CN108349637B

CN108349637B - Bag-type wrapper and associated method for adapting such wrapper

Info

Publication number: CN108349637B
Application number: CN201680062694.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 拉尔斯·罗德曼
Original assignee: Ecolean AB
Current assignee: Ecolean AB
Priority date: 2015-10-30
Filing date: 2016-10-12
Publication date: 2020-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-12
Also published as: AU2016345371A1; HK1252634A1; AR106517A1; EP3162731A1; CN108349637A; ES2712894T3; JP2018531848A; AU2016345371B2; TWI597215B; BR112018008254B1; KR20180078266A; WO2017071953A1; BR112018008254A2; EP3162731B1; US20180319562A1; PL3162731T3; RU2698734C1; TW201726508A

Abstract

Disclosed is a bag-type package for fluid contents, comprising: two opposite flexible side walls (2, 3) forming an upper corner portion (6) provided with an opening initiation (7) along which a tab (8) is to be separated for opening the package. The opening initiation (7) comprises: a first tear line (12) provided in a first side wall (2) of the two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3); and a second tear line (3) provided in a second side wall (3) of the two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3). The first and second tear lines (12, 13) extend from a common starting point in an at least partially non-overlapping manner such that a wall section (18) of the inner surface of the first side wall (2) is exposed after the tab (8) is separated. The invention also relates to a method for adapting a bag-type packaging (1) to enable insertion of a straw (20).

Description

Bag-type wrapper and associated method for adapting such wrapper

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a bag-type package for fluid contents, more precisely a package provided with an opening initiation at an upper corner portion, and an associated method for adapting such a package to be insertable into a straw.

Background

There are many different types of packages for liquid contents.

One type of wrapper is bag-type and comprises two side walls which are flexible and joined along a connecting portion to form a compartment whose volume depends on the relative position of the walls. The bag-type package may be a stand-up bag and may then further comprise a bottom wall.

This type of package can be in a flat and sealed state prior to filling. This enables the compartments of the packages to be sterilized at the time of manufacture and the packages to be distributed to a filling plant (such as a dairy) for filling while maintaining sterility.

The package may be of a size suitable for immediate consumption, for example having a volume in the range of 100ml-400 ml. The package may be provided with a straw to consume the contents.

As disclosed in US 2003128899, the straw may be inserted into the wrapper via a frangible puncture point provided in the side wall of the wrapper.

US 5941642 discloses a stand-up pouch type package with a built-in straw. The straw is accessible by removing a top portion of the wrapper.

Alternatively, the wrapper may be provided with an opening initiation at an upper corner portion of the wrapper. By removing the tab along the opening initiation, an opening is formed through which the straw can be inserted.

US 8740458 discloses a bag package provided with two opening initiators in the upper corner portions. The two opening initiations are arranged at a distance and each opening initiations comprises two overlapping tear lines. A recess is formed in the sealed top portion of the package. When opening the package, the user starts tearing from the notch, the tear propagates to and then along the first opening initiation. If the tear misses the first opening initiation it is still able to encounter the second opening initiation and propagate therealong. Another bag type package provided with a plurality of opening initiation portions is also known from WO 03/095327.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved bag-type package that can be used with a straw.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bag-type package for use with a straw.

To achieve this object and also other objects that will be evident from the following description, a bag package and a method of adapting a bag package to enable insertion of a straw are provided according to the present invention.

More precisely, according to the invention a bag package for fluid contents is provided, which bag package comprises two opposite flexible outer side walls forming an upper corner portion, which upper corner portion is provided with an opening initiation along which a tab is to be separated for opening the package. The opening initiation portion includes: a first tear line disposed in a first outer sidewall of the two opposing flexible outer sidewalls, the first tear line comprising a single tear line disposed in the first outer sidewall; and a second tear line disposed in a second of the two opposing flexible exterior sidewalls, the second tear line comprising a single tear line disposed in the second exterior sidewall. The first and second tear lines extend from a common starting point in an at least partially non-overlapping manner such that a wall section of the inner surface of the first outer side wall is exposed after the tab is separated.

An improved bag-type package for use with a straw is provided herein. The wrapper has an upper corner that includes a tab that can be separated to form an opening of the wrapper. The tab may be separated by tearing along the opening initiation. Of course, the tabs may alternatively be separated by cutting.

