EP2106373B1 - Bag with opening aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a bag for at least one product (2), which is completely enclosed in the closed state of the bag (1), with at least one closure seam (3), wherein the closure seam (3) comprises at least one tearing aid (4) for opening the bag (1), which is formed as a notch (7) that tapers from the edge (5) of the closure seam (3) towards the filling space (6) of the bag (1), wherein at least one incision (8) aligned substantially in the direction of the filling space (6) is provided on the tearing aid (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a flexible packaging made of weldable material, such as plastic, for storing products, in particular for detergents and cleaners, with a simple opening system having at least one pre-cut, stamped or punched opening tearing means by which the packaging is simple manually along a defined, in particular straight line tear line is rupture.

State of the art

Flexible packages are known in various designs from the prior art. For example, there are flexible, full-surface, space-forming packaging in the form of bag packaging, such as bottom bag, flat bag, sealed edge bag, space bag, stable bag or bag.

The bag in this case forms a filling space in which at least one product in the closed state of the bag is completely enveloped by the bag. Usually this is at least one side edge of a bag, a closure seam, e.g. formed a sealed seam, such as a hot or cold sealing seam, weld or adhesive seam. For example, flat bags may have three or four sealing seams corresponding to three or four side edges, depending on the manner of manufacture. In turn, a tubular bag may include an upper and an opposing lower transverse seam or an upper and a lower transverse seam and a hull seam, such as an overlapping or folded hull seam.

Since the sealed or welded seams are difficult to tear, it is common in such pouches to facilitate tearing, for example, by a notch on one of the welds closing the package. This notch is intended to reduce the crack resistance of the weld seams so that the pouch packaging can be opened by tearing without the use of an additional tool such as a pair of scissors.

The tearing process usually takes place along a tear line, along which the package is separated at least in sections into at least two parts and which leads at least in sections through the filling space of the packaging. The contents can then be removed by the resulting opening in the package in any way.

The tear line can lead controlled or uncontrolled through the packaging. In order to ensure a defined course of the tear line through the bag, it is customary to provide weakening lines in the bag wall, which can be designed, for example, as cut, partial cut lines, perforations or the like.

In practice, however, has shown that a simple and defined opening of such bags by means of a Anreißhilfe not always satisfactory, uniform and sufficiently reproducible works.

Either the force required to tear open is unreasonably high, so that the user has to resort to a tool for opening the bag, or the crack and crack propagation takes place in an uncontrolled manner at an unintended location of the bag. In both cases, it can happen that the bag for the user suddenly abruptly tears and the bag contents fall out of the bag.

Often, the notches are also so small that the user does not perceive the marking point on the bag and tries to open it at another, unconfigured point of the bag, which can also cause the bag to tear suddenly and suddenly.

The currently widespread zig-zag or triangular-shaped Anreißhilfen that extend completely over a sealing seam of the bag, are usually realized when separating the bag in the continuous manufacturing and filling process by appropriately shaped knives.

It has been found that these blades blunt relatively quickly and no longer form an acute angle at the foot of the introduced into the bag notches, which causes a simple tearing, but create radii at the notch foot, which cause a relatively high resistance to tearing. Although the marking aid is evidently completely and correctly designed, the As a result, differences in the tearing force required to open such a bag compared to the formation of acute angles to radii at the notch foot are the factor of 5 to 10.

In US-A-4139643 discloses a pouch packaging for a detergent or cleaning agent, wherein the pouch packaging has a marginal incision, by means of which a simplified opening of the pouch packaging is to be provided.

Out US2005 / 045497A1 a package for a condom is known, which has a marginal incision at the foot of a V-shaped notch, so that a simplified opening or tearing of the packaging is possible.

Further, in US-B1-6309104 a bag packaging described in which a V-shaped incision is provided as a Anreißhilfe.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a Anreißhilfe for bags of the aforementioned type, which avoids the known disadvantages and by means of which the packaging is simply manually along.eine defined, especially straight-line tear line can be torn open. Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for producing the bag according to the invention, as well as a method for producing the bag according to the invention.

The objects are achieved by a bag having the features of claim 1, a knife having the features of claim 7 and a method for producing the bag according to the invention according to claim 8.

