US20180186540A1 - Food packaging containing an inner bag - Google Patents

Food packaging containing an inner bag Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180186540A1
US20180186540A1 US15/740,206 US201615740206A US2018186540A1 US 20180186540 A1 US20180186540 A1 US 20180186540A1 US 201615740206 A US201615740206 A US 201615740206A US 2018186540 A1 US2018186540 A1 US 2018186540A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
bag
notch
insert part
frame
container
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/740,206
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English (en)
Inventor
Patrick Vandamme
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gervais Danone SA
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Gervais Danone SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gervais Danone SA filed Critical Gervais Danone SA
Assigned to COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE reassignment COMPAGNIE GERVAIS DANONE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: VANDAMME, PATRICK
Publication of US20180186540A1 publication Critical patent/US20180186540A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/06—Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
    • 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
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0217—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements
    • B65D21/022—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements the bottom presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the closure or peripheral elements projecting therefrom
    • 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
    • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B65D31/10—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with gusseted sides
    • 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
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0214—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured only by friction or gravity
    • B65D43/0218—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured only by friction or gravity on both the inside and the outside of the mouth of the container
    • 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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/246—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with eating utensils or spatulas
    • 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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/24—Inserts or accessories added or incorporated during filling of containers
    • B65D77/245—Utensils for removing the contents from the package, e.g. spoons, forks, spatulas
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/0012—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners
    • B65D2543/00175—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners four straight sides, e.g. trapezium or diamond
    • B65D2543/00194—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners four straight sides, e.g. trapezium or diamond square or rectangular
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296—Plastic
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00342—Central part of the lid
    • B65D2543/0037—Flexible or deformable
    • B65D2543/00379—Flexible or deformable hinged or articulated, i.e. made of two or more parts hinged one to another
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00509—Cup
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00555—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on both the inside and the outside

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a packaging having a closure lid adapted to provide easy access to a product contained in a bag used as refill. More specifically, the invention relates to a food packaging adapted to make installation of a gusset bag inside an outer container easier.
  • Gusset bags having a flexible side wall are well-known for containing a variety of products, especially flowable food products.
  • Refillable food pouches are known, for instance from WO 2014/120258. But for air-sensitive contents, for example powdered milk or cereals, such kind of refillable pouch cannot be used.
  • gusset pouch Less sensitive food can also be supplied to a secondary market as a sealed gusset pouch or similar flexible bag.
  • Conventional gusset bags for this purpose are provided with two opposite gussets. After removal of a top portion, the gussets can unfold from a partially open configuration to a fully open configuration.
  • Such flexible bags (for example as disclosed in US 2011/0293208) are not well adapted for a pouring operation.
  • Rigid boxes are sometimes used to receive food content initially stored in flexible bags.
  • the box can be repeatedly filled up with such kind of food. But practically, loss of food product from a gusset bag or similar bag often occurs when pouring the flowable food content into the box.
  • boxes are not particularly well adapted to store a gusset bag that is in an open state because the product can flow between the flexible bag and the inner face of the box. This typically happens when the whole packaging is turned upside down in a closed state of the box. And if the box is not correctly closed by a lid positioned at the top of the box or if the sealing performed by the lid is not efficient, the product may be quickly altered and loss of product may occur.
  • Document WO 2012/085117 discloses a gusset bag stored in a box.
  • the box sidewall has an inner circumference adapted to guide the annular side of the bag, whereby the bag is standing in a predetermined position in the packaging. Because of the guiding by the box sidewall, the inner flexible bag cannot move laterally inside the container (fit of the bag inside the box). Such cooperation between an inner bag and an outer container, with a single predetermined position of the inner bag, is well-known in the art.
  • the gusset bag is provided with flaps that extend beyond the upper edges of the box.
  • a closure system is provided with annular frame that accommodates the upper edges of the box with the flaps folded around these upper edges. Due to this accommodation, the gusset bag in the predetermined position is widely open and there is no leakage of product between the bag and the box sidewall, with provision that the flaps have been correctly folded and positioned.
  • JP2012197105A, JP2012197106A, JP2012197107A, JP2012197108A, JP2012197109A and JP2012197110A also relate to refillable food pouches that are maintained in a rigid box. At the top of the box, a specific insert is used to obtain a wide opening of the pouch and a cover can close the top access opening defined by the insert.
  • embodiments of the invention provide a packaging for a food product comprising:
  • the bag may fully cover the inner face of the bottom and is close to the sidewall of the outer container so as to be either in contact with the two opposite inner faces, or substantially coaxial with the sidewall of the outer container with a small gap at its periphery. More generally it is understood that the bag is sized so that it cannot move significantly in a radial direction, i.e. not more than 5 or 6 mm, preferably less than 4 mm, when put in a storage position in the interior volume. Such small play typically represents less than 9 or 10 percents of the width or equivalent size of the bag as the smaller size of the container is typically greater than 60 mm, preferably greater than 80 mm.
  • the insert part can efficiently come into contact and push (radially outwards) portions of the bag side wall when mounting the frame, thanks to the axial extensions, without interfering with unfolding of the bag, thanks to the notch.
  • the bag side wall has substantially the same shape has the container near the bottom, there is no particular requirement for any centering of the bag.
  • the top of the side wall of the bag has not to be particularly stretched or folded more than the reminder of the side wall, which is of interest to prevent undesirable cracks in the bag material.
