EP2415685B1 - Film bag with a reclosable top end - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a foil bag with a head-side reclosure.

The invention further relates to a method for the foot-side closing of a foil bag with a head-side reclosure.

The invention further relates to a device for closing a film bag with a head-side reclosure.

The invention further relates to a film bag with a head-side reclosure and a foot end closed end.

BACKGROUND

A foil bag of the type mentioned in the first paragraph is known to the Applicant. Such a foil bag is in the Fig. 1 displayed. The Indian Fig. 1 illustrated film bag 1 is made of a film 2 and has a front wall 3, a rear wall 4, a left gusset 5 and a in the Fig. 1 invisible right gusset 6, and a head-side end 7 and a foot-side end 8. At the head end 7 is a reclosure 9, which is designed in the present case as a so-called slider consisting of a zipper and a cooperating tab. The Indian Fig. 1 shown foil bag is already filled with contents, so that the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 slightly curved from the two side folds 5 and 6 stand out.

The foot-side end 8 is divided into a first Fußteilbereich 14 and a second Fußteilbereich 15. The first Fußteilbereich 14 forms a foot-side lug 10, which was produced by sealing the inner sides of the film 2. Starting from the foot-side lug 10, within the second foot portion 15, the interior of the foil bag 1 opens towards the two walls 3 and 4.

In analogy to the foot-side end 8, the head-side end 7 is also divided into a first head portion 56, which has a relatively wide configuration, and a second head portion 57. In the first head portion 56 is a completely hidden reclosure 9 (a so-called hooded-top -Slider) integrated. Such an integration in the first header section 56 is for example from the patent EP1640271B1 known. Starting from the first head portion 56 opens within the second head portion 57 of the interior of the film bag 1 towards the two walls 3 and 4.

In the Fig. 2 is the one in the Fig. 1 represented foil bag 1 shown in a second perspective, in the present case, the front or the front wall 3 is viewed from the front. The two gussets 5 and 6 are not visible in the present case. However, they can certainly protrude over the edges of the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 with appropriate filling or bulge out easily.

The film 2 used in the production of the film bag 1 is fragmentary in the form of a cross section through the film 2 in the Fig. 3 shown. The film 2 has an inner layer 3, which is sealable, and an outer layer 12, which is not sealable. The outer layer 12 forms the outside of the film bag 1 and the inner layer 11 forms the inside of the film bag 1, which faces the contents. Between the inner layer 11 and the outer layer 12, four intermediate layers are shown. These interlayers 13 on the one hand serve the stability of the film 2. They increase the tear resistance of the film 2. However, they can also realize barrier functions in order to prevent an exchange of materials between the interior and the exterior of the film bag 1. The number of spacers 13 is arbitrarily assumed to be four in the present case, but may vary from zero to sometimes even ten to twenty according to the particular application.

Like in the Fig. 1 and the Fig. 2 clearly visible, the foot-side flag 10 has a considerable size, which usually results from the device used for packaging, so the packaging or packaging machine or sealing machine. When packaging the film bag 1 is usually transported oriented with the ready-made head end 7 down and filled by his open foot-side end 8. As soon as the desired amount of filling material has been introduced into the film bag 1, the foot-side end 8 closed. During the closing process, the areas of the film 2 which are free of filling material are pressed tightly against one another in the first foot portion 14 and then sealed with the aid of a sealing tool by contact with the inner layers 11 of the individual walls 3, 4, 5 and 6 with the aid of a sealing tool.

The film bag 1 thus produced has a significant problem because it can not be stored upright, ie with the base end 8 down and with the head end 7 upwards. The foil bag 1 can de facto only as in the Fig. 1 stored lying or a plurality of foil bags 1 stacked one above the other or stored stacked. The problem of the protruding foot-side lug 10 is closely linked to that of the head-side first head portion 56, since the foot-side lug 10 and the first head portion 56 see confusingly similar. A careless user who does not stick to possibly printed on the foil pouch 1 usage instructions, therefore, the head-side or the foot-side end easily confused or overlooked the hidden re-closure simply. This often leads to the problem that when opening a cutting tool is used to forcibly open the foil bag. This sometimes not the foot-side flag 10 is cut off, but even accidentally cut the first head portion 56 or even cut off completely. This leads to the removal or irreparable destruction of the reclosure. GB 689 727 A discloses a foil pouch according to the preamble of claim 1; the flipping of the flag disclosed here requires an additional gluing process or the like.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a film bag, a method for closing a film bag and a device for closing a film bag, so that the above-mentioned problems are avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved on the one hand by a film bag according to claim 1 and on the other hand by a method for closing a film bag according to claim 13, and by a device for closing a film bag according to claim 17.

The subject of the invention is therefore a foil bag which is made of a foil, wherein the foil on its first side a non-sealable Layer and the non-sealable layer forms an outer layer of the film bag and wherein the film adjacent to the outer layer has a sealable layer, and wherein the film bag has a front and rear wall and between the front and rear wall inserted left and right gussets, and in an open first end section intended as a foot region, a first foot part area for forming a peripheral foot part and a second foot part adjoining thereto, wherein in the foot area the front or rear wall is within the area of at least one of the side folds both in the first foot part area also in the second Fußteilbereich has an opening in at least the outer layer, through which opening the sealable layer is accessible from outside the film bag, and a position of the opening is selected so that when produced and folded to the second Fußteilbereich fußs Two-part flag of the sealable layer accessible from outside the film bag come to lie overlapping each other and in a second end section, which is intended as a head region, a partially hidden reclosure-preferably integrated into a head-side flag.

In addition, the subject of the invention is a method for closing a foil bag according to the invention, wherein the method comprises the following steps, namely realizing the foot-side flag by forming a first transverse seam in the border region of the first Fußteilbereichs and the second Fußteilbereichs and moving the foot-side flag to the second Foot portion such that the two regions of the sealable layers overlap each other, and sealing the two regions of the sealable layers together in the region of the overlap. It may be advantageous if previously forms a flat layer structure consisting of front and rear wall and partially interposed inserted closed gussets.

Furthermore, the subject of the invention is a device for closing a film bag according to the invention, the device comprising: -) a first sealing step for forming a first transverse seam in the boundary region of the first foot portion and the second foot portion, and -) a transfer device for transferring the foot-side flag the second foot part area such that two areas of the sealable layers overlap one another, and -) a second sealing step for sealing together the two areas of the sealable layers in the region of the overlap. It can by Be advantageous if the device comprises means for producing a flat layer structure consisting of front and rear wall and partially inserted therebetween closed gussets, so that the first sealing step is fed to a suitably prepared foil bag.

In the method and device according to the invention, a film bag (or an intermediate product in the form of a film tube) is processed, which is made of a film, wherein the film has a non-sealable layer on its first side and the non-sealable layer has an outer layer the film bag forms and wherein the film adjacent to the outer layer has a sealable layer. The foil bag has a front and rear wall and between the front and rear wall inserted left and right side gussets and in an open first end portion defined as a foot portion a first Fußteilbereich to form a peripheral or Fußseitigen flag and an adjacent second Fußteilbereich, wherein in the foot area, the front or the rear wall within the range of at least one of the gussets both in the first Fußteilbereich and in the second Fußteilbereich an opening in at least the outer layer, through which opening the sealable layer is accessible from outside the foil bag, and a position of the opening is chosen so that bei_hergestelltter and folded to the second Fußteilbereich foot-side flag two Regions of the sealable layer accessible from outside the film bag come to lie overlapping each other.

The foot region of the film bag produced in this way is characterized in that the flag no longer protrudes from the bag in the longitudinal direction of the film bag, but de facto attached to the outside of the bag or is fixed there. It can therefore no longer confused with the head portion of the film bag, which is in the form of a relatively narrow, but over the entire width of the head area extensively extending head-side flag is formed, in which the reclosure is partially hidden integrated. Since the reclosure is integrated only partially hidden, it is always visible and recognizable to the user of the film bag and it is unnecessary to point out by appropriate imprints on the foil bag on its existence or its correct handling. The partially hidden reclosure in the head-side flag and the folded and sustained stable fixed foot-side flag complement each other thus synergistically, because by your individual design or location or orientation no confusion hiss fußseitigem end and Kopfseitigem end can occur more.

Under a flag in the present case, a flat edge-side ply structure constructed of film elements or sections of the different sides (front, back, side fold) of the film bag to understand, which is obtained by appropriate sealing measures, so that the individual film sections lie flat against each other.

In this case, the invention turns away from conventional - trivial - attempts to solve the problem defined above, in which experiments mostly adhesive for fixing the foot-side flag is used on the outside of the bag. Adhesive-based solutions stand out Usually characterized disadvantageous way that accumulate in edge regions of the bonded film layers in which the adhesive is more or less accessible from the outside, usually considerable impurities that adhere to the adhesive and possibly clump there. In addition, there is the problem with the use of adhesive that it already at very low temperatures - in other words - at low heat loss its adhesive properties and there is a risk of detachment of the glued flag. Thus, even adhesive-based solutions initially appear to be quite reasonable solutions to the above-defined problem immediately after their preparation. In real use, however, there are significant problems because the stability of the adhesive leaves something to be desired and ultimately the contamination in the bonded area of the film leaves a lesser impression on the user of the film bag, not only on the film bag itself, but ultimately on the product packed therewith.

Also in the production of the adhesive zone (s), there are considerable problems, since the corresponding nozzles for applying the adhesive on the bag must be constantly maintained or cleaned and also the application direction for the adhesive is also extremely unfavorable, since the foot area after points up and the flag is ultimately folded down. This requires injecting the relatively liquid adhesive from obliquely down to obliquely upward to apply it at the desired locations, thereby inevitably contaminating the nozzles by the adhesive itself.

In the present case, sealable properties of the film are used to seal the film bag. Sealable means that two layers of material bond together by the action of heat, as is the case, for example, with thermoplastic materials. Advantageously, the solution according to the invention distances itself from the problems of adhesive-based solution attempts discussed above in that no contaminants can adhere to the edge regions of the layers to be sealed and the seal can be broken only with the use of force or relatively high temperatures which would even damage the bag structure , It is thus provided a robust and sustainable clean solution. In particular, the production of adhering to the foil bag is also foot-side flag much easier, because in the entire production of the foil bag only a single process technology - namely heat seal - is used. So there is no additional bonding process needed. The reduction or focus on a single bonding technology, namely heat sealing, ultimately also significantly increases the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

By definition, the opening in at least the outer layer is within the range of at least one of the gussets. By this area is meant that it is the projection of the folded or inserted between the front wall and the rear wall and located in the closed state gusset on the front wall or the rear wall. The position of the apertures is further confined within this area of the projection such that the apertures are outside those edge areas where e.g. Longitudinal sealing seams and a transverse sealing seam are produced or produced in the course of the production of the film bag. In the closed state, this means that the gusset is completely compressed and ultimately can only be perceived marginally from the outside of the bag, if at all. This is in contrast to a fully open gusset, as this is for example in a completely filled bag, in which the gusset, at least for the most part, resembles more a flat or slightly curved wall than an inlaid fold.

As a film, different multilayer or multilayer plastic films or plastic-based films can be used, whose material composition and / or layer structure will be apparent to those skilled in the art by studying the teachings of this invention, without departing from the concept of the invention.

Further, particularly advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. In this case, the method for closing the film bag or the device for closing the film bag according to the dependent claims to the foot end portion open having foil bag or vice versa be further developed. Advantages discussed in connection with the foot side open end portion having foil bag are also applicable to the corresponding features of the other objects of the invention. The same applies in the reverse manner.

The film can basically be constructed in two layers, so that it has only an inner layer which is sealable and an outer layer which is not sealable. To realize the invention it can now be provided that in the film only partially the outer layer has been removed, so that the inner layer lying under the outer layer is accessible through the opening in the outer layer of outside of the film bag. So it is the inner layer of that film section accessible, which has the opening. To realize this solution, the outer layer can be removed very precisely, for example by sandblasting or grinding or by targeted material removal by the action of laser light, which requires a correspondingly high processing costs and a relatively high machining precision.

According to a preferred embodiment, however, the opening extends through the entire film, so that the inner layer of the gusset is accessible from outside the film bag through the opening in the film. Thus, the inner layer of a film section becomes accessible which is different from that film section which has the opening. This solution is characterized by the fact that the opening for exposing the sealable layer can be relatively easily - for example by punching - produce.

However, the sealable layer which is accessible from outside may also be an intermediate layer which is located within the layers of the film - e.g. between the outer layer and the inner layer - is embedded. In this case, then the outer layer and optionally adjacent to the sealable layer further intermediate layers in the direction of the outer layer to remove to expose the sealable intermediate layer, which serves for attaching the flag on the outside of the film bag.

With regard to the shape or extent of the opening, various embodiments can be used.

According to one aspect of the invention, the opening formed in the first foot portion and the second foot portion is a continuous opening, which may be, for example, opening strips a few millimeters or a few centimeters wide. The continuous opening extends along the longitudinal direction of the gusset starting from a Boundary of the two Fußteilbereiche in both Fußteilbereiche, ie in the first and the second Fußteilbereich inside.

The opening itself can take any shape. Thus, for example and not exhaustively enumerated round, oval, rectangular, serpentine or square shapes are possible. Also, the areal extent of the opening may be contiguous or e.g. be reticulate or ribbed interrupted.

According to another aspect of the invention, the opening formed in the first foot portion and the second foot portion is realized by at least two separate openings spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the side fold. The shape or configuration of these separate openings, for example, in turn, have any of the preceding paragraph mentioned form. In the present case, therefore, the boundary area of the two Fußteilbereiche is free of openings. This solution is particularly advantageous when in the border area between the two Fußteilbereichen sealing measures are necessary because in this case the sealing tools are not polluted by the freely accessible sealable layers. However, with regard to the solution according to the preceding paragraph, this can also be prevented by the sealing tools having non-sealing zones at the corresponding position, which however would mean an adaptation of existing sealing tools. This adaptation can be dispensed with in two separate openings, which are located at a distance to each other.

For example, to fix the flag to the second foot portion, it would be sufficient if only a single, such as a right-sided or a left-side, opening existed on the bag. This is particularly feasible if the width of the front and the rear wall of the bag is relatively small. However, if the width of the front or rear wall of the bag is relatively large, it is advantageous if the opening formed in the first foot portion as well as in the second foot portion formed both within the range of the right and within the range of the left gusset is. Thus, the foot-side flag can be fixed in the two areas of the respective gusset left and right to the bag and a disturbing folding away on the left or right side of the bag - as would be possible with a one-sided fixation - is reliably avoided.

The film bag can be present, for example, as an intermediate product for bag production as a head end and foot open hose structure and depending on the application initially closed on the foot side and subsequently filled through the open head section and finally closed at the top. However, in order to avoid contamination by the contents in the region of the head of the bag, preferably a reclosure is present, it has proved to be advantageous if the film bag is first completed on the head side, so equipped with its reclosure in the head area and / or by sealing the Head area is closed, and only then through the foot-side end portion, which is still open, filled through it. Thus, it is reliably avoided that a reclosure provided on the head side is contaminated by dusty filling material. In addition, it is achieved by the measures according to the invention that the bag can be reliably placed on his foot, without any protruding from him foot-side flag would hinder standing upright and camps.

The re-closure is integrated by sealing the reclosure (more precisely parts of the reclosure) with the sealable inner layer of the film of the film bag. It is advantageous if in the head region of the reclosure in the circumferential direction around the head area is sealed all around with the inner layer and the reclosure adjacent area of the inner layer are sealed together, so that a hermetic seal of the head area is obtained and only open closure elements of reclosure can form a removal opening for the contents, wherein the removal opening is accessible either through an opening in the front or the rear wall.

The reclosure is preferably designed as a so-called partially hidden (top) slider. The slider has a zipper and a tab interacting with the zipper to open and close closure elements of the zipper. The rider must be moved from its home position to open the closure elements. In this case, the upper edge of the bag is preferred by sealing with a transverse sealing seam locked. Underneath this transverse sealing seam there may be a perforation which extends over the entire width of the film bag and which allows the overlying part of the film bag to be torn off so that the top slider located below the perforation becomes accessible.

