U.S. patent application number 10/801664 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-30 for packaging of the stickpack type with improved opening and method for manufacturing the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALCAN PACKAGING ITALIA S.R.L.. Invention is credited to Peron, Elena, Zaggia, Carlo Alberto.
Application Number | 20040190800 10/801664 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32852490 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040190800 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peron, Elena ; et
al. |
September 30, 2004 |
Packaging of the stickpack type with improved opening and method
for manufacturing the same
Abstract
A packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved
opening, comprising a single- or multilayer flexible film that
forms a hermetically sealed tubular body provided longitudinally
with a first sealing band, of the inside/outside type or of the
inside/inside type, of mutually opposite longitudinal flaps of the
film and provided transversely with second sealing bands of the
inside/inside type; a sealed extension region protrudes from at
least one of the second sealing bands on a respective portion of at
least one edge of the tubular body, and, in longitudinal alignment
with the sealed extension region, transverse preweakening incisions
are provided along at least one of the mutually opposite
longitudinal flaps.
Inventors: |
Peron, Elena; (Schio,
IT) ; Zaggia, Carlo Alberto; (Vicenza, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MODIANO & ASSOCIATI
Via Meravigli, 16
MILANO
20123
IT
|
Assignee: |
ALCAN PACKAGING ITALIA
S.R.L.
|
Family ID: |
32852490 |
Appl. No.: |
10/801664 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 61/18 20130101;
B65B 9/06 20130101; B65D 75/5805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/200 |
International
Class: |
B65D 033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 2003 |
IT |
PD2003A000066 |
Jul 15, 2003 |
IT |
PD2003A000160 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening,
comprising: a flexible film, having at least one layer, which forms
a hermetically sealed tubular body with mutually opposite
longitudinal film flaps, a first band provided longitudinally to
said body for inside/outside sealing of said mutually opposite
longitudinal flaps of the film; second sealing bands provided
transversely to said body for inside/inside sealing; a sealed
extension region protruding from at least one of said second
sealing bands on a respective portion of at least one edge of said
tubular body; and transverse preweakening incisions that are
provided in longitudinal alignment with said sealed extension
region, along at least one of said mutually opposite longitudinal
flaps.
2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said second sealing bands are
each provided transversely at longitudinal ends of said tubular
body that form a bottom and a top of said packaging, and wherein a
weakening pre-cut is provided on said sealed extension region
prodruding from the at least one of said second sealing bands that
corresponds to the top of the packaging, said transverse weakening
incisions being provided along said mutually opposite longitudinal
flaps.
3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein said second sealing bands are
each provided transversely on the longitudinal ends of said tubular
body that form the bottom and the top of said packaging, and
wherein a weakening pre-cut is provided on said sealed extension
region prodruding from at least one of said second sealing bands
that corresponds to the top of the packaging, said transverse
weakening incisions being formed along one of said longitudinal
flaps of said film.
4. The packaging of claim 2, wherein said transverse weakening
incisions are arranged in a series configuration that runs
longitudinally along said flaps for a length that is at least equal
to a longitudinal length of said sealed extension region.
5. The packaging of claim 4, wherein said transverse weakening
incisions are smaller than the width of said first sealing
band.
6. A method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type as
set forth in claim 1, comprising: unwinding of the film with at
least one layer for providing a partial packaging; sealing of said
partial packaging by way of longitudinal and transverse seals in
order to obtain a hermetically sealed packaging; and providing
transverse incisions on at least one of the longitudinal mutually
opposite flaps of said film.
7. The method of claim 6, comprising providing a forming collar,
said transverse incisions being provided after unwinding said film
and before folding said unwound film onto said forming collar.
8. A packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening,
comprising: a film made with at least one layer, which forms a
hermetically longitudinally sealed tubular body having mutually
opposite complementary flaps; a first sealing band for longitudinal
sealing of said body; second sealing bands for sealing transversely
said body; a sealed extension region protruding along a
corresponding longitudinal edge of said tubular body from at least
one of said second sealing bands; transverse preweakening incisions
provided in longitudinal alignment with said sealed extention
region along at least one of said mutually opposite longitudinal
flaps; and wherein said first sealing band is of an inside/inside
sealing type.
