Packaging container with opening device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A packaging container for pourable food product comprises a first side having a material laminate structure, a first and second transversal seal and a longitudinal seal extending from the first transversal seal to the second transversal seal. An opening device on the first side of the package comprises a tab portion on an outer surface coupled to an opening strip portion via a bridge penetrating through the material laminate structure to rupture the material of the packaging container to create an opening. The opening strip portion is attached on the inner surface and extends along a substantial portion of the transversal dimension of the first side.

1 . Packaging container for pourable food product, having a height and a width, the packaging container comprising:
 a first side having a material laminate structure with an outer surface and an inner surface adapted to face the pourable food product;   a first transversal seal in a top portion of the package;   a second transversal seal in a bottom portion of the package;   a longitudinal seal extending from the first transversal seal to the second transversal seal;   an opening device on the first side of the packaging container or on a second side substantially perpendicular to the first side, said opening device comprising:   a tab portion on the outer surface coupled to an opening strip portion via a bridge penetrating through the material laminate structure to rupture the material of the packaging container to create an opening, wherein the opening strip portion is attached on the inner surface and extends along a substantial portion of the width of the first side.   
     
     
         2 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening strip portion extends along more than 40% of the width of the first side, particularly more than 80%. 
     
     
         3 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening strip portion extends from a transversal edge of the first side substantially parallel to the first transversal seal. 
     
     
         4 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening device is arranged close to or on a transversal edge of the package separating the first side into a main side portion and a top side portion. 
     
     
         5 . Packaging container according to  claim 4 , wherein the tab portion of the opening device is arranged on the top side portion. 
     
     
         6 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the material laminate structure comprises a plurality of layers and a weakened area, in which the bridge is penetrating the material laminate structure. 
     
     
         7 . Packaging container according to  claim 6 , wherein said weakened area is missing at least one layer of the plurality of layers. 
     
     
         8 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening strip portion is arranged close to the first transversal seal in the top portion above a level of pourable food product filled into the container. 
     
     
         9 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first transversal seal is folded away from the longitudinal seal. 
     
     
         10 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening device comprises a support portion to facilitate opening the package along the opening strip portion, the support portion arranged on the outer surface adjacent to an area on the outer surface opposite the opening strip portion. 
     
     
         11 . Packaging container according to  claim 10 , wherein the support portion is arranged closer to the second seal than the opening strip portion. 
     
     
         12 . Packaging container according to  claim 10 , wherein the support portion extends transversally and substantial parallel to the opening strip portion, having a length at least equal to the length of the opening strip portion. 
     
     
         13 . Packaging container according to  claim 10 , wherein the support portion comprises a first strip and a second strip, both arranged parallel to the opening strip portion, such that a distance between the two strips is equal or greater than a longitudinal dimension of the opening strip portion. 
     
     
         14 . Packaging container according to  claim 10 , wherein a distance in the longitudinal direction between the opening strip portion and the support portion is in the range of 0.1 to 2 times the thickness of material laminate structure. 
     
     
         15 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , the first side further comprising one or more compression lines extending from the opening strip portion as to form an opening of the first side upon exerting pressure on the container with a component parallel to the transversal direction. 
     
     
         16 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side comprises two compression lines extending close from or from respective edges of the opening strip to a common intersection on the first side or a bottom edge of the first side. 
     
     
         17 . Packaging container according to  claim 15 , wherein the first side further comprises a third compression line extending from substantially a center or close thereto of the opening strip along the longitudinal direction towards the second seal. 
     
     
         18 . Packaging container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first side comprises at least two compression lines extending from substantially a center or close thereto of the opening strip towards a bottom edge of the first side or a side edge of the first side. 
     
     
         19 . Method of producing a packaging container from a packaging material blank or web, the method comprising:
 providing a packaging material blank or web, said blank or web having a plurality of crease lines for folding the blank or web along these plurality of crease lines to form the packaging container;   providing an opening device on the packaging material blank or web, said opening comprising a tab portion, an elongated opening strip portion and a bridge through the packaging material blank or web connecting the tab portion to the opening strip portion, wherein the elongated opening strip portion extends substantially parallel along a crease line separating a main panel from a top closure panel of the packaging material blank;   folding the packaging material blank to form a bottom of a container and filling the container with liquid or   folding the packaging material web into a tube, longitudinally sealing the tube, sealing a bottom side of the tube and filling a liquid into the tube   and sealing a top of the packaging material blank or the tube of packaging material web.