WO2009068823A2

WO2009068823A2 - System for assembly line production of containers made of a thick semi-rigid plastic film

Info

Publication number: WO2009068823A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/052047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Chretien; Christian Claeys; Denis Ranchon
Original assignee: Tecnimodern Automation
Priority date: 2007-11-15
Filing date: 2008-11-14
Publication date: 2009-06-04
Also published as: WO2009068823A3; FR2923747B1; FR2923747A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for the assembly-line production of containers (100) made of a thick semi-rigid film (100) for containing a consumer product. According to the invention, the film (100) is a semi-rigid plastic film having a thickness of between 100 and 2500 microns, the system includes pre-cutting or partial cutting means (300) of the semi-rigid plastic film (100), located along the path of the unwound film, the cutting process being carried out on both sides of the film (100) along a line substantially perpendicular to the film unwinding direction, the cutting (102a,102b,103a,103b) leaving intact a central portion of the film having a predetermined length (D1), the film being then conformed on a conformation former (402) including at least two ridges separated by a distance (D2) equal to or higher than the predetermined length (D1) of the intact central portion of the pre-cut or partially cut film (100), and relative to which the film (100) assumes a position such that the pre-cutting or partial cutting lines (102a,102b,103a,103b) of the film (100) are perpendicular to said ridges, the film (100) being then folded along said ridges by folding the sides (105a,105b) of the film (100) defined by the pre-cuts or partial cuts, onto the surface of the conformation former (402).

Description

Title of the invention

Production system with thick semi-rigid plastic film container line.

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to the general field of the packaging of consumer products within sealed semi-rigid film containers. The invention is more particularly concerned with the manufacture of containers making it possible to produce such a package. It is currently well known to use complex foils of aluminum foil to make brick-shaped waterproof containers. Such containers are manufactured on well-known machines using means of unwinding a planar aluminum-foil rigid film reel and shaping means of this film around conformation means, for example a form of first conical then tubular. The constitution of the container is provided by means of solder capable of closing the film around the tubular shape and, generally, at least below it.

FIG. 1 describes such a machine manufacturing containers 10 from a semi-rigid paper-aluminum complex film 11, packaged in the form of a coil 11a.

The semi-rigid film 11 is driven on a number of rollers referenced generically by the reference 12. These rollers 12 can themselves allow the drive of the film 11 and also allow, if necessary, to soften the semi film. -Rigid with pre-folds that will facilitate final formatting. They can also implement a printing mechanism affixing the date of filling on the film, or even other indications such as the product code or the identification number of the company, etc. Some rollers 12 'can realize a application of plastic film to the surface of the semi-rigid film 11. Some may also impregnate the film with sanitizing products, for example hydrogen peroxide, other rollers then eliminating, by rolling, the possible excess of this product sanitizer. A roll 13 then directs the semi-rigid film 11 according to a vertical director. The cylinder 13 is located far enough from the means of conformation 14 and 15 to avoid excessive tension on the semi-rigid film 11.

Indeed, it is necessary not to excessively constrain the semi-rigid film 11 during its conformation so that it retains its sealing properties.

The shaping means comprise lateral rollers 14 which raise each side of the semi-rigid film 11 inducing a twisting effect to a shaping ring 15 at which the film 11 is closed on itself forming a tube. This conformation ring 15 may be punctual with respect to the film, as shown in FIG. 1, or take the form of a so-called forming collar on which the film 11 conforms. Such a forming collar, generally placed outside the winding of the film, then guides the film so that it closes on itself. These forming necks or rings has the disadvantage of having to be changed each time the nature of the film used in the manufacture of containers is changed.

The film 11 is then welded longitudinally by pressing the two edges of the film 11 against each other by means of welding means 16. The semi-rigid film tube thus obtained is welded to its base by non-rigid means. shown before being filled with a feed nozzle 17. The container 10, filled with the consumer product, is then closed by welding by means not shown, and then discharged.

Various sterilization means of the film 11 are advantageously used at different times during the manufacture of the container 10 in the machine shown in FIG. 1. In particular, it may be to inject the consumer product by surrounding the feed nozzle 17. another pipe where a hot, sterile air is blown.

It is also possible to create an aseptic atmosphere above the level of the packaged product in the machine of FIG.

Each container 10 is then folded so as to go from a substantially cylindrical shape to the well-known form of brick and which has a rectangular section.

DE 101 26 740 discloses another system for the manufacture of continuously rolled composite material containers. These composite materials are by definition composed of different materials and, in the usual sense, are paper-aluminum complexes. This document proposes to optimize the formation of the folding angles of the packaging as stipulated in paragraph [0004] of this document. In paragraph [0009] of this document, it is noted that the web is clamped in its continuous movement between at least two tools for pre-folding and cutting. Specifically, pre-broken grooving is performed at the future transverse fold lines and pre-folding is performed on the longitudinal score lines. Such pre-folding classically made by roller burnishing during the continuous movement of the web can not be supported by a plastic film. It is only then that the sheet 1 is formed in a tube. This is also visible in Figure 1 where we see that the web 1 is pre-folded at the last two future containers before arriving against the form of conformation 5. As stipulated in paragraph [0011] it is only then that the pre-cut and pre-folded parts are shaped into a tube around the shape 5. The machine of FIG. 1 or that of the document DE 101 26 740, adapted to the conformation of the films in complex paper-aluminum, does not allow to achieve a satisfactory conformation of semi-rigid plastic films thick. In fact, the semi-rigid plastic films making it possible to obtain a seal at least equal to that offered by the packages made in complex aluminum foil do not have sufficient elasticity and resistance to be shaped on a ring or a collar formator or to be grooved and pre-folded by roller burnishing or other means of pre-folding before shaping.

The use of such rings or forming collars generates the presence of generatrices of different lengths on the film according to their distances to the central generator of the film. At the moment of its conformation, the film is forced. This is not possible with semi-rigid plastic films which then undergo deterioration during such local and irregular extensions.

More generally, there is currently no machine for making thick plastic semi-rigid film containers directly in the form of brick. The term "thick" is intended to mean semi-rigid plastic films having a thickness ranging from 100 to 2500 μm and preferably from 250 to 2500 μm.

Object and summary of the invention

The main purpose of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of container manufacturing systems according to the prior art and to provide a system making it possible to manufacture directly, without any subsequent step, semi-rigid plastic film containers already having substantially their shape. final. To this end, the invention proposes a system for the manufacture of semi-rigid film containers for containing a consumer product, comprising means for unwinding a semi-rigid planar film packaged in rolls towards conformation means. film operating in combination with welding means adapted to close the film around the shaping means and at least below thereof to form the container, characterized in that the film being a semi-rigid plastic film of 100 to 2500 microns thick, the system comprises means for pre-cutting or partial cutting of the semi-rigid plastic film placed on the path of the unwound film, the cut being made on both sides of the film along a substantially perpendicular line in the unwinding direction of the film, the cut leaving intact a central portion of the film of predefined length, and in that the shaping means of the film comprise a conformation elm having at least two edges separated by a distance greater than or equal to the predefined length of the intact central portion of the pre-cut or partially cut film and with respect to which the film is positioned so that the pre-cutting lines or partial cutting of the film is perpendicular to these edges, the film then being folded along these edges, folding the sides of the film defined by pre-cuts or partial cuts on the surface of the conformation form.

With such a system, it is possible to directly obtain the semi-rigid film container in the form of a brick of polygonal section, such as a brick, while avoiding any application of penalizing stress to the semi-rigid film used. The inventors have indeed noticed that as such a direct bending on a form of conformation having ridges was incompatible with the composite materials, such a folding was particularly suitable for plastic films which enjoy a deformation latitude sufficient to support the folding directly on edges without pre-folding step. Indeed, the combination between pre-cutting means, leaving a central portion of the intact film over a distance substantially equal to or less than that observed between the two edges of the shaping means, makes it possible to avoid any excessive stress on the semi-film. rigid when, precisely, the conformation step. In addition, the use of a precut is particularly suitable in combination with the use of plastic films to make packaging. Plastic films do not have a complex structure, they are not subject to pollution at the cutouts since such cutting is performed upstream of the manufacture of the packaging. It may in particular be pollution due to the filling of the container or its sanitization. They are also not potentially subject to delamination, for example to the presence of moisture.

In addition, the thick plastic films have sufficient tear resistance and sufficient strength to allow them not to bend themselves under their own weight to support being driven and therefore particularly drawn with only a central portion intact in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the film and displacement of the film.

The invention therefore uses the properties of the film itself in combination with a pre-cut or a partial cut and specific means of conformation adapted not only to the thick character of the film but also to the desired final shape for the container which ultimately comprises sharp edges.

It will be understood that the conformation on the edges of the shaping means can be performed on an inner surface of the container obtained but also on a structure external thereto.

The invention also makes it possible to reduce, with respect to the prior art, the number of operations and equipment useful for cutting and conforming the film. Indeed, the tube conformation is combined with the folding of the film and the cut can be combined with a stamping along the lines of a folding pattern that will facilitate folding on the shape of conformation.

Thus, according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the pre-cutting or partial cutting means are associated with means for embossing the plastic film between two stamping jaws, at least one of which comprises embossments for embossing the film according to a folding pattern presenting lines corresponding to the fold lines along which the film will then be folded on the shaping means, precut or partial cut and embossing being performed simultaneously.

This advantageous characteristic ensures that the film has a structure such that it has decreases in material at the level of lines along which the film will be folded. The corresponding material decreases are performed simultaneously with the precut or partial cut of the film. These two operations implement, according to the invention, elements mobilized together in jaws on the film. For example, in one embodiment, a forging jaw, able to move in translation to come embossing the film, support a blade or other precut means or cutting.

In another advantageous embodiment, at least one jaw comprises distinct reliefs to perform pre-cutting or partial cutting and stamping of the film.

This characteristic makes it possible to precut or cut with the same equipment, that is to say at least one stamping jaw. It is sufficient that this jaw bears higher reliefs than those useful for stamping to ensure that the film is then precut or cut along these higher reliefs. It is also envisaged that the distinct reliefs suitable for stamping and pre-cutting or cutting are carried by the two jaws.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the system comprises passive means for folding the sides of the film on the surface of the conformation shape automatically during the translation movement of the film associated with the unwinding.

This characteristic makes it possible to exploit the movement of the film alone to conform the film around the shape of conformation. This feature avoids having to implement specific equipment for folding the film.

Nevertheless, according to one variant, the system comprises active means for folding down the sides of the film on the surface of the conformation form, these active means being mounted and activated in rotation about axes parallel to the edges of the conformation form. .

This characteristic implies the implementation of motor means to mobilize the active means of folding. According to a preferred feature of the invention, the pre-cutting or partial cutting means or the shaping means or both, requiring a discontinuous displacement of the film at their level, a soft film strand is present between the cutting means and the conformation means.

Such a characteristic is particularly advantageous in the context of the invention since it avoids that the pre-cutting and partial cutting means necessarily function in synchronization with the shaping means. Indeed, it is common that cutting or conformation combined with the welds require discontinuous movement of the film at their level. This feature avoids having to synchronize these movements even if it remains necessary for the average displacements of the film to be identical at the level of the pre-cutting or partial cutting means and at the level of the shaping means. Nevertheless, according to a particular implementation of the invention, the film is unwound discontinuously and synchronously in the precut or partial cutting means and at the level of the shaping means.

This feature allows operation in the absence of soft strand but is expensive in terms of manufacturing and adjustment of the system.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the conformation form being a tubular shape placed substantially vertically, the system comprises means for supplying the consumer product for filling each container directly by sequentially supplying the product at the inlet of the tube around which the container is formed , the supply means being such that the supply is made following the welds of the film made along the tube, said dorsal, and under the tube and before an advance of the film along the tube, this advance allowing a weld to be subsequently performed closing the container on its upper part. With such a characteristic, it is possible to directly obtain the closed container comprising the consumer product packaged at the output of the manufacturing system to the chain of semi-rigid film containers. The welds can be made in one or more consecutive steps.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the welding means along the tube are such that they comprise clamping means for gripping the film at the container and moving means for moving the clamping means along the tube thus driving the film.

Such an implementation of the clamping means for welding the film in combination with moving means able to move these clamping means along the tube allows to circulate the film along the tube without additional mobilization means. In the part of the shaping means, the film can thus be moved in a sequential, discontinuous and particularly simple manner.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing the semi-rigid film container chain, intended to contain a consumer product, comprising a step of unwinding a semi-rigid planar film packaged in rolls followed by a step of conformation of the film and soldering steps able to close the film around a conformation shape and, at least, below it to form the container, characterized in that the film being a semi-rigid plastic film 100 to 2500 microns thick, the method comprises a step of pre-cutting or partial cutting of the semi-rigid plastic film placed on the path of the unwound film, the cut being made on both sides of the film along a line substantially perpendicular to the direction of the film, the cut leaving intact a central portion of the film of predefined length, and in that the step of shaping the film is performed on the conformation shape having at least two edges separated by a distance greater than or equal to the predefined length of the intact central portion of the pre-cut or partially cut film and with respect to which the film is positioned so that the pre-cutting or partial cutting lines of the film or substantially perpendicular to these edges, the shaping step implementing the folding of the film along the edges of the conformation form, folding the sides of the film defined by pre-cuts or partial cuts.

Brief description of drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment having no limiting character. In the figures:

FIG. 1 represents a semi-rigid film container manufacturing system according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 represents a semi-rigid film container manufacturing system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 summarizes the principle of the invention by representing the transformations undergone by the film during the process according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows the cutting means in a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 represents the shaping means in a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the welding and folding means below and above the semi-rigid film container;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are sections of the welding and folding means as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and illustrate the operation of the folding and welding on the top and the bottom of each semi-rigid film container,

- Figures 8A and 8B show a container as obtained with a system according to the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment FIG. 2 represents a system for manufacturing a plastic semi-rigid film container chain intended to contain a consumer product. The system according to the invention is particularly dedicated to the manufacture of semi-rigid plastic film containers. A semi-rigid plastic film 100 is provided at the input of the system by a coil 100a. The film 100 is a thick film of 100 to 2500 μm semi-rigid plastic complexed and / or extruded. It is a barrier material, transparent, translucent or opaque, printed totally, partially or unprinted.

Such materials can provide seals close to that of glass while remaining transparent or translucent. This is particularly interesting for packaging consumer products such as food products but also, for example, DIY parts such as nails, screws, etc.

It is advantageously a film as described in the French patent application published under the number FR 2 900 364. It is precisely in order to be able to form such films and to make packaging from this material that invention has been realized.

In the system according to the invention, the film 100 is driven by unwinding means 200 implementing rolls driving the film to pre-cutting or partial cutting means 300.

A pre-treatment block of the film 201 may include film drive means which may possibly replace the unwinding means 200 as shown in FIG. 2. More generally, they include printing means on the film, means sterilization and other means possibly useful for other film treatments independent of those implemented according to the invention.

It is noted that instead of placing the sterilization means at the means 201, which are far from the shaping means, it may be preferable to place the sterilization means near the shaping means so as not to risk contamination of the film on his way into the machine.

According to the invention, the film 100 is then conveyed to conformation means 400 which function in combination with welding means 500 for closing the containers on their lower and upper and dorsal parts. Preferably, according to the invention, the confirmation means 400 are fixed means along which the film 100 is placed and slide. Such fixed conformation means make it possible to limit the relative movements, especially between the film 100 and the shaping means 400 and avoid blockages and failures that tend to generate such movements.

The invention proposes, as shown in FIG. 2, to combine a pre-cutting or partial cutting of the film precisely adapted to the characteristics of the conformation produced within the shaping means 400.

The principle of the invention is illustrated, from the point of view of the film 100, in FIG.

In this conceptual figure, the film 100 is presented to the system from a reel 100a, unrolled and then die on a zone 101 so as to prepare the film 100 for future folding. The zone 101 is also precut or partially cut on segments 102a, 102b leaving a central portion 104 intact of predefined length Dl. The other end of the zone 101 will then also be cut or pre-cut along two segments 103a and 103b, this cut being made during the stamping of the next zone 101.

In FIG. 3, precutting and stamping are only represented on a portion of the film 100. It goes without saying that the pre-cut and the stamping of the film are omitted on the rest of the film for the sake of clarity. In the real world, the film 100 is matrix and pre-cut with regular spaces over the rest of the film 100. Finally, the film 100 is shaped on a conformation shape that is not shown but having at least two edges separated by a distance D2 that is greater than or equal to the pre-defined length D1 of the intact central portion 104 of the pre-cut or partially cut film.

The form of conformation is preferably a tubular shape of square or rectangular section or other. The sides 105a and 105b of the film 100 are then folded along the edges of the conformation form in a folding movement.

The container is then completed by folding the sides 105a and 105b against each other on the "back" of the conformation shape which is then tubular, defining a back 106 of the future container. The sides 105a and 105b are then welded together by a back weld 107 to form a tube 108. Then a bottom weld 109 is formed on the container 101i + 1 together with a top weld 110 on the container 10Ii like this. will be explained later. Pre-cutting or partial cutting 102a, 102b and 103a, 103b of the film

100 makes it possible to make possible a simple folding and completely adapted to the plastic film 100 around the shape of conformation. FIG. 4 gives an exemplary embodiment of the pre-cutting or partial cutting means 300 of the film 100. In this embodiment, the precut or partial cut is performed simultaneously with a stamping of the film according to a folding pattern. It should be noted here that such a step of stamping a film involves its immobilization the time that an element making it possible to carry out the plastic deformation is pressed against the film.

The cutting means 300 shown in FIG. 4 are carried by a frame 301 on which sliding elements 302a and 302b are mounted along which members slide in translation, secured to a coining piece 304.

The set of elements in translation is pushed using a jack 303. The film 100 is slid parallel to the stamping piece 304 when the latter, released by the jack 303, does not exert pressure against a 305a jaw placed opposite another jaw 305b, carried by the stamping piece 304.

The film 100 is then immobilized between the jaws 305a and 305b before the jack 303 exerts a pressure on the die-stamping piece 304 so that the folding diagram shown on the zone 101 is printed and that the precut or the partial cutting 102a, 102b and 103a, 103b of the film 100.

The folding diagram 101 may be various and this, so as to obtain a final container which may be a brick but also a pyramid or any other form of known containers that can be obtained by folding and carrying at least two parallel folding edges or at an angle between them, this angle being a function of the shape of the final package, the minimum distance between the edges respecting the presence of a portion of width Dl intact in the center of the film. The resulting package can be parallelepipedic, cubic or pyramidal.

To obtain the folding diagram 101, it is advantageous to use a jaw bearing a network of raised segments that emboss the film.

100. Only one of the two jaws or both jaws carries (s) such a matrix frame. These jaws can be reversed with each other without prejudice to the implementation of the invention.

Advantageously, the matrixing network is such that the film 100 is not matrix at the corners of the fold to avoid damaging, at the corner, the barrier properties offered by the film. The bending or preforming diagrams can be made both cold and hot. In the latter case, at least one of the jaws 105a and 105b has heating means.

It is noted here that the precut or the partial cut can be directly achieved using reliefs placed on at least one of the jaws and higher than the reliefs used to stamp the folding pattern. Advantageously, the matrixing network then comprises reliefs of different heights to allow, simultaneously, the stamping of the folding pattern and a precut or a partial cut of the film. Indeed, by applying the jaw on the film, the highest reliefs then engender the cutting of the film.

The pre-cut consists in fact of a weakening which will yield during the conformation of the sides of the film 105a and 105b on the shaping means, such embrittlement being perfectly possible according to a mastering principle.

It is also envisaged to provide that one of the jaws bears the reliefs for stamping the folding pattern while the other carries the reliefs for pre-cutting or partial cutting of the film. The two jaws can also carry, each, reliefs to participate, together, in performing both functions.

Nevertheless, according to the embodiment of FIG. 4, the cutting is carried out with a blade 306 placed on the upper part of the stamping piece 304 and coming onto the film 100 at the same time as the stamping network. The blade 306, which exceeds in thickness the relief of the stamping segments, pierces the film 100 at the segments 102a, 102b. More generally, the partial cutting or pre-cutting can be performed by any cutting means including lasers, ultrasound, thermal means and knives that can be shears, such as the blade 306, or cylinders. Ultrasonic or thermal means can also be implemented in combination with the device by mechanical pressure shown in Figure 4.

Pre-cutting or partial cutting upstream of the conformation avoids the presence of harmful tensions within the film and avoids any inadvertent tearing at any level of the production process of the container chain according to the invention by excessive stress on the film. With the invention, any semi-rigid film not exhibiting of elasticity, can be shaped into a container in various forms that can be obtained by folding.

At the outlet of the pre-cutting or cutting means 300, the folding diagram 101 is thus printed on the film 100 in order to facilitate the subsequent folding of the packaging and the film 100 is precut or cut above this folding pattern 101 along two segments 102a and 102b. The segments 103a and

103b are cut during the stamping of the next zone 101.

The film 100 is then directed towards the shaping means 400. Advantageously, a roller 401 or an inclined or vertical toboggan guides the film 100 to a conformation shape 402.

As shown in FIG. 5, the conformation of the film 100 is then achieved by folding each side 105a and 105b of the film 100 on the conformation form 402 with conformation wings 403. Their surface must then be continuous. and smooth to prevent partial cuts from catching irregularities and the film creasing, which could cause a system crash.

The conformation wings 402 provided here are fixed and cause the film to bend on both sides of the conformation form 402 by sliding during the displacement of the film in the conformation means 400 which are fixed according to the invention. They could also be parts in rotational movement folding the sides 105a and 105b after the film has been immobilized at the shape of the conformation.

It can be seen that at the fold of the sides 105a and 105b on the conformation form, the latter is advantageously an open U shape. Advantageously, the backing welding means 510 then make it possible to fold down the sides 105a and 105b of the film. 100 on the dorsal part of the shape of conformation 402 then tubular, and no longer in U, as represented in FIG.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the welding means 510 along the conformation form 402 are such that they comprise not only clamping means 511a and 511b for gripping the film and for welding it onto the front face of the conformation form, usually thermal jaws, but also moving means 512 for moving the clamping means along the tube. In FIG. 5, these moving means 512 are an accompanying head 512 carrying the clamping means 511a and 511b and sliding in translation. vertical to the frame of the machine. The film 100, here shaped in tubular structure, is thus pulled down.

In this particular case, the welding means 510 are then directly responsible for mobilizing the film 100 at the level of the conformation means 400.

These clamping means perform a "flesh-flesh" weld, meaning that a portion of the inner surface of the side 105a is welded to a portion of the inner surface of the side 105b.

It is also possible to consider making a so-called "flesh-leather" weld, designating that a portion of the outer surface is welded with a portion of the inner surface.

The system further comprises welding means on the upper and lower faces of the containers.

The welding means according to the invention can use traditional methods by heat transfer, ultrasound or any other known system to date.

The use of the mobilization of the film 100 by means of the welding means 510 on the part constituted by the shaping means 400 and the welding means 500 implies a discontinuity of the movement of the film at the level of the shaping means and can cause synchronization problems with the cutting means 300.

However, as the average rates of discontinuous movement of the film for cutting and conformation must be similar, the exact timing of these means is not necessarily desirable since it considerably complicates the production system to the production line. containers according to the invention and its setting.

Also, advantageously, the cutting means 300 and the shaping means 400 are separated by a soft strand 106 of the film 100 which makes it possible to maintain a certain freedom of movement of the two parts of the film 100 at the level of the cutting means 300 and the means conformation 400.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show an embodiment for folding and welding means on the lower part and on the upper part of the semi-rigid film containers 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, these folding and welding means on the lower and upper parts of the containers are placed under the shaping means 400. These folding and welding means in particular allow to maintain a first semi-rigid film container so that its upper part is welded and that it is separated from the next container. They also allow welding on the underside of the next container being formed. These folding and welding means implement a bearing part 501 mounted in translation on a frame 502.

The carrier piece 501 comprises means for holding the container 503a, 503b, 503c, 503d and 503e.

The operation of the folding and welding means and the production sequence of the semi-rigid film containers are more precisely set out in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C.

The film 100, shaped as a tube, is brought to the center of the holding means 503a, 503b, 503c, 503d and 503e when they are released, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As shown in FIG. 7A, the forming container 10Ii which has been previously closed by welding on the bottom of the container during the preceding step of manufacturing the container 10Ii is then pressed against the notch 503a using of the part 503b mounted in translation and actuated by means of the lateral parts 503c and 503d themselves actuated by a part 503e translated by means of a jack system. The holding in position of the container 10Ii forming is illustrated in Figure 7B wherein the side parts 503c and 503d are brought against the container 10Ii so that it is held by pressure against the notch 503a.

Then, the carrier part 501 carries two bottom flaps 505a and 505b which fold against the film 100 to pinch the container 10Ii on its upper face, as shown in Figure 7B.

The frame 502 carries, meanwhile, two high flaps 504a and 504b which also come to pinch the container 101i + 1 on its underside.

As the pinching phenomenon causes a reduction in the distance separating the two containers 10Ii and 101i + 1 still attached to one another on the distance Dl of the film left intact during the cutting or precut, it is necessary that one of the two pairs of flaps 504a, 504b or 505a,

505b is carried by a piece mounted in translation.

This is why the carrier part 501 is, in the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, mounted in vertical translation. The supporting part

501 then rises in order to move the flaps 505a and 505b and fold the container 101i on its upper part. It allows, as shown in Figure 7B, the upper flaps 505a and 505b rise relative to the frame 502.

As shown in FIG. 7C, once the film has folded on the lower and upper faces of the container 10Ii in formation by the shutters 504a, 504b, 505a, 505b, two jaws 506a and 506b translate in order to come between the shutters, said closed, 504a, 504b, 505a, 505b for soldering the film thicknesses at the top of the container 10Ii and at the bottom of the container 101i + 1. The translation of the jaws for closing the containers can be motorized, use a jack etc. These jaws 506a and 506b perform "flesh-flesh" welds. They can be thermal or use an ultrasonic emission. Any other welding process known today may be used here.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the container 10Ii is then able to be detached from the film 100 and evacuated by simply cutting out the central part that remains intact 103. It should be noted that this cut is only made once the container has been closed. ready for use or ready for subsequent heat treatment.

The container 10Ii may possibly then undergo a folding of the parts of the folds that exceed in the manner described in Figures 8A and 8B. In Figure 8A, we see that a flap 110 is formed on the top and bottom of the container before making flaps 111a, 111b on the lateral sides of the container 10Ii.

On the lower part of the container 10Ii, visible in FIG 8B, the flaps on the lateral sides are advantageously replaced by two flaps 112a and 112b on the underside of the container 10Ii, these two flaps 112a and 112b being made after a flap 113 on the bottom of the container 10Ii. The realization of these flaps is carried out according to methods known from the prior art.

Advantageously, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 7B and in FIG. 2, when the conformation form 402 of the conformation means 400 is vertical, the system for manufacturing the semi-rigid film containers comprises supply means 600. a consumer product 700 for filling each container directly by sequentially supplying the product 700 at the inlet of the tube around which the container is formed. In FIG. 7B, these supply means 600 are schematized by a pipe 601 bringing the product 700 to the center of the conformation form 402 allowing the conformation of the film 100. Of course, it is possible to envisage the injection of neutral gas around the supply pipe 601 of the consumer product to ensure non-deterioration of the product during this packaging. The injection of the consumer product can also be carried out under a modified atmosphere. Thus, each time a container 101i + 1 is closed on its lower part, the supply means 600 can be activated so that the container 101i + 1 is filled.

Means for controlling the level of the consumer product 700 placed in the container 101i + 1 can be implemented in any manner known from the prior art.

Once the container 101i + 1 filled, it is mobilized, for example by means of welding means along the tube comprising displacement means for sliding the entire film 100, including the container 101i + l attached to it, along the form of conformation. The container 101i + 1 is then closed using the bottom flaps 505a and 505b on its upper part.

Advantageously, it is possible to use, at the level of the welds, a special opening primer to initiate the peelability of the container, for example at the level of the upper transverse linear weld. The peelability primer then makes it possible not to generate independent waste on opening.

By making it possible to use semi-rigid plastic films, the semi-rigid film container manufacturing system according to the invention makes it possible to obtain sealed packages having a very low permeability to gas and moisture. The use of transparent plastic film makes it possible to obtain the visibility of the consumer product from the outside of the packaging. Plastic packages are also known for their low weight, their recyclability or even biodegradability, their ability to be controlled by X-rays and to be heat treated. The semi-rigid film container obtained can in particular benefit from a permanent stabilization of its shape by means of a heat treatment.

It is also noted that the semi-rigid plastic film containers obtained are preferably square or rectangular to optimize storage volumes. The shape of the packaging obtained also has a very good stability in use, which is particularly convenient in the case where the consumer product content is liquid or contains a liquid. The chain container manufacturing system, according to the invention, allows to manufacture according to the embodiment proposed by the inventor, 35 to 40 containers per minute.

Finally, it should be noted that various implementations can be carried out according to the principles of the invention, in particular the advance of the film made by pinching and simultaneous displacement of the horizontal and vertical welding systems can be achieved by other means then passing through example the film continuously or sequentially in front of stationary welding means. The advance of the film is then performed by other means such as the implementation of cylinders rotated.

More generally, the various sets of combined mechanical movements explained above allow the manufacture of the package but they can be modified in various ways without departing from the principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for the manufacture of a semi-rigid film container chain (101) for containing a consumer product, comprising means for unwinding a film (100) semi-rigid plane packaged in rolls (100a) towards shaping means (400) of the film operating in combination with welding means (500, 510) capable of closing the film around and at least below a shaping shape (402) to form the container (101); ), characterized in that, the film (100) being a semi-rigid plastic film of 100 to 2500 microns in thickness, the system comprises means for pre-cutting or partial cutting (300) of the semi-rigid plastic film ( 100) placed on the path of the unwound film, the cutout (102a, 102b, 103a, 103b) being made on both sides of the film (100) along a line substantially perpendicular to the unwinding direction of the film (100), the cutting leaving intact a central portion of the film of predetermined length denies (D1), and in that the conformation shape (402) has at least two edges separated by a distance (D2) greater than or equal to the predefined length (D1) of the intact central portion of the pre-cut or partially cut film and relative to which the film (100) is positioned so that the pre-cutting or partial cutting lines of the film (102a, 102b, 103a, 103b) are perpendicular to these edges, the film (100) being then folded along these edges, folding the sides (105a, 105b) of the film (100) defined by pre-cuts or partial cuts on the surface of the conformation form (402).

2. Manufacturing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-cutting or partial cutting means (300,306) are associated with means for stamping the plastic film between two stamping jaws (305a, 305b) of which at least one comprises embossed to emboss the film (100) according to a folding pattern (101) having lines corresponding to the fold lines along which the film (100) will then be folded at the level of the shaping means (400), precut or cut partial and embossing being performed simultaneously.

3. Manufacturing system according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one jaw (305a, 305b) comprises distinct reliefs to perform precut or partial cutting and stamping of the film.

4. Manufacturing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises passive means (403) for folding the sides (105a, 105b) of the film (100) on the surface of the conformation form (402). ) automatically during the translational movement of the film (100) associated with the unwinding.

5. Manufacturing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the system comprises active means for folding the sides (105a, 105b) of the film (100) on the surface of the conformation form (402), these active means being mounted, and activated, in rotation about axes parallel to the edges of the conformation form (402).

6. Manufacturing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-cutting or partial cutting means (300) or the shaping means (400) or both requiring discontinuous movement of the film.

(100) at their level, a soft film strand (100) is present between the cutting means (300) and the shaping means (400).

7. Manufacturing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the film (100) is unwound discontinuously and synchronously in the pre-cutting or partial cutting means (300) and at the level of the shaping means (400).

8. Manufacturing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, the form of conformation (402) being a tube placed substantially vertically, the system comprises means of supply (600) of the consumer product (700) to fill each container directly by sequentially supplying the product (700) at the inlet of the tube around which the container (101) is shaped, the supply means (600) being such that the supply is made following the welding of the film (100) carried out along of the tube and under the tube and before an advance of the film (100) along the tube, this advance allowing that is then practiced a closing weld of the container

(101) on its upper part.

9. Manufacturing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the welding means along the tube (510) are such that they comprise clamping means for gripping the film (100) at the container (101) and moving means for moving the clamping means along the tube thereby driving the film (100).

10. A process for manufacturing a semi-rigid film container chain (101) intended to contain a consumer product, comprising a step of unwinding a semi-rigid planar film (100) packaged in rolls (100a) followed a step of forming the film and soldering steps capable of closing the film (100) around a conformation shape (402) and, at least, below it to form the container (101) , characterized in that, the film (100) being a semi-rigid plastic film of 100 to 2500 microns thick, the method comprises a step of pre-cutting or partial cutting of the semi-rigid plastic film (100) on the path of the unwound film, the cutout (102a, 102b, 103a, 103b) being made on both sides of the film (100) along a line perpendicular to the unwinding direction of the film (100), the cut leaving a central portion intact; of the film (100) of predefined length (D1), and in that the step of shaping the film (100) is formed on the conformation shape (402) having at least two edges separated by a distance (D2) greater than or equal to the predefined length (D1) of the intact central portion of the pre-cut or partially cut film (100) and relative to which the film (100) is placed so that the pre-cutting or partial cutting lines of the film (100) is perpendicular to these edges, the conformation step implementing the folding of the film ( 100) along the edges of the conformation form (402), folding the sides (105a, 105b) of the film (100) defined by pre-cuts or partial cuts.