US20110094193A1 - VFFS/HFFS Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam - Google Patents

VFFS/HFFS Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110094193A1
US20110094193A1 US12/983,716 US98371611A US2011094193A1 US 20110094193 A1 US20110094193 A1 US 20110094193A1 US 98371611 A US98371611 A US 98371611A US 2011094193 A1 US2011094193 A1 US 2011094193A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
plastic film
packaging
vffs
hffs
teeth structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/983,716
Inventor
Eddy Daelmans
Bart Verbeeck
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Amcor Flexibles ApS
Original Assignee
Amcor Flexibles Europe AS
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 Amcor Flexibles Europe AS filed Critical Amcor Flexibles Europe AS
Priority to US12/983,716 priority Critical patent/US20110094193A1/en
Assigned to AMCOR FLEXIBLES EUROPE A/S reassignment AMCOR FLEXIBLES EUROPE A/S ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DAELMANS, EDDY, VERBEECK, BART
Publication of US20110094193A1 publication Critical patent/US20110094193A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/02Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00Enclosing 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
    • B65B9/10Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D75/00Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52Details
    • B65D75/58Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5827Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B2220/00Specific aspects of the packaging operation
    • B65B2220/06Cutting webs along their longitudinal direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to flexible packaging and in particular to vertical and horizontal form, fill and seal packaging (VFFS/HFFS) with a continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam of said packaging.
  • VFFS/HFFS vertical and horizontal form, fill and seal packaging
  • VFFS/HFFS packaging machine reels exhibit in the extrusion direction of the plastic film uncontrolled tear behaviour and the tear tends to continue in the extrusion direction.
  • the majority of VFFS/HFFS packagings are positioned in a way that the length of the pack is parallel to the extrusion direction of the film. The consequence of this positioning is that the cross seam or transversal seam of the packaging generally comprises the opening initiations of the packaging.
  • the mostly used opening initiations are uninterrupted teeth structures in the cross seam of the VFFS/HFFS packaging.
  • Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,115 discloses a tubular bag packaging for bandage-like material.
  • This packaging exhibits at least one opening initiation on the longitudinal seam positioned between continuously recurring longitudinal spaces with tear-off tongs between notches for tearing limiting one another.
  • the teeth structure is interrupted by longitudinal spaces defining tear-off tongs of possibly different widths.
  • the opening initiation structure on the longitudinal seam is achieved during the VFFS/HFFS process, which slows down the packaging speed. Furthermore, this kind of opening initiation on the longitudinal seam generates scrap in the VFFS/HFFS process because material is removed.
  • Document CH 651 795 A5 discloses a VFFS/HFFS packaging with opening initiations in the longitudinal seam of said packaging.
  • the opening initiations are cut incisions present on determined positions of said seam. No material is removed in this technique.
  • the teeth structure is not a continuous and uninterrupted structure.
  • a continuos teeth structure allows the tear of the packaging in a transverse direction to the extrusion direction (machine direction) at any position of the seam.
  • the incisions have to be achieved during the VFFS/HFFS process, again slowing down the packaging speed.
  • the present invention aims to provide a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam, said teeth structure being present from the beginning on the packaging machine reel and therefore independent of the packaging process itself, the technique of the present invention having therefore no influence on the packaging speed and generating no additional scrap.
  • the present invention discloses a vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal packaging (VFFS/HFFS packaging) comprising a plastic film, a longitudinal seam and a cross-directional seam, characterised in that the longitudinal seam comprises a continuous teeth structure of adjacent notches representing tear initiations over the whole length of the longitudinal seam to enable easy opening of said packaging.
  • VFFS/HFFS packaging vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal packaging
  • the packaging further comprises tear initiations on the cross directional seam.
  • the tear initiations on the cross directional seam comprises a continuous teeth structure.
  • the longitudinal seam is a fin seal or a lap seal.
  • the lap seal presents a seal-free continuous teeth structure.
  • the present invention further discloses a packaging obtainable by a VFFS/HFFS process, characterised in that the machine reel of the plastic film comprises on both lateral edges a continuous teeth structure.
  • the present invention additionally discloses a process comprising the step of unwinding a reel of a plastic film, characterised in that said reel comprises a continuous teeth structure on the lateral edges of said reel.
  • a key feature of the process of the present invention is that said process is a packaging material waste-free process.
  • VFFS/HFFS packaging process is characterised in that the continuous teeth structure on the lateral edges is performed by rotary knifes having a substantially continuous teeth structure.
  • FIG. 1 shows a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure of adjoining notches on the cross seam as usually produced in the prior art.
  • FIG. 2 shows a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure of adjoining notches on the longitudinal seam according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows another example of a VFFS/HFFS packaging bag with a continuous teeth structure of adjoining notches on the longitudinal seam according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 shows the same packaging as that of FIG. 3 with the particular opening possibility by tearing the packaging in the cross-direction to the extrusion direction of the plastic film.
