DE102016102691A1 - Film packaging and method for packaging a product in a foil packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a film package (1) having a front side (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (l) and a transverse direction (q) and a rear side (3) extending in the longitudinal direction (l) and in the transverse direction (q). In this case, the front side (2) and the rear side (3) are connected to one another by a transverse sealing seam (6) running in the transverse direction (q), which forms a terminal edge (5) of the film package (1). According to the invention, in each case at least two weakening lines (7) extending in the longitudinal direction (1) are arranged on the front side (2) and on the back side (3), which extend over the entire front side (2) and the entire rear side (3) in the longitudinal direction (3). l) extend. The invention further relates to a method for packaging a product (14) in a particular foil packaging (1) according to the invention.

Description

The invention relates to a film package having a front side extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and a rear side extending in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. The front and the back are joined together by a transverse seal running in the transverse direction. The transverse sealing seam simultaneously forms an end edge of the foil packaging in the sense that the transverse sealing seam in the longitudinal direction delimits a packaging interior arranged between the front side and the rear side for receiving a product towards the environment. It is harmless if the front and / or the back protrude in the longitudinal direction of a side facing away from the packaging interior of the transverse sealing seam. The invention also provides a method for packaging a product, in particular in a film package according to the invention.

A generic film packaging can be produced particularly easily in a so-called "Form Fill and Seal" (FFS) process and filled at the same time. In this case, a film material for forming a front side extending in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction and a rear side extending in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction is supplied, so that a packaging interior is formed between the front side and the rear side. The product is arranged in the packaging interior space between the front side and the rear side, and the packaging interior is subsequently closed at least by a transverse sealing seam which connects the front side to the rear side and extends in the transverse direction.

Such methods are used in automatic packaging lines on an industrial scale to provide any products with easy-to-use outer packaging of a film material. The method is also suitable for any type of product. So are particularly cuberbzw. Bar-shaped products are particularly good for such a packaging process. But also bulk goods such as pellets, powders and even liquids can be processed in an FFS process, if it runs vertically as a so-called VFFS (Vertical Form Fill Seal) process. The film packaging is initially prefabricated so that it is tightly closed on the side and underside, so that the pourable product can be filled from above. The film packaging is then closed by a cross-seam on the head side.

In order to be able to withstand the high mechanical requirements due to transport and bag forming, it is preferred to use a film material with a high strength for carrying out FFS processes. Oriented or biaxially oriented polymer films such as OPET (oriented polyethylene terephthalate) or BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) are preferably used. Also cellulose-based film layers are particularly well suited for the application.

However, these materials have the disadvantage that they have an unpredictable cracking behavior. Although layers of material from the materials mentioned can easily be torn, the crack propagation then takes place largely at random. Even in the multi-layer film composite with other functional layers, such as sealing or cover layers, the cracking behavior is determined almost exclusively by the brittle layer. Therefore, film packages produced in the FFS process can only be opened to a very limited extent by tearing open by the user. Rather, it is usually more convenient to open the foil packaging by loosening at least one sealed seam. This is known, for example, in the field of snack packaging.

Nevertheless, it is desirable to provide a defined tear behavior even in modern FFS packaging. This may be necessary to reproducibly produce an opening of sufficient size, such as with bar-shaped products. As a result, the product can be removed, for example, as a whole. Even with pourable goods, a defined opening is essential to prevent uncontrolled dumping. At the same time, however, easy manufacturability should also be maintained.

The solution of this object and the subject of the invention is a film package according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 11. Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

The generic foil packaging has a front side extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and a rear side extending in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The front and back are joined together by a transverse transverse seam forming a terminal edge of the film package. According to the invention, at least two longitudinally extending lines of weakness are respectively arranged on the front side and the rear side and extend in the longitudinal direction over the entire front side and the entire rear side. The front side and the rear side preferably have at least one plastic layer with an oriented polymer, in particular OPET or BOPP. By the invention Arrangement can be ensured even with film packaging with a tendency to uncontrolled crack formation film material, such as OPET or BOPP a safe and reproducible tearing. The transverse sealing seam forming an end edge can be torn easily and at a defined point, after which a tear is guided between two adjacent weakening lines.

