CARDBOARD/PLASTIC COMPOSITE PACKAGING HAVING A PULL-OFF COVER, AND A METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

Abstract

The invention relates to a composite card/plastics package comprising a package main body (8) which is provided with a longitudinal seam (6) and having a folded and welded package floor (18) which is provided at one end (16) of the package main body (8), and to a method and apparatus for producing it, in the case of which package the object of specifying a composite card/plastics package which is also suitable for non-liquid products and can moreover be stacked satisfactorily is achieved by arranging at the top end (11) of the package main body (8) a ledge (10) which extends round it and fastening a lid (14/L) to the ledge (10) in such a way that the lid (14/L) is able to be pulled off.

Description

The invention relates to a composite card/plastics package comprising a package main body which is provided with a longitudinal seam and having a folded and welded package floor which is provided at one end of the package main body, and to a method and apparatus for producing it.

Composite card/plastics packages have long been known and are available on the market in a wide variety of forms and designs. They are used for example as packages for beverages and also as packages for other foodstuffs.

It is known for the packages to be provided with an aid for opening them to make it easier for the consumer to gain access to the product. For this purpose, there is generally provided in the upper region of the composite card/plastics package an element which covers a pouring opening which is provided in the material of the composite card/plastics package. The pouring opening is used for pouring the product out.

The member which covers the pouring opening may be a strip which can be pulled off and which exposes the pouring opening when it is removed.

It is also known for a frame which surrounds the pouring opening to be fitted to the composite card/plastics package. The frame may have a lid which, when it is opened, exposes the pouring opening. There may in turn be provided, between the lid and the pouring opening, a strip which has to be removed when the lid is opened for the first time, to allow one to get at the product.

Alternatively, the lid may be connected to the frame in one piece with it before it is opened for the first time. When it is opened for the first time, part of the lid is then separated from the frame and exposes the pouring opening.

The frame may also be provided with a spout and may thus serve as an aid to pouring out.

The frame may also have a tube which is provided with a thread onto which a screw cap or lid can be screwed. The screw cap or lid may in particular also be used at the time of first opening to break open a perforation in the material of the composite card/plastics package and in this way to produce the pouring opening.

The above-mentioned elements for covering the pouring opening may in particular be so designed that they make it possible for the composite card/plastics package to be reclosed.

In the known composite card/plastics packages, it is a disadvantage that, because the pouring opening is generally very small, they are only suitable for liquid contents.

Also, the known composite card/plastics packages which have tall elements for pouring out cannot be stacked satisfactorily and cannot therefore be arranged in the optimum way in a minimum amount of space for transport and/or for storage.

The object underlying the invention is thus to specify a composite card/plastics package which is also suitable for non-liquid products and which, moreover, can be stacked satisfactorily.

In respect of the composite card/plastics package, this object is achieved in accordance with the invention by arranging at the top end of the main body of the package a ledge extending round it and by fastening a lid to the ledge in such a way that the lid is able to be pulled off.

The invention has thus appreciated that, by the provision of a ledge, a lid can be fastened to a composite card/plastics package having a folded and welded floor to the package in such a way that the lid can be pulled off. The lid can then be designed as a unit with the composite card/plastics package and, by being pulled off, and by thus exposing the entire cross-section of the composite card/plastics package, provides a possible way for even products containing constituents in lump form to be removed from the composite card/plastics package as a whole and without damaging them.

Surprisingly, it was found in this case that the composite card/plastics package is sufficiently strong and stable to meet the requirements of production and of distribution and selling.

It is particularly advantageous that, because of this, a composite card/plastics package can also be used for products which are not of a predominantly liquid nature. In this way, it is also suitable for the composite card/plastics package according to the invention to be used to hold yoghourt and other foods containing lumpy constituents. These can then even be eaten straight from the composite card/plastics package, once the lid has been pulled off. Any desired vegetable or meat products can also be taken out “carefully” through the large opening of the package.

Another advantage of the invention is that, by suitable design provisions such as printing, the lid is also able to contribute to giving the composite card/plastics package a harmonised and appealing exterior.

In an embodiment which is a particular preference, the package main body is produced from a rectangular blank, because this is a way of ensuring that production is free of waste.

In accordance with further teaching of the invention, the lid may be composed of a film or foil or a composite card/plastics material. The lid can be produced particularly easily and cheaply in this way.

The ledge may in this case be formed by the upper region of the package main body. The ledge may for example be a mouth roll produced from the material of the composite card/plastics package. Alternatively, the ledge may also be folded from the material of the composite card/plastics package.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible for the ledge to be arranged on a frame which is connected to the upper region of the package main body. In particular, the lid may be fastened to the ledge before or after the frame is connected to the upper region of the package main body. The frame may be produced by the injection moulding process. A wide variety of shapes can be produced in this way at low cost.

An embodiment which is a particular preference is characterised in that the lid is welded onto the ledge. The laid may however also be adhesive-bonded on or sealed on.

Regardless of how the lid is fastened to the ledge, the lid may be produced to be re-closable, so that, after some of the product has been removed, what remains continues to be protected.

The main body of the pack may also carry printing. An effect which particularly encourages sales can be achieved by this means. All the known processes can be used for the printing. The invention is not limited to any particular form of printing. What the present invention covers in particular is the printing of any intermediate layer and/or covering layer which the material of the package may have.

By making the cross-section of the package main body of a suitable shape, and in particular by making it round, oval or rectangular and to have or not to have rounded edges, a wealth of composite card/plastics packages of different types can be produced. The shapes may be matched in this case to the product and to the desired effect and presentation the exterior is to have.

What may also be provided are shapes or forms which are particularly beneficial for the logistics of transport and storage and which make it possible for the largest possible number of composite card/plastics packages to be transported and stored in a volume of space which is as small as possible. By placing the floor of the pack and the lid in planes which are produced to be parallel, the composite package according to the invention can also be stacked satisfactorily.

With particular advantage, the floor of the package may be produced to be rectangular, being for example folded into the form of a parallel-sided end-wall. The floor of the package may be designed to stand down particularly stably in this way, as a result of which any composite card/plastics package is, in itself, able to stand safely and securely, even in the open state. In this way, the composite card/plastics package can be put down while the product is being consumed or removed without the product being able to escape.

In a further embodiment, an additional protective lid may be provided, the protective lid being able to close the composite card/plastics package again after the lid has been opened.

In this way, the consumer can close the composite card/plastics package again easily once it has been opened and in this way ensure that the remaining product stays fresh.

In particular, the protective lid may be latched to the composite card/plastics package by positive interengagement (may be an overfitting lid) but may also be welded on, adhesive-bonded on or sealed on.

When a frame is provided, it is possible by configuring the frame in a particular way to contrive to cause the protective lid to latch securely into place on the frame. With particular advantage, the frame is designed for this purpose in such a way that it has at least one member to allow the protective lid to be latched into place.

The frame may have at least one recess arranged to extend round it to allow the protective lid to be latched into place. It is however also possible for the frame to have at least one projection arranged to extend round it to allow the protective lid to be latched into place.

By specially selecting the projections and recesses, it is possible in this case to ensure that the protective lid has a good grip and also to keep the material required for the frame to a minimum.

From the point of view of method, the object is achieved by the following steps:

• • production of a blank from a web of composite material,
  • sealing of two edges of the blank to form a longitudinal seam, thus giving a package main body,
  • provision on the package main body of a ledge which extends round it,
  • production of a container which is open at one end by the fitting of a lid to the ledge,
  • sterilisation of the container which is open at one end via the opening at the floor,
  • turning, if required, of the container which is open at one end,
  • filling of the container which is open at one end with a product from the floor end and
  • folding and welding of the floor of the container to form a floor for the package on which it will stand stably.

Alternatively, the object is achieved from the point of view of method by the following steps:

• • production of a blank from a web of composite material,
  • sealing of two edges of the blank to form a longitudinal seam, thus giving a package main body,
  • production of a container which is open at one end by folding and welding of the floor of the container to form a floor for the package on which it will stand stably,
  • provision on the package main body of a ledge extending round it,
  • sterilisation of the container which is open at one end from the top end of the package main body,
  • filling of the container which is open at one end with a product
  • sterilisation of a lid and
  • fitting of the lid to the ledge.

A further alternative makes provision for the following steps:

• • production of a blank from a web of composite material,
  • sealing of two edges of the blank to form a longitudinal seam, thus giving a package main body,
  • folding open of the package main body,
  • production of a container which is open at one end by the fitting of a lid to the package main body which has been folded open,
  • sterilisation of the container which is open at one end via the opening at the floor,
  • turning, if required, of the container which is open at one end,
  • filling of the container which is open at one end with a product from the floor end and
  • folding and welding of the floor of the container to form a floor for the package on which it will stand stably.

