[0001] The present invention refers to a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid, such
as in particular an household or personal care liquid, and to a related forming and
packaging method.
[0002] Known methods of packaging detergent or cleaning liquids involve placing them in
a flexible refill bag having three walls heat-welded together to form a bag with a
substantially triangular side profile.
[0003] The refill bags, for example of liquid hand soap, are used to refill a package of
liquid hand soap equipped with a pump, therefore the refill bags are used exclusively
to reduce the cost and weight of the packaging aimed at using the same rigid package
of a liquid product of the same type several times.
[0004] The bags include three walls, a frontal wall, a rear wall and a bottom wall, made
of flexible plastic sheets respectively.
[0005] The first frontal wall and the second rear wall are welded together only along the
two side ends (left and right) and are also connected by a bottom wall which is heat-welded
to said first frontal wall and to said second rear wall.
[0006] In particular said bottom wall comprises a frontal side and a rear side which are
heat-welded to said frontal wall and to said rear wall respectively, further said
bottom wall includes a left side and a right side each of which is heat-welded at
the same time to said first frontal wall and to said second rear wall.
[0007] Said bag includes a beveled upper corner in which an outlet pipe is inserted and
heat-welded on which a threaded cap is screwed.
[0008] In addition said bag is provided with a resealable screw cap which is screwed onto
an outlet duct which is heat-welded at a beveled upper corner of said bag.
[0009] Also on the side opposite to said outlet duct, said bag is optionally provided with
a through hole which makes a vertical handle which is made in a heat-welded portion
of said frontal wall, wherein said handle extends vertically and is made on a side
opposite to that of the cap for grasping and tilting the bag to pouring the detergent
or cleaning liquid and also for handling said bag.
[0010] These bags are typically filled vertically because the upper side of said first frontal
wall and second back wall is not fully heat-welded for allowing the insertion of a
duct for the introduction of said detergent or cleaning liquid and also for allowing
the outflow of a part of the air present inside the flexible bag.
[0011] Another disadvantage is that said flexible bags are not completely filled but are
only filled slightly more than half of the capacity of the same, in order to prevent
that after unscrewing the cap, said liquid may accidentally leak from said flexible
bag, in particular in the case of a compression exerted with one hand on said first
frontal wall and on said second rear wall.
[0012] Consequently by using flexible bags it is not possible to fully use the containment
capacity of the same.
[0013] In fact, by filling a flexible bag more, even a lower pressure exerted on said first
frontal wall and on said second rear wall would lead to the unwanted accidental rising
and leakage of said detergent liquid from said outlet duct.
[0014] Besides internally to said flexible bag there is a lot of air present, and also said
detergent or cleaning product contains a lot of water therefore it is necessary to
add a large amount of preservatives and bactericidal agents to prevent oxidation and
proliferation of bacteria inside said flexible bag for a given period of time.
[0015] A purpose of the present invention is to make a package for a detergent or cleaning
liquid and a related forming and packaging method that allow to prevent an unwanted
leakage of the liquid during the use of the flexible package and that allow at the
same time to maximize the containment capacity of said flexible package.
[0016] Another purpose is to make a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related
forming and packaging method that allow to reduce the surface and volume necessary
for the storage and transport of the flexible package containing the detergent or
cleaning liquid.
[0017] Another purpose is to make a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related
forming and packaging method that allow the use of natural ingredients and that allow
to reduce the percentage of preservatives and bactericidal agents necessary to prevent
oxidation and the proliferation of bacteria within said flexible bag for a given period
of time.
[0018] Further purpose is to have a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related
forming and packaging method that are economically advantageous.
[0019] These purposes according to the present invention are achieved by making a package
for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related forming and packaging method as set
out in claim 1 and 10.
[0020] Further features of the invention are highlighted by the following claims.
[0021] The features and advantages of a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a
related forming and packaging method according to the present invention will be more
evident from the following description, which is illustrative and not limiting.
[0022] According to the present invention, a flexible package for a detergent or cleaning
liquid, such as in particular a household care or personal care liquid, is provided.
