EP1043246A1 - Flexible beverage pouch, method and apparatus for manufacturing such a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The bag for drinks packaging (1) has two opposed sidewalls (14,14). A holding channel (24) is formed between the walls with connection lines (20a, 24). The bag has an opening zone (30c). A vent tube (28) in the channel contacts the drink and can be use a straw when passed through an opening zone (30c).

Description

The present invention relates to a container comprising a pocket flexible which has two opposite walls delimiting between them a interior space intended to contain a drink. In the following the term "drink" defines a liquid or semi-liquid, or even pasty, product that can interfere by aspiration through commonly used suction tubing called "straw".

We know, for example from patent GB-1-069 268, containers formed by flexible plastic bags containing a drink. These containers have the advantage of being inexpensive and light. Some of them, which have the conformation described by the patent GB-1-069 268, have another advantage which resides in the fact that, despite their flexibility, they can be naturally held in position straightened.

However, such flexible pockets have the drawback of rendering consumption of the drink they contain is relatively difficult. Indeed, if the consumer does not have a cup or the like, he must directly absorb the product through the opening it has previously practiced in the pocket. The flexibility of the latter makes this relatively uncomfortable consumption and the drink may run out of uncontrolled manner, possibly splashing the consumer.

In addition, he is forced to place his mouth directly in contact with the pocket on the opening area of the latter, without hygienic consideration.

We have already thought of associating with the bag a suction tube commonly called straw, attached to the outside of this pocket. This external device is a nuisance in the packaging and may be torn off during certain handling and transport phases.

Patent application EP-0 733 015 seeks to improve this situation by providing the pocket with an external bellows containing tubing suction. The manufacture of this pocket is however complex since it requires a conformation with bellows on one side of the pocket, the installation of the suction pipe in this bellows and the flap of the bellows against the pocket before closing it.

In addition, to satisfy hygiene rules, the suction tubing must be sterilized regardless of its placement in the bellows, and the bag itself must be sterilized to avoid contaminating this tubing when it is placed in the bellows, and finally the drink inserted into the bag must also be sterilized or pasteurized.

It should also be noted that, for the consumption of the product, the bellows containing the straw is almost completely separated from the pocket; it thus forms a dangling and impractical piece, which disturbs the stability.

The present invention aims to provide a flexible container remedying to the aforementioned drawbacks.

This object is achieved thanks to the fact that the pocket has a channel of delimited maintenance, in the interior space, between two connecting lines of two walls and communicating with said interior space, to the fact that the pocket is intended to be opened in an opening area in which opens one end of the channel and the fact that the container comprises a suction tube arranged in this channel and maintained in the latter, said tubing being capable, after opening the bag, of protruding this pocket through said opening zone to allow the consumption of drink through this tubing.

Thus, in the container according to the invention, the suction pipe necessary for the proper consumption of the product is already present in the poached. To consume the product, it is enough to spare the opening area to clear one end of the suction tube which is extracted possibly slightly from its channel. The consumer's mouth is placed in contact with the suction tube which is free of any external contamination. Access to the suction tubing is extremely simple and the suction channel forms an integral part of the pocket itself after the opening of the latter. If the pocket is of the type that discloses document GB-1-069 268, the presence of the suction pipe in this pocket contributes to its stability in the upright position and improves the resistance to vertical compression forces.

Advantageously, the two walls of the pocket are formed by flexible sheets welded together on the edges of the pocket and the channel support is delimited between, on the one hand, a welded edge of the pocket and, on the other hand, a weld line substantially parallel to this edge.

In this case, the suction tubing is held against one side of the pocket, its end can be easily disengaged when a opening area in this region. When the amount of drink present in the pocket begins to decrease, just press this lightly last and possibly tilt it to the side in which the suction tube to consume the rest of the drink.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a container comprising a flexible pocket which has two walls in vis-à-vis delimiting between them an interior space intended to contain a drink.

As indicated above, the container formed by the pocket flexible document GB-1 069 268 is not manufactured in such a way that allow easy consumption of the drink it contains.

In addition, the flexible pocket comprising a bellows containing a suction tubing described in document EP-0 733 015 is complicated to be made and the consumption of the drink contained in this container is difficult because the bellows is then almost completely detached from the pocket.

The invention aims to provide a simple method for manufacturing a container containing a drink from a soft bag while allowing easy and controlled consumption of this drink.

This object is achieved, according to a first embodiment, thanks to the fact that we proceed in the following way: we provide the two walls of a flexible pocket having an introduction opening, a suction pipe between the two walls through said opening introduction, we connect the two walls along said tubing so to delimit, between two connecting lines of said walls, a channel holding in which is disposed and maintained the suction pipe, this retaining channel being formed in the interior space of the pocket and being able to communicate with this interior space, and an area is provided opening the pocket into which one end of this channel opens, so that the tubing is susceptible, after opening in this pocket area previously filled with drink, to exceed by said opening area to allow consumption of the drink.

Thanks to these provisions, the holding channel is made so very simple once the suction tubing is introduced into the two walls of the flexible pocket. The operation of introducing this tubing can be carried out without difficulty by separating the two walls from one another. Then the bonding of the sheets used to delimit the channel is carried out along this tubing, so that the dimensions of the channel are always correctly adapted to those of the tubing.

Advantageously, in this first embodiment, the two walls interconnected according to a broken connection contour in the introduction opening and, after inserting the suction tube between the two walls by this opening, said tube is pushed back against a substantially straight portion of the connecting contour, this portion constituting a first of the two connecting lines used to delimit the channel then, keeping the tubing in this position, we connect the walls along the tubing, on the other side of this tubing relative to the first link line, to make the second link line.

In this case, the tubing can be introduced into the pocket without special care as to its exact positioning. She is indeed correctly positioned by being pushed against the portion substantially straight line of the connection contour. To make the suction channel, only one additional connecting line is required, on one side of the tubing. In addition, this tubing will remain placed, in the interior space, against a side pocket and will be easily accessible through a pocket opening in the region on this side.

According to a second embodiment, one proceeds in the manner next: we provide the two walls of a flexible pocket, we connect these two walls according to a broken connection contour, this connection contour defining, between the two walls, an interior space whose area interrupted of the contour forms an opening of introduction, one connects also the two walls between them inside said contour so as to obtain two connecting lines between which a channel of maintenance, formed in the interior space and able to communicate with this interior space and with the opening of introduction, one introduces a tubing suction into the channel through this opening, so that this tubing is maintained in this channel, and an opening zone of the pocket into which one end of this channel opens, so that the tubing is susceptible, after opening in this zone of the pocket previously filled with drink, to pass through said opening zone to allow consumption of the drink.

In this second embodiment, the channel is produced before inserting the suction tube inside the poached. Take care to clear the opening correctly introduction to insert the tubing into the canal, but this mode of the advantage of not requiring any operation subsequent correct positioning of the tubing inside the poached.

In one or other of the embodiments of the method, it is packs a drink in the container, preferably by as follows: the drink is introduced into the container fitted with the suction tubing in a state in which the bag is closed over everything its outline with the exception of an area forming a filling opening, the pocket is closed by connecting the walls of this pocket in said opening filling, the pocket is placed closed so that the tubing is substantially submerged in the drink and the container for a drink preservation treatment.

With this variant, the drink can be introduced into the pocket of the container in a manner known per se, without the presence of the tubing aspiration into its canal requires only very careful be taken. The filling opening is then closed and the drink preservation treatment not only affects this drink, but also the suction tube which is flooded by this last. Therefore, without the need to ensure sterility during the introduction of the suction tube into the pocket, we obtain finally a packaging whose contents (internal faces of the walls, drink and suction tube) is fully compliant with the provisions quality requirements in terms of hygiene. In particular, the processing of storage of the drink can be sterilization or pasteurization.

The invention also relates to an installation for manufacturing a container comprising a flexible pocket which has two walls in vis-à-vis delimiting between them an interior space intended to contain a drink.

The invention aims to provide a simple installation for manufacturing, from a flexible pocket, a container intended to contain a drink, and for which the consumption of the drink can be operated so reliable, practical and hygienic.

This goal is achieved thanks to the fact that the installation according to a first embodiment includes means for introducing a tubing suction by an introduction opening between two walls intended for form the two walls of the flexible bag, means for connecting the two walls along this tubing so as to delimit, between two lines of connection of said walls, a holding channel in which is disposed and maintained said tubing, this retaining channel being formed in space inside the pocket and being able to communicate with this interior space and means for forming, in the vicinity of one end of the channel, a zone opening into which said end of the channel opens so that that the tubing is susceptible, after opening in this zone of the pocket previously filled with drink, to pass through this opening area to allow consumption of the drink.

