CZ20033406A3 - Easy opening, re-closeable bag - Google Patents

Abstract

A bag (10) for storing products such as powdered or granular detergent, pet food, coffee, cereal etc., has a line of weakness (28) for easy opening made preferably by laser scoring. The bag also has a means (32) for re-closing after initial opening by the user preferably by means of a hook and loop fastering system.

Description

Technical field

Bags for storing products such as powdered or granulated detergents, pet food, coffee, cereal foods and the like (this list is not exhaustive), the bag having a weakening line that allows the bag to be easily opened. More specifically, the bags further comprise adjustment means for reclosing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, flexible bags are used to package a wide range of consumer products including granular detergents. To increase the performance of these bags as packaging means, these bags must be resistant to opening during transport and handling in the warehouse. The detergent bags currently available on the market have several drawbacks.

First, conventional bags are difficult to open, opened by means of scissors, knives or other household means. Often the consumer opens the bag by tearing, with the result that the content often spills out of it. In addition, the bag and any text printed on it will be damaged by dragging and tearing when opening the bag.

Secondly, conventional detergent bags, once opened, do not offer an effective and effective option to reseal the bag. The possibility of reclosing the bag is required by many consumers. This is particularly true for the packaging of a larger number of the above products. So far, the methods of resealing such bags have been unsatisfactory. These methods include zip fastening and adhesive tape as well as simple reloading mechanisms. A major drawback of the above methods is that contamination of the reclosing means by the contents of the bag prevents the means from forming a reliable, re-forming of the bag.

2 ··· 999 9999 9999 •• 9 999 999 ·· · 99 999 99 9 Use a tight seal. In addition, simple reload mechanisms do not provide product leakage protection.

Thirdly, since the contents of the bag are gradually consumed, it is desirable that the closure means be capable of being adjusted so that the bag is sealed more carefully. Conventional detergent bags do not offer adjustment means for sealing the bag securely.

It follows that the need for flexible bags, easily opening, for packaging consumer products still persists, i.e. opening without the aid of a knife scissors or other household means. In addition, there remains a need for a mechanism by which the bag can be securely resealed after opening by the consumer. There is also a continuing need for a resealable pouch which is adjustable and which provides a secure and reliable seal when the product is removed from the pouch as the pouch becomes less and less filled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned requirements address the invention by providing an easy opening of the bag. The bag is further provided with reclosable means, which means are also adjustable.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the flexible bag comprises a front panel, a rear panel, and two inwardly folded side panels, each panel having a top edge and a bottom edge, a top portion and a bottom portion that are sealed together, a front panel to a back panel, a top the portion is further defined by a line of weakness, wherein at least a portion of one bag panel remains undiluted in that line. The weakened line allows the bag to be cleaned and controlled.

The bag may further comprise means for resealing the bag after it has been opened by the consumer. The reclosing means are adjusters to ensure efficient and reliable closure when the bag content decreases.

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All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight unless otherwise indicated. All documents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Clarification of the figures in the drawings

Figure 1 is a horizontal perspective view of a first embodiment of a bag according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical perspective view of a first embodiment of a bag according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a vertical perspective view of a first embodiment of a bag according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a horizontal perspective view of a second embodiment of a pouch according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a horizontal perspective view of a second embodiment of the bag according to the present invention

Figure 6 is a horizontal perspective view of a third embodiment of the bag according to the present invention

Figure 7 is a vertical perspective view of a third embodiment of a bag according to the present invention.

Figure 8 is a representation of a typical graph obtained by ASTM D-882 for measuring traction.

Figure 9 is a representation of a typical graph obtained by ASTM D-5733 for measuring trapezoidal tear on a single sample.

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Figure 10 is a vertical perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

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Figure 11 is a vertical perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention when closed.

Examples

Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented with detailed references to examples, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As will be appreciated from the following, the terms front and back as used herein describe bag panels and are provided herein for convenience only and may be otherwise interchanged. As will be discussed in more detail below, the present invention is intended to be a flexible sachet containing a granular, powdered or other content, in particular a cleaning composition, provided with a line of weakening to facilitate its opening. A particularly preferred bag 10 made according to the present invention is illustrated and shown in Figure 1. The bag shown 10 has a front front panel 12, a rear panel 14 and side panels 16 and 18, each panel having an upper edge 20 and a lower edge 22. The bag 10 is provided with a weakened line 28, wherein at least a portion of the at least one panel 12 or 14 is not weakened in this line 28. In a preferred embodiment, each line 28 extends between the two side panels 16 and 18 and on the front panel 12 or the rear panel 14.

