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EP2157030A1 - Verfahren zum Ventilschutz bei der Hitzebehandlung und atmungsaktiver Beutel mit dem Ventilschutzmechanismus - Google Patents

Verfahren zum Ventilschutz bei der Hitzebehandlung und atmungsaktiver Beutel mit dem Ventilschutzmechanismus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2157030A1
EP2157030A1 EP08447041A EP08447041A EP2157030A1 EP 2157030 A1 EP2157030 A1 EP 2157030A1 EP 08447041 A EP08447041 A EP 08447041A EP 08447041 A EP08447041 A EP 08447041A EP 2157030 A1 EP2157030 A1 EP 2157030A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
self
packaging
protection
venting
valve
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08447041A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Helmar Utz
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.)
Amcor Flexibles Transpac BVBA
Original Assignee
Amcor Flexibles Transpac BVBA
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 Amcor Flexibles Transpac BVBA filed Critical Amcor Flexibles Transpac BVBA
Priority to EP08447041A priority Critical patent/EP2157030A1/de
Priority to PCT/EP2009/053911 priority patent/WO2010020436A1/en
Publication of EP2157030A1 publication Critical patent/EP2157030A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/225—Pressure relief-valves incorporated in a container wall, e.g. valves comprising at least one elastic element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
    • B65D81/3446—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
    • B65D81/3461—Flexible containers, e.g. bags, pouches, envelopes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to self-venting packaging, in particular to a method for the protection of overpressure valves on packaging that will be subjected to a heat treatment in autoclaves.
  • microwave heating is the preferred way to reheat this kind of meals.
  • conventional trays or pouches have to be at least partially opened or for instance perforated to allow the steam to escape when the meal becomes hot and the contained water transforms to vapour.
  • valve systems integrated in the packaging in the laminate, add-ons or additional seals
  • These systems have advantages like a steam-cooking effect, less humidity loss or an indication that the product is hot by an opening noise of the valve.
  • WO 2004/048225 describes a valve system which is integrated in the laminate and opens in a non-destructive way via steam pressure building up in the pack during heating.
  • valves are described which are for example sealed on a lidding film.
  • the valves can open and close in a non-destructive way as well at a defined overpressure in the packaging.
  • Those systems are sensitive and open at overpressures typically well below 100 mbar and as the tightness of the valve is based for instance on a liquid between two films or a gasket. Therefore, those valve systems are not suitable for sterilisation in an autoclave as for shelf-stable products since any stronger deformation caused by mechanical forces or by heat can cause burst packs.
  • the basic request for a self-venting pack is to open at temperatures above 100°C by the water vapour pressure inside the pack created during microwave heating.
  • the opening pressure of the valve has to be significantly lower than the burst pressure of the pack under the same conditions, otherwise the pack would break.
  • the temperature in an autoclave is typically higher than 121°C ( Buchner N.:maschine von Strukturn, Berlin: Springer, 1999 ).
  • an appropriate counterpressure is generally applied.
  • the counterpressure has to be adjusted in order to avoid the blowing up and collapsing of the packs as much as possible to prevent any damage (Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association Group: Guidelines on good manufacturing practice for heat processed flexible packaging , Guidelines No. 50, Chipping Campden: 2006).
  • the right filling - not too much air and/or product - as well as an appropriate positioning of the packs in the retort trays is essential as this can create uncontrolled overpressure inside the packs. It is therefore difficult to regulate all the parameters to avoid any opening of self-venting pouches.
  • valve systems for retort applications have nevertheless higher opening overpressures (significantly above 100 mbar) because of the compromise between functionality (opening in the microwave at lower pressure) and potential risk of preopening during the sterilisation process.
  • the present invention aims to provide a solution that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular a method for the protection of overpressure valves on shelf-stable self-venting packs subjected to a sterilizing heat treatment.
  • the present invention also discloses a packaging comprising a one-way valve protection clamp for a sterilizing heat treatment, said packaging keeping its self-venting function after unlocking the clamp.
  • the present invention discloses a method for the protection of self-venting packaging for shelf-stable products that will be subjected to a heat treatment process in an autoclave, said packaging comprising an overpressure valve, said method comprising the steps of maintaining the overpressure valve closed by protection means during the heat treatment process.
  • the present invention also discloses a self-venting packaging for shelf-stable products that will be subjected to a heat treatment in an autoclave, said packaging comprising an overpressure valve and a one-way protection means which, in use, protects said overpressure valve against opening.
  • Figure 1 shows an open self-venting pouch with overpressure valve and a typical positioning of filled pouches in a tray.
  • Figure 2 shows stacked trays with pouches, the overpressure valve being protected with brackets.
  • Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a compartment of one pouch between two trays with brackets to prevent damage to the overpressure valve.
  • Figure 4 shows a stand-up pouch with steam valve and removable protection plates cooperating via an interlock mechanism.
  • Figure 5 shows protection plates as during retort and after breaking the activation lock (deactivating of the interlock mechanism) to remove the upper plate before microwave heating.
  • Figure 6 shows a stand-up pouch with steam valve and a valve-protection clamp with a handle - opened for microwave heating and a detailed view of the open clamp with handle.
  • Figure 7 shows a profile view (A-A) of the detailed view of Figure 6 of a closed protection clamp.
  • Figure 8 shows a view of a reusable clamp arranged on the self-venting valve of the packaging as well as a profile view (B-B) of said reusable clamp.
  • any heavy expansion of a self-venting pouch can damage the valve 4 according to the same mechanism than in a microwave oven.
  • a potential damage of a valve during the sterilisation process in an autoclave can be prevented by modifying the sterilisation process according to the present invention, namely by mechanically protecting the overpressure valve.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show how pouches 1 for sterilisation are typically placed in trays 6 and how the trays are stacked 7 before going into the autoclave.
  • pouches are placed between two trays 6 and every pouch 1 has a limited space for movements as caused by expansion for instance.
  • brackets 8 fixed to the trays on both sides next to the valve that prevent a movement of the pouch around the valve opening area and therefore a damage of the valve 4 as shown in Fig. 3 .
  • Another embodiment of the present invention is to apply reusable protection means 17 directly on the pouch around the valve zone to prevent expansion in the sensitive area, before placing the pouches into the trays 6.
  • the mechanical protection means 17 can be applied before and removed after sterilisation, this embodiment is represented in Fig. 8 .
  • the protection means 11 are part of the packaging and protects them during sterilisation and remains on it after sterilisation. In this case, the end user breaks the protection off before he heats it up in a microwave oven.
  • the protection means are one-way clamps or one-way cooperating plates with an interlock mechanism (9,10,16,18).
  • the clamp comprises a handle 14 allowing the end user to take the pouch out of the microwave oven without burning danger.
  • a one-way clamp can be made of any heat-resistant material, but preferred materials for such clamps are polypropylene, polyester, polycarbonate and polyamide.
  • the pouches 1 were filled with 250ml water to be processed in an autoclave.
  • the headspace (air) was kept as small as possible ( ⁇ 50ml). In some pouches the headspace was kept around 100ml to test the effect during sterilisation.
  • Pouches with a headspace below 50ml and around 100ml were sterilised in an autoclave (Varioklav Typ 400EC) at 125°C for 30 minutes by using standard trays (6 compartments). The counterpressure was regulated to 2.5 bar. While the pouches with the low headspace withstand the retort process without any damage, the valve 4 of the other pouches opened.
  • the pouches were sterilised under the same conditions as in Example 1.
  • the pouches with the 100ml headspace showed an intact valve after the removal of the clamp 17.
  • the mechanical protection means can also stay on the pouch as described above and be used as a handle.
  • the pouches were sterilised under the same conditions as in Example 1.
  • the pouches with the 100ml headspace showed an intact valve after removal of the clamp 11.
  • the upper plate 12 was removed while the activation lock 9 was broken.
  • the pouch was placed in a microwave oven for 2 minutes at 700W and the overpressure valve operated normally and opened after 1.5 minutes.
  • the method of the present invention allows to produce sterilised shelf-stable goods in packs and in particular self-venting pouches without additional waste rate and risk in food safety comparable with standard retort pouches.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Food Preservation Except Freezing, Refrigeration, And Drying (AREA)
EP08447041A 2008-08-19 2008-08-19 Verfahren zum Ventilschutz bei der Hitzebehandlung und atmungsaktiver Beutel mit dem Ventilschutzmechanismus Withdrawn EP2157030A1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08447041A EP2157030A1 (de) 2008-08-19 2008-08-19 Verfahren zum Ventilschutz bei der Hitzebehandlung und atmungsaktiver Beutel mit dem Ventilschutzmechanismus
PCT/EP2009/053911 WO2010020436A1 (en) 2008-08-19 2009-04-02 Method for valve protection during heat-treatment process and self-venting pouches with valve-protection mechanism

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08447041A EP2157030A1 (de) 2008-08-19 2008-08-19 Verfahren zum Ventilschutz bei der Hitzebehandlung und atmungsaktiver Beutel mit dem Ventilschutzmechanismus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2157030A1 true EP2157030A1 (de) 2010-02-24

Family

ID=39870211

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08447041A Withdrawn EP2157030A1 (de) 2008-08-19 2008-08-19 Verfahren zum Ventilschutz bei der Hitzebehandlung und atmungsaktiver Beutel mit dem Ventilschutzmechanismus

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2157030A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2010020436A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016096951A1 (en) * 2014-12-18 2016-06-23 Micvac Ab Method and device for cooking and/or pasteurization of foodstuff

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1357054A1 (de) 2002-04-23 2003-10-29 Wipf AG Mikrowellentaugliche Lebensmittelverpackung mit peelfähiger Deckelfolie und Druckventil
EP1422163A1 (de) * 2002-11-22 2004-05-26 Amcor Flexibles Europe A/S Lebensmittelverpackung zur Erwärmung in einem Ofen

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1357054A1 (de) 2002-04-23 2003-10-29 Wipf AG Mikrowellentaugliche Lebensmittelverpackung mit peelfähiger Deckelfolie und Druckventil
EP1422163A1 (de) * 2002-11-22 2004-05-26 Amcor Flexibles Europe A/S Lebensmittelverpackung zur Erwärmung in einem Ofen
WO2004048225A1 (en) 2002-11-22 2004-06-10 Amcor Flexibles Europe A/S Food package for heating in an oven

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
BUCHNER N.: "Verpackung von Lebensmitteln", 1999, SPRINGER

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016096951A1 (en) * 2014-12-18 2016-06-23 Micvac Ab Method and device for cooking and/or pasteurization of foodstuff

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010020436A1 (en) 2010-02-25

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