EP1932763A1 - Packaging machine for MAP and skin packages - Google Patents

Packaging machine for MAP and skin packages Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1932763A1
EP1932763A1 EP06024110A EP06024110A EP1932763A1 EP 1932763 A1 EP1932763 A1 EP 1932763A1 EP 06024110 A EP06024110 A EP 06024110A EP 06024110 A EP06024110 A EP 06024110A EP 1932763 A1 EP1932763 A1 EP 1932763A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
packaging machine
film
packages
packaging
chamber
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.)
Ceased
Application number
EP06024110A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
designation of the inventor has not yet been filed The
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.)
GEA CFS Buehl GmbH
Original Assignee
CFS Buehl GmbH
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 CFS Buehl GmbH filed Critical CFS Buehl GmbH
Priority to EP06024110A priority Critical patent/EP1932763A1/en
Publication of EP1932763A1 publication Critical patent/EP1932763A1/en
Ceased 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/50—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins
    • B65B11/52—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins one sheet being rendered plastic, e.g. by heating, and forced by fluid pressure, e.g. vacuum, into engagement with the other sheet and contents, e.g. skin-, blister-, or bubble- packaging
    • 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
    • B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
    • B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing

Definitions

  • the following invention is related to a packaging machine which seals a film to a tray.
  • the above-mentioned packaging machines are for example so called traysealers.
  • Traysealers are machines which seal a film to a tray which has been prefabricated and filled with a packaging item, for example food.
  • These packages can be so-called MAP packages (Modified Atmosphere Packages) in which the packaging item is packaged under a modified atmosphere.
  • MAP packages Modified Atmosphere Packages
  • the air is in a first step at least partially taken out of the tray and then substituted by a modified atmosphere, for example N 2 and/or CO 2 or O 2 .
  • An other package which is produced on a traysealer is a so-called skin package in which a top-film is shrunk around the packaging item, so that it butts against the packaging item.
  • Packaging machines nowadays have to be very flexible.
  • a packaging machine which seals a film to a tray, whereas it comprises means to produce MAP- as well as skin-packages without altering the machine.
  • MAP-packages and skin-packages can be produced on the same machine without hardly any downtime of the machine. This reduces the costs of production of the respective packaging items.
  • the packaging machine according to the present invention can be any packaging machine known by a person skilled in the art.
  • the packaging machine is a so-called traysealer in which a top-film is sealed to a tray which is filled with a packaging item.
  • Packaging items according to the present invention are preferably food products.
  • a MAP-package is a package with an atmosphere different to air around the packaging item under the film.
  • the air can be at least partially replaced by an inert gas, for example N 2 or CO 2 or by an oxygen enriched atmosphere.
  • a skin package according to the present invention is made by a shrinkable film which is sealed to the tray and shrunk around the packaging item so that it butts against the packaging item.
  • the inventive packaging machine comprises a gas pipe which can be used alternatively as a gas supply or to draw vacuum.
  • the packaging machine comprises a chamber which is formed by two dies which form a dieset.
  • the dieset surrounds the tray as well as the film which is sealed to the tray.
  • the chamber is preferably diverted in separate upper chamber and a separate lower chamber. Most preferably, the separation is carried out by the film.
  • the operator can select at the machine panel which type of package shall be produced; i. e. a MAP package or a skin package.
  • Figure 1 shows the inventive packaging machine 1.
  • This machine comprises an upper die 2 and a lower die 3 which form a dieset. At least one of the dies can be moved vertically so that the dies form a chamber 19 (Please compare figures 2 and 3 ).
  • a sealing tool 4 is located which is also vertically moveable relative to and independent from the upper die 2 and which seals the film (not depicted) to the tray 16.
  • the rim of the tray 16 is located on an ambos 15 which is a counter bearing for the sealing tool 4.
  • the tube 6 is located. This tube is connected with tube 17, in which a valve 14 has been arranged.
  • a tube 7 is located, which is connected to the tube 10.
  • Tube 10 is further connected with tube 9, in which a valve 13 has been arranged. Tubes 9 and 17 are connected to a vacuum pump 11, so that via tubes 6 and 7 air can be drawn out of chamber 19.
  • a gas for example nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, or oxygen
  • FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of the inventive packaging machine to produce MAP packages. Therefore, a tray 16 is located on the ambos 15. Furthermore, a film 18 is introduced into chamber 19, which is formed by the upper die 2 and the lower die 3. As can be seen, there is a gap between the film 18 and the rim of the tray 16. After the dies have been moved together to form chamber 19, vacuum is drawn via tube 6 out of chamber 19 and consequently out of the tray 16. After a desired level of pressure has been reached, the valve 14 is closed and via tube 7, a gas different from air is introduced into chamber 19, which also fills the room of the tray above the packaging item (not depicted). Subsequently, the sealing tool 9 is moved downwards as depicted by arrow 8 and the film is sealed to the rim of the tray 16.
  • Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the inventive packaging machine which produces skin packages.
  • the film 18 has such a width, that it extends to the rim of the upper die 2 and the lower die 3, so that, when these two dies 2, 3 are moved together, the film 18 separates the chamber into an upper chamber 19' and a lower chamber 19".
  • vacuum is drawn via tubes 16 and 17 from the upper chamber 19' by opening valve 14 while valve 13 remains closed. This reduces the pressure in the upper chamber 19', so that the film 18 is drawn against the heating plate 8 and is consequently heated.
  • valve 13 is opened to draw air out of the lower chamber 19" via tubes 7, 10, 9 to reduce the pressure in the lower chamber approximately to one mbar.
  • the chamber 19' is ventilated via a ventilation valve (not depicted), so that the heated film is pushed downwards and forms a skin around the packaging item. Simultaneously or afterwards, the film 18 is sealed to the tray 16 and cut from the film-roll.
  • the lower chamber 19" is ventilated, the dieset is opened and the package is removed from the dieset.
  • MAP packages or skin packages can be produced on the inventive machine. Consequently, the operator can choose at the machine panel which type of package is produced, without changing the machine. Consequently, the downtime of the machine due to a change between skin or MAP packages is close to zero.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is related to a packaging machine which seals a film to a tray which has been filled with a packaging item, for example food. The packages can be so-called MAP packages in which the packaging item is packaged under a modified atmosphere. In order to modify the atmosphere, the air is in a first step at least partially taken out of the tray and then substituted by a modified atmosphere, for example N2 and/or CO2. An other package which can be produced on the traysealer is a so-called skin package in which a top-film is shrunk around the packaging item, so that it butts against the packaging item.

Description

  • The following invention is related to a packaging machine which seals a film to a tray.
  • The above-mentioned packaging machines are for example so called traysealers. Traysealers are machines which seal a film to a tray which has been prefabricated and filled with a packaging item, for example food. These packages can be so-called MAP packages (Modified Atmosphere Packages) in which the packaging item is packaged under a modified atmosphere. In order to modify the atmosphere, the air is in a first step at least partially taken out of the tray and then substituted by a modified atmosphere, for example N2 and/or CO2 or O2. An other package which is produced on a traysealer is a so-called skin package in which a top-film is shrunk around the packaging item, so that it butts against the packaging item. Packaging machines nowadays have to be very flexible.
  • It was therefore the problem of the present invention to increase the flexibility of packaging machines known from the state of the art.
  • The problem is solved by a packaging machine which seals a film to a tray, whereas it comprises means to produce MAP- as well as skin-packages without altering the machine.
  • It was totally surprising and could not have been expected by a person skilled in the art, that it is possible to produce MAP packages as well as skin packages on the same packaging machine without any need of reconstruction. Thus, MAP-packages and skin-packages can be produced on the same machine without hardly any downtime of the machine. This reduces the costs of production of the respective packaging items.
  • The packaging machine according to the present invention can be any packaging machine known by a person skilled in the art. However, preferably the packaging machine is a so-called traysealer in which a top-film is sealed to a tray which is filled with a packaging item.
  • Packaging items according to the present invention are preferably food products.
  • A MAP-package is a package with an atmosphere different to air around the packaging item under the film. The air can be at least partially replaced by an inert gas, for example N2 or CO2 or by an oxygen enriched atmosphere.
  • A skin package according to the present invention is made by a shrinkable film which is sealed to the tray and shrunk around the packaging item so that it butts against the packaging item.
  • Preferably, the inventive packaging machine comprises a gas pipe which can be used alternatively as a gas supply or to draw vacuum.
  • Preferably, the packaging machine comprises a chamber which is formed by two dies which form a dieset. The dieset surrounds the tray as well as the film which is sealed to the tray. For the production of skin packages, the chamber is preferably diverted in separate upper chamber and a separate lower chamber. Most preferably, the separation is carried out by the film.
  • Preferably, the operator can select at the machine panel which type of package shall be produced; i. e. a MAP package or a skin package.
  • In the following the invention is further explained according to figures 1 - 3. These explanations do not limit the scope of protection.
    • Figure 1 shows the inventive packaging machine.
    • Figure 2 shows the inventive packaging machine according to figure 1 to produce MAP-packages.
    • Figure 3 shows the inventive machine according to figure 1 to produce skin-packages.
  • Figure 1 shows the inventive packaging machine 1. This machine comprises an upper die 2 and a lower die 3 which form a dieset. At least one of the dies can be moved vertically so that the dies form a chamber 19 (Please compare figures 2 and 3). In the upper die, a sealing tool 4 is located which is also vertically moveable relative to and independent from the upper die 2 and which seals the film (not depicted) to the tray 16. The rim of the tray 16 is located on an ambos 15 which is a counter bearing for the sealing tool 4. In the upper die 2, the tube 6 is located. This tube is connected with tube 17, in which a valve 14 has been arranged. In the lower die, a tube 7 is located, which is connected to the tube 10. Via tubes 10 and 7, a gas, for example nitrogen, carbon-dioxide, or oxygen can be blown into the chamber 19. Tube 10 is further connected with tube 9, in which a valve 13 has been arranged. Tubes 9 and 17 are connected to a vacuum pump 11, so that via tubes 6 and 7 air can be drawn out of chamber 19.
  • Figure 2 shows the embodiment of the inventive packaging machine to produce MAP packages. Therefore, a tray 16 is located on the ambos 15. Furthermore, a film 18 is introduced into chamber 19, which is formed by the upper die 2 and the lower die 3. As can be seen, there is a gap between the film 18 and the rim of the tray 16. After the dies have been moved together to form chamber 19, vacuum is drawn via tube 6 out of chamber 19 and consequently out of the tray 16. After a desired level of pressure has been reached, the valve 14 is closed and via tube 7, a gas different from air is introduced into chamber 19, which also fills the room of the tray above the packaging item (not depicted). Subsequently, the sealing tool 9 is moved downwards as depicted by arrow 8 and the film is sealed to the rim of the tray 16.
  • Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the inventive packaging machine which produces skin packages. In the present case, there is also a tray located on the ambos 15. In the present case, the film 18 has such a width, that it extends to the rim of the upper die 2 and the lower die 3, so that, when these two dies 2, 3 are moved together, the film 18 separates the chamber into an upper chamber 19' and a lower chamber 19". After the film 18 has been introduced into the dieset and the upper and the lower dies have been moved together, vacuum is drawn via tubes 16 and 17 from the upper chamber 19' by opening valve 14 while valve 13 remains closed. This reduces the pressure in the upper chamber 19', so that the film 18 is drawn against the heating plate 8 and is consequently heated. Next, valve 13 is opened to draw air out of the lower chamber 19" via tubes 7, 10, 9 to reduce the pressure in the lower chamber approximately to one mbar. In the next step, the chamber 19' is ventilated via a ventilation valve (not depicted), so that the heated film is pushed downwards and forms a skin around the packaging item. Simultaneously or afterwards, the film 18 is sealed to the tray 16 and cut from the film-roll. As the last step, the lower chamber 19" is ventilated, the dieset is opened and the package is removed from the dieset.
  • The person skilled in the art understands that no mechanical alteration of the packaging machine is needed to produce MAP or skin packages. By opening or closing valves 13, 14 and/or supplying a gas to chamber 19, MAP packages or skin packages can be produced on the inventive machine. Consequently, the operator can choose at the machine panel which type of package is produced, without changing the machine. Consequently, the downtime of the machine due to a change between skin or MAP packages is close to zero.
    • List of references:
    • 1
    packaging machine
    2
    upper die
    3
    lower die
    4
    sealing tool
    5
    heating plate
    6
    tube
    7
    tube
    8
    arrow
    9
    tube
    10
    tube
    11
    vacuum pump
    12
    gas supply
    13
    valve
    14
    valve
    15
    ambos
    16
    packaging tray
    17
    tube
    18
    film
    19
    chamber
    19'
    upper chamber
    19"
    lower chamber

Claims (6)

  1. Packaging machine (1) which seals a film (18) to a tray (16), characterized in, that it comprises means to produce MAP- as well as skin-packages without altering the machine.
  2. Packaging machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in, that it comprises a gas-pipe (7) which can be used as a gas-supply or to draw vacuum.
  3. Packaging machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in, that it comprises a chamber (19) formed by the dieset (2, 3).
  4. Packaging machine according to claim 3, characterized in, that for the production of skin-packages, the chamber is diverted into a separate upper chamber (19') and a separate lower chamber (19").
  5. Packaging machine according to claim 4, characterized in, that the film (18) separates the chambers (19', 19").
  6. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that package type can be selected at a machine panel.
EP06024110A 2006-11-21 2006-11-21 Packaging machine for MAP and skin packages Ceased EP1932763A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06024110A EP1932763A1 (en) 2006-11-21 2006-11-21 Packaging machine for MAP and skin packages

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06024110A EP1932763A1 (en) 2006-11-21 2006-11-21 Packaging machine for MAP and skin packages

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1932763A1 true EP1932763A1 (en) 2008-06-18

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06024110A Ceased EP1932763A1 (en) 2006-11-21 2006-11-21 Packaging machine for MAP and skin packages

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1932763A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2149498A1 (en) * 2008-08-01 2010-02-03 MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller GmbH & Co KG Packaging machine with an ultrasound device
CN102556451A (en) * 2011-12-29 2012-07-11 南京一擎机械制造有限公司 Transmission mechanism of modified atmosphere fresh-keeping packaging machine
CN103373487A (en) * 2012-04-24 2013-10-30 南京一擎机械制造有限公司 Modified atmosphere packing machine
WO2014166940A1 (en) * 2013-04-09 2014-10-16 Cryovac, Inc. Apparatus and process for packaging a product
EP2555981B1 (en) 2010-04-08 2018-06-27 Gruppo Fabbri Vignola S.p.A. Method for modified atmosphere packaging of products placed in trays

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3634993A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-01-18 Young William E Bottom platen apparatus for forming skin packaging
US20030196412A1 (en) * 2002-04-19 2003-10-23 Foulke Guy L. Top formed packaging
DE10237933A1 (en) * 2002-08-14 2004-02-26 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging machine for food in trays comprises mobile upper and lower sections enclosing chamber for tray, rollers feeding film into chamber, after which it is lifted away from food and sealed to tray at its edges

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3634993A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-01-18 Young William E Bottom platen apparatus for forming skin packaging
US20030196412A1 (en) * 2002-04-19 2003-10-23 Foulke Guy L. Top formed packaging
DE10237933A1 (en) * 2002-08-14 2004-02-26 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging machine for food in trays comprises mobile upper and lower sections enclosing chamber for tray, rollers feeding film into chamber, after which it is lifted away from food and sealed to tray at its edges

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2149498A1 (en) * 2008-08-01 2010-02-03 MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller GmbH & Co KG Packaging machine with an ultrasound device
US8281559B2 (en) 2008-08-01 2012-10-09 Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller Gmbh & Co. Kg Packaging machine having an ultrasonic device
EP2555981B1 (en) 2010-04-08 2018-06-27 Gruppo Fabbri Vignola S.p.A. Method for modified atmosphere packaging of products placed in trays
CN102556451A (en) * 2011-12-29 2012-07-11 南京一擎机械制造有限公司 Transmission mechanism of modified atmosphere fresh-keeping packaging machine
CN103373487A (en) * 2012-04-24 2013-10-30 南京一擎机械制造有限公司 Modified atmosphere packing machine
CN103373487B (en) * 2012-04-24 2016-02-24 南京一擎机械制造有限公司 A kind of gas-control packing device
WO2014166940A1 (en) * 2013-04-09 2014-10-16 Cryovac, Inc. Apparatus and process for packaging a product
CN105163927A (en) * 2013-04-09 2015-12-16 克里奥瓦克公司 Apparatus and method for packaging products
CN105163927B (en) * 2013-04-09 2018-06-01 克里奥瓦克公司 Apparatus and method for packaging products
RU2656472C2 (en) * 2013-04-09 2018-06-05 Криовак, Инк. Apparatus and process for packaging product

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