PACKAGING MATERIAL WEB, PACKAGING POUCH, PACKAGING MATERIAL BLANK AND MANUFACTURING METHOD

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/064279, filed May 27, 2021, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2020 114 211.0, filed May 27, 2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to a packaging material web, a packaging pocket and a packaging material blank. Packaging material webs, packaging pockets and packaging material blanks according to the disclosure are used in the packaging industry to package objects, in particular shipping items, in particular to protect them from damage during shipping. The disclosure also relates to methods for producing a packaging material web, a packaging pocket and a packaging material blank.

Related Art

Generic materials for packaging material webs, packaging pockets and packaging material blanks consist of paper, such as recycled paper, and/or are processed into cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard.

WO 2005/080519 A1 discloses a packaging material web and a packaging pocket made therefrom for packaging foodstuffs. The packaging material web comprises longitudinal edge strips extending parallel to the longitudinal edges, which are provided with a cold-sealable adhesive. Furthermore, the packaging material web comprises transverse strips extending transversely to the web longitudinal direction with cold-sealable adhesive. To form a packaging pocket, the packaging material web is severed along the transverse adhesive strips and bent around the respective article and glued or closed by means of the adhesive edge strips in longitudinal direction and transverse direction to completely enclose the article by the packaging material web in a packaging pocket.

It has been found to be a disadvantage of the packaging material web or packaging pocket according to WO 2005/080519 A1 that a relatively large amount of force is required to fold over the packaging material web and to place the packaging material web around the article to form a closed packaging pocket. Furthermore, it was found to be disadvantageous that the packaging material web and in particular the packaging pocket only slightly adapts to different article sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the embodiments.

FIG. 1 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 a section of a packaging material web according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 a sectional view of a packaging pocket according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure filled with a packaging article.

FIG. 12 a sectional view of a packaging pocket according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure filled with filling material and/or cushioning material and two packaging articles.

FIG. 13 a detailed view according to section XIII of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 a detailed view according to section XIV of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 a sectional view of a packaging pocket according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, which is occupied with a packaging article.

FIG. 16 a sectional view of a packaging pocket according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure occupied by two packaging articles.

FIG. 17 a perspective view of a packaging material blank according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 a perspective view of a torn open example packaging pocket according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements, features and components that are identical, functionally identical and have the same effect are—insofar as is not stated otherwise—respectively provided with the same reference character.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the common means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring embodiments of the disclosure.

One object of the present disclosure is to improve the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular to further develop a packaging material web, a packaging pocket and a packaging material blank in such a way that it can be processed more easily and with less effort and/or can be better and more specifically adapted to different article sizes, in particular for forming a packaging pocket.

According to this, a packaging material web is provided in particular of paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. The packaging material web can be made of paper, such as recycled paper, in particular waste paper and/or 100% recyclable paper, which can be produced without chemical ingredients. Recycled paper is in particular paper materials with a low content (less than 50%) of fresh fiber containing paper material. For example, paper materials containing 70% to 100% waste paper are used. The recycled paper in the sense of the present disclosure can be paper material that can have a tensile strength index along the machine direction of at most 90 Nm/g, preferably a tensile strength of 15 Nm/g to 60 Nm/g, and a tensile strength index transverse to the machine direction of at most 60 Nm/g, preferably a tensile strength of 5 Nm/g to 40 Nm/g. For determining the tensile strength or tensile strength index a standard DIN EN ISO 1924-2 or DIN EN ISO 1924-3 can be used. Additionally, or alternatively, a recycled paper property or waste paper property can be characterized by the so-called bursting resistance. A material in this sense is recycled paper with a bursting index of at most 3.0 kPa*m{circumflex over ( )}2/g, preferably with a bursting index of 0.8 kPa*m{circumflex over ( )}2/g to 2.5 kPa*m{circumflex over ( )}2/g. For determining the bursting index, the standard DIN EN ISO 2758 is used. Furthermore, the packaging material has a surface mass, in particular of 40 g/m² to at most 140 g/m². The starting packaging material can be provided in the form of a material web roll or a zigzag-folded packaging material stack, also known as a fanfold stack.

The packaging material web extends in a web longitudinal direction and can have a constant web thickness/material thickness, or a constant width viewed transversely to the web longitudinal direction. In the width direction, the packaging material web ends at a respective longitudinal edge extending in the web longitudinal direction or at a longitudinal rim. For example, the packaging material web has a width of at least 200 mm and in particular of at most 2000 mm. For example, the width is approximately 500 mm. At least one longitudinal edge strip adjacent to a longitudinal edge is at least sectionally provided with a cold-sealable adhesive. The width of the longitudinal edge strip provided with cold-sealable adhesive is at least 10 mm and in particular at most 300 mm, 250 mm or at most 200 mm. For example, both longitudinal edges can be provided with cold-sealable adhesive.