The opening zone can be practiced in a manner known per se, by example by the notches in the form of notches on the edges of the pocket or by any suitable means of localized weakening. To introduce the suction pipe between the two walls, it is enough to separate these walls to form the introduction opening while pushing the tubing using a pusher. The suction channel is then formed by a connection of the two walls along the tubing, for example using welding tools.

In this first embodiment, the installation comprises advantageously means for spreading the two walls so as to half-open the opening of introduction, means to bring a suction pipe opposite this opening, for pushing said tubing in the direction of its length so as to introduce it between the two walls through the introduction opening, means for pushing this tubing transversely to its length to bring said tubing against an edge of the pocket formed by a connecting line between the two walls and means for connecting the two walls along the tubing, on the other side of said tubing relative to said edge of the pocket.

According to a second embodiment, the installation comprises means for connecting the two walls of a flexible pocket along an outline of broken connection, this connection contour defining, between the two walls, an interior space whose interrupted area of the outline forms a introduction opening, means for connecting the two walls together inside said contour so as to obtain two connecting lines between which is defined by a holding channel, formed in the interior space and able to communicate with this interior space and with the opening introduction, means for introducing a suction tube into the channel through this opening, so that this tubing is held in this channel and means for forming, in the vicinity of one end of the channel, an opening area into which said end of the channel so that the tubing is susceptible, after opening in this area of the pocket previously filled with drink, to exceed by this opening area to allow consumption of the drink.

In this second embodiment, the holding channel is formed before the introduction of the suction pipe between the walls of the pocket, for example by welding. This tubing is then introduced in being naturally guided in this channel. The opening area can be made in a manner known per se, for example by notches or analogues.

In either embodiment, the installation includes advantageously, moreover, means for introducing a drink into the container fitted with suction tube, through a filling opening of this container, means for closing said filling opening, means for arranging the container closed so that the tubing suction is substantially immersed in the drink and means for subject the filled container to a drink preservation treatment.

The means for introducing the drink into the container provided with the suction tubing can be of the type commonly used to fill containers of the type known by patent GB-1 069 268. Means for close the filling opening can be welding tools applied so as to pinch the walls of the pocket against each other without crush the suction tube. Means for submitting the container filled to the drink preservation treatment can use a radiation or a heat source and a cooling system brutal and be of the type commonly used for sterilization or pasteurization.

• la figure 1 est une vue de face schématique d'un récipient conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté du récipient de la figure 1, prise selon la flèche II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 montre, en perspective simplifiée, la poche des figures 1 et 2 ;
• les figures 4 à 7 sont des vues partielles d'un récipient conforme à l'invention, illustrant plusieurs variantes de réalisation, ces vues montrant le récipient dans une région d'extrémité du canal de maintien ;
• la figure 8 montre le récipient de la figure 4, à l'état ouvert ;
• les figures 9, 10 et 11 présentent de manière schématique l'installation servant à fabriquer le récipient de l'invention, et illustrent le procédé de fabrication.

The invention will be well understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments shown by way of nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a container according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a side view of the container of Figure 1, taken along arrow II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 shows, in simplified perspective, the pocket of Figures 1 and 2;
• Figures 4 to 7 are partial views of a container according to the invention, illustrating several alternative embodiments, these views showing the container in an end region of the holding channel;
• Figure 8 shows the container of Figure 4 in the open state;
• Figures 9, 10 and 11 show schematically the installation for manufacturing the container of the invention, and illustrate the manufacturing process.

The container of Figures 1 and 2 comprises a pocket 10 made at from flexible sheets, advantageously of thermoplastic material, having a conformation similar to that of the patent pocket GB-1 069 268. This pocket 10 has two opposite walls 12 and 14 delimiting between them an interior space intended to contain a drink. In the example shown, as in GB-1,069,268, the bottom of the pocket is formed by a sheet 18 welded to the lower ends of the two walls 12 and 14. The two walls 12 and 14 are for example formed by two sheets welded to each other at their edges and in the upper region of the container along the weld lines 20. The sheet 18 is welded between the two sheets 12 and 14 in the bottom region, in a weld zone 22. These sheets are for example made of transparent plastic.

