The invention relates to a package for goods such as flat food stuff, which can be conveniently used for shipping, shelf presentation and by the end user. In particular, the invention relates to such packages made from paper or cardboard. A blank for manufacturing the package also forms part of the invention.

Packages for packaging foodstuff and the like are well-known.

For example, DE 84 27 243 U1 discloses a cubic cardboard package which is folded from a blank. It is provided with a top, a bottom, a front and a rear wall and two side walls. Part of the top wall is constructed to form a pivotable lid. The parts of the side walls adjacent to the lid and the lid itself are provided with tongues. The respective tongues overlap so that, upon opening of the lid, the lid's tongues are guided between the side walls and the tongues of the side walls.

DE 85 20 442 U1 also discloses a cubic container with a top, a bottom, a front and a rear wall and two side walls. The top wall is constructed as a pivotable lid with two downwardly projecting guide tongues which are shaped as segments of a circle. Stopper tongues are provided on the ends of the guide tongues remote from the top wall. Upon complete opening of the lid, the stopper tongues abut the front wall of the package and, thus, limit the opening angle of the lid.

DE 296 13 255 U1 describes a cubic box with a top, a bottom, a front and a rear wall and two double-layered side walls. The top wall is formed by a pivotable lid, the lid extending into guide tongues. These tongues plunge into the space between the two layers of the side walls. Additionally, the tongues are provided with projections which limit the opening angle of the lid by abutting the package's front wall.

However, all of the above-mentioned packages are designed to hold heavy, loose or bulk material. Thus, the packages are commonly manufactured from relatively thick cardboard. This wall thickness stabilizes the package. For foodstuff as a packaging good, especially foodstuff such as chocolate for example, packages are mass-produced and, from an economical viewpoint, it is essential to reduce the wall thickness as much as possible. However, when the thickness is reduced, the package is rendered unstable. In addition to the weak material, the closure mechanism of such packages has at least one open side and is typically only connected to the package by a hinge. Consequently, the stability of such a closure mechanism is particularly adversely affected.

Under consideration of the known packages, it is an object of the present invention to provide a package which is inexpensive to manufacture, pleasant in appearance, sufficiently stable to protect the contents of the package and simultaneously reclosable in a reliable manner. Further, it is an object 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 in accordance with claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of this package are described in the dependent claims 2 to 9.

In another aspect according to the present invention, there is provided a foldable package blank in accordance with claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of this package blank are further defined in the dependent claims 11 to 17.

The package according to the present invention provides significant advantages over previously known packages. The inventive package has a top wall, a bottom wall and at least three side walls. Therefore, the package can be of triangular, square or other polygonal cross-sections or the packages cross-section may be a combination of substantially linear and curvilinear edges. Two of the substantially planar side walls of the package are subdivided into portions. Such subdivision provides a means by which the respective portions can be separated by the user. Separation takes place when opening the inventive package. In its closed state, the respective portions are contiguous. The portions of the walls thus subdivided each comprise a portion of the lid. These lid portions are provided with tongues. The remaining portions of the thus subdivided side walls each have two layers between which the tongues are interposed. These two layers overlap. Typically, one inner layer substantially overlaps the entire surface area of this remaining portion of one side wall. According to the present invention, the two layers are connected to one another at a location within the overlapping area thereof and at a distance from the margins of these two layers. This connection preferably comprises an adhesive. However, depending on the choice of material for the package, connection means such as heat sealing, welding or the like are also envisaged.

Hence, a mechanical stop is advantageously provided by this connection. Said mechanical stop limits the movement of the tongues while simultaneously stabilizing the side walls of the package by connecting the two layers at an area which is not already stablilised by any directly adjacent edges or margins. Consequently, this area is most adversely affected by excessive force exerted onto the lid, possibly by the user. Locating the inventive connection area in this manner transforms the two layers of the respective side walls into a stable composite structure.

Additionally, the edges or margins of the two layers must not necessarily be connected to one another, which results in a greater degree of freedom in the layout of the package blank. Manufacturing of the inventive package from a single package blank is also enabled by this package design.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, pivotal movement of the lid is enabled by hinging fold line, this being located on the top wall or on one of the side walls of the package, depending on how it is desired the lid should open. In any case, it is advantageous to locate said hinge such that several side walls swing open together with a portion of the top wall. In order to render the closing of the package easier and more reliable, the inventive package can be separated along a dividing line which is straight, convex or concave and originates from the pivot axis or pivot point of the lid. Depending on which cross-section is chosen for the package, a choice which is left up to the person skilled in the art, the corresponding design of the weakening line enables gradual engagement of the package's edges, which result from the separation of the package, along the weakening line upon reclosure of the lid.

The weakening line by which the package's side walls are subdivided, is easier to manufacture if opening of the package is enhanced by providing a tearing strip. Removing this tearing strip from one or two walls of the package renders such an opening more easily accessible to the end user. Further, provision of an opening means through weakening lines or zones simultaneously provides a means to detect possible tampering with the inventive package. Tampering with the package will modify these weakening lines or zones and, thus, leave evidence.

The inventive package should preferably be manufactured from a single, one-piece blank. The lid of the package should preferably be reclosable in a simple and reliable manner. The flip-top closure with guided tongues according to the present invention meets these needs.

In order to provide well-defined edges and planar side walls of the inventive package, a wall thickness of edge regions between adjacent walls is advantageously smaller than the wall thickness of the remaining regions. By reducing the wall thickness of the package in these regions, fold lines are provided. As a result, assembly of the package is easier and the package's outer appearance is enhanced. Crease lines, score lines and fold lines, e.g., are considered as being regions of reduced wall thickness in the sense of the present invention.

The inventive package blank comprises outer wall segments, bottom wall segments, side wall segments and the necessary tabs or flaps to permit, by folding and fixing of said tabs or flaps to the respective adjacent segments, the formation of a package. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the methods of manufacturing the blanks of this invention, regardless of whether these be made of plastic, paper or other suitable materials. Those skilled in the art will also be capable of selecting suitable methods of folding the blanks, in which the product items to be packaged are preferably already contained, as well as suitable ways of fixing the blank to form a package. Such means might be, for example, adhesive, welding or hot-melt gluing.

The invention is described in greater detail in the following by way of purely exemplary embodiments represented schematically in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

shows a plan view of an inventive package blank immediately after manufacture and prior to folding;

Fig. 2-7

show, in perspective view, the inventive package in several sequential folding steps;

Fig. 8,

in perspective view from a first direction, shows an inventive package thus obtained;

Fig. 9

depicts the package of Fig. 8 as viewed from a different side;

Fig. 10

shows the inventive package in a perspective view from yet another side, the package with the lid completely open; and

Fig. 11

shows a view identical to that of Fig. 10 but with invisible edges, fold lines and tabs or flaps visible.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, similar reference signs are used throughout for the same or corresponding parts of the package and the inventive package blank.

A package according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 1 in plan view in its configuration immediately after manufacture of the blank. In Fig. 1, the package is viewed from a first side, whereas in Figures 2 to 4, it is shown from the other side. If the contents of the package are such that blank paper or cardboard as a material for the package and package blank is appropriate, both sides are equivalent for the later folding process. Should the contents of the package require that the package be coated with a polymeric material, it is apparent that the coated side of the package blank should, after folding of the package, be on the inner side of the package.

Fig. 1 shows the following structural features of the package prior to folding. On the top margin of the embodiment depicted in the drawings, a left side wall segment 18 is provided. The left side wall segment extends into a top wall segment 24 and a bottom wall segment 26. Fold lines 70 are provided between these segments, respectively. The left side wall segment 18 further extends into rear wall segment 16. On the margin of rear wall segment 16 opposite to the left side wall segment 18, a right side wall segment 14 is provided. Again, rear wall segment 16 and right wall segment 14 are joined by a fold line 70. Right side wall segment extends, both to the left and right, into a top wall segment 22 and a bottom wall segment 26, respectively. Front wall segment 20 also branches off from right side wall segment 14. This front wall segment 20 extends into attachment flap 12. This latter attachment flap is, in the folding process, attached to the left side wall segment 18.

The terminology indicating direction, such as left and right, was chosen so that it corresponds to the orientation of Figures 2 to 8 as viewed, said Figures indicating the folding process of the blank into a package.

Rear wall segment 16 extends to the left into tongues 40, which will be described in more detail below. To the right, rear wall segment 16 extends into overlap flaps 50. Again, these overlap flaps 50 will be described in greater detail in the following. Additionally, top wall segments 22 and bottom wall segments 26 are provided to the left and right of rear wall segment 16.

Analogous to rear wall segment 16, front wall segment 20 extends into tongues 40, overlap flaps 50, top wall segments 22 and bottom wall segments 26.

Turning now to the tongues 40, it can be taken from Fig. 1 how the tongues are each divided into portions, namely a rectangular portion 44 and an arched portion 42. Each rectangular portion 44 is provided with an engagement edge 46, the function of which will be described below with reference Fig. 11. Although the depicted shape of the engagement edges of the tongues forms part of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be selected as appropriate for the particular application of the package as long as the primary function of the tongues is maintained, i.e. the cooperation with the mechanical stop.

Looking now at overlap flaps 50, Fig. 1 shows that each is provided with an arched margin 52. Since the blank 10 is to be folded into a substantially symmetrical package, it will be appreciated that the two depicted overlap flaps 50, although of identical shape and size, are arranged as mirror images relative to one another. This also applies to tongues 40.

Fig. 1 also illustrates the opening mechanism of the package. In particular, opening of the package in the illustrated embodiment is simplified by the provision of a tearing strip 32. However, a single perforated line or the like may also suffice for certain designs of the package. The tearing strip is formed by two dividing lines 30 which are substantially parallel to one another. The front edge of this tearing strip is exposed to form a grip portion 34. On the rear wall segment of the package blank, a dividing line 28 is provided. This dividing line 28 and the corresponding tearing strip 32 are joined by a hinging fold line 36, this fold line being located on the right wall segment 14 in the illustrated embodiment. However, the hinging or hinged fold line can also be placed on other wall segments, such as the top wall segment or on the edges of the package, depending on how it is desired that the package be opened. In the depicted embodiment, the edges of the arched portions 42 of the tongues 40, dividing line 28 of the rear wall segment 16, hinging fold line 36 of the right side wall segment 14 and perforation 30 of the front wall segment 20 form a continuous line. The perforation or dividing line 28 and the tearing strip 32 are arranged in a concave manner, as viewed from the top wall segment 22 between tongues 40. However, it will be appreciated that the perforation 28 and the tearing strip 32 may also be arranged in a convex fashion or as straight lines.

In the following, the process of folding the package blank into a package will be described with reference to Figures 2-8.

Figure 2 illustrates the other side of the package blank as shown in Fig. 1 in a perspective view. Naturally, identical parts are identified by identical reference numerals. In addition to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 depicts attachment areas 64 for attaching the tongues 40. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, this attachment is achieved by means of an adhesive. However, depending on the choice of material for the package blank, other attachment means, such as cohesion, are also envisaged. Explicit examples for other attachment means are heat sealing, hot melt gluing, or the like.

After having applied the adhesive to attachment area 60, tongues 40 are folded onto rear wall segment 16 and front wall segment 20, respectively, and adhered thereto. It will be noted that the arched portions of the tongues cover the dividing line 28 of the rear wall segment 16 and the tearing strip 32 of the front wall segment 20, respectively. This overlap ensures gradual engagement of the tongues with the side walls of the package in use, as already mentioned above. Figure 3 further illustrates attachment areas 64 for the overlap flaps 50. These attachment areas are provided in a region close to the margin of overlap flaps 50 adjacent to fold line 70. Locating these attachment areas, and therefore, the attachment close to the fold lines ensures a sharp edge and prevents that a gap is formed between overlap flaps 50 and front wall segment 16 and rear wall segment 20, respectively. Additionally, two connection areas 62 for the overlap flaps are shown. It will be noted that these connection areas 62 are located at a distance from the margins of the overlap flaps 50.

In this preferred embodiment, the shape of the connection areas 62 is provided such that one edge of the connection area is substantially parallel to the adjacent margin of the front wall segment 20 or the rear wall segment 16, but spaced apart from this margin. A second edge of the connection area 62 is arranged such that it forms a tangent to the margin of the arched portion of the adjacent tongue. A third edge of the connection area 62 is provided to be strictly parallel to the engagement edges 46 of the tongues 40 in the folded state of the package and with the lid completely open.

The subsequent folding step is illustrated in Fig. 4 and described as follows. Overlap flaps 50 are folded along fold lines 70 onto front wall segment 20 and rear wall segment 16, respectively. On account of the attachment area 64 in the connection areas 62, the overlap flaps 50 are only adhered to front wall segment 20 and rear wall segment 16. Such folding and attachment of the overlap flaps 50 results in a complete overlap of the rectangular portion of the tongues 40 and a partial overlap of the arched portion of tongues. A partially double-layered front wall 20 and a partially double-layered rear wall 16 are formed, the tongues 40 being partially interposed between these two layers. Tongues 40 and overlap flaps 50 are dimensioned so that the arched margins 52 of the overlap flaps 50 slightly overlap the tongues 40, as mentioned before, and at the same time do not overlap the dividing line of the rear wall (not shown) and the dividing line or lines of the front wall (also not shown), these dividing lines on the respective sides of the package being connected by the hinging fold line 36.

Subsequently, the double-layered front wall 20 is folded over the double-layered rear wall segment 16 along the fold line 70 located between the double-layered front wall segment 20 and the right side wall segment 14 (see Fig. 5). It will be noted that in the depicted, folded state, the attachment flap 12 is dimensioned so that it ends shortly before the left side wall segment 18. This left side wall segment 18 is provided with attachment areas 66. In the Figure, three spot-like attachment areas 66 for the attachment flap 12 are depicted. However, this attachment area can also be provided in form of a strip covering substantially the entire length of the left side wall segment 18. A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all attachment or connection areas 60, 62, 64 and 66 are located on the same side of the package blank. Although it has been described in the foregoing section that an adhesive is subsequently provided to these areas, it should be noted that all of the attachment or connection areas may be covered with adhesive simultaneously. Given that the pot time of the adhesive is sufficient, this latter procedure would provide significant advantages in the manufacturing process.

The subsequent folding and attachment step of the package may be taken from Fig. 6. In this Figure, left side wall segment 18 is depicted to overlap attachment flap 12. In this state, the side walls of the package are joined., The package is still in a flat state, the margins defined by the respective fold line 70.

To complete fabrication of the package, the package blank must be erected into a package. This step is depicted in Fig. 7. Upon formation of a package which defines a volume therein, the bottom wall of the package can be formed by sequentially folding the various bottom wall segments 26 inwardly and by attaching them to one another. Likewise, the top wall can be formed by folding top wall segments 22 inwardly and by fixing them to one another. It should be noted that top wall segment 24 is not provided with adhesive so that opening of the package is enabled. As is also apparent from Fig. 7, overlap flaps 50 overlap rear wall segment 16 and front wall segment 20 (not visible in the Figure), and tongues 40 are interposed between overlap flaps 50 and the individual wall segments.

The package in its final state is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. In the following, the opening of the package will be described. Looking first at Fig. 8, this clearly shows a tearing strip 32 formed by two perforations 30, these perforations being substantially parallel to one another. As can also be seen in the Figure, a grip portion 34 is formed in an end region of the tearing strip 32 by recessing front wall segment 20 in this area. Opening of the package is achieved by gripping the grip portion 34 and completely tearing away the tearing strip 32 along the perforations. Thus, the front wall 20 of the package is separated along its subdividing line. Subsequently, the package is gripped with two hands, one hand gripping the lower portion of the package, and the other gripping the lid portion of the package. The lid portion is then pulled to pivot around hinging fold line 36 (not depicted in Figures 8 and 9). Pulling the package in the described manner will also separate the rear wall 16 along its subdividing line 28, for example, a perforation.

The package in its opened state is shown in Fig. 10. It will be noted that both the rear walls 16 and the front walls 20 are provided with a second layer 50. It will also be noted that the upper margin 52 of this second layer ends slightly beneath the subdividing lines of the front line 20 and the rear wall 16. As may be taken from Fig. 10, the tongues 40 are interposed between the two layers of the front wall 20 and the rear wall 16, respectively. Top wall segment 24, not yet fixed to the remaining top wall segments, can freely swing open. These remaining top wall segments 22 are pivoted outwardly with the lid about the hinging fold line 36. In the completely opened state illustrated, the lid of the package is swung outwards to a certain extent which provides free and easy access to the volume defined by the remaining portions of the package. For example, the illustrated embodiment is designed to receive substantially cubic goods, such as bars, fingers or an entire block of chocolate, etc.. Such a good may be taken out of the package in one piece without interfering with any of the top wall segments 22. The opening range of the package lid is well-defined and limited such that the tongues and/or the lid are not damaged and the tongues do not damage the package when opening of the lid beyond its range of movement is attempted. This will be described in more detail below.

Figure 11 depicts the same view as Fig. 10, only with the hidden fold lines and edges visible. In particular, Fig. 11 shows the attachment of overlap flaps 50 to front wall 20 and rear wall 16 in connection areas 62. As mentioned above with reference to Fig. 3, these connection areas are designed to engage engagement edges 46 of tongues 40. The tongues, which are interposed between the double-layered front and rear walls and continue to a middle portion of the respective walls of the package, move towards the upper edges of the front and rear walls upon opening of the package. The leading edges 46 of the tongue's rectangular portion engage the complete length of one edge of the connection area 62 as soon as the lid reaches the position in which the contents of the package are completely accessible. Location of the connection areas 62 remote from the margins of the overlap flaps 50, that is in a middle region of these overlap flaps, and therefore also in a middle region of front wall 20 and rear wall 16, prevents deformation of the tongues, the front wall and the rear wall upon complete opening of the package, since cooperation between the tongues and the connection areas takes place in these middle regions and since the respective walls of the package are reinforced by fixing the two layers of these walls to one another. Thus, transfer of excessive force exerted onto the package's lids in the opening direction beyond the limited opening range of the lid to the walls of the package is prevented through the provision of the connection area, one edge of which engages with the engagement edges of the tongues; this configuration and arrangement of the connection area in combination with the blank layout also provides that the ends of the tongues 40 do not abut the side wall 18. Simultaneously, reliable guidance of the tongues between the double-layered front and rear walls is ensured.

As will readily be appreciated, the concave design of the subdividing line of the front wall 20 and rear wall 16 enables gradual engagement of the arched edges of the tongues with the package's edges upon closure of the lid of the package. Reliable closing is therefore guaranteed.

Further embodiments and corresponding advantages of the inventive package and the inventive package blank will become clear from the following claims and the various combinations thereof.