Bag fitted with an optimized closure device and method of packaging at least one product in such a bag.

Abstract

The invention relates to a pouch (1) comprising two sheets (2, 3) forming a pocket (7) delimited by an opening (8) defined by two edges (10, 11) on these sheets, each of which includes an outer face (2b, 3b). Two flaps (12, 13) are arranged in line with the edges, defining two fold lines (14, 15) of the flaps, which are folded in an initial position against their respective outer faces. An adhesive strip (16) is placed on a first flap (12), a protective strip (17) temporarily covers the adhesive strip, and a receiving area (18) on a second flap (13) receives the adhesive strip when the opening is closed. The adhesive strip and the protective strip are placed on a first outer side (101) of the pouch, and the receiving area is placed on a second outer side (102) of the pouch, opposite the first outer side, before the opening is closed. Figure for the abbreviation: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Bag equipped with an optimized closure device and method of packaging at least one product in such a bag. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sachet-type packaging comprising a closure system. The invention also relates to a method for packaging at least one product in this packaging.

[0002] The invention will be implemented by packaging manufacturers and will find its application in particular in large distribution or among artisans butchers, delicatessen owners, cheesemakers or fishmongers, for example, in order to allow the transport of food products sold in bulk, by weight or retail. State of the art

[0003] Pouch-type packaging with a closure system is very widespread on the market.

[0004] Traditionally, a sachet comprises two sheets joined together by welding or gluing, depending on the properties of the sheets used, to form a pouch with an opening at the top through which one or more products are inserted. The two sheets can be separated and joined together by a binding cord along both lateral edges and the bottom edge. Alternatively, the two sheets can be made from a single sheet folded in half at the bottom edge, in which case a binding cord is only required along the two lateral edges. The top edge is free of a binding cord to define the access opening to the pouch. The two sheets can also be configured to form a gusset on the sachet.

[0005] Two types of closure system can be implemented on the pouch. The first type of closure system comprises an adhesive strip arranged on the inner surface of one of the two sheets, at the opening. This adhesive strip is temporarily covered with a protective strip. Once the pouch is filled with one or more products, the protective strip is removed, and the adhesive strip on the inner surface of the first sheet is pressed against a receiving area on the inner surface of the second sheet. This receiving area is also defined at the opening.

[0006] The second type of closure system comprises a flap on one of the two sheets that is longer than the other sheet, the flap on the first sheet extending beyond the upper edge of the second sheet. The system of The closure includes an adhesive strip that is positioned either on the flap, on the inside face of the first sheet, or below the top edge of the second sheet, on the outside face of that second sheet. This adhesive strip is temporarily covered with a protective strip. Once the pouch is filled with one or more products, the protective strip is removed and the flap is folded against the outside face of the second sheet so that the adhesive strip comes into contact with a receiving area that is positioned either below the top edge on the outside face of the second sheet, when the adhesive strip is positioned on the flap, on the inside face of the first sheet, or on the flap, on the inside face of the first sheet, when the adhesive strip is positioned below the top edge of the second sheet, on the outside face of that second sheet.

[0007] When filling one or more products into the bag, the adhesive strip or the receiving area may become soiled, rendering the closure system totally or partially ineffective. This is the case, for example, with bags designed to hold foodstuffs containing liquid or fat, such as a roast chicken that generates surface fat. When the food is introduced into the bag, liquid or fat may be deposited on the receiving area and / or on the protective strip, which becomes saturated with liquid or fat, rendering the closure system ineffective on the soiled areas. Similarly, when introducing one or more bulky products into the bag, they may rub against the protective strip during insertion and partially detach it, thus soiling the adhesive strip. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a new design for the closure system on a pouch, which has the particular advantage of keeping intact the adhesive strip and the receiving area intended to come into contact with each other when the pouch closure is applied. In other words, the pouch of the invention avoids soiling the closure system during the introduction of one or more products into the pouch, thus keeping it intact until it is applied.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a sachet comprising two sheets and means for joining the two sheets, configured so that said sheets form a pouch delimited by an opening allowing the introduction of at least one product into the pouch, the opening being defined by two edges arranged respectively on the two sheets. The two sheets may be initially separated, in which case the joining means will allow the lateral and lower edges of the sheets to be joined to the sachet. These two sheets may also be formed The pouch is made from a single sheet folded in half, in which case the assembly means will allow the side edges of the sheets to be joined to the bag. Each of these two sheets comprises an inner and an outer face. Furthermore, the bag includes a system for closing the opening after the pouch has been filled.