Sheets 12, 18 and 14 can be formed continuously from of the same film suitably folded and welded in the fold zones or be made up of separate films.

Before filling the bag, this bottom wall 18 can be brought towards the inside of the pocket between the two walls 12 and 14, so that the flat pocket, considered in section perpendicular to the walls 12 and 14, has a bottom substantially shaped as W. When viewed from below, this bottom is convex, the lateral ends of the bottom wall being welded at the lateral edges of the walls 12 and 14 in regions raised towards the upper end of the container. Once the container is filled, the end lower 22A of this weld zone defines a base on which the pocket may rest while standing upright substantially vertical as seen in Figures 1 and 2. This base has a substantially elliptical contour ensuring its stability.

The pocket 10 has a defined holding channel 24 in the space interior 16, between two connecting lines of the walls 12 and 14. In the example advantageous shown, these two connecting lines consist of a part, by a rectilinear portion 20A of the weld contour 20 and, on the other part, by an additional weld 26. The portion 20A is on an edge side of the pocket and, when the latter rests on its base, said weld line is oriented vertically. The second line of link 26 is substantially parallel to portion 20A and is located at a distance D from the latter.

The lower end 24A of channel 24 is open in space interior, so this channel naturally communicates with this space interior. A suction tube 28 is disposed in the channel 24 and is maintained in the latter. This tubing or "straw" is advantageously made of food-grade plastic (polyethylene).

Figure 1 shows pre-cut notches 30A and 30B which define an opening zone of the pocket, the latter possibly being torn between these two cuts along line 30C indicated by lines interrupted, which delimits the opening area.

The upper end 24B of the channel is in the region of this opening area 30C. So when the pocket is torn along the line 30C, the upper end 28B of the suction pipe protrudes slightly from the opening. Depending on the passing height, the consumer can leave the suction tubing in this position and apply his mouth directly to this tubing to aspirate the contents from the container, or slide the tubing into the channel so that extract it further from that channel. The tubing may have a bead or analog (not shown) limiting its travel.

In Figures 1 and 3, the cutting line 30C can be made of so as to directly communicate the part of the interior space 16 located from the other side of the weld line 26C with respect to the tubing 28 with the outside. However, as will be seen below, it may be beneficial to avoid such direct communication in particular to allow the container to be filled with the suction tubing.

In Figures 1 to 3, there is indicated by a line L in dashed lines interrupted the level of liquid in the pocket. Channel 24 communicates largely with the interior space 16 containing the liquid, since the end lower 26A of the weld line 26 is at a significant distance from the bottom of the pocket (on the order of, for example, half the height of this pocket) and the liquid rises inside this channel.

The suction tube 28 is naturally held in the channel 24 under the effect of the slight compression exerted on this tubing by walls 12 and 14 due to their pinching against each other along the lines 20A and 26. The current width D of the channel 24, that is to say the distance between connecting lines 20A and 26 over most of the length of the channel is slightly greater than the diameter of the tubing suction. Thus, this current width D is advantageously understood between 1.5.d and 3.5.d where d represents the diameter of the tubing. For example, for a "straw" with a diameter of 3 mm, the current width of the channel could be 7 mm.

The variant of Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 1 in this close that the weld line 26 extends upwards until it joins the weld line 20B from the upper edge of the pocket. Notches 30A and 30B or, in general, the weakening means which delimit the opening area 30C, are placed so that this opening area only discovers the upper end 24B of the channel when the pocket is torn, without extending to the part of the interior space located on the other side of the weld line 26 relative to the weld edge 20A.

Therefore, we make sure that, when consuming the drink, all of this drink goes through channel 24 and this limits the risk of accidental spillage of the drink out of the pocket.

