FILM BAG PROVIDED WITH SUSPENSION OPENINGS, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAID FILM BAG

Abstract

A film bag (1) with a front film layer (2), a rear film layer (3) and side gussets (4, 5), wherein the front film layer (2) and the rear film layer (3) and the two side gussets (4, 5) are connected together at the lower edge; and wherein the film bag (1) is provided with a set of continuous suspension openings (17, 18), each consisting of four perforation openings, so that the film bag (1) is designed to be suspended on a set of carrier pegs (29); wherein the four perforation openings of each continuous suspension opening (17, 18) are provided as slits, and wherein the front slits in the front film layer are longer than those in the rear film layer, and method for producing a film bag (1).

Claims

1. A film bag comprising: a front film layer; a rear film layer; a left side gusset and a right side gusset, each comprising a front side gusset part and a rear side gusset part; wherein the front film layer and the rear film layer and the two side gussets are connected to one another at a bottom edge; and wherein the film bag is provided with a set of continuous suspension openings, each comprising four perforation openings through the front film layer, the front side gusset part, the rear side gusset part and the rear film layer, so that the film bag is designed to be suspended from a set of carrier pegs; wherein the four perforation openings of each continuous suspension opening are provided as slits, wherein the front slits of the front perforation openings in the front film layer are longer than the rear slits of the rear perforation openings in the rear film layer.

2. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front slits of the front perforation openings in the two front side gusset parts are longer than the rear slits of the rear perforation openings in the two rear side gusset parts.

3. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front slits of the front perforation openings in the front film layer are the same as the front slits of the front perforation openings in the two front side gusset parts.

4. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear slits of the rear perforation openings in the two rear side gusset parts are the same as the rear slits of the rear perforation openings in the rear film layer.

5. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slits of the perforation openings extend as a straight line.

6. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slits of the perforation openings extend substantially horizontally.

7. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle between the slits of the perforation openings and the horizontal direction lies in a range from 10 to +10 degrees.

8. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the front slits of the perforation openings in the front film layer and in the two front side gusset parts complies with the equation:
LVOD wherein LV=length of front slit, and OD=radial circumference of the carrier peg, and wherein the length of the rear slits in the rear perforation openings in the rear film layer and in the two rear side gusset parts complies with the formula:
LVOD wherein LA=length of rear slit, and OD=radial circumference of the carrier peg.

9. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the front slits of the perforation openings in the front film layer and in the two front side gusset parts complies with the formula:
LVOB wherein LV=length of the front slit and OB=radial circumference of the widest part of the bulge next to the end of the carrier peg, and wherein the length of the rear slits of the rear perforation openings in the rear film layer and in the two rear side gusset parts complies with the formula:
ODLAOB wherein LA=length of the rear slit, OD=radial circumference of the carrier peg and OB=radial circumference of the widest part of the bulge next to the end of the carrier peg.

10. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the rear slit complies with the equation LA=/2 D10% and wherein the length of the front slit complies with the equation LV=OB/2F {1|2}, wherein F{1|2} is defined as 1F2, D=the (outer) diameter of the carrier peg, and OB=the radial circumference of the widest part of the bulge next to the end of the carrier peg.

11. The film bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spot connection is provided between the front film layer and the front side gusset part.

12. A method for producing a film bag as claimed in claim 1 for use in a bundle on a set of carrier pegs, comprising the steps: forming a film bag with side gussets from a tubular flexible film; introducing punch plates into the two side gussets from the outside; creating perforation openings as front slits in the front film layer and in the two front side gusset parts; and creating perforation openings as rear slits in the rear film layer and in the two rear side gusset parts.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the perforation openings are created as horizontally extending straight slits.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the front slits of the front perforation openings in the front film layer and in the two front side gusset parts are longer than the rear slits of the rear perforation openings in the rear film layer and in the two rear side gusset parts.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, furthermore comprising the step of creating a spot connection between the front film layer and the two front side gusset parts.

Description

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a film bag according to the invention.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a film bag of the vest bag type according to the invention.

FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a film bag 1 which can be suspended, in a bundle of film bags, by means of a set of (here two) carrier pegs 29. The film bag 1 comprises a front film layer 2, a rear film layer 3, a left side gusset 4 and a right side gusset 5, each with a respective front side gusset part 6, 8 and rear side gusset part 7, 9. Such film bags are made from a tubular film, from which individual film bags are produced by the creation of welds at the bottom edge (and optionally at the top edge for film bags of the vest bag type, see FIG. 2). If side gussets are used, these are connected to the front and rear film layers at the bottom edge. Because the film bag is made from one piece of tubular film, the different film layers of the film bag are substantially the same with respect to composition and physical properties, including film thickness.

[0050] The film bag 1 is provided with a set of (here two) continuous suspension openings 17, 18, consisting of four perforation openings 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4 in the left part of the film bag and four perforation openings 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 in the right part of the film bag, respectively in the front film layer 2, the front gusset parts 6, 8, the rear side gusset parts 7, 9, and the rear film layer 3. Thus the film bag 1 is arranged and suitable for being suspended on a set of carrier pegs 29 for manual or automatic opening of the film bag.

[0051] The perforation openings 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 are provided as slits so that no material is removed during creation of the continuous suspension openings 17, 18, whereby no debris or clippings of the film material are formed. The perforation openings 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 in FIG. 1 are straight slits, but may also have a different shape. The slits of the perforation openings 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 in FIG. 1 extend horizontally, which reduces the chance of tearing in the vertical direction on the carrier pegs. It has been found that with an angle between 10 and +10 degrees between the slit and the horizontal direction, tearing and the formation of clippings and/or debris are considerably limited; and faults in, and malfunctioning of the automatic opening mechanism and any downstream devices such as a positioning device are significantly reduced.

[0052] In FIG. 1, the perforation openings 17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 are provided as straight slits, wherein the perforation openings 17.1, 18.1 in the front film layer 2 are provided as slits which are longer than the slits of the perforation openings 17.4, 18.4 in the rear film layer. As a result, the front film layer 2 can more easily slide over the carrier pegs 29, while it is more difficult to slide the rear film layer 3 over the carrier pegs 29, whereby the film bag 1 can easily be opened by hand or by an automatic opening mechanism.

[0053] In this basic embodiment, the length of the perforation openings 17.2 17.3 18.2, 18.3 in the front side gusset parts 6, 8 and in the rear side gusset parts 7, 9 is selected freely, but a length of the slit which is smaller than the length of the rear perforation openings 17.4, 18.4 in the rear film layer would be greatly disadvantageous because of the effect of inhibiting the moving of the front side gusset parts 6, 8 and rear side gusset parts 7, 9 over the carrier pegs 29, which increases the chance of an irregular opening of the film bag 9.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, which can be produced easily and simply, the front slits of the front perforation openings 17.2, 18.2 in the two front side gusset parts 6, 8 are longer than the rear slits of the rear perforation openings 17.3, 18.3 in the two rear side gusset parts 7, 9.

[0055] In another preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, which can be produced easily and simply, the front slits of the front perforation openings 17.1, 18.1 in the front film layer 2 are the same as the front slits of the front perforation openings 17.2, 18.2 in the two front side gusset parts 6, 8.

[0056] Also, the rear slits of the rear perforation openings 17.3, 18.3 in the two rear side gusset parts 7, 9 are the same as the rear slits of the rear perforation openings 17.4, 18.4 in the rear film layer 3.

[0057] As a result, the front parts of the film bag can slide more easily over the carrier pegs, and the film bag can be opened more easily and regularly.

[0058] It has been found that by determining the length LV of the front slits of the perforation openings 17.1, 17.2, 18.1, 18.2 in the front film layer 2 and in the front side gusset parts 6, 8 using the equation LVOD wherein OD=the radial circumference of the carrier peg, and by determining the length LA of the rear slits of the perforation openings 17.3, 17.4, 18.3, 18.4 in the rear film layer 3 and in the rear side gusset parts 7, 9 using the equation LAOD, the front film layer 2 and the front side gusset parts 6, 8 of the film bag 1 can easily slide over carrier pegs 29 with diameter D, while the rear film layer 3 and the rear side gusset parts 7, 9 meet a greater resistance against movement over the carrier pegs 29 with diameter D, whereby the film bag 1 can easily be opened by hand or by an automatic opening mechanism.

[0059] This embodiment is advantageous in a film bag without handles, because the film bag can easily be opened automatically so that the spreading device of the placing/positioning device can be introduced into the film bag.

[0060] For a cylindrical carrier peg with an (outer) diameter D, the radial circumference OD of the carrier peg is equal to it D. For a different shape of cross-section of the carrier peg, the radial circumference OD can be determined by measuring with a cord, an optical measuring method and/or by calculation or another suitable method. From this radial circumference OD, by calculation, an equivalent circle circumference diameter D is calculated using the equation OD/.

SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a bundle of film bags of the vest bag type, which is suspended by means of carrier pegs 29. At one end, the carrier pegs 29 are provided with a bulge 32. Similarly to the film bag in FIG. 1, the vest-type film bag is provided with a front film layer, a rear film layer, a left side gusset and a right side gusset, each with a front side gusset part and rear side gusset part. Such vest bags are made as film bags from a tubular film, from which individual film bags can be produced by creation of bottom and top welds at the bottom edge and top edge. If side gussets are used, these are also connected to the front and rear film layers at the bottom edge and top edge. Because the vest bag is made from one piece of tubular film, the different film layers of the vest bag are substantially the same with respect to the composition and physical properties, including the film thickness.

[0062] At the top of the film bag 1 of the vest bag type, two handles 12, 13 are formed by making a cutout 14 in the film bag, which cutout extends from the top edge into both side gussets so as to form a left and right carrier opening. The two handles 12, 13 are provided with a continuous suspension opening 17, 18, consisting of four perforation openings in the left handle 12 and four perforation openings in the right handle 13, respectively for the front film layer, the front side gusset parts, the rear side gusset parts and the rear film layer. Thus the film bag 1 of the vest bag type is arranged and suitable for being suspended from a set of carrier pegs 29, wherein optionally the carrier pegs are provided with a bulge 32 at their end.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows two vacuum cups or vacuum elements 50 of the opening mechanism of an automatic opening and/or placing device. These vacuum elements 50 grip the front film layer 2 of the left handle 12 and right handle 13 below the continuous suspension openings 17, 18. In the easy-open system of the applicant, the front film layer 2 of the vest-type film bag is suspended on the vacuum elements 50, and the rear film layer 3 remains on (the bulge 32 of) the easy-open carrier pegs 29.

[0064] In FIG. 2 (similarly to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1), the perforation openings of the continuous suspension openings 17, 18 are configured as straight slits, wherein similarly to the film bag 1 from FIG. 1, the perforation openings 17.1, 18.1 in the front film layer 2 are provided with a front slit which is longer than the rear slit of the perforation openings 17.4, 18.4 in the rear film layer 3.

[0065] Because of the longer front slits, the front film layer 2 of the handles 12, 13 can slide more easily over the carrier pegs 29, and over the bulge 32 next to the end of the carrier pegs 29, than the rear film layer 3 with shorter rear slits.

[0066] Similarly to the described exemplary embodiments of FIG. 1, the front slits of the front perforation openings 17.2, 18.2 in the two front side gusset parts 6, 8 may be longer than the rear slits of the rear perforation openings 17.3, 18.3 in the two rear side gusset parts 7, 9.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, the front slits of the front perforation openings 17.1, 18.1 in the front film layer 2 are the same as the front slits of the front perforation openings 17.2, 18.2 in the two front side gusset parts 6, 8.

[0068] Additionally or alternatively, the rear slits of the rear perforation openings 17.3, 18.3 in the two rear side gusset parts 7, 9 are the same as the rear slits of the rear perforation openings 17.4, 18.4 in the rear film layer 3.

[0069] Preferably, the length LV of the front slits of the perforation openings 17.1, 17.2, 18.1, 18.2 in the front film layer 2 and in the front side gusset parts 6, 8 complies with the equation: LVOB, wherein OB=the radial circumference of the widest part of the bulge next to the end of the carrier peg, and the length LA of the slits of the perforation openings 17.3, 17.4, 18.3, 18.4 in the rear film layer 3 and in the rear side gusset parts 7, 9 complies with the equation ODLAOB.

[0070] By these measures, the front film layer 2 and the front side gusset parts 6, 8 of the vest bag 1 can easily slide over the bulge 32 at the end of the carrier pegs 29, while the rear film layer 3 and the rear side gusset parts 7, 9 meet a greater resistance against movement over the bulge 32 at the end of the carrier pegs 29, but little resistance from the carrier pegs, whereby the vest bag 1 can easily be opened by hand or by an automatic opening mechanism.

[0071] If the form of the bulge at the greatest radial circumference OB in cross-section defines a circle, the (outer) diameter E of this circle is equal to OB/. For a different shape of cross-section of the bulge at the greatest radial circumference, an equivalent circle circumference diameter E can be calculated using the equation B/.

