ES2962925T3 - Disposable container with break opening - Google Patents

Abstract

Disposable container (1) with a breakable opening to dispense a liquid, dense or semi-dense product, composed of a semi-rigid film (2) and a flexible film (8) that form a volume (10) to contain the product. The semi-rigid film comprises at least one layer of a blended material, wherein: said blended material comprises a base polymer and an additive, wherein the base polymer is selected from the group comprising polypropylene and polyethylene and the additive is selected from the group group comprising COC (cyclic olefin copolymers), a mineral filler such as talc and/or calcium carbonate, a nucleating agent; The flexible film (8) comprises at least one layer comprising said base polymer, so that the package is monomaterial. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Disposable container with break opening

field of invention

The present invention relates to the field of disposable containers with tear opening to distribute a liquid, dense or semi-dense product.

These containers generally have a flat rectangular shape and are limited in size to fit in one hand. Typically, they consist of a semi-rigid film and a flexible film applied to an inner face of the semi-rigid film, to form a volume to contain the product.

On the outer face, the semi-rigid film typically has one or more notches from which, when the semi-rigid film is folded, a fracture is triggered that locally breaks the semi-rigid film, allowing the product contained in the volume to flow out.

Previous technique

Various break-open disposable packaging solutions of the type mentioned above are known. Some solutions are illustrated, for example, in US7121409, WO2008038074, EP2170727, WO2009040629, EP2055474, WO2010123581, US8662 349, EP2766277, EP2628691, EP2928789, EP3019415, EP2944579, WO2015166453, EP3145836, KR2016003 9388, KR101597150, KR101772884, US20170283145, US10370154 , WO2018130984, KR200489112, WO2019106555, WO2019138435, WO2019142143, WO2019142144, WO2008/092200A1, WO2008/038074A2, EP20554 and WO2011/003566A1.

These packages are appreciated, in particular, for their ease of use and are rapidly spreading in various fields of application, for example, for distributing food condiments, personal care products, medical products and the like.

Objective of the invention

Manufacturing companies and consumers are now paying attention, in particular, to the environmental impact of consumer products. Packaging of the type mentioned above receives the same attention, given the wide diffusion and the need for the packaging to be disposed of properly after use.

Since the two films that make up the packaging have very different functions (one semi-rigid film acts as a support and must be subjected to localized fracture after folding, the other flexible film has a containment function and must not be subjected to rupture as a result of the folding of the semi-rigid film to which it is applied), the materials used are different and this does not allow immediate disposal.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a disposable tear-open container that meets the needs of the field and overcomes the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the prior art.

Such an objective is achieved by a tear-open disposable packaging according to claim 1. The dependent claims identify other advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In particular, an objective of this type is achieved by a disposable container with tear opening for distributing a liquid, dense or semi-dense product, consisting of a semi-rigid film, having an inner face and an opposite outer face, and a flexible film. applied in a sealed manner to the inner face of the semi-rigid film to create a volume to contain the product, wherein the semi-rigid film comprises at least one layer of a mixed material, wherein:

- said mixed material comprises a base polymer and an additive, wherein the base polymer is selected from the group comprising polypropylene and polyethylene and the additive is selected from the group comprising COC (cyclic olefin copolymers), a mineral filler, such as talc and/or calcium carbonate, a nucleating agent;

- the flexible film comprises at least one layer comprising said base polymer, so that the container is monomaterial.

The characteristic features and advantages of the break-open disposable container according to the present invention will be evident from the description given below.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a disposable container with tear opening, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the container in figure 1, from another observation point.

Figures 3 to 7 schematically show the structure with semi-rigid film layers of the packaging, each in a folded configuration, according to different embodiments.

Detailed description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, number 1 indicates, as a whole, a disposable tear-open container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The container 1 comprises a semi-rigid film 2, having an inner face 4 and an opposite outer face 6, and a flexible film 8 applied to the inner face 4 of the semi-rigid film 2, to create a volume 10 to contain a liquid product, dense or semi-dense to be distributed.

Along the perimeter edge 8a-8d thereof, the flexible film 8 is applied in a sealed manner to the semi-rigid film 2, for example, by welding, so that the volume 10 is closed in a sealed manner to contain the product.

On the outer face 6, the semi-rigid film 2 preferably has a line of weakness 12, which consists, for example, of a notch having a predefined depth, from which a local fracture is triggered when folding P of the semi-rigid film 2 , which allows the outward flow of the product contained in volume 10.

According to an alternative embodiment, no weakening line is present on the outer face 6 of the semi-rigid film 2.

The container 1 is substantially monomaterial, such a term meaning that at least 80% by weight of the container is manufactured from the same base polymeric material.

A characteristic feature of this type allows immediate disposal of the packaging after use, since it consists of a single base material.

Furthermore, the materials and dimensions of the packaging layers are selected so that the packaging has a relative density <1, so that it is buoyant. This characteristic feature allows, during waste disposal procedures, to separate these containers by floating in water.