  • the amount of plastic material to form the insert part is reduced as the notch typically defines a significant spacing between two axial extensions of a same side. This spacing may be superior to 30 mm near the free edges of the axial extensions.
  • the guiding axial extensions may be provided each with an angled free edge in order to guide each upper edges of the bag in a peripheral area that is defined between the insert part and the top of the container.
  • the bag is typically a gusseted pre-made bag so that planar outer faces in the side wall are easy to obtain, such outer faces matching with the corresponding inner faces of the container.
  • the wording “partially open configuration” may correspond to a free configuration where the opening is close to its size when the bag is configured in a fully open state.
  • the term “partially open” may simply be interpreted as “not fully open” (typically not sufficiently open to have a regular gap between the top of the bag and the container).
  • At least one of the two opposite inner faces is defined by a panel in contact with the upper fitment part and extends between two connections (preferably curved) that each define an angle, preferably of about 90°, between two adjacent panels of the sidewall of the outer container.
  • the sidewall of the outer container is defined by four panels interconnected at respective connections that extend each rectilinearly from the bottom to an angle of the peripheral upper rim, while the annular side wall of the bag is provided with four edges and has a predetermined periphery sized and shaped so that each of the edges is at less than about 3 mm from one of the connections when the bag is stored in the interior volume and the upper rim is engaged into a groove of the fitment part.
  • positioning the bag is intuitive and easy and the upper edges of the bag can be positioned as a lining that covers the inner face of the container sidewall. Since the bag is hold in a fully open state by the insert part (with the side wall of the bag thus longitudinally extending with a same small radial spacing with respect to the container), risk of folding the bag is prevented when retrieving the food content.
  • one of the axial guiding extensions extends between two notches from a base adjacent to a determined hole, such hole not intersected by the central axis being delimited by a part of the frame that is entirely covered by the lid in the closed configuration of the lid.
  • This determined hole is typically delimited by a retaining device for a measuring utensil and is preferably circular.
  • the axial guiding extension adjacent to the determined hole may optionally have a C-shape or L-shape section when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis.
  • the notch extends between two planar portions of two axial extensions that are angled to have each a L-shape section when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis.
  • This configuration of the axial extensions is well adapted to prevent undesirable folding (of the bag) near the angles of the outer container, especially when the packaging has a polygonal shape with angles of about 90°.
  • the insert part comprises four bridge portions each tapering toward the bottom with small deviation as compared to the central axis, said small deviation being preferably inferior or equal to 10°, each of the four bridge portions comprising:
  • the curved edge of the arched section may delimit all or part of the notch and may have a more or less pronounced curvature.
  • the insert part has four substantially planar outer faces, each arched section defining a midsection of said outer faces of the insert part
  • the insert part is such that the following relation is satisfied:
  • the height H 2 is measured from a bottom part of the bag that is typically planar and in contact with the food content.
  • the bag in the open state thus does not extend beyond the opening of the container and difference in height (as compared to the level of the container opening) can be lower than about 4 or 5 mm, preferably about 2 or 3 mm.
  • difference in height and as the insert part (by definition) is received inside the volume of the bag with a sufficient height, the bag cannot vertically escape from the fully open configuration.
  • having a small radial play (less than 2 or 3 mm) and a small axial play for the bag is advantageous to prevent significant deformation of the bag side wall (or any change in relative position between the bag and the insert part) when the whole packaging is turned upside down.
  • a partly or fully transparent box could also advantageously be used with a satisfactory display of information marked on the outer faces of the bag side wall.
  • height of the bag may be lower, providing that the insert part is of greater height and/or the container is provided with one or more holding members or similar adjusting means for supporting the bag at a distance from the level of the bottom.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a packaging according to a first embodiment in accordance with the invention, showing the lid in the open position and the inner gusset bag arranged in the interior volume of the outer container;
  • FIG. 2 is a cross section through the upper part of the packaging of FIG. 1 showing the lid almost in the closed position and the insert part inserted through the mouth of the bag;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a measuring utensil that can be retained below the lid in a storage position according to the invention
  • FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are two successive perspective views (not showing the lid for sake of simplicity) illustrating the guiding effect of the insert part when inserted through the mouth of the gusset bag;
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of a packaging according to a second embodiment in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the unopened gusset bag that can be used as a refill
  • FIG. 7 illustrates in cross section a stacking between two outer containers
  • FIG. 8 is a cross section view through a packaging according to the invention, showing a levelling operation
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a frame used for accommodation of a gusset bag in an outer container, in accordance to a third embodiment
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an outer container and a gusset bag ready to be inserted inside the outer container, before mounting of a closure system provided with the frame shown in FIG. 9 .
  • a packaging 1 including a box and a flexible gusset pouch or similar bag B that is not resealable (not tightly closed after removal of a top portion), the packaging being well adapted for easy retrieval of the food product contained in the bag B.
  • a variety of products may be contained in the bag B, preferably food products such as powdered milk, dry or powdered beverages, dry soups, coffee, tea, whey powder or the like, butter milk powder, spices, and other flowable solid food products.
  • the packaging 1 comprises a container 2 and a closure system 3 .
  • the container 2 is open on one side opposite its bottom 20 and may be parallelepiped-shaped, provided with an oval section or any shape with a bottom substantially as wide as the opening, as those skilled in the art will understand.
  • An annular side wall 4 of the container 2 extends about a vertical central axis X to a top 2 a defining a peripheral upper rim 21 a.
  • An outer collar 2 c may be provided and the top 2 a may be defined as an annular projection protruding upwardly from an upper face defined by the collar 2 c.