However, if the tab is separated by tearing, the tear is guided by the tear line of the opening initiation. Since the tear lines extend in an at least partially non-overlapping manner, a section of the inner surface of the first outer side wall is exposed after the tab is separated. The exposed section provides improved access to the interior of the package upon insertion of the straw. The straw end of the straw may be placed on the exposed wall section and by pressing the exposed wall section laterally while pushing the straw into the package, the opening of the package created by the tab being separated will open, thereby facilitating insertion of the straw.

The first tear line comprises a single tear line disposed in the first outer sidewall. By ensuring that the first outer side wall is provided with only a single tear line, interference with any additional tear lines during the tearing process is avoided.

The second tear line constitutes a single tear line disposed in the second exterior sidewall. By ensuring that the second outer side wall is provided with only a single tear line, interference with any additional tear lines during the tearing process is avoided.

The first and second tear lines have a common starting point. This means that the first and second tear lines extend in an overlapping manner along the initial section of the opening initiation, which may contribute to the initiation of tab separation.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first and second tear lines may have a common end point. This means that the first and second tear lines may extend in an overlapping manner along the end section of the opening initiation, which facilitates the ending of the tab separation.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first tear line may extend straight. It is ensured here that the exposed inner surface of the first outer side wall does not comprise any protruding parts, such as lobes or tips, which may bend when the straw end is pressed sideways on the exposed surface.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first and second tear lines may each be formed as a weakening in the associated side wall. The weakened portion may be formed by, for example, die cutting, roll punching, laser scoring, perforation or slitting.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the wrapper may further comprise a seal forming a flow restricting passage in the upper corner portion, wherein a straw may be inserted through the opening of the wrapper formed when the tabs are separated and further through the flow restricting passage. The restricted flow path may be adapted to the straw so that the straw can be inserted into the package in a leak-tight manner.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the package may further comprise a straw supported by one of the first and second outer side walls.

The first and second exterior side walls of the package may be made of a multi-layer packaging material.

The bag-type package may further comprise a bottom wall.

The bag-type package may be of the upright bag type.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for adapting a bag-type package to enable insertion of a straw, the method comprising: providing a bag-type package having two opposing flexible outer side walls forming an upper corner portion of the package; and in said upper corner portion an opening initiation is arranged along which the tab is to be parted for opening the package. The opening initiation portion includes: a first tear line disposed in a first outer sidewall of the two opposing flexible outer sidewalls, the first tear line comprising a single tear line disposed in the first outer sidewall; and a second tear line disposed in a second of the two opposing flexible exterior sidewalls, the second tear line comprising a single tear line disposed in the second exterior sidewall. The first and second tear lines are arranged to extend from a common starting point in an at least partly non-overlapping manner such that a wall section of the inner surface of the first outer side wall is exposed after the tab is separated, whereby the straw is insertable into the package by placing the straw end of the straw on the exposed wall section of the inner surface of the first outer side wall and pressing the exposed wall section laterally while pushing the straw into the package.

According to an embodiment of the method the step of arranging the opening initiation in said upper corner portion is performed by forming the first and second tear lines in a web of packaging material, which is subsequently converted into the bag wrapper. In this case, a plurality of bag-type packages, each provided with an opening initiation of the type described above, can be produced efficiently.

The details and advantages of the second aspect of the invention are largely analogous to those of the first aspect of the invention, to which reference is made.

In general, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [ element, device, component, means, step, etc ]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Drawings

The above and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals will be used for similar elements, and in which:

fig. 1 is a side view of a bag-type wrapper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the bag package shown in fig. 1 after opening by separating the tab along the opening initiation.

Figures 3a-b are schematic side views illustrating the insertion of a straw into the package shown in figure 2.

Figures 4a-b are schematic partial side views showing the upper corner portion provided with an opening initiation of an alternative embodiment of the package according to the invention.

Figures 5a-b are schematic partial side views showing an upper corner portion provided with an opening initiation of another alternative embodiment of the package according to the invention.

Figures 6a-b are schematic partial side views showing an upper corner portion provided with an opening initiation of yet another alternative embodiment of the package according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

Referring to fig. 1, a stand-up pouch type bag package 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

The package 1 may be used as a prefabricated package adapted to be filled and sealed in a filling machine. Alternatively, the package may be produced completely or partly in a filling machine.

The package 1 is intended in particular for products in the form of liquid food, such as milk, water, fruit drinks, fruit juices or wine, but it may of course also be intended for products in some other form or for other uses.

The package 1 may have any desired volume. The volume may be selected such that the contents are suitable for immediate consumption and may then be in the range of 100ml-400 ml.

The package 1 comprises three flexible walls, two of which constitute a first outer side wall 2 and a second outer side wall 3; and the third outer side wall constitutes the bottom wall. The first outer side wall and the bottom wall are not visible in the drawings. These walls are joined along a connecting portion 4 to define a product compartment 5. These walls are made of a flexible and flexible material, which means that the volume of the product compartment 5 depends on the relative distance between these walls. The volume of the product compartment 5 is therefore directly dependent on the filling rate of the package. In other words, package 1 is a collapsible, also called bag-type package.

The walls of the package 1 are preferably joined by welding at the connecting portions 4. Other methods of attachment, such as gluing, are also contemplated.

The shown package 1 has an upper corner portion 6 provided with an opening initiation 7 along which a tab 8 is to be separated for opening the package. When the tab 8 is separated from the package 1, an opening 9 is formed, which places the product compartment 5 in communication with the environment. The opening initiation 7 and the opening 9 will be discussed in more detail below.

The opening initiation 7 can be formed before, during or after the manufacture of the package 1. For example, a sheet of packaging material may be provided with a series of opening initiation portions 7 at predetermined positions, which sheet of packaging material may be converted at a later stage into a package of the type shown in fig. 1.

In general, it is desirable that the selected wrapper material be comprised of a multilayer film and may include a core layer of mineral-based filler and a polyolefin binder. It will be appreciated that other materials and layers are possible, such as a gas barrier layer or a light barrier layer. The wrapper material may also be a transparent wrapper material, i.e. each of the layers constituting the material is transparent.

At the rear end of the package 1, a handle compartment 10 is shown which is filled with gas and forms a handle 11. The handle compartment 10 is defined by the two

outer side walls

2, 3 and the peripheral connecting portion 4. However, it should be understood that the invention also relates to packages provided with other types of handles, or no handles at all.

As mentioned above, the handle compartment 10 is filled with a gas to form the handle 11 of the package 1. The gas is preferably air, but other gases may of course be used. The handle compartment 10 has such a geometry and filling rate as to form an easy-to-grasp handle 11 in the inflated state. Such a handle 11 may also increase the significant rigidity of the package 1 by its geometry and gas filling.

The package 1 can be opened by separating the tabs 8, thereby forming an opening 9 of the package. Naturally, the tabs may be separated by cutting or the like, but preferably the tabs 8 are separated by tearing.

The detachment of the tab 8 may be accomplished by releasing the tab completely from the wrapper. Alternatively, the tab 8 may remain attached to the wrapper after separation, thereby facilitating the intact recovery of the wrapper material after use.

As described above, the package 1 has an upper corner portion 6 provided with an opening initiation 7. The opening initiation 7 in this context refers to an arrangement comprising two tear lines which are arranged in a respective one of the two

outer side walls

2, 3 and which guide the propagation of a tear when the tab 8 is manually separated from the package by a tear.

Thus, the opening initiation 7 comprises a first tear line 12 and a second tear line 13 provided in the first outer side wall 2 and the second outer side wall 3, respectively. The first tear line 12 is indicated by a dashed line and constitutes a single tear line provided in the first outer side wall 2, and the second tear line 13 constitutes a single tear line provided in the second outer side wall 3. The upper corner portion 6 of the package 1 according to the shown embodiment is thus provided with only one opening initiation 7.

Each of the first and

second tear lines

12, 13 may be provided as a weakening in the respective

outer side wall

2, 3, which weakening is formed by e.g. die cutting, roll punching, laser scoring, perforation or slitting. These tear lines may be arranged so that the integrity of the package is maintained. As mentioned above, the opening initiation 7, more precisely the tear lines 12, 13 of the opening initiation 7, may be formed before, during or after the manufacture of the package 1.

As is evident from the figures, the tear lines 12, 13 extend in a partially non-overlapping manner.

According to the embodiment shown and as is evident from the partial enlargement shown in fig. 1, the first tear line 12 and the second tear line 13 have a common starting point 14 and extend in an overlapping manner along the first section S1 of the opening initiation 7. The tear lines 12, 13 then extend in a non-overlapping manner along a second section S2 corresponding to the width W of the opening 9 formed by removal of the tab 8. Finally, the tear lines 12, 13 extend in an overlapping manner along the third section S3 and terminate in a common termination point 15.

