EP2509874A1 - Method for packaging non-liquid food products, in particular those sensitive to oxygen, in a container with a low oxygen content - Google Patents

Method for packaging non-liquid food products, in particular those sensitive to oxygen, in a container with a low oxygen content

Info

Publication number
EP2509874A1
EP2509874A1 EP11764801A EP11764801A EP2509874A1 EP 2509874 A1 EP2509874 A1 EP 2509874A1 EP 11764801 A EP11764801 A EP 11764801A EP 11764801 A EP11764801 A EP 11764801A EP 2509874 A1 EP2509874 A1 EP 2509874A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
liquid
products
containers
filled
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
EP11764801A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2509874B1 (en
Inventor
Laurent Dupont
Stéphane GAUTHIER
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.)
Bonduelle SA
Original Assignee
Bonduelle 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 Bonduelle SA filed Critical Bonduelle SA
Priority to PL11764801T priority Critical patent/PL2509874T3/en
Publication of EP2509874A1 publication Critical patent/EP2509874A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2509874B1 publication Critical patent/EP2509874B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • 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
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/18—Controlling escape of air from containers or receptacles during filling

Definitions

  • TITLE Process for packaging non-liquid foodstuffs, in particular oxygen-sensitive foodstuffs, in a container with a low oxygen content.
  • the invention relates to a method for packaging non-liquid food products, such as, in particular, vegetables, in particular sensitive to oxygen, in a container with a low oxygen content.
  • the invention also relates to an installation suitable for implementing the method.
  • the reduction of the oxygen content is obtained mainly by evacuation of the canister.
  • a non-oxidizing gas ie N 2 ) scans the products in order to expel the residual oxygen.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method of packaging products, particularly food, non-liquid, such as for example vegetables, in particular sensitive to oxygen, in a container with low oxygen content , which allows high production rates and does not require expensive packaging for its implementation.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a method for obtaining a large decrease in the oxygen content in the packages.
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a method that can be implemented in an installation by limiting industrial investments, and / or that results in the production of a thinner container.
  • the invention relates to a method of packaging products, such as for example food products, in particular oxygen-sensitive, non-liquid, such as for example vegetables or meat in pieces, in a container with low oxygen content. , said container having an opening.
  • the method comprises the following steps:
  • the container is filled with the products under an uncontrolled atmosphere (ambient atmosphere),
  • the refusal filled container is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas
  • the container of the liquid in whole or in part, is emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere by keeping said products in said container so that said at least one non-oxidizing gas replaces said liquid in said non-oxidizing atmosphere; said container,
  • said container opening is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
  • said filling liquid is degassed prior to said step of filling the container with said liquid.
  • the method comprises the following steps:
  • the container is filled with the products under an uncontrolled atmosphere
  • the refusal filled container is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas
  • the container of the liquid is totally or partially emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, by maintaining said food products in said container so that said at least one non-oxidizing gas replaces said liquid in said container,
  • said container is filled with a final liquid, in particular food juice, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, partially,
  • said container opening is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
  • the method can be implemented on a continuous production line comprising an enclosure, in particular a tunnel under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, filled with said at least one non-oxidizing gas, said enclosure being provided with conveying for the advancement said containers continuously.
  • the emptying step of said liquid is carried out by means of a device for turning over containers, internal to the enclosure equipped with means, such as a perforated wall, making it possible to keep the non-liquid food products in said container during of the reversal.
  • the containers are metal cans.
  • the metal cans have a wall thickness less than or equal to 0.15 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
  • the closing step of the container can be performed at least by the establishment of a lid.
  • the method may further provide a step in which the lid of the canister is crimped (under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, or under an uncontrolled atmosphere).
  • the products to be packaged are food products (i.e. meat, vegetable pieces).
  • said final liquid is a food juice (salt water, sauce, ).
  • the invention also relates to an installation that is suitable for the packaging of particularly food-grade, in particular oxygen-sensitive, non-liquid products in a container with a low oxygen content, on a continuous production line, said container having an opening, said installation comprising, according to the direction of advancement of the containers, successively:
  • a sealing device for sealing the opening of said container.
  • the method and the installation according to the invention will find a particular application for the packaging of food products such as vegetables, meat or others, in indeformable boxes, especially metal.
  • the invention is not limited to the packaging of food products and can find an application for the packaging of any other product sensitive to oxygen.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the implementation of the method according to the invention in an installation according to the invention according to a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the implementation of the method according to the invention in an installation according to the invention according to a second embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a detail view illustrating a container support used in the installation illustrated in FIG. 2 to turn the container over,
  • FIG. 4 is a detail view of the container support of Figure 3, in the inverted position.
  • the invention relates to a method of packaging particularly food products, non-liquid, such as for example pieces of vegetables, pieces of meat, or other, in particular sensitive to oxygen in a container with low oxygen content.
  • the method can make it possible to obtain an oxygen concentration in the packages less than or equal to 12 ppm, or even less than 6 ppm.
  • the container 1 has an opening 2 for filling.
  • the method according to the invention comprises the following steps:
  • the container 1 is filled with the products, in particular foodstuffs, under an uncontrolled atmosphere (not shown),
  • the container 1 filled with refusal is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4, consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas 5,
  • the container 1 is completely emptied of the liquid 3, in whole or in part, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4 by keeping said foodstuffs in particular in said container so that said at least one non-oxidizing gas 5 replaces said liquid 3 in said container,
  • the opening 2 of the container 1 is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4.
  • “refusal filling” is meant the complete or almost complete filling of the internal volume of said container by said products and said liquid. This is in contrast with the “limited juice” filling, whereby the internal volume of said filled container of said products is not completely filled with liquid, gaps remaining between the products.
  • the containers 1 may be metal cans which may have a wall thickness less than or equal to 0.15 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
  • the non-oxidizing atmosphere may be N 2 , CO 2 or other non-oxidizing gas, or a mixture of these gases.
  • the filling liquid 3 used to expel air from the container, by refusal filling can be degassed beforehand.
  • the liquid 3 may be, for example, water.
  • the method may also have an additional step in which the container is filled with a final liquid, especially food juice, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere; the method then comprises the following steps:
  • the container is filled with the products in particular food under an uncontrolled atmosphere
  • the container 1 filled with refusal is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4, consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas,
  • the container of the liquid is totally or partially emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, while maintaining the said food products in particular in the said container, so that the at least one non-oxidizing gas replaces the liquid in the said container 1,
  • said container is filled with a final liquid 6, in particular a food juice such as a sauce, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, partially,
  • said container opening is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
  • the method can be implemented on a continuous production line, comprising an enclosure 1 1, such as a tunnel, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4, filled with said at least one non-oxidizing gas.
  • This enclosure 1 1 is provided with conveying means for advancing the containers continuously.
  • the liquid emptying step 3 may advantageously be carried out continuously, by means of a container reversal device 12, internal to the tunnel 11.
  • the device 12 may comprise, according to one exemplary embodiment, guides intended to engage with said containers 1, during the advancement of said containers, so as to turn said container about a transverse axis of said container by imposing a spiral path of said containers.