In the variant of FIG. 5, the weld line 26 joins also the weld line 20B from the upper edge of the pocket, and the area opening is also carried out so as to discover only the upper end of the channel 24. This time, the suction pipe 28 has an end portion 29 which is connected to the rest of the tubing 28 by a bellows or the like 29A making it possible to fold said part end 29 against the rest of the tubing 28. The width D 'of the channel 24, at least in the upper part of the latter, is determined so to allow this channel to house the folded part 29. In this way, when the user will have consumed part of the drink contained in the pocket, he can fold the part 29 of the suction tube back into the part upper 24B of the suction channel 24, so that this will be appreciably blocked by this folded part. This allows you to close momentarily the bag between two phases of consumption of the drink and at the same time protect the end of the tubing against external soiling. In this case, the width of the channel 24 advantageously goes decreasing in the direction towards the bottom 18 of the pocket which allows better maintain the tubing 28 in this channel and further improve the effect momentary filling.

In FIG. 5, the channel 24 is rectilinear over its entire length. In on the other hand, in the variant of FIG. 6, the end part of the channel next to the opening area has a bend 25 for accommodating the part 29 of the suction tube folded back with respect to the rest of this tubing 28. In the example shown in Figure 6, this bend is made at right angles to the current portion of channel 24 which is substantially vertical when the pocket is held in the position shown in Figures 1 to 3. We can also consider that the elbow is tilted further so as to form an acute angle with respect to the current part of the canal. In FIG. 6, we have also chosen as example that the cutting area 30C extends only in the part upper channel.

In the variant of FIG. 7, the channel 24 is rectilinear up to a end region 24B located slightly below the cutting area 130C delimited between two notches 130B and 130A located on the two edges opposite sides of the pocket. So when you have to open that pocket, you tears an end portion of the pocket extending over its entire width. In this case, to prevent the liquid contained in the interior space from pours through the wide part of the opening thus formed, without flowing through the channel 24, the weld line 26 is connected, below the zone of cutout 130C, to another weld line 126 which extends substantially perpendicular to line 26, between the upper end of this last and the edge of the pocket which is opposite channel 24.

Of course, although we have shown in Figure 7, a suction pipe 28 straight, you can use the space 127 formed between the weld line 126 and the upper edge 120B of the pocket to accommodate an end portion of the tubing folded back relative to the current part of the latter. Space 127 forms an end region channel 24 which extends over the entire width of the pocket.

You can use a simple straight tubing, or a tubing foldable as in Figures 5 and 6, or even, for example, a telescopic tubing.

In FIG. 8, the part 30D of the pocket of FIG. 4 located beyond from line 30C is torn off and the end of the tube 28 protrudes slightly to allow consumption of the drink.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, Figure 10 being a top view in Figure 9, we now describe the installation and the manufacturing process of the container according to the invention. We have a work plan 100 on which is placed a preformed pocket 110, with its two walls 112 and 114 fixed to each other (for example by welding), and to the bottom wall 118. The walls 112 and 114 are not connected at their ends opposite to the bottom 118, so that the pocket has an insertion opening 140. The outline of the connection 120 of the walls of the pocket is therefore interrupted.

The pocket 110 is arranged on the work surface 100 and its two walls 112 and 114 are spaced from each other so as to partially open opening 140. To do this, suction cup systems, respectively a lower suction cup 142 and an upper suction cup 144, controlled by control means 143 and 145 (pneumatic system, servomotor ...) are used for example. The pocket is fed from a feed table 101 to be placed on the table 100, and the pocket equipped with its suction tube is evacuated by the evacuation means 102.

We thus see a preformed pocket 110A on the table 101, a pocket 110 during the introduction of the suction tube on the table 100, and a pocket 110B provided with this tubing evacuated on the table 102. The pockets are transported from one of these tables to the other by systems of treadmills or, for example, by vacuum gripping systems or the like.

The pocket 110 being processed on the table 100 can be maintained in a recess 111 of this table, and by a system of forceps or the like of which a jaw 146 is shown so schematic.

A system for supplying suction pipes is provided. This system includes for example a hopper 148, located above the table 100 and arranged so as to allow the outlet of the suction pipes to unity, and in accordance with the steps of the process implemented using of the installation.

In FIG. 9, it can be seen that a suction tube 128 has come out of the hopper 148 and rests on the table 100. The installation comprises means to introduce the tubing between the two walls 112 and 114 of the bag, by the introductory opening 140. For example, these means include a pusher system 150 arranged on the other side of the hopper relative to the pocket 110. Thus, when the suction pipe 128 is disposed on the table 100, the pusher 150 can be moved under the hopper to push the tubing 128 in pocket 110.

