EP3652082B1 - Strip of flat closures made of plastic foam that are coupled together, use and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Strip of flat closures made of plastic foam that are coupled together, use and manufacturing method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3652082B1
EP3652082B1 EP18749587.4A EP18749587A EP3652082B1 EP 3652082 B1 EP3652082 B1 EP 3652082B1 EP 18749587 A EP18749587 A EP 18749587A EP 3652082 B1 EP3652082 B1 EP 3652082B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strip
closure
strip according
plastic
foam
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
Application number
EP18749587.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3652082A1 (en
Inventor
Frank Emiel Leon Van Drunen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schutte Bagclosures BV
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Schutte Bagclosures BV
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Publication date
Application filed by Schutte Bagclosures BV filed Critical Schutte Bagclosures BV
Priority to PL18749587T priority Critical patent/PL3652082T3/en
Publication of EP3652082A1 publication Critical patent/EP3652082A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3652082B1 publication Critical patent/EP3652082B1/en
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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
    • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
    • B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
    • B65D33/1616—Elements constricting the neck of the bag
    • B65D33/1625—Small plates or the like made of one piece and presenting slits or a central aperture to jam the neck of the bag
    • 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
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/02—Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks
    • B65B7/06—Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks by collapsing mouth portion, e.g. to form a single flap

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a strip of flat closures made of plastic that are coupled together.
  • a closure of this kind comprises a flat body with an opening therein for receiving and holding the access side of flexible packaging, as well as a slot delimited by leg parts, which extends between the perimeter of the body and the opening, and coupling parts for coupling to an adjacent closure.
  • a strip of closures of this kind is known in this field (see for example NL1027149 for a strip of sealable bag closures of this type) and is employed in closing machines for the closing of bags that are filled with products, such as food products, for example bread etc.
  • a closing machine of this kind the bags are pressed together on their access side to form a neck, and this neck is placed between brushes. Then the neck that is gripped between the brushes is brought via a conveying element into the opening of a flat closure. The flat closure is then broken off by machine from the strip of closures that are joined together.
  • Flexible packaging can be closed with a bag closure by machine in this way.
  • the closing machines that are employed usually break the closures off by means of tensile force. See for example EP0382169A1 .
  • Single closures of the same type, with or without coupling parts, are also used in shops for manual packing of food products.
  • US2010/0122436A1 has disclosed a band of connected closures.
  • a closure is formed of a single paper layer or a composite layer having at least a layer formed of paper.
  • a closure comprises a closure hole and at one end a smaller opening in communication with the closure hole.
  • Side faces of the closure are provided with detachable connection parts that are connected to other closures adjacent thereto.
  • closures are "non-contaminating", i.e. no loose parts such as the coupling parts may arise in the machine during closure, especially during breaking off, which could get into the packaging in the case of (food) products or could damage the packaging itself, bearing in mind health risks for the consumer, as well as quality and shelf life of the (food) product.
  • HIPS high-impact polystyrene
  • the HIPS used has a relatively low tensile strength of about 21 N/mm 2 (measured according to NEN-EN ISO 527-3) and a relatively high elongation of about 77%.
  • This material displays the desired fracture behaviour in the existing machines.
  • the closures still break off relatively quickly, which is experienced as a disadvantage by the user.
  • a tougher material is desired for the user.
  • HIPS can scarcely be further improved with respect to performance, in particular with respect to elongation/strength ratio. If the material is made tougher by modification, the tensile strength decreases. Conversely, if the tensile strength is increased, the toughness decreases.
  • the aim of the invention is to provide a strip of flat bag closures that are coupled together, which can be processed in the closing machines known in this field.
  • Another aim is to provide a strip of this kind that is less expensive.
  • the invention relates to a strip of flat closures made of plastic that are coupled together, wherein each closure comprises a body with an opening therein for receiving and holding the access side of flexible packaging, as well as a slot delimited by leg parts, which extends between the perimeter of the body and the opening, and coupling parts for coupling to an adjacent closure, wherein the plastic is a plastic foam, in particular a polyester foam, preferably a foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.
  • Tests with strips of closures linked together of usual dimensions which were made by stamping from sheets of foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (also known commercially as APET), displayed the desired brittle fracture behaviour and non-contaminating fracture behaviour without excessive (plastic) deformation in ordinary closing machines with the action of tensile force for breaking off, such as are employed in bread factories and bakeries.
  • foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate also known commercially as APET
  • PET Polyethylene terephthalate
  • a plastic foam in particular a polyester foam, preferably a foam of amorphous PET
  • the desired decrease in strength relative to unfoamed PET can be achieved (the tensile strength of foamed film from amorphous PET with a thickness of 0.8 mm is 22 N/mm 2 ), and the required fracture behaviour (toughness/stiffness) can be obtained.
  • Sheets of PET foam can be manufactured in the required thicknesses by extrusion in the presence of a (physical/chemical) blowing agent. This APET foam is available commercially from Buergofol, among others.
  • the strip of closures can be made by stamping from the film.
  • thermoplastic polyester foam in particular foam of amorphous PET
  • HIPS high-strength polystyrene
  • a method for "tamper-proof" closure becomes possible, as described for example in the aforementioned NL1027149C , wherein the leg parts are joined together by heat treatment.
  • This is simpler than an alternative manner of sealing by applying a quick hardening, flowable adhesive such as a thermoplastic on and/or in the slot.
  • polyester especially polyethylene terephthalate
  • HIPS high-strength polyethylene terephthalate
  • the coupling parts are breakable-off by machine, more preferably in machines that are based on tensile force.
  • the foam has a closed-cell structure.
  • the slot extends between the opening and a peripheral part of the body of the closure extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip.
  • the coupling parts are provided on the feed side and opposite side of the body of the closure.
  • the feed side is the side of the closure that is fed into the machine first.
  • the thickness of the bag closure is usually in the range 0.6-1.5 mm, such as 0.8 or 1.2 mm.
  • the invention further relates to the application of a strip according to the invention in machine packing of products, in particular foodstuffs, such as food products, in flexible packaging, wherein the access side of the flexible packaging, usually as a folded neck, is brought into the opening of a closure.
  • the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a strip according to the invention, said method comprising the steps of supplying a film of plastic foam, in particular a thermoplastic polyester foam, preferably a foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, stamping the strip of flat closures coupled together, and winding the strip on a roll.
  • a film of plastic foam in particular a thermoplastic polyester foam, preferably a foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate
  • FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a part of a strip of flat closures according to the invention made from foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.
  • FIG. 1 shows in top view a part of a strip 10 of flat bag closures 12.
  • a flat bag closure 12 comprises a body 14 of foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, in this embodiment with a central opening 16 for receiving a folded neck 18 of a flexible packaging. Projecting parts 19 of the body 14 extend into the opening 16 to allow the closure 16 to grip the neck 18, so that a fixed position of the closure 12 with respect to the neck 18 is assured and the neck is gripped well.
  • the closure 12 further comprises, between leg parts 20, a slot 22 that extends from the entrance 24 on a longitudinal side 26, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip 10, up to the opening 16. The entrance 24 of the slot 22 is broadened on the longitudinal side 26, so that inserting the neck 18 in the slot 22 is facilitated.
  • the direction of movement of the strip 10 in the machine is indicated with arrow B.
  • the feed side 28 of the bag closure 12 and the opposite side 30 are each provided with two coupling parts 32a and 32b located some distance apart, wherein the coupling parts 32a of closure 12a are connected to the coupling parts 32b of the preceding closure 12b.
  • the right closure with the neck therein is broken off from the strip 10 by means of a striking motion of a hammer or pin of the closing machine in the direction indicated with arrow A.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Making Paper Articles (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)
  • Package Frames And Binding Bands (AREA)

Description

  • The invention relates to a strip of flat closures made of plastic that are coupled together. A closure of this kind comprises a flat body with an opening therein for receiving and holding the access side of flexible packaging, as well as a slot delimited by leg parts, which extends between the perimeter of the body and the opening, and coupling parts for coupling to an adjacent closure.
  • A strip of closures of this kind is known in this field (see for example NL1027149 for a strip of sealable bag closures of this type) and is employed in closing machines for the closing of bags that are filled with products, such as food products, for example bread etc. In a usual embodiment of a closing machine of this kind, the bags are pressed together on their access side to form a neck, and this neck is placed between brushes. Then the neck that is gripped between the brushes is brought via a conveying element into the opening of a flat closure. The flat closure is then broken off by machine from the strip of closures that are joined together. Flexible packaging can be closed with a bag closure by machine in this way. The closing machines that are employed usually break the closures off by means of tensile force. See for example EP0382169A1 . Single closures of the same type, with or without coupling parts, are also used in shops for manual packing of food products.
  • Also US2010/0122436A1 has disclosed a band of connected closures. A closure is formed of a single paper layer or a composite layer having at least a layer formed of paper. A closure comprises a closure hole and at one end a smaller opening in communication with the closure hole. Side faces of the closure are provided with detachable connection parts that are connected to other closures adjacent thereto.
  • The closures are "non-contaminating", i.e. no loose parts such as the coupling parts may arise in the machine during closure, especially during breaking off, which could get into the packaging in the case of (food) products or could damage the packaging itself, bearing in mind health risks for the consumer, as well as quality and shelf life of the (food) product.
  • The applicant is marketing a strip of bag closures of this kind, manufactured from high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). The HIPS used has a relatively low tensile strength of about 21 N/mm2 (measured according to NEN-EN ISO 527-3) and a relatively high elongation of about 77%. This material displays the desired fracture behaviour in the existing machines. In practice, however, the closures still break off relatively quickly, which is experienced as a disadvantage by the user. A tougher material is desired for the user. However, experience has taught that HIPS can scarcely be further improved with respect to performance, in particular with respect to elongation/strength ratio. If the material is made tougher by modification, the tensile strength decreases. Conversely, if the tensile strength is increased, the toughness decreases.
  • Furthermore, there is inadequate availability of HIPS in the desired thickness and dimensions for bag closures, so that the cost price of the closures is relatively high. A further disadvantage is that bag closures made of HIPS are not easily sealable.
  • Thus, there is a need for bag closures made of materials other than HIPS, which can be processed on existing closing machines, in which the closures are detached in the machines by means of tensile force. In other words the fracture behaviour (combination of tensile strength, toughness/stiffness) must be suitable for the breaking-off mechanism used in the machines, wherein a closure, in which a bag neck is applied, is detached from the strip of closures by a striking or sliding mechanism. On the other hand the strip, in particular the coupling parts of the bag closures, should not be so friable that the closures already become detached from one another prematurely, for example during feed into and through the machine.
  • The aim of the invention is to provide a strip of flat bag closures that are coupled together, which can be processed in the closing machines known in this field.
  • Another aim is to provide a strip of this kind that is less expensive.
  • Accordingly, the invention relates to a strip of flat closures made of plastic that are coupled together, wherein each closure comprises a body with an opening therein for receiving and holding the access side of flexible packaging, as well as a slot delimited by leg parts, which extends between the perimeter of the body and the opening, and coupling parts for coupling to an adjacent closure, wherein the plastic is a plastic foam, in particular a polyester foam, preferably a foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.
  • Tests with strips of closures linked together of usual dimensions, which were made by stamping from sheets of foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (also known commercially as APET), displayed the desired brittle fracture behaviour and non-contaminating fracture behaviour without excessive (plastic) deformation in ordinary closing machines with the action of tensile force for breaking off, such as are employed in bread factories and bakeries.
  • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a plastic that is widely available commercially and that is still the subject of much development. However, PET cannot be used for bag closures of this type, because in the usual dimensions it is too strong for breaking-off in the existing machines. A high tensile strength of about 56 N/mm2 (measured according to NEN-EN ISO 527-3) at a high elongation of about 100% makes a sheet of amorphous PET unsuitable for bag closures. Weakening by reducing the thickness is not possible because thinner bag closures cannot be processed on the existing machines. In addition, even these thinner bag closures are still too strong. Furthermore, PET has a higher specific gravity then HIPS (1.35 versus 1.05), which is unfavourable from the viewpoint of cost price (per amount by weight).
  • By starting from a plastic foam, in particular a polyester foam, preferably a foam of amorphous PET, the desired decrease in strength relative to unfoamed PET can be achieved (the tensile strength of foamed film from amorphous PET with a thickness of 0.8 mm is 22 N/mm2), and the required fracture behaviour (toughness/stiffness) can be obtained. Sheets of PET foam can be manufactured in the required thicknesses by extrusion in the presence of a (physical/chemical) blowing agent. This APET foam is available commercially from Buergofol, among others. The strip of closures can be made by stamping from the film.
  • An additional advantage is that a thermoplastic polyester foam, in particular foam of amorphous PET, is better sealable then HIPS, so that a method for "tamper-proof" closure becomes possible, as described for example in the aforementioned NL1027149C , wherein the leg parts are joined together by heat treatment. This is simpler than an alternative manner of sealing by applying a quick hardening, flowable adhesive such as a thermoplastic on and/or in the slot.
  • Yet another advantage is that polyester, especially polyethylene terephthalate, is more reusable then HIPS. Thus the PET foam waste, that results from stamping, can be reused in the production of fresh thin starting sheets, from which the closures are manufactured.
  • Advantageously, the coupling parts are breakable-off by machine, more preferably in machines that are based on tensile force.
  • Advantageously, the foam has a closed-cell structure.
  • Advantageously, the slot extends between the opening and a peripheral part of the body of the closure extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip.
  • Also advantageously, the coupling parts are provided on the feed side and opposite side of the body of the closure. Here, the feed side is the side of the closure that is fed into the machine first.
  • The thickness of the bag closure is usually in the range 0.6-1.5 mm, such as 0.8 or 1.2 mm.
  • The invention further relates to the application of a strip according to the invention in machine packing of products, in particular foodstuffs, such as food products, in flexible packaging, wherein the access side of the flexible packaging, usually as a folded neck, is brought into the opening of a closure.
  • The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a strip according to the invention, said method comprising the steps of supplying a film of plastic foam, in particular a thermoplastic polyester foam, preferably a foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, stamping the strip of flat closures coupled together, and winding the strip on a roll.
  • The invention is explained hereunder on the basis of the drawing, in which
    Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a part of a strip of flat closures according to the invention made from foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.
  • Fig. 1 shows in top view a part of a strip 10 of flat bag closures 12. A flat bag closure 12 comprises a body 14 of foamed amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, in this embodiment with a central opening 16 for receiving a folded neck 18 of a flexible packaging. Projecting parts 19 of the body 14 extend into the opening 16 to allow the closure 16 to grip the neck 18, so that a fixed position of the closure 12 with respect to the neck 18 is assured and the neck is gripped well. The closure 12 further comprises, between leg parts 20, a slot 22 that extends from the entrance 24 on a longitudinal side 26, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip 10, up to the opening 16. The entrance 24 of the slot 22 is broadened on the longitudinal side 26, so that inserting the neck 18 in the slot 22 is facilitated. The direction of movement of the strip 10 in the machine is indicated with arrow B. The feed side 28 of the bag closure 12 and the opposite side 30 are each provided with two coupling parts 32a and 32b located some distance apart, wherein the coupling parts 32a of closure 12a are connected to the coupling parts 32b of the preceding closure 12b. In the embodiment shown, the right closure with the neck therein (not shown) is broken off from the strip 10 by means of a striking motion of a hammer or pin of the closing machine in the direction indicated with arrow A.

Claims (10)

  1. Strip (10) of flat closures (12) coupled together, made of plastic, wherein each closure (12) comprises a body (14) with an opening (16) therein for receiving and holding the access side (18) of a flexible packaging, as well as a slot (22) delimited by leg parts (20), which extends between the perimeter of the body (14) and the opening (16), and coupling parts (32a, 32b) for coupling to an adjacent closure, characterized in that the plastic is a plastic foam.
  2. Strip according to claim 1, wherein the plastic is a foam of thermoplastic polyester.
  3. Strip according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic is a foam of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate.
  4. Strip according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling parts (32a, 32b) are breakable by means of tensile force.
  5. Strip according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling parts (32a, 43b) are breakable by machine.
  6. Strip according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foam has a closed-cell structure.
  7. Strip according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the slot (22) extends between the opening (16) and a peripheral part (26) of the body (14) of the closure (12) extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip (10).
  8. Strip according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling parts (32a, 32b) are provided on the feed side (28) and opposite side (30) of the closure (12).
  9. Use of a strip according to one of the preceding claims in machine packing of products, in particular foodstuffs, such as food products, in flexible packaging, wherein the access side (18) of the flexible packaging is brought into the opening (16) of a closure (12).
  10. Method for manufacturing a strip according to one of the preceding claims 1-8, said method comprising the steps of supplying a film of plastic foam, stamping the strip (10) of flat closures (12) coupled together, and winding the strip on a roll.
EP18749587.4A 2017-07-10 2018-07-10 Strip of flat closures made of plastic foam that are coupled together, use and manufacturing method Active EP3652082B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL18749587T PL3652082T3 (en) 2017-07-10 2018-07-10 Strip of flat closures made of plastic foam that are coupled together, use and manufacturing method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2019208A NL2019208B1 (en) 2017-07-10 2017-07-10 TAPE OF PLASTIC CLOSURES LINKED TO EACH OTHER
PCT/NL2018/050462 WO2019013624A1 (en) 2017-07-10 2018-07-10 Strip of flat closures made of plastic foam that are coupled together

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3652082A1 EP3652082A1 (en) 2020-05-20
EP3652082B1 true EP3652082B1 (en) 2021-04-07

Family

ID=59746329

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18749587.4A Active EP3652082B1 (en) 2017-07-10 2018-07-10 Strip of flat closures made of plastic foam that are coupled together, use and manufacturing method

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20200189801A1 (en)
EP (1) EP3652082B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2018301157B2 (en)
DK (1) DK3652082T3 (en)
NL (1) NL2019208B1 (en)
PL (1) PL3652082T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2019013624A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA201907672B (en)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4694542A (en) * 1986-02-14 1987-09-22 Koppe Lou W Foldable closure for flexible bags comprising flat sheet with integral axial hinge groove, lead in notch, and gripping aperture
US4911293A (en) 1989-02-10 1990-03-27 Kwik Lok Corporation Closure strip having offset protrusions
NL1027149C2 (en) * 2003-10-09 2005-07-20 Schutte Holding B V Closing method of packaging used for drugs, involves partially deforming slots formed in planar closure attached to packaging, by seals which connect limb portions of closure together, without deforming closure
US20060042051A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-03-02 Irwin Jere F Strips of clips and clip
EP2149505A4 (en) * 2007-05-28 2011-03-30 Chokoku Plast Corp Binder, and binder connecting band
GB0723806D0 (en) * 2007-12-06 2008-01-16 Robinson Nigel Bag tie/clasp

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA201907672B (en) 2021-05-26
AU2018301157B2 (en) 2022-10-13
DK3652082T3 (en) 2021-06-21
PL3652082T3 (en) 2021-10-25
AU2018301157A1 (en) 2020-01-02
NL2019208B1 (en) 2019-01-16
WO2019013624A1 (en) 2019-01-17
US20200189801A1 (en) 2020-06-18
EP3652082A1 (en) 2020-05-20

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