EP1440887B1 - Method and apparatus for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1440887B1
EP1440887B1 EP04000962A EP04000962A EP1440887B1 EP 1440887 B1 EP1440887 B1 EP 1440887B1 EP 04000962 A EP04000962 A EP 04000962A EP 04000962 A EP04000962 A EP 04000962A EP 1440887 B1 EP1440887 B1 EP 1440887B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tray
lid
container
sealing
station
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04000962A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1440887A1 (en
Inventor
Attilio Vignoni
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vacuum Pump SpA
Original Assignee
Vacuum Pump SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vacuum Pump SpA filed Critical Vacuum Pump SpA
Publication of EP1440887A1 publication Critical patent/EP1440887A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1440887B1 publication Critical patent/EP1440887B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/26—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by closing hinged lids
    • 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 refers in general to the field of vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging and in particular to a method and to an apparatus for packaging products, in particular food products, in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere.
  • Said packaging system according to the prior art has various drawbacks. In fact, once the tray is opened by the end user by removing the covering film, the contents of the tray must be consumed because the tray cannot be closed again.
  • US 3,481, 100 discloses a method and an apparatus for packaging products in protective atmosphere into a package comprising a container hermetically sealed by a portion of a thin, flexible sheet.
  • the package further comprises an inner cover, not sealed to the container, which is formed separated from the container, is gripped by a reciprocating head and is deposed on the container before sealing it through said portion of a thin, flexible sheet.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a method for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging that is versatile, efficient and able to allow high-speed, continuous production.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging that is simple to make.
  • the peculiar characteristic of the invention is represented by the use of a container comprising a tray with a lid integral with/hinged to the tray. In this manner closing of the container takes place simply by lowering the lid on the tray.
  • the process of packaging must provide a first stage of semi-closing of the lid so as to leave a gap for removal of the air and/or for introduction of gas into the container, and a second stage of complete closing of the lid and of heat-sealing or sealing thereof to avoid tampering with the container and/or the product.
  • Such a package according to the invention offers the end user the possibility of opening and of subsequently closing it by wedging of the lid into the tray.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a conveying station 2, a filling station 6, a semi-closing station 3, a station 4 for creating the vacuum and/or the protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing and a discharging station 5.
  • the conveying station 2 comprises a horizontal conveyor belt 20 supported by a main frame 21 resting on the ground.
  • a plurality of containers 100 able to contain the products destined to be put in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere, is fed on the conveyor belt 20.
  • each container 100 is a tray 101 of thermoformed plastic material, open at the top.
  • a lid 103 able to close the tray 101 hermetically, is connected integrally to a portion 102 of the upper edge of the tray 101.
  • the connecting portion 102 behaves as a hinge and the lid 103, rotating around the hinging axis 102, can pass from an opening position to a closing position of the tray 101.
  • the lid 103 is thermoformed together with the tray 101 and in normal conditions the lid 103 remains in the open position with respect to the tray 101.
  • the upper edge of the tray 101 and the peripheral edge of the lid 103 are able to engage mutually with each other by interference, to maintain the lid 103 in the closing position.
  • the empty containers 100 are conveyed from the conveyor belt 20 toward the filling station 6, disposed in two parallel rows, with the lids 103 completely open and disposed towards the outside. Even if in the Figures the containers 100 are shown disposed on two rows, they can be disposed on one or more rows.
  • the conveyor 20 has two side bars 23 integral with the sides of its frame.
  • the side bars 23 are parallel to each other and horizontal. In this manner the lids 103 of the containers as they pass through the filling station 6 remain above the horizontal side bars 23.
  • the filled containers 100 continue their transfer on the conveyor belt 20 towards the semi-closing station 3. During this transfer the side bars 23 of the conveyor continue with two guide bars 31, convergent and inclined upwards. In this manner the bars 31 cause raising of the lids 103 of the containers bringing them towards the closing position.
  • Semi-closing of the container 100 takes place by means of shaped guides 34 suitably inclined downwards or by means of mechanical or pneumatic actuators 32 which are responsible for lowering the lid 103 onto the tray 101.
  • the filled and semi-closed containers 100 continue on the conveyor belt 20 towards the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing.
  • the lids 103 of the containers remain beneath the parallel horizontal bars 33 which serve to keep the lids 103 in their semi-closed position.
  • a press comprising a lower half-mould 41 and an upper half-mould 42.
  • pneumatic means 43 for suction and introduction of gas and thermal means 44 for heat-sealing are provided on the upper half-mould 42.
  • the suction means 43 suck the air from the inside of the container 100 so as to create the vacuum.
  • the introduction means 43 introduce suitable gases into the container so as to create a protective atmosphere. According to the characteristics of the product contained in the containers 100, gases such as oxygen O 2 , carbon dioxide CO 2 or nitrogen N 2 can be introduced.
  • the edge of the container 100 is sandwiched between the lower half-mould 41 and the upper half-mould 42, closed hermetically and sealed by means of the thermal heat-sealing means 44, so as to avoid tampering with the container 100 and the product, before it reaches the end user.
  • the container 100 is made of particular plastic materials (easy open) which allow heat-sealing and easy opening of the container 100. In this way, if the consumer intends to use up the product in more than one time, there is the possibility of closing again by wedging the lid 103 of the container.
  • the apparatus 100 can provide a reel 70 of plastic film 71 which can be used in a per se known manner for closing of the trays 101, if said trays are not provided with a reclosable lid.
  • the reel 70 is disposed above and upstream of the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing, whilst the waste film 71' is collected by a winder 42 disposed downstream of the station 4.
  • the product On leaving the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing, the product is perfectly packaged in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere inside the container 100.
  • the container 100 is then discharged from the apparatus 1 though a slide 50 or a conveyor belt of the discharge station 5 to be sent for transport and/or storage.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A method for packaging in a vacuum and or in a protective atmosphere is described, which comprises the following steps: feeding of a plurality of containers (100) comprising a tray (101) and a lid (103) integral with/hinged to the tray (101), introducing into the tray (101) of the product to be packaged, partial closing of the lid on the tray so as to leave a gap for discharging air and/or for introducing gas, sucking air from and/or introducing gas from/into said container (100), and complete closing, heat-sealing and/or sealing of the lid on the tray to close the container hermetically and to avoid possible tampering. <??>An apparatus (1) to carry out said method and a container (100) that can be used in said method are also described. <IMAGE>

Description

  • The present invention refers in general to the field of vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging and in particular to a method and to an apparatus for packaging products, in particular food products, in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere.
  • There are currently known in the art systems for vacuum and protective atmosphere packaging that provide for the use of containers in the form of thermoformed plastic trays open at the top. Such a tray is filled with the product to be packaged, the air is evacuated to create the vacuum and it may be filled with gas to create a protective atmosphere. Finally, the tray is closed and sealed by means of a plastic film.
  • Said packaging system according to the prior art has various drawbacks. In fact, once the tray is opened by the end user by removing the covering film, the contents of the tray must be consumed because the tray cannot be closed again.
  • US 3,481, 100 discloses a method and an apparatus for packaging products in protective atmosphere into a package comprising a container hermetically sealed by a portion of a thin, flexible sheet.
  • Preferably, the package further comprises an inner cover, not sealed to the container, which is formed separated from the container, is gripped by a reciprocating head and is deposed on the container before sealing it through said portion of a thin, flexible sheet.
  • The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a method for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging that is versatile, efficient and able to allow high-speed, continuous production.
  • This object is achieved in accordance with the invention with the method listed in appended independent claim 1.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging that is simple to make.
  • This object is achieved according to the invention with the apparatus listed in appended independent claim 5.
  • Advantageous embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.
  • The peculiar characteristic of the invention is represented by the use of a container comprising a tray with a lid integral with/hinged to the tray. In this manner closing of the container takes place simply by lowering the lid on the tray. For this purpose the process of packaging must provide a first stage of semi-closing of the lid so as to leave a gap for removal of the air and/or for introduction of gas into the container, and a second stage of complete closing of the lid and of heat-sealing or sealing thereof to avoid tampering with the container and/or the product.
  • Such a package according to the invention offers the end user the possibility of opening and of subsequently closing it by wedging of the lid into the tray.
  • Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows referring to purely exemplary and therefore non limiting embodiment thereof illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:
    • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the apparatus for packaging in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere according to the invention;
    • Figure 1A is an enlarged detail, enclosed in the circle A of Figure 1, better illustrating the arrangement of the containers on the apparatus of Figure 1;
    • Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus according to the invention, taken along the section plane II-II of Figure 1;
    • Figure 2B is an enlarged detail, enclosed in the circle B of Figure 2, which better illustrates the arrangement of the containers on the apparatus of Figure 2; and
    • Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view like Figure 2, illustrating the apparatus according to the invention, completed with a reel of plastic film for sealing of containers without a lid.
  • An apparatus for packaging in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere according to the invention, denoted as a whole with reference numeral 1, is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
  • The apparatus 1 comprises a conveying station 2, a filling station 6, a semi-closing station 3, a station 4 for creating the vacuum and/or the protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing and a discharging station 5.
  • The conveying station 2 comprises a horizontal conveyor belt 20 supported by a main frame 21 resting on the ground. A plurality of containers 100, able to contain the products destined to be put in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere, is fed on the conveyor belt 20.
  • As shown better in Figures 1A and 2B, according to the invention each container 100 is a tray 101 of thermoformed plastic material, open at the top.
  • A lid 103, able to close the tray 101 hermetically, is connected integrally to a portion 102 of the upper edge of the tray 101. In this manner the connecting portion 102 behaves as a hinge and the lid 103, rotating around the hinging axis 102, can pass from an opening position to a closing position of the tray 101.
  • The lid 103 is thermoformed together with the tray 101 and in normal conditions the lid 103 remains in the open position with respect to the tray 101.
  • The upper edge of the tray 101 and the peripheral edge of the lid 103 are able to engage mutually with each other by interference, to maintain the lid 103 in the closing position.
  • As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the empty containers 100 are conveyed from the conveyor belt 20 toward the filling station 6, disposed in two parallel rows, with the lids 103 completely open and disposed towards the outside. Even if in the Figures the containers 100 are shown disposed on two rows, they can be disposed on one or more rows.
  • The conveyor 20 has two side bars 23 integral with the sides of its frame. The side bars 23 are parallel to each other and horizontal. In this manner the lids 103 of the containers as they pass through the filling station 6 remain above the horizontal side bars 23.
  • Special means (per se known and therefore not shown in the figures) suitable to fill the trays 101 with the products destined to be packaged will be provided in the filling station 6. Clearly filling of the trays 101 can also take place manually.
  • The filled containers 100 continue their transfer on the conveyor belt 20 towards the semi-closing station 3. During this transfer the side bars 23 of the conveyor continue with two guide bars 31, convergent and inclined upwards. In this manner the bars 31 cause raising of the lids 103 of the containers bringing them towards the closing position.
  • As a result, in the semi-closing station 3 a partial closing of the lid 103 on the tray 101 occurs, so as to leave a gap between the lid 103 and the upper edge of the tray 101 able to allow the discharge of air from the container and/or the introduction of gas into the container 100.
  • Semi-closing of the container 100 takes place by means of shaped guides 34 suitably inclined downwards or by means of mechanical or pneumatic actuators 32 which are responsible for lowering the lid 103 onto the tray 101.
  • At this point the filled and semi-closed containers 100 continue on the conveyor belt 20 towards the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing. During this transfer, the lids 103 of the containers remain beneath the parallel horizontal bars 33 which serve to keep the lids 103 in their semi-closed position.
  • In the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing there is provided a press comprising a lower half-mould 41 and an upper half-mould 42. On the upper half-mould 42, pneumatic means 43 for suction and introduction of gas and thermal means 44 for heat-sealing are provided.
  • The suction means 43 suck the air from the inside of the container 100 so as to create the vacuum.
  • The introduction means 43, on the other hand, introduce suitable gases into the container so as to create a protective atmosphere. According to the characteristics of the product contained in the containers 100, gases such as oxygen O2, carbon dioxide CO2 or nitrogen N2 can be introduced.
  • After the protective atmosphere has been created inside the container 100, in the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing, the edge of the container 100 is sandwiched between the lower half-mould 41 and the upper half-mould 42, closed hermetically and sealed by means of the thermal heat-sealing means 44, so as to avoid tampering with the container 100 and the product, before it reaches the end user.
  • The container 100 is made of particular plastic materials (easy open) which allow heat-sealing and easy opening of the container 100. In this way, if the consumer intends to use up the product in more than one time, there is the possibility of closing again by wedging the lid 103 of the container.
  • As shown in Figure 3, the apparatus 100 can provide a reel 70 of plastic film 71 which can be used in a per se known manner for closing of the trays 101, if said trays are not provided with a reclosable lid. The reel 70 is disposed above and upstream of the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing, whilst the waste film 71' is collected by a winder 42 disposed downstream of the station 4.
  • On leaving the station 4 for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for heat-sealing, the product is perfectly packaged in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere inside the container 100. The container 100 is then discharged from the apparatus 1 though a slide 50 or a conveyor belt of the discharge station 5 to be sent for transport and/or storage.
  • Numerous variations and modifications of detail within the reach of a person skilled in the art can be made to the present embodiment of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

  1. A method for packaging products, in particular food products, in a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere, comprising the following steps:
    - feeding of a plurality of containers (100) separated from each other and comprising a tray (101) and a lid (103) integrally connected to said tray (101) through a hinging axis (102),
    - introducing the product to be packaged into the tray (101),
    - partial closing the lid (103) on said tray (101) by rotating the lid (103) around said hinging axis (102) so as to leave a gap between said lid (103) and said tray (101) for discharging air from said container (100) and/or for introducing gas into said container (100),
    - sucking air and/or introducing gas from/into said container (100), and
    - complete closing the lid (103) on said tray (101) by further rotating the lid (103) around said hinging axis (102) and sealing the lid (103) on the tray (101) to close the container (100) hermetically and to avoid tampering with the product.
  2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that said step of complete closing the lid (103) on the tray (101) provides for a closure by wedging.
  3. A method according to claim 1 o 2, characterised in that said step of sealing the lid (103) on the tray (101) involves sealing on plastic materials (easy open) to allow sealing with easy opening of the container (100).
  4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said step of introducing gas into the container (100) provides for the introduction of gases such as oxygen O2, carbon dioxide CO2, or nitrogen N2.
  5. An apparatus (1) for packaging products, in particular food products, in a vacuum and/or in a protective atmosphere, comprising:
    - a conveying station (2) for conveying containers (100) separated from each other and comprising a tray (101) and a lid (103) integrally connected to the tray (101) through a hinging axis (102),
    - a filling station (6) for introducing the product to be packaged into the tray (101),
    - a station (3) for partial closing said lid (103) on said tray (101) by rotating the lid (103) around said hinging axis (102) so as to leave a gap between said lid (103) and said tray (101) for discharging air from said container (100) and/or for introducing gas into said container (100);
    - a station (4) for sucking air and/or for introducing gas from/into said container (100), for complete closing the lid (103) on said tray (101) by further rotating the lid (103) around said hinging axis (102) and for sealing the lid (103) on the tray (101) to close the container (100) hermetically and to avoid possible tampering.
  6. An apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that said station for partial closing the lid (103) on the tray (101) comprises guide means (31, 34) and/or actuator means (32) to bring the lid (103) close to the tray (101).
  7. An apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that it comprises means (33) for maintaining said lid (103) in a semi-closed position on said tray (101), disposed upstream of said station (4) for creating a vacuum and/or a protective atmosphere and for sealing.
  8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that it further comprises a reel (70) of plastic film (71) and sealing means to apply said film (71) to trays (101) without lids (103).
EP04000962A 2003-01-23 2004-01-19 Method and apparatus for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging Expired - Lifetime EP1440887B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI20030099 2003-01-23
IT000099A ITMI20030099A1 (en) 2003-01-23 2003-01-23 PROCEDURE, APPARATUS AND CONTAINER FOR VACUUM PACKAGING AND / OR IN A PROTECTIVE ATMOSPHERE.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1440887A1 EP1440887A1 (en) 2004-07-28
EP1440887B1 true EP1440887B1 (en) 2010-12-29

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04000962A Expired - Lifetime EP1440887B1 (en) 2003-01-23 2004-01-19 Method and apparatus for vacuum and/or protective atmosphere packaging

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1440887B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE493339T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004030735D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2358902T3 (en)
IT (1) ITMI20030099A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110155414A (en) * 2019-04-25 2019-08-23 李飞灵 A kind of intelligent vacuum packing device

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010007633A1 (en) * 2008-07-14 2010-01-21 Gima S.P.A. Machine for packaging products, in particular capsules for machines for delivering infusion beverages
IT1393743B1 (en) * 2008-10-24 2012-05-08 Compac S R L '' GROUP FOR THE TREATMENT OF FOOD PRODUCTS IN A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE ''
DE102013204160A1 (en) * 2013-03-11 2014-09-11 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging system with latching station and method
EP3061705B1 (en) 2015-02-24 2018-12-19 Attilio Vignoni Container for packaging foods

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3267637A (en) * 1963-10-17 1966-08-23 Kliklok Corp Method of closing, squaring and sealing folding boxes comprising cover flaps
US3481100A (en) 1966-11-23 1969-12-02 Anderson Bros Mfg Co Method and apparatus for packaging in protective atmosphere
JPS60501805A (en) * 1983-07-12 1985-10-24 ガーウツド・リミテツド improved packaging
US5534282A (en) * 1989-08-30 1996-07-09 Seawell North America Inc. Packing perishable goods
US5247746A (en) * 1992-06-04 1993-09-28 W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. Tray sealing and gas flush apparatus
FR2712253B1 (en) * 1993-11-10 1996-01-19 Mecaplastic Method and device for packaging food, chemical or pharmaceutical products and corresponding packaging trays.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110155414A (en) * 2019-04-25 2019-08-23 李飞灵 A kind of intelligent vacuum packing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE493339T1 (en) 2011-01-15
DE602004030735D1 (en) 2011-02-10
EP1440887A1 (en) 2004-07-28
ES2358902T3 (en) 2011-05-16
ITMI20030099A1 (en) 2004-07-24

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