US20130341385A1 - Fin seal container and method - Google Patents
Fin seal container and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130341385A1 US20130341385A1 US13/951,922 US201313951922A US2013341385A1 US 20130341385 A1 US20130341385 A1 US 20130341385A1 US 201313951922 A US201313951922 A US 201313951922A US 2013341385 A1 US2013341385 A1 US 2013341385A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fin seal
- seal panel
- panel
- major surface
- container
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B31B50/60—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping
- B31B50/62—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping by adhesives
- B31B50/626—Arrangements for permitting the glue to set
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/06—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements formed by folding inwardly a wall extending from, and continuously around, an end of the tubular body
- B65D5/067—Gable-top containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/10—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using hot gases (e.g. combustion gases) or flames coming in contact with at least one of the parts to be joined
- B29C65/103—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using hot gases (e.g. combustion gases) or flames coming in contact with at least one of the parts to be joined direct heating both surfaces to be joined
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
- B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
- B29C66/133—Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
- B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
- B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
- B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
- B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
- B29C66/43121—Closing the ends of tubular or hollow single articles, e.g. closing the ends of bags
- B29C66/43122—Closing the top of gable top containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
- B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
- B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
- B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
- B29C66/72327—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of natural products or their composites, not provided for in B29C66/72321 - B29C66/72324
- B29C66/72328—Paper
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
- B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
- B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
- B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
- B29C66/83413—Roller, cylinder or drum types cooperating rollers, cylinders or drums
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
- B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B65B7/18—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by collapsing mouth portion and subsequently folding-down or securing flaps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/06—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements formed by folding inwardly a wall extending from, and continuously around, an end of the tubular body
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/04—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks
- B65D75/06—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks in sheets or blanks initially folded to form tubes
- B65D75/12—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks in sheets or blanks initially folded to form tubes with the ends of the tube closed by flattening and heat-sealing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
- B29C65/4805—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the type of adhesives
- B29C65/481—Non-reactive adhesives, e.g. physically hardening adhesives
- B29C65/4815—Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
- B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
- B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
- B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
- B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
- B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
- B29L2031/7162—Boxes, cartons, cases
- B29L2031/7166—Cartons of the fruit juice or milk type, i.e. containers of polygonal cross sections formed by folding blanks into a tubular body with end-closing or contents-supporting elements, e.g. gable type containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B31B50/004—Closing boxes
- B31B50/0044—Closing boxes the boxes having their opening facing upwardly
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B31B50/60—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping
- B31B50/64—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping by applying heat or pressure, e.g. by welding
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B50/00—Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
- B31B50/60—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping
- B31B50/73—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping by mechanically interlocking integral parts, e.g. by tongues and slots
- B31B50/732—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping by mechanically interlocking integral parts, e.g. by tongues and slots by folding or tucking-in locking flaps
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/10—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
- Y10T156/1002—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina
- Y10T156/1051—Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina by folding
Definitions
- This application relates to fin seal containers. More particularly, this application relates to fin seal containers, pre-cut blanks for forming fin seal containers and methods for assembling fin seal containers.
- Fin seal containers have been used as alternatives to extruded plastic containers, cans and the like for packaging various products, such as consumer goods and food-stuffs.
- fin seal containers constructed from paperboard-based substrates having a sufficient barrier layer e.g., a moisture barrier layer and/or an oxygen barrier layer
- a sufficient barrier layer e.g., a moisture barrier layer and/or an oxygen barrier layer
- liquid food-stuffs such as milk and soup
- dry food-stuffs such as grains and cereals.
- Fin seal containers are traditionally formed from a pre-cut substrate blank, such as a pre-cut paperboard blank. Two ends of the blank are typically connected at a seam to form a three-dimensional (e.g., tubular) structure having an internal volume that is open at opposite ends of the structure.
- a first open end of the structure is typically sealed, such as with a fin seal, to partially enclose the internal volume prior to introducing the product. Then, the product is introduced to the internal volume of the structure by way of the second open end. Finally, once the internal volume has been filled as desired, the second open end is sealed with a fin seal.
- fin seal containers are formed from substrates that have been coated on their inner and/or outer surfaces with a heat-sealable material. Therefore, the fin seal may be formed by pressing two opposing end portions of the container structure between heated platens for a sufficient amount of time. During the pressing operation, heat from the platens is transferred through the substrate to melt (or at least tackify) the heat-sealable material such that the pressure applied by the heated platens bonds together the two opposing end portions of the container structure to form a fin-shaped seal.
- the speed at which product may be packaged is limited by the sealing step, specifically the time required to transfer sufficient heat from the heated platens to the heat-sealable material on the inner surface of the substrate. While increasing the surface temperature of the heated platens may increase heat flux and, thus, speed-up the packaging process, platen temperatures that are too high may degrade or damage the package.
- the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container may include the steps of (1) folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into the internal volume, the end portion including a first fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, (2) folding the end portion such that the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, (3) separating the first fin seal panel from the second fin seal panel, (4) treating the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel and/or the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, and (5) pressing the first fin seal panel into engagement with the second fin seal panel
- the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container may include the steps of (1) folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into the internal volume, the end portion including a first fin seal panel having an extension portion, a pre-formed fold line, an inner major surface and an outer major surface and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, wherein the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel and the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel are coated with a heat-sealable material, (2) folding the end portion such that the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to, and in generally parallel alignment with, the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, (3) engaging the extension portion to pivot the first fin seal panel about the pre-formed fold line away from the second fin seal panel, (4) after the engaging step, heat-treating the inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and/or the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, and (5) after the heat-treating step, pressing the first fin seal panel into
- the disclosed container blank may include a pre-cut substrate having an outer periphery, the substrate being provided with a plurality of pre-formed fold lines, the fold lines defining a plurality of side wall panels, a first end portion and a second end portion, the side wall panels being positioned between the first and second end portions, the fold lines further defining a plurality of transition panels, a first fin seal panel, a first portion of a second fin seal panel and a second portion of the second fin seal panel at the first end portion, wherein the first fin seal panel, the first portion of the second fin seal panel and the second portion of the second fin seal panel include sealing surfaces, and wherein the sealing surfaces are substantially free of pre-formed fold lines that extend from the outer periphery to the side wall panels and/or the transition panels.
- a fin seal container formed from the disclosed methods and/or the disclosed container blanks.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed fin seal container
- FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pre-cut container blank used to form the fin seal container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the container blank of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a portion of a partially assembled container formed from the container blank of FIG. 2 , the partially assembled container having an end portion that defines an opening;
- FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container of FIG. 5 , shown after the end portion has been folded to a collapsed configuration;
- FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container of FIG. 6 , shown during a separating step;
- FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container of FIG. 7 , shown during a treating step;
- FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container of FIG. 8 , shown during a compression step
- FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container of FIG. 9 , shown after an additional folding step.
- FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates one aspect of the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container.
- a fin seal container may be assembled and sealed more efficiently by directly heating the inner surfaces of the opposed panels that form the fin-shaped seal of the fin seal container, thereby melting (or at least tackifying) the heat-sealable material more rapidly and, therefore, increasing overall production speed.
- an adhesive may be directly applied to the inner surfaces of the opposed panels that form the fin-shaped seal.
- one aspect of the disclosed fin seal container may be formed as a three-dimensional rectilinear body 10 having four side wall panels 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 (only panels 12 and 14 are shown in FIG. 1 ; panels 16 and 18 are shown in FIG. 2 ) a first end portion 20 sealed with a first fin seal 22 and a second, opposite end portion 24 sealed with a second fin seal 26 .
- the body 10 of the fin seal container 8 may define an internal volume 28 , and the internal volume 28 may receive a product (not shown) therein.
- the size and shape of the body 10 of the container 8 may vary to accommodate products of various sizes and shapes.
- the rectilinear body 10 shown in FIG. 1 is only one specific example of a suitable body for the disclosed fin seal container 8 .
- the disclosed fin seal container 8 may be formed from a container blank that has been pre-cut from a substrate sheet. In one particular implementation, the disclosed fin seal container 8 may be formed from the container blank 30 shown in FIG. 2 . Other types of container blanks may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the container blank 30 shown in FIG. 2 may be pre-cut from a sheet of substrate material and may include an outer periphery 32 and a plurality of pre-formed fold lines 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 44 that define the side wall panels 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 and the end portions 20 , 24 of the fin seal container 8 shown in FIG. 1 .
- side wall panel 12 may be defined by fold lines 34 , 36 and 44
- side wall panel 14 may be defined by fold lines 34 , 36 , 38 and 40
- side wall panel 16 may be defined by fold lines 34 , 36 , 40 and 42
- side wall panel 18 may be defined by fold lines 34 , 36 , 42 and 44
- the first end portion 20 may be defined by fold line 34
- the second end portion 24 may be defined by fold line 36 .
- Additional fold line 38 may define a sealing panel 46 .
- the first end portion 20 may include additional pre-formed fold lines 50 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 60 , 62 that define transition panels 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , the first fin seal panel 80 and the second fin seal panel 82 (comprised of panels 82 A and 82 B in FIG. 2 ).
- the first fin seal panel 80 may be defined by fold lines 50 , 52 and 54
- the first portion of the second fin seal panel 82 A may be defined by fold lines 50 and 54
- the second portion of the second fin seal panel 82 B may be defined by fold lines 50 and 52 .
- the transition panels 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 may provide a transition region between the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels and the side panels 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , thereby allowing face-to-face approximation of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels during assembly, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the first fin seal panel 80 may include an extension portion 90 that extends outward beyond the periphery 32 of the second fin seal panel 82 by a distance D.
- the width W 2 of the second fin seal panel 82 may be at most 90 percent of the width W 1 of the first fin seal panel 80 .
- the width W 2 of the second fin seal panel 82 may be at most 75 percent of the width W 1 of the first fin seal panel 80 .
- the width W 2 of the second fin seal panel 82 may be at most 60 percent of the width W 1 of the first fin seal panel 80 .
- the first fin seal panel 80 may be provided with cuts 84 , 86 and a pre-formed fold line 88 . Therefore, during assembly, the first fin seal panel 80 may pivot about fold line 88 when the first fin seal panel 80 is urged away from the second fin seal panel 82 , as shown in FIG. 7 and discussed in greater detail below.
- the second end portion 24 of the container blank 30 may include the same or similar pre-formed fold lines as the first end portion 20 .
- the second end portion 24 of the body 10 of the container 8 may be sealed using a technique other than a fin seal.
- the sealing surfaces of the container blank 30 may be free (or substantially free) of pre-formed fold lines.
- the sealing surfaces of the container blank 30 may be free (or substantially free) of pre-formed fold lines that extend to the outer periphery 32 of the container blank 30 .
- the sealing surfaces of the container blank 30 may be free (or substantially free) of pre-formed fold lines that extend from the outer periphery 32 of the container blank 30 to one or more of the transition panels 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 or side wall panels 12 , 14 , 16 , 18 .
- the sealing surfaces are shown with cross-hatching.
- the sealing surfaces may include the inner surface 100 of the first fin seal panel 80 (including or, alternatively, excluding the inner surface 100 of the extension portion 90 ) and the inner surface 100 of the second fin seal panel 82 (comprised of panels 82 A, 82 B prior to assembly).
- the inner surface 100 and/or the outer surface 102 ( FIG. 3 ) of the sealing panel 46 may be considered sealing surfaces and treated as such.
- those skilled in the art will appreciate that only a portion of the area shown with cross-hatching may be used for sealing.
