Push-through packaging film and blister packaging with such

The wave-form material weakenings in packaging films provide a cost-effective, reliable, and predictable solution for producing packaging films that ensure easy tearing and low pressing force, addressing production and usability issues in existing technologies.

DE102024109643A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-10-09HUHTAMAKI FLEXIBLE PACKAGING GERMANY GMBH & CO KG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102024109643
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-04-05
Publication Date
2025-10-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing press-through packaging films face challenges in production cost, irregular weakening depth, unpredictable tearing, and high pressing force requirements, making them difficult to produce reliably and use effectively, especially for protecting medicaments from external influences and ensuring accessibility by older or ill individuals.

Method used

A packaging film with wave-form material weakenings that extend orthogonally to the thickness direction, featuring uniform wavelength and amplitude, and are produced using a single blade to minimize adhesion and ensure predictable tearing, reducing production costs and ensuring consistent pressing force.

Benefits of technology

The wave-form weakenings allow for easy and reliable production, predictable tearing, and reduced pressing force, while maintaining protection and accessibility, addressing the limitations of prior films.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A push-through packaging film (10) for a blister pack (30) comprises at least one material layer with material weakenings (26) introduced therein, wherein the material weakenings (26) do not completely penetrate the packaging film (10; 110) in the thickness direction, wherein the material weakenings (26) have a linear course orthogonal to the thickness direction, and wherein the material weakenings (26) do not intersect one another. The packaging film (10) has a plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings (26), each of which runs along an individual virtual trajectory (V) as a continuous wave-shaped material weakening, wherein the wave-shaped material weakenings (26; 126) from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings (26; 126) are immediately adjacent to one another along a virtual subsequent trajectory (F) extending transversely to their respective individual trajectory (V).
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a push-through packaging film, such as is used as a push-through lidding film for a blister pack, comprising at least one material layer with material weakenings introduced therein, wherein the material weakenings run in the thickness direction of the packaging film without completely penetrating the packaging film, wherein the material weakenings have a linear course orthogonal to the thickness direction, and wherein the material weakenings do not intersect one another.

[0002] Such a push-through packaging film for use as a push-through lidding film for a blister pack is known, for example, from US 2009 / 188827 A1. Another push-through packaging film for the same purpose is known from US 2016 / 0257438 A1. Both packaging films mentioned exhibit numerous short, singular material weaknesses in the overall weakened area of ​​the packaging film, which is weakened by the totality of the material weaknesses. These weakened areas are evenly distributed across the weakened area formed on the packaging film. This avoids having to align the packaging film relative to the container component and its product-receiving recesses when establishing a connection to a container component of a blister pack.Instead, the material weakenings of known packaging films are distributed so extensively across the respective packaging film that, regardless of how the packaging film is bonded to a container component to form a blister pack, sufficient material weakenings are always arranged over the product receiving recesses of the container carrier. Another portion of the material weakenings ends in the connection area, where the packaging film is permanently sealed to a section of the container component. This latter portion is ineffective as a push-through aid.

[0003] In the packaging films known from US 2009 / 188827 A1 and US 2016 / 0257438 A1, each individual material weakening - in US 2009 / 188827 A1 as short curved linear material weakenings, in US 2016 / 0257438 A1 as short angular linear material weakenings - is completely surrounded by unweakened film material in the plane of extension of the packaging film.

[0004] There are competing product requirements for such push-through packaging films. On the one hand, the packaging film must securely shield the product from external influences and, in the case of pharmaceutical packaging, prevent children from accessing the packaged medication. On the other hand, the force required to push through the packaging film must be so low that even elderly and sick people can open a blister pack formed with the packaging film.

[0005] To protect the packaged product, the material weakenings are only formed over a part of the thickness of the packaging film, so that the remaining thickness section of the packaging film remains unaffected by material weakenings.

[0006] A disadvantage of the packaging films known from US 2009 / 188827 A1 and US 2016 / 0257438 A1 is the nature of their production. Introducing the numerous, individual, short material weakenings into the packaging film with a laser is very expensive. Mechanically inducing the individual, short material weakenings into the packaging film with blades results in a very irregular depth of the material weakenings, as elastic effects of the usually polymeric packaging film can lead to local adhesion of the film material to the blade penetrating the material. This can cause local tearing when the blade is withdrawn from the solid material, thus resulting in rejects.

[0007] The packaging films known from US 2009 / 188827 A1 have a two-layer structure, whereby the outer of the two layers is completely penetrated by the material weakenings, while the inner of the two layers, as the sealing layer, is not.

[0008] The packaging films known from US 2016 / 0257438 A1 also have a two-layer structure, wherein the outer of the two layers is only partially penetrated in the thickness direction, so that the outer layer has an inner surface undamaged by material weakenings, which carries a likewise undamaged sealing layer.

[0009] Deviating from the two aforementioned publications, other concepts exist for the formation of push-through packaging films, featuring long, linear material weakenings that extend across the entire length or width of a lid blank formed from a packaging film. The lid blank is tailored to the generally rectangular connecting surface of the container component of the blister pack to be formed.

[0010] In order to ensure sufficiently secure puncture resistance with such long linear material weaknesses, these packaging films also have additional, shorter or specifically shaped linear material weaknesses that intersect with the long linear material weaknesses. The idea is that, during a puncture attempt, the packaging film begins to tear at the intersection point of two intersecting material weaknesses, allowing the packaged product to be removed. Such packaging films are known, for example, from US 2013 / 008825 A1 and US 2013 / 306511 A1. The material weaknesses in the packaging films of these publications also only partially penetrate the packaging films in the thickness direction. The puncture resistance of such packaging films is essentially determined by the number of intersection points between intersecting material weaknesses per unit area.

[0011] The disadvantage here is precisely the formation of intersection points, which weaken the packaging film locally in a strong and sometimes unpredictable manner, since one and the same point of intersection on the packaging film is usually processed twice in succession, partially destroying its material coherence.

[0012] For the sake of completeness, reference should be made to other technical concepts for reducing the puncture force required to locally puncture a packaging film. Another known material-weakening measure is pressing the packaging film against a sandpaper roller. However, the bonded grit of the sandpaper roller pressing into the packaging film does not lead to linear material weakening, but rather to extensive material weakening. Another material-weakening measure is the admixture of insoluble solid particles into the polymer material of at least one layer of the packaging film. By selecting the appropriate particle material, the puncture resistance of the packaging film can also be reduced.

[0013] For clarification, it should be noted that both the prior art and the invention described below assume that the push-through packaging film is to be opened locally by the object packaged with it. The object is pressed against the push-through packaging film, causing tensile stresses in the packaging film that locally exceed the tear strength of the packaging film due to the material weakening. At these points, the packaging film tears, and as the initiated tear propagates, the packaged object can ultimately be removed through the opening thus formed.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging film which can be produced simply and safely and which can be pierced with a well-predictable effort.

[0015] This object is achieved according to the present invention by a packaging film having the features of claim 1. In addition to the features of the packaging film mentioned above, there are the further features that the packaging film has a plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings.

[0016] Each of the wave-shaped material weakenings has a wave-like shape when viewed from above on the packaging film. This means that each of the wave-shaped material weakenings runs along an individual virtual trajectory as a continuous wave-shaped material weakening with a plurality of successive apex locations along the individual trajectory and with a turning point located between each two successive apex locations. As is typical for waveforms, the direction of curvature of the wave-shaped material weakening alternates between convex and concave at the successive turning points along the individual trajectory.

[0017] The wave shape of the linear material weakening means that the weakened packaging film can be subjected to loads from almost any packaged object of any shape, and always essentially fails if the force exceeds the puncture force. Due to the wave shape, some weakened section of the material is always oriented relative to the respective object shape in such a way that the tensile stress generated in the packaging film by pressing the object against it acts orthogonally to the linear course of the weakened section of the material. In this direction of action, the strength of the linearly weakened packaging film is generally at its lowest.

[0018] The continuous, i.e., uninterrupted formation of the wave-shaped material weakening ensures that the wave-shaped material weakening associated with this virtual path can be created with a single blade along a virtual path traversing the packaging film or a weakening field formed thereon. This significantly reduces the introduction of cracks and microcracks into the film caused by blades being pushed in and out again. The inventors have discovered that with a mechanical formation of material weakening by cutting and raking, which is advantageous from the perspective of production costs and the achievable product quality, the adhesive effects of the film material penetrated by the blades occur primarily at the longitudinal ends of the blades used.The present packaging film allows the use of very long blades, so that over long distances the formation of material weakenings does not result in adhesion effects that could cause defects.

[0019] The individual virtual trajectory is the virtual trajectory along which a wavy line runs. Since the individual virtual trajectory of a wave-shaped material weakening is not specifically marked as a virtual trajectory on the packaging film, it should be clarified that the virtual trajectory is intended to intersect the wave-shaped material weakening at its turning points. If the turning point is an inflection point in continuously curved wave-shaped material weakenings, the individual virtual trajectory is, in case of doubt, intended to intersect the inflection point. If the inflection point is a straight section of the wave-shaped material weakening, the individual virtual trajectory is, in case of doubt, intended to intersect the inflection point in its longitudinal center. The individual virtual trajectory is therefore part of the coordinate system used to describe the wave-shaped material weakening.

[0020] Consequently, each waveform material attenuation of the plurality of waveform material attenuations has first half-periods located on a first side of its individual virtual trajectory and also has second half-periods located on a second side of its individual virtual trajectory opposite the first side. Typically, all first half-periods are curved in the same way, and all second half-periods are curved in the same way but differently from the first half-periods.

[0021] In order to adjust and provide sufficient weakening of the push-through packaging film by the wave-shaped material weakenings, the wave-shaped material weakenings from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings are adjacent to one another along a virtual following path extending transversely to their respective individual path.

[0022] The packaging film does not have any intersecting material weaknesses, so that technical problems associated with intersections of material weaknesses do not even arise in the packaging film discussed here.

[0023] For a given penetration depth of the material weakenings into the specified packaging film material, the weakening achievable by the wave-shaped material weakenings, or the penetration force required to push through the packaging film, can be adjusted by essentially three parameters of the wave-shaped material weakenings: their wavelength, their amplitude, and their spacing along the virtual following path. Each of these three parameters influences the line length of material weakening per unit area of ​​the packaging film. The wave-shaped material weakenings can advantageously be long, for example, completely spanning the surface of a lid blank, so that the previously described adverse effects of using short blades do not occur.

[0024] In principle, the wave-shaped material weakenings can be formed with any wave shape. However, for a cost-effective and effective manufacturing process, it is advantageous if each wave-shaped material weakening and the wave-shaped material weakenings exhibit a certain degree of uniformity within themselves and among themselves. The resulting advantageous developments are explained in more detail below: Since a wave-shaped line has a wavelength which comprises the length of a first and a second half-wave or half-period immediately following it, but the first and second half-periods can differ from each other, the preferred uniformity of the wave-form material attenuations is developed below based on their first and second half-periods.

[0025] For each waveform material attenuation from the plurality of waveform material attenuations, it applies that it has a mean first half-wavelength averaged over all of its complete first half-periods. Likewise, each waveform material attenuation from the plurality of waveform material attenuations has a mean second half-wavelength averaged over all of its complete second half-periods. Incomplete half-periods at the longitudinal ends of the waveform material attenuation are disregarded in order not to distort the result of the determined mean half-wavelengths.

[0026] Preferably, the individual first half-wavelengths of the complete first half-periods differ from the mean first half-wavelength by no more than 15%. To achieve even more uniform waveform material attenuation, the difference between the individual first half-wavelengths and the mean first half-wavelength is more preferably no greater than 8%. Particularly preferably, the individual first half-wavelengths do not differ from the mean first half-wavelength, i.e., each first half-wavelength of a complete first half-period is equal to the mean first half-wavelength.

[0027] Alternatively, or preferably additionally, the same applies mutatis mutandis to the second half-periods for the reasons stated, namely that the individual second half-wavelengths of the complete second half-periods differ from the mean second half-wavelength by no more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, and particularly preferably do not differ. In the particularly preferred case, every second half-wavelength of a complete second half-period is equal to the mean second half-wavelength.

[0028] In addition to the above-described preferred uniformity of the first half-periods with each other and the second half-periods with each other, there is preferably a further preferred uniformity of the first half-periods with the second half-periods. For even more uniform waveform material attenuations, it is preferred for each waveform material attenuation from the plurality of waveform material attenuations that the mean first half-wavelength differs from the mean second half-wavelength by no more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, and particularly preferably no difference.

[0029] The wavelength of a waveform material attenuation is the sum of the average first half-wavelength and the average second half-wavelength. The wavelength of a specific individual wave consisting of a first half-period and a second half-period connected to the first half-period is the sum of the first half-wavelength of the first half-period and the second half-wavelength of the second half-period.

[0030] What applies to the wavelength or half-wavelength as a parameter defining the shape of a waveform material attenuation also applies to the amplitude of the waveform material attenuation. For each waveform material attenuation from the plurality of waveform material attenuations, it is true that it has a mean first amplitude averaged over all of its complete first half-periods and that it has a mean second amplitude averaged over all of its complete second half-periods.

[0031] Analogous to the above-defined degree of wavelength uniformity of a waveform material attenuation, the waveform material attenuation preferably also has a certain amplitude uniformity to facilitate its manufacture. Preferably, the individual first amplitudes of the complete first half-periods differ from the mean first amplitude by no more than 15%. More preferably, the individual first amplitudes of the complete first half-periods differ from the mean first amplitude by no more than 8%. Particularly preferably, the individual first amplitudes of the complete first half-periods do not differ from the mean first amplitude, so that each first amplitude of a complete first half-period is the mean first amplitude.

[0032] Alternatively or preferably additionally, the same applies mutatis mutandis to the second half-periods for the reasons stated, namely that the individual second amplitudes of the complete second half-periods preferably differ from the mean second amplitude by no more than 15%, more preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably by no difference.

[0033] An even greater uniformity of a waveform material attenuation over its length can be achieved analogously to the half-wavelengths in that for each waveform material attenuation from the plurality of waveform material attenuations, the mean first amplitude does not differ from the mean second amplitude by more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably not.

[0034] In the present case, it is not a question of a degenerate waveform, according to which the waveform material attenuations have only a first half-period and / or only a second half-period and yet extend essentially across an entire blister pack. Rather, it is intended that the length of the waveform material attenuations from the plurality of waveform material attenuations, measured along their individual virtual trajectory, is a multiple of the mean first half-wavelength and / or a multiple of the mean second half-wavelength.

[0035] The wave-shaped material weakenings of a packaging film can vary in length depending on how their individual virtual paths extend relative to the machine direction of the packaging film, or depending on how their individual paths extend relative to a rectangular blank of a lid blank made from the packaging film. If the individual virtual paths of the wave-shaped material weakenings extend diagonally to the machine direction of the packaging film or to the longitudinal direction of the rectangular blank, the wave-shaped material weakenings can become increasingly shorter toward the corners of the packaging film or the blank. Such wave-shaped material weakenings near the corners, which are shortened solely due to a lack of film surface area for their formation, will be disregarded here.At a sufficient distance from corner regions of the packaging film with shortened wave-shaped material weakenings, the length of the wave-shaped material weakenings from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings, measured along their individual virtual trajectory, is preferably at least five times, preferably at least ten times, even more preferably at least twenty times the mean first half-wavelength and the mean second half-wavelength.

[0036] Preferably, the mean first half-wavelength is equal to the mean second half-wavelength and has a value of between 2 mm and 4 mm, more preferably between 2.5 mm and 3 mm. According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the mean wavelength of a wave-shaped material weakening as the sum of the mean first half-wavelength and the mean second half-wavelength is between 5 mm and 6 mm, more preferably between 5.5 mm and 5.7 mm. The preferred embodiment of the packaging film has numerous wave-shaped material weakenings adjacent along the virtual following path, each with a length in the range of between 280 mm and 290 mm, measured along their respective individual path. Specifically, the aforementioned preferred exemplary embodiment has at least one rectangular weakening field with a width of 200 mm.The wave-shaped material weakenings are preferably located exclusively in the at least rectangular weakening field, with their individual virtual paths inclined by 45° to the longitudinal direction of the rectangular weakening field and to the width direction, so that the wave-shaped material weakenings running from side edge to side edge, measured along their respective individual paths, have a length of approximately 282 millimeters. According to the Pythagorean theorem, the length of such a wave-shaped material weakening corresponds to the width of the weakening field multiplied by the square root of 2.

[0037] A length of the waveform material attenuations from the plurality of waveform material attenuations which corresponds to at least 50, 60, 70, 80 or even 90 times the mean first and the mean second half-wavelength is therefore not only possible but quite advantageous.

[0038] In principle, a wave-shaped material weakening with a large amplitude can deviate significantly from its individual virtual trajectory. However, this leads to technical difficulties in toolmaking for the formation of such wave-shaped material weakenings that can no longer be ignored. Therefore, the length of the wave-shaped material weakenings from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings, measured along their individual virtual trajectory, is preferably a multiple of the average first amplitude and / or a multiple of the average second amplitude.

[0039] In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, the mean first amplitude is preferably equal to the mean second amplitude and has a value of between 0.2 mm and 0.8 mm, particularly preferably between 0.35 mm and 0.65 mm, even more preferably about 0.5 mm.

[0040] To facilitate tool construction for mechanically forming wave-shaped material weakenings by blades, the average first half-wavelength is preferably greater than the average first amplitude. Likewise, the average second half-wavelength is preferably greater than the average second amplitude. As shown in the preferred embodiment, the average first half-wavelength is 2.5 to 12 times, preferably 3 to 8 times, and even more preferably 5 to 6 times the average first amplitude. The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the average second half-wavelength in relation to the average second amplitude.

[0041] In principle, it should not be ruled out that the corrugated material weakenings are introduced into the packaging film by radiation sources, for example by laser scoring. The corrugated material weakenings are preferably cut into the material layer of the packaging film by a knife stamp or quasi-endlessly by a rotating knife roller. On the knife roller, the blades cutting the corrugated material weakenings preferably run continuously from one axial end to the opposite axial end of the blade area of ​​the knife roller. The blade area of ​​the knife roller preferably has a cylindrical envelope with axial ends lying in one plane. In the case of packaging film unwound from a supply roll, the winding axis of the supply roll and the axis of the knife roller are preferably parallel.

[0042] In principle, the individual virtual trajectory of a wave-shaped material weakening can have any desired course, even a curved one. To ensure the simple and reliable arrangement of a densely packed wave-shaped material weakening within a given weakening field of a packaging film, it is preferable for each wave-shaped material weakening from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings to have its respective individual virtual trajectory be a straight, individual virtual axis.

[0043] Further preferably, in order to achieve the densest possible packing of wave-shaped material weakenings on the packaging film, the individual virtual course axes of the wave-shaped material weakenings from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings are parallel to one another.

[0044] Furthermore, wave-shaped material weakenings from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings can each have a uniform wave shape but a different wave shape relative to one another. To achieve a penetration force that is as uniform as possible across a weakened area of ​​the packaging film weakened by wave-shaped material weakenings, the majority of wave-shaped material weakenings preferably have a uniform wave shape.

[0045] In the blister pack produced with the packaging film discussed here, it is always unknown how and, above all, where a consumer will locally exert pressure on the packaging film through a packaged object in order to locally break through the packaging film and remove the packaged object from a product-receiving recess in the container component. In order to always be able to achieve a sufficient penetration force for a local tearing of the packaging film, as independent as possible of the respective consumer's preference for exerting pressure and as independent as possible of the shape of the packaged component, it is advantageous if, for each wave-shaped material weakening from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings, two wave-shaped material weakenings immediately adjacent along the virtual subsequent path are phase-shifted from one another.This is especially true for uniform waveform material attenuations with a uniform, consistent wave shape. Preferably, immediately adjacent waveform material attenuations are phase-shifted by 180°, so that along the virtual following path, the peak locations of the first half-periods of one waveform material attenuation are opposite the peak locations of the second half-periods of the immediately adjacent other waveform material attenuation, and the peak locations of the second half-periods of one waveform material attenuation are opposite the peak locations of the first half-periods of the immediately adjacent other waveform material attenuation.

[0046] Preferably, the virtual follower path is rectilinear, and more preferably, the virtual follower path is oriented orthogonally to the individual virtual path of a waveform material weakening. With the preferred use of parallel rectilinear individual virtual paths, the virtual follower path is preferably oriented orthogonally to all parallel individual virtual paths.

[0047] In the above-mentioned preferred embodiment, the phase shift of two immediately adjacent waveform material attenuations, which also run along rectilinear parallel individual virtual trajectories, is 180°, wherein the minimum distance between peak locations opposite each other along the virtual trajectory is between 1 mm and 1.5 mm and wherein the maximum distance between peak locations opposite each other along the virtual trajectory is between 3 mm and 3.5 mm.

[0048] In general, the minimum distance to be measured along the virtual following path between two immediately adjacent waveform material weakenings is preferably greater than their average first and / or average second amplitude, for example by at least a factor of 1.5 to 4, preferably by at least a factor of 2 to 3. This serves to ensure a sufficient minimum strength of the packaging film.

[0049] For the same reason, the minimum distance to be measured along the virtual tracking path between two immediately adjacent waveform material attenuations is generally smaller than their mean first and / or mean second half-wavelengths. For example, both the mean first and the mean second half-wavelengths can each be at least a factor of 1.5 to 4, preferably at least a factor of 2 to 3, greater than the minimum distance.

[0050] In principle, the waveform material weakenings can have any desired, but preferably uniform, wave shape, such as a zigzag wave, a sawtooth wave, a rectangular wave, or a sine wave. To facilitate the construction of mechanical tools for forming the waveform material weakenings, at least some of the peak locations of the first half-periods are formed by a straight section of the waveform material weakening. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, for the same reason, at least some of the peak locations of the second half-periods are formed by a straight section of the waveform material weakening. Alternatively, or preferably additionally, at least some of the turning points are formed by a straight section of the waveform material weakening.Preferably, all peak locations of a waveform material weakening and all turning locations of a waveform material weakening are each formed by a straight section. Further preferably, the peak locations of the first half-periods are parallel to the peak locations of the second half-periods of a waveform material weakening. Further preferably, the consecutive straight turning locations along the individual virtual trajectory enclose an angle with one another in a range from 100° to 160°, particularly preferably from 120° to 140°. Further preferably, the straight peak location sections of the first and second half-periods are of equal length. However, the straight peak location sections of the first and second half-periods are preferably shorter than the straight turning location sections between two peak locations.

[0051] Where two straight sections of a wave-shaped material weakening meet at an angle, the straight sections are preferably connected on the concave side of the angled line section thus formed by a curved line with a radius of curvature in the range from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, more preferably with a radius of curvature in the range from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm, with radii of curvature in the upper half of the said range, i.e. approximately 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm or 0.6 mm, to ensure a smooth exit of a knife generating the wave-shaped material weakening from the material of the packaging film.

[0052] To facilitate its recyclability after use, the packaging film is preferably free of a metal foil, in particular aluminum foil, which is frequently used in the prior art as a barrier layer. The packaging film is preferably a sealable polymer film. However, it should not be ruled out that the packaging film is bonded to the container component by applying an adhesive. In this case, a sealing layer providing sealability can be omitted. However, the polymer film preferably has a structural layer arrangement with at least one structural layer and an exposed sealing layer carried by the structural layer arrangement. The structural layer arrangement has a greater thickness than the sealing layer. The structural layer arrangement can be formed by several polymer layers, which are then preferably based on the same polymer type or the same monomer for recycling purposes.The structural layer arrangement can be monoaxially or biaxially stretched, with biaxial stretching being preferred. The structural layer arrangement can be formed from a polyolefin, such as biaxially oriented polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate, in particular biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate, to name just two preferred examples. In the former case, the sealing layer preferably formed on the structural layer arrangement can be formed from polypropylene; in the latter case, the sealing layer is preferably formed from a polyethylene terephthalate copolymer.

[0053] The packaging film can have a thickness in a range of 20 µm to 50 µm. In a preferred embodiment, the structural layer arrangement has a thickness in the range of 25 µm to 35 µm, preferably 30 µm, and the sealing layer has a thickness in the range of 4 µm to 8 µm, preferably 6 µm.

[0054] It has been found that corrugated material weakenings preferably extend between 30% and 70% of the packaging film's thickness. The choice of the depth dimension of the corrugated material weakenings depends, among other things, on the packaging film material and its thickness.

[0055] Since container components for blister packs, apart from their product-receiving recesses, generally have a rectangular shape, with the connecting surface of a container component intended for connection to the packaging film in particular having a rectangular shape, optionally with rounded corners, the packaging film also has a preferably substantially rectangular weakening area in which the material weakenings are located. Each wave-shaped material weakening from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings runs continuously from one edge of the weakening area to another edge of the weakening area. The weakening area can occupy the entire packaging film.To facilitate processing, the immediately weakened but still uncut packaging film can have an unweakened edge region along at least one edge region in the transverse direction, preferably along both opposite edge regions in the transverse direction. On the packaging film cut for further processing into a blister pack, the entire surface is covered by material weakening. Edge regions free of material weakening at the two edges running along the unwinding direction of the packaging film from a supply roll then no longer exist.

[0056] Preferably, the wave-shaped material weakenings are located only in the at least one weakening zone. A packaging film can have more than one weakening zone, with two weakening zones separated from each other by a zone free of material weakenings. The separating zone free of material weakenings is larger than the zone between two wave-shaped material weakenings immediately adjacent along the following path.

[0057] Typically, the packaging films described are supplied as a supply roll from which packaging film material is unwound. The mechanical introduction of corrugated material weakenings creates micro-scars on the surface of the film on which the corrugated material weakenings are applied. As blades cut into a material layer and then withdraw the blades from the material layer, a residual plastic deformation remains on the surface. To prevent diameter differences along the winding axis from building up due to micro-scars during winding, the individual virtual paths are inclined relative to the unwinding direction. The unwinding direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the aforementioned rectangular weakening field.

[0058] To also avoid the risk of tearing at the wave-shaped material weakenings during the web run of the unwound packaging film, the individual virtual paths are also inclined relative to the winding axis or relative to the transverse direction of the packaging film or relative to the width direction of the rectangular weakening field. Therefore, the individual virtual paths of the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings preferably form an angle in a range of 35° to 65°, preferably in a range of 40° to 50°, particularly preferably 45°, with the longitudinal direction of the weakening field or with an unwinding direction of the packaging film from a supply roll.The inclination in the preferred range can also support the above-mentioned effect of the wave shape, which ensures that the push-through packaging film can always be broken through with essentially the same push-through force, regardless of the shape of the packaged product and regardless of the location at which the push-through force is applied.

[0059] Preferably, the packaging film predominantly comprises wave-shaped material weakenings, particularly preferably only wave-shaped material weakenings, wherein in corner regions according to the above description, wave-shaped material weakenings can be so short that they only have a half-period or even only an incomplete half-period.

[0060] The present invention also relates to push-through packaging, comprising a manually deformable container component with at least one receiving volume enclosed by the container component for receiving a product to be packaged, wherein the receiving volume can be reduced by manual force, wherein the container component has a removal opening for removing the product to be packaged, which is closed by a push-through packaging film, as described and further developed above, as a push-through lid film. The wave-shaped material weakenings of the push-through lid film are dimensioned in relation to the dimensions of the removal opening covered by it such that a plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings run within the opening area enclosed by the removal opening and covered by the push-through lid film.

[0061] The container component is permanently formed, preferably by thermal deep drawing or the like, with at least one product receiving recess known per se, which, together with the push-through packaging film as a lid film, encloses the at least one receiving volume.

[0062] For recycling purposes, the container component is preferably formed from a polymer monofilm whose polymer originates from the same polymer family as the polymer of the packaging film or is based on the same monomer. Therefore, the container component is preferably formed from a polypropylene film or a polyethylene film.

[0063] The container component can have a sealing layer on its surface intended for connection to the packaging film. However, this is not necessary given the described material compatibility. The sealing layer formed on the preferably sealable polymer film of the packaging film is sufficient to permanently thermally seal the packaging film to the container component.

[0064] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 is a roughly schematic plan view of a push-through packaging film according to the present invention to illustrate the wave-shaped material weakenings introduced therein, Fig. 2 a magnifying glass enlargement of the magnifying glass circle II in Fig. 1 for a detailed top view of the waveform material weakenings, Fig. 3 a roughly schematic cross-sectional view along the section plane SS of Fig. 1 by a first embodiment of a push-through packaging film according to the present invention, Fig. 4 a roughly schematic cross-sectional view along the section plane SS of Fig. 1 by a second embodiment of a push-through packaging film according to the present invention, Fig. 5 is a roughly schematic cross-sectional view through a blister pack of the present invention using a push-through packaging film of the first embodiment as a push-through lidding film, and Fig. 6 a roughly schematic cross-sectional view through a blister pack of the present invention using a push-through packaging film of the second embodiment as a push-through lidding film.

[0065] The representations of the Fig. 1 to 6 are not to scale.

[0066] In Fig. 1, a push-through packaging film according to the invention according to the present application is generally designated 10. The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 essentially serve to illustrate the shape of wave-shaped material weakenings 26 in the packaging film 10. The structural design of the packaging film 10 of a first embodiment is shown schematically in the cross-section plan of the Fig. 1 dash-dotted section plane SS in Fig. 3. An alternative second embodiment of a packaging film 110 is shown schematically in cross section along the same cutting plane SS in Fig. 4. The section plane SS is orthogonal to the drawing plane of Fig. 1 and orthogonal to the machine direction MD, along which the packaging film 10 travels during its manufacturing process. The cutting plane SS is therefore parallel to the transverse direction CD of the packaging film 10.

[0067] First, in connection with the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 possible structural designs of the two exemplary embodiments of packaging films 10 and 110 are explained: In Fig. Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of the packaging film 10 according to the invention in cross-section. The push-through packaging film 10, which is particularly suitable for use as a push-through lidding film, hereinafter also referred to as "push-through film," comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, a one-sidedly sealable polyester film 12 as the base layer 14, wherein the base layer 14 has an exposed sealing side 14a formed by a sealing layer 16 made of a copolyester. The sealing layer 16 is supported by a core layer 18 of the base layer 14 formed of a polyester. The polyester of the core layer 18 is preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The copolyester of the sealing layer 16 is preferably polyethylene terephthalate copolymer (CoPET).

[0068] The surface of the base layer 14 opposite the sealing side 14a forms the connecting side 14b, the surface energy of which is increased by a corona treatment in a manner known per se, compared to the surface energy of the unmodified surface.

[0069] According to an advantageous optional development, the base layer 14 is provided on the connecting side 14b with an intermediate layer of an adhesive layer 20, for example based on polyurethane, with a preferred area-related application weight of 3 g / m 2 in the dry state with a polymer film 22 as a cover layer 24.

[0070] The cover layer 24 can be formed from a polyester, wherein in order to achieve the highest possible purity and to facilitate later recycling of the packaging film 10, the same polyester is preferably used to form the cover layer 24 as is also used to form the core layer 18 of the base layer 14.

[0071] The cover layer 24 can alternatively be formed from a polyolefin, in particular from polypropylene, in which case, to facilitate later recycling of the packaging film 10 or a blister pack formed with its participation (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) preferably, an adhesive that can be dissolved by a solvent, such as sodium hydroxide solution, is used in the adhesive layer 20. By dissolving the adhesive layer 20, the cover layer 24, as a foreign material, can then be separated from the remaining packaging, which is predominantly made of polyester, in particular PET, for example, to at least 95% by weight.

[0072] The base layer 14 has a total thickness with a thickness dimension D in the range of 23 µm to 40 µm, preferably 30 µm. In contrast, the cover layer 24 has a significantly smaller total thickness with a thickness dimension d in the range of 4 µm to 5 µm, particularly preferably 4.5 µm.

[0073] The cover layer 24 can be printed with printing inks using a front-to-back or reverse printing process, for example, with consumer information about the type and quantity of contents packaged using the packaging film 10. In the case of a front-to-back printing application of the cover layer 24 on the surface facing away from the adhesive layer 20, the cover layer 24 is preferably additionally provided with an overprint varnish to protect the print application from external influences, such as abrasion. If no cover layer 24 and consequently no adhesive layer 20 is present, the core layer 18 on the connecting side 14b can be printed using the front-to-back printing process.

[0074] In the packaging film 10 of the first embodiment, the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 are introduced into the base layer 14 from the sealing side 14a in the form of regular, linear, wave-shaped mechanical incisions 28, wherein the depth dimension T of the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 extends approximately over approximately half the thickness dimension D of the base layer 14. The cross-section of the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 is exaggerated. In reality, the opposing flanks of the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 abut one another. The depth dimension T of a wave-shaped material weakening 26 can fluctuate along its length. In the area of ​​extension of the wave-shaped material weakenings 26, the base layer 14 has a residual layer thickness of DT reduced by the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 by their respective depth dimension T.

[0075] Due to the wave-shaped material weakenings 26, the strength of the material cohesion of the base layer 14 and the packaging film 10 is reduced overall to such an extent that the packaging film 10 can be locally broken through by locally exerting force on the sealing side 14a of the base layer 14 and thus the packaging film 10.

[0076] The cover layer 24 increases the strength of the packaging film 10 to such an extent that the mechanical and dynamic forces acting on the base layer 14 and later the packaging film 10 during its manufacture and during the manufacture of a blister pack do not lead to local damage to the packaging film 10. However, due to the small thickness d of the cover layer 24, the increase in strength caused by its lamination is so small that the puncture resistance of the packaging film 10 is still maintained.

[0077] Advantageously, the adhesive layer 20 between the cover layer 24 and the core layer 18 of the base layer 14 acts as a load buffer, which distributes forces acting selectively on the cover layer 24 over a larger effective area on the base layer 14, which advantageously improves the processability of the packaging film 10.

[0078] Preferably, both the polymer film 22 of the cover layer 24 and at least the core layer 18 of the sealable polyester film 12 of the barrier layer 14 are stretched, preferably biaxially stretched, in order to achieve the same material strength with a lower material thickness.

[0079] In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the core layer 18, the adhesive layer 20, and the cover layer 24 form a structural layer arrangement 15 as defined in the introduction to the description. As already indicated, the cover layer 24 does not need to be present, nor does the adhesive layer 20.

[0080] In Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the packaging film 110 in the same roughly schematic cross-sectional view as in Fig. 3. Identical and functionally equivalent components and component sections as in the first embodiment of Fig. 3 are in the second embodiment of Fig. 4 are provided with the same reference numerals, but increased by the number 100. The second embodiment will be described below only insofar as it differs from the first embodiment. Otherwise, for an explanation of the second embodiment, express reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

[0081] The embodiment of Fig. 4 differs from the embodiment of Fig. 3, among other things, in that the wave-shaped material weakenings 126 are introduced into the base layer 114 not from the sealing side 114a, but from the connecting side 114b. Accordingly, in the second embodiment of the packaging film 110, the sealing layer 116 of the base layer 114 is undamaged, in contrast to the first embodiment.

[0082] A further difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the second embodiment does not have a cover layer and consequently also no adhesive layer for bonding the cover layer to the base layer 114. In the second embodiment, the core layer 118 alone forms the structural layer arrangement 115. A print job can be applied to the bonding side 114b of the base layer 114 using the straight printing process. The wave-shaped material weakenings 126 do not prevent a print job. However, the second embodiment can also have a cover layer laminated to the base layer 114 by means of an adhesive layer, in the same way as the first embodiment.

[0083] The wave-shaped material weakenings 26 and 126 are introduced into the base layer 14 and 114, respectively, using a knife roller, for example. The knife roller carries blades that essentially correspond to a positive shape of the material weakenings 26 and 126. With the surface to be weakened, the base layer 14 and 114 is guided past the knife roller, with the surface to be weakened facing the knife roller. A counter-roller presses the base layer 14 and 114 against the knife roller, thus causing the blades carried by the knife roller to cut into the base layer 14 and 114, respectively. As an alternative to a knife roller, a knife stamp with protruding blades can also be used, which is pressed into a surface of the base layer 14 and 114, respectively.

[0084] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of the course of the wave-shaped material weakenings 26. This top view also applies to the wave-shaped material weakenings 126 or to the packaging film 110 of the second embodiment. For better readability of the description, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 only the two-digit reference symbols are used.

[0085] The Fig. The packaging film 10, shown only in abbreviated form in Figure 1, has a rectangular weakening area 50 due to processing with the knife roller or a knife stamp, in which the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 are located. The weakening area 50 has a slightly smaller width b than the width B of the packaging film 10 measured in the transverse direction CD.

[0086] The width b of the weakening field 50 corresponds to the axially effective cutting width of the knife roller or the effective cutting width of the knife punch, depending on the tool used to create the weakening field 50. The weakening field 50 has a length L, wherein the length L essentially corresponds to the length of the packaging film 10 when a knife roller is used to create the weakening field 50, and wherein the length L corresponds to the effective cutting length of the knife punch when a knife punch is used.

[0087] The packaging film 10 therefore has an unweakened edge region 52 or 54 running along the machine direction MD in and against the transverse direction CD. This facilitates the processing of the packaging film 10. The machine direction MD, which is orthogonal to the transverse direction CD, corresponds to a unwinding direction of the packaging film 10 from a supply roll.

[0088] A dashed line running along the machine direction MD indicates a virtual cutting line in the transverse direction CD on each side of the weakening field 50, along which the edge regions 52 and 54 are severed during further processing of the packaging film 10, so that by cutting, a further-processed packaging film 10 is formed in which wave-shaped material weakenings 26 extend continuously from an initial edge of the packaging film 10 to an end edge of the packaging film 10 that is different from the initial edge. Without cutting, the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 extend continuously at least from an initial edge of the weakening field 50 to an end edge of the weakening field 50 that is different from the initial edge.

[0089] The wave-shaped material weakenings 26 extend along an individual virtual path V indicated by dashed lines, of which Fig. 1 For the sake of clarity, only one trajectory V is shown as a representative of the individual virtual trajectory V of each waveform material weakening 26.

[0090] The individual wave-shaped material weakenings 26 on or in the packaging film 10 are adjacent to one another along a likewise virtual subsequent path F and follow one another along this virtual subsequent path F. As a virtual subsequent path, the subsequent path F is also shown with dashed lines.

[0091] Fig. 2 shows in magnifying glass the magnifying glass section II of Fig. 1. The waveform material weakenings 26 can be seen more clearly therein. For the purposes of the following description only, a first waveform material weakening is designated 261, and a second waveform material weakening immediately adjacent to the first waveform material weakening 261 along the virtual follower path F is designated 262.

[0092] The first and second waveform material weakenings 261 and 262, like the other waveform material weakenings 26, each have the same regular waveform along their individual virtual trajectory V, which is why it is basically sufficient to Fig. 2 to describe a waveform 26.

[0093] The second waveform material attenuation 262 is phase-shifted by 180° with respect to the first waveform material attenuation 261, with the distance between two immediately consecutive locations of the same phase along the trajectory V corresponding, as usual, to 360°. This means that the second waveform material attenuation 262 is configured as a mirror image of the first waveform material attenuation 261 with respect to an axis of symmetry parallel to the respective parallel individual virtual trajectories V of the first and second waveform material attenuations 261 and 262, respectively.

[0094] In the attenuation field 50, each waveform material attenuation 26 is phase-shifted by 180° with respect to each of the waveform material attenuations 26 immediately adjacent to it along the virtual subsequent path F. Therefore, along the subsequent path F, all second or next-but-one waveform material attenuations 26 are identical in shape—with the possible exception of their length, which, with the given orientation in the region of the lower left and upper right corners of the attenuation field 50, becomes increasingly shorter with increasing approach to said corners of the attenuation field 50.

[0095] If the paths V of the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 were to run parallel to the machine direction MD, the individual wave-shaped material weakenings 26 would come to lie on top of each other when the packaging film 10 is wound up, which could lead to an undesirable radial build-up of the wound packaging film 10 in the area of ​​the wave-shaped material weakenings 26. By pressing knives or blades into the base layer 14 and pulling them out again, a residual plastic deformation remains on the surface of the knife inlet, which leads to a local increase in the thickness dimension. This local increase in the thickness dimension, which in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is not shown, can increase from turn to turn when winding.

[0096] For the reason mentioned, the paths V of the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 preferably do not run parallel to the machine direction MD.

[0097] If the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 were to run orthogonally to the machine direction MD in the transverse direction CD, tensile stresses in the machine direction MD arising solely from the running or unwinding of the packaging film 10 in this direction would load the packaging film 10 at one and the same point in the machine direction MD over the entire width b of the weakening field 50 at its thinnest point, which increases the risk of undesired film tears during conventional film processing.

[0098] For this reason, the wave-shaped material weakenings 26 preferably do not run in the transverse direction CD.

[0099] In view of the above circumstances, to ensure a reasonable stockpiling of the packaging film 10 as supply rolls on the one hand, and to ensure its continuous processing in conventional machines, the preferably rectilinear individual virtual paths V are inclined relative to the machine direction MD by an inclination angle α of 30° to 60°. In the preferred embodiment, the inclination angle α is 45°.

[0100] The waveform material weakening 26 of the illustrated embodiment has alternating first and second vertex locations A1 and A2 along its individual trajectory V. When progressing along the trajectory V from left to right, a first turning point W1 lies between a first vertex location A1 and a second vertex location A2. In the same direction of progression, a second turning point W2 lies between a second vertex location A2 and a first vertex location A1. The first vertex locations A1 form local maxima, the second vertex locations A2 form local minima of the waveform material weakenings 26. At the first turning point W1, the curvature of the waveform material weakenings 26 therefore changes from convex to concave, and at the second turning point W2, it changes from concave to convex.

[0101] The first vertex locations A1 and the second vertex locations A2 are formed by straight sections, each of which runs parallel to the individual virtual trajectory V. Likewise, the first turning points W1 and the second turning points W2 are formed by straight sections that connect the first and second vertex locations A1 and A2, respectively. The equally long straight vertex locations A1 and A2 are shorter than the equally long straight turning points W1 and W2.

[0102] An individual virtual trajectory V intersects the waveform material weakenings 26 assigned to it in the respective longitudinal centers of their turning points W1 and W2.

[0103] The waveform material attenuations 26 thus have first half-periods H1, which all lie on one side of the individual virtual trajectory V of the respective waveform material attenuations 26, and have second half-periods H2, which all lie on the opposite side of the respective individual virtual trajectory V. The first and second peak locations A1 and A2 are those locations of the first and second half-periods H1 and H2, respectively, which are furthest away from the individual virtual trajectory V. The distance of the first peak location A1 from the individual virtual trajectory V is the first amplitude p1 of the first half-period H1, and the distance of the second A2 peak location from the individual virtual trajectory V is the second amplitude p2 of the second half-period H2.The distance of a second inflection point W2 from the nearest first inflection point W1 is the first half-wavelength k1 of the first half-period H1; the distance of a first inflection point W1 from the nearest second inflection point W2 is the second half-wavelength k2 of the second half-period H2. To indicate the assignment of parameters characterizing the waveform to the respective half-wave or half-period, the parameters are assigned the same ordinal numbers as the half-periods.

[0104] Due to the uniformity of the waveform material attenuations 26 of the illustrated embodiment, in which each half-period H1 or H2 is point-symmetrical to each immediately following half-period H2 or H1 with respect to the turning point W1 or W2 located between them, the first amplitudes p1 are equal to the second amplitudes p2 and the first half-wavelengths k1 are equal to the second half-wavelengths k2. Furthermore, all first amplitudes p1 of all first half-periods H1 are equal, and all second amplitudes p2 of all second half-periods H2 are equal. Likewise, all first half-wavelengths k1 of all first half-periods H1 are equal, and all second half-wavelengths k2 of all second half-periods H2 are equal.

[0105] Thus, all first half-wavelengths k1 of a waveform material attenuation 26 are also equal to an average first half-wavelength of the waveform material attenuation 26 averaged over all first half-periods H1 of the waveform material attenuation 26, and all second half-wavelengths k2 of the waveform material attenuation 26 are equal to an average second half-wavelength averaged over all second half-periods H2 of the waveform material attenuation 26. Likewise, all first amplitudes p1 of a waveform material attenuation 26 are equal to an average first amplitude averaged over all first half-periods H1 of the waveform material attenuation 26, and all second amplitudes p2 of the waveform material attenuation 26 are equal to an average second amplitude averaged over all second half-periods H2 of the waveform material attenuation 26. This is advantageous, but does not have to be the case.

[0106] In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, p1 = p2 = 0.5 mm and k1 = k2 = 2.83 mm to 2.84 mm. The first and second turning points W1 or W2 directly adjacent along an individual virtual trajectory V enclose an angle of 115° to 125°, in particular 120°, in the exemplary embodiment.

[0107] The waveform material weakenings 26 immediately adjacent along the virtual follower path F have a minimum distance m of between 1.2 mm and 1.25 mm and a maximum distance M of between 3.2 mm and 3.25 mm. Fig. The common wavelength K of the waveform material attenuations 26 shown in Figure 2 is the sum of the first and second half-wavelengths k1 + k2.

[0108] The packaging film 10 is free of metal foils to facilitate its recycling after use.

[0109] In Fig. 5 shows a roughly schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a blister pack 30, which is formed with the packaging film 10 of the first embodiment as a push-through film 32 of the blister pack 30.

[0110] The blister pack 30 comprises a container component 34, hereinafter referred to as the "blister carrier 34," which is preferably designed as a single-layer monofilm for recycling purposes. The thickness ratios of the push-through film 32 and the blister carrier 34 are also not to scale.

[0111] The blister carrier 34 is preferably made of polyester, particularly preferably of the same polyester from which the core layer 18 of the push-through film 32 is made, thus preferably PET in the present case. Although the blister carrier 34 can have a sealing layer on its removal side 34b to increase the strength of the bond with the packaging film 10 or push-through film 32, this is not necessary. The sealing layer 16 made of copolyester can seal directly with the polyester of the blister carrier 34.

[0112] By deep drawing, at least one product receiving recess 36 is formed in the blister carrier 34, in which a product 38, for example, a tablet, a capsule, or another rigid object such as chewing gum or a tool insert, is received. The product receiving recess 36, in particular its removal opening 37, is completely covered by the push-through film 32. The push-through film 32 is permanently connected to the removal side 34b by heat sealing.

[0113] With its support side 34a, the blister carrier 34 can rest on a surface, such as a table or a shelf, and be made available for use.

[0114] The blister carrier 34 is flexible in a manner known per se such that by exerting force on the border of the product receiving recess 36 on the support side 34a, the product 38 received in the product receiving recess 36 can be pressed against the push-through film 32 exposed in the region of the product receiving recess 36. The force thus exerted on the sealing side 14a of the push-through film 32 can, due to the material weakenings 26, cause the push-through film 32 to tear above the product receiving recess 36, and thus the product 38 can be removed on the removal side 34b of the blister carrier 34 through the locally opened push-through film 32.

[0115] In Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a blister pack 130. The same and functionally identical components and component sections as in the first embodiment of Fig. 5 are in Fig. 6 with the same reference numerals as in Fig.5, but increased by the number 100.

[0116] The second embodiment of the blister pack 130 will be described below only insofar as it differs from the first embodiment of the blister pack 30. Otherwise, for an explanation of the second embodiment, express reference is made to the description of the first embodiment.

[0117] The second embodiment of the blister pack 130 differs from the first embodiment in that the push-through film 132 is formed by the packaging film 110. The continuously closed sealing layer 116, which is not damaged by material weakenings 126, is again permanently connected to the blister carrier 132 by heat sealing. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2009 / 188827 A1 [0002, 0003, 0006, 0007] US 2016 / 0257438 A1 [0002, 0003, 0006, 0008] US 2013 / 008825 A1

[0010] US 2013 / 306511 A1

[0010]

Claims

[1] A push-through packaging film (10; 110), in particular a push-through lidding film (32; 132) for a blister pack (30; 130), comprising at least one material layer with material weakenings (26; 126) introduced therein, wherein the material weakenings (26; 126) run in the thickness direction of the packaging film (10; 110) without completely penetrating the packaging film (10; 110), wherein the material weakenings (26; 126) have a linear course orthogonal to the thickness direction, and wherein the material weakenings (26; 126) do not intersect one another, characterized bythat the packaging film (10; 110) has a plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings (26; 126), each of which runs along an individual virtual trajectory (V) as a continuous wave-shaped material weakening with a plurality of apex locations (A1, A2) following one another along the individual trajectory (V) and with a turning point (W1, W2) located between each two successive apex locations (A1, A2), wherein the direction of curvature of the wave-shaped material weakening (26; 126) changes alternately at turning points (W1, W2) following one another along the individual trajectory (V), wherein the individual virtual trajectory (V) is conceived of as intersecting the wave-shaped material weakening (26; 126) at its turning points (W1, W2), so that each wave-shaped material weakening (26; 126) from the majority of waveform material weakenings (26;126) has first half-periods (H1) located on a first side of its individual virtual trajectory (V) and second half-periods (H2) located on a second side of its individual virtual trajectory (V) opposite the first side, wherein the waveform material weakenings (26; 126) from the plurality of waveform material weakenings (26; 126) are immediately adjacent to one another along a virtual subsequent trajectory (F) extending transversely to their respective individual trajectory (V); [2] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to claim 1, characterized bythat for each waveform material attenuation (26; 126) from the plurality of waveform material attenuations (26; 126) it applies that it has a mean first half-wavelength (k1) averaged over all of its complete first half-periods (H1), wherein the individual first half-wavelengths (k1) of the complete first half-periods (H1) differ in amount from the mean first half-wavelength (k1) by no more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably not differing, and / or that it has a mean second half-wavelength (k2) averaged over all of its complete second half-periods (H2), wherein the individual second half-wavelengths (k2) of the complete second half-periods (H2) differ in amount from the mean second half-wavelength (k2) by no more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably not differing. [3] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to claim 2, characterized by that for each waveform material attenuation (26; 126) of the plurality of waveform material attenuations (26; 126) the mean first half-wavelength (k1) differs from the mean second half-wavelength (k2) by no more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably does not differ. [4] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat for each waveform material attenuation (26; 126) from the plurality of waveform material attenuations (26; 126) it applies that it has a mean first amplitude (p1) averaged over all of its complete first half-periods (H1), wherein the individual first amplitudes (p1) of the complete first half-periods (H1) differ in amount from the mean first amplitude (p1) by no more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably not differing, and / or that it has a mean second amplitude (p2) averaged over all of its complete second half-periods (H2), wherein the individual second amplitudes (p2) of the complete second half-periods (H2) differ in amount from the mean second amplitude (p2) by no more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably not differing. [5] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to claim 4, characterized by that for each waveform material attenuation (26; 126) of the plurality of waveform material attenuations (26; 126) the mean first amplitude (p1) does not differ from the mean second amplitude (p2) by more than 15%, preferably by no more than 8%, particularly preferably not. [6] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of claims 2 to 5, including claim 2, characterized by that the length of the waveform material attenuations (26; 126) from the plurality of waveform material attenuations (26; 126), measured along their individual virtual trajectory (V), is a multiple of the mean first half-wavelength (k1) and / or a multiple of the mean second half-wavelength (k2). [7] Press-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of claims 2 to 6, including claim 4, characterized bythat the length of the waveform material attenuations (26; 126) from the plurality of waveform material attenuations (26; 126), measured along their individual virtual trajectory (V), is a multiple of the mean first amplitude (p1) and / or a multiple of the mean second amplitude (p2). [8] A pierceable packaging film (10; 110) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, including claims 2 and 4, characterized by that the mean first half-wavelength (k1) is greater than the mean first amplitude (p1) and / or that the mean second half-wavelength (k2) is greater than the mean second amplitude (p2). [9] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat for each waveform material weakening (26; 126) of the plurality of waveform material weakenings (26; 126) its respective individual virtual trajectory (V) is a straight individual virtual trajectory axis. [10] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to claim 9, characterized by that individual virtual progression axes are parallel to each other. [11] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plurality of wave-form material weakenings (26; 126) have a uniform wave shape. [12] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to claim 11, characterized by that for each waveform material attenuation (26; 126) from the plurality of waveform material attenuations (26; 126) it applies that two waveform material attenuations (26; 126) immediately adjacent along the virtual following path (F) are phase-shifted from one another. [13] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least some of the peak locations (A1) of the first half-periods (H1) and / or at least some of the peak locations (A2) of the second half-periods (H2) and / or at least some of the turning locations (W1, W2) are formed by a rectilinear section of the waveform material weakening (26; 126). [14] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the packaging film (10; 110) is a sealable polymer film (14; 114) with a structural layer arrangement (15; 115) and with a sealing layer (16; 116) carried by the structural layer arrangement (15; 115). [15] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the packaging film (10; 110) has a substantially rectangular weakening field (50) in which the material weakenings (26; 126) are located, wherein each wave-shaped material weakening (26; 126) from the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings (26; 126) runs continuously from one edge of the weakening field (50) to another edge of the weakening field (50). [16] Push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to claim 15, characterized by that the individual virtual paths (V) of the plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings (26; 126) enclose an angle (α) in a range from 35° to 65°, preferably in a range from 40° to 50°, particularly preferably 45°, with the longitudinal direction of the weakening field (50) or with an unwinding direction (MD) of the packaging film (10; 110) from a supply roll. [17] Push-through packaging (30; 130) comprising a manually deformable container component (34; 134) with at least one product receiving volume (36; 136) enclosed by the container component (34; 134) for receiving a product (38; 138) to be packaged, wherein the product receiving volume (36; 136) can be reduced in size by manual force, wherein the container component (34; 134) has a removal opening (37; 137) for removing the product to be packaged, which is closed by a push-through packaging film (10; 110) according to one of the preceding claims as a push-through lid film (32; 132), wherein the wave-shaped material weakenings (26; 126) of the push-through lid film (32; 132) are in relation to the dimensions of the removal opening (37; 137) covered by it. 137) are dimensioned such that within the area enclosed by the removal opening (37; 137) and by the push-through cover film (32;132) covered opening surface a plurality of wave-shaped material weakenings (26; 126) extend.;

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