By the bag according to the invention, a defined and reproducible tearing behavior of the bag can be achieved by avoiding a formation of radii in the foot of a notch. The bag can be safely opened along a defined, straight-line tear line.

Furthermore, the bag can be opened by the incision in the Anreißhilfe with significantly less effort.

Another advantage of the invention is the fact that the avoidance of the formation of radii can be realized by a tool that can easily replace existing tools without process or plant modifications.

Definition score "

For the purposes of this application, a notch is any contour of the closure seam edge which tapers from the closure seam edge to the filling space of the bag and which is suitable for serving as a marking aid for opening the bag. The contour can For example, triangular, wavy, parabolic, sawtooth, rectangular shaped.

closing seam

A closure seam may e.g. be formed by a sealed seam, such as a hot or cold sealing seam, weld, seam or seam.

tear

Thus, the separation of the packaging film along a predetermined, i. controlled tear line, a tear strip may be pre-drawn in the packaging film and be formed for example as a partial cut line, perforation or the like, in this way to reduce the tearing resistance or to cause a controlled tearing. The tear line may also be without weakening lines and the like, e.g. starting from a Anreißhilfe solely due to the structure of the packaging film take a more or less controlled course in a direction provided in the packaging film. For example, a monoaxially oriented polypropylene film is suitable for this purpose.

film material

The bag according to the invention is preferably made of a flexible plastic material. It is particularly preferred to produce the bag from a mono or biaxially oriented PP film. In general, any plastics are preferred which have a pronounced orientation, for example by stretching, so that they can be spliced easily and in a straight line.

In particular, the film material is water vapor impermeable. The film material can also be made heat-shrinkable.

Multilayer foil bags

Flexible packaging must protect the contents from mechanical, chemical and physical influences. Therefore, it is preferred to manufacture the bag according to the invention from multilayer packaging material. The individual material layers can be painted jobs, metal foils, metallized Layers or films of plastics, in particular thermoplastics or composites of metal foils and plastic films. One or more layers of material may be extruded and in particular melt-extruded, layers or films of thermoplastics, in some cases in combination with films of metals or plastics. At least one layer of material may be a coating application, such as a clearcoat, a color finish, a hotmelt coating, etc. At least one layer of material may be a metallized layer or a vacuum deposited ceramic thin film.

The thermoplastic material layers can be transparent, translucent or opaque. The material layers, in particular the material layers, films or layers arranged on a package in the outermost position, can have a print.

The wall thickness of the packaging film is, for example, 10-500 μm, preferably 50 to 300 μm, in particular 50 to 150 μm.

As foils of metal, for example, steel foils and preferably aluminum foils are used. The thickness of the films may, for example, be from 5 to 100 .mu.m, preferably from 8 to 45 .mu.m, in particular from 10 to 35 .mu.m.

Suitable films of plastics are suitably made of thermoplastics, such as polyesters, polyolefins, e.g. Polypropylene or polyethylene, or as polyamides, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate or cellulose-containing materials such as cellophane or paper. The plastic films can be present as monofilms or film composites. The thickness of the films made of plastics can be, for example, from 8 to 100 .mu.m, preferably from 12 to 35 .mu.m, and in particular from 12 to 23 .mu.m.

Extruded or melt extruded layers may be, for example, polyolefins such as polypropylenes or polyethylenes. The thickness of the extrudates can be, for example, from 8 to 100 .mu.m, preferably from 12 to 30 .mu.m, and in particular from 12 to 23 .mu.m

bag shape

Typical packaging units are in plan view, for example, polygonal, in particular rectangular, elliptical or lenticular and in the side view, for example, polygonal and in particular rectangular.

The bag may be selected from the group of bottom bags, block bags, block bags, block bottom bags, floor bottom bags, bottom fold bags, cross bottom bags, round bottom bags, stand up bags, double bags, window bags, flat bags, flap bags, flap pocket bags, conical bags, tubular bags, gusseted bags, pleated bags, sealed edge bags, tri-band bags, Two-seam bag, Stülpkappenbeutel, Einsteckbeutel, cooking bag, mesh bag, sterilization bag, carrying bag, carrier bags, penny bag, valve bag.

product

Products are understood to mean all types of products that can be packed in bags. In particular, these are understood as care, washing or cleaning products and food. These are also understood in particular to include detergent tablets and / or detergent tablets, granules or powders, cosmetic products, fragrances, adhesives, surface treatment agents or construction chemicals.

