EP3177534B1 - Dispositif de réduction de l'air résiduel dans un sachet - Google Patents

Dispositif de réduction de l'air résiduel dans un sachet Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3177534B1
EP3177534B1 EP15829344.9A EP15829344A EP3177534B1 EP 3177534 B1 EP3177534 B1 EP 3177534B1 EP 15829344 A EP15829344 A EP 15829344A EP 3177534 B1 EP3177534 B1 EP 3177534B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
residual air
pouch
alignment side
package
bump
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
EP15829344.9A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3177534A4 (fr
EP3177534A2 (fr
Inventor
Miguel CORTES
Luis Jorge NIEMBRO FERNANDEZ
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.)
Mars Inc
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Mars Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3177534A2 publication Critical patent/EP3177534A2/fr
Publication of EP3177534A4 publication Critical patent/EP3177534A4/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • 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
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/02—Closing containers or receptacles deformed by, or taking-up shape, of, contents, e.g. bags, sacks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in 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
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • B65B31/041—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles acting from above on containers or wrappers open at their top
    • 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
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/46—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using grippers
    • B65B43/465—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using grippers for bags

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to the field of manufacturing pouch packaged products. More particularly, the disclosure relates to methods and devices useful for reducing residual air in a pouch product during the manufacturing process.
  • the manufacture of products that are packaged in pouch type packaging requires the control of several parameters to achieve quality attributes of the finished product delivered to consumers.
  • One of the most critical parameters is residual air in the pouch after final sealing. Residual air can impact product appearance such that consumers perceive the product as spoiled. For example, residual air can change the color of the brown chunk surface of a pet food product to gray or green. This product appearance detriment is the result of oxidation reactions initiated by the presence of oxygen within the pouch that was not removed during the manufacturing filling process. For this reason, it is critical to reduce and control residual air contained within each pouch during the filling process.
  • the target for residual air in a pouch is less than 10%, more preferably less than 8%, still more preferably, less than 6%, even more preferably, less than 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or 0.5% of the total pouch volume.
  • the residual air would occupy 10 cc, 8 cc, 6 cc, 5 cc, 4 cc, 3 cc, 2 cc, 1 cc, 0.5 cc, or less.
  • Attempts to reduce residual air in a pouch include using mechanical devices such as vibratory or squeezing stations after the filling station. However, reaching a consistent solution through mechanical devices has been very complex. Such attempts are hampered by space restrictions, product design variables, synchronization with and integration in the manufacturing process, and lengthy development and implementation times. The removal of residual air through normal mechanical means is costly, labor intensive, and has limited success.
  • CH 376 838 A discloses a packaging press for packaging food, in particular meat, in plastic food bags, wherein in the press rubber-elastic inserts for squeezing the air out of the bag and a welding device for closing the bag opening is present.
  • JP 2009 298429 A discloses a rotary type bagging vacuum packaging machine which includes a rotary filling device, a rotary vacuum processor, and a bag delivery device for delivering a bag between the device and the processor.
  • the present disclosure is directed to apparatus and devices for reducing the residual air during manufacture of pouch packaged products and methods for reducing such air.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a device and methods of using the device to reduce the residual air in a pouch package.
  • Use of the device of the present disclosure reduces the residual air in a pouch package at least 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, or 9%, more preferably at least 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, or 14%, even more preferably at least 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, or 19%, even more preferably at least 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, or 25%, and still more preferably at least 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 32%, 33%, 34%, 35%, 36%, 37%, 38%, 39%, or 40% compared to pouch packaged products manufactured without using such device. Also, use of the device of the present disclosure reduces final product appearance detriments caused by oxidation prior to consumer use.
  • “Residual air” refers to the air remaining in a package, such as a pouch, after the product has been placed, filled, inserted, or deposited in the package and that would remain in the package after the package containing the product was sealed. This air includes air remaining in the head space of a package as well as air that is trapped in the product matrix as either a byproduct of the filling process or as a byproduct of the process of making the product.
  • the present disclosure provides devices for reducing the residual air in a pouch package during the manufacturing process as described by claim 1. Such devices are suitable for being employed in- line with the manufacturing process.
