WO2006070157A1

WO2006070157A1 - Method for production of a bag in a flexible material comprising a shaped sealing zone

Info

Publication number: WO2006070157A1
Application number: PCT/FR2005/051123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christophe Peck; Jean-Pierre Nogues
Original assignee: Socoplan
Priority date: 2004-12-28
Filing date: 2005-12-22
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: FR2879958A1; US20080010950A1; FR2879958B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for production of a sample bag (1), from a film of thermosealing flexible material, comprising two opposing edges, said method having the following steps: arranging the opposing edges one above the other to form a tubular body (2), thermosealing the opposing edges to form a longitudinal sealing zone (3) between the two ends of the body (2), transversely thermosealing the body (2) to form a transverse sealing zone (4), filling the body (2) with product, produce a shaped cut (5) in the transverse sealing zone (4), said cut being generated at a distance from the internal edge (6) of the transverse sealing zone (4) and comprising at least one part essentially inclined with relation to the longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) directions of the bag (1). The invention further relates to a sample bag (1) and a longitudinal series of sample bags (1) obtained by said method.

Description

Process for producing a bag made of flexible material comprising a sealing zone in the form of

The invention relates to a method for producing at least one product sample bag from a film of heat-sealable flexible material, a sample bag and a longitudinal succession of sample bags obtained by the implementation of the invention. of such a method.

The invention is particularly applicable to the distribution of product samples having a flow capacity such as a liquid or solid product in the form of grains or of powder, in particular in the fields of cosmetics, pharmacy, detergents or the like.

US Pat. No. 3,924,383 discloses a bag made from a plastic film and comprising a tubular body provided with a longitudinal seal, and transverse seals respectively on the upper and lower ends of the body.

However, such a bag offers the manufacturer little opportunity to differentiate its bag from that of its competitors so that it is difficult to allow the user easy and quick identification of the product contained in the bag.

Indeed, the only part of identification, that is to say on which the manufacturer of the product can communicate for example by printing his logo or the name of his mark, is the surface of the tubular body not having a longitudinal seal . However, the flexibility of this part complicates the laying of an impression to identify the product. In addition, because of this flexibility, the bag requires the user to manipulate in order to clearly identify the product.

In addition, the constraints related to the capacity function of the body limit the possibilities of putting in a particular form of the identification part. The invention aims to remedy these problems by proposing a bag provided with a transverse sealing zone having sufficient strength to form a formally identifiable identification part and allow the clear and rapid identification of the product contained in the sample bag.

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a method of producing at least one product sample bag from a heat-sealable flexible film, said film comprising two opposite edges, the method providing for the following steps: - provide a film of heat-sealable flexible material; arranging the opposite edges one above the other so as to form a body comprising a generally tubular wall; heat sealing the opposite edges to form a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body; transversely heat-sealing the wall of the body to form at least one transverse sealing zone having overall rigidity; fill the bag body with product; making a cut in the form of at least one transverse sealing zone, said cut being made at a distance from the inner edge of the transverse sealing zone and comprising at least one part generally inclined with respect to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the bag, in order to guarantee the sealing of the body while conferring on the transverse sealing area a specific shape.

The method allows the manufacturer to customize the bag with a pattern, such as a logo or a mark, which identifies the contents to allow the user to recognize the product. In addition, in some applications, shaped cutting after heat sealing offers the possibility of removing the sharp edges of the sealing areas, the sharp edges may present risks of attachment or scratching. According to a particular embodiment, the method comprises a step of making the bag hooking means in the cutout in the form of the transverse sealing zone.

The cutting of the sealing zone having overall rigidity makes it possible to combine the simple and fast identification of the product contained in the bag and the attachment of the bag without risk of deformation or tearing.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a product sample bag obtained by the implementation of the method according to the first aspect, said bag comprising a generally tubular body, a longitudinal sealing zone between the two ends of the body and the at least one transverse sealing area having overall rigidity at one end of the body, said transverse sealing area including a shaped cut away from the inner edge of the transverse sealing area, said shaped cut comprising at least a portion generally inclined relative to the longitudinal and transverse directions of the bag.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a longitudinal succession of sample bags obtained by the implementation of the method according to the first aspect, said longitudinal succession comprising at least two bags, each transverse sealing zone of a bag being connected. to the opposite transverse sealing area of the next bag.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figures 1a and 1b are plan views respectively of the front and back of a sample bag according to a first embodiment, said bag comprising a generally tubular body, a longitudinal sealing zone between the two ends of the body and a transverse sealing zone at each end of the body, one of the transverse sealing zones comprising a shaped cutout; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the sample bag of Figs. 1a and 1b, a portion of a transverse sealing area and the bag body being separated to allow the exit of the product;

FIG. 3 is a flat view of a heat-sealable flexible material film making it possible to produce the sample bag of FIGS. 1a and 1b by implementing the embodiment method according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a sample bag dispensing mode of Figures 1a and 1b, said bags being grouped in a case;

FIG. 5 is a flat view of the front of a sample bag according to a second embodiment, the two transverse sealing zones comprising a shaped cut-out, the bag comprising a line of weakness forming a means of opening. the bag and a channel forming a means for guiding the product outlet;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bag of Figure 5, a portion of the transverse sealing area being separated along the line of weakness to release the guide channel from the product outlet;

FIGS. 7a and 7b are flat views respectively of the front and the back of a sample bag according to a variant of the second embodiment, a means for fastening the bag being made in the cutout of a sealing zone transversal;

Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 of the sample bag of Figures 7a and 7b; Figure 9 is a plan view of a flexible heat-sealable film material for the realization of the sample bag of Figures 7a and 7b by the implementation of the embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c are plan views of longitudinal successions of sample bags of FIGS. 5 and 7;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of groups of sample bags obtained by separating two consecutive bags in a line of least resistance made between the transverse sealing zone of one bag and the opposite transverse sealing zone of the next bag;

Figs. 12a, 12b and 12c are perspective views of sample bag or sample bag distribution patterns of Figs. 5 and 7.

In the figures is shown a bag 1 for the distribution of product sample. The sachet 1 finds particular applications in the fields of cosmetics, pharmacy, detergents or the like. In particular examples, the bag 1 may contain a product capable of flowing, such as a liquid product, in particular of the cream, gel or milk type, or a solid product in the form of grains or of powder.

The bag is made of a material allowing easy shaping and having properties adapted to the capacity function, that is to say that the bag 1 forms a barrier between the product and the outside and without interacting with said product. In particular, the bag 1 is made of heat-sealable flexible material, for example of plastic material, and comprises a body 2 comprising a generally tubular wall of axis A delimiting a hollow volume intended to receive the product to be dispensed.

In the remainder of the description, the terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" refer to the longitudinal directions L, that is to say parallel to the axis A, and transverse T, that is to say perpendicular to the axis A. Moreover, the terms "inner" and "outer" are defined relative to locations respectively close to and away from the body 2.

The bag 1 comprises a longitudinal sealing zone 3 between the two ends of the body 2 and a transverse sealing zone 4 at each of the ends of the body 2. To form the sealing zones, two opposite parts of the wall of the body 2 are associated rigidly to one another by heat sealing. In the figures, 4a and 4b denote the opposite transverse sealing zones of the same bag 1.

Each transverse sealing zone 4 comprises at least one portion that extends over the entire transverse dimension of the bag 1 to obtain a closed volume. In the figures, the transverse sealing zones 4 are made in the same plane so that the bag 1 has a generally rectangular and flat body 2. However, it can be provided that the transverse sealing areas are made in different planes to obtain a bag 1 in form. In addition, in embodiments not shown, the bag 1 may have only one transverse sealing zone 4 which extends over the entire transverse dimension of the bag 1 at one of the ends of the body 2, the other end may be partially sealed or closed by another closure means.

The combination of two opposite parts of the wall of the body 2 to form the transverse sealing zones 4 gives the said transverse sealing zones 4 overall rigidity. Because of this overall rigidity, the transverse sealing areas 4 can form a communication medium and identification of the product.

It is then expected that at least one transverse sealing zone 4 comprises a shaped cut-out allowing a clear and rapid identification of the product. Each shaped cutout 5 is made on all or part of the transverse dimension of the transverse sealing zone 4 and comprises at least one part generally inclined relative to the longitudinal directions L and transverse T of the bag 1. On the other hand, to ensure the sealing of the body while giving the transverse sealing zone 4 a specific shape, the shaped cut 5 is carried out remotely the inner edge 6 of the transverse sealing zone 4.

In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the bag comprises a cut-out in the form of a transverse sealing zone 4. This shaped cutout 5 is made in a specific shape representing, for example, the logo or the brand of the product or its manufacturer. This shaped cutout 5 comprises rounded or broken lines delimiting a shape which clearly identifies the product contained in the bag 1.

To improve the identification of the product, the material used to form the bag 1 may be transparent or translucent and printable so that the shaped cut of the transverse sealing area 4 can be printed.

To access the contents of a bag 1, provision is made to separate a portion 9 of the transverse sealing zone 4 and the body 2, for example by cutting it, so as to obtain an opening 10 through which the product can flow. . It can also be provided that the bag comprises an opening means in the form, for example, of a breaking primer.

In a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bag comprises a shaped cutout on each of the transverse sealing areas 4 made at the ends of the body 2. The shaped cutouts 5 consist of two roundings formed between the edges 7 and the outer transverse edge 8 of the transverse sealing zones 4. In addition to the identification of the product, such shaped cutouts 5 can allow the removal of sharp edges on the transverse sealing areas 4 and which, because of the rigidity of said zones, present risks of attachment or scratching. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the bag 1 comprises a channel 11 forming means for guiding the outlet of the product. This channel 11 is made in an inner part of one of the transverse sealing zones 4 in the vicinity of a longitudinal edge 7. To release the channel 11 and allow the product to flow through this channel 11, the bag 1 also comprises opening means in the form of a line of weakness 12 formed on the inner portion of the transverse sealing area 4 between the channel 11 and the opposite longitudinal edge 7. In other embodiments, the line of weakness 12 may be formed on all or part of the body 2 of the bag 1. The bag 1 in the open state is shown in Figure 6, the outer portion 13 of the zone transverse seal 4 is then separated from the remainder of the bag 1 along the line of least resistance 12 to release the opening 14 of the channel 11 through which the product can flow.

In a particular example, the distribution of the sample bags 1 made according to the first or the second embodiment is carried out by means of a case 19. In FIG. 4, the sample bags 1 according to the first embodiment are grouped in a case 19 comprising a generally parallelepiped body 20 and opening / closing panels 21.

A variant of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 to 9. According to this variant, the bag 1 comprises a hooking means such as a hole 15 and / or an eyelet in the cutout in the form of a zone 4 and transverse sealing. Thus, the overall rigidity of the shaped cut-out 5 is used to allow the bag 1 to be fastened without risk of deformation or tearing. In addition, such an arrangement of the attachment means ensures a better visibility of the shaped cut 5 and thus easier identification of the product. Indeed, as shown in Figures 12b and 12c, when the bag 1 is disposed on a display, a rod 16 of the display unit being inserted into the attachment hole 15, the user located in front of the display unit sees the bag 1 in the determined position and directly visualizes the shaped cut 5 identifying the product. FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c show longitudinal successions comprising at least two sample bags 1. The longitudinal succession of FIG. 10a comprises bags 1 made according to the variant of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 8. Each transverse sealing zone 4a of a bag 1a is connected to the opposite transverse sealing zone 4b of the next bag 1b. The longitudinal successions may, however, comprise only sachets 1 made according to the first or second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (FIG. 10b) or a combination of sachets 1 according to the second embodiment and its variant (FIG. 10c). .

In FIGS. 10 to 12, the longitudinal successions comprise means for separating the sample bags 1 or groups of sample bags 1. Lines of weakness 17 are formed in each sealing region 18 comprising the sealing zone transverse 4a of a bag 1a and the opposite transverse sealing zone 4b of the following bag 1b. The lines of weakness 17 are then formed between the transverse sealing zone 4a of a bag 1a and the opposite transverse sealing zone 4b of the following bag 1b in order to be able to separate the sachets 1 or groups of sachets 1 (FIG. 11). .

In the case of a group of a sample bag 1 as shown in Fig. 12a, it is expected that at least one bag 1 located at one end present in the shaped cut of the cross sealing area 4 free, an attachment hole 15 in which the rod 16 of a display can be inserted.

We now describe a method of producing a product sample bag 1 from a film 22 of flexible heat-sealable material.

In FIGS. 3 and 9, the films 22 are intended to form sample bags 1 respectively according to the first embodiment and according to the variant of the second embodiment described above. The films 22 of polygonal general shape, for example rectangular, comprise two edges opposed 23a, 23b. The films 22 comprise a central portion 24 and two adjacent side portions 25 located on either side of the central portion 24 in the transverse direction T.

For the sake of clarity and although the films 22 in their initial state are devoid of them, FIGS. 3 and 9 show the lines delimiting the transverse sealing zones 4, the cut-outs 5 and the hanging holes. 15.

The opposite edges 23a, 23b are arranged one above the other so as to form the generally tubular body 2. To do this, the side portions 25 are folded on the same side of the central portion 24 partially overlapping. At this stage, it is possible to fold along longitudinal fold lines 26 to form a generally flat body 2. The opposite edges

23a, 23b are then heat-sealed to form the longitudinal sealing zone 3 between the two ends of the body 2.

The transverse heat-sealing of the wall of the body 2 is then performed to form at least one transverse sealing zone 4. The transverse heat-sealing of the ends of the body 2 can be made in the same plane, as shown in the figures, the body then taking a generally flat shape. It can, however, be made in different planes to give the bag a twisted shape.

In a particular embodiment, a transverse sealing area 4a is formed, and then filling the body 2 of the bag with product. Following the filling of the body 2, the wall of the body 2 is transversely heat-sealed to form an opposite transverse sealing zone 4b. The distance between the opposite transverse sealing zones 4a, 4b corresponds substantially to the longitudinal dimension of the bag 1.

The method further comprises producing the channel 11 for guiding the product outlet. For this purpose, during the transverse heat-sealing step, a transverse sealing zone 4 is produced comprising an inner part whose transverse dimension is smaller than the transverse dimension of the body 2 and an outer portion whose transverse dimension is equal to the transverse dimension of the body 2. The non-heat sealed portion of the inner portion forms the channel 11 capable of guiding the fluid outlet.

On the other hand, to facilitate the opening of the bag 1, the method provides a step of making an opening means of the bag 1. In this step, the line of weakness 12 and / or a breakout primer is made. on the body 2 or a transverse sealing area 4.

The method may allow the production of a single bag 1. The body 2 formed during longitudinal sealing has an opening at each of its ends. During the transverse heat-sealing step, the edges of the openings are heat-sealed to form an extreme transverse sealing zone 4 at each of the ends of the body 2.

The method may, however, allow the realization of a longitudinal succession of bags 1. In the same way, the body 2 formed during longitudinal sealing has an opening at each of its ends. During the transverse heat sealing step, on the one hand an extreme transverse sealing zone 4 is formed at each of the ends of the body 2 and secondly transversal intermediate sealing zones 2 between the extreme sealing zones 4.

In the case of the realization of a longitudinal succession of sachets 1, it is provided in particular, during the transverse heat-sealing step, to form, between the extreme transverse sealing zones 4, at least one sealing region 18 comprising the zone transverse sealing 4a of a bag 1a and the opposite transverse sealing zone 4b of the following bag 1b. Then a step of producing a means for separating the bags 1 or groups of sachets 1 is provided. For example, the line of weakness 17 is made in the sealing region 18 between the transverse sealing area 4a of a bag 1a and the opposite transverse sealing area 4b of the next bag 1b. According to the invention, the method comprises a step of producing a cut in the form of at least one transverse sealing zone 4. This step may be carried out simultaneously or after the transverse heat-sealing step.

The method comprises a step of making the hooking holes of the bag 1 in the cut-out 5 of the transverse sealing zone 4. This step of making the hooking holes 15 can be carried out simultaneously or as a result of the step of producing the shaped cut-out 5.

Claims

A method of producing at least one sample bag (1) of product from a film (22) of heat-sealable flexible material, said film comprising two opposite edges (23a, 23b), the method comprising the steps following: provide a film (22) of flexible heat-sealable material; disposing the opposite edges (23a, 23b) one above the other so as to form a body (2) comprising a generally tubular wall; heat sealing the opposite edges (23a, 23b) to form a longitudinal sealing zone (3) between the two ends of the body (2); transversely heat sealing the wall of the body (2) to form at least one transverse sealing zone (4) having overall rigidity; fill the bag body (1) with product; said method being characterized in that it provides the following step: making a shaped cut (5) of at least one transverse sealing area (4), said cut being made at a distance from the inner edge (6) of the transverse sealing zone (4) and comprising at least one part generally inclined with respect to the longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) directions of the bag (1), in order to guarantee the sealing of the body (2) while conferring on the zone cross-sealing (4) a certain shape.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a step of making hooking means (15) of the bag (1) in the shaped cutout (5) of the transverse sealing zone (4) .

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it provides for producing a guide means (11) of the product outlet.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it provides, during the step of transverse heat sealing, to achieve a transverse sealing zone (4) comprising an inner portion whose size cross section is less than the transverse dimension of the body (2) and an outer portion whose transverse dimension is equal to the transverse dimension of the body (2) so as to be able to form the guide means (11) of the product outlet.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it provides a step of making a means for opening the bag (1) -

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that it provides for making a line of least resistance (12) on all or part of the bag (1) and / or a rupture primer forming opening means of the bag (1). ).

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it provides the realization of a single bag (1), the body (2) having an opening at each of its ends, the edges of the openings being heat-sealed during the transverse heat-sealing step to form a transverse sealing zone (4) at each of the ends of the body (2).

8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it provides for the realization of a longitudinal succession of bags (1), the body (2) having an opening at each of its ends, the edges openings being heat-sealed during the transverse heat sealing step to form an extreme transverse sealing area (4) at each end of the body (2), intermediate transverse sealing areas (4) being formed between the transverse sealing areas extremes (4) during the transverse heat sealing step.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that it provides, during the transverse heat sealing step, to form, between the extreme transverse sealing zones (4), at least one sealing region (18) comprising the transverse sealing area (4a) of a bag (1a) and the opposite transverse sealing area (4b) of the next bag (1b).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it provides a step of producing a means for separating the bags (1) or groups of sachets (1) in a sealing region (18).

11. The method of claim 10, characterized in that it provides for making a line of weakness (17) between the transverse sealing zone (4a) of a bag (1a) and the opposite transverse sealing zone (4b). ) of the next bag (1b).

12. Product sample bag obtained by implementing the method according to claim 7, said bag comprising a body (2) generally tubular, a longitudinal sealing zone (3) between the two ends of the body (2) and at least one transverse sealing area (4) having overall rigidity at one end of the body (2), said transverse sealing area comprising a shaped cutout (5) spaced from the inner edge (6) of the transverse seal (4), said shaped cut comprising at least one part generally inclined with respect to the longitudinal (L) and transverse (T) directions of the bag (1).

13. Bag according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a hooking means (15) of the bag (1) in the shaped cutout (5) of the transverse sealing area (4).

14. Sachet according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it comprises a guide means (11) of the outlet of the product.

15. Bag according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it comprises an opening means (12) of the bag (1).

16. Longitudinal succession of sample bags (1) obtained by the implementation of the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, said longitudinal succession comprising at least two bags (1), each transverse sealing zone (4a ) a bag (1a) being connected to the opposite transverse sealing area (4b) of the next bag (1b).