EP3177545B1

EP3177545B1 - Packaging sachet

Info

Publication number: EP3177545B1
Application number: EP15734661.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rosel Suzan Adine Van Den Berg; Hidde Hans Burgmans; Ricco Johannes Delfos; Anna-Louisa PEETERS; Florine Quinta Henriëtte VAN WULFFTEN PALTHE
Original assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Current assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Priority date: 2014-08-07
Filing date: 2015-07-06
Publication date: 2018-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-06
Also published as: CA2956339A1; WO2016020131A1; EA201790331A1; MX2017001353A; EA030678B1; US20170225860A1; EP3177545A1; PH12017500118A1; ZA201700179B; CN106573714A

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a packaging sachet. It further relates to a method for applying a consumer product on a food product or on the body, and to the use of such a packaging sachet for dispensing or offering a consumer product.

Background of the invention

Consumer goods that are used in relatively small quantities are normally packaged, for example in unit-dosed quantities. The packaging used for this purpose can be for example a sachet or a tub. Unit-dosed packaging is especially, though not exclusively, used when the consumer goods are intended for the professional market. Examples of unit-dosed consumer goods are sachets of sauce, like mayonnaise, ketchup or soy sauce, sachets of salad dressing, sachets of personal care products, like skin cream or shampoo. In the case of food products, these products can be provided by the restaurateur next to an ordered meal. Personal care products can for example be provided by a hotel or by a company for sample-format packaging or travel-format packaging.
With regard to packaged food products, in this context consumers appear to have different preferences when combining the content of the unit-dose packaging with their food. One group of consumers prefers to dip pieces of food, like French fries, separately in a sauce, for example ketchup or mayonnaise, before eating these pieces of food. For these consumers, a tub, often conveniently closed with a seal, is most preferred. Examples of tubs used for unit-dosing are tubs comprising butter or margarine, or fruit jams. Other consumers prefer to apply the sauce over the food or the dish, and then consume the dish, without the desire to apply sauce several times. In the latter case, the content of the unit-dose packaging is, often entirely, poured or squeezed out of the packaging. For these consumers, the stick-pack sachet is most preferred. A stick-pack sachet is a tube of flexible material such as foil or paper, which is normally closed with a seal at both ends.
With regard to packaged personal care products, in this context consumers have preferences as well, for emptying the unit dose packaging. Some people prefer to empty part of the packaging or the entire packaging on a body part or a hand, followed by dividing it over the body. Others prefer to dose the personal care product such as a cream based on the amount that attaches to their finger when they touch the product. These preferences obviously may depend on the type of product.
To meet these deviating consumer desires, it is desired to provide a packaging sachet that can be used in situations where emptying by squeezing (the 'squeezing format') is desired, and in situations, wherein the packaging should allow access to relatively large food items or to fingers that need to contact the product contained in the packaging sachet (the 'dipping format').
A problem with a conventional stick-pack sachet is that it does not allow dipping activities. In addition, stick packs make the table dirty after using them. Efficient emptying of a stick pack requires two hands: one to hold the stick-pack, the other to rub the content from the one end to the exit end. In a situation where only one hand is available, as the other holds for example a fork, this may be experienced as inconvenient. Finally, stick packs use relatively high amounts of packaging material compared to the amount of product that is contained by them.
A problem observed with tub-shaped unit-dose packagings, is that it is not easy to empty the packaging and distribute it over the food or body. The content sticks to the packaging. A tub-shaped packaging normally is of rigid material and does not allow emptying by squeezing the packaging. Another disadvantage is the use of different materials for the tub and the seal, which may result in additional costs, extra process steps and/or increased environmental impact.
The prior art discloses several packagings, with varying shapes. These packagings are not used as unit-dose packagings for consumer goods and are for example used as a refillable container or are otherwise different from the packaging sachet of the present invention. These packagings do not show the advantages as provided by the packaging sachet of the present invention, i.e. providing both the possibility for the 'squeezing format' and for the 'dipping format' .
JP08-318971 discloses a packaging container for liquid material having the shape of a tetraeder, which has a pair of oppositely positioned ridge sides formed by heat sealing. At one end of the ridges an unsealed opening is provided to discharge liquid material.
JP2011-184064 and US2008/0037912 discloses triangular pyramid-shaped packaging bags. The top of the pyramid can be torn off via a notch and tear-line.
WO03/064265 discloses a pouch container including a side-top portion and a bottom portion defining a tetrahedron body. The side-top portion and the bottom portion are sealed by a vertical seal.
US6409386 discloses a container for liquids or fluid products. Two mutually opposite quadrangular faces are sealed along consecutive sides while the third side is of each of the two faces is connected by an accordion like portion which forms a substantially triangular base for the container and a fourth side has an additional accordion like portion which forms a closure wall. The container has a filling opening on one of the two first sides or on the corners where they converge.
A need exist to provide a packaging sachet for unit-dosing of liquid or pasty consumer products that allows emptying by squeezing and allows to be opened in a way that it can allow dipping of larger objects into the content of the packaging. Such a packaging preferably fits naturally in a hand, to allow efficient emptying when squeezing the content out of the packaging. The packaging is preferably capable of free standing on a surface and remains open after opening. In this way it provides optimally the dipping option, without tilting over and thereby spoiling the table.