The consistency of the products includes solid, dispersible, thin to highly viscous, gelatinous or pasty.

Industrial Applicability

The present packages are suitable, for example, for holding liquid, powdery, granulated, solid or pasty products. Liquid contents range from detergents and / or cleaning agents, drinks, juices and the like. Typical examples of fillers are powdered and granulated detergents and / or cleaning agents, foods and luxuries, such as ready-to-use soups, instant-soluble coffee, coffee powder, pudding powder, spices, etc. The solid contents may be, for example, washing and / or cleaning agents as shaped articles. Furthermore, block, board or rod forms are conceivable, with as Examples are chocolate bars and muesli bars. In addition, the packaging can be pasty substances such as used in the field of personal care and cosmetics, such as shampoos or lotions or from the field of pharmacy. Finally, the bags according to the invention can also accommodate medical devices or applicators and technical articles.

knife

The bag according to the invention with a marking aid can be produced in particular by a knife, the knife mechanically separating two product-filled, sealed and adjacent bags from one another by a cut.

The knife has a blade with a cutting edge, wherein the cutting contour-substantially corresponds to the contour of the Anreißhilfe. In particular, the cutting edge has a T- or Y-shaped contour in the area of the marking aid.

The blade preferably has a width between 20 mm and 2 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 3 mm.

production method

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing flexible packages of weldable material, such as plastic, for storing products, having means for forming the flexible packaging and means for producing a simple opening system in this packaging, wherein at least one precut, embossed or punched opening aid is provided for tearing, wherein the package is opened by simple manual tearing.

• □ einen Beschickungsschritt mit einem schlauchförmigen Material zur kontinuierlichen Herstellung der Beutel,
• □ einen ersten Siegel- oder Schweißschritt, um die erste quer liegende Verschlussnaht des Schlauchbeutels zu bilden.
• □ ein Füllschritt, um den Schlauchbeutel mit dem Produkt zu füllen,
• □ einen zweiten Siegel- oder Schweißschritt, um die zweite quer liegende Verschlussnaht herzustellen,
• □ einem Stanzschritt mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Messer um den fertigen Schlauchbeutel von dem schlauchförmigen Ausgangsmaterial zu trennen.

The method for producing a bag with an incision according to the invention essentially comprises the following steps

• □ a feeding step with a tubular material for the continuous production of the bags,
• □ a first sealing or welding step to form the first transverse sealing seam of the tubular bag.
• □ a filling step to fill the tubular bag with the product,
• □ a second sealing or welding step to produce the second transverse sealing seam,
• □ a punching step with a knife according to the invention to separate the finished tubular bag from the tubular starting material.

• Fig. 1 Mit einer Tablette befüllter Beutel mit erfindungsgemäßer Anreißhilfe in der Aufsicht
• Fig. 2 Beutel mit Aufreißstreifen und erfindungsgemäßer Anreißhilfe in der Aufsicht
• Fig. 6 Erfïndungsgemäße Anreißhilfe mit Einschnitt am Rand der Verschlussnaht
• Fig. 4 Geöffneter Schlauchbeutel in der Aufsicht ; die erfindungsgemäße Anreißhilfe ist in dieser Figur nicht zu erkennen
• Fig. 5. Schematische Darstellung des Stanzprozesses zur Trennung der Schlauchbeutel
• Fig. 6. Perspektivische Vorderansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Stanzmessers zur Bildung eines T-förmigen Einschnitts
• Fig. 7. Perspektivische Rückansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Stanzmessers zur Bildung eines T-förmigen Einschnitts
• Fig. 8 Aufsicht auf das erfindungsgemäßen Stanzmesser zur Bildung eines T-förmigen Einschnitts

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. These show schematically in:

• Fig. 1 With a tablet filled bag with inventive Anreißhilfe in the plan
• Fig. 2 Bag with tear strip and inventive Anreißhilfe in the supervision
• Fig. 6 Inventive Anreißhilfe with notch on the edge of the seal
• Fig. 4 Open tubular bag in the top view; the inventive Anreißhilfe is not visible in this figure
• Fig. 5 , Schematic representation of the punching process for the separation of the tubular bag
• Fig. 6 , Perspective front view of the punching blade according to the invention to form a T-shaped cut
• Fig. 7 , Perspective rear view of the punch blade according to the invention to form a T-shaped cut
• Fig. 8 Top view of the punching knife according to the invention to form a T-shaped cut

FIG. 1 shows a filled with a tablet 2 tubular bag 1 in the plan.

