Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

WO2018191942A1 - Process for producing flexible containers - Google Patents

Process for producing flexible containers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018191942A1
WO2018191942A1 PCT/CN2017/081399 CN2017081399W WO2018191942A1 WO 2018191942 A1 WO2018191942 A1 WO 2018191942A1 CN 2017081399 W CN2017081399 W CN 2017081399W WO 2018191942 A1 WO2018191942 A1 WO 2018191942A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
blade member
web
flexible container
continuous web
ethylene
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2017/081399
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Fei Chen
Bin Li
Xun De PENG
Original Assignee
Dow Global Technologies Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dow Global Technologies Llc filed Critical Dow Global Technologies Llc
Priority to CN201780089107.XA priority Critical patent/CN110461717A/en
Priority to PCT/CN2017/081399 priority patent/WO2018191942A1/en
Publication of WO2018191942A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018191942A1/en

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/74—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area
    • B29C65/745—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool
    • B29C65/7451—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by welding and severing, or by joining and severing, the severing being performed in the area to be joined, next to the area to be joined, in the joint area or next to the joint area using a single unit having both a severing tool and a welding tool the severing tool and the welding tool being movable with respect to one-another
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7858—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus characterised by the feeding movement of the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/7888—Means for handling of moving sheets or webs
    • B29C65/7891—Means for handling of moving sheets or webs of discontinuously moving sheets or webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/133—Fin-type joints, the parts to be joined being flexible
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/24—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight
    • B29C66/242—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/24—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight
    • B29C66/244—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being non-straight, e.g. forming non-closed contours
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81427—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81431—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B29C66/83221—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis cooperating reciprocating tools, each tool reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/851—Bag or container making machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/14—Cutting, e.g. perforating, punching, slitting or trimming
    • B31B70/16—Cutting webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/60—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping
    • B31B70/64—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping by applying heat or pressure
    • B31B70/642—Uniting opposed surfaces or edges; Taping by applying heat or pressure using sealing jaws or sealing dies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
    • B32B27/08—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/18—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/18—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives
    • B32B27/20—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B32B27/306—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B32B27/308—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising acrylic (co)polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
    • B32B27/327—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins comprising polyolefins obtained by a metallocene or single-site catalyst
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
    • B32B27/34—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyamides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
    • B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/54—Cards, coupons, or other inserts or accessories
    • B65D75/56—Handles or other suspension means
    • B65D75/563—Integral handles or suspension means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C2795/00—Printing on articles made from plastics or substances in a plastic state
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/532—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/5326—Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars said single elements being substantially flat
    • B29C66/53261—Enclosing tubular articles between substantially flat elements
    • B29C66/53262—Enclosing spouts between the walls of bags, e.g. of medical bags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/731—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7311—Thermal properties
    • B29C66/73115—Melting point
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/731—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7313—Density
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/735—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7352—Thickness, e.g. very thin
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8122—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8126—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81264—Mechanical properties, e.g. hardness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/0088—Blends of polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
    • B31B2160/20—Shape of flexible containers with structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/03—3 layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/04—4 layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/05—5 or more layers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
    • B32B2250/24—All layers being polymeric
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2270/00—Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/30—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular thermal properties
    • B32B2307/31—Heat sealable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/40—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular optical properties
    • B32B2307/402—Coloured
    • B32B2307/4026—Coloured within the layer by addition of a colorant, e.g. pigments, dyes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/50—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular mechanical properties
    • B32B2307/546—Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/732—Dimensional properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2307/70—Other properties
    • B32B2307/75—Printability
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2439/00—Containers; Receptacles

