EP0314546B1 - Method and apparatus for packaging a food or other product in a tray - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for packaging a food or other product in a tray Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0314546B1
EP0314546B1 EP88402632A EP88402632A EP0314546B1 EP 0314546 B1 EP0314546 B1 EP 0314546B1 EP 88402632 A EP88402632 A EP 88402632A EP 88402632 A EP88402632 A EP 88402632A EP 0314546 B1 EP0314546 B1 EP 0314546B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
film
tray
welding
product
enclosure
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EP88402632A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0314546A1 (en
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Patrick Robache
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Mecaplastic
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Mecaplastic
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Priority to AT88402632T priority Critical patent/ATE59352T1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65B31/028—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers closed by a lid sealed to the upper rim of the container, e.g. tray-like container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the vacuum packaging of food or other products in presentation trays on each of which is attached a sealing film welded on the edges thereof.
  • the two inverted bells 1 and 2 are brought against each other so as to close the welding enclosure.
  • the portion 4 of the closing film is then trapped inside this enclosure by being pinched between the edges. of the two bells 1 and 2. This gives the formation of a sealed enclosure subdivided into two parts A and B by the closure film 3.
  • the apparatus designed for the implementation of the present process can be integrated into a more complex packaging machine, for example a machine such as that described in French application 86-09995 of July 9, 1986 in the name of Applicant.
  • the present device can then replace the welding station provided in the machine which is the subject of this patent application, in which case the fixed sliding plates existing on both sides must undergo a shift in the height direction to adopt the positions provided for the plates 10 and 12 of this device.

Abstract

This method and this apparatus are designed for the packaging of a food or other product in a shallow display tray to which is attached a thermoplastic film, welded on its edges. Before welding of this film inside a leaktight chamber (1-2), under vacuum, the portion (4) of this film (3) which is located inside this chamber is heated, whilst the tray (8) to be closed and its contents (P) are placed beneath this film. This tray (8) is then lifted into a position such that its contents (P) press into the corresponding portion (4) of the film so that the latter completely encases the projecting part of this product. After the film (3) has been welded, under vacuum, onto the peripheral rim (13) of the corresponding tray, the vacuum is released so that the corresponding portion (21) of the film is applied closely over the projecting part of the product. This method and this apparatus may be used for the packaging of various products, particularly food products. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne le conditionnement sous vide de produits alimentaires ou autres dans des barquettes de présentation sur chacune desquelles est rapporté un film de fermeture soudé sur les bords de celle-ci.The present invention relates to the vacuum packaging of food or other products in presentation trays on each of which is attached a sealing film welded on the edges thereof.

Il existe déjà un certain nombre d'appareils ou machines permettant de réaliser un tel mode de conditionnement. Ainsi, le brevet français 2.565.552 au nom du Demandeur décrit un appareil comportant une enceinte étanche de soudure qui est constituée par deux cloches inversées susceptibles d'être écartées l'une de l'autre pour la mise en place d'une barquette de conditionnement dans la cloche inférieure de façon qu'elle repose sur les bords de celle-ci par l'intermédiaire d'un rebord externe prévu sur cette barquette. La soudure du film de fermeture, disposé au-dessus, est ensuite réalisée par l'application d'une tête de soudure prévue à l'intérieur de la cloche supérieure de l'enceinte correspondante. Par ailleurs lors de cette opération le vide est réalisé à l'intérieur de l'enceinte de soudure.There are already a number of devices or machines for carrying out such a mode of packaging. Thus, French patent 2,565,552 in the name of the Applicant describes an apparatus comprising a sealed welding enclosure which is constituted by two inverted bells capable of being separated from each other for the establishment of a tray of packaging in the lower bell so that it rests on the edges thereof by means of an external rim provided on this tray. The sealing of the closure film, placed above, is then carried out by the application of a welding head provided inside the upper bell of the corresponding enclosure. Furthermore, during this operation, a vacuum is created inside the welding enclosure.

Cependant un tel appareil ne peut convenir que pour le conditionnement de produits ne faisant pas saillie au-dessus des bords des barquettes de présentation. Ceci constitue donc une limitation gênante, car les produits ainsi conditionnés ne sont pas présentés de façon attrayante.However, such an apparatus can only be suitable for packaging products which do not protrude above the edges of the presentation trays. This therefore constitutes an annoying limitation, since the products thus packaged are not presented in an attractive manner.

C'est pourquoi la présente invention a pour objet un procédé et un appareil qui sont conçus de manière que les produits conditionnés dans des barquettes de présentation puissent faire très largement saillie au-dessus de celles-ci afin d'être présentés de façon apparente et très attractive pour les acheteurs éventuels.This is why the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus which are designed so that the products packaged in display trays can protrude very widely above them in order to be presented in an apparent manner and very attractive for potential buyers.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour premier objet un procédé de conditionnement sous vide d'un produit alimentaire ou autre dans une barquette de présentation de hauteur moindre que celle de produit sur laquelle est rapporté un film thermo-plastique soudé sur ses bords, ledit procédé comprenant successivement les étapes suivants:

  • - avant soudure de ce film à l'intérieur d'une enceinte étanche sous vide, on procède au chauffage de la portion de ce film qui se trouve à l'intérieur de cette enceinte, alors que la barquette à fermer et son contenu sont placées au-dessous de ce film,
  • - puis on effectue le relèvement de cette barquette par rapport au film dans une position telle que son contenu vient s'enfoncer dans la portion correspondante du film de façon que celui-ci enveloppe complètement la partie saillante de ce produit,
  • - et après avoir réalisé sous vide la soudure du film sur le rebord périphérique de la barquette correspondante on supprime le vide, de façon que la portion correspondante du film s'applique étroitement sur la partie saillante du produit.
To this end, the invention firstly relates to a process for vacuum packaging a food or other product in a presentation tray of lesser height than that of product on which a thermo-plastic film welded on its edges is attached, said method successively comprising the following steps:
  • - before welding of this film inside a vacuum-tight enclosure, the portion of this film which is inside this enclosure is heated, while the tray to be closed and its contents are placed below this film,
  • - then the raising of this tray relative to the film is carried out in a position such that its content sinks into the corresponding portion of the film so that the latter completely envelops the projecting part of this product,
  • - And after having carried out under vacuum the welding of the film on the peripheral rim of the corresponding tray, the vacuum is eliminated, so that the corresponding portion of the film is applied closely to the projecting part of the product.

Ainsi le produit conditionné de la sorte dans une barquette de présentation peut faire très largement saillie au dessus des bords de celle-ci et néanmoins il se trouve conservé sous vide du fait qu'il est enveloppé par le film de fermeture, lui-même fixé de façon étanche sur les bords de la barquette correspondante.Thus the product packaged in this way in a presentation tray can protrude very widely above the edges of the latter and nevertheless it is kept under vacuum because it is wrapped by the closure film, itself fixed. tightly around the edges of the corresponding tray.

Cependant la présente invention a également pour objet un appareil spécialement conçu pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé à l'intérieur d'une enceinte de soudure formée par la réunion de deux cloches mobiles inversées comportant:

  • - une cloche supérieure de l'enceinte de soudure renfermant une plaque mobile de chauffage de la portion du film de fermeture qui est située à l'intérieur de cette enceinte,
  • - un plateau de soutien verticalement mobile entre une position inférieure située au niveau de la position d'arrivée de chaque barquette pour laquelle celle-ci et son contenu sont au-dessous du film de fermeture et une position supérieure, correspondant à l'opération de soudure, et pour laquelle le rebord de la barquette correspondante est au niveau du film de fermeture, alors que le produit contenu fait saillie au-dessus,
  • - des moyens de commande et d'entraînement des diverses pièces, ces moyens étant agencés de façon à réaliser successivement les opérations suivantes
  • . fermeture de l'enceinte de soudure et descente de la plaque de chauffage du film de fermeture,
  • . relèvement de cette plaque de chauffage, s'accompagnant du relèvement du plateau de soutien dans la position de soudure,
  • . ouverture de l'enceinte de soudure et évacuation de la barquette fermée.
However, the subject of the present invention is also an apparatus specially designed for the implementation of this process inside a welding enclosure formed by the meeting of two inverted mobile bells comprising:
  • - an upper bell of the welding enclosure containing a movable heating plate for the portion of the closure film which is situated inside this enclosure,
  • - a vertically movable support plate between a lower position located at the position of arrival of each tray for which the latter and its contents are below the closure film and an upper position, corresponding to the operation of welding, and for which the rim of the corresponding tray is at the level of the closure film, while the product contained protrudes above,
  • - means for controlling and driving the various parts, these means being arranged so as to successively carry out the following operations
  • . closing the welding enclosure and lowering the heating plate of the closing film,
  • . raising this heating plate, accompanied by raising the support plate in the welding position,
  • . opening of the welding enclosure and evacuation of the closed tray.

Cependant d'autres particularités et avantages du procédé et de l'appareil selon l'invention apparai- tront au cours de la description suivante. Celle-ci est donnée en référence au dessin annexé à simple titre indicatif, et sur lequel :

  • La figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe- élévation d'un appareil selon l'invention.
  • Les figures 2 à 5 sont des vues en coupe qui illustrent les différentes phases de fonctionnement du présent appareil pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'invention.
However, other particularities and advantages of the method and of the apparatus according to the invention will become apparent during the following description. This is given with reference to the attached drawing for information only, and in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic sectional elevation view of an apparatus according to the invention.
  • Figures 2 to 5 are sectional views which illustrate the different operating phases of this device for implementing the method according to the invention.

Cet appareil comporte une enceinte étanche de soudure qui est formée par la réunion de deux cloches inversées 1 et 2. Celles-ci sont mobiles selon leur axe vertical X-Y et elle sont actionnées par des moyens d'entraînement non représentés permettant de les rapprocher pour la fermeture de l'enceinte de soudure et de les écarter pour l'ouverture de celle-ci.This device comprises a sealed welding enclosure which is formed by the union of two inverted bells 1 and 2. These are movable along their vertical axis XY and they are actuated by drive means not shown making it possible to bring them together for the closing the welding enclosure and moving them aside for the opening thereof.

Le plan de fermeture de ces deux cloches inversées correspond au plan selon lequel est disposé le film thermo-plastique de fermeture 3 sur sa portion 4 située à l'intérieur du présent appareil. Ce film provient d'un rouleau d'alimentation 5 et passe sur un rouleau de renvoi 6 avant sa traversée de cet appareil.The closing plane of these two inverted bells corresponds to the plane along which the thermo-plastic closing film 3 is disposed on its portion 4 located inside the present device. This film comes from a feed roller 5 and passes over a deflection roller 6 before it passes through this device.

A la partie inférieure de celui-ci, il est prévu un plateau 7 qui est destiné à servir de support à chaque barquette de conditionnement 8 lorsqu'elle se trouve dans le présent appareil. Ce plateau est porté par une tige verticale de manoeuvre 9 actionnée par des moyens d'entraînement non représentés de façon à être déplacé entre :

  • - une position inférieure de réception d'une barquette de conditionnement, cette position étant au niveau d'un plateau de glissement 10 situé du côté de l'introduction des barquettes 8 et sur lequel chacune de celles-ci peut glisser sous l'effet d'un moyen d'entraînement approprié, par exemple un poussoir 11,
  • - et une position supérieure correspondant à l'opération de soudure (figure 4), cette position se trouvant au niveau d'un plateau de glissement 12 situé du côté prévu pour l'évacuation de chaque barquette.
At the lower part thereof, there is provided a tray 7 which is intended to serve as a support for each packaging tray 8 when it is in the present device. This plate is carried by a vertical operating rod 9 actuated by drive means not shown so as to be moved between:
  • - a lower position for receiving a barquet te packaging, this position being at a sliding plate 10 located on the side of the introduction of the trays 8 and on which each of these can slide under the effect of an appropriate drive means, by example a pusher 11,
  • - And an upper position corresponding to the welding operation (Figure 4), this position being at a sliding plate 12 located on the side provided for the evacuation of each tray.

Ce plateau fixe de glissement 12 d'évacuation est situé à une distance H1 par rapport à la portion 4 du film de fermeture, cette distance étant égale à la hauteur de chaque barquette de conditionnement, c'est-à-dire la distance entre son rebord externe 13 et son fond. Quant au plateau d'alimentation 10, il est situé à une distance H2 par rapport à la portion 4 du film de fermeture, cette distance étant supérieure à la hauteur globale de l'ensemble constitué par une barquette de présentation 8 et le produit P placé dans celle-ci, lequel fait très largement saillie au-dessus de la barquette correspondante, puisque tel est le mode de conditionnement prévu dans le cas présent.This fixed sliding plate 12 for evacuation is located at a distance H1 from the portion 4 of the closure film, this distance being equal to the height of each packaging tray, that is to say the distance between its external rim 13 and its bottom. As for the feed plate 10, it is located at a distance H2 from the portion 4 of the closure film, this distance being greater than the overall height of the assembly constituted by a presentation tray 8 and the product P placed in the latter, which protrudes very largely above the corresponding tray, since this is the mode of packaging provided in this case.

La cloche inférieure 1 contient également une cuve 14 de moindre hauteur et qui est mobile dans le sens vertical. Le bord supérieur de cette cuve est destiné à servir de support au rebord 13 de la barquette correspondante 8 de présentation lors de l'opération de soudure. Cette cuve est portée par une ou plusieurs tiges 15 actionnées par des moyens d'entrainement non représentés.The lower bell 1 also contains a tank 14 of lesser height and which is movable in the vertical direction. The upper edge of this tank is intended to serve as a support for the rim 13 of the corresponding tray 8 for presentation during the welding operation. This tank is carried by one or more rods 15 actuated by drive means not shown.

Quant à la cloche supérieure 2, elle renferme une tête de soudure 16 qui est creuse et dont le bord inférieur 17 est apte à assurer la soudure du film 4 sur le rebord 13 d'une barquette de présentation 8. Cette tête de soudure comporte des moyens de chauffage appropriés, par exemple des résistances électriques 18.As for the upper bell 2, it contains a welding head 16 which is hollow and the lower edge 17 of which is capable of ensuring the welding of the film 4 on the rim 13 of a presentation tray 8. This welding head comprises suitable heating means, for example electric resistors 18.

A l'intérieur de cette tête de soudure, il est prévu une plaque de chauffage 19 qui est disposée au-dessus de la portion 4 du film de fermeture et parallèlement à celle-ci. Cette plaque comporte des moyens de chauffage appropriés, par exemple des résistances électriques. Elle est portée par une tige de manoeuvre 20 actionnée par des moyens d'en- trainement non représentés.Inside this welding head, a heating plate 19 is provided which is arranged above the portion 4 of the closure film and parallel to it. This plate includes suitable heating means, for example electrical resistances. It is carried by an operating rod 20 actuated by drive means not shown.

Pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé de conditionnement selon l'invention, les moyens de commande et d'entrainement des diverses pièces mobiles du présent appareil sont agencés de façon à réaliser les opérations successives suivantes :For the implementation of the packaging method according to the invention, the control and drive means of the various moving parts of this device are arranged so as to carry out the following successive operations:

1 -Introductiondechaquebarquettedeprésentation à l'intérieur de l'appareil (figures 1 et 2):1 - Introduction of each presentation panel inside the device (Figures 1 and 2):

Les cloches inversées 1 et 2 étant dans leur position d'écartement pour que l'enceinte de soudure soit ouverte, le poussoir 11 repousse la barquette 8 qui se trouvait jusque là en attente sur le plateau de glissement 10. Ceci provoque donc le transfert de celle-ci sur le plateau de soutien 7, alors situé dans sa position inférieure de réception.The inverted bells 1 and 2 being in their spacing position so that the welding enclosure is open, the pusher 11 pushes the tray 8 which was previously waiting on the sliding plate 10. This therefore causes the transfer of the latter on the support plate 7, then located in its lower receiving position.

2 - Fermeture de l'enceinte de soudure et chauffage du film de fermeture (figure 3) :2 - Closing of the welding enclosure and heating of the closing film (Figure 3):

Les deux cloches inversées 1 et 2 sont amenées l'une contre l'autre de façon à fermer l'enceinte de soudure, La portion 4 du film de fermeture se trouve alors emprisonnée à l'intérieur de cette enceinte en étant pincée entre les bords des deux cloches 1 et 2. On obtient ainsi la formation d'une enceinte étanche subdivisée en deux parties A et B par le film de fermeture 3.The two inverted bells 1 and 2 are brought against each other so as to close the welding enclosure. The portion 4 of the closing film is then trapped inside this enclosure by being pinched between the edges. of the two bells 1 and 2. This gives the formation of a sealed enclosure subdivided into two parts A and B by the closure film 3.

Il convient de noter que la cuve 14 a accompagné de la cloche inférieure 1 dans son mouvement de relèvement alors que le plateau de soutien 7 est resté immobile dans sa position inférieure. Cependant, compte tenu de la différente de hauteur de la cuve 14 par rapport à la cloche 1, le bord supérieur de cette cuve se trouve alors simplement placé au-dessous du rebord périphérique 13 de la barquette correspondante 8 de présentation.It should be noted that the tank 14 accompanied the lower bell 1 in its raising movement while the support plate 7 remained stationary in its lower position. However, taking into account the different height of the tank 14 with respect to the bell 1, the upper edge of this tank is then simply placed below the peripheral rim 13 of the corresponding presentation tray 8.

Après fermeture de l'enceinte de soudure 1-2, la partie supérieure A de cette enceinte est mise sous vide, puis il en est de même pour sa partie inférieure B. Ceci a pour effet de plaquer la portion 4 du film de fermeture contre la plaque de chauffage 19 dont la face inférieure se trouve alors sensiblement dans le plan de fermeture.After closing the welding enclosure 1-2, the upper part A of this enclosure is placed under vacuum, then the same is true for its lower part B. This has the effect of pressing the portion 4 of the closure film against the heating plate 19, the underside of which is then substantially in the closing plane.

La plaque de chauffage 19 ayant été mise en fonctionnement, il en résulte un ramollissement de la portion correspondante 4 du film de fermeture.The heating plate 19 having been put into operation, this results in a softening of the corresponding portion 4 of the closure film.

3 - Déformation du film de fermeture et soudure (figure 4) :3 - Deformation of the closure film and welding (figure 4):

La plaque de chauffage 19 est ensuite relevée dans sa position d'escamotage contre le fond de la tête de soudure 16. Puis le plateau de soutien 7 est lui-même relevé dans sa position supérieure, cependant que la cuve 14 est elle-même relevée de façon que son bord supérieur serre le rebord périphérique 13 de la barquette de conditionnement correspondante 8 contre le film de fermeture.The heating plate 19 is then raised in its retracted position against the bottom of the weld head 16. Then the support plate 7 is itself raised in its upper position, while the tank 14 is itself raised so that its upper edge clamps the peripheral rim 13 of the corresponding packaging tray 8 against the closure film.

Le relèvement du plateau de soutien 7 a pour effet que le produit P placé dans la barquette de présentation 8, et qui fait largement saillie au-dessus du rebord périphérique de celle-ci, vient faire pression dans la portion 4 du film de fermeture qui se trouve en regard. Comme cette portion du film se trouve alors à l'état ramolli du fait de son chauffage préalable, ceci provoque sa déformation sous forme d'une sorte de poche 21 enveloppant la partie saillante du produit P.The raising of the support plate 7 has the effect that the product P placed in the presentation tray 8, and which projects widely above the peripheral rim thereof, comes to press in the portion 4 of the closure film which is next to it. As this portion of the film is then in the softened state due to its prior heating, this causes its deformation in the form of a sort of pocket 21 enveloping the projecting part of the product P.

En même temps la tête de soudure 16 assure, par son bord inférieur 17, la soudure du film thermo-plastique 3 sur le rebord périphérique 13 de la barquette de conditionnement.At the same time the welding head 16 ensures, by its lower edge 17, the welding of the thermoplastic film 3 on the peripheral rim 13 of the packaging tray.

4 - Achèvement du conditionnement (voir figure 5):4 - Completion of packaging (see Figure 5):

Le vide existant précédemment dans l'enceinte de soudure est supprimé tout d'abord dans sa partie A, puis dans sa partie B. Ceci a pour effet de thermo- former la portion correspondante 21 du film sur la partie saillante du produit P. Cette portion du film vient ainsi épouser étroitement la surface du produit P en formant un pli 22 dans le fond de la barquette de présentation.The vacuum previously existing in the welding enclosure is first removed in its part A, then in its part B. This has the effect of thermoforming the corresponding portion 21 of the film on the projecting part of the product P. This portion of the film thus closely follows the surface of the pro duit P by forming a fold 22 in the bottom of the presentation tray.

Les deux cloches inversées 1 et 2 sont ensuite écartées l'une de l'autre pour ouvrir l'enceinte de soudure. Dans ces conditions, la barquette de présentation 8 , qui vient d'être fermée, peut être transférée par glissement sur le plateau fixe 12 d'évacuation. Ce transfert peut être assuré en exerçant une traction selon la flèche F sur l'extrémité avant du film 3 puisque la barquette 8 reste attachée à ce film. Cependant ce transfert pourrait être également assuré par tous autres moyens appropriés.The two inverted bells 1 and 2 are then separated from one another to open the welding enclosure. Under these conditions, the presentation tray 8, which has just been closed, can be transferred by sliding onto the fixed discharge tray 12. This transfer can be ensured by exerting a traction along arrow F on the front end of the film 3 since the tray 8 remains attached to this film. However, this transfer could also be ensured by any other appropriate means.

Le plateau de soutien 7 est ensuite redescendu dans sa position inférieure d'attente afin de pouvoir recevoir une nouvelle barquette de conditionnement à fermer.The support plate 7 is then lowered to its lower waiting position in order to be able to receive a new packaging tray to be closed.

Le présent procédé permet donc de conditionner un produit P faisant largement saillie au-dessus du rebord périphérique 13 de la barquette de présentation 8 correspondante. En conséquence de produit est présenté sous une forme très attractive pour les acheteurs éventuels car il est parfaitement visible à travers le film de fermeture qui l'enveloppe étroitement. Un tel procédé de conditionnement peut être utilisé avantageusement pour de très nombreux produits alimentaires, par exemple pour des produits de charcuterie tels que du jambon, des patés, etc.The present process therefore makes it possible to package a product P projecting widely above the peripheral rim 13 of the corresponding presentation tray 8. Consequently, the product is presented in a very attractive form for potential buyers because it is perfectly visible through the closure film which wraps it tightly. Such a packaging process can be used advantageously for a large number of food products, for example for delicatessen products such as ham, pâtés, etc.

Il convient de noter que l'appareil conçu pour la mise en oeuvre du présent procédé peut être intégré dans une machine de conditionnement plus complexe, par exemple une machine telle que celle décrite dans la demande française 86-09995 du 9 Juillet 1986 au nom du Demandeur. Le présent appareil peut alors remplacer le poste de soudure prévu dans la machine faisant l'objet de cette demande de brevet, auquel cas les plateaux fixes de glissement existant de part et d'autre doivent subir un décalage dans le sens de la hauteur pour adopter les positions prévues pour les plateaux 10 et 12 du présent appareil.It should be noted that the apparatus designed for the implementation of the present process can be integrated into a more complex packaging machine, for example a machine such as that described in French application 86-09995 of July 9, 1986 in the name of Applicant. The present device can then replace the welding station provided in the machine which is the subject of this patent application, in which case the fixed sliding plates existing on both sides must undergo a shift in the height direction to adopt the positions provided for the plates 10 and 12 of this device.

Mais bien entendu cet appareil pourrait être intégré dans toute autre machine de conditionnement et il pourrait également faire l'objet de diverses variantes de réalisation.But of course this device could be integrated into any other packaging machine and it could also be the subject of various variant embodiments.

Claims (5)

1. A vacuum packaging method for a food product (P) or the like in a display tray (8) having a lesser height than said product, over which is placed a thermoplastic film (3) welded onto its edges, said method comprising the following sequence of steps:
- prior to welding the film inside an evacuated gas-tight enclosure (1-2), heating the portion (4) of this film (3) which is contained within said enclosure while the tray (8) which is to be sealed and its contents (P) are placed underneath said film;
- raising the tray (8) in relation to the film in such a position that its contents (P) will be driven into the corresponding portion (4) of the film in such manner that the film will completely wrap the protruding portion of said product; and
- after having carried out, under vacuum, the welding of the film (3) on the peripheral edge (13) of the respective tray, vacuum is released in such manner that the corresponding film portion
(21) will fit tightly over the protruding portion of the product.
2. A device for carrying out the packaging method of Claim 1 inside a welding enclosure formed by the junction of two inverted movable bell-shaped shells (1, 2), said device comprising:
- one upper bell-shaped shell (2) of the welding enclosure containing a movable heating plate (19) for heating the portion (4) of the sealing film (3) which is located inside said enclosure;
- a support plate (7) being vertically movable between a lowermost position located at the level of the position of arrival of each tray (8) in which said tray and its contents are underneath the sealing film (3) and a topmost position corresponding to the welding operation in which the edge (13) of the respective tray is at the level of the sealing film while the contained product (P) protrudes thereabove;
- control and drive means for the various parts, said means being arranged so as to sequentially carry out the following operations:
a) closing the welding enclosure and lowering the heating plate (9) provided for heating the sealing film;
b) raising said heating plate and simultaneously raising the support plate (7) to the welding position;
c) opening the welding enclosure and discharging the sealed tray.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the lower bell-shaped shell (1) of the welding enclosure contains a vat (14) having a lesser height than the product and being movable vertically, the upper edge thereof being adapted for serving as a support for the peripheral edge (13) of each packaging tray (8) during the welding operation.
4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that there is provided in the side intended for discharging each packaging tray (8) a sliding plate (12) located at the level of the raised position of the movable support plate (7) during the welding operation.
EP88402632A 1987-10-27 1988-10-19 Method and apparatus for packaging a food or other product in a tray Expired - Lifetime EP0314546B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88402632T ATE59352T1 (en) 1987-10-27 1988-10-19 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FOOD OR OTHER PRODUCTS IN DISPLAY PACKAGES.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8714814 1987-10-27
FR8714814A FR2622171B1 (en) 1987-10-27 1987-10-27 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FOOD OR OTHER PRODUCT IN A PRESENTATION TRAY

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0314546A1 EP0314546A1 (en) 1989-05-03
EP0314546B1 true EP0314546B1 (en) 1990-12-27

Family

ID=9356185

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88402632A Expired - Lifetime EP0314546B1 (en) 1987-10-27 1988-10-19 Method and apparatus for packaging a food or other product in a tray

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0314546B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE59352T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3861456D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2020338B3 (en)
FR (1) FR2622171B1 (en)

Cited By (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202010010834U1 (en) 2010-07-29 2010-10-21 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Product packaging and packaging machine for producing such product packaging
EP3083411B1 (en) 2013-12-16 2017-10-18 Cryovac, Inc. Apparatus and process for packaging a product
EP3380405B1 (en) 2015-11-27 2020-01-01 GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH Reduction of the chamber volume during drawing-depth adaptation in the sealing station by means of an inflatable seal

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2680152B1 (en) * 1991-08-09 1996-02-09 Automatisme Assistance DEVICE FOR VACUUM PACKAGING OF FOOD PRODUCTS.
FR2725692B1 (en) * 1994-10-17 1997-01-24 Automatisme Assistance PROCESS FOR SEALING RIGID CONTAINERS UNDER FILM FOR VACUUM OR MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING OF FOOD PRODUCTS, AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SAME
FR2830517B1 (en) * 2001-10-04 2004-03-12 Jean Pierre Rossi SEALING AND FILLING DEVICE FOR THE PACKAGING WITHOUT CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE OF ALL PRODUCTS OF ANY KIND AND CONSISTENCY
FR2833570A1 (en) 2001-12-13 2003-06-20 Arsene Marcel Ledertheil Man overboard life saver system having automatic electronic surveillance system connected position detector/elastic cable/life line connection and lock/release mechanism with parachute released when cable tug detected
DE10237933A1 (en) 2002-08-14 2004-02-26 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging machine for food in trays comprises mobile upper and lower sections enclosing chamber for tray, rollers feeding film into chamber, after which it is lifted away from food and sealed to tray at its edges
AU2002364871A1 (en) * 2002-10-04 2004-04-23 Jean-Pierre Rossi Device for packaging products under controlled atmosphere in film-sealed packages
DE102009020898B4 (en) * 2009-05-13 2014-05-28 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Thermoforming packaging machine for multilayer lidding film
FR3056195B1 (en) * 2016-09-22 2020-09-11 Guelt LAPPING DEVICE WITH MOBILE CONTAINER AND HEATING BLOCK SUPPORT MEANS AND CORRESPONDING METHOD
US20200337353A1 (en) * 2018-01-01 2020-10-29 Laith ABDALLAH Machine and method for preparing and dispensing fresh and healthy food produce

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US3835618A (en) * 1973-01-22 1974-09-17 Grace W R & Co Apparatus for producing vacuum skin packages in multiples
US4030388A (en) * 1976-05-14 1977-06-21 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Film severing method and apparatus
US4223513A (en) * 1979-05-29 1980-09-23 Mahaffy & Harder Engineering Co. Packaging apparatus for forming specially shaped packages
FR2565552B1 (en) * 1984-06-07 1988-06-03 Mecaplastic PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING CERTAIN PRODUCTS IN TRAYS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS
GB2197289B (en) * 1986-11-14 1990-06-06 Grace W R & Co Method and apparatus for vacuum packaging

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202010010834U1 (en) 2010-07-29 2010-10-21 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Product packaging and packaging machine for producing such product packaging
EP2412643A1 (en) 2010-07-29 2012-02-01 MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller GmbH & Co KG Product packaging and packaging machine for producing such a product packaging
EP3083411B1 (en) 2013-12-16 2017-10-18 Cryovac, Inc. Apparatus and process for packaging a product
US10259603B2 (en) 2013-12-16 2019-04-16 Cryovac, Llc Apparatus and process for packaging a product
EP3083411B2 (en) † 2013-12-16 2021-02-10 Cryovac, Inc. Apparatus for packaging a product
EP3380405B1 (en) 2015-11-27 2020-01-01 GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH Reduction of the chamber volume during drawing-depth adaptation in the sealing station by means of an inflatable seal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2020338B3 (en) 1991-08-01
EP0314546A1 (en) 1989-05-03
FR2622171B1 (en) 1990-12-14
ATE59352T1 (en) 1991-01-15
DE3861456D1 (en) 1991-02-07
FR2622171A1 (en) 1989-04-28

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