RU2478541C2 - Double package - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: packaging.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to packaging and measured distribution of different kinds of content. The bag comprises a pair of parallel longitudinal compartments. Each compartment has sealed upper, lower and the middle edges; and the middle edges adjoin hermetically and form a sealed longitudinal stripe separating the compartments. Each compartment contains an external upper corner, which includes the element that contributes to detachment, and an expanded sealed part extending through the part of the upper edge in each upper corner. The elements contributing to detachment are tilted up to the middle edge in the corresponding specified expanded sealed parts. The element contributing to detachment is a tear-off strip, and each tear-off strip represents a diagonal tear-off strip directed upward to the sealed middle edge and comprising a horizontal tab directed towards the inner neck of each compartment.

EFFECT: invention provides a secure closure and facilitates detachment at opening the compartments of the bag.

20 cl, 18 dwg, 2 ex

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a sealed package containing two adjacent compartments, which can be opened separately and which provide a controlled dosage of the contents of each compartment.

State of the art

US Pat. No. 6,779,945 (Möbs et al.) Describes tripartite bags with parallel and symmetrical longitudinally extending compartments. This patent describes a three-sided bag containing two parallel, longitudinally extending compartments with a median extended section containing tear-off means for simultaneously opening both compartments. US Pat. No. 6,352,364 (Möbs et al.) Describes a tubular bag package containing tear-off notches or cuts to remove obstructions to open by tearing off an upper portion of the bag. Tubular packaging is also used in popular yogurt products such as Go-Gurt ^® , but when such products are opened, it is difficult to control or dose them. US Pat. No. 6,006,501 (Davis et al.) Describes methods and machines used to make three-sided bags. However, the need arose for parallel packaging, which allows the user to open and control the dosing of the contents of individual compartments without having to tear off the entire top of the package or simultaneously open both compartments of the parallel bag. In addition, users currently need a method for conveniently dispensing the contents of a double package in a controlled manner to reduce the waste and inconvenience associated with the uncontrolled opening of parallel packaging compartments and to regulate the consumption, use or squeezing of the contents of each compartment. In addition, the consumer would like to be able to control the organoleptic properties of food products, for example, by mixing various food components in accordance with their individual tastes. The present invention has been made to achieve these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves these problems by creating a parallel two-bag package that allows for separate opening of each compartment, ensuring the storage of the contents of one compartment for later use, or sharing or dosing for different users, as well as the controlled release of the contents of each compartment without the inconvenience of with tearing off the entire upper section of each compartment. The invention also provides users with the ability to control organoleptic properties such as the taste, texture, or color of their food products by providing controlled mixing of different amounts of the contents of each compartment. The invention provides a high level of convenience and control that is absent in the prior art products.

One aspect of the invention is a parallel bag, or double bag, comprising a pair of parallel longitudinal compartments 1; moreover, each compartment includes a neck 2 for dispensing its contents, the sealed upper 3, middle 4 and lower 5 edges, the middle edges being hermetically adjacent and form a sealed longitudinal strip separating the compartments; and each compartment comprises an upper corner including a tear-off element. Each compartment may have a different height and / or width with the possibility of providing different volumetric capacity. To preserve the overall rectangular shape of the double bag, the sealed lower edge of the shorter compartment can be extended upward. In a preferred embodiment, both compartments have the same height and width and have symmetrical upper and lower edges.

In a preferred embodiment, each compartment of the double bag is made with an expanded sealed portion extending through a portion of the upper edge in each upper corner, and tear-off members 5 arranged obliquely upward to the median edge in the respective said expanded sealed portions. The tear-off element is a tear-off strip and is preferably located in a horizontally pleated portion in conjunction with pleats forming an upper sealed edge. Although the tear-off element may have any configuration, such as a horizontal, diagonal, S-shaped or Z-shaped slot, a line of weakening, a perforation line, a notch or perforation, an S-shaped configuration is preferable (and in the adjacent symmetrical compartment the reverse S-shaped configuration ) This configuration is shown in FIG. 1, 2, 7 and 8 and contains a lower diagonal branch, located at an inclination upward 5A, bend 5B, the front and horizontal foot 5C. The foot is directed towards the neck, through which the contents of the compartment are released after the tear-promoting agent has been activated. If necessary, more than one means of separation can be provided for each or both departments. An element 6 facilitating or preventing tearing may also be provided in the upper portion of the middle sealed edge 4.

