EP4147997A2 - Film packaging system with bag in bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a film packaging system (10), in particular for packaging human or animal foodstuffs, comprising a first, outer packaging bag (12) with a first, outer layer arrangement (18) and a second, inner packaging bag (16) with a second , Inner sheet assembly (38), wherein the first packaging bag (12) encloses a first packaging space (14) in which the second packaging bag (16) is accommodated, and wherein the second packaging bag (16) encloses a second packaging space (32) which is designed to hold a packaged item. According to the invention, the first and the second packaging bag (12, 16) are connected to one another in a connection area (48) of the film packaging system (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a film packaging system comprising a first, outer packaging bag with a first, outer layer arrangement, and a second, inner packaging bag with a second, inner layer arrangement, wherein the first packaging bag surrounds a first packaging space in which the second packaging bag is accommodated, and wherein the second packaging bag surrounds a second packaging space, which is designed to accommodate a packaged item. This is preferably a food film packaging system for packaging human or animal food.

Film packaging systems of this type are generally known in the specified structure from outer packaging, for example for reduced-size sweets, so-called “minis”. The individual sweets themselves are usually packaged in a flow pack made from packaging film. Many packaged sweets are repackaged in another flow pack. While the packaging of the individual sweets is opaque as a rule, the outer packaging is at least partially transparent.

However, the present invention affects the outer packaging described above rather accidentally, because the present invention, starting from a completely different initial situation, moves along specific considerations for this initial situation about the resulting technical problems to its solution.

The present invention has as its starting point a film package, such as a packaging bag, having high barrier properties against passage of water vapor and oxygen. Film packaging of this type is used, for example, for packaging ready-to-eat food, including pet food.

The packaging film, which is used to produce such film packaging, is generally a film laminate with layers of different materials to ensure the functions expected of the packaging film.

A possible known film laminate comprises an exposed sealable layer, for example made of polypropylene, in particular cast polypropylene (CPP), in order to be able to join the film laminate to another section of the film laminate by sealing to form a packaging bag. This exposed layer forms the inside of the finished known film packaging and thus the immediate delimitation of the packaging space surrounded by the packaging.

The known film laminate has a barrier layer, such as an aluminum layer or a ceramic layer made of silicon oxide (SiOx), as a further layer. This barrier layer prevents the passage of oxygen and water vapor and thus ensures a longer shelf life of the packaged product.

As yet another layer, the known film laminate has a layer of polyethylene terephthalate, which ensures increased strength and stability of the film packaging. For this purpose the sheet of polyethylene terephthalate is often oriented by stretching, usually biaxially oriented.

To connect the individual layers to one another, the layers, which are generally incompatible in terms of their material, are connected by the interposition of layers of adhesive.

The different materials of the known film laminate mentioned by way of example make the disposal and in particular the recycling of used packaging more difficult. For effective recycling, the different materials have to, or better said, have to be separated and collected in separate recycling streams and processed again.

Furthermore, film packaging for packaging foodstuffs is thermally sterilized during the packaging process. The thermal sterilization usually takes place by heating the film packaging with superheated steam. Conventional thermal sterilization is known as so-called retort sterilization. Temperatures of at least 120 °C are reached. A typical retort sterilization temperature is, for example, 121°C. The resulting thermal stress on the film packaging is another problem. As a rule, the film packaging is provided with a print application layer in order to inform the consumer about the content and origin of the packaged product. Thermal sterilization can cause thermal distortion of the foil laminate and thus distortion of the print job, which usually qualifies the packaging as scrap. Biaxially stretched films in particular, which are said to have a higher barrier effect than unstretched films of the same thickness and material, tend to shrink undesirably when heated excessively.

The negative effects of thermal sterilization can only be mitigated by using special high-quality components and materials in the film laminate, but this increases the cost of film packaging.

The processability of the above-mentioned film laminate with its mix of materials on packaging systems is also delicate and requires extensive knowledge and experience and, if necessary, experimentation before the film laminate can be processed stably with sufficient throughput on a packaging system in an economically viable manner.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to offer a cost-effective film packaging with high packaging integrity and packaging security, which can be thermally sterilized without any problems, in particular by the above-mentioned retort sterilization, without thereby restricting the usability of the film packaging in demanding consumer circles or only at the expense of undesirably higher scrap rates are given.

The present invention solves this problem by a film packaging system of the type mentioned in which the first and the second packaging bag are connected to one another in a connection area of the film packaging system.

By using two packaging bags, the first, outer packaging bag can be equipped for communication with the consumer and optionally with functional barrier layers to provide a water vapor and/or oxygen barrier. In addition or as an alternative, further barrier effects can be achieved, such as a barrier effect against oils and/or fats and/or a barrier effect against incident light and/or a barrier effect against the packaged goods showing through and the resulting impairment of the optical appearance of the packaging system that is perceptible from the outside .

