Flexible, stackable container and method and system for manufacturing same

Technical field [0001] The present disclosure is directed to a flexible stacking container for transporting and storing food products, liquids, powders, chemicals, detergent, dry pharmaceutical products, nutraceuticals and other packaged products, for example, and methods and systems for their production, and in particular for a flexible stacking container having a sealed bag or package formed of a flexible film and an element or lid attached thereto or having a reclosable flap or other easily opened element without an additional element and / or lid.

Background of the disclosure [0002] VFFS packaging machines are widely used in the snack industry for forming, filling and sealing bags with nuts, chips, crackers and other products. Such packaging machines take the packaging film from a sheet roll and form the film into a vertical tube around the product delivery cylinder. One of the disadvantages of such packaging is that the resulting filled packaging is not rigid enough to allow stacking of one packaging on another at a display exhibition.

[0003] Another disadvantage of such packages is that they do not retain their shape after opening the package and removing some of the contents.

[0004] EP1106508 discloses an example of such a package.

[0005] There are rigid packages and containers that can be stacked and retain their shape when opened. Nevertheless, such rigid packaging may go beyond these disadvantages with its own disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the packaging is often composed of a composite material that is expensive to manufacture. Another disadvantage is that rigid composite packaging is often not recyclable. The possibility of recycling the product container is increasingly becoming desirable for companies that manufacture and / or sell consumer products, as well as for those who care about the environment. There is also a need for containers that, if not recyclable, minimize the amount of waste transported to the landfill. As for the landfill, materials that are degradable or biodegradable are also desirable to further reduce the amount of material contained in the landfill.

[0006] Yet another disadvantage of many inelastic and / or rigid containers is the shape of the container. Many product containers have cross sections that are round. In a market where shelf space is very important, round containers require more shelf space than a square or rectangular container that holds the same amount of product. Similarly, the transport of round or other irregularly shaped containers requires more space than the transport of square or rectangular containers, which are packed more efficiently in transport containers. What's more, round containers don't have graphics like containers with flatter sides. The graphics surround the curved surfaces of the containers, and the containers must be ordered so that the graphic information is fully visible and legible. Lack of efficiency in transporting and displaying packaged products increases the total cost of the product. What's more, the lack of efficiency when packing round or irregularly shaped containers increases the number of transport containers and vehicles,

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 ships and aircraft required to transport transport containers. This increases the cost of the product and, more importantly, leads to increased emissions of pollutants that are harmful to the environment.

[0007] Another disadvantage of transporting many inelastic containers is the weight of the container compared to the weight of the flexible container produced to store a similar amount of product. The increased weight increases transport costs as well as increases the amount of material that ends up in landfill if it is not recyclable. Furthermore, the cost of material for inelastic containers is usually greater than the cost of material for flexible containers.

[0008] A container that eliminates these and other disadvantages would therefore be desirable.

Brief description of the figures [0009]

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a flexible stacking container according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the unfolded foil sheet and the lid member of the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the foil sheet of Fig. 2 formed to define the upper, lower and side sides;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the foil sheet of Fig. 3 having corner joints formed at the corners;

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the foil sheet of Fig. 4 and the lid element of Fig. 2 with side edges of the foil sheet folded and welded to form a combined edge seam and corner seam;

Fig. 5A is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the foil sheet of Fig. 4 and the lid member of Fig. 2 with side edges positioned and forming an edge seam on the bottom side of the package;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the foil sheet of Fig. 5 with the lid element attached to its upper side;

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the foil sheet and lid element of Fig. 6 with the front and end edges joined to form the front and end weld;

Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the foil sheet and lid element of Fig. 7 with the front and end edges folded over and attached to the outer surfaces of the package;

Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a packaging machine configured to produce the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of another alternative embodiment of a packaging machine configured to produce the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1 with the container filled on the conveyor by the amount of product to be stored therein;

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1

Figures 11a and 11b are isometric illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the flexible stacking container and of the lid component oriented on the spice can;

Figures 12a and 12b are isometric illustrations of another alternative embodiment of the flexible stacking container and the lid member oriented on the cereal product container;

Figures 13a and 13b are isometric illustrations of another alternative embodiment of a flexible stacking container and a lid member directed at the liquid container;

Figures 14a and 14b are isometric illustrations of yet another alternative embodiment of the flexible stacking container and the lid member oriented on the container for the condiment dispenser;

Figs. 15a and 15b are many plan views of the opening aid that can be incorporated into the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Figs. 16a-16c are many plan views of an alternative embodiment of the opening aid that can be incorporated into the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Figs. 17a-17c are many top views of another alternative embodiment of an opening aid that can be incorporated into the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Figs. 18a-18c are many top views of another alternative embodiment of an opening aid that can be incorporated into the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Figs. 19a-19c are many top views of yet another alternative embodiment of an opening aid that can be incorporated into the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Figs. 20a-20c are cross-sectional views of embodiments of the lid component of Fig. 2 taken along lines 20-20;

Fig. 21 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a packaging machine configured to produce the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 21 in an open configuration with the knife blade extended;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 21 in an open configuration with the knife blade retracted;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 21 with the closed laths;

Fig. 25 is a perspective view, from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 21 with closed coupling strips and extended pins;

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1

Fig. 26 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 21 with extended coupling strips for bending and adhering edge welds;

Figures 27 and 28 are schematic illustrations of alternative embodiments of the packaging machine of Figure 21;

Figs. 29-31 are schematic illustrations of alternative embodiments of packaging machines configured to produce the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1 without attaching the lid member;

Fig. 32 is a schematic illustration of another alternative embodiment of the packaging machine of Fig. 21;

Fig. 33 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the packaging machine of Fig. 9;

Fig. 34 is a schematic illustration of an alternative further embodiment of the packaging machine configured to produce the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1 combining the features of the packaging machines of Figures 10 and 21;

Figures 35 and 36 are schematic illustrations of embodiments of container filling stations that can be incorporated into packaging machines configured to produce the flexible stacking container of Figure 1;

Fig. 37 is a schematic illustration of yet another alternative embodiment of a packaging machine configured to produce the flexible stacking container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 38 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in cross section of the closing stations of Fig. 37 in an open configuration with the knife blade extended;

Fig. 39 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 37 in an open configuration with the knife blade retracted;

Fig. 40 is a perspective view, from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 37 with closed coupling strips and the folding fingers extended;

Fig. 41 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in cross section of the station separating and joining the flap of Fig. 37 with closed coupling strips, retracted folding fingers and extended mandrels;

Fig. 42 is a perspective view from above, from the side and in section of the separating and joining station of the flap of Fig. 37 with extended coupling strips for bending and attachment of the edge seam;

Figures 43 and 44 are schematic illustrations of alternative embodiments of the packaging machine of Fig. 37;

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1

Fig. 45 is a schematic illustration of an additional alternative embodiment of the packaging machine of Fig. 21;

Figs. 46-48 are perspective views from above and below and a view from above, from the front and from the side of the embodiment of the turret of the packaging machine of Fig. 45.

Figures 49 and 50 are perspective views from above and below and a view from above, from the front and from the side of alternative embodiments of the turret of Fig. 48; and

Fig. 51 is a schematic illustration of yet another alternative embodiment of the packaging machine of Fig. 21;

Detailed description [0010] Although the following text contains a detailed description of many different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims at the end of the present patent.

[0011] The detailed description should be seen as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention, since the description of each possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Using alternative technologies or technologies developed after the date of filing this patent, many alternative embodiments can be implemented, which will still fall within the scope of the claims that define the invention.

[0012] It should also be understood that, as long as the term is not explicitly defined in this patent by the phrase "The term" _ "as used herein is intended to mean ..." or similar, it is not intentional to limit the meaning of such term, explicitly or implied, beyond its simple or ordinary meaning, and such a term should not be construed as limiting the scope on the basis of any statement made in any part of this patent (other than the content of the claims). To the extent that any term listed in the claims at the end of this patent is cited in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, this is done solely for the sake of clarity so as not to mislead the reader, but it is not intentional to make such a definition the patent claim was limited, implicitly or otherwise, to a single meaning. Finally, the scope of any element of a patent claim should not be interpreted on the basis of application 35 USC § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the component of the patent claim is defined by the word "means" and function without listing any structure.

[0013] Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a flexible container 10 for stacking according to the present disclosure; The container 10 comprises a flexible package 12 having a lid element 14 attached to one end to provide multiple sealing / closing access to the package 12 and to reinforce the package 12 to allow stacking 12 to be stacked without overturning. Packaging 12, as shown, is of the flexible packaging type known to those skilled in the art as four-sided packaging by four corner welds formed at the corners of the bag. This feature will be described in more detail below. The package 12 has a substantially rectangular shape to conform to the shape of the lid element 14, but other shapes can be used. The lid element 14 is attached to the upper side of the package 12 and is surrounded by suitable ones

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 corner joints. Depending on the specific configuration of the package 12 and the lid element 14, and the requirements for the product packaged therein, the lid element 14 can be attached to the package 12 by means of welds formed between the lid element 14 and corner joints, between the lid element and the side surface of the package 12, on which the lid element 14, or a combination thereof, is placed. Alternative mounting configurations will be described in more detail below. The lid element 14 comprises a base 16 and a lid 18 pivotally connected by a movable hinge 19 (Fig. 2). The base 16 and the lid 18 have complementary shapes, so that when the lid 18 on the base 16 is closed, a tight seal is formed. In the embodiment shown, the upper side of the package 12 located under the lid 18 has perforations 20 defining a flap 22 that can be punched and removed by the consumer after purchase to gain access to the interior of the package 12. To facilitate removal of the flap 22, a pull tab can be attached to it 24, in a manner that causes perforation 20 and detachment of tab 22 when the pull tab 24 is pulled up.

[0014] Packaging 12 can be formed from a foil sheet having a composition and structure that is suitable for the product stored therein and can be designed to exhibit the desired properties after the container 10 has been discarded. The foil sheet for packaging 12 can be formed from materials such as polypropylene (PP ), ethyl vinyl alcohol, polyethylene, EVA copolymers, foil (such as aluminum foil), paper, polyester (PE), nylon (polyamide) and / or their composites. In other embodiments, the foil sheet may be formed of metallised oriented polypropylene (OPP) or metallised polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a combination of such materials. Furthermore, the foil sheet may contain or be fused with a degradable or biodegradable component that may allow the container to degrade in a relatively short period of time after the useful life of the container 10, such as after the container 10 has been discarded at a landfill or other disposal facility. If desired or when desired on the basis of implementation, the film may comprise an outer layer of heat-sealable oriented polypropylene or other material suitable for welding, such that during the manufacture of the container 10, the seams connecting parts of the film can be bonded and / or attached to the outer part of the packaging 12 for creating and shaping the container 10.

[0015] The lid element 14 can be made of any suitable material having the necessary properties to seal it to the packaging film 12. For example. lid element 14 can be made of a plastic material such as PE, polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), poly lactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), PP and the like, by means of a suitable molding method such as thermoforming, injection molding, casting or blow molding. As for the foil sheet, the mounting material may also contain a degradable or biodegradable component to facilitate the degradation of the container 10 after disposal. In alternative embodiments, the containers 10 may be constructed with lid elements 14 having variable configurations or without lid elements. For example, the container 10 may include an element having a base 16 of the lid element 14, but bypassing the lid 18 to leave the upper side surface uncovered. The perforations 20 can extend around part of the flap 22, so that the flap 22 can be opened but not completely detached from the package 12, and the pull tab 24 can cover and extend beyond the flap 22 and contains a sticky substance that allows the tab to re-bond pull 24 with the top surface of the packaging. What's more, an element

VP / 4766 / AGR

The reclosable flap 22 can be completely eliminated in favor of. The inventors consider, as applicable to the containers 10 of the present disclosure, additional configurations.

