Stand-up pouches of stretchable paper

Abstract

There is provided a method of forming a stand-up pouch, comprising the steps of: providing a web structure having a w-shaped profile; forming bottom and vertical seals such that a flat stand-up pouch having two superimposed side walls and a bottom is obtained; press-forming at least part of the superimposed side walls; and optionally filling and closing the stand-up pouch, wherein the side walls are composed of a stretchable paper material.

1 . A method of forming a stand-up pouch, comprising:
 a) providing a web structure having a w-shaped profile;   b) forming bottom and vertical seals such that a flat stand-up pouch having two superimposed side walls and a bottom is obtained; and   c) press-forming at least part of the superimposed side walls;   wherein the side walls comprise a stretchable paper material.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the press-forming is carried out by passing the at least part of the superimposed side walls between two opposing rolls. 
     
     
         3 . A method of forming a stand-up pouch, comprising:
 a) providing a web structure having a w-shaped profile;   b) forming vertical and bottom seals such that a flat stand-up pouch is obtained;   c) providing a mould cavity at an outer surface of a side wall of the standup pouch and applying an overpressure inside the pouch such that a portion of the side wall extends into the mould cavity to form a bulge or relief; and   d) optionally filling and closing the stand-up pouch,   wherein the side walls comprise a stretchable paper material.   
     
     
         4 . A method of forming a paper stand-up pouch comprising a dispensing device, such as a spout, comprising:
 a) providing a web structure having a w-shaped profile;   b) forming vertical and bottom seals such that a stand-up pouch having two side walls and a bottom is obtained, wherein the side walls comprise a stretchable paper material; and   c) arranging a dispensing device between the side walls and closing the stand-up pouch, wherein the arranging is carried by stretching the paper material of the side walls about the dispensing device such that the side walls are sealed to the dispensing device without creasing of the paper material.   
     
     
         5 . A method of forming a stand-up pouch, comprising:
 a) providing a web structure having a w-shaped profile, wherein a first flanking portion of the w-shaped profile of the web structure corresponds to a first side wall of the stand-up pouch and a second flanking portion of the w-shaped profile of the web structure corresponds to a second side wall of the stand-up pouch;   b) press- or thermo-forming at least part of the first and/or the second flanking portion of the w-shaped profile of the web structure;   c) forming vertical and bottom seals such that the stand-up pouch has a bottom and the first and second sidewalls are sealed; and   d) optionally filling and closing the stand-up pouch,   wherein the flanking portions comprise a stretchable paper material.   
     
     
         6 . A method of forming a stand-up pouch, comprising:
 a) pressing at least one rolling wheel or roll against a stretchable paper material to form a pattern in the paper material;   b) arranging or folding the paper material such that it forms at least part of a web structure having a w-shaped profile;   c) forming vertical and bottom seals such that a stand-up pouch having two side walls and a bottom is obtained and at least part of the pattern is provided on at least one of the side walls; and   d) optionally filling and closing the stand-up pouch.   
     
     
         7 . A method of forming a stand-up pouch, comprising:
 a) press- or thermo-forming a stretchable paper material to form a bulge or relief;   b) arranging or folding the paper material such that it forms at least part of a web structure having a w-shaped profile;   c) providing vertical and bottom seals such that a stand-up pouch having two side walls and a bottom is obtained, wherein the bulge or relief is provided on one of the side walls; and   d) optionally filling and closing the stand-up pouch.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the web structure of step b) comprises two flanking portions composed of the stretchable paper material and a middle portion composed of the stretchable paper material or a different material, the flanking portions form the side walls and the middle portion forms the bottom during step c). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a bi-folded web is arranged between two webs of the paper material corresponding to the flanking portions to form the web structure having the w-shaped profile of step b). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the web structure of step b) is a single web of the stretchable paper material, which is the paper material comprising a pattern from step a). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strechable paper material has a stretchability that is at least 5% in a machine direction (MD) and at least 5% in a cross direction (CD). 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a side of the stretchable paper material that forms an inside of the stand-up pouch comprises a heat-sealable coating or film. 
     
     
         13 . A stand-up pouch comprising:
 a bottom and two side walls, wherein the side walls comprise a stretchable paper material and are sealed to each other; and   a dispensing device fixed between the side walls, wherein at least a portion of the stretchable paper material of the side walls that contacts the dispensing device is stretched.   
     
     
         14 . The stand-up pouch according to  claim 13 , wherein the dispensing device is fixed between the side walls at a top portion of the side walls. 
     
     
         15 . The stand-up pouch according to  claim 13 , wherein the dispensing device comprises a spout, a screw top, a flip top, a snap on, a rolling ball, spray top, trigger/pump spray, a valve closure, tamper evident closure, a cork, an plug, a seal and/ or a push pull. 
     
     
         16 . The stand-up pouch of  claim 13 , wherein a stretchability of the stretchable paper material is at least 5% in a machine direction (MD) and at least 5% in a cross direction (CD).