[0023] Said flexible package is of a type comprising at least three flexible walls, such
as a first frontal rectangular wall, a second rear rectangular wall and a third bottom
rectangular wall which is foldable in half on itself for making said flexible package
flat when it is empty, said at least three flexible walls being heat-welded together
for containing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
[0024] In particular said flexible package, preferably filled with said detergent or cleaning
liquid, is self-supporting, that is, it is able to remain vertical if placed with
said third bottom rectangular wall on a support surface, thanks to said third bottom
rectangular wall and in particular to a lower side of said first frontal rectangular
wall and to a lower side of said second rear rectangular wall that collaborate with
each other for keep said flexible package vertical.
[0025] Preferably said flexible package with at least three walls is therefore self-supporting
and does not require an external container such as a containment box for maintaining
a vertical configuration.
[0026] Said flexible package also includes an outlet duct heat-welded to said flexible package
for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
[0027] According to the present invention said flexible package includes an opening/closing
valve equipped with at least one opening/closing lever for dispensing said detergent
liquid or detergent, besides said outlet duct, preferably horizontal, is heat-welded
to said first frontal rectangular wall in proximity of a lower side of the same for
allowing a complete outflow of said detergent or cleaning liquid from said outlet
duct, further said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct for dispensing
said detergent or cleaning liquid in particular by keeping said flexible package resting
on a support surface or hanged on a hook or a water tap.
[0028] Instead of as a refill package for filling a rigid container, according to the present
invention said flexible package is therefore to be used as a final package also for
dispensing and using of said detergent or cleaning liquid, and also allows to solve
a first purpose of the present invention.
[0029] In particular, said opening/closing valve includes a second outlet duct oriented
downwards for facilitating the outflow of said liquid into a container or onto a user's
hand.
[0030] Preferably said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct by means of
a pressure coupling in particular of the male/female type which is preferably realized
internally within said outlet duct and externally to a tubular portion of an external
body of said opening/closing valve with which said opening/closing valve is equipped.
[0031] Preferably said outlet duct is an externally flanged collar and it is internally
corrugated, in which it is inserted and coupled under pressure, in particular with
a snap coupling, an externally corrugated tubular portion of an external body of said
opening/closing valve, which is in particular also heat-welded to the same.
[0032] Preferably said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct by means of
a threaded coupling in particular of the male/female type which is preferably realized
internally within said outlet duct and externally to a tubular portion of an external
body of said opening/closing valve with which it is equipped; preferably said outlet
duct is an externally flanged collar and is internally threaded, into which is screwed,
in particular with a watertight thread, an externally threaded tubular portion of
an externally threaded body of said opening/closing valve, for reusing several times
said opening/closing valve with a plurality of flexible packages.
[0033] Preferably said flexible package includes a flexible closing tongue which is preferably
heat-welded at a free end of said outlet duct for keeping said flexible package closed
and unaltered before use, and furthermore said flexible closing tongue is removable
for screwing said opening/closing valve or for press-fitting said opening/closing
valve.
[0034] In particular said outlet duct preferably horizontal protrudes externally with respect
to said first frontal rectangular wall between 0.5 and 1 cm.
[0035] In particular said opening/closing valve protrudes externally with respect to said
first frontal rectangular wall between 1.5 cm and 3.5 cm.
[0036] Further preferably said outlet duct includes a first internal flange which is heat-welded
internally to said first frontal rectangular wall, and also includes at least a second
external flange, in particular at least two external flanges, preferably for supporting
said flexible package, in particular for emptying said flexible package from the air,
and for filling said flexible package with said detergent or cleaning liquid, in particular
for inserting an inert gas and for temporarily closing said outlet duct from the inside,
and at the same time for inserting said opening /closing valve under pressure within
said outlet duct.
[0037] In particular said preferably horizontal outlet duct is heat-welded to said first
frontal rectangular wall in a substantially central position of the same, preferably
in proximity of said third bottom rectangular wall in particular so as to present
a lower part of said outlet duct substantially tangent to a lower side of said first
frontal rectangular wall in order for allowing a complete outflow of said detergent
product or liquid detergent.
[0038] In particular said third bottom rectangular wall comprises a frontal side and a rear
side which are heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall and to said second
rear rectangular wall respectively, and said third bottom rectangular wall includes
a left side and a right side, each of which is heat-welded at the same time as said
first frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall.
