GB1561817A

GB1561817A - Pouches

Info

Publication number: GB1561817A
Application number: GB4281076A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Focke and Pfuhl
Current assignee: Focke and Pfuhl
Priority date: 1975-10-21
Filing date: 1976-10-14
Publication date: 1980-03-05
Also published as: NL7611693A; DE2547049C2; DE2547049A1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO POUCHES (71) We, FOCKE & PFUHL, a German Kommanditgesellschaft, of Siemensstrasse 10, 3090 Verden, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a pouch for receiving tobacco and to an apparatus for attaching a closure strip in an opening of a pouch.

German Patent Specification No.

1,586,619 discloses a pouch for tobacco, often called a wrapping pouch, in which a bent closure strip of paper is connected by means of - plastics bonding strips and by thermal welding to the walls of the pouch in the region of the opening thereof. The bent closure strip is arranged so that the ends of the limbs thereof point downwardly, namely towards the interior of the pocket.

The inside of the fold or fillet which, therefore, points upwardly out of the pocket, is provided with a tear-open tag the tearing end of which projects laterally from the pouch. To open the pouch constructed in this manner the closure strip is severed in the region of the fold by means of the tearopen tag thus exposing the opening to enable tobacco to be removed.

An object of the present invention is to develop and improve a pouch for tobacco.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pouch for receiving tobacco, which pouch comprises a pocket formed by folding a sheet comprising plastics material and by welding side edge portions of the sheet such that the pocket comprises front, rear and inwardly foldable side walls and an opening at one end thereof and has opening flaps extending from walls thereof in the region of and beyond the opening, a closure strip of tearable material having a substantially V-shaped cross-section being mounted in the opening to extend the entire length of the pouch by bonding one side of the limbs of the substantially Vshaped closure strip to the opening flaps, free ends of the limbs pointing in a direction away from the interior of the pocket, the pocket being openable by moving the opening flaps away from each other so as to tear the closure strip.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a pouch for receiving tobacco, which pouch comprises a pocket formed by folding a sheet comprising plastics material and by welding side edge portions of the sheet such that the pocket comprises front, rear and inwardly foldable side walls and an opening at one end thereof and has opening flaps extending from walls thereof in the region and beyond the opening, the side edge portions of the sheet being folded to form the side walls, and to form strips in the region of the opening flaps which are fixed against the inner sides of the opening flaps, a closure strip of tearable material having a substantially V-shaped cross-section being mounted in the opening to extend the entire length of the pouch and cover the strips by bonding the complete surface of one side of the limbs of the closure strip to the opening flaps, free ends of the limbs pointing in a direction away from the interior of the pocket, the pocket being openable by moving the opening flaps away from each other so as to tear the closure strip.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for attaching a closure strip to an opening of a pouch, which apparatus comprises means for supporting a pouch such that opening flaps of the pouch can be initially held apart from each other, the opening flaps extending in the region of and beyond an opening of a pocket of the pouch, means for supporting a closure strip of tearable material, a folding blade having a tapering end movable to come into contact with the closure strip to fold the closure strip and to place the closure strip between the opening flaps such that the closure strip, on placement between the opening flaps, has a substantially V shaped cross-section, extends the entire length of the pouch and free ends of the limbs thereof point in a direction away from the interior of the pocket and means for bringing the opening flaps and one side of the limbs into contact for effecting bonding therebetween.

In a preferred embodiment, the V-shaped closure strip is of laminated sheeting. The closure strip is bonded, in this embodiment, by thermal welding of a thermoplastic coating situated on the one side of the closure strip that is on the inner side of the closure strip to plastic walls of the pouch. The other side of the closure strip, that is the externally disposed or outer side, consists of nonweldable material, more particularly of paper.

A closure strip as used in the pouch of the present invention may offer a number of advantages. Laminated sheeting is known.

One embodiment of the closure strip comprises two-ply laminated sheeting having an inner ply of plastics, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, and an outer ply of paper. According to another embodiment, the closure strip merely comprises single-ply material, for example paper. The one side, that is the inner side, of the V-shaped closure strip is bonded to the walls of the pouch directly by plasticizing of the plastics sheeting of the pouch or by the interposition of an adhesive. These embodiments are particularly cost-saving. Due to the abovementioned construction and arrangement of the closure strip, the limbs thereof can be bonded directly, for example by thermal welding or adhesive joining, to the walls of the pouch.Bonding of the limbs over their entire surface to the walls can result in freely exposed integral, multi-ply pouch handling lugs which can be gripped between two fingers for opening the pouch and thus enable the tearing-open procedure to be performed and to be facilitated without a separate tear-open thread.

