Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
  • B65D77/22—Details
  • B65D77/24—Inserts or accessories added or incorporated during filling of containers
  • B65D77/28—Cards, coupons, or drinking straws
  • B65D77/283—Cards, coupons, or drinking straws located initially inside the container, whereby the straw is revealed only upon opening the container, e.g. pop-up straws
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/008—Standing pouches, i.e. "Standbeutel"
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5816—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a corner or other small portion next to the edge, e.g. a U-shaped portion
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2150/00—Flexible containers made from sheets or blanks, e.g. from flattened tubes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2150/00—Flexible containers made from sheets or blanks, e.g. from flattened tubes
  • B31B2150/002—Flexible containers made from sheets or blanks, e.g. from flattened tubes by joining superimposed sheets, e.g. with separate bottom sheets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
  • B31B2160/10—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B2170/00—Construction of flexible containers
  • B31B2170/20—Construction of flexible containers having multi-layered walls, e.g. laminated or lined
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
  • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
  • B31B70/74—Auxiliary operations
  • B31B70/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a container for a drink or the like, in which there are two walls of a flexible pocket facing each other so as to delimit between them an interior space intended to contain a drink or the like, there is a suction tube between the two walls and a holding channel for the tube is formed in the interior space, this channel being delimited between two connecting lines arranged on either side of said tube.
• Patent application EP-0 733 015 seeks to improve this situation by providing the pocket with an external bellows containing a suction pipe.
• the manufacture of this pocket is however complex since it requires a conformation with bellows on one of the sides of the pocket, the installation of the suction pipe in this bellows and the flap of the bellows against the pocket before the closure of the latter.
• the suction tube must be sterilized independently of its positioning 0 in the bellows, and the bag itself must be sterilized to avoid contaminating this tube when it is put in place. place in the bellows, and finally the drink introduced into the bag must also be sterilized or pasteurized.
• the bellows containing the straw is almost completely detached from the pocket; it thus forms a dangling and impractical piece, which disturbs the stability.
• Document DE 35 20 451 indicates, for its part, that the straw is extracted from a storage hopper, then tilted so as to appear vertically and to be inserted between two films which roll against each other.
• the two films are welded to form the bottom of the pocket and, after the introduction of the straw between them, they are welded along the connecting lines which delimit the outline of the pocket and which also delimit the channel in which the Straw.
• Document US 5,884,758 recommends the use of gripping jaws which extract a straw from the hopper and present it in the opening of a pocket.
• the straw is pushed lo ⁇ gitudinally through this opening in the holding channel, which has previously been formed by the welding jaws.
• the use of a funnel-shaped guide tube, the cylindrical end of which is inserted into the pocket, is necessary. This insertion technique remains unsafe with regard to the penetration and positioning of the straw in the pocket.
• the manufacturing methods disclosed by DE 35 20 451 and US 5 884 758 have a number of drawbacks. If the holding channel is previously formed, the straw is very difficult to insert into this channel.
• the channel is formed after the insertion of the straw, this one is badly positioned and risks being crushed by the welding jaws which then make the channel; to limit this risk, the channel is relatively wide, so that the straw is not actually held in this channel and that, after opening the bag, the fluid contained in the latter flows freely through the opening.
• the invention aims to provide a simple and reliable method for manufacturing a container of the aforementioned type, in which a straw is placed in a holding channel, while carrying out the arrangement of the straw and the formation of this channel in a reliable and simple manner.
• This object is achieved by the fact that, before forming at least one of the connecting lines which delimit the retaining channel, the suction pipe is moved between the two walls in a direction substantially transverse to the length of said pipe. , until the latter is in an area intended to form the retaining channel and then the two walls are connected on said connecting line not previously formed.
• the longitudinal direction is the direction of the length of the suction tube when the latter is placed in the bag, while the transverse direction is perpendicular to this longitudinal direction.
• the final positioning of the suction pipe or straw by the transverse movement according to the invention is much more reliable than a positioning which would only be achieved by a purely longitudinal movement. In addition, it does not risk damaging the straw.
• the retaining channel is produced in a very simple manner once the suction pipe is introduced between the two walls of the flexible bag or between the two sheets intended to form these walls.
• the operation of introducing this tubing can be carried out without difficulty by separating the two walls from one another, without this spacing being limited by a pre-existing retaining channel, as in US 5,884,758 or by the fact that the sheets are pressed against one another other, as in DE 35 20 451.
• the connection of the walls or sheets serving to delimit the channel is carried out along the tubing, so that the dimensions and the geometry of the channel are always correctly adapted to those of the tubing.
• the movement of the straw transverse to its longitudinal direction which places it in the zone intended to form the retaining channel takes place in a horizontal plane, the straw, the walls of the pocket or the sheets intended to form these walls being arranged substantially flat.
• the straw is pushed in this transverse direction until it comes into abutment against an abutment means limiting its movement so that it is in the zone intended to form the holding channel. It is in this situation that the connecting line is then made.
• this stop means can for example be constituted by a zone for welding the pocket (forming a continuous line or discrete zones) or else by a wedging tool pressed against the film.
• the straw is kept against this abutment means to at least partially produce the connection line not previously formed.
• the straw can initially be introduced between the walls without any particular care as to its exact positioning.
• this abutment member which, as will be seen below, can be constituted by a part of the connection contour of the pocket, in which case the retaining channel can then be simply produced by forming a single additional connecting line on the other side of the tubing.
• two walls connected to each other are provided according to a connecting contour interrupted in an introduction opening, a suction pipe is introduced between the two walls by said introduction opening and the suction pipe is moved between the two. walls in a direction substantially transverse to the length of said tube, until the latter is in said zone intended to form the retaining channel.
• the introduction opening can be largely ajar.
• the introduction movement takes place only in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction straw, or by an introduction opening formed on a transverse side of the pocket, in which case the displacement of the straw comprises a first longitudinal movement, followed by a transverse movement.
• said tube after having introduced the suction tube between the two walls through the introduction opening, said tube is pushed back against a substantially straight portion of the connection contour, this portion constituting a first of the two connection lines serving to delimit the channel and, keeping the tubing in this position, the walls are connected together, on the other side of this tubing by relative to the first link line, to make the second link line.
• the abovementioned abutment means is none other than the first connecting line which delimits the channel.
• the fact that the straw cooperates in abutment against this line ensures that the welding operation forming the second connecting line does not crush the straw.
• the two walls are for example formed by the two faces folded one on the other of the same film and the straw is introduced by an edge not yet welded, which forms said introduction opening, which is opposite the fold and which is intended to form a transverse edge of the pockets, for example their upper edge.
• the straw oriented perpendicular to this edge, can first be inserted between the walls by a longitudinal movement until it reaches the vicinity of the zone intended to form the holding channel. It is then precisely positioned in this area by a transverse displacement.
• the tubing between these walls is introduced by said side, by a displacement of said tubing transversely to its length and, when the tubing has reached the zone intended to form the retaining channel, the two walls are connected in weld zones located on each of the connecting lines, on either side of the tubing.
• the two walls are for example formed by the two faces folded one on the other of the same film and the straw is introduced by an edge not yet welded, which forms said introduction opening, which is opposite the fold and which is intended to form a longitudinal edge of the pockets.
• the introduction movement of the straw between the two walls can take place only transversely from this edge of the film.
• an opening zone is also produced which allows the upper end of the holding channel to be cleared and thus gives access to the straw for its partial extraction from the channel and the consumption of the drink.
• This area can be practiced in a manner known per se, for example by notches in the form of notches on the edges of the pocket or by any suitable means of localized weakening, for example made by laser.
• a drink is packaged in the container, advantageously proceeding as follows: the drink is introduced into the container provided with the suction tube in a state in which the pocket is closed over its entire contour except for a zone forming a filling opening, the pocket is closed by connecting the walls of this pocket in said filling opening, the pocket is placed closed so that the tubing suction is substantially immersed in the drink and the container is subjected to a treatment for preserving the drink.
• the drink can be introduced into the pocket of the container in a manner known per se, without the presence of the suction tube in its channel requiring very special precautions to be taken.
• the drink preservation treatment affects not only this drink, but also the suction tube which is flooded by the latter. Consequently, without it being necessary to ensure sterility during the introduction of the suction tubing into the pocket, a packaging is finally obtained, the contents of which (internal faces of the walls, drink and suction tubing) fully complies with the quality requirements for hygiene.
• the treatment for preserving the drink can be sterilization or pasteurization.
• the means for introducing the drink into the container fitted with the suction pipe can be of the type commonly used for filling containers of the type known by patent GB-1 069 268.
• Means for closing the filling opening can be welding tools applied so as to pinch the walls of the bag against each other without crushing the suction pipe.
• the means for subjecting the filled container to the drink preservation treatment may use a radiation or a heat source and a brutal cooling system and be of the type commonly used for sterilization or pasteurization.
• the invention also relates to an installation for manufacturing a container comprising a flexible pocket which has two opposite walls delimiting between them an interior space intended to contain a drink, comprising means for introducing a suction tube between two walls intended to form the two walls of the flexible bag, means for connecting the two walls along this tubing so as to delimit, between two connecting lines of said walls, a retaining channel in which said tubing is disposed and maintained , this holding channel being formed in the interior space of the pocket.
• the invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a simple and reliable installation for use.
• This object is achieved thanks to the fact that the installation according to the invention comprises means for moving the tubing between the two walls in a direction substantially transverse to the length of said tubing, to thus dispose the latter in an area intended to form the retaining channel and to then connect the two walls on at least one connection line not previously formed.
• the displacement of the tubing transversely in the direction of its length and, advantageously, in a horizontal plane does not risk damaging it.
• the walls are not connected on at least the connection line not previously formed only when the straw has reached its correct position, so that the channel can be dimensioned very precisely without the formation of this connection line risk of damaging the straw.
• the installation comprises means for holding the straw in the zone intended to form the holding channel during the formation of said connecting line which is not previously formed.
• These means are for example made in the form of stop means.
• the installation comprises means for spreading the two walls arranged one against the other and means for pushing the tubing between the walls through the introduction opening thus ajar.
• the invention also relates to a container comprising a flexible pocket capable of containing a drink or the like, which has two opposite walls delimiting between them an interior space intended to contain a drink and which has a holding channel in which is disposed a suction pipe, this channel being delimited, in the interior space, between two connecting lines of the two walls, the pocket being intended to be open in an opening zone into which opens one end of the channel.
• the channels in which the straws are placed have a width which is large enough that the straw can be extracted therefrom without difficulty after opening the bag in an upper end region of the canal. This width is also due to the manufacturing difficulties previously mentioned. No system is provided to close this channel even temporarily, after its first opening. In addition, after opening, the straw floats randomly, that is to say that its upper end more or less constantly protrudes from the pocket, without being able to be returned inside. This results not only in a risk of spillage of the liquid contained in the pocket, but also in a risk of soiling the upper end of the straw on which the user will place his lips.
• the invention aims to provide an improved container, which can be substantially closed after opening, and for which the end of the straw can be protected between two drinks.
• the suction tube in order to allow the closure of the channel after the opening of the bag, has an end portion capable of being folded back on itself, while the channel retaining section has an end portion adjacent to the opening area capable of receiving the folded end portion of the tubing and that said retaining channel has a restriction area, the width of which is less than the width of said portion end and which is at most suitable for receiving a portion of the tubing which is not folded back on itself.
• the straw after the opening of the pocket in an upper zone of the channel and a first absorption of drink by the upper end of the straw, the straw can be folded back and its upper end again placed in the channel holding whose end portion is wide enough to receive this folded part of the straw.
• the straw thus folded can be relatively pushed into the channel. Its straight part, not folded, then reaches the restriction zone, and due to the tensions applied to the films which constitute the pocket, the walls of the channel tend to press against the straw.
• the folding of the straw in the channel serves not only to protect this straw, but to provide a seal substantially preventing the reflux of the fluid outside the channel.
• This tightness is due to the restriction zone which, with the presence of the folded straw, has a valve or throttling effect opposing the passage of the fluid.
• the pocket has an opening area into which opens the wide upper end of the holding channel. To consume the drink, it is enough to release the upper end of the straw which is partially extracted from its channel. The consumer's mouth is placed in contact with the straw which is free of any external dirt. After a first consumption, the straw can be folded in the upper portion of the channel as previously mentioned. For a new consumption, it is enough to extract again slightly the straw, which remained perfectly clean, and to drink the drink by its slightly unfolded end. It should be noted that, if the pocket is of the type disclosed in document GB 1 069 268, the presence of the straw in this pocket contributes to its stability in the upright position and improves the resistance to vertical compression forces.
• the contour of at least one of the connecting lines which delimit the holding channel along the suction pipe is not straight. It can for example be a curve or a line having a bulge used to form the restriction.
• this non-rectilinear connecting line has a concavity turned away from the channel.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a container manufactured in accordance with the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the container of Figure 1, taken along arrow II of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 shows, in simplified perspective, the pocket of Figures 1 and 2;
• FIGS. 4 to 7 are partial views of a container manufactured in accordance with the invention, illustrating several alternative embodiments, these views showing the container in an end region of the holding channel;
• FIG. 8 shows the container of Figure 4, in the open state;
• FIG. 9 is a front view of a container according to the invention, shown in the open state, the straw being folded in the upper part of the holding channel, to obtain a sealing effect due to the form of the latter;
• FIG. 10 is a side view schematically illustrating a manufacturing installation according to the invention
• - Figure 11 is a top view of an installation according to the invention, according to a variant of Figure 10;
• Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 11, for another variant of Figure 10.
• FIG. 15 shows schematically an installation for manufacturing the container of the invention, and illustrate the manufacturing process.
• the container of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a pocket 10 produced from flexible sheets, advantageously made of thermoplastic material, having a conformation similar to that of the pocket of patent GB-1 069 268.
• This pocket 10 comprises two opposite walls 12 and 14 delimiting between them an interior space intended to contain a drink.
• the bottom of the pocket is formed by a sheet 18 welded to the lower ends of the two walls 12 and 14.
• the two walls 12 and 14 are for example formed by two sheets welded to each other at their edges and in the upper region of the container along the weld lines 20.
• the sheet 18 is welded between the two sheets 12 and 14 in the bottom region, in a weld zone 22.
• These sheets are for example made of transparent plastic or aluminum.
• the sheets 12, 18 and 14 can be formed in continuity from the same film suitably folded and welded in the fold areas or be formed by separate films.
• this bottom wall 18 Before filling the pocket, this bottom wall 18 can be brought towards the inside of the pocket between the two walls 12 and 14, so that the flat pocket, considered in section perpendicular to the walls 12 and 14, has a bottom substantially shaped as W. In bottom view, this bottom is convex, the lateral ends of the bottom wall being welded to the lateral edges of the walls 12 and 14 in raised regions towards the upper end of the container.
• the lower end 22A of this weld zone defines a base on which the bag is capable of resting while remaining in a substantially vertical upright position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. This base has a substantially elliptical contour ensuring its stability.
• the pocket 10 has a retaining channel 24 delimited, in the interior space 16, between two connecting lines of the walls 12 and 14.
• these two connecting lines are constituted, on the one hand, by a straight portion 20A of the weld contour 20 and, on the other hand, by an additional weld 26.
• the portion 20A is located on a side edge of the pocket and, when the latter rests on its base, said weld line is vertically oriented.
• the method and the installation of the invention make it possible to produce the second connecting line 26 by orienting it substantially parallel to the portion 20A, and by spacing it by an average distance D from the latter. It also makes it possible to manufacture the container according to the invention, in which the connecting line 26 is inclined relative to the portion 20A (as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7) and is even possibly non-rectilinear (like the shown in Figure 9).
• the lower end 24A of the channel 24 is open in the interior space, so that this channel communicates naturally with this interior space.
• a suction tube 28 is disposed in the channel 24 and is held in the latter.
• This tubing or “straw” is advantageously made of food-grade plastic (polyethylene). It has been indicated in FIG.
• 1 precut notches 30A and 30B which define an opening zone of the pocket, the latter being able to be torn between these two notches along the line 30C indicated in dashed lines, which delimits the opening zone .
• the upper end 24B of the channel is located in the region of this opening zone 30C.
• the upper end 28B of the suction tube slightly protrudes from the opening made.
• the consumer can leave the suction tube in this position and apply his mouth directly to this tube to aspirate the contents of the container, or slide the tube in the channel so as to extract it further from the channel .
• the tubing may have a bead or the like (not shown) limiting its travel.
• Figures 1 and 3 show that with the method and installation of the invention, the cutting line 30C can be made so as to directly communicate with the outside part of the interior space 16 located from the other side of the weld line 26 with respect to the retaining channel 24.
• the level of the liquid in the bag is indicated by a dashed line in broken lines.
• the channel 24 communicates widely with the interior space 16 containing the liquid, since the lower end 26A of the weld line 26 is at a significant distance from the bottom of the pocket (of the order of, for example, half of the height of this pocket) and the liquid rises inside this channel.
• FIG. 4 is similar to that of FIG. 1 except that the weld line 26 extends upwards until it joins the weld line 20B from the upper edge of the pocket.
• the notches 30A and 30B or, in general, the weakening means which delimit the opening area 30C, are placed so that this opening area only reveals the upper end 24B of the channel when the pocket is torn, without extending to the part of the interior space situated on the other side of the weld line 26 relative to the weld edge 20A.
• the weld line 26 also joins the weld line 20B from the upper edge of the pocket, and the opening zone is also made so as to reveal only the upper end of the channel 24.
• suction tube 28 has an end portion 29 which is connected to the rest of the tube 28 by a bellows or the like 29A making it possible to fold said end part 29 against the rest of the tube 28.
• the width D 'of the channel 24, at least in the upper part of the latter, is determined so as to allow this channel to house the folded part 29. In this way, when the user has consumed part of the drink contained in the pocket, he can fold the part 29 of the suction tube into the upper part 24B of the suction channel 24, so that the latter will be appreciably blocked by this folded part.
• the width of the channel 24 decreases in the direction towards the bottom 18 of the pocket from its upper end discovered by the opening of the pocket in the opening area, which makes it possible to better maintain the tubing 28 in this channel and to further improve the momentary filling effect.
• Figure 5 shows that the straw is already folded back on itself in the upper part of the channel before the first opening of the container. In contrast, in Figure 4, the straw is straight before the first opening. It also has a bellows or the like 29A which, once the opening area has been cleared, makes it possible to fold the straw into the upper part of the channel. So, with the container according to the invention, the straw can be folded back into the channel to temporarily plug the latter.
• the current width D of the channel 24 measured when the pocket is flat is the average distance which separates the connecting lines 20A and 26 over the major part of the length of the channel. It is slightly greater than the width that the straw would have if it were crushed, which means that the current diameter of the tube formed by the channel is slightly greater than the diameter of the straw. More particularly, in the container according to the invention, this running width decreases between the width D ′ in the upper part of the channel and a narrower width situated more towards the bottom of the pocket. A sealing effect is thus obtained which will be explained below.
• the maximum width D 'of the channel can be of the order of 2.6.d to 3.5.d, where d represents the diameter of the tubing, while the minimum width of the channel can be of order of 1, 6.d to 2.d.
• the width of the channel may vary between 8.4 mm and 5.2 mm.
• the suction tube 28 is naturally held in the channel 24 under the effect of the slight compression exerted on this tube by the walls 12 and 14 due to their pinching against one another along the connecting lines 20A and 26.
• the channel 24 is rectilinear over its entire length.
