U.S. patent application number 14/367785 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for flexible sachet having a triangular shape.
The applicant listed for this patent is NESTEC S.A.. Invention is credited to Gilles Demaurex, Petar Varbanov.
Application Number | 20150217919 14/367785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47435951 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150217919 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Varbanov; Petar ; et
al. |
August 6, 2015 |
FLEXIBLE SACHET HAVING A TRIANGULAR SHAPE
Abstract
The present invention relates to a sachet (1) having a
triangular shape and comprising an interior space (6) enclosed by
one sheet of flexible blank material, the sheet being folded upon
itself to form a front layer (2) and a rear layer (3) of the sachet
(1). The front layer (2) and the rear layer (3) are joined by
sealing (4) located along two edges (5) of the sachet (1) to define
the interior space (6). The sachet (1) comprises a means (7) for
starting opening of the sachet (1) as well as a tear strip (11)
arranged between the front layer (2) and the rear layer (3) of the
sachet (1) in proximity to and running at least partially along the
sealing (4) at one of the two edges (5) joined by sealing (4). The
shape of the sachet (1) and the arrangement of the tear strip (11)
are so that the sachet (1) obtains a cone-like shape after opening
so that it is easy both to hold by hand and to reach into to take
out content from the sachet (1). The invention further relates to a
method of manufacturing such a sachet (1). The sachet (1) may e.g.
be manufactured in a chain of sachets.
Inventors: |
Varbanov; Petar; (Bulle,
CH) ; Demaurex; Gilles; (Carlisle Cumbria,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NESTEC S.A. |
Vevey |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
47435951 |
Appl. No.: |
14/367785 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
December 18, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP12/76034 |
371 Date: |
June 20, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/4.5 ;
229/125.22; 53/456; 53/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 9/00 20130101; B65D
3/06 20130101; B65B 7/16 20130101; B65D 75/20 20130101; B65D 75/68
20130101; B65D 75/5816 20130101; B65D 75/42 20130101; B65D 75/46
20130101; B65B 9/2063 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/20 20060101
B65D075/20; B65D 3/06 20060101 B65D003/06; B65B 9/00 20060101
B65B009/00; B65B 7/16 20060101 B65B007/16; B65D 75/46 20060101
B65D075/46; B65D 75/68 20060101 B65D075/68 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2011 |
EP |
11195673.6 |
Claims
1. Sachet having a triangular shape and comprising: an interior
space enclosed by one sheet of flexible blank material, the sheet
being folded upon itself to form a front layer and a rear layer of
the sachet; and a member for starting an opening of the sachet,
wherein the front layer and the rear layer are joined by sealing
located along two edges of the sachet to define the interior space,
and a tear strip is arranged between the front layer and the rear
layer of the sachet in proximity to and runs at least partially
along the sealing at one of the two edges joined by sealing, for
opening of the sachet, whereby the sachet obtains a cone-like shape
after opening.
2. Sachet according to claim 1, wherein the sachet has a shape of a
right triangle having the tear strip arranged along one of the
catheti.
3. Sachet according to claim 2, wherein the sachet has a shape of
an isosceles right triangle.
4. Sachet according to claim 1, wherein the member for starting
opening of the sachet is a pre-score or split extending from an
edge of the sachet where the sheet is folded.
5. Sachet according to claim 1, wherein the member for starting
opening of the sachet extends towards a row of split lines located
to so that a designated corner of the sachet can be manually torn
off by starting at the pre-score or split.
6. Sachet according to claim 5, wherein the row of split lines
extends to the tear-strip so that the tearing off of the designated
corner can continue into a tearing along the tear strip.
7. Sachet according to claim 1, wherein the front layer and the
rear layer are joined by welding.
8. Sachet according to claim 1, wherein the front layer and the
rear layer are joined by cold sealing.
9. Sachet according to claim 1, wherein an eatable product is
located inside the interior space.
10. A chain of sachets being formed by a plurality of
interconnected sachets each having a triangular shape and
comprising: an interior space enclosed by one sheet of flexible
blank material, the sheet being folded upon itself to form a front
layer and a rear layer of the sachet; and a member for starting an
opening of the sachet, wherein the front layer and the rear layer
are joined by sealing located along two edges of the sachet to
define the interior space, and a tear strip is arranged between the
front layer and the rear layer of the sachet in proximity to and
runs at least partially along the sealing at one of the two edges
joined by sealing, for opening of the sachet, whereby the sachet
obtains a cone-like shape after opening.
11. A method of manufacturing a triangular closed flexible sachet
holding a product, the method comprising: folding upon itself a
sheet of flexible blank material to form a triangular interior
space comprising a front layer and a rear layer; filling the
interior space with the product; sealing the sheet along two edges
of the sachet so as to capture the product in the interior space;
applying a member for starting opening of the sachet; and applying
a tear strip to the sheet along and at a predefined distance from
an edge of the sheet before it is folded upon itself so that after
folding, the tear strip is arranged between the front layer and the
rear layer in proximity to and running at least partially along the
sealing at one of the two edges joined by sealing.
12. Method of manufacturing a chain of interconnected triangular
closed flexible sachets holding a product, comprising: folding upon
itself a sheet of flexible blank material to form a triangular
interior space comprising a front layer and a rear layer; filling
the interior space with the product; sealing the sheet along two
edges of the sachet so as to capture the product in the interior
space; applying a member for starting opening of the sachet;
repeating the steps above and below one or more time; and applying
a row of tear strips to the sheet along and at a predefined
distance from an edge of the sheet and with a predefined spacing
between the tear strips before the sheet is folded upon itself so
that after folding, one tear strip is arranged between the front
layer and the rear layer in proximity to and running at least
partially along the sealing at one of the two edges joined by
sealing.
13. Method of manufacturing a chain of triangular closed flexible
sachet holding a product, comprising: rolling a sheet of flexible
blank material around itself or around a tube until a margin of the
sheet is united with the sheet itself enclosing a cylindrical
volume and creating an overlap of the sheet with itself along the
margin; joining the two layers of the sheet at the overlap by
sealing to create a tubular structure; dispensing the product into
the tubular structure; and flattening the tubular structure and
joining the already formed sealing to the opposite surface of the
flattened tube creating a sealing of three layers enclosing
triangular interior spaces enclosing the product; applying a member
for starting opening of the sachet; and applying a row of tear
strips to the sheet along and at a predefined distance from an edge
of the sheet and with a predefined spacing between the tear strips
before the sheet is folded upon itself so that after folding, one
tear strip is arranged between the front layer and the rear layer
in proximity to and running at least partially along the sealing at
one of the two edges joined by sealing.
14. Method according to claim 11, wherein the member for starting
opening of the sachet is a pre-score or split extending from an
edge of the sachet where the sheet is folded.
15. Method according to claim 11, wherein the sheet is folded upon
itself at a 45 degrees angle relative to the length to form a right
angle triangular shaped interior space.
16. Method according to claim 11, wherein the sealing is selected
from the group consisting of: welding, adhesive bonding, cold
sealing and ultrasonic sealing
17. Method according to claim 11, comprising providing a row of
split lines extending between the member for starting opening the
sachet and the tear strip.
18. Method according to claim 11, comprising dissociating the chain
of triangular sachets to form a plurality of individual triangular
sachets.
19. Method according to claim 12, wherein the member for starting
opening of the sachet is a pre-score or split extending from an
edge of the sachet where the sheet is folded.
20. Method according to claim 12, wherein the sheet is folded upon
itself at a 45 degrees angle relative to the length to form a right
angle triangular shaped interior space.
21. Method according to claim 12, wherein the sealing is selected
from the group consisting of: welding, adhesive bonding, cold
sealing and ultrasonic sealing
22. Method according to claim 12, comprising providing a row of
split lines extending between the member for starting opening the
sachet and the tear strip.
23. Method according to claim 12, comprising dissociating the chain
of triangular sachets to form a plurality of individual triangular
sachets.
24. Method according to claim 13, wherein the member for starting
opening of the sachet is a pre-score or split extending from an
edge of the sachet where the sheet is folded.
25. Method according to claim 13, wherein the sheet is folded upon
itself at a 45 degrees angle relative to the length to form a right
angle triangular shaped interior space.
26. Method according to claim 13, wherein the sealing is selected
from the group consisting of: welding, adhesive bonding, cold
sealing and ultrasonic sealing
27. Method according to claim 13, comprising providing a row of
split lines extending between the member for starting opening the
sachet and the tear strip.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a flexible, triangular sachet
that can be opened into a cone-like open shape and to a method of
manufacturing such a sachet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Flexible packaging prefilled with a smaller amount of an
eatable product is often referred to as a sachet. It comes in
different shapes, but an often used one is as a rectangular bag
which has the advantage of easy storage in a flat condition, but
which on the other hand is not particularly well suited for easy
holding by one hand and possibly sharing with others.
[0003] Another often used shape is a conical packaging which is
used in a number of variations. The conical shape of the wrapping
or packaging is often used for eatable products that are eaten
directly from the packaging while carrying it along, such as
sweets, nuts, chips or freshly baked cakes, e.g. sold at market
places. The packaging is typically delivered to the shop or boot as
cone shaped, or it is made by rolling a piece of paper into a cone
shape. In both cases it may be filled with the product as a part of
the sales process.
[0004] The cone shape is thus used partly to give the product a
freshly-made look and partly due to the easy-to-carry-along
characteristics of that shape. The latter is also a reason for
delivering pre-packed products in that shape of packaging. However,
it is a disadvantage of the conical shape that the packaging has a
shape from the beginning which cannot easily be transported in a
flat condition without damaging it--especially if it is make from
cardboard or another relatively stiff plastic or laminate
material.
[0005] A cone-shaped packaging is e.g. known from sweets where the
bag is typically closed by a piece of tape which makes them hard to
open. They are alternatively often closed by some kind of sealing
in a way that makes it hard to open the sachet without ripping the
sachet whereby so much damage is easily applied to the package that
part of the content is dropped on the ground. Furthermore, it is
often necessary to put the package with its remaining content into
a separate bag, if it is decided to store some of the content for
later.
[0006] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
provide a sachet which can be transported in a flat condition.
[0007] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a sachet which is easily opened into a shape that is easy to hold
by hand and easy to serve from to a group of people sharing the
content of the sachet.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
sachet which is easy to open in a controlled way.
[0009] It is an object of some embodiments of the present invention
to provide a sachet which can easily be re-sealed if it is desired
to save some of the content for later.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] At least some of the objectives mentioned above are
fulfilled in a first aspect of the invention by providing a sachet
having a triangular shape and comprising: [0011] an interior space
enclosed by one sheet of flexible blank material, the sheet being
folded upon itself to form a front layer and a rear layer of the
sachet, and [0012] means for starting opening of the sachet,
wherein the front layer and the rear layer are joined by sealing
located along two edges of the sachet to define the interior space,
characterized in that a tear strip is arranged between the front
layer and the rear layer of the sachet in proximity to and runs at
least partially along the sealing at one of the two edges joined by
sealing.
[0013] The shape of the sachet and the arrangement of the tear
strip advantageously provide that the sachet obtains a cone-like
shape after opening. This cone like shape makes it easy both to
hold by the open sachet in one hand and provides a convenient large
opening for a hand to reach into to take out content from the
sachet. Adantageously the sachet can take a relatively flat form
when closed, convenient for storage and transport of the sachet,
particularly for storage and tansport of multiple sachets, whilst
wen opened the cone-like shape of the open sachet permits easy
holding of the sachet in an open position, without risk of
spilling/dropping contents from the open sachet, and easy access to
the contents of the sachet
[0014] By cone-like is preferably meant that the shape resembles a
geometrical cone to such an extent that it obtains the same
properties with respect to ease of holding the sachet by hand. It
does not need to be an exact cone in geometrical terms.
[0015] The interior space is preferably fully closed, but sachets
having interruptions in the sealing are also covered by the present
invention.
[0016] In presently preferred embodiments of the invention, the
tear strip is arranged along one sealing only, since the sachet is
intended to be opened along one sealing only.
[0017] If desired, the sachet may comprise a row of split lines in
the sheet material along the tear strip to facilitate opening. This
would be particularly relevant when the sheet is made from a
material having relatively high tear strength.
[0018] The tear strip may e.g. be made from a polymer material,
such as polypropylene, comprising a self-adhesive treatment so that
it is fastened to the sheet material as part of the manufacturing
process. The adhesive may also have been applied to the tear strip
as a part of the manufacturing of the sachet.
[0019] In some embodiments of the invention, the sachet is shaped
as a right triangle having the tear strip arranged along one of the
catheti. The sachet may be shaped as an isosceles right triangle.
The advantages of such a shape will be elucidated in the below
description of the manufacturing method.
[0020] The means for starting opening of the sachet may be a
pre-score or split extending from an edge of the sachet where the
sheet is folded. The pre-score or split may extend towards a row of
split lines located to so that a designated corner of the sachet
can be manually torn off by starting at the pre-score or split. The
row of split lines may extend to the tear-strip so that the tearing
off of the designated corner can continue into a tearing along the
tear strip. The combination of a torn-off corner and a torn-off
edge results in an open sachet having a shape close to a truncated
cone; i.e. having approximately a constant height as measured from
the vertex. Such a shape may be easier to reach into e.g. if a
group of people is sharing a food product located in the
sachet.
[0021] In some embodiments of the invention, the tear strip does
not run all the way along an edge of the sachet. E.g. it does not
need to run into a corner that is torn-off. In other embodiments it
does not run all the way to the opposite corner, i.e. the corner
where two sealed edges meet. Hereby it can be obtained that the
almost torn-off part stays attached to the sachet to avoid a small
piece of rubbish that is likely to be thrown away by the consumer
when opening the sachet. This means that only one piece of waste is
created which increases the chance that it is thrown in a bin
instead of on the ground. If, on the other hand it is desired to
have a sachet where it is easy to fully remove one of the sealings,
the tear strip should preferably run all the way to the corner
where two sealed edges meet.
[0022] The front layer and the rear layer of a sachet according to
the invention may be joined by welding, e.g. by ultrasonic means,
whereby a strong sealing which can withstand rough handling is
ensured. It could also be joined by other suitable techniques, such
as gluing, cold sealing, or other conventional sealing methods,
depending on the properties of the material from which the sachet
is made.
[0023] In some embodiments the front layer and the rear layer may
be joined by cold sealing. Hereby it will be possible to design the
sachet so that only one layer of the sachet is removed along the
tear strip leaving a portion the second layer, e.g. the rear layer,
exposed with cold sealing intact. In this way the exposed portion
of the second layer can form a flap, whereby the sachet can then be
re-sealed by folding the flap formed by the exposed portion of the
second layer over the opening. The cold-sealing strip on the second
layer can thereby form a seal with the outside surface of first
layer of the packaging material. This function may be improved by
providing the layer to be torn-off with a row of split lines along
and adjacent to the position of the tear strip.
[0024] The sachet may be made from a sheet material which is
impermeable to oxygen and/or to water vapour. Hereby the content of
the sachet may be better preserved. The actual requirements to be
met by the material depend on the actual content and expected
environmental conditions during transportation and storage. The
sheet material may e.g. be made of aluminium, polyester,
polypropylene, polyamide, polystyrene, paper, copolymer of ethylene
and vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate,
bio-plastic or mixtures thereof.
[0025] In presently preferred embodiments of the invention, an
eatable product is located inside the interior space. Such a
product is preferably discrete food pieces which may e.g. have an
average size in the range of 5 to 50 mm, such as 5 to 20 mm or 20
to 50 mm. In some embodiments the discrete food pieces have an
average size in the range of from about 15 mm to about 50 mm, for
instance from 20 to 40 mm 20 to 30 mm, or 30 to 40 mm, or for
instance from 40 to 50 mm. The size of the product is defined as
the maximum dimension of the product. The products could e.g. be a
snack product, such as nuts, dried fruit pieces, crisps, chocolate,
sweets or other confectionery. The product may also be pet food so
that the sachet can easily be brought along e.g. when walking a
dog.
[0026] A second aspect of the invention relates to a chain of
sachets being formed by a plurality of interconnected sachets
according to any of the preceding claims. Such a chain is directly
obtained by at least some of the manufacturing processes according
to a third aspect of the invention as will be described in the
following. Leaving the sachets in the chain may be advantageous
e.g. with respect to display in a sales store.
[0027] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of
manufacturing a triangular closed flexible sachet holding a
product, the method comprising: [0028] folding upon itself a sheet
of flexible blank material to form a triangular interior space
comprising a front layer and a rear layer; [0029] filling the
interior space with the product; [0030] sealing the sheet along two
edges of the sachet so as to capture the product in the interior
space; [0031] applying means for starting opening of the sachet,
[0032] characterised in that it further comprises [0033] applying a
tear strip to the sheet along and at a predefined distance from an
edge of the sheet before it is folded upon itself so that after
folding, the tear strip is arranged between the front layer and the
rear layer in proximity to and running at least partially along the
sealing at one of the two edges joined by sealing.
[0034] The third aspect of the invention also relates to a method
of manufacturing a chain of interconnected triangular closed
flexible sachets holding a product, comprising: [0035] folding upon
itself a sheet of flexible blank material to form a triangular
interior space comprising a front layer and a rear layer; [0036]
filling the interior space with the product; [0037] sealing the
sheet along two edges of the sachet so as to capture the product in
the interior space; [0038] applying means for starting opening of
the sachet, [0039] repeating the steps above and below one or more
time, [0040] characterised in that it further comprises applying a
row of tear strips to the sheet along and at a predefined distance
from an edge of the sheet and with a predefined spacing between the
tear strips before the sheet is folded upon itself so that after
folding, one tear strip is arranged between the front layer and the
rear layer in proximity to and running at least partially along the
sealing at one of the two edges joined by sealing.
[0041] In an embodiment of the invention, the method of
manufacturing a chain of triangular closed flexible sachet holding
a product, comprises: [0042] rolling a sheet of flexible blank
material around itself or around a tube until a margin of the sheet
is united with the sheet itself enclosing a cylindrical volume and
creating an overlap of the sheet with itself along the margin;
[0043] joining the two layers of the sheet at the overlap by
sealing to create a tubular structure; [0044] dispensing the
product into the tubular structure; and [0045] flattening the
tubular structure and joining the already formed sealing to the
opposite surface of the flattened tube creating a sealing of three
layers enclosing triangular interior spaces enclosing the product;
[0046] applying means for starting opening of the sachet, [0047]
characterised in that it further comprises [0048] applying a row of
tear strips to the sheet along and at a predefined distance from an
edge of the sheet and with a predefined spacing between the tear
strips before the sheet is folded upon itself so that after
folding, one tear strip is arranged between the front layer and the
rear layer in proximity to and running at least partially along the
sealing at one of the two edges joined by sealing.
[0049] The tear strip may be pre-treated with self-adhesive before
being applied to the sheet. Hereby it may be easy to ensure that
the adhesive properties fulfil the necessary conditions to ensure a
good fastening. Alternatively, the tear strip may be passed through
a liquid adhesive before being applied to the sheet.
[0050] The means for starting opening of the sachet may be a
pre-score or split extending from an edge of the sachet where the
sheet is folded.
[0051] A better adhesion of the tear strip to the sheet may be
ensured by application of pressure so that the tear strip is
pressed against the sheet.
[0052] In presently preferred embodiments of the invention, the
sheet is folded upon itself at a 45 degrees angle relative to the
length to form a right angle triangular shaped interior space.
[0053] The front layer and the rear layer are preferably sealed
along one edge before filling the interior space with the product
and sealed along another edge after filling the interior space with
the product. Hereby a partly closed interior space can be made
before filling, so that it is easier to keep the product in the
desired location.
[0054] The method of providing the sealing may be selected from:
welding, adhesive bonding, cold sealing,
[0055] A method according to the invention may further comprise
providing a row of split lines extending between the means for
starting opening the sachet and the tear strip. Hereby a controlled
opening of the sachet is ensured.
[0056] Any of the embodiments of a method according to the
invention may further comprise dissociating the chain of triangular
sachets to form a plurality of individual triangular sachets.
[0057] The first, second and third aspects of the present invention
may be combined. These and other aspects of the invention will be
apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments
described hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the
presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with
reference to the drawings in which:
[0059] FIG. 1 shows schematically a sachet in a closed
condition.
[0060] FIG. 2 shows schematically a sachet in an opened
condition.
[0061] FIG. 3 shows schematically the steps in the use of a sachet
according to the present invention.
[0062] FIG. 4 shows schematically a sachet in an alternative opened
condition, where the almost torn-off part stays attached to the
sachet.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows a sachet having a cold sealing and where only
the part of the front layer comprising sealing has been removed,
whereas the rear layer with the cold sealing on has been left
intact.
[0064] FIG. 6 shows schematically an overall folding procedure
which may be used to obtain a chain of sachets shaped as isosceles
right triangles.
[0065] FIG. 7 shows schematically a manufacturing method according
to the present invention.
[0066] FIG. 8 is a further representation of the steps in a
manufacturing method in which the sheet is rolled around itself
before being sealed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0067] FIG. 1 shows schematically a triangularly shaped sachet 1 in
a closed condition. The sachet 1 looks flat in the figure for
illustrative purposes only. An un-opened sachet 1 will normally
look more bulky to an extend depending on the amount and type of
product located inside it. Such a product will typically be an
eatable product intended for human, particularly discrete pieces of
a food product of a size convenient to be picked up by hand. The
sachet according to the invention is particularly suitable for
snack products such as savory or sweet snack products in discete
"bite-size" pieces, for example such as crisps, nuts, sweets, dried
fruits, chocolate pieces, wafer or extruded cereal snack pieces,
crackers, biscuits, or other snack food items. However, the sachet
1 may also contain e.g. pet food.
[0068] The sachet 1 is formed by one sheet of flexible blank
material, which has been folded upon itself to form a front layer 2
and a rear layer 3 of the sachet 1; the front layer 2 and the rear
layer 3 are more clearly seen in FIG. 2. The front layer 2 and the
rear layer 3 are joined by sealing 4 located along two edges 5 of
the sachet 1 to define an interior space 6 (see FIG. 2) enclosed by
the sheet material. The sachet 1 comprises means 7 for starting
opening of the sachet 1. Such means 7 is typically a pre-score or
split extending from the edge 8 of the sachet 1 where the sheet is
folded. In the embodiment in FIG. 1, a pre-score 7 extends towards
a row of split lines 9 located to so that a designated corner 10 of
the sachet 1 can be manually torn off by starting at the pre-score
7. A tear strip is 11 arranged between the front layer 2 and the
rear layer 3 of the sachet 1 in close proximity to and along the
sealing 4 at one of the two edges 5. In FIG. 1, the tear strip 11
is shown schematically with a broken line to indicate that it is
arranged inside the sachet 1 and therefore not visible from the
outside of an un-opened sachet 1. The tear strip 11 is fastened to
one or both of the front and rear layers 2,3 e.g. by adhesive. The
sachet 1 illustrated in the figures is an isosceles right triangle
having the tear strip 11 arranged along one of the catheti.
However, other triangular shapes are also covered by the scope of
the present invention. In FIG. 1, the row of split lines 9 extends
to the tear-strip 11 so that the tearing off of the designated
corner 10 can continue into a tearing along the tear strip 11. This
will result in an opened sachet 1 as shown schematically in FIG. 2.
The shape of the sachet 1 and the arrangement of the tear strip 11
provide that the sachet 1 obtains a cone-like shape after opening.
Hereby it is easy to hold by one hand and also to share the product
12 contained in the sachet 1 with others.
[0069] FIG. 3 summarizes schematically the steps in the use of a
sachet 1 according to the present invention. The opening is
initiated at the pre-score 7 on the folded side 8, continues
towards the edge 5 having the tear strip 11 arranged along the
sealing 4, and is finished by tearing off that sealed edge 5. In
FIG. 3, the pre-score 7 is arranged at a position along the folded
side 8 so that a relatively large designated corner 10 is torn off.
Hereby an opened sachet 1 having a shape close to truncated cone is
obtained. The pre-score 7 may also be arranged at other positions,
such as the same distance from the edge 5 to be torn off as the
tear strip 11.
[0070] In the embodiments shown in FIG. 2, a minor part of the tear
strip 11 has been arranged within the sealing 4, and a major part
of the tear strip 11 has been arranged in the interior space 6
resulting in the torn-off part being completely removed from the
sachet 1. FIG. 4 shows schematically a sachet 1 in an alternative
opened condition, where the almost torn-off part 13 stays attached
to the sachet 1. This may be further ensured by incorporating some
kind of reinforcement so that it is harder to tear the part 13
fully off. This situation can be facilitated by an embodiment in
which the tear strip 11 does not run all the way along an edge 5 of
the sachet 1. As described above, this may be desired to ensure
that only one piece of waste is obtained, thereby increasing the
chance of the consumer throwing all waste in a bin and not on the
ground.
[0071] In a sachet 1 as described above, the front layer 2 and the
rear layer 3 are typically joined by welding, but any appropriate
joining process for a given sheet material is covered by the scope
of the present invention. In some embodiments of the invention, the
front layer 2 and the rear layer 3 are joined by cold sealing. As
described above, it will hereby be possible to remove only one
layer of the sachet 1 along the tear strip 11 while a portion of
the other layer is left exposed with cold sealing left intact, or
at least intact over a major part of its length. FIG. 5 shows
schematically such a sachet 1 where only the part of the front
layer 2 comprising sealing 4 has been removed, whereas the rear
layer 3 with the cold sealing 4a on has been left intact. In this
way the exposed portion of the rear layer 3 can form a flap 3a. The
sachet 1 can then be re-sealed by folding the flap 3a over the
opening and fastening the cold sealing 4a on the flap 3a to the
outside surface of the front layer 2, so that some of the content
12 can be saved for later.
[0072] The invention can in principle be applied to sachets of any
size. However, the intention is to obtain a sachet which is easy to
hold in one hand, and typical dimensions and geometries will
therefore be some resulting in a height of the sachet measured from
a closed corner 14 to the opened corner at the other end 15 of the
un-broken sealing 4 in the order of 50 to 200 mm, such as 80 to 150
mm, and preferably 100 to 130 mm. The width of a sealing 4 measured
perpendicular to the edge 5 along which it runs is typically in the
order of 3 to 15 mm, such as 3 to 8 mm or 8 to 15 mm. It should be
wide enough to ensure a joining which stays intact before and
during use of the sachet and on the other hand not significantly
wider than necessary to keep manufacturing cost down.
[0073] The tear strip will typically have a width in the order of
0.5 to 2 mm. The actual dimensions and strength depends on the
strength of the sheet material from which the sachet 1 is made.
This material may be any material which is suitable for storage of
the content of the sachet. Possible materials are mentioned above.
The position of the tear strip will typically be between just at
the edge of the sealing 4 facing towards the interior space 6 and
up to about 2 mm from the sealing 4.
[0074] A sachet 1 as described above may be made by folding a
single sheet at 45 degrees over itself, sealing and folding again,
and so on. A possible manufacturing method will be described in the
following.
[0075] The method comprises folding upon itself a flexible sheet to
form a triangular interior space 6; filling said triangular
interior space 6 with the product 12; and sealing said at least one
folded sheet along a plurality of sealing lines 4 so as to capture
the product 12 in said interior space 6; and repeating the steps
above one or more times.
[0076] FIG. 6 shows plan views of the sheet at different stages of
manufacturing the sachet 1 according to a method of the present
invention. The figure is intended to illustrate the overall folding
principle only, and details such as the pre-score 7 and the split
lines 9 are omitted from this figure. The tear strip 11 may be a
string of polymer material which is applied from a spool 16. It may
be pre-treated with self-adhesive so that it sticks to the sheet
material. A good adhesion may be ensured by applying a pressure P
e.g. by means of one or more rollers (not shown).
[0077] The sheet is foldable along the folding line 202 in the
folding direction 204 so as to create in it an interior space 6
that may receive the product 12 to be stored therein. Assuming that
what is meant to be manufactured is the closed flexible right
isosceles triangle sachet 1 as described above, the length of the
folding line is equal with the hypotenuse 104 of said triangle. In
this case, the width 206 of sheet 200 is conveniently elected at
the beginning of the manufacturing process so as to accommodate
diagonally across a folding line 202 of length equal with the
hypotenuse of the desired size of the sachet 1. The flexible sheet
is then folded around itself along the lines 202 disposed at 45
degrees angle in the folding direction 204. Once one side of the
triangle has aligned with the margin 208 of the blank 200 and the
other side is perpendicular on said margin 208, the folding is
accomplished and the desired enclosed right angle triangular shaped
interior space 6 is formed.
[0078] FIG. 7 shows the same process as in FIG. 6 except that now
an intermittent tear strip 11 is applied to the sheet 200. The
length of each piece of tear strip 11 as well as the spacing
between two subsequent pieces of tear strip 11 is determined so
that the finished sachets 1 have tear strip 11 along one sealing 4
only. The actual length of the pieces of tear string 11 as well as
the size of the spacings depend on whether a tear strip 11 is to
run along the full length of a sealing 4, or whether it has to be
shorter. These options and the advantages thereof have been
described above.
[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the interior space 6 once filled
with a product 12 is sealed along lines 402 and 403 to trap its
contents inside. The sealing along line 402 may conveniently be
performed before filling of the interior space 6.
[0080] In the subsequent step, the flexible sheet is again folded
upon itself at 45 degrees angle to form the next enclosed interior
space 6. The operation is repeated one or more times, as many times
as desired, until the desired number of triangular sachets 1 in the
chain has been formed, or alternatively the length of the sheet has
been exhausted.
[0081] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate further embodiments of the
manufacturing method of the present invention, wherein a chain of
triangular closed flexible sachets 1 holding a product 12, is
manufactured by a method comprising: rolling a sheet of flexible
material around itself or around a tube until the margin of the
sheet is united with the sheet itself enclosing a cylindrical
volume and creating an overlap of the sheet with itself along the
margin; joining the two layers of the sheet at the overlap by
sealing to create a tubular structure; dispensing said product 12
into the tubular structure; and flattening the tubular structure
and joining the already formed sealing to the opposite surface of
the flattened tube creating a sealing of three layers enclosing
triangular interior spaces 6 enclosing said product 12.
[0082] In these embodiments a sheet of material is rolled upon
itself as in FIG. 8 or around a tube as in FIG. 7 until the margin
of the sheet is united with the sheet itself enclosing therefore a
cylindrical volume of a predetermined circumference. Said rolling
of the sheet may e.g. be continued until a second complete roll is
realized. Between the first roll and the second roll there is a
small overlap of material, overlap where the two layers may be
joined by sealing, welding or the like thereby creating a tubular
structure. As it may be observed in section view along section line
A-A', an area of two blanks overlap is present along the section
line, it is in this area that is sealed, e.g. by a melted sealing
layer. As it may be observed in section view 808 in FIG. 7, the
blank sheet 200 ingresses into the sachet welding machine under a
45 degree angle and is rolled, e.g. around the filing tube 800 in
the direction indicated by the arrow (806). Upon rolling a sealing
of the sheet material is created at the overlap (812) creating the
tubular structure, e.g. around the filling tube 800. In the
embodiment of FIG. 7, the filling tube 800 ingresses into said
tubular structure at a depth conveniently elected so that the
product 12 intended to be packaged in the sachets 1 may be
dispensed.
[0083] In one embodiment for application of the tear strip to the
sheet material in an an intermittent manner in order to provide a
tear strip along only one sealed edge of each sachet, the tear
strip material's movement is registered by electronic means in the
tear-strip applying apparatus and is synchronised with the movement
of the sheet material, in order to place the tear strip correctly.
The tear strip is cut at the end of the desired application length
and reapplied in the next appropriate position as dictated by the
movement of the sheet material on the tube.
[0084] As it may further be observed in section view 810 in FIG. 7,
the filling tube 800 may dispense in the direction indicated by the
arrows the product intended to be packaged in the sachet 1, in a
space 6' that is delimited by a secondary sealing 802 closing the
end of the tube. This sealing 802 corresponds to the ones shown
with reference number 4 in the above description of the sachet 1.
The secondary sealing is formed by flattening the tubular structure
and joining the already formed primary sealing to the opposite
surface of the flattened tube creating a sealing of three layers.
Following dispensing said product 12, the tubular structure
comprising the product will be moved further in the direction of
the arrows and a secondarily seal (802) will be formed again, to
form a triangular closed sachet. The operation is repeated as many
times as desired. As it may be observed in section view along
section line B-B', the secondary seal forms an area of three blanks
overlap joined, e.g. by melted sealing layers. As shown in FIG. 7,
the individually formed triangular sachets are filled by a vertical
tube through which the product intended to be comprised by the
individual triangular sachets are dispensed, progressively as each
of the sachets 1 is formed using the steps described above. The
result is a chain of right angle isosceles triangular sachets that
are sealed on two sides, with the third side, the hypotenuse of
said triangle, constituting the folding line of the flexible sheet,
and connected together at the sealed sides.
[0085] In the course of forming the right angle isosceles triangle,
the sachet 1 may be provided with pre-scores 7 and/or split lines 9
as described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 5 to facilitate manual
opening of the sachet. This may e.g. be done by laser cutting
according to procedures which will be well known to a person
skilled in the art.
[0086] The described manufacturing process results in a chain of
sachets which may be kept interconnected or separated, e.g. by
cutting as a part of the manufacturing process. If the sachets are
kept in a chain, the areas where they are to be separated later may
be weakened, e.g by perforation, to facilitate the separation.
[0087] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its
attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes
and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *