U.S. patent application number 12/407370 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for perforated easy opening pouch.
Invention is credited to Gautam Bhattacharjee, Longfei Zhang.
Application Number | 20090238502 12/407370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40765512 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090238502 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bhattacharjee; Gautam ; et
al. |
September 24, 2009 |
PERFORATED EASY OPENING POUCH
Abstract
A perforated large-size easy opening pouch is formed from a
single sheet containing at least one layer of a film material, and
the sheet forms a volume. The pouch also contains a seal containing
a perforation. The perforation is completely surrounded by the
seal. When a tear is initiated along the perforation, the tear
propagates to a non-sealed portion of the pouch. A sealing jaw and
a method for forming such a pouch is also described.
Inventors: |
Bhattacharjee; Gautam;
(Beijing, CN) ; Zhang; Longfei; (Beijing,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;Global Legal Department - IP
Sycamore Building - 4th Floor, 299 East Sixth Street
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
40765512 |
Appl. No.: |
12/407370 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61069990 |
Mar 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/208 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B31B 70/14 20170801;
B31B 70/64 20170801; B65D 75/5816 20130101; B31B 70/642 20170801;
B65D 75/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/208 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/28 20060101
B65D065/28 |
Claims
1. A perforated large-size easy opening pouch comprising: A. a
sheet comprising at least one layer of a film material, the sheet
forming a volume; and B. a seal comprising a perforation therein,
wherein the perforation is completely surrounded by the seal,
wherein the pouch is formed from a single sheet, and wherein when a
tear is initiated along the perforation, the tear propagates to a
non-sealed portion of the pouch.
2. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the pouch is formed by
an autopacking machine.
3. The pouch according to claim 1, comprising a granular detergent
therein.
4. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the film material is
from about 15.mu. to about 220.mu. thick.
5. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a
volume of at least 500 mL.
6. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a
perforation distance and a tear distance, and wherein the ratio of
the perforation distance:tear distance is more than about 1:10.
7. A sealing jaw comprising: A. a sealing arm comprising a profiled
sealing area, the profiled sealing area comprising a cut blade,
wherein the cut blade is completely surrounded by the profiled
sealing area; and B. a receiving arm comprising a profiled sealing
area, the profiled sealing area comprising a cut channel for
receiving the cut blade.
8. The sealing jaw of claim 7 wherein the sealing arm comprises a
heating element.
9. The sealing jaw of claim 7 wherein the receiving arm comprises a
heating element.
10. An autopacking machine comprising the sealing jaw according to
claim 7.
11. A method for sealing a pouch comprising the steps of: A.
providing a sheet; B. forming a tube having a leading edge; C.
sealing the leading edge to form a first seal; D. filling the tube
with a predetermined amount of a product; E. sealing the tube to
form a second seal; and F. cutting the tube to form a pouch filled
with the product, wherein at least one of the first seal or the
second seal comprises a perforation, wherein the perforation is
completely surrounded by the first or second seal, and wherein when
a tear is formed along the perforation, the tear propagates to a
non-sealed portion of the pouch.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/069,990 filed on Mar. 19, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to pouches. Specifically, the
present invention relates to pouches which are easy to tear
open.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pouches are typically formed of a laminate or a film and may
be used for holding many types of items such as food, shampoos,
detergents, medicines, etc. In order to make them easier to use,
notches, laser cut score lines, and perforations are standard in
the packaging industry. However it is always a challenge to balance
the need for an easy opening functionality (e.g., tear lines,
perforations, score lines, etc.) with pouch sturdiness and strength
against bursting and leakage. Many packages such as, for example,
laundry detergents do not have tearing lines because during
shipment such pouches are often dropped, compressed, etc. which
could cause unacceptable leakage. Instead, merely a notch or other
slit is made to start the tearing, but no cost-effective technology
has been found which can also control the propagation of the tear.
Instead, often the pouches are cut open with scissors.
[0004] Small, e.g., less than 500 mL, pre-formed pouches and
pouches formed from two layers are more easily customizable and
they often possess notches, or perforated tearing lines.
Specifically, while such pre-formed pouches are useful for smaller
volumes, they become more difficult for larger volumes, where the
volume : sealing area ratio becomes too large. The strength of a
seal is directly proportional to the sealing area, and a seal is
generally weaker than the film material itself. So, as the volume
grows, the sealing area may need to grow proportionally, which
leads to a large amount of wasted film material and/or a weak pouch
which bursts too easily and/or which may leak during shipping,
dropping, etc. in other words, when such pre-formed pouch
technologies are scaled up to, for example 1-2 liter or larger
bags, known methods for forming tearing lines (laser cutting, etc.)
tend to unacceptably expensive to complicate, and/or may weaken the
pouch integrity, causing undesirable leakage, breaking and/or
bursting during manufacturing, filling, shipping, etc.
[0005] Accordingly, the need exists for an improved pouch and
easy-opening system which is both easy to tear, and strong against
unintentional breakage, especially for larger pouches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a perforated large-size
easy opening pouch is formed from a single sheet containing at
least one layer of a film material, and the sheet forms a volume.
The pouch also contains a seal containing a perforation. The
perforation is completely surrounded by the seal. When a tear is
initiated along the perforation, the tear propagates to a
non-sealed portion of the pouch.
[0007] A sealing jaw contains a sealing arm with a profiled sealing
area further containing a cut blade. The cut blade is completely
surrounded by the profiled sealing area. The sealing jaw also
contains a receiving jaw containing a profiled sealing area further
containing a cut channel to receive the cut blade.
[0008] The pouch sealing method herein includes the steps of
providing a sheet, forming a tube having a leading edge, sealing
the leading edge to form a first seal, filling the tube with a
predetermined amount of a product, and simultaneously sealing the
tube to form a second seal and cutting the tube to form a pouch
filled with the product. At least one of the first seal or the
second seal comprises a perforation which is completely surrounded
by the respective first or second seal. When a tear is formed along
the perforation, the tear propagates to a non-sealed portion of the
pouch.
[0009] It has now been found that the invention can balance easy
opening via a tearing line combined with profiled sealing while
also maintaining the robustness and strength of a complete seal.
Also described herein is a method of and a sealing jaw for sealing
and creating the easy opening portion simultaneously with the bag
formation and packing. Since the sealing jaw combines the sealing
profile with the perforator, it further reduces misalignment of the
perforation, optional notch, sealing portions, etc. which could
happen if they were formed on different machines, or in different
processes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed
that the invention will be better understood from the following
description of the accompanying figures in which like reference
numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of an existing comparative pouch
having a tear notch;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the pouch
herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cut-away view of the embodiment of FIG. 2, as
seen along line 3-3;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a close-up front view of an embodiment herein;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the sealing arm
according to the invention herein;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the receiving arm
according to the invention herein;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment showing multiple
perforations;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a close-up front view of an alternate
perforation;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a close-up front view of an alternate perforation;
and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a close-up front view of an alternate
perforation.
[0021] The figures herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (.degree. C.)
unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the term "comprising"
means that other steps, ingredients, elements, etc. which do not
adversely affect the end result can be added. This term encompasses
the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of".
[0023] This disclosure relates to a perforated large-size easy
opening pouch formed of a single sheet of film material. The pouch
contains a perforation which is completely surrounded by a seal,
and when a tear is formed along the perforation, the tear
propagates to at least one non-sealed portion of the pouch. This
disclosure also relates to methods and equipment for making such a
pouch.
[0024] Referring to the Figures herein, FIG. 1 is a front view of
an existing comparative pouch, 10, having seals, 12, on four sides.
The seals form a volume, 14, for containing a product. The pouch,
10, is typically a pre-formed pouch which is formed from two sheets
of film material. Pre-formed pouches are typically made by sealing
all except for 1 side of the pouch, and either sequentially or
concurrently cutting the shape. The product is then filled into the
pouch, and the remaining side sealed. Such pre-formed pouches are
typically used for small volumes of from <1 mL up to about 500
mL, but tend not to be used for larger volumes. Occasionally
pre-formed standing pouches may be used for larger volumes, such as
liquid detergents.
[0025] The comparative pouch in FIG. 1 contains a tear-notch, 16,
which provides a starting point and indicator for the user to tear
the pouch, and the tear will propagate to a non-sealed portion,
such as the spout, 18, and then to somewhere on the sealed side,
12'. However, such a tear is not easy to control, and in fact the
tear will often times go to very different places on the sealed
side, 12'. In other words, it is difficult to reproducibly tear
such a pouch. Once the pouch is tom open, the product can be used
and/or taken out.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the pouch, 20,
herein which is formed from a single sheet of film material which
contains seals, 12 at the top, 22, and bottom, 24. The pouch, 20,
also has sides, 26, which do not have any seals. The pouch, 20,
contains a tear-notch, 16, formed in the seal, 12, at the top, 22
which points towards a perforation, 28. The perforation, 28, is
completely surrounded by the seal, 12'' in the X and Y planes
parallel to the pouch surface. It is the fact that the perforation,
28, is completely surrounded by the seal, 12', which allows the
pouch to tear easily and controllably and yet still have the
structural stability and also high bursting resistance. A
longitudinal seal, 12''' completes the pouch and forms what is
commonly known in the art as a "pillow bag".
[0027] The pouch is formed of sheet which is in turn formed from at
least one film material typically selected from the group
consisting of polyamide (nylon), polyethylene, polypropylene,
ethyl-vinyl-acetate, poly-4-methylpentene-1, a microporous
membrane, and a combination thereof; or polyamide (nylon), linear
low-density polyethylene, an oriented polypropylene, polyethylene
terephthalate, and a combination thereof. The film material may
also be affixed to and/or contain a metal therein, and/or be a
metallized film. Film materials are well known in the art and may
further contain resins, laminates, printed artwork, additives
(i.e., UV blockers, antimicrobials, dyes, pigments, etc.), etc.
Suitable film materials are available from various suppliers
worldwide such as 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn., USA), Du Pont Co.
(Wilmington, Del., USA), Toppan Insatsu Co. (Tokyo, Japan), and
Gelman Sciences Company (Ann Arbor, Mich., USA). The sheet herein
may contain either a single layer or contain multiple layers of
film material, so long as it remains sealable. The sheet is from
about 15.mu. to about 220.mu., or from about 20.mu. to about
200.mu., or from about 25.mu. to about 160.mu. thick. Each
individual film material may be oriented, or random.
[0028] Multiple layers of film materials may be joined together to
form a sheet with multiple properties and/or benefits. In such
cases, it is known in the art to join the multiple layers together
by, for example, lamination, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing,
gluing, pressure sealing, etc. The sheet may then be formed into a
pouch by pulling and/or stretching the sheet around a forming tube
and sealing the edges in any direction such as the machine
direction at any point or the cross direction at either the top
and/or the bottom. In an embodiment herein the pouch is sealed in
the machine direction to form a tube. The leading edge is then
sealed by a sealing jaw in the cross direction, the product to be
contained in the tube is then filled into the tube, pulled to
advance the sheet, and the sealing jaw simultaneously seals and
cuts the trailing portion in the cross direction, thereby releasing
the filled bag and forming a new leading edge at the same time.
Machinery and techniques for forming such filled pouches are often
referred to as autopacking machines and are well known in the art
and available from multiple suppliers around the world.
[0029] As noted above, small preformed pouches (see FIG. 1) may
easily possess sufficient strength to hold small amounts of
product, and/or low density products without bursting even when
perforations are made in the film and/or sheet. So, the pouch
herein is typically intended to hold large amounts of bulky
products, as that is where the benefits of the invention are
especially evident. Thus, in an embodiment herein the pouch
comprises a volume (when sealed) of at least 500 mL, or from about
500 mL to about 100 L, or from about 800 mL to about 60 L, or from
about 1 L to about 30 L, or from about 1.5 L to about 20 L. The
product (not shown) to be filled into the pouch typically has a
bulk density of at least 250 g/L, or from about 300 g/L to about
1.3 kg/L, or from about 450 g/L to about 1.1 kg/L. Non-limiting
examples of the product include a solid product, a granular
product, a liquid product, and/or a gel product. In an embodiment
herein, the product is a granular detergent, a liquid detergent, a
food item, a drink item, a fabric softener, a fabric conditioner, a
fertilizer, or a chemical, as such items may be easily packed and
stored in such a pouch which may be easily opened by hand tearing.
In an embodiment herein, the food item is a human food item or an
animal food item such as a pet food.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a cut-way view of the embodiment in FIG. 2, as
seen along lines 3-3. The pouch, 20, is formed of a single sheet of
film material, 30, which is connected to itself at seals 12'' and
12''' so as to define an internal volume, 14. As will be understood
by one skilled in the art when comparing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the
volume 14 and the volume 14' are actually connected to each other
and the same. Similarly, the seals 12'' are actually connected to
each other and are the same. In FIG. 3, the perforation, 28,
(actually a cut, 34, as per FIG. 4) is the only thing which
separates the seals 12'' from each other, and in fact where the
perforation, 28, ends it can be seen that the seals 12'' are part
of the same seal, 12''. See also FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of an embodiment herein
focusing on the top, 22, where the perforation, 28 is located.
Here, the perforation, 28, is shown as a line of cuts, 32, and in
FIG. 4 these cuts, 32, are intended to be microdots leading in a
straight line from the corner of the tear-notch, 16, diagonally
downwards towards the side, 26. Typically, it is important that the
cut, 32, goes substantially through both layers of the sheet, 30,
present at the seal, 12'' so as to allow easy hand tearing. The
perforation, 28, herein typically is composed of a line or other
pre-determined arrangement of a plurality of cuts, 32, in the
sheet, 30 with the shape of each cut, 32, being selected from the
group consisting of a line, a dot, a triangle, a diamond, a circle,
a rectangular, an oval, and a combination thereof, or a line, a dot
and a combination thereof, that can enhance directional propagation
of the tear. Typically, each cut, 32, should generally lead in the
same direction, so as to be able to guide the propagation of the
tear towards the side, 26, and more specifically towards the target
tear destination, 34. Such guiding of the propagation of the tear
is especially effective if at least one film material is in the
sheet at least partially oriented, and/or contains an oriented
sheet which encourages the tear to propagate in the desired
direction.
[0032] To further encourage the tear to propagate towards the side,
26, rather than the bottom, 24, it can be seen in FIG. 4 that the
top, 22 forms a line A-A and the perforation, 28, forms a line B-B.
A-A and B-B intersect to form an angle, .alpha., that is typically
of from about 90.degree. to about 180.degree.; or from about
110.degree. to about 160.degree., or from about 120.degree. to
about 150.degree.. In an embodiment herein, the cuts forming the
perforation are arranged in a line, a curve, an angle, and a
combination thereof (see, FIGS. 8-10).
[0033] FIG. 4, indicates a certain perforation distance, PD, which
is measured from the beginning of the first cut, 32, along the
pattern, often a line, formed by the other cuts, 32, to the
farthest portion of the last cut, 32'. In many cases the dimensions
of each cut, 32, will be difficult to measure by the naked eye;
however, regardless of the shape of the cut, each cut typically
measures less than about 1 cm, or from about 1 cm to about 0.01 mm,
or about 5 mm to about 0.05 mm, or from about 3 mm to about 0.1 mm
in their longest direction.
[0034] In FIG. 4, the torn portion, 36, is the triangular corner
which is removed from the pouch, 20, after the tear propagates
along line B-B to reach the target tear destination, 34. Once the
torn portion, 36, is removed, a spout, 18, remains. In FIG. 4, the
spout, 18, would have a circumference of two (2) times the spout
distance, SD, which is measured from the edge of the seal, 12, to
the tear target destination, 34 along the line B-B.
[0035] FIG. 4 also indicates the tear distance, TD, which is the
distance as measured from the end of the last cut, to the target
tear destination, 34. For convenience's sake, the target tear
destination in FIG. 4 is defined as the point at which a
hypothetical line extended from the end of the last cut, 32'
touches the side, 26. In other embodiments, such as seen in FIG. 7,
for example, one skilled in the art would understand that the
target tear destination is oppositely oriented, with the tear
propagating from the side, 26 to a target tear destination, 34, at
the top, 22. One skilled in the art understands that other
variations are possible and encompassed herein. The ratio of the
perforation distance, PD, to the tear distance, TD, is typically
more than 1:10, or from about 1:10 to about 3:1, or from about 1:5
to about 2:1, or from about 1:3 to about 1:1. Without intending to
be limited by theory, it is believed that ratios where the tear
distance is too much larger than the perforation distance result in
a less controllable tear which may then propagate in too many
undesirable directions such as towards the bottom, 24, instead of
towards the target tear destination. Conversely, if the tear
distance is too much smaller than the perforation distance, then
the spout formed may be too small to efficiently dispense the
product.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of a sealing arm,
50, of the present invention. The sealing arm, 50, and the
receiving arm (see FIG. 6, at 70), are opposed to each other, and
often joined together to form a sealing jaw (not shown). The
sealing arm, 50, contains a profiled sealing area, 52, for forming
the seal (see FIG. 4 at 12''). The profiled sealing area, 52,
further contains a plurality of cut blades, 54, for forming the
cuts, 32. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the profiled sealing area, 52,
completely surrounds the cut blades, 54 in the X and Y planes
parallel to the sealing arm surface. The cut blades, 54, directly
correspond to and form the cuts, (see FIG. 4 at 32). As one skilled
in the art would appreciate, the shape and number of the cut
blades, 54, should correspond to the shape and number of the
desired cuts (see FIG. 4 at 32), and thus may also encompass
needles, and/or other shapes. Furthermore, as one skilled in the
art would realize, the cut blades should be of sufficient
structural integrity, and durability to both penetrate both layers
of the sheet (see FIG. 4, at 30) completely, and also be oriented
to easily release the sheet and/or the finished pouch after the
seal and perforation is made. In an embodiment herein, the cut
blade is from about 1 cm to about 10.mu., or from about 5 mm to
about 20.mu., or from about 2 mm to about 40.mu. in height, as
measured perpendicularly from the surface of the sealing arm, 50.
In an embodiment herein, a plurality of sealing jaws may be used
such that, for example, sealing jaw may be present to seal the top
of the pouch, while a separate sealing jaw may seal the bottom of
the pouch. In an embodiment herein the cut blade may be
perpendicular to the surface of the sealing arm, or may be angled
in the machine direction. Without intending to be limited by
theory, it is believed that if the cut blade is perpendicular to
the surface of the sealing arm, then at slower autopacking machine
speeds the cut blade will more effectively form the cuts. However,
it is believed that at faster autopacking machine speeds, a cut
blade that is angled in the direction of the package flow may more
quickly release the finished pouch, so as to reducing jamming of
the autopacking machine caused by a failure of the finished pouch
to drop away from the sealing arm.
[0037] In FIG. 5, the sealing arm, 50, further contains an optional
cutting edge, 56, for cutting the pouch, 20, after filling, and
also a slit blade, 58, for cutting a slit (see, e.g., FIG. 9 at
38). The cutting edge, 56, may be present on either the sealing
arm, 50, or the receiving arm (see FIG. 6 at 70), as desired.
However placing the cutting edge, 56, and the cut blade, 54, on the
same part of the sealing jaw may avoid problems caused by
misalignment of the sealing arm, 50, and the receiving arm (see
FIG. 6, at 70). The cutting edge, 56, may be straight, jagged,
curved, etc. as desired. The slit blade, 58, is typically located
next to the first cut blade, 54, so as to enhance the propagation
of the tear in the desired direction. One skilled in the art
recognizes that the slit blade may be easily replaced by, for
example, a notch blade to form a notch, etc. In an embodiment
herein, the sealing arm or the receiving arm contains a slit blade,
a notch blade, or a combination thereof.
[0038] The sealing arm, 50, contains a top seal portion, 60, which
forms the seal at the top of the pouch (see 12, at 22 in FIG. 4).
On the other side of the cutting edge, 56, from the top seal
portion, 60, lies the bottom seal portion, 62, which forms the seal
at the bottom (see 12, at 24 in FIG. 2) of the next pouch in the
series. The sealing arm, 50, also contains optional sealing ridges,
64, which provide textured seals, which may be desirable in some
instances to produce, for example, an easier to grip seal, to
enhance seal strength, aesthetic reasons, etc. In an embodiment
herein, the sealing jaw is designed so that it can cut a handle in
the seal, 12.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a front view of an embodiment of a receiving arm,
70, of the present invention. The receiving arm, 70, complements
the sealing arm (FIG. 5 at 50), and is a mirror image thereof,
containing a complementary profiled sealing area, 52, which matches
with the sealing arm's profiled sealing area, 52 (FIG. 5). The
receiving arm, 70, contains a cut channel, 74, which is typically a
concave indentation or depression in the surface of the receiving
arm, 70, that allows the cut blade (FIG. 5 at 54), the slit blade
(FIG. 5 at 58), the notch blade (not shown), etc. to punch through
the sheets and form the respective cuts, slit, notch, etc. In FIG.
6, the cut channel, 74, is surrounded by the profiled sealing area,
52 in the X and Y planes parallel to the receiving arm surface. It
is essential that the cut channel be deep enough and aligned
correctly so that the closing of the sealing jaw during use does
not damage the cut blades. In an embodiment herein, the cut blades
are releasably attached to the sealing arm, so that when thee cut
blades wear out they may be sharpened and/or replaced without
having to make an entire new sealing arm.
[0040] The sealing arm, 50, the receiving arm, 70, or both actively
interact to form the seal by, for example, heat sealing, ultrasonic
sealing, pressure sealing, etc. as desired, and therefore contains
the appropriate sealing technology therein or thereupon, such as,
for example, a heater, an ultrasonic generator, a pressure clamp,
etc. The sealing arm and the receiving arm are each independently
formed of an appropriate durable material for their uses herein,
such as, for example, a metal, a ceramic, a plastic, and a
combination thereof. A sealing jaw intended for heat sealing should
be both strong and conduct heat well, such as copper, brass, steel,
or iron, aluminum, etc. since it has a heating element therein,
such as a heating coil. Impulse and induction sealing methods are
useful herein. Based on this disclosure, a sealing arm and a
receiving arm according to the present invention may be custom made
by various suppliers and/or machine shops around the world.
[0041] One skilled in the art will recognize that the sealing jaw
herein may be used to simultaneously seal and form a perforation
completely surrounded by the seal on, for example, a pre-formed
bag, a pillow bag, and/or a gusset bag. In an embodiment herein the
sealing jaw is used on an autopacking machine.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a front view of an embodiment showing a
plurality of perforations, 28, 28', and 28'' in parallel lines
which help to ensure propagation of the tear towards the target
tear destination, 34 approximately located in the top, 22, seal,
12. In FIG. 7, the seal, 12'' starts on the side, 26, and
completely surrounds the plurality of perforations, 28, 28', and
28''. In an embodiment herein, the pouch contains at least 1
perforation, or from about 1 to about 10, or form about 1 to about
5, or from about 2 to about 4 perforations. In an embodiment herein
the plurality of perforations are aligned to follow each other,
such as to be in parallel lines. In an alternate embodiment herein,
the plurality of perforations may start from different areas, such
as from the side, and the top, and be aligned so as to propagate
one or more tears that join up in a non-sealed portion of the
pouch. From this disclosure, one skilled in the art will also
understand how to form a sealing jaw to form pouches, such as seen
in FIG. 7.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the pouch, 20,
herein having a top, 22, with a larger seal, 12'. The top, 22,
contains a notch, 16, that leads to a perforation, 28, forming an
angle, .beta.. The perforation is completely surrounded by the
seal, 12'. When torn, the perforation propagates a tear through a
non-sealed portion such to form a spout, 18, and towards the target
tear destination, 34, which in this case is on the side, 26.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the pouch, 20,
herein having a top, 22, with a seal, 12, and a slit, 38, cut into
the seal, 12. The slit, 38, functions the same as a notch to allow
the user to easily initiate propagation of the tear through the
perforation, 28, and towards the target tear destination, 34, on
the side, 26, to form a spout, 18. The perforation, 28, is
surrounded by the seal, 12'.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the pouch, 20,
herein having a side, 26, which contains a slit, 38, which allows
the user to easily initiate a tear through the perforation, 28.
Since the perforation contains an angle, .beta., the tear will not
continue to the other side (not shown), but will instead angle
towards the top, 22, at the target tear destination, 34. One
skilled in the art may adjust the seal, 12, strength by varying the
sealing method, and/or conditions, to allow the tear to completely
propagate through the seal, 12, or to allow the seal, 12, to have a
higher tearing resistance.
[0046] In an embodiment herein the invention is combined with
additional techniques known in the art, such as a laser-cut, a
half-cut, a score line, embossing, etc. and the known methods and
machinery therefor. In an embodiment herein, a reclosing technology
is combined with the invention herein, to allow easy and efficient
re-closing of the pouch after opening. Such reclosing technologies
are also especially beneficial with larger-sized pouches. Typical
reclosing technologies are known in the art and include plastic
pressure-sensitive zippers, hook and loop fastening systems, zipper
systems, adhesive strips and patches, clips and snaps, locking
systems, etc. For additional technologies useful in combination
with the present invention, see, EP Patent No. 1 409 366 B1 to
Camargo-Parodi, et al., granted on Jun. 21, 2006; and EP Patent
Application No. 07119454.2 To Rogers, filed on Oct. 29, 2007.
EXAMPLE 1
[0047] Pouches according to FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 7, are formed
on an autopacking machine from a sheet using the sealing jaw of
FIGS. 5-6. The autopacking machine creates all seals by heating to
create thermal bonding between the separate sheets. The sheet is a
three layer laminate of the film materials polyethylene
terepthalate, a metallic film (like MYLAR.RTM.), and polyethylene.
The sheet is provided on a roll which feeds into the autopacking
machine and is stretched onto an area where the tube is formed by
sealing a line in the machine direction. The tube has a leading
edge which is sealed to form a first seal using the sealing jaws
according to FIGS. 5-6. A predetermined weight (2 kg) of laundry
detergent is filled into and flows down the tube and the tube is
sealed using the sealing jaws of FIGS. 5-6 to form a filled pillow
bag containing 2 kg of granular laundry detergent. The process then
repeats itself for the next pouch.
[0048] The pouch formed above substantially corresponds to the
pouch of FIG. 2, except that the notch is replaced with a slit. The
seal, 12', is the same width on each side of the perforation, 28,
as the seal, 12, on the top of the bag. When tested by a mechanical
tester, the seal around the perforation does not decrease the
bursting strength of the pouch at all, as compared to an identical
bag which lacks the perforation. The pouch is easily opened via
hand tearing to form a spout from which to easily pour the laundry
detergent.
[0049] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0050] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a
document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition
assigned to that term in this document shall govern. All documents
cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant
part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any
document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior
art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any
meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any
meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated
by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in
this document shall govern.
[0051] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
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