Method for forming carton blanks

• US 5,746,871 A
• Filed: 08/10/1995
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Graphic Packaging International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Graphic Packaging Corporation
• Inventors: Walsh, Joseph Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): DIXON, MERRICK L
• Application Number:
  US08/513,289
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 156/353, 156/356, 156/360, 156/361, 156/390, 156/252, 156/250, 156/159, 156/254, 156/257, 156/263, 156/267, 156/268, 229/17, 229/37 R, 229/3.5, 229/75, 229/76, 229/800, 229/117.01, 229/117.05, 229/120, 229/186, 383/906, 383/38, 383/78, 383/109, 383/127
• US Class Current: 156/268
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/00 Making rigid or semi-rigid containers, e.g. boxes or cartons
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 50/16 Cutting webs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1059 Splitting sheet lamina in plane intermediate of faces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1074 Separate cutting of separate sheets or webs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1082 Partial cutting bonded sandwich [e.g., grooving or incising]

Abstract

A method for forming carton blanks from a continuous laminate having at least a layer of a relatively rigid material and a layer of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material by dividing the continuous laminate into individual carton blanks and at the same time making modified cut lines and fold lines in the individual carton blanks to form top and bottom panel portions, sidewall panel portions and a glue tab panel portion, wherein the modified cut lines extend through the relatively rigid material but not through the relatively flexible fluid impervious material and then removing only the relatively rigid material at various locations to leave the desired carton blank. In some instances, the laminate will contain continuous strips of a relatively flexible material between the relatively rigid material and the relatively flexible fluid impervious material and secured only to the relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

Claims

1. A method for forming a carton blank from a continuous laminate comprising at least a layer of a relatively rigid material and a layer of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material adhered to at least portions of said relatively rigid material comprising:

dividing said continuous laminate into individual carton blanks;

making modified cut lines and fold lines in said individual carton blanks to form in said relatively rigid material top and bottom panel portions, sidewall panel portions, a glue tab panel portion, and removable portions of said relatively rigid material;

extending said modified cut lines through said relatively rigid material but not through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing only said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at various locations defined by said modified cut lines so as to leave a desired carton blank.

2. A method as in claim 1 and further comprising:

making said modified cut lines at various locations to extend through said relatively rigid material and partially into said relatively flexible fluid impervious material while maintaining the integrity of said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein:

said continuous laminate further comprises a layer of a relatively flexible material between portions of said relatively rigid material and said relatively fluid impervious material and secured to said relatively flexible fluid impervious material comprising;

making said modified cut lines at various locations through said relatively rigid material but not through said relatively flexible material; and

removing only said removable portion of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

4. A method as in claim 3 and further comprising:

making said modified cut lines at various locations to extend through said relatively rigid material and through said relatively flexible material but not through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

5. A method as in claim 4 and further comprising:

making said modified cut lines at various locations to extend through said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible material and partially into said relatively flexible fluid impervious material while maintaining the integrity of said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of removing only said relatively rigid material at said various locations comprises:

piercing said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material with a piston having a hook shaped head portion;

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the movement thereof contacting at least portions of said relatively rigid material with said hook shaped head portion to remove said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations; and

leaving an opening in said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

7. A method as in claim 2 wherein said step of removing only said relatively rigid material at said various locations comprises:

piercing said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material with a piston having a hook shaped head portion;

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the movement thereof contacting at least portions of said relatively rigid material with said hook shaped head portion to remove said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations; and

leaving an opening in said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

8. A method as in claim 3 wherein said step of removing only said relatively rigid material at said various locations comprises:

piercing said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material with a piston having a hook shaped head portion;

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the movement thereof contacting at least portions of said relatively rigid material with said hook shaped head portion to remove said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations; and

leaving an opening in said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

9. A method as in claim 4 wherein said step of removing only said relatively rigid material at said various locations comprises:

piercing said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material with a piston having a hook shaped head portion;

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the movement thereof contacting at least portions of said relatively rigid material with said hook shaped head portion to remove said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations; and

leaving an opening in said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

10. A method as in claim 5 wherein said step of removing only said relatively rigid material at said various locations comprises:

piercing said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material with a piston having a hook shaped head portion;

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the movement thereof contacting at least portions of said relatively rigid material with said hook shaped head portion to remove said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations; and

leaving an opening in said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material.

11. A method as in claim 1 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion located between the top panel portions of one of said individual carton blanks and the bottom panel portions of an adjacent one of said individual carton blanks and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top and bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material and through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations between said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

12. A method as in claim 2 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion located between the top panel portions of one of said individual carton blanks and the bottom panel portions of an adjacent one of said individual carton blanks and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top and bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material and through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material but not through said relatively rigid material so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material and through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

13. A method as in claim 3 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion located between the top panel portions of one of said individual carton blanks and the bottom panel portions of an adjacent one of said individual carton blanks and further comprising:

making conventional cut lines between said extension portion and said top and bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material and said relatively flexible material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations between said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material of said extension portion and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

14. A method as in claim 4 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion located between the top panel portions of one of said individual carton blanks and the bottom panel portions of an adjacent one of said individual carton blanks and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top and bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material and said relatively flexible material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations between said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

15. A method as in claim 5 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion located between the top panel portions of one of said individual carton blanks and the bottom panel portions of an adjacent one of said individual carton blanks and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top and bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material and said relatively flexible material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations between said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

16. A method as in claim 1 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion extending outwardly from either the top panel portions or the bottom panel portions of said individual carton blank and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top or bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material and through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations between said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid materials at said various locations.

17. A method as in claim 2 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion extending outwardly form either the top panel portions or the bottom panel portions of said individual carton blank and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top or bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material and through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material but not through said relatively rigid material so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material and through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

18. A method as in claim 3 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion extending outwardly form either the top panel portions or the bottom panel portions of said individual carton blank and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top or bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material and said relatively flexible material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations adjacent to said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

19. A method as in claim 4 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion extend outwardly from the top panel portions or the bottom panel portions of said individual carton blank and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top or bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material and said relatively flexible material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations adjacent to said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.

20. A method as in claim 5 wherein said continuous laminate includes an extension portion extending outwardly from either the top panel portions or the bottom panel portions of said individual carton blank and further comprising:

making cut lines between said extension portion and said top or bottom panel portions at spaced apart locations so that said cut lines extend through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material;

making additional cut lines extending through said relatively flexible fluid impervious material and said relatively flexible material but not through said relatively rigid material at locations adjacent to said various locations;

piercing said extension portion with a piston having a hook shaped head portion so that said hook shaped head portion extends through said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material; and

removing said hook shaped head portion and during the removal thereof contacting at least portions of said extension portion with said hook shaped head portion to remove said relatively rigid material, said relatively flexible material and said relatively flexible fluid impervious material of said extension portion and said removable portions of said relatively rigid material at said various locations.