EP4257512A1 - Soupape et emballage - Google Patents

Soupape et emballage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4257512A1
EP4257512A1 EP22167474.0A EP22167474A EP4257512A1 EP 4257512 A1 EP4257512 A1 EP 4257512A1 EP 22167474 A EP22167474 A EP 22167474A EP 4257512 A1 EP4257512 A1 EP 4257512A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
main body
valve
package
valve according
circumferential wall
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP22167474.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Werner Balkau
Sabrina STIEGLER
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.)
B&t Entwicklungs und Vermarktungsgesellschaft Mbh
Original Assignee
B&t Entwicklungs und Vermarktungsgesellschaft Mbh
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 B&t Entwicklungs und Vermarktungsgesellschaft Mbh filed Critical B&t Entwicklungs und Vermarktungsgesellschaft Mbh
Priority to EP22167474.0A priority Critical patent/EP4257512A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2023/058973 priority patent/WO2023194454A1/fr
Publication of EP4257512A1 publication Critical patent/EP4257512A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/225—Pressure relief-valves incorporated in a container wall, e.g. valves comprising at least one elastic element
    • 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
    • B65D65/00—Wrappers or flexible covers; Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D65/38—Packaging materials of special type or form
    • B65D65/46—Applications of disintegrable, dissolvable or edible materials
    • B65D65/466—Bio- or photodegradable packaging materials

