EP3999427A1

EP3999427A1 - Method by which crockery units with partially prepared meals positioned thereon are sealed with a film

Info

Publication number: EP3999427A1
Application number: EP20771430.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Eilerts
Original assignee: MChef GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: MChef GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-07-18
Filing date: 2020-07-13
Publication date: 2022-05-25
Also published as: WO2021008720A1; DE102019004991A1

Abstract

Method by which crockery units (1) with meals (30) positioned thereon are sealed with a film (15), wherein a crockery unit (1) is placed in a sealing machine. A portion (52) of the film (15) is positioned above the crockery unit (1). A chamber (54) is formed which comprises the crockery unit (1) and at least one partial portion (53) of the film and which is closed off in an airtight manner. Air from the interior of the chamber (54) is aspirated in order to generate a defined first internal pressure in the interior of the chamber (54). An inert gas is delivered into the interior (54) until a defined second internal pressure is reached. Gas mixture is aspirated from the interior of the chamber (54) in order to generate a defined third internal pressure. The partial portion (53) of the film is then affixed to the crockery unit (1).

Description

description

"Method for sealing crockery units with partially prepared meals positioned on them with a film"

The present invention relates to a method for sealing tableware units with a film, with dishes in particular being positioned on the tableware units.

In particular, the method is used to seal dishes with it

positioned partially prepared dishes with a foil. A crockery unit is placed in a sealing machine and a section of the film is placed above the

The crockery unit is positioned and the film is glued to the crockery unit. Various methods for sealing crockery units with partially prepared or fully prepared meals positioned thereon with a film have become known.

In the as yet unpublished DE 10 2018 000 407.5 of the applicant, a method is described in which a crockery unit is positioned like a plate in a sealing machine after the crockery unit has been filled with food. An adhesive was previously applied to an adhesive area of the dish unit. A film is positioned above the crockery unit, the receiving space is evacuated and the film is pressed onto the adhesive in the adhesive area in order to seal the crockery unit with the film. Inert gas components can be added prior to sealing. This reduces the proportion of oxygen in the remaining volume of the sealed dish unit, which enables a longer shelf life. The known method works reliably per se, but requires a relatively large amount of inert gas in order to increase the durability. In addition, the reproducibility can be improved.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method for sealing dish units with in particular positioned thereon and z. B. to provide partially or fully prepared meals with a film, which works reliably and enables an improved shelf life.

This object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1.

Preferred developments of the method according to the invention are the subject of the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the present invention emerge from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiments.

A method according to the invention for sealing crockery units with a film is carried out in particular with crockery units on which at least partially partially prepared meals were previously positioned. The sealing allows the individual

CONFIRMATION COPY Food can be safely accommodated on the dish unit for transport. In addition, the shelf life of the food can be increased.

In the method, at least one dish unit is placed in a sealing machine. A section of the film is positioned above the dish unit. A crockery unit and at least a portion of the film, comprising a dish unit, becomes airtight

closed chamber formed. Air is then sucked out of the interior of the chamber in order to generate a defined first internal pressure in the interior of the chamber. Then an inert gas is fed into the interior until a defined second internal pressure is reached. Then the gas mixture is sucked out of the interior of the chamber in order to generate a defined third internal pressure. Finally, at least the section of the film is glued to the dish unit.

The method according to the invention has many advantages. A significant advantage of the

According to the method according to the invention, the crockery units with, in particular, food positioned thereon, are sealed for transport. In addition, an increased shelf life of the food is ensured in a simple manner, since first the internal pressure is lowered, then an inert gas is supplied to the interior and finally the gas mixture is sucked out of the interior of the chamber until a defined third internal pressure is generated. Then a relatively small proportion of oxygen is contained in the interior, so that increased durability can be guaranteed. Foil of a foil web is preferably used for sealing, which foil can, for example, be stored wound up on a roll. Then a dish unit is placed in a sealing machine and a section of the film of the film web is positioned above the dish unit. A crockery unit and at least a section (des

Section) of the film of the film web comprising airtight chamber is formed. Then the first defined internal pressure is generated by suction, inert gas is supplied until the second defined internal pressure is reached and finally the gas mixture is sucked out of the interior in order to generate the third defined internal pressure before the section of the film of the film web is then glued to the crockery unit. The

Use of a film web allows easier automation and a

continuous or quasi-continuous operation.