In another embodiment, each compartment of the double bag contains the same or different food products, such as liquid or semi-liquid food products with a viscosity of 1000-2500 MPa.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front side view of a first embodiment of a double Dannon bag with compartments of the same size.

FIG. 2 is a rear side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side view to the right.

FIG. 4 is a side view of it on the left.

FIG. 5 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a front side view of a first embodiment of a Dannon double bag with compartments of different sizes.

FIG. 8 is a rear side view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a side view of it on the left.

FIG. 10 is a side view of it on the right.

FIG. 11 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 13 is a front side view of a second embodiment of a double Dannon bag showing its implementation.

FIG. 14 is a rear side view thereof.

FIG. 15 is a side view of it on the left.

FIG. 16 is a side view to the right.

FIG. 17 is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A parallel or double bag according to the invention typically comprises a pair of parallel longitudinal compartments or bags; each compartment includes a neck for dispensing its contents, sealed upper, lower and middle edges, the middle edges being hermetically adjacent and form a sealed longitudinal strip separating the compartments; and each compartment comprises an upper corner including a tear-off element.

The lower edges of each compartment of the double bag can have the same width, but have different heights, with the possibility of forming compartments of different lengths and different volumetric capacities (Fig. 7 and 8). For example, one compartment of a double bag may have a volumetric capacity of 50% to less than 100% of the volume of another compartment. This variable capacity includes all intermediate values and subranges, such as 50, 51, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 82.5, 85, 90, 95 and 99% of the capacity of the adjacent compartment or bag. Preferably, the sealed lower edge of the shorter compartment having lower capacity is higher than the sealed lower edge of the longer compartment, thereby preserving the overall rectangular appearance of the double bag, as shown in FIG. 7 and 8.

Typically, each side of the double bag has the same or equal width and the same height, providing compartments with the same volumetric capacities (Fig. 1 and 2). However, each compartment can be made with different widths or different heights. Parallel compartments with different volumetric capacities can be formed by changing the width of one compartment. For example, the width of the narrower compartment may be from 25 to <100% of the width of the wider compartment. This range of compartment width includes all intermediate values and subranges, for example, a narrower compartment has a width of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 72.5, 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95% of the width of the wider compartment. By maintaining the same height of each compartment, different volumetric capacities are obtained. Care must be taken to ensure that the width of each compartment is sufficient for the formation of necks of an appropriate size for dispensing the contents of each compartment, as well as tear-off agents, in the outer upper corners of each compartment.

The width of the double bag, taking into account the width of both compartments, is preferably from 2.0 to 6.0 inches, more preferably from about 3.0 to 4.5 inches, and most preferably from about 2.75 to 3.25 inches or equal to about 3 inches. These ranges include all intermediate subranges and values, such as 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.25, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 inches.

The volumetric capacity of each compartment is preferably from 0.5 to 3.5 ounces, more preferably from about 0.75 to 1.5 ounces, for example, the capacity is approximately 0.5, 0.75, 0.95, 1 , 0, 1.1, 1.25 or 1.50 ounces, and also includes all intermediate sub-ranges and values. The total height of the double bag is preferably from about 4 to 10 inches in length, for example 4, 5, 6, 7, 7.5, 8, 9, 9.5 or 10 inches, and also includes all intermediate sub-ranges and values .

