Package and a method of filling thereof

Abstract

A package comprising a bag of flexible sheet material which, prior to being filled, is laid flat and comprises two opposing side walls ( 2 ) substantially in contact with each other, which side walls are tightly sealed along opposing side edges ( 5 ), the bag also comprising a bottom wall ( 3 ) which is folded double and has two fields ( 31 ) facing each other received between the lower parts of the side walls ( 2 ), the parts of the end edges of the bottom wall being sealed together. At least in the vicinity of the fold line ( 32 ), the side edges of the bottom wall are joined to the side walls at their side edges and a string of springy, elastic material ( 4 ) is connected to a respective side wall ( 2 ) at its lower edge ( 21 ), along substantially the entire length of the lower edge of the side wall when the package is in its flat state, and the two material strings are separated from each other. The package is filled by inserting a substantially leaf-shaped pouring mouthpiece into the flat neck of the pack-age and introducing liquid through the mouthpiece, after which the neck of the package is sealed. The packages may be joined together in a coherent chain of packages attached to each other at their side edges.

1 . A package comprising a bag of flexible sheet material which in its flat state comprises two opposing side walls ( 2 ) substantially in contact with each other, which side walls are tightly sealed along opposing side edges ( 5 ), the bag also comprising a bottom wall ( 3 ) which is folded double and has two fields ( 31 ) facing each other received between the lower parts of the side walls ( 2 ), the parts of the end edges of the bottom wall being sealed together, the side edges of the bottom wall being, at least in the vicinity of the fold line ( 32 ), joined to the side walls at their side edges ( 5 ), characterised in that a string of material ( 4 ) is connected to each side wall ( 2 ) at its lower edge ( 21 ) when the package is in flat state, and in that the material string is arranged to connect with the edge of the bottom wall of the filled package when resting on a surface.  
   
   
       2 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the material string ( 4 ) is integrated with or applied on the sheet material, in that the two material strings of the package are separated from each other and in that the material string is rigidly connected to the outside of the side wall as regards bending in a vertical plane.  
   
   
       3 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the package is formed from a lengthwise section of a continuous strip of thin plastic film folded flat to have a W-shaped cross-sectional profile and provided with transverse welding seams ( 5 ) separated from each other.  
   
   
       4 . A package as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the neck of the package is closed by means of a sealing seam ( 81 ) in the longitudinal direction of the section, and in that the end portion of the fin ( 81 ), together with adjacent corners of the package, is laid flat to form triangular parts that are folded towards and secured to an adjacent package wall.  
   
   
       5 . A chain of packages as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the packages ( 1 ′) constitute connected longitudinal sections of the continuous strip ( 1 ).  
   
   
       6 . A chain as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that each longitudinal section ( 50 ) connecting the packages ( 1 ′) is provided with a weakening line ( 51 ).  
   
   
       7 . A chain as claimed in  claim 5 , characterised in that it is formed from a continuous strip of plastic film folded flat to have a W-shaped profile, and provided with material strings along the lower side edges of the packages, the continuous strip being sealed by means of transverse seals ( 5 ).  
   
   
       8 . A chain as claimed in  claim 7 , characterised in that the continuous strip of plastic film is provided along its free edges with longitudinally running strings or beading ( 23 ) that hold together the packages.  
   
   
       9 . A method of filling a package as claimed in  claim 1  with a fluid material, particularly a liquid, characterised in that a substantially leaf-shaped mouthpiece ( 7 ) is inserted into the flat neck of the bag, parallel thereto, and in that the material is inserted into the bag through the mouthpiece in the flat package.  
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , characterised in that the opposite walls of the flat mouthpiece are made of elastomeric, flexible material so that the walls substantially abut each other in the unloaded state of the mouthpiece, and in that the walls of the mouthpiece are arranged to be elastically bent outwards due to the influence of a flow of material through the mouthpiece.