WO2001007335A1

WO2001007335A1 - Package, comprising a series of individual product packages

Info

Publication number: WO2001007335A1
Application number: PCT/NL2000/000543
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paulus Maria Van Gurp
Original assignee: Kappa Trimbach B.V.
Priority date: 1999-07-28
Filing date: 2000-07-28
Publication date: 2001-02-01
Also published as: EP1200316B1; DE60011434D1; DE60011434T2; NL1012726C2; AU6323700A; ATE268724T1; EP1200316A1

Abstract

A package (1) comprising a series of individual product packages (2), the package (1) comprising a tubular wrapper (6), open at at least one and preferably both ends, which wrapper (6) abuts against the outside of the product packages (2), while on the inside of the wrapper (6), at least adjacent the ends, friction increasing means are provided.

Description

Title: Package, comprising a series of individual product packages.

This invention relates to a package comprising a series of individual.. product packages. Such a package is known from practice.

Product packages such as cardboard boxes with, for instance, foodstuffs, consumer products and the like are usually packaged in outer boxes. Such outer boxes are, for instance, folded from cardboard blanks and comprise a bottom, four longitudinal walls and a cover. The individual packages are densely stacked in the outer box, whereafter the outer box is closed above the individual packages, so that the individual packages are enclosed on all sides in the outer box. Such a method of packaging individual product packages is unfavorable. Firstly, an outer package of this known type requires relatively much material, while forming it is relatively complicated and time-consuming. Further, the outer package must be set up completely before the individual packages can be placed in it. In order to obtain sufficient protection, a proper fit of a desired number of individual product packages in the outer box must be obtained. As a consequence, it is not easy to get the desired number of individual packages properly into the outer package. Moreover, this means for a user that the individual packages cannot be easily taken from the outer package, which is labor intensive and will lead to loss of time. A further disadvantage is that the used outer packages will take up relatively much space, which is undesirable for end use. Indeed, as a consequence, an end user will have to store and discard relatively much waste material. A further disadvantage is that such an outer package is environment-unfriendly, and that it is not at all times visible what kind of individual packages are accommodated in it.

The invention contemplates a package of the type described in the opening paragraph hereof, which obviates the above-described disadvantages thereof while maintaining the advantages thereof. To that end, a package according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 1.

A package according to the invention is substantially tubular, with the wrapper closely fitting the outside of the individual product packages, arranged in at least one row, while on the inside of the wrapper friction-increasing means are provided at least adjacent the open ends thereof. This means that a package according to the present invention abuts on four sides of the row of individual packages, such that the individual packages are prevented from leaving the row without the wrapper being at least partly removed. The friction- increasing means here ensure that any displacement of the individual packages within the wrapper is prevented. In a package according to the present invention, at at least one, and preferably both, ends of the series of individual packages, an individual package can be viewed from the outside of the package. A package according to the present invention requires relatively httle material and yet offers sufficient protection for the individual products. The wrapper according to the present invention can be applied relatively easily, for instance by providing it around the series of product packages after their being arranged in the series. In a first advantageous embodiment, a package according to the present invention is characterized by the features according to claim 2.

The use of tearing means for opening the wrapper along the length thereof provides the advantage that the individual packages can be taken out relatively easily, while the package can be folded flat for storage and removal while requiring relatively little space.

A package according to the present invention is preferably manufactured from cardboard or a like sheetlike material.

In a second advantageous embodiment, a package according to the present invention is characterized by the features according to claim 3. The use of tearing means which are provided such that an upper part of the wrapper can be removed provides the advantage that the bottom surface of the wrapper continues to support the series of individual packages. The series of individual packages can be shoved off the bottom surface of the wrapper, in parts or as a whole. Moreover, the series as a whole is still transportable to, for instance, a display rack onto which the series can be shoved or otherwise transferred.

In a third advantageous embodiment, a package according to the present invention is characterized by the features according to claim 4. The use of tearing means which are provided substantially parallel to the wrapping direction provides the advantage that the tubular wrapper, which comprises a series of individual product packages, is divisible into subpackages each comprising a subseries of individual packages.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a package according to the present invention is further characterized by the features according to claim 9.

Placement of the friction-increasing means along the entire length of the wrapper provides the advantage that each of the individual product packages is in contact with the friction-increasing means, thereby preventing individual product packages from shifting relative to each other and/or the wrapper.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a package according to the present invention is further characterized by the features according to claim 11. The use of fnction-mcreasing means comprising an adhesion-mcreasmg component provides the advantage that the individual product packages are held in place within the wrapper still better. The fnction-mcreasing means can provide a mechanical resistance to shifting of the individual packages relative to the wrapper. In this case, the resistance is often based on roughness of a fπction-mcreasmg surface, so that a phenomenon known as interlocking of the contacting surfaces can occur. When the friction-increasing means comprise an adhesive component, this is to say that the surface material of the friction-increasing means is such that it exerts a force of attraction on a material with which this surface is in contact. These friction- and adhesion-increasing means can be manufactured such that no adhering bond arises between the individual packages and the wrapper, so that upon detachment of the individual product packages from the wrapper, the product packages are not damaged. Residues of friction- and adhesion-increasing means are left behind practically entirely on the wrapper.

