ES2296210T3 - PERFECTED PACKAGING. - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for the manufacture of sachets in a plurality of bands in a forming, filling and sealing machine, one or more edges of which sachets comprise non-linear profiles over at least 10% of the edge length, said sachets being manufactured by a method comprising: (i) sealing two sheets in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of tubes parallel to each other; (ii) seal the tubes along one end; (iii) fill the tubes with the desired material; (iv) seal the tubes at the second end to form a plurality of sachets; and (v) punching portions of the sealed edges of the sachets to define the nonlinear edges.

Description

Improved container.

Field of the Invention

The invention is related to a perfected procedure for the manufacture of sachets in a plurality of bands in a forming, filling and sealing machine (FFS).

Background and prior art

In various technological fields they are used Sachets for packaging various types of products such as creams,  powders, liquids, tablets, nodules, granules and pastes. The Sachets allow you to pack and sell these products in small quantities compared to conventional packages such as Bottles and jars The bags also allow convenient use during the trips, when being able to take small amounts in the called "unit doses" without spillage. The products are dispensed by breaking the bags and using the single-use product, after which the packaging of sachet. The bags are also very convenient for sale to new consumers who don't want to spend a lot of money to try new products, since the cost of a bag product is much lower than those sold in conventional units such as a bottle or a jar. Therefore, a consumer who want to try a new product you don't have to spend a lot of money buying a large quantity of the product in the bottle or Conventional jar The packaging in sachets has also allowed consumers in developing countries, who do not have much money, buy these products in small quantities in the sachet packaging

The bags are manufactured in machines in the which are formed and filled several bags, each bag being connected to the next of a long string. This string of sachets can be hung later at the point of sale so that it look good Each bag in the band is separated by perforations that allow to easily tear the band desired number of sachets depending on user demand. Recently, multiple bands of sachets that are exposed at the point of sale in the so-called curtain format The bags in curtain format are separated by perforations along the two edges longitudinal as well as the upper and lower parts of the sachet.

The sachets are manufactured in a variety of materials based on the product to be packaged. The products as tea and coffee are packed in a porous paper that allows infusion of tea or coffee when the bag is immersed in hot water. For most other products in the detergent industry and cosmetics, the sachets are prepared from polymers synthetic The development of automatic machines such as the forming, filling and sealing machine (FFS) has allowed large bag manufacturing speeds. These machines form the sachets made from two sheets that define the front surface and the back surface, usually by heat sealing three edges to form a three-sided bag, followed by filling said bag with the product, after which the fourth side The bags can be cut into single bands or they can sold in curtain format. The necessary ones are provided perforations along the seals to allow easy separation by pulling one or more bags from the rest of the strip or curtain.

While conventional sachets have normally rectangular or square shape, the existence of methods or procedures to manufacture sachets or bags with non-linear edges. These bags or bags have in attractive and distinctive ways for the packaging and products packed in it.

EP 0378027 (Modern Packaging, 1990) describes a procedure for the manufacture of sachets individual containing each a product, whose procedure It includes the operations of (a) preprinting two sheets, which they form the opposite sides of the sachets and are heat sealable by the inner face, with the desired inscriptions on the face outside (b) put the two sheets substantially close to one of the other to deposit a product (c) partially heat seal the sachet around the deposited area to form the sachet in a first sealing station (d) the bag so profiled is moved to a second sealing station (e) complete the sealed in a second sealing station (f) separated by stamping the tape bag in a clipping station using a die and a mold corresponding to the desired profile for the sachet (g) the sachets so cut are collected while the tape cuts are evacuated (h) the cut being cut sachet along the heat-sealed side of the tape characterized in that (i) the marginal areas of the representation of the packaging with an excess with respect to the future cutting line, allowing a certain tolerance in concordance between the cut line and the edge of said representation and (j) the deposition of a surface layer of a decorative sheet transferable, at any stage of the procedure, whose sheet Transferable has the corresponding decoration to those mentioned representations on the apparent face of the sheet or tape that It will constitute the bag.

WO 0123271 (Cryovac, 2001) describes a bag, a procedure and an apparatus for the preparation of said bag, the bag comprising a first side edge and a second lateral edge, each of the edges comprising first and second sides a concave surface and a surface convex, in which the concave surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite to the convex surface of the second lateral edge and the convex surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite the concave surface of the second edge side.

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These prior art documents describe procedures for preparing sachets or bags formed in which it is necessary to cut the bags or bags of the tape as unique pieces, or cut out of the tape the sachets at most in a string. EP 0378027 describes a process in which individual bags are trim the tape while the remaining material of the tape is discarded The procedure of this prior art involves the waste of a large amount of unused tape material. In addition, this prior art does not allow the production of sachets in a plurality of bands that can later be exposed at the point of sale so that the bags look good and The decoration of them.

WO 01/23271 also describes some bags and a procedure to prepare them that requires essentially that the bags are cut into single strips, so which curtain format is not provided. The bags of this prior art additionally have the disadvantage that the curved shape of a side edge has to be complementary to the shape of the other side edge, thereby restricting the flexibility to provide the various forms that you want to give the containers

There is a need in the art for provide a procedure to prepare sachets that understand a variety of nonlinear edges, which may be available in a plurality of bands so that they can look good at the point of sale.

Objectives of the invention

It is therefore an objective of the present invention provide a process for the manufacture of sachets that have a nonlinear edge profile that can be exposed in a plurality of bands to obtain a good visibility at the point of sale.

It is a further object of the invention provide a procedure for the manufacture of sachets that have a nonlinear edge profile, which in addition to being able to arrange them in a plurality of bands allow easy removal any number of bags of the plurality of bands without causing seal damage and subsequent product loss.

It is a further object of the invention provide a procedure for the manufacture of sachets that have a nonlinear edge profile, which can be arranged in a plurality of bands, allowing to easily remove any number of bags of the plurality of bands without causing damage to seal and that additionally obtain the minimum waste of sheet material to be economically profitable.

It is a further object of the invention provide a procedure for the manufacture of sachets that have a nonlinear edge profile, which can be arranged in a plurality of bands, allowing to easily remove any number of bags of the plurality of bands without causing damage to seal and that additionally obtain the minimum waste of sheet material to be economically profitable, and that additionally provide originality to the package and product packed in it.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, a procedure for manufacturing sachets in a plurality of Bands in a forming, filling and sealing machine, one or more edges whose sachets comprise non-linear profiles on at least one 10% of the edge length, said bags being manufactured by a procedure comprising:

(i)

seal two sheets in direction longitudinal to form a plurality of parallel tubes between yes;

(ii)

seal the tubes along a extreme;

(iii)

fill the tubes with the material wanted;

(iv)

seal the tubes for the second end to form a plurality of sachets; Y

(v)

punch portions of the edges sealed bags to define the edges not linear

It is particularly preferable that the profile is not Linear edge of the bag is a curved profile.

It is also particularly preferable that nonlinear profiles are at the longitudinal edges of the sachets

The present will be described further invention with reference to non-limiting embodiments of the invention by means of the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of one of the embodiments of the procedure for manufacturing the sachets in the plurality of bands in an FFS machine (form-fill-seal).

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Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a portion of the bag in a curtain format in which each Longitudinal edge has a trimmed portion that covers 95% about the length of the longitudinal edge.

Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a portion of another bag set in a curtain format in which each longitudinal edge has two clipped portions that cover approximately 85% of the edge length longitudinal.

Detailed description

The invention provides a method for the manufacture of sachets in a plurality of bands in a forming, filling and sealing machine (FFS). Although the sachets of the invention can be manufactured in an FFS machine either horizontal or vertical, it is preferable to manufacture them in a vertical FFS machine.

The invention concerns the process for making sachets that have at least one edge that you understand a nonlinear portion. For the term "nonlinear", for the purpose of the invention is understood as a profile that cannot be defined by A single straight line. The term "nonlinear" includes elbows at an angle that is formed when two or more lines are joined together, the curves of any shape and combinations thereof. Is it is preferable that the nonlinear profiles be curved profiles. The nonlinear edges could be at the longitudinal edges or at the transverse edges of the sachets, although the edges are not linear are preferably at the longitudinal edges. For him term "longitudinal edges" means the edges defined by sealing the sheets in the horizontal direction of the sheets, that is in the direction along the sheet. The edges longitudinal are sometimes called lateral edges of the sachets, for example the left side edge and the side edge straight. The transverse edges of the sachets are the edges in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal edges, that is, as sealed across the width of the sheet. Cross edges usually define the upper and lower parts of the bag.

The edges of the bags comprise some nonlinear profiles that extend over at least 10% of the edge length, more preferably over at least 30%, even more preferably over at least 60%, and most preferably over at least 90% of the edge length. The edges Profiles are presented as a trimmed portion when sachets are manufactured in a plurality of bands in the machines FFS Edge profiles could be formed from one or More sliced portions. Although the number of bagbands that can occur in an FFS machine is dictated by the width of the sachet, it is preferable that the number of bands is between two and sixteen, more preferably between 4 and 12 and most preferably between six and twelve. You can also have a profile on one edge of the bag and a different profile on another edge.

Various types of polymeric materials can be used in the process of the invention. Preferred materials include high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or laminates comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), metallized PET, aluminum foil or polyethylene. Laminates of more than one material are frequently used to improve physical, thermal, mechanical and printability properties. It is particularly preferable that
Two surfaces that come into contact to form the inner surface of the sachet are thermally sealable.

The view of Figure 1 represents a realization of the FFS machine to form the sachets according to the invention. In the FFS machine the bags are prepared from two sheets or tapes that form the front (9) and back surface (10) from the bag. The two sheets are preferably prepared at from a single tape that is wound from a station winder comprising a feed roll (not shown in the figure). Preferably, the feed belt is divided then in two halves, in the longitudinal direction, to form the front and back of the bag. Alternatively they can form the two sheets from two feeding rolls independent.

The tension on the sheets is maintained by any means that keep the sheets in a tight position. The conventional roller-based tensioner system can be used, and more preferably a tensioner assembly (11) can be used mechanically operated

The view of figure 2 represents a realization of the bags made in curtain format according to the invention. The sheets that form the front and back surface from the sachet are fed to the FFS machine through a appropriate feeder assembly (12).

The sheets are sealed along the direction longitudinal (41, 51, 61) to form the plurality of tubes (A1, A2, A3) using a vertical sealing jaw system (15). Vertical sealing jaws are preferably designed to that include the desired dimensions, especially the width desired portion (8) to be trimmed to define the Profile of the bag. Preferably, the sealed portions longitudinally they can then be perforated (6) using a means of perforation (not shown in the figure).

In this embodiment of the procedure, the edge bottom (2) of a row of sachets (for example, A1, A2, A3), which it is the upper end of the bags that are just below thereof (not shown in the figure), is sealed by the same sealing system (15, 13) that seals the edges longitudinal of the next row of sachets (B1, B2, B3). Do not However, this sealing system does not limit the invention and is provided that alternative means for sealing can be used, by example when sealing the longitudinal edges and the Transverse edges be configured separately.

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So the bottom edge (2) of the tubes (A1, A2, A3) is formed by sealing the two sheets by means of sealed (13, 15) that simultaneously forms the tubes (B1, B2, B3) sealing along the line (42, 52, 62). The sealing is done preferably by a heat sealing machine. The sealing jaws are intermittently operated using preferably a mechanical drive. The elements heaters preferably use a PID control (proportional, integral, derivative).

Then the product is introduced in the bags formed (A1, A2, A3) at the open end (22) and not yet sealed.

The unsealed edge (22), which is the edge upper of the sachets (A1, A2, A3) and the lower edge of the sachets (B1, B2, B3), is then sealed using the medium sealing (13, 15) that simultaneously forms the tubes (C1, C2, C3) sealing along the lines (43, 53, 63).

The profiles (7) are formed by punching the trimmed portions (8). This operation is preferably carried out. in a punching station. The punching station comprises preferably a punching plate (16), which carries the punches, located on one side of the sheet, and a die plate (17) located on the other side of the sheet, which are correspondingly aligned. The punching plate (16) could Be activated mechanically or pneumatically. The punching plate (16) and the die plate (17) are preferably guided by a punch guide

The trimmed portions (8) coming from the punching stations are preferably removed using a medium (18) vacuum cleaner or air blower. Preferably used a half air blower followed by a half vacuum cleaner to remove the trimmed portions.

In this way they are manufactured by means of the invention the sachets (A1, A2, A3) whose profiles have the shape desired.

Then the bags (B1, B2, B3) are filled with The desired material. The upper edge 32 is then sealed of the sachets (B1, B2, B3) which is also the bottom edge of the sachets (C1, C2, C3). Then the bags are formed (B1, B2, B3) as described in the case of sachets (A1, A2, A3).

Seals in the transverse direction can be preferably perforated (3) using a means of perforation (14). It is preferable that the drilling medium is pneumatically activated

Then the operation of manufacturing as described in the case of sachets (A1, A2, A3) and (B1, B2, B3) until the entire sheet has been worn out, after which the next roll of sheet.

Figure 3 represents an embodiment of the sachet made by the process of the invention in which There are two trimmed portions. These two portions together separate adjacent sachets about 85% of the length of the longitudinal edge

Thus, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, a process for the manufacture of sachets in a plurality of bands in a forming machine, fill and seal, one or more edges of whose sachets comprise nonlinear profiles over at least 10% of the edge length, said sachets being manufactured by a procedure that understands:

(i)

seal two sheets in direction longitudinal to form a plurality of parallel tubes between yes;

(ii)

pierce the first and second edge longitudinal of the tubes thus formed;

(iii)

seal the tubes along the Lower end;

(iv)

fill the tubes with the material wanted;

(v)

seal the tubes at the end higher;

(saw)

punch portions of the edges sealed longitudinal to define curved profiles;

(vii)

remove the portion using a half blower or air vacuum;

(viii)

pierce the bottom seal with a second drilling medium.

Thus it is possible to manufacture in curtain format, by means of the invention, sachets having edge profiles not linear These bags provide a distinctive character to the package and therefore to the products sold therein and allow great visibility of the bags when they are displayed at the point of sale. In addition, the bags are prepared of robust and leakproof mode when the curtain is pulled Any number of bags.

It is important to note that the invention provides all of the above features while maintains a low production cost by minimizing the amount of scraps of tape in the form of cuts.

Claims (12)

1. A procedure for the manufacture of sachets in a plurality of bands in a forming machine, fill and seal, one or more edges of whose sachets comprise nonlinear profiles over at least 10% of the edge length, said sachets being manufactured by a procedure that understands:

(i)

seal two sheets in direction longitudinal to form a plurality of parallel tubes between yes;

(ii)

seal the tubes along a extreme;

(iii)

fill the tubes with the material wanted;

(v)

seal the tubes for the second end to form a plurality of sachets; Y

(v)

punch portions of the edges sealed bags to define the edges not linear

2. A method according to claim 1 in which said nonlinear profiles are curved profiles. 3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which said nonlinear profile is found along the longitudinal edge of said sachets. 4. A procedure according to any one of the preceding claims in which said nonlinear profile It comprises at least 30% of the length of said edge. 5. A method according to claim 4 in which said nonlinear profile comprises at least 60% of the length of said edge. 6. A method according to claim 5 in which said nonlinear profile comprises at least 90% of the length of said edge. 7. A procedure according to any one of the preceding claims in which a tension is maintained on said sheets by means of a driven traction assembly mechanically. 8. A procedure according to any one of the preceding claims in which said sachets in a plurality of bands are perforated along the edges Longitudinal 9. A procedure according to any one of the preceding claims in which said sachets in a plurality of bands are perforated along the edges transversal. 10. A procedure according to any one of the preceding claims in which said sheets are sealed thermally 11. A procedure according to any one of the preceding claims in which the punching is performed in a punching station comprising a punching plate with punches located on the side of the sheet and a punch plate located on the other side of the sheet, which are correspondingly aligned. 12. A procedure according to any one of the preceding claims in which said portions are removed using an air blower medium and / or a medium vaccum cleaner.