PORTION POUCHES, PACKAGING MACHINE AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a portion bag and a packaging machine as well as a method for forming portion bags, wherein the portion bag forms a closed chamber in which a product is received, wherein the portion bag is formed exclusively from a film web formed into a tube, wherein a weld seam is formed in a longitudinal direction along the portion bag, wherein closure seams are formed at each end of the portion bag.

[0002] Such portion bags are well known in the art and are also referred to as tubular bags, micro-tubular bags, or stick packs. Micro-tubular bags or stick packs are used to package small products or product quantities. These can be, for example, liquids, powders, granules, or small unit loads such as reagents, pharmaceutical powders, tablets, etc. To produce the portion bag or to package the product in the portion bag, a film web made of a plastic material or polymer is drawn from a roll and guided over a forming shoulder.

[0003] The forming shoulder is designed in such a way that the film web is folded at the forming shoulder in such a way that opposite long sides of the film web are brought together and a tube is formed. The long sides are then welded together so that a single weld seam is formed in a longitudinal direction along the portion bag. At a lower end of the portion bag, a closing seam is formed by welding the film web so that the product can be introduced into the chamber via a tube into a chamber thus formed from the film web and which is open at the top. The chamber is in turn welded with a closing seam at an upper end, whereby this closing seam can simultaneously form a closing seam at a lower end of a subsequent chamber.

[0004] Furthermore, such products can also be packaged in so-called flat bags, whereby the products are arranged between two independent film webs and the two film webs are welded together to form a portion bag by creating corresponding weld seams. With these portion bags, weld seams then run circumferentially along the side edges of the portion bag. The disadvantage here is that a comparatively larger amount of film is required to form such portion bags, relative to the packaging contents. Alternatively, such products can also be packaged in so-called cup blisters or blister cards. However, the disadvantage here is that a tool has to be manufactured for blister packaging, which means the chamber size is fixed. With a portion bag, on the other hand, the chamber size can be variably selected by applying the closing seams.

[0005] It is also known to add desiccants to packaging. These are usually silica gel or zeolite granules. Such desiccants are hardly usable in relatively small portion bags, especially since product contamination must be prevented.

[0006] JP H07 110649 B2 describes a sachet to which a desiccant sachet is attached. Such sachets are particularly common in the food industry and typically have a vapor-permeable wall. This poses the risk of the product inside the sachet coming into contact with the desiccant in the sachet. This must be strictly avoided with pharmaceutical products.

[0007] US 4 907 393 A also describes a sachet comprising a packet of desiccant, the packet being glued to the sachet.

[0008] US 3,084,984 A describes a portion bag for food products such as chips, nuts, and the like. The portion bag described therein comprises a strip-shaped element with a desiccant, which is integrated between two layers of the portion bag. Inserting a desiccant strip between two layers of a bag involves considerable additional effort. Furthermore, a strip arranged between two layers of a package is not capable of ensuring sufficient dryness for a pharmaceutical product.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a portion bag and a packaging machine with which it is possible to keep products dry safely and easily.

[0010] This object is achieved by a portion bag having the features of claim 1, a packaging machine having the features of claim 10 and a method having the features of claim 11.

[0011] The portion bag according to the invention forms a closed chamber, wherein a product is received in the chamber, wherein the portion bag is formed exclusively from a film web formed into a tube, wherein a weld seam is formed in a longitudinal direction along the portion bag, wherein closure seams are formed at each end of the portion bag, wherein a strip with a desiccant is arranged within the chamber, wherein the strip is welded to the film web.

[0012] According to the invention, the portion bag is formed from a single film web made of a plastic material. Therefore, a single weld seam is also formed lengthwise along the portion bag. At the same time, the strip, which is also made of a plastic material, is arranged within the chamber with the desiccant. Because it is a strip, i.e. a one-piece element that is relatively long compared to its width, mixing of the strip with a product can be largely ruled out. There is also no risk of confusing the strip with the product, since the strip is welded to the film web and therefore cannot be easily removed from the chamber. The welding of strips and film webs is made possible by the fact that the strip and the film web are made of a corresponding plastic material.Welding can be carried out cost-effectively using simple means.

[0013] One side of the strip can be completely sealed to the film web. This prevents the product, especially a powdered product, from getting between the film web and the strip. Fully sealing the strip to the film web ensures that the portion bag can be completely emptied.

[0014] The length of the strip is smaller than the relative distance between the closure seams, with the strip positioned between the closure seams. The strip cannot then prevent the closure seams from sealing tightly and could potentially cause the sachet to leak. At the same time, the length of the strip can also be dimensioned such that just the necessary amount of desiccant is placed in the chamber.

[0015] The strip is positioned adjacent to the weld seam and can be parallel to it. The strip is thus positioned adjacent to the weld seam. The parallel alignment of the strip relative to the weld seam can be achieved by moving the strip along with the film web in a feed direction. The strip can be fed from a roll, like the film web, applied to the film web, and cut to the desired length.

[0016] The portion bag can be configured with a length in a range of 30 to 190 mm and a width in a range of 17 to 50 mm, with the strip being configured with a width in a range of 3 to 10 mm. The width of the strip can then advantageously be adapted to the width of the chamber.

[0017] The weld seam can form a side edge of the portion bag. The portion bag can form a substantially rectangular or elliptical contour in cross-section. Relative to the cross-section, the weld seam can be positioned such that it forms an outer side edge of the portion bag.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the weld seam can be formed along a central region of a longitudinal side of the portion bag. Relative to a cross-section of the portion bag, the weld seam can then be formed substantially in the center of one of the longitudinal sides of the portion bag. With this arrangement of the weld seam, the portion bag can be filled with a comparatively large volume.

[0019] Alternatively, the weld seam can be formed along a long side and adjacent to a narrow side of the portion bag. The narrow side can then form a side edge of the portion bag, relative to a cross-section of the portion bag.

[0020] Furthermore, the weld seam can be folded along the long side. The folded weld seam can be welded overlapping the closure seams. The weld seam can thus be fixed in this folded position.

[0021] The product can be a powder, a granule, or at least a tablet. The product is a pharmaceutical product.

[0022] The packaging machine according to the invention serves to form portion bags according to the invention.

[0023] The packaging machine comprises a roll dispenser for dispensing a web-shaped film, a forming shoulder for folding the film into a portion bag, a longitudinal welding device for forming the weld seam on the portion bag, a tube for feeding a product into the longitudinally welded portion bag during or after the film web is guided past the longitudinal welding device, and a transverse welding device for forming the closure seam at the respective ends of the portion bag.

[0024] The packaging machine also includes a strip applicator for dispensing a web-shaped strip and a strip welding device for welding the strip to the film web before or after the forming shoulder passes through the film web. In principle, it is irrelevant at what point the strip is welded to the film web, as long as the chamber has not yet been completely closed lengthwise by the longitudinal welding device. Therefore, it is possible to apply the strip to the film web before the forming shoulder passes through the film web or afterward. The strip can advantageously be attached to the film web before the forming shoulder passes through the film web using the strip welding device. The strip can then be cut to the desired length before or during application to the film web.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments of the packaging machine emerge from the descriptions of the features of the subclaims relating to claim 1.

[0026] Furthermore, a method for producing a portion bag can be carried out with the packaging machine.

[0027] In the method according to the invention for forming portion bags with a packaging machine, a closed chamber of the portion bag is formed, in which a product is received, wherein the portion bag is formed exclusively from a film web shaped into a tube, wherein a weld seam is formed in a longitudinal direction along the portion bag, wherein closure seams are formed at each end of the portion bag, wherein a strip with a drying agent is arranged within the chamber, wherein the strip is welded to the film web, wherein a length of the strip is smaller than a relative distance of the closure seams, wherein the strip is arranged between the closure seams and adjacent to the weld seam.

[0028] Further advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the descriptions of the features of the subclaims referring back to claim 1.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1 A side view of a first embodiment of a portion bag; Fig. 2 a sectional view of the portion bag Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a side view of a second embodiment of a portion bag; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the portion bag Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 a side view of a third embodiment of a portion bag; Fig. 6 a sectional view of the portion bag Fig. 5 .

[0031] A summary of the Fig. 1 and 2shows a portion bag 10 without a detailed depiction of a product contained therein. The portion bag 10 is formed exclusively from a single film web 12 formed into a tube 11. A weld seam 13 is formed in a longitudinal direction along the portion bag 10, thus connecting the film web 12 at its side edges 14. At respective ends 15 of the portion bag 10, closure seams 16 and 17 are formed by welding the film web 12. The portion bag 10 is thus formed with a tightly sealed chamber 18 for receiving a product.

[0032] A strip 20 made of a plastic material containing a desiccant is arranged within the chamber 18. The strip 20 is completely welded to the film web 12. In particular, a length of the strip 20 is smaller than a relative distance between the closure seams 16 and 17, so that the strip 20 is arranged between the closure seams 16 and 17. Furthermore, the strip 20 is arranged adjacent to the weld seam 13 and parallel to it. Before the film web 12 is folded on a forming shoulder of a packaging machine (not shown here), the strip 20 can be applied and fastened adjacent to a side edge 14 of the film web 12 by means of a strip welding device of the packaging machine. In the embodiment of the portion bag 10 shown here, the weld seam 13 is formed along a long side 21 and adjacent to a narrow side 22 of the portion bag 10 and is folded on the long side 21.

[0033] A summary of the Figs. 3 and 4 shows a portion bag 23, in which, in contrast to the portion bag from the Fig. 1 A weld seam 24 is formed along a central region 25 of a longitudinal side 25 of the portion bag 23. The weld seam 24 is also folded along the longitudinal side 26. The strip 20 is therefore arranged in the central region 25.

[0034] A summary of the Figs. 5 and 6 shows a portion bag 27, which, in contrast to the portion bag made of Fig. 1 has a weld seam 28 forming a side edge 29 of the portion bag 27. The weld seam 28 is not folded, with the strip 20 being arranged adjacent to the weld seam 28.

Claims

1. A sachet (10, 23, 27), the sachet forming a closed chamber (18), the sachet being made of only one film web (12) which is formed into a tube (11), a weld seam (13, 24, 28) being formed in a longitudinal direction along the sachet, a closure seam (16, 17) being formed at each end (15) of the sachet, characterized in that within the chamber, a pharmaceutical product is accommodated and a strip (20) having a desiccant is disposed, the strip being welded to the film web, a length of the strip (20) being smaller than a relative distance of the closure seams (16, 17), the strip being disposed between the closure seams and adjacent to the weld seam (13, 24, 28).

2. The sachet according to claim 1, characterized in that one side of the strip (20) is completely welded to the film web (12).

3. The sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strip (20) is disposed adjacent to the weld seam (13, 24, 28) and parallel with respect to it.

4. The sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sachet (10, 23, 27) is realized having a length in a range from 30 to 190 mm and having a width in a range from 17 to 50 mm, the strip (20) being realized having a width in a range from 3 to 10 mm.

5. The sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weld seam (28) forms a lateral edge (29) of the sachet (27).

6. The sachet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the weld seam (24) is formed along a central area (25) of a long side (26) of the sachet (23).

7. The sachet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the weld seam (13) is formed along a long side (21) and adjacent to a narrow side (22) of the sachet (10).

8. The sachet according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the weld seam (13, 24) is folded at the long side (21, 26).

9. The sachet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is a powder, granules or at least one tablet.

10. A packaging machine for forming sachets (10, 23, 27) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the packaging machine comprises a reel dispenser for dispensing a web-shaped film (12), a forming shoulder for folding the film into a sachet, a longitudinal welding device for forming the weld seam (13, 24, 28) at the sachet (10, 23, 27), a tube for feeding a product into the lengthwise welded sachet while the film web is being moved or after the film web has been moved past the longitudinal welding device, and a transverse welding device for forming the closure seam (16, 17) at the respective ends (15) of the sachet, wherein the packaging machine comprises a strip applicator for dispensing a web-shaped strip (20) and a strip welding device for welding the strip to the film web before the film web passes or after the film web has passed the forming shoulder.

11. A method for forming sachets (10, 23, 27) according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 9 by means of a packaging machine according to claim 10, a closed chamber (18) of the sachet being formed in which a pharmaceutical product is accommodated, the sachet being made of only one film web (12) which is formed into a tube (11), a weld seam (13, 24, 28) being formed in a longitudinal direction along the sachet, a closure seam (16, 17) being formed at each end (15) of the sachet, wherein a strip (20) having a desiccant is disposed within the chamber, the strip being welded to the film web, a length of the strip (20) being smaller than a relative distance of the closure seams (16, 17), the strip being disposed between the closure seams and adjacent to the weld seam (13, 24, 28).