EP1051338A2

EP1051338A2 - Case for products such as moist wipes

Info

Publication number: EP1051338A2
Application number: EP98959956A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Denis Guibert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-10
Filing date: 1998-12-10
Publication date: 2000-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-10
Also published as: IL136627A; IL136627A0; WO1999029589A3; ATE287837T1; FR2772011B3; CA2313530A1; EP1051338B1; DE69828824D1; JP2001525300A; AU1567599A; US6554134B1; WO1999029589A2; FR2772011A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a case which is opened along a break-off line (23) by pulling on a label (27) capable of being stuck back. The break-off line (23) extends up to the edge (119) of the case front wall. Each item has on its front surface a prehensile corner (47) located in the pile median zone. The prehensile corner of the item located at the top of the pile is positioned opposite the dispensing aperture (37). The invention is applicable to cases for moist wipes.

Description

CASE FOR PRODUCTS SUCH AS WET WIPES.

The present invention relates to a case, and in particular a case intended to contain and distribute products, such as for example products appearing substantially in the form of a folded sheet, arranged in a stack inside said case.

It also relates to an article consisting of a case containing such products. Are known in the prior art cases for hygiene products made from a film or a sheet of flexible plastic material which envelops the products. These cases have a median longitudinal weld on one of their two large faces, and a weld along each of the two edges perpendicular to the longitudinal weld.

Significantly in the middle of the other large face, these cases have an opening device comprising a weakening line, for example a pre-cut line, not straight, and an adhesive label. The label generally covers the defined area inside the line of weakness, and slightly protrudes outside of said area.

When using the case for the first time, the label is removed from the corresponding wall. The label peels off the region of the wall located outside the line of weakness and carries with it the region of the wall located inside the line weakening. This region detaches from the rest of the wall along the line of weakness and then forms a closing and opening valve of a distribution window. The case is closed by re-gluing the label in its initial position, the valve being replaced substantially in the dispensing window.

Patent 096/11147 describes such a case intended to contain hygiene products arranged in a stack. Its purpose is to reduce the area of the adhesive label, in order to save on adhesive material. It has a weakening line in the form of a V or portion of a circle, and a label having a substantially similar shape, which covers only the weakening line and the lateral edges on either side thereof. Also known in the prior art Cases of the prior art have in common a number of drawbacks. The most important are discussed below.

In general, the opening device is placed substantially in the middle of one of their faces. Gripping the product that appears on top of the stack through the dispensing window is often difficult. We also take the risk of taking at least two products at the same time instead of just one. Known cases generally have a longitudinal weld on one of their faces, like many food packaging. This weld is unsightly and gives the case a utilitarian character, unsuitable in particular for luxury goods, such as wipes impregnated with prestigious perfumes.

The cases of the prior art are made from a flexible material which does not have the solidity necessary for certain uses, and risks for example tearing, in particular if the user pulls the label more than expected. by the designer of the case. The label may then come off completely and be difficult to re-stick completely and / or tightly.

Also known in the prior art is a resealable case described in patent WO91 / 04920. This case aims to improve previous cases having a hole provided on the front face, to allow the extraction of a handkerchief, or to replace cases having a cutting line extending to a sealing strip. This document proposes to replace this middle hole or the flap delimited by the cutting line and the sealing strip by an opening delimited by a cutting line extending to the upper edge.

This solution is not satisfactory, since the traction exerted on the flap may cause a tear along the fold forming the upper edge, in particular when the traction comprises a component parallel to the fold. This then results in a loss of tightness. Furthermore, the upper edge of the wipes is accessible when the case is open, which can lead to the user to remove the wipe not by grasping it by the middle fold, but by grasping it by the upper edge. This improper handling leads to a hygienic defect and a risk of extracting several wipes. Furthermore, the flap can be positioned in an inclined manner, which reduces the sealing of the packaging.

The object of the present invention is to provide a case for products which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the case comprising sealing means and an opening device disposed on one face of the case and formed by an adhesive label and an opening flap surrounded at least partly by a line of weakness. The adhesive label completely covers the opening valve and projects beyond the line of weakness which extends in the vicinity of a stop edge of said face. The weakening line extends to, but does not reach, the vicinity of the upper edge. The notion of neighborhood depends on the size and dimension of the case. It can be considered that the concept of neighborhood is understood, within the meaning of this patent, as a distance less than a few percent, in particular less than 10%, of the dimension parallel to the axis of traction.

The concept of "without coming into contact" is understood as preserving a short distance, for example less than a few thousandths, in particular less than 1%, of the dimension parallel to the axis of traction.

This solution makes it possible to avoid tearing the case in the event of excessive traction on the closing valve. In addition, it reserves an upper zone in which the conditioned article remains maintained, unlike the solutions comprising a sealing strip.

The result obtained is a better seal and a resealable opening which prevents the articles from being grabbed by the edge. They can only be entered by the middle corner.

The weakening line defines the outline of a dispensing window which is situated so as to preferably overlap an edge of the first product to be dispensed.

Thus, the user can use a finger to select the first product which appears before taking it easily, by pulling on the central corner. This avoids the difficulties and wasteful

1 use.

The area extending between the ends of the weakening line and the edge of the case has the function of stopping the movement resulting from the pulling on the label. It may be an area belonging to the outer contour of the case, or an area formed back from the outer contour. The weakening line preferably has two ends extending substantially to the stop edge and between which the material of the case forms a line of articulation for the valve. In the various embodiments detailed below, the face carrying the weakening line will be called the front face. The side opposite it will be called the back side.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the case is made of plastic material, for example thermoformed or injected, and has a shell forming the rear face of the case and secured to a closure element by welding their free edges respective. Said closure element may consist of a flexible membrane, but advantageously takes the form of a second shell forming the front face of the case. In the latter case, before being welded, the two shells can: be independent and therefore subsequently welded by their four free edges, or

- be thermoformed on the same plastic sheet so as to be joined by a part of this sheet forming a hinge. The two shells are then welded by their three remaining free edges. In this first embodiment, the stop edge can be an edge common to two faces of one of the shells. According to this embodiment, the case of one invention can advantageously include a tongue placed in a plane parallel to that formed by the two shells. This tab is useful for handling the case. It can also serve as a support for a possibly hollow body.

According to this same embodiment, the case may also include pushing means, intended to facilitate the exit of the products contained in said case. These various elements will be described in detail later in the description.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the case is made from a sheet of flexible and impermeable material, for example plastic, folded in half along a fold line so as to form two substantially parallel parts. These two parts are welded together by their respective free edges.

In a first variant of the second embodiment of the invention, the line of weakness is located in the vicinity of the fold line. Preferably, the stop edge is formed by the fold line. According to this variant, the adhesive label can be arranged so as to overlap the fold line. This arrangement has the advantage of providing a label with very high tensile strength.

In another variant of the second embodiment of the invention, the fold line is located on the edge opposite the weakening line.

The adhesive label can then be placed so that one edge of the label is adjacent to the edge of the case opposite the fold line; this arrangement has the advantage of being economical because it requires little adhesive material.

The label can also be formed by a return from the rear part of the case to the front part.

This return overlaps the weakening line so as to cover the valve. This return is possibly joined by welding to the edge which borders the weakening line. In addition, it is made adhesive after anointing with an adhesive polymer or any other material with adequate adhesive properties. In a last embodiment of the present invention, the case is produced from two pieces of plastic material placed in parallel planes, these two parts being welded together by their four respective free edges. In this embodiment, the adhesive label is arranged so as to overlap the edge of the case which is adjacent to it.

According to any one of these embodiments, the adhesive label can optionally be secured to the case by welding, for example with the lateral edge which is adjacent to it. However, any other suitable means of joining can be envisaged. Thus, according to one or other of the embodiments, the case has two opposite parts, welded together by lateral edges, and the large faces of which are not crossed by any weld line. These remain available, for example to receive a decorative motif or an advertising message.

Traditionally, the hygiene products arranged in a stack inside the case are each folded into a number of elementary rectangles and / or squares, one of which constitutes one side of the folded product facing the dispensing window.

According to one aspect of the invention, the article comprising products, such as in particular paper products which are substantially in the form of a sheet such as for example wipes or handkerchiefs, placed in a stack inside the dispensing case having a dispensing window on one of its faces, is characterized in that each product has, on one side facing the dispensing window, a gripping corner situated in the median zone of its front face, and in that that the gripping corner of the first product to be dispensed is positioned opposite the dispensing window of the case.

Advantageously, the gripping corners disposed on the products can have a border whose color is distinguished from that of hygiene products. The user can thus distinguish at a glance the precise place by which he must enter the product.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below of two embodiments given without limitation. In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 shows in perspective a hygiene article comprising a case according to the first embodiment and an arrangement of hygiene products in this case; Figures 2, 3 and 4 show, respectively in top view, front and side, the hygiene article of Figure 1; - Figure 4A shows an article comprising a case according to the first embodiment comprising a possibly hollow body;

- Figure 4B shows the two shells of a case according to the first embodiment thermoformed on the same plastic sheet so as to be secured by a part of this sheet hinge;

- Figure 4C shows the rear face of a case according to the first embodiment comprising thrust means; - Figure 5 illustrates the dividing lines for a first mode of folding a hygiene product; FIG. 6 illustrates the first mode of folding a hygiene product; Figure 7 is similar to Figure 1, but for a hygiene article whose case corresponds to a second embodiment;

- Figure 8 shows in top view and in unfolded form the case of the hygiene article of Figure 7;

- Figures 9, 9A and 9B are similar to Figure 8 for alternative embodiments; Figures 10 and 11 are similar to Figures 5 and 6 for a second folding mode;

- Figure 12 is a schematic view of a complex film for making a variant of the invention;

- Figure 13 shows the film being prepared; - Figure 14 shows a front view of a case produced according to this variant in the closed position;

- Figure 15 shows a front view of a case produced according to this variant in the open position.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the case 1 is made of semi-rigid thermoformed plastic and comprises two complementary shells 3 of the same shape and the same dimensions, each formed of a body substantially in the form of a trunk pyramid with open rectangular base surrounded by a side edge 7.

The two shells 3 are arranged one against the other, the two cavities 5 communicate with each other and the respective lateral edges 7 are welded hermetically to each other all around the two bodies.

The lateral edges 7 are preferably of small width compared to the dimensions of the cavities 5, in practice their width is the smallest possible which is compatible with effective welding.

Each body has a substantially flat bottom 15 and a side wall 17 which connects the bottom 15 and the side edge 7. The bottom 15 is separated from the adjacent side wall 17 by four edges extending along the contour 19 of the bottom 15, obtained during thermoforming.

The bottom 15 of one of the shells 3, called "front", comprises an opening device 21. The device comprises a weakening line 23 formed in the bottom 15 of the hull 3, for example a pre-cut line, which is not straight or closed, and the two ends 25 of which join the contour 19 at the same edge 119 forming a stop edge as will be explained below. The opening device 21 also includes an adhesive label 27 placed on the outside of the shell 3. The label 27 entirely covers a valve 29 defined by the weakening line 23 and the part of the stop edge 119 located between the ends 25 of the weakening line 23 forming a line of articulation of the valve. In addition, the label overflows from the valve 29, on the one hand on the bottom 15 by providing an overflow zone 31 all around the weakening line 23, and on the other leaves beyond the stop edge 119 while providing a fixing zone 33 on the side wall 17.

Opposite the fixing zone 33, the adhesive label 27 is provided with a tab 35, locally extending the overflow zone 31. The tab 35 has no adhesive coating.

When using the case for the first time, the user takes the tab 35 between two fingers and lifts it up towards the fixing zone 33. The overflow zone 31 of the adhesive label 27 peels off from the bottom 15, during that the valve 29 is cut away step by step along the line of weakness 23. The valve 29 remains. - glued to the adhesive label 27 and reveals a dispensing window 37 through the bottom 15.

The process of cutting the bottom 15 stops automatically when it reaches the edge 119 at the ends 25 of the weakening line 23, because: there is no weakening line on the side wall 17 to guide the cut, the edge 119, separating the plane of the bottom 15 and the plane of the adjacent face of the side wall 17, then forms a stop edge for peeling off the adhesive label 27 and for cutting the bottom 15 , because the traction exerted by the user on the tab 35 is not, relative to the side wall 17, oriented in the direction of a tearing, the same stop edge 119 constitutes, as already exposed a natural articulation line (FIG. 1) between the valve 29 separated from the bottom 15 and the side wall 17. If the ends 25 of the weakening line 23 do not not extend appreciably to the contour 19, there would be a risk of prolongation of the cut beyond said ends 25, irregularly, in the form of a tear, until said tear meets said contour 19. The tear, once started, could even extend beyond. This is why it is preferred that the weakening line 23 be near a stop edge such as 119.

To close the case 1, the user proceeds in reverse to the opening: he brings the valve 29 back on the dispensing window 37 and reapplies the overflow zone 31 of the adhesive label 27 on the bottom 15. The adhesive label 27 is provided with an adhesive coating which makes it capable of peeling and sticking several times, reestablishing each time the seal.

The case 1 must be air and water tight, to avoid any evaporation of the liquid which impregnates the hygiene products 41 when it is a question of wet wipes. To this end, the case 1 comprises sealing means, among which the adhesive label 27, the lines of the welds 8, and the articulation line formed by a part of the edge 119. In the example shown, the side edges 7 may locally have a greater width, for example to produce a tongue 9 for handling the case 1 and hanging it on a sales display.

In a particular embodiment, the case according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises on its tongue 9 means capable of securing the case on a support. An example of an attachment means consists of a body 10, possibly hollow, the rear face of which carries an adhesive material. This possibly hollow body 10 has a depth at least equal to the depth of the rear shell of the case 1. In the case where the body 10 is hollow, it may contain a perfumed compound or any other equivalent product.

The means for securing to a support can be articulated to the case by any suitable means such as a hinge 11. This articulation allows freedom of relative movement between the case 1 and the means 10 for securing to a support. Thus, when the case 1 is secured to a support, for example the dashboard of an automobile, by the rear face of the securing means 10, it benefits, thanks to the hinge 11, from a certain freedom of movement . This characteristic allows in particular an easier handling of the case of one invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the hygiene article also comprises a stack 39 of hygiene products 41 folded and stacked according to a parallelepiped in the interior space of the case 1. The dispensing window 37 of the device 21 overlaps an edge 43 of the stack 39 and in particular of the first product to be dispensed 45.

In order to avoid the problems associated with the movement of the gripping corner 47 during successive uses of the case 1, the latter comprises pushing means 45. These will push the stack 39 of hygiene products 41 towards the opening device 21, and thus favor the removal of the first product 41 to be dispensed while preventing the displacement of the gripping corner 47 relative to the dispensing window 37.

Said thrust means 45 may comprise a spring, for example a leaf spring 45, disposed between the stack 39 of products 41 and the bottom 15 of the shell 3 which does not have an opening device, and shown in profile view in the form of a V in Figure 4.

However, the pushing means 45 can also be formed by the rear face of the case. It suffices for this that the latter has a concavity 4, maximum at rest, that is to say when the case is empty. The concavity 4 is possibly connected to the rear face of the case by bellows 6 as shown in FIG. 4C. When placing the stack of wipes in the case, the wipes press against the concavity 4. As the wipes come out, the concavity 4 presses, thus acting as a means of pushing on the wipes. The hygiene products 41 are folded so as to present a gripping corner 47 on their front face 49 along the edge 43 which is overlapped by the dispensing window and at a distance from the corners 44 of the stack.

The dispensing window 37 discovers the gripping corner 47 of the first hygiene product 41 to be dispensed when the valve 29 is raised.

We will now define a first mode of folding a hygiene product 41 which produces a gripping corner 47 on one face of said product, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 represents a product 41 in an unfolded configuration in the form of a rectangle R of length A and width B. Divided lines 51 parallel to the edges of length A and dividing lines 53 parallel to the lines have been materialized edges of width B.

These dividing lines 51, 53 divide the rectangle R into elementary rectangles 55, 57.

In the example shown, there is a single dividing line 53 which defines two rows of elementary rectangles 55, 57 all having the same elementary length C which defines the largest dimension of the product 41 folded parallel to the length A of the product unfolded. On the other hand, there are two dividing lines 51 which define two adjacent columns of elementary rectangles 55, all having an elementary width D, and a column of elementary rectangles 57 having an elementary width E less than the elementary width D.

The elementary width D defines the smallest dimension of the folded product 41, parallel to the stop edge 119 in the case. Preferably the width D is substantially double the width E. The column of elementary rectangles 57 which has the smallest width E is adjacent to an edge of the rectangle R.

The folding of the product 41 is illustrated in FIG. 6. It comprises the following steps: the rectangle R is folded in accordion along the two dividing lines 51, forming three flaps, two of which have the width D and the third the width E, the accordion is then folded along the dividing line 53 as indicated by the arrow 59.

Two elementary rectangles 55 of width D are thus brought into contact, and the elementary rectangles 57 of width E are oriented towards the outside.

In this way, a gripping corner 47 is obtained located in the middle zone of one of the edges of the product 41, said gripping corner 47 being able to be easily separated from the underlying elementary rectangle 55 by a movement illustrated by arrow 61 in FIGS. 6 and 1.