  • means are used to keep the food products, non-liquid, in the container 1 during the turnaround.
  • Such a turning device 12 is known per se of the state of the art, usually referred to as "scrubber" by those skilled in the art.
  • EP-0.070.195 is an example thereof.
  • the means 14 making it possible to keep the food products, in particular non-liquid products, during the overturning in said container 1, may be constituted by a perforated wall of the device on which the opening 2 of the container will be placed during its inversion.
  • these means can be constituted by a perforated lid 44, temporary, put in place upstream of the turning device 12, and then removed downstream of this turning device 12 (see Figure 1).
  • the turning device may comprise individual container supports 70, each intended to hold a container.
  • a mechanism including in particular a cam and a cam follower or an actuator can be used to control each of the container supports 70 upside down and then to reposition each of the containers with the opening upwards.
  • each container support 70 may, according to the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, comprise a clamp with a first jaw 71 and a second jaw 72.
  • the container support 60 seizes a container by moving the jaws 71, 72 towards each other, while the container rests on the lower jaw (second jaw 72 as shown in Figure 3).
  • the upper jaw (first jaw 71) then abuts with the container 1, covering the opening 2 of the container 1.
  • a mechanism allows the joint to turn over the support 70 and its container 1, in particular around a pivot axis 73 of the support 70, in order to empty the liquid from the container.
  • the first jaw 71 comprises a perforated wall covering the opening 2 which keeps the non-liquid products in the container ( Figure 4).
  • the step of closing the opening 2 of the container 1 can be performed at least by the establishment of a lid 15, in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
  • the method may further include a step in which the lid 15 is crimped to said canister. This crimping step may be carried out either in a non-oxidizing atmosphere or in an uncontrolled atmosphere.
  • the invention also relates to an installation 10 suitable for the packaging of foodstuffs, which are non-liquid, in particular oxygen sensitive in a container 1 under low oxygen, on a continuous production line.
  • the container 1 has an opening 2 and can be a metal box, as previously described.
  • Said installation 10 comprises, according to the direction of advance of the containers 1, successively:
  • a device 50, 60 sealingly closing the opening 2 of said container 1 (not shown).
  • Said chamber 11 is provided with conveying means for advancing said containers 1, continuously, and receives a container reversal device 12, internal to said tunnel for emptying the liquid 3 of said containers, and means for maintaining the products. foodstuffs, not liquid, in said container during the turnaround.
  • the device 12 may comprise guides for engaging with said containers during advancement so as to rotate the container about a transverse axis of said container by imposing a spiral path of said containers.
  • the device can implement the container supports 70 previously described.
  • the containers in particular the metal cans, can be conveyed on the production line one after the other, in line.
  • the advancement of the containers is obtained by the abutment of the containers with each other, an upstream container pushing a container downstream.
  • the filling means 20 may be constituted by a liquid supply ramp provided with a plurality of nozzles supplying the containers with liquid.
  • the containers 2 are positioned upright, the opening of the container at the top.
  • the containers enter at one end 21 of the chamber 1 1 (tunnel) which may include an airlock providing a certain seal between the interior atmosphere of the tunnel, non-oxidizing, and the outside atmosphere (ambient air ).
  • the containers 1 emerge from this tunnel at the other end 30 of the enclosure 1 1 through, in particular, an airlock intended to ensure a certain degree of sealing between the internal atmosphere of the tunnel and the external atmosphere.
  • the internal volume of the enclosure is maintained under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4 maintained in slight overpressure by means of nozzle means 40, non-oxidizing gas 5.
  • the overturning device 12 of the container is provided internally to the enclosure 11.
  • This device 12 comprises, according to the example of FIG. 1, guides intended to engage with the container during the advancement of said containers so as to turn said container around a transverse axis of said container by imposing a spiral trajectory of said containers thus emptying said container.
  • the containers 1 enter at one end of the device 12 (shown in dashed lines) standing, the container opening facing upwards (indicated by the arrow), and are returned to empty the container at all. or part.
  • the container 1 can pass through an intermediate position, returned to 180 °, as shown in FIG.
  • the means making it possible to keep the non-liquid food products in the container 1, during the overturning can be constituted by a perforated lid 14, which is placed on the opening of the container 2, before it enters the device 12, then removed at the output of the device 12 as shown in Figure 1.
  • these means may be constituted by a perforated wall of the device 12 on which will be plated the opening 2 of the container during its turnaround.
  • a drain 17 may be provided, vertically, below the device 12 for the recovery and evacuation of liquids escaping from said device 12.
  • the installation 10 may furthermore have, as illustrated in FIG. 1, feed means 16 for a final liquid 6, such as a food juice inside the enclosure 11.
  • feed means 16 comprise dosing means and allow to partially fill the containers with a food juice 6, such as for example a sauce.
  • a device 60 can allow the introduction of a lid 15 on the opening 2 of the container 1, in order to maintain the non-oxidizing gas in place in the container 1.
  • a crimper 50, atmospheric, or even a pressure crimper of non-oxidizing gas internal to the enclosure 11, can successively to secure the lid to said box.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for packaging non-liquid food products, particularly those sensitive to oxygen, such as vegetables, in a container with a low oxygen content, said container including an opening. The invention is characterised in that the method comprises the following steps: the container is filled with the products, in a non-controlled atmosphere; the air is removed from the container by filling same to capacity with a liquid; the full container is placed in a non-oxidising atmosphere formed by at least one non-oxidising gas; the liquid is fully or partially emptied from the container in a non-oxidising atmosphere while the food products are kept in the container, such that the at least one non-oxidising gas replaces the liquid in the container; and the above-mentioned container opening is closed in a gas-tight manner in a non-oxidising atmosphere. The invention also relates to a unit for carrying out said method.

Description

TITRE : Procédé de conditionnement de produits alimentaires, non liquides, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène, dans un conteneur sous faible teneur en oxygène.  TITLE: Process for packaging non-liquid foodstuffs, in particular oxygen-sensitive foodstuffs, in a container with a low oxygen content.
L'invention concerne un procédé de conditionnement de produits alimentaires, non liquides, tels que notamment des légumes, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène, dans un conteneur sous faible teneur en oxygène.  The invention relates to a method for packaging non-liquid food products, such as, in particular, vegetables, in particular sensitive to oxygen, in a container with a low oxygen content.
L'invention concerne également une installation convenant pour la mise en œuvre du procédé.  The invention also relates to an installation suitable for implementing the method.
Afin de conserver des produits alimentaires non liquides (i ;e ; légumes ou viandes en morceaux), sensibles à l'oxygène, il est connu de conditionner lesdits produits alimentaires dans un emballage sous faible teneur en oxygène.  In order to preserve non-liquid food products (i; e; vegetables or meats in pieces), sensitive to oxygen, it is known to condition said food products in a package with low oxygen content.
