NZ227908A - Package with internal bag: filling of bag erects package - Google Patents

Description

227SG8 I ^^V~2FA~i / *«$££ ;jj-9HAY1990 J1 ;U I ;PATENTS FORM NO. 5 ;Fee No. 4: $200.00 ;PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;After Provisional No: 227908 ;Dated: 9th February 1989 ;BAG AND BOX COMBINATION ;WE, Trigon Packaging Systems (NZ) Limited, a New Zealand company of Comer Foreman Road and Avalon Drive, Hamilton, New Zealand hereby declare the invention for which I/We pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ;l ;The present invention relates to both a method of packaging and to a packaging product and has particular application to the packaging of flowable (fluid) solids and liquids. ;Fluid products by their nature are often required to be packaged in packaging that is either heimetic or at the very least impermeable to the egress of the packaged contents as well as the ingress of foreign matter or organisms. Generally some form of plastic bag is used as these are relatively cheap and easier to handle than rigid plastic containers and the like. The problem with plastic bags however is that once filled with the fluid product they do not retain a rigid shape and are therefore difficult to handle. Furthermore, plastic bags can be readily pierced causing the contents within to spill out- ;Film lined boxes are presently used but sealing the boxes on closure is difficult. ;To overcome the above problems it has been known in the past to fill a plastic bag with a fluid product and then insert the bag into a rigid container such as a cardboard box. Cardboard boxes although not fluidproof are cheap, provide the rigidity required as well as a buffer surface between the plastic bag and any potentially piercing objects. ;Unfortunately there are disadvantages associated with the above methods of packaging. Firstly, there is double handling of the product in the packaging process. It is sometimes difficult to insert a fluid filled bag into a cardboard box and the unfilled boxes provide storage and handling problems due to their bulkiness. Furthermore, most filling machines fill through nozzles and it can be difficult to fix bags around the nozzles when filling. ;It is an object of the present invention to provide both a method of packaging and a package that addresses the above problems. ;Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example. ;According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of encasing a flexible bag within a collapsed relatively rigid container comprising the step of fixing the flexible bag relative to the internal surfaces of the rigid container in such a manner that erection of the flexible bag from a collapsed condition when the bag is filled results in a corresponding complementary erection of the collapsed rigid container.' ;According to an alternative aspect of the present invention there is provided a package comprising a flexible bag encased within a relatively rigid collapsable container wherein the flexible bag is fixed to inside surfaces of the rigid collapsable container, the rigid collapsable container being constructed such that erection of the flexible bag from a collapsed condition when the bag is filled results in a corresponding complementary erection of the rigid container from a collapsed condition. ;It should be appreciated that the form of the bag and the box may be of any form that produces the desired result of providing a bag within a box wherein the arrangement is such that as the bag expands from the collapsed state the box likewise expands with the bag. Thus the bag and box should be of a similar size. ;Both the bag and the box may be gusseted so that once they are filled with product, square corners are attained. ;In another embodiment the bag may have a shaped nozzle. This enables the present invention to be used in conjunction with specialist filling systems and filling nozzles. ;The present invention overcomes the disadvantages present in the prior art. Fluid products are encased in the fluid impermeable medium of a plastic bag as well as held within a rigid container, for instance, a cardboard box (although boxes comprised of other materials are also envisaged). The combination of these two components means that fluid products can be easily handled. ;The present invention may be used as a substitute for systems wherein a lined paper sack is used, and thus provide a box that improves storage space, handling and general appearance. ;By combining both the bag and the box into the one package, problems associated with double handling and inserting the filled bag into a box have been overcome. Furthermore, the present invention is a package which can be readily stored in its collapsed state and can be presented for use in packaging without additional preparation. It is envisaged that the collapsed form of the present invention will provide ease of handling by personnel, as well as by semi-automatic and fully automated machines. ;As mentioned previously, one form of the present invention may use a bag with side gussets, said gussets enabling the bag to lie flat when collapsed. When the bag expands however, the gussets fold in an outwardly direction and pull in the ends of the bag so that the bag is substantially box shaped. If the gusseted version of a bag is used in the present invention, ;I ;seals at the ends of the bag at substantially right angles to the line of the gusset are required. ;In one embodiment, the aperture of the bag may be aligned with the gusset seals. An alternative to this is to have a filling spout extending from the gusset seals with an aperture through which the product can enter to the bag. Other combinations are also envisaged. ;The box may likewise be gusseted and in one embodiment may have externally folding gussets complementary to internal folding gussets in the bag. The box may be open ended or alternatively have tabs or flaps which can be folded over the ends of the bag and box to complete the packaging of the product. It should be appreciated that many combinations of foldings, tabs and the like may be used. ;Again methods by which the present invention can be produced are many and varied. For instance, the bag may be produced in its entirety and then placed onto the box material such as cardboard which is then folded and glued over the bag to produce the box. Alternatively, the bag may be produced in a gusseted tube which is conveyed over the cardboard for the box, said tube being cut and sealed at the same time as the cardboard. The box itself may comprise two sections that are joined together instead of a single section which is folded over the back. A further envisaged alternative is to have the bag heat laminated with the box. ;Likewise, the bag may be attached to the box by various methods. For instance, the bag may be held in position on the box by hot melt adhesive or alternatively double sided tape. In another embodiment the surface of the bag and the inner surface of the box may be such that they grip each other and no additional fixing means such as adhesive is required. On-line production of the bag and box combination is also a possibility as a preliminary step to filling and sealing. ;Aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: ;Figure 1: is a plan view of a gusseted bag in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, and Figures 2 and 2A: are cross-sections taken at II:II and Ilarlla of Figure 1, and ;227908 ;Figure 3: is a plan view of two pans of a rigid box in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, and Figure 3A: shows how the parts of the box of Figure 3 are joined together, and ;Figure 4: is a plan view of the bag of Figure 1 and a box from the blank of Figure ;3 in combination, and Figure 5: is a cross-section taken at V:V of Figure 4, and ;Figure 5A: is a further cross-section of the bag and box combination of Figure 4. ;With respect firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings the flexible plastics bag generally indicated by arrow 1 comprises a sealed end 2 and an open end 3, inwardly folded side edges 4 and comer gusset 5 formed by uniting opposite sides of the bag at the open end thereof restricts the width of the opening of the bag. The gusseting of the bag provides for two different folded-edge formations as illustrated by Figures 2 and 2A. In Figure 2 the gusset 5 unites opposite sides of the bag but as is shown by Figure 2A, beyond the gusseted portion, the folded edges 4 of the bag are not united. ;In accordance with the present invention a bag 1 is combined with a rigid box. Figure 3 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification illustrates one possible construction for a rigid box, and Figures 3 and 3A accompanying the present complete specification illustrate another possible construction of a box. The rigid box of Figures 3 and 3A herewith comprises a combination of two complimentary box sections generally indicated by aiTow 6 formed from a sheet material each of which comprises a major portion 7 of rectangular configuration, side flaps 8 and 9 and end flaps 10. The side flaps 8 are bi-sected by a fold line 11. Fold lines 12 are also provided between the major portions 7, side flaps 8,9 and the end flaps 10. Each end flap 10 is provided with tabs 12 with fold lines 14 inteiposed between the tabs 13 and flaps 10. ;227308 ;Figure 3A shows how one half-section 6A of the box is joined to complimentary half-section 6B when side flaps 9 overlap side flaps 8 with the overlapping portions being joined together by adhesive or other means. The joined half-sections 6A and 6B form the basis of a box which is able to be folded flat and which has two open ends. ;Prior to or subsequent to joining the half-sections 6A and 6B bag 1 is introduced as a box liner as is illustrated by Figures 4,5 and 5A. Figures 4,5 and 5A illustrate an integrated package formed from the flexible bag 1 and the box sections 6A and 6B with the closed end 2 of the bag 1 being positioned adjacent the edges 15 of flaps 10. ;In the embodiment illustrated the outer surfaces of the flexible bag 1 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the major portions 7 of the box and/or the end flaps 10 by strips of adhesive )see shaded areas 16.) ;To fill the integrated package the opening 3 is introduced to a filling chute or alternatively the integrated package may be filled manually. As the package is filled the side flaps 8,9 and the folded edges 4 of the bag gradually straighten as is illustrated by Figures 5 and 5 A and because the bag 1 is fixed to the box the result is a corresponding complementary erection of the box. The opening can be sealed and excess material trimmed or tucked away. ;It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by fixing the tabs 13 to adjacent surfaces of the box the box will assist to maintain same in an erected condition. ;Plastics is the preferred material for the bag 1 although it will be appreciated that other flexible materials may be used. Co-extruded films can be used with barrier or other properties. The rigid box sections 6A and 6B may be made from cardboard or any other suitable sheet material. ;227908 ;The inclusion of seals at 45° for each gusset (see figure 2 of drawings with provisional specification) can prevent the inflow of material into the gusset. This can be a problem if the material is frozen in the gusset as in the process of opening the bag some plastic film may tear and remain embedded in the frozen product ;Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it would be appreciated that modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. ;i ;] ;j ;8 * -i — r o / / 7 u b

Claims (13)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method of encasing a flexible bag within a collapsed relatively rigid container comprising the step of fixing the flexible bag relative to the internal surfaces of the rigid container in such a manner that erection of the flexible bag from a collapsed condition when the bag is filled results in a corresponding complementary erection of the collapsed rigid container.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rigid container comprises opposing major surfaces defined at corresponding respective edges by end flaps, and side flaps, and the flexible bag is open at one end and is fixed to at least one of said major surfaces and/or end flaps.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the flexible bag is preformed.

4 A method of encasing a flexible bag within a collapsed relatively rigid container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A package comprising a flexible bag encased within a relatively rigid collapsable container wherein the flexible bag is fixed to inside surfaces of the rigid collapsable container, the rigid collapsable container being constructed such that erection of the flexible bag from a collapsed condition when the bag is filled results in a corresponding complementary erection of the rigid container from a collapsed condition.

6. A package as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rigid container comprises opposing major surfaces defined at corresponding respective edges by :;227908 end flaps, and side flaps, and the flexible bag is open at one end and is fixed to at least one major surface and/or end flap.

7. A package as claimed in claim 6 wherein the flexible bag is preformed and comprises a sealed end, an open end, inwardly folded side edges and corner gussets which restrict the width of the opening of the bag.

8. A package as claimed in claim 7 wherein the gusseting of the corners of the flexible bag determines the distance between said major surfaces in the expanded condition.

9. A package as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the rigid container is formed from a blank of sheet material such as cardboard, the blank being formable into overlaid complimentary portions each of which comprises side flaps, end flaps and a major portion defined by said side flaps and end flaps.

10. A package as claimed in claim 9 wherein the end flaps are provided with tags which can be fixed to the sides of the container to maintain same in an erected condition.

11. A package as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 including opening flaps foldable with respect to the major portions.

12. A package as claimed in claim 11 wherein the opening flaps are provided with tags which can be fixed to the sides of the container to maintain same in an erected condition. 10 2273-08

13. A package substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. TRIGON PACKAGING SYSTEMS CNZ) LIMITED by its Attorneys V JAMES & WELLS 11