NL1012346C2 - Packing method for foodstuff under atmosphere, involves performing airtight closing of tray after foil has been sealed along peripheral portion to tray - Google Patents

Abstract

Preservative gases (37,39) are injected to a tray (31) via hollow needles (35) pricked through a foil (25). The tray is closed in airtight state after the foil has been sealed along peripheral portion to the tray. A foodstuff is placed in the tray which is open on one side. The foil is arranged over the open side of the tray, removing air from the tray and sealing the foil along the largest peripheral portion of the open side of the tray. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a packing device for foodstuff; (b) a packaging for packing foodstuff; (c) and a packing system for foodstuff.

Description

Differentiated atmospheric packaging.

DESCRIPTION: 5

Field of the invention.

The invention relates to a method for packaging food under an atmosphere, comprising placing the food in an open tray on one side, applying a foil over the open side of the tray, removing air from the tray and sealing the foil to the tray along at least most of the circumference of the open side of the tray, and introducing a preservative gas into the tray. A tray can be understood to mean both a deep-drawn tray and a pressed tray or any other type of tray.

15

State of the art.

Such a method is known from US patent US 4,831,811. Hereby a tray with two rows of deep drawn trays and a foil which is present over the open sides of the trays is brought into a space. The foil is then sealed to the trays along most of the circumference. Thereafter, the space in the trays is evacuated through the opening at the area of the unsealed portion and preservative gases are introduced into the trays. Finally, the remaining part is sealed and the trays are separated in pairs. Because there are two rows of trays separated by a partition during the process, a different preservative gas can be used in each row. This known method is only suitable for packaging different types of food in one package with deep-drawn trays under two different gas atmospheres.

Summary of the invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a method of the type described in the preamble in 1012346 2 with which it is possible to obtain one package with an in principle unlimited number of containers with different gas atmospheres. To this end, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the preservative gas is injected into the tray via a hollow needle, which is pierced by the foil, after the foil has been sealed to at least the majority of the circumference on the tray, after which the tray gas-tight. By injecting the gas into the containers, a different preservative gas can be introduced into each container of a multipack without any problems.

Preferably, the foil is sealed gastight to the tray under vacuum conditions along the entire circumference of the tray. However, the air present in the tray does not necessarily have to be removed from the tray before injecting the preservative gas. By not sealing the foil to the tray over the entire circumference of the tray, the air present in the tray will be expelled from the tray through the preservation gas during the injection via the opening at the location of the unsealed part. After the injection, the opening must be closed by sealing the foil on the tray at that location.

In a package, various gases can be injected successively via one needle, which subsequently mix in the package. The gases can also be pre-mixed and injected as a mixture through one needle. Several needles can also be placed in a package, whereby a gas is injected via each needle, after which the gases mix in the package.

An embodiment of the method is characterized in that the bin is divided into a main bin and an auxiliary bin which are connected to each other via a bridge, wherein in the bridge there may be a channel between the main bin and the auxiliary bin and the needle at the location of the auxiliary tray is pierced by the foil, and the gas-tight sealing is effected by sealing the foil between the main tray and the auxiliary tray on the bridge. An advantage of this is that the injection needle is prevented from coming into contact with the food in the container.

A further embodiment of the method is characterized in that after the foil has been sealed to the bridge, the auxiliary box is removed from the main box. A package is hereby obtained which has the same appearance as known packages of such products.

Another embodiment of the method is characterized in that the gas-tight sealing of the tray is effected by applying a sticker on the foil at the location where the needle is pierced by the foil. This method is advantageous, among other things, if less stringent requirements are imposed on the appearance of the packaging.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that different types of food are packed in different trays of one package, the different trays being closed by one foil, which foil contains a composition comprising an oxidizable organic compound and a metallic transition catalyst, in which oxidation of the organic compound can be initiated by radiation, and which foil is only partially irradiated at some of the trays.

The said foil is known from European patent application EP-A 0 520 257. The said method of irradiation is known from international patent application WO 99/21699. Both documents are incorporated in the current patent application by this reference. In this way, food to be packaged in an oxygen-depleted environment as well as food to be packaged in an oxygen-containing environment can easily be packed in one package.

