disposable very lightweight package

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a flexible pouch-like disposable package ( 1 ) made from a thermoplastic film having a thickness of less than ( 100 ) microns, comprising a package body, characterized in that the package body comprises at least two walls, one of said walls comprising a filling area ( 2 ) for filling said package ( 1 ) with a flowable product ( 3 ), said walls being disposed adjacent to one another so that after filling, said walls can be sealed together by a seal ( 24 ) disposed around said area ( 2 ) so that the package ( 1 ) is hermetically closed.

1 . A flexible pouch-like disposable package made from a thermoplastic film having a thickness of less than 100 microns, comprising a package body, comprising at least two walls, one wall comprising a filling area for filling the package with a flowable product, the walls being located adjacent to one another so that after filling the walls can be sealed together by a seal located around the area so that the package is hermetically closed. 
     
     
         2 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the filling area is a filling opening. 
     
     
         3 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the film has a thickness of less than 80 microns. 
     
     
         4 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic film is made from a biodegradable or oxo-biodegradable material such that the package is entirely destroyed within a period of less than 700 days. 
     
     
         5 . A package according to  claim 4 , wherein the thermoplastic film is made from a material selected from the group consisting of: polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), zein-based bioplastic polymers, starch-based resins, polylactic acid based resins, hemp-based resins, cellulose-based resins, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A package according to  claim 1 , which is openable when it is filled and closed, by cutting, punching, tearing, piercing or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A package according to  claim 2 , wherein the filling opening is a hole that is punched out from the wall of the package body. 
     
     
         8 . A package according to  claim 2 , wherein the diameter of the opening is between 1 and 15 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A package according to  claim 1 , which is a premade film pouch manufactured and stored as a continuous roll, so that two adjacent pouches in the roll are linked in a detachable manner by a precut seam. 
     
     
         10 . A package according to  claim 1 , which comprises several separate chambers inside its body, so that when the package is filled and closed, its base comprises a substantially flat surface. 
     
     
         11 . A package according to  claim 1 , wherein the flowable product is selected from the group consisting of: gases, powders, granulates, gels, creams, liquids and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A packing process for packing a flowable product into a package comprising the steps of, in order:
 inserting and holding a package in a filling means comprising at least one pair of adjacent rolls having cooperating grooves disposed in alignment so as to define a filling channel, the package being held such that its filling area is located within the channel;   inserting at least one filling needle through the channel and filling area, into the package;   filling the package with the flowable product;   removing the needle from the package and channel, actuating the rolls to move the filled package towards sealing means; and   actuating the sealing means to create a fluid-tight seal around the filling area to hermetically seal the package by melting the two walls of the package body in the region of said seal.   
     
     
         13 . A packing process according to  claim 12 , wherein the package is a premade film pouch manufactured and stored as a continuous roll, so that two adjacent pouches in the roll are linked in a detachable manner by a precut seam. 
     
     
         14 . A packing process according to  claim 12 , wherein the filling means comprises weighing means for the control of the filled volume into the package. 
     
     
         15 . A packing process according to  claim 12 , wherein the filling means comprises a volumetric filling system for the control of the filled volume of beverage into the package. 
     
     
         16 . A packing process according to  claim 12 , wherein the filling means comprises a flow meter and/or an intermediate tank for the control of the filled volume of beverage into the package.