EP1246759A1

EP1246759A1 - Easy siphon pouch

Info

Publication number: EP1246759A1
Application number: EP01900293A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ho-Sung Ahn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-01-11
Filing date: 2001-01-08
Publication date: 2002-10-09
Also published as: AU2001224107A1; CN1395534A; KR200183329Y1; WO2001051373A1

Abstract

This invention relates to the easy siphon pouch that people can drink the contents through the liquid flow path that is generated by forming the fold-connecting parts in the pouch. We eliminate the vacuum state by forming the fold-connecting parts on the front and back films of the pouch. And we pressure-mold the fold-connecting part (10) of the vertical main flow path and the fold-connecting parts (11, 12) of the top and bottom sloping flow path on the front film (7), and fold-connecting part (16) of the vertical secondary flow path and the fold-connecting parts (17, 18) of the top and bottom reverse sloping flow path on the back film in the designated places respectively in order to drink it in a sanitary and perfect manner. We heat-seal two films, then cut and form them in a rectangular pattern so that the multi-cross type liquid flow path will be formed. Therefore, this will do its part as an invention for resource conservation and an environment-friendly invention to substitute bottle-containing products as well as to create new demand due to the simple portability and innovative usage.

Description

EASY SIPHON POUCH

Technical Field

This invention relates to the wrapping of a pouch with contents in the state of liquid or gel. If the fold-connecting lines of films that are pressure-molded in advance are slipped so that the front and back surfaces cross each other, a liquid flow path of multi-cross type is formed while the folded lines are connected. This allows a siphonic action to happen when sucking, so this siphon pouch is one that people can drink from in a sanitary and easy manner without losing the contents at all.

Background Art

In case of containing the contents in the state of liquid or gel (hereafter "contents") in a pouch type wrapping that is made up of pure non-oxidizing metal foil such as aluminum or silver foil, or metal lamination complex films and non-oxidizing metal coating films that are processed by vacuum-compressing aluminum or silver to soft films etc., when you suck after opening the main exit by cutting it along the horizontal cutting line as shown in the Figs.8a, 8b, 8c after the four side ends of the front and back films have been heat-sealed, the front and back films of the main exit are gradually compressed and then the exit gets closed. Because there was no device to prevent the pouch from being contracted by the sucking force, you could not control the pressure of vacuum inside the pouch. So the inside of the pouch would become a vacuum right away. Then you were forced to drink it by turning it upside down and putting your mouth on to the main exit and squeezing it, or by holding the lower part of the pouch with one hand and placing the pouch between fingers of the other hand and combing it down to your mouth. So if you did not touch your mouth closely to the main exit all the time, the contents would be poured out and spoil the area around your mouth and clothes etc. and your hands would get dirty. So it was not sanitary.

Furthermore, since some of the contents are forced to remain within the pouch, in the case of medication, where the proper amount is important, we can not disregard the amount that flows away. As for the old people and children who are not skilled at drinking, somebody should help them drink by using a straw in the pouch, or using cups. However, these are inconvenient and difficult methods. So we could say that consumers are forced to use very inconvenient ways to drink. Therefore, there have been limited propositions to solve the above problems. However, it is not a fundamental solution to make people drink using a separate clip device instead of fingers because it only increases the production cost. In case of those pouches that people drink from by inserting a short straw between two edges of the main exit to prevent both sides of the main exit from being closed, apart from the difficulties in the production process and the increase of production cost, people can not drink by opening only the main exit due to the outflow of contents according to the sucking force as above mentioned. So those are only theories that overlook the principle that people should be able to drink the contents easily using siphonic action.