The bag 1 has a substantially tubular shape and has a first transverse seal 3 and a second, opposite first, transverse seal 3b. The closure seams 3,3b close the tubular bag 1 liquid-tight. For the production of the intended closure seams, especially heat-sealing and high-frequency welding are suitable.

The tubular bag 1 has a filling space 6 bounded by the transversely directed closing seams 3, 3 b, in which the product 2 is completely enclosed by the film of the tubular bag 1.

The closure seams 3, 3 b have a width, which is arranged transversely to their longitudinal direction, of approximately 3 mm to 15 mm, preferably approximately 7 mm, this being measured in the same direction from the closure seam edge 5, 5 b of the tubular bag 1. Consequently, the second sealing seam 3b has approximately the same width as the first sealing seam 3.

On the back of the tubular bag, not in Fig. 1 can be formed, depending on the manufacturing process of the tubular bag, an overlapping or fin-like longitudinal seam may be formed.

The closing seams 3, 3b have their closing seam edges 5, 5b of a sawtooth-shaped section 4, 4b, which is formed from a plurality of notches 7, 7b. The section 4, 4b be prepared for example by cutting, embossing or punching.

The first closing seam 3 of the tubular bag 1 has an incision 8 arranged on the sealing seam edge 5, which extends centrally, starting from a transverse section of the closing seam edge 5, substantially perpendicularly in the direction of the filling space 6 of the bag. The incision 8 and the closure seam edge 5 thus form a T-shaped contour.

The tubular bag 1, starting from the incision 8, has an imprint 11 in the longitudinal direction of the tubular bag 1, which indicates to the user the direction of tearing open and the position of the incision 8.

As in Fig. 2 shown, can the Fig. 1 known tubular bag 1 also have an additional tear strip 10 which is arranged in the longitudinal direction in or on the tubular bag 1 and extends through the closure seams 3,3b.

Unlike when out Fig. 1 shown embodiment, the tear strip 10 is in this case arranged offset from the middle to the edge of the bag. This has the advantage that the user has a comparatively large area available for gripping the bag 1 without the user coming into contact with the product when opening.

The incision 8 is positioned in this embodiment of the invention in such a way on the closure seam edge 5 that it runs longitudinally through the tear strip 10 so as to ensure a simple and defined tearing along the tear strip 10.

The tubular bag 1 can be made, for example, from a single-layer or multilayer, flexible film with a thickness of 25 .mu.m to 230 .mu.m.

As in Figure 3 Shown in detail, the incision 8 extends from a sawtooth-shaped section 4 of the closure seam edge 5 interrupting, transverse Abschnnitt between two adjacent notches 7 in the direction of the filling space. 6

The punching knife 12, with the in Fig. 3 Pictured T-shaped incision 8 is formed in the Fig. 6-8 shown. In Fig. 6 is first seen a front perspective view of the punching blade 12. The punching knife 12 has at the top of a cutting edge 15 which is opposite the knife back 16. The cutting edge 15 is formed by removal of material from a substantially slender, cuboid metal or Keramikköper.

In the outer regions 15a and 15b, the cutting edge 15 is ground off somewhat in the direction of the knife back, so that there is no cutting action in these regions.

The area of the T-shaped notch 8 is in the enlargement of Fig. 6a shown in detail. The flanks 17a and 17b extend at an angle of about 45 ° towards each other from the front wall in the direction of the rear wall to the vertex of the triangular cutting profile adjoining the rear wall. The flanks 18a and 18b running parallel to the knife longitudinal axis connect the flanks 17a and 17b with the incision-forming blade 8. As well as Fig. 8 As can be seen, the flanks 18a and 18b form a T-shaped contour with the cutting edge 8 in plan view.

