EP3102505B1 - Intermediate product for producing a packing means, method for manufacturing same, packing means, and method for packing a product - Google Patents
Intermediate product for producing a packing means, method for manufacturing same, packing means, and method for packing a product Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3102505B1 EP3102505B1 EP14806101.3A EP14806101A EP3102505B1 EP 3102505 B1 EP3102505 B1 EP 3102505B1 EP 14806101 A EP14806101 A EP 14806101A EP 3102505 B1 EP3102505 B1 EP 3102505B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- piece
- film material
- intermediate product
- product according
- web
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 239000013067 intermediate product Substances 0.000 title claims description 48
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 title claims description 28
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 15
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 title claims description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 133
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005025 cast polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000005026 oriented polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 9
- 229920006255 plastic film Polymers 0.000 description 9
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 235000008216 herbs Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/50—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage
- B65D85/505—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage for cut flowers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
- B31B70/14—Cutting, e.g. perforating, punching, slitting or trimming
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5805—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture for tearing a side strip parallel and next to the edge, e.g. by means of a line of weakness
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
- B31B2155/002—Flexible containers made from webs by joining superimposed webs, e.g. with separate bottom webs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
- B31B2160/10—Shape of flexible containers rectangular and flat, i.e. without structural provision for thickness of contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
- B31B2160/30—Shape of flexible containers pointed or tapered
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B2170/00—Construction of flexible containers
- B31B2170/20—Construction of flexible containers having multi-layered walls, e.g. laminated or lined
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
- B31B70/008—Stiffening or reinforcing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
- B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
- B31B70/60—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping
- B31B70/61—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping by applying or securing strips or tape
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
- B65B25/023—Packaging flower bouquets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
- B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
- B65B25/026—Packaging flower pots
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
- B65B61/182—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying tear-strips or tear-tapes
Definitions
- the invention relates to an intermediate product for producing a preferably sleeve- or bag-shaped packing means at least partially made of film material, comprising a film material extending along a first portion and a second portion of the intermediate product, the film material being provided with a tearing line for separating the first portion and the second portion from each other, wherein the first portion, once separated from the second portion, forms the packing means, and the second portion, while connected to the first portion, forms a part to be attached to a carrier for carrying the intermediate product.
- Film material in this context is meant to comprise any type of thin, flexible material, such as plastic film material or paper sheet material.
- the invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an intermediate product as described, a packing means, and a method for packing a product.
- Flower bunches, potted plants and potted herbs are known to be packed in an automated process, wherein each item to be packed is inserted into a sleeve of plastic film.
- Each sleeve is supplied as part of an intermediate product made of film material, having a first portion that is to form the sleeve and a second portion forming a lip for mounting the intermediate product on a carrier.
- the product is provided with a perforation line arranged along what is to become the upper edge of the sleeve, enabling the sleeve portion to be separated from the lip portion by tearing.
- a stack of the intermediate products is provided mounted on a carrier, and with each item to be packed, a sleeve portion is torn loose from its connected lip portion, so as for the sleeve to be removed together with the packed item and for the lip portion to remain attached to the carrier.
- a package in form of a sleeve used for flowers is known e.g. from US 5,974,730 . It has been found that with certain types of plastic film, the sleeve portion does not always cleanly separate from the lip portion. A tear initiated along the perforation line may be found to run into either the sleeve portion or the lip portion, rather than continue along the whole of the perforation line. This can lead to a produced sleeve being torn, as well as an interruption of an automated packing process and undesired down time of a packing machine.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate product according to the introductory paragraph, having relatively low susceptibility to unclean tearing, and which promotes an automated packing process as described to run with relatively few unplanned interruptions.
- a further object is to provide an intermediate product as described enabling various types of film material to be used for the produced packing means, in particular various types of plastic film.
- an intermediate product according to claim 1 The above object is attained by an intermediate product according to claim 1.
- the layer of added material extending along the tearing line prevents a tear initiated along the tearing line to run into a portion of the intermediate product that is to form the packing means, such as a sleeve or a bag, or into the portion that after the tearing step is to remain attached to a carrier.
- a packing process is less susceptible to unexpected interruptions.
- the added material may have a tearing resistance higher than that of the film material. Then, for the packing means, a film material having a relatively low tearing resistance can be used, that despite the low tearing resistance has certain beneficial properties, such as an improved appearance.
- the added material may comprise a cast polymer, such as cast polypropylene (CPP).