Each compartment contains an upper neck 2 formed between the median sealed edge 4 separating the two compartments 1 and the tear-off portion located in the upper outer corner of each compartment. The width of each neck provides a controlled release of the contents of each compartment. The necks of each compartment determine the size of the hole through which the product is removed after the compartment is opened by tearing. Although any neck size may be selected, less than the width of each compartment, depending on the nature of the contents, preferably the width of the necks is from about 10% to 50% of the width of each compartment, more preferably from about 20% to 30% of the width of each compartment. These ranges include all intermediate values and subranges, for example, the neck width may be 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 47.5, and 50% of the inner or outer width of each compartment. For example, in a compartment having an external width of approximately 1.6 inches (4 cm), a neck width of approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) at the top edge may be used. When opened by tearing, a hole of approximately 0.4 inches wide formed in the torn neck provides controlled release of the contents of the compartment having a width of 1.6 inches. If the same compartment does not contain a neck, when opened by tearing, its contents will be released in an uncontrolled manner through a 1.6-inch wide opening.

Typically, the necks of each compartment are located symmetrically and form holes of the same size to release the product (Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 8). However, if necessary, the necks may have different widths, allowing the contents to be released from the compartments at different speeds. If the contents of one compartment has a higher viscosity or contains solid particles that make it difficult to discharge compared to the contents of the other compartment, the size of the necks can be adjusted so that both products are released at the same speed or at any speed difference.

Preferably, both the upper and lower edges comprise horizontal folds with a height of about 0.5-2.0 mm, for example folds with a height of 1 mm, although each edge can also be sealed to form a smooth edge without folds.

The double bag may also comprise a fold line, a notch, or a line of weakening along the middle sealed edge between the compartments to facilitate bending and alignment of the compartments with each other. Alternatively, the median edge may be sealed and hardened to prevent bending.

The upper edge of the double bag contains a tear-off element for each compartment. Double tear-off elements provide separate opening of each compartment by applying force to a given element so as to provide tearing through the neck. After tearing, the contents of the compartment can be easily directed outward through an opening thus formed, the size of which is determined by the width of the neck.

In one embodiment, the tear-off element is angled diagonally upward to the upper edge of the compartment and comprises a bend and a small tear-off line at its foot toward the inner neck of the compartment, as shown in FIG. one.

In another embodiment, the tear-off element may comprise a plurality of horizontal tear-off lines providing tear-off lines through the compartment neck at different points. Many tear lines can be used when the neck of the bag is tapering, and provides a choice of tear points that define different sizes of holes.

A median element can also be provided on the longitudinal strip separating the two compartments to facilitate tearing so as to facilitate the simultaneous opening of the necks of both compartments. This may be a small slot horizontally aligned with each neck, or one or more perforated holes. Alternatively, the median longitudinal section between the necks of the two compartments can be configured to prevent tearing through the median edge 4. A vertical slot or hardening, such as a reinforced seam, vertical folds or a thickened plastic collar, can be located at the element 6 or along the edge 4, to prevent simultaneous opening by tearing both compartments.

The necks of each compartment preferably have the same width over their entire height and are aligned with the tear-off element to provide a standard-sized opening when the tear-off element is actuated. However, the necks may also be tapering in combination with a tear-off element that provides several alternative tear-off lines. This allows you to select a tear line that provides the selected hole size. For example, a compartment with a width of about 1.6 inches (4 cm) may contain a neck that tapers from about 0.4 inches (1 cm) in its lower part to about 0.1 inches (0.25 cm) in its upper part. A corresponding peel-off element may comprise a plurality of peel lines located in line with the lower, middle, and upper parts of the neck, which, when opened by peeling, provide holes of about 1 cm in size at the bottom, 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in the middle and 0.1 inches (0.25 cm) in the upper part of the neck.

