EP1350741A2 - Améliorations relatives au conditionnement de produits alimentaires - Google Patents

Améliorations relatives au conditionnement de produits alimentaires Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1350741A2
EP1350741A2 EP03252046A EP03252046A EP1350741A2 EP 1350741 A2 EP1350741 A2 EP 1350741A2 EP 03252046 A EP03252046 A EP 03252046A EP 03252046 A EP03252046 A EP 03252046A EP 1350741 A2 EP1350741 A2 EP 1350741A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pack
stack
food items
process according
tube
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03252046A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1350741A3 (fr
Inventor
Barrington Harvey Pamplin
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.)
United Biscuits Ltd
United Biscuits UK Ltd
Original Assignee
United Biscuits Ltd
United Biscuits UK Ltd
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
Application filed by United Biscuits Ltd, United Biscuits UK Ltd filed Critical United Biscuits Ltd
Publication of EP1350741A2 publication Critical patent/EP1350741A2/fr
Publication of EP1350741A3 publication Critical patent/EP1350741A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
    • B65D75/5833—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall
    • 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
    • B65B23/00—Packaging fragile or shock-sensitive articles other than bottles; Unpacking eggs
    • B65B23/10—Packaging biscuits
    • B65B23/18—Wrapping individual biscuits, or groups of biscuits
    • 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
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B9/067—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web advancing continuously
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B9/073—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web having intermittent motion
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5855—Peelable seals
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B2009/063—Forming shoulders
    • 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
    • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
    • B65B2220/10—Creating an off-center longitudinal seal on horizontal or vertical form fill seal [FFS] machines
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/04—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks
    • B65D75/06—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks in sheets or blanks initially folded to form tubes
    • B65D75/12—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks in sheets or blanks initially folded to form tubes with the ends of the tube closed by flattening and heat-sealing
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness
    • 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
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/36—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for bakery products, e.g. biscuits
    • 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
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/62—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for stacks of articles; for special arrangements of groups of articles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the packaging of food items.
  • the invention relates to the packaging of two or more stacked food items in packs which are sealed.
  • Those packs are manufactured by a process (so-called flow wrap process) in which a portion of sheet material is folded around the products and the edges are sealed to form a tube with a longitudinally extending seam. Transverse seals are formed across the tube at each end. Both the transverse seams and the longitudinal seams are formed with the inner surface of a first portion of the sheet being sealed to the inner surface of another portion of the sheet. The longitudinal seal formed in that manner is known as a "fin" seal. The opening of such packs is often unsatisfactory.
  • the present invention provides a pack containing a plurality of planar food items in a stack, the pack being of sheet material having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the pack being of substantially parallelopiped configuration, having a top wall extending parallel to the top face of the stack and a bottom wall extending parallel to the bottom face of the stack and, extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, first and second opposed end faces extending parallel to the end faces of the stack and opposed side faces extending parallel to the side faces of the stack, there being first and second end seams on, respectively, said first and second end faces extending parallel to the top and bottom faces of the pack, wherein the pack further has a longitudinal seam extending between the first and second end seams and over the top wall, the longitudinal seam comprising a longitudinally extending zone of adhesion between the outer surface of the sheet material in the region of a first edge thereof and the inner surface of the sheet material in the region of a second edge thereof which overlays the first edge, the second edge extending beyond the zone of adhesion to provide a grip
  • the pack of the invention can be opened by lifting the gripping region and detaching the overlying edge of the material from the underlying edge of the material, thereby allowing easy opening of the pack. Further, by tearing the pack open in the manner described, there is obtained a pack which, whilst being self-supporting, enables the user to gain easy access to the food items.
  • the longitudinal seam is disposed laterally to one side of a central longitudinal plane through the top face.
  • two spaced incisions are provided in the first edge of the sheet material, the spaced incisions defining between them a gripping zone.
  • the sheet material may be a polymeric film material.
  • the sheet material is a laminate having at least two layers.
  • the laminate has at least three layers and the inner and outer surface layers are of heat-sealable material.
  • the longitudinal seal and/or the end seals may be formed by heat-sealing or by cold-sealing. If desired, the longitudinal seal may be formed by heat-sealing and the transverse seams by cold-sealing or vice versa.
  • the longitudinal seal is peelable.
  • the longitudinal seal is peelable and can be resealed.
  • the material is a unidirectional tear material.
  • the end (transverse) seals are each advantageously folded over upon and affixed to the respective end faces of the pack, for example, by heat-sealing or adhesive.
  • the stacked food items are biscuits, cakes or snack products, especially biscuits, which will advantageously be substantially rectangular planar, for example, square, in configuration.
  • the stack of food items may, if desired, include additional inedible items, for example, the stack may comprise one or more planar members as well as the food items, the planar member(s) being located preferably against one or both of the outer food items of the stack and serving to impart shape and/or support to the stack.
  • the planar member is advantageously of a substantially rigid or semi-flexible laminar material, and is preferably rectangular (the term rectangular including "square" herein).
  • planar members will preferably be of any material suitable for imparting shape to the pack and will then be of a material having greater rigidity than the sheet material.
  • Preferred materials for use as the planar member(s) include, for example, card, paperboard, and substantially rigid or semi-flexible sheeting.
  • the planar member may, if desired, have a peripheral flange extending around a part or all of its periphery and extending inwardly along the stack. Where there are two planar members, one located adjacent each outer food item, the two planar members may, if desired, be joined by an intermediate portion foldably connected to each and extending in the axial direction relative to the stack, the two planar members and the intermediate portion forming a U-shaped body embracing the food items.
  • the use of one or more planar members may in particular be advantageous where the biscuits are round, as the planar members may then enhance the snug fitting of the pack around the stack.
  • the invention further provides a process for packaging a plurality of stackable, substantially planar food items, comprising continuously withdrawing a sheet of material from a roll and advancing the sheet along a working direction, turning inwardly the lateral edge regions of the sheet such that one lateral edge overlies the other to form a tube, positioning a stack comprising a plurality of food items in the tube so formed, advancing the tube and the stack through a sealing zone and sealing the overlying edges to form a longitudinal seal, forming a transverse seal in the longitudinally sealed tube in front of the stack and forming a transverse seal in the longitudinally sealed tube behind the stack.
  • food items can be packed in a continuous process in which the pack is formed and filled simultaneously, the pack so formed including a longitudinal seal of the kind known as a "lap seal", in which the outer surface of one edge of the sheet is sealed to the inner surface of another edge of the sheet.
  • a longitudinal seal of the kind known as a "lap seal”
  • a first lateral edge region is wider than the second lateral edge region and the seam is position laterally of a longitudinally extending vertical plane through the stack of products.
  • the material may be a monolayer web.
  • the material is advantageously a laminate having at least two layers. At least one of those layers is advantageously heat-sealable.
  • the laminate has at least three layers and the inner and outer surface layers are of a heat-sealable material.
  • the film may comprise a pressure adhesive at least in those areas in which seals are to be formed.
  • a pressure or heat-sealed-adhesive or cold-seal adhesive is applied to at least the regions of the sheet that are to be sealed.
  • the tube is advanced at least in part by lateral belts having surfaces which are able to grip the sheet material, for example, vacuum belts or rubber belts.
  • the inward turning of the edge regions of the sheet is so accomplished that the tube fits snugly around the stack of food items.
  • the sheet and the tube are advanced in a substantially horizontal direction.
  • the food items are introduced into the tube by a horizontal continuously driven pusher device.
  • the transverse sealing region is severed to separate the sealed trailing end of a leading pack from the sealed leading end of the adjacent trailing pack immediately behind said leading pack.
  • the transverse seals are then folded parallel thereto and are affixed to said end faces, for example, by heat-sealing.
  • the transverse seals are folded downwardly. Affixing the transverse (end) seals against the end faces of the pack imparts added rigidity to the pack.
  • Suitable film materials for use in the pack and process of the invention include in particular films having characteristics which are such that they tend to tear predominantly along one direction.
  • Such films may have a base layer of, for example, polyethylene (for example, HT103 - trade mark), polypropylene,or polylactic acid film.
  • the base layer is preferably sandwiched between outer layers of a heat-sealable material, for example, an acrylic polymer, polyvinylidenedichloride, or a copolymer of ethylene with propylene or butylene.
  • the films may be clear, voided-opaque, translucent, metallised or coloured, for example, white. In some circumstances, it will be preferable for at least the outer surface of the film to be printable.
  • Suitable printable polymer layers include those layers which are printable per se and those which may be treated, for example, using corona discharge treatment, to render them printable. Monolayer films may be used, and it will then be necessary to apply to the film before or during production process a suitable adhesive.
  • the sheet material is unidirectional, that is, it will tend to tear in a particular, predetermined direction.
  • This has the advantage that when the user tears the film to make the opening, the tears will extend approximately parallel rather than running together or completely apart.
  • weakened areas advantageously, the size and shape of the opening can be controlled to be convenient for the user.
  • the unidirectional material is preferably a unidirectional flexible film such as Hicor HT103.
  • the flexible unidirectional film is advantageously laminated with another film material which may impart additional desirable properties, for example, rigidity, stiffness, printability, heat-sealability.
  • the unidirectional material may be laminated with a white polypropylene film, for example, Hicor film, which is suitable for printing and also imparts stiffness.
  • transverse and longitudinal refer in general terms to the orientation relative to the direction of travel during pack formation and do not imply any particular relative sizes.
  • the transverse seals may be, but are not necessarily, shorter than the longitudinal seam and vice versa.
  • a packaging apparatus 1 has a film delivery region 2, an upstream forming region 3, a downstream forming region 4 and an end sealing region 5.
  • the film delivery region 2 has a rotatably mounted roll 6 of film 7, from which film is delivered upwardly towards a roller 8 over which the film is turned such that, on departure from roller 8, the film is travelling horizontally.
  • the film has first and second lateral edges 7a, 7b. outer surface A and inner surface B.
  • the pusher device 9 is shown between the rearward and forward positions.
  • the pusher device 9 is conveyed forwards by means of a conveying device located above the pusher device and connected thereto.
  • a number of pusher devices are driven by the conveying device in known manner.
  • the stacked planar objects 10 are delivered by delivery means (not shown) to the pusher device 9 which is then propelled forwards by the conveying device to move the biscuits forwards with the adjacent film.
  • delivery means (not shown)
  • the speed of travel of the pusher device on its forward journey is chosen to be similar to the speed of advance of the film 7, which may be up to 100m/min.
  • the relative speeds of the pusher device and the film are controlled so as to ensure that the stack of objects are deposited in the correct position on the film, for example, relative to a pre-printed design on the film and/or relative to portions of the film to which adhesive has been applied for the subsequent formation of seals.
  • monitoring means may be provided for recognition of registration marks on the film and for determining the position of the stack, the pusher device being controlled in dependence upon information gathered by the monitoring means.
  • the pusher device is then retracted by the conveyor device by means of moving it forwardly and upwardly behind the stack of objects (which is being carried forwards by the advancing sheet).
  • the next consecutive pusher device on the conveyer device subsequently introduces in like manner a further stack of objects.
  • the operation of the conveyor device and associated pusher devices is such that consecutive stacks are introduced at predetermined intervals so as to be evenly spaced from one another along the advancing sheet 7 and in register therewith. An appropriate spacing will be selected according to the height of the stack of objects to be packed, and will typically be from 25mm to 150mm.
  • the driver conveyor 11 assists forward transportation of sheet 7 and thereby maintains the stack.
  • the film has been formed into a tube ready for subsequent sealing.
  • the guide elements 12, 13 are asymmetrically arranged about the centre line C1 of the roller and the film immediately after delivery therefrom, and are so arranged that the width of the lateral film portion turned over by element 12 is greater than that turned over by element 13. In that manner the region in which the edge 7a overlies edge 7b is displaced laterally of the line C1 as will further be described below.
  • a stationary horizontal forming plate 15 is suspended from two vertical rails 16, 17 in the upstream forming region 3, the horizontal plate 15 extending in the downstream direction, substantially parallel to the central region of the film 7.
  • the plate 15 is spaced vertically from the conveyor 11 by a distance selected to be just sufficient to permit passage therebetween of the items 10 to be packed.
  • An opening is provided in the upstream portion of the plate 15 to permit the upward retraction of the pusher device 9.
  • the downstream forming region 4 has a pair of opposed conveyor devices, 18, 19, positioned on opposite sides of the path along which the film travels.
  • Each conveyor has a pair of rollers 18a, 18b; 19a, 19b, the axes of which extend vertically, and an endless belt 20, 21 which is suitable for gripping the adjacent film 7 as it passes, thereby maintaining stack-to-film register in the downstream forming region 4.
  • the belts 20, 21 may be vacuum belts, or they may be of a material suitable for gripping the film by means of friction, for example, they may be tubular rubber belts.
  • roller 22 which is arranged to form a longitudinal seal between heat-sealable layers on the inner surface of the film immediately adjacent to edge 7a and the outer surface of the film immediately adjacent the edge 7b.
  • any suitable heat-sealing device for example a heated bar.
  • the tube may be supported underneath during passage through the forming region 4 and sealing region 5 by suitable support means, for example, a plate or conveyor (not shown).
  • the overlapping edges 7a and 7b are located laterally of the centre line C2 of the tube formed at the meeting point 14 (which centre line C2 coincides with a longitudinally extending vertical plane through the stack of objects 10), between that centre line C2 and the conveyor device 18.
  • the roller 22 may be a heated roller, which may form a longitudinal seal between the two overlapping edges of a film of which the contracting surfaces at least in the regions of edges 7a, 7b are heat-sealable to one another.
  • the roller 22 may be a pressing roller, which applies pressure that is sufficient to seal together overlapping edges of a film of which the two outer surfaces at least in the regions of 7a, 7b are pressure-sealable to one another.
  • the film will comprise a laminate of which the inner and outer layers are heat-sealable to one another or pressure-sealable to one another, as the case may be.
  • the film is advantageously a unidirectional film.
  • a particularly suitable film for use in the process described is Hicor HT103.
  • longitudinal deposit of a heat-sensitive adhesive or a pressure sensitive adhesive may be incorporated into the film before use on the outer (A) surface immediately adjacent to edge 7a and on the inner (B) surface immediately adjacent to edge 7b, or may be applied by suitable applicator devices located in the film delivery region.
  • the tube On exit from between the conveyor devices 18, 19, the tube is sealed by a longitudinal seal 23.
  • End sealing region 5 has reciprocating transverse sealing jaws 24 with which is associated monitoring means (not shown) for monitoring the advancing tube containing longitudinally spaced stacks of items.
  • the monitoring means is arranged to initiate operation of the jaws 24 in response to recognition of an appropriate registration mark on the film 7.
  • the jaws 24 are arranged to close upon the tube between a leading and adjacent trailing stack of items and to advance with the continuously advancing tube whilst sealing is effected.
  • the temperature of the transverse sealing jaws may be within the range of from 10°C to 200°C, but typically is within the range of from 90°C to 160°C. Lower temperatures may be appropriate where the inner surface of the tube is pressure-sealable. Preferably, however, the inner surface is heat-sealable to itself.
  • the sealing jaws 24 are provided with a knife 25 which severs the tube, leaving a transversely extending seal 26 on the trailing end of the leading stack of items and a transversely extending seal 27 on the leading end of the trailing stack of items.
  • the jaws 24 are opened and reciprocated to their starting position.
  • the pack so obtained is then turned 90° about a vertical axis and sealing plates are applied to the end faces of the pack such that the fin seals are folded against the end face of the pack and sealed thereto.
  • heat-sealable film Whilst in the embodiment described, heat-sealable film is used, it will be appreciated that the sealing of the fin seals against the end face of the pack can be accomplished by any suitable means, for example, using a suitable heat-sealable lacquer or cold-seal adhesive.
  • a pack manufactured using the above-described method is shown in Fig. 3.
  • the pack has a top face 100, a bottom face 101, opposed side faces 102, 103, and opposed end faces 104, 105.
  • the pack has two end seals 106, 107 which extend in a direction parallel to the planes of the top and bottom faces.
  • a longitudinal seal 108 extends between the end seals 106, 107, across the top face 100.
  • An edge 109 of the sheet material 7 extends beyond longitudinal seal 108.
  • Two spaced incisions 110, 111 are provided in the edge 109 defining between them a tab 112.
  • the pack contains a number of stacked rectangular biscuits 113.
  • the pack is opened by grasping the tab 112 and peeling the tab backwards. Because the pack is formed of a unidirectional tear material, tearing of the tab tends to continue in the direction of the incisions 110, 111.
  • the pack may be such that the piece of film 115 that is pulled away may be torn off by the user as shown in Fig. 6 to leave the opening 114 clear and to afford easy access to the biscuits.
  • the pack shown in Fig. 3 has a generally rectangular cross-section. As described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the tube of film extends in the direction shown by arrow 'A'. In use, however, the pack is turned through 90° to lie in the direction of arrow 'B'. In the orientation shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the pack is ready for use. It will be appreciated that references herein to a "top face" are to a face which coincides with the top of the stack of items, for example, biscuits. In the orientation shown in Figs. 4 to 6, in which in use the pack is normally opened, the top face forms a lateral face of the pack.
  • the tab 112 is preferably between 1 and 10 cm wide, advantageously between 2 and 6 cm wide.
  • the biscuits are rectangular.
  • the biscuits may be stacked with one or more rectangular planar members which are of dimensions so chosen that the overall shape of the stack is determined at least in part by the planar members. In that manner, the stack of round biscuits and planar members fit snugly into the pack and promote retention of the pack's shape.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
EP03252046A 2002-04-05 2003-03-31 Améliorations relatives au conditionnement de produits alimentaires Withdrawn EP1350741A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0207953 2002-04-05
GBGB0207953.1A GB0207953D0 (en) 2002-04-05 2002-04-05 Improvements in or relating to the packaging of food products

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1350741A2 true EP1350741A2 (fr) 2003-10-08
EP1350741A3 EP1350741A3 (fr) 2005-10-19

Family

ID=9934356

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EP1988020A1 (fr) * 2007-04-30 2008-11-05 SITMA S.p.A. Equipement et procédé pour fabriquer en continu des paquets de piles de carreaux ou similaires
EP2090524A1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2009-08-19 Alcan Technology & Management Ltd. Conditionnement d'un produit alimentaire en forme de bloc
EP2319775A1 (fr) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-11 Curwood, Inc. Emballages à ouverture facile formés à partir de stratifiés thermoplastiques pelables
EP2360104A3 (fr) * 2010-02-23 2011-11-02 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Conditionnement alimentaire doté d'une fonction ouverte
WO2012032327A1 (fr) * 2010-09-10 2012-03-15 Cadbury Uk Limited Emballage avec film orienté monoaxialement
US8679604B2 (en) 2009-01-20 2014-03-25 Curwood, Inc. Peelable film and package using same
JP2015120542A (ja) * 2013-12-25 2015-07-02 茨木精機株式会社 二重包装装置
US9630761B2 (en) 2008-10-20 2017-04-25 Mondelez UK Holding & Services Limited Packaging
US9656783B2 (en) 2010-05-18 2017-05-23 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same
US9663282B2 (en) 2006-05-23 2017-05-30 International Great Rapids LLC Package integrity indicator for container closure
US9688442B2 (en) 2011-03-17 2017-06-27 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Reclosable flexible film packaging products and methods of manufacture
US9708104B2 (en) 2010-05-18 2017-07-18 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same
US9919855B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2018-03-20 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Package integrity indicating closure
US10118741B2 (en) 2008-07-24 2018-11-06 Deborah Lyzenga Package integrity indicating closure
EP3293123A4 (fr) * 2016-04-21 2018-12-05 Qingdao HKJ Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd. Machine de formation de sacs et d'emballage automatique
WO2024121168A1 (fr) * 2022-12-06 2024-06-13 Jt International Sa Emballage pour assembler une pluralité d'articles à fumer

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US9150342B2 (en) 2003-04-16 2015-10-06 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Resealable tray container
US7963413B2 (en) 2006-05-23 2011-06-21 Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc Tamper evident resealable closure
US8114451B2 (en) 2006-12-27 2012-02-14 Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc Resealable closure with package integrity feature
ES2390202T3 (es) 2010-01-26 2012-11-07 Generale Biscuit Envase resellable para productos alimenticios y procedimiento de fabricación
ES2390568T3 (es) 2010-03-23 2012-11-14 Generale Biscuit Envase que se puede volver a cerrar para productos alimenticios y método de fabricación

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EP0340629A1 (fr) * 1988-05-02 1989-11-08 Dámaso Moreno Feuille pour emballage à partir d'un matériau en feuille, emballage, et procédé pour la réalisation de cette feuille
JPH0329766A (ja) * 1989-06-19 1991-02-07 Nippon Petrochem Co Ltd 易開封性包装体
US5184771A (en) * 1989-10-27 1993-02-09 Teich Aktiengesellschaft Packaging for piece goods
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US5560538A (en) * 1993-03-12 1996-10-01 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Wrapping film for article
US5775068A (en) * 1994-10-03 1998-07-07 Sig Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft Bag forming, filling and sealing machine with endless supporting belts
FR2728873A1 (fr) * 1995-01-04 1996-07-05 Groupe Danone Sa Emballage en film de materiau souple et son procede de fabrication
EP0779222A1 (fr) * 1995-11-27 1997-06-18 Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. Emballage en papier du type facilement ouvrable latéralement
DE19738411A1 (de) * 1997-09-03 1999-03-04 Manfred Haiss Schlauchbeutelverpackung
GB2350597A (en) * 1999-06-01 2000-12-06 Andrew Laitt Method of packaging goods

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9663282B2 (en) 2006-05-23 2017-05-30 International Great Rapids LLC Package integrity indicator for container closure
US10829285B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2020-11-10 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Package integrity indicating closure
US9919855B2 (en) 2007-03-30 2018-03-20 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Package integrity indicating closure
EP1988020A1 (fr) * 2007-04-30 2008-11-05 SITMA S.p.A. Equipement et procédé pour fabriquer en continu des paquets de piles de carreaux ou similaires
JP2008285231A (ja) * 2007-04-30 2008-11-27 Sitma Spa タイル又は同種物の積重体のパッケージを連続して作る装置及び方法
US7694499B2 (en) 2007-04-30 2010-04-13 Sitma S.P.A. Equipment and process for continuously making stack packages of tiles or the like
AP3054A (en) * 2008-02-13 2014-12-31 Amcor Flexibles Kreuzlingen Packaging with a block-shaped foodstuff-product
EP2090524A1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2009-08-19 Alcan Technology & Management Ltd. Conditionnement d'un produit alimentaire en forme de bloc
WO2009100829A1 (fr) * 2008-02-13 2009-08-20 Alcan Technology & Management Ltd. Emballage pour produit alimentaire en forme de bloc
US11027892B2 (en) 2008-07-24 2021-06-08 Deborah Lyzenga Package integrity indicating closure
US10118741B2 (en) 2008-07-24 2018-11-06 Deborah Lyzenga Package integrity indicating closure
US9630761B2 (en) 2008-10-20 2017-04-25 Mondelez UK Holding & Services Limited Packaging
US8679604B2 (en) 2009-01-20 2014-03-25 Curwood, Inc. Peelable film and package using same
AU2010241296B2 (en) * 2009-11-09 2014-09-11 Curwood, Inc. Easy-open packages formed from peelable thermoplastic laminates
EP2426066A1 (fr) * 2009-11-09 2012-03-07 Curwood, Inc. Emballages à ouverture facile formés à partir de stratifiés thermoplastiques pelables
EP2319775A1 (fr) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-11 Curwood, Inc. Emballages à ouverture facile formés à partir de stratifiés thermoplastiques pelables
EP2360104A3 (fr) * 2010-02-23 2011-11-02 Kraft Foods R & D, Inc. Conditionnement alimentaire doté d'une fonction ouverte
US9656783B2 (en) 2010-05-18 2017-05-23 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same
US9708104B2 (en) 2010-05-18 2017-07-18 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same
RU2576006C2 (ru) * 2010-09-10 2016-02-27 КЭДБЕРИ Ю Кей ЛИМИТЕД Упаковка
AU2011300514B2 (en) * 2010-09-10 2016-02-18 Cadbury Uk Limited Packaging with monoaxially oriented film
CN103097257A (zh) * 2010-09-10 2013-05-08 吉百利英国有限公司 具有单轴定向膜的包装
WO2012032327A1 (fr) * 2010-09-10 2012-03-15 Cadbury Uk Limited Emballage avec film orienté monoaxialement
US9688442B2 (en) 2011-03-17 2017-06-27 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Reclosable flexible film packaging products and methods of manufacture
JP2015120542A (ja) * 2013-12-25 2015-07-02 茨木精機株式会社 二重包装装置
EP3293123A4 (fr) * 2016-04-21 2018-12-05 Qingdao HKJ Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd. Machine de formation de sacs et d'emballage automatique
WO2024121168A1 (fr) * 2022-12-06 2024-06-13 Jt International Sa Emballage pour assembler une pluralité d'articles à fumer

Also Published As

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GB2388832B (en) 2006-01-25
EP1350741A3 (fr) 2005-10-19
GB2388832A (en) 2003-11-26
GB0207953D0 (en) 2002-05-15
GB0307446D0 (en) 2003-05-07

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