Vffs/hffs Packaging with Opening Aid on the Longitudinal Seam

Abstract

The present invention is related to a vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal packaging comprising a plastic film, a longitudinal seam ( 2 ) and a cross-directional seam ( 5 ), characterised in that the longitudinal seam ( 2 ) comprises a continuous teeth structure of adjacent notches ( 1 ) with no remaining horizontal cutting lines, representing tear initiations over the whole length of the longitudinal seam ( 2 ) said packaging being obtained by a machine reel ( 4 ) of said plastic film comprising on both lateral edges said continuous teeth structure ( 1 ) in order to avoid additional scrap in the VFFS/HFFS packaging process. The present invention is also related to a process of making such a packaging, said process starting out from a reel comprising a continuous teeth structure on its lateral edges.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . A vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal packaging produced by the method comprising:
 providing a machine reel of a plastic film having cross-directional tear initiations, and lateral edges, wherein the entire length of the lateral edges comprises adjacent notches;   forming the packaging from the plastic film, wherein the lateral edges form a longitudinal seam having a tear initiation over the entire length of the longitudinal seam.   
   
   
       10 . The packaging of  claim 9 , wherein cross-directional seams are formed at the location of the cross-directional tear initiations. 
   
   
       11 . The packaging of  claim 9 , wherein the adjacent notches on the lateral edges comprise a continuous teeth structure. 
   
   
       12 . The packaging of  claim 9 , wherein the packaging further comprises the adjacent notches on the cross-directional tear initiation. 
   
   
       13 . The packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the adjacent notches on the cross-directional tear initiation comprise a continuous teeth structure. 
   
   
       14 . The packaging of  claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal seam is a fin seal. 
   
   
       15 . The packaging of  claim 9 , wherein the longitudinal seam is a lap seal. 
   
   
       16 . The packaging of  claim 15 , wherein the lap seal presents a seal-free continuous teeth structure. 
   
   
       17 . A process for forming a vertical/horizontal form, fill and seal packaging comprising:
 unwinding a machine reel comprising a plastic film, wherein the film comprises a continuous teeth structure on lateral edges of the film; and   forming package having a tear initiation over the entire length of a longitudinal seam comprising the lateral edges of the film.   
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the process is a packaging material waste-free process, except for the side-slitting waste of the machine reel. 
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the continuous teeth structure on the at least one lateral edge of the machine reel is performed by rotary knives having a substantially continuous teeth structure.