SE0802324A1 - packaging unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging unit comprising, a group of packages, which are filled with a liquid product, which are provided with disposable feet, and which are of a collapsing type and in an upright condition have a shape tapering downwards and upwards, and a plastic film casing which at least partially encloses the group of packaging providing dimensional stability of the packaging unit.

Description

Such abrasion damage, especially in combination with creasing in the packaging material, results in leakage of packaging contents.

European patent application number EP 0 681 970 discloses a method of folding collapsing packages so that they can be stacked on top of each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging unit which is well suited for the storage and transport of collapsing packages. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing packaging units which is well suited for the storage and transport of collapsing packages. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a transport package comprising a plurality of packaging units which are well suited for storage and transport of collapsing packages.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a packaging unit comprising a group of packages which are filled with a liquid product, which are provided in a disposable manner, and which are of a collapsing kind and in an upright condition have a tapered shape from below and upwards, and a plastic film casing which at least partially encloses the group of packages to provide dimensional stability of the packaging unit.

The arrangement of packages having a shape which tapers in a downward and upward direction can allow tight packing of the packages and further packing so that the packaging unit can assume the shape of a straight block is possible, which shape of a straight block may be desirable during storage and / or transport. By scaffold is meant that the packages are arranged so that they have an alternating opposite orientation with respect to said direction from the bottom up. Packaging of a collapsing type means, for example, packaging which has a chamber delimited by flexible walls, which walls are interconnected along a connecting portion.

Such packages may have the advantages that they are light in weight, that efficient production of them is possible, and that when they are not filled they are less space consuming than corresponding packages made of rigid packaging material. The plastic cover which at least partially encloses the packages is arranged so that dimensional stability of the packaging unit is achieved. It is a great advantage that packaging units comprising packages that are of a collapsing type can be dimensionally stable. For example, such dimensionally stable packaging units can be load-bearing and the packages can thus, for example, be stacked. For example, a number of packaging units can be stacked on, for example, a pallet, which enables easy handling and transport of not only a plurality of packages but also a number of packaging units. The plastic casing that at least partially encloses the packages also means that the packages, despite shaking and vibrations that can normally occur during transport, for example, do not rub against each other, or rub significantly less against each other than when transporting traditional packaging units. This reduces the risk of damage to the packaging and leakage from the packaging. When packages of collapsing type are packed together in, for example, boxes, creases can appear in the flexible walls of the packages, which creases aggravate damage related to wear in the package wall, which can occur during chafing during transport. Such problems related to folds are minimized by the invention. Thus, the invention solves a number of problems related to the transport of packaging of collapsing types.

The packaging unit according to the invention may comprise a handle. A handle on the packaging unit can be a great advantage when individual packaging units are to be transported by carrying by hand. For example, the packaging unit may consist of such a number of packages, each with such a volume, that the packaging unit according to the invention is suitable for easy transport, for example of beverage, by a customer who has purchased the packaging unit in a store. For example, a packaging unit with between 1 and 24 packages, each with a liquid volume of between, for example, 10 and 200 centiliters, can be carried in this way.

The packages may comprise or be made of, for example, plastic, paper, laminate material, or combinations thereof.

The invention describes a packaging unit, in which the group of packages comprises a first set of packages with an orientation in a first direction R1 and a second set of packages with an orientation in a direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1. .

The number of packages in the first set may be identical to the number of packages in the second set, at the packaging unit.

The group of packages may, for example, comprise four, six, eight or ten packages.

The plastic film cover can enclose the packaging unit so that each individual package obtains a fixed position in the unit. In this way, the plastic film cover can mean that the packages of the group of packages retain their mutual positions even during, for example, transport or loading.

The plastic film cover can completely enclose the group of packages. In this way, the group of packages can be protected from all directions and extra good dimensional stability can be obtained, regardless of which direction the group carries cargo from.

The group of packages may, for example, have six outer sides, all sides of which are enclosed by said plastic film casing. For example, the group of packages and also the packaging unit can thus form a straightening block, which is a suitable geometry for packaging units since several such packaging units can be packed tightly and thus minimal storage and cargo space is required for the packaging units. Fewer sides than all sides of the group of packages can be enclosed by plastic film casing, for example five or six sides. At least four sides of the packaging unit should be enclosed by the plastic film casing to create the dimensional stability of the invention.

The plastic film casing may, for example, have a longitudinal and two transverse seals. In this way, the plastic film cover can consist of a piece of plastic film which is closed around the group of packages and in this way efficient application of the plastic film cover can be made possible.

By dimensional stability, according to the invention, is meant that the plastic film casing should enclose the group of packages in such a way that each individual package is kept in a substantially fixed position in relation to each other. Form stability, according to the invention, can also be achieved when the packaging unit is loaded because the group of packages is enclosed by plastic film casing. 10 15 20 25 30 35 The plastic film cover can enclose the group of packages without clamping force.

The plastic film may, for example, be arranged so that a distance may prevail between the plastic film cover and the group of packages, and thus the plastic film cover may be arranged at a distance from the group of packages or packages belonging to the group of packages. When loading the packaging unit, this distance can substantially disappear and the plastic film cover can then be substantially in contact with the group of packages or packages belonging to the group of packages. Such a plastic film cover can thus allow dimensional stability of the packages.

The plastic film casing can also enclose the group of packages with clamping force.

Such a plastic film cover can thus allow dimensional stability of the packages.

The plastic film casing of the packaging unit can be arranged to enclose the packages with such a clamping force that the contents of the packages form counter-pressure beams for achieving said dimensional stability of the packaging unit.

The plastic film casing of the packaging unit can, for example, be a shrink film. A shrink film can be positioned in a desired and suitable manner about the packages and then, for example by heating, allowed to shrink in order to close more tightly around the packaging unit and also, if desired, give rise to tensioning forces.

The plastic film casing of the packaging unit can be, for example, a wrapping film.

Wrapping film is an effective way to apply a wrapper around the packaging.

Furthermore, by means of sweeping, tension can be created in the casing which can achieve dimensional stability of the packaging unit according to the invention.

The plastic film casing of the packaging unit can also be a shrink film which is a shrink film.

The plastic film casing of the packaging unit may comprise or consist of, for example, thermosetting plastics or resins, or other polymeric materials suitable for sweeping according to the invention. The plastic film casing of the packaging unit may be less than 100 micrometers thick, but it may also be thicker than one hundred micrometers. For example, the plastic film cover may be 5-50 or 10-30 micrometers thick.

The transport package according to the invention may comprise a plurality of packaging units. When transporting the packaging units, it can be advantageous to handle several packaging units as one package. For example, lifting, or other handling steps, can be minimized if fl your packaging units can be handled as a package. A package may also, for example, include a suitable number of packaging units for delivery and warehousing to the store.

Transport package packaging units can be stacked on a load carrier. A load carrier that carries a transport package can, for example, facilitate the handling and transport of the transport package and the packaging units. For example, the load carrier can be arranged for lifting and loading or transport by truck, for example a forklift or a hand truck.

The packaging units of the transport package may be arranged in a stack, which stack is at least partially enclosed by a plastic film casing. Such a plastic film cover can, for example, hold together and secure the packaging units during transport. The plastic film casing can also hold the packaging units to the load carrier, in cases where the packaging units are stacked on a load carrier. The plastic film cover can, for example, consist of a wrap film, which wrap film can be a shrink film.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing packaging units, comprising the steps of arranging a group of packages, which are filled with a liquid product, which are provided by a disposable foot, and which are of a collapsing type and in an upright condition have a in the direction from below and up tapered shape, and at least partially enclose the group of packages with a plastic film casing to achieve dimensional stability of the packaging unit.

The plastic film casing of the process may be a wrapping film which is wrapped around the packaging of the disposable nipples. The plastic film casing of the process may be a shrink film which shrinks about the packages provided by the disposers.

The above discussion regarding the packaging device is also, where applicable, relevant to the process and transport package.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the disposable packaging provided according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging unit enclosed in plastic film casing with longitudinal and transverse seals, which packaging unit is illustrated as seen from two different directions in (a) and (b), respectively.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates different embodiments of packaging unit with longitudinal and transverse seals.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging unit according to the invention, which packaging unit is partially enclosed by a plastic film casing.

Figure 5 illustrates the schematic method of enclosing a group of packages with plastic film casing.

Figure 6 are schematic perspective views of (a) 24, (b) 3, (c) 2 and (d) 24 packaging units according to the invention, which packaging units are placed on transport platforms.

Figure 7 schematically illustrates how a packaging unit is wrapped with plastic film casing.

Figure 8 schematically illustrates in a packaging unit comprising six packages, which packaging unit also comprises handles. Description of Embodiments The invention will now be discussed in more detail and specific preferred embodiments, as well as variations thereof, will be shown. The discussions are intended to be clarifying and explanatory and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. The figures referred to are schematic and do not have to be scalable.

With reference to Figure 1, it is now discussed that disposable packaging 1 according to the invention is discussed. Six packages 1 are arranged in the supply compartment.

The packages 1 have a shape tapered from the bottom up, with a narrower end 2 and a wider end 3. It will be appreciated that the packages are shown schematically. Packages comprising two opposite side walls and a bottom wall, which side walls and bottom wall are flexible, may be preferred according to the invention and the figures are intended to illustrate, for example, such packages.

With reference to Figures 2a and b, a specific embodiment of the invention is now discussed. Figures 2a and b illustrate a packaging unit 4, seen from two different angles. The packaging unit 4 comprises six packages 1 a-f, which packages are filled with liquid product. The packages 1 are made of plastic and are of collapsing type and in the upright condition they have a shape which tapers in the direction from below and upwards.

The packages 1 are arranged on the base and are enclosed by a plastic film cover 5.

The plastic film casing 5 provides dimensional stability of the packaging unit 4 by locking the positions of the individual packages.

The packaging unit 4 has six outer sides, four of which are illustrated and indicated in the figure as the outer sides 6a-d, the other two sides, which are not illustrated in the figure, are diametrically opposite side 6a and side 6c, respectively. According to this example, the plastic film casing 5 encloses all of the six sides 6 of the packaging unit, and the plastic film casing 5 has three seals 13a-c, of which the seal 13a is longitudinal and the seals 13b and c are transverse. It will be appreciated that the plastic film casing 5 may have a different number of seals 13 than those illustrated in Figures 2a and b. The number of seals 13 may be greater or less than the number illustrated in Figures 2a and b. For example, the plastic film casing 5 may have seals 13 at all six outer sides of the packaging unit 4. It may be the case that the outer sides do not have seals 13, for example as illustrated by Figures 2a and b. More than one seal 13 may be shown per outer side, but it may be preferred that only one seal 13 is shown per outer side.

Longitudinal and transverse seals 13, according to the invention, are defined for substantially straight seals as such that if one extrapolates the longitudinal seals 13 and displaces them in parallel so that intersection between the longitudinal seals 13 or extrapolated lines occurs, the smallest angle between each longitudinal poles or its extra poles line and an at least one longitudinal seal or its extrapolated line to be less than 45 degrees. Regarding the transverse seals, the following applies: When a transverse seal, or its extrapolated line, is displaced in parallel until the transverse seal or its extrapolated line crosses a longitudinal seal, the angle between the transverse seal or its extrapolated line and a normal to the longitudinal seal , which is normally located in the plane tensioned by the transverse and longitudinal seals, to be less than 45 degrees. For example, if the seal 13a is assumed to be longitudinal, the seal 13b and c will be transverse because said angle is 0 degrees for the respective seal 13b and c. A longitudinal seal may, as in this example, run substantially in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom portion in a package.

