WRAPPING FOR PACKAGING A PRODUCT, NOTABLY A FOOD PRODUCT

Abstract

The invention relates to a wrapping having a ridge forming a tube, the joining of which to the upper transverse edge forms a leaktight border disposed between two sides of the wrapping. The ridge extends from a first lateral portion of the border to close to one side, the border having a central portion in which a cutout in communication with the packaging space is formed A precut for starting tearing is formed in the ridge and in the lateral portion, extending transversely next to the cutout, the central portion being provided with a removal line positioned in transverse continuation of the precut. The wrapping is designed to allow continuation of the tearing of the precut into the central portion in order to create, through the cutout, an opening for dispensing the packaged product.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of International application number PCT/FR2017/053848, filed Dec. 26, 2017 and French application number 1663460, filed Dec. 28, 2016 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a wrapping for packaging a product, notably a food product.

In particular, it applies to wrappings intended for the packaging of an individual portion of fluid food product, for example a yoghurt or compote type dessert, a cordial, a fruit juice or even a milk or coffee dose.

BACKGROUND

Wrappings are known comprising a flexible film the two longitudinal edges of which are joined according to a ridge forming a tube, the transverse edges of said tube then being joined to delimit a packaging space of a product.

In order to allow the dispensing of the packaged product, said wrappings are conventionally arranged to be able to be torn manually, notably close to an upper transverse edge.

For this, it is known from document EP-0 312 393 a wrapping formed of a tube made of flexible film, the upper transverse edge of which is joined to form a leaktight border that is disposed between two sides of said wrapping, said border having a central portion in which a cutout which is in communication with the packaging space is formed, a precut for starting tearing being formed in a lateral portion of said border extending transversely next to said cutout.

Thus, in order to open such a wrapping, a transverse manual traction is exerted on the border at the level of the precut, to tear said border from one side of said wrapping, the tearing continuing up to the cutout, in order to create, through said cutout, an opening for dispensing the packaged product.

However, for the wrappings provided with a ridge, the opening may be difficult to achieve or be achieved imperfectly, in that said ridge may hinder continuation of the tearing.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,997 proposes a wrapping in which the ridge extends from a lateral portion of the upper border close to one of the sides of the wrapping, a precut for starting tearing being formed in the ridge and in the lateral portion extending transversely next to the cutout.

Thus, the fact of offsetting the ridge close to one side of the wrapping and forming a precut for starting tearing both in said ridge and in the lateral portion of the border makes it possible to prevent the ridge from resisting continuation of the tearing of the border up to the cutout, and therefore to make the opening of the wrapping reliable.

However, this solution does not provide entire satisfaction, in that it does not make it possible to guarantee a controlled tearing of the leaktight border, yet necessary for the formation of an opening suitable for correct dispensing of the product.

Indeed, wrappings for food products are generally produced from a flexible film having a layered structure which is arranged to ensure the mechanical resistance of the wrapping before the opening thereof as well as the preservation of the packaged product. Yet, such a structure may be difficult to tear manually, due to the thickness thereof and due to the materials that constitute same, and this all the more so in relation to the small dimension of the border of an individual wrapping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to perfect the prior art by proposing notably a wrapping arranged for making the easy and controlled tearing of the upper border thereof possible, in order to make it possible to create an opening optimised for better dispensing of the product packaged in the wrapping.

To this end, the invention proposes a wrapping for the packaging of a product, notably a food product, the wrapping comprising a flexible film the two longitudinal edges of which are joined according to a ridge forming a tube, the transverse edges of which are joined to delimit a packaging space, the joining of the upper transverse edge forming a leaktight border disposed between two sides of the wrapping, the ridge extending from a first lateral portion of the border close to one of the sides, the border having a central portion in which a cutout which is in communication with the packaging space is formed, a precut for starting tearing being formed in the ridge and in the first lateral portion extending transversely next to the cutout, the central portion of the border being provided with a removal line which is positioned in transverse continuation of the precut, the removal line being designed to allow continuation of the tearing of the precut into the central portion in order to create, through the cutout, an opening for dispensing the packaged product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other specific features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made in reference to the FIGURE appended showing schematically in front view an upper portion of a wrapping according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In relation to this FIGURE, a wrapping for the packaging of a product, notably a food product, is described below, the wrapping comprising a flexible film.

