TWO-POCKET POUCH WITH COVER FLAP AND ADHERED EXTENSION FLAP

Abstract

A two-pocket pouch is provided comprising a first pocket and a second pocket. The first pocket and the second pocket are symmetric about an optionally perforated mirror folding line and are optionally connected. The pouch is suitable for storing consumer articles, in particular loose tobacco. Furthermore, a method for making same is disclosed. The first and the second pockets in their closed position comprise a pocket front wall and a pocket rear wall, wherein an access opening is provided between the upper edges of the pocket front wall and the pocket rear wall. The pocket further comprises a cover flap. The cover flap extends from the pocket rear wall. An extension flap extends from the cover flap. In the closed position of the pouch, the cover flap is folded over the front wall in order to overlie the access opening. In the closed position of the pouch, the extension flap is folded between the pouch front wall and the cover flap. In the closed position of the pouch, the inner surface of the extension flap adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap.

Claims

1. A pouch in its closed position comprising a first pocket and a second pocket, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are symmetric about a mirror folding line, wherein each of the first and the second pocket comprises a pocket front wall and a pocket rear wall, an access opening, wherein the access opening is provided between the upper edges of the pocket front wall and the pocket rear wall, a cover flap, wherein the cover flap extends from the pocket rear wall, and an extension flap, wherein the extension flap extends from the cover flap, wherein the cover flap is folded over the pocket front wall, wherein the extension flap is folded inwardly such that it is arranged between pocket front wall and the cover flap, wherein the inner surface of the extension flap adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap.

2. The pouch of claim 1 wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are connected by way of a connecting means.

3. The pouch according to claim 1 wherein the mirror folding line is a line of weakening.

4. The pouch according to claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the extension flap is peelably adhered to the inner surface of the cover flap.

5. The pouch according to claim 1 wherein the force for opening the peelably adhered cover flap is from 1 Newton to 10 Newton for 35 millimeters peeling distance as measured by the peel force test for pouches.

6. The pouch according to claim 1 wherein the peelable adhesion is at least one of a chemical connection such as an adhesive, thermo sealing, cold sealing, ultrasound sealing, a mechanical connection such as a hook and loop fastener, velcro or a micro-suction surface, or an electrostatic connection.

7. The pouch according to claim 1 wherein the peelable adhesion is not reclosable.

8. The pouch according to claim 1 wherein, in the closed position of the pocket, the cover flap substantially covers the front wall of the pocket.

9. A pouch according to claim 1 wherein, in the closed position of the pouch the cover flap covers about 95 percent to about 100 percent of the surface area of the front wall of the pocket.

10. A pouch according to claim 1 wherein the pocket front wall and the pocket rear wall are rectangular and have the same height.

11. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the cover flap is connected to the front wall of the pocket by way of a connecting means.

12. A pouch according to claim 1 which contains tobacco.

13. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the pocket front wall and the pocket rear wall are permanently sealed to each other on their side and bottom edges of the pocket front wall and the pocket rear wall by thermo sealing, cold sealing, ultrasound sealing or an adhesive.

14. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the force for opening the permanent seal is from 20 to 30 Newton for 35 millimeters peeling distance as measured by the peel force test for pouches.

15. A method of preparing a pouch according to any of the proceeding claims comprising the steps of providing a first rectangular sheet, placing a second rectangular sheet on the first sheet, the second rectangular sheet having essentially the same width and being shorter than the first rectangular sheet, permanently sealing along a mirror folding line and the side edges to form a first and a second pocket, optionally weakening the mirror folding line, filling consumer goods into the first and the second pocket, so that these consumer goods are within the first and the second pocket after a folding step, permanently or reclosably sealing the access opening to close the first and second pocket, folding both ends of the first rectangular sheet each twice by about 180 degrees to each form a cover and an extension flap, such that each extension flap is arranged between a pocket front wall and a cover flap, adhering the inner surface of the extension flap to the inner surface of the cover flap, optionally connecting the cover panel by way of a connecting means, folding the first and the second pocket about the mirror folding line, and optionally connecting the two pockets by way of a connecting means.

Description

[0090] The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0091] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a pouch 10 of the invention in opened position;

[0092] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the pouch 10 of the invention open position;

[0093] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the pouch 10 of the invention in closed position and

[0094] FIG. 4 shows the setting of the peel force test for pouches.

[0095] The reference numerals in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 have the following meanings: [0096] 10 Pouch [0097] 12 Cover flap [0098] 14 Extension flap [0099] 16 Mirror folding line [0100] 17 Pocket opening [0101] 18 First pocket [0102] 20 Second pocket [0103] 22 Front wall or panel of the pocket [0104] 24 Rear wall or panel of the pocket [0105] 26 First folding line [0106] 28 Second folding line [0107] 32 Sticker [0108] 34 Adherence zone [0109] 36 Side edge [0110] 38 Clamp [0111] 40 Roll [0112] 42 Tensile measurement equipment [0113] 44 Wire

[0114] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pouch 10 of the invention. The first pocket 18 and the second pocket 20 are two implementations of the pouch of FIG. 2 that are symmetric about the mirror folding line 16. The mirror folding line 16 may be perforated for easy separation of the first pocket 18 and the second pocket 20. In another embodiment the mirror folding line 16 is a bent line. The cover flap 12 can be seen just as part of the pocket front wall 22 and a sticker 32 for closing the pouch 10 which means for connecting the cover flap 12 and extension flap 14 to front wall of the pocket. The inner surface of the extension flap 14 is adhered to the inner surface of the cover flap 12.

[0115] In FIG. 2 one half of the non-wrapped-around pouch 10 of the invention as separated by mirror folding line 16 is seen in a side view and in open position with pocket front wall 22 and pocket rear wall 24. The side edges 36 of the pocket front wall and the pocket back wall are permanently sealed. The pocket opening 17 is given at the top of the open pouch 10, and it can be seen that the consumer goods, for example loose tobacco inside the pouch, can easily be accessed by the consumer. Pocket front wall 22 and pocket rear wall 24 do have the same height. In the upper third of pocket rear wall 24 a first folding line 26 is given. A cover flap 12 extends between the upper end of the pocket rear wall 24 and second folding line 28, whereas the extension flap 14 depends from flap 12. The extension flap 14 is folded inwardly around second folding line 28 and is eventually arranged essentially parallel to pocket front wall 22 and cover flap 12. The inner surface of the extension flap 14 adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap 12. The inner surface of the extension flap 14 adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap 12 along the adherence zones 34. The sticker 32 (not shown) connects the cover flap 12 to the pocket.

[0116] In FIG. 3 the non-wrapped-around pouch 10, half of which is sketched in FIG. 2, is seen in a side view and in closed position. In FIG. 3 the cover flap 12 and the extension flap 14 are folded downwards around second first folding line 26. The extension flap 14 is folded inwardly around second folding line 28 and is eventually arranged essentially parallel to pocket front wall 22 and cover flap 12. The inner surface of the extension flap 14 adheres to the inner surface of the cover flap 12 along the adherence zones 34. The adherence zones cover the side edges of the inner surfaces of the cover flap 12 and the extension flap 14.

[0117] The pouch 10 in FIG. 3 is closed by sticker 32. Part but not all of sticker 32 is fixed to part of the cover flap 12 in a permanent and under normal handling conditions of the pouch 10 non-removable way. The remaining part of sticker 32 is partially applied with an adhesive which allows a repeated opening and closing of the pouch. However, only part of the sticker 32 is applied with such an adhesive meaning that a free end of sticker 32 results. This free end can be used by the consumer as a grip to open and close the pouch 10.

[0118] FIG. 4 shows the peel force test for pouches. A pouch sample 10 is laid down horizontally and two clamps 38 are set at the free edge of the extension flap 14 in equal distance from the middle of the free, that means non-adhered, edge of the extension flap 14. Wires 44 lead the opening force from the clamps 38 to the Tensile testing equipment 42 over the direction roller 40. The force necessary to pull the extension flap and cover flap apart is measured.