U.S. patent application number 15/433644 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-17 for film packaging and method of using same.
The applicant listed for this patent is MONDI Consumer Packaging Technologies GmbH. Invention is credited to Wilfried THOBE.
Application Number | 20170233157 15/433644 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57799588 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170233157 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THOBE; Wilfried |
August 17, 2017 |
FILM PACKAGING AND METHOD OF USING SAME
Abstract
A packaging has juxtaposed front and rear panels having
juxtaposed upper and lower end edges and juxtaposed side edges
extending between ends of the end edges. The side edges are
fastened together to define an interior space between the panels. A
plurality of longitudinally extending weakened tear lines are
formed in and extend along a full longitudinal length of each of
the panels. Respective upper and lower transversely extending welds
extend along and secure together the upper and lower edges of the
panels to longitudinally close the interior space.
Inventors: |
THOBE; Wilfried;
(Moenchengladbach, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MONDI Consumer Packaging Technologies GmbH |
Gronau |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
57799588 |
Appl. No.: |
15/433644 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/412 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 9/20 20130101; B65B
61/02 20130101; B65B 61/18 20130101; B65D 75/5827 20130101; B65B
9/02 20130101; B65B 51/26 20130101; B65D 75/40 20130101; B65B 61/04
20130101; B65B 61/182 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; B65D 75/40 20060101 B65D075/40; B65B 61/04 20060101
B65B061/04; B65B 61/18 20060101 B65B061/18; B65B 9/20 20060101
B65B009/20; B65B 51/26 20060101 B65B051/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 16, 2016 |
DE |
102016102691.3 |
Claims
1. A packaging comprising: juxtaposed front and rear panels having
juxtaposed upper and lower end edges and juxtaposed side edges
extending between ends of the end edges, the side edges being
fastened together to define an interior space between the panels; a
plurality of longitudinally extending weakened tear lines formed in
and extending along a full longitudinal length of each of the
panels; and respective upper and lower transversely extending welds
extending along and securing together the upper and lower edges of
the panels to longitudinally close the interior space.
2. The packaging defined in claim 1, wherein each of the upper and
lower welds extends transversely a full transverse length of the
respective end edge.
3. The packaging defined in claim 1, further comprising: a tear aid
on at least one of the end edges.
4. The packaging defined in claim 3, wherein the tear aid is a
zig-zag edge cut.
5. The packaging defined in claim 1, wherein the weakened tear
lines extend longitudinally parallel to each other at a transverse
spacing.
6. The packaging defined in claim 1, wherein there are at least
three such weakened tear lines on each panel and the tear lines are
transversely equidistantly spaced on each panel.
7. The packaging defined in claim 6, wherein the tear lines are
each uniformly distributed over the entire transverse widths of the
panels.
8. The packaging defined in claim 6, wherein the tear lines are
grouped together only in a central portion of the respective
panel.
9. The packaging defined in claim 5, wherein at least tear lines
closest to the longitudinal side edges are parallel to the
longitudinal side edges.
10. The packaging defined in claim 1, wherein the front and rear
panels are independent pieces of thermoplastic film joined together
at the side and end edges.
11. The packaging defined in claim 1, wherein the front and rear
panels are formed of a single piece of plastic film folded at one
of the longitudinal side edges.
12. A method comprising the steps of: forming at least one
longitudinally extending thermoplastic web with a plurality of
transversely spaced and longitudinally extending weakened tear
lines; forming from the at least one thermoplastic web having the
tear lines juxtaposed front and rear panels having juxtaposed upper
and lower end edges and juxtaposed side edges extending between
ends of the end edges, the side edges being fastened together to
define an interior space between the panels; putting a product
between the panels into the interior space; and forming respective
upper and lower transversely extending welds along the upper and
lower edges of the panels to longitudinally close the interior
space around the product and form a package.
13. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the front and rear
panels are formed by folding the thermoplastic web over on itself
along a longitudinally extending fold line.
14. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the front and rear
panels are formed by respective separate thermoplastic webs that
are fastened to each other by welds at the side edges.
15. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the web is formed into
a plurality of such packages succeeding one another longitudinally
and the weld at the lower edge of one package is formed
simultaneously with the weld at the upper edge of the preceding
package, the method further comprising the step of: transversely
severing the web between the upper and lower end-edge welds
immediately after formation thereof to separate the packages from
one another.
16. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the longitudinally
extending weakened tear lines are formed in the at least one
thermoplastic web by laser cutting, stamping, or mechanical
material removal.
17. The method defined in claim 12, further comprising the step of:
aligning the tear lines of the front panel with the tear lines of
the rear panel.
18. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the product is a bulk
material and if fed from above down into the interior space.
19. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the product is a bar
and is inserted transversely into the interior space.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a film packaging. More
particularly this invention concerns a film bag and method of using
same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A typical film packaging bag has a front panel extending in
longitudinal and transverse directions and a normally identical
rear panel also extending parallel to the front panel in the
longitudinal and transverse directions. The two panels are secured
together to form an internal space adapted to hold something being
packaged. To this end the front panel and rear panel are
interconnected by a transversely extending weld that closes a lower
end edge of the film packaging. The front and/or rear panel may
project longitudinally from a side of the transverse weld facing
away from the packaging interior.
[0003] A film packaging of this generic type can be manufactured
and simultaneously filled with particular ease using a so-called
"Form Fill and Seal" (FFS) method. In that method, a film web is
fed to form a front panel extending in the longitudinal and
transverse directions and to form a rear panel extending in the
longitudinal and transverse directions, to form the interior space
between the front and rear panels. The product is placed into the
interior space between the front and rear panels, and the interior
space is subsequently sealed at least by a transverse weld that
interconnects the front and rear panels and extends transversely at
an upper edge.
[0004] Such methods are used industrially in automatic packaging
lines in order to provide any product with easy-to-handle outer
packaging made of film. The method is also suitable for any type of
product. For instance, block- or bar-shaped products are
particularly well suited for such a packaging method. However, bulk
products such as pellets, powder, and even liquids can also be
processed using an FFS process if it is carried out vertically as a
so-called VFFS (Vertical Form Fill Seal) process. The film
packaging is first prefabricated such that it is tightly sealed on
the longigudinally extending side edges and lower edge, thus
enabling the bulk product to be filled from above. The film
packaging is then sealed across the top of the interior space by an
upper-edge transverse weld.
[0005] In order to meet the high mechanical demands of transport
and bag-forming, a high-strength film web is preferably used in the
FFS method. Preferably, oriented or biaxially oriented polymer
films such as OPET (Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate) or BOPP
(Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) are used. Cellulose-based film
layers are also especially well suited for use in this regard.
[0006] However, these materials have the drawback that they have
unpredictable tearing characteristics. While layers made of the
above materials tear easily, the tear propagation is then random to
a great degree. In multilayered film composites with other
functional layers as well, such as sealing or covering layers, for
example, the tearing characteristics are determined almost
exclusively by the brittle layer. It is for this reason that film
packaging manufactured using the FFS method can be opened by the
user by tearing only to a very limited extent. Rather, it is
generally more expedient to open the film packaging by opening at
least one weld. This is known in the area of snack packaging, for
example.
[0007] Nonetheless, it is desirable to make a defined tear-open
behavior available in modern FFS packaging as well. This can be
necessary in order to reproducibly create an opening of sufficient
size for bar-shaped products, for instance. In this way, the
product can be removed in its entirety, for example. In the case of
bulk products as well, a defined opening is essential in order to
prevent uncontrolled spilling. At the same time, however, easy
manufacturability should be maintained.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved film packaging and method of using same.
