Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2556656T3/en
Timestamp: 2020-03-29 13:37:04
Document Index: 786047904

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'arts 102', 'arts 104', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 138', 'art 138', 'art 28', 'art 212', 'art 28', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 212', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 212', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 212', 'art 222', 'art 28', 'art 222', 'art 222', 'art 222', 'art 222', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 222', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 222', 'art 222', 'art 232', 'art 28', 'art 232', 'art 232', 'art 232', 'art 232', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 232', 'art 28', 'art 28', 'art 232', 'art 404', 'art 404', 'arts 404', 'art 28', 'art 404', 'art 28', 'art 404', 'arts 502', 'arts 608', 'art 504', 'arts 716', 'arts 716', 'art 718', 'art 718', 'art 718', 'art 718', 'art 704', 'art 718', 'art 718', 'art 704', 'art 718', 'art 706', 'art 706', 'arts 716']

ES2556656T3 - Food container that has opening characteristics - Google Patents
Food container that has opening characteristics Download PDF
ES2556656T3
ES2556656T3 ES11155570.2T ES11155570T ES2556656T3 ES 2556656 T3 ES2556656 T3 ES 2556656T3 ES 11155570 T ES11155570 T ES 11155570T ES 2556656 T3 ES2556656 T3 ES 2556656T3
ES11155570.2T
2010-02-23 Priority to US711133 priority Critical
2010-02-23 Priority to US12/711,133 priority patent/US8814430B2/en
2016-01-19 Publication of ES2556656T3 publication Critical patent/ES2556656T3/en
A package (10) for a food (12) and having an opening characteristic (19), the package (10) comprising: a film (100) sealed next to a seal (130) of the leading edge, a seal (130 ) of the rear edge, and a fin-shaped seal (14) that extends between the foregoing to define an interior that houses a food (12), the fin-shaped seal (14) being formed between a pair of parts ( 104) of the edge of the film (100) using an adhesive (18) in the sealing zone; an opening feature (19) in the form of a flap integrated with the film (100), the flap being at least partially separable from the rest of the film (100) along one or more lines (22) of tracing which is partially extend through the film (100) to form an interior access opening (24) to remove a food (12); and a terminal part (28) of the flap defined by the one or more tracing lines (22) and extending into the sealing area of the seal (14) in the form of a flap, characterized in that the terminal part of the flap extends along a wall of the container, the terminal part (28) of the flap being detachable and recerrable against the adhesive (18) of the sealing zone to generally close the access opening (24) using the flap once the flap has separated from the rest of the film (100) along the one or more lines (22) of the plot.
Food container that has opening characteristics Field
This description refers to a food package that has an opening characteristic and, in particular, a food package that has an opening characteristic in the form of a selectively separable integrated flap.
A package, such as a container made of flexible material, is commonly used to store a food product during transport, storage, and during consumption by the user when multiple portions or multiple food products are disposed in the package. A common type of previous package is mass produced from a band or film material. The band is formed in a continuous tube sealing the longitudinal edges of the band together to form a flap-shaped seal. This continuous tube can be individualized in smaller packages forming joints that cross and cross the tube transversely in the region of the transverse joints. The food product can be inserted into the tube after the formation of one of the transverse joints and before the formation of the opposite transverse joints of a given individual container. Alternatively, the band can be wrapped around the food product before the formation of the flap gasket.
Said above containers may initially store the food product in a sealed inner cavity before purchase by the consumer. The consumer can then break one of the cross joints or remove a corner of the container to access the inner cavity and the food product. None of these solutions provide a convenient way for consumers to open the container. In addition, uncontrolled opening of the package may result in the package being partially or completely unsuitable for reuse, a disadvantage when the package contains multiple rations or multiple food products intended to be consumed over time.
A problem that arises after the initial breakage is how to effectively close the container again when the package contains multiple servings or multiple food products intended to be consumed over time. As mentioned above, uncontrolled opening of the container may make it unsuitable for reuse and thus also to close it again. If a package is provided without a closed feature, a common practice is to fold the edges of the package thereon to reduce the empty space above the food product and close the broken joint. A clip can be applied to the folded material to keep the container in this closed state. This practice, however, often does not close the container sufficiently and if the consumer does not have a clip, the container can be deployed and fully expose the food product.
One type of reclosing feature provided in the past was to place a zip fastener along the edge of the container. Although generally suitable for providing controlled opening and reclosing of the container, the increase in container costs due to the zip closure may be undesirable for certain packaging applications.
An attempt to provide a controlled opening, described in US Pat. No. 5,470,015, uses a U-shaped hole that defines a handle on a free edge of the fin-shaped joint. It is described that the handle is used to initiate the opening of the container. Disadvantageously, provision is not provided in the package for a controlled opening different from that of the handle. In this way, the package is opened in an uncontrolled manner and suffers from the problems described above. In addition, provision is not provided in the container for reclosing.
Another attempt to provide a controlled opening, described in EP-1382543, uses a perforated line formed in the package that can be broken to form an opening. An adhesive label is applied on the perforated line on the outside of the package to allow the opening to be closed again by repositioning the label on the outside of the container adjacent to the opening. However, the use of the label can disadvantageously increase the cost of the package, as well as adding additional material that must be added during manufacturing.
Another type of container includes a hole for hanging formed or punctured in a part of the upper gasket of the container to present the container in a pin. The hanging hole can be formed using a heated tool, which causes the edges of the hole to fuse or melt together. Although this can increase the resistance of the hanging by reinforcing the edges of the hanging hole, the risk of spreading the lug uncontrollably during opening can also disadvantageously increase. For example, when the sides of the package are taken and separated in a general way apart, pressure can build up along the edges of the hanging hole. The large amount of force required to break the hanging hole can result in uncontrolled tearing along the package. Similarly, the hanging hole can be manipulated to start a tear along the package, but this tear can become uncontrolled for the same reasons. The uncontrolled tearing along the package can be unsatisfactory because it can see the contents of the package and / or leave the container unable to effectively close again.
DE-A-197 38 411 describes a tubular container consisting of a laminar material that has transverse flaps in the form of a fin arranged on its two sides and a longitudinal flap in the form of a fin that extends between the transverse joints in the form of a fin. An opening flange is provided in the longitudinal fin-shaped closure, the flange being formed by two incisions in a part of the edge of the sheet material that are separated from each other by a predetermined distance.
EP-A-1 350 741 describes a package that contains and tightly wraps a stack of flat food items comprising a sheet of flat material. The package is a parallelepiped that has a longitudinal seam that extends along the upper face of the parallel container material with respect to the upper face of the stack between the two end seams. The packaging ends extend parallel to the faces of the ends of the elements of the stack. At least a part of the longitudinal seam comprises an adhesion zone that can be opened in a tear-off manner by stretching a part of the upper part of the adjacent container and overlapping the longitudinal seam. The opening provides access to the interior of the container in a direction transverse to the axis of the stack.
US-3,259,303 discloses a generally flat container having an object packaged therein, the container having a first and second parts in the hermetically sealed ends, a first and second lateral parts and a lower part and an upper part, preparing the container from a flexible band where at least the inner surface of the band is a resin that can be sealed by heat. The container has a simple opening and re-sealing means in the upper part comprising a fixed internal band part integrated in the first side part which is tightly sealed to the first and second final parts and pressure sensitive adhesive-sealable adhesive means fixed to the outermost surface of the inner part of the band, remote and essentially parallel to the lower edge of the inner part of the band and extending between the first and second end portions. The simple opening and re-sealing means further comprises an outer part of the band integrated in the second side part and which extends in an overlapping manner with the inner part of the inner band and said adhesive means, and the first and second tearing lines perforated on the outer part of the outer band extending from the lower edge of the inner part of the band at a point immediately adjacent to the first and second hermetically sealed end portions, respectively, and extending downward in the direction of the second side part, the tearing lines forming a suitable model to form an opening when the outer part of the band is removed from the inner part of the band.