In another advantageous embodiment, a package according to the present invention is further characterized by the features according to claim 12.

The use of friction-increasing means which comprise glue means provides the advantage that the individual product packages are held in position within the wrapper much better still.

In this case, a connection with the individual package, often chemical in nature, is formed, requiring the connection to be broken by tearing it loose to effect relative displacement of individual packages with respect to the wrapper.

Friction-increasing means in a package according to the present invention can be designed, for instance, as pressure-sensitive or hot- or cold-melt adhesives, such that when detaching the individual product packages from the wrapper the product packages are not damaged and preferably no residues of the friction-increasing means remain behind thereon.

The invention further relates to a blank for manufacturing a wrapper for use in a package according to the invention, characterized by the features according to claim 18. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing a package, characterized by the features according to claim 19.

With such a method, for instance a package according to the present invention can be obtained. Such a method provides the advantage that 5 relatively fast and simply, with relatively little material, a package for individual product packages can be obtained, which has a good bundling capacity, is simple in use and yields comparatively little waste.

Further advantageous embodiments of a package according to the invention are set forth in the further subclaims. 10 To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a package and method according to the present invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective view a first embodiment of a substantially closed package according to the present invention with a tear strip partly 15 pulled away;

Fig. 2 shows in perspective view a partly opened package according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows in top plan view a blank for manufacturing a package according to Figs. 1 and 2; 20 Fig. 4 shows in perspective view a second embodiment of a substantially closed package according to the present invention with tear strips partly pulled away;

Fig. 5 shows in perspective view a package according to Fig. 4, with only a supporting part of the package still in contact with a series of 5 individual packages;

Fig. 6 shows a blank for manufacturing a package according to Figs. 4 and ,

Fig. 7 shows in perspective view a third embodiment of a substantially closed package according to the present invention with a tear strip oriented ^ ^~ parallel to a wrapping direction and partly pulled away; Fig. 8 shows in perspective view a package according to Fig. 7, divided into two parts; and

Fig. 9 shows a blank for manufacturing a package according to Figs. 7 and 8. In this description, the same or corresponding parts have the same or corresponding reference numerals.

In Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a package 1 according to the invention, comprising a series of identical, at least substantially identically shaped, individual product packages 2, with side surfaces placed against each other for forming a series 4. A wrapper 6, folded from a blank 7, such as shown, for instance, in Fig. 3, extends along four sides of the series 4 of individual packages 2, and is disposed with a proper fit against the side surfaces 8 on opposite sides of the series 4 and against the top surfaces 10 and bottom surfaces 12 of the series 4 of individual packages 2. Accordingly, the wrapper 6 in a simple manner prevents shifting of the individual product packages 2 relative to each other in lateral, upward and downward direction. At the short ends 14A, 14B, the package 1, at least the wrapper 6, is open, such that the end surfaces of the package 1 are formed by the end surfaces 16 of, respectively, the first and last individual package 2 in the series 4. The length of the wrapper 6 corresponds substantially to the length of the series 4.

Fig. 3 shows in elevation a blank 7 for a wrapper 6. This blank 7 comprises a bottom surface 18 with side surfaces 22A, 22B connected thereto through fold lines 20. Through a first further fold line 24, parallel to the first fold lines 20, there is connected with the side surface 22A a first top surface part 26, while through a second further fold line 28, parallel to the first fold lines 20 and the first further fold line 24, a second top surface part 30 is connected with the respective side surface 22B. The first top surface part 26 is provided along its free longitudinal edge with a glue flap 32 which, when the wrapper is closed, can be glued to the side of the second top surface part 30 then facing inwards. In this way, a closed wrapper 6 can be obtained. The glue flap 32 is then preferably glued relatively fixedly to the second top surface part 30, so that it cannot come loose therefrom. During gluing, the individual product packages 2 are enclosed in the wrapper and 5 used as press-on surface for the gluing operation.

In the first top surface part 26 and the second top surface part 30, a perforation fine 34A, 34B is provided, which extend parallel to the first further fold line 24 and the second further fold line 28. With the wrapper in closed condition, the fold lines 34A, 34B are located at some distance from

10 each other, with the part enclosed between them forming a tear lip 36. On each fold line 20, 24, 28, on the side facing inwards during use, throughout the length in the embodiment shown, there is provided a friction-increasing means 38, for instance in the form of a hot- melt or cold-melt adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a rubbery means, such that, with individual

15 product packages 2 enclosed in the wrapper 6, a friction is thereby obtained, such that especially the first and the last individual product package 2 in the series 4 are held in position, thereby enclosing the intermediate product packages 2 in the series 4. In principle, it is also possible to provide such a friction-increasing means at different points on the wrapper 6, as long as it 0 also extends at least adjacent the ends 14A, 14B of the wrapper 6, open in use, at least over a part thereof. It is preferred, however, that the friction- - increasing means extend adjacent the fold lines throughout the length of the wrapper 6, in continuous or interrupted strips. Retaining the product packages 2 adjacent the corners by means of the friction-increasing means 5 provides the advantage that the corners of the individual packages 2 are relatively stiff and therefore can be more readily engaged without being damaged. Moreover, in a simple manner this still further reduces the risk of damage to any advertising utterances on the product packages 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, for opening the package 2, the tear strip 36 can be

" n gripped adjacent an end and be pulled up and away, such that it tears loose along the perforation lines 34A, 34B. After removal of the tear strip 36, the wrapper 6 can be unfolded, as shown in Fig. 2. As a result, the individual packages 2 can be simply removed, individually or in groups, for instance as a complete series. Such a series 4 can be placed simply and directly in, for 5 instance, a display rack. The wrapper 6 can subsequently be discarded in flat form.

In a special embodiment, tear strips 48 can be provided in the two side surfaces 22A, 22B of the wrapper, as shown in Fig. 6. A part of the wrapper 1 is then removable by tearing the two tear strips 48 from the side 0 surfaces 22A, 22B of the wrapper 1. Fig. 4 shows this situation, where the top surface 44 is separated from the bottom surface 18 by tearing the tear strips 48 from the wrapper 1 along the perforation lines 34A. The parts 40 of the side surfaces 22A, 22B then remain attached to bottom surface 18 which supports the series 4. The parts 41 of the side surfaces 22A, 22B then

15 remain attached to top surface 44. The tear strips 48 and the top surface 44 are completely removable from the wrapper 1, so that series 4 is still in contact only with the bottom surface 18, as shown in Fig. 5. An advantage is that the series of individual packages is still displaceable as a series by using the bottom surface 18 as a series-supporting surface and using the 0 parts 40, when pressed against the side surfaces 8 of the individual packages 2 in the series 4, as an impediment to lateral displacement. If th friction-increasing means are arranged on the insides of the parts 40, then,- when pressing the parts 40 against the series 4, the friction-increasing means 39 on the parts 40 are in contact with at least the individual 5 packages of series 4 situated at the originally open end of the wrapper. The series 4 is thereby hampered in shifting in the longitudinal direction as well When omitting such pressing-on, the parts 40 unfold away from the series 4, so that the series 4, while being shoved off part 18, will only experience friction from the friction-increasing means 38, if any are

: ^ provided, on the inside of part 18. A blank 46 for a wrapper according to Figs. 4 and 5 is shown in Fig. 6. The blank 46 to a large extent corresponds to the blank according to Fig. 3. Blank 46 comprises a bottom surface 18 with two side surfaces 22A, 22B connected thereto through fold lines 20, the side surfaces being provided with a tear strip 48. A closed wrapper can be obtained by fixedly gluing the glue flap 32 to the inwardly facing side of a part 41 of side surface 22B. The friction-increasing means 38 are provided on the inside of bottom surface 18 and top surface 44, for instance adjacent the ends. The insides of the parts of the side surfaces 40, 41 may likewise be provided with friction-increasing means 39.

Another variant of a package according to the invention is shown in Fig. 7. In this variant, the wrapper 1 is provided with a second tear strip 42, provided parallel to the wrapping direction. Thus, the tubular package is divisible into, for instance, two equal parts I and II, as shown in Fig. 8. These parts I and II further correspond to, for instance, a design as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

On opposite sides of the tearing means 42 provided substantially parallel to the wrapping direction, the inside of the wrapper is provided with friction-increasing means 45 for the packages located adjacent the respective tear line. In the blank 47, as shown in Fig. 9, an opening 43 is provided in the tear strip 42 for engaging the tear strip 42. An advantage of this embodiment is that the series of individual packages can be supplied, ^~ for instance, as a large tubular wrapper, whereafter, for instance, a part, after unpacking the individual packages, can be placed in a display rack, while a; other part can be held in stock as a series.

In this description, friction-increasing means are to be understood to include at least means that do not adhere to the individual packages to such an extent that the latter can only be detached by pulling or tearing them loose, with the respective individual packages thereby being damaged, but do increase the friction between the wrapper and the individual packages For that reason, preferably, types of adhesive used to that end and as such must either have such low bonding properties that upon detachment of the individual packages virtually residues of adhesive remain behind on them, or, after being applied onto the wrapper, dry prior to placement of the individual packages, such that at least substantially no bonding occurs anymore.