Summary of the invention

Surprisingly, these challenges were met by a packaging sachet comprising a bottom face (1), a front face (2), and two lateral faces (3),
wherein the bottom face and the front face each have the shape of a triangle, the triangles sharing their base lines (4), and
wherein a seal rim (5) joins the ends of the lateral faces which are not adjacent to the front or bottom face, wherein the seal rim (5) comprises at least one of a curved area (6a), and an angle (6b), characterised in that the angle between the front face and the projected bottom face, is obtuse, and
one or two tear starting points (10) are located at the seal rim, and the surface of the bottom face and the surface of the front face is plane.

Detailed description of the invention

The packaging sachet of the present invention comprises a bottom face (1). The bottom face will be easily recognised by the person skilled in the art. It is the face which faces the surface on which the sachet stands in its natural position. The bottom face has a triangular shape. Preferably, the shape is an acute triangle, most preferably an isosceles triangle. The angle of the apex of this preferably isosceles triangle is preferably of between 30 and 60, preferably of between 40 and 50 degrees. The triangular shape of the bottom face provides several advantages: with regards to the 'dipping format', the triangular base provides a stable basis for the sachet, allowing a consumer to dip food items into the sachet, without the sachet tilting, thereby spoiling the table. Furthermore, it results in an opening of the sachet when the top part of the sealing rim is removed, to create the 'dipping format' of the packaging, with a reduced risk that the side faces of the sachet remain stuck together. With regards to the 'squeeze format', the triangular shape of the bottom face provides a natural fit in the hand. Furthermore, the triangular shape contributes to an efficient emptying of the sachet during squeezing. The surface of the bottom face is plane. Plane should be construed as fitting in a 2 dimensional plane. It preferably is not bulged out by design, thereby forming a 3 dimensional shape. It preferably does not comprise a crease line or a fold. The bottom face can be parallel to the surface on which the sachets stands, but it is preferred that the bottom face shows an angle, for example of between 1 and 45 degrees, preferably of between 10 and 30 degrees, with the surface on which the sachet stands. In the situation that the bottom face shows an angle with the surface on which the packaging stands, the sachet preferably rests on the basis of the triangular bottom face (which is the basis of the triangular front face) and on sealing rims (9), adjacent to the two sides of the bottom face which are directed towards the apex of the triangular bottom face. In this respect, preferably, the bottom face is located between two sealing rims located at the two respective sides of the triangular bottom face that are directed to the apex of the triangular bottom face, and which extend from the two lateral faces.
The front face has a triangular shape. Preferably, the front side is an acute triangle, most preferably, an isosceles acute triangle or an equilateral acute triangle. The triangular shape is essential for maintaining the opening of the sachet, when the sachet is used in the "dipping format" by a cup-shape as has been created after removal of the upper seal, reducing the risk that the side faces stick together. When the sachet is used as a "squeezing format", the triangular shape of the front face allows that a sufficiently wide opening is created which does not easily reclose, and from which the content of the sachet can be dispensed easily. The latter advantage is even more prominent when the viscosity of the content of the sachet is relatively low, like for example in relatively runny products. The surface of the front face is plane. It preferably is not bulged out by design. It preferably does not comprise a crease line or a fold. It preferably fits is in a two dimensional plane.
The apex of the triangular front face is directed upwards. The basis of the triangle forming the triangular bottom face is connected to the basis of the triangular front face, in this way the triangular bottom face and the triangular front face share their bases. The angle between the front face and the projected bottom face (vertical projection of the bottom face on a horizontal reference surface on which the sachet stands when the triangular bottom face is facing said surface), is obtuse, preferably is of between 90 degrees and 150 degrees, more preferably of between 100 degrees and 140 degrees, most preferably of between 110 and 130 degrees. The angle between the faces is understood by the skilled person as the angle between the respective intersections of the faces with a reference plane that is located perpendicular to both of the two faces. As will be understood, the angle is considered the angle that is located at the inside of the packaging sachet. Preferably, the angle (α) between the respective middle lines of the front face and the bottom face, preferably of the front face and the projected bottom face (vertical projection of the bottom face on the surface on which the sachet stands in its natural position, i.e. with the triangular bottom face facing said surface), is obtuse, preferably is of between 90 degrees and 150 degrees, more preferably of between 100 degrees and 140 degrees, most preferably of between 110 and 130 degrees. A too wide angle increases the risk that the sachet tilts-over, compromising the dipping function. Further, the indicated angles provide a natural fit in the hand of a consumer. In addition, it provides optimal dispensing performance. For example, an angle smaller than 90 degrees easily results in complications during emptying the sachet by squeezing it, as the content of the sachet will spoil the fingers of the user. In this manner, the squeeze-emptying function of the sachet will be compromised, which is not desired.
The packaging further comprises two lateral faces (3). These faces preferably each comprise more than 3 corners, preferably 4. It can be preferred that they comprise each more than 4 corners. Preferably, a corner (6b) is present opposite to the corner that is shared by the bottom face and the front face. The lateral faces are preferably sealed to the bottom face. The seals connecting the lateral faces to the bottom face preferably extend further than the bottom face, in this way forming 2-dimensional rims (9). Such a preferably V-shaped rim structure, wherein the top of the V is located where the two lateral faces join, can provide design flexibility to help the packaging sachet to stand on a flat surface. The rims, extending from the lateral faces, in itself may each have a tri-angular shape, for providing optimal stability to the packaging, when it is free standing. The apices of these triangles are normally located at the front side of the packaging sachet and the bases at the back side.
