EP0581122B1 - Process and apparatus for the oxygen-free packaging of goods - Google Patents

Process and apparatus for the oxygen-free packaging of goods Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0581122B1
EP0581122B1 EP93111310A EP93111310A EP0581122B1 EP 0581122 B1 EP0581122 B1 EP 0581122B1 EP 93111310 A EP93111310 A EP 93111310A EP 93111310 A EP93111310 A EP 93111310A EP 0581122 B1 EP0581122 B1 EP 0581122B1
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Prior art keywords
container
gas
covering
border
distributing element
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EP93111310A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0581122B2 (en
EP0581122A1 (en
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Franz Dipl.-Ing. Garnreiter (Fh)
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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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
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • B65B31/043—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles acting horizontally between an upper and a lower part of the container or wrapper, e.g. between container and lid

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for oxygen-free packaging of goods in an open-topped container with a container edge that delimits the container at the top, in which the goods are filled into the container and the container interior is flushed with a gas before the container is sealed gas-tight with a cover is, as well as a device for performing the method.
  • a common packaging method is, for example, to evacuate the package and then seal it.
  • this can only be carried out with flexible packings, since otherwise the packaging can easily be damaged by forces arising from the vacuum.
  • this method is associated with an enormous expenditure on equipment.
  • a further development of the above-mentioned method consists in backgassing the evacuated pack with inert, oxygen-free gas and then sealing it. This method can then also be used to pack product in rigid containers.
  • the shells must be closed until at least 99 from 100 trays the liquid nitrogen has completely evaporated. Otherwise, residues of liquid nitrogen in the sealed shell would lead to excess pressure in the shell after evaporation, which would at least result in undesired bulging of the lid or even bursting of the packaging.
  • a gas is blown into the partially sealed package from the unsealed side, the package is flushed with the gas, the gas is withdrawn on the unsealed side, and the package is finally completely sealed.
  • this method does not guarantee that the contents of the package are purged completely free of oxygen, since on the end of the package facing away from the unsealed side the areas covered by the filled goods may not be sufficiently covered by the purge gas.
  • this method is unsuitable for washing multi-compartment menu trays, since each of the compartment volumes would have to be washed separately, which would require considerable effort.
  • the object of the present invention is to design a method of the type mentioned at the outset and an apparatus for carrying out the method in such a way that oxygen-free packaging of goods takes place in a simple and economical manner without the disadvantages of the previous methods and apparatuses mentioned.
  • the cover is kept a short distance above the edge of the container during the flushing process, the gas is inflated through a passage opening provided in the cover onto a central gas distribution element arranged in the container, the gas through the gas distribution element in horizontal Redirected direction and radially into the container interior transferred, the gas is released into the atmosphere through a gap formed by the container edge and the cover, after the flushing process the cover is attached to the container edge and the connection between the passage opening and the container interior is interrupted.
  • the gas is evenly distributed from a central point of the container into the individual container areas, so that the entire container interior can be flushed completely oxygen-free from one point.
  • the gas distribution element is located on the imaginary axis. In the case of rectangular containers, the gas distribution element is expediently arranged at the imaginary intersection of the diagonals. Since the cover is held only a short distance, preferably 1 to 30 mm, above the edge of the container, it is ensured that due to the associated small outflow cross-sections for the gas from the container, sufficient gas pressure can be produced in the container to remove the air from the to displace entire container volume. By setting a small distance between the cover and the gas distribution element it is achieved that the injected gas is immediately deflected in the horizontal direction and transferred to the interior of the container in a radially uniform manner.
  • the invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method with a container which is open at the top and can be closed gas-tight with a cover and has a container edge which delimits the container at the top.
  • a gas distribution element is attached at a central point in the container, a cover which can be lowered onto the container edge is arranged above the container edge and which is in the unlocked state of the container at a short distance from the container Container edge is positioned and forms a gap with the gas distribution element, while the cover lies on the container edge in the closed state and the gap between the gas distribution element and the cover is closed, and a gas passage opening is arranged vertically above the gas distribution element in the cover.
  • the invention is particularly suitable for the oxygen-free packaging of multi-compartment menu trays, in which the individual compartments are separated from one another by compartment dividers which converge in a central container area.
  • the gas distribution element is arranged in the area where the compartment partition walls converge. In this way it is achieved that the individual compartment volumes can be flushed uniformly with the gas from one point.
  • the gas distribution element is designed as a circular flat surface which lies with the container edge in a (imaginary) common horizontal plane. This has the consequence that the distance of the cover from the gas distribution element and the container edge is the same during the flushing process and when the container is closed, the cover rests both on the container edge and on the gas distribution element.
