HUBBARD, John, Francis (Unilever R & D Port Sunlight, Quarry Road EastBebington, Wirral Merseyside CH63 3JW, GB)
WILLIAMS, Glen (Unilever R & D Port Sunlight, Quarry Road EastBebington, Wirral Merseyside CH63 3JW, GB)
UNILEVER N.V. (Weena 455, AL Rotterdam, NL-3012, NL)
HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED (Hindustan Lever House, 165/166 Backbay ReclamationMaharashtra, Mumbai 0, 400 02, IN)
DYKE, Graham, John (Unilever R & D Port Sunlight, Quarry Road EastBebington, Wirral Merseyside CH63 3JW, GB)
HUBBARD, John, Francis (Unilever R & D Port Sunlight, Quarry Road EastBebington, Wirral Merseyside CH63 3JW, GB)
WILLIAMS, Glen (Unilever R & D Port Sunlight, Quarry Road EastBebington, Wirral Merseyside CH63 3JW, GB)
Claims
1. A flexible package comprising:
(i) a body portion containing a particulate composition defined by opposing walls;
(iii) the opposing walls having free edges defining a mouth for providing access to the composition, ;
(iii) a reclosure mechanism comprising at least one pair of elongate interlocking members attached to respective opposing walls externally of the package and spaced apart from respective free edges, said elongate interlocking members comprising respective flexible male and female interlocking profiles for interlocking interengagement by application of pressure thereto so as to close the mouth and disengagement by application of opposite pressure to said opposing free edges so as to open the mouth, the female interlocking profile comprising a recess with a narrow opening and the males interlocking profile comprises a projection, wherein said narrow opening and projection have corresponding tapered mating surfaces to guide the male interlocking profile into the recess during closure.
2. A flexible package according to claim 1 wherein the male interlocking profile is hollow.
3. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the package is a gusseted bag.
4. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the female interlocking profile and/or male interlocking profile has/have two opposing mating surfaces.
5. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the opposed mating surfaces have substantially equal taper .
6. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the mating surfaces of the male and female interlocking profiles have a common taper.
7. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the degree of inclination of the taper is preferably 30-60 degrees, and further preferably 40-50 degrees and most preferably 45 degrees.
8. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the mating surfaces taper or converge in the direction of travel of the male interlocking profile during closure .
9. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the mating surfaces of the male interlocking profile converge to a flattened point.
10. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the recess of the female interlocking profile is defined by curved sides.
11. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein one or both of the recess's free ends extend back into the recess.
12. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the or each of the extensions provide the mating surface/s .
13. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein one or both of the free ends extend outwardly to provide respective wings, said wings providing the mating surface/s .
14. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the recess surfaces are bevelled to provide the mating surface/s.
15. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the mating surfaces are flat or include flat portions for sliding interengagement of respective mating surfaces .
16. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the male and female interlocking profiles interlock to provide a gap therebetween.
17. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the base of one or both interlocking profiles comprises a flange.
18. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the walls of the package are of thickness 25 - 200 microns, and preferably 50 - 130 microns. - I i
19. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the packaging material comprises a plastic and preferably comprises a polyolefin.
20. A flexible package according to any preceding claim wherein the packaging film comprises multiple perforations or pin holes.
21. A flexible package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings . |
RECLOSEABLE PACKAGING
The present invention relates to recloseable flexible packaging with interlocking closure profiles in particular but not exclusively for use with particulate compositions.
EP823381 discloses a gusseted flexible package having an integrated snap closure for re-closing and resealing the package after it has been initially opened.
US5037138,US6082897 and US6132089 disclose snap closures for a flexible, gusseted package.
An object of the invention is to provide a reclosure device having interlocking closure profiles, which allow proper closing in the event of misalignment of the closure profiles during closure.
In one aspect the invention provides a flexible package comprising:
(i) a body portion containing a particulate composition defined by opposing walls;
(iii) the opposing walls having free edges defining a mouth for providing access to the composition, ; (iii) a reclosure mechanism comprising at least one pair of elongate interlocking members attached to respective opposing walls externally of the package and spaced apart from respective free edges, said elongate interlocking members comprising respective flexible male and female interlocking profiles for interlocking interengagement by
application of pressure thereto so as to close the mouth and disengagement by application of opposite pressure to said opposing free edges so as to open the mouth, the female interlocking profile comprising a recess with a narrow opening and the males interlocking profile comprises a projection, wherein said narrow opening and projection have corresponding tapered mating surfaces to guide the male interlocking profile into the recess during closure.
The term "particulate is intended to include powder, agglomerated or discrete particles, granules or any other solid particulate.
The term "narrow" means narrow as compared with the width of the male interlocking profile.
With this arrangement, misalignment of the flexible male and female interlocking profiles during manufacturing of the product, and in particular during closing of the packaging does not hinder proper closing as the mating surfaces guide the male to interengage with the female. This protects the profiles from damage, and allows cheaper materials to be used and avoids the need for precise registration of the profiles during manufacture. Packaging machinery which operates with the extreme accuracy required for such precise registration is very expensive. The invention also avoids the necessity of using interlocking profiles of high rigidity or expense such that they would not be damaged due to be forced together despite misalignment.
Misalignment becomes a particular problem with reclosure mechanisms which are attached externally of the packaging walls. This is because the walls are, during reclosure, trapped betweent the male and female interlocking profiles. This exacerbates any mis-match and the trapped walls tend to drag and crush the recess sides. With the present invention, the male interlocking profile is steered into more accurate alignment with the female interlocking profile and so the problem is minimised.
The male interlocking profile may be hollow. The invention is particular advantageous in the case of hollow male interlocking profiles. Hollow constructions allow for less material to be used, which is less costly financially and environmentally but it can make the male interlocking profile more flexible and so can exacerbate the misalignment problem.
The package may comprise further walls and may be in the form of a gussetted bag. The invention is particularly advantageous in the case of gusseted bags, since this adds to increase the amount of packaging material between the male and female interlocking profiles and this can make the situation described in the above paragraph worse.
Preferably the female interlocking profile has two opposing mating surfaces. Preferably the male has two opposing mating surfaces. Preferably the opposed mating surfaces have substantially equal taper.
Preferably the mating surfaces of the male and female interlocking profile have a common taper. The degree of inclination of the taper is preferably 30-60 degrees, and further preferably 40-50 degrees and most preferably 45 degrees (where the inclination is relative to an axis in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the reclosure mechanism, and parallel to the line bisecting the cross section) .
Preferably the mating surfaces taper or converge in the direction of travel of the male interlocking profile during closure .
The mating surfaces of the male interlocking profile taper to a point. However this may be flattened. Alternatively it may be rounded off or even left pointed.
Preferably the recess of the female interlocking profile is defined by curved sides, although the base may be substantially flat. It may be substantially C-shaped. One or both of the free ends of this recess profile (i.e. when the reclosure mechanism is viewed from the side or in transverse cross section) provide the mating surface or surfaces.
One or both of the recess's free ends may extend back into extend into the recess. The or each of these extensions preferably provide the mating surface/s. In this case the outer surface/s of the recess may provide the mating surface/s. Alternatively or additionally one or both of the free ends may extend outwardly to provide respective wings which themselves provide the mating surface/s. The inner
surface of the wing/s may be continuous with the inner surface of the recess, and may provide the mating surface. The recess surface may be bevelled to provide the mating surface/s .
The advantage of curved female interlocking profile sides is that, the forces applied are transmitted more equally over the profile by the curvature. This reduces the amount of stress (and consequential strain) being localised and concentrated in one or more areas. Such stress concentrations can result in plastic deformation and malfunction and eventual failure as the flexible material's strength is exceeded.
Preferably the mating surface/s is/ includes flat portions and further preferably they are flat for sliding engagement of respective surfaces.
The length of the mating surfaces are preferably in a ratio of (female: male) 1:1.5 - 1:3 and further preferably 1:2 to 1:2.5. In one preferred embodiment it is 1.7:3.8.
Preferably the male and female interlocking profiles interlock to provide a gap there between. This may be achieved by the relative depth of the male profile versus the female profile and in particular the recess.
The advantage of the above gap is that provides a location for glue so that initially the strips can be provided to the consumer glued together for security. The strips because
they are rigid can be pulled apart following purchase, to open the package.
The base of one or both interlocking profiles may comprise a flange. The flange may form the base of the interlocking profile/s and as such may be substantially flat. The flange may afford a griping area for the consumer. However, the male and female interlocking profiles may also be provided with a backing member. The provision of a flange provides an attachment area to which the backing member may be adhered.
The bag may further comprise side walls such as a pair of gusseted sides disposed between the front and rear walls, wherein the gussets are located on a lower portion of the sides .
Preferably the reclosure strips are located adjacent the opening of the receptacle such that the free edges of the opening are exposed. This provides the benefit that the package can be opened by pulling apart the free edges of the opposing walls, thereby negating the need to handle the part of the receptacle containing the composition during opening. Preferably the strips are located 0.5 -8 cm, more preferably 1-5 cm, from the free edges.
The walls of the package may be of thickness 25 - 200 microns, and preferably 50 - 130 microns.
The package may have a structured base which may be a gusseted package providing a stable base. Other means of
providing structure to form a stable base without excessive material may be used such as corner seams. This allows the package to be stably rested on a base (such as a kitchen counter surface) and then accessed only by handling the reclosure strips alone to reduce/avoid direct handling of the body portion.
The packaging material may comprise a plastic and preferably comprises a polyolefin. The material may comprise a polyethylene (PE) /polyethylene terephthalate (PET) laminate or a mono PE material.
The packaging film may comprise multiple pin holes to allow the air accumulated during packaging to evacuate.
Detailed Description of non-limiting embodiments.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package according to one embodiment of the invention being closed;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the package of figure 1 shown being opened;
Figure 3 is a view of the package of figure 1 showing the invention used as a handle/support;
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view from the end of one the reclosure strips of Fig 1; and
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the male and female reclosure strips of fig 1.
Common reference numbers are used to indicate corresponding figures in the drawings.
Referring to the figures, a package 1 is shown, containing a free flowing particulate laundry composition (not shown) . The laundry composition comprises a mechanically sensitive component which is an encapsulated perfume:
Base powder
Linear Dodecylbenzene Sulphonic Acid (Sodium salt) 8.8%
Alcohol ethoxylate (C12 - C13 7 EO) 7.0%
C16 -C18 Carboxylic acid 1.0%
Zeolite 29.6% Anhydrous Sodium Carbonate 10.5%
Moisture, Salts, Minors 4.1% (All above in a granulated Base Powder)
Post-dosed ingredients Sodium Percarbonate 18.0%
Tetracetyl ethylenediamine 3.5%
Sodium Disilicate 5.5%
Sodium Citrate 2.0%
Encapsulated Perfume 0.3% Fluorescer, antifoam, speckles, enzyme, minors 9.7%
Referring to the drawings, a flexible package 1 is shown, comprising :
(i) a flexible body portion 10 containing a particulate composition (not shown) and defined by opposing walls 12,14; (iϋ) the opposing front and rear walls 12,14 having free edges 16,18 defining a mouth 15 for providing access to the composition;
(iii) a reclosure mechanism 20 comprising at least one pair of elongate interlocking members (shown in more detail in figures 4a-d. These interlocking members are attached to respective opposing walls externally of the package 1 and spaced apart from respective free edges 16,18.
The bag further comprises side walls 3,5 which are gusseted sides disposed between the front and rear walls 12, 14, wherein the gussets (not shown) are located on a lower portion of the sides and provide a stable base 28.
The elongate interlocking members comprising respective flexible male and female interlocking profiles 200, 100 for interlocking interengagement by application of manual pressure thereto so as to close the mouth 15 (fig 1) and disengagement by application of opposite manual pressure to said opposing free edges so as to open the mouth 15 (fig 2) . The term profile is used here reflecting the use of viewing/describing the reclosure members in cross section.
Three possible embodiments of the female interlocking profile 100 is shown in Figs 4a-c and each comprise a recess 102 with a narrow opening 104, as compared with the width W of the male interlocking profile 200.
The male interlocking profile 200 comprises a projection 204, wherein said narrow opening 104 and projection 204 have corresponding tapered mating surfaces 104a. and 204a_to guide the male interlocking profile into the recess during closure.
Both interlocking profiles have two opposing mating surfaces 104a. and 204a., and all the mating surfaces have a substantially common taper converging in the direction X ie the direction of travel of the male interlocking profile during closure. The degree of inclination of the taper is approximately 45 degrees (measured before the reclosure mechanism has been used at all and where the inclination is relative to an axis in the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the reclosure mechanism, and parallel to the line bisecting the cross section) .
The length of the female section is 1.7mm and male section 3.8mm.
The mating surfaces of the male interlocking profile taper to a flattened endpoint. Alternatively it may be rounded or even left pointed.
With this arrangement, misalignment of the flexible male and female interlocking profiles during manufacturing of the product, and in particular during closing of the packaging does not hinder proper closing as the mating surfaces guide the male to interengage with the female. This protects the profiles from damage, and allows cheaper materials to be used and avoids the need for precise registration of the
profiles during manufacture. Packaging machinery which operates with the extreme accuracy required for such precise registration is very expensive. The invention also avoids the necessity of using interlocking profiles of high rigidity or expense such that they would not be damaged due to be forced together despite misalignment.
Misalignment becomes a particular problem with reclosure mechanisms which are attached externally of the packaging walls. This is because the walls are, during reclosure, trapped betweent the male and female interlocking profiles. This exacerbates any mis-match and the trapped walls tend to drag and crush the recess sides. With the present invention, the male interlocking profile is steered into more accurate alignment with the female interlocking profile and so the problem is minimised. This can be seen more clearly in figures 3a and 3b. Figure 3a shows the situation when there is perfect alignment and the applicator machine is used to press the male and female profiles into engagment trapping the packaging material therebetween. Figure 3b shows the situation when there is misalignment: a side 106 of the female interlocking profile 100 has been crushed as the male member has been forced against it via the package walls 10, 12.
The male interlocking profile 200 is hollow and contains a gap or chamber 208. The invention is particular advantageous in the case of hollow male interlocking profiles. Hollow constructions allow for less material to be used, which is less costly financially and environmentally
but it can make the male interlocking profile more flexible and so can exacerbate the misalignment problem.
Preferably the recess 102 of the female interlocking profile 100 is defined by curved sides 106. The advantage of curved female interlocking profile sides is that, the forces applied are transmitted more equally over the profile by the curvature. This reduces the amount of stress (and consequential strain) being localised and concentrated in one or more areas. Such stress concentrations can result in plastic deformation and malfunction and eventual failure as the flexible material's strength is exceeded.
In embodiments of fig 4a and 4b, the free ends 110 of the recess extend back into extend into the recess 102 and these extensions provide the mating surface/s 104a.. In this case the outer surface/s of the recess provide the mating surface/s 104a.. In the embodiment of 4c, the free ends 110 extend outwardly to provide respective wings 110 on which are provided the mating surfaces 104a.. In this case it is the inner surface of the wing 110, continuous with the inner surface of the recess 102 which provides the mating surface 104a.. The recess surfaces 104a. are bevelled to provide flat mating surface/s.
The mating surfaces 104 a. and 204a. are flat for sliding interengagement during closure.
The male and female interlocking profiles interlock to provide a gap therebetween due to their relative depth and this provides a location for glue so that initially the
strips can be provided to the consumer glued together for security. The strips because they are rigid can be pulled apart following purchase, to open the package.
The base of both interlocking profiles comprises a flange
108 which forms a flat base of the interlocking profiles and The flange is used to attach the interlocking profiles to a backing member (not shown) which covers them.
The reclosure mechanism 20 is located adjacent the mouth 15 of the receptacle such that the free edges 16,18 of the opening 15 are exposed. This provides the benefit that the package can be opened by pulling apart the free edges of the opposing walls, thereby negating the need to handle the part of the receptacle containing the composition during opening. The strips are located 0.5 -8 cm, more preferably 1-5 cm, from the free edges.
The walls of the package may be of thickness 25 - 200 microns, and preferably 50 - 130 microns.
The packaging material may comprise a plastic and preferably comprises a polyolefin. The material may comprise a polyethylene (PE) /polyethylene terephthalate (PET) laminate or a mono PE material. In these embodiments the packaging material is a polyethylene (PE) /polyethylene terephthalate (PET) laminate, having total thickness 72 microns .
The packaging film may comprise perforations or pin holes to allow the air accumulated during packaging to evacuate.
Typically such a package 1 has walls 3,5,12,14 formed from a web of flexible stock material, e.g. polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, metal foil, and combinations thereof in single or multiple plies, into a body as described above. Each gusseted side is formed by a pair of gusset sections 3,5 and a central fold edge between a pair of outer fold edges (not shown) . The lower end of the bag 28 is permanently sealed, e.g. heat sealed, along a line extending across the width of the bag close to its bottom edge.
It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.
Next Patent: MECHANICALLY SENSITIVE LAUNDRY COMPONENTS AND PACKAGING THEREFOR