FR2736330A1 - PROCESS FOR PACKAGING WITH TEARABLE FILM AND PACKAGE OBTAINED - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of wrapping an object or group of objects (1) in an at least partially enveloping film (2) of tearable synthetic film such as a heat-shrink film, characterized in that, after placing and said film (2) entirely shaped around said object or group of objects (1), through said film (2) at least one incision or perforation adapted to form a tear initiation and / or a pre-cut is made, and we associate to said film (2) at least one opening tab (5). The invention also relates to the packaging obtained by this process.

Description

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  TEARABLE FILM PACKAGING PROCESS

AND PACKAGING OBTAINED

  The invention relates to the packaging of objects or groups of objects of all kinds under at least partially enveloping film of tearable synthetic film. In particular, the invention relates to the packaging of everyday consumer items such as the items offered for sale in large distribution areas (food products, books, cassettes,

records, cigarettes, ...).

  Numerous objects or groups of objects are wrapped in at least partially enveloping films, that is to say in general totally enveloping or sometimes only partially enveloping, with a synthetic packaging or overwrapping film which can be easily torn by the user. It may for example be a film of PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. In particular, easily tearable films include packaging films of the mono-oriented type, and in particular heat-shrinkable films placed around object or group

of objects by heat shrinking.

  The known packages in at least partially enveloping film of tearable synthetic film give satisfaction, but pose the problem of

  the subsequent opening of the packaging by the consumer.

  In the case of tearable synthetic films, and more particularly in the case of heat-shrinkable films, until now, we have always given up making an incision or a perforation through the film, for several reasons. First of all, such a film is generally applied in close contact with the object or group of objects to be packaged. Consequently, in order not to attack or damage the object or group of objects, it is considered that it is essential to provide a possible incision or perforation before performing the heat shrinkage or application step.

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  close of the film on the object. However, during this application, in particular by heat-shrinking, this results in either a prohibitive enlargement of the incision or perforation, or a tear in the film film during application. In addition, the fragility of such films is such that it is believed that the presence of an incision or a perforation would be liable to damage the packaging or to affect its strength too considerably.

subsequent to handling.

  There are already known packages that are protected from incisions or perforations making tear initiations and / or precuts. However, these incisions or perforations, made before applying the packaging around the object or group of objects, are reserved for resistant packaging materials and whose general dimensions are not changed during application on the object or group of objects (cardboard side, rigid molded plastic, film neither stretched nor heat-shrunk and non-tearable, ...). The manufacture of these packages requires the treatment of long lengths of film or cardboard, before the packaging operation, to spare the incisions or perforations. In addition, it is necessary to precisely position the incisions or perforations on the film or cardboard. The process is therefore little

convenient and inflexible.

  With tear-off type films, we have already thought of facilitating the opening, for example by providing a V cut at the periphery of a marginal strip of the film (packaging of coffee powder, packaging sheets for chocolate bars , ...). However, the cut is not always visible, is not always sufficient to effectively initiate a tear initiation, and is not applicable to packages whose film does not have a marginal strip capable of receiving such a cut. . In the latter case, a tear strip or cord is generally incorporated between the object or group of objects to be packaged and the film of film which covers it. An extreme free portion of the

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  tape or cord is accessible from the outside by the user (pack of cigarettes, cassette, book or disc ...). Such packaging is nevertheless delicate and costly to produce, and is reserved for objects or groups of objects of generally simple shape and manufactured and packaged in very large series. In addition, depending on the nature of the packaging film used, the opening is not always convenient, even with the aid of said strip or of said tear cord. In other cases, the packaging under tear-resistant synthetic film is not provided with any particular opening means, so that the consumer is forced to use a cutting or cutting tool, at the

  risk of injury or damage to the packaged product.

  The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method of packaging an object or group of objects under film at least partially enveloping with tear-away synthetic film - in particular heat-shrinkable film - which allows the packaging to be provided with means particularly simple, effective, inexpensive to make, adaptable to any form of object or group

objects and films.

  The invention also aims to propose such a packaging method making it possible to provide the packaging with opening means which do not affect the qualities of the packaging thus produced, in particular from the point of view of hermeticity, sealing, preservation of

  wrapped objects or groups of objects ...

  And the invention aims to propose a packaging method and a packaging thus obtained which can be used for packaging all kinds of products, and in particular food products (portions of cheese, coffee, etc.). To do this, the invention relates to a method of packaging an object or a group of objects under film at least partially enveloping with tearable synthetic film, characterized in that, after having

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  placed and having entirely shaped said film around said object or group of objects until it gives its final shape and appearance for the packaging of said object or group of objects: - at least one incision is made through said film or perforation adapted to form a tear primer and / or a precut to facilitate the subsequent opening of the packaging, - at least one opening tab is associated with said film comprising an anchoring portion welded or glued to the outer face of said film, and a gripping portion extending free in

  extension of said anchoring portion.

  According to the invention, at least one film of heat-shrinkable film is used, and at least one incision or perforation is made after heat-shrinking of

said film.

  According to the invention, the step of associating at least one opening tab is carried out after having made at least one incision or perforation through

said film.

  According to the invention, at least one opening tongue is associated, the anchoring portion of which covers the

minus an incision or perforation.

  According to the invention, each incision or perforation of the anchoring portion is covered with an opening tab. In this way, the packaging remains perfectly airtight and protects its content from

the outside atmosphere.

  According to the invention, it is possible to make several incisions or perforations and to associate with the film several tabs of openings. However, advantageously, and according to the invention, a single incision is made, and a single opening tab is associated with the film, the anchoring portion of which is affixed to

recovery of said incision.

  According to the invention, as an opening tab, a label is used with an adhesive or

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  a self-adhesive on a portion of its surface so that it can be glued to the film and form said anchoring portion, at least one adjacent portion of the

  label surface free of glue or self-adhesive

  adhesive, and / or provided with a coating (paper or protective film, varnish) neutralizing the effect of the glue or the adhesive, to form said gripping portion which

  remains free and detached from the film.

  According to the invention, an opening tab is used, the anchoring portion of which has at least one zone of the surface of contact with the film which is free of glue or self-adhesive, and / or provided with a coating (paper or protective film, varnish) neutralizing the effect of the glue or adhesive, and which is suitable

  to cover an incision or perforation.

  According to the invention, said zone is chemically and biologically inert so as to be placed in

  hygienic contact with food.

  According to the invention, a food-grade coating is applied in at least one zone, in particular in the central zone, of the surface of the anchoring portion of the opening tongue intended to extend opposite an incision. or perforation. Thus, the coating which is for example a layer of protective varnish, applied to the glue or the self-adhesive

  locally, prevents the spread of glue or self-adhesive

  adhesive through the film and in contact with the object or group of packaged objects. As a variant or in combination, a food-grade glue or adhesive is used.

  to fix the anchoring portion on the film.

  The invention also relates to the packaging.

  obtained by the process of the invention.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a packaging comprising an at least partially enveloping film of tearable synthetic film, characterized: - in that it comprises at least one incision or perforation made through said film

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  and adapted to form a tear initiation and / or a precut to facilitate the subsequent opening of the packaging, - in that it comprises at least one opening tab comprising an anchoring portion welded or glued to the face exterior of said film and a gripping portion extending free in extension of said anchoring portion, and in that each incision or perforation is entirely covered by said portion

  anchor an opening tab.

  According to the invention, said film is a

  shrink film or the like.

  According to the invention, the opening tab is a synthetic film label, the anchoring portion of which is bonded to said film, and at least one area, in particular the central area, of the anchoring portion covers an incision or perforation. and is free of glue or adhesive and / or provided with a protective coating such as a layer of food-grade varnish,

  extending opposite said incision or perforation.

  The packaging thus obtained can be easily opened by the consumer. To do this, it suffices to exert traction on said gripping portion of the opening tongue. In this way, the tear initiation formed by the incision made under the anchoring portion easily makes it possible to carry out the complete tear and the opening of the film. In addition, the anchoring portion covering the incision protects the packaging and its contents and prevents, on the one hand, any unintentional tearing, and, on the other hand, contact of the possibly food contents of the packaging with the outside atmosphere. In addition, the anchoring portion being provided with a protective coating, the glue or the adhesive used to associate the tongue does not diffuse inside to

through the film.

  The invention also relates to a method and to a packaging comprising in whole or in part

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  of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

  Other features and benefits of

  the invention will appear on reading the description

  following which refers to the appended figures in which: - Figures 1 to 4 are schematic views in partial perspective illustrating the steps of a packaging process according to the invention, - Figure 5 is a schematic view in partial perspective illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention, - Figure 6 is a schematic partial perspective view illustrating a package according

  the invention being opened by the consumer.

  In Figure 1, there is shown an article 1 (dotted), of generally parallelepiped shape, wrapped in a film 2 of a tearable synthetic film. The invention is also applicable for packaging articles 1 of any other form, either individually or in groups. The film 2 can form either a primary packaging, or a secondary packaging, or a packaging or an overwrap ... At the end of the step shown in FIG. 1, the film 2 is placed and shaped entirely around the article 1 , and therefore has the final shape and appearance of the packaging. In the example shown, the

  film 2 is formed from a folded and heat-shrunk film.

  The invention is applicable to any tearable synthetic film. Among the tearable synthetic films, mention may be made of mono-oriented synthetic films, and more particularly and advantageously heat-shrinkable films. And as we can see, the film 2 is applied closely in contact with article 1. This article 1 can be a food product (portion of cheese, meat ...) or non-food product (cassette, book,

disc, pack of cigarettes, ...).

  In the step shown in Figure 2, we

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  cleans an incision 3 through the film 2. This incision 3 can be made through the entire thickness of the film 2, or on the contrary only over part of its thickness. The incision 3 is adapted to form a tear primer intended to facilitate the subsequent opening of the packaging as described below. To make this incision 3, it is possible, for example, to use a cutting blade 4, the cutting edge of which is at least substantially circular, and which is rotatably mounted around an eccentric axis 5 as shown in FIG. 2. The tool used to make the incision 3 is advantageously provided with means limiting its penetration into the thickness of the film 2 and / or into article 1, in order to avoid the

  deterioration of the packaged item.

  According to the invention, a single incision 3 can be made as shown in FIG. 2, or on the contrary a plurality of intersecting incisions or not. One or more perforations can also be made in the film using a pointed tool, for example to

form a precut line.

  In the variant of FIG. 5, a longitudinal main incision 3a and two smaller perpendicular incisions 3b, 3c have been made. Others

variants are possible.

  In the step shown in FIG. 3, an opening tongue 5 is associated with the film 2. This opening tongue 5 comprises an anchoring portion 6 welded or glued to the outer face 7 of the film 2, and a gripping portion 8 extending free as an extension of said anchoring portion 6. According to the invention, the incision 3 is cleaned after having shaped the film 2 - in particular after heat shrinking of the

  film 2 when using a heat-shrinkable film.

  And we carry out the step of association of the tongue

  opening 5 after making the incision 3.

  The opening tongue 5 is adapted and associated in such a way that the anchoring portion 6 covers the incision 3 entirely. In a process according to

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  the invention, each incision 3 or perforation made in the film 2 is advantageously covered with an anchoring portion 6 of an opening tab 5. Thus, the seal is preserved between the contents of the packaging and the 'outside. Advantageously and according to the invention, the gripping portion 8 of the opening tongue 5 extends the anchoring portion 6 in a direction

  perpendicular to the main direction of the incision 3.

  Thus, when the gripping portion 8 is lifted during the subsequent opening of the packaging (FIG. 6), the two edges facing the incision 3 tend to move apart, which triggers the tearing of the movie. As a variant or in combination, provision may also be made for the opening tongue 5 to have a gripping portion extending the anchoring portion 6 in a direction parallel to the main direction of the incision.

3, or in any other direction.

  As an opening tab 5, one can use a label formed of a synthetic film affixed to cover the incision 3. In the example advantageously shown and according to the invention, this opening tab 5 is a label provided with an adhesive or a self-adhesive 9 on a portion of its surface so that it can be glued to the film 2 and form said anchoring portion 6. The gripping portion 8 is a portion of the label which is adjacent to the portion

  anchor 6, and which is free of glue or self-adhesive

  adhesive, or with a coating (varnish, paper, film ...) neutralizing the glue or self-adhesive. In this way, this portion 8 is not glued to the film 2 and can be

  easily gripped by the consumer.

  The anchoring portion 6 of the opening tab 5 on the film 2 can be fixed by gluing using an adhesive or an adhesive 9 which can be of any kind (thermo-adhesive, contact adhesive ,. ..). As a variant, it is also possible to fix the anchoring portion 6 to the film 2 by heat sealing, or

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in any other equivalent way.

  Advantageously, the glue and / or the adhesive and / or the weld used to fix the anchoring portion 6 to the film 2 is adapted to allow the subsequent partial dissociation of this anchoring portion 6 when the consumer exerts traction on the gripping portion 8, so that the opening tab 5 is detached from the film 2 up to the incision 3 covered by the anchoring portion 6. But the glue and / or the adhesive and / or the weld are strong enough to hold a residual part of the anchoring portion 6 associated with the film 2, to allow subsequent tearing, initiated by the incision 3, by pulling the consumer on the tongue 5, the residual part

  of the anchoring portion 6 remains associated with the film.

  If necessary, provision may be made for the glue or the adhesive covering the anchoring portion 6 on its part opposite to the gripping portion 8 to be more resistant than the glue or the adhesive covering the rest of the anchoring portion 6 In practice, this is generally not necessary because the resistance opposed by the film becomes less important as soon as the incision 3 is

  discovery and that the tear has started.

  According to the invention, an opening tab 5 is used, the anchoring portion 6 of which has at least one zone 10 of its contact surface with the film 2 which is free of glue or self-adhesive, or provided with '' a coating (varnish, paper, film ...) neutralizing the glue or the self-adhesive, and which is suitable for covering an incision or perforation 3. This zone 10 is chemically and biologically inert so that it can be placed in hygienic contact with food. In the case where an adhesive and / or a self-adhesive 9 is used to fix the anchoring portion 6 to the film 2, a layer of food-grade varnish is advantageously applied in the central part of the anchoring portion 6, over the entire area corresponding to incision 3 or perforation to be covered. So this food grade varnish

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  prevents the contents of the packaging (object or group of packaged objects) from coming into contact with the outside and with the glue or adhesive of the anchoring portion 6. In addition, the glue or adhesive used can also be food grade. All the process steps according to the invention can be mechanized and automated and be integrated into a packaging line in large series and

rhythmically.

  FIG. 4 represents the packaging according to the invention obtained by the method according to the invention. As can be seen, the anchoring portion 6 is bonded securely to the outside of the film 2 opposite the incision 3 which is hidden by the anchoring portion 6 of the opening tongue 5. If the user exerts traction on the gripping portion 8 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, the tearable synthetic film weakened by the incision 3 tears from the

  ends of incision 3 as shown in Figure 6.

  The opening of the packaging is thus greatly facilitated,

  and this in a simple way and at lower manufacturing cost.

  The invention can be the subject of numerous applications and variants with respect to the modes

  shown and described.

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Claims (12)

  1 / - Method for packaging an object or a group of objects (1) under film (2) at least partially enveloping with tearable synthetic film, characterized in that, after having placed and having entirely shaped said film (2) around said object or group of objects (1) until it gives its final shape and appearance for the packaging of said object or group of objects: - at least one film is cleaned through said film (2) incision or perforation (3) adapted to form a tear initiation and / or a precut to facilitate the subsequent opening of the packaging, - said film (2) is associated with at least one opening tab (5) comprising a anchoring portion (6) welded or glued to the outer face (7) of said film (2), and a gripping portion (8) extending free in extension of said portion anchor (6).   2 / - Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a film (2) of heat-shrinkable film is used and in that at least one incision or perforation (3) is spared after heat-shrinking of the film (2).   3 / - Method according to one of claims   1 and 2, characterized in that the step of associating at least one opening tab (5) is carried out after having made at least one incision or perforation (3).   4 / - Method according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one opening tongue (5) is associated with which the anchoring portion (6) covers the   minus an incision or perforation (3).   / - Method according to one of claims   1 to 4, characterized in that each incision or perforation (3) is covered with the anchoring portion (6) with a tongue opening (5).   6 / - Method according to one of claims 13 2736330   1 to 5, characterized in that an incision is made unique (3).   7 / - Method according to one of claims   1 to 6, characterized in that as an opening tab (5), a label is used which has an adhesive or a self-adhesive (9) on a portion of its surface so that it can be bonded to the film (2) and form said anchoring portion (6), at least one portion (8) adjacent to the surface of the label being free of glue or self-adhesive, and / or provided with a coating neutralizing the effect of glue or self-adhesive, to   forming said gripping portion (8).   8 / - Method according to one of claims   1 to 7, characterized in that an opening tab (5) is used, the anchoring portion (6) of which has at least one zone (10) of the surface of contact with the film (2) which is free glue or self-adhesive, and / or provided with a coating neutralizing the effect of the glue or the self-adhesive, and which is suitable for   cover an incision or perforation (3).   9 / - Method according to claim 8, characterized in that said zone (10) is chemically and biologically inert so that it can be   placed in hygienic contact with food. 10 / - Method according to one of   Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that a   food-grade coating in at least one zone (10) - in particular in the central zone - of the surface of the anchoring portion (6) of the opening tongue (5) intended to extend opposite a incision or perforation (3).   11 / - Packaging characterized in that it is   obtained by a process according to one of claims 1   to 10. 12 / - Packaging according to claim 11 comprising a film (2) at least partially enveloping of tearable synthetic film, characterized: - in that it comprises at least one 14 2736330   incision or perforation (3) made through said film (2) and adapted to form a tear initiation and / or a precut to facilitate the subsequent opening of the package, - in that it comprises at least one tongue d opening (5) comprising an anchoring portion (6) welded or glued to the outer face (7) of said film (2) and a gripping portion (8) extending free in extension of said anchoring portion (6), - and in that each incision or perforation (3) is completely covered by said   anchoring portion (6) of an opening tab (5). 13 / - Packaging according to one of   claims 11 and 12, characterized in that said   film (2) is a film (2) of heat-shrunk film. 14 / - Packaging according to one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the tongue   opening (5) is a synthetic film label whose anchoring portion (6) is glued to the film (2), and in that at least one zone (10) -in particular the central zone- of the anchoring portion (6) covers an incision or perforation (3) and is free of glue or adhesive, and / or provided with a protective coating such as a layer of food-grade varnish, extending opposite of said incision or perforation (3).