EP1010631A1 - Sachet, method of using same and method of fabricating same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a sachet (1) for the packaging of a product, in particular a cosmetic, said sachet having a substantially triangular cross section, decreasing from a base (2) to a top (3), and being obtained by folding a flexible sheet, sealed along three edges (7, 8, 9), a first edge (7) extending from said base (2) to the top (3), and two edges (8, 9) forming two of the three sides of said base (2) of the bag. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a sachet type packaging obtained from folding of a flexible sheet, formed of a monolayer structure or of a complex, especially in paper, plastic, or metal. Such sachets are widely used in the fields of food, cosmetics, pharmacy, or dermatology. One such type of packaging is particularly advantageous in that it is economical and allows the packaging of a dose of a given product.

Generally, such bags form a flat structure, obtained by folding of a sheet on itself, and welded on three of its edges, then filled with through an opening bounded by the fourth edge. After filling, the opening formed by the fourth edge is closed in the same way as the other three edges. One of the drawbacks of such a packaging method is due to the small volume that can be introduced. Storage of volumes more important in such sachets requires the use of large sachets surface, therefore bulky, and which emptying by the user may prove sometimes difficult. In addition, and as will be seen in more detail later, after opening, it is impossible, except to position it against a bearing surface vertical, to keep the sachet "standing" on a flat surface, so that prevent its contents from spreading on the surface on which it is placed.

More specifically, in the field of hair coloring, there are a range of products, called "direct coloring", the application of which does not does not require the addition of an oxidant. These dyes are often in the form liquid, and their use is done by depositing the product directly on the hair to color. These products are generally packaged in flasks which, for reasons of compatibility with the formula, are the most often made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

However, it turns out that, on an aesthetic, practical or economic level, it it would be desirable to package these products differently, the objective being to carry out at the same time an economic conditioning to be produced, which authorizes a new and attractive gesture of application for the consumer.

Flat sachets of the type described above are beginning to be used for the packaging of these coloring products. However, and as mentioned above, this type of sachet presents a problem major, which is due to the fact that, once opened (by cutting with scissors by example, or with an easy opening device by pre-cutting), it cannot not be rested on a work surface, without being supported for example, against a vertical surface or object. Generally, the bag slides, and the contents spreads in an untimely manner. However, the application of the coloring product to the head requires gradually distributing the liquid by massaging the two hands so that the entire hair absorbs the entire liquid, which implies, to be able to rest the sachet, possibly during emptying of its contents.

Of course, one could consider packaging the product in TETRAPACK® type for example, but this requires strengthening the walls with cardboard, otherwise the folds necessary for the making of this box. On the other hand, this type of folding causes angles trebles which tend to cause problems with the tightness of the conditioning.

Document JP-08318971 describes a receptacle formed from a cylinder open, welded at its two open ends, by two lines of welds oriented perpendicular to each other. The whole as well formed, comes in the form of a "berlingot", which cannot be placed "standing" on a flat surface. In addition, when it is laid flat, it occupies a very large floor area. Another drawback of such a structure is to the fact that the base being very large in relation to the height, the lesser height left free above the product, implies the presence above the free surface of the product a sufficient volume of air to interact adversely affect the quality of the product.

Document US 2 270 236 describes a four-sided bag, welded along three edges. The bag is obtained by folding a rectangular sheet with two short sides and two long sides. A major drawback of such a structure lies in the fact that, due to the arrangement of the welded edges, when the bag rests on its base, the two welded edges which delimit the base, extend substantially perpendicular to the plane of the based. Stability with such a structure requires the use of means reinforcers arranged on the two sealed edges of said base.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a sachet resolving by all or part of the problems mentioned above with reference to the devices of the prior art.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a sachet, obtained from simple folds, and able to sit "upright" on a flat surface.

It is another object of the invention to provide a sachet making it possible to limit the volume of air present above the free surface of the product.

