EP2132108B1 - Easy-opening flexible container - Google Patents
Easy-opening flexible container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2132108B1 EP2132108B1 EP08737775.0A EP08737775A EP2132108B1 EP 2132108 B1 EP2132108 B1 EP 2132108B1 EP 08737775 A EP08737775 A EP 08737775A EP 2132108 B1 EP2132108 B1 EP 2132108B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- flexible
- sealing member
- dispensing aperture
- flexible sealing
- pouch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 64
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 3
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- MTAZNLWOLGHBHU-UHFFFAOYSA-N butadiene-styrene rubber Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 MTAZNLWOLGHBHU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012504 compendial method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001815 facial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004321 preservation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001238 wet grinding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/08—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession
- B65D83/0805—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession through an aperture in a wall
-
- 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
- B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
- B65D75/5833—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall
- B65D75/5838—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall combined with separate fixed tearing means, e.g. tabs
-
- 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
- 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
- B65D75/5894—Preformed openings provided in a wall portion and covered by a separate removable flexible element
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
- A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
- A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
- A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
- A47K2010/3266—Wet wipes
-
- 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
- B65D2575/00—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
- B65D2575/52—Details
- B65D2575/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D2575/586—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture with means for reclosing
Definitions
- This invention relates to a flexible container enclosing articles to be dispensed through an aperture.
- a flexible pouch is formed of a flexible sheet material. Access into the interior of the pouch is typically provided by way of a dispensing aperture in the sheet material.
- the dispensing aperture is typically closed by a flexible sealing member to prevent contamination and/or drying of the article(s) contained inside the pouch prior to use.
- the flexible sealing member is typically adhered to the pouch by means of an adhesive.
- a lifting tab is typically provided for use in lifting the flexible sealing member in order to expose the dispensing aperture and thereby gain access to the interior of the pouch.
- a typical rigid closure element includes two elements that interlock, such as a base that is adhered to the pouch and a hinged lid.
- a rigid closure element may fail to seal tightly and thereby fail to prevent contamination of the article(s) and/or moisture loss from article(s) such as wet wipes.
- One solution has been to provide both a flexible sealing member to close the dispensing aperture and a rigid closure element to cover both the flexible sealing member and the dispensing aperture.
- the requirement for its placement during manufacture is simply that the flexible sealing member or the rigid closure element must close the dispensing aperture, thereby preventing exposure of the enclosed article(s).
- the flexible sealing member or the rigid closure element may be made substantially larger than the dispensing aperture, such that minor misplacement does not result in a failure to close the dispensing aperture.
- both a flexible sealing member and a rigid closure element are present, their placements are interrelated. For example, relative misplacement of the rigid closure element may obstruct the lifting tab on the flexible sealing member and thereby prevent the user from lifting the flexible sealing member for access to the enclosed article(s). Since the rigid closure element is typically strongly secured to the flexible pouch, the user is then forced to open the flexible container in some other way, such as cutting or tearing the flexible pouch. Of course, a flexible pouch that has been cut or torn open typically cannot be resealed, and the original purpose of enclosing the article(s) inside the flexible container is thus defeated.
- the relative misplacement of either the flexible sealing member or the rigid closure element may also result in higher manufacturing cost due to the scrapping of defective product and/or the necessity to spend more on equipment, training, and inspection in order to minimize the number of defective products reaching the users. In addition, users who encounter defective products may lose faith in the product.
- a flexible container includes a flexible pouch having a dispensing aperture through which an interior space is accessible from outside the flexible pouch, a flexible sealing member releasably attached to the flexible pouch and covering the dispensing aperture, and a rigid closure element surrounding the dispensing aperture.
- the flexible sealing member has at least two lifting tabs for lifting the flexible sealing member and thereby exposing the dispensing aperture.
- the rigid closure element has a base attached to the flexible pouch and lid connected to the base by a hinge.
- At least one of the lifting tabs is not obstructed by the rigid closure element when the lid is in the open condition, thereby remaining usable for lifting the flexible sealing member to expose the dispensing aperture, and wherein at least one of the lifting tabs is attached to the flexible pouch either by a first adhesive having a lower peel force than a second adhesive by which the remainder of the flexible sealing member is attached to the flexible pouch, or by a lighter coverage of adhesive than the remainder of the flexible sealing member.
- disposed refers to an element being attached and positioned in a particular place or position in a unitary structure with other elements.
- attach refers to elements being connected or united by fastening, adhering, bonding, etc. by any method suitable for the elements being attached together and their constituent materials. Many suitable methods, for attaching elements together are well-known, including adhesive bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, etc . Such attachment methods may be used to attach elements together over a particular area either continuously or intermittently. Unless indicated otherwise, elements that are described as being attached to each other are attached directly together, with either nothing or only bonding material, e.g. , an adhesive, between them. Elements may be attached "permanently", i.e. , attached in such a way that one or both of the elements and/or any bonding material that is present must be damaged in order to separate them.
- This permanent attachment excludes temporary attachment, such as fastening elements together by means of fasteners that may be unfastened.
- elements may be attached "releasably", i.e. , attached in such a way that neither of the elements needs to be damaged in order to separate them.
- laminate refers to elements being attached together in a layered arrangement.
- cohesive refers to the property of a material that, once set, sticks to itself but does not to any significant degree stick to other materials.
- water-permeable and water-impermeable refer to the penetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term “water-permeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid water to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term “water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure through the thickness of which liquid water cannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure.