  • FIG. 5 shows a VFFS/HFFS packaging machine reel where the teeth structure of adjoining notches is present on the reel to be used on the VFFS/HFFS machine.
  • FIG. 6 a shows a diagrammatic representation of the length necessary for a VFFS/HFFS packaging on the unwound reel if the teeth structure of adjoining notches is present at the top of the packaging.
  • FIG. 6 b shows the length of the VFFS/HFFS necessary on the reel if the teeth structure of adjoining notches is present on the lateral side of the web.
  • FIG. 7 shows a VFFS/HFFS process where the reels used have a lateral teeth structure of adjoining notches.
  • FIG. 8 shows the cutting of an extrusion film in different strips where the teeth structure of adjoining notches is achieved by rotary slitting knifes exhibiting a teeth structure.
  • FIG. 9 a shows a teeth structure present in the cross direction of the extrusion direction (E.D) and a dotted line showing the privileged tear direction.
  • FIG. 9 b shows the teeth structure of adjacent/adjoining notches laterally present on the VFFS/HFFS packaging machine reel where the privileged tear directions of the film are represented in dotted lines.
  • FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal seam of a VFFS/HFFS packaging where the teeth structure of adjacent notches is not perfectly superposed.
  • the present invention discloses a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure present at least on the longitudinal seam of said packaging.
  • continuous teeth structure should be understood as substantially non-interrupted “V-shaped” incisions also called adjacent notches or adjoining notches as shown on the different figures relating to the present invention.
  • adjacent notches also called adjacent notches or adjoining notches as shown on the different figures relating to the present invention.
  • adjacent notches or adjoining notches
  • Such a teeth structure is created simultaneously with the cutting of the extrusion film into the right width for the packaging machine reels.
  • the first side of the film cut in a “V-shape” representing the counterpart of the second side, in such a way that no horizontal cutting lines remain, allowing a scrap-free cutting (see FIG. 8 ).
  • the cutting leaves cutting lines that are parallel to the seam, which does not allow the tear of the film at any place.
  • the cutting of the film in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,115 generates scrap and has to be performed during the packaging operation to build proper tear-off tongues.
  • teeth structure can consist of big or small adjacent notches, depending on the application.
  • the teeth structure in the cross seam of the packaging is achieved by a cutting device during the cross seal and cutting operation. If the notches are big, the sealing bars in the cross seal must be much more spread than if the cross-cutting was a straight cutting, this is well known by those skilled in the art. The consequence of this spread is a globally higher length of the packaging representing loss of packaging material.
  • the global length of the packaging is reduced by a length X, where X represents up to 10%. This principle is shown on FIG. 6 a (prior art) and 6 b (invention).
  • the teeth structure interrupted by recurring longitudinal spaces to build tear-off tongs requires the cutting-away of material and generates waste during the process.
  • the generation of scrap in a VFFS/HFFS process is a major drawback.
  • the continuous teeth structure is directly available on the reel (see FIG. 5 ) with no scrap, except for the usual side-slitting waste Y, as shown on FIG. 8 .
  • the first reason for positioning the continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam is that the total length of the VFFS/HFFS packaging can be reduced up to 10%, which represents a considerable packaging material saving, without generating any additional scrap.
  • the second reason for positioning the continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam is the possibility to tear the pack in a transverse direction to the extrusion direction of the film (see FIGS. 9 a and 9 b ). This allows a more predictable opening and sometimes a particular opening of the packaging as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the fact that the teeth structure is a continuous structure further allows a tear at any position on the longitudinal seam.
  • FIG. 8 The manufacturing of such packaging machine reels is shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the side-slitting scrap Y is always present, even in traditional cutting, and kept as small as possible.
  • FIG. 5 A finished reel is shown in FIG. 5 and its use on a VFFS/HFFS packaging machine is shown in FIG. 7 .
  • An additional advantage of the present invention is a positive influence on tamper evidence for peel opening.
  • the cross sealed top can be peeled open by pulling on the fin seal of said packaging. If the longitudinal seams (seals) are equipped with a continuous teeth structure, the pack will start to tear at the longitudinal edge before the peeling can start. This makes it almost impossible to peel and reseal the pack without tearing it assuring in this way a certain tamper proof (tamper evidence).
  • plastic materials suitable for VFFS/HFFS packaging produced via a reel equipped with a continuous teeth structure are not limited.
  • Representative examples widely used in the market are BOPP, PET, PS, PE, PA, CPP, mono or multilayer combinations as well as laminates with paper or metallized films, etc.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is related to a vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal packaging comprising a plastic film, a longitudinal seam (2) and a cross-directional seam (5), characterised in that the longitudinal seam (2) comprises a continuous teeth structure of adjacent notches (1) with no remaining horizontal cutting lines, representing tear initiations over the whole length of the longitudinal seam (2) said packaging being obtained by a machine reel (4) of said plastic film comprising on both lateral edges said continuous teeth structure (1) in order to avoid additional scrap in the VFFS/HFFS packaging process.
