MXPA99009100A - Tear-away package opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a package having a tear-away opening. The package comprises an outer substrate layer, an inner aseptic layer secured to the outer substrate layer, and a cut in the outer substrate layer. In order to preserve the product in the package, the cut is of a predetermined depth such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer. The cut, however, is sufficiently deep so that a predetermined portion of the package may be torn off at the cut. The present invention also includes methods for manufacturing and opening a package having a tear-away opening. The method for manufacturing a package having a tear-away opening generally includes the steps of providing an outer substrate layer, securing an inner aseptic layer to the outer substrate layer, making a cut of predetermined depth in the outer substrate layer such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer, and then forming a package. After the package has been formed, a predetermined portion of the package may be torn away at the cut. The method for opening a package having a tear-away opening is initiated by extending a flap from a side of the package. After the flap is extended, at least a portion of a joint is extended from the top and the flap. At least a portion of the top is then moved in a direction away from the bottom of the package. After the top is moved, a predetermined portion of the package may be torn off at the cut.

Description

DESPENDABLE CONTAINER COVER This application claims the benefits of United States Provisional Application No. 60 / 043,372, filed on April 4, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to an aseptic package, and more specifically, to an aseptic package having a removable lid. Aseptic containers do not encourage the growth of live microorganisms. As a result, aseptic containers can provide a shelf life of more than a year without having to use conservative agents or refrigeration.

Aseptic containers are commonly used to contain foods and beverages that are sensitive to oxygen or light. In particular, aseptic containers can be used to contain foods and beverages such as juices, wines, gravies, and other liquid or semi-liquid foods that decompose rapidly when exposed to oxygen or light. However, the known aseptic bottle openers are designed primarily for use only with liquid foods such as juices and wines.

Known openers include stoppers, collapsible lids, squeeze tabs and holes for straws. Although these openers are suitable for use with liquid foods, they can not be adapted to serve semi-liquid or viscous foods such as gravy. Furthermore, with these openers strange components may be needed which must be attached to the container by means of adhesives. Accordingly, there is a need for an opener that can be used efficiently to pour semi-liquid or viscous foods. There is also the need for an opener that does not need extraneous components.

The present invention is designed to meet some or all of these needs. The present invention includes a package with a removable lid. In general, the package is constituted by an outer substrate layer which may include a cardboard layer, an interior aseptic layer attached to the outer substrate layer, and a cut in the outer substrate layer. Also the container preferably has an upper part and a collapsible tongue. In order to preserve the product in the package, the cut must have a predetermined depth so that it does not puncture the interior aseptic layer. However, the cut is deep enough so that a predetermined portion of the container can tear and peel off where the cut is. In a preferred embodiment of the package, a predetermined area of the upper part can be detached where the cut is. A predetermined area of the upper part can include the entire upper part. It is also preferable that a predetermined area of the folding tab can be detached where the cut is. Also, a predetermined area of the folding tab can include the entire folding tab.

The inner aseptic layer may include a layer that constitutes a barrier against oxygen, which substantially prevents the transmission of oxygen through the container. In addition, the interior aseptic layer may include a layer that constitutes a light barrier, which substantially controls the transmission of light through the container. As the cut does not perforate the inner aseptic layer, it is preferable that the cut does not jeopardize the aseptic properties of the inner aseptic layer.

The cutting should preferably be done with a laser, and it can be a perforated cut or a marked cut. The cut may have a predetermined shape, such that a pour channel is created when a predetermined portion of the package is peeled off.

The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a package having a peelable lid. A preferred method generally includes the steps of providing an outer substrate layer, attaching an inner aseptic layer to the outer substrate layer, making a cut of a predetermined depth in the outer substrate layer, so that the cut does not pierce the outer substrate layer. interior aseptic layer, and then shape the container. After shaping the package, a predetermined portion of the package, where the cut is, may be torn and peeled off.

The container is preferably manufactured by forming a housing constituted by the outer substrate layer and the interior aseptic layer. Then, the lower part of the container can be formed from the housing. It is preferable that the package is filled with a predetermined amount of a product after shaping the bottom. Once the product is introduced into the package, the upper part of the package can be formed. In forming the upper part of the package, it is preferable that at least one folding tab extend down the top of the package.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for opening a package having an upper part, a lower part, a collapsible tongue, a joint, a variety of sides, and a cut. The package should preferably be an aseptic package. In order to be able to open the container, first the folding tab of one side of the container is extended. After the folding tongue extends, at least a portion of the articulation of the upper part and of the folding tongue extends. Then, at least a portion of the top portion is moved in a direction away from the bottom of the package. The portion of the upper part may be displaced in a direction away from the bottom of the package, by lifting the predetermined portion of the joint or by pressing the opposite sides of the package. Once the portion of the upper part is displaced, where the cut is, a predetermined portion of the container can be detached. It is preferable that a predetermined area of the upper part and a predetermined area of the collapsible tongue come off where the cut is.

The package may have a second folding tab. In that case, it is preferable that the second folding tab also extend from one side of the container. After extending the second folding tab on one side of the container, preferably substantially the entire articulation of the top and the collapsible covers of the container is substantially extended. Then, the entire upper part can be displaced substantially in a direction away from the bottom of the package, and a predetermined portion of the package can be detached where the cut is.

The present invention has been designed primarily for use with semi-liquid or viscous foods such as gravy sauces, sauces in general, pasta and gelatized foods. However, the present invention can also be used in conjunction with liquid foods such as juice and wine. In addition, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious with the following description of the drawings and preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a package of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the package of Figure 1, in a preferred position for a predetermined portion of the package to be peeled off; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the package of Figure 2, with a predetermined portion of the package removed; Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the package of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an outside plan view of a preferred embodiment of a flat carton of the present invention; Y Figure 6 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a laser system that can be used in the preferred method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT (S) The present invention relates to an aseptic package having a removable lid. The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing an aseptic package having a peelable lid. In addition, the present invention provides a method for opening a package having a peelable lid.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a package of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the container 10 in a folded and sealed state. The package 10 includes an outer substrate layer 20, and an inner aseptic layer 30, plus a cut 40. The package 10 may also have an upper portion 50, at least one folding tab 60, 62, and a hinge 70. The collapsible tab 60, 62, preferably extends from the upper part 50, and the joint 70 preferably forms portions of the upper part 50 and of the foldable tabs 60, 62. In Figure 1, a portion of the cut 40 is obscured by the link 70.

In addition to the outer substrate layer 20 and the interior aseptic layer 30, the package 10 preferably includes other layers such as those shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,306,533, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. However, the other layers are not relevant to the description of the package 10 of the present invention. Consequently, the other layers are not described or shown in the figures.

The outer substrate layer 20 includes a substrate as a cardboard layer. However, it should be recognized that other suitable materials may be used in the present invention. In addition, the substrate thickness may vary, which will depend on the application in which the container 10 is used.

The interior aseptic layer 30 is attached to the outer substrate layer 20. The interior aseptic layer 30 can include any material that prevents deterioration of the product in the container 10. As exposure to oxygen can accelerate the deterioration of the product, the Inner aseptic layer 30 preferably includes a layer that constitutes an oxygen barrier, which substantially prevents the transmission of oxygen through the container 10. Similarly, there may also be products that are sensitive when exposed to light. Accordingly, the inner aseptic layer 30 may also include a layer that constitutes a light barrier, which substantially controls the transmission of light through the container 10.

The cut 40 has a predetermined depth in the outer substrate layer 20, so that the cut 40 does not pierce the inner aseptic layer 30. Furthermore, it is preferred that the cut 40 does not jeopardize the aseptic properties of the interior aseptic layer. However, the cut 40 is deep enough so that a predetermined portion of the package 10 can be peeled off where the cut 40 is.

It should be recognized that Figure 1 only shows an embodiment of the location and path of the cut 40. The cut 40 can be made anywhere on the outer substrate layer 20 which allows the user to pick up and detach a predetermined portion of the package 10. It is preferable that the cut 40 has a predetermined shape, such as to create a pour channel when a predetermined portion of the container 40 is detached. It is also preferred that the cut 40 be located in such a way that nothing of the product is unnecessarily spilled upon detachment of a predetermined portion of the container 10. Moreover, it is preferred that the cut 40 be located in such a manner that the capacity of the container 10.

Preferably, the cut 40 should be made with a laser. A preferred process for the material to be treated with laser is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,688,463, the description of which is incorporated by reference herein. The cut 40 may be of any type that allows the user to detach a predetermined portion of the package 10. However, it is preferred that the cut 40 be a perforated cut or a marked cut.

Figure 2 shows a package in the sealed, but partially unfolded state, in which the user can pick up and detach a predetermined portion of the package 10 where the cut 40 is. In Figure 2, the folding tabs 60, 62 have extended from the sides of the container 10. In addition, the articulation 70 has extended from the upper part 50 of the container 10, and the upper part 50 has been displaced in a direction distant from the lower part of the container 10.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the package 10 after a predetermined portion of the package 10 has been detached. In order to be able to detach a predetermined portion of the package 10, the user must first take the predetermined portion. After taking the predetermined portion, the user can pull it out of the container 10, where the cut 40 is.

