AU2013265394A1

AU2013265394A1 - Package and method for producing the package

Info

Publication number: AU2013265394A1
Application number: AU2013265394A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Olav Dagestad; Ronald H. Exner; Paul Veternik
Original assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc Deutschland; Kraft Foods R&D Inc USA
Current assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc USA
Priority date: 2012-05-21
Filing date: 2013-05-21
Publication date: 2014-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2033-05-21
Also published as: RU2014146237A; GB2502325A; KR20140146211A; CA2872450A1; GB2502325B; AU2013265394B2; GB201209128D0; US20150131928A1; WO2013174799A2; CO7121329A2; PH12014502528A1; CN104334468A; JP2015517446A; EP2852538A2; HK1202509A1; WO2013174799A3; BR112014028866A2; MX2014014095A

Abstract

The invention relates to a package (1, 1', 1' ', 1' ' ', 100) formed of a sheet (10). The package comprises a first sealing region (2) extending in a first direction and a second sealing region (4) extending in a second direction which is substantially parallel to the first direction, the first and second sealing regions (2, 4) being spaced apart a first distance. Further, the package comprises a third sealing region (6) extending in a third direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions and a fourth sealing region (8) extending in a fourth direction which is substantially parallel to the third direction, the third and fourth sealing regions (6, 8) being spaced apart a second distance. Two or more of the sealing regions (2, 4, 6, 8) each comprise at least two layer portions of the sheet (10) which are at least partially joined together, the first and second sealing regions (2, 4) are arranged on a first side (12) of the package and a second side (14) of the package opposite to the first side (12) is formed by a continuous portion of the sheet (10). Further, the invention relates to a method for producing the package (1, 1', 1", 1'", 100).

Description

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 1 ac eand Method for Producing the Package Field of the Invention The invention relates to a package m a she and to a method for producing the package. A tubular-bag pack for articles in bar form, such as chocolate bars, which is made of a film-like packaging materiLal i dico d in US-A-2011/026680. The pack has a front packaging side a rear packaging sid comprising a longitudinal seam nd wo transverse seams trnverse o the longitudinal seam dispose ata distance from each other Two separating regions oh having separble longitudinal seam r arranged in the two edge regions of the front packaging side, forming n opening label that can be partially detached from the pak. The pack is formed by onroiling a planar flexible packaging materil web from a feed roll, folding te web and severing the web so as o form -central packaging mti web strip and two later a pa going aweb strips lon eitr side of the central packaging matei web ip. By applying pressure to the packaging material web strip in a region where cral pc gng m: -:; web strip overlaps the two lat packaging material web strips, the strips are parably sealed by way of strips f cold adhesive applied to one de thereby forming the separable longitudinal seals on the front pckaging side. Subsequently, the packaging mater i is wrapped around a product to be packaged and sealed at the rear packaging side by a further longitudinal seam in the form of a fin seal.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 2 The pack and the method disclosed in US-A-2011/0266180 have the drawback that packaging material web strips have to be cut off from the web and subsequently reapplied thereto, resulting in a complication of the manufacturing process. In particular, prior to reapplying the packaging material web stips, an accurate alignment of the strips has to be performed. Further, an additional longitudinal seam is present at the rear packaging side of the pack, affecting both the stackability ard the optical appearance of a packaged product and leading to an increased material consumption. WO-A-88/00562 discloses a chocolate package having two lorngi tudinal sealing seams on a front side thereof and one ongitudinal sealig seam on a back side thereof. The two sealing seams at the front side are formed by folding the packing material and sealing two layers of packing materia together at their inner sides. One flank of each of these two sealing seams may be provided with a break line of the packing material along which the material is torn when the package is opened. Alterrnatively, the edges of the folds forming the two longitudinal sealing scams on the front side mybe cut off to enable opening of the package by peeling off the seals of folds. Also the package disclosed in WO-A-88/00562 has the disadvantage of a longitudinal sealing seam formed on a back side thereof. This additional seam affects the optical appearance of a packaged product, impedes an arrangement of a plurality of packages in a stacked configuration and leads to an increase in material consumption. Further, both of the longitudinal sealing seams disposed on the front side of the package have to be provided with a cut or a break line, thus complicating tne manufacturing process.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 3 Sumary of the -nention The present invention has been made in viw of the problems ide ntified above and it is an object of the invention to provide a package with improved stackability which enables a deduct ion in packaging material consumption. Further,* the invention aims to provide a method for producing such a package. These goals are achieved by a package with the technical features of claim 1 and a method with the technical features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the invention follow f rom the depend -lims. The invention provides a package formed of a sheet, wherein the package comprises a first sealing region extending in a first direction and a second sealing region extending in a second direction which is substantially parallel to the first direction, the first and second sealing regions being spaced apart a first distance. Further, the package comprises a third sealing region extending in a third direction which is substantially perpendiular to the first and second directions and a fourth sealing region extending in a fourth direction which is substantially parallel Lo the third direction, the third and fourth sealing regions being spaced apart a second distance. Two or more of the sealing regions each comprise at least two layer portions of the sheet which are at least partially joined together, the first and second sealing regions are arranged on a first side of the package and a second side of the package opposite to the first side is formed by a continuous portion of the sheet. Herein, the term "continuous portion" defines porortion of the sheet which is integrally formed of one piece of material. That is, the continuous portion is configured in an uninterrupted manner, not comprising any connection seams or the like where two portions of material are joined together.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 4 Since, in the package according to the invention, the second side of the package is formed by a continuous portion of the sheet, the package can be stably placed on a plane surface and a plurality of packages can be readily arranged on top of each other in a stacked manner. Further, due to the absence of any connection seams or other material joints at the second side of tho package, less packaging material is roguired for manufacturing the package, thus enabling a reduction in material consumption. Moreover, since the second side of the package is devoid of any structures protruding from the package surface, the optical appearance of the is considerably improved. The package of the invention may be formed of a single sheet. In this way, the manufacture of the package can be further simplified and the material consumption can he kept at a mi nimum. The sheet may be made of a flexible material. Any type of fli b-le mtel my be used fo the sheet. Fo xml, the flexible material may be a film, a foil, a web or the like, e.g., made of plastic, metal, paper etc. Alternatively, the sheet may be made of a semi-rigid or igid material, such as cardboard, paperboard or the like. eof the sheet may be in a range from 0.1 to 1.0 mm, preferably003 to 08m.Tepcaecnb manufactured using conventional package forming equipment, such as vertical or horizontal form fill seal equipment. The package of the invention may be, for example, a bag, a pouch or the like, and can be used for corntainirg therein any type of liquid or solid materials. In particular, the package may be used for packaging food products, such as sweets, chocolate, cookies, biscuits, gums, candies, nuts, savoury snacks, coffee beans, coffee powder etc.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 5 The first and second seeing regions may each comprise at least two layer portions of the sheet which are at least partially joined together. In one embodiment, each of the seal ing regions comprises at least two layer portions of the shoot which are at least partially joined together. Further, one, two, three or all of the sealing regions may comprise three or moro layer port ions of the sheet. In this way, the rigidity of the sealing regions can he further enhanced. In particar, firt and seond r ons may comprise three or more layer portions of the which may be at least partially joined together. Herein, the term "first distance" is defined as the distance substantially in the third direction between a centre of the first sealing region and a centre of the second sealing region. Te I second distance" is df as the distance substantially in the first direction between a centre of the third sealing region and a centre of thef sealing region. The first to fourth sealing regions may be arranged so that the first distance is substantially equal to, larger than or smaller than the second distance Outer edges of the first and/or second sealing region ma h e arranged so as to coincide with respective outer edges of the first side o h package. Alternatively, the Outer edges of the first ahd/or second sealing regions may he arranged so as to be spaced apart from the respective outer edges of the first side of the package in the direction. That is, the edges of the first and/or second sealing regions may extend beyond the respective outer edges of the first side by a predetermined distance or may be arranged inside these outer edges, spaced apart from the edges by a predetermi distance. The first and second sealing regions may extend from third sealing region to the fourth sealing region. However, WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 6 alternatively, the first and second sealing regions may only along a part of the second distance between the third and fourth sealing regions. The third and fourth sealing regions may extend from the first sealing region to tesecond sealing region. In one embodiment, the first and second sealing regions may be arranged on the first side of the package in a centred manner, i ,e. so that a distance between the outer edge of the first sealing region and the respective adjacent outer edge of the first side of the package in the third direction is substantially egual to a distance between the outer edge of the second sealing region and the respective adjacent oer edge of the first side of in direction. In another embodiment, the first and second sealing regions may be arranged on the first side of the pe., c a manner a ce hedge of the first sealing r - and the respective adjacent outer edge of the first side of the package in the third direction is different from a distance between the outer edge of the second sealing region andth respective adjacent outer edge of the first side of the package in the third direction. Moreover, the package may be configured such that a product or a plurality of products to be packaged are to be arranged in the package in a centered or an off centre manner. The first sealing region may be arranged at the centre of the firstof the pa , i.e., so that a distance in the third direction between an inner edge of the first sealing region arid the centre of the first side of the package in the third direction is substantially zr.Tescn eln package, i.e., so that a distance in the third direction between an inner edge of tho second sealing region and the WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 7 centre of the first side of the package in the third directon is substantially zero. The f irst sealing regi may be arranged off the centre of the first side of the package, i e., so that the distance in the third direction between the inner edge of the first sealing region and the centre of the first side of the package in the third direction is greater than zero. The second sealing region may be arranged off the cent re of the first side of the package, i~. so that the distance in the third direction between t he inner edge of the second sealing region arid the centre of the tirst side of the package in the third direction is gre-ate than u ro The first anid second sealing regions may be arranged at the centre of the first side of the package. The first and second sealing regions may bear r ange f th centre of the arranged at the centre of the first side of the package and the second sealing region may be arranged off the centre of tefirst sieo h akg. The first sealing region may be aragdoff the centre of tefirst side of the package and the second sealing region may be arranged at the centre of the first side of the package, hefirst sealing region arid/or the second sealing region may be arranged so that at east a portion thereof substantially lies flat on the first side of the package. This portion of the irs selin reonarid/or the second sealing region may be ttahe toth pakae, e~. by ose of an adhesive, soch as by use of a double sided adhesive tape or a hot-giue, by heat weldirng or the like. In this way, the amount of protrusion of the first sealing region and/or the second sealing region from the first side of the package can he reduced, thus further enhancing the stackability of the package. In particular, the first WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 8 sealing region and/or the second sealing region can be kept substantially fiat during opening and resealing of toe package . Further, the rigidity of the opening and resealing area of the package can be enhanced. When revealing the package, the attachmen of at least a portion ot the first sealing region and/or the second sealing region to the package may help to align the resealing area and reduce the formation of creases or wrinkles in the first sealing region and/or the second sealing region, thus providing a reliable hermetic reseal and further improving the protection of a packaged product. The f irst seal ing region and/or the second sealing region may be arranged so that at least a port ion thereof substantially lies flat on the first side of the package by tilting the first sealing region and/or the second sealing region outwards in a dieto parallel totetid and fot-ht directions. In particular, the first and second sealing regions may be tilted outwards in opposite directions which are parallel to the third and fourth dircios The first sealing region may further comprise a line of weakness extending in the first direction, assisting a consumer in opening the package. In particular, the line of weakness facilitates rupturing of the first sealing region along the first direction, so that at least a part of the sheet material forming the first side of the package is torn open, providing access to the package contents. The line of weakness may be a perforation arid/or a score line and/or a cut or the like extending in the first direction. In particular, the first sealing region may be provided in thefom o afol pr ti on in whc teedge of the fold is cut off along part or all of the extension of the first sealinrg region in the fi rst directioni. This configuration enables a particularly easy opening of the package. On the WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 9 other hand, if a perforation and/or a score line are used as the line of weakness, they may act as a tamper evidence feature for determining whether or not the package had been tampered with, e g., previously opened and closed agan In one , the second sealing region s two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet. Hence, the outer edge of tho second sealing region is configured by the edge portions of the she: and thus open along he extension o h eodsaigrgo rtescn direction. In this way, the opening process of the package is further simplified. In particular, if the second sealing region is configured in this way and the first sealing region comprises a line of weakness extending in th frsta direction, a strip of the sheet material, extending in the first direction, is defined between the outer edge of the second sealing region aid the line of weakness of the first seao onng Tspackage, thi strip be partly or fully removed from the package by peeling it off in the first direction, thereby providing access to the package The strip of the sheet material may be arranged at the centre of the first side of the package, i so that a distance in the third direction between the centre of the strip in the :th:ri direction a th centre of-th firt sieoth package in the third direction is substantially zero. The strip of the sheer material may be arranged off the centre of the first side of the package, i so that th distance in third direction he cente he i in the