Definitions

  • the heat seal apparatus includes seal plates for heat sealing a continuous web of multi-ply flexible films in the form of four-sided flexible containers.
  • the heat seal apparatus also includes an oscillating, movable cutting element that rapidly and repeatedly cuts and separates the flexible containers once they are formed in the web.
  • the cutting element experiences significant wear and damage due to repeated contact with other metal components of the heat seal apparatus. Wear and damage of the cutting element is detrimental because it halts production, increases downtime, and increases repair and maintenance costs.
  • a process for producing a flexible container includes (A) providing a heat seal apparatus having (i) a first seal plate structure comprising a movable blade member and (ii) an opposing second seal plate structure comprising a channel aligned with the blade member. A bumper member is located in the channel.
  • the process includes (B) placing a continuous web between the seal plate structures.
  • the continuous web includes a plurality of multilayer films.
  • the process includes (C) moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position and (D) cutting the continuous web with the blade member.
  • the process includes (E) contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heat seal apparatus and a blade member in a retracted position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the heat seal apparatus of Fig. 1 with the blade member in an extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the heat seal apparatus of Fig. 2 with the blade member returning to the retracted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of Area 4 of Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 4A is a sectional view taken along line 4A—4A of Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 4B is a sectional view of a prior art heat seal apparatus that has no bumper member.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a four-sided flexible container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the numerical ranges disclosed herein include all values from, and including, the lower value and the upper value.
  • explicit values e.g., 1 or 2, or 3 to 5, or 6, or 7
  • any subrange between any two explicit values is included (e.g., 1 to 2; 2 to 6; 5 to 7; 3 to 7; 5 to 6; etc. ) .
  • composition refers to a mixture of materials which comprise the composition, as well as reaction products and decomposition products formed from the materials of the composition.
  • compositions claimed through use of the term “comprising” may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary.
  • the term, “consisting essentially of” excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability.
  • the term “consisting of” excludes any component, step or procedure not specifically delineated or listed.
  • Density is measured in accordance with ASTM D 792 with values reported in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc or g/cm 3 ) .
  • Elastic recovery is measured as follows. Stress-strain behavior in uniaxial tension is measured using an Instron TM universal testing machine at 300%min ⁇ 1 deformation rate at 21°C. The 300%elastic recovery is determined from a loading followed by unloading cycle to 300%strain, using ASTM D 1708 microtensile specimens. Percent recovery for all experiments is calculated after the unloading cycle using the strain at which the load returned to the base line. The percent recovery is defined as:
  • Ef is the strain taken for cyclic loading
  • Es is the strain where the load returns to the baseline after the unloading cycle.
  • ethylene-based polymer is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers) and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer.
  • Ethylene-based polymer includes ethylene homopolymer, and ethylene copolymer (meaning units derived from ethylene and one or more comonomers) .
  • the terms "ethylene-based polymer” and “polyethylene” may be used interchangeably.
  • Non-limiting examples of ethylene-based polymer (polyethylene) include low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear polyethylene.
  • Non- limiting examples of linear polyethylene include linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) , ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE) , very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) , multi-component ethylene-based copolymer (EPE) , ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin multi-block copolymers (also known as olefin block copolymer (OBC) ) , single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) , substantially linear, or linear, plastomers/elastomers, and high density polyethylene (HDPE) .
  • LLDPE linear low density polyethylene
  • ULDPE ultra low density polyethylene
  • VLDPE very low density polyethylene
  • EPE multi-component ethylene-based copolymer
  • EPE ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin multi-block copolymers
  • OBC olefin block copolymer
  • m-LLDPE single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylene
  • polyethylene may be produced in gas-phase, fluidized bed reactors, liquid phase slurry process reactors, or liquid phase solution process reactors, using a heterogeneous catalyst system, such as Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a homogeneous catalyst system, comprising Group 4 transition metals and ligand structures such as metallocene, non-metallocene metal-centered, heteroaryl, heterovalent aryloxyether, phosphinimine, and others.
  • a heterogeneous catalyst system such as Ziegler-Natta catalyst
  • a homogeneous catalyst system comprising Group 4 transition metals and ligand structures such as metallocene, non-metallocene metal-centered, heteroaryl, heterovalent aryloxyether, phosphinimine, and others.
  • a heterogeneous catalyst system such as Ziegler-Natta catalyst
  • a homogeneous catalyst system comprising Group 4 transition metals and ligand structures such as metallocene, non-metallocene metal-centered,
  • High density polyethylene (or “HDPE” ) is an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin copolymer with at least one C 4 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or C 4 ⁇ -olefin comonomer and a density from greater than 0.94 g/cc, or 0.945 g/cc, or 0.95 g/cc, or 0.955 g/cc to 0.96 g/cc, or 0.97 g/cc, or 0.98 g/cc.
  • the HDPE can be a monomodal copolymer or a multimodal copolymer.
  • a “monomodal ethylene copolymer” is an ethylene/C 4 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin copolymer that has one distinct peak in a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showing the molecular weight distribution.
  • a “multimodal ethylene copolymer” is an ethylene/C 4 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin copolymer that has at least two distinct peaks in a GPC showing the molecular weight distribution. Multimodal includes copolymer having two peaks (bimodal) as well as copolymer having more than two peaks.
  • HDPE High Density Polyethylene
  • ELITE TM Enhanced Polyethylene Resins available from The Dow Chemical Company
  • CONTINUUM TM Bimodal Polyethylene Resins available from The Dow Chemical Company
  • LUPOLEN TM available from LyondellBasell
  • HDPE products from Borealis, Ineos, and ExxonMobil.
  • Low density polyethylene (or “LDPE” ) consists of ethylene homopolymer, or ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin copolymer comprising at least one C 3 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin, preferably C 3 –C 4 that has a density from 0.915 g/cc to 0.940 g/cc and contains long chain branching with broad MWD.
  • LDPE is typically produced by way of high pressure free radical polymerization (tubular reactor or autoclave with free radical initiator) .
  • Nonlimiting examples of LDPE include MarFlex TM (Chevron Phillips) , LUPOLEN TM (LyondellBasell) , as well as LDPE products from Borealis, Ineos, ExxonMobil, and others.
  • Linear low density polyethylene (or “LLDPE” ) is a linear ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin copolymer containing heterogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C 3 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin comonomer or at least one C 4 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 6 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer.
  • LLDPE is characterized by little, if any, long chain branching, in contrast to conventional LDPE.
  • LLDPE has a density from 0.910 g/cc, or 0.915 g/cc, or 0.920 g/cc, or 0.925 g/cc to 0.930 g/cc, or 0.935 g/cc, or 0.940 g/cc.
  • Nonlimiting examples of LLDPE include TUFLIN TM linear low density polyethylene resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , DOWLEX TM polyethylene resins (available from the Dow Chemical Company) , and MARLEX TM polyethylene (available from Chevron Phillips) .
  • ULDPE Ultra low density polyethylene
  • VLDPE very low density polyethylene
  • ULDPE and VLDPE each is a linear ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin copolymer containing heterogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C 3 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 4 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 6 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer.
  • ULDPE and VLDPE each has a density from 0.885 g/cc, or 0.90 g/cc to 0.915 g/cc.
  • Nonlimiting examples of ULDPE and VLDPE include ATTANE TM ultra low density polyethylene resins (available form The Dow Chemical Company) and FLEXOMER TM very low density polyethylene resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) .
  • Multi-component ethylene-based copolymer comprises units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C 3 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 4 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 6 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, such as described in patent references USP 6, 111, 023; USP 5, 677, 383; and USP 6, 984, 695.
  • EPE resins have a density from 0.905 g/cc, or 0.908 g/cc, or 0.912 g/cc, or 0.920 g/cc to 0.926 g/cc, or 0.929 g/cc, or 0.940 g/cc, or 0.962 g/cc.
  • EPE resins include ELITE TM enhanced polyethylene (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , ELITE AT TM advanced technology resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , SURPASS TM Polyethylene (PE) Resins (available from Nova Chemicals) , and SMART TM (available from SK Chemicals Co. ) .
  • Single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylenes are linear ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin copolymers containing homogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C 3 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 4 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 6 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer.
  • m-LLDPE has a density from 0.913 g/cc, or 0.918 g/cc, or 0.920 g/cc to 0.925 g/cc, or 0.940 g/cc.
  • Nonlimiting examples of m-LLDPE include EXCEED TM metallocene PE (available from ExxonMobil Chemical) , LUFLEXEN TM m-LLDPE (available from LyondellBasell) , and ELTEX TM PF m-LLDPE (available from Ineos Olefins &Polymers) .
