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(11) | EP 2 995 563 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Pneumatic apparatus for odorisation of a packaging, such as a food-preserving tray, containing a product, more particularly a food product, and corresponding method |
| (57) Apparatus (10) for odorising a packaging (CON), such as for example a food-preserving
tray, wherein a product (PR), more particularly a food product, is packaged to be
later consumed, wherein the apparatus (10) is suitable for producing and dispensing
an odorising/aromatising substance (G1+G2+L, OD) in gaseous form in the packaging
(CON) containing the product (PR), before the packaging is hermetically sealed and
sent for consumption, and is characterised in that it comprises only mechanical parts
and pneumatic devices (20, 30, 40) for producing, controlling and dispensing the odorising/aromatising
substance (OD) in the packaging (CON) to be odorised, and therefore does not comprise
electric and/or electronic devices which could be the source of risks for safety in
the environment wherein this odorising apparatus (10) is installed. In addition to
the advantage of not having electrical connections with the exterior and parts so
as not to create safety problems, the odorising apparatus (10) of the invention also
has that of having reduced dimensions and bulk so as to allow for example a wall attachment
thereof and easy and problem-free integration in a packaging line.
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Field of the invention
[0001] The present invention relates in general to the sector of the packaging of products, above all food products, and more particularly it relates to a new apparatus, with fully pneumatic functioning, which is suitable for odorising a packaging, such as for example a food-preserving tray or a similar packaging, wherein a food product is packaged and supplied, in order to avoid the formation of bad and unpleasant odours at the time of opening of the same packaging and therefore of consumption of the food product.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a corresponding method for odorising a packaging, such as typically a food-preserving tray, wherein a food product is packaged and supplied in order to be consumed.
Background of the invention and prior art
[0003] The prior art has various solutions and systems aimed at avoiding and remedying the problem, as often occurs, that a packaging, for example in the form of a food-preserving tray or a similar packaging, in which a product, in particular a food product, is packaged, can, when the packaging is opened and torn to allow consuming of the food product supplied therein, release and emit a bad and unpleasant odour, with obvious negative consequences on liking by the consumer of the same product which is supplied in the packaging.
[0004] For example it is known to insufflate a substance, in particular in the form of a gas or a gas mixture, containing micro drops of an odorising and/or aromatising substance, in a tray, in particular a food-preserving tray, in which a food product is packaged in a packaging line, before hermetically sealing the same tray and being distributed in order to be consumed.
[0005] In this way the tray, once sealed hermetically, retains in its interior the fragrancing and/or aromatising substance insufflated, so that, when the same tray is open and torn at the time of consumption of the food product contained therein and supplied, the fragrancing and/or aromatising substance expands in the external environment, generating a pleasing aroma and odour and thus avoiding the formation of bad odours which could jeopardise the liking of the product to be consumed.
[0006] Unfortunately these apparatuses and known solutions have some limitations and disadvantages of considerable extent, which often limit the use thereof and which should therefore be remedied.
[0007] First of all known apparatuses have somewhat bulky dimensions and construction, which makes their placing and integration in industrial packaging lines, and in general in processing environments where the available space is reduced, difficult.
[0008] Moreover these known apparatuses of odorisation of packagings in which a product is supplied are not suitable for being installed in industrial and processing environments in which flammable materials and substances are handled, moved and are in general present, that is subject to a risk, possibly even only potential, of catching fire.
[0009] In fact these known apparatuses include usually electric and/or electromechanical devices which could overheat and generate sparks in critical conditions, so as to trigger in the presence of these inflammable materials and substances dangerous and damaging fires.
[0010] Consequently also these known apparatuses often require large and costly investments aimed at making safe, in particular against possible fires, the industrial environments in which they have to be installed.
Summary of the invention
[0011] Therefore a first object of the present invention is to propose and produce an apparatus for odorising a sealed packaging containing a product, typically food, aimed at avoiding that at the time of opening of the packaging and therefore of the consumption of the product contained therein unpleasant and bad odours are released, wherein this apparatus has a simple construction with reduced bulk, so as to allow easy placing thereof, and moreover is suitable for being advantageously installed, in particular without requiring specific and burdensome safety interventions, in industrial and production environments in which substances subject to a risk, even only potential, of catching fire are handled, moved and are in general present.
[0012] A second object, in any case connected to the first, of the present invention is also that of promoting consumption of products, typically food products, which are packaged and distributed for consumption in sealed trays and similar containers, and therefore of avoiding those negative effects, in particular consisting of possible unpleasant odours which are released by these trays and containers at the time of their opening for consuming the product contained therein, which can prevent a complete and full liking by consumers of these products packaged and distributed for consumption in these sealed trays and similar containers.
