Easy to open package

Abstract

Method of manufacturing a package of the type formed from a single-layer or multilayer material sheet, where said package has an easy to open feature, where the sheet is shaped into the finished package having an inner side suitable to be in contact with the matter to be packaged and an outer side, comprising the following method steps: forming the film into a tube, by connecting the two side edges of the sheet longitudinally; where the connection creates a side flap ( 10 ) on the outside of the tube or where the tube is passed over a former having a projecting fin, whereby a side flap is formed on the outside of the tube; where cross seals ( 3, 4 ) are provided across the tube, thereby delimiting each package between two cross seals; that perforation lines ( 25 ) are established in said cross seals, for detaching/separating two adjacent packages; that a perforation ( 7 ) of one material layer is established, parallel to and adjacent the side flap, extending from the perforation line towards or into the cross seal.

1 . Method of manufacturing a package of the type formed from a single-layer or multi-layer material sheet, where said package has an easy to open feature, where the material sheet is shaped into the finished package having an inner side suitable to be in contact with the matter to be packaged and an outer side, where said method comprises the following method steps:
 forming the material sheet into a tube, by connecting the two side edges of the sheet longitudinally;   where the connection creates a side flap on the outside of the tube or where the tube is passed over a former having a projecting fin, whereby a side flap is formed on the outside of the tube, or where a fin is attached longitudinally to the outside of the tube;   where cross seals are provided across the tube, thereby delimiting each package between two cross seals;   that perforation lines are established in said cross seals, for detaching/separating two adjacent packages;   
       that a perforation of only one material sheet layer or only one or more layers making up the sheet, is established adjacent the side flap or fin, extending from the perforation line and parallel to, or at an angle up to 60° relative to the side flap or fin, and extending towards or into the cross seal. 
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1  wherein the perforation of the one sheet material layer is made either in:
 an un-sealed part of one sheet material projecting between the cross seal and the perforation line separating two adjacent packages; 
 or in the unsealed part and part of the cross seal; 
 or where the cross seal is immediately adjacent the perforation line between two adjacent packages, only in the cross seal. 
 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1  wherein the perforation of the one sheet material layer is established by a perforation tool selected from one or more of the following:
 a cutter or a rotating cutter head, controlled in relation to the production speed, where the cutter head has a plurality of spaced cutting edges, cooperating with a land, where the land is placed such that the material passes between the cutter and the land, whereby activation of the cutter establishes the perforation in the material, which material during cutting is in contact with said land; 
 a laser device, where the positioning of the perforation is located relative to markers provided on the sheet material, corresponding to the desired package size, where means are provided for detecting said markers and using this information as input for activating the perforation tool. 
 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein two separate material sheets are formed into a tube, by superposing the sheets and connecting the edges of the superposed sheets, such that a tube is formed having side seals along the longitudinal edges. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of substantially parallel perforations of one sheet material layer or one or more material layers making up the sheet material, is established in the cross seal adjacent the perforation line and parallel to or at an angle up to 60° relative to the side flap. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1  wherein cross seals are only provided in one end of each package, such that as the packages are separated into separate packages along the perforation lines, each package will be open in one end. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1  where the flap is a separate piece of sheet material attached to the outside of the tube, where the flap is fastened by means such that the connection between the flap and the tube is stronger than the tearing strength needed when initiating a tear with the perforation. 
     
     
         8 . A vertical or horizontal form, fill and seal machine for forming packages, where said machine comprises means to convey a continuous sheet material through the machine, where said machine comprises means for creating at least one side flap on the package and where said machine further comprises means for establishing sealed cross zones extending substantially laterally to the side flap and means for establishing separating lines, where said separating lines are established in said cross zones wherein the sealed cross zones have at least a two sheet material layer thickness, and that the machine comprises a perforation tool which perforation tool perforates one of the at least two sheet material layers adjacent and substantially parallel to or at an angle up to 60° relative to said side flap, and where the perforation extends inside said sealed cross zone, and that the perforation at least extends to the separating line. 
     
     
         9 . A form, fill and seal machine according to  claim 8  wherein means for detecting and/or determining the separating line is provided, where said means provide input to the perforation tool, such that the activation of the perforation tool is carried out in response to the position of the separating line. 
     
     
         10 . A form, fill and seal machine according to  claim 8  wherein the perforation tool is activated such that it perforates one sheet material layer, a distance on either side of the separating line. 
     
     
         11 . A form, fill and seal machine according to  claim 8  wherein the width of the seals is between 3 mm and 50 mm, more preferred between 5 mm and 20 mm and most preferred between 7 mm and 12 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A form, fill and seal machine according to  claim 8  wherein the machine comprises tube forming means for forming the sheet material into a tube, and where a fin extending radially from the surface of the tube forming means is provided upstream and adjacent two heatable rollers, such that as the tube passes the fin a longitudinal flap is shaped in the tube, and the rollers squeeze the flap together optionally welding the material of the tube together. 
     
     
         13 . A form, fill and seal machine according to  claim 8  wherein the perforation tool is a cutting blade, a laser cutter, a puncher, or a heat cutter or any combination of these means, and that optionally opposite the perforation tool a back plate is arranged as land for the perforation tool, where the arrangement of the back plate and the perforation tool allows the packaging material to pass between said perforation tool and said back plate. 
     
     
         14 . Package of the type produced on a horizontal or vertical form, fill and seal machine according to  claim 8 , where said package is made from a sheet material and has a side flap along the length of said package, and is further provided with cross seals arranged laterally to said side flap in either end of the package, where said seals at least includes two sheet material layers, where at least, in a section of one cross seal substantially parallel or up to an angle of 60° relative to said side flap, a perforation is provided where said perforation perforates one material layer, and where said perforation is provided adjacent said side flap, and where the perforation extends to the free edge of the package. 
     
     
         15 . Package according to  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of substantially parallel perforations are provided, mutually spaced, optionally on both sides of the flap.