Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/52—Details
  • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
  • B65D75/5861—Spouts
  • B65D75/5872—Non-integral spouts
  • B65D75/5877—Non-integral spouts connected to a planar surface of the package wall
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
  • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
  • B65B3/045—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
  • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
  • B65B61/186—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
  • B65D75/008—Standing pouches, i.e. "Standbeutel"
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
  • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
  • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
  • B65D81/2084—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in a flexible container

Definitions

• the present invention refers to a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid, such as in particular an household or personal care liquid, and to a related forming and packaging method.
• Known methods of packaging detergent or cleaning liquids involve placing them in a flexible refill bag having three walls heat-welded together to form a bag with a substantially triangular side profile.
• the refill bags for example of liquid hand soap, are used to refill a package of liquid hand soap equipped with a pump, therefore the refill bags are used exclusively to reduce the cost and weight of the packaging aimed at using the same rigid package of a liquid product of the same type several times.
• the bags include three walls, a frontal wall, a rear wall and a bottom wall, made of flexible plastic sheets respectively.
• the first frontal wall and the second rear wall are welded together only along the two side ends (left and right) and are also connected by a bottom wall which is heat-welded to said first frontal wall and to said second rear wall.
• said bottom wall comprises a frontal side and a rear side which are heat-welded to said frontal wall and to said rear wall respectively, further said bottom wall includes a left side and a right side each of which is heat-welded at the same time to said first frontal wall and to said second rear wall.
• Said bag includes a beveled upper corner in which an outlet pipe is inserted and heat-welded on which a threaded cap is screwed.
• said bag is provided with a resealable screw cap which is screwed onto an outlet duct which is heat-welded at a beveled upper corner of said bag.
• said bag is optionally provided with a through hole which makes a vertical handle which is made in a heat-welded portion of said frontal wall, wherein said handle extends vertically and is made on a side opposite to that of the cap for grasping and tilting the bag to pouring the detergent or cleaning liquid and also for handling said bag.
• a purpose of the present invention is to make a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related forming and packaging method that allow to prevent an unwanted leakage of the liquid during the use of the flexible package and that allow at the same time to maximize the containment capacity of said flexible package.
• Another purpose is to make a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related forming and packaging method that allow to reduce the surface and volume necessary for the storage and transport of the flexible package containing the detergent or cleaning liquid.
• Another purpose is to make a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related forming and packaging method that allow the use of natural ingredients and that allow to reduce the percentage of preservatives and bactericidal agents necessary to prevent oxidation and the proliferation of bacteria within said flexible bag for a given period of time.
• a flexible package for a detergent or cleaning liquid such as in particular a household care or personal care liquid, is provided.
• Said flexible package is of a type comprising at least three flexible walls, such as a first frontal rectangular wall, a second rear rectangular wall and a third bottom rectangular wall which is foldable in half on itself for making said flexible package flat when it is empty, said at least three flexible walls being heat-welded together for containing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said flexible package preferably filled with said detergent or cleaning liquid, is self-supporting, that is, it is able to remain vertical if placed with said third bottom rectangular wall on a support surface, thanks to said third bottom rectangular wall and in particular to a lower side of said first frontal rectangular wall and to a lower side of said second rear rectangular wall that collaborate with each other for keep said flexible package vertical.
• said flexible package with at least three walls is therefore self-supporting and does not require an external container such as a containment box for maintaining a vertical configuration.
• Said flexible package also includes an outlet duct heat-welded to said flexible package for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said flexible package includes an opening/closing valve equipped with at least one opening/closing lever for dispensing said detergent liquid or detergent, besides said outlet duct, preferably horizontal, is heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall in proximity of a lower side of the same for allowing a complete outflow of said detergent or cleaning liquid from said outlet duct, further said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid in particular by keeping said flexible package resting on a support surface or hanged on a hook or a water tap.
• said flexible package is therefore to be used as a final package also for dispensing and using of said detergent or cleaning liquid, and also allows to solve a first purpose of the present invention.
• said opening/closing valve includes a second outlet duct oriented downwards for facilitating the outflow of said liquid into a container or onto a user's hand.
• said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct by means of a pressure coupling in particular of the male/female type which is preferably realized internally within said outlet duct and externally to a tubular portion of an external body of said opening/closing valve with which said opening/closing valve is equipped.
