Patent Application
20250026555
The present invention is in the field of packaging and relates to an improved bag-in-box package, in particular for packaging food products in powder form.
Currently, powdered foods, such as in particular milk powder for infant nutrition, are offered in so-called “MyPacks” or “bag-in-box” packaging. A tubular bag is suspended in a container which can be closed with a lid. However, the products on the market are in need of improvement in terms of sustainability: the bags, which are only loosely placed in the container, are difficult to empty completely, which is also due to the fact that the base of the container is flat. The materials used are also often difficult or impossible to recycle, meaning that it is not worth separating the different materials and the entire packaging ends up in the incinerator.
Bag-in-box packaging is known from the state of the art and is mainly used in larger containers for liquids (e.g. for wine or juices).
For example, EP 3554964 B1 (WESTROCK) claims a bag-in-box package comprising an outer box, a foldable inner box disposed in an interior of the outer box, and a tap connected to the inner bag. The outer box includes a side wall, a tap access device formed in the side wall, and a removable top wall. The top wall includes first and second overlapping top flaps. The first top flap is directly connected to a front side of the side wall along a first tear line. The second top flap is hinged to a rear side of the side wall along a second tear line. The rear side of the side wall is arranged opposite the front side. The upper wall can be separated from the side wall along the first and second tear line.
Therefore, the task of the present invention has been to provide a packaging, in particular for foodstuffs in powder form, especially milk powders, which allows easier, i.e. above all complete, removal. Furthermore, the packaging should be characterized by improved sustainability.
A first object of the invention relates to a bag-in-box package comprising or consisting of:
The invention solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art all at the same time: by gluing or sealing the tubular bag to the inside of the container over a large area and by making the inside of the container base concave, removal is made considerably easier and no residues remain in the packaging. The use of recyclable materials, in particular cardboard instead of plastics for the container, also facilitates the separation of the materials and their recyclability.
Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises packaging in which the container is made of a recyclable material, in particular cardboard.
The closure device (“closure”) is usually designed such that it is placed on the container; however, it is also conceivable that it is connected to the container via a flap. It is preferably made of a recyclable plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene in particular. The closure can therefore be designed in such a way that it can either be removed or folded over.
The tubular bags have an opening through which the contents are filled. Reasonably, the bags are therefore inserted into the container in such a way that the opening also points towards the opening of the container. However, it is also possible to close the tubular bags after filling, for example by sealing them. The bags consist of thin barrier films made of plastics that are approved for food storage. Preferably, the tubular bags are glued to the inside of the container. The bonding can only take place in the upper third of the container, but can also be over the entire surface. Common-also water-soluble-hot-melt adhesives or stick-on adhesives are particularly suitable for this purpose.
In a further preferred embodiment, the lid and bag are connected in such a way that the bag opens when the container is opened, for example by folding, and folds up again when it is closed.
The design of the container is not critical, nor is its volume, which can range from about 100 ml to about 2 L. Oval or round basic shapes with a diameter of around 10 to around 40 cm and heights of around 10 to around 40 cm are typical. While the base is concave on the inside to facilitate emptying, the base is preferably flat on the outside so that the container can be put down. After emptying, the container and bag can simply be disposed of separately.
A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to the manufacture of the packaging, in which a film is first inserted into a folding box, which forms the container. A further film is welded/glued to the top and the container is erected again. The first and second films together form the bag. Preferably, the second film is perforated at the opening point to facilitate opening.
The container can also contain a dispensing aid, in particular a spoon. It is possible to attach the spoon to the outside of the container with an adhesive film. Preferably, however, it is reversibly arranged on the underside of the lid, for example by means of a clamping device.
A further object of the invention relates to a method of making a packaged food product, comprising or consisting of the following steps:
After filling, it is also possible to close the tubular bag, for example by sealing it under vacuum, and only then to fit the sealing cap.
The foodstuffs are preferably powdered products, such as in particular milk powder, as used for infant nutrition.
A further object of the invention relates to the use of the above-mentioned packaging for packaging foodstuffs in powder form, preferably milk powders.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23185986.9 | Jul 2023 | EP | regional |
