Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
CLOSURE FOR POUCHES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2010/078898
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Closure (10) for a pouch (30) comprising a cylindrical sleeve (12) having a first open end (14) and a second open end (16), a longitudinal slit (18) in the cylindrical sleeve (12) having a close end (20) proximate to the first end (14) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) and an open end at the second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12), a rod (22) adapted to be arranged concentrically within the cylindrical sleeve (12) having a first end (24) and a second end (26), the first end (24) of the rod (22) being adapted to engage with the first end (14) of the cylindrical sleeve (12), and a child-proof lock adapted to be removable connected to the second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) or to the second end (26) of the rod (22) to block the open end of the longitudinal slit (18).

Inventors:
FILY SEBASTIEN LUCIEN (FR)
CHAZEL BRUNO (FR)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2009/008735
Publication Date:
July 15, 2010
Filing Date:
December 08, 2009
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
BAYER CONSUMER CARE AG (CH)
FILY SEBASTIEN LUCIEN (FR)
CHAZEL BRUNO (FR)
International Classes:
A45C13/14; B65D33/06; B65D33/16
Domestic Patent References:
WO2004043810A12004-05-27
Foreign References:
US1361605A1920-12-07
DE1944037A11970-03-05
FR690526A1930-09-23
US20050050853A12005-03-10
US5913456A1999-06-22
US2020494A1935-11-12
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ALBERS, Markus (Law and Patents Patents and Licensing, Leverkusen, DE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) comprising

- a cylindrical sleeve (12) having a first open end (14) and a second open end (16),

- a longitudinal slit (18) in the cylindrical sleeve (12) having a close end (20) proximate to the first end (114) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) and an open end at the second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12),

- a rod (22) adapted to be arranged concentrically within the cylindrical sleeve (12) having a first end (24) and a second end (26), the first end (24) of the rod (22) being adapted to engage with the first end (14) of the cylindrical sleeve (12), and - a lock adapted to be removable connected to end portion (40) proximate the second end

(16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) or to the second end (26) of the rod (22) to block the open end of the longitudinal slit (18)

2 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical sleeve (12) and the rod (22) are made as one part 3 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical sleeve (12) and the rod (22) are permanently interconnected, either by means of glue or ultrasonic welding

4 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod (22) is at least as long as the cylindrical sleeve (12)

5 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to claim 1, wherein the first end (24) of the rod (22) is broadened such that movement of the rod (22) in direction of the second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) is stopped when the first end (24) of the rod (22) engages the first end (14) of the cylindrical sleeve (12)

6 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the rod (22) has a circular, square, triangular or n-angled (n= 5, 6, 7, 8, or more) cross-section and wherein the walls of the rod (22) between the angles are flat or cambered

7 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the maximum outer diameter of the rod (22) is in the range between 1 to 30 mm 8 Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the surface of the rod (22) is structured or patterned

9. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the lock compπses a πng, cap (50) or bar connected to end portion (40) proximate the second end ( 16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12).

10. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, wherein the lock compπses a nng, cap or bar connected to the second end (26) of the rod (22).

11. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the πng, cap (50) or bar have a patterned or structured surface to facilitate gπpping. 12. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to claim 9 to 11, wherein the length of the πng or cap (50) in longitudinal direction is in the range of 5 to 50 mm, preferably in the range of 15 to 40 mm.

13. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the cylindπcal sleeve (12), the rod (22), the cap (50), πng or bar are be made of a πgid mateπal such as plastic, aluminium, steel or wood.

14. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the cap is made of a flexible matenal.

15. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the closure (10) has a hanger portion (11) connected to or forming one part with the cylmdπcal sleeve (12).

16. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to claim 15, wherein the hanger portion (11) has a hole (13) for mounting.

17. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to one of the claims 1 to 16, wherein the cylindπcal sleeve (12) has a length in the range from 40 mm to 300 mm, preferably from 50 to 200 mm and the outer diameter of the cylindπcal sleeve (12) is in the range from 5 to

50 mm

18. Closure (10) for a pouch (30) according to claim 1, wherein the end portion (40) proximate second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) has two slots or apertures (42) on opposite sides and the closure (10) further compπses a cap (50) or πng with an elliptical cross- section having two protrusions (52) on its inner walls in the area of the endpoints of the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section, said protrusions (52) corresponding to said slots or apertures (42) Method to close a pouch (30) in a child-proof way composing the steps of

- providing a pouch (30), - providing a closure (10) compnsing a cylindrical sleeve (12) having a first open end (14) and a second open end (16), a longitudinal slit (18) in the cylindrical sleeve (12) having a close end (20) proximate to the first end (14) of the cylindrical sleeve (18) and an open end at the second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12), a rod (22) adapted to he arranged concentrically within the cylindrical sleeve (12) having a first end (24) and a second end (26), the first end (24) of the rod (22) being adapted to engage with the first end (14) of the cylindrical sleeve (12), and a lock adapted to be removable connected to the second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) or to the second end (26) of the rod (22) to block the open end of the longitudinal slit (18),

- folding the pouch (30) over such that the walls 32, 34 of the pouch 30 form a channel 36, - sliding the channel 36 into the second end 16 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 and moving forward until the side of the channel 36 engages the first end 14 of the cylindrical sleeve 12,

- connecting a lock to the second end of the cylindrical sleeve or to the second end of the rod Method to close a pouch in a child-proof way of claim 19, wherein

- the end portion (40) proximate the second end (16) of the cylindrical sleeve (12) has two slots or apertures (42) on opposite sides and the closure (10) further compπses a cap (50) or πng with an elliptical cross-section having two protrusions (52) on its inner walls m the area of the endpoints of the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section, said protrusions corresponding to said slots or apertures (42),

- and the connecting step compπses attaching said cap (50) or πng to the end portion (40) proximate the second end (16) of the cylindncal sleeve (12) Method to close a pouch (30) closed according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the folded end portion (60) of the pouch (30) has a hole (62) and compnsmg the additional step of turning the folded end portion (60) of the pouch (30) around the cylindrical sleeve (12) of the closure (10) such that the folded end portion (60) forms a hanger for the pouch (30) Method to re-open a pouch (30) closed according to claims 19 to 21, compπsing the steps of pressing on the two opposite areas 56 at the exteπor of the wall of the cap 50 Upon this pressure the cap walls in the areas 54 move axially away from each other thereby lifting the protrusions 52 from the apertures 42 and the cap 50 can be removed from the feeding end portion 40 of the cylindrical sleeve 12. After removal of the cap 50 the pouch 30 can be reopened by sliding the closure 10 from the folded pouch 30 in the opposite direction away form the stopper end 14 of the cylindrical sleeve 12

Description:
Closure for Pouches

The invention relates to a child-resistant reusable closure for pouches, sachets or bags with a childproof lock

Re-closable pouches are widely known for example from WO 98/57863 Al and WO2004/103827 A2 The closure of these pouches is based on male and female closure elements on two opposite internal surfaces of the pouch Some re-closable pouches use more sophisticated systems, like internal gripping sliders as disclosed for example in WO 02/08078 A2 WO 2006/058418 Al discloses a re-closable pouch having additional security closing device functions US 5,681,115 discloses a child-resistant locking device for a re-closable pouch including a zipper operatively associated with the opening and movable between an open and closed position The zipper is provided with a pull tab having an opening for actuating the zipper and a releasable lock supported on the pouch operatively associated with the pull tab opening for releasably retaining the zipper in the closed position The lock includes elements requiring manual dexterity with both hands at a skill level common to an adult as opposed to a child for release All these re-closable bags are not necessarily airtight and therefore do not reliably protect the content from degradation because of atmospheric aggressions

The company Deasung Hi-tech Ltd Co from Korea offers devices for airtight re-closing of pouches in the Internet (www mirbong co kr) under the trademarks Anylock™, Coolock™ and Carrylock™ These closures comprise a cylindrical sleeve having open ends and a longitudinal slit forming an opening into the circumferential wall of the cylindrical sleeve The longitudinal slit extends from one end, the feeding end, of the cylindrical sleeve until short before the other end, the stopper end, of the cylindrical sleeve end thereby forming a close end of the slit The closure further compnses a rod which is longer than the cylindrical sleeve and adapted to be arranged concentrically within the cylindrical sleeve One end of the rod, the blocker end, is broadened, such that upon inserting the other end, the free end, of the rod into the stopper end of the cylindrical sleeve the forward movement of the rod will be stopped when the blocker end of the rod engages the stopper end of the cylindrical sleeve In this position the free end of the rod projects out of the feeding end of the cylindrical sleeve For use of the closure the pouch to be closed is folded over such that the walls of the pouch form a kink With one side this kmk is slid into the feeding end of the cylindrical sleeve and moved forward in longitudinal direction of the cylindrical sleeve to the stopper end of the cylindrical sleeve such that the folded parts of the walls proximate to the kink are arranged between the rod and the inner wall of the cylindrical sleeve. With this arrangement of the closure the pouch is closed. The pouch can be re-opened by sliding the closure from the folded pouch in the opposite direction such that the kink is moved away form the stopper end of the cylindrical sleeve

These closures can be used for any type of pouch with appropriate size The known re-closable bags are not necessaπly airtight. Further, dependent on the content it might be desirable that a closed pouch cannot be re-opened easily, for example if the content of the pouch is a pharmaceutical, a cleaning agent or another substance which should not end up m the hands of children

The problem is therefore to provide a closure for pouches which cannot be opened by children and be at the same time as tight as possible to protect the content from degradation because of atmospheric aggressions.

This problem is solved by a closure for a pouch and a method to close a pouch according to the claims. The term "pouch" shall be understood to include any kind of flexible sheath including but not limited to pouches, sachets or bags According to the present invention the closure comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a first open end, the stopper end, and a second open end, the feeding end, a longitudinal slit in the cylindrical sleeve having a close end proximate to the first end of the cylindrical sleeve and an open end at the second end of the cylindrical sleeve; a rod adapted to be arranged concentrically within the cylindrical sleeve having a first end, the blocker end, and a second end, the free end, the first end of the rod being adapted to engage with the first end of the cylindrical sleeve, and a child-proof lock adapted to be removable connected to the end portion proximate the second end of the cylindrical sleeve or to the second end of the rod to block the open end of the longitudinal slit.

The rod is at least as long as the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve and the rod can be made as one part The cylindrical sleeve can have a length in the range from 40 mm to 300 mm, preferably from 50 to 200 mm. The outer diameter of the cylindrical sleeve can be m the range from 5 to 50 mm

The rod can have a circular, square, triangular or n-angled (n = 5, 6, 7, 8, or more) cross-section The walls of the rod between the angles can be flat or cambered. The maximum outer diameter of the rod is preferably m the range between 1 to 30 mm The surface of the rod can be structured or patterned An angled shape of the cross-section of the rod as well as a surface pattern or structure on the rod improves the gnp of the walls of the pouch in the closure and therefore the sealing of the pouch

The child-proof lock compπses a πng, a cap or a bar connected to the feeding end of the cylindrical sleeve or to the free end of the rod and blocks the open end of the longitudinal slit The πng, cap or bar can be only removed after performing a specific action requiπng a minimum force or skills which i e. children usually do not possess. As long as the πng, cap or bar is connected to the cylindncal sleeve or to the rod the closed pouch cannot be re-opened, because the open end of the longitudinal slit is blocked and the closure cannot be slid from the folded pouch.

The πng, cap or bar can have a patterned or structured surface to facilitate gripping The length of the πng or cap in longitudinal direction is preferably in the range of 5 to 50 mm, more preferred in the range of 15 to 40 mm

The cylindncal sleeve, the rod and the cap, nng or bar can be made of a πgid mateπal such as plastic, aluminium, steel or wood. The cap can be also made of a flexible matenal to allow the squeeze-and-turn opening for child resistance The folded end portion of the pouch can have a hole and can be turned around the cylindncal sleeve of the closure such that the folded end portion forms a hanger for the pouch Alternatively the closure can have a hanger portion connected to or forming one part with the cylindncal sleeve. The hanger portion can have a hole for mounting.

In one embodiment the feeding end portion of the cylindncal sleeve has two slots or apertures on opposite sides The cap has an elliptical cross-section and two protrusions on its inner walls in the area of the endpoints of the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section The protrusions correspond to the apertures or slots in the feeding end portion of the cylindncal sleeve. The closure is locked upon engagement of the protrusions of the cap with apertures or slots in the feeding end portion of the cylindncal sleeve The closure can be re-opened by pressing on the two opposite areas at the exteπor of the wall of the cap where the endpoints of the major axis of the elliptical cross-section are located Upon this pressure the cap walls in the areas of the endpoints of the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section move axially away from each other thereby lifting the protrusions from the apertures or slots and the cap or πng can be removed from the feeding end portion of the cylindncal sleeve. After removal of the cap or πng the pouch can be re-opened by sliding the closure from the folded pouch in the opposite direction away form the stopper end of the cylindncal sleeve. In one embodiment the child-proof lock composes a colour coding to differentiate different contents of the pouch being closed i.e. different drugs or different dosages of the same drug.

Figures and Examples

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the closure and the cap Figs. 2a,b show a first and second side view of the closure and the cap

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the closure with a cap connected

Fig. 4 shows an exploded assembly drawing of the closure

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of one end of the closure and the cap

Figs. 6a-d show how the closure is attached to a pouch and locked Figs 7a,b show a pouch with closure and hanger

Figures 1 to 4 show a closure 10 for a pouch with a cylindrical sleeve 12 having open ends 14, 16 and a longitudinal slit 18 forming an opening into the circumferential wall of the cylindrical sleeve 12. The longitudinal slit 18 extends from the feeding end 16 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 until short before the stopper end 14 thereby forming a close end 20 of the slit 18. A rod 22 is arranged concentrically within the cylindrical sleeve 12. The blocker end 24 of rod 22 is broadened, such that upon inserting the free end 26 of the rod 22 into the stopper end 14 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 the forward movement of the rod 22 will be stopped when the blocker end 24 of the rod 22 engages the stopper end 14 of the cylindrical sleeve 12. In this position the free end 26 of the rod 22 projects out of the feeding end 16 of the cylindrical sleeve 12. In one embodiment the blocker end 24 and the stopper end 14 are permanently interconnected, either by means of glue or ultrasonic welding.

In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical sleeve 12 and the rod 22 are made as one part. In this case (not shown) the longitudinal slit 18 may extend from the feeding end 16 to the stopper end 14 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 since the broadened part of the rod 22 will block the open end of the slit 18 at the stopper end 14.

As shown enlarged in Fig. 5 the feeding end portion 40 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 has two apertures 42 on opposite sides. The cap 50 has an elliptical cross-section and two protrusions 52 on its inner walls in the area of the endpoints of the minor axis of the elliptical cross-section. The protrusions 52 correspond to apertures 42. The closure 10 is locked upon engagement of the protrusions 52 of the cap 50 with apertures 42 in the feeding end portion 40 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 (see Fig 3)

Figs. 6a-d show how the closure 10 is attached to a pouch 30. The closure 10 has a hanger portion 11 with a hole 13. The pouch 30 is folded over such that the walls 32, 34 of the pouch 30 form a channel 36. Starting with one side this channel 36 is arranged around the rod 22 and slid into the feeding end 16 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 and moved forward in longitudinal direction of the cylindrical sleeve 12 until the side of the channel 36 engages the stopper end 14 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 When the closure 10 is fully attached to the pouch 30 (Fig. 6d) the folded parts of the walls 32, 34 proximate to the channel 36 are arranged between the rod 22 and the inner wall of the cylindrical sleeve 12. The inside diameter of the cylindrical sleeve 12, the external diameter of the rod 22 and the width of the longitudinal slit 18 are adjusted such that, when the closure 10 is attached to the pouch 30, the pouch is tightly closed The closure 10 is locked upon attaching cap 50 to the feeding end portion 40 of the cylindrical sleeve 12 (see Fig 6d showing the pouch also from the opposite side) The closed pouch 30 can be mounted via the hanger portion 11.

The closure 10 can be re-opened by pressing on the two opposite areas which are located about 90° away from the cap protrusions at the exteπor of the wall of the cap 50. Upon this pressure the cap walls in the areas next to the cap protrusions move axially away from each other thereby lifting the protrusions 52 from the apertures 42 and the cap 50 can be removed from the feeding end portion 40 of the cylindrical sleeve 12. After removal of the cap 50 the pouch 30 can be re-opened by sliding the closure 10 from the folded pouch 30 in the opposite direction away form the stopper end 14 of the cylindrical sleeve 12.

Figs 7a,b show an alternative embodiment to the one descπbed previously. Figs 7a,b show a pouch (30) with closure (10) and hanger from two opposite sides. The closure 10 is attached to the pouch 30 The folded end portion 60 of the pouch 30 has a hole 62 and is turned around the cylindrical sleeve 12 of the closure such that the folded end portion 60 forms a hanger for the pouch 30.