[0039] In particular said first frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular
wall have the same dimensions and are superimposed on each other so that corresponding
edges are coincident, said third bottom rectangular wall is foldable in half on itself
so that two edges of each left and right side of the same are superimposed, said folded
third bottom rectangular wall is inserted between said first frontal rectangular wall
and said second rear rectangular wall in such a way that the frontal and rear sides
of said folded third bottom rectangular wall coincide with the lower side of said
first frontal rectangular wall and with the lower side of that second rectangular
wall, and also are heat-welded together a perimeter of said first frontal rectangular
wall, a perimeter of said second rear rectangular wall, and a perimeter of said folded
third bottom rectangular wall.
[0040] Preferably said opening/closing valve includes an external body, an inlet duct internal
to said external body, a second outlet duct preferably vertical in which is inserted
a first element made of an elastic polymeric material chosen between silicone or other
elastic plastic material having a sealing function, and also includes a second polymeric
closing element of said second outlet duct which is made in one single piece with
said at least one opening/closing lever and is slidable, preferably vertically, within
said external body for moving away from an outlet section of said second outlet duct
following an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever for opening said
second outlet duct for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
[0041] Preferably said at least one opening/closing lever is external to said external body
and is also inserted into a corresponding hole made within said external body for
being integral to said second polymeric closing element, said at least one opening/closing
lever is operable to vertically lift said second polymeric closure element by reaction
with said hole for opening said second outlet duct for dispensing said detergent or
cleaning liquid.
[0042] Advantageously this allows to easily recycle said flexible package as it is made
only with plastic materials including said opening/closing valve.
[0043] Preferably said opening/closing valve also includes an annular closure element equipped
with a gasket which is pressed by elastic means against said outlet duct for keeping
said outlet duct normally closed; further preferably said at least one opening/closing
lever includes an proximal end internal to said opening/closing valve which is interposed
between said outlet duct and said annular closure element for moving the same away
from said outlet duct for opening said opening/closing valve and for allowing the
dispensing of said detergent or cleaning liquid.
[0044] Alternatively preferably said elastic means include a retaining spring preferably
made of metal in particular galvanized or stainless steel, which is connected to a
shutter and to said at least one opening/closing lever for closing said outlet duct
of said flexible package.
[0045] Preferably said opening/closing valve is normally kept closed by a closing spring
that keeps said opening/closing valve closed, and also said at least one opening/closing
lever when actuated allows to counteract the force of said closing spring for opening
said valve and for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
[0046] Preferably said opening/closing valve includes an externally corrugated and preferably
horizontal sleeve, which is insertable by pressure within said outlet duct of said
flexible package.
[0047] Preferably said flexible package includes a dosing tap which is coupled with said
opening/closing valve and in particular which is integrated with the same.
[0048] Preferably said flexible package include a plastic seal which is removable before
use, and which prevents the actuation of at least one opening/closing lever preventing
an accidental opening of said opening/closing valve, and also preferably said opening/closing
valve includes a flexible closing tongue and includes a second outlet duct preferably
vertical for dosing said detergent or cleaning liquid, wherein said second outlet
duct includes a free end to which said removable flexible tongue is heat-welded for
keeping said flexible package closed and unaltered.
[0049] Preferably said flexible package includes at least one handle or at least one handling
hole which is made in proximity of an upper side of said first frontal rectangular
wall in a substantially central position for keeping said flexible package vertical,
in particular preventing it from tilting to one side, in particular when said at least
a handle, or said at least one handling hole, is hooked to a hook or to a water tap,
and for attaching said flexible package to a hook or to a water tap.
[0050] In particular said at least one handle or said at least one handling hole are also
used to hook at least one flexible package to a hook or to a water tap.
[0051] Preferably said at least one handle or said at least one handling hole extends horizontally
and it is in particular "I" shaped.
[0052] Advantageously said flexible package allows to easily dose said detergent or cleaning
liquid, for example by placing it on a plane of a washing machine so that said opening/closing
valve is protruding from said plane and positioned above an open drawer for the detergent
of the washing machine itself, also by means of an actuation of said at least one
opening/closing lever it is possible to pour into said drawer said detergent or cleaning
liquid.