Dans le cas d'emballages sensiblement indéformables, tels que par exemple boîtes métalliques sous jus limité, la réduction de la teneur en oxygène est obtenue principalement par la mise sous vide de la boîte métallique. Eventuellement, un gaz non oxydant (i.e. N2) balaie les produits afin de chasser l'oxygène résiduel. In the case of substantially undeformable packaging, such as for example limited-metal canisters, the reduction of the oxygen content is obtained mainly by evacuation of the canister. Optionally, a non-oxidizing gas (ie N 2 ) scans the products in order to expel the residual oxygen.
La boîte est ensuite fermée par un couvercle qui est serti sous vide. Afin de diminuer sensiblement la quantité en oxygène, ce procédé nécessite des cadences machines relativement faibles, bien inférieures aux cadences industrielles classiques (400 cpm).  The box is then closed by a lid which is crimped under vacuum. In order to substantially reduce the amount of oxygen, this process requires relatively low machine speeds, much lower than conventional industrial rates (400 cpm).
Un autre défaut de ce procédé réside dans le fait que l'emballage doit être suffisamment résistant pour résister mécaniquement au vide. Dans le cas de boîtes métalliques, il est ainsi nécessaire de prévoir des épaisseurs de boîtes au moins égales à 0,18 mm afin d'éviter l'implosion de ladite boîte. Un autre défaut de ce procédé est la difficulté d'obtenir des teneurs en oxygène résiduelles reproductibles.  Another flaw in this process is that the package must be strong enough to mechanically resist the vacuum. In the case of metal cans, it is thus necessary to provide box thicknesses at least equal to 0.18 mm in order to avoid the implosion of said box. Another defect of this process is the difficulty of obtaining reproducible residual oxygen contents.
Pour le cas d'un emballage (boîte métallique) avec espace de tête limité, c'est-à-dire comprenant un faible volume d'air à proximité de l'ouverture car rempli pratiquement entièrement d'un jus, une autre méthode d'inertage consiste à souffler un gaz non oxydant (Le. N2) au niveau dudit espace de tête, et simultanément à fermer et sertir le couvercle. Cette méthode est toutefois particulièrement consommatrice en gaz non oxydant et donc onéreuse. For the case of a package (can) with a limited head space, that is to say comprising a small volume of air near the opening because filled almost entirely with a juice, another method inerting process consists of blowing a non-oxidizing gas (N. N2) at said head space, and simultaneously closing and crimping the lid. This method is however particularly consuming non-oxidizing gas and therefore expensive.
Le but de la présente invention est de pallier ces inconvénients précités en proposant un procédé de conditionnement de produits, notamment alimentaires, non liquides, tels que par exemple des légumes, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène, dans un conteneur sous faible teneur en oxygène, qui permet des cadences de production élevées et ne nécessite pas d'emballage onéreux pour sa mise en œuvre.  The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method of packaging products, particularly food, non-liquid, such as for example vegetables, in particular sensitive to oxygen, in a container with low oxygen content , which allows high production rates and does not require expensive packaging for its implementation.
Un autre but de l'invention est de proposer un procédé permettant d'obtenir une forte diminution de la teneur en oxygène dans les emballages.  Another object of the invention is to provide a method for obtaining a large decrease in the oxygen content in the packages.
Un autre but de l'invention est de proposer un procédé qui puisse être mis en œuvre dans une installation en limitant les investissements industriels, et/ou qui aboutisse à la réalisation d'un conteneur moins épais.  Another object of the invention is to propose a method that can be implemented in an installation by limiting industrial investments, and / or that results in the production of a thinner container.
Aussi, l'invention concerne un procédé de conditionnement de produits, tels que par exemple produits alimentaires, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène, non liquides, tels que par exemple des légumes ou viande en morceaux, dans un conteneur sous faible teneur en oxygène, ledit conteneur présentant une ouverture.  Also, the invention relates to a method of packaging products, such as for example food products, in particular oxygen-sensitive, non-liquid, such as for example vegetables or meat in pieces, in a container with low oxygen content. , said container having an opening.
Selon l'invention, le procédé comprend les étapes suivantes : According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps:
- on remplit le conteneur avec les produits, sous atmosphère non contrôlée (atmosphère ambiante), the container is filled with the products under an uncontrolled atmosphere (ambient atmosphere),
- on chasse l'air du conteneur par remplissage d'un liquide à refus,  the air is expelled from the container by filling a refusal liquid,
- on dispose le conteneur rempli à refus dans une atmosphère non oxydante constituée d'au moins un gaz non oxydant,  the refusal filled container is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas,
- on vide le conteneur du liquide, en tout ou partie, sous atmosphère non oxydante en maintenant lesdits produits dans ledit conteneur de sorte que ledit au moins un gaz non oxydant remplace ledit liquide dans ledit conteneur, the container of the liquid, in whole or in part, is emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere by keeping said products in said container so that said at least one non-oxidizing gas replaces said liquid in said non-oxidizing atmosphere; said container,
- on ferme de manière étanche au gaz ladite ouverture du conteneur, sous atmosphère non oxydante.  said container opening is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
Selon un mode de réalisation, on dégaze ledit liquide de remplissage, préalablement à la dite étape de remplissage du conteneur avec ledit liquide.  According to one embodiment, said filling liquid is degassed prior to said step of filling the container with said liquid.
Selon un mode de réalisation, le procédé comprend les étapes suivantes :  According to one embodiment, the method comprises the following steps:
- on remplit le conteneur avec les produits sous atmosphère non contrôlée,  the container is filled with the products under an uncontrolled atmosphere,
- on chasse l'air du conteneur par remplissage d'un liquide à refus,  the air is expelled from the container by filling a refusal liquid,
- on dispose le conteneur rempli à refus dans une atmosphère non oxydante, constituée d'au moins un gaz non oxydant,  the refusal filled container is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas,
- on vide le conteneur du liquide, en tout ou partie, sous atmosphère non oxydante, en maintenant lesdits produits alimentaires dans ledit conteneur de sorte que ledit au moins un gaz non oxydant remplace ledit liquide dans ledit conteneur,  the container of the liquid is totally or partially emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, by maintaining said food products in said container so that said at least one non-oxidizing gas replaces said liquid in said container,
- on remplit ledit conteneur d'un liquide final, notamment jus alimentaire, sous atmosphère non oxydante, partiellement,  said container is filled with a final liquid, in particular food juice, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, partially,
- on ferme de manière étanche au gaz ladite ouverture du conteneur, sous atmosphère non oxydante.  said container opening is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
Selon un mode de réalisation, le procédé peut être mis en œuvre sur une ligne de production continue comprenant une enceinte, notamment un tunnel sous atmosphère non oxydante, remplie dudit au moins un gaz non oxydant, ladite enceinte étant munie de convoyage permettant l'avancement desdits conteneurs en continu. L'étape de vidage dudit liquide est mise en œuvre au moyen d'un dispositif de retournement de conteneurs, interne à l'enceinte équipée des moyens, tels qu'une paroi ajourée, permettant de maintenir les produits alimentaires non liquides dans ledit conteneur lors du retournement. Selon un mode de réalisation, les conteneurs sont des boîtes métalliques. According to one embodiment, the method can be implemented on a continuous production line comprising an enclosure, in particular a tunnel under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, filled with said at least one non-oxidizing gas, said enclosure being provided with conveying for the advancement said containers continuously. The emptying step of said liquid is carried out by means of a device for turning over containers, internal to the enclosure equipped with means, such as a perforated wall, making it possible to keep the non-liquid food products in said container during of the reversal. According to one embodiment, the containers are metal cans.
Selon un mode de réalisation, les boîtes métalliques présentent une épaisseur de paroi inférieure ou égale à 0, 15 mm, par exemple 0,12 mm.  According to one embodiment, the metal cans have a wall thickness less than or equal to 0.15 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
Selon un mode de réalisation, l'étape de fermeture du conteneur peut être réalisée au moins par la mise en place d'un couvercle. Le procédé peut prévoir en outre une étape dans laquelle on sertit le couvercle de la boîte métallique (sous atmosphère non oxydante, ou encore sous atmosphère non contrôlée).  According to one embodiment, the closing step of the container can be performed at least by the establishment of a lid. The method may further provide a step in which the lid of the canister is crimped (under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, or under an uncontrolled atmosphere).
Selon un mode de réalisation, les produits à conditionner sont des produits alimentaires (i.e. viande, légumes en morceaux). Dans ce cas, ledit liquide final est un jus alimentaire (eau salée, sauce, ...).  According to one embodiment, the products to be packaged are food products (i.e. meat, vegetable pieces). In this case, said final liquid is a food juice (salt water, sauce, ...).
L'invention concerne également une installation convenant pour le conditionnement de produits notamment alimentaires, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène, non liquides, dans un conteneur sous faible teneur en oxygène, sur une ligne de production en continu, ledit conteneur présentant une ouverture, ladite installation comprenant, selon le sens d'avancement des conteneurs, successivement :  The invention also relates to an installation that is suitable for the packaging of particularly food-grade, in particular oxygen-sensitive, non-liquid products in a container with a low oxygen content, on a continuous production line, said container having an opening, said installation comprising, according to the direction of advancement of the containers, successively:
- des moyens de remplissage desdits conteneurs avec un liquide, à refus, sous atmosphère non contrôlée,  means for filling said containers with a liquid, to refuse, under an uncontrolled atmosphere,
- une enceinte sous atmosphère non oxydante, remplie d'un gaz non oxydant, ladite enceinte étant munie de moyens de convoyage permettant l'avancement des conteneurs en continu, recevant un dispositif de retournement de conteneurs, interne à ladite enceinte permettant de vider le liquide desdits conteneurs, équipé de moyens permettant de maintenir les produits, non liquides, dans ledit conteneur lors du retournement,  an enclosure in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, filled with a non-oxidizing gas, said enclosure being provided with conveying means for advancing the containers continuously, receiving a container reversal device, internal to said enclosure for emptying the liquid; said containers, equipped with means making it possible to keep the products, which are not liquid, in said container during the inversion,
- un dispositif de fermeture de manière étanche de l'ouverture dudit conteneur.  a sealing device for sealing the opening of said container.
Le procédé et l'installation conformes à l'invention trouveront une application particulière pour le conditionnement de produits alimentaires tels que des légumes, viande ou autres, dans des boîtes indéformables, notamment métalliques. The method and the installation according to the invention will find a particular application for the packaging of food products such as vegetables, meat or others, in indeformable boxes, especially metal.
L'invention ne se limite pas au conditionnement de produits alimentaires et peut trouver une application pour le conditionnement de tout autre produit sensible à l'oxygène.  The invention is not limited to the packaging of food products and can find an application for the packaging of any other product sensitive to oxygen.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description accompagnée des figures en annexe parmi lesquelles :  The invention will be better understood on reading the description accompanied by the appended figures, among which:
- la figure 1 est une vue schématique de la mise en oeuvre du procédé conforme à l'invention dans une installation conforme à l'invention selon un premier mode de réalisation,  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the implementation of the method according to the invention in an installation according to the invention according to a first embodiment,
- la figure 2 est une vue schématique de la mise en oeuvre du procédé conforme à l'invention dans une installation conforme à l'invention selon un deuxième mode de réalisation,  FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the implementation of the method according to the invention in an installation according to the invention according to a second embodiment,
- la figure 3 est une vue de détail illustrant un support de conteneur mis en oeuvre dans l'installation illustrée à la figure 2 pour retourner le conteneur,  FIG. 3 is a detail view illustrating a container support used in the installation illustrated in FIG. 2 to turn the container over,
- la figure 4 est une vue de détail du support de conteneur de la figure 3, en position retournée.  - Figure 4 is a detail view of the container support of Figure 3, in the inverted position.
Aussi, l'invention concerne un procédé de conditionnement de produits notamment alimentaires, non liquides, tels que par exemple morceaux de légumes, morceaux de viande, ou autres, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène dans un conteneur sous faible teneur en oxygène. Le procédé peut permettre d'obtenir une concentration en oxygène dans les emballages inférieure ou égale à 12 ppm, voire inférieure à 6 ppm.  Also, the invention relates to a method of packaging particularly food products, non-liquid, such as for example pieces of vegetables, pieces of meat, or other, in particular sensitive to oxygen in a container with low oxygen content. The method can make it possible to obtain an oxygen concentration in the packages less than or equal to 12 ppm, or even less than 6 ppm.
Le conteneur 1 présente une ouverture 2 pour son remplissage.  The container 1 has an opening 2 for filling.
Le procédé, conforme à l'invention, comprend les étapes suivantes :  The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:
- on remplit le conteneur 1 avec les produits notamment alimentaires, sous atmosphère non contrôlée (non illustré),  the container 1 is filled with the products, in particular foodstuffs, under an uncontrolled atmosphere (not shown),
- on chasse l'air du conteneur par remplissage d'un liquide 3 à refus, - The air is expelled from the container by filling a liquid 3 to refusal,
- on dispose le conteneur 1 rempli à refus dans une atmosphère non oxydante 4, constituée d'au moins un gaz non oxydant 5,  the container 1 filled with refusal is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4, consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas 5,
- on vide le conteneur 1 du liquide 3, en tout ou partie, sous atmosphère non oxydante 4 en maintenant lesdits produits notamment alimentaires dans ledit conteneur de sorte que ledit au moins un gaz non oxydant 5 remplace ledit liquide 3 dans ledit conteneur,  the container 1 is completely emptied of the liquid 3, in whole or in part, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4 by keeping said foodstuffs in particular in said container so that said at least one non-oxidizing gas 5 replaces said liquid 3 in said container,
- on ferme de manière étanche au gaz ladite ouverture 2 du conteneur 1 , sous atmosphère non oxydante 4.  the opening 2 of the container 1 is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4.
Par « remplissage à refus », on entend le remplissage complet ou quasi complet, du volume interne dudit conteneur par lesdits produits et ledit liquide. Cela est en opposition avec le remplissage « sous jus limité », par lequel le volume interne dudit conteneur rempli desdits produits n'est pas complété totalement de liquide, des interstices restant entre les produits.  By "refusal filling" is meant the complete or almost complete filling of the internal volume of said container by said products and said liquid. This is in contrast with the "limited juice" filling, whereby the internal volume of said filled container of said products is not completely filled with liquid, gaps remaining between the products.
Selon un mode de réalisation, les conteneurs 1 peuvent être des boîtes métalliques qui peuvent présenter une épaisseur de paroi inférieure ou égale à 0,15 mm, par exemple 0,12 mm.  According to one embodiment, the containers 1 may be metal cans which may have a wall thickness less than or equal to 0.15 mm, for example 0.12 mm.
L'atmosphère non oxydant peut être du N2, du CO2 ou un autre gaz non oxydant, ou encore un mélange de ces gaz. The non-oxidizing atmosphere may be N 2 , CO 2 or other non-oxidizing gas, or a mixture of these gases.
Selon un mode de réalisation, le liquide 3 de remplissage utilisé pour chasser l'air du conteneur, par remplissage à refus, peut être préalablement dégazé. Le liquide 3 peut être, par exemple, de l'eau.  According to one embodiment, the filling liquid 3 used to expel air from the container, by refusal filling, can be degassed beforehand. The liquid 3 may be, for example, water.
Selon un mode de réalisation, le procédé peut en outre présenter une étape additionnelle dans laquelle on remplit le conteneur d'un liquide final, notamment jus alimentaire, sous atmosphère non oxydante ; le procédé comprend alors les étapes suivantes :  According to one embodiment, the method may also have an additional step in which the container is filled with a final liquid, especially food juice, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere; the method then comprises the following steps:
- on remplit le conteneur avec les produits notamment alimentaires sous atmosphère non contrôlée,  the container is filled with the products in particular food under an uncontrolled atmosphere,
- on chasse l'air du conteneur 1 par remplissage d'un liquide 3 à refus,  the air is expelled from the container 1 by filling a refusal liquid 3,
- on dispose le conteneur 1 rempli à refus dans une atmosphère non oxydante 4, constituée d'au moins un gaz non oxydant,the container 1 filled with refusal is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4, consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas,
- on vide le conteneur du liquide, en tout ou partie, sous atmosphère non oxydante, en maintenant lesdits produits notamment alimentaires dans ledit conteneur, de sorte que ledit au moins un gaz non oxydant remplace le liquide dans ledit conteneur 1 , the container of the liquid is totally or partially emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, while maintaining the said food products in particular in the said container, so that the at least one non-oxidizing gas replaces the liquid in the said container 1,
- on remplit ledit conteneur d'un liquide final 6 notamment un jus alimentaire tel qu'une sauce, sous atmosphère non oxydante, partiellement,  said container is filled with a final liquid 6, in particular a food juice such as a sauce, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, partially,
- on ferme de manière étanche au gaz ladite ouverture du conteneur, sous atmosphère non oxydante.  said container opening is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
Avantageusement, le procédé, conforme à l'invention, peut être mis en œuvre sur une ligne de production continue, comprenant une enceinte 1 1 , tel qu'un tunnel, sous atmosphère non oxydante 4, remplie dudit au moins un gaz non oxydant 5. Cette enceinte 1 1 est munie de moyens de convoyage permettant l'avancement des conteneurs en continu.  Advantageously, the method, according to the invention, can be implemented on a continuous production line, comprising an enclosure 1 1, such as a tunnel, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4, filled with said at least one non-oxidizing gas. This enclosure 1 1 is provided with conveying means for advancing the containers continuously.
L'étape de vidage du liquide 3 peut être avantageusement mise en oeuvre en continu, au moyen d'un dispositif de retournement 12 de conteneur, interne au tunnel 11. Le dispositif 12 peut comprendre selon un exemple de réalisation des guides destinés à engager avec lesdits conteneurs 1 , lors de l'avancement desdits conteneurs, de sorte à tourner ledit conteneur autour d'un axe transverse dudit conteneur en imposant une trajectoire en spirale desdits conteneurs. En outre, des moyens permettent de maintenir les produits alimentaires, non liquides, dans le conteneur 1 lors du retournement.  The liquid emptying step 3 may advantageously be carried out continuously, by means of a container reversal device 12, internal to the tunnel 11. The device 12 may comprise, according to one exemplary embodiment, guides intended to engage with said containers 1, during the advancement of said containers, so as to turn said container about a transverse axis of said container by imposing a spiral path of said containers. In addition, means are used to keep the food products, non-liquid, in the container 1 during the turnaround.
Un tel dispositif de retournement 12 est connu en soi de l'état de la technique, usuellement dénommé « chantourneur » par l'homme du métier. Le document EP-0.070.195 en est un exemple.  Such a turning device 12 is known per se of the state of the art, usually referred to as "scrubber" by those skilled in the art. EP-0.070.195 is an example thereof.
Les moyens 14 permettant de maintenir les produits notamment alimentaires, non liquides, lors du retournement dans ledit conteneur 1 , peuvent être constitués par une paroi ajourée du dispositif sur laquelle sera plaquée l'ouverture 2 du conteneur lors de son retournement. Alternativement, ces moyens peuvent être constitués par un couvercle ajouré 44, temporaire, mis en place en amont du dispositif de retournement 12, puis retiré en aval de ce dispositif de retournement 12 (voir figure 1). The means 14 making it possible to keep the food products, in particular non-liquid products, during the overturning in said container 1, may be constituted by a perforated wall of the device on which the opening 2 of the container will be placed during its inversion. Alternatively, these means can be constituted by a perforated lid 44, temporary, put in place upstream of the turning device 12, and then removed downstream of this turning device 12 (see Figure 1).
D'autres dispositifs de retournement peuvent être envisagés. Par exemple, le dispositif de retournement peut comprendre des supports de conteneur 70, individuels, destinés chacun à maintenir un conteneur.  Other reversing devices can be envisaged. For example, the turning device may comprise individual container supports 70, each intended to hold a container.
Un mécanisme comprenant notamment une came et un suiveur de came ou encore un actionneur peut permettre de commander au retournement chacun des supports de conteneurs 70, puis de repositionner chacun des conteneurs l'ouverture vers le haut.  A mechanism including in particular a cam and a cam follower or an actuator can be used to control each of the container supports 70 upside down and then to reposition each of the containers with the opening upwards.
Par exemple, chaque support de conteneur 70, peut selon les exemples des figures 3 et 4, comprendre une pince avec un premier mors 71 et un deuxième mors 72.  For example, each container support 70 may, according to the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, comprise a clamp with a first jaw 71 and a second jaw 72.
Le support de conteneur 60 se saisit d'un conteneur en rapprochant les mors 71 , 72 l'un vers l'autre, alors que le conteneur repose sur le mors inférieur (deuxième mors 72 tel qu'illustré à la figure 3).  The container support 60 seizes a container by moving the jaws 71, 72 towards each other, while the container rests on the lower jaw (second jaw 72 as shown in Figure 3).
Le mors supérieur (premier mors 71) vient alors en butée avec le conteneur 1 , recouvrant l'ouverture 2 du conteneur 1.  The upper jaw (first jaw 71) then abuts with the container 1, covering the opening 2 of the container 1.
Une fois saisi, un mécanisme permet le retournement conjoint du support 70 et de son conteneur 1 , notamment autour d'un axe de pivot 73 du support 70, afin de vider le liquide du conteneur.  Once grasped, a mechanism allows the joint to turn over the support 70 and its container 1, in particular around a pivot axis 73 of the support 70, in order to empty the liquid from the container.
Avantageusement, le premier mors 71 comprend une paroi ajourée, recouvrant l'ouverture 2 qui permet de maintenir les produits non liquides dans le conteneur (figure 4).  Advantageously, the first jaw 71 comprises a perforated wall covering the opening 2 which keeps the non-liquid products in the container (Figure 4).
L'étape de fermeture de l'ouverture 2 du conteneur 1 peut être réalisée au moins par la mise en place d'un couvercle 15, sous atmosphère non oxydante. Le procédé peut prévoir en outre une étape dans laquelle on sertit le couvercle 15 à ladite boîte métallique. Cette étape de sertissage peut être mise en œuvre soit sous atmosphère non oxydante, soit sous atmosphère non contrôlée.  The step of closing the opening 2 of the container 1 can be performed at least by the establishment of a lid 15, in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The method may further include a step in which the lid 15 is crimped to said canister. This crimping step may be carried out either in a non-oxidizing atmosphere or in an uncontrolled atmosphere.
L'invention concerne également une installation 10 convenant pour le conditionnement de produits alimentaires, non liquides, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène dans un conteneur 1 sous faible teneur en oxygène, sur une ligne de production continue. The invention also relates to an installation 10 suitable for the packaging of foodstuffs, which are non-liquid, in particular oxygen sensitive in a container 1 under low oxygen, on a continuous production line.
Le conteneur 1 présente une ouverture 2 et peut être une boîte métallique, telle que précédemment décrite.  The container 1 has an opening 2 and can be a metal box, as previously described.
Ladite installation 10 comprend, selon le sens d'avancement des conteneurs 1 , successivement :  Said installation 10 comprises, according to the direction of advance of the containers 1, successively:
- des moyens de remplissage 20 desdits conteneurs avec un liquide 3, à refus, sous atmosphère non contrôlée,  filling means 20 of said containers with a liquid 3, to refuse, under an uncontrolled atmosphere,
- une enceinte, telle qu'un tunnel, sous atmosphère non oxydante, rempli d'un gaz non oxydant 5,  an enclosure, such as a tunnel, under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, filled with a non-oxidizing gas 5,
- un dispositif 50, 60 de fermeture de manière étanche de l'ouverture 2 dudit conteneur 1 (non illustré).  a device 50, 60 sealingly closing the opening 2 of said container 1 (not shown).
Ladite enceinte 11 est munie de moyens de convoyage permettant l'avancement desdits conteneurs 1 , en continu, et reçoit un dispositif de retournement 12 de conteneurs, interne audit tunnel permettant de vider le liquide 3 desdits conteneurs, et des moyens permettant de maintenir les produits alimentaires, non liquides, dans ledit conteneur lors du retournement. Le dispositif 12 peut comprendre des guides destinés à engager avec lesdits conteneurs lors de l'avancement de sorte à tourner le conteneur autour d'un axe transverse dudit conteneur en imposant une trajectoire en spirale desdits conteneurs. Alternativement, le dispositif peut mettre en œuvre les supports de conteneur 70 précédemment décrits.  Said chamber 11 is provided with conveying means for advancing said containers 1, continuously, and receives a container reversal device 12, internal to said tunnel for emptying the liquid 3 of said containers, and means for maintaining the products. foodstuffs, not liquid, in said container during the turnaround. The device 12 may comprise guides for engaging with said containers during advancement so as to rotate the container about a transverse axis of said container by imposing a spiral path of said containers. Alternatively, the device can implement the container supports 70 previously described.
Tels qu'illustrés selon l'exemple de la figure 1, les conteneurs 1 , notamment les boîtes métalliques, peuvent être convoyés sur la ligne de production les uns à la suite des autres, en ligne. L'avancement des conteneurs est obtenu par la mise en butée des conteneurs les uns avec les autres, un conteneur amont poussant un conteneur aval.  As illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the containers 1, in particular the metal cans, can be conveyed on the production line one after the other, in line. The advancement of the containers is obtained by the abutment of the containers with each other, an upstream container pushing a container downstream.
Les moyens de remplissage 20 peuvent être constitués par une rampe d'alimentation en liquide pourvue de plusieurs buses alimentant en liquide les conteneurs. Sur cette zone, les conteneurs 2 sont positionnés debout, l'ouverture du conteneur en partie haute. Après remplissage, les conteneurs entrent à l'une des extrémités 21 de l'enceinte 1 1 (tunnel) qui peut comprendre un sas assurant une certaine étanchéité entre l'atmosphère intérieure du tunnel, non oxydante, et l'atmosphère extérieure (air ambiant). Les conteneurs 1 ressortent de ce tunnel à l'autre extrémité 30 de l'enceinte 1 1 par l'intermédiaire notamment d'un sas destiné à assurer une certaine étanchéité entre l'atmosphère interne du tunnel et l'atmosphère extérieure. The filling means 20 may be constituted by a liquid supply ramp provided with a plurality of nozzles supplying the containers with liquid. In this zone, the containers 2 are positioned upright, the opening of the container at the top. After filling, the containers enter at one end 21 of the chamber 1 1 (tunnel) which may include an airlock providing a certain seal between the interior atmosphere of the tunnel, non-oxidizing, and the outside atmosphere (ambient air ). The containers 1 emerge from this tunnel at the other end 30 of the enclosure 1 1 through, in particular, an airlock intended to ensure a certain degree of sealing between the internal atmosphere of the tunnel and the external atmosphere.
Le volume intérieur de l'enceinte est maintenu sous atmosphère non oxydante 4 maintenu en légère surpression par l'intermédiaire de moyens d'ajutage 40, en gaz non oxydant 5.  The internal volume of the enclosure is maintained under a non-oxidizing atmosphere 4 maintained in slight overpressure by means of nozzle means 40, non-oxidizing gas 5.
Le dispositif de retournement 12 du conteneur est prévu interne à l'enceinte 11. Ce dispositif 12 comprend, selon l'exemple de la figure 1 , des guides destinés à engager avec le conteneur lors de l'avancement desdits conteneurs de sorte à tourner ledit conteneur autour d'un axe transverse dudit conteneur en imposant une trajectoire en spirale desdits conteneurs permettant ainsi de vider ledit conteneur.  The overturning device 12 of the container is provided internally to the enclosure 11. This device 12 comprises, according to the example of FIG. 1, guides intended to engage with the container during the advancement of said containers so as to turn said container around a transverse axis of said container by imposing a spiral trajectory of said containers thus emptying said container.
Tels qu'illustrés, les conteneurs 1 entrent à l'une extrémité du dispositif 12 (illustré en pointillés) debout, l'ouverture du conteneur orientée vers le haut (indiqué par la flèche), puis sont retournés afin de vider le conteneur en tout ou partie.  As illustrated, the containers 1 enter at one end of the device 12 (shown in dashed lines) standing, the container opening facing upwards (indicated by the arrow), and are returned to empty the container at all. or part.
Ils sont réorientés par le dispositif 12 afin que l'ouverture 2 du conteneur soit orientée vers le haut en sortie. Eventuellement, le conteneur 1 peut passer par une position intermédiaire, retourné à 180°, tel que cela est illustré à la figure 1.  They are reoriented by the device 12 so that the opening 2 of the container is oriented upwardly at the outlet. Optionally, the container 1 can pass through an intermediate position, returned to 180 °, as shown in FIG.
Les moyens permettant de maintenir les produits alimentaires non liquides dans le conteneur 1 , lors du retournement, peuvent être constitués par un couvercle ajouré 14, qui est mis en place sur l'ouverture du conteneur 2, avant son entrée dans le dispositif 12, puis retiré en sortie du dispositif 12 tel qu'illustré à la figure 1.  The means making it possible to keep the non-liquid food products in the container 1, during the overturning, can be constituted by a perforated lid 14, which is placed on the opening of the container 2, before it enters the device 12, then removed at the output of the device 12 as shown in Figure 1.
Alternativement, ces moyens peuvent être constitués par une paroi ajourée du dispositif 12 sur lequel sera plaquée l'ouverture 2 du conteneur lors de son retournement. Alternatively, these means may be constituted by a perforated wall of the device 12 on which will be plated the opening 2 of the container during its turnaround.
Un drain 17 peut être prévu, à l'aplomb, en dessous du dispositif 12 pour la récupération et l'évacuation de liquides s'échappant dudit dispositif 12.  A drain 17 may be provided, vertically, below the device 12 for the recovery and evacuation of liquids escaping from said device 12.
L'installation 10 peut présenter en outre, tel qu'illustré à la figure 1 , des moyens d'alimentation 16 d'un liquide final 6, tel qu'un jus alimentaire intérieur à l'enceinte 11. Ces moyens d'alimentation 16 comprennent des moyens de dosage et permettent de remplir partiellement les conteneurs d'un jus alimentaire 6, tel que par exemple une sauce.  The installation 10 may furthermore have, as illustrated in FIG. 1, feed means 16 for a final liquid 6, such as a food juice inside the enclosure 11. These feed means 16 comprise dosing means and allow to partially fill the containers with a food juice 6, such as for example a sauce.
Enfin, un dispositif 60 peut permettre la mise en place d'un couvercle 15 sur l'ouverture 2 du conteneur 1 , afin de maintenir le gaz non oxydant en place dans le conteneur 1. Une sertisseuse 50, atmosphérique, voire une sertisseuse sous pression de gaz non oxydant interne à l'enceinte 11 , peut permettre successivement de solidariser le couvercle à ladite boîte.  Finally, a device 60 can allow the introduction of a lid 15 on the opening 2 of the container 1, in order to maintain the non-oxidizing gas in place in the container 1. A crimper 50, atmospheric, or even a pressure crimper of non-oxidizing gas internal to the enclosure 11, can successively to secure the lid to said box.
II est à noter que le demandeur a déposé le même jour une demande de brevet sur un procédé de conditionnement de produits notamment alimentaires sensibles à l'oxygène, spécialement destiné pour des produits liquides et qui comprend également pour principe général de remplir le conteneur à refus afin de chasser l'air du conteneur, de disposer le conteneur dans une atmosphère non oxydante, et de vider le conteneur du liquide, partiellement, avant de refermer le conteneur de manière étanche au gaz.  It should be noted that the applicant filed the same day a patent application on a process for packaging oxygen-sensitive food products, especially for liquid products, which also includes the general principle of filling the refusal container. in order to expel the air from the container, to arrange the container in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, and to empty the container of the liquid, partially, before closing the container in a gas-tight manner.
Naturellement, d'autres modes de réalisation auraient pu être envisagés par l'homme du métier, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention définie par les revendications ci-après.  Naturally, other embodiments could have been envisaged by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Procédé de conditionnement de produits notamment, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène, non liquides, tels que par exemple des légumes dans un conteneur (1 ) sous faible teneur en oxygène, ledit conteneur présentant une ouverture (2), caractérisé en ce que ledit procédé comprend les étapes suivantes :  1. A method of packaging especially non-liquid oxygen-sensitive products such as, for example, vegetables in a low-oxygen container (1), said container having an opening (2), characterized in that said process comprises the following steps:
- on remplit le conteneur (1) avec les produits, sous atmosphère non contrôlée,  the container (1) is filled with the products, under an uncontrolled atmosphere,
- on chasse l'air du conteneur (1) par remplissage d'un liquide (3) à refus,  the air is expelled from the container (1) by filling a liquid (3) with a refusal,
- on dispose le conteneur (1 ) rempli à refus dans une atmosphère non oxydante (4) constituée d'au moins un gaz non oxydant (5),  the refuse-filled container (1) is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere (4) consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas (5),
- on vide le conteneur (1) du liquide (3), en tout ou partie, sous atmosphère non oxydante (4) en maintenant lesdits produits dans ledit conteneur de sorte que ledit au moins un gaz non oxydant (5) remplace ledit liquide (3) dans ledit conteneur (1),  the container (1) of the liquid (3) is totally or partially emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere (4) by keeping said products in said container so that said at least one non-oxidizing gas (5) replaces said liquid ( 3) in said container (1),
- on ferme de manière étanche au gaz ladite ouverture (2) du conteneur (1), sous atmosphère non oxydante (4).  the said opening (2) of the container (1) is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere (4).
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 , dans lequel on dégaze ledit liquide (3) de remplissage, préalablement à ladite étape de remplissage dudit conteneur avec ledit liquide (3).  2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said filler liquid (3) is degassed prior to said step of filling said container with said liquid (3).
3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, comprenant les étapes suivantes :  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the following steps:
- on remplit le conteneur (1) avec les produits sous atmosphère non contrôlée,  the container (1) is filled with the products under an uncontrolled atmosphere,
- on chasse l'air du conteneur (1) par remplissage d'un liquide the air is expelled from the container (1) by filling a liquid
(3) à refus, (3) refusal,
- on dispose le conteneur (1) rempli à refus dans une atmosphère non oxydante (4) constituée d'au moins un gaz non oxydant,  the refuse-filled container (1) is placed in a non-oxidizing atmosphere (4) consisting of at least one non-oxidizing gas,
- on vide le conteneur (1) du liquide (3), en tout ou partie, sous atmosphère non oxydante (4) en maintenant lesdits produits dans ledit conteneur de sorte que ledit au moins un gaz non oxydant remplace ledit liquide dans ledit conteneur, the container (1) of the liquid (3), in whole or in part, is emptied under a non-oxidizing atmosphere (4) while maintaining said products in said container such that said at least one non-oxidizing gas replaces said liquid in said container,
- on remplit ledit conteneur d'un liquide final (6), sous atmosphère non oxydante, partiellement,  said container is filled with a final liquid (6), under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, partially,
- on ferme de manière étanche au gaz ladite ouverture (2) du conteneur (1 ), sous atmosphère non oxydante.  the said opening (2) of the container (1) is closed in a gastight manner under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendication 1 à 3, mis en œuvre sur une ligne de production continue comprenant une enceinte (1 1 ) sous atmosphère non oxydante (4), remplie dudit au moins un gaz non oxydant (5), ladite enceinte (1 1) étant munie de moyens de convoyage permettant l'avancement desdits conteneurs en continu, l'étape de vidage dudit liquide (3) étant mise en œuvre au moyen d'un dispositif de retournement (12) de conteneurs, interne à ladite enceinte (1 1 ) équipée, de moyens (14) permettant de maintenir les produits alimentaires, non liquides, dans ledit conteneur (1 ) lors du retournement.  4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, implemented on a continuous production line comprising a chamber (1 1) in a non-oxidizing atmosphere (4), filled with said at least one non-oxidizing gas (5), said enclosure (1 1) being provided with conveying means for advancing said containers continuously, the step of emptying said liquid (3) being implemented by means of a container reversal device (12), internal to said enclosure (1 1) equipped with means (14) for holding food products, non-liquid, in said container (1) during the turnaround.
5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel les conteneurs (1 ) sont des boîtes métalliques.  5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the containers (1) are metal cans.
6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les boîtes métalliques présentent une épaisseur de paroi inférieure ou égale à 0, 15 millimètre, par exemple 0,12 millimètre.  6. The method of claim 5, wherein the metal cans have a wall thickness less than or equal to 0.15 millimeters, for example 0.12 millimeters.
7. Procédé selon la revendication 5 ou 6, dans lequel l'étape de fermeture de llouverture dudit conteneur est réalisée au moins par la mise en place d'un couvercle (15).  7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the step of closing the opening of said container is performed at least by the establishment of a lid (15).
8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel on sertit le couvercle (15) à ladite boîte métallique.  8. The method of claim 7, wherein the lid (15) is crimped to said canister.
9. Installation (10) convenant pour le conditionnement de produits notamment, en particulier sensibles à l'oxygène, non liquides, dans un conteneur (1) sous faible teneur en oxygène, sur une ligne de production en continu, ledit conteneur (1) présentant une ouverture (2), ladite installation comprenant, selon le sens d'avancement des conteneurs (1), successivement :  9. Apparatus (10) suitable for packaging especially non-liquid, in particular oxygen-sensitive, products in a container (1) under low oxygen content, on a continuous production line, said container (1) having an opening (2), said installation comprising, according to the direction of advance of the containers (1), successively:
- des moyens de remplissage (20) en continu desdits conteneurs avec un liquide (3), à refus, - Filling means (20) continuously said containers with a liquid (3), to refuse,
- une enceinte (11 ) sous atmosphère non oxydante (4), remplie d'un gaz non oxydant (5), ladite enceinte (11) étant munie de moyens de convoyage permettant l'avancement desdits conteneurs (1 ) en continu, recevant un dispositif de retournement (12) de conteneurs, interne à ladite enceinte (1 1), permettant de vider le liquide (3) desdits conteneurs équipé de moyens (14) permettant de maintenir les produits alimentaires, non liquides, dans ledit conteneur (1 ).  - an enclosure (11) in a non-oxidizing atmosphere (4), filled with a non-oxidizing gas (5), said enclosure (11) being provided with conveying means for advancing said containers (1) continuously, receiving a container reversal device (12), internal to said enclosure (1 1), for emptying the liquid (3) from said containers equipped with means (14) for holding the non-liquid food products in said container (1) .
- un dispositif (50, 60) de fermeture de manière étanche de l'ouverture (2) dudit conteneur (1).  - A device (50, 60) sealingly closing the opening (2) of said container (1).
10. Utilisation dudit procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, ou de l'installation selon la revendication 9 pour le conditionnement de produits alimentaires tels que morceaux de légumes ou viande.  10. Use of said method according to one of claims 1 to 8, or the installation according to claim 9 for the packaging of food products such as pieces of vegetables or meat.
EP11764801.4A 2010-09-20 2011-09-19 Method for packaging non-liquid food products, in particular those sensitive to oxygen, in a container with a low oxygen content Active EP2509874B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL11764801T PL2509874T3 (en) 2010-09-20 2011-09-19 Method for packaging non-liquid food products, in particular those sensitive to oxygen, in a container with a low oxygen content

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1003723A FR2964949B1 (en) 2010-09-20 2010-09-20 PROCESS FOR PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS, NON-LIQUID, ESPECIALLY OXYGEN-SENSITIVE, IN A CONTAINER WITH LOW OXYGEN CONTENT.
PCT/FR2011/000505 WO2012038615A1 (en) 2010-09-20 2011-09-19 Method for packaging non-liquid food products, in particular those sensitive to oxygen, in a container with a low oxygen content

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2509874A1 true EP2509874A1 (en) 2012-10-17
EP2509874B1 EP2509874B1 (en) 2014-07-02

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US (1) US9227747B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2509874B1 (en)
CA (1) CA2786985C (en)
DK (1) DK2509874T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2508665T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2964949B1 (en)
PL (1) PL2509874T3 (en)
PT (1) PT2509874E (en)
RS (1) RS53517B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2507131C1 (en)
WO (1) WO2012038615A1 (en)

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FR2964950B1 (en) * 2010-09-20 2012-08-31 Bonduelle Sa Ets PROCESS FOR PACKAGING A LIQUID PRODUCT
DE102011106760A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2013-01-10 Khs Gmbh Method and linear system for filling containers with a product
US10834945B1 (en) * 2015-01-30 2020-11-17 Daniel Leon Cook Methods of high pressure processing and products produced therewith
JP6534315B2 (en) * 2015-08-24 2019-06-26 三菱重工機械システム株式会社 Gas replacement system and gas replacement method
RU2672026C1 (en) * 2018-02-22 2018-11-08 Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Рязанский государственный агротехнологический университет имени П.А. Костычева" Method for packing agricultural products and feeds, in particular, sensitive to oxygen exposure
FR3093328B1 (en) 2019-02-28 2021-02-19 Bonduelle Sa Ets Product packaging process
JP6878517B2 (en) * 2019-08-02 2021-05-26 メロディアン株式会社 Manufacturing method of subdivided container containing cooking oil

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PT2509874E (en) 2014-09-24
FR2964949A1 (en) 2012-03-23
US9227747B2 (en) 2016-01-05
PL2509874T3 (en) 2015-01-30
EP2509874B1 (en) 2014-07-02
RS53517B1 (en) 2015-02-27
WO2012038615A1 (en) 2012-03-29
DK2509874T3 (en) 2014-10-06
CA2786985C (en) 2014-11-18
US20120308699A1 (en) 2012-12-06
RU2507131C1 (en) 2014-02-20
CA2786985A1 (en) 2012-03-29
FR2964949B1 (en) 2012-08-31
ES2508665T3 (en) 2014-10-16

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