EP1038774B1 - Bag with transverse closure profiles and closure means for its manufacture - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of bags or sachets comprising complementary closure profiles suitable for allow successive openings and closings at will the user.

More specifically, the present invention applies especially machines adapted for training, automatic filling and closing of film-based packaging, in particular in thermoplastic material, comprising profiles of additional closure, for example male closure profiles and complementary female.

Such machines are often called FFS, corresponding with the initials of the English expression "Form, Fill and Seal Machine".

Many machines of this type have already been proposed (see by example, documents EP-A-528721 and US-A-4894975).

Most of these machines include a forming collar which receives the film at the plan stage as input from an unwinder and supplies the film shaped into a tube, a filling chute which opens into this forming neck and consequently into said tube, means for conveying closure profiles and for fixing them on the film, longitudinal welding means for closing the tube longitudinally and means capable of sequentially generating a first transverse weld before a product is introduced into the tube through the filler neck, then a second transverse weld when the product has been introduced into the tube, to close a package around the latter.

Even more precisely, the majority of machines so far proposed are designed to receive closing profiles in direction longitudinal, that is to say parallel to the direction of travel of the film. However, these machines with longitudinal profiles have the disadvantage limit the height of the bags obtained. This height is indeed equal to the half the circumference of the forming neck. In addition, the packaging obtained on these machines sometimes have leaks. it results in particular from the fact that the transverse welding means are disturbed in their operation by the excess thickness formed by the profiles longitudinal.

Many attempts have been made to try to improve this situation, by arranging the non-point closure profiles longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the direction of travel of the film, but transversely, that is to say perpendicular to the direction of film scrolling.

The first attempt on the subject, known to the inventors, is described in documents US-A-4617683 and US-A-4655862. These documents dating back ten years have proposed two solutions to route the transverse profiles on the film, at the plan stage, before that it does not reach the forming neck. The first solution is to laterally move sections of closure profiles using drive rollers placed laterally at the edge of the moving film, in combination with a displacement suction gripping head transverse. The second solution consists in depositing profiles of closure on the film using a rotating barrel provided with retaining means pneumatic control.

The attempts thus proposed have shown promise in first time. However, these ultimately did not yield satisfaction and have been abandoned by specialists. In particular, it has found that the means described in the aforementioned documents do not not always allow the profiles to be deposited in the perfect state straight on the film. And therefore, it is often difficult to do cooperate with complementary profiles.

Other solutions were then proposed to try to supplement to the disadvantages resulting from the means of implementation described in the aforementioned documents.

We have proposed for example in document US-A-4666536 to roll up part of the film on a mandrel and route on this part rolled of film a section of closure profiles, oriented along the width of the film, using a heating tunnel ensuring the fixing of the profiles. The means described in this document have the theoretical advantage to authorize continuous scrolling training. However, they turn out very complex and difficult to implement.

Document US-A-4701361 has proposed, to form a film provided sequentially of complementary closure profiles, to realize, by extrusion, a tubular film fitted with helical closure profiles, extruded or added, then cut the tubular film in a helix to obtain a strip provided with equi-distributed transverse profiles.

Document US-A-4878987 proposed, to reduce the length profiles deposited on the film, and therefore improve the positioning of these, to supply the profiles not using of a lateral reserve, as described in documents US-A-4617683 and US-A-4655862, but using two reserves of profiles arranged respectively on each side of the film intended to form the bags. So, each of the two sections of sections displaced on the film, respectively at from each lateral reserve, no longer covers the entire width of the film, but only half of it.

Document US-A-4844759 then proposed two other solutions. The first of these solutions is to train the profiles of closing, using an endless belt on a stirrup superimposed on the film and swivel of 180 °, to turn the closure profiles on said film. So, the profiles are routed initially, relief directed towards the film, on the stirrup, then returned, relief directed opposite the film, to be fixed on it. The second solution consists in conveying the profiles transversely on a shoe superimposed on the film and then lower it against the film to secure the closing profiles.

After noting that none of the techniques described in the aforementioned documents are not satisfactory, it was proposed in the document US-A-5111643 a completely different approach, consisting not point to fix the closing profiles on the film, before routing this on the forming neck as described in the aforementioned documents, but first to conform the film to the tube, to the forming tube, then then route the closure profiles on the tubular film. At this end, document US-A-5111643 proposes a complex installation comprising a chute which opens at the base of the forming neck for route the closure profiles carried by a support strip, and a discharge chute for the support strip.

Other means designed to have closure profiles transversely on a film are described in documents US-A-4,709 398 and US-A-4,909,017.

The applicant herself defined in her patent application FR-A-2 745 261, a film-based packaging forming machine which comprises means for conveying closure profiles, transversely, on a film, formed in combination with a straight guide superimposed on the film, transversely to it, designed to position with precision at least one closing profile, transversely above the film, and means for gripping the upstream end of the profile closure, capable of transverse displacement, along the guide, to route the closing profile in the latter by pulling on the end upstream of the closure profile.

Documents EP-A-0 302 144 and EP-A-0 441 504 describe packaging and closing means for making such packaging, comprising two sheets or supporting veils supporting each several profiles constituting male / female elements complementary. The document EP-A-0441504 corresponds to preambles of claims 1 and 7.

The present invention now aims to improve the means film packaging packaging with profiles additional closure.

This object is achieved according to the present invention thanks to a packaging and a closure means, such as defined in the appended claims.

The present invention specifically relates to bags comprising two pairs of type closure profiles male / female complementary, arranged at the mouth of the bag, with a male profile and a female profile on each of the sheets composing the sachet.

The Applicant has indeed found that such sachets are particularly suitable for packaging powdery products, for reasons which will be explained later.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en perspective d'une machine de formation remplissage et fermeture automatique de sacs susceptible d'être utilisée dans le cadre de la présente invention,
• la figure 2 illustre schématiquement un mode de réalisation d'un moyen de fermeture conforme à la présente invention,
• la figure 3 représente une vue du même moyen de fermeture sous l'effet d'une sollicitation lors de l'acheminement sur le film,
• les figures 4 et 4bis illustrent deux variantes de barillet adaptées pour assurer le positionnement des moyens de fermeture,
• la figure 5 illustre selon une vue en coupe transversale une variante de moyen de fermeture conforme à la présente invention, selon laquelle la sollicitation des voiles supports est assurée par une soudure,
• la figure 6 représente schématiquement, et selon une vue en plan, un sachet conforme à une variante de réalisation de la présente invention, et
• la figure 7 illustre schématiquement un sachet conforme à la présente invention comportant deux paires de profilés de fermeture complémentaires.

Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and in relation to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples and in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of a machine for filling and automatically closing bags which can be used in the context of the present invention,
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a closure means in accordance with the present invention,
• FIG. 3 represents a view of the same closing means under the effect of a stress during the routing on the film,
• FIGS. 4 and 4bis illustrate two variants of the barrel adapted to ensure the positioning of the closure means,
• FIG. 5 illustrates, in a cross-sectional view, a variant of the closure means according to the present invention, according to which the stress of the support webs is ensured by welding,
• FIG. 6 schematically represents, and according to a plan view, a bag in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, and
• Figure 7 schematically illustrates a bag according to the present invention comprising two pairs of complementary closure profiles.

• des moyens 10 d'acheminement du film F,
• un col de formage 20,
• une goulotte de remplissage 30,
• des moyens 40 de soudure longitudinale, et
• des moyens 50 de soudure transversale et de séparation des sacs.

The conventional general structure of a machine for forming, filling and automatically closing bags, with complementary closure profiles, comprising:

• means 10 for conveying the film F,
• a forming neck 20,
• a filling chute 30,
• means 40 for longitudinal welding, and
• means 50 for transverse welding and separation of the bags.

This general structure being known, it will not be described further in detail later.

However, means may be provided for convey the closure means 300 transversely on the film F before that it does not reach the forming collar 20 and to fix this closure means 300 on film F.

Furthermore, according to the invention the closure means 300 comprises two generally parallel support sails 310, 320 provided on their facing internal surfaces 311, 321, and set back from their lateral edges 315, 316, 325, 326 of at least one first longitudinal assembly 302 consisting of two complementary profiles 312, 322 linked respectively to the two support sails 310, 320 and a second longitudinal assembly 304 placed at a distance from the first assembly 302 according to the width of the sails supports 310, 320.

According to the particular representation illustrated in the appended figures, the second set 304 is also formed of two profiles complementary 314, 324 linked respectively to the two support webs 310, 320.

More precisely still according to the representation given on the attached figures, each of the support sails 310 and 320 carries a profile male and female profile.

In addition, the means routing 10 are associated with means 160 for soliciting approximation, support sails 310, 320, between the two sets longitudinal 302, 304, so that the distance between the side edges of the two sails 315 and 325, 316 and 326 increases under the effect of this stress, by deformation of the sails 310, 320, as seen on the Figures 3 and 5.

To do this, preferably, the distance d1 separating the two longitudinal assemblies 302 and 304 is greater than the distance d2 defined at rest between the sails 310 and 320 by these assemblies 302 and 304. More again precisely this distance d1 is preferably between a times and five times the distance d2.

It will be noted on the comparative examination of Figures 2 and 3 or 5, that typically the biasing means 160 thus make it possible to substantially double the distance between the lateral edges 315 and 325, 316 and 326 of the sails, relative to their rest position (in Figures 3 and 5, d'2 is substantially on the order of twice d2).

By way of nonlimiting example, at rest, the distance d1 can be around 3mm, while d2 is around 2mm.

The routing means are also associated with two guides fixed parallel straight lines 170, 180 (orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of film scrolling) able to penetrate space respectively formed between each pair of lateral edges 315 and 325, 316 and 326 of support webs 310, 320, as seen in Figures 3 to 5.

The cross section of guides 170, 180 can be the subject of many variations. As illustrated in the appended figures, these guides 170, 180 may have a rectangular, even oblong, cross section.

The biasing means 160 may consist of means temporary load formed by a roller 162 with axis 164 parallel to the axis longitudinal travel of the film, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or of any equivalent means, superimposed on closure means 300, immediately upstream of a guide 170, 180. The height of the biasing means 160 relative to the support of the closure means 300 is adapted so that the means 160 stress and deform at least one of the sails 310, 320, between the two sets 302, 304.

According to another embodiment the biasing means 160 may be formed of a clamp, the two of which jaws are likely to stress the support sails 310, 320, in approximation between the two longitudinal assemblies 302, 304, as we sketched it in 162, 162bis in figure 3.

According to another variant, which can be used in combination with the biasing means provisional aforementioned, it is further provided means of solicitation permanent of the axial end of the sails 310, 320, between the two assemblies 302, 304, in the form of a weld as shown in diagram 330 on Figure 5.

Such welding 330 is carried out before routing the sections of closure means 300 on film F. It can be produced downstream of the cutting station 206. However preferably welding 330 is carried out upstream of this cutting station 206, said cutting being carried out in the middle of the weld thus produced, so that a weld 330 thus forms a connection respectively between the rear ends of the sails of a first section and the front ends of the sails of a second section of means closing.

We have schematized under the reference 220, in Figure 1, a weld capable of producing the abovementioned weld 330.

Such a weld 330 also offers the advantage of improving sealing the bags and prohibiting complete removal or separation of profiles 312, 322; 314, 324, when opening the sachets, which facilitates their subsequent re-engagement.

The widths d3 and d4 of the support sails projecting laterally by with respect to said sets 302 and 304 may be identical on the two sides of the sails.

These widths d3 and d4 can be different from side to side, all by being identical for the two sails 310, 320, or by being different from one sail to another, in particular to facilitate the welding of the sails 310 and 320 on film.

By way of nonlimiting example, one can for example provide a distance d3 on the order of 3mm and a distance d4 on the order of 8mm.

The means 10 provided for routing the closing means 300, transversely, on film F, before it reaches the cervix forming 20, can in themselves be the subject of numerous variants.

Preferably these routing means 10 conform to the provisions described in document FR-A-2 745 261.

• les deux guides rectiligne 170 et 180, parallèles, superposés au film F, transversalement à la direction de déplacement de celui-ci, en amont du col de formage 20; et
• un moyen 150 de préhension de l'extrémité amont du moyen de fermeture 300 ; lequel moyen de préhension 150 est susceptible de déplacement transversal, le long des guides 170, 180 pour acheminer le moyen de fermeture 300 sur ces derniers par traction sur l'extrémité amont du moyen de fermeture.

More precisely in this context, these routing means 10 thus preferably comprise:

• the two rectilinear guides 170 and 180, parallel, superimposed on the film F, transversely to the direction of movement of the latter, upstream from the forming neck 20; and
• means 150 for gripping the upstream end of the closure means 300; which gripping means 150 is capable of transverse displacement, along the guides 170, 180 to convey the closure means 300 thereon by traction on the upstream end of the closure means.

The gripping means 150 can be the subject of different embodiments.

As shown schematically in Figure 1 attached, preferably, these gripping means are formed by a clamp system controlled by the closure to grasp the upstream end of a means 300, in order to route this one on the rectilinear guides 170, 180 then opening to release the medium 300 before returning to the initial gripping position shown schematically in Figure 1.

According to an alternative embodiment, the gripping means 150 can be formed by a suction head.

Of course preferably, means are provided for transverse movement of the gripping means 150, synchronized with the displacement of film F.

Auxiliary means are preferably provided for the routing of the means 300: drive rollers 200, 202, a guide 204 of the means 300 upstream of the film F, of the means 206 of sectioning of the means 300, by sections (the closing means 300 preferably being routed from a reel supply 208) and a position sensor 210.

The closing means 300 are fixed to the film F by any means suitable, advantageously using welding jaws, associated to the straight guides 170 and 180, as shown diagrammatically under the reference 120 in figure 1.

More precisely preferably, the means sections of closure are welded to the film F by means of a welding jaw 120 underlying the film, and ordered sequentially in reconciliation and moving the film F away to pinch the film and the web 310 of the means of closure against guides 170, 180 which thus serve as an anvil during the soldering step.

We can provide various implementation methods for filing closing means 300 on the film F.

Preferably, the system is suitable for depositing sections of means directly on the film F closure 300 covering at most half the width of the film F.

The length of the sections of closure means 300 is preferably substantially equal to half the width of the film F for simple sachets, that is to say without bellows.

On the other hand, the length of the sections of closure means 300 is significantly less than half the width of the film F for sachets with side bellows.

In all cases, the length of the closure means 300 is advantageously equal to the width of the main faces of the sachets.

One 310 of the two sails, adjacent to the film, being fixed thereon to the level of the depot, thanks to the 120 welding jaws, while the second superimposed veil 320 is fixed to the internal wall of the bag, during the finishing of it, after filling. In this case, the second veil 320 can be welded to film F using the welding jaws 50, or thanks to specific additional transverse welding jaws.

The two sails 310 and 320 can have identical widths. As a variant, the two sails 310 and 320 can have widths different to facilitate the welding of the sails on the film at the level of the lateral area of the sails emerging from the facing veil.

In this context, the widest veil or the less wide.

The closure means 300 being arranged transversely on the film F before it reaches the forming neck 20, provision is made to preferably means facilitating the passage of this forming neck 20.

To this end, provision can be made either to offset the forming neck 20 relative to the vertical axis of the machine, to allow the passage of transverse closing means 300, or to provide adequate clearance for the level of forming neck 20.

• la possibilité de réaliser des lignes de prédécoupe entre les moyens de fermeture 300 et la seconde soudure transversale, comme schématisé par exemple sur la figure 5 du document FR 2 745 261 (une telle ligne de prédécoupe peut être réalisée, de façon classique en soi grâce à des couteaux à dents associés aux mâchoires de soudure transversale 50),
• la possibilité de réaliser des soudures longitudinales incurvées dites type "porte manteau" comme illustré également sur la figure 5 du document FR 2 745 261, notamment pour des applications à contenu liquide. De telles soudures ont une forme globalement arrondie, convexe vers l'intérieur du sachet, et convergent vers le sommet de celui-ci qui coïncide avec la seconde soudure transversale.
• la possibilité de réaliser des sachets à soufflets latéraux, comme schématisé sur la figure 6 du document FR 2 745 261, grâce à la réalisation de plis longitudinaux sur le film F avant l'entrée sur le col de formage 20.

In addition, the sachets obtained themselves can be the subject of numerous variants, among which there may be mentioned:

• the possibility of making pre-cut lines between the closure means 300 and the second transverse weld, as shown schematically for example in FIG. 5 of document FR 2 745 261 (such a pre-cut line can be produced, in a conventional manner by itself tooth knives associated with transverse welding jaws 50),
• the possibility of producing curved longitudinal welds known as the “coat rack” type as also illustrated in FIG. 5 of document FR 2 745 261, in particular for applications with liquid content. Such seals have a generally rounded shape, convex towards the inside of the sachet, and converge towards the top of the latter which coincides with the second transverse seal.
• the possibility of producing bags with lateral bellows, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6 of document FR 2 745 261, by making longitudinal folds on the film F before entering the forming neck 20.

Preferably, means are provided, for example in the form of support sails 310, 320 bi-material or equivalent means, allowing define a melting temperature on the outer surface of the sails support 310, 320, below the melting temperature on their surfaces internal.

The closure means 300 is preferably produced by extrusion made of plastic. Of course, this closing means 300 must have 310 and 320 sails thin and flexible enough to accept the deformation illustrated in FIG. 3.

The film F used can also be the subject of numerous variants. It can be a flexible film made of monolayer plastic or multilayer, if necessary coated, for example metallized.

• la facilité d'engagement des moyens de fermeture 300 sur les guides rectilignes 170, 180, grâce à l'ouverture latérale des voiles 310, 320 imposée lors de la sollicitation de ces derniers,
• le dépôt des moyens de fermeture 300 par traction, et sur des guides rectilignes 170, 180 permet un positionnement très précis sur la largeur du film F et à l'état rectiligne,
• une grande facilité de mise en oeuvre, et
• une bonne étanchéité (les moyens de fermeture s'étendent parallèlement aux moyens de soudure transversale 50 et ne perturbent pas le fonctionnement de ceux-ci).

The present invention offers numerous advantages over systems which previously existed and which include the following:

• the ease of engagement of the closure means 300 on the rectilinear guides 170, 180, thanks to the lateral opening of the webs 310, 320 imposed when the latter are stressed,
• depositing the closure means 300 by traction, and on rectilinear guides 170, 180 allows very precise positioning over the width of the film F and in the rectilinear state,
• great ease of implementation, and
• good sealing (the closing means extend parallel to the transverse welding means 50 and do not disturb the operation of the latter).

Thus, we have previously described the application of the invention to automatic forming, filling and closing machines film-based packaging.

However, the invention can also be applied to machines for preparation of films equipped with profiles, which films equipped with profiles are then sent to supply training machines, automatic filling and closing of conventional packaging in itself.

According to another advantageous characteristic , the installation according to the present invention may include a barrel 250 superimposed on the film, transversely to the direction of displacement of the latter, and rotatably mounted about its axis transverse to the direction of movement of the film F. The barrel 250 has several posts of rectilinear guides 170, 180 so that when a post guides 170, 180 is used to deposit a closure means 300 on film F, another station of guides 300 is supplied with closing means. One can for example use, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a barrel 250 having two posts, diametrically opposed, of rectilinear guides 170, 180. While one of the guide posts 170, 180, adjacent to the film F is used to deposit the closing means 300, the other station of guides 170, 180 is supplied with closure means. Then the barrel is pivoted by 180 ° around its axis so that the previously powered station is placed adjacent to film F and the previously freed position is fed to its tower, etc ...

To release the closing means 300, rectilinear guides 170, 180, once the welding on the film F has been completed, the guides 170, 180 on retractable means, for example on the jaws of a part ordered sequentially upon opening as illustrated in Figure 4bis, either play on the elasticity of the lateral edges of the sails 310, 320 by ejecting them, relative to guides 170, 180, by example using cylinders incorporated into cylinder 250 and ordered sequentially. Such cylinders are shown diagrammatically under the reference 260 on Figure 4.

As a variant, the means 204 illustrated in FIG. 1, located upstream film F and cutting means 206, may also include two rectilinear guides 170bis, 180bis, auxiliaries, aligned respectively with guides 170, 180 located on the barrel 250, at the level of the loading of it.

According to another variant, two clamps 150 can be provided. respectively one for moving the closure means 300 along these guide means 204, the other for moving the closure means 300 along the barrel 250.

Embodiments have been described above in which the closure means are deposited on the film transversely to the direction of movement thereof.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. disposition.

Thus, according to other variants, the closure means 300 can be deposited on film F, longitudinally, that is to say parallel to the direction of movement thereof, upstream or downstream of the pass forming 20, or even at an angle with respect to this direction of displacement from the film F.

In the latter case, the closure means 300 can be placed in bias on film F, covering the entire width of the bags.

However according to a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 6, the closure means 300 covers only one part of the width of the sachets, connecting two adjacent sides and orthogonal to each other sachets, as seen in Figure 6. A such a variant can be used in particular for the packaging of liquid products, the mouth of the sachets delimited by means of closure forming a neck capable of opening and closing on request.

The means used to route the closure means 300, especially for the biased arrangements, as illustrated in FIG. 6, can be the subject of numerous variant embodiments. They can be in accordance with the means described in document EP-A-0667288.

As mentioned earlier, as shown in Figure 7, the present invention relates specifically to S bags comprising two pairs 302, 304 of closure profiles 312, 322 and 314, 324 of complementary male / female type, arranged at the mouth of the bag, with a male profile 322, 314 and a profile female 321, 324 on each of the leaves making up the sachet.

The Applicant has indeed found that such sachets are particularly suitable for packaging powdery products

In fact, thanks to this arrangement, the risk is reduced that the profiles , especially the female closing profiles 312, 324, do not are filled with powdery product, when filling or emptying the bag. In fact, when a bag is emptied, at least one of the profiles females 312 or 324, the one placed on the upper leaf, is preserved from powdery product coming out of the sachet.

More precisely still these sachets give particularly satisfaction when the distance d1 between the two pairs of profiles 302, 304 is greater than 1mm and / or that the female closing profiles 312, 324 are of the type with converging edges, as seen in FIG. 7.

The Applicant has moreover found that the sachets obtained were particularly satisfactory when the h / d1 ratio between the height of the profiles and the spacing between them is greater than 1.5.

It will also be noted in this context, that according to a variant of embodiment of the present invention, the closure profiles 302, 304 may have come from extrusion on the film making up the sachet and not reported on the film as previously described.

Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, at least for the use of the packaging of the type illustrated in FIG. 7, the profiles of female closures are made of a flexible material allowing high elasticity of converging edges, preferably chosen from the group comprising low density polyethylene or copolymers of ethylene, for example pure or mixed E / VA copolymers, having a elastic modulus lower than that of low density polyethylene.

Claims (10)

1. Packaging having complementary closure strips (312, 322, 314, 324) disposed at the mouth of the packaging and defining complementary male and female elements (322, 314; 312, 324) on each of the sheets making up the packaging, the closure strips (312, 322, 314, 324) comprising two pairs of male/female type closure strips distributed in the form of two assemblies (302, 304) disposed at a distance from each other and each comprising a male strip and a complementary female strip, the packaging being characterized by the fact that the disposition of the two assemblies (302, 304) is such that each sheet making up the packaging carries a male strip (322, 314) of one of the two assemblies and a female strip (312, 324) of the other assembly.
2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the distance (d1) between the two pairs of strips (302, 304) is greater than 1 mm.
3. Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the ratio h/d1 of the height of the strips over the spacing between them is greater than 1.5.
4. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the female closure strips (312, 324) are of the type having converging edges.
5. Packaging according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the female closure strips are made of a flexible material enabling the converging edges to be highly resilient, the material preferably being selected from the group comprising low density polyethylene and ethylene copolymers, e.g. pure or mixed E/VA copolymers having a modulus of elasticity smaller than that of low density polyethylene.
6. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the closure strips (302, 304) are made by extrusion onto the film making up the bag.
7. Closure means for making packaging in accordance with claims 1 to 6, said closure means comprising two support webs supporting complementary closure strips (312, 322, 314, 324) defining complementary male and female elements, the closure strips (312, 322, 314, 324) comprising two pairs of male/female type closure strips distributed in the form of two assemblies (302, 304) disposed at a distance from each other and each comprising a male strip and a complementary female strip, the closure means being characterized by the fact that the disposition of the two assemblies (302, 304) is such that each support web carries a male strip (322, 314) of one of the two assemblies and a female strip (312, 324) of the other assembly.
8. Closure means according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the distance (d1) between two pairs of strips (302, 304) is greater than 1 mm.
9. Closure means according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the ratio h/d1 of the height of the strips over the spacing between them is greater than 1.5.
10. Closure means according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by the fact that the female closure strips (312, 324) are of the type having converging edges.

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