  • the residual air reducing devices of the present disclosure have a bump surface that contacts the pouch package as the pouch package passes the device during the manufacturing process.
  • the residual air reducing devices also have a plurality of alignment sides. Such alignment sides provide rigidity and stability to the bump surface.
  • the residual air reducing devices have a plurality of alignment sides.
  • some residual air reducing devices have first, second, and third alignment sides.
  • the residual air reducing devices have a first, second, third, and fourth alignment sides. The dimensions of each alignment side depend upon the space in which the residual air reducing device will be employed.
  • the residual air reducing devices of the present disclosure include a bump angle.
  • the bump angle refers to the orientation of the bump surface in relation to the first and second alignment sides and can be defined as the angle formed between a line perpendicular to the first alignment side and a line parallel to the second alignment side. Suitable bump angles of the disclosure may range between 10° and 85°. In some aspects of the disclosure, the bump angle is preferably between 15° and 60°.
  • the devices of the invention have bump angles between 25° and 65°. In some aspects, the bump angle is preferably between 25° and 50°. In some aspects, the bump angle is preferably between about 25° and 35°, and is preferably about 30°. In another preferred aspect, the bump angle is between about 30° and 45°, and is preferably about 40°.
  • Bump angles can be adjusted for different product characteristics. For example, a chunk product in thick gravy might need a higher bump angle than a chunk product in thinner gravy.
  • the bump angle includes a rise, which is the length of the bump surface between the first alignment side and the second alignment side. Suitable rise lengths will depend on the space in which the residual air reducing device will be employed. In general, it will include lengths between 5 mm and 100 mm. In one preferred aspect, the rise length will be less than about 60 mm, and preferably between 30 mm and 60 mm. As with the bump angle, the rise length can vary depending on the characteristics of the product in the pouch. In general, longer rise lengths will be more effective for products with thinner liquids or gravies and shorter rise lengths will be more effective for products with thicker liquids or gravies.
  • the residual air reducing devices of the present disclosure may optionally include at least one attachment flange.
  • Such attachment flanges include any means for attaching the residual air reducing device to the manufacturing line.
  • the flange will be a groove through which a plank will be seated.
  • the plank can be a portion of the manufacturing line or can be attached to the manufacturing line for the purpose of being inserted into the groove.
  • the flange will provide an attachment surface that extends beyond one or more alignment sides and connects with the manufacturing line. The attachment surface can then be secured to the manufacturing line using conventional methods and fasteners.
  • the present disclosure also provides methods of reducing residual air in a pouch package using the devices described herein. Suitable methods include employing at least one device of the present disclosure in the manufacturing line of a pouch packaged product. As the pouch passes by the devices described herein during the course of proceeding down the manufacturing line, residual air is urged out of the pouch by contacting the device.
  • Methods of the present disclosure provide reducing residual air in a pouch package by contacting the package with a device of the present disclosure at a specific contact point.
  • Suitable contact points include the portion of the package containing the product such that air trapped in the product is released into the head space of the package.
  • Suitable contact points may also include those points that result in displacing the air contained in the head space.
  • a package such as a pouch package
  • this can be done by separating a first portion of the package from a second portion of the package in order to at least partially expose the inner part of the package such that it is able to receive product.
  • Multiple ways of opening various types of packages are known in the art and incorporated herein.
  • a pouch package may be opened by inserting a nozzle into the top of the pouch and injecting air therein in order to separate the sides of the package from one another.
  • a desired amount of product is inserted, deposited, placed, or injected into the opened pouch package in order to at least partially fill the package.
  • the amount of product inserted into the package can vary by intentional design, but it is understood that the package can be filled to any percentage of the total volume of the package including 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, or any percentage therebetween.
  • the package is then contacted with a first residual air reducing device to remove at least some of the air therein prior to sealing the package. Any amount of air can be removed from the package, as described herein.
  • the package will also contact at least one more residual air reducing devices.
  • the package can either be partially or completely sealed after the product has been inserted therein and the package has contacted at least one residual air reducing device.
  • the amount of sealing can vary as desired. In some preferred forms, the package will be completely sealed, but in others, some amount, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50% or more, of the package may not be sealed.