The cutting edge 8 has a first edge 19 and a second, not in the Fig. 6a , visible, opposite second edge on. On the front wall facing side of the cutting edge 8 extends from the cutting edge 8 in the direction of the knife back 16, a triangular flank 20 which is inclined starting from the knife back 16 in the direction of the blade longitudinal axis.

Fig. 7 shows the saus Fig. 6 known punching knife 12 in a rear perspective view, wherein the region of the cutting edge 8 in Fig. 7a is shown enlarged. The flanks 21a and 21b facing the flanks 18a and 18b extend at an angle of about 45 ° towards each other from the front wall towards the rear wall to the rear wall adjacent vertex of the triangular cutting profile. The substantially parallel to the blade longitudinal axis extending edge 22, which is opposite to the flanks 18a and 18b, connecting the flanks 21 a and 21 b with each other. The flank 22 is inclined starting from the knife back 16 in the direction of the blade longitudinal axis.

Figure 4 shows the tubular bag 1 according to the invention in its torn open state. However, the inventive Anreißhilfe is not shown in this figure. The closure seam 3 provided with the incision 8 is pulled apart to open the bag 1 transversely to the longitudinal direction, so that the product 2 located in the filling space 6 can be removed from the tubular bag 1.

process Description

As in known pouch manufacturing processes, the manufacturing process comprises a tubular material feed step to continuously make the packages, and a sealing or welding step to form the first transverse seal 3 of the tubular pouch 1.

This is followed by a filling step of the tubular bag 1 with the product 2, a sealing or welding step to produce the second transverse sealing seam 3b, and a stamping step to separate the finished tubular bag 1 from the tubular starting material.

The punching step is schematically shown in FIG Fig. 5 displayed. In this case, a knife 12 is pressed against an opposing anvil 14, wherein the sealed ends of the tubular bag 1 between the anvil 14 and knife 12 is positioned.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

bag

2

product

3

closing seam

3b

closing seam

4

saw-toothed section

4b

saw-toothed section

5

Lock seam edge

5b

Lock seam edge

6

filling space

7

score

7b

score

8th

Incision / incision

9

Kerbenfuß

9b

Kerbenfuß

10

tear

11

imprint

12

punching knife

13

sealing tool

14

anvil

15

cutting edge

16

blunt edge

17

flank

18

flank

19

flank

20

flank

21

flank

22

flank

Claims (8)

1. A pouch for at least one product (2), which is completely enclosed when the pouch (1) is in the closed state, having at least one closing seam (3), the closing seam (3) comprising a closing seam edge (5), which has a portion (4) of sawtooth configuration with notches (7), and the closing seam (3) comprising at least one tear aid for opening the pouch (1), characterised in that the closing seam edge (5) further comprises a crosswise portion between two notches (7) and interrupting the portion (4) of sawtooth configuration, a slit (8) being formed in the centre of the crosswise portion of the closing seam edge (5), and the slit (8) extending from the crosswise portion of the closing seam edge (5) substantially perpendicularly in the direction of the contents space (6) and so forming a T-shaped contour together with the crosswise portion of the closing seam edge (5).
2. A pouch according to claim 1, characterised in that the pouch (1) comprises a tear strip (10), which extends at least through one closing seam (3, 3b).
3. A pouch according to claim 2, characterised in that the slit (8) extends lengthwise through the tear strip (10).
4. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pouch (1) is shaped from a plastics material.
5. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pouch (1) is shaped from a multilayer material.
6. A pouch according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that at least one layer of the pouch (1) is shaped from a uniaxially oriented plastics.
7. A cutter for producing a pouch having the features of claim 1, characterised in that the cutter comprises a blade with cutting edge, the cutting edge contour corresponding substantially to the contour of the tear aid.
8. A method of producing a pouch having the features of claim 1, comprising the following steps:

   □ a charging step with a tubular material for continuous production of the pouches,

   □ a first sealing or welding step, to form the first crosswise closing seam 3 of the tubular pouch 1.

   □ a filling step, to fill the tubular pouch 1 with the product 2,

   □ a second sealing or welding step, to produce the second crosswise closing seam 3b,

   □ a punching step with a cutter according to claim 7, to separate the finished tubular pouch 1 from the tubular starting material.

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