U.S. patent application number 10/006695 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for process for the manufacture of an easy open device for 'flow pack' or similar packages with longitudinal seams, opening device obtained [by said process ], and package using it.
Invention is credited to Parra, Francisco.
Application Number | 20030174909 10/006695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29720813 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030174909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parra, Francisco |
September 18, 2003 |
Process for the manufacture of an easy open device for 'Flow Pack'
or similar packages with longitudinal seams, opening device
obtained [by said process ], and package using it
Abstract
Process for the manufacture of an easy open device for "Flow
Pack" or similar packages with longitudinal seams and transversal
closings, structured horizontally or vertically, with a detachable
strip, attached in alignment on the internal face of the packaging
film by means of an applicator head, to be manually grasped and to
result in the tearing of said packages, including the steps of:
attaching said strip transversally with respect to the machine
direction and to the internal face of the packaging film, and
producing a cut on at least one end of said detachable strip to
generate a tear area An easy open device for packages produced with
the process and packages produced with it are also being
disclosed.
Inventors: |
Parra, Francisco; (Buenos
Aires, AR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Family ID: |
29720813 |
Appl. No.: |
10/006695 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/204 ; 383/89;
53/451 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 9/02 20130101; B65D
75/66 20130101; B65D 75/68 20130101; B65B 9/20 20130101; B65B
61/182 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/204 ; 53/451;
383/89 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/16; B65D
033/30; B65D 065/26 |
Claims
1. Process for the manufacture of an easy open device for "Flow
Pack" or similar packages with longitudinal seams and transversal
closings, constructed horizontally or vertically, with a detachable
strip, attached and aligned on the internal face of the packaging
film by means of an applicator head, to be manually grasped and to
result in the tearing of said packages, which includes the steps
of: attaching said strip transversally to the machine direction on
the internal face of the packaging film, and producing a cut on at
least one end of said detachable strip to generate a tear area.
2. Process according to claim 1, wherein said tear area generates
an upper flap between said tear area and said closest transversal
closure.
3. Process according to claim 1, wherein said cut is accomplished
by means of at least one incision parallel to the detaching strip
and on the longitudinal seam.
4. Process according to claim 1, wherein said cut is accomplished
by means of a through cut on one end of the detaching strip, both
being attached to an easy open/close element that blocks said
through cut and said end of said detaching strip.
5. Process according to claim 4, wherein the part of the surface of
said easy open/close element which blocks said through cut and said
end of said detaching strip is self-sticking and reclosable.
6. Process according to claim 4, wherein the part of the surface
that can be grasped by the consumer of said easy open/close element
contains no adhesive.
7. Process according to claims 2 and 4, wherein said upper flap is
folded over on itself and over the tear area, attaching to one of
the faces of said package across the self-stick part of the surface
of said easy open/close element (to produce its closure).
8. Process according to claim 1, wherein said detachable strip is
affixed to the packaging film off the package production line.
9. Process according to claim 1, wherein said detachable strip is
affixed to the packaging film on the package production line.
10. Process according to claim 1, wherein said aligned attachment
on the internal face of said package includes the steps of:
inputting the position of said detaching strip on said package in
the control logic, optically reading the alignment for said
packaging film in motion, transmitting the information to said
applicator head regarding said detaching strip, detaching, by means
of said applicator head, said detaching strip from said siliconed
material that supports it, affixing, by means of said applicator
head, said detaching strip to said internal face of said packaging
film.
11. Easy open device for "Flow Pack" or similar packages with
longitudinal seams and transversal closures, with at least two
faces, one frontal and the other posterior, constructed
horizontally or vertically, possessing a detaching strip with one
of its faces printed, obtained through the process referred to in
claim 1, wherein on the internal face of at least one of said faces
of said package there is attached, transversally to the machine
direction, said detaching strip being not longer than the width of
the package, which in turn defines a tear area on said package.
12. Easy open device according to claim 11, wherein said printed
face of said detaching strip (occluded printing) is fixed with
adhesive to said internal face of said packaging film.