[0013] The abovementioned objects can be considered achieved in full by the apparatus for odorising a packaging, such as for example a food-preserving tray, in which a product, in particular a food product, is packaged, having the features defined by the independent main claim 1, as also by the method corresponding to claim 10.
[0014] Particular embodiments of the present invention are moreover defined by the dependent claims.
[0015] There are numerous advantages, in part already implicitly disclosed previously, with respect to the systems and to the apparatuses currently in use, which are associated with the new odorising apparatus of the present invention, as listed here below, purely by way of an example:
- great simplicity and practicality in effective use;
- high security, the apparatus being totally pneumatic and free of electrical connections with external control panels and apparatuses;
- small size, in particular such as to allow wall attachment of the same apparatus;
- low running costs, without the need, unlike known apparatuses, of frequent sanitisation actions;
- regular and continuous functioning;
- reduced consumption of the odorising/aromatising substance.
Brief description of the drawings
[0016] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer and evident by the following description of one of its preferred embodiments, given by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a working block diagram of an apparatus, according to the present invention, with purely automatic functioning, for odorising a packaging, such as for example a food-preserving tray, wherein a product, more particularly a food product, is supplied;
Fig. 2 is a detailed diagram of the pneumatic system of the odorising apparatus of the invention of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3, divided into two parts (a) and (b), shows respectively in longitudinal and transverse section a cartridge nebuliser assembly, with dripper based on a Venturi tube, which is included in the odorising apparatus of Fig. 1; and
Figs. 4A and 4B are two photographic images respectively of a prototype and of a control panel of the odorising apparatus of the invention of Fig. 1.
Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
[0017] Referring to the block diagram of Fig. 1, an apparatus, according to the present invention, aimed at producing and dispensing a mixture of aromatised gas in a packaging, such as for example a food-preserving tray, wherein a product, more particularly a food product, is packaged and supplied, is denoted overall by 10 and comprises:
- a mixing system, represented with a block and denoted overall by 20, for producing a gas mixture;
- a cartridge nebuliser or oiler, represented with a block 30, for nebulising an odorising/aromatising liquid and mixing it with the gas mixture produced and fed by the mixing system 20; and
- a tank, represented with a block 40, where the mixture of nebulised liquid and gas is stored and the molecular exchange takes place between this gas mixture, supplied by the mixing system, and the nebulised liquid.
[0018] According to an essential feature of the present invention and as will be understood clearly here below in the description, the odorising apparatus 10 has a configuration involving a purely and totally pneumatic functioning and is therefore completely free of electric and/or electronic devices and parts, and also of electrical connections with external panels and apparatuses, wherein electrical currents/voltages and signals are present and/or circulate which could be a source of risk and create problems of safety in the environment in which the odorising apparatus 10 is installed.
[0019] In detail, the mixing system 20 comprises a first and a second tank, denoted by 21a and 21b, in particular in the form of cylinders, containing respectively a first gas G1 and a second gas G2 provided in order to be mixed one with the other, so as to form a gas mixture, not aromatised, denoted by (G1+G2).
[0020] Preferably the first gas G1 consists of nitrogen N2 and the second gas G2 consists of carbon dioxide CO2.
[0021] In any case even if the mixtures of nitrogen N2 and carbon dioxide CO2 are such as to cover most of the food products, other mixtures can be used without departing from the scope of the invention, for example mixtures composed of gases such as oxygen and argon, or ternary or quaternary mixtures.
[0022] The mixing system 20 comprises moreover a series of pneumatic components, listed here below and shown in the diagram of Fig. 2 with the respective standardised symbols, which have the function of controlling the dispensing of the two gases G1 and G2 from the respective tanks 21a and 21b and allowing a mixing thereof in the correct conditions of pressure and of flow, so as to supply, at the output of the mixing system 20, the gas mixture (G1+G2) at the values of pressure and flow required.
| Pneumatic component | Reference numeral |
| Filter | 22 |
| Pressure control valve | 23a |
| Pressure control pilot valve | 23b |
| Flow indicator | 24 |
| Flow regulator | 26 |
| Non-return valve | 27 |
| Pressure indicator | 29 |
[0023] A three-way valve, denoted by 25 in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided, at the output of the mixing system 20, in order to control the flow of the gas mixture (G1+G2) produced by the mixing system 20 along a first conduit 25' and a second conduit 25", respectively towards the nebuliser 30 and towards a storage tank, denoted by 28, where the gas mixture (G1+G2), not aromatised, can be stored.
[0024] The cartridge nebuliser 30, shown in detail in Fig. 3, has, as mentioned previously, the function of nebulising an odorising/aromatising liquid, denoted by L, and of mixing it with the gas mixture (G1+G2), not aromatised, coming from the mixing system 20.
[0025] More particularly the nebuliser 30 is of the cartridge type, i.e. it is suitable for being fed with a cartridge CAR, filled with the liquid L to be nebulised, which is replaced, once used up, with a new full cartridge containing the liquid L.
[0026] Operatively the nebuliser 30 is based on a so-called Venturi tube, that is it comprises a through tube 31 via which the gas mixture (G1+G2), non-aromatised, flows, coming from the mixing system 20, in which this tube 31 has in turn a narrow section 31a which is in communication, via a conduit 32, with the cartridge C containing the liquid L.
[0027] Therefore, in the functioning of the odorising apparatus 10, the flow of the gas mixture (G1+G2) which comes from the mixing system 20 creates in the zone of the narrow section 31 a of the tube 31 a vacuum which draws the odorising/aromatising liquid L from the respective cartridge into the nebuliser 30 and therefore causes the nebulisation of the liquid L in micro drops and its mixing with the gas mixture (G1+G2) which flows through the tube 31.
[0028] The tank 40 in turn is suitable for receiving, through a conduit 35, and for storing the aromatised gas mixture, denoted by (G1+G2+L), coming from the nebuliser 30, so as to allow, as already mentioned, the molecular exchange between the gases G1 and G2 and the nebulised liquid L and obtain therefore the final odorising/aromatising substance, denoted by OD, to be used to odorise the packaging in which the food product is packaged.
[0029] A first conduit 37, associated with a ball valve 38, has the function of allowing the discharge of the odorising/aromatising substance OD from the tank 40.
[0030] A second conduit 36 is provided for feeding, as denoted by an arrow f1, the odorising/aromatising substance OD from the tank 40 to a packaging line, schematised in Figs. 1 and 2 and denoted overall by LC, where this odorising/aromatising substance OD is in fact used for odorising a plurality of packagings, denoted by CON, each one containing a generic product, in particular a food product, denoted by PR.
[0031] In detail, in the packaging line LC, the packagings CON are fed and made to advance, in an open configuration and inside each of them the food product PR, along a packaging path, as indicated by an arrow f2, and, while they advance along this path, they receive in their interior from the conduit 36, in an odorising and sealing station denoted by SOS, a certain quantity of deodorising/aromatising substance OD.
[0032] Then, after having received from the conduit 36, for example by blowing or in any other known manner, the odorising/aromatising substance OD, the packagings CON are immediately sealed, as denoted by arrows f3, so that the odorising/aromatising substance OD is not dispersed in the environment but is retained inside each packaging CON.
[0033] Finally the packagings CON, sealed, are sent to commercial distribution for their consumption.
[0034] Therefore, at the time of consumption of the product PR contained in every packaging CON, that is when the packaging CON is opened and de-sealed, the substance OD restrained therein is released and dispersed in the environment, thus preventing bad and unpleasant odours from being generated.
[0035] It is therefore clear, from what is described, that the present invention fully achieves the objects which had been set and in particular provides a new apparatus, easy and practical to use, able to avoid the formation of unpleasant and bad odours at the time of opening of a packaging, such as a food-preserving tray or a similar container, wherein a product, in particular a food product, is packaged, and moreover characterised by a high safety level, having a functioning which does not entail the use of electric components.
[0036] For completeness of information, the photographic images of Figs. 4A and 4B show respectively a prototype and a control panel of the odorising apparatus 10 of the invention.
[0037] As can be seen from these photographic images, the odorising apparatus 10 of the invention has no electric and/or electronic part, also in the control panel, and moreover has a compact construction such as to allow easy installation thereof, for example on the wall.
[0038] Without prejudice to the basic concepts of the present invention it is also clear that the apparatus, described hitherto, for odorising a packaging in which a product, in particular a food product, is supplied, can be the subject of variants and further improvements and modifications may be made thereto, without thereby departing from the scope of the same invention.
[0039] For example the various pneumatic components, included in the apparatus 10 and in particular in the respective mixing system 20, can be of different type and also be part of pneumatic circuits having a different configuration with respect to what has been described previously, obviously notwithstanding the primary capacity and function of these pneumatic components of obtaining, in the conditions and modes requested, the gas mixture (G1+G2) to be mixed, in the nebuliser 30, with the odorising/aromatising liquid L.
[0040] Moreover the gases G1 and G2 used by the mixing system 20 for producing the gas mixture (G1+G2) to be mixed with the odorising/aromatising liquid L can be supplied, not only in cylinders, but also in cryogenic containers or in general in systems suitable for containing gas.
[0041] Again, according to a variant, the apparatus can be set up in such a way as to operate also by excluding and therefore without the aromatising system, that is without passing the mixture (G1+G2) through the odoriser OD, so as to package the product PR in the packaging CON using only the gas mixture (G1+G2), non-aromatised.
1. Apparatus (10) for odorising a packaging, such as for example a food-preserving tray,
in which a product (PR), more particularly a food product, is packaged and supplied,
wherein the apparatus (10) is suitable for producing and dispensing an odorising/aromatising
substance (G1+G2+L, OD) in gaseous form in the packaging (CON) containing the product
(PR), before the packaging is hermetically sealed, characterised in that it comprises only mechanical parts and pneumatic devices (20, 30, 40) for producing,
controlling and dispensing the odorising/aromatising substance (OD) in the packaging
(CON) to be odorised, and therefore does not comprise electric and/or electronic devices
which could be the source of risks for safety in the environment wherein this odorising
apparatus (10) is installed.
2. Odorising apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises:
- a mixing system (20) for producing a gas mixture (G1+G2);
- an oiler or nebuliser (30) for nebulising an odorising/aromatising liquid (L) and mixing it with the gas mixture (G1+G2) produced and fed by the mixing system (20); and
- a tank (40), where the mixture (G1+G2+L) of nebulised liquid and gas is stored and the molecular exchange takes place between this gas mixture, supplied by the mixing system and the nebulised liquid, so as to obtain the odorising/aromatising substance (OD) to be used for odorising the packaging (CON).
3. Odorising apparatus (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said oiler or nebuliser (30) is of the type comprising a Venturi tube for drawing
the odorising/aromatising liquid (L) and mixing it with the gas mixture (G1+G2) produced
and fed by the mixing system (20).
4. Odorising apparatus (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that said oiler is of the type suitable for receiving an interchangeable cartridge (CAR)
containing the odorising/aromatising liquid (L) to be mixed with the gas mixture (G1+G2)
produced and fed by said mixing system (20).
5. Odorising apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
mixing system (20) is suitable for producing said gas mixture (G1+G2) from nitrogen
(N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
6. Odorising apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said mixing
system (20) is suitable for producing said gas mixture (G1+G2) from oxygen and argon.
7. Odorising apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it uses ternary or quaternary mixtures produced by the respective mixing system.
8. Odorising apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
gases (G1, G2) used by said mixing system (20) for producing the gas mixture (G1+G2)
to be mixed with the odorising/aromatising liquid (L) are supplied in cylinders or
in cryogenic containers or systems suitable for containing gas.
9. Odorising apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising,
in the zone at the output of said mixing system 20, a three-way valve (25) suitable
for controlling the flow of the gas mixture (G1+G2), produced by said mixing system
(20), towards said oiler or nebuliser (30) and towards a storage tank (28) of this
gas mixture (G1+G2).
10. Method for odorising a packaging, such as for example a food-preserving tray, wherein
a product (PR), more particularly a food product, is packaged and supplied, comprising
the following steps:
- providing an odorising apparatus (10) suitable for producing and dispensing an odorising/aromatising
substance (G1+G2+L, OD) in gaseous form in the packaging (CON) containing the product
(PR), before the packaging is hermetically sealed,
wherein said odorising apparatus (10) comprises:
- a mixing system (20) for producing a gas mixture (G1+G2);
- an oiler or nebuliser (30) for nebulising an odorising/aromatising liquid (L) and mixing it with the gas mixture (G1+G2) produced and fed by the mixing system (20); and
- a tank (40), where the mixture (G1+G2+L) of nebulised liquid and gas is stored and
the molecular exchange takes place between this gas mixture, supplied by the mixing
system and the nebulised liquid, so as to obtain the odorising/aromatising substance
(OD) to be used for odorising the packaging (CON), and
wherein said odorising apparatus (10) comprises only mechanical parts and pneumatic
devices (20, 30, 40) for producing, controlling and dispensing the odorising/aromatising
substance (OD) in the packaging (CON) to be odorised, so that the apparatus has a
functioning which does not involve the use of electric and/or electronic devices which
could be the source of risks for safety in the environment wherein it (10) is installed.