Packaging bag for hygiene products

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging bag for hygiene products (11), in particular for condoms (1), comprising a bag body (12), which has a filling volume of less than 50 ml and is formed at least by two front walls (1, 2) opposite one another, wherein the front walls are directly interconnected, at least in a first portion (5), by longitudinal sealing seams (4a) extending in the longitudinal direction (L). According to the invention, a bottom fold (7), which has bottom-fold portions (9, 10) separated by a folded edge (8), is arranged between the front walls (1, 2).

Description

[0001] Packaging bags for hygiene products

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to a packaging bag for hygiene articles, in particular for condoms, with a bag body which has a filling volume of less than 50 ml and is formed from at least two mutually opposite front walls, wherein the front walls are directly connected to one another via longitudinal sealing seams running along the longitudinal direction, at least in a first section

[0004] Such packaging bags are generally known from the prior art, although the invention relates to particularly small packaging bags that serve solely to contain a hygiene article. In particular, packaging bags intended for packaging a condom are known in this context.

[0005] Such packaging bags have a comparatively simply designed bag body which is formed exclusively from the two opposite front walls and wherein the front walls are directly connected to one another via longitudinal sealing seams running in the longitudinal direction and transverse sealing seams running in the transverse direction.

[0006] To open the bag body, a tear-off aid in the form of a notch is usually provided in the front walls, usually located in the area of ​​the sealed seams. This tear-off aid makes it easy to open the bag body and remove the hygiene product. At the same time, the sealed seams can be made non-peelable or permanent. This means that the sealed seam itself cannot be separated, so the hygiene product can only be removed by destroying the front walls.

[0007] Since such packaging bags are typically intended for individual packaging of a single hygiene product, several of these packaging bags are combined for sale within an outer packaging. This is often a cardboard box, which can then also be used to provide additional product information.

[0008] In light of the need to use packaging materials as efficiently as possible, there is now an increasing effort to reduce the amount of packaging, so that packaging bags are no longer combined in elaborately designed outer packaging. In this respect, the packaging bag itself assumes comparatively great importance, so product descriptions or other information must be provided via the bag body. However, the bag bodies typically have only a relatively small surface area for applying such information.

[0009] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a packaging bag which, compared to the packaging bags known to date, is distinguished by a bag body which provides additional functionality.

[0010] The subject matter and solution to this problem is a packaging bag according to patent claim 1. Accordingly, at least one bottom fold with bottom fold sections separated by a drop edge is arranged between the front walls. Corresponding bottom folds are known, for example, in stand-up pouches, where the bottom fold is intended to provide the possibility of standing upright in a filled state. However, these are without exception relatively large bags, which also usually serve to hold pourable products, so that the stand-up base can provide a possibility for easy removal of the products.

[0011] The invention is based on the realization that the inclusion of a bottom fold can be advantageous even in packaging bags whose bag body has a filling volume of less than 50 ml. Such a design makes it possible to enlarge the surface area of ​​the bag body, allowing additional information to be applied in the area of ​​the bottom fold.

[0012] A further development of the invention provides for the bottom pleat sections to be unconnected to one another. Within the scope of the invention, this means that the bottom pleat sections are connected to one another exclusively via the fold edge, with no further connections between the bottom pleat sections being provided. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to connect the bottom pleat sections to one another in certain areas, in which case this connection is detachable, allowing the bottom pleat sections to be completely separated from one another.

[0013] For example, it is conceivable to apply product features to one of the bottom fold sections, which the user can then read by unfolding the bottom fold sections. A detachable connection can be particularly useful if the information is only intended to be removed after the packaging bag has been sold. For example, it is possible to provide voucher codes or loyalty rewards on the bottom fold sections or between the bottom fold sections, with the bottom fold sections then being detachably connected to one another. Access to the information is then possible by breaking the detachable connection.

[0014] As already explained above, the invention relates to comparatively small bag bodies whose filling volume is less than 50 ml. In particular, a bag body with a filling volume of less than 25 ml, particularly preferably less than 15 ml, is provided.

[0015] The bag body itself has a length of between 30 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 40 and 80 mm, along a longitudinal and / or transverse direction. In this context, a transverse direction refers to a direction parallel to the fold edge. Accordingly, the fold edge extends between two longitudinally extending side edges of the bag body.

[0016] In principle, within the scope of the invention, it is sufficient if only one bottom fold is arranged between the front walls. However, a particularly preferred embodiment provides for an additional top fold with top fold sections separated from one another by a falling edge to be arranged between the front walls. The top fold sections of the top fold are preferably designed to be exclusively unconnected to one another or detachably connected to one another.

[0017] By incorporating a top fold, the surface area of ​​the bag body can be further increased. It is also conceivable for only the bottom fold sections to be unconnected to one another, while the top fold sections are detachably connected. In this context, it should be noted that a top fold and a bottom fold do not necessarily have to be connected in a particular orientation. With a symmetrical design of the bag body, the top fold or the bottom fold can each be arranged at a lower or upper end of the bag body. However, it is clear that the top fold and the bottom fold are two separate parts of the bag body.

[0018] In particular, it is provided that the bottom fold and the head fold are arranged at opposite ends of the bag body, so that the folding edges are also arranged parallel to each other.

[0019] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the top fold sections and / or the bottom fold sections are each directly connected to one of the front walls via the longitudinal sealing seams in a second section. To close the bag body, transverse sealing seams are also provided, which connect the bottom fold sections to one of the front walls in the area of ​​the bottom fold. If a top fold is provided, the transverse sealing seams also connect the top fold sections to one of the front walls. In a design without a top fold, a transverse sealing seam is preferably formed directly between the front walls.

[0020] Furthermore, the longitudinal seal seams and / or the transverse seal seams are preferably non-peelable. As already explained above, this is a type of seal seam in which the interconnected components of the bag body cannot be separated by separating the seal seam. Such a design is particularly advantageous with regard to production, as the process conditions do not need to be adjusted in great detail. The type of seal seam depends on the materials used for the front walls as well as for the bottom fold or the top fold. Accordingly, the longitudinal seal seams and / or the transverse seal seams can each be an adhesive seam or a heat-sealed seam.

[0021] However, a heat-sealed seam is only possible if the components of the bag body to be joined are made of a meltable material, particularly a meltable plastic, in the area of ​​the heat-sealed seam. For a peelable seal, not only the heat-sealing temperature but also the width of the seal and the melting depth must be considered to ensure a secure bond and, at the same time, to ensure that the seal can be separated by applying an appropriate shear force.

[0022] By creating a non-peelable seal, however, it is ensured that the bag body cannot be easily opened, while at the same time being significantly simpler in its design. This design is preferable, especially since the packaging bag should be as inexpensive to manufacture as possible.

[0023] As already explained above, the invention relates to packaging bags that typically serve only to package a single hygiene article, in particular a condom. Accordingly, the bag bodies have a small filling volume and small dimensions in the longitudinal and transverse directions. To still allow a sufficient increase in surface area through the bottom fold and / or the top fold, the bottom fold sections extend along a comparatively large surface area of ​​the front walls when lying flat.

[0024] In this case, the front walls are each connected to one another via longitudinal sealing seams arranged parallel to one another and running along the longitudinal direction in a first section and to a bottom fold section or a top fold section in a second section. The ratio of the length of the first section to the length of the second section is preferably between 6:1 and 2:1, in particular between 5:1 and 3:1.

[0025] A further development of the invention provides that the bag body, starting from a substantially rectangular shape, has at least one rounded corner. In principle, it is sufficient within the scope of the invention if only one corner of the bag body is rounded, although it is of course also within the scope of the invention for two, three, or all corners to be rounded. In particular, it is provided that at least one rounded corner is arranged in the area of ​​the bottom fold and / or the top fold.

[0026] Although the inclusion of a bottom fold and any top fold increases the surface area of ​​the bag body, it can also enable the bag body to be torn open. A notch is formed, particularly in the area of ​​the fold edge, which allows the bag body to be torn open. The bag body is then opened by separating the bottom fold and / or the top fold along the fold edge. The hygiene article, in particular a condom, can then be removed from the bag body. It is of course also within the scope of the invention to provide an additional tear-open aid. This tear-open aid is preferably at least one notch arranged in the area of ​​a bottom fold and / or top fold section.This makes it possible to open the bag body in a known manner by separating at least one front wall, whereby in addition to a front wall, the associated bottom fold section or head fold section is also separated.

[0027] A further development provides for at least two spaced-apart notches to be arranged in the area of ​​the bottom fold and / or top fold. The notches are then preferably provided only on one front wall and on the associated bottom fold or top fold section. This makes it possible to separate an area from the front wall, through which the hygiene article can then be removed from the bag body.

[0028] The design of the front walls as well as the bottom fold and / or the top fold are fundamentally unrestricted. This applies in particular to the bag material used. In particular, it can be provided that the front walls, the bottom fold and optionally also the top fold are formed by folding a common material web. According to such a design, the front walls, the bottom fold and / or the top fold can then be made of a uniform bag material. Of course, it is also within the scope of the invention to form the front walls from different bag materials. The bottom fold and / or the top fold are then preferably formed by folding a material web with one of the front walls. Of course, the bottom fold and / or the top fold can also be made of different bag materials than the front walls.The bag material can, for example, be single-layered, in which case it is preferably a single-layer bag film made of plastic or paper. In particular, a polyolefin, in particular polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), is preferably provided as the plastic. Polyolefins, in particular polyethylene, have the particular advantage that they can be easily bonded together by heat sealing. Alternatively, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), or polylactide (PLA) can also be used as the plastic. The plastic bag film can also be monoaxially or biaxially stretched. Cellophane is also a possible bag material.

[0029] A particularly preferred embodiment provides that at least one of the front walls, preferably both front walls, is formed from a multi-layer bag material. Such a design makes it possible to combine several layers into a laminate, with each layer having a different functionality.

[0030] In particular, it is provided that at least one layer of the bag material is made of paper or plastic. Of course, it is also conceivable to provide a layer of both paper and plastic. Based on such an embodiment, the plastic is preferably a polyolefin, in particular polyethylene or polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) or polylactide. The at least one plastic layer can furthermore be monoaxially or biaxially stretched. The plastic layer preferably forms an inner layer. A further layer, in particular made of paper, can then form an outer layer. This also makes it possible to join the two front walls together via a heat-sealed seam, while the outer paper layer gives the packaging bag a natural and sustainable design. The two layers are preferably joined together over their entire surface.If at least one of the two front walls has an inner layer of paper, the sealing layer is preferably designed as an adhesive layer. A polyurethane-based adhesive is then preferably used as the adhesive. Of course, it is also conceivable to provide multiple layers of plastic and / or paper.

[0031] A preferred development of the invention further provides that the bag material has one or more barrier layers. These barrier layers may be particularly necessary if the penetration and / or escape of liquids or gases from the bag body is to be prevented. Such a barrier layer may be particularly necessary when paper is used. At least one barrier layer can then be a layer of aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, or a metal layer. In addition, at least one barrier layer can be formed from polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and / or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). PVOH, in particular, is usually applied as a varnish, which then cures accordingly. EVOH is usually coextruded. If appropriate barrier layers are incorporated, the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the bag body can be between 0.1 and 30 cm 3 / m 2 / d at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. The water vapor permeability is preferably between 0.1 and 100 g / (m 2 d) according to DIN 53122-1.

[0032] Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the bag material to be formed from at least two layers that are not fully bonded to one another. For example, if a front wall is formed from such a bag material, this front wall can provide additional functionality, as supplementary substances for the packaged hygiene article can be provided between the two layers of this front wall. For example, a liquid or gel can then be arranged between the layers.

[0033] A preferred embodiment of the invention further provides that the front walls are formed from bag materials of varying stiffness. This creates a front wall whose stiffness provides particularly high protection for the packaged hygiene article. For example, if several packaging bags are combined, the packaging bags can be arranged so that the stiffer front walls face outwards.

[0034] A further development of the invention further provides that the bag body has a perforation within at least one longitudinal sealing seam and / or transverse sealing seam. This perforation preferably extends through the bag body. Furthermore, the at least one perforation has a smaller width than the width of the longitudinal sealing seam and / or transverse sealing seam. This ensures that an article arranged in the bag body is protected from the outside. At the same time, the additional perforation can enable a further function. For example, it is possible to connect the packaging bag with a strap like a tag. Several packaging bags can also be connected to one another via a strap arranged in the perforation. Of course, several perforations, e.g. two, three or more, can also be provided.In addition, at least one perforation can then be arranged in the longitudinal sealing seam and at least one perforation in the transverse sealing seam. Alternatively, at least two perforations are arranged in the longitudinal sealing seam or the transverse sealing seam. The invention further relates to a packaging arrangement with at least two packaging bags according to the invention, wherein a hygiene article is arranged in each of the bag bodies and wherein the bag bodies are connected to one another via a circumferential film section. The hygiene article is in particular a condom, wherein only one condom is arranged in each of the bag bodies. The film label can form a type of banderol which encloses the at least two packaging bags.In addition, the packaging bags can also each have at least one perforation in the longitudinal sealing seam and / or transverse sealing seam, wherein the packaging bags can then be connected to one another via a band arranged in the perforations.

[0035] The invention further relates to the use of a packaging bag according to the invention for packaging hygiene articles, in particular condoms. Also based on the intended use, preferably only one hygiene article, in particular a condom, is arranged in the packaging bag.

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures showing only one exemplary embodiment. They show:

[0037] Fig. 1 a bag according to the invention in a plan view

[0038] Fig. 2 the packaging bag according to Fig. 2 in an isometric

[0039] Depiction

[0040] Fig. 3 the packaging bag according to Fig. 1 in an open state Fig. 4 an alternative design of the packaging bag with an additional head fold

[0041] Fig. 5 of the packaging bag according to Fig. 4 with a rigid front wall.

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a packaging bag according to the invention for containing a hygiene article, which in this case is a condom 11.

[0043] The packaging bag has a bag body 12 which is formed from two front walls 1, 2 and which is closed by a sealing seam 4 running along a circumferential edge of the front walls 1, 2.

[0044] In particular, when compared with Fig. 2, it becomes clear that the front walls 1, 2 are only connected to one another in a first section 5 directly via longitudinal sealing seams 4a along a longitudinal direction L, while in a second region 6 a bottom fold 7 with two bottom fold sections 9, 10 separated by a folding edge 8 is arranged between the front walls 1, 2.

[0045] Along the transverse direction Q, the front walls 1, 2 are directly connected to each other outside the bottom fold 7 via a transverse sealing seam 4b. In the area of ​​the bottom fold, a transverse sealing seam 4b connects each of the bottom fold sections 9, 10 to the adjacent front wall 1, 2.

[0046] The longitudinal sealing seams and the transverse sealing seams 4a, 4b are designed to be non-peelable, so that they cannot be separated when a shear force is applied.

[0047] In contrast to known stand-up pouches, the bottom gusset sections 9, 10 are not connected to each other, as these bottom gusset sections 9, 10 do not serve to stand up the packaging bag. Rather, the surface area of ​​the bag body 12 is enlarged via the bottom gusset sections 9, 10, so that, for example, additional information can be applied, in particular printed, to the bottom gusset sections 9, 10.

[0048] In addition, the bottom fold 7 is also comparatively large, wherein the ratio of the length of the first section 5 to the second section 6 along the longitudinal direction L is between 6:1 and 2:1.

[0049] Furthermore, the bag body has a length of between 30 and 100 mm, preferably between 40 and 80 mm, along the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q.

[0050] In addition to providing a larger surface area for the bag body 12, the design with a bottom fold 7 also has the advantage that the bag body 12 can be easily separated. This is illustrated in Fig. 3. It can be seen that the bag body 12 can be opened by separating the bottom fold 7 along the fold edge 8, and the hygiene article in the form of the condom 11 can be removed.

[0051] From Figures 1 to 3, it is also evident that the bag body 12 has rounded corners 13 in the area of ​​the bottom fold 7. In contrast, outside the bottom fold 6, the corners are not rounded.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows an alternative design of the packaging bag, wherein the bag body 12 is now formed not only with a bottom fold 7 but also with a head fold 14, so that two folding edges 8 spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction are now provided, between which the condom 11 can be arranged. The head fold 14 also has head fold sections 15, 16, which are each connected to one of the front walls 1, 2 via longitudinal sealing seams 4a and a transverse sealing seam 4b. In contrast to the design according to Figs. 1 to 3, an even larger surface is obtained for accommodating further information. In this context, it should also be noted that, regardless of the specific design, the bottom fold sections 9, 10 and / or the head fold sections 15, 16 can in principle be detachably connected to one another. For this purpose, in particular a detachable adhesive is applied, which can be easily removed by applying a shear force orPeel force allows the product to be removed. In particular, it is intended that this not be done over the entire surface. This design is useful if the product needs to be removed later, for example, if voucher codes or loyalty rewards are to be concealed.

[0053] According to the design of Fig. 4, the corners in the area of ​​the head fold are also designed as rounded corners 13.

[0054] There are basically no restrictions regarding the choice of material for the front walls 1, 2, as well as for the bottom fold 7 and the top fold 14. In particular, the film can be a single-layer or multi-layer film, although a polyethylene design is provided, particularly in the area of ​​the sealing seams 4a, 4b, so that the front walls 1, 2 can be joined to one another by heat sealing, either directly or by including a bottom fold 7 and / or top fold 14.

[0055] According to Fig. 5, it is provided that the front wall 2 is made of a stiffer material, so that the bag body 12 is well protected from this side.

[0056] For the embodiments shown in the figures, the material combinations shown in the table have proven particularly advantageous. Furthermore, according to variants 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, and 12, the combinations shown therein can comprise a barrier layer made of EVOH (coextruded), PVOH (coated), metal, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide, whereby these barrier layers can be arranged on one or both front walls 1, 2. Variants 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 14 to 17 have identical barrier layers except for EVOH. According to variant 13, only a barrier layer made of EVOH is provided.

[0057]

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Packaging bag for hygiene articles (11), in particular for condoms (1), with a bag body (12) which has a filling volume of less than 50 ml and is formed from at least two mutually opposite front walls (1, 2), wherein the front walls are directly connected to one another via longitudinal sealing seams (4a) running along the longitudinal direction (L) at least in a first section (5), characterized in that a bottom fold (7) with bottom fold sections (9, 10) separated from one another by a folding edge (8) is arranged between the front walls (1, 2).

2. Packaging bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom fold sections (8, 9) of the bottom fold (7) are designed to be exclusively unconnected to one another or detachably connected to one another.

3. Packaging bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bag body (12) has a length running in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or a width running in the transverse direction (Q) of between 30 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 40 and 80 mm.

4. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in addition a head fold (14) with head fold sections (15, 16) separated from one another by a folding edge (8) is arranged between the front walls (1, 2).

5. Packaging bag according to claim 4, characterized in that the head fold sections (15, 16) of the head fold (14) are designed to be exclusively unconnected to one another or detachably connected to one another.

6. Packaging bag according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the top fold (14) and the bottom fold (7) are arranged at opposite ends of the bag body (12).

7. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the top fold sections (15, 16) and / or the bottom fold sections (9, 10) are each connected directly to one of the front walls (1, 2) via the longitudinal sealing seams (4a) in a second section (6).

8. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the longitudinal sealing seam (4a) is non-peelable.

9. Packaging bag according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the ratio of the length of the first section (5) to the length of the second section (6) is between 6:1 and 2:

1.

10. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bag body (12) has at least one rounded corner (13) starting from a substantially rectangular shape.

11. Packaging bag according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one rounded corner (13) is arranged in the region of the bottom fold (7) and / or the head fold (14).

12. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the bag body (12) has a tear-open aid in the form of at least one notch which is arranged in the region of a bottom and / or top fold section (15, 16).

13. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the front walls (1, 2) is formed from a multi-layer bag material.

14. Packaging bag according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one layer of the bag material is made of paper or plastic.

15. Packaging bag according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the bag material has a barrier layer.

16. Packaging bag according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the bag material is formed from at least two layers which are not fully bonded to one another.

17. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the front walls (1, 2) are formed from a bag material of different stiffness.

18. Packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the bag body has a perforation within at least one longitudinal sealing seam and / or transverse sealing seam.

19. Packaging arrangement with at least two packaging bags according to one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a hygiene article (11) is arranged in each of the bag bodies (12) and wherein the bag bodies (12) are connected to one another via a circumferential film label.

20. Use of a packaging bag according to one of claims 1 to 19 for the packaging of hygiene articles (11 ), in particular condoms (1 ).

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