WO2003089321A1

WO2003089321A1 - Pouch container for holding liquid material

Info

Publication number: WO2003089321A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung-Min Lee
Original assignee: Jung-Min Lee
Priority date: 2002-02-13
Filing date: 2003-02-13
Publication date: 2003-10-30
Also published as: AU2003207388A1

Abstract

A pouch container for liquid material includes a pouch main body having rectangular top and bottom portions, a first end of the pouch main body being defined by a seal portion and a second end of the pouch main body being defined by an unseal portion, the seal portion and unseal portion being disposed in a crossing direction with respect to each other. The top and bottom portions has respectively first and second longitudinal center folding lines. The top portion has first inclined folding lines, and the bottom portion has second inclined folding lines. The first inclined folding lines are symmetrically extending from a first point on the first longitudinal center folding line to respective first side points on the seal portion, and the second inclined folding lines are symmetrically extending from a second point on the second longitudinal center folding line to respective second side points on the seal portion.

Description

DESCRIPTION

POUCH CONTAINER FOR HOLDING LIQUID MATERIAL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pouch container for holding

liquid material and, more particularly, to a container that is designed to

securely maintain its self- standing force even when depressing force is

applied to an associated pump dispenser.

In addition, the present invention further relates to a pouch

container for liquid material that is designed to be foldable in a compact

state when there is no content therein and to be improved in its design

and outer appearance.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, liquid contents such as detergent, cleaning material,

and medicinal liquid are packaged, delivered and sold in a state where

they are contained in a variety of containers.

The pouch container is formed in a variety of shapes. To drink

the contents contained in the pouch container, the user opens the

container by cutting a portion of a seal portion or putting a straw through

the container. For example, Korean Utility Model No. 1991-5740 discloses a

container for liquid material that is designed for the user to dispense and

suck the liquid content contained in the container.

Such a container has a lightweight and is flexible to make it

convenient to handle the same. However, since the container should

maintain its predetermined shape, there is a limitation in reducing the

volume thereof, because of which it is inconvenient in custody and

delivery.

That is, such containers are classified into a standing pouch, an

M-type pouch and a trihedron pouch.

The standing pouch is designed having a foldable bottom so that

it can be folded or unfolded as occasion demand. However, it is a

simple vertical self-standing type, a specific shape cannot realized.

The M-type pouch has M-shaped both sides that is folded and

unfolded. This is also a vertical type without any specific shape.

The trihedron pouch has a problem that it cannot be smoothly

folded in a flat state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has made in an effort to solve the above-described problems.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a pouch

container for liquid material, which is designed to securely maintain its

self-standing force even when depressing force is applied to an

associated pump dispenser.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a pouch

container for liquid material, which is designed to be foldable in a

compact state when there is no content therein and to be improved in its

design and outer appearance.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides

a pouch container for liquid material, comprising a pouch main body

having rectangular top and bottom portions, a first end of the pouch main

body being defined by a seal portion and a second end of the pouch main

body being defined by an unseal portion, the seal portion and unseal

portion being disposed in a crossing direction with respect to each other,

wherein the top and bottom portions have respectively first and second

longitudinal center folding lines, the top portion having first inclined

folding lines, and the bottom portion having second inclined folding lines,

the first inclined folding lines symmetrically extending from a first point on the first longitudinal center folding line to respective first side points

on the seal portion, the second inclined folding lines symmetrically

extending from a second point on the second longitudinal center folding

line to respective second side points on the seal portion, whereby a

portion of the pouch main body in the vicinity of the seal portion is folded

along the folding lines to be flat, and is unfolded in a polyhedron shape

including a trihedron shape and a tetrahedron shape when the liquid

material is filled in the body,

When the top and bottom portions are pulled spacing away from

each other based on the first and second longitudinal center lines, the

seal portion is formed in a diamond shape. The diamond shape is

defined by the first and second inclined folding lines.

The unseal portion is sealed and a portion of the main body is cut

away in a predetermined angle. A first half of the diamond shaped

portion is folded to be away from the vertical unseal portion and a

second half of the diamond shaped portion is folded toward the unseal

portion.

Both of first and second halves of the diamond shaped portion are

folded toward the unseal portion. Third inclined folding lines are formed on one of the top and

bottom portions. The third inclined folding lines symmetrically extends

from a second point of the center folding line to the horizontal seal

portion, a length between the second point to the horizontal seal portion

is greater than that between the first point to the horizontal seal portion.

One of the center folding line is longer than the other one. The

first inclined folding lines symmetrically extend from the first point on

the first center line to respective second points on the seal portion, and

the second inclined folding lines symmetrically extend from the first

point to the respective second points on the horizontal seal portion,

whereby the diamond shape is defined by the first and second inclined

folding lines.

The unseal portion is sealed and a portion of the body is cut away

at a predetermined angle to define an unseal portion.

Spouting means may be provided on the main body. The

spouting means is a spout closed by a cap. The spouting means may be

a pump dispenser, and a self-standing support means is disposed

between the pump dispenser and a bottom of the main body so that the

main body is not folded even when depressing force is applied to the pump dispenser. The self-standing support means may comprise a

spout tube mounted on a lower housing of the pump dispenser or a

support member extending from the pump dispenser to a bottom of the

pouch body.

The top and bottom portions may be formed by folding a

rectangular film in a two-ply on a basis of a vertical central folding line,

the top and bottom portions are sealed at their side portions, the first

and second side two points are not closed to both ends of the seal

portion.

When the top and bottom portion are pulled spacing away from

each other, the center folding lines between the first and second points

to the seal portion are folded cooperating with the inclined folding lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pouch container for liquid

material according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 to 4 are views illustrating a folding state of the pouch

container of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 and 7 are front views of pouch containers with spouting means according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8 to 9 are front views of a pouch container according to

another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a using state of the

spout assembly according to the present invention;

FIGS. 11 to 13 are respective plan, bottom and front views

illustrating another example of a folding state of the present invention;

FIGS. 14 to 17 are respectively plan, bottom and front views

illustrating another example of a folding state of the present invention;

FIGS. 18 to 20 are respectively plan, bottom and front views

illustrating another example of a folding state of the present invention;

FIGS. 21 to 23 are front views illustrating another example of a

folding state of the present invention;

FIGS. 24 to 26 are front views of a pouch container according to

another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 27 to 28 are perspective views of a spout assembly with

spouting means according to the present invention;

FIGS. 29 to 31 are respectively front, bottom and development

views of another example of a folding state of the present invention; FIG. 32 is a front view of a pouch container for liquid material

according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 33 to 34 are front and perspective views of the pouch

container, depicted in FIG. 32, with spouting means; and

FIGS. 35 to 37 are respectively plan, bottom and front views of

another example of a folding state according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be

described more in detail hereinafter in conjunction with the

accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the inventive pouch container 1 for

liquid material is designed in a tetrahedron so that it has a stable

self-standing structure when the liquid material is filled therein. The

tetrahedron structure is folded in a flat state to be compact when no

liquid material is filled therein.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pouch container is firstly processed in a tube-shape formed by, for example, sealing a film along

its longitudinal direction. The film may be formed of a multi-layered

film or a paper material.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pouch body 1 comprises a top portion 100

and a bottom portion 200 that are divided by folding lines 103 when the

tube-shaped body is folded to be flat. One end of the pouch body 1 is

defined by a seal portion 101.

First and second longitudinal center folding lines 102 and 201 are

respectively formed on the top and bottom portions 100 and 200 along

longitudinal center lines of the top and bottom portions 100 and 200.

First inclined folding lines 105 are symmetrically formed on the top

portion 100. The first inclined folding line 105 extends from a first

point on the first longitudinal center line 102 to both ends of the seal

portion 101. Second inclined folding lines 105 are symmetrically

formed on the bottom portion 200 that extends from a second point on

the second longitudinal centerline 201 to both ends of the seal portion

101. The first and second points are located corresponding to each

other.

First lateral folding line 104 is formed on the top portion 100 to be in parallel with the seal portion 101, intersecting the first point.

Second lateral folding line 202 is also formed on the bottom portion 200

to be in parallel with the seal portion 101, intersection the second point.

When the pouch body 1 is pulled such that the top and bottom

portions 100 and 200 are spaced away from each other on the basis of

first and second longitudinal center folding lines 102 and 201, the first

and second longitudinal center folding lines 102 and 210 between the

first and second points and the seal portion 101 are folded on the same

line by cooperating with the inclined folding lines 105 and 20.

Accordingly, a lower portion proximal to the seal portion 101 is

folded in a diamond-shape. In this state the folded lower portion can be

further folded in a direction away from an unseal portion (see FIG. 4),

thereby, thereby completing the primary pouch container.

The primary pouch containers are delivered to a liquid filling

company. In the liquid filling company, the unseal portion is opened to

fill the liquid in the container, then the unseal portion is sealed.

To easily discharge the liquid out of the container, a spouting

portion through which the liquid can be poured, can be formed on the

container. The spouting portion is generally formed in a cutting guideline or a cutting notch on a seal portion.

Alternatively, specially prepared spouting means can be fitted on

the pouch container 1 to easily pour the liquid out of the container 1.

One example of the spouting means is shown in FIG. 5.

In this example, a spout 300 is attached on a seal portion (106 or

204). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, a spout is inserted on a cutting

portion of the pouch container 1, then the cutting portion can be

processed in a seal portion 107. The spout is a conventional one, which

is closed by a cap.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, a one-touch opening type spout

300 can be attached on a corner portion of the pouch container 1. That

is, a portion adjacent to a portion where the spout 300 is attached is

left as an unseal portion S. The liquid is filled in through the unseal

portion S, and then the unseal portion S is sealed. The corner portion

where the spout 300 is attached can be formed in a variety of

inclinations. If required, as shown in dotted line, the spout 300 can be

covered with a cover 108 attached on the pouch container with a cutting

line therebetween.

The spout 300 is provided to suck the liquid or dispense the liquid into another cup or container. Since the structure of the spout is well

known in the art, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

As shown in FIG. 8, when folding the pouch, left and right halves

of the seal portion 101 are folded in opposite directions so that the

folded shape of the seal portion 101 can be a diamond- shape.

As shown in FIG. 9, the seal portion 101 can be folded in a

direction close to the unseal portion.

Alternatively, the seal portion 101 can be folded in a state where

it is not sealed.

FIG. 10 shows the using state of a pouch container of the present

invention. The drawing shows that after the spout 300 is assembly on

the pouch container 1, the pouch container 1 is in a self-standing state.

That is, it is preferable that the liquid is filled in the container in the FIG.

10 state. However, other filling processes can be applied.

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a variety of examples for folding the pouch.

FIG. 11 shows a top portion and FIG. 12 shows a bottom portion.

As shown in the drawings, another inclined folding lines 105 and

203 are symmetrically formed on the top and bottom portions 100 and

200 based on longitudinal center folding lines 102 and 201. In addition, the inclined folding lines 109 are formed on an inner portion of the

inclined folding lines 105 on the top portion 100. The fifth folding lines

109 can be formed on the bottom portion 200 instead of the top portion

100.

As shown in FIG. 13, a spout 300 is also assembly of the above

described pouch container.

FIGS. 14 to 17 show another example of the pouch container of

the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, inclined folding lines 109 are

symmetrically formed on the top portion 100 based on the longitudinal

center folding line 102. Another inclined folding lines 105 are also

formed on the bottom portion 200 based on the longitudinal folding line

201. The length of the inclined folding lines 203 formed on the bottom

portion 200 is greater than the inclined folding lines 105 formed on the

top portion 100.

The pouch having the folding lines is folded as shown in FIG. 16.

The inclined folding lines 105, 203 and 109 may be oppositely

formed. FIG. 17 shows the pouch container with a spout 300.

FIGS. 18 to 20 show another example of the pouch container of the present invention.

As show in the drawings, inclined folding lines 105 are formed on

the top portion 100 on the basis of the center folding line 102, and

another inclined folding lines 203 are also formed on the bottom portion

200 on the basis of the center folding line 201. The length of the

inclined folding lines 105 formed on the top portion 100 is less than the

inclined folding lines 203 formed on the bottom portion 200.

The formation of the folding lines are variously provided, but

have the identical object. Such a variety of the folding lines are

designed to properly adapt to the mechanical characteristic.

That is, when the pouch container is folded to be flat, it has two

sides, and when it is unfolded, it has a three-dimensional shape. In

addition, although the seal portion 101 is formed in a straight line, when

it is formed in a variety of angles, a variety of outer appearance of the

container can be realized.

When a seal portion having a predetermined size is formed on the

folding lines 102, 201, 103, 104, 202, 105, 203 and 109, since the pouch

container 1 is in a self-standing state by being unfolded in a

three-dimension shape, a trihedron or tetrahedron shape can be realized.

FIG. 20 shows the above-described pouch container 1 where a

spout is assembled.

FIGS. 21 and 23 show another example of the pouch container of

the present invention.

In this embodiment, folding lines 110 and 205 are symmetrically

formed on top and bottom portions 100 and 200 on the basis of the

folding line 103 in a longitudinal direction. The folding line 103

between the folding lines 110 and 205 is folded inward, and both

longitudinal ends are sealed at a predetermined angle to define seal

portions 111 and 112.

It is preferable that outer periphery portion of the seal portions

111 and 112 is properly cut away as shown in FIG. 23. At this point, a

spout can be also assembled on the pouch container as described in the

above embodiments.

FIGS. 24 to 26 show a pouch container 1 where a portion C is cut

away at a predetermined angle. A spout can be assembled on the

cut- way portion C.

FIGS. 27 and 28 show another embodiment of the pouch container of the present invention. In this embodiment, a pump dispenser 400 is

formed on the pouch container.

Describing more in detail, a portion of the pouch container 1 is

cut away, and a spout 310 is attached on the cut-away portion. The

liquid is filled through the spout 310. A pump dispenser 400 is coupled

on the spout 310.

The cut-away portion can be formed at a predetermined angle or

streamlined.

In use, self-standing supporting means is assembled on a housing

of the pump dispenser 400 so that the pouch container is not folded even

when a button 401 of the pump dispenser 400 is depressed.

The self-standing support means comprises a spouting tube 402

mounted on a lower housing outlet (not shown) of the pump dispenser

400. The spouting tube 402 is provided with a spouting hole through

which the liquid is dispensed.

The spouting tube 402 is designed being extended to contact the

bottom of the pouch container when the pump dispense 400 is coupled

on the spout 310. Furthermore, the self-standing support means, as

shown in FIG. 28, further comprises a reinforcing support 403 extending from the pump dispenser 400 to the bottom of the container.

Embodiment 2

FIGS. 29 to 32 shows a second embodiment of the present

invention.

In this embodiment, a pouch container 1 is firstly prepared in a

tube-shape by sealing a pouch film in a longitudinal direction.

That is, a rectangular pouch film is folded in two-ply based on a

folding line L to define a top portion (FIG. 29) and a bottom portion (FIG.

30). Both sides ends of the folded two-ply pouch film are sealed by

seal portions 121 and 221. An opposite end of the folding line L is

remained as an unseal portion, thereby completing a firstly processed

pouch container.

Then, a first center folding line 102 is formed along a longitudinal

centerline of the top portion. Inclined folding lines 122 are

symmetrically formed extending from a point on the first center folding

line 102 to respective points on the folding line L. The point on the first

center folding line 102 is determined at a predetermined distance from

the folding line. The respective points on the folding line L are

determined at a predetermined identical distance from the first folding line 102. Preferably, the points on the folding line L is formed not to

too close to both ends of the folding line L.

In addition, another first center folding line 202 is also formed

along a centerline of the bottom portion 200. As in the top portion 100,

another inclined folding lines 222 are formed on the bottom portion 200.

Second inclined folding lines 223 are formed extending from the

respective points on the folding line L to the both ends of the unseal

portion, thereby completing a secondly processed pouch container.

After the above, when the top and bottom portions 100 and 200

are pulled on the basis of the first center folding lines 102 and 202 to

space away from each other, portions of the first center folding lines 102

and 202, from the folding line L to the points where one ends of the

inclined folding lines 122 and 222 contact, are folded inwardly by

cooperating with the inclined folding lines 122 and 222.

At this point, the unseal portion is folded such that one ends of

the seal portions 121 and 221 contact each other. In addition, at this

same time, the first center folding lines 102 and 202 and the inclined

folding lines 223 are folded, thereby completing a finally processed

container as shown in FIG. 32. As shown in FIG. 32, a half 224 of the unseal portion can be

sealed, and another half 225 is remained as the unseal portion.

Alternatively, as shown in a broken line 124 of FIG. 32, a cutting

line 124 can be preformed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 32, a spout 300 can be assembled

on the pouch container. That is, the spout 300 is inserted through the

unseal portion 225 and attached thereon by being sealed to define the

seal portion 224.

The pouch container 1 with the spout 300 is delivered to the

filling company where the content is filled in the pouch container 1

through the spout 300, after which the spout 300 is sealed by a cap (not

shown).

Preferably, the spout 300 is designed making it possible to suck

the content or dispense the content to another cup. That is, as shown in

FIG. 33, the spout 300 preferably has a spout guide portion extending in

the pouch container.

FIG. 34 shows a state where the content is filled in the pouch

container. In this state, when a user suck the spout 300, the content is

poured while contracting the container, and when the user inclines an opposite side of the spout portion, the content is discharged through the

spout 300.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show another example of the pouch container of

this embodiment.

As shown in the drawings, a pouch container 1 comprises a top

portion 100 and a bottom portion 200. The top and bottom portions 100

and 200 are divided by longitudinal folding lines L, and one side end of

the container is sealed to define a seal portion 101, and the other side

end is remained as an unseal portion. A first center folding line 102 is

formed along a longitudinal centerline of the top portion.

As in the top portion, another center folding line 201 is formed

along a longitudinal centerline of the bottom portion 200. Inclined

folding lines 226 are symmetrically formed on the bottom portion 200.

The inclined folding lines 226 extends from a point on the center folding

line 201 which abuts to the seal portion 101 to respective both ends of

the unseal portion.

When the top and bottom portions 100 and 200 are pulled spacing

away from each other and depressed by a series of mechanical

processes, the container 1 is folded to be flat based on the center folding lines 102 and 201. After this, the unseal portion is processed as seal

portions 125 and 227 as shown in FIG. 37.

At least one of the seal portions 125 and 227 and the cutting line

portion 126 can be remained as an unseal portion so at to attach the

spout thereon.

As described in the first embodiment, a variety of spout means

such as a pump dispenser can be employed in this embodiment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the pouch container for liquid material is

designed having a stable self-standing ability when content is filled

therein.

In addition, the container is designed such that even when a pump

dispenser is applied to the container and depressing force is applied, it

can maintain its self-standing force.

Furthermore, since the container is formed of a flexible material,

the delivery cost can be saved.

Claims

1. A pouch container for liquid material, comprising^'-

a pouch main body having rectangular top and bottom portions, a

first end of the pouch main body being defined by a seal portion and a

second end of the pouch main body being defined by an unseal portion,

the seal portion and unseal portion being disposed in a crossing direction

with respect to each other,

wherein the top and bottom portions have respectively first and

second longitudinal center folding lines, the top portion having first

inclined folding lines, and the bottom portion having second inclined

folding lines, the first inclined folding lines symmetrically extending

from a first point on the first longitudinal center folding line to

respective first side points on the seal portion, the second inclined

folding lines symmetrically extending from a second point on the second

longitudinal center folding line to respective second side points on the

seal portion,

whereby a portion of the pouch main body in the vicinity of the

seal portion is folded along the folding lines to be flat, and is unfolded in

a polyhedron shape including a trihedron shape and a tetrahedron shape when the liquid material is filled in the body.

2. A pouch container of claim 1 wherein when the top and bottom

portions are pulled spacing away from each other on the basis of the first

and second longitudinal center lines, the seal portion is formed in a

diamond shape.

3. A pouch container of claim 2 wherein the diamond shape is

defined by the first and second inclined folding lines.

4. A pouch container of claim 3 wherein the unseal portion is

sealed and a portion of the main body is cut away in a predetermined

angle.

5. A pouch container of claim 2 wherein a first half of the diamond

shaped portion is folded to be away from the vertical unseal portion and

a second half of the diamond shaped portion is folded toward the unseal

portion.

6. A pouch container of claim 5 wherein both of first and second

halves of the diamond shaped portion are folded toward the unseal

portion.

7. A pouch container of claim 3 wherein third inclined folding

lines are formed on one of the top and bottom portions.

8. A pouch container of claim 7 wherein the third inclined folding

lines symmetrically extends from a second point of the center folding

line to the horizontal seal portion, a length between the second point to

the horizontal seal portion is greater than that between the first point to

the horizontal seal portion.

9. A pouch container of claim 2 wherein one of the center folding

line is longer than the other one.

10. A pouch container of claim 2 wherein the first inclined folding

lines symmetrically extend from the first point on the first center line to

respective second points on the seal portion, and the second inclined

folding lines symmetrically extend from the first point to the respective

second points on the horizontal seal portion, whereby the diamond shape

is defined by the first and second inclined folding lines.

11. A pouch container of claim 10 wherein the unseal portion is

sealed and a portion of the body is cut away at a predetermined angle to

define an unseal portion.

12. A pouch container of claim 2 wherein spouting means is

provided on the main body.

13. A pouch container of claim 12 wherein the spouting means is a spout.

14. A pouch container of claim 13 wherein the spout is closed by

a cap.

15. A pouch container of claim 12 wherein the spouting means is

a pump dispenser.

16. A pouch container of claim 15 wherein a self-standing

support means is disposed between the pump dispenser and a bottom of

the main body so that the main body is not folded even when depressing

force is applied to the pump dispenser.

17. A pouch container of claim 16 wherein the self-standing

support means comprises a spout tube mounted on a lower housing of

the pump dispenser.

18. A pouch container of claim 16 wherein the self-standing

support means comprises a support member extending from the pump

dispenser to a bottom of the pouch body.

19. A pouch container of claim 1 wherein the top and bottom

portions are formed by folding a. rectangular film in a two-ply on a basis

of a vertical central folding line, the top and bottom portions are sealed

at their side portions, the first and second side two points are not closed to both ends of the seal portion.

20. A pouch container of claim 19 wherein when the top and

bottom portion are pulled spacing away from each other, the center

folding lines between the first and second points to the seal portion are

folded cooperating with the inclined folding lines.

21. A pouch container of claim 20 wherein the unseal portion is

sealed and a portion of the pouch main body is cut away.

22. A pouch container of claim 19 wherein the top and bottom

portions are folded into two halves.

23. A pouch container of claim 1 wherein when the top and

bottom portions are pulled spacing away from each other, the

centerlines are folded inwardly and the top and bottom portions are

folded into two halves.

24. A pouch container of claim 24 further comprising spouting

means mounted on a portion of the pouch body.

25. A pouch container of claim 24 wherein the spouting means is

a spout member.

26. A pouch container of claim 24 wherein the spouting means is

a pump dispenser.

27. A pouch container of claim 26 further comprising a spout tube

disposed between the pump dispenser and a bottom of the pouch

container.

28. A pouch container of claim 26 wherein a support is disposed

between the pump dispenser and a bottom of the pouch container.