RECLOSABLE PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A RECLOSABLE PACKAGE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a reclosable package and a method for preparing a reclosable package, according to the preamble of present claims 1 and 15.

[0002] A lot of products are sold in packages with a tamper-evident closure. One example for such a tamper-evident closure is an overwrapping film, often made of plastics and applied to the package by heat-shrink technology, combined with a tear tape, as described in EP1702858A1. However, such a film does not represent a reclosable package. Moreover, the first opening of such films often is a difficult procedure. References US20110235947A1 and DE20220666U1 are directed to the object of providing a reclosable package for different items.

[0003] It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide a reclosable package and a method for preparing a reclosable package which allows easy opening of the package.

[0004] The aforementioned problems are solved by a reclosable package, comprising a cavity for storing products arranged within a container, surrounding the cavity, the container extending along a longitudinal direction and having a back side and a front side joined to each other at longitudinal sides parallel to the longitudinal direction and further having an upper side and a bottom side, both extending along intersecting directions to said longitudinal direction, wherein a zipper is arranged at one of either the upper side or the bottom side of the container, the other one of the upper side or the bottom side being permanently sealed, the zipper reversibly connecting two closure parts of the container, wherein respective end portions of the two closure parts of the container are sealed to each other as a sealed closure, the sealed closure being folded flat and attached to either the front side or the back side of the container before the first opening of the reclosable package, wherein, before said first opening of the reclosable package, a tear-off strip is arranged between the zipper and the sealed closure, the tear-off strip connecting unsealed first and second portions of each of the two closure parts of the container.

[0005] The combination of the zipper closure and the tear-off strip provides comfort to the user both at first and further openings. Moreover, a reliable closure device in form of the zipper is combined with a tamper-evident closure in form of the tear-off strip. Attaching the sealed closure together with the end portions of the two closure parts to the container keeps the shape of the package handy and compact.

[0006] Preferably, the two closure parts are to be understood as extending only from the zipper to their end portions at the sealed closure. It is preferred that the reclosable package is free from portions where a portion of one of the two closure parts is oriented opposite to another portion of the one of the two closure parts. Preferably, the two closure parts only comprise one single folding according to which one of the closure parts is arranged as being in contact with the upper side or the bottom side as well as with the front side or the back side. Preferably, the unsealed first and second portions of each of the two closure parts of the container are located between the end portions of the two closure parts and the zipper.

[0007] If a user wants to take products out of the container, the tear-off strip has to be removed and the zipper has to be opened such that the two closure parts of the container can be moved away from each other and form an opening of the container.

[0008] It is preferred that the tear-off strip is free of contact to both the zipper and the sealed closure. This applies to both the state before the first opening and the state after the first opening and provides enough free space to remove the tear-off strip at the first opening without being affected by the presence of the zipper and/or the sealed closure and without damaging the zipper and/or the sealed closure. Preferably, the state of the sealed closure is not affected by removing the tear-off strip and/or by opening the zipper. Preferably, the sealed closure remains attached to the front side or the back side after the first opening.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, a longitudinal extension of the zipper is arranged running in parallel to a width direction of the container. Preferably, the longitudinal extension of the zipper represents an opening direction of the zipper (a direction along which the zipper is openable). Preferably, the width direction of the container is running perpendicular towards the longitudinal direction of the container and/or running perpendicular towards a height direction of the container. Preferably, a total width of the container measured along its width direction is smaller than a total length of the container measured along its longitudinal direction. Preferably, a total height of the container measured along its height direction is smaller than the total width of the container measured along its width direction. Thus, the zipper is preferably arranged parallel to the extension having a medium length. The dimension of the zipper can thus be chosen to be big enough to allow products to be taken out of the container and small enough to allow for economic design of the package.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal extension of the zipper is arranged running in parallel to a longitudinal extension of the sealed closure and/or to a longitudinal extension of the tear-off strip.

[0011] Thus, the zipper, the sealed closure and the tear-off strip are preferably arranged running in parallel towards each other. As a consequence, the distance between the zipper and the tear-off strip as well as the distance between the tear-off strip and the sealed closure have the same value over the longitudinal extension and can thus be kept small. Moreover, the design of the package is noticed as being uniform.

[0012] Moreover, it is preferred that a length of the zipper exceeds a length of the tear-off strip and/or the length of the tear-off strip exceeds a length of the sealed closure. Preferably, the length of the zipper is equal to or smaller than the total width of the container. Preferably, the length of the tear-off strip and/or the length of the sealed closure is smaller than the total width of the container.

[0013] Keeping the length of the tear-off strip in a medium level ensures that the length is large enough to provide safe closure and small enough to be quickly teared up.

