4) and a row of substantially rectangular end closure panels (P12) to P15) extending substantially parallel to the row of panels (P1 to P4) and comprising first, second, third and fourth end closure panels (P12 to P15), each, one of the first and third closure panels ends (P12, P14) have a respective end sealing panel (P7, P18) extending across the width of the adjacent end closure panel (P12, P14), and each of the second end disposed therefrom. and fourth end closure panels (P13, P15) have a pair of tabs disposed therefrom. respective (T1 to T4), each tab extending through less than half the width of the adjacent end closure panel (P13, P15).

63. - The preform according to claim 62, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a fifth panel (P5) having disposed towards the outside a fifth end closure panel (P16), the fifth end closure panel (P16) having disposed toward outside it an end seal panel (P19) extending through the width of the fifth end closure panel (P16).

64. - The preform according to claim 63, further characterized in that each tongue (T1 to T4) is connected to an adjacent end sealing panel (P17 to P19).

65. - The preform according to claim 62, 63 or 64, further characterized in that the width of each tongue (T1 to T4) is substantially equal.

66. - The preform according to any of claims 62 to 65, further characterized in that each tongue (T1 to T4) of a pair of tongues (T1, T2 and T3, T4) are substantially equal and opposite in shape.

67. - The preform according to any of claims 62 to 66, further characterized in that the depth of each tongue (T1 to T4) is substantially equal to the depth of each sealing panel (P17 to P19).

68. - A container comprising a loop of portions of body (P1 to P4) comprising first, second, third and fourth body portions (P1 to P4) and an end housing (70) comprising bent end portions (P12 to P15) and comprising first, second, third and fourth end closure portions (P 2 to P15), each connected to a respective body portion (P1 to P4), each of the first and third end closure portions (P12, P14) being connected, in a edge opposite the connection to a body portion (P1 to P4), to a respective end seal portion (P17, P18) extending across the width of the adjacent end closure portion (P12, P14), and each of the second and fourth end closure portions (P13, P15) being connected, on an edge opposite the connection to a body portion (P1 to P4), to a pair of respective tabs (T1 to T4), each tongue extending through less than half the width of the adjacent end closure portion (P13, P 15), and a sealing flap (72) comprising the end sealing portions (P17, P18) and the pairs of tabs (T1 to T4).

69. - The container according to claim 68, further characterized in that it additionally comprises a fifth body portion (P5) that is connected to a fifth end closure portion (P16), said fifth end closure portion (P16) being connected, in an edge opposite the connection to the body portion (P5), to an end seal portion (P19) that extends through the width of the fifth end closure portion (P6).

70. - The container according to claim 69, further characterized in that each tab (T1 to T4) is connected to an adjacent extreme sealing portion (P17 to P19).

71. - The container according to claim 68, 69 or 70, further characterized in that the width of each tab (T1 to T4) is substantially equal.

72. - The container according to any of claims 68 to 71, further characterized in that each tongue (T1 to T4) of a pair of tongues (T1, T2 and T3, T4) are substantially equal and opposite in shape.

73. - The container according to any of claims 68 to 72, further characterized in that the depth of each tongue (T1 to T4) is substantially equal to the depth of each sealing portion (P17 to P19).