- the container blank 30 may be formed from a generally planar, sheet-like substrate having a first, inner major surface 100 , a second, outer major surface 102 and a cross-sectional thickness T.
- the container blank 30 may be formed from a paperboard substrate, such as a paperboard substrate having a cross-sectional thickness T ranging from about 12 to 24 points (e.g., 16 points).
- the container blank 30 may be formed as a layered structure 104 .
- the layered structure 104 may include a paperboard layer 106 and a heat-sealable layer 108 (e.g., a layer of polyethylene) on the inner surface 100 of the structure 104 .
- a printable layer 110 e.g., a clay coating
- an additional layer (not shown) of polymeric material.
- Additional optional layers 112 e.g., a light barrier layer and/or an oxygen barrier layer
- one aspect of the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container may begin at block 202 with a container blank. While method 200 is described below with reference to the container blank 30 described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other container blanks may be used in the disclosed method 200 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the container blank 30 may be folded into a three-dimensional body 10 .
- the three-dimensional body 10 may be formed by folding the container blank 30 about fold lines 38 , 40 , 42 , 44 and connecting the sealing panel 46 to the side wall panel 12 .
- the sealing panel 46 may be heat sealed to the inner surface 100 ( FIG. 3 ) of the side wall panel 12 by way of a heat sealing step (e.g., a heated platen).
- first fin seal panel 80 and the second fin seal panel 82 may define an opening 150 into the internal volume 28 of the body 10 . While only the first end portion 20 is shown in FIG. 4 , those skilled in the art will appreciate that second end portion 24 may be similarly configured.
- product (not shown) may be inserted into the internal volume 28 of the body 10 by way of the opening 150 , as shown by arrow A in FIG. 5 .
- an optional step may include sealing all but one end portion.
- the second end portion 24 may be sealed prior to proceeding to block 206 .
- a subsequent step of the assembly method 200 may include collapsing the opening 150 by folding the first end panel 20 such that the inner surface 100 of the first fin seal panel 80 may be positioned adjacent to, and in generally parallel alignment with, the inner surface 100 of the second fin seal panel 82 . Therefore, the step shown in block 208 may result in the formation of a generally longitudinal, but unsealed, fin 152 at the first end portion 20 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the first fin seal panel 80 may be urged away from the second fin seal panel 82 to expose the inner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels.
- the step 210 of urging the first fin seal panel 80 away from the second fin seal panel 82 may be performed in-line as the partially-assembled container 8 travels along an assembly line, which may be a continuous assembly line, an intermittent assembly line or the like.
- a catch 154 may be positioned to intersect the unsealed fin 152 , specifically to engage the extension portion 90 of the first fin seal panel 80 , thereby urging the first fin seal panel 80 away from the second fin seal panel 82 .
- the catch 154 may be positioned in such a manner so as not to engage the second fin seal panel 82 as it engages the first fin seal panel 80 .
- the first fin seal panel 80 may pivot about the pre-formed fold line 88 .
- the pre-formed fold line 88 may be positioned such that the pivot point (i.e., the fold line 88 ) is sufficiently below the edge 156 of the second fin seal panel 82 such that a sufficient amount of the inner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels are exposed during the step of block 210 .
- the exposed inner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels may be treated to facilitate sealing of the first fin seal panel 80 to the second fin seal panel 82 and formation of the first fin seal 22 ( FIG. 1 ).
- the treating step 212 may be performed in-line as the partially-assembled container 8 travels along an assembly line.
- the treating step 212 may be a heat-treating step that increases the temperature of the inner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels faster than the corresponding outer surfaces 102 .
- a nozzle 158 such as the nozzle of a heat gun, may direct heated air 160 into contact with the inner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels.
- the temperature of the heated air may be a controllable process variable that may depend on, among other things, the heat-sealable material being used and, if applicable, the speed at which the partially assembled container 8 is travelling relative to the nozzle 158 .
- the treating step 212 may include applying an adhesive to the exposed inner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels.
- a suitable adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive.
- the treated first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels may be pressed together to form a fin seal 22 ( FIG. 1 ).
- the treated fin seal panels 80 , 82 of the partially assembled container 8 may pass through the nip 162 of two compression rollers 164 , 166 , which may urge the treated fin seal panels 80 , 82 together to form the final fin seal 22 .
- the treated first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels may be pressed together with bars, jaws or the like.
- the extension portion 90 of the first fin seal panel 80 may be folded over the second fin seal panel 82 . Additional optional processing steps, such as folding over the fin seal 22 , may also be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the disclosed method 200 may improve assembly time for fin seal containers by directly heating the inner surfaces of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels that form the fin seal 22 .
Abstract
A method for assembling a fin seal container including folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into the internal volume, the end portion including a first fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, folding the end portion such that the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, separating the first fin seal panel from the second fin seal panel, treating the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel and/or the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, and pressing the first fin seal panel into engagement with the second fin seal panel.
Description
- This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/887,691 filed on Sep. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,500,946 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- This application relates to fin seal containers. More particularly, this application relates to fin seal containers, pre-cut blanks for forming fin seal containers and methods for assembling fin seal containers.
- Fin seal containers have been used as alternatives to extruded plastic containers, cans and the like for packaging various products, such as consumer goods and food-stuffs. For example, fin seal containers constructed from paperboard-based substrates having a sufficient barrier layer (e.g., a moisture barrier layer and/or an oxygen barrier layer) have been used to package liquid food-stuffs, such as milk and soup, as well as dry food-stuffs, such as grains and cereals.
- Fin seal containers are traditionally formed from a pre-cut substrate blank, such as a pre-cut paperboard blank. Two ends of the blank are typically connected at a seam to form a three-dimensional (e.g., tubular) structure having an internal volume that is open at opposite ends of the structure. During packaging, a first open end of the structure is typically sealed, such as with a fin seal, to partially enclose the internal volume prior to introducing the product. Then, the product is introduced to the internal volume of the structure by way of the second open end. Finally, once the internal volume has been filled as desired, the second open end is sealed with a fin seal.
