Packaging container made of a plastic film in the form of a sack or bag, and film tube for producing such a packaging container

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging container in the form of a sack or bag made of plastic foil, comprising front and back walls and a container for the material to be contained between these walls. A label or identification is printed on the outer surface of the front wall, and this surface does not contain a longitudinal seam closing the packaging container. The packaging container is closed at its top and bottom ends with transverse seams. The packaging container contains a strip of foil fixed to the inner surface of the front wall by means of two connecting seams extending between the two transverse seams, and the front wall and the two connecting seams together form a longitudinal channel. The invention also relates to a foil tube for manufacturing such a packaging container.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a packaging container made of plastic film in the form of a sack or bag, with a front and a rear wall and a receiving space formed between these walls for goods to be stored. The outer surface of the front wall is printed with a marking or advertising and is free of a longitudinal seam closing the packaging container. The packaging container is closed at its upper and lower ends with transverse seams. The packaging container comprises a film strip which is attached to the inside of the front wall by means of two connecting seams running between the two transverse seams and which, together with the front wall and the two connecting seams, forms a longitudinal channel. The invention also relates to a film tube for manufacturing such a packaging container.

[0002] Such a packaging container is known from EP 3052396 B1. The bag described therein can be manufactured cost-effectively using a form-fill-seal (FFS) process, in which a film tube, often more than 1000 m long, is delivered to the filler as a roll. On special FFS packaging machines, bags with a lower transverse seam are continuously formed from the film tube and cut off (forming). These bags, open at only one end, are filled (filling) and then sealed with another transverse seam (sealing). After the bag is sealed, any excess air remaining in the receiving chamber can escape through vents in the film strip from the receiving chamber into the longitudinal channel and from there through another vent in the transverse seam to the outside.To prevent moisture from entering the storage compartment through the additional ventilation opening, this opening is kept as small as possible. The bag is carried by gripping it from underneath, which is somewhat uncomfortable.

[0003] Prior art also includes FFS-manufactured plastic film bags for hygiene products, such as toilet paper, in which the goods to be transported are contained within the main bag, to which an extension section with a handle is attached. The bag can be easily carried using the handle. However, a disadvantage is the additional material required for the handle. The overall length of the bag increases by the amount of film needed for the handle. Furthermore, with larger quantities, such a bag must be held by the handle with an angled arm to prevent the bag from touching the ground.

[0004] From DE 202011106245 U1, a bag, also producible using the FFS process, is known. It has circumferential sides that form a tube shape, and at least one circumferential side has a continuous internal longitudinal seam for joining two overlapping film edges. The outer film edge forms a cover strip with a predetermined overlap beyond the longitudinal seam. This cover strip typically covers ventilation openings to the inside of the bag and has further ventilation openings on the outside. A carrying handle is formed on the cover strip. The material usage for such a bag is significantly less than for the aforementioned bag, and the bag length does not exceed the length necessary for packaging the goods.However, the longitudinal seam is located on the back of the bag, which, when the bag is lying flat, faces away from the viewer, as the seam would otherwise distort any printed image on the bag, such as a label or advertisement. Consequently, the carrying handle is also located on the back of the bag and cannot be gripped directly.

[0005] EP 2 272 769 A1 discloses a packaging container made of plastic film in the form of a sack or bag, in which a longitudinal channel is formed by two overlapping ends of the wall material. The longitudinal channel is formed by two longitudinal seams, each connecting the two overlapping wall materials. Since the printed image facing the viewer on the front wall should be free of any longitudinal seam interrupting the printed image, the longitudinal channel is located on the rear wall of the packaging container. The packaging container also has transverse seams at the top and bottom to form a closed receiving space.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a packaging container of the type mentioned above, which can be produced using the FFS process, and a film tube for its production, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are reduced.

[0007] The invention is solved by a packaging container of the type mentioned above, having the additional features of the characterizing part of claim 1, and by a film tube having the features of claim 13. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in claims 2 to 12 and 14 to 15.

[0008] The packaging container according to the invention has at least one engagement element in the longitudinal channel, which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal channel over a length of at least 45 mm and in cross-section above the film strip, enabling engagement along the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal channel between the front wall and the film strip, and together with the front wall forms a handle. Because the handle is arranged as part of the front wall, it faces the operator when the packaging container is lying on its rear wall and can therefore be easily grasped. The handle is also part of the bag of the packaging container itself and is not arranged in a separate area outside the actual bag. This saves material. The engagement element is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal channel and thus to the longitudinal extent of the packaging container itself.This allows an operator to carry the bag by inserting one hand or fingers into the handle without having to twist the palm unnaturally.

[0009] The packaging container includes a grip-enhancing element in the form of a weakened line in the front wall, in particular a perforation or notch line, which is associated with one of the gripping elements and is located 3–12 cm away from this gripping element. Several fingers or an entire hand of an operator can thus engage the longitudinal channel through the gripping element, and the fingertips can then protrude outwards from the channel through the grip-enhancing element in the front wall. This makes carrying the packaging container with the hand or even just several fingers easier.

[0010] It is advantageous for at least one access element to be an opening. An operator can directly reach through the opening into the longitudinal channel and carry the packaging container.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the engagement element, in the form of an opening, at least partially interrupts one of the transverse seams between the film strip and the front wall. This allows the engagement element to be positioned both cost-effectively and discreetly. Depending on its length, this positioning also makes the packaging container particularly comfortable to carry.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal channel is closed towards the receiving chamber. This prevents fine particles of the contents from entering the longitudinal channel from the receiving chamber and from there passing through the engagement element to the outside, or contaminating the hand or individual fingers of an operator when carrying the packaging container. At the same time, the contents in the receiving chamber cannot be contaminated by contact with the hand or individual fingers of an operator.

[0013] Advantageously, the foil strip has an embossed pattern in the area between the two connecting seams, preferably including protrusions, such as nubs, towards the front wall. This embossing reduces adhesive forces between the inside of the front wall and the foil strip, thus facilitating access for an operator through the access element and into the longitudinal channel.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the film strip consists of a different film material than the front and rear walls of the packaging container, and the film material of the film strip (22) has a 2% secant modulus of 250 to 500 N / mm² for a film thickness greater than 160 µm, a 2% secant modulus of 200 to 400 N / mm² for a film thickness of 120 to 160 µm, and a 2% secant modulus of 100 to 350 N / mm² for a film thickness of 80 to 120 µm. This embodiment increases the stiffness of any embossing on the film strip to such an extent that it is not flattened against the front wall by pressure exerted on the film strip by the contents.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a longitudinal seam is arranged on the rear wall, closing the packaging container circumferentially, and the film strip is positioned in cross-section next to this longitudinal seam in the area of ​​the transverse seams. This means that the film strip and the longitudinal seam do not overlap in the area of ​​the transverse seams. Particularly preferably, the connecting seams in the area of ​​the transverse seams are not located above or below the longitudinal seam, but also next to it. These configurations ensure that the transverse seams remain as thin as possible and can therefore be produced reliably and quickly. At the same time, this prevents any significant ridges from forming in the area of ​​the transverse seams that could impair the production of the packaging container using the FFS process.

[0016] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first engagement element is arranged in the region of the upper end of the packaging container and a further engagement element is arranged in the region of the lower end of the packaging container. This allows the packaging container to be carried simultaneously with two hands or at least the fingers of two different hands. The first hand engages with the first engagement element and the second hand with the further engagement element. This allows a larger packaging container to be carried with sufficient clearance from the ground, while simultaneously distributing the weight of the packaging container between both arms of the operator.

[0017] To create the opening, an anti-seal coating is preferably applied to the inside of the front wall between the connecting seams of the longitudinal channel. Alternatively or additionally, an anti-seal coating is advantageously applied to the film strip between the connecting seams of the longitudinal channel. The anti-seal coatings prevent the film strip from bonding to the front wall in the area of ​​the transverse seam during its production. The anti-seal coating is preferably formed by a suitable paint or release agent. The anti-seal coating is advantageously applied to a surface that has not been treated with corona. This ensures that the anti-seal coating still adheres sufficiently, albeit less strongly, to the corresponding plastic film, thus increasing the likelihood of the opening being formed.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a safety distance of at least 1 mm, in particular 5–15 mm and especially preferably 7–10 mm, is arranged between each of the two connecting seams and the anti-seal coating. This embodiment ensures that neither the connecting seams nor the material of one of these connecting seams comes into partial contact with the anti-seal coating, thereby weakening or even interrupting the bond between the foil strip and the inside of the front wall.

[0019] Advantageously, a safety distance of at least 1 mm, in particular 5–15 mm and most preferably 7–10 mm, is arranged between the outer edges of the foil strip and the connecting seams. This design ensures that the material of the connecting seams does not extend beyond the outer edge of the foil strip and unintentionally connect the inside of the front wall to the inside of the rear wall.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one engagement element is a weakening line, in particular a perforation or notch line, arranged in the front wall. The weakening line is preferably designed such that an operator can open the weakening line without tools, i.e., by hand, thereby creating access to the longitudinal channel. The film is then torn open along the weakening line. This embodiment is particularly suitable for especially long packaging containers. The weakening lines can then be positioned so that the packaging container can be gripped with two hands, each hand engaging its own engagement element, with the hands positioned at a comfortable distance from each other.Or the packaging container is grasped by the handle with only one hand, and the arm of the grasping hand does not need to be bent at an unnaturally sharp angle to avoid the packaging container dragging on the floor.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one engagement element is essentially U-shaped, comprising a base and two adjoining legs, wherein the base is 8–15 cm wide and the legs are 1–3 cm long. When a hand is inserted into the engagement element, the portion of the film located between the two legs of the front wall is folded into the longitudinal channel, effectively doubling the film material. This can be particularly convenient with heavy packaging containers, as the handle formed by the front wall then cuts less into the operator's hand.

[0022] The longitudinal channel preferably extends from the transverse seam at the bottom of the packaging container to the transverse seam at the top of the packaging container. It thus covers the entire length of the packaging container. This arrangement makes the film tube for manufacturing the packaging container particularly easy and cost-effective to produce.

[0023] The connecting seams preferably consist of a hot-melt adhesive and also advantageously run parallel to the foil strip and parallel to the longitudinal extent of the packaging container.

[0024] The engagement element preferably does not extend beyond the front wall in the transverse direction. Particularly preferably, the engagement element is no wider than 15 cm in the transverse direction. Advantageously, the engagement element extends 8–12 cm in the transverse direction.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the film strip consists of a different film material than the front and rear walls of the packaging container. In particular, the film strip consists of a thinner film material than the plastic film of the front and rear walls.

[0026] The foil strip is preferably positioned centrally on the inside of the front wall. This also positions the handle, formed by the engagement element in the longitudinal channel in conjunction with part of the front wall, centrally on the front wall in the transverse direction, making the packaging container easier to carry.

[0027] The packaging container is preferably a gusseted bag or a flat bag. In the case of a gusseted bag, the front and rear walls are defined as the area between the gussets that surrounds the receiving space outside the gussets.

[0028] The packaging container according to the invention can be manufactured using the FFS process already described above in EP 3052396 B1. This process involves a special category of bags or pouches that are produced, filled, and sealed within seconds per container on special filling and packaging lines, using a film tube often exceeding 1000 m in length. This allows the unit costs per filled packaging container to be kept very low. A bag or pouch manufactured using the FFS process necessarily consists of a plastic film and is sealed at both the bottom and top ends with a transverse seam, preferably a heat-seal seam. Otherwise, the high production speeds typical of the FFS process cannot be achieved.

[0029] The invention further relates to a film tube for manufacturing a packaging container, comprising a front and a rear wall, wherein an outer surface of the front wall is printed with a marking or advertising and is free of a longitudinal seam closing the film tube. A film strip is attached to an inner surface of the front wall by means of two connecting seams extending longitudinally along the film tube and, together with the front wall and the two connecting seams, forms a longitudinal channel. On the inner surface of the front wall, between the connecting seams of the longitudinal channel and / or on the film strip between the connecting seams, an anti-seal coating is applied over a transverse extent of at least 45 mm.If a packaging container according to the invention is produced using this foil tube by means of the FFS process already described above, an opening is created by the anti-seal coating in the area of ​​the transverse seams of the packaging container between the foil strip and the front wall, which has already been described above.

[0030] Advantageously, a safety distance of at least 1 mm, in particular 5 to 15 mm and especially preferably 7 to 10 mm, is arranged between each of the connecting seams and the anti-seal coating and / or between the outer edge of the film strip and the connecting seam nearest it. The longitudinal channel of the film tube is particularly preferably closed in the circumferential direction.

[0031] Further advantageous embodiments and details of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and in the schematic embodiments described below; they show: Fig. 1 a packaging container according to the invention in a top view of the front wall, Fig. 2 a further packaging arrangement according to the invention in a top view of the front wall, Fig. 3 a sectional view along line III-III in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 a sectional view along line IV-IV in Fig. 1

[0032] Subsequently, identical elements of the invention will be provided with a uniform reference numeral, where appropriate. The features of the embodiments described below may also be the subject of the invention in other combinations.

[0033] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2Each shows a packaging arrangement (2) according to the invention made of plastic film in sack or bag form with a front wall (4) and a rear wall (6) which are in the Figs. 1 and 2 Each is concealed by the front wall (4). Between these walls (4, 6) a receiving space (8) is formed, which leads to stored goods that can only be accessed in Fig. 4 The outer surface (10) of the front wall (4) is printed with a marking or advertisement, which is not shown in the figures. The front wall (4) is free of a longitudinal seam (12) that closes the packaging container (2). Figure 4 shows that this longitudinal seam (12) is located on the rear wall (6) of the packaging container (2).

[0034] The packaging unit (2) is closed at its upper and lower ends (14, 16) by transverse seams (18, 20). The packaging container (2) has a film strip (22) which is in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4is shown and its positioning is defined by its outer edges (24) in Fig. 1 The foil strip (22) is shown by dashed lines. The foil strip is attached to the inside (30) of the front wall (4) via two connecting seams (26, 28) running between the two transverse seams (18, 20) and, together with the front wall (4) and the two connecting seams (26, 28), forms a longitudinal channel (32). The positioning of the connecting seams (26, 28) is shown in Fig. 1 represented by dashed lines.

[0035] The packaging container (2) has at least one engagement element (34) in the longitudinal channel (32). The positioning of the engagement element(s) (34) is determined by Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 The engagement element (34) is represented by arrows (34). It extends transversely to the longitudinal extent (36) of the longitudinal channel (32) over a length A of at least 45 mm and is shown in cross-section in the figures. Figs. 3 and 4, above the foil strip (22) enabling an intervention in the longitudinal extension (36) of the longitudinal channel (32) between the front wall (4) and the foil strip (22) and together with the front wall (4) forms a handle (38).

[0036] The longitudinal channel (32) is closed towards the receiving chamber (8), as can be seen in particular from Fig. 4 as is evident.

[0037] The foil strip (22) has an embossing in the area between the two connecting seams (26, 28) which has raised areas towards the inside (30) of the front wall (4), but is not shown in the figures.

[0038] A longitudinal seam (12) is arranged on the rear wall (6), closing the packaging container (2) circumferentially. The film strip (22) is positioned in cross-section in the area of ​​the transverse seams (26, 28) next to this longitudinal seam (12), as shown in the figure. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 as is evident.

[0039] The in Fig. 2The illustrated packaging arrangement includes a grip-relieving element (40) in the form of a weakened line in the front wall (4), which is associated with the gripping element (34) at the lower end (16) of the packaging container (2). The grip-relieving element (40) has a distance B to this gripping element (34) of 3–12 cm.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 1 Both engagement elements (34) are formed by openings (42). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2Only the engagement element (34) at the lower end (16) of the packaging container (2) is formed by an opening (42). In the exemplary embodiments, the aforementioned openings (42) each partially interrupt one of the transverse seams (18, 20) between the film strip (22) and the front wall (4). An anti-seal coating (44) is applied to the inside (30) of the front wall and / or to the film strip (22) between the connecting seams (26, 28) of the longitudinal channel (32). Fig. 4 This anti-seal coating (44) is shown on the foil strip (22). A safety distance C of at least 1 mm, in particular 5–15 mm, is arranged between the two connecting seams (26, 28) and the anti-seal coating (44). A further safety distance D of at least 1 mm, in particular 5–15 mm, is also arranged between the outer edges (24) of the foil strip (22) and the connecting seams (26, 28).

[0041] In Fig. 2 An engagement element (34) in the form of a weakening line, in particular a perforation, or notch line, is arranged in the front wall (4). This engagement element (34) is essentially U-shaped with a base (46) and two adjoining legs (48). The base (46) is 8–15 cm wide and the legs (48) are 1–3 cm long.

[0042] The representation in Fig. 4 is also identical to a cross-section through a foil tube (50) according to the invention. The in Fig. 4 The elements shown and numbered for the packaging ratio (2) according to the invention are also present in the film tube (50) and are therefore not repeated separately here. Reference figures

[0043] 2 Packaging container 4 Front wall 6 Rear wall 8 Receiving space 10 Outside of the front wall 12 Longitudinal seam 14 Top end of the packaging container 16 Bottom end of the packaging container 18 Transverse seam (top) 20 Transverse seam (bottom) 22 Film strip 24 Outer edges of the film strip 26, 28 Connecting seams 30 Inside of the front wall 32 Longitudinal channel 34 Entry element 36 Longitudinal extent of the longitudinal channel A Transverse extent of the entry element 38 Handle 40 Handle relief element B Distance of the handle relief element to the entry element 42 Opening 44 Anti-seal coating C Safety distance D Further safety distance 46 Base 48 Leg 50 Film tube

Claims

1. Packaging container (2) made of plastic film in the form of a sack or bag, with a front wall and a rear wall (4, 6) and a receiving space (8) formed between these walls for goods to be stored, wherein the outer surface (10) of the front wall (4) is printed with a marking or advertising and is free of a longitudinal seam (12) closing the packaging container (2), with transverse seams (18, 20) closing the packaging container (2) at its upper end and at its lower end (14, 16) and with a film strip (22) which is fastened to the inner surface (30) of the front wall (4) via two connecting seams (26, 28) running between the two transverse seams (18, 20) and which, together with the front wall (4) and the two connecting seams (26, 28), forms a longitudinal channel (32), characterized by at least one engagement element (34) in the longitudinal channel (32), which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent (36) of the longitudinal channel (32) over an extent A of at least 45 mm and in cross-section above the film strip (22) to enable engagement in the longitudinal extent (36) of the longitudinal channel (32) between the front wall (4) and the film strip (22) and, together with the front wall (4), forms a handle (38), and a handle-facilitating element (40) in the form of a weakening line in the front wall (4), in particular a perforation line or notch line, which is assigned to one of the engagement elements (34) and has a distance B from this engagement element (34) of 3 - 12 cm, wherein at least one engagement element (34) is an opening (42) and the opening (42) interrupts one of the transverse seams (26, 28) at least partially between the film strip (22) and the front wall (4).

2. Packaging container (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal channel (32) is closed towards the receiving space (8).

3. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film strip (22) has an embossing in the area between the two connecting seams (26, 28).

4. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film strip (22) consists of a different film material than the front and rear walls (4, 6) of the packaging container (2) and the film material of the film strip (22) has a 2% secant modulus of 250 to 500 N / mm2 for a film thickness of more than 160 µm, a 2% secant modulus of 200 to 400 N / mm2 for a film thickness of 120 to 160 µm and a 2% secant modulus of 100 to 350 N / mm2 for a film thickness of 80 to 120 µm.

5. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a longitudinal seam (12) closing the packaging container (2) in the circumferential direction is arranged on the rear wall (6) and the film strip (22) is positioned in cross-section in each case in the area of the transverse seams (26, 28) next to this longitudinal seam (12).

6. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first engagement element (34) is arranged in the area of the upper end (14) of the packaging container (2) and a further engagement element (34) is arranged in the area of the lower end (16) of the packaging container (2).

7. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an anti-sealing coating (44) is applied to the inner surface (30) of the front wall (4) between the connecting seams (26, 28) of the longitudinal channel (32).

8. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an anti-sealing coating (44) is applied to the film strip (22) between the connecting seams (26, 28) of the longitudinal channel (32).

9. Packaging container (2) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that a safety distance C of at least 1 mm, in particular of 5 - 15 mm, is arranged between each of the two connecting seams (26, 28) and the anti-sealing coating (44).

10. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a safety distance D of at least 1 mm, in particular of 5 - 15 mm, is arranged between the outer edges (in 20) of the film strip (2 20) and the connecting seams (26, 28) in each case.

11. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one engagement element (each 30) is a weakening line, in particular a perforation or notch line, which is arranged in the front wall (4).

12. Packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one engagement element (34) is essentially U-shaped with a base (46) and two legs (48) adjoining it, wherein the base (46) is 8 - 15 cm wide and the legs (48) are 1 - 3 cm long.

13. Film tube (50) for producing a packaging container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, with a front and a rear wall (4, 6), wherein an outer surface (10) of the front wall (4) is printed with a marking or advertising and is free from a longitudinal seam (12) closing the packaging container (2), and with a film strip (22) which is fastened to an inner surface (30) of the front wall (4) via two connecting seams (26, 28) running in the longitudinal direction of the film tube (22), and, together with the front wall (4) and the two connecting seams (26, 28), forms a longitudinal channel (32), characterized in that on the inner surface (30) of the front wall (4) between the connecting seams (26, 28) of the longitudinal channel (32) and / or to the film strip (22) between the connecting seams (26, 28) an anti-sealing coating (44) is applied over an extent A in the transverse direction of at least 45 mm, and by at least one engagement element (34) in the longitudinal channel (32), which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent (36) of the longitudinal channel (32) over the extent (A) of at least 45 mm and in cross-section above the film strip (22), enabling engagement in the longitudinal extent (36) of the longitudinal channel (32) between the front wall (4) and the film strip (22), and together with the front wall (4) forms a grip (38), and characterized by a handle-facilitating element (40) in the form of a weakening line in the front wall (4), in particular a perforation or notch line, which is assigned to one of the engagement elements (34) and has a distance (B) to this engagement element (34) of 3 - 12 cm, wherein at least one engagement element (34) is an opening (42).

14. Film tube (50) according to claim 13, characterized by a safety distance (C, D) of at least 1 mm, in particular from 5 to 15 mm, between each of the connecting seams (26, 28) and the anti-sealing coating (44) and / or between in each case the outer edge (24) of the film strip (22) and the connecting seam (26, 28) nearest thereto.

15. Film tube (50) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the longitudinal channel (32) is closed in the circumferential direction.