[0010] According to the invention, the closure system comprises two flaps formed respectively on the two sheets extending from the edges beyond the pocket, the two edges defining two fold lines for the flaps, the flaps being folded in an initial position against the respective outer faces of the sheets. Furthermore, the closure system comprises an adhesive strip deposited on one of the flaps, on the inner face of the sheet containing the first flap. The closure system also comprises a protective strip configured to temporarily cover the adhesive strip and to be removed when the opening is closed. The closure system also comprises a receiving area defined on a second flap, on the inner face of the sheet containing the second flap, said receiving area being configured to receive the adhesive strip when the opening is closed.The adhesive strip and the protective strip temporarily covering said adhesive strip are placed on a first outer side of the bag and the receiving area is placed on a second outer side of the bag, opposite the first outer side, before the opening is closed.

[0011] Thus, according to the bag of the invention, the closure system implemented makes it possible to keep initially both the adhesive strip temporarily coated with the protective strip and the receiving area outside the bag, that is to say outside the environment of the volume of the pouch and the opening, which prevents the product(s) or even utensils allowing to handle this product(s), from coming into contact with the protective strip temporarily coating the adhesive strip, located on the first outside side of the bag, or with the receiving area, located on the second outside side of the bag.

[0012] The initial position is understood to be the position in which the flaps are located just before the pouch is filled with product. This initial position may be the one intended from the outset during the pouch's assembly, with the two flaps already folded against the outer faces of the two sheets. Alternatively, this initial position may be the one obtained just before the pouch is filled, in which case the two flaps are initially positioned against each other, i.e., during the pouch's assembly, with the protective strip preventing the adhesive strip from sticking to the receiving area. In this case, the two flaps are first folded against the outer faces of the sheets before being placed in the initial position that then allows the pouch to be filled with product.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the bag of the invention, each flap comprises an opening, the two openings being configured so that when the flaps are moved into a final position, one against the other, said two openings align and form a gripping element allowing the bag to be grasped and carried with one hand. This design facilitates manual transport of the bag. Of course, variations of the bag according to the invention may be implemented without these openings. Other gripping elements may also be provided on the flaps, so as to allow manipulation of the bag once the pouch is closed, the flaps then being pressed against each other, the adhesive strip adhering to the receiving area.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the pouch of the invention, the sheets are configured to form a gusset allowing an increase in the pouch's volume. This will allow a larger volume of product to be placed in the pouch, for example, a chicken. Variations of the pouch according to the invention can also be implemented without a gusset.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the pouch of the invention, the sheets are configured so that their inner surfaces are impermeable to liquids and semi-liquids. This allows the introduction of fatty or liquid-containing products into the pouch without risk of leakage. These products could be, for example, roast chicken, fish, deli meats, rare meat, etc. Of course, other variations of the pouch according to the invention could be considered without any impermeability, for example, a single sheet of paper.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the bag of the invention, the sheets are configured so that their outer surfaces are suitable for receiving various types of ink printing. For example, this ink printing could indicate the name of the retailer, the nature, origin, and type of the product to be packaged, instructions for using the bag, etc. Of course, variations of the bag according to the invention could be provided with an outer surface that does not allow for any ink printing, but which could, for example, receive a label.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the bag of the invention, each sheet has a multilayer structure. However, a variant of the bag of the invention with sheets having a single-layer structure is also conceivable.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the bag of the invention, the assembly means are implemented by a sealing cord of the welding or gluing type between the two sheets. This notably allows for the production of bags with a leak-proof pouch. For uses not requiring a leak-proof seal, other assembly means could be provided for the bag, for example, stapling.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the bag of the invention, in the presence of a sealing cord, the adhesive strip comprises two ends configured to join two ends of the sealing cord. In other words, the two ends of the sealing cord and the two ends of the adhesive strip join at the edges of the opening defining the fold lines of the flaps. This ensures the bag is airtight once the closure system is in place. Of course, variations of the bag according to the invention can be envisaged without a seal between the closure system and the bag.

