CA2134920A1 - High speed meat packing apparatus - Google Patents
High speed meat packing apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2134920A1 CA2134920A1 CA002134920A CA2134920A CA2134920A1 CA 2134920 A1 CA2134920 A1 CA 2134920A1 CA 002134920 A CA002134920 A CA 002134920A CA 2134920 A CA2134920 A CA 2134920A CA 2134920 A1 CA2134920 A1 CA 2134920A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- product
- heat shrinkable
- film
- thermoplastic film
- flushing gas
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
- Y02P60/80—Food processing, e.g. use of renewable energies or variable speed drives in handling, conveying or stacking
- Y02P60/85—Food storage or conservation, e.g. cooling or drying
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of packaging meat products in an oxygen free package using a hot air heat shrinking method for shrinking a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film around the meat product. The need for a vacuum chamber is eliminated. The problem of trapping oxygen within the package is eliminated by using a oxygen free flush gas.
Description
PATENT
Case No. 341900 High Speed Meat Packing Apparatus BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, packag-ing an article in a receptacle to obtain a substAnti~lly oxygen free pack. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for producing a package including a meat product in a substantially oxygen free l0 heat shrinkable thermoplastic receptacle u~ ing an inert atmosphere and a hot air shrinking means.
Case No. 341900 High Speed Meat Packing Apparatus BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, packag-ing an article in a receptacle to obtain a substAnti~lly oxygen free pack. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for producing a package including a meat product in a substantially oxygen free l0 heat shrinkable thermoplastic receptacle u~ ing an inert atmosphere and a hot air shrinking means.
2. Description of the Related Art It has been known to package an article in plastic envelopes, such as a plastic bag, by loading the article in the envelope and then inserting the loaded 15 envelope into a vacuum chamber for the atmosphere around the envelope to be reduced in pressure so that the air or other gas within the envelope is ex-tracted and finally the envelope can be sealed under low pressure conditions.
The resulting package is termed a "vacuum packagen.
It is also known for the operation of the process to be such that during 20 the reduction in pressure of the atmosphere around the envelope, the wall of the envelope balloons away from the enclosed article, so that the extraction of air from within the envelope can be more effectively carried out. Such systems using, for example, a nozzle to extract air from within the envelope while the pressure of the atmosphere around the envelope ha~s been reduced to effect the 25 nece~$~ry ballooning action are known. Ballooning action is also known in which the vacuum chamber in which the envelope is closed has two portions of which a first portion encloses the envelope mouth and the second portion encloses the article-enclosing rem~in~er of the envelope so that the pressure around the exterior of the envelope can initially be reduced more rapidly than 30 the pressure within the envelope (in order to promote the desired ballooning effect). Increased effectiveness of ballooning using several cycles of reducing - - -' ' 21~g2~ "
PATENT
Case No. 341900 the pressure around the envelope and within the envelope to help insure removal of any trapped pockets of oxygen cont~ining gas is also known.
In all of these methods there is a necessity of using a vacuum chamber to remove the oxygen cont~ininF atmosphere and a hot water heat shrink ap-5 paratus to effectuate the shrinking of the heat shrinkable film envelope. Theuse of a vacuum chamber requires expensive, energy intensive equipment that also limits the speed of p~rk~ing the desired articles. The use of a hot water shrinking means is also energy intensive, and exposes the packaged article to heat for a relatively extended period which then requires extended cooling be-l0 fore the packaged product is ready for further distribution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One form of the present invention relates to a process for p~rk~ing a 15 product comprising the steps of: flushing a product with a flll~hing gas;
covering the product with a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film formed in tubular shape around the product; sealing a longitudinal seam flap of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; sealing the product and a quantity of the flushing gas within the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film by 20 sealing and separating the product cont~ininF portion of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; removing the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film sealed product from the gas flushing means; providing a flushing gas exit hole in the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; heat shrinkingthe heat shrinkable thermoplastic film against the product contained therein;
25 and removing the shrink wrapped product from the heat shrinking means and sealing the flushing gas exit hole.
Another form of the present invention relates to a process for p~rkAgin~
a product comprising the steps of: loading a product onto a tray or slab;
flushing the loaded product with a flushing gas; covering the product with a 30 heat shrinkable thermoplastic film formed in tubular shape around the product; sealing a longitudinal seam flap of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic fflm; sealing the product and a quantity of the flllchin~ gas within the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film by sealing and separating the product cont~ining portion of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable 35 thermoplastic film; removing the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film sealed , . .
213~2~ ~
-PATENT
Case No. 341900 product from the gas flushing me~n~; providing a flushing gas exit hole in the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; heat shrinking the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film against the product contained therein; and removing the shrink wrapped product from the heat shrinking means and sealing the flushing gas exit hole.
A further form of the invention relates to a package comprising a product; a heat shrinkable thermoplastic fflm; a substantially oxygen free flushing gas; a flushing gas exit hole; and a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
Yet another form of the invention relates to a package comprising a product; a product cont~ining tray or slab; a heat .shrink~hle thermoplastic film; a substantially oxygen free flushing gas; a flushing gas exit hole; and a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
Preferred forms of the invention, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which are appended hereto and make a part of this dis-closure.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows the film being formed in a tube shape and flap ready to be sealed by flap se~ling mP~n.~.
FIG. 3 show a schematic view of another embodiment of the present in-vention.
DESCRIPIION OF THE pREF~RR~n EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be better understood from the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.
FIG. 1 shows a s~hem~tic view of the apparatus 1 of the present inven-tion wherein product indexing means 2 transports product 3 to gas flushing means 4. Product 3 (e.g., a sub-primal of fresh red meat) is covered with heat PATENT
Case No. 3-41900 shrinkable thermoplastic film 6 introduced from film supply 5 such that film 6 forms a tube shape around product 3 in area 7. Bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 then seals the product 3 and the gas introduced by gas flushing means 4 within film 6, having been sealed by bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 and transverse sealing and cutting means 9. The now sealed and flush gas filled film 6 cont~ining product 3 has a flushing gas exit hole 11 punched in it using hot needle means 10. The film 6 is next heat shrunk around product 3 using a hot air shrinking means 12. The presence of the flush gas causes the film to balloon away from the product 3 and prevents the film, during the heat shrinking process, from sticking to the product and thereby forming gas pockets. Additionally, because the flushing gas is substantially oxygen free any gas trapped between the product and the film will not-have a detrimental effect upon the product. Upon exiting the hot air shrinking means 12 a film patch 13 is sealed over exit hole 11 producing a product 3 sealed in a sealed heat shrunk barrier film 6 which is removed from indexing means 2 for shipment or further processing.
Yet another form of the present invention relates to a process for pack-aging a tray or slab loaded product, in a substantially oxygen free container ofheat shrinkable, thermoplastic film.
Still another form of the present invention relates to a process for p~ k~ng a product and an oxygen scaven~in~ agent in a substantially oxygen free cont~in~r of heat shrinkable, thermoplastic film.
Fig 2 shows a cross-section of Fig 1 at line A-A where the film 6 has been formed into a tubular shape and the flap 20 is ready to be sealed by flap sealing means 8. Optionally, an adhesive 21 may be used to seal, or help seal the flap 20.
In Fig. 3 is shown another embodiment of the present invention where the product 3 is loaded into an oxygen barrier tray 30 before introduction to the product index~ng means 2. Indexing means Z then transports product 3 to gas flushing me~n.c 4. Product 3 is covered with heat shrink~hle thermoplastic film 6 introduced from film supply 5 such that film 6 forms a tube shape around product 3 in area 7. Bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 then seals the product 3 and the gas introduced by gas flushing means 4 within film 6, having been sealed by bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 and transverse sealing means 9 and cutting means 31. The now sealed and flush - - -213~1~20 r~
PATENT
Case No. 341900 gas filled film 6 contAining product 3 has a flushing gas exit hole 11 punched in it using hot needle means 10. The film 6 is next heat shrunk around product 3 using a hot air shrinking means 12. Because the fl lching gas is substantially oxygen free any gas trapped between the product and the film will not have a detrimental effect upon the product. Upon exiting the hot air shrinking means 12 a sealing means 32 seals the film 6 to the edges of an oxygen barrier tray 30 producing a product 3 sealed in an oxygen barrier sealed tray 30/heat shrunk barrier film 6 which is removed from in~l~xing means 2 for shipment or further processing.
The film tube forming apparatus is well known in the art and may be, for example, an apparatus such as K-PAK m~l~hines supplied by Kartridge Pak Inc. Likewise, the longitudinal flap sealing means and the transverse sealing and cutting means are well known in the art and need no further discussion here.
Hole plln~hing means and the particularly preferred hot needle means for punching holes in film are well known in the art and need no further dis-cussion here. Likewise, hot air shrinking of heat shrinkable film and apparatus to do this are well known by those skilled in the art and thus no further discussion is required here.
The indexing means is preferably a conveyer system or series of con-veyer systems, but any suitable indexing system, whether manual or automatic may be employed in the present invention. Further, while the complete index-ing system apparatus and control systems are not shown, they are well under-stood by those skilled in the art and further description is not necessary to util-ize the present invention.
Suitable heat shrink~hle thermoplastic materials for use in the present invention, include oriented films, and oriented film l~minates where at least one film of the l~minate is a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film. As used herein "film" is defined as a single layer or coextruded multiple layers. Also, as used herein, "l~min~tes" is defined as a multi-film material having at least one oriented film. Presently preferred are oriented films, particularly bi~xi~lly oriented films. These films may be of a single layer or of multiple layer construction. Multilayer films may contain more than one layer of the same film composition or may contain different film compositions in one or more 2~3~920 ._ PATENT
Case No. 341900 layers of the multiple layer film. In addition, these materials may be coextruded or l~rnin~ted.
Film compositions suitable for use in the present invention include, for example, an outer layer (food side) layer of ELVAX 3128 ethylene vinyl acetate S copolymer (EVA), a first inner layer of a blend comprising 80% by weight Dowlex 2045 linear low density polyethylene from Dow Chemical, plus 20% by weight of EZ705-009 ethylene n-butyl acrylate copolymer from Quantum Chemic~l~, a second inner layer of saran (e.g, vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride copolymer, or vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate copoly~ner), and a 10 second outer layer of ELVAX 3128 EVA copolymer. Another preferred film formulation comprises an outer layer (food side) comprising a blend of 90% by weight of NA 295-000 EVA copolymer from Quantum Chemicals and 10% by weight Dowlex 2045 or comprising 85% by weight of Dowlex 2045 and 15% by weight of Quantum EA719-009 ethylene n-butyl acrylate copolymer, a first lS inner layer of a blend comprising 80% by weight Dowlex 2045 from Dow Chemical, plus 20% by weight of EZ705-009 from Qn~ntllm Chemicals, a second inner layer of saran, and a second outer layer comprising 92.5% by weight of an EVA copolymer (LD 318.92 from Exxon) plus 7.5% by weight of Dowlex 2045.
Patch materials suitable for use in the present invention may comprise 20 the same compositions as the heat shrinkable film or may be different. The patch material preferably also have the necessary oxygen barrier properties to ~lev~llt oxygen cont~min~tion of the product. The patch may or may not be heat shrink~hle since it is applied to the packaged product after hot air shrink-ing of the film cont~ining the product. Further, the patch may be applied us-25 ing any known ~tt~.-hing means including adhesives and heat sealing. A pres-ently preferred patch material comprises the same m~teri~l composition as used for the heat shrinkable thermoplastic material.
Optionally, the present invention may have an oxygen scavenging agent introduced into the package before sealing. Suitable oxygen scavenging agents 30 are well known in the art and include, for example, AGELESSTM oxygen scavenging packets supplied by W. R. Grace & Co., Conn. through its p~- k~ inE
division.
Although the illu~ alive embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings it is to be 35 understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, 213'q~2~
PATENT
Case No. 341900 and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the inven-tion.
For example, although the preferred tray to be used in connection with S this invention is an "oxygen barrier" tray, i.e., a tray having either inherently low oxygen transmission properties, or having e.g., an oxygen barrier film or lAminAte adhered to one or more surfaces of the tray, other trays or supports can be used in connection with the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the selection of the tray or support type will depend in part on10 the type of product to be packaged, and the desired shelf life ( in the case of food products).
Also, various olefinic and other thermoplastic polymer materials can be used in suitable proportions as the component of a heat shrinkable film or lAmin~te useful in the present invention. Again, the skilled routineer will 15 select such materials on the basis of desired functionalities, intended end use, and other considerations.
The resulting package is termed a "vacuum packagen.
It is also known for the operation of the process to be such that during 20 the reduction in pressure of the atmosphere around the envelope, the wall of the envelope balloons away from the enclosed article, so that the extraction of air from within the envelope can be more effectively carried out. Such systems using, for example, a nozzle to extract air from within the envelope while the pressure of the atmosphere around the envelope ha~s been reduced to effect the 25 nece~$~ry ballooning action are known. Ballooning action is also known in which the vacuum chamber in which the envelope is closed has two portions of which a first portion encloses the envelope mouth and the second portion encloses the article-enclosing rem~in~er of the envelope so that the pressure around the exterior of the envelope can initially be reduced more rapidly than 30 the pressure within the envelope (in order to promote the desired ballooning effect). Increased effectiveness of ballooning using several cycles of reducing - - -' ' 21~g2~ "
PATENT
Case No. 341900 the pressure around the envelope and within the envelope to help insure removal of any trapped pockets of oxygen cont~ining gas is also known.
In all of these methods there is a necessity of using a vacuum chamber to remove the oxygen cont~ininF atmosphere and a hot water heat shrink ap-5 paratus to effectuate the shrinking of the heat shrinkable film envelope. Theuse of a vacuum chamber requires expensive, energy intensive equipment that also limits the speed of p~rk~ing the desired articles. The use of a hot water shrinking means is also energy intensive, and exposes the packaged article to heat for a relatively extended period which then requires extended cooling be-l0 fore the packaged product is ready for further distribution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One form of the present invention relates to a process for p~rk~ing a 15 product comprising the steps of: flushing a product with a flll~hing gas;
covering the product with a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film formed in tubular shape around the product; sealing a longitudinal seam flap of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; sealing the product and a quantity of the flushing gas within the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film by 20 sealing and separating the product cont~ininF portion of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; removing the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film sealed product from the gas flushing means; providing a flushing gas exit hole in the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; heat shrinkingthe heat shrinkable thermoplastic film against the product contained therein;
25 and removing the shrink wrapped product from the heat shrinking means and sealing the flushing gas exit hole.
Another form of the present invention relates to a process for p~rkAgin~
a product comprising the steps of: loading a product onto a tray or slab;
flushing the loaded product with a flushing gas; covering the product with a 30 heat shrinkable thermoplastic film formed in tubular shape around the product; sealing a longitudinal seam flap of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic fflm; sealing the product and a quantity of the flllchin~ gas within the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film by sealing and separating the product cont~ining portion of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable 35 thermoplastic film; removing the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film sealed , . .
213~2~ ~
-PATENT
Case No. 341900 product from the gas flushing me~n~; providing a flushing gas exit hole in the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film; heat shrinking the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film against the product contained therein; and removing the shrink wrapped product from the heat shrinking means and sealing the flushing gas exit hole.
A further form of the invention relates to a package comprising a product; a heat shrinkable thermoplastic fflm; a substantially oxygen free flushing gas; a flushing gas exit hole; and a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
Yet another form of the invention relates to a package comprising a product; a product cont~ining tray or slab; a heat .shrink~hle thermoplastic film; a substantially oxygen free flushing gas; a flushing gas exit hole; and a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
Preferred forms of the invention, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this invention, will be apparent from the following detailed description which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPIION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which are appended hereto and make a part of this dis-closure.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows the film being formed in a tube shape and flap ready to be sealed by flap se~ling mP~n.~.
FIG. 3 show a schematic view of another embodiment of the present in-vention.
DESCRIPIION OF THE pREF~RR~n EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be better understood from the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.
FIG. 1 shows a s~hem~tic view of the apparatus 1 of the present inven-tion wherein product indexing means 2 transports product 3 to gas flushing means 4. Product 3 (e.g., a sub-primal of fresh red meat) is covered with heat PATENT
Case No. 3-41900 shrinkable thermoplastic film 6 introduced from film supply 5 such that film 6 forms a tube shape around product 3 in area 7. Bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 then seals the product 3 and the gas introduced by gas flushing means 4 within film 6, having been sealed by bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 and transverse sealing and cutting means 9. The now sealed and flush gas filled film 6 cont~ining product 3 has a flushing gas exit hole 11 punched in it using hot needle means 10. The film 6 is next heat shrunk around product 3 using a hot air shrinking means 12. The presence of the flush gas causes the film to balloon away from the product 3 and prevents the film, during the heat shrinking process, from sticking to the product and thereby forming gas pockets. Additionally, because the flushing gas is substantially oxygen free any gas trapped between the product and the film will not-have a detrimental effect upon the product. Upon exiting the hot air shrinking means 12 a film patch 13 is sealed over exit hole 11 producing a product 3 sealed in a sealed heat shrunk barrier film 6 which is removed from indexing means 2 for shipment or further processing.
Yet another form of the present invention relates to a process for pack-aging a tray or slab loaded product, in a substantially oxygen free container ofheat shrinkable, thermoplastic film.
Still another form of the present invention relates to a process for p~ k~ng a product and an oxygen scaven~in~ agent in a substantially oxygen free cont~in~r of heat shrinkable, thermoplastic film.
Fig 2 shows a cross-section of Fig 1 at line A-A where the film 6 has been formed into a tubular shape and the flap 20 is ready to be sealed by flap sealing means 8. Optionally, an adhesive 21 may be used to seal, or help seal the flap 20.
In Fig. 3 is shown another embodiment of the present invention where the product 3 is loaded into an oxygen barrier tray 30 before introduction to the product index~ng means 2. Indexing means Z then transports product 3 to gas flushing me~n.c 4. Product 3 is covered with heat shrink~hle thermoplastic film 6 introduced from film supply 5 such that film 6 forms a tube shape around product 3 in area 7. Bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 then seals the product 3 and the gas introduced by gas flushing means 4 within film 6, having been sealed by bottom longitudinal flap sealing means 8 and transverse sealing means 9 and cutting means 31. The now sealed and flush - - -213~1~20 r~
PATENT
Case No. 341900 gas filled film 6 contAining product 3 has a flushing gas exit hole 11 punched in it using hot needle means 10. The film 6 is next heat shrunk around product 3 using a hot air shrinking means 12. Because the fl lching gas is substantially oxygen free any gas trapped between the product and the film will not have a detrimental effect upon the product. Upon exiting the hot air shrinking means 12 a sealing means 32 seals the film 6 to the edges of an oxygen barrier tray 30 producing a product 3 sealed in an oxygen barrier sealed tray 30/heat shrunk barrier film 6 which is removed from in~l~xing means 2 for shipment or further processing.
The film tube forming apparatus is well known in the art and may be, for example, an apparatus such as K-PAK m~l~hines supplied by Kartridge Pak Inc. Likewise, the longitudinal flap sealing means and the transverse sealing and cutting means are well known in the art and need no further discussion here.
Hole plln~hing means and the particularly preferred hot needle means for punching holes in film are well known in the art and need no further dis-cussion here. Likewise, hot air shrinking of heat shrinkable film and apparatus to do this are well known by those skilled in the art and thus no further discussion is required here.
The indexing means is preferably a conveyer system or series of con-veyer systems, but any suitable indexing system, whether manual or automatic may be employed in the present invention. Further, while the complete index-ing system apparatus and control systems are not shown, they are well under-stood by those skilled in the art and further description is not necessary to util-ize the present invention.
Suitable heat shrink~hle thermoplastic materials for use in the present invention, include oriented films, and oriented film l~minates where at least one film of the l~minate is a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film. As used herein "film" is defined as a single layer or coextruded multiple layers. Also, as used herein, "l~min~tes" is defined as a multi-film material having at least one oriented film. Presently preferred are oriented films, particularly bi~xi~lly oriented films. These films may be of a single layer or of multiple layer construction. Multilayer films may contain more than one layer of the same film composition or may contain different film compositions in one or more 2~3~920 ._ PATENT
Case No. 341900 layers of the multiple layer film. In addition, these materials may be coextruded or l~rnin~ted.
Film compositions suitable for use in the present invention include, for example, an outer layer (food side) layer of ELVAX 3128 ethylene vinyl acetate S copolymer (EVA), a first inner layer of a blend comprising 80% by weight Dowlex 2045 linear low density polyethylene from Dow Chemical, plus 20% by weight of EZ705-009 ethylene n-butyl acrylate copolymer from Quantum Chemic~l~, a second inner layer of saran (e.g, vinylidene chloride/vinyl chloride copolymer, or vinylidene chloride/methyl acrylate copoly~ner), and a 10 second outer layer of ELVAX 3128 EVA copolymer. Another preferred film formulation comprises an outer layer (food side) comprising a blend of 90% by weight of NA 295-000 EVA copolymer from Quantum Chemicals and 10% by weight Dowlex 2045 or comprising 85% by weight of Dowlex 2045 and 15% by weight of Quantum EA719-009 ethylene n-butyl acrylate copolymer, a first lS inner layer of a blend comprising 80% by weight Dowlex 2045 from Dow Chemical, plus 20% by weight of EZ705-009 from Qn~ntllm Chemicals, a second inner layer of saran, and a second outer layer comprising 92.5% by weight of an EVA copolymer (LD 318.92 from Exxon) plus 7.5% by weight of Dowlex 2045.
Patch materials suitable for use in the present invention may comprise 20 the same compositions as the heat shrinkable film or may be different. The patch material preferably also have the necessary oxygen barrier properties to ~lev~llt oxygen cont~min~tion of the product. The patch may or may not be heat shrink~hle since it is applied to the packaged product after hot air shrink-ing of the film cont~ining the product. Further, the patch may be applied us-25 ing any known ~tt~.-hing means including adhesives and heat sealing. A pres-ently preferred patch material comprises the same m~teri~l composition as used for the heat shrinkable thermoplastic material.
Optionally, the present invention may have an oxygen scavenging agent introduced into the package before sealing. Suitable oxygen scavenging agents 30 are well known in the art and include, for example, AGELESSTM oxygen scavenging packets supplied by W. R. Grace & Co., Conn. through its p~- k~ inE
division.
Although the illu~ alive embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings it is to be 35 understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, 213'q~2~
PATENT
Case No. 341900 and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the inven-tion.
For example, although the preferred tray to be used in connection with S this invention is an "oxygen barrier" tray, i.e., a tray having either inherently low oxygen transmission properties, or having e.g., an oxygen barrier film or lAminAte adhered to one or more surfaces of the tray, other trays or supports can be used in connection with the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the selection of the tray or support type will depend in part on10 the type of product to be packaged, and the desired shelf life ( in the case of food products).
Also, various olefinic and other thermoplastic polymer materials can be used in suitable proportions as the component of a heat shrinkable film or lAmin~te useful in the present invention. Again, the skilled routineer will 15 select such materials on the basis of desired functionalities, intended end use, and other considerations.
Claims (23)
IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A process for packaging a product comprising the steps of:
a) flushing a product with a flushing gas;
b) covering the product with a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film formed in tubular shape around the product;
c) sealing a longitudinal seam flap of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
d) sealing the product and a quantity of the flushing gas within the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film by sealing and separating the product containing portion of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
e) removing the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film sealed product from the gas flushing means;
f) providing a flushing gas exit hole in the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
g) heat shrinking the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film against the product contained therein; and h) removing the shrink wrapped product from the heat shrinking means and sealing the flushing gas exit hole.
a) flushing a product with a flushing gas;
b) covering the product with a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film formed in tubular shape around the product;
c) sealing a longitudinal seam flap of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
d) sealing the product and a quantity of the flushing gas within the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film by sealing and separating the product containing portion of the tubular shaped heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
e) removing the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film sealed product from the gas flushing means;
f) providing a flushing gas exit hole in the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
g) heat shrinking the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film against the product contained therein; and h) removing the shrink wrapped product from the heat shrinking means and sealing the flushing gas exit hole.
2. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the flushing gas is substantially oxygen free.
3. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the flushing comprises substantially oxygen free nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
4. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film comprises an oriented heat shrinkable thermoplastic film.
5. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film comprises an oriented heat shrinkable thermoplastic barrier film.
6. A process as claimed in Claim 4 wherein, said oriented film is biaxially oriented.
7. A process as claimed in Claim 5 wherein, said oriented film is biaxially oriented.
8. A process as claimed in Claim 4 wherein, said oriented film is a biaxially oriented shrink laminate.
9. A process as claimed in Claim 5 wherein, said oriented film is a biaxially oriented shrink laminate.
10. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the longitudinal seam flap is created using a heat sealing means.
11. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the transverse sealing and cutting is accomplished using a heat sealing and heat cutting means.
12. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the flushing gas exit hole is produced using a hot needle hole producing means.
13. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the heat shrinking means uses hot air and operates at a temperature of from about 200°F to about 400°F.
14. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the flushing gas exit hole is sealed using a seal selected from the group comprising a thermoplastic barrier film sealing patch, a barrier tray, a barrier slab, a barrier foam tray or a barrier foam slab.
15. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the gas flushing exit hole seal is heat sealed to the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film.
16. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the hole sealing means is adhesively sealed to the heat shrinkable thermoplastic film.
17. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the product is loaded into a tray before proceeding to step a).
18. A process as claimed in Claim 1 wherein, the product is loaded onto a slab before proceeding to step a).
19. The package produced by the process as claimed in Claim 1.
20. The package produced by the process as claimed in Claim 17.
21. The package produced by the process as claimed in Claim 18.
22. A package comprising:
a) a product;
b) a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
c) a substantially oxygen free flushing gas;
d) a flushing gas exit hole; and e) a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
a) a product;
b) a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
c) a substantially oxygen free flushing gas;
d) a flushing gas exit hole; and e) a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
23. A package comprising:
a) a product;
b) a product containing tray or slab;
c) a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
d) a substantially oxygen free flushing gas;
e) a flushing gas exit hole; and f) a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
a) a product;
b) a product containing tray or slab;
c) a heat shrinkable thermoplastic film;
d) a substantially oxygen free flushing gas;
e) a flushing gas exit hole; and f) a flushing gas exit hole sealing patch over the flushing gas exit hole.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US21245194A | 1994-03-11 | 1994-03-11 | |
| US212,451 | 1994-03-11 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2134920A1 true CA2134920A1 (en) | 1995-09-12 |
Family
ID=22791076
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002134920A Abandoned CA2134920A1 (en) | 1994-03-11 | 1994-11-02 | High speed meat packing apparatus |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH07315342A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR950031799A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU686297B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9501031A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2134920A1 (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ270596A (en) |
| TW (1) | TW348147B (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA951745B (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL424874A1 (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2019-09-23 | Provincja Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością | Method for packaging maturing products from venison |
| CN112078855A (en) * | 2020-09-10 | 2020-12-15 | 祁东县林燕食品有限公司 | Automatic packaging machine is used in rice noodle production |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103818577A (en) * | 2012-11-16 | 2014-05-28 | 江苏凯伦建材股份有限公司 | Waterproof-roll heat-shrink package device |
| GB201516575D0 (en) | 2015-09-18 | 2015-11-04 | Johnson Matthey Plc | Food Packaging |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2244601A1 (en) * | 1972-09-12 | 1974-03-21 | Hesser Ag Maschf | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING LOW OXYGEN PACKAGING |
| US3989853A (en) * | 1973-09-17 | 1976-11-02 | Forkner John H | Method for expanding confections in a package |
| US4548852A (en) * | 1983-05-02 | 1985-10-22 | Pakor, Inc. | Method and apparatus for packaging perishable products in a reduced air atmosphere |
-
1994
- 1994-11-02 CA CA002134920A patent/CA2134920A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1995
- 1995-03-01 NZ NZ270596A patent/NZ270596A/en unknown
- 1995-03-02 ZA ZA951745A patent/ZA951745B/en unknown
- 1995-03-07 AU AU13665/95A patent/AU686297B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-03-07 KR KR1019950004613A patent/KR950031799A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-03-08 JP JP7074734A patent/JPH07315342A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-03-10 BR BR9501031A patent/BR9501031A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-03-27 TW TW084102947A patent/TW348147B/en active
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL424874A1 (en) * | 2018-03-14 | 2019-09-23 | Provincja Spółka Z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością | Method for packaging maturing products from venison |
| CN112078855A (en) * | 2020-09-10 | 2020-12-15 | 祁东县林燕食品有限公司 | Automatic packaging machine is used in rice noodle production |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| TW348147B (en) | 1998-12-21 |
| AU686297B2 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
| JPH07315342A (en) | 1995-12-05 |
| KR950031799A (en) | 1995-12-20 |
| ZA951745B (en) | 1995-12-08 |
| AU1366595A (en) | 1995-09-21 |
| NZ270596A (en) | 1997-10-24 |
| BR9501031A (en) | 1995-10-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20021104 |