third direction and the centre of the first side of the package in the third direction is greater than zero. Moreover, since the second sealing region is formed at two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet, thus having an open Outer edge along its extension in the second direction, no additional line of weakness has to be provided WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 10 in the second sealing region for facilitating the opening of tee package. Therefore, tee process of manufacturing the package is further simplified. The first and second sealing regions may be configured such that, after opening of the package, the remainders of the first and second sealing regions assist in retaining the package contents in the package. In particular, the first and second sealing regions may be configured such that the remainders thereof have to be moved apart from each other in the third direction by a consumer in order to enable removal of the package contents. Such a capability of the package to retain its contents after opening thereof may be achieved, for example, by choosing the first distance between the first and second sealing regions to be sufficiently small. In particular, the first distance may he chosen such that a distance between inner edges of the first and second sealing regions in the third direction is substantially zero. In this case, the package contents are securely retained within the package after opening thereof. In order to acces the ineiro-h package, the remainders of the first and second sealing regions ca e moved apart fromr each other by a consumer. In one embodiment, the two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet are at least partially joined together so as to form a fin seal, i~. a sealing seam in the form of a fin. Such a configuration allows for the formation of a particularly simple and reliable seal in the second sealing region. In th sealng regions the at least two layer portions of th-he a be at least partially joined together using any suitable type of method or mraterial, such as hear welding, cohesive materials, adhesive materials, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, . cod e., , h lie. In WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 11 particular, in each of the first and second sealing regions, the at lattwo layer portions of the sheet may be at least partially adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, e.g., cold seal. In thi s case, the package may be resealed after opening by reattaching the tern portions of the package material using the resealable adhesive This configuration of the first and second sealing regions is part icularly advantageous if the package is used for packaging food products, such as sweets, chocolate, cookies, biscuits, gums, candies, nuts, savoury snacks, coffee beans, coffee powder etc. In this case, the resealable functionality ot the package allows for the food products to be reliably protected from the surrounding atmosphere, thus increasing testoaef eof hprdcs The package may be configured such that it can be at least partially collapsed, i.e., folded or the like, and resealed after some of the package contents have been removed from the package . In the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region, the at least two layer portions of the sheet may be at least partially adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, e.g., cold sea. In this way, the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region can contribute to the resealability of the package. In particular, the provision of a resealable adhesive in the first, second, third and/or fourth sealing regions allows for an especially efcntand rlal resealing of the package. Alternatively, in the third sealing region at least two together by a hear seal, a cohesive material or the like. further, in the fourth sealing region, the at least two layer tmay be at least partially joied WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 12 together by a -resealable adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, e.g. col seal, by a heat seal, a cohesive material or the lik. In one embodiment, the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region comprises a portion arranged at an outer edge of the package and extending in the third direction, in which portion the at least two layer portions of te sheet are unattached to each other. That is, no adhesive material or ot seal, such as a h .sl, is ds portion of the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region. Hence, this portion can serve to assist a consumer in opening the package. Specifically, the may grip the unattached layer portions and pull them apart, so as to tear open at least a part of the material forming the first side of the package, thereby gaining access to the package contents. If such a portion is provided in both the third and fourth sealing regions, the package can be readily opened from both ends thereof. At least one of the unattached layer portions of the sheet in the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region may at least partly be bent or curved, in order to facilitate an easy separation of the unattached layer portions from each other, thus frhrassisting a cosmrin opening th package. Such a ending or curvature may he obtained by providing at least one crease line or serration line on at least one side of the at least one unattached layer portion of the sheet in the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region. The at least one crease line or serration line may extend illy third direction. A plurality of crease lines or serration lines may be provided on at least one side of the at least one unattached layer potiori of the shetin the third sealing region and/or WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 1 3 the fourth sealing region, wherein at least one of the plurality of crease lines or serration lines may have a depth along the thickness of the sheet which is larger than the depth or depths at the other crease lines or serration ines. The at least one crease line or serration line having a larger depth may extend substantially along the third direction. Alternatively, the at least one crease line or serratin line having a larger depth may extend substantially along a direction perpendicular to the third direction. The bending or curvature of the at least one of the unattached layer portions of the sheet may be further enhanced by applying heat to the at least one crease line or therraton line. The at least one crease line or serration line may be formed by irradiation of the at least one unattached layer portion of the sheet in the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region with a laser beam. In this case, the power of the laser beam and/or the duration of the laser application may be controlled so as to form a desired crease line or serration line and to avoid cutting entirely through the thickness of the sheet. The bending or curvature of the at leest one of the unattached layer portions of the sheet may be further enhanced by heat provided by the laser beam during Alternatively, a bending or curvature of the at least one of the unattached layer portions of the sheet in the third sealing region and/ut te fourth sealing region may be obtained just by applying heat to the at least one layer portion, e.g., by means of laser irradiation, without providing a ces lieor serration line. In particular, a bending or curvature of the at least one of the unattached layer porions of a sheet which is made of a flexible material, such as a plastics-based material, e.g., a WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 14 flow-wrapping material, may be obtained by the provision of at toast one crease lie or serrate ion line and/or the application of heat. The sheet may consist of a single layer of material or have a laminate structure, comprising a plura ity of superimposed material layers. The third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region may comprise a portion in which the sheet is cut. Such a cut port ion provides further assistance in opening the package. The cut may extend substantially a long the fir st direction. Alternatively, instead of the cut or in combination with the cut, a perforation and/or a score line may be provided in the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region. In one embodiment, the sheet is cut only within the portion in which the at least two layer portions of the sheet are unattached to each other. Such a configuration of the third season and/or the fourth sealing region allows for a particularly simple arid reliable opening of the package. However, alternatively, the cut may extend beyond the portion in which the at least two layer portions of the sheet are unattached to each other. In this case, the manufacture of the package is further simplified. Surface areas of the first and second sealing regions may constitute 30% or more, preferably 50% or more, of a surface area of the first side of the package. In this way, a particularly reliable sealing of the package can be ensured. Further, it, in each of the first and second sealing rg ions, t at least two layer portions of the sheet are at least partially adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive, regions where the resealable adhesive is present may constitute 30% or more, preferably 50% or more, of the sufc ra ftefrt-ieo h pakae Insuch a configuration, the package can be resealed in an especially simple manner, rel iably preventing an undesi red opening of thepakag ater resealing.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 15 The invention may be applied to packages with any kind of shapes or sizes. In one embodiment, the second side of the package has a substantially fiat surface. Such a configuration of the second side provides a particularly high level of stackability, enabling the arrangement of a large number of packages on top of each other in a stably stacked manner. Th ivetonfuthrprovides a mehdfor pouiga package, comprising the steps of providing a sheet, folding the sheet so as to form a fold portion extending in a first direction, at least partially joining together at least two layer portions of the sheet at the fold portion so as to form a first sealing region extending in rho first direction and at least partially joining together at least two layer portions of the sheet so as to form a second sealing region extenig in aiecn direction Whic is usatal parallel to the first direction, so that the first and second sealing regions are spaced aprt first distance, the first and second sealing regions re arranged on a first side of the package and second side o the package opposite to the first side is forme by continuous portion of the sheet. Further, the method comprises t Ie step of least partially joining together at least two layer of the so as to form a third sealing region extending in a third direction which is substantilly perpendicular to the first andon and at leas together at least two layer portions of the sheet so as to form a fourth sealing region extending in a fourth direction which is substantially parallel to the third direction, so that the third and fourth seling regions are spaced apart a distance.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 16 The method of the invention can be performed using conventional packaging equipment, such as vertical or horizontal form fill sal equipment. The method according to the invention provides the advantageous effects already described in detail above for the package of the ivention. Further, in the method of the invention, the package is formed by providing the first to fourth sealing regions in the sheet without the need to cut off and reattach portions ot the sheet, ene no alignment of such cut off portions with the remaining packaging material has to be performed, thus considerably simplifying the manufacturing process, enabling a reduction of the production costs and eliminatng th needi for complicated modifications of the production equipment. Therefore, the method can be carried out at low cost and in a simple and raeiblmnnr In the method according to the invention, the package can be formed of a single sheet. In this way, the manufacture ot the package can be further simplified and the material c at a minimum. The sheet may be made of a flexible material. Any type of flexible material may be used for the sheet. For example, the lexble material may be film, a foil, a web or the like, e.g. made of plastic metal paper etc. Alternatively, the sheet may be made of a semi-rigid or rigid material, such as crdbord, paperboard or the like. In one embodiment, tho method further comprises the step of providing a line of weakness in the sheet so that the line of weane xtends n t fi r r l ei nh r direct i. This step may be performed prior to the step of folding the sheet and/or prior to the steps of forming the first to fourth sealing regions. The line of weakness may be WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 17 a perforation and/or a score and/or a o exen in the first direction. Further in the method of the invention, the second sealing region may be formed at two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet. In this case, the two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet may be at least partially joined together so as to form a fin seal. In one embodiment, in each of the first and second sealing regions, the at least two layer portions of the sheet are at least partially adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, g cold seal. Moreover, in the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region, the at least two layer portions of the sheet ma be at least partially adhesively joined together by a resealale adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, The third sealing region and/or the fourth s ng region may comprise a portion arranged at an outer edge of the package and extending in the third direction, in which portion the at least two layer portions of the sheet are unattached to each othr The method of the invention may further comprise the step of providing a cut in the sheet so that the third sealing region and/or the fourth sealing region comprises a portion in which the sheet is cut. This step may be performed prior to the step of folding the heet nd/or prior to the steps of forming the first to fourth sealing regions. Th ut may extend substantially along the first direction. In one embodimet, the sheet is cut only within the portion in which the at least two layer portions of the sheet are unattached to each other. However, alternatively, the cut may extend beyond the portion in which the at least two layer portions of the sheet are unattached to each other.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 18 of the first and second sealing regions may constitute 30% or more, preferably 50% or more, of a surface area of rho first side of tho package. The second side of the package may be formed so as to have a tlat surface. her, the package may befomd so as to be resealable. In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of tilting the first and second sealing regions outwards .in opposite directions which are parallel to the third and fourth directions. In this way, the amount of protrusion of the first and second sealing regions from the first side of the package can he reduced, thus further enhancing the stackabilifty of the package The step of tilting the first and second seal ing regions outwards may he performed prior to the steps of forming the third and/or fourth sealing regions. in particular, the first and second sealing regions may he tilted so as to substantially lie tier on the first side of the package. The method of the invention is a method for producing th package of rhe invention. Hence, the further features disclosed in connection with the above description of the package may also he applied to the method of the invention. Brief De scription of the Drawings Hereinafter, non-limiting examples are explained with reference to the drawings, in which: Figs. 1(a) to (c) show schematic views of a package according to an embodiment of the present inventi on, wherein Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view of the package in a closed stare, Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view of the package in a partially opened state and Fig. 1(c) is a cross-sectional view of the package shown WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 19 in Fg. 1 (a) in a plane pepediular to longitudinal axis of the package; Figs. 2(a) and (b) show schematic views of a package according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 2(a) is a plan view of a sheet for forming the package before folding and Fig. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional viow of the folded package in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the package; Figs, 3(a) and (b) show schematic views of a package according o another embodiment of the present invention, whei g ( is a plan view of a sheet for forming the package before folding and Fig. 3(b) is a cros-sectional view of the folded package n a plane pependicular to the tudinalai the package; Figs. 4(a) to (d) show schematc views o a package (cording to yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 4(a) is a perspective view of the package in a closed state Fig. 4(b) is an enlarged view of the portion within the circle in Fig. 4(a), Fig. 4(c) is a perspective view of the package in a partially opened state and Fig. 4(d) is a cross sectional view of the package along the line A-A shown in Fig. 4 (b) ; and Figs. 5(a) to (c) show schematic views of a package according to yet another emboiment of the present invention, wherein Figs. 5(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the package in a plane perpendicular no the longitudinal axis of the package, illustrating a process of forming the first and second sealing regions, and Fig. 5(c) shows cross-sectional views of different package geometries.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 20 Figure 1 shows schematic views of a package 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 1(a) isa perspective view of the package 1 in a closed state, Fig. l (b) is a perspective view of the package 1 in a partially opened state and Fig. 1(c) is a cross-sectional view of the package 1 shown in Fig. 1(a) in a plane perpendicular to the ogtudniai of thepckg he package 1 is formed of a sheet 10 of a flexible material, such as a film, a foil, a web or the like, eg., made of pma paper etc. The thickness Of the sheet of the flexible material may be in a range from 0.1 to 1. mm, preferably 0. to 0.8 mm. The package 1 comprises a first sealing region 2 extending in a first direction and a second sealing region 4 extending in a second direction which is substantially parallel to the first direction, the first and second sealing regions 2, 4 being spaced apart a first distance. As can be seen from Fig. 1(a), the first and second directions are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the package 1. Further, the package 1 comprises a third sealing region 6 extending in a third direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions and a fourth sealing region 8 extending in a fourth direction which is substantially parallel to the bird direction, the third and fourth sealing regions 6, 8 being spaced apart a second distance. The third and fourth directions are substantially parallel to the widthwise direction of the package 1. Each of the sealin regions 2, 4, 6, 8 comprises at leas two layer portions of the sheet 10 which are adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive 20, 20', such as cold seal, as is schematically shown for the first and second sealing WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 21 regions 2, 4 in Fig. 1(c). The first and second sealing regions 2, 4 are arranged on a first side 12 of the package 1, while a second side 14 of the package 1 opposite to the first side 12 is formed by a continuous portion of the sheet (see is 1 (a) ad(c) ). The second sealing region 4 is formed at two substantially parallel edge portions of the shoet 10, as can be soon from Fig. 1(c) . Thus, the outer edge of tho second sealing region 4 is open along t he extension of the second sealinrg region 4 in the second direction. Further, the first sealing region 2 comprises a line of weakness 16, such as a perforation, a score line or a cut, extending in the first direction. Hence, a strip 23 of the flexible material, extending in the first direction, is defined between the outer edge of the second sealing region 4 and the line of weakness 16 of the first seln ein2. When opening the package 1, this strip 23 may be partly or fully removed from the package 1 by peeling it off in the first direction, thereby providing access to the contents of the package 1. Fgre 1()shows the package 1 in a saein which the strip 23 has been partly removed. After opening of the package 1, the remainders of the first and second sealing regions 2, 4 assist in retaining the package contents in the package 1 (Figs. 1(b) and (c)). The third sealing region 6 comprises a portion 22 arranged at an outer edge of the package 1 and extending in the third dirctionin which portion 22 the two layer portions of the sheet 10 are unattached to each other (Fig. 1 (b) ). No adhesive material is provided in this portion 22 of the third scaling region 6. Therefore, this portion 22 provides additional assistance inoeigth akg 1. Specifically, the unattached layer portions may he gripped hy a consumer and pulled apart, so as to at least partly remove thestip23frt te acaga' WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 22 Due to the use of a resealable adhesive 20, 20' in the first and second sealing regions 2, 4, the package 1 can be resealed in a simple and reliable manner by reattaching the strip 23 of the flexible material to the remainders of the first and second sealing regions 2, 4. The third sealing region 6, which also comprises a resealable adhesive, contributes to the resealability of the package 1. Moreover, also the fourth sealing region 8 comprises a resealable adhesive. hence, the srip 23 may be entirely removed from the package 1 and subsequently reattached in a particularly simple and reliable manner. As is schematically shown in Fig. 1(c), the package 1 is formed of a single sheet 10 of the flexible material which is wrapped around the product to be packaged and folded at the first and second sealing regions 2, 4. Hence, the package 1 can be manufactured without cutting off and reattaching portions of the sheet 10. Therefore, no alignment of such cut off portions with the rema ining packaging material has to be performed, thus considerably simplifying the manufacturing proc-ess, enabling a reduction of the production costs and eliminating the need for complicated modifications of the production equipment. Further, since the two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet 10 are used to form the second sealing region 4, as is schematically shown in Fig. 1(c), the package 1 does not have any connection seams or other types of material joints on its second side 14, thereby enhancing the stackability of the package 1 and improving its optical appearance. Morever since the outer edge of the second sealing ri .on 4 is open along the extension of the second sealing region in th-cn-iroion additional line of weakness has to be provided, thus further simplifying the process of manufacturing the package 1.

WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 23 Figures 2(a) and (b) show schematic views of a package 1' according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 2 (a) is a plan view of a sheet 10 for forming the package l' before folding and Fig. 2(b) is a cross sectironal view of the folded package 1' in a piane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the package l' For reasons of simplicity, the same reference signs as in Figs, 1(a) to (c) are used to denote similar or identical The package 1' of the embodiment shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b) differs from the package 1 of the embodiment shown n Figs. 1(a) to In in t it- ha a substantially rectangular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis (Fig. 2 (b) ) .Hence, the second side 14 of the package l' has a substantially flat surface. This configuration of the second side 14 provides a particularly high level of stackability, enabling the arrangement of a Large number of packages I' on top of each other in a stably stacked manner. A method of manufacturing the package i' of this embodiment will be described in the following with reference to Ps. 2 (a) and (b) .The method can be performed using conventional packaging equipment, such as vertical or horizontal form fill se al equipment . Prior to the steps of folding the sheet 10 and forming the first to fourth sealing regions 2, 4, 6, 8, two cuts 24, 24' are provided in the sheet 10 so that, in the finished package ' eh t r and fouth sealing regions 6, 8 comprises a portion in which the sheet 10 is cut substantially along the first direction. These cuts 24, 24' provide further assistance in opening the package l' In particular, the provision of the cuts , 24' in the third aid fourth sealing regions 6, 8 enables an easy opening of the package l' from both ends thereof. The cuts 24, 24' may WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 24 have a length in the range from 2 to 10 mm, pfably from 4 to 8 MM. Further, prior to folding the sheet 10 and forming the first to fourth sealing regions 2, 4, 6, 8, a line or weakness 16 is provided in the sheet 10 so that, in the finished package l', the line of weakness 16 extends in the first sealing region 2 in the first direction (Figs . 2 (a) and 2 (b) ). The linme of weakness 16 may be a perforation and/or a score line ard/ra cut etedirgin th isLd c o.Moreover , the portions of the sheet 10 which are marked by hatching in Fig. 2(a) are provided with a layer of a resealable adhesive 21. In the finished package 1', this layer 21 forms the resealable adhesive layers 20, 20' in the to fourth sealing regions 2, 4, 6, 8. As can be seen from Fig 2 (a), two port2 ' of the sheet - 0- left devoid of the adhesive layer 21. These portions 22, 22' provide additional assistance in opening the finished package l'in the manner described above for the embodiment of Figs, 1(a) to (c) .The cuts 24, 24' are arranged so that, in the finished package 1', they are provided within the portions 22, 22', respectively. The products 30 to be packaged, such as biscuits, gums, die, choolte or t: like, are placed on the -s 10, as is schematically shown in Fig. 2(a). Subsequently, the sheet 10 is folded along a plurality of folding lines 28 into the confisn in Fi. 2 (b). In this folng process, the line of weakness 16 also serves as a fuld line 28, so that, in the finished package 1', the line of weakness 16 is arranged at the outer edge of the first on 2(Fig. 2(b). After the folding step, pressure is applied to the first to fourth sealing regions 2, 4, 6, 8 so as to adhesively join together the respective two layer portions of the sheet 10 in WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 25 each of these regions 2, 4, 6, 8, thereby the manufacturing process of the package l Figures 3(a) and (b) show schematic views of a package l'' according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, wh ig. 3(a) is a plan view of a sheet 10 for forming the package l'' before folding and Fig. 3(b) is a cross sectional view of the folded package 1'' in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the package l'' For reasons of simplicity, the same reference signs as in Figs. 1(a) to (c), 2(a) and 2(b) are used to denote similar or identical elements. The package l'' of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 (a) and (b) differs from the package l' of the embodiment shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b) only in its size and the number of products 30 contained therein. As has been disc~ussed above, the package of the inventions may be used for packaging any type of liquid or solid materials irrepective of th e shapes or sizes of the materials. Figures 4 (a) to (d) show schematic views of a package10 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 4 (a) is a perspective view of the package 100 in a closed state, Fig. 4(b) is an enlarged view of the portion within the circle in Fig. 4(a), Pig. '(c) is a perspective view of the package 100 in a partially opened state and Fig. 4 (d) is a cross-sectional view of the package 100 along the line A-A shown in Fig. 4 (b) . For reasons of simplicity, the same reference signs as in Figs. 1(a) to 3:b) ar- sdt denote similar or identical elements. The package 100 of the embodiment shown in Figures 4 (a) to (d) differs from the packages 1, 1, 1'' of the emoodime ts shown in Figs. 1(a) to 3(b) mainly in that the first and second sealing regions 2, 4 x nd In a direction substantially perpendicular lo the longitudinal axis of the WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 26 package 100. , as is aically hw in Figs. 4(b) and (d), the first and second sealing regions 2, 4 comprise six and four layer portions of the sheet 10, respectively. In this way, the rigidity of the first and second sealing regions 2 4 is enhanced, thereby adding further stability to the structure of the package 100. Such a configuration is particularly advantageous it sensitive products 30, which may be easily damaged, are to be packaged. As is indicated in Fig. 4(d), only the two innermost layer portions of the sheet 10 may be adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive 20, 20', such as coid seal, in the first and second sealing regions 2, 4. However, alternatively, more than two, e~g., three, four, five or six, layer portions may be adhesively joined together. In this way, the stability of the package 100 can be further enhanced. Figures 5(a) to (c) show schematic views of a packae 1''' according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figs. 5(a and (b) ae cross-sectional views of the package l''' in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the package I illustrating a process of forming the first and second sealing regions 2, 4, and Fig. 5(c) shows cross-sectional views of different possible package geometries. For reasons of simplicity, the same reference signs as in Figs. 1(a) to 4 (d) are used to denote similar or identical elements. The package ' of th embodiment shown in Figures 5(a) to (c) differs from the package 1 of the mbodiment shown in Figs. 1(a) to (c) mainly in that the first distance between the first and second sealing regions 2, 4 is significantly smaller (see Figs. l (c) and 5(c)). In this way, after opening of the package 1' '', rhe remainders of the first and second sealing regiors 2, 4 assist in retaining the package contents in the package 1''' in a particularly efficient and reliable manner. In particular, th remainders have to be WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 27 moved apart from each other in the third direction by a consumer in order to enable removal of the package As has been discussed above, tho present invention may be applied to packages with any kind of shapes or sizes. For example, the packages may have a substantiallyciulr square, rectangul ar or triangul ar shape in a cross-sect ion perpendicular to the first direction, as is schematically shon n Fig. (c The packages 1''' shown in Fig. 5 (c) are in a state in which the fi rst and second seating regions 2, 4 have been full y tilted outwards in opposite directions parallel to the third and :fo.:rth directions. In this way, th is ie 2 of these packages l''' are provided with a substantially flat surface, further enhancing the stackabil1ity of the packages Moreover, the at least two layer portions in the first to fourth sealing regions 2, 4, 6, 8 may be joined together usin ansit-l typ of mehdor material, such a ha welding, cohesive materials, adhesive materials, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, e~g., cold seal, or the like. An example of adhesively joining two layer portions of the sheet 10 together by a resealable adhesive 20! 20' in the first arid second sealing regions 2, 4 using a pair of rollers 40 is shown in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 5(a) anda (b). Specifically, the first and second sealing regions 2, 4 may be separately inserted into a nip formed between the pair of rollers 40 (Fig. 5(a)). In this case, pressure is applied by the rollers 40 to each of the first and second sealing regions 2, 4, so as to adhesively join together the respective two layer portions of the sheet 10 in eacn of these regions 2, 4 WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 28 Alternatively, the first and second sealing regions 2, 4 be into the nip together (Fig. 5(b)). n this configuration, the pressure is simultaneously applied to both of the first and second sealing regions 2, 4,