  • Ethylene plastomers/elastomers are substantially linear, or linear, ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin copolymers containing homogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C 3 –C 10 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 4 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer, or at least one C 6 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin comonomer.
  • Ethylene plastomers/elastomers have a density from 0.870 g/cc, or 0.880 g/cc, or 0.890 g/cc to 0.900 g/cc, or 0.902 g/cc, or 0.904 g/cc, or 0.909 g/cc, or 0.910 g/cc, or 0.917 g/cc.
  • Nonlimiting examples of ethylene plastomers/elastomers include AFFINITY TM plastomers and elastomers (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , EXACT TM Plastomers (available from ExxonMobil Chemical) , Tafmer TM (available from Mitsui) , Nexlene TM (available from SK Chemicals Co. ) , and Lucene TM (available LG Chem Ltd. ) .
  • Melt flow rate is measured in accordance with ASTM D 1238, Condition 280°C/2.16 kg (g/10 minutes) .
  • MI Melt index
  • Shore A hardness is measured in accordance with ASTM D 2240.
  • Tm or “melting point” as used herein is typically measured by the DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) technique for measuring the melting points or peaks of polyolefins as described in USP 5, 783, 638. It should be noted that many blends comprising two or more polyolefins will have more than one melting point or peak, many individual polyolefins will comprise only one melting point or peak.
  • olefin-based polymer as used herein is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized olefin monomer (based on total amount of polymerizable monomers) , and optionally, may contain at least one comonomer.
  • olefin-based polymer include ethylene-based polymer and propylene-based polymer.
  • a "polymer” is a compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or a different type, that in polymerized form provide the multiple and/or repeating “units” or “mer units” that make up a polymer.
  • the generic term polymer thus embraces the term homopolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, and the term copolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from at least two types of monomers. It also embraces all forms of copolymer, e.g., random, block, etc.
  • ethylene/ ⁇ -olefin polymer and “propylene/ ⁇ -olefin polymer” are indicative of copolymer as described above prepared from polymerizing ethylene or propylene respectively and one or more additional, polymerizable ⁇ -olefin monomer.
  • a polymer is often referred to as being “made of” one or more specified monomers, “based on” a specified monomer or monomer type, “containing” a specified monomer content, or the like, in this context the term “monomer” is understood to be referring to the polymerized remnant of the specified monomer and not to the unpolymerized species.
  • polymers herein are referred to has being based on “units” that are the polymerized form of a corresponding monomer.
  • a “propylene-based polymer” is a polymer that contains more than 50 mole percent polymerized propylene monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer.
  • a process for producing a flexible container includes (A) providing a heat seal apparatus having (i) a first seal plate structure comprising a movable blade member and (ii) an opposing second seal plate structure comprising a channel aligned with the blade member. A bumper member is located in the channel.
  • the process includes (B) placing a continuous web between the seal plate structures.
  • the continuous web includes a plurality of multilayer films.
  • the process includes (C) moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position.
  • the process includes (D) cutting the continuous web with the moving of the blade member.
  • the process includes (E) contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position.
  • the present process includes providing a heat seal apparatus.
  • Figs. 1-4 show heat seal apparatus 10 having a first seal plate structure 12 and a second seal plate structure 14.
  • the second seal plate structure 14 is in opposing relation to the first seal plate structure 12.
  • a continuous web 15 composed of multilayer films passes between the first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14.
  • the heat seal apparatus 10 includes suitable structure and mechanism (i) to apply heat seals to the continuous web 15, and (ii) to move the seal plate structures 12, 14 toward and away from each other in order to perform a heat sealing procedure.
  • the seal plate structures 12, 14 operate in concert to form heat seals in the continuous web 15.
  • the heat sealing procedure bonds adjacent flexible multilayer films present in the continuous web to each other in order to form flexible containers within the continuous web 15 as will be discussed below.
  • the first seal plate structure 12 includes a blade member 16.
  • the blade member 16 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position as shown in Figs. 1-4 and described in detail below.
  • the blade member 16 includes an arm 17 and a cutting edge 18 for cutting the continuous web 15.
  • the arm 17 is operatively connected to suitable structure and mechanism (not shown) for moving the blade member 16 between the retracted position and the extended position.
  • the first seal plate structure 12 includes a port 20 for egress/ingress of the blade member 16 as the blade member 16 moves from the retracted position to the extended position and return.
  • the blade member 16 has a cutting edge that includes serrated teeth 19, best seen in Fig. 4.
  • the second seal plate structure 14 includes a channel 22.
  • the channel 22 is in registration with the blade member 16.
  • the channel 22 is formed into the second plate structure 14 so that the channel 22 is aligned to receive the blade member 16 when the blade member 16 moves to the extended position.
  • a bumper member 24 is present in the channel 22.
  • a “bumper member, ” as used herein, is an object for absorbing shock and/or preventing damage to the blade member 16.
  • the bumper member 24 is a strip of elastomeric material that extends along some of, or all, the length of the channel 22.
  • An “elastomeric material, ” as used herein, is a rubber-like polymeric material that can be stretched to at least twice its original length and which retracts very rapidly to approximately its original length when the force exerting the stretching is released.
  • the elastomeric material has a hardness from Shore 60A, or 70A, or 80A to 90A or 100A.
  • Nonlimiting examples of suitable elastomeric material for the bumper member include silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, and combinations thereof.
  • the elastomeric material for the bumper member is a silicone rubber having a hardness from Shore 70A, or 75A, or 80A, or 85A to 90A, or 95A, or 100A.
  • the process includes placing a continuous web between the first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14.
  • Figs. 1-3 show a continuous web 15 (or “web” ) placed between, or otherwise passing through, the first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14.
  • the continuous web 15 is a multi-ply web formed from four individual continuous feeds of multilayer film.
  • Fig. 1 shows web 15 composed of four individual flexible multilayer films 1, 2, 3, 4 (hereafter “film, ” or multilayer film” ) .
  • Each film 1, 2, 3, 4 is a continuous film, thereby making the web 15 a continuous web that is multi-ply in structure.
  • Film 1 is the first ply
  • film 2 is the second ply
  • film 3 is the third ply
  • film 4 is the fourth ply.
  • Each film forms a respective panel (front panel, first side panel, second side panel, rear panel) in the finished flexible container.
  • the composition and structure for each flexible multilayer film can be the same or different.
  • Film 2 and film 3 each is sandwiched between front film 1 and rear film 4. Films 2, 3 are folded in half at respective fold lines 2A, 3A. The two fold lines meet at the web’s (the flexible containers) midline. In the completed flexible container, film 2 and film 3 form the side panels which expand, providing the flexible container with its cube-shape volume.
  • each flexible multilayer film 1, 2, 3, 4 has at or at least two, or at least three layers.
  • Each flexible film is resilient, flexible, deformable, and pliable.
  • the structure and composition of each flexible multilayer film 1, 2, 3, 4 may be the same or may be different.
  • each film 1, 2, 3, 4 can be different, each film having a unique structure and/or unique composition, finish, or print.
  • each film 1, 2, 3, 4 can be the same structure and the same composition.
  • each film 1, 2, 3, 4 has the same structure and the same composition.
  • Each flexible multilayer film 1, 2, 3, 4 is composed of a polymeric material.
  • suitable polymeric material include olefin-based polymer; propylene-based polymer; ethylene-based polymer; polyamide (such as nylon) , ethylene-acrylic acid or ethylene-methacrylic acid and their ionomers with zinc, sodium, lithium, potassium, or magnesium salts; ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers; and blends thereof.
  • the flexible multilayer film can be either printable or compatible to receive a pressure sensitive label or other type of label for displaying of indicia on the final flexible container.
  • each flexible multilayer film 1, 2, 3, 4 includes at least three layers: (i) an outermost layer, (ii) one or more core layers, and (iii) an innermost seal layer.
  • the outermost layer (i) and the innermost seal layer (iii) are surface layers with the one or more core layers (ii) sandwiched between the surface layers.
  • the outermost layer may include (a-i) a HDPE, (b-ii) a propylene-based polymer, or combinations of (a-i) and (b-ii) , alone, or with other olefin-based polymers such as LDPE.
  • suitable propylene-based polymers include propylene homopolymer, random propylene/ ⁇ -olefin copolymer (majority amount propylene with less than 10 weight percent ethylene comonomer) , and propylene impact copolymer (heterophasic propylene/ethylene copolymer rubber phase dispersed in a matrix phase) .
  • the number of total layers in each multilayer film 1-4 can be from three layers (one core layer) , or four layers (two core layers) , or five layers (three core layers, or six layers (four core layers) , or seven layers (five core layers) to eight layers (six core layers) , or nine layers (seven core layers) , or ten layers (eight core layers) , or eleven layers (nine core layers) , or more.
  • Each multilayer film 1-4 has a thickness from 75 microns, or 100 microns, or 125 microns, or 150 microns to 200 microns, or 250 microns or 300 microns or 350 microns, or 400 microns.
  • Each multilayer film 1-4 can be (i) coextuded, (ii) laminated, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) .
  • each multilayer film is a coextruded multilayer film.
  • each multilayer film 1, 2, 3, 4 is a flexible multilayer film having the same structure and the same composition.
