WO2010047645A1

WO2010047645A1 - Reclosable package

Info

Publication number: WO2010047645A1
Application number: PCT/SE2009/051162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars Larsen
Original assignee: Eco Lean Research and Development AS
Current assignee: Eco Lean Research and Development AS
Priority date: 2008-10-22
Filing date: 2009-10-13
Publication date: 2010-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-22
Also published as: SE534097C2; TW201022097A; SE0802256L; AR073806A1; SE0802256A1; SE0802256A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a package (10) of the collapsible type for liquid contents, comprising a chamber (5) defined by walls. The walls comprise two opposite side walls (12a, 12b), which together define an openable pouring portion (7) arranged to enable pouring of the contents. A re-adherable, adhesive label (30) applied to the package is movable, in the opened state of the pouring portion (7), between a reclosing position, in which it has an extent over the outside of both side walls (12a, 12b), and a reopening position, in which it enables pouring of the liquid contents through said pouring portion (7). The pouring portion (7) has a flap (6), which for the purpose of opening the pouring portion (7) is detachable so for forming a mouth (50). The mouth (50) is reclosable by means of the label (30) and the label (30) has an extent, in the non-opened state of the pouring portion (7), over the outside of only one of the side walls (12a, 12b).

Description

RECLOSABLE PACKAGE

Technical field

The invention relates to a package of the collapsible type for liquid contents, comprising a chamber defined by flexible walls, an openable pouring portion being arranged to enable pouring of the contents. The pouring portion is reclosable in its opened state.

Background art

WO2005030597 discloses a package of the collapsible type comprising three wall portions, two of which form opposing side walls and a third forms a bottom wall. The walls consisting of a flexible plastic material are bendable and joined together for forming a compartment, the volume of which depends on the relative position of the walls. The package further comprises a pouring spout, which is defined by a side wall portion of each side wall and which is openable by removing a flap. This type of package is commonly available and is used above all for holding liquid food products.

A problem that may occur with this type of package is to do with the closable function of the package. When the package has been opened by removing the flap, so that part of the product contained in the package can be poured out, it is desirable to be able to reclose the pouring spout. This reclos- ing feature can be achieved, for example, by means of openable and closable opening devices, such as a screw cap or a clamping means applied over the pouring spout.

However, this way of providing the reclosable capability of a package complicates both the manufacture and use of the package. Above all, a re- closing means of this kind causes problems during the manufacture of the package, since the package blanks cannot be easily rolled onto a bobbin in the form of a continuous web of interconnected package blanks.

In addition, introducing a clip/cap increases the cost of manufacturing, since it requires modifications to the production equipment and separate tools for the manufacture of the clip/cap. There is thus a need for a package which can be reclosed in an easier way and which can be given this reclosing capability already at the time of manufacture.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the present invention is to make available a user- friendly reclosable package of the kind described by way of introduction.

A further object of the present invention is to make available a package which at the time of manufacture can be incorporated without difficulty into a web of mutually interconnected package blanks that can be rolled onto a bobbin so as to form a roll of package blanks.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, a package of the collapsible type for liquid contents is suggested, comprising a chamber defined by walls, which walls comprise two opposite side walls, which together define an openable pouring portion arranged to enable pouring of the contents, and a re-adherable adhesive label which is applied to the package and which is movable, in the opened state of the pouring portion, between a reclosing position, in which it has an extent over the outside of both side walls, and a reopening position, in which it enables pouring of the liquid contents through said pouring portion. The pouring portion has a flap, which for the purpose of opening the pouring portion is detachable for forming a mouth in said pouring portion, which mouth is reclosable by means of said label. Said label has an extent, in the non-opened state of the pouring portion, over the outside of only one of the side walls. A package for liquid contents is thus obtained which can be repeatedly reclosed in a simple manner. The label, which consists of a flat element, can be applied to the package in conjunction with the manufacture of the package blanks or in conjunction with the filling and sealing of the same for forming a package. This does not affect the possibility of rolling a continuous web of package blanks onto a bobbin for forming a roll. Furthermore, the label as such can be provided at a low cost on a roll to enable easy application thereof to the package blank or the package. The label can be provided by the piece on a roll or in the form of a continuous web from which a suitable length corresponding to a label is cut during application of the label to the package/package blank. Because the label has an extension, in the non-opened state of the pouring spout, over only one of the side walls, it can be applied at high speed. The label does not have to be folded about the package in order to be attached to both side walls, but is applied to one of the side walls only, which allows a faster and simpler process for manufacturing a reclosable package.

