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US3890761A - Vacuum skin packaging method - Google Patents

Vacuum skin packaging method Download PDF

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Publication number
US3890761A
US3890761A US407249A US40724973A US3890761A US 3890761 A US3890761 A US 3890761A US 407249 A US407249 A US 407249A US 40724973 A US40724973 A US 40724973A US 3890761 A US3890761 A US 3890761A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
web
article
package
parts
spaced
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US407249A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Harold Eugene Ramsey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
EIDP Inc
Original Assignee
EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co filed Critical EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Priority to US407249A priority Critical patent/US3890761A/en
Priority to CA211,456A priority patent/CA1022445A/en
Priority to AU74326/74A priority patent/AU496770B2/en
Priority to ES431085A priority patent/ES431085A1/es
Priority to BE149595A priority patent/BE821142A/xx
Priority to SE7413027A priority patent/SE401145B/xx
Priority to NO743719A priority patent/NO140339C/no
Priority to FR7434740A priority patent/FR2248196B1/fr
Priority to IT7428507Q priority patent/IT1022940B/it
Priority to GB4479974A priority patent/GB1445285A/en
Priority to AR256128A priority patent/AR200816A1/es
Priority to DK542674A priority patent/DK143789C/da
Priority to DE19742449452 priority patent/DE2449452A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3890761A publication Critical patent/US3890761A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
    • B65B11/50—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins
    • B65B11/52—Enclosing articles, or quantities of material, by disposing contents between two sheets, e.g. pocketed sheets, and securing their opposed free margins one sheet being rendered plastic, e.g. by heating, and forced by fluid pressure, e.g. vacuum, into engagement with the other sheet and contents, e.g. skin-, blister-, or bubble- packaging

Definitions

  • a method of forming a vacuum skin package including the steps of:
  • top web positioning means pushing, by means of web positioning means, the top web into a first package forming position whereat suchtop web is in contact with the top part of the article, is closely adjacent the side parts of the article, and is spaced from and is closely adjacent the bottom web;
  • top and bottom webs moving, by means of web positioning means, the top and bottom webs relative to each other and into a second package forming position whereat spaced parts of the top web are in sealing contact with opposed parts of the bottom web, still leaving other spaced, opposed parts of the top and bottom web unsealed;
  • top web pushing, by means of air exerted on the outer surface of the top web, the top web into a third package forming position, whereat such other spaced, opposed parts of the top and bottom webs are in sealing contact and other parts of the top web are in skin-like contact with the top and side parts of the article thereby to form a sealed vacuum skin package.
  • This invention is a package-making method and, more particularly, is directed to a novel method of skin packaging an article or a plurality of articles in plastic film.
  • the invention relates to a method of packaging a high profile article, such as a piece of meat, in plastic film to form a skin package including the steps of pushing or moving, in three distinct stages, a top plastic web around and into skin-like engagement with the article being packaged and into partial, then full, sealing engagement with a bottom plastic web carrying the article by means of web positioning means,. followed by air pressure.
  • Packaging methods of this general type are old. It is known, for example, to skin package an article by pushing a top web into engagement with an article and a bottom web by exerting air pressure on the top web, for example.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 2,690,593 to Abercrombie which is exemplary of the prior art, discloses moving a heater housing and platen towards a base to envelop an article positioned thereon in a plastic sheet, followed by subjecting the surface of the plastic sheet to reduced pressure to shrink it about the article.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,589 to Grinstead discloses placing a product within packaging material, the edges of which are clamped to produce a fluid tight joint, after which a greater pressure is applied to the outer surface of the material than that existing on the inner surface of the material.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,858 to Eberman et al. discloses a continuous package-forming machine in which vacuum means are provided for holding an upper film out of the way of an article to define an article-receiving pocket therefor, followed by shrinking the upper film about the article and into sealing contact with a lower film in a continuous operation.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,504 to Young et al. teaches a method and apparatus for vacuum skin packaging in which a heated upper film is draped over the product while preventing premature sealing of it to a lower packaging member while air is removed between the film and the packaging member, after which the film is pushed against the product against the package member to form a heat-sealed skin packaged product.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,991 to Perdue et al. discloses a vacuum skin package, and process and apparatus for making the same.
  • a flexible sheet is shaped into a cavity then positioned over the product and out of contact with it, after which the space between the sheet and a bottom supporting member is evacuated. The sheet is then moved from its concave shape and into the product and into sealing contact with the supporting member.
  • a method of forming of vacuum skin package of this invention includes the steps of:
  • top web into a first package forming position by means of web positioning means into and around the article and toward such bottom web whereat such top web is in contact with the top part of the article and is closely adjacent all the side parts of the article and is spaced from and closely adjacent the bottom web;
  • top and bottom webs removing air from between the top and bottom web while the top web is in its first package forming position; moving the top and bottom webs relative to each other and into a second package forming position by means of the web positioning means whereat opposed parts of such top web are in sealing contact with parts of the bottom web, still leaving other parts of the top and bottom webs unsealed;
  • This invention specifically improves a packaging method of the type taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,504 to Young et al., for example.
  • web positioning means are used to diminish the potential of fins or capillaries occurring during the package forming operation. This also greatly reduces the size of the fins formed around the product and results in the package having greater seal integrity. This solution to the problems as discussed previously greatly improves methods of the Young et al. type and has rendered the making of a sealed vacuum skin package even in cases where high profile and unusually shaped articles are packaged, a capability now available to the art and such capability is this invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial schematic sectional view of an apparatus capable of performing the packaging method of this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a vacuum chamber (in open position) of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing an article on a bottom web, with a top web draped or positioned over the top part of the article but not in close proximity with all the side parts of the article;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the vacuum chamber of FIG. 2 in its closed position showing the top web pushed around and in close proximity with all the side parts of the article but spaced from the bottom web;
  • FIG. 4 is a planar sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3, immediately after air is removed from between the top and bottom webs and the webs are moved adjacent to each other into the second package forming position, showing spaced partial seals of the top web to opposed parts of the bottom web around the article being packaged;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the vacuum chamber of FIG. 2 in its closed position after the unsealed parts of the top web have been pushed into full sealing contact with opposed parts of the bottom web and after other parts of the top web have been pushed into skin-like engagement with the top and side parts of the article thereby to form a vacuum skin package.
  • FIG. 1 An apparatus for performing the packaging method of this invention is schematically shown in FIG. 1, which method is an improvement over vacuum packaging methods of the types known to the prior art, such as those shown in U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,491,504 and 3,694,991, for example.
  • a product is positioned on a bottom heat-scalable web within a vacuum chamber and a heat-sealable top web is positioned over the product.
  • the space surrounding the product between the top and bottom webs is evacuated and the top web is driven onto the product and into contact with the bottom web in a vacuum-sealing relationship.
  • the improved method of this invention of forming a vacuum skin package includes the steps of:
  • top web 1 positioning an article A to be packaged between a top web 1 and a bottom web 2 of plastic film, with the bottom part of the article resting on the bottom web; pushing, by means of web positioning means 3, the top web 1 into a first package forming position whereat such top web 1 is in contact with the top part of the article A, is closely adjacent all the side parts of the article, and is spaced from and is closely adjacent the bottom web 2;
  • the improvement of the packaging method of this invention over prior art methods essentially comprises: heating the heat-sealable top web 1 to a heat-forming temperature by using a heater 5;
  • FIG. 2 shows in greater detail the vacuum chamber 6 in its initial opened position.
  • the top web 1 can be predraped, as shown, over the article A or can be free of the article A as it arrives at the vacuum chamber 6 and in a position substantially parallel with the bottom web 2 but completely clear of'the article A.
  • the sealing ring 7 which has a discontinuous lower surface for contacting the top web, extends below the vacuum chamber seal 9 when in the open position as shown in FIG. 2 and is spring-loaded by springs and 11.
  • Elevator platform 14 is operable in the vertical direction by actuating its support rod 15. This platform is used to assist in effecting the intermittent seals between the top web 1 and bottom web 2 by exerting pressure on the bottom web 2 during the intermittent sealing operation. It is also used to facilitate the removal of the finished package from the vacuum chamber 6.
  • FIG. 3 shows the vacuum chamber 6 in its closed position whereby air may be evacuated from within the package being formed and from within the vacuum chamber 6.
  • the bottom web 2 is shown positioned on the elevator platform 14 while the web 1 is shown secured between the sections of the vacuum chamber 6 and forming a tight seal with vacuum chamber seal 9.
  • the sealing ring 7 has depressed the web 1 around the product and into its first package forming position.
  • FIG. 4 shows in detail a discontinuously sealed peripheral path around the product A caused by the spring-loaded action of the sealing ring 7 and the further upward movement of the platform 14.
  • the sealing ring 7 and platform 14 comprise essential parts of the web positioning means 3 and push and/or move the top and bottom webs 1 and 2 relative to each other and into their first and second package forming positions. As shown in FIG. 4, in the second package forming position the top web 1 is sealed to the bottom web 2 preferably at spaced, opposed parts thereof.
  • top and bottom packaging members or webs 1 and 2 creates excessive tenting (the presence of air between the web produces a ballooning effect) and increases the time it takes the top web 1 to reach the bottom web 2 during the package-forming operation.
  • this invention is a method of making a vacuum skin package in which a top film l is positioned over an article product A placed on a bottom film 2, which top and bottom films are heat-sealed together after a vacuum is placed upon the product A, the improvement which includes the steps of:
  • a method of forming a vacuum skin package including the steps of:
  • top web positioning means pushing, by means of web positioning means, the top web into a first package forming position whereat such top web is in contact with the top part of the article, is closely adjacent all the side parts of the article, and is spaced from and is closely adjacent but not sealed to the bottom web;
  • top and bottom webs moving, by means of web positioning means, the top and bottom webs relative to each other and into a second package forming position whereat spaced parts of the top web are in sealing contact with opposed parts of the bottom web, still leaving other spaced, opposed parts of the top and bottom web unsealed;
  • top web pushing, by means of air exerted on the outer surface of the top web, the top web into a third package forming position, whereat such other spaced, opposed parts of the top and bottom webs are in sealing contact and other parts of the top web are in skin-like contact with the top and side parts of the article thereby to form a sealed vacuum skinpackage.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Jellies, Jams, And Syrups (AREA)
US407249A 1973-10-17 1973-10-17 Vacuum skin packaging method Expired - Lifetime US3890761A (en)

Priority Applications (13)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US407249A US3890761A (en) 1973-10-17 1973-10-17 Vacuum skin packaging method
AU74326/74A AU496770B2 (en) 1973-10-17 1974-10-15 Packaging method
CA211,456A CA1022445A (en) 1973-10-17 1974-10-15 Packaging method
FR7434740A FR2248196B1 (es) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16
SE7413027A SE401145B (sv) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Sett att forma en vakuumforpackning
NO743719A NO140339C (no) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Fremgangsmaate ved fremstilling av en vakuumpakning
ES431085A ES431085A1 (es) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Metodo para formar un embalaje en forma de piel bajo vacio.
IT7428507Q IT1022940B (it) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Metodo di confezionamento
GB4479974A GB1445285A (en) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Packaging method
AR256128A AR200816A1 (es) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Metodo de embalaje
DK542674A DK143789C (da) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Fremgangsmaade og apparat til dannelse af en vakuumfoliepakning
BE149595A BE821142A (fr) 1973-10-17 1974-10-16 Procede d'emballage sous pellicule de matiere plastique
DE19742449452 DE2449452A1 (de) 1973-10-17 1974-10-17 Verfahren zum herstellen von skinpackungen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US407249A US3890761A (en) 1973-10-17 1973-10-17 Vacuum skin packaging method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3890761A true US3890761A (en) 1975-06-24

Family

ID=23611254

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US407249A Expired - Lifetime US3890761A (en) 1973-10-17 1973-10-17 Vacuum skin packaging method

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US3890761A (es)
AR (1) AR200816A1 (es)
AU (1) AU496770B2 (es)
BE (1) BE821142A (es)
CA (1) CA1022445A (es)
DE (1) DE2449452A1 (es)
DK (1) DK143789C (es)
ES (1) ES431085A1 (es)
FR (1) FR2248196B1 (es)
GB (1) GB1445285A (es)
IT (1) IT1022940B (es)
NO (1) NO140339C (es)
SE (1) SE401145B (es)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4145863A (en) * 1977-05-27 1979-03-27 Diversified Packaging, Incorporated Apparatus for skin packaging using platen forming of the film
DE2758808A1 (de) * 1977-12-30 1979-07-19 American Can Co Verfahren und vorrichtung zur herstellung einer vakuum-skin-verpackung
US4537009A (en) * 1982-09-14 1985-08-27 Fmc Corporation Method and apparatus for packaging articles such as fruit
US5177932A (en) * 1990-07-25 1993-01-12 Horst Schwede Apparatus for producing a packing
US20130180878A1 (en) * 2012-01-18 2013-07-18 Maxtech Consumer Products Limited Plastic packaging, and method and apparatus for producing same
CN117508744A (zh) * 2024-01-04 2024-02-06 河南科技学院 一种用于中方肉的无破膜真空包装方法

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3015847C2 (de) * 1980-04-24 1985-11-07 Dixie-Union Verpackungen Gmbh, 8960 Kempten Verfahren zum Vakuum-Skinverpacken von verhältnismäßig hohem Packgut und Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
GB2235678A (en) * 1989-08-29 1991-03-13 Grace W R & Co Packaging method and apparatus

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3260032A (en) * 1963-06-07 1966-07-12 William M Hill Apparatus for making packages
US3634993A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-01-18 Young William E Bottom platen apparatus for forming skin packaging

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3260032A (en) * 1963-06-07 1966-07-12 William M Hill Apparatus for making packages
US3634993A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-01-18 Young William E Bottom platen apparatus for forming skin packaging

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4145863A (en) * 1977-05-27 1979-03-27 Diversified Packaging, Incorporated Apparatus for skin packaging using platen forming of the film
DE2758808A1 (de) * 1977-12-30 1979-07-19 American Can Co Verfahren und vorrichtung zur herstellung einer vakuum-skin-verpackung
US4537009A (en) * 1982-09-14 1985-08-27 Fmc Corporation Method and apparatus for packaging articles such as fruit
US5177932A (en) * 1990-07-25 1993-01-12 Horst Schwede Apparatus for producing a packing
US20130180878A1 (en) * 2012-01-18 2013-07-18 Maxtech Consumer Products Limited Plastic packaging, and method and apparatus for producing same
CN117508744A (zh) * 2024-01-04 2024-02-06 河南科技学院 一种用于中方肉的无破膜真空包装方法
CN117508744B (zh) * 2024-01-04 2024-04-05 河南科技学院 一种用于中方肉的无破膜真空包装方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE7413027L (es) 1975-04-18
CA1022445A (en) 1977-12-13
AU7432674A (en) 1976-04-29
GB1445285A (en) 1976-08-11
AU496770B2 (en) 1978-10-26
BE821142A (fr) 1975-04-16
IT1022940B (it) 1978-04-20
DK143789B (da) 1981-10-12
FR2248196B1 (es) 1980-04-04
NO743719L (es) 1975-05-12
NO140339C (no) 1979-08-15
DK542674A (es) 1975-06-16
AR200816A1 (es) 1974-12-13
DK143789C (da) 1982-03-29
NO140339B (no) 1979-05-07
SE401145B (sv) 1978-04-24
ES431085A1 (es) 1977-01-01
FR2248196A1 (es) 1975-05-16
DE2449452A1 (de) 1975-04-30

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC., AMERICAN LANE, GREENW

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, A NJ CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004835/0338

Effective date: 19861107

Owner name: AMERICAN NATIONAL CAN COMPANY

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNORS:AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC.;TRAFALGAR INDUSTRIES, INC. (MERGED INTO);NATIONAL CAN CORPORATION (CHANGED TO);REEL/FRAME:004835/0354

Effective date: 19870430

Owner name: AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC., CONNECTICUT

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMERICAN CAN COMPANY, A NJ CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004835/0338

Effective date: 19861107

Owner name: AMERICAN NATIONAL CAN COMPANY, STATELESS

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNORS:AMERICAN CAN PACKAGING INC.;TRAFALGAR INDUSTRIES, INC. (MERGED INTO);NATIONAL CAN CORPORATION (CHANGED TO);REEL/FRAME:004835/0354

Effective date: 19870430