US20120037531A1 - Method for packaging, thermoforming machine and package - Google Patents

Method for packaging, thermoforming machine and package Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120037531A1
US20120037531A1 US13/208,593 US201113208593A US2012037531A1 US 20120037531 A1 US20120037531 A1 US 20120037531A1 US 201113208593 A US201113208593 A US 201113208593A US 2012037531 A1 US2012037531 A1 US 2012037531A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
packaging
barrier layer
station
covering
film
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US13/208,593
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English (en)
Inventor
Reinhard Ruhland
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Multivac Sepp Haggenmueller GmbH and Co KG
Assigned to MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. reassignment MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Ruhland, Reinhard
Publication of US20120037531A1 publication Critical patent/US20120037531A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
    • B65B9/04—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs one or both webs being formed with pockets for the reception of the articles, or of the quantities of material

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a package, a thermoforming machine for forming a package and to a package that can be manufactured by means of the method or with the thermoforming machine.
  • thermoforming machines The manufacturing of packages by using thermoforming machines is widespread.
  • Such a thermoforming machine in which packaging trays are thermoformed with a packaging film that is usually made of plastic and filled with a product is described in DE 10 2007 013 698 A1.
  • EP 0 872 164 B1 and WO 2008/046553 A1 disclose devices for generating microwave plasmas. These two documents suggest that workpieces can be covered by means of a plasma treatment in which they are exposed to the microwave plasma generated by the devices. The two documents do not, however, contain any reference whatsoever to packages or packaging methods.
  • An object of the present disclosure is to improve a method for manufacturing a package, a thermoforming machine and a package itself to the effect that a longer shelf-life is achieved for the packaged products by means of the simplest possible design means.
  • a method according to the present disclosure is distinguished by the fact that at least the inner and/or the outer side of the packaging tray is covered with a barrier layer after the forming of the packaging tray.
  • This gas barrier layer influences the gas permeability of the packaging film, in particular the permeability for oxygen.
  • the barrier layer extends the shelf-life of a packaged product.
  • the application of the barrier layer onto the packaging tray after the forming of the packaging tray has, in comparison to the also theoretically possible use of a packaging film already covered before the forming of the packaging tray, the advantage that excessive stretching and loading of the barrier layer are avoided during the forming of the packaging tray. This makes it possible also to use very thin barrier layers.
  • the covering with the gas barrier layer takes place even before the filling of the packaging tray with a product. In this way, the covering can be carried out without the possibly disturbing presence of the product.
  • the covering of the outer side of the package i.e., the packaging tray and/or a top film that seals the packaging tray
  • the covering of the outer side of the package can take place after the manufacture of the entire package, i.e., after the packaging tray has been sealed with the top film.
  • the advantage of this variant is that in this way, even very thin or flexible films can be covered, in particular, skin films. After the application of the skin film used as the top film to the product under a vacuum, the skin film can no longer move. This prevents the gas barrier layer, which is only applied later, from peeling off.
  • the barrier layer preferably has an oxygen permeability level of less than 10 cubic centimetres (ccm) per (m 2 ⁇ 24 hours ⁇ pressure difference [bar]).
  • ccm cubic centimetres
  • an oxygen volume of less than 10 ccm occurs or passes through each square metre (m 2 ) of the packaging film provided with the barrier layer per 1 bar pressure difference between two opposite sides of the packaging film and barrier layer in 24 hours.
  • This very low oxygen permeability rate guarantees a very long shelf-life for the product in the packaging.
  • the plasma needed for the plasma covering can, for example, be created in a packaging machine used for manufacturing the package.
  • the plasma covering device is integrated into the packaging machine, and the entire packaging machine is much more compact than if an additional plasma covering system were to be provided.
  • the method according to the present disclosure is particularly suitable for the use of a biodegradable packaging film.
  • Very low gas-transfer rates can also be achieved here with conventional multi-layer films, for example, with an EVOH film (ethylene vinyl alcohol film).
  • EVOH film ethylene vinyl alcohol film
  • These have the disadvantage, however, that they have to be comparatively thick and that the gas barrier layer is very sensitive to moisture with the EVOH film. This barrier layer could consequently become more gas-permeable again if, for example, moist foods are contained in the package. This, in turn, reduces the shelf-life.
  • Biodegradable films for example, films made of bioplastics such as PLA (polylactide, polylactic acid) are normally very gas-permeable.
  • PLA polylactide, polylactic acid
  • the method according to the disclosure now makes it possible to apply a very thin barrier layer to these films in order to reduce their gas permeability without the disadvantage of significantly impairing the biodegradability of these films.
  • the barrier layer itself may comprise or consist of, for example, silicon oxide (SiOx) and/or aluminium oxide (AlOx).
  • the present disclosure also relates to a thermoforming machine with a forming station for forming packaging trays into a packaging film, as well as with a filling station.
  • the disclosure provides for a covering station to be provided between the forming station and the filling station and/or downstream of a station for sealing the packaging trays with a top film, whereby this covering station is developed such that at least the inner and/or the outer side of the packaging tray is covered with a barrier layer.
  • the covering station can, for example, be set up for applying a barrier covering with a thickness of less than a micrometre. Even with such a very thin layer, the gas permeability of the packaging material can be greatly limited.
  • the present disclosure furthermore relates to a package with a packaging tray formed from a packaging film that can be thermoformed in which the inner and/or outer side of the packaging tray is covered with a barrier layer.
  • the packaging film is preferably biodegradable.
  • the packaging film provided with the barrier layer has an oxygen permeability level of less than 10 ccm per (m 2 ⁇ 24 hours ⁇ pressure difference [bar]).
  • the barrier layer is not sensitive to moisture. As a result, it is particularly suitable for use in a package that is packed with moist foods.
  • the barrier layer may comprise SiOx and/or AlOx.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a thermoforming machine according to the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a package according to the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic side view, a packaging machine 1 according to the present disclosure in the form of a thermoforming machine.
  • the packaging machine 1 has a forming station 2 .
  • Packaging trays 5 are formed in the forming station 2 into a packaging film 4 drawn from a film roll 3 by means of thermoforming.
  • a product 7 is introduced into the packaging trays 5 at a filling station or loading station 6 .
  • This product 7 can be a food, preferably a food 7 with a certain moisture level.
  • a sealing station 8 of the packaging machine 1 is used to seal the packaging trays 5 with a top film 9 .
  • the top film 9 which can, like the packaging film 4 , be a sealable plastic film, is drawn from a further film roll 10 .
  • the top film 9 arrives in the sealing station 8 via a roll guide 11 .
  • a hermetically sealed sealing chamber can be formed around the packaging tray 5 in the sealing station 8 .
  • This sealing chamber is evacuated and possibly gassed with a replacement gas before a sealing tool seals the top film 9 to the packaging tray 5 , preferably at the edges of the packaging tray 5 .
  • the part of the top film 9 that juts out beyond the packaging tray 5 can be separated from the now sealed package 13 while the packaging tray 5 is still in the sealing station 8 .
  • the remaining film grid 14 of the top film 9 is fed to a remaining film winder 15 and collected there.
  • a cross-wise cutting device 16 and a longitudinal cutting device 17 ensure a separation of the packages 13 that until now have been in an interconnection of the packaging film 4 .
  • a conveyor belt 18 is used to transport the finished and separated packages 13 .
  • a covering station 19 is provided, between the forming station 2 and the filling station 6 in the direction of production P.
  • the covering station 19 is a plasma covering station 19 .
  • the covering station 19 which is integrated into the packaging machine 1 , has a plasma generation device 20 , known, for example, from WO 2008/046553 A1, which is likewise depicted only schematically in FIG. 1 .
  • the plasma generated by means of the plasma generation device 20 is used in order to cover with a thin barrier layer the inner and/or outer side of the packaging trays 5 in the covering station 19 by means of a plasma covering or by means of plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD).
  • PECVD plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition
  • this packaging machine is operated in cycles.
  • a section of the packaging film 4 is drawn off of the film roll 3 with each work cycle.
  • the forming station 2 closes in order to thermoform a packaging tray 5 or a field of packaging trays 5 lying next to one another into the packaging film 4 .
  • the packaging trays 5 arrive in the covering station 9 , in which their inner and/or outer side is given a thin gas barrier layer.
  • the packaging trays 5 After the packaging trays 5 have been filled with a product 7 in the filling station 6 , they arrive in the sealing station 8 . There a vacuum is created in the packaging trays 5 and/or a replacement gas (mixture) is fed into the packaging trays 5 before the packaging trays 5 are sealed with the top film 9 in a gas-tight seal. As the now sealed packages 13 are further transported in the direction of production P, the packages 13 are separated by means of the cross-wise and longitudinal cutting devices 16 , 17 .
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic vertical cut through an embodiment of a package 13 according to the present disclosure, whereby it is possible to manufacture the package 13 with the packaging machine 1 .
  • the package 13 has a packaging tray 5 that is shaped by means of thermoforming into the packaging film 4 .
  • the packaging film 4 in the depicted embodiment is a packaging film made of a biodegradable plastic, also called bioplastic.
  • this could be PLA (polylactide, polylactic acid).
  • the packaging tray 5 has an inner side 21 and an outer side 22 .
  • only the inner side 21 is provided with a gas barrier layer 23 in the plasma covering station 19 .
  • the gas barrier layer 23 has a thickness of less than a micrometre. It is not sensitive to moisture, i.e., it does not change its characteristics under the influence of moisture.
  • the barrier layer 23 can be made of SiOx or of AlOx.
  • the area of the packaging film 4 provided with the barrier layer 23 has a gas permeability level particularly for oxygen of less than 10 ccm per (m 2 ⁇ 24 hours ⁇ pressure difference [bar]). This guarantees that only a negligibly small amount of oxygen can enter into the package 13 , so that the product 7 contained in the package 13 is given a long shelf-life.
  • a top film 9 is sealed on to the edges 24 of the packaging tray 5 , whereby this top film 9 likewise ensures a gas-tight seal of the package 13 .
  • the packaging machine 1 according to the disclosure, the method according to the disclosure and/or the package 13 according to the disclosure can be changed in many respects.
  • the barrier layer 23 By applying the barrier layer 23 to both sides 21 , 22 of the packaging tray 5 , it is possible to provide a particularly gas-tight package 13 .
  • a covering station 19 can also be arranged downstream of the sealing station 8 , i.e. consequently in between the sealing station 8 and the separating device 16 .
  • This variant is particularly useful in the event that a very thin film is used as the top film 9 , for example, a skin film that does not have a sufficiently high level of form stability until after it has been applied to the packaging tray 5 .
  • the entire outer side of the package 13 can be given a gas barrier layer 23 , i.e., the outer side 22 of the packaging tray 5 and the outer side of the top film 9 .
  • the outer and/or the inner side of the top film 9 i.e., the side of the top film 9 facing away from or towards the packaging tray 5 , is covered with a gas barrier layer 23 .
  • a (further) covering station 19 can be provided in the area of the feed of the top film 9 to the sealing station 8 .
  • an aluminium layer as a gas barrier layer 23 that is applied to the packaging tray 5 and/or the top film 9 by means of vaporization.
  • an aluminium covering Disadvantageous in the case of an aluminium covering, however, is that the areas of the package 13 covered with it are no longer transparent under some conditions.
  • a covering, for example, with aluminium oxide and/or silicone oxide has the advantage, in contrast, that only a maximum of 20 percent loss of transparency occurs, so that the areas of the package 13 provided with the barrier layer 23 still continue to remain transparent.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrappers (AREA)
  • Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
  • Biological Depolymerization Polymers (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
US13/208,593 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Method for packaging, thermoforming machine and package Abandoned US20120037531A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10008471A EP2418150B1 (de) 2010-08-13 2010-08-13 Verfahren zum Verpacken, Tiefziehverpackungsmaschine und Verpackung
EP10008471.4 2010-08-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20120037531A1 true US20120037531A1 (en) 2012-02-16

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/208,593 Abandoned US20120037531A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Method for packaging, thermoforming machine and package

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20120037531A1 (de)
EP (1) EP2418150B1 (de)
ES (1) ES2402262T3 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9365904B2 (en) 2012-05-09 2016-06-14 Longhorn Vaccines And Diagnostics, Llc Ion torrent genomic sequencing
US11186867B2 (en) 2012-05-09 2021-11-30 Longhorn Vaccines And Diagnostics, Llc Next generation genomic sequencing methods

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107098002A (zh) * 2016-05-13 2017-08-29 浙江神翌机械有限公司 一种奶粉胶囊包装机
USD964862S1 (en) 2018-08-21 2022-09-27 Intercontinental Great Brands Llc Tray

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4685274A (en) * 1983-07-12 1987-08-11 Garwood Ltd. Packaging foodstuffs
US5517085A (en) * 1992-10-23 1996-05-14 Jurgen Engemann Apparatus including ring-shaped resonators for producing microwave plasmas
US5662731A (en) * 1992-08-11 1997-09-02 E. Khashoggi Industries Compositions for manufacturing fiber-reinforced, starch-bound articles having a foamed cellular matrix
US7775017B2 (en) * 2006-12-19 2010-08-17 Xerox Corporation Sealing heater

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19600223A1 (de) 1996-01-05 1997-07-17 Ralf Dr Dipl Phys Spitzl Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Plasmen mittels Mikrowellen
GB2373235A (en) * 2001-03-16 2002-09-18 Reckitt Benckiser Composition packaged in film
DE102006048816A1 (de) 2006-10-16 2008-04-17 Iplas Innovative Plasma Systems Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur lokalen Erzeugung von Mikrowellenplasmen
DE102007013698A1 (de) 2006-12-22 2008-06-26 Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller Gmbh & Co. Kg Verpackungsmaschine
WO2008092692A1 (en) * 2007-01-31 2008-08-07 Cfs Bakel B.V. Meat product cooked in a tray
DE102007059189A1 (de) * 2007-12-06 2009-06-10 Wipak Walsrode Gmbh & Co. Kg Wiederverschließbare Verpackung

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4685274A (en) * 1983-07-12 1987-08-11 Garwood Ltd. Packaging foodstuffs
US5662731A (en) * 1992-08-11 1997-09-02 E. Khashoggi Industries Compositions for manufacturing fiber-reinforced, starch-bound articles having a foamed cellular matrix
US5517085A (en) * 1992-10-23 1996-05-14 Jurgen Engemann Apparatus including ring-shaped resonators for producing microwave plasmas
US7775017B2 (en) * 2006-12-19 2010-08-17 Xerox Corporation Sealing heater

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9365904B2 (en) 2012-05-09 2016-06-14 Longhorn Vaccines And Diagnostics, Llc Ion torrent genomic sequencing
US11186867B2 (en) 2012-05-09 2021-11-30 Longhorn Vaccines And Diagnostics, Llc Next generation genomic sequencing methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2402262T3 (es) 2013-04-30
EP2418150B1 (de) 2013-03-06
EP2418150A1 (de) 2012-02-15

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO., GERMANY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RUHLAND, REINHARD;REEL/FRAME:027113/0913

Effective date: 20110901

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION