A packaging material and a packaging thereof

The invention relates to a multilayered packaging material comprising at least one substrate layer and at least one barrier layer which has moisture-, liquid- and/or grease-proof barrier properties for at least a defined period of time and to packagings, preferably cups, being formed of such packaging material.

Various materials respectively packagings of this kind are already known, but all have the disadvantage that they can be produced only with great difficulty or are unable to satisfy increased demands in terms of their environmental compatibility.

It is therefore one object of the present invention is to provide a packaging material which fulfills environmental requirements to a high degree.

This object is solved by providing the inventive multilayered packaging material, preferably with moisture-, aquous liquid- and/or grease-proved properties, comprising at least one substrate layer and at least one barrier layer with such barrier properties for at least a defined period of time, characterized in that the substrate layer is based on paper, paperboard, nonwoven fabric, moulded fibres or other material, in particular composed of renewable and/or preferably biodegradable raw materials, and at least a single- or multi-layer barrier layer, in particular of renewable and/or preferably biodegradable raw materials.

Accordingly, the packaging material can not only be produced from environmentally friendly raw materials, but can also be disposed of very simply preferably owing to the biodegradability of the packaging material. As far as the barrier layer is concerned, it has been found to be highly advantageous if the barrier layer is applied to the substrate layer by coating, laminating, adhesive bonding, UV sealing, ultrasonic sealing or by other means. Preferably an adhesion promoter or adhesive layer can be arranged between the substrate layer and the barrier layer.

A secure bond between the substrate layer and the barrier layer is thereby produced. It is also possible for a barrier layer to be applied by printing.

It is also advantageous according to the invention if the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer is produced from renewable raw materials and/or biodegradable raw materials. Preferably this layer can also have barrier properties and/or can be water-soluble.

Moreover, the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer having barrier properties can additionally protect the substrate layer from influences of the packaged contents and/or from environmental influences. Flavour protection can also be achieved. When the adhesive layer is water-soluble, the packaging material can be disposed of very easily.

It is highly advantageous according to the invention to use for the adhesion promoter, adhesive layer and/or sealing layer an adhesive made of or based on natural, partially natural or synthetic compounds like as natural compounds on starch, lignin, natural rubber, casein, dextrin, cellulose acetates, bone glue, fish glue, soya flour, gelatin, mixtures thereof and/or modifications thereof, as partially natural or synthetic compound on, a biopolymer like a biopolymer produced from starch, thermoplastic starch, polylactic acid (PLA), crystalline PLA, amorphous PLA, D-PLA, L-PLA and mixtures thereof, polycaprolactones (PCL), polyhydroxyalkanoids (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), biodegradable polyesters and/or copolyesters, aliphatic copolyesters, aromatic copolyesters and/or aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters or blends thereof and/or adhesives based on synthetic polymers with functional groups like polyvinyl acetates (PVAc), ethylene vinyl alcohols copolymers (EVOH) and/or polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH) wherein the adhesive can be applied in the form of a hot-melt, cold-melt, solution or dispersion with water or other solvents. Optionally a plasticiser can be added and/or the adhesive can be made preferably from renewable raw materials and/or can be biodegradable. Preferably the adhesive can be reactivatable by heat, ultrasound or other sources.

Such adhesion promoters or adhesives have been found to be very readily usable and adaptable within wide ranges to the particular requirements and use of the packaging material.

Preferably, the barrier layer is based on a paper or paper substitute such as pergamin, pergamin substitute, pergament or the like, paperboard, in particular fine paperboard, cardboard, which is treated additionally.

In this way it is possible to produce a structure of the packaging material which consists to a great extent on paper materials or paper-like materials but has nevertheless very good properties.

Preferably, according to the present invention, the barrier layer(s) is (are) treated in form of an impregnation or coating at least on the free surface with at least one component selected from the group comprising fluorocarbons, microwaxes, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated fatty acid esters, vegetable oils, preferably olive oil or castor oil, polymers having functional groups preferably based on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), PLA and other renewable and/or biodegradable polymers, preferably polycaprolactones (PLC), polyhydroxyalkanoides (PHA), polyhydroxyprotylene (PHB), biodegradable polyesters, biodegradable copolyesters, aliphatic copolyesters, it is being possible to carry out this treatment in the form of aqueous, oily or other solutions and/or dispersions. Impregnation or coating renders the barrier layer impermeable to moisture, water and/or grease. The mentioned substances have been found to be very readily usable.

It is also possible to treat the free surface of the substrate layer by applying a coating or impregnation with at least one of the impregnation components disclosed before.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is also extremely advantageous that preferably the treatment material can be disposed of with normal domestic waste and/or is dissolvable, compostable, repulpable and/or recyclable preferably.

Packagings produced from the inventive packaging material can be also disposed of simply and do not constitute problematic residual waste. In many cases, it is also possible for the packaging material provided as waste to be re-used in its production directly.

Preferably at least the substrate layer contains recycled material, in particular recycled fibre material and/or preferably fibrous material, which may not be suitable for direct contact with foodstuffs.

It is accordingly possible to use for the manufacture of the substrate layer material which consists, for example, of cuttings from paper processing.

It is also preferable if a barrier layer is arranged on both sides of the substrate layer.

Thereby the substrate layer is protected not only from influences of the packaged contents but also from external influences. It is also possible, for example, to print on the surface of a barrier layer printings based on printing inks or lacquers, thereby the barrier layer can also contain advertising, information or the like. In a further highly advantageous embodiment of the present invention at least the barrier layer is suitable for direct contact with foodstuffs.

It is thereby ensured that the packaging material does not contaminate the packaged contents therein.

Preferably the adhesive as an adhesion promoter or adhesive layer has a dry coating weight of from 2 to 20 g/m ² , preferably from 4 to 10 g/m ² , and if the adhesive is provided as a sealing layer for forming a packaging such layer has a dry coating weight of from 4 to 20 g/m ² , preferably from 6 to 15 g/m ² .

This small amount of adhesive is sufficient to guaranty a good cohesion between the substrate layer and the barrier layer. It is conceivable that this adhesive can not only be used to join two layers of the packaging material itself, but also to form a packaging. However, a slightly thicker layer is often applied as the sealing layer in this case. As a sealing layer to form seams, the adhesive should be resistant to the contents that is to say to liquids such as preferably water, at least for a certain time. It is better if the seam adhesive is insoluble with respect to the packaged contents.

Furthermore it is preferred that the barrier layer and/or the adhesive is arranged as edge protection for cut edges of the packaging material or of the substrate layer.

It is thereby also possible to protect the substrate layer from the penetration of substances at the cut edges, or to avoid any direct contact of the packaged contents with the substrate layer. Therefore, completely tight packaging can be produced.

The packaging material is directly or indirectly sealable in order to be used for a packaging. Preferably, this sealability can be based on the material of the barrier layer or its coating, on the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer arranged between the substrate layer and the barrier layer.

Preferably the sealing material is at least applied to regions that shall be sealed, at least on one side of the seam that is to be formed during the manufacturing of a packaging.

It is possible for the sealing material to be applied not only on one side in the seam region; but also to be applied to both areas that are to be connected. It is also possible that the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer from the coating or lamination, which is not used, e.g. not covered for example, is reactivated by heating in the seam region and can be used to form the seam. For the seam the sealing material can also be applied directly to a projecting portion of the barrier layer or of the substrate layer and thus can be a section of the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer arranged between the substrate layer and the barrier layer. An additional application is also possible.

Furthermore, for a special kind of connecting it has been found that it is advantageous if a non-stick agent (a release agent) is provided at least in certain sections of the substrate layer and/or the barrier layer, which non-stick agent (release agent) can consist, for example, of a lacquer, an ink, a silicone or the like and is applied to the substrate layer and/or the barrier layer by a printing process, for example, and can be provided in the edge regions of the packaging material.

As a result, adhesion between the substrate layer and the barrier layer can be avoided especially in the cut edge region of the packaging material, supposed as seam regions of a packaging. This is a simple possibility of forming tight seams whereby these two projectings or to be joined are plugged into one another. It is also possible to add a further barrier layer which has barrier properties like, for example against air, oxygen, flavor or aroma, liquids, radiation like UV rays, which layer can be arranged on a surface of the packaging material or inside between individual layers of the packaging material.

By means of this additional barrier layer, further barrier properties can be added or the existing barrier properties of the packaging material can be improved.

The invention is illustrated hereinbelow by means of two exemplary embodiments.

In the figures:

Fig. 10 shows a section through a two-layer packaging material and Fig. 1 1 shows a section through a three-layer packaging material.

In Fig. 10 is identified a substrate layer (4) which can be produced preferably from a paper or paperboard, which can also consist of recycled materials, usually not suitable for contact with foodstuffs directly. It is also possible that the substrate layer is based on nonwovens, moulded fibres or other materials produced from preferably renewable and/or biodegradable raw materials. The use of recycled materials, such as paper or paperboard punching waste, is also possible.

A barrier layer 5 of a waterproof paper or paper substitute is applied to the substrate layer 4. An impregnated or coated paper, paper substitute, pergamin, pergamin substitute, pergament, pergament substitute, paperboard, preferably fine paperboard, cardboard can be used. Substances suitable for the impregnation and/or as coating material are natural, partially natural or synthetic materials like microwaxes, polymers, fluorocarbons, saturated and/or unsaturated fatty acids or their fatty acid esters, vegetable oils such as olive oil or castor oil, polymers preferably having functional groups like polyvinyl acetates (PVAc), ethylene vinyl alcohols copolymers (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), PLA and other renewable and/or biodegradable polymers, preferably polycaprolactones (PLC), polyhydroxyalkanoides (PHA), polyhydroxyprotylene (PHB), biodegradable polyesters, biodegradable copolyesters, aliphatic copolyesters.

The impregnation and/or coating can be applied in the form of aqueous, oily or other solutions in organic solvents and/or dispersions to one or two sides of the layer to be impregnated to become a barrier layer.

The substrate layer and barrier layers can be joined to one another by using a laminating adhesive. It is also possible to use a sealing lacquer, an adhesion promoter or even a sealable barrier layer to join the two layers. It is also possible for joining two layers by means of pressure without further auxiliary substances.

When joining the layers together, conventional sealing methods such as cold or hot sealing, UV sealing, ultrasonic sealing, coating, laminating or adhesive bonding can be used.

It is also possible to use materials produced from renewable and biodegradable raw materials for the adhesion promoters, barrier layers, sealing lacquers or sealing layers.

Preferably, the adhesive as an adhesion promoter or adhesive layer has a dry coating weight of from 2 to 20 g/m ² , preferably from 4 to 10 g/m ² . Preferably, when the adhesive is used in form of a sealing layer to form a packaging, it should have a dry coating weight of from 4 to 20 g/m ² , more preferably from 6 to 15 g/m ² .

The barrier layer 5 forms the inside of a packaging made of any invented packaging material. In addition, a further barrier layer 15 can be arranged on the opposite side of the substrate 4, which becomes the outer layer of a packaging produced therefrom.

The barrier layer 15 can, for example, be composed of the same materials as the barrier layer 5. However, it is also possible for the barrier layer 15 to consist of a lacquer structure, which can be applied by any desired printing method. The barrier layer 15 can also contain design elements, advertising or information relating to the contents of the packaging produced therefrom.

When a lacquer structure is used as barrier layer 15, it can contain usual printing inks, polymers, waxes or other auxiliary compounds.

It is also possible for the barrier layer 15 to have a lower resistance to moisture, water, aqueous liquids and/or grease than the barrier layer 5.

For the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer an adhesive can be used made from or based on natural materials, or partially natural materials with adhesive properties like starch, lignin, natural rubber, casein, dextrin, cellulose acetates, bone glue, fish glue, polyethylene glycols (PEG), soya flour or gelatin, mixtures and/or modifications thereof.

It is also possible to use an adhesive based on biopolymers produced from starch, thermoplastic starch, polylactic acid (PLA), crystalline PLA, amorphous PLA, D-PLA, L-PLA and mixtures thereof, polycaprolactones (PCL), polyhydroxyalkanoids (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), biodegradable polyesters and/or copolyesters, aliphatic copolyesters, aromatic copolyesters and/or aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters or blends thereof.

Furthermore, the adhesive can be based on polymers with functional groups like polyvinyl acetates (PVAc), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) and/or polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH).

In all cases, the adhesive can be applied in the form of a solution or dispersion with water or other solvents like organic solvents, whereby a plasticizer can be added.

The adhesive itself can also have barrier properties.

Likewise, the adhesive can comprise or consist of renewable and/or biodegradable substances,

If the adhesive is used only to join the substrate layer and the barrier layer, it can be water- soluble because it does not come into contact with the (aqueous) contents of a packaging formed from the packaging material.

However, if the adhesive is also used as sealing material to form a packaging seam, it should be resistant to the packaged contents at least for a defined period of time. In most cases such material is required to be insoluble with respect to the contents in order to prevent contamination of the packaged contents.

It is possible that the adhesive is used to join the substrate layer with the barrier layer and also to form the packaging seams. Preferably, for this use is an adhesive which is reactivatable by heat. For example, it is possible to use a hot-melt adhesive for the lamination, which can be also used to form the seams of a packaging produced from the inventive packaging material.

It is also possible in case of producing special joint areas between some parts of the packaging that the layer is applied as lacquer to be provided a non stick sections (release sections) between the substrate layer and the barrier layer. In these regions, which are preferably arranged at the cut edges of the packaging material, which becomes the packaging at least, a projection of the barrier layer of such edges that are to be joined can be plugged into the other and joined so that the contents of the packaging to be formed does not come into contact with the substrate layer.

Preferably, the complete structure of the packaging material consists of environmentally friendly materials. Therefore, preferably the packaging material as a whole can be disposed of with normal domestic waste, and/or is dissolvable, compostable and/or recyclable.

It is possible, for example, that the substrate layer 4 dissolves or at least becomes readily compostable on prolonged contact with water. The dissolution of the substrate layer then allows the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer and the barrier layer 5 likewise to dissolve and/or biodegrade.

The barrier properties of the barrier layer 5 have to exist at least for a defined use period. The barrier layer 5 can be single- or multi-layered.

A further object of the present invention relates to a packaging, preferably manufactured from an inventive multi-layered packaging material as disclosed and described before. A number of packagings are known which are adapted for packaging liquids and greasy products by means of plastics material coatings.

However, plastic materials can be highly problematic from an environmental point of view.

Further, despite of these coatings there are still the disadvantages, because components of the packaged product can penetrate into the packaging material at the cut edges of the packaging. Thus the contents may be contaminated and it further cannot be ensured that the packaging remains tight in the region of the cut edges.

These advantages can be overcome by manufacturing a packaging from the inventive packaging material, especially in an improved design of the joint parts of the packaging. Accordingly, the packaged contents cannot penetrate into the packaging material causing problems of contamination of the packaged contents and ecologically harmful plastics materials do not have to be used in a significant amount.

This special design is based on the fact that at the cut edges at least one layer of the inventive packaging material forming the packaging, such as the barrier layer can project over and/or thus cover these edges and protects the substrate layer from direct contact with the packaged product.

Thus, not only the surface of the substrate layer of the inventive packaging material is protected, but also the open, uncovered, cut edges thereof. Penetration of the contents into the substrate layer and resulting leaks are prevented effectively. Further, a direct contact between the packaged product and the substrate layer is prevented. Moreover, there is no need to use plastic materials for coatings like PE, PP or any mixture thereof. In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the barrier layer is laid around these cut edges and glued, sealed or otherwise fixed to the substrate layer.

In this way, very good protection of the cut edges of the inventive packaging is provided in a simple manner. Existing production lines can generally still be used.

It has also been found to be advantageous for manufacturing the inventive packaging if only the barrier layer of one cut edge is connected in form of seams with the barrier layer of the other cut edge of the barrier layer.

This provides a particularly tight barrier layer of the packaging, because the barrier layer is interconnected independently of the substrate layer in this case.

According to the invention it is also highly advantageous if at least some cut edges of the packaging material that are supposed to be connected comprise a non-adhesive (release) region between the substrate layer and the barrier layer, so that at least at one cut edge in this region can be plugged into the other cut edge preferably to be connected by means of a formfit, most preferably by means of the overlaps.

Thus a possibility of connection the parts of an inventive packaging can be provided in a simple manner for all edges of the packaging material without any need for particular treatments in relation to the overlaps.

In a further highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a cover strip can be provided in the region of the seams either arranged on the inside and/or outside of the packaging.

Providing a cover strip means that already known, conventional connection methods and means can be used for producing the inventive packaging. The cover strip is applied subsequently to the formation of a connection. Thus a particularly well-protected seam is provided.

It has also been found to be particularly advantageous if for the production of the inventive packaging the barrier layers, substrate layers and/or cover strips which meet in the seam regions are glued, sealed, welded or otherwise joined to one another, resulting in a preferably moisture-proof, aqueous-proof and/or grease-proof seam. For this sealing it is possible to use laser sealing, ultrasound sealing, UV sealing, heat sealing or cold sealing methods, preferably by reactivating an adhesive or adhesion promoter arranged in the seam region to form the seam, the adhesive or adhesion promoter can be arranged on one or both sides of the packaging material. I

In this way, the barrier layers can be connected in a simple manner and the desired tightness can nevertheless be ensured.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterised in that at least one of the barrier layers preferably at the cut edge of the packaging material is formed in an overlapping manner in the seam region.

The overlap allows that the ends of the barrier layers can be interconnected particularly effectively.

It is also possible that at least one cut edge of the substrate layers can be formed in an overlapping manner or both cut edges in a mutually abutting manner in the seam region.

If the cut edges of substrate layer are formed in a mutually abutting manner, this provides a considerable reduction in the seam thickness in comparison to conventional seams. Only the comparatively thin barrier layer still has an overlap in the seam region. According by this connection it is also highly advantageous if at least one adhesion promoter or adhesive layer covers the cut edges of the substrate layer and/or is provided to form the seam between the substrate layer and a barrier layer.

This is a further possibility for covering the cut edges of the substrate layer and for protecting the packaged product against direct contact with the substrate layer. Further, the seam can be formed in a simple manner. In a single application, not only the adhesive layer but also equally the material forming the seam can be applied between the substrate layer and the barrier layer.

According to the invention it is also possible to apply an adhesive and/or sealing layer for forming the seam separately, either on both sides or only on one side of the inventive packaging material.

Such separate adhesive and/or sealing layer may be provided additionally or alternatively in the seam regions. An adhesive or sealing material adapted for the seam region should be for example be particularly resistant to the contents of the packaging. Different adhesive or sealing layers can be used for different seams of the inventive packaging.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the barrier layers is applied to the seam region of the substrate layers after the packaging has been formed, and covers the seam of the substrate layers.

This provides the possibility of manufacturing a packaging in a conventional manner and only subsequently providing the seams with the barrier layer. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the barrier layer which is the inside of the packaging is adapted for direct contact with the packaged product.

The inventive packaging material can be used to manufacture the inventive packaging in form of a cup, folding box, a tray and a lid made of the same or a different materials, preferably of biodegradable materials manufactured from renewable raw materials.

Preferably according to the present invention a packaging is produced from materials which are based on renewable raw materials and which are biodegradable. Environmentally critical materials based on petroleum are substantially excluded.

The invention is illustrated by way of a plurality of embodiments in the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a paperboard cup according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a section through the seam region of the cup with a barrier layer laid around,

Fig. 3 is a section through the seam region of the cup with a barrier layer overlapping on one side,

Fig. 4 is a section through an abutting seam region of the cup with a barrier layer overlapping on both sides,

Fig. 5 is a section through the seam region of the cup with a fin-seam-type connection,

Fig. 6 is a section through an overlapping seam region of the cup with a barrier layer overlapping on one side, Fig. 7 is a section through an overlapping seam region of the cup with a barrier layer on both sides and an overlap on one side,

Fig. 8 is a section through a seam region of a cup in which the barrier layer of one end forms a recess for receiving the other end, and

Fig. 9 is a section through a seam region of a cup in which the seam region is protected by a cover strip.

In Fig. 1 , a conical cup having a side wall (sleeve) 2 and a bottom 3 is denoted as 1 , and is constructed from a substrate layer 4 made of a paper and a barrier layer 5 applied thereto.

The bottom 3 is inserted into the side wall 2. In this context, the bottom 3 can be glued or also sealed. It is also possible for the bottom to be tightly embedded by way of folds or by rolling the side wall 2 around.

The barrier layer 5 is directed inwards.

The side wall 2 comprises a lateral seam 6 by which the two ends of the side wall 2 are interconnected.

This lateral seam 6 is generally glued or sealed.

In known cups such lateral seam 6 is a problem spot. From the inside of the cup 1. the contents can come into direct contact with the substrate layer 4. Thereby the contents of the cup may be contaminated by the substrate layer and the contents, which may often consist of coffee or other drinks, may penetrate into the substrate layer, and this can result in leaks. Therefore, according to the present invention at least the uncovered ends lying in the inside of the cup 1 are protected from contact with the contents or from external influences.

For this purpose, according to one embodiment of the invention the barrier layer 5 is provided with a projection 7 over the boundary edge (cut edge) 8 of the substrate layer 4. This projection 7 is subsequently laid around the boundary edge and can be glued thereto. This results in the configuration shown in Fig. 2.

The lateral seam 6 is formed as known. The boundary edge 8 protected by the barrier layer 5 is arranged as the inner part 9 of the lateral seam 6. The turned-up barrier layer 5 is connected to the barrier layer 5 of the outer part 10 of the lateral seam 6. In this way, the inwardly directed boundary edge 8 is protected from direct contact with the product by the barrier layer 5.

Instead of turning the barrier layer 5 up, it is also conceivable merely to allow it to overlap, as is shown in Fig. 3. In this way, the substrate layer 4 can mutually abut in the seam region 6.

In this context, it is also possible for a second barrier layer 15 arranged on the outside of the cup 1 to overlap, as is shown in Fig. 4. In this case, it is expedient therefore that only one barrier layer 5 or 15 having one projection (overlap) on each boundary edge. Nevertheless, it is also possible for the two projections to be provided on a single boundary edge.

If a barrier layer 5 and 15 is provided on both sides, on the inside and on the outside, it is also possible for the two barrier layers of a boundary edge 8 to be interconnected in the manner of a fin seam 16. The fin seams 16 of the two associated boundary edges 8 are subsequently interconnected. If both sides of the substrate layer 4 are provided with barrier layers 5 and 15, the above- mentioned variant with a tucked-up barrier layer 5 or 15 can still be provided.

If an overlap is prevented in the relatively thick substrate layer 4, the seam 6 is only slightly thicker than the surface 2. The thickenings of conventionally known cups often cause a problem when stacking the cups, because the cups 1 can no longer be unstacked in a simple manner, and are excluded in a configuration of this type.

A thick seam region 6 means that the cups stacked inside one another often adhere to one another. This tendency is eliminated.

If a barrier layer 5 or 15 is provided on one or both sides, it is also possible for a projection (overlap) of the barrier layer 5 or 15 simply to be applied and sealed or glued to the corresponding barrier layer.

If between the substrate layer 4 and barrier layer 5 in a boundary region of one cut edge of the packaging material a release material (non-stick material) is applied, the other end to be connected can be inserted into the recess 81 formed in this way by means of a formfit and glued or sealed to the first end, as is shown in Fig. 8.

It is likewise possible to apply a cover strip 91 , which is capable of covering up a uncovered abutment seam, subsequently to the inside or outside of the packaging in the seam region, as is shown in Fig. 9. The cover strip can be glued or sealed on or affixed by some other means.

The before mentioned adhesive or sealing material can be used not only for forming the seam but also for connecting the substrate layer 4 and the barrier layer 5 or 15. It is possible to use different adhesives. It is also possible to use different adhesives for different seams. Thus, for example, a lateral seam of a cup may be formed directly by the adhesion promoter whilst the bottom is glued in with an extra adhesive.

However, it is also possible to provide small amounts of conventional adhesives or sealing materials in the seam region. Because of their extremely low proportion of the whole packaging weight, these do not affect the weight of the packaging.

The seam can formed by heat sealing, cold sealing, cold gluing, hot gluing, ultrasound sealing, laser welding or other alternative connection methods.

The inventive packaging material cannot only be used to produce cups, but also to form all kinds of packagings intended to hold aqueous or greasy products.

An outer barrier layer 15 can be provided to the substrate layer 4 if the outside of the packaging is also to be protected from moisture or other environmental influences, especially if the substrate layer consist of recycled material.

It is also possible for the outer barrier layer 15 to be provided as abrasion protection and to be formed as a printed image. It is also possible for a printed image to be provided on the outer or even the inner barrier layer 15, 5.

The barrier layers 5 and 15 are preferably resistant to oils, greases, moisture and/or aqueous liquids at least for a predetermined time.

The barrier layers 5 and 15, the substrate layer 4, and adhesion promoter or adhesive layers may be of a single- or multi-layered configuration. It is also possible to apply the adhesion promoter or adhesive layer not only between the substrate layer 4 and the barrier layer 5 or 15 but also on the projection 7 and thus to be used directly to form the seam 6.

However, it is also possible to apply a separate adhesive layer in the seam region 6. This may also be applied in addition.

The inventive packaging may allow that after the end of the predetermined time which is intended to correspond to the scheduled storage life of packaged contents, the contents may start to penetrate into the substrate layer 4.

The inventive packaging can be provided in form of a container, preferably a cup, folding box or tray and lid made of the same or a different packaging material which preferably is at least biodegradable.