WO2012064368A1 - Paquet ayant une conception esthétique - Google Patents

Paquet ayant une conception esthétique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012064368A1
WO2012064368A1 PCT/US2011/001886 US2011001886W WO2012064368A1 WO 2012064368 A1 WO2012064368 A1 WO 2012064368A1 US 2011001886 W US2011001886 W US 2011001886W WO 2012064368 A1 WO2012064368 A1 WO 2012064368A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
package
aesthetic design
packages
forming plates
packaging material
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2011/001886
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Stephen Edward Woerz
Ronald Lee Nash
Original Assignee
Nestec S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nestec S.A. filed Critical Nestec S.A.
Publication of WO2012064368A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012064368A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/22—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being in the form of recurring patterns
    • B29C66/223—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being in the form of recurring patterns being in the form of a triangle wave or of a sawtooth wave, e.g. zigzagged
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/24—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight
    • B29C66/246—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines forming figures, e.g. animals, flowers, hearts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/306—Applying a mark during joining
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • B29C66/43121—Closing the ends of tubular or hollow single articles, e.g. closing the ends of bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
    • B29C66/81415—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled
    • B29C66/81419—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being bevelled and flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81433—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined being toothed, i.e. comprising several teeth or pins, or being patterned
    • B29C66/81435—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined being toothed, i.e. comprising several teeth or pins, or being patterned comprising several parallel ridges, e.g. for crimping
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8167—Quick change joining tools or surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72321—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of metals or their alloys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B29C66/7232—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer
    • B29C66/72327—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered comprising a non-plastics layer consisting of natural products or their composites, not provided for in B29C66/72321 - B29C66/72324
    • B29C66/72328—Paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/735—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7352—Thickness, e.g. very thin
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/737—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7371—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined oriented or heat-shrinkable
    • B29C66/73711—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined oriented or heat-shrinkable oriented
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7394—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset
    • B29C66/73941—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoset characterised by the materials of both parts being thermosets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8122—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81457—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a block or layer of deformable material, e.g. sponge, foam, rubber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/849—Packaging machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/912—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9121—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature
    • B29C66/91221—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by measuring the temperature of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91411—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature of the parts to be joined, e.g. the joining process taking the temperature of the parts to be joined into account
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/919—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/924—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9241—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/929—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools characterized by specific pressure, force, mechanical power or displacement values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/94—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time
    • B29C66/949—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time characterised by specific time values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to packages particularly to packages having an aesthetic design and methods for producing such packages.
  • thermoset packaging material such as a polyester film material
  • thermoset packaging material such as a polyester film material
  • welds are often created by placing overlapped thermoset packaging material between a pair of heated plates, commonly called dies, jaws, or forming plates.
  • the plates are brought together such that they apply heat and pressure to the overlapped material.
  • the pressure is released and the thermoset packaging material is removed from the forming plates. This process partially melts the overlapped thermoset packaging material, causing the overlapped portions of material to adhere to one another, thereby forming a weld.
  • the forming plates used to produce this type of weld are typically designed so that the face of each member of the pair of plates is either flat or possesses longitudinal lines or grooves along the plate face, with the two plates being three-dimensional mirror images of one another so that, for example, the ridges of one plate fit within corresponding grooves of the other (see, e.g., PCT Published Application No. WO03/064260).
  • the heated plates are also typically attached to a thermoforming device. Such devices are well known in the art and are readily available from a number of manufacturers.
  • the thermoforming device simply comprises forming plates attached to a means for delivering heat and pressure to those plates.
  • the thermoforming device comprises an apparatus that is able to automatically form the package, fill it with the desired material, and seal the package edges.
  • Two common types of such thermoforming devices are the vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal (VFFS and HFFS) packaging machines. Such machines take a piece of thermoset packaging material and automatically 1) form it into an appropriate shape for a package, 2) fill the package with the desired material, and 3) weld the package edges together.
  • One or more of these or other objects are achieved using novel methods and devices for producing packages having one or more aesthetic designs disposed on or along at least a portion of a weld in the package.
  • the packages are formed through the use of forming plates in which the aesthetic designs are incorporated, such that formation of a weld using the forming plates results in the aesthetic design being embossed upon at least a portion of the weld.
  • the invention encompasses methods, forming plates and packages produced by those methods, as well as other devices useful for automated and production- line forming of novel packages comprising the aesthetic designs, as well as multi-packs and displays for the novel packages.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates packages comprising an aesthetic design in the package weld.
  • FIG. 1A is a top view of a package comprising a zig-zag shaped aesthetic design in the package weld along the edges of the package;
  • FIG. IB is a top view of a package comprising a dog bone shaped aesthetic design in the package weld along the edges of the package.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates forming plates useful for producing welds comprising a zig-zag shaped aesthetic design.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of an apparatus comprising a pair of forming plates.
  • FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective side view of the same apparatus in its assembled and closed state.
  • FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective front view of the same apparatus in its assembled and closed state.
  • weldingable packaging material or “weldable material” refer to material that is amenable to being welded. Welding is understood in the art as a process for joining materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by partial melting of the materials, which, upon cooling joins the materials together. Welding is accomplished through the application of heat or pressure, or both.
  • thermoset material refers to a piece of material that can be attached to a portion of the same piece or another piece of material through the application of appropriate heat and pressure to overlapped portions. In certain embodiments, such attachment is accomplished using a thermoforming device comprising forming plates. In other embodiments, the thermoforming device is contained within or is part of a vertical or horizontal form-fill-seal ( FS or HFFS) machine.
  • FS or HFFS vertical or horizontal form-fill-seal
  • thermoset or thermoplastic materials means an attachment between two overlapped portions of the packaging material, the attachment resulting from the application of sufficient heat and pressure to the overlapped thermoset packaging material to cause the portions to partially melt and thus adhere to one another.
  • a weld can either form a complete seal along the welded portion or can contain gaps within the weld such that a seal is not created.
  • a thermoforming device comprising one or more heated forming plates produces the weld.
  • the thermoforming device is contained within or is part of a VFFS or HFFS machine.
  • Aesthetic design means a design that has been selected because of its artistic or decorative appearance, attractiveness, beauty, eye-catching quality, or the like.
  • Aesthetic designs useful in the present invention include any desired design that lends itself to inclusion on a forming plate. Such designs include, but are not limited to, a zig-zag pattern; a repeating shape pattern, such as a repeating circle or oval pattern; a partem incorporating a corporate symbol, product symbol, trademark, or the like; an animal shape pattern, such as a paw-print, cat face shape, or animal silhouette; a bone shape pattern; or a feeding bowl pattern.
  • the invention provides methods for producing packages comprising one or more aesthetic designs in the package weld.
  • the methods comprise providing a weldable material, such as a thermoset packaging material, and welding that material to form a package in which the aesthetic design is embossed on at least a portion of the weld.
  • the welding is accomplished by a thermoforming device comprising forming plates, the forming plates comprising the aesthetic design incorporated into the contact faces of the plates.
  • the thermoforming device can be a form- fill device that forms the package and fills it with a product in an automated fashion. Such devices can be incorporated into production lines, in some embodiments.
  • the invention provides packages produced according to the methods of the invention.
  • the invention provides forming plates useful for producing welds comprising an aesthetic design.
  • the forming plates comprise the aesthetic design incorporated into the contact faces of the plates.
  • the forming plates are within or are part of a thermoforming device.
  • the thermoforming device comprises a form-fill device such as a VFFS or HFFS.
  • the thermoforming device can be incorporated into a production line.
  • the invention provides packages.
  • the packages comprise an aesthetic design embossed in at least a portion of the package weld.
  • a product is contained within the package.
  • Useful products include both comestible compositions, such as human or pet foods or pet treats, and non-comestible compositions, such as cleaning products, detergents, litters, fertilizers, and the like.
  • the invention provides multi-pack packages.
  • the multi-pack packages comprise a plurality of packages comprising an aesthetic design in the package weld of the invention arranged in an array and one or more devices for retaining the containers in the array.
  • the multi-pack packages have one or more handles affixed to the packages to facilitate handling and transporting the packages.
  • the devices are boxes made from paper, plastic, polymers, and combinations thereof.
  • the devices are systems of connected plastic rings affixed to each of the containers.
  • the devices are wrappings of plastic of similar materials, e.g., twelve cans stacked in an array and wrapped in plastic.
  • the multi-pack packages further comprise one or more indicia describing the contents of the containers in the packages, e.g., labels, printing on the packages, stickers, and the like.
  • the devices further comprise one or more windows that permit the package contents to be viewed without opening the multi-pack package.
  • the windows are a transparent portion of the devices.
  • the windows are missing portions of the devices that permit the containers to be viewed without opening the multi-pack package.
  • One method of producing a weld comprising an aesthetic design comprises placing an overlapped portion of a weldable packaging material between two forming plates.
  • Each of the forming plates comprises a contact face that contacts the packaging material during the weld process, with the three-dimensional shape of the contact face of each of the two forming plates being a mirror image of that of the other forming plate such that the two plates comprise a mated pair.
  • the contact faces may be generally flat, or ridged, or comprising any configuration conducive to forming a weld or seal.
  • the contact faces of the forming plates contain the desired aesthetic design incorporated therein, again with the two plates possessing three-dimensional mirror image versions of the aesthetic design.
  • the incorporation of the aesthetic design may be accomplished by etching, carving, molding, or any other means well known in the art and suitable for the particular material of which the forming plates are made.
  • etching carving, molding, or any other means well known in the art and suitable for the particular material of which the forming plates are made.
  • the other plate will possess the same dog bone shape etched in the same location of the plate, but the etching will be done such that the dog bone is carved into the plate face.
  • the forming plates are moved toward the packaging material until the material is pressed between the forming plates.
  • One or both of the forming plates are heated to an appropriate temperature to create a weld between the overlapped pieces of material either prior to or during the period of contact with the thermoset packaging material. Additionally, the forming plates provide an appropriate amount of pressure to create the desired weld. After an appropriate dwell time has elapsed to allow the weld to form, the forming plates are moved away from the packaging material, thus releasing the packaging material from the apparatus. Because of the aesthetic design present on the contact faces of the forming plates, this process produces a weld between the overlapped portions which comprises the aesthetic design within or along the weld. This process is sometimes referred to herein as embossing.
  • weldable packaging materials useful in the present invention can be any suitable material known to persons skilled in the art.
  • the packaging material preferably is a thermoset material, also referred to in the art as a thermoplastic material. Either a single material type or more than one material type, e.g., two sheets of different types of packaging material, may be employed.
  • the material(s) will be flexible but will be capable of maintaining the shape of the aesthetic design after the pouch material cools.
  • the thermoset packaging material(s) also will preferably be from 0.5 to 10 mils thick, more preferably from 0.75 to 8 mils thick, most preferably from 2 to 4 mils thick. Additionally, the packaging material(s) may be mono or multi-laminated materials.
  • thermoset materials useful for the packaging of human and animal products include, but are not limited to, low density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), metallocene polymer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene methacrylic acid (EMAA), cast polypropylene (CPP), oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyester (PET), nylon/polyamide (ON), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), cellophane, polystyrene (PS), and plastics not derived from petrochemicals, i.e., bio-plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA).
  • LDPE low density polyethylene
  • MDPE medium density polyethylene
  • HDPE high density polyethylene
  • LLDPE linear low-density polyethylene
  • EVA ethylene vinyl a
  • such materials are useful in combination/lamination with aluminum foil (AL), vacuum metalized film, AlOx metalized, SiOx metalized (VM Films), paper contained film, glassine paper, Rayon paper, and non- woven materials. Even more particularly as single-layer films or through the co-extrusion or lamination processes.
  • Typical pressure applied during a weld procedure for thermoset packaging material is at least about 40 psi and typically not more than about 80 psi.
  • the pressure is greater than about 50 psi and less than about 70 psi. More preferably, the pressure is greater than about 55 psi and less than about 65 psi. Most preferably, the pressure is between 58.1 and 60.0 psi.
  • Typical temperature to employ for welding thermoset packaging material is between about 200°F (93°C) and about 450°F (232°C).
  • the temperature is between about 250°F (121°C) and about 400°F (204°C). More preferably, the temperature is between about 280°F (138°C) and about 380°F (193°C). Most preferably, the temperature is between 310°F (154°C) and 350°F (177°C).
  • the temperature being employed can be measured as either the temperature of the forming plate(s) or the temperature to which the thermoset packaging material is heated
  • Typical dwell time to employ for welding thermoset packaging material is between about 0.1 and about 2.5 seconds.
  • the dwell time is between about 0.2 and about 2.0 seconds. More preferably, the dwell time is between about 0.4 and about 1.5 seconds. Most preferably, the dwell time is between 0.5 and 1.0 seconds.
  • Particularly preferred conditions to employ when using forming plates made of stainless steel, e.g. stainless steel 304, and thermoset packaging material comprising LDPE, MDPE, HDPE, or LLDPE are a pressure of 58.1 to 60.0 psi, a temperature of 310 to 350°F (154 to 177°C), and a dwell time of between 0.5 and 1.0 seconds.
  • forming plates useful in the present invention will possess an aesthetic design incorporated into the contact face of each forming plate, with the three- dimensional shape of the contact face of each forming plate being a mirror image of that of the other forming plate such that the two plates form a mated pair.
  • the aesthetic design can be any suitable size and shape.
  • the aesthetic design will be sized and located on the forming plates in such a way as to permit the weld formed by the forming plates to be a complete seal.
  • Forming plates useful to produce welds containing aesthetic designs can be made of any suitable material. Such materials are well known to the skilled artisan. Choice of forming plate material may depend on numerous factors well known to the skilled artisan. Preferably, the forming plates are made of a steel or rubber material. Suitable types of steels include 304, 316, and Nitronic 30 stainless steels. A preferred steel material is 304 stainless steel. Suitable types of rubbers include silicon rubbers having acceptable compression recovery, finish, Durometer rating, and Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Criteria that may be important in selecting a suitable steel material include machinability, hardness, corrosion resistance, and heat transfer characteristics of the steel.
  • FDA Food & Drug Administration
  • Criteria that may be important in selecting a suitable rubber material include moldability, surface finish, Durometer rating, temperature rating, impact resistance, FDA specification, closed cell construction, and chemical resistance of the rubber. Additional factors to consider include the type of thermoset packaging material being welded, type of apparatus being used to create the weld, and the shape of the aesthetic design. The skilled artisan will be able to analyze important criteria and select an appropriate material from which to make the forming plates.
  • the forming plates are within or are part of a thermoforming device.
  • suitable devices exist and are readily available from a number of manufacturers, and such devices are well known in the art.
  • One example of a suitable device is a direct heat-sealing machine, which merely comprises forming plates attached to a means for delivering heat and pressure to those plates. Such devices can be manually controlled or can be automatic.
  • the thermoforming device is a part of an apparatus that is able to automatically form the package, fill it with the desired material, and seal the package edges.
  • thermoforming devices Two common types of such thermoforming devices are the vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal (VFFS and HFFS) packaging machines, each of which is capable of taking a piece of thermoset packaging material and automatically 1) forming it into an appropriate shape for a package, 2) filling the package with the desired material, and 3) welding the package edges together using a thermoforming device.
  • VFFS and HFFS vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machines
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 Examples of suitable aesthetic designs and forming plates can be found in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • forming plates 20 are attached to mounting plates 23 via a plurality of attachment screws 24.
  • Mounting plates 23 could in turn be attached to a thermoforming device.
  • mounting plates are not necessary and are not always employed in the methods and apparatus of the present invention, they can be used, for example, to simplify the attachment of the forming plates to the thermoforming device or to allow the forming plates to be made of a material that is not suitable for direct attachment to the thermoforming device.
  • Each forming plate 20 possesses a contact face 22, each of which possesses a zig-zag pattern 22 incorporated therein.
  • the zig-zag patterns 21 of the two forming plates 20 are three-dimensional mirror image versions of one another such that they form a mating pair when brought together.
  • the forming plates of FIG. 2 can be used to produce, for example, the package of FIG. 1A.
  • package 10 possesses a plurality of welded edges 1 1, which possess a zig-zag pattern aesthetic design 12 embossed in the edge weld, which in this embodiment form a complete seal for the package.
  • Forming plates similar to those of FIG. 2, but which possess a dog bone aesthetic design on the contact faces (as opposed to a zig-zag pattern) could be used, for example, to produce the package of FIG. IB.
  • package 13 possesses a plurality of welded edges 14, which possess a dog bone pattern aesthetic design 15 embossed in the edge weld.
  • a desirable weld of the present invention will possess one or more, and preferably all, of the following characteristics: (1) the aesthetic design is readily recognizable; (2) there are few or no stretch marks emanating from the aesthetic design; (3) the edges of the aesthetic design are sharp versus erratic; and (4) the thermoset packaging material is free from discoloration. As discussed above, producing the desired weld may require the adjustment of multiple variables, which are well known to the skilled artisan.

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à des procédés de production de paquets comprenant une conception esthétique estampée dans la ligne de soudure du paquet. Le procédé consiste à utiliser un matériau d'emballage qui peut être soudé et à souder des parties superposées de ce matériau afin de former un paquet, la soudure étant réalisée par un dispositif de thermoformage comprenant des plaques de formage gravées à l'eau-forte ou moulées avec la conception esthétique. La présente invention se rapporte également à des paquets comprenant une conception esthétique estampée dans la ligne de soudure du paquet.
PCT/US2011/001886 2010-11-12 2011-11-10 Paquet ayant une conception esthétique WO2012064368A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US45678510P 2010-11-12 2010-11-12
US61/456,785 2010-11-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012064368A1 true WO2012064368A1 (fr) 2012-05-18

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2011/001886 WO2012064368A1 (fr) 2010-11-12 2011-11-10 Paquet ayant une conception esthétique

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Country Link
WO (1) WO2012064368A1 (fr)

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WO2022129580A1 (fr) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 Syntegon Technology Gmbh Procédé de liaison d'au moins deux couches d'emballage à base de matière fibreuse cellulosique, notamment à base de fibres, et outil de traitement pour la mise en œuvre de ce procédé

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US7213703B2 (en) * 2003-02-24 2007-05-08 Avc Corporation Reusable environmentally friendly package and storage album
US20080060741A1 (en) * 2006-09-07 2008-03-13 Privitera Marc P Ultrasonically Bonded Nonwoven Permeable Pouch
US7364362B2 (en) * 2004-06-17 2008-04-29 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Header end tack seal for reclosable package
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US20100018154A1 (en) * 2006-10-19 2010-01-28 Christophe Laperche Thermoforming machine for package control and making

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US7213703B2 (en) * 2003-02-24 2007-05-08 Avc Corporation Reusable environmentally friendly package and storage album
US7364362B2 (en) * 2004-06-17 2008-04-29 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Header end tack seal for reclosable package
US20080060741A1 (en) * 2006-09-07 2008-03-13 Privitera Marc P Ultrasonically Bonded Nonwoven Permeable Pouch
US20100018154A1 (en) * 2006-10-19 2010-01-28 Christophe Laperche Thermoforming machine for package control and making
US20090056281A1 (en) * 2007-08-27 2009-03-05 Pouch Pac Innovations, Llc Shaped Flexible Pouch With Elongated Neck And Method Of Manufacture

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3875254A1 (fr) * 2020-03-03 2021-09-08 Volpak, S.A.U. Dispositif, méthode et machine pour souder des bords en matériau flexible
WO2022129580A1 (fr) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 Syntegon Technology Gmbh Procédé de liaison d'au moins deux couches d'emballage à base de matière fibreuse cellulosique, notamment à base de fibres, et outil de traitement pour la mise en œuvre de ce procédé

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