9. The packaging of claim 8, wherein said first sealing band is
folded and at least partially adheres longitudinally to an outer
surface of said tubular body, and wherein an adhesive layer is
further provided at said first sealing band for providing adhesion
thereof at said outer surface of the body.
10. The packaging of claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is
constituted by a thermolacquer.
11. The packaging of claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is
constituted by a sealing film.
12. The packaging of claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is
distributed at at least one of said second transverse sealing bands
having an adjacent heat-sealed extension region provided with a
weakening pre-cut.
13. A method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type as
set forth in claim 8, comprising: unwinding a film made of at least
one layer so as to manufacture a partial packaging; providing
transverse incisions on said film on at least one of mutually
opposite flaps of said film; sealing longitudinally said partial
packaging by way of a first sealing band of an inside/inside
sealing type that seals the mutually opposite flaps; applying onto
at least one portion of an outer surface of said partial packaging
a longitudinal adhesive layer at and proximate to said first
sealing band; folding, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the
packaging, said first sealing band on the outer surface of said
partial packaging on a side of said adhesive layer; adhering said
first sealing band to said outer surface portion by activating said
adhesive layer; transversely sealing said partial packaging with
second sealing bands; and providing a weakening pre-cut on at least
one sealed extension region of at least one of said second sealing
bands.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said adhering step of said
first sealing band to said at least one outer surface portion
precedes the step for transverse sealing of said partial
packaging.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein said adhering step of said
first sealing band to said outer surface portion follows the step
for transverse sealing of said partial packaging.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein said adhesive layer is
constituted by thermolacquer.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the activation step of said
adhesive layer is achieved by heating said thermolacquer.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein said step for applying said
longitudinal adhesive layer is selectively carried out either in a
continuous or intermittent sequence.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said step for intermittent
application of said adhesive layer is carried out at said second
sealing bands.
20. The method of claim 13, comprising the step of arranging said
longitudinal adhesive layer within a strip of surface constituting
said first folded sealing band.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging of the
Stickpack type and the like with improved opening and to the method
for manufacturing it.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Among the various types of packaging for products in
granular or powder form, a type known as Stickpack is currently
widely used commercially.
[0003] This Stickpack packaging is preferably used to package
products such as coffee, sugar, drugs or other products in a
single-dose quantity.
[0004] Its manufacture is per se relatively simple.
[0005] In a conventional packaging machine, preferably of the
vertical type, a single- or multi-layer laminated flexible film is
folded around the forming collar, which also acts as a filler
tube.
[0006] Longitudinal closure is performed by overlapping the
opposite flaps of the flexible film, heat-sealing the inside flap
on the outside flap.
[0007] In order to achieve this seal, commonly known as
inside/outside sealing, both surfaces of the initial film must have
sealing properties.
[0008] Transverse sealing of the bottom is then performed, followed
by filling with product and by transverse sealing of the top of the
packaging.
[0009] Another longitudinal closure of the packaging is performed
by overlapping the opposite inside flaps of the flexible film,
heat-sealing the inside flap onto the inside flap: this seal is
known as inside/inside sealing.
[0010] These packagings have a problem linked to their opening.
[0011] In order to access the packaged product it is in fact
necessary to tear said packaging below the transverse sealing
line.
[0012] This operation is sometimes facilitated by preweakenings
that are provided on the edge of the packaging (on an extension of
the sealed region).
[0013] However, when the tear reaches the longitudinal seal region,
said tear tends to continue along the side of the longitudinal seal
region, causing uneven opening with probable loss of the contained
product.
[0014] Various technical solutions are known in order to allow easy
opening of this type of packaging.
[0015] For example, solutions are known which provide for the
yielding of the material by means of laser-generated or mechanical
incisions.
[0016] Moreover, solutions are known that provide for the insertion
of a transverse strip proximate to the top so as to guide the
opening action.
[0017] All these technical solutions for assisted opening of said
Stickpack packagings in any case suffer from drawbacks.
[0018] Solutions that provide for yielding are in fact currently
very onerous, since they require the film printing machines to have
equipment dedicated to each specific type and size of
packaging.
[0019] Moreover, the risks linked to the use of laser technology in
the field of packaging are known; if the initial film is a
monolayer, there is the risk of generating microperforations in
it.
[0020] In the case of multiple layers, instead, there is the risk
of delaminations, with consequent alteration of the barrier
properties of the layers.
[0021] Finally, solutions that provide for the insertion of a strip
require modifying the packaging machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The aim of the present invention is to provide a packaging
of the Stickpack type and the like with improved opening that
solves the opening problems and drawbacks of known types of
packaging of the Stickpack type.
[0023] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to
provide a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with
improved opening that is sealed perfectly and does not have tearing
or delaminations in the layers of the film that composes the
packaging.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method for providing a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like
with improved opening that is economically advantageous with
respect to methods currently in use for providing equivalent
commercially available packagings.
[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type and the
like that uses machines that are simple to manufacture and derive
from known systems and technologies.
[0026] This aim and these and other objects that will become better
apparent hereinafter are achieved by a packaging of the Stickpack
type and the like with improved opening, comprising a single- or
multilayer flexible film that forms a hermetically sealed tubular
body that is provided longitudinally with a first band of
inside/outside sealing of mutually opposite longitudinal flaps of
said film and is provided transversely with second sealing bands of
the inside/inside type, a sealed extension region protruding from
at least one of said second sealing bands on a respective portion
of at least one edge of said tubular body, said packaging being
characterized in that it comprises, in longitudinal alignment with
said sealed extension region, transverse preweakening incisions
that are provided along at least one of said mutually opposite
longitudinal flaps.
[0027] Moreover, this aim and these objects are also achieved by an
improved packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with improved
opening, which comprises a flexible single- or multilayer film that
forms a tubular body that is hermetically sealed longitudinally by
means of a first band where mutually opposite complementary flaps
of said film are sealed and is sealed transversely with second
sealing bands, a sealed extension region protruding from at least
one of said second sealing bands along the corresponding
longitudinal edge of said tubular body, transverse preweakening
incisions being provided longitudinally at said sealed region along
at least one of said mutually opposite longitudinal flaps, said
improved packaging being characterized in that said first sealing
band is of the inside/inside type.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Further characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will become better apparent from the following detailed
description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof,
illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a front view of the packaging according to the
invention during a step of its manufacture;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the top of the
packaging according to the invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along the line III-III of
FIG. 2, of the packaging according to the invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is an enlarged-scale front view of a detail of the
packaging according to the invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view of the packaging according to the
invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view of the packaging according to the
invention during its opening;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a front view of a flexible film that is partially
sealed longitudinally according to a second embodiment of the
invention;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a front view of a flexible film as shown in FIG.
7, which is sealed also transversely so as to form a partial
packaging;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the line
IX-IX of FIG. 7, of an improved packaging according to the
invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the line
X-X of FIG. 8, of an improved packaging according to the
invention;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a front view of a packaging according to the
invention, provided by means of film as in FIGS. 7 to 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, a first embodiment of a
packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening according to
the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral
10.
[0041] The packaging 10 comprises a flexible single- or multilayer
film 10a that forms a hermetically sealed tubular body 11.
[0042] Such tubular body 11 is longitudinally provided with a first
band 12 for the inside/outside sealing of mutually opposite
longitudinal flaps 13 of said film.
[0043] The tubular body 11 has respective second sealing bands 16
of the inside/inside type arranged transversely on its longitudinal
ends that form the bottom 14 and the top 15 of the packaging
10.
[0044] In this embodiment, a sealed extension region 19 protrudes
only from the second sealing band 16 related to the top 15 of the
packaging 10 on a respective portion 17 of the longitudinal edge 18
of the tubular body 11.
[0045] A weakening pre-cut 20 is provided on the sealed extension
region 19.
[0046] As an alternative, it is possible to provide sealed
extension regions on both mutually opposite longitudinal edges of
the tubular body 11, with weakening pre-cuts on both of said sealed
regions, both on the top and on the bottom of the packaging 10.
[0047] The packaging 10 further comprises, in longitudinal
alignment with the sealed extension region 19, transverse weakening
incisions 21 that are arranged in series to each other, and are
formed longitudinally along both longitudinal flaps 13 in this
embodiment (see also FIG. 4).
[0048] If the embodiment of the packaging 10 comprises sealed
regions of the type 19 also on the bottom of said packaging, it is
possible to provide said transverse preweakening incisions also in
longitudinal alignment with this last sealed region.