When forming a stack 39 of hygienic products 41 folded as just described, it is ensured that each product has a gripping corner 47 along the same edge of the stack, orienting them all in the same way or for example alternately in one direction and in the other.

When the battery is placed in the case, this edge of the stack is made to extend along the stop edge 119 of the case.

This folding mode is particularly suitable for cases defining a substantially parallelepiped interior space, and whose opening window 37 is arranged along a short side of the case, as is the case for the case shown in FIGS. Figures 1 to 4.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the case 1, also suitable for receiving folded hygiene products according to the first folding mode, and which will only be described by its differences from the first embodiment.

The case 2 is this time made from a piece 65 cut from a sheet of flexible plastic. The part 65 has a longitudinal axis of symmetry 67, and a fold line 69 perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 67 and dividing the part 65 into two parts 71, 72 having substantially external contours symmetrical with respect to the fold line. They have along this contour a lateral edge 73, the interior contour of which is illustrated in FIG. 8 by a dotted line 75. The case 2 is produced by folding the part 65 along the fold line 69 and by welding the 'one against the other the respective side edges 73 of the two parts 71, 72. The case is hermetically sealed around its periphery by folding the weld. The weakening line 23 is located on one of the parts 71.

In a first variant of this embodiment, the ends 25 of the line 23 extend to the fold line 69. The adhesive label 27 covers the valve 39 and extends all around it on the part 71 corresponding to the case 2, and either beyond the fold line 69 on the other part 72 of the case 2 is placed so that the edge of the label 27 is adjacent to the fold line 69.

In a second variant of this embodiment, the fold line 69 is located on the edge of the part 71 opposite the weakening line 23. The label 27 is then formed by a return from the rear part 72 of the case on the front part 71. This return overlaps the line of weakness 23 so as to cover the opening valve 37. This return is made adhesive after anointing with an adhesive polymer. It is It is particularly advantageous to use for this purpose an adhesive whose polymerization is controllable by means of the temperature. Those skilled in the art are able to determine at what stage of the manufacture of the case it will be advisable to give the polymer its adhesive properties.

When the case 2 is used for the first time, the part 71 is cut along the weakening line 23, freeing a distribution window 37 (FIG. 7). The cutting process stops itself on the folding line 69, which constitutes a stop edge.

The sealing means of the case 2 comprise the nature of the material constituting the case, the adhesive label 27, the weld line 74 and the fold line 69. Another embodiment of the case 2, also suitable for receiving folded hygiene products according to the first folding mode, and which will only be described by its differences with the embodiment of the case 2 explained above. The case 2 is this time made from two pieces 65 cut from a sheet of flexible plastic. The parts 65 are placed in parallel planes and form two parts (71, 72) substantially parallel. The two parts (71, 72) are welded together by their four free edges (73) respectively.

In this embodiment, the adhesive label (27) is arranged so as to overlap the edge of the case which is adjacent to it. FIG. 7 illustrates the arrangement of the stack 39 of hygiene products 41 inside the case 2. It should be noted that with the case according to this embodiment, unlike the flexible cases of the prior art, can arrange hygiene products in the case by filling it and not by wrapping a stack of products with a plastic sheet.

In particular, the case can be prepared by folding along the fold line, then by welding part of the side edges, before filling the pocket thus formed with the stack of products, and welding the last part of the side edges.

An alternative embodiment of the second embodiment of the case 2 is illustrated in Figure 9. This time, the dispensing window 37 is arranged along a long side of the case 2. In this variant of execution corresponds to a second mode of folding the hygiene products 41 which will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 represents a product 41 in the unfolded configuration in the form of a rectangle R of length A and width B Divided lines 77 parallel to the edges of length A and dividing lines 79 parallel to the edges of width B have been shown in dotted lines.

These dividing lines 77, 79 divide the rectangle R into elementary rectangles 81. In the example shown, there are two dividing lines 77 which define three rows 83, 85, 87 and two dividing lines 79 which define three columns 89, 91, 93 of elementary rectangles 81. The central row 83 has a length elementary F which defines the largest dimension of the folded product 41. The rows 85, 87 respectively have elementary lengths G, H, both smaller than the elementary length F. Preferably, the elementary lengths G and H are complementary so that their sum G + H is substantially equal to the elementary length F.

