Gas-filled body

Abstract

The invention concerns a plastic tube ( 1 ) which is prefabricated for the production of gas-filled filling bodies. The plastic tube ( 1 ) comprises an upper film and a lower film which are in mutually superposed relationship and which are connected together along their two longitudinal edges ( 4, 6 ). In that case provided in the upper film is a transverse cut ( 12 ) which is preferably cut in at its ends by stampings ( 10 ). In addition the upper film and the lower film are subdivided into individual pockets ( 7 ) by weld seams extending in the transverse direction and spaced from each other. The plastic tube can be easily filled by injecting a filling gas, wherein after inflation of the pockets ( 7 ) the open ends thereof are welded.

1 . A plastic tube ( 1 ) for the production of gas-filled filling bodies comprising: 
 an upper film ( 2 ) and a lower film ( 3 ) said upper film and said lower film being gas-tightly connected together in mutually superposed relationship at a first respective longitudinal edge ( 4 ) and being welded together to form inflatable pockets ( 7 ,  7   a,    7   b ) in the transverse direction by gas-tight weld seams ( 5   a,    5   b ) arranged at a spacing relative to each other, said upper film and said lower film ( 2 ,  3 ) being connected together continuously at a second respective longitudinal edge ( 6 ) and    said upper film ( 2 ) having a transverse cut ( 12 ) in the transverse direction.    
   
   
       2 . A plastic tube as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said weld seams extending in the transverse direction are arranged in pairs, wherein provided between said weld seams ( 5   a,    5   b ) of each pair ( 5 ) thereof is an intermediate space in which a perforation ( 9 ) through both films extends in the transverse direction.  
   
   
       3 . A plastic tube as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said transverse cut ( 12 ) ends at a spacing relative to the longitudinal edges ( 4 ,  6 ) and that incisions ( 10 ) are arranged at its ends in the longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       4 . A plastic tube as set forth in  claim 1  wherein weld seams ( 21 ,  22 ) are provided extending in the longitudinal direction and said weld seams ( 21 ,  22 ) are arranged in pairs and between said pairs is provided a perforation ( 20 ) extending in the longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       5 . A plastic tube as set forth in  claim 1  includes longitudinal edges connected by weld seams ( 14 ,  16 ,  24 ,  26 ).  
   
   
       6 . A plastic tube as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said weld seams ( 21 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 ) extending in the longitudinal direction comprise portions having a first end respectively disposed on a first transversely extending weld seam ( 5   b ) and a second end is at a spacing relative to a next transversely extending weld seam ( 5   a ), wherein said transverse cut ( 12 ) extends through the upper film between said second end and said next weld seam ( 5   a ).  
   
   
       7 . A plastic tube as recited in  claim 1  includes a gas-filled filling body ( 7 ′) containing an article ( 15 ) to be packaged.  
   
   
       8 . A process for the production of a plastic tube comprising the steps of: 
 forming a double layer from an upper film ( 2 ) and a lower film ( 3 );    producing weld seams ( 5   a,    5   b ) in the transverse direction;    stamping at least one hole ( 10 ) through the upper film ( 2 ) and the lower film ( 3 ); and    providing a cutting tool into said at least one hole and cutting said upper film ( 2 ) in the transverse direction to produce a transverse cut ( 12 ).    
   
   
       9 . A process for the production of a plastic tube as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the step of forming a double layer includes the steps of providing one of said upper films ( 2 ) narrower than said other lower film ( 3 ); and welding said upper film ( 2 ) and said lower film ( 3 ) together by weld seams ( 14 ,  16 ,  24 ,  26 ) extending in the longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       10 . A process as set forth in  claim 9  includes providing interruptions in said weld seams ( 24 ,  26 ) extending in the longitudinal direction at the level of which the upper film ( 2 ) is cut in the transverse direction to produce the transverse cuts ( 12 ).  
   
   
       11 . A process for the production of gas-filled filling bodies ( 7 ′) comprising the steps: 
 a) providing a prefabricated plastic tube ( 1 ) having an upper film ( 2 ) and a lower film ( 3 ); said upper film and said lower film being gas-tightly connected together in mutually superposed relationship at a respective first longitudinal edge ( 4 ) and welded together to form inflatable pockets ( 7 ,  7   a,    7   b ) in a transverse direction by gas-tight weld seams ( 5   a,    5   b ) arranged at a spacing realive to each other; said upper film and said lower film being connected together continuously at a second respective longitudinal edge ( 6 ) and said upper film ( 2 ) having a transverse cut ( 12 ) in the transverse direction;    b) injecting air or another filling gas into each said inflatable pocket ( 7 ,  7   a,    7   b ) through a gas filling opening ( 8 ) formed by said transverse cut ( 12 ) in said upper film ( 2 ) of the plastic tube ( 1 ), and    c) gas-tight welding of the gas filling opening ( 8 ) of the gas-filled pockets ( 7 ).    
   
   
       12 . A process as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the injecting step includes the step of guiding the air or another filling gas into a bend facing away from the upper film ( 2 ).  
   
   
       13 . A process as set forth in  claim 11  includes the step, prior to the welding operation in step c) introducing an article to be packaged ( 15 ) into one said pocket ( 7 ).  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for carrying out a process for the production of gas-filled filling bodies ( 7 ′) comprising: 
 a holder for a supply of tube;    a transport device for transporting the tube through the apparatus;    a gas filling device having a nozzle for injecting air or another filling gas into a gas filling openings ( 8 ) of a plurality of pockets ( 7 ,  7   a,    7   b ); and    a welding device having a welding tool for welding said gas filling openings ( 8 ) of said pockets ( 7 ,  7   a,    7   b ) gas-tightly closable with a weld seam ( 13 ) extending in a transverse direction of the tube,    wherein at said gas filling device, said transport device bends away from the upper film.