- a hydrostatic pressure test also called a hydrostatic head test or simply a "hydrohead” test. Suitable well known compendial methods for hydrohead testing are approved by INDA (formerly the International Nonwovens and Disposables Association, now The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry) and EDANA (European Disposables And Nonwovens Association).
- nonwoven refers to a sheet, web, or batt of directionally or randomly oriented fibers, made by bonding or entangling the fibers through mechanical, thermal, or chemical means.
- Nonwoven materials exclude paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, or felted by wet milling.
- the fibers are preferably but not necessarily man-made synthetics.
- a flexible container may have any shape suitable for enclosing its contents, such as a stack or a roll of substrate sheets, such as wipes.
- the flexible container may be cylindrical, polygonal, or parallelepipedal in shape.
- FIG. 1 and Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a flexible container 1 in which a flexible pouch 2 is formed of a flexible polymeric sheet material 3 , which may be water-impermeable if the need to contain moisture or the need to exclude moisture exists, or may be water-permeable if neither of these needs exists.
- the flexible pouch 2 has a top wall 4 , an opposing bottom wall (not shown in the figures for clarity), opposing end walls 6 and 7 , a front side wall 8 , and an opposing rear side wall (not shown in the figures for clarity), arranged in a generally parallelepipedal configuration.
- the opposing end walls 6 and 7 are closed by end seals 9 and 10 .
- the walls define and enclose the interior space 11 of the flexible pouch 2 .
- the flexible pouch 2 has a dispensing aperture 12 in its top wall 4 .
- a dispensing aperture may be made in another of the walls, instead of or in addition to the top wall.
- the dispensing aperture 12 may be fully formed in the manufacturing process or may be defined, but not cut out, by perforation of the sheet material 3 .
- the exemplary dispensing aperture 12 shown in the figures has a relatively simple oval shape.
- the dispensing aperture 12 may have a different relatively simple shape, such as a rectangular shape, or may have a relatively complex shape, such as a generally rectangular shape with rounded comers, or a shape with multiple protrusions.
- the dispensing aperture 12 may have any shape suitable for access into the interior space 11 of the flexible pouch 2 .
- a flexible sealing member 13 overlies the dispensing aperture 12 and extends beyond the dispensing aperture in all directions so as to also overlie the immediately surrounding area and thereby cover the entirety of the dispensing aperture 12 .
- the flexible sealing member 13 is formed of a flexible material, which may be identical to the sheet material 3 of which the flexible pouch 2 is formed.
- the flexible sealing member 13 is releasably attached to the flexible pouch 2 by adhesive attachment.
- the formation of the dispensing aperture 12 may be completed by the user when lifting the flexible sealing member 13 , at which time the attachment of the flexible sealing member 13 to the sheet material 3 may cause the weakened sheet material 3 to tear where it was perforated.
- the flexible sealing member 13 has lifting tabs 14 and 15 located along the periphery of the flexible sealing member 13 . These lifting tabs 14 and 15 adapted to be grasped by a user and used to lift the flexible sealing member 13 away from the surface of the flexible pouch 2 to thereby expose the dispensing aperture 12 .
- opposing lifting tabs 14 and 15 are located along the periphery of the flexible sealing member 13 near the opposing end walls 6 and 7 of the flexible pouch 2 .
- Such lifting tabs may be provided along the periphery of the flexible sealing member 13 near the side walls of the flexible pouch 2 , instead of or in addition to the locations shown in Figure 1 .
- lifting tabs may be provided anywhere along the periphery of the flexible sealing member 13 , instead of or in addition to the locations shown in Figure 1 or previously described.
- the lifting tabs 14 and 15 are located along the periphery of the flexible sealing member 13 in adjacent quadrants of the flexible sealing member 13 , i.e. , one lifting tab 14 is located relatively nearer the end wall 6 of the flexible pouch 2 and the other lifting tab 15 is located relatively nearer the front side wall 8 of the flexible pouch 2 .
- the exemplary flexibly sealing member 13 shown in the figures has a relatively simple oval shape and each of the lifting tabs 14 and 15 is shown in the figures as having the relatively simple shape of a segment of the oval.
- the flexible sealing member 13 may have a different relatively simple shape, such as a rectangular shape, or may have a relatively complex shape, such as a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, or a shape with multiple protrusions. In general, the flexible sealing member 13 may have any shape suitable for covering the aperture 12 .
- each of the lifting tabs 14 and 15 may have a different relatively simple shape, such as a rounded shape or a rectangular shape, or may have a relatively complex shape, such as a shape with multiple protrusions.
- each of the lifting tabs 14 and 15 may have any shape suitable for being grasped by the user.
- the exemplary lifting tabs 14 and 15 shown in the figures generally conform to the general contour of the flexible sealing member 13 .
- the lifting tabs 14 and 15 may have the forms of distinct protuberances projecting outward from the general contour of the flexible sealing member 13 .
- the provision of multiple lifting tabs reduces the likelihood that the user will not be able to lift the flexible sealing member to gain access to the article(s) enclosed inside the interior space of the flexible pouch.
- another lifting tab will likely remain usable.
- one lifting tab is defective in some way, such as by being adhered securely to the flexible pouch, it is likely that another lifting tab will remain usable.