In a variant in which the first and last individual package of a series are secured in the wrapper, thereby clamping intermediate packages, it is also possible to use an adhesive that does adhere, preferably only in the corners and folding edges of the wrapper, but in that case too the friction-increasing means mentioned earlier are preferred.

The invention is not in any way limited to the exemplary embodiments described in the drawings. Many variations thereof are possible within the scope of the invention as outlined by the claims. Thus, for instance, a tear lip 36 can be provided in a different place than the top surface, for instance in a side surface or along a rib of the wrapper 6. Also, only one perforation line may be provided for tearing the wrapper open. In the drawing the wrapper 6 is shown with closed side, top and bottom surfaces. It will be clear, however, that openings may be provided m these surfaces as well, for instance such that large parts of the sides of the individual packages are visible through them. In the embodiment shown, identically-shaped, block-shaped product packages are shown, arranged in one row. Naturally^" more rows of individual product packages can be accommodated next to and/or above each other in a package in a comparable manner, while the individual packages can be designed differently and/or be arranged differently in a series. Thus, for instance, the product packages received between the first and last product package in a row can be arranged transversely, as long as abutment against the inside of the wrapper, against each of the surfaces thereof, is obtained. The series of individual packages, when packaged in the divisible tubular wrapper, is preferably subdivided into subseries of individual packages, with each subseries, for instance, separately enveloped with a transparent plastic film or wrapped loosely. A blank for use in a package according to the present invention can naturally be formed differently. Thus, for instance, the glue flap can be provided at different positions or a different means may be provided for closing the wrapper around the product packages, for instance insertion means, clamping means, elastic means and the like. Instead of perforation lines, differently designed weakening fines, such as tear lines, breaking lines or different perforation lines can be used. For instance, on opposite sides of the wrapper incisions can be provided, slightly staggered with respect to each other, which incisions do not reach through the entire thickness of the blank, such that upon tearing the tear strip loose, the material between the respective incisions will come loose. Thus a particularly straight tearing fine is obtained. Also, the perforation lines can be of a different design than a straight design, for instance wavy, curved or the like. These and many comparable variations are understood to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A package comprising a series of individual product packages, the package comprising a tubular wrapper open at at least one and preferably both ends, which wrapper abuts against the outside of the product packages, while on the inside of the wrapper, at least adjacent the ends, friction-increasing means are provided.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein tearing means are provided in the wrapper for opening the wrapper along the length thereof, such that the product packages come to he clear.

3. A package according to claim 2, wherein the tearing means are provided such that a part of the wrapper can be removed, while the series of individual packages remains supported by another part of the wrapper, and the series of individual packages can as a whole be shoved off the supporting part of the wrapper that is left behind.

4. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein tearing means are provided substantially parallel to a wrapping direction, such that the tubular wrapper comprising a series of individual product packages is divisible into at least two parts.

5. A package according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the tearing means comprise a tear strip, while means are provided for engaging the tear strip, in particular an opening.

6. A package according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inside of the wrapper is provided with friction-increasing means adjacent to and on opposite sides of the tearing means provided substantially parallel to the wrapping direction.

7. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tearing means comprise a tear, breaking or perforation line or like weakening line for tearing open the wrapper.

8. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapper is manufactured from cardboard or like sheetlike material, folded around the product packages.

9. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction-increasing means extend along the full length of the wrapper in the form of continuous or discrete surfaces.

10. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction-increasing means are provided at least adjacent to, preferably on, the fold fines of the wrapper.

11. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction-increasing means are provided with an adhesion-increasing component.

12. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction-increasing means are adhesive means, in particular pressure- sensitive adhesive means.

13. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction-increasing means are designed as a hot-melt or cold-melt adhesive.

14. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the friction-increasing means comprise rubbery material.

15. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product packages are identical in shape and block-shaped.

16. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapper is folded from a substantially rectangular blank, while along at least substantially the length of the blank at least one tear fine or like weakening line extends, substantially parallel to a longitudinal edge of the blank, and, with the wrapper folded up, the part located between the longitudinal edge and the at least one tear line is secured on the part of the blank located on the other side of the at least one tear line.

17. A package according to claim 16, wherein at least substantially throughout the width of the blank at least one tear line or like weakening line extends.

18. A blank for manufacturing a wrapper for use in a package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least adjacent two opposite ends of the blank friction-increasing means are provided.

19. A method for manufacturing a package, wherein on a substantially rectangular blank, on one side, friction-increasing means are provided, at least adjacent two opposite ends, while in the blank at least four fold lines extending parallel to each other between said ends are provided, whereafter a series of box-shaped product packages are arranged on the blank, between two fold lines located next to each other, such that the series links up with the two ends of the blank, and the blank is subsequently folded around the product packages, such that the blank abuts against the series of product packages and the friction increasing means, with the blank forming a wrapper-shaped outer package.