The cold-sealable adhesive is capable of producing a permanent bond between packaging material web surfaces. The cold-sealable adhesive, in particular the bond between two surfaces achieved by means of the cold-sealable adhesive, may be characterized by the fact that the bond cannot be released in a non-destructive manner. Furthermore, the cold-sealable adhesive may be characterized in that the longitudinal edge strips provided with cold-sealable adhesive and bonded cannot be pulled off or removed from one another without damaging or destroying the packaging material to be bonded, in particular paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. The cold sealable adhesive may comprise, for example, latex and a polymer of styrene acrylate, and optionally a 0.4% to 0.6% proportion of a defoamer. An adhesive solids content may be, for example, 50%+10%, the rest being water. The cold-sealable adhesive may be applied to the at least one longitudinal edge strip for example by means of rollers, hence by a roller application, which may be made of rubber, brass, or copper, by spraying, or by paint spraying. For example, the cold sealable adhesive is an aqueous dispersion with a natural latex basis. For example, commercially available cold-sealable adhesives can be used.

The packaging material web comprises at least one, in particular at least two, in particular three, four, five, six or more folding joints extending in the web longitudinal direction, in particular arranged centrally with respect to a width dimensioned transversely to the web longitudinal direction. The folding joint defines a folding axis along which two longitudinal web sections connected by means of the folding joint can be folded over. In other words, the folding joint divides the web of packaging material into two longitudinal web sections extending parallel to each other. The at least one folding joint allows to easily wrap or envelope an article to be packaged, such as a packaging article and/or shipping article, by means of the packaging material web. After the longitudinal web sections have been folded over along the folding axis and moved towards each other and, if necessary, placed on top of each other, a permanent bond, in particular sealing, of the two longitudinal web section surfaces facing each other can be produced solely by the mutual contact of the longitudinal web section surfaces provided with adhesive. The cold-sealable adhesive can further be configured in such a way that an activation of the adhesive/sealing effect is necessary so that the adhesive develops its adhesive/sealing effect. The activation can be achieved, for example, by applying pressure from the outside, which causes the cold-sealable adhesive to develop its adhesive/sealing effect. Thus, the packaging article and/or shipping article can be wrapped in a simple manner by means of the packaging material web. For example, it is not necessary to apply additional heat and/or additional adhesive materials. With the packaging material web according to the disclosure the productivity when packaging articles, such as packaging articles and/or shipping articles can be increased significantly. Furthermore, packaging material can be saved, as multiple wrapping of the article to be protected can be dispensed with. Furthermore, a length of the packaging material web measured in the web longitudinal direction can be flexibly adapted and adjusted to the article to be packaged. An advantage of the cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, is further that the cardboard already provides its own damping effect and thus protective effect for the article to be packaged.

According to the disclosure, the packaging material web is at least sectionally free of cold-sealable adhesive along the folding joint. Furthermore, it can be provided that the longitudinal web sections are mostly, for example at least 30%, in particular at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or at least 95%, free of cold-sealable adhesive. This way adhesive material can be saved. Furthermore, it is ensured that as little as possible, in particular none at all, of the cold-sealable adhesive layer comes into contact with the article when the article is packaged, in particular when the packaging material web is closed to form a packaging pocket. In particular, it can be ensured that only those areas of the packaging material web on the longitudinal edge strips which are coated with cold-sealable adhesive form a permanent bond with the respective bonding partner of the packaging material web. This also ensures that the packaging pocket to be produced can be closed circumferentially by means of the cold-sealable adhesive but is mostly free of an adhesive layer. This way the formed packaging pocket can easily be opened again in order to be able to remove the article from the packaging pocket.

For example, the packaging material web can be provided with one or more means reinforcing subsequent sealing of the packaging material web to a packaging pocket. For example, the packaging material web can at least sectionally comprise embossing lines or rows of particularly dot-shaped embossings running in the web longitudinal direction or transversely thereto, which are introduced, for example, by the application of mechanical force from the outside. Alternatively, or additionally, the packaging material web can comprise a structuring changing the fiber orientation at points or in sections, which can be realized, for example, by the embossing lines or rows of embossings. The embossing lines or embossings or structurings can be arranged in the region of the longitudinal edge strips and/or in the region of transverse strips oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the web direction, wherein the longitudinal edge strips and the transverse strips are provided with adhesive, which are to be brought into contact with one another to form a packaging pocket, which is affected by activation of the adhesive. The embossing lines, embossings or structurings effect a reinforcing of the sealing of the packaging pocket. For example, this can be achieved by means of a form fit, in particular by means of a shape-adapted embossing or structuring of the longitudinal edge strips or transverse strips to be sealed together.

According to an example embodiment of the packaging material web according to the disclosure, the folding joint is made in one piece with the longitudinal web sections. For example, the folding joint can be introduced into the packaging material web from the outside, in particular starting from a surface of the packaging material web. Furthermore, the folding joint can be designed as a film hinge. The film hinge can be realized, for example, as a thin-walled connection, for example in the form of a fold, in particular a folding fold. The thickness of the packaging material web in the area of the film hinge can be thinner than in the adjacent longitudinal web sections, for example in the range of 30 to 75%. According to an example further development, the folding joint and/or the film hinge permits folding of the longitudinal web sections about the folding axis in only one direction. The surface of the packaging material web on which the folding joint is formed forms, in the packaging pocket, the interior of the packaging pocket.

In another example embodiment of the packaging material web according to the disclosure, the folding joint is realized as a material weakening. The material weakening can be, for example, a perforation-material web row, in particular of several alternating perforations and material webs. For example, the perforations and material webs have the same dimension. Further, it may be provided that the perforations are at least twice as long as the material webs, which are arranged between two adjacent perforations. Alternatively, the folding joint can also be implemented as a longitudinal groove. Both the material weakening and the longitudinal groove are characterized in that along the material weakening or the longitudinal groove, the longitudinal web sections can be folded over in a defined manner and with less force. The longitudinal groove is produced, for example, by the application of mechanical force from outside, for example by means of a grooving, embossing or punching tool.

According to an example further development of the packaging material web according to the disclosure, the packaging material web comprises several transverse strips oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the web longitudinal direction and/or arranged at an equidistant distance from one another, which are provided with a cold-sealable adhesive. The application of the cold-sealable adhesive can take place the same way as for the longitudinal edge strip. Due to the transverse strips distributed uniformly in the web longitudinal direction, the web of packaging material can be closed and/or glued both at the longitudinal edge strip and at the transverse strips to form a closed envelope, in particular a packaging pocket. For example, the distance between the transverse strips can be dimensioned according to a standard for shipping packages, for example a DHL package.

In a further example embodiment of the packaging material web according to the disclosure, the transverse strips each open into at least one, preferably both, longitudinal edge strips. For example, the packaging material web can comprise a repeating pattern, repeat or grid of the longitudinal edge strips and transverse strips provided with cold-sealable adhesive, wherein the pattern has rectangular, in particular square, adhesive windows which form the pattern or grid. Thus, it may be provided that the packaging material web between the longitudinal edge strip and the transverse strip is substantially free of the cold sealable adhesive, in particular over a large area. The pattern or repeat can either form uniformly or change in the web longitudinal direction, whereby the patterns or repeats can be dimensioned in such a way that they are adapted to articles of predetermined size and/or in relation to standardized sizes, for example of a DHL package.

In a further example embodiment of the present disclosure, the transverse strips, in particular in the region of at least one longitudinal edge strip, in particular at the corresponding longitudinal edge, are provided with an indicator for indicating the respective cross-section. The indicator simplifies the production of a packaging material blank from which, for example, a packaging pocket can be made, and/or a packaging pocket. The indicator may be, for example, a material weakening, in particular a perforation or an indentation from the outside, or a color marking. The indicator may be adapted to be detectable, so that an automated production and packaging is possible or simplified. The indicator enables a precisely fitting and length-specific packaging process for the articles, which may potentially be of different sizes.

According to an example further development, the transverse strips, in particular between two indicators each arranged on a longitudinal edge strip, are at least in sections free of cold-sealable adhesive. This reduces adhesive consumption and lowers the cost of the packaging material web. Furthermore, it has been found that the adhesive-free areas within the transverse strips result in reduced wear and/or reduced wetting of a cutting device, such as a cutting edge of a cutting station, with the adhesive layer.

In a further example embodiment of the material web according to the disclosure, the packaging material web comprises at least one material weakening row oriented in the web longitudinal direction and/or transversely to the web longitudinal direction for forming a target tear line. The material weakening row can be formed, for example, as a perforation-material web row, in particular of a plurality of alternating perforations and material webs, or as a groove, for example by punching or embossing. In particular, the at least one material weakening row is arranged on the packaging material web surface opposite with respect to the folding joint. The row of material weakening can be arranged immediately adjacent to a transverse strip. The material weakening row can be spaced from the transverse strip in the range of a few millimeters, for example of at most 15 mm. The row of material weakening enables a packaging pocket made from the packaging material web to be opened easily in a defined manner for accessing the article packaged therein. For example, two rows of material weakening extending in particular parallel to one another, which are for example formed identically, can be provided and arranged at a distance from one another in the web longitudinal direction in such a way that between the rows of material weakening there results a particularly thin strip of packaging material web extending transversely with respect to the web longitudinal direction, which strip can be severed, such as torn off, from the rest of the web of packaging material in order to open the packaging pocket formed from the web of packaging material, so that access to the article is possible.

According to an example further development, two transverse material weakening rows, which are in particular formed identically and/or oriented parallel to one another, are arranged directly adjacent to a respective transverse strip. Directly adjacent is to be understood here in that a distance between the transverse strip and the more distant transverse material weakening row is at most 20 mm. Furthermore, it can be provided that the packaging material web defines a conveying direction in which the packaging material web is conveyed, for example, from a packaging material supply, which can have a roll form, for example, or a stack form, for example, by fanfolding, and is conveyed, if appropriate, to a packaging material production machine, and the two transverse material weakening rows are arranged upstream and/or downstream of the transverse strip in the conveying direction.

In another example embodiment of the present disclosure, an amount of the cold sealable adhesive is at least 3 g/m², in particular at least 7 g/m², and in particular at most 15 g/m². It has been found that the amount of adhesive according to exemplary embodiments is advantageous for a good adhesive effect and/or secure closing of the packaging material web to a packaging pocket.

