CN118900809A

CN118900809A - Bag in box packaging

Info

Publication number: CN118900809A
Application number: CN202380028934.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·施拉姆尔; L·F·鲁埃达
Original assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Current assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle SA
Priority date: 2022-04-13
Filing date: 2023-04-12
Publication date: 2024-11-05
Also published as: WO2023198736A1; US20250250058A1; EP4507978A1; MX2024011648A; AU2023254422A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag-in-box package (1) made of a material composition that can be recycled in a paper recycling stream. The package (10) comprises: a box (10) made of cellulose fiber material, and a bag (30) containing cellulose-based material and having oxygen and moisture barrier function. The bag (30) is at least partially placed inside the box (10) and is non-detachably connected to the box (10).

Description

Bag-in-box package

Technical Field

The present invention relates to bag-in-box packaging and a method for manufacturing a bag-in-box packaging.

Background

The package may be used for different purposes. For example, the package provides protection for the product received in the package. With the package, the product contained therein can be easily transported. In addition, the packaging may provide a barrier function (oxygen, moisture, etc.) to ensure a specific state of the product. Such barrier function may be important for nutritional products that often require specific barrier and integrity levels, particularly in order to ensure a specific shelf life.

The package may also have other functions, such as a function for presenting a product.

To provide these various functions, the package is designed in a complex manner, for example, with a design comprising a multi-material laminate. However, this design achieves only low sustainability; that is to say, low recyclability. This means in particular that the complex design of the package has a negative impact on the environment, including such negative effects as environmental pollution and/or high consumption of natural resources (water, plants, etc.).

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a package and a method for manufacturing a package that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. That is, in particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a package having the advantageous functions mentioned above but with a higher sustainability.

These and other objects, which will become apparent after reading the following description, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag-in-box package. The bag-in-box package is made of a material composition that is recyclable in a paper recycling stream. The bag-in-box package comprises: a box made of cellulose fiber material, and a bag containing cellulose-based material and having an oxygen and moisture barrier function. The bag is at least partially disposed inside the box and is non-detachably connected to the box.

Thus, the package achieves both high functionality and high sustainability. The high functionality is achieved in particular by the cartridge and the bag which can contain at least part of the product. In particular, a bag with oxygen and moisture barrier functionality means that the design of the bag includes dedicated features (such as different materials or layers of materials) to reduce the extent to which the product received in the bag is exposed to oxygen and moisture. The bag is also suitable for inflation applications due to oxygen and moisture barrier function. Thus, the bag may contain a packaging gas, for example, to protect the integrity of the product contained in the bag (extend shelf life, delay the aging process, etc.).

Since the box is made of cellulose fiber material and the bag contains cellulose based material, the package achieves a material composition that allows the package to be recycled in an established paper recycling stream. This means that the complete package can be put as a unit into a recycling stream, where the package is then processed in order to provide or retrieve material for a specific purpose, such as for providing an object, e.g. a package. Thus, the package achieves higher sustainability by having improved recyclability (in particular, reduced greenhouse gas impact per package).

The non-removable connection between the pouch and the case is such that the case and the pouch do not represent two separate parts, but are one unit. Thus, the package enables a particularly large portion of the package (i.e., the entire package) to be placed in the paper recycle stream. This is because the risk of a consumer separating the pouch from the pouch in order to place the pouch exclusively in the paper recycle stream (and thus not place the pouch in the paper recycle stream) is significantly reduced by the non-detachable connection between the pouch and the pouch. In other words, even if the cartridge is recyclable, the non-removable connection does not motivate the consumer to separate the bag from the cartridge in order not to recycle the bag. Due to the non-detachable connection, the bag is not only placed into the box and thereby held by the box, but is also attached (i.e. via the non-detachable connection) to the box, such as the box wall. The attachment may be such that the non-detachable connection between the dissociation bag and the cassette requires or results in breaking the packaging, thereby particularly clearly indicating that the bag is not intended to be separated from the cassette, but is to be recycled together with the cassette.

The pouch may be made of a multi-layered pouch structure comprising: a first layer made of or comprising a cellulose-based material, and a second layer made of a material having an oxygen and/or moisture barrier function.