The second, inner packaging bag, which accommodates the packaged goods, can be designed for thermal sterilization, in particular by the retort sterilization mentioned at the outset, but does not require any communicative equipment endangered by the thermal sterilization, such as print jobs and the like. The first packaging bag, on the other hand, does not need to be thermally sterilized and is therefore subjected to little or no thermal stress during production of the film packaging system.

Due to the sectional connection of the first and second packaging bag to each other, the two packaging bags are immobilized relative to each other to a significant extent, resulting in uncontrolled movement of the inner packaging bag relative to the outer one and the associated development of noise and/or an associated risk of damage to at least one of the two Packing bag eliminated by the other.

The two packaging bags, which are connected to one another at least in sections, also allow the film packaging system to appear to the consumer as a single packaging bag as a form of packaging familiar to the consumer.

The outside of the second packaging bag and the inside of the first packaging bag form opposite film layers on the finished film packaging system. In principle, it is possible to glue a section of an outside of the second packaging bag to a section of an inside of the first packaging bag in the connection area, for example by applying an adhesive layer to one or both of the sides mentioned. A heat-sealing medium can preferably be applied locally to one or both of the sides mentioned in the printing process. In the printing process, the heat-sealing medium can be applied, for example, as an aqueous dispersion.

Alternatively or in addition to an adhesive connection of the first and second packaging bag in the connection area, the first and second packaging bag can be connected to one another in the connection area by thermally sealing opposite film layers of the first and second packaging bag. Since a sealed connection of the opposing film layer areas does not require any additional application of an adhesive or heat-sealing medium, thermal sealing is preferred to gluing. Nevertheless, adhesive or a heat-sealing medium can additionally be applied locally to one or both of the film layers lying opposite one another in order to increase the connection strength and/or to achieve a desired shape of the connection area.

Said layer arrangements: first and second layer arrangement each comprise at least one polymer layer. Preferably, at least one layer arrangement from the first and second layer arrangement comprises, particularly preferably, both layer arrangements each comprise more than one polymer layer. According to a preferred embodiment, the first layer arrangement comprises exactly two or exactly three polymer layers. According to a preferred embodiment, the second layer arrangement comprises exactly one or exactly two polymer layers.

If one of the layer arrangements comprises more than one polymer layer, at least two polymer layers of the layer arrangement can be coextruded. At least they can two polymer layers can be connected by adhesive layers arranged between them.

It is advantageous if the foil packaging system, although it comprises two packaging bags, can be opened by a single joint opening process in such a way that the packaged goods are accessible after this opening process. The connection area connecting the two packaging bags also serves for this purpose. Typically, the first packaging bag has a first opening portion and the second packaging bag has a second opening portion. Each of these opening areas is designed and intended to open the respective packaging bag in order to grant access to its packaging space. A simultaneous opening of both the first and the second packaging bag by a single opening process can be achieved in that the connecting area extends at least in sections over both the first and the second opening area. Preferably, both the first and second opening areas are located entirely in the connecting area, so that there are no loose wall portions of the first or second packaging bag in the first and second opening areas that could interfere with opening of the first and second packaging bag.

In order to facilitate an at least sectional formation of the connection area via the first and second opening area, the first and second opening area preferably overlap on the film packaging system.

An opening area of at least the first packaging bag, which is usually completely visible to the consumer, can be defined by appropriate visual identification, for example by a printed cutting line or by a notch on the edge as a tear-off aid.

Both the first and the second packaging bag are preferably opened by breaking the material connection of the layer arrangement of the respective packaging bag in the respective opening area. The material connection can be eliminated, for example, by cutting or tearing of the two packaging bags or by cutting or tearing off an opening portion of each of the first and second packaging bags from the rest of each packaging bag. Tearing is preferred because, in contrast to cutting, it can be performed without tools.

In principle, it is possible for the entire outside of the second packaging bag to be connected to the inside of the first packaging bag. In addition to the connection area, however, the film packaging system preferably has a free area in which a section of the second packaging bag lies unconnected opposite a section of the first packaging bag. On the one hand, this avoids the transmission of material stresses, for example thermal stresses during sealing, from one packaging bag to the other. On the other hand, the two packaging bags can be connected to each other locally where the connection is required, preferably in the opening areas of the two packaging bags, without mechanically stressing the product packaged in the second packaging bag through the connection of the first and second packaging bag.

However, such a range of freedom offers further technical advantages. For example, an article different from the second packaging bag can be accommodated in the free area in the packaging space of the first packaging bag. The object can facilitate consumption of the product packed in the second packaging bag or be part of an additional advertising benefit, such as a competition. For example, the object can be a spoon, a stick, a ticket, or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, to extend the shelf life of the packaged product, a gas other than ambient air, for example inert gas or quasi-inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, can be accommodated in the free area between the first and second packaging bag. Thus , the film packaging system can be modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).

According to a possible embodiment of the film packaging system presented here, the connecting area extends only along the first and the second opening area of the two packaging bags.