In Figure 2, the same bag 10 is shown as in Figure 1, in which, in the line of weakness, the bag is opened by pulling on both sides of the line 28.

Figure 3 represents the same bag 10 as in Figure 1, which is additionally provided with reclosing means 30 (not shown in Figure 3) and reclosing means 32. The reclosing means 30 and 32 may comprise any mechanical closure, preferably formed by the fastening system of the closure. a hook and loop, wherein one of the means 30 or 32 is a hook and the other is a loop component. Within the scope of the present invention, these components are interchangeable.

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Figure 4 illustrates the reclosing means 30 in the form of a small strip located near the top edge 20 and attached to the front panel 12. It is also within the scope of the present invention that the reclosing means is formed from a hook and hook system rather than a system "Hook and loop".

Referring again to Figure 5, the closure system 32 is shown as a vertically fastened strip on the rear panel 14.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the means 30 for resealing the bag.

Figure 7 shows the bag in the closed position.

Another preferred embodiment of the reclosing system is shown in Figures 10 and 11. One component 30 of the reclosing system is by attaching a portion of the hook or loop downstream of a panel that is attached to either the front front panel 12 or the rear panel 14. Part of the component 30 is left loose, not connected. Closing the bag is accomplished by folding the top section 2 of the bag 10 twice in succession. At the first fold, the unattached portion of the reclosing system is extended and allows the second component of the system to engage therewith.

In fact, the second folding connects the mechanical coupling system together.

Materials suitable for making a bag

The bags of the present invention are formed from elastic materials which include polymeric films, woven materials, nonwoven materials, preferably polyethylene films, more preferably single-layer, co-extruded two-layer laminates, three-layer laminates and metallized laminates, all with or without lacquer coating. This list of materials is not intended to be limiting. The bags of the invention may be manufactured by any method known in the art. One method of making flexible pouches from a continuous web of material is well known in the art and is described in US Patent No. 5,054,619, which is owned by Muckenfuhs.

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Line of attenuation

The technical measure for easy opening of the bag according to the present invention is based on the weakening of the film material in the desired trajectory for tearing or separation on the bag.

The line of weakness is designed such that at least a portion of one panel of the bag remains weakened by that line. This prevents complete separation of the top of the bag when opened. Upon opening, the flap that results from the manual tearing of the bag in the line of weakness creates a consumer area to enter the bag for removal of the product. This technical measure ensures better handling of the bag and allows easier removal of the product.

The weakening line reduces the strength of the film in a manner that allows a normal filling, packaging and handling process, yet allows the consumer to easily open. This behavior is achieved by reducing the strength of the original film while tearing in the path of the line. The reduction of tearing force in the line path is most often accompanied by a loss of tractive force.

The attenuation line is characterized by the following test methods: a) ASTM D-882, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Films, and b) ASTM D-5733, Standard Test Method for Tearing Nonwoven Fabrics in a Trapezoidal Method. Examples of the resulting graphs of these test methods are shown in Figures 8 and 9. The sample used to generate the data in Figures 8 and 9 was taken from the attenuation line 28 shown in Figure 1. According to the test results ASTM-D-882 and ASTM D-5733 , the line of attenuation must extend parallel to the shortest side of the sample (i.e., width). The line of weakness must cover the entire width of the sample and be centered on the length of the sample. The opening for initiating the incision of the trapezoid tear sample must be at the top of the line of weakness.

The attenuation line is characterized by three parameters obtained in the above standard tests. The first parameter is the voltage enable value. Referring to Figure 8, this graph illustrates the approximate attenuation value of the attenuated film (shown as Y ₂ in Figure 8) versus the approximate attenuation value of fcfcfcfc. • fc • fc • fcfcfc non-attenuated film (shown in Figure 8 as Yi). This attenuation value of the attenuated film in the ASTM D-882 tensile test should not be less than 90% of the attenuation value of the attenuated film. Second, the final value or tear strength value of the attenuated film (shown as R ₂ in Figure 8) should not be less than 90% of the value of the stress release value of the attenuated film Y ₁ .

Third, the total tear trapezoidal tear force according to ASTM D-5733, the attenuated film should be less than 4Kgf. Figure 9 shows a typical graph obtained by the ASTM D-5733 test for measuring trapezoidal tear force on a thin film of a single sample.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, values indicating force, elongation (Figure 8) and span (Figure 9) are to be taken as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

A pattern can be additionally assigned to the attenuation line. These patterns may take the form of a continuous line, dashed line, or a combination thereof. However, the most preferred embodiment is in the form of a dashed dashed line, wherein the dashed line is formed from several groove segments. The length of each groove segment varies between 0.12 m to 4.4 mm, preferably varies between 0.3 mm and 2 mm, and more preferably between 0.6 mm to 1 mm. The distance between adjacent groove segments is variable and is between 0.4 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm and most preferably between 1.5 mm and 2 mm. The groove depth varies depending on the film thickness.

The starting step takes place at a point along the line of weakness. The starting step creates a surface that facilitates tearing as there are deep grooves. If the line of weakness extends on the rear panel, where there is also a vertical sealing sealant, the lowering step allows for easy tearing through a plurality of vertical closing bends to the line of weakness.

Method of creating a line of attenuation

The line of attenuation can be created using methods that are enumerated but not limiting. These methods include: creasing, perforation, chemical treatment, preferably laser creasing, laser perforation, mechanical creasing,

mechanical perforation, etching methods, or a combination thereof. The weakening line is preferably formed before the foil is formed into a bag.

One method of creating a weakening line on a flexible film is to use at least one laser. First, a laser beam of sufficient power in watts is aimed at the film to vaporize a portion of the film material. The use of laser technology allows very precise depth control or penetration from very shallow creasing to complete perforation of the film. A laser of any form of magnetic radiation can be used. Suitable lasers for application in the present invention include those based on CO ₂ gas.

The speed of film travel and laser beam movement depend on the desired pattern and depth of groove and the type of film used. Suitable methods for laser foil creasing are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,626,143, 3,790,744,3,909,582 (all American Can Company) and in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,158,499 and 5,229,180 (American National Can Company, U.S. Patent No. 5,001,325 (LPP Verpákkingen Β, V.)). In US Patent No. 4,743,123 (Wavin BV), in Japanese Patents 09133018,07008283 and 06103200 (Dainippon Printing Company).

Another convenient way to create a weakening line is to use knives. The blades are mounted on an engraving roll which is mounted directly on the foil making machine so that the cutouts are formed before forming the bag. Different knife patterns can be used for engraving, thereby achieving different line weakening patterns. The pressure exerted on the knives is also variable during the process of checking the dimensions and length of the slots to ensure easy opening of the bag.

Surface extrusion is another alternative method of creating a weakening line. Extrusion stamping technology will weaken the film in certain areas by pressure, temperature, time and a deforming profile. The desired results are achieved by changing the caliper and / or the material structure n of the extrusion path. The basic equipment used for this extrusion technique is a tight clamping device capable of being pressed against the bottom plate. The deforming profile or pattern is attached to the clamping device and is heated. The film is compressed between the deforming profile and the back plate. The major known variables for influencing this process are: temperature ····································· Heating, cooling temperature, pressure, heating time, cooling time, foil tension during the engraving process, foil tension after the engraving process, bottom plate material, bottom plate thickness, bottom plate temperature, fixture pattern and fixture thickness. The ripping unit should be installed after the foil unwinding station, which may preferably be incorporated into the packaging line device. Suitable examples of engravings are described in US Patent No. 5,878,549 (American National Can Company).

Reclosing system

The reclosing system is resistant to contamination of the bag contents. Its main task is to protect the granular products contained in the bags from spillage, moisture and other external factors that may affect the integrity of the product. This reclosing system comprises mechanical fastening means, in particular a hook and loop or a hook and hook, which are attached to the bag and which allow the consumer to open and securely close the bags several times whenever the product contained in the bag is used.

The system consists of placing fastening materials on opposite panels of the bag. In the preferred embodiment, the panels are front-front and rear, but other configurations are acceptable. The fastening means may be either disposable or industrial materials. In order to optimize costs, it is advisable to use non-returnable materials. The mechanical fastening means may be of any shape and size and may be positioned differently. The particular configuration of the components of the reclosing system should be such that the bag can be completely sealed after use of the product contained therein. Tight closure means that the product will not spill when the bag is tilted to the side. The reclosing system is particularly characterized by the energy required to separate one component of the fastener from the other component. This energy shall not be less than 2.4 Kgfmm for each Kg of product contained in the bag.

The reclosing system is intended to provide the properties for easy opening of the bag as described above. At least one piece (1) of the mechanical fastener is located on one panel of the bag, while the connector piece

the fastening means is located on the opposite panel of the bag. Preferably, one piece of mechanical fastening forms a vertical strip. The top of the bag (with a small piece of fastener) is rolled on the surface so that the two fasteners join and seal the bag tightly as the product is consumed. As the product is increasingly consumed, the fastening means closes the bag further down in the vertical direction to ensure a tight closure. A variation of this embodiment is the closure for the press buttons. This means that the mechanical fastening can be formed by two knobs that secure the closure. In this case, the tight closure is stationary, not adjustable for the bag with decreasing contents.

These fastening means may be attached to the bag by means of a binder. The binder may be either a hot-melt binder or a pressure-modifiable binder. The thermofusible binder is applied to the mechanical fastening means before its piece is applied to the bag. The pressure-sensitive binder is attached in one piece to the fastening means.

The use of these mechanical bag fasteners can be accomplished in various ways. One method is to adhere the fastener to the film before making the bag. In this case, the pieces of mechanical fastening means are attached to the film either during the preparation of the wound film or during the unwinding of the film from the roll in the manufacturing process. The mechanical fastening means may also be glued to the bag after it has been formed.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, other variations and modifications and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications resulting from the present invention.

Claims (9)

PATENT CLAIMS A bag (10) formed of a front panel (12) and a rear panel (14) and two inwardly folded side panels (16 and 18) each having an upper edge (20) and a lower edge (22), a top and the bottom is formed by joining the front panel (12) and the rear panel (14), the upper portion being further defined by a line of weakness (28) that extends over the front panel (12) or the rear panel (14) and bridges both side panels (16) and 18) wherein the attenuation line (28) is formed by methods selected from the group consisting of chemical treatment, laser creasing, laser perforation, mechanical creasing, mechanical perforation, engraving methods, or a combination thereof, preferably the attenuation line (28) is formed by laser grooving. The bag of claim 1, further comprising means for resealing the bag after opening. A bag (10) formed from a front panel (12) and a rear panel. (14) and two inwardly folded side panels (16 and 18), each having an upper edge (20) and a lower edge (22), the top and bottom being formed by joining the front panel (12) and the rear panel (14), the upper portion is further defined by a weakening line (28), characterized in that at least a portion of the top of one panel is not provided with a weakening line and the bag further comprises means for resealing the bag after its initial opening; more preferably at least one component of the fastening system has printed text on the surface, and even more preferably at least one component of the fastening system is provided on its surface with printed instructions for using the contents of the bag . A bag according to claim 3, wherein the reclosing means comprises a fastening system comprising a hook component and a loop component, wherein the hook component is located on the front panel (12) and the loop component is located on the rear panel (14) of the bag. (10) The bag of claim 3, wherein the reclosing means comprises a fastening system comprising a hook component and a loop component, wherein the loop component is disposed on the front panel (12) and the hook component is disposed on the rear panel (14) of the bag. (10). Bag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag release value with the attenuation line (28) as measured by the ASTM D-882 test method is at least 90% of the bag release value before adding the line. (28) attenuation. A bag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the final stress or burst stress value of the bag, as measured by the ASTM D-882 method, is at least 90% of the bag stress release value before adding the attenuation line (28). . Bag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total trapezoidal tear force of the bag measured by the ASTM D-5733 method is less than 4 Kg. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises laundry or cleaning agents Bag according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attenuation line (28) is formed by a method selected from the group consisting of chemical treatment, laser creasing, laser perforation, mechanical creasing, mechanical perforation, engraving methods or combinations thereof, in particular 28) the attenuation is formed by laser creasing, and more preferably the attenuation line (28) forms a pattern, wherein the patterns comprise a dashed line comprising a plurality of groove segments of varying groove 9 9 9 9,999,999 9 999 99 9 the length of each groove segment in the range from 0.12 mm to 4.4 mm, preferably from 0.3 mm to 2 mm and most preferably from 0.6 mm to 1 mm with a distance between adjacent groove segments in the range between 0.4 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm and preferably between 1.5 mm and 2 mm.