Flexible Container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible container. In particular, the flexible container for containing either solid or liquid products, comprising a lateral wall of flexible material forming a first and a second end opening, these openings being associated, respectively, with reclosable closing means and a base, wherein the reclosable closing means comprise a stiffening element which forms a passage to allow the exit of the product and can be associated with said first opening so as to stiffen said lateral wall in the proximity of the first opening, and a closing element which can be coupled by means of a positive connection to the stiffening element to close the passage.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . Flexible container for containing either solid or liquid products, comprising a lateral wall of flexible material forming a first and a second end opening, these openings being associated, respectively, with reclosable closing means and a base, wherein the reclosable closing means comprise a stiffening element which forms a passage to allow the exit of the product and can be associated with said first opening so as to stiffen said lateral wall in the proximity of the first opening, and a closing element which can be coupled by means of a positive connection to the stiffening element to close the passage. 
     
     
         28 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein the stiffening element is heat-sealed to the lateral wall at the first opening, and in that the base is heat-sealed to said lateral wall at said second opening. 
     
     
         29 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein the stiffening element comprises a sleeve in which are formed a side of predetermined height and two opposing ends. 
     
     
         30 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein in the closing element comprises a cap having an external and internal surface and the lateral wall comprises an inner layer and an outer layer. 
     
     
         31 . Flexible container according to  claim 30 , wherein the external surface of the outer layer of the lateral wall is flush with the external surface of the cap, when the cap is joined by a positive connection to the stiffening element. 
     
     
         32 . Flexible container according to  claim 30 , wherein the inner layer of the lateral wall is heat-sealed on to the outer sides of the base and of the stiffening element. 
     
     
         33 . Flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein the positive connection comprises a pressure engagement between the stiffening element and the closing element, in which the side of the stiffening element comprises a peripheral rim in the proximity of one of the ends, the peripheral rim being engageable with a corresponding peripheral rim of the cap. 
     
     
         34 . Flexible container according to  claim 31 , wherein the positive connection comprises a male and female thread engagement between the stiffening element and the closing element, in which the side of the stiffening element comprises a plurality of threads in the proximity of one of the ends, which are engageable with corresponding threads of the cap. 
     
     
         35 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein the closing element comprises a membrane seal. 
     
     
         36 . Flexible container according to  claim 35 , wherein the membrane seal comprises a tab. 
     
     
         37 . Flexible container according to  claim 36 , wherein the membrane seal consists of a layered laminated sheet which comprises:
 an outer layer of polyester;   an intermediate layer of aluminium;   a layer of high-adhesion varnish which is joined to the stiffening element.   
     
     
         38 . Flexible container according to  claim 36 , wherein the membrane seal consists of a layered laminated sheet which comprises:
 an outer layer of polyester;   an intermediate layer of aluminium;   a plastic film which is joined to the stiffening element.   
     
     
         39 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein the stiffening element and the closing element are made from thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         40 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein the diameter of the stiffening element is equal to the diameter of the base, thus producing a container of cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         41 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein the base is made from the same flexible material as the lateral wall. 
     
     
         42 . Flexible container according to  claim 27 , wherein the inner layer and an outer layer of the lateral consist of a polymer film. 
     
     
         43 . Flexible container according to  claim 42 , wherein the lateral wall comprises an aluminium film being interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer polymer film.