U.S. patent application number 15/314805 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-20 for resealable flow-wrap pack for wet wipes.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMCOR FLEXIBLES UK LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is AMCOR FLEXIBLES UK LIMITED. Invention is credited to James DAVENPORT, Keith GATER.
Application Number | 20170107037 15/314805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50897333 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170107037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DAVENPORT; James ; et
al. |
April 20, 2017 |
RESEALABLE FLOW-WRAP PACK FOR WET WIPES
Abstract
The present invention relates to a flow-wrap pack for wet wipes.
The flow-wrap pack has a film defining a front wall and a back
wall, a longitudinal sealed seam in the form of a fin seal and two
transverse sealed seams defining a product space. The fin seal has
an extended length and lies essentially flat against the back wall
of the wrap pack, thereby covering a scored tear line and a
resealable strip, said strip extending between the transverse
sealed seams at an essentially right angle to the transverse sealed
seams.
Inventors: |
DAVENPORT; James; (Weston,
GB) ; GATER; Keith; (Uttoxeter, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AMCOR FLEXIBLES UK LIMITED |
Bristol |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
AMCOR FLEXIBLES UK LIMITED
Bristol
GB
|
Family ID: |
50897333 |
Appl. No.: |
15/314805 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
June 4, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/001135 |
371 Date: |
November 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/42 20130101;
A47K 2010/3266 20130101; B65D 75/12 20130101; B65D 75/26 20130101;
B65D 83/0805 20130101; B65D 75/5838 20130101; B65D 75/22 20130101;
B65D 2575/586 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; B65D 83/08 20060101 B65D083/08; A47K 10/42 20060101
A47K010/42; B65D 75/12 20060101 B65D075/12; B65D 75/26 20060101
B65D075/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2014 |
EP |
14001957.1 |
Claims
1. A flow-wrap pack for wet wipes having a film defining a front
wall and a back wall, a longitudinal sealed seam in the form of a
fin seal and two transverse sealed seams defining a product space,
whereby the fin seal has an extended length and lies essentially
flat against the back wall of the wrap pack, thereby covering a
scored tear line and a resealable strip, the strip extending
between the transverse sealed seams at an essentially right angle
to the transverse sealed seams.
2. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the length of
the fin seal is in the range of 25% to 100% of a total pack
width.
3. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein a print layer
is arranged on at least on a part of the front wall and optionally
a protective layer is arranged on top of the print layer.
4. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the tear line
extends between the transverse sealed seams at an essentially right
angle to the transverse sealed seams.
5. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the resealable
strip is covered by a peelable tape.
6. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the tear line
is laser scored.
7. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the tear line
is a straight line or an S-shaped line or an arched line.
8. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the resealable
strip comprises an adhesive selected from the group consisting of
fracture hotmelts, cold seal lacquers, heat seal lacquers, glues
and pressure sensitive adhesive.
9. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the resealable
strip comprises a hook and eye closure.
10. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the film is a
monolayer film or a multilayer film comprising at least one of
polyolefin, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide,
ethylene-vinylalcohol copolymer, metalized plastics, or
SiO.sub.x.
11. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 10, wherein the film
comprises a layer of oPP and a layer of PE.
12. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the length of
the fin seal is in the range of 40% to 60% of a total pack
width.
13. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein the length of
the fin seal is in the range of approximately 50% of a total pack
width.
14. The flow-wrap pack according to claim 1, wherein a print layer
is arranged on at least on a part of the front wall and a
protective layer is arranged on top of the print layer.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a flow-wrap pack for wet
wipes.
[0002] Flow wrap packs are widely used for packaging various
products, e.g. chocolate, biscuits, cakes, but also for household,
hygiene or technical products. A typical household product is wet
wipes which are small moistened pieces of paper or cloth. Wet wipes
are typically used for household cleaning or for personal
hygiene.
[0003] Flow-wrap packs comprise a film, e.g. a monolayer film or a
multilayer film in the form of a laminate. The structure of the
laminate depends on the properties desired with respect to the
packaged product, e.g. in terms of a barrier effect against oxygen,
moisture or light. Films used for flow-wrap packaging are usually
produced and delivered to the packer in form of webs. In the course
of the packaging the film is unrolled and wrapped around the
product. In case a single item of a product is flow-wrap packed,
the item is simply unwrapped when used. However, in cases where
multiple items of a product, e.g. wet wipes, are flow-wrap packed,
some kind of removal system is necessary. The removal system must
allow the removal of a single item, and the reclosing of the
flow-wrap pack to protect the remaining items, in the case of wet
wipes against drying out. It is known to achieve such a removal
system by introducing a cut in the flow-wrap pack that is torn open
when an item is to be removed and the application of a label that
allows reclosing the pack after the item has been removed. This is
usually done by die cut operation and the application of a label,
both steps have to be done by the packer in the course of the
flow-wrap packaging. For the user such removal systems are quite
awkward to deal with.
[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a
flow-wrap pack having a simple removal system that may be operated
with a single hand and rendering the die cut operation and the
label application unnecessary.
