FR3056195A1 - OPERATING DEVICE WITH CONTAINER MEDIA MEANS AND MOBILE HEATER BLOCK AND CORRESPONDING METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for tight sealing of containers for sealing by thermal welding a film on the containers and their contents, the device comprising an enclosure comprising an upper bell and a lower bell arranged to be displaced vertically relative to one another. to the other by first moving means between an open position and a closed position, support means mounted on the lower bell, arranged to support one or more containers, a heater block mounted on the upper bell, the means for support being mounted vertically movable in the lower bell between a low position and a high position, and the heating block being mounted vertically movable in the upper bell between a low position and a high position.

Description

© Publication no .: 3,056,195 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 58899 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : B 65 B 31/02 (2017.01), B 65 B 51/10, 7/16

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 22.09.16. ©) Priority: ©) Applicant (s): GUELT Simplified joint stock company - FR. @ Inventor (s): LE NORMAND ERIC. ©) Date of public availability of the request: 23.03.18 Bulletin 18/12. ©) List of documents cited in the preliminary search report: See the end of this booklet (© References to other related national documents: ©) Holder (s): GUELT Simplified joint-stock company. ©) Extension request (s): ® Agent (s): NOVAGRAAF TECHNOLOGIES.

Picking device with container support means and heating block

MOBILES AND CORRESPONDING METHOD.

FR 3 056 195 - A1 _ The invention relates to a sealed sealing device for containers making it possible to heat seal a film on the containers and their contents, the device comprising an enclosure comprising an upper bell and a lower bell arranged to be moved vertically relative to each other by first means of movement between an open position and a closed position, support means mounted on the lower bell, arranged to support one or more containers, a heating block mounted on the upper bell, the support means being mounted to move vertically in the lower bell between a low position and a high position, and the heating block being mounted to move vertically in the upper bell between a low position and a high position.

i

SEALING DEVICE WITH CONTAINER SUPPORT MEANS

AND MOBILE HEATER BLOCK AND METHOD THEREOF

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to a sealed sealing device for containers, in particular plastic trays, making it possible to heat seal a film on the containers and their contents, in particular for vacuum packaging of products, in particular food products. The invention relates more particularly to a sealing device comprising container support means and a mobile heating block. The invention also relates to a corresponding sealing method. The device and the method of the invention are particularly suitable for laminating, or "skin packaging" according to the English expression.

2. Prior art

Peeling, or “skin packaging” according to the English expression, is a technique for packaging a product in plastic film, the plastic film matching the shape of the product, like a “second skin”. The laminating comprises an operation of evacuating the packaging.

It is known, in particular in document FR 2 928 626, sealing devices comprising an enclosure comprising an upper bell and a lower bell able to be moved vertically relative to one another by means of displacement between a open position and closed position, support means capable of supporting one or more containers by their rim in dedicated locations, a heating block in the upper bell and a cutting blade associated with each dedicated location.

The seal between the upper and lower bells in the closed position is ensured by the free edge of the upper bell coming to bear against the free edge of the lower bell or against the container support means. Each bell can be connected to a vacuum pump to perform vacuum sealing of products contained in the containers.

Conventional devices include support means fixed relative to the lower bell. Thus, during a sealing operation, the film pinched between the upper bell and the lower bell is heated by the heating block then expands to the support means to cover the containers and the products they contain. The distance between the support means and the interface between the upper bell and the lower bell is therefore limited by the capacity of the film to develop over this distance without being pierced. Furthermore, a short distance limits the height of the products that can be packaged by the device and entails risks of alteration of the products exposed closely to the heat of the heating block.