[0016] The forming of the container 10 will now be described with reference to Figs. 2-8. Referring to Fig. 2, the foil sheet 26, from which the packaging 12 and the lid element 14. will be formed, is shown separately. The container 10 can be formed manually by folding the foil sheet 26 and attaching the lid element 14. However, when the containers 10 are produced in bulk, film sheets 26 are formed on a continuous web of film which can be fed through a VFFS packaging machine. While the discussion here is about forming containers 10 on VFFS machines, those skilled in the art will understand that containers 10 can be formed by machines of a different type or combination of machines such as HFFS packaging machines, standing bag machines, sequential assembly machines and the like, and the inventors are considering using such machines or combinations of machines performing various tasks in forming the containers of the present disclosure. To be consistent with the following discussion of the VFFS 100 packaging machine shown in Figure 9, the elements of the film sheet 26 will be described with reference to their orientation as the film sheet 26 passes through the packaging machine 100. Accordingly, the film sheet 26 has a lower front edge 28, upper end edge 30 and opposite side edges 32, 34. Dashed lines 36-40 in Fig. 2 indicate the separate upper, lower, back and front side 42-48 of package 12, which will be defined after folding and bonding of the sheet 26 of film to form package 12. Prior to forming the package 12 from the foil sheet 26, perforations 20 are formed on the upper side 42 by laser cutting, mechanical cutting or similar manner of forming a perforation 42 in the foil sheet 26 without piercing the sheet 26, but allowing piercing when necessary or desirable based on for requirements for container 10 and / or stored product. Alternatively, for example, cutting with a penetration of approximately 6080% may be used to form the score line defining the flap 22 instead of individual perforations 20. In other embodiments, to facilitate detachment of the flap 22, full penetration of the upper side 42 of the foil sheet 26 by blade cutting may be accomplished. For example, continuous blade incision at full penetration of sheet 26 can be accomplished with intermittent interruptions or bridges in the score line provided to hold tab 22 in place until the tear tab is in place for consumer opening of container 10. The distance between the bridges can be in the range of 0.1 "to 2.0" (2.54 mm to 50.8 mm), and the length of the bridges can be in the range of 0.002 "to 0.090" (0.051 mm to 2.29 mm), depending on the implementation. In the following, various alternative elements for easy opening are described.

[0017] The lid element 14 is oriented with a lower surface 50 facing the upper side 42 to form in the foil sheet 26. A lid element 14 on the front side 78 that can be oriented in front of the container 10 and the rear side 80 opposite it. The movable hinge 19 can pivotally connect the lid 18 to the base 16 on the rear side 80 of the lid element 14, and the front of the lid 18 may include a handle 82 to assist in opening the lid 18. From the base 16, near the handle 82, additional prongs (not shown) may extend to further facilitate opening of the lid 18 by allowing the user to press up on the handle 82 and down onto the tab (s) to separate the lid 18 from the base 16. The lateral sides 84, 86 of the lid member 14 further assist in defining the shape of the container 10, as discussed in more detail below. At this point, it should be noted that relationship terms such as top, bottom, front, back and similar are used in reference

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 to the components and orientation of the container 10, the packaging 12 and the lid element 14 are used for consistency with the orientation of the container 10 as shown in Fig. 1 and for clarity when describing the container 10. However, the container 10 can be implemented in other orientations as desired with the lid element 14 disposed on either side of the container 10, which may be dictated by the product stored therein, transportation or display requirements, marketing or advertising strategies and the like. It should also be noted, apart from the orientation of the container 10, that the lid member 14 may be attached to the sides of the package 12 other than the upper side 42, and the perforations 20 may define a flap 22 in sides other than the upper side 42, as shown herein. Furthermore, the side to which the lid element 14 is attached may or may not include corner joints, as discussed herein, for attaching the lid element 14 to the package 12.

[0018] The first step in creating the package 12 is shown in Figure 3. The film sheet 26 is wrapped inward to create the desired shape based on the features of the final package design. In the present example, the formed sheet 26 has a substantially square or rectangular shape with corners 52-56 defining the top, bottom, back and front sides 42-48. The side edges 32, 34 are positioned near each other and will eventually have corresponding parts of the foil sheet joined to form an edge seal on the fourth corner of the formed sheet 26, with side edges 32, 34 and the corresponding edge seal placed on the corner of the package 12. The corner weld may be any suitable weld between the portions of the foil sheet near the side edges 32, 34, such as a fin weld in which the inner surfaces of the foil near the side edges are bonded together, or a lap joint in which they are superimposed and parts of the foil sheet are bonded together. While the side edges 32, 34 are shown to contact one of the corners of the package 12, those skilled in the art will understand that the edges 32, 34 and the fin, lap, or other suitable weld can be placed on any corner 52-56 or any other if desired along one of the sides 42-48 of the packaging 12.

Turning to Fig. 4, after forming the desired shape from the foil sheet at the corners 52-56 and at the corner where the side edges 32, 34 meet, corner joints 58-64 are formed. On the upper and lower sides 42, 44 of the foil sheet 26, inwards from both corners 52-56, bends are formed to bring the folded parts into contact with the inner surfaces of the sides 46, 48. After folding inward, the folded parts are welded, glued or welded together otherwise with sides 46, 48. As a result, the four corner joints 58-64 extend outwardly substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower sides 42, 44 of the sheet 26 of the film. Side edges 32, 34 can also be welded together to form a combination of an edge weld and corner weld 64, as shown in Fig. 5. The inner surface of the folded part of the lower side 44 is brought into alignment and contact with the inner surface of the respective part of the front side 48 nearby side edge 34. Then the surfaces are joined together in a similar way to other corner joints 58-62. For additional reinforcement of the edge seam and corner seam combination 64, part of the seam 64 can be bent inward and in contact with the bent portion of the combination seam 64. When necessary or desired, bent or non-folded portions of the combination seam 64 can also be welded for further reinforcement. After corner joints 58-64 are formed, the lid member 14 can be combined with the package 12 near the flap 22 on the upper side 42. Those skilled in the art will understand that the creation steps shown in Figures 3-5

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 can occur separately or can be implemented together by a suitably configured packaging machine.

[0020] When desired or dictated by the requirements of a particular container 10, the foil sheet 26 and packaging machine 100 may be configured to form a package 12 having an edge seam located at a location other than one of the corner seams. As shown in the alternative configuration of the package 12 in Fig. 5A, the side edges 32, 34 of the sheet of film 26 may contact in the center of the bottom side 44. Instead of being a combination of an edge and corner weld, the weld 64 is a corner weld formed in a manner similar to other corner welds 58-62. At the point where the edges 32, 34 meet, an edge weld 65 is formed by bringing portions of the foil sheet 26 together near the side edges 32, 34 and forming a weld such as a fin or overlap weld between them using welding or other suitable welding method . After bonding, the edge seam 65 in the form of a fin seam can be folded and attached to the outer surface of lower side 44 if desired.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 6, the lid element 14 is disposed with the bottom surface 50 facing the outer surface of the upper side 42 of the package 12. In this embodiment, the front and rear sides 78, 80 of the lid element 14 are located adjacent the corner welds 58 , 60 of the upper side 42. In one embodiment, the corner welds 58, 60 are then bonded to the sides 78, 80 of the base 16 of the lid element 14. For example, corner welds 58, 60 can be welded to sides 78, 80 of lid element 14 or can be attached using time or pressure welds, adhesive welds, welding or any other suitable fastening mechanism. In alternative embodiments, the bottom surface 50 of the base 16 of the lid member 14 can be welded to the outer surface of the upper side 42 of the package 12 using one of the welding mechanisms discussed above or another suitable mechanism. Furthermore, the lid element 14 can be attached with welds formed with corner welds 58, 60, as well as the outer surface of the upper side 42.

[0022] After the lid element 14 is attached, the open ends of the package 12 can be welded to close the package 12 and folded and attached to adapt the shape of the package 12 to the lid element 14. Referring to Fig. 7, the lateral lateral parts of the front and end edges 28, 30 are fed to each other and welded together to form a front and end weld 70, 72. To ensure careful wrapping of the front and end seals 70, 72 of package 12 around the outer surface of the package 12 and lid element 14 to create a relatively smooth and uniform outer surface for container 10, it may be necessary to roll the film between the front and back seam 70, 72 to form corner joints 58-64 on the upper and / or lower side 42, 44 of the packaging 12. To achieve this, when the front and end edges 70, 72 of the package 12 are brought together, the respective parts of the upper and lower sides 42, 44 can be moved inward to fold the sides 42, 44, while the edges 28, 30 slide together and are bonded to form the front and back seam 70, 72 of the package 12. After forming the front and end seam 70, 72, the package 12 can be filled with a certain amount of product for which the container 10 is designed. Accordingly, the first weld 70 can first be formed, the product placed in the package 12, and then the final weld 72 can be formed, or the final weld 72 can be formed first if necessary to facilitate the production of container 10.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0023] After forming the front and end seals 70, 72, seams 70, 72 and corresponding loose film portions near them can be folded and attached to the outer surface of the package 12 to complete the formation of the container 10 as shown in Fig. 8. Welds 70, 72 can be wrapped around the lid element 14 to adjust the loose portion to the outer surfaces of the lid element 14 and package 12, and welds 70, 72 can be attached to the outer surface of the package 12. Welds 70, 72 can be attached to the surface of the package 12 using thermal, time or pressure welding techniques, or using hot glue between the weld 70, 72 and the outer surface, or other welding methods. The loose part of the film should lie relatively flat and adapt to the fixed part of the package 12 after folding and bonding due to the folds 74, 76 made in the sides 42, 44 during the formation of the front and end seals 70, 72. After bending and attachment of joints 70, 72, parts of corner joints 58, 60 near the lateral sides 84, 86 of the lid element 14 can be welded with it in a similar manner as the front and rear sides 78, 80.

[0024] The steps implemented in the method described in Figs. 2-8 and the order in which they are formed is an example. Those skilled in the art will understand that the method of forming container 10 can be changed and the configuration of container 10 can also be changed, and such changes are being considered by the inventors. For example, the lid element 14 can be attached to the foil sheet 26 before folding the sheet 26 to form sides 42-48. Alternatively, package 12 can be fully formed as shown in Fig. 8 before the lid element 14 is bonded to it. Even when the lid element 14 is attached to the upper side 42, as shown in Fig. 6, the lid element 14 can simply be attached in its place at this point to help shape the package 12 correctly, with welds between the base 16 of the lid element 14 and corner welds 58, 60 and / or the upper surface of the upper side 42 are made after the packaging 12 has been completely formed. Furthermore, as described in more detail below, the package 12 can be formed with the front edge 28 bonded and the end edge 30 open and with the lid element 14 attached before or after placing the product in the package 12. Obviously, the container 10 can be formed with the lid element 14 attached to the any of the sides of the package, as well as without including the lid member 14, as discussed above. The steps can also be changed, allowing the product to be placed in package 12 at an appropriate point in the method. For example, it may be advantageous to form the front weld 70 and assemble and attach the weld 70 to the surface of the package 12 before placing the product in the package 12, so that the product does not interfere with the folding of the weld 70. After placing the product, you can then create the final weld 72, bending and gluing it to the packaging surface 12.

[0025] The configuration of the container 10 can also be changed as desired, while forming the sealed package 12 from the foil sheet 26 and welding the lid member 14 in a manner that allows the container 10 to be reclosed after opening the package 12. For example, package 12 can only be formed with corner seams 58, 60 that surround the top side 42 of the package and without corner seams 62, 64 on bottom side 44, thus allowing container 10 to rest on the outer surface of bottom side 44 when stored on shelf or stacking on top of another container 10. In such embodiments, corner welds 62, 64 of Fig. 5 and 5A can be omitted, and an edge weld 65 can be formed in one of the corners on the bottom surface 44 or at a certain point along the bottom surface 44. When corner welds are omitted

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1

62, 64, corner weld 65 can still be formed prior to forming front weld 70 and end weld 72 or weld 70, 72 can be formed prior to forming edge weld 65 in bottom surface 44. In some implementations, an additional foil sheet, paper label, fastening structure or the like may be attached to the bottom side 44 having corner seams 62, 64 or to the flat side 44 to ensure the integrity of the welds of the foil sheet 26 on the bottom side 44, to facilitate stacking of container 10 on a shelf or other containers 10, and / or to provide additional usable space to allow bar codes and other relevant product information to be printed on the outside of container 10. Corner welds 58, 60 can be formed with an orientation other than perpendicular to the top side 42 of the package 12, and the base 16 of the lid member 14 can have a complementary shape to orientate the corner welds 58, 60, so that corner welds 58, 60 can be joined to it. Alternatively, corner welds 58, 60 can also be omitted, and the lower surface 50 of the base 16 can be welded directly to the outer surface of the upper side 42. When corner welds 58, 60 are not formed to surround the upper side 42, the base 16 can be configured to slide over the edges of the upper side 44 and has an inner surface associated with the outer surfaces of the front, rear and side sides of the package 12 near the upper side 42. Co moreover, the package 12 can be formed into other shapes, which are essentially the cubic shapes shown here, and may have more or less than six sides. For example, the container may have a substantially cylindrical shape, such that the upper and lower sides are round or oval, with the lid element 14 having a complementary shape to facilitate the formation of welds (s) between the packaging 12 and the lid element 14. The inventors consider and for those of ordinary skill in the art there are other geometries of the packaging 12 and the lid element 14 that can be used in the containers 10 of the present disclosure.