The present invention is also related to a process of making such a packaging, said process starting out from a reel comprising a continuous teeth structure on its lateral edges.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/579,437, filed Nov. 2, 2006, currently pending, and claims priority to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/BE2005/000024, filed Feb. 17, 2005 and to EP Patent Application No. 04447113.4, filed May 5, 2004, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to flexible packaging and in particular to vertical and horizontal form, fill and seal packaging (VFFS/HFFS) with a continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam of said packaging.
  • STATE OF THE ART
  • VFFS/HFFS packaging machine reels exhibit in the extrusion direction of the plastic film uncontrolled tear behaviour and the tear tends to continue in the extrusion direction. The majority of VFFS/HFFS packagings are positioned in a way that the length of the pack is parallel to the extrusion direction of the film. The consequence of this positioning is that the cross seam or transversal seam of the packaging generally comprises the opening initiations of the packaging. The mostly used opening initiations are uninterrupted teeth structures in the cross seam of the VFFS/HFFS packaging. The opening of the pack at the top of such a VFFS/HFFS packaging including a teeth structure as opening initiations, as mentioned above, often leads to uncontrolled tear in the extrusion direction of the plastic film (machine direction).
  • In the prior art, several documents present opening initiations such as “V-shaped” incisions or notches on the longitudinal seal.
  • Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,115 discloses a tubular bag packaging for bandage-like material. This packaging exhibits at least one opening initiation on the longitudinal seam positioned between continuously recurring longitudinal spaces with tear-off tongs between notches for tearing limiting one another. In this packaging, the teeth structure is interrupted by longitudinal spaces defining tear-off tongs of possibly different widths. The opening initiation structure on the longitudinal seam is achieved during the VFFS/HFFS process, which slows down the packaging speed. Furthermore, this kind of opening initiation on the longitudinal seam generates scrap in the VFFS/HFFS process because material is removed.
  • Document CH 651 795 A5 discloses a VFFS/HFFS packaging with opening initiations in the longitudinal seam of said packaging. In this case, the opening initiations are cut incisions present on determined positions of said seam. No material is removed in this technique. Nevertheless, the teeth structure is not a continuous and uninterrupted structure. A continuos teeth structure allows the tear of the packaging in a transverse direction to the extrusion direction (machine direction) at any position of the seam. Furthermore, the incisions have to be achieved during the VFFS/HFFS process, again slowing down the packaging speed.
  • Document EP 0 400 577 A1 discloses micro-cuts in the side margin. This type of micro-cuts represents non-controllable tear initiations for oriented polymer films.
  • AIM OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention aims to provide a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam, said teeth structure being present from the beginning on the packaging machine reel and therefore independent of the packaging process itself, the technique of the present invention having therefore no influence on the packaging speed and generating no additional scrap.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention discloses a vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal packaging (VFFS/HFFS packaging) comprising a plastic film, a longitudinal seam and a cross-directional seam, characterised in that the longitudinal seam comprises a continuous teeth structure of adjacent notches representing tear initiations over the whole length of the longitudinal seam to enable easy opening of said packaging.
  • In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the packaging further comprises tear initiations on the cross directional seam.
  • Preferably, the tear initiations on the cross directional seam comprises a continuous teeth structure.
  • Generally, the longitudinal seam is a fin seal or a lap seal.
  • In practice, the lap seal presents a seal-free continuous teeth structure.
  • The present invention further discloses a packaging obtainable by a VFFS/HFFS process, characterised in that the machine reel of the plastic film comprises on both lateral edges a continuous teeth structure.
  • The present invention additionally discloses a process comprising the step of unwinding a reel of a plastic film, characterised in that said reel comprises a continuous teeth structure on the lateral edges of said reel.
  • A key feature of the process of the present invention is that said process is a packaging material waste-free process.
  • Furthermore, the VFFS/HFFS packaging process is characterised in that the continuous teeth structure on the lateral edges is performed by rotary knifes having a substantially continuous teeth structure.
  • SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 shows a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure of adjoining notches on the cross seam as usually produced in the prior art.
  • FIG. 2 shows a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure of adjoining notches on the longitudinal seam according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows another example of a VFFS/HFFS packaging bag with a continuous teeth structure of adjoining notches on the longitudinal seam according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 shows the same packaging as that of FIG. 3 with the particular opening possibility by tearing the packaging in the cross-direction to the extrusion direction of the plastic film.
  • FIG. 5 shows a VFFS/HFFS packaging machine reel where the teeth structure of adjoining notches is present on the reel to be used on the VFFS/HFFS machine.
  • FIG. 6 a shows a diagrammatic representation of the length necessary for a VFFS/HFFS packaging on the unwound reel if the teeth structure of adjoining notches is present at the top of the packaging.
  • FIG. 6 b shows the length of the VFFS/HFFS necessary on the reel if the teeth structure of adjoining notches is present on the lateral side of the web.
  • FIG. 7 shows a VFFS/HFFS process where the reels used have a lateral teeth structure of adjoining notches.
  • FIG. 8 shows the cutting of an extrusion film in different strips where the teeth structure of adjoining notches is achieved by rotary slitting knifes exhibiting a teeth structure.
  • FIG. 9 a shows a teeth structure present in the cross direction of the extrusion direction (E.D) and a dotted line showing the privileged tear direction.
  • FIG. 9 b shows the teeth structure of adjacent/adjoining notches laterally present on the VFFS/HFFS packaging machine reel where the privileged tear directions of the film are represented in dotted lines.
  • FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal seam of a VFFS/HFFS packaging where the teeth structure of adjacent notches is not perfectly superposed.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention discloses a VFFS/HFFS packaging with a continuous teeth structure present at least on the longitudinal seam of said packaging. The expression “continuous teeth structure” should be understood as substantially non-interrupted “V-shaped” incisions also called adjacent notches or adjoining notches as shown on the different figures relating to the present invention. The expression “adjoining notches” or “adjacent notches” are indistinctly used in the text.
  • Such a teeth structure is created simultaneously with the cutting of the extrusion film into the right width for the packaging machine reels. The first side of the film cut in a “V-shape” representing the counterpart of the second side, in such a way that no horizontal cutting lines remain, allowing a scrap-free cutting (see FIG. 8). In U.S. Pat. No, 5,409,115, the cutting leaves cutting lines that are parallel to the seam, which does not allow the tear of the film at any place. Furthermore, the cutting of the film in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,115 generates scrap and has to be performed during the packaging operation to build proper tear-off tongues.
  • There are different possibilities for creating such a teeth structure by means well-known by those skilled in the art (laser cutting, water-jet cutting, rotary-knife cutting, etc.). The teeth structure can consist of big or small adjacent notches, depending on the application.
  • In the prior art, the teeth structure in the cross seam of the packaging is achieved by a cutting device during the cross seal and cutting operation. If the notches are big, the sealing bars in the cross seal must be much more spread than if the cross-cutting was a straight cutting, this is well known by those skilled in the art. The consequence of this spread is a globally higher length of the packaging representing loss of packaging material. By positioning the continuous teeth structure on the lateral edges of the reel, the global length of the packaging is reduced by a length X, where X represents up to 10%. This principle is shown on FIG. 6 a (prior art) and 6 b (invention).
  • The teeth structure interrupted by recurring longitudinal spaces to build tear-off tongs, as shown in document U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,115, requires the cutting-away of material and generates waste during the process. As mentioned above, the generation of scrap in a VFFS/HFFS process is a major drawback. In the case of the present invention, the continuous teeth structure is directly available on the reel (see FIG. 5) with no scrap, except for the usual side-slitting waste Y, as shown on FIG. 8.
  • Therefore, the first reason for positioning the continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam is that the total length of the VFFS/HFFS packaging can be reduced up to 10%, which represents a considerable packaging material saving, without generating any additional scrap.
  • The second reason for positioning the continuous teeth structure on the longitudinal seam is the possibility to tear the pack in a transverse direction to the extrusion direction of the film (see FIGS. 9 a and 9 b). This allows a more predictable opening and sometimes a particular opening of the packaging as shown in FIG. 4. The fact that the teeth structure is a continuous structure further allows a tear at any position on the longitudinal seam.
  • The manufacturing of such packaging machine reels is shown in FIG. 8. The side-slitting scrap Y is always present, even in traditional cutting, and kept as small as possible.
  • A finished reel is shown in FIG. 5 and its use on a VFFS/HFFS packaging machine is shown in FIG. 7.
  • The presence of the teeth structure on the machine reel has no influence on the running speed of the packaging machine because the cutting knife does not slow down the VFFS/HFFS process.
  • The fact that the teeth structure is present from the beginning on the machine reel has the consequence that the teeth structure of both sides of the reel is never perfectly superposed 8 on the longitudinal seam, as it is in Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,115. This is represented in FIG. 10. Nevertheless, this has no effect on the tear possibilities in the cross direction of the extrusion direction of the plastic film because the tear initiation is still present.
  • An additional advantage of the present invention is a positive influence on tamper evidence for peel opening. In a prior art VFFS/HFFS packaging, the cross sealed top can be peeled open by pulling on the fin seal of said packaging. If the longitudinal seams (seals) are equipped with a continuous teeth structure, the pack will start to tear at the longitudinal edge before the peeling can start. This makes it almost impossible to peel and reseal the pack without tearing it assuring in this way a certain tamper proof (tamper evidence).
  • The plastic materials suitable for VFFS/HFFS packaging produced via a reel equipped with a continuous teeth structure are not limited. Representative examples widely used in the market are BOPP, PET, PS, PE, PA, CPP, mono or multilayer combinations as well as laminates with paper or metallized films, etc.
  • LEGEND
    • 1. Continuous teeth structure of adjacent notches
    • 2. Longitudinal seam of the VFFS/HFFS packaging
    • 3. Torn piece on a VFFS/HFFS packaging with tearing in the cross direction to the extrusion direction
    • 4. Plastic film cut in the right width for the packaging machine reel
    • 5. Cross directional seam of the VFFS/HFFS packaging
    • 6. Sealing bars on the VFFS/HFFS process
    • 7. Rotary knifes for cutting the teeth structure
    • 8. Not perfectly superposed continuous teeth structure

Claims (9)

1-8. (canceled)
9. A process for manufacturing a vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal (VFFS/HFFS) packaging, the process comprising:
extruding a plastic film;
cutting the plastic film to a width suitable for a machine reel, wherein cutting the plastic film to the width comprises cutting adjacent notches into two lateral edges of the plastic film;
providing a machine reel of the plastic film that is cut to the width; and
forming the VFFS/HFFS packaging from the machine reel of the plastic film that is cut to the width, wherein forming the VFFS/HFFS packaging comprises sealing the two lateral edges of the plastic film to form a longitudinal seam comprising tear initiations over the entire length of the longitudinal seam, wherein the tear initiations are configured to allow a user to tear the packaging in a direction transverse to the extrusion direction of the plastic film,
wherein the process is a waste-free process, except for the waste produced during the cutting of the plastic film to the width.
10. The process of claim 9, wherein cutting the adjacent notches into the two lateral edges of the plastic film comprises cutting the adjacent notches into the two lateral edges of the plastic film using rotary knives having a substantially continuous teeth structure.
11. The process of claim 9, wherein the adjacent notches in each of the two lateral edges of the plastic film comprise a continuous teeth structure.
12. The process of claim 11, wherein the continuous teeth structure of each of the two lateral edges of the plastic film has no influence on the running speed of a VFFS/HFFS packaging machine used for forming the VFFS/HFFS packaging.
13. The process of claim 9, wherein the longitudinal seam comprises a fin seal.
14. The process of claim 9, wherein the adjacent notches of each of the two lateral edges of the plastic film that form the longitudinal seam are not perfectly superposed.
15. The process of claim 9, wherein forming the VFFS/HFFS packaging further comprises forming two cross-directional seams, wherein neither of the two cross-directional seams comprises a continuous teeth structure.
16. The process of claim 15, wherein the process results in the total length of the VFFS/HFFS packaging being up to ten percent less than it would be if each of the cross-directional seams comprised tear initiations over their entire length.
US12/983,716 2004-05-05 2011-01-03 VFFS/HFFS Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam Abandoned US20110094193A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/983,716 US20110094193A1 (en) 2004-05-05 2011-01-03 VFFS/HFFS Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04447113.4 2004-05-05
EP04447113A EP1593603A1 (en) 2004-05-05 2004-05-05 VFFS/HFFS packaging with opening aid on the longitudinal seam and process of making such a packaging
PCT/BE2005/000024 WO2005105581A1 (en) 2004-05-05 2005-02-17 Vffs/hffs packaging with opening aid on the longitudinal seam and process of making such a packaging
BEPCT/BE2005/000024 2005-02-17
US57943706A 2006-11-02 2006-11-02
US12/983,716 US20110094193A1 (en) 2004-05-05 2011-01-03 VFFS/HFFS Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US57943706A Continuation 2004-05-05 2006-11-02