[0053] Similarly it is possible to place said flexible package on a support surface in such
a way that said opening/closing valve is protruding from it, and it is also possible
an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever for dosing, for example, a
hand detergent liquid on a hand positioned under said opening/closing valve.
[0054] The same is possible by hanging said flexible package by inserting said at least
one handle or handling hole on a hook or on a water tap.
[0055] Preferably said flexible package includes a fourth upper rectangular wall which is
heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall and to said second rear rectangular
wall at a predetermined distance from an upper side of each of them.
[0056] In particular said fourth upper rectangular wall comprises a frontal side and a rear
side which are respectively heat-welded to said first frontal rectangular wall and
to said second rear rectangular wall, further said fourth upper rectangular wall includes
a left side and a right side each of which is respectively heat-welded at the same
time to said first frontal rectangular wall and to said second rear rectangular wall.
[0057] Preferably said at least one handle or said at least one handling hole are . two
coaxial handles, or two coaxial handling holes, preferably horizontal and in particular
shaped to "I", each of which is made respectively in proximity of an upper side of
said first frontal rectangular wall in a substantially central position and in proximity
of an upper side of said second rear rectangular wall in a substantially central position.
[0058] Preferably said flexible package includes an internal volume which is at least at
90%, in particular at least 95%, filled with said detergent or cleaning liquid and
also a remaining portion of said internal volume is filled with an inert gas such
as in particular nitrogen.
[0059] In particular said detergent liquid is chosen between a washing machine or hand washing
detergent, a floor detergent, a glass detergent, a dishwashing detergent, a household
detergent, a fabric softener, a sanitizer.
[0060] In particular said detergent liquid is chosen between a liquid soap, a bath foam,
a shower foam, a shampoo.
[0061] Preferably said detergent or cleaning liquid includes at least one preserving agent,
preferably chosen between phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate,
at least one bactericidal agent preferably chosen between phenoxyethanol and/or citric
acid, and further comprises a plurality of substances of natural origin or derivation,
such as in particular coconut oil salts or oil, glucosides.
[0062] Preferably said detergent or cleaning liquid includes at least one chelating agent
for metal ions, such as in particular tetrasodium glutamate diacetate.
[0063] Preferably said flexible package when a vacuum is created inside it, said first frontal
rectangular wall is pressed against said second rear rectangular wall and therefore
the lateral thickness is between 0.5 and 3 millimeters, except where said opening/closing
valve is present.
[0064] According to another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a forming and
packaging method of a flexible package for a detergent or cleaning liquid according
to one or more variants or according to one or more features previously described.
[0065] Preferably said method includes a packaging step which includes a phase of h) completely
sucking the air inside of said flexible package by means of a supply duct connected
to said outlet duct of said flexible package, followed by a phase of i) filling said
flexible package with a detergent liquid or detergent which preferably includes a
phase of j) pumping said detergent or cleaning liquid through said supply duct almost
completely filling said flexible package.
[0066] Preferably said phase i) include a phase of k) grasping at least one external flange
of said outlet duct of said flexible package, in particular with a plier, and keeping
said outlet duct facing upwards and in a higher position than said first frontal rectangular
wall facing upwards.
[0067] Preferably said phase i) also includes a phase of m) filling a free volume inside
said flexible package with an inert gas such as in particular nitrogen after said
phase j).
[0068] In particular said phase m) includes a phase of n) introducing an inert gas such
as nitrogen into said flexible package, in particular through said supply duct.
[0069] Preferably said method also includes a phase of o) internally closing said outlet
duct by lifting and pressing a portion of said second rear rectangular wall, which
faces towards said outlet duct, against said outlet duct and in particular against
a first internal flange of said outlet duct for preventing a leakage of said detergent
or cleaning liquid, and in particular of said inert gas, from said outlet duct of
said flexible package.
[0070] Preferably said method preferably includes a phase of p) removing said supply duct
and a phase of q) inserting and forcing under pressure said opening/closing valve
within said outlet duct of said flexible package obtaining a filled flexible package.
[0071] Preferably said forming and packaging method includes a phase of a) superimposing
a first frontal rectangular wall on a second rear rectangular wall having the same
dimensions as said first frontal rectangular wall, and said method include a phase
of b) folding in half a third bottom rectangular wall, in particular by overlapping
the edges of a left side and overlapping the edges of a right side, obtaining a third
folded bottom rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of c) insert said third
folded bottom rectangular wall between said first frontal rectangular wall and said
second rectangular wall rear, making coincide the frontal and rear sides of said third
folded bottom rectangular wall with the lower side of said first frontal rectangular
wall and with the lower side of said second rear rectangular wall, and also includes
a phase of d) heat-welding together a perimeter of said first frontal rectangular
wall, a perimeter of said second rear rectangular wall, and a perimeter of said third
folded bottom rectangular wall, obtaining a flat package.
[0072] In particular said flexible package filled with said detergent or cleaning liquid
is able to remain vertical if placed on a support surface thanks to said third bottom
rectangular wall.
[0073] Preferably said method before said phase a) comprises a2) perforating said first
frontal rectangular wall in proximity of a lower side of the wall realizing an outlet
hole, and a phase of a3) heat-welding an outlet duct to said outlet hole, which preferably
comprises heat-welding a first end flange of said outlet duct internally to said outlet
hole.
[0074] Preferably said method includes a phase of e) folding in half a fourth upper rectangular
wall, in particular by overlapping the edges of a left side and overlapping the edges
of a right side, obtaining a fourth folded upper rectangular wall, and also includes
a phase of g1) insert said fourth folded upper rectangular wall between said first
frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall positioning the frontal
and rear sides of said fourth folded upper rectangular wall at a predetermined distance
below with respect to an upper side of said first frontal rectangular wall and with
respect to an upper side of said second rear rectangular wall, and also includes a
phase of g2) heat-welding the perimeter of said first frontal rectangular wall, the
perimeter of said second rear rectangular wall, and a perimeter of said fourth folded
upper rectangular wall, obtaining a flat flexible package.
[0075] According to another aspect of the present invention, a forming and packaging system
of a flexible package for a detergent or cleaning liquid is provided according to
one or more variants or according to one or more features previously described.
[0076] Preferably said system include a feeding device for said flexible package and shall
also include a gripper for grasping said at least one external flange of said outlet
duct of said flexible package, and further said system includes a three-way valve
having an outlet connected to said supply duct connectable to said outlet duct of
said flexible package, and also includes a device for supplying said detergent liquid
or detergent connectable to a tank of said detergent or cleaning liquid and also connected
to a first inlet of said three-way valve, preferably said system also includes a vacuum
pump connected to a first inlet of said three-way valve for sucking in the air contained
within said flexible package through said outlet duct of the same and also includes
a pressure tank of inert gas, in particular nitrogen, which is connected to said first
inlet of said three-way valve for introducing an inert gas such as nitrogen in particular
into said flexible package.
[0077] Preferably said system comprising a closing device of said flexible package which
is capable of grasping and inserting and pressing said opening/closing valve within
said outlet duct of said flexible package.
[0078] Preferably said system includes a cutting and heat welding station for realizing
said flexible package, and in particular for cutting and heat welding said at least
three flexible walls, in particular four flexible walls, and to heat welding said
outlet duct to said first frontal rectangular wall.
[0079] According to another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a use of a flexible
package for a detergent or cleaning liquid according to one or more variants or according
to one or more features previously described, wherein said flexible package filled
with said detergent or cleaning liquid is positioned vertically on a support plane,
so that said opening/closing valve is protruding externally with respect of the same
for allowing an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever and for allowing
the dosage of said detergent or cleaning liquid.
[0080] The same is possible by hanging said flexible package by inserting said at least
one handle or handling hole on a hook or on a water tap.
[0081] Use of said flexible package in which said support surface is a top plane of a washing
machine and in which said opening/closing valve is protruding with respect to said
top plane and positioned above an open drawer for the detergent of said washing machine
itself, for permitting an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever for
dosing within said drawer said detergent or cleaning liquid in particular in a predetermined
quantity.
