Classifications

• • 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
  • B65D5/0209—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 the tubular body having a curved or partially curved cross-section
• • 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
  • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
  • B65B3/02—Machines characterised by the incorporation of means for making the containers or receptacles
  • B65B3/025—Making parallelepipedal containers from a single carton blank
• • 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
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/08—Forming three-dimensional [3D] containers from sheet material
  • B65B43/10—Forming three-dimensional [3D] containers from sheet material by folding the material
• • 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
  • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
  • B65B43/24—Breaking creases to facilitate setting-up cartons
• • 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
  • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
  • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
  • B65B9/067—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web advancing continuously
• • 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
  • B65D5/064—Rectangular containers having a body with gusset-flaps folded outwardly or adhered to the side or the top of the container
• • 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
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/4266—Folding lines, score lines, crease lines
• • 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
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
  • B65D5/74—Spouts
  • B65D5/746—Spouts formed separately from the container
• • 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
  • B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
  • B65D5/72—Contents-dispensing means
  • B65D5/727—Dispensing openings provided in the upper end-walls of tubular containers, the openings being closed by means of separate stopper or other closure elements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sealed package for pourable food products.
• the present invention also relates to a sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages for pourable food products.
• liquid or pourable food products such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc.
• UHT ultra-high-temperature treated milk
• wine tomato sauce
• etc. are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.
• a typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by creasing and sealing laminated strip packaging material.
• the packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, covered on both sides with layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene.
• the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminium foil, which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
• Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging machines, on which a continuous tube is formed from the web-fed packaging material; the web of packaging material is sterilized on the packaging machine, e.g. by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which, once sterilization is completed, is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, e.g. evaporated by heating; the web so sterilized is then maintained in a closed, sterile environment, and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, which is fed vertically.
• a chemical sterilizing agent such as a hydrogen peroxide solution
• the tube is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product, and is sealed and subsequently cut along equally spaced cross sections.
• the tube is sealed longitudinally and transversally to its own axis.
• Pillow packs are so obtained, which have a longitudinal seal and a pair of top and bottom transversal seals.
• the packaging material may be cut into blanks, which are formed into packages on forming spindles, and the packages are then filled with the food product and sealed.
• the so-called "gable-top” package known by the trade name Tetra Rex (registered trademark).
• a package which comprises:
• a longitudinal seal extends perpendicularly between the transversal seals and along the centerline of the rear panel.
• rear and front panels are parallel to one another
• lateral panels are parallel to one another
• lateral panels are orthogonal to both rear and front panels.
• the top panel is slanted with respect to the bottom panel and is descending proceeding from the relative first edge to the relative second edge.
• first edges of bottom and top panels is greater than the distance between second edges of such bottom and top panels.
• the height of the rear panel is greater than the height of the front panel.
• the top panel also comprises:
• the opening device substantially comprises a frame fitted to the first area of the top panel and a cap which is releasably coupled with the frame, so as to free a pouring opening of the food product, when unscrewed.
• Tetra Brik Edge (Registered Trademark). Its main characteristic is the slanted top panel, which brings two advantages: an angled top panel which improves the pourability, and a transversal seal, crossing the top panel, being offset towards the rear panel, leaving a greater area for placing a cap.
• Such a known package could be uncomfortable to pick up, especially when it stands between several other similar packages on the shelf, or in a secondary package such as a cardboard box.
• a one-step opening cap is a cap that only requires one action from the user, such as unscrewing the cap, in order to prepare the package for pouring or drinking.
• a group of packages is often stored and transported in boxes as shown in Figure 2a.
• the front panel of a second package contacts the rear panel of a first package.
• the front panel of an initial package and the rear panel of a last package are in contact with respective inner walls of the box.
• the opening device of the second package interferes with the rear panel of the first package and therefore exerts a pressure against this rear panel.
• the opening device could also cause a dent on the adjacent package, which causes an unwanted appearance and could make a customer reject the package.
• the dent could in worst case also affect the integrity of the package.
