3D film sealing

Abstract

A component (1) is described, comprising a wall element (2), defining a circumferential adhesive strip (3) extending on the wall element, and a flexible flat film connected to the adhesive strip by a continuous circumferential adhesive (4), the wall element and the film defining two opposite walls (2a, 5a) of a chamber (5), characterized in that the wall element also includes a base surface B defined by the wall element, at least two corner elements (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), the corner elements being spaced a certain distance from each other, extending substantially perpendicularly from the base surface of the wall element in the same direction at a height H (Ha, Hb, Hc, Hd), each corner element being connected to the base surface of the wall element by a height H (Ha, Hb, Hc, Hd), An angular line substantially perpendicular to the base defines an angle A (Aa, Ab, Ac, Ad) of the chamber, strip portions (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), each strip portion connecting two corner elements that delimit adjacent corners of the chamber from one another, the distance between the strip portion and the base being less than H, wherein a continuous circumferential adhesive band extends over the strip portion and the corner elements and is at a distance corresponding to a height H (Ha, Hb, Hc, Hd) from the base at least in the region of the corner elements, and wherein the outer contour of the film is formed by making the outer contour of the film correspond to the outer contour of the circumferential adhesive band. A method for manufacturing the assembly is also described.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a wall element defining a circumferential adhesive strip extending above the wall element, and a flexible flat film connected to the adhesive strip by a continuous circumferential adhesive bond, the wall element and the film defining two opposite walls of a chamber, and a method for manufacturing such an assembly.

[0002] Such an assembly is known, for example, from EP 3 114 045. In the illustrated embodiment of EP 3 114 045, a container for packaging fresh products made of thermoplastic material is described, wherein the bottom side of the container defines a wall element, which is defined by a rounded shoulder, which defines a circumferential adhesive strip, to which a flexible flat film of the same thermoplastic material is attached by holding the film against the adhesive strip and connecting it to the wall element by heat welding. This defines a chamber between the wall element and the film. According to EP 3 114 045, the bonding of the film to the wall element takes place in a single plane, thus avoiding bending of the film at the bonding and avoiding the formation of a chamber that is limited by a film extending only in one plane.

[0003] One of the disadvantages of the holder structure according to EP 3114045 is that the film must be placed on the circumferential adhesive strip of the wall element with a precise fit in order to obtain a sealed connection between the film and the wall element, thereby defining a leak-free chamber. This structure places such low tolerance demands on the packaging machine that it has not been possible to produce packages with this structure on an industrial scale so far.

[0004] The present invention is particularly intended to eliminate the above-mentioned problems, and for this purpose, the present invention is characterized in that the wall element also includes a base surface B defined by the wall element, at least two corner elements positioned at a certain distance from each other, the corner elements extending from the base surface of the wall element in the same direction at a height H basically vertically, each corner element defining an angle A of the chamber with an angle line basically perpendicular to the base surface, each strip portion connecting two corner elements, the two corner elements mutually defining adjacent corners of the chamber, the distance between the strip portion and the base surface being less than H, wherein a continuous circumferential adhesive band extends on the strip portion and on the corner elements, and extends at least in the corner element area at a distance from the base surface corresponding to the height, and wherein the outer contour of the film is formed in such a way that the outer contour of the film corresponds to the outer contour of the circumferential adhesive band.

[0005] In this assembly, the flexible film is attached to a circumferential adhesive strip of the wall element. The circumferential adhesive strip extends through the strip sections located between the corner elements and through these corner elements. Since the corner elements are at a greater distance from the base surface of the wall element than the strip sections of the wall element are from the base surface, the distance of the circumferential adhesive strip from the base surface of the wall element varies depending on its position on the adhesive strip. The film follows the adhesive strip, which means that it does not extend flat, but three-dimensionally.

[0006] Due to the adhesion of the film to the adhesive tape, a chamber is formed between the wall element and the film. The height of the chamber at the corner element corresponds to the height H of the respective corner element extending from the base of the wall element. The height of the corner elements can be different, but preferably, the height of all corner elements should be the same.

[0007] The film is formed in such a way that its outer contour corresponds to the contour of the circumferential adhesive strip. In this way, the film can be folded around its periphery to the contour of the adhesive strip without this folding causing the film to overlap. Precisely because overlapping is avoided, a uniform bond is achieved over the entire adhesive strip.

[0008] The wall element forms one side of the chamber and the film forms the opposite side. The wall element can be designed as a partition member defining two opposite chambers as described in EP3114045. Such a wall element then forms a common partition between the two chambers, or is part of it. It is also possible that the wall element comprises an annular structure with a central open part. In this case, the adhesive tape will extend through the annular structure, and due to the open feature of the wall element, the chamber between the wall element and the film will be open on one side.

