GB2251206A - Packaging system - Google Patents

Packaging system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2251206A
GB2251206A GB9028126A GB9028126A GB2251206A GB 2251206 A GB2251206 A GB 2251206A GB 9028126 A GB9028126 A GB 9028126A GB 9028126 A GB9028126 A GB 9028126A GB 2251206 A GB2251206 A GB 2251206A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
packaging system
super absorbent
absorbent material
sheets
transportation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9028126A
Other versions
GB9028126D0 (en
GB2251206B (en
Inventor
Peter Clark Stevenson
Leanne Lesley Stevenson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SORBA FREEZE Ltd
Original Assignee
SORBA FREEZE Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SORBA FREEZE Ltd filed Critical SORBA FREEZE Ltd
Priority to GB9028126A priority Critical patent/GB2251206B/en
Publication of GB9028126D0 publication Critical patent/GB9028126D0/en
Publication of GB2251206A publication Critical patent/GB2251206A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2251206B publication Critical patent/GB2251206B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form
    • B32B3/26—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar form; Layered products having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/02—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer
    • B32B5/022—Non-woven fabric
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B5/00—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts
    • B32B5/22—Layered products characterised by the non- homogeneity or physical structure, i.e. comprising a fibrous, filamentary, particulate or foam layer; Layered products characterised by having a layer differing constitutionally or physically in different parts characterised by the presence of two or more layers which are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
    • B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
    • B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
    • B65D75/321—Both sheets being recessed
    • B65D75/323—Both sheets being recessed and forming several compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/264—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2305/00—Condition, form or state of the layers or laminate
    • B32B2305/07—Parts immersed or impregnated in a matrix
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
    • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
    • B32B2439/00—Containers; Receptacles
    • B32B2439/70—Food packaging

Abstract

A packaging system (1) for use in the transportation of perishable products comprising first and second flexible sheets (2, 3), at least one of which is formed of a non-woven material, the sheets being bonded together to form an array of cells (4), each cell being charged with a quantity of a super absorbent material (5). <IMAGE>

