EP2731871A1 - Appareil d'emballage et procédé d'expulsion de gaz - Google Patents

Appareil d'emballage et procédé d'expulsion de gaz

Info

Publication number
EP2731871A1
EP2731871A1 EP12713993.9A EP12713993A EP2731871A1 EP 2731871 A1 EP2731871 A1 EP 2731871A1 EP 12713993 A EP12713993 A EP 12713993A EP 2731871 A1 EP2731871 A1 EP 2731871A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
gas
package
flow
packaging
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP12713993.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas Gustafsson
Petersen JORGEN
Jesper Rasmussen
Michelangelo BULGARELLI
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.)
Cryovac LLC
Original Assignee
Cryovac 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 Cryovac LLC filed Critical Cryovac LLC
Priority to EP12713993.9A priority Critical patent/EP2731871A1/fr
Publication of EP2731871A1 publication Critical patent/EP2731871A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • B65B31/022—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 the chambers moving in an endless path
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B31/021—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 the containers or wrappers being interconnected
    • 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
    • B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
    • B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B9/067—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it the web advancing continuously
    • 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
    • B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
    • B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
    • B65B53/06—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat supplied by gases, e.g. hot-air jets
    • B65B53/063—Tunnels

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging apparatus comprising a
  • the packaging apparatus comprises a horizontal form fill and seal machine.
  • the packaging apparatus expels the gas from the package.
  • the package may then be sealed and, optionally, undergo heat shrinking.
  • a packaging apparatus may be used to package a food product.
  • a tube of plastic wrap is continuously fed through a bag/package forming, filling and sealing apparatus.
  • the product is deposited into the tube and the leading edge of the packaging is sealed.
  • the tube is sealed at the trailing edge (at the upstream end) of the package and is severed from the continuously moving tube of packaging.
  • the tube can be provided as a tube, or be formed from two webs that are sealed longitudinally at two longitudinal edges, or be formed from a single web that is folded over and sealed along its longitudinal edges.
  • Sealing jaws can be used to seal one end of the package.
  • the sealing jaws also form an adjacent seal, which comprises the opposite end of the next following package. Gas is trapped in the package in the space between the product and the seals. The problem is how to reduce the amount of gas in the package prior to the time it is sealed.
  • evacuation of the gas from the package improves packaging appearance after heat shrinking and also reduces the possibility of deterioration of the product due to exposure to oxygen. For example, some foods such as cheese tend to oxidise or mould over a period of time if sufficient oxygen is contained within the package.
  • One way of deflating packages is to puncture the package with small holes after the goods are sealed therein.
  • the small holes allow the excess air within the package to be expelled by mechanical application of force or simply by the force of gravity settling the products during shipment and the like, or, preferably, by heat shrinking the packaging material.
  • This particular solution to the problem is unacceptable when foods are contained within the package.
  • the pinholes allow the ingress of contaminates or environmental air containing oxygen from outside the package. Stickers are later used to cover the pinholes.
  • Another way of deflating packages is a vacuum drawn on the inside of the package or container through the fill opening.
  • the vacuum extracts the excess air or other gas and collapses the plastic sidewalls just prior to the sealing of the opening.
  • use of this system will slow the process due to the time required to evacuate gas from the fill tube.
  • These systems also require the installation of equipment within the fill tube to close the tube off from the atmosphere. This additional equipment reduces the tube diameter, which may cause plugging due to product bridging.
  • a further way of deflating packages is to provide mechanical force directly to the outside of the package immediately before the sealing takes place.
  • Examples of this are sponge rubber or coiled springs which engage the outside of the package to expel excess gas immediately prior to the time the sealing jaws engage and seal the fill opening.
  • the system includes a blast of air against the exterior flexible sidewalls of the package thereby to bring the sidewalls of the package closer together before sealing, thereby to reduce the amount of trapped gas sealed in the package.
  • JP 2003-072702 discloses a bag packing machine having a chamber. By the pressure of compressed air supplied into the chamber through an air hose, a bag is pressed to push out the air in the bag through the back edge, which is open.
  • An aim of the present invention is to provide a packaging apparatus
  • Another aim is to provide a method of expelling gas from a package for a packaging process.
