EP3643635B1 - Unfilled and unsealed side gusseted packaging bag - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag.

The unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag has two front walls, two side gussets arranged between the front walls and connecting the front walls, and a standing base, usually designed as a bottom gusset, which is arranged between the front walls and is connected at its edges to the front walls and the side gussets by heat-sealed seams.

A stand-up base that is present as a bottom fold in a flat, unfilled, unsealed side-gusset packaging bag is completely flat in the case of a filled bag - apart from a central crease line and rectangular sealing seams all around, and can ensure very good stability.

Different designs of film packaging, which differ significantly in their production, are known from practice.

It is usually the case that, on the one hand, the production of a bag film to form a film bag and the packaging of the products and goods to be received, on the other hand, are carried out by different companies at different locations.

According to a first approach that is widespread in practice, the film bag is formed directly during the packaging process, with a prefabricated one for this purpose Foil is fed. Such an integrated process is also known in practice as an FFS process (form-fill-seal process). With such an FFS process, a system for forming the foil pouch must be available, operated and maintained directly at the company that fills the products.

The present invention, on the other hand, relates to an alternative concept in which unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bags are initially manufactured and provided by a corresponding specialized manufacturer, so that customers of such unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bags only have to fill in the desired product and close the side gusset packaging bag. There is the advantage that very simple devices such as a filling funnel and a simple heat sealing system are sufficient.

Corresponding unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bags can be formed in different ways, with reclosing devices and other functional elements also being able to be integrated.

For example, side-gusset packaging bags can be manufactured from a continuous web of material one after the other by folding and heat-sealing, so that the production direction of the bags then corresponds to the course of the side gussets and thus also a longitudinal direction of the bag. Such a manufacturing process is also referred to as a "longitudinal process". Since only one material web is supplied for the front walls and the side gussets and is formed into a side gusset tube by suitable folding devices, the process is relatively simple.

In the EP 3 023 350 A1 is a corresponding longitudinal process ( Fig. 4 ) as well as a resulting, unsealed side gusset bag ( Fig. 3 ) described. During the manufacturing process, a pouch head can be heat-sealed in the desired manner and provided with a head seal which, together with a suitable material punch, forms beveled and / or rounded pouch corners on the pouch head. By creating a corresponding head seal, the front walls are connected to one another, with a reclosure being able to be arranged on the bag head or directly below the bag head. Such an unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag can then be filled on the underside (FIG. 5a). The filled side gusset packaging bag is then sealed with a seal ( Fig. 4 ) closed, with the sealing seam in the middle of the underside of the filled gusseted packaging bag ( Fig. 1 ).

Comparable side gusset packaging bags are also from the US 7 210 848 B2 and the DE 103 40 099 A1 known.

In the case of the side-gusset packaging bags described, which are formed in a classic longitudinal process, the disadvantage of relatively poor stability results from the closure seam in the center on the underside.

In order to achieve a gusset packaging bag with improved stability and an even better dimensional stability, a stand-up base is provided in the generic gusset packaging bag according to the preamble of claim 1, which is arranged between the front walls and connected at its edges to the front walls and the side gussets by heat-sealed seams. Such a standing base is usually formed by a separately supplied bottom fold, which is then added to is sealed in the manufacturing process. In the filled state, the bottom fold then folds out and forms an essentially flat surface, with the circumferential sealing seams additionally achieving particularly advantageous stabilization starting from the rectangular shape of the standing base in the erected state.

A side gusset packaging bag of the generic type is from the EP 1 541 332 B1 known. The production of the successive side gusset packaging bags takes place perpendicular to the course of the side gussets, so that such a method is also referred to as a "transverse method".

Another generic side-gusset packaging bag formed in a transverse process is from the EP 2 857 323 A1 known. As in the previous one EP 1 541 332 B1 described, a transverse method has the advantage that there the side gussets running along a longitudinal side of the gusset packaging bag can be shortened compared to the front walls, so that a reclosure can then be arranged above the gusset in a particularly simple manner.

In addition, it is possible to form a standing floor by means of a separate floor fold, even with a longitudinal movement. For this purpose, the EP 3 246 266 A1 , EP 3 023 356 B1 and DE 10 2008 021 505 A1 referenced, which each also disclose generic, prefabricated, unfilled and unsealed side gusset packaging bags.

In the case of the generic unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag with a stand-up base, the filling usually takes place at the bag head, for which purpose there are no seals. It is important to ensure that handling is as simple as possible in the bottling plants it is asked for. After the gusset packaging bag has been filled - usually by means of a filling funnel - a tight seal is made by at least one simple transverse sealing seam. As explained above, it should be noted that the simplest and most reliable process steps possible are desired during filling.

From the JP2000335595 A An unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag is known in which a bag head has a corner seal in each case in the area of the bag corners, the front walls being unconnected between the corner seals of the two bag corners to form a filling opening.

From the JP2015182769 A a side-gusset packaging bag with rounded corners is known, in which the side gussets extend from the bottom to the top of the bag.

The different types of bags have proven themselves in practice and have specific advantages and disadvantages.

Proceeding from a gusseted packaging bag of the generic type, the present invention is based on the object of improving the visual appearance and comfort for a user without impairing stability and without making filling and closing more difficult.

The subject of the invention and the solution to the problem is an unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag according to patent claim 1. Based on a generic unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag, the invention provides that beveled and / or rounded corners are provided on a bag head opposite the stand base, that the bag head has corner seals in the area of the bag corners and that the front walls are unconnected between the corner seals to form a filling opening are.

The beveled and / or rounded corners of the bag result in a particularly high-quality appearance of the side gusset packaging bag. This applies in particular if the side-gusset packaging bag has a handle on the bag head, which can be formed, for example, in the unconnected area of the front walls by a material separation. Such a material separation can consist of an incision, a punching or a punching out.

The beveled and / or rounded corners of the bag also result in greater comfort for the user, because sharp corners can be avoided. For example, the risk of "getting stuck" on other objects when carrying the gusseted packaging bag or during further handling is also reduced.

According to the present invention, different sealing steps are provided on the bag head, which are usually carried out at different locations and with different systems. The invention is based on the knowledge that in the production of unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bags (premade bags) for subsequent filling, even complicated structures and process steps can easily be carried out by specialized manufacturers. So can the corner seals are formed, which are adapted to the beveled and / or rounded corners of the bag.

For this purpose, either the contour of the bevel or rounding has to be traced or a comparatively large area has to be sealed with a correspondingly high energy input before the bag corners are then produced in the desired shape by punching or trimming.

Correspondingly complex measures are not desired in a filling plant in the case of a prefabricated, unfilled and unsealed side gusset packaging bag. The corner seals thus produce comparatively complicated and specially adapted sealing structures, the filling opening still remaining between the corner seals, into which, for example, a filling funnel can be inserted.

So while the corner seals are prefabricated as relatively complicated and demanding structures, a closure can be made by at least one simple transverse sealing seam after filling.

If, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a handle is cut, punched out or punched in on the bag head, a transverse sealing seam is expediently produced above and a further transverse sealing seam below the carrying handle. Even then, however, simple production is possible because only straight connecting seams have to be produced.

The unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag can in principle be used in a transverse process or in a modified longitudinal process can be generated, in which the bottom fold is arranged and attached as a standing bottom in a separate process step.

In order to enable the simplest possible production - regardless of the specific method used - it is provided according to the invention that the side folds extend up to the bag head and are there connected to the front walls by the corner seals.

In this context, it is preferably also provided to fix the side gussets on the bag head in the folded state so that they do not gape there when the side gusset packaging bag is filled. A fixation is possible, for example, by adhesive or circular punchings in the side folds that are initially folded on themselves, the two front walls then being locally connected to one another during the sealing process and in particular when the corner seal is produced, and thus also the associated side folds fix.

According to the invention, the corner seals each have a first, optionally curved, leg along the contour of the associated beveled and / or rounded corner of the bag, a second leg adjoining below the first leg and extending in a transverse direction of the bag. In a plan view of the flat gusseted packaging bag, the facing ends of the first leg on the one hand and the second leg on the other hand can then be connected by straight transverse sealing seams, so that a tight seal and, if necessary, the impression of a uniform, circumferential sealing seam results.

