METHOD OF PRODUCING A CONTAINER FROM A RECYCLABLE MATERIAL

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of producing a container (200) for enclosing a substance (500). A flat sheet (100) made of recyclable paper material and having two opposing side edge sections (101, 102) is provided and formed into a tube (120) by folding the flat sheet (100) such that the two side edge sections (101, 102) overlap each other at an overlap section (123). The tube (120) is heat-sealed along the overlap section (123) to form a longitudinal sealing joint (130) and is heat-sealed across the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube (120) with a first transverse sealing joint (141) at a first end of the tube (121). The tube (120) is filled with a substance (500) and is thermally sealed through the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube (120) with a second transverse sealing joint (142) at a second end of the tube (122).A first and second quantity of glue (300-302) is applied to the flat sheet (100) at a first and a second triple-point section (151, 152) where the longitudinal sealing joint (130) and the respective transverse sealing joints (141, 142) intersect. The glue (300-302) seals the respective triple-point section (151, 152) after the end of the respective tube (121, 122) has been heat-sealed to form the respective transverse sealing joint (141, 142). The invention also relates to a container (200) enclosing a substance (500) and a machine (600) for producing the container (200).

Description

METHOD OF PRODUCING A CONTAINER FROM A RECYCLABLE MATERIAL 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of producing a container by providing a flat sheet, folding the flat sheet into a tube, filling the tube with a substance, and heat-sealing sections of the tube to enclose the substance within the container. The invention further relates to a container that encloses a substance and a machine for producing this container. 2. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND Typically, most single- and multi-service packaging, such as that used for coffee beans, is made from plastic materials due to their beneficial characteristics. These materials offer advantages such as durability, flexibility, low weight, long shelf life, and they prevent the flavor of the enclosed product from being altered. Furthermore, packaging can be manufactured from such materials efficiently and reliably. Unfortunately, reusing and recycling these packaging materials is a challenge. Therefore, various approaches have been implemented to replace such established materials with alternative materials that facilitate and simplify packaging recycling after use. For example, paper-based materials are proposed as alternative packaging materials because they can be recycled more easily compared to plastic materials. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi However, a disadvantage of such alternative materials is that they do not have the same or very different material properties as established materials like plastic or aluminum. For example, containers made from alternative materials often have a limited shelf life because they do not provide the same barrier against oxygen and moisture as aluminum or plastic. Furthermore, different production methods are required because alternative materials also differ from established materials in the material characteristics relevant to forming and sealing a container. For example, it is possible to provide a tubular or sachet container made from established materials in such a way that the contents inside are hermetically sealed. This reduces the risk of biological degradation from bacterial contamination, oxidation, or moisture. In contrast, a tubular or sachet container made from paper does not allow for a reliable and consistent seal. In particular, the flexural rigidity and resistance to deformation of paper material prevent reliable sealing of the package in areas where, for example, more than two layers of paper material meet or where sealing lines intersect. Furthermore, the paper material must be relatively thick compared to the dimensions related to the bending radius and joining sections of the package to provide sufficient tear resistance. Therefore, the different layers tend to return to their original position or detach immediately after an attempt at joining. This leads to gaps, holes, or voids within the designated sealing lines, making it impossible to create a hermetically sealed package using paper-based materials. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi particularly disadvantageous for packaging intended for use for food or pharmaceutical products. As a possible solution to overcome this problem, adding more sealant or adhesive to the paper material before or during sealing is considered. However, this is not an option since the paper material can only be recycled if it contains a limited amount of adhesive or sealant. Therefore, it is clear that this approach does not overcome the existing problems with the currently used materials. As an alternative solution, providing specialized packaging production machinery is considered, which requires specialized equipment to establish high bonding forces that can be maintained over extended periods. However, this leads to increased production and manufacturing costs due to the redesign of the entirely new production machinery, and its success is uncertain. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of producing a container from a recyclable paper material that hermetically seals the container, which is fully recyclable, and which facilitates the use of existing machinery for the production of said container after simple or minor modifications. These and other objectives, which become evident upon reading the description, are addressed by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention. 3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi A first aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a container for enclosing a substance. The method comprises the step of providing a flat sheet made of a recyclable paper material, having two opposing lateral edge sections. In that respect, the expression "flat sheet" can be understood as a portion of paper that can be thin in comparison to its length and can have at least one uniform surface, for example. The term "recyclable" can be understood, for example, as a material that can be fully reused for a new product or purpose after being mechanically or chemically treated using an industrial or natural process. For example, the paper material used in the invention can be collected after use and mixed with water and chemicals to break it down. It is heated and broken down into cellulose fibers. Plastic coatings and ink can be removed, provided they do not exceed a certain amount, for example, by filtration. In this respect, to successfully recycle the paper material, the amount of plastic coating on the recycled material or the amount of polymer content in the recyclable material can be only up to approximately 20%, preferably up to approximately 15%, more preferably up to approximately 10%, and most preferably up to approximately 5%, of its total weight. The flat sheet is formed into a tube by folding it so that the two side edge sections overlap at least partially. The tube is then heat-sealed along the overlap to form a longitudinal seal. Additionally, the tube is heat-sealed across the longitudinal seal to close it with a first transverse seal at one end. The tube is then filled. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi with a substance that is going to be packaged. In this respect, the term “substance” can be understood, for example, as any type of matter that is solid, liquid, at least partially soluble, and / or percolable, and that may have a particular or defined chemical constitution. Examples of substances include cosmetic, medical, or food products, such as cereals, roasted ground coffee, instant coffee, coffee blends, powdered milk, tea leaves, chocolate, or dairy products, or dehydrated edible substances. The tube is heat-sealed through a longitudinal sealing joint to close the tube with a second transverse sealing joint at the opposite end from the first end, with respect to the substance to be packaged, thus forming a container for said substance. A first amount of glue is applied to the flat sheet at a first triple-point section. At this first triple-point section, the longitudinal sealing joint and the first transverse sealing joint intersect. A second amount of glue is applied to the flat sheet at a second triple-point section. At this second triple-point section, the longitudinal sealing joint and the second transverse sealing joint intersect. The glue seals the respective triple-point section after the respective tube end has been heat-sealed to form the respective transverse sealing joint. In that respect, the expression “glue” can be understood, for example, as any substance that can be applied to the surfaces of portions between which a bond (structural / permanent / temporary) will be established. In other words, the present invention provides a method that facilitates the production of a container that not only (hermetically) encloses, wraps, or covers the substance to be packaged, but can also be easily and efficiently recycled afterward. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi to be used. Therefore, the method stipulates providing a uniform, relatively thin portion of paper-based material having two opposite side edge sections. In this respect, a side edge section can be understood as any part or portion of the flat sheet extending from one of the two opposite side edges to the other, for example. The method further provides for folding the flat sheet into a tube by folding it in such a way that the two side edge sections overlap at least partially. Thus, the two side edge sections can be arranged in the folded state so that they extend over one another, covering a portion of the tube, which may be the overlapping section. In this respect, it is also conceivable that one of the side edge sections may project over the other in the folded state.Therefore, although not excluded, it is not required that the two side edges be aligned with each other. In the overlap section, the side edge sections may be oriented with the same side of the flat sheet facing each other. Preferably, the overlap section may be formed such that it protrudes from the container. Preferably, the overlap section may be formed such that both side edge sections or the overlap section are located on an outer side of the container. The tube must then be sealed longitudinally by heat sealing. Therefore, in this case, the sealing direction may include at least one component corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the tube. During heat sealing, heat and pressure may be applied to influence the material of the surfaces to be sealed. The two ends of the tube are heat-sealed through the longitudinal sealing joint with transverse sealing joints, respectively. In that respect, the Transverse sealing joints can run obliquely or in a serpentine fashion relative to the longitudinal sealing joint, such that it is not necessary (though not excluded) for the transverse sealing joints to be orthogonal to the longitudinal sealing joint. In this way, it is possible to enclose / coat / wrap the substance being filled into the container from all sides. Naturally, there is no limitation on the number of transverse and longitudinal sealing joints, nor on the number of triple-point sections. A quantity, such as a (defined) mass or volume, of glue is placed (distributed / extended) over the triple-point sections where the longitudinal and respective transverse sealing joints intersect. In this way, it is possible to apply glue directly and only to the areas that require additional adhesive or sealant to achieve a reliable seal and closure of the container. This overcomes problems related to adhesive failure, where the adhesive itself does not form a sufficiently strong bond with the substrate. Therefore, with this selected and precise glue application, the amount of glue in the container can be kept to very low levels, allowing it to still be recycled. Furthermore, this method can be applied almost independently of the container's design details to a wide range of different packaging applications and material combinations. Consequently, the method of the invention overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art. According to a preferred embodiment, the respective amount of glue can be applied before the flat sheet forming stage on the tube. Preferably, the first and / or second amount of glue can be applied as a single dab. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi This allows for precise and accurate application and dispensing of the adhesive. Furthermore, it ensures that the adhesive remains in its dispensed form and intended position, preventing problems caused by adhesive runoff. This improves the accuracy and reliability of the seal. According to a further preferred embodiment, the glue may be a structural adhesive that can be hardened by processes such as solvent evaporation, reaction with UV radiation, chemical reactions, or by adjusting its temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the glue may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive that forms a bond by applying a certain amount of pressure to fuse the adhesive to the surface to which it is to be bonded. For example, the glue may be configured to change from a liquid state, in which it is flowable, to a solid state, in which it is dry. The physical state of the glue may be dependent on temperature and / or pressure. For example, the glue may melt at a temperature between 50°C and 220°C, preferably between 90°C and 180°C. The glue may be a hot melt adhesive, for example. Preferably, the glue can be dried before the flat sheet forming stage on the tube or at least before the heat-sealing stage of the tube to form the longitudinal sealing joint. The dried glue can be reactivated after the respective heat-sealing stage by melting it so that it flows and seals the respective triple-point section after drying. Preferably, the glue can seal the respective triple-point section such that the longitudinal sealing joint, as well as the first and second transverse sealing joints, form a hermetic seal of the container. In this respect, the term "hermetic seal" can be understood, for example, as a gas-tight seal. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi The term “dry” can be understood, for example, when the glue has changed from a liquid and / or fluid state to a hardened state. Preferably, in the hardened state, at least the outer contour of the glue may be solid. Alternatively or additionally, in the hardened state, the glue may have completely solidified. Preferably, the glue may only be, or more than just, capable of bonding in a liquid state. However, this is only one example. The term “capable of flowing” can be understood, for example, as the characteristic of a liquid or viscous paste to move or spread freely without being intensely limited or restricted by intermolecular forces. Furthermore, the term “reactivated” can be understood, for example, when the glue's capabilities change from a state in which no new bonds can form to a state in which the glue is capable of forming new (intermolecular / surface) bonds. In this way, the sealing process of the container at the triple-point sections can be improved, as the glue can be remelted when it reaches the desired sealing position. Furthermore, the container production process can be improved because the glue can be applied in a liquid state from a glue gun and then dried in such a way that subsequent process stages are not affected by wet glue, which can be disadvantageous, for example, when folding the flat sheet. Therefore, existing equipment from the prior art of packaging production of the invention can be used and adapted in such a way that production costs can be kept low. Ideally, the glue should be a recyclable, incinerable, biodegradable, and / or compostable material. In this respect, the term “biodegradable material” can be understood as any material that can be broken down into environmentally harmless products by living things (such as Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, fungi, or algae). Examples of suitable glue substances may include polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), wax, polyolefins (PO), and / or acrylic components. For example, the glue may be an acrylic-based or PO-based hot melt glue or adhesive. In this way, the packaging can be recycled and composted after use. Also, using such packaging can reduce the environmental impact of single-use packaging. According to a preferred embodiment, the flat sheet material may comprise a laminated and / or multi-layered structure with a base layer made of paper material and a sealing layer. In this respect, the adhesive may be applied (directly) to the sealing layer. The flat sheet may have various (layer) configurations, shapes, and forms. In this respect, the expression “laminated / stratified structure” can be understood, for example, as a structure comprising different parts arranged in layers, slats, or strata. In this respect, it is possible to provide the flat sheet with an arbitrary number of layers, each of which can provide a desired function, such as, for example, a sealing layer, an additional layer to form a barrier (against moisture / oxygen), and / or to provide a sealant or adhesive (such as, for example, such a sealing layer). In this way, it is possible to adapt the characteristics of the flat sheet material to the needs of the respective application. Furthermore, the packaging production process can be improved when the packaging can be produced using existing, readily available, and repurposed production equipment. According to an additional preferred modality, the stage of Providing the flat sheet may comprise the step of unwinding a longitudinal flat sheet material from a paper roll. Preferably, the step of providing the flat sheet may further comprise the step of longitudinally cutting the flat sheet material into separate flat sheets, each of which has two opposite side edge sections. A plurality of packages may be formed in series. In this respect, neighboring packages may share a transverse sealing seam, which forms the first transverse sealing seam of one package and the second transverse sealing seam of its neighboring package. Alternatively or additionally, the first quantity of glue for one of the two neighboring packages may be provided together with the second quantity of glue for its neighboring package.Preferably, the heat-sealing step of the tube to form the second transverse sealing joint can be followed by a separation step of the containers. Preferably, the separation can be completed by a transverse cutting step. Alternatively, the heat-sealing step of the tube to form the second transverse sealing joint can be followed by a weakening step of a connecting section, which preferably is the shared transverse sealing joint, to form a tear line. In this way, it is possible to increase the speed of production and the quality of the packaging. An additional aspect of the present invention relates to a container made of a flat sheet with two opposing side edge sections and made of a recyclable paper material. The container encloses a substance. In that respect, the expression “to enclose” can be understood, for example, as surrounding, covering, wrapping and / or enclosing something, such as a substance, preferably in Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi a way of sealing. The container comprises a longitudinal sealing seam along an overlapping section, in which the two opposing side edge sections overlap each other when the flat sheet is folded to form the flat sheet into a tube. The container further comprises a first transverse sealing seam, extending across the longitudinal sealing seam to close the tube at a first end. The container also comprises a second transverse sealing seam, extending across the longitudinal sealing seam to close the tube at a second end opposite the first end of the tube with respect to the enclosed substance.The package comprises a first quantity of glue that seals a first triple-point section, in which the longitudinal sealing joint and the first transverse sealing joint intersect, and a second quantity of glue that seals a second triple-point section, in which the longitudinal sealing joint and the second transverse sealing joint intersect. In this way, it is possible to provide a container that not only hermetically seals the substance to be packaged but can also be easily and efficiently recycled after use. According to a preferred embodiment, the flat sheet may comprise a multi-layered structure consisting of a base layer made of paper material and a sealing layer. Preferably, the sealing layer may be provided on at least one of the two opposite side surfaces of the flat sheet. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing layer may be provided as a coating or laminate that acts as a sealant during heat sealing. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi In this way, it is possible to adapt the characteristics of the packaging material to the needs of the respective application since the layers can provide different functionalities such as sealing properties or being water resistant. Preferably, the base coat may have a thickness of at least 50 micrometers (µm), preferably at least 60 micrometers. Preferably, the thickness of the base coat may be up to 120 micrometers. For example, the base coat may have a thickness between at least 50 micrometers and (at most) 120 micrometers. Alternatively or additionally, the sealant layer may have a thickness of 5–10 micrometers, preferably 6–8 micrometers. In this way, it is possible to provide a stable package that offers sufficient tear resistance while limiting the amount of sealant to minimal levels. Specifically, it is possible to provide a paper-based material with a relatively thin sealing layer (compared to the paper base). Therefore, with the above configuration, the physical properties and quality of the package can be improved. According to an additional preferred embodiment, the packaging may be a single-content package such as an elongated pouch, or a multi-use package such as a self-supporting pouch, a pillow pouch, and / or a reinforced pouch. Preferably, in the overlap section, the side edge sections may be oriented with the same side of the flat sheet facing each other. Preferably, the overlap section may be formed such that it protrudes from the package or such that both side edge sections or the overlap section are located on an outer side of the package. Preferably, the package may be configured to hermetically seal an enclosed food product such as the substance. This allows for improvements to the container manufacturing process, as filling can be completed almost instantaneously with the sealing process. This results in a shorter exposure time for the substance. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi environment and therefore, a container filled with this configuration may offer an improvement in the product's shelf life. Naturally, the container may include all the aforementioned features described above for the method according to the first aspect of the invention. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of these features is omitted at this point. An additional aspect of the present invention relates to a machine for producing a container for enclosing a substance as described in detail above. The machine comprises a feeding system for supplying a flat sheet made of recyclable paper material, having two opposing side edge sections. The machine further comprises a folding section for folding the supplied flat sheet such that the two opposing side edge sections overlap each other at an overlap section to form the flat sheet into a tube. The machine comprises a first heat-sealing section for heat-sealing the tube along the overlap section to form a longitudinal seal. Additionally, the machine comprises a second heat-sealing section for heat-sealing the tube across the longitudinal seal to close the tube with a first transverse seal at one end of the tube. Finally, the machine comprises a filling section for filling the tube with a substance to be packaged.In addition, the machine comprises a third heat-sealing section for heat-sealing the tube through the longitudinal sealing joint to close the tube with a second transverse sealing joint at a second end of the tube opposite the first end of the tube with respect to the substance to be packaged, to form the container enclosing said substance. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi The machine is further characterized by comprising a glue application section. The glue application section is suitable (and / or configured) to apply a first quantity of glue onto the flat sheet at a first triple-point section, where the longitudinal sealing joint and the first transverse sealing joint intersect, such that the glue seals the first triple-point section after the tube has been heat-sealed at the second heat-sealing section to form the first transverse sealing joint.The glue application section is best suited (and / or configured) to apply a second amount of glue to the flat sheet at a second triple-point section, where the longitudinal sealing joint and the second transverse sealing joint intersect. The glue then seals the second triple-point section after the tube has been heat-sealed at the third heat-sealing section to form the second transverse sealing joint. Preferably, the second and third heat-sealing sections may be identical or integral. In this way, it is possible to provide a machine that produces packaging that not only hermetically seals the substance being packaged but can also be easily and efficiently recycled after use. Specifically, the machine is capable of applying such a small amount of glue to the starting material that the sealant / adhesive content is kept at a level that facilitates the recycling of the resulting packaging. In this respect, the glue application process in the machine must be carried out as described, ensuring that the glue is applied only to the areas requiring additional sealant / adhesive during heat sealing. According to a preferred embodiment, the glue application section can be arranged on the machine in such a way that the glue dries before reaching any of the folding sections and the first to third Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi heat-sealing sections. Preferably, the machine can be configured (adapted) to complete any or all of the above-described stages of the method of the first aspect of the invention. In this way, the glue can be applied in such a way that it maintains its intended shape and does not interfere with subsequent production stages completed by the machine. This configuration thus facilitates an improvement in the production process using simple and cost-effective means. According to a further preferred embodiment, the feeding system may comprise a reel feeding system for unwinding longitudinal flat sheet material from a paper roll to supply the flat sheet. In addition, the machine may preferably comprise a cutting section for separating a plurality of serially formed packages. Preferably, the third heat-sealing section may be configured to transport the flat sheet from the feeding system to the cutting section by gripping and pulling the end of the second tube. In this way, it is possible to produce the container at high speed and in a fully automated process, as well as without undue costs to reconfigure or adapt existing machines according to the configuration of the machine of the invention. 4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi Other features, advantages, and objectives of the invention will become evident to a person skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention and when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and figures. In the event that the numbers in a figure have been omitted, for example, for clarity reasons, the corresponding features may still be present in the figure. Figure 1 shows a schematic front and side view of a flat sheet used in the method of the present invention and for packaging of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic front and side view of the flat sheet of Figure 1 after being folded into a tube configuration. Figure 3 shows a cropped enlarged schematic side view of one end of the tube in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the tube in Figure 2 during the heat sealing process. Figure 5 shows a schematic front, rear, and side view of the container according to the present invention. Figure 6 shows a machine for producing a container according to the present invention. Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the geometric dimensions and relationships of the flat sheet used in the machine of Figure 6 for the container of Figure 5. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi The figures show different views and aspects of the present invention. For example, Figures 1 to 4 illustrate some of the stages of a method for producing a container 200 according to the present invention. Figure 5 shows aspects of the container 200 according to the present invention. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate aspects of a machine 600 for producing the container 200 according to the present invention. The method for producing the container 200 for enclosing a substance 500 comprises a step of providing a flat sheet 100 made of a recyclable paper material and having two opposing side edge sections 101, 102. The side edge sections 101, 102 can extend from a respective side edge of the flat sheet 100 to the opposite side edge section 101, 102, respectively. The two side edge sections 101, 102 can together form the entire side surface of the flat sheet 100. Preferably, the flat sheet 100 can also have two opposing side surfaces 111, 112. The flat sheet 100 can have any shape or form. For example, the flat sheet can have a (substantially) square or rectangular shape, as illustrated in Figure 1. However, this is not a complete enumeration. Generally, for example, flat sheet material may comprise paper (e.g., exclusively or at least primarily) made from cellulose fibers, such as cellulose fibers derived from wood, grass, and / or bamboo, as well as additional (arbitrary) components that may or may not be recyclable or biodegradable. In this respect, the additional components, which may, for example, be a plastic coating or other polymer content, would be limited to an amount of up to approximately 20%, preferably up to approximately 15%, more preferably up to approximately 10%, and most preferably up to approximately 5%, of the total weight of the (complete) flat sheet material (to ensure that the flat sheet material remains recyclable). While the additional components Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi can be provided as layers, laminated onto the paper material; it is also conceivable that additional components can be mixed or combined within the paper material itself. However, these are only examples and do not represent a complete list. The flat sheet material may comprise a laminated and / or multi-layered structure. In this respect, flat sheet 100 (or the flat sheet material) may comprise a base layer and a sealing layer (not shown). It is also conceivable that the flat sheet material comprises additional layers, which may or may not preferably be made of a recyclable, biodegradable, and / or compostable material. Preferably, the base layer may be made of a paper material. The base layer may have a basis weight between 40 g / m² and 120 g / m², preferably between 50 g / m² and 80 g / m². The abbreviation gsm (grams per square meter) may be used as an abbreviation for basis weight. Examples of suitable recyclable paper material include machine-coated paper and metallized paper. For example, machine-coated paper may be uncoated paper with one smooth surface and the opposite rough surface. Metallized paper may be paper coated with a layer of metal, such as aluminum, preferably applied by lamination or vacuum metallization. The sealing layer can be 5 to 10 microns thick, preferably 6 to 8 microns. Examples of materials that can be used as a sealing layer include a polyolefin dispersion or an acrylic coating. The sealing layer can have a basis weight between 1 g / m² and 15 g / m², preferably between 4 g / m² and 10 g / m². The sealing layer can be configured to melt by applying Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi temperatures on the flat sheet 100 in the range of 150 degrees Celsius to 220 degrees Celsius. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing layer may change its physical state or bonding characteristics under pressure or exposure to radiation (UV). Preferably, the sealing layer may be provided on at least one of the two opposite lateral surfaces 111, 112 of the flat sheet 100. The sealing layer may be a coating that acts as a sealant in a heat-sealing process. Preferably, the flat sheet 100 can be provided by unwinding a longitudinal flat sheet material. For example, the flat sheet 100 can be unwound from a paper roll 611 arranged on machine 600. Alternatively or additionally, the flat sheet 100 can be provided such that a wide longitudinal flat sheet material can be unwound and cut lengthwise (e.g., by circular knives) into separate flat sheets 100 such that the separate flat sheet 100 has two opposite side edge sections 101 and 102, respectively. This is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The flat sheet 100 is formed into a tube 120 by folding the flat sheet 100 such that the two side edge sections 101, 102 overlap at least partially at an overlap section 123. At the overlap section 123, the side edge sections 101, 102 can be oriented relative to each other with the same side of the flat sheet 100. Therefore, the two side edge sections 101, 102 can be folded such that they rest against each other with the same side of the flat sheet 100. This is shown illustratively in Figures 2 to 4, where the two side edge sections 101, 102 are oriented relative to each other with a first side surface 111. The tube 120 is heat-sealed along the overlap section 123 to form a longitudinal sealing joint 130. Figures 2 and 3 show This is for illustrative purposes. Preferably, the 120 tube can have a first tube end Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi 121 and a second tube end 122, between which the longitudinal sealing joint 130 may preferably extend at least partially, preferably completely. Figures 2 and 5 illustrate this. The overlapping (sealed) section 123 may be formed so that it protrudes from the container 200, preferably in the sealed state. The overlapping (sealed) section 123 may also be formed so that it protrudes from the container 200 or so that both side edge sections 101, 102 or the overlapping section 123 are located on an outer side of the container 200. Figures 2 and 5 illustrate this. Tube 120 is heat-sealed via a longitudinal sealing joint 130 to close tube 120 with a first transverse sealing joint 141 at the first end of tube 121 (e.g., as shown in Figure 5). To achieve this, a second heat-sealing section 642 may be provided, which may comprise two heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 arranged opposite each other. Figure 4 shows an illustrative embodiment of the second heat-sealing section 642. The two heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 are movable (linearly and / or rotaryly) relative to each other. The heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 can be moved between a treatment state, where the tube 120 can be pressed between the two heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 to apply a joining force (e.g., between 500 N and 1500 N), a pressure (e.g., between 2 bar and 10 bar) and / or heat (temperature between 150 degrees Celsius and 220 degrees Celsius) to the tube 120 for a certain amount of time (e.g.(between 0.1 and 10 seconds). The heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 can be moved to a release state, in which the tube 120 can be moved between (released from) the two heat-sealing jaws 645, 646. Figure 4 illustrates the provision of the first transverse sealing joint 141, by means of which the jaws of. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 are shown for illustrative purposes in the treatment state. In this respect, it is conceivable that both heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 may be movable or only one of the two heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 may be movable. Similarly, tube 120 is heat-sealed through the longitudinal sealing joint 130 to close tube 120 with a second transverse sealing joint 142 at the second end of tube 122, which is opposite the first end of tube 121 with respect to the substance 500 to be packaged. This is not explicitly illustrated in the Figures. However, the provision of the second transverse sealing joint 142 can be carried out similarly (or in (exactly) the same manner) as illustrated in Figure 4. In this respect, a third heat-sealing section 643 can be provided, which may have a configuration similar or identical to the second heat-sealing section 642 mentioned above (e.g., as illustrated in Figure 4). However, it is also conceivable that the same device is used to heat-seal both the first transverse sealing joint 141 and the second transverse sealing joint 142.Therefore, the second and third heat-sealing sections 642, 643 can be the same or identical device. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the second heat-sealing section 642 can be integral with the third heat-sealing section 643. This is illustrated in Figure 4, where the third heat-sealing section 643 is indicated by a dashed arrow, as it may be hidden behind the second heat-sealing section 642 (when viewed from the side). Additionally, it is also conceivable that one of the heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 can form the second heat-sealing section 642, while the other of the two respective heat-sealing jaws 645, 646 can form the third heat-sealing section 643. However, these are only examples and possible configurations. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi different. By providing the second transverse sealing joint 142, the container 200 is formed in such a way as to enclose the packaged substance 500. It is also conceivable that the longitudinal sealing joint 130 can be sealed onto the tube 120, preferably the first or second transverse sealing joint 141, 142, in a heat-sealing stage, so that it is fixed to it. Figure 3 may be suitable to illustrate such a possible configuration. At some point in the process, tube 120 is filled with substance 500, which is to be packaged. Substance 500 can be a food product or a medicinal product. The method further comprises a step of applying a first quantity of glue 301 onto the flat sheet 100 in a first triple-point section 151. In the first triple-point section 151, the longitudinal sealing joint 130 and the first transverse sealing joint 141 intersect. This is shown illustratively in Figures 2, 3, and 5. The method also comprises a step of applying a second quantity of glue 302 onto the flat sheet 100 in a second triple-point section 152. In the second triple-point section 152, the longitudinal sealing joint 130 and the second transverse sealing joint 142 intersect. This is shown illustratively in Figures 2, 3, and 5. The first amount of glue 301 and / or the second amount of glue 302 can be applied as a single dot of glue 300. This is shown illustratively in Figures 1 to 6. Preferably, either glue 300 or 302 can be applied over the sealing layer. For example, in Figures 1 to 7, the sealing layer can be provided on the first side surface 111 of the flat sheet. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi 100, which can form an inner surface of tube 120 after the folding stage. In the following description, the term “glue” may include each of the glues 300 to 302. The glue 300-302 seals the respective triple-point section 151, 152 after the heat-sealing of the respective tube end 121, 122 to form the respective transverse sealing joint 141, 142. This is shown illustratively in Figures 4 and 5. It is also conceivable that the respective amount of glue 300-302 can be applied before the flat sheet forming stage 100 in the tube 120. This is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 7. Preferably, the glue 300-302 can be dried before the flat sheet forming stage 100 on the tube 120 or before the heat-sealing stage of the tube 120 to form the longitudinal sealing joint 130. In this way, the glue 300-302 can change from a solid state, in which it is dry, to a liquid state, in which it is able to flow. The change in the physical state of the glue 300-302 can be activated by changing the temperature and / or pressure around the glue 300-302. In this respect, the (dry) glue 300-302 can be reactivated after the respective heat-sealing stage by melting the glue 300-302 in such a way that the glue 300-302 is able to flow and seal the respective triple-point section 151, 152 after drying. This is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. For example, Figure 3 illustrates that tube 120 is mechanically pressed (e.g., by / between the two heat-sealing jaws 645, 646) onto the first end of tube 121 before the heat-sealing of the first transverse sealing joint 141. In this configuration, glue 301 may have been applied over Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi The first surface 111 within the tube 120, the glue 301 can be positioned (as a point) (directly) below the longitudinal sealing joint 130 and can be in a dry state. Figure 3 illustrates that a space S can be formed between the overlap section 123 and the pressed-together lining portions of the tube 120. As illustrated in Figure 4, by heat-sealing the first end of the tube 121 to form the first transverse sealing joint 141, a temperature and / or pressure increase can be effected such that the glue 301 can melt and flow into the space S. In this way, the space S can be filled and sealed by the glue 301. The same can be found for the second transverse sealing joint 142 with the second quantity of glue 302.In this respect, for each of the cases, the respective amount of glue 301, 302 ( / exists) can be provided as glue point 300. In this way, glue 300-302 can (be configured to) seal the respective triple point section 151, 152 in such a way that the longitudinal sealing joint 130 as well as the first and second transverse sealing joints 141, 142 can form (with each other) a hermetic seal of the container 200. Therefore, the size, thickness, shape, and / or position of the first and second quantities of glue 301, 302 can influence, for example, the reliability of the sealing of the container 200. Figure 7 shows examples of suitable positions for applying glue, which are indicated by filled circles and may correspond to the triple-point sections 151, 152. Similarly, the shape and / or configuration of the sealing jaws 645, 646 can influence, for example, the melting directions and / or the melting behavior of the glue 300-302. Examples of suitable materials for 300-302 glue can be wax or any polyolefin-based hot melt adhesive or glue Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi (PO) or acrylic based. A plurality of containers 200 can be formed in series. This is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In this way, adjacent containers 200 can share a common transverse sealing joint, which can form the first transverse sealing joint 141 of one container 200 and the second transverse sealing joint 142 of its neighboring container 200. Also, the first quantity of glue 301 of one of two adjacent containers 200 can be supplied together with the second quantity of glue 302 of its neighboring container 200. The method can conclude the manufacturing process of the container 200 by separating the containers 200 by means of a transverse cutting step. This is illustrated in Figure 6, where a cutting section 670 can be provided with a horizontal cutter 672. Alternatively, the manufacturing process of the container 200 can be concluded by weakening a connecting section 170 to form a tear line.Figure 7 indicates by way of example that the shared transverse sealing joint can be provided (or planned) as connection section 170. An additional aspect of the present invention relates to the container 200. Figure 5 shows an example of the container 200. The container 200 can be a single-use container such as a tubular container, or a multi-use package such as a self-supporting pouch (e.g., a Doypack pouch), a pillow-type container, or a reinforced bag. The container 200 can be suitable for enclosing food products. The container 200 is made from the flat sheet 100 mentioned above, with two opposing side edge sections 101, 102, and is made of a recyclable paper material. The container 200 encloses the substance 500 and comprises the longitudinal sealing seam 130. As described in detail above, the longitudinal sealing seam 130 runs along the overlap section 123, in which theQnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi Two opposing side edge sections 101, 102 overlap each other when the flat sheet 100 is folded to form the tube 120. This is shown illustratively in Figure 5. The first transverse sealing joint 141 extends across the longitudinal sealing joint 130 to close the tube 120 at the first end of the tube 121. The second transverse sealing joint 142 extends across the longitudinal sealing joint 130 to close the tube 120 at the second end of the tube 122. In the container 200, the first amount of glue 301 seals the first triple-point section 151 mentioned above, and the second amount of glue 302 seals the second triple-point section 152 mentioned above. Preferably, the container 200 can be configured in such a way that it (hermetically) seals an enclosed food product such as substance 500.Preferably, the glue 301, 302 can seal the transverse sealing joints 141, 142 in a position that can be displaced laterally from a longitudinal axis and / or the longitudinal sealing joint 130. However, it is also conceivable that the glue 301, 302 can be located in the middle of the transverse sealing joints 141, 142, respectively. Figure 7 illustrates the unprocessed flat sheet 100 with dimensions and geometric relationships of folding and sealing lines that can be found in the finished container 200. An additional aspect of the invention relates to the 600 machine for producing the aforementioned 200 container. An example of the 600 machine is shown in Figure 6. The machine 600 comprises a feeding system 610 for supplying the flat sheet 100. The feeding system 610 may comprise a reel feeding system 612 for unwinding longitudinal flat sheet material from the aforementioned paper reel 611 to supply the Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi flat sheet 100. In this respect, the coil feeding system 612 may comprise a buffer section to maintain a sufficient quantity of sheet material available for processing. This is shown illustratively in Figure 6. The machine 600 further comprises a folding section 620 for folding the supplied flat sheet 100 such that the two opposing side edge sections 101, 102 overlap each other at the overlap section 123 to form the flat sheet 100 into the tube 120. The folding section 620 can be configured to fold the sheet 100 into the tube 120 and / or to position / hold the tube 120 such that the glue 300-302 is located below the longitudinal sealing joint 130. Also, the folding section 620 can define the diameter of the tube 120 and the size of the overlap section 123. The machine 600 further comprises a filling section 650 for filling the tube 120 with the substance 500 to be packaged. The substance 500 is shown illustratively as white arrows in Figure 6. The folding section 620 and the filling section 650 may be a single unit and may be a forming plate, for example. The machine 600 may be a horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) or vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) machine, such as the machine 600 shown in Figure 6. The machine 600 also comprises a first heat-sealing section 630 for heat-sealing the tube 120 along the overlapping section 123 to form the longitudinal sealing joint 130. The first heat-sealing section 630 can be a vertical heat sealer. Furthermore, the 600 machine comprises the second heat-sealing section 642 mentioned above for heat-sealing the 120 tube through the joint of The longitudinal sealing section 130 closes the tube 120 with the first transverse sealing joint 141 at the first end of the tube 121. An example for the second heat-sealing section 642 can be found in Figures 4 and 6. Preferably, the second heat-sealing section 642 can be a horizontal heat sealer. The third heat-sealing section 643 mentioned above is arranged in the machine 600 to heat-seal the tube 120 through the longitudinal sealing joint 130 to close the tube 120 with the second transverse sealing joint 142 at the second end of the tube 122 to enclose the substance 500. Preferably, the third heat-sealing section 643 can be a horizontal heat sealer. The second and third heat-sealing sections 642, 643 can be identical. This is illustrated in Figure 6, where the second heat-sealing section 642 and the third heat-sealing section 643 are not only integral to each other but also form a single component. Preferably, the adhesive 300-302 can be reactivated in the second and third heat-sealing sections 642, 643. The machine 600 further comprises a glue application section 660 for applying the first amount of glue 301 onto the flat sheet 100 in the first triple-point section 151 to seal the first triple-point section 151 after heat-sealing the tube 120 in the second heat-sealing section 642 to form the first transverse sealing joint 141 and applying the second amount of glue 302 onto the flat sheet 100 in the second triple-point section 152 to seal the second triple-point section 152 after heat-sealing the tube 120 in the third heat-sealing section 643 to form the second transverse sealing joint 142. The glue application section 660 can be arranged on the machine 600 in such a way that the glue 300-302 is dry before it reaches Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi to any of the folding section 620 and the first to third heat-sealing sections 630, 642, 643. This is shown illustratively in Figure 6, where a defined distance is established between the glue application section 660 and the folding section 620. For example, the glue 300 spots, illustrated in Figure 6 leaving the glue application section 660, may be wet spots of glue 300, while the four lines of glue 300 spots closest to the folding section 620 may be (already) the dried / hardened spots of glue 300. Glue 300 may also be dried using additional means, such as a cooler or a fan (not illustrated). The machine 600 may further comprise a cutting section 670 for separating a plurality of serially formed containers 200 before releasing the containers into an outlet system 680. The outlet system 680 may be a chute. The cutting section 670 may comprise the horizontal cutter 672 mentioned above. In addition, the cutting section 670 may comprise a longitudinal cutter 671 for cutting a wide flat sheet material into multiple separate flat sheets 100. The longitudinal cutter 671 may be one or more circular knives. Furthermore, the second heat-sealing section 642 and / or the third heat-sealing section 643 can be configured to transport the flat sheet 100 from the feeding system 610 to the cutting section 670 by grasping and pulling the second end of the tube 122. This is shown illustratively in Figure 6. In addition, the 600 machine can also include two sensor units, 711 and 712, for controlling and monitoring the production process. These sensor units can be optical sensors, such as a photocell, or laser-based sensors. They can be connected to a control unit that can be configured to automatically complete the stages of the production process. Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi of the 200 container according to the invention. The invention is not limited by the embodiments as described above in this description, provided they are covered by the appended claims. All features of the embodiments described above in this description can be combined in any way possible and can be provided interchangeably.

Claims

1. A method for producing a container (200) for enclosing a substance (500), comprising: • providing a flat sheet (100) made of a recyclable paper material and having two opposing side edge sections (101, 102), • forming the flat sheet (100) into a tube (120) by folding the flat sheet (100) such that the two side edge sections (101, 102) overlap at least partially with each other at an overlap section (123), • heat-sealing the tube (120) along the overlap section (123) to form a longitudinal sealing joint (130), • heat-sealing the tube (120) through the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube (120) with a first transverse sealing joint (141) at a first tube end (121), • filling the tube (120) with a substance (500) that It will be packaged,• heat-sealing the tube (120) through the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube (120) with a second transverse sealing joint (142) at a second tube end (122) opposite the first tube end (121) with respect to the substance (500) to be packaged to form the container (200) enclosing the substance (500), characterized in that the method further comprises: • applying a first quantity of glue (300, 301) onto the flat sheet (100) at a first triple-point section (151) where the longitudinal sealing joint (130) and the first transverse sealing joint (141) intersect, • applying a second quantity of glue (300, 302) onto the flat sheet (100) at a second triple-point section (152) where the longitudinal sealing joint intersects (130) and the second transverse sealing joint (142), wherein the glue (300-302) seals the respective triple-point section (151,152) with the heat sealing of the respective tube end (121, 122) to form the respective transverse sealing joint (141, 142)., 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective amount of glue (300-302) is applied before the stage of forming the flat sheet (100) in the tube (120).

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the first quantity of glue (300, 301) and / or the second quantity of glue (300, 302) is applied as a glue dot (300-302), wherein the glue (300-302) preferably changes from a liquid state, in which the glue (300-302) is able to flow, to a solid state, in which the glue (300-302) is dry, depending on the temperature and / or pressure.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glue (300-302) dries before the flat sheet forming step (100) on the tube (120) or at least before the heat-sealing step of the tube (120) to form the longitudinal sealing joint (130), and wherein the dried glue (300-302) is reactivated at the respective heat-sealing step by melting the glue (300-302) such that the glue (300-302) is able to flow and seals the respective triple-point section (151, 152) after drying, wherein preferably the glue (300-302) seals the respective triple-point section (151, 152) such that the longitudinal sealing joint (130) as well as the first and second transverse sealing joints (141, 142) form a hermetic seal of the container (200).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glue (300-302) comprises a hot melt adhesive based on wax, polyolefin (PO) or acrylic.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of providing the flat sheet (100) comprises the step of unwinding a longitudinal flat sheet material from a paper reel (611), wherein the flat sheet material preferably comprises a laminated and / or multi-layered structure with a base layer made of a paper material and a sealing layer, wherein the glue (300-302) is preferably applied to the sealing layer.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the step of providing the flat sheet (100) further comprises longitudinally cutting the flat sheet material into separate flat sheets (100) each having two opposite side edge sections (101, 102).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a plurality of containers (200) is formed in series, wherein neighboring containers (200) preferably share a transverse sealing joint (141, 142) forming the first transverse sealing joint (141) of one of the containers (200) and the second transverse sealing joint (142) of the neighboring container (200), and / or wherein preferably the first quantity of glue (300, 301) of one of two neighboring containers (200) is provided together with the second quantity of glue (300, 302) of its neighboring container (200).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the heat-sealing step of the tube (120) to form the second transverse sealing joint (142) is followed by a step of • separating the containers (200), preferably by means of a transverse cutting step, or • weakening a connecting section (170), preferably the shared transverse sealing joint (141, 142), to form a tear line.

10. A container (200) made of a flat sheet (100) with two opposing side edge sections (101, 102) and made of a recyclable paper material, the container (200) enclosing a substance (500) and comprising: • a longitudinal sealing joint (130) along an overlapping section (123), wherein the two opposing side edge sections (101, 102) overlap each other when the flat sheet (100) is folded to form the flat sheet (100) into a tube (120), • a first transverse sealing joint (141) extending through the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube (120) at a first tube end (121), • a second transverse sealing joint (142) extending through the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube. (120) at a second tube end (122) opposite the first tube end (121) with respect to the enclosed substance (500),the container (200) characterized in that: • a first quantity of glue (300, 301) that seals a first triple-point section (151) in which the longitudinal sealing joint (130) and the first transverse sealing joint (141) intersect, and • a second quantity of glue (300, 302) that seals a second triple-point section (152) in which the longitudinal sealing joint (130) and the second transverse sealing joint (142) intersect.

11. The container (200) according to claim 10, characterized in that the flat sheet (100) comprises a multi-layered structure comprising a base layer made of a paper material and a sealing layer, wherein the sealing layer is preferably provided on at least one of the two opposite lateral surfaces (111, 112) of the flat sheet (100), the sealing layer is preferably provided as a coating or laminate that acts as a sealant during heat sealing, wherein the base layer preferably has a thickness of at least 50 microns, preferably at least 60 microns, and / or wherein the sealing layer has a thickness of 5-10 microns, preferably 6-8 microns.

12. The container (200) according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that in the overlap section (123) the side edge sections (101, 102) are oriented with each other on the same side of the flat sheet (100), in Qnzrnn / cznz / E / YiAi where preferably the overlap section (123) is formed in such a way that it protrudes from the container (200) or in such a way that both side edge sections (101, 102) or the overlap section (123) are located on an outer side of the container (200).

13. The container (200) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the container (200) is a unit-content container such as a tubular container, or wherein the container (200) is a multi-use container such as a self-supporting bag, a pillow-type container, a reinforced bag, and / or wherein the container (200) is configured to hermetically seal an enclosed food product such as the substance (500).

14. A machine (600) for producing a container (200) for enclosing a substance (500) according to any one of claims 10-13, comprising: • a feeding system (610) for supplying a flat sheet (100) made of a recyclable paper material and having two opposing side edge sections (101, 102), • a folding section (620) for folding the supplied flat sheet (100) such that the two opposing side edge sections (101, 102) overlap each other at an overlap section (123) to form the flat sheet (100) into a tube (120), • a first heat-sealing section (630) for heat-sealing the tube (120) along the overlap section (123) to form a longitudinal sealing joint (130),• a second heat-sealing section (642) for heat-sealing the tube (120) through the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube (120) with a first transverse sealing joint (141) at a first tube end (121), • a filling section (650) for filling the tube (120) with a substance (500) to be packaged, • a third heat-sealing section (643) for heat-sealing the tube (120) through the longitudinal sealing joint (130) to close the tube (120) with a second transverse sealing joint (142) at a second tube end (122) opposite the first tube end (121) with respect to the substance (500) to be packaged to form the container (200) enclosing the substance (500), characterized in that the machine (600) It also comprises: • a glue application section (660) for applying either a first quantity of glue (300,301) on the flat sheet (100) in a first triple-point section (151) in which the longitudinal sealing joint (130) and the first transverse sealing joint (141) intersect, such that the glue (300-302) seals the first triple-point section (151) when the tube (120) is heat-sealed in the second heat-seal section (642) to form the first transverse sealing joint (141), or a second quantity of glue (300, 302) on the flat sheet (100) in a second triple-point section (152) in which the longitudinal sealing joint (130) and the second transverse sealing joint (142) intersect, such that the glue (300-302) seals the second triple-point section (152) when the tube (120) is heat-sealed in the third section of heat sealing (643) to form the second transverse sealing joint (142)., 15. The machine (600) according to claim 14, characterized in that the feeding system (610) comprises a reel feeding system (612) for unwinding longitudinal flat sheet material from a paper reel (611) to supply the flat sheet (100), wherein the machine (600) preferably further comprises a cutting section (670) for separating a plurality of serially formed containers (200), wherein the third heat-sealing section (643) is preferably configured to transport the flat sheet (100) from the feeding system (610) to the cutting section (670) preferably by grasping and pulling the second tube end (122), and / or wherein the glue application section (660) is arranged in the machine (600) such that the glue (300-302) dries before reaching any one of the folding sections (620) and the first to the third sections. heat-sealed (630, 642, 643),and / or where the second and third heat-sealing sections (642, 643) are integral or identical.

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