DE-U-20 2004 012 301 describe a blank to produce a container with a longitudinal closing edge and a transverse closing edge. The target has a rectangular design and each of the sealing edges extends in the immediate proximity, or at least very close proximity, of the outer periphery of the target such that, when the target is folded along a line With a fold that runs parallel to the transverse sealing edge, this folded part can be attached to the edge without the opposite seal of the target, thus forming a flap-shaped seal. The container produced in this way can, after opening the flap-shaped seal, close again forming a flap-like closure.
DE-U-90 05 297 describes a tubular container made of a web of a sheet type material having two transverse flaps in the form of a flap and an overlapping part in which an inner side of a part of the edge of the sheet type material flap with an outer side of the other part of the edge of the material in the transverse direction. The overlapping part is provided with an area of the flange type formed by a longitudinal cross-section and two transverse perforation lines.
A package is provided for a food product that includes a flap-shaped seal, where the package is configured for controlled opening using an opening feature. More specifically, a flap integrated with the package can be separated from the rest of the package to allow access to the interior of the package. The flap can be defined at least in part by one or more grooved or drawn lines that extend only partially through the package, thus guaranteeing the integrity of the package while facilitating controlled opening along the tracing lines. The flap can also be defined at least in part by the side seams of the package. To facilitate the separation of the flap from the rest of the package, a pull tab or start portion of the flap can be provided. The pull tab can extend at least partially to the flap seal of the container.
A through cut can define a part of the pull tab, and can provide a location where the opening of the container can occur. The through-cut may advantageously be in an area that does not compromise the integrity of the package, such as in a flap-shaped seal or on a flange extending outwardly from the flap-shaped seal to an opposite side in the inside of the container The portion of the pull tab immediately adjacent to the through cut can be configured to protrude from the adjacent parts of the pack, such that they form a mark on the adjacent pull tab and generally aligned with the pass cut to cause the end of the Drag tab turn up.
In one aspect, the separation of the flap from the rest of the package can expose the adhesive of the pull tab. The exposed adhesive can be used advantageously to re-close the container when pressed
the flap against this. In addition, or alternatively, the seam adhesive on the open side of the package can be used to re-close the container, such as by joining the flap to the previous one.
In another aspect, the flap envelope, oriented towards the inside of the package, can include an adhesive zone that extends beyond the adhesive of the pull tab. This adhesive zone may cooperate with the exposed adhesive of the pull tab to allow the flap to join the exposed adhesive of the pull tab in a plurality of different locations. In practice, this means that the flap can be closed again in progressively shorter distances, thus decreasing the volume inside the package. When the package contains foodstuff that is understood to be consumed in multiple portions over time, this allows the container to be closed again in a progressively smaller manner that generally corresponds to the consumption of the food product.
In another form, the flap may be in the form of a separable part of one of the walls of the container surrounding the hole for hanging in a sealed part of a container. The flap includes a through cut formed at the end seal and adjacent to the edge of the hanging hole. The drawn lines can extend from the parts of the ends of the cut such as in a direction towards an adjacent edge of the container. One or more additional through cuts may also be provided to delineate the flap. Configured in this way, when the package is opened such as stretching from the sides of the container to separate them, the cut starts a tear along the drawn lines, which directs the tear towards the adjacent edge of the container. The tearing can then separate the flap from one side of the package, leaving this seal against the other side. This advantageously surrounds the hanging part while opening the container, providing controlled tearing and a desirable open mouth, which can be subsequently closed again.
In yet another form, the flap can be formed partially adjacent to the seal of the end of the container. The flap in this way includes a through cut formed through a layer of the container material in a region of the seal of the end of the container adjacent to a part of the terminal edge. The lines drawn extend from the ends of the cut towards a part of the opposite terminal edge of the container to facilitate the opening of the container without compromising the integrity of the package before opening. In one aspect, the elevation of the flap can expose an adhesive of the end seal. The exposed adhesive can be used advantageously to close the container again when the flap is pressed against it.
A package for an edible having an opening characteristic is described herein. The package includes a sealed film next to a seal of the leading edge, a seal of the trailing edge, and a flap-shaped seal that extends between the foregoing to define an interior that houses a food, the flap-shaped seal being formed between a couple of parts of the edge of the film using an adhesive in the sealing area. An opening feature is also provided in the form of a flap integrated with the film, the flap being at least partially detachable from the rest of the film along one or more plot lines that partially extend through the film to form an access opening inside to remove a food. A terminal part of the flap extends at least to the interior of the sealing area of the flap-shaped seal, the terminal part of the flap being detachable and recerrable against the adhesive of the sealing zone to generally close the opening of the access using the flap that has been separated from the rest of the movie along the plot line.
At least one segment of the terminal part of the flap can be separated from the rest of the film by a through cut. To achieve this, the flap can be detachable from the film along a pair of plot lines, each of the pair of plot lines intersecting the through cut, and the pair of plot lines have segments that diverge from each other. . In one approach, each of the lines of the pair of tracing lines may have a curvilinear terminal end, their intersection being opposite the through cut, with a free end of the curvilinear part directed against the fin-shaped seal. In another form, a starting region of the terminal part of the flap can be disposed between the through cut and an adjacent tracing line and generally aligned with the passing cut, the starting region of an adjacent region of the terminal part of the terminal protruding. flap. In yet another form, the flap-shaped seal may include a distal flange of at least one of the pairs of the portions of the edge that extends beyond the sealing zone and as opposed to the terminal and distal portion of the flap. which extends beyond the sealing zone and into the distal flange, a segment of the end portion of the flap disposed on the distal flange separated from the rest of the film by the through cut. To achieve this, a starting region of the terminal part of the flap is disposed between the through cut and an adjacent tracing line and generally aligned with the passing cut, the starting region of an adjacent region of the terminal part of the terminal protruding. flap. In another approach, the flap includes a recessed zone on one side of the film facing inwardly and that moves away from the sealing zone, the reclosing area having an adhesive configured to selectively adhere to the adhesive of the sealing zone in any one of a plurality of different locations of the reclosing adhesive zone for generally re-closing the access opening using the flap, the adhesive of the reclosing zone having a greater affinity for adhesion to the adhesive of the sealing zone than for the food arranged inside the container.
In one form, the end portion of the flap can additionally include a reclosing zone on one side of the film facing inwardly and which moves away from the sealing zone, the reclosing zone having a
adhesive configured to selectively adhere to the adhesive of the sealing zone at any one of a plurality of different locations of the reclosing adhesive zone to generally re-close the access opening using the flap. In one approach, the adhesive of the reclosing zone has a greater affinity for adhesion to the adhesive of the sealing zone than to a food disposed inside the package. In another form, the end portion of the flap may include means to indicate whether the end portion of the flap has initially been removed from the adhesive in the sealing zone.
An opening characteristic for a food container is also described herein. The food package includes a pair of walls attached to a seal, the walls forming at least partially an interior to accommodate a food. The opening feature may include a cut through one of the walls in the seal, the cut extending along a part of the seal and separated from an edge of the seal. The opening feature may additionally include drawn lines that extend from the edges of the cut away from the edge of the seal and through at least part of one of the walls. A flap formed at least in part on one of the walls by the cut and the lines drawn can be configured to separate from the rest of one of the walls by breaking the lines drawn to open the container and allow access to the interior.