[0026] The type of welds formed at welds 58-64, 70, 72 and between sides 78, 80, 84, 86 of the lid element 14 and the upper side 42 and / or corner welds 58, 60 may be dictated by the storage product in the container 10 . The welds formed for the container 10 may be only those necessary to keep the product inside the container 10, both when the package 12 is sealed and when the upper surface of the package 12 is pierced and the lid 18 is closed on the base 16 of the lid element 14 to re-close the container 10 . For example, it may not be necessary to incur costs associated with the formation of air- and watertight joints when the container 10 stores products that do not break down or spoil, such as shots and the like. These types of products may also allow greater error tolerance for gaps, ducts, wrinkles or other imperfections or "channel leaks" that occur unintentionally in joints, but do not allow the stored product to escape from the container 10. Obviously, non-stick components having smaller granules, such as powdered detergents, may require more impervious weld types as well as greater reliability and less imperfections in the sealing methods. Liquids may similarly require liquid impermeable joints that are reliably formed in the container 10.

[0027] For food products such as potato chips and cereal flakes or other types of products, where the product freshness must be preserved before opening the package 12, hermetic joints can be formed to protect and prevent air and / or moisture from entering through the joints. Other foods may require packaging that is correct

VP / 4766 / AGR

Storage can breathe. For example, lettuce or other product may still be breathing in the container to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, which consequently requires a certain level of air exchange in the package to maintain the desired atmosphere in the container. Alternatively, instead of relying on welds to provide the necessary ventilation, a specific film structure having the desired ventilation properties or some other form of ventilation of the package may be provided. As another example, the coffee beans can still release gases after roasting, thereby increasing the pressure inside the package, whereby air must flow through the welds and / or the film so that when the package is tightly closed, no excessive pressure builds up inside the package. Still other products may require that the product be stored in container 10 for appropriate storage time for certain levels of vapor permeability. Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific welds formed in the container 10, as well as the properties of the film sheet 26 from which the package 12 is produced, in a particular implementation can be configured, if desired, to meet the changing needs of stored products regarding water penetration between the package 10 and the external environment, if any. As a result, the welds used herein in the description of various embodiments of containers 10 are not to be limited to the weld of the type formed, unless otherwise indicated.

[0028] Fig. 9 schematically shows one example of a packaging machine 100 configured to produce flexible stacking containers 10 according to the present disclosure. For example, the machine 100 may produce the container 10 discussed earlier. The machine 100 may be of the type known to those skilled in the art as a VFFS packaging machine. Packaging machine 100 is capable of continuously forming a series of containers 10 from a film web that can be fed to packaging machine 100. In most applications, the web is pre-printed with graphics referring to the product being placed in the container, such as product information, manufacturer information, nutrition information, bar code and the like. A packaging film web is provided on a roll 102 of the film rotatably mounted on a shaft at the inlet end of the packaging machine 100. The packaging film is typically fed to the packaging machine 100 through a series of free tension rollers and guide rollers 104, of which one or more can be driven to direct the film web towards the transport path of the packaging machine 100.

[0029] Before forming the flexible package 12 for the container 10, the film can be guided through the pretreatment station 106 for additional film processing that was not practical or desirable during the production and winding of the film onto the film roll 102. The treatments carried out in the pretreatment station 106 may include mechanical or laser perforations, cutting or piercing, or other suitable processing to define the flap 22 that can be placed under the lid element 14, applying flap 22 to the tab 24 to peel or pull, dating with the code, applying the chips RFID or any other film pretreatment that should occur when creating the containers 10. In some embodiments of the packaging machine 100, it may even be desirable to attach the lid members 14 to the pretreatment station 106 prior to forming flexible wraps 12. In other embodiments, the pretreatment station 106 may be omitted, so that when the foil sheet is unwound from the film roll 102 , no pre-treatment is carried out.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0030] After passing through the pretreatment station (s) 106, the film web is directed to the forming station 108 having the forming projection 110 or other device such as a forming box or sequential folding system configured to wrap the film around the forming tube. 112 in a manner known in the art. In the present example, the forming tube 112 is a product filling tube 114 having a funnel 116 for receiving the product placed in the container 10 and filling the container 10 with the product when the film moves along the forming tube 112 as discussed in more detail below. The forming tube 112 is configured to form the desired shape from the film based on the features of the final packaging design, such as square, rectangular, oval, trapezoidal, round, irregular or the like. Depending on the characteristics of the film being processed and / or container 10 produced and other factors, the film can simply be wrapped completely or partially around the forming tube 112 to shape the film or, when a more durable shape is desired, folding devices can be used during the initial stages of the packaging process. forming wrinkles at the corners of 52-56 films. Obviously, when non-VFFS packaging machines are used, the forming tube does not necessarily have to be used, but instead the film can be wound directly around the product stored in the container 10.

[0031] After the film is formed around the forming tube 112, the film web moves along the transport path to station 118 of the edge weld / corner weld combination to form corner welds 58-62 in corners 52-56 between sides 42-48 of package 12 and to form a weld combination edge and corner seam 64 on the side edges 32, 34 of the film web. In one embodiment of the packaging machine 100, corner welds 56-64 may be formed in station 118, providing flat forming plates extending outwardly from the square or rectangular forming tube 112. Each of the forming plates extends from the corner of the forming tube 112 in parallel planes that are perpendicular to the surface of the side 42 to which the lid element 14 is to be attached and to the opposite side 44 of the package 12 such that the two plates extend from the corners defining the side edges an upper side 42 and two plates extend from the corners defining the lower side 44 of package 12. Thus, the film is wrapped around the forming plates, and the station 118 may further include a shaping strip positioned between each pair of forming plates for forming the foil in preparation for welding corner joints 58-64. After the film web passes through the forming plates and forming strips, the film web is guided behind the devices bonding the stations 118, which bond the overlapping parts of the film at the corners 52-56 and the side edges 32, 34 to form corner joints 58-64. Any suitable welding device capable of welding the film, including welding devices, mechanical welding devices, such as pressure wheels, and the like can be used to form the corner joints 58-64. Depending on the configuration of the container 10, the forming plates may protrude outward in planes that are not perpendicular to the surface of the upper side 42, such that corner joints 58-64 are not perpendicular to the upper side 42. In such implementations, the base 16 of the lid element 14 may be formed into a shape that is complementary to the orientation of corner welds 58-64.

[0032] At one corner of the forming tube 112, the film portions near the side edges of the film 32, 34 are joined to form the combination of edge weld and corner weld 64. To ensure the integrity of the combination of edge weld and corner weld 64 when using the container 10, a corner can be formed additional bend, with the folded part joined with the matching weld part 64 for

VP / 4766 / AGR

The corner weld reinforcements 64. Behind the corner weld welding devices, an additional forming projection can be provided to bend a portion of the combination weld 64 formed on the side edges 32, 34 inwardly for overlap on the bent portion. To maintain additional bending, an additional bonding device may be provided to form a second weld at the corner weld 64 after the film has passed through the forming projection. Alternatively, a portion of the corner weld 64 may be bent outwardly and welded in a similar manner. While the present example depicts side edges 32, 34 contacting at the corner of package 12 and welded to form a combination of edge seam and corner seam 64, those skilled in the art will understand that the packaging machine 100 can be configured such that side edges 32, 34 are in contact with each other. any of the corners 52, 56 of packaging 12 or at any point along any of the flat surfaces such that a fin seal is formed separately from the corner joints, an overlap weld or other suitable edge weld. In the example shown, the edge seam can be formed at one of the corner seams 64 to maximize the amount of print space available on the outside of the container 10. As discussed above, the edge seam can be placed along the side of the package 12 instead of at one corner. In these configurations, station 118 can be configured to create corner weld 64 in a similar manner to other corner welds 58-62 and to create a fin, lap or other weld at the intersection of side edges 32, 34. Obviously, corner welds 56-62 and the edge seam can be created using different work stations, depending on the specific configuration of the packaging machine.

[0033] To further control the movement of the film web along the forming tube 112 and the transport path behind the stations 118, pulling tapes 120 for coupling with the film and pulling the film through the previous stations 106, 108, 118 may be provided. After forming 12 corner seals 58 64 on the package 12 at the lid application station 122, a lid element 14, preferably covering the removable / resealable flap 22 can be installed in the desired location. The lid elements 14 can be delivered to the lid application station 122 from a supply of lid elements 14 in the lid hopper 124. The lid elements 14 from the hopper 124 can be transferred via the lid lifter 126 to the sorter / orientator 128. The sorter / orientator 128 is configured to place the lid elements 14 in the correct orientation for delivering lid application station 122. At the outlet of the sorter / orientator 128, correctly oriented lid elements 14 can be delivered to the lid application station 122 by means of the lid feeding conveyor 130.

[0034] At the lid application station 122, the lid elements 14 are placed and secured in a suitable place on the packages 12 as the packages 12 pass through the lid application station 122 on the forming tube 112. In the present example, the bottom surface 50 of the lid element 14 is located at the upper side 42 of the package 12 in the place of the removable flap 22 with the front and rear sides 78, 80 of the lid element 14 located in respective parts of the corner joints 58, 60 defining the edges of the upper side 42. When the package 12 is placed in a suitable location adjacent to the lid application station 122, a plunger, pin, or other positioning device of the lid application station 122 can be actuated, pushing the next lid component 14 from the lid feeding conveyor 130 towards the forming tube 112 with the bottom surface 50 of the element lid 14 engaging the surface

