Flexible material packages

Abstract

A flexible material package (100, 200) is presented comprising a reinforcing element (3) and a first sealed area (103) positioned close to the upper end of the package (100, 200) and preferably configured so as to close the package (100, 200), wherein the reinforcing element (3) is at least partially positioned within the first sealed area (103), the package (100, 200) further comprising gripping means positioned vertically below the reinforcing element (3) and configured so as to be used to support the package (100, 200). A closing method, a filling method and a formation method of the package (100, 200) are also presented.

Claims

1. Method for closing a flexible material package, said method comprising the following steps: a. positioning a reinforcing element, having a flat shape that can be sealed on both faces of the reinforcing element, at an upper mouth of said package between a front wall and a rear wall of said package; b. sealing a first area close to the upper mouth of said package so as to block said reinforcing element and close the upper mouth of said package by means of the reinforcing element wherein said step a. of positioning is carried out so that the reinforcing element partially protrudes from a first sealed surface outside of the package; and c. cutting along a line adjacent the reinforcing element so as to provide a facilitated opening for forming a handle of the flexible material package, wherein the line is at least partially positioned adjacent to and below the reinforcing element.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein: said step of cutting along the line comprises cutting along the line with perforations.

3. Method according to claim 2, further comprising the following step: d. sealing a second area close to said first sealed area, wherein said line with perforations is positioned within said second sealed area.

4. Method for filling a package comprising the following steps: a) filling said package; b) closing said package, wherein said closing is performed with the method according to claim 1.

5. Method for forming a package comprising the following steps: a) forming said package; b) filling said package; c) closing said package, wherein said closing is performed with the method according to claim 1.

6. Method according to claim 1 wherein: said step of sealing comprises welding.

7. Method for forming a package comprising the following steps, performed in the order in which they are listed: a) forming said package; b) filling said package; c) closing said package, wherein said closing is performed with the method according to claim 1.

8. Method according to claim 1, further comprising the following step: d. sealing a second area adjacent to the first area, the second area extending between the first area and past an end of the reinforcing element to a second area end, wherein the line is positioned within the second area between the end of the reinforcing element and the second area end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numbers and/or marks indicate the same parts and/or similar parts and/or corresponding parts of the system.

(2) FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a package having four corners and a folded bottom;

(3) FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of the step of introducing a reinforcing element according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a step successive to the one depicted in FIG. 2, wherein the reinforcing element is introduced at the mouth of the package;

(5) FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a step successive to the one depicted in FIG. 3, wherein the package was closed by means of first welding;

(6) FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a step successive to the one depicted in FIG. 4, after a second welding and a pre-cut line for the formation of a handle was made according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a step successive to the one depicted in FIG. 5, wherein the handle is formed;

(8) FIG. 7 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of the step of using the handle of FIG. 6;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 shows the mouth of FIG. 8 after the handle was used;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a reinforcing element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(12) FIGS. 11A and 11B respectively show a front view and a three-dimensional view of the mouth of FIG. 10 after the handle was used;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a reinforcing element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(14) FIG. 13 shows the mouth of FIG. 10 after the handle was used;

(15) FIG. 14 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a reinforcing element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(16) FIG. 15 shows the mouth of FIG. 12 after the handle was used;

(17) FIG. 16 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a pre-cut line according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(18) FIG. 17 shows the mouth of FIG. 14 after the handle was used;

(19) FIG. 18 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a pre-cut line according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(20) FIG. 19 shows the mouth of FIG. 16 after the handle was used;

(21) FIG. 20 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a pre-cut line according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(22) FIG. 21 shows the mouth of FIG. 18 after the handle was used;

(23) FIG. 22 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a package of doypack type;

(24) FIG. 23 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of the step of introducing a reinforcing element according to one embodiment of the present invention;

(25) FIG. 24 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a step successive to the one depicted in FIG. 21 wherein the reinforcing element is introduced at the mouth of the package;

(26) FIG. 25 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a step successive to the one depicted in FIG. 22 wherein the package was closed by means of first welding;

(27) FIG. 26 diagrammatically shows a three-dimensional view of a step successive to the one depicted in FIG. 23 after a second welding and a pre-cut line for the formation of a handled was made according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

(28) FIG. 27 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a reinforcing element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(29) FIG. 28 shows the mouth of FIG. 27 after the handle was used;

(30) FIG. 29 shows a front view of a detail of the mouth of FIG. 5 with a reinforcing element according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

(31) FIG. 30 shows the mouth of FIG. 29 after the handle was used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(32) The present invention is described hereinbelow by making reference to particular embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described in the following detailed description and depicted in the drawings, rather the embodiments described simply exemplify the various aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims. Further modifications and variations of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in art.

