EP2185429A1

EP2185429A1 - Package for a fluid

Info

Publication number: EP2185429A1
Application number: EP08766872A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Gijsbert Paulen
Original assignee: Easycup International Ltd
Current assignee: Easycup International Ltd
Priority date: 2007-07-16
Filing date: 2008-07-03
Publication date: 2010-05-19
Also published as: WO2009011571A1; JP2010533629A; NL2000755C2

Abstract

A package for a fluid comprises a substantially tub-like container (1) with a product space (2) for the purpose of receiving the fluid therein. The product space is bounded by a compressible wall (3) with an upper edge (4) from which a lateral extension (5) extends locally. An outflow channel (6) is situated in the extension (5). The container is provided with a sealing foil (11) which is adhered to the upper edge in hermetically sealed manner around the product space and up to a position beyond the outflow channel. The lateral extension comprises a weakening zone (10) along a predetermined break line which intersects the outflow channel (6). The sealing foil comprises a flexible base layer and is firmly connected therewith to the upper edge of the container. The weakening zone follows a path varying from a straight line.

Description

Package for a fluid

The present invention relates to a package for a fluid, comprising a substantially tub- like container with a product space bounded by at least one wall for the purpose of receiving the fluid therein, wherein the at least one wall is intended and adapted to be at least partially compressible, wherein the container comprises around the product space an upper edge from which a lateral extension extends locally which has an outflow channel which is in open communication with the product space at a distal end and which is closed at a proximal end, wherein the container is provided with a scaling foil which, at least in a closed position, is adhered to the upper edge in hermetically sealed manner around the product space and up to a position beyond the outflow channel, and wherein the lateral extension comprises a weakening zone along a predetermined break line.

Such a package is known from the international patent application PCT/NL/01 /00719 of applicant. This relates in particular to a portion package for a fluid varying from gases and aqueous liquids such as milk to thicker or more viscous fluids such as pastes, gels and syrups. Within the scope of the present invention the package is also suitable for solid fluids such as powders and sprinkling materials.

The known package comprises a tub-like container of plastic which is formed integrally making use of a thermoforming process. The product space inside the container is closed airtightly and watertightly by means of a sealing foil of aluminium which here adheres to the upper edge of the wall of the container. The foil here also extends over a lateral extension which is formed as a kind of tab on the upper edge and which comprises a channel for the purpose of forming an outflow channel. On a distal side the channel is in open communication with the product space and at a proximal end ends in the tab. The tab comprises a weakening zone locally along a break line. The package can be opened by breaking the tab at the position of the weakening zone and tearing the foil with the tab from the upper edge. The channel is now open at the proximal end so that a fluid can be poured out therethrough from the product space. Because the wall of the container is intentionally compressible, sufficient pressure can here be exerted on the fluid by compressing the product space to force this fluid outward in effective manner.

Although the known package provides an exceptionally practical solution as portion package for diverse fluids, it is less suitable for repeated use for a fluid which is not used or consumed all at once. Once opened, the product space is freely accessible to micro-organisms via the outflow channel, and volatile constituents can evaporate relatively easily therefrom, whereby the content will be prone to premature deterioration, particularly in those cases where the fluid is a food product or food supplement.

The present invention therefore has for its object to provide a package of the type described in the preamble which is reclosable without essentially affecting the production process thereof.

In order to achieve the stated object, a package of the type described in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the weakening zone intersects the outflow channel between the proximal and distal end, that the sealing foil comprises a flexible base layer and is permanently connected therewith to the upper edge of the container and that the weakening zone follows a path varying from a straight line. In a starting situation the package is hermetically sealed due to an airtight and watertight adhesion of the sealing foil to the upper edge. The package can be opened by breaking the lateral extension along the weakening zone. The permanent adhesion of the flexible base layer to the upper edge of the wall of the container herein avoids a complete separation of the broken-off part of the lateral extension, which can now be pivoted away from the outflow channel in order to leave clear the outflow channel. Because the weakening zone follows a path varying from a straight line, a tension is built up here which is transformed into a resilience in the flexible base layer of the sealing foil. This resilience causes the lateral extension to return to the starting position as soon as it is released. Although the package is now no longer hermetically sealed, it is nevertheless found in practice to be leak-tight to a significant degree and will therefore keep for a longer time for the purpose of repeated use, while it is not necessary, or hardly so, to intervene in a production process thereof for this purpose.

A preferred embodiment of the package according to the invention has the feature that the lateral extension comprises on either side of the break line a sharp notch with an apex at least substantially at the position of the break line. The notches herein provide a clearly recognizable indication of the location of the break line and weakening zone, so that a user understands what action to take. The notches moreover reduce a concentration of tensions in the pivoting outer ends of the lateral extension and thus prevent separation of the flexible base layer from the upper edge, which would otherwise have an adverse effect on the resilience to be built up therein. The package is thus able, even after repeated use, to reclose into at least substantially the starting position.

A particular embodiment of the package according to the invention has the feature that the weakening zone in the lateral extension follows a path varying from a straight line. Use can be made here of a wholly flat lateral extension, and the path of the weakening zone provides for the desired build-up of tension. A further particular embodiment of the package according to the invention has the feature that the lateral extension follows a course varying from a straight line along the break line. The lateral extension here already follows the desired path in transverse direction along the break line, so that the weakening zone itself can, if desired, be given a straight form.

Since only a pivoting along a straight line can take place at least substantially without tension, any form of path of the weakening zone which varies therefrom will build up the tension desired for the invention. If a discontinuous transition is present therein, this will cause a perceptible buckling point, or even a metastable open position of the lateral extension over which it has to be assisted in order to be closed. Conversely, a fully continuous pivoting is achieved in a further particular embodiment of the package according to the invention characterized in that the weakening zone has a gradually curved progression, hi this embodiment the lateral extension, free of perceptible transition, will always spring back more or less to its starting position so as to close the package in practically leak-tight manner.

The weakening zone can be realized in diverse ways. Found to be particularly practical in this respect is a particular embodiment of the package according to the invention which is characterized in that the lateral extension comprises at the position of the weakening zone a weakening from a group comprising a perforation line and a groove on a side thereof remote from the sealing foil.

For a sufficient buildup of resilience in the flexible base layer of the foil, it is important that the base layer adheres sufficiently strongly and permanently, at least for a long period, to the upper edge of the wall of the container, and thus does not release easily therefrom. This can be realized in diverse ways and with diverse materials. However, a further preferred embodiment of the package according to the invention has in this respect the feature that the at least one wall of the container and the base layer of the cover foil are manufactured from plastics thermally fusible to each other. The desired permanent mutual adhesion can thus be achieved by here fusing the sealing foil at increased temperature and pressure to the edge of the container. A further particular embodiment of the package according to the invention herein has the feature that the at least one wall and the base layer comprise the same plastic, in particular polypropylene or polystyrene.

For the purpose of an adequate airtight and aseptic sealing of product space and also a good printability of the sealing foil, a further particular embodiment of the package according to the invention has the feature that the cover foil comprises a metal layer, in particular an aluminium layer, on a side remote from the base layer. The metal layer here seals a possible air permeability of the base layer and provides a suitable basis for a printing such as is normally desired on a package. An aluminium layer has more than proved its worth in this respect.

Owing to the compressibility of the wall of the container the content of the container, despite a relatively limited cross-section of the outflow channel, can nevertheless be forced effectively therefrom by compressing the product space. A further particular embodiment of the package according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the at least one wall comprises a concertina structure over at least a part of the height thereof and is compressible thereover in a height direction.

The invention will now be further elucidated on the basis of several exemplary embodiments and an associated drawing. In the drawing: figure 1 is a perspective view of a tub-like container of a first exemplary embodiment of a package according to the invention; figures 2-5 show perspective views of the first exemplary embodiment of a package according to the invention with the container of figure 1 at successive stages of use; and figures 6-7 show perspective views of a second exemplary embodiment of a package according to the invention at successive stages of use. The figures are otherwise purely schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular maybe exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

The package of figure I comprises a tub-like container 1 having therein a product space 2 bounded laterally by a wall 3 of the container. Wall 3 of the container herein comprises a concertina structure along its full height, as clearly visible in the figure, so that the container is intentionally compressible in a height direction in a manner which is to some extent controlled. A local extension 5 in the form of a tab is formed locally on an upper edge 4 of wall 3. Situated in tab 5 is a groove or channel 6 which forms an outflow channel. This outflow channel opens into product space 2 on a distal side 7 and ends with a closed outer end in tab 5 on a proximal side 8.

Between the two outer ends of channel 6 the tab 5 comprises on either side notches 9 between which a weakening zone 10 extends along a break line intersecting channel 6. The weakening zone comprises for instance a perforation line or a channel or groove on a side of tab 5 remote from channel 6 and ensures that the tab can be broken through thereover when it is pivoted upward at a proximal end. A groove depth or perforation track is herein applied such that channel 6 remains airtight. An upper surface of the container follows a form or path which is slightly curved, or at least varies from a straight line, in a direction along break line 10, see also figure 2, whereby such a path is also imposed on the weakening zone.

Making use of a mould designed for the purpose, the container can be manufactured in a single process step from a suitable thermoplastic plastic such as polypropylene or polystyrene, making use of a standard thermoforming process, such as vacuum- forming from a foil of the chosen starting material. The production costs of such a package are thus relatively low. After being filled with the desired fluid, the product space is hermetically sealed with a sealing foil 11. In this example use is made for this purpose of a multilayer foil with a flexible base layer of polypropylene and an upper layer of aluminium. The upper layer of foil 11 is visible from outside and provides a suitable basis for printing, in addition to excellent airtight and aseptic properties. The flexible base layer allows foil 11 to fuse extremely well with upper edge 4,5 of the container under increased temperature and pressure, thereby creating an exceptionally strong mutual adhesion. Foil 11 is herein adhered to upper edge 4 of container 1 all around product space 2, and also as far as an outer end of the lateral extension 5 thereof.

The package can be opened by manually folding the lateral extension upward, see figure 3, so that the lateral extension is broken through along break line 10 in order to leave outflow channel clear, see also figure 4. Notches 9 here give the user a clear indication of the location of the break line and the intended manner of manipulating the package. The liquid content of product space 2 can now be transported outside by compressing wall 3 of container I and thus compressing product space 2. Because an upper surface of the container has a slightly curved progression as shown in the figures, or at least a progression varying from a straight line, when tab 5 is pivoted upward tension will be created which, due to the flexibility of the base layer of foil 11, is absorbed by a certain stretching of the base layer. This stretching provides for resilience which returns tab 5 more or less to its starting position when it is released, see figure 5. While the package is now no longer sealed airtight, it is nevertheless found to be sufficiently leak-tight to be suitable for repeated use, wherein the tab can always be lifted as according to the arrow in figure 5 in order to leave outflow channel 6 clear, see figure 4, after which the tab springs at least substantially back again to the position shown in figure 5 under the influence of the resilience of the base layer of foil 11.

A second embodiment of the package according to the invention shown in figures 6 and 7. The package is substantially the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment, be it that in this case the lateral extension is wholly flat while it is the weakening zone 10 itself which follows a curved path. Here too the container can be opened by pivoting that tab upward and thereby breaking through the lateral extension at the position of outflow channel 6. Because the break line is curved, a tension will hereby also occur in this case which returns tab 5 to its starting position each time it is released.

Although the invention has been further elucidated only on the basis of two exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited to the given examples. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art. A skilled person can thus use other materials, dimensions and forms without essentially departing from the scope of the invention. Instead of a laminated, multilayer sealing foil, a sealing foil of one material can be applied, which must then have in at least a base layer thereof the flexible and adhesive properties of which use is made in the context of the invention.

Instead of a continuously curved progression, use can also be made in the weakening zone of a discontinuous progression varying from a straight line. With a carefully chosen path this will result in a buckling point during use of the package whereby it can, if desired, be held in an open position or can be reclosed in forced manner.

Furthermore, the cross-section of the lateral extension or the break line, and if desired both, can be given a progression varying from a straight line.

Claims

1. Package for a fluid, comprising a substantially tub-like container with a product space bounded by at least one wall for the purpose of receiving the fluid therein, wherein the at least one wall is intended and adapted to be at least partially compressible, wherein the container comprises around the product space an upper edge from which a lateral extension extends locally which has an outflow channel which is in open communication with the product space at a distal end and which is closed at a proximal end, wherein the container is provided with a sealing foil which, at least in a closed position, is adhered to the upper edge in hermetically sealed manner around the product space and up to a position beyond the outflow channel, and wherein the lateral extension comprises a weakening zone along a predetermined break line, characterized in that the weakening zone intersects the outflow channel between the proximal and distal end, that the sealing foil comprises a flexible base layer and is permanently connected therewith to the upper edge of the container and that the weakening zone follows a path varying from a straight line.

2. Package as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the lateral extension comprises on either side of the break line a sharp notch with an apex at least substantially at the position of the break line.

3. Package as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the weakening zone in the lateral extension follows a path varying from a straight line.

4. Package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the lateral extension follows a course varying from a straight line along the break line.

5. Package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the weakening zone has a gradually curved progression.

6. Package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the lateral extension comprises at the position of the weakening zone a weakening from a group comprising a perforation line and a groove on a side thereof remote from the sealing foil.

7. Package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the at least one wall of the container and the base layer of the cover foil are manufactured from plastics thermally fusible to each other.

8. Package as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the at least one wall and the base layer comprise the same plastic, in particular polypropylene or polystyrene.

9. Package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the cover foil comprises a metal layer, in particular an aluminium layer, on a side remote from the base layer.

10. Package as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the at least one wall comprises a concertina structure over at least a part of the height thereof and is compressible thereover in a height direction.