- CPP cast polypropylene
- Such a polymer has relatively high tearing resistance, while still providing some degree of transparency, enabling a portion of added material remaining on the packing means after the tearing step to be less noticeable.
- the film material may comprise an axially oriented polymer, preferably a bi-axially oriented polymer such as bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).
- a bi-axially oriented polymer such as bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).
- BOPP bi-axially oriented polypropylene
- the layer of added material may have a strip shape, so that it need not cover a larger area of the intermediate product than needed to prevent a tear from running away from the tearing line.
- the layer of added material may extend on both sides of the tearing line, or comprise two separate parts extending on either side of the tearing line, so that the layer can prevent a tear from running away towards either of the two sides of the tearing line.
- the layer of added material may cover a larger part of the second portion than of the first portion, so as for a layer of a certain width not to cover more of the first portion than needed to prevent a tear from running into that portion, without disturbing the appearance of the produced packing means too much.
- the first portion may comprise two layers connected to each other through a seam, the layer of added material at least partially overlapping said seam.
- the layer of added material then adds to the strength of the seam within the area of overlap.
- the tearing line comprises a perforation line extending through the double layer of film material and added material.
- the layer of added material may be laminated, glued, or heat-sealed onto the film material.
- an intermediate product 1 for producing a flower sleeve comprises two trapezoidal shaped pieces 10, 20 of film material, each piece 10, 20 having a top edge 11, 21 and a bottom edge 12, 22 extending in parallel with each other, and a pair of side edges 13, 14, 23, 24 tapering towards each other from the respective top edge 11, 21 to the respective bottom edge 12, 22.
- the first piece of film material 10 covers the second piece 20, the top edge 11 of the first piece 10 being located below the top edge 21 of the second piece 20, and the bottom edge 12 of the first piece 10 being located above the bottom edge 22 of the second piece 20, so as for the second piece 20 of film material to have a lip 25, 26 extending from under the first piece 10 at both the top end and the bottom end of the intermediate product 1.
- Each of the side edges 13, 14 of the first, smaller piece of film material 10 is connected to a respective one of the two side edges 23, 24 of the second, larger piece of film material 20 through a respective seam 31, 32 extending along the whole of the side edges 13, 14 of said first piece 10.
- top and bottom edges 11, 12 of the first piece of film material 10 respectively run in parallel with the top and bottom edges 21, 22 of the second piece 20, and leave a slit 33, 34 present between the first piece of film material 10 and the second piece 20 at the top and bottom edges 11, 12 of the first piece 10.
- the slits 33, 34 enable the substantially two-layered intermediate product 1 to be expanded from a flat folded position to an expanded position in which a space is formed enclosed by the two pieces of film material 10, 20, for receiving, through the top end slit 33 that by then has been reshaped into a larger opening, an item to be packed, such as a flower bunch, a potted plant or a potted herb.
- the intermediate product 1 is depicted in Figure 1 in a substantially flat-folded position, wherein the top and bottom edges 11, 12 of the first piece of film material 10 are slightly bent together with the material 10 so as to illustrate the presence of the slits 33,34.
- the intermediate product 1 comprises a strip 50 of added material arranged on the second piece of film material 20 and covering the whole width thereof.
- the strip 50 has a top edge 51 positioned on the lip 25 at a distance from the top edge 21 of the second piece of film material 20, extending in parallel with said top edge 21.
- the strip 50 has a bottom edge 52 extending in parallel with the top edge 51, positioned below the top edge 11 of the first piece of film material 10, so as for the strip 50 to cover a part of the seams 31, 32 at the top ends thereof.
- the strip 50 of added material is provided with a perforation line 53 extending along the whole length of the strip 50, dividing the strip 50 into a top portion 54 and a bottom portion 55.
- the perforation line 53 is positioned above the top edge 11 of the first piece of film material 10 and extends through both the material of the strip 50 and that of the underlying second piece of film material 20, the perforation line 53 thereby also dividing said second piece 20 into a top portion 20a and a bottom portion 20b.
- the intermediate product 1 comprises a second strip 65 of added material.
- the second strip 65 is symmetrically arranged with respect to the bottom portion 55 of the top end strip 50, with a top edge 62 located above the bottom edge 12 of the first piece of film material 10, so as for the second strip 65 to cover part of the seams 31, 32 at the bottom ends thereof, and a bottom edge 63 located below the bottom edge 12 of said first piece 10, so as for the strip 65 to cover the lip 26 at the bottom end of the intermediate product 1, the bottom edge 63 of the strip 65 being in registration with the bottom edge 22 of the second piece of film material 20.
- the top end lip 25 is provided with a pair of holes 70 to be hooked onto the hooks of a carrier.
- a stack of intermediate products 1 is provided mounted on a carrier.
- the first piece of film material 10 is grabbed with the use of a suction cup or any other suitable means, for expanding a space enclosed by said first piece of film material 10 and the bottom portion 20b of the second piece 20.
- the portion 1a of the intermediate product 1 comprising the first piece of film material 10 and the bottom portion 20b of the second piece is pulled to tear the portion 1a loose from the top portion 20a of the second piece of film material 20.
- the top-end strip 50 of added material is torn together with the second piece of film material 20, so as for a packing means to be produced in the form of a sleeve comprising the whole of the first piece of film material 10 and only the bottom portion 20b of the second piece of film material 20, the latter having arranged thereon the bottom portion 55 of said top-end strip 50, and the whole of the bottom-end strip 65.
- top and bottom portions 54, 55 of the top-end strip 50 of added material prevent a tear developing along the perforation line 53 from changing course and developing further into either of those portions 20a, 20b, rather than continuing along the perforation line 53. Thereby, a clean separation of the top and bottom portions 20a, 20b of the second piece of film material 20 is assured.
- a portion 1b of the intermediate product 1 comprising the top portion 20a of the second piece of film material 20, having arranged thereon the top portion 54 of the top-end strip 50 of added material, remains on the carrier.
- an intermediate product 1 can be manufactured by aligning two continuous webs of film material 110, 120 to form an assembled continuous web 110, 120, the first web 110 having a width corresponding with the height of the first piece of film material 10, the second web 120 having a width corresponding with the height of the second piece of film material 20.
- the narrow first web 110 is preferably centred with respect to the wider second web 120.
- the assembled web 110, 120 can be provided with cuts 131 at acute, alternating angles at various longitudinal positions, so as for each time a trapezoidal shaped assembly 130 to be formed comprising a first piece of film material 10 formed from the first web 110 and a second piece of film material 20 formed from the second web 120.
- the two pieces 10, 20 can be heat-sealed together so as to form the seams 31, 32, preferably by means of and due to the cutting.
- the wider web 120 can be provided with a continuous band 140 of added material arranged along each of the two edges of the web 120, wherein each band 140 can be located at a short distance away from the local edge.
- the narrow web 110 can have such a width as to partially overlap each of the continuous bands 140.
- either the assembled web 110, 120 or the various trapezoidal shaped assemblies 130 may pass a device arranged to provide respectively the wider web 120 or the second pieces of film material 20 with a tearing line 150, such as a line of perforations extending through the material of either the wider web 120 or the second pieces of film material 20 as well as that of the continuous bands 140 or the strips 50, 60 of added material formed by the bands 140 being cut in the cutting step.
- a tearing line 150 such as a line of perforations extending through the material of either the wider web 120 or the second pieces of film material 20 as well as that of the continuous bands 140 or the strips 50, 60 of added material formed by the bands 140 being cut in the cutting step.
- a superfluous portion 20c of the wider web 120 By tearing a tearing line 150 provided at the more narrow end of a trapezoidal shaped assembly 130, a superfluous portion 20c of the wider web 120, connected to the bottom portion 20b of the second piece of film material 20 through the bottom edge 22 thereof, can be removed.
- the only portions of the wider web 120 comprised by the second piece of film material 20 are left to be the top portion 20a and bottom portion 20b as described, wherein, at the bottom edge 22, a portion 65 of a strip 60 of added material that is torn in removing the superfluous wider web portion 20c remains arranged on the second piece of film material 20 in the form of the second strip 65 of added material.
- this second strip 65 of added material can reinforce the seam between the first portion of film material 10 and the bottom portion 20b of the second piece of film material 20 at the area of overlap between said second strip 65 of added material and said seam.
- the invention has been described in the context of producing a packing means for wrapping flower bunches, potted plants or potted herbs.
- the invention may also be applicable however in other fields, for packing other types of products.
- the described first portion of the intermediate product, which is to form the packing means need not necessarily be shaped to form a sleeve, having an opening at the bottom. It may for instance also be shaped to form a bag, having a closed bottom, wherein the two layers of film material of the first portion may be connected by a seam extending along the bottom edge of the first portion.
- the tearing line comprises a perforation line. It is noted that the problem solved by the invention predominantly occurs with perforation lines, but one may also benefit from the invention with other types of tearing lines.
- a tearing line could be embodied in a portion of film material weakened by any type of means for the purpose of the film material to tear along that weak portion. This may also be a larger area, rather than be concentrated to a narrow line.
- the film material need not be weakened itself, as long neighbouring portions having arranged thereon a layer of added material have a larger resistance to tearing than the original material.
- the tearing resistance of a material is meant to be the capability of a material to withstand propagation of an already initiated tear or crack through the material. It is noted that tougher materials, showing a relatively large amount of stretch before failure, are better suited to prevent crack propagation, and therefore to perform well as an added material, than less tough materials. Also, film materials of non-oriented polymers are better suited than film materials of oriented polymers, as the latter promote tears to propagate in certain specific directions having relatively low resistance as compared to other directions.
- the film material being in the form of plastic film, the added material itself preferably comprising a film material, the latter film material itself preferably being in the form of plastic film, the latter plastic film preferably being of a plastic type different than that of the first-mentioned plastic film.
- any of the mentioned film materials however may also be in a form different than that of plastic film, and either or both may for instance be formed as a paper sheet.
- the invention can provide advantages not only in an automated packing process, but also in a manual packing process, in which the first portion and the second portion of the intermediate product are separated by means of tearing by hand.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Botany (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Evolutionary Biology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Wrappers (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to an intermediate product for producing a preferably sleeve- or bag-shaped packing means at least partially made of film material, comprising a film material extending along a first portion and a second portion of the intermediate product, the film material being provided with a tearing line for separating the first portion and the second portion from each other, wherein the first portion, once separated from the second portion, forms the packing means, and the second portion, while connected to the first portion, forms a part to be attached to a carrier for carrying the intermediate product. "Film material" in this context is meant to comprise any type of thin, flexible material, such as plastic film material or paper sheet material.
- The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an intermediate product as described, a packing means, and a method for packing a product.
- Flower bunches, potted plants and potted herbs are known to be packed in an automated process, wherein each item to be packed is inserted into a sleeve of plastic film. Each sleeve is supplied as part of an intermediate product made of film material, having a first portion that is to form the sleeve and a second portion forming a lip for mounting the intermediate product on a carrier. The product is provided with a perforation line arranged along what is to become the upper edge of the sleeve, enabling the sleeve portion to be separated from the lip portion by tearing. A stack of the intermediate products is provided mounted on a carrier, and with each item to be packed, a sleeve portion is torn loose from its connected lip portion, so as for the sleeve to be removed together with the packed item and for the lip portion to remain attached to the carrier. A package in form of a sleeve used for flowers is known e.g. from
US 5,974,730 . It has been found that with certain types of plastic film, the sleeve portion does not always cleanly separate from the lip portion. A tear initiated along the perforation line may be found to run into either the sleeve portion or the lip portion, rather than continue along the whole of the perforation line. This can lead to a produced sleeve being torn, as well as an interruption of an automated packing process and undesired down time of a packing machine. - An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate product according to the introductory paragraph, having relatively low susceptibility to unclean tearing, and which promotes an automated packing process as described to run with relatively few unplanned interruptions. A further object is to provide an intermediate product as described enabling various types of film material to be used for the produced packing means, in particular various types of plastic film.
- The above object is attained by an intermediate product according to claim 1. The layer of added material extending along the tearing line prevents a tear initiated along the tearing line to run into a portion of the intermediate product that is to form the packing means, such as a sleeve or a bag, or into the portion that after the tearing step is to remain attached to a carrier. Hence, with the use of an intermediate product according to the invention, a packing process is less susceptible to unexpected interruptions.
- The added material may have a tearing resistance higher than that of the film material. Then, for the packing means, a film material having a relatively low tearing resistance can be used, that despite the low tearing resistance has certain beneficial properties, such as an improved appearance.
- The added material may comprise a cast polymer, such as cast polypropylene (CPP). Such a polymer has relatively high tearing resistance, while still providing some degree of transparency, enabling a portion of added material remaining on the packing means after the tearing step to be less noticeable.
- The film material may comprise an axially oriented polymer, preferably a bi-axially oriented polymer such as bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). Such polymers, despite having a relatively low tearing resistance, can be relatively shiny, transparent and stiff, and hence have a relatively high-quality appearance.
- The layer of added material may have a strip shape, so that it need not cover a larger area of the intermediate product than needed to prevent a tear from running away from the tearing line.
- The layer of added material may extend on both sides of the tearing line, or comprise two separate parts extending on either side of the tearing line, so that the layer can prevent a tear from running away towards either of the two sides of the tearing line.