• the end part of the channel adjacent to the opening zone has a bend 25 making it possible to accommodate the part 29 of the suction tube folded back relative to the rest of this tube 28 In the example shown in Figure 6, this bend is made at right angles to the current portion of the channel 24 which is substantially vertical when the pocket is held in the position shown in Figures 1 to 3. It is also possible consider that the elbow is inclined further so as to form an acute angle with respect to the current part of the channel. In FIG. 6, we have also chosen as example that the cutting area 30C extends only in the upper part of the channel. After a first opening of the pocket, the upper part of the straw can be folded back on itself to be placed in the upper part of the running part of the channel, which is located under the elbow.
• the channel 24 is rectilinear up to an end region 24B situated slightly below the cutting zone 130C delimited between two notches 130B and 130A situated on the two opposite lateral edges of the pocket.
• an end portion of the pocket is torn extending over its entire width.
• the weld line 26 is connected, below the cutting zone 130C, to another welding line 126 which extends substantially perpendicular to the line 26, between the upper end of the latter and the edge of the pocket which is opposite the channel 24.
• FIG. 7 is applicable to the container according to the invention, since the straw can be provided with a bellows and its upper end part can be folded back on itself by being inserted in the upper part of the channel neighbor of its end region 24B.
• the straw is foldable to seal the upper portion of the channel after the opening of the container.
• the part 30D of the pocket in FIG. 4 situated beyond the line 30C is torn off and the end of the tube 28 slightly protrudes to allow consumption of the drink.
• Figure 9 shows the container according to the invention, on which the upper corner of the pocket has been torn off according to the opening zone 30C.
• the channel 24 is delimited between an edge 20A of the pocket which constitutes a connection line, and the other connection line 26 which joins the weld line 20B of the upper edge of the pocket.
• the upper end of the channel opens into the opening zone 30C.
• the straw has an end portion 29 capable, thanks to the bellows 29A, of being folded back on itself.
• the opening of the opening zone 30C reveals substantially all of the upper end 24B of the holding channel.
• the end portion 29 of the straw can be folded against the portion of the straw located on the other side of the bellows 29A, and engaged with it in the upper end portion 24B of the channel 24.
• This end portion has a width D1 which is greater than its width D2 in a restriction zone 24C. In this area, only part of the straw not folded back on itself can be engaged. It can be seen that, in fact, only the region of the lower end 28A of the straw is disposed in this restriction zone.
• the width of the channel 24 is minimal in the restriction zone.
• the connecting line 26 is not straight. Thus, from its maximum width D1, the channel passes through a minimum width D2, before finding a width D3 which is greater at its lower end 24A.
• the connecting line 26 has a concavity which is turned away from the channel 24. This promotes the realization of the sealing effect due to the restriction 24C. Indeed, the insertion of the folded part of the straw in the upper portion of the channel tends the sheets which constitute the walls of the pocket, and a fold is formed in the restriction zone 24C, in which the walls of the channel are pressed against the straw 24. Thus, the liquid cannot flow back from the interior space of the pocket beyond the restriction 24C. The liquid introduced in the straw remains in turn in the portion of the channel located under the folded free end of this straw.
• the shape of the line 26 could also be more complex and have several successive concavities, or even appear substantially as a broken line whose angles are rounded.
• the connecting line 26 of FIGS. 1 to 5 is rectilinear in which case, in the container of the invention, the width of the channel decreases continuously between its maximum width in the region of its upper end portion and a minimum width at its end lower 24A. In this case, the restriction zone is formed at this lower end 24A.
• the part of the connecting line 26 situated under the bend formed by this line in the upper region can be substantially rectilinear by giving the connecting channel a width which decreases continuously up to its lower end. It can also be of the same type as the connecting line 26 of FIG. 9.
• FIG. 10 which shows the installation of the invention and allows a better understanding of the process of the invention.
• the sheets in which the walls of the bags will be formed are unwound from a film 210 wound on a reel 212.
• This film is folded in a folding station 214 so as to present two faces 210A and 210B arranged l 'one against the other, which constitute the aforementioned leaves.
• the film passes through a welding station 220, possibly comprising several welding stations, able to practice some of the welding lines of the pocket. Downstream of this station in the direction S of advancement of the film, the latter passes through another station for welding or cutting the welded pockets 230. A filling opening having been preserved, the pockets can then be filled with drink, then completely closed and sterilized.
• the installation also includes a station for placing suction tubes or straws in the pockets.
• the lines connecting lines which delimit the holding channel can be carried out downstream of this station, for example in station 220 or else be carried out partly upstream and partly downstream of this station or alternatively, at least partly, in this station.
• the suction tube 28 is placed between the walls intended to form the pockets or in the pockets already formed for the most part, before at least one of the connecting lines which delimit the suction channel has not been formed.
• the station for placing the straws can be placed upstream from the welding station 220.
• this station designated by B and also identified by broken dashed line, can be located after this station.
