U.S. patent application number 13/545998 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for packaging container.
This patent application is currently assigned to BISCHOF + KLEIN GMBH & CO. KG. The applicant listed for this patent is Maik Helmig, Glenn Andrew Spendlow. Invention is credited to Maik Helmig, Glenn Andrew Spendlow.
Application Number | 20130098784 13/545998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46149119 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130098784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spendlow; Glenn Andrew ; et
al. |
April 25, 2013 |
Packaging Container
Abstract
A packaging container for at least two components to be mixed
with each other has an outer container for a first component and at
least one inner container for a second component arranged inside
the outer container. The outer container and the inner container
have container walls and at least one of the container walls is at
least partially comprised of flexible plastic material. At least
the outer container has at least one shape-defining sealed seam
along one side. The inner container is openable by pressure
application from the exterior of the outer container for mixing the
first and second components within the packaging container. The
outer container has an area provided for forming a removal opening.
The inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer
container is opened, hinder the inner container from exiting to the
exterior.
Inventors: |
Spendlow; Glenn Andrew;
(Tecklenburg, DE) ; Helmig; Maik; (Tecklenburg,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spendlow; Glenn Andrew
Helmig; Maik |
Tecklenburg
Tecklenburg |
|
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
BISCHOF + KLEIN GMBH & CO.
KG
Lengerich
DE
|
Family ID: |
46149119 |
Appl. No.: |
13/545998 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/222 ;
222/566; 383/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/3272 20130101;
B65D 75/5811 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/222 ;
222/566; 383/37 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/08 20060101
B65D025/08; B65D 30/10 20060101 B65D030/10; B65D 25/40 20060101
B65D025/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2011 |
DE |
20 2011 106 994.3 |
Claims
1. A packaging container for at least two components to be mixed
with each other, the packaging container comprising: an outer
container configured to store a first component; at least one inner
container arranged inside the outer container and configured to
store a second component; wherein the outer container and the inner
container have container walls and at least one of the container
walls is at least partially comprised of flexible plastic material;
wherein at least the outer container has at least one
shape-defining sealed seam along one side; wherein the inner
container is configured so as to be openable by pressure
application from the exterior of the outer container for mixing the
first and second components within the packaging container; wherein
the outer container has an area provided for forming a removal
opening; and wherein the inner container has outer dimensions that,
when the outer container is opened, hinder the inner container from
exiting to the exterior of the outer container.
2. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner
container, in a projection onto a plane that is defined by a free
cross-section of the removal opening, has a dimension in at least
one longitudinal or transverse direction that is greater than a
dimension of the removal opening.
3. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the
removal opening is predetermined by a section of weakened material
provided on at least one side of the outer container or by a pull
thread.
4. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the
removal opening is formed by a pouring spout that is welded into
the outer container.
5. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein in the
area of the removal opening at least one side of the packaging
container is provided with a reinforcement.
6. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the
reinforcement is provided by profilings.
7. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container in the area of the removal opening has means that reduce
a free cross-section of the removal opening.
8. The packaging container according to claim 7, wherein the means
is a weld or a film flange.
9. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container in the area of the removal opening has means that reduce
a free cross-section of an area leading to the removal opening.
10. The packaging container according to claim 9, wherein the means
is a weld or a film flange.
11. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container has a bottle-shaped contour and the removal opening is
arranged in the area of a bottleneck of the bottle-shaped
contour.
12. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner
container is freely movable inside the outer container.
13. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner
container is secured inside the outer container.
14. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container is an FFS bag.
15. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner
container is an FFS bag.
16. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container and the inner container are FFS bags.
17. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein a sealed
seam of the inner container has a sealed seam force of 1-10 N/15
mm.
18. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein a sealed
seam of the outer container has a sealed seam force of more than 15
N/15 mm.
19. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein at least
one side of the outer container is at least partially
transparent.
20. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein at least
one side of the inner container is at least partially
transparent.
21. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container is a stand-up container or a tube.
22. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container is constructed of a single-layer film material
23. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer
container is constructed of a multi-layer film material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a packaging container for at least
two components to be mixed with each other, in particular for a
beverage, comprising an outer container for storing a first
component and at least one inner container arranged inside the
outer container for storing a second component wherein one or
several sides of the outer and/or inner container at least
partially are comprised of flexible plastic material and at least
the outer container along one side has at least one shape-defining
sealed seam, weld seam or a similar joining seam, and wherein the
inner container is configured so as to be openable by pressure
application from the exterior for mixing of the second component
with the first component to be carried out within the packaging
container.
[0002] Such packaging containers are known in particular for
two-component adhesives and are described, for example, in DE 296
13 563 U1. It is however a problem in case of this type of
containers that, after cutting open the outer container, the
removal of the mixed component often causes the inner container
connected therewith to be inevitably removed also.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to improve the
container of the aforementioned kind with regard to the
aforementioned problems.
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved
by a packaging container of the aforementioned kind that is
characterized in that the outer container has an area provided for
forming a removal opening and the inner container has outer
dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, hinder the
inner container from exiting to the exterior.
[0005] According to the invention, it is provided that the outer
container has an area provided for forming a removal opening while
the inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer
container is opened, prevent the inner container from exiting or
being discharged to the exterior or at least impair or hinder it
from doing so, in particular the outer dimensions are such that, to
a large extent and for normal use, they preferably completely
prevent the inner container from exiting. The dimensions can be
designed such that exiting through the removal opening or through
an area leading to the removal opening of the outer container is
prevented.
[0006] The outer container has means for forming a removal opening
or already has a removal opening that is closed whose size can be
predetermined and in particular can be matched to the inner bag
(pouch). The area that is provided for forming the removal opening
is, for example, a corner area or a differently shaped area of the
outer container that can be used in the manner of a spout.
Accordingly, during removal of the mixed component, in particular
of the mixed beverage, removal of the inner container, preferably
an inner bag (pouch) that is comprised of film material, is
prevented to a large extent or is completely prevented. During
normal use, i.e., upon removal of the mixture through the removal
opening, the inner container is thus unremovable. Such a packaging
container is particularly advantageous when used for modern mixed
beverages. In this connection, in the interior of the inner
container a flavoring component, which may be an alcoholic
component, may be present while the interior of the outer container
that surrounds and is thus outside of the inner container is filled
with a basic substance that forms the basis of the mixed beverage.
By means of such a packaging container in particular made of a film
material it is possible to provide inexpensively producible, easily
transportable and easily disposable, preferably alcoholic, mixed
beverages or drinks in a plurality of variants.
[0007] Preferably, the inner container has, in a projection onto a
plane defined by the free cross-section of the removal opening, at
least in one longitudinal or transverse direction a size greater
than the removal opening. In particular, in case of an inner bag
variant that is formed by means of a circumferentially extending
sealed seam the inner bag after mixing of the two components can
have a shape that is defined by the sealed seam an provides an
elongate configuration like a flat pillow with dimensions that do
not fit through the removal opening.
[0008] Alternatively or in addition, the outer container, in
particular in the area of the removal opening or in an area leading
to it, can also have means for reducing the free cross-section, in
particular the free cross-section of the removal opening. For this
purpose, grid structures, film flanges or the like introduced into
the outer container are conceivable. In particular, such a means
may also be a weld spot for connecting opposed sides to each other.
The passageways for the mixed component to be poured out are then
still sufficiently large while the dimensions of the inner bag that
has been emptied by applying pressure are too large in order to fit
through the reduced size of the free cross-section leading to the
removal opening or to fit through the removal opening. The
introduction of weld spots is possible in a simple way during
filling or sealing of the outer container.
[0009] Preferably, the removal opening is predetermined by a
section of weakened material of at least one side of the outer
container or a pull thread connected to the outer container. In
this connection, in particular perforations, introduced by laser,
of the film material forming the outer side of the outer container
can be used to form the section of weakened material.
Alternatively, the removal opening can also be formed by a weldable
pouring spout that is introduced into and welded to the outer
container; such a pouring spout allows in particular a problem free
pouring action because of the provided fixed lateral walls of the
pouring spout in contrast to the situation when using film material
as a pouring means.
[0010] The packaging container configured of film is furthermore
improved with respect to removal when in the area of the removal
opening at least one side of the packaging container is provided
with a reinforcement of the removal area that is produced
preferably by means of profiling. The removal area in this
connection is the area of the packaging container leading to the
removal opening. Preferably, this is realized by one or several
profiles introduced in particular by embossment into the sides of a
packaging container which, viewed in the direction of their main
longitudinal extension, preferably point toward the removal
opening. In this way, it is possible, even for packaging containers
that are constructed of film material and that can be compressed to
a flat shape for emptying, to provide removal passages that can
still effectively ensure a simple pouring action.
[0011] Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible to provide
thicker material portions or, for example, tubular structures that
are introduced into the film or arranged on its inner side and that
act in a stabilizing way or form flow passages.
[0012] A targeted design of a packaging container that
simultaneously prevents removal of an inner container in an
effective way is provided when the outer container has a
bottle-shaped contour and the removal opening is arranged in the
area of the bottleneck. Profilings that are introduced in the
bottleneck are particularly effective. At the same time, the shape
of the sealed rim and the contour of the packaging container can
ensure an upright or straight positioning of the bottleneck during
pouring of the mixed component. The area of the bottleneck upstream
of the removal opening is then preferably in the form of the afore
described areas, or the areas to be described in the following,
with means for cross-sectional reduction and the free flow passage
surface area.
[0013] While the inner container is preferably freely movable
within the outer container and therefore the complete removal of
the mixture can be prevented, in variants of the packaging
container according to the invention in which the inner container
is relatively large and is formed of a very flexible film, it is
advantageous to additionally fix or secure the inner container
within the outer container. This can be done, for example, by
integration of a rim area of the inner container in a sealed seam
of the outer container.
[0014] Manufacturing, filling and closing of the packaging
container are simplified when the outer container and/or inner
container are/is formed as a form-fill-seal bag (FFS).
[0015] For use in connection with in particular liquid components,
in particular foodstuffs, such as mixed beverages, it has been
found to be advantageous to provide the sealed seam of the inner
container with the sealed seam force between 1 and 10 N/15 mm,
preferably between 2 and 7 N/15 mm. In this way, a transport of a
packaging container according to the invention, for example, as a
replacement of known packaging containers in the form of cans, is
ensured effectively.
[0016] For the same reason, the sealed seam of the outer container
should have a sealed seam force of more than 15 N/15 mm.
[0017] Identifying the contents of a packaging container and
checking on the degree of mixing of the two components with each
other are facilitated when at least one side of the outer container
is at least in areas thereof transparent. In this way, for example,
by means of a transparent window on one side and by simultaneously
providing printed information circumferentially on the edge of the
film it is possible to provide a visually pleasing packaging
container that, at least approximately, has a bottle-shaped contour
but at the same time in an impressive way differs from conventional
bottle shapes. As a bottle-shaped contour in this connection a
shape is to be understood that has a wide bottle body and a
narrower bottleneck. Preferably, a packaging container is embodied
at the same time as a stand-up bag (pouch) that for enlarging the
fillable volume, in particular with unchanged front side, and for
reducing the required volume after removal of the mixed beverage
has lateral folds (gussets). Particularly advantageous is an
embodiment of the packaging container according to the invention as
a stand-up bag because of the inherent possibility of providing an
upright (stand-up) container that can be better adapted to a bottle
contour. Such a container can also be put down during consumption
of the contents and can maintain its bottle shape.
[0018] A transparent side of the outer container is to be
understood also as a tinted side that allows passage only of a
certain wavelength.
[0019] In a further embodiment according to the invention at least
one side of the inner container is at least partially transparent;
this enables pleasing visual effects of the components prior to
mixing and, on the other hand, provides an indication of the
contents of the inner container or inner bag.
[0020] As an alternative to the embodiment of the outer container
as a stand-up container, the outer container can also be embodied
as a tube. Accordingly, the material of the outer container may be
an injection-molded plastic material and not only blown or cast
film.
[0021] As materials that are conceivable for the outer container
and/or the inner container, single-layer or multi-layer film
materials are advantageous in particular because of the correlated
manufacturing costs. In comparison to conventional glass containers
significant cost savings can be achieved. At the same time, as a
result of the variety of possible sealed seams it is possible to
produce a plurality of different packaging containers that are all
of a bottle shape with respect to their contour.
[0022] Particularly advantageous as a material for the films are
polyolefin films (PE and/or PP), polyester films with/without
deposition of a barrier of, for example, aluminum, aluminum oxide
or silicon oxide. In particular silicon oxide can be used for the
transparent side walls as a deposited barrier. Also, aluminum film
or polyamide film are conceivable. As multi-layer films
co-extrusion films or laminated films or foils can be used.
[0023] Possible embossments in the you ring spout area can be
designed differently. In particular, a semi-tubular embossment from
the interior to the exterior on both sides is conceivable.
[0024] In addition to the use of the packaging container according
to the invention for cocktails, there is also a plurality of other
fields of application concerning products that are to be stored
separately and mixed before use, for example, cleaning agents,
fertilizer or paint. The employed materials of the packaging
container are to be matched appropriately to the ingredients and
components to be contained therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view of an article according to the
invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a section view along section line II-II of FIG.
1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a section view according to FIG. 2 for another
article according to the invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a section view along section line IV-IV of FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a front view of a further article according to the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a front view of another article according to the
invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a section view along VII-VII according to FIG.
1.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a view of yet another article according to the
invention
[0033] FIG. 9 is a view of a further article according to the
invention.
[0034] Same or same-acting parts, inasmuch as expedient, are
identified with identical reference characters. Individual
technical features of the embodiments described in the following
may also be combined with features of the afore described
embodiments to provide further developments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1 shows a packaging container for at least two
components of a mixed drink or beverage to be mixed with each
other. The packaging container has an outer container 1 for storing
a first component 2, illustrated only schematically, and an inner
container 3 arranged inside the outer container 1 for storing a
second component 4 that is also illustrated only schematically.
This second component 4 is to be mixed prior to consumption with
the first component 2 for which purpose the interior container 3 is
configured to be opened by pressure application from the exterior,
in particular by manual actuation. For this purpose, a sealed seam
6 with a sealed seam force between 2 and 7 N/15 mm is provided. By
pressure application, in particular manual pressure applied from
the exterior onto the flexible packaging container walls or sides 7
(of the outer container) and 8 (of the inner container 3), in
particular in the directions A and B as shown in FIG. 4, the sealed
seam can tear open.
[0036] The lateral walls 7 and 8 for this purpose are made of
flexible plastic material and have along their outer sides at least
in some areas a shape-defining sealed seam 9 or sealed seam 6.
[0037] The sealed seam 6 as well as the sealed seam 9 are designed
to extend circumferentially wherein the inner container is formed
as an FFS bag (pouch) and is of a rectangular shape in a front
view. However, it can also be oval or round (compare in particular
FIG. 6).
[0038] In the front view according to FIG. 1, the outer container
has an area 11 that is provided for forming a removal opening,
i.e., an area in which the removable opening is formed or by means
of which it is formed, as in the present case of FIG. 1 by
configuration of a separation line 13 that is formed by
perforations of the lateral walls 7 and 12.
[0039] For reinforcing the bottleneck 14 of the packaging
container, several embossments 16 are provided as profilings that
extend with their longitudinal extension in the direction toward
the defined removal opening.
[0040] At the bottom side, for ensuring a stable upright position,
a bottom fold is provided whose upper end is marked by a line
17.
[0041] After crushing it, the inner container 3 remains, because of
its sealing edge 6, in its basic rectangular shape as illustrated
in FIG. 1 and has thus (longitudinal) lengths in the direction of
the illustration plane that are greater and remain greater than the
inner width (clearance) of the removal opening that is formed by
tearing off the upper part. At the same time, by the shape of the
outer container and the sealed rim that is provided thereat, a
reinforcement of the bottleneck 14 is ensured so that the inner
width of the removal opening during removal of the mixed component
is not enlarged.
[0042] The embossments 16 that, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are of a
semi-circular shape and bulge outwardly prevent that the areas of
the oppositely positioned sidewalls 7 and 12 of the outer container
rest on each other and are closed off. In a further embodiment
according to FIG. 3, embossments 16 are introduced on both opposed
sides 7 and 12. These embossments can also extend across larger
areas of the sides 7 and 12 and can have any structure of a length
that serves for reinforcement and keeping the shape. For example,
these structures may be also of a meandering shape or a different
shape.
[0043] In FIG. 4, a section view of the article according to the
invention after removal of the liquids 2 and 4 is illustrated,
i.e., after pressure loading in the directions A and B. The
packaging container according to the invention can be easily
compressed and can thus be easily stored or disposed of.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner containers are
arranged so as to float freely within the inner container. While
the removal opening of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is formed by a
weldable pouring spout 18 provided with a screw closure 17 that is
integrated into the sealed seam 9 and the embodiment of FIG. 5 thus
has a fixed pouring passage, in the embodiment of FIG. 6 a pouring
passage is provided by means of the film sides of the bottleneck
14. For preventing that the two inner containers 3 and 3' are
poured out during removal of the mixed component, the bottleneck 14
is provided with a weld spot 19 by means of which the front and
rear walls or sides 7 and 12 are connected to each other.
Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the
dimensions of the inner containers are greater than the passage
width of a removal path toward the removal opening or of the
removal opening.
[0045] FIG. 7 shows the shape of the packaging container in a state
analog to FIG. 4, i.e., after removal of the mixture. By using
lateral and bottom folds 21, the packaging container can be
minimized with respect to the volume to be disposed of.
[0046] In the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, a packaging container
according to the invention in a tube shape is disclosed. In this
connection, the embodiment of FIG. 8 has a sealed seam 22 required
for producing a hose and a bottom closure seam 23 while at the
other open end 24 a tube closure 26 with a screw top 27 is
arranged. Alternatively, in the embodiment of FIG. 9 a tear seam 13
is present by means of which the upper part 28 can be removed.
[0047] Preferably, the inner bag is designed as an inner peel
pouch, i.e., by manual pressure application the sealed seams open
easily.
[0048] With the contour of FIG. 1 having an average width base, a
wider middle section, and a narrow neck area or removal area, the
article according to the invention is approximately shaped like a
cocktail shaker used for mixing cocktails.
[0049] The specification incorporates by reference the entire
disclosure of German priority document 20 2011 106 994.3 having a
filing date of Oct. 21, 2011.
[0050] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it
will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise
without departing from such principles.
* * * * *