Definitions

  • the present invention is in the field of pressure relief valves for food packages.
  • Certain food products for example fresh roasted coffee beans or coffee powder, have a tendency of degassing for some time. Therefore, according food packages, for example coffee bags (coffee pouches) have a pressure relief valve. Pressure relief valves allow the gases - for example carbon dioxide - generated in the interior of the package to evade while preventing the surrounding air to enter into the package so that no oxygen will get into the package and freshness is preserved.
  • Pressure relief valves usually have a cup-shaped main body, wherein of edge the circumferential wall of the main body is welded or glued to an inside of the package material. Both, the bottom of the main body and the package each have an opening. On the bottom of the main body lies a disc as valve membrane, with an oil, for example a silicone oil, serving as sealing liquid between the bottom and the disk. If there is an overpressure within the package, the gas communicating through the opening of the bottom lifts the disc, so that the gas can evade into the interior of the main body and from there through the package opening out of the package. When there is no overpressure within the package, the disc lying against the bottom of the main body ensures a leak-tight sealing.
  • an oil for example a silicone oil
  • Pressure relief valves of this kind are beneficial in that they make possible that fresh food is directly packaged to be delivered to the end customer, without any intermediate re-packaging being necessary. This, in addition to ensuring freshness for the customer, has also advantages in terms of ecology. However, the pressure relief valves add to the environmental footprint of the package.
  • the present invention concerns a pressure-relief valve, the valve comprising a cup shaped main body with a bottom and a circumferential wall that is fastened to a flexible package material.
  • the bottom has at least one through hole forming a passage through the main body.
  • a valve membrane lies against the main body on a package side (in the cup constituted by the main body) in a region around the through hole(s), with a sealing liquid between the main body and the valve membrane.
  • the circumferential wall has, on its outside, a plurality of indentations.
  • the side of the bottom opposite to the package side is called "product side" in this text.
  • the indentations may especially have the form of axially extending grooves, with ribs between the grooves.
  • the grooves may be regularly arranged around the periphery of the main body.
  • Circularly cylindrical parts with a ribbed structure on the outside are known in the art, for example as caps for beverage bottles or other rotatable parts, in that a ribbed structure enhances the grip, so that it is easier to manually turn the respective part.
  • the main bodies of pressure relief valves are designed to be secured to a package, and not to be rotated. Nevertheless, it is an insight of the present invention that a structure with grooves and ribs or with other indentations on the outside of the circumferential wall of the main body is advantageous in that it serves to improve the mechanical stability given a certain material volume - or, viewed from a different perspective, to reduce the material volume necessary to achieve a certain mechanical stability.
  • the overall shape of the main body may be such that the outer surface corresponds to the surface of an essentially disc-shaped body, namely cylindrical or slightly conical with a relatively small axial extension, with the indentations on the outer surface and possibly an outwardly protruding flange.
  • the indentations may be arranged equally distributed - with equal spacings between neighboring indentations - around the periphery of the main body.
  • the number of indentations may for example be between 10 and 40, especially between 15 and 30.
  • the indentations are axially running grooves, their shape in horizontal section (section through a plane perpendicular to the axis) may be continuously curved concave. Especially, the indentations may be shallow in that a central angle of the curved section is smaller than 180°, especially smaller than 120° or smaller than 90°.
  • the circumferential wall of the main body has a package-side section that is an outwardly protruding flange, in addition to a structured section that has the indentations.
  • the structured section may extend to the product-side end of the main body.
  • a package-side section is a portion with an outer surface that is smooth in that it does not have any grooves or ribs. Also in this group, the structured section may optionally extend to the product-side end of the main body
  • the outer surface of the circumferential wall of the main body may have an even further, third section that is on the product-side of the structured section and that is again smooth, whereby the indentations in this alternative are confined to a central (with respect to axial directions) part of the outer surface of the circumferential wall.
  • the bottom of the main body is unaffected by the indentations in the circumferential wall.
  • the bottom of the main body may comprise at least one grease groove for accommodating a reservoir of the sealing liquid.
  • the bottom of the main body has at least one indentation on the product-side, thus forming an indented portion.
  • the at least one through hole - or at least one of the through holes - has its product-side mouth in the indented portion.
  • the mouth of the through hole(s) on the product side is offset with respect to a product-side outermost plane.
  • the indented portion can effectively constitute a system of ventilation grooves, with spacers between them.
  • the spacers have rounded edges. Therefore, there is less risk of damaging the permeable membrane when the package is subject to mechanical stress.
  • the valve further comprises a permeable membrane, which is attached to the product side of the bottom covering the at least one through hole so as to prevent the product from clogging the through opening while being permeable for gases.
  • the permeable membrane may be a fabric membrane.
  • fabric is used to cover all kinds of flexible materials from fibers or yarns or threads that are interlocked, including nonwovens, woven or knitted textiles or other textile structures.
  • the valve further comprises a fixing part.
  • the fixing part is shaped to be placed on the package side of the valve membrane. It prevents the valve membrane from falling out of the main body even in situations in which the valve is subject to substantial mechanical shock.
  • the valve may especially be subject to such shock, during transportation and assembly processes, if it is provided as a bulk material.
  • the fixing part keeps the valve membrane in place even if adhesion by the sealing liquid might not be sufficient to do so.
  • the fixing part may be held relative to the main body by the circumferential wall of the main body forming an undercut, so that the fixing part is clickable into the main body.
  • the valve may be bio-degradable, i.e., all components may be made of bio-degradable material.
  • bio-degradable may mean biologically degradable according to the European standard EN 13432 (as of the end of 2021). In addition or as an alternative, it may mean biologically degradable according to the European standard EN 14995 (as of the end of 2021). Thus “bio-degradable” especially refers to “biologically degradable according to EN 13432 and/or according to EN 14995.
  • water-soluble polymers may optionally be degradable in sewage treatment plants (aerobic biodegradability) in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9888 (as of the end of 2021); determined in accordance with the so-called Zahn-Wellens test.
  • At least one component, for example the main body, of the valve may be made of a polymer composition comprising a water-soluble polymer.
  • the polymer composition further comprises a salt, especially a hygroscopic salt.