[0049] As an alternative, it is possible to provide the transverse
incisions 21 on a single longitudinal flap of the film, preferably
the first flap encountered by the tear that propagates from the
pre-cut 20 while opening the packaging.
[0050] Such longitudinal plurality of transverse incisions 21
preferably covers a length that is substantially equal to the
longitudinal length of the sealed extension region 19.
[0051] The transverse incisions 21 are smaller than the width of
the first sealing band 12, so as to avoid intersecting and
impairing the seal of the packaging 10.
[0052] When one begins to open the packaging 10 by tearing it
proximate to the pre-cut 20, the tear propagates in a linear
fashion up to the first sealing band 12, which hinders the
continuation of the opening process.
[0053] From there, thanks to the presence of the incisions 21, the
tear passes beyond the band 12 without interrupting the linearity
of the opening of the packaging.
[0054] In this manner, the packaging is opened correctly without
scattering its content.
[0055] A method for manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type
such as the one described above comprises a step for unwinding the
film from a reel and a subsequent step for folding the unwound film
on a collar that forms the packaging.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 1, said forming collar allows, by way
of a filler tube 50, to fill a partial packaging 51, obtained by
means of the folded film, with the product (for example of the
granular or powdered type) to be packaged.
[0057] The step for sealing the partial packaging by means of the
already mentioned longitudinal and transverse seals, in order to
obtain a hermetically sealed packaging, is then performed.
[0058] Before the step for folding said film onto the forming
collar there is a step for providing the already described
transverse incisions on at least one of the mutually opposite
longitudinal flaps of said film.
[0059] With reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, a second embodiment of the
packaging of the Stickpack type with improved opening according to
the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral
100.
[0060] Such packaging 100 comprises a flexible single- or
multilayer film 111.
[0061] The film 111 forms, when folded around a packaging-forming
collar, a tubular body 113.
[0062] Such tubular body 113 is sealed hermetically longitudinally
by means of a first sealing band 114.
[0063] The first sealing band 114 affects the mutually opposite
complementary flaps, designated respectively by the reference
numerals 115a and 115b, of the film 111.
[0064] Transversely, the tubular body 113 is sealed by means of
second sealing bands, designated by the reference numerals 116a for
the bottom of the packaging 100 and 116b for the top of the
packaging 100.
[0065] A sealed extension region 118 protrudes from one of the
second sealing bands 116 along the corresponding longitudinal edge
117 of the tubular body 113.
[0066] A weakening pre-cut 119 is generally provided on the sealed
extension region 118.
[0067] It is possible to provide, if so chosen, sealed extension
regions on both mutually opposite longitudinal edges 115a and 115b
of the tubular body 113, with pre-cuts 119 on both of the sealed
regions 118, both on the top and on the bottom of the packaging
100.
[0068] In longitudinal alignment with the sealed region 118 there
are transverse preweakening incisions 130, that are longitudinally
in series to each other and are formed along both of the mutually
opposite complementary longitudinal flaps 115a and 115b.
[0069] The second sealing bands 116a and 116b are of the
inside/inside type.
[0070] The improved packaging 100 is characterized in that said
first sealing band 114 is also of the inside/inside type.
[0071] The first sealing band 114, after the sealing operation, is
folded and made to adhere longitudinally to the outer surface 120
of the tubular body 113 by interposing an adhesive layer 121.
[0072] The adhesive layer 121 is constituted by a
thermolacquer.
[0073] In a further embodiment, such adhesive layer 121 is
constituted by a sealing film.
[0074] The adhesive layer 121 is distributed along the entire
length of the packaging 100, proximate to the first sealing band
114, which in this step assumes a so-called "fin" configuration and
is designated by the reference numeral 114a.
[0075] The adhesive layer 121 is therefore arranged substantially
at the base of the "fin" 114a.
[0076] In another embodiment, the adhesive layer 121 is distributed
only at the second transverse sealing bands 116a and 116b.
[0077] The adoption of an inside/inside seal for the first
longitudinal sealing band 114 allows to eliminate the sealing
problems caused by the nonuniform nature of the materials in
contact in the case of outside/inside sealing with multilayer
films.
[0078] Inside/inside sealing in fact affects layers of the same
material both in the case of single-layer film and in the case of
multilayer film.
