JPH02501918A - improved packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] IMPROVED PACKAGING FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improved packaging, including but not limited to However, it is especially important that the product lasts for a long time without color deterioration or bacterial growth. The present invention relates to a package of fresh lean meat that can be stored for a long period of time.

Conventional technology The applicant has made various proposals regarding the production of this type of packaging.

Examples of this are PCT/AU84100131 and PCT/AU851, which are currently pending. 00131, PCT/AU8B100339, PCT/AU87100243, There is PCT/AU87100297.

The present invention relates to PCT/AU88100339, PCT/AU87100243, PCT/AU88100339, Concerning at least one improvement or improvement of CT/AU87100297. lean meat A gas permeable plastic that engages the meat package in a state of extension laterally to the meat. It is recognized that it is necessary to provide a flexible web of stick, i.e. a thin film or plate. It is being When placing this, tension or pull is applied to the flexible web. and make products more acceptable to consumers.

The specification of PCT/AU86100339 is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings of this application. The packaging of the model is described.

Patent mill under the Patent Cooperation Treaty [Specification of PCT/AU87100297 is attached to this application The type of packaging shown in Figure 3 of the drawings is described.

1 and 2, a transparent plastic plate with a relatively rigid base 1 with a top lid 9 is shown. (i.e., shoe casing) is shown. article or encapsulation The package 3 is wrapped in the base 1, and the skin wrapping material 7 is wrapped against the base 1. Covers object 3 closely. The skin wrapping material 7 and the lid 9 can be heated, for example, at the peripheral edge 5. to seal the package. The lid 9 is formed to be relatively rigid, and the base It has the same thickness as S1. In some cases, this base 1 and lid 9 may be permeable to gas. The skin wrapping material 7 is a relatively thin film-like web that does not allow gas to pass through. do. A space 11 is provided between the skin wrapping material 7 and the lid 9, and a space 11 is provided between the skin wrapping material 7 and the lid 9. This space is filled with gas in order to enhance the storage stability of 3. This gas is colored Retention properties and bacterial inhibition properties can be enhanced.

Since the flexible web 7 is permeable to gas, the gas in the space 11 is permeated through the web 7. and comes into contact with the packaged object 3, increasing its preservability. For example, after a predetermined period of about 7 weeks has passed. When the gas in the space 11 passes through the web 7, at least The pressure is partially equalized, so that the web 7 adheres to the packaged item 3 and wraps it tightly. cannot be uploaded. Packaging like this is not desirable and the purchaser may be rejected from.

The example shown in Figure 3 has a structure very similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2; The skin web 7 is pulled downwards to the lower edge 13. The height of packaged item 3 is the lower edge 13 and thus join the skin web 7 to the lower edge 13 in the region 17. By doing so, the web 17 can continue to move due to the tensile force of the web 17, and the wrapped Object 3 can be firmly held on base 1. The above PCT application PCT/AU8710029 In the example described in the specification of item 7, the packaged item, which is red meat in particular, is strongly attached to the base of the outer container. It is understood that they are in firm contact. In some cases, the base may be made of an opaque rigid material. It is known that the underside of the meat is not visible in this case. . This means that if the meat is in close contact with the base, the surface of the meat that is in contact with the base will This is because gas cannot circulate freely and the surface becomes brownish. In this case It is completely ignored by buyers. By forming the base with an opaque material, This discoloration of the meat is no longer visible to the purchaser. However, the base is opaque If it is clear, many buyers will ignore the packaging simply because they cannot see the entire surface of the meat. Reject the outfit.

The inventor of the present application has developed a gas permeable web by employing a method different from the above method. It has been found that the packaged items can be held suitably with this method. In this case, the packaged item is the package suspended between the base and the lid, which allows storage gas to pass through the gas-permeable web. All surfaces of the packaged item can be contacted. This makes both the lid and base transparent. This allows the purchaser to make The entire surface can be observed.

Detailed description of the invention Accordingly, in a first broad aspect of the invention, packaging an item within an outer casing A method is provided, the method including a first outer casing portion and a second outer casing portion. a recess is formed in at least one casing portion, and a wafer of the skin wrapping material is The web of the skin packaging material and the outer casing part of the product to be packaged are Place the skin wrapping material between the two casing parts and stretch the skin wrapping material with the product. Expand the skin wrapping material by sealing the two casing parts together. remains engaged with the item.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for manufacturing an article packaged within an outer casing. is provided, the apparatus disposing the first outer casing on the second outer casing portion. at least one casing portion is covered with a skin wrapping material. The casing parts have a recessed part, and furthermore, when these casing parts are put together, a skin latch is formed. Place the item between the casing parts so that the web of ping material is pulled into contact with the item. and means for moving the two casing parts together relative to the casing part. and a means for sealing the web of skin packaging material in a stretched state. engage with things.

