EP1169240B1 - Packaging envelope with opening perforations, method and apparatus for its manufacturing - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to articles comprising at minus one product packaged with a flexible film.

We know, for example from document EP-0 357 841 in Figure 6, an article including a wrapped confectionery in a flexible film forming an enclosure containing the product. The film presents a precut line. Of the so the film can be easily torn off by the consumer by following the precut line for quickly access the product. This type of packaging is advantageous. However, we are trying to allow access even faster and simpler to the product.

We also know from US-A-4,432,826 an airtight package containing a product which can be removed by pulling on opposite sides to tear the constituent film packaging along a line of weakness.

Furthermore, there is known from WO 98/45127 a device for diffusing a fluid product. in which the fluid product is contained in a sealed reserve defined by an envelope at least partially in flexible material, so that a crushing pressure exerted on the reserve causes the envelope to burst at the level of a weakening zone of the envelope and the ejection of the fluid product.

An object of the invention is to provide an article in which the product is adequately protected by its packaging before opening but offering more access faster and simpler to the product at the desired time and without the need for a tool.

In order to achieve this goal, provision is made according to the invention an article comprising at least one product and a flexible packaging film forming a sealed enclosure containing the product (s) and a quantity of gas, the film having a line of precut, in which the quantity of gas is chosen so that a consumer can grab the item from so as to compress it to increase gas pressure so much so that a bending on the article causes a instant break of the film over a larger part of the precut line giving access to the product (s).

Thus, the enclosure protects the product up to voluntary opening by the consumer. When the consumer wants to access the product, the pressure then bending on the article causes the opening of the packaging along the pre-cut line. This opening is instantaneous. It also produces a attractive characteristic burst-like noise due to the brutal release of gas. The breaking line creates clean and neat opening edges.

• l'article est agencé de sorte que la rupture a lieu uniquement sur la ligne de prédécoupe ;
• le film présentant une ligne de joint contiguë à la ligne de prédécoupe, l'article est agencé de sorte que la rupture a lieu au moins sur toute la partie de la ligne de prédécoupe située hors de la ligne de joint ;
• l'article ayant une plus grande dimension, la ligne de prédécoupe s'étend dans un plan perpendiculaire à cette dimension ;
• l'article comprend au moins deux produits, la ligne de prédécoupe s'étendant en regard d'un espace entre les deux produits ou deux des produits ;
• l'article comprend deux produits sensiblement de mêmes dimensions ;
• le film présente au moins deux couches de matériau superposées ;
• la ligne de prédécoupe s'étend principalement dans l'une des couches, par référence à une épaisseur du film ;
• la ligne de prédécoupe s'étend suivant toute l'épaisseur de l'une des couches ;
• la ligne de prédécoupe s'étend dans l'une des couches définissant une face externe de l'article, de préférence sans s'étendre dans une autre des couches définissant une face interne de l'article ;
• le film présente une couche de polypropylène dans laquelle s'étend la ligne de prédécoupe ;
• le film présente une couche de polyéthylène non traversée par la ligne de prédécoupe ;
• le ou chaque produit est un produit alimentaire, notamment une confiserie ; et
• le ou chaque produit est glacé.

The article may also have at least any of the following characteristics:

• the article is arranged so that the rupture takes place only on the precut line;
• the film having a joint line contiguous to the precut line, the article is arranged so that the rupture takes place at least over the entire part of the precut line located outside the joint line;
• the article having a larger dimension, the precut line extends in a plane perpendicular to this dimension;
• the article comprises at least two products, the precut line extending opposite a space between the two products or two of the products;
• the article comprises two products of substantially the same dimensions;
• the film has at least two layers of material superimposed;
• the precut line extends mainly in one of the layers, with reference to a thickness of the film;
• the precut line extends along the entire thickness of one of the layers;
• the precut line extends in one of the layers defining an external face of the article, preferably without extending in another of the layers defining an internal face of the article;
• the film has a polypropylene layer in which the precut line extends;
• the film has a layer of polyethylene not crossed by the precut line;
• the or each product is a food product, in particular a confectionery; and
• the or each product is glazed.

The article according to the invention, which allows a very fast opening, is particularly well suited to contain a cream-based food product frozen whose melting accelerates during the whole time when it is handled through traditional packaging.

A method is further provided according to the invention. packaging, in which a sealed enclosure is produced by means of a flexible film by enclosing in the enclosure at least one product and gas, the film having a precut, and in which we enclose a quantity of gas adapted so that a consumer can seize the finished article so as to compress it to increase gas pressure to such an extent that bending over the article causes an instant break in the film on a larger part of the precut line giving access to the product (s).

