JP2016533932A - Bottom gusset package and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A bottom gusset package comprising a package body and a bottom gusset positioned laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the package body. Manufacture of the bottom gusset package takes place by positioning the individual sleeves transversely to the longitudinal axis of the flexible web forming the package body. During package manufacture, the flexible web is cut to produce individual packages, with each individual sleeve positioned to form a bottom gusset within the respective package. In some cases, each of the individual sleeves is cut to form the individual sleeve portions when the flexible web is cut to form individual packages, each of which is cut into a bottom gusset in one package and an adjacent package. You may make it a form which forms an upper-end sleeve part. [Selection] Figure 11

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a package generated from a polymeric film web, and more particularly a bottom-gusseted package with a bottom gusset positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the package with respect to the package configuration. And a method of manufacturing the same that enables use with an associated bag-filling device.

  Packages produced from plastic polymeric film materials are widely used in the market for the purpose of convenient and efficient packaging of all types of food and non-food products. The manufacture of packages of this nature typically involves folding and sealing a web of polymeric material to produce a package body having front and back package panels, in addition to joining the package panels together at their edges. It is done through letting. When the front and back package panels are joined together, depending on the manufacturing method, the part of the package body is folded or the package panels are joined together at a seal (typically heat seal). It can be carried out.

  This type of non-gusset package is sometimes referred to as “pillow packs” and does not have side gussets, top gussets, or bottom gussets. However, it is preferred to produce a gusset package for many applications, such that the package is provided with an inwardly extending pleat-like gusset located at one or more edges of the package body. For example, the side gusset package is provided with a side gusset extending inward at the opposite side of the package body, and the side gusset joins the lateral edges of the front and back package panels to each other.

  In some applications, it is particularly preferred to provide a bottom gusset package, i.e., a package with an inwardly extending gusset at the bottom of the package body. Thanks to the breadth and stability provided by the bottom gusset, the form of the package of this nature is often a self-supporting structure, facilitating an efficient display for the consumer to select.

  Production of bottom gusset packages has traditionally been accomplished by applying pleats to a web of polymeric material in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the web. The forming and placement of the polymeric web is accomplished using a suitable plow and molding guide while moving the polymeric web in the longitudinal direction, which creates an inwardly extending continuous bottom gusset in the web material. It is included. Thereafter, an appropriate seal is created in the transverse direction of the web to define the individual package body, each of which has a front and a back package panel respectively. There is a bottom gusset. The web of material is cut at transversely extending seals to produce individual package bodies, but the contents located within each package are placed before the web is cut into individual packages or One of the later. Each package body is closed and sealed by creating an upper seal (located opposite the bottom gusset) at the edge of the folded polymeric web. The width of the bottom gusset produced using such manufacturing techniques corresponds to and is the same as the width of the front and back package panels.

  As will be appreciated by such typical manufacturing techniques, the height, i.e., vertical dimension, of each package body is equal to approximately half the width of the polymeric web, i.e., smaller than the dimension of the bottom gusset. As a result, the maximum height of all resulting packages is inherently limited by the maximum width of the polymeric material web that the manufacturing equipment can handle.

  The present invention contemplates bottom gusset packages and manufacturing methods, which address the shortcomings of conventional bottom gusset package manufacturing. This is accomplished by producing each package with a polymeric film web and a bottom gusset positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of each package. Any selected bottom gusset package can be produced easily and efficiently.

  A bottom gusset package embodying the principles of the present invention includes a package body produced from a flexible web having a longitudinal axis. The flexible web is folded so as to define the front package panel and the back package panel of the package body. In addition to joining the front and back package panels to each other at the respective lateral edges of the package body, the soft web is also joined to itself along a seam extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the soft web.

  It should be noted that the package produced in accordance with the present invention is provided with a bottom gusset located between the front and back package panels, the bottom gusset being above the lower edge of the front and back package panels. And it extends inward. When the present package is produced in accordance with the present invention, its bottom gusset is located within the package body and lies transversely to the longitudinal axis of the package body and the longitudinal axis of the soft web that is the source of the resulting package body. It is located in the transverse direction. As a result, the package body can be produced very efficiently at any selected height, and is not necessarily limited to the width of the soft web that is the source of the resulting package.

  It should be noted that the package manufacturing method according to the present invention is diverse and can produce various forms of bottom gusset packages. In one exemplary embodiment, a bottom gusset package is produced in which a resealable fastener assembly is provided in the upper portion of the package. In an alternative embodiment, the top sleeve portion generally results in a bottom gusset package located on the opposite side of the bottom gusset, but the top sleeve portion may be configured with a dispensing feature or an upper package seal. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to implement the present invention so as to produce a package that is not provided with a top sleeve portion but only a bottom gusset.

  Fabrication of a bottom gusset package can be accomplished through folding a flexible material web generally at its longitudinal axis and joining the lateral edges of the flexible web to create a seam at one side edge of the package. is there. Thus, the bottom gusset of the package generally extends between the longitudinal axis of the material web and the package seam. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom gusset package is created such that the seam created by joining the web material itself is located within the back package panel. Thanks to such manufacturing technology, the width of the bottom gusset of this package is narrower than the width of the front and back package panels.