Brief description of the drawing For a clearer understanding of the invention, reference is made to the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

here, Figures 1 to 3 show the conventional example referred to above, and Figure 4 shows the present invention before filling the product. A side cross-sectional view of one form of a preferred package; Figure 5 is a diagram similar to Figure 4 with the product filled inside, and Figure 6 is a diagram with the package closed. A diagram similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing a state in which FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the closed package; FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a modification of the manufacturing method for forming the package; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a typical example of a packaging machine that manufactures the packages shown in Figures 4 to 7. figure, Figure 10 is a diagram of a typical example of a packaging machine used in the method shown in Figure 8. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the outer casing 201 and the inner web 203 are A preferred package is described. The outer casing consists of two parts viz. A first part 205 and a second part 207, these outer casing parts have a size and have the same shape. The first casing portion or first portion 205 is It is preferably hinged to the second casing part or portion 207; This is indicated by the hinge center line 209 in the figure. The first part 205 and the second part Portion 207 is a web or thin film of plastic material. Thermo-formed thin plate is made by continuous end to end in a straight line. ) is preferred. The exterior casing 201 is made of, for example, polyvinyl chloride (p, V , c, ) / polyethylene (P, E, ) or other plastic materials as shown in the figure. It is preferable to form the sea urchin in two trays. Other suitable materials include PVC Or polyvinyl chloride/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (E, V, A,) . The thickness of the outer casing 201 is on the order of 400 microns. Polychloride If vinyl/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is used, polyvinyl chloride The thickness of the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer shall be 50 microns. Can be done.

It uses a multilayer web with multiple layers, each made of a separate plastic material. By heat sealing the plastic packaging components together, the atmosphere inside the package can be removed. can be almost eliminated.

The material of the inner packaging 203 is typically a skin layer, which is a web of flexible plastic. polyethylene or polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate. It comprises a multilayer web made of materials such as polyester copolymers. Typical inner packaging 203 The typical thickness is approximately 20-25 microns. The inner packaging 203 is made of linear low density polyester. Can be formed from tyrene or linear low density ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers . Inner packaging 203 is preferably heat sealed, but other methods may also be used to seal area 2. 05 and the periphery of the region 207 defining the outer casing 201 may be sealed. stomach.

A gas suitable for maintaining the quality of packaged items, especially the color. is housed between the inner packaging 203 and the outer casing 201. red meat quality Suitable gases for holding 02, CO2, nitrogen, or a mixture of these Any gas can be used. Regarding other gases that maintain the quality of packaged items. It can be used as needed. The typical gas component is 20% CO2. , 0□ is 80%.

02 maintains the red color of red meat, and CO□ has the effect of suppressing bacterial growth. . This gas pressure is slightly lower than atmospheric pressure, so the inner wrapping web 203 is It is urged into each casing 205, 207 by atmospheric pressure. As inner packaging web Preferably, the plastic material selected is permeable to some degree of gas. Special In addition, it is preferable that the web of the inner packaging 203 is easily permeable to 02.

The packaged object 213, for example red meat, fresh food or other item, is part of the packaging container. Place it inside the other half. This item 213 is placed on the web of the inner packaging 203. , pull this slightly downward. This state is shown in the second portion 207 of FIG. There is. The first portion 205 pivots about the hinge line 209 so that the bivalve opens and closes. This first part 205 is then placed directly on top of the second part 207 . 1st part 205 is placed on the second portion 207, the peripheral flange portions of each tray touch each other. Upon abutting, the article 213 deforms and renews the web of the inner wrapper 203 within the first portion 205. The web of inner wrapper 203 within second portion 207 is deformed. Therefore, internal The package 203 is stretched within the first section 205 and the second section 207. The web is updated The outer casing 201 is pulled between the flanges of each tray.

In the space within the inner packaging 203 of the first part 205 and second part 207, the above-mentioned A suitable gas is contained. This gas is at atmospheric pressure and each inner packaging 203 and The pressure is lower than the gas pressure filled between the first part 205 and the second part 207. be able to. The tray flanges of the outer casing 201 are aligned and integrally The package is sealed and closed as shown in Figure 7. Rui forms a container.

The packaging container described above suspends the item between the outer casings 201. Internal casing 2 The web of 03 is made of a gas-permeable material such as 0□, and therefore has a space 02 in the gas in the space 211 permeates through the inner casing 203 and passes through the product 21. Contact the outer surface of 3. Gases released or produced by the items inside the container are The web of Thing 203 is transmitted.

