Abstract:
In order to provide a package which is inexpensive to manufacture, sufficiently stable to protect the contents of the package and repeatedly and consistently openable and closeable, a package and a blank therefor is disclosed. The blank comprises front wall ( 10 ) , back wall ( 14 ) and side wall ( 12 ) segments, and the front and the back wall segments extend into congruent closure segments ( 20, 24, 32, 28 ). At least two ( 24, 26 ) of the closure segments are arranged to be foldable on top of one another to form a pocket with one open side ( 26 ) At least a further one of the closure segments ( 20 ) is arranged to be insertable into the pocket from the open side thereof in such a manner as to permit repeatable opening and closing of an end of the package.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to containers and particularly to packages which are folded from a single package blank and to package blanks as such. Conveniently, the packages can be used for storing, shipping, shop presentation and by the end user, especially in connection with loose foodstuff. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Numerous packages which are foldable from a single package blank are known in the art. For example, DE 44 07 877 A1 discloses a cube-shaped container with a bottom wall, side walls, and a hinged lid. The lid is provided with a triangular tongue and one of the side walls comprises two layers. In the closed disposition of the container, the tongue is inserted between these two layers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Under consideration of the known packages, it is an underlying technical problem of the present invention to provide a package which is inexpensive to manufacture, sufficiently stable to protect the contents of the package and repeatedly and consistently openable and closeable. Further, it is an underlying technical problem of the present invention to provide a package blank for producing such a package. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by a package, folded from a single package blank and comprising front wall, back wall and side wall segments. The front and the back wall segments extend into congruent closure segments defining an end of the package. At least two of the closure segments overlay one another in a substantially coplanar manner to form a pocket with one open side, and at least a further one of the closure segments is inserted into the pocket from the open side thereof in such a manner as to permit repeatable opening and closing of the package end. The package further comprises tabs and flaps on margins of the segments to permit, by folding and attaching, formation of the package from the blank. 
     In another aspect according to the invention, there is provided a foldable package blank, comprising front wall, back wall and side wall segments. The front and the back wall segments extend into congruent closure segments. At least two of the closure segments are arranged to be foldable on top of one another to form a pocket with one open side, and at least a further one of the closure segments is arranged to be insertable into the pocket from the open side thereof in such a manner as to permit repeatable opening and closing of an end of the package. The blank further comprises tabs and flaps on margins of the segments to permit, by folding and attaching, formation of the package from the blank. 
     The package according to the invention provides significant advantages over previously known packages. It is designed such that closure segments which are substantially congruent, overlie one another in a substantially coplanar manner to form a pocket with one open side. A further one of the package closure segments is, in the closed disposition of an end of the package, inserted into this pocket from the open side thereof. The pocket of congruent closure segments consequently surrounds the further closure segment substantially entirely. A locking effect of the further closure segment in the pocket is thus achieved. As this locking effect is achieved without making use of any latching or notching action, consistent and reliable functioning of the closure mechanism in accordance with the present invention is obtained without wear of the constituting elements of the closure. To this end, the plane defined by the substantially coplanar closure segments can preferably be angled relative to the front wall and the back wall segments from which the closure segments extend, typically in an obtuse angle. In a further preferred embodiment, the pocket is dimensioned such that friction between the pocket and the further closure segment enhances the locking effect. The inventive solution advantageously permits a manufacturer to design the shape of the closure to resemble the shape of the packaged goods. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention suggests a shape of the congruent closure segments, which is substantially triangular. Accordingly, the closure of the package resembles a peak. Alternatively, the congruent closure segments can be of substantially semi-circular shape. 
     A further preferred feature of the inventive solution contributes to the repeatable and consistent opening and closing of the package end. Accordingly, each side wall segment is provided with crease lines to permit relative movement between the front wall and the back wall segments when the further closure segment is moved between the open and closed dispositions of the package end. In particular, the crease lines permit to move the front and the back wall segments towards and away from one another by enabling mainly the respective side wall segments to deform. Accordingly, the front and the back wall segments can be moved substantially without deformation thereof. 
     It has been found that crease lines substantially in the shape of an inverted Y represent a particularly beneficial compromise between simple and less costly manufacturing and consistent deformation of the side wall segments. Additionally, storage space within the inventive package is maximized. 
     Generally, the package can be of any desired cross-sectional shape. However, for most space efficient storage of several packages, it is preferred that the packages are of substantially rectangular cross-section and/or the side wall segments and the front and the back wall segments are located on opposite sides of the package, respectively. 
     A further preferred embodiment of the inventive package, as regards repeatability and consistency of the opening and closing function, provides that the relative dimensions of the side wall segments and the closure segments are such that the side wall segments prevent opening of the package beyond a limited clearance between the further closure segment and the open side of the pocket. In particular, upon opening of the package end, the side wall segments straighten out along the crease lines and, when they are substantially straight, prevent further relative movement between the front wall and the back wall segments. This mechanical stop leaves a limited clearance between the further closure segment and the open side of the pocket, which is sufficient for inserting the further closure segment into the pocket. Typically, the clearance is dimensioned such that an end of the further closure segment slides on the wall segment of the package adjacent to the pocket so that insertion of the further closure segment into the pocket is more easily facilitated. 
     An important commercial aspect in the typical field of application of the present invention requires to provide a tamper evident closure mechanism of the package. To this end, at least one of the closure segments is provided with a tear strip. 
     In semi-automatic and automatic manufacturing and filling of the package, it has proven to be particularly efficient if the package further comprises a crash lock end. Preferably, the crash lock end is located at the bottom and the closure segments at the top of the package. 
     Many applications of the present invention require the package to hold goods which are sensitive as regards contamination. A particularly beneficial way to avoid contamination from the package material provides that the inventive package is, in accordance with a further preferred embodiment, made from a laminated compound blank material. This ebodiment of the present invention permits to provide a sterile inner compound. Additionally, this further embodiment permits to provide the outside of the inventive package with a layer of the desired aesthetic appearance while not compromising the carrier structure of the material in terms of strength and costs. 
     In the context of the present invention, terminologies such as “front” and “back” as well as “top” and “bottom” are used for the sake of simplification of the description and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, unless explicitly stated. 
     The inventive package blank referred to above preferably provides that the further closure segment is smaller than the remaining closure segments, to permit, upon complete insertion of the further closure segment into the pocket, abutment of the respective front and back wall segments. This abutment is provided by abutment of at least the edges of the wall segments from which the closure segments extend. Depending on the application of the present invention, the abutment thus provided can also be extended to cover an area of the respective wall segments. 
     Automatic manufacturing of the blank and the package from the blank requires high speed operations. To meet this requirement, the present invention advantageously further provides that the inventive blank is punched from one piece. 
     Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the methods of manufacture of the blanks of this invention, whether the blanks are made of plastic, paper or other suitable materials. They will also be able to select suitable methods of folding the blanks, possibly already about the product items to be packaged, and suitable ways of fixing the blank to form a package, which might be by means of adhesive if not welding or hot melt gluing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is described in greater detail in the following, by way of purely exemplary embodiments represented schematically in the following drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a package blank in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2 to  4  show perspective views of the inventive package blank in sequential manufacturing steps; and 
     FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the completed package in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, similar reference signs are used throughout for the same or corresponding parts of the inventive package and the inventive package blank. 
     A shipping, presentation and end user package according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 in plan view in its configuration after manufacture of the blank. It comprises, in the center of FIG. 1 from the bottom to the top thereof, a front wall segment  10 , a side wall segment  12 , a back wall segment  14 , a further side wall segment  12  and a wall segment attachment flap  16 . To the left of the various wall segments, bottom closure segments  18  are connected by crease or fold lines  50 . 
     In this connection, it is to be noted that the crease lines or fold lines between the wall segments are adapted to enable folding of adjacent segments along these lines, substantially without deformation of the respective segments. A skilled person will be aware how to best embody this function. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, an insertable closure segment  20  is connected to the front wall segment  10  by a crease line  22 . To the right of back wall segment  14 , a crease line  26  connects a pocket segment  24  which, in the completed package, forms the bottom of the pocket of the top closure of the package. A top pocket segment  28  is joined to the bottom pocket segment  24  by a crease line  30  and a pocket attachment segment  32  by a crease line  34 . A tear strip  36  extends, in FIG. 1 from the bottom, from pocket attachment segment  32 , connected to the latter by a perforation  38 . A further perforation  38  on the opposite side of the tear strip  36  connects a closure attachment flap  40 . 
     As is evident from FIG. 1, the various closure segments  20 ,  24 ,  28 ,  32  are shaped substantially as isosceles rectangular triangles. This preferred embodiment permits easy operation of the package. However, the skilled reader will readily take from the concept described herein how to embody the present invention with different shapes. In particular, it is intended to carry out the inventive concept in trapezoidal and semi-circular configurations. 
     Turning again to FIG. 1, the skilled reader will note inverted Y-shaped fold lines  54  on the side wall segments  12 . Further crease lines  52  are located on the side wall segments  12  where the Y-shaped crease lines  54  meet the crease lines  56 ,  58 ;  60   62  that join the respective side wall segments to the adjacent segments. By placing crease lines  52  appropriately on the side wall segments  12 , storage space within the package can be modified as desired to accommodate different goods to be packaged. The inverted Y-shape of crease lines  54  and their intersection at their bifurcated end with crease lines  52  on the one hand and crease lines  56 ,  58 ;  60   62  on the other hand enables relative movement of the front wall segment  10  towards and away from the back wall segment  14 , as will be described in more detail below. 
     In this connection, it is to be noted that the inverted Y-shaped design permits this relative movement without affecting the storage space defined between crease lines  50  and  52 . 
     Now with reference to FIG. 2, an intermediate step of manufacturing the package  100  from the blank  1  is depicted. Relative to FIG. 1, the wall segment attachment flap  16  was folded along fold line  62  into a right angle relative to the adjacent side wall segment  12  which, in turn, was folded along crease line  60  into a right angle relative to back wall segment  14 . Similarly, the front wall segment  10  was folded along crease line  56  into a right angle relative to its adjacent side wall segment  12  which, subsequently, was folded along crease line  58  so that the free edge of front wall segment  10  overlies wall segment attachment flap  16 . Prior to folding, glue spots  68  were applied to front wall segment  10  to enable it to attach to wall segment attachment flap  16  (see FIG.  1 ). Although three spots of adhesive are depicted in FIG. 1, it is to be noted that the shape and arrangement of the “glue spots” can be modified as long as they serve the function of attachment. Naturally, in case a waterproof container is to be achieved, a skilled person will choose a means of attachment continuous and contiguous along the edge of front wall segment  10 . As previously mentioned, other means of attachment are also contemplated, for example welding, hot melt gluing or heat sealing. 
     In the disposition depicted in FIG. 2, the bottom closure segments  18  have also been provided with glue spots and folded into a bottom closure, in a conventional manner. 
     In the erected state of the package depicted in FIG. 2, it can clearly be seen that the insertable closure segment  20  is located above bottom pocket segment  24 . Arrows A in FIG. 2 indicate progress from the disposition shown in FIG. 2 to that shown in FIG.  3 . 
     In particular, arrows A indicate how the side walls  12  are pressed towards the interior of the package and fold along crease lines  54 ,  52  to assume the shape depicted in FIG.  3 . The region of front wall  10  adjacent to the insertable closure segment  20  and the corresponding region of the back wall segment move towards one another until crease lines  22  and  26  contact one another in edge to edge abutment. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, it is evident to the skilled reader that the insertable closure segment  20  overlies the bottom pocket segment  24 . The congruent shape of the insertable closure segment  20  and the bottom pocket closure segment  24  enables intimate surrounding contact in the closed disposition of the package. This intimate contact supplements the form-locking effect by means of congruent shapes with a force-locking effect by means of friction generated between the pocket segments  24 ,  28  and the further closure segment  20 , so that the latter is securely held in the pocket, in the closed disposition of the package. 
     Arrow B in FIG. 3 indicates a subsequent manufacturing step progressing from the disposition show in FIG. 3 to that of FIG.  4 . In FIG. 3 the top pocket segment  28  is folded along its corresponding fold line ( 30  in FIG. 1) to lie in a coplanar manner on top of the insertable closure segment  20 . Top pocket segment  28  and insertable closure segment  20  are substantially free of any attachment means so that relative movement of the insertable closure segment  28  into and out of the pocket to be formed is enabled. 
     In FIG. 4, a subsequent manufacturing step is shown. In particular, glue spots  64  and  66  are applied to pocket attachment segment  32  and closure attachment flap  40 , respectively. Again, the skilled reader will readily be aware of different means of attachment. 
     Subsequently, pocket attachment segment  32  with tear strip  36  and closure attachment flap  40  are folded in the direction of arrow C along the corresponding crease line ( 34  in FIG.  1 ). The completed disposition of the package depicted in FIG. 5 results. 
     On account of glue spots  64 , pocket attachment segment  32  is attached to top pocket segment  28  and, consequently, completes by attachment the pocket between segments  24  and  28  in intimate contact around the insertable closure segment  20 . Further, on account of glue spot  66 , closure attachment flap  40  is attached to front wall  10  and, consequently, prevents the insertable closure segment  20  from sliding out of the pocket thus formed. 
     In order to open the package, tear strip  36  is gripped at its rounded gripping end  37  and torn off in the direction of arrow D which separates closure attachment  40  from pocket attachment segment  32 . 
     Consequently, the insertable closure segment  20  is free to be extracted from the pocket formed by bottom pocket segment  24  and top pocket segment  28 , by moving front wall segment  10  and back wall segment  14  toward and away from another. This relative movement is enabled by crease lines  54  and  52  in side wall segments  12 . 
     The dimensions, in the figures only schematically represented, of the side wall segments  12  relative to the insertable closure segment  20  and its corresponding pocket permit relative movement between the front wall and the back wall segments to an extent until the side wall segments  12  near crease lines  54 ,  52  are straightened out. In this disposition, the tip of the insertable closure segment  20  is released from the top pocket segment  28  but still rests on the bottom pocket segment  24  or, alternatively, the back wall segment  14 . Consequently, the package can be fully opened and is accessible. For reclosing the package, the tip of the insertable closure segment  20  can be brought into contact with the back wall segment  14  or the bottom pocket segment  24  and easily slid back into the pocket. 
     Resilient materials properties of the package blank permit relative movement between the front wall and the back wall segments substantially without deformation thereof. Further, these properties assist in providing the inventive package with a pleasant aesthetic appearance so that, in the closed disposition of the package, the top closure segments are aligned perpendicularly to the bottom closure  18  and the inclined parts of the front wall and the back wall segment are arranged symmetrically. 
     Additional embodiments of the invention can be provided with e.g. tape on the extended part of closure segment  32 , which is glued onto a corresponding portion of the package, so that it is releasable in an easy manner for the consumer, as a tamper-proof closure. Other modifications of the tamper-proof closure could be provided by a slit or slot along crease line  22 , in which a tongue-like element at the margin of closure segment  32  is insertable, or a releasable glue spot between closure segments  20  and  28 . Naturally, other glue spots as illustrated can be provided on opposing package walls. 
     Further embodiments and advantages of the inventive package and the inventive package blank are defined in and by the various combinations of the following claims.