[0009] Another object is the provision of such an improved film
packaging and method of using same that overcomes the above-given
disadvantages, namely that is easy to open regardless of the type
of film it is made from.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A packaging has according to the invention juxtaposed front
and rear panels having juxtaposed upper and lower end edges and
juxtaposed side edges extending between ends of the end edges. The
side edges are fastened together to define an interior space
between the panels, a plurality of longitudinally extending
weakened tear lines formed in and extending along a full
longitudinal length of each of the panels, and respective upper and
lower transversely extending welds extending along and securing
together the upper and lower edges of the panels to longitudinally
close the interior space.
[0011] The front and rear panels preferably have at least one
plastic layer with an oriented polymer, particularly OPET or BOPP.
According to the invention, reliable and reproducible tear-open
behavior can be ensured even in film packaging with a film web that
tends to tear uncontrollably, such as OPET or BOPP, for example.
The transverse weld forming an end edge can be torn open easily and
at a defined point, after which a tear is guided along two adjacent
weakened tear lines. The "weld" can be either formed by melting
together two thermoplastics, or bonding them with an adhesive.
[0012] Weakened tear lines are linear and/or stripe-line regions of
the film web whose mechanical strength is reduced. Using a line of
weakening, the tear propagation within a film web can be
controlled, since tears tend to propagate into the regions having
the lowest mechanical strength. A line of weakening can be produced
particularly by reducing the material thickness and/or local
changes in the material characteristics, as can be done during the
manufacture of the film web or even subsequently. In particular,
weakened tear lines can be formed so as to be continuous or
interrupted in some portions. In terms of the invention, a line of
weakening that is interrupted in some portions can also be a
perforation having a uniformly repeating pattern over its entire
extension longitudinally.
[0013] The at least two respective weakened tear lines are
advantageously provided on the same outer surface of the front
panel and/or rear panel. Preferably, they have the same depth of
penetration into the material of the front panel and/or rear panel
and, in the case of a multilayered construction, extend in the same
sublayers. The at least two weakened tear lines are especially
preferably identical.
[0014] As a result of the fact that a plurality of weakened tear
lines are provided according to the invention on both the front and
on the rear panel, an especially advantageous opening of the film
packaging is made possible. The film packaging is divided as it is
torn open between the two weakened tear lines along the
longitudinal direction. When opened partially starting from the top
side, for instance, a bar-shaped product can project only partially
out of the opening and thus be consumed mouthful by mouthful. A
food bar can be eaten like a partially peeled banana, for example.
Alternatively, after the complete detachment of one half of the bag
packaging, the entire product can be removed transversely.
[0015] This is advantageous particularly if the film packaging has
a larger extension longitudinally than transversely. A special
advantage can be achieved if the longitudinal extension is greater
than 1.5 times, particularly greater than twice the transverse
extension, since then even small deviations during the tear
propagation can prevent the film packaging from being opened clean
in a lengthwise manner.
[0016] Through the parallel arrangement of at least two weakened
tear lines running longitudinally on the front and rear panel, an
approximately linear tearing behavior can be ensured in the film
packaging according to the invention despite a stiff film
component. At the same time, the danger of the packing being torn
open along the weakened tear lines during the packaging process is
minimal, since the film web is subjected primarily to tensile
stress and is stabilized by joining tools running transversely to
produce the transverse weld. Shearing forces or bending moments
perpendicular to the front or rear panel that might result in the
initiation of a tear hardly ever occur. This is all the more true
if the longitudinal direction of the front and rear panels are
identical with a machine direction in which the film web is
transported during the packaging process.
[0017] The transverse weld preferably extends over the entire width
of the front panel and rear panel. A tight closure can thus be
achieved on this end edge without additional aids. Moreover, the
film packaging is stabilized over its entire width by the
transverse weld. Depending on the area of application, the
transverse weld can be produced by hot- or cold-sealing. An
adhesive joint is also possible in the context of the
invention.
[0018] A tear aid is especially preferably provided on the
transverse weld. This can facilitate the starting of a tear into
the transverse weld. For example, the tear aid can be embodied as
at least one notch or a zigzag-shaped cut edge. It can extend over
the entire width of the transverse weld or be limited to regions in
which the tear is to be preferably initiated. In particular, the
tear aid is provided only in the region between the weakened tear
lines and not in edge regions between the lateral outside edges of
the film packaging and the nearest line of weakening.