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110094193A1 true US20110094193A1 (en) 2011-04-28

Family

ID=34933031

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/579,437 Abandoned US20080267541A1 (en) 2004-05-05 2005-02-17 Vffs/hffs Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam
US12/983,716 Abandoned US20110094193A1 (en) 2004-05-05 2011-01-03 VFFS/HFFS Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/579,437 Abandoned US20080267541A1 (en) 2004-05-05 2005-02-17 Vffs/hffs Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (2) US20080267541A1 (en)
EP (2) EP1593603A1 (en)
AT (1) ATE369289T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2005237660B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2564118A1 (en)
DE (1) DE602005001944T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1742843T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2290891T3 (en)
NZ (1) NZ550565A (en)
PL (1) PL1742843T3 (en)
PT (1) PT1742843E (en)
SI (1) SI1742843T1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005105581A1 (en)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120144782A1 (en) * 2010-11-17 2012-06-14 Nordenia Technologies Gmbh Film laminate for the production of bags with an integrated film handle, and method for the production of the laminate
US9650180B2 (en) 2013-10-25 2017-05-16 Printpack Illinois, Inc. Tamper-indicating shapes for flexible recloseable packages
US9809336B2 (en) 2012-02-28 2017-11-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for forming packages
US10259602B2 (en) 2012-02-28 2019-04-16 The Procter And Gamble Company Method for forming packages
US10618767B2 (en) 2014-03-06 2020-04-14 The Procter And Gamble Company Method and apparatus for pleating or shaping a web
US10625886B2 (en) 2014-03-06 2020-04-21 The Procter And Gamble Company Method and apparatus for shaping webs in a vertical form, fill, and sealing system
US10737820B2 (en) 2012-07-24 2020-08-11 The Procter And Gamble Company Apparatus for packing products into containers
WO2024123313A1 (en) * 2022-12-06 2024-06-13 Amcor Flexibles North America, Inc. Wrap for product, package, and wrapped timber product

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NZ547925A (en) * 2006-06-14 2007-11-30 Hugh Thomas Harry Davies Sachets and materials used in manufacture of sachets
US8230664B2 (en) 2008-07-28 2012-07-31 Sonoco Development, Inc. Pouch opening feature and method for making the same
US20110150371A1 (en) * 2008-07-28 2011-06-23 Sonoco Development, Inc. Flexible Pouch With Easy-Opening Features
US9510713B2 (en) * 2014-08-25 2016-12-06 II Joe Thomas Farris Methods for sewing T-pocket towels
US9877592B2 (en) * 2014-08-25 2018-01-30 Joe Thomas Farris T-pocket towels
DE102018124586A1 (en) * 2018-10-05 2020-04-09 DIENES WERKE FüR MASCHINENTEILE GMBH & CO. KG Tubular bag machine and bag pack made with it

Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2008361A (en) * 1932-01-22 1935-07-16 Wrigley W M Jun Co Cellophane package wrap
US4053046A (en) * 1976-07-29 1977-10-11 Jno H. Swisher & Son, Inc. Plastic film wrapper
US5067306A (en) * 1989-06-02 1991-11-26 Asahi Chemical Polyflex Co., Ltd. Process and apparatus for processing easy-opening bag
US5184771A (en) * 1989-10-27 1993-02-09 Teich Aktiengesellschaft Packaging for piece goods
US5409115A (en) * 1991-03-08 1995-04-25 Lohmann Gmbh & Co. Kg Tubular bag packaging, for bandage-like materials in particular
US5713186A (en) * 1993-10-07 1998-02-03 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A. Method and an apparatus for producing bag packs
US5912197A (en) * 1997-08-21 1999-06-15 C & H Packaging Company, Inc. Thermal sealable plastic mesh web for automatic form, fill and seal machine
US5984088A (en) * 1993-06-11 1999-11-16 3M Innovative Properties Company Easy open package and method of making same
US6627276B1 (en) * 1999-10-21 2003-09-30 Tsukasa Kasei Kogyo K.K. Cushioning material
US20040124115A1 (en) * 2002-12-13 2004-07-01 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Medicine wrapping machine, medicine wrapping sheet, and divided wrapping bag
US20040190800A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2004-09-30 Alcan Packaging Italia S.R.L. Packaging of the stickpack type with improved opening and method for manufacturing the same
US20050100753A1 (en) * 2003-11-07 2005-05-12 Reese Barry R. Mono-web directional tear packaging film
US7434371B2 (en) * 2002-06-18 2008-10-14 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Method of making product wraps, a leaf from which to fashion a wrap obtainable by the method, and a strip from which to obtain the leaf
US7470062B2 (en) * 2001-10-26 2008-12-30 Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd. Packaging member with easy-opening means

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH651795A5 (en) * 1981-08-06 1985-10-15 Sig Schweiz Industrieges Pack for piece goods, process for producing the pack and tubular-bag machine for carrying out the process

Patent Citations (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2008361A (en) * 1932-01-22 1935-07-16 Wrigley W M Jun Co Cellophane package wrap
US4053046A (en) * 1976-07-29 1977-10-11 Jno H. Swisher & Son, Inc. Plastic film wrapper
US5067306A (en) * 1989-06-02 1991-11-26 Asahi Chemical Polyflex Co., Ltd. Process and apparatus for processing easy-opening bag
US5184771A (en) * 1989-10-27 1993-02-09 Teich Aktiengesellschaft Packaging for piece goods
US5409115A (en) * 1991-03-08 1995-04-25 Lohmann Gmbh & Co. Kg Tubular bag packaging, for bandage-like materials in particular
US5984088A (en) * 1993-06-11 1999-11-16 3M Innovative Properties Company Easy open package and method of making same
US5713186A (en) * 1993-10-07 1998-02-03 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A. Method and an apparatus for producing bag packs
US5912197A (en) * 1997-08-21 1999-06-15 C & H Packaging Company, Inc. Thermal sealable plastic mesh web for automatic form, fill and seal machine
US6627276B1 (en) * 1999-10-21 2003-09-30 Tsukasa Kasei Kogyo K.K. Cushioning material
US7470062B2 (en) * 2001-10-26 2008-12-30 Hosokawa Yoko Co., Ltd. Packaging member with easy-opening means
US7434371B2 (en) * 2002-06-18 2008-10-14 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Method of making product wraps, a leaf from which to fashion a wrap obtainable by the method, and a strip from which to obtain the leaf
US20040124115A1 (en) * 2002-12-13 2004-07-01 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Medicine wrapping machine, medicine wrapping sheet, and divided wrapping bag
US7493744B2 (en) * 2002-12-13 2009-02-24 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Medicine wrapping machine, medicine wrapping sheet, and divided wrapping bag
US20040190800A1 (en) * 2003-03-28 2004-09-30 Alcan Packaging Italia S.R.L. Packaging of the stickpack type with improved opening and method for manufacturing the same
US20050100753A1 (en) * 2003-11-07 2005-05-12 Reese Barry R. Mono-web directional tear packaging film

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120144782A1 (en) * 2010-11-17 2012-06-14 Nordenia Technologies Gmbh Film laminate for the production of bags with an integrated film handle, and method for the production of the laminate
US8844246B2 (en) * 2010-11-17 2014-09-30 Mondi Consumer Packaging Technologies Gmbh Film laminate for the production of bags with an integrated film handle, and method for the production of the laminate
US9809336B2 (en) 2012-02-28 2017-11-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for forming packages
US10259602B2 (en) 2012-02-28 2019-04-16 The Procter And Gamble Company Method for forming packages
US10737820B2 (en) 2012-07-24 2020-08-11 The Procter And Gamble Company Apparatus for packing products into containers
US9650180B2 (en) 2013-10-25 2017-05-16 Printpack Illinois, Inc. Tamper-indicating shapes for flexible recloseable packages
US10618767B2 (en) 2014-03-06 2020-04-14 The Procter And Gamble Company Method and apparatus for pleating or shaping a web
US10625886B2 (en) 2014-03-06 2020-04-21 The Procter And Gamble Company Method and apparatus for shaping webs in a vertical form, fill, and sealing system
WO2024123313A1 (en) * 2022-12-06 2024-06-13 Amcor Flexibles North America, Inc. Wrap for product, package, and wrapped timber product

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20080267541A1 (en) 2008-10-30
DE602005001944D1 (en) 2007-09-20
EP1593603A1 (en) 2005-11-09
DK1742843T3 (en) 2007-12-27
CA2564118A1 (en) 2005-11-10
PL1742843T3 (en) 2008-01-31
AU2005237660A1 (en) 2005-11-10
WO2005105581A1 (en) 2005-11-10
ES2290891T3 (en) 2008-02-16
SI1742843T1 (en) 2007-12-31
ATE369289T1 (en) 2007-08-15
EP1742843B1 (en) 2007-08-08
PT1742843E (en) 2007-11-21
NZ550565A (en) 2009-01-31
DE602005001944T2 (en) 2008-04-24
AU2005237660B2 (en) 2010-06-17
EP1742843A1 (en) 2007-01-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20110094193A1 (en) VFFS/HFFS Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam
AU2008364073B2 (en) Plastic bag making apparatus
EP0134130B1 (en) Containers
AU2010282895B2 (en) Easy open and reclosable package with discrete tape and die-cut web
RU2404101C1 (en) Reclosable bag
US3570751A (en) Tear-open package
EP2686251B1 (en) Reclosable flexible film package, laminate, method and apparatus for manufacture
US10427851B2 (en) Package with heat score
EP1437311A1 (en) A box-shaped package of a flexible and sealable packaging material
US6530870B2 (en) Methods of manufacturing reclosable packages; and packages made thereby
WO2011019511A2 (en) Easy open and reclosable package with discrete laminate with die-cut
US20150336693A1 (en) Easy Open And Reclosable Package With Discrete Strip And Die-Cut Web
US20160046400A1 (en) Easy to Open Package
WO2012103395A1 (en) Easy open and reclosable package with disrete laminate with die-cut
US20170233157A1 (en) Film packaging and method of using same
EP1714894B1 (en) Sealing strip, associated foil packaging and methods for their manufacture
JPH0480017A (en) Manufacture of laminate film
JPH07285559A (en) Easy-to-open packing bag and manufacture therefor
JPH04267750A (en) Laminate film for packing bag
US11123942B2 (en) Method for making windowed packaging material
JPS5974067A (en) Easy open bag with breaking piece
JP2003137341A (en) Packaging bag from which content is easily taken out and packaged item made by using it

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: AMCOR FLEXIBLES EUROPE A/S, DENMARK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DAELMANS, EDDY;VERBEECK, BART;REEL/FRAME:025588/0616

Effective date: 20060818

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION