(19)
(11) EP 1 361 161 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
19.11.2003 Bulletin 2003/47

(43) Date of publication A2:
12.11.2003 Bulletin 2003/46

(21) Application number: 03014810.0

(22) Date of filing: 31.05.2000
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B65D 3/22, B65D 25/54, B31B 1/82
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB NL

(30) Priority: 04.06.1999 US 326346

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
00304641.4 / 1057733

(71) Applicant: Sonoco Development, Inc.
Hartsville, South Carolina 29550 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Nelson, Brian, E
    Camden, South Carolina 29020 (US)
  • Lowry, James, L.
    Florence, South Carolina 29501 (US)

(74) Representative: Kinsler, Maureen Catherine et al
Cruikshank & Fairweather, 19 Royal Exchange Square
Glasgow G1 3AE
Glasgow G1 3AE (GB)

   


(54) Window for spirally formed containers


(57) A container (10) having a window for viewing the product contained therein and an associated method of manufacture is provided. The container is constructed of at least one body ply (12) and a liner ply (14). The body ply (12) defines at least one aperture (16) therethrough such that when the body ply (12) is wrapped into a tubular shape the aperture (16) forms a window through the body ply (12) into the container (10). The liner ply (14) extends across the aperture (16) in the body ply and has a sufficiently low opacity that allows the product in the container (10) to be viewed through the window. The liner ply (14) provides a moisture and gas barrier inside the container around the product. The container includes a label ply (15). The label ply (15) defines at least one aperture (17) therethrough. The cutting of the at least one aperture (17) in the label ply (15) is registered. The body ply (12) defines at least one aperture (16) therethrough corresponding to the at least one aperture (17) in the label ply (15). The body ply (12) is wrapped around the previously wrapped liner ply (14) on the mandrel and then the label ply (15) is wrapped around the previously wrapped body ply (12) and liner ply (14) so that the apertures in the label ply are aligned with apertures in the body ply to create a tubular shape having a viewing window through both body plies.






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