Since the web of the inner casing 203 is stretched over the article 3, this web The inner casing of the container will be 203, the first part 205 and the second part 207, and the inner casing. There is a tendency to equalize the gas pressure between 203.

FIG. 8 shows a modified example, in which the first portion 205 and the second portion 207 are separated. Instead of being hinged together in a shell-like manner, the two sheets each have a number of tray recesses. An exterior casing material 201 web is provided. Each interior casing web 203 is It can be provided in each recess. A suitable gas that maintains the quality of the packaged material is the outer case. Space 211 between the web of the thing 201 and the web of the inner casing 203 It can be stored inside.

Heat seal the web of inner casing 203 to the web of outer casing 201 Each web thereby retains gas within the space 211. Exterior casing 2 The two webs of 03 are aligned so that each recess is aligned, and these are aligned. The item 213 can be placed on the lower web before being removed. Therefore, each Once the webs are assembled, each inner casing 203 is stretched over the article 213; This item 213 is suspended from the outer casing 201. Exterior casing 203 The two webs are sealed using a heat sealing member to form independent sealed containers. can do.

Figure 9 schematically shows a preferred machine for producing the packages shown in Figures 4 to 7; .

The web of exterior casing material 201 is supplied from a rolled source 215. It will be done. Web 201 passes through thermoforming station 216 where web 201 is Two tray-shaped recesses facing in opposite directions are simultaneously formed. These two training The A-shaped recess is formed as a pair of trays 217, one of which is connected to the first portion 20. 5 and the other forms the second portion 207. Tray pair 217 is an internal casing gas sealing station 219. This station 219 is above As set out in the international application PCT/AU/84100131 under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, This is similar to the gas flushing and sealing station. Interior ke The web of material 203 is supplied from a supply source 221 and It is inserted diagonally through 223. Upper chamber 227 and lower chamber 229 is closed on the gas ejection plate 225 and extends diagonally between the gas ejection plates 225. Gas is ejected from the lower plate 225 of the web of the casing 203. heated The platen 231 is lowered and the inner casing material is removed at the periphery of each recess of the recess pair 217. 203 is sealed. For details of station 219, see PCT/AU/841 above. It is described in the specification of No. 00131.

Once the recess pair 217 leaves the inner casing and gas seal station 219, The article reaches the filling station 233 where it enters the second portion 207 of the pair of recesses 217. Item 213 is placed.

After this, the pair of recesses 217 passes through a cutting station 235, where the first part 20 5 is cut from the web by bunches 236 on three sides of its recess. No. The two parts 207 are connected only by flanges along the edges that join the recesses. did Thus, the second portion 207 is retained on the web 201 and the first portion 205 is held on the web 201. It is cut so that it can swing relative to 01.

If desired, a cutting station 235 is placed before the article filling station 233 You may.

The recess pair 217 moves to the casing closing station 237 where the casing transfer The first portion 205 is pivoted upwardly relative to the web 201 by the moving part 218 and the container Close.

The closed container 239 is moved to a gas flushing and heat sealing station 241. It will be done. This gas flushing and heat sealing station 241 is located in the upper chamber section. 243 and a lower chamber portion 245, these chamber portions are closed and the lower chamber portion 245 is closed. Gas is ejected inside, supplies gas between the webs of the inner casing 203, and 213. At the edge of the upper chamber part 243 that abuts the lower chamber part An electrical impulse heat sealing surface (not shown) is provided that allows The first portion 205 is then heat sealed to the second portion 207.

The packaging container 239 is thus sealed, and the space 211 is filled with the required gas. The inner casing 203 is then stretched over the article 213. Furthermore, the required gas is It is also filled into the packaging casing 203 and comes into contact with the packaged object 213. closed packaging Vessel 239 is still retained on web 213. Therefore, the punching stay When moving to the section 247, it is separated from the web 201 and is carried away by gravity. discharged to a suitable collection area. The remaining material of the web 201 is wound onto the excess roll 249. It will be reused later.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a package by the method shown in FIG. ing. Components similar to those in the machine of FIG. 9 are given the same reference numerals. It is clear from the figure As shown, the upper and lower webs 201, the thermoforming station 216 and the gas seal stay A section 219 is provided. The upper and lower webs 201 each have a first A container part 205 and a second container part 207 are provided. Goods filling station After the first container portion 205 is filled with items at 233, these recesses are heat sealed. is sent to station 241, where the first container part 205 and the second container part 2 are separated. 07 are combined and heat sealed.