A double package may contain various products, especially products that require double dosing or controlled mixing of the individual components. It is particularly suitable for food contents such as semi-solid or semi-liquid products with viscosities from 1000 MPa to 2500 MPa. These products include dairy products and related vegetable-based products such as yogurt, yogurt products, ice cream, sour cream, semi-hard cheeses, soy yogurt, tofu and tofu products and products containing vegetable oils, including salad dressings and mayonnaise, fruit mashed potatoes, jellies and jams, puddings, gravy, sauces, soups, syrups, dry mixes for making drinks, seasonings and baby food. The double packaging form is suitable for complementary foods, such as combinations of different yogurt flavors, yogurt and fruit puree, or multi-component foods that must be mixed immediately before preparation or consumption. The contents of each compartment can be prepared using conventional food production technologies, such as those described in the Kirk-Otmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th Edition, Food Technology. For example, the contents of a package may be heat treated or irradiated as provided for in any of the processes described in sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.6-4.8. of this document and which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Non-food products may also be separately packaged using two-bag packaging of the present invention.

The viscosity of the contents of the double-walled compartments can range from about 1000 MPa to about 2500 MPa. If the contents of the compartments have a viscosity below 1000 MPa, then it is difficult to control the release of the contents, and if the viscosity is above 2500 MPa, it is difficult to extract the product through the opening of the double package. Viscosity can be determined using a Rheomat RM 180 viscometer, 2-2 at 64 rpm and 10 sec.

If the content contains particles, for example particles of fruits, nuts, cereals, fiber, vegetables or confectionery, the average particle diameter can be from> 0 to 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm and more preferably less than 1 or 2 mm. Although double bag compartments may contain larger particles with sizes within the neck width of each compartment, for example, particles up to 1 mm in diameter, such particles may accumulate and interfere with the smooth release of the product.

The double compartments may contain products of the same type, for example two fermented yogurt products, which may have the same taste and color or different tastes and colors, or may contain food products of different types, for example, a yogurt product on one side and a fruit component on the other side .

If desired, the user of the double package can separately open each compartment by tearing and extract the contents of each side at the same time, for example, by folding the double package, made with the possibility of folding along its longitudinal axis, and jointly compressing both compartments. This process provides a simultaneous controlled release of the contents of stacked compartments through their respective necks.

In another embodiment, each compartment has a different length. This allows you to optimize the amount of product on each side. For example, if you want to get a mixture of yogurt with mashed fruit in a ratio of 2: 1, then each compartment can have the same width, but the compartment containing yogurt can be 2 times longer than the compartment containing mashed fruit. In order to maintain the overall rectangular shape of the double packaging, the lower sealed edge of the shorter compartment can be extended upward or this area can be used to place markings, a convex logo, removable labels, punching areas, holes to facilitate dispensing, or to connect multiple double packages together , or other useful elements.

In addition to the foldable configuration, the double package can also be torn along its median axis, for example, by notching, notching or perforating along the median longitudinal strip to allow the user to remove or separate one compartment from the other either before or after use.

Double packaging can be made using various machines or devices known in the art, for example, such as the machines described in US Pat. No. 6,006,501 (Davis et al.), And other techniques described in the Background of the Invention, which thus incorporated herein by reference in relation to a method for manufacturing parallel bags. However, the machines must be configured to form unique double-pack elements, such as necks through which the product is dispensed, and tear-off areas and tear-off elements. These elements are formed by means of unique heat sealing means, such as new clamping devices or dies, as well as cutting means, such as one or more perforating knives or blades, adapted to form tear-off means of the present invention, such as the means illustrated in the drawings.

The double package may be made of a barrier or non-barrier type polymer film, for example, poly (ethylene terephtalate) (PET) or other non-toxic plastic or thermoplastics known in the art, and which are also incorporated herein by reference to Kirk-Otmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th Edition, Volume 18, Food Packaging, Section 4, Plastic Packaging. The properties and characteristics of PET are specifically incorporated by reference on page 18, “Polyester,” the cited document, and one example is WINPAC PET 1.8 mils, caliber 48. Packaging material must be non-toxic and have a tensile strength suitable for industrial packaging and distribution of food products, and, preferably, is a plastic suitable for printing. Other polymer packaging materials may be used, such as those listed in Table 1 of the Kirk-Otmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th Edition, Volume 18, in laminated or non-laminated forms. These materials and their properties are incorporated herein by reference to Table 1 of said document.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1: A method of manufacturing a double pack