  • a housing comprising: a housing; an actuator configured to move the housing between a first position, in which a package is unconstrained by the housing, and a second position, in which the housing houses the package; and a gas blower configured to introduce a flow of gas into the housing via a gas inlet, wherein the gas blower comprises a fan.
  • the same housing can be used for packaging packages of many different shapes and sizes.
  • the cost of manufacturing the packaging apparatus is reduced. Additionally the apparatus is simple and compact.
  • the equipment required to provide gas to the housing can be a conventional piece of equipment, such as a simple blower. Additionally, the gas flow provides for a quicker cooling of seals at the ends of the package.
  • a fan instead of a compressor, the source of the gas that is used to provide to the inside of the housing does not have to be
  • pressurised instead, it is volume of gas, preferably of air, that is used to expel gas from the package. This means that expensive equipment is not required for making the packaging apparatus.
  • the housing comprises a gasket that extends along a part of an edge of an opening of the housing so as to form a seal with a facing surface of the packaging apparatus, preferably a conveyor belt, that the housing comes into contact with.
  • the gas can be controlled to flow through the housing by
  • the packaging apparatus is configured such that the flow of gas at the upstream end of the housing is greater than the flow of gas at the downstream end of the housing.
  • the housing comprises at least one channel configured to guide the flow of gas from the gas inlet towards the upstream end of the housing.
  • the gas can be expelled from the package and can be force backwards (in an upstream direction) through the open end of the packaging tube.
  • the gas has an easy escape route, thereby facilitating expulsion of the gas from the package to be sealed.
  • the upstream and downstream ends of the housing are
  • the housing can fit over an increased range of sizes of
  • the housing can house packages that are
  • part of the package could extend through the open ends of the housing.
  • the gas blower is configured to increase the pressure within the housing to greater than the pressure outside of the housing.
  • gas pressure can be used to increase the effectiveness of gas expulsion from the package.
  • the housing comprises a gas diffuser over the gas inlet
  • the gas diffuser helps to reduce the possibility of the inflow of gas moving the product around in the housing or disrupting the flow path for the gas that is expelled from the package through the tube of packaging.
  • the packaging apparatus comprises a porous member
  • the porous member can hold the product in place. This helps to reduce the possibility of the product and packaging being blown about by turbulent gas flows inside the housing. Additionally, the porous member can help to expel the gas from the package.
  • the packaging apparatus comprises a form fill and seal
  • the form fill and seal machine is a horizontal form fill and seal (HFFS) machine.
  • the packaging apparatus comprises a conveyor belt for supporting the package in a tube sealed at one end.
  • the present invention is compatible with existing packaging technology.
  • the packaging can be a formed tube and the housing can be incorporated into such a packaging stream.
  • the housing can be immediately downstream from the sealer.
  • the actuator is configured to move the housing such that the housing moves along with the conveyor belt and, preferably, also along with the sealing jaws.
  • the housing can be used to expel the gas from the packaging as the package moves on the conveyor belt.
  • a method of expelling gas from a package for a packaging process comprising the steps of: moving a housing from a first position, in which a package is unconstrained by the housing, to a second position, in which the housing houses the package; and introducing, via a gas blower comprising a fan, a flow of gas into the housing via a gas inlet.
  • the packaging process further comprises the step of sealing the package after expelling the gas from the package.
  • the sealed package can have relatively little trapped gas, if desired. This prevents ballooning and improves the appearance of the package.
  • the packaging process further comprises the step of heat
  • shrinking the package after sealing the package preferably through a shrink tunnel.
  • the packaging is formed tightly around the
  • Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the present invention, with the housing in the first position
  • Figure 2 depicts the embodiment of Figure 1 , with the housing in the
  • Figure 3 depicts a side on view of the housing according to an
  • Figure 4 depicts a plan view of the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 depicts a view, from the upstream end, of the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Description of embodiments
  • FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 comprises a housing 1 1 , an actuator 12 and a gas blower 13.
  • the housing 1 1 is configured to house a package 22.
  • the housing 11 partially encloses a region in which gas can flow.
  • the housing 11 demarcates a region from the immediate environment.
  • the actuator 12 is configured to move the housing 1 1 between a first position and a second position. In the second position the housing 11 houses the unsealed package 22. Optionally, in the first position, the unsealed package 22 is unconstrained by the housing 1 1.
  • Figure 1 depicts the housing 1 1 in the first position.
  • Figure 2 depicts the housing 1 1 in the second position.
  • the gas blower 13 which comprises a fan, is configured to introduce a flow of gas into the housing 11 via a gas inlet 15. Gas inside the package 22 is expelled by squeezing the package 22 through the ventilation of the flow of gas inside the housing 1 1.
  • the fan produces a gas flow with high volume and low pressure, as
  • the gas blower 13 increases the pressure within the housing 1 1 to greater than the pressure outside of the housing 11. In this case, the gas pressure helps to expel gas from the package 22.
  • the actuator 12 moves the housing 1 1 from the first position to the second position. In the second position the housing 1 1 houses the unsealed package 22.
  • the arrows in Figure 2 indicate the flow of gas that is expelled from the package 22.
  • the package 22 may then be sealed to form a sealed package 23.
  • the actuator 12 moves the housing 1 1 from the second position to the first position.
  • the packaged product 20 may then be moved away from the housing 1 1 and another product 20 may replace it. Then, the operation cycle of the housing 1 1 can be repeated.
  • a conveyor belt 30 transports the packages 22 through the packaging apparatus 1.
  • the actuator 12 may be configured to move the housing 1 1 such that the housing 1 1 moves along with the conveyor belt 30.
  • the housing 1 1 can house the package 22 as the conveyor belt 30 transports it.
  • the actuator 12 moves the housing 1 1 in the transverse direction at substantially the same speed as the surface of the conveyor belt 30.
  • the packaging apparatus comprises at least two conveyor belts 30.
  • One conveyor belt 30 is configured to transport the product 20 upstream of the sealer 31 and cutter 32.
  • Another conveyor belt is configured to transport the product 20 downstream of the sealer 31 and cutter 32.
  • the term unsealed package 22 means that the package 22 is not sealed completely from its surroundings.
  • the package 22 may comprise a seal at least one edge of the package.
  • the package 22 has at least one edge that is unsealed such that the product 20 inside the package 22 is in fluid communication with the region that is outside the package 22.
  • the packaging may comprise a tube sealed at one end.
  • the housing 1 1 can be used to produce packages 22 with less residual gas compared to the use of air blasts through orifices. This is particularly important for unsupported products 20 such as cheese or processed meat chunks. This is because for
  • the present invention allows gas to be evacuated from the package 22 without perforating the package. Therefore, there is no need to apply a barrier label later in the packaging process to seal the perforation. Hence the cost of packaging is not increased by the use of the barrier labels and the risk of contamination prevented.
  • the present invention is advantageous over systems that involve the use of mechanical pressure such as via a sponge or a foam pad.
  • use of a foam pad for example, is not hygienic because the foam pad can become contaminated, thus requiring periodical replacement.
  • the foam pad (or other means for producing a mechanical force) has to make contact with the packaging (e.g. film 21 ) in order to expel the gas from the package. This can result in fouling of the packaging and compromises presentation.
  • the present invention allows the gas to be expelled from the package 22 without compromising presentation. This is because none of the components of the housing 11 need to contact the packaging in order to expel the gas from the package.
  • one size of the housing 1 1 of the present invention can be applied to products 20 and packages 22 of many different sizes.
  • a foam pad is not as flexible in that the foam pad should be redesigned for each specific application to a particular product 20.
  • the housing 1 1 of the present invention can be used to give good results even for products 20 having relatively complicated structures, such as a whole bird (poultry) disposed on a tray.
  • the gas is expelled from the package 22 by ventilation provided by the flow of gas. This is different from expelling gas by applying pressure to a particular portion of the package 22 via, for example, a blast of air.
  • the present invention is advantageous over such systems in that the flow of gas is applied substantially equally to the entire external exposed surface of the package 22. Hence, it is possible to expel gas from substantially every pocket within the package 22.
  • the use of a blast of air is effective on only the portion of the package 22 that the blast of air is directed at.
  • the flow of gas into the housing 1 1 is provided by a gas blower 13 that comprises a fan.
  • a gas blower 13 that comprises a fan.