  A method of manufacturing a bottom gusset package according to the present invention comprises providing a flexible material web having a longitudinal axis. Suitable polymeric materials can be used that have liquid impermeability and heat fusibility.

Use of the present method with a soft material web is intended to provide a soft sleeve forming web. The sleeve forming web is folded into a generally tubular shape, but may be configured to include a series of resealable fastener assemblies, a series of upper package seals, or other features. At present, it is preferred that the inner surface of the folded sleeve-forming web does not heat seal with itself, thus facilitating the formation of a bottom gusset that expands or opens so that the resulting package is generally free-standing. . The specific composition of the material used as the source for forming the package body and the bottom gusset can be appropriately selected according to the specific application. For example, the sleeve forming web that forms the bottom gusset may be made of a different material than the soft web that forms the package body.

  The method further comprises the step of cutting the flexible sleeve forming web to produce a plurality of individual sleeves each having a generally tubular configuration, each folded. The individual sleeves and the flexible web are then brought together in a relationship that is spaced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the flexible web in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the flexible web. The spacing between the individual sleeves corresponds to the length of each resulting bottom gusset package. It should be noted that, as will be further described in some exemplary embodiments, the individual sleeves each form a bottom gusset of one package and each one adjacent to the resulting one package. Form the upper sleeve portion of the package. In other embodiments, the packages are created such that each individual sleeve is located within the respective package and does not spread or stretch between adjacent packages. In this way, efficient production is facilitated.

  After joining the individual sleeves with the flexible web, the flexible web is folded and joined along their lateral edges to produce a folded, generally tubular, flexible web. The individual sleeves are generally located in spaced relation in the folded flexible web. The flexible web material is folded to produce each package body of the out-of-the-bottom gusset package, each package body having a front package panel and a back package panel joined at opposite sides of the package body. .

  The folded flexible web is then cut at intervals corresponding to each length of the bottom gusset package that each length produces. Such a cutting step results in an individual package such that each individual sleeve provides a respective bottom gusset for the package.

  The cutting step in some exemplary embodiments includes cutting each individual sleeve located within the folded soft material, the cutting step causing (1) a portion of each individual sleeve. Including tearing each of the individual sleeves to provide a bottom gusset of one of the packages and (2) a top sleeve portion of the one package located adjacent to the one resulting package. To do. Alternatively, the individual sleeves are generally positioned in the folded flexible web so that the individual sleeves provide the respective bottom gussets of the resulting package.

  Each form of the individual sleeve facilitates efficient package manufacture by making its length shorter than the width of the folded flexible material web. This facilitates the formation of a bottom gusset that is narrower than the width of the package, thereby creating a side seal between the front and back package panels of each package, which is the side edge opposite the bottom gusset of the package. Located at. Each of these side seals overlaps a respective end of the bottom gusset of the package. Such side seals can be produced that have a width sufficient to make the package easily self-supporting and stable.

  According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes joining the folded flexible web and each of the individual sleeves prior to cutting the folded flexible web.

According to one exemplary embodiment, each upper sleeve portion is provided with a resealable fastener to position them within the respective upper sleeve portion. Each resealable fastener comprises a pair of fastener components each joined to face the inner surface of each upper sleeve portion. Such fastener components include profile fastener components, adhesive fastener components, hook-and-loop type fastener components, “unisex” self-engaging. ) Fastener components and other openable fastener structures as known in the art may be included.

  In another aspect, each upper sleeve portion is provided with an upper seal for sealing each of its resulting packages. In the presently preferred implementation of this aspect, an upper seal is created between the inversion edges of each upper sleeve portion.

  As noted, the implementation of the method involves folding the soft web generally at its longitudinal axis during the folding of the source soft material web forming the package so that each individual sleeve generally has its longitudinal axis. Including extending between the joint lateral edges of the web and the soft material web. Thus, the resulting bottom gusset of each package generally extends between the longitudinal axis, the joining lateral edge (located at the seam where the material web itself joins) and the side edge of the package. Alternatively, the material web can be folded and joined together so that the seam of the package is located in the back package panel.

An important aspect of the preferred implementation of the present invention is to facilitate efficient high speed manufacturing. More specifically, the method encompasses the intermittently advancing it the soft material web after bonding the individual sleeve and soft material web, its soft material web proceeds with an acceptable size range T _LD . This tolerance depends on the specific operating parameters of the manufacturing machine, for example the associated bag-filling device. It should be noted that the method includes actuating a pair of heat-sealing jaws to create top and bottom seals for each of the adjacent packages to be created, the adjacent locations The distance between the end seals of each package to be used is at least twice _TLD . In addition to ensuring an adequate seal at the end of each package, this extends to each bottom gusset so that each bottom gusset is properly sealed and given a preferred internal volume and a preferred free standing feature. Or the form of a hem spread is given. Such spacing can also be selected to accommodate the range of variation when the position of each individual sleeve in the longitudinal direction of the soft material web varies.

  As noted, it is presently intended to have an inner surface that prevents the source folded sleeve forming web forming the bottom gusset from thermally fusing to itself. As the package is made and it travels through the bag-filling machine, the bottom gusset can sometimes be oriented in the “leading” direction, so individual sleeves can be used while proceeding as such. May be preferred to be sealed against the opening. This can be achieved by sealing each individual sleeve by temporarily joining the inner surfaces of each individual sleeve prior to joining the individual sleeve and the soft material web.

  Thus, a resealable package having a configuration according to the present invention comprises a package body generated from a flexible web having a longitudinal axis, the front package panel and rear surface of the package body being folded by folding the flexible web Define the outline of the package panel. In addition to joining the front and back package panels to each other at the respective lateral edges of the package body, the soft web is joined to itself and along the seam (extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the soft web).

The package further includes a bottom gusset positioned between the front and back package panels, and the width of the bottom gusset extends smaller than the width of the front and back package panels. Side-facing side seals (where the front and back package panels are joined together at the respective lateral edges of the package body) each overlap the respective end of the bottom gusset.

  In one embodiment, when the source flexible web forming the package body is generally folded at its longitudinal axis, the bottom gusset generally results in its longitudinal axis and its joined lateral edges (the package seam joining the material webs themselves). Will spread during the joint). Alternatively, the seam where the material webs themselves are joined is positioned in the back package panel.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottom gusset package in the form of a resealable package embodying the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but with a portion of the package removed to illustrate the bottom gusset and resealable fastener of the package. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the manufacture according to the present invention of the package shown in FIGS. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the manufacture of a resealable bottom gusset package. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6a-6a of FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6b-6b of FIG. 6c is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the manufacture of the present package including cutting into individual packages. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of a bottom gusset package with an upper package seal configured in accordance with the present invention. 9 is a partially removed perspective view of the bottom gusset package of the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of a bottom gusset package with an upper package seal configured in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 11 is a partially deleted perspective view of the bottom gusset package of the embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a bottom gusset package that embodies the principles of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12, but with a portion of the package removed to illustrate the bottom gusset of the package. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the manufacture of the package shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram further illustrating the manufacture of a resealable bottom gusset package. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating features that facilitate the manufacture and filling of packages made in accordance with the present invention.

Description of preferred embodiments

While the invention is susceptible to various forms of embodiments, the invention is shown in the drawings and the presently preferred embodiments are described herein below and the present disclosure is to be construed as illustrative of the invention. It should be understood that the invention should not be intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated.

  U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,909,017, 4,617,683, 5,902,047, 6,971,794 and 8,182,407 illustrate various package structures and manufacturing methods. All of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, they illustrate a bottom gusset package 10 that embodies the principles of the present invention. As will be further described, the bottom gusset package 10 configuration is a configuration that facilitates molding and filling using a related so-called bag-filling machine as known in the art. The present invention can typically be implemented through some shaping of the package as a wound web of soft polymeric film material, with individual sleeves positioned on it and bag-filled Supply to the device. The molding of each package is completed with the filling of each of the packages with the desired amount of product.

  In this embodiment, the bottom gusset package 10 is in the form of a resealable package and the upper portion of the package is equipped with a resealable fastener. Of note, as will be further described, the forming of the package 10 is accomplished through causing the joining of a soft material web associated with a plurality of individual sleeves in spaced relation along the longitudinal axis of the soft web. To do. Accompanying the package molding, cutting each individual sleeve while producing an individual package results in each individual sleeve giving one bottom gusset in one package and the resulting one package Adjacent packages are provided with upper sleeve portions (including resealable fasteners and / or other package functions). However, as will be further described, it is also possible to practice the present invention without cutting individual sleeves configured to provide the bottom gusset of each resulting package.

  With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated bottom gusset package 10 is provided with a package body 12 resulting from a flexible film web having a longitudinal axis, which is the front package panel of the package body 12. 14 (shown to face rearward in FIGS. 1 and 2) and the back package panel 16 is folded so that the contour is fixed. The front and back package panels 14 and 16 are joined together at respective lateral edges of the package body 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the location where the front and back package panels are joined together is where the source flexible film web that forms the body is folded. The source soft film web forming the package body 12 is joined to itself along a longitudinal seam 18 (which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the soft web). While the seam 18 has been illustrated as being generally located in the middle of the back package panel 16, the flexible web itself can be joined in other ways, such as one of the lateral edges of the package body. It is also possible to wake up along.

  The package 10 according to the present invention is provided with a bottom gusset 20, which is located between the front and back package panels 14 and 16 and extends upward and inward from the lower edges of the front and back package panels. As will be further described, the pleated-like bottom gusset 20 is produced from the sleeve material and positioned within the source soft web forming the package body, with the result that the sleeve material accompanies the molding of the individual package. To be disconnected.

The bottom gusset 20 and the package body are joined together by a pair of side seals 22 at opposite lateral edges of the package body, and a pair of end seals 23 are joined to the edges of the bottom gusset 20 and the front and back package panels, respectively. 14 and 16 are joined. Currently, the bottom gusset 20 configuration is intended to be narrower than the width of the package 10, thereby creating a side seal that joins the front and back package panels together. This makes it possible to produce a stable self-supporting package by sealing the opposite ends of the bottom gusset. This may be preferable if the surfaces facing the inside of the bottom gusset do not heat bond with each other. In the case of the bottom gusset package shown above, the bottom gusset typically extends across the entire width of the package so that the length of the gusset is the same as the width of the front and back package panels.

  The form of the bottom gusset package 10 according to this exemplary embodiment is suitable for resealable use. For this purpose, the package 10 is provided with an upper sleeve portion 24 located between the front and back package panels 14 and 16, which is located at the upper end of the package body 12. The upper sleeve portion 24 preferably includes a sleeve seal 26, which may be in the form of a so-called “peel seal” or a form suitable for separation associated with the initial opening of the package. Otherwise, the shape of the upper sleeve portion 24 may be configured to allow the contents of the package to be removed through the upper sleeve portion, such as to provide a preferentially weakened area. The upper sleeve portion 24 and the package body 12 are joined together by side seals 28 (joining of the opposite ends of the sleeve portion 24 to the package body generally occurs at the opposite lateral edges of the package body). A pair of top seals 30 join the pair of legs or flanges of the top sleeve portion 24 to the front and back package panels 14, 16 respectively.

  The upper sleeve portion 24 in this embodiment is provided with a resealable fastener 32. The resealable fastener includes a first and a second fastener component that are configured to be releasably secured to each other, each of which is a leg of the upper sleeve portion 24. It is joined to the part or flange. Thus, the sleeve portion 24 provides first and second mounting flanges for the first and second fastener components, which are located inside the front and back package panels respectively and It is joined.

  As will be appreciated, the contents of package 10 can be removed by upper sleeve portion 24 and resealable fastener 32. When opened, the leg or flange of the upper sleeve portion 24 is opened and the first and second fastener components of the resealable fastener 32 are opened. When the package is first opened, the inside of the package 10 can be approached in this manner by opening the sleeve seal 26 and opening it. The package 10 can be easily resealed by simply pressing the sleeve portions 24 together to bring the components of the resealable fastener 32 together. In some applications, it is generally preferred to provide an additional sleeve seal 27 on the side of the fastener 32 opposite the sleeve seal 26, as illustrated in FIGS. 6a-6c. The sleeve seal may also include a so-called “peel seal”, which is ultimately located between the mounting flanges of the fastener 32, which are provided by the opposing legs of the sleeve portion 24. The sleeve seal 27 provides immediate evidence of tampering, providing evidence that it can be visually identified that the resealable package 10 was first opened.

  Resealable fastener 32 preferably comprises a pair of interlocking profile fastener components. The form of such fastener components is the same or complementary. Resealable fastener 32 may use an openable fastener structure such as an adhesive fastener component, a hook and loop fastener component, a “unisex” self-engaging fastener component, and the like.

During package manufacture, a flexible web 40, preferably comprising a heat-sealable polymeric material, is prepared and the flexible web is typically advanced in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the web 40. A flexible sleeve forming web 42 (and preferably also comprising a suitable heat-sealable polymeric material) is also provided to further carry out the production of outsole gusset packages. The composition of the sleeve forming web may be different from that of the flexible web 40 forming the package body, if desired. As an example, the choice of sleeve forming material can be selected as it exhibits a particular gas permeability or even has a hole, which may be preferred for certain packages. Perforated plastics allow gas exchange and prevent excess moisture, while solid plastics improve product atmosphere and reduce effective oxygen breathing and aging to improve product sealing and improve product life Lengthen.

  At present, it is intended to prevent the inner surface of the folded sleeve forming web from heat fusing with itself by making only one side of the sleeve forming web heat fusible. This allows the legs of the bottom gusset 20 to be finally opened and widened so that the package 10 can generally assume a self-standing position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a sleeve forming web 42 having a tubular configuration may be provided, which is provided with a sleeve seal 26 that joins the side edges of the sleeve forming web so that they can be opened. In this embodiment, the sleeve forming web may be provided with resealable fasteners 32 and supplied in continuous form or as a pre-cut segmented length. As illustrated, the resealable fastener component is generally positioned within the sleeve forming web 42, preferably in an interconnected relationship.

  As further illustrated, individual sleeves 44 are cut from the sleeve forming web 42 and positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the source flexible web 40 forming the package body. In some applications, it may be preferable to seal each end of the individual sleeve 44 with, for example, a suitable adhesive. The joining of the individual sleeves 44 and the flexible web 40 is caused in a longitudinally spaced relationship with respect to the web 40. The spacing between the individual sleeves 44 corresponds to the length of each of the resulting bottom gusset packages 10. The end of each sleeve 44 and the web 40 are joined by an end seal 43, for example, by heat sealing (FIG. 6a). It is also possible to create a transverse seal 45 between the web 40 and the sleeve 44 that generally extends along and parallel to the opposite side edges of the fastener 32 (FIG. 6b).

  After joining each individual sleeve 44 with the flexible web 40, the flexible web is folded and their lateral edges joined together to produce a folded flexible web (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In this way, a package body is generated in each of the bottom gusset packages. Folding the flexible web 40 results in the front and back package panels 14 and 16 of each package. In addition to being able to join the folded flexible web 40 to itself to create a bag seam 18, the front and back package panels are joined together at the folded lateral edges of the folded web. . As illustrated, the individual sleeves 44 are located in the folded flexible web 40.

It should be noted that the present invention is such that each individual sleeve 44 in this embodiment extends and extends between adjacent packages in the resulting package, after which the flexible web is cut into individual pieces. Is intended to result in each individual sleeve 44 providing a bottom gusset 20 for one package and a top sleeve portion 24 for one package located adjacently. . FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which each individual sleeve 44 extends between two adjacent packages in the package, and FIG. 7 illustrates the folded flexible web 40 in it. Is cut transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of each to produce an individual package, which includes tearing each sleeve portion 44 to produce a bottom gusset 20 for one package and adjacent. Generating an upper sleeve portion 24 for the package located at the same time. At present, if necessary, this type of molding may be performed while packaging using a bag-filling machine, or individual packages may be molded for subsequent filling. Also intended to be good. Depending on the specific manufacturing technique, side seals 22 and 28 are typically created prior to filling, and one of the end seals 23, 30 is positioned within the contents of each package. To be generated after.

  FIG. 6c illustrates an example of the dimensions of the bottom gusset of the package, the style being such that the form is adapted to the typical operating parameters of a vertical bag filling machine. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this type of machine intermittently advances the packaging material into the machine, but the typical variation associated with a web cutting device is plus / minus 0.25 inches. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6a, the fold width that can be imparted to a typical sleeve portion 44 is about 3 inches, and the resulting seal joins each sleeve portion 44 and web 40 together. The dimensions of each of these seals will typically be 1.0 inch. When cutting the web, a cut can be made in the center of the 1.0 inch seal, resulting in a seal that is 0.5 inches in width each. However, the exact dimensions of the bottom gusset 20 and top sleeve portion 24 may vary from package to package, as typical variations, i.e., plus / minus 0.25 inch variations may occur when the device is in operation. There is. As will be appreciated, such dimensions are meant to be exemplary and it is understood that the present invention can be readily implemented to accommodate such typical cutting position variations of a vertical bag filling machine. Will be done.

  Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, a further alternative embodiment of the outsole gusset package labeled 110 is illustrated. In all respects, the bottom gusset package 110 is similar to the package 10 described above, except that the top sleeve portion 124 of each package is configured to provide an upper package seal rather than a resealable fastener assembly. In such an embodiment, the components corresponding to the package 10 described above are displayed with similar reference numerals of the 100 series.

  8-11, a bottom gusset package 110 illustrated as an example includes a package body 112 generated from a flexible film web having a longitudinal axis, and the package body 112 is folded by folding the flexible web. The front package panel 114 (shown to face rear in FIGS. 12 and 13) and the back package panel 116 are defined. The front and back package panels 114 and 116 are joined together at respective lateral edges of the package body 112. In this exemplary embodiment, the location where the front and back package panels are joined together is where the source flexible film web that forms the body is folded. The source soft film web forming the package body 112 is joined to itself along a longitudinal seam 118 (which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the soft web). While the seam 118 has been illustrated as being generally located in the middle of the back package panel 116, the flexible web can be joined to itself in other ways, for example along one of the lateral edges of the package body. It is also possible to make it.

  The package 110 according to the present invention includes a bottom gusset 120 positioned between the front and back package panels 114 and 116, which extends upward and inward from the lower edges of the front and back package panels. As described above, in addition to generating the pleated-like bottom gusset 120 from the sleeve material located within the source flexible web forming the package body, the sleeve material is cut associated with the molding of the individual package. .

The bottom gusset 120 and the package body are joined and united by a pair of side seals 122 and a pair of end seals 123 at opposite lateral edges of the package body, each of which has the edge of the bottom gusset 20 on the front and Bonded to the back package panels 114 and 116.

  The package 110 further includes an upper sleeve portion 124 located between the front and back package panels 114 and 116, which is located at the upper end of the package body 112. The upper sleeve portion 124 is preferably provided with an upper seal 125 that preferably occurs between the inversion edges of the upper sleeve portion 124. This seal 125 may be in the form of a so-called “peel seal” or may be suitable for separation following the initial opening of the package. Otherwise, the top sleeve portion 124 may be configured to allow the contents of the package to be removed through the top sleeve portion, such as providing a preferentially weakened area. Good. The upper sleeve portion 124 and the package body 112 are joined together by side seals 128, which join the respective opposite ends of the sleeve portion 124 and the package body, generally at the opposite lateral edges of the package body. A pair of top seals 130 each join a pair of legs or flanges of the top sleeve portion 124 to the front and back package panels 114,116.

  14 and 15 illustrate a modified form of the outsole gusset package of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this modified package 110, the package has a bottom gusset 120, but a modified top sleeve portion 124 ', which sits on top of the package end seal 125', which is a front and back package. This is caused by joining the panels 114 and 116 together. Since the width of the upper sleeve portion is narrower than the width of the package, a side seal 128 is provided at each opposite end of the sleeve portion 124 '.

  The manufacture of this form of the package can be performed in conjunction with the molding of a package having a bottom gusset without having to make a top gusset or other structure at the top of the package. Assuming there are normal manufacturing variations noted above with respect to the vertical bag filling machine, in some cases this results when molding a package with a bottom gusset, for example as illustrated in FIGS. This may only be a package having a sleeve portion 124 '. Specifically, in some cases, the position of the individual sleeves forming the bottom gusset of the package is such that the sleeve is not cut and no part of the sleeve extends from the bottom gusset of one package. This would result in the sleeve portion of the package being located adjacent after cutting the individual packages. As another example, the position of the individual sleeves is such that the desired bottom gusset for one package results as a result of the cutting, and in addition, the adjacent sleeve has a top sleeve portion, such as 124 ' Make it happen. Its upper sleeve portion 124 'is generally constrained in the end seal produced by the side seal 128, and the end seal 125' holds the front and back package panels below the end of the sleeve material that is in the upper seal of the package. It is made to join.

  As an example, using the typical +/- 1/4 "variant of a typical vertical bag filling (VFFS) machine, assuming each package end seal is 3/4", one extreme case is There will be gussets only at the bottom of one package and no sleeve material at the top of the adjacent package. Another extreme example is the case where the sleeve material is 1/2 ", i.e. the upper sleeve portion 124 'is present at the upper end of the adjacent package, but the 1/4" end seal 125' is still the upper end of the package. Will be below the sleeve material sealing. The effect is that there is no sleeve material at the top of the package and no top of any package, because the end seal hides it.

  Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, a further embodiment of a outsole gusset package labeled 210 is illustrated. In many respects, the bottom gusset package 210 is similar to the package 10 described above. However, package 210 differs in that the package has a bottom gusset, but no top sleeve portion, because the manufacture preferably has individual sleeves forming each of the bottom gussets of each package. This is because it is performed without cutting. In this embodiment, the components corresponding to the package 10 described above are displayed with the same reference numerals as the 200 series.

  With further reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the illustrated bottom gusset package 210 is provided with a package body 212 resulting from a flexible film web having a longitudinal axis, by folding the flexible web to the front of the package body 212. The package panel 214 and the back package panel 216 were contoured. The front and back package panels 214 and 216 are joined together at respective lateral edges of the package body 212. In this exemplary embodiment, the location where the front and back package panels are joined together is the location where the source flexible film web forming the body is folded at its longitudinal axis, generally located at one side edge of the package. It is. The source soft film web forming the package body 212 is joined to itself along the longitudinal seam 18 (which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the soft web). While the seam 218 has been illustrated as being generally at the lateral end of the package located opposite the fold produced along the longitudinal axis, the flexible web can be joined to itself in other ways. For example, as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 13, it is possible to join along the longitudinal seam 218 ′ located in the back surface package panel 216.

  The package 210 according to the present invention is provided with a bottom gusset 220, which is located between the front and back package panels 214 and 216 and extends upward and inward from the lower edges of the front and back package panels. As will be further described, the pleated-like bottom gusset 220 is generated from the sleeve material, but it is positioned within the source flexible web that forms the package body.

  The bottom gusset 220 and the package body are joined together by a pair of side seals 222 at opposite lateral edges of the package body. In this exemplary embodiment, one of the side seals 222 is aligned with the longitudinal seam 218 of the package 210, which may be provided by that seam. In some applications, it may be preferable to create a side seal 222 adjacent to the bottom gusset 220 so that it does not extend over the entire length of the package. In addition to providing the package with a bottom seal by joining the edges of the bottom gusset 220 to the front and back package panels 214 and 216, respectively, with a pair of bottom end seals 223, the upper end portions of the front and back package panels are Join at the heat seal top seal 230. Thanks to such a manufacturing technique, the width of the bottom gusset 220, which includes the gusset portion sealed at the side seal 222, is narrower than the width of the front and back package panels 214, 216.

  As will be appreciated, the contents of the package 210 can be removed in a form that includes an appropriate area that preferentially weakens the package, such as a dividing line. In some applications, it may be preferable to attach a resealable fastener assembly, such as the assembly disclosed in the above-mentioned patent, to the front panel of the package. Other suitable opening structures may be provided as needed.

With reference now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the molding of the bottom gusset package 210 will be described. During package manufacture, a soft web 240, preferably comprising a heat fusible polymeric material, is prepared and typically advanced in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The manufacture of the bottom gusset package is accomplished by providing a more flexible sleeve forming web 242 (which also preferably comprises a suitable heat fusible polymeric material). The composition of the sleeve forming web may be different from that of the flexible web 240 forming the package body, if desired. At present, only one side of the sleeve forming web is intended to be heat fusible, so that the inner surface of the folded sleeve forming web is not heat fused to itself. This ultimately allows the legs of the bottom gusset 220 to be opened and widened so that the package 210 can generally be self-supporting.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the sleeve-forming web 242 may have a tubular structure. Individual sleeves 244 are cut from the sleeve forming web 242 and positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the source flexible web 240 forming the package body. In some applications, it may be preferable to seal or seal each individual sleeve 244 with, for example, a suitable adhesive. This may be preferred in that the sleeve maintains a generally sealed and flat configuration when manufacturing the package (including while it is being advanced through the associated bag-filling device).

  FIG. 16 schematically illustrates various arrangements intended to seal each of the sleeves 244. For example, at least one of the ends of each sleeve 244 may be sealed with a suitable adhesive at its inner surface, such as a bead of adhesive 245 and a plurality of adhesive spots 245 '. Alternatively, a temporary seal or adhesive 246 can be applied to the central portion of each sleeve. It is also possible to preferably seal each sleeve by providing a pinhole seal instead of an adhesive, and any seal or seal applied to the center of each sleeve is practically temporary, so After filling the finished product, the resulting gusset can be opened and spread. Other suitable structural arrangements for closing the sleeve 244 are also available.

  The individual sleeves 244 and the flexible web 240 are joined in a spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the web 240. The spacing between the individual sleeves 244 corresponds to the length of each resulting bottom gusset package 210. Each of the sleeves 244 is joined to the web 240 by, for example, heat sealing, for example, a seal provided at the end of each sleeve. The sleeve 244 and web 240 can be joined in other manners, such that the sleeves can eventually be opened and expanded when each sleeve is the bottom gusset of the resulting package. I understand that I will join.

  After joining each individual sleeve 244 with the flexible web 240, the flexible web is folded and its lateral edges joined together to produce a folded flexible web. In this way, a package body for each bottom gusset package is produced. Folding the flexible web 240 produces the front and back package panels 214 and 216 of each package. In addition to joining the folded flexible web 240 with itself to create a longitudinal seam 218, the front and back package panels are joined together at the lateral edges of the folded web. As illustrated, the individual sleeves 244 are located within the folded flexible web 240.

  Currently, this type of manufacturing can be done during packaging using a bag-filling machine if necessary, or individual packages can be created during subsequent filling. Intended. Depending on the specific manufacturing technique, in addition to having side seals 222 typically created prior to filling, each of the side seals overlaps a respective end of bottom gusset 220, and each package's One of the end seals 223 is created after the contents are placed therein.

In connection with creating the bottom end seal 223, an important aspect of the preferred implementation of the present invention is to facilitate efficient high speed manufacturing. Specifically, the method interrupts the flexible material web 240 after joining the individual sleeves 244 with the flexible material web 240, for example while it is being advanced through an associated bag-filling machine. It involves moving forward. During this process, its soft material web proceeds with a vertical allowable dimensional range T _LD, namely accuracy advances being fluctuated only plus or minus known degree generally. In addition to typically depending on specific operating parameters such as the manufacturing equipment, eg, the associated bag making and filling machine, this particular tolerance typically increases as the operating speed increases. In addition, there may be some inaccuracies in the longitudinal position of the individual sleeves 244 relative to the soft material web 240, and this range of longitudinal variation (labeled _CLD ) may be zero. It will be understood that there is.

It should be noted that the method produces top and bottom seal ends 230, 223 in adjacent packages in the resulting package by operating a pair of heat-sealing jaws 250. And the spacing between the top and bottom seals of each adjacent package is (1) twice the tolerance (e.g. 2 × T _LD ) and (2) each It is set so as to be equal to or larger than the sum of the range of variation (for example, C _LD ) of the longitudinal position of the sleeve 244. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 15, which shows that two pairs of heat-sealing jaws 250, 250 between adjacent end seals 223, 230 of the package are dimension D (which is equal to the sum). (Or more). This ensures that each package gusset is properly sealed and opened so that each bottom gusset is properly sealed and given the desired internal volume and desired self-supporting characteristics, in addition to ensuring proper tightness of the edges of each package. It has a form that is spread. Thus, its adjacent to greater than or equal to twice the positive C _LD of interval T _LD between each top and bottom end seal package positioned.

  As those skilled in the art will appreciate, this type of machine intermittently advances the packaging material into the machine, but the typical variation associated with web cutting equipment is plus / minus 0.25 inches. It is. Thus, the folding width that can be imparted to a typical sleeve portion 244 is about 3 inches, and the length and width at which the resulting seal joins each sleeve portion 244 and web 240 accommodates such variations. While still sufficient, each seal portion remaining after cutting the web is sufficiently large so that a bottom end seal 223 and a top seal 230 are sized to ensure the integrity of the package. It is ensured that it is big. As will be appreciated, such dimensions are meant to be exemplary and that the present invention can be readily implemented to accommodate such typical cutting position variations of typical manufacturing equipment. Will be understood.

  Efficient package production is facilitated if each of the individual sleeves is configured such that its length is less than the width of the folded flexible material web. This creates a bottom gusset that is narrower than the package width, thereby creating a side seal 222 between the front and back package panels 214, 216 of each of the packages at opposite side edges of the package bottom gusset 220. It becomes possible. As noted, each of these side seals 222 overlaps a respective end of bottom gusset 220 of package 210.

  The dimensions of the individual sleeves 244 suitable for producing each bottom gusset 220 and the preferred dimensions of the side seals 223 joining the front and back package panels 214, 216 are illustrated in FIG. As discussed above in connection with package end seals, such preferred dimensions accommodate manufacturing variations and tolerances.

As will be appreciated, the soft material web 240 may exhibit some lateral variation in its position as it is intermittently advanced, and this lateral tolerance is denoted as T _TD . In addition, when each individual sleeve 244 is positioned laterally relative to the soft material web, they may also exhibit some variation with respect to the lateral position relative to the material web 240, and this lateral tolerance is C _TD is displayed.

In the manufacturing process on the assumption that there is such a unavoidable minimum variation, (indicated as G _W, which corresponds to the length of each individual sleeve 244) the width of the package gussets rear package front and It is intended to be selected to correspond to the width of the panel (labeled BP _W ). As shown, the relationship is equal to the width G _W of the gusset (1) from the package panel width (BP _W) (2) subtracting twice the tolerance range T _TD and (3) minus the tolerance C _TD Or it can be stated that it is narrower.

Next, a side seal 222 is created in each package that joins the front and back package panels 214, 216 at the opposite side edges of the bottom gusset of the package, with the dimensions thereof facing the opposite ends of each bottom gusset. The dimensions are such that the side seals are suitably overlapped. As shown, (labeled G _SS) width of each side seal is set to be equal to or more than that double positive lateral tolerance C _TD lateral tolerance T _TD. Again, this ensures a suitable overlap of the gussets associated with the side seals, even though the devices used in the practice of the present invention exhibit normal manufacturing tolerances.

  It will be observed from the foregoing that numerous modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It should be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated herein is intended and should not be inferred. The present disclosure is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

A method of manufacturing a bottom gusset package,
Preparing a soft material web having a longitudinal axis;
Prepare a soft sleeve forming web,
Cutting the flexible sleeve-forming web to produce a plurality of individual sleeves;
A relationship in which the individual sleeves and the flexible web are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the flexible web such that the spacing between the individual sleeves corresponds to the length of each of the bottom gusset packages to be produced. Wake up
Folding the soft material web and joining the lateral edges of the soft material web to produce a folded soft web and thereby a package body for each of the bottom gusset packages, each package body having opposing side edges that it has A front package panel and a back package panel that are joined together, and the individual sleeves are generally located in the folded flexible web, and each individual sleeve produces a package. Cutting the folded flexible web at intervals such that each length corresponds to the length of each of the bottom gusset packages to provide a bottom gusset for one of the
A method comprising steps.   The cutting step provides (1) the bottom gusset for one of the resulting packages, and (2) is located adjacent to one of the generated packages, a portion of each individual sleeve. The method of claim 1, comprising cutting each of said individual sleeves to provide a top sleeve portion for one package.   Including providing each of the upper sleeve portions with a resealable fastener located within the respective upper sleeve portion, each of the resealable fasteners being joined to opposite inner surfaces of each upper sleeve portion. 3. A method of manufacturing a bottom gusset package according to claim 2, comprising a pair of fastener components.   3. A method of manufacturing a bottom gusset package as claimed in claim 2, wherein each upper sleeve portion includes an upper seal for sealing the upper portion of each of the resulting packages.   The length of each of the individual sleeves is shorter than the width of the folded soft material web so that the formation of the bottom gusset is narrower than the width of the package, and the front and back packages of each package A side seal located between the panels is created at opposite side edges of the bottom gusset of the package so that each of the side seals overlaps a respective end of the bottom gusset. The manufacturing method of the bottom gusset package of description.   2. The method of claim 1 wherein said sleeve forming web constitutes a folded sleeve forming material web and the inner surface of said folded sleeve forming web is not thermally fused to itself. Including intermittently advancing the soft material web after joining the individual sleeves and the soft material web, wherein the soft material web advances with an acceptable dimension range T _LD and is located adjacent encompasses that cause upper and bottom end seal on each product package, or whether the spacing between the package adjacent to position each of the top and bottom end seal at least equal to 2 times the T _LD The bottom gusset package manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the bottom gusset package is more than that. To have a package panel width BP _W in each package giving the resulting, the soft material web travels with a lateral tolerance of T _TD, laterally each said individual sleeve relative to the soft material web located with a lateral tolerance of C _TD, the length of each of said individual sleeve corresponds to the width G _W of the gusset of the package, wherein, G _W is acceptable from the package panel width BP _W range T _TD subtracted twice and tolerance bottom gusset package manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein C _TD values equal to or so as to narrower than the minus of. Each package is created such that the front and back package panels of each package are joined by side seals at opposite side edges of the bottom gusset of the package, where the width G _SS of each side seal is the lateral tolerance T double positive lateral tolerance bottom gusset package manufacturing method of claim 8 wherein the C _TD greater than or equal to become so in the _TD.   2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sleeve forming web constitutes a folded sleeve forming material web and the inner surface of the folded sleeve forming web is not thermally fused to itself.   The method for manufacturing a bottom gusset package according to claim 1, comprising sealing each of the individual sleeves before joining the individual sleeves and the soft material web.   A bottom gusset package, comprising a package body formed from a flexible web having a longitudinal axis, wherein the flexible web is folded to define a front package panel and a back package panel of the package body The front and back package panels are joined together at respective lateral edges of the package body, and the flexible web is connected to itself along a seam extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flexible web. The bottom gusset is positioned between the front and back package panels, extends upward and inward from the lower edges of the front and back package panels, and the bottom gusset extends A bottom gusset package that is narrower than the width of the front and back package panels.   There are laterally facing side seals joining the front and back package panels together at respective lateral edges of the package body, each of the side seals being connected to a respective end of the bottom gusset. The bottom gusset package of claim 12 overlapping.   The bottom gusset package of claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the bottom gusset does not heat seal with itself.   The flexible web is generally folded at its longitudinal axis, and the bottom gusset generally extends between a joining lateral edge at the seam where the material web is joined to itself and the longitudinal axis. The bottom gusset package of claim 12.   The bottom gusset package of claim 12, wherein an upper sleeve portion located between the front and back package panels is provided in an upper portion of the package and is generally located opposite the bottom gusset.

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