Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
A DRINKING STRAW STRUCTURE, A SEALING DEVICE FOR FORMING THE
DRINKING STRAW STRUCTURE, A METHOD FOR FORMING THE DRINKING
STRAW STRUCTURE AND A LIQUID FOOD PACKAGE
Technical Field
The invention generally relates to a drinking straw structure. More
particularly, it
is related to a drinking straw structure comprising a drinking straw and a
drinking straw
wrap. The invention also relates to a sealing device for forming the drinking
straw
structure. The invention also relates to a method for forming the drinking
straw
structure. The invention also relates to a liquid food package comprising the
drinking
straw structure.
Background Art
Liquid food packages holding drinkable food products and having a drinking
straw attached to an outside surface of the liquid food package are well-known
in the
art. The straw is usually wrapped in an auxiliary package which is adhered to
the liquid
food package. When the straw is intended to be used, the auxiliary package
should be
torn and the straw is taken out, preferably pushed out from the auxiliary
package.
Even though liquid food packages with adhered drinking straws have been used
by consumers for decades, there is room for improvement. For instance, a
challenge
with today's liquid food packages with drinking straws is that the auxiliary
package with
the drinking straw is easily removed from the liquid food package and there is
a risk of
losing the auxiliary package with the straw before using the drinking straw or
when the
drinking straw is taken out from the auxiliary package. Thereby the auxiliary
package
may end up in the environment as a litter, especially when the auxiliary
package is
made from synthetic materials like plastic films. A further challenge is,
especially when
the drinking straw is a U-shaped drinking straw, that when the drinking straw
is being
pushed out from the auxiliary package, it generates high forces to the
auxiliary package
which may provide for that the auxiliary package may be unintentionally
removed from
the liquid food package. A yet further challenge is, also especially when the
drinking
straw is a U-shaped drinking straw, the drinking straw may be squeezed and/or
damaged when the drinking straw is being pushed out from the auxiliary
package. For
example, it is due to guiding two distal ends of the U-straw into the same
narrow exit
channel and the same exit point on the wrap by sealed area.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
2
For these reasons, there is a demand for a drinking straw and an auxiliary
package that are capable of being separated from each other with a reduced
risk of
losing the auxiliary package and to being able to push the drinking straw out
from the
auxiliary package with a reduced risk of damaging the drinking straw.
Summary
It is an object of the disclosure to provide a drinking straw structure
including a
drinking straw and an auxiliary package in form of a drinking straw wrap that
are
capable of being separated from each other without the risk, or at least with
a reduced
risk, of losing the drinking straw wrap from the liquid food package.
Another object is to provide a drinking straw structure in which the drinking
straw is capable to be pushed out from the drinking straw wrap without the
risk, or at
least with a reduce risk, of damaging the drinking straw.
Another object is to provide a drinking straw structure which is
environmentally
friendly.
Another object is to provide a cost-efficient drinking straw structure.
According to a first aspect it is provided a drinking straw structure for a
liquid
food package holding a drinkable food product, the drinking straw structure
comprising:
a U-shaped drinking straw comprising a first portion, a second portion and a
bending
portion, wherein the first and second portions are connected via the bending
portion,
and a drinking straw wrap enclosing the U-shaped drinking straw, wherein the
first and
second portions of the U-shaped drinking straw extend substantially parallel
along a
longitudinal axis of the drinking straw structure, the drinking straw wrap
comprising: a
main seal being arranged along a circumference of the drinking straw wrap
thereby
forming a first unsealed area of the drinking straw wrap, and a longitudinal
seal
extending in a longitudinal direction of the drinking straw structure from the
main seal at
a first edge of the drinking straw wrap along a longitudinal seal length
(LSL).
The U-shaped drinking straw is herein also referred to as a straw. The
drinking
straw wrap is herein also referred to as a wrap. The straw is preferably used
for
drinking a drinkable food product held in the liquid food package in an easy
way.
The drinking straw structure may also be referred to as a drinking straw
assembly, a drinking straw unit, a drinking straw arrangement etc. Thus, it
should be
understood that the drinking straw structure comprises the straw and the wrap
which
together form one unit, which in turn may be attached to an outside surface of
the liquid
food package. The drinking straw structure may preferably be adhered to the
outside
surface of a liquid food package.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
3
The bending portion of the straw may be formed as a corrugated portion and/or
an extendable portion. Thereby, the length of the bending portion may be
adjustable
and thus also the length of the straw. The bending portion is preferably U-
shaped when
the straw is arranged in the wrap. The straw is preferably arranged in the
first unsealed
area formed by the main seal arranged along the circumference of the wrap. The
unsealed area may be formed as a cavity in which the straw is arranged. In
this
context, the term the first and second portions of the straw are substantially
parallel"
should be interpreted as the portions having a main component along the
longitudinal
axis of the drinking straw structure such that the portions are arranged
substantially
parallel.
The wrap may be formed by two films which are sealed to each other by the
main seal and the longitudinal seal and thereby also forming the unsealed area
in
which the straw is arranged. Preferably, the wrap is assumed as roughly a
rectangle
and hence also the first unsealed area. However, it should be noted that other
shapes
may be used as well. The longitudinal seal is configured to seal the two films
along the
longitudinal seal. Preferably, the main seal and the longitudinal seal are
sealed by heat
sealing. Other sealing techniques such as ultrasonic welding may be used to
advantage.
The longitudinal seal is preferably arranged as extending inside of the first
unsealed area as having sections of the first unsealed area on its both sides.
The
longitudinal seal is preferably centrally arranged of the wrap seen along a
transverse
direction such that, when the straw is pushed out from the wrap, the first
portion and
the second portion being arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal seal.
By
directing the first and second portions on opposite sides of the longitudinal
seal
provides for that the first and second portions are pushed out from the wrap
at different
positions along the first edge of the wrap. Thereby, the forces provided on
the wrap
when the straw being pushed out from the wrap is divided along the first edge
of the
wrap. Thus, the forces being divided along the main seal of the first edge of
the wrap.
This is advantageous in that it enables for, when the drinking straw structure
is adhered
to the liquid food package, that the straw may be able to be pushed out from
the wrap
in an easy and efficient way with a reduced risk of losing the wrap from the
liquid food
package before, during, and after the straw is pushed out from the wrap. This
is further
advantageous in that the wrap may be discharged with the liquid food package
with a
reduce risk of losing the wrap that may end up in the environment, especially
when the
wrap is made from synthetic materials like plastic films. Thus, the drinking
straw
structure is advantageous in that it may enable a reduced risk of littering.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
4
In addition, by being able to push out the straw from the wrap by arranging
the
first portion and the second portion of the straw on opposite sides of the
longitudinal
seal, the risk of damaging the straw when pushing it out from the wrap due to
guiding
both portions of the straw toward the same side of the longitudinal seal,
meaning into
the same exit route and exit point similar to the prior art may be reduced. In
addition, by
reducing the forces applied to the seal, the wrap may be kept to the liquid
food
package in an easier way.
The longitudinal seal is further advantageous in that it allows for the straw
to be
kept in a desired way when pushing it out from the wrap. Thus, the position of
the straw
when pushing it out from the wrap is controllable in an easy and efficient way
due to
the longitudinal seal.
Thus, the drinking straw structure provides an improved drinking straw
structure
compared to conventional drinking straw structures.
The first portion of the U-shaped drinking straw may be longer than the second
portion of the U-shaped drinking straw thereby a distal end of the first
portion may be
arranged further away from the bending portion than a distal end of the second
portion.
Thus, the distal end of the first portion may contact and tear the main seal
earlier than
the distal end of the second portion, so dividing the force needed to tear the
main seal
and to take the straw out of the wrap may facilitate to take the straw out the
wrap
without causing the separation of the wrap from the liquid food package.
The first portion of the straw is preferably inserted into the liquid food
package
before drinking the liquid food product held in the liquid food package. The
distal end of
the first portion may be a cut tip. The cut tip may be cut and shaped to have
a sharp
edge. The cut tip may be able to tear a weakened area of the liquid food
package and
break the liquid food package material. The weakened area is usually a hole
laminated
with thin layers of materials, such as polymer and aluminum or other barrier
materials.
The cut tip may be obtained by cutting one end of the straw along a
hypothetical line
angled compared to the longitudinal axis thereby forming a tip angle.
The distal end of the second portion may be a suction tip from which the
consumer may drink the drinkable food product contained in the liquid food
package.
The longitudinal seal may have a longitudinal seal width of 1-3 mm as seen
along a transverse axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis. This is
advantageous
in that it allows for a stable seal which is both easy to open as well as
being robust.
The longitudinal seal may have a longitudinal seal length of 10-100 mm as seen
along the longitudinal axis. This is advantageous in that it allows for a
stable seal which
is both easy to open as well as being robust.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
The longitudinal seal length may be shorter than a distance between the
respective distal ends of the first and second portions of the U-shaped
drinking straw
seen along the longitudinal axis. This is advantageous in that it allows for
that the distal
end of the first portion of the straw may break or penetrate a portion of the
main seal of
5 the
wrap without being influenced by the longitudinal seal, for instance by
avoiding the
contact of the longitudinal seal to the bending portion and/or the second
portion.
The drinking straw wrap may further comprise a transverse seal extending in a
transverse direction of the drinking straw structure from the main seal at a
second edge
of the drinking straw wrap.
This is advantageous in that is allows for the straw to be pushed out from the
wrap in an easy way providing lower forces compared to conventional solutions.
By
having both the transverse seal and the longitudinal seal, the forces provided
on the
wrap when pushing out the straw from the wrap are divided at different seals,
i.e., the
main seal and the transverse seal, of the wrap.
Preferably, when the straw is being pushed out from the wrap, the distal end
of
the first portion of the straw breaks a portion of the main seal at the first
edge of the
wrap and the distal end of the second portion breaks a portion of the
transverse seal.
Thereafter, the distal end of the second portion breaks a further portion of
the main
seal at the first edge. The further portion of the main seal is different than
the portion of
the main seal through which the distal end of the first portion of the straw
is pushed out.
The transverse seal may have a transverse seal width of 1-3 mm as seen along
the longitudinal axis. This is advantageous in that it allows for a stable
seal which is
both easy to open as well as being robust.
The transverse seal may have a transverse seal length of 5-30 mm as seen
along the transverse axis. This is advantageous in that it allows for a stable
seal which
is both easy to open as well as being robust.
The transverse seal may extend to the longitudinal seal. Preferably, the
transverse seal extends to the longitudinal seal such that the transverse seal
and the
longitudinal seal are arranged end to end with each other. It should be noted
that the
transverse seal may extend to any other portion of the longitudinal seal as
well such
that the edge of the transverse seal comes in contact with the longitudinal
seal in any
other way than edge to edge or end to end. It should also be noted that the
longitudinal
seal may extend to any portion of the transverse seal such that the edge of
the
longitudinal seal comes in contact with the transverse seal in any other way
than edge
to edge or end to end.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
6
On the other hand, for an end-to-end contact, the transverse seal may support
the longitudinal seal in the transverse direction against any possible force
applied on
the longitudinal seal by the first portion of the straw during for instance
transporting or
similar.
A portion of the main seal at the first edge of the drinking straw wrap, a
portion
of the main seal at the second edge of the drinking straw wrap, the
longitudinal seal
and the transverse seal may form a second unsealed area being separate from
the first
unsealed area. Preferably, the second unsealed area is assumed as roughly a
quadrilateral, for instance a rectangle. The second unsealed area in the form
of a
quadrilateral preferably having right angled edges may provide the advantage
of
supporting the longitudinal seal by the transverse seal in the transverse
direction
against any possible force applied on the longitudinal seal by the first
portion of the
straw during for instance transporting or similar. However, it should be noted
that other
shapes may be used as well.
The U-shaped drinking straw may be made of paper-based material or
synthetic-based material. Preferably, the straw is made from a paper-based
material.
Paper-based material is environmentally friendly and can be recycled in a
simple
manner. Since paper-based materials are relatively weaker compared to the
synthetic-
based materials, the beforementioned advantages may be more visible for the
paper-
based straws. It may be noted that the straw may be made of other materials.
