ES2554997T3 - Multi-compartment package without tray with rigid frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-compartment package (1) without a tray of individually sealed compartments comprising i) two outermost films (5), ii) at least two stacked products (2), iii) at least one inner film (6) interposed between the at least two stacked products, iv) a peripheral circumferential continuous seal that seals the stacked films together and delimits at least two stacked sealed compartments, each compartment containing at least one product of said at least two stacked products, characterized in that the films comprise a crystallizable polymer and the crystallizable polymer crystallizes, at least partially, in correspondence with the sealing zone, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous rigid frame (3).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Multi-compartment package without tray with rigid frame Technical field

The present invention relates to a multi-compartment package without tray, in which at least two stacked products are stored in individual compartments delimited by particles, in particular to a multi-compartment package without tray characterized in that it has a peripheral rigid frame obtained by partially induced crystallization. by heating the films along the sealing zone during the sealing operation. The present invention also relates to processes for the manufacture of such packages.

Prior art

In the field of packaging, there are several applications in which traditional single-compartment packages, specifically packages in which the entire product is contained in a single compartment, are not satisfactory, while a multi-compartment arrangement, in which each of The elements or portions of a product are packaged individually, it can be particularly advantageous.

For example, in the field of food packaging, in particular the packaging of sliced products (cheese, processed meat, salmon, etc.), existing single-compartment packages show some drawbacks: particularly after opening, the remains dry quickly and they suffer unpleasant organoleptic changes and, if not consumed or frozen soon, they are generally spoiled.

In addition, the shelf life of food products traditionally packaged in a modified atmosphere or ford is drastically shortened once the single compartment package is opened.

Finally, the different food products cannot always be combined in the same single compartment package due to the migration of odors (for example salami and cured ham) or cross-contamination of flavors (for example cheese and processed meat). Another drawback of single-compartment packages, particularly if they contain a significant amount of sliced food products, is that the slices stick together and are difficult to separate, thereby deteriorating when they are removed from the package.

In the field of medicine, all sterilized elements, such as cannulas, dressings, needles, bandages, etc., packaging in single-compartment packages should be used immediately after their extraction since, otherwise, contamination could occur due to Surrounding bacteria or submerged medicated elements may dry out.

To overcome the above problems, multi-compartment packaging systems are provided, which contemplate the individually packaged elements or the packaging of a single quantity of products.

US4069348 (L. D. Schreiber Cheese Company) discloses a sealed package in which a plurality of portions of stacked products are hermetically sealed in individual compartments by internally sealed films resealable to a support panel. When an individual portion of the product is removed, all others remain hermetically sealed. WO8702965 (Garwood LTD) discloses a process for manufacturing a package for food wrapped in skin comprising a base, that is, a rigid tray, and a lid, with a gas between the base and the lid to preserve the properties of food. The package also includes a flexible and gas permeable band made of plastic material to wrap skin located on the base and food. A multi-compartment version of this package is disclosed, comprising a nigged container. Useful materials are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE).

WO8800907 (Garwood LTD) discloses a process improvement of WO8702965. The package includes a nested tray made of PVC and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that contains food wrapped in skin. Said food is covered with a flexible and gas permeable band, made of plastic material, which is sealed over the edge of the tray. The package also includes a gas impermeable cover, made of PET / PVC / PET that can have a compartment for storing sauce or cutlery.

DE4440727 (Beiersdorf AG) discloses a package that contains at least 2 dressing separated by a layer of material and which are contained between the layers of the upper and lower cover, the layers being able to be made of several different polymers. The layers are joined together by sealing, sealing in fno, gluing or their combinations.

EP 1 291 294 A1 (Fromageries Bel) discloses a package according to the preamble of claim 1. GB 1 361 868 (Oscar Mayer & Co.) discloses a process for manufacturing packages nipped from flexible films.

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The existing multi-compartment packages, although they are capable of solving most of the problems mentioned above, continue to show, at the same time, many inconveniences.

In fact, multi-compartment packages known in the art need a support tray or a thick reinforcement base to confer rigidity to the system. The trays considerably increase the volume of the packages and the relationship between the weight of the plastic materials and the weight of the packaging element, which results in less sustainable packages.

In addition, the presence of trays increases manufacturing costs and waste disposal: in fact, it entails additional manufacturing steps related to the production and conformation of the support tray, which causes a greater waste of energy and time and, in Ultimately, an increase in costs.

Finally, the tray and wrapping lids or films of the multi-compartment packages of the prior art are made of different materials, which means that recycling and / or elimination of the entire package entails more problems.

In conclusion, there is still a need for a lightweight and sustainable package that allows:

- keep individual portions of different products or the same product, including air-sensitive products, and use them individually,

- easily open the compartment that contains each individual portion,

- avoid cross contamination (odors, flavors, bacteria)

- prevent sliced products from sticking and breaking

said package being sufficiently sharp to handle, transport, store and expose it even in the absence of an additional thick plastic support structure, such as a tray.

Summary of the invention

A new multi-compartment package without tray has been discovered in which at least two products are stored stacked in individual compartments, in which each compartment is surrounded by two internal films, or an internal film and a more external film, characterized in that the films consist in films, preferably peelable films, which comprise a crystallizable polymer, and because the package also comprises a continuous nested frame obtained by the crystallization partially induced by the heating of the crystallizable polymer during the sealing operation. This package does not require any additional tray, with the advantage that it reduces overall costs and decreases its environmental impact. Said package has several advantages, such as avoiding drying of leftover foods, maintaining sterility, avoiding cross-contamination between different products, etc., with a considerably reduced material consumption compared to conventional multi-compartment packages with tray or base of reinforcement.

Thus, a first object of the present invention is a multi-compartment package without tray with individually sealed compartments comprising

i) two more external films,

ii) at least two stacked products,

iii) at least one internal film located between the at least two stacked products,

iv) a circumferential continuous peripheral seal that joins, stacked, the stacked films and delimits at least two stacked stacked compartments, each compartment containing at least one product of said at least two stacked products, characterized in that the films comprise a crystallizable polymer and the Crystallizable polymer crystallizes at least partially in correspondence with the sealing zone, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous nesting frame.

A second object of the present invention is a process for manufacturing the multi-compartment package of the present invention, said process comprising the steps of:

i) provide two more external crystallizable films and at least one internal, optionally precut;

ii) provide at least two products to be packaged;

iii) stack a more external film, the product (s), the internal film (s), alternating the products and the internal film (s), and the other external film, until the desired number of compartments is obtained;

iv) simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a continuous circumferential peripheral sealing area, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous naming frame, and

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v) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer contour of the frame, thus providing the multi-compartment package;

or, alternatively, the stages of:

a) provide two more external crystallizable films and at least one internal, optionally precut;

b) provide at least two products to be packaged;

c) place a more external film, a product and an internal film in a stacked form;

d) simultaneously seal and crystallize the cell stack along a continuous area of circumferential peripheral sealing, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous continuous frame;

e) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer contour of the frame,

thus providing the first compartment of the package;

f) placing a stack of "a product / a film" or "a film / a product / a film" in the compartment formed in steps c) to e);

g) repeat points d) to f) for each new compartment, until the desired number of compartments is obtained, thus providing the multi-compartment package;

or, alternatively, the stages of:

A) provide two more external crystallizable films and at least two internal, optionally pre-cut films;

B) provide at least two products to be packaged;

C) place a film, a product and a stacked film;

D simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a continuous area of circumferential peripheral sealing, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous naming frame;

E) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer contour of the frame, thus providing the first compartment of the package;

F) manufacture at least one other compartment following steps A to E;

G) stack the first and new or new compartments, optionally placing a product between adjacent compartments;

H) join, by sealing or gluing, the first and the new or the new compartments, simultaneously or one after the other if there are more than two, until obtaining the desired number of compartments, thus providing the multi-compartment package.

Definitions

Here, the term "package without tray" refers to a package in which there is no nigid tray, container, receptacle, reinforcing base, plate or any equivalent support means commonly used in the field of packing that confers rigidity, located outside the sealed compartments and to which they connect (i.e. seal, glue, etc.) the films.

The term package without tray does not exclude the presence of pads or other flexible supports, nested or seminigids inside one or more of the sealed compartments, that is, it does not completely exclude the contained support means. Said contained support means are not sealed with the films in a stacked form, but are completely contained within the sealed compartment.

Similarly, the term without tray does not exclude the fact that the current package can also be placed in a container, provided that it is not connected to it by circumferential sealing, gluing, etc.

Here, the term "multi-compartment package" refers to a package with more than one stacked compartment. This package contains more than one portion and / or more than one element of one or more stacked products, each portion and / or each element being contained in an individually sealed compartment.

Here, the terms "compartment" and "sealed compartment" refer to a part of the present package bounded by two adjacent films, that is, two internal films or an internal film and a more external film, joined by sealing at along a circumferential peripheral continuous seal. Each compartment contains at least one product.

Here, the term "outermost film" refers to a plastic film in which one of its outer surfaces is in contact with the product and the other is in contact with the outside.

Here, the term "product or products" refers to both countable and uncountable products. In the case of accounting products, the term "products refers to at least two elements of said or said products, while in the case of countless products it refers to at least two portions.

Here, "two products" refers to two elements or portions of packaging products in this package. These "two products" may be the same or different. If the two products are the same, the package contains either two elements or two portions of that same product.