The adjacent columns 89 and 91 both have an elementary width J which defines the smallest dimension of the folded product 41. Column 93 has an elementary width K reduced with respect to J. This column 93 is adjacent to an edge of rectangle R.

The folding of the product 41 is illustrated in FIG. 11. It comprises the following steps: - the rectangle R is folded in accordion along the dividing lines 79, forming three flaps of respective width G, F, H; the accordion has on two opposite sides shutters of reduced width which start from two opposite lateral edges; the accordion is then folded along the dividing lines 79, for example still in an accordion, as illustrated by the arrow 95 in FIG. 11. The front face of the product is taken as the one where the "elementary rectangles are the largest.

A gripping corner 47 is thus obtained located in the middle zone of an edge of the front face of the product 41, said gripping corner being able to be easily separated from the underlying elementary rectangle 81 by a movement illustrated by the arrow 97 in the figure. 11.

An advantageous embodiment is described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15. The case can be produced by folding and lateral sealing of a complex film formed, as shown in FIG. 12, by: a layer (100) of a material adhesive, in particular an adhesive which can be heat activated on its external face and which can be reactivated cold on the surface in contact with the plastic film (101); a layer (101) formed by a plastic material such as PET;

- a barrier layer (102) formed by an aluminum sheet;

- an outer layer (103) formed by a plastic material such as polyethylene.

This complex is cut to form two lobes

(105, 106) joining in a center line (107). The lobes (105, 106) have a generally rectangular shape, and advantageously the lateral edges (108,

109, 110, 111) are convex. The complex film is then prepared using a creasing matrix, as shown in FIG. 13. A first knife (112) cuts half-through the complex film to completely cut the layer of adhesive (100), the along a line (114) corresponding to the edge of the wipe access window. This cutting can be carried out with a slicing tool having dies provided with steel cutting blades.

On the other side, on the polyethylene side, a second knife (113) cuts the three others (101 to 103) partially, along the weakening line (23).

The tip (115) can be deactivated to inhibit adhesion, by treating this area to degrade the qualities of the adhesive, or by gluing a piece of non-adhesive material.

FIG. 14 represents a front view of a case produced according to this variant in the closed position. The weakening line (23) extends, at its two ends (120, 121) to the vicinity of the fold (107) without however coming into contact with this fold. The lateral edges (130 and 131) as well as the lower edge

(132) is sealed by heat sealing or gluing the adhesive surfaces of the two lobes (105, 106) of the complex film. The tip (115) is released to allow the user to easily grasp the flap (133).

FIG. 15 represents a front view of a case produced according to this variant in the open position. The flap (133) has a large adhesive strip (134) which allows gluing. The wipes appear by presenting a central corner (135) allowing an easy grasping, by pulling them by this corner only. They are held by the upper strip (136) extending between the ends (120, 121) of the weakening line (23), and the upper fold (107).

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

One could consider cases of different shapes, for each of the two embodiments.

The examples which have been described relate to a case for hygiene products, but it is possible to envisage the same cases intended for other products, without departing from the scope of the invention.

It could be envisaged that the hygiene products 41 are not of rectangular shape, but for example of square shape. The folding methods described above could be applied in the same way.

The associations which have been described between each embodiment or variant of execution of the case of each folding mode are preferred but not limiting.

Each of the embodiments of the articles of the present invention may include a particular mode of incorporation of the products. The article subject to present invention can be lined with wipes or any other product according to methods known to those skilled in the art and this at different stages of the development of one case. Thus, by way of illustration but not limitation, when the case which composes the article is formed of a flexible sheet, it is possible to form a first edge by folding the sheet, then to form two other edges by welding then to fill the case thus formed with the side which remains open, which will only be welded after filling the case.

Depending on the quality of the wipes used, the impregnation can be done individually for each wipe and therefore before being placed in the cases, or in a grouped fashion at any stage of the incorporation process.

Claims

claims

1. Case (1, 2) comprising sealing means (27, 8, 19, 74, 69) and an opening device (21) disposed on one face of the case (1, 2) said device opening comprising an opening flap (37) extended by an adhesive peripheral border and surrounded at least in part by a weakening line (23) characterized in that the weakening line (23) is an unclosed curved line extending, at each of its ends, in the vicinity of the edge of the case without coming into contact with said edge (107).

2. Case (1, 2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening valve (37) is provided with an adhesive coating which makes it capable of peeling and sticking several times.