Weakening lines are linear or strip-shaped areas of the film material whose mechanical resistance is reduced. A line of weakness can control crack propagation within a sheet material, as cracks tend to propagate to the areas of least mechanical strength. A weakening line can be produced, in particular, by reducing the material thickness and / or local changes in the material properties, as can be done in the production of the film material or else subsequently. Weakening lines can be formed in particular continuously or in sections interrupted.

Characterized in that according to the invention a plurality of lines of weakness are provided both at the front and at the back, a particularly advantageous opening of the film packaging can be made possible. The film package is divided by tearing between the two lines of weakness along the longitudinal direction. Thus, a bar-shaped product in partial opening from the head side only partially protrude from the opening and are thus consumed piecewise. For example, a food bar can be eaten like a partially opened banana. Alternatively, after completely separating one half of the bag package, the product as a whole may be removed in the transverse direction.

By parallel guidance of at least two longitudinally extending lines of weakness respectively at the front and back can be ensured in the film package according to the invention in spite of a stiff film component, a roughly rectilinear tear behavior. At the same time the risk of tearing along the weakening lines during the packaging process is minimal, since the film material is mainly stressed and stabilized by the transversely extending connecting tools for the production of the transverse seam. Shearing forces or bending moments perpendicular to the front or back, which could cause crack initiation, hardly occur. This is all the more true if the longitudinal direction of the front side and the back side is identical to a machine direction in which the film material is transported during the packaging process.

The transverse sealing seam preferably extends over the entire width of the front side and the rear side. This way, a tight seal can be achieved at this end edge without additional aids. In addition, the film packaging is stabilized by the transverse sealing seam over the entire width. Depending on the application, the transverse seam can be created by hot or cold sealing. An adhesive bond is also possible within the scope of the invention.

Particularly preferably, a tear-in aid is arranged on the transverse sealing seam. As a result, the initiation of a crack in the transverse sealing seam can be simplified. The tearing aid can be formed, for example, as at least one notch or a zigzag-shaped cut edge. This can extend over the entire width of the transverse sealing seam or be limited to areas in which the crack initiation is to take place preferably. In particular, the tearing aid is arranged only in the region between the weakening lines and not in marginal areas between the lateral outer edges of the foil packaging and the nearest weakening line.

Particularly preferably, the weakening lines are aligned parallel to one another. As a result, a corridor of constant width can be made available for the crack propagation.

It is particularly preferred to arrange equidistantly at least three lines of weakness in the transverse direction on the front side and / or the back side. As a result, the position of the crack initiation in a larger area can be left to the user. Nevertheless, a once initiated crack in the channel formed by the two nearest lines of weakness is forwarded almost linearly to the opposite end edge of the film packaging.

Preferably, the lines of weakness in the transverse direction over the entire width of the front and / or the back are distributed. As a result, the user is particularly free in his choice in which area he wants to tear the packaging.

In a further preferred embodiment, the weakening lines in the transverse direction are restricted to one area. In this way, the user can be instructed to tear open the foil packaging in the designated area. This can additionally be supported by a suitably positioned tear aid and / or an optical marking of the area. This is particularly in question when the product conveniently just touched in certain areas directly may be. Depending on the requirement, the area in which the lines of weakness are arranged is one-half. It may also be appropriate to provide the lines of weakness in the middle or in one or both outer thirds of the film package.

Preferably, at least the outer, that is, a lateral edge of the packaging closest, weakening lines are aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction. As a result, the crack propagation always takes place in such a way that the lateral edges of the bag are not reached. As a result, a complete division of the film packaging is possible.

It is particularly preferred if each weakening line on the front side is aligned congruently with a weakening line on the rear side. This results in the same boundary conditions on the front as well as on the back in the crack formation.

