Packaging apparatus and process
AssigneeCryovac, Inc.
InventorIacopo Tibe'
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process of packaging includes providing a bottom support, providing a top film, and forming a closed chamber where a portion of the bottom support, a product and a portion of the top film are housed. The further includes sealing the portion of the bottom support to the portion of the top film along a sealing band circumscribing the product to sealingly house the product in a volume and forming one or more hollow structures by sealing a part of the portion of the top film to a part of the portion of the bottom support at one or more selected seal zones. Before forming the hollow structure, the part of the portion of the top film and of the portion of the bottom support destined to form the hollow structure are maintained separate at a distance the one from the other.
Claims20
A method of packaging comprising the following steps:
- providing a bottom support;
- providing a top film;
- and
- forming a closed chamber that houses:
- a portion of the bottom support,
- a product above the portion of the bottom support, and
- a portion of the top film above the product and the portion of the bottom support;
- wherein, when the portion of the bottom support, the product, and the portion of the top film are located inside the closed chamber, the method further includes:
- sealing the portion of the bottom support to the portion of the top film along a sealing band circumscribing the product to sealingly house the product in a volume between the portion of the top film and the portion of the bottom support, and
- forming a hollow structure by sealing a part of the portion of the top film to a part of the portion of the bottom support at a selected seal zone;
- wherein, before forming the hollow structure, the part of the portion of the top film and the part of the portion of the bottom support that will form the hollow structure are maintained separate at a distance from each other.
An apparatus comprising:
- a packaging assembly having an upper tool and a lower tool;
- a top film supply assembly configured to supply a top film to the packaging assembly;
- a bottom support supply assembly configured to supply a bottom support to the packaging assembly;
- and
- a control unit communicatively coupled to the packaging assembly and configured to control operation of the packaging assembly;
- wherein the upper tool and the lower tool are movable relative to one another between:
- at least one open condition, where the upper tool and the lower tool define an open chamber, wherein, during the open condition, the upper and lower tool are configured to allow access into the open chamber of a portion of the bottom support, of a product positioned on the portion of the bottom support, and of a portion of the top film, and
- at least one closed condition, where the upper tool and the lower tool are proximate to each other and delimit a closed chamber;
- further wherein the control unit is configured to command the packaging assembly to:
- position in the open condition and allow access into the open chamber for the portion of the bottom support, the product on the portion of the bottom support, and the portion of the top film,
- position in the closed condition to house the portion of the bottom support, the product, and the portion of the top film inside the closed chamber,
- seal the portion of the bottom support to the portion of the top film along a sealing band circumscribing the product to sealingly house the product in a volume between the portion of the top film and the portion of the bottom support,
- form a hollow structure by sealing a part of the portion of the top film to a part of the portion of the bottom support at a selected seal zone,
- before forming the hollow structure, maintain the part of the portion of the top film and the part of the portion of the bottom support separate at a distance from each other.
The apparatus of any one of claims from 16, wherein:
- the active surface of the lower tool comprises second holes in fluid communication with a suction source;
- and
- the suction source is configured to withdraw gas from the second holes to allow the portion of the bottom support to adhere the active surface of the lower tool.
The apparatus of any one of claims from 13, wherein the upper tool and the lower tool are relatively movable to the other between:
- the closed condition;
- and
- a sealing condition where part of the active surface of the upper tool is proximate to part of the active surface of the lower tool to contact and seal the portions of the bottom support and of the top film received in the closed chamber to each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.