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Here, the term "single portion of the product" refers to an amount of product that is stored in a compartment of the package object of the present invention.

Any arrangement of one or more portions and / or one or more elements of the one or more products in the sealed compartments of this multi-compartment package is oriented to be within the scope of the present invention, that is, different elements or portions of a product. , each of them contained individually within a sealed compartment, such as sterilized bandages or slices of ham; different elements or portions of two or more products, each of them located individually in a sealed compartment, such as slices of cheese / slices of ham / slices of salami, each packaged in a different compartment; different elements or portions of a single product, placing more than one element or portion in a sealed compartment, such as two sterilized patches in the same compartment; different elements or portions of two or more products, placing more than one element or portion of different products in the same compartment, such as a sterilized bandage and a dressing in the same compartment, etc.

In the present specification, "internal film" refers to a plastic film of the package in which one of its surfaces comes into contact with the product (s) contained in a first compartment and the other surface comes into contact with the product (s). a second compartment or with the surface of another internal film.

Here, the term "film" includes flexible plastic bands, regardless of whether it is a film, a sheet or a laminate. Generally, the film used in the package object of the present invention has a thickness of 100 pm to 5 pm; more preferably, from 60 pm to 7 pm, even more preferably, from 40 pm to 10 pm.

Preferably, the outer film (s) and the internal film (s) have the same thickness, although they can also be of different thicknesses.

Here, the phrase "joining the films in a stacked form by sealing" when referring to the circumferential peripheral continuous seal means that all or, alternatively, some of the stacked films are joined by sealing, while others may be glue.

If only some of the films are joined by sealing, the package can be assembled by stacking the sealed compartments and joining them by gluing, as described for example in a third variant of the manufacturing process of the present package. In such a case, the induced crystallinity in the sealing zone of each individual independent compartment is sufficient to confer adequate rigidity to the final frame after assembly of the package by gluing.

Here, the term "frame" refers to the circumferential continuous peripheral nipple edge partially crystallized, obtainable by stacking the internal and outermost plastic film (s) stacked in each other.

Here, the term "nested" refers to the stiffness of the frame against flexion. Regardless of the test procedure adopted to assess the stiffness of the frame, in the current context, "nested" means that the frame obtained by sealing the inner and outermost films or films of the package stacked to each other has a stiffness greater than the stiffness from the same stack of outermost films and internal plastic films or films before sealing.

Flexural strength can be measured, for example, by a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) according to ASTM 4065 or with a dynamometer according to ASTM D790, and can be expressed in N / m2 as flexural strength of the frame.

The rigidity requirements of this package may change depending on the packaging products, their use and final destination etc. However, the person skilled in the art will be able to select both the crystallizable polymers or polymers and the optimal sealing conditions to provide the package with the stiffness required for the intended use.

The stack of more external and internal plastic films before sealing is quite flexible. After sealing, the at least partial crystallization of the films induced by heat and pressure in correspondence with the sealing zone forms the frame and provides a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the initial film stack. The frame, depending on the level of induced crystallization, the thickness and width of the sealing zone, etc., can remain partially flexible or semi-rigid, but it has to be understood that its stiffness is always greater than the stiffness of the stack of initial films before sealing.

Here, the term "sealing" refers to the union of plastic films obtainable by applying all those sealing techniques capable of inducing the crystallization, at least partially, of the crystallizable polymers of the films at along the sealing zone, such as for example hot rod sealing or by ultrasonic welding techniques.

Here, the term "crystallizable", when referring to polymers, plastic films or

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sheets, means that the polymer, the film or the sheet comprising the polymer can be crystallized under sealing conditions, for example, under heating and / or compression.

Here, the terms polymer, resin, polyester etc. "crystallized or crystalline" refers to homopolymers and copoKmeros, composite or recycled formulas that have a defined melting temperature.

Here, the term "crystallizable polymer or polymers" refers to polymers, homopores, copolymers, mixtures, compound or recycled formulas, resins, etc., capable of crystallizing under the sealing conditions adopted during the sealing stage. Examples of suitable crystallizable polymers are crystallizable homo- or copolymers of one or more polypropylenes, high density polyethylenes (HDPE), medium density polyethylenes (MDPE), polyesters, biodegradable polyesters, such as polylactic acids (PLA), polyamides, such as PA6, preferably with aggregate nucleating agents, polystyrenes (PS), more preferably crystallizable polyester, and mixtures thereof.

Here, the terms "(based on) polymer or polypropylene or polyethylene or polyester", when referring to the film or its composition, mean that the film is a mono- or multilayer film comprising at least 30% of the weight with respect to the total weight of the film, of a polymerizable or polypropylene or polyethylene or crystallizable polyester, preferably of a crystallizable polyester, more preferably, at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95 %.

When the crystallizable polymer is, for example, a polyester, with the term "crystallizable polyester" reference is made to a polyester capable of crystallizing at temperatures normally between 140 ° C and 220 ° C, temperatures generally adopted at sealing phase of the manufacturing process.

Here, the phrase "the polymer is at least partially crystallized" refers to a polymer that is at least partially crystalline. Here, the phrase "at least partially crystalline polymer" refers to a polymer, preferably a polyester, having a crystallinity percentage greater than 15%, preferably, greater than 20%, more preferably, greater than 25%, even more preferably, greater than 30%.

The melting temperature of the polymer (s) and its crystallinity can be evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or by other equivalent procedures known in the state of the art.

For example, the DSC can be used to determine the degree of crystallinity of thermoplastic polymers through the measurement of the enthalpy of fusion (measurable according to ASTM E793) and its normalization to the enthalpy of fusion of a 100% crystalline polymer (see B. Wunderlich, Thermal Analysis, Academic Press, 1990, pp. 417-431). In the present context, the crystallinity of the crystallizable polymers or polymers before the sealing stage is substantially uniform throughout the entire film (s). However, in the final package according to the present invention, the crystallinity of the crystallizable polymer in correspondence with the sealing zone, that is, in correspondence with the frame, is greater than the crystallinity of the same polymer in areas other than the sealing area.

"Greater than the crystallinity of the same polymer in areas other than the sealing area" means that the difference in the percentage of crystallinity of the frame polymers or polymers with respect to the polymers of the other parts of this package is at least one 5%, preferably greater than 8%, more preferably greater than 10%

Here, the terms "seal layer", "sealing layer", "thermal sealing layer" and "sealing layer" refer to an outer layer that allows the film to seal itself, another film and / or to another article, which is not a movie.

Here, the term "peelable", referring to a film or a sheet, means that the films sealed between them result in a seal that is strong enough to ensure the tightness of the package during its useful life, but which is You can easily open by pulling with the hands of the two films joined by the seal.

In the present invention, when peelable films are used, each peelable film is capable of forming a seal, under the application of heat and / or pressure, with a surface layer of another film of the package, and the seal can be broken without breaking the movie. A procedure to measure the resistance of a peelable seal, also known as "peel strength" is described in ASTM F-88-00. Acceptable peel strength values generally range from 200 g / 25 mm to 850 g / 25 mm, 300 g / 25 mm to 830 g / 25 mm, 350 g / 25 mm to 820 g / 25 mm, 400 g / 25 mm to 800 g / 25 mm.

Here, "EVOH" refers to the ethylene / vimyl alcohol copolymer. The EVOH includes saponified or hydrolyzed copolymers of ethylene / vinyl acetate with a degree of hydrolysis preferably of at least 50%, and more preferably, of at least 85%. Preferably, the EVOH comprises from about 28 to about 48 mol% of ethylene, and more preferably from about 32 to about 44 mol% of ethylene.

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Here, the expression "machine address", abbreviated herein as "MD" or longitudinal direction, "LD", refers to a direction "along the length" of the film, that is , in the direction in which the film is formed during extrusion and / or coating.

Here, the expression "transverse direction", abbreviated as "TD" herein, or "cross direction" refers to a direction through the film, perpendicular to the machine or to the longitudinal direction.

Here, the terms "orientation ratio" and "stretch ratio" refer to the product of multiplying the level at which the plastic film material has expanded in the two directions perpendicular to each other, that is, the direction of the machine and the transverse direction. Thus, if a film has been oriented in up to three times its original size in the longitudinal direction (3: 1) and in up to three times its original size in the transverse direction (3: 1), the general film has an orientation ratio of 3 * 3 or 9: 1.

In the present specification, the terms "heat shrink", "heat shrinkage" and the like refer to the tendency of the film to shrink when heat is applied, that is, to contract when heated, so that the size of the film decreases while The movie is in an unrestricted state.

Here, the terms "low heat shrink", "low heat shrink" or "low light films" and the like, refer to films with a free shrink both in the direction of the machine and in the transverse, measured according to the ASTM standard D 2732, less than 10% at 140 ° C, more preferably less than 5%.

Here, the term "polymer" refers to the product of a polymerization reaction and includes homopolymers and copolymers.

Here, the term "homopolymer" is used with reference to a polymer resulting from the polymerization of a single monomer, that is, a polymer consisting essentially of a single type of grouper, that is, a repeated unit.

Here, the term "copolymer" refers to polymers formed by the polymerization reaction of at least two different monomers. The term "copolymer" includes terpolymers, random co- or terpolymers, block co- or terpolymers and graft co- or terpolymers.

Here, the term "polyolefin" refers to the polymer or copolymer resulting from the polymerization or copolymerization of straight, branched or straight aliphatic, straight or branched, unsaturated monomers of hydrocarbons, which may be substituted or unsubstituted. More specifically, the term polyolefin includes olefin homopolymers of film-forming, copolymers of an olefinic and non-olefinic comonomer copolymerizable with olefin, such as vinylic monomers and the like. Concrete examples are the polyethylene homopolymer, polypropylene homopolymer, polybutene homopolymer, ethylene and alpha-olefin copolymer, propylene and alpha-olefin copolymer, butene and alpha-olefin copolymer, ethylene and unsaturated ester copolymer, ethylene copolymer and unsaturated acid, (for example copolymers of ethylene and alkyl acrylate (C1-C4) or methacrylate, such as copolymer of ethylene and ethyl acrylate, copolymer of ethylene and butyl acrylate, copolymer of ethylene and methyl acrylate, copolymer of ethylene and methyl methacrylate, copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid and copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid), ionomer resin, polymethylpentene, etc.

For the purposes of this description and of the following claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers that express values, quantities, percentages, etc., should be understood as modified in all cases by the term "approximately".

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a top view of a package 1 of the present invention, the package providing a flap (4) for easy peeling of the film (s).

Figure 2a is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment (1A) of the package of Figure 1.

Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment (1B) of the package of Figure 1.

Figures 3A-3B and 3C-3E are other cross-sectional views of the first (1A) and the second (1B) embodiment illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the package of the present invention, the package providing an opening (7) that allows the vertical exposure of the package.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the package of the present invention, the package providing a hitch (8) that allows the vertical exposure of the package.

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Figures 6A to E show the profile of some sealing bars suitable for the manufacture of this package.

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a first process for manufacturing the embodiment 1A and, respectively, the embodiment 1B of a three-compartment package according to the present invention.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a second process for manufacturing the embodiment 1A and, respectively, the embodiment 1B of a three-compartment package according to the present invention.

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a third process for manufacturing embodiment 1A and, respectively, embodiment 1B of a three-compartment package according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The first object of the present invention is a multi-compartment package without tray with individually sealed compartments comprising

i) two more external films,

ii) at least two stacked products,

iii) at least one internal film located between the at least two stacked products,

iv) a circumferential continuous peripheral seal that joins, by sealing, the stacked films and delimits at least two stacked sealed compartments, each compartment containing at least one product of said at least two stacked products, characterized in that the films comprise a crystallizable polymer and the Crystallizable polymer is crystallized, at least partially, in correspondence with the sealing zone, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous nested frame.

The present package is a multi-compartment package comprising at least two stacked compartments, each compartment comprising at least a portion or an element of at least one product.

In one embodiment, the present package is a two-part package comprising two stacked compartments.

In another embodiment, the present package is a package of more than two portions, that is, for three portions or more, comprising more than two stacked compartments.

The total number of compartments depends, among other things, on the thickness of the product contained, that is, the greater the thickness of the product, the smaller the number of compartments of the package object of the present invention.

Between two subsequent portions of the stacked product (s), internal plastic films are placed and sealed between them, preferably sealed in a peelable manner, along the frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the packages advantageously contain a flap to facilitate opening.

In an embodiment of the multi-compartment package of the present invention (embodiment 1A), only an internal film (6) is interposed between two adjacent products (2).

In this embodiment (1A), each inner film is in common between two adjacent compartments (as shown in Figure 2A for a two-compartment package) and the removal of the films one after another, that is, first an outer film and then the next or the next internal movies, executes the direct opening of each compartment.

In the embodiment 1A, in which two portions or elements of the same or different adjacent products share a single internal plastic film, the package is obtained by alternating the films and the products to be packaged in this order, until the number is obtained desired compartments.

In another embodiment of the multi-compartment package of the present invention (embodiment 1B), as shown in Figure 2B, two internal films (6) are interposed between two adjacent products.

In the embodiment 1B, two portions / elements of the product (s) are completely contained by their own films. In this way, it is possible for the user to separate each sealed compartment separately, but still keeping the different portions packaged. Thus, you can open each individual compartment and use the product whenever and wherever you want.

The package object of the present invention generally comprises from 2 to 20 compartments, preferably from 2 to 10, more preferably from 2 to 5.

The number of films required for the package according to the present invention preferably ranges from a minimum of n + 1 to a maximum of 2n, where n is the desired number of compartments.

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For the preferred range of compartments from 2 to 10, the package preferably comprises 3 to 20 films. According to a first method of the present invention, the films can be sealed tightly to each other by a single sealing stage at the end of the stacking operation with an appropriate sealing bar that induces partial crystallization of the sealing zone, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B.

Preferably, when it has the proper shape, the sealing bar can also thermoforming the sealing zone, thereby increasing the stiffness of the frame even further.

In the case where a sealing bar with a thermoforming profile is used, preferably films with lower orientation ratios will be selected.

Alternatively, it is possible to add to the first sealed compartment containing the product stacked sequences of product / film or alternate film / product / film, progressively sealing each new sequence added, as depicted in Figures 8A and 8B.

Alternatively, each compartment comprising two films and a portion of the product can be sealed separately and then joined by stamping / gluing the stacked compartments in subsequent steps, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

In a preferred embodiment, according to the present invention, the internal plastic film (6) and the outermost plastic film (5) of the package are sealable and peelable films, which allow the easy opening of each compartment and / or the Easy separation of each individual compartment. Preferably, the peelable films comprise a peelable coating or a peelable sealant.

The outermost films and the internal film (s) used in this package may be the same or different, preferably they are the same.

The outermost layers used in the package object of the present invention may be transparent, opaque, colored by pigmenting additives or may have an impression or adhesives or labels depending on the desired end use.

Preferably, one of the two outermost films (5) is printed; In this case, the packaging machine can accommodate two reels: one for the outermost printed film and another for the unprinted films of the package. Alternatively, the machine can be provided with a line printing system, such as those marketed for example by DIGI, without the need for a second reel of material.

Preferably, the internal films (6) of the film used in the package object of the present invention are transparent. Preferably the film used in the package object of the present invention has a thickness of 100 pm to 5 pm; more preferably, from 60 pm to 7 pm, and even more preferably, from 40 pm to 10 pm.

The present multi-compartment packages allow a significant reduction of packaging material with respect to the weight of the packaging product therein.

Therefore, in the present multi-compartment package, the relationship between the weight of the packaging material (i.e. the total weight of the films) (B) with respect to the total weight of the package (A), calculated as a percentage by weight, according to The following formula: (B) / (A) x 100,

it is preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10%, even more preferably less than 7%.

In the multi-compartment packages of the state of the art, in which a tray or a base is included, said proportion is significantly higher, being more than 15%, typically more than 20%.

The shape of the frame and that of the pre-cut films according to the present invention are not limited. For example, they can be independently rectangular, round, oval, triangular or, in general, polygonal or they can follow the shape of the packaging product, thus offering a packaging with better appearance and being more attractive to the consumer.

The package (1) can have, for example, a rectangular shape, as shown in Figure 1.

Each portion of the product (2) is contained in a respective sealed compartment. The sealing stage provides the package with a rigid frame (3) formed by the superimposed and thermo-crystallized films.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the package is advantageously provided with a flap (4) for easy peeling of the film (s).

Figures 2a and 2b show cross-sectional views along line AA of the package of Figure 1, which represents two different embodiments (1A and 1B), each comprising two outer films (5) and one or two internal films (6), respectively. In particular, Figure 2a represents the embodiment 1A, in the

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that only one internal film is interposed between the two stacked products, while Figure 2b represents the embodiment 1B, in which two films are interposed.

Figures 3A-3B and 3C-3E represent the opening mechanism of the packages illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B, in particular, are cross-sectional views along the diagonal BB of said packages, as described in Figure one.

Figures 3A and 3B show the opening of the package 1A, which presents a single internal film (6) (embodiment A). By pulling one of the outermost films in correspondence with the flap (4), the respective compartment opens directly and the contents are exposed for immediate use, while the rest of the package remains sealed.

Figures 3C-3E show the opening of package 1B, which has two internal films (6) (embodiment B). By pulling at the same time one of the outermost films (5) and the adjacent inner film (6) in correspondence with the flap (4), the respective sealed compartment is separated: both compartments remain sealed and the contents packed in separate packages For later use.

According to another embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 4, the package is advantageously designed so that it has an opening (7) that allows the package to be hung on a vertical display.

According to another embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 5, the package is advantageously designed so that it has a hitch (8) that allows the package to be hung on a vertical display.

Those skilled in the art are aware of tools, equipment and techniques to obtain such forms of sealing, hooks or openings in the package and provide it with a flap that facilitates its opening.

Preferably, in the package object of the present invention, the compartments are filled with a modified atmosphere. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a technique used to prolong the shelf life of perishable products. MAP packages according to the present invention are manufactured following procedures known in the art, such as "gas scavenging" and "offset ford."

In another embodiment, the compartments of the present multi-compartment package are ford, advantageously extending the useful life of the perishable products contained (packaging to the ford). In that case, the air is removed from the compartments before sealing, then the compartments are sealed tightly without any gas scavenging or compensation.