[0079] The folding of the "fin" 114a so that it adheres to the
adhesive layer 121 allows the packaging 100 to benefit from the
advantages of the transverse incisions 130 in addition to
maintaining a pleasant aesthetic appearance and easy handling of
the packaging 100.
[0080] The incisions 130 in fact allow the tear line, which starts
from the weakening pre-cut 119 provided on the edge of the
packaging, to continue through said first longitudinal sealing band
114 provided by the two mutually sealed flaps 115a and 115b.
[0081] A method for manufacturing improved packagings 100 of the
Stickpack type and the like, such as the one described above,
comprises a first step in which the single- or multilayer film 111
is unwound.
[0082] The film 111 is then folded around the forming collar in
order to provide a partial packaging, designated by the reference
numeral 100a.
[0083] The collar also allows, by means of an inlet tube 150, to
fill the packaging 100.
[0084] Transverse incisions 130 are provided on the film 111 prior
to the folding step on at least one of the mutually opposite
longitudinal flaps 115a and 115b of the film 111.
[0085] The subsequent steps consist first of all in longitudinally
sealing the partial packaging 100a by means of the first sealing
band 114 of the mutually opposite flaps 115a and 115b, said seal
being of the inside/inside type.
[0086] The longitudinal adhesive layer 121 is then applied on the
outer surface 120 of the partial packaging 100a at and proximate to
the first heat-sealing band 114 in the vicinity of the base of the
"fin" 114a.
[0087] The first sealing band 114 is folded, with respect to a
longitudinal axis, from the original fin-like configuration 114a
onto the outer surface 120 of the partial packaging 100a on the
side of the adhesive layer 121.
[0088] The first sealing band 114 is glued to the outer surface 120
by activating the adhesive layer 121.
[0089] If the adhesive layer 121 is constituted by thermolacquer,
activation of the same layer 121 is achieved by heating said
thermolacquer.
[0090] The partial packaging 100a is sealed transversely by means
of the second sealing bands 116a and 116b.
[0091] The weakening pre-cut 119 is provided on at least one sealed
extension region 118 of at least one of the second sealing bands
116a and 116b.
[0092] In this process, the operation for gluing the first sealing
band 114 to the outer surface 120 precedes the transverse sealing
of the partial packaging 100a.
[0093] In a further embodiment of the method described above, said
operation for gluing the first sealing band 114 to the outer
surface 120 follows said transverse sealing of the partial
packaging 100a.
[0094] The operation for applying the longitudinal adhesive layer
121 can be chosen continuous or intermittent.
[0095] This operation performed continuously allows to glue the
"fin" 114a to the surface 120 along the entire packaging 100;
intermittent gluing instead allows to glue the "fin" 114a only in
the regions that are subsequently affected by the transverse
seal.
[0096] The longitudinal adhesive layer 121 is conveniently arranged
not outside, i.e. within the band or strip of surface affected by
the first folded sealing band 114.
[0097] In practice it has been found that the invention thus
described solves the problems noted in known types of
Stickpack-type packaging; in particular, the present invention
provides a packaging of the Stickpack type and the like with
improved opening that allows transverse opening of the packaging
without the risk of scattering the product contained inside.
[0098] The incisions on the first longitudinal seal in fact allow
the tear of the packaging to cross said seal in a linear
fashion.
[0099] Moreover, the present invention provides a packaging of the
Stickpack type and the like with improved opening that is sealed
perfectly and does not have lacerations or delaminations in the
layers of the film that composes the packaging.
[0100] Conveniently, the transverse incisions are in fact much
smaller than the width of the first sealing band, so as not to
cross and impair the seal of the packaging.
[0101] Further, the present invention provides a method for
manufacturing a packaging of the Stickpack type such as the one
described that is economically advantageous with respect to the
methods currently in use for manufacturing equivalent commercially
available packagings.
[0102] Moreover, the present invention provides a method for
manufacturing packagings of the Stickpack type and the like that
uses machines that are simple to manufacture and derive from known
systems and technologies.
[0103] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous
modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of
the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with
other technically equivalent elements.
[0104] In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are
compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be
any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
[0105] The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications No.
PD2003A000066 and PD2003A000160 from which this application claims
priority are incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *