EP2582583B1 - Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products - Google Patents

Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2582583B1
EP2582583B1 EP11728136.0A EP11728136A EP2582583B1 EP 2582583 B1 EP2582583 B1 EP 2582583B1 EP 11728136 A EP11728136 A EP 11728136A EP 2582583 B1 EP2582583 B1 EP 2582583B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
food product
film
bar
leading
sealing
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.)
Active
Application number
EP11728136.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2582583A1 (en
Inventor
Solon Filho Rodrigues
Jose Antonio Azevedo Gomes
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.)
Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
Original Assignee
Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
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 Intercontinental Great Brands LLC filed Critical Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
Priority to PL11728136T priority Critical patent/PL2582583T3/pl
Publication of EP2582583A1 publication Critical patent/EP2582583A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2582583B1 publication Critical patent/EP2582583B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/06—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths
    • B65B11/38—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a combination of straight and curved paths
    • B65B11/40—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a combination of straight and curved paths to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents
    • B65B11/44—Wrapping articles, or quantities of material, by conveying wrapper and contents in common defined paths in a combination of straight and curved paths to fold the wrappers in tubular form about contents the ends of the tube being subsequently twisted
    • 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
    • B65B25/005—Packaging other articles presenting special problems packaging of confectionery
    • 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
    • B65B51/02—Applying adhesives or sealing liquids
    • 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
    • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
    • 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
    • B65B51/14—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof by reciprocating or oscillating members
    • B65B51/146—Closing bags

