阅读说明：本技术 用于生产可倾倒食品密封包装的片材包装材料、可倾倒食品密封包装以及制造可倾倒产品密封包装的方法 (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 ) 是由 卢卡·朗切蒂 马尔塞洛·巴尔别里 马尔科·波皮 阿尔贝托·马梅利 罗伯托·德彼得里托内利 于 2019-07-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：描述了用于形成密封包装(1、1””’)的预折痕的片材包装材料(2、2’、2”、2”’,2””、2””’),其包括：沿着纵向方向(L)延伸的多条纵向折痕线(65、66；68、69)；沿着横向方向(T)延伸的多条横向折痕线(63；67)；沿着另一方向(F；G)延伸的至少一条第一附加折痕线(74、75；76、77；70、71、72、73),所述另一方向(F；G)相对于纵向方向(L)和横向方向(T)倾斜；第一接合点(101、104；102、103；91、94、92、93),在所述第一接合点处,纵向折痕线(65、66；68、69)和横向折痕线(63；67)彼此接合；和至少一个第一区域(172、173；174、175；162、163、164、165)由纵向折痕线(65、66；68、69)、横向折痕线(67；63)和附加折痕线(74、75；76、77；70、71、72、73)界定；另一个方向(F、G)在第一接合点(101、104；102、103；91、94、92、93)中入射到第一纵向折痕线(65、66；68、69)和第一横向折痕线(67；63)；第一纵向折痕线(65、66；68、69)、第一横向折痕线(67；63)和第一附加折痕线(74、75；76、77；70、71、72、73)中的至少一条是在第一接合点(101、102；103、104；91、92、93、94)处中断。(A pre-creased sheet packaging material (2, 2', 2 "', 2" "') for forming a sealed package (1, 1" ") is described, comprising: a plurality of longitudinal crease lines (65, 66; 68, 69) extending along a longitudinal direction (L); a plurality of transverse crease lines (63; 67) extending along a transverse direction (T); at least one first additional crease line (74, 75; 76, 77; 70, 71, 72, 73) extending along a further direction (F; G) inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction (L) and the transverse direction (T); a first joining point (101, 104; 102, 103; 91, 94, 92, 93) at which the longitudinal crease lines (65, 66; 68, 69) and the transverse crease lines (63; 67) are joined to one another; and at least one first area (172, 173; 174, 175; 162, 163, 164, 165) is delimited by a longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69), a transverse crease line (67; 63) and an additional crease line (74, 75; 76, 77; 70, 71, 72, 73); the other direction (F, G) is incident on the first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69) and the first transverse crease line (67; 63) in the first joining point (101, 104; 102, 103; 91, 94, 92, 93); at least one of the first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69), the first transverse crease line (67; 63) and the first additional crease line (74, 75; 76, 77; 70, 71, 72, 73) is interrupted at a first junction point (101, 102; 103, 104; 91, 92, 93, 94).)

1. Pre-creased sheet packaging material (2, 2', 2 "', 2" "') for forming a sealed package (1, 1'), comprising:

a plurality of longitudinal crease lines (65, 66; 68, 69) extending along a longitudinal first direction (L) of the sheet packaging material (2, 2', 2 "', 2" ");

a plurality of transverse crease lines (63; 67) extending along a transverse second direction (T) of the sheet packaging material (2, 2', 2 "', 2" "'), said transverse second direction (T) being transverse to the longitudinal first direction (L);

at least one first additional crease line (74, 75; 76, 77; 70, 71, 72, 73) extending along a third direction (F; G), said third direction (F; G) being inclined with respect to said longitudinal first direction (L) and to said transverse second direction (T);

a first joining point (101, 104; 102, 103; 91, 94, 92, 93) at which a first of said longitudinal crease lines (65, 66; 68, 69) and a first of said transverse crease lines (63; 67) are joined to each other; and

at least one first area (172, 173; 174, 175; 162, 163, 164, 165) delimited by at least one portion of said first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69), said first transverse crease line (61; 62) and said first additional crease line (74, 75; 76, 77; 70, 71, 72, 73); said first region (172, 175; 173, 174; 162, 163, 164, 165) being adapted to form a first folding flap (26, 32) of said shaped package (1, 1');

said third direction (F, G) being incident on said first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69) and said first transverse crease line (67; 63) at said first junction point (101, 104; 102, 103; 91, 94, 92, 93);

characterized in that at least one of said first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69), at least one first transverse crease line (67; 63) and said first additional crease line (74, 75; 76, 77; 70, 71, 72, 73) is interrupted at said first junction point (101, 102; 103, 104; 91, 92, 93, 94).

2. The sheet packaging material of claim 1, characterized in that each of said first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69), first transverse crease line (67; 63) and said first additional crease line (74, 75; 76, 77; 70, 71, 72, 73) is interrupted at said first junction point (101, 102; 103, 104; 91, 92, 93, 94).

3. The sheet packaging material of claim 1 or 2, characterized by comprising at least one second region (151), said at least one second region (151) being adapted to form a respective side wall (9) of said shaped package (1, 1 "");

at least a portion of said at least one transverse crease line (67, 63) is interrupted at said first joining point (101, 102; 103, 104; 91, 92, 93, 94), defining an edge and a first corner of said second region (151).