It is yet another object of the invention to make a sachet from a flexible sheet, allowing for a given surface of said sheet, a volume of product significantly greater than the volume that can be packaged in a conventional bag.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a sachet from a flexible sheet, the design of which significantly reduces the scraps of flexible material used to make the bag.

Other objects will appear in detail in the description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by making a sachet for the packaging of a product, in particular a cosmetic, said sachet having a substantially triangular cross section, decreasing from a base to a top, and being obtained by folding a flexible, sealed sheet along three edges, a first edge extending from said base to top, and two edges forming two of the three sides of said base of the sachet.

The cross section of the bag designates the section of the bag parallel to a plan of its base. Thus, the sachet according to the invention can be obtained by a limited number of simple folding operations. In addition, it can be placed on a flat surface without risk for the product to flow so untimely. In addition, the decreasing section of the bag towards the vertex allows the vertex to be used for, after removing a portion end so as to define an outlet orifice, form a nozzle direct application of the product to a surface to be treated.

Advantageously, the first edge is of length greater than the length said edges of the base of the bag. The base section is thus reduced compared to the height of the bag, which allows a relatively tapered structure towards the summit. This tapered structure significantly reduces the volume of air above the free surface of the product.

More preferably, said flexible sheet is of rectangular shape having four equal sides, the length of said first corresponding edge substantially twice the length of said edges of the base of the bag. We further reduces the section of the base compared to the height of the bag. Making the bag using a sheet with four equal sides allows in particular to facilitate folding operations and to reduce or even remove, the scraps of flexible material used to make the sachet.

In the case of such a sheet of substantially square shape, the sachet is formed by a first folding of the sheet around its diagonal, followed by a second folding around an axis perpendicular to said diagonal.

Preferably, the three sealed edges are substantially perpendicular between them and cross two by two at a point located near the base of the bag. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, when the sachet rests on its base, the two sealed edges partially defining the base of the sachet, extend in the plane of the base, allowing the sachet to be able be extremely stable on its base.

More preferably, the three sealed edges are arranged so as to ability to extend two by two in the plane, corresponding to the plane of the face that they partially define, and on which the sachet rests. Such a provision allows to make a sachet which can be stably placed on any which of three of its four faces, including its base. Indeed, whatever either the side on which the bag is placed, the two sealed edges which delimit the face in question extend in the plane of said face, which gives the great stability whatever the side on which it rests. In in addition, this characteristic makes it possible to create a perfect seal of the bag, especially at the meeting point of the three sealing lines. In others terms, the seal is equivalent to the seal obtained at the junction of two perpendicular sealing lines of a flat bag.

The flexible sheet can be formed from at least one layer of a chosen material especially among paper, plastic, metal, or a complex of such materials. Preferably, a complex is used comprising minus a layer of aluminum. The layer on the outside of the bag may be formed of a material capable of being able to be printed, in particular for to decorate the bag. For example, it can be a layer of paper.

The sealed edges of the bag can be closed by any technique suitable, in particular by gluing or welding (hot or ultrasonic).

Preferably, the top of the sachet forms a tip for the application of the product, via an outlet orifice, produced in particular by tearing or cutting of said sachet. To this end, means, in particular a tear primer or a pre-cut can be provided to facilitate the production of said orifice Release.

The invention also relates to the use of a sachet as defined previously for the packaging of a cosmetic product, in particular a hair coloring product. Such a product can be in liquid form or solid, especially in the form of a powder.