[0009] By means of the invention, a chamber is formed which is defined by a wall element and a film, which chamber is closed by bonding the film to a circumferential adhesive strip of the wall element. This closure is preferably carried out in a sealed manner, so that liquids can also be contained in the chamber without leaking out of the chamber through the connecting portion between the wall element and the film. For this purpose, the film is preferably connected to the wall element in a sealing manner over the entire circumferential adhesive strip. This can be achieved, for example, by providing an adhesive strip with a continuous circumferential adhesive line or by using a double-sided adhesive tape, against which the film is pressed in order to form a seal between the wall element and the film. Interrupted adhesive lines are also possible, but such a connection is usually not closed, at least not closed for liquids.

[0010] Corner element extends vertically in the same direction from the base surface defined by the wall element, which means that the corner element extends from the base surface, has a component perpendicular to the base surface, and therefore extends a distance from the base surface. As described later, the sidewall of the corner element can extend from the base surface at any angle, but preferably extends at an angle of 90 ° or greater. Therefore, the corner element extends from the base surface at a certain angle and in the same direction, with a height H measured perpendicular to the base surface. Therefore, the corner element forms a kind of foot so that the wall element can be supported on the surface. The corner element can be spherical, that is, it has a single continuous wall or has several side walls, which are preferably connected to each other and intersect at a certain angle. One or more, preferably all corner elements have a truncated shape, whereby the truncated plane of the corresponding corner element defines a side of the corner element opposite to the base surface. When the corner element has a plurality of side walls, it is preferred to select this truncated shape. In this form, the adhesive tape extends on the truncated surface of the corresponding corner element through one or more side walls. The truncated surface of each corner element preferably extends parallel to the base surface B, and preferably the truncated surface of each corner element extends parallel to the base surface. Even more preferably, the truncated surfaces of the corner elements lie in a common plane, so that the height H of each corner element is the same. This ensures that the wall elements can be supported uniformly on the corner elements.

[0011] In a novel embodiment, the strip portions extend substantially parallel to the base surface. The strip portions of the wall elements are part of a circumferential adhesive strip and are located between the corner elements. Although the distance of the strip portions to the base surface of the wall elements can vary, they preferably extend parallel to the base surface, and even more preferably, the strip portions extend in the same plane as the base surface. In this case, the strip elements always extend on the base surface of the wall elements.

[0012] In a special embodiment, the corner element, preferably all corner elements, has at least three side walls connected to each other, wherein the adhesive tape extends on two side walls therein, and the two side walls are connected to each other by the third side wall. As mentioned above, the corner element can be composed of a single spherical wall, which can be truncated or not truncated. However, it is advantageous to have a corner element with at least three side walls, wherein the adhesive tape extends on two side walls therein, and therefore defines the angle of the chamber at this position. When there are three side walls, the corner element can, for example, have the shape of a truncated tetrahedron, and the adhesive tape extends on two walls and the truncated surface. The angle of the chamber with this corner element is 120 °. In another novel embodiment, the corner element, preferably all corner elements, is a truncated pyramid, wherein the adhesive tape extends on two adjacent sides of the truncated plane and the pyramid. The angle of the chamber is 90 °. The part of the truncated pyramid that the adhesive tape does not pass through can be omitted, thereby reducing the truncated surface to a triangle. The adhesive tape then rises from the direction of the wall element onto one side surface of the corner element thus formed and over the truncated surface and then over the next side surface again towards the wall element, whereby the adhesive tape forms an angle of 90°.

[0013] It is advantageous when the side wall of the corner element on which the adhesive tape extends forms an angle F of 90° or more, preferably greater than 90°, with the adjacent strip-shaped portion of the wall element. The angle line of the angle F is parallel to or coincides with the base surface. With this structure, the rise of the adhesive tape towards the truncated surface of the corner element is gradual, and the flexible film can be connected to the wall element by suction folding. The larger the angle, the more times the film needs to be folded, which can lead to bonding difficulties. However, 90° or even more acute angles are also possible, but these are not preferred. Advantageous angles are between 160° and 110°, preferably between 120° and 150°, and most preferably between 130° and 140°. The optimal angle is 135°, because this will most advantageously and most evenly absorb the forces on the bond. When the wall element is manufactured by thermoforming, an angle of 135° is also ideal for demoulding.

[0014] It is very attractive when the wall element comprises four corner elements, wherein the angle A of each wall element is a right angle. The angle line of angle A is perpendicular to the base surface. Although very advantageous, the corner element does not have to have the same angle A every time. Therefore, in the case of four corner elements, angles Aa, Ab, Ac, Ad are referred to here. These angles are preferably equal and right angles. This structure makes it possible for a rectangular or square chamber shape. According to the assembly of the present invention, when two chambers separated by wall elements are included, this shape is advantageous, whereby the chamber formed by the assembly of the present invention can form a collection chamber for collecting liquid from another chamber. As described above, the right angle A can be realized by a truncated pyramid shape or a part thereof. Two or three corner elements are also possible, whereby in the case of two corner elements, the chamber presents, for example, an elliptical shape, whose corner points are opposite to each other, and these corner points are connected to each other by curved strip portions. A chamber with three corner elements is also possible, thereby forming a triangular chamber.

