WO2010058422A1

WO2010058422A1 - A flexible package for packing a rigid/ semi rigid article/ bottle/ container

Info

Publication number: WO2010058422A1
Application number: PCT/IN2009/000654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashok Chaturvedi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-20
Filing date: 2009-11-17
Publication date: 2010-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2011-05-20

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a flexible package for packing an article / bottle / container comprising a front wall (1a), a back wall (1b), two side walls (2,3), a top wall (4), a bottom end (5), inbuilt handle(s) (7a, 7b) and weak line on one or more wall surfaces for easy opening of the package, wherein said inbuilt handles are laser scored, perforated, punched, or ultrasonically cut profile made at the predetermined distance from the joining edge of the front and the back walls with the top wall. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the front wall and back wall are folded, creased and sealed perpendicular to the surfaces to form two ribs (8a, 8b), said front and back walls are extended beyond the ribs to form two extended walls and said extended walls are sealed together to form a top wall having flat surface.

Description

A FLEXIBLE PACKAGE FOR PACKING A RIGID/ SEMI RIGID ARTICLE/ BOTTLE/ CONTAINER

Technical Field The present invention relates to a flexible package for packing a rigid/ semi rigid article/ bottle/ container and particularly relates to a flexible package with all sides having flat surface and in built handle for packaging a rigid/semi rigid article/bottle/container.

Background The flexible pouches as primary packaging are a great convenience to the consumers for food and non-food product packaging. There is a need for packaging of rigid/semi rigid article/bottle/container of any shape and size or pre-packed article, in a flexible package with or without provision of protection for the product/article from outer impact during handling & storage. This kind of package gives better aesthetics, attractive printing with proper registration, effective display, safe & easy handling & storage.

Packages with three-side gussets are available in the market for liquid, solid, powder or grains packaging. Such packages with three side gussets are known in numerous embodiments which depend on the usages of the package & product to be packaged. One type of three-side gusset flexible package is explained in Indian patent No. 210624. US patent No. 6572267 also disclosed another kind of gusseted packages. A method of making flat-bottomed plastic bags is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,384.

Indian patent no. 210624 discloses a re-closable flexible package with a slider zipper assembly and three-side gussets having a separate handle and a method of manufacturing the same. One type of plastic bag forming machine and method of operation is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,224 which provides a closed sleeve plastic material with inwardly gusseted sides. Another method of making flat-bottomed plastic bags is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,384.

The plastic packages are advantageous since first and second side gussets are unfolded between the front and back wall edges, respectively to obtain a large capacity. The bottom gusset portion and the first and second auxiliary gusset portions are also unfolded between the bottom edges to constitute a rectangular bottom. The plastic bag can therefore stands stable on a flat surface. The front and back walls of the package hold together and closed directly on the top opening, so the top end forms a wedge shape unlike a flat surface and wasting the packaging space inside the package.

US 6561963 and EP 1 106339 disclose a new and improved apparatus for successively making plastic bags where every bag is provided with first and second side gussets and then a bottom gusset. However the top opening is sealed directly after product filling.

Co-pending Indian Patent Application No.2222/DEL/08 discloses packages/Bags with three side gussets and a fourth side flat surface attached with a re-closable zipper, with or without diaphragm.

However, the pouches and the methods used for manufacturing the packages as available in the prior art do not have inbuilt handle for ease of carrying the product. A separate handle is required to be attached for holding and carrying the package. Flexible pouches available in the prior art do not have the provision to protect an article/ bottle/ container etc. from impact or shock from outside which may lead to damage of the packed product during handling. The packages available to pack such products do not have easy and inbuilt tamper evidence means. So there is a need for a flexible package with all sides flat surface and in built handle for packaging an article/bottle/ container also providing easy and inbuilt tamper evidence means.

Summary

To overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, this disclosure provides a package which forms the shape of a carton after filling the product either directly or pre-packed in bottle or container, inside the package. The package is formed by joining two side gussets and a top gusset with the separate webs called as front and back wall of the pouch. A sleeve as per the size and shape of the package and product, is inserted inside the flexible package to protect the packed article from impact, Inbuilt handle is/are prepared in the front and the back walls, which additionally provides tamper proof evidence.

It is an object of the invention to provide a gusseted pouch with two side gussets and a top gusset. The bottom end opening is for the product filling and subsequent closing the bottom end by sealing the front and back walls together. The bottom end of the flexible package is folded after sealing to give flat surface on which the packed article/ bottle/ container can stand. The flexible package explained here occupies less space for the same size of product, as the flexible package can be made as per the size and shape of the article/ bottle/ container and final packing shape is achieved as like a cube or cuboid by inserting a suitable rigid means partially or fully over the narrow region of the article/ bottle/ container, if required. The rigid means can be of either full length from top to bottom of the product which gives protection from impact or it can have partial length for giving the rectangular or square shape on the narrow region like on the neck region of the bottle.

The filled packages can be stored more conveniently since all the sides of the package have flat surface of rectangular or square shape. No folding or deformation takes place on stacking during storage or transportation of the filled packages. According to the present invention, in built handle(s) can be provided in the flexible package which helps in easy carrying of the package. This handle is made by using laser cut or perforation or punching on the top end of front and back wall. The perforation / laser or ultrasonic cut / punching is done partial to keep it in unopened condition till it reaches the end user who can tear the area which also proves that the package is not tempered.

This package can have image or graphics printed partially on front & back wall along with top, side and bottom gussets. All surfaces of the package can be registered to have text or pictures continuing from one side to the next side.

Gusset depth of any size is possible giving flexibility of making the package size as per the required volume of the product to be filled.

The package in accordance with the invention is made of paper or coated paper or laminated paper (one side or both sides) with polymer film or film laminates (metalized or non-metalized), which can be single layer or multiple layers of different polymers.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a flexible package for packing a rigid/ semi rigid article/ bottle/ container comprising a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, a top wall, a bottom end, inbuilt handles and a weak line on one or more wall surfaces for easy opening of the package, wherein said inbuilt handles are laser scored, perforated, punched die cut or ultrasonically cut profile made at the predetermined distance from the joining edge of the front and the back walls with the top wall.

In another aspect of the present disclosure provides a flexible package for packing a rigid/semi rigid article/ bottle/ container comprising a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, a top wall, a bottom end, inbuilt handle profiles, said front wall and back wall are folded, creased and sealed perpendicular to the surfaces to form two ribs, said front and back walls are extended beyond the ribs to form two extended walls and said extended walls are sealed together to form a top wall having flat surface.

Brief Description of Accompanying Drawings:

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the following detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 discloses a flexible package where the top wall is made separately as a gusset and then it is joined with front wall, back wall and side gussets together. The package mouth for product feeding is the bottom end with the joints only at the corners of the front, back and the side gussets.

Figure 2 : Shows a flexible package according to the present invention where the package mouth for article feeding is the top end formed from the extended surface of front and the back walls. The bottom of the package is closed by joining the front and the back walls.

Figure 3 : Shows the formation of top and the bottom walls form the extended surface of the front and the bottom walls, and closing the bottom end of the package by sealing the front and the back walls at the end.

Figure 4 : shows a package with top end closed by joining a separate gusset at the edges of the front, back and the side walls. The package mouth is the bottom end of the package formed from the extended surface of the front and the back wall. Figure 5: Shows a flexible package during feeding the sleeve/pad and the article/ bottle/ container inside the flexible package.

Figure 6 shows the final shape of flexible package after packing the article/bottle/ container inside the package & sealing of open end.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the flexible package with extended handle as integral part of the package.

Figure 8 shows a flexible package, where the handle is made as explained in Figure 7 a flexible package during feeding the sleeve/pad and the bottle/ container inside the flexible package.

Figure 9 shows the flexible package, where the handle is made as explained in Figure 7, after packing bottle/container with insert inside the package & sealing of open end having handle.

Figure 10 shows detachable means of holding the folded handle on the top wall of the package.

Detailed Description of the accompanying drawings:

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation in the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated bag and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

The flexible package in accordance with the invention is made of paper or coated paper or laminated paper (one side or both sides) with polymer film or film laminates, which can be single layer or multiple layers of different polymers or of any other kind of suitable material. The layers can be unprinted, printed or metalized.

Different combinations of materials for flexible packaging like number of layers, as mentioned above, depends on the strength required to bear the load of the article/ bottle/ container intended to be packaged, packaging aesthetic and type of printing with printing qualities.

Materials used for the polymeric layers may be Low Density polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyester, Nylon or any other material of that kind. Similarly the metalized polymeric layer may be made of material such as polyester or any other suitable polymer.

According to the present invention the flexible package is developed with a pair of inbuilt handles for easy carrying and handling. The handle is made from the front and back wall by fully or partially scoring by laser or ultrasonically, perforation, punching, which can be pressed to tear & form handles. Such handle profiles can be made in the extended front & back walls. There are two different processes described for making the top surface of the package flat after filling & sealing. These two different processes are explained in Figure 1 and in figure 2 separately.

Figure 1 shows a package with five flat walls, namely one front wall (Ia), one back wall (Ib), two side walls (2 & 3) and one top wall (5). The bottom end (4) is kept open for inserting the rigid/semi rigid article/ bottle/ container. The bottom end becomes flat after filling & sealing. This gives the package a carton like shape after bottom sealing. As shown in figure, the top wall (5) is prepared separately and joined with the front (Ia), back wall (Ib) and with the side gussets (2 & 3), forming two joining edges (6a) and (6b). As per this method of making the top wall, a gusset is separately fed and fixed with the front and the back wall with the suitable fixing means like, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding etc. As shown in the figure (7a) and (7b) are the laser scored, perforated/ punched die cut or ultrasonically cut profile made on the surface of the front and the back walls. The laser scored, perforated punched die cut or ultrasonically cut profile is made at the convenient distance from the joining edge of front and back wall with the top wall. The weak profile created by laser scoring, perforation, punching or ultrasonic cutting can be fully closed or open (non tear able) on the top edge of the profile. The tearing of weak profile line to create the handle also acts as the tamper evidence.

Perforation/ laser cut/ punched/ ultrasonic cutting line (7c) is provided in one or more wall surfaces as shown in the figure, for easy opening of the package to take out the article/ bottle/ container from the flexible package. The Perforation/ laser cut/ punched/ ultrasonic cutting line (7c) may be provided in front wall/ back wall/ side walls/ top wall and bottom wall.

Figure 2 shows a different method of making the top wall flat wherein the front (Ia) and the back wall (Ib) are folded, creased & sealed perpendicular to the surface to form two ribs (8a) and (8b) on both the surfaces near the top end, extending from side gussets (2) and (3). The front & back walls are also extended beyond the ribs (8a) & (8b) towards the top end shown as (9a) & (9b). When the two ends of the extended walls are joined together, then it forms the top wall having flat surface.

Figure 3 shows the formation of ribs on front and back walls, bottom end closed by sealing the front and the back walls at the end. In this case the article /bottle/ container is inserted from the top of the package. The bottom of the package is already closed. The shape of the top and the bottom walls become flat after filling & sealing package.

Figure 4 shows a package with top end closed by joining a separate gusset with the edges of the front, back and the side walls. The open end for inserting the article/ bottle/ container is the bottom end of the package, formed from the extended surfaces (9c & 9d) of the front and the back walls. In this option the article/ bottle/ container is packed from the bottom end which is sealed by heat sealing, ultrasonic or any other suitable sealing means in the middle gap after folding the gussets & at the half moon cut area shown as (10a) and (lOb).The half moon cuts or any other desired shape is cut to expose inside sellable surfaces of the front & back walls for sealing when pressed under heat & pressure on the sealing machine. The half moon cuts may not be required if ultrasonic, high frequency or laser sealing methods are employed.

Figure 5 shows method of feeding the article/ bottle/ container with folded rigid insert into the flexible package. The rigid insert shown as (1 1) is inserted with the said article (12) inside the package from the bottom end (4) of the flexible package. Once the rigid insert (1 1) is placed inside the flexible package it gives the shape to the package end like a rectangle or square, as designed. The top end of the package is already closed and the bottom end of the package remains open for inserting the rigid insert and the article/ bottle/ container inside the package. Figure 6 shows the shape of a flexible package after packing the article/ bottle/ container with folded rigid insert inside the package. The narrow region of the article/ bottle/ container is protected from any outer shock or any impact by the folded rigid, besides giving defined shape to the top end of the package. The bottom end is sealed as shown & folded as shown in the figure to get flat surface. Now all the surfaces of the package are flat. The package can be easily lifted and carried by tearing the perforations / scoring line to open the inbuilt handle profiles on both front & back wall surfaces.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the flexible package with extended handle as integral part of the package. As per this method the front wall (Ia) and back wall (Ib) are folded, creased & sealed to form a pair of ribs (8a) & (8b) at a predefined distance from the top end of the front and the back walls. The front & back walls along with side gussets (2 & 3) remain extended beyond the ribs (8a) / (8b), towards the top end. Two handle profiles (7c &7d) are punched in the front & back walls of the package as shown in the figure. A similar shape (7e) is punched in the two side gussets to match with the handle profiles (7c & 7d) punched in front & back walls, when the gussets are folded for top end sealing. The inside surface of the extended walls (9a & 9b) gets sealed together to form the flat top wall & an extended flap with cutout for handle. Half moon cuts or any other suitable shape shown as (10c & 1Od) are provided to seal the surfaces when the two outside layers have non seal able polymers & inside surfaces are seal able by heat & pressure.

Figure 8 shows a flexible package where the handle is made as explained in figure 7. The article/ bottle/ container along with the folded rigid are inserted from the top end of the package. The bottom end of the package is already sealed. As explained in the drawing the top end (5) of the package is kept open for feeding the said article/ bottle/ container (12) and the rigid insert on the narrow area neck of the article for protection from any shock or any impact. Figure 9 shows the flexible package, where the handle is made as explained in figure 7. The article/ bottle/ container is packed inside the flexible package and sealed at the top end. The inner surface layer of the front and the back wall is made suitable for sealing by removing the non seal able layer from both the walls at the required surface shown as (13a) and (13b) and make it suitable for heat sealing.

Figure 10 shows detachable means of holding the folded handle on the top wall of the package as explained in figure 7. The handle so formed may not be convenient to display, pack or transport the packages. In order to hold the handle flap parallel to the surface of the top end, two methods are explained as (14b) & (14c).

The extended flap of the handle is folded down and fixed at the top wall to make the handle surface come close & parallel to the top wall of the package. To hold it in that position, suitable adhesive spots may be applied on both the side, shown as (14c). Spot sealing with ultrasonic, laser or any other suitable means may also be employed. The selection of bonding strength is done such that the handle flap remains detachable without much force or damaging the package surfaces, when pulled to lift the package.

Sealing by providing half moon cut or any other suitable shape can also be employed, shown as ( 14b).

It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments herein shown. Thus variations may be made within the scope without sacrificing the principal advantages of the invention. For example, various operations/ stations may change their sequence as per the requirement/ convenience. Different mechanism designs are possible to perform the described operation as part of the invention. All documents cited in the description are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments and examples, which are intended as illustrations of a number of aspects of the invention and embodiments which are functionally equivalent are within the scope of this invention. Those skilled in the art will know or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. These and all other equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A flexible package for packing a rigid/ semi rigid article/ bottle/ container comprising: a front wall (Ia), a back wall (Ib), two side walls (2, 3), a top wall (5), a bottom end (4), inbuilt handles (7a, 7b) and a weak line (7c) on one or more wall surfaces for easy opening of the package, wherein said inbuilt handles are laser scored, perforated, punched die cut or ultrasonically cut profile made at the predetermined distance from the joining edge of the front and the back walls with the top wall.

2. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weak line (7c) is laser scored, perforated, punched die cut or ultrasonically cut line.

3. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weak line (7c) is provided on front wall (Ia), back wall (Ib), side walls (2,3), top wall (5) and on bottom end (4).

4. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said side walls (2,3) are two side gussets sealed with the front wall (Ia) and back wall (Ib).

5. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said front wall (Ia) and back wall (Ib) are folded, creased and sealed perpendicular to the surface to form two ribs (8c, 8d) on both the surfaces near the bottom end, said front and back walls are extended beyond the ribs (8c, 8d) to form extended surfaces (9c, 9d).

6. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said top wall (5) is produced from a separate web and sealed with the front wall (Ia), back wall (Ib) and side walls (2&3) forming the joining edges (6a, 6b).

7. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scored profile for handle(s) is closed or open near the top end.

8. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said article is inserted from the bottom end (4) of the package and subsequently said bottom end is sealed on the extended surfaces (9c and 9d) of front and back walls and the two side walls (2 and 3) at the predetermined cut area (10a, 10b).

9. A flexible package as claimed in claim 8 wherein the shapes of the predetermined cut area (10a, 10b) depends upon the type of the sealing used in the bottom end sealing.

10. A flexible package as claimed in claim 9 wherein the shapes of the predetermined cut area (10a, 10b) are half moon cut.

1 1. A flexible package as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said package optionally comprises a rigid means (1 1), said rigid means is inserted from the bottom end (4) of the package with the said article (12) to give desired shape to the package end.

12. A flexible package for packing a rigid/semi rigid article/ bottle/ container comprising: a front wall (Ia), a back wall (Ib), two side walls (2, 3), a top wall (5), a bottom end (4), inbuilt handle profiles (7c, 7d, 7e), said front wall (Ia) and back wall (Ib) are folded, creased and sealed perpendicular to the surfaces to form two ribs (8a, 8b), said front and back walls are extended beyond the ribs to form two extended walls (9a, 9b) and said extended walls are sealed together to form a top wall (5) having flat surface.

13. A flexible package as claimed in claim 12, wherein said package optionally comprises a rigid means (11), said rigid means is inserted from the top end of the package with the said article/ bottle/ container (12) to give desired shape to the package.

14. A flexible package for packing an article/ bottle/ container as claimed in claim 12, wherein extended flap for the handle is obtained by sealing the inside surface of the extended walls (9a, 9b) which is folded down and fixed at the top wall.

15. A flexible package for packing an article/ bottle/ container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the handle profiles on the extended flap is partially or completely laser scored, perforated, punched die cut or ultrasonically cut.

16. A flexible package for packing an article/ bottle/ container as claimed in claim 14, wherein said handles are fixed on the top wall of the package by adhesive spots (14c).

17. A flexible package for packing an article/ bottle/ container as claimed in claim 14, wherein said spot (14c) is fixed by ultrasonic sealing or laser sealing or by any other suitable means.

18. A flexible package for packing a rigid/semi rigid article/ bottle/ container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.