[0020] The invention also relates to a method of packaging at least one product in a sachet having one or more of the aforementioned characteristics, which comprises the following steps: a) insert at least one product into the bag by introducing it through the opening, if necessary by first spreading the edges of the opening apart so as to have good access to the volume of the bag; b) remove the protective strip to release the adhesive strip on the inner face of the first flap, with the flaps in their initial position; (c) pivot the two flaps along their respective fold lines so as to press said two flaps against each other, the adhesive strip coming into contact with the receiving area on the inner face of the second flap, thus ensuring the closure of the pouch.

[0021] The packaging method according to the invention could include a step prior to the insertion of at least one product into the pouch, said preliminary step consisting of pivoting the two flaps in the initial position against the respective outer faces of the sheets, said flaps initially being pressed against each other with the protective strip positioned on the adhesive strip on the first flap, so as to prevent the adhesive strip from sticking to the receiving area on the second flap.Indeed, the bag according to the invention could be delivered to the user, for example a trader, in the aforementioned configuration, that is to say with the flaps initially resting against each other and with the protective strip positioned on the adhesive strip, this configuration being able, for example, to reduce the bulk of bags stacked one on top of the other, in particular when such bags do not include a gusset. Brief description of the figures

[0022] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is supported by figures, including: Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional, profile view of a sachet according to the invention in its initial position, i.e. before the introduction of one or more products into the pouch; Figure [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic front view of the bag from [Fig.1], in the final position, i.e. after the bag has been closed; Figure [Fig.3] illustrates a schematic three-dimensional view of the bag from [Fig.1] and [Fig.2], in final position; Figure 4 illustrates a partial schematic view of a sachet according to the invention in its initial position; Figure 5 illustrates a partial schematic view of the sachet from Figure 4, in its final position, i.e. after the sachet has been closed. Detailed description

[0023] In the remainder of this description, the same references are used to describe the same characteristics according to the different variants. Furthermore, terms such as "top", "bottom", "lower", "upper", which may be used, will be used with consideration for the normal position of use of the sachet, the opening on the pouch being located on the upper side to allow the introduction of one or more products into the pouch.

[0024] With reference to [Fig. 1], the sachet 1 comprises two sheets 2, 3 which are joined together at their lateral edges 4, 5 by means of a sealing cord 6, which preferably can be a welded cord or an adhesive cord when a leak-proof sachet is desired. The sealing cord 6 is shown schematically in [Fig. 4] and [Fig. 5] and can also be applied to the variant from [Fig. 1] to [Fig. 3]. The sheets 2, 3 each comprise an inner face 2a, 3a and an outer face 2b, 3b. The sheets 2, 3 may have a single-layer structure, made of plastic or biodegradable material, or a multi-layer structure, the layers of the multi-layer structure being able to have a different composition.For example, sheets 2 and 3 may each comprise a first layer of paper material defining the outer faces 2b and 3b of sheets 2 and 3, capable of receiving ink impressions to indicate the name of the merchant, the nature and origin of the packaged product, and / or the instructions for use of the pouch 1, for example, and a second layer of plastic or other material ensuring impermeability to liquid or semi-liquid ingredients such as water, juice, and fats, for example. This second layer defines the inner faces 2a and 3a of sheets 2 and 3. The first and second layers are not shown in the figures. Joining the two sheets 2 and 3 using the sealing cord 6 creates a pouch 7 delimited by an opening 8. The two sheets 2 and 3 and the sealing cord 6 are configured to form a gusset 9, increasing the volume of the pouch 7.Variations without this gusset 9 are also possible. The design of a bag with or without a gusset is already well known; a person skilled in the art can... to draw inspiration from existing prior art in this field to apply it to the bag 1 according to the present invention and for various embodiment variants, with the aim of forming the pocket 7 and the opening 8.

[0025] With reference to [Fig. 1], the opening 8 is defined by two edges 10, 11 respectively on the two sheets 2, 3. These sheets 2, 3 each include a flap 12, 13 which extends said sheet 2, 3 beyond the edge 10, 11. These two edges 10, 11 define two fold lines 14, 15 allowing the flaps 12, 12 respectively to be pivoted against the two outer faces 2b, 3b of the two sheets 2, 3, thus defining an initial position of the flaps 12, 13 according to which one or more products can be inserted into the pocket 7, by introducing them through the opening 8. In one embodiment of the bag 1, the flaps 12, 13 will be arranged in this initial position directly during the manufacture of said bag 1.One variant could be envisaged, according to which, during the making of the sachet 1, the two flaps 12, 13 would be placed in a pivoted position against each other, then subsequently brought back to the initial position by the user at the time of use, before the pouch is filled with products.

[0026] As shown in [Fig. 1], in the initial position, the inner faces 2a, 3a of the two sheets 2, 3, on their portions corresponding to the flaps 12, 13, which are folded against the outer faces 2b, 3b of said sheets 2, 3, are arranged on the outside of the bag 1, the first flap 12 being on a first outer side 101 of the bag 1 and the second flap 13 being on a second outer side 102 of the bag 1, opposite the first outer side 101. On the first flap 12, the inner face 2a includes an adhesive strip 16 which extends over the width of the bag 1, between the two lateral edges 4, 5, as shown in [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3]. The adhesive strip 16 is positioned near the fold line 14 (or edge 10) and is temporarily covered with a protective strip 17, illustrated in [Fig. 1]. On the second flap 13, a receiving area 18 is defined on the inner face 3a. In [Fig.[l] this receiving area 18 is defined by a slight overthickness on the inner face 3a; this is only a schematic representation, the receiving area 18 can be - and preferably will be - confused with said inner face 3a. .

[0027] When packaging one or more products in the bag 1, the flaps 12, 13 are in their initial position, folded against the outer faces 2b, 3b of the sheets 2, 3. However, if the bags 1 were delivered to the retailer with the flaps 12, 13 pivoted against each other, the presence of the protective strip 17 on the adhesive strip 16 prevents the latter from sticking to the receiving area 18 and closing the opening 8. In this case, the user must first place the flaps 12, 13 in their initial position by folding them against said outer faces 2b, 3b. The user then inserts one or more products into the pocket 7 by inserting them through the opening 8. During this insertion, the adhesive strip 16, covered with the protective strip, 17, on the first flap 12, and the receiving area 18, on the second flap 13, are suitably clear of the upper side 103 of the bag 1 positioned above the opening 8, thus avoiding any risk of contact of the protective strip 17 covering the adhesive strip 16 and of the receiving area 18, with the product(s) when they are introduced into the bag 7, so as not to contaminate them. Once the product(s) are inserted into the pocket 7, the user removes the protective strip 17 to release the adhesive strip 16 and then pivots the two flaps 12, 13 to bring them together in a final position, as shown in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], the adhesive strip 16 thus coming into contact with the receiving area 18, closing the opening 8 providing access to the pocket 7. In [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], no product has been inserted into the pocket 7, simply to facilitate the schematic representation.

[0028] In [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], the flaps 12, 13 each include an opening 19, the adhesive strip 16 being placed between the opening 19 and the fold line 14 on the first flap 12, the openings 19 being placed in identical positions on both flaps 12, 13. Thus, when the two flaps 12, 13 are pivoted against each other and the adhesive strip 16 adheres to the receiving area 18, with the pouch 7 closed, these two openings 19 form a gripping element 20 allowing the pouch 1 to be grasped for transport, preventing, for example, burns when hot food is placed in the pouch 7. A variant of the pouch 1 without these openings 19 is also possible. Variations of the grasping organ are also conceivable, for example handles (not illustrated) arranged in the extensions of the end edges 21, 22 of the flaps 12, 13.

[0029] With regard to [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] illustrating a variant of the bag 1 having similar characteristics to those described above, the adhesive strip 16 comprises two ends 16a, 16b which are curved towards the fold line 14 on the first flap 12, and which extend to said fold line 14 so as to join the ends 6a, 6b of the sealing cord 6 and, thus, ensure a continuous seal between the sealing cord 6 and the adhesive strip 16, when the bag 7 is closed. The protective strip 17 in this case covers the entire adhesive strip 16, including its ends 16a, 16b, and is therefore positioned adjacent to the fold line 14.The ends 17a, 17b of the protective strip 17, or at least one of the two ends 17a, 17b, may protrude from the lateral edges 4, 5 of the bag 1, so as to facilitate grasping the protective strip 17, for its removal from the adhesive strip 16. This is also conceivable for the embodiment of [Fig.1] to [Fig.3]. .

[0030] Other variations of sachet 1 could be envisaged within the scope of the invention. For example, the closure system could additionally include a security device for detecting fraudulent opening of sachet 1. Such A secure device is described, for example, in patent application FR 3 028 249 A1 in the name of the Applicant. According to another example, the bag 1 could include on one of the external faces 2b, 3b a pocket (not illustrated) allowing an air intake to move the bag by means of a pneumatic network, that is to say a compressed air network allowing the bag 1 to be propelled in conduits to transport it from a starting point to an arrival point, such a bag 1 being used, for example, for the transport of articles such as tubes for sampling on the human body, for example a blood sample, such a bag being described, for example, in patent application FR 3 044 302 A1 in the name of the Applicant.

Claims

1.

2. Demands A pouch (1) comprising two sheets (2, 3) and means for joining the two sheets configured so that said sheets form a pouch (7) delimited by an opening (8) allowing the introduction of at least one product into the pouch, the opening being defined by two edges (10, 11) arranged respectively on the two sheets, each of the two sheets comprising an inner face (2a, 3a) and an outer face (2b, 3b), said pouch comprising a system for closing the opening after filling the pouch, characterized in that the closing system comprises two flaps (12, 13) formed respectively on the two sheets (2, 3) extending from the edges (10, 11) beyond the pouch (7), the two edges (10, 11) defining two fold lines (14, 15) of the flaps (12, 13), the flaps (12, 13) being folded in an initial position against the respective external faces (2b, 3b) of the leaves (2, 3),The closure system includes an adhesive strip (16) deposited on one of the flaps (12), on the inner face (2a) of the sheet (2) having the first flap (12); the closure system includes a protective strip (17) configured to temporarily cover the adhesive strip (16) and to be removed when the opening (8) is closed; the closure system includes a receiving area (18) defined on a second flap (13), on the inner face (3a) of the sheet (3) having the second flap (13); said receiving area (18) being configured to receive the adhesive strip (16) when the opening (8) is closed; the adhesive strip (16) and the protective strip (17) temporarily covering said adhesive strip (16) being placed on a first outer side (101) of the bag (1) before the opening (8) is closed, and the receiving area (18) being placed on a second side exterior (102) of the bag (1),opposite to the first outer side (101). Bag (1) according to claim 1, in which the flaps (12, 13) each include an opening (19), the two openings (19) being configured so that when the flaps (12, 13) are moved into a final position, one against the other, said two openings (19) correspond and form a gripping member (20) allowing the bag (1) to be grasped and carried with one hand.

3. Pouch (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sheets (2, 3) are configured to form a gusset (9) allowing an increase in the volume of the pouch (7).

4. Sachet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheets (2, 3) are configured so that their inner faces (2a, 3a) are impermeable to liquid and semi-liquid materials.

5. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sheets (2, 3) are configured so that their outer faces (2b, 3b) are suitable for receiving ink impressions of various kinds.

6. Sachet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheets (2, 3) each have a multilayer structure.

7. Bag (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the assembly means are implemented by a sealing cord 6), of the welding or gluing type, between the two sheets (2, 3).

8. Bag (1) according to claim 7, wherein the adhesive strip (16) comprises two ends (16a, 16b) which are configured to join respectively two ends (6a, 6b) of the sealing cord 6.

9. A method for packaging at least one product in a bag (1) having the characteristics of any one of claims 1 to 8, which comprises the following steps: a) inserting at least one product into the bag (7) by introducing it through the opening (8); b) removing the protective strip (17) to release the adhesive strip (16) on the inner face (2a) of the first flap (12), the flaps (12, 13) being in the initial position; c) pivoting the two flaps (12, 13) along their respective folding lines (14, 15) so as to press said two flaps (12, 13) against each other, the adhesive strip (16) coming into contact with the receiving area (18) on the inner face (3a) of the second flap (13), thus ensuring the closure of the bag (7).

10. Packaging method according to claim 9, which includes a step prior to inserting at least one product into the pouch (7), said prior step consisting of pivoting the two flaps (12, 13) into the initial position, against the external faces (2b, 3b) respective of the sheets (2, 3), said flaps (12, 13) being initially supported against each other with the protective strip (17) positioned on the adhesive strip (16), on the first flap (12), so as to prevent the adhesive strip (16) from sticking to the receiving area (18) on the second flap (13).

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