FR3134083A3 - PACKAGING DESIGNED TO CONTAIN, PRESERVE AND/OR EXTEND THE USEFUL LIFE OR PERISHABLE PRODUCT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AND USING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

A package intended to contain a product exuding a liquid is formed of a film (12) which is folded and sealed at certain locations. The packaging may include an active component, possibly in the form of an absorbent (16). A filter (34) is fixed inside the packaging, possibly by thermal stapling. The filter (34) prevents the active component from coming into contact with the liquid exuding product.

Description

PACKAGING DESIGNED TO CONTAIN, PRESERVE AND/OR EXTEND THE USEFUL LIFE OR PERISHABLE PRODUCT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AND USING THE SAME DOMAIN

The disclosed concept generally relates to packaging for containing a product, such as, but not limited to, a product exuding liquid, food, and/or another product (e.g., perishable). In an optional embodiment, the currently disclosed technology relates to a pouch having absorbent material held or contained within a pocket or section thereof.

CONTEXT

Packaging, such as stand-up pouches, is known to contain a variety of items, such as soap, certain foods (e.g., pretzels), or items that may include a purge that is a liquid or fluid that escapes from a “liquid-exuding product” such as, but not limited to, fresh cut fruit, frozen or fresh seafood or poultry.

Prior art pouches may be produced or formed from a single piece of generally flexible film, which is folded and sealed upon itself, as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0161174. A current manufacturer of such sachets is AQUA STAR® of Seattle, Washington. Alternatively, these prior art pouches may be produced by attaching two or more pieces of film, for example when, during manufacture, one piece or backsheet is moved transversely into a path of one or more other pieces or sheets, then the various pieces or sheets are fixed.

Conventional sachets that contain a liquid-exuding product may include one or more absorbent pads or sachets that are added or inserted inside the completed sachet (loosely) after the sachet is formed and at the time the sachet is filled with product exuding fluid or shortly before. Such conventional tampons are not attached to the sachet, but can move inside the sachet.

The disadvantage of the conventional arrangement described above is that the buffer has a fixed capacity and is essentially one size. In some cases, this capacity is insufficient. In other cases, some capacity is wasted if it is not needed. Another disadvantage is that the absorbent pad of conventional sachets may not remain positioned in the desired location within the sachet, and has the potential to be useless or at least less effective if it shifts (e.g., away from the bottom or if the bag is tilted) during transport or when storing on a shelf. Another disadvantage is that loose tampons may mix undesirably or be confused with other contents (e.g. food) of the sachet.

Users of prior art sachets with absorbent often complain that when the product is transported or thawed, for example, the purge is not sufficiently or completely absorbed because the absorbent is not held in the desired location (for example, the bottom of the bag). This may result in unwanted product degradation, making the product unsuitable or at least, less than ideal for consumption or use.

SUMMARY

Despite the many advantages of the above teachings and other teachings of the prior art, it would be desirable for a package or a sachet to include an active material (sometimes also called herein an "active", "active element" or " active component"), which may include, but is not limited to, an absorbent, a releasing agent, an antimicrobial agent, a desiccant, an oxygen scavenger and/or the like, held in a pouch or part thereof. The presently disclosed technology compensates for the above and other disadvantages of the prior art, and achieves the above and other goals.

Particularly, in one aspect, the presently disclosed technology ensures that the active material (e.g., but not limited to, an absorbent) will always be located at a predetermined location (e.g., at the bottom of the sachet) and will absorb substantially or completely liquid free from product contents.

In one aspect, the technology currently disclosed relates to a single-use stand-up pouch formed from one or more sheets of film that are folded, sealed and/or secured into a final pouch shape. The sachet optionally comprises an active material located or contained in a lower compartment thereof. A separator or filter separates the lower compartment from an upper compartment of the package which is designed to contain a product exuding a liquid.