In the non-opened state of the pouring spout, and thus in the non- opened state of the package according to the invention, the package is closed and sealed. And so the integrity of the package can be maintained until the package is opened. There is no opening through which the contents of the package can be contaminated prior to the end use of the package. This is particularly important in the case of aseptic packages. It is not until the user removes the flap for forming a mouth that an opening is created in the package. Before then, after the package has been filled with contents, the package is sealed.

Thus, the package can assume different states. The package can be in a non-opened state, in which the pouring portion is in a non-opened state. In the non-opened state of the pouring portion, the label has an extension over only one of the side walls. Moreover, the package can be in an opened state in which the pouring portion is in an opened state. To open the pouring portion the flap is detached for forming the mouth. In the opened state of the pouring portion, the contents of the package can be poured out through the mouth.

The package is reclosable by virtue of the fact that the label is movable, in the opened state of the pouring portion, between a reclosing position and a reopening position. In the reclosing position the label has an extent over both side walls. This means that the mouth is reclosed by means of the label.

In the reopened position, the label can have an extent on only one of the side walls, which enables the contents to be poured through the mouth. In the reopening position of the label the mouth is again open. The label can then be moved anew to its reclosing position for repeatable reclosing of the mouth and, thus, for repeatable reclosing of the package.

The fact that the package is of the collapsible type means that the volume of the chamber is dependent upon the position of the walls relative to each other.

The label can have a first portion in which the label is permanently attached to one of the side walls of the package, and a second portion which, in the reopening position of the label, has a free end.

The label can have an adhesive-free zone in a portion which, in the non-opened state of the pouring portion, overlaps said pouring portion. As a result the contents of the package or the mouth formed by the pouring portion will not enter into contact with the adhesive of the label, which reduces the risk of the contents being contaminated. The extent of the current zone relative to the mouth itself is suitably adapted to the geometry of the pouring por- tion concerned and to the geometry of the package.

The label can be prestressed on its surface facing away from the side wall of the package, said prestress causing a free end of said label, in the reopening position of the label, to strive in the direction away from said side wall. The prestress can, for example, consist in a local compressive stress in or adjacent to a surface layer on the side of the label that, in the mounted state of the label, faces the package walls. By virtue of the fact that the label, by means of the prestressing of the same, is arranged to strive away from the walls, its free end will not interfere with a pouring motion and will not be con- taminated by the contents of the package.

The prestressing force should be smaller than the adhesive force of the chosen adhesive so as to avoid that the label due to its residual stress causes the label to detach from the package wall.

The prestress can be achieved in various ways, which are obvious to the person skilled in the art. It may be achieved, for example, by means of a mono-oriented material structure. In a mono-oriented material structure, the molecules are oriented in a single direction, which affords the material a specific property, such as compressive stress, in one direction. The prestress can also be achieved by means of cross-linking technology or a multilayered structure.

The flap can be detachable along a tear line for forming the mouth in said pouring portion. The tear line facilitates the detachment of the flap and eliminates the need for tools, for example scissors, when opening the package.

The label can be arranged on a first of the side walls in the pouring portion and can have an extent, in the reclosed state of the mouth, on both sides of said tear line, said label having, after detachment of said flap, a free end which is foldable across said mouth and repeatedly adhesively attachable to the other of the side walls for enabling repeated reclosing of the mouth. In this embodiment, the label is thus foldable over the pouring portion in such a manner that it extends, in the reclosed state of the package, from the first wall, over the mouth and onto the other, opposite wall. The label can have a width that is greater than, corresponds to or is smaller than the width of the mouth of the pouring portion.

The label can be adhesively attached to said first side wall and said flap before detachment of the flap. In this way the label may serve as a reinforcement of the flap, preventing unintentional detachment of the flap along the tear line. As a result the number of packages that are discarded due to damaged pouring portions can be reduced.

In its reopening position, the label can have a folded Z-shaped form, comprising a first and a second leg and a web extending there between, the first leg being permanently joined to a first side wall of the package, and the second leg being movable between a first position, in which it is repeatedly adhesively attachable to the web, and a second position, in which it is repeatedly adhesively attachable across said pouring portion.

It will be appreciated that, depending on the position of the pouring portion and the design of the package, the second leg may be arranged to be repeatedly adhesively attachable to the same wall as that to which the first leg is permanently joined or to be repeatedly adhesively attachable to the other, opposite wall. Accordingly, the label is compressed in the first position into a flat folded Z-shaped form where the two legs and the web are arranged on the same wall of the package. To move the second leg to its second position the leg is gripped and pulled straight out, whereupon it is moved either to a posi- tion immediately above the pouring portion for adhesive attachment of a surface portion around the same to the same wall as that to which the first leg is adhesively attached or to the opposite wall for adhesive attachment to the same. The surface of the second leg which in the first position was adhesively attached to the web is now adhesively attached to the wall instead. As a re- suit the label will have an extent either on one of the walls or on both sides of the tear line and will serve to reclose the pouring portion of the package.

The intersection between the web and the second leg can, in the second position of the second leg, coincide with and be parallel to said tear line. The intersection can be likened to a hinge. In the reclosed state of the pouring portion, the web and the second leg will, thus, each bear against a respective side of the mouth.

Said first leg can be provided, on the whole or parts of its side facing away from said first side wall, with a re-adherable adhesive. This allows adhesive attachment of the web to the first leg in the open and non-reclosed states of the package, thus preventing it from interfering with a pouring motion or being contaminated by the contents.

Said web can be provided, on one or both of its sides, with a re-adherable adhesive, said adhesive being applied to the whole or parts of said side or sides. This allows adhesive attachment of the web to either the first or the second leg or to both legs in the open and non-reclosed state of the package, whereby the label is prevented from interfering with a pouring motion or being contaminated by the contents.

Said second leg can be provided, on the whole or parts of that side thereof which, in said Z-shaped form, is intended to be facing away from said first side wall, with a re-adherable adhesive. In accordance with that described above, this allows adhesive attachment of the second leg to the web in the open and non-reclosed state of the package, whereby the label is pre- vented from interfering with a pouring motion or being contaminated by the contents.

The label can extend over the whole or parts of said pouring portion. Accordingly, the label need not necessarily provide a complete reclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below for the purpose of exemplification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a package according to the present invention.

Figures 2a-2e are schematic views of a first embodiment of a package with a label according to the invention.

Figures 3a-3b are schematic views of a second embodiment of a package with a label according to the invention. Figures 4a-4c are schematic views of a third embodiment of a package with a label according to the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically an alternative pouring portion. Figure 6 is a schematic view of a reclosed package according to the present invention. Figure 7 illustrates schematically the manufacture of the package according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Some of the terms used in the detailed description will be defined below. By "label" is meant a flexible strip or tag which is provided on at least one side and at least one portion thereof with an adhesive that enables repeated adhesive attachment to a base. The label may be an information carrier or be neutral.

By "permanently joined" is here meant that the label is joined to the package wall in such a manner that it cannot be intentionally torn off when opening or reclosing the package. This can be achieved, for example, by means of an adhesive or a thermal connection. By "repeatedly adhesively attachable" is meant that the label should be capable of opening and reclosing the package a number of times with maintained adhesiveness. This is similar to the functioning of a "post it" note. It will be obvious to the skilled person which adhesives are appropriate for this pur- pose.

By "made non-adherent" is meant an adhesive surface where the adhesiveness of the adhesive has been reduced to such a degree that the surface is more or less tack-free.

With reference now to Fig. 1 , a preferred embodiment of a package 10 according to the invention is shown in a non-opened state and filled with liquid contents.

The package 10 is particularly suitable for a liquid food product such as milk, juice, water, wine or oil.

The package 10 is of the collapsible type and has two opposite side walls 12a, 12b and a bottom wall 13. The walls 12a, 12b, 13 are joined together along the connecting portion 4 and define a chamber 5 whose volume is dependent on the position of the walls 12a, 12b, 13 relative to each other.