The drinking straw wrap may be made of paper-based material or synthetic-
based material. Preferably, the wrap is made from a synthetic material, e.g.,
a plastic
material. The synthetic material should be robust enough to not crack in
distribution.
The synthetic material is suitable to be used in a sealing device configured
to form the
seals of the wrap. Synthetic-based material may form a robust wrap for the
straw which
is easy to open.
According to a second aspect it is provided a sealing device for forming a
drinking straw structure according to the first structure, the sealing device
comprising a
sealing roller and an abutment device, the sealing device being configured to:
receive
the U-shaped drinking straw being arranged between a first film and a second
film, the
first and second films being configured to form the drinking straw wrap, the U-
shaped
drinking straw being arranged such that the first portion and the second
portion of the
U-shaped drinking straw extend substantially parallel along a longitudinal
axis of the
drinking straw wrap, and provide the main seal, sealing the first film to the
second film,
and extending along the circumference of the drinking straw wrap and the
longitudinal
seal, sealing the first film to the second film, and extending in the
longitudinal direction
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
7
of the drinking straw structure from the main seal at the first edge of the
drinking straw
wrap by compressing the sealing roller towards the abutment device thereby
forming
the drinking straw structure.
The sealing device may be further configured to provide the transverse seal,
sealing the first film to the second film, and extending in the transverse
direction of the
drinking straw structure from the main seal at the second edge of the drinking
straw
wrap by compressing the sealing roller towards the abutment device thereby
forming
the drinking straw structure. Therefore, any aspect stated below also may suit
for the
transverse seal.
Preferably, the sealing roller is a heated sealing roller such that the
respective
seal or seals may be provided by heat sealing. Preferably, the abutment device
is a
cold abutment device. The abutment device is configured to provide a sealing
pressure
towards the wrap together with the sealing roller. The abutment device may to
advantage be made of a flexible or resilient material such as rubber, an
elastomeric
material or similar.
This is advantageous in that it allows for the sealing device to be able to
form
the main seal and the longitudinal seal as discussed above.
The sealing roller may have a sealing mold or pattern. The sealing mold may
comprise elevated portions configured to form the main seal and the
longitudinal seal in
an easy and efficient way. The sealing mold may further comprise an elevated
portion
configured to form the transverse seal in an easy and efficient way. The
sealing roller
may further comprise a cavity in order to form the first unsealed area as
discussed
above. When forming the drinking straw structure, the straw is preferably
arranged in
the cavity of the sealing roller, having a first film below and a second film
on top of the
straw in order to from the wrap. The sealing roller may be formed by attaching
elevated
portions to an outside surface of the sealing roller thereby forming the
elevated portions
of the sealing roller and the cavities are formed between the elevated
portion. The
sealing roller may be formed by removing material from the outside surface of
the
sealing roller thereby forming the cavities. The elevated portions are thereby
arranged
at the sealing roller where no material has been removed.
The sealing roller and the abutment device may be retrofitting parts
configured
to be introduced in conventional sealing devices.
According to a third aspect it is provided a method for forming a drinking
straw
structure according to the first aspect. The method comprising: arranging the
U-shaped
drinking straw between a first film and a second film, the first and second
films being
configured to form the drinking straw wrap, the U-shaped drinking straw being
arranged
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
8
such that the first portion and the second portion of the U-shaped drinking
straw extend
substantially parallel along the longitudinal axis of the drinking straw wrap,
and
providing the main seal, sealing the first film to the second film, and
extending along
the circumference of the drinking straw wrap and the longitudinal seal,
sealing the first
film to the second film, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the
drinking straw
structure from the main seal at the first edge of the drinking straw wrap.
The method may further comprise providing the transverse seal, sealing the
first
film to the second film, and extending in the transverse direction of the
drinking straw
structure from the main seal at the second edge of the drinking straw wrap.
According to a fourth aspect it is provided a liquid food package for holding
a
liquid food product, the liquid food package comprising: a main body for
holding the
liquid food product, and a drinking straw structure (200) according to the
first aspect
being attached to an outside surface of the main body.
Effects and features of the second and third aspects are largely analogous to
those described above in connection with the first aspect.