VP / 4766 / AGR

The upper side 42 of the package 12. The front of the mandrel or plunger may be shaped to adapt to the inner recess of the upper surface of the lid element 14 for proper alignment of the lid element 14 with the surface of the package 12 and for applying pressure of appropriate size to the surface of the film. Once in place, the bonding devices 122 may form welds between the front and rear sides 78, 80 of the lid member 14 and the respective corner portions 58, 60 of the upper side 42. For example, the bonding devices may be welders forming the joints 78, 80 of the member lid 14 and corner joints 58, 60 packaging 12. Obviously, other types of welds can be formed such that the sides 78, 80 of the lid element 14 are welded to the corner welds 58, 60, such as by thermal, temporary or pressure welding techniques, adhesive fixing, welding and the like. Furthermore, the lid element 14 can alternatively be combined with the upper side 42 of the package 12, forming a weld between the bottom surface 50 of the lid element 14 and the surface of the upper side 42 of the package 12. The specific welding mechanism and location can be determined based on the particular configurations of the lid elements 14 and the packaging 12 to which they are attached, or based on the methods used to secure the lid element 14 to the packaging 12, and alternative attachment configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0035] After attaching the lid element 14, the front and end edges 28, 30 of the package 12 can be welded to close the package 12 and folded and attached to adjust the shape of the package 12 to the lid element 14. The package 12 with the attached lid element 14 passes from the application station 122 lids for closing position 132. To ensure careful wrapping of the edges 28, 30 of the package 12 around the lid element 14 to create a relatively smooth and homogeneous outer surface for the container 10, when forming the front and back seam 70, 72, it may be necessary to roll the film between corner seams 58-64 on the top and / or bottom side 42, 44 of the packaging 12. To complete this, the closing station 132 may include foil rolling slats 134 located above the sealing slats 136 of the closing station 132. When the front edge 28 of the package 12 is aligned at the sealing strips 136, the foil winding strips 134 can move inward toward the respective sides 42, 44 of the package 12 and engage with the surfaces of the sides 42, 44 to roll the sides 42, 44 inward when the bonding strips 136 move together to engage and weld the front edges 28 of the package 12. It should be noted that since the packages 12 arise from a continuous web of film, the sealing strips 136 close on the foil at the same time and can weld the end edge 30 of the previous package 12. As a result, additional foil strips 134 for rolling the sides 42, 44 can be provided under the sealing strips 136 at the end edge 30 of the previous package 12. While not shown in the present method of Fig. 9, in an alternative embodiment, the closing station 132 can only weld the front weld 28 of the upper package 12 and leave the end edge 30 of the packages 12 open. For example, the bonding strips 136 can be double bonding strips that are heated separately to be welded as needed end 72 of lower package 12 or front weld 70 of upper package 12. Furthermore, the double sealing strips can be separately coupled so that when the packages 12 pass through the closing station 132, only one of the packages 12 is coupled by the sealing strips 136.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0036] As discussed above, the forming tube 112 of the illustrated embodiment of the packaging machine 100 is a product filling tube 114. After the front edge 28 of the package 12 is closed, product can be added to the package 12 during the sealing method at the closing station 132. At this point, it is possible to pour / pour it through the funnel 116 into the filling tube 114 may be poured) a specific amount of product and drain it into packaging 12, where the product remains thanks to the seam 70 at the front edge 28 of the packaging 12. After or when receiving the product in packaging 12, packaging 12 moves forward to align the front edge 30 of packaging 12 on closing station 132 and end edge 30 is rolled up and welded as described above, thereby sealing the package 12 with the product contained therein. In some implementations, the additional weight of the product in package 12 may pull the film and increase the film tension at the closing station 132. To control the film tension, when forming joints 70, 72 at the closing station 132, it may be necessary to provide a lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting further packaging 12 for sufficient removal of some or all of the stress in the film so that welds 70, 72 in packages 12 are properly formed.

[0037] At the same time as welds 70, 72 of adjacent packages 12 are formed, a gas flushing operation may be performed if desired to provide the desired atmosphere in package 12. Obviously, gas flushing can occur in a draft or at other times during the creation and filling of the package 12. Furthermore, during one or more previous steps to achieve the desired loosening or tension of the package 12, gas inlet or outlet devices or a heated gas or refrigerated gas may be provided or used. After sealing the package 12, it can be detached from the film web, preparing for any final processing and packaging step. Consequently, the closing station 132 may additionally comprise a knife or other separating device (not shown) near the sealing strips 136 for cutting the common seam 70/72 and separating adjacent packages 12. Alternatively, the separation may take place in a further station. After separation, the package 12 may fall or be transported in another way to the conveyor 138 for delivery to the remaining process stations.

[0038] The conveyor 138 may include a synchronization belt or synchronization chain 140 to maintain the correct distance between the packages 12 and align with the other processing stations. Other types of conveyors may be used, such as intermittent conveyor belts, swing type conveyors, and the like. If desired, the conveyor 138 may include guide rails or other packaging control devices to ensure that the packages are properly aligned and spaced as they move along the conveyor 138. The first station along the conveyor 138 may be the upper station 142 for welding / folding the seams of the bag. The folding / bonding station 142 can bend the end seam 72 and the corresponding loose film portion around the lid element 14 and the outer surface of the relatively stationary portion of the package 12 for adapting the loose portion of the outer surfaces of the lid element 14 and package 12 and fixing the weld to the outer surface of the package 12. Weld 72 may be attached to the surface of the package 12 using thermal, temporary or pressure welding techniques, or using hot glue between the weld and the outer surface, or other methods of welding. The loose part of the film should lie relatively flat and adapt to stationary

VP / 4766 / AGR

Parts of the package 12 after folding and bonding due to the folds made in the sides 42, 44 during the formation of edge welds 70, 72. After the end weld 72 and the package 12 are bonded together, the chain or synchronization strip 140 can change the position of the package 12 on the first device a rotating package 144 that can change the orientation of the package 12 for folding and welding the front seam 70. Changing the orientation can be a 180 ° rotation of the container to place the front seam 70 on top of the package 12. After rotating the package 12, the synchronization chain or 140 can carry the package 12 to the bottom station 146 for welding / folding the seams of the bag to attach the front seam 70 to the outer surface packages 12 in a similar manner as described for the bending / sealing station 142. Alternatively, the front seam 70 can be folded and fastened without changing the orientation of the package 12 or simultaneously with the folding and fastening of the end seam.

[0039] After the joints 70, 72 are attached to the outer surface of the package 12, the side sides 84, 86 of the lid element 14 can be bonded with the respective parts of the corner weld 58, 60 of the package 12, so that the container 10 can properly store and maintain the freshness of the product contained therein after removing flap 22 and when the package 12 is no longer sealed. In manufacturing, the synchronization chain or belt 140 may first place the package 12 in a second package rotating device 148 that can rotate the package 12 so that the lid element 14 is placed on top. The synchronization chain or belt 140 can then move the package 12 to the end lid welding device 150, which can be configured to weld the lateral sides 84, 86 of the lid element 14 with the respective corner weld portions 58, 60 and / or to weld the bottom surface 50 of the base 16 to the upper upper side surface 42. The final bonding device 150 may perform a bonding method similar to that performed at the lid application station 122, such as welding, adhesive or the like, or other methods of bonding. If desired, a post-processing station (s) (not shown) may be included along the conveyor 138 for any additional operations prior to shipment, such as code dating, weight checking, quality control, labeling or marking, RFID assembly, and the like. At the end of the welding and finishing operations, the finished containers 10 can be removed from the conveyor 138 by means of the packing machine 152 and placed in a carton 154 for storage and / or shipping to retail customers.

[0040] The components of the packaging machine 100 and the steps of forming the containers 10 can here be transformed as needed for the correct formation of the containers 10, making it effective and economically efficient. For example, when it is necessary to properly form or shape the package 12, the lid application station 122 may be positioned in front of the sealing station 118 for applying the lid member 14 to the foil sheet 26 before forming corner joints 58-64. Alternatively, to increase efficiency or to compensate for space restrictions, for example, it may be necessary or desirable to position the lid application station 122 along the conveyor 138 for applying and sealing the lid member 14 to the package 12 after forming the package 12. For example, the lid application station 122 may be located in front of the folding / sealing station 142 for applying the lid component 14 to the package 12 before attaching the end seam 72 to the package surface 12. Other configurations of packaging machine components 100 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0041] Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a packaging machine configured to produce the flexible stacking container 10 of Fig. 1. The packaging machine in Fig. 10 and many of its components are generally similar to a packaging machine 100 and the components of Fig. 9. However, in this embodiment, the product filling tube and funnel are separate from the forming tube and placed along the conveyor for filling the package 12 after detaching the foil sheet 26 from the foil web. The closing station along the forming tube is configured to form the front seam 70 of one package 12 without welding the adjacent end edge 30 of the previous package 12 and to cut the parallel front and rear edges 28, 30 to separate the further package 12 from the film web.

[0042] The separated packages 12 having unsaturated end edges 30 are transferred to the conveyor by a suitable active or passive transfer mechanism and placed along a chain or belt synchronizing with the end edges 30 facing up. When the packages 12 are moved to be aligned with the bottom end of the product filling tube, a defined amount of product can be poured / poured through the funnel into the filling tube 114 and down into the package 12. The product-filled packages 12 slide along the conveyor to an end seam closing station having a pair of bonding strips that couple the end edges 30 of the packages 12 to form end seals 102 and seal the packages 12. After sealing, the packages 12 can be moved through the folding / sealing stations and a final lid sealing station similar to those shown and described for the packaging machine of Fig. 9. As a further alternative, the lid application station 122 can be positioned along the conveyor for securing the lid member 14 in a suitable place, such as before welding and bending the end weld 72.

[0043] Figs. 11a and 11b show an alternative embodiment of the container 200 and the lid element 202. The lid element 202 includes a base 204 which may be similar to the base 16 described above for the lid element 14, which may be welded or otherwise secured for corner welds 58, 60 and / or the upper side surface 42 of the package 12 and has an upper opening for access to a part of the upper surface of the upper side 42. However, in this embodiment, the lid component 202 may include a plurality of resealable lids similar to resealable lids of a pepper or spice can. For example, the lid element 202 may include a first lid 206 that opens to reveal an opening for rapid pouring / pouring or free flow, a second lid 208 that opens to reveal a medium pouring / pouring area or a large screening area and a third lid 210, which opens to reveal a slow pouring / pouring area or a small screening area. Each of these lids may have a complementary shape to the base portion of the lid component to form after closing the lid based on the weld 204 between them.

[0044] Figs. 12a and 12b show another alternative embodiment of the container 212 and the lid element 214, which may be applicable in particular to the container according to the present disclosure configured for use as a cereal product container. As shown in fig. 12a, the packaging 216 formed by the packaging machine may be taller and wider than the packaging previously shown, and the packaging machine components may be configured to form such packaging 216. The lid element 214 for cereal container 212 may be

VP / 4766 / AGR

Dimensionally selected for use only with part of the upper side of the package 216 and forming a spout for pouring the cereal product from the container 212. Since lid element 214 does not cover the entire upper surface of the upper side surrounded by corner welds 58, 60, it may be necessary to bond the lower surface 218 of the base 220 to the surface of the upper side 42 to provide the necessary barrier to moisture and odors after closing the lid 222 on the base 220 for reuse sealing the cereal product box 212. The base 220 may further include an outwardly extending flange 224 on the bottom surface 218 to ensure that there is sufficient contact area between the bottom surface of the lid element 214 and the top surface of the upper side to form the necessary weld between them. In other embodiments, the lid element 214 for cereal container 212 may extend across the entire width of the package 216. This configuration may be desirable when the cereal product container 212 contains a toy or surprise, and the opening of the lid element 214 can be dimensioned so that a person can enter his hand into the container 212 to remove the toy or surprise without spilling the cereal product or damaging the container 212 for cereal. It should also be noted again that the lid element for container 212 or other containers according to the present disclosure can be attached to packaging surfaces other than the top surface or side, depending on the product stored inside and the manner in which the product is to be dispensed. For example, to facilitate pouring out of the salt container or pouring liquid to the side surface of the package, an element configured as a pouring / pouring spout can be attached.

[0045] Figs. 13a and 13b show another alternative embodiment of the container 230 and the lid component 232 that may be applicable in particular to the container of the present disclosure configured for use as a water bottle or container for other liquids. Unlike the lid elements previously described and described herein, the lid element 232 for the liquid container 230 may include a base 234 having an externally threaded neck 236 and a detachable lid or nut 238 having an internal thread matching the outer thread of the neck 236 so that between the base / neck 234/236 and nut 238, proper tightness can be ensured when nut 238 is screwed onto base 234. If necessary, an additional gasket, washer or other suitable sealing device or protection against unauthorized access may be included. The base 234 can extend outward toward the corner seals 58, 60 of the package 240, so that the bottom surface 50 can be welded to the upper surface of the upper side of the package 240 with sufficient contact surface to form the necessary weld between them. Alternatively, the sides of the base 234 may be welded to the corner seams 58, 60. The upper side of the liquid container 230 may include an opening aid element similar to those discussed previously, which can be configured as accessible through the neck 236 after removing the cap 238 to open this package 240 and allow spilling the liquid it contains. Alternatively, the packaging machine can be reconfigured to include a punch or other device for making a hole in the upper side of the package before the lid component 232 is welded to it, so that liquid can be poured after unscrewing the cap 238 from the neck.