Definitions

  • Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products are described herein and, in particular, apparatus and methods for wrapping food products in films that are at least partially sealed about the food product.
  • One type of packaging for a food product such as a chocolate, bonbon or other confectionary, is made by wrapping a sheet of film about the food product to form a tube and then twisting the open ends of the tube closed.
  • this type of packaging is adequate and acceptable.
  • this type of package is not sealed. Instead, it relies upon the twisting of the ends to keep the package closed.
  • one type of machinery used for forming this type of unsealed packaging for the food product includes a feed wheel for moving a food product into position beneath a sheet of film.
  • An elevator is provided for lifting the food product and hence the film past a stationary downstream folding bar and a stationary upstream folding bar to fold the film into a U-shaped configuration about the food product.
  • a counter elevator is also provided for supporting the film on the food product during the lifting by the elevator.
  • a pair of grippers can grasp the food product from the top to enable the elevator to retract.
  • a moveable upstream folding bar can be moved toward the stationary downstream folding bar and beneath the food product to cause the depending leading and trailing edge portions of the film to overlap beneath the food product and form an unsecured tube.
  • the grippers can then rotate to advance the food product to where a pair of twisting devices grasp the open ends of the tube and twist the film to enclose the food product.
  • a pair of twisting devices grasp the open ends of the tube and twist the film to enclose the food product.
  • CMY55CD Model No. CMY55CD, available from Carle & Montanari S.p.A., Rozzano, Italy.
  • a pre-applied adhesive pattern can be applied to the sheet of film prior to wrapping about the food product.
  • the pre-applied adhesive pattern can have one or more adhesive deposits positioned such that opposing edge portions of the film can be pressed together to form a fin seal during the course of forming the tube about the food product.
  • the same or different adhesive deposits can cooperate to form a seal during the twisting of the ends of the food product.
  • suitable adhesive patterns are described in U.S. Appl. No. 12/408,513, filed March 23, 2009 . While the above-described machinery is suitable for forming the unsealed packaging for food products described above, it is not configured for forming the sealed packages using the sheets of film having pre-applied adhesives in high speed commercial production.
  • a bonbon may be generally round, but having a flattened bottom and an irregular surface. This shape can make the bonbon difficult to consistently maintain in proper orientation during packaging. Furthermore, the manipulation of the bonbon and contact with surfaces of the equipment can generate chocolate dust, which can impede packaging equipment operation.
  • a method of wrapping a food product includes positioning a sheet of film over the food product.
  • the method further includes lifting the food product and the film and folding leading and trailing edge portions of the film about the food product using a downstream folding bar and upstream folding bar during the step of lifting the food product and the film, supporting the food product by gripping the food product between an upstream and downstream gripper and moving a sealing bar against the downstream folding bar to seal the leading and trailing edge portions of the film about the food product wherein the step of moving the sealing bar against the downstream folding bar includes biasing the sealing bar relative to the support for the sealing bar to accommodate variations in the size and orientation of the food product during sealing of the leading and trailing edge portions of the film about the food product.
  • the method may-further include twisting open ends of the tube to enclose the tube.
  • the method may include supporting the bottom of the food product to lift both the food product and the film.
  • the method may also include supporting the sides of the food product prior to the step of moving the sealing bar against the leading folding bar to seal the leading and trailing edge portions of the film about the food product.
  • the method may include passing the sealing bar beneath at least a portion of the food product during the sealing of the edge portions of the film.
  • the method may also include removing support for the bottom of the food product prior to the step of passing the sealing bar beneath at least a portion of the food product.
  • the method may also include advancing the food product in a downstream direction using the upstream and downstream grippers after the step of moving a sealing bar against the leading folding bar to seal the leading and trailing edge portions of the film about the food product.
  • the method may also include the step of folding lateral sides of the film about the food product when the sealing bar is advancing.
  • the method may also include, biasing the sealing bar relative to a support for the sealing bar to accommodate variations in the size of the food product and/or orientation of the food product during sealing of the leading and trailing edge portions of the film about the food product.
  • Equipment for wrapping a food product includes a retractable lift for contacting a bottom of the food product and lifting the food product from a first position to a second position. Also included is a pair of lateral supports for supporting a sheet of film above the food product in the first position and having a gap between the supports for the food product to pass through. An upstream folding bar and a downstream folding bar are positioned to fold leading and trailing portions of the film about the food product when the food product is lifted from the first position to the second position.
  • the equipment also includes a pair of grippers for contacting sides of the food product with the film thereabout to support the food product in the second position, when the lift is retracted.
  • a sealing bar is provided that is movable against the downstream folding bar and beneath the food product in the second position for sealing the leading and trailing portions of the film together to form a tube about the food product.
  • the sealing bar can optionally be spring-biased relative to a sealing bar support and the sealing bar support can be rotatable about a pivot axis to move the sealing bar against the downstream folding member.
  • the grippers can be mounted to arms that are rotatable about the same pivot axis to move the food product with the film thereabout from the second position to a third position whereby a twisting mechanism twists opposing open ends of the tube to enclose the food product in the film.
  • a segmented feed roller can be positioned upstream of the lateral supports for feeding the film to the lateral supports.
  • the lateral supports may be coated with a friction-reducing material to facilitate movement of the film thereover.
  • the film may have a pre-applied adhesive pattern in the leading and trailing edge portions such that the adhesive pattern cooperates to form a fin seal following the step of moving the sealing bar against the leading folding bar to seal the leading and trailing edge portions of the film about the food product.
  • the pre-applied adhesive pattern can surround an adhesive- free space that is sized to accommodate the food product and the adhesive pattern does not extend to at least one edge of the film.
  • the film may be twisted on opposite sides of the food product in areas that include the adhesive pattern to form end seals.
  • Apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed package about a food product. While any suitable type of food product can be contained in the sealed package, the apparatus and methods are particularly suitable for use with confectionaries, such as candies, chocolates and bonbons, including generally round confectionaries. Unlike conventional apparatus and methods, described above, for wrapping a film around a food product, a sheet of film having a pre-applied adhesive is wrapped around the food product. The adhesive is positioned on the film so that a fin seal is formed between leading and trailing edge portions of the film in the course of forming a tube about the food product.
  • a sealing bar is pressed against a downstream one of a pair of folding bars when the film is partially wrapped around the food product in an inverted U-shape to press opposing sealing zones of the film together between the sealing bar and the downstream folding bar.
  • Adhesive is also positioned on the film so that during the twisting of the open ends of the tube to enclose the food product a seal is formed at each end.
  • a sheet of film 10 is cut from a spool of film (not shown), as is conventional in the art.
  • the cut sheet of film 10 is advanced through a sheet in-feed until it is disposed above the food product 12 in a first position.
  • the food product 12 is moved into its first position using a food product wheel (not shown), as is known in the art.
  • the food product 12 is then lifted to a second position, elevated from the first position. By virtue of lifting the food product 12, the overlying sheet of film 10 is also lifted.
  • leading and trailing edge portions 10a and 10b of the film 10 are folded downwardly about the food product 12 such that the film 10 is in an inverted U-shape.
  • the leading and trailing edge potions 10a and 10b of the film 10 are pressed together while the food product is in the second position. Due to the pre-applied adhesive pattern on the film 10, pressing together the leading and trailing edge portions 10a and 10b of the film 10 forms a tube 10c having a fin seal 10d and disposed about the food product 12. As the tube 10c is advanced, this fin seal 10d folds against the portion of the tube 10c beneath the food product 12.
  • a sealing station generally includes a pair of lateral supports 32 for supporting the cut sheet of film 10 above the food product 12 in its first position, as illustrated in FIGURE 1 .
  • a lifting device 14, such as an elevator, is disposed beneath the food product 12 and can move upward to lift the food product 12 and hence the film 10 overlying the food product.
  • a counter-elevator 15, illustrated in FIGURE 8 and as provided with the aforementioned Carle & Montanari machinery, can be brought into contact with the top of the food product 12, with the film 10 therebetween, to support the food product 12 and the film 10 as they are being lifted by the lifting device 14.
  • the use of the lifting device 14 on the bottom of the food product 12 and the counter-elevator 15 on the top of the food product 12 can hold the food product 12 therebetween in a secure manner.
  • Securely holding the food product 12 and film 10 is particularly advantageous when the food product 12 is rounded in shape, as the film 10 can tend to slide off of a preferred orientation on the food product 12 unless sufficiently held in place, which is particularly important when the food product 12 is to be aligned with an adhesive pattern on the film 10.
  • the sealing station also includes a stationary upstream folding bar 16 and a stationary downstream folding bar 18.
  • the folding bars 16 and 18 include portions that are positioned to contact the leading and trailing 10a and 10b edge portions of the film 10 when the film 10 is lifted upwardly during the course of moving the food product 10 from the first position to the elevated second position, as illustrated in FIGURE 2 .
  • the folding bars 16 and 18 are preferably formed from a material and have a configuration that permits ready sliding of the film 10 there past during the folding of the film 10.
  • the folding bars 16 and 18 preferably lack any sort of vacuum device which could become increasingly blocked during use and necessitate a high cleaning frequency due to the material of the food product 12, such as chocolate dust from a bonbon.
  • the lifting device 14 lifts the food product 12 by contacting the underside of the food product 12. Because the film 10 is disposed above the food product 12 and initially supported on the lateral supports 32, upward movement of the food product 12 from its first position toward its second position will cause the overlying film 10 to also move upwardly. During upward movement of the food product 12 using the lifting device 14, the trailing edge portion 10b of the film 10 contacts the upstream folding bar 16 and the leading edge portion 10a of the film 10 contacts the downstream folding bar 18 to cause the film 10 to fold about the food product into an inverted U-shape, as illustrated in FIGURE 2 , with the leading and trailing edge portions 10a and 10b of the film 10 depending on the upstream and downstream sides, respectively, of the food product 12.
  • the sealing station also includes a pair of grippers 20.
  • the grippers 20 are positioned to contact the front and rear food product 12 (via the intermediary film 10) to grasp the food product 12 therebetween, as illustrated in FIGURE 3 .
  • the grippers 20 are positioned so that the lifting device 14 can be withdrawn back to its initial position, thereby leaving the underside of the food product 12 unsupported.
  • the grippers 20 are each attached to a respective arm 34 that extends upwardly when the food product 12 is in the second position and pivot about a central axis 44 of the equipment, as will be described in greater detail herein.
  • the sealing station further includes the sealing bar 22.
  • the sealing bar 22 is attached in a biased manner relative to a sealing bar support 24, as will be described in greater detail herein.
  • the sealing bar support 24 is in turn mounted to an arm 26 that pivots about the central axis 44 of the equipment.
  • the sealing bar 24 rotates back away from the downstream fold bar 18 and the grippers 20 holding the food product 12 within the tube 10c rotate in a downstream direction, as illustrated in FIGURE 5 .
  • the fin seal 10d will contact the backstop 30 of the downstream folding bar 18 and be folded thereby to a position disposed beneath the food product 12 and against the tube 10c. While this is occurring, a next sheet of film 10 is advanced to the lateral supports 32 and another food product 12 is moved into the first position beneath the next sheet of film 10 and the process repeats itself.
  • the grippers 20 continue to rotate the food product 12 within the tube 10c to a twisting station, whereby a pair of twisting mechanisms each grab an open end portion of the tube 10c and rotate to twist the tube 10c to form a pair of twists 10f on either side of a food compartment 10e.
  • the pre-applied adhesive pattern on the film 10 is preferably such that the formation of the twists 10f adheres facing portions of the film 10 together to form end seals on opposite sides of the food compartment 10e.
  • the end seals at the twists 10f and the fin seal 10d combine to sealingly enclose the food compartment 10e and the food product 12 therein.
  • the pair of grippers 20 are rotatable about the central axis 44, as illustrated in FIGURE 8 . Furthermore, four such pairs of grippers 20 and attached arms 34 are provided as part of a rotating turret. Also rotating about the central axis is the sealing bar 22, via the connection with the sealing bar support 24 and the arm 26, as also illustrated in FIGURE 8 . This arrangement permits the sealing bar 22 to be substituted in place of the moveable upstream folding bar of the aforementioned Carle & Montanari equipment, while advantageously retaining the same drive mechanism.
  • the in-feed station disposed under a cover in FIGURE 8 but depicted with the cover removed in FIGURE 9 , includes a series of plate and a roller positioned to feed the sheets of film 10 to the lateral supports 32. More specifically, the in-feed station includes a first plate 46 disposed upstream from a roller 48.
  • the roller 48 includes a plurality of grooves 50, and preferably six grooves such that seven segments of the roller 48 are present, as illustrated in FIGURE 11 .
  • Downstream of the roller 48 is a second plate 52 having integrated fingers 54 extending upstream and at least partially through the grooves 50 of the roller 48.
  • a third plate 56 Downstream of the first and second plates 46 and 52 is a third plate 56 having a pair of fingers 58 extending downstream for providing the lateral supports 32, as illustrated in FIGURE 12 .
  • the fingers 58 are spaced by a gap 60 that is sized to permit the food product 12 to pass therethrough when moved from the first position to the second position by the lifting device 14.
  • an unwind station 70 Upstream of the in-feed station is an unwind station 70, illustrated in FIGURE 13 , which unwinds a web 9 from a roll of film (not shown).
  • a plurality of rollers or dancers 72 are provided for tensioning the web 9 as it is unwound.
  • the web 9 is fed through downstream rollers 76.
  • a web plate 74 As the web 9 transitions from the rollers 72 to the downstream rollers 76, a web plate 74 is positioned to contact the web 9 for applying tension thereto and guiding prior to the downstream rollers 76.
  • Each of the plates 46, 52, 56 and 74 is preferably configured for reducing the coefficient of friction between the plates 46, 52 and 56 and the sheet of film 10 to permit the film 10 to readily be advanced thereon (or web 9, in the case of the web plate 74). This is particularly important due to the pre-applied adhesive on the underside of the web 9 and thus the film 10, which can cause the film 10 to not readily slide along the plates 46, 52, 56 and 74.
  • the configuration of the plates 46, 52, 56 and 74 can include raised ridges and/or a surface treatment, such as plasma treatment, PlasmaCoat (available from Impreglon Italia srl, Origgio, Italy), Teflon coating or other such friction-reducing methods and materials.
  • the depending leading and trailing edge portions 10a and 10b are not always be spaced the exact same distance apart. Furthermore, the food product 12 and hence the edge portions 10a and 10b of the film 10 are not always in the same precise location of relative to the backstop 30 of the downstream folding bar 18. To accommodate these variations while being able to apply sufficient pressure to cause the seal to form between the pre-applied adhesive portions of the edge portions 10a and 10b of the film, the sealing bar 22 is biased from the sealing bar support 24 using springs.
  • a pair of spring mounts 64 are disposed on the underside of the sealing bar support 24, as illustrated in FIGURE 10 .
  • the spring mounts 64 each have a through bore with a bolt 66 extending therethrough.
  • a spring 68 is positioned about the end of the bolt 66 extending through the bore and between the mount 64 and the sealing bar 22 to bias the sealing bar 22 from the sealing bar support 24.
  • the sealing bar support 24 also includes a pair of inverted U-shaped loops 28 on its upper-facing side.
  • the U-shaped loops 28 are formed from bent bolts, the threaded ends of which extend through apertures in the sealing bar support 24 and are secured using nuts 62.
  • the U-shaped loops are rotatable about their threaded ends and are positioned to assist in folding the film 10 about the lateral sides of the food product 12 during the advancement of the sealing bar 22. This can advantageously assist in ensuring sufficient alignment of the leading and trailing edge portions 10a. and 10b of the film 10 and the pre-applied adhesive thereon during the formation of the fin seal 10d.
  • the film 10 has the pre-applied adhesive 36 disposed in a pattern that surrounds an adhesive-free space 42 that is sized to accommodate the food product 12.
  • the adhesive 36 preferably, though not necessarily, does not extend to at least one edge of the film 10 and, optionally, all edges of the film 10. Portions of the adhesive 36 contact other portions of the adhesive such that the sheet of film 10 can be wrapped to encapsulate the food product 12, and the film 10 is twisted in at least one area, and preferably two areas, that includes the adhesive 36.
  • the adhesive pattern 36 is at least partially arcuate in shape.
  • the adhesive pattern 36 is substantially oval-shaped.
  • the sheet of film 10 may be folded about the food product 12 to form a folded edge or fin seal 10d.
  • food products 12 may be economically and efficiently wrapped, shipped, and offered to the consumer in packaging that resembles the traditional packaging appearance of such food products 10.
  • Such sealing may be hermetic or close to hermetic, thereby affording the food product 12 improved shelf life without the need for an additional, secondary package.
  • the resemblance to the typical double-twist package can be maintained.
  • the pattern of adhesive 36 can be substantially oval-shaped, as illustrated in FIGURE 7 .
  • the pattern of adhesive 36 may be approximately 10 mm to approximately 25 mm in width. By one approach suitable for many application settings of interest, the pattern is approximately 15 mm in width.
  • the width of the adhesive 36 may vary based on factors such as the desired tightness of the seal or the amount and/or size of the food product 12 disposed within the sheet of film 10. For instance, a smaller-sized food product may require a smaller width of adhesive, while a large-sized food product or a plurality of food products may require a larger width of adhesive.
  • the pattern of adhesive 36 may also optionally include one or more additional areas of adhesive 38 on the outer edges of the pattern of adhesive 36.
  • the additional areas of adhesive 38 may provide another sealing point to increase the sealing area and thus the effectiveness (and hermeticity) of the seal.
  • these additional areas of adhesive 38 are substantially shaped as half circles.
  • the additional areas of adhesive 38 may be approximately 3.5 cm 2 to 5 cm 2 .
  • additional areas of less than approximately 2 cm 2 do not noticeably increase the strength or integrity of the seal, while additional areas of greater than 6 cm 2 typically results in wasted adhesive without additional benefit.
  • additional areas of adhesive substantially-shaped as half circles with areas of approximately 4.35 cm 2 may be used.
  • one or more second additional areas of adhesive 40 may be placed in one or more corners of the sheet of film 10. These second additional areas of adhesive 40 enhance the twist-wrapping process by providing another area that seals when pressure is applied by the twist.
  • Those skilled in the art will recognize that different shapes may be used in other approaches to maximize the seal strength and integrity in the same manner as described here.
  • the pattern defines the adhesive-free space 42 that is sized to accommodate the food product 12.
  • the size of the adhesive-free space 42 will vary in relation to the pattern of adhesive 36, and the shape, size, and/or quantity of food product 12 to be wrapped.
  • the adhesive-free space 42 preferably should be sized such that the pattern of adhesive 36 does not contact the edible substance when wrapped.
  • an oval-shaped pattern of adhesive 36 defines an adhesive-free space 42 that is approximately 55 cm 2 to 62 cm 2 in area.
  • the oval-shaped pattern defines an adhesive-free space 42 of approximately 58.8 cm 2 in area.
  • the sheet of film 10 may be comprised of any material suitable for wrapping food products.
  • it may comprise a barrier film or coating with a high level of impermeability to moisture ingress to preserve the freshness of the edible substance contained within it.
  • the level of impermeability that is acceptable will vary based upon the food product contained within the sheet of film, as well as the ratio of packaged surface area of a product to volume of the product. Impermeability may be measured, for instance, using the water vapor transmission rate of ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) test method F1249-90, measured at 38°C and 85% relative humidity.
  • ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
  • the sheet of film 10 may optionally also be comprised of a material with dead fold characteristics. Dead fold is a term used to describe the ability of a material to take and hold a fold without springing back to its original form. Materials may be used that cover a spectrum of dead fold properties. For instance, aluminum foil has excellent dead fold capabilities while polypropylene has little to no dead fold. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the material selected will vary based upon the objectives to be achieved.
  • barrier films or coatings may be monofilms, laminates, waxes, paper, cast films, biaxially-oriented polyester films, biaxially-oriented polypropylene films, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films or the like.
  • the type of barrier used may be product-dependent.
  • a laminate may also serve a decorative function in addition to (or in place of) a barrier function.
  • the film 10 comprises a metallic laminate.
  • the adhesive may be any known in the art, such as a cold-sealing adhesive, a heat-sealing adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive (permanent or non-permanent), and the like.
  • a cold-sealing adhesive is used.
  • the cold-sealing adhesive may be natural latex rubber-based or synthetic. Using synthetic adhesive avoids complications arising from latex allergies if there is contact with the food product; however, either type of cold-sealing adhesive is acceptable.
  • the cold-sealing adhesive is pressure-responsive (i.e., the adhesive will bond when placed under pressure), and may comprise an adhesive component and an elastomer as well as other additives.
  • the adhesive may comprise a reclosable adhesive.
  • Cold-sealing adhesives comprising a relatively high rubber content and a relatively low polymer content may be especially useful for certain application settings of interest.
  • the application of the adhesive to the discrete sheet will vary depending upon the type of adhesive used.
  • a cold-sealing adhesive is disposed upon the discrete sheet through use of a disposing film with release properties or by applying a release material on the disposing film itself.
  • the weight of adhesive applied per area may also vary.
  • the weight of adhesive per area may be about 1.5 g/m 2 or about 2.5 g/m 2 to about 8 g/m 2 .
  • the weight of adhesive per area may be about 4 g/m 2 to about 6 g/m 2 .
  • a primer may be applied to part or all of the flexible film prior to applying the cold seal adhesive.
  • about 0.2 g/m 2 of primer is applied.
  • a flame or corona treatment is carried out on the flexible film prior to applying the cold-sealing adhesive. Both approaches improve anchorage of the seal, ensuring that the cold seal adhesive suitably bonds to the flexible film.
  • the reclosability of the adhesive may also be modified from fully reclosable, to partially reclosable, to not reclosable at all.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
EP11728136.0A 2010-06-21 2011-06-16 Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products Active EP2582583B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL11728136T PL2582583T3 (pl) 2010-06-21 2011-06-16 Przyrząd do pakowania wyrobów spożywczych i sposoby pakowania wyrobów spożywczych

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BRPI1001928-6A2A BRPI1001928A2 (pt) 2010-06-21 2010-06-21 Aparelho e métodos para enrolar produtos alimentícios
PCT/US2011/040667 WO2011163050A1 (en) 2010-06-21 2011-06-16 Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2582583A1 EP2582583A1 (en) 2013-04-24
EP2582583B1 true EP2582583B1 (en) 2015-03-18

Family

ID=44454670

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11728136.0A Active EP2582583B1 (en) 2010-06-21 2011-06-16 Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20140083055A1 (pl)
EP (1) EP2582583B1 (pl)
BR (1) BRPI1001928A2 (pl)
CA (1) CA2803280C (pl)
MX (1) MX2012014941A (pl)
PL (1) PL2582583T3 (pl)
RU (1) RU2564871C2 (pl)
UA (1) UA107839C2 (pl)
WO (1) WO2011163050A1 (pl)
ZA (1) ZA201300162B (pl)

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013177634A1 (pt) * 2012-06-01 2013-12-05 Arcor Do Brasil Ltda Aperfeiçoamento em embalagem laminar para produtos comestíveis e processo para sua fabricação
EP3177550B1 (en) * 2014-08-08 2019-04-24 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A. Wrapping method and wrapper
WO2016080926A1 (en) * 2014-11-20 2016-05-26 Yildiz Holding A.Ş. A packaging method for edible products
EP3100957B1 (en) * 2015-06-04 2018-01-03 Cmfima S.R.L. Product packaging assembly
CN105936353A (zh) * 2016-06-17 2016-09-14 周贵英 一种方形糖块的包裹方法
CN105923207A (zh) * 2016-06-17 2016-09-07 周贵英 一种方形糖块的包裹工艺
IT201700022526A1 (it) * 2017-02-28 2018-08-28 Azionaria Costruzioni Acma Spa Metodo di confezionamento di prodotti alimentari igroscopici
US20200207540A1 (en) * 2017-06-15 2020-07-02 Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever Frozen confection product packaging
CN108001729A (zh) * 2017-11-23 2018-05-08 重庆多笠原食品有限公司 一种食品包装设备
CN107985654A (zh) * 2017-11-23 2018-05-04 重庆多笠原食品有限公司 一种食品封装方法
RU2694028C1 (ru) * 2018-09-17 2019-07-08 Михаил Николаевич Бурдаев Способ расширения функциональности конструктивных элементов, используемых при пилотируемых космических полетах
DE102018008483B3 (de) * 2018-10-30 2020-01-30 Benhil Gmbh Verfahren zum Verpacken von portionierten, im Verarbeitungszustand flüssigen oder pastösen Produkten und Verpackungsmaschine zur Durchführung eines solchen Verfahrens
IT202000010198A1 (it) * 2020-05-07 2021-11-07 Sacmi Packaging & Chocolate S P A Gruppo di incarto
CN112093114B (zh) * 2020-09-22 2021-11-26 衡阳美怡佳食品有限公司 一种用于糖果生产的扭结装置及其使用方法
CN112937981B (zh) * 2021-03-30 2022-07-29 仲恺农业工程学院 一种自动化果蔬裹袋式包装机

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2744370A (en) * 1951-04-06 1956-05-08 Seragnoli Ariosto Mechanism for wrapping caramels, pastilles and articles of similar shape
SU391015A1 (ru) * 1972-03-29 1973-07-25 Я. Г. Мархевка , С. П. Семенд УСТРОЙСТВО дл ЗАВЕРТЫВАНИЯ ШТУЧНЫХ ИЗДЕЛИЙ
IT1001430B (it) * 1973-12-20 1976-04-20 Gd Spa Congegno di apertura e chiusura dei cosiddetti manini dei disposi tivi attorcigliatori associabili alle macchine incartatrici di ca ramelle e simili articoli per la determinazione dell involucro tu bolare nelle fogge d incarto cosid dette a semplice cestello o doppio fiocco
US4991379A (en) * 1989-04-21 1991-02-12 Zip-Pak Incorporated Substantially frictionless and static-free former and feed tube
JP2621016B2 (ja) * 1993-09-06 1997-06-18 テンチ機械株式会社 ひねり包装機
JPH10509936A (ja) * 1994-12-06 1998-09-29 シーグ シュバイツェリッシェ インダストリエ−ゲゼルシャフト チューブ状バッグ包装機械用の横断シール装置
IT1279679B1 (it) * 1995-11-10 1997-12-16 Carle & Montanari Spa Metodo ed apparato per la chiusura dei lembi del materiale d'incarto di cioccolatini od altri prodotti che comportano analoghe esigenze,
BE1009877A3 (fr) * 1995-12-29 1997-10-07 Transpac Enveloppe d'emballage fermee par des papillotes.
EP1188672A1 (en) * 2000-09-18 2002-03-20 Mars B.V. Method and device for packaging a food product, such as a candy, as well as a packaged candy
ITBO20020222A1 (it) * 2002-04-23 2003-10-23 Azionaria Costruzioni Acma Spa Metodo e ruota di incarto per il condizionamento di pile di prodotti
US6860958B2 (en) * 2002-06-27 2005-03-01 Cryovac, Inc. Wrinkle reduction assembly
NL1028314C2 (nl) * 2004-07-26 2006-04-04 Cfs Weert Bv Lollie en inrichting voor vervaardiging daarvan.
US20100239721A1 (en) * 2009-03-20 2010-09-23 Valeria Stoppello Method and apparatus to facilitate encapsulating an edible substance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2582583A1 (en) 2013-04-24
UA107839C2 (en) 2015-02-25
ZA201300162B (en) 2014-09-25
CA2803280A1 (en) 2011-12-29
PL2582583T3 (pl) 2015-08-31
CA2803280C (en) 2018-11-27
RU2013102342A (ru) 2014-07-27
WO2011163050A1 (en) 2011-12-29
MX2012014941A (es) 2013-02-12
US20140083055A1 (en) 2014-03-27
BRPI1001928A2 (pt) 2013-12-24
RU2564871C2 (ru) 2015-10-10
AU2011271248A1 (en) 2013-01-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2582583B1 (en) Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products
US11124323B2 (en) Flexible, stackable container and method and system for manufacturing the same
EP2214978B1 (en) Flexible, stackable container and method and system for manufacturing same
EP1714895B1 (en) Package, food product, packaged with a package as well as method for producing a packaging material or for packaging a food product and a packaging material produced thereby
CA1066604A (en) Reverse wrapping package and process
JPS587524B2 (ja) 単位包装体の形成方法およびその装置
US8739504B2 (en) Packaging method and apparatus
JP5701912B2 (ja) 梱包装置及び梱包方法
AU2011271248B2 (en) Apparatus and methods for wrapping food products
JP2004238065A (ja) ピロー包装体を折上げてなる包装体
WO2002094680A1 (en) Easy open package for food items such as loaves of processed cheese
GB2349128A (en) Roll wrapping method, apparatus and materials
EP3109183A1 (en) Flexible, stackable container and method for manufacturing same
DK2214978T3 (en) FLEXIBLE, STACKABLE CONTAINER AND PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING SAME
CA1270688A (en) Apparatus for making a bag with a bag mouth closure

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20130107

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20140103

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B65B 11/44 20060101AFI20140709BHEP

Ipc: B65B 25/00 20060101ALI20140709BHEP

Ipc: B65B 51/14 20060101ALI20140709BHEP

Ipc: B65B 51/02 20060101ALI20140709BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20140930

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 716383

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150415

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602011014808

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20150430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 5

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: VDEP

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150618

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 716383

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150619

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PL

Ref legal event code: T3

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150720

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150718

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602011014808

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20151221

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150616

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20150616

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20110616

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 7

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150318

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230329

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230626

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Payment date: 20230602

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20230627

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230620

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20230702

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240627

Year of fee payment: 14

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240627

Year of fee payment: 14