4. The sheet packaging material of any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising:

a second joining point (103, 104; 101, 102; 93, 94, 91, 92) at which a second said longitudinal crease line (68, 69; 65, 66) and said first transverse crease line (67; 63) are joined to each other; and

at least one second additional crease line (76, 77; 74, 75; 70, 71, 72, 73) extending along a fourth direction (G; F) inclined with respect to said longitudinal first direction (L) and to said transverse second direction (T);

at least one third area (173, 174; 172, 175; 162, 163, 164, 165) delimited by said second longitudinal crease line (68, 69; 65, 66), said first transverse crease line (61, 62) and said second additional crease line (76, 77; 74, 75; 70, 71, 72, 73); said third region (174, 175; 172, 173; 162, 163, 164, 165) being adapted to form a second folding flap (26, 32) of said shaped package (1, 1');

at least one of the second longitudinal crease line (68, 69; 65, 66), the first transverse crease line (63, 67) and the second additional crease line (76, 77; 74, 75; 70, 71, 72, 7) is interrupted at the second joining point (102, 103; 101, 104; 91, 92, 93, 94).

5. The sheet packaging material of claim 4, when depending on claim 3, characterized in that said second joining point (103, 104; 101, 102; 93, 94, 91, 92) defines a further edge and a further first corner of a further second region (151).

6. The sheet packaging material of claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said further second region (151) is adapted to form a respective further side wall (9) of said shaped package (1, 1 "");

at least another portion of said at least one transverse crease line (63, 67) is interrupted at said second joining point (102, 103; 101, 104; 91, 92, 93, 94), defining said another edge and said another first corner of said another second region (151).

7. The sheet packaging material of claim 6, characterized in that said at least one portion of said at least one transverse crease line (67, 63) is interrupted at two of said first junctions (101, 102; 103, 104), defining said edge of said second region (151) and the respective said first corner;

at least another portion of said at least one transverse crease line (63, 67) is interrupted at said second junction (103, 104; 101, 102), defining said another edge of said another second region (151) and said corresponding another first corner.

8. The sheet packaging material of any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising at least one third area (170; 171) interposed between two said first areas (172, 173; 174, 176), said first and third areas (172, 173; 174, 176; 170; 171) constituting said flap (32), said flap (32) being to be folded onto a bottom wall (6) of said finished package (1, 1 ""');

the third area (170; 171) is delimited by the first transverse crease line (67) and a pair of additional crease lines (74, 75; 76, 77).

9. The sheet packaging material of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first additional crease line (74, 75) and the second additional crease line (76, 77) are incident with respect to each other and define an angle (a) between them, said angle (a) being 91-93 degrees, preferably 92 degrees.

10. The sheet packaging material according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by comprising:

a second transverse crease line (62; 61) delimiting said first area (172, 173; 174, 175; 162, 163, 164, 165); and

a first end edge (79; 78) extending parallel to the transverse second direction (T); and

the second transverse crease line (62; 61) is interposed along the longitudinal first direction (L) between the first transverse crease line (67; 63) and the first terminal edge (79; 78).

11. The sheet packaging material of claim 10, characterized by comprising:

a second terminal edge (78, 79) extending parallel to the transverse second direction (T);

-a third transverse crease line (63) and a fourth transverse crease line (61, 62) extending parallel to said transverse second direction (T);

at least one third additional crease line (70, 71, 72, 73) extending along a fourth direction (F, G) inclined with respect to said longitudinal first direction (L) and said transversal second direction (T);

-third joining points (91, 92, 93, 94), at which third joining points (91, 92, 93, 94) the first longitudinal crease lines (65, 66; 68, 69) and the third transverse crease lines (63) are joined to each other;

at least one fourth area (162, 163, 164, 165; 172, 173; 174, 175) delimited by said first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69), said third transverse crease line (61, 62) and said third additional crease line (70, 71, 72, 73);

said fourth direction (F, G) being incident on said first longitudinal crease line (65, 66; 68, 69) and said third transverse crease line (63, 67) at said third junction point (91, 92, 93, 94);

at least one of the first longitudinal crease lines (65, 66; 68, 69), the third transverse crease lines (63, 67) and the third additional crease lines (70, 71, 72, 73) is interrupted at the third junction point (91, 92, 93, 94).

12. The sheet packaging material of any one of the preceding claims, in the form of a continuous web of packaging material.

13. Sealed package (1, 1 "" ') for pourable food products, characterized in that it is made of a sheet packaging material (2, 2', 2 "', 2" "') according to any one of the preceding claims;

the package (1, 1 ""') comprises:

top and bottom walls (5, 6) opposite each other; and

a plurality of side walls (7, 8, 9) interposed between said top and bottom walls (5, 6).

