JP2016113216A - Multi-compartment packaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable improved handling and efficient transport and storage by a packaging device having a plurality of compartments therein.SOLUTION: The multi-compartment packaging device 10 for a single product includes a flexible pouch 12 defining an interior cavity, the pouch 12 having at least two sidewalls 12a, a closed end 12b along one end of the pouch, and an open but closable end 12c along the opposite end of the pouch for receiving a product therethrough. The length of the pouch extends from the open end to the closed end. At least one permanent partition strip 14 is located within the interior cavity of the pouch, the partition strip 14 extending from one of the open end and the closed end toward the other end, and being shorter than the pouch length. The partition strip has at least two separate but fluidly communicating compartments 14a formed within the interior cavity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a multi-compartment packaging tool, and more particularly to a multi-compartment packaging tool having at least one partition piece therein.

  Naturally, packages such as bags and bags that contain products obey the law of gravity. Therefore, the smaller the volume of the content in the flexible package, the more content moves from one end of the package to the other during transport. Therefore, the contents in the package often transform the package into a generally conical shape, i.e., wide at one end and narrow at the opposite end. The disadvantage of such packages is that packages with different shapes do not stack well together and therefore require more space for transportation and storage. Another disadvantage of such packages is that such packages are not optimal for handling.

  Therefore, for improved handling and efficient transport and storage, it is advantageous to produce a packaging device having multiple compartments therein to help distribute the contents more evenly throughout the packaging device. Will.

  Briefly, one aspect of the invention relates to a multi-compartment packaging device for a single product. The packaging tool has a flexible bag defining an internal cavity, the bag being at least two sidewalls, a closed end along one end of the bag, and an open end along the opposite end of the bag. A closable open end for receiving the product. The length of the bag extends from the open end to the closed end. At least one permanent partition piece is provided inside the internal cavity of the bag, the partition piece extends from one of the open end and the closed end to the other, and the length of the partition piece is the length of the bag. Shorter than length. The partition piece forms at least two separate fluid communication compartments inside the internal cavity.

  Another aspect of the invention relates to a multi-compartment package having a single product therein. The package has a flexible bag defining an internal cavity, the bag having at least two side walls, a first closed end along one end of the bag, and a second open along the opposite end of the bag. And an end. The length of the bag extends from the first closed end to the second closed end. At least one permanent partition piece is provided inside the internal cavity of the bag, and the partition piece extends from one of the first closed end and the second closed end to the other, and the length of the partition piece. Is shorter than the length of the bag. The partition piece forms at least two separate fluid communication compartments inside the internal cavity. The single product is contained within the internal cavity.

  The foregoing summary, as well as the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are preferably shown. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

It is a side view of the packaging tool of this invention including a continuous partition piece. It is a perspective view of the packaging tool of FIG. 1A. It is a side view of the packaging tool of this invention containing the partition piece comprised by the continuous discrete part. It is a perspective view of the packaging tool of FIG. 2A.

  In the following description, certain terminology is used for convenience, but this is not limiting. The words “below”, “bottom”, “upper”, “top” indicate directions in the referenced drawing. The words “inward”, “outward”, “upward”, “downward”, respectively, with respect to the present disclosure, are designated and directed to the geometric center and direction of the packaging implement, respectively. The part is shown. Unless otherwise specified, the terms “a”, “an”, “the” are not limited to one element, but should be interpreted to mean “at least one”. This terminology includes the above words, derivatives thereof and words with similar meanings.

  In addition, the terms “approximately”, “approximately”, “generally”, “substantially”, and the like used herein when referring to the dimensions and features of the components of the present invention are strictly the dimensions and features described. It should be understood that it does not exclude minor changes that are functionally similar, rather than strict boundaries or parameters. References that include at least numerical parameters, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the technology (eg, rounding off of the round, measurement, or other system errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.) Includes changes that do not change the lowest digit.

  Referring to the drawings in detail, like numerals indicate like parts throughout, and FIGS. 1A-2B show a preferred embodiment of a packaging implement, generally designated 10, according to the present invention. The packaging tool 10 is adapted for hermetically packaging any one of a myriad of different products and formulations. The products and preparations are not limited, but are, for example, topical preparations such as gels, oils, creams, shampoos, lotions, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and the like. The packaging device 10 is also adapted to more equally distribute products and formulations throughout the packaging device 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B, the packaging tool 10 includes a flexible bag 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag 12 is generally rectangular in shape, facing side walls 12a, a closed end 12b along one end of the bag, and open but closeable along the opposite end of the bag. Open end 12c. A product or formulation is received into the internal cavity 12d of the bag 12 via the open end 12c. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bag 12 can take any myriad different shapes as long as it has sufficient openings to insert the product into the bag 12. Bladder 12 defines a length _{L 1} that extends from the open end 12c to a closed end portion 12b.

  Preferably, the bag 12 is composed of a plurality of overlapping polymer layers. For example, but not limited to, bag 12 is comprised of a first or inner polyethylene (“PE”) layer, a second or middle aluminum layer, and a third or outer polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) layer. Has been. Each polymer layer is formed by adhering the two layers together by an adhesive or via a tie layer sandwiched between them, such as, but not limited to, a layer of ethylene acrylate copolymer ("EEA"). Can be attached to. Alternatively, the polymer layers may be laminated together, i.e., adhered to each other with heat. As another example, but not limited to, the bag 12 is a first or inner Surlyn® layer (sold by Surlyn® Ionomer Resin, Wilmington, Delaware EIdu Pont de Nemours and Company), It may consist of two or middle aluminum layers and a third or outer PET layer. In some embodiments, the bag 12 is composed of a single layer.

  When the inner layer is a Surlyn® layer, it melts at a lower temperature than PE, which has the advantage that it can be heat sealed without substantially degrading or damaging the heat sensitive product in the bag 12. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the multi-layer bag 12 may be composed of a single polymeric material. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bag 12 is innumerable in any number, now known or later known, provided that it generally has the same characteristics as the bag 12 described herein. You may be comprised with material. Further, the bag 12 can be sized to receive the desired quality / volume of the product, for example, but not limited to, in the range of approximately 10 ml to approximately 300 ml.

As shown, at least one permanent partition strip 14 is formed within the interior cavity 12d of the bag 12, which is the open end (12c) and closure of the bag 12. It extends from one end (12b) to the other of the open end (12c) and the closed end (12b). In the illustrated embodiment, the partition piece 14 extends from the closed end 12b, shorter than the length L ₁ of the bag, which defines a substantially equivalent length L _2, therefore, the internal At least two separate but fluidly communicating compartments (fluidly communicating compartments) 14a are formed within the cavity 12d. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner cavity 12d includes two spaced apart spaced apart pieces 14, thus forming three compartments 14a. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the bag 12 may include one partition piece 14 or more than two partition pieces 14, for example, depending on the size of the bag 12. As will be appreciated, the partition pieces 14 may have different lengths, but are preferably shorter than the length L ₁ of the bag 12.

In a manner understood by those skilled in the art, each partition piece 14 may be formed by heat sealing the opposing inside of bag 12 using a press. Alternatively, a partition made of an opposing inwardly sealable material is placed inside the bag 12 during manufacture of the bag 12 and sealed inward by a heated press or by a non-thermal adhesive. Also good. It should be understood that the partition piece 14 is permanent (permanent, durable), because the force applied to separate the opposite sides of the bag 12 tears the partition piece 14. Or it means that the bag 12 is damaged, torn or ruptured before it is ruptured. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the partition piece 14 includes a continuous partition piece 14, or, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the partition piece 14 includes a plurality of continuous discrete portions. (successive discrete portions) 14b. Since the partition piece 14 is shorter than the length L ₁ of the bag 12, section 14a communicates fluid without problems.

  In use, a single product or formulation, ie, a single substance or a premixed substance, is packed into the internal cavity 12d of the bag 12 through the open end 12c. At this time, preferably, as shown in FIG. 1A, the bag 12 is oriented so that the open end 12c is at the top. Thereafter, the open end 12c of the bag 12 is sealed by, for example, heat sealing. The bag 12 may include a partition piece 14 before packing the product into the internal cavity 12d. Alternatively, if the product is not heat sensitive, each partition piece 14 is formed after the desired amount of product has been packed into the internal cavity 12d or after the desired amount of product has been fully inserted into the internal cavity 12d. May be.

  One advantage of the partition piece 14 is that the partition piece 14 increases the structural integrity of the flexible bag 12 and helps the bag 12 maintain a more stable shape during handling, transportation and storage. It is to be. The partition piece 14 also functions to distribute the product more evenly between the compartments 14a, and the product moves in the bag 12 due to gravity when the bag 12 is in the orientation shown in FIG. 1A. It also functions to partially block, thereby assisting in preventing the bag 12 from having its one end 12b (closed end) substantially wider than the opposite end 12c (open end). Thus, for example, the bag 12 can maintain a more strictly rectangular shape, providing improved handling and more efficiently, for example, by stacking multiple packages 10 on top of one another. Provide efficient storage.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concept. Therefore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described, but is intended to encompass modifications within the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Is done.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Packaging tool, package 12 Bag 12a Side wall 12b Closed end part 12c Open end part 12d Internal cavity 14 Partition piece 14a Partition 14b Discrete part

Claims (11)

A multi-compartment packaging tool (10) for a single product comprises a flexible bag (12) defining an internal cavity (12d), and at least one permanent partition piece within the internal cavity of the bag ( 14)
The bag has at least two side walls (12a), a closed end (12b) along one end of the bag, and a closable opening for receiving product through the open end along the opposite end of the bag. End (12c),
The length of the bag extends from the open end to the closed end;
The partition piece extends from one of the open end and the closed end to the other;
The length of the partition piece is shorter than the length of the bag,
The partition piece forms at least two separate fluid communication compartments (14a) within the internal cavity;
A multi-compartment packaging tool characterized by the above.   2. The multi-compartment packaging tool according to claim 1, wherein the partition piece includes a continuous partition piece.   The multi-compartment packaging tool according to claim 1, wherein the partition piece includes a plurality of continuous discrete portions (14b).   The multi-compartment packaging tool according to claim 1, wherein the bag is composed of a plurality of overlapping polymer layers.   The multi-compartment packaging tool according to claim 4, wherein the bag is composed of a PET layer, an aluminum layer, and one of a PE layer and a Surlyn (registered trademark) layer.   The multi-compartment packaging tool according to claim 1, wherein the partition piece is made of a heat seal material. A multi-compartment package (10) for a single product comprises a flexible bag (12) defining an internal cavity (12d), and at least one permanent partition piece within the internal cavity of the bag ( 14) and a single product contained within the internal cavity,
The bag has at least two side walls (12a), a first closed end along one end of the bag, and a second open end along the opposite end of the bag;
The length of the bag extends from the first closed end to the second closed end;
The partition piece extends from one of the first closed end and the second closed end to the other;
The length of the partition piece is shorter than the length of the bag,
The partition piece forms at least two separate fluid communication compartments (14a) within the internal cavity;
A multi-compartment package characterized by the above.   8. The multi-compartment package of claim 7, wherein the single product is distributed substantially equivalently to the at least two fluid communication compartments.   The multi-compartment package according to claim 7, wherein the partition piece includes a continuous partition piece.   The multi-compartment package according to claim 7, wherein the partition piece includes a plurality of continuous discrete portions (14b).   The multi-compartment package according to claim 7, wherein the partition piece is made of a heat seal material.

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