EP2186430A1 - Method for manufacturing locking assemblies comprising openings, method for forming bags, group of assemblies and corresponding bags - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves supplying complementary profiles (11) provided with flanges (12) for attaching the profiles to a bag. An actuating slider (13) is mounted on the profiles, and two end stops (2) are formed to stop the slider on the profiles. Two recesses (3) are formed in the attachment flanges, where each recess has longitudinal extension. Two pre-cut lines (4) are formed between each recess and an upper part (111) of the profiles. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for forming a bag (2) a strip for fastening assemblies.

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of packaging bags.

PRIOR ART

Many packaging bags and many systems and methods for the formation of these have already been proposed.

Bags comprising a film materializing walls, on which is fixed an assembly comprising complementary profiles of closure and opening. The profiles are advantageously provided with fixing webs of the assembly on the walls of each bag, and a slider for actuating the profiles, for their opening and closing.

It is desirable that access to the actuator slider by a user of the bag is very easy.

We know by US 6,470,551 , and as shown in figure 1 , a bag 10 whose access to slider 13 for actuating profiles 11 is facilitated, despite the presence of a control 71 opening bag 10.

As shown in figure 1 after opening the opening indicator 71, the slider 13 is easily accessible since it is situated above an upper end 73 'of the bag 10, while being blocked by stop points 2 on the profiles 11.

The method of forming the bag known according to the figure 1 however, has disadvantages, in particular because of the manufacturing process of the assemblies 1, as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

• fourniture de profilés 11 complémentaires munis de voiles 12 de fixation sur le sachet,
• formation d'encoches 30 dans les profilés 11,
• montage d'un curseur 13 d'actionnement sur les profilés 11, via les encoches 30 ;
• formation de deux points 2 d'arrêt du curseur 13 dans les profilés 11.

The known method of manufacturing the assemblies 1 comprises in particular, for each set 1, the main steps of

• provision of 11 complementary profiles provided with sails 12 for attachment to the bag,
• forming notches 30 in the profiles 11,
• mounting an actuator slider 13 on the profiles 11, via the notches 30;
• formation of two cursor stop points 13 in the profiles 11.

The formation of the notches 30 in the profiles 11 considerably relaxes the band 100 grouping the sets 1, because it is at the level of the profiles 11 that is the main material forming the set, the sails 12 having only one very thin.

It is thus necessary to add, according to the known method, a preliminary step of forming pre-wounds 31, in order to stiffen the strip, to compensate for the loss of the profiles 11.

This preliminary step is delicate and expensive.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes to overcome at least one of these disadvantages.

• fourniture de profilés complémentaires munis de voiles de fixation sur un sachet,
• montage d'un curseur d'actionnement sur les profilés;
• formation de deux points d'arrêt du curseur dans les profilés;
• formation de deux lumières dans les voiles de fixation; chaque lumière ayant une extension longitudinale,
• formation de deux prédécoupes entre chaque lumière et une partie supérieure des profilés.

For this purpose, a method of manufacturing bag closure assemblies is proposed according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises, for each set, the steps of

• supply of complementary profiles provided with fixing webs on a bag,
• mounting an actuating slider on the profiles;
• forming two cursor stop points in the profiles;
• formation of two lights in the fixing sails; each light having a longitudinal extension,
• formation of two pre-cuts between each light and an upper part of the profiles.

• les deux points d'arrêt sont séparés d'une longueur D1 d'ouverture maximale du sachet ;
• les deux lumières sont séparées d'une distance D2 correspondant à une largeur du sachet; et
• chaque prédécoupe est située à une extrémité d'une lumière, de telle sorte qu'elle ne prédécoupe pas le profilé entre un point d'arrêt et le curseur.

The invention is advantageously completed by the following characteristics taken alone or in any of their technically possible combination:

• the two stopping points are separated by a maximum opening length D1 of the bag;
• the two lights are separated by a distance D2 corresponding to a width of the bag; and
• each precut is located at one end of a light, so that it does not precut the profile between a stopping point and the cursor.

The invention also relates to a corresponding method of forming a bag, a band of sets and a corresponding bag.

The invention has many advantages.

The invention avoids the formation of notches in the profiles.

Only lights, formed in the sails are provided.

Thus the band grouping the sets is not relaxed and retains its rigidity, which greatly facilitates its handling during the formation of bags, and the reliability of the bag formation process.

In addition, there is no longer any need for a prior pre-molding step to stiffen the web.

The method is therefore simpler to produce and less expensive.

The formed bag however retains the same advantages, namely that after the first opening, when the opening indicator is removed from the bag, the cursor is easy to access, since it is located above an upper end of the bag, while being blocked by stopping points on the profiles.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1, déjà commentée, représente schématiquement un sachet selon l'art antérieur ;
• la figure 2, déjà commentée, représente schématiquement un procédé connu de fabrication d'ensembles;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement un diagramme des étapes principales d'un procédé de fabrication d'une bande d'ensembles selon l'invention, ainsi que les étapes principales d'un procédé de formation d'un sachet selon l'invention;
• la figure 4 représente une bande regroupant des ensembles selon l'invention;
• la figure 5 représente un sachet selon l'invention, muni de son témoin d'ouverture;
• la figure 6 est un détail de la figure 5 ; et
• la figure 7 représente un sachet selon l'invention, après le retrait de son témoin d'ouverture.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, which is illustrative and nonlimiting, and which should be read with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 , already commented, schematically represents a bag according to the prior art;
• the figure 2 , already commented, schematically represents a known method of manufacturing sets;
• the figure 3 schematically represents a diagram of the main steps of a method of manufacturing a band of assemblies according to the invention, as well as the main steps of a method of forming a bag according to the invention;
• the figure 4 represents a band grouping sets according to the invention;
• the figure 5 represents a sachet according to the invention, provided with its opening witness;
• the figure 6 is a detail of the figure 5 ; and
• the figure 7 represents a bag according to the invention, after removal of its opening witness.

In all the figures, similar elements bear identical reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As mentioned above, the present invention relates to the automatic manufacture on machine resealable bag closure assemblies, as well as the automatic machine training of corresponding reclosable bags.

The present invention can be applied both to the machines for automatically forming horizontal scroll bags and machines for automatic forming vertical scroll bags.

In addition, the following description does not presuppose the position of the machine: the fixing of the closure assembly may be carried out longitudinally or transversely to the scrolling of the packaging film.

Furthermore, the present invention applies both to machines for automatic formation of sachets with filling during the formation of the sachet, to filling machines during a step subsequent to the formation.

The formation of the bags according to the invention can optionally be separated geographically from the place of manufacture of the sets according to the invention, in a single place and / or during successive stages.

Diagrammatically shown on the figure 3 , also with reference to Figures 4 to 7 , the main successive steps of a possible method of manufacturing sachet closure assemblies 1.

According to the method, for each set 1, a step 1000 is provided of complementary profiles 11 provided with sails 12 for attachment to the bag 10.

The sails 12 extend conventionally from the profiles 11, over a certain width allowing easy attachment of the assembly 1 to the walls 5 of the bag 10.

The supply 1000 of the profiles 11 is conventionally scrolled, for example by unwinding, and is not described in more detail later in this description.

The complementary profiles 11 are known and are not described in detail in the following developments. They are for example of the male / female type, complementary hooks or any other equivalent means.

The assembly 1 is conventionally made of thermoplastic material.

We then proceed to a mounting step 1001 of a slider 13 for actuation on the profiles 11.

Conventionally still, the slider 13 comprises a base sole from which two side flanges and a central rib. The flanges and the rib cooperate to form two non-parallel corridors, which in the direction of movement of the cursor, define convergent or divergent corridors. They therefore allow to close or open the profiles 11. The slider 13 may be metal or plastic, for example.

The mounting of the slider 13 on the profiles 11 can be effected for example by spacing the flanges of the slider 13, the time of assembly on the profiles 11.

Then comes a forming step 1002 of two points 2 of stopping the cursor 13 in the profiles 11.

The stop points 2 make it possible to stop the slider 13 in its stroke on the sections 11, between an open position and a closed position of the bag 10. The points 2 thus prevent the slider 13 from leaving the profiles 11, in particular as will be seen later, after the first opening of the sachet 10.

The stop points 2 can be formed by any means, for example welded profiles 11, adding clips, but are preferably formed by pre-crushing ultrasounds.

Advantageously, the two stop points 2 are separated by a maximum opening length D1 of the bag.

The method also comprises a formation step 1003 of two lumens 3 in the sails 12 of attachment.

As we see on the figure 4 each light 3 has a longitudinal extension E / 2 and forms an orifice passing through the web 12.

Thus, each sail 12 is defined on either side of the extension E, corresponding to two contiguous apertures 3 (see FIG. figure 6 ), an upper field 121 and a lower field 122.

The field 121 is integral with the profiles 11, and the field 122 defines a lower portion integral with the remainder of each veil 12.

Each light 3 can be formed by any means, for example by punching the sails, during a stop in their scrolling.

Two successive lights 3 on each web 12 of the assembly 1 are separated by a distance D2 corresponding to a width of the bag 10. The lights 3 of each respective web 12 are arranged facing each other.

In practice (and as shown in figure 6 described in more detail in the following), it is understood that advantageously, a large extension light E (corresponding to two contiguous lights 3) is formed at each stop scrolling of the assembly 1, for example by punching. The large light thus formed is then divided into two lights 3 by a cutoff 9. The two lights 3 will therefore be in two consecutive bags after cutoff 9.

Advantageously also, the two stop points located around a large light are formed (see FIG. figure 6 also), at the same stop scroll assembly 1 that for the formation of the large light. The two stop points thus formed will therefore be found in two consecutive bags after the break 9.

If we repeat the description of the process with reference to the figure 3 Next comes a forming step 1004 for each set 1 of two pre-cuts 4 between each lumen 3 and an upper portion 111 of the profiles 11.

Each pre-cut 4 thus forms a line of weakness on the one hand in the webs 12, at the level of the field 121, and on the other hand in the profiles 11.

Pre-cuts 4, in the form of a dotted line, for example, may be formed mechanically by a punch, or by laser precut for example.

Each precut 4 is located at one end of a light 3, so that it does not precut the profile 11 between a stop point 2 and the slider 13 of each set. Indeed, if this were the case, the point 2 stop would play its role, as will be explained in the remainder of this description.

On the figure 4 , the precut 4 extends vertically with respect to the set 1. We see on the figure 6 that the precut 4 may also extend with an angle θ relative to the vertical on the assembly 1, to facilitate tearing according to the precut 4, as will be seen later.

After the manufacturing process of the assemblies 1 according to the invention, a strip 100 of assemblies 1 is obtained, as shown in FIG. figure 4 .

The formation of a bag 10 is then described, in particular thanks to the band 100.

It is thus proposed according to the invention, and always with reference to the figure 3 but also to Figures 5 and 6 a method of forming at least one resealable bag.

The method comprises, for each bag 10, a step of providing 1005 of a packaging film 7 capable of forming walls 5 of the bag 10.

The supply 1005 of the film 7 is conventionally scrolled, for example by unwinding, and is not described in more detail later in this description.

The packaging film 7 may be formed of any material, such as for example a plastic material, a paper or cardboard type material. The film 7 may also be composite and / or metallized.

The method then comprises a step of fixing 1006 of the assemblies 1 obtained by the implementation of the method according to the invention, the band 100 grouping these sets 1 being recalled as visible to the figure 4 .

The fastening 1006 of the assemblies 1 on the film 7 is conventionally carried out via the fastening webs 12, for example by a fastener 6 of the thermo-welding or bonding type.

The method then comprises a formation step 1007 of a lateral weld 8 at each lumen 3, for example using welding jaws known to those skilled in the art.

The figure 6 shows that each weld 8 has a width S / 2 less than the extension E / 2 of each light 3. In the opposite case, the operation of the bag would be altered, as will be understood in the remainder of this description. It will be understood, as previously, that in practice, a large extension weld S (corresponding to two joined welds 8) is advantageously formed at each stop of the running of the assembly 1. The large weld thus formed is then divided into two parts. welds 8 by a cutoff 9. The two welds 8 will therefore be found in two consecutive bags after cutoff 9.

The method also comprises a step of individualizing 1008 sachets 10 by a cut 9 at each side weld 8.

Cutoff 9 is performed conventionally using cutting means on the forming machine and is not described in more detail later in this description.

Preferably, the method is carried out so that the step 1006 of fixing the sets 1 on the film 7 takes place at an intermediate height, that is to say not completely in the upper position of the mouth of the bag 10.

Thus, part of the film 7 is able to form an opening indicator 71 covering the slider 13, for example by folding or welding 15 (see FIG. figure 5 ) walls 5 of the bag 10.

Preferably in this case, the method further comprises a step 1009 of forming a line 73 of weakness in the film 7.

The line 73 of weakness is located on a side opposite to the opening indicator 71 relative to the profiles 11.

The line 73 of weakness may be formed by dotted lines formed in the film 7, or by a lower film thickness. Preferably, the line 73 is formed by laser precut.

At the cut-off 9 and the line 73, at least one incision 731 can be made, for example on each lateral side of the bag 10, so that the rupture of the wall 5 of the bag 10 at this point is further facilitated.

The bag 1 is filled with any content 14, for example a food product, of the grated cheese type.

It is recalled that the bag 10 can be filled during the formation of the bag 10, when the film 7 is running on the bag forming machines. It can also be filled later, on the sachet training site or at another site.

The filling can be carried out by one side of the bag perpendicular to the assembly 1. is welded, by the weld 8, the side by which the content 14 was introduced into the bag 10 to obtain a completely closed bag on all its ratings. The filling can also be carried out by the opposite side to the mouth of the bag. An appropriate folding is then performed in order to give an ideal capacity in relation to the volume of the contents 14 of the bag. A bellows can also be made on the side opposite the mouth of the bag. Finally, we can also solder with a solder 16 (see figure 5 this side of the bag 10.

We obtain, after the process of the figure 3 , a bag 10 according to the figure 5 .

It is specified here that the order of the steps relative to each other is not strict: some of the steps can take place in another order than that described above (for example the formation of the lights can take place before the formation of breakpoints), or be conducted simultaneously (such as lateral welding and individualization).

The operating principle of the bag 10 is as follows, as shown in FIG. figure 7 .

At a first opening of the bag 10, the user grasps, at a weld 8, the opening indicator 71, and tears the wall 5 of the bag at the line 73 of weakness. The tearing of the wall 5 is facilitated on the one hand by the line 73 of weakness, as well as by the incision 731.

The field 122 of the web 12 remains secured to the bag, because of the weld 8 of width S.

In contrast, the upper field 121 of the web 12 (also linked to the profiles 11) is integral with the opening control 71, because of the weld 8 of width S. It dissociates from the bag at the same time as the control 71, the makes the break of the pre-cuts 4 which extends to the upper part 111 of the profiles 11.

On the figure 6 , we indicate by a reference "'" the elements similar to those of the figure 5 , after the first opening. There are therefore half-lights 3 ', half-precuts 4' and half incisions 731 '.

After removal of the opening indicator 71, the slider 13 is easily accessible since it is situated above the upper end 73 'of the bag 10, while being blocked by the stop points 2 on the profiles 11.

Claims (10)

A method of manufacturing pouch closure assemblies (1) (10), characterized in that it comprises, for each set (1), the steps of - supply (1000) of complementary profiles (11) provided with sails (12) for fixing on a bag (10), - mounting (1001) an actuating slider (13) on the profiles (11); - forming (1002) two points (2) stopping the cursor (13) in the profiles (11); - formation (1003) of two lights (3) in the sails (12) of attachment; each lumen (3) having a longitudinal extension (E / 2), - formation (1004) of two precuts (4) between each light (3) and an upper portion (111) of the profiles (11). Method according to claim 1, wherein the two stopping points (2) are separated by a maximum opening length (D1) of the bag. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the two lights (3) are separated by a distance (D2) corresponding to a width of the bag (10). Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each precut (4) is located at one end of a light (3), so that it does not precut the profile between a point (2) of stop and the cursor (13). A method of forming at least one bag (10), characterized in that it comprises, for each bag (10), a step of: - providing (1005) a film (7) capable of forming walls (5) of the bag (10); - Fixing (1006) sets (1) obtained by the implementation of the method according to one of claims 1 to 4, namely sets (1) each comprising complementary profiles (11) provided with fastening webs (12), a slider (13) for actuating the profiles, two points (2) for stopping the cursor (13) in the profiles (11), two lights (3) in the sails (12) of attachment, each light (3) having a longitudinal extension (E / 2), and two pre-cuts (4) between each light (3) and an upper part (111) the profiles (11), fixing the assemblies (1) on the film (7) taking place via the sails (12) for fixing; - formation (1007) of a lateral weld (8) at each light (3), each weld (8) being of a width (S / 2) smaller than the extension (E / 2) of each light (3). - Individualization (1008) sachets (10) by a cut (9) at each weld (8) side. Method according to claim 5, wherein the step of fixing the assemblies (1) on the film (7) is carried out at an intermediate height, so that a part of the film (7) forms a control (71) of opening covering the slider (13). The method of claim 6, further comprising a step (1009) of forming a line (73) of weakness in the film (7), the line (73) of weakness being located on a side opposite to the control (71). ) opening relative to the profiles (11). Strip (100) of sets (1), characterized in that each set (1) comprises - complementary profiles (11) provided with sails (12) for fixing, a slider (13) for actuating the profiles, two points (2) for stopping the cursor (13) in the profiles (11), - two lights (3) in the sails (12) of fixation, each light (3) having a longitudinal extension (E / 2), and two pre-cuts (4) between each lumen (3) and an upper part of the profiles (11). Bag (10) comprising a film (7) materializing walls, characterized in that it comprises a set comprising - complementary profiles (11) provided with sails (12) for fixing, a slider (13) for actuating the profiles, two points (2) for stopping the cursor (13) in the profiles (11), - two lights (3) in the sails (12) of fixation, each light (3) having a longitudinal extension (E / 2), and two pre-cuts (4) between each lumen (3) and an upper part of the profiles (11). Bag (10) according to claim 9, further comprising a control (71) of opening materialized by a part of the film (7) covering the slider (13), and - A line (73) of weakness in the film (7), the line (73) of weakness being located on a side opposite to the control (71) opening relative to the profiles (11).

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