- the provision of multiple lifting tabs makes it possible to open the dispensing aperture with either hand, thus facilitating access to the enclosed article(s) by both left-handed and right-handed users, as well as by a user whose one hand is occupied in a task, such as holding a child, and who therefore must use his or her free hand, which may be left or right, to reach for the enclosed article(s).
- At least one of the lifting tabs is attached relatively weakly in comparison to the remainder of the flexible sealing member by an adhesive having a low peel force or simply by a lighter coverage of adhesive than is used to attach the remainder of the flexible sealing member to the flexible pouch.
- Relatively weakly attached lifting tabs may be desirable because they may remain adhered to the flexible pouch wall during its manufacturing process and thereby decrease the possibility of entanglement in the manufacturing equipment.
- a rigid closure element 16 is attached onto the top wall 4 of the flexible pouch 2 .
- This rigid closure element 16 has a base 17 and a lid 18 .
- a base and a lid may be connected by a relatively flexible flap forming a hinge 19 as shown in the figures, or may be connected by a multi-piece hinge mechanism.
- the lid 18 is shown in an "open” condition in which the flexible sealing member 13 and the dispensing aperture 12 are accessible.
- the base 17 and the lid 18 may engage in any suitable manner such that the lid will remain in a "closed” configuration once engaged with the base 17 .
- the base 17 and the lid 18 In order to subsequently gain access to the flexible sealing member 13 and the dispensing aperture 12 , the base 17 and the lid 18 must be disengaged such that the lid 18 can be swung on the hinge 19 to the "open" condition shown in the figures.
- the exemplary rigid closure element 16 shown in the figures has a relatively simple rectangular shape.
- the rigid closure element 16 may have a different relatively simple shape, such as a round shape or an oval shape, or may have a relatively complex shape, such as a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, or a shape with multiple protrusions.
- the rigid closure element 16 may have any shape suitable for covering the aperture 12 .
- the base 17 is attached to the sheet material 3 of the flexible sealing member 13 by any method suitable for the materials involved. This attachment may be permanent or releasable. As shown in Figure 1 , the base 17 is disposed so as to surround the dispensing aperture 12 at a distance from it.
- the rigid closure element 16 is preferably placed so as to likewise surround the flexible sealing member 13 at a distance from it, thereby leaving both of the lifting tabs 14 and 15 accessible and usable.
- some degree of relative misplacement of the rigid closure element 16 and the flexible sealing member 13 may be acceptable because of the provision of the multiple lifting tabs 14 and 15 , which increases the likelihood that at least one of the lifting tabs will remain usable, even if the relative misplacement is so great that another lifting tab is obstructed.
- Each of the flexible pouch, the flexible sealing member, and the rigid closure element may be formed partially or wholly of a polymeric material, as is typical in the art.
- the polymeric material(s) utilized in the flexible pouch and/or the flexible sealing member may have the form of a film and may include only a single layer or multiple layers in a laminate structure.
- Such a laminate structure may include more than one film and/or may include a layer or layers in other forms, such as a fibrous sheet or a foil.
- the rigid closure element may be formed partially or wholly of a moldable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitryl butadiene styrene (ABS), polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or elastomer, or a blend of these materials.
- a moldable thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitryl butadiene styrene (ABS), polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or elastomer, or a blend of these materials.
- the rigid closure element may also, or alternatively, be formed partially or wholly of other materials, such as cardboard, corrugated paper, wood, cardstock, paper, ceramic, and combinations thereof.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a flexible container enclosing articles to be dispensed through an aperture.
- Many types of household and personal care articles, such as dust cloths, wipes, wet wipes, facial cloths, and baby cloths may be packaged inside flexible containers. In a typical flexible container for packaging such goods, a flexible pouch is formed of a flexible sheet material. Access into the interior of the pouch is typically provided by way of a dispensing aperture in the sheet material.
- The dispensing aperture is typically closed by a flexible sealing member to prevent contamination and/or drying of the article(s) contained inside the pouch prior to use. The flexible sealing member is typically adhered to the pouch by means of an adhesive. At one end of the flexible sealing member, a lifting tab is typically provided for use in lifting the flexible sealing member in order to expose the dispensing aperture and thereby gain access to the interior of the pouch.
- Some flexible containers are outfitted with rigid closure elements. A typical rigid closure element includes two elements that interlock, such as a base that is adhered to the pouch and a hinged lid. However, such a rigid closure element may fail to seal tightly and thereby fail to prevent contamination of the article(s) and/or moisture loss from article(s) such as wet wipes. One solution has been to provide both a flexible sealing member to close the dispensing aperture and a rigid closure element to cover both the flexible sealing member and the dispensing aperture.
- Other solutions are provided by:
-
WO9317933, published on September 16th 1993 -
US2005/0150785, published on July 14th 2005 , discloses a dispenser for consumer product packaging, the dispenser including a removable region of the packaging creating a product opening upon removal, a reinforcement surface overlaying the removable region, a disposable adhesive label for initially opening the package by removal of the removable region of the packaging and reinforcement surface, and a durable enclosure, the durable enclosure bonded to the product packaging and resealable to allow access and preservation of a consumer product such as interleaved tissues in the packaging after initial opening.US2005/0150785 discloses only one lifting tab in the durable enclosure.US2005/0150785 does not mention that the tab has a lowered peel force or lighter coverage of adhesive. - When only a flexible sealing member or only a rigid closure element is present, the requirement for its placement during manufacture is simply that the flexible sealing member or the rigid closure element must close the dispensing aperture, thereby preventing exposure of the enclosed article(s). In order to facilitate meeting this requirement, the flexible sealing member or the rigid closure element may be made substantially larger than the dispensing aperture, such that minor misplacement does not result in a failure to close the dispensing aperture.