In a preferred embodiment, the front side and the rear side are formed from a single film section. This film section can be consistently provided over its entire width with lines of weakness. The film section may conveniently be closed by a so-called fin seam, in which a part of the inside of the film section is joined to another part of the inside of the film section, or an overlapping area to a film tube.

Preferably, the front side and the rear side are connected at least at one side edge by a side fold. The gusset may be formed from the same film section as the front and / or the back or from a separate film section. A gusset can increase the interior of the bag and improve the stacking behavior. Preferably, the gusset is formed without weakening lines to limit the crack propagation on the front and back. Alternatively or additionally, the film package may be equipped on the opposite side of the transverse seam with a floor stand.

A preferred film material for forming a film package according to the invention is a multi-layer laminate having an outer layer of BOPP having a thickness of 20 microns and an inner layer of metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene (metBOPP) with a thickness of also 20 microns connected to the outer layer by a laminating adhesive layer. The metallized polymer layer serves as a barrier to a water vapor and oxygen passage. The outer layer may be provided on the inner layer facing the inside with a print. The outer layer is substantially transparent so that the pressure is visible from the outside while being protected from damage by the outer layer. If the film package is to be closed in the cold-sealing process, a layer of cold-seal adhesive may additionally be applied to the inside of the inner layer.

The invention is based on a method for packaging a product in a film package, in which a film material is fed to form a front side extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and a rear side extending in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, such that between the front side and the back is formed a packaging interior. The product is placed between the front and back in the packaging interior. Subsequently, the packaging interior is closed by at least one transverse seam which connects the front side to the back and extends in the transverse direction. According to the invention, at least two longitudinally extending weakening lines are arranged on the front side and the rear side, which extend in the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the front side and the rear side. The method is particularly suitable for providing a film packaging according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the film material for the front and the back is fed endlessly. After packaging, the foil package with the product contained therein is cut to length after or during formation of the transverse seal. Here, the film material is severed in the transverse seal seam. Alternatively, it is also possible to sever the film material only partially, in particular in the form of a perforation. As a result, a predetermined breaking point is created, which can be opened later by the user or a machine.

Conveniently, the full or partial parting line passes through the sealed seam. As a result, remain on both sides of the dividing line areas where the front and the back are connected. As a result, a part of the transverse sealing seam, which closes off the pouch interior of the foil packaging, at the same time serve as a footsealing seam for delimiting a foil pouch produced subsequently in a continuous process. At the same time, the sealing seam forms the end of the film packaging in the longitudinal direction, so that the front and the back are not separable from each other and can be torn open together.

Furthermore, it is expedient to provide the foil wrapper at an end edge with a tear-in. This can be configured for example as a zigzag cut. This can be done particularly preferably simultaneously with the cutting to length of a continuously produced film packaging. Preferably, the tearing aids are arranged so that they can be effective between those longitudinally extending lines of weakness. As a result, a crack initiation between at least two lines of weakness is favored, so that the crack can not then emigrate uncontrollably to a lateral end of the film packaging.

Preferably, the film material for the front and / or the back is supplied with prefabricated lines of weakness as a semi-finished product. As a result, the packaging system can be made more compact as a whole, since the film material does not first have to be produced and / or reworked. It is also particularly easy to use a prefabricated multilayer laminate as the film material, in which the weakening lines are formed on inner layers or inner boundary surfaces of layers. As a result, a uniform, higher-quality impression is produced externally by the film laminate. Moreover, if the longitudinal direction coincides with the machine direction, the feeder can be made very simple, since the front and back do not have to be arranged in a specific position relative to each other.

In another preferred embodiment, the lines of weakness are introduced into the front and / or the back before filling the product. Laser cutting, punching, mechanical material removal (so-called scraping) or mechanical embossing are particularly suitable for this purpose. Again, it is advantageous if the longitudinal direction coincides with the machine direction, since then the lines of weakness can be introduced continuously and without synchronization.

Conveniently, a film tube is formed prior to filling the product from a single web of material comprising the front and the back. The film tube can be closed by a so-called fin seam or by an overlap connection.

The invention will be explained with reference to drawings, which illustrate only embodiments. They show schematically:

1 Top view of a foil packaging according to the invention,

2A method according to the invention in one embodiment as a VFFS process,

2 B Embodiment of the method according to the invention as HFFS process,

3A opened film package in a further embodiment and

3B partially opened film package in yet another embodiment.

The 1 shows a film package according to the invention 1 with a front extending in a longitudinal direction l and a transverse direction q 2 , Behind the front 2 and covered by this is a back 3 arranged, which also extends in the longitudinal direction l and the transverse direction q. The front 2 and the back 3 are on lateral edges 4 the foil packaging 1 connected together to form a circumferential film tube. At an upper and lower end edge 5 are the front side 2 and the back 3 each by a transverse seal 6 connected with each other. This will be between the front 2 and the back 3 arranged packaging interior tightly closed. According to the invention, both on the front 2 as well as at the back 3 a plurality of weakening lines 7 arranged in the longitudinal direction l over the entire front 2 and the entire back 3 extend.

In the present embodiment, the transverse sealing seam runs 6 both at the top and at the bottom across the entire width of the front 2 and the back 3 in the transverse direction q. At the end edges 5 is a break-in 15 in the form of a in the transverse sealing seams 6 Envisioning zigzag cut provided, which is also over the entire width of the film packaging 1 extends in the transverse direction q. The lines of weakness 7 are to each other and to the longitudinal direction l of the foil packaging 1 arranged in parallel and over the entire width of the film packaging 1 in the transverse direction q between the outer edges 4 distributed equidistantly.

In 2A an embodiment of an inventive method is shown, with which an embodiment of a film package according to the invention can be produced. A foil material 8th to form both the front 2 as well as the back 3 the foil packaging 1 is subtracted from a roll as a prefabricated semi-finished product. In this case, in the film material 8th already weakening lines 7 arranged, which are parallel to the transport direction of the film material 8th extend. The web of the film material 8th is subsequently folded over so that their lateral edges 9 so be brought into contact with each other, that at the lateral edges 9 subsequent inner surfaces of the film material 8th are flat in plant. In this area, the film material is connected to itself by a so-called fin seam, so that a circumferential film tube 10 arises. In these can through a hopper 11 a product 14 be filled, which can also be pourable. In a subsequent combined cutting and sealing station 12 is on the film tube 10 a transverse seal 6 formed transversely to the transport direction and at the same time divided along its extent in about the middle. As a result, a film packaging according to the invention 1 from the film tube 10 separated and this simultaneously sealed with a top-side transverse seam. Likewise, a Fußsiegelnaht is formed simultaneously, which the remaining film tube 10 completes and thus the basis for a subsequently manufactured foil bag 1 forms.

A synchronization between the movement of the material web 8th and the sealing station 12 is not necessary because the lines of weakness 7 anyway in the direction of transport. It is also possible foil packaging 1 different size of the same film material 8th produce by the timing of the sealing station relative to the transport speed of the film material 8th is varied.

In 2 B an alternative process design is shown as a HFFS (horizontal FFS) system. This is the formation of the front 2 and that to the formation of the back 3 intended foil material as separate foil webs 8th . 8th' fed. Both are already running in the transport direction lines of weakness 7 Mistake. On the on a conveyor belt 13 guided film material 8th to form the back 3 is a product by means of a feeder, not shown 14 hung up. This is then with the film material 8th' to form the front 2 covered. The front 2 and the back 3 be in the area of the side edges 4 connected by longitudinal sealing seams. Subsequently, in a combined cutting and sealing station 12 a transversely extending transverse to the transport direction sealing seam introduced, the front 2 with the back 3 combines. At the same time, the transverse seal seam 6 for cutting a single foil package 1 divided along its longitudinal direction.

The 3A and 3B show possible variants for opening a film package according to the invention in two embodiments. In the 3A are both the lines of weakness 7 as well as the break-in aids 15 only in the left half of the foil packaging 1 arranged. The foil wrapper can be torn open by tearing 15 and one at or between the lines of weakness 7 running crack are divided into this area. Thereafter, the smaller part of the film packaging is removed, so that a - in the embodiment cuboid - product 14 from the packaging interior between the front 2 and the back 3 protrudes laterally. The product 14 can already be used in this state or taken in the transverse direction q.

In a further variant according to 3B are the lines of weakness 7 and the tearing aid 15 only in a middle third of the front 2 and the back 3 the foil packaging 1 arranged. The foil packaging 1 is from a trailing edge 5 Partially torn and pulled apart at the top. As a result, the product in the embodiment is bar-shaped 14 in the longitudinal direction l out of the opening. The product 14 Can be handled safely without having to touch it.

Claims (15)

Foil packaging ( 1 ) having a front side extending in a longitudinal direction (l) and a transverse direction (q) ( 2 ) and in the longitudinal direction (l) and in the transverse direction (q) extending back ( 3 ), the front side ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) by one in the transverse direction ( 4 ) transverse seal seam ( 6 ), which have a terminal edge ( 5 ) of the foil packaging ( 1 ), characterized in that at the front ( 2 ) and on the back ( 3 ) each at least two in the longitudinal direction (l) extending weakening lines ( 7 ) are arranged over the entire front ( 2 ) and the entire back ( 3 ) extend in the longitudinal direction (l). Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse sealing seam ( 6 ) over the entire width of the front side ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ). Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the transverse sealing seam ( 6 ) a tearing aid ( 15 ) is arranged. Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the weakening lines ( 7 ) are aligned parallel to each other. Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) at least three weakening lines ( 7 ) are arranged, wherein the weakening lines ( 7 ) on the front side ( 2 ) and / or the back ( 3 ) in the transverse direction (q) between a leftmost weakening line and an extremely right line of weakness are arranged equidistantly. Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the weakening lines ( 7 ) in the transverse direction (q) over the entire width of the front ( 2 ) and / or the back ( 3 ) are distributed. Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the weakening lines ( 7 ) in the transverse direction (q) are limited to one area. Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least the outer weakening lines ( 7 ) are aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction (l). Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the front side ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) are formed from a single film section. Foil packaging ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the front side ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) on at least one side edge ( 4 ) are interconnected by a gusset. Method of packaging a product ( 14 ) in a foil package ( 1 ) in particular according to claims 1 to 10, wherein a film material ( 8th ) for forming in a longitudinal direction (l) and a transverse direction (q) extending front ( 2 ) and a rear side extending in the longitudinal direction (l) and the transverse direction (q) ( 3 ) is fed so that between the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) a packaging interior is formed, wherein the product between the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) arranged in the packaging interior and the packaging interior then at least by a the front ( 2 ) with the back ( 3 ) and extending in the transverse direction (q) transverse seal seam ( 6 ), characterized in that on the supplied film material ( 8th ) to form the front side ( 2 ) and the supplied film material ( 8th . 8th' ) for forming the back side ( 3 ) at least two longitudinally extending weakening lines ( 7 ) are arranged over the entire length of the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) extend in the longitudinal direction. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the film material ( 8th . 8th' ) for the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) is fed endlessly and that the film package ( 1 ) with the product contained therein ( 14 ) during or after the formation of the transverse seal ( 6 ) is cut to length. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the film material ( 8th . 8th' ) for the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) with prefabricated weakening lines ( 7 ) are fed as semi-finished. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the weakening lines ( 7 ) in the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ) are introduced prior to filling the product, in particular by laser cutting, punching, mechanical material removal or mechanical embossing. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that before filling the product ( 14 ) from a single sheet of film material ( 8th ) a film tube ( 10 ) is formed, the front ( 2 ) and the back ( 3 ).

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