PACKAGING The invention relates to a packaging, particularly for foodstuffs, comprising

- a top layer and a bottom layer, which layers are connected to each other gastightly over their overlapping edge zones while leaving clear an opening between an end zone of the top layer and a part of the bottom layer; and

- a closing flap which extends from the bottom layer and is connected gastightly thereto and which is adapted to be moved between a first position, in which the closing flap extends at least partially over the top layer for the purpose of closing the opening, and a second position in which the closing flap leaves the opening clear; and

- a reclosing strip connected to the top layer close to the end zone of the top layer such that the closing flap extends over the reclosing strip when the closing flap is in the first position for the purpose of reclosing the

packaging.

Such a packaging is per se known. The known packaging comprises a top layer and a bottom layer, between which foodstuffs such as sliced cheese and meat products are arranged. In order to remove the foodstuffs from the packaging an opening is left clear between the top layer and the bottom layer, which opening can be closed by means of a closing flap.

Packagings for foodstuffs can be filled during

packaging with a gas, such as for instance carbon dioxide

(C0 ₂ ) or nitrogen {N ₂ ) , these gases preventing oxidation due to O2. The shelf-life of the packaged foodstuffs can hereby be increased. A drawback of the known packaging is that it is possible that the packaging is not closed in wholly gastight manner, whereby the foodstuffs can perish quickly.

A reclosable packaging as described above is for instance known from the patent publication US-A-3, 310, 225. The resealable packaging of US-A-3, 310, 225 is adapted to protect its contents from moisture, dirt and the like. The resealable packaging of US-A-3, 310, 225 is not adapted to package food, whereby the problem of enabling gastight closure of the packaging is not acknowledged in US-A- 3,310,225.

It is an object of the invention to at least partially obviate the above stated drawback. It is a particular object of the invention to provide a packaging which can be closed gastightly in simple manner and which is reclosable after opening.

For this purpose the packaging of the type stated in the preamble is distinguished according to the invention from the known packaging in that the reclosing strip is connected to the side of the top layer facing toward the bottom layer, the reclosing strip is releasably connected in the first position to the side of the closing flap facing toward the bottom layer, and the top layer is a laminate.

A laminate as top layer has the advantage that layers of different materials, each with their own properties, can suitably be used such that the top layer acquires the desired properties for the packaging of food layers. A layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) can particularly be present, this layer forming a good barrier against oxygen and/or other gases. In addition, a layer of for instance oriented polypropylene (PP) and/or oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be present for the purpose of providing a water barrier and/or mechanical strength. Such a laminate is substantially gastight in its direction

extending substantially perpendicularly through the layers. Applicant has found that the laminate is not gastight in a direction parallel to the layers because gas can migrate in this direction through the non-gastight layers of the laminate, such as for instance the PP layer. By

connecting the reclosing strip to the side of the top layer facing toward the bottom layer and the side of the closing flap facing toward the bottom layer as according to the invention, gas can be prevented from migrating through the non-gastight layers of the laminate because the reclosing strip closes off the outer end of the top layer

substantially gastightly from the space in which the foodstuffs are situated. The connection according to the invention can also substantially prevent O ₂ penetrating via these permeable layers into the space in which the

foodstuffs are situated.

A reclosing strip connected to the side of the top layer facing toward the bottom layer moreover has the advantage that such a connection decreases the chance of delamination of the top layer. Delamination is understood here to mean detaching of the reclosing strip. Delamination can occur particularly in top layers with a low film quality because the reclosing strip may then adhere more firmly to the closing flap than to the top layer. This problem is normally prevented by using a top layer of a high quality, this top layer being more expensive than a top layer of a lower quality. In the packaging according to the invention the standards set for the film quality can therefore be lower, whereby the cost of the packaging can decrease.

Prior to first opening of the packaging the top layer and the closing flap can be connected by means of sealing. The packaging can hereby be closed in still more effective gastight manner. It is noted that the above stated problem of the gas migrating from the packaging through the non- gastight layers of the laminate, or O ₂ penetrating

therethrough into the packaging, can also occur when the top layer and the closing flap are connected by means of sealing. The connection according to the invention of the reclosing strip to the side of the top layer facing toward the bottom layer and the side of the closing flap facing toward the bottom layer hereby provides the advantage that the packaging can be closed (more) gastightly, even in the case of a top layer and closing flap connected to each other by sealing.

In another embodiment of the packaging according to the invention the reclosing strip extends over the whole distance between the respective edge zones, wherein the reclosing strip at least partially overlaps these edge zones .

An advantage of a reclosing strip which at least partially overlaps the edge zones is that this provides a packaging which can be properly closed in gastight manner. In the known packaging possibly present reclosing adhesive does not extend over the whole distance between the edge zones, whereby it is possible, particularly close to the edge zones, for small openings to be present between the closing flap and the reclosing adhesive and/or the top layer. Oxygen can enter the packaging through these

openings, whereby the packaged foodstuffs could perish quickly.

In a practical embodiment of the packaging according to the invention the reclosing strip is connected to the top layer by means of sealing or adhesion.

In another practical embodiment of the packaging according to the invention the side of the reclosing strip remote from the bottom layer is provided with an adhesive such that, when the closing flap extends over the reclosing strip in the first position, the closing flap and the reclosing strip are mutually connected by adhesion. A longitudinal end edge of the reclosing strip

preferably extends to a position close to the bottom layer end zone from which the closing flap extends.

An advantage hereof is that, when the packaging is reclosed, this can take place in substantially airtight manner.

The invention also relates to a method for

manufacturing a packaging as specified above, comprising the following steps, to be performed in suitable sequence, of: a) positioning a first film, which is a laminate, and a second film such that the first film and the second film at least partially overlap each other;

b) connecting overlapping end zones of the two films gastightly to each other;

c) optionally arranging the foodstuffs to be packaged on at least one of the two films;

d) performing step b) such that gastight mutual connection of one end zone of the first film and one end zone of the second film takes place by connecting a

reclosing strip to the first film close to this end zone, wherein the reclosing strip is provided on one side with an adhesive such that a part of the side of the reclosing strip provided with the adhesive adheres to the one end zone of the first film, and adhering the free part of the side of the reclosing strip provided with the adhesive to the one end zone of the second film.

A first and second film are here also understood to mean a single film which is for instance folded to form a top layer and a bottom layer. This can also be a single film which is cut in two.

A packaging according to the invention can be

manufactured in simple and/or rapid and/or inexpensive manner with the method according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention step d) is performed such that at least a part of the second film is folded to form the closing flap such that the folded part extends at least partially over the first film and over the free part of the side of the reclosing strip provided with the adhesive.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention the method comprises the step of:

e) folding at least one of the first film and the second film to form the bottom layer of the packaging.

In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention the method comprises the step of:

f) cutting a single film prior to step a) so as to form the first film and second film.

An advantage of step f) is that, when a first film and a second film with a continuous pattern are used, it is easier to position the films in step a) such that the pattern continues correctly.

The invention also relates to a device for

manufacturing a packaging as described above, comprising:

- positioning means for positioning a first film, which is a laminate, and a second film such that the first film and the second film at least partially overlap each other;

- first connecting means for mutually connecting overlapping end zones of the two films, optionally while leaving free one end zone of each film;

- optional filling means for arranging the foodstuffs to be packaged on at least one of the two films; and

- second connecting means for connecting a reclosing strip to the first film close to the one end zone thereof and to the second film close to the one end zone thereof.

The packaging can be manufactured in simple and/or rapid and/or inexpensive manner by making use of such a device .

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention the device comprises folding means for folding at least one of the first film and the second film. The folding means can for instance comprise a forming plate.

The device preferably comprises cutting means for cutting a single film in order to form the first film and second film, which cutting means are disposed upstream of the positioning means.

The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to figures shown in a drawing, wherein:

- figure 1 shows a device for manufacturing a packaging according to an embodiment of the invention;

- figure 2 is a side view of a packaging according to an embodiment of the invention;

- figure 3 is a perspective view of the packaging of figure 2;

- figure 4 is a perspective view of a device for manufacturing a packaging according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- figure 5 is a schematic side view of the device of figure 4;

- figure 6 is a schematic side view of a device for manufacturing a packaging according to a third embodiment of the invention;

- figure 7 is a perspective view of a device for manufacturing a packaging according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

- figure 8 is a schematic side view of the device of figure 7;

- figure 9 is a perspective view of a packaging according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- figure 10 shows a schematic cross-section of the upper side of the packaging of figure 9;

- figure 11 shows a schematic cross-section of the upper side of the packaging of figure 9 when the packaging is closed; and - figure 12 shows a schematic cross-section of a packaging which is not closed according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a simplified view of a device 1 for manufacturing packagings 2. As will be apparent from figure 1, a first film 3 and a second film 4 are fed and positioned relative to each other by positioning means 5, 6 such that first film 3 and second film 4 partially overlap each other while leaving clear a part of second film 4. First film 3 can for instance be transparent, whereby the content of packaging 2 is visible. Second film 4 can for instance be non-transparent and can for instance have a paper look for an aesthetic effect. First film 3 and/or second film 4 can be a laminate, wherein a layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) can be present, this layer forming a good barrier against oxygen and/or other gases.

A reclosing strip 7, which is provided on one side with an adhesive 8, is adhered to the side of first film 3 facing toward second film 4, close to an end zone 9 thereof. A part of the side of reclosing strip 7 provided with adhesive 8 is left free here.

The overlapping end zones 10, 11 of respectively first film 3 and second film 4 are connected gastightly to each other by means of a sealing connection arranged by a sealing device 12. The foodstuffs 13 to be packaged are arranged on second film 4 in direction 14 by means of filling means (not shown) via an opening between end zone 9 of first film 3 and second film 4 such that the foodstuffs extend between first film 3 and second film 4. After arranging of foodstuffs 13 the part of second film 4 which has been left free is folded over first film 3 and over the free part of the side of reclosing strip 7 provided with adhesive 8 such that this part of second film 4 forms a closing flap 15. Closing flap 15 therefore adheres to reclosing strip 7 after folding so as to close the opening. A transverse seal 17 is then arranged by means of sealing means 16, and packagings 2 are separated from each other by cutting means (not shown) . It will be apparent here that transverse seal 17 likewise extends over the end surfaces of reclosing strip 7, thereby preventing openings being present between closing flap 15 and reclosing strip 7 and/or first film 3 and/or second film 4. Packaging 2 is hereby closed airtightly. The packaging preferably takes place under protective atmosphere.

Figures 2 and 3 show a packaging 2 manufactured using device 1 of figure 1. As shown in figures 2, 3, first film 3 forms top layer 20 of packaging 2 and second film A the bottom layer 21 and closing flap 15 of packaging 2. Top layer 20 and bottom layer 21 are connected to each other gastightly along their overlapping edge zones 10, 11, 23-26 while leaving clear an opening between end zone 9 of top layer 20 and a part of bottom layer 21. In figure 2 closing flap 15 is shown in a first position in which closing flap 15 extends at least partially over top layer 20 of packaging 2. Figure 3 shows packaging 2 after packaging 2 has been opened, wherein closing flap 15 is in a second position in which closing flap 15 leaves the opening clear. Closing flap 15 is movable between the first and the second positions in direction 22.

Reclosing strip 7 is connected to top layer 20 close to end zone 9 of top layer 20. Figure 2 shows that in the first position closing flap 15 also extends over reclosing strip 7 such that closing flap 15 adheres to adhesive 8 of reclosing strip 7 in order to close the opening. Figure 2 also shows that reclosing strip 7 is connected to the side of top layer 20 facing toward bottom layer 21. This has the advantage that, when closing flap 15 is moved from the first to the second position, reclosing strip 7 remains well adhered to top layer 20 and is not pulled away by closing flap 15. As is apparent from figure 3, reclosing strip 7 extends over the whole distance between edge zones 23-26, wherein

reclosing strip 7 overlaps edge zones 23-26. This has the advantage that packaging 2 can hereby be closed in properly airtight manner since the presence of openings between closing flap 15 and reclosing strip 7 and/or top layer 20 is prevented, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the packaged foodstuffs. Further shown is that the longitudinal end edge 27 of reclosing strip 7 extends to a position close to bottom layer end zone 28, from which closing flap 15 extends. The openings between edge zones 23-26 and closing flap 15 are hereby small after reclosure of packaging 2, whereby the least possible oxygen can penetrate packaging 2.

Figures 4 and 5 show a simplified view of a device 101 for manufacturing packagings 102 according to a second embodiment of the invention. As shown in figures 4 and 5, a single film 100 is fed and cut in longitudinal direction by cutting means 130 in the form of a stationary blade so as to form a first film 103 and a second film 104. First film 103 and second film 104 are then positioned relative to each other using positioning means 105, 106 such that first film 103 and second film 104 at least partially overlap each other. First film 103 can for instance be transparent, whereby the content of packaging 102 is visible. Positioning means 105 for positioning first film 103 and positioning means 106 for positioning second film 103 each comprise two mutually parallel rollers disposed one above the other, wherein a first end zone of each roller 105,106 is in each case positioned further to the rear than the other end zone as seen in the direction of transport. In other words, the longitudinal direction of each roller 105,106 lies at an angle of about 5-15° relative to the direction

perpendicularly of the direction of transport. By disposing each roller 105,106 in this manner the first film 103 and second film 104 are each displaced slightly toward each other, whereby first film 103 and second film 104 partially overlap each other. The degree of overlap can be set in simple manner by adjusting the rollers to a determined angle. The greater the angle here, or the more the position of the roller varies from the direction perpendicularly of the direction transport, the greater will be the overlap. Rollers 105,106 are preferably mounted pivotally on device 101 with their first end zone such that the angle can be easily adjusted by pivoting rollers 105,106 relative to device 101 and fixing rollers 105,106 in the pivoted position. It is noted that, when only rollers 105,106 for displacing one of the first film 103 and second film 104 are in inclining position, only this film is moved laterally.

When a continuous pattern is arranged on first film 103 and second film 104, it is however advantageous that rollers 105, 106 each lie at the same angle so that the two films 103,104 are displaced over an equal distance laterally and the pattern remains correctly continuous.

Arranged downstream of positioning means 105,106 in the embodiment of device 101 of figures 4 and 5 is a first sealing device 131 which mutually connects the overlapping end zones of first film 103 and second film 104. After sealing, a reclosing strip 107, which is provided with an adhesive 108 on its side facing toward first film 103 and second film 104, is adhered using second connecting means 132 to first film 103 close to an end zone 109 thereof and to second film 104 close to an end zone thereof. The mutually overlapping end zone 109 of first film 103 and the end zone of second film 104 are in this way connected gastightly to each other. The part of second film 104 to which reclosing strip 107 is adhered will form the closing flap of packaging 102 and the part of first film 103 to which reclosing strip 107 is adhered will form the top layer of packaging 102.

First film 103 and second film 104 are then each folded using folding means 133, for instance in the form of a forming plate, wherein the folded parts of first film 103 and second film 104 will form the bottom layer of packaging 102. During or after the folding the foodstuffs (not shown) are arranged in packaging 102 using filling means 134 such that the foodstuffs extend between first film 103 and second film 104.

The overlapping end zones 110, 111 of respectively the first film 103 and second film 104 are connected gastightly to each other by means of a sealing connection arranged by a sealing device 112.

A transverse seal 117 is then arranged by means of sealing means 116, and packagings 102 are mutually separated by cutting means 116. It will be apparent here that

transverse seal 117 also extends over the end surfaces of reclosing strip 107, thereby preventing openings being present between closing flap 115 and reclosing strip 107 and/or first film 103 and/or second film 104. Packaging 102 is hereby closed gastightly. Packaging preferably takes place under protective atmosphere.

Figures 4 and 5 show that, after folding of first film 103 and second film 104, the direction of transport is further vertical. This is also referred to as a vertical flow-pack machine.

Figure 6 shows the device of figures 4 and 5 without the first sealing device 131. Sealing device 131 makes the seal between the final top layer of packaging 102 and the closing flap of packaging 102, and this seal can optionally be present depending on the desired packaging 102.

Figures 7 and 8 show a horizontal flow-pack machine which, up to the folding of first film 103 and second film 104, is the same as the vertical flow-pack machine of figures 4 and 5. Figures 7 and 8 show that, after folding of first film 103 and second film 104, the direction of

transport is further horizontal, wherein sealing devices 112, 116 are disposed lower than, particularly below,

connecting means 132. Figures 9-11 show a packaging 102 manufactured using device 101 of figure 6. It is noted that such a packaging 102 can also be manufactured using the device according to figures 4 and 5, or device 101 according to figures 7 and 8, but that there is then an extra sealing layer connecting closing flap 115 to top layer 120.

As shown in figures 9-11, first film 103 forms top layer 120 of packaging 102 and a part of bottom layer 121 of packaging 102. Second film 104 forms the other part of bottom layer 121 and closing flap 115 of packaging 102. Top layer 120 and bottom layer 121 are connected gastightly to each other along their overlapping edge zones 123-126 and end zones 10, 11 while leaving clear an opening between end zone 109 of top layer 120 and a part of bottom layer 121. Figure 11 shows closing flap 115 in a first position in which closing flap 115 extends at least partially over top layer 120 of packaging 102. Figures 9 and 10 show packaging 102 after opening of packaging 102, wherein closing flap 115 is situated in a second position in which closing flap 115 leaves the opening clear. Closing flap 115 is movable between the first and the second position in direction 122.

Reclosing strip 107 is connected to top layer 120 close to end zone 109 of top layer 120. Figure 11 shows that in the first position closing flap 115 likewise extends over reclosing strip 107 such that closing flap 115 adheres to the adhesive 108 of reclosing strip 107 in order to close the opening. Reclosing strip 107 is in this way connected to an end zone of closing flap 115. It will therefore be apparent that the part of closing flap 115 which is shown in figures 10-11 and which adheres to reclosing strip 107 can be designated as end zone. It is noted that a part of the end zone of closing flap 115 need not be connected to top layer 120 by means of reclosing strip 107 such that this unconnected part can be gripped in simple manner by a user in order to open the packaging. Figure 11 also shows that reclosing strip 107 is connected to the side of top layer 120 facing toward bottom layer 121 (bottom layer 121 being shown schematically with a broken line) . This has the advantage that, when closing flap 115 is moved from the first position to the second, reclosing strip 107 remains properly adhered to top layer 120 and is not pulled away by closing flap 115. Moreover provided as a result is a gastight closure of the opening, which will be explained hereinbelow with reference to figures 11 and 12.

Figure 12 shows a packaging 50, wherein reclosing strip

51 is not connected according to the invention to top layer 52. Reclosing strip 51 is connected instead to the side of top layer 52 remote from the bottom layer (shown with broken lines) such that reclosing strip 51 extends between top layer 52 and closing flap 53. It will be apparent from the detail view of figure 12 that, when top layer 52 is a laminate, gaseous particles can migrate from the space in which the foodstuffs are situated via the non-gastight layers of the laminate, i.e. in direction 54. This migration is possible because the outer end of top layer 52 extends into the space in which the foodstuffs are situated.

Figure 11 shows that, when reclosing strip 107 is connected according to the invention to the side of top layer 120 facing toward the bottom layer, reclosing strip 107 seals the outer end of top layer 120 from the space in which the foodstuffs are situated. It is hereby not

possible, or at least less so, for gas to migrate via the non-gastight layers of the laminate.

It is noted that for the sake of simplicity the bottom layer of the packaging is not shown in figures 10-12, but that it will be apparent that the bottom layer extends between the end zones of the top layer.

The invention is not limited to the shown embodiment, but also extends to variants falling within the scope of the appended claims. It is thus possible for a single film to be used instead of two films, this film being folded so as to form a bottom layer and a top layer of the packaging .