The first layer may be the outermost layer of the multi-layer bag structure facing the outside of the bag. The appearance of the bag is thus mainly determined by the cellulose-based material or the first layer comprising the cellulose-based material, and thus mainly by the material which is particularly suitable for recycling. By this arrangement of the layers, the bag thus appears to be particularly suitable for recycling, increasing the likelihood that the package will be recycled. In addition, this order of the layers has a beneficial effect on the barrier function. The second layer may be arranged to face or be exposed to a space of the bag, wherein the space may accommodate a product to be packaged by the bag.

The second layer may include a coating, wherein the coating includes a metallized coating, a SiOx-based coating, an AlOx-based coating, or a combination thereof.

The second layer may comprise a multi-layer barrier structure, preferably with a first sub-layer having sealing properties allowing the bag to be sealed and a second sub-layer having an oxygen and/or moisture barrier function, when a coating is present, preferably the coating has an oxygen and/or moisture barrier function. Sealing may be performed by heat sealing. One of these sublayers (e.g., the first sublayer) may be the innermost layer of the multilayer bag structure. The innermost layer is the layer exposed to the product contained in the pouch.

The second sub-layer may be sandwiched by the first layer and the first sub-layer.

The second layer may be made of or may comprise polyethylene (preferably low density polyethylene) or polypropylene (preferably cast polypropylene (CPP)), and when the first sub-layer of the second layer is present, it is preferred that the first sub-layer may be made of or may comprise polyethylene (preferably low density polyethylene) or polypropylene (preferably cast polypropylene (CPP)). Additionally or alternatively, the second layer may be made of, or may comprise, a metallized oriented polypropylene, preferably a metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene, and when present, the second sub-layer of the second layer may be made of, or may comprise a metallized oriented polypropylene, preferably a metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene.

The first layer may have a thickness in the range of 20 μm to 100 μm, preferably 20 μm to 60 μm, more preferably 30 μm to 50 μm, for example 40 μm.

The second layer may have a thickness in the range of 40 μm to 100 μm, preferably 50 μm to 80 μm, more preferably 70 μm to 80 μm, for example 78 μm.

The first sub-layer may have a thickness in the range 40 μm to 80 μm, preferably 55 μm to 65 μm, for example 60 μm.

The second sub-layer may have a thickness in the range of 8 μm to 20 μm, preferably 15 μm to 18 μm.

The layers of the multilayer bag structure and/or the multilayer barrier structure may be laminated by a polyurethane based adhesive. The polyurethane-based adhesive may have a thickness in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm, preferably 2 μm to 4 μm. The thickness may be the thickness of the layer comprising the polyurethane-based adhesive.

The bag or its first layer may be made of, or may contain, the following materials: cellulosic fibrous material, preferably parchment; or regenerated cellulosic material, preferably cellophane.

The cellulose-based material of the bag or the first layer thereof may be made of, or may comprise: cellulosic fibrous material, preferably parchment; or regenerated cellulosic material, preferably cellophane.

The box may be made of cardboard as cellulosic fibre material, preferably having a grammage in the range of 100g/m ² to 500g/m ².

The total content of cellulosic fibers in the material composition may be greater than 70wt%, or greater than 75 wt%, or greater than 80 wt%, or greater than 85 wt%, or greater than 95 wt%. Preferably, the content of cellulose fibres in the material forming the bag is in the range of 20 to 50 wt%, preferably 25 to 45 wt%, more preferably 30 to 40 wt%, most preferably 32.5 to 37.5 wt%, for example 35 wt%.

The pouch may be attached to the case by an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive. Thus, it is easy to provide a non-detachable connection between the bag and the box. In addition, the adhesive, in particular the pressure sensitive adhesive, can easily provide a non-detachable connection in a simple and/or automatic manner, such as in a packaging machine.