There are thus three given methods for achieving the object: hence a lid may first be fitted, the composite card/plastics package may be filled in a later step and the floor of the package produced after that, or the floor of the package may be produced first, the composite card/plastics package may be filled in a later step and the lid may be fitted after that.

In the above-mentioned methods, all the features of the item to which the invention relates may be produced in this case, such for example as the shape in cross-section of the package main body, the folding of the floor of the package and the design of the floor to stand down stably, the welding-on of the lid and the printing of the lid and the material of the package.

The floor of the package can be folded particularly easily if the blank is provided with indented or fold lines before the longitudinal seam is formed. When this is the case, it is particularly easy for the floor of the package to be produced to be rectangular.

A floor for the package on which it stands particularly stably can be produced by first providing the floor of the package with a floor seam and then pressing the flaps of the package which are produced when folding-in takes place against the floor of the package and fastening them thereto in such way that the surface of the floor is of a concave curvature, because in this way the composite card/plastics package stands, in essence, only on the four outer edges of the floor of the package.

From the point of view of apparatus, the object is achieved by a folding-open station at which the package main bodies, which are laid flat, are folded open into a tubular package main body and are fed to a mandrel, by a lid-fitting station at which a lid is connected to a package main body to form a package which is open at one end, and having a transfer station at which the package (P) is drawn off the mandrel and transferred to a filling unit positioned downstream.

In a further useful embodiment of the invention, the lid-fitting station is arranged to cover a plurality of mandrel positions. In this way, the processing time required by the mandrel wheel, which is operated in a timed manner, can be increased in the appropriate way.

This is necessary particularly when, before the actual fitting of the lid, the outer edge of the package main body is pre-rolled at a first station, is shaped into a mouth roll at a second station, is heated at a third station and is pressed into a ledge at a fourth station, as is provided for in a further preferred embodiment of the invention. To allow these stations to be obtained, it is useful for mandrel wheels which have an appropriate number of mandrels, such as six or eight for example, to be used.

In accordance with further teaching of the invention, a ledge-pressing station is provided at which, to allow the mouth roll to be pressed, a pressing ram is pressed against the mandrel axially and, to produce the opposing pressure, two supports are applied to the mandrel laterally. These supports are advantageously pivotably mounted and in their working position are arranged around the mandrel which has the package main body slid onto it, in positive interengagement therewith.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the actual lid is then fitted at a lid-sealing station at which each lid is blanked out of a strip of foil or film which extends at right angles to the plane of the mandrel wheel and is sealed to the ledge.

As has already been described in detail above, it is also possible, to stiffen the container, for the lid not to be connected directly to the container but for it first to be connected to a frame to form to form a framed lid, which latter is then fitted to the container which is open at one end. In an embodiment of this kind and depending on the geometry and application, the framed lid or else the package main body which has been folded open is first slid onto a mandrel of a mandrel wheel and then whichever is the other part in the given case is slid on, before the framed lid and the main body of the package are connected together to form a container which is open at one end.

The invention will be explained in detail below by reference to drawings which merely show preferred embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a blank which comes from a web of composite material.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section through a package main body on a mandrel.

FIGS. 2A to 2C show various forms of longitudinal seam.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through a package main body having a mouth roll forming a ledge.

FIGS. 3A to 3C show steps in the production of a mouth roll.

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through a container which is open at one end and which has a lid fastened to the mouth roll of the package main body.

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through a container which is open at one and which has been filled.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, looking from below, of a floor of a package.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section through a package main body which has a fold as a ledge.

FIGS. 7A to 7C show steps in the production of a fold.

FIG. 8 is a vertical section through a different embodiment of the package main body which has a fold as a ledge.

FIG. 9 is a vertical section through a package main body, of which only part is shown, which has a frame placed on it.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show further embodiments of the package main body shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a frame having a ledge.

FIG. 13 is a vertical section through the frame on line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a vertical section through the frame shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 when it has a protective lid latched into place.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of another embodiment of frame.

FIG. 16 is a vertical section through the frame on line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a plane view of a further embodiment of frame.

FIG. 18 shows a first embodiment of apparatus for forming a container which is open at one end.

FIG. 19 shows, in schematic form, the re-shaping of a package main body which is laid flat into a tubular package main body.

FIG. 20 shows the ledge-pressing station looking in the direction of arrow X-X in FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 shows the lid-sealing station looking in the direction of arrow XXI-XXI in FIG. 18.

FIG. 22 shows a second embodiment of apparatus for forming a container which is open at one end.

FIG. 23 shows a further embodiment of apparatus for forming a container which is open at one end.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are two vertical-sections through the framed lids which are used.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show intermediate steps in the production of the composite card/plastics package according to the invention. FIGS. 7 to 17 show further embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a blank 1 which has been produced from a web of composite material. All the known methods, such for example as cutting by water jet or punching out may be used to produce the blank. The web of composite material may also have various layers and may carrying printing. With particular advantage, a blank 1 of a rectangular format is selected, because this is a way of ensuring production which is free of waste. The blank 1 also has indented or fold lines 2. The indented or fold lines 2 considerably simplify subsequent folding of the blank 1.

FIG. 2 shows that the blank 1 is fitted round a mandrel 3 and two edges 4 and 5 of the blank 1 are sealed to form a longitudinal seam 6.

As shown in FIG. 2A, it is advantageous if, in this case, the edge 5 situated on the inside, i.e. the edge which rests against the mandrel 3, is produced to be pared down. For this purpose, a region of the edge 5 is first pared down on the side remote from the mandrel 3. Following this, the edge 5 is folded over, and fastened if required, in such a way that one half of the pared-down region is lying against whichever is the other half in the given case. This is an easy way of stopping the product from subsequently coming into contact with the card of the blank 1. It can also be ensured in this way that any subsequent sterilisation will be complete.

As FIG. 2B shows, the edge 5 may also be protected by a sealing strip 7 which overlaps it and which may also be sealed on. What is more, the sealing strip 7 may also, as shown in FIG. 2C, be arranged around the edge 5 in a U-shape. In particular, the sealing strip 7 may be fastened to the edge 5 back at the stage when the blank 1 is being produced by using a co-travelling sealing strip 7.

As a function of the shape of the mandrel 3, the sealing of the longitudinal seam produces a package main body 8. Shown in FIG. 2 is a package main body 8 of substantially rectangular cross-section which has rounded edges 9. The package main body 8 is still open at both its ends in this case. Alternatively, round or oval cross-sections for example may also be produced in this way as a function of the shape of the mandrel 3.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which there is formed by the upper region of the package main body 8 a ledge 10 which extends round it. In FIG. 3, the ledge 10 is a mouth roll 12 which is produced from the material of the composite card/plastics package and whose production is elucidated in FIGS. 3A to 3C.

As shown in the detail view in FIG. 3A, the top end 11 of the package main body 8 is first rolled over in the direction of arrow A. In the step shown in FIG. 3B, the rolled package main body 8 is pressed in the direction of arrows B, thus producing the mouth roll 12 which is shown in FIG. 3C.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a container (13) open at one end which has been created by a lid 14 which has been welded onto the ledge 10 formed by the mouth roll 12. The top end 11 of the package main body 8 is thus closed off. In the present embodiment, the lid 14 has in addition a tab 15 for pulling-off which makes it easier for the lid 14 to be pulled off.

The lid 14 may also be fitted in such a way as to be re-closable.

Starting with a container 13 as shown in FIG. 4 which is open at one end, the intermediate step of sterilisation (not shown) follows. For the sterilisation, all the known methods may be used provided they do not stress the materials of the package main body 8 and the lid 14 or the joints between them any more than is necessary. What is particularly suitable is autoclaving.

FIG. 5 shows a container 13 open at one end which has been turned from the position shown in FIG. 4, which means that the end 16 of the package main body 8 which is still open is directed upwards. The product 17 has been filled into the container 13 which is open at one end through the end 16 which is open. The lid 14 stops the product 17 from escaping when this is done. The filling can be performed by all the known methods.

FIG. 6 shows that the end 16 of the package main body 8 which was previously open has been folded to form a floor 18 for the package which has flaps 19 and on which it will stand stably. For this purpose, the open end 16 has first been provided with a bottom seam and the flaps 19 of the package which are then produced when the folding-in takes place have been fastened to the floor 18 of the package. It is particularly advantageous if, when this is done, the flaps 19 of the package are pressed against the floor 18 of the package and are fastened thereto in such a way that the surface of the floor is of a concave curvature. Then, when the composite card/plastics package is stood down, it is only the four outer edges of the floor 18 of the package which make contact, which results in its standing down particularly stably.

Shown in FIG. 7 is an alternative way of forming the ledge 10 in the upper region of the package main body 8 by providing a fold 20.

As is shown in FIG. 7A, the top end 11 of the package main body 8 is first folded around a first point P in the direction of arrow A for this purpose. In the next step, which is shown in FIG. 7B, the part of the package main body 8 which was folded once is folded for a second time, around the point Q in the direction of arrow B. After this, as shown in FIG. 7C, the fold 20 can be consolidated by compressing it in the direction of arrows C. The lid 14 which was described above may be fitted at the same time when this is done.

FIG. 8 shows that a ledge 10 may also be created by outwardly directed folding of the top end 11 of the package main body 8. In this alternative, either only the fold 20 may be compressed first or a lid 14 may be fitted at the same time.

Another possible way of arranging, at the top end 11 of the package main body 8, a ledge 10 which extends round it is by arranging the ledge 10 on a frame 21 which is connected to the upper region of the package main body 8, as will be explained in what follows. The frame 21 is identified by the same reference numerals in the embodiments which are shown, even though it may be of a different configuration and material in the respective cases.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the ledge 10 is formed on a frame 21 which is connected to the upper region of the package main body 8. For this purpose, the frame 21 has been given an L-shaped profile and has been fastened to the package main body 8 by beading over the top end 11. In this embodiment, a lid 14 may have been fastened to the ledge 10 before the frame 21 is fastened to the package main body 8. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 however, the lid 14 is only fitted in a subsequent step which is not shown, and in this way a container 13 which is open at one end is once again produced.

To fasten the frame 21 shown in FIG. 10 in place, it is merely necessary, in contrast to the embodiment shown previously, for the frame 21 to be fastened to the top end 11 of the package main body 8. Any complicated and costly folding of the top end 11 can be dispensed with, which considerably simplifies production. The fastening of a lid 14 to the ledge 10 may, once again, be performed before or after the fastening of the frame 21 to the top end 11 of the package main body 8.

A particularly strong embodiment of frame 21 is shown in FIG. 11. Especially as a result of the abutment 22 for the frame 21, the frame 21 can be positioned particularly easily, because the depth to which the frame 21 is inserted in the top end 11 of the package main body 8 is limited by the abutment 22.

As soon as the lid 14 has been pulled off, and particularly when it has not been produced to be re-closable, if may be advantageous for an additional protective lid 24 to be provided. The same reference numeral is used for each of the protective caps 24 which are described below. Particularly the shape given to the protective cap 24 and the material which is used to produce it may however be different in any given case.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a special embodiment of the frame 21. The frame 21 has members for latching the protective lid 24, which is shown in FIG. 14, into place. These members are four recesses 23 indicated by dashed lines which are arranged to extend round the frame 21 and which may of course equally well be produced to be of a different size.

It is shown in FIG. 13 how the frame 21 is fastened in place in the upper region of the package main body 8. This embodiment is particularly compact and a plurality of composite card/plastics packages may thus be positioned next to one another particularly tightly and with a particular saving of space. The protective lid 24 is able, as shown in FIG. 14, to engage in and latch into the recesses 23. For this purpose, the protective lid 24 has four beads 25 which serve to engage in the four recesses 23 in the frame 21 and to latch the protective lid 24 to the frame 21. In this way, the composite card/plastics package can be closed again even after the lid 14 which was previously fastened to the ledge 10 has been removed.

A further embodiment of frame 21 having a member for latching a protective lid 24 in place is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The frame 21 has a projection 26 extending round it which serves to latch a suitably configured protective lid 24 in place. It can be seen from FIG. 16 that the projection 26 projects beyond the outer cross-section of the package main body 8.

As shown in FIG. 17, the frame 21 may also have a plurality of projections 26 extending round it to latch a protective lid 24 in place. This is an easy way of reducing the material required for producing the frame 21 and thus of saving costs.

