Pouch for controlled liquid dosing

Abstract

The invention relates to a pouch (1) for holding a liquid, having front and a back layers (2a, 2b) joined by a circumferential joint (3), which define an inner space. The pouch comprises a seal area (S) having a central axis, a pour channel (8) allowing a liquid to be poured out of the pouch. A seal area is defined by a folding joint that extends perpendicularly with respect to the pour channel and from the pour channel to the joint. First and second guiding elements (10a, 10b) are spaced apart by a gap and located in the inner space and in the vicinity of the pour channel created by locally joining the front layer to the back layer. The first and second guiding elements extend at opposite sides of the central pour channel axis and converge in the direction to the pour channel. The invention also relates to use of such a pouch.

Description

POUCH FOR CONTROLLED LIQUID DOSINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of European Application No. 24156286.7, filed February 7, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a pouch for holding therein a liquid, and to a use of such a pouch.BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Pouches are available in for different purposes, like direct use as drinking directly from the package or for refill purposes. For consumption purposes, the content may comprise a single shot quantity or a quantity to be consumed over time in several steps. For refill products, it’s known to sell the product, soap, for example, in relatively expensive multiple-use packages and in one-way refill pouches. Once the multiple-use package is empty, part of the content or the entire content of a refill pouch can be poured in the multipleuse package. This can save considerable packaging costs. It can also save transportation costs, because the multi-use packages are generally more voluminous and more rigid than pouches, making that pouches can be packed more efficiently. It is also known to sell consumable products in pouches.

[0004] Known pouches can have a (pour) spout, comprising the pour channel, that is initially sealed, for example by the circumferential joint extending across the pour channel. A user may cut or tear off a part of the spout and comprising the circumferential joint to enable dosing of liquid from within the inner space through the pour channel. This may work when a pouch is a portioned package. However, a pouch comprising more than one portion may also be desirable, i.e. a pouch, the content of which is not meant to be used in one time immediately after opening, for example for refilling a multi-use package, to eat or drink an entire portioned content of a pouch in one time or the like.

[0005] International patent application WO 2004 / 087526 Al discloses a flexible container filled with a liquid and including two walls made of flexible material. The overlapping free edges of said walls are joined together along a weld seam or adhesive bead thereby defining a sealed space inside said container. The two walls further define anoutwardly projecting portion on one edge portion of the container. An outlet channel connects the projecting portion to the internal space inside said container. One or more obstacles formed by welding or adhering the two walls are provided in said internal space essentially adjacent to and in alignment with said channel communicating with the projecting portion so that the cross-section of liquid flow between the internal space and the outlet channel is restricted, but a narrow free passage remains, and so that the surface portion that includes the projecting portion adopts an arcuate shape, said surface portion being essentially defined by the one or more obstacles and by folds extending essentially transversely to said obstacles.

[0006] Japanese patent application JP 2000 043902 A discloses a liquid pouring section provided on an upper end corner of a liquid storage pouch and a recess formed on an end edge below the pouring section, so that the pouring section is protruded to the outside relatively almost into the spearhead shape or the triangle crest shape. A dome-shape forming section of the given length is formed on a sheet material for the pouring section by embossing or the like so that the pouring section is almost of cylindrical shape at the time of use. Also sheet material inner face sections facing each other are bonded in the vicinity of a terminal to form a structure of guiding the liquid flows to the terminal on the periphery of the inner terminal of the dome-shape forming section.

[0007] International patent application WO 2022 / 245930 Al discloses a pouch for holding therein a liquid, having a front layer and a back layer bonded together, and an inner space of the pouch between the front and back layers, defined by the bonding, configured to hold the liquid. The pouch comprises a pour channel allowing liquid to flow from the inner space via the pour channel, in an outflow direction, out of the pouch, at least in an opened condition of the pour channel in use of the pouch. The pour channel has been formed by locally bonding together the front layer and the back layer so as to form bonds defining boundaries of the pour channel, wherein the pour channel is designed such that, in use, a liquid flow resistance of the pour channel is larger in the outflow direction than in an opposite inflow direction. The relatively larger resistance in the outflow direction prevents leaking of the liquid from the pouch.

[0008] There is still a need to provide an easy to produce pouch (for) holding a liquid and that are substantially leak free. The solution is provided by the present invention.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a pouch for holding therein a liquid, the pouch having a front layer and a back layer joined together by a circumferential joint, an inner space of the pouch between the front and back layers, defined by the circumferential joint, and configured to hold a liquid, the pouch comprising a seal area having a central axis and including a pour channel having a central pour channel axis and allowing a liquid comprised in the inner space to flow out of the pouch in an outflow direction from the inner space, via the pour channel and to an outflow opening, at least in an opened condition of the outflow opening, the pouch comprising a the seal area defining folding joint that extends perpendicularly with respect to the pour channel and from both sides of the inner space facing end of the pour channel to the circumferential joint, the pouch comprising at least first and second guiding elements spaced apart by a gap and located in the inner space and in the vicinity of the pour channel created by locally joining the front layer to the back layer, the first and second guiding elements extending a length at opposite sides of the central pour channel axis, and converging in the direction to the pour channel.

[0010] It further relates to the use of a pouch according to one or more of the preceding claims, the use comprising the steps of:- providing the pouch;- removing a triangular piece of the seal area to open the pour channel and create the outflow opening;- folding the remaining part of the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees to one side;- putting the pouch in an upside-down position;- bringing the pouch under pressure, to dose or pour content from the inner space, through the pour channel and through the outflow opening;- release the pressure; and- folding the remaining part of the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees to the opposite side to bring the pouch in a leak free condition.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be better understood after reading the description in combination with the attached drawing. In the drawing:

[0012] Fig 1 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of a pouch according to the invention in the opened or self-closed state;

[0013] Fig 2 shows a schematic front view of the circled comer of the pouch of figure 1 in the opened or self-closed state:

[0014] Fig 3a shows a schematic side view of the pouch of figure 1;

[0015] Fig 3b shows a schematic side view of the pouch of figure 3a in which a corner at the closed end of the pour channel has been torn away, and with the seal area folded to a first side;

[0016] Fig 3c shows a schematic side view of the pouch of figure 3a in which a corner at the closed end of the pour channel has been torn away and with the seal area folded to a second side;

[0017] Fig 4 shows a schematic front view of a second embodiment of a corner of a pouch according to the invention;

[0018] Fig 5 shows a schematic front view of a third embodiment of a corner of a pouch according to the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention relates to a pouch for holding therein a liquid, the pouch having a front layer and a back layer joined together by a circumferential joint, an inner space of the pouch between the front and back layers, defined by the circumferential joint, and configured to hold a liquid, the pouch comprising a seal area having a central axis and including a pour channel having a central pour channel axis and allowing a liquid comprised in the inner space to flow out of the pouch in an outflow direction from the inner space, via the pour channel and to an outflow opening, at least in an opened condition of the outflow opening, the pouch comprising a the seal area defining folding joint that extends perpendicularly with respect to the pour channel and from both sides of the inner space facing end of the pour channel to the circumferential joint, the pouch comprising at least first and second guiding elements spaced apart by a gap and located in the inner space and in the vicinity of the pour channel created by locally joining the front layer to the back layer, the first and second guiding elements extending a length at opposite sides of the central pour channel axis, and converging in the direction to the pour channel.

[0020] It is to be understood that in this document the term '‘outflow opening” refers to the end of the pour channel facing away from the part of the pouch holding the content. Initially, the outflow opening is closed, for example by a part of the seal of the pouch. The outflow opening is open after removing a closure, for example by tearing off or cutting theseal from a part of the package in which the pour channel is located. So the outflow opening, once opened, cannot be reclosed by replacing the removed closure.

[0021] The front and back layers of a pouch may be made from a single sheet that is folded into two overlapping front and back layers, the fold forming a part of a circumferential joint at one side of the pouch, the side where the sheet is folded, and the other sides being welded or glued together. It’s also possible for the pouch to comprise more layers than the front and back layers.

[0022] The applicant has experienced that a narrower outflow channel itself may provide a leak free pouch, however, as a consequence, a user using the pouch may experience difficulties getting the liquid out of the pouch, even if a pressure is applied to the pouch by a user to force the liquid to flow out of the pouch. To the contrary, applying pressure to the walls of the pouch seems to even increase the self-closing effect of the outflow channel, or at least of the package.

[0023] The present invention thus aims to provide an easy to produce pouch (for) holding a liquid that can easily be made leak free, or at least substantially leak free, after removing the seal of the seal area and the pour channel, and that makes it easier for a user to force liquid out of the pouch through the outflow opening when liquid is to be poured out of the pouch. Thus, a pouch providing the user the ability to easily prevent and to allow, respectively, the outflow of liquid content through the pouring channel, corresponding to the momentaneous wish of a user.

[0024] According to the current invention, this objective is met by providing a pouch according to claim 1. As will be explained in more detail hereinafter, the pour channel can be made leak free or can be reclosed while the outflow opening is physically open. In other words, the pour channel is called closed when no content is able to flow to the outflow opening, no matter whether the outflow opening is physically open or closed. The pour channel is called open when content is able to flow to the outflow opening, with the outflow opening open, of course.

[0025] The folding joint together with the first and second guiding elements keep the front and back layers tightened flat in at the location of and near the pouch. As a result, the pour channel and the area between the pour channel and the guiding elements is rather flat, at least in the situation in which no pressure is applied to the pouch by a user. In other words, the invention provides a pouch for holding therein a liquid, or at least configured for holding a liquid therein and having a pour channel with a leak free outflow opening, i.e. an outflow opening that doesn’t require a separate stop element, like a cap, to prevent liquid content toleak from the pouch in the opened position of the outflow opening when no external pressure is applied to the pouch, for example by a user. In this document, the term liquid includes real liquid and may also include dry matter that behaves like a liquid, like powder, for example

[0026] The package is manufactured with the circumferential joint closing the pour channel at a pouring end. i.e. an end of the pour channel that faces away from the inner space. An outflow opening can be created by a user by cutting or tearing off the circumferential joint at or near the pour end of the outflow channel. With a pouch having a configuration according to the invention, after removing the circumferential joint at the location of the pour channel, the outflow opening is physically open, however, the pour channel of the pouch is (still) closed, and thus leak free without any pressure applied to the body of the pouch. However, folding, flipping or twisting the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees with respect to the rest of the pouch (defining the inner space of the package) generates the self-closing effect and provides the pour channel of the pouch its reclosed, leak free state. After the folding action, the seal area doesn't necessarily have to maintained in a corner of at least 45 degrees. If the package partly returns to the original (unfolded) position, the reclosed, leak free state of the pour channel may be maintained. Folding, flipping or twisting the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees with respect to the rest of the pouch to the opposite side brings the pour channel of the pouch in the opened state, which allows a user to pour or dose the liquid content of the package. After the folding action, the seal area doesn't necessarily have to maintained in a corner of at least 45 degrees. If the package partly returns to the original (unfolded) position, the opened state may be maintained. Hereinafter, the term folding is meant to include flipping and twisting. Preferably, the seal area is twisted back and forth over at least 60, 90 or even 120 degrees. Also, a folding angle defined in this document is meant to be the angle of folding the seal area over said angle with respect to the original, unfolded, state of the pouch. So if the seal area is in an angle of x degrees with respect to the unfolding state, folding the seal area over an angle of y degrees in the opposite direction or to the opposite side should be interpreted as folding it over x + y degrees (to the opposite side).

[0027] From the above it’s clear that the pour channel of the pouch of the invention can have different states, in which the pour channel behaves differently. To prevent misunderstandings when reading this document, the different states or conditions will now be discussed briefly:Sealed state or condition: the inner space of the pouch is not in communication with the environment, because the outflow opening of the pour channel is physically closed, for example by the circumferential joint or seal, or by a cap. (Self-)closed state or condition: the inner space of the pouch is latent in communication with the environment, because the pour outflow opening of the pour channel is not physically closed by the circumferential joint or seal, however the pour channel of the pouch does not allow liquid content to leave the inner space.Opened, or open, state or condition: allows a user to force liquid to flow out of the pouch and liquid content may leak or dosed from the pouch through the pour channel.

[0028] The self-closing effect of the pour channel of the pouch in the (self) closed state prevents, or at least substantially counter-acts, leaking of liquid from the inner space, through the pour channel and the outflow opening. If a user applies pressure on the pouch in the opened state, to force liquid to flow out of the pouch, the guide elements in the inner space, at the side of the guiding elements that faces away from the pour channel, guide the liquid from the inner space through the gap and then in the direction of the pour channel. A relatively high pressure of the guided liquid to liquid present at the other side of the guiding elements is created at the location of the gap. The guided liquid thus flows, as it were, through the opening at the other side of the guiding elements, to and into the pour channel and through the outflow opening. Thus, when no pressure is applied to the package in the original condition, the pour channel of the package is closed and leak free. A user can pour liquid out of the package by folding the seal area to one side along the folding joint over at least 45° to bring the pour channel in the opened state of the pour channel and applying pressure to the package, preferably to the central part or the part of the package facing away from the pour channel. By folding the seal area to the opposite side along the folding joint over at least 45° brings the pour channel back in the self-closed state. This can be repeated to open and self-close the pour channel when applicable. Thus, the objective aimed by the present invention is met. Preferably, the seal area is twisted back and forth over at least 60. 90 or even 120 degrees.

[0029] To minimise resistance for the liquid when flowing to the pour channel in the opened state of the pour channel, the central axis of the pour channel may be at least substantially straight. Preferably the pour channel is straight.

[0030] To promote the guiding elements guiding the liquid in a predictable direction, i.e., along the bisecting line extension of the guiding elements, the first and second guiding elements extend generally symmetrically with respect to the central pour channel axis.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the guiding elements do not extend to beyond the folding joint, because they could extend into the pour channel.

[0032] The bisecting line of the guiding elements preferably extends parallel, more preferably coincides with the central pour channel axisA

[0033] When the first and / or the second guiding elements extend a distance of 5-100 mm, preferably 10-75 mm, more preferably 15-45 or 20-40 mm. the guiding function is created while enough space between the respective guiding elements and the circumferential joint can be provided at the ends of the guiding elements facing away from the gap.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding elements extend at opposite sides of and generally symmetrically with respect to the central pour channel axis.

[0035] Together with the imaginary bisecting line of the guide elements, an arrow pointing to the connection of the seal area with the inner space of the pouch is created, the arrow pointing in the flow direction of the guided liquid and to the pour channel.

[0036] To enable a sufficient amount of liquid to be caught between the guiding elements at one hand, and to relatively easily generate overpressure at the other hand, the guiding elements preferably extend in an angle in the range of 10-80 degrees with respect to the bisecting line of the guiding elements. In a more preferable embodiment, the guiding elements extend 30-70 degrees, more preferably 45-60 degrees with respect to the bisecting line of the guiding elements.

[0037] If the guiding elements extend in straight lines, the liquid experiences relatively low resistance when it’s guided to the gap.

[0038] To create a relatively high overpressure of the guided liquid with respect to the liquid present at the opposite, pour channel facing, side of the guiding elements at one hand, and to enable a sufficient flow volume at the other hand, the distance between the first and second guiding elements is preferably in the range of 2-40 mm, more preferably 3-25 mm, more preferably 4-15 mm and even more preferably 5-8 mm. For a 1 1 pouch, the distance between the first and second guiding elements may be up to 15 mm, for a 5 1 pouch this may be up to 40 mm.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance from the guiding elements to the pour channel is in the range of 0-20 mm. Thus, “in contact” is included inthe term “in the vicinity of’. The distance of the guiding elements to the pour channel is preferably in the range of 2-15 mm, more preferably of 3-5 mm

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shape of the pouch is polygonal, preferably rectangular.

[0041] When the seal area is arranged in a comer of the pouch, the joint in said corner being truncated and the seal area extending perpendicularly with respect to the truncation, the liquid is already directed to the guide elements in said corner and seal area by the walls of the pouch.

[0042] To ensure, or at least enable, a sufficient length of the pour channel after opening the pouch at one hand, and to prevent too high a flow resistance for the liquid, preferably edible oil, when flowing to the outflow opening, it’s advantageous if the pour channel has a length in the range of 10-100 mm, preferably 13-40 mm, more preferably 14-25 mm and even more preferably 15-20 mm. For a 1 1 pouch the length will typically be in the range from 10-30 mm. For a 5 1 pouch the length will typically be in the range from 20-100 mm.

[0043] For generating a self-closing (leak-free) effect of the pouch, the pour channel preferably has a width in the range of 1-20 mm, preferably 1-7 mm, more preferably 2-5 mm, and even more preferably 3-4 mm. Other preferred ranges for the width of the pour channel are 3-10 mm, especially 5-9 mm and even more especially 7-8 mm. The width has a strong relation with the liquid present in the inner space of the pouch. A 4.5 mm wide pour channel is closed or leak free when the liquid is edible oil, while a 3 mm width already allows a free flow when the liquid is water. For a 1 1 pouch, the width will typically be 3-8 mm or 3-6 mm. For a 5 1 pouch, the width will typically be 5-18 mm

[0044] A pouch according to the invention is easy to manufacture if the circumferential joint, the folding joint and / or the guiding elements are made by locally welding or gluing the front layer and the back layer to each other

[0045] The material of the pouch is preferably comprised in the group existing of: plastics, metal, paper, fiber materials and a laminate thereof. These materials provide a flexible package and facilitate a self-closing effect of the pouch because they can easily melt enough and solidified to generate a seal by means of local heating and cooling.

[0046] Preferably a liquid is comprised in the pouch, the liquid being a watery solution or an oil-like liquid. There is a direct correlation of product viscosity and the size of pour channel. A person skilled in the art will know how to vary some of the dimensions of the pouch, and especially of the outflow- channel.

[0047] The present invention is also related to the use of a pouch according to one or more of the preceding claims, the use comprising the steps of:- providing the pouch;- removing a triangular piece of the seal area to open the pour channel and create the outflow opening;- folding the remaining part of the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees to one side:- putting the pouch in an upside-down position;- bringing the pouch under pressure, to dose or pour content from the inner space, through the pour channel and through the outflow opening;- release the pressure; and- folding the remaining part of the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees to the opposite side to bring the pouch in a reclosed or leak free condition. Again, a folding angle is meant to be the angle of folding the seal area over said angle with respect to the original, unfolded, state of the pouch. So if the seal area is in an angle of x degrees with respect to the unfolding state, folding the seal area over an angle of y degrees in the opposite direction or to the opposite side should be interpreted as folding it over x + y degrees (to the opposite side).

[0048] Now looking to figure 1, a schematic view of a first embodiment of a pouch 1 according to the invention is shown. The pouch 1 has a rectangular front layer 2a and a corresponding back layer (2b, hidden behind the front layer 2a in figure a) which are sealed together along a circumferential joint formed by a seal 3 that extends at the outer circumference of the front 2a and back layers. The front 2a and back layers are made of the same plastics, especially for example PE. so that can be easily sealed by locally heating (melting) and then cooling (solidifying) at least one of the layers 2a, 2b and meanwhile mutually contacting the layers 2a, 2b. The length of the front 2a and back layers of this specific embodiment is 25 cm and the width is 16 cm. However, the size may exceed 50 by 32 cm, depending on the aimed use and the kind of liquid. The pouch 1 in this example contains an edible oily fluid content between the front 2a and back layers, except for the (in figure 1) encircled seal area in the left hand top comer 13 of the pouch 1. The content containing part of the pouch is defined by circumferential seal 3 and two folding seals 4, and 5, that together with two more seals 6, 7 define a seal area S including a pour channel 8. The seal area S may be considered as an integral part of the pouch forming a pour spout and including the pour channel 8. A part of the circumferential seal 3 that extends (vertically)from folding seal 4 to the left top corner, i.e. the left hand top comer 13 of the pouch 1 is indicated 3a. A part of the circumferential seal 3 that extends (horizontally) from folding seal 5 to the left top corner, i.e. the left hand top corner 13 of the pouch 1 is indicated 3b. The width of the pour channel amounts 3,5 mm. At an open end, the pour channel 8 is in communication with the inner space, which is the content containing part of the pouch 1. At the other end, the pour channel 8 is closed to the environment by seal 3. In part 3a, seal 3 has two triangular indentations 9a,b that facilitates a user tearing away the sealed end S of the pour, creating an outflow opening for the pour channel 8.

[0049] Two spaced apart guiding elements 10a, b are formed in the content containing part of the pouch 1 and at a distance of 10 mm from the end of the pour channel 8 facing the content containing part (including the guiding elements 10a, b), which are also made by sealing the front 2a and back layers to each other. The two guiding elements 10a, b extend straight over a length of about 30 mm, in an angle of 90 degrees with respect to each other and converging in the direction of the pour channel 8. Together with an imaginary bisecting line 11, an extension of which coincides with a central axis of the pour cannel 8, the guiding elements 10a, b form an arrow pointing to the pour channel 8. In this specific embodiment, the distance between the guiding elements 10a, b amounts 7 mm and the resulting opening12 allows fluid content to pass the guiding elements 10a, b, in use. The pour channel 8 extends to the left hand top corner 13 of the pouch, which is sealed in Fig. 1.

[0050] Fig 2 shows a schematic front view of the circled comer of the pouch of figure 1 in the unfolded position, either in the self-closed or opened state of the pour channel, after the closed left hand top corner (13 in figure 1) of the pour channel 8 has been torn away. The end 13 of the pour channel 8 that was originally closed to the environment (figure 1) is in now open to the environment, thus having an outflow opening. The seal area S extends substantially in the same plane as the inner space. However, there is still no communication between the content containing part and the open end of the pour channel 8, and thus no fluid content, or at least substantially no fluid content, in the inners space is able to leave the pouch 1 through the pour channel 8. The pouch 1 is self-closing or, in other words, leak free.

[0051] Fig 3a shows a schematic side view of the pouch 1 of figure 1. The pouch 1 comprises the front 2a and back layers 2b that define an inner space 2 of the pouch 1. The front 2a and back layers 2b are connected by a circumferential seal 3, having the part 3a that extends from an intersection 4a of circumferential seal 3 and folding seal 4 to the top corner13 of the pouch 1. In the filled state of the pouch 1, the front 2a and back layers 2b divergefrom one side to the opposite side of the circumferential seal. 3. The dotted lines show that the side facing the viewer does not diverge from the top of the pouch. Instead, it diverges from intersection 4a of circumferential seal 3 and folding seal 4. The pouch 1 is in the closed or sealed state.

[0052] Fig 3b shows a schematic side view of the pouch 1 of figure 3a, of which a comer (13 in figure 3a) at the closed end of the pour spout including the pour channel 8 has been torn away, with the seal area S folded over 60 degrees along folding seals 4, 5 to a first, right hand, side. The pour channel 8 is open to the environment. A user is now able to pour a liquid from the inner space 2, through pouring channel 8 and the outflow opening.

[0053] Fig 3c shows a schematic side view of the pouch 1 of figure 3c, after the seal area S has been folded over 60 degrees along folding seals 4, 5 to a second, left hand, side. The pouch is now in the self-closed state. Whereas the outflow opening is physically open, the pour channel is closed. The pouch is leak free and a user is not able to pour liquid from the inner space 2 and through the pour channel 8.

[0054] By repeating the above-described folding operations, a user can transfer the pouch between the self-closed and the open state. Thus, a recloseable pouch is provided.

[0055] Fig 4 shows a schematic front view of a second embodiment of a corner of a pouch 21 according to the invention in the condition corresponding to that of the first embodiment shown in figure 2a. To prevent unnecessary repetition of introduction of elements, elements of the second embodiment shown in figure 4 that correspond to elements in the embodiment of figure 1 are referred to with a reference number that is increased with 20 with respect to the reference number of the corresponding element of figure 2a. In the embodiment of the second pouch 21, the guiding elements 30a, b converge in a different angle than the guiding elements 10a, b of the first embodiment. Pouch 21 acts similar to pouch 1.

[0056] Fig 5 shows a schematic front view of a third embodiment of a corner of a pouch 41 according to the invention, again in a condition corresponding to that of the first embodiment shown in figure 2a. To prevent unnecessary repetition of introduction elements, elements of the third embodiment shown in figure 5 that correspond to elements in the embodiment of figure 1 are referred to with a reference number that is increased with 40 with respect to the reference number of the corresponding element of figure 2a. In the embodiment of the third pouch 41, the guiding elements 50a, b converge in a different angle than the guiding elements 10a, b of the first embodiment. Pouch 21 acts similar to pouch 1.

[0057] In the claims and the above specification of the present invention, all parameter ranges include the end-points of the ranges and all values in between the endpoints, unless otherwise specified. When used in these specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0058] Within the scope of the present description and claims, the term liquid is considered to also cover emulsions, semi-liquids, which include liquid butter, tomato sauce and mayonnaise, for example. In embodiments of the invention the liquid may be chosen from a group consisting of hydrophilic liquids, such as aqueous media, hydrophobic liquids, such as oils, emulsions, and more paste like materials like tomato paste, liquid butter and mayonnaise but also including herbs paste, toothpaste, cosmetic gels, the liquid preferably being an edible oil.

[0059] The figures and the description disclose specific embodiments of a pouch according to the invention. However, the figures and the description have no limiting effect with respect to the scope of the invention, that is defined, and limited, only by the most general interpretation of the enclosed claims.