  • the composition may comprise a plasticizer.
  • the plasticizer may be selected from the group consisting of polyols (oligo- and polyhydroxy compounds) and low molecular weight amides
  • the main body and, if present the permeable membrane and the fixing part each are of a polymer composition that comprises a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as a water-soluble polymer, a salt, and glycerin as a plasticizer.
  • PVOH polyvinyl alcohol
  • valve membrane is of a polymer composition that is not water-soluble but bio-degradable, for example of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).
  • PHB Polyhydroxybutyrate
  • the invention also concerns a package, especially a coffee pouch for coffee beans or ground coffee.
  • the package comprises flexible, pliant packaging material as well as a pressure relief valve as described in the present text.
  • the main body of the pressure relief valve is attached to the packaging material.
  • the annular end face of the pressure relief valve may be attached to the packaging material, with the valve membrane (and if present the fixing part) being arranged in the hollow space between the bottom of the main body and the packaging material.
  • the packaging material is generally gas-tight but has an opening or other permeable structure at a position encompassed by the circumferential wall of the main body.
  • the pressure relief valve shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6 comprises a main body 1 that is also shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5 .
  • the main body 1 has an overall shape of a flat cup, with a bottom 11 and a circumferential wall 12.
  • the bottom 11 has a sealing surface and, opposite the sealing surface, a product-side surface.
  • the circumferential wall 12 surrounds the sealing surface of the bottom 11. It has an essentially circularly cylindrical or slightly conical outer surface, with axially running grooves 71 arranged at regular distances, and with ribs 72 between the grooves.
  • the axially running ribs 72 enhance the mechanical stability even if the circumferential wall 12 is relatively thin, i.e., is made using a minimum of plastic material.
  • the circumferential wall 12 in this embodiment further has, at its end opposite the bottom 11, a flange 13, i.e., an outwardly protruding collar, so that the annular end face 16 that carries a package-side energy directing rib 18 is broader.
  • the bottom as at least one through hole 14 - in the depicted embodiment there are three through holes 14 - that is covered by the valve membrane 2 lying against the bottom 11 on the sealing surface thereof. Between the bottom 11 and the valve membrane 2 there is a thin layer of a sealing liquid, especially an oil, for example a silicone oil.
  • the main body 1 on the inside of the circumferential wall 12 and in the plane defined by the valve membrane 2 comprises an extension accommodating groove 41 that may accommodate any extension of the valve membrane so that the valve membrane does not bulge upon an expansion, for example if it absorbs some moisture.
  • the pressure relief valve has a permeable membrane 3 in addition to the main body 1 and the valve membrane 2.
  • the permeable membrane 3 may for example be a fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric.
  • the permeable membrane is attached to the product-side surface of the bottom and covers at least the through opening(s) 14.
  • the main body In the side of the sealing surface, the main body has a plurality of grease grooves. More in concrete the main body has an inner grease groove 21 surrounding the opening and moreover has a ring of three first outer grease grooves 22 and a ring of three second outer grease grooves 23, the first outer grease grooves 23 being arranged around the second outer grease grooves 22.
  • the outer grease grooves have the function of serving as a reservoir for the sealing liquid. To this end, they are located at a radial position so as to be covered by the valve membrane (see for example Fig. 3 or Fig. 6 ).
  • the pressure relief valve in addition to the main body 1 and the valve membrane 2, and, as the case may be, to the permeable membrane 2 has a fixing part 4.
  • the fixing part 4 is optional and may serve as a spacer between the flexible package material and the valve membrane 2, making sure that the valve membrane 2 cannot be displaced even in events of severe mechanic concussion.
  • the fixing part 4 is star shaped with three rays.
  • the main body 1 is structured to comprise a system of ventilation grooves 31 and spacers 33.
  • the system is such that the through holes 14 are on a bottom of a ventilation groove, i.e., at a position where the product-side surface is indented.
  • the overall shape of the main body with the flange 13 and the broadened end face 16 may be beneficial for a process of bonding the valve to the package material and for the stability of the bond.
  • the shoulder that is defined by the flange being an outwardly protruding collar yields a coupling face 17 on which a tool for bonding the valve to the package material can directly act.
  • the energy - usually ultrasonic energy - coupled by the tool into the main body 1 for the bonding process does not need to be coupled through the entire height (axial extension) of the main body but only across the thickness of the flange 13. This makes the bonding process more efficient compared to a situation in which the tool would press against the product-side end face of the main body.
  • the tool may for example be a tube shaped sonotrode, with a tube diameter approximately corresponding to the diameter of the flange 13.
  • the flange 13 and the broadened end face 16, are just optional.
  • the main body 1 does not have this structure.
  • the main body 1 also in these alternative embodiments may be weldable to the package material in that a sonotrode impinges on the product-side end face of the main body.
  • the used sonotrode may optionally be tube shaped, with a tube diameter being greater than an outer diameter of the region that has the system of ventilation grooves and spacers.
  • the sonotrode then may have a flat outcoupling face.
  • Figure 7 shows an according embodiment without the flange.
  • the axially running grooves run from a product-side end of the main body.
  • the outer surface of the circumferential wall in addition to the section with the axially running grooves has a second, smooth section 74 but no flange as in the previous embodiment.
  • An energy directing rib (not visible in Fig. 7 ) may be arranged on the package-side end face formed by the circumferential wall.
  • Figure 8 shows an even further variant in which the indentations are not axiallyrunning ribs but have an elliptical shape.
  • the outer surface of the circumferential wall does not only have a first section with the indentations and a second section 74 being a smooth section on the package side but also has a third, again smooth, section 75 on the product side.
  • Figure 9 very schematically illustrates the possibility that the outer surface of the circumferential walls can have axially running grooves 71 that do not extend to the product-side surface.
  • FIG. 10 schematically shows a package with the valve.
  • the main body 1 is welded to the packaging material 60.
  • the package material has at least one gas passage (for example at least one through hole or a permeable section) at a place surrounded by the annular end face. If there is an overpressure inside the package, the gas will cause the valve membrane 2 to be lifted from the bottom 12, whereby a gas passage is created. Excess gas can then evade through the through hole(s) 14, between the valve membrane and the bottom and through the gas passage of the package. When there is no overpressure inside the package, the membrane closes the package by lying against the bottom, with the sealing liquid adhering to the bottom and the valve membrane by capillary forces forming a seal.
  • gas passage for example at least one through hole or a permeable section

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP22167474.0A 2022-04-08 2022-04-08 Soupape et emballage Withdrawn EP4257512A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22167474.0A EP4257512A1 (fr) 2022-04-08 2022-04-08 Soupape et emballage
PCT/EP2023/058973 WO2023194454A1 (fr) 2022-04-08 2023-04-05 Valve et emballage

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22167474.0A EP4257512A1 (fr) 2022-04-08 2022-04-08 Soupape et emballage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4257512A1 true EP4257512A1 (fr) 2023-10-11

Family

ID=81306905

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22167474.0A Withdrawn EP4257512A1 (fr) 2022-04-08 2022-04-08 Soupape et emballage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4257512A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2023194454A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2091388A (en) * 1981-01-07 1982-07-28 Sig Schweiz Industrieges Excess pressure valve
EP0659657A1 (fr) * 1993-12-23 1995-06-28 Luigi Goglio Valve de dégazage pour produits aromatiques tels que café ou similaire
US20070095403A1 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-03 Fu-Long Su One way valve
CN202358438U (zh) * 2011-11-25 2012-08-01 陈丽珍 抽气阀门

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2091388A (en) * 1981-01-07 1982-07-28 Sig Schweiz Industrieges Excess pressure valve
EP0659657A1 (fr) * 1993-12-23 1995-06-28 Luigi Goglio Valve de dégazage pour produits aromatiques tels que café ou similaire
US20070095403A1 (en) * 2005-10-28 2007-05-03 Fu-Long Su One way valve
CN202358438U (zh) * 2011-11-25 2012-08-01 陈丽珍 抽气阀门

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2023194454A1 (fr) 2023-10-12

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