WO2011034415A1

WO2011034415A1 - A packaging for use in vacuum packaging

Info

Publication number: WO2011034415A1
Application number: PCT/MY2010/000173
Authority: WO
Inventors: Boon Eow Phee; Boon Chee Phee
Original assignee: Sin Sheng Kuang (M) Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2009-09-18
Filing date: 2010-09-17
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Also published as: CN102695658B; MY160086A; CN102695658A

Abstract

A packaging (100) for use in a vacuum packaging process comprises a first (110) and a second flat panel (120) sealed along two opposite lateral edges and forming an enclosure (190) for an article to be packaged; a third (130) and a fourth flat panel (140) superimposed on and sealed to two opposite lateral edges of the first (110) and second flat panels (120) forming a puncture resistant outer surface for the packaging (100); and a top (170) and a bottom opening (180) for accessing the enclosure (190) and formed by unsealed portions of the edges of the panels; characterized in that the third (130) and fourth panels (140) are joined to the first (110) and second panels (120) at discrete points (150); whereby during the vacuum packaging process, air can be withdrawn from the enclosure (190) and from recess between the first (110) and third flat panel (130) and second (120) and fourth flat panels (140) before the packaging finally sealed, whereby during the vacuum packaging process, the first (110) and second panels (120) wrap and enclose the object to provide a first layer of packing for the object and simultaneously pull along the third (130) and fourth panels (140) to provide a second layer of packing for the object, whereby the differential packing created by the first and second layers of packing creates a enhanced puncture resistant effects to the packaging.

Description

A PACKAGING FOR USE IN VACUUM PACKAGING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

5 The present invention relates to a puncture resistant packaging for use in a vacuum packaging process. More specifically, the invention relates to a puncture resistant packaging for use in a vacuum packaging process adapted to pack objects with sharp edges. OB ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Processed food is normally stored in a package to facilitate convenient transportation and to prolong food preservation. It is a known art that food-decomposing microbial activities can be greatly reduced when oxygen is minimized or removed from the food package. Vacuum packaging is commonly employed to reduce oxygen content in5food package. In a vacuum packaging process, the packaging together with the food enclosed therein are subjected to vacuum suction whereby air is drawn out from the package. The packaging are subsequently sealed off to create a near vacuum conditions inside the package. The types of food suitable to be preserved in vacuum packaging include perishable food objects with relatively low humidity. A vacuum0packed package will have the packaging wrapping tightly around the objects enclosed therein owing to the high suction force applied in the vacuum packing process and atmospheric pressure will further press the packaging against the objects after the packaging is sealed. However, there are problems associated with vacuum packaging. The presence of sharp edges in the enclosed contents like rice, wheat,51obsters, shell seafood can sometimes cause breakage and puncture on the package. These sharp-edged objects may prick through the packaging during the vacuum packaging process. Sometimes, puncture can also occur when the package is subjected to impacts during transportation. Multilayer laminated packaging sheets have been developed to solve the problems but the solution is not entirely satisfactory because0the sharp objects may sometimes prick through the multilayer laminated packaging sheets as well. To overcome the problems, research has been undertaken to develop a packaging for use in a vacuum packaging process, which exhibits better puncture and impact resistant properties and at the same time can prolong the shelf life of perishable food

United States patent application no. 6799680 provides a vacuum sealed container 5comprising a first and a second gas-impermeable panels, each defining inner as well as outer surfaces, that both are sealingly joined together at three common adjacent peripheral edges to define a enclosure within. The first panel and second panel have a first and second network of non-interconnected channels respectively on the inner surface while forming a master network of interconnected channels by joining the two lOpanels together. The joined inter-connected network allows oxygen content to be drawn out during packaging. In order to connect the first and second network, the channels needs to be running at an angle from the long edges of the panels thus the second panel can superimpose on the first panel to form interconnected network. The claimed invention intends to provide a heat-sealable packages to be used for anaerobic

15or vacuum packaging and the interconnected network formed in the packages permits gas to be withdrawn therethrough from the interior of the packages.

Another United States patent application no. 7220053 discloses a flexible bag to be used in vacuum sealing. The flexible bag includes an inner bag that is enclosed by an

20outer bag that the inner bag is made of patterned panels, preferably at least four different panels, to form interconnected channels when the patterned panels are superimposed one another. Similar to the above mentioned US6799680, the panels of the inner bag of the disclosed invention contains a plurality of raised ring which join the straw-like channel of the outer bag to form inter-connected channel upon the outer

25bag superimposed onto the inner bag. This application aims to disclose a packaging material for use with vacuum packaging machines that the channels in between the outer and inner layers of the disclosed packaging material provide a way for the air from the interior of the packaging to be effectively withdrawn upon subjecting to means of vacuum pump.

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The common objects of the prior arts above are to facilitate the withdrawal of oxygen content during vacuum packaging process through the interconnected channels and does not improve the puncture resistant properties of the package. Moreover, the cost to produce packaging of the two above mentioned invention is higher as all the panels are required to be embossed with channels to allow the subsequent overlaying to form the inter-connected network. There is no necessity for interconnected channels in the 5present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a packaging to be used in a vacuum packaging process. Particularly, the packaging possesses improved puncture and impact resistant lOproperties. .

A further object of the present invention that is to create embossed effects on the external surfaces to offer extra aesthetic effect to the packaging. This can be done by impermeably entrapping a volume of air between the panels at places where the 15embossed effects are intended prior to the vacuum packaging process so that when the air is drawn out during the vacuum packing process, air is entrapped between the at the embossed places

The objects are met by the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the 20present invention comprises a first (110) and a second flat panel (120) sealed along two opposite lateral edges and forming an enclosure (190) for an article to be packaged; a third (130) and a fourth flat panel (140) superimposed on and sealed to two opposite lateral edges of the first (110) and second flat panels (120) forming a puncture resistant outer surface for the packaging (100); and a top (170) and a bottom 5opening (180) for accessing the enclosure(190) and formed by unsealed portions of the edges of the panels; characterized in that the third (130) and fourth panels (140) are joined to the first (110) and second panels (120) at discrete points (150); whereby during the vacuum packaging process, air can be withdrawn from the enclosure (190) and from recess between the first (110) and third flat panel (130) and second (120) 30and fourth flat panels (140) before the packaging finally sealed, the first (110) and second panels (120) wrap and enclose the object to provide a first layer of packing for the object and simultaneously pull along the third (130) and fourth panels (140) to provide a second layer of packing for the object, whereby the differential packing created by the first and second layers of packing creates a enhanced puncture resistant effects to the packaging.

5In accordance with one of the embodiments, the the first (110) and second flat panel (120) are two sides of a length long flatten tubing. Similarly, the third (130) and fourth flat panel (140) can be fabricated in the same manner that both flat panels are two sides of a length long flatten tubing too. lODepending on the packing process, in one embodiment, the top and/or bottom openings of the packaging are sealed off in a vacuum packaging process upon receiving the object to be stored and may then be subjected to further process to improve the derived packaging.

15Another aspect of the present invention is that the first and second panels are made of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, while the third and fourth panels are made of nylon and other type like vacuumable thermoplastic or any laminates derived thereof.

20Still another aspect of the present invention that is to create embossed effects on parts of the external surfaces the third or fourth panels to offer extra aesthetic effect to the packaging. This can be done by having parts of the third and/or fourth panels sealed onto the first and/or panels before the vacuum packaging process to impermeably entrap a volume of air between the panels at the places where the embossed effects are

25intended so that when the air is drawn out during the vacuum packing process, air is entrapped between the panels at the embossed places.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiments of the present invention;

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Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in figure 1 ; and Figure 3 shows different ways to have the discrete points (150) distributed on the packaging disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

50ne skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiment describes herein is not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. lOThe present invention includes a packaging (100) for use in a vacuum packaging process comprising a first (1 10) and a second flat panel (120) sealed along two opposite lateral edges and forming an enclosure (190) for an article to be packaged; a third (130) and a fourth flat panel (140) superimposed on and sealed to two opposite lateral edges of the first (110) and second flat panels (120) forming a puncture

15resistant outer surface for the packaging (100); and a top (170) and a bottom opening (180) for accessing the enclosure(190) and formed by unsealed portions of the edges of the panels; characterized in that the third (130) and fourth panels (140) are joined to the first (1 10) and second panels (120) at discrete points (150); whereby during the vacuum packaging process, air can be withdrawn from the enclosure (190) and from

20recess between the first (1 10) and third flat panel (130) and second (120) and fourth flat panels (140) before the packaging finally sealed, the first (110) and second panels (120) wrap and enclose the object to provide a first layer of packing for the object and simultaneously pull along the third (130) and fourth panels (140) to provide a second layer of packing for the object, whereby the differential packing created by the first _:

25and second layers of packing creates a enhanced puncture resistant effects to the packaging.

In the present invention, a packaging comprising a first (1 10), a second (120), a third (130) and a fourth panels (140) joined together at opposite lateral sides (111, 1 12, 30121, 122). The third (130) and fourth panels (140) are superimposed on top of the first (110) and second panels (120). Parts of the internal surfaces of the third (130) and fourth panels (140) are adhered onto external surfaces of the first (110) and second panels (120) in a pre-determined pattern or discrete points. The first (110) and second panels (120) will define a enclosure (190) for an articlet to be disposed therein. There will be a top (170) and a bottom openings (180) for accessing the enclosure (190) located at remaining opposite lateral sides which are not joined. During the vacuum 5packaging process, the first and second panels wrap and enclose the object to provide a first layer of packing for the object. During the vacuum packing process, the first and second panels simultaneously pull along the third and fourth panels to provide a second layer of packing for the object. The first layer of packing serves to blunt the sharp edges of the sharp object and provide a cushion for the second layer of lOpackaging that serve as a reinforcement layer for the objects to be enclosed. The differential packing created by the first and second layers of packing creates a enhanced puncture and impact resistant effects to the packaging.

Preferably, the first (110), second (120), third (130) and fourth panels (140) are 15joined together at opposite lateral sides (1 11, 112, 121, 122). Moreover, the first (110) and second flat panel (120) can be two sides of a length long flatten tubing rather than conjoined of two separate flat panels. Likewise, the same practice can be employed to fabricate the third (130) and fourth flat panel (140) which are two sides of a length long flatten tubing too.

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According to the preferred embodiment, the first (110) and second flexible panels 120) are made of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and the like. To join the two flexible panels at the pair of lateral opposite sides, heat sealing or adhesive is used in the prefer embodiment. Preferably,

25inner surface of the panels at the lateral sides are joined at the lateral sides to form a enclosure (190). As setting forth, the panels can be formed by a length long flatten tubing that a single flexible sheet with sufficient large surface area is folded and the side of the folded sheet are joined together by heat sealing or adhesive to form a enclosure (190) for deposit of an object to be packaged therein. The non-joined sides

30or non-sealed portions, namely the top edges and the bottom edges, of the two joined first and second panels form the top (170) and the bottom openings (180). The top (170) and bottom openings (180) are sealed off in a vacuum packaging process upon receiving the object. In another preferred embodiment, one of the openings is sealed to form a base to hold the object, which is introduced through the remaining opening, thereafter, the packaging (100) as well as the objects will be subject to vacuum packaging process with the remaining opening sealed off the remaining opening to 5produce a vacuum.

In the preferred embodiment, the third (130) and fourth flexible panels (140) are made of nylon, other type like vacuumable thermoplastic or any other laminates derived thereof. Preferably, the third and fourth panels are of approximately the same size or Oslightly larger than the first and second flexible panels to substantially shield the outer surfaces of the first (1 10) and second flexible panels (120). Preferably, the opposite lateral sides of the third and fourth flexible panels are adhered onto the joined opposite lateral sides (1 11, 1 12, 121, 122) of the first and second flexible panels via heat sealing or adhesive. The third (130) and fourth flexible panels (140) are further5attached onto the first (110) and second flexible panels (120) respectively through hot sealing or adhesive to form discrete points (150) which are arranged in a predetermined pattern. Preferably, the discrete points (150) may extend in parallel to the joined opposite lateral sides (1 1 1, 112, 121, 122). Besides, the discrete points may take different forms or shapes as illustrated in figure 3. It is important to note that the0discrete points (150) are essential for the present invention to create the desired differential packing effect in a vacuum packaging process. Generally, the first layer of packing wraps over and direct contact with the content to be packed that the first layer of packing will blunt any sharp edges presented on the packed content followed by the wrapping of the second layer of packing to further reinforce the first layer of packing5to prohibit the sharp edges to prickle through the first layer of packing.

It is a well-known fact that thermoplastic laminate produced by heat lamination of two or more layers of thermoplastic panels will have lower creep modulus and tends to deform under influence of stresses (eg, when subject to pressure from the sharp edges Oof the food object). To avoid such changes, the present invention employs two layers of thermoplastic panels, which are joined together in a pre-determined pattern through the discrete points (150) instead of using thermoplastic laminate to form the packaging (100). The packaging taught by the present invention(lOO) shows better puncture resistant and impact resistant quality. During the vacuum packaging process, the inner first (110) and second flexible panels (120) are drawn to wrap around the object due to the vacuum suction. Simultaneously, the third (130) and fourth flexible 5panels (140) will be drawn by the first and second panels through the discrete points , towards the object. The object is first wrapped by the inner panels formed by the first and second panels to create a first packing layer and almost instantly pulling the outer panels, formed by the third and fourth panels to reinforce the inner panels before sharp edges of the object can penetrate through the inner panels. Such differential lOpacking created by the first and second layers of packing creates a enhanced puncture resistant effects to the packaging. The discrete points (150) of the present invention synchronize the wrapping of the inner panels, formed by the first (1 10) and second panels (120), and the outer panels, formed by the third (130) and fourth panels (140), around the object to form a packaging with strong puncture resistant quality. Possibly,

15 in one embodiment, sealing of the inner panels and outer panels may form continuous channel (160) as illustrated in figure 1 and 2.

Following the preferred embodiment, the external surfaces of the third (130) and/or the fourth flexible panels (140) can be printed with logos or other images to provide 0aesthetic or branding effect to the packaging concerned. Further, parts of the external surfaces of the third and fourth flexible panels can be adapted to project a three -dimensional embossed effect to the area printed with logos or images. To produce the embossed effect, parts of the third (130) and/or fourth panels (140) are sealed onto the first and/or second panels to impermeably enclose a volume of air within the area to

25be embossed. The embossed areas, with the air entrapped therein, is not subjected to the suction force during the vacuum packaging process. Preferably, the sealing process to enclose the air is completed prior to the vacuum packaging process.

The most preferred embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to 30the figures, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. While specific configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the other configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A packaging (100) for use in a vacuum packaging process comprising a first (110) and a second flat panel (120) sealed along two opposite lateral edges and forming an enclosure (190) for an article to be packaged;

a third (130) and a fourth flat panel (140) superimposed on and sealed to two opposite lateral edges of the first (110) and second flat panels (120) forming a puncture resistant outer surface for the packaging (100); and

a top (170) and a bottom opening (180) for accessing the enclosure(190) and formed by non-sealed portions of the edges of the panels;

characterized in that the third (130) and fourth panels (140) are joined to the first (110) and second panels (120) at discrete points (150);

whereby during the vacuum packaging process, air can be withdrawn from the enclosure (190) and from recess between the first (110) and third flat panel (130) and second (120) and fourth flat panels (140) before the packaging finally sealed, the first (1 10) and second panels (120) wrap and enclose the object to provide a first layer of packing for the object and simultaneously pull along the third (130) and fourth panels (140) to provide a second layer of packing for the object, whereby the differential packing created by the first and second layers of packing creates a enhanced puncture resistant effects to the packaging.

2. A packaging (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first (110) and second flat panel (120) are two sides of a length long flatten tubing.

3. A packaging (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the third (130) and fourth flat panel (140) are two sides of a length long flatten tubing.

4. A packaging (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first (1 10) and second panels (120) are made of low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene or polypropylene.

5. A packaging (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third (130) and fourth panels (140) are made of nylon. A packaging (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third (130) and fourth panels (140) are heat-sealed onto first (110) and second panels (120).

A packaging (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the joined opposite lateral sides is heat-sealed.