EP0761554A1 - Beutel und Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Oeffnen des Beutels - Google Patents

Beutel und Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Oeffnen des Beutels Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0761554A1
EP0761554A1 EP96305921A EP96305921A EP0761554A1 EP 0761554 A1 EP0761554 A1 EP 0761554A1 EP 96305921 A EP96305921 A EP 96305921A EP 96305921 A EP96305921 A EP 96305921A EP 0761554 A1 EP0761554 A1 EP 0761554A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bag
panel
tubing
hole
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96305921A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0761554B1 (de
Inventor
Gregory E. Mcdonald
Andrew W. Moehlenbrock
John Carson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cryovac LLC
Original Assignee
WR Grace and Co Conn
WR Grace and Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/522,053 external-priority patent/US5810706A/en
Application filed by WR Grace and Co Conn, WR Grace and Co filed Critical WR Grace and Co Conn
Priority to EP99120690A priority Critical patent/EP0985522B1/de
Publication of EP0761554A1 publication Critical patent/EP0761554A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0761554B1 publication Critical patent/EP0761554B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/26—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks
    • B65B43/28—Opening or distending bags; Opening, erecting, or setting-up boxes, cartons, or carton blanks by grippers co-operating with fixed supports
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
    • B65D33/007—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags for facilitating the separation of the two walls, e.g. walls of inequal height, tabs; for maintaining the mouth of the sack or bag open
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
    • B31B2155/001—Flexible containers made from webs by folding webs longitudinally
    • B31B2155/0012—Flexible containers made from webs by folding webs longitudinally having their openings facing in the direction of movement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
    • B31B2160/10—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
    • B31B2160/10—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B31B2160/106—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents obtained from sheets cut from larger sheets or webs before finishing the bag forming operations

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a bag with an access hole in at least one panel of the bag; a method of making the bag; a bag opening system; a method of opening the bag; and a packaging system; and an alternative bag opening method.
  • bags made from various thermoplastic materials and structures.
  • examples of commercial bags include heat shrinkable bags supplied by the Cryovac Division of W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn., including the L, L 340, B110, B620, and B2550 bags.
  • each bag is opened and then loaded with an article such as a fresh red meat subprimal, or smoked and processed meat, poultry, cheese, or other perishable food product, or other product.
  • tape spacing refers to the pair of adhesive carrier tapes, e.g. as described in US-A-3,587,843, which in many commercial bag loading systems hold bags together before loading with an article.
  • tape spacing will generally define the shape of the bag when it is opened. Since the bag dimensions are ideally matched to the dimensions of the article to be packaged, tape spacing is an important parameter in loading a bag with an article. It is desirable to provide a method and bag which lessen or eliminate the requirement of matching tape spacing to article size, i.e. of optimizing tape spacing for feeding or indexing the bags.
  • An additional problem is the variation in tape alignment and in spacing between successive bags in a stacked array of imbricated bags.
  • the invention provides a bag comprising: a first panel; a second panel overlying the first panel; a bag bottom; a bag mouth; and a hole disposed in the first panel, but without a corresponding hole in the second panel.
  • a second hole disposed in the second panel, the second hole being offset with respect to the first hole.
  • the invention is a method of making a bag according to the first variant of the first aspect, the method comprising providing lay-flat tubing comprising a first tubing panel and a second tubing panel; making a hole in the first tubing panel; and sealing and cutting the tubing to make a bag having a hole in a panel of the bag.
  • the invention is a method of making a bag according to the first variant of the first aspect, the method comprising providing lay-flat tubing in a first lay-flat orientation; advancing the lay-flat tubing such that at least a portion of the lay-flat tubing is reoriented to a position at a right angle to its first lay-flat orientation; making a hole in the tubing; further advancing the tubing while reorienting the tubing back to its first lay-flat orientation; and sealing and cutting the reoriented tubing to make a bag having a hole in a panel of the bag.
  • the invention is a method of making a bag according to the second variant of the first aspect, comprising providing the bag in a first lay-flat position, laterally displacing the first panel of the bag relative to the second panel; so that the bag is in a second lay-flat position; making a hole in the bag; and laterally moving the first panel relative to the second panel such that the bag is returned to the first lay-flat position.
  • the invention is a method of making a bag according to the second variant of the first aspect, comprising providing lay-flat tubing in a first lay-flat position, the tubing comprising a first tubing panel and a second tubing panel; laterally displacing the first tubing panel relative to the second tubing panel, so that the tubing is in a second lay-flat position; making a hole in the tubing; laterally moving the first tubing panel relative to the second tubing panel such that the tubing is returned to the first lay-flat position; and sealing and cutting the tubing to make a bag having a first hole disposed in a first bag panel, and a second hole disposed in a second bag panel, the second hole offset with respect to the first hole.
  • the invention is a bag opening system comprising a bag according to the first variant of the first aspect; and means for opening the bag comprising means for contacting the second panel, by access through the hole of the first panel.
  • the invention is a bag opening system comprising a bag according to the second variant of the first aspect; and means for opening the bag by contacting the second panel by access through the hole in the first panel and means for contacting the first panel by access through the hole in the second panel.
  • the invention is a method of opening a bag comprising providing a bag according to the first variant of the first aspect; advancing said bag toward a means for opening the bag, the means having a protrusion mounted thereon; and activating said bag opening means so that the protrusion passes through the hole of the first panel, and into contact with the second panel of the bag so as to push the second panel.
  • the invention is a method of opening a bag comprising providing a bag according to the second variant of the first aspect; advancing said bag toward a means for opening the bag, the means having a first and second protrusion mounted thereon; and activating the means for opening the bag so that the first protrusion passes through the first hole and into contact with the second panel of the bag so as to push the second panel, and the second protrusion passes through the second hole and into contact with the first panel of the bag so as to push the first panel.
  • the invention is a packaging system comprising a plurality of bags, each according to the first variant of the first aspect; and an adhesive tape to which the plurality of bags are attached in a shingled arrangement.
  • the invention is a packaging system comprising a plurality of bags, each according to the second variant of the first aspect; and an adhesive tape to which the plurality of bags are attached in a shingled arrangement.
  • a method of opening a bag comprises providing a bag comprising a first panel, a second panel, a bag mouth, and a bag bottom; advancing said bag toward a means for opening the bag, the means having a sharp protrusion mounted thereon; and activating the means for opening the bag so that the sharp protrusion makes a hole in the first panel, and comes into contact with the second panel of the bag so as to push the second panel.
  • a bag 10 according to the invention is shown. It includes a first panel 12, and a second panel 14. Each panel can be regarded as having a first end, first and second sides, and a second end. As viewed in a substantially lay-flat condition, panels 12 and 14 each have substantially the same length, and each have substantially the same width.
  • a first bag edge 16 is formed by respective communicating first sides of the first and second panel;
  • a second bag edge 18 is formed by respective communicating second sides of the first and second panel;
  • a bag bottom 20 is formed by respective communicating first ends of the first and second panel; and
  • a bag mouth 22 is formed by respective second ends of the first and second panel.
  • Bags currently are typically made as side seal bags or end seal bags.
  • the side seal bag will have a heat seal at opposite bag edges.
  • the bag bottom will be formed by the fold of film created during the extrusion of bag tubing during manufacture.
  • the opposite fold of film is slit to form a bag mouth.
  • An end seal bag will have opposite bag edges formed by the fold of film created during the extrusion of bag tubing during manufacture.
  • the bag bottom will be a curved or straight heat seal.
  • the bag mouth is curved or straight, and formed by a transverse cut in the extruded tubing.
  • the bag is made from a long length of bag tubing.
  • Bags of the present invention are preferably made from tubing. It is of course possible to use this invention with other embodiments, such as two discrete film panels which are of substantially the same size, and brought together and sealed along two edges and the bottom to form a bag.
  • each panel (i.e. major wall) of the bag can be regarded as having a first end, first and second sides, and a second end, and although the bag edges are described as being joined portions of respective sides of the first and second panels of the bag, it will be understood that in fact a particular bag edge, or bag bottom, can be formed either from a true seal between two webs or panels of film, or from a fold of an originally single web of film, such as the tubular extruded "tape" typical of many film and bag making operations. Alternatively, a large sheet can be folded and sealed to form a folded bottom configuration typical of side or transverse seal bags.
  • At least one hole is disposed in the first panel but without a corresponding hole in the second panel. If the second panel contained a hole lined up with the hole of the first panel, then the invention would not operate as described herein because the means for opening, when activated, would not push up against the inside surface of the second panel and open the bag. Of course, it is possible to have non-corresponding holes in the second panel, which could function for other reasons than for opening the bag as described herein.
  • the hole is preferably disposed closer to the bag mouth than to the bag bottom.
  • the hole is more preferably placed close enough to the bag mouth 22 (i.e. the second ends of the respective bag panels which form the opening through which the article to be packaged will enter the bag) so that the present method and system can be used with the appropriate distance between successive imbricated bags.
  • This distance between successive imbricated bags is conventionally typically about 25.4 mm (one inch). In connection with the present invention, this distance is preferably between 50.8 mm and 76.2 mm (two and three inches). Most preferably, therefore, the center of the hole or holes is 7.62 cm (three inches) or less from the bag mouth.
  • the placement of the hole should not, at least for most food packaging applications, be so far from the bag mouth that upon subsequent loading of an article into the bag, and closure of the bag, the hole is part of the package proper, i.e. the hole preferably does not expose the packaged article to the environment. It is more preferable to use two holes 30a and 30b to ensure a more stable and controlled operation. More than two holes can be used. If two holes are used, they are preferably placed an equal distance from respective bag edges 16 and 18, and preferably the same distance from the bag mouth. Each hole is preferably less than 50.8 mm (two inches) in diameter, more preferably less than 25.4 mm (one inch) in diameter, most preferably about 19 mm (3/4 inches) in diameter.
  • the bag mouth 22 is formed by respective second edges of first panel 12 and second panel 14. For the sake of clarity, it is shown in Figure 1 as slightly opened.
  • FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment, in which cross-slits 32a and 32b are used instead of an actual hole 30a and 30b.
  • hole refers both to a true hole of any suitable shape and size, as well as cross-slits, perforations, partially cut-out flaps, or the like, as disclosed and claimed further herein.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a method of making the bag of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a lay-flat tubing 40 has two major surfaces: a first tubing panel 43, and a second tubing panel 45 (best seen in FIG. 6).
  • "Lay-flat tubing” refers herein to a tubular film which has been extruded or made by any suitable process, and is in a flattened or "lay-flat" condition.
  • each first panel 12 will preferably correspond to or derive from a section of first bag tubing panel 43
  • each second panel 14 will preferably correspond to or derive from a section of second tubing panel 45.
  • first tubing edge 34 and second tubing edge 36 i.e. a pronounced crease created on each lateral edge of the lay flat tubing by prior extrusion and processing.
  • first bag edge 16 and second bag edge 18 will preferably correspond to or derive from a section of tubing edges 34 and 36 respectively, after processing as described below.
  • the lay-flat tubing 40 is advanced through a first pair of nip rolls 42 to a second pair of nip rolls 46 disposed at a right angle to the first set 42, such that the lay-flat orientation of the tubing 40 is changed to a position at a right angle to its original lay-flat orientation.
  • An arrow in the drawing shows the direction of movement of the tubing.
  • a means 44 for reorienting can be simply a bubble of air trapped between nip rolls 42 and 46, or can be e.g. an internal mandrel, e.g. a tetrahedral mandrel which guides the tubing into the new orientation. If a bubble of air is used, it is preferably pressurized to aid in reorientation of the tubing.
  • the lay-flat tubing 40 can be reoriented by simply drawing it through the second pair of nip rolls 46, without the aid of the means 44 discussed above. This can be done directly from a roll holding lay-flat tubing, or via the first pair of nip rolls 42.
  • the tubing is advanced through a third set of nip rolls 48 disposed like nip rolls 46.
  • a hole is made in the tube, by any suitable means such as a die punch 55, at some point between nip rolls 46 and 48.
  • Figure 3 shows a possible location for the hole 30. It will be evident that the closer the hole is to an edge of the tubing, the closer the holes 30a and 30b will be to each other in the final bag. The closer the hole is to the centerline 49 of the tubing, shown as a dashed line in FIG. 3, the farther the holes 30a and 30b will be from each other in the final bag. Center line 49 will typically represent the location of tubing edges 34 and 36.
  • More than one hole can be made in the tubing.
  • the tubing 40 is then advanced to a fourth pair of nip rolls 52, which are disposed at a right angle to nip rolls 48 and coincide in orientation with nip rolls 42.
  • the tubing is thus returned to its original orientation.
  • An internal mandrel, or other suitable means 50 for reorienting can again be applied to facilitate the process.
  • the tubing can be returned to its original orientation without the use of reorienting means, or can be reoriented by simply drawing it through the fourth pair of nip rolls 52, without the aid of the means 50 discussed above..
  • a means 53 for cutting e.g. a knife, separates the tubing 40 to define a tube section with two holes 30a and 30b in one panel of the tube section.
  • a means 54 for sealing e.g. a conventional heat sealer, applies an end seal 57 to one end of the tube section to form a bag bottom 20 of a bag 10.
  • the sealing and cutting function can be optionally performed by a single sealing/cutting device.
  • tubing 40 can be reoriented to its original orientation, as described above, and then sealed, advanced, and then cut as shown in FIG. 19.
  • the film after being reoriented to its first orientation, can be processed as described above, except that the cutting occurs, not on one side or the other of the holes, but directly through the holes.
  • the result is a bag with hemispheric indents in one panel of the bag (see FIG. 20).
  • a minimum of two holes, or multiples thereof, are made in a bag panel by the specific embodiment shown here.
  • a single hole can also be made in one bag panel, by making a hemispheric hole at one edge of the reoriented tubing. This is shown in FIG. 17.
  • the tubing When the tubing is brought back to its original orientation, the tubing will have a single hole located in the lateral center of the tubing, equidistant from the lateral edges 34 and 36 of the tubing.
  • the resulting bag is shown in FIG. 18.
  • a bag with two holes 30a and 30b is made, the two holes being at differing distances from the bag mouth, but the same distance from each of the bag edges 16 and 18. This is shown in FIG. 22.
  • the tubing can alternatively be turned during its advance in any suitable way. For example, after the tubing passes through roller 48, it can be turned at some angle, such as 180 degrees, and advanced in the opposite direction to complete the process. This would result in a U-shaped configuration for the process.
  • lay-flat tubing is shown in FIG. 3 as being processed in a horizontal line, the process can be performed at any angle, or in the vertical direction.
  • FIG. 4 a lay-flat tubing has been only partially reoriented to provide a portion of the tubing 41 through which a hole 30 can be punched.
  • a portion 41 of the lay-flat tubing 40 is reoriented relative to the original orientation of the tubing. This can be done by advancing the tubing through a first set of crimping rolls to "bunch up" a portion of the tubing 40, and a first and second set of short nip rolls to advance the tubing 40 such that a hole 30 is punched through both plies of the portion 41 of the tubing that has been reoriented.
  • the tubing is released to its original orientation. Since lay-flat tubing typically has tubing edges as described above, formed during the extrusion and stretching process, the tubing if partially oriented will often have a tendency to return to its original orientation.
  • any of the nip rolls herein can be of any suitable length and diameter, depending on the specific process used.
  • the nip rolls can be driven, or simply be idler rollers.
  • a rotary die can be used to run across lay flat tubing at periodic intervals to cut through one panel, but not the other panel of the tubing (FIG. 23). Some scoring of the inside of the second panel can occur, but this is not critical as long as an actual hole or slit is not created in the second panel. With this alternative, a single hole can be made in the bag panel.
  • a die punch 55 creates a hole in a first panel 43 of the lay-flat tubing 40.
  • This can be done using an internal backing mandrel 51 as a backing plate, to prevent the hole from extending to the second panel 45 of the tubing.
  • the punch can be used on the lay-flat tubing as is, without the use of an internal backing mandrel 51. In this case (see FIG. 6), the operation of the punch 55 must be accurate enough to create a hole 30 in the first panel 43, but not extend through the second panel 45 of tubing 40.
  • a backing plate 39 can be used on the opposite side of the tubing from the punch 55.
  • FIG. 5 can also be viewed as a method of making a hole in a panel of a side seal bag.
  • the space 38 between panels 43 and 45 can be regarded as a space created by slitting the first tubing edge 36 by any appropriate slitting means.
  • the tubing can be further processed by cutting and sealing, as described herein, with a transverse seal made at each edge of a tube section, to create a side seal bag whose mouth is represented by a portion of the spacing between panels 43 and 45, and whose bag bottom is represented by a portion of first tubing edge 34.
  • FIG. 7 shows a bag opening system in its start-up position.
  • Imbricated (shingled) bags are supported by support platform 56.
  • the bags are positioned on the platform 56 by a conventional bag indexer (not shown) or any suitable device or process.
  • the bags are attached in conventional fashion to first bag tape 58a and second bag tape 58b.
  • the tape typically underlies the plurality of imbricated bags.
  • the bags are shingled "forward", i.e. the topmost bag in the stack of bags is furthest advanced or forward, and closest to the means for opening 60 to be described below.
  • the means for opening 60 is illustrated as a device having a first cam plate 62a having a projecting first finger 66a mounted thereon, and a second cam plate 62b having a projecting second finger 66b mounted thereon.
  • the cam plates are rigidly attached to shaft 64.
  • FIG. 8 shows the bag opening system after it has been activated.
  • the second (top) panel of the topmost bag in the plurality of bags is shown as being lifted up by the action of fingers 66a and 66b coming up through the holes 30a and 30b of the bag.
  • the finger action is initiated by rotating the shaft 64 to rotate cam plates 62a and 62b upward.
  • the mounted fingers thus pass through holes 30a and 30b of the bag.
  • FIG. 9 shows in enlarged view a portion of the means 60 for opening.
  • FIGS. 10 to 14 schematically show a sequence for opening a bag.
  • the means for opening can comprise a single cam plate and finger, or multiple cam plates and fingers, affixed to a rotating shaft.
  • shaft 64 begins to rotate, causing first cam plate 62a to also rotate, thus causing first finger 66a to rise and protrude through hole 30a.
  • the finger contacts the bottom side (inside) of the second panel 14 of bag 10.
  • the finger 66a can protrude through the bag mouth 22.
  • the cam plate 62a if suitably shaped, will preferably contact the exterior (here, the bottom) side of first panel 12. If a bag tape (or tapes) is present, it can peel the bag away from the tape (or tapes). Peeling force transmitted to the tape is resisted by the tape indexer (not shown) thus maintaining tension and preventing buckling of the tape. In some cases, it may be necessary to open the bag mouth 22 still further to allow for insertion of an article directly, or the insertion of loading horns (present in some bag loading operations) which in turn facilitate insertion of the article to be packaged, such as poultry or other food or non-food products.
  • FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 show the insertion of supplemental fingers 68a and 68b horizontally (in this case) into the opening in the bag mouth created by the above described steps and system.
  • FIGS. 15 and 16 show two of many bag geometries which can be achieved by the present invention.
  • the holes 30a and 30b, and the fingers of the means for opening 60 are relatively close together.
  • Supplemental fingers 68a and 68b are positioned to correlate with the positioning of the holes and means for opening.
  • the holes 30a and 30b, and the means for opening 60 are relatively far apart.
  • Supplemental fingers 68a and 68b are positioned to correlate with the positioning of the holes and means for opening.
  • An article such as a food article can thereafter be manually or mechanically loaded into the bag, and any subsequent packaging steps, such as vacuumizing, heat sealing, shrinking, etc. can be performed as desired.
  • FIG. 21 An alternative embodiment of a means 60 for opening is shown in FIG. 21.
  • This is like the means shown in FIG. 9, but includes a pointed tip 67.
  • the protrusion 66a and pointed tip 67 can be of any suitable material and shape to accomplish the creation of the hole, and opening of the bag.
  • This alternative device can function, as a method of bag opening, as described for the embodiments disclosed and described herein with reference to FIGS. 7 to 14.
  • a means for making a bag with a hole, and a bag opening means are combined in a single device and step.
  • a plurality of bags would typically be taped in an imbricated fashion.
  • This arrangement can provide the force which will resist the piercing force of protrusion 66a with pointed tip 67, and thereby allow a hole to be punched through the first panel.
  • the second panel would be typically unconstrained (no adhesive tape) and have trivial weight, so that the pointed tip 67 will lift, but not puncture, second panel 14.
  • a bag 10 according to the invention is shown. It includes a first panel 12 (see FIG. 26), and a second panel 14. Each panel can be regarded as having a first end, first and second sides, and a second end. As viewed in a substantially lay-flat condition, panels 12 and 14 each preferably have substantially the same length, and each have substantially the same width.
  • a first bag edge 16 is formed by respective communicating first sides of the first and second panel;
  • a second bag edge 18 is formed by respective communicating second sides of the first and second panel;
  • a bag bottom 20 is formed by respective communicating first ends of the first and second panel; and
  • a bag mouth 22 is formed by respective second ends of the first and second panel.
  • Bags currently are typically made as side seal bags or end seal bags.
  • the side seal bag will have a factory-made heat seal at opposite bag edges.
  • the bag bottom will be formed by the fold of film created during the extrusion of bag tubing during manufacture.
  • the opposite fold of film is slit to form a bag mouth.
  • An end seal bag will have opposite bag edges formed by the fold of film created during the extrusion of bag tubing during manufacture.
  • the bag bottom will be a heat seal.
  • the bag mouth is formed by a transverse cut in the extruded tubing.
  • the bag is made from a long length of bag tubing.
  • Bags of the present invention are preferably made from tubing. It is of course possible to use this invention with other embodiments, such as two discrete film panels which are of substantially the same size, and brought together and sealed along two edges and the bottom to form a bag.
  • each panel (i.e. major wall) of the bag can be regarded as having a first end, first and second sides, and a second end, and although the bag edges are described as being joined portions of respective sides of the first and second panels of the bag, it will be understood that in fact a particular bag edge, or bag bottom, can be formed either from a true seal between two webs or panels of film, or from a fold of an originally single web of film, such as the tubular extruded "tape" typical of many film making operations.
  • a first hole 30a shown in phantom in FIG. 24f, is disposed in the first panel but without a corresponding hole in the second panel.
  • a second hole 30b is disposed in the second panel but without a corresponding hole in the first panel.
  • without a corresponding hole is meant that these holes are offset with respect to each other, i.e. not in alignment with each other, so that a single protrusion passing through one of the holes will not also pass through the other of the holes.
  • the holes are preferably disposed closer to the bag mouth than to the bag bottom.
  • the holes are more preferably placed close enough to the bag mouth 22 (i.e. the second ends of the respective bag panels which form the opening through which the article to be packaged will enter the bag) so that the present method and system can be used with the appropriate distance between successive imbricated bags, when this embodiment is used.
  • the center of each of the holes is 7.6 cm (three inches) or less from the bag mouth.
  • the placement of the holes should not, at least for most food packaging applications, be so far from the bag mouth that upon subsequent loading of an article into the bag, and closure of the bag, the holes are part of the package proper, i.e. the holes preferably do not expose the packaged article to the environment.
  • the first and second holes are preferably placed an equal distance from respective bag edges 16 and 18, and the same distance from the bag mouth. Each hole is preferably less than 50.8 mm (two inches) in diameter, more preferably less than 25.4 mm (one inch) in diameter.
  • the bag mouth 22 is formed by respective second edges of first panel 12 and second panel 14.
  • FIGS. 24a - 24e show in steps a method of making the bag of FIG. 24f.
  • the first panel 12 (see FIG. 26) and second panel 14 of a bag 8 are laterally displaced relative to each other in the directions shown by the arrows in FIG. 24a. Displacement can be done manually, or by any suitable mechanical means such as vacuum cups, friction blocks moved relative to each other, etc.
  • the bag 8 after lateral displacement is shown in FIG. 24b. Now hidden first bag edge 16 is shown in phantom in FIG. 24b; second bag edge 18 can be seen in FIG. 24b as displaced compared to its original position.
  • FIG. 24c a hole is made in the bag, by any suitable means such as a punching device 19 activated to punch through both panels 12 and 14 of the bag 8.
  • FIG. 24d shows the device 19 going through the bag.
  • Making a hole in the bag has the disadvantage of leaving a piece of thermoplastic material which must be disposed of, and which can potentially fall into a bag during processing.
  • the tubing can instead be lanced by any suitable means such as a knife. Possible configurations include cross-slits, perforations, partially cut-out circles which leave a flap of material, or the like.
  • the device 19 can be suitably modified if a lance such as cross-slits, perforations, or a partial flap are desired.
  • the punching device 19 can have a crescent shaped cross-section.
  • FIG. 24e the punching device is shown withdrawing from the bag, whereupon the bag panels are again laterally displaced, this time to their original configuration.
  • More than one hole can be made in the tubing.
  • a single hole 30 can also be made in a bag by making a hemispheric hole at one edge of the laterally displaced bag (see FIG. 27).
  • FIG. 28 the bag will have a single hole located intermediate the lateral edges of the bag (FIG. 29). If the bag is laterally displaced by half the width of the bag (width being the distance from the first bag edge to the second bag edge), the resulting hole in this particular embodiment will be located, after the bag has been returned to its original position, equidistant from the lateral edges of the bag.
  • a rotary die can be used to run across lay-flat bags at periodic intervals to cut through a bag panel. Some scoring of the inside of the other panel can occur, but this is not critical as long as a corresponding actual hole or slit is not created in the other panel.
  • FIGS. 24a to 24e are illustrated by reference to a bag, the same process can be followed using lay-flat bag tubing.
  • a first tubing panel is represented by reference numeral 12, while a second tubing panel is represented by reference numeral 14.
  • a hole is made in the tubing, and the tubing is again laterally displaced analogous to the steps outlined above for bags and shown in FIGS. 24a to 24e.
  • the tubing is then cut and sealed as desired, to make individual bags with offset holes.
  • FIGS. 25 and 26 show a bag opening system and a sequence for opening a bag.
  • a bag 10 as shown in FIG. 24f can be one of a plurality of like bags stacked in imbricated (shingled) fashion in a bag loading system. These systems are conventional and well known in the art. Bags are supported by a support platform (not shown), by a conventional bag indexer (not shown), or by any suitable device or process. The bags can be attached in conventional fashion to adhesive tapes, or supported or suspended in any suitable way. The bags can be shingled "forward", i.e. the topmost bag in the stack of bags is furthest advanced or forward, and closest to the means 60 for opening.
  • the means 60 for opening is illustrated as a pair of protrusions such as a first and second steel bar 82 and 84 respectively. They can be activated to advance or retract by any suitable means. These bars are advanced to pass through first and second holes respectively to push the bag panels and open the bag, as shown in FIG. 26.
  • the exact shape of the opened bag will vary depending on the number and placement of the adhesive tape or tapes, if used, or the nature of any other support system for each bag; the bag shape; and other factors.
  • the bag geometry shown in FIG. 26 is for illustration of the invention.
  • the opening of bag 10 can be continued by suitable supplemental devices. In some cases, it may be necessary to open the bag mouth 22 still further to allow for insertion of an article directly, or the insertion of loading horns (present in some bag loading operations) which in turn facilitate insertion of the article to be packaged, such as poultry or other food or non-food products.
  • the bars 82 and 84 can be sharpened to both make a hole in the first and second panel respectively, as well as continue in motion to contact the respective panels.
  • supplemental fingers, loading horns, or the like can be inserted into the opening in the bag mouth made by the above described steps and system.
  • An article such as a food article can thereafter be manually or mechanically loaded into the bag, and any subsequent packaging steps, such as vacuumizing, heat sealing, shrinking, etc. can be performed as desired.
  • any number of holes, cross-slits, perforations, or the like, of any suitable shape, size, and location can be used, as long as the result is a bag that can be opened by the action of means for opening acting through a hole in a first panel, to push against a second panel.
  • the invention as described herein is preferably used in connection with taped bags (a very common commercial bag system), it can be beneficially used even without the use of adhesive tapes.
  • Holes can be made by any suitable process, including flame and laser.
  • thermoplastic films such as olefinic films with or without oxygen barrier functionality
  • films are made by extrusion coating, coextrusion, lamination, or other suitable processes.
  • films comprising an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer.
  • the materials of the outer layer are often chosen for abuse resistance and/or sealability, and can be chosen from any suitable polymeric materials such as polyolefins, especially ethylenic polymers and copolymers, polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, and the like.
  • the inner layer materials often chosen for sealability, can be any of the materials described for the outer layer.
  • the intermediate layer materials are often chosen for their barrier qualities (i.e.
  • Preferred materials include polyvinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, polyester, acrylonitrile, and the like. Bags are preferably heat shrinkable, but can be non-shrinkable, and preferably at least partially crosslinked. Preferred films are multilayer in construction, such as four, five, six, and seven or more layers. This invention can also be used with benefit for paper products.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP96305921A 1995-08-31 1996-08-13 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Oeffnen eines Beutels Expired - Lifetime EP0761554B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99120690A EP0985522B1 (de) 1995-08-31 1996-08-13 Verfahren zum Herstellen von Beuteln

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US52248095A 1995-08-31 1995-08-31
US522480 1995-08-31
US522053 1995-08-31
US08/522,053 US5810706A (en) 1995-08-31 1995-08-31 bag with an access hole in one panel

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99120690A Division EP0985522B1 (de) 1995-08-31 1996-08-13 Verfahren zum Herstellen von Beuteln

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0761554A1 true EP0761554A1 (de) 1997-03-12
EP0761554B1 EP0761554B1 (de) 2001-03-14

Family

ID=27060685

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99120690A Expired - Lifetime EP0985522B1 (de) 1995-08-31 1996-08-13 Verfahren zum Herstellen von Beuteln
EP96305921A Expired - Lifetime EP0761554B1 (de) 1995-08-31 1996-08-13 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Oeffnen eines Beutels

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99120690A Expired - Lifetime EP0985522B1 (de) 1995-08-31 1996-08-13 Verfahren zum Herstellen von Beuteln

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0985522B1 (de)
AR (1) AR003396A1 (de)
AT (2) ATE199692T1 (de)
CA (1) CA2183831C (de)
DE (2) DE69612046T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2155922T3 (de)
MX (1) MX9603577A (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100391971B1 (ko) * 2001-05-26 2003-07-22 미래산전 주식회사 봉지의 벌림 로봇장치
CN108394129A (zh) * 2017-11-22 2018-08-14 芜湖恒耐特传动设备有限公司 一种水泥包装袋开口部加工装置
CN110506006A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2019-11-26 宝洁公司 将膨胀材料添加到柔性容器中的方法

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9682809B2 (en) 2015-05-27 2017-06-20 Sonoco Development, Inc. Package opening support
CN112721316B (zh) * 2020-12-29 2022-12-20 成都市兴恒泰印务有限公司 一种生产异形包装袋的生产工艺

Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3587843A (en) * 1967-09-11 1971-06-28 Grace W R & Co Package of bags
US3707826A (en) * 1971-03-11 1973-01-02 Peters E Check-out counter
GB2176165A (en) * 1985-06-14 1986-12-17 Grace W R & Co Bag opening device for packaging
WO1993011050A1 (fr) * 1991-12-04 1993-06-10 Thierry Roy Rouleau en materiau plastique pour former des sacs
WO1993015959A1 (en) * 1992-02-10 1993-08-19 Pamco Inc. Wicket for bagging machine

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3161347A (en) 1962-08-20 1964-12-15 Gilbert H Hannon Bag package
DE3149809A1 (de) * 1981-12-16 1983-07-21 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Vorrichtung zum herstellen evakuierter beutelpackungen

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3587843A (en) * 1967-09-11 1971-06-28 Grace W R & Co Package of bags
US3707826A (en) * 1971-03-11 1973-01-02 Peters E Check-out counter
GB2176165A (en) * 1985-06-14 1986-12-17 Grace W R & Co Bag opening device for packaging
WO1993011050A1 (fr) * 1991-12-04 1993-06-10 Thierry Roy Rouleau en materiau plastique pour former des sacs
WO1993015959A1 (en) * 1992-02-10 1993-08-19 Pamco Inc. Wicket for bagging machine

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100391971B1 (ko) * 2001-05-26 2003-07-22 미래산전 주식회사 봉지의 벌림 로봇장치
CN110506006A (zh) * 2017-04-27 2019-11-26 宝洁公司 将膨胀材料添加到柔性容器中的方法
CN108394129A (zh) * 2017-11-22 2018-08-14 芜湖恒耐特传动设备有限公司 一种水泥包装袋开口部加工装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0985522A1 (de) 2000-03-15
ATE217575T1 (de) 2002-06-15
DE69612046T2 (de) 2001-07-19
AR003396A1 (es) 1998-07-08
DE69621261D1 (de) 2002-06-20
CA2183831A1 (en) 1997-03-01
DE69621261T2 (de) 2002-09-19
ES2155922T3 (es) 2001-06-01
MX9603577A (es) 1997-06-28
EP0761554B1 (de) 2001-03-14
CA2183831C (en) 2005-07-26
DE69612046D1 (de) 2001-04-19
EP0985522B1 (de) 2002-05-15
ATE199692T1 (de) 2001-03-15

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