• Figure 11 illustrates a first possibility for the first variant. It shows schematically in top view the different stages of the process of inserting the straw between the walls of the pockets and welding these walls.
• the straws are fed on a work surface 300 by feeding means comprising for example a rotary drum 301 step by step, each longitudinal groove 302 of which carries a straw 28 passing under the outlet 348 of a hopper and, after half a -turn, lay the straw on the 300 horizontal worktop.
• a push-button 350 animated by a back-and-forth movement pushes the straw thus deposited between the walls 210A and 210B of the film which runs on the plane 300 '.
• the pockets are intended to be formed transversely to the direction of advancement S of the film in the installation.
• the free edge 220A and the fold 220B are respectively intended to form the upper edge and the bottom of the pockets.
• the introduction opening for the straws is formed by the opening of the two walls 210A and 210B in the region of the free edge 220A, using spacing means comprising for example a system of suction cups or the like, or else a wedge-shaped member 350, disposed between the two faces of the film and of which the angle is turned upstream. This spacing member can be fixed if no welding liable to jam against it has been made upstream between the two sheets.
• welds 322 of the bottom of the pockets were made before the film arrived in the straw placement station.
• a longitudinal welding zone 311B (which does not meet the member 350 during the advancement of the film) has also been practiced. These welds could have been carried out in a first welding station (not shown) disposed upstream of station A in FIG. 10.
• the straw 28 is thus placed between the walls 210A and 210B without being positioned with precision.
• the straw 28 is pushed into abutment against the weld 311B, by a sweeping or pushing member 313 which is initially moved away from the path of the film and which, when the straw placed between the walls, reaches at the shimming station, approaches the film and sweeps the straw 28 towards the abutment weld 311B by moving, in a horizontal plane, parallel to the direction S, that is to say in a direction transverse to the straw .
• welding means (station 240 in FIG. 10) produce one or more wedging weld zones 311 A. The straw is thus wedged in this which will become the holding channel.
• the welding 311 B could be carried out in the same way as the welding areas 311A, that is to say only in the setting station. During the production of these welds, the straw remains held on each edge by a pushing member.
• FIGS. 12 and 13 the external shapes of the pockets are only sketched in broken dashed line, because the welds delimiting the contours of the pockets can be made after the situations illustrated in these figures.
• FIG. 12 shows that the pushing member 313 can have any suitable shape. It can thus have a U-shaped section, the tool used to produce the weld zone or zones 311 A being moved between the branches of the U.
• FIG. 12 shows the location of a weld zone 311 A produced by such a tool.
• the weld zone or zones 311 A can thus be very close to the straw, which makes it possible to equip the channel for holding the straw in the pocket according to the invention with a restriction zone.
• the complementary weld used to form the remaining part of the connecting line 26 can be further away from the straw 28, in order to produce the enlarged part 24B of the retaining channel 24.
• the weld zones 31 1 A and 311 B can be discrete, localized areas or be continuous lines.
• FIG. 14 illustrates another possibility for the variant comprising station A., according to which the suction pipe is placed between the two walls before connecting the latter on a side 220A corresponding to a longitudinal portion of the periphery of the pocket. This portion is for example the portion 20A.
• the straw is introduced between the walls intended to form the walls of the bag by the edge 220A not welded, by a displacement of the tube 28 in the direction T transverse to its length.
• an alternative movement pusher system 260 taking the straw from a feeding means such as the lower end of a hopper, is for example used.
• zone Z in which the holding channel is intended to be formed
• the two walls formed by the two faces 21 OA and 210B of the film are connected in weld zones 211 A and 211 B.
• these welding zones are produced in a welding station 240 arranged in station A.
• connection lines are produced, by welding the edges of the pocket in particular on the connection line 20 and by practicing the connection line 26 previously mentioned.
• the installation may include means for detecting the presence of straw in the zone Z intended to form the holding channel, for example an optical detection system.
• it may include abutment or wedging means which wedge or retain the straw in the zone Z for the production of the weld zones.
• these two walls are ajar, by spacing means such as, for example, the suction cup system 250 or the member 350 in the form of aforementioned corner.
• the welding zones 211 A, 211B, 311 A and 311B previously mentioned are, at least for some of them, made just after the introduction of the straw between the two faces of the film. These spacing means allow the opening opening which constitutes the non-welded edge 220A of the two faces 210A, 210B of the film to be ajar.
• FIG. 10 shows the formation, from the same film, of the two sheets intended to constitute the walls of the pocket, it should be understood that these two sheets can be separate and unwound from two separate reels.
• the welding station 240 which makes it possible to produce the welding zones 211 A and 211 B or 311 A and 311 B can be arranged in alignment with the system for introducing the straw between the two sides of the film.
• the welding tool and the counter-tool can remain in a position separated from the faces of the film for the introduction of the straw and, as soon as these walls cease to be spread apart, be brought closer to the strip.
• These tools can also be produced in two parts, a first part used to make the weld areas 211 A or 311 B located on a first side of the straw and a second part used to make the weld areas 211 B or 311 A In this case, for the possibility illustrated in FIG.
• the first part can remain in the welding position during the introduction of the straw, to form a stop which will make it possible to determine the position of the straw in the welding zone Z . Then, the welding tool used to form the welding zones 211 B will not be activated until the faces of the film have come together.
• FIG. 10 the bags arrive in the station B for placing the suction pipe after having been formed with their longitudinal and transverse welds in the welding station 220.
• an introduction opening remained at one end of the pocket.
• Figures 15 and 16 illustrate in more detail this variant B of Figure 10.
• the installation shown in these figures can be arranged continuously on the production line of Figure 10. It can also constitute a separate machine allowing, in recovery , to have these straws in the pockets whose bottom and longitudinal edges are already welded, and to make the holding channel.
• a work surface 100 on which is placed a preformed pocket 110, with its two walls 112 and 114 fixed to each other (for example by welding), and to the bottom wall 118.
• the walls 1 12 and 1 14 are not connected at their opposite ends to the bottom 118, so that the pocket has a introduction opening 140.
• the outline of the connection 120 of the walls of the pocket is therefore interrupted.
• the pocket 110 is disposed on the work surface 100 and its two walls 112 and 114 are spaced from one another so as to partially open the opening 140.
• systems of suction cups respectively a lower suction cup 142 and an upper suction cup 144, controlled by control means 143 and 145 (pneumatic system, servomotor, etc.) are used for example.
• the pocket is fed from a feed table 101 to be placed on the table 100, and the pocket provided with its suction tube is evacuated by the evacuation means 102.
• the pocket 110 being processed on the table 100 can be held in a recess 111 of this table, and by a clamp system or the like, a jaw 146 of which is shown schematically.
• a system for supplying suction pipes comprises for example a hopper 148, located above the table 100 and arranged so as to allow the outlet of the suction pipes to the unit, and in accordance with the steps of the process implemented using of the installation.
• FIG. 15 it can be seen that a suction tube 128 has come out of the hopper 148 and rests on the table 100.
• the installation comprises means for introducing the tube between the two walls 112 and 114 of the bag, by the introduction opening 140.
• these means comprise a pusher system 150 disposed on the other side of the hopper relative to the bag 110.
• the pusher 150 can be moved under the hopper to push the tubing 128 into the pocket 110.
• FIG. 16 shows a tube 128 at its outlet from the hopper and, by designating it by the reference 128 ′, the same tube 128 placed in the pocket 110.
• the pusher 150 can be moved back so as to return to its position shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.
• the systems of suction cups or the like 142, 144 can be controlled so as to allow the wall 112 to fall back against the wall 114.
• a positioning system can be used to place the suction tube in the desired position inside the pocket 110.
• This positioning system comprises for example a positioning arm 152 which, once the walls of the pocket folded one against the other, can be moved perpendicular to the plane of the wall 112 (double arrow F) so as to come substantially pinch the two walls together without pressing them against each other.
• this positioning arm 152 Once this positioning arm 152 has reached the pocket, it can be moved parallel to the plane of the wall 112 (double arrow G) in the direction moving towards the edge of the pocket against which the tubing is intended to be located. 'suction 128, so as to wedge this tubing against this edge.
• the two walls can be welded against each other along the tubing.
• a welding tool 154 is placed in the table 100 so as to come into contact with the wall 114 of the pocket located against this table.
• the welding tool can be constituted by the positioning arm 152 which then has for this purpose a welding zone situated on its face in contact with the wall 112.
• this positioning arm 152 has been moved transversely to the pocket as shown by the arrow G in FIG. 16, it suffices to carry out the welding by moving the arm 152 slightly further towards the table 100 according to the arrow F so as to bring it closer to the welding counter-tool 154 so as to pinch strongly between them the two walls 112 and 114 and, one of the welding tool and counter-tool being heated, make a welding line.
• the geometry of the welding tool and the welding counter-tool is such that the weld line finally obtained delimits the suction pipe holding channel so that this channel can communicate with the interior space formed inside the bag and with the opening zone of this bag.
• the tubing is first pushed in the direction of its length so as to penetrate between the two walls through the introduction opening 140 then, using the positioning arm 152, it is then pushed transversely to its length to bring it against the edge of the pocket formed by the connecting lines similar to the line 20A previously mentioned.
• the means for connecting the edges of the pocket and the means for producing the connection lines which delimit the retaining channel advantageously use welding, whether it is radiation welding or the like. However, this cannot be considered to be limiting. Similarly, if it is advantageous to provide that the welding tool is directly carried by the positioning arm 152, this is not however compulsory.
• the opening area of the pocket can be made by pre-cuts, such as notches or notches, or for example by lines of weakness practiced by laser or the like.
• the tubing 28 can be bent before it is placed in the pocket, in which case the pusher 150 can be equipped with means for maintaining this bent position.
• the filling opening is the same as the introduction opening 140, except that it is slightly reduced by the presence of the connecting line 26 which delimits the holding channel. of the suction tube 128.