The pouch may include a reclosable lid for selectively releasing an open portion of the pouch to access the contents of the pouch or to expel the contents from the pouch package in the pouch. The lid may be connected to the case by a hinge. The hinge may be integral with the lid and/or the case.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a bag-in-box package made of a material composition recyclable in a paper recycling stream. The method comprises the following steps:

a1. Providing a bag material comprising a cellulose-based material, preferably a cellulosic fibrous material and/or a regenerated cellulosic material, and having an oxygen and moisture barrier function,

A2. Filling the space defined by the bag material, wherein the space is preferably provided by forming or folding the bag material

A3. the bag material is sealed to close the space,

A4. providing a bag comprising a filled and closed space, wherein providing the bag preferably comprises cutting the bag material,

B1. Providing a box material made of cellulosic fibrous material, preferably in the form of a (e.g. pre-glued) blank or sheet,

B2. the material of the box is folded into a box,

C1. placing the bag at least partially inside the box, and

C2. the bag is connected to the box in a non-detachable manner.

The method may further comprise the steps of:

c3. the box is closed, preferably sealed, so that the bag connected to the box is completely contained inside the box.

Steps a1 to a3 may be performed on a Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) machine.

Steps b1, b2, c1, c2 and, when step c3 is present, also step c3 may be performed in a horizontal boxing machine.

Preferably, before step c1, the method may further comprise: in step c2, an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive, is applied to the cassette and/or the bag so as to allow the bag to be non-detachably connected to the cassette.

Drawings

The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a bag-in-box package according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional detail view of one embodiment of the layers forming the wall portion of the pouch; and

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a bag-in-box package according to a preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a bag-in-box package 1 (hereinafter "package"). The package 1 comprises a box 10. The box 10 may include one or more walls, such as one or more side walls 11, 12 and/or a front wall 13 and/or a rear wall 14. The cartridge 10 may include a bottom 15 from which one or more walls may extend. One or more of the walls may include a printed surface. The cartridge 10 may include a space 16, which may be defined by one or more walls and/or a bottom 15. In a cross-sectional view, one or more walls may form a rectangular shape that circumscribes the space 16.

The cartridge 10 may comprise an opening 17, which is preferably defined by (the boundaries of) one or more walls. The space 16 is accessible via the opening 17, for example for placing something inside the box 10.

The cartridge 10 may include a reclosable lid 18. The lid 18 may be connected to the main body of the case 10 via a hinge; preferably, the lid 18 is connected (e.g., by a hinge) to one of the walls of the case 10, such as the rear wall 14. The cover 18 is arranged to move between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the cover 18 preferably covers the opening 17, whereas in the open position the cover 18 exposes the opening 17 in order to allow access to the space 16 via the opening 17. In the closed position, the cover 18 is preferably flush with and/or connected to the front wall 13, such as an edge or boundary of the wall 13. To facilitate opening of the cover 18 (i.e. moving the cover 18 from the closed position to the open position), the wall 13 may comprise a recess 13.1, which recess is preferably comprised in the (upper) edge of the wall 13. Via the recess 13.1, the user can easily grasp the (lower) edge of the cover 18 in order to remove the cover from the wall 13 and thus move the cover to the open position.

The cover 18 can be adapted to removably receive objects, such as objects that can be used in conjunction with the contents of the cartridge 10. Preferably, the cover 18 comprises a space 18.1 adapted to at least partly accommodate the object. The cover 18 may comprise one or more walls delimiting the space 18.1. One or more of the walls may comprise a (rear) wall that is connected to the rear wall 14 of the case 10 via a hinge. The object may be a tool or a cutlery object. In the preferred embodiment shown in fig. 1, the object is a spoon 18.2. The cover 18 may comprise an attachment structure adapted to attach objects to the interior of the space 18.1 and/or the cover 18. For example, the attachment structure may be designed to attach the object to the cover 18 by a snap fit or form and/or friction fit.

The case 10 may have a parallelepiped shape. For example, the cartridge 10 may have a rectangular parallelepiped or cubic shape.

The cartridge 10 is made of a cellulosic fibrous material. Preferably, the cartridge 10 is made of cardboard as the cellulosic fibrous material. The cardboard may have a grammage in the range of 100g/m ² to 500g/m ². Preferably, the box 10 is made of cardboard having a grammage of 200g/m ² to 400g/m ², in particular 300g/m ² to 400g/m ², for example 350g/m ². According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the box is made of cardboard with a grade GD 2. Grade "GD2" is one of several grades defined in DIN 19303 "board-terms and grades", wherein DIN 19303 is a classification of board quality in europe. The cartridge 10 may be made by folding (a single piece of) the cartridge material. The box material is then made of (or consists essentially of) a cellulosic fibrous material, such as cardboard or paperboard.

The package 1 further comprises a pouch 30. Bag 30 may include one or more walls, such as one or more side walls 31, 32 and/or a front wall 33 and/or a rear wall 34. The bag 30 may include a bottom (not shown) with one or more walls preferably extending from the bottom. Bag 30 may include a space 36, which may be defined by one or more walls and/or a bottom. The interior of the space 36 may house a product, such as a nutritional product (baby nutritional product, cereal, etc.). The product can be provided in several forms, such as in powder form. The bag 30 may have a top 37 such that one or more walls may extend between the bottom and the top 37. The bag 30 may be closed at the top 37, preferably by sealing. For example, the top 37 may comprise side edges 37.1 that are attached to each other, for example by sealing. The top 37 of the bag 30 may be designed to provide an opening portion 37.3 when opened, through which the space 36 may be accessed. The opening portion 37.3 may be defined by at least the side edges 37.1. The opening portion 37.3 is adapted to access the contents of the bag 30 and/or to drain the contents from the bag 30. Bag 30 may preferably be pillow or gusset type.

As shown in fig. 1, the pouch 30 is at least partially disposed within the interior of the case 10. This means that the bag 30 can be placed at least partially inside the space 16 of the cartridge 10. As shown, the pouch 30 can be placed inside the case 10 in such a way that: that is, when the cover 18 is in its open position, the pouch 30 may extend a distance beyond one or more (upper) side edges of one or more of the walls 11-13. In other embodiments, the bag 30 may be arranged such that the bag 30 does not protrude beyond the (upper) side edge.

With the lid 18 in the open position, the top 37 or the opening portion 37.3 of the bag 30 can be released so that the contents of the bag 30 can be easily accessed or discharged from the package 1.

The pouch 30 is non-detachably connected to the case 10. This means that the bag 30 is not only held by being at least partially placed inside the box 10. Instead, by providing a non-detachable connection between the pouch 30 and the case 10, there is a further connection attaching the pouch 30 to the case 10. Thus, the bag 30 is not loosely inserted into the box 10. The non-detachable connection may be provided by an adhesive such as a pressure sensitive adhesive (e.g., henkel may be used)EM 325 acts as a pressure sensitive adhesive). In other words, the pouch 30 may be glued to the case 10. The non-detachable connection may include one or more joints (i.e., connection points). For example, the bottom of the pouch 30 and/or one or more of the walls 31-34 may be non-detachably connected to one or more portions of the case 10, such as the bottom 15 and/or one or more of the walls 11-14, respectively. The cartridge 10 may include an inner surface (e.g., formed by one or more of the walls 11-14 or the bottom 15) and the pouch 30 may include an outer surface (e.g., formed by one or more of the walls 31-34 and the engagement plate or bottom) with an adhesive extending therebetween to non-removably attach the pouch 30 to the cartridge 10. The inner surface of the cartridge 10 may face the space 16 and the outer surface may face away from the space 36 and toward the inner surface of the cartridge 10.

In one embodiment, the pouch 30 is glued to the case 10.

The bag 30 contains a cellulose-based material and has an oxygen and moisture barrier function. This means that the bag 30 contains, on the one hand, a cellulose-based material and, on the other hand, is designed to limit the transmission of oxygen and moisture from outside the bag 30 through the bag 30 (such as via one or more walls thereof) into the interior or space 36 of the bag 30. This limitation is particularly desirable for extending the shelf life of the product within the pouch 30. For example, the moisture may include a liquid, such as water. The oxygen and moisture barrier function of the bag 30 may be such that: a) An oxygen transmission rate of at most 0.15 (cc/m ²/day at a temperature of 23 ℃ and 50% Relative Humidity (RH), preferably at most 0.1, more preferably at most 0.01, and/or b) a moisture (or water) vapor transmission rate of at most 0.15 (g/m ²/day at a temperature of 38 ℃ and 90% RH), preferably at most 0.1, more preferably at most 0.01.

Preferably, the cellulose-based material of the pouch 30 and the oxygen and moisture barrier function are provided by forming the pouch 30 as a multi-layer structure (i.e., a multi-layer material). One embodiment of such a multilayer structure is shown in fig. 3 and is designated by reference numeral 38. As shown, the multilayer structure 38 includes a first layer 38.1 made of or comprising a cellulose-based material. The cellulose-based material is preferably made of, or preferably comprises, a cellulosic fibrous material (such as parchment paper) and/or a regenerated cellulosic material (such as cellophane paper). Preferably, the first layer 38.1 is composed of a cellulose-based material. The first layer 38.1 may be the outermost layer facing the outside of the pouch 30, preferably at least a portion of the first layer 38.1 faces the inner surface of the case 10 (e.g., is made up of one or more walls and/or bottoms).

The first layer 38.1 is not limited to a particular thickness. Preferably, the first layer 38.1 has a thickness in the range of 20 μm to 100 μm, preferably 20 μm to 60 μm, more preferably 30 μm to 50 μm, for example 40 μm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first layer is made of paper having a grammage of between 20g/m ² and 100g/m ², preferably between 30g/m ² and 80g/m ², more preferably between 35g/m ² and 60g/m ², for example 40g/m ².

The multilayer structure 38 further comprises a second layer 38.2 which provides one or more barriers against oxygen and/or moisture. The second layer 38.2 may additionally provide a barrier against other environmental factors such as light. The second layer 38.2 may be the innermost layer of the multilayer structure 38. The second layer 38.2 may thus face (or may be exposed to) the interior of the bag 30, such as the space 36. The second layer 38.2 is not limited to a specific thickness. Preferably, the second layer 38.2 has a thickness in the range of 40 μm to 100 μm, preferably 50 μm to 80 μm.

The second layer 38.2 may comprise a multilayer structure, preferably having a first sublayer 38.2a and a second sublayer 38.2b.

The first sub-layer 38.2a is a sealing layer, i.e. has sealing properties. This allows the bag 30 to be sealed, such as by heat sealing. The bag 30 may be sealed at least at its top 37. The first sub-layer 38.2a may be the innermost layer of the multilayer structure 38. This means that the first sub-layer 38.2a may comprise an inner surface facing the interior of the bag 38 or the space 36, and may thus be exposed to the contents of the bag 38. The first sub-layer 38.2a may be or may comprise Polyethylene (PE), preferably Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The first sub-layer 38.2a is preferably thicker than the second sub-layer 38.2b and/or may have a thickness in the range 40 μm to 80 μm, preferably 55 μm to 65 μm, for example 60 μm.

The second sub-layer 38.2b has an oxygen and/or moisture barrier function. The second sub-layer 38.2b may include a coating to provide this function. The coating comprises a metallized coating, a SiOx-based coating, an AlOx-based coating, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the second sublayer 38.2b is made of, or comprises, a metallized oriented polypropylene (metOPP), preferably a metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene (metBOPP), or comprises a metallized oriented polypropylene (metOPP), preferably a metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene (metBOPP). The second sub-layer 38.2b may be an intermediate layer that can be sandwiched between the first layer 38.1 and the first sub-layer 38.2 a. Thus, the first layer 38.1 covers the second sub-layer 38.2b. The second sub-layer 38.2b may have a thickness in the range of 10 μm to 40 μm, preferably 15 μm to 25 μm, for example 18 μm.

As shown in fig. 3, a (first) adhesive layer or bonding layer 38.3 may be provided between the first layer 38.1 on the one hand and the second layer 38.2 or second sub-layer 38.2b on the other hand. Layer 38.3 may comprise a polyurethane-based adhesive. The layer 38.3 may have a thickness in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm, preferably 2 μm to 4 μm, for example 3 μm. A (second) adhesion or bonding layer 38.4 may be provided between the first sub-layer 38.2a and the second sub-layer 38.2 b. Layer 38.4 may comprise a polyurethane-based adhesive. The layer 38.4 may have a thickness in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm, preferably 2 μm to 4 μm, for example 3 μm.

The package 1 is preferably made from a material composition having a total content (or mass fraction) of cellulose fibers of more than 70 wt%, more than 75 wt%, or more than 80 wt%, or more than 90 wt% or more than 95 wt%. In other words, the material composition of the package 1 consists of one or more materials for manufacturing the box 10, one or more materials for manufacturing the bag 36 and, optionally, one or more materials for providing a non-detachable connection between the box 10 and the bag 36, and has the mentioned cellulose fiber content. In other words, all parts of the package 1 that are non-detachably connected (directly or indirectly) to each other form a unit consisting of a material composition, preferably with the mentioned total content of cellulose fibers. In addition to the non-detachable connection between the box 10 and the bag 30, all parts of the package 1 that are integral with each other (for example, due to folding from the same piece of material) also represent parts that are non-detachably connected to each other. Thus, an object (such as a spoon 18.2) connected to (e.g. received by or accommodated in) the lid 18 does not contribute to the material composition of the package 1, as the object is detachably connected to the cartridge 10.

The package 1 is thus particularly suitable for recycling in a paper recycling stream. In a paper recycling flow, the material composition of the package 1 as waste material may undergo a certain process, such as repulping into fibers, to obtain a material that may be used for purposes such as manufacturing another article, such as paper, not necessarily a package. The potential fiber material yield, and thus the total content of cellulose fibers in the material composition of package 1 (by weight), and recyclability of package 1 can be assessed by "Requirements and assessment catalogue of the institute cyclos-HTP for EU-wide certification(state 07.10.2019)/Scope of validity according to nation states,, see chapter 1) ' in combination with ' Minimum standard for measuring THE RECYCLING CAPACITY of the ZSVR (state 31.08.2020) ' and ' DIN EN 13430 '.

In particular, the package 1 has a material composition comprising materials (in particular materials for providing an oxygen and moisture barrier function, for example the second layer 38.2) which can be quantitatively separated during recycling by established processing steps or which in practice are at least considered to have no or negligible effect on the recyclate characteristics. Thus, the paper recycle stream can easily obtain recyclates (i.e., recycled materials) from the material composition of the package 1, which recyclates consist essentially of the cellulosic fiber material of the box 10 and the cellulosic-based material (such as cellulosic fiber material) of the bag 30. In other words, the design of the package 1 achieves a high recyclability and is thus particularly suitable for paper recycling.

An example of a package 1 according to a preferred embodiment is described below.

According to this example, the cassette has a grammage of 350g/m ² and a weight of 41.17 g; the pouch (pouch) has a length of 0.24m and a width (x 2) of 0.32m and is formed from a sheet of material having an area of 0.0768m ².

Further specifications of the multilayer structure of the pouch according to this example are as follows:

-a first layer: materials: 40g/m ² of paper; thickness: 40 μm; volume: 0.000003072m ³; density: 1000000g/m ³; weight: 3.07g;

-a first adhesion layer or bonding layer: materials: PU; thickness: 3 μm; volume: 2.304E-07m ³; density: 1125000g/m ³; weight: 0.26g;

-a second sublayer: materials: metBOPP; thickness: 18 μm; volume: 1.3824E-06m ³; density: 900000g/m ³; weight: 1.24g;

-a first sublayer: materials: LDPE; thickness: 60 μm; volume: 4.608E-06m ³; density: 920000g/m ³; weight: 4.24g;

-totaling: thickness: 124 μm; weight: 9.07g

The total paper content was 41.17g (box) +3.07g (pouch) =44.24 g. The total plastic content was 0.26g+1.24g+0.26g+4.24g=6 g. The total weight of the package was 50.24g.

Thus, the total paper content in the package according to this example is about 88 wt%.

The package may contain a product (e.g., in powder form) weighing 300 g. However, the weight of the product is not considered in calculating the total paper/total cellulose content.

The package may contain a spoon weighing 2.9 g. However, the weight of the spoon is not considered in calculating the total paper/total cellulose content.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment for manufacturing a bag-in-box package made of a material composition recyclable in a paper recycling stream, such as package 1 described above. As shown, the method comprises at least steps a1 to a4, b1 to b2, c1, c2, preferably step c3. Steps a1 to a4 may be performed in parallel with steps b1 to b 2.

Step a1 comprises providing a bag material comprising a cellulose-based material, preferably a cellulose fiber material and/or a regenerated cellulose material, and having an oxygen and moisture barrier function. The bag material may be provided from a roll of film, such as a flat roll of film.

Step a2 includes filling the space defined by the bag material. Step a2 may include forming or folding the pouch material to provide space. However, forming or folding may not be included, for example, to provide this space by connecting two sheets of bag material to each other (such as by sealing). Step a2 may comprise a first step in which the (e.g. folded) pouch material is sealed; thus, a bottom portion defining the space from below can be formed; the seal so formed may comprise a bottom seal. In a subsequent second step comprised in step a2, the space is filled with the product to be packaged. To dispense product into the space, a dispensing mechanism, such as a nozzle, may be provided.

Step a2 may comprise filling the space with a fluid, such as a gas. The gas may be filled in order to extend the shelf life of the product filled in the space. In particular, the gas filled into the space may help to expel oxygen. Preferably, the gas is an inert gas, such as nitrogen.

Step a3 includes sealing the bag material to close the space. Step a3 preferably follows directly after step a 2. The sealing in step a2 may be such that the filled space is closed in all directions; the seal so formed may be another seal provided in addition to the (bottom) seal, which may include a top seal, i.e. a seal at the top of the bag. Preferably, the (bottom) seal formed by the further seal defines a subsequent space to be filled.

A sealer, such as a heat sealer, may be provided to perform the sealing.

Step a4 includes providing a bag having a filled and closed space. Preferably, the step of providing a gap comprises cutting the bag material. For example, cutting the bag material may be accomplished, and the bag material defining the filled and closed space may be advanced as a (sealed) bag formed from the severed bag material, thereby providing a bag comprising the filled and closed space.

Step b1 comprises providing a box material made of cellulosic fibrous material. The box material may be pre-cut and thus provided in a form ready to be folded to provide a box. The provision of the cartridge material may be performed automatically and/or with a cartridge material supply unit.

Step b2 includes folding the box material to provide a box. Step b2 may also include cutting the box material to provide a sheet of box material ready for folding. In this case, step b1 does not need to provide the cartridge material in a precut state. Folding the box material may be performed by using an (automatic) folding mechanism, such as a folding device or a folding machine.

Step c1 comprises placing the bag provided with steps a1 to a4 above at least partially inside the box. This placement may be performed by pushing the bag into the box. Such pushing may be performed by mechanical means (mechanical sleeves, mechanical arms, etc.) and/or by pressurized air.

Step c2 comprises non-detachably connecting the bag to the cassette. As mentioned above, this connection may be provided by an adhesive. In the step preceding step c1, an adhesive may be provided on the cassette (inner side) and/or on the bag (outer side). For example, step c2 may involve a pushing mechanism used in step c1 which by its pushing action helps to provide a non-detachable connection, such as by (slightly) pushing the bag against the cassette, thereby adhering the bag to the cassette.

Preferably, optional step c3 after step c2 comprises closing, preferably sealing, the cartridge so as to completely contain the bag connected to the cartridge inside the cartridge.

Steps a1 to a4 are preferably carried out on a Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) machine.

Steps b1, b2, c1, c2 and, when step c3 is present, also step c3 are preferably carried out in a horizontal boxing machine.

It will be clear to the skilled person that the embodiment shown in the drawings is only a preferred embodiment, but that other designs of bag-in-box packaging may also be used.

Claims

1. A bag-in-box package (1) made of a material composition recyclable in a paper recycling stream, comprising:

A box (10) made of cellulose fiber material, and

A pouch (30) comprising a cellulose-based material and having an oxygen and moisture barrier function,

Wherein the bag (30) is at least partially placed inside the cartridge (10) and is non-detachably connected to the cartridge (10).

2. The bag-in-box package (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bag (30) is made of a multi-layer bag structure (38) comprising:

A first layer (38.1) made of or comprising a cellulose-based material, and

A second layer (38.2) made of a material having an oxygen and/or moisture barrier function.

3. The bag-in-box package (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first layer (38.1) is the outermost layer of the multi-layer bag structure (38) facing the outside of the bag (30).

4. A bag in box package (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second layer (38.2) comprises a coating, wherein the coating comprises a metallized coating, a SiOx based coating, an AlOx based coating or a combination thereof.

5. Bag-in-box packaging (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second layer (38.2) comprises a multilayer barrier structure, preferably having a first sub-layer (38.2 a) with sealing properties to allow sealing of the bag and a second sub-layer (38.2 b) with the oxygen and/or moisture barrier function, when present, preferably the coating.

6. The bag-in-box package (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second sub-layer (38.2 b) is sandwiched by the first layer (38.1) and the first sub-layer (38.2 a).

7. Bag-in-box packaging (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second layer (38.2) is made of or comprises polyethylene, preferably low density polyethylene, preferably the first sub-layer (38.2 a) when present (38.2 a) of the second layer is made of or comprises polyethylene, preferably low density polyethylene, and/or

Wherein the second layer (38.2) is made of or comprises a metallized oriented polypropylene, preferably a metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene, and when a second sub-layer (38.2 b) of the second layer is present, preferably the second sub-layer (38.2 b) is made of or comprises a metallized oriented polypropylene, preferably a metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene.

8. Bag-in-box packaging (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 7,

Wherein the first layer (38.1) has a thickness in the range of 20 μm to 100 μm, preferably 20 μm to 60 μm, and/or

Wherein the second layer (38.2) has a thickness in the range of 40 μm to 100 μm, preferably 50 μm to 80 μm, and/or

Wherein when present the first sub-layer (38.2 a) has a thickness in the range 40 μm to 80 μm, preferably 55 μm to 65 μm, and/or

Wherein when present, the second sub-layer (38.2 b) has a thickness in the range of 10 μm to 40 μm, preferably 15 μm to 20 μm, and/or

Wherein the multilayer bag structure (38) and/or the layers (38.1, 38.2) of the multilayer barrier structure are laminated by means of a polyurethane-based adhesive, preferably having a thickness in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm, preferably 2 μm to 4 μm.

9. The bag-in-box package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (30) or, when present, the first layer (38.1) of the bag is made of or comprises the following materials, or wherein the cellulose-based material of the first layer (38.1) of the bag (30) or, when present, the first layer (38.1) of the bag is or comprises the following materials: cellulosic fibrous material, preferably parchment; or regenerated cellulosic material, preferably cellophane.

10. Bag-in-box packaging (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the box (10) is made of cardboard as cellulosic fibrous material, preferably having a grammage in the range of 100g/m ² to 500g/m ².

11. The bag in box package (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the total content of cellulosic fibres in the material composition is more than 70 wt%, or more than 75 wt%, or more than 80 wt%, or more than 82 wt%, or more than 85 wt%, or more than 90 wt%, or more than 95 wt%.

12. Bag-in-box packaging (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (30) is connected to the box (10) by an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive.

13. The bag-in-box package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box (10) comprises a reclosable lid (18) for selectively releasing an opening portion (37.3) of the bag (30) to access the contents of the bag (30) or to expel the contents from the bag-in-box package (1).

14. The bag-in-box package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag (30) is glued to the box (10).

15. A method for manufacturing a bag-in-box package made of a material composition recyclable in a paper recycling stream, the method comprising:

A2. Filling a space defined by the bag material, wherein the space is preferably provided by forming or folding the bag material,

A3. sealing the bag material to close the space,

B1. providing a box material made of cellulosic fibrous material,

B2. The box material is folded into a box,

C1. Placing the bag at least partially inside the box, and

C2. the pouch is non-detachably connected to the case.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein steps a1 to a4 are performed on a Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS) machine.

18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein steps b1, b2, c1, c2 and, when step c3 is present, also step c3 is carried out in a horizontal cartoning machine.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein, preferably before step c1, the method further comprises: in step c2, an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive, is applied to the cartridge and/or the bag so as to allow the bag to be non-detachably connected to the cartridge.