The present invention concerns an ecological package, particularly a composite package for dispensing edible products such as mineral water, ready-to-drink beverages, and the like.

Classically, large size pillow bag or pouches for packing liquid, semi-liquid or other flowable products such as powder or jellified products, and particularly edible products, are placed in plastic rigid dispensers to allow consumers to pour their contents conveniently. Such rigid outer packages increase the mechanical resistance and allow the pouch to stand on a surface after being opened for first use. Moreover, in such known composite packaging solutions, the consumers need the dispenser for pouring, because the pouch itself cannot be handled properly, in particular because of its flexibility. Out of home usage is not possible with such packages. Furthermore, this solution is expensive to manufacture, and therefore this production cost impacts on the final price paid by the consumer, which is undesirable.

Another way to provide usage convenience to the use of flexible packages for flowable products, is to add integrated handle to the package. However, this solution is packaging consuming, and increases the price for each flexible package.

A container including an outer shell and a flexible bag within the outershell is disclosed in US-A-6196 452.

There is a need for a composite packaging, which involves a minimal amount of packaging material, which is easy and quick to use, and which demonstrates a good mechanical resistance during storage, while providing easy handling during consumption.

The objectives set out above are met with a packaging kit according to claim 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said primary packages are soft film pouches. More preferably, said pouches comprise a tearable dispensing spout.

Advantageously, the primary packages are adapted to contain flowable products in powder, liquid or semi-liquid form such as mineral water, fruit juices, soup, dairy products, cereals, powdered milk, jellified edible products, and the like.

Preferably, the supporting layer is made out of cardboard, a plain or corrugated thermoplastic, metallic film, or a combination thereof.

Also preferably, said supporting layer comprises locking means for locking said casing once folded around said primary flexible package. Said locking means can be precut

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a packaging kit according to the invention, in the storage configuration;
• Figure 2 is a schematic profile view of the supporting layer in the flat configuration, with a flexible pouch;
• Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating how the flat supporting layer is folded to form an outer casing of a carafe;
• Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a water carafe assembled according to the invention;
• Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view that illustrates the use of a water carafe according to the invention.

The packaging kit 1 according to the invention is manually transformable between two configurations.

In a first configuration, which is a storage configuration as illustrated in figure 1, a supporting layer 2 supports a plurality of flexible primary packages 3. In the embodiment of the invention described hereafter with reference to the drawing, the flexible packages 3 are film pouches containing mineral water. The plurality of flexible pouches 3 and the supporting layer 2 are held together by a gathering band 4, which is made of plastic. Alternatively, the gathering band can be replaced by a functional equivalent such as a wrapping film covering the entire surface of the packages 3 and layer 2. Such a film can be for instance a shrinkable film which will protect the pouches and supporting layer against dust and moisture during storage and handling.

In a second configuration, which is a serving configuration, the gathering band is removed and disposed of, and one of the pouches 3 is assembled together with the supporting layer in order to provide a water carafe 5.

More particularly, as illustrated in figure 2, the supporting layer 2 comprises a folding line that divides the layer 2 into two panels 7 having substantially the same surface. The supporting layer 2 further comprises a precut handle 8 and cooperating locking means to lock the supporting layer into its serving configuration. The locking means comprises a pair a precut slots 9 disposed along the external edge of the first panel 7, and a pair of corresponding dovetail protrusions 10 disposed along the external edge of the second panel 7.

The flexible pouch 3 comprises a pouch body and dispensing spout 11. The spout 11 is an integral element of the pouch which is formed by sealing, and it protrudes out of the vicinity of the pouch body, in one of the upper corners of said pouch, as illustrated in figure 2.

As shown in figure 3, the supporting layer 2 is manually formed into an outer casing of the water carafe 5 by folding in halves around the folding line 6, and by inserting the dovetail protrusions 10 into the corresponding slots 9.

The consumer inserts a flexible pouch 3 into the outer casing formed from the folded supporting layer 2, so as to create a fully assembled and ready to use water carafe 5 shown in figures 3 and 4.

In one optional, though preferred, embodiments of the invention, an additional precut slot 9 and a corresponding dovetail protrusion 10 are located at the bottom of the water carafe outer casing, as illustrated in figure 3, so as to close at least partially the bottom part of the water carafe and prevent the inner flexible pouch disposed therein from sliding through the bottom of the outer casing of said carafe.

In use, the consumer tears or cuts the distal end of the dispensing spout 11, and then grabs the carafe 5 by using the integrated handle 8, as illustrated in figure 5 to pour water as need be. Once the flexible pouch 3 is empty, it can easily be replaced by a new pouch from the stock sold within the packaging kit.

Once the supporting layer 2 is folded and locked into an outer casing for the water carafe 5, the sides of the carafe made from the panels 7 are not in contact along their bottom edges 12, such that the water carafe can stand itself on a surface.

Such a packaging kit provides about six pouches made preferably of seamed thermoplastic film, mono, or multi-layer. Each soft pouch typically has a 1 litre content volume. As described above, this sheet is designed and dimensioned in a way to be wrapped around one of the pouches and converted easily into a water carafe. This water-carafe can be re-used for all the pouch packs contained in the kit. It is convenient to store in, and then transport from, the shop. It is also convenient for pouring water and share with the family at home. A small re-usable clip can be used to close the dispensing spout opening of the pouch once it is cut open.

The use of soft pouch packaging provides significant environmental benefits vs. standard plastic bottles and also makes it more affordable. The carafe supplies pallet stability and minimizes secondary and tertiary packaging. This last benefit is particularly important as packaging kits according to the invention proved to be stable enough to build the pallets, without the need for corrugated interlayers which are traditionally used to stabilize the pallets. The packaging kits according to the invention therefore provide enhanced consumer convenience, as well as a lower cost for storage and transportation due to the fact that corrugated pallet interlayers are no longer required (the reinforcement property in the pallet is provided by the supporting layer in each packaging kit).

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.