Patent Application
20240270469
The present invention relates to a package, in particular for containing products, for example of a food type. The invention also relates to a process and a relative apparatus for manufacturing the mentioned package using a plastic film. The invention may have application in vacuum packaging or in controlled atmosphere packaging of products of various type.
In the food packaging field, plastic films are used to form packages. The plastic film wraps and protects the product also allowing the consumer to see the product and thus visually assess product features such as size, shape, and quality of the product. Plastic packages used in the packaging of food include a bag of plastic material into which the food product is inserted. The plastic bag is then sealed.
Although plastic bags are widely used, prior art solutions suffer from a number of drawbacks.
Primarily, plastic foils used to wrap products are generally relatively thick in order to provide a resistant enclosure for the product, thus resulting in the generation of relevant quantities of waste material. Additionally, plastic wraps used to package products are often difficult to open or require relatively complex designs in order to offer a package with a facilitated opening system. Finally, plastic material used to wrap products often results in packages of scarce aesthetic properties and/or not susceptible of receiving prints.
The object of the present invention is to solve the drawbacks and/or limitations of the above prior art.
A first object of the invention is to provide a package having an effective facilitated opening system to allow the user a simple and quick opening of the package.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a package that provides the user with a visual or tactile perception of the facilitated opening system.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a package substantially in the form of a plastic bag using a reduced quantity of plastic, yet guaranteeing and efficient and robust packaging.
Another object of the invention is a package of simple and cost-effective structure which at the same time can ensure a convenient and stable handling of the package during the opening of the latter.
An additional object is that of offering a package suitable for carrying prints, drawings, images and the like.
A yet further object is to provide process and apparatus for effectively making the mentioned package.
These and yet other objects, which will become more apparent from the following description, are substantially achieved by a package, an apparatus and a related process for manufacturing the package according to one or more of the accompanying claims and/or the following aspects.
A 1st aspect concerns a package comprising:
In a 2nd aspect according to the 1st aspect the package comprises a tab (10) coupled with the at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of the plastic bag (2).
In a 3rd aspect according to the 2nd aspect the tab (10) includes an easy opening feature (11) at one or more of its perimeter edges.
In a 4th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the tab (10) is a body distinct from the plastic bag (2).
In a 5th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the easy opening feature (11) is a notch, a cut, or a weakening line extending across a portion of the tab (10).
In a 6th aspect according to the 5th aspect the notch, cut or weakening line is oriented towards said seat (3).
In a 7th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of the plastic bag (2) comprises mutually facing ends of the plastic film walls (4) connected by said at least one sealing band (5; 5, 13; 5a, 13a).
In a 8th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the plastic bag (2) is made from a plastic sheet (i.e. from one plastic element in sheet form which may be formed by one layer or by multiple overlapping layers attached to each other) bent along a bend zone (7) forming two mutually facing plastic film walls (4) having first ends connected at the bend zone (7) and second ends, opposed to the first ends and distal with respect to the bend zone (7), with said product located in a volume (V) between said first ends and said second ends of the mutually facing plastic film walls (4).
In a 9th aspect according to the preceding aspect the bend zone is in the form of a fold line.
In a 10th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the at least one connecting zone is a connecting zone (6) including:
In an 11th aspect according to the 8th or 9th aspect the at least one connecting zone (6a, 6b) comprises:
In a 12th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the at least one sealing band (5; 5, 13; 5a; 5a, 13a) extends along or adjacent to or parallel to a peripheral border (9) of the opposed plastic film walls (4).
In a 13th aspect according to the preceding aspect the easy opening feature (11) is oriented transversally, optionally is perpendicular, to the at least one sealing band (5, 5; 13; 5a, 5a, 13a).
In a 14th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 13th each of the wall portions (4a) presents an inner surface, facing the inner surface of the opposed wall portion, and an opposed outer surface, wherein:
In a 15th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 14th each of the wall portions (4a) presents an inner surface, facing the inner surface of the opposed wall portion, and an opposed outer surface, wherein:
In a 16th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 14th each of the wall portions (4a) presents an inner surface, facing the inner surface of the opposed wall portion, and an opposed outer surface, wherein:
In a 17th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 14th each of the wall portions (4a) presents an inner surface, facing the inner surface of the opposed wall portion, and an opposed outer surface, wherein:
In an 18th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 17th:
In a 19th aspect according to the preceding aspect, first alternative, wherein the least one sealing band comprises a first sealing band (5; 5a) and a second sealing band (13; 13a) positioned at the connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) and located at a distance the one from the other, with the tab (10) being, on its turn, positioned between the first sealing band (5; 5a) and the second sealing band (13; 13a) in particular wherein the first and second sealing bands are parallel to each other.
In a 20th aspect according to the preceding aspect:
In a 21st aspect according to the preceding aspect the easy opening feature (11), in particular the notch or the cut or weakening line, extends from an edge (12) of the tab (10) distal with respect to the bend zone (7).
In a 22nd aspect according to the 19th aspect:
In a 23rd aspect according to the preceding aspect the easy opening feature (11), in particular the notch or the cut or weakening line, extends from an edge (12) of the tab (10) proximal with respect to the bend zone (7).
In a 24th aspect according to the 18th aspect, first alternative:
In a 25th aspect according to the preceding aspect the easy opening feature (11), in particular the notch or the cut or weakening line, extends from an edge (12) of the tab (10) proximal with respect to the bend zone (7).