According to an example further development of the packaging material web according to the disclosure, the cold-sealable adhesive is mixed with a contrast agent. For example, the contrast agent is configured to make the adhesive and thus the longitudinal edge strips and/or transverse strips visually identifiable. This facilitates the particularly automatic packaging process. The contrast agent can, for example, be configured to be identifiable by optical sensors. For example, detecting the contrast agent of the adhesive can trigger an action, for example of a packaging material production machine, such as cutting the packaging material web to length and/or applying pressure from the outside in order to bond the longitudinal edge strips to one another by means of the cold-sealable adhesive.

In a further example further development of the packaging material web according to the disclosure, it is hydrophobized, in particular glued. Particularly in the case of packaging material webs made of paper or cardboard, hydrophilization has proved advantageous with regard to the absorbency of the packaging material web in order to improve coating with the cold-sealable adhesive, in particular to increase the crosslinking between the packaging material web material and the adhesive material. Gluing is generally understood in the paper industry as the hydrophilization of paper fibers. The gluing can reduce an internal surface tension of the paper material and thus reduce capillarity. On the other hand, the gluing also seals so-called fiber-to-fiber bonding points, so that the tearability of the paper packaging material web is increased.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with the previous aspects and example embodiments, a packaging pocket is provided. Packaging pockets generally serve to completely and/or protectively enclose an article, such as a shipping article, so that these can be shipped, for example. In the case of packaging pockets, there is a general interest in keeping the packaging pockets as small as possible, in adjusting it as precisely fitting as possible around the article to be packaged and possibly shipped, so that the material required for the packaging pocket can be kept low.

The packaging pocket according to the disclosure comprises an envelope or a wrapping made of a web of packaging material formed in particular according to one of the preceding aspects or example embodiments. The web of packaging material and thus the envelope may be made, for example, of paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard.

The envelope is closed off to form a packaging cavity by cold-sealing edge strips of the packaging material web and has at least one predefined folding fold incorporated into the packaging material web. For cold sealing of the edge strips, for example of two longitudinal edge strips and two transverse strips each, the corresponding edge strips or transverse strips can be provided with a cold-sealable adhesive. The envelope is fully circumferentially closed, so that a closed packaging cavity is created for the article to be packaged and, if necessary, shipped. The circumferential edge closing the packaging cavity is formed partly by the folding fold and partly by the cold-sealed edge strips. In the case that the packaging pocket has, for example, a rectangular basic shape, one edge is formed by the folding fold and the other three edges by cold-sealed edge strips. The folding fold can, for example, be introduced in advance into the packaging material web as a material weakening, in particular as a perforation-material web-row, in particular of several alternating perforations and material webs, or as a longitudinal groove, for example by embossing, punching or grooving. The folding fold can divide the packaging material web into two longitudinal web sections, which are folded over to form the packaging pocket along the folding fold defining a folding axis and are cold-sealed together at their ends. The folding fold points into the packaging cavity.

The packaging pocket is characterized in that an inner wall bounding the packaging cavity is at least sectionally free of a cold-sealable adhesive coating and/or the folding fold is at least sectionally free of a cold-sealable adhesive coating. The inner wall is formed by a packaging material web surface, in particular the surface into which the folding fold is introduced.

In an example embodiment of the packaging pocket according to the disclosure, the packaging pocket comprises at least two, in particular three, four, five, six or more, predefined folding folds introduced into the packaging material web. The folding folds are oriented parallel to each other and/or in web the longitudinal direction. Due to the increased number of predefined folding folds, the packaging pocket shape can be flexibly and easily adapted to the article to be packaged. For example, the at least two folding folds are configured in such a way that the packaging cavity can be adapted to the packaging article to be packaged. For example, all of the folding folds point into the packaging cavity and each connect two longitudinal web sections of the web of packaging material that bound the packaging cavity. It has been found that with articles of increasing size, a higher number of folding folds has an advantageous effect on packaging the article in a form-fitting and/or precisely fitting manner and in a packaging material saving manner.

According to an example further development of the packaging pocket according to the disclosure, the packaging cavity is partially occupied by filling material and/or cushioning material. The filling material and/or cushioning material may, for example, consist of paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, or other packaging materials. The filling material and/or cushioning material protects the packaged and, if applicable, to be shipped article within the packaging cavity while providing a cushioning and damping effect.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and example embodiments, a packaging material blank for producing a packaging pocket formed in particular according to one of the previously described aspects or example embodiments is provided. The packaging material blank according to the disclosure is produced by cutting to length, in particular cutting off, tearing off, a packaging material web according to the disclosure transversely to its web longitudinal direction and transversely to the at least one folding joint. The packaging material blanks may be sized according to standardized packaging, such as a DHL package. The packaging material blank according to the disclosure can be further processed in a simple manner to form a packaging pocket, in particular according to the disclosure. To package an article, it is placed on the packaging material blank and, to form a closed packaging cavity, the packaging material blank is folded over along the folding fold or the folding joint in such a way that the longitudinal edge strips provided with cold-sealable adhesive face one another. By applying pressure from the outside, the cold-sealable adhesive can be activated in a simple manner without the aid of further packaging aids and/or an additional heat input, so that the longitudinal edge strips are sealed together. This forms a closed envelope which delimits the packaging cavity and is placed around the article.

