FR2674509A1 - Improvements to packaging of fresh food products in solid form, and more particularly of bread products - Google Patents

Abstract

Method of packaging a food product consumed by removing successive slices from a stack, such as a loaf (1) produced industrially and pre-sliced and particularly of substantially parallelepipedic shape, in a compacted package capable of being opened and re-closed in a substantially hermetic manner between two successive withdrawals of slices, and the method is characterised in that the said pre-sliced loaf is inserted in a film which is heat-welded to itself along a longitudinal axis in order to form a cover closely fitting the mass of bread, this being carried out in a manner which is known per se, one end of the cover being folded against the end cross-section (6) and this fold being heat-welded to ensure definitive fluid-tightness on one side of the package, whilst on the opposite end cross-section the folds (7a, 7b, 7c) of the cover are held on each other by a self-adhesive label (8) allowing detachable adhesion with respect to the film constituting the package.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging of fresh food products.

More specifically, the invention relates to the packaging of fresh food products, in solid form, constituting a homogeneous unit and intended to be consumed in successive portions and more especially bread of the sliced bread type.

And more especially still, the invention applies to bread-making food products, in particular to industrially produced breads having a substantially regular geometric shape, in particular parallelepipedic or with a parallelepipedic base, and cut into slices, thus making it possible to take from the bread. pre-sliced and packaged the successive slices necessary as and when consumed.

Breads of industrial manufacture are known which have the advantage of a fairly regular substantially parallelepiped shape allowing them to be stacked and presented in an orderly fashion on the shelves of self-service outlets.

For this purpose, it is necessary that the packaging, generally a film of synthetic material (cellophane, polyethylene and especially polypropylene) is well tightened and adjusted to the parallelepipedic body of the bread so as to facilitate the stackability of the breads on the one hand and good legibility of the information appearing on the walls of the packaging.

These conditions are obtained by packaging the bread in a transparent synthetic film which surrounds the long longitudinal sides of the bread, thus forming a sheath; at each end of the bread, the free folds of the sheath thus formed are folded against the end transverse section and these folds are heat-sealed against each transverse section, thus closing the closed space formed by the plastic film.

These conditions make it possible to obtain a good seal of the bread during the period of storage and of exposure to the sale until the opening of the sachet.

However, when the sealed bag is subjected to opening, the film is torn in the heat-sealed part of one end, as a result of which sealing can no longer be ensured; and under these conditions the consumption of the bread spanning several days, it follows that the end slice (s) which have been exposed to the action of air are generally removed and discarded because they are dried out and have a taste stale unpleasant. It is in fact understood that the open end, through which the sampling takes place, does not have a conformation making it possible to close the packaging; and under these conditions a large part of the bread is lost, the consumer rejecting the first slice exposed to the air before finding with the rear slice, which has been protected by the previous slice itself degraded, a pleasant consumer bread .

If you want to provide the user with a packaging that can be closed, you must then use a sachet in which the bread, far from being tightly and tightly packed, is simply placed, the walls of the bag therefore floating around the body of the bread, the bag being capable of being closed by its free end, in particular by a cord or a ring or link made of deformable material.

However, packaging in the form of a sachet, in particular made of polyethylene or polypropylene, has its drawbacks.

Firstly, since the bread is no longer tightly packed and adjusted, it is less able to be stacked on the shelves and on the shelves of a self-service point of sale, it is then necessary to arrange it in bulk in a basket or shelving, which takes up considerably more space.

In addition, the presentation of the product which appears on the bag is much less legible since the bag is not stretched around the bread but floats freely, which does not always allow a reading followed by the presentation messages; the same applies in particular to the bar codes affixed to the walls of the bag and which are not always easy to read given the left constitution of the wall of the bag on which these bar codes appear. So the passage to the boxes equipped with a laser reading device is not always as fast as desirable.

This is why the solution of the bagging has drawbacks; and these disadvantages are all the more pronounced in the case of a pre-sliced bread since the sachet, if only to allow the introduction of the bread, not being adjusted to the latter, allows relatively free movement of the slices relative to each other, which removes the beautiful homogeneous appearance of the bread, and further exposes the slices at least in the exposed parts to contact with the gaseous atmosphere, source of drying and loss of quality in the palatability and in texture.

 I1 would therefore appear desirable to have a packaging providing a synthesis of the advantages of the sachet, making it possible to open and close the packaging as and when the slices are taken, and the adjusted packaging making it possible to maintain a beautiful presentation. bread throughout the storage period until the opening of the sachet with good legibility of the mentions and the maintenance of a homogeneous block.

The invention responds precisely to this object and makes it possible to pack an industrial bread, in particular of the pre-sliced type and of generally geometric shape substantially parallelepiped, by ensuring the beautiful compacted presentation of the bread, consequently its stackability and its presentation stacked in the shelves, while ensuring, however, throughout the consumption of the product spread over time, possibilities of closing the packaging by reconstituting each time substantially hermetic protection conditions.

To this end, the invention relates to a process for packaging a bread product, such as a pre-sliced industrial production bread and of generally geometrical shape, in particular of substantially parallelepiped shape, in a compact packaging which can be opened and then closed so substantially hermetic between two successive samples of slices, and the method is characterized in that said pre-cut bread is inserted in a heat-sealed film on itself along a longitudinal axis to conform a sheath conforming to the body of the bread, this in known manner per se, one end of the sheath being folded '~ against the end cross-section and this fold being heat-sealed to ensure a final seal on one side of the packaging, while on the opposite end section the folds of the sheath are maintained on themselves by a self-adhesive label allowing a removable adhesion with respect to the film c making up the packaging.

The invention also relates to a solid food product, in particular a bread product such as a loaf of general rectangular shape pre-sliced and packaged in a compacted packaging formed by a transparent film, and the product is characterized in that this packaging comprises on a transverse end a plurality of flaps from the fold of the walls of the film and folded over each other being held in their folded position by a self-adhesive label in the upper position allowing its removal and replacement without destroying the film.

Even more especially, the label is located in a central position relative to the transverse end of the bread and it occupies substantially at least half and preferably at least three-quarters of the surface of said cross section.

According to yet another development, the label comprises two bonding zones of differential adhesion, namely a marginal part with strong adhesion intended to remain integral with a panel or flap located at the end of the packaging film, the rest of the surface of the label being of less adhesion allowing the removable securing on the other panels whose folds close the end.

Preferably, the part of the label with strong adhesion is positioned so that its edges, during initial packaging, are located substantially parallel to the edges of the transverse slice constituting the terminal end of the bread closed by said label.

Advantageously, the label includes the information relating to the expiration date (DLC) which allows the user to have his attention constantly drawn throughout consumption to the expiration date or recommendation of freshness of the products .

The invention also relates to a machine for implementing the method and for producing a bread packaged in a resealable package as defined above, the machine comprising means for moving the bread in a film cutout. transparent until two parallel edges of the cut meet, means for welding the two said edges on themselves so as to form a compacted sheath on the long edges of the rectangular bread, means for folding down on each quadrangular transverse face the four flaps coming from the folds over from the projecting part of the sheath, means for welding on themselves the four flaps folded over on one end face of the packaging and means for applying on the other face a self-adhesive label ensuring the holding in place sheath flaps folded over this second end.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and which is given in relation to a particular embodiment presented by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bread packaged according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the preceding bread whose opening and reclosable end is here in the open position for the removal of one or two slices of bread from the alignment of the slices.

Figure 3 shows the bread closing phase after removal of the previous slices.

Figure 4 shows the packaging of the previous bread closed on itself after removal of a certain number of slices.

According to all of the Figures, it can be seen that the bread is produced here in the form of a parallelepipedal block and it consists in particular of a traditional sandwich bread and presented in pre-sliced form, the bread 1 consequently comprising a succession of slices 2, 2 ', 3, 3' parallels. The bread is packed compactly and tightened by a film for example of polyethylene or cellophane which adapts to the body of the bread.

The cut of the plastic film 4 surrounds the bread on the long sides of the parallelepiped and the two edges of the cut 4 overlapping 5, 5 ′ at the base of the bread are thermo-welded one on the other so as to conform a sheath.

The folds of the sheath projecting on each side are folded down on each transverse face; on the rear transverse face 6, the folds conforming to the flaps are thermally welded to each other, overlapping each other in a manner known per se.

The transverse face 6 is thus definitively closed by thermo-welding of the folds of the sheath 4 coming to fold against this face.

On the opposite face 7 the part of the sheath projecting beyond the four-sided conforming bread respectively 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d which are folded against the end transverse edge and overlap in a manner known per se; these sides thus folded against each other are then held in place by a self-adhesive label 8 which is applied to all of the joined sides and therefore seal the assembly.

This label will advantageously include elements of information and for example the expiration date or freshness deadline 9 as well as for example also a bar code allowing the passage and automatic reading of the price at the checkouts.

Under these conditions, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that the bread is presented in a homogeneous and compacted block presenting the beautiful appearance of traditional sandwich bread in a tight packaging which allows on the one hand an easy reading of the information mentions to the 'consumer use and also allows convenient stacking of bread on the shelves of a shelf.

The bread can also be easily wedged in a bag or container, it is easily grasped and handled.

During use, the consumer is invited to partially peel off the label, for example along an edge, in particular the upper edge 8a, while the lower edge 8b remains integral with the corresponding flap 7c.

This results in releasing the upper panels 7a and the lateral panels 7b and 7d from the package.

We thus obtain the configuration shown in Figure 2 in which the sheath is open by one end allowing the hand of the user to easily take in the succession of slices and the number of slices he needs as and consumption.

When this consumption is finished, the assembly can then be easily closed.

For this purpose, the user is invited to restore the folds of the projecting part of the sheath, namely the upper fold 7a and the side folds 7b and 7d as seen in Figure 3; these folds being larger and overlapping over a larger area as and when the samples result in a shortening of the bread length.

It is also understood that this greater overlap leads to a better seal and therefore represents an advantage.

After folding of the three flaps other than the flap 7c carrying the label 8, this label and the flap 7c of which it is integral can in turn be raised and folded against the terminal transverse wall, the projecting part of the label 8a coming then apply against the bread body and adhere to it again.

To this end, the quality of the adhesion of the label 8 by its adhesive face 8a, is calculated and adjusted so as to allow sufficient adhesion against the film while allowing subsequent detachment without risking tearing of the film.

However, a marginal edge 8b of the label is provided with stronger adhesion properties than the part 8a so as to cause greater attachment of this lower part of the label to the shutter of the transparent film 7c.

There is thus obtained an almost permanent joining of the label 8 by its base 8b on the corresponding flap 7c.

And, under these conditions, the label serves as a gripping tab to control the opening of the assembly and also the closing of the packaging after removal.

The indications on the label indicate to the user the direction of detachment of the label for the opening of the package, from the upper part 8a of the label.

It is understood that under these conditions the opening and then the closing of the package, in particular the phases of deployment then of folding of the flaps 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d will always be done automatically in the same directions and according to the same movements.

This avoids uncoordinated deployments or replacements of the foldable flaps, the ordering of the movements and the kinetics of the flaps in their deployments and folds maneuvers remaining constantly identical and thus ensuring the beautiful rediscovered appearance of the packaging compacted and closed on itself but also satisfactory sealing conditions therefore ensuring total hygiene of the product.

Indeed, throughout its consumption the product will be protected from negative external influences, such as dust, germs, and also largely humidity, which would destroy its good taste and would be a source of degradation.

The elements making up in particular the adhesive coating lining the inside of the label are provided with perfect food compatibility, the label itself is never in contact with the food product but always and exclusively in contact with the protective film.

The invention thus makes it possible to produce a perfectly functional packaging capable of guaranteeing the user perfect conditions of freshness for the ten days and more guaranteed freshness of the product, when it is a sandwich bread; in addition, the implementation of the packaging according to the invention represents a saving in material compared to the traditional closable bag or sachet; while the user will have the freshness deadline or expiration date constantly reminded during each withdrawal since it suffices to place this mention on the label that the user must precisely clear to allow the opening of the packaging; this avoids any risk of consumption of a product which is found to have exceeded the desirable limits.

According to a particularly advantageous development of the invention, the label has on one of its edges 8a, corresponding to the edge intended for the initial opening and for the temporary closing operation in use, a tab 8h which extends beyond relative to the edge 8a of the label 8, this tab 8h being devoid of adhesive.

This tab is used for gripping the label both for the initial opening operation and for subsequent operations of closings and reopenings.

The 8h tongue advantageously has an ear or semi-circular shape.

The connection of the semi-circular edge of the tongue 8h relative to the edge 8a is extended in the body of the label 8 by lines of weakness 8i.

These lines of weakness following an inclined path to reach substantially at mid-height the edges 8e and 8f of the label 8.

It is understood that during the initial traction exerted on the tongue 8h, this traction results in separating the central body of the label 8 with respect to the triangular sectors 8g which therefore remain adherent to the film constituting the packaging.

One thus obtains a system for detecting the inviolability of the packaging.

As long as the two triangular sectors 8g are integral with the central part of the label, this means that no traction has been exerted on the tab to open the package.

By cons, once the package has been opened, it can close but in this case the solution of continuity between the central part of the label 8 and the triangular sectors 8g appears and thus automatically denounces the fact that the package has been open.

During subsequent opening and closing operations, the 8h gripping tab allows easy handling; while one hand folds the edges of the film over the end slice, the other hand exerts traction on the tongue and folds the latter against this slice or against a longitudinal edge in the case where the bread is largely started.

 CLAIMS 1 - Method for packaging a food product consumed by removing successive slices from a stack, such as a pre-sliced bread (1) of industrial manufacture and in particular of substantially parallelepiped geometric shape, in a compact packaging which can be opened and then closed substantially hermetically between two successive samples of slices, and the method is characterized in that said pre-cut bread is inserted in a heat-sealed film (4) on itself along a longitudinal axis to conform a sheath conforming to the body of the body bread, this in a manner known per se, one end of the sheath being folded against the end cross section (6) and this fold being heat-sealed to ensure a final seal on one side of the packaging, while on the opposite end section the folds (7a, 7b, 7c) of the sheath are held in place by a self-adhesive label sticky (8) allowing a removable adhesion with respect to the film constituting the packaging.

2 - Solid food product, in particular a bread product such as a loaf (1) of generally rectangular shape, pre-sliced and packaged in a compact packaging formed by a transparent film (4), and the product is characterized in that this packaging comprises on a transverse end a plurality of flaps (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) coming from the fold of the walls of the film (4) and folded over each other being held in their folded position by an adhesive label (8) in the upper position allowing its removal and replacement without destruction of the film.

3 - Food product according to claim 2, and characterized in that the label (8) is located in the central position relative to the transverse end of the bread and it occupies substantially at least half and preferably at least three quarters of the surface of said cross section.

4 - Food product according to one of claims 2 or 3, and characterized in that the label (8) comprises two bonding zones of differential adhesion, either a marginal part (8b) with strong adhesion intended to remain integral d '' a panel or flap (7c) located at the end of the packaging film (4), the rest of the surface of the label (8a) being of less adhesion allowing the removable securing on the other panels including the fold close the end.

5 - Food product according to one of claims 2, 3 or 4, and characterized in that the part of the label with strong adhesion (8b) is positioned so that its edges, during the initial packaging , are located substantially parallel to the edges of the transverse slice constituting the terminal end of the bread closed by said label.

6 - Food product according to one of claims 2 to 5 and characterized in that the label (8) includes the information relating to the expiration date (DLC) which allows the user to have his attention constantly drawn throughout the consumption to the expiration date or recommendation of freshness of the products.

Claims (3)

7 - Food product according to one of claims 2 to 6 above, and characterized in that the label (8) has on one edge a tongue (8h) projecting relative to the corresponding edge of the label1 this tongue being intended for gripping the label for the operations of initial and subsequent opening of successive closings and reopenings, said tongue not comprising any adhesive. 8 - Food product according to claim 7 above, characterized in that the edges of the tongue connecting to the edge (8a) of the label, and which comprises said tongue, extend into the body of the tongue by inclined lines of weakness (8i), joining, preferably towards their midpoints, the edges (8e and 8f) of the label adjacent to the receiving edge (8a) of the tongue (8h), the initial opening of the package by pulling on the tab causing a separation of the central part of the label from the triangular shaped areas adjacent to said tab, this separation therefore signaling the phenomenon of opening, the label thus constituting a tamper-evident device. 9 - Machine for implementing the method according to claim 1 and for the production of a bread packaged in a resealable package as according to one of claims 2 to 6 above, the machine comprising means for move the bread in a cut out of a transparent film until two parallel edges of the cut join, means for welding the two said edges on themselves so as to conform a sheath compacted on the long edges of the parallelepiped bread , means for folding down on each quadrangular transverse face the four flaps coming from folds of the projecting part of the sheath, means for welding on themselves the four flaps folded on a terminal face of the packaging and means for applying to the on the other side, a self-adhesive label ensuring that the flaps of the sheath folded over this second end are held in place, in a removable manner.