EP2033910A1 - Parallelepipedical flexible package with breakable zone - Google Patents

Abstract

The package has an oval shaped frangible zone (1) extended on its three distribution sides (11-13), where dimension and a position of the zone with respect to the package are defined by a specific relationship comprising parameters such as distances between ends of the zone and length of the side (11). The zone forms a distribution orifice that is closed and defined by perforations or cuts (2). The zone has a major part that is centered on the side (11) perpendicular to a stacking axis (XX), and other two parts that are arranged on the respective sides (12, 13) parallel to the stacking axis.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging more specifically formed by a flexible material, for example plastic, of generally parallelepipedal shape, capable of containing folded products such as tissues, towels or hand towels or any type of product. absorbent paper based on cellulose fibers.

The products contained inside such packages are folded, entangled or not, stacked and compressed inside the package. They thus form a stack from which a product can be extracted when the package is partially opened; the user then pulls on the product or a part of the product that protrudes from the stack.

Packages of this type are known, as described, for example, in the patent EP 0 628 005 B1 a diaper package having a bellows and a handle on one of its faces, and an associated frangible zone which constitutes the outlet for the diapers. Several forms and opening arrangements are contemplated in this document.

The patent US 4,934,535 relates to a package of the same type with handle and associated opening.

The first problem associated with this type of packaging concerns the pressure force exerted by the stack of products on the two opposite sides of the package. The initially compressed products inside the package exert on its walls a force perpendicular to their main folding surface.

If the opening (or openings) of the package is disposed parallel to this surface, it undergoes a force induced by this compression.

The dispensing opening must not be too large vis-à-vis the total surface of the face concerned, to prevent untimely exit of the products through said opening. It can not be too small either, because the products must be able to be extracted from the packaging without too much friction that could crease and / or tear for example.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the packaging can be used either alone or inside a dispenser. This potential dual use creates constraints and problems that known packages can not solve.

For use in a dispenser, it is sought both to limit the dispensing opening to be able to easily position the already open package containing the product stack in the dispenser without any product falls; but also to have a maximum opening, to reduce friction on the package and allow the extraction of products while keeping the package inside the dispenser.

Vis-à-vis the use alone, without distributor, the dispensing opening of a package according to the invention should be reduced to the maximum for hygienic issues, but must remain wide enough to allow gripping easy and direct products.

The solution compatible with these conflicting requirements leads to keeping some of the packaging on the periphery of the dispensing surface.

Thus, the present invention relates to a flexible package of parallelepipedal shape for flexible flat elements, superimposed, entangled or not, forming a stack of axis XX, comprising a frangible zone capable of constituting an initially closed distribution opening and delimited a line embrittlement, said area extending on three sides of the package.

According to the invention, said frangible zone is circular or substantially circular in diameter D, the major part of said zone is centered on one of the faces of the so-called dispensing package, perpendicular to the axis XX of stacking and the other two parts of the frangible zone are disposed on two sides of the package parallel to the axis XX of the stack.

In these circumstances, the dimensions and the position of said frangible zone with respect to the packaging are such that the diameter D of the opening satisfies: D = L- (M1 + M2).

With M1 and M2 between 5 mm and L / 3, L being the length of the distribution face perpendicular to the stacking axis XX,

M1 and M2 being the distances respectively measured, according to the length of the distribution face, between the ends of the frangible zone and those of the face.

More specifically, M1 and M2 may be between 10 and 15 mm.

Moreover, the dimensions and the position of said frangible zone with respect to the package are such that the diameter D = P + O ₁ + O ₂

With P = width of the distribution face.

O ₁ and O ₂ = distances respectively measured along the stacking axis XX between an edge of the distribution face and the end of the frangible zone; O ₁ and O ₂ being between 5 mm and the initial height H of the package measured along the stacking axis XX.

More specifically, the dimensions O ₁ and O ₂ are of the order of H / 2.

The package according to the invention further comprises a compression means along the axis XX of the stack.

• La figure 1 est un schéma en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un emballage selon l'invention ;
• La figure 2 est un schéma en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation d'un emballage selon l'invention ;
• La figure 3 est une représentation à plat d'un emballage selon l'invention.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the following description, given by way of illustration and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective diagram of a first embodiment of a package according to the invention;
• The figure 2 is a perspective diagram of a second embodiment of a package according to the invention;
• The figure 3 is a flat representation of a package according to the invention.

The packaging as shown on the figure 1 , of substantially parallelepiped shape here contains folded and entangled sheets of absorbent paper which form a stack of axis XX.

The package comprises a frangible zone 1 capable of constituting a dispensing opening, initially closed, and delimited preferentially by perforations 2 or pre-cuts. A frangible zone is here an area delimited by a line according to which the material (forming the frangible zone) is weakened in order to be able to form a sharp cutting line when a user pulls on said frangible zone.

The packaging may consist for example of a plastic film of polypropylene or polyethylene thickness 5 to 50 .mu.m. Any equivalent material, both flexible and resistant, can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

The frangible zone 1 is of ovoid shape and extends essentially on one of the faces of the package perpendicular to the axis XX of the stack; the frangible zone further extends on two faces 12, 13 of the package parallel to the axis XX.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, zone 1 is circular, of diameter D and is positioned as shown in FIG. figure 3 .

Overall, the zone 1 is centered on the face 11 of the so-called distribution face package 11 of which it occupies the greater part and it further extends on the two faces 12, 13 in portions of a circle.

This is to achieve a maximum opening for the good grip of the sheets on the face 11 of distribution on which is exerted directly the thrust of the stack (along the axis XX).