• outlet duct is an externally flanged collar and it is internally corrugated, in which it is inserted and coupled under pressure, in particular with a snap coupling, an externally corrugated tubular portion of an external body of said opening/closing valve, which is in particular also heat-welded to the same.
• said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct by means of a threaded coupling in particular of the male/female type which is preferably realized internally within said outlet duct and externally to a tubular portion of an external body of said opening/closing valve with which it is equipped; preferably said outlet duct is an externally flanged collar and is internally threaded, into which is screwed, in particular with a watertight thread, an externally threaded tubular portion of an externally threaded body of said opening/closing valve, for reusing several times said opening/closing valve with a plurality of flexible packages.
• a threaded coupling in particular of the male/female type which is preferably realized internally within said outlet duct and externally to a tubular portion of an external body of said opening/closing valve with which it is equipped; preferably said outlet duct is an externally flanged collar and is internally threaded, into which is screwed, in particular with a watertight thread
• said flexible package includes a flexible closing tongue which is preferably heat-welded at a free end of said outlet duct for keeping said flexible package closed and unaltered before use, and furthermore said flexible closing tongue is removable for screwing said opening/closing valve or for press-fitting said opening/closing valve.
• outlet duct preferably horizontal protrudes externally with respect to said first frontal rectangular wall between 0.5 and 1 cm.
• opening/closing valve protrudes externally with respect to said first frontal rectangular wall between 1.5 cm and 3.5 cm.
• said outlet duct includes a first internal flange which is heat-welded internally to said first frontal rectangular wall, and also includes at least a second external flange, in particular at least two external flanges, preferably for supporting said flexible package, in particular for emptying said flexible package from the air, and for filling said flexible package with said detergent or cleaning liquid, in particular for inserting an inert gas and for temporarily closing said outlet duct from the inside, and at the same time for inserting said opening /closing valve under pressure within said outlet duct.
• said preferably horizontal outlet duct is heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall in a substantially central position of the same, preferably in proximity of said third bottom rectangular wall in particular so as to present a lower part of said outlet duct substantially tangent to a lower side of said first frontal rectangular wall in order for allowing a complete outflow of said detergent product or liquid detergent.
• said third bottom rectangular wall comprises a frontal side and a rear side which are heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall and to said second rear rectangular wall respectively, and said third bottom rectangular wall includes a left side and a right side, each of which is heat-welded at the same time as said first frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall.
• said first frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall have the same dimensions and are superimposed on each other so that corresponding edges are coincident
• said third bottom rectangular wall is foldable in half on itself so that two edges of each left and right side of the same are superimposed
• said folded third bottom rectangular wall is inserted between said first frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall in such a way that the frontal and rear sides of said folded third bottom rectangular wall coincide with the lower side of said first frontal rectangular wall and with the lower side of that second rectangular wall, and also are heat-welded together a perimeter of said first frontal rectangular wall, a perimeter of said second rear rectangular wall, and a perimeter of said folded third bottom rectangular wall.
• said opening/closing valve includes an external body, an inlet duct internal to said external body, a second outlet duct preferably vertical in which is inserted a first element made of an elastic polymeric material chosen between silicone or other elastic plastic material having a sealing function, and also includes a second polymeric closing element of said second outlet duct which is made in one single piece with said at least one opening/closing lever and is slidable, preferably vertically, within said external body for moving away from an outlet section of said second outlet duct following an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever for opening said second outlet duct for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said at least one opening/closing lever is external to said external body and is also inserted into a corresponding hole made within said external body for being integral to said second polymeric closing element, said at least one opening/closing lever is operable to vertically lift said second polymeric closure element by reaction with said hole for opening said second outlet duct for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said opening/closing valve also includes an annular closure element equipped with a gasket which is pressed by elastic means against said outlet duct for keeping said outlet duct normally closed; further preferably said at least one opening/closing lever includes an proximal end internal to said opening/closing valve which is interposed between said outlet duct and said annular closure element for moving the same away from said outlet duct for opening said opening/closing valve and for allowing the dispensing of said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said elastic means include a retaining spring preferably made of metal in particular galvanized or stainless steel, which is connected to a shutter and to said at least one opening/closing lever for closing said outlet duct of said flexible package.
• opening/closing valve is normally kept closed by a closing spring that keeps said opening/closing valve closed, and also said at least one opening/closing lever when actuated allows to counteract the force of said closing spring for opening said valve and for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said opening/closing valve includes an externally corrugated and preferably horizontal sleeve, which is insertable by pressure within said outlet duct of said flexible package.
• said flexible package includes a dosing tap which is coupled with said opening/closing valve and in particular which is integrated with the same.
• said flexible package include a plastic seal which is removable before use, and which prevents the actuation of at least one opening/closing lever preventing an accidental opening of said opening/closing valve
• said opening/closing valve includes a flexible closing tongue and includes a second outlet duct preferably vertical for dosing said detergent or cleaning liquid, wherein said second outlet duct includes a free end to which said removable flexible tongue is heat-welded for keeping said flexible package closed and unaltered.
• said flexible package includes at least one handle or at least one handling hole which is made in proximity of an upper side of said first frontal rectangular wall in a substantially central position for keeping said flexible package vertical, in particular preventing it from tilting to one side, in particular when said at least a handle, or said at least one handling hole, is hooked to a hook or to a water tap, and for attaching said flexible package to a hook or to a water tap.
• said at least one handle or said at least one handling hole are also used to hook at least one flexible package to a hook or to a water tap.
• said at least one handle or said at least one handling hole extends horizontally and it is in particular "I" shaped.
• said flexible package allows to easily dose said detergent or cleaning liquid, for example by placing it on a plane of a washing machine so that said opening/closing valve is protruding from said plane and positioned above an open drawer for the detergent of the washing machine itself, also by means of an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever it is possible to pour into said drawer said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said flexible package includes a fourth upper rectangular wall which is heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall and to said second rear rectangular wall at a predetermined distance from an upper side of each of them.
• said fourth upper rectangular wall comprises a frontal side and a rear side which are respectively heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall and to said second rear rectangular wall, further said fourth upper rectangular wall includes a left side and a right side each of which is respectively heat-welded at the same time to said first frontal rectangular wall and to said second rear rectangular wall.
• said at least one handle or said at least one handling hole are .
• said flexible package includes an internal volume which is at least at 90%, in particular at least 95%, filled with said detergent or cleaning liquid and also a remaining portion of said internal volume is filled with an inert gas such as in particular nitrogen.
• said detergent liquid is chosen between a washing machine or hand washing detergent, a floor detergent, a glass detergent, a dishwashing detergent, a household detergent, a fabric softener, a sanitizer.
• said detergent liquid is chosen between a liquid soap, a bath foam, a shower foam, a shampoo.
• said detergent or cleaning liquid includes at least one preserving agent, preferably chosen between phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate, at least one bactericidal agent preferably chosen between phenoxyethanol and/or citric acid, and further comprises a plurality of substances of natural origin or derivation, such as in particular coconut oil salts or oil, glucosides.
• said detergent or cleaning liquid includes at least one chelating agent for metal ions, such as in particular tetrasodium glutamate diacetate.
• said flexible package when a vacuum is created inside it, said first frontal rectangular wall is pressed against said second rear rectangular wall and therefore the lateral thickness is between 0.5 and 3 millimeters, except where said opening/closing valve is present.
• a forming and packaging method of a flexible package for a detergent or cleaning liquid according to one or more variants or according to one or more features previously described.
• said method includes a packaging step which includes a phase of h) completely sucking the air inside of said flexible package by means of a supply duct connected to said outlet duct of said flexible package, followed by a phase of i) filling said flexible package with a detergent liquid or detergent which preferably includes a phase of j) pumping said detergent or cleaning liquid through said supply duct almost completely filling said flexible package.
• phase i) include a phase of k) grasping at least one external flange of said outlet duct of said flexible package, in particular with a plier, and keeping said outlet duct facing upwards and in a higher position than said first frontal rectangular wall facing upwards.
• phase i) also includes a phase of m) filling a free volume inside said flexible package with an inert gas such as in particular nitrogen after said phase j).
• an inert gas such as in particular nitrogen after said phase j).
• phase m) includes a phase of n) introducing an inert gas such as nitrogen into said flexible package, in particular through said supply duct.
• said method also includes a phase of o) internally closing said outlet duct by lifting and pressing a portion of said second rear rectangular wall, which faces towards said outlet duct, against said outlet duct and in particular against a first internal flange of said outlet duct for preventing a leakage of said detergent or cleaning liquid, and in particular of said inert gas, from said outlet duct of said flexible package.
• said method preferably includes a phase of p) removing said supply duct and a phase of q) inserting and forcing under pressure said opening/closing valve within said outlet duct of said flexible package obtaining a filled flexible package.
• said forming and packaging method includes a phase of a) superimposing a first frontal rectangular wall on a second rear rectangular wall having the same dimensions as said first frontal rectangular wall, and said method include a phase of b) folding in half a third bottom rectangular wall, in particular by overlapping the edges of a left side and overlapping the edges of a right side, obtaining a third folded bottom rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of c) insert said third folded bottom rectangular wall between said first frontal rectangular wall and said second rectangular wall rear, making coincide the frontal and rear sides of said third folded bottom rectangular wall with the lower side of said first frontal rectangular wall and with the lower side of said second rear rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of d) heat-welding together a perimeter of said first frontal rectangular wall, a perimeter of said second rear rectangular wall, and a perimeter of said third folded bottom rectangular wall, obtaining a flat package.
• said flexible package filled with said detergent or cleaning liquid is able to remain vertical if placed on a support surface thanks to said third bottom rectangular wall.
• said method before said phase a) comprises a2) perforating said first frontal rectangular wall in proximity of a lower side of the wall realizing an outlet hole, and a phase of a3) heat-welding an outlet duct to said outlet hole, which preferably comprises heat-welding a first end flange of said outlet duct internally to said outlet hole.
• said method includes a phase of e) folding in half a fourth upper rectangular wall, in particular by overlapping the edges of a left side and overlapping the edges of a right side, obtaining a fourth folded upper rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of g1) insert said fourth folded upper rectangular wall between said first frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall positioning the frontal and rear sides of said fourth folded upper rectangular wall at a predetermined distance below with respect to an upper side of said first frontal rectangular wall and with respect to an upper side of said second rear rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of g2) heat-welding the perimeter of said first frontal rectangular wall, the perimeter of said second rear rectangular wall, and a perimeter of said fourth folded upper rectangular wall, obtaining a flat flexible package.
• a forming and packaging system of a flexible package for a detergent or cleaning liquid is provided according to one or more variants or according to one or more features previously described.
• said system include a feeding device for said flexible package and shall also include a gripper for grasping said at least one external flange of said outlet duct of said flexible package, and further said system includes a three-way valve having an outlet connected to said supply duct connectable to said outlet duct of said flexible package, and also includes a device for supplying said detergent liquid or detergent connectable to a tank of said detergent or cleaning liquid and also connected to a first inlet of said three-way valve, preferably said system also includes a vacuum pump connected to a first inlet of said three-way valve for sucking in the air contained within said flexible package through said outlet duct of the same and also includes a pressure tank of inert gas, in particular nitrogen, which is connected to said first inlet of said three-way valve for introducing an inert gas such as nitrogen in particular into said flexible package.
• a feeding device for said flexible package shall also include a gripper for grasping said at least one external flange of said outlet duct of said flexible package
• said system includes a three-way valve having
• said system comprising a closing device of said flexible package which is capable of grasping and inserting and pressing said opening/closing valve within said outlet duct of said flexible package.
• said system includes a cutting and heat welding station for realizing said flexible package, and in particular for cutting and heat welding said at least three flexible walls, in particular four flexible walls, and to heat welding said outlet duct to said first frontal rectangular wall.
• a use of a flexible package for a detergent or cleaning liquid according to one or more variants or according to one or more features previously described, wherein said flexible package filled with said detergent or cleaning liquid is positioned vertically on a support plane, so that said opening/closing valve is protruding externally with respect of the same for allowing an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever and for allowing the dosage of said detergent or cleaning liquid.
• said flexible package in which said support surface is a top plane of a washing machine and in which said opening/closing valve is protruding with respect to said top plane and positioned above an open drawer for the detergent of said washing machine itself, for permitting an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever for dosing within said drawer said detergent or cleaning liquid in particular in a predetermined quantity.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=79019265

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Citations (10)

• 2021
  • 2021-08-13 IT IT102021000021890A patent/IT202100021890A1/it unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-08-15 EP EP22000196.0A patent/EP4134327A1/fr active Pending

Patent Citations (10)

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