In particular, the wrapping is intended for the packaging of an individual portion of fluid food product, for example a yoghurt or compote type dessert, a cordial, a fruit juice or even a milk or coffee dose.

Advantageously, the flexible film has a layered structure that comprises at least one outer layer and one inner layer, the respective thicknesses and/or materials of the layers being chosen for the respective function thereof.

In particular, the outer layer may give the mechanical resistance to the wrapping, the inner layer making the closing thereof possible, notably by welding, but also a good preservation of the product packaged in the wrapping whilst limiting the risks of impairment of the product by contact with the inner layer.

In particular, in the case of a food product having to be kept in the refrigerator before the consumption thereof, the layered structure may be arranged for guaranteeing for the product packaged in the wrapping a use-by date (UBD) of at least forty days.

According to one embodiment, the flexible film may comprise an outer layer based on metallised polyterephtalate ethylene (PET), for example with an aluminium foil, and an inner layer based on polyethylene (PE).

According to the needs, the flexible film may optionally comprise at least one additional layer, notably chosen from a barrier layer based on ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), which notably makes it possible to improve the permeability of the film, and/or a layer of polyethylene (PE).

In order to form the wrapping, the two longitudinal edges of the flexible film are joined according to a ridge 1, forming a tube the transverse edges of which are then joined to delimit a packaging space 2 of a portion, notably individual, of product. In particular, the ridge 1 is formed by overlap of the longitudinal edges of the film over a reduced width, for example over a transverse dimension d₁ in the order of 4 to 5 mm, then leaktight joining of the overlap.

In relation to the FIGURE, the joining of the upper transverse edge 3 forms a leaktight border 4 disposed between two sides 5a, 5b of the wrapping. In particular, for a wrapping intended for the packaging of an individual portion of food product, the upper border 4 extends between the two sides 5a, 5b, for example over a transverse dimension D of approximately 32 mm.

Moreover, the border 4 has a longitudinal dimension which is sufficient for guaranteeing the mechanical resistance of the closing of the wrapping, notably relatively to the sealing thereof under compression of the packaging space 2, for example in the order of 20 to 30 mm. Furthermore, a similar border may be formed at the level of the joining of the lower transversal edge of the tube.

The ridge 1, the upper border 4 and/or the possible lower border may notably be formed by welding of the flexible film.

The upper border 4 has a central portion 4a in which a cutout 6 which is in communication with the packaging space 2 is formed, the cutout being arranged to allow the creation through same of an opening for dispensing the product packaged into the space 2 after opening of the wrapping. In particular, the central portion 4a is bordered on either side by a lateral portion 4c, 4b of the upper border 4.

Advantageously, the cutout 6 as well as the central portion 4a has a transverse dimension d_4a of approximately 8 mm, the cutout being centred between the sides 5a, 5b of the wrapping. The geometry of the cutout 6 is arranged to be able to form a sufficiently wide dispensing opening for providing correct dispensing of the packaged product, and this all the more if the product has a high viscosity, for example if this concerns a yoghurt or compote type refrigerated dessert, a cordial or a fruit juice.

In relation to the FIGURE, the central portion 4a has an unjoined portion 7 forming the cutout 6, as well as a joined portion 8 disposed between the upper transverse edge 3 and the cutout 6, the dimension of the joined portion being arranged to maintain the sealing of the border 4 before the opening thereof.

The border 4 comprises a first joined lateral portion 4b which is disposed close to one side 5a of the wrapping, the first lateral portion extending from the adjacent side up to the cutout 6 and continuing by the joined portion 8.

In the embodiment shown, the border 4 comprises a second joined lateral portion 4c which extends from the cutout 6 up to the side 5b of the wrapping opposite the first lateral portion 4b, which makes it possible to obtain a cutout 6 centred in the border 4, notably by providing two lateral portions 4b, 4c of similar transverse dimension d_4b, d_4c. Furthermore, the upper transverse edge 3 of the border 4 has an upper area which is continuously joined between the edges 5a, 5b of the wrapping, the cutout 6 being formed under the upper area.

