Packaging

Abstract

A method of packaging a product within a bag includes the step of providing for at least one product security element to be present on or within the bag, in a region of where the bag will be sealed. The method also includes the steps of filling the bag with the product, and subsequently sealing the bag, using heat sealing apparatus, whereby the seal thus formed passes through at least a portion of the at least one product security element, thereby permanently heat sealing the product security element to the bag.

1 . A method of packaging a product within a bag, said method including the steps of:
 a) providing for at least one product security means to be present on or within the bag, in a region of where the bag will be sealed,   b) filling the bag with the product,   c) subsequently sealing the bag using heat sealing apparatus, whereby the seal thus formed passes through at least a portion of the at least one product security means, thereby permanently heat sealing the product security means to the bag.   
     
     
         2 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the product security means is applied to the inside of the bag. 
     
     
         3 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the product security means is applied to the outside of the bag. 
     
     
         4 . A method of packaging a product within a bag, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein step b) of  claim 1  is carried out before step a). 
     
     
         5 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is a plastic bag. 
     
     
         6 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the bag is a plastic bag including two or more laminates of plastic material, and the product security means is incorporated within the laminates of the plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . A method of packaging a product within a bag, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the seal thus formed passes through the whole of the at least one product security means. 
     
     
         8 . A method of packaging a product within a bag, as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one product security means includes an OVD. 
     
     
         9 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bag includes one or more substrates. 
     
     
         10 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more substrates includes aluminium foil. 
     
     
         11 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more substrates includes paper. 
     
     
         12 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bag is used for packaging food products or pharmaceutical products. 
     
     
         13 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the bag is a 25 kg bag used for packaging milk powder. 
     
     
         14 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat sealing apparatus includes heated bars which come together under pressure to form the seal, and thus seal the bag. 
     
     
         15 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the heat sealing apparatus is a RF heat sealer. 
     
     
         16 . A bag containing a packaged product therein, said product being packaged within the bag according to the method as claimed in any one of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method of packaging a product within a bag, as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein step b) is carried out before step a). 
     
     
         20 . A method of packaging a product within a bag, as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein step b) is carried out before step a). 
     
     
         21 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the bag is a plastic bag. 
     
     
         22 . A method of packaging a product within a bag as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the bag is a plastic bag.