What is now shown in schematic form in FIG. 18 is a first example of an apparatus for producing a container P which is open at one end. It comprises initially and in essence a mandrel wheel 27 having eight mandrels 28. At a folding-open station 29, a tubular package main body 8 is first folded open from a package main body S which is laid flat, and is slid axially onto an unoccupied mandrel 28. Following on from the folding-open station 29 at the next positions at the mandrel wheel are a pre-rolling station 30, a finish rolling station 31, a heating station 32, a ledge-pressing station 33, a lid-sealing station 34 and finally a transfer station 35. In order not to expose the container P which is to be produced to unnecessary soiling, the apparatus is enclosed by an enclosure 37 having at least one opening 36. The opening or openings 36 serve the enclosure 37 as a means of feeding in the laid-flat package main bodies S, which are supplied stacked in a magazine 38. By means of a gripper 39 and other aids (not shown), the laid-flat package main body S is folded open into a tubular package main body 8, the cross-section of the folded-open package main body 8 corresponding to the cross-section of the mandrel 28. To give a clearer picture, this process is shown again schematically and in perspective in FIG. 19.

At the pre-rolling station 30, a pressing die 40A is first responsible for the pre-rolling of the top end of the package, the pressing die 40A being pressed axially against the mandrel 28 by an arrangement which is for example operated pneumatically. It goes without saying that the package main body has to be supported towards the axis of the mandrel wheel even though this is not shown in the schematic drawing.

The pre-rolled edge of the package is then shaped into a mouth roll 12 by a further pressing die 40B in the finish rolling station 31. The mouth roll 12 is heated at the heating station 32 by an appropriate heating device 41 and is finally fed to the ledge-pressing station 33 which follows. There, in the embodiment which is shown and therefore preferred, a pressing ram 42 is pressed axially against the mouth roll 12 from below, the top edge of the mouth roll 12 being supported by supports 43A, 43B providing opposing pressure which are fed in an appropriate way, thus causing the desired flat ledge 10 to come into being at this point. Although the supports 43A, 43B providing opposing pressure are pivoted in the plane of the mandrel wheel in FIG. 18, this is only done to allow them to be shown more satisfactorily. In order not to restrict the movement of the mandrel wheel, the supports 43A, 43B providing opposing pressure move in a plane which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the mandrel wheel 27, as shown in FIG. 20.

Finally, the package main body 8, having been provided with the ledge 10, is provided at the lid-sealing station 33 with a lid L, thus creating a container P which is open at one end. For this purpose, the lid L required is blanked out of a strip F of film or foil which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the mandrel wheel, as is shown schematically in FIG. 21. By virtue of this provision, each lid L may be provided with a tab T for tearing it open which is usefully arranged in one corner and which projects beyond the ledge 10 and is intended to allow the container P to be opened more easily. The sealing-on is then performed by a sealing plunger 44, the lid L having previously been blanked out, by a blanking-out plunger which is only indicated schematically, in such a way that it is still held in the strip F of film or foil but is reliably severed therefrom in the sealing operation.

As has already been mentioned, it is however also possible for a frame 21, into which or onto which the lid L proper is welded, to be used in place of the ledge which is used. These may be frames 21 whose outside dimensions are smaller than the clear internal cross-section of the package main body 8 when folded open, as shown in FIG. 10, or else are larger than them or precisely as large as them, as shown in FIG. 11. To produce containers of this kind, two alternative pieces of apparatus are shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. Identical parts are identified by the same reference numerals in this case. In the first alternative embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 22, a mandrel wheel 46 having four mandrels 47 comprises first a folding-open station 28, together with a station 49 for placing on framed lids and a station 50 for sealing framed lids, and finally a transfer station 51. In this case too an enclosure 52 for enclosing purposes is once again provided with an appropriate opening 53, through which a magazine 54 holding laid-flat package main bodies S is fed in. At the folding-open station 28, the folding open of the package main bodies 8 by a gripper 55 is performed in the way which has already been described in detail in connection with FIG. 18.

The folded-open package main body 8 is then slid onto the mandrel 47 and is pivoted to the station 49 for placing on framed lids. There, there is a magazine 56 holding a plurality of framed lids FL which have already been fully sealed together, of which one framed lid FL at a time is taken out by means of a pivoter unit 57 and appropriate grippers 58 and is pivoted through 180° and is then placed on the package main body 8 in the direction which leads towards the mandrel 8.