It is noted that this method of packaging can also be used separately from the injection method ._____

Yet a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that different types of food are packed in different trays of one package, the different trays being closed by one foil, which foil is placed at the location of one or more of the trays perforated. In this way, food that breathes, such as vegetables, as well as food that does not breath, can easily be packaged in one package. The perforations prevent condensation from forming on the foil, so that the contents would no longer be visible.

It is also noted here that this manner of packaging can be applied separately from the injection method.

The invention also relates to a device for packaging food according to a method according to the invention, comprising a vacutim space and sealing means for sealing a foil on the periphery of a bin open on one side.

As regards the device, the invention is characterized in that the device further comprises injection means for piercing a foil and injecting a preservative gas into a container.

An embodiment of the device is characterized in that the device comprises further sealing means for sealing a foil on a bridge between an auxiliary box and a main box of a box.

Another embodiment of the device is characterized in that the device further comprises separating means for separating an auxiliary bin from a main bin.

The invention further relates to a packaging for packaging food according to the method according to the invention, comprising a tray which is open on one side and closed by a foil which is gastight on the periphery of the open side of the tray. container is sealed, with food and a preservative gas present in the container.

With regard to the packaging, the invention is characterized in that the box is divided into a main box and an auxiliary box which are connected to each other via a bridge, wherein in the bridge there may be a channel between the main box and the auxiliary box, and wherein the foil on the bridge is sealed and the food is in the main bin.

An embodiment of the packaging is characterized in that oxygen is present in the auxiliary tray and at least substantially no oxygen is present in the main tray, wherein at least a part of the sealing seam between the main tray and the auxiliary tray is weaker than the sealing seam around the outer circumference of the main tray and the auxiliary box is either interrupted and tensioned against the bridge at the location of the interruption. The sealing seam between the tanks is preferably so weak that when the foil of the oxygen-containing tank is pressed, the sealing seam breaks due to the increased pressure or the film comes loose from the flange, after which the oxygen is pressed into the tank. As a result, products that cannot be stored for a long time in oxygen-containing atmospheres, but should preferably be sold in oxygen-containing atmospheres, for instance because of the better appearance in this atmosphere, can easily be brought into an oxygen-containing atmosphere without the packaging. open or break through.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the package according to the invention is characterized in that the package comprises several trays with different types of food in them, and one foil with which all trays are closed, which foil contains a composition comprising an oxidizable organic compound and a 10ΐρν / ς 5.

metallic transition catalyst, in which oxidation of the organic compound can be initiated by radiation, and which foil is only partially irradiated at some of the trays, thereby removing oxygen from these trays. The foil and the method of irradiation are here identical to those in the above-described method according to the invention.

It is noted that this packaging can also be used separately from the packaging with a main box and auxiliary box.

Yet a further advantageous embodiment of the package according to the invention is characterized in that the package comprises several trays with 10 different kinds of food in them, and one foil with which all trays are closed, which foil is perforated at one or more of the trays.

It is also noted here that this packaging can be used separately from the packaging with a main box and auxiliary box.

15 Brief description of the drawings.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to illustrative embodiments of the packaging according to the invention shown in the drawings. Herein: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the packaging according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the packaging according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows different process steps for packaging food 25 in a packaging shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the packaging according to the invention; and