Still other objectives, features, aspects and advantages will appear from the
following detailed description as well as from the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the
accompanying schematic drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid food package comprising a drinking
straw
structure.
Fig. 2 illustrates a drinking straw structure.
Fig. 3 illustrates an arrangement of drinking straw structures.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a sealing device for forming a drinking straw
structure.
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a sealing roller and an abutment device which are
comprised in the sealing device as illustrated in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method for forming a drinking
straw
structure.
Detailed description
With reference to figure 1 a liquid food package 100 is illustrated by way of
example. The liquid food package 100 is for holding a drinkable food product
or a liquid
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
9
food product. The liquid food package 100 is formed as a rectangular bottle
formed by
a carton-based main body 102. The carton-based main body 102 is preferably
made of
carton-based laminate. It should be noted that the liquid food package 100 may
be
formed in any suitable way, from any suitable material, as long as it is
configured to
hold the drinkable food product, preferably in an easy and safe way.
The liquid food package further 100 comprises a drinking straw structure 200
which is further illustrated and discussed in connection with figures 2 and 3.
The
drinking straw structure 200 is attached to an outside surface 104 of the main
body
102. The drinking straw structure 200 is preferably adhered to the outside
surface 104
of the main body 102. The drinking straw structure 200 may be glued to the
outside
surface 104 of the main body 102.
The liquid food package 100 further comprises a weakened area 106. The
weakened area 106 is arranged on a top surface 108 of the main body 102, or
another
suitable position known in the art. The weakened area 106 is usually a hole
laminated
with thin layers of materials, such as polymer and aluminum or other barrier
materials.
With reference to figure 2, the drinking straw structure 200 as introduced in
figure 1 is illustrated by way of example. The drinking straw structure 200
comprises a
U-shaped drinking straw 220, herein also referred to as a straw 220, and a
drinking
straw wrap 240, herein also referred to as a wrap 240.
The straw 220 comprising a first portion 221, a second portion 222 and a
bending portion 223. The first and second portions 221, 222 are connected via
the
bending portion 223. The straw 220 is preferably formed as one unit, wherein
the first
portion 221, the second portion 222 and the bending portion 223 are integrally
formed.
The dotted lines between the first portion 221 and the bending portion 223 and
between the second portion 222 and the bending portion 223 are only for
illustrative
purposes. The first portion 221 has a first length Li seen in a longitudinal
direction LD.
The second portion 222 has a second length L2 seen in the longitudinal
direction LD.
The second length L2 is short than the first length L1 and thus, the first
portion 221 is
longer than the second portion 222 seen along a longitudinal axis LA.
The first portion 221 comprises a distal end 221a. In this context, the distal
end
should be seen as a distal end of the first portion 221 in relation to the
bending portion
223. The distal end 221a of the first portion 221 may be a cut tip. The cut
tip is cut and
shaped to have a sharp edge. The cut tip is able to tear the weakened area 106
of the
liquid food package 100 and break the liquid food package material. The cut
tip may be
obtained by cutting one end of the straw 220 along a hypothetical line angled
compared to the longitudinal axis LA thereby forming a tip angle.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
The second portion 222 comprises a distal end 222a. In this context, the
distal
end 222a should be seen as a distal end of the second portion 222 in relation
to the
bending portion 223. The distal end 222a of the second portion 222 may be a
suction
tip from which the consumer is configured to drink the drinkable food product
held in
5 the
liquid food package 100. As the first portion 221 is longer than the second
portion
222, the distal end 221a of the first portion 221 is arranged further away
from the
bending portion 223 than the distal end 222a of the second portion 222.
Thereby, the
distal end 221a of the first portion 221 and the distal end 222a of the second
portion
222 are arranged at a distance D from each other seen along the longitudinal
axis LA.
10
Although not illustrated, the bending portion 223 may be a corrugated portion
having an adjustable length.
The straw 220 is enclosed by the wrap 240. The straw 220 is arranged inside
the wrap 240 such that the first portion 221 and the second portion 222 are
arranged in
parallel along the longitudinal axis LA of the drinking straw structure 200.
