U.S. patent application number 13/583483 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for packaging system.
This patent application is currently assigned to VITA PAK UG. The applicant listed for this patent is Christian Piotrowski. Invention is credited to Christian Piotrowski.
Application Number | 20130233912 13/583483 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44021926 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130233912 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Piotrowski; Christian |
September 12, 2013 |
PACKAGING SYSTEM
Abstract
The invention relates to a packaging container for pourable
liquids, powders and granules, in particular pourable food
products, wherein the packaging container comprises an inner
flexible bag having an outlet opening, and further comprises an
outlet part and an outer cover adhesively bonded to the inner bag
in a punctiform manner that be disposed of separately therefrom. A
carrying handle makes it possible for a variety of packaging
containers to be transported easily. The outer cover of the
packaging container may comprise two swing-open hard shells. A
further packaging container according to the invention comprises a
foldable outer cover and, when the latter is folded, the inner
flexible bag can be fastened to the cover by means of the outlet
part and, when the cover is unfolded, the inner flexible bag can be
separated therefrom and the two can be introduced into different
recycling systems.
Inventors: |
Piotrowski; Christian;
(Baden Baden, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Piotrowski; Christian |
Baden Baden |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
VITA PAK UG
Baden Baden
DE
|
Family ID: |
44021926 |
Appl. No.: |
13/583483 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
March 9, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP11/01152 |
371 Date: |
May 30, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.3 ;
229/117.32; 29/426.1; 53/449; 53/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/0085 20130101;
B65D 11/04 20130101; B65B 1/02 20130101; Y10T 29/49815 20150115;
B65B 3/02 20130101; B65D 77/065 20130101; B65D 21/0204 20130101;
B65D 77/067 20130101; B65D 21/0233 20130101; B65D 77/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.3 ;
229/117.32; 29/426.1; 53/449; 53/452 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/06 20060101
B65D077/06; B65B 3/02 20060101 B65B003/02; B65B 1/02 20060101
B65B001/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 9, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 011 208.9 |
Claims
1. A packaging container (1) for pourable liquids, powders, and
granulates, comprising an outer cover (3), and inner flexible bag
(5) having an outlet opening (7), and an outlet part (9) connected
to the inner flexible bag (5), wherein the inner flexible bag (5)
is fixedly connected to the outlet part (9) by means of a welding
seam, by means of an adhesive connection, or by molding, and
wherein the outlet part (9) is connected to the outer cover (3) by
means of a welding seam, by means of an adhesive connection, a
punching process, a plug connection, a clamping device, or by
inserting a guide wire.
2. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
shape of the inner flexible bag (5) in the filled state follows the
shape of the outer cover (3) and makes close contact with the inner
side (11) of the outer cover (3).
3. The packaging container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the inner flexible bag (5) is connected to the outlet part (9) in
the area of the outlet opening (7) and the outlet part (9) is
connected to the outer cover (3).
4. The packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding
claims, wherein the outer cover (3) is egg-shaped, eggplant-shaped,
pear-shaped, kidney-shaped, bell-shaped, spherical, cylindrical,
conical, in the shape of a conic section, cuboid, pyramidal, or a
combination thereof.
5. The packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding
claims, wherein the outer cover (3) is made of hard shells (13),
particularly said hard shells (13) of the outer cover are made of
polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), polyester, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, or other
polymers preferably comprising no halogens.
6. The packaging container (1) according to claim 5, wherein said
hard shells (13) are two mirror-image hard shells (13).
7. The packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding
claims, wherein the outlet opening (9) has a valve function
allowing only the discharge of the contents, but not the entry of
air, gases, or liquid into the packaging container (1).
8. The packaging container (1) according to one of the claims
through 7, wherein the hard shells (13) comprise a releasable
closure mechanism (15), wherein particularly the releasable closure
mechanism of the two hard shells is a pushbutton, a flap, a clip,
an insertion tab, a snap closure, a screw connection, an adhesive
connection, or a seam.
9. The packaging container (1) according to claim 8, wherein the
releasable closure mechanism (15) is at least one return spring as
a hinged connection.
10. The packaging container (1) according to one of the claims 5
through 9, wherein the at least one outlet part (9) is mounted on
the top side of said hard shells (13).
11. The packaging container (10 according to one of the claims 1
through 9, wherein the outlet part (9) is mounted in the lower or
the upper third of the packaging container (1).
12. The packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding
claims, wherein the outlet part (9) is a screw closure, a cover, a
reclosable cap, or a dispensing tap.
13. The packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding
claims, wherein the inner flexible bag (5) is reversibly attached
to the bottom end of the outer cover (3).
14. The packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding
claims, wherein the attachment device (17) for the inner flexible
bag (5) on the side of the outer cover (3) opposite the outlet part
(9) is a clamping device having a guide rail or a hooking
device.
15. The packaging container (1) according to one of the claims 5
through 14, wherein the outer cover (3) comprises at least two
cutouts (19) for receiving an outlet part (9), each of which can be
loaded with a dedicated inner flexible bag (5) and said at least
two cutouts (19) each being able to be loaded with the flexible
inner bag (5) by means of a keyhole-shaped cutout (21) at the
contact edge of the top part of the hard shells (13).
16. The packaging container (1) according to one of the claims 5
through 15, wherein the unfolded hard shells (13) are
stackable.
17. A method for separately disposing of the inner flexible bag (5)
and outer cover (3), comprising the following steps: a) Providing a
packaging container (1) according to one of the preceding claims;
b) Optionally unfolding the hard shells (13) of the outer cover
(3); c) Pulling out the outlet part (9) and the inner flexible bag
(5) attached thereto through the outer material, particularly the
corresponding hard shell (13); and d) Separately disposing of the
inner flexible bag (5) having the outlet part (9) attached thereto
and the outer cover (3).
18. A method for producing and filling a packaging container (1)
according to one of the claims 1-16, comprising the following
steps: a) Providing a filled, partially filled, or non-filled inner
flexible bag (5) having an outlet opening (7), an outer cover (3),
and an outlet part (9); b) Inserting the outlet part (9) into the
outlet opening (7) of the inner flexible bag (5); c) Inserting the
composite of the outlet part (9) and the inner flexible bag (5)
into the outer cover (3), wherein the outlet part (9) makes contact
in the area of the cutout (21) of the outer material and
particularly of said hard shells (13); d) Optionally attaching the
side of the inner flexible bag (5) facing away from the outlet part
(9) to the side of the outer cover (3) facing away from the cutout
of the outer cover (3); and e) Optionally closing the hard shells
(13).
19. A method for producing and filling a packaging container (1)
according to claim 18, additionally comprising the following step:
f) If the inner flexible bag (5) was not filled or was partially
filled for step a), complete or partial filling of the packaging
container by means of the outlet part (9).
20. A method for loading and separating a packaging container (1)
according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following
steps: a) Providing an outer cover (3) and an inner flexible bag
(5) connected to the outlet part (9); b) Inserting the outlet part
(9) and the inner flexible bag (5) connected thereto into the
corresponding device at the cutout (21) of a flat part; c) Using
the packaging container (1) as intended; d) Removing the outlet
part (9) and the inner flexible bag (5) connected thereto from the
corresponding device at the cutout (21) of a flat part; e)
Disposing of the outlet part (9) and the inner flexible bag (5)
connected thereto; f) Stacking the half shells of the outer cover
(3); and g) Reusing the outer cover (3).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a packaging system for pourable
liquids, powders, and granules, particularly pourable food
products.
[0002] Containers are known from the state of the art that are
generally made from a plurality of different materials, or that
have such complex designs that commercial application is not
possible for cost reasons. A packaging container produced from
polyethylene and aluminum and having a laminated tube-shaped
multilayer packaging material is described in DE 69910428 T2.
[0003] Because it is very difficult to separate a packaging
container made from different materials into the base materials
thereof for recycling purposes, there is a great demand for
providing packaging containers produced from only a few materials
and components, in order to thus enable rapid, resource-conserving
reintroduction into the recycling stream. It is important to note
here that an alternative must fit into the market and must not be
more expensive than previous systems.
[0004] A further problem for packaging containers from the state of
the art can be seen in that when the packaging is opened, air flows
into the packaging, and the contents of the packaging container
come into contact with the surrounding air, setting various
chemical processes in motion, particularly for liquid food
products, which can lead to a reduction in shelf life and thus more
rapid spoilage of the liquid contents.
[0005] Packaging does indeed exist that folds together when
emptied, thus preventing the entry of air, but said packaging is
difficult to stack, requires an unnecessarily large amount of space
for transport, and is insufficiently resistant to external
compressive forces. A form of sack-like packaging containers is
disclosed in EP 0 746 507 B1, made of only the flexible bag and
comprising no outer cover, difficult to stack and insufficiently
resistant to compressive forces, because the containers are loose
in the carton and therefore cannot support any load, but that
largely prevent the entry of air into the containers.
[0006] The object of the present invention is thus to provide a
packaging system for pourable liquids, powders, and granulates,
particularly pourable food products, that allows simple return to
the recovered substance cycle after use and potentially lower-cost
production. In addition, the shelf life of the contents of the
packaging container should be increased for some embodiments. In
this manner, the known problems with packaging containers according
to the state of the art are to be overcome.