- The layer of added material may cover a larger part of the second portion than of the first portion, so as for a layer of a certain width not to cover more of the first portion than needed to prevent a tear from running into that portion, without disturbing the appearance of the produced packing means too much.
- The first portion may comprise two layers connected to each other through a seam, the layer of added material at least partially overlapping said seam. The layer of added material then adds to the strength of the seam within the area of overlap. According to the invention, the tearing line comprises a perforation line extending through the double layer of film material and added material.
- The layer of added material may be laminated, glued, or heat-sealed onto the film material.
- These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which same reference numerals indicate same or similar parts, and in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a frontal view of an intermediate product according to the invention, -
Figure 2 shows in plan view an assembled web of film for manufacturing an intermediate product according to the invention. - With reference to
Figure 1 , an intermediate product 1 for producing a flower sleeve comprises two trapezoidalshaped pieces 10, 20 of film material, eachpiece 10, 20 having atop edge 11, 21 and abottom edge side edges top edge 11, 21 to therespective bottom edge - The first piece of film material 10 covers the
second piece 20, the top edge 11 of the first piece 10 being located below thetop edge 21 of thesecond piece 20, and thebottom edge 12 of the first piece 10 being located above thebottom edge 22 of thesecond piece 20, so as for thesecond piece 20 of film material to have alip 25, 26 extending from under the first piece 10 at both the top end and the bottom end of the intermediate product 1. - Each of the side edges 13, 14 of the first, smaller piece of film material 10 is connected to a respective one of the two
side edges film material 20 through a respective seam 31, 32 extending along the whole of the side edges 13, 14 of said first piece 10. - The top and
bottom edges 11, 12 of the first piece of film material 10 respectively run in parallel with the top andbottom edges second piece 20, and leave aslit second piece 20 at the top andbottom edges 11, 12 of the first piece 10. - The
slits film material 10, 20, for receiving, through thetop end slit 33 that by then has been reshaped into a larger opening, an item to be packed, such as a flower bunch, a potted plant or a potted herb. It is noted that the intermediate product 1 is depicted inFigure 1 in a substantially flat-folded position, wherein the top andbottom edges 11, 12 of the first piece of film material 10 are slightly bent together with the material 10 so as to illustrate the presence of theslits - At its top end, the intermediate product 1 comprises a
strip 50 of added material arranged on the second piece offilm material 20 and covering the whole width thereof. Thestrip 50 has atop edge 51 positioned on thelip 25 at a distance from thetop edge 21 of the second piece offilm material 20, extending in parallel with saidtop edge 21. Thestrip 50 has abottom edge 52 extending in parallel with thetop edge 51, positioned below the top edge 11 of the first piece of film material 10, so as for thestrip 50 to cover a part of the seams 31, 32 at the top ends thereof. - The
strip 50 of added material is provided with aperforation line 53 extending along the whole length of thestrip 50, dividing thestrip 50 into atop portion 54 and abottom portion 55. Theperforation line 53 is positioned above the top edge 11 of the first piece of film material 10 and extends through both the material of thestrip 50 and that of the underlying second piece offilm material 20, theperforation line 53 thereby also dividing saidsecond piece 20 into a top portion 20a and a bottom portion 20b. - At its bottom end, the intermediate product 1 comprises a second strip 65 of added material. The second strip 65 is symmetrically arranged with respect to the
bottom portion 55 of thetop end strip 50, with a top edge 62 located above thebottom edge 12 of the first piece of film material 10, so as for the second strip 65 to cover part of the seams 31, 32 at the bottom ends thereof, and abottom edge 63 located below thebottom edge 12 of said first piece 10, so as for the strip 65 to cover the lip 26 at the bottom end of the intermediate product 1, thebottom edge 63 of the strip 65 being in registration with thebottom edge 22 of the second piece offilm material 20. - The
top end lip 25 is provided with a pair of holes 70 to be hooked onto the hooks of a carrier. - In a process for packing a number of flower bunches, potted plants or potted herbs, a stack of intermediate products 1 is provided mounted on a carrier.
- With each item to be packed, the first piece of film material 10 is grabbed with the use of a suction cup or any other suitable means, for expanding a space enclosed by said first piece of film material 10 and the bottom portion 20b of the
second piece 20. - After accommodating an item to be packed inside the space, the portion 1a of the intermediate product 1 comprising the first piece of film material 10 and the bottom portion 20b of the second piece is pulled to tear the portion 1a loose from the top portion 20a of the second piece of
film material 20. - In the tearing step, the top-
end strip 50 of added material is torn together with the second piece offilm material 20, so as for a packing means to be produced in the form of a sleeve comprising the whole of the first piece of film material 10 and only the bottom portion 20b of the second piece offilm material 20, the latter having arranged thereon thebottom portion 55 of said top-end strip 50, and the whole of the bottom-end strip 65. - During tearing, the top and
bottom portions end strip 50 of added material prevent a tear developing along theperforation line 53 from changing course and developing further into either of those portions 20a, 20b, rather than continuing along theperforation line 53. Thereby, a clean separation of the top and bottom portions 20a, 20b of the second piece offilm material 20 is assured. - After tearing, a portion 1b of the intermediate product 1 comprising the top portion 20a of the second piece of
film material 20, having arranged thereon thetop portion 54 of the top-end strip 50 of added material, remains on the carrier. - With reference to
Figures 1 and2 , an intermediate product 1 according to the invention can be manufactured by aligning two continuous webs offilm material continuous web first web 110 having a width corresponding with the height of the first piece of film material 10, thesecond web 120 having a width corresponding with the height of the second piece offilm material 20. The narrowfirst web 110 is preferably centred with respect to the widersecond web 120. - The assembled
web cuts 131 at acute, alternating angles at various longitudinal positions, so as for each time a trapezoidalshaped assembly 130 to be formed comprising a first piece of film material 10 formed from thefirst web 110 and a second piece offilm material 20 formed from thesecond web 120. The twopieces 10, 20 can be heat-sealed together so as to form the seams 31, 32, preferably by means of and due to the cutting. - The
wider web 120 can be provided with acontinuous band 140 of added material arranged along each of the two edges of theweb 120, wherein eachband 140 can be located at a short distance away from the local edge. Thenarrow web 110 can have such a width as to partially overlap each of thecontinuous bands 140. - At some point in the process, either the assembled
web shaped assemblies 130 may pass a device arranged to provide respectively thewider web 120 or the second pieces offilm material 20 with atearing line 150, such as a line of perforations extending through the material of either thewider web 120 or the second pieces offilm material 20 as well as that of thecontinuous bands 140 or thestrips bands 140 being cut in the cutting step. - By tearing a tearing
line 150 provided at the more narrow end of a trapezoidal shapedassembly 130, a superfluous portion 20c of thewider web 120, connected to the bottom portion 20b of the second piece offilm material 20 through thebottom edge 22 thereof, can be removed. Thereby, the only portions of thewider web 120 comprised by the second piece offilm material 20 are left to be the top portion 20a and bottom portion 20b as described, wherein, at thebottom edge 22, a portion 65 of astrip 60 of added material that is torn in removing the superfluous wider web portion 20c remains arranged on the second piece offilm material 20 in the form of the second strip 65 of added material. It is noted that this second strip 65 of added material can reinforce the seam between the first portion of film material 10 and the bottom portion 20b of the second piece offilm material 20 at the area of overlap between said second strip 65 of added material and said seam. - The invention has been described in the context of producing a packing means for wrapping flower bunches, potted plants or potted herbs. The invention may also be applicable however in other fields, for packing other types of products. Also, the described first portion of the intermediate product, which is to form the packing means, need not necessarily be shaped to form a sleeve, having an opening at the bottom. It may for instance also be shaped to form a bag, having a closed bottom, wherein the two layers of film material of the first portion may be connected by a seam extending along the bottom edge of the first portion.
- The tearing line comprises a perforation line. It is noted that the problem solved by the invention predominantly occurs with perforation lines, but one may also benefit from the invention with other types of tearing lines. For instance, a tearing line could be embodied in a portion of film material weakened by any type of means for the purpose of the film material to tear along that weak portion. This may also be a larger area, rather than be concentrated to a narrow line. The film material need not be weakened itself, as long neighbouring portions having arranged thereon a layer of added material have a larger resistance to tearing than the original material.
- Lastly, for sake of completeness, it is noted that the tearing resistance of a material is meant to be the capability of a material to withstand propagation of an already initiated tear or crack through the material. It is noted that tougher materials, showing a relatively large amount of stretch before failure, are better suited to prevent crack propagation, and therefore to perform well as an added material, than less tough materials. Also, film materials of non-oriented polymers are better suited than film materials of oriented polymers, as the latter promote tears to propagate in certain specific directions having relatively low resistance as compared to other directions.
- It will be clear that the advantages of the invention can be reached with the film material being in the form of plastic film, the added material itself preferably comprising a film material, the latter film material itself preferably being in the form of plastic film, the latter plastic film preferably being of a plastic type different than that of the first-mentioned plastic film. In principle, any of the mentioned film materials however may also be in a form different than that of plastic film, and either or both may for instance be formed as a paper sheet.
- It is furthermore noted that the invention can provide advantages not only in an automated packing process, but also in a manual packing process, in which the first portion and the second portion of the intermediate product are separated by means of tearing by hand.
Claims (13)
- Intermediate product (1) for producing a preferably sleeve- or bag-shaped packing means at least partially made of film material, comprising a second piece of film material (20) extending along a first portion (1a) and a second portion (1b) of the intermediate product, the second piece of film material (20) being provided with a tearing line (53) for separating the first portion (1a) and the second portion (1b) of the intermediate product (1) from each other, wherein the first portion (1a), once separated from the second portion (1b), forms the packing means, and the second portion (1b), while connected to the first portion (1a), forms a part to be attached to a carrier for carrying the intermediate product,
wherein the intermediate product (1) comprises a first piece of film material (10) that covers the second piece (20), the top edge (11) of the first piece (10) being located below the top edge (21) of the second piece (20), and the bottom edge (12) of the first piece (10) being located above the bottom edge (22) of the second piece (20), so as for the second piece (20) of film material to have a lip (25, 26) extending from under the first piece (10) at both the top end and the bottom end of the intermediate product (1),
wherein the top and bottom edges (11, 12) of the first piece of film material (10) respectively run in parallel with the top and bottom edges (21, 22) of the second piece (20), and leave a slit (33, 34) present between the first piece of film material (10) and the second piece (20) at the top and bottom edges (11, 12) of the first piece (10),
characterised in that the second piece of film material (20) is provided with a layer of added material (50) extending along the tearing line, the tearing line (53) comprising a perforation line positioned above the top edge (11) of the first piece of film material (10), extending through both the layer of added material (50) and the underlying second piece of film material (20). - Intermediate product according to claim 1, wherein the added material has a tearing resistance higher than that of the film material.
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the added material comprises a cast polymer.
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the added material comprises cast polypropylene (CPP).
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film material comprises an axially oriented polymer.
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film material comprises a bi-axially oriented polymer, preferably bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP).
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer of added material has a strip shape.
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer of added material extends on both sides of the tearing line, or comprises two separate parts extending on either side of the tearing line.
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer of added material covers a larger part of the second portion than of the first portion.
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion comprises two layers (10, 20b) connected to each other through a seam, the layer of added material at least partially overlapping said seam.
- Intermediate product according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer of added material is laminated, glued, or heat-sealed onto the film material.
- Method for manufacturing an intermediate product according to one of claims 1-11 for producing a preferably sleeve- or bag-shaped packing means at least partially made of film material, the method comprising the steps of:- providing a narrow first continuous web of film material (110), the first web (110) having a width corresponding with the height of the first piece of film material (10),- providing a wider second continuous web of film material (120), the second web (120) having a width corresponding with the height of the second piece of film material (20), and- aligning the two continuous webs of film material (110, 120) to form an overlapping continuous web assembly (110, 120),- applying a layer of added material (140) onto the wider web of film material (120), wherein the wider web (120) is provided with a continuous band (140) of added material arranged along each of the two edges of the web (120),- arranging a line of perforations (150) in an overlapping part of the wider web of film material (120) and the continuous band (140) of added material, and- providing the overlapping continuous web assembly (110, 120) with cuts (131) at acute, alternating angles at various longitudinal positions, so as for each time a trapezoidal shaped assembly (130) to be formed comprising a first piece of film material (10) formed from the first continuous web (110) and a second piece of film material (20) formed from the second continuous web (120).
- Method for packing a product, comprising the steps of:- providing an intermediate product according to one of claims 1 to 11,- packing the product into the first portion of the intermediate product, and- separating the first portion from the respective second portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/NL2014/000037 WO2016053084A1 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2014-09-30 | Intermediate product for producing a packing means, method for manufacturing same, packing means, and method for packing a product |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3102505A1 EP3102505A1 (en) | 2016-12-14 |
EP3102505B1 true EP3102505B1 (en) | 2017-11-29 |
Family
ID=52003026
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14806101.3A Active EP3102505B1 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2014-09-30 | Intermediate product for producing a packing means, method for manufacturing same, packing means, and method for packing a product |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3102505B1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK3102505T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016053084A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3424748A1 (en) * | 1984-07-05 | 1986-01-16 | LEMO M. Lehmacher & Sohn GmbH Maschinenfabrik, 5216 Niederkassel | Tear-off block from a multitude of carrier bags made of thermoplastic plastic film |
US20040112009A1 (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 2004-06-17 | Weder Donald E. | Method of covering a pot with a floral sleeve having a side-sealed bottom gusset |
US5974730A (en) * | 1998-10-08 | 1999-11-02 | Chien Sleeve Bag Company | Flower sleeves and manufacturing methods therefor |
NL1035578C2 (en) * | 2008-06-13 | 2009-12-15 | Dillewijn Group B V Van | Packaging sleeve for e.g. flower bouquet, includes lower portion next to length seam in bottom of sleeve which has same appearance as upper portion next to top of sleeve |
NL1039284C2 (en) * | 2012-01-06 | 2013-02-11 | Windt Verpakking B V V D | Assembly of a carrying device and a plurality of intermediate packaging members, carrying device, and method for packaging a product. |
-
2014
- 2014-09-30 EP EP14806101.3A patent/EP3102505B1/en active Active
- 2014-09-30 WO PCT/NL2014/000037 patent/WO2016053084A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-09-30 DK DK14806101.3T patent/DK3102505T3/en active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3102505A1 (en) | 2016-12-14 |
WO2016053084A1 (en) | 2016-04-07 |
DK3102505T3 (en) | 2018-02-12 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5409115A (en) | Tubular bag packaging, for bandage-like materials in particular | |
US20110019938A1 (en) | Paper shopper or bag and system for the production thereof | |
RU2576006C2 (en) | Package | |
MX2010006229A (en) | Packaging for ice cream cones. | |
US9180989B2 (en) | Food isolator with quick-release perforation | |
US10358260B2 (en) | Multipack container | |
EP3504126B1 (en) | Cone sleeve with tear strip opening | |
US4961301A (en) | Process and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of filter paper bags for infusions, provided with thread and tag | |
CN107416352B (en) | Film package and method for packaging a product in a film package | |
EP1919795B1 (en) | Box-shaped package having an inner and outer package | |
EP3102505B1 (en) | Intermediate product for producing a packing means, method for manufacturing same, packing means, and method for packing a product | |
US2987857A (en) | Method of producing infusion bags | |
US6286680B1 (en) | Pack of bags made of a thermoplastic foil and method for producing the pack of bags | |
WO2007148165A1 (en) | Pack for a pasty product and process for producing a pack | |
WO2018158656A1 (en) | A process and apparatus for manufacturing bags made of biodegradable material plastic and bag thus obtained | |
EP3782918B1 (en) | A packaging strap for strapping elongated items | |
EP2537669B1 (en) | Method of manufacturing a valve bag | |
US9004759B2 (en) | Floral sleeve with handle | |
US20090272481A1 (en) | Method and device for the production of film bags | |
EP1972432B1 (en) | Valve bag | |
US20140270582A1 (en) | Flexible package and process of making package | |
WO2004103841A1 (en) | Method for producing window packaging bags and products fabricated with the method | |
GB2192170A (en) | Separating stacked items | |
JP6496161B2 (en) | Paper container | |
US20180002092A1 (en) | Preformed bag made of flexible plastic material and methods for providing a preformed bag from a film made of flexible material with a rigid frame |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20160906 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20170206 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602014018017 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: B65D0085500000 Ipc: B65B0061180000 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65D 85/50 20060101ALI20170512BHEP Ipc: B65D 75/58 20060101ALI20170512BHEP Ipc: B65B 61/18 20060101AFI20170512BHEP Ipc: B65B 25/02 20060101ALI20170512BHEP |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20170720 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 950136 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20171215 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602014018017 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: FP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DK Ref legal event code: T3 Effective date: 20180206 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 950136 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20171129 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180228 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180301 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180228 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602014018017 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Payment date: 20180814 Year of fee payment: 6 Ref country code: LU Payment date: 20180925 Year of fee payment: 5 Ref country code: MC Payment date: 20180926 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20180830 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20180926 Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180930 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190930 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20140930 Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20171129 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171129 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190930 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190930 Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190930 Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20190930 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180329 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230731 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20230828 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230926 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230926 Year of fee payment: 10 Ref country code: DK Payment date: 20230927 Year of fee payment: 10 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230928 Year of fee payment: 10 Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20230828 Year of fee payment: 10 |