[0014] It is possible that a flavouring source is arranged within the cavity. This flavouring source is suitable for flavouring the items stored in the reclosable package. For example, cigarettes stored in such a package could be flavoured by a menthol flavouring source.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the zipper is a safety zipper comprising a locking device for securing a closed state of the zipper. If items are stored within the package which could pose a risk for certain persons, for example, for children, a safety zipper prevents the items from being taken out of the package by said persons if not a certain safety mechanism has been overcome.

[0016] Preferably, the zipper comprises a first and a second side part, reversibly connectable towards each other, wherein each of the first and the second side part of the zipper is secured to one of the two closure parts of the container. This represents an easy opening mechanism which is reliable and reproducible.

[0017] For supporting an easy opening, it is possible that the zipper comprises a slider, reversibly connecting the first and the second side part of the zipper. By moving the slider along the opening direction of the zipper, the zipper is opened or closed.

[0018] It is preferred that the first side part of the zipper comprises a first profile and the second side part of the zipper comprises a second profile, wherein the first and the second profile are adapted to interlock with each other. Preferably, the first profile comprises a first shape and the second profile comprises a second shape. Preferably, the first shape is different from the second shape. Preferably, the first shape is complementary to the second shape. Preferably, a cross section of the first shape, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the zipper, comprises a convex portion having a first diameter. Preferably, a cross section of the second shape, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the zipper, comprises a concave portion having a second diameter. Preferably, the first diameter is equal to the second diameter.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the first profile and the second profile each comprise a plurality of slits, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the zipper and/or being evenly distributed over a length of the first and second profile.

[0020] The slits represent material recesses which are able to modify a sound being generated by the opening process or by the closing process of the zipper when the two profiles are separated from each other or connected to each other. Thus, it is possible to create a zipper with an individual opening sound for a specific product. For example, if the items stored in the package are items having a technical image (like screws or nuts), the opening sound could resemble the sound of a motor. If the items stored in the package are items for beauty care (like cotton buds or artificial fingernails), the opening sound could be a smooth ringing sound. Moreover, the opening sound can serve as an audible warning signal for parents, if a child tries to open the package storing dangerous or children forbidden items.

[0021] It is possible that the opening sound and the closing sound are different. This could be achieved by providing slits along the opening direction of the zipper, wherein the shape of at least one of the slits is different from the shape of at least one of the following slits. Moreover, it is possible that the distance between two adjacent slits varies over the length of the first or second profile.

[0022] It is preferred that the container comprises two halves being fin-sealed to each other at said longitudinal sides, and that the container comprises the one of said upper or bottom side that is free from a zipper. Preferably, the two halves are identical to each other. Thus, the number of individual parts necessary for manufacturing the container is low, which reduces costs.

[0023] For example, the container is made of a foil material, preferably a metallized foil material. This foil material could be a plastics foil, or a paper slice coated with a metal layer like an aluminum layer. Preferably, the foil material is airtight which helps preserving the flavour or the quality of goods or perishable goods like food or cigarettes.

[0024] It is preferred that the foil material is a flexible foil material. This makes it possible to store items by applying a vacuum to the container after filling.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the package further comprises an outer packaging, surrounding the container, wherein the outer packaging is made of cardboard. Thus, the outer packaging can be made stable and at the same time produced in an environmentally friendly manner.

[0026] Preferably, the reclosable package also comprises a reinforcing element filled into the container. This reinforcing element is preferably made of cardboard.

[0027] The object of the present invention is also solved by a method for preparing a reclosable package,
the method comprising the following steps:

(101) providing two halves of a container,

(102) sealing the two halves of the container at two longitudinal sides to form a tube, extending along a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal sides,

(103) providing a zipper comprising a slider and a first and a second side part, the slider reversibly connecting the first and the second side part of the zipper,

(104) securing each of the first and the second side part of the zipper to one of the two closure parts of the container,

(105) closing the zipper,

(106) filling the tube with at least one product,

(107) sealing the tube at a position below the at least one product, wherein the tube forms the two closure parts of the container, being located above the at least one product,

(108) securing an end portion of each of the two closure parts of the container to a front side or a back side of the container by a sealed closure.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment of step (103), a zipper is provided which is free from a slider and comprises a first and a second side part, wherein the first and the second side part of the zipper are reversibly connectable to each other.

[0029] Preferably, step (104) includes securing each of the first and the second side part of the zipper to one of the two closure parts of the container by gluing, sometimes followed by applying heat after gluing.

[0030] Preferably, after step (105), a reinforcing element is filled into the tube before performing step (106). This reinforcing element is preferably made of a reinforcing plate element and ensures that the products retain their shape. Moreover, it helps that the fin seals can be flatted at the sides and the sealed closure can be pressed for attachment to the front or back side of the container.