The example further illustrates packages provided according to the invention comprising a first set of packages (1 b, d, f) with a first direction R1 and a second set of packages (1 a, c, e) with a direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1 . In this example, the directions R1 and R2 are identical to the directions in which the packages are tapered and the directions are indicated by the arrows R1 and R2 in the figure. It will be appreciated that the directions R1 and R2 may just as well go in the opposite direction, for example. Referring to Figures 3a-c, various embodiments of packaging unit with longitudinal and transverse seals are discussed. For the sake of clarity, the packages in the packaging unit are not illustrated, but only the plastic film casing 5, which in the example is transparent, is illustrated to illustrate the packaging unit. In this way, seals appear in the figure regardless of which side of the packaging unit 4 they are located on.

Figures 3a and b illustrate a packaging unit with two longitudinal seals 13a and d and two transverse seals 13b and c. Figure 3c illustrates a packaging unit with a longitudinal seal 13a and two transverse seals 13b and c.

The seals can be, for example, heat-welded, or otherwise joined with heat and / or pressure. The seals can also be glued, for example.

With reference to Figure 4, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be discussed. The figure illustrates a packaging unit 4 with six packages 1a-f, which packages are filled with liquid product.

The packages 1 are made of plastic and are of collapsing type and in the upright condition they have a shape which tapers in the direction from below and upwards. The packages 1 are arranged on a supply foot and they are partially enclosed by a plastic film cover 5, which has a wrap around the packages 1.

The packaging unit 4 has six outer sides, four of which are outer sides 6a-d enclosed by said plastic film casing 5. The plastic film casing 5 gives the packaging unit 4 dimensional stability. The example further illustrates packages provided according to the invention comprising a first set of packages (1b, d, f) with a first direction R1 and a second set of packages (1a, c, e) with a direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1. In this example, the directions R1 and R2 are identical to the directions in which the packages are tapered and the directions are indicated by the arrows R1 and R2 in the figure. It will be appreciated that the directions R1 and R2 may just as well go in the opposite direction, for example.

With reference to Figures 5a-d, the method of manufacturing a packaging unit according to the invention is discussed below. The method comprises, inter alia, enclosing a group 14 of packages 1 with plastic film casing 5 which completely encloses the group 14 of packages, which enclosing entails dimensional stability of the packages. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the packages in the group 14, entirely in accordance with the invention, may differ from that illustrated in Figures 5a-d. The plastic film 9 is illustrated in this example as being non-transparent. Figure 5a illustrates the group 14 of packages 1, which packages have been arranged provided, and plastic film 9. The plastic film 9 is in this example in the figure arranged in what can be considered to be V-shape and the plastic can be considered to be V-weight. In Figure 5b, the plastic film has been arranged so as to substantially follow the contours of certain sides of the group 14 of packages 1.

In Figure 5c, a longitudinal seal 13a has been created. According to the invention, a longitudinal seal 13a can thus be defined as running along the longitudinal direction of the plastic film. Regarding the longitudinal direction of the plastic film, reference is made to the discussion referring to Figure 7. The seals according to this example may be of the type mentioned above, or of another type which occurs and is suitable. The parts of the plastic film that protrude from the seal can be removed in connection with the seal, for example optionally cut off, or otherwise removed. The dimensions of the plastic film and the design of the seal can also be designed so that substantially no or only a little plastic film protrudes from the seal. For example, the width of the plastic film can be chosen so that it is only slightly wider than the distance it encloses the group of packages. According to the invention, parts of the plastic film which protrude can also be folded so that the parts lie close to the package. As can be seen from the illustration, four sides of the group of packages are enclosed in plastic film casing. If it is desired and if it is appropriate for only four sides to be enclosed by plastic film casing, parts of the plastic film 9 may conveniently be removed so that it does not, for example, substantially, or only slightly, protrude beyond those sides of the group 14 of packages 1 which do not are enclosed. The plastic film casing can thus be considered to partially enclose the group of packages. Figure 5d illustrates the group of packages now completely enclosed by plastic film casing and in which two transverse seals have been created, of which transverse seal 13b is seen in the figure and transverse seal 13c and longitudinal seal 13a are indicated by dashed lines. In this example, the transverse seals have directions according to the illustration, but they could also have had a different direction according to the invention and, for example, ran from the bottom up, which direction differs substantially 90 degrees from the illustrated direction. The parts of the plastic film that may have protruded from the transverse seals can be removed or folded as described above for longitudinal seals.

Hereby a packaging unit has been created which comprises a group 14 of packages 1 and a plastic film casing 5 which completely encloses the group of packages. The plastic film casing can be shrunk by heat treatment, which can give rise to dimensional stability, or increase dimensional stability.

If the plastic film is tightened around the group 14 of packages 1, for example by shrinking, so that the circumference of the plastic film is slightly less than the circumference of the group of packages, with this method the plastic film cover 5 can enclose the group of packages with tension. The clamping force can be varied depending on how hard the film shrinks on the group of packages.

The shrinkage can also be performed so that the housing encloses without clamping force. If the plastic film is applied substantially without clamping force, with this method the plastic film cover 5 without clamping force according to the invention can enclose the group of packages. If sweeping film is used, said clamping force can be achieved by sweeping, possibly in combination with shrinkage, of the plastic film casing.

The clamping force can provide additional dimensional stability of the packaging unit 4 by locking the positions of the individual packages more tightly.

With reference to Figures 6a-d, transport packages 7a-d now comprising a plurality of packaging units 4a-d according to the invention are now discussed. Each packaging unit 4a-d comprises a number of packages which are not illustrated in the figure. In the examples in the figures, the transport package lines 7a-d are positioned or stacked on load carriers 8a-d.

In Figure 6b, transport package 7b is enclosed by wrapping with plastic film 9, which can, among other things, provide protection during transport, increase the dimensional stability of the load package 7b, of the packaging unit 4b and of the packages according to the invention. In the example according to the figure, four sides of transport package 7b will be enclosed with plastic film 9, but also, for example, five or six sides could have been enclosed.

Transport packages 7d in figure 6d comprise packaging units 4 which are stacked in binding layers, which binding layers can provide more stable stacking. Referring to Figure 7, there is now a discussion of wrapping a packaging unit 4 comprising a group 14 of packages 1, to create a plastic film casing 5 which at least partially encloses the packages to provide dimensional stability of the packages. The figure is schematic and depicts sweeping of a first turn around the packages. This introduces a coordinate system x-y-z, according to the illustration in the figure, and it is considered that the sweeping according to the figure takes place in the x-z plane. When the sweep takes place only in this plane, four sides of a total of six sides of the group 14 of packages 1 will be enclosed by the plastic film casing 5. If the sweep also takes place in the x-y plane, five or six sides may be enclosed by the plastic film casing. It may be appropriate to sweep fl your turns, i.e. the clamping force arising from the plastic film casing may thus be greater compared to the case where fewer turns are swept, which may be desirable, for example if it is desired to give rise to back pressure beams in the liquid in the packages. Sweeping in several turns can also provide greater mechanical protection than sweeping in one turn provides. It will be appreciated that sweeping can also occur only in the x-y plane. The planes in which the sweeping is carried out can be chosen depending on which orientation of the packaging unit 4 will prevail in further transport and possible stacking of packaging units. It will be appreciated that the portion of the plastic film from the plastic film roll 10 which projects outside the packaging unit 4 may be folded over the packaging unit 4, for example when the clamping force is increased. The longitudinal direction of a plastic film can be considered to be the direction of the plastic film from the plastic film roll 10, which direction is indicated by the arrow 15, or the reverse direction, and this longitudinal direction applies to both plastic film for sweeping and plastic film which is sealed. The plastic film may be shrinking, for example the plastic film may be selected so that it shrinks upon heating of the packaging unit 4 after sweeping, which shrinkage may increase the clamping force.