[0082] It has thus been seen that a package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and a related
forming and packaging method and a use of a flexible package according to this invention
fulfills the purposes previously disclosed.
[0083] The package for a detergent or cleaning liquid and the related forming and packaging
method and the use of the flexible package of the present invention thus conceived
are susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the same
inventive concept.
[0084] In addition, in practice the materials used, as well as their dimensions and components,
can be any depending on the technical needs.
1. Flexible package for a detergent or cleaning liquid, said flexible package is of a
type comprising at least three flexible walls, a first frontal rectangular wall, a
second rear rectangular wall and a third bottom rectangular wall which is foldable
in half on itself for making said flexible package flat when it is empty, said at
least three flexible walls being heat-welded together for containing said detergent
or cleaning liquid, said flexible package also includes an outlet duct heat-welded
to said flexible package for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid, characterized by comprising an opening/closing valve equipped with at least one opening/closing lever
for dispensing said detergent liquid or detergent, besides said outlet duct is heat-welded
to said first frontal rectangular wall in proximity of a lower side of the same for
allowing a complete outflow of said detergent or cleaning liquid from said outlet
duct, further said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct for dispensing
said detergent or cleaning liquid.
2. Flexible package according to claim 1, characterized in that said opening/closing valve is coupled with said outlet duct by means of a pressure
coupling in particular of the male/female type which is preferably realized internally
within said outlet duct and externally to a tubular portion of an external body of
said opening/closing valve with which said opening/closing valve is equipped.
3. Flexible package according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said outlet duct includes a first internal flange which is heat-welded internally
to said first frontal rectangular wall, and also includes at least a second external
flange, in particular at least two external flanges, preferably for supporting said
flexible package and for filling said flexible package with said detergent or cleaning
liquid for inserting said opening /closing valve under pressure within said outlet
duct.
4. Flexible package according to any claim from 1 to 3, characterized in that said first frontal rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall have the
same dimensions and are superimposed on each other so that corresponding edges are
coincident, said third bottom rectangular wall is foldable in half on itself so that
two edges of each left and right side of the same are superimposed said folded third
bottom rectangular wall is inserted between said first frontal rectangular wall and
said second rear rectangular wall in such a way that the frontal and rear sides of
said folded third bottom rectangular wall coincide with the lower side of said first
frontal rectangular wall and with the lower side of that second rectangular wall,
and also are heat-welded together a perimeter of said first frontal rectangular wall,
a perimeter of said second rear rectangular wall, and a perimeter of said folded third
bottom rectangular wall.
5. Flexible package according to any claim from 1 to 4, characterized in that said opening/closing valve includes an external body, an inlet duct internal to said
external body, a second outlet duct preferably vertical in which is inserted a first
element made of an elastic polymeric material chosen between silicone or other elastic
plastic material having a sealing function, and also includes a second polymeric closing
element of said second outlet duct which is made in one single piece with said at
least one opening/closing lever and is slidable, preferably vertically, within said
external body for moving away from an outlet section of said second outlet duct following
an actuation of said at least one opening/closing lever for opening said second outlet
duct for dispensing said detergent or cleaning liquid.
6. Flexible package according to any claim from 1 to 4, characterized by comprising a plastic seal removable before use which prevents the actuation of said
at least one opening/closing lever preventing an accidental opening of said opening/closing
valve, also preferably said opening/closing valve includes a flexible closing tongue
and includes a second outlet duct preferably vertical for dosing said detergent or
cleaning liquid, in which said second outlet duct includes a free end at which said
removable flexible tab is heat-welded for keeping said flexible package closed and
unaltered before its use.
7. Flexible package according to any claim from 1 to 6, characterized by comprising at least one handle or at least one handling hole which is made in proximity
of an upper side of said first frontal rectangular wall in a substantially central
position for keeping said flexible package vertical, in particular preventing it from
tilting to one side, and for attaching said flexible package to a hook or water tap.