Figure 5 shows a cross section of the packaging according to Figure 4 along line A-A. 30 Detailed description of the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the package according to the invention 1012346. The package 1 consists of a tray 3 with four trays 5 which are connected to each other via flanges 7. The trays 5 are closed in a gastight manner by a foil 9 which is sealed to the flanges 7. In the bins 5 there are different products (for the sake of clarity these are not shown) under different atmospheres. The 5 different preservation gases are injected through the foil into the bins via injection needles. The holes 11 of the injection needles are closed by a sticker 13.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the packaging according to the invention. Again, food is packaged under different atmospheres by injecting gas into the trays, but not by inserting the injection needle directly into the tray of food. The package 15 consists of two boxes 17, each of which is divided into a main box 19 and an auxiliary box 21, which are attached to each other via a bridge 23. There is a foil 25 over the trays, which is sealed under vacuum conditions along the periphery of the tray 17 with a main seal 27. The injection needles are then inserted at the location of the auxiliary trays 21 through the foil 25 and the preservation gases are placed in the trays 17 injected. The injected gas flows between the bridge 23 and the foil 25 in the main container 19, in which the food is located. The foil 25 is then sealed to the bridge 23 with an auxiliary seal 29 and the auxiliary tray 21 can be removed if desired.

In figure 3 the different process steps for packaging food in the packaging shown in figure 2 are further shown. Figure 3A shows a tray 31 consisting of main trays 19 and auxiliary trays 21. In the main trays 19 food is already present, which however is not shown for clarity. The tray 31 is located in a vacuum space. Then a foil 25 is applied over the tray 31, see figure 3B. This foil 25 is then sealed gastight around the circumference of a tray 17 by sealing members 33, see figure 3C, wherein between the main tray 19 and the auxiliary tray 21 the foil 25 is not sealed on the bridge 23. Injection needles 35 are then pierced at the location of the auxiliary trays 21 through the foil 25, see figure 3D. Various preservative gases 37, 39 are injected into the auxiliary containers 21 via the injection needles 35. The preservative gases 37, 39 then flow between the bridges 23 and 30 the foil 25 in the main trays 19. In order to prevent the gas pressure in the trays from tearing or destroying the foil 25 from the tray 31, the vacuum of the environment is released. by aerating the space in which the tray 31 is located. Instead of 1012346 7.

to relieve the vacuum, a pressure plate can also be applied to the foil, which compensates for the gas pressure in the bins. Finally, the foil 25 between the main trays 19 and the auxiliary trays 21 on the bridge 23 is sealed by further sealing members 41, see figure 3E. Thereafter, the injection needles 35 are withdrawn and the auxiliary trays 19 of the main trays 21 are cut along lines 43, see Figure 3F, so that the package shown in Figure 2 is obtained. ___

The above-described process can also be performed under normal atmospheric conditions instead of under vacuum. In that case, in the method shown in Figure 3C, the foil 25 is not sealed at the location of the outer 10 sealing members 33 on the tray 31, but the foil remains open at these ends. When the gas is subsequently injected into the drip trays 21, the gas flows into the main trays 19 and the air present in the main trays thereby drives out of the trays through the opening at the location of the foil 25 which has not yet been sealed to the tray 31. The foil is then sealed to the tray 31 at these locations and at the location of the bridges 23 in order to airtightly seal the space in the main trays 19.

Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the packaging according to the invention. This package 45 consists of a tray 47 in which a number of main trays 49 and auxiliary trays 51 are located. Bridges 53 are located between the main trays 49 and the auxiliary trays 51. In these bridges there are channels 55 which connect the spaces in the main trays and auxiliary trays. The main trays 49, the auxiliary trays 51 and the channels 55 are closed at the open top by a foil 57, which is sealed on flanges 59 of the shell 45 and on the bridges 53.

The foil 57 contains an oxidizable organic compound and a metallic transition catalyst. Here, the oxidation of the organic compound can be initiated by irradiating the foil. The foil 57 has been irradiated at two of the main trays. These irradiated parts 61 of the foil 57 have removed the oxygen from the main trays beneath it. At the location of another main bin, the foil 57 is provided with perforations 63, through which the food can breathe in this bin.

For clarity, figure 5 shows a cross-section of the scale 47 shown in figure 4, along line A-A.

Although the invention has been elucidated hereinafter with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments shown in drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiments shown in the drawings within the scope defined by the claims. Thus it is also possible with the method according to the invention to produce a single package with only one container in which one preservative gas is present.

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Claims (17)

A method of packaging food under an atmosphere, comprising placing the food in a one-sided open tray, applying a foil over the open side of the tray, removing air from the tray and sealing the foil to the tray along at least most of the circumference of the open side of the tray, and the introduction of a preservative gas into the tray, characterized in that the preservative gas is pierced through the foil through a hollow needle, is injected into the container after the foil has been sealed to at least a part of the circumference on the container, after which the container is closed in a gastight manner. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the bin is divided into a main bin and an auxiliary bin which are connected to each other via a bridge, wherein in the bridge there is optionally a channel between the main bin and the auxiliary bin and the needle for is pierced by the foil at the location of the auxiliary tray, and the gas-tight sealing is effected by sealing the foil between the main tray and the auxiliary tray on the bridge. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that after the foil has been sealed to the bridge, the auxiliary box is removed from the main box. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas-tight sealing of the tray is effected by applying a sticker on the foil at the location where the needle has been pierced by the foil. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different types of food are packed in different trays of one package, the different trays being closed by one foil, which foil contains a composition comprising an oxidizable organic compound and a metallic transition catalyst wherein oxidation of the organic compound 25 can be initiated by radiation, and which film is only partially irradiated at one or more of the trays. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different types of food are packed in different trays of one package, the different trays being closed by one foil, which foil is perforated at the location of one or more of the trays . Method for packaging different types of food under different atmospheres, characterized in that the different types of food are packed in 1012346 different trays of one package, the different trays being closed by one foil, which foil contains a composition comprising a oxidizable organic compound and a metallic transition catalyst, wherein oxidation of the organic compound can be initiated by radiation, and which film is only partially irradiated at one or more of the trays. Method for packaging different kinds of food under different atmospheres, characterized in that different kinds of food are packed in different trays of one package, the different trays being closed by one foil, which foil is present at one or more of the bins is perforated. 9. Device for packaging food according to a method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a vacuum space and sealing means for sealing a foil on the periphery of a bin open on one side, characterized in that the device further comprises injection means for piercing a foil and injecting a preservative gas into a container. Device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises further sealing means for sealing a foil on a bridge between an auxiliary box and a main box of a box. 11. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the device further comprises separating means for separating an auxiliary bin from a main bin. 12. Packaging for packaging food according to a method according to claim 2, 3, 5 or 6, comprising a tray which is open on one side and the other sides of which are completely closed, which tray is closed on the open side by a foil sealed gastight to the tray along the periphery of the open side of the tray, wherein food and a preservative gas are present in the tray, characterized in that the tray is divided into a main tray and an auxiliary tray which is connected via a bridge with are connected to each other, wherein in the bridge there is optionally a channel between the main bin and the auxiliary bin, and wherein the foil is sealed to the bridge and the food is present in the main bin. 13. Packaging according to claim 11, characterized in that oxygen is present in the auxiliary tray and at least substantially no oxygen is present in the main tray, 1012346 wherein at least part of the sealing seam between the main tray and the auxiliary tray is weaker than the sealing seam around the outer circumference of the main and auxiliary boxes or is interrupted and is tensioned against the bridge at the location of the interruption. 14. Package according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the package comprises several trays with different types of food in them, and one foil with which all trays are closed, which foil contains a composition comprising an oxidizable organic compound and a metallic transition catalyst, wherein oxidation of the organic compound can be initiated by radiation, and which foil is only partially irradiated at one or more of the trays thereby removing oxygen from these trays. Packaging for packaging food according to a method according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that the packaging comprises several trays with different types of food in them, and one foil with which all trays are closed, which foil at the location of one or more of the bins are perforated. Packaging for packaging food according to a method according to claim 7, characterized in that the packaging comprises several trays with different types of food in them, and one foil with which all trays are closed, which foil contains a composition comprising an oxidizable organic compound and a metallic transition catalyst, wherein oxidation of the organic compound 20 can be initiated by radiation, and which foil is only partially irradiated at one or more of the trays, thereby removing oxygen from these trays. Packaging for packaging food according to a method according to claim 8, characterized in that the packaging comprises several trays with different types of food in them, and one foil with which all trays are closed, which foil at the location of one or more of the bins are perforated. 101234®