EP1798160A1 - Verpackung für Lebensmittel, die Flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels Vakuum oder Schutzatmosphäre - Google Patents

Verpackung für Lebensmittel, die Flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels Vakuum oder Schutzatmosphäre Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1798160A1
EP1798160A1 EP05425887A EP05425887A EP1798160A1 EP 1798160 A1 EP1798160 A1 EP 1798160A1 EP 05425887 A EP05425887 A EP 05425887A EP 05425887 A EP05425887 A EP 05425887A EP 1798160 A1 EP1798160 A1 EP 1798160A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tray
foil
plastic material
gas
film
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP05425887A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1798160B1 (de
Inventor
Luigi Garavaglia
Mauro Bonvini
Fausto Fontana
Sara Delfini
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SIRAP GEMA SpA
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SIRAP GEMA 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
Priority to DE602005019433T priority Critical patent/DE602005019433D1/de
Application filed by SIRAP GEMA SpA filed Critical SIRAP GEMA SpA
Priority to PT05425887T priority patent/PT1798160E/pt
Priority to ES05425887T priority patent/ES2340775T3/es
Priority to SI200530985T priority patent/SI1798160T1/sl
Priority to AT05425887T priority patent/ATE457938T1/de
Priority to PL05425887T priority patent/PL1798160T3/pl
Priority to EP05425887A priority patent/EP1798160B1/de
Priority to DK05425887.6T priority patent/DK1798160T3/da
Publication of EP1798160A1 publication Critical patent/EP1798160A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1798160B1 publication Critical patent/EP1798160B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/264—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
    • B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
    • B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2007—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum
    • B65D81/2015—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under vacuum in an at least partially rigid container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
    • B65D81/2076—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere in an at least partially rigid container

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of modified atmosphere packaging or vacuum packaging of food products by means of packages made of plastic material.
  • the invention relates to a package for food products comprising a tray made of plastic material, having barrier properties with respect to the gases diffusion and having absorbing power with respect to any fluid released by the food products, and a hermetically sealed cover on said container.
  • tray is used herein to mean any container, which may have a shape other than that of an ordinary tray while still including a bottom and side walls ending in an edge.
  • fluid is used herein to mean any liquids (exudates) released by a food product during preservation and/or any gas contained in said package.
  • Patent Application WO 00/46125 describes a tray having absorbing properties which is suitable for vacuum packaging or modified atmosphere packaging of food products which may release liquids.
  • a tray consists of a structure made of open-cells plastic material enclosed between two films of which at least one is impermeable to the gases respectively applied onto its inner and outer surface.
  • the film applied onto the inner surface is interrupted by perforations in order to allow the liquid to penetrate into a predetermined portion of the underlying open-cells structure.
  • said portion is sealed by welding the two films in predetermined points in order to prevent the liquid provided inside it from migrating into the remaining open-cells structure of the tray.
  • the technical problem at the basis of the present invention is that of providing a package for modified atmosphere packaging or vacuum packaging of food products susceptible of releasing liquids which is efficient in absorbing the fluids released by the food products and which allows to maintain the gas atmosphere set inside it or the vacuum before use substantially unaltered.
  • a vacuumized or modified-atmosphere package for food products being susceptible to release fluids comprising:
  • a vacuumized or modified-atmosphere package for food products being susceptible to release fluids comprising:
  • plastic material having fluid absorbing properties or its short form “absorbent plastic material” is used here to mean any plastic material having a porous or fibrous or expanded cellular structure with cells being at least partially open, preferably substantially or mostly open cells capable of taking in, as by absorption and/or draining out fluids, in particular liquids (exudates), released by the food products while stored in the package.
  • the absorbent plastic material is selected from the group including expanded thermoplastic materials, specifically polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, woven or non-woven fibers, fluffed plastics, and polymers of a renovable nature such as biodegradable polymers.
  • polar component is used herein to mean any polymer or additive exhibiting an adequately polar behavior and polar content (e.g. molecular dipoles), and a high dielectric loss factor (generally higher than 0.2 at a frequency of 27.12 MHz), such that it can be heated by application of radio-frequencies.
  • said polar component is preferably selected from the group including ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), EVA and EVOH polymers and copolymers, surfactants, ethylene metacrylate (EMA), ethylene butacrylate (EBA), and ethylene ethyl acrylate (EEA).
  • EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • EVA EVOH polymers and copolymers
  • surfactants ethylene metacrylate (EMA), ethylene butacrylate (EBA), and ethylene ethyl acrylate (EEA).
  • the thickness of said thin layer is 100 to 1500 microns, preferably 300 to 600 microns.
  • the perimetricperimetric portion of said tray wherein the sealing is carried out through the application of pressure and radio-frequency is at least a portion of the edge, preferably the whole edge, or a portion of the side walls.
  • thermoplastic materials having polar characteristics such as PVC (polyvinylchloride), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), APET (polyethylene terephtalate), and PUR (polyurethane).
  • Radio-frequency (RF) sealing also called high-frequency sealing or dielectric sealing
  • RF sealing is carried out by applying an electric field to polar thermoplastic materials such that the molecules (molecular dipoles) of these materials are forced to align themselves to the field potential. Fluctuation of the electrostatic field causes the molecules to vibrate and become heated by mutual friction.
  • the polar plastics materials are placed between two planes that function as capacitors and are subjected to the electric field, oscillating at a frequency of 27.12 MHz (as defined by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard). The layers are fused and sealed together by pressing them between the planes.
  • ITU International Telecommunications Union
  • radio-frequency sealing can be applied to such a structure, but also, that in the sealing portion the fusion and the compaction of the layers constituting the tray can be obtained with substantial collapse of the absorbent structure until a thin layer is formed, the thin layer advantageously having efficient gas barrier properties and an adequate mechanical resistance.
  • at least one continuous intermediate region has been recognized in said thin layer defining the sealing portion, such a region being made of a compact material acting as an effective barrier to gases or .
  • said thin layer being completely made of a substantially compact gas-barrier material.
  • any uncollapsed portion of the absorbent structure has shown to have gas-barrier properties.
  • the tray of the package of the invention includes an additional layer, overlying said inward-facing layer, which is a film or foil of unexpanded plastics material having through holes or slots at least in correspondence with the bottom of the tray.
  • the unexpanded film or foil may be composite (multi-layer) or non-composite (single-layer).
  • a composite film of plastic material having gas-barrier properties may be used instead of the unexpanded film or foil of plastic material.
  • said unexpanded film or foil or said composite gas-barrier film is made opaque to allow the abosorbed liquid masking.
  • the opacifying may be achieved by incorporating titanium dioxide into the plastics material.
  • the film or foil of unexpanded plastics material is selected from a group including polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene (PE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), EVA, EVA polymers and copolymers, metallocenes, and combinations thereof, in particular a mixture of polyethylene and an EVA copolymer.
  • a composite film or composite foil comprising a layer of unexpanded polystyrene and a layer of a mixture of polyethylene and an EVA copolymer is especially preferred.
  • the gas-barrier films forming the outward facing layer in the tray, the optional layer overlying the inward-facing layer, and the cover are each preferably a multi-layer film comprising at least one gas-barrier layer of plastic material, a thermoplastic material layer, and a sealing outer layer.
  • additional layers could be provided for the purpose of conferring the desired mechanical and thickness characteristics on the film.
  • the material forming the gas-barrier layer may be selected from a group including polymers and copolymers of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), Nylon, polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), poly- or copolyamides, and combinations thereof.
  • EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol
  • Nylon Nylon
  • PVDC polyvinylidene chloride
  • poly- or copolyamides poly- or copolyamides
  • said material is a polymer or copolymer of ethylene vinyl alcohol and/or Nylon.
  • the material forming the sealing outer layer of the gas-barrier film is selected from a group including polyethylene (PE) and/or copolymers thereof, in particular ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP) and copolymers thereof.
  • PE polyethylene
  • EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
  • PP polypropylene
  • Multi-layer films manufactured and sold by B-PACK being 50-60 micron thick and incorporating an EVOH gas-barrier layer, a polystyrene (PS) layer, and a sealing outer layer of polyethylene (PE), exemplify multi-layer gas-barrier films that are most preferred.
  • PS polystyrene
  • PE polyethylene
  • multi-layer gas-barrier films being particularly preferred are the multi-layer barrier films LID Cryovac, which are 25-micron thick and include an EVOH barrier layer as well as additional layers comprising polyethylene mixtures of varying densities and copolimers thereof.
  • an expanded polystyrene foil with substantially open cells is most preferred for the absorbent plastic material.
  • the basic weight of the polystyrene foil with substantially open cells is within the range of 150 to 450 g/m 2 .
  • At least one surfactant is incorporated to said polystyrene foil with substantially open cells. This can be done conventionally in the process of making said foil.
  • the surfactant allows the capability to absorb acqueous liquids by the open-cells thermoplastic material foil. It is by itself a polar additive that contributes to the conversion of the RF energy into heat, thereby aiding the fusion of the open-cells thermoplastic material, and through conduction, to the fusion of the materials of the other layers of the trays and possibly of the cover material as well, which are all involved in the RF sealing of the invention.
  • the surfactant may be selected among conventional anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants, and is preferably a salt of a sulphonic acid having formula R-SO 3 H or a sulphuric ester having formula R-OSO 3 H, where R is selected from a group including alkyl and arylalkyl with an alkaline metal or an alkaline-earth metal.
  • the tray includes an additional layer made of an unexpanded plastic material foil and/or an expanded closed-cells plastic material foil, said additional layer extending between said inward-facing layer formed of an absorbent plastic material foil and said outward-facing layer formed of a gas-barrier film.
  • the unexpanded plastic material of said additional layer is polystyrene and/or HIPS (High Impact PolyStyrene) or a butadiene styrene copolimer, the expanded closed-cell plastics material being preferably polystyrene.
  • the package according to this invention has an advantage in that it will retain over time the atmosphere originally established inside it, since gases are prevented from diffusing outside , and it allows to preserve highly perishable food articles, e.g. based on beef, pork, chicken and fish meat, for several days without any appreciable losing y of their organoleptic and microbiological properties, and this while absorbing and hiding the exudate from view.
  • the gas-barrier structure of the thin layer including at least one region of compacted material, preferably interposed between two films of which at least one is a gas barrier formed along the perimetricperimetric portion of the RF-sealed package.
  • the gas-barrier film constituting the cover applied to the tray edge or RF sealed to said edge allows the package to be closed tight, thus preventing any gaseous exchange with the outside environment.
  • Preferred methods for making a tray according to this invention are set forth in Claims 24 to 33.
  • Preferred methods for making a package according to this invention are set forth in Claims 34 to 37.
  • thermoplastic materials Ways of providing foils or sheets of absorbent thermoplastic materials are known from the relevant technical literature.
  • open cell expanded thermoplastic materials refer to Klempner and Frisch “Handbook of Polymeric Foams and Foam Technology", Carl Hanser Verlag, 1991 .
  • Specific methods are disclosed in EP-A-0 090 507 , US-A-3 610 509 , EP-A-0 642 907 and EP 0 849 309 , for example.
  • the bonding of the foil of absorbent thermoplastic material to the gas-barrier composite film (optionally with a foil of unexpanded material therebetween) and to the unexpanded foil may be carried out through heat-lamination, the use of adhesives or any another conventional method.
  • the bonding through heat-lamination is preferred.
  • the foil of open-cells thermoplastic material obtained by ordinary annular or flat head extrusion techniques, with expanding gases injected may initially have been heat-laminated to an unexpanded film or foil obtained by coextrusion or post-extrusion through a technique known as "extrusion coating", to provide a first composite sheet.
  • This first composite sheet is perforated on one side and laminated on the other side, either in-line or off-line, with a composite gas-barrier film to produce a second perforated composite sheet.
  • This latter lamination is preferably carried out at a temperature in the range of 185°-210°C, whilst the open-cell thermoplastic material foil is laminated with an unexpanded film or foil at a preferred temperature of 160-180°C.
  • the perforations or slots in the unexpanded film or foil and the open-cell thermoplastic material foil may be formed conventionally by means of perforating machines, for example. They are useful to allow the liquid released by the food product contained in the tray to pass into the foil of open-cell thermoplastic material.
  • the tray is molded conventionally, preferably through thermoforming of the second perforated composite sheet or the third perforated composite sheet in a specially provided die at a temperature in the range of 160°-220°C.
  • thermoforming operations may be carried out sequentially in one die or several dies with conventional methods, e.g. by vacuuming, injecting compressed air, mechanical methods, etc.
  • the tray is sealed along a perimetricperimetric portion thereof, preferably an edge portion or the whole edge or a portion of the sidewalls by applying pressure and radio-frequency.
  • the tray is first housed in a cavity of a suitable mould, then pressed against the portion to be sealed while in contact with a suitably shaped electrode which has been pre-heated at an appropriate temperature for sealing, and then exposed to RF energy.
  • the right combination of electric field application time, energy and pressure will set the polar components (polymers and/or additives) into vibration, to generate and propagate heat through the thickness of the perimetricperimetric sealing portion of the tray, thus inducing fusion of the layers and substantial collapse of the absorbent structure of the thermoplastic material foil (e.g. an open-cells thermoplastic material) into a thin layer comprised of an essentially compact material or provided with at least a definite region of essentially compact material.
  • the thermoplastic material foil e.g. an open-cells thermoplastic material
  • frequencies within the range of 1 to 300 MHz, preferably of 27,12 MHz, are applied for about 0.5-2 seconds, and the pressure applied to the sealed portion is of 10 to 1000 kg/cm 2 , with the electrode being pre-heated at a temperature in the range of 30° to 90°C.
  • the package may be made by using known processes in the art, e.g. from US Patent No. 5,744,181 .
  • a food product to be packaged is laid on the tray bottom after the RF sealing step, and the tray is sealed under a vacuum or protective atmosphere. Thereafter, a film of a gas-barrier-forming plastic material composite is bonded to the tray edge, preferably heat-sealed thereto.
  • the RF sealing step may also affect the barrier film from which the tray cover is formed, the sealing being here carried out as part of the package-making process. In this way, production costs can be appreciably reduced and the package according to the invention completed in less time.
  • the package of the invention may be a vacuum or a modified-atmosphere package.
  • the modified atmosphere is achieved by vacuumizing, followed by an injection of inert gases such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, or of oxygen-containing mixtures, as required for the type of food product that is being packaged for long-term preservation.
  • a package according to the invention is shown to include a tray 1 and a covering 2.
  • the tray 1 has a bottom 3 adapted to receive a food product 4 beforepackaging , and has sidewalls 5 ending in a jutting edge 6, the edge 6 having an end surface 6a.
  • the tray structure comprises a foil 7 of expanded polystyrene with substantially open cells, whose upper surface is covered with an unexpanded multi-layer film 8 (comprising a polystyrene layer and a sealing layer consisting of a mixture of polyethylene and an EVA copolimer) and whose lower surface is covered with a multi-layer film 9 incorporating a gas-barrier layer 9 of EVOH or Nylon.
  • an unexpanded multi-layer film 8 comprising a polystyrene layer and a sealing layer consisting of a mixture of polyethylene and an EVA copolimer
  • a multi-layer film 9 incorporating a gas-barrier layer 9 of EVOH or Nylon.
  • the film 8 is formed with a plurality of holes 10 having a predetermined diameter and reaching down to a predetermined depth in the thickness of the underlying expanded polystyrene foil 7, thereby to allow liquid matter relased from the food product, in this case beef, pork, chicken cuttings, to enter into the substantially open cells of the foil 7 via said holes 10.
  • the open cells structure of the foil 7 has a thick network of canalized capillary ducts which intercommunicate the individual cells and allow the latter to receive and hold the liquid entered through said holes 10.
  • the liquid is trapped in a sponge-like fashion, and by virtue of the strong capillary effect of the canalizations on the liquid, the liquid is prevented from flowing back to the upper surface of the bottom 3 of the tray 1 through the holes 10, even when the tray is tilted or turned over.
  • the package is sealed perimetricmetrically by an application of radio-frequency and pressure all around the edge 6 of the tray 1 before the covering 2 is attached. Therefore, the edge 6 will be in the form of a thin gas-barrier layer 11 having at least one region with a substantially compacted structure that extends all around the edge perimeter, the compact structure being the result of the materials of the foil 7 and the upper and lower films 8, 9 becoming fused under the heat generated by the vibratory motion of the molecules of the polar components exposed to the radio-frequency.
  • the cover 2 consists of a multi-layer barrier film, and is bonded to the tray by heat-sealing it to form a permanent bond to the material of the edge 6 of the tray 1.
  • This cover 2 is installed at the end of the packaging process, after a vacuum is drawn and/or the atmosphere inside the tray 1 containing the food product 4 is modified.
  • FIGS. 4 to 10 show further embodiments of the package according to the invention. Throughout these Figures, structural elements common or being functionally equivalent to elements of the package shown in Figures 1-3 carry the same reference numerals.
  • the package of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5 differs from that shown in Figures 1-3 in that the tray 1 additionally includes a foil 7a of a closed-cells expanded plastic material, preferably polystyrene, disposed between the open-cell polystyrene foil 7 and the gas-barrier film 9.
  • the edge 6 is in the form of a thin gas-barrier layer 12, wherein at least one region having a substantially compact structure extends all around the edge perimeter, this compact structure originating from the fusion of the materials that comprise the open-cells polystyrene foil 7, closed-cells expanded plastic foil 7a, and upper and lower films 8 and 9, under the heat generated by vibration of molecules in the polar components exposed to radio-frequency.
  • the package partially shown in Figure 6 differs from that shown in Figures 1-3 in that the radio-frequency sealing is performed along a perimetricperimeter portion 13 of the side walls 5 of tray 1.
  • a thin gas-barrier layer 14 which includes at least one perimetric region having a substantially compact structure, this compact structure resulting from the fusion of the materials comprising the foil 7 and upper and lower films 8 and 9 induced by the heat generated by molecular vibration in the polar components exposed to radio-frequency.
  • Both packages partially shown in Figures 7 and 8 differ from that shown in Figures 1-3 in that the radio-frequency sealing is performed along a perimetricmeter portion of the of the tray edge 6 rather than all around the entire edge 6.
  • RF sealing is performed perimetricperimetrically at an inner end portion of the edge 6 to form a thin gas-barrier layer 15
  • the sealing is performed perimetricperimetrically along a substantially central portion of the edge 6 to form a thin gas-barrier layer 16.
  • the barrier film constituting the cover 2 bonded to the tray 1 by heat sealing is permanently bonded to the edge 6 in the correspondence with the upper film 8 of the tray, and optionally along the sealing portions as well (as shown in Figures 7 and 8).
  • the package partially shown in Figure 9 differs from that shown in Figures 1-3 in that the radio-frequency sealing performed along the edge 6 of tray 1 also affects a perimetricmetric portion of the gas-barrier film constituting the cover 2.
  • the edge 6 is a thin gas-barrier layer 18 which has at least one region with a substantially compact structure, this compact structure resulting from the fusion of the materials constituting the tray 1 (open-cell polystyrene foil 7, and upper and lower films 8 and 9), and of the barrier film constituting the cover 2, under the heat generated by the vibratory motion of the molecules of the polar components exposed to radio-frequency.
  • the package of this invention has an advantage in that the liquid realized from the food products can be absorbed across the entire inner surface of the tray, by virtue of the latter featuring a structure wherein an intermediate absorbent layer comprises preferably a foil of a thermoplastic material with substantially open cells.
  • the above foil was immediately transferred to a heat-laminating station, where a film of opacified unexpanded material composed of two layers, namely, a polystyrene layer and a sealing layer formed of a mixture of polyethylene and an EVA copolymer, and being 50-micron thick, was bonded to a bonding surface of the foil by laminating at a temperature of 160°C.
  • the bonding step by heat-lamination was carried out with the sealing layer facing the bonding surface of the open-cell expanded polystyrene foil.
  • the resulting composite sheet was perforated across the free surface of the unexpanded film using a set of metal needles, down part of the thickness of the open-cells expanded polystyrene foil.
  • a white-opacified multi-layer barrier film of the PE//EVOH//PS type manufactured by B-Pack and being 60-micron thick, was then bonded to the free surface of the foil to produce a perforated expanded composite sheet.
  • the last-mentioned laminating step was carried out at a temperature of 170°C and a feed rate of 15 m/min.
  • the tray After laying the food product to be packaged inside the tray, the tray was placed in said chamber along with a coverheld over it.
  • the cover was heat sealed to the tray edge to produce a package according to the invention.
  • the gas permeability properties of the tray of the package according to the invention were evaluated by monitoring the behavior over time of the gaseous composition originally introduced into the package. These properties have also been compared with those of a tray of a conventional gas-barrier absorbent package.
  • the conventional package comprised a tray having a porous structure directed to absorb liquids, and a covering made of a gas-barrier film.
  • the tray structure included an open-cell expanded polystyrene layer bonded at the top and the bottom to corresponding inner and outer gas-barrier films.
  • the tray was sealed perimetricmetrically of its bottom by a combination of pressure and ultrasonics to form a fluid-tight space, between the outer and inner gas-barrier films, adapted to absorb and hold liquids released from the food products.
  • Each barrier film of this prior art package was a multi-layer barrier film of the PE//EVOH//PStype. The conventional package was injected with the same gas composition as was used with the package according to the invention.
  • Figure 12 shows an electronic micrograph enlarged at 100X of a section of the tray edge in the above package of the invention. It can be seen that the edge structure forms a continuous of compact material into which the original open-cells structure shows to have substantially collapsed. Accordingly, gases diffusing into the porous structure of the tray meet a compact structure along the edge that will stop them from passing to the tray outside.
  • Figure 13 shows an electronic micrograph enlarged at 100X of a section of the tray edge in another package of the invention. It can be seen in this section of the edge that the structure includes two regions A and B between the inner and outer films which are constituted by closed cells, and a core region C intermediate said regions A and B, which is formed of compact material. Surprisingly, also the closed cells of regions A and B are impermeable to gas diffusion, as the gas permeability properties of the tray in this package are fully comparable with those reported in Table 2 and Figure 11. This shows that a partially-fusion of the open-cells structure (in this example, its core region) can be adequate to produce the desired gas-barrier effect to the diffusion of the gas outside the trayand the retaining of the modified atmosphere therein.
  • the open-cells structure in this example, its core region
  • a semi-finished tray has been provided using the same procedure as in Example 1.
  • the semi-finished tray was transferred to a packaging machine whose chamber is equipped with a lower die, in which the semi-finished tray was correctly positioned in it, lower die being provided with an insulative dielectric foil of Mylar, an upper die, consisting of a brass electrode pre-heated at a temperature of 50°C and having a suitable geometry to permit sealing of the tray edge, and ports for drawing air out and/or letting a gas mixture in.
  • the semi-finished tray was transferred into said chamber along with a cover held over it.
  • the cover consisted of a multi-layer barrier film of the PET/EVOH/PE type with a thickness of 45 microns.
  • the chamber was then closed and its internal air drawn out by the application of a reduced pressure of 1-4 millibars. Thereafter, a gas mixture comprising 70% oxygen and 30% carbon dioxide was injected into the chamber.
  • the RF sealing process for the tray edge and the cover was carried out under a pressure of 55 kg/cm 2 , as measured at the sealing edge, such that the edge of the tray and the film of the cover over the edge were held and pressed together, while radio-frequency energy was delivered at 27.12 MHz for 2 seconds, whereafter the package of the invention was allowed to cool for 3 seconds.
  • the sealing operation was performed at 7 cycles/min, and the combined thickness of the tray edge and the covering showed to have been shrunk down to 320 microns after sealing.
  • a package of this invention, constructed as above, has excellent retention capabilities in the respect of the modified atmosphere originally established therein, such capabilities being fully comparable with those of the package according to the invention discussed in Example 1.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
EP05425887A 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Verpackung für Lebensmittel, die Flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels Vakuum oder Schutzatmosphäre Not-in-force EP1798160B1 (de)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PT05425887T PT1798160E (pt) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Embalagem a vácuo ou atmosfera protectora para a conservação de produtos alimentares que libertam líquido
ES05425887T ES2340775T3 (es) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Envase para la conservacion a vacio o en atmosfera protectora de productos alimenticios que tienden a liberar liquidos.
SI200530985T SI1798160T1 (sl) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Embalaža za konzerviranje tekočine oddajajočihprehrambenih izdelkov v vakuumu ali zaščitni atmosferi
AT05425887T ATE457938T1 (de) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Verpackung für lebensmittel, die flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels vakuum oder schutzatmosphäre
DE602005019433T DE602005019433D1 (de) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Verpackung für Lebensmittel, die Flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels Vakuum oder Schutzatmosphäre
EP05425887A EP1798160B1 (de) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Verpackung für Lebensmittel, die Flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels Vakuum oder Schutzatmosphäre
PL05425887T PL1798160T3 (pl) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Opakowanie do konserwacji produktów żywnościowych, które mają tendencję do uwalniania cieczy, z wykorzystaniem próżni lub atmosfery ochronnej
DK05425887.6T DK1798160T3 (da) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Emballage til konservering under vakuum eller i beskyttelsesatmosfære af fødevareprodukter, som er tilbøjelige til at afgive væsker

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05425887A EP1798160B1 (de) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Verpackung für Lebensmittel, die Flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels Vakuum oder Schutzatmosphäre

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1798160A1 true EP1798160A1 (de) 2007-06-20
EP1798160B1 EP1798160B1 (de) 2010-02-17

Family

ID=36099696

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05425887A Not-in-force EP1798160B1 (de) 2005-12-15 2005-12-15 Verpackung für Lebensmittel, die Flüssigkeit abgeben, mittels Vakuum oder Schutzatmosphäre

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1798160B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE457938T1 (de)
DE (1) DE602005019433D1 (de)
DK (1) DK1798160T3 (de)
ES (1) ES2340775T3 (de)
PL (1) PL1798160T3 (de)
PT (1) PT1798160E (de)
SI (1) SI1798160T1 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2361759A1 (de) * 2010-07-01 2011-08-31 Coopbox Group S.P.A. Blatt aus Kunststoffmaterial, Schale für ein Lebensmittelprodukt aus dem besagten Blatt Verpackung mit besagter Schale und zugehöriges Herstellungsverfahren
WO2016043593A1 (en) * 2014-09-19 2016-03-24 Zenkova Sofia Package and storage means for nutrients
DE102017007581A1 (de) 2017-08-11 2019-02-14 Die Frischemanufaktur GmbH Behältervorrichtung zur Aufnahme von zum menschlichen Verzehr bestimmten Produkten

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5240133A (en) * 1991-04-15 1993-08-31 James River Paper Company, Inc. Clamped-wave lid seal structure
US5527570A (en) * 1991-06-28 1996-06-18 Centro Sviluppo Settori Impiego S.R.L. Multilayer multifunctional packaging elements
EP0849309A1 (de) * 1996-12-18 1998-06-24 SIRAP-GEMA S.p.A. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer offenzelligen Polystyrolschaumfolie und daraus hergestellte Verpackungsschale
US5840146A (en) * 1991-12-11 1998-11-24 Baxter International Inc. Method and compositions that render materials RF responsive
WO2000046125A1 (en) * 1999-02-06 2000-08-10 Linpac Plastics Limited Packaging tray formed from absorbant material
EP1348640A2 (de) * 2002-03-29 2003-10-01 SIRAP-GEMA S.p.A. Vakuumverpackung oder Verpackung unter modifizierter Atmosphäre von Flüssigkeiten absondernden Nahrungsmitteln

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5240133A (en) * 1991-04-15 1993-08-31 James River Paper Company, Inc. Clamped-wave lid seal structure
US5527570A (en) * 1991-06-28 1996-06-18 Centro Sviluppo Settori Impiego S.R.L. Multilayer multifunctional packaging elements
US5840146A (en) * 1991-12-11 1998-11-24 Baxter International Inc. Method and compositions that render materials RF responsive
EP0849309A1 (de) * 1996-12-18 1998-06-24 SIRAP-GEMA S.p.A. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer offenzelligen Polystyrolschaumfolie und daraus hergestellte Verpackungsschale
WO2000046125A1 (en) * 1999-02-06 2000-08-10 Linpac Plastics Limited Packaging tray formed from absorbant material
EP1348640A2 (de) * 2002-03-29 2003-10-01 SIRAP-GEMA S.p.A. Vakuumverpackung oder Verpackung unter modifizierter Atmosphäre von Flüssigkeiten absondernden Nahrungsmitteln

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2361759A1 (de) * 2010-07-01 2011-08-31 Coopbox Group S.P.A. Blatt aus Kunststoffmaterial, Schale für ein Lebensmittelprodukt aus dem besagten Blatt Verpackung mit besagter Schale und zugehöriges Herstellungsverfahren
WO2016043593A1 (en) * 2014-09-19 2016-03-24 Zenkova Sofia Package and storage means for nutrients
DE102017007581A1 (de) 2017-08-11 2019-02-14 Die Frischemanufaktur GmbH Behältervorrichtung zur Aufnahme von zum menschlichen Verzehr bestimmten Produkten

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2340775T3 (es) 2010-06-09
PT1798160E (pt) 2010-04-09
DK1798160T3 (da) 2010-06-14
EP1798160B1 (de) 2010-02-17
ATE457938T1 (de) 2010-03-15
DE602005019433D1 (de) 2010-04-01
PL1798160T3 (pl) 2010-07-30
SI1798160T1 (sl) 2010-06-30

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