  • the present invention is advantageous over such systems because the ventilation provided by the flow of gas is more reliable than the pressure increase provided by the compressed air.
  • the compressed air requires the chamber to be separated from the environment. This is limited by the quality of the seal.
  • the ventilation provided by the flow of gas in the present invention does not require any such seal.
  • the housing 1 1 can house larger sized packages 22 than otherwise.
  • the housing 1 1 of the present invention is simple, relatively inexpensive and is easy to maintain.
  • the housing 1 1 is made of a thermoplastic such as PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate)).
  • the housing 1 1 is substantially transparent. This allows a user to view the package 22 easily when it is housed by the housing 1 1.
  • the housing 1 1 is configured to house the package 22.
  • the housing 11 may be open at one side such that the package 22 can enter the housing 1 1 via that side. In the case of an HFFS machine, this side may be the bottom side.
  • the housing 1 1 moves from the first position to the second position, the housing 1 1 moves over and/or around the package 22 so as to house the package 22.
  • the housing 1 1 may have any size according to the size of the package to be enclosed.
  • the housing 1 1 may have a length within the range of from about 0.2m to about 0.4m.
  • the housing 1 1 may have a width within the range of from about 0.1 m to about 0.2m.
  • the housing 1 1 may have a height within the range of from about 0.05m to about 0.2m.
  • the upstream and downstream ends of the housing 11 are substantially open such that the housing has the form of a tunnel.
  • the housing 1 1 can house a package 22 that is longer than the housing 1 1. Part of the package 22 can extend beyond an end of the housing 1 1.
  • the housing 1 1 is configured to extend over the package 22.
  • the housing 11 comes into contact with the horizontal surface, preferably a conveyor belt 30, so as to house the package 22.
  • the package 22 may be almost completely encapsulated by the combination of the surface and the housing 1 1.
  • the housing 1 1 has the form of a tunnel in which case the package 22 is not encapsulated by the housing 1 1.
  • the product 20 within the package 22 remains in fluid communication with the environment outside the housing 1 1. This allows the gas that is in the package 22 along with the product 20 to be expelled from the package 22 and out of the housing 11.
  • the housing 1 1 comprises a gasket 14 that extends along a part of an edge of an opening in the housing 1 1.
  • the purpose of the gasket 14 is to form a seal between the part of the edge of the housing 1 1 and a facing surface (e.g. a conveyor belt 30) of the packaging apparatus 1.
  • the gasket 14 forms a gastight seal between the edge of the housing 1 1 and the surface.
  • the gasket 14 may not extend around the entire edge around the opening of the housing 1 1 through which the product 20 enters the housing 1 1. This is to allow at least a gap 18 through which the expelled gas can exit the housing 1 1.
  • the gasket may extend along only the sides of the housing 1 1.
  • the gasket 14 may extend around substantially the entire edge of the opening of the housing 1 1.
  • the housing 11 comprises an expulsion opening to allow the expelled gas to escape the housing 1 1.
  • the expulsion opening may be disposed in the end of the housing 1 1 closest to the sealer 31 (e.g. sealing jaws) of the packaging apparatus 1.
  • the gasket 14 comprises an elastomer.
  • the material or construction of the gasket 14 is not particularly limited.
  • the gasket 14 should be able to form a seal with a facing surface.
  • the actuator 12 is configured to move the housing 1 1 between the first position and the second position. In the second position the housing 1 1 extends over the product 20. Optionally, when the housing 1 1 is in the second position, the product 20 is mostly enclosed by the combination of the housing 1 1 and a surface on which the product 20 is disposed. In the second position, the region inside the housing 1 1 is in fluid communication with the environment surrounding the housing 1 1.
  • the product 20 is in fluid communication with the environment surrounding the environment on only one side of the product 20.
  • the product 20 may be in fluid communication with the
  • This end of the housing 1 1 may be completely open. Alternatively, the end may be closed except for a gap between the end face and the surface on which the product 20 is disposed. In an embodiment the downstream end of the housing 1 1 is completely open.
  • the housing 1 1 comprises a porous member 17 disposed within the housing 1 1.
  • the porous member 17 may be connected to the inside surface of the housing 1 1.
  • the porous member 17 may comprise a sponge.
  • the porous member 17 may have a length within the range of from about 0.1 m to about 0.2m. The purpose of the porous member 17 is to overcome the effects of any turbulence within the housing 1 1.
  • the porous member 17 contacts the package 22 so as to hold the product 20 in place relative to the housing 1 1.
  • the porous member 17 can also help to expel gas from the package 22 by applying mechanical pressure to a region of the package 22.
  • the porous member 17 provides mechanical strength for holding the package 22. This is particularly advantageous when the package 22 is an unsupported application, e.g. a package 22 that does not comprise a tray supporting a food product.
  • the actuator 12 moves the housing 1 1 substantially in a vertical direction between the second position and the first position.
  • the actuator 12 may move the housing 1 1 vertically downwards from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the housing 1 1 contacts the surface on which the product 20 is disposed so as to house the product 20.
  • the actuator 12 moves the housing 1 1 vertically upwards away from the surface.
  • the housing 1 1 is in the first position, the product 20 can move along the surface underneath the housing 1 1.
  • the distance between the housing 1 1 and the surface is at least is great as the vertical dimension of the product 20.
  • the actuator 12 is optionally configured to move
  • the actuator 12 repeats the above steps so as to repeat the gas expulsion cycle of the present invention.
  • the process is continuous.
  • a line of products 20 can be continuously transported along the conveyor belt 30 during the packaging process.
  • movement of the housing 1 1 is synchronised with movement of the sealer 31 and cutter 32.
  • the direction of transportation of the products 20 is from right to left.
  • the transportation of the products 20 may not be continuous.
  • a controller 50 may be configured to stop the conveyor belt 30 momentarily while the housing 1 1 is in contact with the conveyor belt 30. This allows a short time for the gas to be expelled from the package 22 and for the package 22 to be sealed and cut before the conveyor belt 30 is restarted.
  • the actuator 12 may not move the housing 1 1 in the transverse direction along with the movement of the conveyor belt 30.
  • the gas blower 13 may be any means for introducing a flow of gas into the housing 1 1.
  • the gas blower 13 is configured to increase the pressure inside the housing 1 1 to a pressure within the range of from about 1 10kPa to about 200kPa.
  • the pressure of the environment surrounding the housing 1 1 may be substantially atmospheric pressure, namely about 100kPa.
  • the pressure within the housing 1 1 may be increased to within the range of from about 1.1 to about 2.0 times the pressure outside of the housing 1 1. However, any pressure above the pressure outside the housing can be used.
  • the pressure inside the housing 1 1 remains substantially equal to the pressure outside the housing 1 1.
  • the pressure inside the housing 1 1 is greater than the pressure inside the package 22.
  • the gas blower 13 comprises a simple 1.5kW gas blower.
  • the gas blower comprises a fan.
  • the gas blower 13 provides a flow of gas at a temperature lower than the ambient temperature. This aids the effect of cooling the seals at either end of the package 22. The cooling effect of the flow of gas on the seals is
  • the gas blower 13 is capable of producing a large volume of gas, preferably air, that is fed into the housing 1 1.
  • the volume of gas fed into the housing 1 1 by the gas blower 13 replaces the volume of gas that is expelled from the package.
  • the pressure of the source of gas fed into the housing 1 1 by the gas blower 13 does not have to be particularly high.
  • the gas blower 13 may comprise a store of gas at high
  • the high-pressure gas can then be fed into the housing 1 1.
  • tests have shown that the provision of a large volume of gas into the housing 1 1 rather than the provision of high pressure gas into the housing 1 1 is more effective at expelling gas from the package 22 inside the housing 1 1 quickly. This is because it is difficult to supply the volume of high-pressure gas to the housing 1 1 required to increase the pressure in a short space of time.
  • Use of a high volume of gas that originates from a relatively low-pressure source is advantageous over use of highly pressurised gas because it is less expensive. This is because pressurised gas (e.g. air) can be expensive, thereby increasing the packaging costs.
  • the housing 1 1 comprises a gas inlet 15.
  • the gas inlet 15 is connected to the gas blower 13.
  • the gas blower 13 feeds gas into the housing 1 1 via the gas inlet 15.
  • the gas inlet 15 is disposed in the side of the housing 1 1 opposite to the open side through which the product 20 enters the housing 1 1. This is the top side in the case of an HFFS machine.
  • the gas inlet 15 is disposed in the half of the housing 1 1 that is furthest from the sealer 31.
  • the gas inlet 15 comprises a gas diffuser 16.
  • the purpose of the gas diffuser 16 is to reduce the turbulence of the gas as it is fed into the housing 1 1. Such turbulence can otherwise lead to negative results.
  • the gas diffuser 16 comprises a plate that comprises a plurality of holes.
  • the holes may be formed in a substantially regular pattern across the plate.
  • the holes may have an average diameter within the range of from about 0.5mm to about 2mm.
  • the gas blower 13 is capable of feeding gas into the housing 11 while the housing 1 1 is in motion.
  • the gas blower 13 is stationary with respect to the packaging apparatus 1.
  • the gas blower 13 does not move when the housing 1 1 moves.
  • the gas blower 13 is connected to the housing 1 1 via a flexible pipe.
  • the flexible pipe takes up the change in tension when the housing 1 1 moves between the second position and the first position.
  • the gas blower 13 is configured to introduce a flow of gas into the housing
  • the package 22 When the gas flows through the housing 1 1 , the package 22 is pressed. The packaging may be pressed towards the outer surface of the product 20. As a result, gas inside the package 22 is forced away from the product 20 and out of the housing 11.
  • the flow rate of gas from the interior of the housing 1 1 to the surrounding environment is greater than the flow rate of gas from the environment into the housing 11.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 is configured such that the flow of gas at the upstream end of the housing 1 1 is greater than the flow of gas at the downstream end of the housing 11. In an embodiment the apparatus 1 is configured such that at least 70%, and optionally at least
  • controller 50 controls the packaging apparatus 1 such that each package 22 is positioned at the upstream end of the housing 1 1. In this case, even packages 22 that are much smaller than the housing 1 1 can be effectively deaerated.
  • the housing 1 1 comprises at least one channel 31 configured to guide the flow of gas from the gas inlet
  • the housing 1 1 comprises a plurality of channels 31.
  • the channel 31 improves the control of the flow of gas within the housing
  • the channels 31 control the distribution of gas inside the housing 1 1.
  • the direction and amount of gas flow are controlled by the channels 31.
  • the housing comprises a channel 31 that extends from the gas inlet 15 towards the upstream end of the housing 1 1.
  • the channel 31 may be in the upper region of the housing 11 such that the flow of gas is adjacent to the top of the housing 1 1.
  • the at least one channel 31 is configured so as to guide the flow of gas to the sides and top of the housing 1 1 at the upstream end of the housing 1 1.
  • the at least one channel 31 comprises a plurality of holes 32. The holes 32 allow the flow of gas to flow from the at least one channel 31 to the package 22.
  • holes 32 in the channel 31 so as to direct the flow of gas vertically onto the package 22.
  • holes 32 in the channel 31 so as to direct the flow of gas vertically onto the package 22.
  • Figure 4 depicts the housing 11 in plan view according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 depicts the housing 1 1 viewed from the upstream end of the housing 1 1.
  • the arrows depict the direction of the flow of gas.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 comprises an HFFS machine.
  • the HFFS machine may comprise a conveyor belt 30 for supporting and transporting the packages 22 in a horizontal direction.
  • the product 20 may be within a package.
  • the package 22 is unsealed when the gas is expelled from the package.
  • the packaging may comprise a film 21.
  • the product 20 may be wrapped or partially wrapped in a film 21.
  • the film 21 extends around the product 20. Gas is enclosed with the product 20 by the film 21.
  • the product 20 may be disposed on a surface.
  • the surface may extend substantially in the horizontal direction.
  • the surface may comprise the upper surface of a conveyor belt 30.
  • the conveyor belt 30 may be a continuous conveyor belt 30.
  • the conveyor belt 30 may be suspended between at least two rollers.
  • the conveyor belt 30 may transport the product 20 in a horizontal direction.
  • the product 20 is disposed in a tray.
  • the tray supports the product 20.
  • the tray comprises walls that extend substantially vertically from the base of the tray to a height greater than the vertical dimension of the product 20. Alternatively, the tray height may be less than or equal to the height of the product 20.
  • the packaging extends around the tray.
  • the tray comprises a material selected from a list consisting of polystyrene, or other thermoplastic material such as PET, or cardboard. Desirably, the tray is rigid.
  • the tray may be solid or foamed.
  • the tray can be any colour.
  • the packaging comprises a thin multi-layer film 21.
  • the film 21 may comprise a polyolefin.
  • the film 21 may be a fully extruded shrink film 21.
  • the package 23 provides a barrier to gas passing between the interior of the package 23 to the exterior of the package. Accordingly, the environment inside the package 23 is isolated from the environment outside the package. This helps to preserve food products 20 and avoid contamination. This is good for food hygiene.
  • the package 23 provides a barrier to aromas or to gasses. This is particularly useful when the product 20 is a food product 20.
  • the package 23 is abuse- resistant.
  • the packaging is transparent, or at least translucent. This is
  • the packaging may comprise a transparent film 21.
  • the packaging has an anti-fog property. This ensures high consumer appeal.
  • the packaging is printable. This allows labels to be printed directly onto the packaging, which is very convenient.
  • the packaging may be formed from a roll of film 21.
  • the packaging may be formed from a roll of film 21.
  • packaging for the product 20 may be formed by forming a tube from the roll of film 21.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 comprises a former configured to form the roll of film 21 into a tube.
  • the former forms the tube by forming a longitudinal seal along the longitudinal edges of the roll of film 21.
  • the tube may be formed from two webs of film 21. In this case, the former forms two longitudinal seals along the opposing edges of the two rolls of film 21.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 comprises a flusher 34.
  • the flusher 34 is configured to flush gas through the tube of film 21 that forms the packaging.
  • the gas flush prevents the tube from collapsing.
  • the gas flush helps to maintain a distance between a product 20 in a tray and the film 21. This helps to improve the hygienic appearance of the film 21 because the film 21 remains untarnished by the product 20.
  • the flusher 34 flushes gas longitudinally through the tube.
  • the gas used for flushing comprises about 70% oxygen and about 30% carbon dioxide or other suitably modified atmosphere.
  • the flush gas allows the product 20 to be packaged in a
  • the gas may help to preserve the product 20, prolonging its shelf life.
  • the desired amount of gas inside each sealed package 23 depends on the type of product 20 and the length of shelf life needed.
  • the amount of gas that remains in the package 22 following the expulsion process depends on the function of the housing 1 1.
  • the housing 1 1 can be operated at a higher pressure or for a longer time on the package 22 in order to expel more gas from the package.
  • the controller 50 is configured to control the flow rate of the flow of gas introduced into the housing 1 1 , the pressure in the housing 1 1 or the time for which the housing 1 1 is in the second position, thereby controlling the amount of gas to be expelled.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 may comprise a sealer 31 configured to seal the packaging so as to form a sealed package.
  • the sealer 31 comprises sealing bars.
  • the sealer 31 is configured to form a transversal seal in the packaging. In the case of the packaging being formed from a roll of film 21 , the sealer 31 forms a transversal seal across the tube of film 21.
  • the sealer 31 comprises sealing bars above and below the conveyor belts 30.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 comprises a cutter 32.
  • the cutter 32 is configured to cut the packaging material.
  • the cutter 32 may cut the tube of film 21 once the package 23 has been sealed.
  • the cutter 32 may be positioned adjacent the sealer 31.
  • the cutter 32 may be disposed near to the sealer 31 such that the sealer 31 seals the only open end of one package 22 (after gas has been expelled from that package), the sealer 31 seals the opposite end of a subsequent package 23 and the cutter 32 separates the two packages 22 substantially simultaneously.
  • the cutter 32 may be positioned further downstream so as to separate the packages 22 after they have been completely sealed.
  • the cutter 32 comprises two parts above and below the conveyor belts 30.
  • the housing 1 1 is positioned adjacent to the sealer 31.
  • the housing 1 1 is positioned immediately downstream of the sealer 31.
  • the term downstream is relative to the direction of
  • the packaging apparatus 1 optionally comprises a shrinking machine
  • the shrinking machine may be, for example a shrink tunnel 33, or a hot air tunnel 33.
  • the sealed package 23 is shrunk in the shrinking machine.
  • the shrinking process may involve heating the sealed package.
  • the package 23 may be heated to a temperature within the range of from about 130°C to about 150°C.
  • the sealed package 23 Before the sealed package 23 is shrunk, there may be undesirable gas trapped in the sealed package 23 along with the product 20. Additionally, the sealed package 23 may comprise undesirable "dog ears", where a dog ear is a portion of the packaging that extends away from the product 20 (for example due to the product 20 not being a regular rectangular prism). After the shrinking process the dog ears and the gas second position are reduced. This gives the sealed package 23 a more aesthetic appearance. In the case of cheese, the cheese may consume any residual gas that remains in the sealed package 23 following the shrinking step.
  • the product 20 is a food product 20.
  • the product 20 may comprise ground meat, cheese, pizza, ready meals, poultry and fish.
  • the product 20 may be substantially dry, as in the case of cheese.
  • the product 20 may be wet. In this case, it is particularly desirable for the product 20 to be disposed in a tray.
  • the packaging process of the invention may be employed to package food products 20 that are to have a shelf life in the region of from about six days to about 14 days, for example.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 comprises a horizontal form fill and seal machine.
  • the packaging apparatus 1 may comprise other types of form fill and seal machines, such as a vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) machine.
  • VFFS vertical form fill and seal
  • the packages 22 move through the packaging apparatus 1 in a vertical direction during the packaging process.
  • the housing 1 1 may comprise two sections on either side of the product 20.
  • the two sections can be joined together in the second position so as to house the product 20.
  • the product 20 in the package 22 remains in fluid
  • the two sections When moving between the second position and the first position, the two sections may move substantially in a horizontal direction so as to encapsulate the product 20.
  • the two sections may be substantially the same as each other.
  • one of the sections may comprise a substantially flat surface and the other section may have the same construction as the housing 1 1 described in relation to HFFS machines.
  • the packaging may be sealed once to form the lower end of a sealed package.
  • the product 20 is then fed into the open-ended package.
  • the top end of the package 22 is then sealed to form a sealed package 23.
  • the process comprises the step of expelling gas from the package.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil d'emballage (1) comprenant : un logement (11) ; un actionneur (12) configuré pour déplacer le logement entre une première position dans laquelle un emballage (22) n'est pas contraint par le logement et une deuxième position dans laquelle le logement contient l'emballage (22) ; et une soufflante à gaz (13) configurée pour introduire un flux de gaz dans le logement par l'intermédiaire d'un orifice d'entrée de gaz (15), ladite soufflante comprenant un ventilateur.
EP12713993.9A 2011-07-12 2012-04-12 Appareil d'emballage et procédé d'expulsion de gaz Withdrawn EP2731871A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12713993.9A EP2731871A1 (fr) 2011-07-12 2012-04-12 Appareil d'emballage et procédé d'expulsion de gaz

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11173584A EP2546154A1 (fr) 2011-07-12 2011-07-12 Appareil de conditionnement et procédé pour expulser du gaz
PCT/EP2012/056703 WO2013007406A1 (fr) 2011-07-12 2012-04-12 Appareil d'emballage et procédé d'expulsion de gaz
EP12713993.9A EP2731871A1 (fr) 2011-07-12 2012-04-12 Appareil d'emballage et procédé d'expulsion de gaz

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2731871A1 true EP2731871A1 (fr) 2014-05-21

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11173584A Withdrawn EP2546154A1 (fr) 2011-07-12 2011-07-12 Appareil de conditionnement et procédé pour expulser du gaz
EP12713993.9A Withdrawn EP2731871A1 (fr) 2011-07-12 2012-04-12 Appareil d'emballage et procédé d'expulsion de gaz

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11173584A Withdrawn EP2546154A1 (fr) 2011-07-12 2011-07-12 Appareil de conditionnement et procédé pour expulser du gaz

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20140123599A1 (fr)
EP (2) EP2546154A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2013007406A1 (fr)

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Publication number Publication date
US20140123599A1 (en) 2014-05-08
WO2013007406A1 (fr) 2013-01-17
EP2546154A1 (fr) 2013-01-16

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