WO2007133952A1 - Bag-in-box packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a Bag-in-Box packaging comprising an inner bag and a rigid outer container, the inner bag provided with a closable opening, characterized in that two adjacent walls of the container are provided with recesses, which recesses are suitable to receive an insert, the insert being suitable to define a space to accommodate a dispensing means placed into the opening of the inner bag. The insert may further be suitable to protect the inner bag from external conditions. The insert preferably is made of a rigid material. The dispensing means advantageously can be placed level with the walls of the container.

Description

BAG-IN-BOX PACKAGING

The present invention relates to packages which are commonly known as "bag-in-box" packages.

Bag-in-box packages form a packaging system where a bag, typically of a flexible material such as a film or foil, is contained in a container or box, typically of a rigid material, such as cardboard. Bag-in-box packages may be used for packaging of liquids, semi -solids and powders.

The bag typically contains an opening, often called neck, to firstly allow filling of the bag with the desired liquid or powder and later on dispensing of the bag contents by the end user.

Manufacturing of a bag-in-box packaging commonly consists therein that a bag manufacturer manufactures a bag of a suitable flexible foil or film having a plastic flange in the region of one of the bag corners. A dispensing means is then pressed into the flange and, in this condition, the bag and dispensing means are fed to a filling device in as aseptic a condition as possible. When the bag arrives at the filling device, the dispensing means is removed, the bag is evacuated and filled through the neck opening with the desired product, a nitrogen zone being provided around the flange area where air might accumulate. The dispensing means is then introduced again and attached to the bag. The filled bag is then introduced into a cardboard box, the dispensing means being present at least in the region of a tear-out opening enabling the end user to install the dispensing means through the tear out opening and then to dispense the product through the use of this means . Thus, the end user has to tear the cardboard container and then install the dispensing opening in the side wall of the cardboard container. The above described method has substantial disadvantages. Firstly, a provision, most often by means of perforation or tear strip, has to be made in the outer wall of the container. This provision weakens the structure of the container and undermines its protective nature, in terms of compression strength, stack ability, transport strength and drop strength. Secondly, the current method requires the accurate opening of a relatively small tear zone by the end user which is not very ergonomic. Incorrectly opening the tear zone in a rigid container may easily occur in conditions of high moisture and/or temperature, in which case the opening is not fit to accommodate the dispensing means, or the opening can be too big leaving the vulnerable flexible bag exposed with the risk of damaging by sharp objects. As a result of this, the dispensing means may not be positioned correctly, which subsequently affects the dispensing accuracy leading to spillage of the contents of the package. Thirdly, in order to install the dispensing means into the sidewall of the container, the means has to be pulled out of the container which creates stress on the connection between dispensing means and flexible bag, which in turn can lead to leakage at the connection or weld seals. Fourthly, when the dispensing means has been installed in the side wall of the container it protrudes from the side wall of the container and consequently is very vulnerable to mechanical damage when the container is in use. Finally, bag-in-box packagings with dispensing means are sometimes sold and used together with additional utensils such as measuring beakers or cleaning utensils. These are preferably packed in the same container as the bag. The disadvantage of this is that the end user has to open a relatively big section of the outer container to get access to the contents of the container. Alternatively these utensils are packed separately and attached to the bag-in-box package by means of adhesive film, glue or other means. The disadvantage of this is that the attached package can easily be separated and get lost during transportation. The present invention provides a bag-in-box packaging that does not display the above problems and disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a Bag-in-Box packaging comprising an inner bag and a rigid outer container, the inner bag provided with a closable opening wherein a dispensing means can be placed, characterized in that the bottom and front walls of the container are provided with recesses, which recesses are provided with an insert, the insert being suitable to define a space to accommodate a dispensing means placed into the opening of the inner bag.

WO 2005/000705 discloses a bag-in-box container package to emulate a rigid or semi-rigid jerrycan. The containers described are emptied by pouring, like conventional jerrycans. To enable compact packing and stacking of the containers, a recess is provided at an upper side edge of the container to accommodate a protruding bag neck. The recess may be provided with a neck piece that may be an integral part of the bag or of the container, or that may be a discrete insert. Figure 1 provides a bottom view of a bag-in-box container as described herein. The bag-in-box packaging comprises a container 1, with a bottom wall 2 and a front wall 3, and an insert 4 placed in recesses provided in the bottom and front walls of the container. The bag-in-box packaging further comprises a dispensing means 5 and a measuring cup 6 that can be stored attached to the dispensing means 5.

The inner bag is made of a material typically used in bag-in-box configurations, for instance the bag may be a flexible, collapsible bag made of a film or foil material. The inner bag may be filled with a product that is sufficiently free flowing as to be capable of discharge from the bag through the dispensing means when the bag is maintained in a dispensing position. This product may be in a liquid, powder or semi-solid form. Most commonly, liquids such as detergents, wine, fruit juice and edible oils are suitable products for packaging in this manner.

The inner bag is provided with an opening for filling the bag with the product of interest and for providing the bag with a dispensing means for subsequent discharge of the product.

The bag may be provided with a flange for receiving the dispensing means.

The dispensing means may be a tap, a dosing mechanism or. a pump or connector with a feeding tube. The opening of the bag may be closed with a closing means, such as a cap, in between filling and discharging.

The bag is placed in a rigid container typically used in bag-in-box configurations, for instance made of cardboard. This placement may be done prior to or after the filling of the bag with product.

According to the invention, two adjacent walls of the container, i.e. the bottom and front walls, are provided with recesses that are suitable to receive an insert . The recesses may be applied into the container walls by e.g. punching. The insert should be suitable to define a space to accommodate a dispensing means placed into the opening of the inner bag. Preferably, the insert should also be suitable to protect the inner bag from external conditions, e.g. conditions that may damage the inner bag. Also preferably, the insert may provide support for the dispensing means as attached to the opening of the inner bag .

Preferably, the sides of the insert are substantially level with the bottom and front walls of the container. However, it can be envisaged that the insert may slightly overlap the container walls at the site of the recesses.

The insert is of such a shape that it creates a space, i.e. an extra pocket or chamber, in the container. Advantageously, the space is easily accessible by the end user without the need to distort the structure of the container. The space defined by the insert may also be suitable to accommodate additional components, such as cleaning utensils, for instance a measuring beaker, or promotional items.

The insert thus extends from the edges of the recesses present in the two adjacent walls of the container to the vicinity of the opening of the inner bag placed in the container. Preferably, the insert extends in such a way to the vicinity of the opening of the inner bag that it is capable of supporting a dispensing means placed in the opening of the inner bag.

The insert preferably is made of a rigid material, for example plastic (e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene) or enforced fiber-board material .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the insert defines a space that allows the dispenser means, and any optionally present additional components, to be placed substantially level with the bottom and front walls of the container.

With substantially level is meant that the dispensing means, or other components provided in the space defined by the insert, do not significantly protrude from the container, preferably do not protrude at all.

The insert can be held in place in the container by additional adhesive, hot melt, adhesive tape and/or by rigid or movable retaining hooks which are an integral part of the insert. The preferred solution is to use retaining hooks. The retaining hooks are designed such that the insert can be placed into the recess easily but once placed in its final position retain the container material such that the insert can withstand all forces that occur during transport and use of the bag-in-box packaging.

To avoid tampering of the dispensing means and/or to protect the dispensing means or the content of the pocket, the pocket may be sealed by an integral or separate tamper evident seal. In one embodiment, the inner bag is filled with a product of interest prior to placing the bag in the container. After filling the bag with product, the bag is provided with a dispensing or closing means. The insert may be applied to the filled bag prior to placing the bag in the container. The advantage of this method compared to existing bag-in-box filling methods is that the insert with bag opening and dispensing means can be prepositioned in the container before it is closed, and not located randomly inside the container. The insert may be fixed in the recesses of the container by the lids used to close the container. Additional fixation of the insert may be obtained by applying an additional rigid plate or collar. Such a plate or collar may also contain a breakable seal, so called tamper evidence. Such a plate or collar may be attached, e.g. by a snap connection, to the insert, pushing the insert against the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the bag-in-box according to the invention is provided ready for use by the end user. However, the present invention also envisages the end user to provide the bag-in-box with a suitable dispensing means. In the latter embodiment, the bag is closed by a closing means after filling.

The shape and the size of the bag-in-box are not critical to the invention and typically will be determined by the intention and wishes of the end user. The container may be provided with a handle to facilitate transport and use.

Claims

1. A Bag-in-Box packaging comprising an inner bag and a rigid outer container, the inner bag provided with a closable opening wherein a dispensing means can be placed, characterized in that the bottom and front walls of the container are provided with recesses, which recesses are provided with an insert, the insert defining a space to accommodate the dispensing means when placed into the opening of the inner bag.

2. The Bag-in-Box packaging of claim 1, the insert further being suitable to protect the inner bag from external conditions .

3. The Bag-in-Box packaging of claim 1, wherein the insert is rigid.

4. The Bag-in-Box packaging of claim 1, wherein the dispensing means is placed substantially level with the two adjacent walls of the container.

5. The Bag-in-Box packaging of claim 1, wherein the space further is suitable to accommodate further components, such as a measuring and/or a cleaning utensil, such that these components are all positioned substantially level with the two adjacent walls of the container.

6. The Bag-in-Box packaging of claim 1, comprising an integral or additional tamper evident seal which protects the contents of the insert space from tampering or transport damage.

7. A method for filling the Bag-in-Box packaging of any of the preceding claims comprising filling the bag with a product of interest, providing the filled bag with a dispensing or closing means and an insert and placing the bag in the container.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing the insert with an additional rigid plate or collar, said rigid plate or collar optionally containing a breakable seal .