In a 26th aspect according to the 18th aspect, second alternative, the least one sealing band comprises a sealing band (5; 5a), in particular a single sealing band, positioned at the connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) with the tab (10) being fixed, in particular adhesively or heat bonded, onto the sealing band (5, 5a).
In a 27th aspect according to the preceding aspect:
In a 28th aspect according to the preceding aspect the easy opening feature (11), in particular the notch or the cut or weakening line, extends from an edge (12) of the tab (10) proximal with respect to the bend zone (7).
In a 29th aspect according to the 26th aspect:
In a 30th aspect according to the preceding aspect the easy opening feature (11), in particular the notch or the cut or weakening line, extends from an edge (12) of the tab (10) distal with respect to the bend zone (7).
In a 31st aspect according to any one of aspects from the 2nd to the 30th, the tab (10) comprises:
In a 32nd aspect according to any one of aspects from the 2nd to the 30th, the tab (10) comprises:
In a 33rd aspect according to any one of aspects from the 2nd to the 30th, the tab (10) comprises:
In a 34th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the plastic bag (2) is a vacuumized bag wherein inner surfaces of the film wall portions (4a) adhere to the product (P).
In a 35th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the at least one sealing band (5; 5, 13; 5a; 5a, 13a) has a length in a direction of prevalent development and has a width measured perpendicular to the direction of prevalent development which is significantly smaller than the length.
In a 36th aspect according to the preceding aspect the easy opening feature (11) present in the tab (10), in particular the notch or weakening line, extends above at least 25%, or at least 50%, of the width of the sealing band (5; 5, 13; 5a; 5a, 13a).
In a 37th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the bag is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 2% to 80% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In a 38th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the bag is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 5% to 60% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In a 39th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the bag is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 10% to 40% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In a 40th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 39th the tab (10) is made, in particular entirely made, of paper.
In a 41st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 39th the tab (10) is made, in particular entirely made, of paperboard.
In a 42nd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 39th the tab (10) is made, in particular entirely made, of non-heat-shrinkable plastic material.
In a 43rd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 39th the tab (10) is made, in particular entirely made of PE.
In a 44th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the bag is made of plastic film material having thickness comprised between 10 and 60 μm.
In a 45th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the bag is made of plastic film material having thickness comprised between 15 and 45 μm.
In a 46th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the bag is made of plastic film material having thickness comprised between 20 and 35 μm.
In a 47th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 46th the tab (10) has thickness greater than the thickness of the plastic film material forming the plastic bag (2).
In a 48th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 47th the thickness of the tab (10) is between 35 and 400 μm.
In a 49th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 48th the tab (10) comprises a first and second flap, adjacent to each other, and wherein said easy opening feature (11) extends in correspondence of a tab intermediate region between the first and second flaps.
In a 50th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 49th said easy opening feature (11) is a notch.
In a 51st aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 49th said easy opening feature (11) is a cut.
In a 52nd aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 2nd to the 49th said easy opening feature (11) is a weakening line.
In a 52nd aspect according to any one of the preceding four aspects said first and second flaps are operable by a user to move from a substantially coplanar condition to an angularly offset apart condition, wherein moving the first and second flaps to the angularly offset condition causes propagation of a fracture line from the easy opening feature (11) across the tab (10) and then formation of a rupture across the plastic bag connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b).
In a 53rd aspect according to any one of the preceding five aspects said first and second flaps are operable by a user to move from a substantially coplanar condition to an angularly offset and teared apart condition, wherein moving the first and second flaps to the angularly offset and teared apart condition causes propagation of a fracture line from the easy opening feature (11) across the tab (10) and then formation of a rupture across the plastic bag connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b).
In a 54th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 49th to the 52nd said first and second flaps are operable by a user to move from a substantially coplanar condition to a teared apart condition, wherein moving the first and second flaps to the teared apart condition causes propagation of a fracture line from the easy opening feature (11) across the tab (10) and then formation of a rupture across the plastic bag connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b).
In a 55th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the plastic bag (2) comprises a further easy opening feature (14), which is formed in the plastic material of the plastic bag (2).
In a 56th aspect according to the 55th aspect the further easy opening feature (14) is a further notch.
In a 57th aspect according to the 55th aspect the further easy opening feature (14) is a further cut.
In a 58th aspect according to the 55th aspect the further easy opening feature (14) is a further weakening line.
In a 59th aspect according to any one of the preceding four aspects the further easy opening feature (14) is formed in the plastic material of the plastic bag (2) and extends from a peripheral border (9) of the plastic bag (2).
In a 60th aspect according to any one of the preceding five aspects the further easy opening feature (14) is either adjacent to the connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of the plastic bag (2) or partly crosses the connecting zone (6).
In a 61st aspect according to any one of the preceding six aspects the further easy opening feature (14) partly or completely crosses at least one sealing band (5; 5, 13; 5a; 5a, 13a) of the plastic bag (2).
In a 62nd aspect according to any one of the preceding seven aspects the further easy opening feature (14), in particular the further notch or further cut or further weakening line is oriented towards said seat (3).
In a 63rd aspect according to any one of the preceding eight aspects the further easy opening feature (14), in particular the further notch or further cut or further weakening line is aligned with said notch or cut or weakening line present in the tab (10).
In a 64th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the plastic bag (2) joined together at the connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) and also joined together at side edges by transverse sealing bands (8) extending from the bend zone (7) to the at least one sealing band (5).
A 65th aspect concerns a process of making packages each containing at least one respective product (P).