[0031] For all preferred embodiments of the method as described herein, it is possible that one or more of the features as described with respect to the reclosable container are used. For all preferred embodiments of the reclosable container as described herein, it is possible that one or more of the features as described with respect to the method are used.

[0032] Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, similar components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference signs.

[0033] The figures show:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the reclosable package according to the present invention;

Fig. 2

a schematic view of the container of the reclosable package according to fig. 1 in a first state;

Fig. 3a

a schematic view of the container of the reclosable package according to fig. 1 in a second state;

Fig. 3b

a schematic view of the container of the reclosable package according to fig. 1 in a third state;

Fig. 4

a front view of fig. 2;

Fig. 5a, 5b

different views of portions of the container according to fig. 2;

Fig. 6a, 6b

different manufacturing steps of the container according to fig. 2.

[0034] It should be noted that not all elements of the reclosable package 1 are shown in every figure, for the sake of clarity. For example, the outer packaging 9, surrounding the container 4, is only shown by fig. 1.

[0035] According to fig. 1 and 2, the reclosable package 1 is shown as being in a first state A1. This means that the zipper 5 is closed and the tear-off strip 7 is intact. The first state A1 represents a state before the first opening of the reclosable package 1. As shown, the tear-off strip 7 is arranged between the zipper 5 and the sealed closure 6 and connects unsealed first and second portions 472, 473, 482, 483 of each of the two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4. As shown, the unsealed first and second portions 472, 473, 482, 483 are located between the end portions 471, 481 and the zipper 5.

[0036] If a user wants to take products 3 out of the container 4, the tear-off strip 7 has to be removed. According to fig. 3a, the reclosable package 1 is shown as being in a second state A2. This means that the zipper 5 is still closed and the tear-off strip 7 is teared open and/or removed.

[0037] Next, the zipper 5 has to be opened such that the two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4 can be moved away from each other and form an opening 10 of the container 4. According to fig. 3b, the reclosable package 1 is shown as being in such a third state A3. This means that the zipper 5 has been opened and the opening 10 towards the cavity 2 is provided.

[0038] Fig. 1 and 2 show the reclosable package 1, comprising a cavity 2 (marked from the outside according to fig. 1) for storing products 3 arranged within the container 4, surrounding the cavity 2. As examples, different products 3 are shown by fig. 1, including items in form of cigarettes, powder, cubes or cuboids.

[0039] The container 4 extends along a longitudinal direction 4x and has a back side 41 and a front side 42 joined to each other at longitudinal sides 43, 44 parallel to the longitudinal direction 4x. Furthermore, the container 4 has an upper side 45 and a bottom side 46, both extending along intersecting directions 4y, 4z to said longitudinal direction 4x. One of the intersecting directions is a width direction 4y of the container 4 and the other one is a height direction 4z of the container, with all directions 4x, 4y, 4z running perpendicular towards each other.

[0040] As shown, a zipper 5 is arranged at the upper side 45 of the container 4, while the bottom side 46 is permanently sealed (see position 401 of the sealing according to fig. 6b).

[0041] The zipper 5 reversibly connects two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4, wherein respective end portions 471, 481 of the two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4 are sealed to each other as a sealed closure 6. The sealed closure 6 is folded flat and attached to the front side 42 of the container 4 before the first opening of the reclosable package 1.

[0042] The two closure parts 47, 48 only extend from the zipper 5 to their end portions 471, 481 at the sealed closure 6. The reclosable package 1 is free from portions where a portion of one of the two closure parts 47, 48 is oriented opposite to another portion of the one of the two closure parts 47, 48. Thus, the two closure parts 47, 48 only comprise one single folding (illustrated by dotted line 12 according to fig. 2) according to which one of the closure parts is arranged as being in contact with the upper side 45 as well as with the front side 42.

[0043] It is shown that the tear-off strip 7 is free of contact to both the zipper 5 and the sealed closure 6. This applies to both the state A1 before the first opening and the states A2, A3 after the first opening. As shown by fig. 3a and 3b, the state of the sealed closure 6 is not affected by removing the tear-off strip 7 and/or by opening the zipper 5. Thus, the sealed closure 6 remains attached to the front side 42 after the first opening.

[0044] A longitudinal extension 5x of the zipper 5 is arranged running in parallel to the width direction 4y of the container 4, wherein the longitudinal extension 5x of the zipper 5 represents an opening direction of the zipper 5 (a direction along which the zipper 5 is openable).

[0045] A total width B of the container 4 measured along its width direction 4y is smaller than a total length L of the container 4 measured along its longitudinal direction 4x. A total height H of the container 4 measured along its height direction 4z is smaller than the total width B of the container 4. Thus, the zipper 5 is shown to be arranged parallel to the extension 4y having a medium length.

[0046] The longitudinal extension 5x of the zipper 5 is arranged running in parallel to a longitudinal extension 6x of the sealed closure 6 and to a longitudinal extension 7x of the tear-off strip 7. Thus, the zipper 5, the sealed closure 6 and the tear-off strip 7 are arranged running in parallel towards each other.

[0047] Moreover, it is shown by fig. 4 that a length 51 of the zipper 5 exceeds a length 71 of the tear-off strip 7 and that the length 71 of the tear-off strip 7 exceeds a length 61 of the sealed closure 6. The length 51 of the zipper 5 is smaller than the total width B of the container 4. Additionally, the length 71 of the tear-off strip 7 and the length 61 of the sealed closure 6 is smaller than the total width B of the container 4.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows a flavouring source 8 in the form of a capsule which could be arranged within the cavity 2 and which, for example, is suitable for flavouring the cigarette 3.

[0049] According to fig. 4, the zipper 5 is a safety zipper comprising a locking device 52 for securing a closed state (see states A1 or A2) of the zipper 5. Additionally, the zipper 5 comprises a slider 55 reversibly connecting the first 53 and the second side part 54 of the zipper 5. In this case, the locking device 52 forms a part of the slider 55.

[0050] As shown by fig. 5a and 5b, the zipper 5 comprises a first 53 and a second side part 54, reversibly connectable towards each other, wherein each of the first 53 and the second side part 54 of the zipper 5 is secured to one of the two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4.

[0051] Moreover, the first side part 53 of the zipper 5 comprises a first profile 531 and the second side part 54 of the zipper 5 comprises a second profile 541, wherein the first 531 and the second profile 541 are adapted to interlock with each other. Fig. 5a shows a cross section of both profiles 531, 541, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 5x of the zipper 5.

[0052] It is shown that the first profile 531 comprises a first shape and the second profile 541 comprises a second shape, wherein the first shape is different from the second shape and complementary to the second shape. The cross section of the first shape comprises a convex portion having a first diameter 5313. The cross section of the second shape comprises a concave portion having a second diameter 5413, wherein the first diameter 5313 is equal to the second diameter 5413.

[0053] Fig. 5b shows that the first profile 531 and the second profile 541 each comprise a plurality of slits 5311, 5411, extending perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 5x of the zipper 5. The slits 5411 of the second profile 541 are evenly distributed over a length 5412 of the second profile 541, wherein all slits 5411 have the same shape. The slits 5311 of the first profile 531 are not evenly distributed over a length 5312 of the first profile 531; instead, a distance between two adjacent slits 5311 varies over the length 5312 of the first profile 531. Additionally, some slits 5311 are shown to have a first extension, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 5x of the zipper 5, and other slits 5311 are shown to have a second extension, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension 5x of the zipper 5, wherein a value of the first and the second extension is not the same. Thus, the shape of the slits 5311 is not identical among all slits 5311.

[0054] Fig. 2, 6a and 6b show that the container 4 comprises two halves 410, 420, being fin-sealed to each other at the longitudinal sides 43, 44. Furthermore, the container 4 comprises the bottom side 46 which is free from a zipper 5. In this case, the two halves 410, 420 are identical to each other and the container 4 is made of a flexible foil material.

[0055] According to fig. 1, the package 1 further comprises an outer packaging 9, surrounding the container 4, wherein the outer packaging 9 is made of cardboard. Furthermore, a reinforcing element 11 made of cardboard is shown which could be filled into the container 4.

[0056] Fig. 6a and 6b show two steps (101), (102) of a preferred embodiment of a method for preparing a reclosable package 1. As shown by fig. 7 and as supported by the illustrations of a reclosable package 1 according to fig. 1-6, said embodiment comprises the following steps:

(101) providing two halves 410, 420 of a container 4,

(102) sealing the two halves 410, 420 of the container 4 at two longitudinal sides 43, 44 to form a tube 400, extending along a longitudinal direction 4x parallel to the longitudinal sides 43, 44,

(103) providing a zipper 5 comprising a slider 55 and a first 53 and a second side part 54, the slider 55 reversibly connecting the first 53 and the second side part 54 of the zipper 55,

(104) securing each of the first 53 and the second side part 54 of the zipper 55 to one of two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4,

(105) closing the zipper 5,

(105b) filling a reinforcing element 11 into the tube 400,

(106) filling the tube 400 with at least one product 3,

(107) sealing the tube 400 at a position 401 below the at least one product 3, wherein the tube 400 forms the two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4, being located above the at least one product 3,

(108) securing an end portion 471, 481 of each of the two closure parts 47, 48 of the container 4 to a front side 42 or a back side 41 of the container 4 by a sealed closure 6.