14. The sealed package according to claim 13, characterised by comprising at least one first vertex (41, 43; 45, 47; 40, 42, 44, 46) arranged at the intersection of a first contour of at least one of said side walls (7, 8, 9) and a second contour of at least one of said top wall (5) and said bottom wall (6);

the first vertex (41, 43; 45, 47; 40, 42, 44, 46) is delimited by the first joining point (91, 94, 101, 104; 92, 93, 102, 103) of the sheet packaging material according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

15. The sealed package according to claim 14, characterised in that the at least one first vertex (41, 43; 45, 47; 40, 42, 44, 46) is arranged at the intersection of the first contour of at least one of the side walls (7, 8, 9) and the second contour of the bottom wall (6).

16. The sealed package according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that said at least one of the side walls (7, 8, 9) is a rear wall (7).

17. The sealed package according to any of the claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the top wall (5) is inclined with respect to the bottom wall (6) and with respect to the side walls (7, 8, 9).

18. Method of manufacturing a sealed package (1, 1 ""') according to any of claims 13 to 17, comprising the steps of: folding the pre-creased sheet packaging material (M, M ', M ", M '", M "" ') according to any one of claims 1 to 11 along said longitudinal crease lines (65, 66; 68, 69) and said transverse crease lines (63; 67).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products.

The invention also relates to a sealed package of a pourable food product.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a sealed package for a pourable food product.

Background

It is known that many liquid or pourable food products, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra high temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc., are sold in packages made of aseptic packaging material.

A typical example is a parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products, known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by creasing and sealing laminated webs of packaging material. The packaging material has a multilayer structure comprising a base layer (e.g. a paper base layer) covered on both sides with a layer of heat-sealable thermoplastic material (e.g. polyethylene). For aseptic packages for long-storage products, such as UHT milk, the packaging material also comprises a layer of oxygen-barrier material (for example a layer of aluminium foil) which is superimposed on a layer of another thermoplastic material and is in turn covered with a layer of another heat-sealable thermoplastic material forming the inner surface of the package eventually contacting the food product.

The known package comprises:

a rectangular bottom wall intersecting the bottom transverse seal;

a rectangular top wall intersecting the top transverse seal;

a rear wall extending between respective first edges of the top and bottom walls;

a front wall opposite the rear wall and extending between respective second edges of the top and bottom walls opposite the first edges; and

a pair of side walls between the bottom wall and the top wall and between the rear wall and the front wall.

Furthermore, the package comprises a top transverse sealing band and a bottom transverse sealing band extending across the respective top and bottom walls.

The top sealing strip extends beyond the top wall of the package into a respective flat, substantially triangular flap, which, like the top wall, is folded coplanar with and over the upper portion of the respective side wall.

The bottom sealing band includes a main body portion folded over the bottom wall and a pair of lateral portions folded over the main body portion. The main body portion is folded over the bottom wall, while the lateral portions form two respective flat, substantially triangular lateral bottom flaps of the packaging material folded over the main body portion.

Furthermore, as with the lower portion of the respective side wall, the substantially triangular flap is folded coplanar with and over the respective lateral portion of the bottom sealing band.

In known packages, the flaps are shaped as isosceles triangles having two angles of 45 degrees or more than 45 degrees.

Such packages are usually produced on fully automatic packaging machines, on which a continuous tube is made from a web-fed packaging material; the web of packaging material is sterilized on the packaging machine, for example by applying a chemical sterilization agent, for example a hydrogen peroxide solution, which sterilization agent is removed from the surface of the packaging material after completion, for example by evaporation by heating; the web thus sterilized is then maintained in a closed, sterile environment, and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, which is then fed vertically.

Alternatively, the packaging material may be sterilized according to other techniques, for example, by using a low-pressure electron beam.

The tube is filled with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product and, to complete the forming operation, is sealed and then cut along equally spaced cross sections.

More precisely, the tube is sealed longitudinally and transversely to its own axis to form a pillow pack which will be finally folded to form the finished package with a longitudinal seal and a pair of top and bottom transverse seals.

Alternatively, the packaging material may be cut into blanks, the blanks formed into packages on forming mandrels, and the packages then filled with the food product and sealed.

In both cases, the known packages are produced starting from a basic unit of packaging material, which in the first case is a portion of a web of packaging material, and in the second case is a pre-cut blank.

In the first case, the web of packaging material comprises a series of elementary units and is:

folding into a cylinder to form a vertical tube;

continuously filling with food; and

are transversely sealed and cut into elementary units, which are then folded to form a continuous package.

In the second case, the base unit is folded in a forming station and filled with the food product and sealed at the top and bottom to form the package.

In both cases, the base unit has a crease pattern, i.e. a plurality of crease lines defining respective folding lines along which the packaging material is folded to form the finished package.

Once the basic unit is folded, the crease lines delimit a plurality of panels (panels) which define the walls and flaps of the finished package.

In detail, the crease lines define:

a pair of triangular first panels interposed between respective second triangular panels; and

a pair of triangular third panels interposed between respective fourth triangular panels.

The first (third) panels respectively define the inner walls of the top (bottom) flaps of the finished package, while the second (fourth) panels respectively define the outer walls of the top (bottom) flaps of the finished package.

Each first (third) panel is defined by:

a segment of the first crease line defining a side of the top wall of the finished package; and

a pair of second crease lines extending between respective opposite ends of the segment and a common end on the third crease line.

The third crease line is parallel to the first crease line.

The second crease line is oblique with respect to the first crease line and the third crease line.

In particular, each pair of second crease lines defines an angle of 90 degrees between them.

Even if the performance is good, the known solutions described previously have room for improvement.

In particular, the applicant has found that the packaging may be affected by some forming defects.

The first defect looks like a tip of the packaging material protruding from the bottom wall of the package. In the worst case, such protruding tips may be very sharp and cause damage to other packages when handling and dispensing the packages (e.g., when advancing the packages on a conveyor and stacking them onto a tray).

The second defect may affect the bottom corners of the package, which may then not be completely formed and result in a poor appearance of the package.

It is considered necessary within the industry to reduce the severity of these defects in a simple and economical manner.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products, which meets the above-mentioned need.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food products, as claimed in claim 1.

The invention also relates to a sealed package for a pourable food product, as claimed in claim 12.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a sealed package for a pourable food product, as claimed in claim 17.

Brief description of the drawings

Six preferred, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a sheet packaging material according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 to 6 show sheet packaging materials according to respective second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a parallelepiped package formed as one of the sheet packaging materials of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the bottom portion of the package of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a further enlarged scale view of certain portions of the package of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a slanted top wrap formed into the sheet wrapper of FIG. 6;

figure 11 shows a known package affected by a first type of forming defect; and

figure 12 shows a known package with a second type of forming defect.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Number 1 in fig. 7 to 9 indicates as a whole a sealed package for pourable food products, made from a multilayer sheet packaging material 2 (fig. 1 to 5) and possibly equipped with a reclosable opening device (not shown), preferably made of plastic material.

Package 1 is known as Tetra Brick aseptic packaging (Tetra Brick aseptic).

The package 1 preferably has a volume of 250ml or 1000 ml.

Alternatively, the package 1 according to the invention may have different volumes.

In more detail, the package 1 comprises:

a quadrangular (in the example shown, rectangular or square) top wall 5;

a quadrangular (in this case rectangular or square) bottom wall 6, opposite to the top wall 5;

a flat rear wall 7 extending between the top wall 5 and the bottom wall 6;

a front wall 8 extending between the top wall 5 and the bottom wall 6, opposite the rear wall 7; and

two mutually opposite side walls 9 extending between the top wall 5 and the bottom wall 6 and between the rear and front walls 7, 8.

The bottom wall 6 comprises two horizontal edges 10, 11 parallel to each other, and two horizontal edges 12 interposed between the edges 10, 11 and orthogonal to the edges 10, 11. The edges 12 are parallel to each other.

The top wall 5 comprises two horizontal edges 15, 16 opposite and parallel to each other. More precisely, the horizontal edges 15, 16 are parallel to the edges 10, 11 and are arranged above the edges 10, 11, respectively.

The top wall 5 further comprises two edges 17 extending between the edges 15, 16 and parallel to each other.

The edges 17 are arranged on the respective edges 12.

The rear wall 7 extends between the edges 11, 16 and comprises two opposite vertical edges 18a, 18b, the two vertical edges 18a, 18b being parallel to each other and extending between the edges 11, 16.

The front wall 8 extends between the edges 10, 15 and comprises two opposite vertical edges 19a, 19b, the two vertical edges 19a, 19b extending between the edges 10, 15.

Each side wall 9 is delimited by an edge 12, 17, an opposite vertical edge 18a, 18b and an opposite vertical edge 19a, 19 b.

The package 1 further comprises:

a pair of bottom front vertices 40, 42;

a pair of bottom rear vertices 41, 43;

a pair of top forward vertices 44, 46; and

a pair of top rear vertices 45, 47.

Edges 10, 19a and one edge 12 intersect each other at vertex 40.

Edge 10, 19b and the other edge 12 intersect at a vertex 42.

Edges 11, 18a and one edge 12 intersect each other at vertex 41.

Edge 11, 19a and another edge 12 intersect each other at vertex 43.

Edges 15, 19a and one edge 17 intersect at vertex 44.

Edge 15, 19b and the other edge 17 meet at an apex 46.

Edges 16, 18a and one edge 17 intersect each other at vertex 45.

Edge 16, 18b and the other edge 17 intersect each other at vertex 47.

The package 1 further comprises a top transverse sealing band 21 (fig. 7) and a bottom transverse sealing band 25 (fig. 8 and 9) which extend across the respective top wall 5 and bottom wall 6.

The top transverse sealing band 21 divides the top wall 5 into two portions 22, 23, one portion (22) being adjacent to the front wall 8 and delimited by the edge 15, so as to define an area for the possible application of the opening device 3, and the other portion (23) being adjacent to the rear wall 7 and delimited by the edge 16, the other portion (23) comprising, along the centre line, the end of a flat longitudinal sealing band 24 of the packet 1 (figure 7).

More specifically, longitudinal sealing band 24 extends perpendicularly between top transverse sealing band 21 and bottom transverse sealing band 25, and substantially along the centre line of rear wall 7.

The top transverse sealing band 21 extends beyond the top wall 5 of the package 1, into the packaging material a respective flat, substantially triangular lateral top first flap 26 (only one of which is shown in fig. 7), folding the lateral top first flap 26 coplanar with the respective side wall 9, like the top wall 5, and onto the respective side wall 9.

The top transverse sealing band 21 also forms a rectangular flat top tab (tab)29 lengthwise, this flat top tab 29 projecting from the portions 22, 23 and from the lateral top flap 26 and being folded onto the portion 23 along a Bend line formed at the base of the tab 29.

With reference to fig. 8 and 9, the bottom transverse sealing band 25 divides the bottom wall 6 into two portions 27, 28, one of which (27) is adjacent to the rear wall 7 and delimited by the edge 11 and comprises, along the centre line, the end of the longitudinal sealing band 24.

Bottom transverse sealing band 25 comprises a main body portion 30 and a pair of end portions 31 arranged on opposite sides of main body portion 30.

The body portion 30 is folded onto the bottom wall 6, while the end portions 31 form two respective flat, substantially triangular lateral bottom flaps 32 of the packaging material folded over the body portion 30.

The bottom transverse sealing band 25 is also formed with a flat rectangular bottom tab 33 along the length direction, the flat rectangular bottom tab 33 protruding from the portions 27, 28 and extending into the bottom flap 32. The tab 33 comprises, in turn, a main portion folded on the bottom wall 6 and a pair of lateral portions folded onto the main portion of the tab 31 itself along a folding line formed at the base of the tab 33.

Referring to fig. 1a, a packaging material 2 from which a package 1 is made has a multilayer structure including a base layer (e.g., a paper base layer) for enhancing rigidity, and a plurality of laminated layers covering both sides of the base layer.

In the example shown, the laminate layer includes a first layer of oxygen barrier material (e.g., an aluminum foil layer), and a plurality of second layers of thermoplastic material covering both sides of the base layer and the first layer. In other words, this solution comprises a layer of heat-sealable thermoplastic material, a layer of barrier material, a further layer of thermoplastic material, a base layer and a further layer of heat-sealable thermoplastic material, which are continuous and starting from the side eventually forming the inside of the package 1.

In use, the inner layer of heat sealable thermoplastic material which is in contact with the food product may for example be made of a strong thermoplastic polymer, in particular a polyolefin, and preferably a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), further comprising a metallocene-catalysed, Linear Low Density (LLD) polyethylene.

Typically, the heat-seal plastic material layer is laminated in a molten state on the base layer in a continuously cooling manner.

As a possible alternative, at least the inner layer of plastic material may be provided as a prefabricated film, which is laminated on the base layer.

The letter M in fig. 1 indicates a basic unit of packaging material 2, which may be a precut blank or a portion of a web of packaging material containing a series of units M, for producing a package 1.

In the first case, the base unit M is folded on a known creasing mandrel (not shown), filled with the food product, and sealed at the top and bottom to form the package 1. In the second case, the web of packaging material 2 comprises a series of elementary units M, the web of packaging material 2 being:

folding into a cylinder to form a vertical tube having a constant circumference;

continuously filling with food; and

transversely sealed and cut into elementary units M, which are then folded to form respective packages 1.

The base unit M has a crease pattern 60, i.e. a plurality of crease lines defining respective folding lines along which the packaging material 2 is folded to form the finished package 1.

The basic unit M has a longitudinal extension in the direction L and a transverse extension in the direction T orthogonal to the direction L.

Crease pattern 60 basically comprises:

transverse crease lines 63 for forming the edges 15, 16, 17 of the finished package 1;

transverse crease lines 67 for forming the edges 10, 11, 12 of the finished package 1; and

a pair of transverse crease lines 61, 62 for folding the top transverse sealing band 21 and the bottom transverse sealing band 25.

Crease lines 63, 67 are interposed between crease lines 61, 62.

The crease lines 61, 63, 67, 62 extend parallel to each other and to the direction T.

In the embodiment shown, crease lines 61, 63, 67, 62 are spaced from edges 64 and 55 along direction T.

Alternatively, crease lines 61, 63, 67, 62 may extend along direction T to edge 64 and edge 55.

Crease pattern 60 further comprises:

a pair of longitudinal crease lines 65 and 66 parallel to each other;

a pair of longitudinal crease lines 68 and 69, parallel to each other and interposed between the crease lines 65 and 66; and

a pair of longitudinal end edges 64, 55 opposite each other.

Crease lines 65, 68, 69, 66 and edges 64 and 55 extend parallel to direction L.

In detail, crease line 65, crease lines 66, 68, crease line 69 and edges 64, 55 are parallel to each other and orthogonal to crease lines 63, 67 and crease lines 61, 62.

The crease lines 65, 66, 68, 69 are parallel to the direction T.

More precisely, crease lines 68, 69 are interposed between crease line 65 and crease line 66 in direction T.

Crease lines 65, 66 are in turn interposed between edges 64, 55.

Crease pattern 60 further comprises:

a rectangular end region 78 formed between the crease line 61 and the edge of the packaging blank; and

a rectangular end region 79 is formed between the crease line 62 and the edge of the packaging blank.

Once the base unit M has been folded, the end region 78 is adapted to form the top tab 29, while the end region 79 is adapted to form the bottom tab 33 of the finished package 1.