[0060] The length and width of pouch can differ and have different ratio’s that those shown in figure 1. In fact, while for reasons of economical use of material a rectangular embodiment of the pouch may be preferred, the pouch may have different forms, like triangular or polygonal. The pour channel doesn’t have to extend to the corner of the pouch; it may also extend to a different location of the surrounding seal, like the middle of the length or width of the pouch, for example. The comer defined by the seals (3, 4 and 5 in figure 1) could also be formed as a pyramid or trapezoid extension at a short or long side of the pouch.

[0061] The material of the layers may be of any other material that is suitable for mutual attachment, like other plastics or metal sheets that can be welded together. The figures and description disclose straight guiding elements. The guiding elements could also have a different form, like a curved form wherein the curves preferably are directed to each other.Reference list1, 21, 41 pouch2a 22a, 42 front layer2b back layer, 23, 43 circumferential seal a, 3b circumferential seal of seal area, 24, 44 seal , 25, 45 seal , 26, 46 seal , 27, 47 seal , 28, 48 pour channel a,b, 29a, b, 49a, b indentation 0a, b, 20a, b, 30a, b guiding element 1, 31, 51 bisecting line 2 opening 3 pouring top corner of pouch seal area

Claims

CLAIMS1. A pouch for holding therein a liquid, the pouch having a front layer and a back layer joined together by a circumferential joint, an inner space of the pouch between the front and back layers, defined by the circumferential joint, and configured to hold a liquid, the pouch comprising a seal area having a central axis and including a pour channel having a central pour channel axis and allowing a liquid comprised in the inner space to flow out of the pouch in an outflow direction from the inner space, via the pour channel and to an outflow opening, at least in an opened condition of the outflow opening, the pouch comprising a the seal area defining folding joint that extends perpendicularly with respect to the pour channel and from both sides of the inner space facing end of the pour channel to the circumferential joint, the pouch comprising at least first and second guiding elements spaced apart by a gap and located in the inner space and in the vicinity of the pour channel created by locally joining the front layer to the back layer, the first and second guiding elements extending a length at opposite sides of the central pour channel axis, and converging in the direction to the pour channel.

2. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the central axis of the pour channel is at least substantially straight, preferably wherein the pour channel is straight.

3. A pouch according to claim 1 or 2, the first and second guiding elements extending generally symmetrically with respect to the central pour channel axis and / or do not extend to beyond the folding joint.

4. A pouch according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first and / or the second guiding elements extend a distance of 5-100 mm, preferably 10-75 mm, more preferably 15- 45 or 20-40 mm, and / or wherein the guiding elements extend at opposite sides of and generally symmetrically with respect to the central pour channel axis.

5. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding elements extend in an angle in the range of 10-80 degrees, preferably 30-70 degrees, more preferably 45-60 degrees with respect to the bisecting line of the guiding elements.

6. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding elements extend in straight lines.

7. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the first and second guiding elements is in the range of 2-40 mm, preferably 3-25 mm. more preferably 5-8 mm.

8. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance of the guiding elements to the pour channel is in the range of 0-20 mm. preferably 2-15 mm, more preferably 3-5 mm.

9. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the pouch is polygonal, preferably, rectangular10. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the seal area is arranged in a corner of the pouch, the joint in said corner being truncated and the seal area extending perpendicularly with respect to the truncation.

11. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pour channel has a length in the range of 10-100 mm, preferably 13-40 mm, more preferably 14-25 mm and even more preferably 15-20 mm and / or wherein the pour channel has a width in the range of 1-20 mm, preferably 2-5 mm of 3-10 mm, more preferably 3-4 mm or 7-8 mm.

12. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential joint, the folding joint and / or the guiding elements are made by locally- welding or gluing the front layer and the back layer to each other.

13. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the pouch is comprised in the group existing of plastics, metal, paper, fiber base materials and a laminate comprising said materials.

14. A pouch according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a liquid is comprised in the pouch, the liquid being a watery solution or an oil-like liquid.

15. Use of a pouch according to one or more of the preceding claims, the use comprising the steps of:- providing the pouch;- removing a triangular piece of the seal area to open the pour channel and create the outflow opening;- folding the remaining part of the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees to one side;- putting the pouch in an upside-down position;-bringing the pouch under pressure, to dose or pour content from the inner space, through the pour channel and through the outflow opening:- release the pressure; and- folding the remaining part of the seal area along the folding joint over at least 45 degrees to the opposite side to bring the pouch in a leak free condition.

Images