MX2011007320A - Corrugated barrier cartonboard. - Google Patents

Abstract

A cartonboard includes a substantially planar facing layer, a plurality of corrugated flutes, and a substantially continuous barrier layer disposed between the facing layer and flutes. The cartonboard may be used to form a carton blank and/or a carton.

Description

CORRUGATED BARRIER CARTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The packaging of powdered products, granulates and other hygroscopic products in folding cartons presents unique challenges, particularly for large load applications, that is, where the content is greater than 4 liters. Examples of such applications may include, for example, laundry detergent, pet food, fertilizers, pesticides, and countless others. Such cardboard boxes must not only provide an appropriate moisture barrier to prevent the accumulation of packing contents, but they must also be structurally stable enough to resist undesirable bulging and superior compression when the packages are stacked one on top of the other. .

In such applications, it is common to use a relatively heavy weight folding board (eg, from about 0.0081 mm (0.032 mils) to 0.000965 mm (0.038 mils) thick), with reinforced panels laminated by stitches to the cardboard to provide the desired degree of bulking resistance and superior compressive strength. A moisture barrier coating (e.g., a polymeric material) is commonly applied to the reinforced paperboard. However, the process for manufacturing such packages is usually intense and expensive.

In addition, the presence of the moisture barrier coating can interfere with bonding during the assembly of the carton because some adhesives may not adhere properly to the polymeric material of the moisture barrier coating.

Thus, there is a need for a cardboard that avoids the challenges associated with conventional cardboard. There is also a need for a cardboard that is suitable for large loads and other applications. There is also a need for preforms to form cardboard boxes for such applications, and cardboard boxes formed from such preforms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present application is generally concerned with a material or structure that is suitable for use as a cardboard, and a cardboard box preform and / or cardboard box formed from the cardboard. The material generally includes a printed (or printable) face layer attached to a single-sided corrugated substrate. The material also includes a barrier layer to reduce the transmission of moisture through the material. The barrier layer can be disposed on one side of the front layer that can be printed facing the grooves (or "middle") within the interior of the cardboard structure. In this way, the material can be formed into a cardboard box using conventional bonding techniques without the barrier layer that prevents sticking of the carton. The barrier layer may comprise any suitable material, for example, a polymeric film or polymeric material or coating.

In one aspect, the board can have a moisture vapor transmission rate of approximately 15.51 g / m2 day (1 g / 100 square inches / day). In another aspect, the board can have a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 15.5 lg / m2 / day (1 g / 100 square inches / day).

The carton formed in accordance with the disclosure can generally have excellent top load compression and increased bulking resistance while maintaining a barrier to moisture transmission, thereby providing improved overall product throughput while reducing the failure of the cardboard box and, consequently, products that can not be sold ("not salable"). Thus, the material can be especially suitable for large-load cartons (for example, greater than 4 liters), although it can be used for other carton sizes.

Several other elements, aspects, and modalities will become evident from the following description and attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The description refers to the accompanying figures in which like reference characters refer to like parts in all the various views, and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary card according to one aspect of the disclosure; Figure 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary carton that can be formed from the carton of Figure 1 according to another aspect of the disclosure, in a closed configuration with the tear-away band intact; Figure 2B is a perspective view of an upper portion of the carton of Figure 2A, with the tear-off strip removed; Figure 2C is a perspective view of an upper portion of the carton of Figure 2B, in an open configuration; Y Figure 2D is a schematic top plan view of one side of an exemplary preform for forming the carton of Figure 2A according to yet another aspect of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION Various aspects of the invention can be illustrated by referring to the figures, in which several exemplary constructions are illustrated schematically. For simplicity, similar numbers can be used to describe similar elements. It will be understood that where a plurality of similar elements are illustrated, not all such elements are necessarily handled in each figure. While several exemplary embodiments are shown and described in detail herein, it will also be understood that any of the elements may be used in any combination, and that such combinations are contemplated by the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary corrugated cardboard structure 100 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The structure 100 generally comprises a corrugated substrate 102 that includes a back coating (or front layer) 104 attached to a corrugated medium (or flutes) 106. The structure 100 also includes a top coating (or front layer) 108 and a layer of substantially continuous barrier 110 (e.g., moisture barrier layer) disposed on one side of upper liner 108 facing medium 106. Barrier layer 110 on upper liner 108 may be attached to medium 106 and upper liner 108 using adhesives 112, 114 or using any other suitable material. It will be noted that the adhesive 114 may be omitted in some embodiments, as discussed hereinafter. In addition, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may include a smaller number of layers or a greater number of layers.

Various materials may be suitable for use in forming the paperboard 100. For example, the front layer 108 may comprise recycled cardboard (CRB), SBS, white top kraft paper, or any other suitable material. The front layer 108 may have any suitable basis weight, for example, from about 0.195 Kg / m2 (40 lb / 100 square feet) to about 0.488 Kg / m2 (100 lb / 1000 square feet), for example, about 0.244 Kg. / m2 (50 pounds / 1000 square feet) to approximately 0.391 kg / m2 (80 lb / 1000 square feet), for example, approximately 0.337 kg / m2 (69 lb / 1000 square feet). The front layer 108 may have an appropriate quality for printing, for example, using lithographic reproduction or other printing techniques. The front layer 108 may have a basis weight of about 0.195 Kg / m2 (40 lb / 1000 square feet) to about 0.342 Kg / m2 (70 lb / 1000 square feet), for example, about 0.273 Kg / m2 (56 lb / 1000 square feet). However, other base weights and base weight ranges may be used, depending on the strength requirements for the carton.

The barrier layer 110 may comprise any suitable material that provides the desired degree of moisture resistance for the particular application (e.g., to prevent hardening or accumulation of the powder or granular packing contents), for example, a polymer or polymeric material in the form of a polymeric film or a polymeric coating. In one example, the barrier layer 110 may comprise a polyolefin, for example, low density polyethylene or high density polyethylene. In another example, the barrier layer 110 may comprise a polyester, for example, polyethylene terephthalate. However, countless other polymers or polymeric materials may be appropriate.

Barrier layer 110 may have any suitable thickness, for example from about 0.0127 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.127 mm (5 mil), for example from about 0.025 mm (1 mil) to about 0.10 mm (4 mils), for example from about 0.051 mm (2 mils) to about 0.07 mm (3 mils), depending on the level of moisture barrier that needs to be obtained. However, other thicknesses and thickness ranges are contemplated.

In one aspect, the board can have a moisture vapor transmission rate of about 3.88 g / m2 / day (0.25 square inches / day) to about 23.25 g / m2 / day (1 g / 100 square inches / day) ( as measured using ASTM D895-79), for example, from about 7.75 g / m2 / day (0.5 grams / 100 square inches / day) to about 15.51 g / m2 / day (1 g / 100 square inches / day ). In another aspect, the board can have a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 15.51 g / m2 / day (1 g / 100 square inches / day) (as measured using AST D895-79), for example , less than about 13.96 g / m2 / day (0.9 grams / 100 square inches / day), less than about 12.4 g / m2 / day (0.8 grams / 100 square inches / day), less than about 10.85 g / m2 / day (0.7 g / 100 square inches / day), less than about 9.30 g / m / day (0.6 g / 100 square inches / day) or less than about 7.75 g / m2 / day (0.5 g / 100 square inches / day) . However, the cardboard may have a different moisture vapor transmission rate, depending on the needs of the particular packaging application.

If desired, the barrier layer 110 may undergo one or more surface treatments to improve the adhesion between the barrier layer 110 and the medium (e.g., grooves) 106 of the corrugated substrate 102. In a particular example, the barrier layer 110 may be treated by corona, for example, at a dyne level of about 30 to about 50 dynes, for example, about 40 dynes. However, other appropriate treatment levels may be used. In addition, other surface treatments, for example, plasma treatment, may be appropriate.

The barrier layer 110 may be attached to the medium (e.g., grooves) 106 and the front layer 108 in any appropriate manner. In one example, the barrier layer 110 may be attached to the medium 106 using an adhesive 112, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) adhesive (eg, National Henkel 33-9192, Henkel North America, Düsseldorf, Germany). However, countless other adhesives may be appropriate. Also, the medium 106 may be attached to the coating 104 in any manner, for example, using an adhesive 114. An exemplary appropriate adhesive 114 may comprise starch; however, any other suitable adhesive material may be used. The particular adhesive (s) 112, 114 chosen may depend on the composition of the barrier layer 110 and / or numerous other factors. In addition, it will be appreciated that the adhesive 114 may be omitted in some embodiments, for example, wherein the layer 112 is applied to the layer 108 as a coating (extrusion or otherwise).

