EP3529165A1 - A sealed pouch for dispensing material - Google Patents

A sealed pouch for dispensing material

Info

Publication number
EP3529165A1
EP3529165A1 EP17772441.6A EP17772441A EP3529165A1 EP 3529165 A1 EP3529165 A1 EP 3529165A1 EP 17772441 A EP17772441 A EP 17772441A EP 3529165 A1 EP3529165 A1 EP 3529165A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seal
sealed pouch
distance
width
slit line
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP17772441.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3529165B1 (en
Inventor
Pedzinski JAKUB
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP3529165A1 publication Critical patent/EP3529165A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3529165B1 publication Critical patent/EP3529165B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • 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
    • B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness
    • B65D75/5811—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness and defining, after tearing, a small dispensing spout, a small orifice or the like
    • 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
    • B65D75/5822—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 and defining, after tearing, a small dispensing spout, a small orifice or the like

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a sealed pouch for dispensing material.
  • the sealed pouch in particular suitable to dispense flowable material.
  • the invention further relates to a method to open a sealed pouch.
  • Pouches having a front sheet and a back sheet comprising flexible film type material sealed to each other at their edges are known in the art. Such pouches are widely used for packaging fluids and pourable substances of all kinds. To remove the content from the pouch, the pouch is torn open or cut open using scissors at a place designated for that purpose.
  • a particular type of pouches comprises pouches having an evacuation funnel to dispense the content of the pouch.
  • pouches may be provided with a tearing notch for example in the sealing seam
  • pouches known in the art require high forces to be opened. Furthermore in many cases the pouches are not reliably opened. The problem of not reliably opening is even more pronounced for pouches having an evacuation funnel.
  • Patent document GB1297302A describes a container bag for holding a fluid, which is formed by flexible panels of plastic sheet material.
  • the bag has a discharge opening formed as a tapered nozzle left open in a transverse seam that seals the panels.
  • a transverse weakening line extends near the mouth of the nozzle and parallel to the transverse seam.
  • Patent document WO2014/003108A1 describes various packaging bags.
  • One such bag is formed by rectangular wall sections, which are mutually connected along sealed edges, and includes a tapered spout section in a top central region of the bag. An opening line is provided across this spout section, which can be torn to open the spout section.
  • a sealed pouch for dispensing material preferably flowable material is provided.
  • the pouch has a length L and a width W.
  • the pouch comprises a front sheet and a back sheet. Both of the front and the back sheet preferably comprise a flexible material and more preferably a flexible material that is heat sealable.
  • the front sheet and the back sheet preferably form a hollow body.
  • the pouch has a first side edge, a second side edge, a front edge and a back edge.
  • the first side edge and the front edge form a first corner
  • the second side edge and the front edge form a second corner.
  • the front sheet and the back sheet are secured together along the first side edge by a first side seal, along the second side edge by a second side seal and along the front edge by a front seal. Possibly, but not necessarily the front sheet and the back sheet are secured together along the back edge by a back seal.
  • the first side seal has a width Wi ss
  • the second side seal has a width W2 SS
  • the front seal has a width Wf S .
  • the back seal has a width Wb S .
  • the front sheet and the back sheet are further secured together by a first corner seal and by a second corner seal.
  • the first corner seal is positioned close to the first corner and extends from a position along the first side edge to a position along the front edge.
  • the second corner seal is positioned close to the second corner and extends from a position along the second side edge to a position along the front edge.
  • the first corner seal has a width Wi cs and the second corner seal has a width W2 CS .
  • the first corner seal forms a first edge of an evacuation funnel and the second corner seal forms a second edge of this evacuation funnel.
  • the second corner seal extends to a position along the front edge located at a distance Dw2 CS from said second side edge.
  • the sealed pouch is further provided with at least one first slit line and with at least one second slit line.
  • the at least one first slit line is parallel or substantially parallel oriented with the front edge.
  • the at least one first slit line is positioned at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch located between the first corner seal and the front seal.
  • the at least one slit line has a start position and an end position along the width W of the sealed pouch.
  • the start position of the at least one first slit line is located in the first side seal; the end position of the at least one first slit line is located in the first corner seal.
  • the start position of the at least one first slit line is preferably positioned at a distance Di from one of the edges of the first side seal, for example at a distance Di from the outer edge of the first side seal, i.e. from the first side edge.
  • the distance Di ranges preferably between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the first side seal Wi ss . More preferably, the distance Di ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the first side seal Wiss.
  • the end position of the at least one first slit line is preferably positioned at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the first corner seal, for example at a distance D2 from the edge of the corner seal forming the outer edge of the evacuation funnel.
  • the distance D2 ranges preferably between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the first corner seal Wi cs . More preferably, the distance D2 ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the first corner seal Wi ⁇ .
  • the distance D 2 is for example 40 %, 50 %; 60 %, 70 %, 80 % or 90 % of the width of the first corner seal Wi cs .
  • the at least one second slit line is not parallel oriented with the front edge, and the second slit line has a start position and an end position located in the front seal.
  • the start position of the second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance from the second side edge ranging between Dw2 CS + 1 ⁇ 2-W2 CS
  • a sealed pouch according to the present invention has furthermore the advantages that it allows complete opening of the evacuation funnel and that the tear line or tear pattern of the front sheet is the same or similar to the tear line or tear pattern of the back sheet.
  • the sealed pouch according to the present invention is in particular suitable for dispensing flowable material as for example pasty, jelly or liquid products.
  • the front sheet and back sheet may comprise any type of sheet or foil.
  • the front sheet and the back sheet comprise a flexible material and more preferably a heat sealable flexible material, for example a thermoplastic material.
  • the material of the front sheet and the back sheet comprise for example a metal sheet, a plastic sheet, a paper sheet, a metal sheet provided with one or more plastic or paper layers, a plastic sheet provided with one or more metal or paper layers or a paper sheet provided with one or more plastic or metal layers.
  • Preferred plastic sheets comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide and polyimide.
  • Preferred metal sheets comprise aluminium or aluminium alloy sheets.
  • Preferred metal sheets provided with one or more plastic or paper layers comprise an aluminium sheet or an aluminium alloy sheet coated, extruded or laminated with a plastic layer such as a polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide and polyimide or laminated with a paper layer.
  • Preferred plastic sheets provided with one or more metal or paper layers comprise a polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide or polyimide sheet coated or laminated with an aluminium or aluminium alloy layer or laminated with a paper layer.
  • Preferred paper sheets provided with one or more plastic or metal layers comprise a paper sheet coated, extruded or laminated with a plastic layer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, polyimide or laminated with an aluminium sheet or an aluminium alloy sheet.
  • the front sheet and/or the back sheet may be coated with one or more coating layers, for example with a barrier layer, an internal coating layer and/or an external coating layer.
  • barrier layers comprise silicium oxide (SiOx) layer, aluminium oxide (AIOx) layer or a metallized layer for example an aluminium or aluminium alloy layer.
  • Internal coating layers are for example applied to obtain easy-product evacuation.
  • internal coating layers comprise hydrophobic or hydrophilic materials.
  • External coating layers are for example applied to give the pouch a specific look and/or touch.
  • external coating layers comprise varnish layers, such as matt or glossy varnish layers.
  • the front sheet and the back sheet of a pouch may comprise the same material or may comprise a different material.
  • the seals of the pouch according to the present invention such as the first side seal, the second side seal, the front seal, the back seal, the first corner seal and the second corner seal can be obtained by any type of sealing.
  • sealing techniques comprise thermal sealing, induction heat sealing, laser sealing, adhesive sealing, ultrasonic sealing or a combination thereof.
  • the at least one first slit line can be obtained by any technique known in the art to provide slit lines. Examples comprise perforating, slitting or etching such as laser etching.
  • the length L of the sealed pouch ranges preferably between 2 cm and 50 cm, and more preferably between 10 cm and 20 cm, for example 12 cm, 13.5 cm or 15 cm.
  • the width W of the sealed pouch ranges preferably between 2 cm and 25 cm, and more preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm, for example 6 cm, 7 cm or 8 cm.
  • the width of the first side seal Wi ss , the width of the second side seal W2 SS , the width of the first front seal Wf S and the width of the back seal Wb S preferably range between 0.1 cm and 2 cm and more preferably between 0.4 cm and 1 cm, for example 0.5 cm, 0.6 cm, 0.7 cm or 0.8 cm.
  • the width of the first side seal Wi ss , the width of the second side seal W2 SS , the width of the first front seal Wf S and the width of the back seal Wbs (if present) can be the same or different.