According to a further aspect of the disclosure, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and example embodiments, a method is provided for producing a web of packaging material, which is formed in particular according to one of the aspects or example embodiments described above and which consists of, for example, paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard.

For the method, a web-shaped packaging material, for example paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, is provided.

Furthermore, at least one longitudinal edge strip adjacent to a longitudinal edge of the web-shaped packaging material, in particular both longitudinal edge strips, is at least sectionally provided with a cold-sealable adhesive. With respect to the cold-sealable adhesive and the longitudinal edge strips, reference can be made to the preceding explanations.

According to the disclosure, the web-shaped packaging material is weakened, in particular centrally with respect to a width of the packaging material web dimensioned transversely to the web longitudinal direction, to form at least one folding joint extending in the web longitudinal direction. For example, the web-shaped packaging material is perforated, embossed, punched and/or grooved.

According to an example further development of the method according to the disclosure, the method may be carried out in such a way that it produces a packaging material web according to one of the previously described aspects or example embodiments.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and example embodiments, a method for producing a packaging pocket formed in particular according to one of the previously described aspects or example embodiments is provided.

For the method, a packaging material web is provided, which is formed in particular according to one of the previously described aspects or example embodiments and which consists, for example, of paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard. Furthermore, at least one folding fold is introduced into the packaging material web. This acts as a folding joint and defines a folding axis along which two longitudinal web sections of the packaging material web connected by means of the folding fold can be folded over.

According to the disclosure, the packaging material web is formed into an envelope and the envelope is closed off to form a packaging cavity by cold sealing edge strips of the packaging material web in such a way that the at least one folding fold points into the packaging cavity.

According to an example further development, the method may be carried out such that a packaging pocket formed according to one of the preceding aspects or example embodiments is produced.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, which can be combined with the preceding aspects and example embodiments, a method for producing a packaging material blank is provided, which is configured to produce a packaging pocket formed in particular according to one of the preceding aspects or example embodiments. In the method, a packaging material web according to the disclosure is provided and is cut to length, in particular cut or torn off, transversely to the web longitudinal direction and transversely to the at least one folding joint.

In the following description of example embodiments of packaging material webs according to the disclosure, packaging material blanks according to the disclosure and packaging material pockets according to the disclosure, a packaging material web according to the disclosure is generally provided with reference numeral 1, a packaging material blank according to the disclosure is generally provided with reference numeral 100 and a packaging pocket according to the disclosure is generally provided with reference numeral 200. For the following description of the example embodiments of the disclosure shown in the figures, it is assumed that the packaging material web consists of paper or cardboard, in particular corrugated cardboard, although other packaging material web materials are also conceivable without departing from the idea of the disclosure. Identical or similar components of the individual embodiments are provided with identical or similar reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, an embodiment of a section of a packaging material web 1 according to the disclosure is shown in the top view of the packaging material web 1. The packaging material web 1 extends essentially linearly, defining a web longitudinal direction indicated by the arrow with the reference sign L. The packaging material web 1 comprises a leading transverse edge 3 which is connected to two longitudinal edges 5, 7 oriented essentially perpendicular to the transverse edge 3. This results in a rectangular basic shape of the packaging material web 1 in the top view. The longitudinal edges 5, 7 are each adjoined by a longitudinal edge strip 9, 11, which are oriented in the web longitudinal direction 11 and can have a width of at least 10 mm dimensioned transversely with respect to the web longitudinal direction L. The longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 are provided with a cold-sealable adhesive to which a force has to be applied from the outside to activate its adhesive effect. By gluing or sealing the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 to one another, a packaging pocket 200 for example according to the disclosure can be formed, which will be discussed in detail later. An application quantity of the cold-sealable adhesive of at least 5 g/m², in particular at least 7 g/m², and in particular at most 15 g/m² has proved advantageous for a reliable and lasting adhesive effect.

The packaging material web 1 comprises a plurality of transverse strips 13, 15, 17 oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the web longitudinal direction L and arranged at equidistant distances from one another, wherein only three transverse strips are shown in the section according to FIG. 1. The transverse strips 13, 15, 17 are also provided with a cold-sealable adhesive. Each transverse strip 13, 15, 17 opens into the two longitudinal edge strips 11, 9 transversely to the web longitudinal direction L opposite one another, so that a repeating pattern or pattern repeat of cold-sealable adhesive strips results, namely through the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 and the transverse strips 13, 15, 17. For example, the pattern repeat has a rectangular basic shape. The areal application amount of the cold sealable adhesive respectively the dimensions of the transverse strips 13, 15, 17 or the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 are dimensioned so that the packaging material web surface is substantially free of cold sealable adhesive. This has the advantage, that on the one hand a packaging article 203 (FIG. 11) to be packaged by means of the packaging material web 1 and possibly to be shipped does not come into contact with the cold-sealable adhesive, so that it can be ruled out that the packaging material web 1 adheres to the shipping article 203, even if the latter also happens to be provided with cold-sealable adhesive, and, on the other hand that adhesive quantity can be saved and thus costs can be reduced. In FIG. 1, this results in rectangular packaging material windows 19, 21, 23 (without adhesive layer), which are each surrounded by the transverse and longitudinal edge strips 13, 15, 17, 9, 11 provided with cold-sealable adhesive.