13. Easy open device according to claim 11, wherein said detaching
strip has one of its ends located on said longitudinal seam on
which at least one incision is made parallel to said detaching
strip (to facilitate the tearing of the packaging film).
14. Easy open device according to claim 11, wherein said detaching
strip has at least one of its ends positioned in an area where
there is a through cut and, both being attached in turn to an easy
open/close element that blocks said through cut and said end of
said detaching strip (to facilitate tearing of said detaching
strip).
15. Easy open device according to claim 11, wherein said tear area
creates an upper flap between said tear area and said nearest
transversal closure.
16. Easy open device according to claims 14 and 15, wherein said
upper flap folds over on itself and over the tear area, attaching
to one face of said package across the self-stick part of the
surface of said easy open/close element (to produce its
closure).
17. Packages that have longitudinal seams and transversal closures,
constructed horizontally or vertically, wherein they have the easy
open device referred to in clauses 11 to 16.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a process for the
manufacture of an easy open device for "Flow Pack" or similar
packages with longitudinal seams and transversal closures, an
opening device obtained through said process, and the package using
it.
[0002] More specifically, it relates to a process for placing a
detaching or easy open strip in packages with longitudinal seams
and transversal closures [in] which, because of their current
manufacturing characteristics, said opening is made by tearing,
with the risk of spillage of the packaged product and subsequent
destruction of the package. It could be said that package
manufacturing techniques are divided into packages with and without
longitudinal seams and transversal closures. The first are the
so-called "Flow Pack" packages and the second are the so-called
"portfolio" and/or wrapper packages.
[0003] Portfolio-type packages are produced by the movement in the
machine direction of the already-printed packaging film, said
printing generally being readable in the direction perpendicular to
the film's movement. The product to be packaged arrives at the film
perpendicularly to its movement, supported by disks on both ends.
At the same time, a detaching or easy open strip is incorporated
longitudinally into said film by an applicator head. The detaching
strip comes on a spool. While continuously unwinding, it is fixed
with adhesive to the internal face of the packaging film in an area
near one end of the product to be packaged. Said strip is not
longer than the width of the package, generally not exceeding 15
cm, and one of its ends is exposed by lateral incisions to allow
for manual detachment so the packaged product can be accessed.
[0004] These types of machines have cylinders that adjust the area
where said detachable strip will be placed, but their degree of
precision is relative, so there is generally displacement which
affects the proper operation of said strip. Also, during the
process of constructing the package, the free end for tearing said
strip may not match up with the circumference it should describe.
Consequently, when it does not close over itself, the tear is not
clean. In some cases, said strip is not even where it should be. As
indicated, once the package is constructed with its detachment
strip incorporated, one frangible end is left free to open it. This
free end, not attached to the rest of the package, is made with at
least one cut in one side of the strip. If there are two cuts to
both sides, they may not be symmetrical because of synchronization
problems, which makes a neat opening even more difficult to
achieve. If this occurs, more force must be applied than that
required for opening, which distorts it and entails high risk for
the product and package integrity.
[0005] This type of package uses heat activated adhesive to seal
the ends, because of which the product to be consumed can also be
damaged, due to the pressure of the disks and the temperature
applied, as in the case of packets of crackers, in which the first
and last are generally damaged.
[0006] The undesired effects that may accompany the wrapping or
portfolio technique, plus their hermetic closure, motivated the
appearance and the increasingly frequent use of "FlowPack" type
packages which, because of their transversal packaging
characteristic, could not, until now, have an easy open device.
There are two types of Flow Pack packages, those generated
horizontally and those generated vertically, also called sacks.