  • Film layers can comprise, in addition to the polymeric materials, additives such as stabilizers, slip additives, antiblocking additives, process aids, clarifiers, nucleators, pigments or colorants, fillers and reinforcing agents, and the like as commonly used in the packaging industry. It is particularly useful to choose additives and polymeric materials that have suitable organoleptic and/or optical properties.
  • the outermost layer includes a HDPE.
  • the HDPE is a substantially linear multi-component ethylene-based copolymer (EPE) such as ELITE TM resin provided by The Dow Chemical Company.
  • each core layer includes one or more linear or substantially linear ethylene-based polymers or block copolymers having a density from 0.908 g/cc, or 0.912 g/cc, or 0.92 g/cc, or 0.921 g/cc to 0.925 g/cc, or less than 0.93 g/cc.
  • each of the one or more core layers includes one or more ethylene/C 3 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin copolymers selected from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) , ultralow density polyethylene (ULDPE) , very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) , EPE, olefin block copolymer (OBC) , plastomers/elastomers, and single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylenes (m-LLDPE) .
  • LLDPE linear low density polyethylene
  • ULDPE ultralow density polyethylene
  • VLDPE very low density polyethylene
  • EPE olefin block copolymer
  • plastomers/elastomers plastomers/elastomers
  • m-LLDPE single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylenes
  • the seal layer includes one or more ethylene-based polymer (s) having a density from 0.86 g/cc, or 0.87 g/cc, or 0.875 g/cc, or 0.88 g/cc, or 0.89 g/cc to 0.90 g/cc, or 0.902 g/cc, or 0.91 g/cc, or 0.92 g/cc.
  • the seal layer includes one or more ethylene/C 3 –C 8 ⁇ -olefin copolymer selected from EPE, plastomers/elastomers, or m-LLDPE.
  • each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a coextruded film
  • the seal layer is composed of an ethylene-based polymer, such as a linear or a substantially linear polymer, or a single-site catalyzed linear or substantially linear polymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin monomer such as 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene, having a Tm from 55°C to 115°Cand a density from 0.865 to 0.925 g/cm 3 , or from 0.875 to 0.910 g/cm 3 , or from 0.888 to 0.900 g/cm 3 and the outer layer is composed of a polyamide having a Tm from 170°C to 270°C.
  • each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is composed of an ethylene-based polymer.
  • each multilayer film includes a seal layer, a core layer, and an outer layer and each of the seal layer, the core layer, and the outer layer is composed of an ethylene-based polymer.
  • each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a coextruded and/or laminated five layer, or a coextruded (or laminated) seven layer film having at least one layer containing OPET or OPP.
  • each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a coextruded (or laminated) five layer, or a coextruded (or laminated) seven layer film having at least one layer containing polyamide.
  • each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a seven-layer coextruded (or laminated) film with a seal layer composed of an ethylene-based polymer, or a linear or substantially linear polymer, or a single-site catalyzed linear or substantially linear polymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin monomer such as 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene, having a Tm from 90°C to 106°C.
  • the outer layer is a polyamide having a Tm from 170°C to 270°C.
  • the film has an inner layer (first inner layer) composed of a second ethylene-based polymer, different than the ethylene-based polymer in the seal layer.
  • the film has an inner layer (second inner layer) composed of a polyamide the same or different to the polyamide in the outer layer.
  • the seven layer film has a thickness from 100 micrometers to 250 micrometers.
  • the process includes heat sealing, before moving the blade member, the continuous web with the heat seal apparatus and forming a plurality of continuous flexible containers in the web.
  • the first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14 move toward each other to sandwich and compress the web 15 under heat and pressure, thereby forming heat seals in the web.
  • Arrows C show first seal plate structure 12 moving away from second seal plate structure 14 after heat sealing the web 15.
  • the heat sealing procedure forms heat seals 25 between adjoining films in the web 15.
  • the heat seals 25 create, or otherwise define, a first flexible container 26 and a second flexible container 30 in the web 15.
  • the first flexible container 26 is connected to the second flexible container 30 because each flexible container 26, 30 is a component of the continuous web 15.
  • the present process includes moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position.
  • Fig. 1 shows the blade member 16 in a retracted position A.
  • the blade member 16 When in the retracted position A, the blade member 16 is stowed, or otherwise is nested, within the port 20. In the retracted position A, the blade member 16 does not contact the continuous web 15.
  • the blade member 16 moves from the retracted position A to an extended position B.
  • arrow D shows the arm 17 moving out of the port 20, away from the first seal plate structure 12 and towards the second seal plate structure 14.
  • the arm 17 moves in a perpendicular, or a substantially perpendicular, motion with respect to the vertical, or substantially vertical, seal plate structures 12, 14.
  • the blade member 16 arrives at extended position B when the cutting edge 18 contacts the bumper member 24 as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 4A.
  • the present process includes cutting the continuous web, by way of the blade member movement.
  • Arrow D in Fig. 2 shows the blade member 16 projecting outward from the port 20 and moving away from the retracted position A.
  • the blade member 16 contacts the continuous web 15.
  • the serrated teeth 19 of the blade member 16 pierce and cut the continuous web 15 as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the arm 17 of the blade member 16 extends further with continued motion toward the second seal plate structure 14.
  • the blade member 16 is aligned with, and in the same horizontal plane as, the channel 22. Arriving at the second seal plate member 14, the blade member 16 is in registration with the channel 22. The blade member 16 reaches the extended position B when the serrated teeth 19 contact the bumper member 24 as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 4A.
  • the present process includes contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position.
  • Figs. 4 and 4A show the cutting edge 18 enters the channel 22 and the serrated teeth 19 contact the bumper member 24 at the extended position B.
  • the elastomeric material of the bumper member 24 absorbs the impact of the advancing and projecting serrated teeth 19. The bumper member 24 prevents contact between the blade member 16 and the second seal plate structure 14 when the blade member is at the extended position B.
  • the second seal plate structure 14 is composed of a metal and the cutting edge 18 of the blade member 16 is made of metal.
  • suitable metals for the second seal plate structure and/or the cutting edge include, steel, aluminum, and combinations thereof.
  • the bumper member 24 prevents metal-to-metal contact between the cutting edge 18 and the second seal plate structure 14 as shown in Figs. 4 and 4A.
  • Fig. 4B is a representation of a prior art heat seal apparatus, 110.
  • Prior art heat seal apparatus 110 includes opposing seal plate structures as disclosed above, with a second seal plate structure 114 shown in Fig. 4B.
  • the second seal plate structure 114 has a channel 122.
  • the second seal plate structure 114 lacks, or otherwise is void of, a bumper member.
  • an arm 117 of blade member 116 extends to cut the web 115, the cutting edge 118 of the blade member 116 continues advancement toward the second seal plate structure 114. Impact occurs between the cutting edge 118 and the channe1 122 of the second seal plate structure 114. This contact between the bare cutting edge 118 and the second seal plate structure 114 (channel 122) is detrimental to the blade member.
  • bumper member 24 in the channel 22 advantageously eliminates, or otherwise prevents, contact between the cutting edge of the blade member and the channel. Elimination of this contact between the cutting edge 18 and the channel 22 reduces the wear and tear on the cutting edge, which concomitantly reduces, or eliminates, damage to the blade member 16, and increases the longevity of the blade member 16.
  • Arrow E in Fig. 3 shows the return motion of the blade member 16 from the extended position B (cutting edge in contact with the bumper member) back to the retracted position A.
  • the blade member 16 retracts from the extended positon B and returns to the retracted position A, with the blade member 16 stowed in the port 20.
  • the movement of the blade member 16 from the retracted position A to extended position B and return from the extended position B to the retracted positon A occurs in a time duration from 0.05 seconds, or 0.1 seconds, or 0.2 seconds, or 0.3 seconds to 0.5 seconds, or 0.7 seconds, to 1.0 seconds.
  • a grip module 40 Upon the return of the blade member 16 to the retracted position A, a grip module 40 clamps, or otherwise securely grasps the now-separated web portions, lower web portion 42 and upper web portion 44.
  • the grip module 40 advances each web portion for further processing as shown by arrows F in Fig. 3. Fabrication continues and is completed with production of stand-alone flexible container 210, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the web 15 includes first flexible container 26 with a bottom portion 27 as best seen in Fig. 4.
  • the second flexible container 30 includes a top portion 31.
  • the process includes cutting, with extension of the blade member 16 to extended position B (as described above) , the web 15 between the bottom portion 27 of the first flexible container 26 and the top portion 31 of the second flexible container 30.
  • the bottom portion 27 includes a bottom handle 28.
  • the top portion 31 includes a top handle 32. The process includes cutting the web 15 between the bottom handle 28 of the first flexible container 26 and the top handle 32 of the second flexible container 30.
  • the continuous web 15 is composed of four films, film 1, 2, 3, 4.
  • the heat seal apparatus 10 heat seals the web 15 to form flexible container 26 and flexible container 30.
  • the process includes separating, with the cutting step, flexible container 26 from flexible container 30.
  • the process includes forming stand-alone four-sided flexible container 210 from flexible container 26.
  • Fig. 5 shows flexible container 210 includes four panels, a first side panel 218 (film 2) , a second side panel (film 3, not shown) , a front panel 220 (film 1) and a rear panel 222 (film 4) .
  • the flexible container includes a rigid fitment 224, a bottom handle 228, and a top handle 232.
  • the flexible container 210 is a stand-up container (or “SUP. ” )