[0015] Preferably, the film at the location where it is bonded to the corner element is formed in such a way that the side of the film presents the angle A of the corresponding corner element, and wherein the film is truncated at the intersection of the two sides so that the angle α is composed of at least two distinct angles α1 and α2. The following figure illustrates this structure. For example, if the corner element is a truncated pyramid or is reduced to their relevant parts, the film will describe an angle A of 90°. In order to ensure that the outer contour of the film corresponds to the contour of the adhesive tape, and the film folding lines do not intersect, the film is truncated at the intersection of the angle A, forming two equal 135° angles. When the film is connected to the wall element on the adhesive tape, the midpoint of the line between the angles α1 and α2 will be located at the vertex of the truncated surface of the corner element, and after bonding, the film will extend from this point against the two side walls towards the wall element. The film is preferably a rectangular film, whereby the four angles A are each formed by two substantially equal angles α1 and α2 of 135°.

[0016] By choosing the shapes of the corner elements and the film as described above, the film can be connected to the adhesive tape and to the wall element without stretching or warping or neither. The film only needs to be folded without overlapping itself or being deformed from the desired shape. When the film is not stretched, it retains its thickness everywhere, which is very advantageous because the film does not lose its strength and barrier properties.

[0017] Preferably, the film and the wall element are made of thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyvinylidene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The film and the wall element are preferably made of the same material to facilitate subsequent processing and reuse.

[0018] In thermoforming plastic packaging known in the art, the corner of the plastic packaging is stretched during the thermoforming process, which locally reduces the thickness of the material. Because the packaging must have a minimum thickness, this is determined by the thickness at the stretching angle, and the wall of the packaging is proportionally too thick. As mentioned above, since the film itself is not stretched, but can be run on the stretching part of the packaging, the packaging in question is accurately strengthened by the adhesion of the film in the stretching part. As a result, the thickness of the thermoplastic material can be reduced by 30-100 μm usually, and the thickness of the film material can be reduced to 250-400 μm, preferably reduced to 300-350 μm. However, according to the present invention, the wall thickness of the material of the component is not limited to such thickness. When a larger wall thickness is required, for example, when a specific packaging form for, for example, heavy contents is manufactured, or when a specific, usually softer material such as polypropylene is applied, this material saving can be achieved. Therefore, according to the present invention, a packaging for mussels can be provided, for example, with a wall thickness of up to 1.5 mm, and a packaging made of polypropylene with a thickness of 500 μm to 2 mm or more.

[0019] When both the wall element and the film are made of thermoplastic material, the film can be bonded to the adhesive strip of the wall element by fusion welding, thereby creating a continuous seal between the film and the wall element. The adhesive strip can have any width, but is preferably 3-10 mm, more preferably 4-5 mm.

[0020] In a novel embodiment, the wall element is designed as a bottom element of a container having one or more side walls extending from the bottom element of the chamber in a substantially vertical direction to form a space. In this space, fresh products can be kept and any moisture from this fresh product can be collected in the chamber defined by the assembly. A container with a collecting chamber is known from EP3114045.

[0021] The bottom element is novelly arranged as a partition element between the chamber and the space, the partition element comprising at least one discharge port for discharging liquid from the space into the chamber, wherein the assembly is provided with a resistance element extending around the discharge port into the chamber, so that the resistance element prevents liquid from being transported from the chamber into the space. This structure, which is known from EP3114045 and further explained therein, causes moisture released in the space to flow into the chamber and prevents moisture from flowing back into the space. In a specific embodiment, the resistance element is arranged so that the wall element designed as a partition element extends from its periphery toward the center at an angle to the base surface toward the chamber, so that liquid from the space can flow into the chamber but cannot flow back. The partition element forms a kind of funnel toward the center of the chamber. Due to this structure, the wall element provides a resistance element that prevents liquid from flowing back from the space to the chamber.

[0022] The invention also relates to the manufacture of an assembly as described above and comprises the following steps:

[0023] a. placing the film on the side of the wall element with its adhesive tape, whereby the film is at least partially in contact with the wall element,

[0024] b. in step a, bonding the film to the wall element at the contact location,

[0025] c. Adhere the film to the wall element over its entire adhesive strip.

[0026] Placing the film on the wall element on the side of its adhesive tape can be achieved by placing the wall element with the corner element facing upwards and fixing the film on the wall element from above, or fixing the wall element on the film. The reverse is also possible, whereby the wall element is placed with the corner element facing downwards and the film is applied to the wall element from below. When the wall element comprises or is made of a thin-walled material, such as a thin-walled thermoplastic material, the wall element is preferably supported by a support element, which preferably follows the contour of the wall element at the point of the adhesive tape, thereby supporting the wall element at the location of the adhesive tape. Even more preferably, the support element supports the wall element over a large part of the wall surface so as to also fix the wall element before the film is placed on the wall element. In step a, the film is at least partially in contact with the wall element. This contact can occur on one or more parts of the adhesive tape of the wall element, for example on the truncated side of the corner element. Then, in step b, the film is first bonded to the wall element at the truncated surface of the corner element, for example by welding or by applying a suitable adhesive to the truncated surface of the corner element, after which, if necessary, in a subsequent step c, the film is bonded to the wall element over the entire adhesive tape. It is also possible to bond the film to the wall element over the entire adhesive tape in a single step integrating steps a and b. For this purpose, the film is preferably pressed from above in the region of the adhesive tape by a pressing element that essentially follows the contour of the adhesive tape. When the connection is made by welding, the pressure element that presses the film against the adhesive tape should preferably be heatable. When a pressure element is used, the supporting element is preferably elastic or cushioned so as to get out of the way when the film is pressed against the wall element by the pressure element.

[0027] The method according to the invention is particularly novel when the wall element is provided with a side wall as described above, wherein the wall element defines a space in which, for example, fresh products or meat can be stored, and in which a chamber is provided to collect the moisture released in the chamber without allowing it to flow back into the space. To this end, the wall element is preferably provided with one or more drainage openings and one or more resistance elements that prevent the water from flowing back through the openings. Then, as already explained above, the resistance element is preferably designed in such a way that the wall element designed as a partition element extends from its periphery towards the center at an angle to the base surface facing the chamber, so that liquid from the space can flow into the room, but cannot flow back. The partition element then forms a funnel towards the center of the room. Due to this structure, the wall element provides a resistance element that prevents the liquid from flowing back from the chamber to the room. In a specific embodiment of the method, in step a, such a wall element is placed, and preferably, the method comprises, before step b, providing one or more openings in the partition element, for example by punching the wall element at the desired position before or after placement, preferably near or around the center of the wall element.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, the wall element comprises one or more connecting elements extending vertically from the base of the wall element in the chamber by a distance which substantially corresponds to the distance by which one or more corner elements extend from the base of the wall element, and in step b, the film is brought into contact with said one or more connecting elements, and in step c, the film is connected to the one or more connecting elements. Due to the presence of such connecting elements, the film can be connected to said connecting elements in step b in order to fix the film, and subsequently or simultaneously the film can be connected to the wall element at the adhesive strip. For example, the wall element can contain a connecting element in the middle which extends from the base as far as the corner elements. This keeps the film in one plane and also prevents the chamber from sagging when it is filled with liquid.

[0029] The invention also relates to a device for manufacturing a component according to the invention. To this end, the device is characterized in that it comprises:

[0030] a. a supporting member for supporting the wall element on the side away from the corner element;

[0031] b. A pushing member for bringing the membrane at least partially into contact with the wall element, the pushing member being movable towards the supporting member and vice versa, both the supporting member and the pushing member at least partially following the contour of the wall element, which contour extends in three dimensions.

[0032] With this device, an assembly of the present invention can be manufactured, wherein the support member supports the wall element and the pushing member presses the film onto the wall element. For this purpose, the device preferably also includes a positioning device for positioning the film relative to the wall element. Since the contours of the wall element extend in three dimensions, the support member and the pushing member also follow these contours. These contours are preferably formed by an adhesive tape. Therefore, the pushing member and the support member preferably follow the contour of the adhesive tape or one or more parts thereof. The device can also include a film feeding element, through which the film is provided. The film feeding element can hold a film roll or a film sheet, and the film can be cut into a suitable shape and size before being positioned relative to the wall element, in particular, the film is cut so that its outer contour follows the contour of the adhesive tape of the wall element. The film can also be cut into a suitable shape by a feeding element or a pressure element.

[0033] The push member can be heated at one or more locations so that the one or more heatable locations of the wall element correspond to the locations on the wall element where the film is connected to the wall element. This design is particularly important when both the film and the wall element are thermoplastic materials. The push member can thus provide a fusion weld to bond the film to the wall element. This heat can also be used to cut the film into a suitable contour shape during the bonding step.

[0034] In order to achieve an optimal adhesion effect, in a special embodiment of the device of the invention, the support element follows the contour of the adhesive tape. For the same reason, the support element preferably follows the contour of the wall element.

[0035] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises punching means for forming one or more openings in the wall element, preferably near the centre.

[0036] The above-mentioned apparatus may be arranged to receive already formed wall elements, which are manufactured by, for example, thermoforming or injection molding.It is also possible to integrate or combine the apparatus according to the invention with an apparatus for thermoforming or injection molding wall elements.

[0037] The assembly according to the invention is further explained in the drawings.

[0038] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a wall element as part of a fresh produce container is shown. Figure 1B The same wall element is shown with the adhesive strip shown. Figure 1C shows a thin film, Figure 1D Shows Figure 1C The film is located on Figure 1A The wall elements Figure 1E Shows Figure 1C The film is Figure 1A The shape obtained by combining the wall elements, Figure 1F Shows Figure 1CThe film is bonded to Figure 1A wall element. Figure 1G Shows Figure 1F Cross section through plane XY.

[0039] Figure 2-Figure 5 Additional embodiments of the assembly of the present invention are shown, wherein each spacing element has a structure different from Figure 1A-1G In the embodiment of Figure 2 A– Figure 5 A shows a top view of various embodiments. Figure 2 B– Figure 5 The shapes of the corresponding films are shown in B. Figure 2 C-5C shows a view of the various corner element locations. Figure 2 D– Figure 5 A full stereogram is shown in D.

[0040] Figures 6A-6I and Figure 7 Two embodiments of the present invention are shown, in which two chambers are formed. Figure 7 A shows a top view of a wall element, FIG. 6B- Figure 7 B shows a top view of the corresponding film, and FIG. 6C- Figure 7 C shows a top view of the assembly, wherein FIG. 6B, Figure 7 The films of B are connected to FIG6A, Figure 7 On the wall element of A. Figure 6D, Figure 7 D is Figure 6C, Figure 7 Figure 6A of the components in C, Figure 7 A and Figure 6E, Figure 7 E Side view of the wall element. Fig. 6F - Figure 6H is a bottom side view, an internal side view, an internal front view and a long side view of a component with two chambers in an optional embodiment of the present invention, using the same figure numbers as Figures 6A-6E for the same elements.

[0041] Figures 8A-8C The support elements and pressure elements used to manufacture the assembly are shown. Fig. 8A middle, Figure 1A The wall element is located between the support element and the pressure element. Figure 8B According to Figure 1C The film, in Figure 8C In Figure 1A-1G finished components.

[0042] Figure 1AA wall element 2 is shown which, in the case shown, is part of a container 8 having four side walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, of which the side walls 8a and 8b are visible in the perspective view shown. Such a container is suitable for packaging meat, for example, and has the dimensions of 18 cm x 14 cm x 5 cm. However, the dimensions and shape may vary. In the case shown, the side walls comprise a circumferential flange 100 at their free ends. The wall element 2 comprises four spaced apart outer corner elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, each extending perpendicularly in the same direction from a base plane B of the wall element. This plane is as shown in FIG. Figure 2 Corner elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d each define a right angle of the chamber to be formed, which is Figure 3 denoted by reference numeral 5 in the figure. Each corner element 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is connected to two corner elements defining adjacent corners by strip portions 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d. Thus, corner element 6b is connected to corner element 6a by strip portion 7a and to corner element 7d by strip portion 7d. In the case shown, the strip cross section coincides with base surface B. Thus, the distance between the strip and the base surface is 0. The corner element is obtained by a truncated pyramid having truncated surfaces 6b5, 6c5, which are substantially parallel to base surface b. Half of the truncated pyramid defined by a vertical diagonal plane passing through the two vertices of the pyramid is missing and replaced by a straight wall 6c4 coinciding with the diagonal plane. Similarly, the angle opposite to the diagonal plane is truncated to form an inclined angle plane 6b3. Thus, corner element 6b has two side walls 6b1 and 6b2.

[0043] The wall element 2 has four spacers 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d which, like the corner elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, extend away from the base surface B. These spacers 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d serve as spacers for the film to be placed and fix the film during production.

[0044] Figure 1B Shows Figure 2 The adhesive strip 3 of the wall element is a solid annular strip. The adhesive strip extends on the strip parts 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and on the truncated sides 6a5, 6b5, 6c5, 6d5 of the corner elements 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and on both side walls 6b1, 6b2 of each corner element. The adhesive strip width is, for example, 4-5 mm, especially when the container has a Figure 1A The side walls 6b1 and 6b2 are connected to each other by a side wall 6b4. This side wall is not visible due to the viewing angle, but corresponds to the side wall 6c4 of the corner element 6c. In the case shown, the wall element is designed as Figure 1GA partition element between the chamber shown and the space 9 defined by the side walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d. The space can be used to accommodate fresh products, such as fresh fruit or meat, which may release moisture during storage. The space can then be closed, for example, with a plastic film by attaching the film to the circumferential flange 100. The moisture lost by the fresh product can then escape from the space toward the chamber via drainage openings arranged around the central spacer 12e in the wall element 2. The wall element extends from its periphery toward the center of the spacer 12e at an angle to the base surface B toward the chamber 5, so that liquid can flow from the space into the chamber, but cannot flow back. Due to this structure, the wall element provides a resistance element 11 that prevents liquid from flowing back from the chamber 5 to the space 9. The resistance element can also be implemented, for example, as an upright edge of the opening 10, which extends from the opening to the chamber 5. Alternative embodiments of the resistance element are described in EP3114045. The wall element comprises an elongated recess 13 which ensures that any liquid draining into the chamber 9 flows in an accelerated and controlled manner towards the opening 10 around the spacer 12e.