  • a wide opening 21 enclosed by a perimeter 22 is defined by the rim 21 a that is rigid (the optional collar 2 c increases rigidity of the rim 21 a to prevent any deformation).
  • the cross section perpendicular to the central axis X of the container 2 may be basically rectangular with rounded corners. It ensures vertical strength of the packagings 1 when stacked.
  • FIG. 7 shows in more detail a way of stacking the packagings 1 , using a recess at the bottom 20 to at least partly house the top wall 33 of the lid 32 .
  • the cross section is preferably inscribed in a rectangle measuring 100 to 140 mm by 80 or 90 to 125 mm.
  • the interior volume V of the container 2 has a determined height H, which is here close to the whole height of the container 2 .
  • the bottom 20 may be provided with bearing means 20 a, for example feet or an annular base that may protrude downwardly with respect to the planar wall of the bottom 20 . Such bearing means 20 a can reinforce the strength of the bottom 20 when configured as an additional outer layer of the container 2 .
  • the lower part 40 of the sidewall 4 may be of slightly narrower section as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the determined height H here measured from a planar inner face F 3 of the bottom 20 to the top face is preferably between 120 and 190 mm to provide the normal volume for boxes intended to contain infant powdered milk. It is therefore a relatively deep container whose opening 21 must be made as wide as possible to avoid difficulty with extracting powder from close to the bottom 20 of the container 2 . In addition, this wide opening 21 allows a measuring utensil 100 to be used to pick up the powder or similar food content 5 .
  • the perimeter 22 of the opening 21 of the container 2 may be considered to have a first long side 22 a, an opposite second long side 22 b, and first and second short sides 22 c, 22 d connecting the long sides.
  • Four corner portions or similar connections 6 may be defined in the sidewall 4 to prevent formation of sharp edges.
  • the four panels of the sidewall 4 are provided with four connections 6 each adapted for interconnecting two adjacent panels that form an angle of about 90°.
  • the container 2 may be made as a single thermally blow-moulded plastic component.
  • the plastic is preferably a multilayer composite forming a highly effective oxygen barrier where used for a food content 5 such as powdered milk, but the container 2 could of course be produced in some other material, especially metal or a multilayer cartonboard.
  • the food content 5 is stored in the bag B, which has a flexible side wall 8 , a bottom 8 a and a top portion defined by a closing band 10 intended to be cut or torn.
  • a front wall W 1 and a rear wall W 2 are interconnected by two opposite gussets 9 a, 9 b extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the flexible side wall 8 .
  • Welds or sealing junctions can be provided to define the bag B.
  • the closing band 10 may be a sealed part obtained by heat sealing.
  • the bottom 8 a can be defined by flaps in an overlapped configuration with a sealing area defined between at least two flaps.
  • the bag B can be a mono-web construction of a film. But in preferred embodiments, the front wall W 1 , the rear wall W 2 and the bottom 8 a are obtained by assembling at least two different parts. In such case, the bag B includes several seal areas to seal the parts together (e.g., with heat-sealed parts). In a particular embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6 , the bottom 8 a is deprived from any gusset and is typically planar. Each of the two gussets 9 a, 9 b has an interior edge extending between the respective inner faces of the front wall W 1 and the rear wall W 2 when the bag B is closed by the closing bad 10 or similar closing means.
  • the film material used to form the bag B can be plastic, such as low, medium or high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester (PET), polyamide or any other material that is commonly used in the packaging industry, copolymers, or blends thereof.
  • the film material can be a single layer cast or blown film, a multi-layer coextrusion or laminate.
  • the film material can also include one or more layers of paper, metal foil, vacuum deposited metal or inorganic layer of aluminium or silicon oxide and/or a polymer barrier layer, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyvinylidene chloride. These examples are non limiting examples.
  • the material is flexible and capable of allowing a gusset 9 a and/or 9 b to be formed.
  • the two opposite gussets 9 a, 9 b are provided adjacent to the wide opening 11 .
  • the bag B is therefore a gusset bag.
  • the upper end defined by the upper edges 7 is adapted to define an opening 11 substantially as wide as the bottom 8 a, typically with the same shape as the bottom 8 a.
  • the film is a multi-layer film, it is preferred that at least the inner layer of the bag B is a heat sealable layer.
  • the bag B is optionally provided with a top peripheral edge and, before a cutting or tearing or peeling action to remove such top part of the bag B, the content 5 of the bag B cannot be retrieved through the single opening 11 of the bag B.
  • the top portions of the front wall W 1 and of the rear wall W 2 are typically in an initial flat configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • the content 5 (powdered milk or other granular or powdery product for example) is perfectly preserved in the bag B until used for the first time when the top peripheral edge (here defined by the closing band 10 ) is removed, optionally with the aid of one or more peeling-off tongues, tearing tongues, weakened areas or the like.
  • the closing band 10 or similar top portion of the bag B is preferably provided with a line of weakness (at the dash line) that extends laterally across both walls W 1 and W 2 in close proximity to but below the top peripheral edge.
  • the line of weakness may be formed by, for example, perforating or scoring the front wall W 1 , the rear wall W 2 and other optional flaps with a laser or knife either individually before these walls W 1 and W 2 are sealed together, or collectively after they have been sealed together.
  • One or both ends of line of weakness may terminate with a notch (not shown), which provides a stress concentration and aids in starting a tear along the line of weakness when the bag B is opened by a consumer.
  • the upper level of the food content 5 extends at an axial distance from the upper edges 7 that extend along a cut line that corresponds to the dash line (for example, the upper level is between 25 and 90 mm below the level of the edges 7 ).
  • the initial level of the food content 5 corresponds to a height H 3 that is significantly lower than a predetermined height H 2 of the bag B when the bag B is in a fully open configuration (as shown in FIG. 4 b for example).
  • the ratio H 3 :H 2 may be comprised between 1:2 and 4:5 in some embodiments.
  • the bag B once open, can be stored in the interior volume V of the container 2 .
  • the gusset bag B can also be stored in the container 2 and then opened by excising the closing band 10 .
  • the interior volume V is here illustrated as fully matching with the outer shape of the container 2 , it is understood that such interior volume V can be adjusted depending on specific configuration inside the container 2 .
  • the height H 2 of the bag B is inferior to the determined height H so that the upper rim 21 a extends entirely above the upper edges 7 of the bag B.
  • the annular side wall 8 of the bag B has a shape matching with the sidewall 4 of the outer container 2 so as to prevent the bag B to be eccentrically positioned inside the interior volume V.
  • the position of the bag B with respect to the container 2 before fixing the frame 31 is a predetermined position.
  • such predetermined position is due to the similar cross section shape of the bag side wall 8 as compared to the cross section shape of the sidewall 4 of the outer container 2 .
  • a natural vertical guiding of the bag B, which is initially in a full state, is obtained when having the bag side wall 8 closely surrounded by the sidewall 4 .
  • the closure system 3 is here provided with an annular fitment part 13 that comprises a peripheral groove G, in which the upper rim 21 a is fitted (the annular projection defined by the top 2 a being here received in the groove G).
  • the fitment part 13 is here configured as a top part of an annular frame 31 that surrounds the opening 21 .
  • the closure system 3 also comprises a lid 32 hinged to the frame 31 to allow movement of the lid 32 between an open position and a closed position.
  • the frame 31 is thus directly fixed in a removable and tight manner to the peripheral upper rim 21 a, while the lid 32 closes the opening 21 of the container 2 when engaged with the fitment part 13 of the frame 31 .
  • the lid 32 comprises a top wall 33 and is provided with a circumferential side wall 34 extending from the top wall 33 and an interior skirt 36 regularly spaced from the circumferential side wall so as to define with the side wall 34 a continuous groove CG. With such configuration, the fitment part 13 may be received in the continuous groove CG.
  • the inner face of the fitment part 13 may optionally be in radial contact with the interior skirt 36 in the closed position of the lid 32 (the interior skirt 36 pressing at least partially against such inner face of the annular fitment part), so as to prevent the food content 5 (in a powder form for example) to accumulate in a lid-frame contact area 25 .
  • a lid-frame contact area 25 is provided between an outer angled surface of the fitment part 13 and a sealing surface of the circumferential side wall 34 . Accordingly, the lid 32 can be repeatedly closed with an efficient sealing effect.
  • the top wall 33 is here substantially planar to reduce the height of the lid 32 .
  • the frame 31 is provided with an insert part 35 optionally making the frame 31 higher than the lid 32 .
  • the lid 32 and the frame 31 are articulated together via a connection that allows the lid 32 to be moved with respect to the frame 31 and to the container 2 between an open position depicted in FIG. 1 , in which the opening 21 is largely accessible, and a closed position, depicted in FIG. 7 for example, in which the lid 32 covers this opening 21 .
  • This then is a resealable packaging the lid 32 of which is handled on each occasion, for example for preparing baby bottles.
  • connection 16 is a hinged connection 16 (typically one or more living hinges) in which the axis of pivoting is perpendicular to the central axis X.
  • a hinged connection 16 typically one or more living hinges
  • it is a plastic hinge 16 formed by a fold line, which allows the lid 32 and the frame 31 to be produced as a single component.
  • This is a component obtained by injecting a plastic, such as polypropylene for example, into a mould.
  • the hinged connection 16 could of course be obtained using two separate components assembled with one another, and it is equally possible to provide some other form of connection between the frame 31 and the lid 32 .
  • the frame 31 may have substantially the same general circumference as the lid 32 and here comprises first and second short outer sides 31 c, 31 d defined by the fitment part 13 , matching with the first and second short sides 22 c, 22 d.
  • the depicted embodiments show a central axis X, which is a symmetry axis for the container 2 and for the frame 31 , of course other configurations may be used, depending on the geometry of the container sidewall 4 .
  • the frame 31 has not necessarily the same shape has the section of the interior volume V.
  • the sidewall 4 that surrounds the interior volume V for receiving the bag B may correspond to a part of the container side periphery and includes a partitioning element used to define the upper rim 21 a.
  • the fitment part 13 or the container 2 has a projecting member with an engagement rim 18 used for locking.
  • Such engagement rim 18 may be integrally formed with the annular collar 2 c of the container 2 .
  • the packaging 1 has here a locking device provided with a tab T that protrudes downwardly from the lid 32 , here from the side wall 34 .
  • the tab T occupies an engagement position in which a lower catching portion 19 engages with the engagement rim 18 .
  • Unlocking is performed by actuating the tab T by hand towards a radially outward direction (typically a pulling action).
  • the lid 32 is adjusted and fitted so that a continuous sealing contact is obtained between the fitment part 13 and the lid 32 .
  • FIGS. 1-2, 4 a - 4 b and 8 the pressing to maintain the top of the gusset bag B in a fully open configuration, thanks to an insert part 35 of the frame 31 , will be described.
  • the bag B filled with the food content 5 , open and stored in the interior volume V, is in contact with the bottom 20 of the container 2 and cannot substantially move because of the small play between the side wall 8 and all or part of the inner faces of the sidewall 4 of the container 2 .
  • the annular side wall 8 has here a shape matching with the sidewall 4 .
  • the bag B thus cannot be eccentrically positioned inside the interior volume V.
  • the lower part 40 that is preferably of lower height H 4 than height H 3 is configured to locally reduce or suppress the small gap around the bag B (reduction of size in the lower part 90 of the interior volume V). It is thus understood that the container 2 is configured to define a predetermined position for the bag B having the opening 11 facing upwardly.
  • the bag B In this configuration without the closure system 3 fitted onto the upper rim 21 a, the bag B is typically not in a fully open configuration.
  • Each of the panels of the sidewall 4 extends between two connections 6 that each correspond to an angle, preferably of about 90° as shown in the depicted embodiments.
  • angle preferably of about 90° as shown in the depicted embodiments.
  • significant folds or recessed parts typically at the gussets 9 a, 9 b ) are typically formed, as shown in FIG. 1 for example.
  • the flexible side wall 8 here because of the gussets 9 a, 9 b, can unfold from a partially open configuration to a fully open configuration, providing that the upper edges 7 are displaced (under a pressing action) and held in position away from the central axis X and along the sidewall 4 of the container 2 .
  • the frame 31 comprises an insert part 35 that extends in the interior volume V when the fitment part 13 is covering the upper rim 21 a with a tight annular contact, and which is intended to be received inside the bag B (above the level of the food content 5 ).
  • the folding in the partially open configuration is a bit exaggerated to better illustrate that the edges 7 are irregularly spaced from the sidewall 4 .
  • the insert part 35 is radially spaced inwardly with respect to the sidewall 4 of the container 2 , such spacing being here obtained because of an annular transition part 38 that interconnects the insert part 35 (interior part of the frame 31 ) and the fitment part 13 (exterior part of the frame 31 ).
  • the annular transition part 38 can be radially connected to the fitment part 13 as shown in FIG. 8 , below the tight connection between the fitment part 13 and the upper rim 21 a. Accordingly, the food content 5 cannot escape from the container 2 because of:
  • the frame 31 may comprise at least one resilient sealing element (not shown) more flexible than the axial extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 and protruding radially outwards from the outer faces F 5 , below the fitment part 13 .
  • An annular gasket or similar annular resilient element which is preferably provided near the transition part 38 (and typically entirely above the notches 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ), defines one or more radial contacts between the bag B and the frame 31 .
  • Such resilient element may be curved or angled to facilitate insertion of the insert part 35 through the opening 11 .
  • the insert part 35 extends annularly entirely below the upper rim 21 a and preferably entirely below the optional annular collar 2 c.
  • the annular transition part 38 extends substantially at the same level as the collar 2 c and tapers downwardly, defining a circumferential concave surface S 38 facing outwardly.
  • the transition part 38 may abut against the upper edges 7 of the flexible gusset bag B to hold these upper edges 7 in a proximal position relative to the inner face (including the opposite faces F 1 and F 2 ) of the sidewall 4 .
  • the upper edges 7 are only facing such concave surface S 38 , without continuous or local axial contact against this transition part 38 .
  • the insert part 35 is provided with a plurality of axial guiding extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 configured to engage the bag B through the opening 11 .
  • the insert part 35 is sufficiently spaced from the container sidewall 4 to allow the upper edges 7 of the bag B to completely surround the skirt-like insert part 35 with a small play.
  • the guiding extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 are engaging, through the opening 11 , the top of the bag B at opposite inner parts (corners or opposite sides).
  • each face of the side wall 8 of the bag B may be substantially planar. With this configuration, a wide and constant section of the bag B is obtained, which is optimal to retrieve food content 5 near the bottom 8 a, using a measuring utensil 100 .
  • the axial guiding extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 have a height H 1 that is greater than length of the each of the two lower rectilinear edge portions defined at the free end (L-shaped free edge FE) of the guiding axial extension E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 .
  • Such height H 1 may optionally correspond to a maximum height of the insert part 31 and is typically comprised between 5 and 40 mm.
  • a polygonal shape with at least four angles for both the sidewall 4 and the side wall 8 of the bag B is preferred because the inner faces of the container 2 may be substantially planar and the axial guiding extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 may be each provided with one planar guiding section or two planar guiding sections 28 , 29 configured with a L-shape when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (X).
  • the upper edges 7 defined at each side of the bag B are thus held in a substantially rectilinear position, without significant undulations in a transverse plane (no folding perceived by the user).
  • Angle of the L-shape may be not inferior to 90°, which is of interest to provide a guiding effect in two distinct directions by a same member of the insert part 35 .
  • Each axial guiding extension E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 is provided with a curved midsection 67 ( FIG. 4 a ), which defines a radius of curvature much smaller than the radius of curvature at the connections 6 or at the ends of the shorts sides 31 c, 31 d.
  • the transition part 38 is longitudinally curved to be tangentially connected to the insert part 35 that has a small radial deviation as compared to the longitudinal axis X. But such small deviation is of interest to progressively increase the pressing toward the inner faces F 1 , F 2 of the container sidewall 4 . It can be seen that the axial extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 are each less slanted than the transition part 38 .
  • the higher deviation of the transition part 38 and the substantially continuous curvature (with no horizontal surface) of the transition part 38 is here advantageous to prevent powder to accumulate on the transition part 38 , i.e. out of the bag B.
  • the sidewall 4 of the container 2 is defined by four panels interconnected at the respective connections 6 that extend each rectilinearly from the bottom 20 to an angle 211 , 212 , 213 , 214 of the peripheral upper rim 21 a, as in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1 .
  • the annular side wall 8 of the bag B is provided with four edges 80 (four longitudinal edges) and has a predetermined periphery sized and shaped so that each of the edges 80 is at less than 3 mm from one of the connections 6 when the bag B is stored in the interior volume V and the upper rim 21 a is engaged into a groove G of the fitment part 13 .
  • Such parallelepiped gusset bag B is of simple construction and may correspond to a conventional kind of bag.
  • the insert part 35 may comprise four bridge portions 66 interconnected by the axial guiding extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 .
  • the insert part 35 defines four substantially planar outer faces F 5 .
  • Each of the bridge portions 66 (or similar notched part) tapers toward the bottom 20 with small deviation as compared to the direction of the central axis X. Such small deviation (see FIGS. 2 and 7 for instance) may be inferior or equal to 10°, preferably less than 4 or 5°.
  • extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 protrudes downwardly more than the arched midsections AS, they may deviate slightly more at the free edge FE (but typically with the same deviation angle) where the interspace D 2 with the container 2 is maximum.
  • Such tapering is of interest because the gussets 9 a and 9 b can be here progressively moved toward the two opposite faces F 1 , F 2 , preferably planar, when the frame 31 is displaced proximate its fitted position and then fitted. More generally, it ensures a more progressive pressing effect in the opposite directions (toward the different sides 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d of the container 2 ).
  • Each of the four bridge portions 66 here comprises:
  • each arched section AS may define a midsection of one of the respective outer faces F 5 of the insert part 35 .
  • each midsection of the upper edges 7 (here it can be seen that at least the shorter sides have a V-profile before the pressing) is pressed only at the end or nearly the end of the mounting of the frame 31 and the upper edges 7 of the bag B may be held in a substantially rectilinear position, along the planar outer faces F 5 at the end of the unfolding.
  • a first notch 61 and a second notch 62 are located opposite each other. These notches 61 , 62 are preferably wider than high and the same applies for additional notches 63 , 64 that extend along the long sides 22 a, 22 d.
  • the almost vertical configuration of the axial extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 is also advantageous because the insert part 35 does not obstruct the bag access. Only the optional retaining device 60 for receiving a measuring utensil 100 protrudes toward the central axis X, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 .
  • the bag B has an inner circumference provided with an initially energized annular elastic tape 65 (shown in FIG. 4 a ) interfering with the gussets 9 a, 9 b and arranged near the upper end.
  • annular elastic tape 65 shown in FIG. 4 a
  • This option may be used to facilitate insertion of the insert part 35 through the opening 11 of the bag B.
  • the axial extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 have the same profile in a cross section and have respective L-shaped free edges FE that all extend substantially in a same virtual transverse plane (horizontal plane in usual position of the packaging 1 ).
  • L-shaped free edges FE could be used, depending on the geometry of the container sidewall 4 .
  • Providing at least two diametrically opposed L-shaped extensions or opposite L-shaped extensions along a virtual diagonal is of interest to define at least four distinct radially outward directions for the pressing against the inner faces of the bag B.
  • the opening 11 defined by the upper edges 7 of the bag B is expanded and the edges 7 are adequately positioned at a same axial level in the peripheral upper area around the insert part 35 , entirely above the angled free edges FE and above the notches 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 in the fitted configuration of the fitment part 13 .
  • the small radial gap between the inner face of the container 2 and the upper half of the bag B is substantially constant because the upper edges 7 are not excessively stretched radially outwards.
  • the change of geometrical conformation as illustrated at the top of FIGS. 4 a and 4 b occurs at constant surface for the bag (no overstretching causing deformation of bag material).
  • the insert part 35 has a maximum height H 1 , which is of course lower than the determined height H of the interior volume V, and typically inferior to 30 mm. In preferred embodiments, the following relation is satisfied:
  • H 2 is the predetermined height of the flexible gusset bag B in the fully open configuration.
  • such arrangement ensures that the upper edges 7 are in the upper part (which is narrower than the lower part with maximum radial distance D 2 ) of the annular interspace defined between the insert part 35 and the corresponding inner face (for example the face F 1 or F 2 ) of the container 2 .
  • the insert part 35 may be configured with a reduced number of notches and/or have a difference in height for at least one side of the insert part 35 . More generally, the insert part 35 is provided with one or two notches 61 , 62 , defined between two of the axial guiding extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 , and extending along one of the two opposite inner faces F 1 , F 2 (here along the short sides 22 c, 22 d of the container 2 ).
  • the notch 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 opens downwardly and is preferably not divided into several slots or thin longitudinal notches. Such notch 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 can be obtained when molding the frame 31 or by a cutting operation. Of course the term “notch” should not be interpreted in a restricted manner, as understood by one skilled in the art.
  • FIGS. 2-3, 5 and 7-8 the arrangement of a device for interacting with a measuring utensil 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2-3, 5 and 7-8 .
  • the measuring utensil 100 As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 , this is similar to a spoon in the embodiments shown, that is to say it has a cup 101 which defines a fixed measuring volume and is, in such option, substantially cylindrical up to the open side of this cup 101 .
  • a handle 102 extends from the cup 101 to a free end.
  • the measuring utensil 100 thus has an elongate form and is made of plastic material or equivalent material.
  • the length of the measuring utensil 100 must of course be less than the inside diameter of the frame 31 .
  • this length must be less than the inside diagonal of the frame 31 .
  • the measuring utensil 100 is a measuring device of predetermined form, preferably designed to be sold with the whole packaging 1 , possibly without the gusset bag B in some options. But it is understood that the fixed measuring volume of such measuring utensil 100 is specific to the content 5 in question, here a food product such as powdered milk.
  • the measuring utensil 100 When sold with the packaging 1 , the measuring utensil 100 may be initially wrapped in a bag, inside the interior volume V and/or below the top wall 33 of the lid 32 or in a separated bag fastened onto an outer surface of the container 2 . At least after the first opening of the closure system 3 , the measuring utensil 100 can be received through a hole 60 a in a retaining device 60 that is formed on the frame 31 , and preferably integrally formed with the frame 31 . This hole 60 a is sized to retain the cup 101 .
  • the retaining device 60 is here integrally formed with the closure system 3 and extends between at least one base portion connected to the short side 31 c and at least one free edge 72 that is optionally configured as a part of a levelling element 70 .
  • the retaining device 60 here extends substantially perpendicular to the central axis X.
  • the free edge 72 which is of greater size than the opening side of the cup 101 , may be either curved, or rectilinear.
  • the rigid free edge 72 may extend between two opposite ends 73 , 74 of the levelling element 70 that are connected to the inner annular face of the frame 31 .
  • the levelling element 70 may be connected to two adjacent sides of a polygonal frame (here the rectangular frame 31 ). The ends 73 , 74 may thus be arranged each adjacent to the same axial extension E 4 of the insert part 35 .
  • the base portion BP of the retaining device 60 may be defined at a junction with the annular transition part 38 longitudinally extending between the fitment part 13 and the insert part 35 .
  • the free edge 72 may be provided with a lower protrusion to perform the levelling without need to tilt the measuring utensil or with a slightly tilted position. The user is thus not obliged to incline the measuring utensil 100 almost vertically which could cause some of the food content 5 to fall out and thereby lead to a mismeasurement,
  • a stabilizing relief 60 b or at least one similar projection that protrudes upwardly may be provided adjacent to the free edge 72 and as an extension at a surround 26 of the opening 60 .
  • the retaining device 60 is provided with a hole 60 a, for example a circular hole, to store the measuring utensil 100 in a storage position, in which the handle 102 extends entirely above the insert part 35 , substantially parallel to the top wall 33 of the lid 32 .
  • the cup 101 has a minimum height which is higher than space between the hole 60 a and the top wall 33 of the lid 32 , so that the measuring utensil 100 cannot escape when the closure system 3 remains in a closed position.
  • the first notch 61 is at least partly adjacent to the cup 101 in the storage position.
  • the cup 101 may extend along an axial guiding extension E 4 , proximate to the junction between the sort side 22 c and the long side 22 b.
  • the retaining device 60 may be connected to a first side 31 c of the frame 31 and optionally to another side adjacent to the first side 31 c.
  • the second notch 62 may extend proximate to a second side 31 d of the frame 31 which is parallel to the first side 31 c.
  • the handle 102 extends from the cup 101 toward such second side 31 d.
  • the lid 32 In order to have the upper face of the lid 32 close to the opening plane defined by the upper rim, the lid 32 is of a substantially flat configuration and is provided with a top wall 33 defining a planar upper face, along which the measuring utensil 100 extends in the storage position.
  • the levelling edge 72 is curved.
  • distance D 4 between the hole 60 a and the upper rim 21 a is typically lower than maximum height H 1 of each axial extension E 1 , E 2 , E 3 , E 4 and lower than the characteristic size D 3 (inner diameter for example) of the hole 60 a.
  • a distance D 4 lower than 10 mm, preferably lower than 5 or 6 mm may be provided, which means that the interspace D 2 between a free edge FE and the outer container 2 can be typically less than 3 or 4 mm.
  • the distance D 5 between the hole 60 a and the central axis X may thus be of at least 20 or 30 mm, which is of interest for levelling operation (easy access and no need to tilt the measuring utensil 100 more than 45°, even when such utensil has a length similar or greater than the opening size along the short sides 22 c, 22 d of the container 2 —see FIG. 5 for example).
  • FIGS. 1-4B show a retaining device 60 and/or a free edge 72 of a levelling element 70 in a corner area of a rectangular frame 31 , it is understood that such kind of device for interacting with the measuring utensil 100 may be arranged differently.
  • FIG. 7 shows a retaining element 60 having a free rectilinear edge 72 arranged perpendicular to the two opposite short sides, at a distance from the corners.
  • the retaining device 60 also formed on the frame 31 , is only connected to the first side 31 c and is distant from the curved portions of the frame 31 .
  • a clip 69 may be provided adjacent the cup 101 in the storage position to lock this position by engagement with a part of the handle 102 .
  • the retaining device 60 may also form a rectilinear free edge 72 .
  • attachment of the frame 31 to the container 2 is performed by engaging inner reliefs 39 of the frame 31 under the outer collar 2 c and/or in outer recesses of this outer collar 2 c.
  • the inner reliefs 39 are defined in the groove G and protrude radially inwards from an outer annular wall of the frame 31 .
  • the outer collar 2 c may have corner portions CP each provided with a recess 82 obtained by local reduction in height.