[0007] In horizontal packaging, the product is positioned on the
printed film which will make up the package in [a] direction
parallel to the readable printing, because of which it must enter
parallel to the machine direction, which means perpendicular with
respect to the aforementioned packages that are produced
longitudinally (or "portfolio"). The film closes over itself on one
face of the package, producing a longitudinal fold or seam which is
heat sealed. The same occurs on the ends. Due to the manufacturing
characteristics of this type of package, the application of a
detaching strip which is continuous and in the machine direction,
as in the case of longitudinally-manufactured packages, involves
several difficulties, such as:
[0008] It would use a longer strip, with the consequent higher
cost
[0009] It would interfere with the heat seal areas, making [the
sealing] difficult, acting as a potential contamination factor.
[0010] It would expose the entire packaged product without the
ability to be re-closed, with the consequent product
deterioration.
[0011] In the case of vertical or sack type "Flow Pack" packages
(filled gravimetrically or volumetrically), the process is
different because it is not continuous. Its intermittent nature is
due to the fact that one end of the package must be sealed and the
longitudinal seam must be generated so that, when gravity causes
the product to fall, it is confined in the package. Subsequently,
the other end (where the product enters) is sealed, thus generating
the base for the next package. The inclusion of a detaching strip
has also not been used because of the problems previously set forth
with respect to the conventional processes for inserting said
strips.
[0012] Therefore, and in keeping with what has been set forth, at
this time, there are no known processes for including detaching
(also known as "easy open") strips in packages with longitudinal
seams and transversal closures, commonly known as "Flow Pack."
[0013] Based on what has been set forth, the need to develop a
process for the manufacture of an easy opening for these types of
packages is clear, since at the current time they are opened only
by tearing one of the ends or through the longitudinal seam (which
can be located anywhere on the package). In the majority of cases,
this causes spillage of the product because of the force needed to
break the heat seal and, in some cases, destruction of the
package.
[0014] Another as yet unresolved problem is reclosing the packages
after opening. Generally, once the packages are opened, they are
closed with a rubber band, a clasp, a clip, or any other prehensile
implement. It is well known that in food products with a high fat
content, rapid oxidation occurs, producing the so-called
"sogginess" (and possible sticking in the package), destroying
crispness and freshness. In the case of Flow Pack packages, this
difficulty increases because, as in the majority of cases, the
package is in very poor condition after being manually opened and
it is very difficult to reconstruct it to close it by any of the
means mentioned. So there is a need to open these packages in a
non-traumatic manner and then close them so they keep the packaged
products fresh.
[0015] Another difficulty arises in the case of promotions or
economy packs of any kind that include more of a product at the
same time. In the case of wanting to package, for example, three
packets of crackers for a promotion, double packaging is necessary.
First, each product individually, and then grouping them in a
single package, either with a wrapping film of sealed polyethylene
or in a closed box. This is so because the difficulties mentioned
with respect to the destruction of the packages with longitudinal
seams are aggravated even more in this case, since, if there were
no individual packages inside the collective package, many products
would be exposed, and, in the event of its destruction by tearing,
significant spillage would result. Also, the cost of this double
packaging is so high that, in the majority of cases, promotions do
not achieve their expectations or objectives.
[0016] Therefore, the purpose of using the present invention is to
provide a process for inserting a detaching or "easy open" strip in
Flow Pack or similar packages with longitudinal seams and
transversal closures, manufactured horizontally or vertically.
[0017] Another purpose is that said detaching strip be easy to
detach.
[0018] Still another purpose is that the opening procedure not
endanger the integrity of the package.
[0019] Yet another purpose is that the process for including a
detaching strip not increase costs.
[0020] A further purpose is to provide an easy closure for packages
with longitudinal seams and transversal closures.
[0021] The invention will be better understood with reference to
the drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal packaging or wrapping
machine.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a horizontal Flow Pack packaging machine with
the inclusion of the purpose of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a vertical or sack type Flow Pack packaging
machine with the inclusion of the object of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 4A to C show an easy open sequence with the free end of
the detaching strip located on the longitudinal seam of the Flow
Pack packages.
