Foldable packaging is often made of several separate blanks before folding and assembly. The packaging may, for example, be divided into at least two blanks, one blank forming a hollow space in the packaging whilst the other blank forms part of a wall, bottom, cover or supporting member, which when put together with the first blank forms the final packaging. Usually, this method of joining the blanks will also form the basis for how the packaging can be opened for removal of the product it contains.

Generally, it is difficult to obtain whole seams or joins that prevent the penetration of, <BR> <BR> e. g. , moisture or contaminants where the joining takes place. The manner in which the joining is done also affects the rigidity and lifetime of the packaging and not least its resistance to external, mechanical and other influences to which the packaging is exposed in a production line, during transport and during set-up and display in the retail stage of the distribution chain. Lastly, the packaging must also be of such a kind that it can easily be opened by the customer and so that a visible seal is broken when this is done.

On the basis of material properties and environmental considerations, cardboard packaging is being used more and more. Properties such as rigidity, printability and folding properties are essential for the quality of the cardboard. Chlorine-free cardboard based on pure, long and strong new fibre and sulphate cellulose has these properties.

These cardboard qualities also lend themselves well to printing, lacquering, lamination, punching, pasting, stamping and gluing, and not least welding. Welding provides increased packaging security for the customer. Consumers should be guaranteed that the packaging is unopened at the time of purchase. To the skilled person, it is known how materials can be welded together so that the joins are completely sealed and provided with sufficient rigidity and strength. If the right surface coating is applied, even cardboard packaging can meet the most stringent requirements as regards leak- tightness and other environmental requirements for the storage of products in such packaging.

Foldable packaging has the advantage that the storage of the packaging prior to folding will require little space and that production of the packaging is based on a flat, continuous blank which facilitates the machining of the blank. Nevertheless, such advantages must be weighed up against how complicated the folding of the blanks will be. If the process calls for many operations in the form of folds and gluing etc. , the economy of using the packaging might be poor.

Other important aspects of packaging technology include the printing of graphic designs on the packet before marketing. It is usual that the size of the surface of the packaging reflects the size of the product. This may be at variance with the size requirements for information texts on the outside of the packaging. One example may be medicines. A package with a few pills may require a long and detailed text for instructions for the use of the medicine etc. Normally, such problems of information are solved in that separate printed instruction leaflets are enclosed in the packet. The problem is that this information is concealed from the customer at the time of purchase. This can cause difficulties in marketing and pose problems for the customer when it comes to choosing the right product. These problems are in evidence in particular in connection with self- selection products. Self-service systems where the products are taken from shelves and stands have become very common. As a result, the information that can be placed on the outside of the product has also become particularly important. Ethically and legally, it is important that the customer should choose the right product and should be able to understand what he has purchased. Consequently, the information surfaces on the packaging are a very important property. It may also be an important aspect that the customer is able to see at least a part of the product without having to open the packaging. For typical hygiene products, but also for other products, the inaccessibility of the product for direct contact prior to sale is perceived as important by many purchasers.

Another aspect of packaging is that usually it is a throw-away product. Material such as cardboard can be recycled, but this does not always happen. Therefore, in many countries requirements have been set regarding materials choice and source separation, as well as new standards as regards safety during transport, storage and shop display.

For packaging manufacturers, it is very important to be able to offer solutions which use a minimum of materials in order to reach the standards that the product is to meet.

As a part of the packaging process, a production line is constructed where special plates with cutouts in a surface form supporting devices for the first part of the packaging (the

hollow space) in which the filling/placing of the product that is to be in the packaging can be effected. Then, the last blank of the packaging must be put together with the first part to complete the production of the product.

According to the invention, the means is characterised in that the box-like part of the packaging is formed of three blank parts in one piece consisting in order from the supporting member of : a) a bottom section having a bottom and two laterally positioned corner flaps; b) a wall section consisting of three mutually folded wall portions and having fastening flaps located along each side of the wall section; and c) a top section having a top, two laterally positioned corner flaps and a transverse fastening flap; wherein the fastening flaps are designed to be glued, welded or stapled to a suitable area of the supporting member.

According to additional embodiments of the means, said bottom will project from a lower edge of the supporting member and form an approximate right angle with the supporting member when the box-like part is folded and the fastening flaps are fastened to the supporting member.

Advantageously, an opening can be cut out in at least one of the wall portions, and may optionally be covered by a window element so that the article can be seen, but not removed from the packaging.

Furthermore, the means can be designed so that at least some of the corner flaps are arranged to be glued to an opposite wall portion.

To make it easy for a purchaser of the article to open the packaging, whilst ensuring that the packaging then becomes sealingly closable, a tear flap is provided in connection with one of the wall portions and/or the top for finger grip for tearing off the top section.

Thus, the present invention provides a foldable, unitary packaging unit made of one piece of, e. g. , cardboard, but it is not limited to this material. The invention solves many of the problems and meets many of the requirements and needs of modern packaging technology. The invention allows a minimum of material to be used in the blank and ensures that the blank is easy to fold into the finished packaging. Because it

is made of a unitary blank, the graphic decoration and/or application of lacquer etc. can be done in one operation for the whole packaging unit. The means provides an at least almost sealed box which gives tamper-proofing of the packaging and the possibility of protection against environmental influences. As a unique property of packaging capable of being joined together by gluing, welding or stapling, this packaging can also be hung on a hook in a similar way to the known blister packages or stand without support on an underlying surface. This gives great flexibility, e. g. , in connection with the exposure of<BR> a retail product in, e. g. , a shop. When several packages are put together in a larger box for shipping, this stand-alone property may prove to be very practical and useful.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 a is a plan view of the geometry of a unitary blank according to the invention.

Fig. 1b is a perspective view of the same blank.

Fig. 1 c shows the blank slightly more folded, but in the same perspective as in Fig. lb.

Fig. ld shows the blank in the same perspective as in Fig. lc but in a slightly more folded state.

Fig. le shows an almost completely folded packaging unit.

Fig. 2a is an angled side perspective view of the blank when unfolded.

Fig. 2b is a side view of the packaging when fully folded.

Fig. 2c is an angled front view of the completed, folded packaging.

Fig. 1 a is a plan view of the geometry of a blank 10. The blank may be provided with optional cutouts 11, 12,13. As shown in Fig. lb, where the blank is shown in perspective, some of the flaps 14,15, 16 of the blank are folded down as a first stage in the folding of the packaging. In Fig. lc several of flaps 17,18, 19 and 20 have been folded. Fig. 1 d shows how the bottom 21 and the side walls 22, 23 of the blank are formed by the folding along fold lines on the wall 24.

As shown in Fig. le, the packaging is almost completely folded. The flaps 17,18, 19 and 20 are fastened to the side walls 22,23 and thus effect the formation of a hollow space 25 in the packaging 26. The box-like body 27 that is formed is folded towards the supporting member 28 of the packaging about the fold line 29. The flaps 14,15 and 16 are fastened to the supporting member 28 using, e. g. , adhesive, welding or stapling.

Fig. 2a in a perspective view of the blank 10 as shown in Fig. 1 a in an unfolded state.

Fig. 2b is a front view of the packaging 26 ready folded. The cutout 11 is not essential, but is used here to form a window in the hollow space 25 of the packaging, thus enabling the customer to make a visual inspection of the contents of the packaging Fig. 2c is a rear perspective view of the finished, folded packaging 26. The cutout 13 is designed for suspension of the product from a display rack. The cutout 12 may optionally be made as a press-out portion designed for tearing off the top section 30 in order to open the packaging. The bottom 21 forms an approximate right angle with the supporting member 28 in the same plane as the fold line 29, so that the whole packaging unit 26 can rest in a stable manner against the underlying surface on this bottom face.

The basic geometric form of the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. la and 2a. The relative relation between the different faces is not determined by anything other than the fact that after folding the fastening faces 14,15, 16 must have an opposite face on the supporting member 28 after folding about the fold line 29. For example, thermal binder may have been applied to the fastening flaps 17-20 and the fastening faces 22,23 before the folding of the flaps/faces takes place. The actual gluing/fastening may then take place on the application of heat later in the process. It is <BR> <BR> also possible to use other types of adhesive, e. g. , quick-drying glue, water glass or the like.

The basic geometric form 10 of the packaging can be punched or cut out of a flat blank. <BR> <BR> <P>The fold lines may, e. g. , be made by punching small holes along the lines therefor or by conventional compression of the material along the lines of the fold lines. The purpose is to weaken the rigidity of the material so that the folding along a fold line is easy and follows the determined fold line.

In Fig. le the packaging is shown as it might appear immediately before the supporting member 28 is brought together with the fastening faces 14-16. At this time, the product

or the article 31 that is to be in the packaging is placed in the space 25. Then, the supporting member 28 and the packaging part 26 are folded about the fold line 29 and the supporting member 28 is fastened to the fastening faces 14-16, thus completing the packaging for the article.

If the extra cutout 11 is present, it may be covered with a window material, e. g. , a plastic film 32 as indicated in Fig. 2a. This material is secured in an appropriate manner using a suitable adhesive before the folding operation, as shown in Figs. la-le, commences.

This invention allows packaging to be made with a minimum consumption of material and also allows packaging to be processed in a flat state through different process stages such as the printing of text and graphics or other necessary processing stages. The folding of the blank to form a box-like compartment for the storage of products in the packaging is made with a minimum of fastening faces and folding operations, whilst obtaining packaging for an article or product that is as sealed and as tamper-proof as possible.