WO2021229001A1

WO2021229001A1 - Container for receiving flexible contents and film packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2021229001A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/062727
Authority: WO
Inventors: Syster TJARKS
Original assignee: Tjarks Syster
Priority date: 2020-05-13
Filing date: 2021-05-12
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Also published as: EP4149854A1; DE102020113030B4; DE102020113030A1

Abstract

In order to provide a container (100) for receiving flexible contents, the container (100) having at least one wall (11) and the wall (11) having a plurality of chambers (13; 13a, 13b) formed separately from one another for increasing the stability and/or the sturdiness of the container (100), according to the invention the wall (11) has at least three flexible film layers (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) arranged on top of one other in a planar manner, wherein a first chamber (13a) is formed by omitting, in some sections, a planar connection between a first film layer (12a) and a second film layer (12b), and wherein a second chamber (13b) is formed by omitting, in some sections, a planar connection between the second film layer (12b) and a third film layer (12c).

Description

Container to hold flexible contents and film packaging

Technical area

The invention relates to a container for receiving a flexible content and to a film packaging having the container.

State of the art

Containers and film packaging made from thin, flexible films are known from the prior art. To stabilize the container, filled spaces are usually provided in or on the wall of the container. Because of the symmetrical arrangement and shape of these filled spaces, they can easily burst if only one of the spaces is damaged. As a result, the container quickly loses its structural integrity.

DE 20 2005 016 704 U1 describes, for example, a closed bag for holding liquids, bulk goods or objects, with a bag wall made of plastic and / or a metal foil, with bulging cushions being arranged in or on the bag wall, which stiffen the bag wall .

EP 2 879 972 B1 and EP 3 178 753 B1 relate to a method for forming a flexible container, with at least a section of the flexible materials being connected to one another so that at least one support structure element is formed. Presentation of the invention: task, solution, advantages

The object of the present invention is to improve a container and a packaging for receiving a flexible content in such a way that the consumption of the packaging material is reduced as far as possible and, at the same time, the structural strength is increased.

According to the invention, a container for receiving a flexible content is proposed for this purpose, the container having at least one wall, the wall having several chambers formed separately from one another to increase the stability and / or stability of the container.

According to the invention, the container is designed in such a way that the wall has at least three flexible film layers arranged flat on top of one another, a first chamber being formed by omitting a flat connection in sections between a first film layer and a second film layer, and a second chamber being formed by omitting a flat connection in sections Connection between the second film layer and a third film layer is formed.

In the context of the present invention, the terms “container” or “vessel” can be used synonymously.

The term “flexible film layers” is to be understood as meaning, in particular, thin flexible sheets without their own stability and / or structural integrity and / or rigidity, the thin sheet comprising metal and / or plastic and / or composite material.

In particular, the film layers can be made of materials, for example, from fossil raw materials and / or from renewable raw materials and / or from recycled Origin are, include. The film layers can particularly preferably contain or consist of milk protein and / or cellulose and / or sugar cane.

The container can be open or closed at the top. The container can also be disposable or reusable. A reusable container is preferably a refillable or refillable container in that a reversible closure mechanism can enable the container to be opened and reclosed several times.

The flexible content contained in the container is a non-static or informal substance, i.e. a substance whose shape is not defined. This includes, for example, liquid, gaseous or powdery contents.

The wall preferably forms the height of the container and surrounds the contents circumferentially.

Furthermore, the wall can be entirely in one piece. Alternatively, the wall can consist of several wall sections.

The container can preferably also have a bottom. The container with a bottom is, for example, a stand-up pouch or a can-shaped or bottle-shaped packaging.

In particular, it is provided that the bottom and the wall are arranged at an angle greater than 0 ° and less than 180 ° to one another. Furthermore, the angle is preferably greater than 20 ° and smaller than 160 °, particularly preferably greater than 40 ° and smaller than 140 °, most preferably greater than 60 ° and smaller than 120 °. The floor forms a standing area and therefore better basic contact with the outside world. This prevents the flexible contents from "flowing" downwards out of the container. In other words, the floor provides that the flexible contents spread relatively regularly in lateral directions of the floor, so that a stable center of gravity of the contents with the aid of a spatial restriction of the floor and the wall is created.

Furthermore, the base and the wall can be made in one piece in that the base and the wall consist of an unseparated film. For this purpose, the term “film” below is to be understood as a composition of the at least three film layers arranged flat on top of one another and the chambers provided between the film layers. Namely, the wall and the floor comprise at least three flexible film layers.

Alternatively, the floor and the wall can also consist of separate interconnected parts. In this case, each part can in turn have a plurality of film layers arranged flat on top of one another.

The material, the thickness or the thickness of the film layers depend on the intended use of the container. This is to be understood in such a way that the material properties of the film layers as such can be dependent on the requirements of the content as well as on influences of the external environment. When selecting the material, cold, heat and the humidity of the external environment of the container play a role. A period of time for the material to decompose if it comes into direct contact with the contents of the container is one of the important requirements. Decomposition is the degradation of the material, or a reduction in the structural strength of the material due to soaking / wetting or chemical reactions between the content and the material. The film layers can be sheets of the same material and / or materials with the same mechanical, surface or structural properties. Furthermore, the film layers can consist of different materials with different properties or functions. For example, the innermost film layer, the intermediate film layer (s) and the outermost film layer could have different compatibility with respect to moisture, cold and heat, as well as different properties of migration and / or decomposition time.

The film layers are designed in particular in such a way that in each case two film layers adjoining one another or arranged one on top of the other can be connected to one another over a large area. The planar connection can be made in particular by gluing or welding the two directly overlapping film layers.

The chambers arranged in the wall are sections which are formed with section-wise exposure of the flat connection between two film layers lying directly on top of one another. In other words, the chambers are free spaces that are formed and enclosed by the two film layers.

The number of foils can also be more than three. The chambers can in particular by a first chamber system, which is arranged between a first and a second superposed film layer, a second chamber system, which is arranged between the second and a third superposed film layer, and a third chamber system, which is between the third and a fourth superposed Foil layer is arranged to be formed. These from different layers of film Separate chamber systems ensure that the wall remains stable even if one of the chamber systems is damaged.

The chambers can preferably be arranged irregularly and alternately between different film layers. The various chamber systems are advantageously arranged offset between the film layers. For example, there is preferably no overlap of any two chambers that each belong to the adjacent chamber system, as seen in a cross section of the plurality of film layers. This is advantageous in order to optimize the thickness or the volume of the wall and at the same time to equip the wall with several separate chamber systems.

Furthermore, the chambers can have different stabilizing effective sizes, shapes, arrangements and geometries of the cross section.

Each of the film layers preferably has a maximum thickness of 10 μm, more preferably a maximum thickness of 8 μm, particularly preferably a maximum thickness of 6 μm.

Furthermore, each of the film layers preferably consists of a monomaterial. The term “monomaterial” is to be understood as a single material which consists of only one chemical composition or a macromolecular substance or preferably only one type of plastic. A monomaterial container therefore has the advantage of making the container more recyclable because the container no longer has to be disposed of separately due to the different packaging materials.

Each of the film layers is preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably of thermoplastic plastic, most preferably of polyolefin. Furthermore, the at least two chambers can be filled with a gas and / or a liquid and / or a solid. For example, air and / or water and / or pulverulent solids can be filled into the chambers. This increases the stability and stability of the container. At least one chamber system can be provided after filling with at least one web and / or an interruption and / or a return stop so that if the chamber system is damaged, the filling material in the chamber system cannot completely escape and the strength of the wall cannot quickly lose.

Furthermore, the filled chambers serve in particular as a further barrier, for example as heat, cold, shock, moisture and / or odor absorption in order to protect the contents of the container. In particular, the filled chambers can act as padded dampers that protect the container from external impact.

Gas, in particular protective gas, in the chambers advantageously leads to a reduction in the overall density and / or weight of the container and an improvement in the thermal resistance.

Furthermore, the improvement of the thermal resistance can also be achieved by a liquid, in particular a liquid with a high specific heat capacity, in the chambers. In particular, the liquid in the chambers can bring about a better cooling or heat retention effect for the contents of the container.

Alternatively, solid can be used as a filler in the chambers to increase the weight or inertia of the container. Furthermore, the solid also serves as a kind of dampening agent and protects the contents in the container. The wall preferably has outer and / or inner curvatures formed by the chambers. In other words, the chambers arranged in the wall can be curved outwards and / or inwards. Particularly preferably, the chambers from the same chamber system can be curved outwardly and / or inwardly in the same direction.

Furthermore, the curvatures can be formed alternately in such a way that the curvatures of the chambers of adjacent chamber systems are alternately aligned inwards and / or outwards. In particular, the alternately curved chambers of the adjacent chamber systems can engage against one another or into one another, as a result of which a form fit between the adjacent chamber systems can be achieved and the space in between can be saved.

It is particularly advantageous that at least some outward bulges are formed, so that the grip strength or the hold or the handling of the container is improved. Inwardly formed bulges increase the surface area of the inner wall and thus lead to a larger contact area with the contents. In the event that there is a cooling or heating liquid as a filler in the chambers, the larger contact area of the inner wall is particularly desirable, since it results in better cooling or heating efficiency.

The at least two chambers are preferably elongated, in particular channel-shaped or vein-shaped. The terms "elongated", "channel-shaped" and "vein-shaped" can be understood to mean that the length of a longitudinal axis of the chambers is substantially greater than the dimension in the cross-sectional direction of the chambers. The longitudinal axis is the axis that is the greatest extent in the direction of the chamber The chambers each preferably have a cross section that is at least partially oval or circular or square. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the at least two chambers do not run linearly. This is to be understood as meaning that the longitudinal axis and / or the direction of the longitudinal axis of the chamber is not straight. For example, the chambers have curved or angled sections. This configuration of the chambers ensures that if a chamber is damaged, the filling material flows out of the chamber relatively slowly and the wall remains stable for a longer period of time. Furthermore, the geometry of non-rectilinear chambers increases the structural strength of the wall and thus of the container.

The at least two chambers preferably each have a different orientation from one another. That is, the directions of the at least two chambers, in particular the directions of the longitudinal axes of the at least two chambers, are different.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the at least two chambers are not arranged parallel to one another in the wall. In particular, the directions of the longitudinal axes of the chambers are at least partially or in sections not parallel to one another. The at least two chambers can be arranged at an angle to one another in sections. Furthermore, the at least two chambers can also be partially bent towards one another or also away from one another.

The at least two chambers running in different directions, in particular the at least two chambers from the same chamber system, can preferably have at least one point of intersection or one crossing. The at least two chambers are preferably shaped and arranged in such a way that they form and enclose a plurality of flat wall sections. The wall sections are essentially round or angular sections.

The chambers can advantageously form a network, such as a channel system, from the same chamber system through the intersections arranged in the chambers. The flat wall sections are the areas between the channels that are not closed by the chambers or the channels. That is to say, the flat wall sections are formed by the circumferential chambers, in the areas of which the film layers are preferably flatly connected to one another.

In particular, the network of filled chambers extends over the entire surface of the wall of the container so that the strength and stability of the wall is essentially the same and homogeneous everywhere. This is particularly advantageous in the mass production of such containers with the aid of these packaging films according to the invention, since the chambers can be provided in the wall of the container, regardless of the shape and geometry of the container.

The wall preferably has at least one additional stabilizing element for further stabilization and / or increasing the stability of the container. The term “stabilizing element” means an element made of a solid, for example wire, wood or a plastic part.

According to the invention, a film packaging having a container is also proposed for this purpose.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the film packaging has a closure. The closure is preferably designed so that the container can be opened and closed several times. The closure can, for example, be a Screw fasteners, zippers, Velcro fasteners, snap fasteners or other reversible fasteners.

Brief description of the figures

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 (a) a container in a side view,

(b) a cross section through the wall of the container, FIG. 2 a film packaging in a side view,

3 shows three alternative embodiments of the chamber system.

Detailed description of the figures

Fig. 1 (a) shows a container 100 in a side view, which is essentially cylindrical. The container 100 comprises at least one wall 11 in which at least two chambers 13 separated from one another are formed. 1 (b) shows a cross section through the wall 11. The wall 11 has three thin, flexible film layers 12a, 12b, 12c which are arranged on top of one another and also partially or in sections connected to one another over a large area. The two-dimensional connection of the film layers 12 can be brought about by welding or gluing.

A plurality of first chambers 13a are formed by omitting the areal connection in sections between the first film layer 12a and the second film layer 12b. The cross section of the chambers 13 is partially oval or circular. The plurality of first chambers 13a are spatially separated from one another, so that if one of the first chambers 13a is damaged, the other first chambers remain structurally unchanged. In the same way, several second chambers 13b are provided between the second film layer 12b and the third film layer 12c. the a plurality of first chambers 13a form a first chamber system and the plurality of second chambers 13b form a second chamber system. These chamber systems, separated by the second film layer 12b, ensure that the wall 11 nevertheless remains stable even if one of the two chamber systems is damaged.

In this example of FIG. 1 (b), the first chambers 13a of the first chamber system are curved outward, and the second chambers 13b of the second chamber system are curved inward. The two chamber systems are offset from one another. That is, when viewed from the vertical direction y-y 'in relation to the film layers 12, there is no overlap of the adjacent chamber systems, here in the present example also no overlap of the first and second chambers 13a, 13b.

Alternatively, the first chambers 13a of the first chamber system can be arched inward and the second chambers 13b of the second chamber system outward, so that the alternately arched chambers 13a, 13b of the adjacent chamber systems can engage against one another or into one another. In this way, a form fit between the adjacent chamber systems can be achieved and the space between the film layers 12a, 12b, 12c can be saved overall.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, all of the chambers 13 are drawn in a simplified manner as a continuous line in the wall 11.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a film packaging 200 which has a container 100 and a closure 210. The container 100 is provided with a further example of an alternative pattern of the chamber system in the wall 11. The directions of the course of the channel-shaped chambers 13, 13a, 13b are essentially not linear and also partially or in sections not parallel to each other. As a result, a network is formed over the entire surface of the wall 11 of the container 100, and the strength and stability of the wall 11 is essentially the same and homogeneous everywhere. Four chambers 13 running in different directions enclose a wall section 14, which forms an essentially angular shape on the wall 11. When looking at the cross-section of the wall section 14, the film layers 12a, 12b, 12c are flatly connected to one another.

3 shows, by way of example, three further patterns of the network of chambers 13, 13a, 13b, in which some channel-shaped chambers 13, 13a, 13b are arranged parallel to one another. The wall sections 14 can be rectangular (Fig. 3 (a) and (c)), or can also be essentially arrow-shaped (Fig. 3 (b)).

List of reference symbols

100 container

11 wall

12 layer of foil

12a First film layer 12b Second film layer 12c Third film layer

13 chamber

13a First Chamber / First Chamber System 13b Second Chamber / Second Chamber System

14 wall section

15 stabilizing element

200 foil packaging 210 closure

Claims

Expectations

1. Container (100) for receiving a flexible content, the container (100) having at least one wall (11), the wall (11) having several chambers (13; 13a, 13b) formed separately from one another to increase the stability and / or the stability of the container (100), characterized in that the wall (11) has at least three flexible film layers (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) arranged flat on top of one another, a first chamber (13a) being partially omitted from a flat connection between a first film layer (12a) and a second film layer (12b) is formed, and wherein a second chamber (13b) is formed by partially omitting a flat connection between the second film layer (12b) and a third film layer (12c).

2. Container (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the film layers (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) has a maximum thickness of 10 miti, preferably a maximum thickness of 8 miti, particularly preferably a maximum thickness of 6 miti, having.

3. Container (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the film layers (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) consists of a monomaterial.

4. Container (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the film layers (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) consists of polyolefin.

5. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two chambers (13) are filled with a gas and / or a liquid and / or a solid.

6. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall (11) has outer and / or inner curvatures formed by the chambers (13).

7. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two chambers (13) are elongated, in particular channel-shaped or vein-shaped.

8. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two chambers (13) are non-linear.

9. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two chambers (13) each have a different orientation from one another.

10. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two chambers (13) are not arranged parallel to one another in the wall (11).

11. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two chambers (13) are shaped and arranged in such a way that they form and enclose a plurality of flat wall sections (14).

12. Container (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall (11) has at least one additional stabilizing element (15) for further stabilization and / or increasing the stability of the container (100).

13. Foil packaging (200), comprising a container (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Foil packaging (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that the foil packaging (200) has a closure (210).