EP0912400B2 - Process for production of opening means for a package - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and one after that producible packaging.

Packaging without the aid of Tool, such as. Knife, can opener, etc., be opened can, i. so-called easy-open systems, have in recent years because of the essential Simplification of handling by the consumer increasingly important. at Plastic packaging is so-called Tear tabs are known, either in the foil material are incorporated or subsequently finished filled packaging by welding under simultaneous impression be attached.

The previously known systems suffer in many cases because they are difficult to manufacture are to handle. Special problems arise in in this regard, e.g. in the production of cylindrical Packaging, as used in both food and beverage also in the animal feed sector for sausage-like products Find use.

From US-A-4,840,270 is a package in which a discharge opening is punched, the followed by a partially peelable strip is covered. The cuts are for this purpose curved and self-contained to a corresponding Defining removal opening. When peeling off the cover strip is immediately a complete Removal opening exposed, from which removed the product can be.

From EP 0 752 375 A1 (prior art within the meaning of Article 54 (3) and (4) EPC) is packaging known in which a perforation of Verpakkungsfolie is covered by a pull tab. at Lifting the tab first breaks the perforation and then by another pull on the tab, the foil packaging so that a discharge opening exposed becomes.

US 3,297,227 discloses a package having means for opening the package without assistance tool consisting of a film-coated paper web. On this Paper web are introduced essentially straight cuts that the web material in completely cut through the thickness. In the area of the cuts are overlapping cover strips sealing, but peelable applied.

The object of the present invention is that Overcome disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a method with the reliable in a packaging made of plastic an easy-open concept can be realized.

Ertindungsgemäß this task characterized by the characterizing the features of claim 1, further preferred Embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

It is particularly preferred that the Width of cuts 1/4 to 3/4, more preferably 1/3 to 1/2, most preferably about 1/3 of the width of the plastic film accounts.

In a preferred embodiment the cuts through a number of separated by webs Partial sections attached.

It can, in an alternative, the width of Partial cuts and / or the webs in different places the cuts are equal or, in the second alternative, to be different.

The invention further provides that a a Number of first sequence comprising n sections of sections of constant width alternating with one a number m of subsections comprising second Sequence of sections of constant width appropriate is, where the width of the first sequence count Partial sections from the width of the second sequence counting partial sections is different.

In a preferred embodiment may be provided that n is equal to 1 and m is equal to 1.

In an alternative preferred embodiment can be provided that n is equal to 1 and m is equal to 2.

As a plastic film is preferably a laminate used with the following sequence of layers: polypropylene, single or multi-layered polyamide, polypropylene, wherein the polyamide layer is preferably either is a coextruded polyamide or at least consists of two polyamide layers, wherein the one Layer of a polyamide with high barrier properties while the other layer consists of one Polyamide with high shrinkage capacity exists.

As a material for the cover strip is used a laminate whose inner, above the Cut out in the plastic film layer arranged an adhesive removable plastic, preferably from a copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene.

The process of the present invention is realized several advantages - at least in this Combination - in prior art methods have not been realized so far. For one thing is it by attaching the cut in the plastic film, how it is fed from the roll, i. in front further shaping, e.g. to a cylindrical one "Sausage packaging", easily possible, for the later opening of the packaging provided cut precisely in the right place to install. On the other hand is a method according to the invention produced packaging by peeling off the cover strip above the cut and breaking up the package by deforming them in the area of Cut especially easy to open and the contents too remove.

The described advantages come especially to bear when the filled packaging a sterilization process is subjected. One is the described one System readily capable of temperatures and internal pressing in such a process on the other hand, the packaging material is subject in such a heat treatment a shrinkage, causing the packaging to break up by deformation after removal of the cover strip further eased over the cut. The described Advantages of packaging that a sterilization process are subjected to known Easy-open systems so unreachable.

The use of the preferred provided Materials for the plastic film as well as for the Cover strips bring with it even more benefits yourself. The most preferred laminate plastic film offers enough stability that by the deduction of the No stretch and no tearing of the attached roll Cut occurs. By applying the Covering strip under the action of heat does not take place only a reliable sealing closure of the cut, but beyond that, the top layer of the laminate plastic melted and forms an additional Closure of the cut in a partial area, so that when tearing the cover strip the Product not immediately exposed by slight deformation the packaging but are readily exposed can.

In a preferred embodiment each of the invention in one of the size of the final one Packing fitted clock attached Sections whose width is less than the width of the Plastic film is complete and the plastic film divided by a number of separated by webs Partial cuts will become common an increased mechanical stability of the method achieved producible packaging. This increased Mechanical stability also manifests itself in the withdrawal behavior during the film transport in the packaging machine in such a way that thereby a use of Thinner films is possible. In addition, reduced the risk of tearing the film.

Finally, by the higher mechanical Stability in the peel behavior Waves of the film avoided in the area of the cut when starting out from a cutting station to a sealing device is transported, at which of a number consisting of webs separated sections Cut with a completely covering this Cover strip is sealed, with the cover strip Although sealing, but deductible is applied.

At the same time, the quality of the sealed seam increases due to the higher strength. In addition, the Heating energy demand, the sealing of the cover strip is required, reduced.

Another procedural advantage exists in that by cutting through a number attached by webs separated sections is the supply of the required for sealing Heating energy from the tear strip opposite Page is simplified.

The by the inventive method producible packaging has a relation to transport stress higher mechanical stability, which does not only reduce the damage caused by transport conditional product losses, but, especially if they are perishable products, reduces the risk of microbial spoilage.

It is within the scope of the present invention that the width of the limited by two webs partial section greater or smaller or equal to the width of one Steges is.

FIG. 1 eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und den Verfahrensablauf darstellt; und

FIG. 2 den Aufbau einer besonderen Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Verpackung im Bereich des abgedeckten Schnittes im Querschnitt darstellt.

FIGs. 3 bis 7 zeigen verschiedene Ausführungsformen des durch eine Anzahl von Stege getrennten Teilschnitten angebrachten Schnittes, dessen Breite geringer als die Breite der Kunststoffolie ist und der die Kunststoffolie vollständig durchtrennt.

The invention will be illustrated in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in the following description of exemplary embodiments. It shows

FIG. 1 shows a device for carrying out the method according to the invention and the method sequence; and

FIG. Fig. 2 shows the structure of a particular embodiment of the packaging according to the invention in the area of the covered section in cross section.

FIGs. FIGS. 3 to 7 show various embodiments of the section cut by a number of webs, the width of which is smaller than the width of the plastic film and which completely cuts through the plastic film.

As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging is used to be used plastic film 10 of a Supply roll over the homogenization of the film run serving rollers (not shown) of a cutting station 20 supplied. In the cutting station 20 takes place the attachment of a section 11 by means of a cutting tool 25. Advantageously, while the Section 11 mounted centrally in the film 10, wherein the Width of the cut 11 is to be chosen so that - depending from the plastic material used - by the further deduction of the film an elongation or a Continued tearing of the cut is avoided. Essential is that the cut 11 not only a weakening of the Plastic material causes, but this completely severed.

In the subsequent station 30 for application the cover strip 15, these after one manufactured, supplied and applied known technique. In this case, a supply of a first takes place Supply roll 32 to a cutting station 34, in the Cover strips 15 in the desired width, e.g. 6 to 12 mm, are produced. These cover strips are by a vacuum on a punch 35 of a sealing device 36 fixed. Subsequently, the sealing device 36 rotated by 180 ° and fixed with vacuum Cover strip 15 on the next supplied Section 11 in the plastic film 10 at a temperature from about 210 ° C so sealed that the cut completely is sealed off.

Subsequently, in the example shown the packaging of a well-known hose-forming and filling station (not shown), in the e.g. a sausage-like product is produced.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is according to the invention preferred material of two layers Polypropylene 12, 12 ', between which a on or multilayer polyamide layer 13 is arranged, wherein the polyamide layer is a coextruded polyamide be or consist of two polyamide layers 13 ', 13' ' can, of which the upper, i. that of the outer polypropylene layer 12 facing layer 13 'of a polyamide with high barrier properties while the lower, i. that of the inner polypropylene layer 12 ' facing layer 13 "of a polyamide with high Shrinkage properties. By such Construction of the plastic material may be a packaging material be made available on the one hand, excellent barrier properties Oxygen and water vapor and above in addition to the polyamide layer is optimally printable.

Of course, the order of the Polyamide layers 13 'and 13 "also be reversed.

Above the cut 11, this becomes complete in width and length covering cover strips 15 attached, preferably also as a laminate is constructed. It is important to ensure that the Section facing layer 16 of the laminate the necessary Has adhesion properties, i. firmly can be fixed over the cut, but at the same time optimally peelable, i. is removable.

In this case, a particularly preferred Copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene proved. The overlying layers 17, 18 are less critical in their composition. In the illustrated Embodiment may be a PET layer 17 and a final polypropylene layer 18 act, although other materials are conceivable.

When sealing the cover strip 15 over the cut 11 is effected by the effect of temperature a melting of the outer polypropylene layer 12th the laminate plastic film 10, so that an additional weak shutter 19 in the outer region of the Cut 11 is done. This ensures that even after removing the cover strip 15 not immediately Product leaking from the inside of the packaging. A but slight deformation of the packaging leads to a immediate break in the cutting area, causing a easy opening and emptying of the packaging allows becomes.

FIG. FIG. 3 shows one of a sequence of FIG Webs 11a constant width separate sections 11b constant width existing cut, with the Width of the partial cuts a multiple of the width of the Partial cuts separating webs amounts.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional embodiment in which the Width of the partial cuts 11b in about the width of between corresponds to the sections arranged webs 11a.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the sectional design, at the width of the between the sections 11b arranged webs 11a is smaller than that Width of the partial sections, the partial sections of a alternating sequence of partial sections, wherein again the width of a partial section larger or smaller than that of the following partial section.

FIG. Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the sectional design, in which a sequence 11c consisting of two partial sections with a sequence 11d from a partial section is mounted alternately. The first Sequence comprised partial sections have one another Same width, but compared to the width of in the second sequence, partial section included shorter. The width of between the different sequences arranged webs is over the entire cutting width approximately constant. The width of the between the partial sections of the first sequence arranged webs be approximately equal to the width of the between sections the second sequence arranged webs.

In FIG. 7 is finally a cut version shown similar to that shown in FIG. 4 shown Cut version is, however, both the width the webs as well as the partial cuts significantly reduced is, so that in this case a perforation line is trained.

The method according to the invention is suitable in a special way for the production of cylindrical Packaging in sausage form, which hereby either sausage products for the food sector can act or be offered sausage-shaped Animal food products, such as a so-called Hundewurst, in the latter case, the filling of a moist to semi-moist chunky dog food can exist. Other forms of application are conceivable since by the inventive method a Easy-open concept is provided that offers advantages for many types of packaging.

The in the above description, in the Drawing and features disclosed in the claims The invention can be used individually as well as in Any combination for the realization of the invention essential in their various embodiments be.

Claims (15)

1. Method for producing a packaging which is made essentially of plastic material film (10), having means for opening the packaging without the aid of a tool, the plastic material film (10) being supplied from the roller of a cutting station (20) in which cuts (11) are applied in a cycle adapted to the size of the final packaging, the width of said cuts being smaller than the width of the plastic material film (10) and cutting through the latter entirely in thickness, cover strips (15), which respectively overlap said cuts completely, being applied in the region of the cuts (11) so as to form a seal but to be strippable and the thus prepared plastic material film (10) then being further processed in a manner known per se for final packaging, the cuts (11) being configured respectively essentially linearly, characterised in that a laminate is used as material for the cover strip (15), the inner layer (16) of which, disposed above the cuts in the plastic material film, is made of an adhesive, strippable plastic material and the application of the cover strips (15) is effected under the influence of temperature so that, due to the melting-on of the outer layer of the plastic material film (10), an additional seal (19) is produced in the outer region of the cut (1).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the width of the cuts (11) amounts to 1/4 to 3/4 of the width of the plastic material film (10).
3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the width of the cuts (11) amounts to 1/3 to 1/2 of the width of the plastic material film (10).
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the width of the cuts (11) amounts approximately to 1 /3 of the width of the plastic material film (10).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cuts (11) are applied by a number of partial cuts (11b) which are separated by webs (11a).
6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the width of the partial cuts (11b) and/or of the webs (11a) is the same at different positions of the cuts (11).
7. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the width of the partial cuts (11b) and/or of the webs (11a) is different at different positions of the cuts (11).
8. Method according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterised in that a first sequence of partial cuts (11b) of a constant width, comprising a number n of partial cuts (11b), is applied alternating with a second sequence of partial cuts of a constant width, comprising a number m of partial cuts (11b), the width of the partial cuts (11b) involved in the first sequence being different from the width of the partial cuts involved in the second sequence.
9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that n equals 1 and m equals 1.
10. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that n equals 1 and m equals 2.
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a laminate with the following sequence of layers is used as the plastic material film (10): polypropylene (12), a single layer or multilayer polyamide (13; 13', 13"), polypropylene (12').
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the polyamide layer (13) is a co-extruded polyamide.
13. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the polyamide layer (13) comprises at least two polyamide layers (13', 13"), the one layer (13') being made of a polyamide with high sealing properties, whereas the other layer (13") is made of a polyamide with a high shrinkage capacity.
14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the inner layer (16) is made of a copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene.

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