A preferred method for manufacturing the package 10 of the present invention is related to a flat carton. Figure 5 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a flat carton 80, which can be folded into a preferred embodiment of the package 10 of the present invention. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that other embodiments of the flat carton 80 can be folded to conform different embodiments of the package 10 of the present invention.

The flat carton 80 is formed by providing an outer substrate layer 20 and then attaching an interior aseptic layer 30 to the outer substrate layer 20. After forming the flat carton 80, a cut 40 is made, with a certain depth, in the outer substrate layer 20, but in such a way that the cut 40 does not pierce the inner aseptic layer 30. The flat carton 80 may have grooves that facilitate its transition to the container 10. Although the cut 40 may intercept the grooves, it is preferred that the The path of section 40 does not pass directly through any of the grooves.

After making the cut 40 in the outer substrate layer 20, the flat carton 80 is folded into the container 10. In a preferred method for folding the flat carton 80 into the container 10, the flat carton 80 is formed into a wrapping body . Then, one end of the housing is folded to form the lower part of the container 10. After forming the lower part of the container 10, the interior of the container 10 should preferably be sterilized. Next, a product, which preferably should be sterilized, can be deposited in the container 10 through the open end of the housing. It should be noted that a predetermined amount of the product must be deposited in the container 10, so that the user will not contact or accidentally spill the product by detaching a predetermined portion of the container 10. Once the product has been deposited, the open end of the housing can be folded to form the upper part 50 of the container 10. When the upper part 50 of the container 10 is formed, it is preferable that at least one of the folding tongues 60, 62 also conform to extend in a downward direction of the container. the upper part 50 of the container 10.

Preferably, the cut 40 should be made in the flat carton 80 before the flat carton 80 is folded into the container 10. The cut 40 should preferably be made with a laser. The cut 40 can be made with any laser system that can cause the local evaporation of material from the flat carton 80. In contrast to the mechanical cutting means, with a laser it can be made more precise tearing lines, easier to detach, and on those that do not need to exert much force to achieve detachment. In addition, another advantage of using a laser system is that precise cuts or incisions can be made at right angles, without rotating the flat carton 80. On the contrary, with the mechanical cutting means generally only curved corners can be made.

Depending on the type of force applied to the predetermined portion of the package 10, with a cut 40 having exact right angles the removal of a predetermined portion of the package 10 can be facilitated.

Figure 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a laser system that can be used to make the cut 40. As shown in Figure 6, the laser 90 can generate a laser beam and apply it to a Z axis focus 92. Then, the laser beam can be traversed through a two-axis laser galvanometer 94, which can include X and Y axis positioning mirrors. Then, the laser beam can be guided through the desired pattern onto the flat carton 80.

The present invention also offers a method for opening a package. A preferred method of the present invention can be used to open the package 10 illustrated in Figure 1. However, it should be recognized that the method is not limited to opening the package 10 illustrated in Figure 1. It should also be recognized that the method is not It is limited to opening aseptic containers. The method of the present invention can be used to open any type of containers having an upper part, a lower part, a collapsible tongue, a joint, a variety of sides and a cut.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4 a preferred method of the present invention will be described. To open the package 10, first the folding tongues 60, 62 of the opposite sides of the container 10 extend. After extending the folding tongues 60, 62, the articulation 70 extends from the upper part 50 and from the folding tongues 60, 62. Next, the upper part 50 moves in a direction away from the lower part of the package 10. The upper part 50 can be displaced in a direction distant from the lower part of the package 10 by raising the joint 70 or pressing the opposite sides of the package 10. once the upper part 50 is displaced, in the cut 40 a predetermined portion of the upper part 50 and a predetermined portion of the folding tongue 60 can be detached.

The preferred embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The preferred embodiments have been chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention, so that those who have knowledge of the subject can put it into practice. Once the preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, those of skill in the art will realize that many variations and modifications can be made to practice the described invention. Many of these variants and modifications will provide the same result and can be framed within the spirit of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims.

Claims (35)

WHAT IS REVINDED IS:

1. A package consisting of the following: an outer substrate layer; an interior aseptic layer attached to said outer substrate layer; Y a cut with a predetermined depth made in said outer substrate layer, so that said cut does not pierce said inner aseptic layer; whereby, in said cut a predetermined portion of said container can be peeled off, thereby providing an opening through which a product contained in said container can be poured.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said interior aseptic layer includes a layer that constitutes a barrier against oxygen, which substantially prevents the transmission of oxygen through said container.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein said interior aseptic layer includes a layer that constitutes a light barrier, which substantially controls the transmission of light through said container.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein said cut does not jeopardize the aseptic properties of said inner aseptic layer.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein said cut has a predetermined shape, so that a pouring channel is created when said predetermined portion of said pack comes off at the place of said cut.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein said cut is a perforated cut.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein said cut is a marked cut.