a) plier une feuille rectangulaire à quatre cotés égaux autour d'une diagonale de ladite feuille de manière à former une structure à deux faces, ladite diagonale présentant une première et une seconde extrémités;

b) fermer ladite structure à deux faces le long d'au moins une portion d'un premier bord adjacent à la première extrémité, un second bord de ladite structure délimitant une ouverture;

c) rabattre ladite seconde extrémité de la diagonale, au voisinage d'une extrémité dudit premier bord, opposée à ladite première extrémité de la diagonale, et ce autour d'un axe sensiblement perpendiculaire à ladite diagonale; et

d) fermer le sachet le long de deux bords s'étendant depuis ledit axe jusqu'à ladite seconde extrémité de la diagonale ainsi rabattue, ledit axe délimitant avec lesdits deux bords une base du sachet, un sommet du sachet étant adjacent à ladite première extrémité de la diagonale, ledit produit étant introduit dans le sachet, soit via ladite ouverture, soit après l'étape d) via une portion non fermée dudit premier bord, notamment au voisinage du sommet.

According to the invention, a method of packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic product, is also carried out inside a sachet, said method consisting in:

a) folding a rectangular sheet with four equal sides around a diagonal of said sheet so as to form a two-sided structure, said diagonal having first and second ends;

b) closing said two-sided structure along at least a portion of a first edge adjacent to the first end, a second edge of said structure defining an opening;

c) folding down said second end of the diagonal, in the vicinity of one end of said first edge, opposite to said first end of the diagonal, and this around an axis substantially perpendicular to said diagonal; and

d) close the bag along two edges extending from said axis to said second end of the diagonal thus folded down, said axis delimiting with said two edges a base of the bag, a top of the bag being adjacent to said first end from the diagonal, said product being introduced into the bag, either via said opening, or after step d) via an unclosed portion of said first edge, in particular in the vicinity of the top.

This produces a triangular section structure, decreasing from the base of the bag towards its top. The structure is sealed according to three edges one of which extends from the base to the top, and the other two of which extend substantially in the plane of the base of the bag. The length of the sealed edge extending from the base to the top is twice the length of the other two sealing edges.

Advantageously, the edges are closed so that, when the sachet rests on its base, the two edges which partially define said base extend in the plane of the base.

Advantageously also, the edges are sealed so that they extend two two in the plane of the face which they partially define, when the sachet rests on said face.

Advantageously, folding primers are made adjacent to each other. at said opening, substantially in the middle of each of the two faces of said structure, so as to favor the folding of said second end of the diagonal around said axis. All these operations can be carried out from completely automated.

Advantageously still, the method comprises, between step b) and step c) an additional step consisting in removing the two faces of said structure on either side of said opening so as to increase the section of the latter. This allows first of all to favor the shaping of the sachet, and adequate folding of the second end of the diagonal. This spacing can be obtained automatically when filling the bag. Alternatively, the spacing of the faces is achieved by a tool suitable before filling the bag. Filling can be made easier.

Preferably, the product is introduced into the sachet through said increased section opening. More preferably, the product is introduced into the bag after closing one of the edges of the base, and before closing the other edge of the base of the bag.

• les figures 1A-1C représentent différentes vues d'un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention; et
• les figures 2A-2D illustrent les principales étapes de la réalisation d'un sachet selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figures 1A-1C show different views of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
• Figures 2A-2D illustrate the main steps in the production of a bag according to the invention.

As shown in Figures 1A-1C (Figure 1A shows a front view of the bag, Figure 1B shows a side view of the bag, and Figure 1C represents a rear view of the bag), the bag according to one embodiment preferred of the invention, forms an irregular tetrahedron, and comprises a base 2 and a top 3. Between the base 2 and the top 3, the bag is of section substantially triangular, decreasing towards the vertex 3, the cross-section being measured parallel to the plane of the base 2. The base is connected to the vertex by three triangular faces 4, 5, and 6. Two of the faces 4, 5 form a rectangle triangle. The third face 6 forms an isosceles triangle, the base 2 itself forming an isosceles triangle. The bag is sealed along three edges. A first edge 7 extends from the base 2 of the bag to its top 3. A second edge 8 and a third edge 9, of identical length, extend, when the bag rests on its base 2, in the plane of the base of the bag, from side 6 to the first sealed edge 7. When the bag rests on its face 4, the sealed edges 7 and 8 extend in the plane of said face 4, the edge 8 then being substantially perpendicular to the plane of base 2. When the bag rests on its face 5, the sealed edges 7 and 9 extend into said plane of the face 5, the edge 9 then being substantially perpendicular to the plane of base 2.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the sachet is obtained by folding a sheet rectangular with four equal sides. Therefore, the length of the edge 7 corresponds to twice the length of edges 8 and 9 of base 2. Sealing edges 7, 8 and 9 is provided by hot welding or bonding. In the sealed edge 7, in the vicinity of the apex 3, a notch 10 is produced, suitable for favor the opening of the sachet in this place, by tearing.

As it clearly appears in these figures, the two sealed edges 8 and 9 partially delimit the base 2 of the sachet, base on which the sachet can stand in a standing position on a flat surface, the two sealed edges 8 and 9 extending in the plane of the base 2 of the bag. In the embodiment illustrated, the bag 1 is made from a sheet of square shape, formed of a complex of which at least one layer is made of a material which can be welded onto himself. The complex also includes a layer of aluminum and a outer layer capable of being printed with a decoration or information relating to the contents of the sachet. The sachet contains a product of direct hair coloring. To use the contents of the sachet, the user tears the end of the bag at the notch 10, and applies the product on the hair, and this, in a localized way, thanks to the nozzle applicator formed by the top 3 of the sachet. After applying a certain quantity of product, it rests the open sachet on a work surface, and massages the hair with his hands. He then takes the sachet back for, if necessary, complete the emptying of the sachet on the hair.

Figures 2A-2D to which reference is now made illustrate a mode for manufacturing a sachet according to the invention. In Figure 2A, we start from a sheet square 11. In FIG. 2B, the square sheet is folded over itself around with a diagonal 12. One of the edges 7 of the two-sided structure thus produced is hot welded over its entire height. The sealed edge 7 thus extends from a end 13 of the diagonal 12 to a second end 14, opposite the second end 15 of the diagonal 12. Between the ends 14 and 15, the structure is open. In FIG. 2C, the two faces 16 and 17 are separated by relation to the median plane of the opening. Folding caps 19, 20 are produced in each of the faces 16, 17, substantially in the middle. Then, the end 15 of the diagonal 12 is folded in the vicinity of the end 14 of the sealed edge 7, substantially around an axis A passing through the two primers of folding 19 and 20, the portion thus folded forming the base 2 of the bag 1. The the bag is then sealed along one of the edges 8 extending from the axis A to the end 14 of the sealed edge 7. The product is introduced into the bag through of the opening formed by the edge 9 opposite the sealed edge 8. The edge 9 is then itself hot sealed or glued.

Alternatively, it is possible to consider during the manufacturing process of the bag, to make the complete closure of two of the three edges, and one partial closure of the third edge. When filling, the portion not sealed can be opened, for example, by means of a suction cup retractor, and this, enough to allow filling. This portion is then it even sealed in the continuity of the closure of the rest of the edge in question.

According to a preferred embodiment, the end 15 is positioned so that there is no overlap between the end 15 and the sealed edge 14. This avoids the presence of areas with more than two sheet thicknesses 11. Sealing is permitted by welding along edges 8 and 9, over the entire width of the bag, allowing overlap of the weld zones, and therefore, at the junction of the edges 7, 8, and 9, a perfectly sealed closure.

Surprisingly, the examination of a finished bag reveals, to the point of meeting of the three welded edges, that there is no "channel" between the interior from the bag and the outside. In reality, the sealed edges can be positioned two to two in the same plane, and intersect substantially at right angles, so similar to the soldering of a flat bag.

Such a sachet can be produced in a fully automated manner, and this at very low cost. The sachets can then be grouped in batches and packaged in auxiliary packaging, in particular in cardboard. They can also be marketed individually.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variants may exist there. be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (20)

Bag (1) for the packaging of a product, in particular cosmetic, said bag having a substantially triangular cross section, decreasing from a base (2) to a vertex (3), and being obtained from folding of a flexible sheet (11) sealed along three edges (7, 8, 9), a first edge (7) extending from said base (2) to the top (3), and two edges (8, 9) forming two of the three sides of said base (2) of the sachet. Bag (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the first edge (7) is of length greater than the length of said edges (8, 9) of the base (2) from the sachet. Bag (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said sheet flexible (11) is rectangular in shape with four equal sides, the length of said first edge (7) corresponding to twice the length of said edges (8, 9) of the base of the bag. Bag according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that the three sealed edges (7, 8, 9) are substantially perpendicular between them and intersect two by two in the vicinity of the base. Bag according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that when it rests on its base (2), the two edges (8, 9) delimiting in part said base (2) extend in the plane of the base (2). Bag according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that said sealed edges (7, 8, 9) extending two by two in the plane of the face which they partially define when the bag rests on said face. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6 characterized in what it is formed by a first folding around a diagonal (12) of said rectangular sheet followed by a second folding around an axis (A) perpendicular to said diagonal (12). Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that said sheet (11) is formed from at least one layer of a selected material especially among paper, plastic, metal, or a complex of such materials. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in what it is closed in particular by gluing or welding. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the top (3) forms a nozzle for the application of the product, via a outlet orifice, produced in particular by tearing or cutting said bag. Bag (1) according to claim 10 characterized in that means, (10) in particular a tear primer or a pre-cut, are provided to facilitate the production of said outlet orifice. Use of a sachet (1) according to any one of the claims above for the packaging of a cosmetic product, in particular a hair coloring product. Method for packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic product, inside a sachet (1), said method consisting in: a) folding a rectangular sheet (11) at four equal sides around a diagonal (12) of said sheet so as to form a two-sided structure (16, 17), said diagonal (12) having a first (13) and a second (15) end; b) closing said two-sided structure (16, 17) along at least a portion of a first edge (7) adjacent to the first end (13), a second edge of said structure defining an opening (18) ; c) fold down said second end (15) of the diagonal (12), in the vicinity of one end (14) of said first edge (7), opposite to said first end (13) of the diagonal (12), and this around an axis (A) substantially perpendicular to said diagonal (12); and d) close the bag along two edges (8, 9) extending from said axis (A) to said second end (15) of the diagonal (12) thus folded down, said axis (A) delimiting with said two edges (8, 9) a base (2) of the bag, an apex (3) of the bag being adjacent to said first end of the diagonal, said product being introduced into the bag (1), either via said opening (18) , or after step d) via an unclosed portion of said first edge (7), in particular in the vicinity of the apex (3). Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the edges (7, 8, 9) are closed so that when the bag rests on its base (2), the edges (8) and (9) which partially delimit the latter extend in the plane of the base (2). Method according to claim 13 or 14 characterized in that the edges (7, 8, 9) are sealed so that they extend two by two in the plane of the face which they partially define when the bag rests on said face. Process according to any one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that folding bends (19, 20) are made adjacent to said opening (18), substantially in the middle of each of the two faces (16, 17) of said structure, so as to favor the folding of said second end (15) of the diagonal (12) around said axis (A). Method according to any one of Claims 13 to 16, characterized in that it includes, between step b) and step c) an additional step consisting in spreading the two faces (16, 17) of said structure on either side of said opening (18) so as to increase the section of the latter. Method according to claim 17 characterized in that the product is introduced into the bag (1) through said opening (18) of increased section. Process according to any one of Claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the product is introduced into the sachet (1) after sealing one (8) of the edges of the base (2), and before sealing the other (9) of the edges of the base (2). Process according to any one of Claims 13 to 19, characterized in that the closure of said edges (7, 8, 9) of the bag is carried out by gluing or welding, especially hot or ultrasonic.

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