- Traditionally, fin seal containers are formed from substrates that have been coated on their inner and/or outer surfaces with a heat-sealable material. Therefore, the fin seal may be formed by pressing two opposing end portions of the container structure between heated platens for a sufficient amount of time. During the pressing operation, heat from the platens is transferred through the substrate to melt (or at least tackify) the heat-sealable material such that the pressure applied by the heated platens bonds together the two opposing end portions of the container structure to form a fin-shaped seal.
- Thus, the speed at which product may be packaged is limited by the sealing step, specifically the time required to transfer sufficient heat from the heated platens to the heat-sealable material on the inner surface of the substrate. While increasing the surface temperature of the heated platens may increase heat flux and, thus, speed-up the packaging process, platen temperatures that are too high may degrade or damage the package.
- Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of fin seal containers.
- In one aspect, the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container may include the steps of (1) folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into the internal volume, the end portion including a first fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, (2) folding the end portion such that the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, (3) separating the first fin seal panel from the second fin seal panel, (4) treating the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel and/or the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, and (5) pressing the first fin seal panel into engagement with the second fin seal panel
- In another aspect, the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container may include the steps of (1) folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into the internal volume, the end portion including a first fin seal panel having an extension portion, a pre-formed fold line, an inner major surface and an outer major surface and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, wherein the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel and the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel are coated with a heat-sealable material, (2) folding the end portion such that the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to, and in generally parallel alignment with, the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, (3) engaging the extension portion to pivot the first fin seal panel about the pre-formed fold line away from the second fin seal panel, (4) after the engaging step, heat-treating the inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and/or the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, and (5) after the heat-treating step, pressing the first fin seal panel into engagement with the second fin seal panel.
- In another aspect, the disclosed container blank may include a pre-cut substrate having an outer periphery, the substrate being provided with a plurality of pre-formed fold lines, the fold lines defining a plurality of side wall panels, a first end portion and a second end portion, the side wall panels being positioned between the first and second end portions, the fold lines further defining a plurality of transition panels, a first fin seal panel, a first portion of a second fin seal panel and a second portion of the second fin seal panel at the first end portion, wherein the first fin seal panel, the first portion of the second fin seal panel and the second portion of the second fin seal panel include sealing surfaces, and wherein the sealing surfaces are substantially free of pre-formed fold lines that extend from the outer periphery to the side wall panels and/or the transition panels.
- In yet another aspect, disclosed is a fin seal container formed from the disclosed methods and/or the disclosed container blanks.
- Other aspects of the disclosed fin seal container and method will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one aspect of the disclosed fin seal container; -
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pre-cut container blank used to form the fin seal container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the container blank ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a portion of a partially assembled container formed from the container blank ofFIG. 2 , the partially assembled container having an end portion that defines an opening; -
FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container ofFIG. 5 , shown after the end portion has been folded to a collapsed configuration; -
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container ofFIG. 6 , shown during a separating step; -
FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container ofFIG. 7 , shown during a treating step; -
FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container ofFIG. 8 , shown during a compression step; -
FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the fin seal container ofFIG. 9 , shown after an additional folding step; and -
FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates one aspect of the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container. - It has now been discovered that a fin seal container may be assembled and sealed more efficiently by directly heating the inner surfaces of the opposed panels that form the fin-shaped seal of the fin seal container, thereby melting (or at least tackifying) the heat-sealable material more rapidly and, therefore, increasing overall production speed. As an alternative to using heat-sealable materials, and in lieu of the heat treating step, an adhesive may be directly applied to the inner surfaces of the opposed panels that form the fin-shaped seal.
- It has also been discovered that the probability of leak formation in fin seal containers may be significantly reduced by substantially eliminating pre-formed fold lines from the sealing surfaces of the container blank.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , one aspect of the disclosed fin seal container, generally designated 8, may be formed as a three-dimensionalrectilinear body 10 having fourside wall panels panels FIG. 1 ;panels FIG. 2 ) afirst end portion 20 sealed with a firstfin seal 22 and a second,opposite end portion 24 sealed with asecond fin seal 26. Thebody 10 of thefin seal container 8 may define aninternal volume 28, and theinternal volume 28 may receive a product (not shown) therein. - At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the size and shape of the
body 10 of thecontainer 8 may vary to accommodate products of various sizes and shapes. Therectilinear body 10 shown inFIG. 1 is only one specific example of a suitable body for the disclosedfin seal container 8. - The disclosed
fin seal container 8 may be formed from a container blank that has been pre-cut from a substrate sheet. In one particular implementation, the disclosedfin seal container 8 may be formed from the container blank 30 shown inFIG. 2 . Other types of container blanks may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. - The container blank 30 shown in
FIG. 2 may be pre-cut from a sheet of substrate material and may include anouter periphery 32 and a plurality ofpre-formed fold lines side wall panels end portions fin seal container 8 shown inFIG. 1 . Specifically,side wall panel 12 may be defined byfold lines side wall panel 14 may be defined byfold lines side wall panel 16 may be defined byfold lines side wall panel 18 may be defined byfold lines first end portion 20 may be defined byfold line 34, and thesecond end portion 24 may be defined byfold line 36.Additional fold line 38 may define asealing panel 46. - The
first end portion 20 may include additionalpre-formed fold lines transition panels fin seal panel 80 and the second fin seal panel 82 (comprised ofpanels FIG. 2 ). Specifically, the firstfin seal panel 80 may be defined byfold lines fin seal panel 82A may be defined byfold lines fin seal panel 82B may be defined byfold lines transition panels side panels FIG. 6 . - The first
fin seal panel 80 may include anextension portion 90 that extends outward beyond theperiphery 32 of the secondfin seal panel 82 by a distance D. As one example, the width W2 of the secondfin seal panel 82 may be at most 90 percent of the width W1 of the firstfin seal panel 80. As another example, the width W2 of the secondfin seal panel 82 may be at most 75 percent of the width W1 of the firstfin seal panel 80. As yet another example, the width W2 of the secondfin seal panel 82 may be at most 60 percent of the width W1 of the firstfin seal panel 80. - Optionally, the first
fin seal panel 80 may be provided withcuts fold line 88. Therefore, during assembly, the firstfin seal panel 80 may pivot aboutfold line 88 when the firstfin seal panel 80 is urged away from the secondfin seal panel 82, as shown inFIG. 7 and discussed in greater detail below. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thesecond end portion 24 of the container blank 30 may include the same or similar pre-formed fold lines as thefirst end portion 20. In an alternative aspect, thesecond end portion 24 of thebody 10 of thecontainer 8 may be sealed using a technique other than a fin seal. - In one expression, the sealing surfaces of the container blank 30 (i.e., the portions of the container blank 30 that are sealed to some other portion of the container blank 30) may be free (or substantially free) of pre-formed fold lines. In another expression, the sealing surfaces of the container blank 30 may be free (or substantially free) of pre-formed fold lines that extend to the
outer periphery 32 of the container blank 30. In yet another expression, the sealing surfaces of the container blank 30 may be free (or substantially free) of pre-formed fold lines that extend from theouter periphery 32 of the container blank 30 to one or more of thetransition panels side wall panels - Without being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that eliminating pre-formed fold lines from the sealing surfaces of the container blank 30, or at least pre-formed fold lines that extend to the
outer periphery 32 of the container blank 30 or from theouter periphery 32 of the container blank 30 to one or more of thetransition panels side wall panels FIG. 1 ). Therefore, while it may be advantageous to ensure that every sealing surface of the container blank 30 is free of pre-formed fold lines, advantage may still be gained by ensuring that at least some, but not all, sealing surfaces are free of pre-formed fold lines. - In the
container blank 30 ofFIG. 2 , the sealing surfaces are shown with cross-hatching. For example, the sealing surfaces may include theinner surface 100 of the first fin seal panel 80 (including or, alternatively, excluding theinner surface 100 of the extension portion 90) and theinner surface 100 of the second fin seal panel 82 (comprised ofpanels inner surface 100 and/or the outer surface 102 (FIG. 3 ) of the sealingpanel 46, as well as the longitudinal edge ofside panel 12 to which the sealingpanel 46 is connected, may be considered sealing surfaces and treated as such. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that only a portion of the area shown with cross-hatching may be used for sealing. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , the container blank 30 may be formed from a generally planar, sheet-like substrate having a first, innermajor surface 100, a second, outermajor surface 102 and a cross-sectional thickness T. In one general construction, the container blank 30 may be formed from a paperboard substrate, such as a paperboard substrate having a cross-sectional thickness T ranging from about 12 to 24 points (e.g., 16 points). In one specific construction, the container blank 30 may be formed as alayered structure 104. As an example, thelayered structure 104 may include apaperboard layer 106 and a heat-sealable layer 108 (e.g., a layer of polyethylene) on theinner surface 100 of thestructure 104. Optionally, a printable layer 110 (e.g., a clay coating) may be applied to theouter surface 102 of thestructure 104 and, optionally, coated with an additional layer (not shown) of polymeric material. Additional optional layers 112 (e.g., a light barrier layer and/or an oxygen barrier layer) may be positioned between thepaperboard layer 106 and the heat-sealable layer 108. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , one aspect of the disclosed method for assembling a fin seal container, generally designated 200, may begin atblock 202 with a container blank. Whilemethod 200 is described below with reference to the container blank 30 described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other container blanks may be used in the disclosedmethod 200 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. - At
block 204, the container blank 30 may be folded into a three-dimensional body 10. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 , the three-dimensional body 10 may be formed by folding the container blank 30 aboutfold lines panel 46 to theside wall panel 12. As an example, the sealingpanel 46 may be heat sealed to the inner surface 100 (FIG. 3 ) of theside wall panel 12 by way of a heat sealing step (e.g., a heated platen). - Still referring to
FIGS. 2 and 4 , when the container blank 30 has been folded into the three-dimensional body 10,panel 82A may be connected topanel 82B to form the secondfin seal panel 82. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 4 , the firstfin seal panel 80 and the secondfin seal panel 82 may define anopening 150 into theinternal volume 28 of thebody 10. While only thefirst end portion 20 is shown inFIG. 4 , those skilled in the art will appreciate thatsecond end portion 24 may be similarly configured. - At
block 206, product (not shown) may be inserted into theinternal volume 28 of thebody 10 by way of theopening 150, as shown by arrow A inFIG. 5 . Prior to proceeding to block 206, an optional step may include sealing all but one end portion. For example, thesecond end portion 24 may be sealed prior to proceeding to block 206. - At
block 208, a subsequent step of theassembly method 200 may include collapsing theopening 150 by folding thefirst end panel 20 such that theinner surface 100 of the firstfin seal panel 80 may be positioned adjacent to, and in generally parallel alignment with, theinner surface 100 of the secondfin seal panel 82. Therefore, the step shown inblock 208 may result in the formation of a generally longitudinal, but unsealed,fin 152 at thefirst end portion 20, as shown inFIG. 6 . - At
block 210, after theopening 150 in thefirst end portion 20 has been collapsed, the firstfin seal panel 80 may be urged away from the secondfin seal panel 82 to expose theinner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels. Thestep 210 of urging the firstfin seal panel 80 away from the secondfin seal panel 82 may be performed in-line as the partially-assembledcontainer 8 travels along an assembly line, which may be a continuous assembly line, an intermittent assembly line or the like. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , acatch 154 may be positioned to intersect the unsealedfin 152, specifically to engage theextension portion 90 of the firstfin seal panel 80, thereby urging the firstfin seal panel 80 away from the secondfin seal panel 82. Thecatch 154 may be positioned in such a manner so as not to engage the secondfin seal panel 82 as it engages the firstfin seal panel 80. - Still referring to
FIG. 7 , as the firstfin seal panel 80 is urged away from the secondfin seal panel 82, the firstfin seal panel 80 may pivot about thepre-formed fold line 88. Thepre-formed fold line 88 may be positioned such that the pivot point (i.e., the fold line 88) is sufficiently below theedge 156 of the secondfin seal panel 82 such that a sufficient amount of theinner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels are exposed during the step ofblock 210. - At
block 212, the exposedinner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels may be treated to facilitate sealing of the firstfin seal panel 80 to the secondfin seal panel 82 and formation of the first fin seal 22 (FIG. 1 ). Like the other steps of the disclosedmethod 200, the treatingstep 212 may be performed in-line as the partially-assembledcontainer 8 travels along an assembly line. - In a first embodiment, the treating
step 212 may be a heat-treating step that increases the temperature of theinner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels faster than the correspondingouter surfaces 102. For example, as shown inFIG. 8 , anozzle 158, such as the nozzle of a heat gun, may directheated air 160 into contact with theinner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels. At this point, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the temperature of the heated air may be a controllable process variable that may depend on, among other things, the heat-sealable material being used and, if applicable, the speed at which the partially assembledcontainer 8 is travelling relative to thenozzle 158. - In a second embodiment, the treating
step 212 may include applying an adhesive to the exposedinner surfaces 100 of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels. For example, a suitable adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive. - At
block 214, the treated first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels may be pressed together to form a fin seal 22 (FIG. 1 ). For example, after the treating step shown inFIG. 8 , the treatedfin seal panels container 8 may pass through thenip 162 of twocompression rollers fin seal panels final fin seal 22. As another example, the treated first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels may be pressed together with bars, jaws or the like. - Optionally, as shown at
block 216 and inFIG. 10 , theextension portion 90 of the firstfin seal panel 80 may be folded over the secondfin seal panel 82. Additional optional processing steps, such as folding over thefin seal 22, may also be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. - Accordingly, the disclosed
method 200 may improve assembly time for fin seal containers by directly heating the inner surfaces of the first 80 and second 82 fin seal panels that form thefin seal 22. - Although various aspects of the disclosed fin seal container and method have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
Claims (13)
1. A fin seal container made by the method comprising the steps of:
folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into said internal volume, said end portion including a first fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces;
folding said end portion such that said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel;
separating said first fin seal panel from said second fin seal panel;
with said first and said second fin seal panels separated, treating at least one of said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel; and
after said treating step, pressing said first fin seal panel into engagement with said second fin seal panel;
wherein said first fin seal panel comprises a pre-formed fold line;
wherein said separating step comprises pivoting a portion of said first fin seal panel about said pre-formed fold line; and
wherein the pre-formed fold line is sufficiently below the top edge of said second fin seal panel so that a sufficient amount of the inner surfaces of the first and second seal panels are exposed.
2. The fin seal container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel comprises a heat-sealable material.
3. The fin seal container of claim 2 wherein said heat-sealable material comprises polyethylene.
4. The fin seal container of claim 1 wherein said first fin seal panel includes an extension portion that extends a distance beyond said second fin seal panel.
5. The fin seal container of claim 4 wherein said separating step comprises engaging said extension portion.
6. The fin seal container of claim 4 wherein the method further comprises the step of folding said extension portion over said second fin seal panel.
7. The fin seal container of claim 1 wherein said treating step comprises heat treating at least one of said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel.
8. The fin seal container of claim 7 wherein, during said heat treating step, said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel reaches a target temperature prior to said outer major surface of said first fin seal panel reaching said target temperature.
9. The fin seal container of claim 1 wherein said treating step comprises the step of applying an adhesive to at least one of said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel.
10. The fin seal container of claim 1 wherein said pressing step is performed with compression rollers.
11. The fin seal container of claim 1 wherein said first fin seal panel has a first width and said second fin seal panel has a second width, said second width being at most 90 percent of said first width.
12. A fin seal container made by the method comprising the steps of:
folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into said internal volume, said end portion including a first fin seal panel having an extension portion, a pre-formed fold line, an inner major surface and an outer major surface and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, wherein said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel are coated with a heat-sealable material;
folding said end portion such that said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to, and in generally parallel alignment with, said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel;
engaging said extension portion to pivot said extension portion about said pre-formed fold line away from said second fin seal panel;
after said engaging step, heat-treating at least one of said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel; and
after said heat-treating step, pressing said first fin seal panel into engagement with said second fin seal panel.
13. A fin seal container made by the method comprising the steps of:
folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into said internal volume, said end portion including a first fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces;
folding said end portion such that said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel;
separating said first fin seal panel from said second fin seal panel;
with said first and said second fin seal panels separated, treating at least one of said inner major surface of said first fin seal panel and said inner major surface of said second fin seal panel; and
after said treating step, pressing said first fin seal panel into engagement with said second fin seal panel;
wherein said first fin seal panel includes an extension portion that extends a distance beyond said second fin seal panel; and
wherein said separating step comprises engaging said extension portion without engaging said second fin seal panel.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/951,922 US20130341385A1 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2013-07-26 | Fin seal container and method |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/887,691 US8500946B2 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2010-09-22 | Fin seal container and method |
US13/951,922 US20130341385A1 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2013-07-26 | Fin seal container and method |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/887,691 Division US8500946B2 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2010-09-22 | Fin seal container and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130341385A1 true US20130341385A1 (en) | 2013-12-26 |
Family
ID=44654492
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/887,691 Active 2031-08-20 US8500946B2 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2010-09-22 | Fin seal container and method |
US13/951,922 Abandoned US20130341385A1 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2013-07-26 | Fin seal container and method |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/887,691 Active 2031-08-20 US8500946B2 (en) | 2010-09-22 | 2010-09-22 | Fin seal container and method |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8500946B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2619099A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012039955A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8500946B2 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2013-08-06 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Fin seal container and method |
GB201305531D0 (en) * | 2013-03-26 | 2013-05-08 | Ds Smith Packaging Ltd | Packaging item |
US11298887B2 (en) * | 2019-11-05 | 2022-04-12 | Intercontinental Great Brands Llc | Packages configured for improved sealing |
USD980069S1 (en) | 2020-07-14 | 2023-03-07 | Ball Corporation | Metallic dispensing lid |
Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US355862A (en) * | 1887-01-11 | Angular paper box | ||
US1994923A (en) * | 1933-02-02 | 1935-03-19 | Pneumatic Scale Corp | Package |
US2523246A (en) * | 1947-04-09 | 1950-09-19 | Nat Folding Box Company Inc | Folding box |
GB676531A (en) * | 1949-07-15 | 1952-07-30 | Satona Ltd | Improvements in cartons |
US3083890A (en) * | 1959-07-04 | 1963-04-02 | Ignell Rolf Lennart | Folding box |
CH424613A (en) * | 1964-11-02 | 1966-11-15 | Steiger Ag | Sealable pack |
US4053103A (en) * | 1976-09-22 | 1977-10-11 | International Paper Company | Hermetically sealed carton |
US4085568A (en) * | 1974-04-23 | 1978-04-25 | Focke & Pfuhl | Foldable blanks for making packets for rod-shaped articles |
US4721243A (en) * | 1983-09-20 | 1988-01-26 | Elopak A/S | Liquid carrying container and blank |
US6520404B1 (en) * | 2000-10-30 | 2003-02-18 | Somerville Packaging Systems, A Division Of Paperboard Industries Corporation | Carton, method of forming same, and carton blank |
US20040069843A1 (en) * | 2000-10-23 | 2004-04-15 | Huffman Todd H. | Container with reclosable fitment |
US6726088B2 (en) * | 2000-10-30 | 2004-04-27 | Cascades Boxboard Inc. | Carton and carton blank |
US8500946B2 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2013-08-06 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Fin seal container and method |
Family Cites Families (36)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2575544A (en) | 1949-01-26 | 1951-11-20 | Jr Julius A Zinn | Method and apparatus for closing and sealing containers |
GB728396A (en) | 1952-02-29 | 1955-04-20 | Charles Stafford | Improvements in or relating to apparatus for sealing bags |
BE511226A (en) | 1952-05-07 | 1900-01-01 | ||
US3002328A (en) | 1958-12-09 | 1961-10-03 | Ex Cell O Corp | Packaging machine for erecting, filling and sealing plastic coated paperboard containers |
US3207049A (en) | 1960-11-07 | 1965-09-21 | Ex Cell O Corp | Machine for forming plastic coated paperboard containers and erecting and deliveringmeans therefor |
US3613527A (en) | 1969-08-15 | 1971-10-19 | Haskon Inc | Container erecting and holding device |
US4189986A (en) * | 1971-03-24 | 1980-02-26 | Paxall Inc. | Method and apparatus for heat sealing a package blank |
US3823438A (en) | 1972-02-03 | 1974-07-16 | Whitehall Machinery Ltd | Apparatus for handling sacks |
JPS5882837A (en) | 1981-11-06 | 1983-05-18 | 平田 勲 | Simple square bottom vessel |
US5158499A (en) | 1990-07-09 | 1992-10-27 | American National Can Company | Laser scoring of packaging substrates |
US5289939A (en) | 1992-11-02 | 1994-03-01 | International Paper Company | Gas barrier folding carton construction |
US5632402A (en) | 1992-12-21 | 1997-05-27 | Graphic Packaging Corporation | Carton blank and method for forming it |
US6854639B2 (en) | 1992-12-21 | 2005-02-15 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton blank and method of forming a carton blank |
US5783030A (en) | 1992-12-21 | 1998-07-21 | Graphic Packaging Corporation | System and method for forming carton blanks |
US5632404B1 (en) | 1992-12-21 | 2000-04-25 | Graphic Packaging Corp | Carton blank |
US5794811A (en) | 1992-12-21 | 1998-08-18 | Graphic Packaging Corporation | Carton, carton blank and method for forming the carton |
US5794812A (en) | 1992-12-21 | 1998-08-18 | Graphic Packaging Corporation | Carton, carton blank and method for forming the carton |
JP3348755B2 (en) | 1995-05-10 | 2002-11-20 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Method and apparatus for forming paper container |
US5746871A (en) | 1995-08-10 | 1998-05-05 | Graphic Packaging Corporation | Method for forming carton blanks |
