Packaging and method for producing a packaging which is configured as a folding box

Abstract

A packaging (1) in the form of a folding box has two transverse side walls (6) which abut the front side wall (4) and are configured as prismatic hollow side walls having in each case one inner wall (11), one outer wall (13) and one connecting web (12), which can be erected in the manner of a parallelogram from the plane of the bottom section (2). In order to secure an intermediate position, a bottom section (2), a lid part (3), a front side wall (4) and an opposite rear side wall (5) can be stabilized by means of securing means (14, 15) in such a way that they form a prismatic hollow body, it being possible for the intermediate position to be set up before the erection of the transverse side walls (6). Finally, the transverse side walls (6) can be connected in a latching manner to the lid part (3) during the erecting operation by means of latching means (7, 8) in order to secure the end position.

Description

The invention relates to a packaging according to the precharacterizing clause of Claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a packaging which is configured as a folding box.

A comparable packaging of the generic type has been disclosed, for example, by EP 1 395 500 B1, which packaging is produced from a single blank. The packaging is configured as a folding box which has two transverse side walls which are configured as hollow side walls. The transverse side walls which are erected perpendicularly are connected firmly to a rear side wall via an articulated fold. A front side wall is arranged opposite the rear side wall, which front side wall can be folded open together with a section which adjoins it and carries a blister. The front side wall is connected to the transverse side wall in each case via an articulated fold, the folded-closed section resting on the transverse side walls and thus forming a type of lid part. In order to produce the end position, finally a lid section which adjoins the rear side wall is folded closed, a plug-in tongue which is arranged on the lid section being plugged into a slot between the front side wall and the abovementioned section in order to secure the end position. In practice, the handling of the packaging has proven difficult with regard to the manufacturing technology. High requirements are placed on corresponding packaging lines as a result of the fact that the transverse side walls and the rear side wall have to be oriented and then adhesively bonded in the same work step.

It is therefore an object of the invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known subject matter and, in particular, to provide a packaging of the type which is mentioned in the introduction, which packaging can be produced simply.

Furthermore, the packaging is to require as few adhesive bonds as possible. According to the invention, this object is achieved with a packaging which has the features in Claim 1.

The four side walls, that is to say the front side wall, a rear side wall which lies opposite and two transverse side walls are joined at the bottom section. Here, each side wall can be connected to the bottom section in an articulated manner and can be erected from the plane of the bottom section. The latching means which are assigned to the transverse side walls on one side and the latching means which are assigned to the lid part on the other side can advantageously interact in such a way that automatic latching takes place during the erection process and the end position is thus secured after the latching. A sufficiently stable end position of the folding box can be ensured with the aid of this latching connection. It is a further advantage of the packaging that it is simple to handle in order to produce the end position. The folding box preferably comprises cardboard or a cardboard laminate and can particularly preferably be produced from one blank.

In a first embodiment, in order to secure an intermediate position, the bottom section, the lid part, the front side wall and the opposite rear side wall can be stabilized by means of securing means in such a way that they form a prismatic hollow body. Here, this intermediate position can be set up before the erection of the transverse side walls. For example, mechanical means for producing a plug-in connection or a latching connection are suitable as securing means. It goes without saying that a hollow body of this type could also be secured in a different way. For example, the intermediate position could be secured by the use of adhesive or adhesive strips for producing an adhesive bond.

The rear side wall can be configured as an articulated strip which is adjoined by a lid section which can preferably be folded open and rests flatly on the lid part in the intermediate position. However, a web which can partially overlap the lid part in the intermediate position could also adjoin the rear side wall instead of a lid section.

As securing means, the packaging can advantageously comprise a plug-in tongue and a corresponding slot for receiving the plug-in tongue. These mechanical means which interact with one another can be produced simply and are distinguished by simple handling.

It can be particularly advantageous if at least one plug-in tongue which can be plugged into a corresponding slot is arranged on the lid section as securing means. Here, the slot can preferably be arranged in the region of the folding line which divides the front side wall and the lid part from one another. If the abovementioned web which can be folded open is used, it could be advantageous if the securing means comprised, for example, a plug-in tongue which is arranged on the lid part and a corresponding slot; the slot would be arranged in the region of the folding line which divides the rear side wall and the web from one another.

