Pouch having expanded polymer edges

• US 20050152624A1
• Filed: 01/14/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc (Sonoco Products Company)
• Original Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc (Sonoco Products Company)
• Inventors: Versluys, Robert Thor
• Application Number:
  US10/758,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20050152624A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 383/107
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0855 using microwave
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0877 using electron radiation, e.g. beta-rays
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2795/002 before shaping
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/1271 the preformed parts being partially covered
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/034 Thermal after-treatments
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/301 Three-dimensional joints, i.e. the joined area being substantially non-flat B29C66/5223, B29C66/5224, B29C66/5225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/328 Leaving the burrs unchanged for providing particular properties to the joint, e.g. as decorative effect
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/723 being multi-layered B29C66/7292, B29C66/72941 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/727 being porous, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/80 General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81417 being V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81427 comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/003 PET, i.e. poylethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/048 Expandable particles, beads or granules
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2009/00 : Layered products
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7128 : Bags, sacks, sachets tea bags B29L2031/7122; medical bags B29L2031/7148
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 2155/00 : Flexible containers made from webs
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 2155/002 : by joining superimposed webs, e.g. with separate bottom webs
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 2160/10 : rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 70/00 : Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 70/008 : Stiffening or reinforcing B31B70/876 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B31B 70/64 : by applying heat or pressure to unite areas where adhesives are applied B31B70/62
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/00 : Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/008 : Standing pouches, i.e. "Standbeutel"

Abstract

A heat sealed pouch with tactile friendly edges is provided from the expansion of an expandable polymer, triggered either during the heat sealing process or subsequent to the heat sealing process. The pouch consists of two adjacent panels which are sealed along at least one edge.

Claims

1. A pouch comprising:

a front layer and a back layer;

an expandable polymer positioned between the two layers; and

a seam joining together at least one edge of the two layers;

the expandable polymer in an expanded state forming a bead along the seam.

2. The pouch of claim 1 wherein the expandable polymer bead is formed along three seams.

3. The pouch of claim 1 wherein the expandable polymer is a heat activated polymer.

4. The pouch of claim 3 wherein the expandable polymer is a plastisol based ink.

5. The pouch of claim 3 wherein the expandable polymer is a heat activated puff ink.

6. The pouch in claim 1 wherein the expandable polymer is triggered to expand by radio frequency.

7. The pouch of claim 1 further comprising a gusset panel secured to the front and rear layers to form a gusseted stand-up pouch.

8. A pouch comprising:

a front panel, a back panel and a bottom gusset;

the front panel, the back panel and the bottom gusset each having a plurality of laminate layers;

an expandable polymer positioned between two of the laminate layers in at least one of the panels and the bottom gusset, or in both the front panel and the back panel;

a seam joining together at least one edge of the front panel with at least one edge of the back panel, a seam joining together at least one edge of the front panel with at least one edge of the bottom gusset, or a seam joining together at least one edge of the back panel with at least one edge of the bottom gusset; and

the expandable polymer in an expanded state forming a bead along the joined seam.

9. The pouch of claim 8 wherein the expandable polymer is a heat activated polymer.

10. The pouch of claim 9 wherein the expandable polymer is a plastisol based ink.

11. The pouch of claim 9 wherein the expandable polymer is a heat activated puff ink.

12. The pouch in claim 8 wherein the expandable polymer is triggered to expand by the application of electron beams, microwaves, or the like.

13. A multi-layered stand-up pouch comprising:

a pair of opposed side wall panels joined to each other about the periphery thereof;

an expandable polymer in an expanded state forming a bead along the joined periphery.

14. The pouch of claim 13 wherein expandable polymer is a heat activated polymer.

15. The pouch of claim 13 wherein the expandable polymer is a plastisol based ink.

16. The pouch of claim 13 wherein the expandable polymer is a heat activated puff ink.

17. A method of making a heat sealed pouch, comprising the steps of:

positioning the expandable polymer between two pouch panel layers;

placing the front panel and the back panel together into a sealing jaws;

the sealing jaws heat sealing the front panel and back panel together along at least one edge; and

activating and expanding the expandable polymer outwardly along the at least one edge.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the sealing jaws are chamfered on the outer edge to direct the expandable polymer outwardly during heat sealing and heat activation.

19. The pouch of claim 17 wherein the expandable polymer is a plastisol based ink.

20. The pouch of claim 17 wherein the expandable polymer is a heat activated puff ink.

21. A method of claim 17 wherein the expandable polymer is triggered to expand by electron beams, microwaves, or the like.