Dispensing – Collapsible wall-type container – Plural container and/or compartment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-11
2001-06-12
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Dispensing
Collapsible wall-type container
Plural container and/or compartment
C141S114000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244466
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a substance packaging container, preferably for a liquid and/or powder substance. The packaging container is designed to be an environment-friendly and user-friendly product that can be produced cheaply. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a packaging container.
BACKGROUND ART
Foil and film are being used to to ever increasing extents as product packaging materials. These materials include evaporation-inhibiting barrier layers that keep the contents of the package in a completely sealed environment. Packaging intended for products that are not shape-stable in themselves, for instance liquid or powder products, are made of a thicker material, for instance from different types of laminates. These materials provide the packaging with the rigidity required to enable the packaging to be stored, transported and handled and so that the end user of the package will be able to pour-out the packaged contents or to empty the package of its contents. These packaging materials are often relatively heavy in relation to the contents of the packaging container, which is disadvantageous in several respects. Moreover, these packaging containers are not environmentally adapted, since the laminates are comprised of different layers of material that are difficult to recover. The packaging containers also take-up large volumes of space in conjunction with garbage, or refuse, collection.
From an environmental aspect, it is therefore desirable to depart from the use of thick laminates as packaging materials and to use, e.g., foils of smaller thicknesses instead. The use of such thin material thicknesses is counteracted, however, by the requirement of being able to store, transport and handle the packaging containers. When liquids are packed in thin foil bags, it is difficult to handle the bag and its contents per se in a controllable manner. For instance, when lifting such a bag with the intention of emptying the bag of its contents, care must be taken not to squeeze the bag so as to cause its contents to gush uncontrollably through the bag opening.
It is known to produce liquid packaging containers from flexible foil material and to provide the containers with stiffened packaging walls. For instance, it is known from EP A1 0621 208 to produce a packaging container from a flexible material, such as foil, with foil walls that are comprised of double foil layers. The two foil layers are joined together or laminated punctiformly and/or linearly such as to form in the packaging wall a plurality of mutually connected chambers or passageways. The system of chambers or passageways is filled with air or some other gas and sealed, thereby stiffening the wall of the packaging container. A similar foil packaging container for liquids is known from WO 96/01775. This packaging container also includes walls comprised of double foil layers that are mutually joined (laminated) in a manner such that non-laminated, longitudinally extending parts extend from one side of the packaging container to the other. The non-laminated part forms longitudinally extending pockets that are filled with air and then sealed, therewith stiffening the wall of the packaging container.
One serious drawback encountered with the known foil packaging containers is that the packaging walls are not rigid enough to withstand the external pressure that is applied to the packaging container when handling the container and emptying out its contents, or when resealing the container. For instance, it is not possible to grip and lift the packaging container in a normal manner without exerting pressure on the container contents and causing said contents to spill over the opening defining edge of the container. Neither can the packaging container be emptied in a controllable fashion.
Another disadvantage with the known packaging containers is their vulnerability. For instance, the outer foil of the packaging container wall can be readily damaged and therewith cause a lowering of the pressure in the stiffening chambers, wherewith the packaging container completely loses its rigidity. Neither can the known packaging containers be resealed without risk of damaging the packaging walls.
Although the packaging containers are produced from simple and inexpensive materials, such as foils, these packaging containers are nevertheless encumbered with the serious drawback of being complicated and therefore expensive in manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the concept of solving the afore-said problems with a packaging container that fulfils the requirements of being light in weight, of being environmentally friendly and that can be handled, emptied and resealed in a user-friendly fashion in the absence of spillage. The packaging container shall also be easy to manufacture, and thus inexpensive, and easy to fill.
This aim is achieved in accordance with the invention with a packaging container and with a method of producing and filling a packaging container of the kind defined in the introduction and that have the characteristic features set forth hereinafter.
By constructing in accordance with the invention a packaging container that has an inner and stiff chamber disposed in the chamber comprised of flexible material, there is achieved a combination of important advantages which enable the packaging container to function effectively in all states, namely when it is manufactured, filled, stored, kept, opened, emptied either partially or completely, resealed and thrown away.
Manufacture is effective simply and effectively from running webs of foil material, wherein the foil webs are shaped and inter-joined to form running tubular structures that are joined together and filled successively with the aid of nozzles that discharge into the tubes.
The flexible chamber is preferably only filled to a given part of the maximum volume of the packaging container. This is effected by squeezing the flexible chamber together from the sides thereof, such as to reduce the volumetric capacity of the chamber. The flexible packaging containers are therewith able to adapt their shape to the surroundings, which enable several packaging containers to be stacked in collecting containers with the maximum use of the total volume of said containers.
The inventive packaging container, which is produced from a flexible material, has an intrinsic stability and stiffness that enables the container to stand upright in storage, either in an unopened condition or in an opened condition. The packaging container is well-suited for storing substances that are used progressively, such as different types of foodstuffs, for instance.
One important advantage afforded by the inventive packaging container is that the container can be gripped and lifted with one hand without squeezing out its contents. The inner stiffening chamber exerts a counterpressure which withstands the pressure of the hand or fingers against the container when handling the same. The packaging container can thus be gripped with one hand without affecting the container contents.
Another important function of the inner stiffening chamber of the inventive packaging container is that it expands and presses apart the thin foil in the material chamber, so as to form a stable pouring spout. This enables the contents of the packaging device to be emptied in a controlled fashion.
The packaging container is opened conveniently by cutting away one corner of the thin material chamber. This enables the packaging container to be easily resealed to provide a completely tight closure with the aid of a resealing clip which can be used several times and which sealingly compresses the thin foil between its legs.
After emptying the packaged substance from the substance chamber, the stiffening chamber can be readily punctured or emptied of its contents, thereby enabling the packaging material to be compressed to a minimum volume. The packaging material is light in weight and can be readily sorted and recovered with respect to garbage collection.
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Douglas Steven O.
Larson & Taylor PLC
LandOfFree
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