In Figure 10, there is shown a tube 128 at its outlet from the hopper and, by designating it by the reference 128 ', the same tubing 128 put in place in pocket 110. Once the tubing is properly pushed into this pocket, the pusher 150 can be moved back so as to return to its position shown in Figures 9 and 10. At the same time, the suction cup systems or the like 142, 144 can be controlled from so as to allow the wall 112 to fall back against the wall 114.

Then a positioning system can be used to place the suction tubing in the desired position inside the pocket 110. This positioning system comprises for example an arm of positioning 152 which, once the walls of the pocket have been folded down against the other, can be moved perpendicular to the plane of the wall 112 (double arrow F) so as to substantially pinch the two walls between them without pressing them against each other. Once this arm positioning 152 up against the pocket, it can be moved parallel to the plane of the wall 112 (double arrow G) in the direction going by approaching the edge of the pocket against which is intended to be the suction tube 128, so as to wedge this tube against this edge.

In this position, the two walls can be welded against each other the other along the tubing. For example, a welding counter-tool 154 is arranged in the table 100 so as to come into contact with the wall 114 from the pocket against this table. The welding tool can be formed by the positioning arm 152 which then presents for this purpose a zone of weld located on its face in contact with the wall 112. Thus, when this positioning arm 152 has been moved transversely to the pocket as shown by the arrow G in FIG. 10, it suffices to carry out the welding move the arm 152 slightly further towards the table 100 according to the arrow F so as to bring it closer to the welding counter-tool 154 for strongly pinch the two walls 112 and 114 together, and one of the tools and the welding tool being heated, make a welding line. The geometry of the welding tool and the welding counter tool is such that the weld line finally obtained defines the holding channel of the suction tubing so that this channel can communicate with the interior space formed inside the pocket and with the opening area from this pocket.

Alternatively, one can on the contrary realize the lines of connection which delimit the suction channel before installing the tubing in this channel. In this case, suction cup systems or the like which will open the introduction opening in the interrupted area of the connecting contour between the walls will be positioned so that actually open the end of the holding channel which opens in this opening. The suction tubing can be inserted into this channel preformed using means similar to pushers 150, possibly supplemented by improved guidance, or even by blowing compressed air facilitating the deployment of the channel and, therefore, making easier to introduce straw. The installation shown in the figures 9 and 10 makes it easier to introduce the suction tube into the pocket, without the need to provide this improved guidance. The tubing is initially pushed in the direction of its length of so as to enter between the two walls through the introduction opening 140 then, using the positioning arm 152, and is then pushed transversely to its length to bring it against the edge of the pocket formed by connecting lines similar to line 20A previously mentioned.

The means of connecting the edges of the pocket and the means for make the connecting line which delimits the holding channel, make advantageously call for welding, whether it is a radiation or whatever. However, this cannot be considered as being limiting.

Similarly, if it is advantageous to provide that the welding tool is directly carried by the positioning arm 152, this is however not mandatory.

The opening area of the pocket can be achieved by pre-cuts, such as notches or notches, or for example by lines of weakness practiced by laser or the like.

The method of placing the tubing inside the bag is includes reading the description of Figures 9 and 10 above. To simplify, we only have to represent on these figures the first mode for carrying out the invention. The second embodiment differs from first mode essentially by the fact that we first realize the two connecting lines which delimit the holding channel and which are introduced then the tubing in this channel.

To make the containers of Figures 5 and 6, you can bend the tubing 28 before it is placed in the pocket, in which case the pusher 150 can be equipped with means to maintain this bent position.

In particular in the case of Figure 6, one can bend the tubing 26 and partially weld the upper edge of the pocket to close the tubing housing and prevent it from tending to unfold during filling the pocket.

Referring to Figure 11, we now describe the filling and sealing of the container, as well as sterilization or pasteurization of it container and its contents. For the sake of simplification, this figure is extremely schematic. Once the pocket 110 is fitted with the tubing suction 128 performed at the outlet of the installation of FIGS. 9 and 10, we opens the filling opening 140 'of this pocket for example using of a suction cup system 162 and 164 similar to that of FIGS. 9 and 10.

Advantageously, as in the example shown, the opening of filling is the same as the introduction opening 140, except that it is slightly reduced by the presence of the connecting line 26 which defines the holding channel for the suction tube 128.

The pocket is placed so that this filling opening 140 ′ is placed upwards, under a filling metering unit 168. Thus, the drink is introduced into the container fitted with its suction pipe, in a state in which the pocket 110 is closed over its entire contour at with the exception of the area which forms the filling opening 140 '. At the end of filling, the pocket 110 is closed by connecting the walls 112, 114 of this pocket in the filling opening 140 '. We use for example for this make sealing or welding tools 170, 172 which pinch between them the edges of the filling opening 140 '. Once the pocket closed, it is arranged so that the suction manifold 128 is submerged or substantially immersed in the drink contained in the container. Then, this container is subjected to a conservation treatment of the drink in a sterilization, pasteurization or similar station 174 which allows the entire contents of the bag, including the tubing, to be sterilized.

Advantageously, the drink is introduced into the container while this drink is at a pasteurization temperature (around 85 ° C), we close the pocket, we arrange this pocket so that the tubing aspiration bathes in the hot drink and within a period of time suitable for pasteurization, the container and the drink are cooled to bring said drink to a determined low temperature (of the order of 30 ° C). This time is usually short for cooling be brutal and destroy the germs. On this occasion the drink comes to contact of the internal faces of the pocket walls which are also sterilized.

Claims (16)

Container comprising a flexible pocket (10) which has two facing walls (12, 14) delimiting between them an interior space intended to contain a drink,
characterized in that the pocket (10) has a holding channel (24) delimited, in the interior space, between two connecting lines (20A, 26) of the two walls (12, 14) and communicating with said interior space, in that the bag is intended to be open in an opening zone (30C, 130C) into which opens one end of the channel and in that it comprises a suction tube (28) disposed in this channel (24) and held in the latter, said tubing (28) being capable, after opening the pocket, of protruding from this pocket through said opening zone (30C, 130C) to allow consumption of the beverage by this tubing. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the two walls (12, 14) of the pocket are formed by flexible welded sheets between them on the edges of the pocket (10) and in that the holding channel (24) is delimited between, on the one hand, a welded edge (20A) of the pocket and, on the other hand, a weld line (26) substantially parallel to this edge. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the channel holding (24) has a current width (D), measured between the two weld lines (20A, 26) which delimit it, which is between 1.5.d and 3,5.d, where d represents the diameter of the tubing (28). Container according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the end (24B) of the channel (24) opening into the opening area (30C, 130C) has a conformation (24B, 25, 127) allowing the folding of an end part (29) of the suction pipe (28) in said end of the channel. Container according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the opening area (30C, 130C) is delimited by localized weakening means (30A, 30B, 30C, 130C) of the walls (12, 14) of the pocket (10). Container according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pocket (10) has a bottom (18) provided with a base (22A) on which said pocket, once filled, is capable of rest while standing in a substantially vertical upright position and what, in this situation, at least the current part of the channel (24) extends substantially vertically. Method for manufacturing a container comprising a flexible pouch (10) which has two facing walls (12, 14) delimiting between them a interior space (16) intended to contain a drink, characterized in that the two walls (12, 14; 112, 114) are provided with a flexible pocket (10, 110) having an introduction opening (140), a tube is introduced suction (28, 128) between the two walls through said opening introduction, we connect the two walls along said tubing so to delimit, between two connecting lines (20A, 26; 126) of said walls, a holding channel (24) in which the tubing is arranged and maintained suction (28, 128), this holding channel being formed in space inside the pocket and being able to communicate with this interior space, and an opening zone (30C, 130C) of the pocket is provided in which opens one end of this channel, so that the tubing is susceptible, after opening in this zone of the pocket beforehand filled with drink, to pass through said opening zone to allow the consumption of the drink. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that there is provided the two walls (112, 114) connected together according to a connection contour interrupted (120) in the introduction opening (140) and in that, after having introduced the suction pipe (128) between the two walls by this opening, said tubing is pushed back (G) against a portion substantially rectilinear (20A) of the connecting contour, this portion constituting a first of the two connecting lines serving to delimit the channel (24) and, in now the tubing in this position, we connect the walls along the tubing, on the other side of this tubing with respect to the first line of link, to make the second link line. Method for manufacturing a container comprising a flexible pouch which has two opposite walls delimiting between them a space interior intended to contain a drink, characterized in that it provides the two walls (12, 14) of a flexible pocket (10), these two walls