GB2523391A - Packaging method and apparatus - Google Patents

Packaging method and apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2523391A
GB2523391A GB1403232.0A GB201403232A GB2523391A GB 2523391 A GB2523391 A GB 2523391A GB 201403232 A GB201403232 A GB 201403232A GB 2523391 A GB2523391 A GB 2523391A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tape
web
reclose
reclose tape
seal
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1403232.0A
Other versions
GB201403232D0 (en
Inventor
Philip Allen
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.)
Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Original Assignee
Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd filed Critical Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Priority to GB1403232.0A priority Critical patent/GB2523391A/en
Publication of GB201403232D0 publication Critical patent/GB201403232D0/en
Publication of GB2523391A publication Critical patent/GB2523391A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/60—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for sweets or like confectionery products
    • 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
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/10—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles
    • B65B35/24—Feeding, e.g. conveying, single articles by endless belts or chains
    • 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
    • B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
    • B65B41/12—Feeding webs from rolls
    • B65B41/16—Feeding webs from rolls by rollers
    • 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
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
    • 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
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
    • B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
    • B65B51/306—Counter-rotating devices
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B9/073—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web having intermittent motion
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/2014—Tube advancing means
    • B65B9/2021—Tube advancing means combined with longitudinal welding devices
    • 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
    • B65D33/165—Flexible elongated elements integral with or attached to bags or sacks ; Fastening thereof to the bag before closing
    • 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
    • B65D33/1691—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices using adhesive applied to attached closure elements
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B29C65/4805—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the type of adhesives
    • B29C65/481—Non-reactive adhesives, e.g. physically hardening adhesives
    • B29C65/4825—Pressure sensitive adhesives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B29C65/745—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/133—Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/432—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms
    • B29C66/4322—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles for making tubular articles or closed loops, e.g. by joining several sheets ; for making hollow articles or hollow preforms by joining a single sheet to itself
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8341—Roller, cylinder or drum types; Band or belt types; Ball types
    • B29C66/83411—Roller, cylinder or drum types
    • B29C66/83413—Roller, cylinder or drum types cooperating rollers, cylinders or drums
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/834—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools moving with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8351—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws
    • B29C66/83511—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders or drums
    • B29C66/83513—Jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders, drums, bands, belts or chains; Flying jaws jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders or drums cooperating jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders or drums and moving in a closed path
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/849—Packaging machines
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B2009/063—Forming shoulders
    • 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
    • B65B2220/00—Specific aspects of the packaging operation
    • B65B2220/08—Creating fin seals as the longitudinal seal on horizontal or vertical form fill seal [FFS] machines
    • 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
    • B65D2575/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D2575/52—Details
    • B65D2575/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D2575/586—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture with means for reclosing

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

Wrappers have a longitudinal seal 4, two end seals 5 and adhesive tape 10 for reclosing them. The tape can be parallel to the longitudinal seal and along it or away from it. Ideally the tape is applied from a reel via a guide roller continuously to the film during forming so extends along the entire length of the package. The seals can be formed by pressure with or without heat. The tape could be applied to the internal or external surface of the package. Seals of two adjacent packets could be formed at the same time that the packages are cut to separate them. The tape can have a pressure sensitive adhesive stripe and edges without any adhesive on.

Description

PACKAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for flow wrapping products to produce packaged products, in particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for flow wrapping products to produce packaged products having a reclose tape.
Products are frequently provided in packaging which can be opened to provide access to the product. For example, confectionary is often packaged within a filmic packet or wrapper to keep the confectionary fresh. In some cases, a consumer may not consume all of the confectionary after opening the wrapper. This may be the case if the multiple portions are provided within a single filmic packet. It may therefore be desirable to reclose the packaging in order to keep the remainder of the product fresh.
Where the packaged product is relatively small, it may be difficult to provide a means for reclosing the packaging.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for wrapping products to provide.