Any suitable corrugated substrate 102 can be used to form the paperboard 100 of Figure 1A. In one example, the front layer or backsheet 104 of the corrugated substrate 102 may comprise paper or paperboard having a basis weight of about 0.195 Kg / m2 (40 lb / 1000 square feet) to about 0.342 Kg / m2 (70 lb / 1000) square feet), for example, approximately 0.273 Kg / m2 (56 lb / 1000 square feet). The medium (e.g., flutes) 106 may comprise paper or paperboard having a basis weight of about 0.0976 Kg / m2 (20 lb / 1000 square feet) to about 0.195 Kg / m2 (40 lb / 1000 square feet), for example, approximately 0.161 Kg / m2 (33 lb / 1000 square feet). However, other base weights and base weight ranges may be used, depending on the strength requirements for the carton. Also, any appropriate groove size can be used for a given application. In one example, the groove size B can be used. However, the groove size can be adjusted to provide the desired degree of strength in the resulting carton, with grooves A, B, and C providing in general more resistance than the grooves E, F, N, or G. All or a portion of the medium 106 and / or front layers 104, 108 may comprise recycled fiber, and in one example, the medium comprises at least 50% recycled fiber . However, other possibilities are contemplated.

The present cardboard provides numerous advantages with respect to commercially available packages known. For example, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, by placing the barrier layer 110 as an inner layer of the structure 100 (instead of an outermost layer or outermost surface), the barrier layer polymer does not interferes with the adhesives used in the erection and gluing of the cardboard box. In addition, since many carton-forming machines include heated components (e.g., rollers), the placement of the barrier layer as an inner layer generally prevents any undesirable softening or melting of the barrier layer polymer on the equipment, for example, when the machine is stopped and the carton or cardboard box preform is exposed to heat for an extended period of time. Additionally, the present cardboard can offer a simplified cardboard construction compared to box-in-box or other barrier packaging.

Cardboard 100 (or numerous other cartons are contemplated herein) can be used to form several cartons or packages, for example, for large-load packaging applications. For example, Figure 2A schematically illustrates an exemplary carton or package 200 for containing a powdered or granular product or other article, in a closed configuration. The carton 200 includes a front panel or wall 202, a back panel or wall 204 (Figure 2C), a pair of opposite end panels or panels 206, 208 (Figure 2C), and a pair of closure assemblies. of the opposite end 210, 212 (discussed in detail later herein). The panels 202, 204, 206, 208 and end closure assemblies 210, 212 generally surround or define an interior space 214 (Figure 2C) for receiving the contents of the package. The carton 200 can be formed at least partially from the material of Figure 1, such that the layer 104 defines an inner side of the respective panels and the layer 108 defines an outer side of the respective panels.

As shown in Figure 2A, the carton 200 includes an opening element that can be in the form of a tear-away strip 216 extending substantially transversely to the front panel 202 adjacent the end closure assembly 210. In this example, the tear strip 216 is partially defined by a pair of disruption lines, for example, tear lines 218, 220 that extend transverse to at least a portion of the panel 202 substantially between panels or end or side walls 206, 208. In this example, the tear line 218 falls substantially along and / or defines the boundary between the end closure assembly 210 and the front panel 202, and the tear line 220 is disposed within the panel 202 proximate to, but detached from the tear line 218. The tear-away band 216 may include a tongue 222 projecting outwardly from an edge 250 of the panel 202. In other embodiments, the tongue 222 and / or tear-away band 216 may be omitted and / or replaced with other opening and / or fastening elements.

To activate the tear-off band 216, the tongue 222 can be held and the tear-away band 216 can be pulled away from the panel 202 by tearing along tear lines 218, 220 until the tear-away band 216 is separated from the rest of the fabric. packing 200, as shown in Figure 2B. In this condition, a lid or lid portion 224 and a closing flap 226 of the end closure assembly 210 are free to be folded or engoznare along a fold line or hinge 228 as shown in Figure 2C, providing by this access to the interior space 214, which may contain a pulverized or granular product (not shown), for example, laundry detergent. In this way, ample space is provided for the user to insert a spoon or other implement (if desired) to supply the product inside the cardboard box.

To re-close the cardboard box 200, the lid 224 can be brought back to its original configuration and the closure flap 226 can be glued to the interior space 214, such that at least a portion of the closure flap 226 is in a relationship at least partially in contact with the inner side of the front panel 202 (that is, the side of the front panel 202 facing the inner space 214), as shown in Figure 2B. In this way, the carton 200 can be opened and closed repeatedly while maintaining substantially the moisture barrier provided by the barrier layer 110 of the cardboard 100 (Figure 1).

If desired, the carton 200 may include a handle opening 286 in the end closure assembly 210 (or elsewhere) to receive an optional handle or other element (not shown) for holding the carton 200. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the handle or other element may include a paper or polymer film backing on the inside of the carton to prevent sinking (ie, leakage) of the packing contents of the carton. cardboard box and / or to prevent moisture from entering the carton.

Figure 2D schematically illustrates a top plan view of one side (e.g., an exterior side) of an exemplary preform 230 to form the carton 200 of Figure 2A. The preform 230 generally includes a plurality of panels joined along disruption lines, for example, crease lines, tear lines, slagging lines, cut-wave lines or any other lines of appropriate weakening or disruption. The preform 230 and each of the various panels in general have a first dimension, for example, a length, extending in a first direction, for example, a longitudinal direction, ID and a second dimension, eg, a width, which extends in a second direction, for example, a transverse direction D2. It will be understood that such designations are made solely for convenience and do not necessarily refer to or limit the manner in which the preform is manufactured or erected to the package.

The preform 230 can generally be formed of the material 100 of Figure 1, such that Figure 1 can also be representative of a cross-sectional view of a portion of the preform 230, taken for example along line 1 -1.

As shown in Figure 2D, the preform 230 includes a first panel (e.g., a front panel or front wall panel) 202 and a second panel (e.g., back panel or back wall panel) 204 which form in general the front and rear panels or walls 202, 204 of the carton 200 (Figure 2A) erected from the preform 230. A first fin of the upper end (e.g., a flap of the upper end of the front panel) 232 is attached to the panel front 202 along a transverse disruption line, e.g., tear line 218. Also, a first fin of the lower end (e.g., a flap of the lower end of the front panel) 234 is attached to the front panel 202 at along a transverse disruption line, for example, fold line 236.

The front panel 202 includes a disruption line, for example, tear line 220, which extends substantially through the panel 202 between the panels 206, 208 close to the tear line 218. The tear lines 218, 220 define a tearing strip 216 adjacent the fin of the upper end of the front panel 232. As stated above, the tear-away strip 216 may be omitted and / or replaced with any other appropriate opening element.

A second fin of the upper end (for example, fin of the upper end of the rear panel) 238 can be joined to the rear panel 204 along a transverse disruption line, for example, fold line 228. Likewise, a second fin of the lower end (e.g., a flap of the lower end of the back panel) 240 may be attached to the back panel 204 along a transverse disruption line, e.g., fold line 242. A closure flap 226 may be attached to the fin of the upper end of the rear panel 238 along a transverse disruption line, for example, crease line 244.

If desired, the fin of the upper end of the front panel 232 may include an outer (or first) handle opening 246. Also, the fin of the upper end of the rear panel 238 may include an outer (or second) handle opening 248. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle openings 246, 248 are generally rectangular in shape and positioned to be in register with each other when the preform 230 is formed to the carton 200. However, openings formed and / or configured differently are contemplated.

The preform 230 may also include a pair of side panels (eg, side wall panels) 206, 208 which generally form panels or side walls 206, 208 of the carton 200 (Figure 2A). A first side panel 206 is attached to the front panel 202 along a longitudinal disruption line, e.g., crease line 250 and the rear main panel 204 along a longitudinal disruption line, e.g., crease line 252. A second side panel 208 is attached to the front panel 204 along a longitudinal disruption line, e.g., crease line 254.

A first fin of the upper end of the side panel 256 is attached to the front panel 202 along a transverse disruption line, for example, fold line 258. Likewise, a first fin of the lower end of the side panel 260 is attached to the panel front 202 along a transverse disruption line, e.g., fold line 262.

An arcuate disruption line, for example, a cut (or J-shaped cut) 264 is disposed along a boundary between the first side panel 206, the first flap of the upper end of the side panel 256, and the tear-off strip 216 A second fin of the upper end of the side panel 266 is joined to the front panel 202 along a transverse disruption line, for example, fold line 268. Likewise, a second fin of the bottom end of the side panel 270 is attached to the panel front 202 along a transverse disruption line, e.g., crease line 272.

The preform 230 may also include an attachment flap or panel 274 attached to the panel 204 along a longitudinal disruption line, e.g., crease line 276. a pair of fins on the end of the annexation panel 278, 280 may be attached to opposite longitudinal ends of the glue panel 274 along one or more transverse disruption lines, e.g., crease lines 282, 284.

In this example, the panels 202, 204 and longitudinal fold lines 252, 254, 276 have substantially the same first dimension and the panels 206, 208, 274 have approximately the same first dimension. However, other shapes and / or panel configurations are contemplated. The panels 226, 232, 238, 256, 266, 278 form the end closure assembly 210. The panels 234, 240, 260, 270, 280 form the end closure assembly 212.

To form the carton 200 (Figure 2A) of the preform 230 according to an acceptable method, the glue panel 274 can be brought into contact with the marginal edge of the panel 208 (opposite the fold line 254) when folding along the fold lines 250, 252, 254, 276. The bonding panel 274 can then be attached to the panel 208 adhesively or otherwise to form a tubular structure including a pair of open ends and an interior space 214 In one embodiment, the gluing panel 274 can be attached to the inner side of the panel 208.

The upper end closure assembly 210 can be closed by folding the upper end flaps 256, 266, 278 along the fold lines 258, 268, 282 into the interior space 214. the fin of the upper end of the rear panel 238 can be folded along fold line 228 and brought into inner space 214 until the inner side of panel 238 is in at least partially front facing relationship., superposed with the outer side of the panels 256, 266. At the same time, the closing flap 226 can be folded along the fold line 244 and inserted into the interior space 214, such that the outer side of the closure flap 226 is in a front relation with the inner side of panel 202. The flap of the upper end of front panel 232 can then be folded along line of disruption 218 until the inner side of the end flap upper of the front panel 232 is in a substantially contacting, superposed front relation with the fin of the upper end of the rear panel 238. In doing so, the handle openings 246, 248 are brought into a relationship at least partially superimposed between yes to form the handle opening 286. The fins of the upper end 232, 238 can be adhesively bonded together or otherwise to define with ease the cover or lid portion 224 (Figure 2C) of the box of cardboard 200.

If desired, a handle (not shown) (eg, a Wilton style handle, although other handles may be used) may be attached to one or both of the panels 232, 238. The handle may extend through one or both handle openings 246, 248. As stated above, the handle may include a paper or polymer film backing on the inner side of the carton to prevent sagging of the carton contents of the carton and / or prevent that moisture enters the cardboard box.

Also, the lower end closure assembly 212 can be closed by folding the lower end flaps 260, 270 along the fold lines 262, 272 into the interior space 214. The flap of the lower end of the back panel 240 can be folded along the fold line 242 and brought into the interior space 214 until the inner side of panel 240 is in a relationship at least partially facing, superimposed on the outer side of the panels 260, 270. The flap of the lower end of the front panel 234 can then be folded along the fold line 236 until the inner side of the fin of the lower end of the front panel 234 is in substantially front facing relationship, superimposed with the fin of the upper end of the rear panel 240. The fins from the lower end 234, 240 can be adhesively bonded together or otherwise to form the closed carton 200. The carton 200 can be used as described above.

Numerous variations are contemplated. The preforms and / or cartons can include various aperture elements, die cut windows, handles, coupon and CD inserts, foil stamping, film lamination, and high gloss UV coatings. Portions of the carton can be crushed or compressed to allow a more uniform construction. Countless other possibilities are contemplated.

Various aspects of the disclosure can be further understood from the following example, which is not intended to be limiting in any way.

EXAMPLE A cardboard box preform similar to the carton preform 230 illustrated schematically in Figure 2D was used to form cardboard boxes similar to the carton 200 illustrated schematically in Figures 2A-2C, except that the cartons They included a landfill peak.

The carton A comprised a cardboard structure similar to the cardboard structure 100 illustrated schematically in Figure 1, in which: the topcoat 108 was CRB of approximately 0.041 cm (0.016 inch) in thickness (approximately 0.3369 Kg / m2 (69 lb / 1000 square feet)), which includes 100% recycled fiber, coated with clay on the upper side; the adhesive layer 114 was from polyvinyl alcohol adhesive 33-9192 from National Henkel; the barrier layer 110 was a polyethylene film about 0.025 mm (0.001 inch) thick, corona treated at a dyne level of about 40; the adhesive 112 was the PVA adhesive 33-9192 of National Henkel; medium 106 was a corrugated groove B media of approximately 0.161 Kg / m2 (33 lb / 1000 square feet) (approximately 0.3175 cm (0.125 inch) high), which includes at least 50% recycled fiber; Y the backsheet 104 was a kraft coating of approximately 0.2734 Kg / m2 (56 lb / 1000 square feet).

