JP2018531848A - Bag-type packaging and related methods for adapting such packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The bag-type packaging for the fluid contents forms the upper corner (6) where the opening opening (7) will be provided along which the tab (8) will be separated to open the packaging 2 With two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3). The opening start portion (7) includes a first tear line (12) provided on the first side wall (2) of the two opposite flexible side walls (2, 3), and the two opposite flexible side walls (2 3), and a second tear line (13) provided on the second side wall (3). The first and second tear lines (12, 13) do not overlap at least in part so that the wall area (18) of the inner surface of the first side wall (2) is exposed after separation of the tab (8). Extend to. The invention also relates to a method of adapting the bag-type package (1) to allow the insertion of the straw (20).

Description

  The present invention relates to bag-type packaging for fluid contents, and more particularly to such packaging in which an opening opening is provided at the upper corner and such packaging to allow for the insertion of a straw. And related methods to adapt.

  Currently, many different types of packaging for liquid contents are available.

  One type of packaging is bag-type and has two side walls that are flexible and joined along the connection to form a compartment, the compartment volume depending on the relative position of the walls To do. The bag-type package may be an upright bag type and thus may also include a bottom wall.

  This type of package can be flat sealed before filling. This allows the packaging compartment to be sterilized in connection with production and delivered to the filling plant, such as a dairy factory, for filling the packaging while maintaining sterility.

  The package may be of a size suitable for immediate consumption, such as having a volume in the range of 100-400 ml. The package may comprise a straw that is used for consumption of the contents.

  The straw may be inserted into the package through a fragile piercing point provided in the side wall of the package, as disclosed, for example, in US Patent Publication No. 2003318899.

  U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,642 discloses an upright bag-type package with a built-in straw. The straw can be used by removing the upper part of the package.

  Alternatively, the package may be provided with an opening opening at the upper corner of the package. By removing the tab along the opening start, an opening is formed through which a straw can be inserted.

  A bag-type package in which two opening openings are provided in the upper corner is disclosed in US Pat. No. 8,740,458. The two opening start portions are spaced apart, and each opening start portion includes two overlapping tear lines. A cut is formed in the sealed upper portion of the package. When opening the package, the user will start tearing from the notch and the tear will propagate to the first opening start and then along the first opening start. If the tear is removed from the first opening start, it will still hit the second opening start and have the potential to propagate along the second opening start. Another bag-type package provided with a plurality of opening start parts is also known from WO 03/095327.

  In view of the above, there is a need for an improved bag-type package that can be used with a straw.

  In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bag-type package for use with a straw.

  To achieve this and other objects that will become apparent from the following description, a bag-type package having the characteristics defined in claim 1 is matched with a bag-type package having the characteristics defined in claim 10. Is provided by the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the packaging and method will become apparent from the dependent claims.

  More specifically, according to the present invention, a fluid content comprising two opposing flexible side walls forming an upper corner provided with an opening start portion along which a tab will be separated to open the package. Bag-type packaging for is provided. The opening start portion is provided on the first side wall of the two opposing flexible side walls, and forms a single tear line provided on the first side wall, and the two opposing flexible side walls. And a second tear line constituting a single tear line provided on the second side wall. The first and second tear lines extend at least partially from the common starting point so that the wall area of the inner surface of the first sidewall is exposed after the tabs are separated.

  This provides an improved bag-type package for use with a straw. The package has an upper corner with a tab that can be separated to form an opening in the package. The tabs can be separated by tearing along the opening opening. Of course, instead, the tabs may be separated by cutting.

  However, if the tab is separated by tearing, the tear will be guided by the tear line at the opening start. As a result of the tear line extending at least partially overlapping, the area of the inner surface of the first sidewall will be exposed after separation of the tabs. The exposed area provides improved access to the interior of the package when inserting the straw. The straw end of the straw can be placed in the exposed wall area, and pressing the straw laterally in the exposed wall area while pushing the straw into the package opens the opening in the package formed by the separation of the tabs. Facilitates the insertion of straws.

  The first tear line constitutes a single tear line provided on the first side wall. By ensuring that only a single tear line is provided on the first sidewall, interference with any additional tear line during tearing is avoided.