Advantageously, the film is conformed before enclosure closed so as to enclose the quantity gas.

According to the invention, a machine is also provided. packaging comprising means for carrying out a waterproof enclosure from a flexible film and for enclose at least one product and gas in the enclosure, the film having a precut, the machine being arranged to enclose a quantity of gas adapted so that a consumer can seize the finished article so as to compress it to increase gas pressure to such an extent that bending over the article causes an instant break in the film on a larger part of the precut line giving access to the product (s).

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un article selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue locale en coupe transversale de l'article de la figure 1 montrant l'épaisseur du film au niveau de la prédécoupe ;
• les figures 3, 4 et 5 sont trois vues montrant la manipulation du produit de la figure 1 par un consommateur pour son ouverture ; et
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective schématique montrant une machine de réalisation de l'article de la figure 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of a preferred embodiment given by way of non-limiting example. In the accompanying drawings:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a local cross-sectional view of the article of Figure 1 showing the film thickness at the precut;
• Figures 3, 4 and 5 are three views showing the handling of the product of Figure 1 by a consumer to open it; and
• FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a machine for producing the article of FIG. 1.

An article 2 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. the invention as manufactured and before opening for consumption. The article includes a folded film 4 and sealed on itself by forming a closed enclosure waterproof, generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped elongate. According to a configuration known per se, the film is sealed on itself on two longitudinal edges 6 extending face to face forming a longitudinal joint 8 or egret not visible in Figure 1 but visible in FIG. 6. Furthermore, two opposite faces of the enclosure are sealed to each other at each longitudinal end of the enclosure forming two transverse joints 10.

With reference to FIG. 2, the film 4 is a film composite comprising here two layers of material any area of the film. The film includes a layer 12 forming an external face 14 of the film 4 and of the article 2. This layer here is a polypropylene layer oriented, 15 µm thick, having undergone a treatment "Corona" on both sides. The inner side of this layer 12 is covered with a solvent-free lacquer 16. The film comprises a second layer of material 18 covering the lacquer 16 so that it is interposed between the two layers 12 and 18. The second layer 18 here is a layer of low polyethylene density, white in the mass, 40 µm thick. This layer has a face 20 forming a face internal film and article. This face 20 is locally covered with a layer of adhesive allowing cold sealing the film on itself. Alternatively, a heat seal could be provided direct of the film on itself. This layer 22 is local in the sense that it covers only the areas of the face internal 20 intended to be mutually sealed. Sure Figure 2, this layer 22 has been illustrated for more of clarity, but it is actually not present at the place of the cut. Lacquer 16 ensures bonding mutual of layers 12 and 18. The different elements composing film 4 and the different techniques applied to these are known per se and will only be not described here.

Film 4 presents a precut line or attenuation 24. This line 24 extends here in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of article 2, halfway between its two ends longitudinal 10. Line 24 has been shown in lines dotted in Figures 1, 3 and 6 for clarity but it is in fact hardly visible on article 2. The precut line 24 extends here only in the thickness of the outer layer 12 and remains at distance from the inner layer 18 which remains intact. The pre-cut line extends here throughout the thickness of the outer layer 12, from the outer face 14, to lacquer 16. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 6, it extends over almost the entire width of the film 4, stopping a little before each of the edges longitudinal 6 before they are sealed, so that slightly penetrate the longitudinal joint 8 after sealing on the finished article. However, we can do so that the precut line extends into the joint 8 but does not work in joint 8 to opening the article. The pre-cut line 24 is performed by laser using a technique known per se and for example following the techniques described in documents EP-0 357 841 and EP-398 447.

Article 2 contains two products in this case 26 identical to each other. These are confectionery ice cream based chocolates in the form of bars. The two bars 26 have their length parallel to the length of item 2 and extend along this length following each other and from hand and on the other side of the plane of the precut line 24 which forms thus a plane of symmetry for the two bars 26 of same as for the article.

The sealed enclosure formed by the film 4 contains both products 26 as well as a certain amount of gas which is air here. Preferably, this amount gas will not be as large as it would fully inflated shape to the article. So the shape bars 26 can still be partially guessed under the flexible film 4 which remains partially in contact with the bars.

To open article 2, the consumer has the possibility of grasping it with both hands near its respective longitudinal ends 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3, leaving free the middle section 28 of section 2, as he would seize a stick in order to bend or even break it. The amount of gas in the enclosure is sufficient for the grip of the article to its longitudinal end sections causes, under the only pressure of the fingers, the swelling of the middle section 28 carrying the line of pre-cut 24 and left free. The swelling only not a local extension of the film, which no need to be elastic. It's just about the appearance of significant local tension in the film at the middle section 28. The swelling median occurs because the gas expelled from ends 10 of item 2 by compression by the fingers comes to fill the middle section of the enclosure and the fact that this manual entry causes a slight increase in gas pressure in the enclosure which generates the tensioning of the film around of the precut line. In fact, the consumer generates gas compression, little compression important, unwittingly, by the mere grip of the article. Preferably, the article will be taken in hand with the longitudinal joint 8 near the thumbs, i.e. towards the consumer's body.

At this stage, it is enough for the consumer to initiate a maneuver tending to bend the bar as if he wanted to break it in the opposite direction to his body. This maneuver, barely started, produced instantly the complete rupture of film 4 along the line of pre-cut 24, so the consumer now has in hand two half-articles 2 each consisting of a half-enclosure open on its cross section and by a bar 26 accessible and visible through this opening.

The brutality of this opening is due to the fact that the bending initiated on the article produced in the film locally near zone 30 opposite the consumer an increase in tensions tending to keep two blanks of the precut. These requests, extremely localized, weaken this zone 30 and break the film in its place. The cutting thus initiated then spreads across the entire precut line 24 up to the longitudinal joint 8 where it stops. However, a pull on the two half-articles 2 tending to move them away from each other then allows very easily break the precut line on his part not yet broken, including at the joint 8 to completely separate the two half-items as on Figures 4 and 5.

The speed of opening depends both on the depth of precut 24 and brittleness mechanics of film 4 in its remaining part to be broken before opening, here mainly the inner layer 18. In this example, the outer layer pre-cut 12 is the part of the film which ensures most of the mechanical strength of the film. The relatively fragile inner layer 18 ensures most of the tightness of the enclosure with respect frozen product and gas. Note that this sealing is therefore preserved until opening.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the configuration of the article after opening in two half-articles 2 is attractive. It allows you to manipulate the two bars 26 without direct contact with them. Products can be easily shared between two consumers. The two half-speakers facilitate consumption hygienic products by reducing contact with the fingers holding the bars across the film. Sudden gas escape when opening the article 2 produces a very characteristic burst noise, attractive, and reproducible so that it can even allow to recognize the article.

• aptitude à la manipulation en machine ;
• compatibilité avec les aliments ;
• aptitude à l'impression ;
• coût réduit ; et
• aspect sensoriel (tactile, visuel, etc.).

The film 4 is arranged in a manner known per se to satisfy the following conventional criteria:

• aptitude for machine handling;
• compatibility with food;
• aptitude for printing;
• reduced cost; and
• sensory aspect (tactile, visual, etc.).

For the manufacture of the article, each layer 12 and 18 is laminated and manufactured separately. Both layers are then glued with lacquer 16. The film 4 is then printed and locally receives the layer adhesive 22. Coiled on itself, it then forms a mother roll, for example 1 meter wide. The coil mother is then unrolled, the film is cut, then wound again in several daughter coils (width 124 mm). The pre-cut line 24 is made by laser while the film is unwound before being wound on the daughter coils. This precut takes place perpendicular to the direction of film unwinding, on the outer layer 12.

Each daughter coil is then used to packing the bars 26 on a machine such as illustrated in FIG. 6, of a general type "Form fill and seal ”(forming, filling, sealing) well known per se. Film 4 scrolls from left to right in taking the shape of a U-shaped chute under the action of a conformator 32 which for clarity has been represented from a distance from the film with which it is normally in contact. Shaper 32 is here external, the film pressing against an internal face of the conformator to give the enclosure its profile feature. Bars 26 fall in film 4 not yet shaped, upstream of the shaper 32. sealing rollers 31 seal the film on itself the along its longitudinal edges 6. Shaper 32 in known manner gives a voluminous form to the profile of the enclosure, after the two bars 26 have been introduced into the enclosure. 34 bearing wheels sealing and cutting tools and extending from side on the other side of the film seal and cut the tube formed by film 4 at the ends 10 to seal and separate them Articles 2 completed from each other. An organ of marking 35, known per se, arranged upstream of the rollers 31, reads markers 36 on the film for ensure that cutting by the wheels 34 takes place at the correct place. The quantity of gas trapped in the enclosure on this occasion depends in particular on the form of the conformator 32 and conditions for the introduction of bars 26 (fall height, etc.). Note that it is known per se to voluntarily imprison a certain amount of gas in a sealed package.

Of course, we can bring many modifications to the invention without departing from the scope of it.

Thus, the packaged product could be a product any food, possibly unglazed, that he either sweet or savory and intended for human consumption or animal (especially for domestic animals). The product may be a non-food item such as toy, clothing, utensil, etc. The product may be consumable (especially disposable after a number reduced use) or not.

The article may include a single product. This may have mechanical resistance sufficient to withstand the stresses exerted on packaging when opening. On the contrary, we can provide that the single product breaks during the opening, for example if the product is a bar chocolate.

The article may include more than two products, for example three or four. We can then plan at minus two precut lines 24 occupying different positions in relation to the products for allow the consumer to open the item of their choice closer to one of the products (in the center, near a end, etc.).

We can modify the position of the line pre-cut 24 to place it in the off-center position, near one end, etc. We can modify its orientation. Thus, his plan could be oblique, even longitudinal. The precut line may be no plane, that is to say left.

We can spare the precut line in a only part of the thickness of layer 12 so that this layer is not precut on a fraction of its thickness.

The pre-cut line can be made for extend from the inner side of the film so to be completely invisible from outside Article.

The film may include a single layer of classic type suitably chosen. On the contrary, it may include three or more overlapping layers.

The precut line may be interrupted before arriving at the longitudinal joint 8, or even being in several discontinuous sections, the natural tendency of cut film under the effect of its orientation can then possibly take over from ends of the pre-cut section (s), when the opening.

The correct amount of gas trapped in the enclosure can be introduced there by a nozzle injection.

The enclosure may have various shapes, for example cubic, flat example (of the bag type), etc.

It is not necessary that the sealing of the enclosure before opening is absolute with regard to gas. It is enough that this sealing allows a setting film under tension by local compression in order to burst opening.

Claims (18)

1. An item (2) comprising at least one product (26) and a flexible packaging film (4) forming a sealed enclosure containing the product or products and an amount of gas, the film having a precut line (24), characterized in that the amount of gas is chosen so that a consumer can grasp the item (2) in such a way as to compress it so as to increase the pressure of the gas to such a point that bending the item (2) causes the film (4) to rupture instantaneously along the most part of the precut line (24), giving access to the product(s)..
2. The item as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged in such a way that rupture occurs only along the precut line (24).
3. The item as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, with the film (4) having a joining line (8) contiguous with the precut line (24), the item is arranged in such a way that rupture occurs along at least the entire part of the precut line that lies away from the joining line.
4. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that with the item (2) having one longer dimension, the precut line (24) extends in a plane perpendicular to this dimension.
5. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it contains at least two products (26), the precut line (24) extending opposite a space between the two products or two of the products.
6. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it contains two products (26) of substantially the same dimensions.
7. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the film (4) has at least two superposed layers (12, 18) of material.
8. The item as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that precut line (24) extends mainly in one (12) of the layers, with reference to a thickness of the film (4).
9. The item as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the precut line (24) extends through the entire thickness of one (12) of the layers.
10. The item as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the precut line (24) extends in one of the layers (12) defining an outer face (14) of the item (2), preferably without extending into another (18) of the layers defining an inner face (20) of the item.
11. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the film (4) has a layer of polypropylene (12) in which the precut line (24) extends.
12. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the film has a layer of polyethylene (18) through which the precut line (24) does not pass.
13. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the or each product (26) is a food product, particularly a confectionery product.
14. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the or each product (26) is frozen.
15. The item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the or each product (26) is solid.
16. A packaging method in which a sealed enclosure is produced using a flexible film (4), enclosing inside the enclosure at least one product (26) and some gas, the film having a precut (24), characterized in that enclosed in the enclosure is an amount of gas designed so that a consumer can grasp the finished item (2) in such a way as to compress it so as to increase the pressure of the gas to such a point that bending the item causes the film (4) to rupture instantaneously along the most part of the precut line (24), giving access to the product(s).
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the film (4) is shaped before the enclosure is closed, so as to enclose the amount of gas.
18. A packaging machine comprising means for producing a sealed enclosure from a flexible film (4) and for enclosing inside the enclosure at least one product (26) and some gas, the film (4) having a precut, characterized in that the machine is arranged to enclose in the enclosure an amount of gas designed so that a consumer can grasp the finished item (2) in such a way as to compress it so as to increase the pressure of the gas to such a point that bending the item causes the film (4) to rupture instantaneously along the most part of the precut line (24), giving access to the product(s).

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