EP3246267B1 - Reclosable flexible tubular bag packaging and reclosing method for same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a resealable flexible tubular bag packaging according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a method for opening and in particular reclosing such a tubular bag packaging according to the preamble of patent claim 9.

Tubular bag packaging has been known for some time and is used, inter alia, for packaging liquid, pasty and / or pulverulent filling goods. These previously known tubular bag packages are usually made of a laminate which is connected together along its longitudinal and transverse edges so that a bag is formed with a receiving space for the contents. To open such tubular bag packaging is either an opening aid, usually in the form of a notch or an incision, and optionally provided a weakening line along which the tubular bag packaging can be torn. An alternative opening method is to use a pair of scissors or other cutting instrument. The problem with these previously known tubular bag packaging is, especially in view of the respective opening process, which leads to destruction of the tubular bag, the fact that such tubular bag packaging can not be resealed and thus after a single opening either completely emptied or discarded with a remaining residual content have to.

This problem was caused by the US 3,224,640 , respectively through the DE 90 17 419 U1 to the effect that local packaging has a channel-shaped outlet which is opened by tearing an outer edge of the packaging along a line of weakness and by kinking the package, respectively the channel-shaped outlet and then inserting a tab into a slot to fold back the tab to prevent it from being closed again.

A disadvantage of these known from the prior art packaging, however, is that the channel-shaped outlet having tab is inserted into a slot, but the tab is not secured against slipping out of the slot.

The invention has for its object to overcome the disadvantages described above and to provide a tubular bag packaging available, which is easy to open without the aid of tools as well as easy and safe to close again. Furthermore, the invention is also based on the object of offering a method for opening and in particular reclosing such a tubular bag packaging.

This object is achieved by a resealable flexible tubular bag packaging according to claim 1 and by a method for opening and in particular reclosing according to claim 9.

In particular, the object is achieved by a resealable flexible tubular bag packaging with a front and a rear wall, which are interconnected along their longitudinal and their transverse edges and define a receiving space for a liquid, pasty and / or powdery product, wherein the receiving space a channel-shaped outlet has, which is closed in the closed state of the packaging by an adhesive or sealing connection of a front wall portion with a rear wall portion and the package after opening by means of a positive connection is resealable. It should be mentioned that the reclosable flexible tubular bag packaging according to the invention does not necessarily have to be rectangular in shape, but that the terms "longitudinal edges" and "transverse borders" also apply mutatis mutandis to trapezoidal, round, oval and other square shaped and irregularly shaped tubular bag packaging forms, the closed on all sides.

An essential point of the invention is that the tubular bag packaging according to the invention is made of a flexible material that can be bent, so that the tubular bag can be bent so that the channel-shaped outlet and / or the receiving space along a crease line undergoes a constriction, through which the filler can not pass substantially in the context of normal use. This kinked state of the tubular bag packaging can be fixed according to the invention. Such a fixation is realized according to the invention by means of a positive connection, wherein the kinked part of the tubular bag packaging is attached to the non-kinked part of the tubular bag packaging. As has been found according to the invention, at this point a form-fitting connection is particularly suitable to realize such a fixation of the bent part of the tubular bag packaging on the non-folded part of the tubular bag packaging, since in this way on aids, such as adhesive, an adhesive tape or brackets omitted can be. Advantageously, it is thus possible to use the tubular bag packaging according to the invention at any time as needed, without having to take into account a possibly not immediately removed contents, which should remain in the tubular bag packaging according to the invention for later use.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the tubular bag packaging according to the invention has at the side of the channel-shaped outlet at least one outer edge an opening aid, for example in the form of an incision or a notch, which merges into a formed in the front and / or rear wall weakening line for opening the packaging , Such a weakening line may be in the form of an embossing, a perforation or another known measure which is suitable for causing a tear through a film.

According to the invention, the weakening line adjoins the channel-shaped outlet without, however, granting access to the channel-shaped outlet or to the receiving space of the tubular bag packaging according to the invention as long as the tubular bag is not opened.

According to the invention, the weakening line is formed on both sides of the channel-shaped outlet, wherein the weakening line is preferably arranged mirror-inverted to the channel-shaped outlet. Thus, the weakening line abuts the channel-shaped outlet on both sides and extends from an outer edge of the package, or opening aid located at the outer edge of the package, in an imaginary line across the channel-shaped outlet substantially to the opposite outer edge of the package In this case, an edge portion of the tubular bag packaging, which in the course of an opening operation of the tubular bag packaging, preferably completely, is separated.

According to the invention, the line of weakness has a dovetailed shape defining two dovetail ends and a dovetail constriction. In frontal view, this dovetail-shaped course of the weakening line is thus substantially Z-shaped on the right-side of the channel-shaped outlet and substantially S-shaped on the left-hand side of the channel-shaped outlet, the Z-shape and the S-shape. Shape are mirror images of each other. The left dovetail end in frontal view is here formed by the upper left curve of the S-shape and the right frontal view right dovetail end by the right upper curve of the Z-shape. The distance between the lower right curve of the S-shape and the lower left curve of the Z-shape define the length of the dovetail constriction, which is visualized by the distance of the shortest distance of the two curves.

An opening of the packaging is inventively possible in that the aforementioned edge portion of the tubular bag packaging is separated from the packaging beginning at the opening aid and in continuation along the weakening line. In the course of this separation, the opening of the tubular bag package according to the invention extends from the opening aid along the line of weakness to the edge of the channel-shaped outlet and then across this channel-shaped outlet to the opposite line of weakness adjacent the channel-shaped outlet and then along this line of weakness to the opposite outer edge of the channel Packaging.

Due to the fact that the opening of the tubular bag packaging according to the invention takes place beyond the channel-shaped outlet, causes the previously closed channel-shaped outlet is torn open and now contents can be discharged through the channel-shaped outlet to the outside.

The fact that the line of weakness, as defined by two dovetail ends and a dovetail constriction, has a dovetailed shape, causes the severed edge portion to have a dovetail-shaped in negative form and to leave a dovetail-shaped reclosing portion on the tubular bag package according to the invention.

The tubular bag packaging according to the invention has a substantially parallel to the dovetail constriction, in a, the channel-shaped outlet opposite edge portion of the package, through the route is defined by the shortest distance of the two curves described above, extending transverse slot, which has substantially the same longitudinal extent as the dovetail constriction, respectively, the distance of the smallest distance between the lower right curve of the S-shape and the lower left curve of the Z-shape.

An inventive positive resealing the previously opened tubular bag packaging is thus possible that the tubular bag packaging is bent over a crease line, so that the dovetailed reclosing section has after buckling in the direction of the transverse slot and can be pushed through the transverse slot. During the process of passing the reclosing section through the transverse slot, the dovetail ends, which have a greater transverse extent or width than the dovetail constriction, are pushed sideways or inwardly so that the reclosure section slides through the transverse slot. Upon completion of passing the reclosure section through the transverse slot, the dovetail ends deploy according to their original orientation and block the reclosure section from slipping back out of the transverse slot. In this state, the tubular bag packaging according to the invention is again at least closed so far that in normal use leakage of contents does not take place and the tubular bag packaging according to the invention is closed to an open state.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the package in a, opposite the channel-shaped outlet edge portion of the package or in a region between the weakening line and the receiving space on both sides at least one each substantially perpendicular to the dovetail narrowing, as the distance of the smallest distance between is defined in the lower right curve of the S-shape and the lower-left curve of the Z-shape, extending longitudinal slot whose length corresponds to substantially the largest width of the dovetail ends.

In this embodiment of the invention, not the complete re-closure section is guided through the respective longitudinal slots, but only the respective dovetail ends associated with the respective link slots. For this purpose, the respective dovetail ends are bent slightly before insertion into the respective associated longitudinal slots, inserted into the respective longitudinal slot and then stretched again, wherein the respective Dovetail due to the elastic material from which they are made according to the invention, automatically return to their original form, namely dovetail shape, assume.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the packaging is made of a laminate, in particular of an aluminum laminate or a metallized laminate. It should be mentioned at this point that other materials, such as paper or cardboard and sheet metal can be used in principle for the production of the packaging according to the invention, but are not preferred materials.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the laminate is formed in two layers, wherein a layer of a metallized polyethylene terephthalate film with a layer thickness in the range of 8 .mu.m to 25 .mu.m, preferably in the range of 10 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and more preferably in the range of 12 .mu.m to 15 microns and the other layer of a polyethylene film with a layer thickness in the range of 8 microns to 100 microns, preferably in the range of 10 microns to 80 microns and more preferably in the range of 20 microns to 65 microns, there is.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the laminate is formed in three layers, wherein an outer layer of a metallized polyethylene terephthalate film having a layer thickness in the range of 7 .mu.m to 25 .mu.m, preferably in the range of 10 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m and more preferably in the range of 12 .mu.m to 15 microns, the middle layer of an aluminum foil with a layer thickness in the range of 4 microns to 22 microns, preferably in the range of 6 microns to 18 microns and more preferably in the range of 7 microns to 15 microns and the other outer layer of a polyethylene film with a layer thickness in the range of 8 microns to 100 microns, preferably in the range of 10 microns to 80 microns and more preferably in the range of 25 microns to 65 microns, there is.

• Öffnen der Verpackung (10) durch Einreißen der Verpackung (10) entlang der Schwächungslinie (110); und
• Abtrennen des an die Schwächungslinie (110) angrenzenden Randabschnitts (130) der Verpackung (10) unter Freilegung eines schwalbenschwanzförmigen Wiederverschlussabschnitts (160) der Verpackung;
• optionales Entnehmen von Füllgut;
• Wiederverschließen der Verpackung (10) durch Knicken der Verpackung (10); und
• Einführen des schwalbenschwanzförmigen Wiederverschlussabschnitts (160) in den sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Schwalbenschwanzverengung (128) erstreckenden Querschlitz (140) der Verpackung (10), oder
• Einführen der Schwalbenschwanzenden (121, 122) in die sich beidseitig und im Wesentlichen rechtwinklig zu der Schwalbenschwanzverengung (128) erstreckenden Längsschlitze (150) der Verpackung (10).

Furthermore, the invention is also achieved by a method for opening and in particular reclosing a tubular bag packaging according to the above, the method comprising the following steps:

• Opening the package (10) by tearing the package (10) along the line of weakness (110); and
• Severing the edge portion (130) of the package (10) adjacent to the line of weakness (110) exposing a dovetail reclosing portion (160) of the package;
• optional removal of contents;
• Resealing the package (10) by buckling the package (10); and
• Inserting the dovetail reclosing portion (160) into the transverse slot (140) of the package (10) extending substantially parallel to the dovetail throat (128), or
• Inserting the dovetail ends (121, 122) into the longitudinal slots (150) of the package (10) extending on both sides and substantially perpendicular to the dovetail constriction (128).

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Schlauchbeutelverpackung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung in frontaler Aufsicht;

Fig. 2 bis Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung des Öffnungs- und Wiederverschlussverhaltens der erfindungsgemäßen Schlauchbeutelverpackung gemäß Fig. 1; und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Schlauchbeutelverpackung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung in frontaler Aufsicht.

The invention will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a tubular bag packaging according to a first embodiment of the invention in frontal view;

Fig. 2 to Fig. 5

a schematic representation of the opening and reclosure behavior of the tubular bag packaging according to the invention Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a tubular bag packaging according to a second embodiment of the invention in frontal view.

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for identical and equivalent parts.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a tubular bag 10 according to the invention according to a first embodiment in a frontal view, wherein the tubular bag 10 has a front wall 20 and a rear wall 30 ver along their longitudinal edges 40 and their transverse edges 50 ver are bound and define a receiving space 60 which is suitable for receiving liquid, pasty and / or powdery filling material. The receiving space 60 opens at his according Fig. 1 upper end in a channel-shaped outlet, which is closed in the closed state of the packaging by an adhesive or sealing connection of a front wall portion 25 with a rear wall portion 35.

The tubular bag packaging 10 according to the invention Fig. 1 has at its outer edge in 90 opening aid 100, which opens into a line of weakness 110. The weakening line 110 extends with a dovetail-shaped profile 120, which on the in Fig. 1 shown in approximately a Z-shape, up to the channel-shaped outlet 70 and sits on the other side of the channel-shaped outlet 70, ie on the in Fig. 1 shown left side of the tubular bag packaging 10 according to the invention to the other outer edge 90 of the package 10 away.

On the channel-shaped outlet 70 opposite side of the tubular bag 10, ie in accordance with Fig. 1 Lower portion of the package 10, an edge portion 135 opposite the upper edge portion 130 is disposed, in which a transverse slot 140 is formed.

As from the figures Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 as well as out Fig. 1 is recognizable, an opening of the tubular bag packaging 10 according to the invention is effected in that the upper edge portion 130 is separated from the remaining part of the tubular bag packaging 10, starting from the notch 70 arranged on the outer edge 90 along the weakening line 110. In this case, according to the dovetail-shaped profile 120 of the weakening line 110, a dovetail-shaped reclosing section 160 is formed, which is located on the in Fig. 1 left side of the channel-like outlet S-shaped and on the in Fig. 1 right side of the channel-like outlet Z-shaped. The Z-shape and the S-shape are in this case mirror images of each other. The left dovetail 121 in frontal view is here formed by the left upper curve of the S-shape and the right frontal plan view dovetail 122 by the right upper curve of the Z-shape. The distance between the lower right curve of the S-shape and the lower left curve of the Z-shape here defines the length of the dovetail constriction 128, namely the distance of the shortest distance of the two designated curves.

The opening process of the tubular bag packaging 10 according to the invention takes place along the opening direction 170, as in FIG Fig. 2 is shown. In the course of this opening operation, the edge portion 130 is completely separated from the tubular bag packaging 10, wherein the channel-shaped outlet 70 is opened, so that filling material can be removed from the tubular bag packaging 10 according to the invention.

In Fig. 3 FIG. 3 shows how a partially emptied package 10 is bent over a crease 190 such that the reclosure portion 160 having a dovetail 120 is moved toward the transverse slot 140 and, as in the following Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shown, is inserted through this transverse slot 140, where the dovetail ends 121, 122 at the back of the slot, ie on the rear wall 30 of the tubular bag packaging 10 engage. The guide of the reclosing portion 160 in this case follows the closing direction 180, which in the FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is shown vividly by the thick arrow shown there.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a tubular bag packaging 10 according to the invention, wherein the embodiment according to Fig. 6 from the embodiment according to Fig. 4 in that it does not have a transverse slot 140, but instead has two pairs of opposed longitudinal slots 150 on the side of the crease line 190 opposite the outlet end of the channel-shaped outlet 70. A pair of these longitudinal slots is in this case immediately adjacent to the bending line 190 in the upper part of in Fig. 6 illustrated tubular bag 10 is formed. Another pair of these longitudinal slots is also in the lower part of in Fig. 6 shown tubular bag 10, namely in the edge portion 135, formed. A reclosure of the in Fig. 6 illustrated tubular pouch 10 is thereby possible that the tubular pouch packaging shown there is first opened according to the above statements, with a dovetail-shaped extending re-closure portion 120, 160 remains on the tubular pouch packaging. This dovetail-shaped reclosing section 160 has a left dovetail end 121 and a right dovetail end 122, which can be inserted into the respective associated longitudinal slots 150 via the bent edge 190 after buckling of this reclosing section 160 and latch there, thereby resealing the tubular bag packaging according to the invention is that the channel-shaped outlet 70 kinked and thus impermeable to filling.

Furthermore, the two dovetail ends 121 and 122 can also be inserted into the respective longitudinal slots 150, which are arranged in the edge section 135, and latched there. For this purpose, the tubular bag packaging via a corresponding to the in Fig. 1 illustrated bend line 190 (in Fig. 6 not shown) folded. This alternative closure technique according to Fig. 6 is indicated by the closure directional arrows 180 'which characterize this alternative closure direction.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

packaging

20

front wall

25

Front wall section

30

rear wall

35

Rear wall portion

40

longitudinal edge

50

cross-border

60

accommodation space

70

channel-shaped outlet

80

Adhesive or sealing compound

90

outer edge

100

opening aid

110

weakening line

120

dovetailed course

121

dovetail end

122

dovetail end

128

dovetail narrowing

130

edge section

135

opposite edge section

140

transverse slot

150

longitudinal slot

160

Reclosure section

170

opening direction

180

closing direction

180 '

alternative closure option / direction

190

fold line

Claims (9)

1. Re-sealable flexible tubular bag packaging (10) with a front wall (20) and a rear wall (30), which are connected to one another along their longitudinal edges (40) and their transverse edges (50) and define a reservoir portion (60) for a liquid, pasty and/or powdery filling material, the reservoir portion (60) having a channel-shaped outlet (70), which, in the closed state of the packaging (10), is closed by an adhesive or sealing connection (80) of a front wall portion (25) to a rear wall portion (35), and the packaging is re-sealable after opening by means of a form-fit connection, and wherein an opening aid (100) in the form of an incision or a notch is provided laterally of the channel-shaped outlet (70) on at least one outer edge (90) of the packaging (10), which merges into a weakening line (110) formed in the front wall (20) and/or the rear wall (30) for opening the packaging (10),
   characterized in that
   the weakening line (110) has a dovetail-shaped course (120) under definition of two dovetail ends (121, 122) and a dovetail constriction (128), the packaging (10) having in an edge portion (135) of the packaging (10) opposite the channel-shaped outlet (70) a transverse slot (140) extending substantially parallel to the dovetail constriction (128) and having substantially the same longitudinal extent as the dovetail constriction (128),
   or having in an edge portion (135) of the packaging (10) located opposite the channel-shaped outlet (70) or in a region between the weakening line (110) and the reservoir portion (60) on both sides at least one longitudinal slot (150) each extending substantially at right angles to the dovetail constriction (128), its length corresponding essentially to the maximum width of the dovetail ends (121, 122),
   so that the packaging (10) is re-sealable after opening by tearing along the weakening line (110) by folding the packaging (10) and either inserting the dovetail-shaped resealing portion (160) into the transverse slot (140) of the packaging (10) extending substantially parallel to the dovetail constriction (128), or inserting the dovetail ends (121, 122) into the longitudinal slots (150) of the packaging (10) extending on both sides and substantially at right angles to the dovetail constriction (128).
2. Tubular bag packaging according to claim 1,
   characterized in that,
   the weakening line (110) is adjacent to the channel-shaped outlet (70).
3. Tubular bag packaging according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the weakening line (110) is formed on both sides of the channel-shaped outlet (70), preferablay inversely to the channel-shaped outlet (70).
4. Tubular bag packaging according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the weakening line (110) extends from an outer edge (90) of the packaging (10) in imaginary line via the channel-shaped outlet (70) substantially to the opposite outer edge (90) of the packaging (10).
5. Tubular bag packaging according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the packaging can be opened (10) by detaching an edge portion (130) of the packaging adjacent to the weakening line (110.
6. Tubular bag packaging according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the packaging (10) is made of a laminate, in particular an aluminium laminate or a metallized laminate.
7. Tubular bag packaging according to claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the laminate is two-layered, one layer consisting of a metallized polyethylene terephthalate film with a layer thickness in the range from 8 µm to 25 µm, preferably in the range from 10 µm to 20 µm and more preferably in the range of 12 µm to 15 µm and the other layer consisting of a polyethylene film having a layer thickness in the range from 8 µm to 100 µm, preferably in the range from 10 µm to 80 µm and more preferably in the range from 20 µm to 65 µm.
8. Tubular bag packaging according to claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the laminate is three-ply, the outer layer consisting of a metallized polyethylene terephthalate film having a ply thickness in the range of 7 µm to 25 µm, preferably in the range of 10 µm to 20 µm and more preferably in the range of 12 µm to 15 µm, the middle layer consisting of an aluminum foil layer thickness of 4 µm to 22 µm, preferably in the range of 6 µm to 18 µm and more preferably in the range of 7 µm to 15 µm and the outer layer consisting of a polyethylene film having a layer thickness in the range from 8 µm to 100 µm, preferably in the range from 10 µm to 80 µm and more preferably in the range from 25 µm to 65 µm
9. Method for opening and in particular re-sealing a tubular bag packaging according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized by
   the following steps:

   - opening the package (10) by tearing the packaging (10) along the weakening line (110); and

   - detaching the edge portion (130) of the packaging (10) adjacent to the weakening line (110) by uncovering a dovetail-shaped resealing portion (160) of the packaging;

   - optional removal of filling material;

   - Resealing of the packaging (10) by folding the packaging (10); and

   - inserting the dovetail-shaped resealing portion (160) into the transverse slot (140) of the package extending substantially parallel to the dovetail constriction (128) (10), or

   - inserting the dovetail ends (121, 122) into the longitudinal slots (150) of the packaging (10) extending on both sides and substantially at right angles to the dovetail constriction (128).

Images