MX2007003788A

MX2007003788A - Process for good packaging, namely food stuffs, packagings and kits for their realization.

Info

Publication number: MX2007003788A
Application number: MX2007003788A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Carlo Stelliferi; Giuseppe Esposito
Original assignee: Stelliferi & Itavex S P A
Priority date: 2004-10-01
Filing date: 2005-01-20
Publication date: 2007-09-11
Also published as: DE602005005842D1; IL182040A0; WO2006038238A1; US20120198792A1; MX269026B; DE602005005842T2; SI1802540T1; EP1802540B1; EP1802540A1; BRPI0516821A; ZA200702676B; US20080307755A1; HK1109608A1; PT1802540E; CN101031486A; ITRM20040472A1; CY1108162T1; BRPI0516821B1; PL1802540T3; ES2306084T3

Abstract

A process for carrying out a packaging for food stuffs, such as hazelnuts, driedfruits, or powdered milk, packaged in bulk, comprises the steps of: - provisionof a big bag container (2), - carrying out a filling of the above said product (P),into the big bag container (2),- provision of a seal enclosure (3) susceptibleof containing the big bag container (2) with the above said filling of product(P) therein, and- sealing the enclosure (3) containing the big bag container(2), with the above said filling of product (P) therein, a sub atmospheric pressurelevel. Preferably, a protective inert gas, such as nitrogen, is inserted intothe enclosure (3) containing the big bag container (2).

Description

PROCESS FOR PACKAGING FOOD PRODUCTS, PACKAGES AND EQUIPMENT FOR ITS REALIZATION The present invention relates generally to techniques for food packaging. More specifically, the invention relates to techniques for packaging food in collapsible containers, also known as "bag-type containers" or "high capacity semi-flexible packages" (F1BC). Said packaging (to which we will hereinafter refer to as "collapsible containers") may be used in the transport of food products such as milk powder, dehydrated fruit, hazelnuts, etc. , as shown, for example, in EP-A-1316515, FR-A-2802189, WO-A-89/00957, WO-A-01 -17069, WO-A-01/27000, WO-A-03106269 and GB-A-2327072. Folding containers are usually filled with products that occupy large volumes. Said containers are made of flexible sheet material, such as synthetic yarn fabric (polypropylene fabric). In a normal structure, at the moment when the collapsible container extends and is filled with said products, it acquires a certain parallelepiped shape (irregular six-sided polyhedron) that allows it to be transported directly on loading platforms. For a better visualization, and without being restrictive in any way, the basic dimensions of the folding containers used they are currently in the range from 1 00 to 1 20 cm and can be 1 80 cm high. Obviously, these dimensions cause that when the folding container is filled with the product, it has a considerable weight. Reason why said containers are provided with one or more conveyor handles in their upper part, thus allowing their suspension to be emptied. Due to the size that this container reaches at the time of filling, it tends to expand to a certain extent, adopting a shape that is far from the ideal parallelepiped shape. For this reason it has been provided with internal reinforcement elements, to restrict the phenomenon of broadening under the inner diagonal of the product (see for example, WO-A-01/27000 mentioned above). This type of widening in the container causes its own form of filling / evacuation to gradually become more regular, even in relation to the provision of upper and lower areas of the foldable container with openings for filling and evacuation of the product with the opening / closing forms. The practice of developing foldable containers of a porous material such as cloth makes it vulnerable to external agents such as humidity, and incapable of providing adequate protection to the already packaged product against these agents. For greater clarity, it should be noted that the material forming the collapsible container is negatively affected by said agents, and may originate, for example, rips. Rips, and the resulting risk of product leakage, can occur when the collapsible full container collides against some object or when it falls violently to the ground, while being moved, for example, by a wheelbarrow. For this reason, and with the purpose of providing protection to the product inside the container, this has been modified by converting it into a double-walled container. This result is obtained by placing a receiving bag of the product inside the collapsible container, thus having a continuous wall, capable of isolating the product from external agents. Said method allows, for example, the creation of a controlled atmosphere inside the protective bag (for example under vacuum, or partially inert, through the partial introduction of nitrogen), thus adopting common forms for smaller containers. "Double-walled" containers are commonly used in the art, as can be seen, for example, in patents numbers US-A-4515692, US-B-6312742, EP-A-0097391, EP-A- 1 120357 or WO-A-92/1 6439. Most of these double-walled containers are mainly due to the typology offered in the use of a more or less rigid material to make the external wall of the container r, while the inner protective "bag" is made of flexible material. The hypothetical transposition of such a practice to a collapsible container encounters several difficulties. In the first instance, the choice of placing a protective bag for the product contained within the collapsible container, it contrasts with some of the clearer advantages relating to the use of folding containers. For example, the structure of a bag (substantially similar to a large sack made of flexible material) placed inside the collapsible container, makes it difficult to load the products inside it, since in some way when the bag is filled inside the container , some support is required, even more so when the product falls inside. Other drawbacks will arise during the unloading phase of the container, unless openings have been arranged in the lower part of the bag wall (which is not easy). Such openings are closed at the beginning and subsequently can be opened at the positions of the discharge openings of the collapsible container. However, as mentioned above, folding containers are often provided with frames that reinforce the interior, helping them to maintain a substantially parallelepiped shape, even when they are filled with the product. Although these support frames do not significantly hinder the direct filling of the container with the packaged product, they will be an obstacle when placing a bag inside it. Even so, a bag or sack placed inside the flexible container, is designed to receive and support, at least in the first instance, the mechanical stress resulting from the weight of the material. This factor could be even more important when a bag like this one is filled with the product, and placed inside the collapsible container. This procedure requires a bag capable of supporting the inclination and weight of the product by itself. Among other drawbacks, the development of a structure for said bag capable of adequately supporting the mechanical stresses of the product, could involve the use of flexible materials of a certain thickness, probably of high cost. By the way, it is necessary to remember that when transporting specifically food products, folding containers tend to be considered a non-reusable consumer product. They must have the lowest possible cost, a requirement also necessary for the bag or sack, destined to be placed inside the folding container. However, by placing a previously filled bag inside the collapsible container and then subjecting it to vacuum and / or injecting an inert protective gas, it will be difficult to immediately detect possible holes that could alter the vacuum / controlled atmospheric conditions, having as result the risk of rapid deterioration of the product inside the packaging. It is important to mention that in the case of packaging of products that present annual harvests (for example hazelnuts), the folding container is used, regularly, as a storage container, keeping the products in excellent condition for a substantial period of time between the two subsequent harvests, that is, by periods of one year, if desired. The present invention has the purpose of completely and satisfactorily solving the aforementioned problems. According to the present invention, such a purpose is achieved due to a process for the packaging of the product, which has the characteristics indicated in the appended claims, which are part of the teachings of the present application. The invention also relates to packaging and equipment for doing so. The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and not limitingly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the packaging according to said technique, with some parts from the illustration in section view for clarity; and Figures 2 to 6 schematically illustrate the main process in the manufacture of said package. Generally speaking, the package described, which is denoted as (1), consists of two fundamental parts, namely: - a collapsible container (2), and - a laminar structure (3), substantially similar to a drawer or sack large, whose objective is to wrap the folding container (2). The container (2) can correspond to any commonly used folding container. Therefore, it may be any type of folding container available on the market at the time of submitting this application, for example, generally in a parallelepiped fashion, and with the dimensions mentioned above (only by way of reference, and therefore the invention is not intended to be limited ). The container (2) can be made, for example, of polypropylene fabric. The reference about the parallelepiped shape is not intended to be a limitation for said invention; being also valid the option of providing conveyor handles (2a), to the upper vertices of the container (2). Conveniently, the collapsible container (2) may be provided with reinforcing materials (not shown in the illustrations, but of a well-known type). Said reinforcing materials have the objective of maintaining the shape of the container (2) substantially when being filled with the product and upon finishing this phase, particularly when the package (1), loaded with the product, is moved, transported, stored and placed on the container unloading apparatus. For a better understanding, and by way of example, it will be assumed in the following, that the product in question, marked with the letter P in figure 1, is composed of hazelnuts (for example, with peel and probably subjected to the toasting process). About the modality with the box that continene to the bag (3), you can use the same processes used in the technique, and that are well known. The sectional view of fig. 2 shows a fabric portion (eg, polypropylene) which forms part of the wall of the container (2), juxtaposed to a portion of the wall of the box (3). If you opt for the use of the customary coating (which does not intend to limit the scope of the invention), we will observe that the box (3) is composed of four layers of sheet material, which is usually made up of a sandwich-like structure. It consists of two layers of nylon fabric (3a) and an aluminum layer (3b) interposed between them. Thus formed, the sandwich, below, is covered ("coupled") with a heat-sealable material (3c), regularly made of polyethylene, on the side facing the inside of the package, towards the wall of the folding container (2). Figure 2 shows the similarity, resulting from the process described above, of using laminar material for the structure of the box (3), which is thin enough (its common thickness is about 250 microns) compared to the container fabric folding (2), approximately one millimeter thick. A thin laminar material of the type described above is commercially available at low cost, which allows it to be used as waste material. Returning to the sectional view of Figure 2, this allows us to appreciate an important aspect of the process described above, namely the fact that the box (3) is on the outside of the foldable container (2) and not inside the he. This aspect is further appreciated during the sequence of package shown in Figures 3 to 6. Particularly, Figure 3 describes the collapsible container (2) extended and placed on a loading platform (4), preferably with an interposed separating layer 5 (interlayer), made of a material such as paperboard. Figure 3 shows the foldable container (2) hooked to the handles (2a) and placed in the air outlet of a distributor silo (S). The material (P), with the aim of being packed, is emptied through its outlet, usually by free fall. The described filling forms and tools required to carry it out are well known in the art and need not be described in greater detail. Figure 4 shows that, upon completion of the filling of the product (P) under the silo (S), the foldable container (2) is surrounded by the structure of the box (3), using the general bag itself or sack of said box (3). Although it is preferable to place the foldable container (2) inside the box (3), upon completion of the filling phase with the product (P), it is not imperative to carry out the invention. The foldable container (2) can also be introduced into the box (3) before the filling phase begins, or alternatively, also while the filling step is in process. This is achieved by supplying the means (not shown explicitly), which make it possible to hold the box (3), in such a way that it is maintained in the wrapping conditions of the foldable container (2).

Whichever procedure is chosen, the final result that can be achieved is that described in Figure 5, with the collapsible container (2) filled with product (P) and closed (also applying criteria known per se). ) in a part of the exit (2b) (it can be a closed part that is tied by means of a rope, noose or similar). The foldable container (2) filled with the product (P) is placed inside the structure of the box (3), and lying completely on the loading platform (4). Figure 6 systematically describes the conclusive steps of the preparation of the package (1). Such a sequence of steps essentially results in the closure of the box (3), which is generally done by closing the bag forming the structure on the side where the outlet is located, thus creating two tabs (30) (as shown in FIG. the perspective view of figure 1) and welding them to one another insulating by means of heat. This step is made by taking advantage of the tabs formed on the opposite sides and placing a layer of heat-sealable material between them 3 (see Figure 2). This operation can be replaced with eq uivalent processes (ultrasonic sealing, welding, bending, etc.). Before sealing the tabs (30) and using a suitable bell (B) (using well-known criteria, these being the same criteria already used for packaging smaller sacks), a cycle will start, which provides: -the formation of a vacuum level (sub atmospheric pressure) • inside the box (3) with the foldable container (2) in it, filled with product (P), resulting in the elimination of most of the air from it, - a first injection of protective inert gas (usually nitrogen), - a second discharge action by the creation of sub-atmospheric pressure within of the box (3), and -the supply of a protective inert gas injection. Obviously, the described sequence corresponds only to a preferred example of the coating of the invention and does not intend to limit the field of action of the invention by itself. Particularly, the injection of protective inert gas (nitrogen, for example) is preferable, but not an essential element, in the scope of the coating of the invention. With respect to the formation of a sub-atmospheric pressure (vacuum) level, obviously this can be carried out in one or more steps. Generally, it has been found to be preferable to create an extreme vacuum level inside the box (3), (where the collapsible container (2) and the product (P) are, for example, to reach pressure levels. atmospheric sub ranging from 70 to 80 mm of mercury.The characteristic value is around 76 mm of mercury, which corresponds to a value equivalent to one tenth of the normal atmospheric pressure, that is 760 mm of mercury. atmospheric sub mentioned above (ie creation of "vacuum") results in the inclination of the box (3) against the walls of the collapsible container (2), with the product (P) inside (very energetically, when high levels of vacuum are reached, as mentioned above). This results in that the vacuum packing thus prepared (see Figure 1) becomes rigid, in such a way that it excellently maintains its parallelepiped shape. This helps notably in the operations of movement and transport of the packaging (1). The description of the sequences of figures 3 to 6 allows to appreciate that the package (1) is made without appreciably changing the filling of the foldable container with the product (P). This step should be carried out, basically, according to the methods currently used. The box with seal (3), which continuously maintains its structure, (said continuity and seal are ensured mainly by the aluminum layer (3b) in the coating shown as an example), guarantees the total isolation of the product (P) from external agents able to negatively affect the product (P). A similar measure of protection is provided by the material that makes up the collapsible container (2), which is specially protected (as a product (P)) against the infiltration of moisture or against the risk of accidental penetration of liquid, which is likely to happen This means that this type of packaging (1) can still be kept outdoors, stored outdoors or in the open air. a position exposed to the environment during transport. The experiences carried out by the applicants have shown that, surprisingly, a relatively thin and inexpensive box, as mentioned above, shows - when used within the scope of the packaging (1) just described - excellent seal characteristics and, moreover, resistance to mechanical stress. This also applies to the stresses of an impact and to the tension that may appear when the package (1) is accidentally dropped to the ground during handling. Without being bound by any specific theory, the applicants have reason to suppose that this surprising effect is due to the vacuum created in the package, reacting by energetically tilting the cover (3) against the material of the wall of the collapsible container (2). In such conditions a synergistic action is carried out, in such a way that the material of the wall of the foldable container (2) ends up serving as reinforcement material for the box (3). As previously mentioned, one more benefit arises as a consequence of the vacuum action that converts the package (1) into a rigid unit (becoming a kind of solid block) in which it is difficult for any deformation to arise that leads to the rupture from the box (3). In any case, the possibility of such a break (or perforation) is detected immediately from the outside, since the box (3) accurately defines the external surface of the box (3).

Therefore, it is possible to immediately detect the loss of the sealing properties of the package and that, consequently, the product (P) contained therein is no longer protected against external agents. This allows, for example, the rapid emptying of the product (P) contained in the package before it deteriorates. The packing discharge / emptying steps (1), just described, are simple. In practice, the emptying is carried out simply by tearing and removing only a certain part of the box (3). So, for example, exposing the conveyor handles (2a), will allow to raise and suspend the foldable container (2). At this point, the box (3) can be removed (if not completely, at least from the discharge outlets of the collapsible container (2)), thus performing the discharge of the product (P), following the methods generally used in containers foldable Obviously, it is understood that the principle of the invention, the characteristics of the structure and its materials, can vary widely based on the above description and illustration, provided only by way of example and in no way limiting, this without departing from the scope of the invention. scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

REIVI N DICACIONES 1 . Process for making a package, which includes the following steps: - provide a collapsible container (2), place the product filling (P) inside the collapsible container (2), provide a box with seal (3) capable of housing the collapsible container (2) with said product filling (P), inside it, and sealing said box (3), which houses the collapsible container (2) inside it with said filling of the product (P), creating a sub atmospheric pressure level in said box with seal (3). Process according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes the step of introducing an inert protective gas into said box containing the collapsible container (2). 3. Process according to claim 2, further characterized in that it includes the step of selecting nitrogen as said protective inert gas. Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized by including the creation of said sub-atmospheric pressure under extreme vacuum conditions. 5. Process according to claim 4, further characterized in that said sub-atmospheric pressure corresponds to a value in millimeters of mercury approximately equal to one tenth of the value in mm of. mercury of normal atmospheric pressure. Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that said box with seal (3) is made of a multilayer sheet material. Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it provides a layer of heat-sealable material (3c) on the face of said box (3), for the purpose of looking into the packaging (1) and sealing said box (3) by means of the layer of heat-sealable material (3c). Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it comprises the step of including within the box with seal (3) an aluminum layer (3b). 9. Process according to claim 8, further characterized in that it comprises the step of inerting said aluminum layer (3b) into a sandwich-like structure, whose outer layers (3a) have the shape of a fabric. 10. Process according to claim 9, further characterized in that said outer layers (3a) are made of nylon fabrics. eleven . Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it includes the provision of an opening in a wall of the collapsible container (2). 12. Process according to claim 1, further characterized in that it includes the provision in said foldable container (2) of a wall of interwoven material. 3. Process according to claim 12, further characterized in that it includes the provision in said foldable container (2) of a wall of synthetic yarn fabric, such as polypropylene. 14. Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it includes the provision in said foldable container (2) of a wall of approximately 1 millimeter in thickness. 5. Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it includes the provision in said box with seal (3) of a wall with approximately 250 microns thick. 16. Process according to the preceding claim, further characterized by including carrying out the filling of the product (P) into the collapsible container (2) before placing said foldable container (2) inside the box with seal (3). Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it includes the creation of a sub-atmospheric pressure level in said sealed box (3), carrying out various steps. 8. Process according to claim 2, further characterized in that it includes the introduction of an inert gas that protects said box (3), which contains said foldable container (2), carrying out various steps. 1 9. Process according to claims 1 7 and 1 8, further characterized in that it includes the alternative steps of applying sub-atmospheric pressure in said sealed box (3) and the steps of inserting said protective inert gas into said sealed box (3). 20. Process according to any preceding claim, further characterized in that it includes the step of placing said foldable container (2) on a loading platform (4). twenty-one . Process according to claim 19, further characterized in that it includes the step of interposing a separating laminar layer (5) between said collapsible container (2) and the loading platform (4). 22. Process according to claim 21, further characterized in that said separating sheet layer (5) is a cardboard layer. 23. Process according to any of claims 21 and 22, further characterized in that said box with seal (3) is placed in a position interposed between said foldable container (2) and said loading platform (4), whereby said Loading platform (4) is external with respect to said box with seal (3). 24. Packing including: a collapsible type container (2), a stuffed product (P) filled into said collapsible container (2), a box with seal (3) containing said folding container (2) with said product filling (P), said sealed box (3) having a sub atmospheric pressure level. 25. Packaging according to claim 24, further characterized in that it includes an inert protective gas in said box (3), which contains said foldable container (2). 26. Packing according to claim 25, further characterized in that the protective inert gas is nitrogen. 27. Packing according to any of the preceding claims 24 to 26, further characterized in that said sub-atmospheric pressure corresponds to extreme vacuum conditions. 28. Packing according to claim 27, further characterized in that said sub-atmospheric pressure corresponds to a value in millimeters of mercury that is approximately the same as one-tenth of the value in millimeters of mercury of the normal atmospheric pressure. 29. Packing according to any of the preceding claims 24 to 28, further characterized in that said box with seal (3) is made of a multilayer sheet material. 30. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims 24 to 29, further characterized in that a layer of heat-sealable material (3c) is present on the face directed towards the interior of the package (1), which allows to achieve a seal by welding in said box (3). 31 Packaging according to any of the preceding claims 24 to 30, further characterized in that said box with seal (3) includes an aluminum layer (3b). 32. Packing according to claim 31, further characterized in that it includes in said aluminum layer (3b) a sandwich structure, whose outer layers (3a) are in the form of fabrics. 33. Packing according to claim 32, further characterized in that said outer layers (3a) are composed of nylon fabric. 34. Packing according to any of the preceding claims 24 to 33, further characterized in that said collapsible container (2) has a wall with an opening. 35. Packing according to claim 34, further characterized in that said collapsible container (2) has a wall of interwoven material. 36. Packing according to claim 35, further characterized in that said foldable container (2) has a wall made of synthetic yarn fabric, such as polypropylene. 37. Packing according to any of the preceding claims 23 to 36, further characterized in that said foldable container (2) has a wall thickness of about one millimeter. 38. Packing according to any one of claims 23 to 37 above, further characterized in that said box with seal (3) has a wall thickness of about 250 microns. 39. Packaging according to any of the preceding claims 23 to 38, further characterized in that said foldable container (2) is placed on a loading platform. 40. Packing according to claim 39, further characterized in that a separating sheet layer (5) is placed between a collapsible container (2) and said loading platform (4). 41 Packaging according to claim 40, further characterized in that said separating sheet layer is a cardboard layer (5). 42. Packing according to any of the preceding claims 39 to 41, further characterized in that said box with seal (3) is placed in an interposed position between said folding container (2), whereby said loading platform (4) , it is external with respect to said box with seal (3). 43. Packing according to any of claims 39 to 42, further characterized in that said filling (P) is composed of food products. 44. Packing according to claim 43, further characterized in that said food product (P) is composed of hazelnuts. 45. Equipment for carrying out the process according to any of claims 1 to 23, said equipment includes: "a foldable container (2), and a box with seal (3) capable of containing said foldable container (2).