Disclosure of Invention

This invention has been developed to fundamentally solve the disadvantages of the existing pouches circulating in the markets because those pouches did not propose any convenient methods or functions to drink from them except simple filling and wrapping methods of the contents in spite of the increasing demand for portable pouches due to economic recovery and the changes in social environment of late. As for this invention, it pressure-molds the vertical main flow path and secondary flow path in the right and left sides of the front and back films, and the sloping flow path and reverse sloping flow path in the upper and lower sides. So if you hold the uneven parts with a thumb and other fingers and make them slip in the direction of crossing each other, a liquid flow path will be formed along with the flow path of the main exit. Then, the contracting action that gradually happens from the points of those paths when drinking will adjust the pressure in the pouch and get rid of vacuum. That action allows the siphonic action to occur, so people can drink even an infinitesimal amount of contents in a perfect and easy manner only with proper sucking force, even with the pouch standing upright. Therefore, any users can drink without losing any content in a clean and convenient way anytime anywhere as they intend, and it is possible to mass-produce without an increase of production cost, and to make an automated continuous production process. So, it can be said that this invention is one with very high value as a product.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The specific way to operate and more detailed characteristics of this mvention will now be more fully described in the detailed description with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the siphon pouch of this mvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of disassembled whole parts to show multi-cross flow paths that are pressure-molded on the front and back films of this invention. Fig. 3 is an exemplary embodiment that shows the state of breaking open the melt- attached part of the main exit of the siphon pouch of this mvention. Fig. 4a is an exemplary embodiment of the front area that shows the proper state by adjusting the broken main exit and multi-cross flow paths.

Fig. 4b, 4c, 4d are exemplary embodiments of the main exit that show the ideal states of the form to drink by adjusting the form of the broken main exit based in the conditions under which users drink. Fig. 5 is an exemplary embodiment that shows the rear area in relation to Fig. 4a.

Fig. 6a is an exemplary embodiment that shows the state in which the siphon pouch of this mvention has vacuum-sucked and flowed out all contents at the same time through multi-cross flow path.

Fig.6b is a hydromechanics system drawing to explain the siphonic action of the multi-cross path of this mvention.

Fig. 6c is an enlarged exemplary embodiment of the main exit of this invention after properly adjusting it.

Fig.6d is an enlarged exemplary embodiment to show that it is possible to drink through the flow path without it becoming closed when drinking through the adjusted main exit in Fig.6c.

Fig.7a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X of Fig. 6a of this invention.

Fig.7b is a vertical sectional view taken along the line Y-Y of Fig.6a of this invention.

Fig.8a is a sectional perspective view to show the states of the even main exit of the pouch and the area of contents under water by dissecting some part. Fig.8b is an enlarged exemplary embodiment of the main exit that shows the state of the main exit before drinking from the existing pouch.

Fig. 8c is an enlarged exemplary embodiment of the main exit that shows the state of being completely closed when drinking from the main exit of Fig. 8b.

Fig. 9a is a sectional perspective view that shows only the flow paths of the vertical front and back sides by dissecting some part as an example of deformation of the siphon pouch of this invention.

Fig. 9b is a hydromechanics system drawing to explain the siphonic action of the vertical main flow paths of Fig. 9a.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, in forming the pouch 13 by melt-attaching part 6 of four side edges of the front and back films 7, 8 to each other correspondingly using ultrasonic waves or high frequency waves and heat-sealing etc., we locate the main exit 5 diagonally 45° to one corner of the upper edge, then make it possible for people to break it open by connecting the cutting guide lines 3 a, 3b with cutting pressure lines 4a, 4b in the mid-width of the cutting grooves 2a, 2b of the triangular cutting piece 1. And we make a pair of downward fold-connecting lines 10a on a straight line and upward fold-connecting line 10b on an arc after pressure-molding them and by placing the vertical main flow path 10 of one side of the front film 7 some distance from the melt-attaching part 6 of four side edges. And we make the points of two fold-connecting lines meet at an apex on the bottom edge and make the front flow path 14a be formed when fold-connecting by giving some proper space on the main exit 5 of the top edge. Then we form slip uneven surface 9a on the central axis properly close. In forming the fold-connecting part 12 of the upper sloping flow path and the fold-connecting part 11 of the lower sloping flow path in a radial direction from two points adjoining the upward fold-connecting line 10b on an arc and placing a bit distant up and down from the uneven surface, while we make a pair of the downward fold-connecting line 12b on an arc on the top edge and the upward fold- connecting line 12a on a straight line by pressure-molding, we make each apex meet each other. And we make a pair of the downward fold-connecting line 1 lb on an arc on the bottom and the upward fold-connecting line 1 lb on a straight line by pressure- molding, but we make each apex meet together, so the siphon flow path will be formed when sucking by being smoothly fold-connected.