  • the width of the first corner seal Wi cs and the width of the second corner seal W2 CS range preferably between 0.3 cm and 1 cm and more preferably between 0.3 cm and 1 cm, for example 0.4 cm, 0.5 cm, 0.6 cm or 0.8 cm.
  • the width of the first corner seal Wics and the width of the second corner seal W2 CS can be the same or different.
  • the first corner seal is preferably extending from a position along the first side edge located at a distance Dues from the front edge, whereby the distance Dues is ranging between 5 and 30 % of the length L of said sealed pouch. More preferably, the distance Dues is ranging between 10 and 25 % of the length L of the sealed pouch. The distance Dues is measured along the first side edge from the front edge to the middle of the first corner seal.
  • the second corner seal is preferably extending from a position along the second side edge located at a distance Di_2 CS from the front edge, whereby the distance Di_2cs is ranging between 5 and 30 % of the length L of said sealed pouch. More preferably, the distance Di_2cs is ranging between 10 and 25 % of the length L of the sealed pouch. The distance Di_2cs is measured along the second side edge from the front edge to the middle of the second corner seal.
  • the distance Dues and the distance Di_2 CS are equal or substantially equal.
  • the first corner seal is preferably extending to a position along the front edge located at a distance Dw-ics from the first side edge, whereby the distance Dw-ics is ranging between 5 and 40 % of the width W of the sealed pouch. More preferably the distance Dwics is ranging between 10 and 35 % or between 20 and 32 % of the width W of the sealed pouch.
  • the distance Dw-ics is measured along the front edge from the first side edge to the middle of the first corner seal.
  • the distance Dw2 CS between the position to which the second corner seal extends along the front edge on the one hand, and the second side edge on the other hand preferably ranges between 5 and 40 % of the width W of the sealed pouch.
  • the distance Dw2cs is ranging between 10 and 35 % or between 20 and 32 % of the width W of the sealed pouch.
  • the distance Dw2 CS is measured along the front edge from the second side edge to the middle of the second corner seal.
  • the distance Dwics and the distance Dw2 CS are equal or substantially equal.
  • the at least one first slit line is oriented parallel or substantially parallel with the front edge of the sealed pouch at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch located between the first corner seal and the front seal.
  • the distance between the front edge and the position of the at least one slit line along the length L of the sealed pouch is defined as Dusi.
  • the distance Dusi is lower than Dues.
  • the distance Dusi is for example 80 % of Dues, 70 % of Dues, 60 % of Dues, 50 % of Dues, 40 % of
  • the sealed pouch according to the present invention is preferably provided with at least one visual indication to indicate the preferred location to tear the sealed pouch open.
  • the at least one visual indication is preferably positioned at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch corresponding or substantially corresponding with the position along the length L of the sealed pouch of the at least one slit line.
  • the visual indication comprises for example a tearing notch, a tearing cut or a colored mark, for example a printed mark.
  • a preferred tearing notch comprises a V-shaped notch in the first side seal and/or in the second side seal.
  • the depth of the notch is preferably lower than the width Wi ss of the first side seal or lower than the width W2 SS of the second side seal.
  • the sealed pouch according to the present invention is further provided with at least one second slit line.
  • the opening of the sealed pouch is further simplified and the tearing of the pouch is further directed to the ideal tear line.
  • the at least one second slit line is a slit line oriented parallel or substantially parallel with the front edge at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch located between the second corner seal and the front seal.
  • the distance between the front edge and the position of the second slit line along the length of the sealed pouch is defined as Di_2si.
  • Di_2si As the second corner seal is at a distance Di_2 CS from the front edge of the sealed pouch, the distance Di_2si is lower than Di_2 CS .
  • the distance Di_2si is for example 80 % of Di_2cs, 70 % of Di_2cs, 60 % of D L 2cs, 50 % of D L 2cs, 40 % of D L2 cs or 30 % of D L2 cs.
  • the position of the at least one second slit line along the length L of the sealed pouch corresponds with the position of the at least one first slit line along the length L of the sealed pouch.
  • Du s i and Di_2si are preferably equal or substantially equal.
  • the at least one second slit line of the first group of sealed pouches has a start position and an end position along the width W of the sealed pouch whereby the start position of the at least one second slit line is preferably located in the second corner seal and the end position of the at least one second slit line is preferably located in the second side seal.
  • the start position of the at least one second slit line is preferably positioned at a distance D3 from one of the edges of the second corner seal, for example at a distance D3 from the edge of the corner seal forming the inner edge of the evacuation funnel.
  • the distance D3 preferably ranges between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the second corner seal W2cs. More preferably, the distance D3 ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the second corner seal W2 CS .
  • the end position of the at least one second slit line is preferably positioned at a distance D 4 from one of the edges of the second side seal, for example at a distance D 4 from the outer edge of the second side seal, i.e. from the second side edge.
  • the distance D 4 preferably ranges between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the second side seal W2 SS . More preferably, the distance D 4 ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the second
  • the at least one second slit line is a slit line that is not parallel oriented with the front edge having a start position and an end position both positioned in the front seal.
  • the included angle between the at least one second slit line and the front edge ranges between 0 and 90 degrees, for example between 10 and 80 degrees as for example 30 degrees, 45 degrees or 60 degrees.
  • the at least one second slit line of the second group of sealed pouches is preferably positioned close to the second corner seal.
  • the start position of the at least one second slit line of the second group of sealed pouches is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2 CS + W2 CS and Dw2 CS - W2 CS from the second side edge. More preferably, the start position of the at least one second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2 CS + 1 ⁇ 2-W2 CS and Dw2cs from the second side edge.
  • the end position of the at least one second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2 CS and Dw2 CS - 2-W2csfrom the second side edge, for instance ranging between Dw2cs and Dw2cs - 1 -W2 CS . More preferably, the end position of the at least one second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2 CS and Dw2cs - 1 ⁇ 2-W2cs from the second side edge.
  • a method to open a sealed pouch as described above is provided.
  • the method to open a sealed pouch according to the present invention comprises the tearing along the at least one first slit line.
  • the method to open a sealed pouch according to the present invention may further comprise the tearing along the at least one second slit line.
  • the tearing along the at least one first slit line and the tearing along the at least one second slit line can be done simultaneously or subsequently.
  • FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a first embodiment of a sealed pouch according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a detail of the region around the first corner of a sealed pouch as shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a detail of the region around the second corner of a sealed pouch as shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 shows an illustration of a second embodiment of a sealed pouch according to the present invention
  • Figure 5 shows a detail of the region around the second corner of a sealed pouch as shown in Figure 4;
  • FIG. 6 shows an illustration of a third embodiment of a sealed pouch according to the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows an illustration of a first embodiment of a sealed pouch 100 according to the present invention.
  • the sealed pouch 100 has a length L and a width W and comprises a front sheet and a back sheet.
  • the pouch 100 has a first side edge 102, a second side edge 104, a front edge 106 and a back edge 108.
  • the first side edge 102 and the front edge 106 form a first corner 1 10.
  • the second side edge 104 and the front edge 106 form a second corner 1 12.
  • Figure 2 shows a detail of the region around the first corner 1 10 of the sealed pouch
  • the front sheet and the back sheet are secured together along the first side edge 102 by a first side seal 1 14, along the second side edge 104 by a second side seal 1 16 and along the front edge 106 by a front seal 1 18.
  • the first side seal 1 14 has a width Wi ss
  • the second side seal 1 16 has a width W2 SS
  • the front seal has a width Wf S .
  • the front sheet and the back sheet are further secured together by a back seal 1 19. If the sealed pouch is provided with a back seal 1 19, the back seal has a width Wb S .
  • the front sheet and the back sheet are further secured together by a first corner seal 120 and by a second corner seal 122.
  • the first corner seal 120 extends from a position along the first side edge 102 to a position along the front edge 106; the second corner seal 122 extends from a position along the second side edge 104 to a position along the front edge 106.
  • the first corner seal 120 has a width Wi cs ; the second side seal 1 16 has a width W2 CS .
  • the first corner seal 120 is extending from a position along the first side edge 102 located at a distance Dues from the front edge 106. The distance Dues is measured along the first side edge 102 from the front edge 106 to the middle of the first corner seal 120.
  • the second corner seal 122 is extending from a position along the second side edge 104 located at a distance Di_2 CS from the front edge 106.
  • the distance Di_2 CS is measured along the second side edge 104 from the front edge 106 to the middle of the second corner seal 122.
  • the first corner seal 120 is extending to a position along the front edge 106 located at a distance Dw-ics from the first side edge 102.
  • the distance Dw-ics is measured along the front edge 106 from the first side edge 102 to the middle of the first corner seal 120.
  • the second corner seal 122 is extending to a position along the front edge 106 located at a distance Dw2 CS from the second side edge 104.
  • the distance Dw2 CS is measured along the front edge 106 from the second side edge 104 to the middle of the second corner seal 122.
  • the first corner seal 120 forms a first side edge of an evacuation funnel 124 and the second corner seal 122 forms a second side edge of this evacuation funnel 124.
  • the sealed pouch 100 is further provided with at least one first slit line 126.
  • the at least one first slit line 126 is oriented parallel or substantially parallel with the front edge 106 at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch 100 located between the first corner seal 120 and the front seal 1 18.
  • the distance between the front edge 106 and the position along the length of the sealed pouch 100 of the at least one first slit line 126 is defined by Di_i s i.
  • the distance Dusi is measured along the first side edge 102 from the front edge 106 to the at least one first slit line 126.
  • the at least one first slit line 126 has a start position 128 and an end position 130 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100.
  • the start position 128 is located in the first side seal 1 14, preferably at a distance Di from one of the edges of the first side seal 1 14, for example at a distance Di from the first side edge 102.
  • the end position 130 of the at least one slit line 126 is located in the first corner seal 120, preferably at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the first corner seal.
  • the sealed pouch is preferably provided with a visual indication 132 such as a notch to indicate the preferred location to tear the sealed pouch open.
  • the at least one visual indication is preferably positioned at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch corresponding or substantially corresponding with the position along the length L of the sealed pouch of the at least one slit line.
  • the visual indication comprises for example a tearing notch or a colored mark, for example a printed mark.
  • the sealed pouch 100 is further provided with at least one second slit line 134. As shown in figure 3, the at least one second slit line 134 is oriented parallel or
  • the distance between the front edge 106 and the position of the second slit line 134 along the length of the sealed pouch 100 is defined as Di_2si.
  • the at least one second slit line 134 has a start position 136 and an end position 138 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100.
  • the start position 136 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located in the second corner seal 122 and the end position 138 of the at least one second slit line 134 is positioned in the second side seal 1 16.
  • the start position 136 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a distance D3 from one of the edges of the second corner seal 122, preferably at a distance D3 from the inner edge of the second corner seal 122.
  • the end position 138 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a distance D 4 from one of the edges of the second side seal 1 16, preferably at a distance D 4 from the outer edge of the second side seal 1 16.
  • Figure 4 shows an illustration of a second embodiment of a sealed pouch 100 according to the present invention.
  • the sealed pouch 100 of Figure 4 has a first slit line 126 as the sealed pouch shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
  • Figure 5 shows a detail of the region around the second corner 1 12 of the sealed pouch 100 shown in Figure 4.
  • the at least one second slit line 134 is not parallel oriented with the front edge 106 having a start position 136 and an end position 138 positioned both positioned in the front seal 1 18.
  • the included angle between the at least one second slit line 134 and the front edge 106 ranges between 0 and 90 degrees, for example between 10 and 80 degrees as for example 30 degrees, 45 degrees or 60 degrees.
  • the at least one second slit line 134 is preferably positioned close to the second corner seal 122.
  • the start position 136 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2 CS + 1 ⁇ 2-W2cs and Dw2 CS from the second side edge 104, for example at a distance of Dw2 CS + 1 ⁇ 4-W2cs from the second side edge 104.
  • the end position 138 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2 CS and Dw2cs - 1 -W2csfrom the second side edge 104, for example at a distance Dw2 CS - 3 ⁇ 4-W2 CS from the second side edge 104.
  • Figure 6 shows an illustration of a third embodiment of a sealed pouch 100 according to the present invention.
  • the sealed pouch 100 of Figure 6 has a first slit line 126 and a second slit line 134.
  • the first slit line 126 is located between the first corner seal 120 and the front seal 1 18.
  • the second slit line 134 is located between the second corner seal 122 and the front seal 1 18.
  • the first slit line 126 corresponds with the first slit line 126 of the sealed pouch 100 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
  • the first slit line 126 has a start position 128 and an end position 130 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100.
  • the start position 128 is located in the first side seal 1 14, preferably at a distance Di from one of the edges of the first side seal 1 14, for example at a distance Di from the first side edge 102.
  • the end position 130 of the first slit line 126 is located in the first corner seal 120, preferably at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the first corner seal.
  • the second slit line 134 has a start position 136 and an end position 138 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100.
  • the start position 136 is located in the second corner seal 122, preferably at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the second corner seal.
  • the end position 138 is located in the second side seal 1 16, preferably at a distance Di from the second side edge 104.
  • the sealed pouch 100 is preferably provided with one or more visual indication 132, 132' such as one or more notches to indicate the preferred location to tear the sealed pouch open.
  • the sealed pouch 100 is provided with a first visual indication 132 situated close to the first slit line 126 and with a second visual indication 132' situated close to the second slit line 134.
  • the sealed pouch 100 shown in Figure 6 is opened by tearing along the first slit line 126 and by tearing along the second slit line 134.
  • the tearing along the first slit line 126 and along the second slit line 134 can be done simultaneously or subsequently.
  • a sealed pouch (100) for dispensing material said sealed pouch (100) having a length L and a width W, said sealed pouch (100) comprising a front sheet and a back sheet, said sealed pouch (100) having a first side edge (102), a second side edge (104), a front edge (106) and a back edge (108), said first side edge (102) and said front edge (106) forming a first corner (1 10), said second side edge (104) and said front edge (106) forming a second corner (1 12), said front sheet and said back sheet being secured together along said first side edge (102) by a first side seal (1 14), along said second side edge (104) by a second side seal (1 16) and along said front edge (106) by a front seal (1 18), said first side seal (1 14) having a width Wi ss , said second side seal (1 16) having a width W2ss , said front seal (1 18) having a width Wf S ,
  • said front sheet and said back sheet being further secured together by a first corner seal (120) and by a second corner seal (122), said first corner seal (120) extending from a position along the first side edge (102) to a position along the front edge (106), said second corner seal (122) extending from a position along the second side edge (104) to a position along the front edge (106), said first corner seal (120) having a width Wics, said second corner seal (122) having a width W2 CS ,
  • first corner seal (120) forming a first edge of an evacuation funnel (124) and said second corner seal (122) forming a second edge of said evacuation funnel (124);
  • the sealed pouch (100) being further provided with a first slit line (126), said first slit line (126) being oriented parallel or substantially parallel with said front edge (106) at a position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) located between said first corner seal (120) and said front seal (1 18) and said first slit line (126) having a start position (128) and an end position (130) along the width W of said sealed pouch (100), whereby said start position (128) is located in said first side seal (1 14) at a distance Di from one of the edges of said first side seal (1 14), said distance Di ranging between 5% and 95% of said width of said first side seal Wi ss and whereby said end position (130) is located in said first corner seal (120) at a distance D2 from one of the edges of said first corner seal (120), said distance D2 ranging between 5% and 95% of said width of said first corner seal Wi cs .
  • the sealed pouch (100) according to clause c1 or c2, whereby said first corner seal (120) is extending to a position along the front edge (106) located at a distance Dwics from said first side edge (102), said distance Dwi cs ranging between 5 and 40 % of the width W of said sealed pouch (100) and/or whereby said second corner seal (122) is extending to a position along the front edge (106) located at a distance Dw2 CS from said second side edge 104) ranging between 5% and 40% of the width W of said sealed pouch (100).
  • the sealed pouch (100) according to any one of clauses c1 -c3, whereby said end position of said at least one first slit line (126) is positioned at a distance D2 from one of the edges of said first corner seal (120), said distance D2 is ranging between 5% and 95% of the width Wi cs of said first corner seal (120). c5.
  • c8. A sealed pouch (100) according to any one of clauses c1 -c7, whereby said sealed pouch (100) is further provided with at least one second slit line (134). c9.
  • the sealed pouch (100) according to clause c8, whereby said second slit line (134) is oriented parallel or substantially parallel with said front edge (106) at a position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) located between said second corner seal (122) and said front seal (1 18) and whereby said second slit line (134) has a start position (136) and an end position (138) along the width W of said sealed pouch (100), whereby said start position (136) is located in said second corner seal (122) and whereby said end position (138) is located in said second side seal (1 16).
  • the sealed pouch (100) according to clause c9 whereby said start position (136) of said second slit line (134) is located at a distance D3 from one of the edges of said second corner seal (122), with D3 ranging between 5% and 95% of the width W2 CS of said second corner seal (122).
  • c1 1 The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c9 or c10, whereby said end position (138) of said second slit line (134) is located at a distance D 4 from one of the edges of said second side seal (1 16), with D 4 ranging between 5% and 95% of the width W2 SS of said second side seal (1 16).

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Abstract

The invention relates to a sealed pouch (100) for dispensing material, comprising front and back sheets secured together by first and second side seals, a front seal (118), and first and second corner seals. The pouch includes a first slit line (126) and a second slit line (134). The first slit line is substantially parallel with the front edge (106) of the pouch at a position along the length of the pouch located between the first corner seal and the front seal, and has a start position located in the first side seal and an end position located in the first corner seal. The second slit line (134) is not parallel with the front edge, and has start and end positions located in the front seal (118), wherein the start position is located at a position along the width of the pouch at a distance from the second side edge.

Description

A sealed pouch for dispensing material
Field of the invention
The invention relates to a sealed pouch for dispensing material. The sealed pouch in particular suitable to dispense flowable material. The invention further relates to a method to open a sealed pouch.
Background of the invention
Pouches having a front sheet and a back sheet comprising flexible film type material sealed to each other at their edges are known in the art. Such pouches are widely used for packaging fluids and pourable substances of all kinds. To remove the content from the pouch, the pouch is torn open or cut open using scissors at a place designated for that purpose.
A particular type of pouches comprises pouches having an evacuation funnel to dispense the content of the pouch.
Although pouches may be provided with a tearing notch for example in the sealing seam, pouches known in the art require high forces to be opened. Furthermore in many cases the pouches are not reliably opened. The problem of not reliably opening is even more pronounced for pouches having an evacuation funnel.
Patent document GB1297302A describes a container bag for holding a fluid, which is formed by flexible panels of plastic sheet material. The bag has a discharge opening formed as a tapered nozzle left open in a transverse seam that seals the panels. A transverse weakening line extends near the mouth of the nozzle and parallel to the transverse seam.
Patent document WO2014/003108A1 describes various packaging bags. One such bag is formed by rectangular wall sections, which are mutually connected along sealed edges, and includes a tapered spout section in a top central region of the bag. An opening line is provided across this spout section, which can be torn to open the spout section.
There is a need to provide improved sealed pouches and in particular improved sealed pouches having an evacuation funnel.
Summary of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pouch for dispensing material, in particular flowable material, avoiding the drawbacks of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a pouch that can be torn open in an easy way, without using excessive forces and without using a mechanical aid.
It is a further object to provide a pouch having an evacuation funnel that enables full opening of the evacuation funnel.
Furthermore it is an object to provide a pouch with slit lines to direct the tearing of the pouch during opening to the ideal tear line.
It is a further object to provide a pouch that allows opening whereby the front sheet and the back sheet of the funnel have the same or a similar tear line or tear pattern.
According to a first aspect of the invention a sealed pouch for dispensing material, preferably flowable material is provided.
The pouch has a length L and a width W. The pouch comprises a front sheet and a back sheet. Both of the front and the back sheet preferably comprise a flexible material and more preferably a flexible material that is heat sealable.
The front sheet and the back sheet preferably form a hollow body.
The pouch has a first side edge, a second side edge, a front edge and a back edge. The first side edge and the front edge form a first corner, the second side edge and the front edge form a second corner.
The front sheet and the back sheet are secured together along the first side edge by a first side seal, along the second side edge by a second side seal and along the front edge by a front seal. Possibly, but not necessarily the front sheet and the back sheet are secured together along the back edge by a back seal.
The first side seal has a width Wiss, the second side seal has a width W2SS, the front seal has a width WfS. If the pouch has a back seal, the back seal has a width WbS. The front sheet and the back sheet are further secured together by a first corner seal and by a second corner seal.
The first corner seal is positioned close to the first corner and extends from a position along the first side edge to a position along the front edge.
The second corner seal is positioned close to the second corner and extends from a position along the second side edge to a position along the front edge. The first corner seal has a width Wics and the second corner seal has a width W2CS.
The first corner seal forms a first edge of an evacuation funnel and the second corner seal forms a second edge of this evacuation funnel. The second corner seal extends to a position along the front edge located at a distance Dw2CS from said second side edge. The sealed pouch is further provided with at least one first slit line and with at least one second slit line. The at least one first slit line is parallel or substantially parallel oriented with the front edge. The at least one first slit line is positioned at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch located between the first corner seal and the front seal. The at least one slit line has a start position and an end position along the width W of the sealed pouch.
The start position of the at least one first slit line is located in the first side seal; the end position of the at least one first slit line is located in the first corner seal.
The start position of the at least one first slit line is preferably positioned at a distance Di from one of the edges of the first side seal, for example at a distance Di from the outer edge of the first side seal, i.e. from the first side edge. The distance Di ranges preferably between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the first side seal Wiss. More preferably, the distance Di ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the first side seal Wiss.
The end position of the at least one first slit line is preferably positioned at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the first corner seal, for example at a distance D2 from the edge of the corner seal forming the outer edge of the evacuation funnel. The distance D2 ranges preferably between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the first corner seal Wics. More preferably, the distance D2 ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the first corner seal Wi∞. The distance D2 is for example 40 %, 50 %; 60 %, 70 %, 80 % or 90 % of the width of the first corner seal Wics.
The at least one second slit line is not parallel oriented with the front edge, and the second slit line has a start position and an end position located in the front seal. The start position of the second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance from the second side edge ranging between Dw2CS + ½-W2CS By providing the pouch according to the present invention with slit lines as defined above, the pouch can be opened in an easy way, without using excessive forces and without using a mechanical aid such as scissors.
A sealed pouch according to the present invention has furthermore the advantages that it allows complete opening of the evacuation funnel and that the tear line or tear pattern of the front sheet is the same or similar to the tear line or tear pattern of the back sheet.
The sealed pouch according to the present invention is in particular suitable for dispensing flowable material as for example pasty, jelly or liquid products. The front sheet and back sheet may comprise any type of sheet or foil. Preferably, the front sheet and the back sheet comprise a flexible material and more preferably a heat sealable flexible material, for example a thermoplastic material.
The material of the front sheet and the back sheet comprise for example a metal sheet, a plastic sheet, a paper sheet, a metal sheet provided with one or more plastic or paper layers, a plastic sheet provided with one or more metal or paper layers or a paper sheet provided with one or more plastic or metal layers.
Preferred plastic sheets comprise polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide and polyimide.
Preferred metal sheets comprise aluminium or aluminium alloy sheets.
Preferred metal sheets provided with one or more plastic or paper layers comprise an aluminium sheet or an aluminium alloy sheet coated, extruded or laminated with a plastic layer such as a polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide and polyimide or laminated with a paper layer.
Preferred plastic sheets provided with one or more metal or paper layers comprise a polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide or polyimide sheet coated or laminated with an aluminium or aluminium alloy layer or laminated with a paper layer. Preferred paper sheets provided with one or more plastic or metal layers comprise a paper sheet coated, extruded or laminated with a plastic layer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, polyimide or laminated with an aluminium sheet or an aluminium alloy sheet.
The front sheet and/or the back sheet may be coated with one or more coating layers, for example with a barrier layer, an internal coating layer and/or an external coating layer. Examples of barrier layers comprise silicium oxide (SiOx) layer, aluminium oxide (AIOx) layer or a metallized layer for example an aluminium or aluminium alloy layer. Internal coating layers are for example applied to obtain easy-product evacuation. Examples of internal coating layers comprise hydrophobic or hydrophilic materials. External coating layers are for example applied to give the pouch a specific look and/or touch. Examples of external coating layers comprise varnish layers, such as matt or glossy varnish layers.
The front sheet and the back sheet of a pouch may comprise the same material or may comprise a different material.
The seals of the pouch according to the present invention such as the first side seal, the second side seal, the front seal, the back seal, the first corner seal and the second corner seal can be obtained by any type of sealing. Examples of sealing techniques comprise thermal sealing, induction heat sealing, laser sealing, adhesive sealing, ultrasonic sealing or a combination thereof.
The at least one first slit line can be obtained by any technique known in the art to provide slit lines. Examples comprise perforating, slitting or etching such as laser etching.
The length L of the sealed pouch ranges preferably between 2 cm and 50 cm, and more preferably between 10 cm and 20 cm, for example 12 cm, 13.5 cm or 15 cm. The width W of the sealed pouch ranges preferably between 2 cm and 25 cm, and more preferably between 5 cm and 10 cm, for example 6 cm, 7 cm or 8 cm.
The width of the first side seal Wiss, the width of the second side seal W2SS, the width of the first front seal WfS and the width of the back seal WbS (if present) preferably range between 0.1 cm and 2 cm and more preferably between 0.4 cm and 1 cm, for example 0.5 cm, 0.6 cm, 0.7 cm or 0.8 cm. The width of the first side seal Wiss, the width of the second side seal W2SS, the width of the first front seal WfS and the width of the back seal Wbs (if present) can be the same or different. The width of the first corner seal Wics and the width of the second corner seal W2CS range preferably between 0.3 cm and 1 cm and more preferably between 0.3 cm and 1 cm, for example 0.4 cm, 0.5 cm, 0.6 cm or 0.8 cm. The width of the first corner seal Wics and the width of the second corner seal W2CS can be the same or different. The first corner seal is preferably extending from a position along the first side edge located at a distance Dues from the front edge, whereby the distance Dues is ranging between 5 and 30 % of the length L of said sealed pouch. More preferably, the distance Dues is ranging between 10 and 25 % of the length L of the sealed pouch. The distance Dues is measured along the first side edge from the front edge to the middle of the first corner seal.
Similarly, the second corner seal is preferably extending from a position along the second side edge located at a distance Di_2CS from the front edge, whereby the distance Di_2cs is ranging between 5 and 30 % of the length L of said sealed pouch. More preferably, the distance Di_2cs is ranging between 10 and 25 % of the length L of the sealed pouch. The distance Di_2cs is measured along the second side edge from the front edge to the middle of the second corner seal.
Preferably but not necessarily the distance Dues and the distance Di_2CS are equal or substantially equal.
The first corner seal is preferably extending to a position along the front edge located at a distance Dw-ics from the first side edge, whereby the distance Dw-ics is ranging between 5 and 40 % of the width W of the sealed pouch. More preferably the distance Dwics is ranging between 10 and 35 % or between 20 and 32 % of the width W of the sealed pouch.
The distance Dw-ics is measured along the front edge from the first side edge to the middle of the first corner seal.
Similarly, the distance Dw2CS between the position to which the second corner seal extends along the front edge on the one hand, and the second side edge on the other hand, preferably ranges between 5 and 40 % of the width W of the sealed pouch.
More preferably the distance Dw2cs is ranging between 10 and 35 % or between 20 and 32 % of the width W of the sealed pouch.
The distance Dw2CS is measured along the front edge from the second side edge to the middle of the second corner seal.
Preferably but not necessarily the distance Dwics and the distance Dw2CS are equal or substantially equal.
As mentioned above, the at least one first slit line is oriented parallel or substantially parallel with the front edge of the sealed pouch at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch located between the first corner seal and the front seal. The distance between the front edge and the position of the at least one slit line along the length L of the sealed pouch is defined as Dusi. As the first corner seal is at a distance Dues from the front edge of the sealed pouch, the distance Dusi is lower than Dues. The distance Dusi is for example 80 % of Dues, 70 % of Dues, 60 % of Dues, 50 % of Dues, 40 % of
Dues Or 30 % Of Dues.
The sealed pouch according to the present invention is preferably provided with at least one visual indication to indicate the preferred location to tear the sealed pouch open. The at least one visual indication is preferably positioned at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch corresponding or substantially corresponding with the position along the length L of the sealed pouch of the at least one slit line. The visual indication comprises for example a tearing notch, a tearing cut or a colored mark, for example a printed mark.
A preferred tearing notch comprises a V-shaped notch in the first side seal and/or in the second side seal. The depth of the notch, for example the V-shaped notch, is preferably lower than the width Wiss of the first side seal or lower than the width W2SS of the second side seal.
In preferred embodiments the sealed pouch according to the present invention is further provided with at least one second slit line. By providing the sealed pouch according to the present invention with at least one second slit line the opening of the sealed pouch is further simplified and the tearing of the pouch is further directed to the ideal tear line.
In a first group of sealed pouches according to the present invention the at least one second slit line is a slit line oriented parallel or substantially parallel with the front edge at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch located between the second corner seal and the front seal. The distance between the front edge and the position of the second slit line along the length of the sealed pouch is defined as Di_2si. As the second corner seal is at a distance Di_2CS from the front edge of the sealed pouch, the distance Di_2si is lower than Di_2CS. The distance Di_2si is for example 80 % of Di_2cs, 70 % of Di_2cs, 60 % of DL2cs, 50 % of DL2cs, 40 % of DL2cs or 30 % of DL2cs.
Preferably, the position of the at least one second slit line along the length L of the sealed pouch corresponds with the position of the at least one first slit line along the length L of the sealed pouch. This means that Dusi and Di_2si are preferably equal or substantially equal. The at least one second slit line of the first group of sealed pouches has a start position and an end position along the width W of the sealed pouch whereby the start position of the at least one second slit line is preferably located in the second corner seal and the end position of the at least one second slit line is preferably located in the second side seal.
The start position of the at least one second slit line is preferably positioned at a distance D3 from one of the edges of the second corner seal, for example at a distance D3 from the edge of the corner seal forming the inner edge of the evacuation funnel. The distance D3 preferably ranges between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the second corner seal W2cs. More preferably, the distance D3 ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the second corner seal W2CS. The end position of the at least one second slit line is preferably positioned at a distance D4 from one of the edges of the second side seal, for example at a distance D4 from the outer edge of the second side seal, i.e. from the second side edge. The distance D4 preferably ranges between 5 % and 95 % of the width of the second side seal W2SS. More preferably, the distance D4 ranges between 30 % and 90 % of the width of the second
In a second group of sealed pouches according to the present invention the at least one second slit line is a slit line that is not parallel oriented with the front edge having a start position and an end position both positioned in the front seal. Preferably, the included angle between the at least one second slit line and the front edge ranges between 0 and 90 degrees, for example between 10 and 80 degrees as for example 30 degrees, 45 degrees or 60 degrees.
The at least one second slit line of the second group of sealed pouches is preferably positioned close to the second corner seal.
Preferably, the start position of the at least one second slit line of the second group of sealed pouches is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2CS + W2CS and Dw2CS - W2CSfrom the second side edge. More preferably, the start position of the at least one second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2CS + ½-W2CS and Dw2cs from the second side edge.
Preferably, the end position of the at least one second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2CS and Dw2CS- 2-W2csfrom the second side edge, for instance ranging between Dw2cs and Dw2cs - 1 -W2CS. More preferably, the end position of the at least one second slit line is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2CS and Dw2cs - ½-W2cs from the second side edge.
According to a second aspect of the present invention a method to open a sealed pouch as described above is provided.
The method to open a sealed pouch according to the present invention comprises the tearing along the at least one first slit line.
The method to open a sealed pouch according to the present invention may further comprise the tearing along the at least one second slit line. The tearing along the at least one first slit line and the tearing along the at least one second slit line can be done simultaneously or subsequently. Brief Description of the Drawings:
The invention will now be described into more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings whereby
- Figure 1 shows an illustration of a first embodiment of a sealed pouch according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a detail of the region around the first corner of a sealed pouch as shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows a detail of the region around the second corner of a sealed pouch as shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 shows an illustration of a second embodiment of a sealed pouch according to the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a detail of the region around the second corner of a sealed pouch as shown in Figure 4;
- Figure 6 shows an illustration of a third embodiment of a sealed pouch according to the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention
The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.
Figure 1 shows an illustration of a first embodiment of a sealed pouch 100 according to the present invention.
The sealed pouch 100 has a length L and a width W and comprises a front sheet and a back sheet. The pouch 100 has a first side edge 102, a second side edge 104, a front edge 106 and a back edge 108. The first side edge 102 and the front edge 106 form a first corner 1 10. The second side edge 104 and the front edge 106 form a second corner 1 12.
Figure 2 shows a detail of the region around the first corner 1 10 of the sealed pouch The front sheet and the back sheet are secured together along the first side edge 102 by a first side seal 1 14, along the second side edge 104 by a second side seal 1 16 and along the front edge 106 by a front seal 1 18. The first side seal 1 14 has a width Wiss, the second side seal 1 16 has a width W2SS, the front seal has a width WfS. Possibly, the front sheet and the back sheet are further secured together by a back seal 1 19. If the sealed pouch is provided with a back seal 1 19, the back seal has a width WbS.
The front sheet and the back sheet are further secured together by a first corner seal 120 and by a second corner seal 122. The first corner seal 120 extends from a position along the first side edge 102 to a position along the front edge 106; the second corner seal 122 extends from a position along the second side edge 104 to a position along the front edge 106. The first corner seal 120 has a width Wics; the second side seal 1 16 has a width W2CS.
The first corner seal 120 is extending from a position along the first side edge 102 located at a distance Dues from the front edge 106. The distance Dues is measured along the first side edge 102 from the front edge 106 to the middle of the first corner seal 120.
The second corner seal 122 is extending from a position along the second side edge 104 located at a distance Di_2CS from the front edge 106. The distance Di_2CS is measured along the second side edge 104 from the front edge 106 to the middle of the second corner seal 122.
The first corner seal 120 is extending to a position along the front edge 106 located at a distance Dw-ics from the first side edge 102. The distance Dw-ics is measured along the front edge 106 from the first side edge 102 to the middle of the first corner seal 120. The second corner seal 122 is extending to a position along the front edge 106 located at a distance Dw2CS from the second side edge 104. The distance Dw2CS is measured along the front edge 106 from the second side edge 104 to the middle of the second corner seal 122.
The first corner seal 120 forms a first side edge of an evacuation funnel 124 and the second corner seal 122 forms a second side edge of this evacuation funnel 124.
The sealed pouch 100 is further provided with at least one first slit line 126. The at least one first slit line 126 is oriented parallel or substantially parallel with the front edge 106 at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch 100 located between the first corner seal 120 and the front seal 1 18. The distance between the front edge 106 and the position along the length of the sealed pouch 100 of the at least one first slit line 126 is defined by Di_isi. The distance Dusi is measured along the first side edge 102 from the front edge 106 to the at least one first slit line 126. The at least one first slit line 126 has a start position 128 and an end position 130 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100. The start position 128 is located in the first side seal 1 14, preferably at a distance Di from one of the edges of the first side seal 1 14, for example at a distance Di from the first side edge 102. The end position 130 of the at least one slit line 126 is located in the first corner seal 120, preferably at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the first corner seal.
The sealed pouch is preferably provided with a visual indication 132 such as a notch to indicate the preferred location to tear the sealed pouch open.
The at least one visual indication is preferably positioned at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch corresponding or substantially corresponding with the position along the length L of the sealed pouch of the at least one slit line. The visual indication comprises for example a tearing notch or a colored mark, for example a printed mark.
The sealed pouch 100 is further provided with at least one second slit line 134. As shown in figure 3, the at least one second slit line 134 is oriented parallel or
substantially parallel with the front edge 106 at a position along the length L of the sealed pouch 100 located between the second corner seal 122 and the front seal 1 18.
The distance between the front edge 106 and the position of the second slit line 134 along the length of the sealed pouch 100 is defined as Di_2si.
The at least one second slit line 134 has a start position 136 and an end position 138 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100. The start position 136 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located in the second corner seal 122 and the end position 138 of the at least one second slit line 134 is positioned in the second side seal 1 16.
The start position 136 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a distance D3 from one of the edges of the second corner seal 122, preferably at a distance D3 from the inner edge of the second corner seal 122. The end position 138 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a distance D4 from one of the edges of the second side seal 1 16, preferably at a distance D4 from the outer edge of the second side seal 1 16. An overview of the dimensions of the sealed pouch 100 shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 is given in Table 1 .
Table 1
Length, distance
[cm]
Figure 4 shows an illustration of a second embodiment of a sealed pouch 100 according to the present invention. The sealed pouch 100 of Figure 4 has a first slit line 126 as the sealed pouch shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. Figure 5 shows a detail of the region around the second corner 1 12 of the sealed pouch 100 shown in Figure 4. The at least one second slit line 134 is not parallel oriented with the front edge 106 having a start position 136 and an end position 138 positioned both positioned in the front seal 1 18. Preferably, the included angle between the at least one second slit line 134 and the front edge 106 ranges between 0 and 90 degrees, for example between 10 and 80 degrees as for example 30 degrees, 45 degrees or 60 degrees.
The at least one second slit line 134 is preferably positioned close to the second corner seal 122.
Preferably, the start position 136 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2CS + ½-W2cs and Dw2CS from the second side edge 104, for example at a distance of Dw2CS + ¼-W2cs from the second side edge 104.
Preferably, the end position 138 of the at least one second slit line 134 is located at a position along the width W of the sealed pouch at a distance ranging between Dw2CS and Dw2cs - 1 -W2csfrom the second side edge 104, for example at a distance Dw2CS - ¾-W2CS from the second side edge 104.
Figure 6 shows an illustration of a third embodiment of a sealed pouch 100 according to the present invention. The sealed pouch 100 of Figure 6 has a first slit line 126 and a second slit line 134. The first slit line 126 is located between the first corner seal 120 and the front seal 1 18. The second slit line 134 is located between the second corner seal 122 and the front seal 1 18.
The first slit line 126 corresponds with the first slit line 126 of the sealed pouch 100 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.
The first slit line 126 has a start position 128 and an end position 130 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100. The start position 128 is located in the first side seal 1 14, preferably at a distance Di from one of the edges of the first side seal 1 14, for example at a distance Di from the first side edge 102. The end position 130 of the first slit line 126 is located in the first corner seal 120, preferably at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the first corner seal.
The second slit line 134 has a start position 136 and an end position 138 along the width W of the sealed pouch 100. The start position 136 is located in the second corner seal 122, preferably at a distance D2 from one of the edges of the second corner seal. The end position 138 is located in the second side seal 1 16, preferably at a distance Di from the second side edge 104.
The sealed pouch 100 is preferably provided with one or more visual indication 132, 132' such as one or more notches to indicate the preferred location to tear the sealed pouch open. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the sealed pouch 100 is provided with a first visual indication 132 situated close to the first slit line 126 and with a second visual indication 132' situated close to the second slit line 134.
The sealed pouch 100 shown in Figure 6 is opened by tearing along the first slit line 126 and by tearing along the second slit line 134. The tearing along the first slit line 126 and along the second slit line 134 can be done simultaneously or subsequently.
The present disclosure further relates to the embodiments reflected in the following clauses.
c1. A sealed pouch (100) for dispensing material, said sealed pouch (100) having a length L and a width W, said sealed pouch (100) comprising a front sheet and a back sheet, said sealed pouch (100) having a first side edge (102), a second side edge (104), a front edge (106) and a back edge (108), said first side edge (102) and said front edge (106) forming a first corner (1 10), said second side edge (104) and said front edge (106) forming a second corner (1 12), said front sheet and said back sheet being secured together along said first side edge (102) by a first side seal (1 14), along said second side edge (104) by a second side seal (1 16) and along said front edge (106) by a front seal (1 18), said first side seal (1 14) having a width Wiss, said second side seal (1 16) having a width W2ss , said front seal (1 18) having a width WfS,
said front sheet and said back sheet being further secured together by a first corner seal (120) and by a second corner seal (122), said first corner seal (120) extending from a position along the first side edge (102) to a position along the front edge (106), said second corner seal (122) extending from a position along the second side edge (104) to a position along the front edge (106), said first corner seal (120) having a width Wics, said second corner seal (122) having a width W2CS,
said first corner seal (120) forming a first edge of an evacuation funnel (124) and said second corner seal (122) forming a second edge of said evacuation funnel (124);
the sealed pouch (100) being further provided with a first slit line (126), said first slit line (126) being oriented parallel or substantially parallel with said front edge (106) at a position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) located between said first corner seal (120) and said front seal (1 18) and said first slit line (126) having a start position (128) and an end position (130) along the width W of said sealed pouch (100), whereby said start position (128) is located in said first side seal (1 14) at a distance Di from one of the edges of said first side seal (1 14), said distance Di ranging between 5% and 95% of said width of said first side seal Wiss and whereby said end position (130) is located in said first corner seal (120) at a distance D2 from one of the edges of said first corner seal (120), said distance D2 ranging between 5% and 95% of said width of said first corner seal Wics. c2. The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c1 , whereby said first corner seal (120) is extending from a position along said first side edge (102) located at a distance Dues from said front edge (106), said distance Dues is ranging between 5 and 35 % of the length L of said sealed pouch (100) and/or whereby said second corner seal (122) is extending from a position along said second side edge (104) located at a distance Di_2CS from said front edge (106), said distance Di_2CS is ranging between 5% and 35% of the length L of said sealed pouch (100). c3. The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c1 or c2, whereby said first corner seal (120) is extending to a position along the front edge (106) located at a distance Dwics from said first side edge (102), said distance Dwics ranging between 5 and 40 % of the width W of said sealed pouch (100) and/or whereby said second corner seal (122) is extending to a position along the front edge (106) located at a distance Dw2CS from said second side edge 104) ranging between 5% and 40% of the width W of said sealed pouch (100). c4. The sealed pouch (100) according to any one of clauses c1 -c3, whereby said end position of said at least one first slit line (126) is positioned at a distance D2 from one of the edges of said first corner seal (120), said distance D2 is ranging between 5% and 95% of the width Wics of said first corner seal (120). c5. The sealed pouch (100) according to any one of clauses c1 -c4, whereby said sealed pouch (100) is provided with at least one visual indication (132) to indicate the preferred location to tear said sealed pouch (100) open. c6. The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c5, whereby said visual indication (132) is positioned along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) corresponding with the position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) of said first slit line (126). c7. The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c5 or c6, whereby said visual indication (132) comprises a tearing notch or a colored mark. c8. A sealed pouch (100) according to any one of clauses c1 -c7, whereby said sealed pouch (100) is further provided with at least one second slit line (134). c9. The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c8, whereby said second slit line (134) is oriented parallel or substantially parallel with said front edge (106) at a position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) located between said second corner seal (122) and said front seal (1 18) and whereby said second slit line (134) has a start position (136) and an end position (138) along the width W of said sealed pouch (100), whereby said start position (136) is located in said second corner seal (122) and whereby said end position (138) is located in said second side seal (1 16). c10. The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c9, whereby said start position (136) of said second slit line (134) is located at a distance D3 from one of the edges of said second corner seal (122), with D3 ranging between 5% and 95% of the width W2CS of said second corner seal (122). c1 1 . The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c9 or c10, whereby said end position (138) of said second slit line (134) is located at a distance D4 from one of the edges of said second side seal (1 16), with D4 ranging between 5% and 95% of the width W2SS of said second side seal (1 16). c12. A sealed pouch (100) according to clause c8, whereby said at least one second slit line (134) is not parallel oriented with said front edge (106) and whereby said at least one second slit line has a start position (136) and an end position (138) located in said front seal (1 18). c13. A sealed pouch (100) according to clause c12, whereby said start position (136) of said second slit line (134) is located at a position along the width W of said sealed pouch (100) at a distance from said second side edge (104) ranging between Dw2CS + c14. The sealed pouch (100) according to clause c12 or c13, whereby said end position (138) of said second slit line (134) is located at a position along the width W of said sealed pouch (100) at a distance from said second side edge seal (104) ranging between Dw2cs and Dw2cs - 1 -W2CS, for instance ranging between Dw2cs and Dw2cs - ½-W2CS. c15. A method to open a sealed pouch (100) as defined in any one of clauses c1 -c14, comprising:
tearing along the first slit line (126), and
tearing along the second slit line(134). References
100 sealed pouch
102 first side edge
104 second side edge
106 front edge
108 back edge
1 10 first corner
1 12 second corner
1 14 first side seal
1 16 second side seal
1 18 front seal
1 19 back seal
120 first corner seal
122 second corner seal
124 evacuation funnel
126 first slit line
128 start position first slit line
130 end position first slit line
132 visual indication
134 second slit line
136 start position second slit line
138 end position second slit line
L length of the sealed pouch
W width of the sealed pouch
Wlss width of the first side seal
W2ss width of the second side seal
Wlcs width of the first corner seal
W2cs width of the second corner seal
Wfs width of the front seal
Wbs width of the back seal
D|_1cs distance measured along the first side edge from the front edge to the first corner seal
Dwics distance measured along the front edge from the first side edge to the first corner seal
D|_2cs distance measured along the second side edge from the front edge to the second corner seal Dw2cs distance measured along the front edge from the second side edge to the second corner seal
Dusi distance measured along the first side edge from the front edge to the first slit line
Di_2si distance measured along the second side edge from the front edge to the second slit line
Di distance between one of the edges of the first side seal and the start position of the first slit line measured along the width of the sealed pouch
D2 distance between one of the edges of the first corner seal and the end position of the first slit line measured along the width of the sealed pouch
D3 distance between one of the edges of the second corner seal and the start position of the second slit line measured along the width of the sealed pouch
D4 distance between the end position of the second slit line and one of the edges of the second side seal measured along the width of the sealed pouch

Claims

Claims
1. A sealed pouch (100) for dispensing material, said sealed pouch (100) having a length L and a width W, said sealed pouch (100) comprising a front sheet and a back sheet, said sealed pouch (100) having a first side edge (102), a second side edge (104), a front edge (106) and a back edge (108), said first side edge (102) and said front edge (106) forming a first corner (1 10), said second side edge (104) and said front edge (106) forming a second corner (1 12), said front sheet and said back sheet being secured together along said first side edge (102) by a first side seal (1 14), along said second side edge (104) by a second side seal (1 16) and along said front edge (106) by a front seal (1 18), said first side seal (1 14) having a width Wiss, said second side seal (1 16) having a width W2ss , said front seal (1 18) having a width WfS,
said front sheet and said back sheet being further secured together by a first corner seal (120) and by a second corner seal (122), said first corner seal (120) extending from a position along the first side edge (102) to a position along the front edge (106), said second corner seal (122) extending from a position along the second side edge (104) to a position along the front edge (106), said first corner seal (120) having a width Wics, said second corner seal (122) having a width W2CS,
said first corner seal (120) forming a first edge of an evacuation funnel (124) and said second corner seal (122) forming a second edge of said evacuation funnel (124), and wherein said second corner seal (122) extends to a position along the front edge (106) located at a distance Dw2cs from said second side edge (104);
the sealed pouch (100) being further provided with a first slit line (126) and with a second slit line (134), said first slit line (126) being oriented parallel or substantially parallel with said front edge (106) at a position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) located between said first corner seal (120) and said front seal (1 18) and said first slit line (126) having a start position (128) and an end position (130) along the width W of said sealed pouch (100), whereby said start position (128) is located in said first side seal (1 14) at a distance Di from one of the edges of said first side seal (1 14), said distance Di ranging between 5% and 95% of said width of said first side seal Wiss and whereby said end position (130) is located in said first corner seal (120) at a distance D2 from one of the edges of said first corner seal (120);
wherein said second slit line (134) is not parallel oriented with said front edge (106) and wherein said second slit line has a start position (136) and an end position (138) located in said front seal (1 18), and wherein said start position (136) of said second slit line (134) is located at a position along the width W of said sealed pouch at a distance from said second side edge (104) ranging between Dw2CS + ½-W2CS and
2. The sealed pouch (100) according to claim 1 , whereby said first corner seal (120) is extending from a position along said first side edge (102) located at a distance Dues from said front edge (106), said distance Dues is ranging between 5 and 35 % of the length L of said sealed pouch (100) and/or whereby said second corner seal (122) is extending from a position along said second side edge (104) located at a distance Di_2cs from said front edge (106), said distance Di_2CS is ranging between 5 and 35 % of the length L of said sealed pouch (100).
3. The sealed pouch (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, whereby said first corner seal (120) is extending to a position along the front edge (106) located at a distance Dwics from said first side edge (102), said distance Dwics ranging between 5 and 40 % of the width W of said sealed pouch (100) and/or whereby said distance Dw2CS ranges between 5 and 40 % of the width W of said sealed pouch (100).
4. The sealed pouch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said end position of said at least one first slit line (126) is positioned at a distance D2 from one of the edges of said first corner seal (120), said distance D2 is ranging between 5 % and 95 % of the width Wics of said first corner seal (120).
5. The sealed pouch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said sealed pouch (100) is provided with at least one visual indication (132) to indicate the preferred location to tear said sealed pouch (100) open.
6. The sealed pouch (100) according to claim 5, whereby said visual indication (132) is positioned along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) corresponding with the position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) of said first slit line (126).
7. The sealed pouch (100) according to claim 5 or claim 6, whereby said visual indication (132) comprises a tearing notch or a colored mark.
8. The sealed pouch (100) according to any one of claims 1 -7, whereby said second slit line (134) is oriented parallel or substantially parallel with said front edge (106) at a position along the length L of said sealed pouch (100) located between said second corner seal (122) and said front seal (1 18) and whereby said second slit line (134) has a start position (136) and an end position (138) along the width W of said sealed pouch (100), whereby said start position (136) is located in said second corner seal (122) and whereby said end position (138) is located in said second side seal (1 16).
9. The sealed pouch (100) according to claim 8, whereby said start position (136) of said second slit line (134) is located at a distance D3 from one of the edges of said second corner seal (122), with D3 ranging between 5 % and 95 % of the width W2CS of said second corner seal (122).
10. The sealed pouch (100) according to claim 8 or claim 9, whereby said end position (138) of said second slit line (134) is located at a distance D4 from one of the edges of said second side seal (1 16), with D4 ranging between 5 % and 95 % of the width W2ss of said second side seal (1 16).
1 1 . The sealed pouch (100) according to any one of claims 1-10, whereby said end position (138) of said second slit line (134) is located at a position along the width W of said sealed pouch (100) at a distance from said second side edge seal (104) ranging between Dw2cs and Dw2cs - 1 -W2CS, and for instance ranging between Dw2cs and Dw2cs -
12. A method to open a sealed pouch (100) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , comprising:
tearing along the first slit line (126), and
tearing along the second slit line (134).
EP17772441.6A 2016-10-18 2017-09-28 Sealed pouch for dispensing material and method to open a sealed pouch Active EP3529165B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16194423 2016-10-18
PCT/EP2017/074661 WO2018072982A1 (en) 2016-10-18 2017-09-28 A sealed pouch for dispensing material

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3529165A1 true EP3529165A1 (en) 2019-08-28
EP3529165B1 EP3529165B1 (en) 2020-02-19

Family

ID=57184314

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17772441.6A Active EP3529165B1 (en) 2016-10-18 2017-09-28 Sealed pouch for dispensing material and method to open a sealed pouch

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3529165B1 (en)
AR (1) AR109960A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2017347365B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2018072982A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP7240167B2 (en) * 2018-12-20 2023-03-15 朋和産業株式会社 packaging bag

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2329360A (en) * 1941-11-29 1943-09-14 Ivers Lee Co Package openable by tearing
GB685379A (en) * 1949-12-13 1953-01-07 Wingfoot Corp Package
NL6903195A (en) 1969-02-28 1970-09-01
JP2007297073A (en) * 2006-04-28 2007-11-15 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Packaging bag
DE102009041251A1 (en) * 2009-09-11 2011-03-24 Huhtamaki Ronsberg, Zweigniederlassung Der Huhtamaki Deutschland Gmbh & Co. Kg peel pouch
JP6113968B2 (en) 2012-06-29 2017-04-12 株式会社細川洋行 Dispensing unit and zippered packaging bag

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2017347365B2 (en) 2020-05-14
WO2018072982A1 (en) 2018-04-26
AR109960A1 (en) 2019-02-06
AU2017347365A1 (en) 2019-04-18
EP3529165B1 (en) 2020-02-19

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