- However, when both a flexible sealing member and a rigid closure element are present, their placements are interrelated. For example, relative misplacement of the rigid closure element may obstruct the lifting tab on the flexible sealing member and thereby prevent the user from lifting the flexible sealing member for access to the enclosed article(s). Since the rigid closure element is typically strongly secured to the flexible pouch, the user is then forced to open the flexible container in some other way, such as cutting or tearing the flexible pouch. Of course, a flexible pouch that has been cut or torn open typically cannot be resealed, and the original purpose of enclosing the article(s) inside the flexible container is thus defeated.
- The relative misplacement of either the flexible sealing member or the rigid closure element may also result in higher manufacturing cost due to the scrapping of defective product and/or the necessity to spend more on equipment, training, and inspection in order to minimize the number of defective products reaching the users. In addition, users who encounter defective products may lose faith in the product.
- Hence, it would be beneficial to provide a flexible container having both a flexible sealing member and a rigid closure element configured such that the problems described above would be less likely to occur.
- A flexible container includes a flexible pouch having a dispensing aperture through which an interior space is accessible from outside the flexible pouch, a flexible sealing member releasably attached to the flexible pouch and covering the dispensing aperture, and a rigid closure element surrounding the dispensing aperture. The flexible sealing member has at least two lifting tabs for lifting the flexible sealing member and thereby exposing the dispensing aperture. The rigid closure element has a base attached to the flexible pouch and lid connected to the base by a hinge. At least one of the lifting tabs is not obstructed by the rigid closure element when the lid is in the open condition, thereby remaining usable for lifting the flexible sealing member to expose the dispensing aperture, and wherein at least one of the lifting tabs is attached to the flexible pouch either by a first adhesive having a lower peel force than a second adhesive by which the remainder of the flexible sealing member is attached to the flexible pouch, or by a lighter coverage of adhesive than the remainder of the flexible sealing member.
-
-
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary flexible container. -
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of another exemplary flexible container. - The term "disposed" refers to an element being attached and positioned in a particular place or position in a unitary structure with other elements.
- The term "attach" refers to elements being connected or united by fastening, adhering, bonding, etc. by any method suitable for the elements being attached together and their constituent materials. Many suitable methods, for attaching elements together are well-known, including adhesive bonding, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, etc. Such attachment methods may be used to attach elements together over a particular area either continuously or intermittently. Unless indicated otherwise, elements that are described as being attached to each other are attached directly together, with either nothing or only bonding material, e.g., an adhesive, between them. Elements may be attached "permanently", i.e., attached in such a way that one or both of the elements and/or any bonding material that is present must be damaged in order to separate them. This permanent attachment excludes temporary attachment, such as fastening elements together by means of fasteners that may be unfastened. Alternatively, elements may be attached "releasably", i.e., attached in such a way that neither of the elements needs to be damaged in order to separate them.
- The term "laminate" refers to elements being attached together in a layered arrangement.
- The term "cohesive" refers to the property of a material that, once set, sticks to itself but does not to any significant degree stick to other materials.
- The terms "water-permeable" and "water-impermeable" refer to the penetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term "water-permeable" refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid water to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term "water-impermeable" refers to a layer or a layered structure through the thickness of which liquid water cannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure. As is well known in the art, a common method for measuring the permeability to water of the materials is a hydrostatic pressure test, also called a hydrostatic head test or simply a "hydrohead" test. Suitable well known compendial methods for hydrohead testing are approved by INDA (formerly the International Nonwovens and Disposables Association, now The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry) and EDANA (European Disposables And Nonwovens Association).
- The term "nonwoven" refers to a sheet, web, or batt of directionally or randomly oriented fibers, made by bonding or entangling the fibers through mechanical, thermal, or chemical means. Nonwoven materials exclude paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, or felted by wet milling. The fibers are preferably but not necessarily man-made synthetics.
- A flexible container may have any shape suitable for enclosing its contents, such as a stack or a roll of substrate sheets, such as wipes. For example, the flexible container may be cylindrical, polygonal, or parallelepipedal in shape.
- Each of
Figure 1 andFigure 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of aflexible container 1 in which aflexible pouch 2 is formed of a flexiblepolymeric sheet material 3, which may be water-impermeable if the need to contain moisture or the need to exclude moisture exists, or may be water-permeable if neither of these needs exists. Theflexible pouch 2 has a top wall 4, an opposing bottom wall (not shown in the figures for clarity),opposing end walls 6 and 7, a front side wall 8, and an opposing rear side wall (not shown in the figures for clarity), arranged in a generally parallelepipedal configuration. Theopposing end walls 6 and 7 are closed byend seals interior space 11 of theflexible pouch 2. - The
flexible pouch 2 has a dispensingaperture 12 in its top wall 4. Such a dispensing aperture may be made in another of the walls, instead of or in addition to the top wall. Thedispensing aperture 12 may be fully formed in the manufacturing process or may be defined, but not cut out, by perforation of thesheet material 3. Theexemplary dispensing aperture 12 shown in the figures has a relatively simple oval shape. The dispensingaperture 12 may have a different relatively simple shape, such as a rectangular shape, or may have a relatively complex shape, such as a generally rectangular shape with rounded comers, or a shape with multiple protrusions. In general, the dispensingaperture 12 may have any shape suitable for access into theinterior space 11 of theflexible pouch 2. - A
flexible sealing member 13 overlies the dispensingaperture 12 and extends beyond the dispensing aperture in all directions so as to also overlie the immediately surrounding area and thereby cover the entirety of the dispensingaperture 12. Theflexible sealing member 13 is formed of a flexible material, which may be identical to thesheet material 3 of which theflexible pouch 2 is formed. Theflexible sealing member 13 is releasably attached to theflexible pouch 2 by adhesive attachment. In embodiments in which the dispensingaperture 12 is only defined, but not cut out, by perforation in the manufacturing process, the formation of the dispensingaperture 12 may be completed by the user when lifting theflexible sealing member 13, at which time the attachment of theflexible sealing member 13 to thesheet material 3 may cause the weakenedsheet material 3 to tear where it was perforated. - The
flexible sealing member 13 has liftingtabs flexible sealing member 13. These liftingtabs flexible sealing member 13 away from the surface of theflexible pouch 2 to thereby expose the dispensingaperture 12. In the embodiment ofFigure 1 , opposing liftingtabs flexible sealing member 13 near the opposingend walls 6 and 7 of theflexible pouch 2. Such lifting tabs may be provided along the periphery of theflexible sealing member 13 near the side walls of theflexible pouch 2, instead of or in addition to the locations shown inFigure 1 . Similarly, such lifting tabs may be provided anywhere along the periphery of theflexible sealing member 13, instead of or in addition to the locations shown inFigure 1 or previously described. For example, in the embodiment ofFigure 2 , the liftingtabs flexible sealing member 13 in adjacent quadrants of theflexible sealing member 13, i.e., onelifting tab 14 is located relatively nearer the end wall 6 of theflexible pouch 2 and theother lifting tab 15 is located relatively nearer the front side wall 8 of theflexible pouch 2. - The exemplary flexibly sealing
member 13 shown in the figures has a relatively simple oval shape and each of the liftingtabs flexible sealing member 13 may have a different relatively simple shape, such as a rectangular shape, or may have a relatively complex shape, such as a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, or a shape with multiple protrusions. In general, theflexible sealing member 13 may have any shape suitable for covering theaperture 12. Likewise, each of the liftingtabs tabs exemplary lifting tabs flexible sealing member 13. In some embodiments, the liftingtabs flexible sealing member 13. - The provision of multiple lifting tabs reduces the likelihood that the user will not be able to lift the flexible sealing member to gain access to the article(s) enclosed inside the interior space of the flexible pouch. In particular, if relative misplacement of the flexible sealing member and the rigid closure element results in the obstruction of one of the lifting tabs, another lifting tab will likely remain usable. Likewise, if one lifting tab is defective in some way, such as by being adhered securely to the flexible pouch, it is likely that another lifting tab will remain usable. Additionally, the provision of multiple lifting tabs makes it possible to open the dispensing aperture with either hand, thus facilitating access to the enclosed article(s) by both left-handed and right-handed users, as well as by a user whose one hand is occupied in a task, such as holding a child, and who therefore must use his or her free hand, which may be left or right, to reach for the enclosed article(s).
- At least one of the lifting tabs is attached relatively weakly in comparison to the remainder of the flexible sealing member by an adhesive having a low peel force or simply by a lighter coverage of adhesive than is used to attach the remainder of the flexible sealing member to the flexible pouch. Relatively weakly attached lifting tabs may be desirable because they may remain adhered to the flexible pouch wall during its manufacturing process and thereby decrease the possibility of entanglement in the manufacturing equipment.
- A
rigid closure element 16 is attached onto the top wall 4 of theflexible pouch 2. Thisrigid closure element 16 has abase 17 and alid 18. As is known in the art, such a base and a lid may be connected by a relatively flexible flap forming ahinge 19 as shown in the figures, or may be connected by a multi-piece hinge mechanism. In the figures, thelid 18 is shown in an "open" condition in which theflexible sealing member 13 and the dispensingaperture 12 are accessible. Thebase 17 and thelid 18 may engage in any suitable manner such that the lid will remain in a "closed" configuration once engaged with thebase 17. In order to subsequently gain access to theflexible sealing member 13 and the dispensingaperture 12, thebase 17 and thelid 18 must be disengaged such that thelid 18 can be swung on thehinge 19 to the "open" condition shown in the figures. - The exemplary
rigid closure element 16 shown in the figures has a relatively simple rectangular shape. Therigid closure element 16 may have a different relatively simple shape, such as a round shape or an oval shape, or may have a relatively complex shape, such as a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, or a shape with multiple protrusions. In general, therigid closure element 16 may have any shape suitable for covering theaperture 12. - Examples of suitable engaging bases and lids can be found in
U.S. Patent No. 4,156,493 ,U.S. Patent No. 4,185,754 ,U.S. Patent No. 6,702,109 ,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0150785 ,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0189367 ,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0011906 ,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0023436 , andPCT Publication No. WO 00/064755 - The
base 17 is attached to thesheet material 3 of theflexible sealing member 13 by any method suitable for the materials involved. This attachment may be permanent or releasable. As shown inFigure 1 , thebase 17 is disposed so as to surround the dispensingaperture 12 at a distance from it. Therigid closure element 16 is preferably placed so as to likewise surround theflexible sealing member 13 at a distance from it, thereby leaving both of the liftingtabs rigid closure element 16 and theflexible sealing member 13 may be acceptable because of the provision of themultiple lifting tabs - Each of the flexible pouch, the flexible sealing member, and the rigid closure element may be formed partially or wholly of a polymeric material, as is typical in the art. The polymeric material(s) utilized in the flexible pouch and/or the flexible sealing member may have the form of a film and may include only a single layer or multiple layers in a laminate structure. Such a laminate structure may include more than one film and/or may include a layer or layers in other forms, such as a fibrous sheet or a foil.