In particular, for a wrapping intended for the packaging of an individual portion of product, the lateral portions 4b, 4c may each have a transverse dimension d_4b, d_4c of approximately 12 mm, insofar as the total transverse dimension D of the upper border 4 is approximately 32 mm and the transverse dimension d_4a of the cutout approximately 8 mm.

As an alternative not shown, the border 4 may comprise only the first lateral portion 4b, the cutout 6 therefore extending from the single lateral portion up to the side 4b of the wrapping opposite the single lateral portion.

In order to facilitate the opening of the wrapping, the ridge 1 extends from a first lateral portion 4b close to one of the sides 5a of the wrapping, a precut 9a for starting tearing being formed in the ridge 1 and in the first lateral portion extending transversely next to the cutout.

The fact of offsetting the ridge 1 close to one side 5a of the wrapping and forming a precut 9a for starting tearing both in the ridge and in the adjacent lateral portion 4b of the border 4 makes it possible to prevent the ridge, due to the thickness thereof due to the layering of longitudinal edges of the flexible film and to the possible layered structure of the film, from resisting continuation of the tearing of the border.

In particular, the precut 9a for starting tearing may extend substantially over the entire transverse dimension d₁ of the ridge 1, which makes it possible to totally eliminate the obstacle to continuation of the tearing formed by the ridge.

In relation to the FIGURE, the ridge 1 comprises a folding line 10 connecting the ridge to the first lateral portion 4b by delimiting outer 11a and inner areas 11b of the lateral portion that extend respectively from the folding line up to the adjacent side 5a of the wrapping and from the folding line up to the cutout 6.

In particular, the offset of the ridge 1 is such that the transverse dimension d_11a of the outer area 11a is in the order of magnitude of the transverse dimension d_11b of the inner area 11b, for example being slightly larger than same in the FIGURE.

The precut 9a for starting tearing extends substantially over the entire transverse dimension d_11a of the outer area 11a, thus the user may jointly grasp the outer area and the ridge 1 to open the wrapping. Moreover, the precut 9a may also extend into a portion of the inner area 11b, in particular not up to the cutout 6 to make the sealing of the border 4 reliable before the opening thereof.

In the embodiment shown, the wrapping comprises a second precut 9b for starting tearing formed in the second lateral portion 4c, notably being transversely aligned with the first precut 9a for starting tearing.

In particular, the embodiment makes it possible for the consumer to:

• • continue the tearing of the wrapping up to the second precut in order to be able to easily remove the entire upper border before consuming the product, in the manner of a cap; and/or;
  • be able to start tearing of the border 4 by the second precut in the event of difficulty of opening from the first precut.

The precuts 9a, 9b may be formed mechanically, notably by means of a suitable cutting tool, the tool may in particular be integrated on the production line of the wrapping at the level of the unit for joining the upper edge 3, in order to be able to produce the precuts 9a, 9b at the time of the joining.

In particular, the ridge 1 may have a transverse dimension d₁ of between 4 mm and 5 mm, with a positioning accuracy in the order of 1 mm, in order to make the production of the first precut 9a possible simultaneously in the ridge and in the first lateral portion 4b.

In order to prevent the precuts 9a, 9b from impairing the sealing of the border 4, the lateral portions 4b, 4c each have an area 12b, 12c devoid of the corresponding precut 9a, 9b which is disposed close to the cutout 6.

In particular, such an area 12b, 12c may extend over a transverse dimension d_12b, d_12c of at least 5 mm for guaranteeing sealing at the level of the cutout 6, which makes it possible, when the joined lateral portions 4b, 4c have a transverse dimension of 12 mm, to produce a precut 9a, 9b over a transverse dimension d_9a, d_9b of at most 7 mm.

As regards the first lateral portion 4b, the area 12b devoid of precut is formed on the inner area 11b. Furthermore, according to the positioning of the ridge 1, it is possible to offset the central portion 4a, and therefore the cutout 6, by a few millimetres, in order to be able to produce a precut 9a of sufficiently large transverse dimension for providing correct tearing of the border 4 whilst keeping a sufficient transverse dimension d_12b for the area not precut.

The central portion 4a of the border 4 is further provided with a removal line 13 which is positioned in transverse continuation of the first precut 9a, the removal line being designed to allow continuation of the tearing of the precut into the central portion in order to create, through the cutout 6, an opening for dispensing the packaged product.