[0026] FIG. 5A to F show an easy open and closing sequence when the
end of the detaching strip is not placed on the longitudinal seam
of the Flow Pack packages.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] As can be seen in FIG. 1, referring to longitudinal
(wrapping or portfolio) packaging machines, the packaging film (1)
on which the product to be packaged is deposited (2) is moved, with
printed face (3) down and readable perpendicularly to the machine
direction. The product to be packaged enters through one side on a
conveyor belt (4) perpendicularly to the machine direction, as
indicated by the arrows. This process incorporates a detachable
strip (5), which is attached to the internal (unprinted) face (6)
of the packaging film (1). This detachable strip is continuously
unwinding from the spool (8) so that, after the final cut, it will
surround the entire perimeter of the package (7). Its final length
is, in the majority of cases, not greater than 15 cm. This, of
course, depends on the product to be packaged.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows how horizontal Flow Pack packages are produced.
The packaging film (1) is moved, with printed face (3) up and
generally readable, parallel to the machine direction, as indicated
by the arrows. At a certain point, the product (2) to be packaged
is incorporated in the machine direction. Then the packaging film
(1) is folded, wrapping the product (2), and a longitudinal seam
(12) is generated. This seam is preferably located in the center of
the package, which is heat- or cold-sealed. The same occurs with
the ends of the package (9), which are pressed, heat- or
cold-sealed, and cut. In this way the process keeps mechanical
elements from coming into contact with the product (2) to be
consumed and jeopardizing its integrity. If the process included a
spool (8) containing a strip (5), such as the one described in FIG.
1, which is unwound continuously and whose detaching strip (5) is
attached to the internal face of the package (3), an undesired
opening area that would expose all of the product would be
generated; it would also have to span areas that are sealed, which
could result in product (2) deterioration.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a spool (8) with a rolled plastic siliconed
carrier or liner (10) that has detaching strips (5) not longer than
the width of the packaging film (1), which is the object of the
present invention. Said strip (5) has adhesive on its printed face;
this process is called "occluded printing." The ink is occluded
because of the requirement to not expose the printed face to the
package contents (7).
[0030] The siliconed carrier (10) is punched and, using an
applicator head (not shown in the figure), the detaching strips (5)
are applied to the internal face of the packaging film (1)
continuously, accurately aligned.
[0031] Said strips (5) must be thick and rigid enough so that, once
the cut is initiated, the subsequent release of the material
accompanies their detachment.
[0032] As indicated, these detaching strips (5) are placed along
the width of the siliconed carrier (10) that supports them. This
means that they will be deposited transversally with respect to the
machine direction and perpendicular to the readable printing on the
packaging film (1). The release area (17 FIGS. 5 and 6) can be
generated on just one face of the package (7) or on all of them
(with total detachment of the portion of the package above said
strip). The fact that the release area (17 FIGS. 5 and 6) is not
the total perimeter of the package (7) makes it possible to use an
easy open/close element (11 FIGS. 3 and 5) that enables said
package (7) to be closed for subsequent use, thus preserving the
product to be consumed. This easy open/close element (11 FIGS. 3
and 5) can either be affixed to one face of said package (7) or
inside said package (7) as a self-sticking label.
[0033] Said detachable strip (5) can be positioned on any part of
the package (7). Everything will depend on the type of product to
be consumed. In the case of disposable tissues, it could be
inserted in the middle of the package (7), but in the case of
crackers, a position near one of the ends (9) would be suitable.
Application is made with a standard aligning applicator head known
in the art which, through the optical reading of a reference
element on the packaging film (1) (not provided in the figure),
indicates where said detachable strip (5) should be affixed.
[0034] Optical alignment is much more accurate than mechanical
devices in relation to the aforementioned problem of displacement,
with which the associated problems regarding release are also
solved. The place where said strip (5) is to be affixed is
previously input manually in the production line control logic
(PLC), which in turn transmits the information entered to the
optical reader, which activates the applicator head when said strip
(5) must be affixed to the packaging film (1).