[0046] Figs. 14a and 14b show an alternative embodiment similar to the liquid container 250 of Figures 13a and 13b in the form of a condiment bottle 250 having a removable spout 254. As for the liquid container 230 of Figures 13a and 13b, the element lid 252 of the condiment container 250 can

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 includes a base 256 having an externally threaded neck and a detachable nut 254 having an internal thread mating with an external neck thread. If necessary, an additional gasket, washer or other suitable sealing device or protection against unauthorized access may be included. The base 256 can extend outward toward the corner seals 58, 60 of the package 258, so that the bottom surface 50 can be welded to the upper surface of the upper side of the package 258 with sufficient contact surface to form the necessary weld between them. Alternatively, the sides of the base 256 can be welded to the corner seams 58, 60 in a similar manner as discussed above. Three spouts 260 are shown on cap 254, but more or less spouts 260 can be provided, and spouts 260 can be spaced on cap 254, as shown in another desired arrangement (multiple rows, concentric circles, etc.), or aligned as needed or aligned . While most of the containers discussed herein, besides being flexible, can be stacked, those skilled in the art will understand that containers such as liquid container 230 and condiment container 250 may not necessarily be stacked on top of each other due to the configuration of the components and 232 and 252, respectively. Nevertheless, such containers are considered by the inventors as flexible containers according to the present disclosure and within the scope of the claims directed at stacking flexible containers, until they are excluded by the limitations of such claims as expressly set out herein.

[0047] Figs. 15a and 15b provide a graphic illustration of an embodiment of an opening facilitator for the upper side 42 of stacking flexible containers, such as the container 10 of Fig. 1. In a manner that defines the shape of the flap 22, a series of perforations 20 is made a maximum depth of approximately 50% of the thickness of the foil sheet 26. From the outer surface of the upper side 42 on the flap 22, the mark 270 can be seen and it can indicate to the user where to apply pressure to detach the flap 22 to the upper side 42. Near mark 270, denser perforations 20, such as about 66.7 perforations per inch, can be provided to initiate detachment of flap 22, and relatively rare perforations 20, such as approximately 20.4 perforations, can be provided along the rest of perforation line 20 defining flap 22. per inch. After applying pressure, the outer surface of the package 12 of the foil sheet 26 is broken at the perforations 20 and the interior of the package 12 is discovered. If desired, the flap 22 can be pulled out to terminate detachment from the package 12. For perforation 20 and flap 22, the inventors consider other penetration depths, shapes, spacing, etc. For example, the depth of perforation may result from the materials and structure of the film of the film sheet 26. 50 percent penetration may be appropriate for some films to be detached from tab 22, while other films may require greater or less penetration for the perforation 20.

[0048] Figs. 16a and 16c show an alternative embodiment of the opening aid element for the upper side 42 of the stacking flexible container 10 of Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the flap 22 can be defined by the perforations 20 in a manner similar to the previous an embodiment. The element may further comprise a pull tab 24 for use to pull the tab 22 up and separate the tab 22 from the foil sheet 26. The pull tab 24 may have a portion 280 welded or otherwise tightly welded to the flap 22 and an additional area of ​​tack weld 282 that can hold the pull tab 24 against the outer surface of the foil sheet 26 when forming the container 10. The pull tab 24 may be pulled for detachment of the flap 22 when opening the lid 18 of the lid member 14. The relatively weak area 282 of the welding seam may

VP / 4766 / AGR

The pull tab 24 is pulled off, but a stronger weld on the bonded portion 280 can hold so that the perforations 20 defining the flap 22 are obtained prior to separating the weld to detach the flap 22 from the package 12. The density of the perforations 20 can be adjusted accordingly to ensure that the flap 22 begins to separate from the foil sheet 26 at the desired location, such as near the bonded portion 280 of the pull tab 24.

[0049] Figs. 17a-17c are graphical representations of another alternative embodiment of the opening aid for the upper side 42 of the stacking flexible container 10 of Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the flap 22 may be defined by perforations 20 penetrating a 100% sheet film 26 and defining the flap 22. The element may further comprise a pull tab in the form of a cover portion 290 formed of foil or other suitable material and having a complementary geometric shape, but larger than the flap 22, so that the cover portion 290 of the pull tab extends beyond the edges of the flap 22 with tabs 292 folded at bends 294 to form gripping parts of the pull tab. The tack weld areas 296 can hold tabs 292 at the top surface of the shell portion 290 when forming the container 10. The area 298 of the shell portion 290 covering the flap 22 can be attached to it by means of a locked weld that will not detach when pulling the flap 22 away from the foil sheet 26. The area of ​​the blocked weld 298 may extend into the perforations 20 or may be located inward from the perimeter of the flap 22. Pull tab parts 24 extending beyond the area 298 of the blocked weld can be attached to the outer surface of the upper side 42 to form the region 300 of the peelable weld, such as that formed by pressure sensitive adhesive or other suitable coating. When the pull tab is initially attached to the upper side 42, the shell portion 290 covers completely on the flap 22 with a peelable area 300 to seal the package 12 despite full penetration of the perforation 20. Moreover, the shell portion 290 covers the perforations 20, preventing perforations 20 and air or liquids passing through them affecting the barrier properties of the foil sheet 26. After pulling the pull tab to separate the tab 22 from the foil sheet 26, the tab 22 and the shell portion 290 can be pressed back onto the upper side 42, so that a tear off seal is formed again around the opening formed by detaching the tab 22 to reseal the package 12 and ensuring a certain level of protective barrier for the product stored in it. However, the weld can be configured to detach when pulling the pull tab 24 when opening, but without forming the weld again when the sheath portion 290 is pressed again, such as when the sheath portion 290 is welded to the upper side 42 of the foil sheet 26.

[0050] Figs. 18a-18c are graphical representations of another alternative embodiment of the opening aid for the upper side 42 of the stacking flexible container 10 of Fig. 1. The opening aid includes a flap 22 and a sheath portion 310 of the pull tab in configurations similar to those of in Figs. 17a-17c, but configured so that the tab does not detach completely from the sheet of foil 26 during normal use. The perforations 20 can extend for the most part, but not entirely around the entire circumference of the flap 22. The shell portion 310 also includes a single tab 312 folded back around the fold 314 and held by the tack weld area 316. The tab 312 may be located opposite the side of the flap 22 which is not perforated. Perforations 20 can also be provided in the tear-off tab area in a zig-zag 318 configuration

VP / 4766 / AGR

In order to create a weakening point at which the tearing or tearing of the flap 22 will begin, it is obvious that other perforation configurations 20 may be used to create a weakening point, such as larger and / or deeper perforations and other geometric configurations of perforations 20 and including configurations having a higher perforation density in the pull tab area. The sheath portion 310 further includes a lock weld area 320 attached to the flap 22 within an area defined by perforations and a peelable weld area 322 extending beyond the flap 22. When pulling the tab 312, flap 22 does not completely detach from the foil sheet 26 and flap 22 and the cover portion 310 are not completely removed from packaging 12. With this configuration, the flap 22 and the skirt portion 310 are properly aligned with the opening in the upper side 42 of the package 12 when they are placed back over the opening to reclose and seal the package 12.

[0051] Figs. 19a-19c illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of an opening aid for the upper side 42 of the stacking flexible container 10 of Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the flap 22 may be defined by a line of reduced strength formed by a series of alternating incision lines 330 and interruptions in incisions or bridges 332. The score lines 330 may penetrate the film sheet 26 fully, while the bridges 332 are areas with no or partial penetration, but less than 100% penetration, so that the bridges 332 maintain the attachment of the flap 22. The length of the score lines by bridges may range from 0.1 "to 2.0" (2.54 mm to 50.8 mm), and the length of the bridges can range from 0.002 "to 0.090" (0.051 mm to 2.29 mm), depending on the implementation. The pull tab may be similar to the one shown in Figs. 17a-17c and includes a skirt portion 334 covering the flap 22 and with a single tab 336 folded back around fold 338 and held by the tack weld area 340. The area 342 of the blocked weld of the sheath portion 334 is attached to the foil sheet 26 at the flap 22 and may extend into the score line 330 as shown, or may be located inward from the perimeter of the flap 22. The tear-off seam area 344 extends beyond the blocked-seam area 342 and can be attached to the outer surface of the upper side 42 with a pressure sensitive adhesive or other similar coating. When the pull tab is initially attached to the upper side 42, the skirt portion 334 covers completely over the flap 22 with a peelable area 344 for sealing the package 12 despite full penetration of the score line 330. The tab 336 extends from the upper side 42 of the package 12 to detach the flap 22 at the bridges 332 to remove the flap 22 and the shell portion 334. If desired, the flap 22 and the shell portion 334 can be pressed against the upper side 42, so that a tear-off weld forms again formed by detaching the flap 22 to reseal the package 12. Depending on the adhesive used, the configuration of the score line and bridges and the properties of the foil sheet 26, the same adhesive or the same type of weld can be used in both the area 342 of the blocked weld and in the region of the peelable weld when the adhesive strength is sufficient to detach flap 22 when bridges without separating the cover part 334 from the flap 22.

[0052] As discussed earlier, containers of the present disclosure, like those described herein, can be stacked effectively side by side in shipping cartons or on display shelves, and can be stacked vertically on top of each other. To facilitate stacking vertically, the bottom sides of the packages and the top surfaces of the lid elements can be configured with complementary shapes supporting stability when stacking in containers. Referring to Fig 20a,

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 shows an embodiment of the lid element 14 of Fig. 2 in cross section. The lid 18 and the base 16 of the lid element 14 have complementary, substantially concave shapes such that the lid 18 nests in the base 16 and forms the necessary seal to the container 10. The lid 18 has an outer wall 88 extending around the lid 18 and having an upper edge 90 against which the bottom side 44 of the stacked container 10 will rest. As for the container 10 of Fig.

2-8, corner seals 62, 64 of package 12 are aligned with the top edge 90 of the lid 18. If desired, the lid 18 may include an additional rim 92 extending upwardly from the top edge 90 of the outer wall 88 and having its outer edge inward from the outer edge of the outer wall 88 such that corner welds 62, 64 slide along the rim. In some embodiments, the rim 92 may be positioned about one-eighth inward from the outer edge of the outer wall 88 and may extend about one-eighth upward from the top edge 90 of the outer wall 88. Coupling between the rim and corner welds 62, 64 it can prevent relative horizontal movement between stacked containers 10, which may cause instability of the stack.

[0053] Fig. 20b shows an alternative embodiment of the lid element 14, which can further assist in stable stacking of containers 10 having corner seams 62, 64. Depending on the density of the product stored in the package 12, the bottom side 44 of the package 12 may tend to bend under the product mass, because the bottom side 44 is normally located above the bottom edges of the corner joints 62, 64. To provide additional support for the lower sides 44, when the containers 10 are stacked, the lid 18 may have an upwardly extending central raised portion 94 with an upper surface 96 that is higher than the upper edge 90 of the outer wall 88. Vertical distance between the upper surface 96 and top edge 90 may typically be less than or equal to the height of corner welds 62, 64. As a result, in some implementations, the top surface 96 may be in the range 1/16 "to 1/4" (6.35 mm to 1.59 mm) above the top edge 90. When one container 10 stacks onto another, the lower side 44 of the upper container 10 may flex, but the central portion 94 of the lid 18 of the lower container 10 will prevent the lower side 44 from flexing below the lower edges of the corner seams 62, 64.

[0054] The bottom side 44 of the container 10 may also bend when stacked on the lid 19 of the lid element 14 of Fig. 20a, where there are no corner welds 62, 64. As a result, additional support may also be needed for the bottom side 44. Fig. 20c illustrates another alternative embodiment of the lid element 14, in which the upper surface 96 of the central portion 94 of the lid 18 is raised. Nevertheless, in this embodiment, the upper surface 96 is positioned lower than the upper edge 90 of the outer wall 88 to allow an acceptable amount of deflection of the lower side 44 to occur. Similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 20b, the upper surface 96 may be in some implementations within the scope of 1 / 16 "to 1/4" below the upper edge 90. When one container 10 stacks on top of another, the lower side 44 of the upper container 10 can bend, but the central portion 94 of the lid 18 of the lower container 10 will prevent excessive sagging of the lower side 44. As applicable to containers 10 of the present disclosure, it will be apparent for those skilled in the art and other configurations of lid support structures 18 are being considered by the inventors to provide additional support for the stacked container 10.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0055] Fig. 21 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a packaging machine 400 configured to form a container 10. For consistency, similar components of the packaging machine 100 of Fig. 9 are identified herein with the same reference numerals and, where possible , an unnecessary description of similar components is omitted. Machining inside the packaging machine 400 may begin in a similar manner as for the packaging machine 100 with the film web fed from the film roll 102 to the forming station 108 and wrapped around the forming tube 112. The pre-treatment station 106, as shown, may place a facilitator on the film opening in the form of perforations 20 defining the flap 22 and with a complementary pull tab 24. After wrapping around the forming tube 112, the film is pulled through the bonding station 118 by the pull tapes 120, so that corner joints 58-64 can be formed at corners 52-56. Alternatively, a pre-treated film or pre-treatment, such as the placement of opening aid elements, can be provided on the film roll 102, which can be omitted.