• the interference between the opening device of the second package and the rear panel of the first package tends to slightly detach the front panel of the second package from the rear panel of the first package.
• packages with opening devices applied thereon are normally transferred on a belt conveyor within the packaging plant.
• EP-A-277673 discloses a sealed package comprising a quadrilateral top wall, a quadrilateral bottom wall, front and rear sidewalls and lateral sidewalls.
• the top wall is not provided with an opening device.
• each two adjacent walls of the front, rear and lateral four side walls is formed with two ridgelines interconnecting the corresponding pair of corners of the top and the bottom walls.
• the front wall extends between the front edges of top and bottom walls.
• the rear wall extends between the rear edges of top and bottom walls.
• the two ridgelines are joined to each other at their upper and lower ends but are spaced apart from each other between these ends.
• the ridgelines extend smoothly as curved inwardly of the package to form a joint wall therebetween.
• WO-A-2009/030910 discloses a package comprising a top and bottom walls, a front and a rear wall. And two lateral walls. Top wall is sloped relative to sidewalls and to bottom wall. In a first embodiment, the front edge of the top wall - which coincides with the top edge of the front sidewall - is curved.
• the package comprises a recess for receiving the nose of a consumer drinking directly from a spout.
• the recess is formed by providing a lenticular panel in the sheet packaging material from which package is formed.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products, as claimed in claim 13.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a sealed package for pourable food product, as claimed in claim 22.
• Figure 1 shows a queue of known sealed packages which have been disclosed in the introductory part of the present description
• Figure 2a shows the known sealed packages of Figure 1 when accommodated within a box
• Figure 2b shows the known packages in a queue, as they are falling off the conveyor
• Figure 3 shows a frontal view of a first embodiment of a sealed package for pourable food product, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
• Figure 4 shows a lateral view of the sealed package of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the sealed package of Figures 3 and 4;
• Figure 6 shows a top plan view of a basic unit of a sheet packaging material by which to produce one package of the type shown in Figures 3 to 5;
• Figure 7 shows a queue of sealed packages of the type shown in Figures 3 to
• Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sealed package for pourable food product
• Figures 9 and 10 show a frontal and back view of the sealed package of Figure 8;
• Figure 11 shows a top plan view of a basic unit of sheet packaging material by which to produce one package of the type shown in Figures 7 to 10;
• Figure 12 shows a queue of sealed packages of the type shown in Figures 8 to 10.
• Number 1 in Figure 3 indicates as a whole a sealed package for pourable food products, which is made of multilayer sheet packaging material 2 ( Figure 6) and may be fitted with a reclosable opening device 3 (shown in Figure 7) preferably made of a plastic material.
• Opening device 3 is applied to package 1 by conventional fastening systems, such as adhesives, or by microflame, electric-current-induction, ultrasound, laser, or other heat-sealing techniques.
• package 1 comprises:
• Lateral panels 9 extend each from front panel 8 to rear panel 7.
• Front panel 8 and rear panel 7 are adjacent to both lateral panels 9.
• Bottom panel 6 comprises two horizontal edges 10, 11 parallel to one another, and two horizontal edges 12 interposed between and orthogonal to edges 10, 11. Edges 12 are parallel to one another.
• Panel 5 comprises two horizontal edges 15, 16 opposite to each other and parallel to one another. More precisely, horizontal edges 15, 16 are parallel to and arranged over edges 10, 11 respectively.
• Edges 15, 16 are rectilinear.
• Panel 5 also comprises two edges 17, which extend between edges 15, 16 and are parallel to one another.
• Edges 17 are arranged over respective edges 12.
• the distance between edges 11, 16 is greater than the distance between edges 10, 15.
• rear panel 7 is greater than front panel 8.
• Edges 10, 1 1 and 12 define a plane; top panel 5 is slanted with respect to such a plane, and is descending, proceeding from edge 16 to edge 15.
• the rear panel 7 extends between edges 11, 16 and comprises two vertical edges 18a, 18b, which are parallel to one another and extend between edges 11, 16.