Attachment of the closure strip by mechanized means is also facilitated by arranging the closure strip as a V which is open at the top.

An embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is suitable for this end and is equipped with a folding blade which can terminate in an approximate V-shape. The blade can grip the closure strip, form it into a V-shape and guide it into the region between the opening flaps or edge lugs of the pouch.

The closure strip can be fixed in the opening by contact pressure applied from the side and by heating of the surfaces which are to be welded to each other.

Pre-creasing or partial perforation can be provided in the region of the closure strip fold or fillet to facilitate the tearingopen procedure on opening the pouch. The perforation is preferably constructed so that only the (outer paper ply is provided with perforations while the inner plastics ply remains imperforate.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a pouch in accordance with the present invention Figure 2 shows a side view of the top part of the pouch shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a plan view of the pouch of Figures 1 and 2 in the region of the opening, the closure strip being partially severed, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a pouch in accordance with the present invention, Figure 5 shows a vertical sectional view through the pouch of Figures 1 to 3 shown on an enlarged scale, and Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic side view or longitudinal section of details of an embodiment of an apparatus for attaching a closure strip in an opening of a pouch in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a pouch, sometimes known as a wrapping pouch, for receiving cut tobacco. Normally, these pouches comprise an integral, multi- ply blank with external plastics sheeting.

The pouch comprises a pocket 10 formed with a front wall 11 and a rear wall 12 to receive the tobacco. The front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 are joined to each other by thermal welding in the region of a side team 13. The pouches are constructed so that side walls 14 and a bottom wall are produced by side folds.

The front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 of the pocket 10 form top edge lugs or opening flaps 15 and 16 which define an opening of the pouch or pocket 10. In the illustrated embodiments the edge lug 15 of the front wall 11 is formed by a suitable extension into a wrapping tab 17 which partially surrounds the pocket 10 when the pouch is closed and can be detachably fixed to the rear of the pouch.

The opening between the edge lugs 15 and 16 and the pocket 10 is hermetically covered by a closure strip 18. The closure strip 18 consists of material with at least one boundary stratum which is inactive with respect tol itself. As shown in Figure 5, laminated sheeting is provided and comprises an inwardly disposed weldable ply (plastics ply 19) nearest to the edge lugs 15 and 16 and to the interior of the pocket 10 and an outer paper ply 20. In general terms, the inner ply 19 should be thermally weldable or such that it can be bonded and the outer ply 20 should be resistant to thermal effects. The closure strip 18 thus formed is constructed in V-shape with a distinct fold 6r fillet 21.The arrangement is such that limbs 22 and 23 of the closure strip 18 point out of the pocket 10, and the fold 21 is, therefore, arranged to point downwardly or into the pocket 10. The limbs 22 and 23 are joined practically over their full surface area to the edge lugs 15 and 16.

The closure strip 18 extends over the entire width of the pouch. The slide overlap 24 in the region of the edge lugs 15 and 16 and of the wrapping tab 17 is formed in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 in which the side walls 14 are formed by side folding.

The side overlap is folded inwardly in strips and thus forms an edge thickening in the region of the overlap. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the closure strip 18 extends over the edge thickening and terminates together with the edge lugs 15 and 16.

In the Figure 4 embodiment the overlap 24 is not folded but spread laterally so as to broaden the pouch in the region of the edge lugs 15 and 16 and of the wrapping tab 17. In this case the closure strip 18 also extends to the edges of the edge lugs 15 and 16 without bridging an accumulation of plies. The edge lugs are not joined to each zither in the region of the closure strip 18 so that an open V-shaped gap is formed with freely movable edge lugs 15 and 16, the gap being continuously open, including at the ends.

To open the pouch, the limbs 22 and 23 attached to the edge lugs 15 and 16 are gripped and pulled apart. The closure strip 18 will thus tear in the region of the fold 21 to expose the contents of the pouch (Figure 3). To facilitate the tearing operation, the closure strip 18 can be provided with weakening, for example with a partial performation in the region of the fold 21 which extends only over a part-region of the cross-section of the closure strip 18. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, perforations 25 are provided merely in the outer paper ply 20, the inner plastics ply remaining imperforate.

The above-mentioned closure strip 18 can be used with particular advantage in a pouch which is formed from a multi-ply blank.