The first packaging bag can have at least two wall sections each formed from the first layer arrangement. The two wall sections can be connected in one piece and brought together by folding or folding, in particular to form a folded base, with the inner sides facing each other to form the first packaging space. The two wall sections can also be separate wall sections. The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the second packaging bag.

The film packaging system preferably has a first combination area in which the at least two wall sections from the first layer arrangement are connected to one another to form the first packaging space. Although the connection of the two wall sections can again be produced by gluing, a connection by thermal sealing of the contacting surface areas of the two wall sections is preferred because of the lower effort compared to the adhesive connection. Preferably, at least one section of the first combination area is located in the connection area, since forming the connection area in the first combination area generally does not impair the first packaging space and the packaging capacity of the first packaging bag.

The second packaging space also preferably has a second combination area in which wall sections from the second layer arrangement are connected to one another to form the second packaging space. At least one section of the second combination area is preferably located in the connection area, since formation of the connection area in the second combination area generally does not impair the second packaging space and the packaging capacity of the second packaging bag.

In principle, different wall sections of the first packaging bag can be formed from different layer arrangements, each of which can be a first layer arrangement as long as they have the features mentioned in this application for the first layer arrangement. The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the use of different layer arrangements for different wall sections of the second packaging bag. For reasons of efficiency, the entire first packaging bag is preferably formed from a single, uniform first layer arrangement and/or the entire second packaging bag is formed from a single, uniform second layer arrangement.

The first combination area preferably runs over at least half of its length, preferably over at least three quarters of its length, particularly preferably over its entire length, parallel to the second combination area, in particular the sealed area, of the second packaging bag.

More preferably, the first and second combination areas are adjacent to one another, at least in sections, in such a way that the connection area can be formed simultaneously in sections of both combination areas in a common work step.

The first and/or the second packaging bag can each be a bag which is selected from a four-side sealed bag and a three-side sealed bag. The first packaging bag can alternatively be a stand-up bag with a bottom section that is sealed or folded in between the front and back, preferably from the first layer arrangement. In this case, the second packaging bag can advantageously stand up on the bottom section in the first packaging bag, as a result of which the connection area is mechanically relieved. Preferably, the area of the second packaging bag close to the bottom portion is in the freedom area and only rests on the bottom portion but is not connected to it.

The second packaging bag can also have a sealed or folded-in bottom section, preferably from the second layer arrangement. There However, the first packaging bag largely determines the standing behavior of the film packaging system, it is often sufficient if only the first packaging bag has a bottom section between a wall section forming the front side of the packaging bag and a wall section forming the back side of the packaging bag, while the second packaging bag does not.

Precisely when the connection area contains the two opening areas of the first and second packaging bag or even extends essentially only along the two opening areas, the connection area is relatively far removed from the base or lower edge of the first packaging bag. In order to avoid unwanted loss or an uncontrolled escape of packaged product when the film packaging system is opened, in particular by tearing open, the opening areas of the two packaging bags are preferably located in the respective head area of the packaging bag, i.e. in the area of the longitudinal end opposite the respective underside of the packaging bag. In any case, the opening areas are preferably located closer to the longitudinal end opposite to the bottom or the bottom of a packaging bag than to the bottom or the bottom.

Which section forms the underside of a packaging bag can be easily identified from the print job that is usually present on a packaging bag. If the film packaging system is placed on a flat, horizontal base in such a way that your print job appears correctly oriented for the intended viewing, the side lying on the base is the underside and the opposite side is the top or top side.

• Barrierewirkung gegen einen Durchgang von Wasserdampf oder/und Sauerstoff,
• Barrierewirkung gegen einen Durchgang von Fetten oder/und Ölen,
• Barrierewirkung gegen Durchgang von Licht von außen nach innen,
• Barrierewirkung gegen ein Durchscheinen des verpackten Produktes von innen nach außen,
• Bedruckung mit Druckauftrag,
• Reckung wenigstens einer Folienlage.

A very important advantage of the present film packaging system lies in the possibility, already mentioned above, of designing the first packaging bag and the second packaging bag in an optimized manner for different functions. This can be achieved structurally in that the first layer arrangement and the second layer arrangement differ with regard to at least one of the following parameters:

• Barrier effect against the passage of water vapor and/or oxygen,
• barrier effect against passage of fats and/or oils,
• barrier effect against the passage of light from outside to inside,
• Barrier effect against the packaged product showing through from the inside to the outside,
• printing with print order,
• stretching of at least one film layer.