Claims

1. A ckage (1, 1', 1'', l''', 100) f of a (10), t package comprising a first sealing region (2) ending in a first deti and a second sealing region (4) extending in a second direction which i sustantilly parallel to the first direction, the first and second sealing regions (2, 4) being peDapart a first distance, a third sealing region (6) extending in a third direction which is subs antially perpendicular to the first and second directions and a fourth sealing region (8) extending in a fourth direction which i substantially paraiiel to the third direction, the third and fourth sealing regions (6, 8) being spaced apart a second distance, wherein two or more of tho sealing regions each comprise at least two layer portions of rhe sheet (10) which are at least partially joined together the first and second sealing regions (2, 4) are arranged on a first side (12) of the package and a second side (14) of the package opposite to the first side (12) is formed by a continuous portion of the sheet (10).

2. The package (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 100) according to claim 1, we - he first sealing region (2) further comprises a line of weakness (16) extending in the first direction,

3. Th package (1, l', 1'', 1''', 100) according to claim 2, wherein the fine of weakness (16) is a perforation and/er a score line and/or a cut extending in the first direction. WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 30

4. The package (1, l', l'', 1''', 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sealing region (4) i formd at two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheer (10).

5. The package (1'l, 1'', l''', 100) according to ciaim 4, wherein the two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet (10) are at least partially joined together so as to form a fin, seal.

6. The package ( 1', 1'', ''' , 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in each of the first and second: sing regions (2, 4), the at least two layer portions of the sheet are at 1e partially adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive (20 20 ~. The package (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 100) accding to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the third sealing region (6) and/or the fourth sealing region (8), the at least two layer portions of the sheet (10) are at leas partially adhesively joined together by a resealable adhesive.

8. The package (1, 1', l'', 1''', 100) according to an one of the preceding claims, wherein the third sealing region (6) and/or th fourth sealing region (8) comprise a portion (22, 22' ) arranged at an outer edge of the package and extending in the third direction, in which portion (22, 2' the a least two Iayer portions of the seet (10) are unatthed to

9. The package (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 100) according to any one of the preeding claims, wherein the tird sealug region (6) and/or the fourth sealing region (8) comprise: a portion (24, 24') in which the sheet (10) is cut.

10. The package (1, l', l'', l''', 100) according to claim 9 as dependent on claim 8, wherein the sheet (10) is cut only WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 31 within the portion (22) in which the at least wo layer portions of the sheet (10) are unattached to each other.

11. The package (1, 1', l'', l''', 100) according to any one of th preceding caim, wherein surface areas of the first and second sealing regions (2, 4) constitute 50% or mere of surface area of the first side (12) of the package.

12. The package (1, 1', 1'', 1''' ,100) according to any one of the precedi claims, wherein the second side (14) of te package h-s a flat surface.

13. The package (1, 1', i'', l''', 100) according to any one of the receding claims, wherein the package is resealable. 14, The patge (1, 1', 1'', l''', 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the sheet (10) is mde of a flexible ma trial,

15. A method for producing a packe (1, 1', l'', l''', 100), comprising the steps of providing a sheet (10), holding the sheet (10) so as to form a fold portion extending in a first direction, at least partially joining together t least two layer portions of the sheet (10) at the fold portion so as to form a first sealing region (2) extending in the first direction, at least partially joining together at least two layer portions of the sheet (10) so as to form a second sealing region (4) extending in a second direction which is substantially parallel to the first direction, so that WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 32 the first and second sealing regions (2, 4) are spaced apart a first distance, the first and second dealing regions 2, 4) arc arranged on a first side (12) of the package and a second side (14) of the package opposite to the first side (12) is formed by a continuous portion of the ser(10), at least partially joining together at iest two layer portions of the shee (10) so as to form a third sealing region (6) extding in a third direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions and at least partially joining together at least two layer portions of the sheer (10) so as to form a fourth sealing region (8) extending in a fourth direction which is substantially parallel to the third direction, so that the third and fourth sealing regions 6, 8) are spaced part a second distance.

16. The method according to cim 15, fur her coisng step of providing a line of weakness (16) in the sheet (10) so that the line of weakness (16) exters in the first sealing region (2) in the first direction.

17. The method accord ing to claim 16, wherein the line of weakness (16) is a perforation and/or a score line and/or a cut extending in the first direction. 18t The method ,codn - clto 17, wherein the second sealing region (4) is formed at two substantially parallel edge portions of the sheet (10). WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 33

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the two substantially parallel edge por ions of the sheet (10) are at least partially joined together so as to form a fin seal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, where, in eh of the first and second sealing regions (2, 4), h at least two layer portions of the sheet (10) are at least partially adhesively joined together by resealable adhesive (20, 20' 21 The method according to any one of cims 15 to 20, wherein, in the third sealing region (6) and/or the fourth sealing region (8) , the at least two layer portions of the sheet (10) at at least partially adhesively joined tog-e by a resaable adhesive

22. Th method according to any one of cam 15 to 21, wherein the third sealing region (6) and/or the fourth sealing region (8) comprises portion (22, 22') arranged at an outer edge of the package and extending in the third direction, in which portion (22, 22') the at least two layer porinons of the sheet (10) are unattached to each other.

23. Th method according to any one of claims 15 to 22, further comprising the step of providing a cut (24, 24') in the sheet (10) so that the third sealing region (6) and/or the fourth sealing region (8) comprises a portion in which the sheet (10) is cut.

24. The method according to claim 23 as dependent on claim 22, wherein the sheet (10) is cut only within the portion (22) in which the at least two layer portions of the sheet (10) are unattached to other.

25. The method accoding to any one of claims It to 24, wherein surface areas of the first and second sealing regions WO 2013/174799 PCT/EP2013/060383 34 (2, 4) constitute 50% or more of a surfacee area of the first side (12) of the package. 2 Th method accding to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the second side (14) of the package is formed so to have a fiat surface.

27. The method according to ny one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the package is formed so s to be resealble.

28. The method according to any one of caims 15 to 27, further comprising the step of tilting the first and second se g r n (2, 4) outwards in opposite di n which are parallel to the third and fourth directions.

29. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 28, wherein the sheet (10) is made a flexible material,

30. A package substantially in accordance with any one of the embodiments hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A method substantially in accordance with any one of the embodiments hereibeore described with reference to the acmmpnyingdrwn