[0072] For a film bag 1 of the vest bag type with two handles 12, 13, it is disadvantageous that the continuous suspension openings 17, 18 are made in the narrow parts of the film bag, i.e. the two handles 12, 13. Therefore the movement of the front side gusset parts over the carrier pegs 29 and over the bulge 32 at the end of the carrier pegs is not controlled and is arbitrary. The front side gusset parts may remain stuck on the bulge 32 at the end of the carrier pegs 29 and thereby close the carrier opening fully or partly again, so that gripper hooks of an opening mechanism of the placing device cannot be correctly introduced sideways into the carrier openings of the handles, and the opening mechanism cannot reliably open and tension the handles of the film bag.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows that a spot connection 21, 22 is provided in each handle 12, 13 between the front film layer and the front side gusset parts. It has been found that by creating spot connections 21, 22 in the handles, the sideways introduction of the gripper hooks of the opening mechanism of the placing device into the carrier openings of the film bag of the vest bag type can be carried out with great reliability and high frequency.

[0074] The spot connection 21, 22 may be created as a glue connection, a weld connection or a punched connection; for example, at the same time as creating the perforation openings.

[0075] If the spot connections 21, 22 are provided next to the continuous suspension openings 17, 18 in the handles 12, 13, the front film layer and the front side gusset parts move together, with equal resistance, over the bulges 32 of the carrier pegs 29 without the film layers moving relative to one another.

[0076] The use of a bulge 32 on the carrier pegs 29 and the provision of spot connections 21, 22 are not necessarily reserved for and/or exclusive to vest-type film bags; these may also be provided for the film bags from FIG. 1 without handles.

[0077] If the film bag 1 from the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 is suspended in a bundle on cylindrical carrier pegs 29 with diameter D and with bulge 32 with greatest circumference OB of FIG. 2, good results are obtained in an opening mechanism of a placing device if the length LA of the rear slits complies with the equation LA=/2D10% and the length LV of the front slits complies with the equation LV=OB/2F{1|2}, wherein F{1|2} is defined as 1F2 with a value between 1 and 2, D=the (outer) diameter of the carrier peg 29, and OB=the radial circumference of the widest part of the bulge 32 next to the end of the carrier peg 29.

[0078] For example, with a greatest circumference OB of the bulge 32 of 45 mm and a diameter D of 10 mm for the carrier peg 29, the length of the rear slit is selected as LA=15 mm10% and the length LV=45/2 F{1|2} of the front slit is selected with a value between 22.5 and 45 mm.

[0079] The film bag for use in a bundle on a set of carrier pegs may be produced in the following inventive fashion.

[0080] Firstly, a film bag is formed with side gussets 4, 5 from a tubular flexible film. Then punch plates are introduced into the two side gussets 4, 5 from the outside, so that continuous suspension openings are formed by perforation openings in the front side gusset and in the front film layer which are different from the perforation openings in the rear side gusset and the rear film layer. Then the piece of tubular film is provided with a closed lower edge by means of sealing (welding), and for a film bag of the vest type, is also provided with a closed top edge.

[0081] The perforation openings 17.1, 17.2; 18.1, 18.2 (see FIG. 1) in the front film layer 2 and in the two front side gusset parts 6, 8 are produced as slits. The perforation openings 17.3, 17.4; 18.3, 18.4 (see FIG. 1) in the rear film layer 3 and in the two rear side gusset parts 7, 9 are also produced as slits. Preferably, the front slits of the perforation openings 17.1, 17.2; 18.1, 18.2 in the front film layer 2 and in the two front side gusset parts 6, 8 are longer than the rear perforation openings 17.3, 17.4; 18.3, 18.4 in the rear film layer 3 and in the two rear side gusset parts 7, 9. With these measures, no clippings or debris can be formed and/or remain in the formed film bag, while the film bag in a bundle on carrier pegs can be opened well by hand or by an automatic opening machine.

[0082] Then, or at the same time, optionally spot connections 21, 22 may be made between the front film layer 2 and the two front side gusset parts 6, 8. Preferably, the spot connections 21, 22 are arranged below the front perforation openings 17.1, 17.2; 18.1, 18.2, so that the front parts of the film bag can easily slide over the (bulge of the) carrier pegs, and the front parts of the film bag can easily be separated from the rear parts of the film bag.

[0083] Preferably, the perforation openings are produced as horizontally extending slits, whereby the chance of tearing of the perforation openings in the vertical direction on the carrier pegs is reduced, and faults in the automatic opening mechanism and any downstream devices, such as a positioning device, are significantly reduced.

[0084] By creating the continuous suspension openings as (horizontal) slits, a film bag is obtained which can easily and reliably be opened, spread and placed in a container such as a crate by a placing device for film bags, wherein the chance of forming clippings and/or debris is significantly reduced.