For example, the first packaging bag can be designed to shield the packaged product from water vapor and/or oxygen. For this purpose, the first layer arrangement can have a metallic and/or a metallized and/or a ceramic barrier layer. A metallic layer, such as aluminum foil, is possible in principle, but not preferred, since this creates additional expense when disposing of the used foil packaging system. Metallization, for example an aluminum layer vapor-deposited in a vacuum or applied in a similar way to a polymer film, is a sensible option for shielding the packaged product from water vapor and/or oxygen because of its significantly lower mass compared to an aluminum film of the same area. An aluminum oxide layer and/or a silicon oxide layer are preferably suitable as ceramic barrier layers. The first layer arrangement preferably achieves a barrier value of less than 1 cm ³ oxygen per square meter layer arrangement and day under test conditions of 23 °C and 50% relative humidity in an air atmosphere of 1013 hPa. Alternatively or preferably additionally, the first layer arrangement achieves a barrier value of less than 1 g of water vapor per square meter of layer arrangement and day under test conditions of 38 °C and 90% relative humidity in an air atmosphere of 1013 hPa. These values can be achieved, for example, with a first layer arrangement, which includes a layer of metallized biaxially oriented polypropylene .

Since the second packaging bag is preferably thermally sterilized, the second layer arrangement preferably has no metallization or ceramic barrier layer on, which could be affected by the thermal stress during sterilization. A thermal sterilization of the first packaging bag is not provided.

Although it cannot be ruled out that the first packaging bag is transparent at least in sections, and the second packaging bag can thus be recognizable through a wall section of the first packaging bag, as a rule - at least in the unopened initial state in which the film packaging system is presented to the consumer - only the first packaging bag recognizable by the consumer from the outside. The first packaging bag is therefore preferably opaque. Moist foods in particular, such as ready meals containing sauce or moist animal feed, often contain fat and/or oil, which react very intensively to light. One possible reaction is an undesirable flavor change. Additionally or alternatively, the light may cause a color change in the food, which may thereby become less attractive and thus less appealing to the customer.

Therefore, the first layer arrangement, and preferably only the first layer arrangement used to form the first packaging bag, can advantageously be designed to convey information to the consumer. The first arrangement of layers, particularly preferably only the first arrangement of layers, therefore preferably has a print job made of printing inks. In principle, the print job can be applied straight to the outside of a layer of the first layer arrangement, in which case the protective layer is then preferably covered by a transparent layer or coated with a protective lacquer to protect against abrasion and other mechanical stress. An excellent printed image while at the same time protecting it from external influences without additional protective measures can be achieved in that the print job is applied to a transparent film of the first layer arrangement in reverse printing. As explained above, the second layer arrangement used to form the second packaging bag is preferably free of a print job with printing inks, so that the thermal stress on the second layer arrangement during thermal sterilization, in particular during retort sterilization, does not result in a previously elaborately formed one print job could be distorted or otherwise damaged. The print job can therefore be created on the first packaging bag with standard printing inks without a specific temperature resistance.

A layer of the first layer arrangement and/or the second layer arrangement that is closer to the second packaging space preferably has a grease and/or oil barrier in order to prevent grease and/or oil from passing through the respective layer arrangement. In order to prevent fat and/or oil migration as early as possible, the fat and/or oil barrier is preferably arranged in the second layer arrangement, so that fats and/or oils of the packaged goods accommodated in the second packaging space do not reach the first layer arrangement.

The second layer arrangement is preferably opaque, so that the packaged goods accommodated in the second packaging bag do not shine through the second packaging bag and thus cannot spoil the appearance of the print job on the first packaging bag.

In order to achieve high mechanical stability, the first layer arrangement can have at least one stretched polymer layer. The first layer arrangement is preferably given particularly high strength by using a packaging film that is biaxially oriented by biaxial stretching. The first layer arrangement preferably has only biaxially stretched polymer films. If the first layer arrangement is intended to specify a tear propagation direction for a tearing open of the film packaging system, a monoaxially stretched polymer film can be provided in the first layer arrangement. However, it has proven to be advantageous to move the function of defining a crack propagation direction exclusively to the second packaging bag and thus to the second layer arrangement.

The first layer arrangement therefore preferably has no monoaxially stretched film. The second layer arrangement also preferably has no biaxially stretched film. Biaxially stretched films sometimes tend to buckle under thermal stress Shrinkage, which is understandably not desired for the second packaging bag.

Furthermore, the recyclability of the film packaging system compared to the conventional packaging bags described at the outset can be significantly improved by the film packaging system discussed here, in particular with the above-described distribution of different functions to the different packaging bags. This improved recyclability is based on the possibility of forming the layered arrangements as homogeneously as possible, ie with the highest possible proportions by weight of one and the same polymer. This polymer is then the predominant polymer of the layer arrangement in question. By appropriately dividing the functions expected from the film packaging system into the first and second packaging bag, both packaging bags can be made cost-effectively using conventional standard polymers. As mentioned above, apart from the use of standard polymers, standard printing inks without particular temperature resistance can be used. Metallic printing inks or printing inks with a metallic effect can also be used without any problems. The same applies to adhesion promoters and adhesives between layers of the first layer arrangement - these also do not have to have any particular temperature resistance.