  • a device for reducing residual air in a pouch package of a product during manufacturing and methods of using such device have been discovered.
  • the device of the disclosure provides a means to reduce the residual air in a pouch package with minimal alteration to the manufacturing line or process in place.
  • a residual air reduction device according to the present disclosure is useful for reducing a residual air content in a package, such as a pouch package, that contains a finished product.
  • the reduction of residual air content that is effected by the residual air reduction device of the present disclosure is accomplished prior to sealing the package.
  • a residual air reduction device of the present disclosure is effective for reducing the incidence of oxidation of a finished product packaged in a pouch that is contacted directly at least once by the residual air reduction device.
  • a residual air reduction device according to the present disclosure is useful for reducing a residual air content in a package, such as a pouch package, that contains a finished product.
  • the reduction of residual air content that is effected by the residual air reduction device of the present disclosure is accomplished prior to sealing the package.
  • use of a residual air reduction device of the present disclosure is effective for reducing the incidence of oxidation of a finished product packaged in a pouch that is contacted directly at least once by the residual air reduction device.
  • an alignment side includes a plurality of such alignment sides, and so forth.
  • the term "about,” when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration or percentage is meant to encompass variations of in some embodiments ⁇ 50%, in some embodiments ⁇ 40%, in some embodiments ⁇ 30%, in some embodiments ⁇ 20%, in some embodiments ⁇ 10%, in some embodiments ⁇ 5%, in some embodiments ⁇ 1%, in some embodiments ⁇ 0.5%, and in some embodiments ⁇ 0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed method.
  • ranges can be expressed as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.
  • the residual air reduction device of the present disclosure includes a first bump surface 10, one or more alignment sides, such as first alignment side 11a, second alignment side 11b, third alignment side 11c, and fourth alignment side 11d, a top 20, and optionally an attachment flange 12.
  • the bump surface 10 contacts the pouch package directly as the pouch package passes the device during a manufacturing process. Such contact allows a product contained within the package to settle, thereby releasing air trapped within the product and/or within the product matrix. The contact may also displace a portion of the air in the head space of the pouch.
  • the residual air reduction device may have more than one alignment side 11.
  • the residual air reduction device may have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more alignment sides 11.
  • the device has 3 or 4 alignment sides 11.
  • the residual air reduction device generally includes a first alignment side and a second alignment side.
  • the first alignment side is adjacent to and/or connected to the bump surface.
  • the second alignment side is adjacent to and/or connected to the bump surface.
  • the bump surface is adjacent to one or more of the alignment sides.
  • the bump surface spans between the first and second alignment sides, but in some aspects, the bump surface spans between the first and third alignment sides.
  • the residual air reduction device also generally includes a third alignment side.
  • the third alignment side connects the bump surface to an alignment side that is not the second alignment side, or it can connect the second alignment side to one or more additional alignment sides, such as, for example, a third alignment side, a fourth alignment side, a fifth alignment side, a sixth alignment side, a seventh alignment side and/or an eighth alignment side.
  • suitable alignment side 11 lengths may be between 5 mm and 100 mm or more. In some embodiments, the alignment side 11 length is about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 mm or more. In some embodiments, each of the alignment sides have a different length. In other embodiments, at least two of the alignment sides have equal lengths. In some preferred forms, the first alignment side 11a and the third alignment 11c side have equal or substantially equal lengths. In other embodiments, the first alignment side 11a is longer than the third alignment side 11c.
  • the third alignment side 11c is longer than the first alignment side 11a. In some embodiments, the first alignment side 11a is longer than the second alignment side 11b. In some embodiments, the third alignment side 11c is longer than the second alignment side 11b. In some embodiments, the second alignment side 11b and a fourth alignment side 11d have equal lengths. In other embodiments, the second alignment side 11b is longer than a fourth alignment side 11d. In other embodiments, a fourth alignment side 11d is longer than the second alignment side 11b. As can be appreciated, the variation in alignment side lengths is infinite as each can be individually-sized for a particular application.
  • the first alignment side 11a is about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 mm or more in length.
  • the first alignment side 11a is between about 5 mm and 35 mm, more preferably between about 10 mm and 30 mm, still more preferably between about 15 mm and 25 mm, and most preferably about 20 mm in length.
  • the bump surface 10 has a length between 5 mm and 100 mm.
  • the bump surface has a length between about 10 mm to 65 mm, more preferably between about 15 mm to 58 mm, still more preferably between about 20 mm and 50 mm, and even more preferably between about 25 mm and 42 mm.
  • the second alignment side 11b is about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 mm or more in length.
  • the second alignment side 11b is between 10 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between about 15 mm and 30 mm, and is most preferably about 20 mm in length.
  • the third alignment side 11c is between about 5 mm and 100 mm, including all lengths therebetween, more preferably between about 10 mm and 90 mm, still more preferably between about 15 mm and 85 mm, even more preferably between about 20 mm and 80 mm, still more preferably between about 25 mm and 75 mm, even more preferably between about 30 mm and 70 mm, and most preferably between about 40 mm and 60 mm.
  • a fourth alignment side 11d is included in the residual air reduction device.
  • the fourth alignment side 11d is about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 mm or more in length.
  • the fourth alignment side 11d is between about 5 mm and 100 mm, more preferably between about 10 mm and 95 mm, still more preferably between about 15 and 90 mm, even more preferably between about 20 and 85 mm, still more preferably between about 25 mm and 80 mm, even more preferably between about 30 mm and 75 mm, and most preferably between about 35 mm and 70 mm.
  • the width of the residual air reducing devices of the present disclosure is a width capable of provided a rigid and stable device. Suitable widths provide a device capable of numerous package contacts with little to no wear. Such widths include those ranging from 5 mm to 100 mm. In some aspects the width, or thickness, is about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94
  • the width, or thickness ranges from about 10 mm to 80 mm, more preferably between about 15 mm and 70 mm, still more preferably between about 15 mm and 50 mm, and even still more preferably between about 20 mm and 45 mm.
  • the width is preferably about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, or 40mm, or between 10 mm and 40 mm, or between 15 mm and 35 mm, or between 20 mm and 35 mm..
  • the width is preferably about 34 mm.
  • the residual air reduction device also includes a bump angle 13.
  • the bump angle 13 is the angle formed by the bump surface 10 between a line perpendicular to the termination of the first alignment side 11a at the bump surface 10 and the second alignment side 11b.
  • the bump angle 13 may be customized to control the impact of the pouch package with the bump surface 10, as well as the reduction in residual air.
  • the bump angle 13 measures about 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, or 80°, or any angle therebetween.
  • the bump angle 13 is about 16°, 17°, 18°, 19°, 20°, 21°, 22°, 23° or 24°.
  • the bump angle is about 25°, 26°, 27°, 28°, 29°, 30°, 31°,32°, 33°, 34°, 35°, 36°, 37°, 38°, 39°, 40°, 41°, 42°, 43°, 44°, 45°, 46°,47°, 48°, 49°,50°, 51°, 52°, 53°, 54°, 55°, 56°, 57°, 58°, 59°, 60°, 61°, 62°, 63°, 64° or 65°. In some aspects of the disclosure, the bump angle is about 66°, 67°, 68°, 69°, 70°, 71°, 72°, 73°, 74°, or 75°.
  • the bump angle 13 is between 15° and 60°. In the devices of the invention, the bump angle ranges from 25° to 65°. In some aspects, the bump angle 13 is between 25° and 50°. In some aspects, the bump angle 13 is preferably between about 25° and 35°, and is preferably about 30°.
  • the residual air reduction device may include an attachment device or attachment means, such as an attachment flange 12 , attachment slot or groove 14 , or any combination thereof.
  • the attachment device or means is used to attach the device within the manufacturing line.
  • Suitable attachment devices or means include any attachment device or means known in the art.
  • attachment flanges may include an attachment void to allow, for example, attachment of a nut and/or a bolt.
  • attachment devices or means may be removable or permanent.
  • the attachment devices or means may be permanently fixed to or even welded to a machine in a manufacturing line or it may be removable by unscrewing, unsnapping, releasing detents, or the like.
  • FIG. 8 provides a representation of a TT9 rotatory machine including a pouch magazine 110 , printer station 112 , pouch opener 114 , air nozzle 116 , chunk funnel 118 , filling nozzle 120 , gravy tank 122 , multiple sealing bars 124 , 126 , cooling bar 128 , conveyor 130 , a location or position 132 to place a device or bump and a number of pouches 134 , each having a top 136 and bottom 138.
  • the present disclosure provides methods of reducing residual air in packages, such as pouch packages, during a manufacturing process.
  • the methods include employing at least one residual air reducing device of the present disclosure in a manufacturing line.
  • a single device of the present disclosure is employed in a manufacturing line.
  • two or more devices of the present disclosure are employed in a manufacturing line.
  • a suitable number of devices of the present disclosure employed in the manufacturing line is about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more.
  • 1 to 2 devices are employed in a manufacturing line in an embodiment of the present disclosure. More preferably, in other embodiments, 2 or more devices are employed in a manufacturing line.
  • the methods of the disclosure include employing one or more reducing devices at a specific point in the manufacturing line to maximize residual air reduction.
  • the device is employed following a pouch filling step.
  • the device is employed prior to a package sealing step.
  • the device is employed following one or more pouch filling steps and/or prior to one or more package sealing steps.
  • the methods of the disclosure include employing the one or more residual air reducing devices at one or more specific package contact points to maximize residual air reduction.
  • the device is positioned to contact the package at one or more points along the bottom third of the package. In some embodiments, the device is positioned to contact the package along the middle third of the package. In some embodiments, the device is positioned to contact the package along the top third of the package. In some embodiments, the device is positioned to contact the package at a point in line with the filled product. In some embodiments, the device is positioned to contact the package at a point in line with the head space of the package.
  • the methods include positioning at least one device in line with the filled product and at least one device in line with the head space of the package. A skilled artisan will recognize that the position of the device in relation to package contact may depend upon the viscosity of the filled product and type of product.
  • the methods of the disclosure include reducing the residual air in a packaged product, such as a pouch packaged product.
  • the residual air is reduced by at least 5% in comparison to a pouch packaged product manufactured without the use of the residual air reduction device described herein.
  • the residual air is reduced by about 10-100%.
  • the residual air is reduced by 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60% or more.
  • the residual air is reduced by at least 20-40%, and in another embodiment, the residual air content is reduced preferably by at least 50%-60%.
  • the removal of residual air is dependent on several variables, such as, for example, product viscosity, chunk size, chunk and gravy/jelly ratio, net content, pouch configuration, and/or filling speed.
  • the methods of the disclosure include reducing the amount and/or content of residual air in a pouch packaged product so that less than 8 cubic centimeters (cc) of residual air is remaining in the final package after sealing. In some embodiments, the residual air is reduced so that about 0.1 to 10 cc of residual air is remaining in the final package after sealing.
  • the residual air content is reduced to about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, or 10.0 cc remaining in the final package.
  • a pouch packaged using the methods of the disclosure has a reduced residual air content compared to the same sized pouch packaged without the methods of the disclosure.
  • a standard 50 g final sealed package that is produced using the methods of the disclosure may have at least 3 cc less of residual air compared to a 50 g pouch packaged and sealed without using the methods of the disclosure.
  • a standard 85 g final sealed package that is produced via the methods of the disclosure may have at least 5 cc less of residual air compared to a 85 g pouch that is packaged without using the methods of the disclosure.
  • a 100 g pouch that is a final sealed package produced according to the methods of the present disclosure may have at least 8 cc less of residual air compared to a 100 g final sealed package that was produced and/or sealed without using the methods of the disclosure.
  • a standard 150 g final sealed package that is produced using the methods of the present disclosure may include at least 10 cc less of residual air compared to a 150 g pouch packaged without using the methods of the disclosure.
  • Example 1 General pouch package fill process.
  • a general process for filling pouch packaged products includes opening the pouch, filling the pouch with the product, steam injecting the pouch to remove air from the head space, and sealing the pouch.
  • the mechanism for removing air is primarily focused on displacing the portion contained in the head space. Nevertheless, air will also get naturally trapped within the product matrix. Injecting steam into the pouch is not effective for removing air trapped in a product matrix from the package. It is within this gap that the present disclosure decreases the residual air level.
  • Example 2 Pouch package fill process using residual air reduction device.
  • the residual air reduction device decreases residual air levels by smoothly allowing the product matrix to adequately settle to the bottom of the pouch package, thereby releasing additional air trapped within.
  • a residual air reduction device is attached in line to a filling machine, just after a product depositing station and before a steam injection.
  • the devices are placed upon the natural path that each pouch will follow. This ensures that the device gently contacts, or hits, each pouch, and/or that each pouch contacts the device as it proceeds through the filling and sealing process on the machine. This contact enables the additional air to move from the product matrix to the head space of the package.
  • the package is then steam injected to remove the residual air in the head space of the package.
  • the amount of residual air in the packages are decreased by at least 30%.
  • the residual air in a package undergoing the methods of the present disclosure and contacting a device described herein is 30% less than the residual air in a control pouch that underwent all of the same steps except for contacting a device as described herein.
  • the use of the residual air reduction device is not dependent on product design variables.
  • Example 3 Product used to fill pouch package for residual air reducing device analysis.
  • a two-shot filling process was analyzed using the residual air reduction device.
  • the product which was a chunk:gravy (50:50) product, was dispensed into a pouch in two steps. The first step was filling the chunk component of the product and the second step was filling the gravy component of the product.
  • the chunk PSD is shown in FIG. 3
  • the gravy viscosity is shown in Table 1.
  • the pouch packaged used was an 85 g volume pouch with a gusset of 20 mm and a net product content of 75 g. Table 1.
  • Gravy Viscosity Spind le RPM Viscosity (cP) Torque Temperatur e (°C) 2 20 18 0.9 34.9 30 20 1.5 35 50 24 3 35 60 26 3.9 35 100 31.6 7.9 35
  • Example 4 Residual air reduction device shape evaluation.
  • the shape of the residual air reduction device was evaluated using various devices having varying alignment side numbers, alignment side lengths, and bump angles.
  • FIG. 4 shows the shapes evaluated for the device. Each shape evaluated resulted in reduced residual air in the final sealed packaged product ( FIG. 5 ).
  • the hitting force with a bump angle over 45° may manipulate the opening of a pouch prior to steam injections such that the pouch is compromised.
  • the device including a bump angle of 30° was the most efficient shape for reducing a residual air content of a product and/or of a pouch, such as a final sealed package and/or final sealed packaged product. ( FIG. 5 ). It is understood that other bump angles are effective, depending on the specific characteristics of a product and/or a product package.
  • Example 5 Residual air reduction device number evaluation.
  • FIG. 6 shows the residual air remaining in the final sealed package after processing with or without a residual air reduction device of the disclosure.
  • the use of multiple devices having either a 30° bump angle or 45° bump angle was also evaluated. Based on this evaluation, two devices having a bump angle of 30° is more efficient than using only one device ( FIG. 7 ) in some embodiments. Further, it was observed that hitting the bottom of the pouch was the most efficient contact position, as contact positions located higher caused product to splatter.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel destiné à l'utilisation dans une chaîne de fabrication pour réduire la quantité d'air dans un emballage en sachet, comprenant :
    a. une surface de butée (10) ayant une première section d'extrémité et une deuxième section d'extrémité ;
    b. un premier côté d'alignement (11a) connecté à la première section d'extrémité de la surface de butée ;
    c. un deuxième côté d'alignement (11b) connecté à la deuxième section d'extrémité de la surface de butée ;
    d. un angle de butée (13) défini comme étant l'angle formé entre une ligne perpendiculaire au premier côté d'alignement et la surface de butée, qui est compris entre 25° et 65° ; et
    e. un dispositif d'attache (12), le dispositif d'attache permettant d'attacher le dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel à la chaîne de fabrication ;
    la surface de butée étant configurée pour venir directement en contact avec l'emballage en sachet, par le fait que le dispositif est placé sur la trajectoire naturelle suivie par chaque sachet de manière à garantir que chaque sachet frappe le dispositif à mesure que l'emballage en sachet passe devant le dispositif au cours d'un processus de fabrication, et l'emballage en sachet contenant un produit fini.
  2. Dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'angle de butée (13) est choisi dans le groupe constitué de 30°, 45° et 60°.
  3. Dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier côté d'alignement (11a) présente une longueur dans une direction s'étendant depuis la première section d'extrémité de la surface de butée (10) comprise entre 30 mm et 80 mm.
  4. Dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le deuxième côté d'alignement (11b) présente une longueur dans une direction s'étendant depuis la deuxième section d'extrémité de la surface de butée (10) qui est inférieure à la longueur du premier côté d'alignement (11) dans une direction s'étendant depuis la première section d'extrémité de la surface de butée.
  5. Dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre :
    un troisième côté d'alignement (11c) ; et
    un quatrième côté d'alignement (11d) ;
    le troisième côté d'alignement reliant le deuxième côté d'alignement (11b) au quatrième côté d'alignement et le quatrième côté d'alignement reliant le troisième côté d'alignement au premier côté d'alignement (11a).
  6. Procédé de réduction d'air résiduel dans un emballage en sachet dans une chaîne de fabrication, comprenant les étapes suivantes :
    a. remplissage au moins partiel de l'emballage en sachet avec un produit ;
    b. mise en contact direct de l'emballage en sachet avec une surface de butée (10) d'un premier dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel pour éliminer au moins une partie de l'air piégé dans la matrice du produit et/ou se trouvant dans l'espace de tête de l'emballage en sachet, la surface de butée venant directement en contact avec l'emballage en sachet par le fait que le dispositif est placé sur la trajectoire naturelle suivie par chaque sachet, afin de s'assurer que chaque sachet frappe le dispositif à mesure que l'emballage en sachet passe devant le dispositif sur sa trajectoire naturelle au cours d'un processus de fabrication, le premier dispositif d'air résiduel comportant :
    la surface de butée ayant une première section d'extrémité et une deuxième section d'extrémité ;
    un premier côté d'alignement (11a) connecté à la première section d'extrémité de la surface de butée ;
    un deuxième côté d'alignement (11b) connecté à la deuxième section d'extrémité de la surface de butée ;
    un angle de butée (13) défini comme étant l'angle formé entre une ligne perpendiculaire au premier côté d'alignement et la surface de butée, qui est compris entre 25° et 65° ; et
    un dispositif d'attache (12) qui permet d'attacher le dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel à la chaîne de fabrication ; et
    c. le scellage au moins partiel de l'emballage en sachet.
  7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel l'emballage en sachet est complètement scellé.
  8. Procédé selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre l'étape d'enlèvement d'air résiduel supplémentaire de l'espace de tête de l'emballage par injection de vapeur.
  9. Procédé selon la revendication 6, comprenant en outre la mise en contact de l'emballage en sachet avec un deuxième dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel après la mise en contact de l'emballage en sachet avec le premier dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel.
  10. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la mise en contact avec le premier dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel se produit le long du tiers inférieur de l'emballage en sachet.
  11. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la mise en contact avec le deuxième dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel se produit le long du tiers inférieur d'emballage en sachet.
  12. Procédé selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le dispositif de réduction d'air résiduel présente un angle de butée (13) choisi dans le groupe constitué de 30°, 45° et 60°.
EP15829344.9A 2014-08-08 2015-08-08 Dispositif de réduction de l'air résiduel dans un sachet Active EP3177534B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201462035232P 2014-08-08 2014-08-08
PCT/US2015/044381 WO2016023012A2 (fr) 2014-08-08 2015-08-08 Dispositif de réduction de l'air résiduel dans un sachet

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EP3177534A2 EP3177534A2 (fr) 2017-06-14
EP3177534A4 EP3177534A4 (fr) 2018-03-14
EP3177534B1 true EP3177534B1 (fr) 2020-10-07

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CN112024283A (zh) * 2020-08-20 2020-12-04 深圳市裕展精密科技有限公司 导入装置、导入方法及产品

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3177534A4 (fr) 2018-03-14
WO2016023012A2 (fr) 2016-02-11
US20170305587A1 (en) 2017-10-26
WO2016023012A3 (fr) 2016-05-12
EP3177534A2 (fr) 2017-06-14

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