PACKAGE

Abstract: A package comprising two joined members. One member (21) is a closed member of cardboard (21) or corresponding material and the other member (18) is flexible (18). Said one member has a closed peripheral portion and a com­ pletely covering bottom which is continuous with the periphe­ ral portion. The flexible member is fastened along its entire periphery at at least as many points of the outer member that the package has a stable shape.

Description: The invention relates to a package in accordance with the first part of claim 1. The flexible member may for example be a sheet-shaped element of paper, plastic or metal, or a combination of the said materials. Said flexible member can however also be a flexible container such as a bag. The outer member is a frame of cardboard or corresponding sheet material. The invention has been brought about by an ambition to meet the need for a packaging technique which is environmentally safe and uses few resourses by means of extreme saving of materials. The problem which lies behind the invention is thus to provide a package wherein the flexible material and the frame cooperate to provide a packaging construction which is strong, has an appearance which is well adapted to the purpose, and is comfortable to handle. In the case where the outer member is a frame, the consumption of materials is also minimal. According to an advantage of the invention, the material-saving packaging construction has shown itself to offer an alternative to traditional cardboard packages for example trays, but also allows an arrangement for handling thin wall "packages" i.e. otherwise difficult to master packages made of flexible packaging materials. The combination of flexible material and stiff material is a well known packaging concept. There is for example the bag-in-box technique, where a plastic bag is contained in an outer package such as, for example, of the capsule type. This technique uses a great amount of material and is perhaps basically motivated mainly because cardboard traditionally is considered to be that which sells the product because of the good ability cardboard has to bear pressure and to be decorated. However the ability of the outer cardboard to stand stably is not especially good. One often find that an arched or outwardly convex surface, made so because of the filling technology, handling, etc, is the surface which is ultimately intended to serve as the standing surface. Because of its lengthwise sealed parallelogram structure, an outer package in the shape of a so-called capsule has moderate resistance to diagonally acting forces. A capsule collapses rather easily under such a load. In addition to the conventional cardboard and capsule techniques are of course a large number of techniques which in one way or another utilize a combination of flexible material and cardboard. SE-A-432 576 shows for example a flexible package having a wrapper made of cardboard. This wrapper has a significant width and is placed along the broad sides of the package. When using the wrapper the package is made resistant to pressure by folding down laterally sealed fins of the flexible package towards the outside and by allowing pressure to press the downwardly folded fins towards the pressure bearing wrapper. A combination of a bag and a stiffer wrapper is shown in US-A-327 243. In DE-A-22 15 350 is shown how one can make a plastic bag standable by fastening a strip having a profile roughly corresponding to the shape of sigma or W to its bottom. The purpose of the invention is to improve the combination technique additionally in order to provide a finished package which is shapestable and as need arises to enable full authorization of the material saving effect in a great number of applications. The invention provides a package which comprises two joined members of which the one is flexible and the other forms an outer member of cardboard or a corresponding material. A package having the features defined in the first part of claim 1 is known from WO-A-86/04880, which discloses a cardboard outer strengthening element constituted by a folded blank having a base with four side panels, each connected to the base via a fold line on the respective side. Each side panel is further delimited by two opposing linear cut edges and by a border strip connected via a further fold line to the outermost end of each panel. This package is manufactured by providing an open inner tray and then bonding it to the cardboard outer frame prior to filling with product and sealing a cover over the tray. Due to this method of manufacture, the flexible, empty inner package has low stability until the cardboard is bonded thereto, unless the inner member has been made of a thick material. Consequently bonding to the outer member requires that special holding means are required for the inner member to maintain it stable during the bonding process. Additionally, heat treatments on the contents of the package are limited by the ability of the cardboard to withstand these effects (e.g. due to liquids and/or heat). The features of a package according to the invention are defined in claim 1. Preferred features of the package are defined in the dependent claims. In one embodiment the outer member, in a raised state, forms a type of tray. When in a flat state the outer member is preferably a member which can be decorated and fastened onto a filled flexible package which, along with it contents, will earlier have been subjected to a certain treatment such as heat treatment which is destructive to the outer member. Since the flexible member normally consists of a barrier specific normally high barrier material and plastic material, and is therefore expensive, this material can be dimensioned with a view only to its barrier characteristics