The defined second internal pressure is preferably greater than the defined first internal pressure and also greater than the defined third internal pressure.

In particular, at least one internal pressure from a group of internal pressures which includes the first internal pressure, the second internal pressure and the third internal pressure is less than the ambient pressure. The second internal pressure is particularly preferably greater than the first Internal pressure. At least one internal pressure is preferably less than 500 mbar. The first, the second and the third internal pressure are particularly preferably each less than 800 mbar.

The first internal pressure and / or the third internal pressure is preferably less than 250 mbar. It is also possible that the first internal pressure and / or the third internal pressure is or are less than or equal to 150 mbar.

It is preferred that the first internal pressure and / or the second internal pressure and / or the third internal pressure are each greater than 50 mbar and in particular greater than 100 mbar. All internal pressures are particularly preferably greater than 50 mbar and preferably also greater than 100 mbar. This is advantageous because too low an internal pressure can lead to a deformation of the food positioned on the Gesehirreineinheit.If the internal pressure is too low, especially soft desserts or other dishes can be deformed by the excessive pressure difference from inside and outside, so that the optical impression suffers.

The first internal pressure and the third internal pressure are preferably between 50 mbar and 300 mbar and the second internal pressure is preferably between 200 mbar and 800 mbar.

For example, the first and the third internal pressure can be approximately 150 mbar, while the second internal pressure is between 350 and 500 mbar.

A high level of stability during transport can be achieved through such a graded internal pressure variation. In addition, a correspondingly low oxygen content is ensured, so that the food has a long shelf life. Preferably, a sealing machine with at least two tool components is used which, in a closed position, forms the airtight chamber with the interior space for receiving at least one crockery unit. It is also possible that three or more tool components together form the airtight closed chamber. The chamber is closed in particular by a movement of the tool components relative to one another. As a result, the interior space is separated from the surroundings in a substantially airtight manner.

At least one first tool component is preferably designed as an upper tool. A second tool component is particularly preferably designed as a lower tool. In particular, parts of the upper tool and the lower tool become airtight

locked. When closing, the parts of the upper tool and the lower tool then provide the airtight separated chamber. Preferably, at least one movable clamping frame is included, which in a

Clamping position clamps the section of the film (or the film web) against the upper tool. In particular, the clamping frame is movable with respect to the upper tool. The clamping frame is preferably received in a height-adjustable manner on the upper tool. In advantageous embodiments in which a continuous film web is used that is unwound from a roll, the film web preferably runs between the movable clamping frame and the upper tool. In the clamping position, a section of the film of the film web is then clamped against the upper tool. In a lowered position, however, the film of the film web can be transported between the clamping frame and the upper tool. A suitable section is cut out or punched out of the film web.

In all of the configurations, it is preferred that the section of the film is heated and pre-stretched and (at least in part) is drawn into a dome-like area of the upper tool. The part of the section of the film clamped between the clamping frame and the upper tool is reliably held, while the middle area expands through the action of the vacuum and the action of heat and is drawn into the dome-like area of the upper tool. The drawn-in part of the film can partially or completely rest against the inner wall of the dome-like area of the upper tool. Preferably, openings (venting and ventilation) are provided in the dome-like area of the upper tool in order to be able to evacuate the dome-like area. The crockery unit is preferably provided or equipped with an adhesive supply.

In particular, a circumferential bead of adhesive is positioned on the crockery unit, which enables the film to be glued tightly to the crockery unit.

The partial section of the film is particularly preferably glued to the dish unit after the third internal pressure has been generated. In particular, the section of the film is glued to the crockery unit while the third internal pressure prevails.

During the gluing process, the section of the film is preferably pressed onto the tableware unit or the tableware unit is pressed against the section of the film. Before and during the gluing, the partial section of the film is heated at least in the contact area with the adhesive and the adhesive in order to enable the film to be properly bonded to the dish unit.

In particular, a sealing tool is included, which is heated to a temperature between in particular 140 ° and 170 ° for sealing or gluing. Preferably that presses

Sealing tool the section of the film against the dish unit. In particular, the sealing tool is heated to a temperature of about 150 °: The sealing tool can be continuously brought to a temperature of 150 ° C as long as the dishes are to be sealed.