Crease line 61 intersects with crease lines 65, 68, 69, 66 at intersection points 81, 82, 83, 84, respectively.

Crease line 63 intersects with crease lines 65, 68, 69, 66 at intersection points 91, 92, 93, 94, respectively.

Crease line 67 intersects crease lines 65, 68, 69, 66 at intersection points 101, 102, 103, 104, respectively.

Crease line 62 intersects crease lines 65, 68, 69, 66 at intersection points 111, 112, 113, 114, respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment, the extensions of crease lines 61, 63, 67, 62 are at intersections 80, 90, 100, 110, respectively; 85. 95, 105, 115 and edge 64; 55 intersect.

As will be apparent from the following of the present description, the pattern 60 comprises a plurality of panels defined by previously identified crease lines.

The use of the expression "panel" in the present description does not mean that the panel is completely delimited by crease lines, it being clear that, in the case of an interruption of a crease line, the panel can be delimited by a corresponding area defined by an extension of the interrupted crease line and by the remaining uninterrupted crease line.

Pattern 60 includes (fig. 1):

a panel 150, delimited by the points 92, 93, 102, 103 and adapted to define the front wall 8 of the finished package 1 once the base unit M is folded;

a pair of panels 151 arranged on opposite sides of panel 150 and adapted to define lateral walls 9 of finished package 1; one of the panels 151 is defined by points 91, 92, 101, 102, while the other of the panels 151 is defined by points 93, 94, 103, 104; and

a pair of panels 152, arranged on opposite sides of respective panels 151 with respect to panel 150.

One of the panels 152 is defined by point 90, a first point 91, 100, 101. Another one of the panels 152 is defined by points 94, 95, 104, and 105.

Once the base unit M has been folded and the edge zone 88 has been sealed on the edge 64, the panel 152 is adapted to define the rear wall 7 of the finished package 1.

Pattern 60 also includes (fig. 1):

a rectangular panel 153 defined by points 82, 83, 92, 93 and adapted to define portion 22 of top wall 5;

a pair of rectangular panels 154, arranged laterally with respect to panel 153, defined respectively by points 80, 81, 90, 91 and 84, 85, 94, 95 and adapted to define portion 23 of top wall 5 of finished package 1;

a rectangular panel 155 defined by points 102, 103, 112, 113 and adapted to define a first portion of bottom wall 6; and

a pair of rectangular panels 156 arranged laterally with respect to the panels 155 and adapted to define a second portion of the bottom wall 6.

In particular, one panel 156 is defined by points 100, 101, 110, 111, and the other panel 156 is defined by points 104, 105, 114, and 115.

The pattern 60 further comprises:

crease lines 70(72) and crease lines 71(73), each extending between a respective point 91 and a respective point 93 (points 92 and 94) and a common point 86(87), the common point 86(87) lying on crease line 61 and between points 81, 82(83, 84); and

fifth crease line 74(76) and crease line 75(77), each extending between a respective point 101, point 102 (points 103, 104) and common point 116(117), common point 116(117) lying on crease line 62 and between points 111, 112(113, 114).

Crease lines 70, 71(72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77) are oblique with respect to crease lines 61, 67, 63, 62, edges 64, 55 and crease lines 65, 68, 69, 66 and 60.

In particular, the crease lines 70, 72, 75, 77 are parallel to each other and extend along respective directions F, which are the points of incidence 91, 93, 102 and 104, respectively.

The crease lines 71, 73, 74, 76 are parallel to each other and extend along respective directions G, which are the points of incidence 92, 94, 101 and 103, respectively.

Direction F, G is oblique to direction L, T.

Due to the presence of the crease lines 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, the pattern 60 comprises:

a pair of top triangular panels 160; 161, which is defined by points 86, 91, 92; 87. 93 and 94;

a triangular panel 162 interposed between panels 160, 154 and defined by points 91, 81, 86;

a triangular panel 163 interposed between panels 160, 153 and defined by points 82, 86 and second point 92:

a triangular panel 164 interposed between panel 161 and panel 153 and defined by points 83, 87 and a further second point 93; and

a triangular panel 165 interposed between panel 161 and panel 154 and defined by points 84, 87, 94.

The points 92, 93, 102, 103 of the pattern 60 define respective vertices 44, 46, 40, 42 of the finished package 1.

The points 91, 94, 101, 104 of the pattern 60 define respective vertices 45, 47, 41, 43 of the finished package 1.

Advantageously, at least one of crease lines 67, 74 and 65 is interrupted at point 101.

In the embodiment shown, each of crease lines 67, 74, and 65 is interrupted at point 101.

Extensions of interrupted crease lines 67, 74, and 65 converge at point 101.

In particular, the portion of crease line 67 between panels 152, 156 and the portion of crease line 65 between panels 152, 151 are joined (join) at point 101, with the remainder interrupted at point 101.

Furthermore, at least one of the crease lines 66, 67, 77 is interrupted at point 104.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the crease lines 66, 67 and 77 is interrupted at point 104.

Further, the portions of crease line 67 extending between joints 101, 102 and 103, 104 define the bottom edges of respective panels 151.

Extensions of the interrupted fold lines 66, 67 and 77 converge at point 104. In particular, the portion of crease line 67 between panels 152, 156 and the portion of crease line 65 between panels 152, 151 are joined at point 104, with the remainder interrupted at point 104.

Crease lines 74, 75; 76. the angle alpha between 77 ranges from 91 degrees to 93 degrees and in the embodiment shown is equal to 92 degrees.

Once the blank M is folded to form the finished package 1, the panels 163, 162, 160 form one top flap 26, while the panels 165, 161, 164 form the other top flap 26.

More precisely, panels 160, 161 define the inner surface of respective top flaps 26 superimposed on the upper portion of respective side walls 9, while panels 162, 163 and 164, 165 define the outer surface of respective top flaps 26 with respect to side walls 9 of finished package 1.

Further, the pattern 60 includes:

a pair of bottom triangular panels 170; 171, defined by points 101, 102, 116; 103. 104 and 117;

a triangular panel 172 interposed between panels 170, 156 and defined by points 101, 111, 116;

a triangular panel 173 interposed between panels 170, 155 and defined by points 102, 112, 116;

a triangular panel 174 interposed between panels 171, 155 and defined by points 103, 117, 113; and

a triangular panel 175, which is interposed between the panels 171 and 156 and is defined by the further points 104, 117, 114.

Once the blank M is folded to form the finished package 1, the panels 173, 172, 170 form one bottom flap 32, while the panels 175, 171, 174 form the other bottom flap 32.

More precisely, the panels 172, 173 and 174, 175 define the inner surface of the respective bottom flaps 32 superimposed on the respective bottom wall 6, while the second panels 170, 171 define the outer surface of the respective bottom flaps 32 with respect to the bottom wall 6 of the finished package 1.

The letter M 'in fig. 2 indicates a second embodiment of a basic unit of packaging material 2' by means of which the package 1 is produced; the basic units M, M 'of the packaging materials 2, 2' are similar to each other, the following description is limited to the differences between them and the same reference numerals have been used, where possible, for identical or corresponding parts.

Base unit M' differs from base unit M in that at least one of crease lines 67, 75 and 68 is interrupted at point 102.

In the embodiment shown, each of crease lines 67, 75, and 68 is interrupted at point 102.

Extensions of crease lines 67, 75, and 68 converge at point 102.

In particular, the portion of crease line 67 between panels 155, 150 and the portion of crease line 68 between panels 150, 151 are joined at point 102.

Furthermore, the base unit M' differs from the base unit M in that at least one of the crease lines 67, 76, 69 is interrupted at the point 103.

Extensions of crease lines 67, 76, and 69 converge at point 103.

In particular, the portion of crease line 67 between panels 155, 150 and the portion of crease line 69 between panels 150, 151 are joined at point 103.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of crease lines 67, 76, and 69 is interrupted at point 103.

The letter M "in fig. 3 indicates a third embodiment of a basic unit of packaging material 2" by means of which the package 1 is produced; the basic units M, M "of the packaging materials 2, 2" are similar to each other, the following description being limited to the differences between them and, where possible, the same reference numerals have been used for identical or corresponding parts.

In particular, base unit M "differs from base unit M in that at least one of crease lines 63, 70 and 65 is interrupted at point 91.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the crease lines 63, 70, 65 is interrupted at a point 91.

Furthermore, the base unit M "differs from the base unit M in that at least one of the crease lines 66, 73, 63 is interrupted at a point 94.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the crease lines 66, 73, 63 is interrupted at point 94.

In addition, the portions of crease lines 63 extending between joints 91, 92 and 93, 94 define the top edges of respective panels 151.

The letter M "'in fig. 4 indicates a fourth embodiment of a basic unit of packaging material 2"', by means of which package 1 is produced; the basic units M ', M' "of the packaging material 2', 2'" are similar to each other, the following description being limited to the differences between them and, where possible, the same reference numerals have been used for identical or corresponding parts.

In particular, the base unit M '"differs from the base unit M' in that at least one of the crease lines 63, 70 and 65 is interrupted at the point 91.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the crease lines 63, 70, 65 is interrupted at a point 91.

Extensions of crease lines 63, 70, and 65 converge at point 91.

In particular, the portion of crease line 65 between panels 152, 151 and the portion of crease line 63 between panels 152, 154 are joined at point 91.

Furthermore, the base unit M '"differs from the base unit M' in that at least one of the crease lines 68, 71, 63 is interrupted at a point 92.

Extensions of crease lines 68, 71, and 63 converge at point 92.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the crease lines 68, 71, 63 is interrupted at a point 92.

In particular, the portion of crease line 68 between panels 150, 151 and the portion of crease line 63 between panels 150, 153 are joined at point 92.

Furthermore, the base unit M '"differs from the base unit M' in that at least one of the crease lines 69, 63, 72 is interrupted at a point 93.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the crease lines 69, 63, 72 is interrupted at a point 93.

In particular, the portion of crease line 69 between panels 150, 151 and the portion of crease line 63 between panels 150, 153 are joined at point 93.

Furthermore, the base unit M '"differs from the base unit M' in that at least one of the crease lines 66, 73, 63 is interrupted at a point 94.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the crease lines 66, 73, 63 is interrupted at point 94.

In particular, the portion of crease line 66 between panels 152, 151 and the portion of crease line 63 between panels 152, 154 are joined at point 94.

The letter M "" in fig. 5 indicates a fifth embodiment of the basic unit of packaging material 2 "" by which the package 1 is produced; the basic units M ', M "" of the packaging materials 2', 2 "" are similar to each other, the following description being limited to the differences between them and, where possible, the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts.

In particular, the basic unit M "" differs from the basic unit M' in the crease lines 74, 75; 76. the angle between 77 is equal to 90 degrees.

The letter M "" 'in fig. 6 indicates a sixth embodiment of the basic unit of the packaging material 2 "", by means of which the packaging 1 ""' (fig. 10) is produced; the basic units M ', M "" of the packaging materials 2', 2 "" are similar to one another, the following description being limited to the differences between them and, where possible, the same reference numerals have been used for identical or corresponding parts.

The basic unit M "" differs from the basic unit M' in that the crease line 63 is not a straight crease line.

In particular, the crease lines 63 comprise:

a portion 181 extending between points 91, 92 and defining panel 160;

a portion 182 extending between points 93, 94 and defining panel 161;

a portion 183 extending between points 92, 93 and defining panel 150;

a portion 184 extending between points 90, 91 and defining one of panels 152; and

a portion 185 extending between the points 94, 95 and defining the other of the panels 152.

Portion 181 is between portions 183 and 184. Portion 182 is between portions 183 and 185. Sections 183, 184 and 185 are parallel to each other and to crease line 61.

Portions 181, 182 are inclined relative to portions 183, 184, 185. The portions 181, 182 are inclined with respect to the crease lines 61, 65, 68, 69 and 66.

With reference to fig. 10, the packages 1, 1 ""' are similar to each other, the following description being limited to the differences between them and, where possible, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

The package 1 ""' differs from the package 1 in that the top wall 15 is inclined with respect to the bottom wall 14. In particular, the distance between the edges 10, 15 is shorter than the distance between the edges 11, 16.

The advantages of the sheet packaging material 2, 2', 2 "', 2" "'and of the respective blanks M, M', M" ', M ""' according to the invention will become clear from the above description.

In particular, at least one of the longitudinal crease lines 65, 66, 68, 69 and the respective transverse crease line 67, 63 is interrupted at least one of the points of joining 101, 102, 103, 104, 91, 92, 93, 94. Likewise, crease lines 74, 75, 76, 77, 70, 71, 72, 73 are interrupted at respective joints 101, 102, 103, 104, 91, 92, 93, 94.

In other words, the pattern 60 is discontinuous at least one of the joints 101, 102, 103, 104, 91, 92, 93, 94.

The applicant has found that thanks to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the molding defects, which has already been discussed in the introductory part of the present description.

In more detail and with particular reference to the aseptic packaging 1 of tetra pak shown in fig. 8 and 10, the applicant has found that the interruption of crease lines 65, 67, 74 at point 101 and of crease lines 66, 67, 77 at point 104 effectively reduces the second drawback identified in the introductory part of the present description.

In this respect, the applicant has found that by the fact that the pattern 60 is interrupted at the points 101, 104, the packaging material is made stronger, in particular at the vertices 41, 43.

With particular reference to Tetra bridge Aspetic Edge package 1 ""' shown in fig. 10, the applicant has found that the occurrence and severity of the first defects identified in the introductory part of the present description are reduced by:

crease lines 65, 67, 74 are interrupted at point 101 and crease lines 66, 67, 77 are interrupted at point 104; and

crease lines 68, 67, 75 are interrupted at point 102 and crease lines 69, 67, 76 are interrupted at point 103.

Furthermore, the angle α ranges between 91 and 93 degrees, which makes it possible to optimize the interaction with the forming tool and accordingly reduce the risk of the first type of defect.

Clearly, changes may be made to sheet packaging material 2, 2', 2 "', 2" "' as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope defined in the accompanying claims.

In particular, only one or two of the longitudinal crease lines 65, 66, 68, 69, the transverse crease lines 67, 63, the additional crease lines 74, 75, 76, 77, 70, 71, 72, 73 may be interrupted at the respective junction points 101, 102, 103, 104, 91, 92, 93, 94.

Furthermore, the transverse crease line 63, the longitudinal crease lines 65, 66, 68, 69 and the additional crease lines 70, 71, 72, 73 may be interrupted at the points of joining 91, 92, 93, 94.

Furthermore, the crease lines 61, 63, 70, 71, 72, 73, 65, 68, 66 of the blanks M, M ', M' ", M" ", may be shaped as respective crease lines of the blanks M" "'to form the packages 1" "', when folded.

Further, the blank M, M ', M ", M'", M "" cannot include the second panel 162, 160 or panel 163; 164. 161, 165 or second panel 172, 170 or panel 173; 174, second panel 171, panel 175, the resulting package 1 thus includes neither the top flap 26 nor the bottom flap 32.

Finally, the finished package 1 may comprise one or more further walls interposed between wall 9 and wall 7 or 8.