  The second tear line constitutes a single tear line provided on the second side wall. By ensuring that only a single tear line is provided on the second sidewall, interference with any additional tear during tearing of the line is avoided.

  The first and second tear lines have a common starting point. This means that the first and second tear lines extend so as to overlap along the area of initiation of the opening start, which can facilitate the beginning of tab separation.

  According to an embodiment of the invention, the first and second tear lines may have a common end point. This means that the first and second tear lines can extend along the end area of the opening start, which can facilitate the termination of the tab separation.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the first tear line may have a straight extension. Thereby, the exposed inner surface of the first sidewall does not include any protruding portions such as flaps or tips that can bend while being pushed laterally on the exposed surface of the straw end.

  According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second tear lines may each be formed as a weakening in the associated sidewall. The weakened portion can be formed by, for example, die cutting, roll drilling, laser scoring, drilling, or notching.

  According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the package may further comprise a seal that forms a restricted flow path in the upper corner of the package, wherein the package is formed when the straw separates the tabs. It can be inserted through the opening and through a more restricted flow path. The restricted flow path may be adapted to the straw so that the straw can be inserted without leakage into the package.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the package may further comprise a straw supported by one of the first and second side walls.

  The first and second sidewalls of the package may be made from a multilayer packaging material.

  The bag-type package may further include a bottom wall.

  The bag type packaging may be an upright bag type.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for adapting a bag-type package to allow for the insertion of a straw, the method comprising two opposing flexible side walls forming its own upper corner. And providing an opening opening at the upper corner at which the tabs will be separated to open the package. The opening start portion is provided on the first side wall of the two opposing flexible side walls, and forms a single tear line provided on the first side wall, and the two opposing flexible side walls. And a second tear line constituting a single tear line provided on the second side wall. The first and second tear lines are configured to extend so as not to overlap at least partially from the common starting point such that the wall section of the inner surface of the first sidewall is exposed after separation of the tabs, The straw can be inserted into the package by placing the end in the exposed wall area of the inner surface of the first side wall and pushing the straw laterally in the exposed wall area while pushing the straw into the package.

  According to an embodiment of the method, the step of placing an opening opening in the upper corner is performed by forming first and second tear lines in a web of packaging material that is later converted into bag-type packaging. Is done. Thus, a plurality of bag-type packages each provided with the above-described type of opening start portion can be efficiently manufactured.

  The details and advantages of the second aspect of the present invention are generally similar to the details and advantages of the first aspect of the present invention, and are referred to herein above.

  In general, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a (an), the (element), element, device, component, means, step, etc.” unless explicitly stated, said element, device, It can be straightforwardly interpreted as referring to at least one example of components, means, steps, etc. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

  The above and additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following illustrative, non-limiting details of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals are used for like elements. It will be better understood through detailed descriptions.

It is a side view of the bag type packaging by embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the bag type packaging shown in FIG. 1 after opening by separation of the tab along an opening start part. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing insertion of a straw into the package shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing insertion of a straw into the package shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic isolated side view showing the upper corner provided with an opening start of an alternative embodiment of the packaging of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic separated side view showing an upper corner provided with an opening start portion of another embodiment of the packaging of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic isolated side view showing an upper corner provided with an opening start of another alternative embodiment of the packaging of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic isolated side view showing an upper corner provided with an opening start of another alternative embodiment of the packaging of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic isolated side view showing the upper corner provided with the opening opening of yet another alternative embodiment of the packaging of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic isolated side view showing the upper corner provided with the opening opening of yet another alternative embodiment of the packaging of the present invention.

  The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that they are complete and complete. And fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

  An upstanding bag-type bag-type packaging 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  The package 1 can be used as a pre-made package adapted to be filled and sealed with a filling machine. Alternatively, the packaging may be made in whole or in part on the filling machine.

  The packaging 1 is specifically intended for products in the form of liquid food such as milk, water, fruit drinks, juices or wines, but of course, for products in some other form or other May be intended for this purpose.

  The package 1 can be of any desired volume. The volume is chosen so that the contents are suitable for immediate consumption and can therefore be in the range of 100-400 ml.

  The package 1 comprises three flexible walls, two of which constitute first and second side walls 2, 3 and the third one constitutes a bottom wall. The first and bottom walls are not visible in the figure. The walls are joined along the connection 4 to define a product compartment 5. The walls are made of a foldable and flexible material, which means that the volume of the product compartment 5 depends on the relative distance between the walls. Therefore, the volume of the product compartment 5 depends directly on the packing rate of the package. In other words, the package 1 is a foldable type also called a bag-type package.

  The walls of the package 1 are preferably joined at the connection 4 by welding. Other methods of bonding, such as bonding, can be considered.

  The package 1 shown has an upper corner 6 provided with an opening opening 7 into which the tabs 8 will be separated in order to open the package. An opening 9 is formed when the tab 8 is separated from the package 1 and allows the product compartment 5 to communicate with the environment. The opening start 7 and the opening 9 are described in more detail below.

  The opening start part 7 can be formed before, during or after the manufacture of the package 1. For example, the web of packaging material may be provided with a continuous opening start 7 at a predetermined position, and the web of packaging material can be converted into the type of packaging shown in FIG. 1 at a later stage. .

  In general, it is desirable for the selected packaging material to be composed of a multilayer film and may comprise a core layer of an inorganic based filler and a polyolefin binder. It will be appreciated that other materials and layers are possible, such as a gas barrier layer or a light barrier layer. The packaging material may be a transparent packaging material, i.e. each of the layers making up the material is transparent.

  At the rear end of the package 1 is shown a handle compartment 10 which is filled with gas and forms a handle 11. The handle section 10 is defined by two side walls 2, 3 and a surrounding connecting part 4. However, it should be understood that the present invention also relates to packages with other types of handles, or packages with no handles at all.

  As described above, the handle section 10 is filled with gas in order to form the handle 11 of the package 1. The gas preferably means air, but it should be understood that other gases may be used. The handle section 10 has a geometry and filling factor that forms a handle 11 that is easy to grasp in the inflated state. Such a handle 11 may also promote considerable rigidity of the package 1 due to its geometry and gas filling.

  The package 1 can be opened by the separation of the tab 8, thereby forming the opening 9 of the package. Naturally, the tabs can be separated by cutting or the like, but preferably the tabs 8 are separated by tearing.

  Separation of the tab 8 can be achieved by completely releasing the tab from the package. Alternatively, the tab 8 may remain attached to the package after separation, thereby facilitating complete recycling of the packaging material after use.

  As described above, the package 1 has the upper corner portion 6 provided with the opening start portion 7. The opening opening 7 in this context means a configuration with two tear lines arranged on each one of the two side walls 2, 3 which are manually separated from the packaging by the tab 8 tearing. When done, guide the propagation of tears.

  Therefore, the opening start part 7 is provided with the 1st tear line 12 and the 2nd tear line 13 which were provided in the 1st side wall 2 and the 2nd side wall 3, respectively. The first tear line 12 is indicated by a dotted line and constitutes a single tear line provided on the first side wall 2, and the second tear line 13 is provided on the second side wall 3. A single tear line formed. Accordingly, the upper corner 6 of the package 1 according to the illustrated embodiment is provided with only one opening start portion 7.

  Each of the first and second tear lines 12, 13 is in each side wall 2, 3 as a weakening formed by, for example, die cutting, roll drilling, laser scoring, drilling, or notching. It may be provided. A tear line may be provided so that the integrity of the package is maintained. As described above, the opening start portion 7, specifically, the tear lines 12, 13 of the opening start portion 7 can be formed before, during, or after the manufacture of the package 1.

  As is apparent from the figure, the tear lines 12 and 13 extend so as not to partially overlap.

  According to the illustrated embodiment, and as is apparent from the isolated enlarged view shown in FIG. 1, the first and second tear lines 12, 13 have a common starting point 14, and the opening start 7 It extends so as to overlap along the first section S1. Next, the tear lines 12, 13 extend so as not to overlap along the second area S 2 corresponding to the width W of the opening 9 formed by the removal of the tab 8. Finally, the tear lines 12 and 13 extend so as to overlap along the third section S3 and are interrupted at the common end point 15.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the starting point 14 and the ending point 15 are located at the free edge of the connecting part 4 on each side of the opening 9 of the package 1. It should be understood that the starting point 14 and / or the ending point 15 can be located at a distance from the free edge of the coupling on each side of the opening 9. In such a case, the initial tear and / or the final tear will not be guided by the opening start when the tab 8 is separated from the package 1.

  The first and second tear lines 12, 13 in the illustrated embodiment have a common starting point 14 and extend so as to overlap along the first area of the opening start portion 7, thus along the opening start portion 7. Separation of the start of the tabs can be facilitated.

  Correspondingly, the first and second tear lines 12, 13 in the illustrated embodiment have a common end point 15 and extend so as to overlap along the third area of the opening start 7. Separation of the end of the tab along the start 7 can be facilitated.

  As described above, the tab 8 may be arranged such that it still adheres to the package after separation. This may be achieved by a tear start line 12, 13 having a common start point and separate end points (not shown). The final tear will be perceived as increasing resistance as the tear propagates from the opening to the connection on the other side of the opening, so that the tab is connected to the package by a small portion of the connection. Indicate to the user to stop or stop further tearing to remain. The same effect is to place a common endpoint for the two tear lines at the junction at a distance from the free edge of the package, for example as shown in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a-6b. May be achieved.

  The expression “extending so that the tear lines overlap” should be construed in the sense that the tear lines extend on each side wall, one above the other, correspondingly, The expression “extends so as not to overlap” should be interpreted as meaning that the tear lines do not extend on each side wall, one above the other as seen in the side view shown in FIG. It is.

  As can be seen, the first tear line 12 has a straight extension, while the second tear line 13 has a bent extension. More specifically, the second tear line 13 branches off from the first tear line 12 along the first portion of the second section S2, and then turns back to return to the second section S2. The first tear line 12 is joined along the second portion.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the package 1 includes a seal 16 that forms a restricted flow path 17 disposed between the opening 9 formed in the removal of the tab 8 and the product compartment 5 of the package 1. Is further provided in the upper corner 6.

  As described above, the package is opened by removal or separation of the tab 8 along the opening opening 7, thereby forming an opening 9. In FIG. 2 where reference is also made here, the packaging 1 is shown in an opened state. The tab 8 is separated from the package 1 along the opening start portion 7, and thus an opening 9 is formed to communicate the product compartment 5 with the environment.

  The tab 8 can be separated by tearing, so that the tear lines 12 and 13 of the opening opening 7 guide the tearing. As a result of the first and second tear lines 12, 13 extending so as not to overlap along the second area S 2 of the opening start 7, the wall area 18 on the inner surface of the first side wall 2 is removed of the tab 8. Will be exposed after.

  The exposed wall section 18 on the inner surface of the first side wall 2 can be used to facilitate the insertion of the straw into the product compartment 5 of the package 1, which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3a-3b Will be explained.

  In FIG. 3a, the straw end 19 of the straw 20 is placed on the exposed wall section 18 of the inner surface. By pushing the straw 20 and its straw end 19 laterally in the exposed wall section 18, the opening 9 of the package 1 is opened and the straw 20 is pushed into the package 1 as shown in FIG. 3b. obtain. Thus, the exposed wall section 18 on the inner surface of the first side wall 2 will make it much easier to insert the straw 20 into the package 1.

  As described above, the first tear line 12 has a straight extension. As a result, the exposed wall section 18 does not include any protruding portions that can bend or bend when the straw end 19 is pushed to it laterally. Rather, the opening 9 will be opened in response to pushing against the exposed wall area 18.

  As can be seen in FIG. 3 b, the straw 20 is inserted into the product compartment 5 of the package 1 via the restricted flow path 17 defined by the seal 16. By appropriate design of the flow path 17, the straw 20 may be extended through the flow path 17 restricted to seal, thereby limiting when the straw 20 is inserted into the package 1. Leakage of the contents of the package 1 through the flow path 17 through the opening 9 of the package 1 can be avoided or at least substantially reduced. Therefore, even if the package is accidentally crushed, the contents are only pushed out through the straw, not through the opening.

  It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  For example, a bag-type package need not be an upright bag-type package. Accordingly, the bag-type package may be a pillow-type package having only two opposite side walls.

  Further, although the illustrated embodiment of the package of the present invention includes a restricted flow path formed by a sealing portion, the present invention is also applicable to a package that does not have such a restricted flow path. That is understood.

  The packaging may also be provided with a straw, and the straw may be supported by one of the two side walls of the packaging, for example. When the user wants to consume the contents of the package, the straw is removed from the package and then inserted into the package when the tab is separated.

  Furthermore, the opening start part may be designed by other methods. Some such designs are shown in FIGS. 4a-4b and 5a-5b.

  In FIGS. 4 a-4 b, the first and second tear lines 12, 13 are curved in opposite directions along the area of the opening start 7.

  5a-5b, the first tear line 12 has a straight extension. The second tear line 13 extends so as to overlap the first tear line 12 except for a certain area, and along the area, the second tear line 13 is separated when the tab 8 is separated. A semicircular protrusion 21 is formed which exposes a wall section 18 on the inner surface of one side wall 2.

  Accordingly, several modifications and variations are contemplated within the scope of the invention, which is defined exclusively by the appended claims.

Claims (11)

Bag-type packaging for fluid contents,
Two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3) forming an upper corner (6) provided with an opening start (7), along which the tab (8) will be separated to open the package Prepared,
The opening start part (7)
The first tear line provided on the first side wall (2) of the two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3) and constituting a single tear line provided on the first side wall (2) (12)
A second tear line provided on a second side wall (3) of the two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3) and constituting a single tear line provided on the second side wall (3) (13) and
The first and second tear lines (12, 13) have a common starting point such that the wall section (18) of the inner surface of the first side wall (2) is exposed after separation of the tab (8). (14) A bag-type package extending so as not to overlap at least partly.   The bag-type package according to claim 1, wherein the first and second tear lines (12, 13) have a common end point (15).   The bag-type package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tear line (12) has a straight extension.   The bag-type packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second tear lines (12, 13) are each formed as weakenings in the associated side walls (2, 3). .   The bag-type packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second side walls (2, 3) of the packaging are made from a multilayer packaging material.   A seal (16) forming a restricted flow path (17) in the upper corner (6) of the package, the package being formed when a straw separates the tab (8); 6. Bag-type packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is insertable through an opening (9) and further through the restricted flow path (17).   The bag-type packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a straw (20) supported by one of the first and second side walls (2, 3).   The bag-type packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a bottom wall.   The bag type packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bag type packaging is an upright bag type. A method of adapting a bag-type package (1) to allow insertion of a straw (20), comprising:
Providing a bag-type package (1) having two opposite flexible side walls (2, 3) forming the upper corner (6) of the package (1);
Placing an opening start (7) in the upper corner (6), along which a tab (8) will be separated to open the package (1),
The opening start portion (7) is provided on the first side wall (2) of the two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3), and is a single tear provided on the first side wall (2). A first tear line (12) constituting a line and a second side wall (3) of the two opposing flexible side walls (2, 3), provided on the second side wall (3) A second tear line (13) constituting a single tear line,
The first and second tear lines (12, 13) have a common starting point such that the wall section (18) of the inner surface of the first side wall (2) is exposed after separation of the tab (8). (14) is configured to extend so as not to overlap at least partly,
The straw end (19) of the straw (20) is placed on the exposed wall section (18) of the inner surface of the first side wall (2) to place the straw (20) into the package (1). Method wherein the straw (20) can be inserted into the package (1) after separation of the tab (8) by pushing laterally in the exposed wall section (18) while pushing.   The step of placing the opening opening (7) in the upper corner (6) is the first and second tear lines (12, 12) in the web of packaging material that is later converted into the bag-type packaging (1). The method of claim 10, wherein the method is performed by forming 13).

Images