As can be seen by reference to Figure 5, a paper blank 28 is enclosed between an inner plastics sheet 26 and an outer plastics sheet 27. Each of the limbs 22 and 23 of the closure strip 18 is joined to the inner plastics sheet 26 by thermal welding.

The pouch formed in the manner de- scribed hereinabove is conventionally manufactured so that the closure strip 18 is inserted into the opening of the pouch which is finished and filled in all other respects. The apparatus shown diagrammatically in Figure 6 is particularly suited to this end.

The pouches are supplied to a closing station in sequence by means of a conveyor with receptors 29, each of which is provided from one pouch. In the region of the closing station, the edge lugs 15 and 16 as well as the wrapping tab 17 are retained in a particular manner, namely they are opened in an approximate V-shape. A closure strip 18 is then introduced from above between the edge lugs 15 and 16, which are bent upwardly with respect to the horizontally disposed pocket 10. A vertically reciprocatory folding blade 30, the bottom narrow end 31 of which converges in a V-shape, is provided to this end.

The closure strips 18 are cut off in strips from a continuous web 32 by means of a transversely orientated cut. A cutting knife 34 is arranged to reciprocate vertically in the region of a platform 33 on which the web 32 is supported. The cutting knife 34 is moved in the region of an opening 35 of the platform 33 through the web 32 while performing the separating cut.

The closure strip 18 which is thus cut off bears on a mouthpiece which forms part of the platform 33. The mouthpiece halves 36 and 37 define a slot 38 which permits passage of the folding base 30 with the closure strip 18. The closure strip is detachably retained on the mouthpiece halves 36 and 37 by suction through suction ports 39 and 40. During the downward motion, the folding blade 30 entrains the initially spread closure strip 18. The strip is drawn off the mouth piece halves 36 and 37 by means of a slipping action and thus is borne in V-shape on the end of the folding blade 30. The folding blade inserts the pre-folded closure strip 18 into the opening between the edge lugs 15 and 16.

Pressure pads 41 and 42 are provided beneath the platform 33 to weld the limbs 22 and 23 of the closure strip 18 to the edge lugs 15 and 16. The pads are formed so that they extend in the manner of a cutting beak to the filled part of the pocket 10. In the starting position (as shown in Figure 6), the pressure pads 41 and 42 are arranged with a slight taper or with a V-shape gap between each other, the ends nearest to the pouch contents closing the filled part of the pocket 10 whilst ensuring that the edge lugs 15 and 16 are open with respect to the folding blade 30.

The pressure pads 41 and 42 are pivotably supported on transversely slidable holders 43 and 44. Tension springs 45 and 46 ensure the above-described starting position of the pressure pads 41 and 42.

The pressure pads 41 and 42 are moved together by a corresponding motion of the holders (see broken line) after the folding blade 30 together with the closure strip 18 is introduced into the region of the edge lugs 15 and 16. While being pivoted, the edge lugs 15 and 16 are compressed with the closure strip 18 disposed therebetween. The required welding temperature is simultaneously applied. During this compression operation, the folding blade 30 is already retracted so that the individual plies are pressed directly upon each other. Alternatively, compression can take place while the folding blade 30 is inserted. Bonding of the limbs 22 and 23 against each other is, however, prevented by the nature of the outer ply of the closure strip 18. Heating can be applied by the folding blade 30 which is provided in the present case with suitable heating elements 47.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A pouch for receiving tobacco, which pouch comprises a pocket formed by folding a sheet comprising plastics material and by welding side edge portions of the sheet such that the pocket comprises front, rear and inwardly foldable side walls and an opening at one end thereof and has opening flaps extending from walls thereof in the region of and beyond the opening, a closure strip of tearable material having a substantially V-shaped cross-section being mounted in the opening to extend the entire length of the pouch by bonding one side of the limbs of the substantially Vshaped closure strip to the opening flaps, free ends of the limbs pointing in a direction away from the interior of the pocket, the pocket being openable by moving the opening flaps away from each other so as to tear the closure strip.

2. A pouch according to Claim 1, wherein the side edge portions of the sheet are folded to form the side walls, and wherein those side edge portions of the sheet in the region of the opening flaps are laterally spread, the closure strip extending the entire length of the opening flaps including the laterally spread side edge portions.

3. A pouch for receiving tobacco, which pouch comprises a pocket formed by folding a sheet comprising plastics material and by welding side edge portions of the sheet such that the pocket comprises front, rear and inwardly foldable side walls and an opening at one end thereof and has opening flaps extending from walls thereof in the region of and beyond the opening, the side edge portions of the sheet being folded to form the side walls, and to form strips in the region of the opening flaps which are fixed against the inner sides of the opening flaps, a closure strip of tearable material having a substantially V-shaped cross-section being mounted in the opening to extend the entire length of the pouch and cover the strips by bonding the complete surface of one side of the limbs of the closure strip to the opening flaps, free end of the limbs pointing in a direction away from the interior of the pocket, the pocket being openable by moving the opening flaps away from each other so as to tear the closure strip.

4. A pouch according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the closure strip is bonded to the opening flaps by thermal welding.

5. A pouch according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the closure strip is bonded to the opening flaps by adhesive joining.

6. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure strip comprises a laminated sheet with an (inner) ply of thermally activatable material nearest to the opening flaps and an (outer) ply of non-weldable material farthest from the opening flaps.

7. A pouch according to Claim 6, wherein the thermally activatable material is a plastics ply and the non-weldable material is a paper ply.

8. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one ply of the closure strip is perforated in such a way as to. form a tearing line in the region of the fold between the limbs.

9. A pouch according to Claim 8, wherein the closure strip has two or more plies and wherein the outer ply is perforated and the inner ply is imperforate.

10, An apparatus for attaching a closure strip to an opening of a pouch, which apparatus comprises means for supporting a pouch such that opening flaps of the pouch can be initially held apart from each other, the opening flaps extending in the region of and beyond an opening of a pocket of the pouch, means for supporting a closure strip of tearable material, a folding blade having a tapering end movable to come into contact with the closure strip to fold the closure strip and to place the closure strip between the opening flaps such that the closure strip, on placement between the opening flaps, has a substantially V-shaped cross-section, extends the entire length of the pouch and free ends of the limbs thereof point in a direction away from the interior of the pocket and means for bringing the opening flaps and one side of the limbs into contact for effecting bonding therebetween.

11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, which comprises means for compressing the opening flaps after insertion of the closure

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The pressure pads 41 and 42 are pivotably supported on transversely slidable holders 43 and 44. Tension springs 45 and 46 ensure the above-described starting position of the pressure pads 41 and 42. The pressure pads 41 and 42 are moved together by a corresponding motion of the holders (see broken line) after the folding blade 30 together with the closure strip 18 is introduced into the region of the edge lugs 15 and 16. While being pivoted, the edge lugs 15 and 16 are compressed with the closure strip 18 disposed therebetween. The required welding temperature is simultaneously applied. During this compression operation, the folding blade 30 is already retracted so that the individual plies are pressed directly upon each other. Alternatively, compression can take place while the folding blade 30 is inserted. Bonding of the limbs 22 and 23 against each other is, however, prevented by the nature of the outer ply of the closure strip 18. Heating can be applied by the folding blade 30 which is provided in the present case with suitable heating elements 47. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A pouch for receiving tobacco, which pouch comprises a pocket formed by folding a sheet comprising plastics material and by welding side edge portions of the sheet such that the pocket comprises front, rear and inwardly foldable side walls and an opening at one end thereof and has opening flaps extending from walls thereof in the region of and beyond the opening, a closure strip of tearable material having a substantially V-shaped cross-section being mounted in the opening to extend the entire length of the pouch by bonding one side of the limbs of the substantially Vshaped closure strip to the opening flaps, free ends of the limbs pointing in a direction away from the interior of the pocket, the pocket being openable by moving the opening flaps away from each other so as to tear the closure strip.

strip, where appropriate, with the inclusion of the folding blade.

12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the compressing means are movable pressure pads.

13. An apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the pressure pads are pivotably supported and are movable between a starting position, wherein the pressure surfaces of the pressure pads together adopt a Vshaped orientation with respect to each other, and a compression position, wherein the pressure surfaces are substantially parallel.

14. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, which comprises mouthpiece halves for supporting in a flat state the closure strip, which closure strip is cut off, in use of the apparatus, from a continuous web, above a slot, through which slot the folding blade can pass.

15. An apparatus according to Claim 14, which comprises suction ports for detachably fixing the closure strip on the mouthpiece halves by means of suction.

16. A pouch for receiving tobacco substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 3 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A pouch for receiving tobacco, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

18. An apparatus for attaching a closure strip to an opening of a pouch, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 6 of the accompanying drawings.