8. The package of claim 1, wherein said cut is a laser cut.

9. The package of claim 1, wherein said outer substrate layer includes a cardboard layer.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein: said container has a top part; Y a predetermined area of said upper part is adapted to be detached in the place of said cut.

11. The package of claim 10, wherein said area is a portion of the end of said top portion.

12. The package of claim 10, wherein: said container has a collapsible tongue; Y in said cut a predetermined area of said collapsible tongue can be detached.

13. The package of claim 1, wherein: said container has a collapsible tongue; Y in said cut a predetermined area of said collapsible tongue can be detached.

14. A method for manufacturing a package having a peelable lid, said method consisting of: provide an outer substrate layer; attaching an interior aseptic layer to said outer substrate layer; making a cut in said outer substrate layer, such that such a cut does not pierce said inner aseptic layer; Y forming said container; wherein a predetermined portion of said container can be detached at the place of said cutting.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said interior aseptic layer includes a layer that constitutes a barrier against oxygen, which substantially prevents the transmission of oxygen through said container.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said interior aseptic layer includes a layer that constitutes a light barrier, which substantially controls the transmission of light through said container.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said cutting does not jeopardize the aseptic properties of said interior aseptic layer.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said cut has a predetermined shape, so that a pouring channel is created when said predetermined portion of said pack comes off at the place of said cut.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said cut is a perforated cut.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said cut is a marked cut.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein said cut is made by a laser.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein said outer substrate layer includes a cardboard layer.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein: said container is shaped to have a top part; Y a predetermined area of said upper part is adapted to be detached in the place of said cut.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said area is a portion of the end of said top portion.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein: said package is shaped to have a collapsible tongue; Y a predetermined area of said collapsible tongue can be detached in the place of said cutting.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein: said container is shaped to have a collapsible tongue; Y a predetermined area of said collapsible tongue can be detached in the place of said cutting.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein the shaping of said package includes: forming a wrapping body constituted by said outer substrate layer and said inner aseptic layer; forming the lower part of said container; filling said container with a predetermined quantity of a product; Y Shape the upper part of said container.

28. A method for opening a container, said container having an upper part, a lower part, a folding tab, a joint, a variety of sides, and a cut, said method consisting of: extending said collapsible tab from one side of said container; extending at least a portion of said articulation of said top portion and said collapsing tab of said container; displacing at least a portion of said top portion in a direction away from said bottom portion of said container; Y detaching a predetermined portion of said container at the place of said cutting.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said predetermined portion of said upper paraper is displaced toward a direction distant from said lower portion of said container, lifting said predetermined portion of said articulation.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said predetermined portion of said upper portion is displaced in a direction distant from said lower portion of said container, by pressing opposite sides of said container.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein a predetermined area of said top portion and a predetermined area of said collapsing tab are detached.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein said package is an aseptic package.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein said container has a second folding tab and further includes extending said second folding tab from one side of said container.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein substantially all of said articulation extends from said top portion and said collapsible tabs of said container.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein substantially all of said upper part is displaced in a direction away from said lower part of said container. SUMMARY The present invention relates to a package having a removable lid. The package includes an outer substrate layer, an inner aseptic layer secured to the outer substrate layer, and a cut in the outer substrate layer. In order to preserve the product contained in the container, the cut is made with a predetermined depth, so that it does not perforate the interior aseptic layer. However, the cut is deep enough so that a predetermined portion of the container can be detached at the cutting site. The present invention also includes methods for manufacturing and opening a package having a removable lid. The method for manufacturing a package having a removable lid generally includes the steps of providing an outer substrate layer, attaching the inner aseptic layer to the outer substrate layer, making a certain depth cut in the outer substrate layer, so that the cut does not pierce the inner aseptic layer, and then shape a container. After the package has been shaped, a predetermined portion of the package that is at the cutting site can be peeled off. The method for opening a package having a peelable lid starts by extending a collapsible tongue on one side of the package. Once the collapsible tongue is extended, at least a portion of a joint extends from the top and the folding tongue. Next, at least a portion of the upper part is displaced in a direction away from the bottom of the package. Once the upper part has been displaced, a predetermined portion of the container can be detached at the location where the cut is located.