Pillow pouch packaging with reinforcing elements

Abstract

The present invention is a pouch, which is generally flat in shape having two opposite side walls and reinforcing elements. The reinforcing elements enable the pouch to stand up-right.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-standing pouch comprising two opposing walls in sheet form extending essentially parallel to a longitudinal median plane and at least one reinforcement element, wherein the reinforcement element enables the pouch to be self-standing.  
     
     
         2 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein each opposing wall comprises a top, bottom and coplanar side edges.  
     
     
         3 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch is a pillow pouch.  
     
     
         4 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch is retorted prior to addition of the reinforcement element.  
     
     
         5 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement element wraps around the entire pouch.  
     
     
         6 . The pouch of  claim 5 , wherein the reinforcement element further wraps around the bottom of the pouch.  
     
     
         7 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement element contains printed graphics.  
     
     
         8 . The pouch of  claim 1 , further comprising a second reinforcement element.  
     
     
         9 . The pouch of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second reinforcement elements are attached to the two respective pouch walls and extend essentially opposite each other across their associated pouch wall.  
     
     
         10 . A device for packaging products comprising at least one flexible pouch, having two opposing walls extending essentially parallel to a longitudinal median plane of the device, 
 two reinforcement elements respectively associated with the respective pouch walls, the reinforcement elements extending at least approximately opposite each other all the way across their associated pouch wall,    and means for fixing each reinforcement element to its associated pouch wall at least in a median area of the wall.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the means for fixing compromises fixing the reinforcement element and its associated wall in the vicinity of its lateral edges.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the means for fixing compromises bonding the reinforcement element to the pouch wall.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement elements and the pouch walls are bonded together at discrete bonding points.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the reinforcement elements and the pouch walls are bonded together by at least one continuous adhesive strip deposited between each reinforcement element and its associated wall.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , characterized in that at least one continuous adhesive strip extends approximately all the way across the wall.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the means for fixing compromises adjustments to the wall.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the lateral ends of the reinforcement elements are connected so as to surround the lateral edges of the pouch.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the lateral ends of the reinforcement elements are not connected.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement elements are connected by a base located under the pouch.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement elements extend all the way up the pouch.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the upper ends of the reinforcement elements are connected by a top covering the pouch.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement elements include a means to re-cover the top of the pouch once the upper part has been torn.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the re-covering means includes a tab made from the same material as one of the reinforcement elements which engages with a slot of the other reinforcement element.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforcement elements are printed on both their faces.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein at least one reinforcement element includes a tear line along a desired path for opening the device, extending opposite the means for fixing the pouch walls and the reinforcement elements so as to guide the user in tearing the pouch walls.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the pouch comprises a means to weaken its walls, located at the same level as the tear lines of the reinforcement elements.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the weakness points of the pouch walls are provided by notches on its lateral edges.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein distortion of the reinforcement elements is obtained by arching these elements.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein distortion of the reinforcement elements is obtained by folding these elements.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 10  further comprising a second pouch.