The seal may be a flap-shaped seal and the flap can be configured to separate from the rest of the seal, which may include that the flap is configured to detach from the rest of the flap-shaped seal to expose a seal of the underlying adhesive. In one approach, the flap and flap seal adhesive are configured to allow the flap to reattach to the underlying flap seal adhesive of the rest of the flap seal to close the container again. The flap-shaped seal can be additionally formed between a pair of edge portions of the walls and the cut does not extend through one of the pairs of the edge portions and one of the couples of the edge portions has a flange which extends beyond the flap-shaped seal, the cut being arranged on the flange of one of the pairs of the edge portions. In this, one side of the flap facing inwardly may have an adhesive surface that moves away from the flap seal, the adhesive surface being configured to adhere to the underlying flap of the flap seal of the rest of the seal in the form of fin to close the container again in a plurality of different locations on the flap, thereby allowing the distance between the top of the flap and the underlying adhesive of the flap seal of the rest of the flap seal selectively shorten.
In one approach, the opening characteristic of a food container can be combined with a food container that contains a plurality of individually wrapped food elements. In another approach, the cut and drawn lines at least partially surround a hanging hole formed in the seal to define the flap. To achieve this, the flap is configured to remain adhered to the other wall while the adjacent parts of the seal are separated during the opening of the container such that the hanging hole is derived by cutting and drawn lines as it is open the container The drawn lines can extend from the edges of the cut to the top edge of the container. The characteristic opening can also comprise a second cut through one of the walls in the seal and separated from the other cut and the drawn lines can extend between the other cut and the second cut so that the flap surrounds the hanging hole. In this approach, the flap can be separated from the top edge of the container by a pair of flanges located on the opposite side of the seal from the hanging hole.
A method is also provided for opening, removing a food product, and re-closing a recerrable food container that has a flap-shaped seal to access the inside of the package using an opening feature. The method comprises holding a start part a flap of the package, the start part being arranged outside the inside of the container from the flap-shaped seal, and stretch from the start part of the flap to separate the flap from adjacent parts of the package along a plurality of tracing lines, each extending partially through the package including detaching the flap of the flap seal to expose an underlying adhesive of the flap-shaped seal to form an opening of container access The method may also include removing a food product from the inside of the package through the access opening and reattaching the flap to the underlying adhesive of the flap seal to close the container again.
The step of reattaching the flap to the underlying adhesive of the flap seal may also include the step of decreasing the volume inside the package. In one form, the starting part protrudes from the adjacent parts of the package. In another form, a through cut defines the limit of the start portion of the flap.
A method is also provided for preparing a suitable film strip to form a container having a practicable flap to provide access to the interior of the package. The method comprises providing a suitable film band to be formed in the package, laser grooving lines that partially extend through the film band to at least partially define a flap of the container, use a laser beam to form a through cut in the film band to at least partially define a terminal part of the flap of the package, and redirect the laser beam after having passed through the through cut against the opposite side of the film band to treat part of the part flap terminal.
The method may also include the steps of forming a band in a container forming a seal between the longitudinal edges of the band, forming a pair of separate terminal seals to define an interior of the
container between the terminal seals and the seal between the longitudinal edges of the band to enclose a food product between them, and to identify the container from the rest of the band.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a resealable container having a flap-shaped seal and showing an opening feature configured for a controlled opening that includes a flap and a pull tab. having traced or grooved parts and a cutting part adjacent to the pull tab;
Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the packaging of the part of the package of Fig. 1 having the opening characteristic and showing the drawn parts, the cutting part, and the adhesive areas;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 showing the package that opens by stretching the flap of the flap seal and breaking the drawn parts;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 showing the container in an open configuration with an access opening that provides access to the interior of the container;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 showing the container in the open configuration and a portion of the food product that is removed from the interior of the container;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 showing the container that is closed again after the removal of a portion of the food product, where the flange has been realigned with the flap-shaped seal;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a resealable container having a flap-shaped seal and showing an opening characteristic configured for controlled opening having traced parts and a cutting part in the area with flap seal;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 7 showing the package in an open configuration with the broken portions;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a package configured for controlled opening and showing an opening feature having traced parts and a cutting part in the fin-shaped area of the seal;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 9 showing the package in an open configuration with the broken portions;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a package configured for controlled opening and showing an opening feature having traced parts and a cutting part in the fin-shaped area of the seal;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 11 showing the package in an open configuration with the broken parts drawn;
Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an equipment to form a cut and groove using a single laser:
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a resealable food container similar to that of Fig. 1 and in an unopened configuration, but having a feature of integrity of the package in the region of the pull tab ;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the resealable food container of Figure 14, showing the package in an open configuration with the integrity characteristic of the package indicating that the package has been initially opened.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a food container having a seal at the end and showing an opening feature configured for controlled opening having traced parts and a cutting part in the terminal seal, along a free edge of the seal, which delineates a flap that surrounds a hole for hanging:
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 16 showing the package in an open configuration with the parts drawn broken and the flap being separated from one of the walls of the container and remaining attached to another of the walls of the container;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a food container having a seal at the end and showing an opening feature configured for controlled opening having traced parts and a pair of cutting parts in the seal terminal that delineates a flap that surrounds a hole for hanging;
Figure 19 is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 18 showing the package in an open configuration with the parts drawn broken and the flap being separated from one of the walls of the container and remaining attached to another of the walls of the container;
Figure 20 is a top plan view of the seventh embodiment;
Figure 21 is a top plan view of the eighth embodiment;
Figure 22 is a top plan view of the ninth embodiment;
Figure 23 is a top plan view of the tenth embodiment; Y
Various embodiments of a food container configured for a controlled opening using an opening feature are described herein, and are illustrated in Figs. 1-15. Illustrative embodiments include a food package that includes multiple individual food products, as illustrated in Figs. 1-6, 14 and 15. Illustrative embodiments also include food packages configured for a single food product that can be separated into smaller pieces for consumption over time, as illustrated in Figs. 7-12.
What these packages have in common is a flap that is integrated in the package, and that can be separated from the rest of the package in a controlled manner, such as along one or more grooved or traced lines that partially extend through the container, a through cut, side seams of the container, or combinations thereof. This facilitates the opening of the container in a controlled manner, with little deviation, if any, from the planned opening path. As the plot lines extend partially, and not completely, through the package, the integrity of the package is not compromised. A part of the flap is arranged in the area of a flap seal in the container. This may advantageously allow the addition of a through cut to define part of an initial or drag tongue that does not compromise the integrity of the container, since it allows the use of an adhesive already present in the area of the seal in the form of a fin optionally close the container again.
Returning now to a first illustrative embodiment, illustrated in Figs. 1-6, a re-closed container 10 is provided to allow the user to re-close the container 10 while a food 12 is sequentially removed from the container 10. The package 10 includes a seal 14 in the form of a sealing flap two opposite edge portions 16 using a suitable adhesive 18, such as a cold adhesive. In the package 10-an opening feature 19 is provided that utilizes a cut 20 provided in the seal 14 in the form of a flap and drawn lines 22 extending from the edges of the cut 20. The cut 20 extends through one of the opposite edge portions 16 to the fin-shaped seal 14. Thus configured, the user can hold the flap-shaped seal 14 near the cut 20 and stretch to separate the opposite edge portions 16 in a region close to the cut 20. As the opposite edge portions 16 separate beyond In the region near the cut 20, the drawn lines 22 split and provide controlled break lines to create an opening 24 in the container 10 to access an inner cavity. As the drawn lines 22 break, a re-sealing part 28 of the material located at least partially within the fin-shaped seal is formed. After a subsequent removal of a portion of the food 12 through the opening 24, the user can close the container 10 again by replacing the re-sealed part 28 in the area of the seal 14 in the form of a flap from which the part 28 was removed of pre-sealed. As a result of using an adhesive fno 18, the re-sealing part 28 can be reattached to the flap seal 14 to re-close the container 10.
Before forming the package 10, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 are produced. The cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 can be formed by any suitable mechanism including, for example, a laser, a rotating die, or a die. The cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 partially form a tongue, which is configured for the user to pick it up and stretch from the fin-shaped area of the seal.
The package 10 can be constructed from a single band 100 of flexible material having parts 102 of opposite end edges and parts 104 of opposite side edges. Before the band 100 conforms to the container 10, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 can be formed in the band 100. In addition, a design of the adhesive can be deposited on the band as shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 can be formed by any suitable mechanism including, for example, a laser, a rotating die, or a die. In one example, they are formed using a "firestar t100" laser marketed by Synrad, Inc. (Mukilteo, Washington). The lines may have a depth between about 20% and about 90%, between about 40% and 80%, between about 60% and about 80%, between about 65% and about 75% and preferably about 70% of the thickness of the
film or stratified container. For an example of the tol thickness, for a stratified packaging film having approximately 50 micrometers (0.0020 inches), comprised in an illustrative embodiment by a transparent or clear oriented polypropylene film with a thickness of approximately 20 micrometers (0.0008 inches) and a metallized polypropylene film oriented with a thickness of approximately 30 micrometers (0.0012 inches), the drawn lines 22 can have a depth of approximately 35 micrometers (0.0014 inches). In the case of a stratified film, the drawn lines 22 are preferably in the inner layer, but they can also be in the outer layer or extend completely through one layer and partially towards the next layer.
As illustrated, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 are configured to preserve the integrity of the package, such as by means of a practically airtight seal. The cut 20 is provided inside the flap-shaped seal 14 which is outside the sealed area of the container 10. The drawn lines 22 form the remaining part of the opening feature 19 and do not completely penetrate the band 100, keeping in this way the hermetic seal inside the container 10.
In the first illustrative form, the cut 20 is convex and is placed inside one of the edge portions 104 that are subsequently used to create the flap-shaped seal 14. A vertex 106 of the cut 20 is separated from a side edge 108 by a bridge 110, which can have a width of approximately 0.318 centimeters and approximately 1.27 centimeters (approximately 1/8 inch and approximately 1/2 inch). The drawn lines 22 extend from the ends 112 of the cut 20. In one approach, the drawn lines 22 include first segments 114 that extend from the generally transverse ends 112 with respect to the side edge 108. The cut 20 and at least parts of the first segments 114 are combined to form the re-sealing part 28, which is configured to be held by the user to open the container 10. The first segments 114 extend from the cut 20 in a length of about 20 mm to about 40 mm (from about 0.75 inches to about 1.6 inches). The drawn lines 22 also include second segments 116 that extend from the ends of the first segments 114 as opposed to the cut 20. The second segments 116 are convex, and extend outwardly from the others, towards the end-edge portions 102 , respectively, since the second segments 116 leave the lateral edge 108. The third segments 118 are also convex, but they generally extend towards the others, moving away from the end edge portions 102, since the third segments 118 leave the lateral edge 108. The distance between the third segments 118 may be approximately the width of the food 12 to facilitate the removal of the food 12 from the container 10. For example, for a food having a width of approximately 87 mm (approximately 3.4 inches) ), the distance between the third segments 118 may be approximately 85 mm (approximately 3.35 inches). The drawn lines 22 end in curved elements 120 that direct the drawn lines 22 to end facing the lateral edge 108. As illustrated, the curved elements 120 bend slightly inwards with a diameter starting at about 15 mm (about 0, 6 inches) and narrows to approximately 2 mm (approximately 0.08 inches), however, curved element or elements with a greater curvature can also be used. Curved elements 120 are also configured to provide a stop when broken lines 22 are broken.
The re-sealing part 28 may include a deviation line 122 located adjacent to the cut 20. The deviation line 122 is preferably convex and is very close to the cut 20. The deviation line 122 combined with the cut 20 deflects a tip 123 of the pre-sealing part 28 projecting above the band 100 to provide the user with a simpler fastening of the package 10 than if the re-sealing part 28 would be flat along the rest of the band 100. Alternatively, line 122 deviation may not be a precisely delineated line, but instead, the edge of a thermally treated region of tip 123 which also results in deviation from tip 123.
Additionally, before forming the package, the adhesive 18 can be applied or printed along the edge portions 102, 104 with any suitable design to seal the container 10. In this illustrative form, the adhesive 18 includes an adhesive 124 of the seal in the form of a flap applied inside the side edge portions 104 adjacent to the side edge 108 and to the adhesive seal 126 applied inside the end edge portions 102. In the first illustrative form, the adhesive flap seal 124 is separated from the side edge 108 by a distance of 0.318 centimeters to 2.54 centimeters (1/8 inch to 1 inch). The cut 20 may be partially located within this adhesive-free zone, which allows the re-sealing part 28 to grip more easily than if it were completely adhered. The adhesive 18 may also include the adhesive 128 of the tongue applied on a part or all of the repainting part 28. The adhesive 128 of the tongue can also extend to an area between the second or third segments 116, 118 of the drawn lines 22. This extended area provides additional adhesive for use during reclosing the container.
Once the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 have been formed in the band 100 and the adhesive 18 has been applied, the container 10 is formed. In one approach, the package 10 is formed using a mechanical filling and sealing equipment. vertical. In this process, the band 100 is configured in a tubular manner by manipulating the band around a longitudinal axis in the feed direction so that the side edge portions 104 are generally aligned. Once aligned, pressure is applied to the side edge portions 104 by pressing the flap seal adhesive 124 together to seal the container 10 longitudinally and form the
flap 14 seal. A similar procedure is carried out on one of the end edge portions 102. Due to the tubular shape, the terminal edge portions 102 are bent twice. Accordingly, the application of pressure along a transverse line with respect to the flap seal 14 on one of the end edge portions 102 applies pressure to the corresponding edge adhesive 126 and seals one of the edge portions 102 terminals together to form a terminal edge seal 130 and partially shape the inner cavity. The other of the end-edge portions 102 is left open to receive the food 12. Once the food has been deposited inside the inner cavity of the container 10, the other end-end portion 102 is sealed next to a similar shape against the terminal edge portions described above. Alternatively, the container 10 can be formed around the food, such as with a horizontal forming, filling and sealing process. In such a process, as the food 12 is transported horizontally, the band 100 is handled around the food 12 and the flap seal 14 is formed, surrounding the food 12 contained in the shaped tubular container. The terminal seals 130 are then formed and cut on both sides of the food 12 with suitable mechanical equipment, such as by means of dies or rotating dies. The combination of terminal seals 130 and fin-shaped seal 14 creates a tightly sealed container 10, which can be used to store, transport, and present food 12 for sale. Although continuous manufacturing processes have been described in general, the processes can be discontinuous, with part of the stages being carried out in a different equipment or even in different facilities. For example, preformed bags can be produced that can be filled by an open end, which can then be sealed.
As described above, the package 10 can be formed as part of a generally continuous manufacturing process using mechanized filling and sealing equipment, both vertical and horizontal. This process uses a continuous roll of web film, which is then singled out into individual bands 100 to form the container 10. Due to the different conveyors and feed rollers, a torsion and tensile force is applied to the web during the forming process of the container 10. As a result of these forces, the bridge 110 that separates the side edge 108 from the cut 20 minimizes or prevents these forces from separating the drawn lines 22 at the ends 112 of the cut 20 or otherwise increases the size of the cut 20. In the illustrated form, as described below, the cut 20 is an arcuate convex segment. This advantageously alters the angle at which the force, when applied in the generally longitudinal feed direction along the band 100, acts on the cut 20. A cut made generally transverse with respect to the side edge 108 experiences a force normal during packaging, which maximizes the force felt at the end 112 of the cut 20. In contrast, when the cut is angled or arched, the force can be minimized, with a minimum force experienced when the cut is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees in the direction of feeding. Accordingly, a combination of an angled or arched cut along a bridge that separates the cut between the side edge of the band 100 minimizes the forces applied to the cut and therefore provides protection against the propagation of the cut 20 and the opening of the container 10 before an intentional opening.
Thus formed, the first illustrative package 10 shown in Fig. 1 can then be used to transport, present and store the food. When a portion of the food 12 is desired, the container 10 can be opened by the opening feature 19. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the tip 123 of the pre-sealing part 28 can be held because it protrudes above the container 10. Then, a user manipulates the pre-sealed part 28 generally up and away from the end edge 108 As it stretches out of the re-sealing part 28, a force is exerted on the drawn lines 22 at the ends 112 of the cut 20. With sufficient force, the drawn lines 22 will break and guide the opening of the container 10. Part 28 from pre-sealing it will then take off from the flap-shaped seal 14 revealing a replacement section 132. The drawn lines are designed to break during the opening of the container 10 to provide the opening 24. As illustrated, the first and second segments 114, 116 are located on an upper surface 134 of the container 10 and the third segments 118 wrap one of the side surfaces 136 of the container 10. Accordingly, when a user breaks the first, second and third segments 114, 116, 118 an opening 24 is provided in the upper surface 134 and the side surface 136 of the container 10. A food 12 or a portion of the food 12 can be sequentially removed from the container 10 as shown in Fig. 5. When the desired amount of the food 12 has been removed, the user can close the container 10 again by replacing the re-sealed part 28 on the flap 14 seal. The adhesive 124 of the flap seal still present in the tongue 14 and the flap seal 14 allow the tab 14 to reattach to the flap seal 14 and close the opening 24.
Advantageously, if the adhesive 128 of the tongue is applied to the outside of the fin-shaped area of the seal, such as in a part 138 bent backwards as shown in Fig. 2, when the tongue 14 is repositioned, the user it can reposition the folded part 138 backward of the tongue 14 over the tongue replacement section 132, which reduces the central perimeter of the container 10 to more closely adapt to the level of the food 12 remaining in the container 10.
Preferably a cold adhesive is used, such as a latex based adhesive coating, which has sufficient specifications to allow repeated closures and openings of the package 10 without losing sufficient adhesion when the re-sealing part 28 does not re-adhere to the seal 14 in the form of fin. Other types of adhesives, such as hot melt adhesives, can also be used. The types of movies
Suitable include single or multiple film laminates, as described hereinbefore. It can be arranged between stratified layers.
With reference now to Figs. 7-12, additional illustrative forms of the package 10 are defined. The packages 10 of these illustrative forms are constructed from a single band 200 of material and are generally rectangular with opposite side surfaces 202 and opposite side seals 204. The packages 10 also include an upper surface 206 bisected by the fin-shaped seal 14 that extends between the opposite terminal seals 204. The terminal seals 204 and the fin-shaped seal 14 have been formed as described above. Illustrative forms, as shown in Figs. 7-12, include the opening feature 19, which includes the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22. Unlike the first illustrative form, however, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 are fully located inside the seal 14 in the form of a fin. The containers 10 shown in Figs. 7-12 undergo packaging processes similar to those described above, to form the cut 20 and the lines drawn 22 in the strip 200 and apply the adhesive 18 to the strip 200.
With reference now to Figs. 7 and 8, a second illustrative form of the package 10 is provided. The cut 20 is generally formed longitudinally centered on the flap seal 14, however, the cut 20 could also be displaced from the center. In this form, the cut 20 is generally concave, and the vertex 207 of the cut 20 is separated from a fold 208 of the flap seal by a range of about 2 mm (0.08 inches) to about 6 mm (0, 24 inches). The cut 20 extends longitudinally along the flap-shaped seal 14 in a length of about 10 mm (0.4 inches) to about 30 mm (1.2 inches). The lines drawn 22 in this way extend from the ends 210 of the cut 20 in a convex arc generally complementary to the cut 20 and ends at an edge 211 of the flap-shaped seal. Combined, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 divide a flap-shaped face of the seal 14 into a separable part 212 and the re-sealed part 28.
Thus formed, the second illustrative form of the package 10 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 can then be used to transport, present and store food. When a portion of the food 12 is desired, the container 10 can be opened by the opening feature 19. As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the separable part 212 can be held, such as by manipulating the flap seal 14 to a position generally perpendicular to the upper surface 206 of the container 10. A user then manipulates the separable part 212 to cause the cut 20 to separate and produce a breaking force of the drawn lines 22, so that it is stretched from the separable part 212 or the flap seal 14 is folded along the cut 20, or the like . Once sufficient force has been created at the ends 210 of the cut 20, the drawn lines 22 are configured to break along their length to separate the separable part 212 from the re-sealed part 28. This force will also allow the re-sealing part 28 of the flap 14 to begin to detach. Once the separable part 212 has been separated, the user can then completely detach the re-sealing part 28 of the flap seal 14 by opening the upper surface 206 of the container 10 and leaving a re-sealing zone 214 where the adhesive 18 is exposed . Optionally, a user can then break half or all of the parts of one or both of the terminal seals 204 to expose the faces to the food 12. Once the desired amount of the food 12 has been removed from the container 10, the container 10 is set to reseal it, to contain the food 12 inside the container 10. For example, a user can align any broken terminal seal and align the re-sealed part 28 with the re-sealed zone 214 adjacent to the removable part 212 and apply pressure to re-glue the adhesive 18 applied to said areas, which effectively reseals the container 10.
With reference now to Figs. 9 and 10, a third illustrative form of the package 10 is provided. The cut 20 is generally formed longitudinally centered on the flap seal 14, however, the cut 20 could also be displaced from the center. In this form, the cut 20 is generally convex, and whose ends 216 are separated from a fold 218 of the flap seal by a range of about 2 mm (0.08 inches) to about 6 mm (0.24 inches) . The cut 20 extends longitudinally along the flap-shaped seal 14 in a length of about 10 mm (0.4 inches) to about 30 mm (1.2 inches). The lines drawn 22 of this third shape extend from the ends 216 of the cut 20 in a manner generally parallel to the fold 218 of the flap seal and ends at opposite side edges 220 of the flap seal, respectively. Combined, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 divide a fin-shaped face of the seal 14 into a separable part 222 and the re-sealed part 28.
Thus formed, the third illustrative form of the package 10 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 can then be used to transport, present and store food. When a portion of the food 12 is desired, the container 10 can be opened by the opening feature 19. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the separable part 222 can be held, such as by manipulating the flap seal 14 to a position generally perpendicular to the upper surface 206 of the container 10. A user then manipulates the separable part 222 to cause the cut 20 to separate and produce a breaking force of the drawn lines 22, so that it stretches from the separable part 222 or the flap seal 14 is folded along the cut 20, or the like . Once sufficient force has been created at the ends 216 of the cut 20, the drawn lines 22 are configured to break along their length to separate the separable part 222 from the re-sealed part 28. This force will also allow the re-sealing part 28 of the flap 14 to begin to detach.
Once the separable part 222 has separated, the user can then completely detach the re-sealing part 28 of the flap seal 14 by opening the upper surface 206 of the container 10 and leaving a re-sealing zone 224 where the adhesive 18 is exposed . This allows access to the food 12 through the upper surface 206 of the container 10. Optionally, a user can then break half or all of the parts of one or both terminal seals 204 to expose the faces to the food 12. Once the desired amount of food 12 has been removed from container 10, container 10 is configured to re-close it, to contain food 12 within container 10. For example, a user can align any broken terminal seal and align part 28 of re-sealed with its position adjacent to the separable part 222 with the re-sealed zone 224 adjacent to the separable part 222 and apply pressure to reattach the adhesive 18 applied to said areas, which effectively reseals the container 10.
With reference now to Figs. 11 and 12, a fourth illustrative form of the container 10 is provided. The cut 20 is generally formed longitudinally centered on the flap-shaped seal 14, however, the cut 20 could also be displaced from the center. In this form, the cut 20 is generally a separate straight line and generally parallel to a fold 226 of the flap seal such as by a range of about 2 mm (0.08 inches) to about 6 mm (0.24 inches) ). The cut 20 extends longitudinally along the flap-shaped seal 14 in a length of about 10 mm (0.4 inches) to about 30 mm (1.2 inches). The lines drawn 22 of this fourth shape extend from the ends 228 of the cut 20 also in a manner generally parallel to the fold 226 of the flap seal and ends at opposite side edges 230 of the flap seal, respectively. Combined, the cut 20 and the drawn lines 22 divide a fin-shaped face of the seal 14 into a separable part 232 and the re-sealed part 28.
Thus formed, the fourth illustrative form of the package 10 shown in Figs. 11 and 12 can then be used to transport, present and store food. When a portion of the food 12 is desired, the container 10 can be opened by the opening feature 19. As illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, the separable part 232 can be held, such as by manipulating the flap seal 14 to a position generally perpendicular to the upper surface 206 of the container 10. A user then manipulates the separable part 232 to cause the cut 20 to separate and produce a breaking force of the drawn lines 22, so that it is stretched from the separable part 232 or the flap seal 14 is folded along the cut 20, or the like . Once sufficient force has been created at the ends 228 of the cut 20, the drawn lines 22 are configured to break along their length to separate the separable part 232 from the re-sealed part 28. This force will also allow the re-sealing part 28 of the flap 14 to begin to detach. Once the separable part 232 has separated, the user can then completely detach the re-sealing part 28 of the flap seal 14 by opening the upper surface 206 of the container 10 and leaving a re-sealing zone 234 where the adhesive 18 is exposed . This allows access to the food 12 through the upper surface 206 of the container 10. Optionally, a user can then break half or all of the parts of one or both terminal seals 204 to expose the faces to the food 12. Once the desired amount of food 12 has been removed from container 10, container 10 is configured to re-close it, to contain food 12 within container 10. For example, a user can align any broken terminal seal and align part 28 of re-sealed with the pre-sealed zone 234 adjacent to the removable part 232 and apply pressure to reattach the adhesive 18 applied to said areas, which effectively reseals the container 10.
In one approach, the cut 20, the drawn lines 22 and the deflection line 122 can be formed by using a laser cutting system 300 using a cutting laser head 302 that emits a laser beam 304. The laser beam 304 can be configured to cut and groove the film using a single beam 304, or the cuts and grooves can be separated from the film using multiple beams. For example, the laser beam 304 can create both the cut 20 and the deflection line 122. This is achieved, in one form, by placing the cutting laser head 302 on one side of the packaging material 306, so that one side conforms to the interior 308 of the container 10. Thus placed, the laser beam 304 first cuts through of the packaging material 306 to create the cut 20. Once the laser beam 304 passes through the packaging material 306, a mirror 310 or the like located on the other side of the packaging material, such as on a side that forms an exterior 312 of the container 10, deflects the laser beam 304 and redirects the laser beam 304 to influence the outside 312 of the container 10 and create the deflection line 122. The power of the laser beam 304 is configured to initially cut the packaging material 306, but to groove the packaging material 306 after being redirected by the mirror 310. Depending on the amount of distortion of the laser beam 304 after forming the cut -20 , it is possible that a precision drawn deviation line 122 is not achieved, but instead, may result in a localized thermal treatment of tip 123, with and without ablation. The heat treatment can cause the film to shorten, resulting in this way that the tip 123 protrudes towards the side of the film to which the heat treatment has been applied. In another approach, beam splitters, multiple lasers, or a combination of these can be used. The laser beam 304 for manufacturing any of the aforementioned cuts or grooves can be focused on a precise position of the film to maximize the power concentration at a point or region located to treat the film, where the treatment may include ablation, heat treatment. or similar, to differentiate the localized point or region from adjacent parts of the movie. A smaller approach can increase the power concentration, thus facilitating both a finer grooving line and a faster writing speed.
With reference now to Figs. 14-15, the package 10 may optionally be provided with an illustrative integrity feature 400. The integrity feature 400 of the package can be configured to visually display a
Observer if a container has been opened previously. As illustrated, integrity feature 400 includes a pair of lines 402 that form a detachable Lon 404 port. The lines 402 may be grooved, cut, perforated, or the like, and may be formed by any suitable mechanism, such as a laser (s), a die, a rotary die, or the like. Additionally, as illustrated separable part 404 is formed with two opposite arcuate lines, however, any form of general closure can be used including, for example, curvilinear forms, such as oval, circular, elliptic lines, or other combination of lines. arched, shapes with linear sides, such as triangular polygons, quadrilaterals, or other regular or irregular polygons, or a combination thereof. Additionally, it is considered that a generally closed shape includes shapes with perforated lines, breaks of material between the lines, or the like. In addition, the integrity characteristic 400 of the package is shown with a separable part 404, however, any number of separable parts 404 can be used and said separable parts may or may not have a similar shape.
The integrity feature 400 of the package may be formed in the web 100 both before and after forming the container 10. Once the container 10 has been formed, the integrity feature 400 of the package shows a uniform appearance, such as It is shown in Fig. 14, where lines 402 are unbroken or practically aligned. When the container 10 is opened, however, the lines 402, if marked, are broken as the repainting part 28 detaches from the container 10. This process leaves the separable part 404 attached to section 132 of the tongue of substitution. Accordingly, if an attempt is made to replace the re-sealing part 28, the separable part 404 will likely show an irregularity, such as non-aligned or broken lines indicating that the container 10 has been opened. This feature is especially advantageous when the container 10 is used to store the food 12 offered for sale. A consumer can use the integrity feature 400 of the package as a method to determine if the package 10 has been opened or attempted to be opened.
With reference now to Figs. 16 and 17, a fifth illustrative form of the package 10 is provided. In this form, a package 500 includes rear wall portions 502, 504 connected by side wall portions 506. The container 500 includes an opposite sealed lower wall 508 from a mouth 510 through which the container 500 can be filled. Once the contents, such as the food product, have been deposited inside the container 10, the mouth 510 can be seal to form a top seal 512. Any suitable sealing process, such as hot sealing, cold sealing, or an induction sealing process can be used.
As described above, a usual commercial presentation includes hanging a container from a pin that is projected from a presentation display. To achieve this, a hole 514 is made to hang in the container 500. This can be done by, for example, the use of a hot tool that punctures the shape of the desired hanging hole in the upper seal 512. As illustrated in Fig. 16, the hanging hole 514 includes an open shape with three semicircular elements 516 at right angles, two protrusions generally outward and one protrusion generally upward, and a lower edge 518 generally collinear which has a break 520 in the same. Other suitable open and closed forms of hanging holes, such as a single hole, can also be used. The formation of the hole 514 for hanging can result in a reinforced area that at least partially surrounds the hole 514.
An opening feature is provided that includes a detachable flap 522 adjacent to the hanging hole 514 to facilitate controlled opening of the container 500 without substantial interference from the hanging hole 514, and preferably the flap 522 at least partially surrounds the hanging hole. The flap 522 includes an adjacent through cut 524 and below the lower edge 518 of the hanging hole 514, but remains within the upper seal 512 so that the sealed interior of the container 500 is not compromised until the container 500 opens. The drawn lines 526 leave the end portions 528 of the cut 524, so that the drawn lines 526 project to adjacent areas to the projecting elements 516. As illustrated, the drawn lines 526 extend to an upper edge 530 of the container 500 , however, the drawn lines 526 may end up separated at a predetermined distance from the upper edge 530. Preferably, the cut 524 and the drawn lines 526 are formed in the container 500 before mounting the container 500 and the hole 514 for hanging. form in it, after assembly or during the formation of the seal.
Thus configured, the container 500 is sealed to store a food product inside it during transport, storage and presentation. During the subsequent opening of the container 500, the parts 502, 504 of the front and rear walls can generally be held and separated from each other. As the seal of the upper seal 512 adjacent to the cut 524 breaks, the cut 524 begins to separate focusing the tear force on the end portions 528. This causes the drawn lines 526 to be separated along its length. The drawn lines 526 direct the separation towards the upper edge 530 of the container 500. When the separation reaches the upper edge 530, the flap 522 separates from the front wall 502 of the container 500 and remains sealed to the rear wall 504. The remaining areas of the seal of the upper seal 512 on both sides of the flap 522 can be separated, subsequently or at the same time, to fully open the mouth 510 of the container 500 in a controlled manner avoiding separation through the region of the hole 514 for hanging.
Referring now to the sixth illustrative embodiment of Fig. 18, the package 500 is provided with a similar opening characteristic to that shown in Fig. 16 including a flap 600 in the upper seal 512. As illustrated, the flap 600 includes a first cut 602 adjacent through and below the hole 514 for hanging.
In this form, the flap 600 also includes a second cut through adjacent passage 604 and above the hole 514 for hanging. The lines 606 connect the terminal parts 608, 610 of the first and the second cut 602, 604 to form a generally closed shape to generally surround the hole 514 for hanging, where generally surrounding includes perforations, grooves, marks, tears and the like. In this way, the flap 600 is separated from an upper edge 612 of the container 500. A flap 614 is located between the upper seal 512 and the upper edge 612, which could be detached to provide an additional fastening area for a user to open the container 500. As illustrated, the flap 600 is generally an oval closed form, however, any generally closed form can be used, where generally closed includes perforations, cuts, line breaks, or the like. Thus configured, the drawn lines 606 are separated during opening, either by stretching the rear wall portions 502, 504 or separating the flange 612, to connect the first and second cuts 602, 604 to separate the flap 600 from the front wall 502 of the container 500 and allow controlled opening of the container by deriving the hole 514 to hang. The flap 600 is configured to be sealed against the part 504 of the back wall of the container 500 while the rest of the areas of the upper seal 512 are separated.
The flap 522, 600 can also be used as a feature of integrity of the package. As described, the drawn lines 526, 606 have been broken and the flap 522, 600 is separated from the front wall 502. Accordingly, if an attempt is made to close the container 500 by pre-sealing the upper seal 512, The opening feature 522 will probably show an irregularity, such as non-aligned or broken lines indicating that the container 500 has been opened.
In both embodiments of Figs. 16-19, the through cuts extend approximately parallel to the directions in which the walls are stretched during the opening of the container. Advantageously, the placement of the cuts in said orientations, instead of the drawn lines, can reduce the propensity to deviate at these locations during the opening by providing a low resistance path for the shear forces. However, drawn lines can also be used instead of cuts.
In one approach, the cut and drawn lines described herein can be formed in line during the assembly process of the container. In an off-line process, the cut and drawn lines would be formed before assembly of the container. For example, the material is wound on a reel, cut and traced, and then rewound on the reel. This pre-cut and pre-drawn material can be stored and / or sent next to the next cycle of the packaging assembly process. Although this is satisfactory for many purposes, the raised sections of the material due to the treatment during the cutting and plotting process can stamp or print adjacent parts of the material with edges or protrusions when the material rewinds closely around the reel. This may disadvantageously affect the visual appearance of the package. The creation of the cut and the lines of drawing in line with the process of assembly of the container avoids this because the material does not rewind before the message of the container. In addition, the material tears during the unwinding of the pre-cut and pre-drawn material. An additional advantage of an online process is that cutting and plotting lines can be monitored for quality control purposes. This can prevent the performance of quality control by third parties, and can also avoid waste by providing an effective opportunity to stop the flow of material when a problem occurs.
Turning now to a further illustrative embodiments, illustrated in Figs. 20-24, a container 700 is shown which provides the user with a controlled opening feature 702 to open the container 700 to remove a food 12. The container 700 can also be re-closed to allow a user to sequentially remove parts of the food 12 and Close container 700 between uses. As shown in Fig. 24, the container 700 includes upper and lower walls 802, 804 connected by side walls 806 to form an interior of the container 700. The upper and lower walls 802, 804 are sealed between themselves using a suitable adhesive , such as a cold adhesive as described above, in seals 704 at opposite ends placed at opposite portions 706 of the edge. The opening feature 702 uses a flap 708 having a pull tab 710 formed by a cut 712 provided in and / or adjacent to one of the terminal seals 704 and drawn lines 714 extending from terminal parts 716 of the cut 710. Preferably as illustrated, the drawn lines 714 extend from the terminal parts 716 of the cut 12 at least partially through the terminal seal 704 in a generally parallel orientation along the upper wall 802 of the container 700 and terminates before the other seal terminal 704 from approximately 0.64 centimeters (1/4 inch) to approximately 2.54 centimeters (1 inch). This helps prevent accidental removal of flap 708 from container 700. As an additional feature that can help prevent accidental removal, lines 714 may have hooked ends. The flap 708, however, can of course be completely removed if the user wishes.
Thus configured, the user can hold the pull tab 710 near the cut 712 and stretch to separate the opposite edge portions 706 in a region close to the cut 712. As the opposite edge portions 706 separate beyond the region Close to the cut 712, the drawn lines 714 are split, that is, the wall of the container is split along the drawn lines 714, and the drawn lines 714 provide lines of controlled breakage to create an opening in the container 700 to access To an inner cavity. As the drawn lines 714 break, a re-sealing part 718 of the terminal seal 704 located in the upper wall 802 is exposed as the upper wall 802 separates from the lower wall 804. After a subsequent removal of a portion of the food 12 through the opening, the user can close the container 700 by repositioning the
part 718 of re-sealing inside the terminal seal 704 and applying pressure to the upper and lower walls 802, 804. As a result of using a cold adhesive, as described above, the re-sealing part 718 can be reattached to the terminal seal 704 to re-close the container 700.
The cut 712 and the drawn lines 714 are preferably configured to preserve the integrity of the package, so that the package can be practically sealed. The cut 712 is provided inside or out of the terminal seal 704 that is outside the sealed area of the container 700. The drawn lines 714 form the remaining part of the opening feature 702 and do not completely penetrate the band, while retaining in this way the hermetic seal inside the container 700.
As described above, the container 700 can be formed as part of a generally continuous manufacturing process using mechanized filling and sealing equipment, both vertical and horizontal. This process preferably uses a continuous film strip. Before the container 700 is formed, the cut 712 and the lines 714 are formed with a laser, a rotating die or other die, or other suitable mechanism. The package 10 can also be prepared from a single band of flexible material, as described above.
To open the package, the user manipulates the pull tab 710 to stretch the repainted part 718 generally up and away from the part 704 of the terminal seal of the bottom wall 804. As it is stretched from the resealable part 718 exerts a force on the lines 714 drawn at the ends 716 of the cut 712. With sufficient force, the drawn lines 714 will break and guide the opening of the container 700. The pre-sealed part 718 will then detach from the part 704 of the terminal seal of the lower wall 804 which reveals a substitution section in which part 718 of the re-sealing can be reattached. Each of the embodiments of Figs. 20-23 can be used individually, in any combination, or combined with any of the previously described embodiments.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 20, the cut 712 is convex and located at least partially outward from and adjacent to one of the terminal seals 704 at the edge portion 706. A vertex 720 of the cut 712 is separated from an edge 722 terminal by means of a bridge 724, which can have a width of between approximately 0.318 centimeters (1/8 inch) and approximately 1.27 centimeters (1/2 inch). The drawn lines 714 may extend from the ends 716 of the cut 712 in a direction generally towards the other of the terminal seals 704 and preferably in a generally parallel direction. Additionally, before forming the package, the adhesive can be applied or printed along portions 706 with any suitable design to seal the container 700. In this illustrative form, the adhesive is separated from the end edges 722. This space is used on one side to at least partially form the pull tab 710 so that the pull tab 710 is formed within the area free of adhesive and can be held by a user to more easily open the container 700.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 21, the cut 712 is convex and located at least partially outward from and adjacent to one of the terminal seals 704 in part 706 of the edge. This embodiment is substantially similar to that of Fig. 20 except that an additional transverse seal 726 is formed outwardly and adjacent to the pull tab 710. Thus formed, the pull tab 710 is at least partially located between the transverse seal 726 and the terminal seal 704. Additionally, the other terminal seal 704 is not separated from the end edge 722. As illustrated, the end edges 722 of the container 700 they are sealed, which substantially avoids unwanted separation of terminal seals 704.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 22, the cut 712 is convex and is located within a terminal seal 704. In this way, an area 728 free of adhesive is formed in one of the terminal seals 704 that encloses or surrounds at least partially the drag tongue 710, such that the drag tongue 710 can be more easily manipulated away from the terminal part 706 and held by a user. As illustrated, the adhesive free zone 728 is generally complementary to the convex shape of the cut 712, however, other suitable shapes can be used.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 23, the cut 712 is convex. In this way, the cut 712 partially forms one of the terminal seals 722 of the container 700. Accordingly, the drawn lines 714 extend from the terminal parts 716 of the cut 712 that are at or near the end edge 722. Additionally, Since the container 700 can be formed as described above, the leading end edge 722 that includes the cut 712 is used to separate the adjacent containers 700. Thus, forming the pull tab 810 at the front end 730 of the container 700 entails cutting the pull tab of the upper wall 802 or the upper and lower walls 802, 804 of the rear end 732 of a container 700 located forward in the feed direction of the process. This configuration provides a user with a pull tab 710 that is easily manipulated to open the container 700.
The drawings and the above descriptions are not intended to represent the only forms of the container with respect to the details of the construction. Changes in the shape and proportion of the parties, as well as the substitution of equivalents, are considered as circumstances that can be suggested or made expeditious.
A package (10) for a food (12) and having an opening characteristic (19), the package (10) comprising:
a film (100) sealed next to a seal (130) of the leading edge, a seal (130) of the trailing edge, and a fin-shaped seal (14) extending between the foregoing to define an interior housing a food (12), the flap seal (14) being formed between a pair of parts (104) of the edge of the film (100) using an adhesive (18) in the sealing zone;
an opening feature (19) in the form of a flap integrated with the film (100), the flap being at least partially detachable from the rest of the film (100) along one or more lines (22) of tracing that is partially extend through the film (100) to form an interior access opening (24) to remove a food (12); Y
a terminal part (28) of the flap defined by the one or more tracing lines (22) and extending into the sealing area of the seal (14) in the form of a flap,
the terminal part of the flap extends along a wall of the container, the terminal part (28) of the flap being detachable and recerrable against the adhesive (18) of the sealing area to generally re-close the opening (24 ) of access using the flap once the flap has separated from the rest of the film (100) along the one or more lines (22) of the plot.
The package (10) of claim 1, wherein at least one segment of the end portion (28) of the flap is separated from the rest of the film (100) by a through cut (20).
The package (10) of claim 2, wherein the flap can be separated from the film (100) along a pair of plot lines (22), intersecting each of the pair of plot lines (22) the through cut (20) and the pair of plot lines (22) have segments that diverge from each other.
The package (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end portion (28) of the flap includes a reclosing area on one side of the film (100) facing inward and away from the area of sealing, the reclosing zone having an adhesive (18) configured to selectively adhere to the adhesive (18) of the sealing zone in any one of a plurality of different locations of the reclosing adhesive zone to generally close the opening (24 ) access using the flap.
The package (10) of claim 4, wherein the adhesive (18) of the reclosing area has a greater affinity for adhesion to the adhesive (18) of the sealing area than to a food (12) disposed inside of the container (10).
The package (10) of claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 5 dependent on claim 2, wherein the fin-shaped seal (14) includes a distal flange of at least one of the pairs of the parts (104) of the edge that extends beyond the sealing zone and in opposition to the interior and the terminal part (28) of the flap that extends beyond the sealing zone and into the distal flange, being a segment of the terminal part (28) of the flap disposed on the distal flange separated from the rest of the film (100) by the through cut (20).
The package (10) of claim 6, wherein a start region of the end portion (28) of the flap is disposed between the through cut (20) and an adjacent marking line (22) and generally aligned with the cut through (20), the starting region protruding from an adjacent region of the terminal part (28) of the flap.
The package (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flap includes a recessed area on one side of the film (100) oriented inwardly and that moves away from the sealing area, having the reclosing area an adhesive (18) configured to selectively adhere to the adhesive (18) of the sealing zone at any one of a plurality of different locations of the reclosing adhesive zone to generally reseal the access opening (24) using the flap, the adhesive (18) of the reclosing zone having a greater affinity for adhesion to the adhesive (18) of the sealing zone than for a food (12) disposed inside the container (10).
9. The package (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end portion (28) of the flap has means (400) to indicate whether the end portion (28) of the flap has been initially removed from the adhesive ( 18) of the sealing zone.
10. The package (10) of claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 9 dependent on claim 2, wherein the one or more plot lines (22) are laser grooved to partially extend through the film (100) until at least partially defining the flap of the container (10), the through cut (20) being formed using a laser beam to at least partially define the terminal part (28) of the flap, and part of the terminal part ( 28) of the flap on the opposite side of the film (100) is treated by redirecting the laser beam against the part after it has passed through the through cut (20).
11. The package (10) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interior of the package (10) is defined between terminal seals (130) and a fin-shaped seal (14) to enclose a food (12) between the above
12. A method for opening, removing a food (12), and re-closing a reclosable food container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 having a fin-shaped seal (14) to access the interior of the package (10) using an opening feature (19), the method comprising:
holding a start portion of a flap of a container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the start part being arranged outside the inside of the container (10) from the seal (14) in the form of fin
pull the start portion of the flap to separate the flap from adjacent parts of the package (10) along a plurality of lines (22) that extend, each of them, partially through the container ( 10), including separating the flap of the flap seal (14) to expose an underlying adhesive (18) of the flap seal (14), to form an access opening (24) of the container (10);
withdraw a food product from inside the container (10) through the access opening (24); Y
reattach the flap to the underlying adhesive (18) of the seal (14) in the form of a flap to re-close the container (10).
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of reattaching the flap to the underlying adhesive (18) of the flap seal (14) further includes the step of decreasing the volume of the interior of the container (10).
14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the starting part protrudes from adjacent parts of the package (10).
15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein a through cut (20) defines a limit of the start portion of the flap.
ES11155570.2T 2010-02-23 2011-02-23 Food container that has opening characteristics Active ES2556656T3 (en)
US711133 2010-02-23
ES2556656T3 true ES2556656T3 (en) 2016-01-19
ES11155570.2T Active ES2556656T3 (en) 2010-02-23 2011-02-23 Food container that has opening characteristics
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