[0005] The object is achieved by a flow-wrap pack according to
claim 1. Further preferred embodiments are subject to dependent
claims.
[0006] A flow-wrap pack according to the present invention has a
film. Said film defines a front wall and a back wall, a
longitudinal sealed seam in the form of a fin seal and two
transverse sealed seams, thereby defining a product space. The fin
seal has an extended length and lies essentially flat against the
back wall of the wrap pack. Thereby, the longitudinal sealed seam
covers a scored tear line and a resealable strip. The resealable
strip extends between the two transverse sealed seams and is
arranged on the film at an essentially right angle to the
transverse sealed seams.
[0007] The film of the wrap pack is folded or wrapped around the
product in question in a way that the side edges of the film mate
on the back side of the pack and are sealed in order to form the
longitudinal seal. In the longitudinal direction the flow-wrap pack
is closed by the two transverse sealed seams. Regarding the two
transverse sealed seams the side of the film which is sealed is the
side facing the product space. In the case of the fin seal there
are two possibilities, either the film is folded in a way that the
edges on the side of the film facing the product space mate and are
sealed against each other or the film is folded back on its edges
in a way that the outer side of the film, i.e. the side facing the
outside of the package, mate and are sealed against each other.
[0008] Usually fin seals have a length of approximately 10 to 20 mm
in order to provide a secure sealed seam without wasting material.
It has been found that the fin seal may be extended in its length
thereby providing a protective flap for the tear line which in turn
provides an opening for the removal of single items once it is
pushed through. The extended fin seal on the back wall of the
flow-wrap pack, lying essentially flat against the back wall,
protects the tear line and also covers the resealable strip. In
order to remove a single item from the flow-wrap pack the extended
fin seal is unfolded uncovering the tear line which is pushed
through to reveal the first item. This allows a convenient opening
and closing of the flow-wrap pack with a single hand. A label
application by the packer allowing the reclosing of the flow-wrap
pack is unnecessary, as well as the arrangement of a tear line by
way of a die cut operation.
[0009] The resealable strip comprises means allowing the reclosing
of the flow wrap pack. Said means may be a Velcro.RTM., a fracture
hot melt, a pressure sensitive adhesive or glue dots.
[0010] The resealable strip may optionally been covered by a
peelable tape. The peelable tape renders the resealable strip
inactive. Once the flow wrap pack is opened and the tear line is
broken to remove a first item of the packed product, the tape is
peeled off the resealable strip, the adhesive surface of the
resealable strip is uncovered and allows securely reclosing the
flow wrap pack when the extended fin seal is folded back in its
position lying flat against the back wall.
[0011] The resealable strip is arranged at some distance to the
tear line. When the extended fin seal is folded back to the back
wall, it securely adheres to the resealable strip greatly reducing
the risk that moisture leaking through the open tear line hampers
the adhesive strength of the resealable strip. A disadvantage
commonly encountered in flow wrap packs in the state of the art
when an adhesive label is directly placed on an open tear line of
such packs.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the flow-wrap pack the length
of the fin seal with respect to the total width of the flow-wrap
pack is in the range of 25% to 100%, preferably in the range of 40%
to 60%, most preferably approximately 50%. The minimum length of an
extended fin seal should be 40 mm. The fin seal is not necessarily
arranged in the middle of the back wall of the flow-wrap pack. It
may also be offset allowing the tear line to be arranged in the
middle of the back wall of the pack.
[0013] In another embodiment there is a print layer arranged on at
least a part of the front wall of the flow-wrap pack. The print
layer may optionally be covered by a protective layer. Since the
opening for the removal of an item of the packed product is
arranged on the back wall of the flow wrap pack the print layer is
advantageously a continuous print layer. Further, there is no need
for a printed adhesive label matching the colours of the pack
graphics. Flow wrap packs in the state of the art having a printed
adhesive label covering the die cut opening often have the problem
that the print is compromised due to colours and graphics that do
not match since the print process for the pack graphics and the
adhesive label are different.
[0014] In a further preferred embodiment the tear line extends
between the two transverse sealed seams at an essentially right
angle. The tear line may have different configurations. It may be a
straight line, be an S-shaped line or an arched line (horseshoe).
The S-shaped line is preferred and the arched line is more
preferred. The length of the tear line regarding a straight line is
preferably in the range of 40% to 60% of the total length of the
flow wrap pack. If the tear line is curved the length of the tear
line is related to its extension between the two side edges of the
flow wrap pack.
[0015] In another preferred embodiment the resealable strip is
covered by peelable tape. The peelable tape is peeled off when the
first item is removed from the pack. When the peelable tape is
removed a resealable strip is exposed which allows the protective
flap, i.e. the fin seal, to be resealed until further items are to
be removed.
[0016] In a further preferred embodiment the resealable strip
comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. Further types of adhesives
that may be used are fracture hotmelt, cold seal lacquers, heat
seal lacquers and glue dots. Pressure sensitive adhesives are
preferred. An alternative fastening system is a hook and eye
closure. Preferably the closing mean is selected from the group
consisting of pressure sensitive adhesives, fracture hotmelt, cold
seal lacquers, heat seal lacquers and glue dots.