Description

Packaging System This invention relates to a packaging system and, more particularly, to a packaging system for use in the transportation of perishable items such as fresh flowers or fresh food products.
Care must be taken when transporting perishable goods on long journeys and, in this respect, they are normally packed with ice during transportation. As the ice melts, measures have to be taken to prevent water draining from the containers in which the goods are packed.
Furthermore, as the water drains from the goods, the ambient temperature in the containers rises, thus increasing the chance of the goods spoiling before reaching their destination.
One attempt to solve the above problems is to use a system known as a "gel pack". Water is placed inside a plastics container by a manufacturer and is sealed. Such gel packs are often used in domestic ice boxes etc.
Whilst such a gel pack is effective compared to ice, it has the disadvantage of being labour intensive in preparation, relatively expensive, unfriendly to the environment and in the case of pre-prepared gel packs, bulky to ship. - A further problem arises in the display of fresh foods such as poultry on shelving systems in shops and supermarkets and the like. A super absorbent pad is often placed under the meat in order to soak up any blood products from the meat. If the meat is displayed on a sloping shelf, it is possible for the blood products to channel through the super absorbent pad and leak into the container.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or mitigate the above disadvantageous.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging system for use in the transportation of perishable products comprising first and second flexible sheets, at least one of which is formed of a non-woven material, the sheets being bonded together to form an array of cells, each cell being charged with a quantity of a super absorbent material.
Preferably, the super absorbent material is a crosslinked sodium polyacrylate.
Advantageously, the flexible sheets are formed of a combination of polypropylene and polyethylene.
Alternatively, the flexible sheets are formed of a combination of polyester and polyethylene.
Conveniently, the flexible sheets are heat bonded together.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a packaging system according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a charger of the apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the charger of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the charger of Figure 2 in use; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bonding portion of the apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a sectional view of the bonding portion of Figure 6, and Figure 8 is a schematic view of a packaging system according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a packaging system 1 according to one aspect of the invention comprises a first sheet 2 and a second sheet 3 arranged one on top of the other, these sheets being heat bonded together to form an array of regular cells 4.
Each cell is charged with a substantially uniform amount of a super absorbent material 5.
The fabric for the sheets 1,2 can be varied depending upon availability and price competitiveness but each must have the characteristics of high strength to material weight radio, isotopic, being of virtually equal physical values in all directions and uniform fibre distribution and textile appearance.
Developments to date have indicated two types of nonwoven material to be suitable for constructing a segmented packaging system by a manufacturing method to be described below.
A polypropylene/polyethylene combination or a polyester/polyethylene combination are preferred. Both types are of a sheath and core arrangement and have the property of being heat bondable, where with the application of heat under pressure the two layers of fabric can be bonded together without the need to apply other adhesives. This produces a very economical manufacturing operation.
These two types of non-woven materials are also not effected by water or other aqueous fluids and retain their original integrity after being completely saturated with water. They are also not effected by temperatures below freezing. When transporting perishable goods, on occasions temperatures of -600C are experienced.
Due to the physical nature of these materials, the sheets 1,2 have as a characteristic the property of being hyrophobic, that is they initially repel water which would not allow for a uniform dispersion of water through the fabric wicking effect, therefore hindering the reaction of a super absorbent material. This can be counteracted by the application during the manufacturing process of a suitable surfactant which would increase the angle of penetration and allow for water to penetrate the fabric immediately and speed up the reaction time of the super absorbent material.
The fundamental property of the super absorbent material is that it must be able to absorb fluid even when a load is placed upon it. This is necessary because during the freezing process water expands so that without this property. of being able to expand under load, the polymer would subsequently release water.
The preferred super absorbent material is 8 cross-linked polyacrylate which is marketed under the trade name Salsorb 90 P by Allied Colloids Limited, however other super absorbent materials having the above characteristics would also be considered.
The combined effect of using these two raw materials is that on the surface of the fabric after hydration and subsequent freezing, the desired effect of being "dry to the touch" is achieved. This in effect forms a "dry" refrigerant which unlike ice, as the pad absorbs latent heat, free water is not released and the surface of the fabric remains dry.
Referring now to Figure 2, an apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
A charging means 6 comprises cylindrical drum 7, the outer surface of which is provided with an array of recesses 8, the size of which depends upon the amount of super absorbent material required to be deposited into each cell of the packaging system. The charging means 6 lies in the horizontal plane of the apparatus and is rotatable about the horizontal axis.
As shown in Figure 3, each recess 8 is triangular in cross-section.
A hopper 9 is provided directly above the charging means 8 and the outlet of the hopper 9 being positioned axially along length of the charging means 6.
A pair of bonding rollers 10,11 are provided adjacent the charging means 6, such that in use, one roller 10 is provided above the material being bonded and the other roller 11 is provided below the material. The surface of each of the rollers 10,11 is provided with an array of recesses 12 each of which is positioned to correspond to the spacing of the recesses 8 on the charging means 6.
A shown in Figures 6 and 7, as the heat bonding rollers 10,11 rotate in opposite directions, the recesses 12 on the surface of each of the rollers match in order to produce bonded cells in the material.
A tension roller 13 of a known kind is also provided on the apparatus to lead processed material from the apparatus.
The process using the apparatus described above will now be described in more detail.
A first sheet of material 1 is fed onto a storing roller (not shown), and a supply of super absorbent material 5 is fed into the hopper 9.
The first sheet material 1 is fed into the apparatus, the material being led around the outer surface of the charging means 6. As the material 1 is drawn through the apparatus, the charging means 6 rotates in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the material 1.
Super absorbent material 5 drains from the hopper 9 into the array of recesses 8 in the outer surface of the charging means 6. As the charging means 6 rotates, the super absorbent material 5 is held in the recesses 8 by the material 1. Upon further rotation of the charging means 6, the super absorbent material 5 is deposited on the first sheet 1 in a regular array 4 as defined by the spacing of the recesses 8 in the charging means 6.
A second sheet of material 2 is fed from a second roller (not shown) into the apparatus and both sheets of material 1,2 are passed through the heat bonding rollers 10,11.
The outer surface of each roller 10,11 is heated to a required temperature which will bond the two sheets of material 1,2 together upon contact with the rollers.
The recesses 12 in the outer surfaces of the rollers 10,11 are rectangular in cross section (see Figure 7) and positioned to correspond with the position of the recesses 8 on the outer surface of the charging means 6 in order that as the first sheet of material 1 passes between the rollers 10,11, with the super absorbent material 5 deposited thereon, each deposit of super absorbent material 5 is located within a recess 12 in the outer surfaces of the heat bonding rollers 10,11 and, thus are sealed into a cell structure.
In use, a packaging system is first prepared by pouring water or the like onto the cells. The super absorbent material 5 will absorb the water and the system is then frozen. When required for use, for example for transportation of fresh flowers, the packaging system is either wrapped around the flowers or is inserted into any shape of packaging container.
It is to be understood that the packaging system described above can be used to line reflective containers which serve to keep the contents at a required temperature for a substantial length of time. This would serve to further extend the length of time that the packaging system will remain frozen during transportation.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the cells are built up in a brick-like pattern as shown in Figure 8. Thus, when such a pad is placed into a container for fresh meat, and the container is displayed on a sloping shelf, blood products filtering through the pad and along the heat bonding lines of the pad, will be channelled into a further cell of the system instead of being channeled through the system without encountering the super absorbent cells. This gives the effect of curtailing the flow of blood products in any given direction regardless of the angle of stacking the containers.
The above described packaging system therefore occupies less space in containers than ice and is more economical by reducing transportation costs.
Furthermore, the water is immobilised thus reducing the possibility of package damage or subsequent corrosion.
Perishable foods packed in such a packaging system are less likely to suffer from freezer burn than foods packed in a conventional system.
Interleaving of the flexible refrigerant packaging system with perishable products will serve to aid the distribution of cooling effects thereby enhancing the product quality and also has the effect of acting as an insulating layer as the refrigerant pad warms up, unlike ice.
It is envisaged that a further application of the present invention would be in the field of athletics injuries. In this case water is poured onto a flexible package as described above and the package is then frozen. The package is then applied to the injured area, thus reducing the swelling around the injury. This provides a fast, effective and, most importantly, a dry dressing which can be used to reduce the swelling to any area of the body.

Claims (4)

Claims
1. A packaging system for use in the transportation of perishable products comprising first and second flexible sheets, at least one of which is formed of a non-woven material, the sheets being bonded together to form an array of cells, each cell being charged with a quantity of a super absorbent material.
2. A packaging system according to claim 1 wherein the super absorbent material is a cross-linked sodium polyacrylate.
3. A packaging system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the flexible sheets are formed of a combination of polypropylene and polyethelene.
4. A packaging system for use in the transportation or perishable products substantially as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.
4. A packaging system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the flexible sheets are formed of a combination of polyester and polyethelene.
5. A packaging system according to any preceding claim wherein the flexible sheets are heat bonded together.
6. A packaging system for use in the transportation of perishable products substantially as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A packaging system for use in the transportation of perishable products comprising first and second flexible sheets selected from a combination of polyacrylate and polyethylene or a combination of polypropylene and polyethylene, at least one of the sheets being formed of a non-woven material, the sheets being heat bonded together to form an array of cells, each cell being charged with a quantity of a super absorbent material and being capable of containing the super absorbent material in an expanded condition so as to provide for immobilisation of aqueous fluids within each cell.
2. A packaging system according to claim 1 wherein the super absorbent material is a cross-linked sodium polyacrylate.
3. A packaging system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the flexible sheets are heat bonded together.
GB9028126A 1990-12-28 1990-12-28 Packaging system Expired - Lifetime GB2251206B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9028126A GB2251206B (en) 1990-12-28 1990-12-28 Packaging system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9028126A GB2251206B (en) 1990-12-28 1990-12-28 Packaging system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9028126D0 GB9028126D0 (en) 1991-02-13
GB2251206A true GB2251206A (en) 1992-07-01
GB2251206B GB2251206B (en) 1994-03-30

Family

ID=10687641

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9028126A Expired - Lifetime GB2251206B (en) 1990-12-28 1990-12-28 Packaging system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2251206B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1994026621A1 (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-11-24 Jiffy Packaging Company Limited Method and device for protecting articles during transportation and storage
US5518761A (en) * 1992-08-28 1996-05-21 Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. Absorbent material absorbent article, and method for production thereof
GB2337723A (en) * 1998-05-30 1999-12-01 Growthscope Limited Producing a textile package
WO2003008093A1 (en) * 2001-07-18 2003-01-30 Eos S.R.L. Hydroabsorbent product

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2125277A (en) * 1982-08-13 1984-03-07 Unilever Plc Wipe
US4749392A (en) * 1985-12-03 1988-06-07 Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Dehumidifying material
GB2207088A (en) * 1987-06-23 1989-01-25 Brabis Investment Ltd Liquid absorbing pad
EP0359820A1 (en) * 1987-05-28 1990-03-28 Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha Package of liquid container

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2125277A (en) * 1982-08-13 1984-03-07 Unilever Plc Wipe
US4749392A (en) * 1985-12-03 1988-06-07 Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Dehumidifying material
EP0359820A1 (en) * 1987-05-28 1990-03-28 Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha Package of liquid container
GB2207088A (en) * 1987-06-23 1989-01-25 Brabis Investment Ltd Liquid absorbing pad

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5518761A (en) * 1992-08-28 1996-05-21 Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. Absorbent material absorbent article, and method for production thereof
US5720736A (en) * 1992-08-28 1998-02-24 Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. Absorbent material, absorbent article, and method for production thereof
WO1994026621A1 (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-11-24 Jiffy Packaging Company Limited Method and device for protecting articles during transportation and storage
GB2337723A (en) * 1998-05-30 1999-12-01 Growthscope Limited Producing a textile package
GB2337723B (en) * 1998-05-30 2002-06-12 Growthscope Ltd Textile packages and production thereof
WO2003008093A1 (en) * 2001-07-18 2003-01-30 Eos S.R.L. Hydroabsorbent product

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9028126D0 (en) 1991-02-13
GB2251206B (en) 1994-03-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2296399C (en) Improved, porous, laminated, super absorbent, hydratable, temperature control pack system
US6270873B1 (en) Absorbent pad
JPH0751489Y2 (en) Packaging sheet
AU2006212838B2 (en) Heat shrinkable insulated packaging
US5709089A (en) Package for cooling containing superabsorbent polymer
NO126096B (en)
NZ228173A (en) Chill box includes panels of foil covered insulating material
GB2251206A (en) Packaging system
EP3595887B1 (en) Improvements relating to insulation
EP0900067A1 (en) A heat pack
CN107106323A (en) Transport product with hot and mechanical insulated characteristic
WO2003002424A2 (en) Material for temperature control
RU150849U1 (en) FLEXIBLE (DEFORMABLE) CONTAINER FOR BITUMEN MATERIALS (OPTIONS)
CN107351459A (en) High temperature resistant negative and positive packaging bag and preparation method thereof
KR102310636B1 (en) Pack of keeping cold condition
CN217228622U (en) Continuous rolling sleeve
JPS6356586A (en) Heat-accumulating material
JPH027424Y2 (en)
JPH0195264A (en) Cold-insulating heat-insulating material
KR102048660B1 (en) Coating method of packing box
AU708949B2 (en) An absorbent pad
JPH0359196A (en) Freshness-preserving paper and its production
AU2006200936A1 (en) An absorbent pad
JP2004142785A (en) Shrinking and heat insulating film for wrapping container
JPH0547639Y2 (en)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20101227