NL2008977C2

NL2008977C2 - Pouch for holding drink and method for producing a pouch.

Info

Publication number: NL2008977C2
Application number: NL2008977A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Cornelis Margaretha Theodorus Maria Bongers
Original assignee: Friesland Brands Bv
Priority date: 2012-06-11
Filing date: 2012-06-11
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Also published as: WO2013187757A1

Description

Pouch for holding drink and method for producing a pouch Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method for producing a pouch for holding a 5 beverage, comprising forming a valve device in a sheet of pouch material. In a further aspect the present invention relates to a pouch for holding a beverage manufactured according to the present method embodiments.

Prior art 10 European patent application EP-A-0 778 217 discloses a bag made from a single sheet of plastic, using a longitudinal seem and two transversal seems to form the bag. A valve device is provided for filling or emptying of the bag, comprising a tube like body on the inside of the bag. The tube like body is provided during manufacturing as a separate element.

15

Summary of the invention

The present invention seeks to provide a drinking pouch for holding a beverage, which can be used for easy and efficient distribution of a beverage, e g. from a street vending point. Moreover, the pouch must be producible in an easy and very cost-20 effective manner.

According to the present invention, a method is provided for producing a pouch for holding a beverage, comprising forming a valve device (e g. used as a closeable opening for filling and drinking of the beverage) in a sheet of pouch material by: folding the sheet on three parallel folding lines, to obtain a double layered part 25 extending substantially perpendicular to the rest of the sheet; affixing the double layered part together over a first fixation pattern; cutting a first cutting pattern along a part of the fixation pattern and along a central part of a middle one of the three parallel folding lines; and folding the sheet back over the double layered part.

30 Affixing the pouch material to itself (i.e. affixing the double layered part together) may be implemented using one of a plurality of possible methods, such as gluing, melting, sealing, etc., depending on the exact material used. The effect is that two parts of the pouch material are attached to each other permanently. This method 2 allows to manufacture pouches for beverages in a very cost efficient manner, which pouches are easy to fill in the field, and also are convenient in use (e.g. no leakage possible, but simple to use e.g. with the help of a drinking straw).

In an embodiment the method further comprises affixing an outer perimeter of 5 the sheet and two outer edges of the sheet together, after folding the sheet. This allows to easily and quickly form an entire closed off pouch from a sheet of pouch material.

Before folding the sheet over the double layered part, the method may further comprise: - folding the sheet on three further parallel lines to obtain an additional double 10 layered part on a bottom side of the pouch, - folding the sheet also over the additional double layered part.

This allows to form a part of the pouch which when filled with a beverage expands as a bottom part of the pouch, allowing to put the pouch upright when filled.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises affixing two parts of the sheet 15 adjacent to the double layered part over a second fixation pattern, after folding the sheet. The method may further comprise cutting a second cutting pattern in the second fixation pattern in a further embodiment. This allows to provide additional functional areas in the pouch, e.g. for forming a filling mouth, forming attachment points or holed, etc.

20 In an even further embodiment, the method further comprises affixing a back side and a front side of the pouch over a third fixation pattern, and cutting a third cutting pattern in the third fixation pattern. This will provide an opening in the central part of the pouch, which allows easy handling of the pouch when filled with beverage (e.g. allowing to put thumb through opening for easy holding of the pouch in one 25 hand).

The affixing and cutting operations are performed in a single step in a further embodiment, making the production of the pouch in series production even more efficient. Pouches are produced in series using a continuous feed of the sheet in a further embodiment. Furthermore, pouches may be produced having a non-rectangular 30 shape in a further embodiment.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a pouch for holding a beverage manufactured according to any one of the method embodiments described above.

3

In an embodiment, the pouch further comprises a closeable drinking attachment. This can be affixed to the pouch in the drinking opening in a manner as to keep open the valve device permanently. The closeable drinking attachment may then be used to close off the pouch during actual use.

5 In an even further embodiment, the pouch further comprises a closing device which can be slid over the valve device. The pouch can then be stored when not yet fully emptied.

Short description of drawings 10 The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, using a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pouch according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a sequence of pouches on a roll manufactured according to an 15 embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3a and 3b show an upper side and bottom side, respectively of a sheet of pouch material before production of a pouch;

Fig. 4 shows a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of the pouch according to the present invention; and 20 Fig. 5 shows a partial perspective view of an even further embodiment of the pouch according to the present invention.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The present invention embodiments relate to a pouch 10 for holding a beverage 25 such as milk or water, and to method embodiments for producing such a pouch 10. The pouch 10 can also be named a drinking bag, and has a characteristic feature that it is made of a flexible material or foil, such as various types of plastics. An exemplary embodiment of such a pouch 10 is shown in the perspective view of Fig. 1. The pouch 10 comprises a valve device 11, which can act to be used as a filling mouth when 30 filling the pouch 10 in e g. a beverage preparation installation, and as a drinking opening, e.g. in combination with a drinking straw 12. In the embodiment shown, the pouch 10 is furthermore provided with optional holes 14, which can serve multiple 4 purposes as discussed below. Furthermore, the pouch may comprise an optional central aperture 15, which allows easy holding by a user of the pouch 10.

The present invention embodiments allow manufacturing of pouches 10 in a continuous manner from a sheet 1 of material, resulting in a sequence of pouches 10, 5 which can e.g. be stored on a roll. This is depicted schematically in Fig. 2, which shows a roll of produced pouches 10, resulting from a continuous feed of sheet material and continuous processing of pouches as described in more detail below. The sheet 1 of material is folded multiple times in lengthwise direction, allowing to produce the pouches 10 in a continuous manner, using affixing and cutting operations as discussed 10 below. In Fig. 2, intermediate folding lines 3 and 6 are indicated for each pouch 10.

The pouches 10 as shown in Fig. 1 and 2 have sides which are not parallel to each other, in other words, the pouches 10 have a non-rectangular shape. By positioning the pouches in the continuous process in anti-parallel orientation, as shown in Fig. 2, it is still possible to use a single sheet 1 of material, without too much waste 15 of the sheet material. When producing pouches 10 with a rectangular shape, it is of course possible to have the pouches 10 in the same orientation in the production process.

In the production process, the edges of each pouch 10 may be provided with perforations, in order to easily detach a pouch 10 from a roll. Alternatively, the pouches 20 10 are separated during production, and stacked as individual pouches 10.

In Fig. 3a and 3b, a sheet 1 of packaging material is shown before the manufacturing steps for the pouch 10. Fig. 3a shows a top side of the sheet 1, which eventually will become the inside surface of the pouch 10. Fig. 3b shows a bottom side of the sheet 1, which eventually will become the outside surface of the pouch 10.

25 For production of the pouch 10, only a limited number of operations are needed on the sheet 1 of packaging material, i.e. folding, affixing and cutting, which can be performed sequentially or (partly) simultaneously. For example a machine may simultaneously affix two layers of the sheet material (e.g. using plastic welding or gluing) and cut a part of the sheet material at the same time, which greatly enhances the 30 efficiency and speed of the production process.

In Fig. 3a and 3b, the sheet 1 of material is shown in its original width, spanning a number of adjacent parts of the sheet 1 indicated by the letters A-G. The dash lines 2-9 indicate folding lines, where the sheet 1 is folded over or other folding operations are 5 executed. Furthermore, the processing of the pouch comprises a number of affixing steps, where parts of the sheet 1 are affixed to underlying parts of the sheet 1 (e.g. after folding), indicated by fixation parts S1-S6. Affixing can be effected using gluing, melting, plastic welding or other steps known as such for affixing layers of the sheet 5 material to one another.

Also, the processing comprises a number of cutting steps C1-C3, where all material of the (folded) sheet 1 is removed as indicated by the dotted areas in Fig. 3a and 3b.

A major step in the production process of the pouch 10 is the formation of a 10 valve device 11 in the top part of the pouch 10. This valve device 11 is a closeable opening, which allows both filling of the pouch 10 with a beverage, drinking of the beverage from the pouch 10, yet also ensures that no beverage can escape from the pouch 10 when filled.

The valve device 11 is produced from four layers of the sheet 1 of pouch 15 material, using folding, affixing and cutting of the pouch material.

First, the sheet 1 is folded on three parallel folding lines 2, 3, 4, which separate the parts D and C, C and B, and B and A respectively, as shown in Fig. 3a. A double layered part B, C is then formed extending substantially perpendicular to the rest of the sheet 1. The double layered part B, C is then affixed together over a first fixation 20 pattern SI, e.g. using gluing, melting or welding techniques. A first cutting pattern Cl is cut along a part of the fixation pattern SI and along a central part of a middle one 3 of the three parallel folding lines 2, 3, 4. The cutting loosens part of the sheet 1, forming a tube like valve device 11 having an affixed part 11c, and two loose parts 11a, 1 lb. After folding the sheet 1 back over the double layered part B, C, the valve device 25 11 is formed on an inner side of the pouch (10). This type of valve device 11 is also called a duck bill valve.

To complete the pouch 10 (i.e. to close it entirely), an outer perimeter S2, S6 of the sheet 1 are affixed together, again using an appropriate sealing technique for the pouch material. Furthermore, two closing edges S3 of the sheet 1 are affixed together, 30 after folding the sheet 1 to its final shape, i.e. by using the further folding lines 8 and 9 as shown in Fig. 3a. The two closing edges S3 may be kept upright for the sealing action thereof, after which the sides thereof are sealed again as part of the outer perimeter S6.

6

In a further embodiment, the method further comprises an additional operation before folding the sheet 1 over the double layered part B, C. This embodiment allows to form a bottom part of the pouch 10, which allows it to stand upright when filled with a beverage. The sheet 1 is folded over on three further parallel lines 5, 6, 7 to obtain an 5 additional double layered part E, F on a bottom side of the pouch 10, and folding the sheet 1 also over the additional double layered part E, F, such that it is on inside of pouch (10). In the following step of affixing an outer perimeter S2, S6 of the pouch 10, only the part E is affixed to part D and part F is affixed to part G. This can e.g. be implemented using a separation part temporarily in the additional double layered part 10 E, F when executing the affixing step along the outer perimeter S2 and S6.

In a further processing step of the present method embodiments, two parts A, D of the sheet 1 adjacent to the double layered part B, C are affixed over a second fixation pattern S5, after folding the sheet 1, as shown in Fig. 3b. This step forms the upper sealing of the pouch 10 and also forms the filling mouth part of the valve device 11.

15 In an embodiment, the method further comprises cutting a second cutting pattern C3 in the second fixation pattern S5, as shown in Fig. 3b. With this step it is possible to form one or more openings 14 in the pouch 10 in the vicinity of the valve device 11. These openings 14 can serve several purposes, e.g. providing a holding arrangement for holding the pouch 10 in a beverage filling apparatus.

20 In an even further embodiment of the method, a version of the pouch 10 as shown in Fig. 1 is formed by processing steps forming the central aperture 15. The method then further comprises affixing a back side D and a front side A, G of the pouch 10 over a third fixation pattern S4, and cutting a third cutting pattern C2 in the third fixation pattern S4 (through two layers of pouch material), thereby forming the 25 central aperture 15 in the pouch 10. The central aperture 15 allows easier handling when drinking form the pouch 10, although more pouch material is needed to make a pouch with a similar beverage volume as an embodiment of the pouch 10 without the central aperture 15.

In the finished product (pouch 10), the results of the various processing steps 30 can be easily identified, when looking at the affixing and cutting patterns.

In a further embodiment, the pouch 10 is combined with a closeable drinking attachment 20, as shown in Fig. 4. The closeable drinking attachment 20 comprises a tube part 21, which can be positioned in the filling mouth of the valve device 21, 7 thereby keeping the valve part (two loose parts 11a, lib) opened. Furthermore, a drinking opening 22 is provided, which can be closed by a hinged closing cap 23. The drinking attachment 20 is attached to the pouch 10 using an extending part 24a and a co-operating hole 24b, which can be snap fitted together through the opening(s) 14 of 5 the pouch 10.

In an even further embodiment, the pouch 10 is combined with a closing device 25, as shown in Fig. 5. The closing device 25 is e.g. implemented in the form of a clip, which can be slid over the valve device 11 of the pouch 10.

In general, the present application relates to a number of embodiments, as 10 described hereinafter.

embodiment 1. Method for producing a pouch (10) for holding a beverage, comprising forming a valve device (11) in a sheet (1) of pouch material by: - folding the sheet (1) on three parallel folding lines (2, 3, 4), to obtain a double 15 layered part (B, C) extending substantially perpendicular to the rest of the sheet 0); - affixing the double layered part (B, C) together over a first fixation pattern (SI); - cutting a first cutting pattern (Cl) along a part of the fixation pattern (SI) and along a central part of a middle one (3) of the three parallel folding lines (2, 3, 20 4); and - folding the sheet (1) back over the double layered part (B, C). embodiment 2. Method according to embodiment 1, further comprising affixing an outer perimeter (S2, S6) of the sheet (1) and two outer edges (S3) of the sheet together, after folding the sheet (1).

25 embodiment 3. Method according to embodiment 1 or 2, further comprising before folding the sheet (1) over the double layered part (B, C), - folding the sheet (1) on three further parallel lines (5, 6, 7) to obtain an additional double layered part (E, F) on a bottom side of the pouch (10), folding the sheet (1) also over the additional double layered part (E, F).

30 embodiment 4. Method according to any one of embodiments 1-3, further comprising affixing two parts (A, D) of the sheet (1) adjacent to the double layered part (B, C) over a second fixation pattern (S5), after folding the sheet (1).

8 embodiment 5. Method according to embodiment 4, further comprising cutting a second cutting pattern (C3) in the second fixation pattern (S5).

embodiment 6. Method according to any one of embodiments 1-5, further comprising affixing a back side (D) and a front side (A, G) of the pouch (10) over a 5 third fixation pattern (S4), and cutting a third cutting pattern (C2) in the third fixation pattern (S4).

embodiment 7. Method according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the affixing and cutting operations are performed in a single step.

embodiment 8. Method according to any one of embodiments 1-7, 10 wherein pouches (10) are produced in series using a continuous feed of the sheet (1).

embodiment 9. Method according to embodiment 8, wherein pouches (10) are produced having a non-rectangular shape.

embodiment 10. Pouch for holding a beverage manufactured according to any one of method embodiments 1- 9.

15 embodiment 11. Pouch according to embodiment 10, further comprising a closeable drinking attachment (20).

embodiment 12. Pouch according to embodiment 10, further comprising a closing device (25) which can be slid over the valve device (11).

The present invention embodiments have been described above with reference 20 to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Method for producing a pouch (10) for holding a beverage, comprising forming a valve device (11) in a sheet of pouch material (1) by: - folding the sheet (1) on three parallel folding lines (2, 3, 4), to obtain a double layer portion (B, C) that extends substantially perpendicularly from the rest of the blade (1); - binding the double layer part (B, C) together in a first fixation pattern (S1); cutting a first cutting pattern (C1) along a part of the fixation pattern (S1) and along a middle part of one (3) of the three parallel fold lines (2, 3, 4); and - folding back the sheet (1) over the double layer portion (B, C). 15

A method according to claim 1, further comprising binding together an outer circumference (S2, S6) of the blade (1) and two outer edges (S3) of the blade, after folding the blade (1).

Method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising prior to folding the sheet (1) over the double layer portion (B, C), - folding the sheet (1) on three further parallel lines (5, 6, 7) ) to obtain a further double layer portion (E, F) on a bottom portion of the pouch (10), 25. folding the sheet (1) also over the further double layer portion (E, F).

The method according to any of claims 1-3, further comprising bonding together two parts (A, D) of the sheet (1) immediately adjacent to the double layer part (B, C) over a second fixation pattern (S5), folding the blade (1). 30

The method of claim 4, further comprising cutting a second cutting pattern (C3) in the second fixation pattern (S5).

The method of any one of claims 1-5, further comprising binding together a rear portion (D) and a front portion (A, G) of the pouch (10) over a third fixation pattern (S4), and cutting a third cut pattern (C2) in the third fixation pattern (S4). 5

The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the binding and cutting operations are performed in a single step.

The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein pouches (10) are produced in series 10 using a continuous supply of the sheet (1).

The method of claim 8, wherein pouches (10) are produced that have a non-rectangular shape.

A pouch for holding a beverage made according to any of claims 1-9.

The pouch according to claim 10, further comprising a lockable drinking accessory (20). 20

The pouch according to claim 10, further comprising a closure device (25) that can be slid over the valve device (11).