In the embodiment shown, the starting point 14 and the end point 15 are located at the free edge of the connecting portion 4, on respective sides of the opening 9 of the package 1. It is understood that the starting point 14 and/or the end point 15 may be located at a distance from the free edge of the connecting portion on the respective side of the opening 9. In such a case, the initial and/or final tear will not be guided by the opening initiation when the tab 8 is separated from the wrapper 1.

Since in the embodiment shown the first tear line 12 and the second tear line 13 have a common starting point 14 and extend in an overlapping manner along the first section of the opening initiation 7, an initial separation of the tab along the opening initiation 7 can be facilitated.

Accordingly, since in the illustrated embodiment the first tear line 12 and the second tear line 13 have a common end point 15 and extend in an overlapping manner along the third section of the opening initiation 7, the final separation of the tab along the opening initiation 7 can be facilitated.

As mentioned above, the tab 8 may be arranged such that it remains attached to the wrapper after separation. This can be achieved by

tear lines

12, 13 of the opening initiation having a common starting point and separate end points (not shown). Finally tearing is in such a case considered to be an increase in resistance as the tear propagates from the opening into the connecting portion on the other side of the opening, thereby indicating to the user that further tearing is halted or stopped so that the tab remains connected to the wrapper by a small portion of the connecting portion. The same effect can be achieved, for example, by arranging the common end point of the two tear lines in the connecting portion at a distance from the free edge of the package, as is illustrated in the embodiment shown in fig. 6 a-b.

The expression "the tear lines extend in an overlapping manner" should be interpreted to mean that the tear lines extend in respective outer side walls in an overlapping manner on top of each other, and correspondingly the expression "the tear lines extend in an non-overlapping manner" should be interpreted to mean that the tear lines do not extend in a overlapping manner on top of each other, as seen in a side view as shown in fig. 1, in respective outer side walls.

As is evident from the figures, the first tear line 12 extends straight, while the second tear line 13 extends bent. More specifically, the second tear line 13 diverges from the first tear line 12 along a first portion of the second section S2, then bends back and converges with the first tear line 12 along a second portion of the second section S2.

In the shown embodiment the package 1 is further provided with a seal 16 in the upper corner portion 6, thereby forming a flow-restricting passage 17 arranged between the opening 9 formed when the tab 8 is removed and the product compartment 5 of the package 1.

As described above, the package is opened by removing or separating the tab 8 along the opening initiation 7, thereby forming the opening 9. Referring now also to fig. 2, the package 1 is shown in an open condition. The tab 8 has been separated from the package 1 along the opening initiation 7 and the opening 9 has thus been formed, thereby putting the product compartment 5 in communication with the environment.

The tab 8 can be separated by tearing, which tearing will be guided by the tear lines 12, 13 of the opening initiation 7. Since the first tear line 12 and the second tear line 13 extend along the second section S2 of the opening initiation 7 in a non-overlapping manner, the wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first outer side wall 2 is exposed after the tab 8 is removed.

The exposed wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first outer side wall 2 may be used to facilitate insertion of a straw into the product compartment 5 of the package 1, as will now be explained with reference to fig. 3 a-b.

In fig. 3a, the straw end 19 of the straw 20 has been placed on the exposed wall section 18 of the inner surface. By pressing the drinking straw 20 with its drinking straw end 19 laterally against the exposed wall section 18, the opening 9 of the package 1 is opened and the drinking straw 20 can be pushed into the package 1, as shown in fig. 3 b. Thus, the exposed wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first outer side wall 2 makes it much easier to insert the straw 20 into the package 1.

As mentioned above, the first tear line 12 extends straight. Thus, the exposed wall section 18 does not include any protruding portions that may bend or yield when the straw end 19 is pressed laterally thereon (which facilitates insertion of the straw 20). Instead, the opening 9 opens in response to a press on the exposed wall section 18.

As seen in 3b, the straw 20 is inserted into the product compartment 5 of the package 1 via the restricted flow path 17 defined by the seal 16. Due to a suitable design of the flow-restricting passage 17, the straw 20 may extend in a sealed manner through the flow-restricting passage 17, whereby leakage of the contents of the package 1 through the flow-restricting passage 17 and out through the opening 9 of the package 1 when the straw 20 is inserted into the package 1 may be avoided or at least significantly reduced. Thus, accidental pressing of the package will cause the contents to be pushed upwards only through the straw, rather than being pressed out through the opening.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

For example, the bag-type package need not be a stand-up bag-type package. Thus, the bag-type package may be a pillow-shaped package having only two opposite outer side walls.