US6221192B1 (en) | 1995-10-25 | 2001-04-24 | Coors Brewing Company | Method for and apparatus for use in forming carton blanks |
AU7722196A (en) | 1996-03-21 | 1997-10-10 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa | Packaging container and a blank for producing the same |
US6062470A (en) | 1997-04-04 | 2000-05-16 | Sig Combibloc Inc. | Tear-away package opening |
US5857614A (en) | 1997-09-19 | 1999-01-12 | Graphic Packaging Corporation | Carton blank and carton formed therefrom |
US5911359A (en) | 1997-12-17 | 1999-06-15 | Tenneco Packaging Inc. | Flip-top carton with integral partial collar |
US6098874A (en) | 1998-02-09 | 2000-08-08 | Sig Combibloc Inc. | Tear-away container top |
US6766941B1 (en) | 1998-02-09 | 2004-07-27 | Sig Combibloc, Inc. | Tear-away container top |
US6241646B1 (en) | 1998-02-09 | 2001-06-05 | Sig Combibloc Inc. | Tear-away container spout |
US6050451A (en) | 1998-11-19 | 2000-04-18 | Aptargroup, Inc. | Dispensing structure incorporating a valve-containing fitment for mounting to a container and a package with a dispensing structure |
US7036714B2 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2006-05-02 | Graphic Packaging International, Inc. | Carton blank, carton and method of forming the carton |
US6386438B1 (en) | 2000-06-28 | 2002-05-14 | Graphic Packaging Corporation | Carton blank, carton and method of forming the carton |
US7325720B2 (en) * | 2000-10-09 | 2008-02-05 | Forpacknings/Ab Nord-Emballage | Package |
SE521346C2 (en) | 2000-10-09 | 2003-10-21 | Foerpacknings Ab Nord Emballag | Sealable packaging for dry foods |
US20020190072A1 (en) | 2001-06-19 | 2002-12-19 | Jerome Strange | Corner cap for boxed commercial products |
EP1338403B1 (en) | 2002-02-20 | 2009-01-21 | Shikoku Kakooki Co.,Ltd. | Heating device for heat-sealing containers |
US7097092B1 (en) | 2002-08-02 | 2006-08-29 | Ralcorp Holding, Inc. | Package for food products |
US7097093B2 (en) | 2002-11-25 | 2006-08-29 | Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc. | Carton opening feature |
-
2010
- 2010-09-22 US US12/887,691 patent/US8500946B2/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-09-09 EP EP11758315.3A patent/EP2619099A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2011-09-09 WO PCT/US2011/050904 patent/WO2012039955A2/en active Application Filing
-
2013
- 2013-07-26 US US13/951,922 patent/US20130341385A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US355862A (en) * | 1887-01-11 | Angular paper box | ||
US1994923A (en) * | 1933-02-02 | 1935-03-19 | Pneumatic Scale Corp | Package |
US2523246A (en) * | 1947-04-09 | 1950-09-19 | Nat Folding Box Company Inc | Folding box |
GB676531A (en) * | 1949-07-15 | 1952-07-30 | Satona Ltd | Improvements in cartons |
US3083890A (en) * | 1959-07-04 | 1963-04-02 | Ignell Rolf Lennart | Folding box |
CH424613A (en) * | 1964-11-02 | 1966-11-15 | Steiger Ag | Sealable pack |
US4085568A (en) * | 1974-04-23 | 1978-04-25 | Focke & Pfuhl | Foldable blanks for making packets for rod-shaped articles |
US4053103A (en) * | 1976-09-22 | 1977-10-11 | International Paper Company | Hermetically sealed carton |
US4721243A (en) * | 1983-09-20 | 1988-01-26 | Elopak A/S | Liquid carrying container and blank |
US20040069843A1 (en) * | 2000-10-23 | 2004-04-15 | Huffman Todd H. | Container with reclosable fitment |
US6520404B1 (en) * | 2000-10-30 | 2003-02-18 | Somerville Packaging Systems, A Division Of Paperboard Industries Corporation | Carton, method of forming same, and carton blank |
US6726088B2 (en) * | 2000-10-30 | 2004-04-27 | Cascades Boxboard Inc. | Carton and carton blank |
US8500946B2 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2013-08-06 | Meadwestvaco Corporation | Fin seal container and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2012039955A2 (en) | 2012-03-29 |
US8500946B2 (en) | 2013-08-06 |
WO2012039955A3 (en) | 2012-12-13 |
US20120067882A1 (en) | 2012-03-22 |
EP2619099A2 (en) | 2013-07-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2565891A1 (en) | Methods and apparatus for manufacture of a reclosable plastic carton | |
US20120000968A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for a package with an easy open feature | |
US20110127319A1 (en) | Resealable flexible film packaging products and methods of manufacture | |
US20130341385A1 (en) | Fin seal container and method | |
US20180029738A1 (en) | Method for improved folding of a container | |
US20120298733A1 (en) | Hermetically Sealed Paperboard Container | |
EP2571772A1 (en) | Hermetically-sealed paperboard containers with improved barrier performance | |
CN108541249B (en) | Method and machine for producing sealed packages | |
CN107921711B (en) | Method for sealing a flexible package of a folding type | |
CN100542794C (en) | The method of Production and Packaging laminated material blank and blank and the packing container made thus | |
CN114585568B (en) | Package configured for improved sealing | |
US20220281632A1 (en) | A container for foodstuffs and a method for manufacturing said container | |
US9663283B2 (en) | Packaging bag | |
CN202098602U (en) | Roof-shaped paper packing box with sealed bottom | |
CN103889847A (en) | Method for closing a tubular sack body | |
JP6947398B2 (en) | Vertical automatic filling and packaging machine | |
WO2004078607A1 (en) | A packaging container and packaging blank | |
WO1983003807A1 (en) | Sealing lids to tray-like containers | |
CN112424073A (en) | Sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products, sealed packages of pourable food products and method of manufacturing sealed packages of pourable product | |
CN108688924A (en) | A kind of packaging material and the method that this packaging material is provided | |
US20190193363A1 (en) | Anvil device | |
US20110036480A1 (en) | Method of joining films | |
CN107444709A (en) | Apparatus and method for manufacturing bag packaging | |
KR100405295B1 (en) | Packing paper manufacturing method, packing paper manufactured thereby and burlap bag | |
WO2011030115A2 (en) | Method and apparatus, a container blank for use in the same, and a container produced therefrom |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION, VIRGINIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HARALDSSON, RUNE K.;REEL/FRAME:030884/0812 Effective date: 20100928 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WESTROCK MWV, LLC, GEORGIA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:037014/0691 Effective date: 20150828 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |