Classifications

• • 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

• This invention relates to improved packaging and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to improved packaging for perishable goods such as food stuffs and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to the packaging of meats such as red meats.
• the present invention relates to an improvement in the method of assembly of packaging of the above general type and apparatus suitable for performing such method.
• the gas can permeate through the flexible web to enhance the keeping qualities of the packaged goods such as red meats.
• the gas which is provided between the lid and the flexible web, comprises 80% 0 2 and 20% C ⁇ 2 « Other gases and combinations of gases may be used.
• the base and the lid present gas barriers so that the perishable goods are not contacted by the atmosphere.
• apparatus for providing packaging comprising: a gas flushing chamber means of sufficient volume to accommodate:
• Figure 2 is a side view in diagrammatic form showing a preferred packaging apparatus for producing the packaging shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 3 is a close-up perspective view of one plate means mounted to chains as used in the apparatus showing in Figure 1.
• Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner part of the plate means shown in Figure 3.
• Figure 6 is a plan view of that part of the plate means shown in Figure 4.
• Figure 7 is a close-up side view of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 showing detail of a moving flexible web holding means and lid holding means.
• Figure 8 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of Figure 7.
• Figures 9 through 13 are detailed close-up cross sectional views showing part of the view shown in Figure 8 at various process steps in the bringing together of the packaging components and the subsequent sealing together of the package. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
• the heigh of the rectangular, cup-shaped depression in the lid 3 is such that there will be a space 15 between the lid 3 and the flexible web 5.
• a suitable gas for enhancing the keeping properties of the goods 7 is provided in at least that space 15.
• the suitable gas can also be provided under the flexible web 5 in the remaining portion of the depression in the base 1 not filled by the goods 7.
• the flexible web 5 may be a continuous web of a suitable plastics material which will exhibit gas permeability qualities so that the suitable gas within the space 15 can permeate the flexible web 5 and contact the surface of the goods 7.
• any gases which may generate within the package between the base 1 and the flexible web 5 may permeate through the flexible web 5 and into the space between the flexible web 5 and the lid 3.
• the flexible web 5 may comprise a sheet of plastics material with perforations or opening therein and/or it may comprise a mesh web of material or mere strands of material. In this instance, the gas which is within the package can freely circulate through the flexible web 5 and contact the goods 7.
• the volume of gas within the package is provided to equal approximately the volume of the goods 7.
• the gas can be 80% O2 or 20% CO2, or any other gas or combination of gas which is known for enhancing the keeping qualities of the perishable goods 7.
• the base 1, the flexible web 5 and the lid 3 are transparent although it is possible to have the base of a non-transparent material. This may be required in some instances of packaging red meat where fluids exude from the meat and these need to be absorbed in a wad of material under the meat. In this way the fluids will not appear readily to an intending purchaser and will not detract from the overall impression created by the packaging.
• the plastic material in the base 1 is 300 micron thick, the flexible web 5 16-50 micron thick, and the lid 3 300 micron thick.
• the base and the lid will be substantially rigid and the flexible web 5 will be relatively flexible.
• a particularly preferred plastics material for the base 1 comprises a multilayer web having an upper layer of polyester and a lower layer of low density polyethylene. An adhesive material which is heat activatable is provided between the two layers.
• a typical material for the flexible web 5 comprises a multiweb having an upper and lower webs of linear low-density polyethylene which are held together with a heat activated adhesive of the EVA type.
• a typical material for the lid 3 comprises a multilayer web having an outer layer of polyester and a lower layer of low density polyethylene with anti-fog held together with a' suitable adhesive which can be heat activated.
• the base web, skin web, and lid web materials are each formed by co-extruding the required plastics materials and bringing them together to form the required web with an adhesive layer therebetween.
• each of the webs of material for the base 1 the flexible web 5 and the lid 3 can comprise a plurality of individual webs suitably bonded together.
• the plastics material are such that the base 1 can be sealed to the flexible web 5 and the lid 3 can be sealed to the flexible web 5 by suitable sealing means such as a heat sealing means thereby to provide a totally hermetically sealed package.
• the flexible web 5 is stretchingly engaged over the goods 7 and sealed to the base 1 so that the goods 7 are held relative to the base 1 by the flexible web 5 being stretched and sealed to the base 1 so the goods 7 cannot flop around within the packaging.
• the base 1 can be a five layer co-extruded web having an upper or inner layer of low density polyethylene of about 0.0015 inches thickness which may be white or clear and which contains anti-fogging agent.
• the next layer may comprise an adhesive which is heat activatable of a thickness of 0.0005 inches thick which may be white or clear and which may contain an anti-fogging agent.
• This layer may be solid sheer white pigment plastics.
• the next layer may comprise an amorphous polyester re-grind containing an adhesive, an LPDE and white pigment which are collectively a re-grind material having a thickness of about 0.008 inches thick.
• the lowermost layer may comprise an amorphous polyester of approximately 0.005 thickness which may be a solid sheer white pigment.
• the base 1 will be non-transparent.
• the total thickness of the material in the base 1 will be in the order of 0.015 inches thick and therefore will be relatively rigid compared to the flexible web 5.
• the flexible web 5 may comprise a three layer co-extruded structure having an upper layer of low density polyethylene of about 0.0005 inches thick which is water clear and contains an anti-fogging agent.
• the middle layer may comprise an adhesive of approximately 0.0005 inches thick which is water clear.
• the lower layer may comprise a surlyn or equivalent plastics material of 0.005 inches thick which is water clear and contains an anti-fogging agent.
• the flexible web 5 will have a total thickness of about 0.002 inches thickness and will be quite flexible.
• the lid 3 may comprise a three layer co-extruded structure having an upper or outer layer of an amorphous polyester of about 0.013 inches thickness which is water clear.
• the middle layer may comprise an adhesive of approximately 0.0005 inches thickness which is water clear.
• the lower or inner layer may comprise a low density polyethylene of about 0.0015 inches thickness which is water clear and contains an anti-fogging agent.
• the total thickness of the lid 3 may be in the order of 0.15 inches thickness and therefore be relatively rigid compared to that of the flexible web 5.
• the flexible web 5 is to be provided with perforations or openings therein or be mesh like or strand like then appropriate material may be chosen for this purpose.
• the flexible web 5 is of this type it need not necessarily be of a gas permeable material providing that the plastics material does not cover a substantial proportion of the goods 7. In this way the gas can contact a major proportion of the surface of the goods 7 to enhance the keeping properties of the goods 7.
• the plastics material is of this type and is non-transparent then ideally it should cover as smaller a portion of the goods 7 as possible so as to leave a maximum surface area viewable to an intending purchaser.
• the lid 7 is preferably transparent to permit such viewing.
• the base 1 then becomes the lid 3 and the lid 3 then becomes the base 1.
• the base under those conditions could then be of a non-transparent material and the flexible web 5 also of a non-transparent material but the then lid would then be of a transparent material to permit viewing of the contents by an intending purchaser.
• the lid 3 or base 1 it is preferable for at least one of the lid 3 or base 1 to be transparent although it is not essential as a totally non-transparent package could be provided if required.
• FIG. 2 there is shown a side view in diagrammatic form of a typical apparatus used for producing the packaging.
• a plurality of plate means 21 are attached to the chains 19 so that one of the chain means 19 is at one side of the plate means 21 whilst the other chain means 19 is at the other side of the plate means 21.
• the connection to the chains 19 is by way of a pivot 23 which is an extension of one the pins 25 connecting the links 27 of the chains 19.
• Figure 3 more clearly shows the arrangement.
• the plate means 21 each have a right angle bracket 29 at each side which connects directly with the pins 25.
• Rods 31 extend perpendicularly from the under surface of the plate means 21 and pass through the brackets 29.
• Spring means 33 are held captive over the rods 31 and hold the under surface of the plate means 21 to the upper surface of the brackets 29. The rods are able to move upwardly through the brackets 29 and as a result the springs 33 are compressed. The springs 33 can then return the plate means 21 onto the upper surface of the brackets 29 when the force which moves the plate means 21 upwardly is removed. This will become more apparent in connection with description of further parts of the apparatus.
• the plate means 21 each have at least one aperture 35 therein of a size to receive the cup shaped depression of the bases 1. In the apparatus shown only one aperture 35 is shown in each of the plate means 21. It should be appreciated however, that a multitude of apertures 35 may be provided across the plate means 21 between each of the chains 19. By providing more than one aperture 35 then more than one packaging can be produced simultaneously by the apparatus. It is preferred to produce at least three packages simultaneously but in order to aid simplicity of drawings only one aperture 35 has been shown herein in this apparatus.
• FIG 4 and Figure 6 clearly show that the lip engaging surface 37 closely follows the side contour of the depression in the base 1 whilst there is an over hang portion 41 at each corner 39.
• Upstanding pins 43 are provided on the upper surface of the plate means 21 and prepunched holes 45 as thermoformed dimples are provided in the over hang portion 41 at each corner edge 39 of the bases 1.
• Figure 5 clearly shows that when the bases 1 rest on the plate means 21 the under surface of the peripheral lip 9 rests on the lip engaging surface 37 whilst the over hang portion 41 passes over the pins 43 and that the pins 43 pass through the holes 45.
• the bases 1 are supported with the down turned outer edge 11 engaged on the peripherally outermost surface of the lip engaging surface 37 except in the over hang portions 41 but in the over hang portions 41 the lip 11 is also held captive by the pins 43 passing through the holes 45.
• the bases 1 are substantially inhibited from flexing and passing through the aperture 35. This could occur despite the fact that the bases 1 are relatively rigid as the plastics material is not absolutely rigid.
• the chains 19 carry the plate means 21 in closely spaced apart relation in a stepping fashion around the drive wheel 17.
• the stepping of the movement is controlled by known technology to advance the chains 19 sequentially through various stations in the apparatus.
• the apparatus comprises the three stations comprising a goods loading station 47 a lid receiving and gas flushing sealing station 49 and a discharge station 51.
• bases 1 with preloaded goods 7 in the form of red meats are loaded into the apertures 35 in the plate means 21.
• the plate means then sequentially index through station 49 where a flexible web is applied over the goods 7 and a lid 3 is applied over the flexible web and all the packaging components brought together, gas flushed and sealed closed.
• the packaged goods exit from the station 49 as individual packages within the plate means 21. They then reach station 51 where they are stripped from the plate means by suitable stripping fingers (not shown).
• the packages then fall by gravity from the plate means 21 and are collected for subsequent repacking into larger containers for transportation to a sales or storage area.
• Lids 3 are supplied from a lid dispensing apparatus 53 of known form.
• the lid dispensing apparatus 53 comprises a shute 55 in which are stored a plurality of lids 3 in nested upside down relationship relative to the intended position of the lids 3 over the bases 1.
• a shute 55 At the bottom of the shute 55 there is provided an arm 57 which can swing between the full line position shown and the dotted line position shown.
• Suction cup means 59 are mounted to the arm 57 so that when the arm 57 is in the position shown in the dotted lines the suction cup means 59 is directly under the lowermost lid 3 in the shute 55. Suction can then be applied by reduction of air pressure through the suction cup means 59 which will cause the lowermost lid 3 to be held by the suction cup means 59.
• Figure 7 shows the arrangement of the planar pair of web holding means 65 which can shuttle backwards and forwards between a lid receiving position and a position where the lids will be placed over bases 1 under chamber means 67.
• the planar pair of web holding means 65 shuttle backwards and forwards in accordance with the requirement to receive lids and to place the lids over the open bases 1 in the chamber means 67.
• Figure 7 also shows that the flexible web 5 is directed between the planar pair of web holding means 65.
• Pneumatic ram means 69 are carried by the lower one of the planar pair of web holding means 65 and can be activated to raise the lower one of the pair of web holding means 65 to clampingly engage with the flexible web 5.
• the ram means are activated to clampingly engage with the web 5 so that as the planar pair of web holding means 65 shuttles to the position to receive the lid 3, it draws web material 5 across the chamber means 67.
• the web material 5 is unwound from a roll 71 and skeletal waste web material is wound onto roll 73.
• Slipping clutch drive means can be applied to each of the rolls 71 and 73 to provide for the necessary take-up of the skeletal waste material onto roll 73 whilst maintaining a uniform tension across web 5.
• the movement of web 5 across the chamber means 67 is controlled only by the shuttle movement of the planar pair of web holding means 65.
• the planar pair of web holding means 65 is supported on a pair of rodless cylinders 75 to which hydraulic or pneumatic supply is applied through passageways 77 to effect the shuttle movement required.
• FIG. 2 shows the chains 19 broken at the chamber means 67 in order to aid clarity of viewing.
• the plate means 21 can be considered as a base support means and the planar pair of web holding means 65 considered as a moving flexible web holding means and lid holding means.
• the lids 3 have holes 45 or preformed dimples in alignment with the holes 45 in the bases 1 so that the lids can be aligned relative to the bases 1 by passing over the pins 43 in the plate means 21.
• the flexible web 5 does not have holes therein as it is sufficiently flexible to deform itself over the pins 43.
• Figure 8 there is shown a transverse cross sectional view of the chamber means 67.
• the upper one of the planar pair of web holding means 65 is retained vertically stationary but all other component parts of the chamber means 67 move relative to the vertically held stationary upper one of the planar pair of web holding means 65.
• the chamber means 67 has an upper outer chamber part 79 and a lower chamber part 81.
• the upper chamber part 79 is carried on an arm 83 which connects with rams 85.
• rams 85 the upper chamber part 79 can be brought downwardly to sealingly engage on the upper surface of the upper one of the planar pair of web holding means 65.
• Suitable seals 87 have been shown to effect a gas tight seal.
• the lower chamber part 81 is connected with rams 89 so it can be raised to engage the under surface of the plate means 21 to, in turn, raise the plate means 21 against the spring bias provided by the springs 33 thus elevating the plate means 21 relative to the chains 19.
• Seals 91 are provided on the under surface of the plate means 21 to effect a good gas tight seal with the lower chamber part 81.
• the gas pressure under the flexible web 5 may be slightly lower than that above the flexible web 5 to allow for at least partial pre-stretching of the flexible web 5 towards the goods 7.
• the gas below web 5 may be different to the gas above web 5 if required. This arrangement of providing different gases within the package above and below web 5 may be provided so that for an initial period of time there will be a certain gas provided to directly contact the goods 7 whilst after an initial period the gas within the space above web 5 can permeate web 5 and contact the goods 7.
• the gas under web 7 may have properties which will initially inhibit growth of bacteria whilst the gas above web 5 may be provided with a predominantly oxygenating gas which for red meats will enhance the colour keeping properties over a period of time.
• an upper pushing platen 101 and an upper heated sealing member 103 Mounted within the chamber 67 is an upper pushing platen 101 and an upper heated sealing member 103. There is also mounted a lower pushing platen 105 and a heated sealing member 107. Both the upper and lower pushing platens 101 and 105 are water cooled and have water passageways 109 therethrough.
• the upper pushing platen 101 is connected with a ram 111 to effect raising and lowering relative to the upper chamber parts 79.
• the heated sealing member 103 is connected with rams 113 to effect raising and lowering relative to the upper chamber part 79.
• the lower pushing platen 105 is connected directly to the lower chamber part 81 and is raised and lowered with the lower chamber part 81 by operation of the rams 89.
• the heated sealing member 107 is mounted relative to the ram 115 in this way, it can swing within limited confines to align itself directly underneath the corresponding heated sealing member 103 in the upper chamber part 79 so there will be good close mating relationship around the peripheral lips 9 and 13 of the base and lid respectively to effect good hermatic sealing by a heat sealing technique.
• the tolerance between the external diameter of the extension 119 of ram 115 and the internal bore in the cup shape member 121 is such that there cannot be angular movement of the heated sealing member 107 to contact the sides of the lower chamber part 81 or the plate means 21.
• Each of the heated sealing members 103 and 107 is heated by electrical heating elements provided within passageways 127.
• Figure 9 shows the arrangement where a lid 3 is received within the planar pair of web holding means 65 and supported by the lid holding means 61. It also shows that the flexible web 5 is held clamped between the pair of web holding means 65. Thus, the web 5 is held taught with the tension applied between the roll 71 and 73 by the clamping action of the pair of web holding means 65. It is noted that the under surface of the upper one of the pair of web holding means 65 has a peripherally extending rib 129 which is of circular cross section. Thus there will be substantially point contact holding of the web 5 between the upper one and the lower one of the pair of web holding means 65.
• the rib 129 can be of a rubber or other suitable resilient material to deform slightly and to effect good holding of the web 5 across the aperture 63 in the pair of web holding means 65.
• Figure 9 shows that spring means 131 are provided between the upper and lower ones of the pair of web holding means 65 to assist moving apart of the upper and lower ones when the rams 69 are operated to release clamping action therebetween.
• FIG. 10 there is shown the next stage in the method steps.
• the lower chamber part 81 has been raised to engage with the under surface of the plate means 21 and that the plate means 21 has been elevated relative to the chains 19.
• the lower pushing platen 105 engages with the under surface of the lip 9 without lifting the lip 9 off the lip engaging surface 37 on the plate means 21.
• the upper pushing platen 101 has started to move the lid 3 downwards.
• the peripheral lip 13 engages with the lid holding means 61 which previously supported the lid 3 near to the top of the pair of web holding means 65.
• the lip 13 deflects slightly as shown.
• the lid holding means 61 flexes and swings towards the side edges of the pair of web holding means 65 and causes stretching of the flexible web 5 towards the goods 7. It is noted that the lowermost end of the lid holding means 61 is curved so as not to rupture the flexible web 5.
• the lid holding means 61 comprises a sheet of stainless steel which is quite flexible. Thus, there are four lid holding means 61 around each inside face of the aperture 63 in the pair of web holding means 65.
• Figure 11 shows the arrangement where the lower chamber 81 has raised the plate means 21 to engage the under surface of the lower one of the pair of web holding means 65. It also shows that the upper chamber part 79 has been moved downwardly and closed against the upper surface of the upper one of the pair of web holding means 65. Thus the chamber 67 is now sealed closed.
• Figure 10 also shows that the lower pushing platen 105 cooperates with the upper pushing platen 101 to seal the lid 3 relative to the base 1.
• FIG 11 shows that the upper sealing member 103 has moved downwardly relative to that in Figure 10 so as to push the lid holding means 61 against the inside face of the upper one of the pair of web holding means 65. This process also stretches the flexible web 5 across the goods 7. As the lower pushing platen 105 engages and cooperates with the upper pushing platen 101 there will be further stretching of the flexible web 5 over the top surface of the goods 7. Thus, at the step shown in Figure 11 the flexible web 5 will have been stretched initially by the lid holding means 61 and then subsequently stretched again over the upper surface of the goods 7 by the bringing together of the lower pushing platen 105 and the upper pushing platen 101.
• Figure 13 shows the next stage in the production of the packaging where the upper sealing member 103 has been lowered to engage the upper surface of the peripheral lip 13 of the lid 3 to effect a peripheral seal around the perimeter of the packaging. It also shows that the forward end of the upper heated sealing member 103 has a knife edge 133 which extends downwardly sufficient to sever web 5 at the outer peripheral edge of the packaging when it contacts web 5.
• the packaging has been sealed closed with the desired gas therein and the flexible web 5 has been severed from the main web extending between rolls 71 and 73.
• the remaining skeletal portion of flexible web 5 can be moved and wound onto roll 73 when the chamber 67 is opened and all of the pushing platens and heat sealing members returned to their initial position shown in Figure 9.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Preparation Of Fruits And Vegetables (AREA)
• Packaging Of Special Articles (AREA)
• Vacuum Packaging (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=3774146

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (21)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 1990
  • 1990-08-30 EP EP90912975A patent/EP0489797B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-08-30 DE DE69024963T patent/DE69024963T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1990-08-30 CA CA002066404A patent/CA2066404A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1990-08-30 WO PCT/AU1990/000385 patent/WO1991003400A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1990-08-30 AT AT90912975T patent/ATE133134T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events