The carton B comprised a structure similar to the first cardboard box, except that the barrier layer 110 was omitted.

Four samples of each carton were evaluated for water vapor transmission rate using ASTM D895-79. The cardboard boxes were filled with Ar & Hammer The results are presented in Table 1. As will be evident, the use of the barrier layer 110 significantly reduced the transmission of moisture through the packaging.

Table 1 Sample WVTR WVTR (g / m2 / day) (g / 100 square inches / day) A-l 0.701 10.87 A-2 0.697 10.81 A-3 0.685 10.62 A-4 0.717 11.12 Average 0.700 10.85 B-l 7.02 108.9 B-2 7.59 117.6 B-3 7.45 115.5 B-4 7.66 118.8 Average 7.43 115.2 It will be understood that each of the various preforms and trays described herein and contemplated herein, a "fold line" can be any form of substantially linear weakening, although not necessarily straight, that facilitates folding along Of the same. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present invention, a fold line may be a slagging line, such as lines formed with a dull scorching blade or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the line of desired weakness, a cut that extends partially to a material along the desired line of weakness, and / or a series of cuts that extend partially and / or completely through the material throughout of the desired line of weakness; or any combination of these elements.

For example, one type of conventional tear line is in the form of a series of cuts that extend completely through the material, with adjacent cuts being spaced slightly in such a way that a notch (e.g., a piece somewhat resembles a bridge) of the material) is defined between the adjacent cuts to commonly join temporarily the material through the tear line. The notches break during tearing along the tear line. Such a tear line including notches may be referred to as a cut line, since the notches are commonly a relatively small percentage of the subject line, and alternatively the notches may be omitted from such a cut line.

In addition, several preforms and exemplary packages are shown and described herein that have fold lines, tear lines, scoria lines, cut lines, contact cut lines, and other lines extending from one particular element to another. particular element, for example from one particular panel to another, from one particular edge to another, or any combination thereof. However, it will be understood that such lines do not necessarily extend between such elements in a precise manner. Instead, such lines can be extended in general among the various elements as needed to obtain the purpose of such a line. For example, where a particular tear line is shown to extend from a first edge of one preform (or panel) to another edge of the preform (or panel), the tear line does not need to extend completely to one or both of such edges. Rather, the tear line only needs to be extended to a site sufficiently close to the edge, such that the strip, panel or removable portion can be manually separated from the preform or package without causing undesirable damage thereto.

Although certain modalities have been described with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed modalities without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention, all the directional references (eg, superior, inferior, upwards). , down, left, right, left, right, upper, lower, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are used only for identification purposes to assist the reader in understanding the various embodiments of the invention, and not to create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically summarized in the claims. Junctional references (eg, attached, attached, coupled, connected and the like) are to be broadly interpreted and may include intermediate elements between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, the union references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly linked and in fixed relation to each other.

It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that, in view of the above disclosure, the present invention is susceptible to wide utility and application. Although specific embodiments or aspects are disclosed, it will be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary only of the invention and is made solely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention and to summarize the best mode for practicing the invention. known to the inventors at the time in which the invention was made.

Many adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing detailed description without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. It will be recognized that various elements discussed with reference to the various embodiments can be exchanged to create entirely new modalities that fall within the scope of the invention. Thus, all of the material contained in the foregoing description or shown in the appended figures will be construed as illustrative only and is not intended or interpreted to limit or otherwise exclude any of the other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements of the present invention.

Claims (30)

1. A carton characterized in that it comprises: a substantially flat front layer; a plurality of corrugated grooves; and a substantially continuous barrier layer disposed in the front layer and grooves, wherein the barrier layer comprises a polymeric material.

2. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that: the substantially flat front layer is a substantially flat first front layer, and the paperboard comprises a second substantially flat front layer on one side of the corrugated grooves opposite the first substantially flat front layer.

3. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric material comprises at least one of a polymeric film and a polymeric coating.

4. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric material comprises at least one of a polyester and a polyolefin.

5. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the polymeric material comprises at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, low density polyethylene, and high density polyethylene.

6. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the barrier layer has a thickness of about 0.0127 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.127 mm (5 mils).

7. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the barrier layer is attached to the substantially flat front layer with an adhesive material.

8. The cardboard of claim 7, characterized in that the adhesive material comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

9. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the barrier layer is joined to the plurality of grooves with an adhesive material.

10. The cardboard of claim 9, characterized in that the adhesive material comprises a starch-based material.

11. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the barrier layer is corona treated.

12. The cardboard of claim 1, characterized in that the paperboard has a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 15.51 g / m2 / day (1 g / 100 square inches / day).

13. A preform for forming a cardboard box, the preform is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of joined panels, the plurality of joined panels each having a first dimension extending in a first direction and a second dimension extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the plurality of joined panels include: a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, the third panel is disposed between the first panel and the second panel, the first panel, second panel, and third panel are joined together along respective first and second lines fold that extend in the first direction, a first fin of the upper end joined to the first panel along a first tear line extending in the second direction, a second fin of the upper fin end joined to the second panel along a first fold line extending in the second direction, and a closure flap attached to the second fin of the upper fin end along a second fold line extending in the second direction; Y a second tear line extending in the second direction substantially through the first panel near the first tear line.

14. The preform of claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises a fourth panel joined to the first panel along a third fold line extending in the first direction.

15. The preform of claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises: a first fin of the lower end joined to the first panel along a third fold line extending in the second direction, and a second fin of the lower end joined to the second panel along a fourth fold line extending in the second direction.

16. The preform of claim 13, characterized in that it is formed at least partially from cardboard comprising: a substantially flat front layer, a plurality of corrugated grooves, and a substantially continuous barrier layer disposed between the front layer and grooves.

17. The preform of claim 16, characterized by: the substantially flat front layer is a substantially flat first front layer, and the paperboard comprises a second substantially flat front layer on one side of the corrugated grooves opposite the first substantially flat front layer.

18. The preform of claim 16, characterized in that the barrier layer comprises at least one of a polymeric film and a polymeric coating.

19. The preform of claim 16, characterized in that the barrier layer comprises at least one of a polyester and a polyolefin.

20. The preform of claim 16, characterized in that the barrier layer comprises at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, low density polyethylene, and high density polyethylene.

21. A cardboard box, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of joined panels surrounding an interior space, the plurality of joined panels include: a first panel and a second panel opposed to each other, and an end closure assembly foldably attached to the first panel and the second panel, the end closure assembly includes: a first fin of the upper end attached to the first panel along a first tear line, a second fin of the upper fin end joined to the second panel along a fold line, the first fin of the upper end and the second fin at the upper end they are at least partly superimposed on each other, and a closure flap foldably attached to the second fin of the upper flap end, the closure extends into the interior space; Y a second tear line extending substantially through the first panel, the second tear line being close to the first tear line, the first tear line and the second tear line define a tear-off band.

22. The cardboard box of claim 21, characterized in that at least a portion of the closure flap is in a relationship at least partially in contact with one side of the front panel facing the interior space.

23. The cardboard box of claim 21, characterized in that the tear strip comprises a tongue extending outward from an edge of the first panel.

24. The cardboard box of claim 21, characterized in that the tear-off strip is to be removed, such that the end closure assembly is operative to be entangled along the fold line.

25. The cardboard box of claim 21, characterized in that it is formed at least partially from cardboard, comprising: a substantially flat front layer, a plurality of corrugated grooves, and a substantially continuous barrier layer disposed between the front layer and grooves.

26. The cardboard box of claim 25, characterized in that: The substantially flat front layer is a substantially flat first front layer, and the paperboard comprises a second substantially flat front layer on one side of the corrugated grooves opposite the first substantially flat front layer.

27. The cardboard box of claim 26, characterized in that the second substantially flat front layer comprises one side of the cardboard facing the interior space.

28. The cardboard box of claim 25, characterized in that the barrier layer comprises at least one of a polymeric film and a polymeric coating.

29. The cardboard box of claim 25, characterized in that the barrier layer comprises at least one of a polyester and a polyolefin.

30. The cardboard box of claim 25, characterized in that the barrier layer comprises at least one of polyethylene terephthalate, low density polyethylene, and high density polyethylene.