Though each fold-connecting part of the back film 8 is similar to each fold connecting part that has been pressure-molded on the front film 7, it is turned 180° and corresponded in a form of reverse symmetry, then has the structure of melt-attaching the melt-attaching parts on four side edges. We pressure-mold so that the fold- connecting part 16 of the vertical secondary flow path makes the upper and lower edges of the inward fold-connecting part 16a on a straight line and the outward fold- connecting part 16b on an arc meet to an apex and form a pair. We also form the uneven surface 9b on the center of the vertical secondary flow path 16. In forming the fold-connecting part 18 of the upper reverse sloping flow path and the fold- connecting part 17 of the lower reverse sloping flow path in a radial direction from two appointed points on the upper and lower sides, we pressure-mold so that the inward fold-connecting line 17b on an arc on the bottom and the outward fold- connecting line 17a on a straight line meet to an apex and form a pair. While we form a pair of the inward fold-connecting line 18b on an arc on the top and the outward fold-connecting line 18a on a straight line by pressure-molding, we give a proper width only to two fold-connecting lines of the main exit 5 on the top so that we form the rear flow path 14b as shown in the figure 6d in a direction of crossing each other with the front flow path 14a that will be formed on the front film 7. We melt-attach the melt-attaching part 6 on four side edges of the front and back films 7,8. So if you suck through the main exit 5 of the formed pouch 13, the siphonic action will be possible by forming the multi-cross flow path while the fold- connecting parts of each flow path are fold-connected in an appointed direction as shown in figure 6a.

As shown in Fig.l or 2, as for the best method of producing the siphon pouch of this invention, the siphon pouch 13 formed by cutting and forming the continuous roll- type non-oxidizing metal coating films or aluminum foil lamination complex films etc with good elasticity and by melt-attaching the rectangular front and back films 7, 8 correspondingly to each other partitions the^' part 15 by burying the contents under water in multi-cross type and forms the flow paths by fold-connecting the fold- connecting parts. The siphonic action will happen due to the fold-connecting of the fold-connecting parts. Especially, as for each fold-connecting line of the fold- comiecting parts that is 4-line or 8-line continuous rolling type, we make the front and back films 7, 8 go through the compressing process of pressure type right before forming the pouch through heat-sealing process. Because the pouch 13 has the plane figure formed only by attaching four side edges of two films on a plane, we calculate the proper length, width, angle and depth etc. considering the variation range of size according to the amount against the basic-type pouch and mass-produce it so that 3-D liquid flow path will be facilitated as much as possible when the flow paths are formed due to fold-connecting of each fold-connecting line.

The demonstrative result of the siphonic action of the siphon pouch 13 of this invention has been obtained through the results of repeated research and experiment for a long time. To explain the process of mechanical function of the liquid flow in full detail, even if you suck the main exit 5 that is open by cutting as shown in the figures 6c, 6d, because two front and back liquid flow paths 14a, 14b are formed by the fold connecting part 10 of the vertical main flow path and the fold-connecting part 18 of the reverse sloping flow path on the top, the flow path will not be narrowed and closed even in drinking. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the size of the flow path according to the sucking force of the users as shown in the Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c. Because the liquid flow paths formed by the fold-connecting parts are formed in multi-cross type so that they can have the most ideal liquid flow across the front and back of the area 15 by burying the contents under water, the main and secondary vertical flow paths on the left and right and the double cross type sloping flow paths on the top and bottom are connected to each other respectively, and the pouch has the mechanical system of liquid flow like a single circuit.

When you start to suck from the main exit 5, the liquid flow will gradually occur. That is to say, because the angles of the fold-connecting are decreased as the fold- connecting lines of each fold-connecting part are fold-connected in the designated inward or outward directions. The pouch 13 has the same result as it becomes contracted and narrowed along the liquid flow paths even when the forced external pressure is not applied to the area 15 of burying the contents under water. Therefore, it becomes possible to get rid of the vacuum through adjusting the pressure in the pouch 13. Due to that, the contents contained in the pouch 13 from bottom to top will move following the guide of liquid flow of each liquid flow path in the designated direction just as the liquid successively moves in a single path in the arrow direction. That is the way to drink the contents in the pouch 13 while adjusting the amount and speed of the flow slowly or rapidly based on the sucking force, that is, adjusting the most ideal and smooth flow of liquid.

This means that even with the smallest amount of contents in the pouch, it is possible to drink only with a simple sucking force of the user, eliminating the vacuum generated in the pouch by applying the mechanical system of liquid flow by calculated design. So it is a functional package system that can fundamentally eliminate the disadvantages of the existing pouches at one time. Fig. 9 is a modified mode of carrying out this invention. It is almost the same as the above-mentioned mode. However, we form the main exit 5 horizontally on one side of the top of the pouch. When we form the fold-connecting part 19a of the vertical front flow path and the fold-connecting part 19b of the vertical back flow path maintaining some space between each other on the main exit 5 of the front and back films 7, 8 respectively, we make the fold-connecting lines on the bottom meet to an apex to form a pair and the fold-connecting lines on the top have proper space between each other. So when we open the main exit 5 by cutting, and the front and back flow paths 14a, 14b are formed in the alternate direction to left and right, then the liquid will have time difference and vector when sucking according to the direction of the liquid flow mechanics system drawing as shown in Fig.9b. This is the modified example of carrying out the invention so that the smooth siphonic action is possible. We will present the technology that we want to be protected out of the technologies related to this invention in the following claim. However, there can be a lot of specific examples applying the same or similar technologies. If the flow paths are formed by the contraction generated by fold-connecting some parts of the pouch film and then it becomes easier to drink the contents in the pouch based on that action, that technology would be the same as the range of the technology of this invention regardless of the type and the structure-modified example of the execution.

Industrial Applicability

This mvention is one that can present new grid coordinates for existing products following the tendency of environment-friendly social policies that are demanded fiercely at home and abroad. This invention will clearly solve two problems of portability and usage innovation in terms of resource conservation and environment protection, because it can create alternative demand for an environment-friendly easy siphon pouch in place of considerable amounts of bottle type products for beverages and medications in the state of liquid or gel. In commercializing this invention, it can be done only with additional devices for special processes. In the major processing devices of the existing automatic 4 side liquid pouch-wrapping machine, that is, in the pouch wrapping machine that produces pouches through the major processing devices with 4-5 stages such as side sealing of wrapping films supplied by way of 4 line or 8 line continuous rolling type, top & bottom sealing, side cutter and end cutter, we make the pouch processed in the stage by special embossing rollers right before the films supplied by way of continuous rolling are in the first processing. And we make fold-connecting lines on the front and back films in advance by thermal-pressure or compressing-pressure, then make it go through the existing processes. That is the way we produce the easy siphon pouch. This is a part of the processes of the automatic 4 side liquid easy pouch wrapping machine and the production method using equipment that has been patented separately.

As shown in Fig. 3, if you tear out the pouch with one hand holding the main exit 5b of the pouch 13 and other hand the triangular cutting piece 1 and each hand moving in opposite directions with momentary power, it starts to be torn out from the cutting notch 2a then, following the cutting guide lines 3 a, 3b then, cutting pressure lines 4a, 4b that are connected with 3 a, 3b in a moment and form the main exit 5. When you drink the contents as shown in Figs. 4 or 5, you have to place the thumb of one hand on the slip uneven surface 9a of the front film 7 and the rest of your fingers on the slip uneven surface 9b of the back film 8 then, make it slip in opposite direction and narrow the internal surface of the area 15 of burying contents under water with one hand moving to the arrow and the other hand to the reverse. Then, as shown in figure 6a or 7a, 7b, the cold-connecting part 10 of the main vertical flow path and the fold- connecting part 11, 12 of the sloping flow path on the bottom, and the fold- connecting part 16 of the secondary vertical flow path and the fold-connecting parts 17, 18 of the reverse sloping flow paths on the top and bottom will correspond each other. Then, each fold-connecting line will be fold-connected up and down or in and out according to the fold-connecting directions and will form multi-cross type flow path. The main exit 5 will be formed 45° diagonally that is stable to touch your mouth on one corner of the top edge of the pouch 13. if you suck it with your mouth on the main exit 5, the siphonic action will occur and help you drink the contents in a constant and perfect manner even with the pouch 13 standing upright. As shown in Fig. 8a, as for the existing pouch, if you suck it through the even main exit 21, it is impossible to adjust the pressure in the pouch regardless of the sucking force, so as soon as you suck it, it will become a vacuum state, and also, as shown in Fig. 8b, the even main exit 21 will be narrowed instantly and closed. That is why you are forced to squeeze it or comb it down to drink the contents and that is a relative difference in how to use the existing pouch and this invention. Following from the above description, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the designs and operations herein described constitute several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise designs and operations, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Easy siphon pouch consisting of :

(a) a vertical main flow path on one side of the front film consisting of a downward fold-connecting line on a straight line and a upward fold-connecting line on an arc, being formed by pressure-molding,

(b) a top sloping flow path and a bottom sloping flow path of the front film consisting of a downward fold-connecting line on a straight line and a upward fold- connecting line of an arc being fonned by pressure-molding, the downward fold- connecting line on a straight line and the upward fold-connecting line of an arc being in a designated direction respectively by connecting from two points that divide the upward fold-connecting line on an arc of the vertical main flow path into three pieces,

(c) a vertical secondary flow path on one side of the back film consisting of an inward fold-connecting line on a straight line and an outward fold-connecting line on an arc, being formed by pressure-molding, and

(d) a top reverse sloping flow path and a bottom reverse sloping flow path of the back film consisting of an inward fold-connecting line on a straight line and an outward fold-connecting line on an arc being formed by pressure-molding, the inward fold- connecting line on a straight line and the outward fold-connecting line on an arc being in a designated direction respectively by connecting from two points that divide the outward fold-connecting line on an arc of the vertical secondary flow path into three pieces, whereby multi-cross type flow paths are fonned as the front film and back film correspond each other.

2. Easy siphon pouch according to claim 1, wherein the apexes are made not to meet each other by giving some space between two tangents on one side of the fold- connecting part of the vertical main flow path of the front film and on one side of the fold-connecting part of the top reverse sloping flow path of the back film which are connected with the main exit, such that the front outflow path and the back outflow path are formed correspondingly in a cross direction each other, and so the siphon liquid flow paths and the outflow paths are formed respectively.

3. Easy siphon pouch according to claim 1, wherein respective slip is made uneven surface on the front and back films close voluntarily into the right and left of the fold- connecting parts of the vertical main flow path and the vertical secondary flow path, and is located in any point in the middle vertically, such that it is able to slip.

4. Easy siphon pouch according to claim 1, wherein the cutting pressure line connecting with the cutting guide line is placed in the middle width of the cutting notch of the triangular cutting piece when forming the main exit in a diagonal direction on one corner of the top, such that it is able to cut.

5. Easy siphon pouch according to claim 1, wherein a single vertical liquid flow path is formed by placing the fold-connecting parts of the vertical front flow path and the vertical back flow path on the main exit sides of the front and back films at a given distance, such that the front outflow path and the back outflow path are formed.