[0019] Especially preferably, the weakened tear lines are parallel
to one another. This enables a corridor of constant width to be
made available for the tear propagation.
[0020] It is especially preferred to provide at least three
weakened tear lines equidistantly transversely on the front and/or
rear panel. This enlarges the area within which the user can choose
a position from which to initiate the tear. Nevertheless, once a
tear is initiated in the channel formed by the two nearest weakened
tear lines, it is propagated in nearly linear fashion to the
opposing end edge of the film packaging.
[0021] The weakened tear lines are preferably distributed
transversely over the entire width of the front panel and/or the
rear panel. This gives the user a high degree of freedom in terms
of the area in which he would like to tear open the packaging.
[0022] In another preferred embodiment, the weakened tear lines are
limited to an area transversely. The user can thus be encouraged to
tear open the film packaging in the designated area. This can be
additionally supported by an appropriately positioned tear aid
and/or a visual designation of the area. This merits consideration
particularly if it is advantageous for the product to be touched
directly only in certain areas. Depending on the requirement, the
area in which the weakened tear lines are provided is around the
middle. It can also be advantageous to provide the weakened tear
lines in the middle or outer thirds of the film packaging.
[0023] Preferably, at least the outer weakened tear lines closest
to a lateral edge of the packaging are parallel to the longitudinal
direction. As a result, the tear propagation takes place in all
cases such that the longitudinal side edges of the bag are not
breached. This enables a complete division of the film
packaging.
[0024] It is especially preferred if each line of weakening on the
front panel is aligned so as to be congruent to or aligned with a
line of weakening on the rear panel. This results in the same basic
conditions being present on the front panel as on the rear panel
during tearing.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear panels are
formed from a single web of film. This web can be provided
continuously with weakened tear lines over its entire width. The
web can be advantageously closed by a so-called fin seal in which a
portion of the inside of the film portion is joined together with
another portion of the inside of the film portion, or an area of
overlap in the case of a film tube.
[0026] Preferably, the front panel is connected to the rear panel
on at least one side edge by a side fold. The side fold can be
formed in the same film web as the front panel and/or rear panel or
from a separate piece of film. A side fold enables the interior of
the bag to be enlarged and the stackability improved. Preferably,
one side fold is embodied without weakened tear lines in order to
limit the tear propagation to the front and rear panel.
Alternatively or in addition, the film packaging can be provided
with a stand-up base on the side opposite the transverse weld.
[0027] One preferred film web for forming film packaging according
to the invention is a multilayer laminate with an outer layer of
BOPP having a thickness of 20 .mu.m and an inner layer of
metallized, biaxially oriented polypropylene (metBOPP) also having
a thickness of 20 .mu.m connected to the outer layer by a
laminating adhesive layer. The metallized polymer acts as a barrier
against penetration by water vapor and oxygen. The outer layer can
be provided with an imprint on the inner face toward the inner
layer. The outer layer is substantially transparent, so that the
imprint is visible from the outside but is protected from damage by
the outer layer. If the film packaging is to be sealed using a
cold-sealing process, a layer of cold-seal adhesive can be
additionally applied to the inside of the inner layer.
[0028] The invention is based on a method for packaging a product
in a film packaging in which a film web is fed to form a front
panel extending in the longitudinal and transverse directions and
to form a rear panel extending in the longitudinal and transverse
directions, so that an interior space is formed between the front
and rear panels. The product is held in this interior space of the
packaging between the front and rear panels. Subsequently, the
interior space is sealed by at least one transverse weld connecting
the front panel to the rear panel and extending transversely.