whereas the outer member normally of an expensive cardboard material, takes care of the shape stability. Depending upon the application, one or the other or both the upper and lower edges may comprise a lip. In one embodiment the frame has a mainly saw-tooth shaped profile provided with a lip whereby on the one side of the frame corner the profile turns its lips inwards into the package and on the other side of the same corner it turns it lips outward from the corner. In another embodiment the profile between said lips is zigzag-shaped. According to an additional embodiment, the profile between said lips or edges is rounded. In order to provide the non-linear profile member, in one embodiment the frame has corner folds or the like in a zigzag pattern transverse to its longitudinal direction in order to form the corners, in addition to which lengthwise running folds proceed from each point of a zigzag fold, and each of these lengthwise running folds changing its characteristics at the zigzag fold, so that a fold made from the one side of the frame material changes into a fold made from the other side of the frame material. Because of its shape the frame, which in itself is very rigid gains a high buckling strength and load bearing ability at its corners. Because the frame is closed it furthermore becomes very torsionally stiff despite the fact that it is built up with profiles which do not have a significant torsional stiffness of their own. In one embodiment said non-linear profile provides frame surfaces for securing the flexible member. In one embodiment the said flexible member comprises a sheet, which is secured to the frame at a position such that a box is formed, whereby the sheet comprises the bottom of the box and the frame comprises its sides. In an additional embodiment, the flexible member comprises a second sheet which is secured to the frame at a position such that the second sheet forms a lid for the box. In an additional embodiment, the flexible member is a thin-walled, deep-drawn tray package with a heat-sealed lid, which has sealing lips that are symmetrically secured to the frame, for example to the lips of a frame provided with lips or to the said non-linear portion. In a further embodiment the flexible member is a closed plastic bag, which is fastened to the profiled frame at so many points, that the resulting package becomes rigid. If the plastic bag is provided with a spout in one corner and a recess in an adjacent corner, a package is achieved which stands safely, which has a handle, which is comfortable to pour out of and which has the characteristics of a pitcher. In this example the securing of the plastic bag is asymmetric. This package can be resealed by the spout being folded around one of the lips of a frame provided with lips and is locked in this position by being inserted into a slot in the frame. In another similar embodiment the package is suitable for, e.g. in fusion solutions. In operation the spout is turned downwards and the package is hung from a corresponding corner of the frame. The securing of the plastic bag is in this case symmetric or asymmetric. In the embodiment where the flexible member simply comprises a sheet or foil, which is fastened to the lips of the frame, if such are provided or to the nonlinear portion of the profile between its first and second outer edges, a stable and cheap box or carton for, e.g. candy, berries, fruit, etc., is achieved. With yet another foil or sheet fastened to the opposite end portion of the non-linear profile member or the opposite lip, one obtains a lid for this package. The bottom or lid of the box can be of an air permeable material such as a so-called non-woven or a net. In the latter case, it is advantageous for maintaining the rigid shape of the package if the threads of the net form an angle with the sides of the frame. In the case when one uses a sigma as a starting point the profile of the frame does not necessarily have to be a simple sigma. As an alternative the frame may consist of two or more "sigmas" placed one upon the other, whereby the profile takes up less space in the plane of the package. In one embodiment the flexible member with filling is subjected to a certain treatment which is destructive to the outer member, for example, heat treatment, before it is fastened to the outer member. The outer member can for example be chosen to have a form which has to be raised to form a tray and may be decorated in advance. The inner member may be suitably secured to lips on the tray, if these are provided. The invention will now be explained and exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a known traditional package comprising a closed inner member containing a filling material as well as an outer member in the shape of a tray; Figs.2A, B, C and D show different frame profiles for a principle embodiment of the invention; Fig.3 is a planar view showing a part of a strip intended to be frame material according to the invention; Fig.4 shows a perspective view of a inside corner formed of the frame material in Fig.3; Fig.5 shows a perspective view of thin-walled package of the tray type enclosed by an enclosing frame; Figs.6 and 7 show two perpendicular sections along the lines V-V and VI-VI respectively in Fig. 4 as an alternative for insertion and securing of the thin-walled plastic package in the frame; Fig.8 shows a third alternative for said insertion and securing; Fig.9 shows a fourth alternative for said insertion and securing; Fig.10 shows a perspective view of a package having the function of a pitcher formed from a flexible bag fastened to a frame of sigma profile type; Fig.11 shows the basic shape of the bag in Fig.10; Fig.12 shows a perspective view of a suitable position for the spout of the bag in Fig.11 during transport of the package according to Fig.10 as well as in a reclosed state; Fig.13 shows a perspective view of a package e.g. for infusion fluids, formed of a flexible bag provided with a spout and fastened in a Z-profile frame. In this example the package is shown as being hung with a corner of its frame hooked on a hook; Fig.14 shows a planar view of a portion of a strip intended as material for a double frame according to the invention; Fig.15 shows a perspective view of the inside of a corner manufactured of the material in Fig.14; and Fig.16 shows a complete package comprising an inner tray and a frame manufactured of the material in Fig.14. The tray in Fig.1 is a traditional cardboard tray provided with a lip. A closed flexible package of, e.g. a high barrier plastic material containing filling is carried in this tray, a plastic container or bag is fastened to the lips of the tray to at least as many portions or positions that a shape stable unit is achieved. The lip or flange in Fig.1 is directed inwards but, of course, flanges directed outwards are also possible. Additionally, the side walls, either one or both pairs thereof, have beam-shaped structure. The form stability of this unit comprising the outer tray and inner bag is therefore determined by the inexpensive cardboard material of the outer tray. The barrier characteristics are determined completely by the plastic material, so that the cost may be optimized since the more expensive plastic material need only be dimensioned for barrier protection and not for the purpose of shape stability. Since the product in the plastic package usually will be subjected to heat treatment of a height which the cardboard cannot withstand, the cardboard material is fastened only after termination of the heat treatment. This is also the correct choice from the viewpoint of the process. Using the designation "A", Fig. 2 shows first basic shapes of non-linear profiles, more particularly as viewed from the left, one concave profile and one convex profile; the designation "B" indicates two different basic shapes of profiles provided with lips, the one in the shape of a sigma and the other in the shape of a mirror reversed sigma; the designation "C" indicates additional examples of profiles provided with lips where the non-linear profile member has lips as in the case "B"; and the designation"D" indicates two"double sigma" or "double zigzag" profiles provided with lips. The strip 10 in Fig.3 is a strip of cardboard or of a corresponding material. The solid lines 11, 12 and 13 indicate fold lines for other similar weakened areas, which are applied to the strip material in the upward turned side according to Fig.1. The dashed lines 14, 15, 16 and 17 indicate fold lines or the like made in the other side of the strip. The zigzag line defines the limited lines which determine the corner figuration when a frame is formed according to Fig. 4, which shows the inside of a corner. The profile or profile shape which is indicated in Fig. 4 and which in principle comprises portions forming a sigma (capital sigma) or mirror reversed sigma or W, depending on which side of the corner one views the frame from, has proven itself to provide high bending and torsional rigidity for a closed frame. This makes the frame especially suitable as a stiffening rim for a package 18 of tray type comprising a bottom portion 19 and a lid 20 (Fig.5-7). Such trays are very stable especially when filled and with respect to shearing forces in the plane of the lid or planes parallel therewith, but the strength is insufficient with regard to bending and turning about axes in said plane. The encompassing frame 21 in Figs.5-7 provides the needed strength in this respect and provides furthermore a package which is easy to handle and which, moreover has good standing characteristics. The enclosing frame 21 in Figs.5-7 is sealed or fastened to the tray in accordance with the invention so that the flexible member, in the present case the tray provided with a lid, is fastened to as many portions of the frame 21 that its resistance to deformation, viewed perpendicular to the frame, is augmented by the flexible member. As will be seen by comparing Fig. 6 and 7, the "non-linear member" of the profile in the present case having a "W-characteristic" from the one side of the corner to the other side. Viewed in the direction of the circumference, the frame has generally portions which extend"outward"and"inward" relative to the package in the frame, and transition portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 between such portions located at the corners. In the exemplifying embodiment in Figs. 6 and 7 the frame is provided with lips and the flexible "inner package" is fastened to the upper sides of the lips of the zigzag-shaped profile, which thus change their orientation relative to the inner package in the corner regions. In Fig.8 is shown another possibility for fastening which is still such that the deformation of the frame, viewed in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame is prevented by the flexible member and "inner container" comprising a tray member 19b and a lid 20b is fastened to the lips of the frame 21a, in this case to the underside of the lip on the one side of the corner and to the upper side on the other side of the corner. As in Figs. 6 and 7, it is fastened at as many points of the enclosing frame or its lips, that the deformation of the frame viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame, is prevented by the flexible member. Fastening may for example be done using pointwise applied melting glue or by heat sealing all the way around using a thermal plastic material. In Fig.9 is shown an additional case where an enclosing frame 21b is utilized together with a flexible inner package having a lid and tray. Instead of fastening the encompassing boarder lip of the flexible package to the frame lip all the way around the frame, one has chosen to fasten two opposing sides of the "non-linear member" of the profile, i.e., in the present case, in the W-shaped member of the zigzag-shaped or the sigma-shaped profile. Even in this case one guarantees that the fastening will be sufficient for the flexible member to provide the frame with the ability to resist deformation viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame. Instead of the zigzag profile according to the Fig. 6-11, one may of course also envisage a profile shape according to any of those in Figs.2A-D. A package having a frame with profile D is shown in perspective in Fig. 16. In Fig. 12 a frame 21c supports a bag 26 according to Fig.11. This bag 26 is of the type which is manufactured to be spill free by means of welding and punching through webs of flexible material or a lengthwise sealed tube. The bag of Fig.11 has two characteristic members, namely a pouring spout 27 and a recess 28 which corresponds to the spout. The recess leaves an open space for inserting a finger between the bag and the frame after the bag has been hung in the frame. By punching out or by some other method providing a slit 29 in the frame 21c (Fig.12), one makes it possible to reclose the bag 26. Fig.13 shows how the free space between a bag 26a and a frame 21d is used for hanging the packing on a hook 30. In this case there may for example be some kind of nutrient solution in the bag 26a for delivery of the solution to a patient. For such a purpose, the bag 26a is provided with a drainage tube 31. Fig.14 shows a strip-shaped material 10a for a "double-zigzag profile", the one corner 22a being shown from the inside of the frame. Fig.15 shows a frame manufactured of the material in Fig.14 folded appropriately. Together with an upper, flexible, sheet-shaped element 20c, which can be opened, a package is formed. A corresponding sheet-shaped element can then be fastened to the lower encircling lip in the frame and serves as a bottom for the package in Fig.8. Fig.16 shows such a product containing tray formed form a frame 22c made of the strip in Fig.14 and a thin top closure 20c and a bottom closure of a similar type.

Claims: A package comprising two members joined to each other, one (18, 18a, 18b, 26, 26a) of which is flexible and the other (21, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) of which is a frame of cardboard or corresponding sheet material, the frame being closed and having a plurality of corners (22-25) wherein the flexible member is fastened along its periphery to as many points of the frame as necessary in order that the package has a stable shape and wherein said flexible member is arranged substantially within the periphery of said frame, characterized in that the frame has a profile which in cross-section is non-rectilinear, and in that each of the corners, between the upper (a1, b1, c1, d1) and lower edges (a2, b2, c2, d2) of the frame, is formed by a fold line (17) which is non-rectilinear, such that the outer surface of the frame, in a section starting from either the upper or lower edge, on one side of the corner fold line slopes away from the flexible member whereas on the other side, at the same level, the outer surface slopes towards the flexible member. A package according to claim 1, characterised in that one or both of the upper (a1-d1) and lower (a2-b2) edges of the frame comprises a lip. A package according to claim 2, characterised in that the frame has mainly a saw-tooth profile provided with a lip, whereby the profile on the one side of a frame corner (22-25) has its lip turned inwards whereas on the other side of the said corner the lip is turned outwards. A package according to claim 3, characterised in that the profile is zig-zag shaped between said lips. A package according to claim 3, characterised in that the profile is rounded between the lips. A package according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the frame has corner folds (17) or the like in a zig-zag transverse to its longitudinal direction for forming corners (22-25), in that lengthwise folds (11-16) proceed from each point of direction change of the zig-zag fold line (17). A package according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the portions of the profile provide frame surfaces for fastening the flexible member. A package according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flexible member includes a sheet which is fastened to a frame at such a position that a box is formed, whereby the sheet constitutes the bottom of the box and the frame constitutes its sides. A package according to claim 8, characterised in that the flexible member also includes a second sheet (20c) which is fastened to the frame of the box so as to form a lid for the box. A package according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the frame forms an encompassing profile device in which a bag-shaped container (26a) is fastened. A package according to claim 10, characterised in that the bag-shaped container is provided with a spout (27) and in that a recess (29) is arranged in the frame for locking the spout in a reclosable position. A package according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the frame has a free corner, which allows insertion of a hanging device (30). A package according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the flexible member is an inner flexible container which is filled with contents.

Inventors: PERSSON, BENGT, STENSTROEM, LENNART, WAHLSTROEM, LENNART, STENSTRÖM, Lennart, WAHLSTRÖM, Lennart
Applicants: AB AKERLUND & RAUSING, ALFASTAR AB
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B65D75
IPC codes: B65D75