After a fresh pivoting movement, the framed lid FL which has been placed on is connected to the package main body 8 with a liquid-tight seal with the help of a sealing plunger 59, as can also be seen from FIG. 24. The final position then shows the transfer station 51 at which the container P which is open at one end is drawn off the mandrel 47 by means of a pivoter unit 60 and is fed to a carrying chain 61, suitably arranged retaining clips 62 being provided to hold in place the packages, which are now open at their bottom ends and are, so to speak, standing on their heads.

If however smaller framed lids FL′ whose outside diameter is smaller than the inside diameter of the folded-open package main body 8 are used, completion takes place in a slightly modified apparatus in which a framed lid FL′ from a magazine 56′ is first placed onto the suitably shaped end of a mandrel 47′ by means of a pivoter unit 57′ and a gripper 58′. On the circle shown in dotted and dashed lines in FIG. 23, it can clearly be seen that the framed lid FL′ which is placed onto the mandrel 47′ may be provided with a lid which similarly has a tab T for tearing it open, which is then usefully folded inwards. In this connection, reference should be made to FIG. 25, which corresponds to FIG. 10 but shows a sealed-on lid L and a tab T for tearing open.

Once the mandrel 47′ has then been pivoted on from the station 49′ for placing on framed lids to the folding-open station 48′, a package main body 8, which has previously been taken from a magazine 54′ and folded open by means of a gripper 55′ and a pivoter unit 55A, is slid over the lid FL′. The two final stations (the station 50 for sealing framed lids and the transfer station 51) are the same as in the apparatus shown in FIG. 22, and reference may therefore be made to the corresponding description.

In the embodiment which is shown and therefore preferred, the pivoter unit 60, which serves to draw off the finished container P′ which is open at one end, can be used at the same time for sliding on the folded-open package main body 8 by producing it as twin pivoter units 60′ and by coupling them together mechanically.

The present invention is not however limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Provision may for example also be made for different cross-sectional shapes for the two ends of the composite card/plastics package. In this way, the floor of the package may be of a substantially rectangular form and the region of the mouth roll of a substantially circular form. The package main body then changes from a rectangular to a circular cross-section and the lid which is to be welded on is matched to the circular cross-section.

FIG. 1

Claims

1. Composite card/plastics package comprising a package main body (8) which is provided with a longitudinal seam (6) and having a folded and welded package floor (18) which is provided at one end (16) of the package main body (8), characterised in that there is arranged at the top end (11) of the package main body (8) a ledge (10) which extends round it and in that a lid (14) is fastened to the ledge (10) in such a way as to be able to be pulled off.

2. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 1, characterised in that the package main body (8) is produced from a rectangular blank (1).

3. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the lid (14) is produced from a film or foil.

4. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the lid (14) is produced from a composite card/plastics material.

5. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the ledge is formed by the upper region of the package main body (8).

6. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 5, characterised in that the ledge (10) is a mouth roll (12) produced from the material of the composite card/plastics package.

7. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 5, characterised in that the ledge (10) is folded from the material of the composite card/plastics package.

8. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the ledge (10) is arranged on a frame (21) which is connected to the upper region of the package main body (8).

9. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the lid (14) is welded onto the ledge (10).

10. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the lid (14) is adhesive-bonded onto the ledge (10).

11. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the lid (14) is sealed onto the ledge (10).

12. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the lid (14) is produced to be re-closable.

13. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the floor (18) is produced to be rectangular.

14. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the cross-section of the package main body (8) is produced to be substantially round.

15. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the cross-section of the package main body (8) is produced to be substantially oval.

16. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the cross-section of the package main body (8) is produced to be substantially rectangular with rounded edges (9).

17. Composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised by a protective lid (24) which is produced to be re-closable.

18. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 17, characterised in that the protective lid (24) takes the form of an overfitting lid (24).

19. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the frame (21) has at least one member to allow the protective lid (24) to be latched into place.

20. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 19, characterised in that the frame (21) has at least one recess (23) arranged to extend round it to allow the protective lid (24) to be latched into place.

21. Composite card/plastics package according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the frame (21) has at least one projection (26) arranged to extend round it to allow the protective lid (24) to be latched into place.

22. Method of producing a composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterised by the following steps:

production of a blank (1) from a web of composite material,

sealing of two edges (4, 5) of the blank (1) to form a longitudinal seam (6), thus giving a package main body (8),

provision on the package main body (8) of a ledge (10) extending round it,

production of a container (13) which is open at one end by the fitting of a lid (14) to the ledge (10),

sterilisation of the container (13) which is open at one end via the opening (16) at the floor,

turning, if required, of the container (13) which is open at one end,

filling of the container (13) which is open at one end with a product (17) from the floor end and

folding and welding of the floor (16) of the container to form a floor (18) for the package on which it will stand stably.