As already described above, an optionally provided handle can be arranged between the ends of the first legs and the ends of the second legs with respect to a longitudinal direction of the bag.

The side gusset packaging bag can be equipped with further functional elements within the scope of the invention. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a reclosure is arranged on one of the front walls. The reclosure can extend to the longitudinal sealing seams at which the side folds are connected to the front walls. Alternatively, such a reclosure can also end in front of the side edges of the front walls.

Apart from the optional integration of the reclosure into the lateral longitudinal sealing seams, it is arranged exclusively on one of the two front walls, so that the initially unfilled, unsealed side gusset bag can easily be filled past the reclosure. The reclosure can, for example, have two closure strips each with a latching section and a connecting lug, the latching sections being able to be actuated either by hand or with a slide in the manner of a zipper.

In order to enable particularly simple handling of the bag according to the invention after filling, the reclosure can be arranged below and at a distance from the corner seals. This ensures that only the two opposite front walls and the adjoining areas of the side folds need to be sealed to one another when producing transverse sealing seams for closing the gusset packaging bag at the level of the corner seals. A sufficient distance between the reclosure and the corner seals leads to also to the fact that these conditions are given even in the case of production inaccuracies during the production of the transverse sealing seams.

In comparison to a side gusset packaging bag which is completely unsealed on its upper side, a smaller filling opening results within the scope of the invention. In order nevertheless to enable good handling and quick filling, a preferred development of the invention provides that the corner seals along the transverse direction of the bag do not extend beyond the side folds inserted between the front walls. For example, the corner seals can extend over 50% to 90% of the width of the side folds that are folded onto themselves. In the direction of the filling opening, at least a partial area of the side folds is then still unconnected, so that a comparatively large filling opening can still be formed there.

With this in mind, the gussets should also be of a suitable size. In particular, it can be provided that the side folds inserted between the front walls extend in a flat state along the transverse direction of the bag over 15% to 30% of a width of the front walls, so that then the distance between the side folds is between 40% and 70% of the width of the Front walls.

In the case of the specified parameters, it must be taken into account that they relate to the side gussets that are folded onto themselves, whereby when the gusset packaging bag is set up a correspondingly greater depth results from the unfolding of the gussets.

There are various design options for the shape of the bag corners. Sharp-edged, right-angled corners can be achieved by a simple Bevelling and an arc in the form of a radius can be avoided. However, geometries which are composed of several roundings and / or bevels are preferred. The bag corners can, for example, be rounded in an S-shape. Particularly preferably, a first convex curve is then produced starting from the upper edge of the bag and then a concave curve up to the side edge of the bag.

The bevel and / or rounding at the bag corners preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the bag over a length and in the transverse direction of the bag over a width of between 1 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 8 cm.

Typical filling goods for which the gusset packaging bag is suitable are, for example, pelleted pet food, cat litter, powdery or granular construction products, pourable food or the like. Especially when the gusset packaging bag is provided with a reclosure according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, partial quantities of the filling material can also be removed, the remaining filling material then being protected by the reclosure.

In order to form the heat-sealed seams on the edges of the standing base, the longitudinal sealed seams, the corner seals and subsequently the transverse seals by heat-sealing, the gusset-type packaging bag is made from a correspondingly heat-sealable material. A multilayer film is usually used, the film being one on the inside of the bag has a heat-sealable layer, in particular based on polyolefin, and an outer layer on the outside of the bag.

The sealing layer is expediently well heat-sealable in order to be able to form and close the gusset packaging bag by heat sealing. In addition to polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyolefin copolymers, various biodegradable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) can be considered as heat-sealable materials.

Compared to the sealing layer, the outer layer is less heat-sealable, for which purpose the outer layer can have a higher melting or softening temperature. When the bag film is heat-sealed, it is then achieved that the sealing layer is indeed melted - possibly through the outer layers - without the outer layer being excessively deformed or losing its structure. The outer layer can in particular be formed from polyester, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), such an outer layer usually being oriented. Further suitable materials for the outer layer are, for example, polyamide, polypropylene or polylactic acid, these materials also preferably having an orientation brought about by stretching which leads to a reduction in the tendency to melt when heat-sealed.

The multilayered bag film is preferably laminated with an adhesive. In addition to the sealing layer and the outer layer, further layers can also be provided, for example in order to increase the barrier effect. A film layer made of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, for example, can serve as a barrier (EVOH), a thin metal foil or a metallized foil layer can be provided.

The thickness of the front walls, the gussets and the base is usually between 60 μm and 200 μm, preferably between 70 μm and 170 μm. For example, a bag film can be provided which has an outer layer made of PET, a metallized intermediate layer made of PET and a sealing layer made of PE. The thickness of the two PET layers can be, for example, 12 μm and the thickness of the sealing layer 140 μm. Within the scope of the configuration described, all three layers can each be formed as a single film and connected by a laminating adhesive. This is particularly advantageous when an imprint is to be produced between the two PET layers. Starting from the outer layer, because of the metallization, an imprint arranged further inside at the transition to the sealing layer is not possible.

The filling space preferably has a volume between 4 l and 20 l, the filling weight depending on the density of the filling material. In the case of pelleted pet food, the filling weight can be between 2.5 kg and 10 kg, for example. Similar volumes and weights also result for foods such as rice.

Of course, the gusseted packaging bag can also be provided for larger or smaller containers.

The invention is explained below with the aid of a drawing that shows only one exemplary embodiment.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag according to the invention,

Figure 2A

the exemplary illustration of the filling process of the initially unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag according to FIG Fig. 1 ,

Figure 2B

the closure of the according to Figure 2A filled side gusset packaging bag,

Fig. 3

the filled side gusset packaging bag in a perspective view,

Fig. 4

a section through a bag head of the gusset packaging bag according to FIG Fig. 3 .

The Fig. 1 shows an unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag in a laid-flat state. In the flat state shown, the gusset bag is pre-produced and made available for subsequent filling - usually in another plant.

The correspondingly prefabricated gusset packaging bag has two front walls 1 and two side gussets 2, which are arranged between the front walls 1 and connect the front walls 1 to one another. A stand base 3 is formed by a floor fold initially arranged between the front walls 1, the stand base 3 at its edges by heat-sealed seams 4 (cf. Fig. 3 ) is connected to the front walls 1 and the gussets 2.

The side gussets 2 inserted between the front walls 1 extend in the flat state shown along a bag transverse direction q over 15% to 30% of a width b of the front walls determined along the bag transverse direction q.

On a bag head 5 opposite the stand base 3, bag corners 6 rounded in an S-shape are provided, which can be formed, for example, by punching or trimming. The side folds 2 extend along a longitudinal direction I over the entire length or height of the front walls 1, so that the side folds 2 together with the front walls 1 are also cut or punched in the desired manner according to the course of the bag corners 6.

The bag head 5 has corner seals 7 in the area of the bag corners 6, which are approximately V-shaped. The corner seals 7 comprise a first leg 8 which runs along the contour of the S-shaped corner 6 of the bag. Starting from an upper edge of the bag 9, a second leg 10 of the corner seal 7 adjoins below the first leg 8, the second leg 10 running along the transverse direction q.

Between the facing ends of the first legs 8 and the second legs 10 of the two corner seals 7 there remains an area in which the two front walls 1 form a filling opening 11 (see FIG Figure 2A ) are disconnected.

In the embodiment shown, the corner seals 7 do not extend beyond the side folds 2 along the transverse direction q. The corner seals 7 can each extend, for example, over 50% to 90% of the width of the inserted gussets 2. If then for a filling on If the upper edge of the bag 9, the two front walls 1 are moved away from each other, then the unconnected part of the side gussets 2 can spread open and thus still reveal a relatively large filling opening 11 despite the corner seals 7.

In order to prevent the side gussets 2 on the bag head 5 from opening open later in the filled gusset packaging bags, the gussets 2 are fixed there in the folded-in state by connection points 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, a handle 13 is formed by an incision or a punch, the handle 13 being located between the ends of the first legs 8 on the one hand and the ends of the second legs 10 on the other hand in relation to the longitudinal direction I. So if - as explained below - simple transverse sealing seams 14 are produced at the level of the ends (cf. Fig. 3 ), the handle 13 is located between the transverse sealing seams 14, seen in the longitudinal direction I.

In the Fig. 1 Finally, a reclosure 15 is also shown, which is fastened with fastening seams 16 to the in the Fig. 1 front front wall 1 is attached. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the reclosure 15 comprises a slide 17 with which the latching sections 18 of the reclosure 15 can be separated and connected.

Before it is opened for the first time, the slide 17 is located in an opening 19 of the associated front wall 1, and a section of the front wall 1 adjoining it can be torn out along a line of weakness 20. The line of weakness 20 can be formed by a perforation, a punching or, particularly preferably, by means of a laser.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fastening seams 16 of the reclosure 15 extend as far as the longitudinal sealing seams 21 at which the gussets 2 are connected to the front walls 1.

The Figure 2A shows the initially unfilled, unsealed side gusset packaging bag according to FIG Fig. 1 during a filling process, a filling funnel 22 being inserted into the filling opening 11. Since the corner seals 7, which are comparatively complicated in their shape, are already present in the prefabricated gusset packaging bag, according to the in FIG Figure 2A The illustrated filling process of the gusseted packaging bags are closed in a manner known per se by simple, straight transverse sealing seams 14, the transverse sealing seams 14 connecting the corner seals 7 to one another.

In the illustrated embodiment, one transverse sealing seam 14 is produced above and below the handle 13 for each gusset packaging bag. Since the transverse sealing seams 14 extend as far as the corner seals 7, a closed frame is thus formed around the carrying handle 13, a tight closure of the filled gusset packaging bag is also ensured. According to the Figure 2B conventional, straight heat-sealing jaws 23 are shown schematically.

The Fig. 3 finally shows the filled side gusset packaging bag in a perspective view.

A preferred embodiment of the reclosure 15 is shown in FIG Fig. 4 shown. The reclosure 15 with a slide 17 that acts on the latching sections 18 can be seen. A connecting lug 24 adjoins the latching sections 18, starting from the associated front wall 1, the rear connection lug 24 is fastened with a separate film strip 26 above the slide 17 and above the latching sections 18. Since the two connecting lugs 24 are initially connected to one another, a tight seal is ensured before opening for the first time, although the slide 17 according to FIG Fig. 1 is arranged in an associated opening 19.

Furthermore, it can also be seen that the entire reclosure 15 including the film strip 25 is arranged below and at a distance from the corner seals 7 and the lower transverse sealing seam 14.

Claims (10)

1. An unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag having two front walls (1), two side gussets (2) arranged between the front walls (1) and connecting the front walls (1) and having a standing base (3) which is arranged between the front walls (1) and is connected at its edges to the front walls (1) and the side gussets (2) by heat-sealing seams (4), characterized in that at a bag top (5) opposite the standing base (3) bevelled and/or rounded bag corners (6) are provided, that the bag top (5) has corner seals (7) in the region of the bag corners (6) and that between the corner seals (7) the front walls (1) are not connected to form a filling opening (11),
   that the side gussets (2) extend as far as the bag top (5) and are connected there to the front walls (1) by the corner seals (7) and
   that the corner seals (7) each run with a first leg (8) along the contour of the associated bevelled and/or rounded bag corner (6) and have a second leg (10) running from an upper bag edge (9) underneath then in a bag transverse direction (q).
2. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bag top (5) has a carry handle (13) formed by a material separation in the unconnected region of the front walls (1).
3. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to Claim 2, characterized in that the carry handle (13) is arranged between ends of the first leg (8) and ends of the second leg (10) in relation to a bag longitudinal direction (1).
4. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a reclosure (15) is arranged on one of the front walls (1) .
5. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to Claim 4, characterized in that the reclosure (15) is arranged below and at a distance from the corner seals (7).
6. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the corner seals (7) do not extend beyond the side gussets (2) inserted between the front walls (1).
7. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the side gussets (2) are fixed on the bag top (5) in an inserted state.
8. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the side gussets (2) inserted between the front walls (1) each extend over 15 % to 30 % of a width of the front walls (1) in a flat-lying state.
9. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bag corners (6) are rounded in an S shape.
10. The unfilled, open side-gusset packaging bag according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bevelling and/or rounding at the bag corners (6) each extends in the bag longitudinal direction (1) over a length and in the bag transverse direction (q) over a width of in each case between 3 cm and 8 cm.

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