The partial section of the film is preferably pressed onto the dish unit at a pressure of between 3 bar and 6 bar. In particular, the section of the film is pressed pneumatically against the dish unit. In preferred embodiments, a pressure of about 5 bar +/- 10% is used.

The section of the film is preferably pressed onto the dish unit for a sealing time of between 2 seconds and 4 seconds. In particular, the section of the film is pressed onto the dish unit for a sealing time of 2.5 seconds +/- 0.5 seconds. Reliable bonding is thereby achieved.

The interior of the chamber is preferably ventilated after the section of the film has been glued to the dish unit. In particular, the chamber is then opened and the upper tool and the lower tool are moved apart.

A gas mixture which comprises at least 60% N2 (nitrogen) and at least 20% C02 (carbon dioxide) is preferably fed in as the inert gas. The gas mixture preferably comprises less than 10% 02 (oxygen) and in particular no oxygen at all.

It is preferable that a plurality of dishwashing units substantially _{simultaneously,} the lower tool to be positioned. The plurality of crockery units are preferably introduced into the sealing machine via a gripping tool. It is particularly preferred to have the same plurality of dish units sealed with foil from FIG

Sealing machine applied.

The degree of vacuuming can depend in particular on the food to be packaged. A lower vacuum or a higher third internal pressure can be set for pressure-sensitive food, while a lower internal pressure or a higher vacuum can be set for mechanically stable food.

Further advantages and features of the present invention emerge from the

Exemplary embodiments which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

The figures show: FIG. 1 a sealing machine for carrying out the invention

Procedure in a front view; FIG. 2 shows the upper and lower tools of the sealing machine according to FIG. 1 in an extended position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective top view of the lower tool according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a holder of the lower tool according to FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a dome-like area of the sealing tool of the upper tool;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic exploded view of a sealing machine;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the sealing machine according to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of the sealing machine according to FIG. 6 in FIG

Clamping position when sealing the crockery units; FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view of a crockery unit; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of the crockery unit according to FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a schematically illustrated sealing machine 50 which is suitable for sealing dishes with dishes 30 positioned thereon and partially prepared. The crockery units 1 are sealed with a film 15 which comes from a film web 51 and is stored here wound on a roll.

On the right-hand side, the delivery 57a can be seen, where food 30 is provided

Dish units 1 are supplied. The conveyor belt is controlled in such a way that, in the exemplary embodiment, four crockery units 1 in the form of plates are spaced apart in a defined manner. Here the four crockery units 1 are simultaneously activated by the

The gripping tool 72 is transported into the interior of the sealing machine 50 and is positioned there between the two tool components 60 and 61, namely the upper tool 60 and the lower tool 61, and is placed here on the upper tool 61.

After sealing, the four are sealed with the gripping tool 72

Crockery units 1 with the food positioned thereon removed from the tool via the transport 57b. At the removal 57b, the crockery units 1 can be removed individually or they are automatically removed.

The display and control 65, on which the respective state of the sealing machine 50 and the process sequence are shown, is used to control and provide an overview of the process sequence. Parameters of the process can also be changed interactively on the display 65. The film web 51 is passed through the tool. When the sealing remaining film components are wound up on the winding 51 a.

In order to show the interior of the sealing machine 50, the sealing machine 50 is shown here in a position in which the protective grille 59 is folded up so that the tool with the tool components 60 and 61 can be seen inside the sealing machine.

In the state of the two tool components being moved apart, the film web 51 runs between the upper tool 60 and the clamping frame 62 located slightly below it. The lower tool 61 can be seen at a distance below in the position shown in FIG. When the tool components are closed, a chamber 54 is created inside (see FIG. 7) and the film web 51 is between the

Upper tool 60 and the clamping frame 62 clamped reliably. Below the

The clamping frame 62 is followed by the lower tool with the crockery unit 1 positioned thereon in the clamping position 55. During the sealing process, the mold is first closed. Gas is then extracted from the interior of the tool in order to reduce the internal pressure to a first internal pressure. An inert gas or an inert gas mixture, which is stored in the inert gas cylinder 58, for example, is then supplied. This offers itself

for example a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The compressor 67 is used for suction. A serves as a buffer

Vacuum tank 66, which enables faster suction of the interior of the tool.

Figure 2 shows a slightly perspective view of the upper tool 60 and the.

Lower tool 61 with the clamping frame 62 recognizable in between

Four holders 68 are arranged here, which are designed to receive one dish unit 1 in a form-fitting manner. The crockery units 1 are correspondingly set down on the tool component 61 by means of the gripping tool 72 from FIG.

The lower tool 61, like the upper tool 60, is connected via supply lines 69 to the compressor 67 or the vacuum tank 66 and via corresponding ones

Lines and controllable valves can also be connected to the inert gas bottle 58. FIG. 3 shows the lower tool 61 with the holders 68 for receiving the crockery units 1. Towards the left, the lower tool 61 is followed by the removal 57b, while the transport 57a can be seen on the right. That is also in the upper area

Upper tool 60 can be seen. FIG. 4 shows a top view of a holder 68 on the lower tool 61. The vacuum lines 70 in the material of the lower tool 61 and the precisely fitting ones can be seen

Design of the holder 68 including a sauce holder area 68a. The holder 68 is designed to fit precisely with the underside of the dish unit 1, so that a secure hold of the dish unit 1 on the holder 68 and thus on the lower tool 61 is ensured.

FIG. 5 shows a view into the interior of a dome-like area 63 of the sealing tool 64, which is received in the upper tool 60. The number of dome-like areas 63 in the upper tool 60 corresponds to the number of holders 68 on the lower tool 61

The dome-like area 63 is practically sealed over the plate arranged on the holder 68 or over the crockery unit 1. Through the vacuum lines 70 in

A vacuum can be built up in the chamber 54 in the lower tool 61 and also in the dome-like region 63 of the sealing tool 64.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the mode of operation and the sequence of the method for sealing crockery units 1 with food 30 positioned thereon with a film is illustrated.

For a better understanding, FIG. 6 shows a type of exploded view of FIG

Tool components 60, 61 and 62, with between the clamping frame 62 and the

Upper tool 60, the film 15 from the film web 51 can be seen.

The crockery unit 1 is depicted between the clamping frame 62 and the lower tool 61 and is received by the holder 68 on the lower tool 61 with an accurate fit. The crockery unit 1 can be inserted into a circumferential edge of the holder 68, as can be seen in FIG. Or the crockery unit 1 has a downwardly protruding web which is placed on the holder 68 and surrounds the holder 68 in a form-fitting manner at least in sections.

Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of the tool after closing the

Tool, with the individual parts drawn slightly apart from each other in order to be able to distinguish them. In fact, in the clamping position 55 shown in FIG. 7, the chamber 54 is closed to the outside and designed to be tight.

The crockery unit 1 is here in a form-fitting manner on the holder 68 of the lower tool 61

recorded. The section 52 of the film web 51 is clamped between the clamping frame 62 and the upper tool 60 in the edge area. In the area of the chamber 54, the dome-like area 63 is formed in the sealing tool 64 of the upper tool 60. The dome-like area 63 was evacuated through the vacuum lines recognizable in FIG. 5 after or while the section 52 of the film web 51 was being heated. As a result, the film expands into the dome-like area 63 and can in particular become almost or completely flat place on the dome-like area 63 in the sealing tool 64. As a result, a sufficient distance from the food 30 (see FIG. 8) taken on the dish unit 1 is achieved.

After the chamber 54 has been evacuated for the first time and the internal pressure has been reduced to a first defined internal pressure, gas is supplied to the chamber 54 until a second defined internal pressure is present in the chamber 54. In this case, ambient air is not supplied here, but rather an inert gas or an inert gas mixture, for example from the inert gas bottle 58 from FIG. 1. This considerably reduces the oxygen content in the gas mixture within the chamber 54. The chamber 54 is then further evacuated until a defined third internal pressure is reached. The foil 15 is in close contact with the food 30 and the dish unit 1, so that only a small space 16 remains between the dish unit 1 and the dishes 30 and the foil 15.

In this state, the previously applied to the dish unit 1 and. Meanwhile heated adhesive 21 by pressure of the upper tool on the dish unit 1 or by pressure of the dish unit 1 against the upper tool 60 with the film 15 or the

Partial section 53 of section 52 of film web 51 is glued.

The pressing time for sealing the film and the crockery unit is preferably about 2.5 seconds, the pressing pressure being in particular 5 bar. The area of the film to be bonded is heated by the sealing tool 64, which is continuously heated to a temperature of 150 ° C. here.

Because a first defined internal pressure of 150 mbar, for example, is initially set after the mold has been closed, the amount of air and thus also the

The amount of oxygen in the area of the chamber 54 is significantly reduced. The chamber 54 and thus also the space 16 are then ventilated with an inert gas or inert gas mixture until a second defined internal pressure is reached, which in the exemplary embodiment is preferably between 350 and 500 mbar. As a result, the proportion of oxygen in the total gas contained within the chamber 54 is again significantly reduced.

Subsequently, gas is sucked out of the chamber 54 until the defined third internal pressure is reached. This significantly reduces the amount of oxygen inside the chamber. A third defined internal pressure of 150 mbar is preferably set.

Figures 9 and 10 show a top view and a side cross section through the

Dish unit 1, which is preferably used in the method according to the invention. In the top view according to FIG. 9 it can be seen that the dish unit 1 is designed in the form of a plate and has a mirror section 3 for receiving food and an edge section 4 by which the dish unit 1 can be gripped. The

Edge section 4 is also used for gluing to the film 15. For this purpose, an adhesive bead 7 is applied around the edge section 4. The adhesive is glued to the film 15 and seals the interior from the outside. When the film 15 is peeled off from the dish unit 1, the adhesive 21 remains largely or completely on the film.

The crockery unit 1 here has a separate mirror section 23 for receiving a container 24 such as a sauce container. Overall, the crockery unit 1 is approximately rectangular and has a width 5 and a length 6, which here is at least approximately 1.5 times the width 5.

In FIG. 10, a cross section of the crockery unit 1 can be seen, the adhesive bead 7 from the adhesive 7 or the sealing material 21 on the edge section 4 also being recognizable here. An application surface 18 is formed as an adhesive area 8 on the edge section 4. Overall, the invention provides an advantageous method for sealing dish units with a film.

The crockery units 1 or plates can be sealed with the required

Adhesive amount to be provided. Then the tableware units 1 for

for example, can be stored for a day or the like. Before the nitrogen is applied, the crockery units 1 are tempered to temperatures in particular between 25 ° C. and 35 ° C. in order to ensure an optimal application of adhesive.

The adhesive is applied circumferentially in a closed contour to the edge section 4

applied. Here, in the exemplary embodiment, the adhesive is melted in a storage container at 150 ° C. and transported through a supply hose that is also heated to 150 ° C. and applied with a nozzle heated to 160 ° C. The adhesive then dries on the edge section 4.

Before sealing, the food is placed on the plate. The crockery unit 1 is then placed on the feed 57a in the form of a roller conveyor, for example.

Four crockery units are controlled by a light barrier and brought into a defined distance and then lifted by a gripping tool and placed in the

Sealing machine 50 moved. The crockery units 1 are placed on adapted holders 68 on the lower tool 61, the contours of the holders 68 and the underside of the crockery units 1 being adapted to one another and thereby the crockery units

be positioned positively and without play on the holder. In an open position of the tool, the film web 51 runs between the clamping frame 62 and the upper tool 60. By closing the tool, an airtight sealed chamber 54 is formed.

The sealing tool 64 is permanently heated to a temperature of 150 ° C. First of all, air can be blown through the vacuum lines 70 into the dome-like area 63 onto the film, wherein the film can be correspondingly heated and stretched by the heated air. By sucking the air out of the dome-like area 63, the film is sucked in and drawn into the dome-like areas 63. Then there is enough space for the

Dish units positioned food 30 so that the lower tool 61 against the

Upper tool 60 can be moved. An externally sealed chamber is created in which the 4 crockery units 1 are located.

A first vacuum and thus a first defined internal pressure is then generated. An inert gas or inert gas mixture is then fed in until a second defined internal pressure is reached, before the gas is sucked off again until a third defined internal pressure is present.

In this state, the film is glued to the crockery unit 1. The chamber 54 can then be ventilated and the sealed dish units 1 can be removed from the

Tool can be removed.

List of reference symbols

1 crockery unit, plate 55 clamped position

2 body 56 lowered position 3 mirror section 57a transport

4 Edge section 57b removal

5 width _, 30 58 inert gas cylinder

6 length 59 protective grille

7 adhesive bead 60 tool component, 8 adhesive area upper tool

9 grip edge, edge 61 tool component,

15 Slide 35 Lower tool

16 space 62 clamping frame

18 Application area 63 dome-like area 19 Elevation 64 Sealing tool

21 Adhesives, sealing material 65 Display and control

23 mirror section 4o 66 vacuum tank

24 Reservoir 67 Compressor

30 food, component 68 holder

50 Sealing Machine 68a Sauce Holder Area

51 film web 69 supply line 51a winding 45 70 vacuum lines

52 Section 71 Seal

53 section 72 gripping tool

54 chamber

Claims

1. A method for sealing crockery units (1) with, in particular, food (30) positioned thereon with a film (15),

wherein at least one crockery unit (1) is placed in a sealing machine (50) and a section (52) of the film (15) is positioned above the crockery unit (1) and one of the crockery unit (1) and at least one section (53) the film comprising airtight chamber (54) is formed,

wherein air is sucked out of the interior of the chamber (54) in order to generate a defined first internal pressure in the interior of the chamber (54),

an inert gas being supplied to the interior space (54) until a certain second

Internal pressure is reached,. ·

wherein gas mixture is sucked out of the interior of the chamber (54) in order to generate a defined third internal pressure,

and wherein at least the section (53) of the film is then glued to the crockery unit (1).

2. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one internal pressure from a group of internal pressures, which includes the first internal pressure, the second internal pressure and the third internal pressure, is less than the ambient pressure and wherein the second internal pressure is greater than the first internal pressure .

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first internal pressure

and / or the third internal pressure is less than 250 mbar.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first internal pressure

and / or the second internal pressure and / or the third internal pressure is greater than 50 mbar or 100 mbar.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first internal pressure and the third internal pressure is between 50 mbar and 300 mbar and the second internal pressure is between 200 mbar and 800 mbar.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing machine (50) with at least two tool components (60, 61) is used, which in a closed position (62) the airtight chamber (54) with the interior for receiving at least one Crockery unit (1) forms.

7. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one first tool component (60) designed as an upper tool and wherein a second

Tool component (61) is designed as a lower tool, and parts of the

Upper tool and the lower tool are hermetically sealed and when

Seal the airtight separated chamber (54).

8. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein a movable clamping frame (62) is included which, in a clamping position (55), clamps the section (52) of the film (15) against the upper tool (60).

9. The method according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the portion (52) of the film (15) is heated and pre-stretched and in a dome-like region (63) of the

Upper tool (60) is drawn in.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crockery unit (1) is previously equipped with an adhesive supply (21) which forms a circumferential adhesive bead (7).

1 1. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the section (53) of the film (15) is glued to the dish unit (1) after the third internal pressure has been generated.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the section (53) of the film (15) is pressed onto the crockery unit (1) and wherein the section (53) of the film and an adhesive are heated to the section (53) To glue film web (51) to the dish unit (1).

13. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein a sealing tool (64) is included, which is heated to a temperature between 140 ° C and 170 ° C and presses the section (53) of the film (15) against the dish unit (1).

14. The method according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the section (53) of the film (15) is pressed onto the crockery unit (1) at a pressure of between 3 bar and 6 bar.

15. The method according to any one of the three preceding claims, wherein the subsection (53) of

Foil (15) is pressed onto the crockery unit (1) for a sealing time of between 2 and 4 seconds. .

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber (54) is opened and the upper tool (60) and the lower tool (61) moved apart and the Interior of the chamber (54) is ventilated after the section (53) of the film (15) has been glued to the dish unit (1).

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a gas mixture is supplied as the inert gas, which comprises at least 60% N2 and at least 20% CO2.

18. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the gas mixture is less than 10%

02 includes.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of

Dish units (1) are positioned essentially simultaneously on the lower tool (61).

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of dish units (1) is introduced into the sealing machine (50) via a gripping tool (25) and at the same time an equal plurality of dish units (1) sealed with foil is applied.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the degree of vacuuming depends on the food (30) to be packaged.