Patent Application
20120043329
The present invention relates to a reclosable packaging, with a packaging body, with an edge component surrounding a packaging opening and which is irremovably connected to the packaging body, and also with a lid which is held on the edge component and closes the packaging opening, wherein the packaging body is substantially formed by a flexible packaging body film at least in one section accommodating the edge component, wherein the lid is connected to the edge component by means of a first detachable connection in the form of an adhesive bond or seal in the initially closed packaging state, and in a reclosed packaging state after a first opening is connected to the edge component by means of a second detachable and restorable connection that is formed separately from the first connection.
Such a packaging is known on the market for example for coffee pads. This packaging is formed almost completely of flexible plastics film, more specifically a plastics film laminate.
The lid of this packaging is formed as a dimensionally stable component of thermoplastic material.
In order to stiffen that section of the package that is to accommodate the lid, an annular dimensionally stable edge component likewise made of thermoplastic material is sealed onto the film laminate of the packaging body under a pressure and temperature chosen so that the dimensionally stable edge component is, when the packaging is correctly used, irremovably connected to the packaging body film.
The lid in turn is inserted with a plug section into the packaging opening defined by the edge component and is held there by clamping as a result of material elasticities and friction.
In an initially closed packaging, i.e. a packaging that has been filled and closed but has not yet been opened by a user, the lid is additionally sealed onto the edge component by an ultrasound welding method so as to produce a high closure quality and ensure closure reliability.
A disadvantage of the known reclosable packaging is its difficult processability during its manufacture.
For example, on the one hand the strength of the seal between the lid and edge component can be reproduced only with difficulty, which in some cases can lead to initially closed packagings in which the strength of the seal between the edge component and lid is greater than the material strength of the lid itself. As a result it may undesirably happen that the lid is destroyed when opening the packaging, while lid sections still remain stuck to the edge component.
In addition problems also arise with the irremovable sealing of the edge component to the packaging body film, in which the packaging body film can be damaged by the sealing tool specifically on the outwardly facing presentation surface of the packaging body.
For example, a localised sticking of the packaging body film to the sealing tool may occur, whereby when the sealing tool is lifted away from the packaging body film after completion of sealing, threads are withdrawn from the film. As a result deposits of material can form on the sealing tool, which during subsequent sealing operations can undesirably be transferred to subsequent packagings. This forming of threads can be counteracted by altering the sealing parameters, which however can lead during the sealing to leaks between the packaging body and the separately formed dimensionally stable edge component.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a reclosable packaging of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the aforementioned problems are minimised or even completely avoided.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a generic reclosable packaging, in which the lid comprises a plug section that penetrates the packaging opening in the reclosed packaging state as well as a flexible lid film that is irremovably connected to the plug section, a joining section of the flexible lid film being connected to the edge component with the formation of the first detachable connection in the initially closed packaging state, and the plug section forms the second detachable connection with the edge component in the reclosed packaging state.
The reclosability of the packaging is ensured by the plug section of the lid. For this purpose the plug section is simply pressed into the packaging opening.
The lid film irremovably connected to the plug section permits the formation of the first detachable connection of the lid to the edge component by bonding and/or sealing the joining section of the lid film to the edge component. On account of the high process reliability the irremovable connection of the lid film and plug section is also formed by bonding and/or irremovable sealing.
The plug section, which in the solution employed in the prior art was frequently destroyed together with the whole lid, i.e. was torn, when the adhesive forces of the first detachable connection were higher than the material strength of the lid, remains intact in the solution according to the invention proposed here, when the lid, which is preferably peelably bonded and/or sealed to the edge component by means of the lid film, is ripped open.
Even if the lid film were destroyed in the first opening of the packaging, the plug section still remains as a preferably one-piece component, in particular of injection-moulded or thermoformed plastics material, as a result of which the packaging can be reliably reclosed.
As a rule the lid in the initially closed packaging state is additionally held to the first connection also by the second connection on the remaining packaging. This is however not absolutely necessary.
The term “film” in the context of this application applies to films having a film or laminate thickness of up to 250 μm.
A strict distinction is made between films within the meaning of the present invention and so-called rigid or dimensionally stable plastics, which although they are elastically deformable under the action of a force are nevertheless as a whole dimensionally stable.