8. Flexible package according to claim 7, characterized by comprising a fourth upper rectangular wall which is heat-welded to said first frontal
rectangular wall and said second rear rectangular wall at a predetermined distance
from a predetermined distance from one upper side of each of them, preferably said
at least one handle or said at least one handling hole are two coaxial handles, or
two coaxial handling holes, preferably horizontal and in particular "I" shaped, each
of which shall be made respectively in proximity of an upper side of said first frontal
rectangular wall in a substantially central position and in proximity of an upper
side of said second rear rectangular wall in a substantially central position.
9. Flexible package according to any claim from 1 to 8, characterized in that said flexible package comprises an internal volume which is filled at least at 90%
with said detergent or cleaning liquid and also a remaining portion of said internal
volume is filled with an inert gas such as in particular nitrogen.
10. A forming and packaging method of a flexible package according to any claim from 1
to 9, characterized in that it includes a packaging step which includes a phase of h) completely sucking the
air inside to said flexible package by means of a supply duct connected to said outlet
duct of said flexible package, followed by a phase of i) filling said flexible package
with a detergent or cleaning liquid which preferably includes a phase of j) pumping
said detergent or cleaning liquid through said feeding duct almost completely filling
said flexible package, said phase i) includes a phase of k) grasping at least one
external flange of said outlet duct of said flexible package and keeping said outlet
duct facing upwards and in a higher position than said first frontal rectangular wall
facing upwards, a phase of o) internally closing said outlet duct by lifting and pressing
a portion of said second rear rectangular wall, which faces towards said outlet duct,
against said outlet duct and in particular against a first internal flange of said
outlet duct for preventing a leakage of said detergent or cleaning liquid from said
outlet duct of said flexible package, a phase of p) removing said supply duct and
a phase of q) inserting and forcing under pressure said opening/closing valve within
said outlet duct of said flexible package by obtaining a filled flexible package.
11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that said phase i) also includes a phase of m) filling a free volume inside said flexible
package with an inert gas such as in particular nitrogen after said phase j), said
phase m) includes a phase of n) introducing an inert gas such as nitrogen within said
flexible package, in particular through said supply duct.
12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that it includes a phase of a) superimposing a first frontal rectangular wall on a second
rear rectangular wall having the same dimensions as said first frontal rectangular
wall, and said method include a phase of b) folding in half a third bottom rectangular
wall, in particular by overlapping the edges of a left side and overlapping the edges
of a right side, obtaining a third folded bottom rectangular wall, and also includes
a phase of c) insert said third folded bottom rectangular wall between said first
frontal rectangular wall and said second rectangular wall rear, making the frontal
and rear sides of said third folded bottom rectangular wall coincide with the lower
side of said first frontal rectangular wall and with the lower side of said second
rear rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of d) heat-welding together a perimeter
of said first frontal rectangular wall, a perimeter of said second rear rectangular
wall, and a perimeter of said third folded bottom rectangular wall, obtaining a flat
package.
13. Method according to claim 12, characterized by comprising a phase of e) folding in half a fourth upper rectangular wall, in particular
by overlapping the edges of a left side and overlapping the edges of a right side,
obtaining a fourth folded upper rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of g1)
insert said fourth folded upper rectangular wall between said first frontal rectangular
wall and said second rear rectangular wall positioning the frontal and rear sides
of said fourth folded upper rectangular wall at a predetermined distance below with
respect to an upper side of said first frontal rectangular wall and with respect to
an upper side of said second rectangular wall, and also includes a phase of g2) heat
welding the perimeter of said first frontal rectangular wall, the perimeter of said
second rear rectangular wall, and the perimeter of said fourth folded upper rectangular
wall, obtaining a flat flexible package.
14. Use of a flexible package according to any claim from 1 to 9, characterized in that said flexible package is filled with said detergent or cleaning liquid and is positioned
vertically on a support plane, so that said opening/closing valve is protruding externally
with respect of the same for allowing an actuation of said at least one opening/closing
lever for allowing the dosage of said detergent or cleaning liquid.
15. Use according to claim 14, characterized in that said support surface is a top plane of a washing machine and in which said opening/closing
valve is protruding with respect to said top plane and positioned above an open drawer
for the detergent of said washing machine itself, for permitting an actuation of said
at least one opening/closing lever for dosing within said drawer said detergent or
cleaning liquid.