  • the inner reliefs 39 may be defined below respective windows 37 . This increase local flexibility of the frame corners and thus facilitates a snap fitting between the inner reliefs 39 that are defined in the groove G and the outer collar 2 c of the container 2 .
  • the peripheral upper rim 21 a may have a surface rounded in cross section, which is of interest for insertion (with progressively increasing contact forces) inside the groove G provided with the inner reliefs.
  • an engagement rim 18 ′ is provided for locking the closed configuration of the lid 32 (lid not shown in FIG. 9 for clarifying the viewing, such lid being already described in FIGS. 1 and 5 ), by retaining the tab T. But here, such engagement rim 18 ′ is formed on the frame 31 as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • This arrangement may be preferred to simplify the container 2 .
  • the frame 31 shown in FIG. 9 is similar to the frame shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 and the hinge connection with the lid 32 is not shown. While the position of the hole 60 a defined by the retaining device 60 is identical to the position shown in embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 and 4 a - 4 b, the insert part 35 is here slightly different. It can be seen in FIG. 9 that an axial guiding extension E 4 ′ extends between two notches 61 , 63 from a base 43 adjacent to the hole 60 a.
  • the axial guiding extension E 4 ′ adjacent to the hole 60 a may optionally have a C-shape or L-shape section when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the central axis X, in the mounted configuration of the closure system 3 .
  • the base 43 may be joined to the base portion BP ( FIG. 8 ).
  • the notches 62 and 64 are less pronounced that the corresponding notches in the other depicted embodiments.
  • the axial extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 are slightly more slanted than in the examples of FIGS. 1-2 and 7 , with exception of the axial extension E 4 ′ that is elongated and narrower than the other axial guiding extensions E 1 , E 2 , E 3 . This arrangement with some axial guiding extensions more slanted is of interest to have the bag B easily engaged, especially with correct positioning at the top corners of the bag B, by the consumer.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the fact that the shape of the container sidewall 4 is matching with the annular side wall 8 of the bag B.
  • a length L 1 of the container 2 significantly superior to the width L 2 , it is impossible to accommodate the open bag B in other upright position different from a predetermined position inside the interior volume V of the container 2 .
  • the term “matching” means that the shape (form) is identical or sufficiently similar to prevent any unsuitable position where the side wall 8 of the bag B does not extend along the sidewall 4 of the container 2 .
  • Such matching in shape is well-known in the art (see for example bag-in-a-box systems and similar refill systems) to accommodate an inner bag B in an outer container 2 and is clearly understood by those skilled in the art.
  • height H 2 of the open bag B as been described as sufficient to have relation H ⁇ H 2 ⁇ 5 mm, it is understood that the bag B has not necessarily a constant height H 2 since notches or non-pronounced irregularities can be provided, preferably at a distance from the corners, without impairing correct guiding by the insert part 35 . For example, such relation may be verified only at the top corners of the open bag B.
  • FIGS. 1 and 5 It can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5 that the hole 60 a is not intersected by the central axis. The same applies for the hole 60 a defined by retaining device 60 in the frame 31 shown in FIG. 9 .
  • a relatively flat configuration can be obtained for the lid 32 due to the horizontal storage position of the measuring utensil 100 , such utensil being at least partly inserted in the interior volume V of the container 2 .
  • the handle 102 is easy to catch and there is no need to touch the measuring utensil 100 at or near the cup 101 .
  • the handle 102 of the measuring utensil 100 extends in a plane of the opening 21 or above the upper rim 21 a, which means that the consumer fingers will not touch the inner faces of the bag when catching the measuring utensil 100 .
  • This centered position of the handle 100 , outside the bag B, is advantageous to avoid contacts that would tend to spoil the food content 5 .
  • the packaging 1 may thus combine several features without impairing efficiency of the closure and it can be reused with a new bag B filled with content 5 , after removal of the empty bag.
  • the handling of the frame 31 of the closure system 3 is not troublesome and there is no need to place fingers inside the new bag.
  • closure system 3 is here described as made of a single piece of molded plastic, it is understood that an assembly of two or more elements can be used to define the closure system. More generally, it will be obvious that the use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of any other elements besides those defined in any claim.
  • the inner circumference of the container 2 is not necessarily sized exactly as the annular side wall 8 of the bag B so as to provide a tight fit of the bag B inside the outer container.
  • a global fit is sufficient and the inner circumference of the container 2 is, more generally, adapted to guide the annular side wall 8 of the bag B so as to locate the bag B in a predetermined position inside the interior volume V.

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PCT/IB2015/001348 WO2017006149A1 (en) 2015-07-09 2015-07-09 Food packaging containing an inner bag
PCT/EP2016/065857 WO2017005746A1 (en) 2015-07-09 2016-07-05 Food packaging containing an inner bag

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CN109896152A (zh) * 2019-04-08 2019-06-18 北京一撕得物流技术有限公司 一种包装箱
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BR112017026320B1 (pt) 2022-06-28
ES2716121T3 (es) 2019-06-10
RU2673618C1 (ru) 2018-11-28
EP3319884B1 (en) 2018-12-26
NZ737981A (en) 2023-10-27
WO2017006149A1 (en) 2017-01-12
WO2017005746A1 (en) 2017-01-12
PL3319884T3 (pl) 2019-09-30
EP3319884A1 (en) 2018-05-16
CN107949527A (zh) 2018-04-20
TR201903740T4 (tr) 2019-04-22
BR112017026320A2 (pt) 2018-09-04

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