The latching means can comprise latching tongues which are assigned to the transverse side wall or the lid part and, in the end position, engage in each case in a latching manner into a stop which is assigned to the lid part or the transverse side wall. For example, at least one latching tongue can be arranged on each transverse side wall. In this case, the lid part would have corresponding, stops which interact with the respective latching tongues in order to produce the latching connection.

It can be advantageous if each transverse side wall has at least two latching tongues. This arrangement ensures a stable position of the erected transverse side walls in the end position.

The latching tongues can be predefined by cut lines or by predetermined breaking lines in the connecting web. Here, it can be possible for the latching tongues to be folded out of the plane of the connecting web during the erecting operation. It goes without saying that it would also be conceivable to provide separate latching tongues which, for example, are adhesively bonded or attached in some other way to the respective connecting web of the transverse side walls.

The latching tongues can adjoin the inner walls of the transverse side walls and can be divided from the inner walls by folding-line sections. The folding-line sections can extend on the folding line which in each case separates the inner wall from the connecting web. The folding-line sections ensure that, during the latching operation, the latching tongues can fold in the folding-in direction at the desired point. The folding-line sections can be predefined by a continuous folding line. However, it can be advantageous if the folding-line sections are weakened to a lesser extent than the folding line, as a result of which a sufficient restoring capability of the latching tongues is ensured in the opposite direction to the folding-in direction for a reliable latching connection. For example, the folding line can be formed by a notched line. In this case, a lower degree of weakening can be achieved, for example, by the fact that only a part of the width of the folding-line sections is notched and the remaining part is merely scored. However, there can also be an interruption, for example, between the folding line and the respective notched, or otherwise scored, parts of the folding-line sections, as a result of which the latching tongues can likewise remain approximately in the plane of the inner wall during the erecting operation and in this way can be folded open automatically from the plane of the connecting web.

In a further embodiment, the lid part can be of at least two-layer construction and can comprise a base section and a second section for forming the second layer. Here, the base section can adjoin the front side wall and can preferably be connected integrally to the latter. The second section which bears against the base section in the folded-in position can preferably be adhesively bonded to the base section, the stop for the latching connection being formed by at least one edge in the second section. An edge of this type which forms a stop for the latching connection can be formed, for example, by a cut-out in the second section.

As an alternative, the lid part can be of at least two-layer construction only in lateral regions which in each case face the latching tongues. To this end, the packaging can have a base section and two lateral tabs for respectively forming the second layer. The said tabs are therefore arranged on the same side as the transverse side walls. A respective stop for the latching connection can be formed by at least one cut-out in each tab. It goes without saying that the stops do not necessarily have to be formed by corresponding cut-outs. Therefore, side edges of the tabs can also form stops for the latching connection instead. The tabs can adjoin the base section laterally and be separated from the latter in each case by folding lines. Therefore, these articulated tabs can be folded in from a flat rest position and preferably connected to the base section by adhesive bonding. This arrangement is distinguished by a relatively low material expenditure.

A plurality of cut-outs can be provided in the second section, each latching tongue being assigned a corresponding cut-out. The cut-out can be dimensioned in each case particularly advantageously in such a way that, in the end position, it receives or can receive the corresponding latching tongue approximately with a precise fit.

A blister for packaged material such as tablets, capsules, dragees, etc. can be inserted or is inserted in the manner of a sandwich in the lid part between the base section and the second section. Here, the second section can have cut-outs for receiving the bowls of the blister and the base section can have open or closed dispensing openings, through which the packaged material can be removed. Blisters of this type have been known and used for a relatively long time. The lid part can carry, for example, a blister having packaged material which is welded into it. Blisters of this type are also used, in particular, for packaging pharmaceutical products, such as pills or capsules, and have been known and used for a long time. It goes without saying, however, that the present packaging according to the invention is not only suitable as a packaging for packaging blisters. However, the lid part can also carry at least one individual container which can be severed at a predetermined breaking point. The individual container can be a structure made from plastic material in the manner of a bottle or an ampoule. However, a film bag, tubular bag or the like is also conceivable. Containers of this type are also used, for example, for dispensing samples for perfume, ointments, etc. A further field of application of the packaging can also be, for example, the packaging of books.

In addition or as an alternative to the abovementioned embodiment, a blister for packaged material can be inserted or is inserted in the manner of a sandwich between the bottom section and a further section. Here, the further section can have cut-outs for receiving the bowls of the blister and the bottom section can have open or closed dispensing openings, through which the packaged material can be removed.

The invention can also relate to a blank for the packaging which is described in the preceding text. Here, the blank can comprise the bottom section, the four side walls and at least the base section of the lid part, the individual sections being defined by folding lines. Furthermore, the blank can comprise the lid section. It would then also even be possible in principle to configure the second section of the lid part to be articulated on the base section and to assign it to the blank.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a packaging which is configured as a folding box according to Claim 16. The method is distinguished substantially by two method steps. In the first step, a stable prismatic hollow body is produced from the bottom section, the lid part, the front side wall and the opposite rear side wall. The position, in which a stable prismatic hollow body is present, is denoted as intermediate position. In the second method step, the transverse side walls are erected from the plane of the bottom section, the transverse side walls being connected in a latching manner to the lid part during the erecting operation. The end position can therefore be achieved in a particularly simple way in only two method steps.

Further advantages and individual features of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a packaging according to the invention having a folded-open lid part and lid section,

FIG. 2 shows the packaging according to FIG. 1 in an intermediate position having partially erected transverse side walls shortly before an end position is reached,

FIG. 3 shows the packaging according to FIG. 1 in the end position,

FIG. 4 shows a blank for the packaging according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows a second section for the lid part of the packaging according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 shows a further section which can be attached to a bottom section of the blank according to FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 shows a flat arrangement which has been prepared by means of folding and adhesive bonding operations, produced from the blank according to FIG. 4 and the sections according to FIGS. 5 and 6,

FIG. 8 shows a part detail of a cross section through a packaging according to the invention having a partially erected transverse side wall,

FIG. 9 shows the packaging according to FIG. 8 in the end position,

FIG. 10 shows a blank of a packaging according to a second embodiment having an opened section,

FIG. 11 shows a further blank of a packaging according to the invention,

FIG. 12 shows the blank according to FIG. 11 having an alternative lid part in a part detail,

FIG. 13 shows a flat arrangement comprising the blank according to FIG. 12, having a lid part which has been prepared by means of folding and adhesive bonding operations, and

FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the packaging according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a packaging which is denoted by 1 for packaging blisters. The bowls of the two blisters are denoted firstly by 23 and secondly by 27. However, the packaging is suitable not only for packaging blisters, but also for other packaged material. The packaging can also be used, for example, for packaging books (see, for example, FIG. 10).

As is apparent from FIG. 1, the packaging comprises a bottom part, four side walls 4, 5, 6, a lid part 3 having a blister which is inserted into it in the manner of a sandwich, and a lid section 9. As can be seen, the side walls 6 which are denoted in the following text as transverse side walls are configured as prismatic hollow side walls. Here, each hollow side wall comprises an inner wall 11, an outer wall 13 and a connecting web 12 which connects them. In FIG. 1, the transverse side walls 6 are erected almost completely for the purpose of improved illustration. Before an intermediate position which will be described in greater detail in the following text is reached, however, the transverse side walls 6 would as a rule remain in the plane of the bottom part.

Furthermore, in the position according to FIG. 1, the latching tongues which are denoted by 7 can be seen clearly. As can be seen, each transverse side wall 6 has two latching tongues 7 which are folded open in each case with respect to the plane of the connecting web 12. Corresponding cut-outs 8 which interact with the latching tongues 7 in order to produce a latching connection which will be described in greater detail in the following text can be seen on the lid part 3.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 that a plug-in tongue 14 is arranged on the lid section 9. A slot 15 which corresponds with it is arranged in the region of a folding line which separates the front side wall 4 and a base section of the lid part 3. After the lid part 3 is folded in, the lid section 9 can subsequently be folded in from the other side and, finally, the plug-in tongue 14 can be plugged into the slot 15. In this way, a stable, prismatic hollow body is produced. An intermediate position of this type is shown in FIG. 2. The transverse side walls 6 have already been partially erected in FIG. 2, as can be seen. In order to erect the transverse side walls, the outer wall 13 can be loaded with an erecting force which is indicated by the arrow F.

