Packaging Container

Abstract

A packaging container for at least two components to be mixed with each other has an outer container for a first component and at least one inner container for a second component arranged inside the outer container. The outer container and the inner container have container walls and at least one of the container walls is at least partially comprised of flexible plastic material. At least the outer container has at least one shape-defining sealed seam along one side. The inner container is openable by pressure application from the exterior of the outer container for mixing the first and second components within the packaging container. The outer container has an area provided for forming a removal opening. The inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, hinder the inner container from exiting to the exterior.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a packaging container for at least two components to be mixed with each other, in particular for a beverage, comprising an outer container for storing a first component and at least one inner container arranged inside the outer container for storing a second component wherein one or several sides of the outer and/or inner container at least partially are comprised of flexible plastic material and at least the outer container along one side has at least one shape-defining sealed seam, weld seam or a similar joining seam, and wherein the inner container is configured so as to be openable by pressure application from the exterior for mixing of the second component with the first component to be carried out within the packaging container.

Such packaging containers are known in particular for two-component adhesives and are described, for example, in DE 296 13 563 U1. It is however a problem in case of this type of containers that, after cutting open the outer container, the removal of the mixed component often causes the inner container connected therewith to be inevitably removed also.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve the container of the aforementioned kind with regard to the aforementioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved by a packaging container of the aforementioned kind that is characterized in that the outer container has an area provided for forming a removal opening and the inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, hinder the inner container from exiting to the exterior.

According to the invention, it is provided that the outer container has an area provided for forming a removal opening while the inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, prevent the inner container from exiting or being discharged to the exterior or at least impair or hinder it from doing so, in particular the outer dimensions are such that, to a large extent and for normal use, they preferably completely prevent the inner container from exiting. The dimensions can be designed such that exiting through the removal opening or through an area leading to the removal opening of the outer container is prevented.

The outer container has means for forming a removal opening or already has a removal opening that is closed whose size can be predetermined and in particular can be matched to the inner bag (pouch). The area that is provided for forming the removal opening is, for example, a corner area or a differently shaped area of the outer container that can be used in the manner of a spout. Accordingly, during removal of the mixed component, in particular of the mixed beverage, removal of the inner container, preferably an inner bag (pouch) that is comprised of film material, is prevented to a large extent or is completely prevented. During normal use, i.e., upon removal of the mixture through the removal opening, the inner container is thus unremovable. Such a packaging container is particularly advantageous when used for modern mixed beverages. In this connection, in the interior of the inner container a flavoring component, which may be an alcoholic component, may be present while the interior of the outer container that surrounds and is thus outside of the inner container is filled with a basic substance that forms the basis of the mixed beverage. By means of such a packaging container in particular made of a film material it is possible to provide inexpensively producible, easily transportable and easily disposable, preferably alcoholic, mixed beverages or drinks in a plurality of variants.

Preferably, the inner container has, in a projection onto a plane defined by the free cross-section of the removal opening, at least in one longitudinal or transverse direction a size greater than the removal opening. In particular, in case of an inner bag variant that is formed by means of a circumferentially extending sealed seam the inner bag after mixing of the two components can have a shape that is defined by the sealed seam an provides an elongate configuration like a flat pillow with dimensions that do not fit through the removal opening.

Alternatively or in addition, the outer container, in particular in the area of the removal opening or in an area leading to it, can also have means for reducing the free cross-section, in particular the free cross-section of the removal opening. For this purpose, grid structures, film flanges or the like introduced into the outer container are conceivable. In particular, such a means may also be a weld spot for connecting opposed sides to each other. The passageways for the mixed component to be poured out are then still sufficiently large while the dimensions of the inner bag that has been emptied by applying pressure are too large in order to fit through the reduced size of the free cross-section leading to the removal opening or to fit through the removal opening. The introduction of weld spots is possible in a simple way during filling or sealing of the outer container.

Preferably, the removal opening is predetermined by a section of weakened material of at least one side of the outer container or a pull thread connected to the outer container. In this connection, in particular perforations, introduced by laser, of the film material forming the outer side of the outer container can be used to form the section of weakened material. Alternatively, the removal opening can also be formed by a weldable pouring spout that is introduced into and welded to the outer container; such a pouring spout allows in particular a problem free pouring action because of the provided fixed lateral walls of the pouring spout in contrast to the situation when using film material as a pouring means.

The packaging container configured of film is furthermore improved with respect to removal when in the area of the removal opening at least one side of the packaging container is provided with a reinforcement of the removal area that is produced preferably by means of profiling. The removal area in this connection is the area of the packaging container leading to the removal opening. Preferably, this is realized by one or several profiles introduced in particular by embossment into the sides of a packaging container which, viewed in the direction of their main longitudinal extension, preferably point toward the removal opening. In this way, it is possible, even for packaging containers that are constructed of film material and that can be compressed to a flat shape for emptying, to provide removal passages that can still effectively ensure a simple pouring action.

Alternatively or in addition, it is also possible to provide thicker material portions or, for example, tubular structures that are introduced into the film or arranged on its inner side and that act in a stabilizing way or form flow passages.

A targeted design of a packaging container that simultaneously prevents removal of an inner container in an effective way is provided when the outer container has a bottle-shaped contour and the removal opening is arranged in the area of the bottleneck. Profilings that are introduced in the bottleneck are particularly effective. At the same time, the shape of the sealed rim and the contour of the packaging container can ensure an upright or straight positioning of the bottleneck during pouring of the mixed component. The area of the bottleneck upstream of the removal opening is then preferably in the form of the afore described areas, or the areas to be described in the following, with means for cross-sectional reduction and the free flow passage surface area.

While the inner container is preferably freely movable within the outer container and therefore the complete removal of the mixture can be prevented, in variants of the packaging container according to the invention in which the inner container is relatively large and is formed of a very flexible film, it is advantageous to additionally fix or secure the inner container within the outer container. This can be done, for example, by integration of a rim area of the inner container in a sealed seam of the outer container.

Manufacturing, filling and closing of the packaging container are simplified when the outer container and/or inner container are/is formed as a form-fill-seal bag (FFS).

For use in connection with in particular liquid components, in particular foodstuffs, such as mixed beverages, it has been found to be advantageous to provide the sealed seam of the inner container with the sealed seam force between 1 and 10 N/15 mm, preferably between 2 and 7 N/15 mm. In this way, a transport of a packaging container according to the invention, for example, as a replacement of known packaging containers in the form of cans, is ensured effectively.

For the same reason, the sealed seam of the outer container should have a sealed seam force of more than 15 N/15 mm.

Identifying the contents of a packaging container and checking on the degree of mixing of the two components with each other are facilitated when at least one side of the outer container is at least in areas thereof transparent. In this way, for example, by means of a transparent window on one side and by simultaneously providing printed information circumferentially on the edge of the film it is possible to provide a visually pleasing packaging container that, at least approximately, has a bottle-shaped contour but at the same time in an impressive way differs from conventional bottle shapes. As a bottle-shaped contour in this connection a shape is to be understood that has a wide bottle body and a narrower bottleneck. Preferably, a packaging container is embodied at the same time as a stand-up bag (pouch) that for enlarging the fillable volume, in particular with unchanged front side, and for reducing the required volume after removal of the mixed beverage has lateral folds (gussets). Particularly advantageous is an embodiment of the packaging container according to the invention as a stand-up bag because of the inherent possibility of providing an upright (stand-up) container that can be better adapted to a bottle contour. Such a container can also be put down during consumption of the contents and can maintain its bottle shape.

A transparent side of the outer container is to be understood also as a tinted side that allows passage only of a certain wavelength.

In a further embodiment according to the invention at least one side of the inner container is at least partially transparent; this enables pleasing visual effects of the components prior to mixing and, on the other hand, provides an indication of the contents of the inner container or inner bag.

As an alternative to the embodiment of the outer container as a stand-up container, the outer container can also be embodied as a tube. Accordingly, the material of the outer container may be an injection-molded plastic material and not only blown or cast film.

As materials that are conceivable for the outer container and/or the inner container, single-layer or multi-layer film materials are advantageous in particular because of the correlated manufacturing costs. In comparison to conventional glass containers significant cost savings can be achieved. At the same time, as a result of the variety of possible sealed seams it is possible to produce a plurality of different packaging containers that are all of a bottle shape with respect to their contour.

Particularly advantageous as a material for the films are polyolefin films (PE and/or PP), polyester films with/without deposition of a barrier of, for example, aluminum, aluminum oxide or silicon oxide. In particular silicon oxide can be used for the transparent side walls as a deposited barrier. Also, aluminum film or polyamide film are conceivable. As multi-layer films co-extrusion films or laminated films or foils can be used.

Possible embossments in the you ring spout area can be designed differently. In particular, a semi-tubular embossment from the interior to the exterior on both sides is conceivable.

In addition to the use of the packaging container according to the invention for cocktails, there is also a plurality of other fields of application concerning products that are to be stored separately and mixed before use, for example, cleaning agents, fertilizer or paint. The employed materials of the packaging container are to be matched appropriately to the ingredients and components to be contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an article according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section view along section line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view according to FIG. 2 for another article according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a section view along section line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a further article according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of another article according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a section view along VII-VII according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a view of yet another article according to the invention

FIG. 9 is a view of a further article according to the invention.

Same or same-acting parts, inasmuch as expedient, are identified with identical reference characters. Individual technical features of the embodiments described in the following may also be combined with features of the afore described embodiments to provide further developments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a packaging container for at least two components of a mixed drink or beverage to be mixed with each other. The packaging container has an outer container 1 for storing a first component 2, illustrated only schematically, and an inner container 3 arranged inside the outer container 1 for storing a second component 4 that is also illustrated only schematically. This second component 4 is to be mixed prior to consumption with the first component 2 for which purpose the interior container 3 is configured to be opened by pressure application from the exterior, in particular by manual actuation. For this purpose, a sealed seam 6 with a sealed seam force between 2 and 7 N/15 mm is provided. By pressure application, in particular manual pressure applied from the exterior onto the flexible packaging container walls or sides 7 (of the outer container) and 8 (of the inner container 3), in particular in the directions A and B as shown in FIG. 4, the sealed seam can tear open.

The lateral walls 7 and 8 for this purpose are made of flexible plastic material and have along their outer sides at least in some areas a shape-defining sealed seam 9 or sealed seam 6.

The sealed seam 6 as well as the sealed seam 9 are designed to extend circumferentially wherein the inner container is formed as an FFS bag (pouch) and is of a rectangular shape in a front view. However, it can also be oval or round (compare in particular FIG. 6).

In the front view according to FIG. 1, the outer container has an area 11 that is provided for forming a removal opening, i.e., an area in which the removable opening is formed or by means of which it is formed, as in the present case of FIG. 1 by configuration of a separation line 13 that is formed by perforations of the lateral walls 7 and 12.

For reinforcing the bottleneck 14 of the packaging container, several embossments 16 are provided as profilings that extend with their longitudinal extension in the direction toward the defined removal opening.

At the bottom side, for ensuring a stable upright position, a bottom fold is provided whose upper end is marked by a line 17.

After crushing it, the inner container 3 remains, because of its sealing edge 6, in its basic rectangular shape as illustrated in FIG. 1 and has thus (longitudinal) lengths in the direction of the illustration plane that are greater and remain greater than the inner width (clearance) of the removal opening that is formed by tearing off the upper part. At the same time, by the shape of the outer container and the sealed rim that is provided thereat, a reinforcement of the bottleneck 14 is ensured so that the inner width of the removal opening during removal of the mixed component is not enlarged.

The embossments 16 that, as illustrated in FIG. 2, are of a semi-circular shape and bulge outwardly prevent that the areas of the oppositely positioned sidewalls 7 and 12 of the outer container rest on each other and are closed off. In a further embodiment according to FIG. 3, embossments 16 are introduced on both opposed sides 7 and 12. These embossments can also extend across larger areas of the sides 7 and 12 and can have any structure of a length that serves for reinforcement and keeping the shape. For example, these structures may be also of a meandering shape or a different shape.

In FIG. 4, a section view of the article according to the invention after removal of the liquids 2 and 4 is illustrated, i.e., after pressure loading in the directions A and B. The packaging container according to the invention can be easily compressed and can thus be easily stored or disposed of.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner containers are arranged so as to float freely within the inner container. While the removal opening of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is formed by a weldable pouring spout 18 provided with a screw closure 17 that is integrated into the sealed seam 9 and the embodiment of FIG. 5 thus has a fixed pouring passage, in the embodiment of FIG. 6 a pouring passage is provided by means of the film sides of the bottleneck 14. For preventing that the two inner containers 3 and 3′ are poured out during removal of the mixed component, the bottleneck 14 is provided with a weld spot 19 by means of which the front and rear walls or sides 7 and 12 are connected to each other. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, the dimensions of the inner containers are greater than the passage width of a removal path toward the removal opening or of the removal opening.

FIG. 7 shows the shape of the packaging container in a state analog to FIG. 4, i.e., after removal of the mixture. By using lateral and bottom folds 21, the packaging container can be minimized with respect to the volume to be disposed of.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, a packaging container according to the invention in a tube shape is disclosed. In this connection, the embodiment of FIG. 8 has a sealed seam 22 required for producing a hose and a bottom closure seam 23 while at the other open end 24 a tube closure 26 with a screw top 27 is arranged. Alternatively, in the embodiment of FIG. 9 a tear seam 13 is present by means of which the upper part 28 can be removed.

Preferably, the inner bag is designed as an inner peel pouch, i.e., by manual pressure application the sealed seams open easily.

With the contour of FIG. 1 having an average width base, a wider middle section, and a narrow neck area or removal area, the article according to the invention is approximately shaped like a cocktail shaker used for mixing cocktails.

The specification incorporates by reference the entire disclosure of German priority document 20 2011 106 994.3 having a filing date of Oct. 21, 2011.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

Claims

1. A packaging container for at least two components to be mixed with each other, the packaging container comprising:

an outer container configured to store a first component;

at least one inner container arranged inside the outer container and configured to store a second component;

wherein the outer container and the inner container have container walls and at least one of the container walls is at least partially comprised of flexible plastic material;

wherein at least the outer container has at least one shape-defining sealed seam along one side;

wherein the inner container is configured so as to be openable by pressure application from the exterior of the outer container for mixing the first and second components within the packaging container;

wherein the outer container has an area provided for forming a removal opening; and

wherein the inner container has outer dimensions that, when the outer container is opened, hinder the inner container from exiting to the exterior of the outer container.

2. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container, in a projection onto a plane that is defined by a free cross-section of the removal opening, has a dimension in at least one longitudinal or transverse direction that is greater than a dimension of the removal opening.

3. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the removal opening is predetermined by a section of weakened material provided on at least one side of the outer container or by a pull thread.

4. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the removal opening is formed by a pouring spout that is welded into the outer container.

5. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein in the area of the removal opening at least one side of the packaging container is provided with a reinforcement.

6. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is provided by profilings.

7. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container in the area of the removal opening has means that reduce a free cross-section of the removal opening.

8. The packaging container according to claim 7, wherein the means is a weld or a film flange.

9. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container in the area of the removal opening has means that reduce a free cross-section of an area leading to the removal opening.

10. The packaging container according to claim 9, wherein the means is a weld or a film flange.

11. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container has a bottle-shaped contour and the removal opening is arranged in the area of a bottleneck of the bottle-shaped contour.

12. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is freely movable inside the outer container.

13. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is secured inside the outer container.

14. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container is an FFS bag.

15. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the inner container is an FFS bag.

16. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container and the inner container are FFS bags.

17. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein a sealed seam of the inner container has a sealed seam force of 1-10 N/15 mm.

18. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein a sealed seam of the outer container has a sealed seam force of more than 15 N/15 mm.

19. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein at least one side of the outer container is at least partially transparent.

20. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein at least one side of the inner container is at least partially transparent.

21. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container is a stand-up container or a tube.

22. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container is constructed of a single-layer film material

23. The packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the outer container is constructed of a multi-layer film material.