(33) FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a package 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The package 100 is made of flexible material with bellows, starting from a film on a reel. The package 100 is depicted with welded corners and a flat folded bottom 102 blocked with glue. Such features are not fundamental but are depicted in the drawing to facilitate the comprehension thereof. Generally such types of packages relate to the pet-food sector, the food sector for rice, flour, coffee beans, etc. The materials usually used for this type of packages are plastic-based pre-coupled multilayer film made of polythene such as PE+PP or a barrier film having several layers such as PE+AL+PP.

(34) Moreover, such package 100 has an upper mouth 101 configured so that the contents of the package may be introduced therein.

(35) With reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, the method is described for closing a package 100 having a reinforcing element 3 according to one embodiment of the invention.

(36) As shown in FIG. 2, a reinforcing element 3, which is described below, is conducted along the vertical direction D1 towards the mouth 101 of the package 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the reinforcing element 3 is partially conducted inside the mouth 101 of the package 100. Moreover, it is positioned between the front wall and the rear wall of the package 100. In this particular embodiment, a part of the reinforcing element 3 is kept outside the mouth 101 of the package 100 so that the reinforcing element may be kept stationary in such position with extreme facility.

(37) In a successive step shown in FIG. 4, the upper mouth 101 of the package 100 is closed by means of a welding. A first possibility for making such welding is for example, heated bar welding. Other possible solutions are represented by ultrasound welding, impulse welding and induction welding. As shown in the drawing, such welding has a rectangular shape however it is clear that it may have any shape capable of closing the mouth of the package.

(38) The package 100 is closed in this manner, but given that the reinforcing element 3 is positioned between the front wall and the rear wall of the package 100, the reinforcing element 3 simultaneously is secured to the package 100 by means of welding this first welded area 103.

(39) It is apparent that the protruding part of the reinforcing element 3 that comes out of the mouth 101 of the package 100 after the package 100 was closed, may have a height at will according to that desired by the manufacturer of the package 100. Indeed, if on the one hand such protrusion is useful for keeping the reinforcing element 3 in fixed position before the welding of the first welded area 103 is performed, such protrusion they also be larger so as to use such protruding surface, for example, for drawings or advertising. Moreover, it is also possible for such protrusion to be completely inexistent and for the reinforcing element to be wholly contained within the mouth of the package 100.

(40) As shown in the drawing, a second welding is made at a second welded area 104 in a successive step. Such second welded area 104 is positioned at the bottom in vertical direction with respect to the first welded area 103 and the two welded areas 103 and 104 are adjacent to each other. Also in this case, the welding may be made for example, with any method such as for example: heated bar welding, ultrasound welding, pulse welding and induction welding.

(41) The blanking along a pre-cut line 105 by means of for example, a toothed knife, occurs within the second welded area 104. Such pre-cut line 105 allows making a facilitated opening. Indeed, such pre-cut line has alternating through stretches and non-through stretches through the second welded area 104.

(42) It is preferable for the pre-cut line 105 to be completely made in an area that is completely external to the reinforcing element 3. This is due to the fact that the pre-cut of the reinforcing element could result in the possible breaking of the reinforcing element. Indeed, if part of the pre-cut line 105 were made at an area occupied by the reinforcing element, this would create a breaking point at such area, that is a breakage for the cut also within the reinforcement itself.

(43) By exerting a pressure on the inner part of the pre-cut line 105 in a successive step as shown in FIG. 6, a grip of the package may be formed and the fingers of a user may be introduced in the opening thus formed. Indeed, thanks to the pressure exerted on the inner part of the pre-cut line 105, the non-through stretches are opened and thus an opening of the package is formed.

(44) Therefore, the package 100 may thus be raised and lowered at will. As shown in FIG. 7, a user may thus transport the package 100 by gripping through the opening formed from the pre-cut line 105. Thereby, also the reinforcing element 3 is gripped, which is capable therefore of preventing a possible breaking of the package 100 at the upper end of the package 100.

(45) Indeed as shown in FIG. 7, a tear 106 that continues from the two upper ends of the pre-cut line 105 may be formed also during the lifting of very heavy packages. However, the extension of such tear line 106 is effectively “stopped” by the reinforcing element 3, therefore preventing the tear from further extending.

(46) With reference to FIGS. 8 to 15, four possible different types of reinforcing elements are described in detail.

(47) As shown in FIG. 5 and as depicted in greater detail in FIG. 8, the upper end of the pre-cut line 105 is positioned vertically below the reinforcing element. As shown in the drawing, this means that there is a distance L5 between the upper end of the pre-cut line 105 and the lower part of the reinforcing element 3 positioned on the vertical of the upper end of the pre-cut line 105. Such distance may take on a value at will, for example it may be greater than 1 mm so as to ensure a certain positioning tolerance. Indeed as already described above, it is important for there to be such distance so that the handle made from the pre-cut line 105 does not affect the reinforcing element 3.

(48) The reinforcing element 3 described in FIGS. 8 and 9 is the same one depicted in FIGS. 1 to 7. Such reinforcing element 3 has a flat shape and as mentioned, may be provided already pre-cut or on a reel. Therefore, in the case in which the reinforcing element 3 is provided from a reel, there may be a continuous supply of such reinforcing element 3. Alternatively as mentioned, the reinforcing element may also be an element that was pre-cut and inserted at a later time at the mouth of the package.

(49) The reinforcing element 3 may be made of a film similar to the one with which the package 100 is made. However, both surfaces of the reinforcing element 3 (front and rear) must be welding surfaces so that the reinforcing element 3 may be welded both with the front surface and with the rear one of the mouth of the package 100. The thickness of the reinforcing element may preferably be in the range of a tenth of millimeter, for example comprised between 1 and 2 tenths of a millimeter.

(50) As shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing element 3—which has a flat shape—stands out for having a greater width with respect to the width of the pre-cut line 105. This is mainly due to the fact that not only are the greatest efforts present in the vertically upper part with respect to the pre-cut line 105 during the gripping of the package through the opening formed from the pre-cut line 105, but also in the vertically upper and immediately lateral part with respect to the pre-cut line 105. Moreover, in this manner it is also possible to effectively stop a tear line 106 which could propagate starting from the upper ends of the pre-cut line 105.

(51) Moreover, this reinforcing element 3 has a rectangular shape with a recess located on the lower central part of the reinforcing element 3 to allow the reinforcing element 3 to have a lower end positioned lower than the upper end of the pre-cut line 105. In this manner, the tear line 106 of the package that starts from the pre-cut line 105 may be effectively stopped both in the case in which the tear line propagates in an upwards oblique direction and in the case in which it propagates horizontally.

(52) The effect of this contrivance consists in having the tear line 106 completely “trapped” inside the reinforcing element 3. As is shown in FIG. 9, indeed once a pressure has been exerted on the inner area with respect to the pre-cut line 105, the tab 107 is closed to the right and to the left by the reinforcing element 3, thus effectively preventing a possible breaking of the opening.

(53) Therefore, as described in relation to FIG. 7, the extension of the tear line 106 is thus stopped by the reinforcing element 3.

(54) Moreover as shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing element 3 has two chamfers in the upper part thereof: a right one and a left one. Such chamfers have a height L2 that is less than the height L3 of the protrusion of the reinforcing element 3. Moreover, such chamfers have a width L1 that is less than the distance L4 between the right or left lateral end of the reinforcing element 3 and the corresponding right or left lateral end of the pre-cut line 105. Thanks to this contrivance, there are no trimmings when obtaining the reinforcement 3 from a reel. This is due to the fact that one reinforcement may be “fit” in another in this manner, that is matching the upper end of one reinforcing element with the recess located on the lower central part of the preceding reinforcing element.

(55) As shown for example in FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B, it is also possible for such chamfers not to be performed. Indeed, the reinforcing element 3′ depicted in FIGS. 10, 11A and 11B has a rectangular shape with two recesses alone placed at the upper ends of the pre-cut line 105. In this manner, this reinforcing element 3′ has a lower end positioned lower than the upper end of the pre-cut line 105.

(56) Thanks to this contrivance, the tear line 106, which may be formed after the use of the handle, may be effectively “trapped” inside the two recesses of the reinforcing element 3′, thus preventing a breaking of the mouth of the package. However according to this particular configuration, in the case in which the reinforcing element 3′ is supplied from a reel, trimmings would be obtained because the upper part of a reinforcing element would not “fit” with the lower part of another one.

(57) Moreover, according to this particular example, the handle is more reinforced because the part of reinforcing element comprised between the two recesses strengthens and makes the grip of the handle stronger with respect to the case described above.

(58) Additionally as shown in FIG. 11B, the handle is more ergonomic when it is gripped, thanks to the fact that the reinforcing element 3′ has a part comprised between the two recesses.

(59) Indeed, by raising the package 100, the reinforcing part comprised between the two recesses folds inside a user's hand, thus increasing the resting surface on the palm. This means that the weight of the package is distributed more equally over the surface of the palm of the hand and therefore that the specific pressure caused by the package 100 on the palm itself is decreased. Moreover, thanks to the shape of the reinforcement 3′ and as shown in FIG. 11B, the inner part of the reinforcement 3′ is not cleanly folded, rather it follows the shape of the hand, thus providing more support to the palm of the hand.

(60) Therefore, a reinforcement 3′ like the one described not only allows reinforcing the handle of the package, but allows distributing the weight force of the package over an extended area that is represented by the reinforcing part comprised between the two recesses. Thus, there is a lower specific pressure on the palm of the hand due to the fact that the force is exerted over a broader surface. Indeed contrarily, in the case in which for example the reinforcing element does not have the part comprised between the two recesses, the weight force would act along the lower line of the reinforcing element, thus having an increased specific pressure and therefore being cutting.

(61) Therefore, this particular embodiment simultaneously allows “trapping” the tear and having a more supported handle grip.

(62) The reinforcing element 3″ also depicted in the example in FIGS. 12 and 13 has a substantially rectangular shape, with the only above-described recess in the lower central part, and therefore without a chamfer in the upper part, which instead is shown in the particular example in FIGS. 8 and 9. As mentioned above, such recess allows the reinforcing element 3″ to have the lower end positioned lower than the upper end of the pre-cut line 105. However in this case, if the reinforcing element is supplied from a reel, trimmings would be obtained because the upper part of a reinforcing element would not “fit” with the lower part of another one. Nevertheless, this solution is also highly advantageous because like the case described above, it allows having the possibility of allowing the tear line 106 to be closed by the reinforcing element both in the case in which the tear line propagates oblique upwards and in the case in which it propagates horizontally.

(63) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, to significantly simplify making the reinforcing element, it is possible to make a reinforcing element 3′″ that has a substantially rectangular shape, without any particular recess. As shown in FIG. 14, in this case the width of the reinforcing element 3′″ preferably is greater with respect to the one of the above-introduced reinforcing elements 3, 3′ and 3″.

(64) In any case, also if the reinforcing element 3′″ is completely positioned above the pre-cut line 105, the fact that the reinforcing element 3′″ has a greater width with respect to the width of the pre-cut line 105 effectively prevents the possible breaking of the grip of the package 100 formed from the pre-cut line 105. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 15, the extension of the cut of the tear line 106 is also stopped in this case by the reinforcing element 3″.

(65) However, in the case in which the tear line 106 propagates vertically, once it encounters the reinforcing element 3′″, it could continue horizontally following the reinforcement profile. For this reason, such shape of the reinforcing element normally is preferred in the case a package is involved with contents that are not too heavy, and in the case in which lower manufacturing costs are wanted.

(66) The reinforcing element 3, 3′, 3″, 3′″ herein described, together with part of the first welded area 103 of the second welded area 104, forms a kind of handle that constitutes an integral part of the package 100 and is made so as to be taken or gripped by the hand to allow for example, a lifting operation. Such handle is very useful in the event packages 100 are involved having relatively large sizes, for example of the volume of 10 l, because they facilitate the lifting operation. As mentioned above and shown in the drawing, the handle is completely contained within the second welded surface 104 and therefore material inside the package 100 coming out through the handle is thus effectively precluded.

(67) Two other examples of reinforcing element are described below with reference to FIGS. 27 to 30.

(68) FIGS. 5 to 15 introduce a pre-cut line having an elongated U shape. With reference to FIGS. 16 to 21, different examples are introduced of pre-cut lines that may be used alternatively. When combined with a reinforcing element like the one introduced in the present invention, such types of pre-cut lines allow effectively resolving the problem of the tearing during the use of the support means of the package and ensuring a more ergonomic grip of the handle. It is apparent that even if such pre-cut lines are always depicted in reference to the reinforcing element 3, each of the pre-cut lines may also be combined with any one of the reinforcing elements 3, 3′, 3″, 3′″ introduced above. Moreover, it is clear that the pre-cut lines may be replaced by cut lines, thus avoiding the user from having to “open” the handle by applying a pressure along the pre-cut line.

(69) FIGS. 22 to 26 introduce a similar closing method of a package of the doypack 200 type. Similar references were used for elements corresponding to the ones of the package 100 having the side bellows. Accordingly, FIGS. 22 and 26 illustrate a doypack 200 with an upper mouth 201, bottom 202, first seal area 203, second seal area 204 and pre-cut line 205. Different types of reinforcing elements 3 and different types of pre-cut lines may be made also in this case.

(70) As mentioned above, FIGS. 27 to 30 depict two additional examples of reinforcing elements according to two other embodiments of the present invention.

(71) As shown in FIG. 27, according to the present invention it is also possible for the pre-cut line 105″ that allows achieving the cutting means, to be made directly at the position of the reinforcing element 3″. In this case, it is possible to have a reinforcing element 3″″ of any shape (in the particular example depicted in the drawing, having a rectangular shape) on which the gripping means are directly made. The apparent advantage from such an embodiment is that the tolerances in the relative position between the reinforcing element and the position wherein the pre-cut line 105″ is made, are not very limited.

(72) As for the preceding examples, the gripping means are positioned vertically below the reinforcing element also in this case because there is a portion of the reinforcing element 3″″ that is vertically above the gripping means and that therefore prevents a possible tear that could be created at the ends of the pre-cut line 105″. Nevertheless, it is apparent that even though a reinforcing element 3″ having a rectangular shape is shown in the drawing in the particular example, such reinforcing element may have any shape, such as for example an elliptical shape. Nevertheless, in the particular case in which the reinforcing element is provided with a reel, the rectangular shape allows trimmings not to be had and therefore is preferable.

(73) FIG. 28 therefore shows the reinforcing element 3″″ of FIG. 27 after a user has applied a pressure along the pre-cut line.

(74) As instead shown in FIG. 29, the reinforcing element 3″ may be represented by a flat body having a cavity inside of which the pre-cut line 105″ that allows the formation of the gripping means, may be made.

(75) Also in this case, the shape both of the cavity of the reinforcing element 3″″ and of the outer edge of the reinforcing element 3″ may vary from the one described in the drawing.

(76) Also in this case, as for the preceding example, the gripping means are positioned vertically below the reinforcing element because there is a portion of the reinforcing element 3′″ that is vertically above the gripping means and that therefore prevents a possible tear 106 that could be created at the ends of the pre-cut line 105″, as clearly shown in FIG. 30.

(77) As described above, to fill the package 100, the package 100 is first filled with the material to be introduced into the package 100 and the package 100 is closed in a subsequent step by means of the above-described process. With regard to the forming process of the package 100, it is divided into three steps. The first coincides with the formation of the package 100, for example by means of formation from a reel, the second step is represented by the filling of the package 100 and the third and last step is represented by the step of closing the package 100 as described above.

(78) Although the present invention was described with reference to the embodiments described above, it is apparent to an expert in the field that it is possible to make several modifications, variants and improvements to the present invention in light of the above teaching and within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the object and the scope of protection of the invention.

(79) For example, even if two welded areas 103 and 104 adjacent to each other were presented, it is also possible to make two welded areas distant from each other and therefore without adjacent areas. Moreover, it is also possible for the two welded surfaces to be made in a single welding.

(80) Additionally, even if the second welded area 104 was introduced having a maximum width that is smaller with respect to the width of the package, it is also possible for the width of the second welded area 104 to have a width equal to the width of the package. Vice versa, also if the first welded area was introduced with a width equal to the width of the package so as to close the mouth of the package, it is also possible to make a first welded area 103 having a maximum width that is smaller with respect to the package width and is configured only so as to fasten the reinforcing element, thus leaving the second welding with the burden of closing the package.

(81) Moreover, even if the presence of a single pre-cut line 105 and of a single reinforcing element was always described, it is possible for there to be introduced several pre-cut lines and several reinforcing elements to be positioned at each pre-cut line. In the same manner, it is apparent that the reinforcing elements may take on various shapes such as for example, oval, square, or also a combination of several geometrical and non-geometrical shapes.

(82) Moreover, even if the reinforcing element was always positioned partially outside the mouth of the package, it is also possible to position the reinforcing element flush with the mouth of the package or even completely introduced in the mouth of the package, thus being hidden inside the mouth of the package.

(83) Additionally, even if different shapes of the pre-cut line were described, it is also apparent that the pre-cut lines may take on any shape capable of forming gripping means. For example, an oval, rectangular, etc. shape may be used for the pre-cut line. Moreover, to this end, it is apparent that even if certain shapes of the pre-cut line were shown with a particular example of reinforcing element, it is apparent that such invention is not limited to such particular combination.

(84) Finally, those fields known by experts in the field were not described to avoid excessively and uselessly overshadowing the invention described.

(85) Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is only limited by the scope of protection of the appended claims.