With reference to Figures 8a-b, a packaging unit 4 comprising handles 11a-c is now discussed.

Figure 8a illustrates the packaging unit comprises a group of packages 1 which are enclosed by plastic film cover 5. Part 12c of the handle is glued to the plastic film cover, which enables the packaging unit to be carried by means of the handle, without the handle coming loose from the packaging unit. For example, in cases where the plastic film casing encloses four sides of the group of packages, the handle may be attached to one or more of the packages or to the plastic film, after which enclosing of plastic film is performed.

Figure 8b illustrates the packaging unit comprises a group of packages 1 which are wrapped with plastic film cover 5. The plastic film cover 5 is wrapped around the parts 12a and b of the handles 11 which are positioned so that after the wrapping they are between the plastic film cover 5 and the packages, this wrapping may be sufficient. to enable the packaging unit to be carried by means of the handles, without the handles becoming detached from the packaging unit. The handles can also, for example to give the handles a better adhesion to the packaging unit, be attached to one or more of the packages or to the plastic film, before the wrapping.

The packaging units illustrated in Figure 8 are suitable for carrying by means of the handles and six packages are a number which are suitable for marketing, for example, beverages. The packages may each contain, for example, one liter of beverage, but other volumes between, for example, 330 ml and 2 liters may also be suitable. The number of packages may differ from six.

When in the examples with reference to the figures it is discussed about packages, the packages according to the invention are meant, which packages are of a collapsing type. Packaging of a collapsing type means, for example, packaging which has a chamber delimited by flexible walls, which walls are interconnected along a connecting portion.

The walls normally comprise two opposite side walls and a bottom wall.

Claims (17)

10 15 20 25 30 35 1 5 PATENT REQUIREMENTS Packaging unit comprising, a group of packages, which are filled with a liquid product, which are provided with a disposable foot, and which are of a collapsing type and in an upright condition have a shape tapering downwards and upwards, and a plastic film casing which at least partially encloses the group of packages for achieving dimensional stability of the packaging unit. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging unit comprises a handle. A packaging unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the group of packages comprises a first set of packages with an orientation in a first direction R1 and a second set of packages with an orientation in a direction R2 opposite to the first direction R1. A packaging unit according to claim 3, wherein the number of packages in the first set is identical to the number of packages in the second set. A packaging unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the group of packages comprises four, six, eight or ten packages. A packaging unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic film casing encloses the packaging unit so that each individual package obtains a fixed position in the unit. A packaging unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic film casing completely encloses the group of packages. The packaging unit according to claim 7, wherein the plastic film casing has a longitudinal and two transverse seals. A packaging unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic film casing is a shrink film. A packaging unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic film casing encloses the group of packages without clamping force. A packaging unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic film casing encloses the group of packages with clamping force. A transport package comprising a plurality of packaging units according to claim 1. A transport package according to claim 12, wherein the packaging units are stacked on a load carrier. 10 15 16 A transport package according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a stack formed by said packaging units is at least partially enclosed by a plastic film casing. A method of manufacturing a packaging unit, comprising the steps of: arranging a group of packages, which are filled with a liquid product, which are provided with a disposable foot, and which are of a collapsing kind and in an upright condition have a shape tapered from the bottom up , and at least partially enclose the packages with a plastic film cover to achieve dimensional stability of the packaging unit. A method according to claim 15, wherein said plastic film casing is a wrapping film which is wrapped around the packaging of the disposable feet. A method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said plastic film casing is a shrink film which is shrunk on the packaging of the disposable feet.