[0045] Figure 1C A flat film 4 is shown, the outer contour of which corresponds to Figure 1B The contour of the adhesive tape 3.

[0046] Figure 1D Shown is located Figure 1A The wall element 2 above Figure 1C of a flat film 4.

[0047] Figure 1E The embodiment shown is in the form of being bonded to the adhesive tape 3. Figure 1C Film 4. The film follows the contour of the adhesive tape.

[0048] Figure 1F Shows Figures 1A-1E Wall elements and films, wherein a flat film 4 is connected to the wall element 2 by means of an adhesive strip 3 to form a chamber 5. The base surface is denoted by B. In the case shown, the angles A (Aa, Ab, Ac, Ad) defined by the corner elements are equal and are right angles. It is also conceivable, for example, to be triangular or pentagonal chambers, in which the corner elements present an angle A of 120° or 72°, respectively. Other shapes are also possible, for example an L-shape.

[0049] Figure 1G Shows Figure 1F The component 1 shown in FIG. is a cross section through a plane X. Figure 1A-1FThe same reference numerals are used for the same cases. Corner elements 6a and 6b extend in the same direction perpendicular to the base plane B, respectively having heights Ha and Hb, which are identical in the case shown. The membrane 4 forms the wall 5a of the chamber 5 and is connected to the wall element 2 at the location of the truncated sides of the corner elements 6a5 and 6d5 and at the side walls 6a2 and 6d1 of the corner elements 6a and 6d, respectively. The membrane is bent outwards at the bottom of the corner elements, i.e. at the level of the base plane B, and is connected to strip portions 7a and 7c extending into the base plane B between the corner elements 6a and 6b and between 6c and 6d, respectively. The wall element 2 forms a chamber wall 2a, which extends substantially parallel to the chamber wall 5a formed by the membrane 4. The side walls 6a2, 6d1 of the corner elements 6a, 6d form an angle F of approximately 120° with the adjacent strip portions 7a and 7c.

[0050] Figure 2 A– Figure 2 D schematically shows Figure 1A-1G – Figure 3 It is evident that the membrane is connected to the wall element without stretching or bending. Figure 2 In C, the shaded area shows the edge of the film 4 attached to the adhesive tape 3.

[0051] Figure 3 A– Figure 3 D shows that Figure 1A-1G The assembly shown, in which the corner elements 36A-36D are spherical and thus have only one wall. The angle A of the chamber is 90°. Figure 3 B shows an applied film whereby angle A is interrupted at the intersection of two opposite sides so that angle A is described by two different angles α1 and α2, which in the case shown are both equal and 135°. Figure 3 C shows that with this structure the film can be connected to the wall elements without stretching or bending. In this case, the strip part also coincides with the base surface B. It is also possible that the spherical shape is truncated in the chamber so that the chamber is delimited at the corner element by a wall extending mainly at right angles from the base surface B to the top of the corner element. Thus, the spherical shape does not extend into the chamber and in this case there are two walls, a convex wall outside the chamber and a straight wall delimiting the chamber.

[0052] Figure 4 A– Figure 4 D shows an assembly in which the corner element is L-shaped with a quarter-circular outer edge. As shown by the dashed lines b1 and b2 of the corner element 46B, the legs of the corner element can extend parallel to the base for a relatively short distance. The legs of the corner element can also extend to the middle of the adjacent corner element so that the legs of the corner element merge with each other. This is Figure 4The case of corner elements 46a and 46d in A, where the legs of these corner elements extend to the middle of the distance to the next corner element, as shown by the dotted lines a1, a2 and d1. The legs between corner elements 46a and 46d are mutually connected. In this structure, the corner elements form a circumferential ridge over which the adhesive tape extends. The strip portions 47B and 47C of the adhesive tape 47 can be connected to the Figure 4 The base surface B shown in C is consistent with that in Figure 4 B and 4C are shown as 47B1 and 47C1, but they can also extend on the legs of the corner element, the distance from the base is less than the distance that the corner element extends from the base. Figure 4 B and 4C are shown as double dotted lines and designated as 47b2 and 47c2. When the structure is selected in which the adhesive tape extends over the quarter-circle legs of the corner element, the film has Figure 4 The dimensions defined by strip portions 47a2, 47b2, 47c2 and 47d2 in B. Again, the film is connected to the wall element without stretching or bending.

[0053] Figure 5 An assembly is shown in which the corner element is also L-shaped, but in which the legs are away from the chamber. The film has a corresponding L-shaped corner so that the edge of the film is in line with the adhesive strip extending on the L-shaped top surface 56c5 of the corner element. The side wall on which the adhesive strip extends in this case presents 90°, and the adjacent strip part is in line with the base surface. Here, the film is also connected to the wall element without stretching or bending.

[0054] 6A-6I show an embodiment in which a wall element 62 defines two chambers 651 and 652, each having four corner elements 661a-d and 662a-d, respectively. The film 64 shown in the top view of FIG. 6B has two spaced parallel folds at the position of line 1-1, the distance corresponding to the height of the spacing elements 662a and 662d. Because these folds are located below each other, only the upper fold is visible in FIG. 6B. At the position of line 2-2, there are also two parallel folds at the same distance from each other, corresponding to the distance elements 661b and 661c. Due to this structure, the film forms a separation element 613, which separates the two chambers 651 and 652. Also in this embodiment, the film is connected to the wall element without stretching or bending.

[0055] Between the corner elements 661b, 661c, 662a and 661d, there may be a partition element 613 extending from the base, the height of which is equal to or less than the height of the corner elements 661b, 661c, 662a and 661d. Fig. 6F , 6G, 6H and 6I. The partition member 613 can separate the chambers 651 and 652 from each other liquid-tightly. However, in the illustrated case, the partition member 613 is provided with a plurality of regularly spaced channels 614 to allow liquid exchange between the chambers. Compared with corner elements with the same height, the height at which the partition element extends relative to the base surface B is low. However, compared with corner elements 661a, 661b, 662b and 662c, corner elements 661b, 661c, 662a and 662d can also extend from plane B at a lower height so that the corner elements behind maintain the supporting function, and the height of corner elements 661b, 661c, 662a and 662d is preferably equal to the height of the partition member 613. The strip portion of the two corner elements connecting the two separated chambers, such as the strip portion between corner elements 661c and 662d and between 661b and 662a, can be located at a distance from the base surface or in line with the base surface ( Figure 1F and 1G B).

[0056] Figure 7 An embodiment is shown, in which Figure 2 The wall element shown comprises an additional separating member 713, which extends from the base B at the same height as the corner elements 76a-d. Therefore, the corner elements have the same height as the wall elements. The film 47 extends on the truncated side of the corner elements 76a5, 76b5, 76c5 and 76d5, and extends on the side 713a of the separating member 713 that faces away from the wall element. This produces two chambers 751 and 752. In the case shown, the end of the separating member 713 is at an angle of 90 ° with the base B, but this angle can be advantageously larger, as explained above for the angle F of the side wall of the corner element. The angle of the bottom element end preferably corresponds to the angle F of the corner element. The separating member can also have a liquid channel, so that there is an open liquid connection between the chambers.

[0057] Fig. 8A Shown as a container Figure 1A-1G , wherein the corner elements 6a-d and the connecting elements 12a-d face upwards, and a support member 81 is shown below the support. The support member 81 has a top side 810, which supports the bottom side of the wall element 2, i.e. the side of the wall element facing away from the corner element in the area of ​​the adhesive strip 3. To this end, the top side 810 follows the contour of the adhesive strip 3 at its lower end, as shown in FIG. Figure 1B shown.

[0058] Above the wall element, a pushing member 82 is shown having a rounded underside 820 which follows the contour of the adhesive tape 3 .

[0059] exist Figure 8BIn the embodiment, the film 4 is placed above the wall element 2. Figure 1B As shown, the outer circumference of the film 4 corresponds to the outer circumference of the adhesive tape 3 .

[0060] The film is attached to the wall element 2 by placing it on a supporting member 81, supporting the adhesive tape 3 of the wall element 81. Subsequently, the pushing member 82 is held against the wall element so that the film is pushed against the adhesive tape at its outer circumference and connected to it. This can be achieved by heating the underside 820 of the pushing member 82, thereby forming a heat weld between the wall element and the film, which heat weld can be a sealing heat weld or an interrupting heat weld as required. By the sealing heat weld, a closed chamber is formed. The bonding can also be achieved by applying an adhesive to the adhesive tape 3 before pressing the film 4 against the wall element 2. The opening in the chamber can still be formed by inserting an opening in the wall element, such as Figure 1B In the case shown, the film 4 is already fitted, i.e. its outer circumference corresponds to the outer circumference of the adhesive tape 3, but it is also possible that the film is not fitted until after it has been bonded to the wall element, or during the bonding process. For example, the outer circumference of the bottom edge 820 of the pushing member 82 may include a sharp cutting edge so that the film can be cut for fitting, or the heat of the pushing member may cause the film to fit during the pushing process.

[0061] It is also possible that, before being bonded to the adhesive tape 3, the film 4 is fixed to the wall element 2 by locally bonding the film to one or more spacer elements 12a-d, for example using an adhesive or by heat welding, and that the pushing member 82 is then pressed against the film 4 for bonding to the adhesive tape 3.

[0062] After being pushed by the pushing member 82, the support member 81 and the pushing member 82 move away from each other and the formed assembly 1 is released from the pushing member. The assembly is then ready for further processing. For example, fresh food that may lose moisture during storage or transportation can be placed in the space 9, such as Figure 1G As shown, and the space can be closed on the open side with a subsequent film, such as Figure 1A As shown, it is bonded to the flange 100 by adhesive or heat welding.

Claims

1. A component (1), comprising: a. a wall element (2) defining a circumferential adhesive strip (3) extending over said wall element, and b. a flexible film (4) connected to said adhesive strip by a continuous circumferential adhesive bond, The wall element and the film define two opposite walls (2a, 5a) of a chamber (5), characterized in that The wall element further comprises: - a base surface B defined by said wall element, - at least two corner elements (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), at a distance from each other, extending substantially perpendicularly in the same direction from said base surface B of said wall element at a height H (Ha, Hb, Hc, Hd), each corner element defining an angle A (Aa, Ab, Ac, Ad) of said chamber with an angle line substantially perpendicular to said base surface B, - strip portions (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), each strip portion connecting to each other two corner elements defining adjacent corners of the chamber, the distance between the strip portion and the base B being less than the height H, wherein the continuous circumferential adhesive band extends over the strip portion and over the corner element and extends at least in the region of the corner element at a distance from the base surface B corresponding to a height H (Ha, Hb, Hc, Hd), and wherein the outer contour of the film is formed in such a way that the outer contour of the film corresponds to the outer contour of the circumferential adhesive band.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein The film is sealed to the wall element over the entire circumferential adhesive strip.

3. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The corner element has a truncated shape, and its truncated surface (61a, 61b, 61c, 61d) defines a side of the corner element opposite to the base surface B, and the truncated surface extends substantially parallel to the base surface B, on which the adhesive tape extends.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the strip portions extends substantially parallel to the base plane B.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The corner element has at least three interconnected side walls, whereby the adhesive strip extends over two of the side walls, the side walls being connected to one another via the third side wall.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The side wall on which the adhesive strip extends forms an angle F of greater than 90° with the adjacent strip portion of the wall element.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the strip portions extends over the base surface B of the wall element.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The wall element comprises four corner elements, wherein the angle A (Aa, Ab, Ac, Ad) of each wall element is a right angle.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The film is formed at the position where it is combined with the corner element in such a way that the side of the film presents an angle A of the corresponding corner element, and wherein the film is truncated at the intersection of the two sides in such a way that the angle A is described by at least two angles α1 and α2 that are far away from each other.

10. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The film is a rectangular film in which four corners A are formed by two substantially equal angles α1 and α2, respectively.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The film is connected to the adhesive tape without stretching and / or warping.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The film is made of thermoplastic material.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The wall element is made of a thermoplastic material.

14. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the thermoplastic material has a thickness of 250-400 μm.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein: The film is bonded to the wall element by fusion welding.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: The wall element is designed as a bottom element of a container 8 and has one or more side walls (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) which extend substantially perpendicularly to the bottom element in a direction facing away from the chamber to form a space (9).

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein: The bottom element is arranged as a partition element between the chamber and the space, the partition element comprising at least an outlet (10) which discharges fluid from the space into the chamber, wherein the assembly is provided with a resistance element (11) extending into the chamber, the resistance element surrounding the outlet in such a way that the resistance element prevents liquid from being transported from the chamber into the space.

18. A method of manufacturing an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a. placing the film on the side of the wall element with its adhesive tape, whereby the film is at least partially in contact with the wall element, b. bonding the film to the wall element at a contact position in step a, c. Bonding the film to the wall element over its entire adhesive strip.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The wall element comprises one or more connecting elements, which extend vertically from the base surface B of the wall element within the chamber by a distance substantially corresponding to the distance by which one or more corner elements extend from the base surface B of the wall element, and wherein, in step a, the film is in contact with the one or more connecting elements, and wherein, in step b, the film is bonded to the one or more connecting elements.

20. An apparatus for manufacturing a component as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising: a. a supporting member for supporting the wall element on one side away from the corner element; b. a pushing member for bringing the film at least partially into contact with the wall element, the pushing member being movable towards the supporting member and vice versa, the supporting member and the pushing member both at least partially following the contour of the wall element, the contour extending in three dimensions.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein: The pushing member is heatable at one or more locations such that the one or more heatable locations of the wall element correspond to locations on the wall element where the film engages the wall element.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: The urging member follows the contour of the adhesive tape.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: The support member follows the contour of the wall element.

Images