Device for vacuum packaging, particularly of food products

Abstract

 A packaging device (1), particularly for food products or technical materials (2), which comprises a vacuum bell-shaped chamber (3) for packaging, particularly for packaging manually or automatically food products or technical materials (2), which can be inserted, by means of a loading surface that can move transversely, between longitudinally folded parts of a single-folded film (7) from an open side thereof and comprises thermal bonding or heat-sealing means for sealing, and at least one nozzle (18) for producing vacuum and/or for introducing the gas or mix. The nozzle (18) is of the type that can be extended/shortened as the width of the single-folded film (7) varies and is adapted to tighten and/or guide the single-folded film (7) upon a transverse movement thereof. The gas or mix is further injected proximate to the first folded longitudinal side (8) of the single-folded film.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for packaging, particularly of food products or technical materials.

[0002] Vacuum machines are currently known which have a bell-shaped chamber and comprise a vacuum pump connected to a chamber, also known as a vacuum chamber, inside which a preformed pouch, open on three sides, is usually positioned, a food product being arranged inside the pouch.

[0003] In these known types of machines, the preformed pouch, with the product already inside it, is thus inserted within the vacuum chamber, and then vacuum is produced inside the chamber; heat-sealing is then performed at the free side of the preformed pouch.

[0004] This known technology entails the need to use preformed pouches, which therefore have a size that is comparable to that of the product; considerable labor is further required.

[0005] There are, therefore, operating steps that prolong the time needed to achieve vacuum packaging of the product; further, if packaging occurs in a controlled atmosphere, a substantial fraction of the gas is wasted because such gas is dispersed not only within the pouch but also and mostly within the vacuum chamber.

[0006] EP603704 is also known in which food products are packaged by using a film made of plastic material, which is passed through a folding station for obtaining a double layer and is then heat-sealed so as to form pockets.

[0007] Such pockets are obtained with the desired size or capacity before they are filled and sealed.

[0008] Heat-sealing and forming are followed by filling, closure and cutting of the pockets or pouches thus obtained: however, this solution is complicated, in that it provides for several distinct stations for performing the individual operations to which the film made of plastic material must be subj ected sequentially.

[0009] Hot- or cold-forming of the plastic film is further provided, and so is the filling, by means of a nozzle, of liquid products, flours or fine granulates, and it is therefore not possible to consider the use of the described solution for solid products having preset volumes, such as sliced ham and salami, meat, cheese portions, trays containing food and non-food products.

[0010] In the described known solution, moreover, in order to achieve closure of the pocket or pouch it is necessary to make it pass through various operating steps, with the consequent need for optimum centering of the pouch at each station so as to allow optimum and desired processing.

[0011] EP0405718 is also known which discloses a solution that illustrates a packaging device, particularly for packaging food products or technical materials that can be inserted between longitudinally folded parts of a film that is single-folded on one of its open sides, the device comprising means for thermal bonding or heat-sealing which are substantially L-shaped, so as to seal the film both at the open longitudinal side and at its transverse sides, and at least one nozzle for producing vacuum and/or introducing the gas or mix.

[0012] EP0832819 is also known, which discloses a packaging device which comprises a vacuum chamber that can be opened to receive a length of at least one single-folded film inside which the material to be packaged is inserted, and can be respectively closed hermetically, after which it is possible to produce vacuum and/or introduce the gas or mix with such portion or length of film assuming a pocket-like configuration, heat-sealing means being further provided which are arranged, for operation, within the vacuum chamber, such at least one nozzle being arranged at the vacuum chamber so that it is directed, after its closure, toward the open longitudinal and/or transverse sides of such length of film.

[0013] Even this solution is not free from drawbacks, since the formation of small creases during the step for heat-sealing the film has been observed, which can entail problems in the seal and diminish the aesthetic appearance of the package.

[0014] Moreover, the flow of gas within the film is not perfect, reducing the efficiency of the device.

[0015] Finally, when the operator pulls the sheet, such sheet may assume an incorrect arrangement.

[0016] The aim of the present invention is to solve the described technical problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited background art, by providing a device that makes it possible to achieve vacuum packaging or compensated vacuum packaging of technical products or food products, such as sliced ham or salami, meat, cheese portions, trays containing food or non-food products, making it possible to guide the film in an optimum manner, to achieve higher efficiency in the flow of the gas and to avoid the formation of small creases.

[0017] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that makes it possible to achieve simple and rapid manual packaging of said products.

[0018] Another object is to provide a device that combines with the above cited characteristics that of being structurally simple, reliable and safe to use.

[0019] This aim, these objects and others that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a packaging device according to the invention, as defined in claim 1.

[0020] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of two particular embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the components of a device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partially sectional side view of the device;

Figure 3 is a schematic transverse view of a first possible arrangement of the nozzle with respect to the single-folded film;

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional side view of the nozzle in the condition shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic sectional plan view of the nozzle in the condition of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a schematic transverse view of a second possible arrangement of the nozzle with respect to the single-folded film;

Figure 7 is a schematic sectional side view of the nozzle in the condition of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a schematic sectional plan view of the nozzle in the condition of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a schematic plan view of the device;

Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of the components of the device.

[0021] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a device for packaging, particularly of technical materials or food products, which are designated by the reference numeral 2.

[0022] The device 1 comprises a chamber that is shaped like a vacuum bell, designated by the reference numeral 3, which substantially consists of a lower container 4 and an upper lid 5 that can be closed; suitable first bands or gaskets 6 for airtightness are provided perimetrically with respect to the container 4 and the lid 5.

[0023] The device uses a single-folded film 7, which therefore has a first longitudinal side 8 which is closed and a second longitudinal side 9 which is open.

[0024] A first heat-sealing bar 11 is arranged transversely within the vacuum bell-shaped chamber 3 at an inlet 10; laterally adjacent to the first heat-sealing bar 11 there is a substantially L-shaped cutting blade 12, and a first wing 13 of the blade is arranged parallel to the first heat-sealing bar 11, while a second wing 14 is arranged at right angles to the first wing in the direction of advancement of the single-folded film 7.

[0025] A second heat-sealing bar 15 is adjacent to the cutting blade 12, is also L-shaped and forms a third wing 16, which is adjacent and parallel to the first wing 13, and a fourth wing 17, which is adjacent and parallel to the second wing 14.

[0026] The first heat-sealing bar 11, the second heat-sealing bar 15 and the cutting blade 12 are advantageously but not necessarily associated with a same support 50, which can move inside the vacuum bell-shaped chamber, and work in abutment against appropriately provided abutments 51, which are associated inside the lid 5.

[0027] The vacuum bell-shaped chamber 3 also contains at least one nozzle 18 that is adapted to allow vacuum and/or the introduction of gases or mixtures at either the second longitudinal open side 9 of the single-folded film or at a fourth transverse side 20 that is adjacent to the lateral inlet 10 of the vacuum bell-shaped chamber 3.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment the nozzle 18 is used which is inserted hermetically from the base of the bell-shaped chamber by means of an appropriately provided piston 31.

[0029] The nozzle 18 is of the type that can be extended/shortened as the width of the single-folded film 7 varies, and is adapted to tighten and/or guide the single-folded film 7 upon a transverse movement thereof.

[0030] The nozzle 18 is therefore preferably of the telescopic type and accordingly comprises a hollow body 60, with which a hollow stem 62 is slidingly associated by means of appropriately provided sealing gaskets 61; such stem has an end 63 that is preferably rounded and is adapted to interfere by abutment with the first closed longitudinal side 8 of the single-folded film 7.

[0031] The gaskets can be made of polyethylene or equivalent material.

[0032] Proximately to the end 63 there are one or more holes 64 for the emission of the gas or of the mix.

[0033] The gas or mix are thus injected proximately to the folded longitudinal side 8 of the single-folded film 7.

[0034] Use of the device is therefore as follows.

[0035] Assuming that steady-state conditions have already been reached, the third transverse side 19 of the single-folded film 7, which is adjacent to the lateral outlet 30 in the vacuum bell-shaped chamber, is already sealed partially along its height; the operator subsequently places inside the single-folded film, through the second longitudinal side 9, which is open, the product 2 to be packaged.

[0036] The extension of the nozzle 18 is modified by elongating or shortening the stem 62 depending on the width of the container or package 21 that can be obtained, its length being changed manually by the operator or automatically by means of adapted mechanisms.

