Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Packaging sachet
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.
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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
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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.
W003/064265 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),
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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). Preferably, the angle between the front face and the
bottom
face, preferably between the front face and the projected bottom face, is
obtuse.
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 preferably 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
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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.
5 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
preferably 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.
Preferably the angle between the front face and the bottom face, preferably
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 (a) 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,
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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.
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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 (13) 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
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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, preferably one or
two, most
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
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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.
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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
5 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
10 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,
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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.
The present invention is now illustrated by the following not-limiting
examples.
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Examples
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'