In contrast, the second layer arrangement does not have to meet any special optical requirements. It can use conventional cast polymers, preferably cast polyolefins, particularly preferably cast polypropylene, as the polymer material for its at least one polymer layer.

The first layer arrangement can consist of at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 85% by weight, particularly preferably at least 90% by weight and most preferably at least 95% by weight or even at least 97% by weight of polymers be formed from the same monomer. Preferably this monomer is ethylene or propylene. Propylene is preferred as a monomer, ie polypropylene as the predominant polymer, because of its special properties after biaxial stretching.

Additionally or alternatively, to increase the recyclability, the second layer arrangement can be at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 85% by weight, particularly preferably at least 90% by weight and most preferably at least 95% by weight or even at least 97% by weight of polymers of the same monomer. Again, this monomer is preferably ethylene or propylene, with propylene being the preferred monomer, and consequently polypropylene being the predominant polymer, as in the first layer arrangement. In order to be able to recycle the film packaging system as a whole after use in a uniform recycling process, the predominant monomer of the first packaging bag is preferably the same as the predominant monomer of the second packaging bag to ensure the highest possible degree of purity. According to what was said above, this is propylene, so that the polymer content of the two film laminates is preferably predominantly polypropylene.

In order to form a sufficiently strong, thermally sterilizable second packaging bag, the second layer arrangement can have a sealing layer lying on the very inside and a polymer layer lying further on the outside connected thereto and having a higher temperature resistance than that of the sealing layer. These are preferably the only polymer layers of the second layer arrangement, which makes them simple in structure and therefore inexpensive. The outer polymer layer of the second layer arrangement can thus be thermally sealed as an outer polymer layer to an exposed inner side of the first layer arrangement if these two polymer layers are compatible, which is readily the case with the above-mentioned preferred choice of materials to increase recyclability.

The outer polymer layer of the second layer arrangement and the inner polymer layer of the first layer arrangement are therefore preferably designed to be sealable on their mutually facing sides.

The named polymer layer of the second layer arrangement lying further outside is preferred, which is preferably an outer polymer layer of the second layer arrangement is, without molecular orientation, i.e. unstretched. Alternatively, it may have a monoaxial orientation to guide a tear initiated at the edge of the film packaging system along a desired direction when the film packaging system is torn open.

However, tests have shown it to be advantageous that tear guidance for the entire film packaging system can be adequately provided by a monoaxially oriented sealing layer lying on the very inside of the second packaging bag. Therefore, the second layer arrangement preferably has an innermost sealing layer which is monoaxially stretched to guide a tear through the layer arrangement of the second packaging bag.

The first packaging bag, which can be directly touched by the consumer, preferably has a tear-off aid on one edge of the same, for example a notch or an incision running a little way from the edge towards the packaging space. According to the preferred embodiment described above, since the first packaging bag completely surrounds the second packaging bag, a tear initiated in the edge of the first packaging bag first propagates only within the first layer arrangement. In order to be able to initiate a tear in a defined manner in the second packaging bag as well, this can also have a tear-off aid on its edge, preferably on its edge closest to the tear-off aid on the first packaging bag, such as a notch or one from the edge of the second packaging bag a little way to the packaging space towards extending incision or the like. Thus, a tear initiated in the first packaging bag can be propagated over a short distance without tear guidance only in the first packaging bag, until the second packaging bag is reached by the tear, so that as the tear propagates further, the monoaxial stretching of at least one film, preferably exactly one film, in second packaging bag guides the tear when the packaging system is torn open.

In addition or as an alternative to monoaxial stretching for the purpose of guiding cracks, the second layer arrangement and/or a layer of the first layer arrangement that is not involved in the water vapor and/or oxygen barrier layer can preferably be used a material weakening, such as an embossing, a scoring or a perforation. In order to protect the integrity of the respective packaging bag, the weakening of the material, which causes tears, does not completely penetrate the layer arrangement in the thickness direction. The crack-leading material weakness preferably penetrates only the layer containing it in the thickness direction completely or not completely.

In order to provide straight outer edges of the first packaging bag, at least one edge, preferably the top edge, of the film packaging system can be post-processed after its production by cutting with mechanical blades or with blasting tools such as lasers.

Fig. 1

eine grobschematische Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Folienverpackungssystems, und

Fig. 2

eine grobschematische Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittebene II-II durch die zur Bildung des Folienverpackungssystems verwendeten Lagenanordnungen.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

1

a rough schematic plan view of an embodiment of a film packaging system according to the invention, and

2

a rough schematic sectional view along the section plane II-II through the layer arrangements used to form the film packaging system.

The figures 1 and 2 are not to scale.

In figure 1 1 is an embodiment of a film packaging system according to the invention of the present application, generally designated 10. FIG. The film packaging system 10 comprises a first packaging bag 12 and a second packaging bag 16, which is accommodated in the packaging space 14 of the first packaging bag 12 and is therefore only shown in dashed lines.

For the sake of simplifying the description of the present film packaging system, the first packaging bag 12 and the second packaging bag 16 are each shown as a four-edge sealed bag. Each of the two Packaging bag, in particular the first, outer packaging bag 12, could also be a packaging bag of a different shape.

The packaging bag 12, on the front of the viewer of figure 1 is formed from two substantially rectangular pieces of film laminate of a first lamina which are constructed identically as to their plies, and from which the viewer of FIG figure 1 only the film laminate piece 18 forming the front side 12a of the first packaging bag 12 sees.

The two foil laminate pieces are connected to one another by thermal sealing to form the packaging bag 12 along an edge running around the first packaging space 14 . The area where the two pieces of foil laminate are sealed together extends from an outer edge 20 of the pieces of foil laminate to an inner edge 22 of the sealed joint. This area is a first combination area 24 of the film packaging system 10, in which the wall section 26 forming the front side 12a and formed by the film laminate piece 18 is connected to the wall section which is itself covered and forms the rear side.

At the edge 20 is closer to the head-side longitudinal end 12b than the bottom longitudinal end 12c on their figure 1 left side of the first packaging bag 12 has a notch 28 as a tear-off aid. The notch 28 defines a first opening area 30 which completely spans the first packaging bag 12 from the left-hand portion of the edge 20 carrying the notch 28 to the opposite right-hand portion of the edge 20 parallel to the two longitudinal ends 12b and 12c. Provision is made along this opening area 30 for the first packaging bag 12 to be able to be opened by tearing it open.

The second packaging bag 16 accommodated in the first packaging space 14 of the first packaging bag 12 is likewise shown as a four-edge sealed bag merely by way of example. It also has a second packaging space 32, which is peripherally delimited by a sealing area 34 as a second combination area, in which a front wall section 36 of the second packaging bag 16 of a piece of film laminate 38 of a second layer arrangement is connected to a rear wall section, located behind the front wall section 36, of a piece of film laminate of the same construction as the piece of film laminate 38 by thermal sealing.

The second packaging bag 16 also has a notch 40 as a tear-off aid, preferably on its edge section which is closer to the edge section of the first packaging bag 12 with the notch 28 . The notches 28 and 40 are each located the same distance from the bottom longitudinal end 12c so that the second opening area 42 of the second packaging bag 16 defined by the notch 40 completely overlaps with the first opening area 30 of the first packaging bag 12 . The second opening area 40 also completely spans the second packaging bag 16 parallel to both the head-side longitudinal end 12b and the bottom longitudinal end 12c.

The sealed area 34 of the second packaging bag 16 is bounded on the outside by an outer edge 44 of the packaging bag 16 and on the inside by an inner edge 46 of the sealed area.

In order to ensure that the film packaging system 10 can be opened by a single, uniform opening process, in this case: tearing process, the first packaging bag 12 and the second packaging bag are connected to one another in a connecting area 48 .

The connection area 48 can be configured differently. In its smallest extent in terms of surface area, the connection area 48 can only figure 1 cross-hatched portions 48a of the first and second opening areas 30 and 42, respectively, which extend from the outer edge 20 of the first packaging bag 12 to the inner edge 46 of the sealing area 34 of the second packaging bag 16.

The outside of the second film laminate piece 38 is preferably thermally sealed to the inside of the first film laminate piece 18 in this connection area 48 . As an alternative or in addition to thermal sealing, the connection area 48 can be formed partially or completely by interposing an adhesive layer, ie by gluing the outside of the second piece of film laminate 38 to the inside of the first piece of film laminate 18 .

This smallest connecting area 48a can ensure that a tear initiated in the first packaging bag 12 at the notch 28 also continues in the second packaging bag 16 in the area of the notch 40 of the second packaging bag 16 .

In order to ensure that only one of the film laminate pieces 18 and 38, for example by using a monoaxially stretched film in the film laminate piece, guides the opening crack originally introduced into the notch 28 over the greatest possible length in its propagation, the entire first opening region 30 and thus also the entire second opening portion 42 connecting portion. This option of connection area 48 includes in figure 1 the area 48b coinciding with the opening area. The second embodiment of the connecting area 48 as a surface area 48b thus also contains the previously mentioned surface areas 48a.

In order to achieve the most secure possible connection of the first and second packaging bag 12 or 16 to one another, the connection area 48 can comprise further sections. For example, the connecting area 48 can have a surface area 48c located below the surface area 48a and/or a surface area 48d located above the surface area 48a. The surface areas 48c and 48d in turn preferably extend from the outer edge 20 of the first packaging bag to the inner edge 46 of the sealing area 34 of the second packaging bag 16, in order on the one hand to create the largest possible connecting surface between the packaging bags 12 and 16 and on the other hand to reduce the size of the second packaging space 32 Formation of the connection area 48 to avoid.

In particular when the connection area 48 also includes the surface area 48c, the connection area 48 can include the surface section 48e running along the longitudinal end 12b on the head side.

The connecting area 48 preferably runs both in the combination area 24 and in the sealing area 34 in order to connect the two packaging bags 12 and 16 to one another. Deviating from the representation of the preferred embodiment of the connection area 48 in figure 1 the connecting area 48 can be at a distance from the outer edge 20 of the first packaging bag and/or at a distance from the inner edge 46 of the sealing area 34 . In order to achieve a connection that is as secure as possible, however, it is advisable to fully utilize the width dimensions of the combination area 24 and the sealing area 34 for the formation of the connection area 48 .

Where the two packaging bags 12 and 16 are not connected by the connection area 48 , the second packaging bag 16 in the first packaging space 14 lies opposite the first packaging bag 12 in a free area 50 without being connected. However, the second packaging bag 16 is sufficiently immobilized relative to the first packaging bag 12 by the connecting portion 48 .

Another significant advantage of the film packaging system 10 presented here is shown figure 2 . In figure 2 FIG. 12 is a section along section plane II-II through the film packaging system 10 of FIG figure 1 shown roughly schematically, with the connection area 48 in the figure 2 illustrated example contains the area 48b (and consequently also the area 48a). Any sections of film packaging system 10 located behind the cutting plane are shown in figure 2 not of interest and therefore not shown.

the inside figure 2 The cross section shown extends from the outside 12a of the first packaging bag 12 presented to the consumer to the inside 16b of the second packaging bag 16.

The inside 16b of the second packaging bag 16 is preferably formed by a sealable layer 52 made of monoaxially oriented polypropylene. The sealable ply 52 is for bonding to a sealable ply 52 of another piece of film laminate of the same construction. The sheet 52 made of monoaxially oriented polypropylene has a molecular orientation which runs parallel to the longitudinal edges 12b and 12c as a result of the monoaxial stretching. The sealable layer 52 therefore also serves to guide the propagation of an opening crack for opening the film packaging system 10.

The sealable layer 52 is followed from the second packaging space 32 by an adhesion-promoting layer 54, which connects the sealable layer 52 to a polypropylene layer 56, which has a higher temperature resistance than the sealable layer 52. The polypropylene layer 56 can also be monoaxially oriented, in which case it is preferred has an orientation parallel to the molecular orientation of the layer 52 in the foil laminate piece 38 .

The adhesion-promoting layer 54 can be formed, for example, by extruded polypropylene or can be formed from an aliphatic-solvent-containing composition.

The side of the polypropylene layer 56 facing away from the second packaging space 32 forms the outside 16a of the second packaging bag 16.

The inside 12d of the first packaging bag 12 is formed by a sheet 58 of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). This layer provides high strength and provides overall stability and rigidity to the first packaging bag 12 and thus to the film packaging system 10 .

Due to the material compatibility of the film layers 56 and 58 lying directly opposite one another, both of which are made of polypropylene and which are both preferably designed to be sealable, the two films can be connected to one another in the connection area 48 by thermal sealing. In figure 2 is the sealing zone in which the two film layers 56 and 58 are connected to one another are shown vertically hatched and denoted by reference numeral 60 . As an alternative or in addition to thermal sealing, the two film layers 56 and 58 can also be connected to one another by an adhesive layer arranged between them.

On its side pointing away from the sealing zone 60 or generally from the connection with the foil layer 56, the BOPP layer 58 carries a barrier layer 62, for example a vapor-deposited metallization, in particular made of aluminum. Alternatively, the barrier layer can be a ceramic barrier layer, for example made of aluminum oxide or silicon oxide. The barrier layer 62 serves to shield the first packaging space 14 and thus also the second packaging space 32 against the ingress of oxygen and water vapor. This allows packaged goods to be protected from oxidation and moisture.

In the direction away from the first packaging space 14 and from the second packaging space 32, the barrier layer 62 is followed by an adhesion promoting layer 64 which, for example, contains a solvent-free adhesive, in particular polyurethane, with an application weight of, for example, 1 to 2 g/m ² , preferably about 1.5 g /m ² , and which connects the barrier layer 62 to the reverse-printed transparent outer layer 66, preferably also made of BOPP. As a reverse-printed outer layer 66, the outer layer 66 has a print job 68 on its side facing the barrier layer 62, for example in four-color printing. The BOPP outer layer 66, which also has a comparatively high strength, thus protects the print job 68 from undesirable external influences.

Thus, the first packaging bag 12, which itself does not need to be thermally sterilized for the packaging of foodstuffs, has the necessary barrier layer and the print application necessary for communication or information transfer to the consumer. Because the first packaging bag 12 is essentially not thermally stressed, the barrier layer and the print job can be provided in high quality and the polymer layers, here the polymer layers 58 and 66 made of polypropylene, and any existing adhesion promoter and adhesive layers can essentially be formed from standard material compositions.