are connected along a broken connection contour (120), this connection contour defining, between the two walls, an interior space whose area interrupted of the contour forms an opening of introduction, one connects also the two walls between them inside said contour so as to obtain two connecting lines between which a channel of support (24), formed in the interior space and able to communicate with this interior space and with the opening of introduction, one introduces a tubing suction (128) in the channel through this opening, so that this tubing is maintained in this channel, and an opening zone of the pocket (30C, 130C) into which one end of this channel opens, so that the tubing is susceptible, after opening in this area of the pocket previously filled with drink, to exceed by said zone to allow consumption of the drink. Method for manufacturing a container according to any one of claims 7 to 9 and for packaging a drink in this container, characterized in that the drink is introduced into the container provided with the suction tube (128) in a state in which the bag is closed on all its outline except for an area forming an opening of filling (140 '), the pocket (110) is closed by connecting the walls (112, 114) of this pocket in said filling opening (140 ′), the pocket closed so that the suction tubing is substantially immersed in the drink and the container (174) is subjected to a treatment of conservation of the drink. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the drink in the container while this drink is at a temperature of pasteurization, we close the pocket (110), we arrange this pocket so that the suction tube (28, 128) is immersed in the hot drink and, in a time suitable for pasteurization, the container is cooled and the drink until bringing said drink to a determined low temperature. Installation for manufacturing a container comprising a pocket flexible (10, 110) which has two facing walls (12, 14; 112, 114) delimiting between them an interior space (16) intended to contain a drink, characterized in that it comprises means (148, 150) for introduce a suction tube (128) through an introduction opening (140) between two walls (112, 114) intended to form the two walls of the flexible pocket, means for connecting the two walls along this tubing so as to delimit, between two connecting lines of said walls, a holding channel (24) in which is arranged and maintained said tubing, this retaining channel being formed in the interior space of the pocket and being able to communicate with this interior space and means to form, in the vicinity of one end of the channel, an opening zone (30C, 130C) into which opens said end of the channel so that that the tubing (28, 128) is susceptible, after opening in this zone of the pocket previously filled with drink, to exceed by this zone to allow consumption of the drink. Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that it includes means (142, 144) to separate the two walls (112, 114) from so as to partially open the introduction opening (140), means (148, 150) to bring a suction pipe (128) opposite this opening, to push said tubing (128) in the direction of its length so as to introduce it between the two walls (112, 114) through the opening introduction (140), means for pushing this tubing (152) transversely to its length to bring said tubing against an edge of the pocket formed by a connecting line (20A) between the two walls and means for connecting the two walls along the tubing, on the other side of said tubing relative to said edge of the pocket. Installation according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a welding tool (152) capable of being moved against a wall, parallel to the plane of said wall to push the tubing (128) against the edge (20A) of the pocket and to be moved perpendicular to the plane of this wall to pinch the two walls between this welding tool (152) and a welding counter-tool (154) and carry out an operation of welding of the two walls along the tubing. Installation for manufacturing a container comprising a pocket flexible (10, 110) which has two opposite walls (12, 14; 112, 114) delimiting between them an interior space (16) intended to contain a drink, and connected according to an interrupted connection contour (120), this contour of connection defining, between the two walls, an interior space whose area interrupted contour forms an introduction opening, characterized in what it includes means for connecting the two walls together inside said contour so as to obtain two connecting lines (20A, 26, 126) between which is defined a holding channel (24), formed in interior space and able to communicate with this interior space and with the introduction opening, means for introducing a tubing suction (28) in the channel through this opening, so that this tubing is maintained in this channel and means for forming, at near one end of the canal, an opening area (30C, 130C) in which opens out from said end of the channel so that the tubing is susceptible, after opening in this zone of the pocket beforehand filled with drink, to pass through this opening area to allow the consumption of the drink. Installation according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that it further comprises means (168) for introduce a drink into the container fitted with the suction tube (128), by a filling opening (140 ') of this container, means for closing said filling opening (170, 172), means for arrange the container closed so that the suction tube (128) either substantially immersed in the drink and means (174) for subject the container to a drink preservation treatment.

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