• Front panel 8 extends between edges 10, 15 and comprises two edges 19, 20, which extend between edges 10, 15.
• Each lateral panel 9 is bounded by edge 12, 17, by a relative edge 18a; 18b, and by a relative edge 19; 20.
• Edges 19, 20 are the only edges which extend between edges 10, 15.
• Edges 19, 20 are distinct and separate from each other, i.e. they do not have any common point.
• Edge 19 bounds both front panel 8 and one lateral wall 9.
• Edge 20 bounds both front panel 8 and the other lateral wall 9.
• Edges 10, 15 define a theoretical plane P, which is perpendicular to bottom panel 6, parallel to rear panel 7 and arranged, when package 1 is standing on the bottom panel 6, vertically.
• Package 1 also comprises a top transversal sealing 21 and a bottom transversal sealing (not shown), which extends across respective top and bottom panels 5, 6.
• Sealing band 21 divides top panel 5 into two portions 22, 23, one (22) of which, adjacent to front panel 8 and bounded by edge 15, defines an area for the potential application of opening device 3, while the other portion (23), adjacent to rear panel 7 and bounded by edge 16, comprises along the centerline, an end portion of a flat longitudinal sealing band 24 of package 1. More specifically, sealing band 24 extends perpendicularly between sealing band 21 and bottom sealing band, and substantially along the centerline of rear panel 7.
• Sealing band 21 extends beyond top panel 5 of package 1 into respective flat, substantially triangular lateral portions 26 of packaging material folded coplanar with and onto respective lateral panels 9 as of top panel 5.
• Sealing band 21 also forms, lengthwise, a flat top tab 30 projecting from portions 22, 23 and from lateral portions 26 and folded onto portions 23 and onto portions 26 along a bend line formed at the base of tab 30.
• edges 19, 20 extend on the opposite side of plane P with respect to panel 7; the whole front panel 8 extends on the opposite side of plane P with respect to panel 7; and panels 9 are concave.
• edges 19, 20 comprise, proceeding from edge 15 towards edge 10:
• edges 19, 20 extend outside of plane P with reference to panel 7.
• Portions 40, 42 join to one another at point Q while portions 41 , 43 join to one another at point R ( Figure 3).
• each edge 19, 20 comprises, proceeding from edge 15 to edge 10, a relative portion 40, 41 which extends at increasing distances from plane P and a relative portion 42, 43 which extend at decreasing distances from such plane P.
• Portions 40, 41 converge towards one another, i.e. have a decreasing distance from each other, from edge 15 to a segment S, which connects points Q, R.
• Segment S is, in the embodiment shown, horizontal, and is arranged on the opposite side of edges 10, 15 relative to rear panel 7.
• Points Q, R are arranged at the same distance from edge 10 and at the same distance from edge 15.
• the distance of points Q, R i.e. the length of segment S, is within +/- 5% of the half of the distance between edges 10, 15.
• the distance of points Q, R i.e. the length of segment S, is within +/- 5% of the average of the distance between edges 10, 15 and the distance between edges 11, 16.
• Portions 42, 43 converge towards one another, i.e. have a decreasing distance from each other, from edge 10 towards segment S.
• portions 40, 41 extend at increasing distances from plane P and at decreasing distances from one another, proceeding from edge 15 to segment S.
• portions 42, 43 extend at decreasing distance from plane P and at increasing distances from one another, proceeding from segment S to edge 10.
• edges 19, 20 are arranged at the narrowest distance from one another at points Q, R.
• edges 19, 20 are not flat but are defined by relative concave surfaces which at first converge towards one another and then diverge from one another, proceeding from relative edges 17 to relative edges 12.
• Portions 40, 41, 42, 43 are, in the embodiment shown, curvilinear.
• edges 19, 20 are shaped, in the embodiment shown, as parabolic arcs.
• Panel 8 is convex.
• the maximum distance of panel 8 from plane P is reached at the midsection of package 1 , i.e. at a plane orthogonal of plane P and having the same distance from edges 15, 10.
• Bottom panel 6 coincides with the projection of top panel 5 on a plane orthogonal to an axis D ( Figures 4 and 5). More precisely, axis D joins the center points of panels 5 , 6. Center points of panels 5, 6 coincide with respective intersection points of the diagonals of panels 5, 6.
• the inclination angle of panel 5 relative to the plane defined by edges 10, 11 ranges between 15 and 20 degrees. In particular, such an inclination angle is 17 degrees.
• Front panel 8 is symmetrical with respect to a curvilinear axis C which joins the middle-point of edge 15, the middle-point of segment S and the middle-point of edge 10.
• Axis C lies on and follows the front panel 8.
• Axis C extends at increasing distance from plane P, proceeding from edge 15 to segment S; and extends at decreasing distances from plane P proceeding from segment S to edge 15.
• Axis C has a similar conformation of edges 19, 20.
• axis C is, therefore, shaped as a parabolic arc, although other curvatures are possible.
• the package 1 may have a removable portion (not shown in Figure 6) that, in use, can be detached from packaging material 2 by an opening device 3 to free a pour opening by which to pour the food product from package 1.
• Opening device 3 substantially comprises a frame 51 applied onto portion 22 of top panel 5, and a cap 52 screwed onto a neck defined by frame 51 ( Figure 7).
• Packaging material 2 from which package 1 is made has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer, e.g. of paper, for stiffness, and a number of lamination layers covering both sides of base layer.
• a base layer e.g. of paper
• lamination layers covering both sides of base layer.
• the lamination layers comprise a first layer of oxygen-barrier material, e.g. an aluminum foil, and a number of second layers of heat-seal plastic material covering both sides of both base layer and first layer.
• a first layer of oxygen-barrier material e.g. an aluminum foil
• second layers of heat-seal plastic material covering both sides of both base layer and first layer.
• such solution comprises, in succession and from the side eventually forming the inside of package 1 , a layer of heat-seal plastic material, a layer of barrier material, another layer of heat-seal plastic material, base layer, and another layer of heat-seal plastic material.
• the inner layer of heat-seal plastic material contacting the food product, in use may, for example, be made of strong, in particular, high-stretch, metallocene- catalyzed, low-linear-density (LLD) polyethylene. Normally, layers of heat-seal plastic material are laminated on the base layer in a melted state, with successive cooling.
• LLD low-linear-density
• At least the inner layers of plastic material may be provided as prefabricated films, which are laminated on the base layer; this technique allows reducing any risk of formation of holes or cracks at or around the removable portion during the forming operations for producing sealed package 1.
• the letter M in Figure 6 indicates a basic unit of packaging material 2, by which to produce package 1 , and which may be a precut blank, or a portion of a web of packaging material comprising a succession of units M.
• basic unit M is folded on a known crease spindle (not shown), is filled with the food product, and is sealed at the top and bottom to form package 1.
• the web of packaging material 2 comprising a succession of basic units M, is:
• Basic unit M has a crease pattern 60, i.e. a number of crease lines defining respective fold lines, along which packaging material 2 is folded to form the finished package 1.
• crease lines is used in the present description lines along which basic unit M is folded to form a relative package 1, .
• decorative lines are not crease line in the meaning of the present description.
• Crease pattern 60 substantially comprises:
• transversal crease line 63 for forming edges 10, 11, 12 of finished package 1
• - a piecewise transversal crease line 67 for forming edges 15, 16, 17 of finished package 1 ;
• crease lines 70, 71 which are separated from and aligned to one another, are parallel to respective crease lines 68, 69, and comprise respectively inner end points 102, 103;
• Crease lines 63, 61, 62 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to crease lines 65, 66a.
• crease line 63 comprises a first segment 80 which extends between an edge 64 of crease pattern 60 and crease line 65;
• Crease line 67 comprises: - a first segment 90 parallel to first segment 80 of line 63 and which extends between edge 64 and crease line 65;
• crease pattern 60 comprises:
• bottom flaps are folded onto panel 6 of finished package
• Crease line 1 10 (112; 115; 117) extends between end point 101 (103; 100; 102) and the midpoint of a segment of crease line 61 (61 ; 62; 62) interposed between crease lines 65, 69 (66a, 71 ; 65, 68; 66a, 70).
• Crease line 111 (113; 114; 116) extends between intersection point of crease lines 65, 67 (66a, 67; 65, 63; 66a, 63) and the midpoint of the segment of crease line 61 (61 ; 62; 62) interposed between crease line 65, 69 (66a, 71; 65, 68; 66a, 70).
• End points 100, 101 are joined by a theoretical reference segment 105 (shown in a dotted-line in Figure 6 but not present on basic unit M) and end points 102, 103 are joined by a theoretical reference segments 106 (shown in a dotted-line in Figure 6 but not present on basic unit M).
• crease lines 120, 121 extend within an area 123, rectangular in the embodiment shown, bounded by segment 82 of crease line 63, segment 92 of crease line 67 and by theoretical reference segments 105, 106.
• crease lines 120, 121 comprise relative first ends which coincide with end points 100, 102, and second ends 124, 125, opposite to first ends, which are at a certain distance from relative end points 101 , 103 of crease lines 69, 71.
• Crease line 120 is the only crease line which originates from one (100) of end points 100, 101 and extends towards the other one (101) of end points 100, 101.
• crease line 121 is the only crease line which originates from one (102) of end points 102, 103 and extends towards the other one (103) of end points 102, 103.
• Crease lines 120, 121 are distinct and separate from each other, i.e. they do not have common points.
• Crease lines 120, 121 at first converge towards one another and then diverge from one another, proceeding from end points 100, 102 of crease lines 68, 70 towards relative second ends 124, 125.
• Crease lines 120, 121 extend at first at increasing distances from relative theoretical reference segments 105, 106 and then at decreasing distances from relative theoretical reference segments 105, 106, proceeding from end points 100, 102 of crease lines 68, 70 towards relative second ends 124, 125.
• Crease lines 120, 121 extend also symmetrically with respect to an axis B, which joins the middle-points of segments 82, 92.
• Axis B is, in the embodiment shown, vertical.
• Basic unit M has a constant width measured orthogonally to axis B. In this way, it could form a tube of packaging material from which packages 1, are obtained after their folding.
• Crease lines 120, 121 are curvilinear. More precisely, crease lines 120, 121 are, in the embodiment shown, shaped as parabolic arcs.
• Number ⁇ in Figures 8 to 10 and 12 indicates a second embodiment of a sealed package in accordance with the present invention; sealed packages 1 , 1 ' being similar to each other, the following description is limited to the differences between them, and using the same references, where possible, for identical or corresponding parts.
• Sealed package differs from sealed package 1 in that edges 18a', 18b' extend on the opposite side of a theoretical reference plane defined by edges 11, 16, relative to panel 8; and in that the whole panel 7' extends, on the opposite side of plane T', relative to panel 8 (Figure 12).
• Panel 7' is, in particular, convex.
• Edges 18a', 18b' are the only edges which extend between edges 11, 16.
• Edges 18a', 18b' are distinct and separate from each other, i.e. they do not have any common point.
• Edge 18a' bounds both rear wall 7 and one lateral wall 9.
• Edge 18b' bounds both rear wall 7 and one lateral wall 9.
• Plane is, in the embodiment shown, parallel to plane P.
• edges 18a' , 18b' comprise, proceeding from edge 16 towards edge 11 ( Figure 10):
• edges 18a', 18b' and plane T' are measured orthogonally to such plane .
• Segment V is, in the embodiment shown, horizontal, is arranged on the opposite side of edges 1 1 , 16 relative to panel 8, and is parallel and staggered relative to edges 11, 16.
• Portions 45', 46', 47', 48' are, in the embodiment shown, curvilinear.
• edges 18a', 18b' are shaped, in the embodiment shown, as parabolic arcs. Other curvatures or shapes are possible of edges 18a', 18b'.
• Rear panel 7' is symmetrical with respect to a curvilinear axis A' which joins the middle-point of edge 16, the middle-point of segment V and the middle- point of edge 11.
• Axis A' extends at increasing distances from plane T', proceeding from edge 16 to segment
• Axis A' has a similar conformation of edges 18a', 18b', and is, therefore, shaped as a parabolic arc in the embodiment shown.
• Package also differs from package 1 in that opening device 3 ' substantially comprises a frame 51 ' which straddles edge 15 and comprises two fastening portions 53a', 53b' at a predetermined angle to each other ( Figure 8).
• Cap 52' is releasably fitted to a neck portion of frame 51 ' .
• portion 53a' is applied onto portion 22 of top panel 5 while portion 53b' is applied onto an area of front panel 8 adjacent to edge 15.
• Letter M' in Figure 11 indicates a second embodiment of a basic unit of packaging material 2', by which to produce package ; the basic units of packaging material 2, 2' for making the two different package embodiments 1 , 1 ' are similar to each other, the following description is limited to the differences between them, and using the same references, where possible, for identical or corresponding parts.
• Basic unit of packaging material 2' differs from basic unit of packaging material 2 in that crease pattern 60' does not comprise crease line 65. Furthermore, crease pattern 60' comprises, instead of crease line 65,:
• segment 186' which extends from an end point 187' of segment 80 on the opposite side of crease line 67 and orthogonally to segment 80;
• segment 191 ' which extends from an end point 188' of segment 90 on the opposite side of crease line 63 and orthogonally to segment 90.
• End point 187' is in common between segments 80, 186' as well as end point 188' is in common between segments 90, 191 '.
• basic unit of packaging material 2' differs from basic unit of packaging material 2 in that it does not comprise crease line 66a.
• Crease pattern 60' comprises, instead of crease line 66a:
• segment 192' which extends from an end point 189' of segment 84 on the opposite side of crease line 67 and orthogonally to segment 84;
• segment 193' which extends from an end point 190' of segment 93 on the opposite side of crease line 63 and orthogonally to segment 94.
• End point 189' is in common between segments 84, 192' and end point 190' is in common between segments 94, 193'.
• End points 187', 188' are joined by a theoretical reference segment 180' (shown in a dotted-line in Figure 11 but not present on basic unit M) and end points 189', 190' are joined by a theoretical reference segment 18 ⁇ (shown in a dotted- line in Figure 11).
• Crease pattern 60' finally comprises:
• crease line 182' which extends between end points 187', 188', and is adapted to define edge 18a' of finished package ;
• crease line 183 ' which extends between end points 189', 190' and is adapted to define edge 18b' of finished package 1 '.
• crease line 182' originates from end point 187' and extends towards end point 188'.
• crease line 183' originates from end point 189' and extends towards end point 190'.
• crease lines 182', 183' comprise relative first ends which coincide respectively with end points 187', 189'; and second ends which are at a certain distance from relative end points 188', 190'.
• crease line 182' extends within an area 184' bounded by segments 80, 90, by a segment 85 of edge 64 interposed between segments 80, 90, and by theoretical reference segment 180'; and crease line 183' extends within an area 185' bounded by segments 84, 94, by a segment 88 along edge area 66b, and by theoretical reference segment 181 '; crease line 182' is the only crease line which originates from one (187') of end points 187', 188' and extends towards the other one (188) of end points 187', 188'.
• crease line 183' is the only crease line which originates from one (189') of end points 189', 190' and extends towards the other one (190) of end points 189', 190'.
• Crease lines 182', 183 ' are distinct from each other, i.e. they do not have common points.
• Areas 184', 185' are, in the embodiment shown, rectangular.
• crease line 182' at first converge towards segment 85 (88) and then diverge from such segment 85 (88), proceeding from end points 188' (190') towards end points 187' (189').
• Crease line 182' extends at first at increasing distances from theoretical reference segment 180' (181 ') and then at decreasing distance from theoretical reference segment 180' (181 '), proceeding from end points 188' (190') towards end points 187' (189').
• Crease lines 182', 183' are curvilinear and, in the embodiment shown, shaped as parabolic arcs.
• crease pattern 60' comprises a first region and a second region adapted to define rear panel 7' of finished package , once that blank M' has been folded along segments 90, 94 and crease lines 18 , 182', and edge 85 has been sealed to edge area 66b.
• the first region is bounded by segments 80, 85, 90 and by crease line 182' while the second region is bounded by segments 84, 94, 88 and by crease line 183'.
• package 1 is easy to grip, in particular when it stands between several other similar packages 1, 1 '.
• front panel 8 extends on the opposite side of plane P with respect to rear panel 7, 7',
• each package 1 , 1 ' is not in full contact with adjacent packages 1, , air is allowed to circulate between such packages 1, 1 ', so reducing the moisture surrounding packages 1, 1 '.
• packages 1 are conserved in a particularly hygienic environment.
• packages 1 , 1 ' are prevented from being damaged when stored and/or transported in a plurality of rows within a box or when conveyed in a packaging plant.
• packages 1, are arranged in rows, for example within a box to be stored and/or transported, even if front panel 8 of a second package 1, 1 ' contacts rear panel 7 of a first package 1, 1 ', cap 52, 52' of opening device 3, 3' of second package 1, 1 ' is substantially prevented from interfering with rear panel 7, 7' of first package 1, 1 ' ( Figures 7 and 12).
• cap 52, 52' of opening device 3, 3' against rear panel 7, 7' of a first package 1 is dramatically reduced.
• the risk that the cap 52, 52' of the opening device 3, 3' comes off as a result of the above-mentioned pressure is dramatically reduced.
• rear panels 7, 7' of packages 1, 1 ' which contact the inner wall of the box are substantially prevented to exert a pressure against such inner wall.
• packages 1, 1 ' with opening device 3, 3' applied thereon form a queue on a conveyor, packages 1 , 1 ' are substantially prevented from leaning with respect to one another.
• package 1 Due to the fact that panels 9 are concave, package 1, is particularly advantageous.
• panels 9 create a space between packages 2 place side by side with respective panels 9 arranged side by side. This is effective in preventing mildew in shrink-wrapped multipack and/or in very difficult ambient conditions.
• panels 9 it is much easier to detect if the pourable product has been fermented. In such a case, an internal pressure will press out panels 9 easily, making detection with available apparatus easily conducted. Furthermore, panels 9 could lose their concavity if air (or another gas) leaks into package 1, 1 ', through an untight sealing, or a micro-crack. In this case, this leakage may be easily detected and the package 1, 1 ' may be so discarded. In both the above cases, concave panels 9 create a small vacuum pressure inside package 1, 1 ', which is used for the above visualizations.
• edges 18a, 1 8b are curved, they work like an arch-type reinformencent and are, therefore, able to contrast a force exerted from an adjacent package .
• front panel 8 of package 1 ' extends on the opposite side of plane P with respect to rear panel 7', but also rear panel 7' of package 1 ' extends on the opposite side of plane with respect to front panel 8.
• the gap available for cap 52' of opening device 3' substantially equals the sum of:
• package 1 which has two quadrangular bottom and top panel 6, 5 and four panels - front panel 8, rear panel 7, 7' and two panels 9 - interposed therebetween.
• second ends 124, 125 may coincide with end points 101 , 103.
• crease lines 120, 121 extend between relative end points 100, 102 and relative end points 101, 103.
• second ends of crease lines 182', 183' may coincide with end points 188', 190'.
• Edges 18a, 18b, 19, 20 and crease lines 120, 121, 182', 183' may not be parabolic.
• edges 18a, 18b, 19, 20 and crease lines 120, 121, 182', 183' may be shaped as a series of straight segments joined to one another and inclined with respect to one another.
• the longitudinal seal of package 1 may extend along a panel other than rear panel 7, 7'.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cartons (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)

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