Flexible packaging having oval line of weakness

Abstract

The invention relates to packaging (1) having a flexible wall (10) and an flexible opposite wall (11) which delimit the interior, wherein the wall (10) and the opposite wall (11) are connected to an upper edge (12) in a new state of the packaging (1). The wall (10) and the opposite wall (11) each have an oval line of weakness (13) having an upper line portion (14) and a lower line portion (15), wherein the line of weakness (13) divides the wall (10) or the opposite wall (11), respectively, into a head region (16), a flap region (17) and a lower region (18), wherein the upper line portion (14) is designed to be able to separate the head region (16) from the rest of the wall (10) or from the rest of the opposite wall (11), respectively, and the lower line portion (15) is designed as a fold line around which the flap region (17) can be folded inwards.

Description

[0001] Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

[0002] March 25, 2025

[0003] "Flexible packaging with oval-shaped weakening line"

[0004] Description

[0005] The invention relates to packaging with an interior space for holding a product.

[0006] In Germany, Somat dishwasher tablets from Henkel are offered in a stand-up pouch package with a flexible front wall and a flexible back wall. When new, the front and back walls are connected at the top edge, sealing the interior. The package can be opened by tearing off this connecting edge. Resealing the package after initial opening requires external aids such as a clip or rubber band.

[0007] Another packaging, also in the form of a pouch, is known from US Patent 2002 / 0152719 A1. The pouch has a wall and a back wall connected at two longitudinal edges and a bottom edge. A closure is located in an upper area of ​​the packaging, spaced apart from the bottom edge. When closed, the closure holds the wall and back wall together in this area, thus sealing the interior of the packaging. The closure has a first and a second locking bar, the first locking bar being associated with the wall and the second locking bar with the back wall. The locking bars can be locked and unlocked by means of a sliding piece that can be moved along the locking bars. The first locking bar, the second locking bar, and the sliding piece are made of plastic.

[0008] Climate change is causing consumers and customers to pay increasing attention to the sustainability of packaging solutions. The demand for and requirements for sustainable packaging are constantly rising, thus urging the packaging industry and consumer goods manufacturers to provide more sustainable packaging solutions.

[0009] When assessing the sustainability of packaging, it is relevant whether the packaging ends up in the trash after use or can be recycled. If the sides, backing, closure, and possibly other parts of the bag are made of different plastic materials, recycling the packaging becomes complex and costly. If only one type of plastic material is used for the bag, the recycling process is simplified. In practice, however, the possibility of recycling the plastic(s) is only used to a limited extent for a variety of reasons, resulting in comparatively low recycling rates.

[0010] The paper processing industry, on the other hand, can rely on particularly well-established recycling processes with high recycling rates. Accordingly, paper packaging can be used to achieve high recycling rates.

[0011] 2

[0012] Implementing sustainable packaging solutions. Even if the plastic wall and back panel of the bag described above were replaced with paper walls, the plastic closure would still remain, as per US 2002 / 0152719 A1, and this would hinder the easy recycling of the waste paper. Therefore, packaging with a plastic closure only represents a sustainable packaging solution to a limited extent.

[0013] The object underlying the invention is to provide packaging that is as sustainable as possible and can be resealed after being opened for the first time.

[0014] The problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter according to claim 1. Exemplary embodiments can be found in the dependent claims to claim 1.

[0015] According to the invention, the wall and the opposing wall each have an oval-shaped weakening line with an upper and a lower line section. The weakening line divides the wall (the same applies analogously to the opposing wall) into a head region, a flap region, and a lower region. The head region extends between the upper edge and the upper line section. The flap region is enclosed by the oval-shaped weakening line. The lower region is located below the lower line section. The upper line section is designed to separate the head region from the rest of the wall or the opposing wall. The lower line section is designed as a folding line around which the flap region can be folded inwards, whereby, in an inwardly folded state, the flap region of the wall and the flap region of the opposing wall close the interior space.

[0016] In the packaging according to the invention, the upper edge, together with the head region of the wall and the head region of the opposing wall, can be cut off along the respective upper line segment of the weakening line without the need for a tool such as scissors or a knife. With the upper edge and upper sections cut off, the packaging is open, allowing the product to be removed. To reseal the packaging after the product has been removed, the flap section of the wall is folded inwards towards the opposing wall around the lower line segment as a folding axis. Similarly, the flap section of the opposing wall is also folded inwards, so that the flap sections close the interior again. The flap sections can overlap, at least partially.The flap section of the wall can be positioned below or above the flap section of the opposite wall, depending on which flap section folds inwards first. The angle between the plane of the inwardly folded flap section and the plane of the lower section can be approximately perpendicular, for example, between 80 and 100°. 2024PF00309.

[0017] 3

[0018] Although the material used for both the wall and the counter wall is flexible and compliant, the inherent stiffness of both walls and counter walls means that—due to the convexly shaped line segment around which the folding or inward folding of the flap section occurs—the folding process is accompanied by a certain snapping effect. This snapping effect causes the flap section to be pressed into the inwardly folded state or into an open state. In the open state, the lower section and the flap section lie approximately in the same plane. At the very least, a certain elastic resistance must be overcome when folding the flap section due to the curved folding axis.

[0019] If, as in a preferred embodiment, the wall and the counter wall are made of a material based on plant fibers such as cellulose or paper, the packaging according to the invention is a paper package that preferably consists of at least 95% by weight of a material or materials based on plant fibers. In one embodiment, the proportion of the material or materials based on plant fibers exceeds 97% by weight. The paper wall and the counter wall can be coated with a thin coating. The coating can be made of plastic.

[0020] In one embodiment, the packaging consists of 100% paper, cardboard or carton.

[0021] The wall and the opposing wall can be connected to each other via a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. The packaging can be designed as a stand-up pouch with a bottom gusset. The bottom gusset can extend from the first longitudinal seam to the second longitudinal seam near the bottom of the packaging.

[0022] The oval-shaped weakening line can extend from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge. In one embodiment, both the upper and lower line segments extend from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge.

[0023] The basis weight or grammage of the wall can be less than 220 g / m². 2 In one embodiment, the basis weight is less than 180 g / m². 2 or even less than 140 g / m² 2 Preferably, the surface weight of the wall corresponds to the surface weight of the opposing wall. For a surface weight below 220 g / m²2 Paper is flexible, but has a residual stiffness, which means that a certain resistance must be overcome when folding the flap area into or out of the folded-in state.

[0024] The upper line section can be designed as a perforation line with adjacent cutouts or perforations. Each cutout or perforation can have a main segment and a secondary segment inclined to it. The main segment can extend along the length of the upper line section. The length of the main segment can be at least 1.5 or 2 times greater than the length of the secondary segment.

[0025] 4

[0026] Side segment. Such an arrangement and design of the cutouts or perforations allows for easy detachment of the head area.

[0027] The angle of inclination between the longitudinal extent of the upper line segment and the secondary segment can be between 30° and 60°. In one embodiment, the angle of inclination is between 40° and 50°.

[0028] The upper line section can differ from the lower line section in terms of the arrangement and shape of the cutouts or perforations. For example, the lower line section can be formed by a series of small circular cutouts.

[0029] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0030] Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of packaging in a new condition;

[0031] Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the packaging in an open state;

[0032] Figure 3 shows the packaging of Figure 2 from above;

[0033] Figure 4 shows the packaging of Figure 2 from the front;

[0034] Figure 5 shows the packaging of Figure 2 from the side;

[0035] Figure 6 shows the packaging of Figure 2 with the flap areas folded in;

[0036] Figure 7 shows the packaging of Figure 6 from the front;

[0037] Figure 8, the packaging of Figure 6 from the side: and

[0038] Figure 9 shows an arrangement of cutouts in an upper line segment.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically shows a package, designated as 1 in its entirety, which is designed as a stand-up pouch. The package 1 comprises a wall or front wall 10 and a counter wall or back wall 11, which is completely concealed by the front wall 10 in Figure 1 but can be seen in Figure 2.

[0040] The wall 10 extends to an upper edge 12. In a new state shown in Figure 1, the upper edge 12 connects the wall 10 to the opposing wall 11, so that an interior space bounded by the wall 10 and the opposing wall 11 is enclosed. By separating the upper edge 2024PF00309

[0041] 5

[0042] The packaging can be opened at point 12, revealing the interior from the top. A product inside (e.g., dishwasher tablets) can then be removed.

[0043] The wall 10 includes an oval-shaped weakening line 13 with an upper line section 14 and a lower line section 15. The weakening line 13 divides the wall 10 into three areas: a head area 16, a flap area 17, and a lower area 18.

[0044] The head region 16 extends from the upper edge 12 to the upper line segment 14. The flap region 17 is bounded by the upper line segment 14 and the lower line segment 15 and has the shape of an oval corresponding to the oval weakening line 13. The lower region 18 extends from the lower line segment 15 to a bottom edge 19. If a tangent were drawn to any point on the oval weakening line 13, the oval weakening line 13 would always lie entirely on one side of the tangent.

[0045] The counter wall 11 has the same structure as the wall 10. The counter wall 11 also has a weakening line 13, which likewise divides the counter wall 11 into three areas. These three areas are designated with the same reference symbols as those introduced for the wall 10 (head area 16, flap area 17, and lower area 18). Accordingly, the upper line segment of the oval-shaped weakening line 13 of the counter wall 11 is designated 14, and the lower line segment of the oval-shaped weakening line 13 of the counter wall 11 is designated 15.

[0046] The upper section 14 of the weakening line 13 weakens the material of wall 10 and the material of the counter wall 11, which is preferably paper, such that a user of the packaging 1 can tear off the head sections 16 of wall 10 and counter wall 11, including the upper edge 12, with ordinary force and without tools. The packaging 1 is open at the top after the head sections 16 are removed.

[0047] Figures 2 to 5 show different views of an embodiment of the packaging 1, in which the head sections 16 and the upper edge 12 have already been separated. In Figures 2 to 5, a lower part of the now separated upper line section 14 is labelled 14a. Figure 5 shows that the flap section 17 is located in the same (curved) plane as the lower section 18.

[0048] The packaging 1, or stand-up pouch 1, has a first longitudinal edge 20 and a second longitudinal edge 21, which are laterally connected to each other by the wall 10 and the opposing wall 11. The longitudinal seams 20, 21 can be designed as sealing seams. The lower part 14a of the upper line section 14 (or, in the new state, the upper line section 14) extends from the first 2024PF00309

[0049] 6

[0050] Longitudinal edge 20 to the second longitudinal edge 21. This also applies to the lower line section 15: this also connects the two longitudinal edges 20, 21. At the height where the weakening line 13 meets the longitudinal seams 20, 21, the longitudinal seams 20, 21 may also be provided with a weakening line (not shown) so that the head areas 16 can be easily detached from the rest of the packaging 1.

[0051] Figures 6 to 8 show the packaging 1 when the flap area 17 of wall 10 and the flap area 17 of the opposite wall 11 have been folded inwards, closing the interior at the top. Compared to the position of the head areas 16 shown in Figure 5, the head areas 16 in Figures 6 to 8 are folded inwards by approximately 90°.

[0052] Figure 9 schematically shows a section of the upper line segment 14. The line segment 14 is designed as a perforation line with adjacent cutouts 22. Each cutout 22 comprises an elongated main segment 23 and a secondary segment 24. The secondary segment 24 adjoins the main segment 23 directly. The secondary segment 24 is inclined relative to the main segment 25. The angle of inclination 25 between a longitudinal extension 26 of the line segment 14 and the secondary segment 24 is approximately 45°. The elongated main segments 23 extend parallel to the longitudinal extension 26. When the head section 16 is torn off, a material bridge 27 between two adjacent cutouts 22 is severed. The shape and arrangement of the cutouts 22 enable easy and safe separation of the head area 16 from the rest of the wall 10 or the opposing wall 11.2024PF00309

[0053] 7

[0054] Reference symbol list

[0055] Packaging

[0056] 10 Wall / Front wall

[0057] II Opposite wall / Back wall

[0058] 12 top edge

[0059] 13 Weakening line

[0060] 14 upper line section

[0061] 14a lower part of the upper line section 15 lower line section

[0062] 16 Head area

[0063] 17 flap area

[0064] 18 lower area

[0065] 19 bottom edge

[0066] 20 first longitudinal edge

[0067] 21 second longitudinal edge

[0068] 22 Punching

[0069] 23 Main segment

[0070] 24 Sub-segment

[0071] 25 tilt angles

[0072] 26 Longitudinal extent

[0073] 27 Material bridge

Claims

2024PF00309 8 Patent claims 1. Packaging (1) with an interior space for receiving a product, comprising a flexible wall (10) and a flexible counter wall (11) that define the interior space, wherein the wall (10) and the counter wall (11) are connected at an upper edge (12) in the new state of the packaging (1) and thus the interior space is closed, wherein the packaging (1) can be opened by separating the upper edge (12), characterized in that the wall (10) and the counter wall (11) each have an oval-shaped weakening line (13) with an upper line section (14) and a lower line section (15), wherein the weakening line (13) defines the wall (10) and the counter wall (11), respectively.the counter wall (11) is divided into a head region (16) extending between the upper edge (12) and the upper line section (14), a flap region (17) enclosed by the weakening line (13), and a lower region (18) below the lower line section (15), wherein the upper line section (14) is designed to separate the head region (16) from the rest of the wall (10) or from the rest of the counter wall (11), and the lower line section (15) is designed as a folding line about which the flap region (17) can be folded inwards, wherein in an inwardly folded state the flap region (17) of the wall (10) and the flap region (17) of the counter wall (11) close the interior space.

2. Packaging (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the wall (10) is made of a material based on plant fibers.

3. Packaging (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wall (10) is coated.

4. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the basis weight of the wall (10) is less than 220 g / m² 2 , preferably less than 180 g / m² 2 or even less than 140 g / m² 2 is.

5. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a bottom gusset is provided and the packaging (1) is designed as a stand-up pouch.

6. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wall (10) and the counter wall (11) are connected to each other via a first longitudinal edge (20) and a second longitudinal edge (21).

7. Packaging (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the oval-shaped weakening line (13) extends from the first longitudinal edge (20) to the second longitudinal edge (21). 2024PF00309 9 8. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upper line section (14) is designed as a perforation line with adjacently arranged cutouts (22) or perforations.

9. Packaging (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cutouts (22) or perforations each have a main segment (23) extending along the longitudinal extent (26) of the upper line section (14) and a secondary segment (24) inclined thereto.

10. Packaging (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that an angle of inclination (25) between the longitudinal extension and the secondary segment (25) is 30 to 60°.

11. Packaging (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the upper line section (14) differs from the lower line section (15) with regard to the arrangement and shape of the cutouts (22) or perforations.

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