Method For Production Of A Bag In A Flexible Material Comprising A Shaped Sealing Zone
A method of manufacturing at least one sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealable material begins with providing a film of flexible, heat-sealing material with two opposing edges. Next, arrange the opposing edges on top of one another so as to form a body with a generally tubular wall. Next, heat-seal the opposing edges to form a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body. Then, transversally heat-seal the wall of the body to form at least one transversal sealing area with a general rigidity. Then, fill the pouch with product and cut a shape in at least one transversal sealing area. The cut-out is made at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area. The cut-out has at least one part that is generally tiled in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch in order to guarantee the seal of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area in a given way.
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing at least one product sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealable material, a sample pouch and a longitudinal succession of sample pouches obtained by implementing such a method.
The invention relates, in particular, to the distribution of a product sample with flowing capacity such as a liquid product or a solid in the form of grains or powder, in particular in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents or similar.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,383 describes a pouch made out of a plastic film and comprising a tubular body equipped with a longitudinal seal, and transversal seals for the top and bottom ends of the body respectively.
And yet, such a sachet offers few opportunities for the manufacturer to differentiate its pouches from those of its rivals so that it is difficult for the user easily and quickly to identify the product contained in the pouch.
Indeed, the only identification part, or part on which the product manufacturer can communicate, for example by printing its logo or the name of its brand, is the surface of the tubular body which does not have a longitudinal seal. And yet, the flexibility of this part makes it difficult to print a product identifier. Furthermore, due to this flexibility, the pouch must be handled by the user in order to be able to identify the product clearly.
Moreover, constraints associated with the capacity of the body limit the possibilities of shaping the identification part in a particular way.
The invention aims to solve these problems by providing a pouch equipped with a transversal sealing area with sufficient resistance for forming an identification part which can be shaped and which enables clear and quick identification of the product contained in the sample pouch.
To this effect, and according to a first aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing at least one sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealing material, said film comprising two opposing edges, the method involving the following steps:
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- providing a film of flexible, heat-sealing material;
- arranging the opposing edge's on top of one another so as to form a body comprising a generally tubular wall;
- heat-sealing the opposing edges to form a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body;
- transversally heat-sealing the wall of the body to form at least one transversal sealing area with a general rigidity;
- filling the pouch with product;
- cutting a shape in at least one transversal sealing area, said cut-out being made at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area and comprising at least one part that is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch, in order to guarantee the seal of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area in a given way.
The method enables the manufacturer to personalise the pouch with a shaped design, such as a logo or brand, which identifies the contents allowing the user to recognise the product. Moreover, in certain applications, cutting the shape after heat-sealing does away with the sharp edges in the sealing area, sharp edges being potential catching or scratching risks.
According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the method comprises a step consisting of forming pouch hanging means in the shaped cut-out in the transversal sealing area.
The cut-out in the generally rigid sealing area therefore combines quick and simple identification of the product contained in the pouch and hanging the pouch without risking deformation or tearing.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a product sample pouch obtained by implementing the method according to the first aspect, said pouch comprising a generally tubular body, a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body and at least one transversal sealing area which is generally rigid on one end of the body, said transversal sealing area comprising a shaped cut-out at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area, said shaped cut-out comprising at least one part which is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch.
According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a longitudinal succession of sample pouches obtained by implementing the method according to the first aspect, said longitudinal succession comprising at least two pouches, each transversal sealing area of a pouch being connected to the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch.
Further objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description made in reference to the appended drawings, wherein:
The figures show a pouch 1 designed for distributing product samples. The pouch 1 has applications in particular in the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents or similar. In these specific examples, the pouch 1 can contain a product with flowing capacity such as a liquid product, in particular such as cream, gel or milk, or a solid product in the form of grains or powder.
The pouch is made from a material that can be easily shaped and which has properties adapted to its container function, which is to say that the pouch 1 forms a barrier between the product and the outside, without reacting with said product. In particular, the pouch 1 is made from a flexible, heat-sealable material, for example a plastic material, and comprises a body 2 comprising a generally tubular wall with an axis A delimiting a hollow volume designed to receive the product to be distributed.
In the rest of the description, the terms “longitudinal” and “transversal” respectively refer to the longitudinal direction L, parallel to the A axis, and the transversal direction T, perpendicular to the A axis. Furthermore, the terms “inner” and “outer” are defined in relation to locations that are respectively close to and far from the body 2.
The pouch 1 comprises a longitudinal sealing area 3 between the two ends of the body 2 and a transversal sealing area 4 at each end of the body 2. To form the sealing areas, two opposite parts of the body 2 wall are rigidly attached to each other by heat-sealing. In the figures, 4a and 4b designate the opposing transversal sealing areas of the same pouch 1.
