U.S. patent application number 14/116703 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-13 for stretch blow-molded or thermoformed pouch and a method for making such pouch.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cargill, Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is Patrick De Wilde, Michael Dede, Daniel Achiel Camiel Wardenier. Invention is credited to Patrick De Wilde, Michael Dede, Daniel Achiel Camiel Wardenier.
Application Number | 20140072245 14/116703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44358179 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140072245 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dede; Michael ; et
al. |
March 13, 2014 |
STRETCH BLOW-MOLDED OR THERMOFORMED POUCH AND A METHOD FOR MAKING
SUCH POUCH
Abstract
A stretch blow-molded or thermoformed pouch (10) comprising a
neck with an opening, and a process for making and handling a
pouch, comprising--blow molding a preform or thermoforming a sheet
or film into a mold to create a pouch with a neck (20) comprising
opening (30),--removing the pouch from the mold,--transporting the
pouch at the neck,--filling the pouch with a product,--closing the
pouch.
Inventors: |
Dede; Michael; (Kain,
BE) ; De Wilde; Patrick; (Belsele, BE) ;
Wardenier; Daniel Achiel Camiel; (Hooglede, BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dede; Michael
De Wilde; Patrick
Wardenier; Daniel Achiel Camiel |
Kain
Belsele
Hooglede |
|
BE
BE
BE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cargill, Incorporated
Wayzata
MN
|
Family ID: |
44358179 |
Appl. No.: |
14/116703 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
May 9, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/001981 |
371 Date: |
November 8, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/7 ; 383/105;
383/121; 53/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/008 20130101;
B65D 35/08 20130101; B65D 35/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/7 ; 383/105;
383/121; 53/452 |
International
Class: |
B65D 35/08 20060101
B65D035/08; B65D 35/24 20060101 B65D035/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 9, 2011 |
EP |
11003771.0 |
Claims
1. A stretch blow-molded or thermoformed pouch comprising a neck
with an opening, and a wall.
2. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the pouch has
an average thickness of from 25 micrometer to 250 micrometer.
3. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the average thickness of
the wall is less than 75 micrometer.
4. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein said pouch is a
self-supporting stand-up pouch.
5. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein said pouch has an internal
volume of from 25 ml to 25 l.
6. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein said pouch is a single
unit-dose pouch.
7. A pouch according to claim 1, comprising a product selected from
a food product, a beverage, or a non-food product.
8. A pouch according to claim 7, wherein said product is a liquid,
a paste, a gel, a flowable powder or a solid product.
9. A pouch according to claim 1 further comprising an integrated
grip or handle.
10. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein said pouch is a
stretch-blow molded pouch, and wherein the stretch ratio of total
volume of preform to the total volume of pouch is higher than about
25.
11. A pouch according to claim 10, wherein said stretch ratio is
higher than about 30 and wherein the average wall thickness is less
than 75 micrometers.
12. A process for making and handling a pouch, comprising a. blow
molding a preform or thermoforming a sheet or film into a mold to
create a pouch with a neck comprising an opening, then b. removing
the pouch from the mold, then c. transporting the pouch at the
neck, then d. filling the pouch with a product, and e. closing the
pouch
13. A process according to claim 12, further comprising the step of
transporting the pouch at the neck to a packaging unit.
14. A process according to claim 12, further comprising a
sanitization, sterilisation or pasteurisation step.
15. A process according to claim 12, further comprising a
decoration step.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a stretch blow-molded or
thermoformed pouch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pouches are well known in the art. Pouches are used as
containers for food, beverage and non-food products such as for
example cosmetics, fragrances, personal care products, or
detergents. Pouches are typically flexible containers which come in
multi-dosage or single-dosage forms, and which can be easily
discarded after use. Pouches are made of plastic foils or sleeves,
or laminates thereof with co-extruded barrier (eg nylon) films,
which are welded at the edges. One disadvantage with conventional
pouches is however that they easily tear, especially at the welds
or at the edges.
[0003] It is therefore desirable to provide pouches which do not
suffer from this drawback. It is further desired to provide pouches
which are cheaper to be processed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
stretch-blow molded or thermoformed pouch comprising a neck with an
opening.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
process for making and handling said pouch. The process comprises
the steps of [0006] a. blow molding a preform or thermoforming a
sheet or film into a mold to create a pouch with a neck comprising
an opening [0007] b. removing the pouch from the mold [0008] c.
transporting the pouch at the neck [0009] d. filling the pouch with
a product [0010] e. closing the pouch
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a pouch according to the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a preferred embodiment of
the pouch of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a
stretch-blow molded or thermoformed pouch 10 comprising a neck 20
with an opening 30.
[0014] The wall 40 of the pouch 10 preferably has an average
thickness of from about 25 micrometers to about 250 micrometers,
preferably from about 50 micrometers to about 200 micrometers, even
more preferably from about 50 micrometers to about 75 micrometers,
and most preferably from about 60 micrometers to about 70
micrometers. Preferably, the average thickness of the wall 40 is
less than about 200 micrometers, preferably less than about 150
micrometers, more preferably less than about 120 micrometers, even
more preferably less than about 100 micrometers, even more
preferably less than about 75 micrometers, and most preferably less
than about 70 micrometers. For determining the average wall
thickness of the pouch, the neck of the pouch does not have to be
taken into account.
[0015] By stretch-blow molding or thermoforming, a pouch is created
which is seamless. Because of the absence of seams, the pouch 10
according to the present invention is less prone to rupturing
during the manipulation (e.g. during filling), transportation,
packaging and handling (by a consumer).
[0016] The pouch 10 can be blown in many shapes, and can vary from
very flexible (bag-like) to more rigid. In one preferred
embodiment, the pouch is a self-supporting stand-up pouch 10, as
shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the pouch is blown into a form
such that the pouch comprises a base 50 that supports the
pouch.
[0017] The neck 20 is preferably a cylindrical neck, and can be
positioned at various locations. For a stand-up pouch, the neck can
be positioned opposite the base, centrally or off-centered (e.g.
more towards the side). In one embodiment, the neck is in the form
of a spout which facilitates emptying the content of the pouch. The
opening 30 can be closed by any means known in the art, such as for
example a plastic, screwable cap or a tear-off seal such as for
example an aluminum foil glued over the opening 30. In another
preferred embodiment, a separate dispenser may be provided which
can be connected (e.g. screwed onto) to the neck. As such, the
pouch can be used as a refill (e.g. hand soaps).
[0018] The pouch can be made in many sizes, with internal volumes
preferably ranging from 25 ml to 25 l. However volumes below or
above this range may also be envisaged. In one embodiment, the
pouch is a single unit-dose pouch.
[0019] The pouch of the present invention can be used for
containing a variety of products such as food products, beverages,
and non-food products. The product can be in a liquid form, gel,
paste, flowable powder or solid as long as it can be squeezed or
poured out of the pouch.
[0020] Examples of food products include, but are not limited
thereto, oils, dressings, sauces, cream cheese, dairy products such
as yoghurt, purees, fruit mousse, meat, syrups, flakes, muesli,
pasta, rice, or nuts.
[0021] Examples of beverages include non-alcoholic (milk, juice,
water) and alcoholic beverages, carbonated or non-carbonated
beverages.
[0022] Examples of non-food products include personal care products
such as skin or hair care products, toothpaste, bath, shower and
washing products such as gels, bath foam, bath pearls, detergents,
pharmaceuticals, and the like.
[0023] The pouch 10 according to the present invention may further
comprise a handle or grip. The handle or grip can be designed in
the mold such that it is blown simultaneously with the pouch, and
thus seamlessly integrated. Alternatively, a separate handle may be
provided which can be attached to the neck.
[0024] The pouch 10 can be made by means of stretch-blow molding or
by thermoforming.
[0025] In the stretch-blow molding process, a thermoplastic
material is first molded into a preform typically using injection
molding. These preforms are produced with the neck of the pouch, if
desired including threads. These performs are packaged and fed
later (after cooling) into a reheat stretch blow molding machine.
In the stretch blow molding process, the preforms are heated
(typically using infrared heaters) above their glass transition
temperature, and then blown using high pressure air into pouches
using metal blow molds. The preform manufacture and pouch blowing
can also be performed in the same machine (single-stage process).
Preferably, the stretch ratio of total volume of the preform to the
total volume of the pouch is higher than about 7, preferably higher
than about 20, more preferably higher than about 25, even more
preferably higher than about 30. For very thin walled pouches, the
stretch ratio may even be higher than about 40. In a preferred
embodiment, the stretch ratio is higher than about 25 and the
average wall thickness is less than 120 micrometers, even more
preferably the stretch ratio is higher than about 30 and the
average wall thickness is less than about 75 micrometers.
[0026] Thermoforming is a process where a thermoplastic sheet or
film is heated to a high-enough temperature such that it can be
stretched into or onto a mold and cooled to a finished shape.
[0027] The thermoplastic material, sheet or film can be, but is not
limited thereto, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),
polyethylene terephtalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene
(PS), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinylchloride (PVC). A preferred
thermoplastic material is polyethylene terephtalate (PET). The
aforementioned thermoplastic materials may also be blended with
barrier materials such as for example nylon, oxygen scavengers,
weakeners or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the pouch 10 made
of the thermoplastic material may comprise a barrier coating.
[0028] In addition to the benefit of making a pouch which is less
prone to rupturing, there is an additional advantage during the
filling, handling and packaging of the pouch. Indeed, after the
manufacturing of the pouch, the pouch can be manipulated at its
neck when the pouch is removed from the mold. As such during the
filling, transportation and up to the moment that the pouch is
packaged, the pouch can be transported at the neck. This provides
full control of the process, and reduces the risk of rupturing
during the entire process. Hence, according to another aspect of
the present invention, there is provided a process comprising the
steps of: [0029] blow molding a preform or thermoforming a sheet or
film into a mold to create a pouch with a neck comprising an
opening [0030] removing the pouch from the mold [0031] transporting
the pouch at the neck to the filling unit [0032] filling the pouch
with a product [0033] closing the pouch
[0034] If the pouch is created out of a preform, in one preferred
embodiment, the preform manufacture and pouch blowing are performed
in a single-stage process, as described hereinbefore.
[0035] The closing of the pouch can be done by any means known in
the art, such as for example a plastic, screwable cap or a tear-off
seal such as for example an aluminum foil glued over the
opening.
[0036] When the pouch is closed, the pouch is then preferably
transported, still at the neck to the packaging unit. As such, the
present invention allows for a continuous process with full control
of the pouch, which was not possible before.
[0037] In preferred embodiments, the starting materials (preform,
sheet or film) or the pouch is sanitized, pasteurized or sterilized
either before filling (aseptic filling) e.g. by means of bleaching
products such as peroxides, or by hot filling of the product
wherein the product which is to be contained in the pouch is added
at high temperature (i.e. the product itself sanitizes or
sterilizes the pouch). In aseptic filling, it may further be
preferred to employ aseptic equipment. This allows the pouch to be
used for food products requiring a long shelf life such as e.g.
milk-based products.
[0038] In preferred embodiments, the pouch is decorated. This can
be done through conventional printing or labeling processes at the
external surface of the pouch. In a preferred embodiment, the pouch
can be decorated in the mold (in-mold labeling).
[0039] Through thermoforming it is further possible to create a
series of pouches, all thermoformed simultaneously and connected to
each other e.g at their side walls, wherein the pouches contain the
same products or alternatively, contain different products.
* * * * *