During the manufacture of the film packaging system 10, only the second, inner packaging bag 16, which accommodates the goods that are actually to be packaged, is subject to thermal stress. However, the second packaging bag 16 can easily be thermally sterilized and thus thermally stressed because, firstly, it is not visible from the outside because of the first, preferably opaque, packaging bag 12 surrounding it and, secondly, it can be made of materials such as cast polypropylene , which easily withstand the thermal stress of sterilization, especially in retort sterilization processes. The second packaging bag 16 does not have to have any special optical properties or special barrier properties and can therefore also essentially be formed from standard material compositions.

In addition, not only does each individual packaging bag 12 and 16 of the film packaging system 10 consist predominantly of polypropylene and thus of a polymer of the same monomer, but consequently the film packaging system 10 as a whole consists predominantly of polypropylene. The film packaging system 10 can therefore simply be fed into a recycling process in its entirety after use. This recycling works all the better the more homogeneous the film packaging system 10 is. Initial tests have shown that with an excellent external shape and coloration through print application and at the same time excellent barrier properties, the film packaging system 10 can be formed from more than 90% by weight, even up to more than 97% by weight, from polypropylene. According to the current regulations, it is therefore considered a monomaterial.

Claims (15)

Film packaging system (10), in particular for packaging human or animal foodstuffs, comprising a first, outer packaging bag (12) with a first, outer layer arrangement (18), and a second, inner packaging bag (16) with a second, inner layer arrangement (38 ), wherein the first packaging bag (12) surrounds a first packaging space (14) in which the second packaging bag (16) is accommodated, and wherein the second packaging bag (16) surrounds a second packaging space (32) which is designed to accommodate a packaged item is,
characterized in that the first and the second packaging bag (12, 16) are connected to one another in a connection area (48) of the film packaging system (10). Film packaging system (10) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the connection of the first and the second packaging bag (12, 16) in the connection area (48) by thermal sealing and/or by gluing opposite film layers (56, 58) of the first and the second packaging bag (12, 16) is formed. Film packaging system (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the first packaging bag (12) has a first opening area (30) and the second packaging bag (16) has a second opening area (42), which opening areas (30, 42) are designed and provided for the purpose of opening the respective packaging bag (12 , 16), the connecting area (48) extending at least in sections over both the first and the second opening area (30, 42). Film packaging system (10) according to claim 3,
characterized in that both the first and second opening areas (30, 42) are located entirely in the connection area (48). Film packaging system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the film packaging system (10) additionally has a free area (50) in which a section of the second packaging bag (16) lies opposite a section of the first packaging bag (12) unconnected. Film packaging system (10) according to claim 5,
characterized in that in the free area (50) in the packaging space (14) of the first packaging bag (12) an object different from the second packaging bag and/or a gas different from ambient air is accommodated. Film packaging system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first packaging bag (12) has at least two wall sections (26) each formed from the first layer arrangement (18), the film packaging system (10) having a first combination region (24). in which the at least two wall sections (26) of the first packaging bag (12) are connected to form the first packaging space (14), wherein at least a section of the first combination area (24) is located in the connection area (48). Film packaging system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second packaging bag (16) has at least two wall sections (36) each formed from the second layer arrangement (38), the film packaging system (10) having a second combination region (34). , In which the at least two wall sections (36) of the second packaging bag (16) to form the second packaging space (32) are connected to one another, wherein at least a portion of the second combination area (44) is located in the connection area (48). Film packaging system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first layer arrangement (18) and the second layer arrangement (38) differ with regard to at least one of the following parameters: - barrier effect against the passage of water vapor and/or oxygen, - barrier effect against the passage of fats and/or oils, - barrier effect against the passage of light from outside to inside, - barrier effect against the packaged product showing through from the inside to the outside, - Printing with print order (68), - Stretching of at least one film layer. Film packaging system (10) according to claim 9,
characterized in that the first layer arrangement (18) has a metallic and/or a metallized and/or a ceramic barrier layer (62). Film packaging system (10) according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized in that the first layer arrangement (18) has a print job (68) in reverse printing or straight printing. Film packaging system (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
characterized in that the first layer arrangement (18) comprises at least one stretched polymer layer (58, 66), the stretched polymer layer (58, 66) being monoaxially or preferably biaxially stretched. Film packaging system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 85% by weight, of the first layer arrangement (18) is particularly preferred at least 90% by weight is formed from polymers of the same monomer, or/and that the second layer arrangement (38) is formed to an extent of at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 85% by weight, particularly preferably at least 90% by weight formed from polymers of the same monomer, most preferably the predominant monomer of the first packaging bag (12) being the same as the predominant monomer of the second packaging bag (16). Film packaging system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second layer arrangement (38) has a sealing layer (52) lying on the very inside and a polymer layer (56) lying further on the outside connected to this and having a higher temperature resistance than that of the sealing layer (52 ) having. Film packaging system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second layer arrangement (38) has an innermost sealing layer (52) which is monoaxially stretched to guide a tear through the layer arrangement of the second packaging bag.

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