[0057] Step (199) represents the end of the method 100.

List of reference signs

[0058] 

1

package

2

cavity

3

product

4

container

4x

longitudinal direction

4y

width direction

4z

height direction

5

zipper

5x, 6x, 7x

longitudinal extension

6

sealed closure

7

tear-off strip

8

flavouring source

9

outer packaging

10

opening

11

reinforcing element

12

line

41

back side

42

front side

43, 44

longitudinal side

45

upper side

46

bottom side

47, 48

closure part

100

method

101, ..., 108

step

199

end

400

tube

401

position

410, 420

half

471, 481

end portion

472, 473, 482, 483

portion

51, 61, 71, 5312, 5412

length

52

locking device

53, 54

side part

55

slider

531, 541

profile

5311, 5411

slit

5313,5413

diameter

A1, A2, A3

state

B

total width

H

total height

L

total length

Claims

1. Reclosable package (1),

comprising a cavity (2) for storing products (3) arranged within a container (4), surrounding the cavity (2),

the container (4) extending along a longitudinal direction (4x) and having a back side (41) and a front side (42) joined to each other at longitudinal sides (43, 44) parallel to the longitudinal direction (4x) and further having an upper side (45) and a bottom side (46), both extending along intersecting directions (4y, 4z) to said longitudinal direction (4x),

wherein a zipper (5) is arranged at one (45) of either the upper side (45) or the bottom side (46) of the container (4), the other one (46) of the upper side (45) or the bottom side (46) being permanently sealed,

the zipper (5) reversibly connecting two closure parts (47, 48) of the container (4), wherein respective end portions (471, 481) of the two closure parts (47, 48) of the container (4) are sealed to each other as a sealed closure (6), the sealed closure (6) being folded flat and attached to either the front side (42) or the back side (41) of the container (4) before the first opening of the reclosable package (1),

wherein, before said first opening of the reclosable package (1), a tear-off strip (7) is arranged between the zipper (5) and the sealed closure (6), the tear-off strip (7) connecting unsealed first and second portions (472, 473, 482, 483) of each of the two closure parts (47, 48) of the container (4).

2. Reclosable package (1) according to claim 1,
characterised in that
the tear-off strip (7) is free of contact to both the zipper (5) and the sealed closure (6).

3. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
a longitudinal extension (5x) of the zipper (5) is arranged running in parallel to a width direction (4y) of the container (4).

4. Reclosable package (1) according to claim 3,
characterised in that
the longitudinal extension (5x) of the zipper (5) is arranged running in parallel to a longitudinal extension (6x) of the sealed closure (6) and/or to a longitudinal extension (7x) of the tear-off strip (7).

5. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
a length (51) of the zipper (5) exceeds a length (71) of the tear-off strip (7) and/or the length (71) of the tear-off strip (7) exceeds a length (61) of the sealed closure (6).

6. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
a flavouring source (8) is arranged within the cavity (4).

7. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the zipper (5) is a safety zipper comprising a locking device (52) for securing a closed state of the zipper (5).

8. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the zipper (5) comprises a first (53) and a second side part (54), reversibly connectable with each other, wherein each of the first (53) and the second side part (54) of the zipper (5) is secured to one of the two closure parts (47, 48) of the container (4).

9. Reclosable package (1) according to claim 8,
characterised in that
the zipper (5) comprises a slider (55), reversibly connecting the first (53) and the second side part (54) of the zipper (5).

10. Reclosable package (1) according to any of claims 8 or 9,
characterised in that
the first side part (53) of the zipper (5) comprises a first profile (531) and the second side part (54) of the zipper comprises a second profile (541), wherein the first (531) and the second profile (541) are adapted to interlock with each other.

11. Reclosable package (1) according to claim 10,
characterised in that
the first profile (531) and the second profile (541) each comprise a plurality of slits (5311, 5411), extending perpendicular to the longitudinal extension (5x) of the zipper (5) and/or being evenly distributed over a length (5312, 5412) of the first and second profile.

12. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the container (4) comprises two halves (410, 420) being fin-sealed to each other at said longitudinal sides (43, 44), and the one (46) of said upper (45) or bottom side (46) which is free from a zipper (5).

13. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the container (4) is made of a foil material, preferably a metallized foil material.

14. Reclosable package (1) according to any of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the package (1) further comprises an outer packaging (9), surrounding the container, wherein the outer packaging (9) is made of cardboard.

15. Method (100) for preparing a reclosable package (1),
the method (100) comprising the following steps:

(101) providing two halves (410, 420) of a container (4),

(102) sealing the two halves (410, 420) of the container (4) at two longitudinal sides (43, 44) to form a tube (400), extending along a longitudinal direction (4x) parallel to the longitudinal sides (43, 44),

(103) providing a zipper (5) comprising a slider (55) and a first (53) and a second side part (54), the slider (55) reversibly connecting the first (53) and the second side part (54) of the zipper (5),

(104) securing each of the first (53) and the second side part (54) of the zipper (5) to one of the two closure parts (47, 48) of the container (4),

(105) closing the zipper (5),

(106) filling the tube (400) with at least one product (3),

(107) sealing the tube (400) at a position (401) below the at least one product (3), wherein the tube (400) forms the two closure parts (47, 48) of the container (4), being located above the at least one product (3),

(108) securing an end portion (471, 481) of each of the two closure parts (47, 48) of the container (4) to a front side (42) or a back side (41) of the container (4) by a sealed closure (6).

Ansprüche

1. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1),

umfassend einen Hohlraum (2) zum Lagern von Produkten (3), die innerhalb eines Behälters (4) angeordnet sind, der den Hohlraum (2) umgibt, wobei der Behälter (4) sich entlang einer Längsrichtung (4x) erstreckt und eine Rückseite (41) und eine Vorderseite (42) aufweist, die an Längsseiten (43, 44), die parallel zu der Längsrichtung (4x) sind, miteinander verbunden sind, und weiterhin eine obere Seite (45) und eine untere Seite (46) aufweist, die sich beide entlang zusammenlaufenden Richtungen (4y, 4z) zu der Längsrichtung (4x) erstrecken,

wobei ein Reißverschluss (5) an einer (45) von entweder der oberen Seite (45) oder der unteren Seite (46) des Behälters (4) angeordnet ist, wobei die andere (46) von der oberen Seite (45) und der unteren Seite (46) permanent versiegelt ist, wobei der Reißverschluss (5) umkehrbar zwei Verschlussteile (47, 48) des Behälters (4) verbindet, wobei jeweilige Endabschnitte (471, 481) der zwei Verschlussteile (47, 48) des Behälters (4) als ein Siegelverschluss (6) miteinander versiegelt sind, wobei der Siegelverschluss (6) flach gefalzt wird und an entweder der Vorderseite (42) oder der Rückseite (41) des Behälters (4) vor dem ersten Öffnen der wiederverschließbaren Verpackung (1) angebracht wird,

wobei vor dem ersten Öffnen der wiederverschließbaren Verpackung (1) ein Aufreißstreifen (7) zwischen dem Reißverschluss (5) und dem Siegelverschluss (6) angeordnet wird, wobei der Aufreißstreifen (7) unversiegelte erste und zweite Abschnitte (472, 473, 482, 483) von jedem der zwei Verschlussteile (47, 48) des Behälters (4) verbindet.

2. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Aufreißstreifen (7) frei von Kontakt mit sowohl dem Reißverschluss (5) als auch dem Siegelverschluss (6) ist.

3. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
eine Längserstreckung (5x) des Reißverschlusses (5) parallel zu einer Breitenrichtung (4y) des Behälters (4) verlaufend angeordnet ist.

4. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach Anspruch 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Längserstreckung (5x) des Reißverschlusses (5) parallel zu einer Längserstreckung (6x) des Siegelverschlusses (6) und/oder zu einer Längserstreckung (7x) des Aufreißstreifens (7) verlaufend angeordnet ist.

5. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
eine Länge (51) des Reißverschlusses (5) eine Länge (71) des Aufreißstreifens (7) überschreitet und/oder die Länge (71) des Aufreißstreifens (7) eine Länge (61) des Siegelverschlusses (6) überschreitet.

6. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
ein Aromaträger (8) innerhalb des Hohlraums (4) angeordnet ist.

7. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Reißverschluss (5) ein Sicherheitsreißverschluss ist, der eine Arretiervorrichtung (52) zum Sichern eines geschlossenen Zustands des Reißverschlusses (5) umfasst.

8. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Reißverschluss (5) einen ersten (53) und einen zweiten Seitenteil (54) umfasst, die umkehrbar miteinander verbindbar sind, wobei jeder von dem ersten (53) und dem zweiten Seitenteil (54) des Reißverschlusses (5) an einem der zwei Verschlussteile (47, 48) des Behälters (4) gesichert ist.

9. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach Anspruch 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Reißverschluss (5) einen Schieber (55) umfasst, der umkehrbar den ersten (53) und den zweiten Seitenteil (54) des Reißverschlusses (5) verbindet.

10. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 8 oder 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der erste Seitenteil (53) des Reißverschlusses (5) ein erstes Profil (531) umfasst und der zweite Seitenteil (54) des Reißverschlusses ein zweites Profil (541) umfasst, wobei das erste (531) und das zweite Profil (541) dazu angepasst sind, ineinander zu greifen.

11. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach Anspruch 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
das erste Profil (531) und das zweite Profil (541) jeweils mehrere Schlitze (5311, 5411) umfassen, die sich senkrecht zu der Längserstreckung (5x) des Reißverschlusses (5) erstrecken und/oder gleichmäßig über eine Länge (5312, 5412) des ersten und des zweiten Profils verteilt sind.

12. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Behälter (4) zwei Hälften (410, 420) umfasst, die miteinander an den Längsseiten (43, 44) und der einen (46) von der oberen (45) oder der unteren Seite (46), die frei von dem Reißverschluss (5) ist, mit einer Flossennaht verbunden sind.

13. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Behälter (4) aus einem Folienmaterial, vorzugsweise einem metallisierten Folienmaterial hergestellt ist.

14. Wiederverschließbare Verpackung (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Verpackung (1) weiterhin eine Außenverpackung (9) umfasst, die den Behälter umgibt, wobei die Außenverpackung (9) aus Karton hergestellt ist.

15. Verfahren (100) zur Herstellung einer wiederverschließbaren Verpackung (1),
wobei das Verfahren (100) die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

(101) Bereitstellen von zwei Hälften (410, 420) eines Behälters (4),

(102) Versiegeln der zwei Hälften (410, 420) des Behälters (4) an zwei Längsseiten (43, 44), um ein Rohr (400) zu bilden, das sich entlang einer Längsrichtung (4x) erstreckt, die parallel zu den Längsseiten (43, 44) ist,

(103) Bereitstellen eines Reißverschlusses (5), der einen Schieber (55) und einen ersten (53) und einen zweiten Seitenteil (54) umfasst, wobei der Schieber den ersten (53) und den zweiten Seitenteil (54) des Reißverschlusses (5) umkehrbar verbindet,

(104) Sichern jedes von dem ersten (53) und dem zweiten Seitenteil (54) des Reißverschlusses (5) an einem von den zwei Verschlussteilen (47, 48) des Behälters (4),

(105) Schließen des Reißverschlusses (5),

(106) Füllen des Rohrs (400) mit mindestens einem Produkt (3),

(107) Versiegeln des Rohrs (400) an einer Position (401) unter dem mindestens einen Produkt (3), wobei das Rohr (400) die zwei Verschlussteile (47, 48) des Behälters (4) bildet, die sich über dem mindestens einen Produkt (3) befinden,

(108) Sichern eines Endabschnitts (471, 481) von jedem der zwei Verschlussteile (47, 48) des Behälters (4) an einer Vorderseite (42) oder einer Rückseite (41) des Behälters (4) durch einen Siegelverschluss (6).

Revendications

1. Emballage refermable (1),

comprenant une cavité (2) destinée à stocker des produits (3) disposés dans un récipient (4) entourant la cavité (2),

le récipient (4) s'étendant le long d'une direction longitudinale (4x) et comportant un côté arrière (41) et un côté avant (42) reliés l'un à l'autre sur des côtés longitudinaux (43, 44) parallèles à la direction longitudinale (4x) et comportant en outre un côté supérieur (45) et un côté inférieur (46) s'étendant tous deux le long de directions en intersection (4y, 4z) par rapport à la direction longitudinale (4x),

dans lequel une fermeture à glissière (5) est disposée sur l'un (45) parmi le côté supérieur (45) ou le côté inférieur (46) du récipient (4), l'autre (46) parmi le côté supérieur (45) ou le côté inférieur (46) étant scellé de façon permanente,

la fermeture à glissière (5) reliant deux parties de fermeture (47, 48) du récipient (4) de façon réversible,

dans lequel des portions d'extrémité (471, 481) respectives des deux parties de fermeture (47, 48) du récipient (4) sont scellées l'une à l'autre sous la forme d'une fermeture scellée (6), la fermeture scellée (6) étant pliée à plat et reliée au côté avant (42) ou au côté arrière (41) du récipient (4) avant la première ouverture de l'emballage refermable (1),

dans lequel, avant ladite première ouverture de l'emballage refermable (1), une bande déchirable (7) est disposée entre la fermeture à glissière (5) et la fermeture scellée (6), la bande déchirable (7) reliant les première et deuxième portions (472, 473, 482, 483) non scellées de chacune des deux parties de fermeture (47, 48) du récipient (4).

2. Emballage refermable (1) selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé en ce que
la bande déchirable (7) est libre de contact à la fois avec la fermeture à glissière (5) et la fermeture scellée (6).

3. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
une extension longitudinale (5x) de la fermeture à glissière (5) est disposée de manière à s'étendre parallèlement à une direction de largeur (4y) du récipient (4).

4. Emballage refermable (1) selon la revendication 3,
caractérisé en ce que
l'extension longitudinale (5x) de la fermeture à glissière (5) est disposée de manière à s'étendre parallèlement à une extension longitudinale (6x) de la fermeture scellée (6) et/ou à une extension longitudinale (7x) de la bande déchirable (7).

5. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
une longueur (51) de la fermeture à glissière (5) dépasse une longueur (71) de la bande déchirable (7) et/ou la longueur (71) de la bande déchirable (7) dépasse une longueur (61) de la fermeture scellée (6).

6. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
une source d'arômes (8) est disposée dans la cavité (4) .

7. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
la fermeture à glissière (5) est une fermeture à glissière de sécurité comprenant un dispositif de verrouillage (52) destiné à assurer un état fermé de la fermeture à glissière (5).

8. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
la fermeture à glissière (5) comprend une première (53) et une deuxième partie latérale (54) aptes à être reliées l'une à l'autre de manière réversible, dans lequel chacune parmi la première (53) et la deuxième partie latérale (54) de la fermeture à glissière (5) est fixée à l'une parmi les deux parties de fermeture (47, 48) du récipient (4).

9. Emballage refermable (1) selon la revendication 8,
caractérisé en ce que
la fermeture à glissière (5) comprend un coulisseau (55) reliant la première (53) et la deuxième partie latérale (54) de la fermeture à glissière (5) de manière réversible.

10. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 ou 9,
caractérisé en ce que
la première partie latérale (53) de la fermeture à glissière (5) comprend un premier profilé (531) et la deuxième partie latérale (54) de la fermeture à glissière comprend un deuxième profilé (541), dans lequel le premier (531) et le deuxième profilé (541) sont adaptés pour s'inter-verrouiller l'un avec l'autre.

11. Emballage refermable (1) selon la revendication 10,
caractérisé en ce que
le premier profilé (531) et le deuxième profilé (541) comprennent respectivement une pluralité de fentes (5311, 5411) s'étendant perpendiculairement à l'extension longitudinale (5x) de la fermeture à glissière (5) et/ou réparties uniformément sur une longueur (5312, 5412) des premier et deuxième profilés.

12. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
le récipient (4) comprend deux moitiés (410, 420) scellées l'une à l'autre par des ailettes au niveau desdits côtés longitudinaux (43, 44), et de l'un (46) parmi ledit côté supérieur (45) ou côté inférieur (46) sans fermeture à glissière (5).

13. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
le récipient (4) est constitué d'un matériau en feuille, de préférence d'un matériau en feuille métallisé.

14. Emballage refermable (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que
l'emballage (1) comprend en outre un emballage extérieur (9) entourant le récipient, l'emballage extérieur (9) étant constitué de carton.

15. Procédé (100) pour la préparation d'un emballage refermable (1),
le procédé (100) comprenant les étapes suivantes :

(101) mise à disposition de deux moitiés (410, 420) d'un récipient (4),

(102) scellage des deux moitiés (410, 420) du récipient (4) au niveau de deux côtés longitudinaux (43, 44) de manière à former un tube (400), lequel s'étend le long d'une direction longitudinale (4x) parallèle aux côtés longitudinaux (43, 44),

(103) mise à disposition d'une fermeture à glissière (5) comprenant un coulisseau (55) et une première (53) et une deuxième partie latérale (54), le coulisseau (55) reliant la première (53) et la deuxième partie latérale (54) de la fermeture à glissière (5) de manière réversible,

(104) fixation de chacune parmi la première (53) et la deuxième partie latérale (54) de la fermeture à glissière (5) à l'une des deux parties de fermeture (47, 48) du récipient (4),

(105) fermeture de la fermeture à glissière (5),

(106) remplissage du tube (400) avec au moins un produit (3),

(107) scellage du tube (400) à une position (401) sous l'au moins un produit (3),
dans lequel le tube (400) forme les deux parties de fermeture (47, 48) du récipient (4), situées au-dessus de l'au moins un produit (3),

(108) fixation d'une partie d'extrémité (471, 481) de chacune des deux parties de fermeture (47, 48) du récipient (4) à un côté avant (42) ou un côté arrière (41) du récipient (4) par une fermeture scellée (6).

Drawing