- The rigid closure element may be formed partially or wholly of a moldable thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitryl butadiene styrene (ABS), polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or elastomer, or a blend of these materials. The rigid closure element may also, or alternatively, be formed partially or wholly of other materials, such as cardboard, corrugated paper, wood, cardstock, paper, ceramic, and combinations thereof.
- It is expressly not admitted that any of the documents or any combination of the documents incorporated herein by reference teaches or discloses the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
Claims (8)
- A flexible container (1) comprising:a flexible pouch (2) formed of a flexible sheet material (3) and having walls (4, 6, 7, 8) defining and enclosing an interior space (11), the flexible pouch comprising a dispensing aperture (12) formed in at least one of the walls, through which the interior space (11) is accessible from outside the flexible pouch (2);a flexible sealing member (13) releasably attached to the flexible pouch (2) and overlying and extending beyond the dispensing aperture (12) so as to cover the entirety of the dispensing aperture (12), the flexible sealing member (13) comprising at least two lifting tabs (14, 15) adapted to be used for lifting the flexible sealing member to thereby expose the dispensing aperture, at least one of the lifting tabs (14, 15) being attached to the flexible pouch (2) relatively more weakly than the remainder of the flexible sealing member (13); anda rigid closure element (16) comprising a base (17) attached to the flexible pouch (2) and disposed so as to surround the dispensing aperture (12) at a distance from it, and a lid (18) connected to the base by a hinge (19) such that the lid (18) may be swung from an open condition, in which the flexible sealing member (13) and the dispensing aperture (12) are accessible from outside the flexible pouch (2), to a closed condition, in which the lid (18) is
engaged with the base and obstructs access to the flexible sealing member (13) and the dispensing aperture (12) from outside the flexible pouch (2),wherein at least one of the lifting tabs (14, 15) is not obstructed by the rigid closure element (16) when the lid (18) is the open condition, thereby remaining usable for lifting the flexible sealing member (13) to expose the dispensing aperture (12), andwherein at least one of the lifting tabs (14, 15) is attached to the flexible pouch (2) either by a first adhesive having a lower peel force than a second adhesive by which the remainder of the flexible sealing member (13) is attached to the flexible pouch (2), or by a lighter coverage of adhesive than the remainder of the flexible sealing member (13). - The flexible container (1) of Claim 1 wherein at least one of the lifting tabs (14, 15) is free of attachment to the flexible pouch.
- The flexible container (1) of any preceding claim wherein the dispensing aperture (12) is defined by perforation but is not cut out and the flexible sealing member is attached to the portion of the flexible sheet material (3) surrounded by the perforation, such that lifting the flexible sealing member (13) completes the formation of the dispensing aperture by tearing the flexible sheet material at the perforation.
- The flexible container (1) of any preceding claim wherein the lifting tabs (14, 15) are disposed at opposing portions of the flexible sealing member (13).
- The flexible container (1) of any of Claims 1-3 wherein the lifting tabs (14, 15) are disposed at adjacent portions of the flexible sealing member (13).
- The flexible container (1) of any preceding claim wherein the flexible sealing member (13) has a substantially oval shape.
- The flexible container (1) of any of Claims 1-5 wherein the flexible sealing member (13) has a substantially rectangular shape.
- The flexible container (1) of any preceding claim wherein the rigid closure element (16) has a substantially oval shape.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL08737775T PL2132108T3 (en) | 2007-04-10 | 2008-04-09 | Easy-opening flexible container |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/784,813 US20080253697A1 (en) | 2007-04-10 | 2007-04-10 | Easy-opening flexible container |
PCT/IB2008/051347 WO2008122961A1 (en) | 2007-04-10 | 2008-04-09 | Easy-opening flexible container |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2132108A1 EP2132108A1 (en) | 2009-12-16 |
EP2132108B1 true EP2132108B1 (en) | 2014-03-12 |
Family
ID=39689166
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP08737775.0A Active EP2132108B1 (en) | 2007-04-10 | 2008-04-09 | Easy-opening flexible container |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20080253697A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2132108B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2010522675A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2683686A1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2463691T3 (en) |
IL (1) | IL201291A0 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2009010581A (en) |
PL (1) | PL2132108T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008122961A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (41)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9150342B2 (en) | 2003-04-16 | 2015-10-06 | Intercontinental Great Brands Llc | Resealable tray container |
US8308363B2 (en) | 2006-05-23 | 2012-11-13 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Package integrity indicator for container closure |
US7963413B2 (en) | 2006-05-23 | 2011-06-21 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Tamper evident resealable closure |
US8114451B2 (en) | 2006-12-27 | 2012-02-14 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Resealable closure with package integrity feature |
US8408792B2 (en) | 2007-03-30 | 2013-04-02 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Package integrity indicating closure |
US20080253697A1 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2008-10-16 | O'neill Kilian John | Easy-opening flexible container |
US8231024B2 (en) | 2007-08-08 | 2012-07-31 | Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. | Flexible, stackable container and method and system for manufacturing same |
US20100018974A1 (en) | 2008-07-24 | 2010-01-28 | Deborah Lyzenga | Package integrity indicating closure |
GB0819200D0 (en) | 2008-10-20 | 2008-11-26 | Cadbury Holdings Ltd | Packaging |
GB0914877D0 (en) * | 2009-08-26 | 2009-09-30 | Gordon Michael J | Lid for soft pack dispensing container of wipes |
ES2390202T3 (en) | 2010-01-26 | 2012-11-07 | Generale Biscuit | Resealable container for food products and manufacturing process |
DK2368811T3 (en) | 2010-03-23 | 2012-09-24 | Gen Biscuit | Reclosable packaging for food products as well as manufacturing process |
US9656783B2 (en) | 2010-05-18 | 2017-05-23 | Intercontinental Great Brands Llc | Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same |
EP2571766B1 (en) | 2010-05-18 | 2014-09-10 | Intercontinental Great Brands LLC | Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same |
USD666488S1 (en) | 2010-10-05 | 2012-09-04 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Container for cleansing wipes |
ES2606328T3 (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2017-03-23 | Intercontinental Great Brands Llc | Flexible reusable closure film container and manufacturing method |
US9399540B2 (en) | 2012-06-29 | 2016-07-26 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Storing and dispensing container for product having improved dispensing orifice |
US10207850B2 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2019-02-19 | Primapak, Llc. | Flexible package and method of making same |
WO2014066867A1 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2014-05-01 | Sanfilippo James J | Flexible package and method of making the same |
CN104981189B (en) * | 2013-02-08 | 2018-08-14 | 宝洁公司 | External member for keeping cleaning article fluffy |
JP6236276B2 (en) * | 2013-10-03 | 2017-11-22 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Lid for packaging body and packaging body provided with the same |
US10349790B2 (en) | 2014-01-31 | 2019-07-16 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Refillable, flexible dispenser with handle for stacked moist wipes |
US10994882B2 (en) | 2014-05-19 | 2021-05-04 | Primapak, Llc | Apparatus and method for making a flexible package |
USD790343S1 (en) | 2015-01-14 | 2017-06-27 | Mead Johnson Nutrition Company | Closure |
USD756778S1 (en) | 2015-01-14 | 2016-05-24 | Mead Johnson Nutrition Company | Closure |
MX2018003355A (en) | 2015-09-18 | 2018-11-09 | Primapak Llc | Apparatus and method for making a flexible package. |
US10278552B2 (en) * | 2016-12-08 | 2019-05-07 | The Clorox Company | Disinfecting wipes flex pack closure |
USD892614S1 (en) | 2018-06-11 | 2020-08-11 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Cap for container |
DE102018122209A1 (en) | 2018-09-12 | 2020-03-12 | Bode Chemie Gmbh | Dispenser system for wet wipes |
USD957251S1 (en) * | 2019-03-22 | 2022-07-12 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Packaging with insert |
USD976102S1 (en) | 2019-03-22 | 2023-01-24 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Messaging structure |
DE102020117127A1 (en) | 2020-06-30 | 2021-12-30 | Bode Chemie Gmbh | Wiping cloth for cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces |
WO2021089388A1 (en) | 2019-11-05 | 2021-05-14 | Cmc Consumer Medical Care Gmbh | Cloth for cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces |
US11142378B1 (en) | 2019-12-19 | 2021-10-12 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Container with lid including frangible projecting tab |
USD937083S1 (en) * | 2019-12-31 | 2021-11-30 | Xplorys Holding B.V. | Lid for baby wipe packaging |
USD981230S1 (en) * | 2020-05-27 | 2023-03-21 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Lid for packaging |
USD1005727S1 (en) * | 2020-06-30 | 2023-11-28 | SimpliWipe, LLC | Disinfection wipe dispenser device |
JP1674757S (en) * | 2020-07-03 | 2020-12-14 | ||
JP1674756S (en) * | 2020-07-03 | 2020-12-14 | ||
JP1674755S (en) * | 2020-07-03 | 2020-12-14 | ||
USD992342S1 (en) * | 2021-06-28 | 2023-07-18 | Rubbermaid Incorporated | Lid |
Family Cites Families (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4185754A (en) * | 1976-03-19 | 1980-01-29 | Nice-Pak Products, Inc. | Collapsible recloseable dispenser packet with two part resealable closure |
US4156493A (en) * | 1976-03-19 | 1979-05-29 | Nice-Pak Products, Inc. | Recloseable dispenser packet |
DE4007649C1 (en) * | 1990-03-10 | 1991-09-19 | Kloeckner Pentapack Zweigniederlassung Der Kloeckner Pentaplast Gmbh, 6479 Ranstadt, De | |
US5284363A (en) * | 1991-08-15 | 1994-02-08 | Gar-Doc, Inc. | Multi-layer hinged label |
NZ299478A (en) | 1992-03-13 | 1998-05-27 | Procter & Gamble | Pouch containing pre-moistened tissues with highlighted edges |
US5531325A (en) * | 1992-03-13 | 1996-07-02 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Storing and dispensing system for products packed in a sealed pouch |
CA2117280C (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 2005-04-05 | Joellen Nielsen Narsutis | Package for sliced food product |
SE9304200L (en) * | 1993-12-17 | 1995-01-16 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Opening device for liquid packaging |
JP3182114B2 (en) * | 1997-05-22 | 2001-07-03 | 憲司 中村 | Package having a sheet-like opening / closing lid |
JP2000072160A (en) * | 1998-08-28 | 2000-03-07 | Daiichi Shiko Kk | Container for wet tissue |
TW501918B (en) * | 1999-04-23 | 2002-09-11 | Toa Machine Industry Inc | Wet-sheet packing body manufacturing method |
US20050011906A1 (en) * | 2003-07-15 | 2005-01-20 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Storing and dispensing container for product |
US7665629B2 (en) * | 2004-01-12 | 2010-02-23 | Nice-Pak Products, Inc. | Resealable perforated label for consumer products |
JP4018067B2 (en) * | 2004-02-05 | 2007-12-05 | 株式会社フクヨー | Package |
US20050189367A1 (en) * | 2004-02-16 | 2005-09-01 | Shlomit Chasid | Closure unit, mold for producing same, and dispenser-container incorporating a closure unit |
US7686513B2 (en) * | 2005-06-03 | 2010-03-30 | Frito-Lay North America, Inc. | Multi-layer flexible package with removable section |
US20070023436A1 (en) * | 2005-08-01 | 2007-02-01 | Sierra-Gomez Gladys O | Resealable food container |
JP4808005B2 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2011-11-02 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Double package |
US20080253697A1 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2008-10-16 | O'neill Kilian John | Easy-opening flexible container |
-
2007
- 2007-04-10 US US11/784,813 patent/US20080253697A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2008
- 2008-04-09 PL PL08737775T patent/PL2132108T3/en unknown
- 2008-04-09 ES ES08737775.0T patent/ES2463691T3/en active Active
- 2008-04-09 EP EP08737775.0A patent/EP2132108B1/en active Active
- 2008-04-09 WO PCT/IB2008/051347 patent/WO2008122961A1/en active Application Filing
- 2008-04-09 CA CA002683686A patent/CA2683686A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-04-09 MX MX2009010581A patent/MX2009010581A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2008-04-09 JP JP2010500422A patent/JP2010522675A/en active Pending
-
2009
- 2009-10-01 IL IL201291A patent/IL201291A0/en unknown
-
2011
- 2011-05-18 US US29/392,187 patent/USD671000S1/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PL2132108T3 (en) | 2014-08-29 |
US20080253697A1 (en) | 2008-10-16 |
USD671000S1 (en) | 2012-11-20 |
CA2683686A1 (en) | 2008-10-16 |
ES2463691T3 (en) | 2014-05-29 |
WO2008122961A1 (en) | 2008-10-16 |
EP2132108A1 (en) | 2009-12-16 |
MX2009010581A (en) | 2009-10-22 |
JP2010522675A (en) | 2010-07-08 |
IL201291A0 (en) | 2010-05-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2132108B1 (en) | Easy-opening flexible container | |
US10334998B2 (en) | Flexible container and reusable closure element | |
US7665629B2 (en) | Resealable perforated label for consumer products | |
EP2340216B1 (en) | Packet with a closure for its outlet, e.g. for articles storage and dispensing | |
US20130089280A1 (en) | Sealable Bag | |
KR20160148555A (en) | Resealable label with hinge for use with dispenser package, and package having same | |
AU2009100625B4 (en) | Tamper-evident containers | |
KR20180127354A (en) | A container having a resealable inner package | |
EP2832659B1 (en) | Container, container package | |
EP0784572B1 (en) | Resealable pack | |
WO2008055962A1 (en) | Flexible wipes pack | |
CN112752716B (en) | Composite container, body blank and method of separating a top from a body | |
KR100221453B1 (en) | Bag for west sheets | |
TWI570031B (en) | Packaging and packaging sealed bags | |
JP3122714B2 (en) | Wet tissue package | |
JP7248452B2 (en) | sheet package | |
KR20140001050U (en) | Package for sanitary vinyl | |
JP2023089831A (en) | package | |
JP3802114B2 (en) | Sealed container | |
JPH10120050A (en) | Package body of wet tissue | |
JPH0940041A (en) | Packaging bag and packaging bag package | |
JP2001322676A (en) | Packaging container |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20090930 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20130515 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20131128 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 656129 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20140315 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602008030817 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20140424 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2463691 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 Effective date: 20140529 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: VDEP Effective date: 20140312 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140612 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 656129 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20140312 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: PL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140612 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140712 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R026 Ref document number: 602008030817 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PLBI | Opposition filed |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140714 |
|
PLAX | Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2 |
|
26 | Opposition filed |
Opponent name: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA Effective date: 20141211 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20140430 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20140430 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R026 Ref document number: 602008030817 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20141211 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20140409 |
|
PLBB | Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140613 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20080409 Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20140312 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20140409 |
|
PLCK | Communication despatched that opposition was rejected |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREJ1 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R100 Ref document number: 602008030817 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PLBN | Opposition rejected |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009273 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: OPPOSITION REJECTED |
|
27O | Opposition rejected |
Effective date: 20160829 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20170313 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20170317 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20170420 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180430 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180409 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20190911 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180410 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230429 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20240229 Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20240315 Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240306 Year of fee payment: 17 |