As can be seen, the latching tongues 7 which are folded up with respect to the plane of the connecting web 12 protrude away from the connecting web. During further erection in the F direction, the latching tongues would be pressed down by the lid part 3 until finally the latching tongues 7 latch into the corresponding cut-outs (cf. FIG. 1; for the precise method of functioning, see subsequent FIGS. 8 and 9). After the transverse side walls are latched to the lid part, a completely closed folding box is present. FIG. 3 shows the packaging 1 in an end position of this type.

FIG. 4 shows a blank 34 for the packaging which is described in the preceding text. A bottom section 2 has closed dispensing openings which are closed by means of securing segments 29 which can be ripped off. It goes without saying that the dispensing openings can also be of open configuration. Together with a blister and a further section (see FIG. 6), the bottom section 2 forms the bottom part of the packaging. The respective side walls which are separated from the bottom section in each case by folding lines adjoin the bottom section 2 in each case laterally. The strip-shaped sections 13, 12, 11 and 36 are provided for the transverse side walls. The section 36 is an adhesive tab which serves as an adhesive surface for fastening to the bottom section 2 (cf. FIG. 7).

As can be seen, the latching tongues 7 are formed by approximately U-shaped cut lines. The latching tongues 7 are separated from the section 11 for the inner wall of the transverse side walls by folding-line sections 19. The folding line and the respective folding-line sections 19 advantageously have different degrees of material weakening. The folding-line sections 19 are weakened to a lesser extent than the folding line, as a result of which there is a restoring capability of the latching tongues 7 in the opposite direction to the folding-in direction. The folding line can be formed, for example, by a notched line. The folding-line sections 19 are then notched only partially, while the remaining part is merely scored (or simply interrupted without material weakening). It is possible in this way that the latching tongues 7 would remain approximately in the plane of the inner wall during the erecting operation and in this way can be folded out of the plane of the connecting web automatically.

Furthermore, the folding-line sections 19 configured in this way ensure defined folding-in of the latching tongues during the latching-in process.

FIG. 5 shows a blank 21 for a second section which is adhesively bonded to the base section 20 (FIG. 4) in order to receive a blister. This blank 21 has cut-outs 24, through which the bowls of a blister can be guided. Furthermore, cut-outs 8 which are arranged in the corners and serve as latching means which interact with the latching tongues can be seen in FIG. 4. The blank can comprise cardboard or a cardboard laminate. It goes without saying that it would also be conceivable to produce the blank from a comparatively rigid plastic film.

FIG. 7 shows a premanufactured flat arrangement having the blank according to FIG. 4 and the blanks or sections which are adhesively bonded to the former in each case according to FIGS. 5 and 6 (without an inserted blister for the sake of simplicity). It can be seen that the sections 12, 11 and 36 have been folded inwards and the adhesive tab 36 has been adhesively bonded to the bottom section 2. A premanufactured arrangement of this type (naturally then with blisters) can be introduced on the inlet side into a packaging line in order to produce the packaging. Depending on the intended use of the packaging (for example, packaging for books), it goes without saying that the section 35 could be omitted. Furthermore, a single-piece embodiment would also be conceivable (cf. FIG. 10) instead of a separate section 21.

In FIG. 8, the bottom section 2, the front and rear side walls (not shown) and the lid part are situated in the intermediate position, in which they form a stable, prismatic hollow body. The lid section 6 which is plugged via its plug-in tongue into the corresponding slot in order to secure the intermediate position (not shown) rests flatly over the second section 21 of the lid part 3. As can be seen, the transverse side wall 6 of prismatic configuration can be erected from the plane of the bottom section 2 in the manner of a parallelogram. During the erecting operation, the latching tongue 7 extends, at least in a first phase, approximately in the plane of the inner wall 11. As can be seen, a corresponding cut-out in the connecting web 12 is produced by the folding up of the latching tongue 7.