  • the cover is expediently sealed onto the gas distribution element. The passage opening provided for the gas supply in the cover is thus covered by the gas distribution element after the container has been closed, so that atmospheric oxygen can no longer get into the container from the outside.
  • the gas distribution element is cup-shaped, the cup edge lying with the container edge in a (imaginary) common horizontal plane. After closing the The cover lies on the edge of the container and the rim of the cup, so that the passage opening provided for the gas supply in the cover only communicates with the interior of the cup, which in turn is no longer connected to the interior of the container due to the cover lying on the edge of the cup . In this variant, too, atmospheric oxygen can no longer get into the container from the outside.
  • a sealing surface is usually applied to the edge of the container, on which the cover is attached.
  • the gas distribution element is preferably delimited in the radial direction by a sealing surface, so that the cover can be attached to the outer edge of the gas distribution element. The entire interior of the container is thus sealed gas-tight both towards the edge of the container and towards the passage opening in the cover.
  • an inert gas in particular gaseous nitrogen, or a mixed gas, in particular an N2 / CO2 mixed gas or an N2 / CO2 / O2 mixed gas with possible proportions of argon, helium or carbon monoxide is advantageously used.
  • the gaseous nitrogen displaces the oxygen from the container and creates an inert atmosphere inside the container, which increases the shelf life of the food.
  • the invention enables a uniform gas purging of the container from one place.
  • oxygen-free packaging of product in containers is achieved without the need for complex apparatus, such as, for example, vacuum pumps and vacuum chambers.
  • the inventive method creates an oxygen-free atmosphere in the containers within a short time, which packaging and storage of oxygen-sensitive products is also guaranteed. In this way, for example, foods can be permanently protected from oxidation processes, so that their shelf life is improved.
  • the invention is particularly suitable for packaging finished food products in single or multi-compartment menu trays.
  • FIG. 1 shows a container 6 designed as a menu shell, as used, for example, for packaging finished food products.
  • the menu tray 6 has a gas distribution element 8 in the middle, which deflects the gas flow coming from the gas passage opening 9 in the cover 2 in the horizontal direction and delivers it in a radially uniform manner to the container interior 4, 5.
  • a gas supply line 3 is passed through the passage opening 9, via which gaseous nitrogen is inflated perpendicularly from above onto the gas distribution element 8, which is designed as a circular, flat surface.
  • the cover 2 is held at a short distance, preferably 1 to 30 mm, above the gas distribution element 8 and the container edge 10.
  • the gas supply line 3 is designed as a tube with a tube sheet and lateral openings at the lower end of the tube.
  • the gas supply line designed in this way itself acts as a gas distribution element. The gas is deflected in a horizontal direction through the tube sheet and discharged radially into the container interior (4, 5) through the lateral openings.
  • the area 5 of the container interior is covered by the filled goods, e.g. a finished food product, filled out.
  • the area 4 lying above is usually referred to as the container head space.
  • the entire container interior 4, 5 can be flushed oxygen-free from a central point. Not only is the air from the container head space 4 but also from the spaces formed by the goods in the area 5 flushed oxygen-free.
  • the path of the nitrogen gas is shown in the figure with arrows. After purging the container interior 4, 5, the nitrogen gas is released into the atmosphere via the gap formed by the container edge 10 and the cover 2.
  • the cover is lowered onto the container edge 10 and the gas distribution element 8 by means of the sealing device 1.
  • the menu tray 6 is sealed gas-tight by means of sealing surfaces which are applied to the container edge 10 and the gas distribution element 8. Therefore, atmospheric oxygen can no longer get into the container interior 4, 5 via the gas passage opening 9.
  • FIG. 2 shows a top view of a multi-compartment menu tray, the compartment dividing walls 11 converging in a central area of the menu tray.
  • the gas distribution element 8 is arranged in the central area and is designed as a small cup open at the top with a cup rim on which a sealing surface 7 is applied.
  • the nitrogen gas is blown into the beaker and, over the rim of the beaker, radially distributes itself evenly into the individual compartment volumes of the menu bowl.
  • the nitrogen gas displaces the atmospheric oxygen from the fan volumes and is released into the atmosphere via the container rim 10. In this way, the entire container volume can be flushed completely oxygen-free from a fumigation point.
  • the path of the nitrogen gas is again shown in the figure by arrows.
  • the cover rests on the sealing surfaces 7 of the gas distribution element 8 and the container rim 10.
  • the gas passage opening for the nitrogen supply comes to lie in the cover directly above the cup interior of the gas distribution element 8, which is separated from the container interior in a gas-tight manner by the cover lying on the cup rim.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum sauerstofffreien Verpacken von Ware in einen oben offenen Behälter mit einem den Behälter nach oben begrenzenden Behälterrand, bei dem die Ware in den Behälter eingefüllt wird und der Behälterinnenraum mit einem Gas gespült wird, bevor der Behälter mit einer Abdeckung gasdicht verschlossen wird, sowie eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens.The invention relates to a method for oxygen-free packaging of goods in an open-topped container with a container edge that delimits the container at the top, in which the goods are filled into the container and the container interior is flushed with a gas before the container is sealed gas-tight with a cover is, as well as a device for performing the method.

Bei einigen Waren, insbesondere Lebensmittelprodukten, ist es vorteilhaft, sie unter Ausschluß von Sauerstoff aufzubewahren, um z.B. deren Haltbarkeit sicherzustellen. Es sind verschiedene Verfahren bekannt, um innerhalb einer Packung eine sauerstofffreie Atmosphäre zu schaffen.For some goods, especially food products, it is advantageous to store them in the absence of oxygen, e.g. ensure their durability. Various methods are known for creating an oxygen-free atmosphere within a package.

Eine übliche Verpackungsmethode besteht z.B. darin, die Packung zu evakuieren und anschließend zu verschließen. Dies ist jedoch nur mit flexiblen Packungen durchführbar, da sonst durch aufgrund des Vakuums auftretende Kräfte eine Beschädigung der Verpackung leicht möglich ist. Außerdem ist diese Methode mit einem enormen apparativen Aufwand verbunden.A common packaging method is, for example, to evacuate the package and then seal it. However, this can only be carried out with flexible packings, since otherwise the packaging can easily be damaged by forces arising from the vacuum. In addition, this method is associated with an enormous expenditure on equipment.

Es sind aufwendige Vakuumkammern und mindestens eine leistungsfähige Vakuumpumpe erforderlich. Überdies ergeben sich Probleme bei Produkten mit niedrig siedenden Aromastoffen, wie z.B. Kaffee, da diese dann aufgrund des Vakuums dem Produkt verlorengehen.Elaborate vacuum chambers and at least one powerful vacuum pump are required. In addition, there are problems with products with low-boiling flavors, such as Coffee, as these are then lost to the product due to the vacuum.

Eine Weiterentwicklung der genannten Methode besteht darin, die evakuierte Packung mit inertem, sauerstofffreiem Gas rückzubegasen, und anschließend zu verschließen. Damit kann diese Methode dann auch zum Abpacken von Produkt in starren Behältern verwendet werden.A further development of the above-mentioned method consists in backgassing the evacuated pack with inert, oxygen-free gas and then sealing it. This method can then also be used to pack product in rigid containers.

Es ist auch bekannt, eine sauerstofffreie Atmosphäre innerhalb der Packung durch Sauerstoffbindung in der Packung mit Chemikalien zu erreichen. Diese Methode ist jedoch bei Lebensmittelpackungen z.B. aufgrund unsachgemäßer Verwendungsmöglichkeiten der Chemikalien durch Kinder bedenklich.It is also known to achieve an oxygen-free atmosphere within the package by binding oxygen in the package with chemicals. However, this method is used for food packaging e.g. due to improper use of the chemicals by children.

Schließlich ist es aus der DE-OS 36 25 081 bekannt, zum Kopfraumspülen von Behältnissen gasförmigen Stickstoff zu verwenden, der aus eindosiertem flüssigem Stickstoff durch Verdampfen entsteht. Wird dieses Verfahren beim Verpacken von mehrfächrigen Menüschalen eingesetzt, wie sie bei Lebensmittelfertigprodukten verwendet werden, so müssen bei unterschiedlichen Fächervolumina in die Fächer unterschiedliche Flüssigstickstoffmengen eindosiert werden, damit entsprechend der zu verdrängenden Luftmenge ausreichend gasförmiger Stickstoff zur Verfügung steht. Dies erfordert eine aufwendige Flüssigstickstoffdosieranlage mit mehreren Dosierstellen. Außerdem sammelt sich der flüssige Stickstoff erfahrungsgemäß nicht in der dosierten Menge an einem bevorzugten Ort in der Schale, sondern verteilt sich an beliebiger Stelle zu ungleichmäßigen Mengen. Dies bringt erheblich schwankende Verdampfungszeiten für den flüssigen Stickstoff mit sich. Aus diesem Grund muß mit dem Verschließen der Schalen gewartet werden, bis zumindest in 99 von 100 Schalen der flüssige Stickstoff vollständig verdampft ist. Anderenfalls würden Reste an flüssigem Stickstoff in der verschlossenen Schale nach Verdampfen zu einem Überdruck in der Schale führen, der geringstenfalls ein unerwünschtes Aufwölben des Deckels oder sogar ein Aufplatzen der Verpackung zur Folge hat.Finally, it is known from DE-OS 36 25 081 to use gaseous nitrogen for flushing the headspace of containers, which is produced by evaporation from metered liquid nitrogen. If this process is used for packaging multi-compartment menu trays, such as those used for finished food products, different amounts of liquid nitrogen must be metered into the compartments for different compartment volumes so that sufficient gaseous nitrogen is available according to the amount of air to be displaced. This requires a complex liquid nitrogen metering system with several metering points. In addition, experience has shown that the liquid nitrogen does not collect in the dosed amount at a preferred location in the shell, but rather distributes itself at random to uneven amounts. This entails considerably fluctuating evaporation times for the liquid nitrogen. For this reason, the shells must be closed until at least 99 from 100 trays the liquid nitrogen has completely evaporated. Otherwise, residues of liquid nitrogen in the sealed shell would lead to excess pressure in the shell after evaporation, which would at least result in undesired bulging of the lid or even bursting of the packaging.

Gemäß dieser Druckschrift ist darüberhinaus vorgesehen, daß in die teilversiegelte Packung von der unversiegelten Seite her ein Gas eingeblasen wird, die Packung mit dem Gas gespült wird, das Gas auf der unversiegelten Seite wieder abgezogen wird und die Packung schließlich ganz versiegelt wird. Mit dieser Methode ist jedoch nicht gewährleistet, daß der Packungsinhalt vollständig sauerstofffrei gespült wird, da auf dem der unversiegelten Seite abgewandten Ende der Packung von der eingefüllten Ware verdeckte Bereiche unter Umständen nicht ausreichend von dem Spülgas erfaßt werden können. Außerdem ist diese Methode für das Spülen von mehrfächrigen Menüschalen ungeeignet, da jedes der Fächervolumina separat gespült werden müßte, was einen erheblichen Aufwand erfordern würde.According to this document, it is also provided that a gas is blown into the partially sealed package from the unsealed side, the package is flushed with the gas, the gas is withdrawn on the unsealed side, and the package is finally completely sealed. However, this method does not guarantee that the contents of the package are purged completely free of oxygen, since on the end of the package facing away from the unsealed side the areas covered by the filled goods may not be sufficiently covered by the purge gas. In addition, this method is unsuitable for washing multi-compartment menu trays, since each of the compartment volumes would have to be washed separately, which would require considerable effort.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, ein Verfahren der eingangs genannten Art und eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens so auszugestalten, daß eine sauerstofffreie Verpackung von Waren auf einfache und wirtschaftliche Weise erfolgt, ohne daß die genannten Nachteile der bisherigen Verfahren und Vorrichtungen auftreten.The object of the present invention is to design a method of the type mentioned at the outset and an apparatus for carrying out the method in such a way that oxygen-free packaging of goods takes place in a simple and economical manner without the disadvantages of the previous methods and apparatuses mentioned.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß die Abdeckung während des Spülvorgangs in geringem Abstand über dem Behälterrand gehalten wird, das Gas durch eine in der Abdeckung vorgesehene Durchtrittsöffnung auf ein an zentraler Stelle im Behälter angeordnetes Gasverteilelement aufgeblasen wird, das Gas durch das Gasverteilelement in horizontale Richtung umgelenkt und radial in den Behälterinnenraum überführt wird, das Gas durch einen von dem Behälterrand und der Abdeckung gebildeten Spalt an die Atmosphäre abgegeben wird, nach dem Spülvorgang die Abdeckung auf dem Behälterrand befestigt und die Verbindung zwischen der Durchtrittsöffnung und dem Behälterinnenraum unterbrochen wird.This object is achieved in that the cover is kept a short distance above the edge of the container during the flushing process, the gas is inflated through a passage opening provided in the cover onto a central gas distribution element arranged in the container, the gas through the gas distribution element in horizontal Redirected direction and radially into the container interior transferred, the gas is released into the atmosphere through a gap formed by the container edge and the cover, after the flushing process the cover is attached to the container edge and the connection between the passage opening and the container interior is interrupted.

Der wesentliche Unterschied zum Stand der Technik besteht also darin, daß das Gas von einer zentralen Stelle des Behälters aus in die einzelnen Behälterbereiche gleichmäßig verteilt wird, so daß der gesamte Behälterinnenraum von einer Stelle aus vollständig sauerstofffrei gespült werden kann. Bei achsensymmetrischer Ausbildung des Behälters befindet sich das Gasverteilelement auf der gedachten Achse. Bei rechteckigen Behältern ist das Gasverteilelement zweckmäßigerweise an dem gedachten Schnittpunkt der Diagonalen angeordnet. Da die Abdeckung nur in geringem Abstand, vorzugsweise 1 bis 30 mm, über dem Behälterrand gehalten wird, ist gewährleistet, daß aufgrund der damit verbundenen geringen Ausströmungsquerschnitte für das Gas aus dem Behälter ein ausreichender Gasdruck im Behälter hergestellt werden kann, um die Luft aus dem gesamten Behältervolumen zu verdrängen. Durch Einstellung eines geringen Abstands zwischen der Abdeckung und dem Gasverteilelement wird erreicht, daß das eingeblasene Gas sofort in horizontaler Richtung umgelenkt wird und radial gleichmäßig verteilt in den Behälterinnenraum überführt wird.The main difference from the prior art is that the gas is evenly distributed from a central point of the container into the individual container areas, so that the entire container interior can be flushed completely oxygen-free from one point. If the container is axially symmetrical, the gas distribution element is located on the imaginary axis. In the case of rectangular containers, the gas distribution element is expediently arranged at the imaginary intersection of the diagonals. Since the cover is held only a short distance, preferably 1 to 30 mm, above the edge of the container, it is ensured that due to the associated small outflow cross-sections for the gas from the container, sufficient gas pressure can be produced in the container to remove the air from the to displace entire container volume. By setting a small distance between the cover and the gas distribution element it is achieved that the injected gas is immediately deflected in the horizontal direction and transferred to the interior of the container in a radially uniform manner.

Die Erfindung betrifft ferner eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens mit einem oben offenen, mit einer Abdeckung gasdicht verschließbaren Behälter mit einem den Behälter nach oben begrenzenden Behälterrand.The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method with a container which is open at the top and can be closed gas-tight with a cover and has a container edge which delimits the container at the top.

Erfindungsgemäß ist an zentraler Stelle im Behälter ein Gasverteilelement angebracht, eine auf den Behälterrand absenkbare Abdeckung über dem Behälterrand angeordnet, die im unverschlossenen Zustand des Behälters in geringem Abstand vom Behälterrand positioniert ist und mit dem Gasverteilelement einen Spalt bildet, während die Abdeckung im verschlossenen Zustand auf dem Behälterrand aufliegt und der Spalt zwischen dem Gasverteilelement und der Abdeckung geschlossen ist, und lotrecht über dem Gasverteilelement in der Abdeckung eine Gasdurchtrittsöffnung angeordnet ist.According to the invention, a gas distribution element is attached at a central point in the container, a cover which can be lowered onto the container edge is arranged above the container edge and which is in the unlocked state of the container at a short distance from the container Container edge is positioned and forms a gap with the gas distribution element, while the cover lies on the container edge in the closed state and the gap between the gas distribution element and the cover is closed, and a gas passage opening is arranged vertically above the gas distribution element in the cover.

Die Erfindung eignet sich ganz besonders zum sauerstofffreien Verpacken von mehrfächrigen Menüschalen, bei denen die einzelnen Fächer durch Fächertrennwände, die in einem zentralen Behälterbereich zusammenlaufen, voneinander getrennt sind. Erfindungsgemäß ist das Gasverteilelement in diesem Fall in dem Bereich angeordnet, wo die Fächertrennwände zusammenlaufen. Auf diese Weise wird erreicht, daß die einzelnen Fächervolumina von einer Stelle aus gleichmäßig mit dem Gas gespült werden können.The invention is particularly suitable for the oxygen-free packaging of multi-compartment menu trays, in which the individual compartments are separated from one another by compartment dividers which converge in a central container area. According to the invention, in this case the gas distribution element is arranged in the area where the compartment partition walls converge. In this way it is achieved that the individual compartment volumes can be flushed uniformly with the gas from one point.

Das Gasverteilelement ist im einfachsten Fall als kreisrunde ebene Fläche ausgebildet, die mit dem Behälterrand in einer (gedachten) gemeinsamen horizontalen Ebene liegt. Dies hat zur Folge, daß beim Spülvorgang der Abstand der Abdeckung von dem Gasverteilelement und dem Behälterrand derselbe ist und beim Verschließen des Behälters die Abdeckung sowohl auf dem Behälterrand als auch auf dem Gasverteilelement aufliegt. Um einen gasdichten Abschluß des Behälters zu gewährleisten, wird die Abdeckung zweckmäßigerweise auf das Gasverteilelement aufgesiegelt. Damit ist die für die Gaszufuhr vorgesehene Durchtrittsöffnung in der Abdeckung nach dem Verschließen des Behälters durch das Gasverteilelement abgedeckt, so daß kein Luftsauerstoff mehr von außen in den Behälter gelangen kann.In the simplest case, the gas distribution element is designed as a circular flat surface which lies with the container edge in a (imaginary) common horizontal plane. This has the consequence that the distance of the cover from the gas distribution element and the container edge is the same during the flushing process and when the container is closed, the cover rests both on the container edge and on the gas distribution element. In order to ensure a gas-tight closure of the container, the cover is expediently sealed onto the gas distribution element. The passage opening provided for the gas supply in the cover is thus covered by the gas distribution element after the container has been closed, so that atmospheric oxygen can no longer get into the container from the outside.

Gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist das Gasverteilelement becherförmig ausgebildet, wobei der Becherrand mit dem Behälterrand in einer (gedachten) gemeinsamen horizontalen Ebene liegt. Nach Verschließen des Behälters liegt die Abdeckung auf dem Behälterrand und dem Becherrand auf, so daß die für die Gaszufuhr vorgesehene Durchtrittsöffnung in der Abdeckung lediglich mit dem Innenraum des Bechers in Verbindung steht, der seinerseits jedoch aufgrund der auf dem Becherrand liegenden Abdeckung nicht mehr mit dem Behälterinnenraum verbunden ist. Es kann also auch bei dieser Variante kein Luftsauerstoff mehr von außen in den Behälter gelangen.According to another embodiment of the invention, the gas distribution element is cup-shaped, the cup edge lying with the container edge in a (imaginary) common horizontal plane. After closing the The cover lies on the edge of the container and the rim of the cup, so that the passage opening provided for the gas supply in the cover only communicates with the interior of the cup, which in turn is no longer connected to the interior of the container due to the cover lying on the edge of the cup . In this variant, too, atmospheric oxygen can no longer get into the container from the outside.

Damit der Behälter gasdicht verschlossen werden kann, ist üblicherweise auf dem Behälterrand eine Siegelfläche aufgebracht, auf der die Abdeckung befestigt wird. Außerdem wird das Gasverteilelement in radialer Richtung vorzugsweise durch eine Siegelfläche begrenzt, damit die Abdeckung am äußeren Rand des Gasverteilelements befestigt werden kann. Somit ist der gesamte Behälterinnenraum sowohl zum Behälterrand hin als auch zur Durchtrittsöffnung in der Abdeckung hin gasdicht verschlossen.So that the container can be closed gas-tight, a sealing surface is usually applied to the edge of the container, on which the cover is attached. In addition, the gas distribution element is preferably delimited in the radial direction by a sealing surface, so that the cover can be attached to the outer edge of the gas distribution element. The entire interior of the container is thus sealed gas-tight both towards the edge of the container and towards the passage opening in the cover.

Falls Lebensmittel verpackt werden sollen, so wird zweckmäßigerweise ein Inertgas, insbesondere gasförmiger Stickstoff, oder ein Mischgas, insbesondere ein N₂/CO₂-Mischgas oder ein N₂/CO₂/O₂-Mischgas mit möglichen Anteilen von Argon, Helium oder Kohlenmonoxid eingesetzt. Der gasförmige Stickstoff verdrängt den Sauerstoff aus dem Behälter und bildet eine inerte Atmosphäre im Behälterinnenraum, wodurch die Haltbarkeit der Lebensmittel erhöht wird.If food is to be packaged, an inert gas, in particular gaseous nitrogen, or a mixed gas, in particular an N₂ / CO₂ mixed gas or an N₂ / CO₂ / O₂ mixed gas with possible proportions of argon, helium or carbon monoxide is advantageously used. The gaseous nitrogen displaces the oxygen from the container and creates an inert atmosphere inside the container, which increases the shelf life of the food.

Die Erfindung ermöglicht eine gleichmäßige Gasspülung des Behälters von einer Stelle aus. Mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren wird ein sauerstofffreies Verpacken von Produkt in Behältern erreicht, ohne daß aufwendige Apparaturen, wie z.B. Vakuumpumpen und Vakuumkammern, erforderlich wären. Durch das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren wird innerhalb kurzer Zeit eine sauerstofffreie Atmosphäre in den Behältern geschaffen, die auch eine Verpackung und Aufbewahrung von sauerstoffempfindlichen Produkten gewährleistet. Auf diese Weise können z.B. Lebensmittel vor Oxidationsprozessen dauerhaft geschützt werden, so daß ihre Haltbarkeit verbessert wird.The invention enables a uniform gas purging of the container from one place. With the method according to the invention, oxygen-free packaging of product in containers is achieved without the need for complex apparatus, such as, for example, vacuum pumps and vacuum chambers. The inventive method creates an oxygen-free atmosphere in the containers within a short time, which packaging and storage of oxygen-sensitive products is also guaranteed. In this way, for example, foods can be permanently protected from oxidation processes, so that their shelf life is improved.

Die Erfindung eignet sich vor allem zum Verpacken von Lebensmittelfertigprodukten in ein- oder mehrfächrige Menüschalen.The invention is particularly suitable for packaging finished food products in single or multi-compartment menu trays.

Im folgenden soll die Erfindung anhand eines, in den Figuren schematisch dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert werden.The invention is to be explained in more detail below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment shown schematically in the figures.

Es zeigen:

Figur 1:
einen Querschnitt durch eine Menüschale mit zugeordneter Siegelvorrichtung
Figur 2:
eine Draufsicht auf eine mehrfächrige Menüschale.
Show it:
Figure 1:
a cross section through a menu tray with an associated sealing device
Figure 2:
a plan view of a multi-compartment menu bowl.

In Figur 1 ist ein als Menüschale ausgebildeter Behälter 6 dargestellt, wie er beispielsweise zum Verpacken von Lebensmittelfertigprodukten verwendet wird. Erfindungsgemäß weist die Menüschale 6 in der Mitte ein Gasverteilelement 8 auf, das den von der Gasdurchtrittsöffnung 9 in der Abdeckung 2 kommenden Gasstrom in horizontale Richtung umlenkt und radial gleichmäßig verteilt an den Behälterinnenraum 4, 5 abgibt. Durch die Durchtrittsöffnung 9 ist eine Gaszufuhrleitung 3 hindurchgeführt, über die gasförmiger Stickstoff auf das als kreisrunde ebene Fläche ausgebildete Gasverteilelement 8 lotrecht von oben aufgeblasen wird. Die Abdeckung 2 wird in geringem Abstand, vorzugsweise 1 bis 30 mm, über dem Gasverteilelement 8 und dem Behälterrand 10 gehalten.FIG. 1 shows a container 6 designed as a menu shell, as used, for example, for packaging finished food products. According to the invention, the menu tray 6 has a gas distribution element 8 in the middle, which deflects the gas flow coming from the gas passage opening 9 in the cover 2 in the horizontal direction and delivers it in a radially uniform manner to the container interior 4, 5. A gas supply line 3 is passed through the passage opening 9, via which gaseous nitrogen is inflated perpendicularly from above onto the gas distribution element 8, which is designed as a circular, flat surface. The cover 2 is held at a short distance, preferably 1 to 30 mm, above the gas distribution element 8 and the container edge 10.

Gemäß einer anderen in der Figur nicht dargestellten Ausführungsform ist die Gaszufuhrleitung 3 als Rohr mit einem Rohrboden und seitlichen Öffnungen am unteren Ende des Rohres ausgebildet. Die so gestaltete Gaszufuhrleitung wirkt selbst als Gasverteilelement. Das Gas wird durch den Rohrboden in horizontale Richtung umgelenkt und durch die seitlichen Öffnungen radial in den Behälterinnenraum (4, 5) abgegeben.According to another embodiment, not shown in the figure, the gas supply line 3 is designed as a tube with a tube sheet and lateral openings at the lower end of the tube. The gas supply line designed in this way itself acts as a gas distribution element. The gas is deflected in a horizontal direction through the tube sheet and discharged radially into the container interior (4, 5) through the lateral openings.

Der Bereich 5 des Behälterinnenraums wird durch die eingefüllte Ware, z.B. ein Lebensmittelfertigprodukt, ausgefüllt. Der darüber liegende Bereich 4 wird üblicherweise als Behälterkopfraum bezeichnet. Mit der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung kann der gesamte Behälterinnenraum 4, 5 von einer zentralen Stelle aus sauerstofffrei gespült werden. Dabei wird nicht nur die Luft aus dem Behälterkopfraum 4 sondern auch aus den von der Ware im Bereich 5 gebildeten Zwischenräumen sauerstofffrei gespült.The area 5 of the container interior is covered by the filled goods, e.g. a finished food product, filled out. The area 4 lying above is usually referred to as the container head space. With the device according to the invention, the entire container interior 4, 5 can be flushed oxygen-free from a central point. Not only is the air from the container head space 4 but also from the spaces formed by the goods in the area 5 flushed oxygen-free.

Der Weg des Stickstoffgases ist in der Figur mit Pfeilen verdeutlicht. Nach dem Spülen des Behälterinnenraumes 4, 5 wird das Stickstoffgas über den vom Behälterrand 10 und der Abdeckung 2 gebildeten Spalt an die Atmosphäre abgegeben.The path of the nitrogen gas is shown in the figure with arrows. After purging the container interior 4, 5, the nitrogen gas is released into the atmosphere via the gap formed by the container edge 10 and the cover 2.

Ist die Menüschale 6 vollständig mit dem Stickstoffgas sauerstofffrei gespült, so wird die Abdeckung mittels der Siegelvorrichtung 1 auf den Behälterrand 10 und das Gasverteilelement 8 abgesenkt. Die Menüschale 6 wird mittels Siegelflächen, die auf den Behälterrand 10 und das Gasverteilelement 8 aufgetragen sind, gasdicht versiegelt. Deshalb kann auch über die Gasdurchtrittsöffnung 9 kein Luftsauerstoff mehr in den Behälterinnenraum 4, 5 gelangen.If the menu tray 6 is flushed completely with the nitrogen gas free of oxygen, the cover is lowered onto the container edge 10 and the gas distribution element 8 by means of the sealing device 1. The menu tray 6 is sealed gas-tight by means of sealing surfaces which are applied to the container edge 10 and the gas distribution element 8. Therefore, atmospheric oxygen can no longer get into the container interior 4, 5 via the gas passage opening 9.

Figur 2 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine mehrfächrige Menüschale, wobei die Fächertrennwände 11 in einem zentral gelegenen Bereich der Menüschale zusammenlaufen. Das Gasverteilelement 8 ist in dem zentralen Bereich angeordnet und als kleiner nach oben offener Becher mit einem Becherrand ausgebildet, auf den eine Siegelfläche 7 aufgetragen ist. Das Stickstoffgas wird in den Becher eingeblasen und tritt über den Becherrand radial gleichmäßig verteilt in die einzelnen Fächervolumina der Menüschale über. Das Stickstoffgas verdrängt den Luftsauerstoff aus den Fächervolumina und wird über den Behälterrand 10 an die Atmosphäre abgegeben. Auf diese Weise kann das gesamte Behältervolumen von einer Begasungsstelle aus vollständig sauerstofffrei gespült werden. Der Weg des Stickstoffgases ist in der Figur wieder durch Pfeile verdeutlicht.FIG. 2 shows a top view of a multi-compartment menu tray, the compartment dividing walls 11 converging in a central area of the menu tray. The gas distribution element 8 is arranged in the central area and is designed as a small cup open at the top with a cup rim on which a sealing surface 7 is applied. The nitrogen gas is blown into the beaker and, over the rim of the beaker, radially distributes itself evenly into the individual compartment volumes of the menu bowl. The nitrogen gas displaces the atmospheric oxygen from the fan volumes and is released into the atmosphere via the container rim 10. In this way, the entire container volume can be flushed completely oxygen-free from a fumigation point. The path of the nitrogen gas is again shown in the figure by arrows.

Nach dem Verschließen der Menüschale liegt die in der Figur nicht dargestellte Abdeckung auf den Siegelflächen 7 des Gasverteilelements 8 und des Behälterrandes 10 auf. Dabei kommt die Gasdurchtrittsöffnung für die Stickstoffzufuhr in der Abdeckung direkt über dem Becherinnenraum des Gasverteilelements 8 zu liegen, der durch die auf dem Becherrand liegende Abdeckung gasdicht vom Behälterinnenraum getrennt ist.After the menu tray has been closed, the cover (not shown in the figure) rests on the sealing surfaces 7 of the gas distribution element 8 and the container rim 10. The gas passage opening for the nitrogen supply comes to lie in the cover directly above the cup interior of the gas distribution element 8, which is separated from the container interior in a gas-tight manner by the cover lying on the cup rim.

Claims (6)

  1. Process for the oxygen-free packaging of goods in a container (6) which is open at the top and has a container border (10) which bounds the container at the top, in the case of which process the goods are introduced into the container and the container interior is flushed with a gas before the container is closed off in a gas-tight manner by means of a covering (2), characterized in that, during the flushing operation, the covering (2) is held at a slight distance above the container border (10), the gas is blown through a through-passage opening (9) provided in the covering (2) onto a gas-distributing element (8) arranged in a central location in the container (6), the gas is deflected in the horizontal direction by the gas-distributing element (8) and is transferred radially into the container interior (4, 5), the gas is discharged into the atmosphere through a gap formed by the container border (10) and the covering (2), and, after the flushing operation, the covering (2) is fastened on the container border (10) and the connection between the through-passage opening (9) and the container interior (4, 5) is broken.
  2. Device for carrying out the process according to Claim 1 with a container (6) which is open at the top, can be closed off in a gas-tight manner by means of a covering (2) and has a container border (10) which bounds the container at the top, characterized in that a gas-distributing element (8) is fitted in a central location in the container (6), a covering (2), which can be lowered onto the container border (10), is arranged above the container border (10), which covering, in the non-closed state of the container (6), is positioned at a slight distance from the container border (10) and forms a gap with the gas-distributing element (8), whereas, in the closed state the covering (2) bears on the container border (10) and the gap between the gas-distributing element (8) and the covering (2) is closed, and a gas through-passage opening (9) is arranged in the covering (2), vertically above the gas-distributing element (8).
  3. Device according to Claim 2, the container being designed as a multi-compartment food-containing dish, and the individual compartments being separated from one another by compartment partitions which merge in a central container region, characterized in that the gas-distributing element (8) is arranged in the region where the compartment partitions (11) merge.
  4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the gas-distributing element (8) is designed as a circular planar surface which is located in a common horizontal plane with the container border (10).
  5. Device according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the gas-distributing element (8) is designed in the form of a cup, the cup border being located in a common horizontal plane with the container border (10).
  6. Device according to one of Claims 2 to 5, there being provided on the container border a sealing surface for fastening the covering, characterized in that the gas-distributing element (8) is bounded in the radial direction by a sealing surface.
EP93111310A 1992-07-28 1993-07-14 Process and apparatus for the oxygen-free packaging of goods Expired - Lifetime EP0581122B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4224919A DE4224919A1 (en) 1992-07-28 1992-07-28 Method and device for oxygen-free packaging of goods
DE4224919 1992-07-28

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0581122A1 EP0581122A1 (en) 1994-02-02
EP0581122B1 true EP0581122B1 (en) 1996-03-20
EP0581122B2 EP0581122B2 (en) 1998-10-14

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93111310A Expired - Lifetime EP0581122B2 (en) 1992-07-28 1993-07-14 Process and apparatus for the oxygen-free packaging of goods

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EP (1) EP0581122B2 (en)
DE (2) DE4224919A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1357035A1 (en) 2002-04-24 2003-10-29 Werner Grabher Method and apparatus for purging containers by means of protective gas

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3811594A (en) * 1971-11-26 1974-05-21 Jenos Inc Unitary container for a food product
DE2323409C2 (en) * 1973-05-09 1975-01-30 Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller Kg, 8941 Wolfertschwenden Process for packaging filling material which tends to splash when boiling in plastic packaging foils and device for carrying out the process

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0581122B2 (en) 1998-10-14
EP0581122A1 (en) 1994-02-02
DE4224919A1 (en) 1994-02-03
DE59301940D1 (en) 1996-04-25

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