In principle it can be envisaged for the edge component to be formed in one piece with the packaging body. However, the edge component is preferably a separately formed component.
A specifically peelable first connection between the lid film and the edge component can be achieved if the edge component is formed from a flexible edge component film, which is irremovably connected to the packaging body film in the region of the packaging opening and which is connected to the lid film by peelable bonding and/or sealing, to form the first detachable connection.
Since the edge component, just like at least the section of the packaging body carrying the edge component is produced from a film, an irremovable connection of the edge component to the packaging body film can be achieved, just like the first detachable connection, virtually without any problem, in particular by sealing, if the packaging is used correctly. Specifically the connection of two films to one another by sealing is known in packaging technology and is a proven technique.
In addition the use of an edge component formed of edge component film is substantially cheaper than the use of the dimensionally stable thermoplastic edge component known from the prior art.
It has surprisingly been found that also by using a film-like edge component instead of the hitherto used dimensionally stable edge component together with the packaging body film, a sufficiently dimensionally stable packaging body section can be formed for defining the packaging opening and for accommodating the lid. This was also not to be expected by the use of basically only dimensionally unstable starting components.
When furthermore the present application discusses the strengths and load-carrying capacities of connections, such as for example a detachable or an irremovable connection, this always refers to the strength, load-carrying capacity or (non-)detachability provided the packaging is properly used.
A cold-bonding adhesive, i.e. one which bonds at ambient temperature, or alternatively a hot-sealing lacquer, can be used as adhesive for producing a detachable connection of the lid film to the edge component.
Preferably the lid film is however sealed to the edge component, i.e surface regions of the edge component and lid film that in the initially closed packaging state are arranged adjacent to one another, are melted, and are then sealed to one another by applying pressure. With a suitable choice of material and choice of sealing parameters such as temperature, pressure and time, the lid can be peeled off from the edge component, similar to the case of tear-off packagings for yoghurt, cottage cheese and the like. Such a connection is also termed a “peelable” connection in the art.
If in order to ensure a particularly high closure quality the lid in the initially closed packaging state is joined by two detachable connections to the edge component, namely to the first detachable connection between the lid film and the edge component and to the second detachable and restorable connection between the edge component and plug section, whereas in the reclosed packaging state the first detachable connection is not relevant, then in order to open the still initially closed packaging a higher opening force is required than to open the simply reclosed packaging.
If the edge component, in particular as film component, has a first edge component section that is directly irremovably connected to the packaging body film, and has a second edge component section that is only indirectly connected via the first edge component section to the packaging body film, the edge component can on the one hand be securely irremovably connected to the packaging body film and can just as reliably provide a section to which the lid can be detachably connected.
Preferably the second edge component section, not directly connected to the packaging body film, stands proud of the packaging body film. In this way, especially if the edge component is formed from the edge component film, on the one hand the stiffness and stability of the packaging can be significantly increased in a very simple and uncomplicated manner in the region immediately around the packaging opening, in which the packaging body with the edge component is substantially formed only from film material.
On the other hand, with the second edge component section standing proud of the packaging body film a sufficient joining area for the connection to the lid, more specifically to the lid film, can be provided also with otherwise very slender packagings.
In principle it may be envisaged to connect the plug section, if made of a suitable material as an injection-moulded component or thermoformed component of thermoplastic material, directly to the lid film, particularly preferably again by thermal sealing. Surprisingly it has been found however that the plug section too can be formed, at least in portions, preferably completely, from a plug section film.
Especially if the edge component is connected with a first edge component section to the packaging body film, whereas a second edge component section stands proud of the packaging body film, the lid with the lid film and plug section can be arranged lowered with respect to an envelope of the overall packaging if a packaging body section connected to the first edge component section projects in the initially closed packaging beyond the lid section protruding outwardly over the edge component, in the protrusion direction. As a result there is less possibility of an unintended and uncontrolled external force acting on the lid, in particular on the plug section, for example during transportation of the packaging.
In order to safeguard the lid and also to provide sufficient dimensional stability in the region of the packaging adjacent to the packaging opening, the first and second edge component sections enclose at least in sections, preferably along their whole extent, an angle, preferably a right angle. Likewise, the second edge component section advantageously encloses at least in sections, preferably along the whole extent of the edge component, an angle, preferably a right angle, with the packaging body.
The edge component is advantageously formed as a closed ring, whose radially inner edge forms a boundary of the packaging opening. In this case the term “extent” in the previous paragraph denotes the circumferential length.
This ring is preferably circular, though this need not be the case. The edge component can likewise have an oval (elliptical) shape or a polygonal shape or a combination of round and polygonal shapes.
In this case a radially outer section of the annular edge component can preferably be the first edge component section, while a radially inner section of the edge component is the second edge component section.
For the best possible connection of the edge component to the packaging body film the first edge component section in the case of a surrounding edge component is likewise surrounding.
For the best possible screening of the packaging volume enclosed by the packaging against external environmental influences that could promote spoiling of the packaged contents, it may be envisaged that at least one film out of the packaging body film, the lid film, the edge component film and the plug section film is a laminate comprising at least two film layers, one of which forms a barrier layer.
Barrier layers are known per se in the prior art. Suitable barrier layers include for example EVOH, SiOx, AlOx and the like.
In order to screen the packaged goods not only against gases, such as oxygen and hydrogen, but also to exclude any action of UV radiation, the barrier layer is preferably a metal layer, particularly preferably a metallised layer. In this connection aluminium has proved particularly suitable as material for an absolute barrier.
The metal layer can be joined via intermediate bonding layers to adjacent layers of the laminate.
The packaging body film and the edge component film, and particularly preferably also the lid film, are preferably provided with a barrier layer. In order to ensure as good a barrier effect as possible, the plug section film can also comprise a barrier layer.
For the simplest possible connection of the films to one another it may alternatively or additionally be envisaged that at least one film from the packaging body film, the lid film, the edge component film and the plug section film is a laminate comprising at least two film layers, at least one of which is an outer layer, preferably both are outer layers, formed from a sealable thermoplastic material.
Particularly preferably all four films involved in the packaging described here are provided in each case with two outer-lying layers of sealable thermoplastic material.
Since the edge component film as well as the lid film should in each case engage in an irremovable connection and a detachable connection, in a preferred embodiment of the invention it is envisaged that at least in the case of the edge component film or the lid film, preferably both films, but particularly preferably also the plug section film, an outer layer of a sealable thermoplastic material is suitable for forming irremovable connections. Such a plastic is for example polypropylene (PP). Furthermore, it is also envisaged that the in each case other outer layer is formed from a sealable thermoplastic material for the formation of a detachable connection, in particular a peelable connection. Such a plastic material is for example oriented polypropylene (OPP) or PP-peel.
A further important feature of packagings is their printability. In order to ensure that the reclosable packaging can be printed with user information and the like, it may be envisaged that at least one film from the packaging body film, the lid film, the edge component film and the plug section film is a laminate of at least two film layers, at least one of which is a layer capable of receiving printing inks. For this purpose there may be provided in particular a layer of a polyester, in particular of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The PET layer can also be provided in order to increase the laminate stiffness.
Alternatively or in addition the outer layer too, in particular the OPP outer layer, can to protect the colour application be printed by a counter-printing method, or without any special protection, simply by using an imprinting method.
The compatibility of the packaging body film and/or edge component film and/or lid film and/or plug section film as well as their material properties can then be adjusted to be substantially similar or even identical, if the aforementioned films comprise substantially identical layers.
Particularly preferably they comprise the same layer structure, i.e. layers of the same material are arranged in the same order in the laminate.
For reasons of cost, the packaging body film, the lid film, the edge component film and the plug section film are particularly preferably substantially identical. In this case one film can be used to form the edge component and also the packaging body adjacent to the packaging opening.
In order to achieve the best possible barrier property of the packaging, it may be envisaged that the lid film spans the plug section. Owing to the fact that the lid film spans the plug section, i.e. surrounds this section looking outwardly from the interior of the packaging, the lid film in the initially closed state and with a suitable choice of film provides a suitable barrier, in particular absolute barrier, against gases and/or light, so that the plug section can be produced from an inexpensive material without barrier properties.