FIG. 9 shows the transverse side wall 6 in a completely erected position (end position). In the end position, the front end of the latching tongue 7 rests on the stop 17, formed by the cut-out 8, and therefore prevents the hollow side wall from pivoting to the outside. On account of the restoring capability of the latching tongues, they are pressed against the lid part (that is to say, upwards in FIG. 9), as a result of which a reliable latching connection is ensured.

As FIG. 10 shows, the packaging can also be defined by a single blank. No further separate sections made from cardboard or cardboard laminate have to be fastened to the blank 34. The second section 21 is connected integrally to the base section 20 and is separated from the latter only by a folding line, as can be seen. The bottom of the packaging is defined by the bottom section 2. The blank 34 according to FIG. 10 then differs from the blank according to FIG. 4 in that lug sections 37 are arranged in each case on both sides of the outer walls 13, which lug sections 37 protrude in each case with respect to the folding line which separates the bottom section 2 and the front side wall 4 on one side and the bottom section 2 and the rear side wall 5 on the other side from one another. The lug sections 37 serve for ensuring that, in the erected position of the transverse side walls, the latter cannot be pressed further to the inside. The respective edges of the front side wall 4 and the rear side wall 5 form stops here for the lug sections 37 of the transverse side walls in order to limit the pivoting movement to the inside. As can be seen, the edges of the front side wall 4 and the rear side wall 5 are set back in each case to the inside, with the result that the four indentations 38 which are denoted by 38 are formed. During the erecting operation, these indentations 38 permit a pivoting movement which goes somewhat beyond 90°, as a result of which a reliable latching action can be ensured.

Instead of the separate or articulated second sections which were shown in the preceding text and are equipped with cut-outs for bowls, the arrangement for latching in of the transverse side walls can also be configured in another way. FIG. 11 shows an alternative solution by way of example. As is apparent from FIG. 11, tabs 39 which can be folded inwards on both sides adjoin the base section 20 for the lid part, it being intended for the folded-in tabs to be connected to the base section 20 by adhesive bonding. As can be seen, these tabs 39 which are articulated laterally on the base section 20 are separated from the base section 20 in each case by folding lines (shown as double dot-dashed line). Each tab 39 has two cut-outs 8 which interact with the latching tongues 7 for the latching connection.

As is apparent from FIGS. 12 and 13, cut-outs which interact with the latching tongues 7 are not necessarily required. The tabs 39 of the blank 34 according to FIG. 12 are configured as narrow strips. The tabs 39 have side edges which, in the folded-in position, form in each case stops 17 for the latching tongues 7. In FIG. 13, a flat arrangement can be seen which is denoted by 34′, has been partially prepared by means of folding and adhesive bonding operations and has a lid part which comprises a base section 20 and tabs 39 which are fastened to the latter by adhesive bonding.

FIG. 14 shows one embodiment of the packaging 1 which could be used, for example, for packaging books. A book would only have to be inserted onto the bottom part between the transverse side walls 6 and the folding box would only finally have to be closed. A further difference to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 7 exists, for example, in the fact that, instead of a lid section, a web 30 is provided which adjoins the rear side wall 5 in an articulated manner. A slot 32, into which a plug-in tongue 31 of the lid part 3 can be plugged, is arranged approximately in the region of the folding line between the web 30 and the rear side wall 5. In the intermediate position, the web would be arranged on the inside and would bear flatly against the lid part 3. The transverse side walls 6 are of substantially identical configuration, as in the abovementioned exemplary embodiment.

Claims

1. Packaging (1) in the form of a folding box having a bottom section (2), side walls (4, 5, 6) which adjoin the bottom section in an end position preferably approximately at right angles, and a lid part (3) which closes the folding box, a front side wall (4) preferably being configured as an articulated strip, which front side wall (4) connects the lid part (3) to the bottom section (2), and two transverse side walls (6) which abut the front side wall (4) being configured as prismatic hollow side walls having in each case one inner wall (11), one outer wall (13) and one connecting web (12), which can be erected in the manner of a parallelogram from the plane of the bottom section (2), characterized in that, during the erecting operation, the transverse side walls (6) can be connected in a latching manner to the lid part (3) by means of latching means (7, 8) in order to secure the end position.