[0056] The lid elements 14 can then be applied to the packages 12 at the lid application station 122, as previously described. In the present embodiment, a lid conveyor 402 can be configured to supply lid elements 14 to the mandrel 404 of the lid application station 122 through a path that allows the forming tube 112 to be shortened, thus making the packaging machine 400 more compact, which can be advantageous when packing products fragile by reducing the height of drop in the product filling tube 114. The lid feeding conveyor 402 may approach the upper side 42 of the package 12 from a position moved away from the forming tube 112, it turns downwards and then turns toward the lid application station 122 from the side. When the lid element 14 arrives at station 122, the lid pin 404 positions the lid element 14 at the outer surface of the upper side 42 of the package 12, and the lid adhesive strip 406 engages with the package 12 and / or the lid element 14 to form welds (s) between them. With the lid element 14 attached to the package 12, the sealing strips 136 at the closing station 132 weld the front edge 28 of the current package 12 and the end edge 30 of the previous package 12 to form the front and rear seam 70, 72. The product can then be placed in the package 12 through the funnel 116 and the filling tube 114, after which the package 12 is moved and the end edge 30 is welded by the sealing strips 136 to form the end weld 72. As discussed above, the closing station 132 may include a lifting mechanism for engaging and lifting the further package 12, respectively, to relieve some or all of the tension in the film formed by the weight of the product in the packages 12 so that the welds 70, 72 are properly formed.

[0057] Unlike the packaging machine 100, the formation of the container 10 is completed before separating the container 10 from the film web and placing on the receiving conveyor 408 for transfer to a location for storage, packaging, transport or other further processing. The creation ends at the stand separating and joining the flap 410. After filling the package 12 and sealing tightly at the closing station 132, the connected packages 12 move along the transport path to the station 410. At the station 410, the film is cut between welds 70, 72 of adjacent packages 12 and separate welds 70, 72 are folded and bonded to outer surfaces of the packaging 12, as was done at the bending / sealing stations 142, 146 of the packaging machine 100.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0058] Because the packages 12 are still attached and hang down from the forming tube 112, when the front seam 70 does not extend upward to the side side 84, the product in the upper package 12 can be placed in the loose portion of the film above the front seam 70 and below side side 84 of lid element 14. In some implementations, especially for dense products, the presence of the product in the loose portion of the film can create difficulties when the front seam 70 bends over and into contact with the outer surface of the package 12. Collision with the product can be minimized by ensuring that a weld forms near the side side of the element 84 lid 14, preventing the product from being held in the packaging portion 12 defined by the lid member 14. For example, the bonding strips 136 at the closing station 132 may expand upward, such that the front seam 70 extends upward to the side side 84 of the lid element 14. Alternatively, an additional set of bonding strips can be provided that form on the side seam 70 during formation side 84 of lid component 14, a weld parallel to front weld 70. By forming a weld near the side side 84 of the lid element 14, the product will not fall below the side side 84 of the lid element 14 when pouring / pouring into the package 12 through the filling tube 112 and as a result will not interfere with the folding and attachment of the front seam 70.

[0059] Figs. 22-26 show an embodiment of a station 410 for separating and sealing the flap. Referring to Fig. 22, station 410 is shown in the open position with knife blade 412 extended for illustrative purposes. The station 410 is configured to hold both packages 12 in place when cutting, bending and welding joints 70, 72 with the outer surfaces of packages 12. Station components 410 are mounted to support brackets 414, 416, which are in turn mounted to the housing or other supporting structure of the packaging machine 400. To protect packages 12 during operation of station 410, upper stems 418, 420 and lower stems 422, 424 can be attached to support brackets 418, 420, with stems 426-432 together with actuators 434-439, which are activated selectively for extending and retracting the mandrels 418-424. Mandrels 418, 422 correspond to the upper sides 42 and lid elements 14 of packages 12 and can be configured to adapt to the inner surfaces of the lid elements 14 for proper alignment of packages 12 within station 410. Mandrels 420, 424 correspond to the bottom sides 44 of packages 12 and are configured to receiving them within corner joints 62, 64.

[0060] The packages 12 are separated, bent and welded by the planned movements of the knife blade 412 and coupling strips 440, 442. The knife blade 412 is positioned and slides in the slot 444 of the coupling strip 440 and can be extended and retracted in the slot 444 by means of elements executive knife 446, 448. Coupling strip 440 is coupled to bending control plates 450, 452 via shafts 454, 456 and actuators 458, 460. Shafts 454, 456 are slidable within actuators 458, 460 to move the coupling strip 440 to and from the plates 450, 452 and knife coupling strip 442. The knife engaging strip 442 is similarly mounted to the plates 450, 452 by means of rollers 462, 464 and actuators 466, 468 for moving the blade 442 to and from the plates 450, 452. The bending control plates 450, 452 are mounted to the brackets 414, 416 by means of rollers 470, 472 and actuators 474, 476, so that actuators 474, 476 extend and

VP / 4766 / AGR

They retract rollers 470, 472 to move plates 450, 452 and coupling strips 440, 442 transversely to brackets 414, 416 and packages 12, as described in more detail below.

[0061] Depending on the configuration of the particular container 10, it may be necessary to shape joints 70, 72 and loose film portions to match the shape of the lid element 14. For further support of the final shaping of containers 10 during folding and welding operations, contouring sealing strips 478- may be provided. 484 for engaging the outer surface of the package 12 near the lid element 14. The front contour bonding strips 478, 482 slide out of the coupling strip 440 and engage with the outer surfaces of the packages 12 when actuators 474, 476 slide the plates 450, 452 and coupling strips 440, 442 clockwise to bend the joints 70, 72 as shown in side views of Fig. 26. Rear contour bonding strips 480, 484 are mounted to coupling strip 442 by means of bracket 486 and are movable relative to coupling strip 442 through shafts 488, 490 and actuators 492, 494, as described below.

[0062] The operation of the flap separating and sealing station 410 will now be described with reference to Figs. 23-26. Referring to Fig. 23, station 410 is shown in a normal open position to allow the pulling belts 120 to move the next package 12. Shafts 454, 456, 462, 464 are extended by actuators 458, 460, 466, 468 to separate coupling strips 440, 442, and knife blade 412 is retracted in slot 444 of coupling strip 440 by means of actuators 446, 448. With coupling strips 440, 442 separately, the lowest container 10 can be lowered between strips 440, 442 until the joints 70, 72 of the two lowest packages 12 are aligned with the slot 444 of the coupling strip 440 and the corresponding slot 496 of the coupling strip 442. Packages 12 are oriented with lid elements 14 directed to pins 418, 422.

[0063] After placing the packages 12 within the station 410, the coupling strips 440, 442 move together to contact the joints 70, 72 of the packages 12, as shown in Fig. 24. Actuators 458, 460, 466, 468 operate, retracting the rollers 454 , 456, 462, 464 and moving the coupling strips 440, 442 towards the fold control plates 450, 452. Alternatively, strips 440, 442 meet and engage with welds 70, 72. When the coupling strips 440, 442 are closed, or after the strips 440, 442 are closed, as shown in Fig. 25, the pins 418-424 are extended through the actuators 434-439 for coupling the upper and lower sides 42, 44 of packages 12. As discussed above, the pins 418, 422 are configured to match the lid elements 14 to align the packages 12 within the station 410. With packages 12 aligned and supported by mandrels 418-424, actuators 446, 448 can operate by extending knife blade 412 through slot 444 and intersection of welds 70, 72 and to slot 496 of coupling strip 442. Coupling of lower package 12 with strips 440, 442 and pins 422, 424 prevent package 12 from falling onto the receiving conveyor 408 after separation and prior to folding and bonding of the final weld 72.

[0064] After separation from each other, the seams 70, 72 of adjacent packages 12 can be folded and welded to the outer surfaces of the packages 12. Welds 70, 72 and loose film parts are folded by the action of actuators 474, 476 to extend the rollers 470, 472 and move coupling bars 440, 442 relative to packages 12 through folding control plates 450, 452 as shown in Fig. 26. If desired, actuators 458, 460, 466, 468 can operate, partially or completely separating coupling strips 440, 442 and allowing bending of welds 70, 72.

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1

The front edge of the coupling strip 442 is configured with an upper and lower projection or phase 498, 499 to facilitate folding of joints 70, 72 without tearing the film. After folding, the seams 70, 72 can be attached to the outer surfaces of the packages 12 using any suitable method of attachment, such as those described above. For example, the coupling strip 440 can be heated to weld seams 70, 72 to packages 12 when they are folded. Welding can be facilitated by applying a suitable coating to the film or by using a film that self-assembles under the influence of heat. As another alternative, a glue applicator can be added to station 410 to apply glue, which will attach joints 70, 72 to packages 12.

[0065] In addition to attachment of welds 70, 72, corner welds 58, 60 can be welded to the side sides 84, 86 of the lid elements 14. When the coupling strip 440 moves to the right, the contouring strips 478, 482 engage with the corner welds 58 and press down. corner joints 58 for cover elements 14. At the same time, actuators 492, 494 operate by extending contour welding strips 480, 484 to engage with corner welds 60 and pressing corner welds 60 against the lid elements 14. The bonding strips 478-484 can be configured in a similar way as the attachment strips of the lid 406 to a station for applying 122 lids to complete the weld between lid elements 14 and corner welds 58, 60. After attaching joints 70, 72 and joining corner joints 58, 60 with lid elements 14, actuators 458, 460, 466, 468, 474, 476, 492, 494 can be actuated to reverse coupling bars 440, 442, control plates 450, 452 and bonding bars 480, 484 to their normal open positions. The mandrels 418-424 can then be opened to release the containers 10 and allow the detached lower container 10 to fall onto the receiving conveyor 408 and allow the film to be shifted to separate and complete the next container 10.

[0066] Fig. 27 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the packaging machine 400 of Fig. 21, in which an opening aid, such as a flap 22 and a corresponding tab 24, is applied to the film web at appropriate locations when forming the film web and collecting on the film roll 102 and in the packaging machine the pretreatment station 106 for applying the opening aid to the film web is omitted.

[0067] Fig. 28 is a schematic illustration of another alternative embodiment of the packaging machine 400 of Fig. 21, wherein the opening aid element is omitted in the container 10 and the pretreatment station 106 for applying the opening aid element to the film web is appropriately omitted in the packaging machine. .

[0068] Fig. 29 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the packaging machine 500 configured to produce the packaging 12 of the flexible container 10 for stacking of Fig. 1 without attaching the lid member 14 and without applying the opening aid 20, 22, 24 to the upper side 42 packages 12. Packaging 12 formed by the packaging machine 500 of Fig. 29 they can be transferred to additional equipment configured to attach lid element 14 to upper side 42 of package 12 and / or to apply an opening aid such as flap 22 and corresponding tab 24 to upper side 42 of package 12, if desired.

[0069] Fig. 30 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a packaging machine 500 configured to apply an opening aid, such as tab 22 and corresponding tab 24 on

VP / 4766 / AGR

The film web at the pretreatment station 106 and for the production of the packaging 12 of the flexible container 10 for stacking of Fig. 1 without attaching the lid element 14. If desired, the packaging 12 formed by the packaging machine 500 of Fig. 30 can be transferred to additional equipment configured to attach lid element 14 to upper side 42 of package 12.