Owing to the fact that the lid film spans the plug section, the whole lid surface can also be printed if the lid film is provided with the aforementioned properties ensuring printability. For the reliable attachment of the lid film to the edge component it may be envisaged that the lid film in its plane of extension has, in at least one spatial direction, a larger dimension than the plug section. This means therefore that the lid film in at least one of its flat extension directions projects beyond the plug section, so that the lid film, especially if the edge component comprises the aforementioned edge component film, can be detachably joined in a very simple and reliable manner to the edge component.
Preferably the lid film has in its plane of extension in at least two mutually orthogonal spatial directions larger dimensions than the plug section, which permits a more reliable joining of the lid film to the edge component.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention it is envisaged that the plug section extends along a longitudinal axis and the lid film surrounds the plug section radially outwardly referred to the longitudinal axis. The plug section in fact often has a cylindrical or similar shape, i.e. it has an outside surface (jacket or cover surface) along which it abuts at one edge of the packaging opening and thereby closes the said packaging opening. This outside surface extends in the axial direction, in order to impart to the plug section the necessary axial expansion so that the section can be inserted into the packaging opening.
If the lid film surrounds the plug section radially outwardly, the plug section in the initially closed packaging can be completely surrounded by film, so that a packaging can be obtained that at least in the packaging opening section is completely printable and/or is provided with a barrier over the whole surface.
The plug section is then as it were packaged by the films externally surrounding it: the packaging body film, lid film and possibly edge component film. Therefore it does not necessarily depend on the barrier and printing properties of the plug section.
As regards the reclosability of the packaging, it may be envisaged that the plug section abuts against a radially inner edge of the edge component when the packaging opening is closed by the lid.
As already mentioned, the lid can be joined in a particularly simple manner to the remaining packaging if the joining section of the lid film surrounds radially outwardly the plug section of the lid. Then in particular the joining section can abut against a two-dimensional section of the edge component, while the plug section abuts against the radially inner edge of the edge component and thus penetrates the packaging opening defined by the radially inner edge of the edge component.
Especially in the reclosed packaging state the lid can close the packaging opening reliably and sufficiently firmly if the plug section is held by a material-elastic clamping action and the thereby exerted friction by the edge component.
Such a material-elastic clamping action can be obtained for example if the edge component forms an edge of the packaging opening, the dimensions of the plug section being larger than the associated dimensions of the packaging opening.
Associated “dimensions” are in this connection the dimensions of those sections of the edge component (for defining the packaging opening) and plug section which, when the packaging is correctly reclosed, mutually engage via a bearing surface.
In the case of a plug section of circular cross-section and a packaging opening of circular cross-section, the associated dimensions are the respective diameters of the plug section and packaging opening.
In the case of elliptical cross-sections of the plug section and packaging opening, the two minor semi-axes and the two major semi-axes of the respective elliptical cross-sections for example are associated with one another.
In order to form the aforementioned outside surface the plug section can advantageously comprise an outside section that extends at a predetermined angle away from the lid film. Preferably the outside section extends at a right angle away from the lid film or at least in sections is slightly conical, i.e. tapers in the direction away from the lid film, in order to facilitate an insertion of the outside section into the packaging opening so that the outside surface can bear against the radially inner edge of the packaging opening.
In order to ensure as reliable and tight a bearing as possible of the plug section on the outside surface of the outside section, this can be formed all the way round along a closed path referred to a reference axis orthogonal to the plane of extension of the lid film.
In some cases it may be sufficient if the plug section consists only of the outside section, i.e. the plug section is formed from a ring or hollow cylinder and the like standing proud at an angle from the lid film. The external shape of the outside section, i.e. the shape of the outside surface, is shaped corresponding to the contour of the radially inner edge of the packaging opening so as to achieve as tight a packaging as possible in the reclosed packaging state. This means that the outside surface on the outside section can have a circular, elliptical or polygonal cross-section, or combinations thereof.
To accommodate materials that first of all are to be provided separately from the contents of the reclosable packaging according to the invention, it may be envisaged that a wall section of the plug section lying radially within the outside section referred to the aforementioned reference axis together with the outside section and the lid film enclose a storage space.
This storage space can according to a preferred development of the present invention be utilised so as to accommodate so-called scavenger materials, which are intended to absorb or bind gases, such as for example oxygen and/or ethylene, and/or liquids, such as for example water, in order to protect the actual contents of the packaging according to the invention for as long as possible against undesirable external influences due to the substances to be absorbed and/or bound.