Preferably, the front or the rear wall has a material recess, which is located at the starting position of the rider, so that the rider well visible and easily accessible across the head-side flag from the head-side flag - depending on its dimensions - about 1 to 3 mm protrudes. This causes the slider or, more precisely, the slider to hide substantially all elements except the rider or are hidden in the flag.

The top slider may also be terminated by an e. the front wall tear-open film strip or tab are made available, without having to be demolished over the top slider located part of the film bag. In this case, said perforation extending beyond the entire width of the film bag below the transverse seam can be dispensed with. However, said perforation may exist and form part of the tab limiting perforation. In the latter case, a part of the head area that lies above the partially hidden slider can then be completely separated from the foil bag and the tab can also be used separately.

In a preferred embodiment, however, the front wall has said material recess in the form of a hole or a wall opening. The location of this material recess is defined by the position of the rider in the closed state of the slider - so said starting position of the rider. The shape and dimensions of the material recess are substantially adapted to the shape and dimension of the rider so that it is easily accessible and highly visible to a user. The dimensions of the material recess are slightly larger than those of the rider chosen to be able to easily position the rider in the manufacturing process from the material recess and to ensure easy access to said tab. However, the dimensions of the material recess are also chosen so small that access to the zipper or opening of the zipper without movement of the rider is not possible, the movement of the rider is prevented without actuation of said tab. Thus, by the Material recess through the rider freely accessible and clearly recognizable to a user of the film bag as part of an opening mechanism.

Adjacent to the material recess extends said removable from the front wall or at least foldable tab whose shape is chosen so that it exposes a range of movement of the rider along the zipper in the torn or folded out, so that the zipper by corresponding movement of the rider completely open or can be closed. Compared with the embodiment in which the slider is completely hidden invisibly completely in the head region of the film bag, the preferred embodiment of a partially hidden slider discussed in the preceding paragraph has considerable advantages, which will be discussed in detail below.

On the one hand, at first glance, a user is immediately informed that it is a rider that has to be moved in order to open and close the zipper because the rider is visibly accessible through the material recess. The risk of careless cutting of the head area for the purpose of opening the foil bag is thus permanently avoided. Consequently, the reclosability of the film bag is not destroyed.

On the other hand, it is also immediately apparent to a user that in order to move the rider, the tab located adjacent to the rider parked in its home position is torn out of the front wall or at least folded out to allow the rider to move at all. Also in this advantageous aspect, the risk of accidental use of a cutting tool is completely avoided, because of the extent of the tab to be used limiting perforation and the visibility of the rider and possibly a small part of the zipper adjacent to the rider the action to be performed (tear out or fold out) in an intuitive way.

In addition, in spite of the freely visible rider, a tamper evident tamper evident closure is obtained because a user immediately recognizes by visual inspection of the condition of the lanyard whether the zipper of the slider has never been exposed (indicated by intact marginal perforation of the tab) or if Zipper the slider ever was exposed (indicated by a broken boundary perforation of the tab) and therefore most likely the slider has already been opened once. In a conventional top-slider, which forms the head-end of the film bag and is freely accessible, this visual examination is not possible because the check must be moved to check the tab to look into the slider and to be able to check whether the Webs of the slider were separated or not.

The slider is attached (sealed) to the rear wall of the film bag with one of its webs on the front wall and with the other web, preferably via a carrier sheet lying between this web and the rear wall, with which the web is sealed. The slider is integrated in the head area so that it closes the bag contents tightly. Its interlocking closure elements (the zipper) protrude upwards and can be repeatedly opened and closed with the help of the rider when the slider is moved in one direction or the other.

If such a foil pouch is to be filled, a bottom region of the foil pouch could first be produced and sealed and the filling carried out by the not yet closed head region. For this purpose, the slider would only have to be connected to one of its webs with e.g. be connected to the front wall, so that forms a filling between the other web and the rear wall. However, this is disadvantageous because the yes upwardly projecting slider when filling the foil bag with filling material could collapse into the filling and could hinder the filling of the foil bag or even prevent. In addition, a considerable contamination of the slider is to be expected.

In particular, in the case of a foil bag with a slider, the measure according to the invention of closing the bottom of the foil bag has proved to be advantageous. This is to be justified so that the film bag can already be filled with its fully hidden in the head area partially hidden slider and closed head down through the open bottom and only subsequently in a final step, the floor according to the invention can be closed so that the film bag can stand upright on its bottom despite the last occlusion of the soil. Thus, there is no problem of fouling the partially hidden slider or even the problem of obstructing blocking of the head area during filling.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the carrying of the foil bag. The present foil bag can basically be worn with the hands by direct grab. However, this is disadvantageous if welding development is to be expected since the film bag is made of a plastic film. The development of perspiration favors an out of hand sliding of the foil bag. Furthermore, the film bag could tend to kink at the access point of the hands, which can have a negative impact on the strength of the plastic film when repeated at the same point, so that they could possibly be damaged at the kink. In addition, the film bag can only carry up to a relatively low weight and only with very symmetrical dimensions easily with your hands.

In the light of this problem, the Applicant has recognized the task to equip a foil bag according to the invention with a handle that allows a reliable and easy carrying the foil bag without damaging it and without obstruction of the user, even if the foil bag is relatively heavy (eg 5 kg, 10 kg or 15 kg or a higher weight) and if the film bag also has extremely unsymmetrical dimensions (eg height / length of the front and back wall about 0.50 to 0.90 m, width of the front and back Back wall about 0.25 to 0.35 m, depth of gusset about 0.08 to 0.15 m).

In the context of this task, the positioning of a handle in the gusset at a central position both in terms of the depth and the height / length of the film bag has proven to be advantageous.

However, it has proven particularly advantageous if a central position for the positioning of the handle with respect to a filling space length of the completely filled foil bag is selected. Under the Füllraumlänge that length of the film bag is to be understood, which is actually filled in the original packaged state of the film bag with filling material, so when the film bag is filled substantially bulging. The filling space length corresponds approximately to that length of the side fold, which is unfolded substantially flat in a bulging foil bag. When dimensioning the Füllraumlänge is deliberately omitted the inclusion of the upwardly projecting flag-like head area, as this equipped with the partially hidden reclosure area of the film bag has only a negligible weight. Thus, the grip position with respect to the overall length of the shallow foot part designed foil bag shifted towards the foot part. Only with a located at said position handle - just above the center of gravity of the filled foil bag - a relatively long foil bag can be well balanced with a single handle worn, without that a disturbing - depending on the orientation of the foil bag conditional (head side forward or head side to the rear) - tilting forward or tilting backwards or fearing one of the ends of the foil bag at the bottom is to be feared.

In addition, a handle located in this position prevents, on the one hand, that a foil bag dimensioned / proportioned according to the above-mentioned dimensions and fully loaded kinks solely by its weight. In addition, a handle located in this position allows the foil pouch with its narrowest dimension to project up or down without any problems, next to the right or left leg of a user, dangling or swinging with a single hand. This position of the film bag when worn, which inevitably results from the advantageous positioning of the handle, allows the user to walk through the film bag without any obstruction. The foil pouch does not have to be laboriously pushed away from the user's legs, as with all other possible positions of the handle with the carrying hand or additionally with the other hand, so as not to constantly dangle against the legs and thereby hinder the user while walking.

The design of the handle can be varied. However, it has proven to be advantageous for reasons of cost-saving and ease of manufacture that the handle has a handle portion which terminates at its edges in fasteners. The handle is narrower than the fasteners and ergonomically adapted to the hand of a user. The fastening parts are flat, e.g. formed square or rectangular or round or round shaped and glued to the outer layer of the film of the film bag over the entire surface. The grip part and the fastening parts are integrally, e.g. in the form of a label made of plastic - possibly multi-layered - formed, which is glued to the foil bag.

According to a further aspect of the invention, which relates to the foil bag after its filling with filling material, the foot-side flag is formed by forming a first transverse sealing seam in the boundary region of the first Fußteilbereichs and the realized second Fußteilbereichs. The first transverse sealing seam realizes a structural separation of the interior of the bag from that region of the bag called the foot-side flag.

In addition, a second transverse seal seam extends parallel to the first transverse seal seam, which second transverse seal seam delimits the foot-side tab on the outer edge of the film pouch. This second transverse seam does not necessarily have to run at the outermost edge of the film bag. This is only necessary if there are no gaping foil areas at the outermost edge of the foil bag. If this does not disturb further, the second transverse sealing seam can also be arranged at a distance to the outermost edge of the film bag.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the foot-side lug is applied folded over to the second foot portion and the two regions of the sealable layers overlap each other and are sealed together in the region of the overlap. Thus, the sealable layers, which are initially freely accessible from outside the bag, are placed against each other and then sealed together by suitable sealing tools. This process fixes the foot-side lug folded over in the boundary region of the first foot part region and the second foot part region to the second foot part region.

The fixation of the foot-side flag on the second foot portion can be done for example by a punctiform sealing within the freely accessible areas of the sealable layers. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing of the two regions of the sealable layers is part of an edge seal, which in the foot region from an outer edge of one of the gussets to a folded cold the foot-side flag, in particular at an angle of eg 45 ° with respect extends to the folding edge, wherein the foot-side flag is folded along the folded edge to the second Fußteilbereich. This type of seal ultimately leads to a stable bottom area which, in the case of a filled bag, has substantially the width of the side fold and thus gives the entire bag increased stability. The two edge seal seams may leak from the fold line to the end of the first foot portion. However, they may also leak on the left and right sides of the film bag or both on the left and right sides of the film bag and toward the end expire the first Fußteilbereiches. The edge seal seams then end at or in areas around corners of the foot area.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the production of the first transverse seam and the second transverse seam. This can basically be done at different times. However, it has proven to be advantageous if these two transverse sealing seams are produced at the same time, because then preferably a single set of sealing tools - e.g. a pair and another pair) can be used in a single operation. Preferably, each of the two transverse sealing seams extends over the entire width of the front or rear wall and seals the front and the rear wall partially with each other or the front and the rear wall partially with the interposed closed side gussets with each other. On the one hand, this increases the stability of the foot-side lug and, on the other hand, it ensures the required tightness of the foil bag and avoids a flap-like divergence of the foil elements at the edge region of the lug.

In the device for closing the foil bag, the first sealing stage has at least corresponding pairs of sealing tools with which the first or the second transverse sealing seam is produced. The same applies to the second sealing step with which the two edge sealing seams are produced. The two sealing stages also have the usual control devices for setting and regulating the temperature of the sealing tools and the electromechanical unit for moving the sealing tools. The transfer device may have pairs of grippers, which grip the foot-side flag and move accordingly. However, it may also have a slotted tube through which the foot-side lug is moved through and folded according to the curvature of the slot along the tube. However, it can also be formed by plates which have a curvature along their longitudinal extent. Also in this plate-like design, the foot-side lug can be moved along the longitudinal extent of the plates and so folded or folded according to the curvature. Other variants are possible.

Such a device may be part of a machine, in which, for example, initially from the film an open at his foot area according to the invention Foil bag is made, which is then sealed according to the invention, that is sealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1

einen Folienbeutel gemäß dem Stand der Technik in einer ersten Perspektive;

Fig. 2

den Folienbeutel gemäß Fig. 1 in einer zweiten Perspektive;

Fig. 3

einen Querschnitt durch einen Bereich der Folie des Folienbeutels gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

einen Fußbereich eines Folienbeutels gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 5

ausschnittsweise ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Folie für den erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutel gemäß der Figur 4;

Fig. 6

ausschnittsweise ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Folie für einen erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutel gemäß der Figur 4;

Fig. 7

einen Fußbereich eines erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutels gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 8

ausschnittsweise einen Querschnitt durch eine Folie für den erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutel gemäß der Figur 7;

Fig. 9

eine im Fußbereich des erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutels erzeugte Fahne;

Fig. 10

die Fahne gemäß der Fig. 9 in einem an die Außenseite des Folienbeutels angelegten Zustand;

Fig. 11

ausschnittsweise einen Querschnitt durch die Lagenstruktur des Fußbereiches entsprechend der Schnittlinie B-B gemäß der Fig. 10 im unversiegelten Zustand;

Fig. 12

den Fußbereich gemäß der Fig. 10 mit Kantensiegelnähten;

Fig. 13

den Querschnitt durch die Lagenstruktur gemäß der Fig. 11 im versiegelten Zustand;

Fig. 14

den Fußbereich des erfindungsgemäßen Beutels in seinem fertiggestellten Zustand;

Fig. 15

einen Fußbereich eines erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutels gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 16

eine Herstellung einer Fahne durch Versiegelung im Fußbereich;

Fig. 17

ein Umlegen der gemäß der Fig. 16 erzeugten fußseitigen Fahne;

Fig. 18

eine Herstellung einer Fixierung der gemäß der Fig. 17 umgelegten fußseitigen Fahne im Fußbereich des Folienbeutels;

Fig. 19

einen Kopfbereich eines erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutels; und

Fig. 20

eine Gesamtansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Folienbeutels.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures with reference to embodiments, to which the invention is not limited. In this case, the same components are provided with identical reference numerals in the various figures. They show in a schematic way:

Fig. 1

a foil bag according to the prior art in a first perspective;

Fig. 2

the foil bag according to Fig. 1 in a second perspective;

Fig. 3

a cross section through a portion of the film of the film bag according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4

a foot portion of a film bag according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5

a section of a first embodiment of a film for the film bag according to the invention according to the FIG. 4 ;

Fig. 6

a section of a second embodiment of a film for a film bag according to the invention according to the FIG. 4 ;

Fig. 7

a foot portion of a film bag according to the invention according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8

a detail of a cross section through a film for the film bag according to the invention according to the FIG. 7 ;

Fig. 9

a flag produced in the foot region of the film bag according to the invention;

Fig. 10

the flag according to the Fig. 9 in a state applied to the outside of the film bag;

Fig. 11

a section through the layer structure of the foot area according to the section line BB according to the Fig. 10 in unsealed condition;

Fig. 12

the foot area according to the Fig. 10 with edge sealing seams;

Fig. 13

the cross section through the layer structure according to the Fig. 11 in the sealed state;

Fig. 14

the foot region of the bag according to the invention in its finished state;

Fig. 15

a foot portion of a film bag according to the invention according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 16

a production of a flag by sealing in the foot area;

Fig. 17

a transfer of the according to the Fig. 16 generated foot-side flag;

Fig. 18

a preparation of a fixation according to the Fig. 17 folded foot-side flag in the foot of the foil bag;

Fig. 19

a head portion of a film bag according to the invention; and

Fig. 20

an overall view of the film bag according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the Fig. 4 is shown by a foil pouch 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, an upwardly projecting and open foot area 8. A head portion 7 of the film bag 1 is not shown. This head area 7 is already assumed to be closed in the present case. The film bag 1 is made of a film 2, whose structure in the Fig. 5 is shown.

An Indian Fig. 5 illustrated cross section through the film 2 shows an outer layer 12 and an inner layer 11. The outer layer 12 is not sealable and the inner layer 11 is sealable. The film 2 further has between the outer layer 12 and the inner layer 11 on four intermediate layers 13, on the one hand contribute to stability and on the other hand have a barrier function. The film 2 further has a first opening 16 which extends through the outer layer 12 and the four intermediate layers 13 up to the inner layer 11 and this inner layer 11, however, does not penetrate.

The Indian Fig. 4 illustrated film bag 1 has a front wall 3 made with the aid of the film 2, a rear wall 4, a left side fold 5 and a right side fold 6. Central and in the longitudinal direction of the film bag 1, the first gusset 5 has a first folding edge 20 and the second gusset 6 has a second folding edge 21. The foot region 8 is subdivided into a first foot part region 14 and into a second foot part region 15.

The in the Fig. 5 shown first opening 16 is formed in the region of the left gusset 5 in the first Fußteilbereich 14, as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown. Exactly below the first opening 16 (perpendicularly oriented underneath in vertical storage of the film bag 1 with open foot area upwards) is a second opening 17, which, however, in the second Foot portion 15 is located. The second opening 17 is formed in the same way as in the Fig. 5 At the same height as the first opening 16 and the second opening 17 are mirrored along a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the rear wall 4 two further openings, namely a third opening 18 and a fourth opening 19. The third opening 18th is therefore also within the range of - in the present case - right side gusset 6 and in the first foot portion 14, whereas the fourth opening 19 is located just below the third opening 18 in the second foot portion 15. Also, the third opening 18 and the fourth opening 19 are formed identical to those in the Fig. 5 illustrated first opening 16.

The first foot portion 14 and the second foot portion 15 are separated by an imaginary fold line 22. The first opening 16 and the second opening 17 are located at the same distance from the fold line 22. Likewise, the third opening 18 and the fourth opening 19 are located at the same distance from the fold line 22. Along the fold line 22, the first foot portion 14 is later folded over to the second foot portion 15, wherein the first and second openings 16 and 17 and the third and the fourth opening 18 and 19 are congruent to lie. However, this is discussed later in detail.

However, the two pairs of openings 16 and 17 or 18 and 19 may also have different sized and differently shaped individual opening dimensions, which may facilitate later overlapping positioning.

Also visible in the Fig. 4 a first sealing zone 23 and a second sealing zone 24. The first sealing zone 23 indicates that region of the foot region 8 in which, at a later time, a first transverse sealing seam 25 (see FIG Fig. 9 ) is produced. The first seal zone 23 is located near the fold line 22 within the first foot portion 14. It is located closer to the fold line 22 than to the first opening 16. Generally speaking, the first seal zone 23 extends in a boundary region between the first foot portion 14 and the second foot portion 15. At the outer edge of the foot portion 8, the second seal zone 24 extends between one hand the second edge of the film 2 and on the other hand, the first and the third opening 16 and 18. The second sealing zone 24 shows that area in which at a later time a second transverse sealing seam 27 (see Fig. 9 ) is produced.

The manner in which the foot region 8 is closed is discussed in detail below in connection with a second exemplary embodiment of the film bag 1.

First, however, be on Fig. 6 referenced in the same way as in the Fig. 5 a cross section through the film 2 according to a second embodiment of the film 2 is shown. In the present case, a sealable layer is located not only at the position of the inner layer 11 but also between the middle intermediate layers 13. This sealable layer is referred to below as the intermediate inner layer 11A. In the present case, then said openings 16, 17, 18 and 19 extend in the film 2 only to said intermediate inner layer 11A. The film 2 according to the Fig. 6 can be in a manner analogous to the film 2 according to the Fig. 5 for the film bag according to the invention according to the Fig. 4 deploy.

The Indian Fig. 4 illustrated film bag 1 further has in the longitudinal direction extending from its foot-side end to its head end a first longitudinal seam 28, a second longitudinal seam 29, a third longitudinal seam 30 and a fourth longitudinal seam 31. The respective longitudinal sealing seams 28, 29, 30 and 31 respectively connect adjacent areas of the front wall 3 with the left gusset 5 and the right gusset 6, as well as adjacent areas of the rear wall 4 with the left gusset 5 and the right gusset 6. With the aid of the longitudinal sealing seams 28 to 31 can be individual film sections, which separately form the respective side of the film bag 1, seal together, so connect. If, however, the foil pouch 1 is made from a continuous single foil strip, as is the case here, initially a tube is formed. The basic structure of the film bag 1 is then a tubular structure which has been produced by corresponding folding of a flat film piece or strip of the film 2, wherein in the present case along z. B. the fourth longitudinal sealing seam 31 two edge regions of the film strip were sealed using the sealable inner layer 11 together. The longitudinal sealing seams 28 to 31 are then produced and also serve for the stability of the film bag 1.

In the Fig. 7 a second embodiment of the film bag 1 is shown, in which a third embodiment of the film 2 is used, the fragmentary in the Fig. 8 in the form of a cross section through the first Opening 16 is shown. In the present case, the first opening 16 extends through the entire film 2-analogously also for the second opening 17, the third opening 18 and the fourth opening 19. So it penetrates not only the outer layer 12, and optionally the intermediate layers 13, but also the inner layer 11 completely. Therefore, also in perspective according to the Fig. 7 through the third opening 18 and the fourth opening 19 through the second folding edge 21 of the right side gusset 6 visible visible, which in contrast to the Fig. 4 highlighted at this point. The inner layer 11 of the film 2 of the front wall 3 can thus be seen through the openings 18 and 19 to the left of the second folded edge 21, and the inner layer 11 of the film 2 of the right side edge 6 can be seen to the right of the second folded edge 21. The inner layer 11 of the film 2 of the left side fold 5 can thus be seen through the first opening 16 or the second opening 17.

The following is based on the sequence of Fig. 9-13 the closure of the film bag 1 as part of its processing on a packaging machine discussed. On said packaging machine, a foil bag 1 which is open on the foot side is first removed from a stack and positioned on the foot side upwards, and the left and right side folds 5 and 6 are completely opened. Then filling material is filled into the foil bag 1 through the opened foot region 8 until the maximum filling level is reached. The maximum filling level means in this case a filling level below the foot area 8. Apart from the head area 7, which is already closed, the right or left side folds 5 and 6 can no longer be closed in the direction of the head area 7 after filling. The situation is different within the foot area 8. In this foot area 8, as is shown roughly schematically in FIG Fig. 9 is shown, the left and right gussets 5 and 6 completely closed again and produced with sealing tools, the first transverse seal 25 in the first seal zone 23 and the second transverse seal 27 in the second seal zone 24. The two transverse sealing seams 25 and 27 are produced at the same time. With the help of the two transverse sealing seams 25 and 27, the inner layers 11 of the film sections of the film 2 are sealed together between the two folded edges 20 and 21, which on the one hand the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 are assigned. The remaining areas of the front wall 3 and the rear wall 4 are sealed with corresponding areas of the respective half of the left and right gussets 5 and 6 respectively. Thus, a foot-side lug 10 formed in the first foot portion 14. Through the openings 16-19 through the inner layer 11 of the film 2 is now visible, which is assigned to that half of the left and right side folds 5 and 6, which is located adjacent to the rear wall 4.

The thus formed foot-side lug 10 is in a further processing step with a folding tool in the in Fig. 9 Plane shown folded forward, so that in the Fig. 10 shown configuration of the foot area 8 is obtained. In this case, the folding of the foot-side lug 10 is such that on the one hand the mutually corresponding openings 16 and 17 and on the other hand, the corresponding openings 18 and 19 are congruent to come to rest. Since the openings are 16-19 only in the rear wall 4 of the film bag 1, these are folded over foot-side flag 10, as in the Fig. 10 is shown, no longer visible and shown only by broken lines.

In a further step, a corner seam 32 or 33 is generated on the left and right sides in the foot region 8 of the film bag 1. A first edge seal 32 extends at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the gusset direction from the left gusset 5 to the fold edge 22. A second gusset seal 33 extends in an analogous manner from the right gusset 6 at an angle of 45 ° towards the fold edge 22.

In contrast to the two transverse sealing seams 22 and 24, the first and second edge seams 32 and 33 are relatively solid and have at least the width which is necessary, on the one hand, the openings 16 and 17 and, on the other hand, the openings 18 and 19 completely cover up. Accordingly, the shape of the edge sealing seams 32 and 33 can also change in their longitudinal extent, that is, for example, have a smaller width outside the openings 16 and 17 or 18 and 19 to be sealed. By the two edge sealing seams 32 and 33, the opposing and mutually freely accessible areas of the inner layer 11 within the respective pairs of openings 16 and 17 on the one hand and 18 and 19 on the other hand are sealed together. As a result, the foot-side lug 10 is de facto fixed or stabilized on the outside of the foil bag 1 in its foot region 8 and can no longer protrude from the foil bag 1.

Beyond the openings 16-19, the edge sealing seams 32 and 33 also cause large area seals from opposite one another Regions of the inner layer 11 of the film 2, whereby a relatively large area stably sealed together with each other zone is formed, which has a positive effect on the standing behavior of the filled with filling film bag 1. Thus, they contribute to the formation of a flat foot region 8, when the filling material in the head-side upward orientation of the film bag 1 is displaced down in the film bag 1 as soon as the film bag 1 is turned over after filling.

To clarify the sealing process in the area of the openings 16-19 is below to the Fig. 11 or 13 referenced. In the Fig. 11 is the one in the Fig. 10 illustrated situation shown in the sectional plane BB, which runs exactly through the opening 18 and 19 respectively. In the present case, a detailed description of the layer structure of the film 2, as shown in the Fig. 8 was made, waived. Rather, only an assignment to the film areas of the front wall 3, the rear wall 4, and the right side fold 6 is turned off. The position of the fold edge 22 is also shown with respect to the film section. The folding edge 22 extends in the present case normal to the plane of the drawing.

To the left of the folded edge 22 extends that layer structure of the film bag 1, which is associated with the foot-side tab 10 and the first foot portion 14, respectively. To the right of the folded edge 22 extends that layer structure of the film bag 1, which is associated with the second foot portion 15. Between the two layer structures, which are assigned to the foot portions 14 and 15, respectively, there is an opening formed by the first opening 18 and the second opening 19.

The extreme right position of the layer structure is assigned to the front wall 3. To the left of this, the film layers assigned to the right side fold 6 extend, followed by the film layer assigned to the rear wall 4.

The leftmost layer of film of the first foot portion 14 associated layer structure corresponds to the front wall 3 followed by those of the right side gusset 6 associated film layers. The rightmost disposed film layer of the first Fußteilbereichs 14 corresponds to that of the rear wall 4 associated film layer.

The regions of the inner layer 11 that lie opposite one another within the third and fourth openings 18 and 19 are not yet sealed together in the present case. In contrast, in the Fig. 13 the after the Producing the two edge sealing seams 32 and 33 achieved state visible in which the areas of the inner layer 11 of the gusset 6 are already shown sealed together. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the inner layer 11 of the left gusset 5, which are sealed together via the openings 16 and 17.

After the flag 10 has been fixed on the outside of the film bag 1, the film bag 1 is reversed, so that its foot portion 8 is aligned facing down. Due to the weight of the contents, which inflates the second Fußteilbereich 15, and the folding or sealing of the foot area 8 is formed when stopping the foil bag 1 on the ground ultimately in the Fig. 14 illustrated embodiment of the foot portion 8, which has a substantially flat shape and in particular a snug against the foil bag 1 foot-side lug 10 has. In the Fig. 14 For reasons of clarity, only the edges of the two edge sealing seams 32 and 33 are visibly drawn, and attention has been drawn to a representation of longitudinal ridges in the edge sealing seams 32 and 33 which are shown in FIG Fig. 12 clearly shown, omitted. The foil pouch 1 can now be parked upright on its foot area 8 in an upright position or parked in line with other identically designed foil pouches 1.

In the FIGS. 16 to 18 the process of producing the foot-side lug 10, the folding of the foot-side lug 10 on the outside of the foil bag 1 and the fixing of the foot-side lug 10 on the outside of the foil bag 1 in the foot area 8 is shown. In this case, an aggregate in the form of a device according to the invention for closing the foil bag 1 is used in a filling and / or closing machine. In the FIGS. 16 to 18 For reasons of clarity, not all details of the film bag 1 or the film 2 or all sealing seams were drawn, although these exist. Details of the head area 7 were completely ignored.

In a first step (see FIG. 16 ) is produced by appropriate means (not shown), a flat layer structure consisting of front and rear walls 3 and 4 and inserted therebetween closed gussets 5 and 6 respectively. The means may be grasping forceps, which compress the walls 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the foil bag 1 in the desired area. The flat layer structure is in the present case in an already filled foil pouch. 1 mainly generated in the foot 8. However, it may extend in an unfilled, so empty foil bag 1 over its entire length. In the latter case, the means are essentially formed by a movement device which moves the layer structure, which is already lying flat against one another, towards its next processing station or positions it accordingly.

In a second step, the first transverse sealing seam 25 and at the same time the second transverse sealing seam 27 are produced with a first sealing step 34 (indicated only schematically). Of the first sealing step 34, only the pairs of first sealing tools 35A and 35B and second sealing tools 36A and 36B used to form the two transverse sealing seams 25 and 27 are illustrated. The pairs of sealing tools 35A and 35B and 36A and 36B are bar-shaped and are moved relative to each other according to the first arrows P1 to produce the two transverse sealing seams 25 and 27. This produces said foot-side lug 10.

In a third step, the foot region 8 is folded along the fold line 2 or the previously generated foot-side lug 10 by means of a Umlegvorrichtung 37 (only schematically indicated) to the second foot portion 15 folded. This takes place in such a way that the first opening 16 with the second opening 17 or the third opening 18 with the fourth opening 19 comes to lie congruently or at least overlapping. The transfer device 37 has pairs of gripping tongs (not shown), which grip the foot-side lug 10 and move according to the direction or movement indicated by second arrows P2.

In a fourth step, the respective regions of the sealable layer 11 which are accessible through the openings and sealed to one another are sealed with a second sealing step 38. Of the second sealing stage, only pairs of third sealing tools 39A and 39B and fourth sealing tools 40A and 40B are shown. The pairs of sealing tools 39A and 39B and 40A and 40B are bar-shaped and are moved relative to each other according to the third arrows P3 to produce the two edge sealing seams 32 and 33 in the foot region 8.

In the first sealing stage 34 as well as in the second sealing stage 38, the heat sealing takes place via the sealing tools 35A to 36B or 39A to 40B.

The problem of protruding foot-side tabs 10, which prevent an upright standing of the foil bag is thus eliminated. In addition, the large-area edge sealing seams 32 and 33 ensure a stable and flat formation of the floor area or foot area 8.

In the Fig. 15 another embodiment of a film bag 1 according to the invention is shown, wherein in the present case in the region of the left and right gussets 5 and 6, the rear wall 4 each have a contiguous opening (combination / fusion of designated by the reference numerals 16 and 17 and 18 and 19 areas / Openings), each extending over the first sealing zone 23 and over the folding edge 22 away. The closing of the film bag 1 is carried out in a similar manner as discussed above.

Although in the above-discussed embodiment, the openings 16, 17, 18 and 19 have always been shown in the rear wall 4, it should be mentioned at this point that these openings 16, 17, 18 and 19 may also be formed on the front wall 3. The folding over of the foot-side lug 10 then takes place in the direction of the front wall 3, on which the foot-side lug 10 is finally fixed as discussed above.

In the FIG. 19 is a head portion 7 of a film bag 1 according to the invention is shown, which is closed with a marginal head seam 41 which overlaps with the longitudinal sealing seams 28 to 31, and with a functioning as a re-closure under the top seal 41 localized (partially hidden) Top-Slider, hereinafter Slider briefly 42 called, is equipped.

The slider 42 has a pair of interlocking closure elements 43 and a tab 44, with the help of which the closure elements 43 open at a movement of the rider 44 to the right and close at a movement of the rider 44 to the left. The slider 42 also has a first web 45 and a second web 46, wherein each of the two webs 45 and 46 carries one of said closure elements 43. The first bridge 45 is in the perspective of FIG. 19 located congruently in front of the second bridge 46 and covers it optically. Each of the two closure elements 43 is connected via its associated connection strip 43A with its associated web 45 and 46, respectively. Each connecting strip 43A and its associated webs are made in one piece. The two closure elements 43 are at their right and welded together at their left edge. The webs 45 and 46 together with the closure elements 43 and the connection strip 43A form a zipper. When not yet opened for the first time, the lower ends of the two webs 45 and 46 are connected together in the slider 42. This represents an original closure of the film bag 1. This original closure must be broken or torn open before the first filling material removal. The slider 42 further includes a carrier sheet 52. The rear (second) web 46 is sealed to a carrier sheet 52.

The slider 42 is inserted on the left side between the left gusset 5 and the front wall 3 and the right side between the right gusset 6 and the front wall 3. There, the first web 45 is sealed with the inner layer 11 of the front wall 3. There, furthermore, the second web 46 is sealed via the carrier sheet 52 with the inner layer 11 of the one half of the right or left side fold 5 or 6 pointing to it. In the area of the gussets 5 and 6, both the inner layer 11 of the other half of the left side gussets 5 and the inner layer 11 of the other half of the right gusset 6 are sealed with the inner layer 11 of the rear wall 4. Left and right sides of the two webs 45 and 46, the side folds 5 and 6 are hermetically sealed by further sealing zones (not shown in detail).

Outside the area of the gussets 5 and 6, the webs 45 and 46 extend between the front and rear walls 3 and 4, respectively. In this zone, the first web 45 is connected to the inner layer 11 of the front wall 3 and the second web 46 is therebetween lying support sheet 52 with the inner layer 11 of the rear wall 4 sealed. The two webs 45 and 46 are not sealed together and define a discharge opening between them as soon as their original connection between them has been broken for the first time. An opening width of the discharge opening is determined by the position of the rider 44.

Although the two gussets 5 and 6 extend to the upper edge of the film bag 1, the two gussets 5 and 6 are bounded below the two webs 45 and 46 by a delimiting seam 47A and 47B, respectively. This boundary sealing seam 47A or 47B runs in regions parallel to the webs 45 and 46 and overlaps there slightly with them and extends obliquely below from the respective folding edge 20 or 21 away towards an outer edge of the respective gussets 5 and 6 oriented down to the foot area 8. The limit sealing seams 47A and 48B are both between the front wall 3 and its facing part of the respective gussets 5 and 6 (front delimiting seam) and between the rear wall 4 and its facing part of the respective gussets 5 and 6 (FIG. rear limit sealing seam) formed. The oblique formation of the boundary sealing seam 47A or 47B prevents a jam of auszuschüttendem contents. The front left boundary seam 47A begins and ends at the first longitudinal seam 28 and at the fourth longitudinal seam 31, respectively, or overlaps at its both ends with the first longitudinal seam 28 and the fourth longitudinal seam 31, respectively Right boundary seam 47B begins and ends at the second longitudinal seam 29 and at the third longitudinal seam 30 or overlaps at its two ends with the second longitudinal seam 29 and the third longitudinal seam 30, respectively.

Between the closure elements 43 of the hooded-top slider 42 and the top seal 41, a tear-off perforation 48 extending over the entire width of the film bag 1 is integrated into the film 2, which extends into the carrier sheet 52. The tear-off perforation 48 extends over the entire circumference of the film bag 1. It allows a tearing of the limited by them outer region of the film bag 1 of the located thereunder region of the film bag 1. The carrier sheet 52 is between the tear-off perforation 48 and the head seam 41 with the inner layer 11 of the front wall 3 sealed.

In the area around the rider 44 located in its initial position (positioned on the left side), the front wall 3 has a material recess 49 (opening) in the form of a parallelogram, which facilitates access to the rider 44. Subsequent to the bottom right corner of the material recess 49 extends a tab perforation 50 which extends parallel to the closure elements 43 to the right end of the closure elements 43 and from there up to the tear perforation 48, where it ends. The tab perforation 50 defines - starting at the right side of the material recess 49 - together with the tear-off perforation 48 a tab 51, which alone or together with the above the tear-off perforation 48 localized region of the foil bag 1 torn away from the foil bag 1 can be used to operate the tab 44 easier and to make the closure elements 43 and the discharge opening exposed by them in the open state.

The orientation of the parallelogram of the material recess 49 is chosen so that it has an acute angle at the left beginning of the tab perforation 50, which promotes the tearing of the film 2 along the tab perforation 50 and breaking out of the tear in a zone of the Beschigelung of the first web 45 with prevents the front wall 3.

According to a further embodiment (not shown), the extension of the tear-off perforation 48 is limited only to the upper edge of the flap 51. In this case, it serves only to limit the tab 51 and the upper portion of the film bag 1 can not be torn off from the underlying area. Thus, only the tab 51 can be torn out of the front wall 3.

The perforations 48 and 50 can be implemented in a variety of ways, such as by a cutting process, an embossing process or by laser light, etc.

According to a further embodiment, the foil pouch 1 is already sealed according to the invention before its filling by the open head region 7 and subsequent sealing of the head region 7 according to the invention, which has already been discussed in detail above, so that reference will be made only to this point.

In the FIG. 20 a complete view of the film bag 1 is shown, in which both the head portion 7, so also the foot area 8 and a handle 53 integrated in the left gusset 6 is shown. The handle 53 is made of a single strip of material. The handle 53 has a central grip part 55 for gripping. The handle 53 further has a first fastening part 54A and a second fastening part 54B, which are both adhesively bonded to the film 2 of the film bag 1 with the aid of an adhesive. The handle 53 is arranged centrally in the left gusset 6 with respect to the depth T of the gusset 5 (or 6). This facilitates the carrying of the film bag 1 so that it can be worn with its slender side across from the legs of a user with only one hand and does not hinder the user while walking. The handle 53 is further arranged also in the direction of the height / length H of the side fold 5 (or 6) with respect to the Füllraumlänge FL centric. These in relation to the actual filling center coordinated central position of the handle 53 above the actual center of gravity dominated by the contents prevented at original (full / full) load and correspondingly large length of the film bag that the foil bag when carrying with the handle 53 unintentionally tilts forward or backward.

In analogy to the foot-side end 8, the head-side end, that is to say the head region 7, is also divided into a first head part region 56 and a second head part region 57. The first head part region 56 forms a head-side lug 58 which has been produced by sealing the insides of the film 2 , Clearly visible in the area of the head-side lug 58 is a part of the partially hidden slider 42, which is integrated in the head area 7 in the head-side lug 58. Of the partially hidden slider adjacent to the rider 44 only short sections of the closure elements 43 and the rider 44 itself can be seen through the material recess 49 therethrough. Starting from the first head portion 56 (ie the head-side flag 58, opens inside the second head portion 57 of the interior of the film bag 1 relatively quickly towards the two walls 3 and 4, which in a bulging film bag 1 ultimately at about the distance of the depth T of the gussets 5 and 6 spaced from each other (ie arranged in decency of each other) are.

It is finally pointed out once again that the embodiments described in detail above are only exemplary embodiments which can be modified by the person skilled in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of indefinite articles does not exclude "a" or "one", that the characteristics in question can also be present multiple times. Also, features disclosed in connection with an embodiment of the other embodiments may be used in combination with features disclosed therein. Also, the proportions of the illustrated features may vary without departing from the concept of the invention, the scope of the invention being defined by the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

foil pouch

2

foil

3

front wall

4

behind wall

5

left gusset

6

right gusset

7

head end / head area

8th

foot end / foot area

9

reseal

10

foot-side flag

11

inner layer

11A

Between inner layer

12

backsheet

13

liners

14

first foot area

15

second foot section

16

first opening

17

second opening

18

third opening

19

fourth opening

20

first folding edge

21

second fold edge

22

Fold line / folding edge

23

first seal zone

24

second seal zone

25

first transverse seam

26

border area

27

second transverse seam

28

first longitudinal seam

29

second longitudinal seam

30

third longitudinal seam

31

fourth longitudinal seam

32

first edge seal

33

second edge seal

34

first seal level

35A, 35B

Pair of first sealing tools

36A, 36B

Pairs of second sealing tools

37

clincher

38

second seal level

39A, 39B

Pair of third seal tools

40A, 40B

Pair of fourth sealing tools

41

Top sealing seam

42

Reclosing (slider)

43

closure elements

44

equestrian

45

first jetty

46

second bridge

47A, 47B

Limit seal

48

tear-off

49

material cut

50

Laschenperforation

51

flap

52

carrier sheet

53

Handle

54A

first fastening part

54B

second fastening part

55

handle part

56

first headboard area

57

second header section

58

head-side flag

P1

first arrow

P2

second arrow

P3

third arrow

H

height

B

width

T

depth

FL

Füllraumlänge

Claims (19)

1. A film bag (1)

   - which is manufactured from a film (2), wherein the film (2), on its first side, comprises a non-sealable layer and the non-sealable layer forms an outer layer (12) of the film bag (1), and wherein the film (2), adjacent to the outer layer (12), comprises a sealable layer (11, 11A), and wherein the film bag (2)

   - comprises a front wall and a rear wall (3, 4) and laid-in left and right side folds (5, 6) between the front wall and the rear wall (3, 4), and

   - in an open first end portion determined to be a foot area (8), comprises a first foot partial area (14) for forming a foot-side lug (10) and an adjacent second foot partial area (15),

   characterised in that
   in the foot area (8), within the area of at least one of the side folds (5, 6) in both the first foot partial area (14) and the second foot partial area (15), the front wall or the rear wall (3, 4) comprises an opening (16, 17, 18, 19) in at least the outer layer (12), through which opening (16, 17, 18, 19) the sealable layer (11, 11A) is accessible from outside the film bag (1), and in that the position of the openings (16, 17, 18, 19) is chosen such that with the foot-side lug (10) manufactured and laid-over against the second foot partial area (15), two areas of the sealable layer (11, 11A) accessible from outside the film bag (1) come to be overlapping each other, and

   - in a second portion determined to be the head area (7), it comprises a partially hidden reclosure (42).
2. The film bag (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealable layer forms an inner layer (11) of the film bag (1) and the opening (16, 17, 18, 19) extends right through the film (2).
3. The film bag (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (16, 17, 18, 19) formed in the first foot partial area (14) and in the second foot partial area (15) is a continuous opening which, starting from a border area of the two foot partial areas (14, 15), extends in longitudinal direction of the side fold (5, 6) into both foot partial areas (14, 15).
4. The film bag (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening formed in both the first foot partial area (14) and the second foot partial area (15) is realised by at least two separate spaced-apart openings (16, 17, 18, 19) located in longitudinal direction of the side fold (5, 6).
5. The film bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening (16, 17, 18, 19) formed in both the first foot partial area (14) and the second foot partial area (15) is formed within both the area of the right side fold and the area of the left side fold (5, 6).
6. The film bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second end portion determined to be the head area (7) is closed and integration of the reclosure (42) with a head-side lug (58) is obtained through sealing the reclosure (42) with a sealable inner layer (11) of the film (2).
7. The film bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reclosure (42) is formed by a slider comprised of a zipper and a slider (44) cooperating with the zipper for the purpose of opening and closing closure elements (43) of the zipper, wherein the slider (44) must be moved from its starting position in order to open the closure elements (43) and wherein the front wall or the rear wall (3, 4) comprises a material recess (49) located at the starting position of the slider (44).
8. The film bag (1) according to claim 7, wherein the closure elements (43) are covered by a flap (51) adjacent to the material recess (49) which is limited at least partially by a flap perforation (50).
9. The film bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, following its filling with content, the foot-side lug (10) is realised by forming a first transverse sealing seam (25) in the border area of the first foot partial area (14) and of the second foot partial area (15).
10. The film bag (1) according to claim 9, wherein a second transverse sealing seam (27) parallel to the first transverse sealing seam (25) limits the foot-side lug (10) on the outer edge of the film bag (1).
11. The film bag (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the foot-side lug (10) laid-over is laid against the second foot partial area (15), and wherein the two areas of the sealable layers (11, 11A) overlap one another and are sealed with each other in the area of overlapping.
12. The film bag (1) according to claim 11, wherein the sealing of the two areas of the sealable layers (11, 11A) is part of an edge sealing seam (32, 33), which extends in the foot area (8) from an outer edge of one of the side folds (5, 6) as far as a folding edge (22), in particular at an angle of 45° relative to the folding edge (22), wherein the foot-side lug (10) is laid over along the folding edge (22) against the second foot partial area (15).
13. A method for closing a film bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the film bag (1) is manufactured from a film (2), wherein the film (2), on its first side, comprises a non-sealable layer and the non-sealable layer forms an outer layer (12) of the film bag (1) and wherein the film (2) adjacent to the outer layer (12) comprises a sealable layer (11, 11A), and wherein the film bag (1)

    - comprises a front wall and a rear wall (3, 4) and laid-in left and right side folds (5, 6) between the front wall and the rear wall (3, 4), and

    - in an open first end portion determined to be a foot area (8), comprises a first foot partial area (14) for forming a foot-side lug (10) and an adjacent second foot partial area (15), wherein in the foot area (8), within the area of at least one of the side folds (5, 6) in both the first foot partial area (14) and the second foot partial area (15), the front wall or the rear wall (3, 4) comprises an opening (16, 17, 18, 19) in at least the outer layer (12), through which opening (16, 17, 18, 19) the sealable layer (11, 11A) is accessible from outside the film bag (1), and in that the position of the openings (16, 17, 18, 19) is chosen such that with the foot-side lug (10) manufactured and laid-over against the second foot partial area (15), two areas of the sealable layer (11, 11A) accessible from outside the file bag (1) come to be overlapping each other, and

    - in a second portion determined to be the head area (7), it comprises a partially hidden reclosure (42),

    wherein the method comprises the following steps, i.e.:

    - realising the foot-side lug (10) by forming a first transverse sealing seam (25) in the border area of the first foot partial area (14) and of the second foot partial area (15), and

    - laying-over the foot-side lug (10) against the second foot partial area (15) such that two areas of the sealable layers (11, 11A) accessible through openings overlap one another, and

    - sealing the two areas of the sealable layers (11, 11A) with each other in the area of overlapping.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein prior to laying-over the foot-side lug (10), a second transverse sealing seam (27) is created parallel to the first transverse sealing seam (25), which limits the foot-side lug (10) on the outer edge of the film bag (1).
15. The method according to one of claims 13 or 14, where creation of the first transverse sealing seam (25) and of the second transverse sealing seam (27) is carried out simultaneously, and each of the two transverse sealing seams (25, 27) seals the front wall and the rear wall (3, 4) with each other section-wise across the entire width of the front and rear walls (3, 4), or seals the front wall and the rear wall (3, 4) section-wise with the in-between laid-in closed side folds (5, 6).
16. The method according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein sealing of the two areas of the sealable layers is effected along with creating an edge sealing seam (32, 33), which extends in the foot area (8) from an outer edge of one of the side folds (5, 6) to a folding edge (22) between the first foot partial area (14) and the second foot partial area (15), in particular at an angle of 45° relative to the folding edge (22), wherein the foot-side lug (10) is laid-over along the folding edge (22) against the second foot partial area (15).
17. A device for closing a film bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the film bag (1) is manufactured from a film (2), wherein the film (2), on its first side, comprises a non-sealable layer and the non-sealable layer forms an outer layer (12) of the film bag (1), and wherein the film (2) adjacent to the outer layer (12) comprises a sealable layer (11, 11A), and wherein the film bag (1)

    - comprises a front wall and a rear wall (3, 4) and left and right side folds (5, 6) laid-in between the front wall and the rear wall (3, 4), and

    - in an open first end portion determined to be a foot area (8), comprises a first foot partial area (14) for forming a foot-side lug (10) and an adjacent second foot partial area (15), wherein in the foot area (8), within the area of at least one of the side folds (5, 6) in both the first foot partial area (14) and the second foot partial area (15), the front wall or the rear wall (3, 4) comprises an opening (16, 17, 18, 19) in at least the outer layer (12), through which opening (16, 17, 18, 19) the sealable layer (11, 11A) is accessible from outside the film bag (1), and in that the position of the openings (16, 17, 18, 19) is chosen such that with the foot-side lug (10) manufactured and laid-over against the second foot partial area (15), two areas of the sealable layer (11, 11A) accessible from outside the file bag (1) come to be overlapping each other, and

    - in a second end portion determined to be the head area (7), it comprises a partially hidden reclosure (42),

    wherein the device (1) comprises:

    - a first sealing stage (34) for forming a first transverse sealing seam (25) in the border area of the first foot partial area (14) and the second foot partial area (15), and

    - a laying-over device (37) for laying the foot-side lug (10) over against the second foot partial area (15) such that two areas of the sealable layers (11, 11A) accessible through openings overlap each other, and

    - a second sealing stage (38) for sealing the two areas of the sealable layers (11, 11A) with each other in the area of overlapping.
18. A filling and/or closing machine, which comprises a device according to claim 17.
19. The film bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, which in at least one of its side folds (5, 6) comprises a grip (53) centred relative to a filling space length (FL) and centred relative to a depth (T) of the side fold (5, 6).

Images