Process and apparatus for gas extraction in packaging

A packaging process comprising:

• providing a sealed package containing a product to be packaged, the sealed package being made from a film and having a first sealed end and a second sealed end,
• providing a vacuum chamber including a first member and a second member arranged opposite the first member, the first member and the second member being relatively movable between a first configuration, in which the first and second members are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, in which the first and second members are in contact with one another along a perimeter thereof except for at least one opening being formed between the first and second members,
• adjusting a spacing between the first and second members to bring the first and second members into the first configuration, thereby opening the vacuum chamber,
• relatively positioning the sealed package and the vacuum chamber such that a terminal portion of the second end is positioned within the vacuum chamber and a non-terminal portion of the second end is positioned outside the vacuum chamber, an intermediate portion of the second end passing through the opening, the intermediate portion extending between the terminal and nonterminal portions of the second end,
• adjusting the spacing between the first and second members to bring the first and second members into the second configuration, wherein in the second configuration, the first and second members are, except for the opening, substantially sealingly in contact with one another, and the intermediate portion of the second end is received in the opening,
• creating an aperture in the film at the terminal portion of the second end, and creating, within the vacuum chamber, an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber, the internal vacuum pressure and the size of the aperture being selected such as to:
• determine an expansion of the terminal portion causing opposing layers of the film at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and
• aspirate gas into the vacuum chamber from inside the semi-sealed package through the opening and through the aperture.

A device for extracting gas from a semi-sealed package in a packaging apparatus, the semi-sealed package containing a product and having a first sealed end and a second open end, the second end having a terminal portion, a non-terminal portion, and an intermediate portion located between the terminal and nonterminal portions of the second end, the device comprising:

• a vacuum chamber having a first member and a second member arranged opposite the first member, the first member of the vacuum chamber and/or the second member of the vacuum chamber being movable relative to the other between a first configuration, in which the first and second members are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, in which the first and second members are in contact with one another along a perimeter thereof except for at least one opening being formed between the first and second members, and
• an evacuation means for providing the vacuum chamber with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber, and
• a control unit programmed to:
• adjust a spacing between the first and second members and bringing the first and second members in the second configuration such that the intermediate portion of the second end is received in the opening without creating an air-tight seal between the intermediate portion and the first and second members along the opening, wherein, in the second configuration, the first and second members are, except for the opening, sealingly in contact with one another,
• activate the evacuation means to provide the vacuum chamber with the internal vacuum pressure, and
• control the internal vacuum pressure to:
• allow a gas flow through the opening causing opposing layers of film at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and
• allow aspiration of both gas from inside the semi-sealed package and gas from an ambient atmosphere through the opening.

A device for extracting gas from a sealed package in a packaging apparatus, the sealed package containing a product and having a first sealed end and a second sealed end, the second end having a terminal portion, a non-terminal portion, and an intermediate portion located between the terminal and nonterminal portions of the second end, the device comprising:

• a vacuum chamber having a first member and a second member arranged opposite the first member, at least one of the first member of the vacuum chamber or the second member of the vacuum chamber being movable relative to the other between a first configuration, in which the first and second members are spaced apart from one another, and a second configuration, in which the first and second members are in contact with one another along a perimeter thereof except for at least one opening being formed between the first and second members,
• a puncturing means, an evacuation means for providing the vacuum chamber with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber, and
• a control unit programmed to:
• adjust a spacing between the first and second members and bringing the first and second members in the second configuration such that the intermediate portion of the second end is received in the opening without creating an air-tight seal between the intermediate portion and the first and second members along the opening, wherein, in the second configuration, the first and second members are, except for the opening, sealingly in contact with one another,
• control the puncturing means to create an aperture in the terminal portion of the second end, and
• activate the evacuation means to provide the vacuum chamber with the internal vacuum pressure, and
• control the internal vacuum pressure to:
• allow an expansion of the terminal portion causing opposing layers of film at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and
• allow aspiration of gas into the vacuum chamber from inside the sealed package through the opening and through the aperture.