WO2016173906A1

WO2016173906A1 - Method for creating a space between a primary package and a secondary package, a package assembly having such a space, and a blank to be shaped into a secondary package

Info

Publication number: WO2016173906A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/058794
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bengt HÅKANSSON; Göran DAHL; Carl NORDENSKJÖLD; Eric LUNDIN
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
Priority date: 2015-04-30
Filing date: 2016-04-20
Publication date: 2016-11-03

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for creating a space (10) between a primary package (2) and a secondary package (3). The secondary package (3) is attached to the at least one primary package (2). The method comprises the step of forming a space (10) between the primary package (2) and the secondary package (3), wherein the space (10) being adapted to accommodate an item. The invention also relates to a package assembly and a blank.

Description

METHOD FOR CREATING A SPACE BETWEEN A PRIMARY PACKAGE AND A SECONDARY PACKAGE, A PACKAGE ASSEMBLY HAVING SUCH A SPACE, AND A BLANK TO BE SHAPED INTO A SECONDARY PACKAGE

Technical field

The invention relates to a method for creating a space between a primary package and a secondary package, a package assembly having such a space, and a blank to be shaped into a secondary package.

Background art

In the food packaging industry food is packaged into different types of packages, distributed to storing locations for further distribution to retail stores where the food is sold to the end consumer. Single food packages are however time consuming to handle in the distribution of the packages and also when handled by the end consumer.

Packages for beverages, such as fruit juices, still drinks and also dairy products or derivate thereof can be divided into portion packages and family packages. Those packages differ mainly by their respective volume size and consequently weight. Particularly, portion packs are available in different volumes ranging from about 80ml to several 100ml. Portion packages are normally consumed at once and due to their smaller volume suitable not only for adults, but also for children or teenagers.

Consumers buying packages are often looking for bundles of packages, as those are easier to carry and handle than separate individual packages. A plurality of packages are therefore normally placed in boxes or trays or wrapped in plastic to make the distribution and consumption of multiple packages easier. This so called secondary packaging enables consumers to transport several individual packages.

FR 2737139 illustrates an arrangement of a batch of carton packages of a brick type. WO 2009/024618 shows an example of carton packages of gable top style bundled together using a secondary package having a handle for easy transportation. Very often, items associated with the content of the primary package are to be enclosed with the same when the product is sold to a customer. With conventional methods, such items are often attached to the exterior of the primary or secondary package. However, when a secondary package is attached to bundle multiple packages, there is no room for the associated item. Attached associated items are thus pressed between the secondary package and the primary package, which is problematic for many associated items, especially if the secondary package is not entirely removed from the primary package when consuming the product.

There is thus a need for improving the state of the art to provide better packaging of items associated with packages bundled with a secondary package.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to improve the current state of the art, to solve the above problems, and to provide an improved package assembly. These and other objects are achieved by a method for creating a space between a primary package and a secondary package. The secondary package is attached to the at least one primary package. The method comprises the step of forming a space between the primary package and the secondary package by modifying the primary package or the secondary package, wherein the space being adapted to accommodate an item. The advantages of such a method are apparent to a person skilled in the art. The item will be provided in the space between the primary and secondary package and thus protected within the same. Also, the risk of the item detaching from the exterior of the primary or secondary package is

eliminated.

The step of forming the space may comprise crushing an inner surface of the secondary package facing the primary package into a space. Since the primary package and secondary package are tightly attached to each other it can be somewhat of a problem to provide the space between the same. Thus, the secondary package may be manufactured of a deformable material such that an inner surface of the secondary package can be shaped into a space while the outer surface of the secondary package remains unchanged.

The step of forming the space may comprise creasing a portion of the secondary package into a space. In this embodiment, both the inner surface and the outer surface of the secondary package are deformed when the space is created.

The step of forming the space may comprise moulding a portion of the secondary package into a space. In this embodiment, the entire secondary package is moulded and both the inner surface and the outer surface of the secondary package are shaped in order to create the space.

The step of forming the space may comprise changing a fluting pattern of a portion of said secondary package. Here, the material of the secondary package is constituted by corrugated fibreboard or the like. Thus, the waved pattern of the fibreboard may be deformed or changed in order to create the space. The waved pattern is used in order to create thickness of the material and give the same some elastic characteristics. Here, however, in the area where the space is to be created, the pattern is held flat instead of waved.

The step of forming the space may comprise shaping a portion of the primary package into a space. Thus, secondary package may remain unchanged and may easily be attached to the primary package when the space has been created. In this embodiment, the space may be formed merely by holding in one or more sides of the primary package, for example by means of pressure.

The primary package may be adapted to retain a food product and the item accommodated therein may be associated with the food product. In one preferred embodiment, the food product may be a beverage and the item may be a straw. In another preferred embodiment, the item may be a spoon.

According to a second aspect, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a package assembly, comprising at least one primary package adapted to contain a product, a secondary package attached to the at least one primary packages to retain the at least one primary package, and a space positioned between the at least one primary package and the secondary package. The space is adapted to accommodate an item, and is formed by modifying the primary package or the secondary package. The product contained in the primary package may be a food product or a liquid product. However, any suitable product could be contained in the primary package.

The secondary package may be attached to a plurality of primary packages to retain the plurality of primary packages in a predefined pattern, wherein the secondary package comprises a weakened line to enable separation of the plurality of primary packages into individual primary packages, and a plurality of main portions separated by said weakened line, each of the plurality of main portions facing a main side of a respective one of the plurality of primary packages. The package assembly may further comprise a cut-out in each of the plurality of main portions to access the respective spaces.

In one embodiment, the space of the package assembly is created using the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a blank to be shaped into a secondary package wherein the blank has a portion modified into a space, the space being adapted to accommodate an item. The space may be created

using the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Brief description of the drawings

The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a secondary package of the food package assembly in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3a-3e are cross sections of different embodiments of the

secondary package.

Fig. 4 is a front view of a blank according to one exemplary

embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the blank according toanother exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a blank according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In Fig. 1 , a package assembly 1 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is illustrated. A plurality of primary packages 2 are arranged in a 3x1 pattern, meaning three primary packages in a single row. The primary packages 2 are from brick shape structure and are placed next to, but otherwise separated from each other. The package assembly 1 also comprises a secondary package 3 attached to the primary packages 2 in the defined 3x1 pattern.

The secondary package 3 comprises a bottom panel 32, on which the packages are placed and (not shown) slightly attached to. For example, a small adhesive portion can be used to fixate the primary packages to bottom panel 32. Secondary package 3 also comprises a main panel 3, which is divided by two weakened lines 36 in longitudinal direction L to form main portions 3a to 3c, respectively. The weakened lines 36 are perforated lines and also extend in the bottom panel (not shown) in extension to the cut-outs 37. The cut-outs and the perforation line enable a consumer to easily separate individual packages 2 from the assembly 1 .

A space 10 is formed between the primary and the secondary packages 2, 3. The space 10 is used to accommodate an item 4 associated with the food content of the primary package. In one preferred embodiment, the item 4 is constituted by a straw which is to be used by a consumer when drinking the content of the primary package 2. To access the space and remove the straw 4, each main portion 3a, 3b and 3c comprise a cut-out 39 of "U"-shape extending from the uppermost part of the respective main portion in downwards direction. The space 10 may for example be provided using the method (described in detail below) according another aspect of the present invention.

The secondary package 3 also includes a top panel, which is also separated by perforation lines 36a into different top portions 31 for simple separation. The top panel and more particular the top portion 31 is attached to the top side of the primary packages, in this example to the top notch seal of the primary package. Top portion 31 of the top panel exceeds to around the edge 22 of top notch seal 20. Top portions 31 also comprise a cut-out 38, which, in this example, is placed over the opening 5 of the primary package. In other words, due to cut-out 38 of the top panel, the top panel does not mask or conceal opening 5. The cut-outs 38 are of triangular shape having a round top edge and merge into cut-out 39 of the respective main portion.

A cover 35 is placed over the cut-outs 38 and 39 and adjacent parts of top portion 31 and respective main portion 3a, 3b and 3c. Cover 35 is glued or otherwise rigidly attached to the top and main portion thereby at least partly sealing the space. In this example, cover 35 is transparent at least in the area of the cut-outs to provide visibility into the space. To open the space, cover 35 comprises a tab or lid 35a which is arranged on the top portion in this embodiment. A consumer may for example pull tab 35a towards the edge and main portion 3a, 3b and 3c, thereby ripping apart the cover and opening cutouts 38 and 39.

Fig. 2 illustrates a back view of the main panel of secondary package and comprising portions 3a, 3b and 3c. Cut-outs 37 in the lower area of main portions have a transversal dimension such that parts of packages 2 are becoming visible. As it can be seen packages 2 are not tightly packed together but slightly spaced apart, which simplifies separation of the assembly into individual packages. Still, secondary package 3 is attached to each of the primary packages 2 on top, bottom or main portion. The secondary package 3 may be attached to the primary package 2 in any suitable way, such as for example by means of adhesive, hot melt or a mechanical interconnection. Other shapes of cut-outs providing an appealing appearance are possible, as the cut-out provide access to the space created between the main portion and the primary package.

Figs. 3a-3e illustrates the space 10 according to the present invention manufactured using different manufacturing methods. Referring to Fig. 3a, the space 10 is produced by crushing or compressing part of the secondary package material 3 into a space 10 between the primary package 2 and the secondary package 3. As seen in the figure, the lower side that is intended to be the outer side of the secondary package 3 is flat, while the inner side is crushed or compressed into the space 10. The material of the secondary package 3 must therefore be deformable in a way so that the crushed or compressed part stays compressed or crushed after the crushing operation. Cardboard and other paper based package materials are examples of such material.

Referring to Fig. 3b the space 10 is produced by creasing part of the secondary package material 3 into a space 10 between the primary package 2 and the secondary package 3. Again the material must be permanently deformable so that the creases are intact after the creasing operation.

Referring to Fig. 3c the space 10 is produced by changing a fluting pattern of a portion of the secondary package 3. Here, the secondary package 3 is made by corrugated board comprising a creased middle part 1 1 spacing the inner side from the outer side of the packaging material. The creased middle part has a fluted part for creating the space 10.

Referring to Fig. 3d the space 10 is produced by moulding the secondary package material 3 so that a space 10 is created between the primary package 2 and the secondary package 3. At least the part making up the space 10 is moulded. This method of creating the space opens the possibility for using e.g. plastic materials as the secondary packaging material.

Referring to Fig. 3e the space 10 is produced by having a negative space in the primary package 2 creating a space 10 between the primary package and the secondary package. The secondary package material 3 is then flat.

In Fig. 4, a blank 3 in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The blank 3 has a main panel 65, a top panel 31 and a bottom panel 32. The top panel 31 and the bottom panel 32 are separated from the main panel 65 by a crease line 62 in a lateral direction. In addition, the main panel 65 is separated by weakened lines 61 in a longitudinal direction to form a plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c. The blank 3 also has a portion modified into a space 10, which space 10 is adapted to accommodate an item.

In Fig. 5, the blank 3 is illustrated according to another embodiment of the invention. The blank 3 has a main panel 65, a top panel 31 and a bottom panel 32. The top panel 31 and the bottom panel 32 are separated from the main panel 65 by a crease line 62 in a lateral direction. The main panel 65 is separated by weakened lines 61 in a longitudinal direction to form a plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c. In addition, a removable cover 50 is provided in the blank 3. The cover 50 extends in both the top portion 31 and the main portion 3a, 3b, 3c and may be separated from these portions 31 , 3a, 3b, 3c by a weakened line 64. The blank 3 also is provided with a portion modified into a space 10, which space 10 is adapted to accommodate an item.

In Fig. 6, the blank 3 is illustrated according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The blank 3 has a main panel 65 and a top panel 31 . The top panel 31 is separated from the main panel 65 by a crease line 62 in a lateral direction. The main panel 65 is separated by weakened lines 61 in a longitudinal direction to form a plurality of main portions 3a, 3b, 3c. In addition, a removable cover 50 is provided in the blank 3. The cover 50 extends in both the top portion 31 and the main portion 3a, 3b, 3c and may be separated from these portions 31 , 3a, 3b, 3c by a weakened line 64. The blank 3 also is provided with a portion modified into a space 10, which space 10 is adapted to accommodate an item.

The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A method for creating a space (10) between a primary

package (2) and a secondary package (3), said secondary package (3) being attached to at least one primary package (2), said method comprising

forming said space (10) between said primary package (2) and said secondary package (3) by modifying said primary package (2) or said secondary package (3), said space (10) being adapted to accommodate an item.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of forming said space (10) comprises crushing an inner surface of said secondary package (3) facing said primary package (2) into said space (10).

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of forming said space (10) comprises creasing a portion of said secondary package (3) into said space (10).

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of forming said space (10) comprises moulding a portion of said secondary package (3) into said space (10).

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of forming said space (10) comprises changing a fluting pattern of a portion of said secondary package (3).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of forming said space (10) comprises shaping a portion of said primary package (2) into a space (10).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said primary package (2) is adapted to retain a food product and said item is associated with said food product.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said food product is a beverage and said item is a straw.

9. Package assembly, comprising

at least one primary package (2) adapted to contain a product, a secondary package (3) attached to said at least one primary package (2) to retain said at least one primary package (2),

a space (10) positioned between said at least one primary package (2) and said secondary package (3), said space (10) being adapted to

accommodate an item,

wherein said space (10) is formed by modifying said primary package (2) or said secondary package (3).

10. The package assembly according to claim 9, wherein said secondary package (3) is attached to a plurality of primary packages (2) to retain the plurality of primary packages (2) in a predefined pattern, and wherein the secondary package (3) comprises a weakened line to enable separation of the plurality of primary packages (2) into individual primary packages (2), and a plurality of main portions separated by said weakened line, each of the plurality of main portions facing a main side of a respective one of the plurality of primary packages (2).

1 1 . The package assembly according to claim 10, further

comprising a cut-out in at least one of main portions to access the respective spaces (10).

12. The package assembly according to any one of the claims 9-

1 1 , wherein said space (10) is created using the method according to any one of claims 1 -8.

13. A blank to be shaped into a secondary package (2), wherein said blank has a portion modified into a space (10), said space (10) being adapted to accommodate an item.

14. The blank according to claim 13, wherein said space is created using the method according to any one of claims 1 -8.