[0007] Said object is achieved by the technical teaching of the
independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are
disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, the figures,
and the examples.
[0008] The packaging container according to the invention
preferably comprises an outer cover partially or completely
enclosing the inner bag, preferably a carton or a hard shell but
also possibly made from fabric or other natural materials or
plastics, an inner bag having an outlet opening, and an outlet part
connected thereto. The inner flexible bag can be separated from the
outer cover either by pulling on the outlet part connected thereto,
or can be separated out of or removed from the hard shell by
opening the same or by means of special tear open or separating
mechanisms. The outlet part is preferably integrally connected to
the flexible bag, particularly welded. An advantage thereby
relative to the state of the art is that while the bag can be cut
open, it no longer must necessarily be cut open. Furthermore, a
clear mechanism is provided for a self-opening variant of the
packaging container, so that the cutting open process can be
controlled when performed. This is not possible in the state of the
art. The outlet part therefore also advantageously comprises no
further sealing devices such as sealing ribs or sealing rings that
generally can only cause leaks. The preferred integral embodiment
of the flexible bag having the outlet part makes such planned
tearing sites and further sealing devices unnecessary.
[0009] The outlet part can preferably be inserted in at least one
track disposed on the outer cover. It can thus be ensured that the
outlet part is securely seated and does not rotate when turning to
open, for example. The track is advantageously not round, but
particularly preferably rectangular in design, so that any
rotational motion of the outlet part can be prevented. The outlet
part is advantageously formed so as to be able to engage in the
tracks of the outer cover in a complementary manner.
[0010] No valve is advantageously provided in the area of the
outlet opening. The advantage thereby is that the packaging
container according to the invention can be produced substantially
less expensively and more simply. In the state of the art, for
example, a valve is required in order to prevent the escape of
liquids and to prevent environmental air contaminated by germs from
flowing into the container after dispensing. The packaging
container according to the present invention has the advantage that
dispensing is possible without subsequent inflow of air
contaminated by germs even without a valve, because the flexible
inner bag collapses during dispensing and therefore no vacuum
whatsoever that could cause inflow of air contaminated by germs
occurs in the packaging container.
[0011] The wall thickness of the outer cover is advantageously in a
range from 0.1 to 2 mm, particularly in a range from 0.15 to 1 mm.
If the wall thickness is less than said range, then there is a risk
that the packaging container will be easily pressed inward when
picking up the packaging container. If the wall thickness is
greater than said range, then the container becomes heavier and
more expensive to produce due to the greater material
thickness.
[0012] The wall thickness of the flexible bag is advantageously in
a range from 0.02 to 0.5 mm. Below said range, mechanical
influences can more easily cause damage to the bag, and thereby
cause a leak. Above said range, it is possible for the greater wall
thickness and thus the greater rigidity of the flexible bag to
prevent complete emptying, such as by collapsing the bag.
[0013] The packaging container preferably comprises a size in a
range from 5 to 50 cm, calculated using the two points of the
packaging container that are spaced furthest apart from each other.
The packaging container is thereby particularly well suited for
products such as foods or cosmetics intended for end consumers.
[0014] The inner flexible bag preferably comprises 2 to 3 layers
made of plastic or metal. Said layers are preferably laminated or
foil-clad. It can thus be prevented that the layers shift relative
to each other when a bag is partially emptied and prevent
emptying.
[0015] The outlet part advantageously makes direct contact with the
outer cover, or with tracks formed integrally on the cover. This
has the particular advantage that, in contrast to solutions from
the state of the art, an additional component, such as a mounting
element for the outlet opening that would first have to be inserted
into the outer cover, is not necessary. Leaks can thereby be
prevented and production costs reduced.
[0016] On the side opposite the outlet opening, the flexible bag
preferably comprises an integral rigid component comprises a
diameter at least at one location that is greater than the outlet
opening. It can thus be prevented that the flexible bag pops out of
the outlet opening when pouring out the bulk product, such as a
liquid.
[0017] The material of the outer cover is preferably cardboard or
carton or a plastic. The outer cover preferably does not comprise a
coating or a closed coating or film on the inside thereof that
would seal the inner side relative to liquids. The advantage
therein is that, relative to known containers from the state of the
art, a further processing step as well as costs can be saved. The
outer can furthermore be designed to be permeable to air or liquids
in this manner, so that mold growth in the interior of the outer
cover between the flexible bag and the outer cover can be
prevented.
[0018] The packaging container for pourable liquids, powders, and
granulates preferably comprises an inner flexible bag having an
outlet opening, and outlet part, and an outer cover, wherein the
inner flexible bag is fixedly connected to the outlet part, the
outer cover encloses the inner flexible bag, the inner flexible bag
is separably connected to the outer cover by means of the outlet
part inserted in a cutout, the outer cover is made of at least two
swing-open hard shells connected to each other for swinging open by
means of at least one hinged joint and having a releasable closure
mechanism.
[0019] The invention relates to a packaging container, for example,
having an inner flexible bag made of a flexible fabric or a
flexible film, a laminated fabric, or a laminated film, wherein the
inner flexible bag can also be produced from natural materials such
as corn. The inner flexible bag is, for example, relatively
impervious or impervious to the exchange of gases or liquids,
either by itself or after appropriate treatment. Impervious or
relatively impervious to the exchange of gases or liquids means
that for a 1 L packaging container filled with one liter of water,
stored for 170 days at 23.degree. C. and normal humidity and air
pressure, no more than 0.3 vol % of water escapes from the flexible
bag through the bag material. For special requirements, however, a
film can also be selected for which the barrier requirements are
adjusted specially to the bulk material and perhaps even a desired
air exchange can and should thereby take place. Said flexible
properties of the inner bag are a great advantage, especially in
production. By using single materials, replacement can be made very
simple, for example, and does not need to be considered beforehand
in production processes. This also saves storage costs.
[0020] The inner flexible bag is preferably fixedly connected to
the outlet part. Controlled pouring is thereby made possible. The
connection can takes place by means of a weld seam, by means of an
adhesive connection, by clamping, by casting, or by means of
introducing a guide wire or strip made of other materials as well.
The welding seam is preferably generated by laser welding.
[0021] The outlet part can have the shape of a screw closure, a
cover, a reclosable cap, a valve, or a suitable stopper or
cork.
[0022] The outlet part is preferably mounted in the lower or upper
third of the packaging container.
[0023] The outer cover partially or completely encloses the inner
flexible bag, for example, except for the area of the outlet part.
Correspondingly, a cutout is introduced in said area of the outer
cover, for example.
[0024] The outlet part having the inner flexible bag attached
thereto can be attached at the area about said cutout in the outer
cover. The connection can take place by means of a welding seam, a
glued connection, a punching process, a plug connection, a clamping
device, or by means of introducing a guide wire, including made of
other materials. It can also be that the tear open seam is located
at a completely different location (see Figures) due to certain
clamping connections, and the container can then be more easily
separated from the inner bag by releasing said tear open seam. This
version can thus also be applied.
[0025] The connection by means of an adhesive connection or a
clamped connected is preferred. The connection must ensure the
required minimum level of stability for the packaging container,
while said connection must be easily separated by pulling on the
outlet part with little exerted force when disposing of the
components of the packaging container after use.
[0026] Said inner flexible bag is preferably not connected to the
outer cover over the entire surface thereof. The outer cover can
provide the shape and stability and can also serve for printing
advertising and product information.
[0027] Connection of the inner bag to the outer cover not over the
entire surface preferably means punctiform and/or linear adhesion
or interlocking, wedging, or pinching. In some preferred
embodiments, the inner bag is connected to the outer cover at 1-20
places in a punctiform or linear manner. It is also possible that
the bag is not connected to the outer cover at all, and that the
stability arises solely due to the shape of the bag, for example,
such as for a side fold bag that can be ideally inserted in cuboid
containers without rotating or collapsing. A preferred embodiment
of the inner flexible bag is the tubular bag. Said tubular bag does
not necessarily have to have the form of a tube, rather, it is
possible to provide the tubular bag with a certain shape, so that
the tubular bag can have approximately the shape of a cylinder,
cube, cuboid, tetrahedron, polygonal container, star, triangle,
heart, wedge, liner, oval cylinder, bag, tube, bottle, triangular
prism, a pyramid, or sphere, and thus can match the contours on the
inner side of the outer cover that has a comparable shape or some
surfaces of a body of comparable shape. The inner flexible
preferably makes very close contact with the inner side of the
outer cover in the completely filled state. The inner flexible bag
is preferably produced from only one material or a composite
material such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate,
polypropylene, polyester, polyurethane, or multi-ply materials made
from the preceding materials or other common plastics for storing
liquids and primarily food products. The material for the flexible
bag is thus preferably made of a plastic film that can be
constructed from up to 7 layers of potentially different materials.
Said plastic bags can also, however, be vapor coated with aluminum
oxide, silicon oxide, and/or other materials producing a barrier.
Depending on the contents for the flexible bag, said bag must
protect the contents against water entry or CO2 exit, must be
resistant to acid, resistant to alcohol, or protect against
sunlight, so that layers deflecting sunlight, reflective to
sunlight, or colored flexible bags can be used.
[0028] The packaging container comprises a outlet part or a pour
opening located at a position, for example, where it is possible to
pour out substantially the entire contents of the package. The
outlet part can further preferably have a valve allowing only the
discharge of the contents of the packaging container, but not
allowing any air or liquid to enter the inner bag in the opposite
direction. The outlet part is preferably located at a corner or an
edge or an optimal point prescribed by the shape of the carton or
bag of the floor or a side part, and can also be located at the
center of any side of the package. The advantage of said embodiment
is that when the fluid, powder, or granulate is discharged, no or
very little air enters the interior of the packaging container, and
so the liquid or powder or granulate present in the interior, and
any other goods, make no or very little contact with the air.
Oxidation processes are thus prevented, ensuring a longer shelf
life of the food products if the packaging container is filled with
food products. A valve installed in the outlet part and the
flexible packaging of the packaging container causes the inner
flexible bag to collapse due to the weight of the liquid and the
vacuum created when emptying. Due to the elastic design, the inner
flexible bag does not take on any or only very little air,
protecting the contents of the bag and leading to a longer shelf
life of the contents of the bag.
[0029] In order to release the liquid from the packaging container,
the packaging container has a pour opening or outlet opening,
preferably but not necessarily having a valve. Said valve, which
can be used as a pour spout or metering device must prevent oxygen
from entering the packaging container after the liquid or solid is
poured out, and must prevent further liquid or powder from flowing
out of the bag.
[0030] An example of a valve that can be used according to the
invention is shown in the FIGS. 4-7. FIGS. 4-7 show the
construction of the valve, which can further have a cover
comprising a screw closure. The valve comprises openings for
discharging the contents of the bag. An embodiment of a valve
having three openings is shown in FIG. 7, wherein a different
number of openings is also possible. A pin on which a rubber ring
is placed, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, is present in the middle
of the valve. The rubber ring allows only the discharge of the
contents of the flexible bag from the inside to the outside through
the three openings, wherein the rubber ring bulges outward under
the pressure exerted by the contents of the bag and the contents of
the bag pass by the rubber ring on the sides thereof. As soon as
pressure is no longer exerted on the contents of the bag due to the
weight of the liquid, a vacuum arises in the flexible bag, ensuring
that the rubber ring in the valve is drawn inward and thus closes
the three openings in the valve.
[0031] As soon as the weight of the bulk material is no longer
sufficient to overcome the tension of the rubber valve, and because
there is then no longer very much bulk material in the container,
so that final emptying will occur soon, the rubber valve can be
pulled out, for example by means of a small nipple, and the outlet
is then continuous open for final emptying.
[0032] Other potential forms of a valve could also be made of a
tubular outlet, wherein the tube comprises a thicker part at one
point, wherein a displaceable sphere is captured, such that the
sphere opens the tube fitting leading to the packaging container
when pressure is exerted on the contents of the bag, so that the
bag can be emptied, and when pressure is exerted from the outside
into the tube, or due to vacuum in the flexible bag, the sphere is
pressed or drawn in the direction of the bag and closes the tube
fitting of the outlet running in the direction of the bag.
[0033] The present invention also fundamentally functions without a
valve, as long as the flexible bag is not actively expanded again
when emptying the flexible bag and before closing off the outlet
part, so that air, gas, or liquid can enter the bag.
[0034] For conventional packaging containers for liquid food
products from the state of the art, such as the known
Tetra-Pak.RTM., a multiple material technology based on a carton is
typically used, wherein the same rigid material is used on all
surfaces for the design of the packaging container. By using a
plurality of relatively rigid materials, the result is necessarily
a rigid and inflexible design. The lack of elasticity of the
packaging material and a pour opening mounted in the upper area
also cause air to flow into the container, whereby the product
comes into contact with air and the product, if it is a food
product, thus spoils more quickly. Packaging that is constructed
from diverse materials glued to each other over the entire surface
area, not according to the Tetra-Pak.RTM. principle, on the other
hand, are difficult to stack, rupture more easily, or lose
stability when emptied.
[0035] Stackability is understood to mean that at least 3 palettes
having 11 layers each of completely filled packaging containers can
be placed one atop the other without an enclosing carton and
without the stack collapsing.
[0036] Said disadvantages from the state of the art are overcome by
means of the present invention. In particular, easily recycled,
strong, stackable packaging containers are provided that also can
be emptied easily and completely and prevent air from entering the
inner bag when emptying, even without a valve. The packaging
containers according to the invention of said embodiment are
preferably made of only three materials (other than adhesive),
namely preferably a plastic for the inner flexible bag, a plastic
for the outlet part, and a carton, plastic, or other material,
including natural material for example, for the outer cover.
[0037] The object of the invention is to allow easy separation of
the different components of the packaging container, that is, the
outer cover and the inner flexible bag having the outlet part.
After the packaging container is used, the user, another person, or
an appropriate device can pull on the outlet part away from the
surface in which the outlet part is present in the direction
perpendicular to the same for said embodiment. The optional
punctiform or linear connection of the inner flexible bag to the
outer cover is thereby optionally released. In any case, the outlet
part is thereby completely removed from the connection thereof to
the segment placed about the cutout in the outer cover. According
to the invention, this can be done without a problem with little
effort. It is thus possible that the outflow part and the inner
flexible bag attached thereto can be pulled out through the cutout.
After separating, said two components can be separately disposed of
or recycled. According to the invention, such disposal is possible
for a completely emptied, partially emptied, full, or never filled
state.
[0038] In this manner, difficult material separation as is often
required in the state of the art for packaging for milk, for
example, is eliminated.
[0039] The packaging container presented here has an inner flexible
bag and an outer cover and preferably comprises a square or
rectangular shape, or another shape having a base surface, up to
one top surface, up to two side surfaces, a front surface, and a
back surface. The invention is fundamentally not limited to
particular packaging shapes, so that unusual shapes such as hearts,
starts, tetrahedrons, pyramids, wedges, spheres, or the like can be
used, wherein the cube or cuboid shape is preferred.
[0040] The outer cover can alternatively be made of glass and have
the shape of a bottle. An advantage of said variant is that
cleaning of the bottles is thereby eliminated, and only the inner
bag must be cleaned to the level required for food products.
[0041] A further preferred shape of the packaging container is the
triangular prism. Said preferred shape of a packaging container has
an outer cover forming the three side surfaces of the triangular
prism. A preferably cylindrical tubular bag or a tubular bag having
a shape also approximating a triangular prism is present within the
cover.
[0042] The outer cover for said embodiments, preferably a carton or
cardboard or a plastic, can be formed from a rectangular matrix
that is folded appropriately and connected or glued along an
overlapping part. The triangular prism preferably comprises either
three equally sized side surface and an equilateral triangle as a
base surface (a=b=c) or two equally sized side surfaces and an
isosceles triangle as a base surface (a=b.noteq.c).
[0043] Some embodiments of the outer cover can be produced
according to the invention to be solid, such that they are also
suitable for using carbonated beverages in the inner flexible bag.
A pressure can thereby build up over time due to released CO2
within the inner flexible bag, which can lead to a significant
increase in the volume of the inner flexible bag. The pressure
caused by the increase in volume of the inner flexible bag on the
outer cover can be resisted by the same due to the sufficient
strength thereof.
[0044] A further embodiment relates to a cylindrical outer cover
having an inner flexible bag attached therein and filled with
granulate of household chemicals such as drain cleaner. According
to the invention, the solid outer cover and the inner flexible bag
can be separately disposed of or recycled.
[0045] In further embodiments, an inner flexible bag can also be
used, the volume thereof in the filled state being significantly
smaller than the outer cover. If said inner flexible bag having a
small volume collapses or displaces within the outer cover in an
inappropriate manner when the bulk material is removed, then said
inner flexible bag having a small volume can be attached to the
outer cover by means of a special mounting element. According to
the invention, adhesive points or strips can be used here as well,
or a hooking device of a corresponding size. An insulating air
layer is thereby created between the inner bag and the outer
container, keeping the bulk material cool or warm for a longer
time.
[0046] An outlet optionally having a valve can be present at the
top edge of the packaging container. A further preferred location
for mounting the outlet is the top area of an edge between two side
surfaces.
[0047] The outlet for the packaging containers according to the
invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The outlet can comprise an
external thread in order to be able to close off the outlet by
means of a plug.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows an outlet having an inner valve allowing only
the discharge of the contents, but not allowing the entry of air or
liquid.
[0049] The outer cover of the packaging container can be made from
carton, cardboard, paper, fabric, edible materials such as corn or
soy, bamboo, wood, plastic, cellulose, glass, a natural material, a
textile material, leather, a composite material, metal, or a metal
alloy, wherein carton, cardboard, and plastic are preferred and
carton is particularly preferred. It is preferred if only one
material is used for the outer cover. The outer cover is further
preferably not laminated, coated, or constructed of multiple
layers, does not comprises aluminum foil, and is not connected or
glued over the entire area to the material containing the pourable
liquid or the pourable solid. The outer cover can also preferably
be produced from a folding template. It is not necessary to connect
at least two individual parts in order to obtain the outer
cover.
[0050] The connection, preferably gluing, of the inner flexible bag
to the outer cover can be applied as punctiform and/or in strips or
adhesive strips, so that the packaging container obtains the
required stability but can be easily separated from the bag in
order to be disposed of separately. Combinations of punctiform
adhesive and linear or strip or circular adhesive can be used. Each
of said 1-20 adhesive places are adhesive areas of greater than 4
mm2. In place of up to 20 of said large-area adhesive locations,
several hundred or even several thousand small-area adhesive
locations can be used, being then preferably distributed over the
area of the carton uniformly or according to a particular pattern.
The type and design of the individual adhesive areas is not
significant, but it is important that full-surface adhesion is
avoided, and the adhesive area is preferably significantly less
than 50% of the total inner carton surface, preferably less than
40% of the total inner carton surface, further preferably less than
30% of the total inner carton surface, and particularly preferably
less than 20% of the total inner carton surface.
[0051] It is essential that preferably no full-surface adhesion
takes place, wherein full-surface is understood to mean adhesion of
an area of 50% or greater.
[0052] In place of or in addition to punctiform adhesive, a linear
adhesive connection can also take place, extending along the edges
or on the surfaces, for example. The adhesive lines can run
horizontally or vertically or diagonally, in straight lines, zigzag
shapes, or waves, or can also have no geometry. The individual
lines can be parallel to each other, approaching each other, or
disposed without geometry, can extend along the side surface, can
be continuous or interrupted, and can be extended by punctiform
adhesive.
[0053] It is preferable that the surface on which the previously
described punctiform or linear adhesive is applied is the surface
opposite the inner side of the outlet part.
[0054] Said type of punctiform and/or linear adhesive connection is
significantly different from the adhesive connection of packaging
containers from the state of the art. For the Tetra-Pak.RTM., for
example, a full-surface adhesive connection is used. The packaging
container according to the invention thus avoids said known
disadvantages by saving adhesive resources and therefore leads to
easily separable material combinations and fixations. The packaging
container thus also has a better recycling property, as the carton
can be more easily separated from the packaging container with a
punctiform adhesive connection.
[0055] For a further preferred embodiment, the adhesive can detach
successively, or be detached successively, depending on the fill
level of the inner flexible bag, whereby the inner flexible bag is
not held open mechanically but can fold or roll together more
easily, but the reduced adhesive surface will not negatively affect
the stability of the entire packaging container, because the fill
level and thus the mass of liquid or solid in the inner bag has
become less and the remaining adhesive area ensures the required
stability.
[0056] Particularly important for the packaging containers
according to the invention is that said containers are stackable
and sufficiently dimensionally stable to allow stacking of the
packaging containers, reducing the space required to a minimum and
saving transport costs.
[0057] Due to the very good stability and very good stackability
thereof, packaging containers in the shape of a triangular prism
are also very preferred.
[0058] A further important consideration is the recyclability of
the materials of which the packaging container according to the
invention is made. By using only three materials (carton and two
plastics), better recycling properties are achieved relative to
packaging containers from the state of the art that are filled with
liquid or powdered food products. It should be emphasized that the
packaging container according to the invention is not made of a
composite material, as are used for packaging containers from the
state of the art. The inner flexible bag may indeed be made from a
plurality of materials or material layers that do not, however,
need to be separated from each other and that can be recycled
together. Often the outlet part made of plastic can be disposed of
together with the inner flexible bag.
[0059] By using only a few different materials, not only does the
packaging container according to the invention provide a packaging
container for particularly liquid or powdered food products that
can be very well introduced into the recycling stream, but
substantially cost-efficient production of the packaging container
according to the invention can also be achieved. Preferably only
one material or only one composite material is used for the inner
flexible bag, as well as only one material for the outer cover.
After separating the outer cover and the inner bag, two recyclable
materials, namely plastic and typically carton, are obtained and
can be introduced into two recycling streams. Other than the
adhesive and the outlet part, the packaging container according to
the invention thus preferably comprises only two materials or
material types. Said two materials or material types are preferably
a plastic and a carton or cardboard.
[0060] Said advantageous combination of properties of the packaging
container presented here is surprising and provides additional
functional characteristics to the packaging container according to
the invention relative to packaging containers produced according
to the state of the art. The packaging container according to the
invention is stackable and provides optimal space utilization, is
very easy to recycle, can be completely emptied, and prevents the
entry of air or liquid into the container, whereby the contents
have a longer shelf life.
[0061] The present invention thus relates to packaging containers
preferably for liquid food products, wherein the packaging
containers preferably do not fill with air when emptied. It is
further advantageous if the inner bag is preformed in the shape of
the outer cover, that is in the shape of the packaging container,
and thus comprises a cuboid shape, cube shape, tetrahedral shape,
pyramidal shape, wedge shape, prism shape, etc. in the fully filled
state. It is finally also essential to the invention that there is
no full-surface adhesive or other connection between the inner bag
and the outer cover, the cover and bag are not laminated to each
other, and the material forming the bag is not an inner layer of
the outer cover, and the material forming the bag can be easily
separated from the outer cover by the consumer.
[0062] The present invention further relates to a method for
separately disposing of the inner flexible bag and outer cover,
comprising the following steps: [0063] a) Providing a packaging
container according to one of the preceding claims; [0064] b)
Separating the outlet part and the inner flexible bag attached
thereto from the outer cover by pulling on the outlet part; [0065]
c) Pulling the outlet part and the inner flexible bag attached
thereto out of the outer cover; and [0066] d) Separately disposing
of the inner flexible bag having the outlet part attached thereto
and the outer cover.
[0067] The present invention further comprises a method for
producing and filling a packaging container as previously
described, comprising the following steps: [0068] a) Providing a
filled, partially filled, or non-filled inner flexible bag having
an outlet opening, an outer cover, and an outlet part; [0069] b)
Fixedly connecting the outlet part to the outlet opening of the
inner flexible bag; [0070] c) Inserting the composite of the outlet
part and the inner flexible bag into the outer cover, wherein the
outlet part makes contact in the area of the cutout of the outer
cover; [0071] d) Attaching the inner flexible bag to the inner side
of the outer cover at 1 to 20 locations in a punctiform or linear
manner; [0072] e) Attaching the outlet part in the area of the
cutout of the outer cover.
[0073] Subsequently to the previously described method, the follow
step can also be optionally performed: [0074] f) If the inner
flexible bag was not filled or was partially filled for step a),
complete or partial filling of the packaging container by means of
the outlet part.
[0075] In a further preferred embodiment, an optional carry handle
is a part of the packaging system. In practice, transporting a
plurality of the previously described packaging containers has
proven to be difficult. In the state of the art there are already
outer packagings that collate a plurality of packaging units. In
the field of liquid food products, the so-called "six-pack" is well
known. Here an outer packaging made of carton, or in rare cases
made of plastic, encloses six bottle disposed adjacent to each
other in two groups of three. Depending on the embodiment, more
comfortable transportation is possible, and sometimes said outer
packaging serves only for ensuring that the consumer purchases a
minimum quantity. The disadvantage of such outer packagings is the
production of additional waste material. The carton or plastic
material used therefor can, in the best case, be introduced to the
general recycled material flow for said category. Tearing open the
outer packaging is also not always possible without trouble.
[0076] Said problem is solved for the previously described
embodiments by the carry handle according to the invention. Said
flat part is made of a rectangular base inserted between the
packaging containers disposed in a row of two, and an upper part
protruding as an extension of the rectangular base to the top side
of the row of two packaging containers. Said upper part can also
have the shape of a rectangle, wherein the dimensions do not need
to correspond to those of the rectangular base, or it can be
trapezoidal in shape. For the trapezoidal shape, the shorter
parallel side is preferably located on the top side of the upper
part. A cutout is made in the upper part, forming a handle area,
allowing transportation of the packaging system by inserting the
fingers.
[0077] Suitable materials are hard plastics, hard fiber, solid
carton, metal, metal alloys, wood, composite materials, fiberglass,
rattan, or combinations thereof. The upper part and the rectangular
base do not have to be made from the same material. A uniform
material is, however, preferred. Embodiments made of hard plastic
are particularly preferable.
[0078] The carry handle according to the invention comprises an
attachment region at the height of each packaging container on the
outer sides of the rectangular base, allowing stable connection of
the carry handle to the packaging containers. At the same time,
said attachment must, however, allow the individual packaging
container to be separated from the carry handle, and thus from the
entire carrying unit, with little effort.
[0079] Said attachment region can be made of a plurality of
adhesive points. Said adhesive points provide the required strength
but are easily separated. In a preferred embodiment, each packaging
container is connected to the carry handle by means of two
attachment regions applied one over the other. Each of said
attachment regions comprises a plurality of adhesive points
disposed in the shape of a circle or ellipsoid. Separation at said
adhesive points takes place by simply tearing off the carry handle.
Alternatively, a thin, continuous adhesive line or a plurality of
thin, linear circular or ellipsoid adhesive segments can be used.
For said embodiments, full-surface adhesive is not required and
therefore not preferred. After separating all packaging containers,
the carry handle can either be used again in a dedicated recycling
process after a cleaning step in order to remove the residual
adhesives, or can be introduced into a material recycling flow
corresponding to the material thereof.
[0080] In a further preferred embodiment, full-surface adhesive is
present between two circular or oval attachment regions applied one
over the other between the carry handle and the packaging
container. The carry handle is perforated at the edge of such an
attachment region. The distance between the perforation holes is
designed such that simple tearing at the carry handle leads to an
intended rupture at said perforation line. The glued areas of the
carry handle thus remain on the packaging container, while an
intended cutout is formed in the carry handle in said areas. After
separating all packaging containers, the carry handle can be
introduced to a recycling material flow corresponding to the
material thereof, but is not suitable for direct recycling.
[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the carry handle is made from two
halves that are mirror images and connected to each other by means
of a fold line or a hinged connection. Such a method of production
allows the adhesive required for attachment to be applied to only
one side of the carry handle. The two mirror-image halves are
brought into contact with each other by folding one half at the
fold line or the hinged connection, so that the two sides coated
with adhesive are positioned facing outward. In further
embodiments, the two halves can also be connected to each other for
the purpose of stabilization by at least one further adhesive
connection, a plug connection, a button connection, a folding
mechanism, a clip device, or combinations thereof. A folding
mechanism is preferred, wherein the cutout is punched out only on
three sides in the grip area of one or both mirror-image halves,
while the side facing upward during the carrying process is not
punched out, but comprises a fold line or a hinged connection. Such
an arrangement makes it possible that when the two mirror-image
halves are placed one above the other, the material part of one
half remaining in the grip area can be bent through the grip to the
opposite side of the carry handle and folded upward there. If such
a remaining material part is also present on the opposite side,
said part is also folded upward. The two mirror-image halves are
thereby stabilized adjacent to each other. In an alternative
embodiment, the first material part remaining in the grip area
comprises only one half of the cutout area, wherein the separation
line is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cutout area.
A complementary second material part is present in the mirror-image
half of the carry handle in the area of the grip not covered by the
first material part. Said arrangement allows the first and the
second material part to be fed through the corresponding grip of
the mirror-image half and bent upward there, in order to stabilize
the carry handle.
[0082] In alternative embodiments, hook-and-loop fasteners can be
used. The attachment regions described in the preceding embodiments
are each formed by a hook strips or a loop strip of a hook-and-loop
fastener. Square or rectangular attachment regions are thereby
preferred. It is not important here whether the hook strip or the
loop strip is applied to the carry handle or the packaging
container. An advantage of said embodiment is that the carry handle
can be reused immediately. If the outer cover of the packaging
container is also made of plastic, then the outer cover and the
part of the hook-and-loop fastener present thereon can be disposed
of together, or optionally introduced to a recycling system.
[0083] In a further embodiment, the connection between the carry
handle and the packaging containers is made by magnetic forces. A
permanent magnet is thereby installed in the attachment region of
the carry handle, while a magnetizable substance is present in the
corresponding attachment region in the outer cover of the packaging
container. A light pull or push on the packaging container
separates the same from the carry handle. An advantage of said
embodiment is again that the carry handle can be reused
immediately.
[0084] A further preferred group of embodiments of the packaging
system according to the invention relates to the nature of the
outer cover. For said embodiments, the outer cover is made of at
least two hard, mirror-image hollow shapes or hard shells connected
to each other on one side by means of at least one hinged
connection, while the two hard shells are releasably connected to
each other at the opposite side for mirror-image joining of the two
hard shells by means of at least one closure mechanism, thus
forming a hollow body. The at least two hard shells each comprise a
flat base part, forming the base of the outer cover and thus of the
packaging container according to the invention when joined
together. The area of said base parts must have a ratio relative to
the vertical dimensions of the hard shells allowing stable storage
of the inner flexible bag in the vertical position in both the
filled and the emptied state. Said outer cover having such a nature
must also comprise a cutout into which the outlet part and the
inner flexible bag connected thereto is inserted. Said outlet part
is present either in the top or in the bottom third of the
corresponding hard shell. If the cutout for receiving the outlet
part is present at the top side of the upright packaging container,
the cutout can be mounted in the center, that is, if two
mirror-image hard shells are used, a semicircular cutout having the
same radius is made in the center of the edge making contact in the
center, adjoining each other to form a circular cutout when the two
half shells are brought together. When using more than two hard
shells, or two hard shells of different sizes, the cutout changes
accordingly. Embodiments having two mirror-image hard shells are,
however, particularly preferred. The cutout can alternatively also
be made on only one side of the surface. In this case, the hard
shells would therefore be asymmetrical in the area of the top sides
thereof. Alternatively, there are also embodiments according to the
invention wherein the outlet part is located at the bottom side of
the packaging container. Said embodiment are exact mirror images of
those previously described. For some embodiment, the outlet part is
further mounted in the lower third of the packaging container.
Variants having an outlet tap are preferred.
[0085] The invention thus relates to a packaging container for
pourable liquids, powders, and granulates comprising an inner
flexible bag having an outlet opening, and outlet part, and an
outer cover, wherein the inner flexible bag is fixedly connected to
the outlet part, the outer cover encloses the inner flexible bag,
the inner flexible bag is separably connected to the outer cover by
means of the outlet part inserted in a recess, the outer cover is
made of at least two swing-open hard shells connected to each other
for swinging open by means of at least one hinged joint and having
a releasable closure mechanism.
[0086] A packaging container for pourable liquids, powders, and
granulates comprising an inner flexible bag having an outlet
opening, an outer cover, and an outlet part is preferred, wherein
the inner flexible bag is not connected to the outer cover, the
outer cover is made of two mirror-image hard shells connected to
each other by means of at least one hinged connection on the one
side of the hard shells and by means of at least one releasable
closure mechanism on the opposite side of the hard shells, or by
means of at least two releasable closure mechanisms, the outer
cover completely encloses the inner flexible bag except for the
area of the outlet part, the inner flexible bag is fixedly
connected to the outlet part, and the inner flexible bag is
reversibly attached to the bottom edge of the outer cover.
[0087] In further embodiments, according to the invention, there
can also be at least two cutouts for inserting the outlet part into
the hard shells. Said cutouts can be made in arbitrary combinations
on the corresponding sides. It is, however, preferred that the at
least two cutouts are located on the same side. For example, one
cutout can be made in each top side of a hard shell. It is
preferable to install exactly one outlet part having an associated
inner flexible bag in each cutout. Embodiments are also
conceivable, however, wherein at least two outlet parts are present
on one inner flexible bag and are then inserted in the at least two
cutouts. It is also conceivable that one or more cutouts are not
used.
[0088] The outlet part can be produced as for the previously
described embodiments preferably having an outer cover made of
carton. Here again embodiments having a valve allowing only the
discharge of the contents of the packaging container, but not
allowing any air or liquid to enter the inner bag in the opposite
direction, are preferred.
[0089] The materials for the hard shells must comprise sufficient
stability and wear resistance.
[0090] Suitable materials are plastics, composite materials, metal,
metal alloys, hard fiber, wood, glass, stone, ceramic, porcelain,
ceramides, pressed cardboard, cellulose, leather, hardened bast,
rattan, natural materials, textile materials, and combinations
thereof.
[0091] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hard shells are
made entirely of plastic. Suitable plastics are polyethylene (PE),
polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PET), polyester, polystyrene,
polyamide, polycarbonate, and other polymers preferably comprising
no halogens.
[0092] There are no fundamental size requirements for the hard
shells according to the invention. Sizes that can be used for
household use or typical retail purchase quantities, however, are
preferred. Product information, advertisements, or a two or
three-dimensional design can optionally be applied to the outer
sides of the hard shells.
[0093] In a preferred embodiment, one or two of the side surface of
the hard shells comprise a handle suitable for allowing removal by
gripping with the fingers. For industrial uses, a handle or a grip
edge can also be used that can serve as a contact point for a
gripper arm.
[0094] The hinged connection between the hard shells can be
permanent or separable. In the latter case, the hard shells can be
separated or optionally replaced or combined again for different
designs.
[0095] All typical possibilities can be considered for the hinged
components. The hinge components can be made of the materials
listed above for the flat parts. The flat parts and hinge
components are preferably made of the same material. The hinge
components can be rotated to nearly 360.degree., limited only by
the thickness of the flat parts, or can comprise blocking devices
allowing rotation of approximately 180.degree. or 90.degree..
[0096] The opposite separable closure mechanism can be a
pushbutton, a flap, a clip, an insertion tab, a plug connection, a
click connection, a hook connection, a snap closure, a screw
connection, an adhesive connection, or a seam.
[0097] Said closure mechanism can be mounted unidirectionally or in
parallel (bidirectionally.)
[0098] A closure mechanism wherein at least one hinged connection
is made of at least one return spring is also considered to be
according to the invention. No such device is thereby mounted at
the edges of the hard shells where a connection is present in the
previously described embodiments. The spring constant for each
return spring is selected such that little force is required for
opening the hard shells, and that the hard shells close tightly
again after loading or removing the inner flexible bag, thus
ensuring secure transportation and secure use of the packaging
container.
[0099] In some embodiments, said hinged connection can also be
replaced by a releasable closure type described above. In this
case, the hard shells can be completely separated from each other.
For said embodiments, it is preferred that the releasable closures
between the hard shells are identical.
[0100] In further preferred embodiments, hook-and-loop fasteners or
magnetic connections are used as previously described for the carry
handle.
[0101] For further variants, the previously described hinged
connection is located in the upper part or the base of the
packaging container produced as a flat part. In this case, the side
parts are connected to each other by means of two releasable
closure mechanisms as previously described. Here again it is
preferred that the releasable closure mechanisms are identical. The
cutout for receiving the outlet part in the hard shell is then
preferably located at the side, or on the side opposite the hinged
connection.
[0102] A seal made of paper or plastic can optionally be applied
over the at least one releasable closure mechanism. It can thereby
be ensured that no exchange or removal of the inner flexible bag
has been done by the producer or by a vendor between filling and
loading. Such a seal can thus be used as an original
certificate.
[0103] The packaging containers made of hard shells can be
egg-shaped, eggplant-shaped, pear-shaped, kidney-shaped,
bell-shaped, spherical, cylindrical, conical, in the shape of a
conical section, cuboid, pyramidal, or combinations thereof.
[0104] Arbitrary shapes of cutouts can also be made in the side
parts as desired. Material can thereby be saved from the hard
shells, and visibility into to the interior of the hollow body
having the inner flexible bag is made possible. Furthermore,
according to the invention, the surface of the side parts can be
varied, such as by a circumferential wavy shape. Said shape can
cover the entire surface or only a certain segment of the side
parts. An advantage arises from the improved accessibility for
household use.
[0105] The side parts of the hard shells in said embodiments, if
not covering the full surface, can be made of a frame comprising
vertical, horizontal, or diagonal bars each at a quantity of 0-10,
preferably 1-5, more preferably 2-3, or can have a mesh structure.
Said bars can be not only linear, but can also take on arbitrary
curves, circles, waves, zigzag shapes, and the like.
[0106] The outlet part having the inner flexible bag attached
thereto must be inserted in the cutout in the hard shell provided
therefor. Any typical clamping and closure mechanisms are thereby
conceivable. If the packaging container comprises only one cutout
for receiving the outlet part, that is, each hard shell comprises a
semicircular cutout made at the edge of the top part, the outlet
part is inserted in one of the two semicircular cutouts. One edge
of the outlet part makes annular contact directly above and
directly below the top part. When the two hard shells are closed,
the inner flexible bag is thus clamped between the two hard shells.
The two annular edges above and below the top part of the hard
shells prevent the inner flexible bag from being unintentionally
pulled out of the outer cover, or from falling out, or the outlet
part from falling into the interior of the packaging container,
particularly in a state of advanced emptiness.
[0107] If at least two cutouts are present in the hard shells for
receiving the outlet part, then a corresponding quantity of
keyhole-shaped openings are present at the contact edges of the top
parts of the hard shells. The outlet part thereby comes into the
central circular part of the cutout, wherein the narrowest location
of the tapering access part of the cutout, located at the edge of
the central circular part of the cutout, functions as a clamping
mechanism. The outlet part can be attached and later removed with
little effort in this manner.
[0108] The inner flexible bag must be attached according to the
invention to one or both hard shells on the side opposite the
outlet part, in order to allow optimal emptying of the bag
contents. Said attachment is preferably a process that is easy to
perform intuitively understood.
[0109] In a preferred embodiment, one or both flat shells comprises
a hooking device for the contacting side of the inner flexible bag.
The hook can thereby be on the flat part and the loop on the inner
flexible bag, or the loop can be on the flat part and the hook on
the inner flexible bag.
[0110] In a further preferred embodiment, the bottom side of the
inner flexible bag is made so as to have a press seam or a weld
seam. The inner flexible bag is inserted into a guide rail by means
of said seam, said rail being present on the contacting side of the
flat shell or flat shells. The guide rail is preferably mounted on
the guide rail such that when the hard shells are brought together,
both halves of the guide rail form a continuum. Said guide rail
retains the inner flexible bag in position and prevents the inner
flexible bag from unintentionally sliding out of the rail during
transport and/or use. Said guide rail can be a simple clamping
mechanism, or an additional, actively operated clamping mechanism,
such as a knurled screw or a clamping switch. In a particularly
preferred embodiment, the inner flexible bag comprises sufficient
material below said seam that some of the seam protrudes in the
form of two strips. By means of said region, said seam is inserted
in such a rail from the side, wherein the seam makes contact with a
bottleneck in the profile of the guide rail. Unintentional sliding
out is thereby prevented.
[0111] In a further embodiment, the inner flexible bag is attached
to one or both hard shells by means of a hook-and-loop fastener on
the side facing away from the outlet part on the contacting surface
of one or both hard shells. It is thereby not important whether the
hook strip is applied to the inner flexible bag and the loop strip
to the hard shell, or vice versa.
[0112] In a further preferred embodiment, a permanent magnet is
present in the bases of the hard shells, while a magnetizable
material is present in the contacting side of the inner flexible
bag. The magnetic forces arising from the contact make it possible
to retain the inner flexible bag in the desired stable position
within the folded outer cover. At the same time, however, said
magnetic forces can be overcome by a slight application of force by
user, another person, or a device, thereby allowing separation of
the inner flexible bag from said hard shells without a problem.
[0113] For the use of hard shells as well, in further embodiments,
an inner flexible bag can also be used, the volume thereof in the
filled state being significantly smaller than the outer cover. Here
again the inner flexible bag is optionally attached to the outer
cover by means of a special mounting element. According to the
invention, a correspondingly sized hooking device can be used for
this purpose.
[0114] Advantages of using hard shells as the outer cover of the
packaging container according to the invention are robustness and
easy application and removal of the inner flexible bag.
[0115] The use of hard shells is also particularly well suited for
a recycling system, forming a part of the packaging system
according to the invention. After removing the inner flexible bag,
the hard shells are already separated at the releasable closure
mechanism. While the inner flexible bag can be introduced to a
suitable material recycling stream, the hard shells can be used
again immediately. As a rule, no cleaning step is required.
Otherwise the hard shells can also be recycled. Collection points
at a retailer and/or producer of the inner flexible bag having a
particular content are suitable for this purpose. The hard shells
can be loaded with a new inner flexible bag on site, or can be
collected and brought to such a site.
[0116] If the hard shells have rounded side parts, then said shells
can be stacked in one another particularly easily for saving space.
Connected by means of the hinged connection, two piles growing at
the same rate arise adjacent to each other. If the hard shells are
also separated at the hinged connection, they can of course be
stacked in one another in one or more piles.
[0117] This is particularly well suited for collection points in
consumer markets and for industrial operations where many hard
shells are used. When stacked in one another, said shells can
easily be brought to the intended site.
[0118] Said embodiments using hard shells as outer covers also
relate to a method for separately disposing of the inner flexible
bag and outer cover, comprising the following steps: [0119] a)
Providing a packaging container according to one of the preceding
claims; [0120] b) Unfolding the hard shells of the outer cover;
[0121] c) Pulling the outlet part and the inner flexible bag
attached thereto out of the corresponding hard shell; and [0122] d)
Separately disposing of the inner flexible bag having the outlet
part attached thereto and the outer cover.
[0123] Said embodiments further relate to a method for producing
and filling a packaging container, comprising the following steps:
[0124] a) Providing a filled, partially filled, or non-filled inner
flexible bag having an outlet opening, an outer cover, and an
outlet part; [0125] b) Inserting the outlet part into the outlet
opening of the inner flexible bag; [0126] c) Inserting the
composite of the outlet part and the inner flexible bag into the
outer cover, wherein the outlet part makes contact in the area of
the cutout of said hard shells; [0127] d) Attaching the side of the
inner flexible bag facing away from the outlet part to the side of
the outer cover facing away from the cutout of the outer cover; and
[0128] e) Closing the hard shells.
[0129] The following step can also be optionally performed
subsequently to the previously described method: [0130] f) If the
inner flexible bag was not filled or was partially filled for step
a), complete or partial filling of the packaging container by means
of the outlet part.
[0131] In a further preferred embodiment, the outer cover is made
from a plurality of flat parts. Said flat parts can be formed into
a suitable outer cover for the packaging container according to the
invention by suitable folding. Said outer cover encloses the inner
flexible bag nearly completely in the folded state. At least one of
said flat parts has a cutout suitable for the outlet part and the
inner flexible bag attached thereto to be attached to said flat
part or alternatively to be inserted in the cutout. The flat parts
adjacent to each other in the unfolded state are displaceable
relative to each other either by a fold or a by at least one hinge
component. The flat part located distally to the outlet part in the
folded state has an attachment device for the inner flexible bag.
Furthermore, the flat parts adjacent to each other in the folded
state but not in the unfolded state comprise at least one mutually
tuned closure device allowing the outer cover to remain in the
folded state and the entire packaging container to be stabilized.
The inner flexible bag, in turn, is fixedly connected to the outlet
part.
[0132] The term `flat parts` describes the side parts, the base,
and the top cover of the outer cover of the packaging container
according to the invention.
[0133] The `unfolded state` in this context means that the flat
part are folded so as to form a two-dimensional shape or plane. In
said state, the flat part adjacent to each other are retained to
each other by a fold or a hinge component.
[0134] The `folded state` in this context means that the flat parts
are folded so as to form a three-dimensional shape or a spatial
body having the shape of the packaging container according to the
invention.
[0135] The flat parts in said embodiments can cover the full
surface, can be made of a frame comprising vertical, horizontal, or
diagonal bars each at a quantity of 0-10, preferably 1-5, more
preferably 2-3, or can have a mesh structure.
[0136] Said bars can be not only linear, but can also take on
arbitrary curves, circles, waves, zigzag shapes, and the like.
[0137] The flat parts can be made according to the invention out of
carton, cardboard, paper, fabric, edible materials such as corn or
soy, bamboo, wood, hard fiber, plastic, synthetic material,
cellulose, glass, rattan, a natural material, a textile material,
leather, a composite material, metal, or a metal alloy.
[0138] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flat parts are
made entirely of plastic or synthetic material. Suitable plastics
are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PET),
polyester, polystyrene, polyamide, polycarbonate, and other
polymers preferably comprising no halogens.
[0139] Natural polymers such as starch, cellulose, and derivatives
thereof are also suitable.
[0140] In a further embodiment, the flat parts comprise an intended
folding line in the longitudinal axis or transverse axis thereof,
or are made of two parts connected by means of at least one
additional hinged connection as described below. Said additional
subdivision can serve to improve stackability or easier transport
of the unfolded outer cover. The intended folding line or the
hinged connection are located preferably horizontally at the height
of half the width or length of the flat parts.
[0141] According to the invention, however, the flat parts can also
comprise at least two intended folding lines. A person skilled in
the art can apply the same by implication using technical
knowledge, or modify existing embodiments without deviating from
the idea of the present invention.
[0142] According to the invention, at least the flat part intended
for the top cover of the packaging container comprises a cutout for
attaching the outlet part and the inner flexible bag connected
thereto. Said cutout can be circular, or can have an access to a
side of the top cover of the packaging container accessible when
loading, whereby loading can take place by means of said side
opening. Such a cutout in the shape of a keyhole is preferred. The
outlet part thereby comes into the central circular part of the
cutout, wherein the narrowest location of the tapering access part
of the cutout, located at the edge of the central circular part of
the cutout, functions as a clamping mechanism. The outlet part can
be attached and later removed with little effort in this
manner.
[0143] The outlet part can, however, also be attached by means of a
hinged closure or a lever in further embodiments. Alternatively, an
adhesive connection or a hook-and-loop fastener is also according
to the invention.
[0144] All typical possibilities can be considered for the hinge
components. The hinge components can be made of the materials
listed above for the flat parts. The flat parts and hinge
components are preferably made of the same material. The hinge
components can be rotated to nearly 360.degree., limited only by
the thickness of the flat parts, or can comprise blocking devices
allowing rotation of approximately 180.degree. or 90.degree..
[0145] Closure devices stabilizing the folded packaging container
loaded with an inner flexible bag are located at the side surfaces
of the flat parts that are not adjacent to each other in the
unfolded state but are adjacent to each other in the folded state.
All typical closure devices are conceivable for this purpose. Plug
connections, hooking connections, snap closures and magnetic
closures, hook-and-loop fasteners, and arbitrary combinations
thereof are preferred. Plug connections are particularly preferred.
Mounting of the corresponding complementary parts of a closure
device to the side surfaces of the flat parts is conceivable in all
combinations according to the invention.
[0146] The inner flexible bag and the outlet part in said
embodiments comprise the same characteristics and potential
variations as the previously described embodiments.
[0147] In a preferred embodiment, the flat part located opposite
the outlet part comprises a hooking device of the adjacent side of
the inner flexible bag. The hook can thereby be on the flat part
and the loop on the inner flexible bag, or the loop can be on the
flat part and the hook on the inner flexible bag.
[0148] In a further preferred embodiment, the bottom side of the
inner flexible bag is made so as to have a press seam or a weld
seam. By means of said seam, the inner flexible bag is inserted
into a guide rail present on the inner side of the flat part of the
outer cover intended as a lower cover. Said guide rail retains the
inner flexible bag in position and prevents the inner flexible bag
from unintentionally sliding out of the rail during transport
and/or use. Said guide rail can be a simple clamping mechanism, or
an additional, actively operated clamping mechanism, such as a
knurled screw or a clamping switch. In a particularly preferred
embodiment, the inner flexible bag comprises sufficient material
below said seam that some of the seam protrudes in the form of two
strips. By means of said region, said seam is inserted in such a
rail from the side, wherein the seam makes contact with a
bottleneck in the profile of the guide rail. Unintentional sliding
out is thereby prevented.
[0149] In a further preferred embodiment, a permanent magnet is
present in said flat part, while a magnetizable material is present
in the contacting side of the inner flexible bag. The magnetic
forces arising from the contact make it possible to retain the
inner flexible bag in the desired stable position within the folded
outer cover. At the same time, however, said magnetic forces can be
overcome by a slight application of force by user, another person,
or a device, thereby allowing separation of the inner flexible bag
from said flat part without a problem.
[0150] For the use of foldable flat parts as well, in further
embodiments, an inner flexible bag can also be used, the volume
thereof in the filled state being significantly smaller than the
outer cover. Here again the inner flexible bag is optionally
attached to the outer cover by means of a special mounting element.
According to the invention, a correspondingly sized hooking device
can be used here as well.
[0151] One application of said embodiment having an outer cover
made of foldable flat parts is the use thereof in an integrated
recycling system. The bulk material, for example a drinkable liquid
such as milk or orange juice, is provided enclosed in the inner
flexible bag. Said inner flexible bag is inserted in the outer
cover such that said flat parts are folded about the inner flexible
bag. The inner flexible bag is thereby suspended or attached by
means of the outlet part to the cutout of the flat part of the
outer cover provided as the top cover. The inner flexible bag is
attached at the underside thereof to the flat part of the outer
cover provided as the base cover. The closure devices of the outer
cover are closed, whereby the shape of the packaging container is
stabilized and the packaging container can be used by the user.
When no further bulk material can or should be removed from the
packaging container, the outer cover and the inner flexible bag are
separated from each other by reversing the steps described for
assembly. The outer cover is used again in the same form. The outer
cover is also optionally cleaned as needed after each use or at
defined intervals. The inner flexible bag having the outlet part is
introduced to a suitable recycling process.
[0152] An advantage for the use of sizes of the inner flexible bag
and outer cover that are not matched to each other is that only one
size of hard shells or foldable flat parts is required in order to
market various volumes of an inner flexible bag. The recycling
system for the outer cover is correspondingly simplified and
optionally more easily standardized.
[0153] The assembly and disassembly of the packaging container
according to the invention can be performed by the end consumer,
the producer of the filled inner flexible bags, a vendor, or
personnel specialized therein, or combinations thereof.
[0154] When using either hard shells or flat parts as the outer
cover, said recycling system can be combined according to the
invention with a deposit system, wherein the end consumer pays a
deposit fee when purchasing an assembled and filled packaging
container, and is repaid said fee when the unfolded outer cover
and/or the emptied inner flexible bag is returned to a location
provided for this purpose. Payment and refunding of the deposit fee
can take place using cash, a credit card, a dedicated payment card
produced for this purpose, deposit chips to be purchased in
advance, or by invoicing.
[0155] The present invention accordingly relates to a method for
loading and separating a packaging container comprising the
following steps: [0156] a) Providing an outer cover and an inner
flexible bag connected to the outlet part; [0157] b) Inserting the
outlet part and the inner flexible bag connected thereto into the
corresponding device at the cutout of a flat part; [0158] c) Using
the packaging container as intended; [0159] d) Removing the outlet
part and the inner flexible bag connected thereto from the
corresponding device at the cutout of a flat part; [0160] e)
Disposing of the outlet part and the inner flexible bag connected
thereto; [0161] f) Unfolding the outer cover; and [0162] g) Reusing
the outer cover.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0163] FIG. 1 shows an inner flexible bag (5) according to the
invention having a fixedly attached outlet part (9).
[0164] FIG. 2 shows the production and disposal of the packaging
container (1) according to the invention. [0165] a) Outer cover
(3). In said embodiment, the outer cover (3) is made of solid or
corrugated cardboard. [0166] b) Inner flexible bag (5) having a
fixedly connected outlet part (9). In said embodiment, the inner
flexible bag (5) is a tubular bag having liquid contents. [0167] c)
The inner flexible bag (5) having a fixedly connected outlet part
(9), inserted in the outer cover (3). The red arrow points to a red
dot representing the punctiform adhesive on the base of the outer
cover (3). [0168] d) Principle of disposal: By pulling on the
outlet part (9) in the direction of the arrow, said part is
separated together with the fixedly attached inner flexible bag (5)
from the adhesive on the base of the outer cover (3) and from the
cutout (21) in the top cover of the outer cover (3) and pulled out
through the cutout (21). Both components can then be disposed of
separately.
[0169] FIG. 3 shows a side view of three potential embodiments of
the packaging container (1) according to the invention.
[0170] FIG. 4 shows a potential form of an outlet part (9) having
an inner valve.
[0171] FIG. 5 shows a potential form of an outlet part (9) having a
closure, particularly a reclosable screw closure.
[0172] FIG. 6 shows a potential outlet part (9) having a thread and
no valve.
[0173] FIG. 7 shows a different view of an outlet (9) having a
thread and no valve.
[0174] FIG. 8 shows a carry handle having packaging containers
mounted on both sides thereof.
[0175] FIG. 9 shows a carry handle having a grip for transporting
and two attachment regions for three packaging containers (1) each
disposed one above the other. The adhesive points disposed as
ellipsoids are shown for each attachment region.
[0176] FIG. 10 shows a packaging container (1) after separating
from the carry handle. The two fully glued attachment regions
disposed one above the other have been broken out from the carry
handle along the perforation line and remain on the packaging
container.
[0177] FIG. 11 shows an expanded carry handle made of two
mirror-image halves. The attachment regions having the adhesive
points are applied to only one side. The cut-out lines allowing the
material part to be ipsilaterally or contralaterally folded in the
grip region are shown.
[0178] FIG. 12 shows packaging containers (1) wherein the outer
cover (3) is made of hard shells. The mirror-image hard shells are
connected at one side by means of a hinge connection. The opposite
sides of the two hard shells are connected to each other by means
of a pushbutton when joined together. The outlet part (9) of the
inner flexible bag (5) can be inserted in the cutout (21) in the
hard shell provided therefor. At the bottom left is shown how the
two hard shells connected by the hinge connection can be
stacked.
[0179] FIG. 13 shows a variant of the hard shells from FIG. 12.
Here the hinge connection is located between the two hard shells at
the bottom of the hard shells. Hard shells having such a design can
be loaded similarly and stored one inside the other after use.
[0180] FIG. 14 shows a further variant of the hard shells from FIG.
12. Here the packaging container (1) is loaded with two inner
flexible bags. Each of the two hard shells accordingly comprises a
dedicated cutout (21) for receiving the outlet part (9) in the top
part thereof, into which the corresponding inner flexible bag (5)
is inserted.
[0181] FIG. 15 shows further potential embodiments for the hard
shells according to the invention.
[0182] FIG. 16 shows a foldable outer cover (3) for a packaging
container (1) according to the invention in the unfolded state. In
said embodiment, the outer cover (3) will take on the shape of a
cuboid in the folded state. The flat parts adjacent to each other
in the unfolded state are displaceable relative to each other
either by hinged components. The plug connections protruding out of
the side surfaces of the flat parts form a potential closure device
with the holes made accordingly in the flat parts making contact
with each other in the folded state. A cutout (21) is made in the
flat part provided as the top cover, at which the outlet part (9)
having the fixedly connected inner flexible bag (5) can be
inserted.
[0183] FIG. 17 shows three-dimensionally how a foldable outer cover
(3) can be transformed from the unfolded state to the folded
state.
[0184] FIG. 18 shows in a sequence of images from left to right how
the inner flexible bag (5) can be inserted in the foldable outer
cover (3). If the image sequence is read from right to left, it can
be seen how the packaging container (1) can be disassembled after
use into the two components again, which can in turn be introduced
into separated recycling processes.
[0185] FIG. 19 shows a packaging container (1) having an outer
cover (3) that can be plugged together, wherein the individual
packaging containers (1) in turn can be plugged together, resulting
in the six-pack shown, for example. The hook-shaped plug
connections can be easily seen in FIG. 19.
[0186] FIG. 20 shows a packaging container (1) having an outer
cover (3) that can be plugged together, wherein the individual
packaging containers (1) in turn can be plugged together, resulting
in the six-pack shown, for example. The plug connections having the
shape of screw heads can be easily seen in FIG. 19.
[0187] FIG. 21 shows an individual packaging container (1) from the
six-pack according to FIG. 20.
[0188] FIG. 22 shows a plug connection having the shape of a screw
head, as is used for the packaging container (1) according to FIG.
21 and for the six-pack according to FIG. 20.
[0189] FIG. 23 shows various embodiments of the packaging container
(1) having a "beak", as is typical for packaging of fruit juice or
milk, for example.
[0190] FIG. 24 shows further embodiments of the packaging container
(1) as a horizontal cuboid, in a classical cuboid shape, and as a
pyramid.
[0191] FIG. 25 shows embodiments of the inner flexible bag (5). At
the top left, a side folding bag can be seen, providing integral
standing ability due to the shape thereof, and not as easily
collapsing when pouring out.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0192] A packaging container for 1 L of milk is described,
comprising a tubular bag and an outer cover.
[0193] The tubular bag is made of polyethylene and is welded so as
to have approximately the shape of a cuboid having edge lengths of
9.5 cm.times.5.5 cm.times.19.2 cm and a volume capacity of 1 L.
Centered on the top side about 1.5 cm from the shorter edge is the
outlet opening, optionally having a valve.
[0194] The outer cover is made of cardboard and comprises edge
lengths of 10 cm.times.5.5 cm.times.19.5 cm.
[0195] The tubular bag is glued to the base of the outer cover by
means of two adhesive strips disposed as a cross in the center of
the base surface. The outlet opening of the tubular bag is further
pulled through an opening in the outer carton and retained on both
sides of the carton by means of a rubber ring. When the tubular bag
is completely emptied, the bag can be pulled by the outlet opening
through the corresponding cutout in the outer carton, wherein the
adhesive on the base of the outer carton separates under the
tensile stress and the adhesive largely remains on the tubular bag.
The carton and tubular bag can thereby be separated easily and
recycled.
Example 2
[0196] A packaging container for 1 L of mineral water is described,
comprising an inner flexible tubular bag and an outer cover made of
two mirror-image hard shells.
[0197] The tubular bag is made of polyethylene terephthalate and is
welded so as to have approximately the shape of a cuboid having
edge lengths of 9.5 cm.times.5.5 cm.times.19.2 cm and a volume
capacity of 1 L. Centered on the top side about 1 cm from the
shorter edge is the outlet opening, optionally having a valve.
[0198] The outer cover comprises eggplant-shaped hard shells made
of polycarbonate and has a height of 19.5 cm.
[0199] The inner flexible cover comprises a hook and one of the two
hard shells comprises an eye for hooking the inner flexible
cover.
[0200] The top sides of the two hard shells each comprise a
semicircular cutout having the same radius on the contact line
thereof.
[0201] The two hard shells are attached to each other by means of a
pushbutton, wherein one hard shell comprises the top part and the
other hard shell comprises the bottom part of the pushbutton.
Example 3
[0202] A packaging container for 1 L of vinegar and 1 L of oil is
described, comprising two inner flexible tubular bags and an outer
cover made of two mirror-image hard shells.
[0203] One tubular bag is made of polyester and the other is made
of polyurethane. Each comprise edge lengths of 9.5 cm.times.5.5
cm.times.19.2 cm and a volume capacity of 1 L. Centered at the top
of each hard shell and approximately 1.3 cm from the shorter edge
is an outlet opening, optionally having a valve.
[0204] The outer cover is made of cylindrical hard shells made of
glass and comprises a height of 19.5 cm.
[0205] The two hard shells of the inner flexible cover each
comprise a guide rail in which each press seam of the inner
flexible bag can be clamped.
[0206] The top sides of the two hard shells each comprise a
keyhole-shaped cutout at the contact line thereof, in which each
outlet part of the inner flexible bag can be inserted and
clamped.
[0207] The two hard shells are attached to each other by means of a
hook-and-loop fastener, wherein one hard shell comprises the hook
strip and the other hard shell comprises the loop strip.
Example 4
[0208] A packaging container for 1 L of orange juice is described,
comprising a tubular bag and an outer collapsible cover that is
reused in a deposit system.
[0209] The tubular bag is made of polypropylene and is welded so as
to have approximately the shape of a cuboid having edge lengths of
9.5 cm.times.5.5 cm.times.19.cm and a volume capacity of 1 L.
Centered on the top side about 2.0 cm from the shorter edge is the
outlet opening, optionally having a valve.
[0210] The outer collapsible cover is made of hard fiber and das
the shape as shown in FIG. 8. The edges of the side, base, and top
surfaces are designed so as to be displaceably insertable in each
other and to result in a fixed, stable cuboid having edge lengths
of 10 cm.times.6 cm.times.20 cm in the completely assembled state.
If two parts of the outer collapsible cover are inserted in each
other, then said parts can be displaced along the longitudinal axis
of the plug connection. The pattern of motion and the type of
assembly result clearly from FIG. 9, wherein hinges are shown in
FIG. 9 and the perforations that can be displaceably inserted in
each other are used in the embodiment described here, wherein a
spherical or semispherical design can be inserted in a
corresponding cutout of the counterpart and vice versa, so that
ultimately a hinge function is also the result.
[0211] The top side of the outer collapsible cover comprises a
cutout in which the outlet opening of the tubular bag having a
collar can be suspended, clamped, or inserted, as shown in FIG. 10.
The tubular bag is securely retained in the outer collapsible cover
by means of said cutout.
[0212] In order that the tubular bag can be fully emptied, a simple
clamping device is further located on the inner side of the base
surface, in which the lower welding seam of the tubular bag can be
clamped, so that the tubular bag does not collapse when emptying
and can be fully emptied.
[0213] After the tubular bag has been completely emptied, the outer
collapsible cover can be opened again and the tubular bag can be
removed and disposed of. The outer collapsible cover can be reused
for a new, filled tubular bag or preferably returned in a deposit
system.
[0214] A further advantage with respect to the outer collapsible
cover is that the same can be fully unfolded for return transport,
and can be transported as a flat folding pattern, saving space and
being very environmentally friendly due to reuse in a deposit
system, contributing to reduction in waste because only the tubular
bag must be disposed of.
REFERENCE LIST
[0215] Packaging container 1 [0216] Outer cover 3 [0217] Inner
flexible bag 5 [0218] Outlet opening 7 [0219] Outlet part 9 [0220]
Inner side of the outer cover 11 [0221] Hard shell 13 [0222]
Closure mechanism 15 [0223] Attachment device 17 [0224] Cutouts 19
[0225] Cutout of the cover 21
* * * * *