Each transversal sealing area 4 comprises at least one part which extends over the entire transversal dimension of the pouch 1 so as to obtain a closed volume. In the figures, the transversal sealing areas 4 are made in the same plane so that the pouch 1 has a generally rectangular, flat body 2. However, it is possible for the transversal sealing areas to be made in different planes in order to obtain a shaped pouch 1. Moreover, in embodiments of the invention which are not shown, the pouch 1 can have a single transversal sealing area 4 extending across the entire transversal dimension of the pouch 1 on one end of the body 2, the other end being partially sealed or closed by other closing means.
The association of two opposing ends of the wall of the body 2 to form the transversal sealing areas 4 grants said transversal sealing areas 4 a general rigidity. Due to this general rigidity, the transversal sealing areas 4 can form a medium for product communication and identification.
It is provided for at least one transversal sealing area 4 to comprise a shaped cut-out 5 for clear and quick identification of the product. Each shaped cut-out 5 is made on all or part of the transversal dimension of the transversal sealing area 4 and comprises at least one part which is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal L and transversal T directions of the pouch 1. On the other hand, in order to guarantee the sealing of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area 4 in a given way, the shaped cut-out 5 is made at a distance from the inner edge 6 of the transversal sealing area 4.
According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the pouch comprises a shaped cut-out 5 in a transversal sealing area 4. This shaped cut-out 5 is made in a given shape which depicts, for example, the logo or the brand of the product or its manufacturer. This shaped cut-out 5 comprises rounded or broken lines delimiting a shape which clearly identifies the product contained in the pouch 1.
For improved product identification, the material used for forming the pouch 1 can be transparent or translucent and printable so that the shaped cut-out 5 of the transversal sealing area 4 can be printed on.
To access the contents of the pouch 1, a part 9 of the transversal sealing area 4 can be separated from the body, for example by cutting it, in order to obtain an opening 10 through which the product can flow. The pouch can also comprise opening means in the form of a notch, for example.
According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in
In
In one specific example, sample pouches 1 made according to the first or second embodiment of the invention are distributed in a case 19. In
A variation of the second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 to 9. According to this variation, the pouch 1 comprises hanging means such as a hole 15 and/or an eyelet in the shaped cut-out 5 of a transversal sealing area 4. The general rigidity of the shaped cut-out 5 is thus used to hang the pouch 1 without the risk of deformation or tearing. Moreover, such an arrangement of hanging means ensures greater visibility of the shaped cut-out 5 and, therefore, easier identification of the product. Indeed, as shown in
In FIGS. 10 to 12, the longitudinal successions comprise means for separating the sample pouches 1 or groups of sample pouches 1. Lines of least resistance 17 are made in each sealing area 18 comprising the transversal sealing area 4a of one pouch 1a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4b of the next pouch 1b. Lines of least resistance 17 are then formed between the transversal sealing area 4a of one pouch 1a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4b of the next pouch 1b in order to be able to separate the pouches 1 or groups of pouches 1 (
In the case of a group of sample pouches 1 as shown in
A method of manufacturing a product sample pouch 1 from a film 22 of flexible, heat sealable material will now be described.
In
For reasons of clarity and although the films 22 in the initial state do not have them,
The opposing edges 23a, 23b are arranged on top of one another so as to form the generally tubular body 2. For this purpose, the side parts 25 are folded onto the same side of the central part 24 partially covering each other. It is possible in this step to fold along the longitudinal folding lines 26 so as to form a generally flat body 2. The opposing edges 23a, 23b are then heat-sealed so as to form the longitudinal sealing area 3 between the two ends of the body 2.
Transversal heat-sealing of the body 2 wall is then performed so as to form at least one transversal sealing area 4. Transversal heat-sealing of the ends of the body 2 can be performed in the same plane, as shown in the figures, the body then taking on a generally flat shape. It can, however, be performed in different planes so as to give the pouch a twisted shape.
According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the transversal sealing area 4a is formed, and the body 2 of the pouch is then filled with product. After filling the body 2, the wall of the body 2 is transversally heat-sealed so as to form an opposite transversal sealing area 4b. The distance between the opposing transversal sealing areas 4a, 4b substantially matches the longitudinal dimension of the pouch 1.
The method also includes creating the product output guiding channel 11. For this purpose, a transversal sealing area 4 is made during the transversal heat-sealing stage, comprising an inner part with a transversal dimension that is smaller than the transversal dimension of the body 2 and an outer part with a transversal dimension that is equal to the transversal dimension of the body 2. The non-heat-sealed portion of the lower part forms the channel 11 which is capable of guiding the fluid output.
On the other hand, to facilitate the opening of the pouch 1, the method provides a step involving the creation of pouch 1 opening means. In this step, the line of least resistance 12 and/or a notch are made in the body 2 or a transversal sealing area 4.
The method allows the creation of a single pouch 1. The body 2 formed during longitudinal sealing has an opening at each end. During the transversal heat-sealing step, the edges of the openings are heat-sealed to form an end transversal sealing area 4 on each end of the body 2.
The method can, however, create a longitudinal succession of pouches 1. In the same way, the body 2 formed during longitudinal sealing has an opening at each end. During the transversal heat-sealing step, an end transversal sealing area 4 is formed at each end of the body 2 and, on the other hand, intermediate transversal sealing areas 2 are formed between the end sealing areas 4.
In the event of producing a longitudinal succession of pouches 1, during the transversal heat-sealing area step, the method provides, in particular, for the formation of at least one sealing area 18 between the end transversal sealing areas 4 comprising the transversal sealing area 4a of one pouch 1a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4b of the next pouch 1b. A step is also provided for forming means for separating the pouches 1 or groups of pouches 1. For example, the line of least resistance 17 is made in the sealing area 18 between the transversal sealing area 4a of one pouch 1a and the opposite transversal sealing area 4b of the next pouch 1b.
According to the invention, the method comprises a step of making a shaped cut-out 5 of at least one transversal sealing area 4. This step can be carried equally during or after the transversal heat-sealing step.
The method comprises a step of making pouch 1 hanging holes 15 in the shaped cut-out 5 of the transversal sealing area 4. This step of making hanging holes 15 can be carried during or after the step of making the shaped cut-out 5.
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing at least one sample pouch from a film of flexible, heat-sealable material, the method comprising following steps:
- providing a film of flexible, heat-sealing material with two opposing edges;
- arranging the opposing edges on top of one another so as to form a body comprising a generally tubular wall;
- heat-sealing the opposing edges to form a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body;
- transversally heat-sealing the wall of the body to form at least one transversal sealing area with a general rigidity;
- filling the pouch with product; and
- cutting a shape in at least one transversal sealing area, said cut-out being made at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area and comprising at least one part that is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch, in order to guarantee the seal of the body while shaping the transversal sealing area in a predetermined way.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making pouch hanging means in the shaped cut-out of the transversal sealing area.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making means for guiding the product output.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of making means for guiding the product output further comprises during the transversal heat-sealing stage, forming a transversal sealing area comprising an inner part with a transversal dimension that is smaller than the transversal dimension of the body and an outer part with a transversal dimension that is equal to the transversal dimension of the body so as to form means for guiding the product outlet.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making means for opening the pouch.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of making means for opening the pouch further comprises making a line of least resistance on all or part of the pouch and/or a notch forming means for opening the pouch.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making a single pouch, the body having an opening at each end, the edges of the openings being heat-sealed during the transversal heat-sealing step to form a transversal sealing area at each end of the body.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making a longitudinal succession of pouches, the body having an opening at each end, the edges of the openings being heat-sealed during the transversal heat-sealing step to form a transversal sealing area at each end of the body, intermediate transversal sealing areas being made between the end transversal sealing areas during the transversal heat-sealing step.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of during the transversal heat-sealing area step, forming at least one sealing area between the end transversal sealing areas comprising the transversal sealing area of one pouch and the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of making means for separating the pouches or groups of pouches in a sealing area.
11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of making a line of least resistance between the transversal sealing area of one pouch and the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch.
12. A pouch comprising a generally tubular body, a longitudinal sealing area between the two ends of the body and at least one transversal sealing area which is generally rigid on one end of the body, said transversal sealing area comprising a shaped cut-out at a distance from the inner edge of the transversal sealing area, said shaped cut-out comprising at least one part which is generally tilted in relation to the longitudinal and transversal directions of the pouch.
13. The ouch according to claim 12, further comprising a pouch hanging means in the shaped cut-out of the transversal sealing area.
14. The pouch according to claim 12, further comprising a means for guiding the product output.
15. The pouch according to claim 12, further comprising a means for opening the pouch.
16. A longitudinal succession of pouches comprising at least two pouches, each transversal sealing area of one sachet being connected to the opposite transversal sealing area of the next pouch.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2008
Inventors: Christophe Peck (Viennay), Jean-Peirre Nogues (Vrines)
Application Number: 11/794,211
International Classification: B65B 5/02 (20060101);