The package 10 comprises a filling channel 9, which is defined by said side walls 12a, 12b and which filling channel 9 connects the chamber 5 of the package 10 with the environment. The filling channel 9 can be sealed when the package 10 is in the unfilled state, with the channel 9 being opened before filling. The package 10 is then filled with a product and, after filling, the filling channel 9 is reclosed through a sealing procedure. It is thus possible, in a simple manner, to ensure that the chamber 5 is sterile. The package 10 can also have a handle 1 1 , which is formed in the connecting portion 4 and arranged in a rear end of the package.

The side walls 12a, 12b of the package have side wall portions 22a, 22b, which at the front, upper end of the package define an openable pouring portion 7. The pouring portion enables pouring of the product in the open state of the package 10.

The package 10 is opened by removing, for example through the measure of tearing or cutting off, a flap 6 of the pouring portion 7 for forming a mouth 50. The package 10 and the mouth 50 thus assume their opened state. In the case where the package is to be opened by tearing off the flap 6, the package 10 may also have, as in the embodiment shown, a tear line 20 along which the flap 6 is separable for opening of the package 10. In the embodiment shown, the tear line 20 extends diagonally between two parts of the connecting portion 4, namely the part arranged at the upper edge of the package 10 and the front edge of the package, respectively. The package material located outside these tear lines forms said flap 6.

To facilitate the tearing off of the flap 6, the tear line 20 can be provided in the form of a thinning of material in this area, which can be achieved by applying a higher pressure in this area when producing the connecting portion 4 of the package. In the case where the package is made of a mineral- filled polyolefin material, an increased local pressure will cause a material conversion in the form of a crystallization which makes the material brittle and, thus, easily tearable. The pouring portion 7 can have a longitudinal axis LA and a width B transversely of said longitudinal axis, the mouth 50 having an extension b transversely of the longitudinal axis of the pouring portion that is smaller than said width B, see Fig. 5. This can be accomplished through the extent of the connecting portion 4. In this case, the mouth 50 does not extend across the whole width of the pouring portion. When pouring a product from the package, the product will contaminate only that part of the pouring portion 7 which is arranged immediately adjacent to the mouth 50. In the case where the label (not shown) extends across the whole width of the pouring portion, said label will have a portion that does not enter into contact with the product, which ensures a repeated adhesiveness for reclosing of the package.

Referring now to Figs 2a-2e, a first embodiment of the label 30 is shown. The label 30, which in the shown embodiment is rectangular in the non-opened state of the package, see Fig. 2a, is arranged on one side wall 12a of the package. It will be appreciated that the label according to this first embodiment can have a shape other than rectangular.

The label 30 is arranged to extend along the pouring portion 7 and over the tear line 20. In the non-opened state of the package, i.e. when the label 30 is flat and has an extent over only one of the side walls, said label can be divided, seen from the flap, into three portions: a first portion in the form of a gripping surface 32 forming a free end 35, a second central portion 33 which extends over the flap 6 and the tear line 20 and a third attachment portion 34 which extends onto the side wall 12a. The label is illustrated schematically from above in Fig. 2b.

In the attachment portion 34 the label 30 is permanently joined to one side wall 12a. The central portion 33 is provided with a re-adherable adhesive A on at least part of its surface located on the side of the tear line that is oriented towards the flap, i.e. the underside in Fig. 2b. The adhesive can be applied on the whole or parts of the surface.

The gripping surface 32 can consist of a portion made non-adhesive or a completely adhesive-free portion.

A label 30 which, in the non-opened state of the package, extends in this way across the tear line 20 and is adhesively attached to the flap 6 serves as a reinforcement of the tear line and the flap, respectively, preventing unintentional opening of the package due to careless handling. When opening the package, the user grips the label 30 by its gripping surface 32 and pulls it towards the tear line 20 so that the flap 6 and the tear line are exposed, see Figs 2c-2d. The user then tears off the flap 6 along the tear line such that a mouth 50 is formed. The label 30 now has a free end 35 consisting of the central portion 33 and the gripping surface 32, which can extend past and around the tear line 20 and onto the opposite side wall 12b. To reclose the mouth 50 and, thus, the package 10, see Fig. 2e, the user grips the gripping surface 32 of the label and moves the free end 35 of the label towards the tear line 20, across the tear line and attaches the adhesive central portion 33 by pressing it against the opposite side wall 12b of the package, so that said portion is adhesively attached to the two side walls 12, 12b on both sides of the tear line. The label 30 is now in its reclosing position. Fig. 6 shows a package 10 in full, where the mouth 50 and, thus, the package 10 are reclosed. The package 10 can be reopened by the label 30 being moved to its reopening position, in which the label 30 has an extent across only one of the side walls 12a, 12b.

Advantageously, the label 30 can have an adhesive-free zone 38 over and adjacent to the mouth 50 of the pouring portion 7.

With reference to Figs 3a-3b, a variant of the label shown in Figs 2a-2e is illustrated, wherein the label is prestressed 36 on its surface facing away from the side wall of the package, i.e. the upper side of the label 30' shown in Fig. 3a. The prestress is indicated highly schematically by dotted lines. The prestress can be achieved in various ways. It can be achieved, for example, by means of a mono-oriented material structure. In a mono-oriented material structure, the molecules are oriented in a single direction, which affords the material a specific property, such as compressive stress, in one direction. It is easy to obtain the mono-oriented material structure in conjunction with extrusion or film blowing. The prestress can also be achieved by means of cross-linking technology or a multilayered structure.

The effect of the prestress is that the label, in its non-loaded state, strives to contract like a curled gift-wrapping ribbon. The curling effect α may advantageously be less than 180 degrees. This means that in its non-affected state, when the central portion 33' of the label 30' is not adhesively attached to a side wall 12a, the outer transverse edge portion of the gripping surface 32' should be displaced by 180 degrees at most from an imaginary horizontal plane HP, see Fig, 3b.

As for the rest, the label 30' is designed in the manner described with reference to Figs 2a-2e, and so this description will not be repeated.

The adhesion force of the re-adherable adhesive A that is used in the central portion 33' can be selected such that it is greater than the prestressing force in order to avoid that the label 30' opens by itself due to said prestress.

Referring now to Figs 4a-4c, a third embodiment of the label 30" is shown. In the non-closed state of the package 10, the label 30" has a folded Z-shaped form with right-angled edge portions, i.e. when arranged in a flat, unfolded state the label is rectangular. In the non-opened state of the pack- age, see Fig. 4a, the label 30" is arranged on one side wall 12a of the package inside the tear line 20.

As seen from the side, see Fig. 4b, the label 30" has a first leg 40 and a second leg 41 and a web 42 extending there between. A gripping surface 32" is provided on the free end of the second leg 41. The first leg 40 is permanently joined at an attachment portion 34" to a first side wall 12a of the package.

With reference to Fig. 4c, the label 30" is illustrated schematically in a completely flat state, showing from left to right the first leg 40, the web 42, the second leg 41 and the gripping surface 32". The first leg 40, the web 42 and the second leg 41 are mutually delimited by folding lines 43 to enable said folded Z-shaped form to be obtained.

The first leg 43 is adapted to be permanently attached, through its underside, to one side wall of the package, which can be achieved, for example, by means of an adhesive or by using heat. On its upper side the first leg 43 can be provided with a re-adherable adhesive A on the whole or parts of the surface.

The web 42 can be entirely without an adhesive on both sides or can be provided with a re-adherable adhesive A on one or both sides thereof. In the case where an adhesive is applied to the web 42, said adhesive may be applied to whole or parts of the surface of the respective sides.

By virtue of the fact that the web 42 is adapted to bear against the first leg 40 in the folded Z-shaped form of the joining means, as shown in Fig. 4b, it is enough for the surface of one of the two opposite sides 42a of the web and the first leg 40a, respectively, to be provided with a re-adherable adhesive A. This allows the web 42 to be adhesively attached to the first leg 40 in the folded Z-shaped form of the joining means, so as to keep it away from the mouth 50 during a pouring motion.

The second leg 41 is provided on its underside 41 a, i.e. the side which in the folded Z-shaped form is adapted to be facing the side wall 12a of the package, with a re-adherable adhesive A. The adhesive may be applied on the whole or parts of its surface. In the case where the adhesive is applied on parts of its surface, said adhesive may at least be applied along the whole longitudinal axis L of the second leg over a distance extending between the web 42 and the gripping surface 32".

By virtue of the fact that the second leg 41 is provided, on its underside 41 a, with a re-adherable adhesive A, the second leg can be adhesively at- tached to the web 42 in the folded Z-shaped form of the label, thereby keeping it away from the mouth.

The gripping surface 32" adjoining the second leg can consist of a portion made non-adherent or a completely adhesive-free portion.

A package of the kind which is shown with reference to Fig. 1 and which is provided with this type of label is opened by tearing off the label 6 along the tear line 20. The web 42, the second leg 41 and the gripping surface 32" together form a free end 35" relative to the permanently attached first leg 40.

To enable reclosing of the mouth, and thereby the package, the sec- ond leg 41 of the label 30" is movable between a first position, see Fig. 4a, in which it is repeatedly adhesively attachable to the web 42, and a second position, in which it is repeatedly adhesively attachable to the second, opposite side wall 12b, see Fig. 4d.

To reclose the package, the gripping surface 32" is gripped, where- upon the second leg 41 is pulled the tear line 20. The adhesive force between the web 42 and the second leg 41 is thus overcome, as a result of which these two surfaces are separated. The second leg 41 is then folded about the tear line 20 and pressed in an adhering manner against the opposite side wall 12b, thereby closing the package, see Fig. 4d. In the second position, a folding has thus occurred along the folding line 43 between the first leg 40 and the web 42 and along the folding line 43 between the web 42 and the second leg 41 , respectively.

The package is reopened by gripping the gripping surface 32", whereupon the second leg 41 is pulled straight out towards the tear line 20, past the tear line 20 and is brought into abutment against the web 42, see Fig. 4b. By virtue of the fact that one of the two mutually opposite surfaces of the web and the first leg, respectively, are advantageously provided with a re- adherable adhesive A, the web 42 and the second leg 41 will be held in place in a position substantially parallel to the side wall 12a, 12b of the package and, thus, will not interfere with the pouring motion.

Advantageously, the label 30" is positioned in such a manner on one side wall 121 of the package that the folding line 43 between the web 42 and the second leg 41 is situated such that the folding line, when the second leg has been moved to its second position, see Fig. 4d, coincides with and is parallel to the tear line 20.

It will be appreciated that at least the second leg 41 in this embodiment can be prestressed. Advantageously, the label 30" can have an adhesive-free zone 38 over and adjacent to the mouth 50 of the pouring portion 7, see Fig. 4d.

Referring now to Fig. 7, one way of manufacturing the reclosable packages 10 of the type described above is schematically illustrated. To form a package 10 two opposite side wall forming portions 2a, 2b and a folded bot- torn wall forming portion 3 arranged there between are joined in a tool 100. The two side wall forming portions 2a, 2b and the bottom forming portion 3 are part of a material web 1 a, which can consist of separate wall forming portions or of a folded M-shaped web.

The tool 100 joins together the portions 2a, 2b, 3 along connecting por- tions 4 for defining the chambers 5 of the packages 10. The tool 100 can, for example, join the portions together by means of heat or pressure.

The produced packages 10 are mutually interconnected in a package web 1 b. Each package 10 is designed such that a pouring portion 7 is defined by side wall portions 22a, 22b of the respective side wall 12a, 12b. Fig. 1 shows the side wall portion 22a, and the side wall portion 22b is situated on the opposite side of the package. The tool 100 can also be arranged to form, in conjunction with the manufacture of the package, the tear line 20 along which the flap 6 is separable for opening of the package 10.

The label can be applied to the package during the manufacture of the same according to the above, or in conjunction with filling.

The above package web 1 b is conveniently rolled onto a bobbin for forming a roll of interconnected, unfilled packages 10. A roll of this kind en- ables easy transportation of the unfilled packages. It is also easy to store the packages in the form of said rolls.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiment of the package, its pouring portion and label, are highly schematic and non-limiting. Regardless of the design of the label, said labels can be provided side- by-side on a continuous carrier rolled onto a bobbin, where the carrier and the adjoining turn of the roll serve as a protective film for the re-adherable adhesive.