[0070] Fig. 31 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a packaging machine 500 configured to produce packaging 12 of the flexible container 10 for stacking from Fig. 1 from a film web having a pre-applied opening aid such as flap 22 and a corresponding tab 24 without fastening of the lid element 14. If desired, the packaging 12 formed by the packaging machine 500 of Fig. 31 can be transferred to additional equipment configured to attach lid element 14 to the upper side 42 of package 12.

[0071] Fig. 32 is a schematic illustration of another alternative embodiment of the packaging machine 400 of Fig. 21, wherein the film pulling tapes 120 are oriented on a forming tube 112 to engage with parts of the formed film web forming the back and front sides 46, 48 of packaging 12 . Oriented film pulling tapes 120 do not engage with the opening facilitating element 20, 22, 24 on the film web, thus reducing the risk of accidental detachment of the flap 22 and deterioration of the sealing of the package 12. The orientation also allows the placement of the lid 122 pulling tapes 120 so as to reduce the height of the forming tube 112 and placing pulling tapes 120 close to the bottom of the forming tube 112. The shortened forming tube 112 and the placement of the pull tapes 120 reduce the contact of the film with the tube 112 under the pull tapes 120 and the appropriate friction between the film and the tube 112 and assist in controlling and maintaining the alignment of the film along the transport path.

[0072] Fig. 33 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the packaging machine 100 of Fig. 9, wherein the front and end seam 70, 72 of the package 12 are folded and attached to the outer surface of the package 12 by the folding / sealing station 142, 146 without rotation packaging 12. In this example, the folding / bonding station 146 can be inverted and the conveyor 138 can be configured to receive the weld 70 of the front edge after detaching the package 12 and moving from the closing station 132. After placing the package 12 in its place, the folding / bonding station 146 can trigger the folding welds 70 of the front edge and fixation of weld 70 to the surface of the packaging 12.

[0073] Fig. 34 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the packaging machine 510 combining the features of the packaging machines 100, 400 of Figures 10 and 21, respectively. Packaging machine 510 includes lid application station 122 and feeding conveyor 402 lid of packaging machine 400 of Fig. 21, and conveyor 138 and product filling tube 114 and funnel 116 of packaging machine 100 of Fig. 10.

[0074] Fig. 35 is a schematic illustration of the container filling and finishing station 520. The station 520 receives empty, previously made containers 12 with a welded front edge 28 and a front weld 70 folded and attached to the surface of the package and having an open end edge 30. Previously made packages 12 can be formed on forming tubes 112 in a similar manner as described and described with reference to fig. 10, but without attachment of the lid element 14 when the foil sheet 26 is on the forming tube 112. Alternatively, the open end packaging 12 may be preformed by any other suitable machine

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 packaging. The conveyor 138 and associated equipment may be similar to that shown and described in Fig. 10, but with the addition of a lid application station 122 and a lid feeding conveyor 130 in a suitable location along the conveyor 138, such as after the formation of the end weld 70 and its attachment to the outer surface packaging 12.

[0075] Fig. 36 is a schematic illustration of a container filling and finishing station similar to station 520 of Fig. 35 configured to fill and seal packages 12 having means to facilitate opening. As shown, station 530 does not include a lid application, lid transfer and final assembly station 122, 130, 150, respectively, as depicted for station 520 of Fig. 35. If desired, the container 10 in this embodiment can be provided without the lid element 14 or the package 12 can be transferred to a separate piece of equipment for attaching the lid element 14 to the upper side 42 of the package 12.

[0076] Fig. 37 shows a packaging machine 600, which may be similar to the packaging machine shown in Fig. 10 with a product filling tube 610 positioned along conveyor 606 instead of being part of the forming tube 112 and to the packaging machine 400 shown in Fig. 32 with belts pulling 120 engaging with sides 46, 48 of the sheet 26 of the film. In this embodiment, the film web on the film roll 102 may have an opening aid 602 previously applied to the film, so that no additional pre-treatment station is required in the packaging machine 600. Depending on the product placed in the container 10, it can be difficult to bend and fix the front joint 70 when the product is first poured / poured into the package 12. Therefore, it may be desirable to create, fold, and attach the front seam 70 before the product is placed in the package 12, to detach the package 12 with the end edge 30 still open, and then fill the package 12 and create, fold, and attach the final seam 72 to complete formation container 10. When necessary or desired, after filling the package 12 and before sealing the package 12, product settling can be carried out to ensure that the amount of product stored complies with the part of the package 12 defined by sides 78, 80, 84, 86 of the lid element 14 when the weld 72 is folded over and attached to the outer surface of the package 12.

[0077] Packaging machine 600 is substantially similar to those described previously. Similar components of the packaging machine 100, 400 are identified here for consistency with the same reference numerals and, where possible, an unnecessary description of similar components is omitted. The machining inside the packaging machine 600 can begin in a similar manner as for the packaging machines 100, 400 with the film web fed from the film roll 102 to the forming station 108 and wrapped around the forming tube 112. After wrapping around the forming tube 112, the film is pulled through the binding station 118 through pulling tapes 120, so that corner joints 58-64 can be formed at corners 52-56. The lid elements 14 can then be applied to the packages 12 at the lid application station 122, as previously described. When the lid element 14 arrives at station 122, the lid spindle 404 or other positioning device positions the lid element 14 against the outer surface of the upper side 42 of the package 12, and the adhesive strip 406 of the lid engages with the package 12 and / or the lid element 14 to form welds (y) ) between the item

VP / 4766 / AGR

Lid lid 14 and upper side 42 of the package and / or between lid element 14 and corner seals 58, 60.

[0078] After attaching the lid element 14 to the upper side 42 of the package 12, a front seam 70 is formed and the package 12 is separated from the further package 12 at the first closing station 604. The first closing station 604 is configured to weld the front edge 28 of the package 12 without welding the corresponding the final edge 30 of the further package 12. The first closing station 604 also separates the parallel front and end edges 28, 30 and bends and attaches the front weld 70 of the previous packaging 12. An example of the closing station 604 configured to operate in this manner will be described in more detail below. Since only the front edge 28 is bonded, the further package 12 can be transferred to a conveyor or sliding table 606 having a conveyor, chain or other similar transfer mechanism 608 with the end edge 30 open and facing upwards.

[0079] Each package 12 on the conveyor table 606 is moved to align with the bottom opening of the product filling tube 610 having a funnel 116 attached thereto. The filling tube 610 may include a product lowering element 612 located at the bottom end. The lowering element 612 may be tapered or otherwise tapered, with the bottom opening configured to fit into the opening at the end edge of package 12. When the package 12 is placed at the filling tube 610, the lowering element 612 can be actuated to move down to insert the lower end into the package 12 through the opening at the end edge 30 to ensure that when pouring / pouring the product through the funnel 116 and the filling tube 608 into packaging 12 it was spilled / scattered in small or no amount. The packaging machine 600 may further include a settlement station 614 on a conveyor table 606 under the filling tube 610 that vibrates, causing the product to settle in the package 12 such that there is sufficient film to fold and attach the end seam 72 to the outer surface of the package 12.

[0080] After filling the package 12, the lowering element 612 is removed from the package 12 and the conveyor mechanism 608 moves the package 12 along the conveyor table 606. The filled packages 12 are placed under the second closing station 616, which will form the final weld 72 and will fold and attach the weld. 72 to the outer surface of the packaging 12. To allow passage of packages 12 with an open end under the second closing station 616, clearance can be provided. If such a lumen is provided, the second closing station 616 may be movable to lower the closing station 616 to a position for engaging with the package 12 and forming an end seam 72. Alternatively, the conveyor table 606 may include, under the second closing station 616, a package lifting member 618 which is actuated to lift the package 12 into a closed position through the second closing station 616. The relative movement between the second closing station 616 and the package 12 may further include movement of the filled package towards the sealing strips of the second closing station 616 to ensure correct formation of the end weld 72, and especially with the heavier packages 12, as discussed above. After the end edge 30 has been bonded to form the end weld 72 and folded and attached to the outer surface of the package 12 by means of the second closing station 616 as discussed in more detail below, the package lifter 618 may lower the package 12 back onto the table

VP / 4766 / AGR

Conveyor 606. The fully formed containers 10 are then transferred to a packing station and placed in a carton 154 for transportation and / or sending to customers.

[0081] Fig. 38 shows one embodiment of the first and second closing stations 604, 616. Because the closing stations 604, 616 perform substantially similar functions, the stations 604, 616 may have the same configuration with each station 604, 616 oriented as needed to form the necessary joints 70, 72 packages 12. Closing stations 604, 616 are also substantially similar to the separating and sealing flap station 410 shown in Fig. 2126 and described in the attached text, but configured to weld and fold only one of the front and end seals 70, 72 of the package 12. As a result, many of the closing station elements 604, 616 are similar to the elements of station 410 and operate in a similar manner. Where possible, similar elements are identified using the same reference numbers, such as knife blade 412, brackets 414, 416, 430, 432, mandrels 422, 424, actuators 438, 439, 446, 448, 458, 460, 466, 468, 474, 476, 494, control plates 450, 452, rollers 454, 456, 462, 464, 470, 472, 490 and contouring bonding strips 482, 484. As shown in Fig. 38-42, the closing station 604/616 is oriented like the second closing station 616 along the conveyor table 606 in Fig. 37. Those skilled in the art will understand that the closing station 604/616 can be oriented with the pins 422, 424 and contouring seams 482, 484 at the top of the closing station 604/616 when used as the first closing station 604 at the lower end of the forming tube 112.

Turning to Fig. 38, closing station 604/616 is configured to form a single weld 70 or 72 of a single package 12, as opposed to forming a front and rear weld 70, 72 on adjacent packages 12, which produces a closing station 132 with a double bonding strip in packing machines 100, 400 in Figures 9 and 21. Consequently, the coupling strips 620, 622 can be individual bonding strips that engage part of the foil sheet 26 near the front or end edge 28, 30 of the package 12 sandwiched between them. As a result, the coupling strips 620, 622 of the first closing station 604 engage the film near the front edge 28 to form the front weld 70 without forming an end weld 72 of the distal package 12 and the coupling strips 620, 622 of the second closing station 616 engage with the film in the vicinity the final edge 30 of the package 12 on the conveyor table 606 to form the final weld 72 and close the package 12.

[0083] Coupling bars 620, 622 include slots 624, 626, respectively, housing a knife blade 412. Knife blade 412 sliding in the slot 624 of the coupling strip 620 and can be extended and retracted within the slot 624 by means of the knife actuators 446, 448, as written above. The knife blade 412 is received in the slot 626 of the coupling strip 622 when the knife blade 412 extends to cut off the parallel front and end edges 28, 30 at the first closing station 604 or to cut off any excess film at the second closing station 616. which can be provided at the end edge 30 to ensure that the package 12 is filled without spilling / scattering the product and to facilitate gripping of the film and forming the end seam 72 at the second closing station 616. When no additional cutting is necessary at the second closing station 616, knife blade 412 and slots 624, 626 can be omitted.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0084] In addition to forming only one weld 70 or 72 at the closing station 604/616, only one weld 70 or 72 is folded and secured to the outer surface of the package 12. Therefore, a suitable edge of the coupling strip 620 is provided projection or phase 628 to facilitate folding of joints 70, 72 without tearing the film. Similarly, only one contoured bonding strip 482 can be attached to coupling strip 620 and only a single bonded strip 484 and associated actuator 494 and shaft 490 can be attached to coupling strip 629 by means of bracket 629, so that contoured bonding strips 482, 484 can engage with the outer surface of the package 12 near the lid element 14 to assist in welding the corner welds 58, 60 with the base 16 of the lid element 14.

[0085] In a similar manner to that described above for the closing station 134, it may be necessary or desirable to wind the film between the corner seals 58/60 and 62/64 on the upper and / or lower side 42, 44 of the package 12 during the formation of the front and final seams 70 , 72. For correct hems 74, 76 on the upper and lower sides 42, 44 of packages 12 during operation of station 604/616 for support brackets 414, 416, on the same side of closing station 604/616 as pins 422, 424 can be mounted with brackets 634 , 636 folding fingers 630, 632. Actuators 638, 640 folding fingers for selective actuation for extending or retracting folding fingers 630, 632 are also provided. After placing the package 12 between the coupling strips 620, 622, the actuators 638, 640 of the heaving finger can extend the heaving fingers 630, 632 to engage with the sides 42, 44 of the package 12 before or simultaneously with closing the coupling strips 620, 622 for the correct creation of hems 74, 76 in foil.