[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the flow-wrap pack the
film is a monolayer film or a multilayer film comprising
polyolefin, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide,
metalized plastics or silicon oxide (SiOx, whereby
1.3<x<1.9). Ethylene-vinylalcohol copolymer (EVOH) is a
further polymer that can be used. The following examples are
possible film structures having a multiple layers: [0018] oPET/PE
[0019] oPP/oPET/PE [0020] oPET/oPP/PE [0021] oPET/oPET/PE [0022]
oPET/oPET/cPP
[0023] The abbreviations mean the following oPP: oriented
polypropylene, oPET: oriented polyethylene terephthalate, PE:
polyethylene, cPP: cast polypropylene.
[0024] Preferred film structures are: [0025] oPP/PE [0026] oPP/cPP
[0027] PET/PE [0028] PET/cPP
[0029] The film structure oPP/PE is most preferred.
[0030] The above mentioned polymers may also be coextruded to form
a monoweb comprising different resin layers.
[0031] In another preferred embodiment the tear line is introduced
by laser scoring.
[0032] Laser scoring is a techniques that allows to achieve scores
in a variety of flexible packaging materials. Laser scoring
delivers a controlled score depth for easy open packaging while the
film's barrier properties are maintained. Laser scoring is a
non-contact technology creating precise scores having a well
defined depth for easy open packaging features that consistently
tear along the designated score lines. Laser score lines can be
precisely registered to other features on the flow-wrap packs, e.g.
a print, seamed seals etc. Further, score lines of almost any shape
can be achieved. Materials that are suited for laser scoring are
polyolefins, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides
(nylon), and metalized films. Multilayer films are also well suited
for laser scoring.
[0033] Mechanical scoring may also be employed. However, laser
scoring is preferred.
[0034] A method for the production of the flow wrap pack is as
follows: In a first step the different layers of the film are
printed and subsequently laminated. The resealable strip and the
tear line are arranged on the film. The tear line is preferably
achieved by laser scoring. It may also be done by mechanical
scoring. Then the film is slit to size into reels which are
delivered to the packer of the flow wrapped product. The packer
produces the final flow wrap pack employing the film in flow wrap
pack machines.
[0035] The resealable flow-wrap pack for wet wipes according to the
present invention is explained in more detail below with reference
to exemplary embodiments in the drawings, in which, purely
schematically:
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a flow-wrap pack from the prior art;
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a flow-wrap pack according to the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 3A shows a first embodiment of the flow-wrap pack;
[0039] FIG. 3B shows a second embodiment of the flow-wrap pack
[0040] FIG. 3C shows a third embodiment of the flow-wrap pack.
[0041] FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment
of the flow wrap pack;
[0042] FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment
of the flow wrap pack.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a flow-wrap pack from the prior art. The
flow-wrap pack 1 has film 3. Further, the back wall 7 and the
longitudinal sealed seam 9 as well as the two transverse sealed
seams 11 are shown. The longitudinal sealed seam is designed as
usual. It is just long enough to provide for a secure sealing of
the pack.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a flow-wrap pack 1 according to the present
invention. The flow-wrap pack 1 is shown from its back side. Thus
the front wall which may comprise a print cannot be seen. The pack
1 has a film 3 that defines the front wall and the back wall 7. The
extended longitudinal sealed seam 9 in the form of a fin seal which
closes the flow-wrap pack on its back side lies essentially flat to
the back wall 7. The two transverse sealed seams 11 close the
flow-wrap pack 1 on its upper and lower end thereby defining a
product space.
[0045] FIG. 3A shows the flow-wrap pack of FIG. 2 whereby the
longitudinal sealed seam 9 in the form of a fin seal has been
lifted in an upright position. The dashed line 17 indicates the
position of the extended edge of the fin seal when it lies
essentially flat against the back wall. Since the longitudinal
sealed seam is removed from its flat in an upright position the
tear line 13 and the resealable strip 15 can be seen. In this
embodiment the tear line 13 has an arched shape (also termed
horseshoe). The resealable strip 17 may covered by further a
peelable tape (not shown) that is peeled off when the first item is
removed from the pack in order to allow a reclosing of the
flow-wrap pack 1 when the longitudinal sealed seam is folded over
against the back wall 7 of the flow-wrap pack 1.
[0046] FIG. 3B shows a further configuration of the tear line 13.
In this embodiment the tear line 13 has the shape of a straight
line.
[0047] FIG. 3C shows a third embodiment of the flow-wrap pack 1
wherein the tear line 13 has an S-shape.
[0048] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cross-sectional view of a further
embodiment of the flow wrap pack. The embodiments show different
possibilities of the fin seal (9) on the back of the flow wrap
pack. FIG. 4A shows an embodiment where the inner side of the film
(3) is sealed against each other. FIG. 4B shows an embodiment where
a part of the film (3) is folded back in order to mate the outside
of the film (3) which is sealed against each other.
* * * * *