According to one embodiment, the flexible film 8 is a co-extruded or laminated film, consisting of one or more layers of PE (polyethylene), possibly interspersed with barrier layers of EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol) or SiOx (oxides). of silicon) or AlOx (aluminum oxides), in which the inner layer is weldable to the inner face 4 of the semi-rigid film 1 and, for example, is made of a polyethylene layer.

According to another embodiment, the flexible film 8 is a co-extruded or laminated film, consisting of one or more layers of PP (polypropylene), possibly interspersed with barrier layers of EVOH or SiOx or AlOx, in which the layer The interior is weldable to the interior face 4 of the semi-rigid film 1 and, for example, is made of a polypropylene layer.

Example 1

According to a first embodiment of the invention (figure 3, table 1), the semi-rigid film 1 is coextruded, is substantially manufactured from polypropylene, and comprises three layers: a first inner layer 2i, which supports the inner face 4 and It is intended to come into contact with the product, an intermediate layer 2m and a first outer layer 2e, which supports the outer face 6 and is intended to receive any weakening lines.

The first inner layer 2i is made of PP or comprises two sublayers of PP sandwiched with a barrier sublayer of EVOH or PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol)); the 2m middle layer is made of PP; The first outer layer 2e is manufactured from PP with the addition of a functional additive adapted to increase the rigidity of the material.

Said functional additive is selected from the group comprising COC (cyclic olefin copolymers) or other mineral filler, such as talc and/or calcium carbonate, or other nucleating agents.

The composition of the first outer layer 2e makes the PP more rigid and the low stretchability facilitates fracture on the outer face 6 of the semi-rigid film 1.

According to such an embodiment, the thickness of the semi-rigid film 1 is approximately 350 micrometers.

According to such an embodiment, by folding the semi-rigid film from the side opposite to the outer face, that is, making the inner face convex, by generating a tensile stress state, no fracture will be obtained, neither on the outer face, which remains concave and is not subject to traction, nor on the inner face, where the inner layer 2i is flexible enough not to break.

Example 2

According to another embodiment (Figure 3, Table 2) of a semi-rigid film 2, the structure and composition are substantially identical to those described in Example 1, except for the inner layer, made of mixed PP.

According to an embodiment of this type, when folding the semi-rigid film in one direction or the other, a fracture is obtained on the outer face or on the inner face, according to the direction of folding, which causes a or other face adopts a convex conformation.

Example 3

According to another embodiment (figure 4, table 3), the semi-rigid film 2 is a laminate and comprises, from the inner face 4 to the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2i that supports the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2ii, an intermediate layer 2m, a second outer layer 2ee and a first outer layer 2e.

The first inner layer 2i is PP; the second inner layer 2ii is mixed PP; the intermediate layer 2m is PP or is a barrier layer comprising a first sublayer of PP, an intermediate layer of EVOH or PVOH or other barrier material compatible with PP, and a second sublayer of PP; the second outer layer is PP or comprises a first sublayer of PP, a barrier layer of EVOH or PVOH or another barrier compatible with PP or an adhesive, and a second sublayer of PP; The first outer layer 2e is made of PP or comprises a first sublayer of PP, a barrier layer of EVOH or PVOH or another barrier compatible with PP, and a second sublayer of PP.

According to such an embodiment, the total thickness of the semi-rigid film is 410 micrometers.

In a case of this type, the fractureable layer, which generates the folding fracture, is the second inner layer 2ii, of mixed PP.

To facilitate fracture, the sum of the thicknesses of the external non-mixed layers with respect to the mixed layer must be equal to or less than half of the sum of the thicknesses of the mixed and internal layer with respect to it. In other words, according to the example in figure 4:

where tx is the thickness of layer

Advantageously, in such an embodiment, the weakening line obtained on the outer face 6 preferably has a depth such that it does not damage the barrier layer (second outer layer 2ee or first outer layer 2e), preserving, therefore, its integrity.

Example 4

According to another embodiment (Figure 5, Table 4), the semi-rigid film 2 is coextruded in several layers, typically 7.

The semi-rigid film 2 comprises, from the inner face 4 to the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2i supporting the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2ii, an inner bonding layer 2li, a barrier layer 2o, a layer outer bonding layer 2le, a second outer layer 2ee and a first outer layer 2e.

According to such an example, the first inner layer 2i is PP, the second inner layer 2ii is mixed PP; the inner binder layer 2li is a binder or adhesive; the barrier layer 2o is EVOH or PVOH, the outer binder layer 2le is a binder or adhesive; the second outer layer 2ee is mixed PP; the first outer layer 2e is PP.

According to such an embodiment, the semi-rigid film has a thickness of 350 micrometers.

In such an embodiment, the fragile layers, which are subjected to rupture by folding, are the second inner layer 2ii and the second outer layer 2ee, which are subjected to rupture alternately, according to the direction of folding. .

For the distribution of thicknesses, if the opening is to occur in the second outer layer, the previous formula is followed:

12e e ^ ^ ( t 2 i t 2 i i t 21 i t 2 or t 21 e t 2 e ) •

Similarly, if the opening is to occur in the second inner layer, the following formula is followed:

12 i i - ^ ( t 2 e t 2 e e t 21 e t 2 o t 21 i t 2 i ) .

Example 5

According to another embodiment (figure 6, table 5), the semi-rigid lower part 2 is manufactured by coupling several semi-rigid lower parts, each of the latter formed as described in the previous examples. For example, according to one embodiment, a semi-rigid bottom part 2 comprises, from the inner face 4 to the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2i that supports the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2ii, a third layer inner 2iii, an inner binder layer 2li, a barrier layer 2o, an outer binder layer 2le, a third outer layer 2eee, a second outer layer 2ee and a first outer layer 2e that supports the outer face 6.

The second inner layer 2ii is mixed polypropylene; The second outer layer 2ee is mixed polypropylene. The barrier layer 2o is EVOH or OPP/AlOx or OPP/SiOx or OPP/E<v>O<h>(OPP = oriented polypropylene).

The semi-rigid film according to an embodiment of this type is subjected to fracture by folding in one direction or another and, if provided with lines of weakness for triggering the fracture, on the inner face and/or on the face. Outside, the depth of these weakening lines is such that it does not affect the barrier layer.

Example 6

According to another embodiment (figure 7, table 6), a semi-rigid film 2 comprises, from the inner face 4 towards the outer face 6, a first inner layer 2i that supports the inner face 4, a second inner layer 2ii, a third inner layer 2iii, an inner layer of binder 2li, a barrier layer 2o, an outer layer of binder 2le and a first outer layer 2e, which supports the outer face 6.

According to such an embodiment, the first inner layer 2i is made of polypropylene, the second inner layer 2ii of mixed polypropylene, the third inner layer 2iii of polypropylene, the inner bonding layer 2li is an adhesive, the layer barrier 2o of EVOH or OPP/AlOx or OPP/SiOx, the outer binder layer 2le is an adhesive and the first outer layer 2e is BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene).

According to one such embodiment, the barrier layer is attached by means of an adhesive to an outer layer of bioriented plastic material, for example, a BOPP, to protect it from scratches and impacts. In the variant with a weakening line on the inner face, such a weakening line preferably has a depth such that it affects at most the third inner layer, without affecting the barrier layer.

In the variant with a weakening line on the outer face, such a weakening line preferably has a depth such that it only affects the first outer layer, without affecting the barrier layer.

Other embodiments

According to other embodiments, the container is shaped to adopt a particular shape, for example, a stylized bottle. In such a case, there is a region of narrow width that forms a neck, and the fracture is triggered in such a region.

Innovatively, the packaging described above meets the needs of the field, since the folding of the packaging causes a fracture that allows the product to flow out, and overcomes the disadvantages mentioned above, since the packaging is substantially monomaterial and therefore therefore, easily disposable.

Advantageously, furthermore, the container described above is suitable for selective disposal, since it can be separated by means of normal separation procedures, and, in particular, by floating in water. It is evident that those skilled in the art, to meet contingent needs, may make changes to the packaging described above, all contained in the attached claims.

Claims (12)

1. Disposable container (1) with tear opening to distribute a liquid, dense or semi-dense product, consisting of a semi-rigid film (2), which has an inner face (4) and an opposite outer face (6) and a film flexible (8) applied in a sealed manner to the inner face (4) of the semi-rigid film (2) to create a volume (10) to contain the product, in which the semi-rigid film comprises at least one layer in a mixed material, in which: - said mixed material comprises a base polymer and an additive, wherein the base polymer is selected from the group comprising polypropylene and polyethylene and the additive is selected from the group comprising COC (cyclic olefin copolymers), a mineral filler, such as talc and/or calcium carbonate, a nucleating agent; characterized in that the flexible film (8) comprises at least one layer comprising said base polymer, so that the container is monomaterial. 2. Package according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of base polymer in the package is > 80% by weight. 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said container floats in water. 4. Container according to claim 3, wherein the material and thickness of each layer that makes up the semi-rigid film and the flexible film are defined so that a relative density with respect to water < 1 is obtained. 5. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer face (6) of the semi-rigid film (2) is free of lines of weakening. 6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer face (6) is provided with at least one weakening line (12) to trigger fracture. 7. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner face (4) of the semi-rigid film (2) is free of lines of weakening. 8. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner face (4) is provided with at least one weakening line to trigger fracture. 9. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semi-rigid film (2) is coextruded. 10. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the semi-rigid film (2) is laminated. 11. Package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the semi-rigid film (2) comprises at least one barrier layer (2m, 2o) of a barrier material, wherein said barrier material is selected from group comprising EVOH, PVOH, AlOx, SiOx, OPP/AlOx, OPP/SiOx. 12. Container according to claim 11, when dependent on claim 6 or 8, wherein the weakening line has a depth so that it does not affect the barrier layer.