Although the
warp 240 is illustrated as being of a rectangular shape, the wrap 240 may have
any
suitable shape. The wrap 240 is preferably formed by a first film 401 and a
second film
402 (illustrated in figure 4). The straw 220 is arranged between the first and
second
films 401, 402.
The wrap 240 comprises a main seal 241. The main seal 241 is arranged along
a circumference of the wrap 240. The main seal 241 forms a first unsealed area
242.
Put differently, the unsealed area 242 is surrounded by the main seal 241.
The wrap 240 further comprises a longitudinal seal 243. The longitudinal seal
243 extends in the longitudinal direction LD of the drinking straw structure
200 from the
main seal at a first edge 247 of the wrap 240. The longitudinal seal 243 is
arranged in
parallel with the first portion 221 of the straw 220. The longitudinal seal
243 has a
longitudinal seal width LSW of 2 mm as seen along a transverse axis TA, being
transverse to the longitudinal axis LA. Other longitudinal seal widths, such
as a
longitudinal seal width of 1-3 mm, may be used to advantage. The longitudinal
seal 243
has a longitudinal seal length of 60 mm as seen along the longitudinal axis
LA. Other
longitudinal seal lengths, such as a longitudinal seal length of 10-100 mm,
may be
used to advantage.
The wrap 240 further comprises a transverse seal 245. The transverse seal 245
extends in the transverse direction TD of the drinking straw structure 200
from the main
seal 241 at a second edge 248 of the wrap 240 to the longitudinal seal 243.
The
longitudinal seal 243 and the transverse seal 245 are arranged end to end with
each
other. The transverse seal 245 has a transverse seal width TSW of 2 mm as seen
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
11
along the longitudinal axis LA. Other transverse seal widths, such as a
transverse seal
width of 1-3 mm, may be used to advantage. The transverse seal 245 has a
transverse
seal length of 15 mm as seen along the transverse axis TA. Other transverse
seal
lengths, such as a transverse seal length of 5-30 mm, may be used to
advantage.
It is further illustrated in figure 2 that a portion of the main seal 241 at
the first
edge 247 of the wrap 240, a portion of the main seal 241 at the second edge
248 of the
wrap 240, the longitudinal seal 243 and the transverse seal 245 forms a second
unsealed area 246. The second unsealed area 246 is separated from the first
unsealed
area 242. The second unsealed area 246 is arranged in parallel with the first
portion
221 of the straw 220 seen along the longitudinal axis LA of the drinking straw
structure
200. The second unsealed area 246 is arranged in line with the second portion
222 of
the straw 220 seen along the longitudinal axis LA of the drinking straw
structure 200.
Thus, when the straw 220 is pushed out from the wrap 240, the first portion
221 of the
straw 220 breaks a portion of the main seal at the first edge 247 of wrap 240
and the
second portion 222 of the straw 220 breaks the transverse seal 245 of the wrap
240,
preferably at different times, for instance by a delay in time. Thereafter,
the second
portion 222 is moved within the second unsealed area 246 before breaking a
further
portion the main seal 241 at the first edge 247 of the wrap 240. The further
portion of
the main seal 241 at the first edge 247 is different than the portion of the
main seal 241
at the first edge 247. Thus, the second end 222 breaks the main seal 241 at
the first
edge 247 at a different position of the main seal 241 than the first portion
221.
The straw 220 may be made of paper-based material or synthetic-based
material. The wrap 240 may be made of paper-based material or synthetic-based
material.
With reference to figure 3, an arrangement 300 of drinking straw structures
200
is illustrated by way of example. The depicted arrangement 300 comprises eight
drinking straw structures 200 arranged in two rows, wherein each row comprises
four
drinking straw structures 200. The drinking straw structures 200 of the
respective row
are connected to each other. The rows of drinking straw structures 200 are
also
connected to each other. The arrangement 300 comprises three perforated
vertical
lines 302 and one perforated horizontal line 304. The perforated lines 302,
304 are
arranged along at least a portion of the main seal 241 of the respective
drinking straw
structure 200. The perforated lines 302, 304 are preferably formed by using a
toothed
knife or toothed roller after the arrangement 300 has been formed.
In practice, a large number of drinking straw structures 200 are preferably
formed after each other when forming an arrangement 300 of drinking straw
structures
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
12
200. In other words, hundreds or thousands of drinking straw structures 200
may be
connected after each other in an arrangement 300 of drinking straw structures
200.
Similarly, a plurality of drinking straw structures 200 may be connected side
by side in
an arrangement 300 of drinking straw structures 200. For instance 3, 6, 10, 12
or 20
drinking straw structures 200 may be connected side by side in an arrangement
300 of
drinking straw structures 200.
Preferably, the drinking straw structure 200 is formed as the arrangement 300
of drinking straw structures 200 that can be fed to a straw structure
application device
to attach a liquid food package. Before attaching a drinking straw structure
200 to the
liquid food package 100 as discussed above, a single drinking straw structure
200 is
teared off from the arrangement 300 along the perforated lines 302, 304.
Each drinking straw structure 200 of the arrangement 300 comprises the
features as discussed in connection with figure 2.
It should be noted that the arrangement 300 may comprise any number of rows
and any number of columns of drinking straw structures 200.
With reference to figure 4, a sealing device 400 is illustrated by way of
example.
The sealing device 400 is for forming the drinking straw structure 200 as
discussed
above. As illustrated in figure 4, the sealing device 400 is forming the
arrangement 300
of drinking straw structures 200 as discussed in connection with figure 3.
The sealing device 400 comprises a sealing roller 410 and an abutment device
430 which both are illustrated and discussed in further detail in connection
with figure
5. The sealing device 400 further comprises a further roller 450 and a straw
provider or
applicator 470. As illustrated in figure 4, the abutment device 430 and the
further roller
450 are configured to rotate in opposite directions as illustrated by the
arrows of the
abutment device 430 and the roller 450, respectively, wherein the abutment
device 430
and the roller 450 are separated by a first gap G1. The abutment device 430
and the
sealing roller 410 are configured to rotate opposite direction as further
illustrated by the
arrows of the abutment device 430 and the sealing roller 410, respectively.
The surface
area of the sealing roller 310 and the surface area of the abutment device 430
meet in
a point P1.
The sealing device 400 is configured to receive a first film 401 via the
abutment
device 430 and a second film 402 via the further roller 450. Due to the
opposite
directions of rotation of the abutment device 430 and the further roller 450,
the films
401, 402 are moved towards each other and towards the first gap G1 formed
between
the abutment device 430 and the roller 450. It is to be noted that the
abutment device
430 and the further roller 450 are rotated at different rotational speeds such
that the
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
13
first film 401 and the second film 402 are fed towards the first gap G1 formed
between
the abutment device 430 and the further roller 450 at corresponding or similar
speeds.
Before the films 401, 402 are moved towards each other and towards the first
gap G1,
the straw provider 470 is configured to provide straws 220 to the first film
401. When
the sealing device 400 is forming the arrangement 300 of drinking straw
structures 200,
the straw provider 570 provides straws 220 to the first film 401 at a
predetermined
interval. Thereby, when the films 401, 402 are moved towards each other, the
one or
more straws 220 are arranged between the films 401, 402 which are configured
to form
the drinking straw wrap 240. The one or more straws 220 are arranged between
the
films 401, 402 at predetermined intervals.
Due to the opposite directions of rotation of the abutment device 430 and the
sealing roller 410, the films 401, 402 and the straw 220, which is arranged
between the
films 401, 402, are moved towards the point P1. In the point P1, the sealing
roller 410
is pressed towards the abutment device 430 such that the respective seal 241,
243,
245 is provided. It is to be noted that the abutment device 430 and the
sealing roller
410 are rotated at different rotational speeds such that the first film 401
and the second
film 402 are fed towards the point P1 at corresponding or similar speeds.
Thus, the sealing device 400 is configured to provide the main seal 241, the
longitudinal seal 243 and the transverse seal 245, thereby sealing the first
film 401 to
the second film 402, as said above. The sealing device 400 is configured to
provide the
respective seal 241, 243, 245 by pressing the sealing roller 410 towards the
abutment
device 430 thereby forming the drinking straw structure 200. The sealing
roller 410 is
pressed towards the abutment surface 430 at the point P1.
The sealing roller 410 is a heated sealing roller. The abutment device 430 and
the further roller 450 are cold devices.
Although not illustrated or discussed, it should be understood that the
sealing
device 400 may typically comprise other components than the sealing roller
410, the
abutment device 430, the roller 450 and the straw provider 470.
With reference to figure 5, the sealing roller 410 and the abutment device 430
as introduced in connection with figure 4 are illustrated and discussed in
further detail
by way of example.
When the sealing roller 410 is pressed towards the abutment device 430, the
sealing roller 410 and the abutment device 430 create a sealing pressure
together such
that the seals 241, 243, 245 are being formed by heat sealing. The seals 241,
243, 245
are formed by the heated sealing roller 410. In other words, the heated
sealing roller
410 locally melts and thus welds the first film 401 and the second film 402
together.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
14
The sealing roller 410 and the abutment device 430 illustrated in figure 5 are
configured to form two rows of drinking straw structures 200 in parallel.
As illustrated in figure 5, the abutment device 430 comprises a plurality of
slots
430a, 430b. For reasons of simplicity, only two slots 430a, 430b are
illustrated. It
should however be noted that the abutment device 430 typically comprises as
many
slots 430a, 430b as needed in order to form a full circle forming the complete
abutment
device 430 as illustrated in figure 4. The slots are preferably rubber slots.
Each slot
430a, 430b comprises two cavities 431. Each cavity 431 is configured to
receive a
straw 220 from the straw provider 470 before being moved towards the first gap
G1.
The straw 220 is arranged on the first film 401 as discussed above.
The sealing roller 410 comprises a plurality of elevated portions 441
configured
to form the main seal 241 of the respective drinking straw structures 200. The
sealing
roller 410 further comprises a plurality elevated portions 443 for forming the
longitudinal
seal 243 of the respective drinking straw structure 200. The sealing roller
410 further
comprises a plurality of elevated portions 445 for forming the transverse seal
245 of the
respective drinking straw structure 200. The depicted elevated portions 441,
443 and
445 are integrally formed in the depicted sealing roller 410. The elevated
portions 441,
443 and 445 may however be formed separately. The elevated portions 441, 443
and
445 may be formed of separate parts. The elevated portions 441, 443 and 445
may
exhibit different shapes to advantage.
The sealing roller 410 comprises a plurality of first cavities 411 and a
plurality of
second cavities 412. The sealing roller 410 and the abutment device 430 being
arranged such that, in the point P1, the cavity 431 of the abutment device 430
coincides with a first cavity 411 of the sealing roller 410 thereby forming
the first
unsealed area 242 of the drinking straw structure 200 when the first and
second films
401, 402 are sealed to each other. The second cavities 412 is for forming the
second
unsealed area 246 of the drinking straw structure 200 when the first and
second films
401, 402 are sealed to each other.
With reference to figure 6, a flowchart illustrating a method 600 for forming
the
drinking straw structure 200 by way of example. The method 600 comprises a
first step
S602 in which the U-shaped drinking straw 220 is arranged between the first
film 401
and the second film 402, wherein the films 401, 402 are configured to form the
drinking
straw wrap 240. The U-shaped drinking straw 220 is arranged such that the
first portion
and the second portion of the U-shaped drinking straw 220 extend substantially
parallel
along the longitudinal axis LA of the drinking straw wrap 240. Thereafter, in
a second
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
WO 2023/138956
PCT/EP2023/050476
step S604, the main seal 241 and the longitudinal seal 243 is provided on the
wrap 240
thereby sealing the first film 401 and the second film 402.
The main seal 241 and the longitudinal seal 243 may be formed simultaneously
or separately.
5 Optionally, the transverse seal 245 may be provided on the wrap 240
thereby
sealing the first film 401 and the second film 402.
The main seal 241, the longitudinal seal 243 and the transverse seal 245 may
be formed simultaneously or separately.
Even though illustrated and described in a certain order, other orders may
also
10 be used.
From the description above follows that, although various embodiments of the
invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted
thereto, but
may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter
defined in
the following claims.
CA 03242032 2024- 6- 20