A seal rim (5) extends over the ends of the lateral faces which are not adjacent to the bottom face and the front face. The ends of the lateral faces are preferably attached to each other by this seal rim (5) and thereby define the top side (7) and the back side (8) of the packaging sachet. The seal rim thereby preferably forms a two-dimensional structure, i.e. the seal is present in one geometrical plane. The seal rim (5) preferably, starts at the apex of the front face. It runs preferably from the apex of the front face to the apex of the bottom face. The seal rim is preferably homogenously sealed over the entire length of the seal rim. Any unsealed area may not be desired, as this could introduce the risk of leakage. The seal is preferably a heat seal.
The seal rim comprises a curved, preferably a convex, area (6a), or the seal rim comprises at least one angle (6b), or both. The angle is preferably a round angle or an obtuse angle, more preferably a round angle, most preferably a round obtuse angle. Preferably, by the curved area or by the at least one angle a top part (7) and a back part (8) of the seal rim is defined. The seal rim preferably comprises a top part (7) and a back part (8). The back part of the seal rim runs upwards from the apex of the projected bottom face. The back part of the seal run preferably starts at the apex of the bottom face. Preferably, the back part of the seal rim runs from the apex of the bottom face to the right upper corner of the packaging, when observed in horizontal side view with the front face directed to the left. Preferably, the angle (β) formed between the back part of the seal rim with the apex of the projected bottom face is between 70 and 120 degrees. The shortest line between the apex of the front face and the back part of the seal preferably forms an angle with the projected bottom face of between -30 and 30 degrees, preferably of between -15 and 15 degrees. In this way the top part of the seal rim essentially runs parallel to the projected bottom face. This geometry facilitates proper emptying by squeezing. It further facilitates the proper formation of a cup in case the 'dipping format' is desired, wherein the maximum of content is offered to the consumer, with limited loss.
The presence of a curved area, or the presence of at least one angle in the seal rim of the packaging sachet, or both, allows a good fit in the hand of the consumer. In case the seal rim would be straight, and would connect the respective apices of the triangular front face and of the triangular bottom face as a straight line, the sachet would be much more difficult to empty when used in the 'squeeze format'. Without willing to be bound by theory, this is because the pressure applied by the hand of the consumer to the sachet during squeezing of the packaging, at least partly is applied to the back side of the sachet. In case the sachet is used in the 'dipping format', a straight seal connecting the apices would easily result in tilting-over of the packaging towards the front side of the sachet. But more important, the 'dipping format' would be compromised, as no proper cup can be formed which contains an acceptable amount of content of the sachet and allows dipping of food particles or a finger in the sachet. The content of the sachet would flow out of the sachet on the table or the hand of the consumer. This is obviously not desired. A curved seal rim or a rim comprising an angle moreover provides a bulging-out of the lateral faces, thereby enlarging the volume of the packaging, at least optically. As is clear from above, the packaging sachet does not have a tetraeder shape or a pyramid shape. The lateral faces preferably are bulged out. This should be construed as that the lateral faces do not fit a 2-dimensional plane, but are 3-dimensional surfaces.
The sachet of the present invention normally needs to be opened, to offer access to the consumer product of the consumer who desires to dip a food item in the sachet or to allow the consumer to squeeze content out of the sachet. Opening can be carried out for example by cutting or tearing the sachet open. This is preferably done at the front-upper part of the sachet, to create a small opening, from which the content can be squeezed or poured out of the sachet. Alternatively, the consumer can cut off or tear off the upper part of the sachet, preferably along the sealing rim. In this way a 'dipping format' is created. To facilitate opening of the sachet, one or two, preferably two tear starting points (10) are located at the seal rim. Such a tear starting point conveniently comprises a notch, preferably a notch through part of the width of the seal rim. Preferably, a tear starting point is located at the seal rim usually at the back part of the seal rim, at a distance (d1) from the projected bottom face of higher than 50% and lower than 100% of the perpendicular line of the triangular front face (see Figure 7). As illustrated in Figure 7, the perpendicular line of the triangular front face is the shortest distance from the apex of the front face to a reference surface on which the sachet stands. This line normally is perpendicular to the surface on which the sachet stands, and therefore called perpendicular line. This is when it stands with the bottom face facing the surface on which the packaging stands, as the skilled person understands. By tearing the packaging starting from this tear starting point, in the direction of the front face of the sachet, the top of the sachet is removed, whereby the sachet is opened and can offer its content to the consumer. In this manner the 'dipping format' results.
It may be preferred, that a tear starting point is located at the top part of the seal rim at a distance (d2) from the front end of the seal rim of between 0.5 and 2.5 cm, preferably of between 1 and 2 cm. Preferably, a tear starting point is located at the seal rim, usually at the top part of the seal rim, at a distance (d2) from the apex of the front face, conveniently measured over the outer end of the seal rim, of between 10 and 30% of the distance defined by the projection of the apex of the front face on the projected bottom face to the apex of the projected bottom face (see Figure 8).
It is most preferred that the sachet of the invention comprises two tear starting points. These are preferably defined as the two tear starting point described above. A weakening line is preferably present after a tear starting point, preferably after the tear starting point at the back part of the seal rim. The tear starting point at the back part of the seal rim normally starts a tear along the top part of the seal rim. It can be preferred that a weakening line is present after two tear starting points.
Preferably the invention relates to a packaging,

wherein one tear starting point guides a tear that removes the apex of the front face and is located at a distance from the apex of the front face, measured over the end of the seal rim, of between 10 and 30% of the distance defined by the projection of the apex of the front face on the projected bottom face to the apex of the projected bottom face., and
wherein a second tear starting point guides a tear over the top part of the seal rim, wherein the second tear starting point is preferably located at the back part of the seal rim, preferably at a distance from the projected bottom face of higher than 50% and lower than 100% of the perpendicular line of the triangular front face.

Preferably, a weakening line is present after at least one of the tear starting points, preferably after all starting points. This might be a weakening line provided by laser. Such a weakening facilitates the easy removal of the part to be removed from the sachet for opening. Especially when the area to be removed comprises a curved part, or comprises areas with a different texture or hardness, the proceeding of the tear may easily deviate from the intended course, resulting in a sachet which might leak content during use or does otherwise not dose properly or cannot stand upright properly. Preferably, the sachet comprises two tear starting points and at least one weakening line, wherein said at least one weakening line is present after a tear starting point and guides tearing along the upper part of the sealing rim.
The packaging sachet of the present invention is preferably used for unit-dosing of consumer products. Therefore, the volume of the sachets is not too high. Preferably, the volume of the packaging is of between 15 and 40 ml, preferably of between 17 and 30 ml, most preferably of between 17 and 25 ml. At a too high volume it is not practical to keep the sachet in a hand for dispensing, or put it on a plate for dipping a food item in it.
The material of the packaging sachet is preferably flexible, and not too rigid. This allows proper dispensing by hand, when the 'squeezing format' is desired, while maintaining sufficient rigidity to allow standing upright autonomously in case the 'dipping format' is desired. It also allows removal of a part of the sachet for opening it by tearing off.
The material to be used for the packaging sachet of the invention may depend on the content of the sachet. In principle, any sealable, preferably heat-sealable, packaging material can be used, for example a laminate material. As is known to the person skilled in the art, the thickness of the foil, the volume of the packaging sachet and the content of the packaging will define the choice of the desired material. A preferred material is paper-aluminium-polyethylene laminate.
The packaging sachet according to the invention preferably contains a consumer product. The consumer product is preferably a liquid or a paste. Preferably, it is an edible consumer product or a personal care consumer product, to apply on the body, such as on the skin or scalp. More preferably, the sachet of the invention comprises a dressing, a sauce, or a personal care product. A personal care product can be a shower gel, a shampoo or a skin care product. Even more preferably the sachet contains mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, or curry sauce. Most preferably the sachet comprises mayonnaise or ketchup.
In a further aspect the present invention relates to a method for applying a consumer product on a food product or on the body, the method comprising the steps of

a) providing a packaging according to the invention, wherein the packaging comprises a consumer product,
b) opening the packaging,
c) applying a food product or a finger to the content of the packaging or the content of the packaging to a food product or to the body.

Preferably, step b) comprises removing part of the seal rim by cutting or tearing. Preferably it comprises removing the upper part of the seal rim or removing the front part of the seal rim, including removal of the apex area of the front face. Preferably, in this way 1-20% of the apex area of the front face is removed. Step b) conveniently comprises tearing, starting from a tear starting point in the form of a notch.
Step c) preferably comprises squeezing the sachet. In this way the content is removed from the sachet. Alternatively, step c) may preferably comprise dipping a food item or a finger into the sachet.
The packaging sachet can be manufactured by a person skilled in the art of packaging. It is preferably prepared starting from 1 piece of foil, preferably a blank. The preparation preferably comprises folding, sealing and filling. The sealing preferably comprises heat sealing.
In a further aspect the present invention relates to the use of a packaging sachet of the invention for dispensing a consumer product, for example a dressing, a sauce, a shower gel, a shampoo or a skin care product. It may further relate to the use of a packaging sachet of the invention to offer a consumer product, for example a dressing, a sauce, a shower gel, a shampoo or a skin care product, to a consumer.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a sachet of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a front view of a sachet of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a back view of a sachet of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a top view of a sachet of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a sachet of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a blank suitable for a sachet of the invention.
Figure 7 and 8 show a side view of a sachet of the invention. Distances d₁ and d₂ respectively indicate the location of notches, used as tear starting point.
Figure 9 shows an opened sachet according to the invention, allowing the 'squeeze format'
Figure 10 shows an opened sachet according to the invention, allowing the 'dipping format'

Claims

A packaging sachet comprising a bottom face (1), a front face (2), and two lateral faces (3),
wherein the bottom face and the front face each have the shape of a triangle, the triangles sharing their base lines (4), and
wherein a seal rim (5) joins the ends of the lateral faces which are not adjacent to the front or bottom face, wherein the seal rim (5) comprises at least one of a curved area (6a) and an angle (6b), characterised in that the angle between the front face and the projected bottom face, being the vertical projection of the bottom face on a horizontal reference surface on which the sachet stands when the triangular bottom face is facing said surface, is obtuse, and
one or two tear starting points (10) are located at the seal rim, and
the surface of the bottom face and the surface of the front face is plane.
A packaging sachet according to claim 1, wherein the projected bottom face is the projection of the bottom face on the surface on which the sachet stands when the triangular bottom face faces said surface.
Packaging sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle between the front face and of the projected bottom face is of between 90 degrees and 150 degrees, preferably of between 100 degrees and 140 degrees.
Packaging sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal rim shows a top part (7) and a back part (8) wherein the back part of the seal rim runs upwards from the apex of the projected bottom face.
Packaging sachet according to claim 4, wherein the angle formed between the back part of the seal rim with the apex of the projected bottom face is between 70 and 120 degrees.
Packaging sachet according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the shortest line between the apex of the front face and the back part of the seal rim forms an angle with the projected bottom face of between -30 and 30 degrees, preferably of between -15 and 15 degrees.
Packaging sachet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a tear starting point is located at the seal rim at a distance from the projected bottom face of higher than 50% and lower than 100% of the perpendicular line of the triangular front face.
Packaging sachet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a tear starting point is located at the seal rim at a distance from the apex of the front face of between 10 and 30% of the distance defined by the projection of the apex of the front face on the projected bottom face to the apex of the projected bottom face.
Packaging sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal rim comprises two tear-starting points.
Packaging sachet according to claim 9, wherein a weakening line is present after at least one of the tear starting points, preferably after all starting points.
Packaging sachet according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of the packaging is of between 15 and 40 ml, preferably of between 20 and 30 ml.
Packaging sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging sachet contains a dressing, a sauce, or a personal care product.
Method for applying a consumer product on a food product or on the body, characterised in that the method comprises the steps of
a) providing a packaging sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging sachet comprises a consumer product,

b) opening the packaging sachet,

c) applying a food product or a finger to the content of the packaging sachet or the content of the packaging to a food product or to the body.
Use of a packaging sachet according to anyone of claims 1 to 12 for dispensing a consumer product or for offering a consumer product.