The packaging material web 1 according to the disclosure comprises at least one folding joint 25 extending in the web longitudinal direction 11 and arranged centrally in FIG. 1 with respect to a width of the packaging material web 1 dimensioned transversely to the web longitudinal direction L. The folding joint 25 defines a folding axis which is indicated by reference sign A, along which the packaging material web 1 can be folded. The folding joint 25 divides the packaging material web 1 into two longitudinal web sections 27, 29 oriented in the web longitudinal direction L, which are connected to each other by means of the folding joint 25. For the production of a packaging pocket 200, for example according to the disclosure, the longitudinal web sections 27, 29 can be folded over and towards each other along the folding axis A of the folding joint 25, so that the sections of the packaging material web provided with cold-sealable adhesive can be placed on each other and can be glued or sealed to each other by the application of force from the outside. The folding joint 25 is shown schematically by a dashed line, may for example be made in one piece with the longitudinal web sections 27, 29 and/or may be formed as a film hinge. For example, the folding joint 25 is realized as a material weakening, in particular as a perforation-material web row, in particular comprising a plurality of alternating perforations and material webs, or as a longitudinal groove. The folding joint 25 can be produced, for example, by applying mechanical force from the outside, for example by perforating, punching or grooving. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the folding joint 25 is sectionally free of cold-sealable adhesive, namely in the region of the packaging material windows 19, 21, and is sectionally provided with cold-sealable adhesive, namely in the region of the transverse strips 13, 15, 17.

In FIGS. 2 to 7 further embodiments of packaging material webs 1 according to the disclosure are shown, which differ essentially in the number and arrangement of the folding joints 25. The plurality of folding joints 25 each extend substantially in the web longitudinal direction L and/or parallel to one another and each define a folding axis A along which the two adjacent longitudinal web sections 27, 29, 31, 33 separated by the respective folding joint 25 can be folded over in order to on the one hand form a packaging pocket 200 and on the other hand to create a packaging pocket 200 for the shipping article 203 which is as precisely fitting and/or as true to shape as possible.

In FIG. 2, the packaging material web 1 comprises a total of 3 folding joints 25, wherein all three folding joints 25 are introduced substantially in a central region of the packaging material web 1. The two outer folding joints 25 are each arranged at the same distance from the central folding joint 25.

FIGS. 3 and 4 further examples of packaging material webs 1 according to the disclosure are shown, each of which comprises three folding joints 25 analogous to FIG. 2, wherein the folding joints 25 of FIG. 4 are arranged uniformly distributed transversely in the web longitudinal direction L and introduced into the packaging material web 1, and one folding joint 25 of the packaging material web 1 of FIG. 3 is arranged essentially centrally with respect to a width of one of the longitudinal web sections 27, 29. The other two folding joints 25 of the embodiment according to FIG. 3 are positioned substantially analogously to the embodiment according to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show further example embodiments of packaging material webs 1 according to the disclosure, in which uniformly distributed folding joints 25 are provided in FIGS. 5 and 7 and in which in the width direction irregularly distributed folding joints 25 are introduced in FIG. 6. It should be clear that the number of folding joints 25 is not intended to be limiting. In FIG. 5, the packaging material web 1 comprises five folding joints as an example, in FIG. 6, the packaging material web 1 comprises six folding joints as an example, and in FIG. 7, the packaging material web 1 comprises thirteen folding joints 25 as an example. Any number of folding joints greater than 1 is conceivable, for example at most 20. The maximum number of folding joints 25 is determined by the width of the packaging material web 1 and the width of the individual folding joints 25.

In FIGS. 8 to 10 example embodiments of packaging material webs 1 according to the disclosure are shown which comprise additional structural features. On the one hand, the packaging material webs 1 of FIGS. 8 to 10 each have, in the region of both longitudinal edges 5, 7 at the level of the transverse strips 13, 15, 17, an indicator 35 for indicating the respective transverse strip 13, 15, 17. The indicators 35, which can generally be, for example, a material weakening or a color marking, are realized according to FIGS. 8 to 10 as substantially V-shaped or triangular-shaped indentations, which are haptically as well as visually identifiable, but may also be square, rectangular or circular in cross-section. The indicators 35 support a precise-fitting and length-specific packaging process, which has an advantageous effect in particular in the case of packaging articles 203 that are partially of different sizes.

The packaging material webs 1 of FIGS. 8 and 9 also comprise material weakening rows 37 oriented transversely to the web longitudinal direction L, which can be formed, for example, as perforation-material web-rows, in particular of a plurality of alternating perforations and material webs. It is also possible that the material weakening rows 37 are formed as grooves. The material weakening rows 37 each form a target tear line, which allow an opening of a closed packaging pocket 200 in a simple manner to create access to the packaging article 203 packaged in the packaging pocket 200. The material weakening row 37 according to FIG. 8 as well as according to FIG. 9 are arranged, viewed in the web longitudinal direction L, in a trailing manner and at a short distance, in particular in the range of a few millimeters, in particular of less than 10 mm, with respect to a respective transverse strip 13, 15, 17 and/or oriented parallel to the transverse strips 13, 15, 17. It is also possible to provide a tear cord for opening the packaging pocket 200 (not shown).