As can be seen, the second container part 207 passes through the roll 271 and then further The recesses of each web are aligned with each other by passing through a slotted roll 273.

The machine and method described above can be used to make products such as red meat thinner, more gas permeable, and more flexible. A package 239 that is housed and suspended between two membrane members made of a material having Manufacture. Encased in an outer casing 201 made of transparent plastic material This allows the condition of red meat to be inspected from all sides, making it possible to appeal to buyers. Wear.

To increase production speed, the machines shown in Figures 9 and 10 are used to A series of recess pairs 217 are arranged at each station, and a plurality of recess pairs 217 are arranged at the same time at each station. It is also possible to perform processing.

Figures 11 to 15 show modified examples of packaging produced by the method and machine described above. show. This package has similar parts to the above embodiment. The fruit shown in Figure 11 In the embodiment, the second container portion 207 does not include a web of skin wrapping material. this The second container section 207 includes the skin packaging material 20 held within the first container section 205. It is formed to be more rigid than the web of No. 3. In a typical example, the second container part is It may also be an opaque plastic made of similar material and thickness to the embodiment described above. stomach. The N1 container part 205 and the second container part 207 are mutually sealed at the seal part 281. Once sealed, the second container portion presses directly against the item 213 and the skin wrapper 20 Stretch the web of 3. If necessary, the gas is connected to the inner casing 203 and the first It is accommodated between the antenna section 205 and the antenna section 205. This gas spreads through the web of the inner casing 203. Preserves the quality of the packaged item by transmitting it through.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment similar to that described above, except that the first container portion 205 is 83 and further between the upper edge 283 and the bottom of the recess of the first container part 205. The difference is that it has an edge 285. As is clear from the diagram, the inner casing The web at 203 is bonded to the periphery. The peripheral portion 285 of the first container portion 205 Preferably, the seal is continuous around the periphery and continuous around the edge 285. 2nd con The web of the inner casing 203 is sealed to the inner casing 207 and wrapped inside. better maintain the quality of manufactured goods. Similarly, before sealing the middle edge 285 The inner casing 203 is supplied with the necessary gas to maintain the quality of the packaged goods 213. can be filled between the web and the first container part 205. 1st container The section 205 and the second container section 207 are joined at the upper edge 283 to form a package integrally. The web of inner casing 203 is stretched.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is very similar to that shown in FIG. 12, but with an inner casing. Place the bag 203 over the item 213 and seal it to the first container portion 207 at the upper peripheral edge 283. The difference is that the edges 285 must be sealed before being applied. Items to be packaged The required gas to maintain the quality of 213 is the web of inner casing 203 and It can be accommodated in a space between the second container part 207 and the second container part 207.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are similar to each other, but as shown in FIG. The second container portion 207 is formed with a similar lid, which has projecting handles extending around its periphery. It has a stage 287.

When the lid is attached to the first container part 205, the web of the inner container 203 It is biased and spread more uniformly over the article 213 than the above-described embodiments described above. child In this case, the upper peripheral edge 283 can be sealed. Figure 15 is Figure 14 In contrast, the web of the inner casing 203 is attached to the first container 20 before the lid is placed on the inner casing 203. The difference is that it is first joined to the edge of 5. If necessary, the first container The portion 205 is formed of a relatively flexible material and is integral with the first container portion 205. The web of the interior casing 203 attached to the A flexible container or bag can be formed. First container section 205 is strong enough to withstand the pressure of the purchaser's fingers ascertaining the item 213 contained therein. Preferably, it is made of plastic material. For some red meat buyers, the firmness It is known that there are cases where the meat is pressed to see if the degree of oxidation is satisfactory.

By forming the first container part 205 with such a flexible material, it is not pressed. This eliminates the possibility that the first container section 205 will break if the first container section 205 is damaged.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11, 14 and 15, the lid is formed of an opaque material. , so that the red meat touches or spreads along the underside of the lid. If the color becomes darker and the gas contained in the container does not contact all surfaces of the red meat There is.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 12, 13, and 15, the container 213 is filled with an item. The required gas is poured into the first casing part 205 and the inner casing 203 sealed against blocks. Therefore, the upper part with the goods 213 to be filled inside. The possibility of contamination of sealing surfaces such as the local edges is eliminated. For this reason, the first container Gas can be tightly held within the portion 205.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the second container portion 207 or lid is 1 is sealed to the upper peripheral portion 283 before being sealed to the container portion 205. this Before sealing, the necessary It may be filled with gas.

In any of the above examples, gas is included to maintain the quality of the packaged items. What you do is not essential. In this case, a web for skin packaging or Between the interior casing 203 and the first container part 205, and the interior casing The gas contained in the container between the web of 203 and the second container part 207 is exposed to the atmosphere. It can be done. Such packaging is used for specific purposes and for specific items. be able to.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a gas in the inner casing 203 to maintain the quality of the packaged items. Although it is not necessarily essential, I think it is desirable to do it this way. .

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art of packaging that various modifications are possible.

Various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, and these can be seen in the above description and in the appendix. Determined by the scope of claims.

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Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A method of packaging a packaged item within an outer casing, at least one of which is a cover. a first exterior casing portion and a second exterior casing portion each having a cup-shaped recessed portion therein; A web of skin packaging material is provided to cover this recess, and the item to be packaged is wrapped between the skin packaging material and the exterior. casing part, and put the two casing parts together and skin it with the packaged item. Stretch the wrapper and seal the two casing parts so that the web of skin wrapper is at the front. A packaging method characterized in that the packaging material is extended and engaged with the object to be packaged. 2. A gas that maintains the quality of the packaged items is passed through at least one of the casing parts. and the web of the skin packaging material, and the web of the skin packaging material has gas permeability. However, when the two casing parts are sealed together, the gas is retained within the package. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the skin wrapper is passed through the web. 3. between at least one of the casing parts and the web of the skin packaging material; Claim: The gas is sealed before the two casing parts are integrated together. The method described in 2. 4. Each of said casing parts is covered with a web of skin wrapping material. It has a cup-shaped recess, and when the two casing parts are combined together, the ski Each web of casing material is stretched, after which the two casing parts are sealed and The method according to claim 1, wherein both of the wrapping materials are engaged with the object in an extended state. Law. 5. A gas that maintains the quality of the packaged items is supplied to each casing part and each skin packaging material. the web of the skin packaging material has gas permeability; The gas is retained within the package when the two casing parts are sealed together. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the skin wrapper is permeable to the web of skin wrapping material. 6. The gas between each casing part and each skin packaging material is 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the sealing portions are sealed before being brought together. 7. At least one of the casing parts is covered with a skin wrapper covering the recessed part of the casing part. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the wrapping is made of a more rigid material than the web. 8. A skin packaging material that covers both of the casing parts and at least the recessed part of the casing part. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the web is made of a more rigid material. 9. At least one casing portion includes an upper peripheral edge for the recess; and an intermediate edge between the peripheral edge of the casing and the bottom of the recess, and the casing is integrated with the casing. 2. A web of skin wrapping material is bonded to said intermediate edge before said mating. How to put it on. 10. A gas that maintains the quality of the packaged object is supplied to the at least one casing. and the web of the skin packaging material, and the web of the skin packaging material When the two casing parts are sealed together, the gas is permeable. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the skin packaging material is retained within the packaging and permeates through the web of the skin packaging material. Law. 11. The other casing part has a protrusion that is rigid with respect to the web of the skin packaging material. A projecting means is provided, and when the two casing parts are combined together, the projecting hand A web of skin wrapping material covering the recess of said at least one casing part is 5. The web of skin wrapping material is moved into the recess of claim 4 to create tension in the web of the skin wrapping material. How to put it on. 12. A device for packaging a packaged item in an outer casing, the device comprising: a second outer casing; means for arranging a first outer casing part on the outer casing part; at least one of the casing portions has a recess provided with a web of skin wrapping material; The casing part is moved relatively with the packaged item between the parts, and the casing part is integrated. The web of skin packaging material by contacting said packaged item when combined. means for expanding and sealing the two casing parts together; and means for extending the web to engage the object to be packaged. 13. A gas that maintains the quality of the packaged product is supplied to at least one casing part and the skin package. a means for filling between the web of the skin packaging material and the web of the skin packaging material; After being integrally sealed in the casing part, the gas is sealed in the skin packaging. 13. The device of claim 12, which is capable of passing through a web of material. 14. between the at least one casing portion and the web of skin packaging material; Before the casing part of the casing is moved together, it is provided with a sealing means for sealing the gas. 14. The device according to claim 13. 15. means for forming paired exterior casing portions in the web of exterior casing material; means for cutting the at least one casing section from the web; The casing moving part of said device is cut off before the means for relatively moving the casings together. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the shing part is movable onto the other casing part. 16. Said web is a long web, and each said portion of the outer container part is a long web. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is formed into a web of. 17. means for repeatedly forming a first container portion in one web of exterior casing material; and means for repeatedly supplying the second container portion to the second web of the outer casing material. and means for moving the two casing parts together move both webs into the sealing hand. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus moves in stages.