For a particularly permanent and secure connection of the lid film to the plug section, it may also be envisaged that a wall section of the plug section lying radially within the outside section with reference to the reference axis, is connected, preferably irremovably, to the lid film. Preferably for this purpose the wall section runs at least in sections parallel to the lid film.
Also it may be desirable in certain circumstances to make the contents of the aforedescribed storage space accessible to users. For this purpose it may be envisaged that the wall section is formed by a cover film preferably detachably connected, preferably by sealing, to the end region of the outside section lying remote from the lid film.
To ensure the best possible reclosability of the packaging according to the invention, it may be envisaged that the outside section comprises at least along a circumferential section, preferably running all the way round, a catch protrusion that projects radially outwardly referred to the reference axis.
So that the plug section can nevertheless be inserted without too much difficulty into the packaging opening, the reclosable packaging described here can furthermore be formed in such a way that the catch protrusion comprises an insertion bevel inclined with respect to the opening surface of the packaging opening, which facilitates an insertion of the plug section into the packaging opening so as to produce the reclosed packaging state.
In order either to make the contents of the storage space accessible already before an opening of the packaging, or simply to be able to utilise the plug section, in particular its outside section, as a stacking aid when stacking a plurality of the same kind of reclosable packagings according to the invention, the packaging can according to a preferred embodiment be modified so that the outside section in the initially closed packaging state projects from the lid film in the direction away from the packaging interior, and is preferably irremovably connected to a side of the lid film that in the initially closed state points away from the packaging interior.
Preferably for reasons of cost the whole packaging body is formed of film laminate. In this connection cylindrical packaging bodies in particular have proved suitable as dimensionally stable packaging bodies that can be constructed with simple means from dimensionally unstable films.
It should be added that the packaging according to the invention can according to an advantageous modification to facilitate the first opening, be formed so that the lid film comprises a tear-off tab as tear-off aid that preferably projects beyond an outer edge of the packaging, so that it can be gripped more easily by a user.
Also, to facilitate the stackability of the packaging it may be envisaged that the lid film in the initially closed packaging state is substantially flat. To this end, in particular the plug section is arranged sufficiently sunk in the packaging opening and/or is formed from a sufficiently thin film laminate so that it cannot be seen or scarcely so on the lid film, even if it is already arranged in the initially closed packaging state.
The present invention is described hereinafter in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
In
The packaging 10 comprises a cylindrical packaging body 12 of a packaging body film 13, onto one axial longitudinal end 12a of which an edge component 14 is permanently sealed on the inside 12b.
The edge component 14 formed from an edge component film 15, which is produced from the same film material as the packaging body 12, is in a first edge component section 14a permanently sealed with its outside 14b to the inside 12b of the packaging body 12 substantially over the whole common axial and radial extension length. Alternatively this connection could also be formed by bonding instead of thermal sealing.
A second edge component section 14c joined in the radial direction to the first edge component section projects orthogonally from the cylindrical packaging body 12 radially inwardly, i.e. towards the axis of rotation Z.
The edge component 14 is formed from an originally substantially flat annular film piece, which extends in the radial direction over the joint length of the first edge component section 14b and second edge component section 14c. When the edge component is inserted into the cylindrical inner surface 12b of the packaging body 12 the first edge component section 14a is thus necessarily deformed into the position illustrated in
A radial inner edge 14d of the edge component 14 defines in the undeformed state a packaging opening 16, through which the interior 18 of the packaging 10 is accessible from outside.
The packaging 10 is shown in
In this initially closed state the packaging opening 16 (the position of the radially inner edge 14d of the edge component 14 with undeformed second edge component section 14c is indicated by dotted lines in
Already due to this material elastic deformation and the resultant friction, the lid 20 is held securely on the edge component 14. The clamping of the lid 20 to the second edge component section 14c produced by the material elastic deformation ensures that the packaging 10 can be reclosed after the first opening.
The plug section 20a furthermore comprises a radially outwardly projecting and surrounding connecting section 20b. This connection section 20b runs substantially parallel to the extension plane of the second radial component section 14c.
A lid film 22 is irremovably sealed to the side 20c of the connecting section 20b facing towards the edge component. The joining of the lid film 22 to the connecting section 20b of the plug section 20a corresponds as regards its strength substantially to the joining of the first edge component section 14a to the longitudinal end 12a of the packaging body 12.
The lid film 22 is made of the same film material as the packaging body 12 and the edge component 14 of the illustrated embodiment. The lid film 22, which enclosably surrounds the plug section 20a of the lid 20, is arranged over almost the whole circumference of the lid 20 underneath the connecting section 20b. The lid film 22 comprises an opening tab 22a simply at the position indicated in
The lid film 22 is detachably, more specifically peelably, sealed with its side 22b facing away from the connecting section 20b, to the outwardly facing side 14e of the edge component 14. The region of the lid film 22 abutting and peelably sealed to the edge component film 15 defines its joining section 22d.
The lid film 22 is however, as already mentioned above, irremovably connected by its opposite outer side 22c by thermal or ultrasound-initiated sealing to the surface 20c of the connecting section 20b.
To open for the first time the packaging 10 hermetically closed by the detachable sealing of the edge component 14 to the lid film 22 and by the irremovable sealing of the lid film 22 to the lid 20, the lid film tab 22a is firmly gripped between two fingers and pulled axially away from the packaging body 12. In this way the lid film 22 is peeled from the edge component 14 and the plug section 20a is pulled out of the packaging opening 16.
When it is desired to reclose the packaging 10 the plug section 20a can be pressed into the packaging opening under deformation of the region of the edge component 14 adjacent to the edge 14d, and thereby close the opening.
The plug section 20a is then held on the packaging by the material elastic deformation of the edge component 14 and the friction thereby generated between the edge component 14 and the plug section 20a.
Due to the irremovable connection of the first edge component section 14a to the axial longitudinal end region 12a of the packaging body 12, the axial longitudinal end of the packaging 10 containing the longitudinal end region 12a is considerably stiffened, so that the region of the packaging 10 adjacent to the packaging opening 16 substantially retains its shape during an opening procedure as well as in the opened state.
In order to protect the lid 20 against undesired action of forces and thus undesired opening, say for example when the packaging 10 is being transported, the longitudinal end region 12a of the packaging body and also the first edge component section 14a in the closed state of the packaging 10 project outwardly in the axial direction beyond the lid 20.
The plug section 20a comprises an outside section 20f extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation Z. This outside section 20f joins directly onto the connecting section 20b of the plug section 20a.
On the radial external section of the outside section 20f there is shown in dotted lines a radial protrusion 34 of the outside section 20f surrounding the axis of rotation Z, which is formed so as to engage behind the radially inner edge 14d of the edge component 14 in the manner of a catch. In order to facilitate an insertion of the plug section 20a into the interior 18 of the packaging through the packaging opening 16, an insertion bevel 34a is formed on the radial protrusion 34, which likewise surrounds the axis of rotation Z. This insertion bevel 34a continues radially inwardly as far as the region of the material section 20f.
The plug section 20a can, as is otherwise shown by the continuous line, be formed in the shape of a cup, with a wall section 20g substantially parallel to the plane of the packaging opening 16, the wall section adjoining the end of the outside section 20f remote from the lid film 22.
Alternatively the outside section 20f can also be formed in the shape of a bulb according to the dotted line contour identified as 20f. In this case the outside section 20f′ has a U-shaped cross-section seen in a cross-sectional view containing the axis of rotation Z, the radially inner wall section 20g′ being situated approximately at the level of the connecting section 20b.
The wall section 20g or 20g′, respectively, fills the whole region of the plug section 20a lying radially within the outside section 20f or 20f, respectively, which thereby enables the packaging opening 16 to be tightly closed.
The packaging illustrated in
The same is also true if the packaging is to be printed or is to be at least printable substantially without gaps, but in any case also in the lid region.
In order to obviate these disadvantages there is proposed the particularly preferred second embodiment of a packaging according to the invention illustrated in
The embodiment illustrated in
In the second embodiment illustrated in
However, in
The lid film 122 is for this purpose sealed irremovably to the side 120e of the connecting section 120b of the lid 120 with its side 122b, with which it is peelably sealed to the side 114e of the edge component 114 formed by the edge component film 115.
The different strengths of the connections of the lid film 122 to the edge component 114 on the one hand and to the plug section 120a on the other hand can be adjusted by a different temperature and/or sealing pressure and/or sealing time, wherein it is found that the connection strength increases with increasing sealing temperature and/or increasing sealing pressure and/or increasing sealing time.
Apart from the tab 122a the lid film 122, like the connecting section 120b to which it is sealed, is substantially circular, but has a larger diameter than the plug section 120a and the connecting section 120b, respectively, so that the lid film 122 together with its joining section 122d radially outwardly completely surrounds the plug section 120a. In this way the plug section 120a is completely enclosed by the film structure consisting of packaging body film 113, edge component film 115 and lid film 122.
The packaging 110 is thus extremely well protected against undesired opening by accidental withdrawal of the plug section 120a.
Furthermore, in the preferred case of a packaging 110 formed exclusively of the aforementioned films, a complete packaging, i.e. one that can be printed on all sides, can be obtained.
Likewise a packaging completely provided, i.e. on all sides, with barrier properties can also be achieved.
The contents packaged by the packaging 110 are thereby protected in the best possible way against external influences.
As is shown in
For a particularly reliable connection of the lid film 122 to the plug section 120a, in the aforedescribed variant of the outside section 120f′ with a substantially U-shaped cross-section the radially inwardly adjoining wall section 120g′ can be joined in sections or completely detachably or irremovably to the lid film 122, particularly preferably by sealing.
Owing to the fact that the lid film 122 spans the plug section 120a, if the plug section as illustrated in
Alternatively or in addition it may also be envisaged to make the storage space 130 accessible to users of the packaging 110. For this purpose, especially if the outside section 120r of the plug section 120a is simply formed as a ring projecting from the lid film 122, the wall section 120g″ adjoining the outside section 120f″ can be formed as a plug section film 132 substantially parallel to the lid film 122, spanning the plug section 122a at its end remote from the lid film 122. The plug section film 132 can in particular be sealed detachably to the outside section 120f″ or generally to the plug section 120a, in particular peelably sealed.
The plug section film 132 is preferably identical to at least one, more preferably to all the aforementioned films, so that just one single film material has to be used to form the packaging according to the invention.
The film laminate that is used comprises as an outer layer a layer 30 of detachable (peelable) sealable thermoplastic material, in the illustrated embodiment of oriented polypropylene (OPP) with a layer thickness of about 30 μm.
A printable layer 32, i.e. one that can take printing ink, adjoins the outer layer 30. In the illustrated example this printable layer is formed by a layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a layer thickness of about 12 μm.
A barrier layer 34 adjoins the side of the PET layer 32 facing away from the OPP layer 30. In the illustrated example this is an aluminium layer of about 8 μm layer thickness.
Finally, a layer of irremovably sealable thermoplastic material adjoins, as second outer layer 36, the side of the aluminium layer 34 facing away from the PET layer 32. In the illustrated example the second outer layer 36 is formed by polypropylene (PP) with a layer thickness of about 70 μm.
The advantage of this laminate structure lies also in the fact that in the packaging 10 illustrated in
The first edge component section 14a and the packaging body 12 are irremovably connected to one another via the outer layers 36 of the involved films.
The second edge component section 14 and the lid film 22 are peelably connected to one another via adjoining outer layers 30 of the involved films 15 and 22.
The plug section 20a, which for this purpose is also formed of polypropylene, is in turn irremovably connected to this via the outer layer 36 of the lid film 22.
Up to the connection of the plug section 20a to the lid film 22, the same details apply to the example illustrated in
In the illustrated examples the packaging opening 16; 116 in the unclosed state of the packaging 10; 110, i.e. with the undeformed second edge component section 14c; 114, has a smaller diameter than the plug section 20a; 120a of the lid 20; 120 that can be inserted into the packaging opening 16; 116. When the plug section 20a; 120a is pressed into the packaging opening 16; 116 the section therefore expands against the material elasticity of the second edge component section 14c; 114c. The edge 14d; 114d of the edge component 14; 114 abuts against the plug section 20a; 120a of the lid 20; 120 as a result of the material properties, with an elastic force produced by this expansion and the thereby caused additional friction, and holds the section detachably in the closure position.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2009 019 279.4 | Apr 2009 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2010/055746 | 4/28/2010 | WO | 00 | 10/27/2011 |
