RU2694542C2 - Assembled package and method for packaging products - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: package and storage.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a food packaging assembly comprising a first container in which there is at least one first food product, a second container accommodating at least one second food product, and a connection device configured to form a communication channel between the first container and the second container.

EFFECT: invention also describes application of package assembly and method of manufacturing assembled package.

14 cl, 35 dwg

Description

The technical field to which the invention relates.

The present invention relates to packaging assembly and method of packaging products. In particular, the packaging assembly and method are designed for food packaging. More precisely, the packaging assembly is designed for the individual packaging of the first food product, mainly containing the liquid component, and the second food product, mainly containing the solid component.

The level of technology

Plastic containers are used to package items such as food or other products. To form a sealed package containing a food product, a plastic bag or a tray with a lid of film can be used. The food product that fits in the packaging is protected and isolated from the external environment. This allows a relatively simple way to transport food products and retain their nutritional properties.

In some cases, it may be desirable to store the two foods separately before consumption. For these purposes, packaging containers with many containers were created in the past: according to these solutions, a corresponding food product was placed in each container of one package, which was stored separately from other food products until the consumer opened the package and consumed the contents.

For example, WO 2006/051383 A1 describes a food packaging that contains two containers separated by a membrane, the first container being used for the first relatively solid product, and the second container being used for the second, more liquid product. The package contains a tool that allows you to easily create a hole in the membrane and, thus, allow the second product to flow into the first container, after which the mixed food product is eaten.

Although the solutions described allow packaging of different products, the design of packages with multiple containers is often complex and expensive.

In addition, packages with multiple containers often have insufficient adaptability for the end user. In practice, the consumer can use only certain components (usually two) that fit in a container with many containers, and does not have the ability to select different combinations. The consumer also can not select a certain amount of the second component for mixing with the first component. In addition, when using packages with multiple containers, the shelf life of the entire package is determined by the shelf life of the product with the shortest shelf life. This sometimes leads to food spoilage.

Accordingly, the invention is based on the task of creating a method of packaging and packaging as an assembly, which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the previously described known solutions.

In particular, the main task of the invention is to create a more convenient to handle and adaptable packaging for the final consumer for a number of food products.

In addition, one of the auxiliary objectives of the invention is the creation of a more sustainable packaging in the collection than traditional packaging for food products.

One of the additional objects of the invention is to provide a complete package, ideal for packaging a variety of food products.

One of the additional objects of the invention is to provide a complete package suitable for the isolated packaging of a plurality of food products prior to their consumption (for example, during transportation, storage and display of products) and facilitating the mixing of products when it is time to use or cook or prepare a finished food product. .

One of the additional objectives of the invention is to create a packaging method that can be implemented without a significant increase in costs and is thus applicable to the creation of packaging in the collection at a competitive price.

Summary of the Invention

One or more of the above problems are mainly solved by packing in the collection according to any one of the claims attached to the claims.

Further description of the features of the invention.

According to the first feature proposed food packaging assembly, containing:

the first container bounding the first space in which there is at least one first product,

the second container, limiting the second space in which there is at least one second product, the first and second products being food products,

a connecting device comprising at least a first connecting element mounted on the first container and a second connecting element mounted on the second container,

while the food packaging assembly is designed to be in at least one disconnected state, in which the first and second spaces are isolated from each other and not necessarily sealed, and the first container is physically separated from the second container, and at least in one the connected state in which the connecting device connects the first connecting element to the second connecting element, forming a communication channel between the first space and the second space.

In the second feature, according to the first feature, said channel is a channel cavity designed to pass the first product from the first space into the second space and not pass the second product from the second space into the first space.

In the third feature, according to any of the previous features, the first container is a bag of one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are sealed along sealing lines and form a sealed first space.

In the fourth feature, according to any of the previous first and second features, the first container is a tray with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge and a sheet of plastic film tightly attached to at least the top one except for the tray and forming a sealed first space .

In the fifth feature, according to any of the preceding features, the second container is a bag of one or more plastic films, wherein the film or films forming the bag are sealed along sealing lines and form a sealed second space.

In the sixth feature, according to any of the first to fourth features, the second container is a tray with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge and a sheet of plastic film tightly attached to at least the top one except for the tray and forming a sealed second space.

According to the seventh feature, a complete food packaging is proposed containing:

the first container bounding the first space in which there is at least one first product,

a second container defining a second space in which at least one second product is located, the first product being different from the second product, and the first and second products are edible, in particular, food products,

a connecting device comprising at least a first connecting element mounted on the first container and a second connecting element mounted on the second container,

while the food packaging assembly is designed to be in at least one disconnected state, in which the first and second spaces are isolated from each other, and the first container is physically separated from the second container, and at least in one connected state, wherein the connecting device connects the first connecting element to the second connecting element, forming a communication channel between the first space and the second space,

The first container is:

a bag of one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along sealing lines and form a sealed first space,

and the second container is:

a bag of one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming each bag are hermetically connected along sealing lines and form a sealed second space, or

a tray with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge and a sheet of plastic film, tightly attached at least to the top one except the tray and forming a sealed second space.

In the eighth feature according to any one of the preceding features, the first product in the first container is in the form of a liquid or gel or particles or a paste or a mixture of a liquid or gel or a paste with particles. Typically, the first product may contain one or more aromatic ingredients and must be able to flow at a temperature of 25 ° C. For example, the first product may be sauce, soup, juice, cream, filling, seasoning, etc.

In the ninth feature, according to any of the preceding features, the second product in the second container is a solid food product, which is one or more pieces of solid food product, preferably of sufficient size so as not to pass through the channel cavity.

In the tenth feature according to any of the preceding features, the first coupling member comprises a tubular body having an end flange and a side wall, wherein the end flange of the first coupling member is attached to the inner surface or the outer surface of the first container.

In the eleventh feature, according to any one of the preceding features, the second coupling member comprises a tubular body having an end flange and a side wall, wherein the end flange of the second coupling member is attached to the inner surface or the outer surface of the first container.

In the twelfth feature, according to any one of the previous features, the first coupling element is located inside the first space, and the end flange of the first coupling element is attached to the inner wall surface of the first container; on the end flange.

In the thirteenth feature, according to any of the previous features, the second coupling element is located inside the second space, and the end flange of the second coupling element is attached to the inner wall surface of the second container, while prior to the first connection of the first coupling element with the second coupling element, the wall section of the second container covers the cavity of the tubular body on the end flange.

In the fourteenth feature, according to any of the previous features from first to thirteenth, with the exception of the twelfth feature, the first coupling element is outside the first space, and the end flange of the first coupling element is attached to the outer wall surface of the first container, and before the first connection the wall section of the first container closes the cavity of the tubular body on the end flange.

In the fifteenth feature, according to any one of the previous features from first to fourteenth, with the exception of the thirteenth feature, the second coupling element is outside the second space, and the end flange of the second coupling element is attached to the outer wall surface of the second container, while prior to the first connection the wall section of the second container closes the cavity of the tubular body on the end flange.

In the sixteenth feature, according to any of the previous features, the side wall of the tubular body of the first connecting element forms one or more radial passages.

In the seventeenth feature, according to any of the previous features, the side wall of the tubular body of the second connecting element forms one or more radial passages.

In the eighteenth features according to any of the previous features, the first and second connecting elements are the same.

In the nineteenth features according to any of the previous features, the connecting device further comprises a connecting link.

In the twentieth feature of any one of the previous features, the connecting device further comprises a connecting link, while when the food packaging assembly is in the connected state, the connecting link is additionally designed to be between the first and second connecting elements and the connection of the first connecting element with the second connecting element with the formation of the mentioned channel.

In the twenty-first feature, according to any of the previous two features, the link contains:

tubular main body,

a flange extending radially from the outer surface of the main body, wherein the main body includes opposing tubular segments extending from opposite sides of the flange, and each of the tubular segments can be inserted through the tubular body corresponding to the first and second connecting elements,

axially opposite piercing areas at the ends of the opposite tubular segments.

In the twenty-second feature, according to any of the previous three features, the connecting link is made as a separate component, different from the first and second connecting elements.

In the twenty-third feature, according to any of the features from the nineteenth to the twenty-first, the connecting link rests on one of the connecting elements, in particular, is made in one piece with one of the connecting elements.

In the twenty-fourth feature, according to any one of the features from the nineteenth to the twenty-third, each of the opposing tubular segments of the connecting link is designed to grip the corresponding one of the first and second connecting elements.

In the twenty-fifth feature, according to any one of the features from the nineteenth to the twenty-fourth, each of the opposite tubular segments of the connecting link is designed to grip the corresponding one of the first and second connecting elements, while the opposite tubular segments of the connecting link have a smaller axial length than the axial length first and second connecting elements.

In the twenty-sixth feature, according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-fifth features, the opposing tubular segments of the connecting link are the same, the first and second connecting elements being the same, with the result that each of the opposing tubular segments of the connecting link is designed to be able to grip one or two another of the first and second connecting elements.

In the twenty-seventh features, according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-sixth features, the opposing tubular segments of the connecting link are designed to smoothly enter the respective tubular bodies of the first and second connecting elements, resulting in axially opposite piercing portions at the ends of the opposite tubular segments being punctured and opened the wall section of the first and second containers at each end flange of the first and second connecting elements.

The twenty-eighth feature of any one of the features of the nineteenth through twenty-seventh of the connecting link includes an integral sealing cap that can be removably connected to one of the opposite tubular segments to create or block the path for the fluid to flow through the connecting link.

In the twenty-ninth feature, according to any one of the features from the nineteenth to the twenty-eighth, the connecting link includes a valve, for example, a unidirectional valve, located inside the main body of the connecting link.

In the thirtieth features of the previous features of the valve, for example, a unidirectional valve, contains one or more foldable dampers (for example, a plurality of symmetrically arranged foldable dampers) extending radially from the inner surface of the main body of the connecting link and able to move at an angle from the extended position to wherein the valve or valves obscures the path for the fluid to flow into a bent position in which the valve or valves create a path for the passage of the current whose environment.

In the thirty-first feature of the twenty-ninth feature, the valve, for example, a unidirectional valve, contains one or more fragile membranes extending across the cavity of the main body, each of which has one or more lines of softening, configured to ensure the direction of the preferred rupture of the membrane when creating pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, inside one of the first and second containers.

In the thirty-second feature, according to any one of the features from the nineteenth to the thirty-first, the tubular segments of the connecting link comprise a proximal portion having a first outer diameter and an end portion having a second outer diameter exceeding the first outer diameter, with the result that on the outer surface of each tubular segment a radial step designed to click into the corresponding recess provided in the first and second connection members.

In the thirty-third feature, according to any of the previous features, on the first or second connecting element, the tip protruding outwardly from the corresponding first or second container is fixedly mounted.

In the thirty-fourth feature of the previous feature, the tip contains an integral sealing cap, which can be removably connected to the tip to create or block the path for the fluid to pass through the connecting element on which the tip is mounted.

In the thirty-fifth feature, according to any of the previous two features, the tip mounted on the first or second connecting elements contains one or more piercing elements and is designed to fit into the tubular body of the other from the first and second connecting elements, and pierce the wall portion of the end flange , thereby creating a path for the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces.

In the thirty-sixth feature according to any of the previous three features, the tip has an arrow shape with radial passages and a pointed piercing tip.

In the thirty-seventh features according to any of the previous four features, the tip mounted on the first or second connecting elements has an outer surface with a circular protrusion designed to click into the corresponding recess provided in the other of the first and second connecting elements.

The thirty-eighth feature according to any of the previous features at one end of the first or second connecting elements is made covering the connecting part, not necessarily covering the bayonet connection or internal thread, and at the end of another from the first and second connecting elements, the male connecting part is made optionally a male or female male bayonet connection, with the result that the first coupling element can be directly connected to torym connecting element to form a channel message and a path for passage of fluid between the first and second spaces.

In the thirty-ninth feature according to the previous feature, the connection of the first and second connecting elements leads to piercing wall sections or membranes overlapping each connecting element. The membrane preferably overlaps one of the ends of the first and second connecting elements before connecting the two connecting elements, for example, a threaded or snap-on or bayonet connection on the principle of one inside the other, after which the membrane breaks as a result of the male part inside the female part. The connecting element without a membrane (male) is provided with a sealing cap that can be removed when connecting the connecting elements is required.

According to the fortieth feature, a complete package according to any of the previous features, in which the first container is a tray with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge and a sheet of plastic film tightly attached at least to the upper edge of the tray, wherein the first container in the area of the film, which is part of the plastic film sheet, is attached to the first connecting element; and the second container is a tray with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge and a sheet of plastic film, tightly attached to at least the upper edge of the tray, and to the first container in the film that is part of the sheet plastic film attached second coupling element.

According to the forty-first feature, a complete package is proposed according to any of the previous features of the first through thirty-ninth, in which the first container is a bag of one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along a sealing line (s) and form a sealed first space, with the first container in the film section, which is part of the plastic film or films mentioned and located at a distance from the sealing line (s), eplen first connecting element; and the second container is a bag of one or more plastic films, wherein the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along the sealing line (s) and form a sealed first space, and to the second container in a portion of the film that is part of the said plastic film or films and is located at a distance from the line (s) sealing, attached to the second connecting element.

According to the forty-second feature, a complete package is proposed according to any of the previous features from the first to thirty-ninth, in which the first container is a tray with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge and a sheet of plastic film hermetically attached, at least , to the upper edge of the tray, while the first connecting element is attached to the first container in a portion of the film that is part of the plastic film sheet; and the second container is a bag of one or more plastic films, wherein the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along the sealing line (s) and form a sealed first space, and to the second container in a portion of the film that is part of the said plastic film or films and is located at a distance from the line (s) sealing, attached to the second connecting element.

According to the forty-third feature, a complete package is proposed according to any of the previous features of the first through thirty-ninth, in which the first container is a bag of one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along the sealing line (s) and form a sealed first space, with the first container on the film section, which is part of the plastic film or films mentioned and located at a distance from the sealing line (s), with replays the first connecting member; and the second container is a tray with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge and a sheet of plastic film, tightly attached to at least the upper edge of the tray, and to the first container in the film that is part of the sheet plastic film attached second coupling element.

In the forty-fourth feature according to any of the previous features, when the first container or the second container is bag-shaped, said bag has at least a through hole made in its upper part outside the sealing perimeter bounding the first and / or second space of the first and / or second containers, wherein the through hole is designed so that the bag can be vertically suspended from the bracket.

In the forty-fifth feature, according to any of the previous features, the first container, when it has the shape of a bag, has a central narrowed area between two wider areas, which facilitates squeezing of the bag forming the first container.

In the forty-sixth singularity according to any of the previous peculiarities, the corresponding first product is packed in a vacuum in the first container, resulting in a corresponding tightly fitting vacuum container.

In the forty-seventh features according to the previous features of the first connecting element is provided with a fragile membrane located on the corresponding end flange of the corresponding tubular body of the first connecting element.

In the forty-eighth feature, according to any of the previous features, in the second container, a corresponding second product is packaged under vacuum, with the result that a corresponding tightly fitting vacuum container is formed.

In the forty-ninth feature according to the previous feature, the second connecting element is provided with a fragile membrane located on the corresponding end flange of the corresponding tubular body of the second connecting element.

According to the fiftieth specialty, a complete assembly is proposed according to any of the previous specificities, comprising

a plurality of first containers, each of which contains a corresponding and different first product, which is a liquid food product or a food product in the form of a gel or a food product in the form of a paste or a food product in the form of particles, capable of passing through the communication channel, and

at least one second container in which there is a second product, which is a solid food product that is not able to pass through the message channel, each of the first containers of the above set contains the same first connecting element, forming a connecting device when connected to the second connecting element of the second container.

According to the fifty first feature, the use of the packaged assembly according to any one of the previous features for packing the first product, which is one or more of a group comprising a liquid food product or a food product in the form of a gel or a food product in the form of a paste or a food product in the form of particles, is proposed. in the first container, while the food in the first container is able to pass through the communication channel; and for packaging the second product, which is a solid food product, in the second container, while the solid food product in the second container is not able to pass through the communication channel.

According to the fifty-second aspect, the use of the packaged assembly according to the fiftieth feature for packaging a corresponding among a plurality of different first products is proposed, representing one or more of the group comprising a liquid food product or a gel product or a food product in the form of a paste or food product in the form particles, in each first container, while the food in the first container is able to pass through the communication channel; and for packaging the second product, which is a solid food product, in the second container, while the solid food product in the second container is not able to pass through the communication channel.

According to the fifty-third feature, a method of cooking using packaging as an assembly according to any of the features from first to fiftieth is proposed.

In the fifty-fourth feature according to the previous feature, the method includes the steps of:

connecting one first container to one second container using a connecting device and forming a channel between the first and second spaces,

transferring the first product or part thereof from the first container to the second container.

In the fifty-fifth feature according to the previous feature, the method includes a stage of heat treatment of the first and second products after the transfer step.

In the fifty-sixth feature, according to any of the previous two features, the joining stage includes:

inserting the opposing tubular segments of the connecting link into the respective tubular bodies of the first and second connecting elements until axially opposite piercing portions at the ends of the opposite tubular segments pierce and open the wall portion of the first and second containers at each end flange of the first and second connecting elements, or

inserting a tip mounted on the first or second connecting elements into the tubular body of another of the first and second connecting elements, until one or several of these elements pierce the wall section on the end flange, thereby creating a path for the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces, or

directly connecting the first connecting element with the second connecting element to form a communication channel and creating a path for the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces, while connecting the first and second connecting elements leads to piercing wall sections or membranes overlapping each connecting element at the end of the first or the second connecting element for one piece is made covering the connecting part, optionally in the form of a female bayonet Connections or internal thread, while the other end of the first and second connecting elements integrally formed male coupling part, optionally in form of the male bayonet fitting or threading.

In the fifty-seventh, the features of the previous feature after the transfer step separate the second container from the first container and optionally connect the sealing cap to one of the opposing tubular segments of the connecting link either to the lug or directly to the first or second connecting element.

According to the fifty-eighth feature, a method for manufacturing a food packaging assembly according to any of the previous features from first to fiftieth has been proposed.

In the fifty-ninth feature according to the previous feature, the manufacturing method includes:

manufacture of the first container

supplying the first container with the first connecting member,

placing the first food in the first container,

no need to create a vacuum and / or adjustable gaseous medium in the first container,

sealing the first container, and

manufacture of a second container

supplying the second container with the second coupling member,

placing the second food in the second container,

no need to create a vacuum and / or adjustable gaseous medium in the first container,

sealing the second container.

In the sixtieth features according to any of the previous features, the materials used to make the first container, the second container, the first connecting element, the second connecting element, the tip and the connecting link are the materials listed in the Materials section of the detailed description.

The sixty first feature of any one of the previous features of the first through fiftieth packaging assembly contains a first coupling element, the end flange of which is attached to the wall of the first container, the first container having the shape of a tray, and said wall is the bottom wall or side wall of the tray.

Sixty-second features according to any of the previous features from the first to the fiftieth package assembly contains a second connecting element, the end flange is attached to the wall of the second container, the second container has the shape of a tray, and the wall is the bottom wall or side wall of the tray.

According to the sixty-third feature proposed food packaging assembly 1, containing:

the first container 2, bounding the first space 3, in which there is at least one first product 4,

the second container 5 restricting the second space 6, in which at least one second product 7 is located, the first and second products 4, 7 being different edible products,

a connecting device 8 comprising at least a first connecting element 9 mounted on the first container 2 and a second connecting element 10 mounted on the second container 5.

In the sixty-fourth feature according to the sixty-third feature, at least the first connecting element 9 or the second connecting element 10 comprises a tubular body 12; 16 having section 22; 23 wall, which before the first connection of the first connecting element with the second connecting element closes the cavity of the tubular body 12; 16, at least one of said first and second connecting elements 9, 10.

In the sixty-fifth feature, according to the previous feature, the food packaging assembly is designed to be:

in at least one disconnected state, in which the first and second spaces 3, 6 are isolated from each other and optionally sealed, wherein the first container 2 is physically separated from the second container 5, and

in at least one connected state in which the first connecting element 9 is connected to the second connecting element 10, while in the connected state connecting device 8 is configured to cause the opening of the wall section 22, 23 and the formation of the communication channel 11 between the first space 3 and the second space 6.

The sixty-sixth feature of any one of the previous features of the sixty-third to sixty-fifth first connecting element 9 comprises a tubular body 12 having an end flange 13 and a side wall 14, while the end flange 13 of the first connecting element 9 is attached to the inner surface 2a or to the outer surface 2b of the first container 2.

In the sixty-seventh features according to the previous features section 22 of the wall to the first connection of the first connecting element 9 with the second connecting element 10 closes the cavity of the tubular body 12 of the first connecting element 9.

The sixty-eighth features of any one of the previous features of the sixty-third to sixty-seventh second coupling member 10 include a tubular body 16 having an end flange 17 and a side wall 18, while the end flange 17 of the second coupling member 10 is attached to the inner surface 5a or to the outer surface 5b of the second container 5.

In the sixty-ninth feature according to the previous feature, the wall portion 23 prior to the first connection of the first coupling element 9 with the second coupling element 10 covers the cavity of the tubular body 16 of the second coupling element 10.

In the seventieth feature according to any one of the previous features from sixty-third to sixty-ninth, the first connecting element 9 is located inside the first space 3, and the end flange 13 of the first connecting element is attached to the inner surface 2a of the wall of the first container 2, while the wall portion 22 is a wall section the first container 2 and up to the first connection of the first connecting element with the second connecting element closes the cavity of the tubular body 12 on the end flange 13; and the second coupling element 10 is inside the second space 6, and the end flange 17 of the second coupling element is attached to the inner wall surface 5a of the second container, the wall section 23 being the wall section of the second container 5 and up to the first connection of the first coupling element with the second coupling element closes the cavity of the tubular body 16 on the end flange 17.

In the seventy-first feature according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to sixty-ninth, the first coupling element 9 is outside the first space 3, and the end flange 13 of the first coupling element is attached to the outer surface 2b of the wall of the first container, while the wall portion 22 is a wall portion the first container 2 and up to the first connection of the first connecting element with the second connecting element closes the cavity of the tubular body 12 on the end flange 1 3; and the second coupling element 10 is located outside the second space 6, and the end flange 17 of the second coupling element is attached to the outer wall surface 5b of the second container, the wall section 23 being the wall section of the second container 5 and up to the first connection of the first coupling element with the second coupling element closes the cavity of the tubular body 16 on the end flange 17.

In seventy-second features according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to seventy-first 11 has a channel cavity, configured to allow the first product 4 to move from the first space 3 to the second space 6 and not to allow the second product 7 to move from the second space 6 to first space 3.

In the seventy-third feature according to any of the previous two features, the side wall 14 of the tubular body 12 of the first connecting element 9 forms one or more radial passages 20, and the side wall 18 of the tubular body 16 of the second connecting element 10 forms one or more radial passages 21.

In the seventy-fourth feature, according to any one of the preceding features, from the sixty-third to seventy-third, the first and second connecting members 9, 10 are the same.

In the seventy-fifth feature according to any one of the preceding features from sixty-third to seventy-fourth coupling device 8 further comprises a coupling link 24.

In the seventy-sixth feature of the previous feature, the connecting link has at least one piercing portion 29, 30 and, when the food packaging assembly is in the connected state, is configured to fit between the first and second connecting members 9, 10 and connect the first connecting member with the second connecting element, while the piercing section 29, 30 pierces the wall section 22, 23 and forms the communication channel 11.

In the seventy-seventh features according to any of the previous two features, the connecting link 24 contains:

tubular main body 25,

a flange 26 extending radially from the outer surface 25a of the main body 25, which contains opposing tubular segments 27, 28 extending from opposite sides of the flange 26, wherein each of the tubular segments can be inserted through the tubular body 12, 16 corresponding to the first and second connecting elements 9, 10,

one piercing portion 29; 30 at one end of the tubular segments 27, 28 or axially opposite piercing portions 29, 30 at both ends of the opposite tubular segments 27, 28.

In the seventy-eighth feature according to any of the previous three features, the connecting link 24 is made as a separate component, different from the first and second connecting elements, or mounted on one of the connecting elements.

In the seventy-ninth feature according to any of the previous two features, each of the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 is configured to grip the corresponding one connecting element from the first connecting element and the second connecting element.

In the eightieth features according to any of the previous three features, the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 have a smaller axial length than the axial length of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10.

In the eighty-first feature according to any of the previous four features, the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 are the same, the first and second connecting elements being the same, and each of the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 is configured to be interchangeable. grab one or the other of the first and second connecting elements.

In the eighty-second feature, according to any of the previous five features, the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 are configured to smoothly enter the corresponding tubular bodies 12, 16 of the first and second connecting members 9, 10, with the result that while the food packaging is in collecting the connected state axially opposite piercing sections 29, 30 at the ends of the opposite tubular segments pierce and open sections 22, 23 of the walls, while the connecting link 24 is not optionally contains an integral sealing cap 35, which can be removably connected to one of the opposite tubular segments in order to create or block the path for the passage of fluid through the connecting link.

In the eighty-third feature according to any of the previous six features, the connecting link 24 comprises a valve, optionally a unidirectional valve 32, located inside the main body 25; however, the valve 32 further comprises:

one or more bendable flaps 33 extending radially from the inner surface from the inner surface of the main body 25 of the connecting link and able to move at an angle from the extended position, in which the flap or flaps 33 block the passage of fluid, to the folded position, in which the flap or the shutters 33 do not block the passage of fluid;

one or more fragile membranes that extend across the cavity of the main body and each of which has one or more lines of softening, while the lines of weakening of each fragile membrane are configured to provide direction of the preferred opening of the membrane while creating a pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure inside the first or second container 2, 5.

In the eighty-fourth feature of any one of the previous features, from sixty-third to seventy-fourth, one of said first and second connecting elements has a tip 37, which extends outside the corresponding first or second container 2, 5, has at least one piercing element 38 and when the food packaging assembly is in the connected state, it is configured to enter the tubular body 12, 16 of the other of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10 mentioned and seize b it, while the piercing element 38 pierces the wall section 22, 23 and forms the channel 11 of the message.

In the eighty-fifth feature of the previous feature, the lug 37 is fixedly mounted on the first or second connecting element, while the lug does not necessarily contain an integral sealing cap 35 which can be removably connected to the lug to create or block the path for the fluid to pass through the connecting element on which the tip is mounted.

The eighty-sixth feature, according to either of the previous two features, the tip 37, mounted on one of the first and second connecting elements, has an arrow shape with radial passages and a pointed piercing tip.

In the eighty-seventh features according to any of the previous three features, the tip is mounted on the first coupling element, which has an end flange 13 fixed in a hole in the wall of the first container 2, which provides access to the first space.

In the eighty-eighth features according to any of the previous four features, the tip 37 or one of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10, containing the tip, contains a valve 32, optionally a unidirectional valve that fits inside the tip or inside the tubular body 12, 16 of one of the first and second connecting elements.

In the eighty-ninth features of the previous features, valve 32 contains:

one or more bendable flaps 33 extending radially from the inner surface of the tip 37 or the tubular body 12, 16 of one of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10, while the bendable flaps 33 are able to move at an angle from an extended position in which the flap or the flaps 33 block the passage of fluid, to a bent position in which the flap or flaps 33 do not block the passage of fluid, or

one or more fragile membranes that extend across the cavity of the tip 37 or tubular body 12, 16 of one of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10, each of the one or more fragile membranes having one or more softening lines 34, which are configured to in order to ensure the direction of the preferred opening of the membrane when a pressure above atmospheric is created inside the first or second container 2, 5.

In the ninetieth feature according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to eighty-ninth, the first connecting element 9 comprises a mechanical connection, optionally in the form of a bayonet or threaded connection or a snap-in connection, and the second connecting element contains a mated mechanical connection, optionally in the form of a bayonet or threaded connection or snap connection, as a result of which the first connecting element can directly connect Tamper with the second connecting element to form the channel 11 of the message for the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces 3, 6.

In the ninety-first feature according to the previous feature, the first and second connecting elements, after being mechanically connected to each other, cause perforation or rupture of wall sections or membranes covering at least one of the connecting elements.

In ninety-second features according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-first, first container 2 is a tray 50 with a bottom wall 51, a side wall 52 extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge 53 and a plastic film sheet 55 sealed at least measure, to the upper edge of the tray, while the first connecting element is attached to the first container in the film section that is part of the plastic film sheet; and the second container 5 is a tray 50 with a bottom wall 51, a side wall 52 extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge 53 and a plastic film sheet 55 sealed at least to the top edge of the tray, while to the first container in the area film, which is part of the sheet of plastic film, attached to the second connecting element.

In the ninety-third feature according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-second, the first container 2 is a bag of one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along the sealing line (s) and form an optionally pressurized the first space, and the first container in the film section, which is part of the plastic film or films mentioned and located at a distance from the sealing line (s), is attached first a connecting member; and the second container 5 is a bag of one or more plastic films, wherein the film or films forming the bag are hermetically sealed along the sealing line (s) and form an optional sealed first space, and to the second container in the film section that is part of mentioned plastic film or films and is located at a distance from the line (s) sealing, attached to the second connecting element.

In the ninety-fourth feature according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-third, the first container 2 is a tray 50 with the bottom wall 51, the side wall 52 extending from the bottom wall, the top edge 53 and the plastic film sheet 55 sealed at least measure, to the upper edge of the tray, while the first connecting element is attached to the first container in the film section that is part of the plastic film sheet; and the second container 5 is a bag of one or more plastic films, wherein the film or films forming the bag are hermetically sealed along the sealing line (s) and form an optional sealed first space, and to the second container in the film section that is part of mentioned plastic film or films and is located at a distance from the line (s) sealing, attached to the second connecting element.

In the ninety-fifth feature according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-fourth, the first container 2 is a bag of one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along the sealing line (s) and form an optionally pressurized the first space, and the first container in the film section, which is part of the plastic film or films mentioned and located at a distance from the sealing line (s), is attached to the first second connecting member; and the second container 5 is a tray 50 with a bottom wall 51, a side wall 52 extending from the bottom wall, an upper edge 53 and a plastic film sheet 55 sealed at least to the top edge of the tray, while to the first container in the area film, which is part of the sheet of plastic film, attached to the second connecting element.

In ninety-sixth features according to any of the previous four features, when the first container 2 or the second container 5 is a bag, it is equipped with at least a through hole located in the upper area of the bag outside the sealing perimeter bounding the first and / or second space of the first and / or a second container, wherein the through hole is designed in such a way that the bag can be vertically suspended from the bracket.

In the ninety-seventh features according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-sixth, the first container 2 is a bag with a central narrowed area between two wider areas, which facilitates squeezing the bag forming the first container.

In the ninety-eighth features, according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-seventh, in the first container and / or the second container 2, 5 the corresponding products are packed under vacuum, resulting in the corresponding tightly fitting vacuum containers, with the first connecting element and / or the second coupling element 9, 10 is additionally provided with a fragile membrane, optionally located on the corresponding end flange.

In ninety-ninth features according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-eighth first container 2 is a deformable container 45, equipped with a dispensing hole 46, made at the location of the first coupling element 9 and providing access to the first space 3.

In the hundredth feature of any one of the previous features from sixty-third to ninety-ninth, second container 5 is a tray 50 with a bottom wall 51, a side wall 52 extending from the bottom wall, and an optional top edge 53 extending radially from the top of the side wall while the second coupling element 10 is attached to the bottom wall 51 of the second container.

In the one hundred first feature according to the previous feature, the second coupling element 10 comprises a tubular body 16 having an end flange 17 and a side wall 18, wherein the end flange 17 of the second coupling element 10 is additionally connected to the inner surface 51a of the bottom wall 51, optionally attached thereto that the tubular body 16 extends from the bottom wall of the tray 50.

In one hundred and second features, according to any of the previous two features, the end flange 17 of the second coupling element 10 together with the bottom wall 51 forms a channel 54, which communicates with the inner space of the tubular body 16 and extends transversely to the side wall of the tubular body 16.

The hundred and third feature according to any of the previous three features, the second container 5 contains a plastic film sheet 55, hermetically attached to the tray 50 and forming, together with the tray, at least a second space 6, while the plastic film sheet 55 forms a tightly fitting plastic shell, in contact with the product, optionally the upper edge and at least part of the inner surface of the side wall of the tray that is not covered with the product, and the plastic film sheet 55 is tightly attached to the tray, o Ensuring that the product is under vacuum or in a controlled atmosphere.

In the one hundred and fourth feature according to any of the previous four features, the second container 5 comprises a plastic film sheet 55, hermetically attached to the tray 50 and forming, together with the tray, at least a second space 6, wherein the plastic film sheet 55 forms a tightly fitting plastic shell, in contact with the product, the top edge and at least part of the inner surface of the side wall of the tray not covered by the product, and the plastic film sheet 55 is sealed to the tray, ensuring I find the product under vacuum or in a controlled atmosphere.

In one hundred and five features according to any of the previous two features, the sheet 55 of the plastic film also covers the second connecting element 10.

One hundred and sixth features according to any of the previous three features, the sheet 55 of the plastic film is attached to the tray 50 in such a way that in the said disconnected state it forms the second space 6 in which the product is located, and the auxiliary space 56 which differs from the second space and in which the second coupling element 10 is located.

In one hundred and seventh features according to any of the previous five features, the channel 54 extends radially beyond the side wall of the second coupling element 10 and reaches the second space 6, providing communication of the second space 6 with the auxiliary space 56 with the possibility of fluid movement.

In one hundred and eighth features according to any of the previous nine features, the second coupling element 10 includes a diaphragm 57 extending inside the tubular body 16 transversely to the side wall 18, while in said disconnected condition the diaphragm 57 is attached to the side wall of the inner surface of the second coupling element 10 in the first position, located in the intermediate region along the axial length of the side wall of the second coupling element.

One hundred and ninth features according to the previous feature in the aforementioned disconnected state, the plastic film sheet 55 forms a tightly fitting plastic sheath that is above the second connecting element 10, touching it, and contains a tightly fitting portion 58 extending into the second connecting element and covering part of the inner surface the side wall of the second coupling element, and an additional tight-fitting portion 59 covering the upper surface 57a of the diaphragm 57.

One hundred and tenth features according to the previous features of the first container 2 is a deformable container 45, equipped with a dispensing hole 46, made at the location of the first connecting element and providing access to the first space 3, while the first connecting element has a flange 13, which is included in the dispensing hole 46 of the first container, and the first coupling member is located at the end axially opposite the flange with the tip 37.

One hundred and eleventh features in accordance with any of the previous three features when the package is assembled in a connected state as a result of inserting the handpiece 37 mounted on the first connecting element 9, or inserting the end of the first connecting element opposite the flange 13 into the cavity of the tubular body 16 of the second connecting element 10, the tip 37 or the corresponding first connecting element 9 is configured to press on the diaphragm 57 in order to separate it from the side wall of the second connection element and separating the additional tightly fitting portion 59 of the plastic film sheet 55 from the rest of the plastic film sheet 55, as a result of which the diaphragm 57 moves to the second position, axially spaced from the first position, and a fluid movement from the first space 3 to the channel 14 and during second space 6.

In one hundred and twelfth features according to the previous features, the diaphragm 57 has a disc-shaped element 60 with a plurality of radially extending tabs 61 connecting the disc-shaped element with the inner surface of the tubular body of the second coupling element 10.

One hundred and thirteenth features according to the previous features of the disc-shaped element 60 has a smaller radial size than the radial size of the cavity of the tubular body 16, and is configured so that when in the said second position the first end 54a of the channel 54 remains open and communicates with the cavity of the tubular body 16 of the second connecting element 10.

In one hundred and fourteenth features according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to one hundred and thirteenth, the first product 4 in the first container 2 is in the form of a liquid or gel or particles or a paste or a mixture of a liquid or gel or paste with particles, such as sauce, soup, juice, cream, filling, seasoning, substance or composition of substances with one or more flavors.

In one hundred and fifteenth features, according to any of the previous features, from sixty-third to one hundred and fourteenth, the second product 7 in the second container 5 is a solid food product, which is one or more pieces of solid food that can pass through the channel cavity.

According to one hundred and sixteenth, a packaged assembly is proposed according to any of the preceding features, comprising:

a plurality of first containers 2, each of which contains a corresponding different first product, which is a liquid food product or a food product in the form of a gel or a food product in the form of a paste or a food product in the form of particles capable of passing through the communication channel, and

at least one second container 5 in which there is a second product, which is a solid food product that is not able to pass through the communication channel, each of these many first containers containing the same first connecting element, forming a connecting device when connected to the second connecting element of the second container.

According to one hundred and seventeenth features proposed the use of packaging in the collection 1 according to any of the previous features for the packaging of the first product 4, representing one or more of the group comprising a liquid food product or food product in the form of a gel or food product in the form of a paste or food product in the form particles in the first container 2, while the food product in the first container 2 is able to pass through the channel 11 of the message; and for packaging the second product 7, which is a solid food product, into the second container 5, while the solid food product in the second container is not able to pass through the communication channel 11.

One hundred and eighteenth features proposed the use of packaging in the collection according to one hundred and sixteenth features for packaging a corresponding variety of different first products 4 representing one or more of the group comprising a liquid food product or a food product in the form of a gel or a food product in the form of a paste or food product in particles in each first container 2, while the food 4 in the first containers 2 are able to pass through the channel 11 of the message; and for packaging the second product 7, which is a solid food product, in the second container 5, while the solid food product in the second container 5 is not able to pass through the channel 11 of the message.

In one hundred and nineteenth features proposed a method of cooking using the packaging in the collection 1 according to any of the features from the sixty-third to one hundred and sixteenth, which includes stages:

connecting one first container 2 with one second container 5 using the coupling device 8 and forming a channel 11 between the first and second spaces 3, 6,

transferring the first product 4 or part thereof from the first container to the second container,

optional heat treatment of the first and second products 4, 7,

wherein the compound step further comprises:

inserting the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 into the corresponding tubular bodies 12, 16 of the first and second connecting members 9, 10, until axially opposite piercing portions 29, 30 at the ends of the opposing tubular segments pierce and open the first portion 22, 23 and second containers 2, 5, or

inserting the tip 27 mounted on one of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10 into the tubular body 12, 16 of the other of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10, until one or more of the piercing elements pierce the wall section, thereby creating a path for passing the fluid between the first and second spaces 3, 6, or

direct connection of the first connecting element 9 with the second connecting element 10 in order to form a channel 11 of communication and create a path for the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces 3, 6, while connecting the first and second connecting elements causes piercing of sections 22, 23 of walls or membranes closing each connecting element

after the stage of moving the second container 5 is additionally separated from the first container 2 and optionally from the sealing cap 35 connected to one of the opposite tubular segments of the connecting link 24 or with the tip 37 or directly with one of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10.

One hundred and twentieth features proposed a method of manufacturing complete packaging according to any of the previous features from sixty-third to one hundred and sixteenth, including:

the manufacture of the first container 2,

supplying the first container 2 with the first coupling 9,

the introduction of the first food product 4 in the first container 2,

not necessarily creating a vacuum and / or adjustable gaseous medium in the first container 2,

optionally sealing the first container 2, and

the manufacture of the second container 5,

supplying the second container 5 with the second coupling element 10,

the introduction of the second food product 7 in the second container 5,

optionally creating a vacuum and / or controlled gaseous medium in the second container 5,

optional sealing of the second container 5.

One hundred and twenty-first features according to the previous features of the first container 2 is a deformable container 45, equipped with a dispensing hole 46, made at the location of the first coupling element 9 and providing access to the first space 3.

One hundred and twenty-second features according to any of the previous two features, the second container 5 is a tray 50 with a bottom wall 51, a side wall 52 extending from the bottom wall, and an optional top edge 53 extending radially from the top of the side wall to the bottom The second coupling element 10 is attached to the wall 51 of the second container; a plastic film sheet 55 is attached to the tray 50, which together with the tray forms at least a second space 6, while the sheet 55 of the plastic film forms a tightly fitting plastic sheath in contact with the product, optionally the upper edge and at least part of the inner surface of the side wall of the tray not covered by the product, and the plastic film sheet 55 is sealed to the tray, ensuring that the product is under vacuum or in regulated gaseous environment.

According to one hundred and twenty-third, a package containing a tray 50 for a product with a bottom wall 51, a side wall 52 extending from the bottom wall, and an optional top edge 53 extending radially from the top side of the side wall, and a connecting element 10 attached to bottom wall 51.

One hundred and twenty-fourth features according to the previous features of the connecting element 10 includes a tubular body 16 having an end flange 17 and a side wall 18, while the end flange 17 of the connecting element 10 is additionally connected to the inner surface 51a of the bottom wall 51, optionally attached to it in this way that the tubular body 16 extends from the bottom wall of the tray 50.

One hundred and twenty-fifth features according to any of the previous two features, the end flange 17 of the connecting element 10 together with the bottom wall 51 forms a channel 54, which communicates with the inner space of the tubular body 16 and extends transversely to the side wall of the tubular body 16.

One hundred and twenty-sixth features according to any of the previous three features, the package contains a plastic film sheet 55, hermetically attached to the tray 50 and forming together with the tray at least the space 6 in which the product is located, while the plastic film sheet 55 forms a tight-fitting plastic shells in contact with the product, optionally the top edge and at least part of the inner surface of the side wall of the tray that is not covered by the product.

One hundred and twenty-seventh features according to the previous features of the sheet of plastic 55 film tightly attached to the tray in order to place the product under vacuum or in a controlled gaseous environment.

One hundred and twenty-eighth features according to any of the previous five features, the package contains a plastic film sheet 55, hermetically attached to the tray 50 and forming, together with the tray, at least space 6, while the plastic film sheet 55 forms a tightly fitting plastic shell in contact with a product, optionally with a top edge and at least a part of the inner surface of the side wall of the tray that is not covered by the product, and the plastic film sheet 55 is sealed to the tray, ensuring Finding the product under vacuum or in a controlled atmosphere.

One hundred and twenty-ninth features according to any of the previous six features, the plastic film sheet 55 also covers the connecting element 10.

One hundred and thirtieth features according to any of the previous seven features are attached by a plastic film sheet 55 to tray 50, resulting in a space 6 in which the product is located and an auxiliary space 56 which differs from the said space and in which the connecting element 10 is located.

One hundred and thirty-first features according to any of the previous eight features, the channel 54 passes in the radial direction beyond the side wall of the connecting element 10 and reaches the space 6, providing communication of the space 6 with the auxiliary space 56 with the possibility of fluid movement.

One hundred and thirty-second features according to any of the previous nine features of the connecting element 10 includes a diaphragm 57 extending inside the tubular body 16 transversely to the side wall 18, while the diaphragm 57 is attached to the side wall of the inner surface of the connecting element 10 in the first position located in the intermediate region along the axial length of the side wall of the second coupling element.

One hundred and thirty-third features according to the previous features of the plastic film sheet 55 forms a tightly fitting plastic sheath, which is located above the second connecting element 10, in contact with it, and contains a tightly fitting section 58, passing inside the second connecting element and covering part of the inner surface of the side wall of the second a connecting element, and an additional tight-fitting portion 59 covering the upper surface 57a of the diaphragm 57.

In one hundred and thirty-fourth feature according to any of the previous two features, the diaphragm 57 has a disk-shaped element 60 with a plurality of radially directed legs 61 connecting the disk-shaped element to the inner surface of the tubular body of the second coupling element 10.

One hundred and thirty-fifth features according to the previous features of the disc-shaped element 60 has a smaller radial size than the radial size of the cavity of the tubular body 16, and is configured so that when in the said second position the first end 54a of the channel 54 remains open and communicates with the cavity of the tubular body 16 the second coupling element 10.

One hundred and thirty-sixth features in accordance with any of the previous features with one hundred twenty-third to one hundred thirty-sixth product placed in the container 5, is a solid food product, representing one or more pieces of solid food product, not able to pass through the channel cavity.

According to one hundred and thirty-seventh features, a method for manufacturing packaging according to any one of features from one hundred twenty-third to one hundred thirty-sixth is proposed, including:

manufacture of tray 50,

the supply of the tray 50 connecting element 10,

placing food in tray 50,

no need to create a vacuum and / or regulated gaseous environment in tray 5,

sealing the tray with a plastic film sheet 55, sealed to the tray 50 and forming at least a space 6 with the tray, the plastic film sheet 55 forming a tightly fitting plastic shell in contact with the product, optionally the upper edge and at least part of the inner surface of the side wall of the tray, not covered by the product, and the sheet 55 of the plastic film tightly attached to the tray, ensuring that the product is under vacuum or in a controlled gaseous environment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Features of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description, given by way of example, and not for purposes of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

in fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a complete package in accordance with the features of the invention.

in fig. 2 is a front view of the package assembly shown in FIG. one,

in fig. 3 shows a sectional view in section plane III-III in FIG. 2,

in fig. 4 is a front view of the packaging assembly shown in FIG. one,

in fig. 5 shows a sectional view in section plane V-V of FIG. four,

in fig. 6 is a front view of the first packaging container assembly shown in FIG. one,

in fig. 6A is an enlarged view of one of the parts shown in FIG. 6,

in fig. 7 shows a sectional view in section plane VII-VII in FIG. 6,

in fig. 8 is a front view of the second container of the package assembly shown in FIG. one,

in fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the packaging assembly according to additional features of the invention.

in fig. 10 is a front view of the package assembly shown in FIG. 9,

in fig. 11 shows a sectional view in section plane XI-XI of FIG. ten,

in fig. 12 is a front view of a connecting link applicable to the connection shown in FIG. 1-11 containers

in fig. 13 is a sectional view in section plane XIII-XIII of FIG. 12,

in fig. 14 is a side view of the connecting link shown in FIG. 12,

in fig. 15 is a front view of a connecting link applicable to the connection shown in FIG. 1-11 containers, in the second operating condition,

in fig. 16 shows a sectional view in section plane XVI-XVI of FIG. 15,

in fig. 17 is a side view of the connecting link shown in FIG. 15,

in fig. 18 shows a perspective view of a first or second container applicable in an alternative packaging assembly according to the invention;

in fig. 19-21 show corresponding perspective views of a tip attached to the container shown in FIG. 18,

in fig. 22 and 23 are front views of the first and second containers applicable in an additional alternative packaging assembly according to the invention,

in fig. 24 and 25 show front views of the first and second containers applicable in another additional alternative package assembly according to the invention,

in fig. 26 and 27 show perspective views of another alternative packaging assembly, in which the first container is a deformable container, such as a bag or bag, and the second container is a tray; in particular, in FIG. 26 shows a first container separate and spaced from the second container, and FIG. 27 shows the first container connected to the second container,

in fig. 28 is a partial sectional view shown in FIG. 26, 27 packaging complete, illustrating the connecting elements of the first and second containers, the first connecting element is only partially included in the second connecting element,

in fig. 29 is a partial sectional view shown in FIG. 26, 27 of the packaging assembly illustrating the connecting elements of the first and second containers, the first connecting element fully entering the second connecting element, thereby ensuring the passage of fluid from the first container to the second container,

in fig. 30 shows a partial sectional view shown in FIG. 26, 27 of the packaging assembly illustrating the connecting elements of the first and second containers, with the first connecting element fully entering the second connecting element, thereby allowing the passage of fluid from the first container to the second container, and the pressure applied to the first container causing the valve to open and delivery of the first product to the second container,

in fig. 31 is a partially overlapped perspective view illustrating the first coupling element associated with the first container shown in FIG. 26 and 27 packs in the collection

in fig. 32 is a top view of the first coupling member associated with the first container shown in FIG. 26 and 27 packs in the collection

in fig. 33 is a perspective view of the first coupling member associated with the first container shown in FIG. 26 and 27 complete packages, and

in fig. 34 shows a sectional view in section plane XXXIV-XXXIV of FIG. 32 illustrating the first coupling member associated with the first container shown in FIG. 26 and 27 packs complete.

Definitions and conventions

It should be noted that in the detailed description, the same elements shown in different figures are denoted by the same positions. In this case, the figures can be represented not to scale and, accordingly, the elements and components shown on them can be depicted schematically.

A deformable container is any container that has at least a crushing or deformable or displaceable wall or wall section, with the result that the space inside the container is modifiable by applying pressure to the deformable container.

A bag (or bag) is a deformable container obtained by combining one or more films.

The tray is a container with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, and an upper edge running transversely to the side wall.

Detailed description

As shown in the attached drawings, the food packaging assembly is generally indicated with 1.

The food packaging assembly 1 comprises a first container 2, bounding the first space 3 in which at least one first product 4 is located. The first container 2 may be a deformable container, such as, for example, a bag (see FIG. 1) from one or several plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are tightly connected along sealing lines and form a sealed first space 3, into which the first food product 4 is placed before the bag is completely sealed. Alternatively, the first container 2 may be a tray, while the tray is preferably made in the form of a solid plastic case with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, and an upper edge, while at least to the upper one, the tray is hermetically attached a sheet of plastic film forming a sealed first space, into which the first food product 4 is placed before tightly connecting the sheet of film to the tray.

The assembled package also contains a second container 5, defining a second space 6 in which at least one second product 7 is located. The second container 5 may be a deformable container, such as, for example, a bag (FIG. 1) from one or more plastic films, while the film or films forming the bag are hermetically connected along sealing lines and form a sealed second space, into which the second food product is placed until the bag is completely sealed. Alternatively, the second container can be a tray (Fig. 9, Fig. 26-34), in which case the tray can also be made in the form of a single plastic case with a bottom wall, a side wall extending from the bottom wall, and an upper edge at the same time, at least to the top, in addition to the tray, a sheet of plastic film is sealed, forming a sealed second space, into which the second food product is placed before tightly connecting the sheet of film to the tray.

As shown in the attached drawings, various combinations are possible: for example, the first container may be a bag, and the second container may be a tray (see Fig. 9), or both containers can be bags (Fig. 1), or both containers can be trays (not shown).

Products inside the first and second containers are food products, such as, for example, without limitation:

meat with or without bones in one or more pieces of various sizes

whole fish or fish chunks,

crustaceans and seafood,

vegetables, fruits, legumes,

aromatic substances

sauces (tomato, pesto, mayonnaise, ketchup), toppings, seasonings, etc.,

soups

drinks, fruit juices, mashed potatoes,

jams, marmalades,

milk, dairy products, yogurt, cream, products derived from milk (for example, cheese, butter),

sweet creams, chocolate, syrups,

oils

vinegar,

honey and waste products of bees,

semi-finished products

pasta, risotto,

food powders, dehydrated food, coffee,

desserts, sweets,

baking products.

All listed products can be placed in the corresponding first or second container separately or in combination with other products from the above list or in a mixture with products in the form of particles (salt, flavoring substances, etc.).

In particular, in the first container 2, which is usually a deformable container, such as a bag, the food product 4 may be in the form of a liquid or gel or paste or particles, or a mixture of liquid or gel with a particle product, such as sauce, soup, juice , cream, filling, seasoning or one or more flavors. On the other hand, the second container 5 is usually a deformable container, such as a bag (Fig. 1) or a tray (Fig. 9, Fig. 26-34) in which a solid product 7, such as a piece of meat, a piece of fish, is located, pasta, risotto or any other solid food product to which it may be necessary to add food from the first container to its use.

According to one of the features, the packaging assembly 1 comprises a connecting device 8 designed to connect the first and second containers 2 and 5. The connecting device 8 comprises a first connecting element 9 mounted on the first container 2 and a second connecting element 10 installed on the second container 5. The first and the second connecting elements 9 and 10 are designed to interact in such a way that, when directly or indirectly connected, they form a channel 11, which ensures the communication of the first and second containers with possibility of fluid movement.

In particular, the package assembly 1 is designed to be in at least one disconnected state in which the first and second spaces 3 and 6 are isolated from each other, and in practice both containers are completely independent and isolated in this state. Each container 2, 5 is preferably sealed, while the first container 2 is physically separated from the second container 5, as a result of which both containers can be manufactured, transported, offered for sale independently of each other.

The package assembly 1 may also be in a connected state (see, for example, FIGS. 3, 5, 11) in which the first connecting element 9 of the connecting device 8 is connected to the second connecting element 10 and forms a communication channel 11 between the first space 3 and the second space 6, with the result that the first and second food products can come into contact with each other. As described in detail below, at least the first connecting element 9 or the second connecting element 10 comprises a tubular body having a wall section 22, 23 which transversely extends transversely to the first connection of the first connecting element and the second connecting element and closes the cavity of the first and / or tubular body or second connecting elements 9, 10. After connecting the first and second connecting elements, the wall section is opened by the first or second connecting element or by a piercing element associated with the first or second connecting element, or under the action of the piercing portion (s) of the additional component.

According to one feature, the channel 11 of the message has a channel cavity configured to allow the first product 4 to move from the first space 3 to the second space 6 and not to allow the second product 7 to move from the second space 6 to the first space 3. Because in practice in the first the space usually contains a liquid or gel or a particulate product or a paste or a mixture of a liquid or gel or a paste with particles, such as sauce, soup, juice, cream, filling, seasoning, etc., channel 11 should have a cavity sufficient an exact size of a few millimeters (for example, from 0.50 mm to 30 mm) and allowing the first product to pass from the first container to the second container. On the other hand, in the second container 5 there is usually a solid food product from one or several pieces that do not pass through the channel cavity. Thus, in the process of applying the food product from the first container can be poured or transferred to the second container, after which the finished food product can be obtained.

The above description applies to all examples illustrated in FIG. 1-34 (on which identical elements are denoted by the same positions). Further disclosed additional features of specific embodiments, illustrated in the drawings.

The examples illustrated in FIG. 1-17

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1-8, the first connecting element 9 comprises a tubular body 12 having an end flange 13 and a side wall 14. The end flange 13 of the first connecting element is attached to the inner surface 2a of the first container 2, with the result that the first connecting element can entirely enter the first space 3 inside the first container 2. Alternatively, the end flange 13 of the first connecting element may be attached to the outer surface 2b of the first container by the first connecting element outside first container The first connecting element may also contain an additional end flange 15, which limits the open end of the tubular body and is axially opposite to the end flange 13. Like the first connecting element, the second connecting element 10 also includes a tubular body 16 having an end flange 17 and a side wall 18, with this end flange 17 of the second coupling element is attached to the inner surface 5a of the second container 5, as a result of which the second coupling element can completely enter 6 of the second space inside the second container 5. Alternatively, the end flange of the second coupling element can be attached to the outer surface 5b of the second container the second coupling element, located outside the first container. The second coupling element 10 may also comprise an additional end flange 19, which limits the open end of the tubular body and is axially opposite to the end flange 17.

It should be noted that the side wall 14 of the tubular body of the first coupling element 9 forms one or more radial passages 20 (see Fig. 5). Similarly, the side wall 18 of the tubular body of the second coupling element 10 forms one or more radial passages 21. The radial passages 20 and 21 facilitate the exchange of fluid. In practice, the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10 may be the same, and in the manufacture of connecting elements is required to produce a product of only one type.

FIG. 6-8 show the case when the first and second containers 2 and 5 are disconnected, in particular, since the two containers have never been connected before, the first and second spaces 3 and 6 are insulated and tightly closed. In the following description, a case is considered where the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10 are placed inside the respective containers, although, as mentioned above, the first and second connecting elements may alternatively be attached to the outer surface of the corresponding container and be outside the first and second spaces. The first coupling element 9 is located inside the first space 3, and the end flange 13 of the first coupling element is attached to the inner surface 2a of the wall of the first container 2, and before the first connection of the first coupling element 9 with the second coupling element 10, a wall section 22, which in this case is part of the wall of the first container 2, closes the cavity of the tubular body of the first connecting element 9 on the end flange 13 (Fig. 7): in other words, the part of the film forming the bag, or the top fox film of the first container participates in closing the passage defined by the end flange 13. The second connecting element 10 is inside the second space 6, and the end flange 17 of the second connecting element 10 is attached to the inner surface 5a of the wall of the second container 5, while before the first connection of the first connecting element The second connecting element section 23 of the wall, which in this case is part of the wall of the second container 5, also closes the cavity of the tubular body on the end flange 17 (FIG. eight).

After connecting the first connecting element with the second connecting element (FIGS. 1, 3 and 11), wall sections 22, 23 that cover the cavity of the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10 are opened, causing the fluid to flow through the communication channel 11. It should be noted that, alternatively, the wall sections can be formed inside the respective first and / or second connecting elements (for example, in the form of plastic membranes), and not on the end flange.

The connecting device 8 further comprises a connecting link 24 (Fig. 3, 5 and 11) to create a channel 11 of communication between the first and second containers. The connecting link is shown in detail in FIG. 12-17. When the food packaging assembly is in the connected state, the connecting link 24 is configured to be placed between the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10 and to the connection of the first connecting element with the second connecting element to form the communication channel 11. In practice, after proper engagement, the first connecting element 9 is connected to the second connecting element 10 by placing a connecting link 24 between them, which also causes opening (for example, a gap) of wall sections 22, 23 covering each tubular body of the first and second connecting elements.

As shown in FIG. 12-17, the connecting link 24 comprises a tubular-shaped main body 25 and a flange 26 extending radially from the outer surface 25a of the main body 25, while in practice the flange 26 may be located along an axis in the middle of the main body 25 and divide the connecting link into two axisymmetric parts. As shown in the drawings, the main body includes opposing tubular segments 27, 28 extending from opposite sides of the flange 26, with each tubular segment being inserted through the tubular body of the respective first and second connecting elements 9 and 10, with the result that all three components 9, 10 and 24 are engaged with each other to form channel 11 of the message.

In addition, the connecting link 24 has axially opposite piercing portions 29, 30 at the ends of the opposing tubular segments 27, 28, and after inserting the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 into the corresponding connecting member 9, 10, the piercing portions 29, 30 are configured to break sections 22, 23 of the film, closing the cavity of the connecting elements, and thereby cause the passage of fluid through the channel 11 of the message (Fig. 3, 5 and 11).

In the illustrated embodiments, the link 24 is a separate component that is different from the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10; as a possible alternative, the link 24 may be installed on one or the other of the first and second connecting elements.

As mentioned, each of the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 is configured to grip a corresponding one of the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10, while the opposite tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 may be the same if the first and the second connecting elements 9 and 10 are the same. In this case, the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 can interchangeably grip one or the other of the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10.

According to one of the additional features, the opposing tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 may have a smaller axial length than the axial length of the first and second connecting elements 9, 10, which allows the tubular segments of the connecting link to remain inside the first and second connecting elements even when connecting the first and second the second container, thereby preventing the unwanted puncturing of the first and second container walls in other places besides those in which secured connectors.

If you go into additional details of the connection between the connecting link 24 and the connecting elements 9, 10, it should be noted that the opposite tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 can be configured to smoothly enter the corresponding tubular body of the first and second connecting elements 9, ten; in other words, the shape and size of the outer surface of the opposing tubular segments preferably corresponds to the shape and size of the inner surface of the respective connecting elements. It should be noted that in some embodiments, there may be a slight contact between the outer surfaces of the tubular segments and the inner surfaces of the respective connecting elements. When tubular segments 27, 28 are inserted into the connecting elements, flange 26 acts as a stop on both sides of flange 26 (see FIG. 5), while axially opposite piercing sections 29, 30 pierce and open section 22 of wall and section 23 of wall 23 at the ends of opposite tubular segments. , respectively, the first and second containers 2 and 5 on each end flange 13, 17 of the first and second connecting elements.

The tubular segments 27, 28 of the connecting link 24 may also contain a proximal portion having a first outer diameter and an end portion having a second outer diameter greater than the first outer diameter, with the result that a radial step 31 is formed on the outer surface of each tubular segment in order to click into the corresponding recess in the first and second connecting elements 9 and 10, wherein the recess may correspond to one of the radial holes 20, 21 in each connecting Yelnia element.

In accordance with one of the additional features and, in particular, as shown in FIG. 13, 16, the connecting link 24 comprises a valve 32 of an optionally unidirectional type, located inside the main body 25. The valve 32 contains one or more bendable dampers 33 extending radially from the inner surface of the main body 25 of the connecting link 24 and capable of moving at an angle from the extended position (Fig. 12 and 13), in which the valve or valve 33 blocks the passage of fluid in a folded position (Fig. 15 and 16), in which the valve or valve 33 does not block the passage of fluid. The dampers are made in one piece with the body of the connecting link. In this embodiment, the dampers are initially connected to each other along softening lines or previously cut through lines 34 and, accordingly, form a membrane that blocks the passage of fluid. As the pressure rises in the first container, a force is generated acting on the flaps 33, which burst along the softening line 34 and move apart, as shown in FIG. 15 and 16. Lines 34 can define closing limits when, as a result of a decrease in pressure, the valves return to their original position.

Alternatively, the valve may contain one fragile membrane (two or more consecutive membranes can also be used) that runs across the cavity of the main body and has one or more lines of softening or pre-cut lines, with lines of weakening or pre-cut on the fragile membrane configured to ensure the direction of the preferred opening of the membrane, when inside the first or second container in the connected state created etsya above atmospheric pressure (e.g. when the user squeezes the compound after one of the two containers).

It should be noted that the connecting link 24 may also contain a sealing cap 35, which may be attached to the connecting link or made integral with it. Alternatively, the sealing cap 35 may be connected to one of the two connecting elements. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, 3, 5, the cap 35 may be connected to the flange 26 of the connecting link 24 by means of a flexible and elongated tape 36, which allows the cap to tightly grip one of the tubular segments when the other of the tubular segments is inserted into the corresponding one of the connecting elements.

The examples illustrated in FIG. 18-21

In one of the alternative embodiments, which is illustrated in FIG. 18-21, the first container 2 and the first coupling element 9 may be exactly the same as described above. On the other hand, on the second coupling element 10, it is fixedly mounted or it forms a tip 37, extending outside the corresponding second container 5. The tip 37 may contain an integral cap, which may be removably connected to the tip to create or block the path for the fluid to flow. medium through the connecting element on which the tip is mounted.

The tip 37 has one or more piercing sections or elements 38 and is configured to enter the tubular body of the first connecting element 9, grip it and pierce the wall section 22, thereby creating a path for the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces 3 and 6 when both containers 2 and 5 are in the connected state.

If we go into further details and, as shown in particular in FIG. 19-21, it should be noted that the tip 37 may have a lancet shape with radial passages 39 and a pointed piercing tip 38. In addition, the outer surface 37a of the tip may be provided with a circular protrusion 40 configured to enter with a click into the corresponding recess the first coupling element 9.

The examples illustrated in FIG. 22-25

In one of the additional alternative embodiments, which is illustrated in FIG. 22-25, the first container 2 and the second container 5 may be vertically standing containers, in particular, vertically standing bags. The first and second connecting elements may have the general construction described above (i.e., with a tubular body and a flange attached to the wall of the container) and further comprise a mechanical connection. The first or second coupling element, for example, may have a female coupling (for example, a female bayonet joint or an internal thread or recess for a snap connection), and another coupling element from the first and second coupling elements may have a male coupling part (such as a male bayonet male connector). or male thread or protrusion for snap connection), as a result of which the first connecting element can be directly connected to the sec connecting element, and to ensure the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces. In particular, if the first connecting element is inserted into the second connecting element, it presses against the wall section 23 held by the second connecting element and breaks or separates it, thereby ensuring the passage of fluid.

In more detail, the first connecting element 9 may have a tubular body with an external thread, configured to engage with an internal thread on the tubular body of the second connecting element 10. The connection of two connecting elements causes the wall or membrane section (s) to be punctured, covering each or at least one of the connecting elements 9, 10, thereby creating a path for the passage of fluid between the first and second spaces 3 and 6, when both containers 2 and 5 are connected the two- state.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 22-25, the first and second elements may be attached to the side wall of the corresponding container or to the upper end of the corresponding container.

The membrane preferably covers one of the ends of the first and second connecting elements (covering) before connecting the connecting elements (for example, a threaded or bayonet connection), inserting one into the other, after which the penetration of the male element into the female element results in breaking the wall section or membranes associated with the female connector. The connecting element without a membrane (male element) is preferably provided with a sealing cap that can be removed, if necessary, to connect the connecting elements.

The example illustrated in FIG. 26-34

FIG. 26-34 illustrate one of the additional examples of packaging in assembly 1 according to features of the invention. Items already described above are denoted by the same positions.

As shown in particular in FIG. 26 and 27, the packaging assembly 1 comprises a first container 2, which is a deformable container 45, such as a bag or bag, equipped with a dispensing opening 46, made at the location of the first coupling element 9 and providing access to the first space 3. Packaging assembly 1 also comprises a second container 5, which is a tray 50. It should be noted that in FIG. 26 shows that the first container 2 is separated and spaced from the second container 5, and FIG. 27 shows that the first container is connected to the second container.

The tray 50 has a bottom wall 51, a side wall 52 and preferably an upper edge 53 extending radially from the top of the bottom wall. A second connecting element 10 is attached to the bottom wall 51 of the tray forming the second container 5, for example, the second connecting element 10 can be glued or thermally attached to the inner surface 51a of the lower wall (which in the drawings is the upper surface of the lower wall).

In particular, the second coupling element 10 comprises a tubular body 16 having an end flange 17 connected, not necessarily attached to the inner surface 51a of the bottom wall 51, with the result that the side wall 18 of the tubular body 16 extends, for example, perpendicularly from the bottom wall 51 of the tray. The end flange 17 of the second coupling element together with the bottom wall 51 of the tray 50 forms a channel 54, which communicates with the inner space of the tubular body 16 and extends transversely (in the examples mainly parallel to the bottom wall) to the side wall of the tubular body 16, while in the channel 54 (see for example, Fig. 28 and 29) there is a first hole 54a that extends into the inside of the tubular body 16 where the lower half of the second coupling element is located, and the second hole 54b extends into the second space 6, in which must p place the product.

The second container 5 also contains a sheet of plastic film 55, hermetically attached to the tray 50 and forming at least a second space 6, while the plastic film 55 forms a tightly fitting plastic sheath in contact with the product, the upper edge 53 (if present) and at least part of the inner surface 52a of the side wall 52 of the tray, not covered by the product; According to one of the features, the plastic film is hermetically attached to the tray in order to pack the product under vacuum or in a controlled atmosphere.

As shown in FIG. 28, the plastic film 55 covers the product 7, as well as the second connecting element 10, while, when the packaging assembly is in a disconnected state, in practice the entire open surface of the second connecting element 10 (i.e., the surface not facing the bottom wall of the tray ) covered with plastic film. Accordingly, the plastic film 55 is attached to the tray in such a way that, in a disconnected state, it together with the tray forms the second space 6 in which the product is located, and the auxiliary space 56, which is different from the second space and in which the second connecting element is located.

As shown in FIG. 28, the second coupling element 10 comprises a diaphragm 57 extending inwards of the tubular body 16 transversely to the side wall 18, while in the disconnected state (shown in FIG. 28) the diaphragm is attached to the side wall of the inner surface in the first position in which it is in an intermediate region along the axial length of the side wall of the second coupling element, and, as shown in FIG. 28, in this position, the diaphragm divides the inner space of the tubular body 16 into two segments: the upper segment 16a and the lower segment 16b, which may be approximately the same length. In the disconnected state (shown in Fig. 28), the plastic film forms a tightly fitting plastic sheath that is above the second connecting element, in contact with it, and contains a tightly fitting section 58 extending inside the second connecting element and covering part of the inner surface of the side wall of the second connecting element, and an additional tight area 59, covering the upper surface 57a of the diaphragm 57; respectively, the lower segment 16b between the diaphragm and the bottom wall of the tray is hermetically sealed from the environment outside the package due to the presence of plastic film 55. As mentioned briefly, the channel 54 radially extends beyond the side wall of the second connecting element and reaches the second space 6, providing a message with the ability to move the fluid of the second space with an auxiliary space 56 and specifically with the internal space of the lower segment 16b.

As shown in FIG. 26-34, it should be noted that the first container 2 is a deformable container 45, which is provided with a dispensing opening 46, made at the location of the first coupling element 9 and providing access to the first space 3; in particular, the first coupling element has a flange 13 which engages with a hole 46 in the first container, and has a tip 37 at an end axially opposite to the flange. As a non-illustrated alternative, the first connector may not have a tip.

When the package enters the connected state shown in FIG. 29, the tip 37 mounted on the first coupling element, or the end of the first coupling element opposite to the flange, enters the cavity of the tubular body 16 of the second coupling element 10 and presses on the diaphragm 57, separating it from the side wall of the second coupling element and separating the additional section 59 tightly adjacent plastic shell from the rest of the plastic film. After inserting the first coupling element into the second coupling element, the diaphragm 57 (together with the additional portion 59 of the tightly fitting plastic shell) is moved to the second position shown in FIG. 29 and 30 and axially spaced from the first position, which creates the movement of fluid from the first container inside the tubular body along the channel to the second container.

According to one of the additional features, the diaphragm has a disc-shaped element 60 with a plurality of radially directed legs 61 connecting the disc-shaped element with the inner surface of the tubular body of the second coupling element 10. In particular, the disc-shaped element has a smaller radial size than the radial size of the cavity of the tubular body 16, and configured so that when in the said second position, the first end 54a of the channel 54 remains open and communicates with the cavity of the housing 16 of the second coupling element.

Finally, it should be noted that in this example the described valve 32 with flaps 33 mounted on the opening 46 may also be provided.

In the process of application, the first container 2 (deformable container 46) is connected to the second container 5 (a closed sheet of film with the tray in which the product is located) using the connecting device 8 and a channel 11 is formed between the first and second spaces.

After both containers are connected, the user can start moving the first product or part of it from the first container to the second container, for example, by squeezing the first container. As shown in FIG. 28, 29 and 30 illustrating the sequential stages of the connection, the first connecting element presses against the diaphragm and destroys or separates the additional portion 59 of the film, thereby creating a communication channel 11 and providing communication of the first space with the first channel 54 and the second space with the possibility of fluid movement. FIG. 30 shows the contents of the first container flowing into the channel 11 of the message, channel 54 and reaching the second space 6.

Additional features

When the first container is a bag, it can be provided with at least a through hole made in its upper part of the bag and designed so that the bag can be vertically suspended to the bracket. In addition, the second container may be a vertically standing bag.

When the first container is a bag, it may have an ergonomic shape, for example, it has a central narrowed area between two wider areas, which facilitates squeezing the bag that forms the first container when the contents of the first container need to be moved to the second container.

In addition, if the first or second container is configured to pack the corresponding products under vacuum, the first and / or second connecting elements may be provided with a fragile membrane located on their end flange. When creating a vacuum inside the first and / or second container, a film is formed on the fragile membrane that forms part or all of the first and / or second container.

Materials

a) Film or film material applicable for bag (s) and film cover (s)

This section a) describes the film materials, the film materials used to make the first and second containers when they are a bag. The same film materials can also be used to close the tray cover (tight without vacuuming).

The film material can be obtained by coextrusion or layering (hot or adhesive), it can have a symmetrical or asymmetric structure and be single-layered or multi-layered.

Multilayer films have at least two, more often at least five, more often at least seven layers.

The total film thickness can often vary from 3 to 200 microns, in particular, from 5 to 150 microns, and more often from 10 to 120 microns.

Films may optionally be crosslinked. The crosslinking can be carried out by irradiation with high energy electrons in the applicable dosage, as is known from technology.

Films can be heat shrinkable or heat setting. Shrink films usually have an index of free shrinkage at 120 ° C, measured according to ASTM D2732, in the range from 1% to 80%, more often from 5% to 60%, more often from 10% to 40% in both longitudinal and transverse directions . Thermoset films typically have free shrink rates of less than 10% at 120 ° C, preferably less than 5% in both the longitudinal and transverse directions (according to ASTM D 2732).

If the film is monolayer, it usually contains the polyesters or polyamides described below and their mixtures or the polyolefins described below and their mixtures.

In most cases, films usually contain at least a heat sealable layer and an outer layer, which usually consists of heat-resistant polymers or polyolefin. The heat sealable layer typically contains a heat sealable polyolefin, which in turn contains one polyolefin or a mixture of two or more polyolefins, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or a mixture thereof. Antifouling properties can be additionally imparted to the heat sealable layer by incorporating one or more anti-impulsive additives into its composition or by applying or spraying one or more anti-impregnating additives onto the surface of the heat-sealing layer by technical means well known in the art. The heat sealable layer may additionally contain one or more plasticizers.

The outer layer usually contains polyesters, polyamides or polyolefins. In some structures in the outer layer can be advantageously used a mixture of polyamide and polyester, as described in patent EP 2691233 A1.

In most cases, the films contain a barrier layer. Films with a barrier layer typically have an oxygen transmission rate (measured at 23 ° C and 0% relative humidity according to ASTM D-3985) of less than 100 cm ³ / (m ² ⋅ day⋅ atm), more often less than 80 cm ³ / (m ² ⋅ day ⋅ atm). The barrier layer usually consists of a thermoplastic resin selected from the product of saponification or hydrolysis of a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate (EVOH), polyamide, polyester and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and mixtures thereof. Some films contain an EVOH barrier layer that fits between two polyamide layers.

Compositions particularly applicable to bags and film covers are described in patent EP 2582518 A1, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

In particular, in the case of packages for fresh red meat, a double film cover is preferably used, comprising an inner, oxygen-permeable film and an outer, non-oxygen-permeable film. These films are described, for example, in patents EP 1848635 and EP 0690012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

For film lids of trays in which semi-finished products are packed, special polyester-based compounds are used. The polyester resins in these films can be at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% by weight of the film. These films are commonly used in combination with polyester pallets or trays. In particular, the tray can be made of polyester-coated cardboard, or it can be made entirely of polyester resin. Examples of applicable packaging trays are containers of expanded or non-expanded crystalline polyethylene terephthalate (CPET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) or APET / CPET. Usually, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films are used as film caps for packages with semi-finished products, since PET has high heat resistance at standard heating / cooking temperatures of food products. Biaxially oriented polyester films are often thermosetting, i.e. not shrink. In order to improve the heat sealing of the PET film lid and the tray, the film is usually provided with a heat sealable layer of low-melting material. The heat sealable layer can be extruded together with a carrier layer of PET (as described in patent EP 1529797 and application WO 2007/093495) or can be applied to the carrier film by a solution or extrusion method (as described in US patents 2762720 and EP 1252008).

A description of heat-resistant materials based on polyesters or polyamides and the method of packaging and heat treatment can be found in patent EP 1945512, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

Heat-resistant materials based on polyamides, for example, are described in patent EP 1393897, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. These materials can be advantageously used for the manufacture of heat-resistant bags or bags or thermoformed heat-resistant substrates and hermetically sealed covers.

In addition, the films described in the invention, the applicable covers, can provide a strong or peel-off sealing of the substrates. One way to measure force for separating flaking seals, referred to in the description as “peel force”, is described in ASTM F-88-00. Acceptable peel exertion values range from 100 g / 25 mm to 850 g / 25 mm, from 150 g / 25 mm to 800 g / 25 mm, from 200 g / 25 mm to 700 g / 25 mm. The desired sealing strength is achieved due to the specific design of the tray and the composition of the cover.

In all of the film layers described, the polymer components may contain appropriate amounts of additives usually included in such compositions. Some of these additives are preferably used in the outer layers or one of the outer layers, and some are preferably in the inner layers. These additives include gliding and anti-blocking agents such as talc, waxes, quartz and the like, oxidation inhibitors, stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers, pigments and dyes, crosslinking inhibitors, crosslinking enhancers, ultraviolet absorbers, odor absorbers, oxygen absorbers, bactericides, antistatic agents, antivoids or formulations and similar additives known to those skilled in the art of packaging films.

Usually, one or more of the described film layers can be printed with consumer-friendly information, placed an attractive image and / or trademark or other advertising information in order to facilitate the retail sale of the packaged product. Printing on films can be done in any applicable way, such as screen printing, intaglio printing or flexographic printing as the most well-known technology.

b) Material applicable for films used in tightly fitting vacuum packages.

This section b) describes the film materials used to make the film used in the first and / or second container when the said container (s) are a bag or a tray, a vacuum covered film forming a tightly fitting shell around the tray and the product ( tightly fitting vacuum packs). The film or film material fits snugly to the tray or product, repeating its shape.

The film for tightly fitting packages can be made of a flexible multilayer material containing at least the first outer heat sealable layer, an optional gas barrier layer and the second outer heat resistant layer. The outer heat sealable layer may contain a polymer that can be welded to the inner surface of a substrate containing products to be packed, such as, for example, ethylene homo- or copolymers, such as LDPE, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic copolymers acids and copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, ionomers, copolyesters, for example, PETG. The optional gas barrier layer preferably contains oxygen-impermeable resins such as PVDC, EVOH, polyamides, and mixtures of EVOH and polyamides. The outer heat-resistant layer can be made of ethylene homo- or copolymers, ethylene copolymers and cyclic olefins, such as ethylene and norbornene copolymers, propylene homo- or copolymers, ionomers, (co) polyesters, (co) polyamides. The film may also contain other layers, such as adhesive layers or bulk layers to increase the film thickness and improve its resistance to improper handling and properties after deep drawing. Particularly applicable bulk layers are ionomers, copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, polyamides and polyesters.

One or several layers of the film can be cross-linked in order to increase the strength of the film and / or heat resistance. Crosslinking can be achieved by using chemical additives or by treating film layers with high energy irradiation. Films for tight packing usually have little shrinkage when heated during the packing cycle. These films usually have a shrinkage of less than 15% at 160 ° C, often less than 10%, more often less than 8% in both the longitudinal and transverse directions (according to ASTM D2732). Films usually have a thickness of from 15 microns to 200 microns, usually from 25 to 180 microns, more often from 40 microns to 150 microns.

Tightly fitting packages are usually “easy-opening”, i.e. they are easily opened by hand if you separate the two webs, usually starting from a point such as the corner of the package, in which the top sheet is intentionally not tightly connected to the substrate. For this purpose, the film or tray may have an applicable composition known from technology that makes it easy to open the package. Usually, in order to be able to easily open the package, the composition of the sealant and / or the composition of the adjacent layer of the tray and / or film is adjusted. Various mechanisms can be used to open easily openable packaging. In the first case (the mechanism of "easy opening by peeling"), the package is opened by separating the film and tray along the sealing border. In the second case (the mechanism of "violation of adhesion"), the packages are opened first by breaking through the thickness of one of the heat-sealing layers and then peeling off this layer from the underlying substrate or film. In the third case, it is based on the mechanism of "breaking the clutch", and easy opening of the package is achieved by an internal tearing of the sealing layer, which then breaks along a plane parallel to the layer itself. Specific mixtures are known from the art to achieve such opening mechanisms and to ensure peeling of the film from the surface of the tray, such as the mixtures described in patent EP 1084186.

In all of the film layers described, the polymer components may contain appropriate amounts of additives usually included in such compositions. Some of these additives are preferably used in the outer layers or one of the outer layers, and some are preferably in the inner layers. These additives include gliding and anti-blocking agents such as talc, waxes, quartz and the like, oxidation inhibitors, stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers, pigments and dyes, crosslinking inhibitors, crosslinking enhancers, ultraviolet absorbers, odor absorbers, oxygen absorbers, bactericides, antistatic agents, antivoids or formulations and similar additives known to those skilled in the art of packaging films.

Films that are applicable for tight packaging are described, for example, in patents EP 1398149, EP 1465765 and EP 1871597, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

c) Materials applicable in the first and second connecting elements, the tip and the connecting links

The tip, connecting elements and connecting links according to the invention can be made by any conventional injection molding method.

Thermoplastic materials applicable for their manufacture are, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyvinyl chloride.

For the manufacture of the tip and connecting elements of heat-resistant packages choose a thermoplastic material that is resistant to heat treatment in a microwave oven and a traditional oven.

d) Materials for trays

The trays can be made of a single-layer or preferably multi-layer polymeric material.

In the case of a single-layer material, applicable polymers are, for example, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyesters, high density polyethylene, poly (lactic acid), PVC, and the like. in foam or solid form.

The tray preferably has gas barrier properties. This term used in the description refers to a film or sheet of material that has an oxygen transmission rate of less than 200 cm ³ / (m ² ⋅ day⋅ atm), less than 150 cm ³ / (m ² day atm), less than 100 cm ³ / (m ² ⋅ day atm), measured according to ASTM D-3985 at a temperature of 23 ° C and a relative humidity of 0%.

Suitable materials for gas barrier single-layer thermoplastic trays are, for example, polyesters, polyamides, and the like.

If the tray is made of a multilayer material, applicable polymers are, for example, ethylene homo- and copolymers, propylene homo- and copolymers, polyamides, polystyrene, polyesters, poly (lactic acid), PVC, and the like. The multilayer material may be partially solid and partially foamed.

For example, the tray may contain at least one layer of foamed polymeric material selected from the group including polystyrene, polypropylene, polyesters, and the like.

The multilayer material can be made by coextrusion of all layers by coextrusion methods or by adhesive or thermal layering, for example, a thin film, usually called a "layer", on a rigid foamed or solid substrate.

A thin film may be layered on the surface of the tray in contact with the product, or on the surface facing away from the product, or on both sides. In the latter case, the films layered on both surfaces of the tray may be the same or different. To increase the shelf life of the packaged product, a layer of material with oxygen barrier properties, for example, a copolymer (ethylene and vinyl alcohol) is optionally used.

Gas barrier polymers that can be used in the gas barrier layer are PVDC, EVOH, polyamides, polyesters, and mixtures thereof. The thickness of the gas barrier layer is set so that the tray has an oxygen transmission rate that is acceptable for the particular packaged product.

The tray may also contain a heat sealable layer. Typically, the heat sealable layer is selected from polyolefins such as ethylene homo or copolymers, propylene homo or copolymers, ethylene and vinyl acetate copolymers, ionomers, and homo and copolyesters, for example, PETG (glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate).

Depending on the specific resins used in the gas barrier layer, additional layers are preferably present, such as adhesive layers, to improve the adhesion of the gas barrier layer to adjacent layers.

In the case of a multilayer material used to form a tray, a part of this structure may be foamed, and a part not foamed. For example, a tray may contain (from the outermost layer to the innermost layer in contact with the food product) one or more structural layers, usually of a material such as polystyrene foam, polyester foam or polypropylene foam, or a sheet molded, for example, of polypropylene, polystyrene, poly (vinyl chloride), polyester or cardboard; gas barrier layer and heat sealable layer.

The tray can be made of a sheet of foamed polymeric material having a film containing at least one layer with oxygen barrier properties and at least one surface sealing layer layered on the surface facing the packaged product, resulting in a surface sealing the layer is a tray layer in contact with the food product. A second, barrier or non-barrier film may be layered on the outer surface of the tray.

For food products that need to be heated in a traditional oven or microwave oven before use, trays with special compositions are used. The surface of the tray in contact with the product, i.e. the surface involved in the formation of the seal along with the film cover contains a complex polyester resin. For example, the tray may be made of polyester-coated cardboard, or it may be made entirely of polyester resin. Examples of applicable trays for packaging according to the invention are trays of KPET, APET or APET / KET. The material of such trays may be foamed or non-foamed.

Trays for packages with lids or tightly packed packages containing parts made of foam material have a total thickness of less than 8 mm, for example, from 0.5 mm to 7.0 mm, more often from 1.0 mm to 6.0 mm.

In the case of a rigid tray that does not contain foam parts, the total thickness of a single-layer or multilayer thermoplastic material is less than 2 mm, for example, it can be from 0.1 mm to 1.2 mm, usually from 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm.

e) Definitions and conventions for materials

PVDC is any of the copolymers of vinylidene chloride, in which a large proportion of the copolymer is vinylidene chloride, and a smaller proportion is one or more unsaturated monomers that can be copolymerized with it, usually vinyl chloride and acyl acrylates or methacrylates (for example, methyl acrylate or methacrylate) and their mixtures. ratios. Typically, the PVDC barrier layer contains plasticizers and / or stabilizers known in the art.

As used herein, the term EVOH includes saponified or hydrolyzed copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate, and refers to copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol with a molar content of ethylene comonomer, preferably from about 28% to about 48%, more preferably from about 32 to about 44, and the degree of saponification, at least at least 85%, preferably at least 90%.

The term “polyamides” as used herein refers to homo- and co-or terpoliamides. This term specifically includes aliphatic polyamides or copolyamides, for example, polyamide 6, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 6/6, polyamide 6/9, polyamide 6/10, polyamide 6/12, copolyamide 6/9, copolyamide 6/10, copolyamide 6/12, copolyamide 6/66, copolyamide 6/69, aromatic or partially aromatic polyamides or copolyamides, such as polyamide 6I, polyamide 6I / 6T, polyamide MXD6, polyamide MXD6 / MXDI, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term "copolymer" refers to a polymer derived from monomers of two or more types, and includes terpolymers. Ethylene homopolymers include high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). Ethylene copolymers include copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins and copolymers of ethylene and unsaturated ethers. Copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins typically include copolymers of ethylene and one or more comonomers selected from alpha-olefins having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 4- methyl 1-pentene, etc.

Copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins typically have a density in the range of from about 0.86 to about 0.94 g / cm ³ . The term linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) is generally meant to include a group of copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins, whose density ranges from about 0.915 to about 0.94 g / cm ³ , in particular from about 0.915 to about 0.925 g / cm ³ . Sometimes linear polyethylene with a density in the interval from about 0.926 to about 0.94 g / cm ³ is called medium density polyethylene (LEPP). The copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins of lower density can be called very low density polyethylene (PEDP) and ultra low density polyethylene (PEEP). The copolymers of ethylene and alpha-olefins can be obtained by methods of heterogeneous or homogeneous polymerization.

Another useful ethylene copolymer is a copolymer of ethylene and unsaturated esters, which is a copolymer of ethylene and one or more monomeric unsaturated esters. Applicable unsaturated esters include vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, such as vinyl acetate, and alkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid, having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Ionomers are copolymers of ethylene and unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, in which the carboxylic acid is neutralized by a metal ion, such as zinc or, preferably, sodium.

Applicable copolymers of propylene include copolymers of propylene and ethylene, which are copolymers of propylene and ethylene with a predominant percentage by weight of propylene, and terpolymers of propylene, ethylene and butene, which are copolymers of propylene, ethylene and 1-butene.

As used herein, the term “polyolefin” refers to any polymerized olefin that may be linear, branched, cyclic, aliphatic, aromatic, substituted or unsubstituted. More specifically, the term "polyolefin" includes olefin homopolymers, olefin copolymers, olefin copolymers and non-olefin comonomer capable of copolymerizing with an olefin, such as vinyl monomers, their modified polymers, and the like. Specific examples include polyethylene homopolymer, polypropylene homopolymer, a homopolymer of polybutene, copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin, copolymer of propylene and an alpha-olefin, the butene copolymer and an alpha-olefin, a copolymer of ethylene and unsaturated esters, of ethylene and unsaturated acid copolymer (e.g., ethylene and ethyl acrylate, a copolymer of ethylene and butyl acrylate, a copolymer of ethylene and methyl acrylate, a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid, and a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid, a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, ionomer th resin, polymethylpentene, etc.

Used in the description, the term "complex polyester" refers to complex homo - and copolyesters, while complex homopolyethers are polymers obtained by condensation of one dicarboxylic acid with one diol, and complex copolyesters are polymers obtained by condensation of one or more dicarboxylic acids with one or more diols. Applicable polyester resins are, for example, polyesters of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, i.e. poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Preference is given to complex polyesters that contain ethylene units and include at least 90 mol. %, more preferably at least 95 mol. %, units of terephthalate in terms of dicarboxylate units. The remaining monomer units are selected from other dicarboxylic acids or diols. Other useful aromatic dicarboxylic acids are preferably isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, 2,5-, 2,6-or 2,7-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid. Of cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids (in particular, cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid) should be mentioned. Of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, (C3-C19) -dicarboxylic acids, in particular, succinic acid, sebacic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, corky acid or pimelic acid, are particularly applicable. Suitable diols are, for example, aliphatic diols, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propandiol, neopentyl glycol and 1,6-hexanediol, and cycloaliphatic diols, such as 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and 1,4-cyclohexanediol, optionally containing heteroatom diols having one or more rings.

As polyester resins in a carrier film, copolyester resins derived from one or more dicarboxylic acids or their lower alkyl esters (containing up to 14 carbon atoms) with one or more glycols, in particular, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic glycol, can also be used. Applicable dicarboxylic acids include aromatic dicarboxylic acids, such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, or 2,5-, 2,6-or 2,7-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, such as succinic acid, sebacic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, corky acid or pimelic acid. Applicable glycols include aliphatic diols, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propandiol, neopentyl glycol and 1, 6-hexanediol, and cycloaliphatic diols, such as 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and 1,4-cyclohexanediol. Examples of such copolyesters are (i) copolyesters of azelaic acid and terephthalic acid with aliphatic glycol, preferably ethylene glycol; (ii) copolyesters of adipic acid and terephthalic acid with an aliphatic glycol, preferably ethylene glycol; and (iii) copolyesters of sebacic acid and terephthalic acid with aliphatic glycol, preferably butylene glycol; (iv) ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid copolyesters. Applicable amorphous copolyesters are derived from an aliphatic diol and a cycloaliphatic diol with one or more dicarboxylic acids, preferably an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. Typical amorphous copolyesters include terephthalic acid copolyesters with an aliphatic diol and a cycloaliphatic diol, especially ethylene glycol and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

Modified medium for trays with lids

Usually mixed modified media have a certain volumetric content of one or several gases, including N ₂ , O ₂ and CO ₂ , which differs from their content in the atmosphere at a temperature of 20 ° С at sea level (pressure of 1 atmosphere). For example, the following gas mixtures may be used (the content is indicated in percent by volume at a temperature of 20 ° C and a pressure of 1 atmosphere) depending on the food being packaged:

Red meat, poultry skinless: O ₂ = 70%, CO ₂ = 30%

Bird with skin, cheese, pasta, baking products: CO ₂ = 50%, N ₂ = 50%

Fish: CO ₂ = 70%, N ₂ = 30% or CO ₂ = 40%, N ₂ = 30%, O ₂ % = 30

Processed meat: CO ₂ = 30%, N ₂ = 70%

Application

In one of the cases, a plurality of first containers 2 can advantageously be used, in each of which a corresponding different first product 4 can be placed. For example, if a different liquid or gel-like or pasty or particulate food product can be placed in each first container, in the second container 5, a solid food product 7 may be placed in which one or more of the food products contained in the first containers are to be added in order to obtain the finished food product according to Asno needs and taste of the consumer.

In this case, each first container 2 of the above set contains the same first connecting element 9, forming a connecting device 8 when connected to the second connecting element 10 of the second container 5, with the result that the user can select the first container 2 with the desired first product 4, and then easily connect the first container with the second container and pour the contents of the first container into the second container.

Usually, the first containers 2 can be used to place a plurality of liquid or gel-like or pasty or in the form of particles of the first food products, each of which is located in the corresponding first container 2, and the second container 5 can be used for packaging solid food product to which one of selected first foods.

The method of cooking using the packaging assembly described above or claimed in any of the claims of the claims may include the following steps.

First, one first container 2 is connected to one second container 5 using a connecting device 8 and a channel 11 is formed between the first and second spaces.

Then, after connecting the two containers, the user can start moving the first product or part of it from the first container to the second container, for example, by squeezing the first container.

After the contents or a sufficient part of the contents of the first container 2 has been moved, the first container 2 can be detached from the second container 5, and the second container 5 can be closed with a sealing cap 35.

Alternatively, after the contents or a sufficient portion of the contents of the first container 2 are moved to the second container 5, both containers 2 and 5 are left connected to each other, and the end user disposes of them in the collection.

The food product in the second container may be stored or remain in an appropriate environment (for example, if proper time is required for proper seasoning or soaking or marinating the second food product with the first food product). Then, if necessary, heat treatment can be carried out: the first and second food products in the second container can be placed in a suitable oven for the purpose of traditional heat treatment or heat treatment with ultra high frequency currents, or can be heated on a stove or in a steam heater.

Preparation method

Packaging Assembly, described above and claimed in any of the paragraphs of the attached claims, can be manufactured as follows.

The manufacturing method includes the following main stages:

manufacturing the first container 2,

supplying the first container 2 with the first connecting element 9 (this stage may occur during the formation of the first container, in particular, if the first connecting element is placed inside the first container),

placing the first food 4 in the first container 2,

sealing the first container, and

manufacturing the second container 5,

supplying the second container 5 with the second coupling element 10 (this stage can be carried out during the formation of the second container, in particular, if the second coupling element is placed inside the second container),

placing the second food product 6 in the second container 5,

sealing the second container.

When the first and second containers are a bag, they can be made vertically (for example, in vertical form-filling-sealing (VFFS) packaging systems, allowing, in particular, pouring liquid into the container being formed) or in a horizontal way.

Vertical form-filling-closing (VFFS) packaging systems have proven themselves in the packaging of a variety of food and non-food pumpable pumping and / or flowable products. VFFS technology is known to those skilled in the art and is described, for example, in patents US 4506494 (in the name of Shimoyama and others), 4589247 (in the name of Tsuruta, and others), 4656818 (in the name of Shimoyama and others), 4768411 (in the name of Su), 4808010 (in the name of Vogan) and 5467581 (in the name of Everette), which are fully incorporated by reference into this application. Usually, according to this technology, a horizontally laid thermoplastic film is moved over the forming device in order to form a sleeve, a longitudinal (vertical) seam connecting the edges, or an overlap seam and a lower end seam is performed by transversely sealing the sleeve with heated welding rods. A liquid, flowable and / or pumpable product is pumped, such as a product in a liquid, semi-liquid state or in the form of a paste, containing or not containing particles, through a central vertical loading tube into the formed tubular film. Separated squeezing rollers located above the lower end seam, squeeze the filled sleeve and press the walls of the flattened sleeve to each other. After a piece of sleeve, corresponding to the desired height of the bag, is fed through the squeezing rollers, the transverse heat-sealing of the flattened sleeve is performed using welding rods that grip and weld the tubular film between them. After removal of the welding rods, the film moves down and comes into contact with cooled clamping and cutting strips between which the film is clamped and which are provided with a knife to separate the welded film at about the midpoint of the seam so that about half of the seam is on the top and another half on the bottom parts of the sleeve. After completion of the welding and cutting operation, the squeezing rollers are separated so that a new portion of the product can enter the flattened sleeve, after which the process described above is repeated in order to continuously manufacture bags with heat-sealed lower and upper end seams.

The process can be carried out in two stages, one of which involves transverse heat sealing, and then a separate pair of cooling / clamping means comes into contact with the newly formed seam to cool it and thereby give it strength. In some VFFS packaging techniques, the upper transverse seam of the first bag and the lower transverse seam of the next bag are made, the bags are cut and thus divided between two sections of the transverse seams without the need for a separate pressing, cooling and cutting stage.

Alternatively, the bag forming the first and / or second container may be manufactured in a horizontal forming-filling-closing (HFFS) packaging system. In this case, a flat film is used, which is compacted horizontally to form a sleeve. The product (which must be solid or, at least, not able to flow when packed) is inside the sleeve, which is compacted at regular intervals and separated to obtain individual bags.

The first coupling element and the second coupling element are placed in the corresponding bag during its formation. For example, US Pat. No. 4,603793 (in the name of Stern), in its entirety, by reference, included in the present application, describes how the connecting element 6a is installed on the inner wall of the bag.

If the first or second container is a tray, the tray (which can be pre-formed or made in-line by high-temperature forming) is transferred to the area where the product is placed in it. Then a film is applied over the tray, which may be a continuous film, which is then cut, or a pre-cut sheet of film. In any case, the film can serve as a cover (with a conventional or adjustable gaseous medium inside the tray) or it can be used to form a tightly fitting vacuum shell over the tray and the product. A connecting element is attached to the film covering the top of the tray inside or outside the tray. For example, the connecting element may be attached to the film prior to its connection to the tray.

Claims (51)

1. Food packaging assembly (1), containing: - the first container (2), bounding the first space (3), in which there is at least one first product (4), - a second container (5), limiting the second space (6) in which at least one second product (7) is located, with the first and second products (4, 7) being distinct edible products, - a connecting device (8) comprising at least a first connecting element (9) mounted on the first container (2) and a second connecting element (10) mounted on the second container (5), wherein at least one of the first the connecting element (9) and the second connecting element (10) comprises a tubular body (12; 16) having a wall section or a membrane that (th) before the first connection of the first connecting element with the second connecting element closes the cavity of the tubular body (12; 16) at least one of said first and second connecting elements (9, 10); while the food packaging assembly is configured to find: in at least one disconnected state in which the first and second spaces (3, 6) are isolated from each other and optionally sealed, and the first container (2) is physically separated from the second container (5), and in at least one connected state in which the first connecting element (9) is connected to the second connecting element (10), and when in the connected state the connecting device (8) is configured to cause the opening of a wall or membrane section and channel formation (11) communications between the first space (3) and the second space (6); the first container (2) forms a deformable container (45), equipped with a dispensing hole (46), made at the location of the first coupling element (9) and providing access to the first space (3); the second container (5) forms a tray (50) with the bottom wall (51), the side wall (52) extending from the bottom wall, and optionally with the top edge (53) extending radially from the top of the side wall, while the second the connecting element (10) is attached to the bottom wall (51) of the second container. 2. The complete package of claim 1, wherein the first connecting element (9) comprises a mechanical connection, optionally a bayonet connection or a threaded connection or a snap connection, and the second connecting element contains a mating mechanical connection, optionally a bayonet connection or a threaded connection or snap connection , as a result, the first connecting element can directly connect with the second connecting element to form a channel (11) of the message and the path for passing fluid between the first and second spaces (3, 6), optionally, the connection of the first and second connecting elements causes the piercing or rupture of a section of a wall or membrane covering at least one of the connecting elements. 3. The complete packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first container and / or the second container (2, 5) pack the corresponding products under vacuum, resulting in the corresponding tightly fitting vacuum container (s), with the first connecting the element and / or the second connecting element (9, 10) are provided with a fragile membrane, optionally located on the corresponding end flange. 4. Packaging assembly containing: - the first container (2), bounding the first space (3), in which there is at least one first product (4), - a second container (5), limiting the second space (6) in which at least one second product (7) is located, with the first and second products (4, 7) being distinct edible products, - a connecting device (8) comprising at least a first connecting element (9) mounted on the first container (2) and a second connecting element (10) mounted on the second container (5); the first container (2) forms a deformable container (45), equipped with a dispensing hole (46), made at the location of the first coupling element (9) and providing access to the first space (3); the second container (5) forms a tray (50) with the bottom wall (51), the side wall (52) extending from the bottom wall, and optionally with the top edge (53) extending radially from the top of the side wall, while the second the connecting element (10) is attached to the bottom wall (51) of the second container. 5. Packaging assembly according to claim 4, in which the second connecting element (10) comprises a tubular body (16) having an end flange (17) and a side wall (18), while the end flange (17) of the second connecting element (10 ) connected with, optionally attached, the inner surface (51a) of the bottom wall (51) in such a way that the tubular body (16) extends from the bottom wall of the tray (50); The end flange (17) of the second coupling element (10), together with the bottom wall (51), forms a channel (54), which communicates with the inner space of the tubular body (16) and extends transversely to the side wall of the tubular body (16). 6. Packaging assembly according to claim 5, in which the second container (5) contains a sheet (55) of plastic film, tightly attached to the tray (50) and forming at least a second space (6) with the tray, while the sheet ( 55) plastic film forms a tightly fitting plastic sheath in contact with the product, optionally with the upper edge and at least part of the inner surface of the side wall of the tray that is not covered with the product, the plastic film sheet (55) is sealed to the tray to place the product under vacuumor in a controlled atmosphere. 7. The packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the plastic film sheet (55) also covers the second connecting element (10); the plastic film sheet (55) is attached to the tray (50), as a result, in a disconnected state with the first container (2), physically separated from the second container (5), it forms a second space (6) in which the product is located, and an auxiliary space (56), which is different from the second space and in which the second connecting element (10) is located; however, said channel (54) extends radially beyond the side wall of the second coupling element (10) and reaches the second space (6), providing communication of the second space (6) with the auxiliary space (56) with the possibility of fluid movement. 8. Packaging Assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 5-7, in which the second coupling element (10) contains a diaphragm (57) extending into the tubular body (16) transversely to the side wall (18), while in a disconnected state with the first container (2) physically separated from the second container ( 5), the diaphragm (57) is attached to the side wall of the inner surface of the second coupling element (10) in the first position located in the intermediate region along the axial length of the side wall of the second coupling element; while in the aforementioned disconnected state, the sheet (55) of the plastic film forms a tightly fitting plastic shell that is located above the second connecting element (10), touching it, and contains a tightly fitting portion (58) extending into the second connecting element and covering part of the inner the side wall of the second coupling element, and an additional tight-fitting portion (59) covering the upper surface (57a) of the diaphragm (57). 9. Packaging assembly according to claim 8, in which the first container (2) forms a deformable container (45), equipped with a dispensing opening (46), made at the location of the first coupling element and providing access to the first space (3), while The first connecting element has a flange (13), which enters the dispensing opening (46) of the first container, the first connecting element is located at the end axially opposite to the flange with the tip (37). 10. Packaging Assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 8, 9, in which when the package is in the assembled state as a result of inserting the handpiece (37) installed on the first connecting element (9), or inserting the end of the first connecting element opposite the flange (13) into the cavity of the tubular body (16 ) the second connecting element 10 tip (37) or the corresponding first connecting element (9) is configured to press on the diaphragm (57) in order to separate it from the side wall of the second connecting element and separate additional tightly The moving section (59) of the sheet (55) of the plastic film from the rest of the sheet (55) of the plastic film, as a result of which the diaphragm (57) moves to the second position, axially spaced from the first position, and a fluid movement is created from the first space (3) to channel (14) and into the second space (6); Optionally, the diaphragm (57) has a disk-shaped element (60) with a plurality of radially extending tabs (61) connecting the disk-shaped element to the inner surface of the tubular body of the second connecting element (10), while the disk-shaped element (60) has a smaller radial size than radial dimension of the cavity of the tubular body (16), and configured so that when in the said second position the first end (54a) of the channel (54) remains open and communicates with the cavity of the tubular body (16) of the second connection bearing element (10). 11. Packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, in which the first product (4) in the first container (2) is in the form of a liquid or gel or particles or paste, or a mixture of liquid or gel or paste with particles, such as sauce, soup , juice, cream, filling, seasoning, substance or composition of substances with one or more flavors; and in which the second product (7) in the second container (5) is a solid food product, which is one or more pieces of solid food product that cannot pass through the channel cavity. 12. Packaging complete according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, containing: - a plurality of first containers (2), each of which contains a corresponding and different first product, which is a liquid food product, or a food product in the form of a gel, or a food product in the form of a paste, or a food product in the form of particles, capable of passing through a channel messages and - at least one second container (5) in which there is a second product, which is a solid food product that is not able to pass through the communication channel, each of the first containers of the above set contains the same first connecting element, forming a connecting device when connecting with the second connecting element of the second container. 13. A method of manufacturing a packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding paragraphs. 1-3, including: - manufacture of the first container (2), - supplying the first container (2) with the first coupling element (9), - the introduction of the first food product (4) in the first container (2), - optionally creating a vacuum and / or adjustable gaseous medium in the first container (2), - closing, optionally sealing, the first container (2), and - manufacture of a second container (5), - supplying the second container (5) with the second connecting element (10), - the introduction of the second food product (7) in the second container (5), - optionally creating a vacuum and / or regulated gaseous medium in the second container (5), - closing, optionally sealing, the second container (5). 14. A method of manufacturing a packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding paragraphs. four- 12, including: - manufacture of the first container (2), - supplying the first container (2) with the first coupling element (9), - the introduction of the first food product (4) in the first container (2), - optionally creating a vacuum and / or adjustable gaseous medium in the first container (2), - closing, optionally sealing, the first container (2), and - manufacture of a second container (5), - supplying the second container (5) with the second connecting element (10), - the introduction of the second food product (7) in the second container (5), - optionally creating a vacuum and / or regulated gaseous medium in the second container (5), - closing, optionally sealing, the second container (5).

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