One roll of film is fed into a molding-filling-capping machine. The width of the canvas is cut into many strips in accordance with the number of molded double bags. Each strip passing through the rigid guides is subjected to a bending pattern. After the sleeves are formed, the clamping mechanism of a special design presses the heating plate against the film and seals the upper edge of the pre-filled double bags and the central seam and the lower edge of the next set of double bags. A unique weld is obtained in the form shown in FIG. 1. For cutting along the length of this weld, use blades, thereby forming a tear-off element of the double packaging, to obtain a median gap or perforation and to divide each pair of filled blocks of double packaging. The machine releases the finished bags to the conveyor or to another container and periodically repeats the formation of another set of bags. Filling with the product is carried out during the cyclic operation of the machine between the moments of compression by a sealing clamping device. Product (s) are poured into each side of the bag using filling sleeves.

EXAMPLE 2: Double pack containing different types of yoghurts

A single roll of 1.8 mil thick PET film obtained from WINPAC produced a double pack of approximately 10 inches high and 3 inches wide. Each compartment had an inner diameter, measured from the middle longitudinal seam to the outer edge, of about 1.375 inches (3.5 cm), and symmetrical necks with a width of about 0.5 inch (1.5 cm). One compartment was filled with approximately 1.5 ounces of yogurt product, and the other was filled with approximately 1.5 ounces of fruit puree with a viscosity of about 1,500 MPa.

Claims (20)

1. A bag containing:
a pair of parallel longitudinal compartments;
moreover, each compartment includes a sealed upper, lower and middle edges, and the middle edges are hermetically adjacent and form a sealed longitudinal strip separating the compartment;
each compartment contains an outer upper corner, including an element that promotes separation;
each compartment comprising an expanded sealed portion extending through a portion of the upper edge in each upper corner;
tear-off elements are arranged obliquely upward towards the midline in the respective said expanded sealed portions;
wherein the tear-off element is a tear-off strip, and each tear-off strip is a diagonal tear-off strip directed upward to the sealed middle edge and containing a horizontal tab directed to the inner neck of each compartment. 2. The bag according to claim 1, in which the sealed lower edge of one compartment is longer than the sealed lower edge of the other compartment. 3. The bag according to claim 2, in which the capacity of one compartment is 50-99% of the capacity of another compartment. 4. The bag according to claim 2, in which the capacity of one compartment is less than 50% of the capacity of another compartment. 5. The bag according to claim 1, in which the sealed lower edges of the compartments have the same length and the same width, thus forming compartments with the same capacity. 6. The bag according to claim 1, in which the compartments are symmetrical and have the same capacity. 7. The bag according to claim 1, in which each compartment contains an upper neck, the width of which is 25-50% of the width of the compartment between the middle sealed edge and the outer upper sealed area containing the element that contributes to the separation. 8. The bag according to claim 1, additionally containing a second element that facilitates tearing through a sealed longitudinal strip. 9. The bag of claim 8, in which the second element, contributing to the separation, consists of one or more horizontal slots. 10. The bag of claim 8, in which the second element, contributing to the separation, consists of one or more perforated holes. 11. The bag according to claim 1, in which the upper and lower edges contain horizontal sealing folds. 12. The bag according to claim 1, in which the sealed longitudinal strip contains a fold line that allows folding or separation of the two compartments. 13. The bag according to claim 1, in which one compartment is wider than the other. 14. The bag according to claim 2, in which one compartment is wider than the other. 15. The bag according to claim 1, in which both compartments have the same width. 16. The bag according to claim 1, which is made of one sheet or of a roll of plastic. 17. The bag according to claim 1, made of one sheet of plastic, suitable for use with a food product. 18. The bag according to claim 1, in which at least one compartment contains a food product. 19. The bag according to claim 1, in which one compartment contains a fermented milk product, and the other compartment contains a food product that can be mixed with or consumed with a fermented milk product. 20. The bag according to claim 1, in which each compartment contains a fermented dairy product, which may be the same or different and which have a viscosity of from 1000 MPa to 2500 MPa.

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