It is known, in order to partially overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, devices comprising a dome-shaped heating block and a clamp grip. In such devices, gripping makes it possible to keep the film fixed during its deformation while the enclosure is open. This also makes it possible to preheat the film upstream and then transfer it to the sealing station. A suction system also makes it possible, as the film deforms with heat, to press it onto the interior walls of the dome. Once the film is pressed against the interior walls of the dome, the enclosure is closed to complete the sealing. Such devices make it possible to seal products having significant heights while limiting the risk of piercing the film and protecting products sensitive to heat insofar as the heating block is distant from the product thanks to the dome shape. However, for some products, the dome shape is not suitable and folds are created, which affects the aesthetics of the packaging and introduces hygiene problems due to the possibility that exudate there remains trapped where bacteria can grow. Furthermore, such devices are not very versatile insofar as they are dedicated to a tray format and to products having similar geometries.

3. Objectives of the invention

The invention proposes a solution aimed at overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks. An object of the invention is to provide a versatile sealing device, which can be quickly and easily adapted to various formats of containers to be sealed and to products having various geometries. In particular, the invention provides a device capable of sealing products having significant heights, of the order of 60 millimeters, while ensuring a good quality of sealing, that is to say by limiting the creation of leaking bridges making the trays not waterproof and limiting the creation of folds. Furthermore, the invention provides a solution limiting the exposure of products to a heat source and therefore making it possible to protect products sensitive to heat.

4. Summary of the invention

In what follows, the vertical is defined by the direction of the gravity field, the bottom corresponding to the direction in which the gravity field points and the top

or many sure the bell : in what the

corresponding to the opposite direction.

The invention relates to a sealed sealing device for containers, in particular plastic trays, making it possible to heat seal a film on the containers and their contents, in particular for vacuum packaging of products, in particular food products, the device comprising an enclosure. comprising an upper bell and a lower bell arranged to be displaced vertically with respect to each other by first means of displacement between an open position and a closed position, support means mounted on the lower bell, arranged to support a container, a heating block mounted on the top, the device being characterized: support means are mounted vertically movable in the lower bell between a low position and a high position, and the heating block is mounted vertically movable in the upper bell between a low position and a high position.

A first advantage conferred by support means and a heating block mounted vertically movable is to allow to keep a distance between the heating block and the products contained in the containers large enough to preserve the products from degradation with heat. Thus, in the closed position of the upper bell and of the lower bell, when the heating block is in the low position, the support means are also in the low position and vice versa, when the support means are in the high position, the block of heater is in the high position. A second advantage is to allow packaging of products having significant heights while limiting the risk of piercing the film insofar as the film does not need to develop over the distance between the heating block and the support means since it is not the film that comes to the product but it is the product that comes to the film.

According to a particular embodiment, the device further comprises second displacement means arranged to vertically move the support means between the low position and the high position. The second displacement means allow automatic or semi-automatic displacement of the support means.

According to a particular embodiment, the device further comprises third displacement means arranged to vertically move the heating block between the low position and the high position. The third displacement means allow automatic or semi-automatic displacement of the heating block.

According to a particular embodiment, the heating block is planar. A first advantage of a flat heating block is to limit the formation of folds within the film when the latter is heated by the heating block. A second advantage is to obtain a device with great versatility, suitable for containers having multiple formats and for products having varied sizes and geometries.

According to a particular embodiment, the device further comprises an ejector plate mounted vertically movable in the support means between a low position and a high position. The ejector plate allows in the high position to keep the containers out of the support means and in the low position to let the support means support the containers.

According to a particular embodiment, the device further comprises fourth displacement means arranged to vertically move the ejector plate between the low position and the high position. The fourth displacement means allow automatic or semi-automatic displacement of the ejector plate.

According to a particular embodiment, the device further comprises at least one cutting blade mounted to move vertically in the upper bell. The cutting blade allows the film to be cut around a container.

The invention also relates to sealing with a device according to a method of the invention, characterized in that it includes a film heating step in which the upper bell and the lower bell are in the closed position, the film being pinched between the upper bell and the lower bell, the support means are in the low position, the heating block is in the low position, the heating block transmits heat to the film.

A first advantage of such a method is that it allows the film to be heated without degrading the product to be packaged with the heat from the heating block thanks to a sufficiently large distance between the product and the heating block during the film heating step. . A second advantage is to allow the film to be pinched between the upper bell and the lower bell during the film heating step so as to dispense with the use of a dedicated gripper grip.

According to a particular embodiment, the method comprises, after the step of heating the film, a step of evacuating the packaging in which the upper bell and the lower bell are in the closed position, the film being pinched between the upper bell and lower bell, the support means being in the low position, the heating block being in the low position, a pressure below atmospheric pressure being created in the enclosure on either side of the film. This stage allows a long conservation of the packaged products thanks to a very low vacuum level. During this stage, balancing of the pressures on either side of the film makes it possible to avoid the formation of folds.

According to a particular embodiment, the method comprises, after the step of evacuating the packaging, a welding step in which the upper bell and the lower bell are in the closed position, the film being pinched between the upper bell and the lower bell, the support means are in the high position, the heating block is in the high position, a gas is introduced into the upper bell to increase the pressure in the portion of the enclosure situated above the film, the pressure in the portion of the enclosure situated below the film being kept lower than the pressure in the portion of the enclosure situated above the film, so that the film is pressed against the product and until it is welded thermally on the container. An advantage of such a process is to bring the product to the film for the welding step and thus limit the risk of piercing the film since the film does not need to develop over the distance between the heating block and the support means since it is not the film which comes to the product but it is the product which comes to the film.

5. List of figures

Other characteristics and innovative advantages will emerge from the description below, provided for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 represents a flow diagram of a sealing method according to the invention; and

FIGS. 3a to 3f schematically represent a sealing device executing the steps of the flow diagram of FIG. 2.

6. Detailed description

The sealing device shown in FIG. 2 is of the automatic and semi-automatic type and is intended for vacuum packaging of food products contained in containers of the plastic tray type, the sealing being carried out by means of a film. plastic 5. As a variant, the container may be of the type of aluminum trays or any other material compatible with food contact and on which it is possible to weld the sealing film. The sealing device according to the invention may also be of the automatic type, and be used for the sealing of various containers, in particular aluminum, glass or ceramic containers for example.

The device comprises an enclosure, called a vacuum chamber, formed by an upper bell 1 and a lower bell or tank 2 mounted movably on a frame (not shown) between an open position and a closed position illustrated in FIG. 2. First displacement means 25, such as a jack, for example pneumatic, are arranged to vertically move the lower bell in vertical translation to bring the bells in the open position and in the closed position. The plastic film 5 which will be used for the sealing passes between the two bells. For example, the film comes from a reel and is engaged on guide rollers; the skeleton leaving the enclosure is recovered on a second coil driven in rotation by a motor, passing through a guide roller.

The lower bell 2 is equipped with support means 6 capable of supporting one or more containers by their rim in dedicated locations. These support means 6 comprise a base 61 and a support plate 62, placed on an upper edge of the base 61 and provided with one or more through openings constituting dedicated locations and whose shape substantially corresponds to the external shape of the containers to seal. Different support plates 62 can be mounted on the base as a function of the format of the containers to be sealed and the number of containers to be sealed simultaneously with the sealing device. In the example of Figure 2, the support plate is intended to receive a single container. The support means 6 are mounted vertically movable in the lower bell between a low position, in which the base rests in the bottom of the lower tank, and a high position, in which the support plate 62 is flush with the upper edge of the bell lower. Second displacement means 3, such as a jack, for example pneumatic, are arranged to vertically move the support means 6 between the low position and the high position.

The support means 6 are equipped, here, with one or more electrifying plates 63 making it possible to lift the containers out of the dedicated locations after sealing, in order to facilitate their removal. In the example of Figure 1, a single ejector plate 63 is shown. The ejector plate 63 is mounted vertically movable in the support means 6 between a low position, in which the plate is arranged so that the container rests on the support plate 62, and a high position, in which the ejector plate is arranged so as to lift the container ίο out of the dedicated places. Fourth displacement means 4, such as a jack, for example pneumatic, are arranged to vertically move the ejector plate 63 between the low position and the high position.

The upper bell 1 is equipped with a heating block 7 formed from a plate equipped with resistors, as well as one or more probes. This heating block 7 is connected to the upper bell 1 by third displacement means 8, such as a jack, for example pneumatic. The third displacement means are arranged to move the heating block 7 between a high position, in which the heating block is at the top of the upper bell 1, and a low position, in which the heating block 7 is flush with the lower edge. of the upper bell 1, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 2.

A cutting blade 9 mounted vertically movable in the upper bell is associated with each dedicated location 64, and forms a closed loop substantially along the contour of the dedicated location 64. FIG. 2 represents a single dedicated location and therefore a single blade cutting 9. The cutting blade has a retracted position and a cutting position in which it is applied against the film 5 so as to cut it according to the closed loop around the dedicated location. Fifth displacement means (not shown) are arranged to move the cutting blade 9 between the retracted position and the cutting position.

The upper bell 1 and the lower bell 2 are each equipped, in a manner known per se, with connection means to one or more vacuum pumps for their evacuation. These connection means are for example for the upper bell 1 an upper conduit 10 formed in a piston rod of the jack constituting the third displacement means 8 of the heating block and for the lower bell, a lateral conduit 20 formed in the wall of the lower bell 2.

The description of a sealing cycle will now be made with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4a to 4f.

In a first step of receiving the container Ea, the upper bell 1 and the lower bell 2 are in the open position. The film 5 is brought between the two bells by driving the reel. The film is preferably pressed against the lower edges of the upper bell 1 so as to close the enclosure of the upper bell 1. The cutting blades 9 are in the retracted position. To save time and limit possible wrinkling, the heating block 7 is advantageously in the low position and suction A is carried out by the upper duct 10 so as to hold the film 5 against the heating block 7. In the bell lower 2, the support means are in the high position capable of receiving a container C in a dedicated location and the ejector plate 63 is in the high position in order to support the container by its lower face. A container C and its contents are conveyed on the ejector plate 63, for example by means of a conveyor (not shown).

In a second step of heating the film Eb, the first displacement means actuate the lower bell 2 to lift it to the closed position of the two bells. In parallel, the second displacement means place the support means 6 in a low position and the fourth displacement means place the ejector plate 63 in a low position. The heating block 7 is in the low position and the suction A through the upper duct 10 is retained so as to hold the film 5 against the heating block 7. A seal ensures good retention of the film 5 around the dedicated locations as well as 'a good seal of the lower bell 2 for evacuation. This seal also ensures good sealing of the upper bell 1. The heating block 7 then transmits heat to the film 5 to increase the ability of the latter to deform. A suction A through the lateral conduit 20 of the lower bell 2 is also carried out in order to obtain a pressure difference on either side of the film 5 so as to prevent the film 5 from forming folds.

In a third step of evacuating the packaging Ec, the suction A through the lateral conduit 20 is maintained until a vacuum level is obtained, that is to say a pressure below atmospheric pressure , setpoint. The suction through the upper duct 10 is optionally interrupted. This makes it possible to use a single vacuum pump for the aspirations by the upper 10 and lateral 20 conduits while avoiding that there is a fluid communication between the upper 10 and lateral 20 conduits when a suction is carried out only on a single conduits, such fluid communication, so effective in this case, creating disturbances at the level of the film 5 (formation of folds, etc.).

In a fourth welding step Ed, the third displacement means raise the heating block 7 in the high position and the second displacement means also raise the support means 6 in the high position, the product contained in the container C is then in contact with the film 5 while remaining away from the heating block 7 in order to limit the exposure of the product to heat. A gas G, advantageously air, is introduced into the upper bell 1 through the upper conduit 10 to create a pressure difference on either side of the film. The pressure in the upper bell 1, that is to say the pressure in the portion of the enclosure situated above the film 5, then becomes greater than the pressure in the lower bell 2, that is to say say in the portion of the enclosure located below the film 5. Under the effect of the pressure difference, the film 5 is pressed against the product and the edges of the container C so as to conform to the shape in the manner a second skin. On cooling, the film 5 is pressed onto the product and is sealed in a sealed manner to container C. Optionally, the containers are coated with a layer of heat seal. The film then adheres by heat to the sealing layer on the container.

In a fifth step Ee of cutting the film, the fifth displacement means place the cutting blade 9 in the cutting position so that the cutting blade 9 cuts the film 5 around the dedicated locations.

In a sixth step Ef of ejection of the container, the bells are brought back to the open position by the first displacement means with a view to removing the sealed container C, and for loading other containers to be sealed. The support means 6 are in the high position and the ejector plate is in the high position in order to eject the sealed container C out of the dedicated location. The sealed container C is then recovered, for example by a conveyor (not shown).

The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that the person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention, for example by combining the different characteristics above taken alone or in combination, without however departing from the scope of the invention .

Claims (11)

1. Sealing device for sealing containers (C), in particular plastic trays, making it possible to heat seal a film (5) on the containers (C) and their contents, in particular for vacuum packaging of products, in particular food products. , the device comprising: - an enclosure comprising an upper bell (1) and a lower bell (2) arranged to be moved vertically relative to one another by first displacement means (25) between an open position and a closed position, support means (6) mounted on the lower bell (2), arranged to support one or more containers (C), - a heating block (7) mounted on the upper bell (D, the device being characterized in that: the support means (6) are mounted vertically movable in the lower bell (2) between a low position and a high position, and the heating block (7) is mounted vertically movable in the upper bell (1) between a low position and a high position. 2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises second displacement means (3) arranged to vertically move the support means (6) between the low position and the high position. 3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises third displacement means (8) arranged to vertically move the heating block (7) between the low position and the high position. 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating block (7) is flat. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an ejector plate (63) mounted vertically movable in the support means (6) between a low position and a high position. 6. Device according to the preceding claim characterized in that it further comprises fourth displacement means (4) arranged to vertically move the ejector plate (63) between the low position and the high position. 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one cutting blade (9) mounted vertically movable in the upper bell (1). 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first suction duct 10 in fluid connection with the upper bell 1 and a second suction duct 20 in fluid connection with the lower bell 2 , the first and second suction conduits being arranged so as to be able to be fluidly separated from one another when a suction is carried out on only one of the first and second suction conduits. 9. A sealing method with a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a film heating step (Eb) in which: the upper bell (1) and the lower bell (2) are in the closed position, the film (5) being pinched between the upper bell (1) and the lower bell (2), the support means (6) are in the low position, - the heating block (7) is in the low position, - the heating block (7) transmits heat to the film (5). 10. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, after the step of heating the film (Eb), a step of placing the packaging under vacuum (Ec) in which: the upper bell (1) and the lower bell (2) are in the closed position, the film (5) being pinched between the upper bell (1) and the lower bell (2), the support means (6) are in the low position, - the heating block (7) is in the low position, - A pressure below atmospheric pressure is created in the enclosure on either side of the film (5). 11. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, after the step of placing the packaging under vacuum (Ec), a welding step (Ed) in which: the upper bell (1) and the lower bell (2) are in the closed position, the film (5) being pinched between the upper bell (1) and the lower bell (2), the support means (6) are in the high position, - the heating block (7) is in the high position, - a gas is introduced into the upper bell (1) to increase the pressure in the portion of the enclosure located above the film (5), the pressure in the portion of the enclosure located below the film (5 ) being kept lower than the pressure in the portion of the enclosure situated above the film (5), so that the film (5) is until it is thermally welded on the product containing (C). plated and the 1/3 Ea Eb Ec Ed Ee Ef