According to the invention, at least two weakened tear lines
running longitudinally are provided on the front panel and on the
rear panel, respectively, and extend over the entire length of the
front panel and of the entire rear panel longitudinally. The method
is particularly suitable for providing a film packaging according
to the invention.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the film web for the front and
rear panels is fed endlessly. After packaging, the web with the
product contained therein is cut to length after or during the
formation of the transverse weld. Here, the film web is cut through
in the area of the transverse weld, so that a single wide
transverse weld is converted into an upper end-edge weld and a
lower end-edge weld. Alternatively, it is also possible for the
film web to be cut through only in areas, particularly in the form
of a perforation. In this way, a predetermined breaking point is
created that can be opened subsequently by the user or a
machine.
[0030] It is advantageous for all or part of the dividing line to
run through the weld. This leaves a seal on both sides in which the
front panel and rear panel are interconnected. As a result, a
portion of the transverse weld that closes off the interior of the
bag of the film packaging can act simultaneously as a bottom weld
for delimiting a film bag produced subsequently in a continuous
process. At the same time, the weld forms the closure of the film
packaging longitudinally, so that the front and rear panels cannot
be separated from one another and can be torn open together.
[0031] Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide the film
packaging with a tear aid on an end edge. This can be embodied as a
zigzag cut, for example. Especially preferably, this can be done at
the same time as the continuously manufactured film packaging is
cut to length. Preferably, the tear aids are provided such that
they can become operative between the weakened tear lines running
longitudinally. This facilitates the initiation of a tear between
at least two weakened tear lines, so that the tear cannot then
wander in an uncontrolled manner to a side edge of the film
packaging.
[0032] Preferably, the film web for the front panel and/or the rear
panel with prefabricated weakened tear lines is fed in as a
semifinished product. As a result, the packaging installation as a
whole can have a more compact design, since the film web need not
first be manufactured and/or finished. A prefabricated multilayered
laminate in which the weakened tear lines are embodied on interior
layers and/or interior boundary surfaces of layers can also be used
with particular ease as a film web. This gives the film laminate a
uniform, higher-quality outward appearance. What is more, if the
longitudinal direction coincides with the machine direction, the
feeding device can also have a simple design, since the front and
rear panels need not be provided in a certain position in relation
to one another.
[0033] In another preferred embodiment, the weakened tear lines are
introduced into the front panel and/or rear panel before filling of
the product. Laser cutting, die-cutting, mechanical removal of
material (so-called scraping), or mechanical imprinting are
particularly suitable for this purpose. Here, too, it is
advantageous if the longitudinal direction coincides with the
machine or web-feed direction, since the weakened tear lines can
then be formed continuously and without synchronization.
[0034] Advantageously, a film tube is formed before the filling of
the product from a single material web that constitutes the front
and rear panels. The film tube can be sealed by a so-called fin
seal or by a lap joint.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0035] The above and other objects, features, and advantages will
become more readily apparent from the following description,
reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a packaging according
to the invention;
[0037] FIG. 2A is a schematic view of a first VFFS method of using
the packaging of this invention;
[0038] FIG. 2B is a schematic view of a second method of making the
packaging according to the invention; and
[0039] FIGS. 3A and 3B show two methods of opening a package in
accordance with the invention.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] As seen in FIG. 1 a film packaging 1 according to the
invention has a rectangular front panel extending in a longitudinal
direction 1 and in a transverse direction q. The longitudinal
extension of the film packaging 1 is greater than the transverse
extension. An identical rear panel 3, which also extends in the
longitudinal direction 1 and transverse direction q, is congruent
behind the front panel 2 and covered by same in FIG. 1. The front
panel 2 and the rear panel 3 are interconnected at longitudinal
side edges 4 of the film packaging 1 and form a continuous film
tube. The front panel 2 and the rear panel 3 are also
interconnected on an upper and lower end edge 5 by a respective
transverse weld 6. The interior space of the packaging between the
front and rear panel 2 and 3 is thereby tightly sealed. According
to the invention, a plurality of weakened tear lines 7 are provided
both on the front panel 2 and on the rear panel 3 that extend in
the longitudinal direction 1 over the entire longitudinal lengths
of the front and rear panel 2 and 3.
[0041] In this embodiment, the transverse welds 6 run both on the
upper edge and on the lower edge over the entire width of the front
and rear panels 2 and 3 in the transverse direction q. A tear aid
15 is provided on the end edges 5 in the form of a zigzag-shaped
cut extending both into the transverse welds 6 and over the entire
width of the film packaging 1 in the transverse direction q. The
weakened tear lines 7 are provided parallel to one another and to
the longitudinal direction 1 of the film packaging 1 and are
distributed equidistantly over the entire width of the film
packaging 1 in the transverse direction q between the outer edges
4.
[0042] FIG. 2A shows an embodiment for a method for making a film
packaging according to the invention. A film web 8 for forming both
the front and rear panels 2 and 3 of the film packaging 1 is taken
off a roll as a prefabricated semifinished product. Weakened tear
lines 7 that extend parallel to web-feed direction FD of the film
web 8 are already provided in the film web 8. The sheet of film web
8 is then folded over such that its longitudinal side edges 9 are
brought into contact with one another and the inner faces of the
film web 9 adjacent to the longitudinal side edges 9 rest flat
against one another. In this region, the film web is joined with
itself by a fin seal, thereby creating a continuous film tube 10. A
product 14 that can be in bulk can be filled into this through a
funnel 11. At a subsequent combined cutting and sealing station 12,
a transverse weld is formed on the film tube 10 transversely to the
feed direction FD, and the transverse weld 6 is simultaneously
divided approximately in half in the center to form the upper and
lower edge welds 6. In this way, a film packaging 1 according to
the invention is separated from the film tube 10 and is
simultaneously sealed with an upper-edge transverse weld. At the
same time, a bottom weld is simultaneously formed to close off the
remaining film tube 10 and thereby form the bottom weld 6 for a
film bag 1 to be produced subsequently.
[0043] No synchronization between the movement of the material web
8 and the sealing station 12 is necessary, since the weakened tear
lines 7 extend in the feed direction FD in any case. Moreover, it
is possible to manufacture film packagings 1 of different sizes
from the same film web 8 by varying the timing of closing and
operation of the sealing station 12 in relation to the speed at
which the film web 8 is fed.
[0044] FIG. 2B shows an alternative embodiment of the method as an
HFFS (horizontal FFS) installation. The film web provided for the
formation of the front panel 2 and of the rear panel 3 is supplied
as separate film webs 8 and 8'. Both have already been provided
with weakened tear lines 7 running in the feed direction FD. A
product 14 is inserted in a transverse direction TD by an
unillustrated supply device onto the film web 8 forming the rear
panel 3 that is being fed on a conveyor belt 13. The product is
then covered with the film web 8' to form the front panel 2. The
front and rear panels 2 and 3 are interconnected in the region of
the longitudinal side edges 4 by longitudinal welds. A transverse
weld running transversely to the feed direction FD that connects
the front panel 2 to the rear panel 3 is then formed at another
combined cutting and sealing station 12. At the same time, the
transverse weld is longitudinally divided along its transverse
extent in order to cut a single film packaging 1 to length.
[0045] FIGS. 3A and 3B show possible variants for opening a film
packaging according to the invention in two embodiments. In FIG.
3A, both the weakened tear lines 7 and the tear aids 15 are
provided only in the left half of the film packaging 1. The film
packaging can be divided by tearing into a tear aid 15 and into
this area between the weakened tear lines 7. After that, the
smaller portion of the film packaging is removed so that a
block-shaped product 14 projects laterally out of the interior of
the packaging between the front and rear panels 2 and 3. In this
state, the product 14 can be used or removed in the transverse
direction q.
[0046] In another variant according to FIG. 3B, the weakened tear
lines 7 and the tear aid 15 are provided only in a middle third of
the front and rear panels 2 and 3 of the film packaging 1. The film
packaging 1 is torn open partially from an end edge 5 and pulled
apart on the upper edge. In the embodiment, the bar-shaped product
14 thus projects out of the opening in the longitudinal direction
1. The product 14, for instance a candy bar, can thus be handled
securely without having to be touched.
* * * * *