[0086] The operation of the closing station 604/616 will now be described with reference to Figs. 39-42. Referring to Fig. 39, closing station 604/616 is shown in a normal open position to allow pull belts 120 or conveyor mechanism 608 and package lifting element 618 to move the next package 12 between coupling strips 620, 622. Shafts 454, 456, 462, 464 are extended by actuators 458, 460, 466, 468 to separate coupling strips 620, 622, and knife blade 412 is retracted in slot 624 of coupling strip 620 by means of actuators 446, 448. With coupling strips 620, 622 separately, the lowest container 10 can be lowered between strips 620, 622 of the first closing station 604 until the parallel front and end edges 28, 30 of the two lowest packages 12 are aligned with the slots 624, 626 of the coupling strips 620, 622 For the second closing station 616, the end edge 30 of the package 12 is aligned with the slots 624, 626. The packages 12 are oriented with the lid elements 14 facing the pin 424.

[0087] After placing the packages 12 within the closing station 604/616, the coupling strips 620, 622 slide together to contact the film near the edges 28, 30, as shown in Fig. 40. Actuators 458, 460, 466, 468 they operate by retracting the shafts 454, 456, 462, 464 and moving the coupling strips 620, 622 towards the fold control plates 450, 452. Alternatively, strips 620, 622 meet and engage with welds 70, 72. Before extending or when extending coupling bars 620, 622, elements 638, 640 are actuated to extend the folding fingers 630, 632 to engage with sides 42, 44 or packaging 12. Depending on the particular configuration of the coupling strips 620, 622 and folding fingers 630, 632 , rounding fingers 630, 632 can remain extended when coupling strips 620, 622 are engaged or can run and retract before

VP / 4766 / AGR

Completely closing the coupling strips 620, 622 on the foil. Once closed, the coupling strips 620, 622 form welds 70, 72 by applying pressure, heat, glue or any other suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms.

[0088] When the coupling strips 620, 622 are closed, or after the strips 620, 622 are closed, as shown in Fig. 41, the pins 422, 424 are extended by actuators 438, 439 for coupling the upper and lower sides 42, 44 of the package 12 The pin 424 is configured to fit into the lid member 14 to align the package 12 within the closing station 604/616. With packaging 12 aligned and supported by mandrels 422, 424, actuators 446, 448 can operate by extending knife blade 412 through slot 624 and intersection of welds 70, 72 and to slot 626 of coupling strip 622. Coupling of package 12 with strips 620, 622 and mandrels 422, 424 of the second closing station 616 holds the package 12 in place before folding and welding the end seam 72.

[0089] After separation, the front seam 70 of the upper package 12 can be folded and welded to the outer surface of the package 12 in the first closing station 604. Similarly, the final weld 72 of the package 12 in the second closing station 616 can be folded and welded. Welds 70, 72 and loose film parts are folded by the action of actuators 474, 476 to extend the rollers 470, 472 and move the coupling strips 620, 622 relative to the packages 12 through the folding control plates 450, 452, as shown in Fig. 42. necessary, actuators 458, 460, 466, 468 can operate, partially or completely separating the coupling strips 620, 622 and allowing bending of welds 70, 72. Phase 628 at the edge of the front coupling strip 622 facilitates folding of joints 70, 72 without tearing the film. After folding, the seams 70, 72 can be attached to the outer surfaces of the packages 12 using any suitable method of attachment, such as those described above. For example, the coupling strip 620 may be heated to weld seams 70, 72 to packages 12 when they are folded. Welding can be facilitated by applying a suitable coating to the film or by using a film that self-assembles under the influence of heat. As another alternative, a glue applicator can be added to the closing station 604/616 for applying glue, which will attach joints 70, 72 to packages 12.

[0090] In addition to the attachment of welds 70, 72, corner welds 58, 60 can be welded to the side sides 84, 86 of the lid element 14. When the coupling strip 620 moves to the right, the contouring strip 482 engages with the corner weld 58 and presses the corner weld 58 to the lid element 14. At the same time, the actuator 494 operates by extending the contour bonding strip 484 to engage with the corner weld 60 and press the corner weld 60 against the lid element 14. Adhesive strips 482, 484 can be configured in a similar way to lid attachment strips 406 at the lid application station 122 to complete the weld between lid element 14 and corner welds 58, 60. After attaching joints 70, 72 and joining corner joints 58, 60 with lid elements 14, actuators 458, 460, 466, 468, 474, 476, 494 can be actuated to reverse coupling strips 620, 622, control plates 450, 452 and 484 to their normal open positions. The mandrels 422, 424 can then be opened to free the container 10 and allow the container 10 to advance along the transport path of the packaging machine 600.

VP / 4766 / AGR

[0091] Fig. 43 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the packing machine 700 similar to the packing machine 600 of Fig. 37, each of the first and second closing stations being divided into a welding station 702, 704 and a corresponding welding station flaps 706, 708. At the first closing station, the first bonding station 702 bonds the leading edge 30 of the previous package 12 without forming an end seam 72 of the further package 12. The film web then moves so that the parallel front and end edges 28, 30 are placed at the first flap welding station 706, in which the packages 12 are separated and the front seam 70 of the previous package 12 is folded and secured to the outer surface of the package 12. The further separated package 12 having an open end edge 30 is transferred to conveyor 606. At the second closing station, the second bonding station 704 moves down towards the package 12 or the package lifter 618 lifts the package 12 to the second bonding station 704, and the bonding strips of the second bonding station 704 close at the end edge 30 to form the end weld 72. After bonding, the conveyor transfers the package 12 to the second flap welding station 708, where the end seam 72 of the package 12 is folded and secured to the outer surface of the package 12.

[0092] Fig. 44 is a schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of the packaging machine 700 of Fig. 43, wherein only the second closing station is divided into a seal station 704 and a corresponding tab seal station 706.

[0093] Fig. 45 is a schematic illustration of an additional alternative embodiment of the packaging machine 400 of Fig. 21, in which the folding and fastening of the front and end weld 70, 72 is carried out on two separate flap welding units 720, 722. On the first flap welding unit 720, the parallel front and end edges 28, 30 of the adjacent packages 12 are separated, and the end seam 72 of the further package 12 is folded and secured to the outer surface of the package 12. After attaching the end weld 72, the turret 724 changes the position of the container 10 on the second welding assembly of the flap 722 to fold and attach the front weld 70 to the outer surface of the package 12. The turret 724 rotates 180 °, moving the container 10 to the second assembly of the flap 722. At the same time, The container 10 is also rotated 180 ° so that the front seam 70 faces upwards towards the second flap welding assembly 722. After changing the position of the container 10, the turret 724 raises the container 10 up so that the second flap welding assembly 722 can engage with the front seam 70 and bend and attach the front seam 70 to the outer surface of the package 12. After the second bending and fastening operation, the finished container 10 is transferred to conveyor 408. This embodiment of the packaging machine 400 may be particularly useful where the product in the package 12 may interfere with the folding and fixing of the seam 70 of the package 12 when the front seam 70 is placed at the bottom of the package 12.

[0094] Figs. 46-48 are perspective views from above and below and a view from above, from the front and from the side of the embodiment of turret 724 of packing machine 400 of Fig. 45. Referring to Fig. 46, turret 724 is shown in position downwards with retracted pins 726, 728. The faces of the mandrels 726 can be shaped to conform to the inner cavity of the upper surface of the lid elements 14 of the containers 10 and the faces of the mandrels 728 can be shaped to adapt to the bottom surface of the package 12 for coupling with the containers 12 and for proper alignment of the edge joints with the flap welding units 720, 722. Turret 724 includes a mounting plate

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1

730 mounted on turret 732 that can slide the plate 730 up as shown in Fig. 47, and rotate the plate 730 as shown in Fig. 48. At opposite ends of the plate 730, on each side of the plate hole 734, allowing dimensions passing containers 10 through it, pairs of stems 726, 728 are mounted. Each mandrel 726, 728 has a corresponding actuator 736, such as a pneumatic actuator, which operates by extending the mandrel 726, 728 inward toward the facing mandrel 726, 728. Each mandrel 726, 728 also has a respective mandrel drive 738 coupled to the member an actuator 736 for rotating an actuator 736 and a mandrel 726, 728 and, respectively, a container 10 with which the mandrels 726, 728 engage.

[0095] When the adjacent packages 12 are placed in the first flap welding station 720, the turret drive 732 operates by lifting the mounting plate 73 up to position one of the pairs of mandrels 726, 728 to engage with the further package 12. The pneumatic cylinders 736 actuate, extending mandrels 726, 728 to engage with further packaging 12. After separating the packages 12 and bending and attaching the final weld 72 of the further package 12, the turret drive 732 can lower and rotate the plate 730 to change the position of the front weld 70 of the package 12 on the second flap welding assembly 722. When the plate 730 rotates, the rotating drives 738 operate, turning pneumatic cylinders 736 and mandrels 726, 728 and, accordingly, the packaging 12 combined. When the front seam 70 changes the orientation of the top of the package 12, the product in the package 12 is removed from the loose portion of the film near the front seam 70, allowing the front seam 70 to bend. After changing the position of the package 12, the head drive 732 again lifts the plate 730 so that the second assembly 722 of the flap weld may engage the front edge 70 of the package 12 to fold and secure the front weld 70. When the second flap welding assembly 722 disengages, the turret drive 732 lowers the turret 724 and pneumatic cylinders 736 operate, retracting the mandrels 726, 728 and allowing the finished container 10 to pass through the plate hole 734 and fall or otherwise transfer to conveyor 408. Mandrels 726, 728 will again change their position on the first flap welding assembly 720 when the plate 730 is rotated to move the container 12 with which opposed bolts 726, 728 engage to the position for engaging the second flap welding assembly 722.

[0096] Fig. 49 is a perspective view from above and below, and a view from above, from the front and from the side of an alternative embodiment of the turret 724 of Fig. 48 having drives 738 rotating the mandrel operatively coupled to the respective pneumatic cylinders 736 by means of drive gears 740, 742 for turning mandrels 726, 728.

[0097] Fig. 50 is a perspective view from above and below and a view from above, from the front and side of another alternative embodiment of the turret 724 of Fig. 48, wherein each pair of pins 726, 728 has a single drive 738 operatively coupled to both mandrels 726, 728 and the corresponding pneumatic cylinders 736 by means of a rotatable connecting shaft 750 and drive gears 752, 754, thus reducing the total number of rotary drives 738 of the turret 724.

[0098] Fig. 51 is a schematic illustration of yet another alternative embodiment of the packing machine 400 of Fig. 21, in which the folding and fastening of the front and end weld 70, 72 is carried out on two separate flap assemblies 760, 762, with detachable packages 12

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1 at the second station 762 of bonding the flap. At the first flap welding assembly 760, the end seam 72 of the further package 12 is folded and attached to the outer surface of the package 12 without separating the parallel front and end seams 70, 72. After the end seam 72 is attached, the packages 12 are transferred to the second flap assembly 762 along a continuous loop packaging 764. As the packaging loop 764 progresses, the orientation of the packages 12 is changed by 180 °, so that when the packages 12 arrive at the second assembly assembly of the flap 762, the front seam 70 faces upwards. After changing the position of the package 12 on the second flap welding assembly 762, the parallel front and end edges 28, 30 of the adjacent packages 12 are separated, and the front seam 70 is folded and attached to the outer surface of the package 12. After the second bending and clamping operation, the finished container 10 is transferred to conveyor 408. As for the packaging machine 400 of Fig. 45, this embodiment of the packaging machine 400 can be particularly useful where the product in package 12 may interfere with folding and fixing. seams 70 of package 12 when the front seam 70 is located at the bottom of package 12.

VP / 4766 / AGR

EP 2 214 978 B1