A 66th aspect concerns a process of making packages wherein each package is according to any one of aspects from the 1st to the 64th.
A 67th aspect concerns a process of making packages according to any one of the preceding two aspects comprising:
In a 68th aspect according to any one of the preceding three aspects the process comprises a step of positioning a respective tab (10) in correspondence of the at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag (2).
In a 69th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the 67th the process comprises a step of positioning a respective tab (10) in correspondence of an area of the plastic film (23) destined to form said at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag (2).
In a 70th aspect according to any one of the preceding three aspects the products (P) to be packaged are advanced along the operating path together with the plastic film (23), the plastic film (23) being positioned around the products (P) before formation of the plastic bags (2).
In a 71st aspect according to any one of the preceding four aspects the operating path is horizontal or vertical.
In a 72nd aspect according to any one of the preceding five aspects the plastic film (23) is a continuous plastic film, optionally unrolled from a feed roll (24), which is shaped into a tubular or in an almost tubular film structure receiving the products (P).
In a 73rd aspect according to the preceding aspect the process comprises forming on the tubular or almost tubular film structure transversal seals (8), oriented transversally to a direction of advancement of the film along the operating path, to define the plurality of consecutive plastic bags (2), which are positioned adjacent to each other along said operating path.
In a 74th aspect according to the preceding aspect each of said consecutive plastic bags (2) delimits a respective seat (3) and is in the form of a semi-sealed bag which has at least one opening.
In a 75th aspect according to the preceding aspect the process comprises a step of withdrawing gas from said semi-sealed plastic bags (2) through said opening and then a step of sealingly close the semi-sealed plastic bags to form sealingly closed plastic bags (2).
In a 76th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 67th to the preceding aspect forming the plurality of plastic bags (2) comprises forming a plurality of consecutively interconnected bags.
In a 77th aspect according to the preceding aspect forming a plurality of consecutively interconnected bags comprises first forming semi-sealed interconnected bags and then closing the semi-sealed interconnected bags to form sealingly closed interconnected bags; and wherein the products (P) to be packaged are inserted in the semi-sealed interconnected bags before formation of the closed interconnected bags.
In a 78th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 67th to the preceding aspect the process comprises forming said at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag (2) for sealingly closing semi-sealed plastic bags and form sealingly closed plastic bags.
In a 79th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 67th to the preceding aspect the process comprises forming said at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag (2) for sealingly closing semi-sealed plastic bags and form sealingly closed interconnected plastic bags (2).
In a 80th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 67th to the preceding aspect the process comprises positioning the respective tab (10) in correspondence of an area of the plastic film destined to form said connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag (2) by placing the respective tab (10) between mutually facing wall portions of the plastic film (23) before forming the plastic bags such that each respective tab (10), once the plastic bags are formed, is sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the opposed wall portions (4a) of the corresponding plastic bag (2).
In a 81st aspect according to any one of aspects from the 67th to 79th the process comprises positioning the respective tab (10) in correspondence of the connecting zone (6) of each plastic bag (2) by placing the respective tab (10) after having sealingly closed each plastic bag.
In a 82nd aspect according to the 79th aspect the process comprises positioning the respective tab (10) in correspondence of the connecting zone (6) of each plastic bag (2) by placing the respective tab (10) after having sealingly closed each plastic bag and after having separated the interconnected plastic bags (2) from each other.
In an 83rd aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects each tab (10) is fixed, in particular adhesively or heat bonded, to the outer surface one or both of the opposed wall portions (4a) of each plastic bag (2).
In an 84th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 80th to the 83rd each tab (10) is positioned as a discrete tab in correspondence of:
In an 85th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 80th to the 83rd each tab (10) is positioned as a discrete tab in correspondence of:
In an 86th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 80th to the 83rd each tab (10) is positioned as a discrete tab in correspondence of:
In an 87th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects from the 80th to the 86th each tab (10) is a portion of a continuous longitudinal strip which is fed along the operating path in synchrony with said plastic film (23), consecutive portions of said continuous strip destined to form respective tabs (10) being positioned in correspondence of the connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of the respective plastic bag (2) or of a respective area of plastic film destined to form the connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of a plastic bag (2).
In an 88th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) is a heat-shrinkable plastic film.
In an 89th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) is a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 2% to 80% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In a 90th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) is a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 5% to 60% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In a 91st aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) is a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 10% to 40% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In a 92nd aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the process includes heat treating the portion of each plastic bag where a/said seat (3) for a respective product (P) is defined to heat shrink said portion of each consecutive bag around the respective product (P).
In a 93rd aspect according to the preceding aspect said step of heat treating the portion of each plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined does not involve heat treating the portion of each plastic bag adjacent to said seat (3) and destined to form said connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) to which the tab (10) is coupled which is maintained thermally insulated from any heat source or sources used to heat treat the portion of each plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined, such that the portion of each plastic bag destined to form the connecting zone is not heat shrunk or is heat shrunk significantly less than the portion where said seat (6) is defined.
In a 94th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the step of heat treating takes place before or during step of withdrawing gas from said plastic bags (2) through said opening and before sealingly close the semi-sealed plastic bags (2) and forming sealed bags (2).
In a 95th aspect according to any one of the preceding three aspects said step of heat treating is achieved using hot air, optionally hot air at a temperature comprised between 130° C. and 160° C.
In a 96th aspect according to any one of the preceding four aspects the process comprises a further step of heat treating, which takes place after sealingly closing the plastic bags, in particular interconnected plastic bags (2), and with the tab (10) fixed to the respective connecting zone (6) of each plastic bag (2); said further step of heat treating exclusively heat treating the at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each bag to heat shrink the same connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b).
In a 97th aspect according to the preceding aspect said further step of heat treating is achieved using a heated belt acting in contact on the at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag or of each interconnected plastic bag.
In a 98th aspect according to the preceding aspect said further step of heat treating is achieved using a pair of heated belts acting on opposite sides of the connecting zone of each plastic bag or of each interconnected plastic bag.
In a 99th aspect according to the preceding aspect each heated belt has a width (measured perpendicular to the direction of movement of the belt) of at least 10 mm.
In a 100th aspect according to the preceding aspect each heated belt has a width, comprised between 20 and 40 mm.
In a 101st aspect according to any one of the preceding six aspects said further step of heat treating is achieved using hot air.
In a 102nd aspect according to the preceding aspect said further step of heat treating is achieved using hot air at a temperature comprised between 130° C. and 160° C.
In a 103rd aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the process comprises heat treating the plastic bags (2), or the packages, offline at a dedicated heat treatment station, using hot air and/or hot liquid to treat the entire plastic bag (2) or package.
In a 104th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the tab (10) is a made, in particular entirely made, of paper.
In a 105th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the 103rd the tab (10) is a made, in particular entirely made, of paperboard.
In a 106th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the 103rd the tab (10) is a made, in particular entirely made of non-heat-shrinkable plastic material
In a 107th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the 103rd the tab (10) is a made, in particular entirely made, of PE.
In a 108th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the tab (10) has thickness greater than the thickness of the plastic film.
In a 109th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the thickness of the tab (10) is between 35 and 400 μm.
In a 110th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) has thickness comprised between 10 and 60 μm.
In a 111th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) has thickness comprised between 15 and 45 μm.
In a 112th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 65th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) has thickness comprised between 20 and 35 μm.
A 113th aspect concerns a process of making packages comprising:
In a 114th aspect according to the preceding aspect the step of applying a vacuum starts after initiation of said step of heat treating said portion of the plastic bag (2) where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 115th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the step of applying a vacuum starts after initiation of shrinking of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 116th aspect according to any one of the preceding three aspects the step of applying a vacuum starts during heat-treating of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 117th aspect according to any one of the preceding four aspects the step of applying a vacuum starts during shrinking of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 118th aspect according to any one of the preceding five aspects the process provides that, for each plastic bag (2), the step of applying a vacuum to extract gas from said portion of the plastic bag where the seat (3) is defined and the step of heat treating said same portion of the same plastic bag (2) take place together at least during a time period.
In a 119th aspect according to the preceding aspect the process provides that, for each plastic bag (2), the step of applying a vacuum to extract gas from said portion of the plastic bag where the seat (3) is defined and the step of heat treating said same portion of the same plastic bag (2) take place together at least during a time period before the step of sealingly close the plastic bag.
In a 120th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects, said time period is comprised between 0.2 and 2 seconds.
In a 121st aspect according to any one of the preceding eight aspects the step of applying a vacuum starts after completion of the step of heat-treating of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 122nd aspect according to any one of the preceding nine aspects the step of applying a vacuum starts after having shrunk said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 123rd aspect according to any one of the preceding ten aspects the step of applying a vacuum lasts until after conclusion of said step of heat-treating of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 124th aspect according to any one of the preceding eleven aspects the step of applying a vacuum lasts until after at least 1 second after conclusion of said step of heat-treating of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 125th aspect according to any one of the preceding twelve aspects the step of applying a vacuum lasts until after 2 seconds after conclusion of said step of heat-treating of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 126th aspect according to any one of the preceding thirteen aspects the step of applying a vacuum lasts until after conclusion of said shrinking of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 127th aspect according to any one of the preceding fourteen aspects the step of applying a vacuum lasts until after at least 1 second after conclusion said shrinking of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 128th aspect according to any one of the preceding fifteen aspects the step of applying a vacuum lasts until after 2 seconds after conclusion of said shrinking of said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In 129th aspect according to any one of the preceding sixteen aspects the step of applying a vacuum is obtained by applying a vacuum at the at least one opening which determines a suction of gas through said at least one opening of each plastic bag (2).
In 130th aspect according to any one of the preceding seventeen aspects the plastic film (23) is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 2% to 80% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In 131st aspect according to any one of the preceding eighteen aspects the plastic film (23) is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 50% to 70% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In 132nd aspect according to any one of the preceding nineteen aspects the plastic film (23) is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 10% to 40% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In 133rd aspect according to any one of the preceding twenty aspects the products (P) to be packaged are advanced along the operating path together with the plastic film (23), the plastic film (23) being positioned around the products (P) before formation of the plastic bags.
In 134th aspect according to any one of the preceding twenty-one aspects forming the plurality of plastic bags comprises:
In 135th aspect according to any one of the preceding twenty-two aspects the operating path is horizontal or vertical.
In 136th aspect according to any one of the preceding twenty-three aspects together with said step of applying a vacuum the process provides for applying an external compressive pressure, optionally by means of a mechanical presser (such as a foam cushion), at least to the portion of the bag defining said seat (3) in order to further promote evacuation of gas through said at least one opening of each bag (29).
In 137th aspect according to any one of the preceding twenty-four aspects the plastic film (23) is a continuous plastic film, optionally unrolled from a feed roll (24), which is shaped into a tubular or in an almost tubular film structure receiving the products (P).
In a 138th aspect according to the preceding aspect the process comprises forming on the tubular or almost tubular film structure transversal seals (8), oriented transversally to a direction of advancement of the film along the operating path, to define the/a plurality of adjacent plastic bags (2) (which may be disconnected adjacent bags or interconnected bags), which are positioned one next to the other along said operating path.
In a 139th aspect according to the preceding aspect said plurality of adjacent bags are formed as semi-sealed plastic bag, each delimiting a respective seat (3) and having at least one opening, and wherein the step of extracting gas from said semi-sealed plastic bags (2) withdraws gas through said opening and then the step of sealingly close the semi-sealed plastic bags to form sealed plastic bags (2) takes place.
In a 140th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the process includes forming at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag (2) for sealingly closing the semi-sealed plastic bags.
In a 141st aspect according to any one of aspects from the 113rd to the preceding aspects wherein said step of heat treating is achieved using hot air.
In a 142nd aspect according to the preceding aspect wherein said step of heat treating is achieved by using hot air at a temperature comprised between 130° C. and 160° C., in particular wherein said hot air is blown at least towards said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 143rd aspect according to any one of aspects from the 113rd to the preceding aspect the steps of
A 144th aspect concerns a process of making packages comprising:
In a 145th aspect according to the preceding aspect the steps
In a 146th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the step of applying a vacuum starts after initiation of said step of heat treating said portion of the plastic film and/or the step of applying a vacuum starts after initiation of shrinking of said portion of the plastic film.
In 147th aspect according to any one of the preceding three aspects the step of applying a vacuum is obtained by applying a vacuum at the at least one opening which determines a suction of gas through said at least one opening of each plastic bag (2).
In 148th aspect according to any one of the preceding four aspects the plastic film (23) is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 2% to 80% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In 149th aspect according to any one of the preceding five aspects the plastic film (23) is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 50% to 70% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In 150th aspect according to any one of the preceding six aspects the plastic film (23) is made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 10% to 40% in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
In 151st aspect according to any one of the preceding seven aspects the products (P) to be packaged are advanced along the operating path together with the plastic film (23), the plastic film (23) being positioned around the products (P) before formation of the plastic bags.
In 152nd aspect according to any one of the preceding eight aspects forming the plurality of plastic bags comprises:
In 153rd aspect according to any one of the preceding nine aspects the operating path is horizontal or vertical.
In 154th aspect according to any one of the preceding ten aspects together with said step of applying a vacuum the process provides for applying an external compressive pressure, optionally by means of a mechanical presser (such as a foam cushion), at least to the portion of the bag defining said seat (3) in order to further promote evacuation of gas through said at least one opening of each bag (29).
In 155th aspect according to any one of the preceding eleven aspects the plastic film (23) is a continuous plastic film, optionally unrolled from a feed roll (24), which is shaped into a tubular or in an almost tubular film structure receiving the products (P).
In a 156th aspect according to the preceding aspect the process comprises forming on the tubular or almost tubular film structure transversal seals (8), oriented transversally to a direction of advancement of the film along the operating path, to define the/a plurality of adjacent plastic bags (2) (which may be disconnected adjacent bags or interconnected bags), which are positioned one next to the other along said operating path.
In a 157th aspect according to the preceding aspect said plurality of adjacent bags are formed as semi-sealed plastic bag, each delimiting a respective seat (3) and having at least one opening, and wherein the step of extracting gas from said semi-sealed plastic bags (2) withdraws gas through said opening and then the step of sealingly close the semi-sealed plastic bags to form sealed plastic bags (2) takes place.
In a 158th aspect according to any one of the preceding two aspects the process includes forming at least one connecting zone (6; 6a, 6b) of each plastic bag (2) for sealingly closing the semi-sealed plastic bags.
In a 159th aspect according to any one of aspects from the 113th to the preceding aspects wherein said step of heat treating is achieved using hot air.
In a 160th aspect according to the preceding aspect wherein said step of heat treating is achieved by using hot air at a temperature comprised between 130° C. and 160° C., in particular wherein said hot air is blown at least towards said portion of the plastic bag where said seat (3) is defined.
In a 161st aspect according to any one of aspects from the 113th to the preceding aspect the process comprises further heat treating the plastic bags (2), or the packages obtained from said bags, offline at a dedicated heat treatment station, using hot air and/or hot liquid to treat the entire plastic bag (2) or package.
In a 162nd aspect according to any one of aspects from the 113th to the preceding aspect the plastic film (23) has thickness comprised between 10 and 60 μm, optionally between 15 and 45 μm, more optionally between 20 and 35 μm.
In a 163rd aspect according to any one of aspects from the 113th to the preceding aspect the process is used for making the package of any one of aspects from the 1st to 112th.
In a 164th aspect according to any one of the preceding aspects the plastic bag (2) is formed by two separate sheets (instead of one sheet bent along zone/line 7): in this case instead of bend zone (7), there would be a further sealing band, with the rest of the features of the packages 1 described in the above aspects remaining unchanged.
Some embodiments and some aspects of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided only for illustrative and, therefore, non-limiting purposes, in which:
It should be noted that in the present detailed description, corresponding parts illustrated in the various figures are indicated by the same reference numerals. The figures may illustrate the object of the invention by representations that are not in scale; therefore, parts and components illustrated in the figures relating to the object of the invention may relate solely to schematic representations.
The terms upstream and downstream refer to a direction of advancement of a product to be packaged along a predetermined operating path in the respective production line.
The term product P means an article or a composite of articles of any kind. For example, the product may be of a foodstuff type and be in solid, liquid or gel form, i.e. in the form of two or more of the aforementioned aggregation states. In the food sector, the product may comprise: meat, fish, cheese, treated meats, prepared and frozen meals of various kinds.
The packaging apparatus described herein includes at least one control unit designed to perform the steps of the process for making the package. The control unit can clearly be only one or be formed by a plurality of different control units according to the design choices and the operational needs. The term control unit means an electronic component which can comprise at least one of: a digital processor (for example comprising at least one selected from the group of: CPU, GPU, GPGPU), a memory (or memories), an analog circuit, or a combination of one or more digital processing units with one or more analog circuits. The control unit can be “configured” or “programmed” to perform some steps: this can be done in practice by any means that allows configuring or programming the control unit. For example, in the case of a control unit comprising one or more CPUs and one or more memories, one or more programs can be stored in appropriate memory banks connected to the CPU or to the CPUs; the program or programs contain instructions which, when executed by the CPU or the CPUs, program or configure the control unit to perform the operations described in relation to the control unit. Alternatively, if the control unit is or includes analog circuitry, then the control unit circuit may be designed to include circuitry configured, in use, for processing electrical signals so as to perform the steps related to control unit. The control unit may comprise one or more digital units, for example of the microprocessor type, or one or more analog units, or a suitable combination of digital and analog units; the control unit can be configured for coordinating all the actions necessary for executing an instruction and instruction sets.
The film used for forming the bags and packages of the invention is made of plastic material, in particular polymeric material; the film is for example a flexible mono or multilayer material comprising at least an outer heat-weldable layer. In case of a multilayer film, the film may include an optional gas barrier layer and a one or more protective layers.
The film, in a currently preferred option, is a heat-shrinkable plastic film showing a free shrinking value at 120° C. (value measured in accordance with ASTM D2732, in oil) in the range from 2% to 80%, optionally from 5% to 60%, in particular from 10% to 40%, in both longitudinal and transverse directions. As used herein the terminology “heat-shrinkable,” “heat-shrink,” and the like, refer to the tendency of film to shrink upon the application of heat, such that the size of the film decreases while the film is in an unrestrained state.
The plastic film material has preferably thickness comprised between 10 and 60 μm, optionally between 15 and 45 μm. In one example, the plastic film material has thickness comprised between 20 and 35 μm and is heat-shrinkable showing the free shrinking value indicated above.
Although, any plastic film with the above thickness, optionally made in shrinkable material with the above shrink properties would be adequate to implement the claimed invention, suitable exemplifying materials are disclosed in the following publications, which are herein incorporated by reference: EP2477813, EP2805821, EP1140493, EP987103, EP881966, EP801096.
The tab applied to the plastic bags to form the packages of the invention is made, in particular entirely made, of paper, or paperboard, or PE or non-heat-shrinkable plastic material. In particular the tab is a thin strip, for example a thin rectangular strip.
The tab has thickness greater than the thickness of the plastic film material forming the plastic bag. In particular, the thickness of the tab is between 35 and 400 μm.
The sealing bands are preferably obtained by heat bonding or by gluing and may be either continuous sealing bands extending continuously and without interruption across a width or a length (entire width or entire length) of the plastic bag or discontinuous sealing bands comprising, along their extension, sealing zones intercalated by non-sealing zones.
In
The plastic bag 2 has plastic film walls 4: in the example shown, the plastic bag has two opposite plastic film walls 4. A sealing band 5 connects together opposed wall portions 4a of the plastic film walls 4; a connecting zone 6 is thereby formed comprising the mentioned sealing band 5 and connecting together opposed mutually facing wall portions 4a of the plastic film walls 4 of the plastic bag: in the example shown, the connecting zone 6 is at a top region of the bag 2.
Going into greater detail, the plastic bag shown in
In practice, the plastic bag 2 of
In the example shown in
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a tab 10 is coupled with the connecting zone 6 of the plastic bag 2. In detail, the tab 10 is fixed to the connecting zone of the bag 2 is a way to intimately adhere to the same connecting zone, such that the tab maintains substantial planarity and smoothness of the plastic material forming the connecting zone. As shown in the figures, the tab 10 includes an easy opening feature 11 located at one of its perimeter edges 12: in particular, the easy opening feature is a notch (i.e., a cutout or an indent through the thickness of the tab creating a discontinuity in the tab perimeter) or a weakening line (i.e., formed by a localized reduction of thickness or by a sequence of holes or short cuts positioned to form a line of weakness in the tab material departing from the tab perimeter) or a cut (i.e. a cut line through the thickness of the tab with no removal of tab material leaving opposed borders of the cut itself in contact the one with the other); the notch or cut or weakening line extends from the top perimeter 12 of the tab across a portion of the tab: for example in case of a substantially rectangular tab, the notch or weakening line may extend across at least 25% of the minor dimension of the tab. As shown in the drawings, the notch or wakening line 11 is oriented towards the seat 3 and is oriented transversally to the sealing band 5, such that acting on the tab will cause a propagation of line of fracture on the tab directed transversally to the same sealing band 5.
With particular reference to
Again with reference to the exemplifying drawings of
In accordance with a further aspect the plastic bag 2 is a vacuumized bag: consequently the inner surfaces of the opposite wall portions 4a adhere to the product and also may adhere to each other in certain parts of the seat 3 not occupied by the product.
It is also to be noted that in another aspect which characterizes the bag of the enclosed
In this respect, it is noted that the tab is a body distinct from the bag and more rigid than the plastic film forming the bag: for example the tab is a made, in particular entirely made, of paper, or paperboard, or PE or other non-heat-shrinkable plastic material and has thickness greater than the thickness of the plastic film material forming the plastic bag. For example, the thickness of the tab is between 35 and 400 μm, while the thickness of the plastic film material of the bag 2 is comprised between 10 and 60 μm, optionally between 15 and 45 μm, more optionally between 20 and 35 μm.
Going now into the geometric details of the tab, the tab 10 comprises a first and second flap 10a and 10b, adjacent to each other: the easy opening feature 11, in particular said notch, cut or said weakening line, extends from a tab edge 12 in correspondence of a tab intermediate region 10c between the first and second flaps 10a and 10b. The first and second flaps are operable by a user and may move from a substantially coplanar condition to an angularly offset and/or teared apart condition (basically the two flaps may be separated by either pulling the two flaps apart and/or by tilting the two flaps): as the user moves the first and second flaps apart from each other, this causes propagation of a fracture line from the easy opening feature across the tab and, subsequently, determines formation of a rupture across the plastic bag connecting zone.
As shown in dashed lines in
In
Differently from the package of
For example,
A further difference of the second embodiment shown in
A further peculiar aspect of the second embodiment of
As shown in dashed lines in
In
In
As the remaining features of the embodiment of
In
In this case, the package may include an optional further easy opening feature 14, in particular a further notch, cut or a further weakening line, formed in the plastic material of the bag and extending from peripheral border 9 of the walls 4 and of plastic bag 2. The optional further notch, cut or further weakening line 14 is oriented towards said seat 3: in accordance with a further aspect, the further notch, cut or further weakening line 14 is aligned with the notch, cut or weakening line 11 present in the tab, and may further facilitate easy opening of the plastic bag 2 at the connecting zone 6. As it is visible from
As the remaining features of the embodiment of
The embodiment of
Apart from the peculiarities described above, the remaining features of the embodiment of
In the variants of
As it can be seen from the figures, in
In
In
In
In
Apart from the peculiarities described above, the remaining features of the packages of
In the variants of
As it can be seen from the figures, in
In
The embodiment of
The embodiment of
Apart from the peculiarities described above, the remaining features of the packages of
In
As the remaining features of the embodiment of
Although in the embodiments described above the package comprises a plastic bag of perfectly rectangular form, this is not necessarily always the case; furthermore, the plastic bag is shown to have a width smaller than its height (with reference to the plane of
Additionally, in variants not shown of the packages described above, the plastic bag 2 may be formed by two separate sheets (instead of one sheet bent along zone/line 7): in this case instead of bend zone 7, there would be a further sealing band, with the rest of the features of the packages 1 described above remaining unchanged.
Another object of the present invention is a process and a related apparatus for making the package 1.
With reference to
Downstream the guide device 25 the almost tubular film 23a advances along the operating path and is positioned around the products P. Upstream the guide device 25 (i.e., when the film is still flat or substantially flat) or at the guide device or immediately downstream the guide device, a tab applicator 26 operates to position a respective tab 10 in correspondence of an area of the film 23 destined to form the connecting zone of each plastic bag. Each tab may be positioned as a discrete tab or in the form of a continuous strip (in this case consecutive portions of the same strip define the tab for each bag under formation). The tabs may be simply positioned or glued or slightly heat bonded to the film 23.
The apparatus 20 then provides, again under control of unit 21, for actuating a seal bar 27 configured to form transversal seals 8, oriented transversally to a direction of advancement of the film 23 along the operating path.
In a first alternative, the seal bar 27, as the tubular or almost tubular film advances, forms spaced apart transverse seals thus creating a plurality of consecutive interconnected plastic bags 2, which are positioned adjacent to each other along said operating path and which are open in correspondence of the area which will become the connecting zone 6 in the final packages. In other words, at this stage of the process, the interconnected bags 2 may be semi-sealed interconnected bags having an opening (which in the specific example is positioned on the left side of the bags with respect to an advancement direction, but which could alternatively be on the right side on the top side or on the bottom side depending on the apparatus design and specifically on the position of the vacuum station destined to suck gas from the interconnected semi-sealed bags). The semi-sealed bags may then be separated from each other by a blade 27′ after removal of gas from the bags and after having sealed the opening or open end portion of each bag through which gas is extracted. Each one of the plurality of consecutive plastic bags formed from the tubular or almost tubular film 23a hosts a respective product and proceeds to a vacuum station 28, where the open end portions of each bag 2 enter into one or more vacuum chambers which evacuate gas from the bags. Once the bags have been vacuumized, they reach a sealing station 29 where the first and second sealing bands 5 and 13 are formed thereby sealing the seat 3 of each bag 2; moreover, as the tabs 10 had been positioned well before formation of the sealing bands 5 and 13, each respective tab is sandwiched between the inner surfaces of the opposed wall portions 4a of the corresponding plastic bag 2 and trapped between the two sealing bands 5, 13.
In a second alternative to what just described, the seal bar 27 may be configured to form both the transversal seals 8, oriented transversally to a direction of advancement of the film 23 along the operating path, and a transverse cut that separates each bag from the consecutive bag. In this case the seal bar 27 (or the seal bars in case more than one seal bar is provided) carries at its bottom two parallel seal bands and a blade positioned between the two seal bands. The seal bar 27 is thus configured, again preferably under the control of control unit 21, to create two parallel transverse seals (as shown in
In accordance with a further aspect, the process provides a step of heat treating the portion of each consecutive bag where said seat 3 is defined (i.e., basically the main part of each bag with the exclusion of the part destined to define the connecting zone in the final package) to heat shrink said portion of each consecutive bag around the respective product. This heat treating step may be performed using a heat generator 30, such as a hot air generator or an IR heater, or other type of heater operative at or upstream the vacuum station 28. The step of heat treating does not involve heat treating the portion of each bag destined to form the connecting zone, which is maintained thermally insulated from any heat source or sources, for example using a thermal screen or a thermal insulator 31 interposed between the heat generator and the portion of film 23 destined to form the connecting zone of each bag. In greater detail, the above step of heat treating takes place on each package under formation before or during step of withdrawing gas from said plastic bags, and in any case preferably before sealingly close the seats 3 of the plastic bags. In the example shown, the step of heat treating is achieved using hot air, optionally hot air at a temperature comprised between 100° C. and 200° C., in particular from 130° C. and 160° C.
In accordance with a further aspect, the process may include an additional step of heat treating, which takes place after sealingly close the plastic bags and after the tabs are fixed to the respective connecting zones of each plastic bag: in greater detail the additional heat treating is designed to exclusively heat treating the connecting zone of each bag to heat shrink the same connecting zone and cause contraction of the film material against the tab 10, which thus efficiently maintains the material flat and smooth. The additional heating step is achieved using an additional heater 32, for example and additional hot air generator conveying hot hair exclusively to the connecting zone 6, optionally operative to provide hot air at a temperature comprised between 100° and 200° C., in particular from 130° C. and 160° C. Alternatively, and as shown in
Finally, the process may provide for separating the plastic bags from each other (if the bags are still interconnected) to form packages described herein above with reference to
Although the above process is suitable to make the packages of
With reference to
Downstream the guide device 25 the tubular or almost tubular film 23a advances along the operating path and is positioned around the products P.
The apparatus 20 then provides, again under control of unit 21, for actuating one or more seal bars 27 configured to form transversal seals, oriented transversally to a direction of advancement of the film 23 along the operating path. Also in the example of
In accordance with a further aspect, the process executed by the apparatus of
Then the process of
In accordance with a further aspect, also the process of
Alternatively, and as shown in
The heated belt(s) may be made in Teflon or at least have a surface acting in contact with the plastic bags 2 covered with a layer of Teflon.
Finally, the process may provide for separating the plastic bags from each other (if the bags are still interconnected) to form packages described herein above with reference to
Alternatively to what described above, instead of the additional heater in line with apparatus 20, the connecting zone may be heated to cause shrinking at a station separate from the line shown in
Although the above process and apparatus of
In the processes and packages described above the tab is a made, in particular entirely made, of paper, or paperboard, or non-heat-shrinkable plastic material; furthermore the tab has thickness greater than the thickness of the plastic film material used in the process to form the plastic bags 2. In particular, the thickness of the tab is between 35 and 400 μm, whilst the plastic film material has thickness comprised between 10 and 60 μm, optionally between 15 and 45 μm, more optionally between 20 and 35 μm.
Finally, although the attached drawings show an apparatus where the products and the bags under formation are moved along a horizontal operating path, nothing excludes that the packages disclosed herein might be obtained using a vertical type machine where a film is shaped according to a tubular shape and moved along a vertical trajectory. In this case the film may for example come from a feed roll, be shaped by a guide device (for example in the form of a collar) which confers a tubular or almost tubular shape to the film (by almost tubular shape it is intended a shape of a tube with a longitudinal, in this case vertical, side open) such as to have opposed longitudinal edges which are then sealed by a sealer operative an a side of the tubular film. Transverse (i.e., in this case horizontal) seals are then carried out on the tubular film to form a plurality of interconnected packages. Before making the top transverse seal on each package a product is position or fed into each semi-sealed package and, if desired, each package may be vacuumized. As described for the above processes, the body of each package where the product is housed may be heat shrunk (i.e. with hot air) and the connecting zone of each package may also be heat shrunk (separately from the rest of the bag to cause contraction of the film material at the zone where the tab is located). Finally, the interconnected bags are separated to form the packages described above.
Again, although in the above processes, it is described that the heat treatments are achieved with hot air, according to a possible alternative applicable to the above described processes instead or in addition to performing the heat treatments with hot air as above described, the plastic bags, or the packages obtained after separation of the plastic bags, may be heat treated offline at a dedicated heat treatment, using hot air and or hot liquid.
In a further aspect, a process of making packages is disclosed which may be used for making the packages described above or also for making packages without any tab. In practice, it is possible to refer to
According to an aspect of this process, vacuumization may start after initiation of the heat shrinking of the portion of the plastic bag where the product is seated (or of the entire plastic bag), which as shown in the figures may take place in line with the step of vacuumization in the same apparatus, for example using hot air acting on the plastic bag portion hosting the product.
In a possible aspect first heat shrinking of the portion of the plastic bag where seat 3 is defined takes place (using hot air) and then vacuumization by applying vacuum to the at least one opening may take place with vacuumization lasting few seconds (e.g., from 0.5 to 2 or 3 seconds) after termination of the heat shrinking step.
Once vacuumization is completed each bag is finally sealed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21178437.6 | Jun 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/062967 | 5/12/2022 | WO |