In another aspect, the technology currently disclosed relates to packaging designed to contain a product exuding a liquid. The package is optionally formed from a single sheet of film that is folded and sealed at certain locations or from two or more sheets of film that are secured at certain locations. The packaging has a first compartment designed to contain the product exuding a liquid. The package has a second compartment designed to contain an active component. A filter separates the first compartment from the second compartment.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the sachet contains seafood products; preferably, the non-woven prevents the absorbent from coming into contact with seafood.

In yet another aspect, the technology currently disclosed relates to a method of forming a package containing an active component designed to absorb the purge of product within the package. The process may optionally include the insertion of an absorbent into the bottom of the bag. The method may include inserting a filter into the bag and attaching an outer periphery of the filter to an inner surface of the bag. Preferably, the method may include inserting liquid-exuding product into the upper compartment of the bag, wherein the filter prevents the absorbent from coming into contact with the liquid-exuding product, and wherein the absorbent is designed to absorb the purge of the product exuding a liquid.

In one embodiment, the technology currently disclosed relates to a process or process for ensuring that liquid exuding from a product, sometimes referred to as "bleeding", in the package is absorbed by an absorbent in the package.

In one embodiment, the technology currently disclosed relates to packaging that has some or all of the benefits described herein, and is also easily recyclable.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the technology now disclosed, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements throughout the document. In order to illustrate the technology currently disclosed, various illustrative embodiments have been shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the technology herein disclosed is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities depicted. In the drawings:

There is a top perspective view of a package according to an optional embodiment of the technology currently disclosed;

There is a front elevation view of the packaging shown on the ;

There is a perspective view from below of the packaging shown on the ;

There is another perspective view from below of the packaging shown on the ; And

There is a side elevational view of the packaging shown on the .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although systems, devices and methods are described herein by way of examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that the technology herein disclosed is not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. Instead, the technology herein disclosed covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features of any embodiment disclosed herein may be omitted or incorporated into another embodiment.

Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the description or claims. As used here, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. it has the potential to) rather than in the obligatory sense (i.e. it 'he must). The terminology includes the words indicated above, their derivatives and words of similar importance.

The term "liquid-exuding product" is defined broadly here to include any product or products (e.g., foods, fresh frozen foods, seafood, flowers, etc.) from which moisture or liquid ( for example, oil and/or water) can (a) be emitted (such as meat, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and the like) and/or (b) form, adhere and /or emerge from, depending on the particular environment or atmosphere (for example, due to dew point temperature).

Thermoplastic stapling (sometimes called “thermoforming” here)
or “thermal stapling”) or thermal stapling is a process that uses heat to deform a plastic boss. In an optional embodiment, a plastic stud protruding from one component fits into a hole in the second component. The stud can then be deformed by the softening of the plastic to form a head, which can mechanically lock the two components together. Thermal stapling is a versatile, fast, economical and consistent technique. Stapling has the ability to join plastics to other materials (e.g., metal, PCBs) in addition to joining similar or dissimilar plastics.

Optionally, packaging of the presently disclosed technology may be in the form of a pouch, such as a stand-up pouch (e.g., a gusset pouch or a pouch with a bottom end that folds in a similar manner). or identical to a classic paper bag) or a sachet without a defined shape. A stand-up pouch, sometimes called a “doypack,” is a technical term, and one skilled in the art would understand that a stand-up pouch is not a tray or bag that cannot stand upright. A flat-bottomed bag can remain vertical or upright without external or external assistance. An active material or active element or component (for example, an absorbent) may be provided in a part or compartment of the packaging.

Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the document, Figures 1 to 5 show a package, generally designated 10, which may be used according to one aspect of the disclosed concept. Optionally, the packaging 10 can be formed by or from a single sheet of film 12 possibly generally flexible, or of two separate pieces or sheets of film 12 or more possibly. The film 12 may be transparent, opaque or light blocking. One side (e.g., the outer side) of the film 12 may optionally include clues or advertisements (e.g., in the form of a separate label or writing directly on the film 12). A second or opposite side (e.g., the inner side) of the film 12 may optionally be devoid of any indicia or advertising. Film 12 can be made from a flexible polymer. The film 12 may be formed of a polymer material, but is not limited to an embodiment as explained below.

Optionally, the film 12 can be rolled up, folded, manipulated, cut and/or at least partially or completely sealed to form a sachet. Optionally, the package 10 may be formed from two or more separate pieces of film 12, which may be attached or glued to separate shapes to create the desired shape of the sachet.

Optionally, if an active material 16 (for example, an absorbent material) is included in the package 10, it may be advantageous for the package 10 to be formed from three separate sheets of the film 12. Such an arrangement may optionally be formed by including a sheet for the front of the package 10, another sheet for the back of the package 10 and a third sheet for the bottom of the package 10. The package 10 may have seals on the sides and the bottom of it.

Optionally, if an active material 16 is not included in the packaging 10, the packaging 10 can be formed from a single piece of the film 12.

Film 12 is not limited to any particular type or style and may be clear, transparent, translucent, opaque or the like. The final form of the package 10 may be a flat-bottomed sachet (for example, in which the sachet can stand upright under its own force with the bottom thereof facing the supporting surface), as shown in there , or the package 10 may have an indefinite shape (for example, a frozen bag of corn or peas).

The packaging 10 may include at least two or more separate compartments. In one embodiment, the packaging 10 may comprise a first compartment or upper compartment, generally designated by 30, designed to contain the product (represented schematically on the and identified by the reference number 14), and a second or lower compartment, generally designated by 32. Optionally, the lower compartment 32 may be designed to contain an active material, an active element or an active component 16, as described further in detail below. In another optional embodiment, the lower compartment 32 may be devoid of active material.

In an optional embodiment, a liquid permeable filter 34 may be located within the package 10 and may be configured to separate or divide the first compartment 30 from the second compartment 32. The filter 34 may be configured to prevent the material (for example, the product exuding a liquid 14) in the first compartment 30 to come into contact with the material (for example, an active material 16) in the second compartment 32. The filter 34 can optionally extend over all inside the package 10.

In an optional embodiment, the filter 34 is formed of a material distinct or different from that of the film 12. In particular, the filter 34 may optionally be formed of flexible polymer. Optionally, the filter 34 is formed of a polymer material having a plurality of holes extending therethrough. Such an embodiment would allow liquid to pass through filter 34, but would prevent other materials or objects from passing through it.

Optionally, the filter 34 can be formed of the same material as the film 12

In another embodiment, the filter 34 is formed from a non-woven fabric. The nonwoven may be formed from a polymer material, so that the filter 34 can be recycled with the film 12 of the packaging 10. Optionally, the nonwoven comprises a sheathed core formed from a polypropylene composition ( PP)-polyethylene (PE).

At least an entire outer periphery of filter 34 may be attached to the interior of film 12, for example by heat (e.g., thermal stapling), adhesive, mechanical means, or any other means. Optionally, the entire outer periphery of filter 34 is sealed to film 12, but any remaining portion of filter 34 is flexible or movable relative to film 12. Thus, filter 34 may form a false bottom inside the package 10.

In one embodiment, the filter 34 can move between a folded state (e.g., see Figures 1, 2 and 5) when the package 10 is flat, and an expanded state (e.g., generally or almost flat or horizontal) state (see Figures 1, 3 and 4 when the package 10 is enlarged). In the expanded state, filter 34 may generally have an oval shape when viewed from above or below, which results in part from where the periphery of filter 34 is secured within film 12 In the folded state, the filter 34 can form a semi-oval shape as shown in the .

The filter 34 can remain attached to the interior surface of the film 12 throughout the use and/or movement of the packaging 10. In or between each state, the filter 34 is optionally spaced above a bottom 20 of the package 10, thus forming a void or cavity 22 between a lower surface of the filter 34 and an upper surface of the bottom 20 of the package 10. In one embodiment, the filter 34 is suspended between 6.35 mm and 12.7 mm above the bottom 20 of the package 10.

In one embodiment, the filter 34 is positioned closer to the bottom 20 of the package 10 than to a top 24 thereof, so that the first compartment 30 is larger than the second compartment 32. However, the technology currently disclosed is not limited to such a configuration.

Referring to the , an active element, an active element or an active component 16 may be located inside the packaging 10. The active component 16, optionally in the form of an absorbent, a releasing agent, a antimicrobial agent, desiccant, oxygen scavenger and/or the like, may be designed to extend the shelf life or useful life of the product 14 in the package 10. Optionally, the active component 16 may be inserted in the packaging 10 before the filter 34 is inserted into and/or attached to the packaging 10. The active component 16 is optionally located at or near the bottom 20 of the packaging 10 (for example, at the opposite an opening towards the first compartment 30 or a cavity 22 formed by the packaging 10).

In any optional embodiment, active component 16 may be an absorbent, such as, but not limited to, designed to absorb liquid released from product 14. Active component 16 may optionally be bulk granules (e.g. , a powder or granules of hydroxymethylcellulose or other swellable polymer) or in a non-granular form (for example, a pad or a single unitary object). However, the present disclosure is not limited to these. For example, the active component 16 may be an entrained material or polymer comprising a base material (e.g., a polymer) to provide structure, optionally a channeling agent and an active agent. However, other variations of an active component are possible. For example, an active element can also consist of a base material and an active agent, without a channeling agent. The channeling agent can form microscopic interconnecting channels through the entrained polymer. In other embodiments, the active component 16 may be or comprises a releasing agent, an antimicrobial agent, a desiccant, an oxygen scavenger and/or the like.

Optionally, the active component 16 may be in the form of a buffer or include one. In an optional embodiment, a porous material may include, accommodate, or at least partially surround the absorbent material (e.g., powder), or may retain the absorbent material in one or more reservoirs therein. In an optional embodiment, the pad may comprise a nonwoven.

Optionally, the pad may be attached to the sheet of film 12 by placing a heating element above the pad (e.g., non-woven). The nonwoven may optionally comprise a sheathed core of polypropylene (PP)-polyethylene (PE) composition. In operation, the PE melts and sticks to the film 12 under the pad. In another optional embodiment, the pad containing absorbent material (e.g., powder) may be heat-stapled to the sheet of film 12. Alternatively, during the formation of the package 10, a dispenser could dispense loose absorbent granules on the film 12, then a non-woven fabric can be hot stapled onto the loose granules, thereby holding the loose granules in place relative to a portion of the film 12.

In one embodiment, the nonwoven and/or filter 34 comprises or is composed of poly(ethylene terephthalates) and polyethylene in a core-sheath configuration, thereby allowing the nonwoven to be heat sealed to the film . Optionally, the nonwoven and/or the filter 34 may have a density of approximately 20 g/m², or in the range of 10 to 30 g/m² or in the range of 10-50 g/m². Optionally, the nonwoven and/or the filter 34 may have a thickness of 50 to 250 microns, possibly around 130 microns.

In an optional embodiment, the absorbent material may be or comprises code II silica or aluminum silica gel with an average particle size of (or less than) 1 mm. Optionally, the absorbent material may include one or more of a gel, a mineral (e.g., a salt), and a crosslinker (e.g., a bifunctional water-soluble crosslinker for carboxyl, amine, and hydroxyl functional polymers, or the ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDGE)). Optionally, the absorbent material retains all or most of the liquids exuded from the liquid exuding product 14. In one embodiment, the absorbent may be a superabsorbent which, in the dehydrated state, occupies very little or little volume and creates very little or less volume.

Optionally, the absorbent material is formed of or comprises particles or granules absorbing liquids, preferably larger than 100 µm. Optionally, the absorbent material comprises or is composed of natural or synthetic silica with variable cations.

Optionally, the absorbent material may be a composition of matter (e.g., a powder mixture) or a single article (e.g., a sponge), for example.

Absorbent materials usable in conjunction with the methods according to the disclosed concepts include food-safe absorbent materials having an absorbent material composition suitable for use with food products. The absorbent material composition has an absorption capacity, the absorption capacity being defined as weight of liquid absorbed/weight of the absorbent material composition.

In any embodiment, the absorbent material may comprise a crosslinked or non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer. Such a gel-forming polymer may be water-soluble or insoluble. In any embodiment, the absorbent material may further comprise at least one of the following elements: 1) at least one mineral composition, 2) at least one soluble salt having at least one trivalent cation, and/or 3) an inorganic buffer.

In an optional embodiment, the absorbent material may comprise at least one water-soluble polymer forming a non-crosslinked gel having a first absorption capacity, the first absorption capacity being defined as weight of liquid absorbed/weight of the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer, the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer being food safe, the absorbent material composition being compatible with food products such that the absorbent material composition is food safe when in direct contact with food products.

In an optional embodiment, the absorbent material may comprise the following: (i) at least one water-soluble, non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer having a first absorption capacity, the first absorption capacity being defined as weight of liquid absorbed/weight of the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer, the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer being food safe; and (ii) at least one mineral composition having a second absorption capacity, the second absorption capacity being defined as weight of liquid absorbed/weight of the at least one mineral composition, the at least one mineral composition being without food hazard, the absorbency capacity of the absorbent material exceeding the first absorbency capacity and the second absorbency capacity, the absorbent material being compatible with food products such that the absorbent material composition is safe for food food when in direct contact with food products. It should be understood, however, that alternative absorbents such as those described above may be used in accordance with the disclosed concept.

In an optional embodiment, the absorbent material may comprise the following: (i) at least one water-soluble, non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer having a first absorption capacity, the first absorption capacity being defined as weight of liquid absorbed/weight of the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer, the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer being food safe; and (ii) at least one soluble salt having at least one trivalent cation, the at least one soluble salt having at least one trivalent cation being food safe, the absorption capacity of the absorbent material exceeding the first capacity of absorption and the second absorption capacity, the absorbent material being compatible with food products such that the absorbent material composition is safe for food when in direct contact with the food products. It should be understood, however, that alternative absorbent materials such as those described above may be used in accordance with the disclosed concept.

In an optional embodiment, the absorbent material may comprise the following: (i) at least one water-soluble, non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer having a first absorption capacity, the first absorption capacity being defined as weight of liquid absorbed/weight of the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer, the at least one non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer being food safe; (ii) at least one mineral composition having a second absorption capacity, the second absorption capacity being defined as weight of liquid absorbed/weight of the at least one mineral composition, the at least one mineral composition being safe for food; and/or (iii) at least one soluble salt having at least one trivalent cation, the at least one soluble salt having at least one trivalent cation being food safe, the absorption capacity of the absorbent material composition exceeding a sum of the first absorbency and the second absorbency, the absorbent material being compatible with food products such that the absorbent material composition is safe for food when in direct contact with foods foodstuffs. It should be understood, however, that alternative absorbent materials such as those described above may be used in accordance with the disclosed concept. Any of the embodiments of the absorbent material composition described above may optionally comprise an inorganic or organic buffer.

Optionally, the absorbent material may contain from about 10% to 90% by weight, preferably from about 50% to about 80% by weight, and most preferably from about 70% to 75% by weight of polymer. The non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer may be a cellulose derivative such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and its salts, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, gelatinized starches, gelatin, dextrose and other similar components. , and can be a mixture of the above. Certain types and grades of CMC are approved for use with foodstuffs and are preferred when the absorbent material is to be so used. The preferred polymer is a CMC, most preferably a sodium salt of CMC having a degree of substitution of about 0.7 to 0.9. The degree of substitution refers to the proportion of hydroxyl groups in the cellulose molecule whose hydrogen is substituted by a carboxymethyl group. The viscosity of a 1% solution of CMC at 25°C, read on a Brookfield viscometer, should be in the range of approximately 2,500 to 12,000 mPa. The CMC used in the examples in Table 1 below was obtained from Hercules, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware (under trade name B315) or from AKZO Nobel of Stratford, Connecticut (under trade name AF3085).

Optionally, a clay ingredient of the absorbent material may be of any variety of materials and is preferably attapulgite, montmorillonite (including bentonite clays such as hectorite), sericite, kaolin, earth of diatoms, silica and other similar materials, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, bentonite is used. Bentonite is a type of montmorillonite and is primarily a colloidal hydrated aluminum silicate and contains varying amounts of iron, alkali and alkaline earth. The preferred type of bentonite is hectorite which is mined from specific areas, primarily in Nevada. The bentonite used in the examples in Table 1 below was obtained from American Colloid Company of Arlington Heights, Illinois under the trade name BENTONITE AE-H.

Diatomaceous earth is formed from the fossilized remains of diatoms, which are structured somewhat like a honeycomb or sponge. Diatomaceous earth absorbs fluids without swelling by accumulating fluids in the gaps of the structure. Diatomaceous earth was obtained from the American Colloid Company.

In an optional embodiment, the clay and diatomaceous earth are present in an amount of about 10 to 90% by weight, optionally about 20 to 30% by weight, however, some applications, such as where the material absorbent should be used to absorb solutions having high alkalinity, i.e. poultry marinades, may incorporate up to approximately 50% diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth can replace almost all clay, with up to about 2% by weight of clay remaining.

Optionally, a trivalent cation is provided in a soluble salt, such as derived from aluminum sulfate, potassium aluminum sulfate and other soluble salts of metal ions such as aluminum, chromium and the like. Optionally, the trivalent cation is present at about 1% to 20%, most preferably about 1% to 8%.

An inorganic buffer is a buffer such as sodium carbonate (soda ash), sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate and other similar materials. An organic buffer in the absorbent material can be citric acid, monopotassium phosphate, or a buffer mixture with a defined pH range. If a buffer is used, it is possibly about 0.6%, however, advantageous results have been obtained with amounts up to about 15% by weight.

The mixture of the non-cross-linked gel-forming polymer, the trivalent cation and the clay forms an absorbent material which, when hydrated, has improved gel strength compared to the non-cross-linked gel-forming polymer alone. Additionally, the gel exhibits minimal syneresis, which is an exudation of the liquid component of a gel.

Additionally, the combined ingredients form an absorbent material that has an absorbency capacity that exceeds the total absorbency capacity of the individual ingredients. Without being limited by this theory, it appears that the trivalent cation provides a cross-linking effect on the CMC once in solution, and that the clay swells to absorb and stabilize the gels. Furthermore, as shown by Example D in Table 1 below, it appears that, in at least some cases, it is not necessary to add a trivalent cation. It is believed that a sufficient amount of trivalent cation may be present in bentonite and diatomaceous earth to provide the cross-linking effect.

The gels formed by the absorbent material of the invention are firm, transparent glass-like gels which may have applications in other fields such as cosmetic materials. Some examples of absorbent materials in embodiments of the disclosed concept are shown in Table 1. As used in Table 1, absorption is defined as the increase in weight achieved in an absorbent pad structure of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 6,376,034, after placing such a tampon in a tray-type container containing 0.2% saline solution in such quantities as to not limit access of the liquid to the tampon during 72 to 96 hours until no further weight increase is apparent. Net absorbency is the difference between the final pad weight and the starting dry weight, after deducting the net absorbency capacity of the pad base material other than the absorbent blend, i.e. fabric component. This is converted to a gram/gram number by dividing the net absorption by the total weight of the absorbent mixture incorporated into the tampon. Such a procedure is accurate for comparison purposes when the buffer structure used is the same for all mixtures tested.

It can be seen from Table 1 that a significant synergistic effect was achieved in the absorption behavior of these mixtures, resulting in a dramatic improvement in the absorption capacity of the mixtures compared to the individual components. Because non-CMC ingredients are much lower cost than CMC itself, blends provide significant reductions in cost per absorption weight unit.

The absorbent material is not particularly limited to any class of material. However, in some uses, the absorbent material must be food safe, have desirable absorbency, and exhibit minimal syneresis. For example, the absorbent material may include one or more of the following: tissue paper, cotton, sponge, lint pulp, polysaccharide, polyacrylate, psillium fiber, guar gum, locust bean gum, gellan gum, alginic acid, xyloglucan , pectin, chitosan, poly(DL-lactic acid), poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide), poly-caprolactone, polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene-maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, poly(alcohol copolymers vinyl), crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide), polyacrylonitrile starch graft copolymer, and a crosslinked or non-crosslinked gel-forming polymer.

Optionally, the active component 16 can be integrated or formed in one piece with the filter 34.

In one aspect, the package 10 of the presently disclosed technology may be formed by, on, in or with a gusseted bottom pouch making machine, such as that disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2022/0402679 A1. In another aspect, the package 10 of the presently disclosed technology may be formed by, on or with a stand-up pouch making machine.

In either of the manufacturing processes described above or other manufacturing processes, an absorbent material, optionally in the form of powder or absorbent granules, can be applied or deposited in the second compartment 32. In in an optional embodiment, the filter 34 can be attached to an interior surface of the package 10, for example by thermal stapling, thermoforming, welding and/or by a food adhesive. Next, the product 14 may be inserted into the second compartment 32 of the package 10, and the top 24 of the package 10 may be sealed or otherwise closed.

Optionally, filter 34 may form a pocket (e.g., second compartment 32) which contains absorbent material 16 in package 10. The amount of absorbent material may be varied depending on the particular application and customer needs . In an optional embodiment, the pocket would have substantial additional space not occupied by the absorbent material to give the absorbent material room to swell as it absorbs liquid. Compared to the prior art, the presently disclosed technology provides more space for the active component 16 to expand and/or swell, for example when absorbing the purge of the product 14, while preventing the active component 16 from come into direct contact with the product 14.

In an optional embodiment, the active component 16 (e.g., an absorbent) is attached to the film 12 at one stage of a vertical form-fill-seal or a horizontal form-fill-seal machine. For example, a prefabricated active element, possibly with absorbent material inside or contained by a nonwoven component and film 12, may be attached to a portion of a roll of film 12 when film 12 is formed into a sachet or container by a vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) or horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS), as described in Taiwan Publication No. 202243969 A. In a different example, the active component 16 can be formed or constructed (e.g., by enclosing or securing an absorbent material within a nonwoven component and/or the film) during the formation of the sachet or meter instead of the active component 16 being prefabricated.

Optionally, the packaging 10 can be designed so that the first compartment 30 is easily separable from the second compartment 32. For example, a dividing line, such as a zipper or a perforated part of the film 12 can horizontally divide the packaging 10 and/or separate the first compartment 30 from the second compartment 32. When desired (for example, once the active component 16 has absorbed a sufficient amount of product purge 14), the second compartment 32 can be easily separated at the boundary line and discarded.

In any optional embodiment, the packaging 10 can be a single-material bag to allow the packaging 10 to be easily recyclable and/or compostable. For example, film 12 and filter 34 may be formed of the same or similar material, such as polypropylene. In one embodiment, the filter 34 may be made of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and the film 12 may be made of parchment paper.

