Abstract:
The invention provides a method of manufacturing packaging comprising the steps of: a) providing a packaging material ( 2 ) comprising cartonboard, semi-rigid plastics or other semi-rigid packaging material; b) forming fold lines ( 8 ) and/or cuts within the packaging material ( 2 ) by subjecting the packaging material ( 2 ) to laser ( 12 ) or mechanical scoring; c) folding the packaging material ( 2 ) along the fold lines ( 8 ) and/or cuts and securing in position to form a substantially tubular container ( 200 ); and d) forming at least one seal ( 302, 304 ) by sealing together at least two opposing regions ( 122, 124, 126, 128 ) of a blank ( 4 ) to form an at least partially sealed package ( 300 ); e) performing at least one of steps b), c) and d) on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus ( 400 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a National Stage application of PCT/M2015/001313, filed Jul. 17, 2015, which claims the benefit of Great Britain Application No. 1414735.9, filed Aug. 19, 2014, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to cartonboard-based packaging and methods for the production thereof. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is known to provide so-called flow-wrap packaging which consists of a flexible container comprising front and back panels, side panels, and sealed at either end, normally with crimping or embossing to provide patterned sealing portions. 
         [0004]    In general, this type of flow-wrap packaging is manufactured by horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal processes (HFFS or VFFS). In horizontal fill, form and seal processes flexible packaging film is run through machinery which folds the material around a product and then clamps and seals the ends of the folded material followed by cutting, to provide a sealed packaging. Such packaging can be run through appropriate machinery relatively rapidly, in order to produce many filled packages per minute. Examples of such machinery include the Pack 401 Horizontal Flow Wrapper supplied by Bosch GmbH, Germany and the Horizontal Form Fill Seal Packaging Machine 8000 MH supplied by Ossid, USA. 
         [0005]    Conversely, there are many types of cartonboard-based packaging which are formed from cartonboard blanks, and folded to provide a packaging container which may then be sealed by appropriate means. Examples of cartonboard (also known as “cardboard” or “card”) packaging include standard cartonboard boxes, shelf-ready packaging and the like for example. 
         [0006]    Up to now, it has not been thought possible to manufacture cartonboard-based packaging using standard horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal processes. 
         [0007]    It would therefore be advantageous to provide a method for the manufacture of cartonboard-packaging using standard horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal processes whilst being economical and simple to produce from cartonboard blanks, preferably using standard cartonboard packaging materials. 
         [0008]    It would also be advantageous to provide a method for the manufacture of cartonboard-packaging which mimics the shape and appearance of standard flow-wrap packaging, whilst being economical and simple to produce from cartonboard blanks. 
         [0009]    In addition, it would be advantageous to provide a method for the manufacture of cartonboard packaging in which the crimped or patterned end fin portions of flow-wrapped packaging are present, in order to provide a generally authentic flow-wrap look to the cartonboard packaging. 
         [0010]    It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the present invention to overcome or mitigate at least some of the problems of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming packaging comprising the steps of:
       a) providing a packaging material comprising cartonboard, semi-rigid plastics or other semi-rigid packaging material, or any combination thereof;   b) forming fold lines and/or cuts within the packaging material by subjecting the packaging to laser or mechanical scoring;   c) folding the packaging material along the fold lines and/or cuts and securing in position to form a substantially tubular container; and   d) forming at least one seal by sealing together at least two opposing regions of the packaging material to form a package which is at least partially sealed.
           wherein at least one of steps b), c) and d) is performed on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus.   
               
 
         [0017]    In some embodiments at least steps c) and d) are performed on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus, and in other embodiments each of b), c) and d) are performed on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus. 
         [0018]    The horizontal fill, form and seal apparatus may be a horizontal flow-wrap apparatus. 
         [0019]    The term “semi-rigid packaging material” is intended to cover any material presently deemed unsuitable for conventional horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal flow-wrapping processes due to its stiffness. In preferred embodiments the packaging material comprises cartonboard, plastics or a combination thereof (including laminates thereof). 
         [0020]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming packaging comprising the steps of:
       a) providing a packaging material comprising cartonboard or a plastics material having a thickness of at least 125 microns;   b) forming fold lines and/or cuts within the packaging material by subjecting the packaging material to laser or mechanical scoring;   c) folding the packaging material along the fold lines and/or cuts and securing in position to form a substantially tubular container; and   d) forming at least one seal by sealing together at least two opposing regions of the packaging material to form a package which is at least partially sealed,   wherein at least one of steps b), c) or d) is performed on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus.       
 
         [0026]    In some embodiments at least steps c) and d) are performed on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus, or each of b), c) and d) are performed on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus. 
         [0027]    The packaging material may comprise cartonboard having an average fibre length of 0.5 mm to 15 mm, or from 0.7 mm to 12 mm. In some embodiments the cartonboard has an average fibre length of at least 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm or 0.8 mm. In some embodiments the cartonboard has an average fibre length of no more than 20 mm, 1.8 mm, 16 mm, 14 mm or 12 mm. The cartonboard may comprise fibres having a substantially flat ribbon shape, cylindrical shape or any other suitable shape. The cartonboard may comprise fibres having a diameter of between 10 microns and 100 microns, such as between 15 microns and 60 microns. Fibre lengths, shapes and diameters within these preferred parameter ranges provide the correct balance of flexibility of the material when suitably scored using the methods of the present invention, for passing through horizontal or vertical fill form and seal apparatus, whilst maintaining enough strength to form the required packaging. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments the method may comprise providing a packaging material consisting essentially of cartonboard, but may include minor amounts of other materials such as a laminated film on one or both sides thereof, printed material or the like, for example. 
         [0029]    The packaging material may have a thickness of at least 125 microns, at least 150 microns, at least 175 microns, at least 200 microns, at least 250 microns, at least 350 microns, at least 500 microns or at least 750 microns. In some embodiments the packaging material has a thickness of at least 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm or more. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments step b) of the method may comprise forming individual blanks by forming fold lines and/or cuts within the packaging material. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments the method comprises forming a plurality of connected packages from the packaging material, which may be connected along at least a portion thereof. In such embodiments the method may further comprise separating the plurality of formed packages, for example, by cutting along their connected portions. The connected portions may comprise adjacent sealed portions of connected packages. 
         [0032]    The plurality of packages may be formed from a sheet or roll of packaging material. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments the method may comprise forming the blank separately before loading onto apparatus used in conventional horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal processes. 
         [0034]    The fold lines and/or cuts may be formed within the packaging material during a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal process. In some embodiments the fold lines and/or cuts are formed within the packaging material before an item is located on the packaging material. In other embodiments the fold lines and/or cuts are formed within the packaging material after an item is located on the packaging material. In further embodiments at least one fold line and/or at least one cut is formed within the packaging material before an item is located on the packaging, and at least one fold line and/or at least one cut is formed within the packaging material after an item is located on the packaging material. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments the method may comprise providing a continuous sheet or roll of packaging material upon which a plurality of blanks may be formed. In such embodiments the method may comprise dividing the packaging material into individual blanks separately before loading onto apparatus used in conventional horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal processes. 
         [0036]    In other embodiments the method may comprise loading the continuous sheet or roll onto the apparatus which may further comprise a means to divide the sheet into individual blanks during the manufacturing process. 
         [0037]    The packaging material may be cut into individual blanks by means of laser or mechanical scoring as with the formation of the fold lines. In some embodiments the fold lines are formed by laser scoring and the packaging material is divided into individual blanks by means of mechanical scoring. 
         [0038]    The at least one seal may be formed by providing an adhesive on at least a portion of at least one of the regions of the packaging material. The adhesive may comprise a peelable or reclosable adhesive. The at least one seal may be formed by way of a peelable adhesive, which may be re-sealable adhesive, such as a heat-sensitive adhesive, a cold seal adhesive, or the like, for example. In alternative embodiments, or in addition to use of an adhesive, the seal may be formed from a weld, such as a peelable weld. 
         [0039]    In other embodiments the at least one seal may be formed by mechanically, sealing the at least two regions of the packaging material. The mechanical seal may comprise as a zip lock, finger press sealing strip, grip seal or the like, for example. 
         [0040]    The at least one seal may comprise a fin seal formed by sealing together the at least two opposing surfaces of the packaging material. 
         [0041]    The method may comprise crimping or embossing the at least one seal along at least a portion thereof to form patterned sealed regions of the packaging. In some embodiments the method comprises crimping or embossing the at least one seal along substantially the whole length of the or each seal. Crimping or embossing the sealed regions, in addition to the configuration of the overall structure of the packaging enables the cartonboard packaging to look identical or substantially identical to equivalent polymeric flow-wrap packaging formed by conventional horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal processes. 
         [0042]    The method may comprise forming a packaging housing at least one item therein. In some embodiments the method comprises placing at least one item is on an inside surface of the blank before folding the blank along the formed fold lines to form the tubular container. In other embodiments at least one item may be placed in the tubular container formed after folding the packaging material along the fold lines. 
         [0043]    In yet further embodiments the method may comprise placing at least one item into a partially sealed package after the at least one seal has been formed. In such embodiments, the method may comprise forming a first seal by sealing together at least two regions of the packaging material, placing at least one item into the partially sealed package, and subsequently forming a second seal by sealing together at least two further regions of the packaging material. By forming the first and second seal, the method may comprise forming a fully sealed packaging housing at least one item therein. 
         [0044]    The at least one item may be a food item, which may comprise a secondary packaging such as a wrapper or the like, for example. The food item may be a confectionery item, bakery item, fruit, vegetable, meat, cheese, snack item, or the like. Suitable confectionery items include chocolate, chocolate products, candy, chewing gum or a combination thereof, for example. Suitable bakery items may include biscuits, cookies, chips, crisps, dough-based products or the like. There may be a single food item or a plurality of food items, and there may be a combination of different food items, such as a combination of confectionery and bakery items, or of different confectionery items, for example. In some embodiments the food item is a block or bar of chocolate. 
         [0045]    According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a packaging manufactured using the method according to the first or second aspect of the present invention comprising at least one set of opposing and spaced apart first and second surfaces, wherein a region of each end the first and second surfaces is sealed together. 
         [0046]    In preferred embodiments the packaging material comprises cartonboard, plastics or any combination thereof (including laminates). 
         [0047]    In some embodiments the packaging may be formed from a material consisting essentially of cartonboard, but may include minor amounts of other materials such as a laminated film on one or both sides thereof, printed material or the like, for example. 
         [0048]    The at least one sealed region may comprise a fin seal, for example. In such embodiments the fin seal/s may be crimped or embossed along at least a portion thereof to form patterned sealed regions of the packaging. In this way, the packaging may be made to look identical or substantially identical to equivalent polymeric flow-wrap packaging formed by conventional horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal processes formed from a non-rigid material. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         [0049]    In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; 
           [0050]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the scoring stage of a method in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a blank produced by a method in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the folding stage of a method in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the packaging of the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a horizontal fill, form and seal apparatus which may be used to perform the method in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 6  illustrates a further embodiment of a blank produced by a method in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the packaging of the present invention formed from the blank illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
       [0057]    A method in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0058]    Initially, a sheet of packaging material  2  is provided. In the illustrated embodiment the sheet of packaging material  2  comprises cartonboard having a thickness of around 205 microns. However, other forms of semi-rigid material may be used. Blanks  4 ,  4 ′ are formed in the sheet of packaging material  2  and are defined by edges  5 ,  6  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Fold lines (shown as dotted lines  8 ) are formed within the packaging material  2 . The fold lines  8  are formed in the sheet  2  using laser light  10  from a laser cutter  12 . Although the illustrated method uses a laser cutter  12 , it should be appreciated that other means of forming fold lines  8  in the sheet  2  may be employed including mechanical creasing, such as die-cutting for example. 
         [0059]    In this embodiment, the individual blanks  4 ,  4 ′ remain connected along the edges  5 ,  5 ′ however, it is envisaged that in some embodiments the blanks  4 ,  4 ′ may be separated by forming cuts in the packaging material  2  along the edges  5 ,  6 . The cuts  5 ,  6  may also be formed in the sheet  2  using laser light  10  from a laser cutter  12 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of an individual blank  4  as produced by the scoring stage shown in  FIG. 1 . The completed blank  4  includes front panel  102  and a back panel  104  each comprising opposite longitudinal edges. Extending between the edges of the front and back panels  102 ,  104  is a first side panel  105  integrally formed with front and back panels  102 ,  104  and connected by fold lines  109 ,  109 ′. Integrally formed with the opposite edge of the front panel  102  to which the first side panel  105  is connected is a second side panel  110  extending therealong, connected to the front panel  102  by fold line  107 . Integrally formed with the opposite edge of the second side panel  110  to which the front panel  102  is connected is a securement tab  120 . The securement tab  120  is connected to the edge of the second side panel  110  by fold line  111 . 
         [0061]    At the longitudinal ends of the front panel  102  and the back panel  104  are end regions  112 ,  114  at a first end, and end regions  116 ,  118  at the opposite end. The end regions  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  are defined on the front  102  and rear  104  panels by respective fold lines  108 ,  108 ′,  108 ″,  108 ′″. Integrally formed with each end region  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  are respective sealing regions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  connected to their respective end region  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  by fold lines  107 ,  107 ′,  107 ″,  107 ′″. The sealing regions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  extend outwardly from their respective end regions  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 . 
         [0062]    The first side panel  105  and second side panel  110  are provided with end regions  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  at the ends thereof. End regions  132 ,  136  are located adjacent to the end regions  112 ,  114  and end regions  116 ,  118  respectively of the front and rear panels  102 ,  104 . End regions  130 ,  134  are located adjacent end region  112  and end region  116  respectively of the front panel  102 . Furthermore, each side panel end region  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  includes a triangular fold-line assembly  140 ,  140 ′,  140 ″,  140 ′″. 
         [0063]    After forming blanks  4 ,  4 ′ etc. within the packaging material  2 , the packaging material  2  is subsequently folded to form a tubular container  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Container  200  is formed by folding along the fold lines formed in the packaging material  2  which defines the panels  102 ,  104 ,  105 ,  110  of the blanks  4 ,  4 ′ etc. The fold lines are folded in a constant direction and the defined securement tab  120  is secured to an inner surface of back panel  104 . The folding of the packaging material  2  to form the tubular container  200  results in sealing regions  122 ,  16  of the front panel  102  of each blank  4 ,  4 ′ etc. being positioned opposite to the respective sealing regions  124 ,  128  of the back panel  104 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 3  further illustrates the position of a product  202  within the tubular container  200 . The product  202  is located on an inner surface of either the front panel  102  or the back panel  104  of a blank  4  prior to folding the packaging material using the abovementioned method. In doing so, the packaging material  2  may be folded about the product  202  to form a tubular container  200  housing the product  202 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular container  200  comprises a plurality of connected blanks  4 ,  4 ′. In such embodiments, there is provided a product  202  on a panel  102 ,  104  of each blank  4 ,  4 ′ formed in the packaging material  2 . In this way, the tubular container  200  encloses a plurality of products  202 . 
         [0065]    The method described above mimics conventional flow-wrapping methods. However, it is envisaged that the product  202  may be located within the tubular container  200  subsequent to it being formed by slotting the product  202  into an open end of the container  200 . 
         [0066]    To complete the wrapping process, and in doing so forming a packaging  300 , adjacent surfaces of sealing regions  122 ,  124  and sealing regions  126 ,  128  are sealed together to form sealed end regions. 
         [0067]    To assist in the sealing of sealing regions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128 , an adhesive strip is applied to at least one of the sealing regions  122 ,  124  and to at least one of sealing regions  126 ,  128 . The adhesive strip may be applied to the blank  4  prior to folding the packaging material  2 , or applied to the sealing regions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  of each blank  4 ,  4 ′, after forming the tubular container  200  from the packaging material  2 . The adhesive strip  200  may comprise a hot melt adhesive or other suitable adhesive. In other embodiments the sealing regions are heat welded without the use of an adhesive. 
         [0068]    This process is repeated for the sealing regions of each blank  4 ,  4 ′ which is formed in the packaging material  2 . In this way, the tubular container  200  now comprises a series of connected sealed compartments each enclosing a single product  202 . To form the packaging  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the series of sealed compartments are separated by, forming cuts across adjacent sealed regions of adjacent sealed compartments. 
         [0069]    The formed packaging  300  encloses a single product  202  and comprises sealed end regions in the form of fin seals  302 ,  304 . The formed packaging also includes gabled end regions  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 . The gabled end regions  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  are formed during the sealing of the regions  122 ,  126  and  124 ,  128  by folding end regions  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  of the first and second side panels  105 ,  110  about their respective triangular fold-line assemblies  140 ,  140 ′,  140 ″,  140 ′″. The triangular fold line assemblies  140 ,  140 ′,  140 ″,  140 ′″ enable the folding of the end regions  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  without affecting the orientation of the first and second side panels  105 ,  110  which remain substantially perpendicular to the front panel  102  and rear panel  104 . In this way, a packaging  300  is formed enclosing a product  202  therein comprising a configuration which mimics conventional flow-wrapped packaging. The packaging  300  maybe decorated in any suitable manner with branding and artwork, which will enable masking the cartonboard appearance, further helping to give the packaging the impression of being produced in a flow-wrap process. 
         [0070]    As the sealing regions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  are secured together, they may also be embossed using suitable sealing jaw patterns, in order to provide an embossed pattern. In alternative embodiments, an image of an embossing pattern may be printed on the sealing regions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  in place of actual embossing of the regions. 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, the packaging material  2  may be separated into individual blanks  4 ,  4 ′ etc. by forming cuts along edges  5  and  6  before the packaging material  2  is folded about the products  202 . It is envisaged that the individual blanks  4 ,  4 ′ may be loaded onto a conventional horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal process apparatus after being divided, rather than loading a sheet of packaging material  2  onto the apparatus and subsequently dividing a formed tubular container. 
         [0072]      FIG. 5  illustrates a conventional horizontal fill, form and seal apparatus  400  which may be used to perform the method in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus  400  comprises a loading station  402 , wrapping station  404 , sealing station  406  and cutting station  408 . 
         [0073]    Loading station  402  comprises a conveyor  410  operable in use to transport items  202 . Sealing station  406  includes a clamp  409  operable in use to aid in the sealing of surfaces of packaging material  2 . Cutting station  408  includes a guillotine  411  operable in use to form cuts within the packaging material  2  to divide the packaging material  2  into individual packages. 
         [0074]    In use, the apparatus  400  is initially loaded with packaging material  2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging material  2  has been subjected to laser scoring prior to being loaded onto the apparatus  400 . The laser scoring is performed by a laser cutter which forms fold lines and/or cuts within the packaging material  2  (in accordance with the method illustrated by  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0075]    The packaging material is loaded onto the apparatus  400  and wrapped around driving cylinders  414 ,  415 ,  416 . The driving cylinders  414 ,  415 ,  416  are operable in use to move the packaging material  2  through the apparatus  400 . 
         [0076]    Initially, the sheet of packaging material  2  is moved through the wrapping station  404  where it is wrapped around products  202  located on the conveyor  402 . The packaging material  2  is subsequently sealed along an edge such that it forms a partially sealed tubular container  200  (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) enclosing a plurality of products  202 . The tubular container  200  is then passed through the sealing station  406  wherein the regions of the tubular container  200  between adjacent products  202  are sealed together. This is achieved using clamp  409  which applies pressure to the outer surfaces of the tubular container  200 . Applying pressure to the outer surfaces of tubular container  200  activates pressure sensitive adhesives (not shown) located on at least one inner surface of the tubular container  200 . The adhesives may be applied prior to loading the packaging material  2  onto the apparatus  400 , such as during the scoring of the packaging material  2 , or within the sealing station  406  itself. 
         [0077]    The tubular container  200 , having sealed regions between the locations of adjacent products  202  is subsequently passed through the cutting station  408 . The cutting station  408  divides the container  200  into formed packages  300  by cutting transversely across the container  200  along adjacent sealed regions. This forms a package  300  enclosing a product  202  having sealed end regions 
         [0078]    The apparatus  400  further comprises a second conveyor  412  operable in use to transport the formed packaging  300  away from the cutting station  408 . 
         [0079]    In the embodiment of the apparatus  400  shown in  FIG. 4 , the packaging material  2  is scored prior to loading the packaging material  2  onto the apparatus  400 . However, it is envisaged that other embodiments of the apparatus may be employed to perform the claimed method wherein there is provided a scoring station operable in use to form fold lines and/or cuts within the packaging material  2  and forms part of the apparatus  400 . The scoring station may be located after driving cylinders  414 ,  415 ,  416 , for example. 
         [0080]    A further embodiment of a blank  500  as produced using a method in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The blank  500  includes a front panel  502  having opposite longitudinal edges. Extending along a first edge of the front panel  502  is a first side panel  505  integrally formed with front panel  502  and connected by connecting region  540 . The connecting region  540  is formed integrally with the front panel  502  and side panel  505  along opposing edges by fold lines  506 ,  506 ′. Integrally formed with the opposite edge of the front panel  502  to which the first side panel  505  is connected is a second side panel  510  extending there along, connected to the front panel  502  by a second connecting region  542 . The connecting region  542  is formed integrally with the front panel  502  and side panel  510  along opposing edges by fold lines  509 ,  509 ′. Integrally formed with the opposite edges of the first and second side panels  505 ,  510  to which the front panel  502  is connected are sealing tabs  520 ,  520 ′. The sealing tabs  520 ,  520 ′ are connected to the edges of the first and second side panels  505 ,  510  by respective fold lines  511 ,  511 ′. 
         [0081]    At the longitudinal ends of the front panel are end regions  512 ,  516 . The end regions  512 ,  516  are connected to the front  502  panel by third and fourth connecting regions  541 ,  543 . The connecting regions  541 ,  543  are formed integrally with the front panel  502  and respective end regions  512 ,  516  along opposing edges which are defined by fold lines  507 ,  507 ′,  508 ,  508 ′. 
         [0082]    The first side panel  505  and second side panel  510  are provided with end regions  530 ,  532 ,  534 ,  536  at the ends thereof. End regions  530 ,  532  are located adjacent to the end region  512  and end regions  534 ,  536  are located adjacent end region  516 . Furthermore, there is also provided triangular fold line assemblies  550  connecting each of the connecting regions  540 ,  541 ,  542 ,  543 . 
         [0083]    The blank  500  illustrated in  FIG. 6  may be used in the same way as described above with reference to  FIG. 5 . The blank  500  is specifically designed to be used to wrap products which have a triangular cross section, rather than those with a rectangular cross section as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a packaging  600  formed using the blank as shown in  FIG. 6 . The packaging  600  encloses a single product which comprises a triangular cross section and includes sealed end regions in the form of fin seals  602 ,  604 . The embodiment of the packaging  600  illustrated in  FIG. 7  also comprises embossing applied to the fin seals  602 ,  604  for decorative purposes. Furthermore, fin seals  602  further includes cut out regions  608  located along an edge, also for decorative purposes. 
         [0085]    The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.