Further, the illustrated embodiment of the package of the present invention includes a restricted flow path formed by a seal, but it will be appreciated that the present invention is also applicable to packages that do not have such a restricted flow path.

Also, the package may be provided with a straw, which may for example be supported by one of the two outer side walls of the package. When the user wishes to consume the contents of the package, the straw may be detached from the package and then inserted into the package once the tabs are separated.

Further, the opening initiation may be designed in other ways. Several such designs are shown in fig. 4a-b and fig. 5 a-b.

In fig. 4a-b, the first tear line 12 and the second tear line 13 are bent in opposite directions along the section of the opening initiation 7.

In fig. 5a-b, the first tear line 12 extends straight. The second tear line 13 extends in an overlapping manner with respect to the first tear line 12, with the exception of the following sections: along which the second tear line 13 forms a semicircular projection 21 which exposes the wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first outer side wall 2 when the tabs 8 are separated.

Thus, several modifications and variations are conceivable within the scope of the invention, which is therefore only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bag-type package for fluid contents, the bag-type package comprising:

two opposite flexible outer side walls (2, 3) forming an upper corner portion (6) provided with an opening initiation (7) along which a tab (8) of the upper corner portion (6) is to be separated from the package to open the package and enable subsequent insertion of a straw,

wherein the opening initiation (7) comprises

A first tear line (12) provided in a first outer side wall (2) of the two opposing flexible outer side walls (2, 3), the first tear line (12) constituting a single tear line provided in the first outer side wall (2); and

a second tear line (13) provided in a second outer side wall (3) of the two opposing flexible outer side walls (2, 3), the second tear line (13) constituting a single tear line provided in the second outer side wall (3),

the first and second tear lines (12, 13) extend from a common starting point (14) in an at least partially non-overlapping manner such that a wall section (18) of the inner surface of the first outer side wall (2) is exposed after the tab (8) is separated.

2. The pouch type package according to claim 1, wherein the first and second tear lines (12, 13) have a common end point (15).

3. The pouch type package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tear line (12) extends straight.

4. The bag-type package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second tear lines (12, 13) are each formed as a weakening in the associated first and second outer side walls (2, 3).

5. The bag-type package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second outer side walls (2, 3) of the package are made of a multi-layer packaging material.

6. The bag-type package according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a seal (16) forming a flow-restricting passage (17) in the upper corner portion (6) of the package, wherein a straw can be inserted through the opening (9) of the package formed when the tabs (8) are separated, and further through the flow-restricting passage (17).

7. The bag-type package according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a straw (20) supported by one of the first and second outer side walls (2, 3).

8. The bag-type package of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bottom wall.

9. The bag-type package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bag-type package is a stand-up bag.

10. A method for adapting a bag-type package (1) to enable insertion of a straw (20), the method comprising:

providing a bag-type package (1) having two opposite flexible outer side walls (2, 3) forming an upper corner portion (6) of the package (1);

an opening initiation (7) is arranged in said upper corner portion (6), along which opening initiation a tab (8) of the upper corner portion (6) is to be separated from the pack (1) for opening the pack (1),

the opening initiation (7) comprises: a first tear line (12) provided in a first outer side wall (2) of the two opposing flexible outer side walls (2, 3), the first tear line (12) constituting a single tear line provided in the first outer side wall (2); and a second tear line (13) provided in a second outer side wall (3) of the two opposing flexible outer side walls (2, 3), the second tear line (13) constituting a single tear line provided in the second outer side wall (3),

wherein the first and second tear lines (12, 13) are arranged to extend from a common starting point (14) in an at least partially non-overlapping manner such that a wall section (18) of the inner surface of the first outer side wall (2) is exposed after the tab (8) is separated,

whereby, after the tab (8) has been separated, the drinking straw (20) can be inserted into the package (1) by placing the drinking straw end (19) of the drinking straw (20) on the exposed wall section (18) of the inner surface of the first outer side wall (2) and pressing the exposed wall section (18) laterally while pushing the drinking straw (20) into the package (1).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the step of arranging the opening initiation (7) in said upper corner portion (6) is performed by forming the first and second tear lines (12, 13) in a web of packaging material, which is subsequently converted into the bag-type package (1).