According to an aspect there is provided a method of flow wrapping products to produce packaged or wrapped products, comprising: applying adhesive reclose tape (alternatively referred to as a reseal tape) to a web of packaging film in the web direction; forming the web into a packaging tube; sealing the opposing sides of the web together to form a longitudinal or fin seal; sealing across the packaging tube between adjacent products located within the packaging tube to form at least one end seal; and cutting through and across the packaging tube and the reclose tape in the region of the at least one end seal. The method may be a continuous process.
The method may include drawing or feeding the web in the web direction. The web may be continuously formed into a packaging tube. The longitudinal seal may be continuously formed. At least one end seal between adjacent products may be repeatedly formed. Cutting through the packaging tube and the reclose tape may be repeatedly performed. The method may be a horizontal flow wrapping process. There may be multiple articles or products within one filmic wrapper (or packet). For example, there may be a plurality of articles arranged side-by-side, end-to-end, or stacked.
The web may be a material such as mono-oriented polypropylene (MOPP), polypropylene (PP), bi-oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyethylene (PE). The web of packaging film may be a laminate or a single layer.
The reclose tape may be applied to the outer surface of the web. The reclose tape may be applied to the inner surface of the web. The reclose tape may be continuously applied in a continuous length to the web. Alternatively, discrete lengths of reclose tape may be repeatedly applied to the web (i.e. one after the other with a gap between them). The discrete lengths may be cut from a reel of reclose tape. The length of the discrete lengths cut may be less than the length of one filmic wrapper (or packet). If the reclose tape is applied to the inner surface of the web, it may be advantageous to apply discrete lengths of reclose tape rather than continuously applying reclose tape.
The reclose tape may be applied as the web is drawn in the web direction. Applying the reclose tape may comprise adhering the reclose tape to the web. The reclose tape may be releasably applied to the web.
The reclose tape may be applied to the web at a transverse (cross-web) location away from the edge of the web such that it is provided at a location away from the longitudinal seal. The reclose tape may be applied to the web towards the edge of the web such that it is provided on the longitudinal seal.
The reclose tape may be applied to the web in the region of a guide roller over which the web passes. The reclose tape may be provided from reel. The reclose tape may be provided from a self-wound reel.
Sealing to form at least one end seal and cutting across and through the packaging tube and the reclose tape may be carried out simultaneously (i.e. in a single operation).
Sealing to form a longitudinal seal and/or sealing to form at least one end seal may be a cold seal process. Sealing to form a longitudinal seal and/or sealing to form at least one end seal may be a heat seal process. Sealing across the packaging tube between adjacent products may form two end seals. The packaging tube may be cut between the two end seals. The cutting operation may comprise cutting through the longitudinal seal. The cutting operation may comprise cutting through the web. Cutting may form a discrete packaged product. Sealing to form two end seals may comprise forming one seal and cutting or diving (in the cross-web direction) into two.
The method may further comprise feeding products into the packaging tube.
According to another aspect there is provided an apparatus for flow wrapping products to produce packaged products, comprising: a tape applicator for applying adhesive reclose tape (alternatively referred to as reseal tape) to a web of packaging film in the web direction; a former for forming the web into a packaging tube; a longitudinal seal former for sealing the opposing sides of the web together to form a longitudinal seal; an edge seal former for sealing across the packaging tube between adjacent products located within the packaging tube to form at least one end seal; and a cutter for cutting through and across the packaging tube and the reclose tape in the region of the at least one end seal.
The tape applicator may be arranged to apply reclose tape to the outer surface of the web. The tape applicator may be arranged to apply reclose tape to the inner surface of the web. The tape applicator may be arranged to continuously apply a continuous length of reclose tape to the web. Alternatively, the tape applicator may be arranged to repeatedly apply discrete lengths of reclose tape to the web (i.e. one after the other with a gap between them). The discrete lengths may be cut from a reel of reclose tape.
The tape applicator may comprise a cutter for cutting discrete lengths of reclose tape.
The length of the discrete lengths cut may be less than the length of one filmic wrapper (or packet).
The tape applicator may be arranged to apply the reclose tape to the web at a transverse location away from the edge of the web such that it is provided at a location away from the longitudinal seal. The tape applicator may be arranged to apply the reclose tape to the web towards the edge of the web such that it is provided on the longitudinal seal.
The apparatus may further comprise a guide roller over which the web passes. The tape applicator may be arranged to apply the reclose tape to the web in the region of the guide roller.
The apparatus may further comprise a tape reel holder onto which a reel of reclose tape can be loaded. The tape reel holder may be arranged receive a self-wound reel of reclose tape.
The edge seal former and the cutter may be integral with one another (i.e. they may be the same tool or mechanism) such that in use, forming at least one end seal and cutting across and through the packaging tube and the reclose tape is carried out simultaneously (i.e. at the same time in a single operation).
The longitudinal seal former may be arranged to form a longitudinal seal using pressure alone (cold seal) or using pressure and heat (heat seal). The edge seal former may be arranged to form at least one end seal using pressure alone or using pressure and heat.
The edge seal former may be arranged to form two end seals between adjacent products. The cutter may be arranged to cut the packaging tube between the two end seals.
The apparatus may further comprise a feed mechanism for feeding products into the packaging tube.
The longitudinal seal former may be arranged to draw the web through the apparatus in the web direction. The apparatus may further comprise a web reel holder onto which a web of packaging film can be loaded.
According to yet a further aspect there is provided a flow wrapped packaged product, comprising: a sealed filmic packet or wrapper within which a product is located, the filmic packet having a longitudinal seal and two end seals; and a reclose tape (alternatively referred to as a reseal tape) releasably adhered to the filmic packet.
The reclose tape may be coextensive with the packaged product. The reclose tape may comprise a longitudinally extending adhesive stripe. The adhesive stripe may be coextensive with the reclose tape. The adhesive stripe may be continuous, discontinuous (e.g. a "dotted" stripe) or patterned (e.g. zig-zag or hatched). The reclose tape may comprise at least one longitudinally extending non-adhesive edge region. The reclose tape may comprise two longitudinally extending non-adhesive edge regions. The reclose tape may be provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating. The reclose tape may be provided with a reseal adhesive coating. The adhesive stripe may be formed by applying a deadening coating over an adhesive coating.
The width of the reclose tape may be 50mm or less, 40mm or less, 30mm or less, 20mm or less, 15mm or less, or 10mm or less, or 8mm or less. The width of each reclose tape may be between 1-60mm, 2-50mm, 3-40mm, 2-30mm, 4-20mm, or 5- 10mm. The width of each adhesive stripe may be 50mm or less, 40mm or less, 30mm or less, 20mm or less, 15mm or less, 10mm, or 5mm or less. The width of each adhesive stripe may be between 1-50mm, 2-40mm, 3-30mm, 2-20mm, 4-10mm, or 5-8mm The reclose tape may be releasably adhered to outer surface of the filmic packet (wrapper). The reclose tape may be releasably adhered to the inner surface of the filmic packet. The reclose tape may be releasably adhered to the filmic packet at a position away from the longitudinal seal. The reclose tape may be releasably adhered to the filmic packet on the longitudinal seal. The reclose tape may be parallel to the longitudinal seal.
The invention may comprise any combination of the features and/or limitations referred to herein, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows a packaged product comprising a filmic packet and a strip of reclose tape; Figure 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional view through the reclose tape shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 schematically shows packaging machinery for producing the packaged product of Figure 1; Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view through the fin seal former of Figure 3; Figure 5 schematically shows a close-up view of the end seal former and cutter of Figure 3; Figure 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view through a packaged product; Figure 7 schematically shows a cross-sectional view through an alternative packaged product; Figure 8 schematically shows alternative packaging machinery; and Figure 9 schematically shows a cross-sectional view through a packaged product produced by the machinery of Figure 8.
Figure 1 shows a flow wrapped packaged product 1 in the form of a sealed filmic packet 2 (which may be referred to as a filmic wrapper) containing a food product 3, such as a confectionary bar. The filmic packet 2 is made from a web of filmic substrate and comprises a longitudinal (or fin) seal 4 (on a rear surface) and two end seals 5.
The filmic packet 2 is provided with an elongate strip of reclose tape 10 (sometimes referred to as reseal tape) which is releasably adhered to the outer surface of the rear of the filmic packet 2 and is spaced from the fin seal 4. The reclose tape 10 is parallel to the longitudinal seal and is coextensive with the filmic packet 2. The reclose tape 10 therefore continuously extends from the one end seal 5 to the other end seal 5. A user can tear open the filmic packet 2 to open the filmic packet 2 to form an opening 6 such that the some or all of the food product 3 can be removed from the filmic packet 2. If the food product 3 is not completely consumed, the filmic packet 2 can be resealed to preserve the freshness of the remaining product 3. In order to close the filmic packet 2, the reclose tape 10 is peeled away from the outer surface of the filmic packet 2, the packet 2 is folded over and the reclose tape 10 is readhered over and around the filmic packet 2 so as to temporarily reclose it. The material used for the filmic packet 2 may be any suitable substrate such as polypropylene (PP), mono or bi-oriented polypropylene (MOPP or BOPP), polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyethylene (PE). The material used may be a single layer or a laminate such as a foil lamination comprising an aluminium alloy sheet between two film layers. Although it has been described that there is a "product" within the filmic packet 2, the product may comprise multiple articles, such as two or more chocolate bars in a single filmic packet 2 arranged end-to-end, side-to-side, or on top of one another.
The strip of reclose tape lOis an elongate strip of tape and is applied to the outside of the filmic packet 2 from a self-wound reel of reclose tape during the packaging process.
Referring to Figure 2, the strip of reclose tape 10 comprises a base film layer 12 which in this embodiment is a clear (i.e. transparent) mono-oriented polypropylene (MOPP) film. It should be appreciated that other suitable materials could be used for the base layer, for example, the base layer 12 could be polypropylene (PP), bi-oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) or paper.
The base layer 12 may be a single layer or a laminate. The lower surface of the base layer 12 is printed with a print layer 14 or pattern which may be a pattern, a continuous colour, or text, for example. The print layer 14 is viewable from the upper side of the base layer 12. A clear (i.e. transparent) adhesive stripe 16 is provided on the lower surface of the print layer 14 and extends in the same direction as the tape. The adhesive forming the adhesive stripe 16 is a pressure sensitive reseal adhesive. The adhesive may be a rubber or acrylic based adhesive and may either be a hot melt, emulsion, or a solvent based adhesive. The adhesive stripe 16 is elongate and coextensive with the base layer 12 and is narrower than the width of the base layer 12.
The adhesive stripe 16 is continuous in the length direction. However, in other embodiments the adhesive stripe 16 could be broken along the length direction (i.e. it could be a "dotted" stripe) or it may be patterned. In this embodiment the width of the base layer 12 is 10mm and the width of the adhesive stripe 16 is 5mm. In this embodiment, the adhesive stripe 16 is located centrally with respect to the base layer 12 and therefore the underside of the base layer 12/print layer 14 has dry, or non-adhesive, edge regions 20, 22 that are elongate and extend along the entire length of the reclose tape 10, each having a width of 2.5mm. It should be appreciated that other suitable dimensions could be chosen. The dry-edge regions 20, 22 provide a fingerlift on each side of the reclose tape 10 along the entire length of the tape 10. In use, this allows a user to easily grasp the reclose tape 10 such that it can be peeled away from the filmic packet 2. Although it has been described that the reclose tape 10 has two fingerlifts 20, 22, one each side of the adhesive stripe 16, in other embodiments only one fingerlift may be provided. The upper surface of the base layer 12 is provided with a silicone release layer 18 which allows the reclose tape 10 to be supplied as a self-wound reel (i.e. without a release liner).
A method and apparatus for packaging products 3 within a filmic packet 2 provided with a length of reclose tape 10 will now be described.
Figure 3 shows packaging machinery 30 (or an apparatus) for continuously flow wrapping products 3 such as individual or multiple confectionary bars that are to be sealed in a filmic packet 2. The packaging machine 30 comprises a film feed assembly 32, a reclose tape applicator 34, a feed mechanism 36, a former 38, a longitudinal (or fin) seal former 40, and an end seal former and cutter 42.
The film feed assembly 32 comprises a web reel holder 44 onto which a reel 46 of of filmic packaging material can be loaded, and first and second guide rollers 48, 50. The reclose tape applicator 34 comprises a tape reel holder 54 onto which a self-wound reel of adhesive reclose tape 55 can be loaded, and a tape guide roller 56. In use, a reel 46 of packaging material (such as PP, PET or PE) is loaded onto the reel holder 44 and the web 52 is continuously drawn through the apparatus in the web direction, passing over the first and second guide rollers 48, 50. A self-wound reel 55 of self-adhesive reclose tape is loaded onto the tape reel holder 54 and passes over the tape guide roller 56, and meets the web 52 at the first guide roller 48. The reclose tape applicator 34 is configured so that the reclose tape 58 is drawn in a direction parallel to the web direction, and so that it meets the web 52 at the transverse (cross-web) position at which it is desired to apply the reclose tape 58. The transverse position of the tape guide roller 56 determines the transverse position at which the reclose tape 58 is applied to the web 52. In this embodiment, the reclose tape applicator 34 is configured to apply the reclose tape 58 to the outer surface of the packaging web 52 (i.e. the surface that will become the outer surface of the filmic packet 2) and at a transverse position spaced from an edge of the web 52 by a distance that is greater than the width of the fin seal 4. Since the reclose tape 58 is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive stripe 16, as it meets the web 52 at the first guide roller 48 it is adhered to the web 52. This causes the reclose tape 58 to be continuously drawn with and applied to the outer surface of the web 52 in the web direction. This results in a web of packaging material comprising the filmic web 52 and the reclose tape 58 which is coextensive with and parallel to the web 52. The transverse position at which the reclose tape 58 is applied to the web 52 may be manually or automatically monitored to ensure that the reclose tape 58 is applied at the correct transverse position. In other embodiments, the reclose tape applicator 34 may comprise a cutter (not shown) which is arranged to repeatedly cut discrete lengths of reclose tape from the reel 55 and apply those discrete lengths to the surface of the web 52. This arrangement may be advantageous if it is desirable that the length of the discrete lengths of reclose tape applied to the filmic packet/wrapper is less than the length of the wrapper.
The feed mechanism 36 comprises an infeed conveyor 60 provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced pushers 62. In this embodiment, the pushers 62 are spaced from one another by a distance that is equal to the length of the filmic packet 2 that is to be manufactured. In use, products 3 are either manually or automatically placed in the space between adjacent pushers 62 and the conveyor 60 and pushers 62 horizontally move the products 3 towards the former 40.
The web of filmic packaging material 52 (with the reclose tape 58 adhered thereto) meets the former 38 which is configured to form a packaging tube 64 as the web 52 is drawn through the apparatus 30 in the web direction. Specifically, the web 52 is wrapped around the former 38 so that the opposite longitudinal sides of the web 52 meet to form a longitudinal seam, thereby resulting in a packaging tube 64 being continuously formed. The feed mechanism 36 acts to feed the products 3 into the packaging tube 64 where they are transported in a spaced relationship in the web (or machine) direction.
The packaging tube 64 formed by the former is drawn in the web direction through the longitudinal fin seal former 40. The longitudinal fin seal former 40 comprises two fin forming stages 66, 68 which are arranged to form the longitudinal fin seal where the opposing sides of the web 52 meet. The fin seal former 40 also acts to draw the entire web 52 through the packaging machine 30 in the web direction. As shown in Figure 4, which shows one of the fin forming stages 66, each stage comprises two opposing fin wheels 70, 72 that are located side-by-side and rotate about a vertical axes (i.e. about axes perpendicular to a horizontal plane) in opposing directions. In use, the opposing edges of the web 52, which form the longitudinal seam 74, are disposed between the two fin wheels 70, 72 which pull the seam 74 through the fin wheels 70, 72 in the web direction, whilst pressing the edges of the web 52 together. The inner surface of the edges of the web 52 are provided with a cold seal adhesive, and therefore pressing the edges together forms a continuous longitudinal (or fin) seal. In other embodiments, the web 52 may be provided with a heat sensitive adhesive and the fin seal former 40 may apply pressure and heat to seal the edges together. The second fin forming stage 68 is substantially the same as the first. However, the fin wheels 70, 72 may be configured to fold the continuous fin seal flat against the packaging tube 64. As can be seen from Figure 4, since the continuous reclose tape 58 is spaced from the edges of the web 52, it does not travel between the fin wheels 70, 72.
The packaging tube 64 having a continuous longitudinal seal and containing spaced products 3 is drawn in the web direction through the end seal former and cutter 42 which forms discrete packaged products 1. Referring to Figure 5, the end seal former and cutter 42 comprises upper and lowel rotary members 76, 78 that aie arranged to continuously rotate in opposing directions about horizontal axes that are perpendicular to the web direction. In this embodiment, the rotary members 76, 78 have first and second heads (only one head is shown in Figure 5). The head 77 of the upper rotary member 76 has a knife 80 and front and rear crimpers 82, 84, whilst the head 79 of the lower rotary member 78 has a anvil 86 and front and rear anvil crimpers 88, 90. In use, the packaging tube passes between the upper and lower rotary members 76, 78 which are wider than the packaging tube 64. The rotary members 76, 78 are set to rotate such that the an upper head 77 and a lower head 79 come together (or meet) at a position in between adjacent products within the packaging tube 64 (Figure 3). As the heads 77, 79 come together, two end seals are formed and the packaging tube 64 (i.e. the web 52), the reclose tape 58 and the longitudinal seal are completely cut.
Specifically, the rear crimper 84 and the rear anvil crimper 90 cooperate to form an end seal 5 of the leading filmic packet 2, the front crimper 82 and the front anvil crimper 88 cooperate to form an end seal 5 of the trailing filmic packet 2. The inner surface of the web 52 is provided with a cold seal adhesive, and therefore crimping the packaging tube 64 together forms an end seal 5. In other embodiments, the web 52 may be provided with a heat sensitive adhesive and the end seal former 42 may apply pressure and heat to seal across the packaging tube 64. The knife 80 and knife anvil 86 also cooperate to cut through the entire width and thickness of the packaging tube 64 (the web 52), the reclose tape 58 and the longitudinal seal 4. As the rotary members 76, 78 rotate, the sealing and culling operation repeatedly occurs. As shown in Figure 6, this forms a discrete packaged product 1 having a filmic packet 2 with a fin seal 4, and end seals 5, with a discrete length of reclose tape 10 adhered along the entire length of the packet 2.
It has been described that the reclose tape 58 is applied to the web 52 at a transverse location spaced away from the edge of the web 52 so that in the final packaged product, the reclose tape 10 is located away from the fin seal 4. However, as shown in Figure 7, in other embodiment the reclose tape 58 may be applied closer to the edge of the web 52 so that the reclose tape 10 is located on the fin seal 4. Of course, the reclose tape 52 could be applied to the web 52 at any appropriate transverse location.
As opposed to applying the reclose tape 58 to the outer surface of the web 52, the reclose tape applicator 34 may be arranged to apply the reclose tape 58 the inner surface of the web 52. A packaging apparatus 30 in which the reclose tape 58 is applied to the inner surface of the web 52 is shown in Figure 8. This apparatus is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 3, with the exception that the tape reel holder 54 and tape guide holder 56 are located in a different position, and the reclose tape 58 is applied (adhered) to the web 52 in the region of the second guide roller 50.
As shown in Figure 9, this apparatus would produce packaged products 1 having a filmic packet 2 with a discrete strip of reclose tape 10 provided on the inside of the packet 2. If the reclose tape 10 is located within the filmic packet 2, it could be used like a tear tape to tear through and open the filmic packet 2. After being used to open the filmic packet 2, the reclose tape 10 could be peeled away and used to reclose the filmic packet 2. In an alternative arrangement, the reclose tape applicator 34 comprises a cutter which cuts discrete lengths of reclose tape from the reel before applying them to the inner surface of the web 52. The discrete lengths of reclose tape would be repeatedly applied to the inner surface of the web 52. The lengths of the reclose tape cut may be less than the length of the filmic packet 2 such that the reclose tape is not sealed between the end seals 5. This may improve the integrity of the seals.

Claims (49)

  1. CLAIMS: 1. A method of flow wrapping products to produce packaged products, comprising: applying adhesive reclose tape to a web of packaging film in the web direction; forming the web into a packaging tube; sealing the opposing sides of the web together to form a longitudinal seal; sealing across the packaging tube between adjacent products located within the packaging tube to form at least one end seal; and cutting through and across the packaging tube and the reclose tape in the region of the at least one end seal.
  2. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reclose tape is applied to the outer surface of the web.
  3. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reclose tape is applied to the inner surface of the web.
  4. 4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape is continuously applied to the web.
  5. 5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape is applied to the web at a transverse location away from the edge of the web such that it is provided at a location away from the longitudinal seal.
  6. 6. A method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the reclose tape is applied to the web towards the edge of the web such that it is provided on the longitudinal seal.
  7. 7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape is applied to the web in the region of a guide roller over which the web passes.
  8. 8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape is provided from reel.
  9. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the reclose tape is provided from a self-
  10. 10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein sealing to form at least one end seal and cutting across and through the packaging tube and the reclose tape is carried out simultaneously.
  11. 11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein sealing to form a longitudinal seal and/or sealing to form at least one end seal is a cold seal process.
  12. 12. A method according to any of claims 1-10, wherein sealing to form a longitudinal seal and/or sealing to form at least one end seal is a heat seal process.
  13. 13. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein sealing across the packaging tube between adjacent products forms two end seals; and wherein the packaging tube is cut between the two end seals.
  14. 14. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising feeding products into the packaging tube.
  15. 15. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape is coextensive with the packaged product.
  16. 16. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape comprises a longitudinally extending adhesive stripe.
  17. 17. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape comprises at least one longitudinally extending non-adhesive edge region.
  18. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the reclose tape comprises two longitudinally extending non-adhesive edge regions.
  19. 19. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating.
  20. 20. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the reclose tape is provided with a reseal adhesive coating.
  21. 21. An apparatus for flow wrapping products to produce packaged products, comprising: a tape applicator for applying adhesive reclose tape to a web of packaging film in the web direction; a former for forming the web into a packaging tube; a longitudinal seal former for sealing the opposing sides of the web together to form a longitudinal seal; an edge seal former for sealing across the packaging tube between adjacent products located within the packaging tube to form at least one end seal; and a cutter for cutting through and across the packaging tube and the reclose tape in the region of the at least one end seal.
  22. 22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the tape applicator is arranged to apply reclose tape to the outer surface of the web.
  23. 23. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the tape applicator is arranged to apply reclose tape to the inner surface of the web.
  24. 24. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-23, wherein the tape applicator is arranged to continuously apply reclose tape to the web.
  25. 25. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-24, wherein the tape applicator is arranged to apply the reclose tape to the web at a transverse location away from the edge of the web such that it is provided at a location away from the longitudinal seal.
  26. 26. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 1-24, wherein the tape applicator is arranged to apply the reclose tape to the web towards the edge of the web such that it is provided on the longitudinal seal.
  27. 27. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-26, further comprising a guide roller over which the web passes, and wherein the tape applicator is arranged to apply the reclose tape to the web in the region of the guide roller.
  28. 28. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-27, further comprising a tape reel holder onto which a reel of reclose tape can be loaded.
  29. 29. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the tape reel holder is arranged receive a self-wound reel of reclose tape.
  30. 30. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-29, wherein the edge seal former and the cutter are integral with one another such that in use, forming at least one end seal and cutting across and through the packaging tube and the reclose tape is carried out simultaneously.
  31. 31. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-30, wherein the longitudinal seal former is arranged to form a longitudinal seal using pressure alone or using pressure and heat.
  32. 32. An apparatus according to any of claims 2 1-30, wherein the edge seal former is arranged to form at least one end seal using pressure alone or using pressure and heat.
  33. 33. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-32, wherein the edge seal former is arranged to form two end seals between adjacent products; and wherein the cutter is arranged to cut the packaging tube between the two end seals.
  34. 34. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-33, further comprising a feed mechanism for feeding products into the packaging tube.
  35. 35. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-34, wherein the longitudinal seal former is arranged to draw the web through the apparatus in the web direction.
  36. 36. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-35, further comprising a web reel holder onto which a web of packaging film can be loaded.
  37. 37. A flow wrapped packaged product, comprising: a sealed filmic packet within which a product is located, the filmic packet having a longitudinal seal and two end seals; and a reclose tape releasably adhered to the filmic packet.
  38. 38. A product according to claim 37, wherein the reclose tape is coextensive with the packaged product.
  39. 39. A product according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the reclose tape comprises a longitudinally extending adhesive stripe.
  40. 40. A product according to any of claims 37-39, wherein the reclose tape comprises at least one longitudinally extending non-adhesive edge region.
  41. 41. A product according to claim 40, wherein the reclose tape comprises two longitudinally extending non-adhesive edge regions.
  42. 42. A product according to any of claims 37-41, wherein the reclose tape is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating.
  43. 43. A product according to any of claims 37-42, wherein the reclose tape is provided with a reseal adhesive coating.
  44. 44. A product according to any of claims 37-43, wherein the reclose tape is releasably adhered to outer surface of the filmic packet.
  45. 45. A product according to any of claims 37-44, wherein the reclose tape is releasably adhered to the inner surface of the filmic packet.
  46. 46. A product according to any of claims 37-45, wherein the reclose tape is releasably adhered to the filmic packet at a position away from the longitudinal seal.
  47. 47. A product according to any of claims 37-45, wherein the reclose tape is releasably adhered to the filmic packet on the longitudinal seal.
  48. 48. A product according to any of claims 37-47, wherein the reclose tape is parallel to the longitudinal seal.
  49. 49. A method of flow wrapping products, an apparatus for flow wrapping products, or a flow wrapped product substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB1403232.0A 2014-02-24 2014-02-24 Packaging method and apparatus Withdrawn GB2523391A (en)

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Citations (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1057165A (en) * 1964-02-29 1967-02-01 Weed Master Western Ltd An improved container for fluid materials
EP0134130A2 (en) * 1983-08-25 1985-03-13 Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft Containers
US5007744A (en) * 1989-12-21 1991-04-16 Sharp Packaging, Inc. Strips of interconnected pre-opened reclosable bags
EP0827912A2 (en) * 1996-09-06 1998-03-11 Fres-Co System Usa, Inc. Resealable package
EP1719712A1 (en) * 2005-05-04 2006-11-08 Sealstrip Corporation Reclosable packages
US20090145084A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2009-06-11 Amcor Flexibles Europe Recloseable flexible bag
WO2011004271A2 (en) * 2009-07-07 2011-01-13 Di-El Tack Ltd. An adhesive clamp for closing a bag

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1057165A (en) * 1964-02-29 1967-02-01 Weed Master Western Ltd An improved container for fluid materials
EP0134130A2 (en) * 1983-08-25 1985-03-13 Beiersdorf Aktiengesellschaft Containers
US5007744A (en) * 1989-12-21 1991-04-16 Sharp Packaging, Inc. Strips of interconnected pre-opened reclosable bags
EP0827912A2 (en) * 1996-09-06 1998-03-11 Fres-Co System Usa, Inc. Resealable package
US20090145084A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2009-06-11 Amcor Flexibles Europe Recloseable flexible bag
EP1719712A1 (en) * 2005-05-04 2006-11-08 Sealstrip Corporation Reclosable packages
WO2011004271A2 (en) * 2009-07-07 2011-01-13 Di-El Tack Ltd. An adhesive clamp for closing a bag

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