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a packaging machine for vertical Flow Pack
packages, also called sacks (7). Gravity plays an important role in
this process. The film (1) moves vertically (see arrow), producing
first a package (7) with a longitudinal seam (12) generated by
means of longitudinal clamps (22), a sealed lower end (13)
generated by means of transversal clamps (23), and an upper end
(14) originally opened by means of a shaping shoulder (21). Through
it enters the product to be packaged, which is gravimetrically or
volumetrically measured out through the hopper (21). The subsequent
heat sealing of said upper end (14) by action of the transversal
clamps (23) shapes the lower end (13) of the next sack, and so on.
This process is not continuous, since it is necessary to wait for
the package (7) to be filled in order to move on to the next. The
purpose of the present invention is to participate in the packaging
process through the previously-described spool (8), which has a
siliconed carrier or plastic liner (10) that supports the detaching
strips (5), which, by means of an applicator head (not shown in the
figure), are affixed transversally to the packaging sheet (1) and
aligned with a through cut (18) generated by the first cutting
machine (24). Then the easy open/close element (11) is attached,
also aligned and on the area of said cut (18), by means of another
applicator head (also not shown).
[0036] FIG. 4A to C show an example of [the] opening sequence for
the Flow Pack packages from the longitudinal seam. There are two
small incisions (15) in said seam (12) where one of the ends (16)
of the detaching strip (5) is located for easy grasping and to
generate the release area (17) since, as is well known, said
longitudinal seam (12) is not attached to the package (7) and moves
freely. It could be made a requirement that the detaching strip (5)
be located on the face that is not affected by the seam (12) or it
could be required that the desired length of the strip not touch
the seam; this example will be described in the next Figure.
[0037] When one end of the detaching strip (5) is not positioned on
the seam (12) and, therefore, cannot be easily grasped except after
ripping, it becomes vital to include an element to facilitate that
task (FIGS. 5A to F). Said element should be directly attached to
that end of the detaching strip (5) and to the area of the through
cut (18) to generate the release area (17). Part of this element's
surface should be self-sticking to establish that connection, and
the rest of this element's surface should be non-sticking so it can
be easily grasped, as occurred in the case of the free end (16) of
the detaching strip (5) described in FIG. 4A. This aforementioned
easy open/close (11) element will be described below.
[0038] As can be seen in the sequence of FIGS. 5A to F, for the
best preservation of the products which a package (7) contains, an
easy open/close element (11) could be used on one of its faces (19)
with the part of the surface that is attached blocking said through
cut area (FIG. 5B reference 18) and one end of the detaching strip
(5). The other part of the surface of said easy open/close element
(11) does not contain adhesive, so it can be easily grasped by the
end user (FIG. 5A) and can begin the release area (17). When said
release area (17) (FIG. 5B) is begun, it extends to one side of the
package 7 (FIG. 5C), in turn generating an upper flap (20). When
the opening of the package (7) (FIG. 5D) is complete, said upper
flap (20) folds over itself (5E) and over the release area (17) and
then adheres to one of the faces of the package (7) (FIG. 5F) using
said easy open/close element (11) previously detached from the
detaching strip (5).
[0039] Finally, the affixing of the detaching strips (5) to the
internal face of the film (3) of the package (7) may be
accomplished on line in real time via a spool (8) that is unrolled
as the packages (7) are constructed, or off line, in which case the
packaging film (1) is ready to be incorporated after the packaging
process with the strips (5) included. This latter case involves
unrolling the entire spool (8), affixing the strips (5) at
intervals controlled by optical and/or mechanical reading, and
ultimately rewinding said spool (8).
[0040] Although the present invention has been described according
to a specific implementation method, all persons skilled in the art
will understand that various changes can be made and that
equivalents can be substituted without departing from the true
scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, many modifications
can be made to adapt a situation, a material, a combination of
materials, one or more specific steps of the process, to the
purpose, the spirit, or the scope of the present invention. The
purpose of all these modifications is inclusion in the scope of the
claims attached hereto.
* * * * *