The embodiment according to FIG. 9 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 8 only in that one pair each of material weakening rows 37 is introduced into the packaging material web 1 immediately downstream with respect to one of the transverse strips 13, 15, 17. This can further facilitate the opening process of the packaging pocket. Between the parallel oriented and/or substantially identically formed material weakening rows 37, a thin-walled, straight packaging material strip 39 results, which can be separated from the remaining packaging material web 1 or torn off from the two adjacent material weakening rows 37 for opening the packaging pocket 200.

The packaging material web 1 according to FIG. 10 does not comprise any transverse material weakening rows 37. In the region of the transverse strips 13, 15, 17, indicators 35 are again introduced into the packaging material web 1 at both longitudinal edges 5, 7. The transverse strips 13, 15, 17 in FIG. 10 have larger dimensions in the web longitudinal direction L, i.e., are formed wider. Furthermore, the transverse strips 13, 15, 17 comprise sections 41, 43, 45 which are free of cold-sealable adhesive. As a result, adhesive consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, it has been found that the adhesive-free sections 41, 43, 45 in the region of the transverse strips 13, 15, 17 are beneficial in terms of wear as well as a reduction in wetting of a cutting device for severing the packaging material web 1 with the cold-sealable adhesive layer. A width of the adhesive-free sections 41, 43, 45 dimensioned transversely to the web longitudinal direction L is dimensioned such that they have substantially the same width as the packaging material windows 19, 21 and/or do not project into the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11. This further ensures a reliable sealing of the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 and thus a reliable closing of the packaging material web 1 to form a closed envelope for the packaging pocket 200. The packaging material webs 1 of FIGS. 8 to 10 each have a folding joint 25, so that two longitudinal web sections 27, 29 are formed in each case, which can be folded over along the folding axis A defined by the folding joint 25 to form a packaging pocket 200.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, two packaging pockets 200 according to the disclosure are shown in sectional view, wherein the packaging pocket 200 of FIG. 11 is open and the packaging pocket 200 of FIG. 12 is closed and cold-sealed. The packaging pocket 200 comprises an envelope 205 of a packaging material web 1 for example according to the disclosure. By means of a folding joint 25 introduced into the packaging material web 1, the two longitudinal web sections 27, 29 connected to the folding joint 25 are folded over along the folding axis A defined by the folding joint 25, which is oriented into the drawing plane in FIGS. 11 and 12, to form the closed envelope 205. The folding joint 25 forms a predefined folding fold 207 that points into a packaging cavity 209 bounded by the envelope 205.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, it can be seen that the packaging material web 1 is thin-walled and has significantly greater dimensioning in the web longitudinal direction and transversely to the web longitudinal direction than its material thickness. The longitudinal web sections 27, 29 apply themselves to the packaging article 203 as shape accurately as possible under deformation, in particular bending. The cold-sealing of the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 by means of the cold-sealable adhesive, which is indicated by the reference sign K, is indicated in FIG. 11: The two arrows indicated by the reference sign 211 symbolize an application of force to the two longitudinal edge strips 9, 11, so that when the two longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 come into contact under the influence of the external force 211, the cold-sealable adhesive K is activated, so that the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 are bonded to one another and the envelope 205 is sealed or closed off.

The packaging pocket 200 according to the disclosure is characterized, among other things, in that an inner wall 213, 215 bounding the packaging cavity 209 and facing in the direction of the packaging cavity 209 is sectionally free of a cold-sealable adhesive coating. In particular, that region of the inner wall 213, 215 is free of cold-sealable adhesive that may come into contact with the packaging article 203. In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, only a narrow adhesive strip K is provided in the region of the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11. The remaining surface of the packaging material web 1 is free of a cold-sealable coating, except for the transverse strips 13, 15, 17 not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 for completely sealing the envelope 205 transversely to the web longitudinal direction L.

The packaging pocket 200 of FIG. 12 is shown in a fully manufactured or closed state. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 11, two shipping articles 203 are located within the packaging cavity 209. Furthermore, the packaging cavity 209 is partially occupied by filling and/or cushioning material, generally provided with reference numeral 231, to protect the packaging articles 203 from external influences and/or to fix the shipping articles 203 in their position within the packaging cavity 209.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show exemplary possibilities for cold sealing the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 provided with cold-sealable adhesive K. The same is conceivable for the transverse strips 13, 15, 17. The longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 of the embodiment according to FIG. 13 have been pressed by means of a pressing tool with a smooth surface, while the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 of the embodiment according to FIG. 14 have been pressed by means of a pressing tool with a structured surface. This results in FIG. 14 in a corrugated outer surface 217 of the envelope 205 or packaging pocket 200 in the region of the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11. The corrugated surface 217 comprises a recess-elevation-structure of alternating recesses 219 and elevations 221.

In FIGS. 15 and 16 further example embodiments of packaging pockets 200 according to the disclosure are shown. The packaging pockets 200 according to FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the advantageous property of packaging pockets 200 according to the disclosure of being able to adapt to the packaging article shapes to be packaged. For example, from a synopsis of FIGS. 11 and 15, in which the packaged packaging articles 203 have substantially the same basic shape, it is apparent that by providing a plurality: in FIG. 15, five; in FIG. 16, three; of predefined folding folds 207 inserted into the packaging material web 1, the envelope 205 adapts much more closely to the outer shape of the packaging article 203. Each folding fold 207 resulting from a folding joint 25 introduced into the packaging material web connects two folding wings of the packaging material web to one another, which are each realized by the longitudinal web sections 27, 29, 31, 33, so that by successive folding of the packaging material web 1, for example starting with a central folding joint 25 or also with an outer folding joint 25, the packaging material web 1 wraps as accurately as possible around the packaging article 203 and the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 to face one another, which are provided with the cold-sealable adhesive, can be brought into contact with one another, so that the facing longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 and transverse strip sections 13, 15, 17 can in each case be bonded to one another with the application of pressure from the outside in order to seal the packaging pocket 200 and form a closed envelope 205.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a packaging pocket 200 according to the disclosure, the packaging cavity 209 of which accommodates two packaging articles 203 arranged one above the other. Furthermore, the packaging pocket has a total of three folding folds 207 each formed by a folding joint 25 introduced into the packaging material web 1.

In FIG. 17 a packaging material blank 100 according to the disclosure for producing a packaging pocket 200, for example according to the disclosure, is shown. What can be seen is essentially a packaging material blank 100 that has already been partially formed into a subsequent packaging pocket 200, forming a packaging material web 1 cut to a specific length dimensioned in the web longitudinal direction L. In FIG. 17, the strips provided with cold-sealable adhesive K are not explicitly highlighted. The folding joint 25, which defines the folding axis A, is indicated by means of a dashed line. As can be seen in FIG. 17, the packaging material web 1, in particular the packaging material web blank 100, is already partially folded over along the folding axis A, so that two longitudinal web sections 27, 29 folded towards each other are oriented at an angle to each other and are connected by the folding joint 207. The already preformed and folded packaging material web blank section is provided with the reference sign 103. A substantially undeformed and unfolded section 105 of the packaging material blank 100, trailing with respect to the web longitudinal direction L, continuously unfolds to an end 107 of the packaging material blank 100, in that the packaging material blank 100 has substantially the original width of the packaging material web 1.

In FIG. 18, a packaging pocket 200 formed from a packaging material web 1 and/or a packaging material blank 100 for example according to the disclosure is shown in perspective view. The packaging pocket 200 is opened along a row of material weakening 37 introduced into the packaging material web 1 by tearing off a packaging pocket strip 223, so that the packaging cavity and the packaging article 203 arranged in the packaging cavity are visible and accessible. The tearing off of the packaging pocket strip 223 is indicated by the curved arrow with the reference numeral 225. The material weakening row 37 defines on the remaining and torn packaging pocket 200 as well as on the severed packaging pocket strip 223 two target tear lines 227, 229 each, which were formerly formed of one piece and connected to each other.

Another example embodiment of a packaging material web 1 according to the disclosure corresponds essentially to the embodiment according to FIG. 10, but differs with regard to the transverse strips 13, 15, 17. A comparison with the embodiment of FIG. 10 shows that the packaging material web 1 has no indicators 35 on the longitudinal edges 5, 7. The transverse strips 13, 15, 17 also comprise sections 41, 43, 45 which are free of cold-sealable adhesive. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 10, a width of the adhesive-free sections 41, 43, 45 dimensioned transversely to the web longitudinal direction L is such that they extend substantially completely along the width of the packaging material web 1 and thus project into the longitudinal edge strips 9, 11 as far as the longitudinal edges 5, 7.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, figures, and claims may be significant both individually and in any combination for the realization of the disclosure in the various embodiments.

To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present disclosure, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present disclosure is described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art on the basis of the embodiments in the present disclosure without any creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, etc. in the description, claims and abovementioned drawings of the present disclosure are used to distinguish between similar objects, but not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that data used in this way can be interchanged as appropriate so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described here can be implemented in an order other than those shown or described here. In addition, the terms “comprise” and “have” and any variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or equipment comprising a series of steps or modules or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or modules or units which are clearly listed, but may comprise other steps or modules or units which are not clearly listed or are intrinsic to such processes, methods, products or equipment.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

• • 1 packaging material web
  • 3 transverse edge
  • 5, 7 longitudinal edge
  • 9, 11 longitudinal edge strip
  • 13, 15, 17 transverse strip
  • 19, 21, 23 packaging material window
  • 25 folding joint
  • 27, 29, 31, 33 longitudinal web section
  • 35 indicator
  • 37 material weakening row
  • 39 material strip
  • 41, 43, 45 section free of cold-sealable adhesive
  • 100 packaging material blank
  • 103 folded over section
  • 105 unfolded trailing section
  • 200 packaging pocket
  • 203 packaging article
  • 205 envelope
  • 207 folding fold
  • 209 packaging cavity
  • 211 outer force
  • 213, 215 inner wall
  • 231 filling and/or cushioning material
  • 217 surface
  • 219 recess
  • 221 elevation
  • 223 packaging pocket strip
  • 225 arrow
  • 227, 229 target tear line
  • L web longitudinal direction
  • A folding axis
  • K cold-sealable adhesive layer