[0037] By moving the loading surface of the product 2 together with the single-folded film 7 in the same direction as the arrow indicated in Figure 6, such film fits around the nozzle 18 almost up to the base 64 thereof: the operator can thus package a product 2 that is smaller than a preceding product without changing the reel of the single-folded film 7 as occurred in the background art.

[0038] This makes it possible to have less inventory reserves and not to have time losses for format changing.

[0039] Vice versa, in the condition shown in Figure 3, by moving the loading surface and elongating the stem 62 of the nozzle 18, which thus guides the single-folded film, it is possible to package larger products without changing the reel of the single-folded film 7.

[0040] Subsequently, by lowering of the upper lid 5, which can be closed, the vacuum or gas vacuum cycle begins.

[0041] At the end of the vacuum or gas vacuum cycle, the nozzle injects gases or mixtures if required; then the first heat-sealing bar 11 is activated and forms the third transverse closed side 19 of the subsequent container or package 21 that can be obtained; then the second heat-sealing bar 15 is activated and closes both the fourth transverse side 20 and the second longitudinal side 9.

[0042] During said cycle, the product is not moved inside the bell-shaped chamber.

[0043] A closed package 21 is thus obtained by activation of the cutting blade 12. It is thus possible to open the bell-shaped chamber, remove the package thus obtained and start a new cycle.

[0044] It has thus been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a device having been provided which, by using a single-folded film, makes it possible to obtain a vacuum package or a modified atmosphere package, the film being arrangeable in an optimum manner for its interaction with the nozzle, and further makes it possible to obtain heat-seals that have no small creases and finally makes it possible to achieve better efficiency in the flow of gas due to the particular placement of the holes of the nozzle.

[0045] Of course, the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0046] The materials and the dimensions that constitute the individual components may of course also be the most pertinent according to specific requirements.

[0047] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2008A000131 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A packaging device (1), particularly for packaging manually or automatically food products or technical materials (2) that can be inserted, by means of a loading surface that can move transversely, between longitudinally folded parts of a single-folded film (7) from an open side thereof and comprises thermal bonding or heat-sealing means for sealing, and at least one nozzle (18) for producing vacuum and/or for introducing the gas or mix, and a bell-shaped vacuum chamber (3), characterized in that said nozzle (18) is of the type that can be extended/shortened as the width of said single-folded film (7) varies and is adapted to tighten and/or guide said single-folded film (7) upon a transverse movement thereof, said gas or mix being injected proximate to the first folded longitudinal side (8) of said single-folded film.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said nozzle (18) is adapted to allow vacuum and/or the introduction of gases or mixes at either said open longitudinal side (9) of said single-folded film (7) or at a fourth transverse side (20) that is adjacent to the lateral inlet (10) of said vacuum bell-shaped chamber (3).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said nozzle (18) is inserted hermetically from the base of said vacuum bell-shaped chamber (3) and is connected to a piston (31).

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said nozzle (18), of the type that can be extended/shortened as the width of said single-folded film (7) varies and is adapted to tighten and/or guide said single-folded film (7) upon a transverse movement thereof, is of the telescopic type and comprises a hollow body (60), with which a hollow stem (62), provided with an end (63), is associated slidingly by means of sealing gaskets (61).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the end (63) of said stem is rounded and adapted to interfere by abutment with the first closed longitudinal side (8) of the single-folded film (7).

6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that said gaskets are made of polyethylene or equivalent material.

7. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that proximate to said end (63) there are one or more holes (64) for the emission of said gas or mix.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said gas or mix are injected proximate to said folded longitudinal side (8) of said single-folded film (7).

9. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the extension of said nozzle (18) is modified by elongating or shortening said stem (62), depending on the width of the container or package (21) that can be obtained, its length being varied manually by the operator or automatically.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that by moving in a same direction the loading surface of said product (2) together with said single-folded film (7) in the direction of said open longitudinal side (9), said single-folded film (7) fits onto said nozzle (18) almost to the base thereof if it is necessary to package a product (2) of reduced size.

11. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that by moving the loading surface of said product (2) in the direction of said folded longitudinal side (8) of said single-folded film (7), said stem (62) of said nozzle (18) is elongated, guiding said single-folded film (7) in its movement for packaging a product (2) with larger dimensions.

Drawing