23. Method of producing a composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterised by the following steps:

production of a blank (1) from a web of composite material,

sealing of two edges (4, 5) of the blank (1) to form a longitudinal seam (6), thus giving a package main body (8),

folding open of the package main body (8),

production of a container (13) which is open at one end by the fitting of a lid (14) to the package main body (8) which has been folded open,

sterilisation of the container (13) which is open at one end via the opening (16) at the floor,

turning, if required, of the container (13) which is open at one end,

filling of the container (13) which is open at one end with a product (17) from the floor end and

folding and welding of the floor (16) of the container to form a floor (18) for the package on which it will stand stably.

24. Method of producing a composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterised by the following steps:

production of a blank (1) from a web of composite material,

sealing of two edges (4, 5) of the blank (1) to form a longitudinal seam (6), thus giving a package main body (8),

production of a container (13) which is open at one end by folding and welding of the floor (16) of the container to form a floor (18) for the package on which it will stand stably,

provision on the package main body (8) of a ledge (10) extending round it,

sterilisation of the container (13) which is open at one end from the top end (11) of the package main body (8),

filling of the container (13) which is open at one end with a product (17),

sterilisation of a lid (14) and

fitting of the lid (14) to the ledge (10).

25. Method according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterised in that the blank (1) is provided with indented or fold lines (2) before the longitudinal seam is formed.

26. Method according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterised in that the floor (18) of the package is first provided with a floor seam and the flaps (19) of the package which are produced when folding-in takes place are pressed against the floor (18) of the package and are fastened thereto in such way that the surface of the floor is of a concave curvature.

27. Apparatus for producing a composite card/plastics package according to one of claims 1 to 21, having at least one mandrel wheel and a plurality of processing stations for forming packages, which processing stations are arranged around the circumference of the mandrel wheel, characterised by a folding-open station at which the package main bodies (S), which are laid flat, are folded open into a tubular package main body (8) and are fed to a mandrel (28, 47), by a lid-fitting station at which a lid (L, FL) is connected to a package main body (8) to form a package (P) which is open at one end, and having a transfer station (35, 51) at which the package (P) is drawn off the mandrel (28, 47) and transferred to a filling unit positioned downstream.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, characterised in that the lid-fitting station is arranged to cover a plurality of mandrel positions.

29. Apparatus according to claim 27, characterised in that, before the actual fitting of the lid (L), the outer edge of the package main body (8) is pre-rolled at a first station (30), is shaped into a mouth roll (12) at a second station (31), is heated at a third station (32) and is pressed into a ledge (10) at a fourth station (33).

30. Apparatus according to claim 29, characterised in that, to allow the mouth roll (12) to be pressed, a pressing ram (42) is pressed against the mandrel (28) axially at the ledge-pressing station (33), and in that, to produce the opposing pressure, two supports (43A and 43B) are applied to the mandrel (28) laterally.

31. Apparatus according to claim 30, characterised in that the supports (43A, 43B) are pivotably mounted and in their working position are arranged around the mandrel (28) which has the package main body (8) slid onto it, in positive interengagement therewith.

32. Apparatus according to one of claims 27 to 31, characterised in that what is provided as a lid-fitting station is a lid-sealing station (34) at which each lid (L) is blanked out of a strip (F) of foil or film which extends at right angles to the plane of the mandrel wheel (27) and is sealed to the ledge (10).

33. Apparatus according to claim 27 or 28, characterised in that each lid (L) is connected to a frame (21) to form a framed lid (FL).

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, characterised in that dedicated stations (48, 49 and 48′, 49′) are provided at the mandrel wheel (46, 46′) for feeding in each framed lid (FL) and each package main body (8) respectively.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterised in that the station (49) for sliding on the framed lids (FL) is arranged downstream of the folding-open station (48).

36. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterised in that the station (49′) for sliding on the framed lids (FL) is arranged upstream of the folding-open station (48′) and the outside dimensions of the framed lid (FL′) are smaller than the inside cross-section of the package main body (P′) which is to be slid onto the mandrel (47′) over the framed lid (FL′).