In the package object of the present invention, the films comprise one or more crystallizable polymers, namely, one or more polymers, one or more homopolymers, one or more copolymers, mixtures, compound formulas, recycled or resins that can crystallize under the conditions of sealing taken during the sealing stage, that is, under heating and / or compression.

Examples of crystallizable polymers are crystallizable homo- or copolymers of one or more polypropylenes, high density polyethylenes (HDPE), medium density polyethylenes (MDPE), polyesters, biodegradable polyesters, such as polylactic acids (PLA), polyamides, such as PA6 , preferably with aggregated nucleating agents, polystyrenes (PS), more preferably crystallizable polyester, and mixtures thereof

The amount of crystallizable polymer in the films of the present package in relation to the total weight of the films is at least 30% by weight, preferably at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95%.

Preferably, the package according to the first object of the present invention comprises films based on polyester, each having the same thickness and the same composition. Alternatively, the films of the present package may be of different thicknesses and / or compositions.

The crystallizable polyester resins preferably used for the present invention are capable of crystallizing under heating, that is, at temperatures generally between 140 ° C and 220 ° C, generally adopted at the sealing stage of the manufacturing process.

The crystallizable polyester resins preferably used for the present invention are capable of crystallizing under heating and / or compression, for example by adjusting the sealing machine at temperatures normally ranging between 140 ° C and 220 ° C, preferably between 170 and 200 ° C and / or a general pressure ranging from 2 to 8 bar, preferably from 4 to 7 bar, temperature and pressure conditions generally adopted in the sealing stage of the manufacturing process.

The films are mono- or multilayer films, preferably stripping films, each comprising at least 30% by weight, in relation to the total weight of the film, of a crystallizable polyester resin, preferably at least 50%, 60% , 70%, 80%, 90% or 95%.

In the film suitable for the package according to the first object of the present invention, the crystallinity percentage of the crystallizable polymer, preferably of the crystallizable polyester and / or copolyester, will be

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greater than 15%, preferably greater than 20%, more preferably greater than 25%, even more preferably greater than 30%, in correspondence with the sealing area, after the sealing stage.

The percentage of crystallinity of the polyester and copolyester suitable for the invention is evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as is known in the state of the art (see B. Wunderlich, Thermal Analysis, Academic Press, 1990, pp. 417-431).

Polyesters are polymers that contain ester groups in their main chain obtained from the reaction of a diol with a diacid. In homopolyesters a single species of diol and diacid is used, while in copolyester there is used at least one of the carboxylic acids in combination with at least two species.

Suitable crystallizable polyesters for the films of the present package include homopolyesters, such as poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly (2,6-naphthalate ethylene), poly (1,2-propylene terephthalate), poly (2,5-dimethyl- ethylene) terephthalate), poly (butylene terephthalate), poly (ethylene isophthalate), poly (ethylene 5-t-butyl isophthalate), poly (butylene 2,6-naphthalate) and similar homopolymers, and copolyesters in which the diacid component it is still based mainly on aromatic diacids such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, alkyl substituted terephthalic acid and alkyl substituted isophthalic acid.

Appropriate homopolyester and copolyester resins are typically characterized by a high melting point (Tm), such as a Tm greater than 220 ° C, preferably greater than 230 ° C.

Some specific examples include Eastapak 9921 copolyester, sold by Eastman, and Ramapet N180, sold by Indorama. Crystallizable biodegradable polyester resins can also be used.

Examples of crystallizable biodegradable polyesters are: polyglycolide (PGA) and its copolymers with caprolactone, lactide or trimethylene carbonate, polylactide (PLA), poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly (ethylene succinate), poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). A suitable PLA is marketed, for example, by CargillDow under the NatureWorks® brand. A suitable PBAT is marketed as Ecoflex® by BASF, Eastar BIO® by Eastman Chemical and Origo-Bi® by Novamont.

A multi-compartment package according to the present invention, composed substantially of crystallizable polyester or biodegradable polyester, is particularly preferred since it is considered even more environmentally friendly.

Polyesteramides such as those marketed by Bayer under the BAK® brand can also be used.

Preferably, the films of the crystallizable polymers suitable for the package according to the first object of the present invention consist of two layers, a base layer and a sealing layer.

Preferably, said crystallizable polymers are crystallizable polyester resins. The crystallizable polyester resins suitable for the base layer are those described above.

In one embodiment, the crystallizable polyester resin of the base layer is mixed with an amorphous polyester resin. Said amorphous polyester is characterized by a Tg value of less than 115 ° C, preferably less than 95 ° C, even more preferably less than 85 ° C.

The amount of said amorphous polyester in the base layer of the film of the present package is generally a maximum of 70% by weight with respect to the total weight of the base layer, preferably a maximum of 50% by weight, even more preferably a maximum of 40%

Appropriate amorphous polyester resins are those derived from an aliphatic diol and / or a cycloaliphatic diol with one or more dicarboxylic acids, preferably an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. Preferred amorphous polyester are copolyester of terephthalic acid with an aliphatic diol and a cycloaliphatic diol, especially ethylene glycol and 1,4-dicyclohexanedimethanol. The preferred molar ratios of cycloaliphatic diol to aliphatic diol are in the range of 10:90 to 60:40, preferably in the range of 20:80 to 40:60, more preferably 30:70 to 35:65. Particular examples of particularly preferred amorphous polyester are PETG Eastar® 6763, sold by Eastman (glass transition temperature 81 ° C, density 1.27 g / cc) and Embrace, sold by Eastman Chemical (glass transition temperature 70.6 ° C , density 1.32 g / cc).

In another embodiment, the entire film or, if present, said base layer will consist of one or more suitable crystallizable homo- and / or copolyesters mixed with up to preferably 10% of a mother mixture containing conventional additives dispersed in a matrix of (co) polyester, additives known in the art as nucleating agents, which favor the crystallization process during the sealing stage.

Suitable nucleating agents are, for example, those listed in Table 1 of the H. Zhou bibliographic review available at the internet address
www.crd.ge.com as 98CRD138. Particularly preferred nucleating agents are inorganic compounds such as talc, silicate, clay, titanium dioxide and the like. These compounds can be used in an amount less than 5% by weight, typically in an amount of 1-2% by weight of the total weight of the film or the base layer. Other preferred nucleating agents are

certain compatible poftmeros, such as fluoropoftmeros (PTFE), that can be mixed with the polyester of said film or layer (a) in an amount of up to, for example, 5-8% by weight.

Examples of nucleating agents particularly suitable for crystallizing polyester that can be used in the present application are: (i) alkali metal salts of organic acids, for example carboxylic acid; 5 sodium, lithium, potassium benzoates (see D. Garcia, Heterogeneous nucleation of PET, Journal of Polymer Science - Polymer physics edition, Vol 22, 2063-2072, 1984 and R. Legras, C. Bailly, M. Daumerie, V Zichy et al., Chemical nucleation, a new concept applied to mechanism of action of organic acid salts on the crystallization of PET and bisphenol-A-polycarbonate, Polymer, Vol 25, 835-844, 1984) or sodium salts of benzoic acids Substitutes containing at least one nitro, halogen, hydroxyl, phenyl or oxyphenyl substituent, and alkali metal salts, including phenolic, phosphonic, phosphonic and sulfonic salts (see EP0021 648); (ii) lithium and / or sodium salts of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic acids, aromatic carboxylic acids or heterocyclic polycarboxylic acids containing up to 20 carbon atoms (see US3761450); (iii) dibenzylidene sorbitol DBS (see Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol 36, 387-402, 1988); (iv) triglyceride oil and triglyceride oil in combination with / or chemically bonded with the organic salts of metal acids (see US5356972). The nucleation agents preferably used in the present invention are commercially available as Tna S471 from Sukano, Elvaloy PTW and Elvaloy Ac from Dupont and Hyperform HPN series from Milliken.

Examples of nucleating agent that can be used in the present invention suitable for crystallizing polypropylenes are the compounds supplied by Milliken under the trade name of Millad.

The amount of nucleating agent generally depends on the type of polymer used. According to conventional practice, the nucleation agent is generally used in an amount of 2% to 5%, more preferably, 2.5% to 4%, even more preferably, about 3%.

Preferably, the particle size of the nucleating agents is not greater than 10 micrometers.

The base layer may have a thickness between about 10 and 90 pm, more preferably, between about 15 and 60 pm, even more preferably, between about 20 and 35 pm.

The heat sealable layer may comprise at least one first amorphous polyester resin and, optionally, one more polyester resin.

Said amorphous polyester is characterized by a Tg value of less than 115 ° C, preferably, less than 95 ° C, even more preferably, less than 85 ° C. Suitable amorphous polyester resins are those derived from an aliphatic diol and a cycloaliphatic diol with one or more dicarboxylic acids, preferably, an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The preferred amorphous polyesters are copolyesters of terephthalic acid with an aliphatic diol and a cycloaliphatic diol, especially ethylene glycol and 1,4-dicyclohexanedimethanol. The preferred molar ratios of cycloaliphatic diol to aliphatic diol are in the range of 10:90 to 60:40, preferably, in the range of 20:80 to 40:60, more preferably, from 30:70 to 35:65. Particularly preferred examples of amorphous polyester are PETG Eastar® 6763, sold by Eastman (glass transition temperature 81 ° C, density 1.27 g / cc) and Embrace, 35 sold by Eastman Chemical (glass transition temperature 70.6 ° C, density 1.32 g / cc).

For the heat sealable layer of the films in the present package, a mixture of two or more amorphous polyester is also suitable.

More suitable polyester can be added to the sealant layer. Such polyesters may be those derived from an aliphatic diol, preferably ethylene glycol and one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acids, preferably, terephthalic acid. Polyethylene terephthalate and its copolyesters are preferred. Specific examples include the Eastapak 9921 copolyester, sold by Eastman, and Ramapet N180, sold by Indorama.

The amount of the first amorphous polyester in the heat sealable layer of the film of the present package is preferably at least 30% by weight with respect to the total weight of the heat sealable layer, preferably, at least 50% by weight, even more preferably , of at least 60% by weight.

The amount of additional polyester in the heat sealable layer of the film of this package is generally a maximum of 70% by weight with respect to the total weight of the heat sealable layer, preferably, a maximum of 50% by weight, even more preferably , of a maximum of 30%.

In one embodiment, the internal film (6) and the outermost films (5) of the package according to the first object of the present invention are made of peelable films, thus allowing easy opening of each compartment and / or Your separation from others.

In a preferred embodiment, the films are peelable films based on crystallizable polyester.

Pelability can be imparted to the films by mixing additional resins in the sealant layer, usually from 3 to 40% by weight, more frequently, from 10 to 25% by weight of an appropriate thermoplastic resin. Suitable thermoplastic resins that contribute to reducing the sealing force of a sealing layer of

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Polyester of a film are polyethylenes, polyamides, polystyrenes, in particular, block copolymers of styrene and butadiene, ionomers, copolymers of ethylene and unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as copolymers of ethylene and (meth) acrylic acid, and copolymers of ethylene and olefin cyclic, such as ethylene and norbornene copolymers. These resins have a low compatibility with the polyester resin layer and the resulting separation phase gives the desired pelability. Specific examples are PRIMACOR 3440, from Dow, a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid, and Bynel 4104, from Du Pont de Nemours, a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) modified with anhydride.

The thickness of the heat sealable layer is generally between 5 and 40% of the thickness of the base layer. The heat sealable layer may have a thickness of up to about 25 pm, preferably, up to about 15 pm, more preferably, between about 0.5 and 10 pm, and more preferably between about 0.5 and 7 pm.

The film of the present invention may have additional layers.

For example, an outer layer may be present, having a thickness of up to approximately 25 pm, preferably, up to approximately 15 pm, more preferably, between approximately 0.5 pm and 10 pm, and even more preferably, between approximately 0.5 pm and 7 pm. The outer layer is the outermost layer of the structure.

Preferably, the polyester resins suitable for the composition of the outermost layer are selected from the list of crystallizable polyester resins named above.

In one embodiment, the crystallizable polyester films useful for the package according to the first object of the present invention comprise at least two layers: the sealant layer and the base layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the crystallizable polyester films comprise at least three layers: the sealant layer, the base layer and the outer layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the same crystallizable polyester resin, either alone or mixed, is used for the base layer and the outer layer. Preferred resins are Eastapak 9921 copolyester, sold by Eastman, and Ramapet N180, sold by Indorama.

In one embodiment, the same amorphous polyester resin is used in the base layer and in the sealant layer. Preferred resins are PETG Eastar® 6763, sold by Eastman, and Embrace, sold by Eastman Chemical.

In the case of two or three layer films, the crystallizable polyester is preferably presented in a weight percentage ranging from 50 to 70% with respect to the total weight of the film and the amorphous polyester is preferably present in a weight percentage that goes from 25 to 35% with respect to the total weight of the film.

The films of the present package may also comprise a gas barrier layer, which may constitute a medium or high barrier to gases, especially oxygen, depending on the product to be packaged.

Here, the term "medium barrier film" refers to a film having an oxygen transfer rate (OTR) of less than 200 cc / m2 / day, preferably less than 100 cc / m2 / day at 100% RH and 23 ° C.

Alternatively, the multilayer film object of the present invention may comprise at least one high gas barrier layer and may have an oxygen transfer rate (OTR) of less than 50, preferably, less than 30, more preferably, less than 20 cc / m2 / day at 23 ° C and 100% relative humidity.

The OTR of plastic films can be measured according to ASTM D3985.

Some known gas barrier resins and mixtures thereof suitable for barrier films are, for example, copolymers of ethylene and vimyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamides and copolymers based on acrylonitrile. Once the gas barrier resin is selected, its thickness will be established to obtain the desired permeability properties.

Binding layers may be present in the film to improve adhesion between the layers.

The bonding layers can be arranged between the corresponding layers in case sufficient adhesion between adjacent layers is not ensured. The adhesive resin may preferably comprise one or more polyolefins, one or more modified polyolefins or a mixture of the foregoing. Some specific and non-limiting examples thereof may include: copolymers of ethylene and vimic acetate, copolymers of ethylene and (meth) acrylate, copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefin, any of the above modified with carboxylic or preferably amphitric functionalities, elastomers, and a mixture of these resins.

One or more layers of the film of the present invention may contain any of the additives conventionally used in the manufacture of polymeric films. In this way, such agents can be incorporated

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such as pigments, lubricants, antioxidants, radical scavengers, oxygen scavengers, ultraviolet absorbers, odor absorbers, thermal stabilizers, anti-blocking agents, surfactants, slip additives, optical brighteners, gloss enhancers and viscosity modifiers, as deemed appropriate. In particular, to improve the processing of the film in high-speed packaging equipment, slip or anti-lock agents can be incorporated into one or both outer layers. The additives may be added as a concentrate in a resin containing polyester. Alternatively, the sliding agents can be added by coating, for example, by plasma coating or by spraying (for example with a Weko equipment). The amount of additive is typically in the range of 0.2 to 5% by weight of the total weight of the layer.

In another embodiment, the films (5 and / or 6) of the present package may be monolayer films; in this case, suitable crystallizable polyester resins, optionally mixed with amorphous polyester, are the same, both in terms of type and percentages, as those for the base layer mentioned above.

Monolayer films suitable for current packages are airtight, preferably, monolayer films are also peelable.

To impart the required pelability and sealing capacity, the films may be coated, either during or after their manufacture, with suitable known compositions.

A typical composition and coating process are the examples described in WO9619333, WO0154886, WO2011083342.

The coating composition may be applied to the film by any suitable conventional technique, for example, by spraying, dip coating, roller coating, slit die coating, calendering coating or extrusion or impregnation coating.

The weight of the applied coating layer is typically in the range of 0.1 to 5.0 g / m2, more frequently, 0.3 to 3.0 g / m2, and in particular 0.5 to 2, 0 g / m2 The thickness of the coating layer is typically in the range of 0.3 to 10 pm, more preferably, 0.5 to 5.0 pm, and in particular 1.0 to 2.0 pm.

The coating can be applied on one surface of the film or on both surfaces.

For films coated on both surfaces, the same weight and thickness ranges indicated above can be applied to each coating layer.

Before placing the coating layer on the film, the surface to be coated may advantageously be subjected to a chemical or physical treatment to improve the bond between that surface and the applied coating layer. One of the preferred treatments is to expose the surface to be coated to a high voltage electrical voltage accompanied by a corona discharge. Alternatively, the substrate can be pretreated with an agent known in the art to cause a solvent or swelling action on the film. For example, for polyester films, suitable agents include halogenated phenols dissolved in an organic solvent, such as a solution of p-chloro-m-cresol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,5- or 2,4,6 -trichlorophenol or 4-chlororesorcinol in acetone or methanol.

Such coatings can also be applied to a multilayer film. In this case, it is not necessary to impart pelability to the film by adding, in the sealant layers, resins compatible with the resin of the sealant layer.

The films in this package are films that are not very contrafble as defined above.

These films have minimal or non-existent contraction at temperatures below 140 ° C. The contraction (in each direction) is generally a maximum of 15% at temperatures below 100 ° C, below 120 ° C, and even below 140 ° C.

Generally, in the case of polyester-based films, the contraction (in each direction) does not exceed 15% over the common heat-sealing temperature range of polyester films, specifically, in the range of 140 to 200 ° C The compression generally does not exceed 15% (in each direction) at 180 ° C, at 160 ° C and even at 150 ° C.

Depending on the resins used and the particular final application, these films can be manufactured by coextrusion, extrusion coating, and / or lamination of preformed molded films, followed by a mono- or biaxial orientation and, optionally, by a step of annealed or heat set, or they can be prepared by rolling preformed films of which at least one part has been oriented mono- or biaxially.

Typically, coextrusion equipment is used, in which each resin is extruded through an extruder and all layers are joined in the extrusion die. Flat dies are typically used for polyester films.

The film of the present invention is also preferably oriented. A procedure of

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tubular or preferably flat orientation of the film to produce a biaxially oriented film. Preferably, the flat film is oriented with an extension device.

In a tubular procedure, also known as the "double bubble" procedure, the simultaneous biaxial orientation is obtained by coextruding thermoplastic resins in a tube shape that is subsequently cooled, reheated and then expanded by the internal gas pressure to induce the orientation. transverse, and withdraws at a speed that will induce longitudinal orientation. An example of suitable equipment for this technique is described in US4841605. As an alternative, a triple bubble orientation procedure can also be used, including in that case a final rest or annealing step, as is known in the state of the art.

