AU9702998A - Packaging - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: PAARMAN FOODS (PROPRIETARY)

LIMITED

GRAHAM PETER PAARMAN WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Packaging" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- THIS INVENTION relates to packaging, and more particularly to flexible packaging in the form of sachets or bags.

According to the invention there is provided packaging which comprises: first and second flexible sheets joined to one another along four edges of the packaging to form a rectangular bag; a reclosable closure joining the first and second sheets to one another along a reclosure line adjacent a first of the edges; and a separable connection joining the first and second sheets to one another in a region between the reclosure line and a second of the edges opposite the first edge, thereby dividing the interior of the bag between the reclosable closure and the second edge into two separate compartments which can be placed in communication with one another by separating the first and second sheets along said separable connection.

Said reclosable closure may be of the type that is formed by each of the sheets having an integrally formed rib, the ribs having interengageable male and female formations whereby the ribs can be connected to one another along their length. Such reciosable closures are also referred to in the trade as "zipper-lock" closures.

Said separable connection may be a welded connection which is weak enough for the sheets to be separable from one another along the connection by pulling the sheets apart. It may formed by a peelable strip laid between, and welded to, the sheets.

The width of those of the compartments which is between the second edge and said separable connection (referred to herein as the first compartment) may be approximately one third the distance between the first and second edges.

The first compartment may contain product, whereas the other (or second) compartment may be empty. The product may be marinade.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of packaging in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic section on 11-11 in Figure 1, the thickness of the material having been exaggerated for purposes of illustration; and Figures 3 to 7 illustrate the end use of the packaging.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 0O generally indicates packaging which comprises first and second sheets 12.1 and 12.2 respectively, of flexible plastics sheet material. The sheets 12.1, 12.2 are joined to one another by a fold or by welding along a first of the edges 14.1, and by welding along the second, third, and fourth edges 14.2, 14.3, and 14.4 respectively. The sheets are of a material that has good oxygen barrier properties.

Along a reclosure line 16 (Figure 1) the packaging is provided with a reclosable closure 18 (Figure 2) of the "zipper-lock" type. Thus, the reclosable closure 18 comprises a rib 20.1 formed integrally with the first sheet 12.1 and a rib 20.2 formed integrally with the second sheet 12.2, the ribs 20.1 and 20.2 being provided with inter-engageable male and female gripping formations which enable the ribs to be connected to one another along their-length. This is done by exerting finger pressure on the packaging in the region of the ribs, causing the male part of the rib 20.1 to snap into the female part of the rib 20.2.

In a zone 22 (Figure 1) between the reclosure line 16 and the second edge 14.2, the first and second sheets 12.1 are joined to one another by means of a peelable food-grade polyester strip 24 (Figure 2) laid between and welded to the sheets 12.1 and 12.2. Attachment of the strip 24 to at least one of the sheets 12.1 and 12.2 is relatively weak so that the sheets can be separated by pulling them apart.

The distance W between the second edge 14.2 and the zone 22 is approximately one third the distance between the first and second edges 14.1 and 14.2.

Welding of the sheets 12.1 and 12.2 to the strip 24 divides the inside of the bag into a first compartment 26.1 which is between the second edge 14.2 and the strip 24, and a second compartment 26.2 which is between the strip 24 and the reclosable closure 18.

The packaging is particularly, suitable for the packaging of marinade. In this invent the first compartment 26.1 will be filled with marinade, whereas the second compartment 26.2 will be empty. Thepackaging is folded along the zone 22 and along a fold line indicated in Figure 1 by dotted line 28, in such a manner that a panel 30.3 of the packaging will be between panels 30.2 and 30.1 of the packaging, and the product is then marketed with the packaging in this condition.

Filling of the compartment 26.1 takes place via a filler opening 33 along the edge 14.4, between the second edge 14.2 and the region 22. where the sheets 12.1 and 12.2 are initially not welded together.

After filling, the sheets 12.1 and 12.2 are welded together in this region as well. As is shown in Figure 1, the sheets 12.1 and 12.2 are extended somewhat in this region, to facilitate the final welding.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 7, the end user will, when about to use the marinade, cut the packaging along a line 32 (see also Figure 1) which is between the reclosable closure 18 and the first edge 14.1. The first and second sheets 12.1 and 12.2 are then separated along the reclosable closure 18 and also along the strip 24 by pulling the sheets apart (Figure Food product such as meat 34 which is to be marinated is then inserted into the bag (Figure after the food product has been preprepared by lightly slashing the surface with a sharp knife. As much air as possible is expelled from the bag and the bag then closed by closing the reclosable closure 18 (Figure whereafter the contents of the bag is then massaged (Figure The bag and its contents are then left for a suitable period of time, to allow the marinating process to take place, whereafter the food product can be removed from the bag via the reclosable closure 18.

The packaging herein described allows a marinade to be packaged in a manner which maximises the shelf-life of the marinade, yet provides the packaging with the large volume that is required for marinating to take place in the packaging. The shelf-life of marinade is reduced (as a result of rancidity setting in) by the presence of oxygen. By using a sheet material which has good oxygen barrier properties, the migration of oxygen through the sheet material can be kept to a minimum. Furthermore, by confining the marinade to a relatively small region of the packaging upon filling, it is possible to reduce the inclusion of air (and hence oxygen) in the packaging during the filling process to a minimum.

-7- The flexibility of the packaging permits the meat or other food product is that is to be marinated to be massaged by hand, absorbing body heat in the process. All of this assists the marinating process.

Claims (8)

1. Packaging which comprises: first and second flexible sheets joined to one another along four edges of the packaging to form a rectangular bag; a reclosable closure joining the first and second sheets to one another along a reclosure line adjacent a first of the edges; and a separable connection joining the first and second sheets to one another in a region between the reclosure line and a second of the edges opposite the first edge, thereby dividing the interior of the bag between the reclosable closure and the second edge into two separate compartments which can be placed in communication with one another by separating the first and second sheets along said separable connection.

2. Packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reclosable closure is of the type that is formed by each of the sheets having an integrally formed rib, the ribs having inter-engageable male and female formations whereby the ribs can be connected to one another along their length.

3. Packaging as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein said separable connection is a welded connection which is weak enough for the sheets to be separable from one another along the connection by pulling the sheets apart.

4. Packaging as claimed in claim 3, wherein said separable connection is formed by a peelable strip laid between, and welded to, the sheets.

Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of those of the compartments which is between the second edge and said separable connection is approximately one third the distance between the first and second edges.

6. Packaging as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein those of the compartments which is between the second edge and said separable connection contains product, whereas the other compartment is empty.

7. Packaging as claimed in claim 6, wherein the product is marinade.

8. Packaging substantially as herein described and illustrated. DATED this tenth day of December 1998 PAARMAN FOODS (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED Limited WRAY ASSOCIATES Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for Applicant