2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to secure an intermediate position, the bottom section (2), the lid part (3), the front side wall (4) and the opposite rear side wall (5) can be stabilized by means of securing means (14, 15, 31, 32) in such a way that they form a prismatic hollow body, it being possible for the intermediate position to be set up before the erection of the transverse side walls (6).

3. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear side wall (5) is configured as an articulated strip which is adjoined by a lid section (9) which rests flatly on the lid part (3) in the intermediate position.

4. Packaging according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises, as securing means, a plug-in tongue (14) and a corresponding slot (15) for receiving the plug-in tongue.

5. Packaging according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one plug-in tongue (14) which can be plugged into a corresponding slot (15) is arranged on the lid section (9), the slot (15) being arranged in the region of the folding line (16) which divides the front side wall (4) and the lid part (3) from one another.

6. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the latching means comprise latching tongues (7) which are assigned on the transverse side wall (6) or the lid part (3) and, in the end position, engage in each case in a latching manner into a stop (17) which is assigned to the lid part (3) or the transverse side wall (6).

7. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that each transverse side wall (6) has at least two latching tongues (7).

8. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the latching tongues (7) are predefined by cut lines (18) or predetermined breaking lines in the connecting web (12), it being possible for the latching tongues (7) to be folded out of the plane of the connecting web (12) during the erecting operation.

9. Packaging according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the latching tongues (7) adjoin the inner walls (11) and are divided from the inner walls (11) by folding-line sections (19).

10. Packaging according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the lid part (3) is of at least two-layer construction and comprises a base section (20) which adjoins the front side wall (4) and a second section (21) which is preferably adhesively bonded to the base section (20), the stop for the latching connection being formed by at least one cut-out (8) in the second section (21).

11. Packaging according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the lid part (3) is of at least two-layer construction in lateral regions and has a base section (20) and two tabs (39) for respectively forming the second layer, which are arranged in the region of mutually opposite sides of the base section (20) which face the latching tongues (7), a respective stop being defined for the latching connection by corresponding edges of the tabs (39), the edges being formed by at least one cut-out (8) in each tab (39) or by side edges of the tabs (39).

12. Packaging according to claims 6 and 10 or according to claims 6 and 11, characterized in that a plurality of cut-outs (8) are provided in the second section (21), each latching tongue (7) being assigned a corresponding cut-out (8).

13. Packaging according to claim 12, characterized in that the cut-out (8) is dimensioned in each case in such a way that, in the end position, it can receive the corresponding latching tongue (7) approximately with a precise fit.

14. Packaging according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a blister can be inserted or is inserted in the manner of a sandwich in the lid part (3) between the base section (20) and the second section (21), the second section having cut-outs (24) for receiving the bowls (23) of the blister and the base section (20) having open or closed dispensing openings (25), through which the packaged material can be removed.

15. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a blister can be inserted or is inserted in the manner of a sandwich between the bottom section (2) and a further section (35), the further section (35) having cut-outs (28) for receiving the bowls (27) of the blister and the bottom section (2) having open or closed dispensing openings (29), through which the packaged material can be removed.

16. Method for producing a packaging which is configured as a folding box, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 15, having a bottom section (2), side walls (4, 5, 6) which adjoin the bottom section, and a lid part (3) which closes the folding box, a front side wall (4) connecting the lid part (3) to the bottom section (2), and two transverse side walls (6) which abut the front side wall (4) being configured as prismatic hollow side walls which can be erected in the manner of a parallelogram from the plane of the bottom section (2), characterized by the following steps:

production of a stable prismatic hollow body from the bottom section (2), the lid part (3), the front side wall (4) and the opposite rear side wall (5) (intermediate position), and

erection of the transverse side walls (6) from the plane of the bottom section (2), the transverse side walls (6) being connected in a latching manner to the lid part (3) during the erecting operation (end position).