The label has been described above as being of rectangular shape. However, it will be appreciated that the outer geometry can be varied within the scope of the invention.

The label may extend over the whole or parts of the width of the pouring portion. Thus, the label need not permit a complete, liquid-proof reclosing of the package. The label may be provided with an adhesive-free zone over and adjacent to the mouth of the pouring portion. By providing such an adhesive-free zone, there is no risk that the package contents will come into contact with the adhesive.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the shown embodiments of the package and the label. Several modifications and variants are therefore possible and, consequently, the invention is defined exclusively by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A package (10) of the collapsible type for liquid contents, comprising a chamber (5) defined by walls, which walls comprise two opposite side walls (12a, 12b), which together define an openable pouring portion (7) arranged to enable pouring of the contents, and a re-adherable, adhesive label (30) which is applied to the package (10) and which is movable, in the opened state of the pouring portion (7), be- tween a reclosing position, in which it has an extent over the outside of both side walls (12a, 12b), and a reopening position, in which it enables pouring of the liquid contents through said pouring portion (7), c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the pouring portion (7) has a flap (6), which for the purpose of opening the pouring portion (7) is detachable for forming a mouth (50) in said pouring portion (7), which mouth (50) is reclosable by means of said label (30), and said label (30), in the non-opened state of the pouring portion (7), has an extent over the outside of only one of the side walls (12a, 12b).

2. A package as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said label has a first portion (34) in which the label is permanently attached to one of the side walls (12a, 12b) of the package, and a second portion (32, 33) which in the reopening position of the label (30) has a free end (35; 35'; 35").

3. A package as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said label (30) has an adhesive-free zone (38) in a portion which, in the non-opened state of the pouring portion, overlaps said pouring portion (7).

4. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 -3, wherein said label (30) has a pre-tensioning (36) on its surface facing away from the side wall (12a, 12b) of the package, the pre-tensioning being arranged to cause a free end (35; 35'; 35") of said label, in the reopening position of the label (30), to strive in the direction away from said side wall (12a, 12b).

5. A package as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pre-tensioning (36) is smaller than the adhesive force of the chosen adhesive.

6. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 -5, wherein said flap (6) is detachable along a tear initiation (20) for forming the mouth (50) in said pouring portion (7).

7. A package as claimed in claim 6, wherein said label (30) is arranged on a first of the side walls (12a, 12b) in the pouring portion (7) and has an extent, in the reclosed state of the mouth (50), on both sides of said tear initiation (20), said label (30) having, after detachment of said flap (6), a free end (35; 35', 35") which is foldable about said mouth (50) and repeatedly adhesively attachable to the other of the side walls (12a, 12b) so as to enable repeated reclosing of the mouth (50).

8. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 -7, wherein said label (30) is adhesively attached to said first side wall (12a) and said flap (6) before detachment of the flap (6).

9. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 -8, wherein said label (30), in the reopening state of the label (30), has a folded Z-shaped form, comprising a first and a second leg (40, 41 ) and a web (42) extending there between, the first leg (40) being permanently attached to a first side wall (12a) of the package, and the second leg (41 ) being movable between a first position, in which it is repeatedly adhesively attachable to the web (42), and a second position, in which it is adapted to be repeatedly adhesively attachable across said pour- ing portion (7).

10. A package as claimed in claim 9, wherein the intersection between the web (42) and the second leg (41 ), in the second position of the second leg (41 ), coincides with and is parallel to said tear initiation (20).

1 1. A package as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said first leg (40) on the whole or parts of its side facing away from said first side wall (12a) is provided with a re-adherable adhesive (A).

12. A package as claimed in any one of claims 9-1 1 , wherein said web (42) on one or both of its sides is provided with a re-adherable adhesive (A), said adhesive being applied on the whole or parts of said side or sides.

13. A package as claimed in any one of claims 9-12, wherein said second leg (41 ), on the whole or parts of its side which in said folded Z-shaped form is adapted to be facing away from said first side wall (12a), is provided with a re-adherable adhesive (A).

14. A package as claimed in any one of claims 1 -13, wherein said label (30) has an extent over the whole or parts of said pouring portion (7).