EP2177437A1 - Method and installation for manufacturing sealed packages for food products, and such packages - Google Patents

Method and installation for manufacturing sealed packages for food products, and such packages Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2177437A1
EP2177437A1 EP09290764A EP09290764A EP2177437A1 EP 2177437 A1 EP2177437 A1 EP 2177437A1 EP 09290764 A EP09290764 A EP 09290764A EP 09290764 A EP09290764 A EP 09290764A EP 2177437 A1 EP2177437 A1 EP 2177437A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
envelope
sealing
lid
product
flaps
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
EP09290764A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2177437B1 (en
Inventor
Joël PORTE
Jacky Boyer
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.)
Savencia SA
Original Assignee
Bongrain SA
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 Bongrain SA filed Critical Bongrain SA
Priority to PL09290764T priority Critical patent/PL2177437T3/en
Publication of EP2177437A1 publication Critical patent/EP2177437A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2177437B1 publication Critical patent/EP2177437B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
    • B65B25/10—Forming sector-shaped packages of cheese or like plastic products
    • 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
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/06—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
    • B65B25/068—Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products of cheese
    • 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
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/22—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding
    • B65B51/227—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by friction or ultrasonic or high-frequency electrical means, i.e. by friction or ultrasonic or induction welding by induction welding
    • 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
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
    • B65B7/2871—Securing closures on containers by gluing
    • 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
    • B65B7/28—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
    • B65B7/2842—Securing closures on containers
    • B65B7/2878—Securing closures on containers by heat-sealing
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/66—Inserted or applied tearing-strings or like flexible elements
    • B65D75/68—Inserted or applied tearing-strings or like flexible elements extending through wrapper closure or between wrapper layers
    • 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
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/72—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials
    • B65D85/76—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials for cheese

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for the production of sealed packaging of the closed envelope type with a lid and each containing a food product, in particular a liquid or pasty product, an installation for carrying out this process, and such packaging capable of be obtained by this process.
  • the invention applies more particularly to mini-portions of fresh or melted cheese, mini cubes of broth or mini breads of butter, without limitation.
  • a major disadvantage of the known methods of sealing these packages for liquid or pasty mini-portions therefore lies in the need to perform the sealing at a temperature related to that of hot dosing of these mini-portions.
  • step d) is implemented by folding the flaps on the outer face of the lid, then sealing tightly under pressure these flaps on this outer face via an induction heating applied to the envelope, this sealing being obtained by hot activation of at least one adhesive provided at the sealing interface between the inner face of the envelope and the outer face of the lid.
  • the sealing of the envelope and the lid used in step d) around a liquid or pasty product is not due to the hot dosing temperature of this product, but to the induction heating subsequent to this dosage combined with the application under pressure of the flaps of the envelope on the lid.
  • this step d) of sealing according to the invention can advantageously be carried out in a very short time thanks to induction heating (fast start due to a lack of thermal inertia), with power densities and therefore a yield that can be very high.
  • this induction heating guarantees the reproducibility of the sealing operations performed.
  • the sealing operation which follows the folding of the flaps on the lid is accompanied by a tamping of the underlying food product.
  • the envelope is coated on its inner face with a first heat-activatable adhesive, the lid being coated on its outer face with a second hot-activatable adhesive identical to the first adhesive or different of the last.
  • step d) said adjacent folded portions of the envelope, for example in the form of bellows, by pressing them on each other during this induction heating. by hot activation of said first adhesive.
  • step a) may further comprise, before step a2), a step of sealing on the inner face of each blank of at least one fusible opening strip of each package designed to open it by separation. on either side of a predetermined tearing direction via a gripping tab provided at the end of this strip, which has been previously cut to dimensions corresponding to those of each blank.
  • each opening strip of each package may be advantageously metallized and coated with a third heat-activatable adhesive which is identical to one and / or the other of said first and second adhesives, for the heat-sealing of this strip on the envelope.
  • hot-activatable adhesive that can be used on the envelope, the cover and on the or each heat-sealing strip of the package according to the invention, mention may for example be made of varnishes, commercially available hot melt glues and heat sealable heat sealable coatings.
  • step b) can comprise a cold dosage inside the envelope of said product, which is of liquid or pasty type, this dosage being advantageously carried out at a temperature below 30 ° C and for example between 8 and 12 ° C in the case of fresh cheese.
  • the induction heating can be performed in step d) immediately above each cell containing the envelope provided with the lid and, optionally, laterally on either side of this cell.
  • a sealed package according to the invention which contains a food product in particular of the liquid or pasty type and which comprises an envelope receiving and laterally surrounding the product and a lid surmounting the latter, the envelope and the cover being both based on metal materials for example aluminum-based, is obtained by the manufacturing method according to the invention as defined above.
  • the packaging according to the invention is necessarily based on metallic materials, in order to be obtained by this process involving induction heating of this packaging.
  • This package according to the invention is such that the envelope comprises by folding a bottom and side walls delimiting an opening opposite to the bottom which is substantially closed by the lid, these side walls having adjacent portions folded on themselves and ending with flaps sealingly sealed to the outer face of the seal, at least one heat-activatable adhesive, such as heat-sealable varnish or hot melt glue, being provided at the sealing interface between the inner face of the seal envelope and this outer face of the lid and on the inner face of said folded portions to seal two by two these.
  • at least one heat-activatable adhesive such as heat-sealable varnish or hot melt glue
  • this packaging according to the invention may further comprise at least one heat-sealing strip for opening the package designed to open it by separation on either side of a predetermined direction via a gripping tab provided for end of this strip, which is heat sealed on the inner face of the envelope and is partly metallized.
  • the packaging according to the invention may advantageously contain a mini-portion of a dairy product, such as a fresh or melted cheese, for example, and this regardless of the process for preparing these mini-portions.
  • the side walls of the envelope may be of substantially polygonal section (for example rectangular, square or triangular) or of rounded shape (for example circular), and that the grammage used may vary from 10 g to 500 g with dimensions of the envelope corresponding to the selected grammage.
  • this installation may comprise means for transferring / conveying the various elements of the linear and / or rotary type.
  • the method of packaging the mini-portions 8 can be implemented as follows.
  • the film 2 of the coil 1 is unwound, its inner face 2a upwards (intended to form the inner face of the envelope 5, 5a, 5b) so that it receives the strip or strips (s). ) 9, 9a, 9b.
  • This inner face 2a is 100% or full-coated with a heat-activatable adhesive (for example at about 65 ° C.), such as a heat-sealing lacquer which is of course intended to be compatible with the foodstuffs and in addition with the hot-activatable adhesives 9A and 9D covering both sides of the opening strips 9, 9a, 9b and the covers 6, 6a, 6b.
  • a heat-activatable adhesive for example at about 65 ° C.
  • the strip or each strip 9, 9a, 9b is cut beforehand by the cutting means 11, and is then deposited by heat-sealing it at a temperature of, for example, between 120 and 140 ° C. on the internal face 2a of the film 2. by ensuring that a strip end 9, 9a, 9b protrudes from the film 2 by forming a gripping tongue to allow the packaging 7, 7a, 7b to be opened by the consumer.
  • the blank 4 has a substantially octagonal shape admitting two axes of symmetry X and Y perpendicular and the strip 9 is fork-shaped with two branches.
  • the blank 4a is substantially pentagonal, formed of an isosceles triangle whose base is extended by a rectangle, and the strip 9a is rectilinear along the median of greater length of this rectangle.
  • the blank 4b is substantially octagonal (admitting an axis of symmetry Z and with rounded corners), and it is coated with two strips 9b crossing on this axis.
  • the forming unit 14 is used to fold each blank 4, 4a, 4b in a folding box provided for this purpose, each envelope 5, 5a, 5b thus formed being then placed in a cell 17 of the unit. filling, sealing and sealing 16 of these envelopes.
  • the casing 5 obtained includes portions P folded on themselves which are intended to be heat-sealed during the final step of sealing the casing 5 by induction.
  • the mini-portions 8 are then metered into the envelope 5, 5a, 5b housed in each cell 17, ie between 8 and 12 ° C., for example in the case of fresh cheese using a "cold” technology, or between 72 and 82 ° C for example according to a "hot” technology.
  • the film 3 is unwound from the reel 20 in order to obtain the lids 6, 6a, 6b, the sealable face 3a of this film 3 (ie the outer face 3a of the lid) being oriented upwards.
  • This face 3 is coated at 100% or full face with a hot-activatable adhesive 6 'at about 65 ° C., for example, such as a lacquer or clear lacquer (visible at figure 12 ) compatible with the food and with the adhesives of the envelope 5, 5a, 5b and those 9A, 9D of the strips 9, 9a, 9b.
  • this operculum film 3 may for example have a thickness of the order of ten microns, like the envelope film 2.
  • This film 3 is cut by means of the cutting means 21, so that the shape and the dimensions of each lid 6, 6a, 6b obtained correspond to those of the opening of the envelope 5, 5a, 5b corresponding, then each cap 6, 6a, 6b thus obtained is deposited on the mini-portion 8 by exerting sufficient pressure on the mini-portion 8 until the upper surface of the latter is equalized.
  • the following step consists in making the folding by tamping (for example under approximately 1 bar) of the upper flaps 5 'of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b (these flaps 5' are, for example, four in number for the envelope 5 according to the figures 3 and 13 ) on the outer face 3a of the lid 6, 6a, 6b corresponding.
  • the mini-portions 8 respectively packaged in packages 7, 7a, 7b are sealed tightly, in a simple manner and in a very short time.

Abstract

The method involves forming an envelope from a blank for conferring bottom (5'') and side walls (5''') that define an opening, where the walls form upper flaps of the envelope. Food product is introduced into the envelope. A cover plate (6) is applied on the product so as to close the opening. The envelope is hot-sealed on the plate by folding and sealing the flaps on an outer face of the plate via induction heating of the envelope, where the sealing of the envelope is performed through hot activation of adhesive (6') at a sealing interface between envelope's inner face and the outer face. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a sealed package containing liquid or fluid food product, comprising an envelope (2) an installation for manufacturing a sealed package containing liquid or fluid food product.

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé de fabrication d'emballages étanches de type à enveloppe fermée par un opercule et contenant chacun un produit alimentaire en particulier liquide ou pâteux, une installation pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procédé, et de tels emballages susceptibles d'être obtenus par ce procédé. L'invention s'applique plus particulièrement à des mini-portions de fromage frais ou fondu, des mini cubes de bouillon ou des mini pains de beurre, à titre non limitatif.The present invention relates to a process for the production of sealed packaging of the closed envelope type with a lid and each containing a food product, in particular a liquid or pasty product, an installation for carrying out this process, and such packaging capable of be obtained by this process. The invention applies more particularly to mini-portions of fresh or melted cheese, mini cubes of broth or mini breads of butter, without limitation.

D'une manière générale, les machines d'empaquetage de mini-portions, que celles-ci soient de forme carrée, rectangulaire, triangulaire ou ronde, comprennent une enveloppe ou « coquille » éventuellement surmontée d'un opercule formant couvercle et pouvant être pliée :

  • soit de manière non étanche, avec des plis de fermeture non scellés assurant aussi l'ouverture (typiquement le cas d'une mini-portion de beurre, de fromage frais ou d'un mini cube de bouillon),
  • soit de manière quasi étanche, au moyen d'une bandelette thermocollante simple ou double par exemple de type Tircel® qui est conçue pour permettre l'ouverture de l'emballage via une déchirure contrôlée réalisée par traction d'une de ses extrémités formant languette, pour l'obtention de plis de fermeture scellés quasi étanches (typiquement des mini-portions de fromage fondu).
In general, the machines for packaging mini-portions, whether they are square, rectangular, triangular or round, comprise an envelope or "shell" possibly surmounted by a lid forming lid and can be folded :
  • either in an unsealed manner, with unsealed closing folds also ensuring the opening (typically the case of a mini-portion of butter, fresh cheese or a mini cube of broth),
  • or in a substantially watertight manner, by means of a single or double heat-sealing strip for example of the Tircel® type which is designed to allow the opening of the package via a controlled tear produced by pulling one of its tongue ends, to obtain almost sealed seal closure folds (typically mini-portions of processed cheese).

Pour assurer le scellage étanche d'emballages renfermant des mini-portions, on utilise généralement un fer métallique que l'on fait monter en température et qui vient en appui sur les plis formés en réactivant les vernis de thermoscellage des composants de l'emballage. Par l'exercice de cette pression et de ce chauffage, on scelle les plis et surfaces de l'emballage qui sont en contact sous ce fer et l'on tasse la mini-portion, étant précisé que la pression exercée pour réaliser ce scellage et ce tassage donne à la mini-portion sa forme définitive. On procède usuellement de deux manières différentes, suivant que la mini-portion est formée, à sa température de dosage dans l'emballage :

  • d'un bloc dur (e.g. un mini cube de bouillon) que l'on dépose dans l'enveloppe pour qu'elle l'enserre par une pression sans conséquence dommageable pour l'intégrité du bloc, ou
  • d'une matière liquide ou pâteuse (e.g. une mini-portion de fromage fondu) sur laquelle on doit plier l'emballage, pour empêcher cette matière molle et instable de remonter tant dans les plis qu'à la surface d'ouverture de l'emballage, le scellage étant réalisé par la pression du fer à la température de dosage de cette matière (qui est typiquement supérieure à 65 ou 68° C).
To ensure the tight sealing of packages containing mini-portions, it is generally used a metal iron that is raised in temperature and which bears on the folds formed by reactivating the heat-sealing varnishes of the components of the package. By the exercise of this pressure and heating, seal the folds and surfaces of the packaging that are in contact under the iron and the mini-portion portion is squeezed, it being specified that the pressure exerted to achieve this sealing and this tamping gives the mini-portion its final shape. Usually two different ways, depending on whether the mini-portion is formed, at its dosing temperature in the package:
  • a hard block (eg a mini cube of broth) that is deposited in the envelope so that it encloses it by a pressure without damaging consequences for the integrity of the block, or
  • a liquid or pasty material (eg a mini-portion of processed cheese) on which the package must be folded, to prevent this soft and unstable material from rising in both the folds and the opening surface of the packaging, the sealing being carried out by the pressure of iron at the metering temperature of this material (which is typically greater than 65 or 68 ° C).

Il est par ailleurs connu par le document WO-A-99/35057 d'empaqueter des portions fromagères solides ou pâteuses, telles que des portions de fromage fondu, dans une enveloppe métallique sur laquelle est scellé à chaud un opercule métallique, après remplissage de l'enveloppe préalablement pliée selon une forme prédéterminée au moyen d'un dispositif à piston.It is also known from the document WO-A-99/35057 packaging solid or pasty cheese portions, such as portions of melted cheese, in a metal envelope on which is sealed a metal seal, after filling the envelope previously folded into a predetermined shape by means of a device piston.

Un inconvénient majeur des méthodes connues de scellage étanche de ces emballages pour mini-portions liquides ou pâteuses réside donc dans la nécessité de réaliser le scellage à une température liée à celle du dosage à chaud de ces mini-portions.A major disadvantage of the known methods of sealing these packages for liquid or pasty mini-portions therefore lies in the need to perform the sealing at a temperature related to that of hot dosing of these mini-portions.

Un but de la présente invention est de proposer un procédé de fabrication d'emballages étanches contenant chacun un produit alimentaire en particulier de type liquide ou pâteux, qui permette notamment de remédier à cet inconvénient en réalisant le scellage de manière satisfaisante et indépendamment de la température de dosage du produit, chaque emballage comportant une enveloppe recevant et entourant latéralement le produit et un opercule surmontant ce dernier, l'enveloppe et l'opercule étant tous deux à base de matériaux métalliques (par exemple l'aluminium), ce procédé comprenant essentiellement les étapes suivantes :

  1. a) un formage de l'enveloppe à partir d'un flan ou ébauche de celle-ci pour lui conférer par pliage un fond et des parois latérales de formes prédéterminées délimitant une ouverture opposée au fond et présentant des portions repliées sur elles-mêmes, ces parois étant aptes à former des rabats supérieurs de l'enveloppe pour fermer partiellement cette ouverture,
  2. b) une introduction par cette ouverture du produit dans l'enveloppe ainsi formée,
  3. c) une application de l'opercule sur le produit de telle manière que l'opercule ferme sensiblement cette ouverture, lesdits rabats s'étendant alors à l'extérieur de l'opercule, et
  4. d) un scellage à chaud de l'enveloppe sur l'opercule.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing sealed packages each containing a food product, in particular of the liquid or pasty type, which in particular makes it possible to remedy this drawback by sealing satisfactorily and independently of the temperature. dosing of the product, each package comprising an envelope receiving and laterally surrounding the product and a cap overlying the latter, the envelope and the cap being both based on metallic materials (for example aluminum), this process essentially comprising the following steps:
  1. a) a forming of the envelope from a blank or blank thereof to give it by folding a bottom and side walls of shapes predetermined defining an opening opposite the bottom and having folded portions on themselves, these walls being able to form upper flaps of the envelope to partially close this opening,
  2. b) an introduction through this opening of the product in the envelope thus formed,
  3. c) an application of the lid to the product in such a way that the lid substantially closes this opening, said flaps then extending outside the lid, and
  4. d) a heat seal of the envelope on the lid.

A cet effet, le procédé selon l'invention est tel que l'étape d) est mise en oeuvre en repliant les rabats sur la face externe de l'opercule, puis en scellant de manière étanche sous pression ces rabats sur cette face externe via un chauffage par induction appliqué à l'enveloppe, ce scellage étant obtenu par activation à chaud d'au moins un adhésif prévu à l'interface de scellage entre la face interne de l'enveloppe et la face externe de l'opercule.For this purpose, the method according to the invention is such that step d) is implemented by folding the flaps on the outer face of the lid, then sealing tightly under pressure these flaps on this outer face via an induction heating applied to the envelope, this sealing being obtained by hot activation of at least one adhesive provided at the sealing interface between the inner face of the envelope and the outer face of the lid.

On notera qu'avec ce procédé selon l'invention, le scellage de l'enveloppe et de l'opercule mis en oeuvre à l'étape d) autour d'un produit liquide ou pâteux (i.e. mou et donc déformable) n'est pas dû à la température de dosage à chaud de ce produit, mais au chauffage par induction postérieur à ce dosage combiné à l'application sous pression des rabats de l'enveloppe sur l'opercule. En d'autres termes, on peut réaliser le scellage de l'emballage contenant le produit indépendamment de sa température de dosage, laquelle peut par exemple varier de 6 à 95° C pour des mini-portions de fromage frais.It will be noted that with this method according to the invention, the sealing of the envelope and the lid used in step d) around a liquid or pasty product (ie soft and therefore deformable) is not due to the hot dosing temperature of this product, but to the induction heating subsequent to this dosage combined with the application under pressure of the flaps of the envelope on the lid. In other words, it is possible to seal the package containing the product independently of its dosing temperature, which may for example vary from 6 to 95 ° C for mini-portions of fresh cheese.

On notera également que cette étape d) de scellage selon l'invention peut être avantageusement mise en oeuvre en un temps très court grâce au chauffage par induction (démarrage rapide dû à une absence d'inertie thermique), avec des densités de puissance et donc un rendement pouvant être très élevés. De plus, ce chauffage par induction garantit la reproductibilité des opérations de scellage effectuées.It will also be noted that this step d) of sealing according to the invention can advantageously be carried out in a very short time thanks to induction heating (fast start due to a lack of thermal inertia), with power densities and therefore a yield that can be very high. In addition, this induction heating guarantees the reproducibility of the sealing operations performed.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'opération de scellage qui fait suite au repliage des rabats sur l'opercule s'accompagne d'un tassage du produit alimentaire sous-jacent.According to another characteristic of the invention, the sealing operation which follows the folding of the flaps on the lid is accompanied by a tamping of the underlying food product.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'enveloppe est revêtue sur sa face interne d'un premier adhésif activable à chaud, l'opercule étant revêtu sur sa face externe d'un second adhésif activable à chaud identique au premier adhésif ou différent de ce dernier.According to another characteristic of the invention, the envelope is coated on its inner face with a first heat-activatable adhesive, the lid being coated on its outer face with a second hot-activatable adhesive identical to the first adhesive or different of the last.

Avantageusement, l'on peut sceller en outre de manière étanche à l'étape d) lesdites portions repliées adjacentes de l'enveloppe, par exemple en forme de soufflets, en les plaquant l'une sur l'autre lors de ce chauffage par induction, par activation à chaud dudit premier adhésif.Advantageously, it is furthermore possible to seal in step d) said adjacent folded portions of the envelope, for example in the form of bellows, by pressing them on each other during this induction heating. by hot activation of said first adhesive.

Egalement avantageusement, l'on peut chauffer également par induction ledit flan d'enveloppe à l'étape a), pour faciliter l'obtention desdites portions repliées et desdits rabats.Also advantageously, it is also possible to heat by induction said envelope blank in step a), to facilitate obtaining said folded portions and said flaps.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'étape a) peut comprendre essentiellement :

  • a1) une mise au format souhaité d'un premier film souple métallique déroulé d'une première bobine, pour l'obtention de flans d'enveloppe de géométrie et de dimensions déterminées,
  • a2) le formage de chaque enveloppe par pliage du flan correspondant dans une boîte de pliage au moyen d'un piston, puis
  • a3) le transfert et la mise en place de chaque enveloppe ainsi formée dans le fond d'une alvéole surmontée d'un dispositif de chauffage par induction et de moyens de tassage et de scellage destinés à tasser ledit produit sous-jacent et à sceller sous pression lesdits rabats repliés sur l'opercule et lesdites portions repliées adjacentes sur elles-mêmes.
According to another characteristic of the invention, step a) can essentially comprise:
  • a1) a desired format of a first metal flexible film unwound from a first coil, to obtain envelope blanks of geometry and determined dimensions,
  • a2) forming each envelope by folding the corresponding blank in a folding box by means of a piston, then
  • a3) the transfer and placement of each envelope thus formed in the bottom of a cell topped with an induction heating device and tamping and sealing means for tamping said underlying product and sealing under pressing said folded flaps on the cover and said folded portions adjacent to themselves.

Avantageusement, l'étape a) peut comprendre en outre, avant l'étape a2), une étape de scellage sur la face interne de chaque flan d'au moins une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture de chaque emballage conçue pour l'ouvrir par séparation de part et d'autre d'une direction de déchirure prédéterminée via une languette de préhension prévue à l'extrémité de cette bandelette, laquelle a été préalablement découpée selon des dimensions correspondant à celles de chaque flan.Advantageously, step a) may further comprise, before step a2), a step of sealing on the inner face of each blank of at least one fusible opening strip of each package designed to open it by separation. on either side of a predetermined tearing direction via a gripping tab provided at the end of this strip, which has been previously cut to dimensions corresponding to those of each blank.

La ou chaque bandelette d'ouverture de chaque emballage peut être avantageusement métallisée et revêtue d'un troisième adhésif activable à chaud qui est identique à l'un et/ou l'autre desdits premier et second adhésifs, pour le scellage à chaud de cette bandelette sur l'enveloppe.The or each opening strip of each package may be advantageously metallized and coated with a third heat-activatable adhesive which is identical to one and / or the other of said first and second adhesives, for the heat-sealing of this strip on the envelope.

A titre d'adhésif(s) activable(s) à chaud utilisable(s) sur l'enveloppe, l'opercule et sur la ou chaque bandelette thermocollante de l'emballage selon l'invention, on peut par exemple citer les vernis, colles thermofusibles et laques de thermoscellage activables à chaud disponibles dans le commerce.As hot-activatable adhesive (s) that can be used on the envelope, the cover and on the or each heat-sealing strip of the package according to the invention, mention may for example be made of varnishes, commercially available hot melt glues and heat sealable heat sealable coatings.

Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse de l'invention, l'étape b) peut comprendre un dosage à froid à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe dudit produit, qui est de type liquide ou pâteux, ce dosage étant avantageusement réalisé à une température inférieure à 30° C et par exemple comprise entre 8 et 12° C dans le cas de fromages frais.According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, step b) can comprise a cold dosage inside the envelope of said product, which is of liquid or pasty type, this dosage being advantageously carried out at a temperature below 30 ° C and for example between 8 and 12 ° C in the case of fresh cheese.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'étape c) peut comprendre essentiellement :

  • c1) une mise au format souhaité d'un second film souple métallique déroulé d'une seconde bobine, pour l'obtention d'opercules de géométrie et de dimensions adaptées pour fermer sensiblement l'ouverture des enveloppes au contact du produit qu'elles contiennent, puis
  • c2) un tassement de la surface supérieure du produit contenu dans l'enveloppe lors de la mise en place de chaque opercule, pour égaliser cette surface sous l'opercule.
According to another characteristic of the invention, step c) can essentially comprise:
  • c1) a desired formatting of a second metal flexible film unwound from a second reel, for obtaining lids of geometry and dimensions adapted to substantially close the opening of the envelopes in contact with the product they contain then
  • c2) a settlement of the upper surface of the product contained in the envelope during the introduction of each lid, to equalize this surface under the lid.

Avantageusement, le chauffage par induction peut être réalisé à l'étape d) immédiatement au-dessus de chaque alvéole contenant l'enveloppe pourvue de l'opercule et, optionnellement, latéralement de part et d'autre de cette alvéole.Advantageously, the induction heating can be performed in step d) immediately above each cell containing the envelope provided with the lid and, optionally, laterally on either side of this cell.

Un emballage étanche selon l'invention, qui contient un produit alimentaire en particulier de type liquide ou pâteux et qui comporte une enveloppe recevant et entourant latéralement le produit et un opercule surmontant ce dernier, l'enveloppe et l'opercule étant tous deux à base de matériaux métalliques par exemple à base d'aluminium, est obtenu par le procédé de fabrication selon l'invention tel que défini ci-dessus.A sealed package according to the invention, which contains a food product in particular of the liquid or pasty type and which comprises an envelope receiving and laterally surrounding the product and a lid surmounting the latter, the envelope and the cover being both based on metal materials for example aluminum-based, is obtained by the manufacturing method according to the invention as defined above.

On notera que l'emballage selon l'invention est nécessairement à base de matériaux métalliques, pour pouvoir être obtenu par ce procédé impliquant un chauffage par induction de cet emballage.It will be noted that the packaging according to the invention is necessarily based on metallic materials, in order to be obtained by this process involving induction heating of this packaging.

Cet emballage selon l'invention est tel que l'enveloppe comporte par pliage un fond et des parois latérales délimitant une ouverture opposée au fond qui est sensiblement fermée par l'opercule, ces parois latérales présentant des portions adjacentes repliées sur elles-mêmes et se terminant par des rabats scellés de manière étanche sur la face externe de l'opercule, au moins un adhésif activable à chaud, tel qu'un vernis thermoscellable ou une colle thermofusible, étant prévu à l'interface de scellage entre la face interne de l'enveloppe et cette face externe de l'opercule et sur la face interne desdites portions repliées pour sceller deux à deux ces dernières.This package according to the invention is such that the envelope comprises by folding a bottom and side walls delimiting an opening opposite to the bottom which is substantially closed by the lid, these side walls having adjacent portions folded on themselves and ending with flaps sealingly sealed to the outer face of the seal, at least one heat-activatable adhesive, such as heat-sealable varnish or hot melt glue, being provided at the sealing interface between the inner face of the seal envelope and this outer face of the lid and on the inner face of said folded portions to seal two by two these.

Avantageusement, cet emballage selon l'invention peut comporter en outre au moins une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture de l'emballage conçue pour l'ouvrir par séparation de part et d'autre d'une direction prédéterminée via une languette de préhension prévue à l'extrémité de cette bandelette, laquelle est scellée à chaud sur la face interne de l'enveloppe et est en partie métallisée.Advantageously, this packaging according to the invention may further comprise at least one heat-sealing strip for opening the package designed to open it by separation on either side of a predetermined direction via a gripping tab provided for end of this strip, which is heat sealed on the inner face of the envelope and is partly metallized.

L'emballage selon l'invention peut avantageusement contenir une mini-portion d'un produit laitier, tel qu'un fromage frais ou fondu, par exemple, et cela quel que soit le procédé de préparation de ces mini-portions.The packaging according to the invention may advantageously contain a mini-portion of a dairy product, such as a fresh or melted cheese, for example, and this regardless of the process for preparing these mini-portions.

On notera que les parois latérales de l'enveloppe peuvent être de section sensiblement polygonale (par exemple rectangulaire, carrée ou triangulaire) ou bien de forme arrondie (par exemple circulaire), et que le grammage utilisé peut varier de 10 g à 500 g avec des dimensions de l'enveloppe correspondant au grammage choisi.Note that the side walls of the envelope may be of substantially polygonal section (for example rectangular, square or triangular) or of rounded shape (for example circular), and that the grammage used may vary from 10 g to 500 g with dimensions of the envelope corresponding to the selected grammage.

Une installation selon l'invention de fabrication d'emballages pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé défini ci-dessus, comporte essentiellement:

  • une première bobine destinée à acheminer un premier film apte à constituer lesdits flans d'enveloppe après mise au format adéquat de ce premier film,
  • une unité de formage de ces enveloppes qui est agencée en aval de cette première bobine et qui comporte une pluralité de boîtes de pliage surmontées chacune d'un piston,
  • une seconde bobine destinée à acheminer un second film apte à constituer lesdits opercules après mise au format de ce second film selon l'ouverture de chaque enveloppe,
  • des moyens de transfert des enveloppes formées par l'unité de formage vers une unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage des enveloppes respectivement pourvues de ces opercules,
  • cette unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage comportant une pluralité d'alvéoles qui sont chacune conçues pour recevoir l'enveloppe et qui sont surmontées d'un dispositif de chauffage par induction, de moyens de pliage pour replier lesdits rabats d'enveloppe sur l'opercule correspondant, et de moyens de tassage et de scellage pour tasser le produit sous-jacent et pour plaquer sous pression ces rabats ainsi repliés contre l'opercule, et
  • un système de convoyeurs pour acheminer les films, les flans, les enveloppes et les emballages remplis, operculés et scellés.
An installation according to the invention for manufacturing packagings for implementing the method defined above essentially comprises:
  • a first coil for conveying a first film capable of constituting said envelope blanks after formatting this first film,
  • a forming unit of these envelopes which is arranged downstream of this first coil and which comprises a plurality of folding boxes each surmounted by a piston,
  • a second coil for conveying a second film capable of constituting said lids after formatting of the second film according to the opening of each envelope,
  • means for transferring the envelopes formed by the forming unit to a unit for filling, sealing and sealing the envelopes respectively provided with these covers,
  • said filling, sealing and sealing unit having a plurality of cells each of which is adapted to receive the envelope and which is surmounted by an induction heating device, folding means for folding said envelope flaps on the corresponding lid, and tamping and sealing means for tamping the underlying product and for pressurizing said flaps thus folded against the lid, and
  • a conveyor system for conveying filled, sealed and sealed films, blanks, envelopes and packages.

On notera d'une manière générale que cette installation peut comporter des moyens de transfert/ convoyage des divers éléments de type linéaires et/ou rotatifs.It will generally be noted that this installation may comprise means for transferring / conveying the various elements of the linear and / or rotary type.

Ce dispositif de chauffage par induction peut avantageusement comprendre :

  • un ou plusieurs inducteurs de chauffage,
  • une source de puissance moyenne ou haute fréquence associant un convertisseur de fréquence à un coffret d'adaptation d'impédance et de compensation,
  • un système de refroidissement de la source de puissance, du coffret d'adaptation et éventuellement du ou des inducteurs,
  • des moyens de présentation/ manutention des pièces à chauffer, et
  • une unité de commande/ contrôle du dispositif de chauffage.
This induction heating device may advantageously comprise:
  • one or more heating inductors,
  • a medium or high frequency power source associating a frequency converter with an impedance matching and compensation box,
  • a cooling system of the power source, of the adaptation box and possibly of the inductor (s),
  • means for presenting / handling the parts to be heated, and
  • a control / control unit of the heating device.

D'autres caractéristiques, avantages et détails de la présente invention ressortiront à la lecture de la description suivante de plusieurs exemples de réalisation de l'invention, donnés à titre illustratif et non limitatif, ladite description étant réalisée en référence avec les dessins joints, parmi lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est un schéma à blocs illustrant les principales étapes du procédé de fabrication d'emballages étanches selon l'invention et les principaux éléments de l'installation correspondante,
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique de dessus d'un flan d'enveloppe selon un premier exemple de réalisation de l'invention, pourvu d'une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture de type double,
  • la figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un emballage selon ce premier exemple de l'invention dont l'enveloppe a été formée par pliage puis scellage à chaud à partir du flan de la figure 2,
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique de dessus d'un flan d'enveloppe selon un second exemple de réalisation de l'invention, pourvu d'une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture de type simple,
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un emballage selon ce second exemple de l'invention dont l'enveloppe a été formée par pliage puis scellage à chaud à partir du flan de la figure 4,
  • la figure 6 est une vue schématique de dessus d'un flan d'enveloppe selon un troisième exemple de réalisation de l'invention, pourvu d'une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture de type double,
  • la figure 7 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un emballage selon ce troisième exemple de l'invention dont l'enveloppe a été formée par pliage puis scellage à chaud à partir du flan de la figure 6,
  • la figure 8 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture utilisable sur une enveloppe selon l'invention,
  • la figure 9 est une vue schématique partiellement en coupe verticale d'une unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage selon l'invention d'enveloppes pourvues d'opercules, cette unité comportant un dispositif de chauffage par induction de ces enveloppes,
  • les figures 10 et 11 sont respectivement des vues en perspective d'un flan d'enveloppe selon le premier exemple de l'invention illustré à la figure 2 et de l'enveloppe formée par pliage de ce flan (illustrée à la même échelle que ce dernier), avant l'étape de scellage,
  • la figure 12 est une vue en perspective éclatée montrant l'enveloppe de la figure 11 et l'opercule destiné à la surmonter en vue de l'étape de scellage,
  • la figure 13 est une vue en perspective montrant un emballage selon l'invention finalement obtenu après mise en place et scellage de l'opercule sur l'enveloppe tels qu'illustrés à la figure 12, et
  • la figure 14 est une vue en perspective montrant l'emballage de la figure 13 à l'état ouvert au moyen d'une traction exercée sur une bandelette thermocollante du type de celle illustrée à la figure 2.
Other characteristics, advantages and details of the present invention will emerge on reading the following description of several examples of embodiment of the invention, given for illustrative and not limiting, said description being made with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which :
  • the figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the main steps of the waterproof packaging manufacturing method according to the invention and the main elements of the corresponding installation,
  • the figure 2 is a diagrammatic view from above of an envelope blank according to a first embodiment of the invention, provided with a fusible opening strip of the double type,
  • the figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a package according to this first example of the invention, the envelope of which has been formed by folding and then heat-sealing from the blank of the figure 2 ,
  • the figure 4 is a schematic view from above of an envelope blank according to a second embodiment of the invention, provided with a heat-sealing opening strip of simple type,
  • the figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a package according to this second example of the invention, the envelope of which has been formed by folding and then heat-sealing from the blank of the figure 4 ,
  • the figure 6 is a diagrammatic view from above of an envelope blank according to a third embodiment of the invention, provided with a fusible opening strip of the double type,
  • the figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a package according to this third example of the invention, the envelope of which has been formed by folding and heat-sealing from the blank of the figure 6 ,
  • the figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fusible opening strip for use on an envelope according to the invention,
  • the figure 9 is a diagrammatic view partially in vertical section of a unit for filling, sealing and sealing according to the invention of envelopes provided with covers, this unit comprising a device for heating these casings by induction,
  • the Figures 10 and 11 are respectively perspective views of an envelope blank according to the first example of the invention illustrated in FIG. figure 2 and the envelope formed by folding of this blank (illustrated at the same scale as the latter), before the sealing step,
  • the figure 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the envelope of the figure 11 and the cap for overcoming it for the sealing step,
  • the figure 13 is a perspective view showing a packaging according to the invention finally obtained after placing and sealing the lid on the envelope as illustrated in FIG. figure 12 , and
  • the figure 14 is a perspective view showing the packaging of the figure 13 in the open state by means of a pull on a fusible strip of the type illustrated in FIG. figure 2 .

Comme illustré à la figure 1, une installation 1 selon l'invention peut comprendre essentiellement, outre un système de convoyeurs (non représenté) agencés pour acheminer les divers films d'enveloppe 2 et d'opercule 3 (tous deux de préférence à base d'aluminium), flans d'enveloppe 4, 4a, 4b (encore appelés « formats » ou « ébauches », voir figures 2, 4 et 6), enveloppes 5, 5a, 5b (voir figures 3, 5 et 7), opercules 6, 6a, 6b (voir figure 12) et les emballages 7, 7a, 7b operculés et scellés (voir figures 3, 5, 7 et 13), chaque emballage étant rempli d'une mini-portion 8 de consistance liquide ou pâteuse, comme un fromage frais, par exemple (visible à la figure 14) :

  • une première bobine 10 destinée à acheminer le film 2 prévu pour constituer les flans d'enveloppe 4, 4a, 4b,
  • des moyens de découpe 11 de bandelettes d'ouverture thermocollantes 9, 9a, 9b destinées à être en contact avec la face interne de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b (ces bandelettes sont visibles aux figures 2 à 7 en relation avec la figure 8 pour leur structure),
  • des moyens de découpe 12 du film 2 pour former les flans d'enveloppe 4, 4a, 4b selon le format souhaité,
  • des moyens de scellage à chaud 13 des bandelettes 9, 9a, 9b sur la face interne de chaque flan 4, 4a, 4b ou de l'enveloppe correspondante 5, 5a, 5b en résultant après pliage,
  • une unité de formage 14 par pliage des enveloppes 5, 5a, 5b qui comporte une pluralité de boîtes de pliage (non illustrées) de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b surmontées chacune d'un piston,
  • optionnellement (voir pointillés à la figure 1) des moyens de collage d'étiquettes 15 sur au moins une face externe de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b (étant précisé que l'on peut utiliser des films 2 pré-imprimés, évitant ainsi ce poste de collage supplémentaire),
  • une unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage 16 des enveloppes 5, 5a, 5b respectivement pourvues des opercules 6, 6a, 6b, cette unité 16 (visible à la figure 9) comportant une pluralité d'alvéoles 17 qui sont chacune conçues pour recevoir en leur fond 17a une enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b et qui sont surmontées d'un dispositif de chauffage par induction 18 et de moyens 19 de tassage et de scellage sous pression, sur l'opercule 6, 6a, 6b correspondant, de rabats supérieurs 5' de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b et des autres plis de celle-ci sur eux-mêmes (le fond 5" et les parois latérales 5"' d'enveloppe pourvues de ces rabats 5' sont visibles aux figures 11 à 13), ces rabats 5' étant préalablement repliés sur l'opercule 6, 6a, 6b et,
  • une seconde bobine 20 destinée à acheminer le film 3 prévu pour constituer les opercules 6, 6a, 6b,
  • des moyens de découpe 21 du film 3 suivant le format et les dimensions de l'ouverture supérieure de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b, agencés en amont de l'unité 16 en vue de la mise en place des opercules 6, 6a, 6b au contact des mini-portions 8 respectivement dosées dans les enveloppes 5, 5a, 5b, et
  • des moyens de transfert et d'acheminement 22 des emballages scellés obtenus en sortie de l'installation 1.
As illustrated in figure 1 , an installation 1 according to the invention may comprise essentially, in addition to a conveyor system (not shown) arranged to convey the various casing films 2 and operculum 3 (both preferably based on aluminum), blanks d envelope 4, 4a, 4b (also called "formats" or "blanks", see Figures 2, 4 and 6 ), envelopes 5, 5a, 5b (see Figures 3, 5 and 7 ), caps 6, 6a, 6b (see figure 12 ) and packages 7, 7a, 7b sealed and sealed (see Figures 3, 5, 7 and 13 ), each package being filled with a mini-portion 8 of liquid or pasty consistency, such as a fresh cheese, for example (visible at the figure 14 ):
  • a first coil 10 for conveying the film 2 provided to constitute the envelope blanks 4, 4a, 4b,
  • cutting means 11 of heat-sealing opening strips 9, 9a, 9b intended to be in contact with the internal face of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b (these strips are visible at Figures 2 to 7 in relation to the figure 8 for their structure),
  • cutting means 12 of the film 2 for forming the envelope blanks 4, 4a, 4b according to the desired format,
  • heat sealing means 13 of the strips 9, 9a, 9b on the inner face of each blank 4, 4a, 4b or the corresponding envelope 5, 5a, 5b resulting after folding,
  • a forming unit 14 by folding the envelopes 5, 5a, 5b which comprises a plurality of folding boxes (not shown) of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b each surmounted by a piston,
  • optionally (see dotted line figure 1 ) label bonding means 15 on at least one outer face of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b (it being specified that it is possible to use pre-printed films 2, thus avoiding this additional gluing station),
  • a unit for filling, sealing and sealing the envelopes 5, 5a, 5b respectively provided with the lids 6, 6a, 6b, this unit 16 (visible at the figure 9 ) having a plurality of cells 17 which are each adapted to receive at their bottom 17a a casing 5, 5a, 5b and which are surmounted by an induction heating device 18 and means 19 for compacting and sealing under pressure, on the lid 6, 6a, 6b corresponding, upper flaps 5 'of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b and other folds thereof on themselves (the bottom 5 "and the side walls 5"' d ' envelope provided with these flaps 5 'are visible to Figures 11 to 13 ), these flaps 5 'being previously folded on the lid 6, 6a, 6b and,
  • a second coil 20 for conveying the film 3 intended to constitute the lids 6, 6a, 6b,
  • cutting means 21 of the film 3 according to the format and the dimensions of the upper opening of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b, arranged upstream of the unit 16 in order to set up the covers 6, 6a, 6b in contact with the mini-portions 8 respectively dosed in the envelopes 5, 5a, 5b, and
  • means for transferring and conveying sealed packages obtained at the outlet of the installation 1.

Plus précisément, l'unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage 16 comporte notamment :

  • des moyens de dosage (non illustrés) des mini-portions 8 (selon une large plage de température pouvant varier de 6 à 95° C dans le cas de fromages frais),
  • des moyens de dépôt des opercules 6, 6a, 6b au contact des mini-portions 8 préalablement dosées dans les enveloppes 5, 5a, 5b,
  • des moyens de pliage (non illustrés) des rabats 5' de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b sur la face externe d'un opercule 6, 6a, 6b ainsi déposé, ces moyens de pliage pouvant être constitués de plieurs ou de lames destinés à appuyer sur ces rabats 5' pour les replier sur cette face externe,
  • le dispositif de chauffage par induction 18 qui comprend essentiellement :
    • * un ou des inducteurs de chauffage 22, prévus en retrait d'une distance d'environ 3 mm,
    • * une source de puissance moyenne ou haute fréquence associant un convertisseur de fréquence 23 de type générateur à transistor ou onduleur à un coffret d'adaptation d'impédance et de compensation 24 par batterie de condensateurs,
    • * un système de refroidissement par eau de la source de puissance 23, du coffret d'adaptation 24 et éventuellement du ou des inducteurs 22,
    • * des moyens de présentation/ manutention (non illustrés) des enveloppes 5, 5a, 5b à chauffer,
    • * des moyens de commande/ contrôle (non visibles) du dispositif 18, et
  • les moyens 19 de tassage et de scellage attelés à un piston qui sont conçus à la fois pour tasser la mini-portion 8 sous l'opercule 6, 6a, 6b et pour sceller les rabats 5' de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b sur la face externe de l'opercule 6, 6a, 6b, via un fer de scellage équipant ce piston.
More specifically, the filling, sealing and sealing unit 16 comprises in particular:
  • dosing means (not shown) of the mini-portions 8 (in a wide temperature range which can vary from 6 to 95 ° C in the case of fresh cheeses),
  • means for depositing the lids 6, 6a, 6b in contact with the mini-portions 8 previously dosed in the envelopes 5, 5a, 5b,
  • folding means (not shown) of the flaps 5 'of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b on the outer face of a lid 6, 6a, 6b thus deposited, these folding means being able to consist of folders or blades intended for press these flaps 5 'to fold them on this external face,
  • the induction heating device 18 which essentially comprises:
    • * Or a heating inductors 22, provided back from a distance of about 3 mm,
    • * A source of mean power or high frequency combining a frequency converter 23 type generator transistor inverter or to a matching box for impedance compensation and 24 per capacitor,
    • * A water cooling system of the power source 23, the matching box 24 and optionally the inductors 22,
    • * means of presentation / handling (not shown) of the envelopes 5, 5a, 5b to be heated,
    • * Control means / control (not shown) of the device 18, and
  • the means 19 for tamping and sealing coupled to a piston which are designed both to compact the mini-portion 8 under the cover 6, 6a, 6b and to seal the flaps 5 'of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b on the outer face of the lid 6, 6a, 6b, via a sealing iron equipping this piston.

Comme illustré à la figure 8, la ou chaque bandelette d'ouverture thermocollante 9, 9a, 9b, par exemple de type Tircel® (avec une largeur par exemple de 2 à 3 mm et une épaisseur par exemple de l'ordre de 40 µm), comporte avantageusement, de sa face interne destinée à être en contact avec l'enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b à sa face externe:

  • une couche interne 9A formée d'un vernis incolore thermoscellable,
  • une fine couche de métallisation 9B en aluminium,
  • une couche de polyester 9C en contact avec cette couche métallisée 9B,
  • une couche de vernis incolore 9D par exemple en polyfluorure de vinylidène (PVDC), et
  • une bande thermorésistante 9E en contact avec cette couche de vernis 9D et se terminant par une languette de préhension 9', pour ouvrir l'emballage 7, 7a, 7b par déchirure de l'enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b.
As illustrated in figure 8 the or each heat-sealing opening strip 9, 9a, 9b, for example of the Tircel® type (with a width for example of 2 to 3 mm and a thickness for example of the order of 40 μm), advantageously comprises its internal face intended to be in contact with the envelope 5, 5a, 5b at its external face:
  • an inner layer 9A formed of a colorless heat-sealable varnish,
  • a thin layer of aluminum metallization 9B,
  • a polyester layer 9C in contact with this metallized layer 9B,
  • a layer of clear 9D varnish, for example polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDC), and
  • a heat-resistant band 9E in contact with this layer of lacquer 9D and ending with a gripping tab 9 ', to open the package 7, 7a, 7b by tearing the casing 5, 5a, 5b.

En référence à la figure 1, le procédé d'empaquetage des mini-portions 8 peut être mis en oeuvre comme suit.With reference to the figure 1 , the method of packaging the mini-portions 8 can be implemented as follows.

Dans un premier temps, on déroule le film 2 de la bobine 1, sa face intérieure 2a vers le haut (destinée à former la face interne de l'enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b) pour qu'elle reçoive la ou les bandelette(s) d'ouverture 9, 9a, 9b. Cette face intérieure 2a est enduite à 100 % ou pleine face d'un adhésif activable à chaud (par exemple à 65° C environ), tel qu'une laque de thermoscellage qui est bien entendu prévue compatible avec les aliments et en outre avec les adhésifs activables à chaud 9A et 9D recouvrant les deux faces des bandelettes d'ouverture 9, 9a, 9b et les opercules 6, 6a, 6b.In a first step, the film 2 of the coil 1 is unwound, its inner face 2a upwards (intended to form the inner face of the envelope 5, 5a, 5b) so that it receives the strip or strips (s). ) 9, 9a, 9b. This inner face 2a is 100% or full-coated with a heat-activatable adhesive (for example at about 65 ° C.), such as a heat-sealing lacquer which is of course intended to be compatible with the foodstuffs and in addition with the hot-activatable adhesives 9A and 9D covering both sides of the opening strips 9, 9a, 9b and the covers 6, 6a, 6b.

On découpe au préalable la ou chaque bandelette 9, 9a, 9b par les moyens de découpe 11, puis on la dépose en la scellant à chaud à une température par exemple comprise entre 120 et 140° C sur la face interne 2a du film 2, en veillant à ce qu'une extrémité de bandelette 9, 9a, 9b déborde du film 2 en formant une languette de préhension pour permettre l'ouverture de l'emballage 7, 7a, 7b par le consommateur.The strip or each strip 9, 9a, 9b is cut beforehand by the cutting means 11, and is then deposited by heat-sealing it at a temperature of, for example, between 120 and 140 ° C. on the internal face 2a of the film 2. by ensuring that a strip end 9, 9a, 9b protrudes from the film 2 by forming a gripping tongue to allow the packaging 7, 7a, 7b to be opened by the consumer.

On peut réaliser au choix la mise au format de flan d'enveloppe 4, 4a, 4b avant ou après cette opération de pose et de scellage des bandelettes 9, 9a, 9b. On notera que l'autre fonction de ces bandelettes 9, 9a, 9b est de diriger la déchirure de l'enveloppe afin de présenter la mini-portion totalement libre à consommer. Dans l'exemple de la figure 2, le flan 4 présente une forme sensiblement octogonale admettant deux axes de symétrie X et Y perpendiculaires et la bandelette 9 est en forme de fourche à deux branches. Dans l'exemple de la figure 4, le flan 4a est sensiblement pentagonal, formé d'un triangle isocèle dont la base se prolonge par un rectangle, et la bandelette 9a est rectiligne suivant la médiane de plus grande longueur de ce rectangle. Dans l'exemple de la figure 6, le flan 4b est sensiblement octogonal (admettant un axe de symétrie Z et à angles arrondis), et il est revêtu de deux bandelettes 9b se croisant sur cet axe.It is possible to make the choice of formatting envelope blank 4, 4a, 4b before or after this operation of laying and sealing the strips 9, 9a, 9b. Note that the other function of these strips 9, 9a, 9b is to direct the tear of the envelope to present the mini-portion completely free to consume. In the example of the figure 2 , the blank 4 has a substantially octagonal shape admitting two axes of symmetry X and Y perpendicular and the strip 9 is fork-shaped with two branches. In the example of the figure 4 , the blank 4a is substantially pentagonal, formed of an isosceles triangle whose base is extended by a rectangle, and the strip 9a is rectilinear along the median of greater length of this rectangle. In the example of the figure 6 , the blank 4b is substantially octagonal (admitting an axis of symmetry Z and with rounded corners), and it is coated with two strips 9b crossing on this axis.

Puis on procède via l'unité de formage 14 au pliage de chaque flan 4, 4a, 4b dans une boîte de pliage prévue à cet effet, chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b ainsi formée étant ensuite placée dans une alvéole 17 de l'unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage 16 de ces enveloppes. Comme illustré aux figures 11 et 12, l'enveloppe 5 obtenue comprend des portions P repliées sur elles-mêmes qui sont destinées à être scellées à chaud lors de l'étape finale de scellage de l'enveloppe 5 par induction.Then, the forming unit 14 is used to fold each blank 4, 4a, 4b in a folding box provided for this purpose, each envelope 5, 5a, 5b thus formed being then placed in a cell 17 of the unit. filling, sealing and sealing 16 of these envelopes. As illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 , the casing 5 obtained includes portions P folded on themselves which are intended to be heat-sealed during the final step of sealing the casing 5 by induction.

On procède ensuite au dosage des mini-portions 8 dans l'enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b logée dans chaque alvéole 17, soit entre 8 et 12° C par exemple dans le cas du fromage frais suivant une technologie « froide », soit entre 72 et 82° C par exemple suivant une technologie « chaude ».The mini-portions 8 are then metered into the envelope 5, 5a, 5b housed in each cell 17, ie between 8 and 12 ° C., for example in the case of fresh cheese using a "cold" technology, or between 72 and 82 ° C for example according to a "hot" technology.

Suite au dosage, on déroule le film 3 de la bobine 20 en vue de l'obtention des opercules 6, 6a, 6b, la face scellable 3a de ce film 3 (i.e. la face externe 3a de l'opercule) étant orientée vers le haut. Cette face 3 est enduite à 100 % ou pleine face d'un adhésif 6' activable à chaud vers 65° C par exemple, tel qu'une laque ou vernis incolore (visible à la figure 12) compatible avec les aliments et avec les adhésifs de l'enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b et ceux 9A, 9D des bandelettes 9, 9a, 9b. A titre indicatif, ce film d'opercule 3 peut par exemple présenter une épaisseur de l'ordre d'une dizaine de microns, à l'instar du film d'enveloppe 2.After dosing, the film 3 is unwound from the reel 20 in order to obtain the lids 6, 6a, 6b, the sealable face 3a of this film 3 (ie the outer face 3a of the lid) being oriented upwards. This face 3 is coated at 100% or full face with a hot-activatable adhesive 6 'at about 65 ° C., for example, such as a lacquer or clear lacquer (visible at figure 12 ) compatible with the food and with the adhesives of the envelope 5, 5a, 5b and those 9A, 9D of the strips 9, 9a, 9b. As an indication, this operculum film 3 may for example have a thickness of the order of ten microns, like the envelope film 2.

On procède au découpage de ce film 3 via les moyens de découpe 21, pour que la forme et les dimensions de chaque opercule 6, 6a, 6b obtenu correspondent à celles de l'ouverture de l'enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b correspondante, puis on dépose chaque opercule 6, 6a, 6b ainsi obtenu sur la mini-portion 8 en exerçant une pression suffisante sur la mini-portion 8 jusqu'à égalisation de la surface supérieure de cette dernière.This film 3 is cut by means of the cutting means 21, so that the shape and the dimensions of each lid 6, 6a, 6b obtained correspond to those of the opening of the envelope 5, 5a, 5b corresponding, then each cap 6, 6a, 6b thus obtained is deposited on the mini-portion 8 by exerting sufficient pressure on the mini-portion 8 until the upper surface of the latter is equalized.

L'étape suivante consiste à réaliser le pliage par tassage (par exemple sous 1 bar environ) des rabats supérieurs 5' de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b (ces rabats 5' sont par exemple au nombre de quatre pour l'enveloppe 5 selon les figures 3 et 13) sur la face externe 3a de l'opercule 6, 6a, 6b correspondant.The following step consists in making the folding by tamping (for example under approximately 1 bar) of the upper flaps 5 'of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b (these flaps 5' are, for example, four in number for the envelope 5 according to the figures 3 and 13 ) on the outer face 3a of the lid 6, 6a, 6b corresponding.

Puis on procède au tassage de la mini-portion 8 et au scellage des rabats 5' sur cette face externe d'opercule 3a au moyen du piston précité équipé du fer de scellage, via le chauffage à induction concomitant à ce tassage et à ce scellage. Comme indiqué précédemment, cette mise sous pression combinée à ce chauffage par induction permet également de sceller les portions P repliées adjacentes de chaque enveloppe 5, 5a, 5b concernée l'une sur l'autre.Then the mini-portion 8 is compressed and the flaps 5 'are sealed on this outer face of the lid 3a by means of the aforementioned piston equipped with the sealing iron, via the induction heater concomitant with this packing and sealing. . As indicated above, this pressurization combined with this induction heating also makes it possible to seal the adjacent folded portions P of each envelope 5, 5a, 5b concerned one on the other.

On notera qu'à titre optionnel, on peut prévoir, après le pliage des rabats 5' sur l'opercule 3a et avant ce tassage-scellage, un pré-tassage de chaque mini-portion 8.It will be noted that, as an option, it is possible, after folding of the flaps 5 'on the lid 3a and before this packing-sealing, to pre-pack each mini-portion 8.

On obtient ainsi en sortie de l'installation 1 les mini-portions 8 respectivement empaquetées dans des emballages 7, 7a, 7b efficacement scellés de manière étanche, de manière simple et en un temps très court.Thus, at the outlet of the installation 1, the mini-portions 8 respectively packaged in packages 7, 7a, 7b are sealed tightly, in a simple manner and in a very short time.

Claims (15)

Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) étanches contenant chacun un produit alimentaire (8) en particulier de type liquide ou pâteux, chaque emballage comportant une enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b) recevant et entourant latéralement le produit et un opercule (6, 6a, 6b) surmontant ce dernier, l'enveloppe et l'opercule étant tous deux à base de matériaux métalliques, le procédé comprenant essentiellement les étapes suivantes : a) un formage de l'enveloppe à partir d'un flan (4, 4a, 4b) de celle-ci pour lui conférer par pliage un fond (5") et des parois latérales (5"') délimitant une ouverture opposée au fond et présentant des portions (P) repliées sur elles-mêmes, ces parois étant aptes à former des rabats supérieurs (5') de l'enveloppe pour fermer partiellement cette ouverture, b) une introduction par cette ouverture du produit dans l'enveloppe ainsi formée, c) une application de l'opercule sur le produit de telle manière que l'opercule ferme sensiblement cette ouverture, lesdits rabats s'étendant alors à l'extérieur de l'opercule, et d) un scellage à chaud de l'enveloppe sur l'opercule, caractérisé en ce que l'étape d) est mise en oeuvre en repliant les rabats sur la face externe de l'opercule, puis en scellant de manière étanche sous pression ces rabats sur cette face externe via un chauffage par induction appliqué à l'enveloppe, ce scellage étant obtenu par activation à chaud d'au moins un adhésif (6') prévu à l'interface de scellage entre la face interne de l'enveloppe et la face externe d'opercule.A method of manufacturing sealed packages (7, 7a, 7b) each containing a food product (8), in particular of liquid or pasty type, each package comprising an envelope (5, 5a, 5b) receiving and laterally surrounding the product and a operculum (6, 6a, 6b) surmounting the latter, the envelope and the lid being both based on metallic materials, the method essentially comprising the following steps: a) shaping the envelope from a blank (4, 4a, 4b) thereof to foldably provide a bottom (5 ") and side walls (5"') delimiting an opening opposite to the bottom and having portions (P) folded on themselves, these walls being able to form upper flaps (5 ') of the envelope to partially close this opening, b) an introduction through this opening of the product in the envelope thus formed, c) an application of the lid to the product in such a way that the lid substantially closes this opening, said flaps then extending outside the lid, and d) a heat sealing of the envelope on the lid, characterized in that step d) is carried out by folding the flaps on the outer face of the cover, and then sealing under pressure these flaps on this outer face via induction heating applied to the envelope this sealing being obtained by hot activation of at least one adhesive (6 ') provided at the sealing interface between the inner face of the envelope and the outer face of the cap. Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le scellage qui fait suite au repliage desdits rabats (5') s'accompagne d'un tassage dudit produit (8) sous-jacent.A method of manufacturing packages (7, 7a, 7b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing which follows the folding of said flaps (5 ') is accompanied by a tamping of said product (8) underlying . Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l'enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b) est revêtue sur sa face interne (2a) d'un premier adhésif activable à chaud, l'opercule (6, 6a, 6b) étant revêtu sur sa face externe (3a) d'un second adhésif (6') activable à chaud identique au premier adhésif ou différent de ce dernier.A method of manufacturing packages (7, 7a, 7b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the envelope (5, 5a, 5b) is coated on its inner face (2a) of a first heat-activatable adhesive, the lid (6, 6a, 6b) being coated on its outer face (3a) with a second hot-activatable second adhesive (6 ') identical to the first adhesive or different from the latter. Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que l'on scelle en outre de manière étanche à l'étape d) lesdites portions repliées (P) adjacentes de l'enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b), par exemple en forme de soufflets, en les plaquant l'une sur l'autre lors de ce chauffage par induction, par activation à chaud dudit premier adhésif.A method of manufacturing packages (7, 7a, 7b) according to claim 3, characterized in that said adjacent folded portions (P) of the envelope (5) are further sealingly sealed in step d). , 5a, 5b), for example in the form of bellows, by pressing them on each other during this induction heating, by hot activation of said first adhesive. Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'on chauffe également par induction ledit flan d'enveloppe (4, 4a, 4b) à l'étape a), pour faciliter l'obtention desdites portions repliées (P) et desdits rabats (5').A method of manufacturing packages (7, 7a, 7b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said envelope blank (4, 4a, 4b) is also heated by induction in step a), for facilitate obtaining said folded portions (P) and said flaps (5 '). Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étape a) comprend essentiellement : a1) une mise au format souhaité d'un premier film souple métallique (2) déroulé d'une première bobine (10), pour l'obtention de flans d'enveloppe (4, 4a, 4b) de géométrie et de dimensions déterminées, a2) le formage de chaque enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b) par pliage du flan correspondant dans une boîte de pliage au moyen d'un piston, puis a3) le transfert et la mise en place de chaque enveloppe ainsi formée dans le fond (17a) d'une alvéole (17) surmontée d'un dispositif de chauffage par induction (18) et de moyens de tassage et de scellage (19) destinés à tasser ledit produit (8) sous-jacent et à sceller sous pression lesdits rabats (5') repliés sur l'opercule (6, 6a, 6b) et lesdites portions repliées (P) adjacentes sur elles-mêmes. A method of manufacturing packages (7, 7a, 7b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step a) essentially comprises: a1) a desired formatting of a first flexible metal film (2) unwound from a first coil (10), to obtain envelope blanks (4, 4a, 4b) of specific geometry and dimensions, a2) forming each envelope (5, 5a, 5b) by folding the corresponding blank in a folding box by means of a piston, then a3) transferring and placing each envelope thus formed in the bottom (17a) of a cell (17) surmounted by an induction heating device (18) and tamping and sealing means (19) intended to compact said underlying product (8) and pressure seal said flaps (5 ') folded on the cover (6, 6a, 6b) and said folded portions (P) adjacent on themselves. Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que l'étape a) comprend en outre, avant l'étape a2), une étape de scellage sur la face interne de chaque flan (4, 4a, 4b) d'au moins une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture (9, 9a, 9b) de chaque emballage conçue pour l'ouvrir par séparation de part et d'autre d'une direction de déchirure prédéterminée via une languette de préhension (9') prévue à l'extrémité de cette bandelette, laquelle a été préalablement découpée selon des dimensions correspondant à celles de chaque flan.A method of manufacturing packages (7, 7a, 7b) according to claim 6, characterized in that step a) further comprises, before step a2), a step of sealing on the inner face of each blank (4, 4a, 4b) of at least one fusible opening strip (9, 9a, 9b) of each package designed to open it by separation from either side of a predetermined tearing direction via a gripping tab (9 ') provided at the end of this strip, which has been cut beforehand to dimensions corresponding to those of each blank. Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon les revendications 3 et 7, caractérisé en ce que ladite ou chaque bandelette d'ouverture (9, 9a, 9b) de chaque emballage est métallisée et revêtue d'un troisième adhésif activable à chaud (9A, 9D) qui est identique à l'un et/ou l'autre desdits premier et second adhésifs, pour le scellage à chaud de cette bandelette sur l'enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b).Packaging manufacturing method (7, 7a, 7b) according to claims 3 and 7, characterized in that said or each opening strip (9, 9a, 9b) of each package is metallized and coated with a third adhesive heat activatable (9A, 9D) which is identical to one and / or the other of said first and second adhesives, for heat sealing this strip on the envelope (5, 5a, 5b). Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étape b) comprend un dosage à froid à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b) dudit produit (8), qui est de type liquide ou pâteux, ce dosage étant avantageusement réalisé à une température inférieure à 30° C et par exemple comprise entre 8° C et 12° C dans le cas de fromages frais.Packaging production method (7, 7a, 7b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step b) comprises a cold metering inside the envelope (5, 5a, 5b) of said product. (8), which is of liquid or pasty type, this dosage being advantageously carried out at a temperature below 30 ° C and for example between 8 ° C and 12 ° C in the case of fresh cheese. Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étape c) comprend essentiellement : c1) une mise au format souhaité d'un second film souple métallique (3) déroulé d'une seconde bobine (20), pour l'obtention d'opercules (6, 6a, 6b) de géométrie et de dimensions adaptées pour fermer sensiblement l'ouverture des enveloppes (5, 5a, 5b) au contact du produit (8) qu'elles contiennent, puis c2) un tassement de la surface supérieure du produit contenu dans l'enveloppe lors de la mise en place de chaque opercule, pour égaliser cette surface sous l'opercule. Packaging production method (7, 7a, 7b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step c) essentially comprises: c1) a desired formatting of a second metal flexible film (3) unwound from a second coil (20), for obtaining lids (6, 6a, 6b) of geometry and dimensions adapted to substantially close opening the envelopes (5, 5a, 5b) in contact with the product (8) they contain, then c2) a settlement of the upper surface of the product contained in the envelope during the introduction of each lid, to equalize this surface under the lid. Procédé de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) selon une des revendications 6 à 8, caractérisé en ce que le chauffage par induction est réalisé à l'étape d) immédiatement au-dessus de chaque alvéole (17) contenant l'enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b) pourvue de l'opercule (6, 6a, 6b) et, optionnellement, latéralement de part et d'autre de cette alvéole.A method of manufacturing packages (7, 7a, 7b) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the induction heating is carried out in step d) immediately above each cell (17) containing the envelope (5, 5a, 5b) provided with the lid (6, 6a, 6b) and, optionally, laterally on either side of this cell. Emballage étanche (7, 7a, 7b) contenant un produit alimentaire (8) de type liquide ou pâteux, l'emballage comportant une enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b) recevant et entourant latéralement le produit et un opercule (6, 6a, 6b) surmontant ce dernier, l'enveloppe et l'opercule étant tous deux à base de matériaux métalliques par exemple à base d'aluminium, l'emballage étant obtenu par un procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'enveloppe comporte par pliage un fond (5") et des parois latérales (5''') délimitant une ouverture opposée au fond qui est sensiblement fermée par l'opercule, ces parois latérales présentant des portions adjacentes (P) repliées sur elles-mêmes et se terminant par des rabats (5') scellés de manière étanche sur la face externe (3a) de l'opercule, au moins un adhésif activable à chaud (6'), tel qu'un vernis thermoscellable ou une colle thermofusible, étant prévu à l'interface de scellage entre la face interne (2a) de l'enveloppe et cette face externe de l'opercule et sur la face interne desdites portions repliées pour sceller deux à deux ces dernières.Watertight packaging (7, 7a, 7b) containing a food product (8) of the liquid or pasty type, the package comprising an envelope (5, 5a, 5b) receiving and laterally surrounding the product and a cover (6, 6a, 6b ) overlying the latter, the envelope and the cover being both based on metal materials for example aluminum-based, the package being obtained by a method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the envelope comprises folding a bottom (5 ") and side walls (5 ''') delimiting an opening opposite to the bottom which is substantially closed by the lid, these side walls having adjacent portions (P) folded on themselves and ending with flaps (5 ') sealingly sealed to the outer face (3a) of the cover, at least one hot-activatable adhesive (6'), such as a heat-sealable varnish or a hot-melt glue, being provided at the sealing interface between the inner face (2a) of the envelope and this outer face of the lid and on the inner face of said folded portions to seal two by two these. Emballage étanche (7, 7a, 7b) selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre au moins une bandelette thermocollante d'ouverture (9, 9a, 9b) de l'emballage conçue pour l'ouvrir par séparation de part et d'autre d'une direction prédéterminée via une languette de préhension (9') prévue à l'extrémité de cette bandelette, laquelle est scellée à chaud sur la face interne (2a) de l'enveloppe (5, 5a, 5b) et est en partie métallisée.Waterproof package (7, 7a, 7b) according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises at least one fusible opening strip (9, 9a, 9b) of the package designed to open it by separation of on either side of a predetermined direction via a gripping tab (9 ') provided at the end of this strip, which is heat-sealed on the inner face (2a) of the casing (5, 5a, 5b ) and is partly metallized. Emballage étanche (7, 7a, 7b) selon la revendication 12 ou 13, caractérisé en ce que le produit (8) qu'il contient est constitué d'une mini-portion d'un produit laitier, tel qu'un fromage frais ou fondu.Waterproof package (7, 7a, 7b) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the product (8) contained therein consists of a mini-portion of a dairy product, such as a fresh cheese or molten. Installation (1) de fabrication d'emballages (7, 7a, 7b) pour la mise en oeuvre d'un procédé selon une des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte essentiellement : - une première bobine (10) destinée à acheminer un premier film (2) apte à constituer lesdits flans d'enveloppe (4, 4a, 4b) après mise au format adéquat de ce premier film, - une unité de formage (14) des enveloppes (5, 5a, 5b) qui est agencée en aval de cette première bobine et qui comporte une pluralité de boîtes de pliage surmontées chacune d'un piston, - une seconde bobine (20) destinée à acheminer un second film (3) apte à constituer lesdits opercules (6, 6a, 6b) après mise au format de ce second film selon l'ouverture de chaque enveloppe, - des moyens de transfert des enveloppes formées par l'unité de formage vers une unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage (16) des enveloppes respectivement pourvues de ces opercules, - cette unité de remplissage, d'operculage et de scellage (16) comportant une pluralité d'alvéoles (17) qui sont chacune conçues pour recevoir l'enveloppe et qui sont surmontées d'un dispositif de chauffage par induction (18), de moyens de pliage pour replier les rabats d'enveloppe (5') sur l'opercule correspondant et de moyens de tassage et de scellage (19) pour tasser le produit (8) sous-jacent et plaquer sous pression ces rabats ainsi repliés contre l'opercule , et - un système de convoyeurs pour acheminer les films, les flans, les enveloppes et les emballages remplis, operculés et scellés. Packaging installation (1) (7, 7a, 7b) for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises essentially: - a first coil (10) for conveying a first film (2) capable of constituting said envelope blanks (4, 4a, 4b) after formatting the first film, - a forming unit (14) of the envelopes (5, 5a, 5b) which is arranged downstream of this first coil and which comprises a plurality of folding boxes each surmounted by a piston, - a second coil (20) for conveying a second film (3) capable of constituting said lids (6, 6a, 6b) after formatting of the second film according to the opening of each envelope, means for transferring the envelopes formed by the forming unit to a unit for filling, sealing and sealing (16) the envelopes respectively provided with these lids, said filling, sealing and sealing unit (16) having a plurality of cells (17) each of which is adapted to receive the envelope and which is surmounted by an induction heating device (18), folding means for folding the envelope flaps (5 ') on the corresponding cover and tamping and sealing means (19) for tamping the underlying product (8) and pressurizing these flaps thus folded against the operculum, and - a conveyor system to route films, blanks, envelopes and packages filled, sealed and sealed.
EP09290764A 2008-10-15 2009-10-06 Method and installation for manufacturing sealed packages for food products, and such packages Active EP2177437B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL09290764T PL2177437T3 (en) 2008-10-15 2009-10-06 Method and installation for manufacturing sealed packages for food products, and such packages

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0805695A FR2937011B1 (en) 2008-10-15 2008-10-15 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SEALED PACKAGES FOR FOOD PRODUCTS, AND SUCH PACKAGES

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2177437A1 true EP2177437A1 (en) 2010-04-21
EP2177437B1 EP2177437B1 (en) 2011-12-07

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EP09290764A Active EP2177437B1 (en) 2008-10-15 2009-10-06 Method and installation for manufacturing sealed packages for food products, and such packages

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EP (1) EP2177437B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE536308T1 (en)
FR (1) FR2937011B1 (en)
PL (1) PL2177437T3 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016166279A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2016-10-20 Fromageries Bel Packaging element for producing a packaging package for a food product and packaging package for a food product
WO2016166249A1 (en) 2015-04-17 2016-10-20 Fromageries Bel Method for producing a packaged portion of a food product and portion produced by said method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU464378B2 (en) * 1970-08-12 1975-08-08 Kork-N-Seal (Australia) Pty. Limited Sealing of containers
GB2051627A (en) * 1979-06-30 1981-01-21 Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd Process for preparation of cans and canned provisions
EP0362799A2 (en) * 1988-10-07 1990-04-11 Continental Can Company, Inc. Apparatus and method for sealing a lid onto a container
WO1999035057A1 (en) 1997-12-31 1999-07-15 Officine Meccaniche Natalino Corazza S.P.A. Hermetically sealed package and manufacturing method thereof

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU464378B2 (en) * 1970-08-12 1975-08-08 Kork-N-Seal (Australia) Pty. Limited Sealing of containers
GB2051627A (en) * 1979-06-30 1981-01-21 Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd Process for preparation of cans and canned provisions
EP0362799A2 (en) * 1988-10-07 1990-04-11 Continental Can Company, Inc. Apparatus and method for sealing a lid onto a container
WO1999035057A1 (en) 1997-12-31 1999-07-15 Officine Meccaniche Natalino Corazza S.P.A. Hermetically sealed package and manufacturing method thereof

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016166279A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2016-10-20 Fromageries Bel Packaging element for producing a packaging package for a food product and packaging package for a food product
WO2016166249A1 (en) 2015-04-17 2016-10-20 Fromageries Bel Method for producing a packaged portion of a food product and portion produced by said method
FR3035084A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2016-10-21 Bel Fromageries PACKAGING ELEMENT FOR CARRYING OUT A FOOD PACKAGING PACKAGING AND FOOD PACKAGING PACKAGING
FR3035077A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2016-10-21 Bel Fromageries PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A PACKED PORTION OF FOOD PRODUCT, AND PORTION OBTAINED THEREBY
US20180118382A1 (en) * 2015-04-17 2018-05-03 Fromageries Bel Method for producing a packaged portion of a food product and portion produced by said method
AU2016249859B2 (en) * 2015-04-17 2020-07-30 Bel Method for producing a packaged portion of a food product and portion produced by said method
US11097859B2 (en) 2015-04-17 2021-08-24 Bel Method for producing a packaged portion of a food product and portion produced by said method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2937011A1 (en) 2010-04-16
ATE536308T1 (en) 2011-12-15
FR2937011B1 (en) 2010-10-22
PL2177437T3 (en) 2012-05-31
EP2177437B1 (en) 2011-12-07

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