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)

Abstract

A process for producing a flexible container is provided and includes: A. providing a heat seal apparatus having a first seal plate structure comprising a movable blade member and an opposing second seal plate structure comprising a channel aligned with the blade member, and a bumper member located in the channel; B. placing a continuous web between the seal plate structures, the web comprising a plurality of multilayer films; C. moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position; D. cutting the continuous web with the blade member; and E. contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position. The process can reduce wear and damage to the cutting element of the heat seal apparatus.

Description

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS
Known is an incumbent heat seal apparatus for the production of four-sided flexible containers. The heat seal apparatus includes seal plates for heat sealing a continuous web of multi-ply flexible films in the form of four-sided flexible containers. The heat seal apparatus also includes an oscillating, movable cutting element that rapidly and repeatedly cuts and separates the flexible containers once they are formed in the web.
The cutting element experiences significant wear and damage due to repeated contact with other metal components of the heat seal apparatus. Wear and damage of the cutting element is detrimental because it halts production, increases downtime, and increases repair and maintenance costs. A need exists for a process for producing a four-sided flexible container that reduces wear and damage to the cutting element of the heat seal apparatus.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, a process for producing a flexible container is provided and includes (A) providing a heat seal apparatus having (i) a first seal plate structure comprising a movable blade member and (ii) an opposing second seal plate structure comprising a channel aligned with the blade member. A bumper member is located in the channel. The process includes (B) placing a continuous web between the seal plate structures. The continuous web includes a plurality of multilayer films. The process includes (C) moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position and (D) cutting the continuous web with the blade member. The process includes (E) contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heat seal apparatus and a blade member in a retracted position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the heat seal apparatus of Fig. 1 with the blade member in an extended position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the heat seal apparatus of Fig. 2 with the blade member returning to the retracted position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of Area 4 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4A is a sectional view taken along line 4A—4A of Fig. 4.
Fig. 4B is a sectional view of a prior art heat seal apparatus that has no bumper member.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a four-sided flexible container, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DEFINITIONS
All references to the Periodic Table of the Elements herein shall refer to the Periodic Table of the Elements, published and copyrighted by CRC Press, Inc., 2003. Also, any references to a Group or Groups shall be to the Groups or Groups reflected in this Periodic Table of the Elements using the IUPAC system for numbering groups. Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percents are based on weight. For purposes of United States patent practice, the contents of any patent, patent application, or publication referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety (or the equivalent US version thereof is so incorporated by reference) , especially with respect to the disclosure of synthetic techniques, definitions (to the extent not inconsistent with any definitions provided herein) and general knowledge in the art.
The numerical ranges disclosed herein include all values from, and including, the lower value and the upper value. For ranges containing explicit values (e.g., 1 or 2, or 3 to 5, or 6, or 7) any subrange between any two explicit values is included (e.g., 1 to 2； 2 to 6； 5 to 7； 3 to 7； 5 to 6； etc. ) .
Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percents are based on weight, and all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure.
The term "composition, ” as used herein, refers to a mixture of materials which comprise the composition, as well as reaction products and decomposition products formed from the materials of the composition.
The terms “comprising, ” “including, ” “having, ” and their derivatives, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. In order to avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term “comprising” may include any additional additive, adjuvant, or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, “consisting essentially of” excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term “consisting of” excludes any component, step or procedure not specifically delineated or listed.
Density is measured in accordance with ASTM D 792 with values reported in grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc or g/cm3) .
Elastic recovery is measured as follows. Stress-strain behavior in uniaxial tension is measured using an InstronTM universal testing machine at 300％min·1 deformation rate at 21℃. The 300％elastic recovery is determined from a loading followed by unloading cycle to 300％strain, using ASTM D 1708 microtensile specimens. Percent recovery for all experiments is calculated after the unloading cycle using the strain at which the load returned to the base line. The percent recovery is defined as:
％Recovery ＝ 100* (Ef-Es) /Ef
where Ef is the strain taken for cyclic loading and Es is the strain where the load returns to the baseline after the unloading cycle.
An "ethylene-based polymer" is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized ethylene monomer (based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers) and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer. Ethylene-based polymer includes ethylene homopolymer, and ethylene copolymer (meaning units derived from ethylene and one or more comonomers) . The terms "ethylene-based polymer" and "polyethylene" may be used interchangeably. Non-limiting examples of ethylene-based polymer (polyethylene) include low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear polyethylene. Non- limiting examples of linear polyethylene include linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) , ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE) , very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) , multi-component ethylene-based copolymer (EPE) , ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymers (also known as olefin block copolymer (OBC) ) , single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) , substantially linear, or linear, plastomers/elastomers, and high density polyethylene (HDPE) . Generally, polyethylene may be produced in gas-phase, fluidized bed reactors, liquid phase slurry process reactors, or liquid phase solution process reactors, using a heterogeneous catalyst system, such as Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a homogeneous catalyst system, comprising Group 4 transition metals and ligand structures such as metallocene, non-metallocene metal-centered, heteroaryl, heterovalent aryloxyether, phosphinimine, and others. Combinations of heterogeneous and/or homogeneous catalysts also may be used in either single reactor or dual reactor configurations.
"High density polyethylene" (or "HDPE" ) is an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer with at least one C4–C10 α-olefin comonomer, or C4 α-olefin comonomer and a density from greater than 0.94 g/cc, or 0.945 g/cc, or 0.95 g/cc, or 0.955 g/cc to 0.96 g/cc, or 0.97 g/cc, or 0.98 g/cc. The HDPE can be a monomodal copolymer or a multimodal copolymer. A "monomodal ethylene copolymer" is an ethylene/C4–C10 α-olefin copolymer that has one distinct peak in a gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showing the molecular weight distribution. A "multimodal ethylene copolymer" is an ethylene/C4–C10 α-olefin copolymer that has at least two distinct peaks in a GPC showing the molecular weight distribution. Multimodal includes copolymer having two peaks (bimodal) as well as copolymer having more than two peaks. Nonlimiting examples of HDPE include DOWTM High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , ELITETM Enhanced Polyethylene Resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , CONTINUUMTM Bimodal Polyethylene Resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , LUPOLENTM (available from LyondellBasell) , as well as HDPE products from Borealis, Ineos, and ExxonMobil.
"Low density polyethylene" (or "LDPE" ) consists of ethylene homopolymer, or ethylene/α-olefin copolymer comprising at least one C3–C10 α-olefin, preferably C3–C4 that has a density from 0.915 g/cc to 0.940 g/cc and contains long chain branching with broad MWD.  LDPE is typically produced by way of high pressure free radical polymerization (tubular reactor or autoclave with free radical initiator) . Nonlimiting examples of LDPE include MarFlexTM(Chevron Phillips) , LUPOLENTM (LyondellBasell) , as well as LDPE products from Borealis, Ineos, ExxonMobil, and others.
"Linear low density polyethylene" (or "LLDPE" ) is a linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer containing heterogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C3–C10 α-olefin comonomer or at least one C4–C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C6–C8 α-olefin comonomer. LLDPE is characterized by little, if any, long chain branching, in contrast to conventional LDPE. LLDPE has a density from 0.910 g/cc, or 0.915 g/cc, or 0.920 g/cc, or 0.925 g/cc to 0.930 g/cc, or 0.935 g/cc, or 0.940 g/cc. Nonlimiting examples of LLDPE include TUFLINTM linear low density polyethylene resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , DOWLEXTM polyethylene resins (available from the Dow Chemical Company) , and MARLEXTM polyethylene (available from Chevron Phillips) .
"Ultra low density polyethylene" (or "ULDPE" ) and "very low density polyethylene" (or "VLDPE" ) each is a linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer containing heterogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C3–C10 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C4–C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C6–C8 α-olefin comonomer. ULDPE and VLDPE each has a density from 0.885 g/cc, or 0.90 g/cc to 0.915 g/cc. Nonlimiting examples of ULDPE and VLDPE include ATTANETM ultra low density polyethylene resins (available form The Dow Chemical Company) and FLEXOMERTM very low density polyethylene resins (available from The Dow Chemical Company) .
"Multi-component ethylene-based copolymer" (or "EPE" ) comprises units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C3–C10 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C4–C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C6–C8 α-olefin comonomer, such as described in patent references USP 6, 111, 023； USP 5, 677, 383； and USP 6, 984, 695. EPE resins have a density from 0.905 g/cc, or 0.908 g/cc, or 0.912 g/cc, or 0.920 g/cc to 0.926 g/cc, or 0.929 g/cc, or 0.940 g/cc, or 0.962 g/cc. Nonlimiting examples of EPE resins include ELITETM enhanced polyethylene (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , ELITE ATTM advanced technology resins (available  from The Dow Chemical Company) , SURPASSTM Polyethylene (PE) Resins (available from Nova Chemicals) , and SMARTTM (available from SK Chemicals Co. ) .
"Single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylenes" (or "m-LLDPE" ) are linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymers containing homogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C3–C10 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C4–C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C6–C8 α-olefin comonomer. m-LLDPE has a density from 0.913 g/cc, or 0.918 g/cc, or 0.920 g/cc to 0.925 g/cc, or 0.940 g/cc. Nonlimiting examples of m-LLDPE include EXCEEDTM metallocene PE (available from ExxonMobil Chemical) , LUFLEXENTM m-LLDPE (available from LyondellBasell) , and ELTEXTMPF m-LLDPE (available from Ineos Olefins &Polymers) .
"Ethylene plastomers/elastomers" are substantially linear, or linear, ethylene/α-olefin copolymers containing homogeneous short-chain branching distribution comprising units derived from ethylene and units derived from at least one C3–C10 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C4–C8 α-olefin comonomer, or at least one C6–C8 α-olefin comonomer. Ethylene plastomers/elastomers have a density from 0.870 g/cc, or 0.880 g/cc, or 0.890 g/cc to 0.900 g/cc, or 0.902 g/cc, or 0.904 g/cc, or 0.909 g/cc, or 0.910 g/cc, or 0.917 g/cc. Nonlimiting examples of ethylene plastomers/elastomers include AFFINITYTM plastomers and elastomers (available from The Dow Chemical Company) , EXACTTM Plastomers (available from ExxonMobil Chemical) , TafmerTM (available from Mitsui) , NexleneTM (available from SK Chemicals Co. ) , and LuceneTM (available LG Chem Ltd. ) .
Melt flow rate (MFR) is measured in accordance with ASTM D 1238, Condition 280℃/2.16 kg (g/10 minutes) .
Melt index (MI) is measured in accordance with ASTM D 1238, Condition 190℃/2.16 kg (g/10 minutes) .
Shore A hardness is measured in accordance with ASTM D 2240.
Tm or “melting point” as used herein (also referred to as a melting peak in reference to the shape of the plotted DSC curve) is typically measured by the DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) technique for measuring the melting points or peaks of polyolefins as described in USP 5, 783, 638. It should be noted that many blends comprising two or more polyolefins will  have more than one melting point or peak, many individual polyolefins will comprise only one melting point or peak.
An “olefin-based polymer, ” as used herein is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent polymerized olefin monomer (based on total amount of polymerizable monomers) , and optionally, may contain at least one comonomer. Nonlimiting examples of olefin-based polymer include ethylene-based polymer and propylene-based polymer.
A "polymer" is a compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or a different type, that in polymerized form provide the multiple and/or repeating “units” or “mer units” that make up a polymer. The generic term polymer thus embraces the term homopolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, and the term copolymer, usually employed to refer to polymers prepared from at least two types of monomers. It also embraces all forms of copolymer, e.g., random, block, etc. The terms “ethylene/α-olefin polymer” and “propylene/α-olefin polymer” are indicative of copolymer as described above prepared from polymerizing ethylene or propylene respectively and one or more additional, polymerizable α-olefin monomer. It is noted that although a polymer is often referred to as being “made of” one or more specified monomers, “based on” a specified monomer or monomer type, “containing” a specified monomer content, or the like, in this context the term “monomer” is understood to be referring to the polymerized remnant of the specified monomer and not to the unpolymerized species. In general, polymers herein are referred to has being based on “units” that are the polymerized form of a corresponding monomer.
A “propylene-based polymer” is a polymer that contains more than 50 mole percent polymerized propylene monomer (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, a process for producing a flexible container is provided and includes (A) providing a heat seal apparatus having (i) a first seal plate structure comprising a movable blade member and (ii) an opposing second seal plate structure comprising a channel aligned with the blade member. A bumper  member is located in the channel. The process includes (B) placing a continuous web between the seal plate structures. The continuous web includes a plurality of multilayer films. The process includes (C) moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position. The process includes (D) cutting the continuous web with the moving of the blade member. The process includes (E) contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position.
A. Heat seal apparatus
The present process includes providing a heat seal apparatus. Figs. 1-4 show heat seal apparatus 10 having a first seal plate structure 12 and a second seal plate structure 14. The second seal plate structure 14 is in opposing relation to the first seal plate structure 12. A continuous web 15 composed of multilayer films passes between the first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14. The heat seal apparatus 10 includes suitable structure and mechanism (i) to apply heat seals to the continuous web 15, and (ii) to move the  seal plate structures  12, 14 toward and away from each other in order to perform a heat sealing procedure. The  seal plate structures  12, 14 operate in concert to form heat seals in the continuous web 15. The heat sealing procedure bonds adjacent flexible multilayer films present in the continuous web to each other in order to form flexible containers within the continuous web 15 as will be discussed below.
The first seal plate structure 12 includes a blade member 16. The blade member 16 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position as shown in Figs. 1-4 and described in detail below. The blade member 16 includes an arm 17 and a cutting edge 18 for cutting the continuous web 15. The arm 17 is operatively connected to suitable structure and mechanism (not shown) for moving the blade member 16 between the retracted position and the extended position. The first seal plate structure 12 includes a port 20 for egress/ingress of the blade member 16 as the blade member 16 moves from the retracted position to the extended position and return.
In an embodiment, the blade member 16 has a cutting edge that includes serrated teeth 19, best seen in Fig. 4.
The second seal plate structure 14 includes a channel 22. The channel 22 is in registration with the blade member 16. The channel 22 is formed into the second plate structure 14 so that the channel 22 is aligned to receive the blade member 16 when the blade member 16 moves to the extended position.
A bumper member 24 is present in the channel 22. A “bumper member, ” as used herein, is an object for absorbing shock and/or preventing damage to the blade member 16. In an embodiment, the bumper member 24 is a strip of elastomeric material that extends along some of, or all, the length of the channel 22. An “elastomeric material, ” as used herein, is a rubber-like polymeric material that can be stretched to at least twice its original length and which retracts very rapidly to approximately its original length when the force exerting the stretching is released.
In an embodiment, the elastomeric material has a hardness from Shore 60A, or 70A, or 80A to 90A or 100A.
Nonlimiting examples of suitable elastomeric material for the bumper member include silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the elastomeric material for the bumper member is a silicone rubber having a hardness from Shore 70A, or 75A, or 80A, or 85A to 90A, or 95A, or 100A.
B. Continuous web
The process includes placing a continuous web between the first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14. Figs. 1-3 show a continuous web 15 (or “web” ) placed between, or otherwise passing through, the first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14.
The continuous web 15 is a multi-ply web formed from four individual continuous feeds of multilayer film. Fig. 1 shows web 15 composed of four individual  flexible multilayer films  1, 2, 3, 4 (hereafter “film, ” or multilayer film” ) . Each  film  1, 2, 3, 4 is a continuous film, thereby making the web 15 a continuous web that is multi-ply in structure. Film 1 is the first ply, film 2 is the second ply, film 3 is the third ply, and film 4 is the fourth ply. Each film forms a respective panel (front panel, first side panel, second side panel, rear panel) in the finished  flexible container. The composition and structure for each flexible multilayer film can be the same or different.
Film 2 and film 3 each is sandwiched between front film 1 and rear film 4.  Films  2, 3 are folded in half at  respective fold lines  2A, 3A. The two fold lines meet at the web’s (the flexible containers) midline. In the completed flexible container, film 2 and film 3 form the side panels which expand, providing the flexible container with its cube-shape volume.
The composition and structure for each flexible multilayer film can be the same or different. In an embodiment, each  flexible multilayer film  1, 2, 3, 4 has at or at least two, or at least three layers. Each flexible film is resilient, flexible, deformable, and pliable. The structure and composition of each  flexible multilayer film  1, 2, 3, 4 may be the same or may be different. For example, each  film  1, 2, 3, 4 can be different, each film having a unique structure and/or unique composition, finish, or print. Alternatively, each  film  1, 2, 3, 4 can be the same structure and the same composition.
In an embodiment, each  film  1, 2, 3, 4 has the same structure and the same composition.
Each  flexible multilayer film  1, 2, 3, 4 is composed of a polymeric material. Nonlimiting examples of suitable polymeric material include olefin-based polymer； propylene-based polymer； ethylene-based polymer； polyamide (such as nylon) , ethylene-acrylic acid or ethylene-methacrylic acid and their ionomers with zinc, sodium, lithium, potassium, or magnesium salts； ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers； and blends thereof. The flexible multilayer film can be either printable or compatible to receive a pressure sensitive label or other type of label for displaying of indicia on the final flexible container.
In an embodiment, each  flexible multilayer film  1, 2, 3, 4 includes at least three layers: (i) an outermost layer, (ii) one or more core layers, and (iii) an innermost seal layer. The outermost layer (i) and the innermost seal layer (iii) are surface layers with the one or more core layers (ii) sandwiched between the surface layers. The outermost layer may include (a-i) a HDPE, (b-ii) a propylene-based polymer, or combinations of (a-i) and (b-ii) , alone, or with other olefin-based polymers such as LDPE. Nonlimiting examples of suitable propylene-based polymers include propylene homopolymer, random propylene/α-olefin copolymer (majority  amount propylene with less than 10 weight percent ethylene comonomer) , and propylene impact copolymer (heterophasic propylene/ethylene copolymer rubber phase dispersed in a matrix phase) .
With the one or more core layers (ii) , the number of total layers in each multilayer film 1-4 can be from three layers (one core layer) , or four layers (two core layers) , or five layers (three core layers, or six layers (four core layers) , or seven layers (five core layers) to eight layers (six core layers) , or nine layers (seven core layers) , or ten layers (eight core layers) , or eleven layers (nine core layers) , or more.
Each multilayer film 1-4 has a thickness from 75 microns, or 100 microns, or 125 microns, or 150 microns to 200 microns, or 250 microns or 300 microns or 350 microns, or 400 microns.
Each multilayer film 1-4 can be (i) coextuded, (ii) laminated, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) . In an embodiment, each multilayer film is a coextruded multilayer film.
In an embodiment, each  multilayer film  1, 2, 3, 4 is a flexible multilayer film having the same structure and the same composition.
Some methods used to construct films are by cast co-extrusion or blown co-extrusion methods, adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination, thermal lamination, and coatings such as vapor deposition. Combinations of these methods are also possible. Film layers can comprise, in addition to the polymeric materials, additives such as stabilizers, slip additives, antiblocking additives, process aids, clarifiers, nucleators, pigments or colorants, fillers and reinforcing agents, and the like as commonly used in the packaging industry. It is particularly useful to choose additives and polymeric materials that have suitable organoleptic and/or optical properties.
In an embodiment, the outermost layer includes a HDPE. In a further embodiment, the HDPE is a substantially linear multi-component ethylene-based copolymer (EPE) such as ELITETM resin provided by The Dow Chemical Company.
In an embodiment, each core layer includes one or more linear or substantially linear ethylene-based polymers or block copolymers having a density from 0.908 g/cc, or 0.912 g/cc, or 0.92 g/cc, or 0.921 g/cc to 0.925 g/cc, or less than 0.93 g/cc. In an embodiment, each  of the one or more core layers includes one or more ethylene/C3–C8 α-olefin copolymers selected from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) , ultralow density polyethylene (ULDPE) , very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) , EPE, olefin block copolymer (OBC) , plastomers/elastomers, and single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylenes (m-LLDPE) .
In an embodiment, the seal layer includes one or more ethylene-based polymer (s) having a density from 0.86 g/cc, or 0.87 g/cc, or 0.875 g/cc, or 0.88 g/cc, or 0.89 g/cc to 0.90 g/cc, or 0.902 g/cc, or 0.91 g/cc, or 0.92 g/cc. In an embodiment, the seal layer includes one or more ethylene/C3–C8 α-olefin copolymer selected from EPE, plastomers/elastomers, or m-LLDPE.
In an embodiment, each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a coextruded film, the seal layer is composed of an ethylene-based polymer, such as a linear or a substantially linear polymer, or a single-site catalyzed linear or substantially linear polymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin monomer such as 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene, having a Tm from 55℃ to 115℃and a density from 0.865 to 0.925 g/cm3, or from 0.875 to 0.910 g/cm3, or from 0.888 to 0.900 g/cm3 and the outer layer is composed of a polyamide having a Tm from 170℃ to 270℃.
In an embodiment, each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is composed of an ethylene-based polymer. In a further embodiment, each multilayer film includes a seal layer, a core layer, and an outer layer and each of the seal layer, the core layer, and the outer layer is composed of an ethylene-based polymer.
In an embodiment, each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a coextruded and/or laminated five layer, or a coextruded (or laminated) seven layer film having at least one layer containing OPET or OPP.
In an embodiment, each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a coextruded (or laminated) five layer, or a coextruded (or laminated) seven layer film having at least one layer containing polyamide.
In an embodiment, each flexible multilayer film 1-4 is a seven-layer coextruded (or laminated) film with a seal layer composed of an ethylene-based polymer, or a linear or substantially linear polymer, or a single-site catalyzed linear or substantially linear polymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin monomer such as 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene, having a Tm  from 90℃ to 106℃. The outer layer is a polyamide having a Tm from 170℃ to 270℃. The film has an inner layer (first inner layer) composed of a second ethylene-based polymer, different than the ethylene-based polymer in the seal layer. The film has an inner layer (second inner layer) composed of a polyamide the same or different to the polyamide in the outer layer. The seven layer film has a thickness from 100 micrometers to 250 micrometers.
In an embodiment, the process includes heat sealing, before moving the blade member, the continuous web with the heat seal apparatus and forming a plurality of continuous flexible containers in the web. The first seal plate structure 12 and the second seal plate structure 14 move toward each other to sandwich and compress the web 15 under heat and pressure, thereby forming heat seals in the web. In Fig. 1, Arrows C show first seal plate structure 12 moving away from second seal plate structure 14 after heat sealing the web 15. The heat sealing procedure forms heat seals 25 between adjoining films in the web 15. The heat seals 25 create, or otherwise define, a first flexible container 26 and a second flexible container 30 in the web 15. At this stage, the first flexible container 26 is connected to the second flexible container 30 because each  flexible container  26, 30 is a component of the continuous web 15.
C. Blade movement
The present process includes moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position. Fig. 1 shows the blade member 16 in a retracted position A. When in the retracted position A, the blade member 16 is stowed, or otherwise is nested, within the port 20. In the retracted position A, the blade member 16 does not contact the continuous web 15.
The blade member 16 moves from the retracted position A to an extended position B. In Figs. 1-2, arrow D shows the arm 17 moving out of the port 20, away from the first seal plate structure 12 and towards the second seal plate structure 14. The arm 17 moves in a perpendicular, or a substantially perpendicular, motion with respect to the vertical, or substantially vertical,  seal plate structures  12, 14. The blade member 16 arrives at extended position B when the cutting edge 18 contacts the bumper member 24 as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 4A.
D. Cutting
The present process includes cutting the continuous web, by way of the blade member movement. Arrow D in Fig. 2 shows the blade member 16 projecting outward from the port 20 and moving away from the retracted position A. As the blade member 16 continues its advancement toward the second plate structure 14, the blade member 16 contacts the continuous web 15. As the blade member16 extends further, the serrated teeth 19 of the blade member 16 pierce and cut the continuous web 15 as shown in Fig. 2.
After piercing and cutting the continuous web 15, the arm 17 of the blade member 16 extends further with continued motion toward the second seal plate structure 14. As shown in Fig. 2, the blade member 16 is aligned with, and in the same horizontal plane as, the channel 22. Arriving at the second seal plate member 14, the blade member 16 is in registration with the channel 22. The blade member 16 reaches the extended position B when the serrated teeth 19 contact the bumper member 24 as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 4A.
E. Bumper member
The present process includes contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position. Figs. 4 and 4A show the cutting edge 18 enters the channel 22 and the serrated teeth 19 contact the bumper member 24 at the extended position B. In an embodiment, the elastomeric material of the bumper member 24 absorbs the impact of the advancing and projecting serrated teeth 19. The bumper member 24 prevents contact between the blade member 16 and the second seal plate structure 14 when the blade member is at the extended position B.
In an embodiment, the second seal plate structure 14 is composed of a metal and the cutting edge 18 of the blade member 16 is made of metal. Nonlimiting examples of suitable metals for the second seal plate structure and/or the cutting edge include, steel, aluminum, and combinations thereof. The bumper member 24 prevents metal-to-metal contact between the cutting edge 18 and the second seal plate structure 14 as shown in Figs. 4 and 4A.
Fig. 4B is a representation of a prior art heat seal apparatus, 110. Prior art heat seal apparatus 110 includes opposing seal plate structures as disclosed above, with a second seal plate structure 114 shown in Fig. 4B. The second seal plate structure 114 has a channel 122.  The second seal plate structure 114 lacks, or otherwise is void of, a bumper member. When an arm 117 of blade member 116 extends to cut the web 115, the cutting edge 118 of the blade member 116 continues advancement toward the second seal plate structure 114. Impact occurs between the cutting edge 118 and the channe1 122 of the second seal plate structure 114. This contact between the bare cutting edge 118 and the second seal plate structure 114 (channel 122) is detrimental to the blade member. Repeated contact between the blade member 116 and the channel 122 deleteriously wears and dulls the cutting edge 118, with eventual damage to, and/or breakage of, the cutting edge 118 as shown in Fig. 4B. Without the bumper member, the blade member 116 becomes inoperable and/or non-usable.
Applicant discovered provision of the bumper member 24 in the channel 22 advantageously eliminates, or otherwise prevents, contact between the cutting edge of the blade member and the channel. Elimination of this contact between the cutting edge 18 and the channel 22 reduces the wear and tear on the cutting edge, which concomitantly reduces, or eliminates, damage to the blade member 16, and increases the longevity of the blade member 16.
Arrow E in Fig. 3 shows the return motion of the blade member 16 from the extended position B (cutting edge in contact with the bumper member) back to the retracted position A. The blade member 16 retracts from the extended positon B and returns to the retracted position A, with the blade member 16 stowed in the port 20.
In an embodiment, the movement of the blade member 16 from the retracted position A to extended position B and return from the extended position B to the retracted positon A occurs in a time duration from 0.05 seconds, or 0.1 seconds, or 0.2 seconds, or 0.3 seconds to 0.5 seconds, or 0.7 seconds, to 1.0 seconds.
Upon the return of the blade member 16 to the retracted position A, a grip module 40 clamps, or otherwise securely grasps the now-separated web portions, lower web portion 42 and upper web portion 44. The grip module 40 advances each web portion for further processing as shown by arrows F in Fig. 3. Fabrication continues and is completed with production of stand-alone flexible container 210, as shown in Fig. 5.
In an embodiment, the web 15 includes first flexible container 26 with a bottom portion 27 as best seen in Fig. 4. The second flexible container 30 includes a top portion 31. The process includes cutting, with extension of the blade member 16 to extended position B (as described above) , the web 15 between the bottom portion 27 of the first flexible container 26 and the top portion 31 of the second flexible container 30.
In a further embodiment, the bottom portion 27 includes a bottom handle 28. The top portion 31 includes a top handle 32. The process includes cutting the web 15 between the bottom handle 28 of the first flexible container 26 and the top handle 32 of the second flexible container 30.
In an embodiment, the continuous web 15 is composed of four films,  film  1, 2, 3, 4. The heat seal apparatus 10 heat seals the web 15 to form flexible container 26 and flexible container 30. The process includes separating, with the cutting step, flexible container 26 from flexible container 30. The process includes forming stand-alone four-sided flexible container 210 from flexible container 26. Fig. 5 shows flexible container 210 includes four panels, a first side panel 218 (film 2) , a second side panel (film 3, not shown) , a front panel 220 (film 1) and a rear panel 222 (film 4) . The flexible container includes a rigid fitment 224, a bottom handle 228, and a top handle 232.
In an embodiment, the flexible container 210 is a stand-up container (or “SUP. ” ) 
It is specifically intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come with the scope of the following claims

Claims (8)

  1. A process for producing a flexible container comprising:
    A. providing a heat seal apparatus having (i) a first seal plate structure comprising a movable blade member and (ii) an opposing second seal plate structure comprising a channel aligned with the blade member, and a bumper member located in the channel；
    B. placing a continuous web between the seal plate structures, the web comprising a plurality of multilayer films；
    C. moving the blade member from a retracted position to an extended position；
    D. cutting the continuous web with the blade member； and
    E. contacting the bumper member with a cutting edge of the blade member, when the blade member is in the extended position.
  2. The process of claim 1 comprising preventing, with the bumper member, contact between the blade and the second plate structure.
  3. The process of claim 1 comprising
    returning the blade from the extended position to the retracted position.
  4. The process of claim 3 comprising advancing the continuous web after the returning.
  5. The process of claim 1 wherein the web comprises four multilayer films, the process comprising heat sealing, before the moving, the continuous web with the heat seal apparatus； and
    forming a plurality of continuous flexible containers in the continuous web.
  6. The process of claim 5 comprising separating, with the cutting, a flexible container from the continuous web； and
    forming a stand-alone four-sided flexible container.
  7. The process of claim 6 wherein the continuous web comprises a first flexible container with a bottom portion and a second flexible container with a top portion, the process comprising cutting the continuous web between the bottom portion of the first flexible container and the top portion of the second flexible container.
  8. The process of claim 7 wherein the bottom portion comprises a bottom handle and the top portion comprises a top handle, the process comprising cutting the web between the bottom handle and the top handle.
PCT/CN2017/081399 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Process for producing flexible containers WO2018191942A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201780089107.XA CN110461717A (en) 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Method for production flexibility container
PCT/CN2017/081399 WO2018191942A1 (en) 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Process for producing flexible containers

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CN2017/081399 WO2018191942A1 (en) 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Process for producing flexible containers

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018191942A1 true WO2018191942A1 (en) 2018-10-25

Family

ID=63855652

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2017/081399 WO2018191942A1 (en) 2017-04-21 2017-04-21 Process for producing flexible containers

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN110461717A (en)
WO (1) WO2018191942A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006036328A (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-09 Ishida Co Ltd Bag-making and packaging machine
CN202163637U (en) * 2011-06-02 2012-03-14 上海松川远亿机械设备有限公司 Transverse seal cutter seat
JP2012153385A (en) * 2011-01-25 2012-08-16 Kawashima Packaging Mach Ltd End seal device for bag making filling packing machine
CN204624027U (en) * 2015-05-11 2015-09-09 怡富包装（深圳）有限公司 A kind of wrapping machine and envelope cutter backplate thereof

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006036328A (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-09 Ishida Co Ltd Bag-making and packaging machine
JP2012153385A (en) * 2011-01-25 2012-08-16 Kawashima Packaging Mach Ltd End seal device for bag making filling packing machine
CN202163637U (en) * 2011-06-02 2012-03-14 上海松川远亿机械设备有限公司 Transverse seal cutter seat
CN204624027U (en) * 2015-05-11 2015-09-09 怡富包装（深圳）有限公司 A kind of wrapping machine and envelope cutter backplate thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN110461717A (en) 2019-11-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
TWI757456B (en) Polyethylene laminates for use in flexible packaging materials
KR101151476B1 (en) Heat-sealable multilayer polypropylene resin film and packaging material
US11890840B2 (en) Laminate structures and flexible packaging materials incorporating same
US10239676B2 (en) Flexible film composition for heat seals and container with same
EP3317101B1 (en) Multi-layered films oriented in the machine direction and articles comprising the same
JP2018537318A (en) Multilayer film suitable for use in thermoforming applications
EP3464455B1 (en) Fitment with blend component and flexible container with same
JP7370324B2 (en) Polyolefin-based film with matte surface and improved sealing performance
WO2018191942A1 (en) Process for producing flexible containers
US11046494B2 (en) Fitment with propylene-based blend component and flexible container with same
EP3902676B1 (en) Sealed multilayer structures and packages comprising sealed multilayer structures
JP4598689B2 (en) Polyolefin multilayer film
EP3894216B1 (en) Multilayer films and laminates containing slip agents
JP2021528290A (en) Multilayer film with universal thermoplastic adhesive
EP4259721B1 (en) Compositions, multilayer films formed from such compositions, and articles

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 17906217

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 17906217

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1