3. Case (1, 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the opening valve (37) overlaps an edge (43) of the first product (41) to be dispensed.

4. Case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is made of thermoformed plastic, and has a shell (3) secured to a closure element (3 ') by welding their respective free edges (7).

5. Case (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the closure element is a flexible membrane.

6. Case (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the closing element is a second shell (3).

7. Case (1) according to one of claims 4 and 6, characterized in that the two shells (3) are thermoformed on the same plastic sheet so as to be secured by a part of this sheet hinge.

8. Case (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a tongue (9) for handling the case (1) said tongue possibly comprising a possibly hollow body.

9. Case (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said possibly hollow body is of depth at least equal to the depth of the rear shell of the case (1).

10. Case (1) according to claim 4 to 9, characterized in that it is provided with pushing means (45) for pushing the products (41) against the opening device (21).

11. Case (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the thrust means (45) are constituted by a concavity, maximum at rest, placed on the rear face and optionally connected to the latter by bellows.

12. Case (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is made from a piece (65) of flexible plastic material, folded in two along a fold line (49) so as to form two substantially parallel parts (71, 72), the two parts (71, 72) being welded together by their respective free edges (73), the line weakening (23) extending to the vicinity of the fold, without coming into contact with said fold.

13. Case (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the weakening line ends (23) is located in the vicinity of the fold line (49).

14. Case (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises an adhesive label (27) covering the opening valve, the label

(27) being arranged so as to overlap the fold line (49).

15. Case (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the fold line (49) is located on the edge opposite the weakening line (23).

16. Case (2) according to claim 15, characterized in that the adhesive label (27) is arranged so that one edge of said label is adjacent to the edge of the case opposite the fold line ( 49).

17. Case (2) according to claim 16, characterized in that the adhesive label (27) is formed by a return from the rear part (72) of said case on its front part (71) said return being welded to the neighboring edge of the weakening line (23).

18. Case (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is made from two pieces (65) of flexible plastic material placed in parallel planes and forming two parts (71, 72 ) substantially parallel, the two parts (71, 72) being welded together by their respective four free edges (73).

19. Case (2) according to claim 18, characterized in that the adhesive label (27) is arranged so as to overlap the edge of the case which is adjacent to it.

20. Case (2) according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the adhesive label (27) is secured by welding to the side edge which is adjacent to it.

21. Case (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is produced from a complex multilayer film comprising an outer layer of an adhesive material, and at least one layer of waterproof material.

22. Case (2) according to claim 21, characterized in that the complex multilayer film comprises an outer layer of an adhesive material, at least one layer of a plastic material, and a barrier layer constituted by an aluminum film .

23. Case (2) according to claim 21, characterized in that the complex multilayer film comprises an outer layer of an adhesive material, a layer a plastic material such as PET, a barrier layer consisting of an aluminum film and an outer layer of polyethylene.

24. Case (2) according to claim 21, 22 or 23, characterized in that the outer layer of adhesive material has an inactivated zone corresponding to the tip of the opening valve.

25. A method of manufacturing a case (2) according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that the complex multilayer film is prepared using a tool having dies comprising cutting blades and creasing to make medium cuts on both sides of the complex film.

26. A method of manufacturing a case (2) according to claim 25, characterized in that the complex film is the subject of a first half-cut on the face comprising the adhesive layer (100) along 'a line corresponding to the edge of the wipe access window, and a second half-flesh cut on the opposite side, to form the weakening line (23).

27. Article, comprising products (41), such as in particular products appearing substantially in the form of a sheet such as for example wipes or handkerchiefs, arranged in a stack (39) inside a dispensing case (1, 2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each product (41) has a gripping corner on one side facing the dispensing window (37) (47) located in the middle zone of its front face, and in that the gripping corner (47) of the first product to be dispensed is positioned opposite the dispensing window (37) of the case (1, 2).

28. Article according to claim 27, characterized in that the product (41) is folded: in accordion in a first direction (51, 79), so as to superimpose at least two flaps of different widths (D; E; F; G; H), then at least once in a second direction (53, 77) perpendicular to the first, a flap of reduced width appearing on the outside of the folded product (41).

29. Article according to claim 26, characterized in that the accordion has on a face opposite the reduced width flap a second reduced width flap starting from an opposite side edge.

30 • Article according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the grip corner (47) is adjacent to an edge of the stack and the outline of the window surrounds the grip corner overlapping said edge of the stack .

31. Article according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the products are hygiene products.