Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6293394?dq=6377161
Timestamp: 2014-12-29 15:56:23
Document Index: 621756627

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 56', 'art 56', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 56', 'art 56', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 42', 'art 72']

Patent US6293394 - Pouch-shaped form of packaging - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA packaging pouch (10) with an integral drinking straw or pouring spout (38,42) and an easy-to-open protective region providing access to the drinking straw or pouring spout, features a first compartment (32) to accommodate the contents e.g. a drink and�separated in a fluid-tight manner�a second...http://www.google.com/patents/US6293394?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6293394 - Pouch-shaped form of packagingAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6293394 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/419,932Publication dateSep 25, 2001Filing dateOct 18, 1999Priority dateOct 27, 1998Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE59904214D1, EP0997392A1, EP0997393A1, EP0997393B1Publication number09419932, 419932, US 6293394 B1, US 6293394B1, US-B1-6293394, US6293394 B1, US6293394B1InventorsClaude A. Marbler, Juris Walter, Andreas ZieglerOriginal AssigneeAlusuisse Technology & Management, LtdExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (10), Referenced by (13), Classifications (12), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPouch-shaped form of packagingUS 6293394 B1Abstract A packaging pouch (10) with an integral drinking straw or pouring spout (38,42) and an easy-to-open protective region providing access to the drinking straw or pouring spout, features a first compartment (32) to accommodate the contents e.g. a drink and�separated in a fluid-tight manner�a second compartment (34) to accommodate a tube part (42). The tube (38, 42) leads from the first compartment (32) to the second compartment (34) and is joined in the transition region to the pouch (10) in a fluid-tight manner and features a valve element for opening and closing a through-flow channel (37). At the end projecting into the second compartment the tube features a closure (44,46) which is closed in a fluid-tight manner when the pouch is in the unopened state and contains a valve element (58, 56) which, under the action of pressure from the side, frees a through-flow channel (37) and which closes automatically.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a pouch-shaped form of packaging featuring a drinking straw or pouring spout and an easy-open protected region providing access to the straw.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many packaging pouches for drinks feature a drinking straw attached to the outside of the pouch. The drinking straw which is attached at an angle to one side of the package is pushed through the wall of the pouch at a prescribed place. If the drinking straw is handled incorrectly e.g. by children, it can bend without penetrating the pouch. Another problem is the danger of the sloping straw causing injury, and the possibility of the contents running out due to incorrect handling.
In another known pouch for drinks featuring an integral drinking straw, the latter is contained in a kind of pocket which is separated from the actual pouch by means of a film. The straw is flexible in design in the drinking part and is hygienically packed by means of a peel-back film. After tearing off this protective film, the drinking straw is straightened out and�under the action of a small amount of pressure�the lower end pushed out of the inner pocket and into the space in the pouch filled with drinking fluid. Also this form of packaging does not provide any preventive measure against the contents running out after the straw has been pushed into the pouch.
All of the pouches for drinks available on the market at present suffer the disadvantage that, after they have been opened there is no easily manageable possibility for closing them again. This can�as mentioned above�lead to staining as a result of the contents running out of the pouch in an uncontrolled manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is therefore to design a user-friendly packaging pouch. The pouch should in particular feature an integral drinking straw and at the same time should prevent the contents from running out. A further objective of the invention is the provision of a packaging pouch for liquid or paste-like contents with re-sealable drinking straw or pouring spout.
A second version is such that the tube features a moveable joint which�by folding or rotating the tube part projecting into the second compartment�opens and closes the tube.
A third version of packaging pouch according to the invention is such that the part of the tube projecting into the second compartment features a fold which in the unopened pouch is fluid-tight and prevents flow through the tube and�after opening the pouch�by straightening out the end piece of the part of the tube projecting into the second compartment permits flow of fluid through the tube.
Preferred is�in the transition region between the first and second compartment�a transition piece with a channel for fluid-tight passage of the tube whereby, in order to increase the security against fluid running out, the transition piece may additionally feature a holder part to accommodate and secure the end piece of the tube in the folded position.
Usefully, the part of the tube projecting into the first compartment, or the first part of the tube, terminates at the lowest point of the first compartment of the pouch when in use�this in order to ensure complete emptying of the pouch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 a plan view of a first pouch with integral drinking straw;
FIG. 2 a cross-section through the pouch in FIG. 1 along line I�I;
FIG. 3 a cross-section through the closure piece of the pouch in FIG. 1 along line II�II;
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A pouch 10 for drinks shown in FIG. 1 comprises a front wall film 12 and a rear wall film 14 which are joined together via a fluid-tight peripheral seam 16. In the form of a self-standing pouch a base film, which is not shown in the drawing, is provided, welded in a conventional manner between the front wall 12 and the rear wall 14 in the lower region of the part of the pouch later forming the base.
In the pouch shown in FIG. 5 the tear line 52 runs parallel to the upper edge of the pouch�this in contrast to the version shown in FIG. 1. The drinking straw 38, 42 is in one single piece and is enclosed directly by the seam 30. Instead of the connecting piece 36 in FIG. 1 with integral closure part 56, the closure part 56 here is folded over the second tube part 42 in the second compartment 34. By way of analogy to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the absence of force, the second tube part 42 is squeezed against the closure part 56 and is therefore closed off. By applying slight pressure, for example between two fingers, the closure part 56 opens up to form the opening 60 shown in FIG. 4, as a result of which the drinking straw opens up from its compressed state to form a through-flow opening.
In the pouch shown in FIG. 7 an end piece 43 of the two part drinking straw 42 is provided with a folding point 64 which effectively prevents the flow of fluid through the straw when the straw part 42 is folded over. The point of folding 64 may be achieved by means of an asymmetric division of the plastic of part 42 as viewed in cross-section and by means of a specific heat treatment. After opening the pouch 10, the end piece 43 of the second part 42 of the drinking straw which projects into the second compartment 34 is straightened out�as a result of which the fold 64 allows fluid to flow through the drinking straw.
The transition piece 66 exhibits two sealed areas 70 a, b which are perpendicular to each other and are sealed into the pouch 10, to front wall film 12 and rear wall film 14, via seams 30 a, b. The sealed areas 70 a, b thereby form a part of the boundary of the second compartment. Alternatively, the transition piece 66 may also feature only one sealing area 70 a. The transition piece 66�made by injection moulding of plastic e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene or other injection mouldable plastics�is provided with a holder part 72 which is C-shaped in cross-section and features an opening 74 into which the end piece 43 can be inserted from the side when folded.
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