Pouch for a Food Product

Abstract

A method for producing pyramidal shaped pouches and filling them with a food product is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a multi-layered heat sealable material; forming a tube from the material via a forming shoulder and a metallic forming tube on which the material is wrapped; sealing along a longitudinal direction where the material overlaps to form a longitudinal sealing; sealing across the tube to generate a first sealing edge and forming an opening; filling via the metallic forming tube the food product in the opening; and sealing across the tube to close the opening and generate a second sealing edge. The method further includes creating a notch in the first sealing edge. A tear area extends substantially along the longitudinal sealing. Adjacent pouches are cut to be separated, each filled with the food product.

Claims

1. A method for producing pyramidal shaped pouches and filling them with a food product, the method comprising: providing a multi-layered heat sealable material on a reel; unwinding the material via rolls; forming a tube from the material via a forming shoulder and a metallic forming tube on which the material is wrapped; sealing along a longitudinal direction where the material overlaps to form a longitudinal sealing; sealing across the tube to generate a first sealing edge and forming an opening, the first sealing edge being a first sealing edge for both of two adjacent pouches; filling via the metallic forming tube the food product in the opening; sealing across the tube to close the opening and generate a second sealing edge substantially orthogonally to the first sealing edge, the second sealing edge being a second sealing edge for one of the two pouches; sealing across the tube to generate a third sealing edge substantially orthogonally to the first sealing edge after filling in the food product, the third sealing edge being a second sealing edge for another of the two pouches; creating a notch in the first sealing edge adjacent the longitudinal sealing to form a tear area for generating an opening on each of the two adjacent pouches, the tear area extending substantially along the longitudinal sealing; and cutting laterally along the first sealing edge to separate the two adjacent pouches, each filled with the food product.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein sealing is performed by jaw pairs through opening and closing in a sequential pattern.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the jaw pairs are formed by two opposite metallic jaws.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein sealing is performed by cross-sealing through the jaw pairs positioned underneath the metallic forming tube.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the jaw pairs are metallic and electrically heated.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising lowering the material by one pouch length after sealing and filling in the food product.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving each pouch via a fixed chute to a conveyor belt.

8. A system for producing pyramidal shaped pouches and filling them with a food product, the system comprising a machine configured to perform a method comprising: holding a multi-layered heat sealable material on a reel; unwinding the material via rolls; forming a tube from the material via a forming shoulder and a metallic forming tube on which the material is wrapped; sealing along a longitudinal direction where the material overlaps to form a longitudinal sealing; sealing across the tube to generate a first sealing edge and forming an opening, the first sealing edge being a first sealing edge for both of two adjacent pouches; filling via the metallic forming tube the food product in the opening; sealing across the tube to close the opening and generate a second sealing edge substantially orthogonally to the first sealing edge, the second sealing edge being a second sealing edge for one of the two pouches; sealing across the tube to generate a third sealing edge substantially orthogonally to the first sealing edge after filling in the food product, the third sealing edge being a second sealing edge for another of the two pouches; creating a notch in the first sealing edge adjacent the longitudinal sealing to form a tear area for generating an opening on each of the two adjacent pouches, the tear area extending substantially along the longitudinal sealing; and cutting laterally along the first sealing edge to separate the two adjacent pouches, each filled with the food product.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein sealing is performed by jaw pairs through opening and closing in a sequential pattern.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the jaw pairs are formed by two opposite metallic jaws.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein sealing is performed by cross-sealing through the jaw pairs positioned underneath the metallic forming tube.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the jaw pairs are metallic and electrically heated.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises lowering the material by one pouch length after sealing and filling in the food product.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises moving each pouch via a fixed chute to a conveyor belt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to facilitate better understanding of the present invention, reference is made below to the drawings. These show only exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention.

[0027] In the figures and the associated description, identical or functionally analogous parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a pyramidal shaped pouch.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a further schematic representation of the pyramidal shaped pouch.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another pyramidal shaped pouch.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the pyramidal shaped pouch of FIG. 3 after opening in accordance with one embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 5 shows a simulation for the production of pyramidal shaped pouches.

[0033] FIG. 6 shows a further simulation for the production of pyramidal shaped pouches.

[0034] FIGS. 7A-C illustrate how a user can open the pouch to access the food product inside.

[0035] FIGS. 8A-C are photographs from three perspectives of a pouch in accordance with one embodiment.

[0036] FIGS. 9A-M show a machine or parts of a packaging machine to form pyramidal shaped pouches. The steps for forming and filling pyramidal shaped pouches are depicted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a tetrahedral or pyramidal shaped pouch 10 formed from a tube of packaging material and suitable for a food product. During a production and/or packaging process, the longitudinal edge sections of an elongated sheet of packaging material can be brought together, overlapped, and sealed to form an elongated or continuous tube of packaging material extending along a longitudinal axis. The overlapped and sealed edge sections can be referred to as a longitudinal sealing or a seam. The three-dimensional pouch 10 can include a first sealing edge 1 and a second sealing edge 2 which can be arranged substantially orthogonally to each other to form the pouch 10 from the tube of packaging material. The pouch 10 has a tear area 4, 5 extending substantially along a longitudinal sealing 7 for generating an opening 9 (shown in FIG. 4). The first sealing edge 1 is arranged in a vertical direction whereas the second sealing edge 2 is in a horizontal direction, both are substantially perpendicular to each other. The vertical sealing at the first sealing edge 1 has a defined width that forms a vertical fin to keep the pouch 10 closed. The horizontal sealing at the second sealing edge 2 has also a defined width that forms a horizontal fin to keep the pouch 10 closed on the other side. The fins on both sides have preferably the same or an identical width. The tear open element comprises a notch 5 that is formed within the first sealing edge 1, i.e. into the vertical fin. The notch 5 is basically a cut or slit that is generated during the production process of the pouch 10. The notch 5 forms a recess that extends preferably orthogonally into the material of the pouch 10.

[0038] The slit or notch 5 extends approximately one third from the first sealing edge 1 into the vertical fin. The notch 5 provides a direction into which tensile forces act when opening the pouch 10. The notch 5 might run deeper into the material, i.e. the vertical sealing, to provide more or better guidance.

[0039] The notch 5 can be arranged near or adjacent the longitudinal sealing 7, i.e. where the pouch 10 is sealed or welted. The material is here folded right over left and thus is thicker than in other parts. The notch 5 can be advantageously arranged opposite of the longitudinal sealing 7 towards the longitudinal middle of the first sealing edge 1.

[0040] The pouch 10 can be produced from a material that is multi-layered and heat sealable. The material can be printable on the outside and may have instructions printed thereon for a consumer to indicate how to open the pouch 10 properly. This flexible material can include aluminum to guarantee a certain stiffness and/or gas impermeability so as to keep the contents fresh. Common plastic pouches would not fulfill that requirement as such a material would be too soft. On the other hand, the use of tetra pack materials would be too tight.

[0041] The longitudinal sealing 7 can extend from the first sealing edge 1 to the second sealing edge 2. The longitudinal sealing 7 can be substantially close to, adjacent or near to a pouch side edge 8. The longitudinal sealing 7 need not be centered to ensure opening of the pouch 10 through guidance starting from the tear notch 5 and going straight along the tear edge 4 near the sealing 7 slightly inclined to the bottom of the pouch 10, i.e. to the second sealing edge 2.

[0042] Along one of its sides, the tear area 4, 5 can extend substantially parallel to and along the longitudinal sealing 7.

[0043] In between the first sealing edge 1 and the second sealing edge 2 the tear area 4, 5 extends as tear edge 4 along a virtual line (dashed line in FIG. 1) near where the pouch is sealed. As the material is thicker along the longitudinal sealing 7, the tear edge 4 will not run into the thicker part and is thus guided along the longitudinal sealing 7.

[0044] The pouch 10 can include a force insertion area 3 substantially near to an apex 6 at the side of the first sealing edge 1 where the longitudinal sealing 7 intersects. This is one holding area for the consumer whereas the other holding area for opening the pouch 10 is intuitive or direct near the notch 5 on the other side.

[0045] The opening 9 (shown in FIG. 4) that is to be created though tensile or pulling forces runs from the first sealing edge 1 along the tear edge 4 to substantially an inner part 2 of the second sealing edge 2, i.e. the horizontal fin. The opening 9 can be stopped before reaching the inner part 2 so that for example only have of the opening 9 is released. Any size of opening 9 can be generated by applying appropriate forces or by mechanical means such as thickened material at a location where a stop is desired.

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates some geometrical aspects of the pouch 10. The pyramidal shaped pouch 10 is arranged or placed horizontally, e.g. on a plane, table or the like (not shown).

[0047] The pouch 10 can include at the bottom a first triangular plane 11, on one side a second triangular plane 12 and on the other side a third triangular plane 13, and an inclined fourth triangular plane 14 running from the top of the vertically oriented first sealing edge 1 to the horizontally oriented second sealing edge 2. All planes 11, 12, 13, 14 merge into each other without forming strict edges. There is a smooth fading from one plane into another plane. In other words, the triangular planes form isosceles triangle-shaped supporting side walls with smooth transitions. The first sealing edge 1 is shown as a substantially vertical sealing whereas the second sealing edge 2 forms a substantially horizontal sealing. The pouch 10 can have the shape of a stretched tetrahedron or polyhedron with four triangular stretched side walls. The triangular planes 11, 12, 13, 14 form basically the side walls.

[0048] The pouch 10 can be created in production from a quadrilateral base area or material formed to a cylinder or tube that is sealed along the longitudinal sealing 7. Theoretically, one open side of the cylinder is then closed to the first sealing edge 1 and the other open side is closed to the second sealing edge 2. The first sealing edge 1 and the second sealing edge 2 are arranged substantially at right angles to each other.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of another pyramidal shaped pouch 10 that basically is mirrored. The pouch 10 is closed, filled with the food product, and placed on a horizontal plane before opening. The pouch 10 comprises here the first sealing edge 1 on the right-hand side and the second sealing edge 2 on the left-hand side. The first sealing edge 1 is vertically and the second sealing edge 2 horizontally arranged. The first sealing edge 1 and the second sealing edge 2 are arranged substantially orthogonally to each other to form in between the pouch 10 that contains the food product. The pouch 10 has the tear area 4, 5 that extends along the longitudinal sealing 7. The force insertion area 3 is here on the right-hand side substantially near to the apex 6 at the side of the first sealing edge 1, where also the longitudinal sealing 7 intersects. As will be shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, after two pouches 10, the production process repeats, which means that pouches 10 are produced where for the first pouch the longitudinal sealing 7 is on one side whereas for the second pouch the longitudinal sealing 7 is on the other side.

[0050] The notch 5 provides the direction or guidance to which an end user applies tensile or pulling forces when opening the pouch 10. Advantageously, the notch 5 is arranged near where the pouch 10 is sealed or welted along the longitudinal sealing 7 between the first sealing edge 1 and the second sealing edge 2.

[0051] An embodiment of the pouch 10 may have the following dimensions. The first sealing edge 1 is about 100 mm and the second sealing edge 2 is 100 mm in length too. Each sealing at the vertical and horizontal edges 1, 2 has a width of about 15 mm that can also be referred to as fin having a rectangular area of 100 mm by 15 mm. The fin can have a wavelike structure that is created during the sealing process or wrinkle welding. Small rills running along the longitudinal direction of each sealing edge 1, 2 can form the wavelike structure. The outer side of each edge 1, 2 can be serrated. This is from the manufacturing process and the cutting to individual pouches 10. From the vertex corner at the first sealing edge 1 of the pyramidal shaped pouch 10 to another vertex corner at the second sealing edge 2 the length is about 190 mm. From the inner part of each sealing edge 1, 2 the length is about 160 mm.

[0052] The first triangular plane 11, the second triangular plane 12, the third triangular plane 13, and the fourth triangular plane 14 merge into each other without defined edges to form the pouch 10. Each triangular stretched face or triangular plane 11, 12, 13, 14 forms an isosceles triangle-shaped supporting side wall. Each side wall of the pouch 10 is substantially an isosceles triangle with two sides, each of about 160 mm, and the remaining side of about 100 mm.

[0053] Such pouch 10 would have a filling weight of about 60-70 grams and a volume of approximately 340-380 ccm. The size of the pouch 10 can vary. Thus, pouches 10 can be smaller or larger. Also, other geometries might be possible as the invention is not limited to pyramidal shaped pouches. The pyramidal shaped pouch can have one or more apexes or corners where one or more are beveled or broken off.

[0054] The described pouch 10 with some attachment means could serve as a holder or support for a smartphone or smartphone like device. Adhesive pieces or tapes may be provided to fix the smartphone to the pouch 10 in an inclined position to enable best use and visibility. Also, once opened and emptied of their contents, instead of being discarded, used pouches can also be used as birthday party hats for small caged animals such as pet hamsters.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment after opening with a triangular opening 9 and a tear-off part 9. The triangular opening 9 runs inclined along the tear edge 4 from the upper part of the vertically oriented first sealing edge 1 to the inner side 2 of the horizontally oriented second sealing edge 2. The tear-off part 9 can be swung out or opened up to the left-hand side but left attached near the inner side 2. It is also possible to open the pouch 10 partly or half way. The triangular opening 9 releases approximately half of the side length of the second sealing edge 2. The food product is now released and ready for use.

[0056] The pouch 10 forms a bowl-shaped receptacle that provides easy access to the food product, preferably snacks such as sunflower seeds or roasted sunflower seeds. The opened pouch 10 can be positioned on a plane or table for display of the food product, which is ready for consumption.

[0057] FIGS. 7A-C illustrate how a user can open the pouch 10 to access the food product inside. FIG. 7A shows the user grasping the first sealing edge 1 with opposite hands on opposite sides of the notch 5 to initiate a tear open of the pouch. FIG. 7B shows the user pulling the tear off part 9 away from the pouch body as the pouch tears along the longitudinal sealing 7 on one side of the triangular opening 9 and symmetrically on another side of the triangular opening 9. FIG. 7C shows the user holding the opened pouch 10 showing the contents inside.

[0058] When opening the pyramidal shaped pouch 10 to release the food product, a tensile or pulling force is applied to the tear area 4, 5 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) in the direction from the first sealing edge 1 to the second sealing edge 2 thereby opening the pouch 10 along the tear edge 4 near the longitudinal sealing 7. The longitudinal sealing 7 can be configured to pull away with the tear-off part 9.

[0059] To open the pouch 10, the sealing edge 1 is grasped by the fingers in the holding areas and near the notch 5, and is torn-off from the first sealing edge 1 towards to the second sealing edge 2 on the other side. This opens the pouch 10 along the tear edge 4 proper and due to the force symmetry, the tear on both sides will be nearly identical. The pouch 10 after opening includes the tear-off element 9 with a substantially rectangular shape and a triangular end. The tear-off part 9 remains attached to the pouch 10.

[0060] The pouch 10 can be opened while positioned on a table or holding in the hands. The first sealing edge 1 is then vertical while the second sealing edge 2 is horizontally and nearly parallel to the table.

[0061] A preferred way to open the pouch 10 is to hold the first sealing edge 1 horizontally at the top while the second sealing edge 2 is at the bottom. In other words, the tip of the second triangular plane 12 or triangle-shaped supporting side wall is at the bottom. The fingers hold the pouch 10 near the tear notch 5 and apply an opposing tractive force. While applying the force the pouch 10 opens along the tear edge 4 guided by the longitudinal sealing 7. The pouch 10 is then slightly pivoted to one side such that no content falls out. After swiveling the pouch less than 90 the horizontal first sealing edge 1 is then nearly vertical, but slightly inclined. The pouch 10 is then opened and can be placed with its triangular base area on a horizontal plane, like a table or the like. Alternatively, the opened pouch 10 might be held in one's hand.

[0062] The triangular opening 9 forms substantially an isosceles triangle with two sides of equal length, one side straighter, the other slightly more curved, and the remaining side holding the tear-off part 9. The straighter side is there where the opening runs along the sealing 7 whereas the more curved or serrated side runs through the material without such guidance, but still controlled from the other side.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a simulation for the production of pyramidal shaped pouches 10 where one pouch 10 follows the next pouch 10. Along the respective edge 1, 2, the pouches are cut into individual pouches. FIG. 5 shows the longitudinal sealing 7 where the tear edge 4 will run close to the sealing after opening the pouch 10. The longitudinal sealing 7 runs through from one pouch 10 to the next pouch 10. Near where the longitudinal sealing 7 meets with the first sealing edge 1, the notch 5, here also referred to as tear notch, is created. At each edge 1, 2, each pouch 10 is cut from the next pouch 10, respectively.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows a further simulation for the production of pyramidal shaped pouches 10. Nearly four three-dimensional pouches 10 are shown vertically, while the top pouch 10 is not shown in full. The production of the pouches 10 can run through an automatic machine (shown in FIGS. 9A-M) working in the process of form, fill, and seal, and then repeat. Such machine forms the pouches 10 from a roll of flexible material that is already printed. The pouch 10 consists of heat-sealable laminates with aluminum having a desired tear characteristic. The first sealing edge 1 is here also referred to as top seal whereas the second sealing edge 2 is referred to as bottom seal. The longitudinal sealing 7 runs through from one pouch 10 to the next.

[0065] For the production of the pyramidal shaped pouches 10 from a roll, a quadrilateral base of the multi-layered heat sealable material is provided and formed to a tube 20. Then, where the material overlaps, the longitudinal sealing 7 is formed by a sealing technique. Next, across the tube 20, the first sealing edge 1 is generated by the same or a different sealing technique. The first sealing edge 1 is basically the first sealing edge for two pouches 10 as it is indicated in FIG. 6. Then, across the tube 20 in a perpendicular direction, the second sealing edge 2 is generated, preferably by the same sealing technique as used for the first sealing edge 1. The second sealing edge 2 is also the sealing edge for two pouches 10 and so on. Finally, a tear area 4, 5, extending substantially along the longitudinal sealing 7 for generating an opening 9, is provided. The notch 5 allows tensile forces to be applied in a controlled manner such that the guided tear edge 4 for opening the pouch 10 is created. As each of the first sealing edge 1 and the second sealing edge 2 is the edge of two pouches, a cutting step along the edges separates or disjoins the pouches into individual pouches 10. During the production process and before finally sealing the pouch 10, each pouch 10 is filled with the food product.

[0066] FIGS. 8A-C are photographs from three perspectives of a pouch in accordance with one embodiment.

Aspects of Various Embodiments

[0067] Disclosed is a pyramidal shaped pouch for a food product. The pouch comprises a first sealing edge and a second sealing edge arranged substantially orthogonally to each other to form in between the pouch suitable to receive the food product. The pouch comprises further a tear area extending substantially along a longitudinal sealing for generating an opening.

[0068] It is an object to provide an easy to open pouch for food products, such as snacks or the like. After opening, the pouch should provide a stable container or reservoir to provide free and simple access to the pouch's content.

[0069] It is another object to provide a method for easy opening of a food pouch.

[0070] It is yet another object to provide a method for producing a food pouch.

[0071] These and other objects are achieved by an inventive pouch and an inventive method according to the independent claim. Other preferred embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0072] A first aspect relates to a pouch for a food product or generally to food packaging. The pouch is particularly suitable for a sunflower seed package. The pouch comprises a first sealing edge and a second sealing edge arranged substantially orthogonally to each other to form in between the pouch suitable to receive the food product. The pouch further comprises a tear area extending substantially along a longitudinal sealing for generating an opening. The opening allows an easy and wide access to the pouch's content, which can be snacks, like sunflowers, nuts, mixes of nuts, chips, pistachios, or any other edible seed or food. The pouch may contain any type of food to which easy access is desired.

[0073] The pouch preferably has a pyramidal shape that is asymmetric. The pouch has the shape of a stretched tetrahedron, that is a polyhedron composed of four triangular stretched faces, six straight edges, and four vertex corners. The first sealing edge and the second sealing edge are basically perpendicular to each other.

[0074] The pouch basically comprises a first triangular plane, a second triangular plane, a third triangular plane, and a fourth triangular plane. All planes merge into each other without folding edges to form the pouch. The triangular planes form isosceles triangle-shaped supporting side walls. The first sealing edge forms a substantially vertical sealing whereas the second sealing edge forms a substantially horizontal sealing when the pyramidal shaped pouch is arranged horizontally.

[0075] The tear area, also referred to as tear open element, is partly defined by a notch formed within or cut into the first sealing edge. During production a cut or slit is made into the sealing edge such that the notch forms a recess that extends substantially orthogonally into the pouch material. The notch is advantageously arranged near the longitudinal sealing or welding in the upper part or closer to an end of the first sealing edge. The notch extents approximately one third into the first sealing edge, also referred to as top seal, which provides enough width to guide the tear further. Basically, the notch is arranged opposite of the longitudinal sealing towards the longitudinal middle of the first sealing edge.

[0076] One side of the tear area extends along the longitudinal sealing, thereby defining a guided tear edge on both sides. The longitudinal sealing is, however, only on one side.

[0077] The longitudinal sealing extends between the first sealing edge and the second sealing edge, where it runs substantially near to a pouch side edge. The longitudinal sealing can be folded away from the tear area, in other words the material is folded towards the closest side edge of the pouch. Thus, along the longitudinal sealing the material is thicker and provides a guided tear area. It is advantageous to arrange the longitudinal sealing asymmetrically to generate the desired tear or opening effect.

[0078] In between the first sealing edge and the second sealing edge, the tear area extends along a line to form or generate the tear edge near where the pouch is sealed or welted between the first sealing edge and the second sealing edge. The pouch has there the longitudinal sealing that extends between the first sealing edge and the second sealing edge. The longitudinal sealing can be positioned out of center which advantageously ensures the opening of the pouch through guidance starting from the tear notch at the first sealing edge and going straight towards or near the second sealing edge at the bottom. As indicated, the material is thicker there as it is folded right over left and sealed. Thus, a defined tear line or tear edge is provided that is not running into the thicker part, rather it is guided. In other words, the line or tear line before opening is a virtual line that is not directly defined, but the direction is given. The notch is predefined whereas the rest of the tear area runs as a tear edge along the line that is restricted by the sealed or welted thicker part. When a tensile force acts, it is guided along the line or tear edge, but not into the longitudinal sealing. This allows and creates a smooth and straight opening of the pouch.

[0079] The pouch can be formed from a material that is multi-layered and provides the desired tear characteristic. A flexible material that is heat sealable can be used. It can be printed on the outside to describe the content or other facts. It is preferred to apply a film material that comprises aluminum to achieve a given material stiffness. The tear line guidance of the tear area, in particular the tear edge, can be influenced by the chosen material, by chemical and physical features of the material, or the treatment of the material. The application of a laser during the production process to weaken certain areas of the pouch might be an alternative to provide a guided tear experience.

[0080] The pouch forms, after opening, a bowl-shaped receptacle that provides access to the food product. This has besides optical or esthetical aspect most notably practical aspects. The opened pouch is in a stable position and allows a wide and easy access to the content. What is particularly advantageous is that no further rustling is generated when content is taken out. With conventional pouches, rustle and sizzling noise is generated continuously when content is taken out. This is often perceived as unpleasant.

[0081] The resulting opening is substantially a triangular opening. The pouch's triangular opening forms substantially an isosceles triangle. That means that the opening has two sides of equal length, one side is nearly straight whereas the other is more or less slightly curved. The remaining side holds advantageously the tear-off part. The tear-off part may remain on the pouch and thus cannot get lost. The tear-off part may be later or after a part consumption of the content pushed back into its original position. Adhesive pieces or tapes may be provided to fix the tear-off part back to the pouch.

[0082] When the substantially triangular opening runs from the first sealing edge to substantially an inner part of the second sealing edge, then the pouch opens widely and provides access to the content over nearly the whole length.

[0083] The pouch comprises a force insertion area substantially near to an apex or vertex corner at the side of the first sealing edge where the longitudinal sealing intersects. In combination with the notch, this is a preferred area to insert forces. This is practically near a holding area where a user or consumer of the pouch would hold the pouch for opening.

[0084] When the pouch is placed or arranged on a horizontal plane, the substantially triangular opening runs slightly oblique from the first sealing edge that then is vertically arranged to the second sealing edge that is horizontally arranged. This looks nice and allows easy removal of the content from the top or side.

[0085] The substantially triangular opening releases approximately 50% of the side length of the second sealing edge, allowing a wide access to the pouch's content.

[0086] The pouch after opening comprises a tear-off element with a substantially rectangular shape and a triangular end. That is the tear-off part that remains attached to the pouch. This is advantageous if the pouch later should be reclosed. For that, a closing mechanism or means like adhesive tapes or the like can be provided. For opening and/or closing a zipper like mechanism could be used.

[0087] Another aspect relates to a method for opening a pouch that is preferably pyramidal shaped and contains a food product. The pouch has a first sealing edge and a second sealing edge arranged substantially orthogonally to each other to form in between the pouch suitable to receive the food product. The pouch has further a tear area extending substantially along a longitudinal sealing for generating an opening that preferably results in a substantially triangular opening. The method comprises the step of applying at a force insertion area a tensile force to the tear area in the direction from the first sealing edge to the second sealing edge thereby opening the pouch along a tear edge substantially near the longitudinal sealing. Due to a force symmetry, both sides are opened along the tear edge almost identically.

[0088] Before the pouch is created or produced it can be described as a quadrilateral base area that is formed to a cylinder or tube. Theoretically, one open side of the cylinder is closed to the first sealing edge and the other open side of the cylinder is closed to the second sealing edge.

[0089] A further aspect relates to a method for producing a pyramidal shaped pouch for receiving a food product. The production method comprises the steps of providing a quadrilateral base of a multi-layered heat sealable material and forming a tube from the material; sealing along the longitudinal direction where the material overlaps to form a longitudinal sealing; sealing across the tube to generate a first sealing edge; the first sealing edge being the first sealing edge for two pouches; sealing across the tube to generate a second sealing edge perpendicular to the first sealing edge; the second sealing edge being the second sealing edge for two pouches; and providing a tear area extending substantially along the longitudinal sealing for generating an opening. As each of the first sealing edge and the second sealing edge is the edge of two pouches, a cutting step separates or disjoins the pouches to individual pouches.

[0090] During the production process, each pouch is filled with the food product.

[0091] FIGS. 9A-M show a machine or parts of a machine to form pyramidal shaped pouches 10. The steps for forming pyramidal shaped pouches 10 are depicted sequentially.

[0092] The machine, also referred to as packaging machine 30, uses an intermittent motion for forming, filling and sealing the pyramidal shaped pouches 10 from a heat-sealable, flexible packaging material 32.

[0093] In a first step as shown in FIG. 9A, the flexible packaging material 32 is unwound in a controlled manner via rolls 33 from a flat reel 31. In a second step as shown in FIG. 9B, the packaging material 32 is formed via a forming shoulder 34 and a metallic forming tube 35. This is performed by wrapping and surrounding the metallic forming tube 35 while also subsequently sealing the flexible packaging material 32 vertically on its length by a heat sealer 36.

[0094] As indicated in FIG. 9D, the packaging machine 30 has a cross-sealing system which is formed out of four electrically heated metallic jaws 37 positioned in a rhombus-like arrangement, underneath the metallic forming tube 35. These jaws 37 function in pairs by opening and closing in a sequential pattern with a first sequence and a second sequence. The pairs are formed by two opposite metallic jaws 37.

[0095] The bottom of the pouches 10 is sealed using one pair of heated metallic jaws 37 from the cross-sealing system, starting the first sequence. The jaws are operating in the following steps: a) an open stage as shown in FIG. 9E; b) the pair of metallic jaws 37 approach the meeting point between them as shown in FIG. 9F; and c) a closing stage as shown in FIG. 9G. The pair of metallic jaws 37 meet and close on one another with the formed material 32 in the middle which results in the sealing of the bottom as the bottom seal of the pouch 10.

[0096] The filling stage begins by introducing the product or food product via the metallic forming tube 35 as indicated in FIG. 9H. In parallel, at the same time the film or packaging material 32 is being lowered or moved, one finished bag's final length down on the metallic forming tube. 35 as indicated in FIG. 9I.

[0097] The filled pouch 10 is horizontally being sealed at its top as the top seal using the other pair of heated metallic jaws 37 from the cross-sealing system, starting the second sequence as shown in FIG. 9J. In parallel, at the same time the top seal 1 of the next bag 10 is completed while also creating the notch 5 or tear-notch cut for easy opening as indicated in FIGS. 9J and 9K.

[0098] The pouch 10, which is now formed, filled, and sealed is separated from the rest of the film or packaging material 32 by a blade, positioned inside the sealing metallic jaws 37, resulting in obtaining the final pouch or bag design featuring a tetrahedral shape as shown in FIG. 9L.

[0099] The final pouch 10 as shown in FIG. 9M falls down and is then transferred out of the packaging machine 30 via a fixed chute 39 to a conveyor belt.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0100] 1 first sealing edge [0101] 2 second sealing edge [0102] 2 inner part of the second sealing edge [0103] 3 force insertion area [0104] 4, 5 tear area with tear edge and notch [0105] 4 tear edge [0106] 5 notch [0107] 6 apex [0108] 7 sealing [0109] 8 pouch side edge [0110] 9 opening [0111] 9 tear-off part [0112] 10 pouch [0113] 11 first triangular plane [0114] 12 second triangular plane [0115] 13 third triangular plane [0116] 14 fourth triangular plane [0117] 20 tube [0118] 30 packaging machine [0119] 31 flat reel [0120] 32 packaging material [0121] 33 rolls [0122] 34 forming shoulder [0123] 35 forming tube [0124] 36 heat sealer [0125] 37 jaws [0126] 38 cross-sealing system [0127] 39 chute

APPENDIX TO THE SPECIFICATION

[0128] Filed herewith and included as part of this specification is an Appendix including annotated color photograph versions of FIGS. 9A-M. These color photographs show in more particular detail and with better clarity an actual implementation of what has been otherwise shown in the black and white line drawings of FIGS. 9A-M.