However, this opening must also make it possible to maintain the stack in place and therefore to oppose the pressure exerted by the stack of sheets, especially at the beginning of use when the stack is likely to be still strongly compressed inside the stack. packaging.

To do this, a holding zone 3 is provided on either side of the frangible zone 1. This holding zone substantially corresponds to two parallel lateral strips 31, 32 located on either side of the zone. frangible 1 and bounded externally by the edges of the distribution face 11 of the package.

In any case, said holding zone 3 will comprise at least the zones near the four corners of the distribution face 11.

Tests have been conducted with various shapes and arrangements of the frangible zone 1 with respect to the package, and the following innovative and non-obvious features have been identified.

A frangible zone 1 of circular shape is preferred. Its manufacture is very easy.

avec M1 et M2 compris entre 5 mm et L/3.The shape and position of the frangible zone 1 are such that: $$\mathrm{D}\mathrm{=}\mathrm{The}\mathrm{-}\left(\mathrm{M}\mathrm{1}+\mathrm{M}\mathrm{2}\right)$$

with M1 and M2 between 5 mm and L / 3.

• L est la longueur de la face de distribution 11 de l'emballage
• M1 et M2 sont les distances respectivement mesurées selon la longueur de la face 11 de distribution, entre les extrémités de l'ouverture et celles de la face.

As indicated on the figure 3 , D is the diameter of the frangible circle 1

• L is the length of the distribution face 11 of the package
• M1 and M2 are the distances respectively measured along the length of the distribution face 11, between the ends of the opening and those of the face.

Very satisfactory results have been obtained with M1 and M2 between 10 and 15 mm.

The frangible zone 1 also extends on two other faces of the package, contiguous to the distribution face 11.

More precisely, the zone 1 extends over two faces 12, 13 corresponding to the height H of the stack.

Advantageously, the circular frangible zone 1 has a diameter D such that D = P + O ₁ + O ₂ ; Where P is the width of the package, that is to say the width of the stacked sheets, O ₁ and O ₂ being the respective distances measured along the axis XX of the stack, between an edge of the face of distribution 11 and the end of the frangible zone 1.

The figure 3 precisely illustrates the values D, P, L, H, O ₁ and O ₂ , in relation to and in addition to the Figures 1 and 2 .

About the figure 2 , we see an improved version of the packaging already described in relation to the figure 1 .

The improvement relates to a compression means of the package along the axis XX of the stack.

By way of nonlimiting example, the compression means comprises two elastic elements 5 surrounding said package, arranged on either side of the frangible zone 1 as visible on the figure 2 .

The compression means 5 makes it possible to align and keep in contact the opening 1 and the surface of the top sheet of the stack, a sheet contiguous to the opening which will be the first extracted, whatever the height of the stack.

As shown in figure 3 relative to the package laid flat, the frangible zone 1 is circular and extends over three faces of the package, namely the distribution face 11 and the two adjacent faces 12 and 13 which extend over the height of the pile of leaves.

The dashed areas 6 correspond to the fold lines of the package, which delimit the edges of the parallelepiped formed by the stacking of folded products.

Of course, without departing from the scope of the invention, the frangible zone 1 could be ovoid, oval or other, while having this provision.

The distances M1, M2 must respect certain limit values, in particular to keep a surface in adequacy with the two intended use cases which are the single packaging and the packaging in a distributor.

Similarly, O ₁ , O ₂ must respect limit values with respect in particular to height H.

Finally, on the figure 3 the outline 7 of the package, which may correspond to zones of overlap and / or of bonding of the material constituting the package, appears in a shaded area.

Claims (7)

Flexible packaging of parallelepipedal shape for flexible and superimposed flat elements, entangled or not, forming a stack of axis XX, comprising a frangible zone (1) capable of constituting an initially closed distribution opening and delimited by a weakening line (2) said zone (1) extending on three sides (11, 12, 13) of the package, characterized in that said frangible zone (1) is circular or substantially circular, of diameter D and in that the major part said zone (1) is centered on one (11) of its so-called distribution faces (11), perpendicular to the stacking axis XX, and the other two parts of the frangible zone are arranged on two faces ( 12, 13) of the package parallel to the axis XX of the stack. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the dimensions and the position of said frangible zone (1) vis-à-vis the packaging are such that the diameter D of the opening satisfies: $$\mathrm{D}\mathrm{=}\mathrm{The}\mathrm{-}\left(\mathrm{M}\mathrm{1}\mathrm{+}\mathrm{M}\mathrm{2}\right)$$

with M1 and M2 between 5 mm and L / 3, L being the length of the distribution face perpendicular to the stacking axis XX, M1 and M2 being the distances respectively measured along the length of the distribution face, between the ends of the frangible zone of those of the face. Packaging according to claim 2, characterized in that M1 and M2 are between 10 and 15 mm. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions and the position of said frangible zone (1) vis-à-vis the packaging are such that the diameter D = P + 01 + 02 with P = width of the distribution face (11) O1 and O2 = distances respectively measured along the stacking axis XX between an edge of the distribution face (11) and the end of the frangible zone (1), and in that 01 and 02 are between 5 mm and the initial height H of the package measured along the stacking axis XX. Packaging according to claim 4, characterized in that the distances 01 and 02 are of the order of H / 2. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a means (5) of flexible compression along the axis XX of the stack. Packaging according to claim 6, characterized in that the compression means comprises two elastic elements (5) surrounding said stack, arranged on either side of said frangible zone (1).

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