An advantage of the technology currently disclosed is that, in one embodiment, the packaging 10 may be adjustable and/or adaptable depending on the type and/or size of the product 14 intended to be contained. Optionally, a manufacturer may modify the location or point at which the filter 34 is attached to an interior surface of the film 12. For example, for a product 14 that may release a relatively large amount of purge, the filter 34 may be attached to the film 12 at a location further from the bottom of the package 10. On the other hand, for the product 14 which is expected to release a relatively small amount of purge, the filter 34 can be moved closer to the bottom of the package 10, thus allowing more of space in the first compartment 30 for the product 14 or for more product 14. Consequently, the size of the second compartment 32 can be modified by the manufacturer depending on one or more variables, such as the quantity of product 14 to contain and/or the type of product 14 to contain.

The following exemplary embodiments describe optional aspects of the technology herein disclosed in more detail and form part of this detailed description. These exemplary embodiments are presented in a format substantially similar to the claims (each set having a numerical designation followed by a letter (e.g., "A", "B", etc.), although they are not technically of the claims of the present application. The following exemplary embodiments refer to each other in dependent relationships as "embodiments" instead of "claims".

1A. A package for containing a product exuding a liquid, the package being formed from a single sheet of film which is folded at certain locations to form a flat-bottomed sachet, the package comprising:

means for containing the absorbent in a sachet located on or near an interior surface of a bottom of a film package.

1B. A flat-bottomed bag comprising a filter separating two compartments of the packaging, a lower compartment of the two compartments containing an absorbent.

2B. The flat-bottomed bag of embodiment 1B, in which the absorbent is in the form of a pad.

3B. The flat-bottomed sachet of embodiment 1B, in which the absorbent is in the form of a powder.

4B. The stand-up pouch of Embodiment 1B, further comprising fresh frozen food inside an upper compartment of the two compartments.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alternatives to these details could be developed in light of the general teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to receive the full extent of the appended claims and all their equivalents.

Claims (12)

Flat-bottomed bag formed from one or more sheets of film (12), a non-woven fabric (34) separating an upper compartment (30) from a lower compartment (32) of the bag, an entire outer periphery of the non-woven -woven (34) being fixed in an interior surface of the film (12) and a remaining part of the non-woven (34) being flexible or movable relative to the bag, one of the compartments containing an absorbent (16), the absorbent (16) comprising bulk granules or powder. Flat bottom bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag contains seafood. Flat bottom bag according to claim 2, wherein the nonwoven (34) prevents the absorbent (16) from coming into contact with the seafood. A flat bottom bag according to claim 1, wherein the nonwoven (34) is designed to move between a folded state and an expanded state, in the folded state the bag being flat with the nonwoven (34) having a semi-oval shape, in the expanded state at least one bottom of the bag being expanded, the nonwoven (34) being expanded into an oval shape. Process for forming a sachet, the process comprising:
forming a sachet from one or more sheets of film (12);
inserting an absorbent (16) into a bottom (20) of the bag; And
inserting a liquid permeable filter (34) into the bag and securing an entire outer periphery of the filter (34) to an inner surface of the bag, a remaining portion of the filter (34) being flexible or movable by relative to the sachet, thereby creating an upper compartment (30) designed to contain a liquid exuding product and a lower compartment designed to contain the absorbent (16), the upper and lower compartments being separated from each other by the filter (34) permeable to liquids. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:
inserting product exuding liquid into the upper compartment (30) of the bag,
wherein the filter (34) prevents the absorbent (16) from coming into contact with the liquid exuding product, and
wherein the absorbent (16) is adapted to absorb the purge of liquid exuding product. A method according to claim 5, wherein a void or cavity is formed between a lower surface of the filter (34) and an upper surface of the bottom (20) of the bag. A method according to claim 7, wherein the filter (34) is suspended between 6.35 mm and 12.7 mm above the bottom (20) of the bag. A method according to claim 5, wherein the filter (34) is attached to the interior surface of the bag by thermal stapling. Method according to claim 5, wherein the absorbent (16) is in the form of a powder or granules. A method according to claim 5, wherein the liquid-permeable filter (34) forms a false bottom inside the bag. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:
the formation of the sachet from a single sheet which is folded and sealed at certain locations.