In particular, the second precut 9b extends transversely in continuation of the removal line 13, also in order to allow, if applicable, continuation of the tearing into or from the second precut.

Thus, the presence of such a removal line 13 allows controlled tearing of the wrapping, notably at the level of the central portion 4a in which the cutout 6 is formed, for the creation of an opening optimised for better dispensing of the packaged product, and this regardless of the thickness and/or the structure of the flexible film.

Advantageously, the removal line 13 may be formed by application of a laser beam on the flexible film, the beam being adjusted, notably in terms of power, in order to make it possible to remove a portion of the thickness of the material of the film in order to form a weakened line along which tearing may be continued. In particular, the removal is not carried out over the entire thickness of the film to avoid being detrimental to the sealing thereof, notably at the level of the cutout 6. Alternatively, the removal line 13 may be formed by application of mechanical means on the flexible film, notably by punching.

In the case of a flexible film with a layered structure, the removal line 13 may be formed only in at least one portion of the thickness of the outer layer, in order to protect the sealing of the cutout 6 before opening of the wrapping.

The removal line 13 may have a discontinued pattern, for example in the form of dashes 13a, as shown in the FIGURE, or in the form of dotted lines. Alternatively, the removal line 13 may have a continuous pattern.

Advantageously, the removal line 13 extends into the cutout 6, notably substantially over the entire transverse dimension d_4a of the cutout. In particular, the removal line 13 extends into at least one area 12a, 12b devoid of precut of the joined lateral portions 4b, 4c, in order to come in transverse continuation of the precuts 9a, 9b.

Claims

1. A wrapping for the packaging of a product, the wrapping comprising a flexible film the two longitudinal edges of which are joined according to a ridge forming a tube, the transverse edges of which are joined to delimit a packaging space, the joining of the upper transverse edge forming a leaktight border disposed between two sides of the wrapping, the ridge extending from a first lateral portion of the border close to one of the sides, the border having a central portion in which a cutout which is in communication with the packaging space is formed, a precut for starting tearing being formed in the ridge and in the first lateral portion extending transversely to the cutout, the wrapping wherein the central portion of the border is provided with a removal line which is positioned in transverse continuation of the precut, the removal line being designed to allow continuation of the tearing of the precut into the central portion in order to create, through the cutout, an opening for dispensing the packaged product.

2. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the precut extends substantially over the entire transverse dimension of the ridge.

3. The wrapping according to claim 2, wherein the ridge comprises a folding line connecting the ridge to the first lateral portion by delimiting outer and inner areas of the lateral portion that extend respectively from the folding line up to the adjacent side of the wrapping and from the folding line up to the cutout.

4. The wrapping according to claim 3, wherein the precut extends substantially over the entire transverse dimension of the outer area.

5. The wrapping according to claim 4, wherein the precut extends transversely into a portion of the inner area.

6. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the first lateral portion extends from the adjacent side up to the cutout.

7. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the border has a second lateral portion that extends from the cutout up to the side of the wrapping that is opposite the first lateral portion.

8. The wrapping according to claim 7, wherein it comprises a second precut formed in the second lateral portion extending transversely in the continuation of the removal line.

9. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the central portion has a joined portion disposed between the upper transverse edge and the cutout.

10. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the removal line extends into the cutout substantially over the entire transverse dimension of the cutout.

11. The wrapping according to claim 10, wherein the first lateral portion has an area devoid of the precut which is disposed close to the cutout.

12. The wrapping according to claim 11, wherein the removal line extends over at least one area to come into transverse continuation of the precut.

13. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the removal line is formed by application of a laser beam or mechanical means on the flexible film.

14. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the removal line has a discontinued pattern.

15. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the ridge is formed by welding of the flexible film.

16. The wrapping according to claim 1, wherein the flexible film comprises a layered structure having at least one outer layer and one inner layer.

17. The wrapping according to claim 16, wherein the removal line is formed only in at least one portion of the thickness of the outer layer.

18. The wrapping according to claim 16, wherein the outer layer is based on metallised polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

19. The wrapping according to claim 16, wherein the inner layer is based on polyethylene (PE).