• the bag is placed so that this filling opening 140 ′ is placed upwards, under a filling metering device 168.
• the drink is introduced into the container provided with its suction tube, in a state in which the pocket 110 is closed over its entire contour except for the zone which forms the filling opening 140 ′.
• the pocket 110 is closed by connecting the walls 112, 114 of this pocket in the filling opening 140 '.
• sealing or welding tools 170, 172 are used to do this, which pinch the edges of the filling opening 140 'together.
• this container is subjected to a drink preservation treatment in a sterilization, pasteurization or similar station 174 which allows the entire contents of the bag, including the tubing, to be sterilized.
• the drink is introduced into the container while this drink is at a pasteurization temperature (of the order of 85 ° C.), the pocket is closed, this pocket is placed so that the suction tube is immersed in the hot drink and, in a period of time suitable for pasteurization, the container and the drink are cooled until the said drink is brought to a determined low temperature (of the order of 30 ° C.). This period of time is generally short so that the cooling is brutal and destroys the germs. On this occasion the drink comes into contact with the internal faces of the walls of the bag which are also sterilized.
• the film from which the pocket walls are formed can be made from resins such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester (polyethylene terephthalate), which have appreciable qualities in terms of transparency and mechanical strength.
• It may be a multilayer plastic film comprising: a) a sheet of polyethylene (PE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), b) a sheet of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) serving as a gas barrier, and c ) a sheet of medium or low density polyethylene (PE-MD / BD) in contact with the liquid contained.
• PE polyethylene
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer
• PE-MD / BD medium or low density polyethylene
• a multilayer film comprising a layer intended to be in contact with the liquid consisting of a copolymer of ethylene and of ⁇ -olefin, a layer forming a gas barrier consisting of a non-chlorinated organic polymer such as an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) or a polymer containing chlorine impermeable to oxygen such as vinylidene chloride copolymers and an outer layer, consisting for example of a polyolefin, said layers being bonded to each other by adhesive layers, such as that described in application EP 0 701 897.
• a layer intended to be in contact with the liquid consisting of a copolymer of ethylene and of ⁇ -olefin a layer forming a gas barrier consisting of a non-chlorinated organic polymer such as an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) or a polymer containing chlorine impermeable to oxygen such as vinylidene chloride copolymers and an outer layer, consisting for
• the film can also have a structure made by integrating an aluminum sheet which ensures a longer conservation, if one does not wish to obtain a transparent container.
• the film used comprises 4 layers hereinafter called sheets (1), (2), (3) and (4), as defined below:
• the sheet (1) of the multilayer film according to the invention intended to be in contact with the outside, allows, when said film is used to make a container or packaging, to ensure that it has a high mechanical strength and very good waterproofing.
• the sheet (1) has for example a thickness of the order of 12 ⁇ m.
• the effect of the sheet (2) is essentially to provide an excellent barrier to ultraviolet light; in addition, it improves the rigidity of the multilayer film, gives very good transparency and also constitutes a barrier to oxygen, water vapor and odorous substances.
• This sheet is for example made of a polyamide of the SELAR® type and its thickness is for example of the order of 8 to 12 ⁇ m.
• the sheet (3) which ensures a barrier to gases and odorous substances will preferably have the same thickness as the sheets (1) and (2).
• the sheet (4) which alone is in direct contact with the liquid or semi-liquid products contained in the container, mainly ensures the maintenance of the taste quality of the product contained.
• This sheet has for example a thickness of the order of 60 to
• the sheets (2), (3) and (4) defined above are coextruded and the cohesion between them is reinforced by means of suitable coextrusion adhesives (A2 / A3), with a thickness of approximately 1 ⁇ m each. .
• the sheet (1) is bonded by lamination and by means of a compatible adhesive (A1), with a thickness of approximately 3 to 5 microns, to all of the sheets (2), (3) and (4) , already coextruded.
• A1 a compatible adhesive
• the sheet (1) advantageously consists of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having a molecular weight of between 4,000 and 40,000.
• the second sheet (2) is advantageously made of an amorphous polyamide resin.
• the third sheet (3) advantageously consists of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH).
• the fourth sheet (4) is advantageously made of low density polyethylene (LDPE), of food grade.
• LDPE low density polyethylene
• polyethylene used in the present description refers to a family of resins obtained by polymerization of ethylene molecules.
• amorphous polyamide used in the present description refers to a high molecular weight polymer comprising amide bonds, and in particular to synthetic, aliphatic or aromatic polyamides.
• the barrier to oxygen as well as to gases and particles of infinitesimal matter constituting odors is improved.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
• Making Paper Articles (AREA)

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• 1999
  • 1999-05-25 EP EP99401246A patent/EP1043246A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2000
  • 2000-04-03 EP EP00917116A patent/EP1175351B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2000-04-03 AU AU38235/00A patent/AU3823500A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2000-04-03 AT AT00917116T patent/ATE288392T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2000-04-03 WO PCT/FR2000/000833 patent/WO2000059802A1/fr active IP Right Grant

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