Another possible tubular process, suitable for manufacturing the films of the present package, is the "hot blow" process.

In a flat-film process, the thermoplastic film-forming resins are extruded through a matrix T and rapidly cooled on a cooling roller to ensure that the resins are rapidly cooled to their amorphous state.

To improve the adhesion of the film to the cooling roller, electrostatic fixing can be used, as is known in the state of the art and as described in US5494619.

In this case, the orientation is carried out, optionally, by stretching in plane, simultaneously or sequentially, the cooled extrusion at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resins.

In the sequential planar orientation process, firstly, a cooled extrusion is oriented in one direction, in general, in the longitudinal direction, that is, the direction of advance of the stretch machine of the film, and then in the transverse direction. . The longitudinal stretching of the extrusion is conveniently carried out on a set of rotating rollers oriented in the direction of the machine (MDO), which rotate at different speeds. At least one of the first pairs of rollers is heated, for example, by internal circulation of hot oil. The transverse stretching is generally performed in a transverse oriented stretching apparatus (TDO), which comprises a certain number of heating zones and suitable means for stretching.

For the manufacture of the multilayer films of this package, the polymers for the different layers are fed to separate extruders. The melts are extruded through a multilayer T matrix and cooled on a cooling roller. The longitudinal stretching (MDO) of the extrusion is conveniently carried out in a temperature range of 60 to 120 ° C, preferably 70 to 100 ° C.

In transverse stretching (TDO), the temperatures of the film are in the range of 90 ° C (preheating zone) to 130 ° C (stretching zone), preferably 90 ° C (preheating zone) at 110 ° C (stretch zone). The longitudinal stretch ratio is in the range of 2.0: 1 to 5.0: 1, preferably 2.3: 1 to 4.8: 1. The transverse stretch ratio is generally in the range of 2.4: 1 to 6.0: 1, preferably 2.6: 1 to 5.5: 1.

In the process of simultaneous flat orientation, a cooled flat extrusion is oriented simultaneously towards both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction through simultaneous tensioning devices.

Said extrusions are fed to the preheating zone of a simultaneous tensioning apparatus, with or without a previous passage through an infrared heated oven. The temperature of the furnace in said preheating zone, its length and the time taken by the band to move in said zone (i.e. the speed of the band) can be conveniently modified so that the film reaches the desired temperature for biaxial orientation. . In a preferred embodiment, the orientation temperature is between approximately 90 ° C and approximately 140 ° C, and the temperature of the preheating zone is maintained between approximately 90 ° C and approximately 150 ° C. In said preheating zone, the film is held but still not stretched. Next, the hot, optionally irradiated and attached film is directed to the stretch zone of the tensioner. In said area any means of simultaneous stretching can be used. However, the clamps are preferably driven through the opposite tracks of the tensioning structure by means of a linear smchronous motor. A suitable line for simultaneous stretching with linear motor technology has been designed by Bruckner GmbH and announced as the LISIM line. An alternative line for simultaneous stretching of the extruded flat belt is the Andritz line, based on a pantograph, equipped with two separate monorails on each side of the orientation unit. The tensioner configuration can be modified according to the desired stretching ratios.

The temperature of the stretch zone remains close to the selected orientation temperature.

If necessary, annealing is carried out at a temperature of 130 to 220 ° C, the temperature depending on the desired shrinkage. Subsequently, the film is rolled up as usual.

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Following said annealing step or optional heat setting, the film is transferred to a cooling zone where air, cooled or maintained at room temperature, is generally used to cool the film. Therefore, the temperature of said cooling zone is normally between about 20 ° C and about 40 ° C. At the end of the line, the edges of the film, held by the clamps and not oriented, are cut and the obtained film, heat shrinkable or thermofixed, biaxially oriented is wound with or without prior cutting of the film band to the width adequate.

The second object of the present invention is a process for manufacturing the multi-compartment package of the present invention, said process comprising the steps of:

i) provide two more external crystallizable films and at least one internal, optionally precut;

ii) provide at least two products to be packaged;

iii) stack a more external film, the product (s), the internal film (s), alternating the products and the internal film (s), and the other external film, until the desired number of compartments is obtained;

iv) simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a continuous circumferential peripheral sealing area, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous naming frame, and

v) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films around the entire exterior of the frame, thus providing the multi-compartment package;

or, alternatively, the stages of:

a) provide two more external crystallizable films and at least one internal, optionally precut;

b) provide at least two products to be packaged;

c) place a more external film, a product and an internal film in a stacked form;

d) simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a continuous area of circumferential peripheral sealing, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous nidic frame;

e) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer contour of the frame,

thus providing the first compartment of the package;

f) placing a stack of "a product / a film" or "a film / compartment formed in steps c) to e);

g) repeat points d) to f) for each new compartment until desired, thus providing the multi-compartment package

or, alternatively, the stages of:

A) provide two more external crystallizable films and at least two internal, optionally pre-cut films;

B) provide at least two products to be packaged;

C) place a film, a product and a film in a stacked form;

D simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a continuous area of circumferential peripheral sealing, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous naming frame;

E) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer contour of the frame, thus providing the first compartment of the package;

F) manufacture at least one other compartment following steps A to E;

G) stack the first and the new compartment (s), optionally placing a product between them;

H) join by sealing or gluing the first and the new or new compartments, simultaneously or one after the other if there are more than two, until obtaining the desired number of compartments, thus providing the multi-compartment package.

Regardless of the procedure used, during the sealing operation there is a partial crystallization of the films along the sealing zone, thus providing the nigged frame.

Figures 7A and 7B represent the first procedure for manufacturing embodiment 1A and,

product / a film ", in the number of compartments

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respectively, the embodiment 1B of a three compartment package according to the present invention. For clarity, this scheme only depicts stages iii) (stacking) and iv) (sealing) of the present manufacturing process, also including the other steps of i) providing the films, optionally precut, ii) providing the products , and v) optionally cut the stack of films to provide the final package.

Preferably, the first manufacturing process of the present package described above is used.

According to this first preferred embodiment, the outermost films, the internal film (s) and the products alternate and stack until the desired number of compartments is obtained and then all the stacked films are sealed and cut. The films can also be pre-cut before the stacking stage; In this case, the additional cutting stage may be optional. During the sealing stage, the films are crystallized by heat, thus forming the frame of the package.

In the embodiment 1A) of the present package only an internal film is presented.

According to this, in the manufacturing process of this package, the sequence of films and products to be stacked is: "film / (product / film) n", where n is an integer greater than 1 representing the desired number of compartments .

In a two-compartment package according to the embodiment 1A (n = 2), the sequence of films and stacked products is: "film / product / film / product / film", in which the products and films can be the same or different.

In a package of more than two compartments (n> 2) according to embodiment 1A, the sequence of films and stacked products is: "film / (product / film) n> 2", in which the products and films They can be the same or different.

In the embodiment 1A of the present package, two adjacent compartments share the same internal film and the compartments preferably open one behind the other in the same order as they have in the package.

In another embodiment (1B), each compartment has its own internal films, namely, there are two internal films between each pair of adjacent stacked products.

In the package manufacturing process according to embodiment 1B, the sequence of films and products to be stacked is:

"(movie / product / movie) n"

where n is an integer greater than 1 representing the desired number of compartments.

In a two-compartment package according to the embodiment 1B (n = 2), the sequence of films and stacked products is: "film / product / film / film / product / film", in which products and films can Be the same or different.

In the case of n compartments, in which n is greater than 2, the sequence of films and stacked products is: "(film / product / film) n> 2".

In the embodiment 1B, two adjacent products will be separated by two internal films.

This embodiment 1B allows the consumer to separate sealed compartments, while keeping each portion still packaged, and opening them later and independently.

To facilitate the separation between each of each sealed individual compartment, the union between adjacent compartments can be reduced by imparting, for example, greater stripping properties to the surfaces of the films directly involved in said joint.

In an advantageous embodiment 1B, the union between the films of adjacent compartments (intercompartmental union) will be smaller than the union in the films of each compartment (intracompartmental union), thus allowing a clean separation of each sealed compartment and avoiding its untimely opening . A different union can also be obtained, for example, by selecting different means for intra- and intercompartmental union, such as sealing versus gluing, etc.

In such a case, the preferred manufacturing process will be carried out according to the third embodiment of said procedure. If the strength of the joint imparted by the gluing is less than those conferred by the sealing, the separation of each compartment still sealed will be facilitated.

According to a second variant of the manufacturing process of this multi-compartment package,

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depicted in Figures 8A and 8B, a first compartment is made by sequentially stacking a film, a product and a film, and sealing the stacked films; subsequently, a new product stack and one / two films, arranged as a "product / film" for the manufacture of the package of embodiment 1A, or as a "film / product / film" for embodiment 1B, is added to the first Previously manufactured compartment and the stack of films and products formed in this way is sent back to the sealing station, in which the films are sealed, crystallized and cut if necessary.

Each new product to be packaged is added, covered by a film or sandwiched between two films, to the package already manufactured in the previous stages, until the desired number of compartments is obtained. This step-by-step procedure has the advantage of repeating the sealing / crystallization stage several times, thus providing the multi-compartment package with a narrower frame. Greater rigidity can be advantageous in the case of heavier or more delicate products. This procedure may also be preferred when there is a need to alternate different products.

However, in the case of a package with a larger number of compartments, (i.e., more than 3) it may be advantageous to replace one or more sealing stages d) of the present second procedure with one or more gluing stages, since The stiffness conferred by the sealing steps already performed may be sufficient for the final use of the package. The sizing steps can be carried out, for example, as described below for the third manufacturing process.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate this second process for the manufacture of embodiment 1A and embodiment 1B, respectively, of a three compartment package according to the present invention.

For reasons of clarity, in this scheme only the stages cyf) (stacking), d) (sealing) and g) (their repetition) of the present manufacturing process are represented, also having to include the other stages of a) providing the films, optionally pre-cut, b) provide the products and, e) optionally cut the stack of films to provide the final package.

For the procedure of this second embodiment, the sequence of the components in the final package is "film / (product / film) n" for embodiment 1A, or "(film / product / film) n" for the embodiment 1B, where n is the total number of compartments (n> 1).

In the third variant of the present manufacturing process, two or more prefabricated compartments are joined together by sealing or, alternatively, by gluing.

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate this third process for manufacturing the embodiment 1A and the embodiment 1B, respectively, of a three-compartment package according to the present invention.

For reasons of clarity, in this scheme only stages C) (stacking a film, a product and a film), D) (sealing), G) (stacking each new compartment to the previous ones, optionally placing a product between the same, and H) (sealing or gluing) of the present manufacturing process, also including the other steps of A) (providing the films, optionally precut), B) (providing the products), E) (optionally cutting the stack of films), F) (manufacture at least one other compartment), to provide the final package.

In the present process, the prefabricated compartments can be sealed or glued simultaneously in a stacked form or added and sealed / glued step by step, one after the other.

If the prefabricated compartments are stacked or added without interposing any other product, a multi-compartment package will be obtained according to the embodiment 1B.

Alternatively, if a product is inserted between each pair of adjacent compartments, a multi-compartment package can be manufactured according to embodiment 1A. In this case, especially for food products, the compartments are preferably joined by sealing rather than by gluing to avoid contamination of unwanted products.

Here, the term "gluing" refers to placing a separate or continuous layer of an adhesive, preferably along the frame, on at least one of the oriented surfaces of two adjacent compartments that are desired to glue and join the compartments. applying enough pressure to adhere to each other.

The term "adhesive" is used herein to designate any material that allows two compartments to adhere to each other.

The thickness of the adhesive layer can be comprised between 0.2 and 10 pm, more preferably, from 0.5 to 5 pm, even more preferably, from 1 to 3 pm.

Suitable adhesives for joining the compartments according to this embodiment are well known in the

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technique. For example, suitable adhesives may be the aqueous dispersions sold by Paramelt under the tradename Aquaseal or the compositions described in WO2005021638 or WO2009055275 with the DPOD code 8501.

The so-called "fno sealing" materials can be used, such as those supplied by Fabrico (division of EIS), Basic Adhesive, Printpack Inc.

Adhesive materials known as "hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives (HMPSA)" also conform to the invention, for example, those marketed by Bostik and Henkel.

They are systems for the application of hot melt adhesives, for example, thermofusion guns, roller gluers, desktop extruders, automatic extrusion and fibrillation systems.

Various adhesive coatings are described, for example, in WO2005021638 and WO2011083342.

The adhesive layer should be deposited on the external surfaces of the compartments that are to be joined, preferably along the frame.

In the case of sealing in fno, this procedure must be done on all surfaces to be joined.

The adhesive layer can be arranged separately or continuously along the frame.

The adhesive can be applied along the frame as described, for example, in WO2011083342.

In a preferred variant of this third embodiment for manufacturing multi-compartment packages according to embodiment 1B, the prefabricated compartments are bonded together. Advantageously, the bonding and adhesive conditions can be selected such that intercompartmental joints smaller than the intracompartmental bond are obtained, thus facilitating the separation of each compartment still sealed.

The manufacturing processes of the present package described above can be carried out in suitable packaging machines, such as tray sealing and thermoforming machines with contour sealing and cutting.

Specific examples of suitable machines that can be adapted to carry out the process of the present invention include, for example, Multivac 400 and Multivac T550, from Multivac Sep. GmbH, Mondini E380, E390 or E590 or Trave, from Mondini S.pA, Ross A20 or Ross S45, of Ross-Reiser, Meca-2002 or Meca-2003, of Mecaplastic, the tray sealers manufactured by Sealpac, Ulma Taurus and Ulma Scorpius, supplied by Ulma Packaging, Ishida QX, and similar machines.

The thermoforming machines are appropriate for the procedure described above, without significant modifications. Especially in the case of food products to be packaged, a cutting machine can be added advantageously to cut the product into slices.

In one embodiment, an additional conveyor that carries the product or products contained to the stacking area can also be advantageously provided. Subsequently, the product (s) can be placed on the tape that carries the films, and the stacking of films and products is repeated until the desired number of compartments is reached. Next, the stacked films and products are transported to the thermoforming zone, where sealing, crystallization and cutting occurs. In another embodiment, a pre-cut unit is advantageously provided to pre-cut the film to make the cutting of the films from the reel to a suitable size for the package. Some existing packing tray sealing lines supplied, for example, by Risco and Vemag are already equipped with a pre-cut unit, for example, those for packing minced meat.

In a preferred embodiment, the cutting of the package is carried out after the sealing stage.

In another embodiment, the cutting of the package is carried out at the same time as the sealing stage.

If a flap is desired to facilitate opening, the cutting blade will be shaped so that it provides the flange at the time of cutting the films, as is known by the person skilled in the art.

In the event that the films are of different composition or that the outermost films are printed, the packaging machine has to provide the housing for more than one reel of films.

The sealing is preferably carried out by means of a heated frame by adjusting the machine at temperatures, in the case of polyester-based films, from 140 to 220 ° C, 170 to 200 ° C and at a pressure of 2 to 8 bars, 4 to 7 bars. Sealing periods are typically in the order of 0.01 to 2.0 seconds, more frequently, 0.5 to 1.0 seconds.

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However, other known sealing techniques, such as ultrasonic welding, can also be used, provided that they are capable of inducing at least partial crystallization of the films along the sealing zone.

In the case of HDPE or polypropylene-based films, lower sealing temperatures are generally selected, for example, in the range of 120 to 180 ° C, provided that the selected temperatures are appropriate to crystallize, at least partially, the polymers under the operational sealing conditions.

The sealing bar can have different shapes, such as to obtain, for example, a flat or thermoformed area in which the films are sealed between them, the thermoforming option being preferred, since it provides a greater stiffness of the frame. Such sealing bars are marketed by suppliers of packaging machines.

Figures 6A-E illustrate cross sections of some suitable sealing bars. In particular, the sealing bar profile can be flat or rounded. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing bar has a thermoforming profile, as shown in Figures 6A or 6E, that is, the bar will seal the films along the sealing area while imparting a desired shape to the frame at less partially crystallized, increasing its rigidity to a greater extent. For example, according to the profile of the sealing bars illustrated in Figures 6A or 6E, there will be areas where, on the sealing, a higher pressure will be applied on the stacked films and, correspondingly, a higher degree of crystallization will be imparted to the frame.

Typically, the width of the sealing zone of the package, that is, the width of the frame, is 1 mm to 20 mm, preferably, 2 mm to 15 mm, even more preferably, 3 to 10 mm.

The dimensions, in terms of extension of the area, of the packaging product, are not limited, provided that they do not exceed the dimensions of the cut films and allow a suitable frame to be formed.

The dimensions of the film can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the product and the necessary width of the frame.

The width of the frame must be sufficient to confer adequate rigidity to the package, depending, among other things, on the total weight of the packaging products and the dimensions of the package.

The multi-compartment package of the present invention can be particularly useful for storing thin and flexible products, such as sliced food products or medical products, such as surgical gloves, sterilized wipes, beauty wipes, patches, gauze, wet strips or bandages.

Preferably, the package object of the present invention is used to store sliced food products, such as cheese and processed meat. Other possible fine or sliced foods include fish and meat carpaccio, smoked fish, piadina, ready-to-fill crepe bases, sweet and salty dough ready to cut and / or cook in the oven, fry or fill with a stuffing and Then cook it. It is also possible to introduce different food products in the same package so that the consumer can have a specific combination of food products in a single package.

For the purposes of this description and of the following claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers that express values, quantities, percentages, etc., should be understood as modified in all cases by the term "approximately". Likewise, all ranges include any combination of the maximum and minimum points described and include in themselves any intermediate range, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Examples

A three layer film having the composition indicated in Table 1 and a total thickness of 33 pm was coextruded through a 3 layer feed block.

Table 1

 Layer, thickness pm)

 Trade name, supplier, chemical nature% w / w in the Properties layer

 layer 1, 2.5 pm

 EASTAR PETG 6763, Eastman Chemical, 60% glycol modified ethylene polyterephthalate Density 1.27 g / cm3; Glass transition 81 ° C Fusion flow rate (Cond. 200 ° C / 05.00 kg (G)) 2.8 g / 10 min Viscosity (Brookfield procedure) 0.75 mPa.s

 PRIMACOR 3440, DOW, copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid

 15% Comonomer content 9.7% Density 0.938 g / cm3 Fusion flow rate (Cond. 190 ° C / 02.16 kg (G)) 10 g / 10 min Vicat softening point 76 ° C

 EASTAPAK COPOLYESTER 9921, Eastman Chemical, polyethylene terephthalate

 25% Density 1.4 g / cm3 Melting point (Tm) 255 ° C

 layer 2, 24 pm

 EASTAPAK COPOLYESTER 9921, Eastman Chemical, 60% polyethylene terephthalate Density 1.4 g / cm3 Melting point (Tm) 255 ° C

 EASTAR PETG 6763, Eastman Chemical, glycol modified ethylene polyterephthalate

 40% Density 1.27 g / cm3 Glass transition 81 ° C Fusion flow rate (Cond. 200 ° C / 05.00 kg (G)) 2.8 g / 10 min Viscosity (Brookfield procedure) 0.75 mPa.s

 layer 3, 6.5 pm

 EASTAPAK COPOLYESTER 9921, Eastman Chemical, 98% polyethylene terephthalate Density 1.4 g / cm3 Melting point (Tm) 255 ° C

 SUKANO G dc S503, Sukano AntiBlock and Slip, glycol modified ethylene polyterephthalate

 2% Vicat softening point 82 ° C

The three layers were then distributed through a flat matrix, presenting a multi-collector system. The melt outside the die was cooled on a cooling roller; Electrostatic fixation was applied to increase the contact between the fusion and cooling roller maintained at 19 ° C.

The molded film thus formed was then biaxially oriented. The stretching was carried out simultaneously on a tensioning apparatus, in 3.8: 1 ratios both in the direction of the machine and in the transverse direction, and temperatures of 98 ° C in the preheating zones and 96 ° C in the stretching zones. Before leaving the oven, the film was annealed at a temperature of 200 ° C.

10 The properties of the film were indicated in Tables 2 and 3, as well as the ASTM reference for the procedure

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test for measurements.

Table 2

 ASTM D2732 uncontrolled shrinkage

 temperature

 LD TD

 120 ° C

 0 0

 140 ° C

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 5 2

Table 3

 Mechanical properties at 23 ° C

 longitudinal direction (LD) transverse direction (TD) ASTM

 modulus of elasticity (kg / cm2)

 36000 36000 D882

 breaking stress (kg / cm2)

 2250 2200 D882

 break elongation (%)

 150 150 D882

A Mondini E380 tray sealing machine was used to manufacture 30 packages according to the present invention; The sealing conditions applied were: 190 ° C, 1 s, 5 bars.

Each package (according to embodiment 1A) has 4 compartments for a total of 5 films; A slice of cooked ham is packed in each compartment and each slice of cooked ham is approximately 1 mm thick. Five films were superimposed in a stacked form, alternating with the products, to obtain four compartments.

The shape of the packages that was obtained in this way is shown in Figure 1 and each package was provided with a flap (4). The dimensions of the rectangular package turned out to be 160 mm (width) x 205 mm (length), the sealing width of 5 mm and the distance between the two nearest opposite seals of 135 mm.

The packages were rated as acceptable by three panelists regarding the rigidity of the frame: in fact, only slight flexion of the packages was observed due to the weight of the products. In addition, the packages were opened manually and the opening was really easy due to the pelability of the films.

In conclusion, the flexible multi-compartment package object of the present invention does not require a supplementary tray. In fact, the package is sufficiently sharp as such, thanks to the partially heat-induced crystallization of the crystallizable polymer in correspondence with the sealing zone. The present package in use does not bend or just bends slightly and remained practically flat during handling. The absence of an additional tray allows a significant reduction of plastic material, as well as manufacturing and waste disposal costs.

The partially crystallized zone, which is shown as a circumferential peripheral continuous nested frame, can be obtained during conventional package sealing and advantageously does not require additional sealing, forming operations or equipment.

Despite the much lower content of plastic materials, the multi-compartment package object of the present invention provides at least the same advantages as conventional multi-compartment packages, for example:

- preservation of individual portions of different or equal products or products, allowing individual use

- better preservation and durability of packaging products, including air-sensitive foods, such as sliced food products or medical products, in a modified or vacuum atmosphere;

- absence of contamination (bacteria, smell, taste)

- prevention of adhesion and breakage of sliced foods, such as cheese or processed meat, which

produced when a large number of slices of these products are accumulated in the same compartment of conventional packages and removed from it

- Easy opening of the compartment (s) that contain each individual portion.

This package is really a "green" product: in fact, not only is a significantly lower quantity of plastic materials required, but it can be easily recycled when manufactured from a single plastic material, or it can also be biodegradable if It consists of biodegradable polyesters, that is, a multi-compartment package that is much more environmentally friendly than the conventional multi-compartment packages currently on the market.

Claims (17)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 1. A multi-compartment package (1) without tray of individually sealed compartments comprising i) two more external movies (5), ii) at least two products (2) stacked, iii) at least one internal film (6) interposed between the at least two stacked products, iv) a peripheral circumferential continuous seal that seals the stacked films together and delimits at least two stacked sealed compartments, each compartment containing at least one product of said at least two stacked products, characterized in that the films comprise a crystallizable polymer and the crystallizable polymer crystallizes, at least partially, in correspondence with the sealing zone, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous nipple frame (3). 2. The package according to claim 1, comprising an internal film interposed between two adjacent products. 3. The package according to claim 1, comprising two internal films interposed between two adjacent products. 4. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising from 2 to 20, preferably from 2 to 10, more preferably from 2 to 5 compartments. 5. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said crystallizable polymer is selected from the group consisting of homo- or copolymers of crystallizable polypropylene (s), high density polyethylenes (HDPE), medium polyethylenes density (MDPE), polyester, polyamide, polystyrene (PS), preferably crystallizable polyester, and mixtures thereof. 6. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the amount of said or said crystallizable polymers in said films with respect to the total weight of the films is at least 30% by weight, preferably at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95%. 7. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said crystallizable polymer is a crystallizable polyester or a mixture of crystallizable polyester that crystallize at sealing temperatures of 140 ° C to 220 ° C. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said crystallizable polymer is a crystallizable polyester or a mixture of crystallizable polyester characterized by a melting point (Tm) greater than 220 ° C, preferably greater than 230 ° C. 9. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said crystallizable polymer, preferably said crystallizable polyester, has a crystallinity percentage greater than 15%, preferably greater than 20%, more preferably greater than 25 %, even more preferably, greater than 30% in correspondence with the sealing zone after the sealing stage. 10. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said crystallizable polymer is a mixture of at least one crystallizable polyester and at least one amorphous polyester, wherein said amorphous polyester has a Tg value of less than 115 ° C, preferably, less than 95 ° C, even more preferably, less than 85 ° C and, in the mixture, the amorphous polyester constitutes a maximum of 70% by weight, preferably, a maximum of 50% by weight, even more preferably , a maximum of 40% by weight. 11. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the films are sealable and peelable crystallizable plastic films, preferably films with sealable and peelable crystallizable polyester base. 12. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the difference in the percentage of crystallinity of the frame polymers or polymers with respect to the polymers of the other parts of the package is at least 5%, preferably, greater than 8%, more preferably, greater than 10%. 13. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the percentage ratio between the weight of the packaging material with respect to the total weight of the package is less than 15%, preferably, less than 10%, more preferably, less than 7% by weight. 14. A method of manufacturing the multi-compartment package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: i) provide two more external crystallizable films (5) and at least one internal (6), optionally precut; ii) provide at least two products (2) to be packaged; 5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 iii) stack a more external film, the product (s), the internal film (s), alternating the products and the internal film (s), and the other external film, until the desired number of compartments is obtained; iv) simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a continuous circumferential peripheral sealing area, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous nipple frame (3), and v) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer part of the frame, thus providing the multi-compartment package. 15. A method of manufacturing the multi-compartment package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: a) provide two more external crystallizable films (5) and at least one internal (6), optionally precut; b) provide at least two products (2) to be packaged; c) place a more external film, a product and an internal film in a stacked form; d) simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a circumferential peripheral continuous sealing area, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous continuous frame (3); e) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer contour of the frame, thus providing the first compartment of the package; f) place a stack of "a product / a film" or "a film / a product / a film" in the compartment formed in steps c) to e); g) repeat points d) to f) for each new compartment until the desired number of compartments is obtained, thus providing the multi-compartment package. 16. A process for manufacturing the multi-compartment package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: A) provide two more external crystallizable films (5) and at least two internal ones (6), optionally pre-cut; B) provide at least two products (2) to be packaged; C) place a film, a product and a film in a stacked form; D) simultaneously seal and crystallize the stack of films along a circumferential peripheral continuous sealing area, thus providing a circumferential peripheral continuous continuous frame (3); E) optionally, simultaneously or subsequently, cut the stack of films along the entire outer contour of the frame, thus providing the first compartment of the package; F) manufacture at least one other compartment following steps A to E; G) stack the first and new or new compartments, optionally also placing a product between adjacent compartments; H) seal or join by gluing the first and the new compartments, simultaneously or in steps one after the other if they are more than two, until the desired number of compartments is obtained, thus providing the multi-compartment package. 17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said films are crystallizable polyester films and said or said sealing steps are carried out at a temperature of 140 to 220 ° C, preferably 170 to 200 ° C and / or at a pressure of 2 to 8 bars, preferably 4 to 7 bars.