Patent ID: 6395321
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: B32B,B65B

Abstract:
A method for the continuous manufacture of peelably packaged processed cheese slices, comprising the steps of:forming a continuously longitudinally moving plastic film into an elongated enclosure having an opening along its length, the plastic film including at least one base layer and at least one sealant layer having a seal activation temperature of less than or equal to about 200Â° F.; continuously forming a longitudinal heat seal along the length of the enclosure that closes the opening; continuously inserting hot molten processed cheese into the elongated enclosure; as the plastic film continuously moves longitudinally, compressing opposing portions of the cheese-filled plastic film enclosure at cross-sealing zones located at periodic intervals along the length of the enclosure to remove at least some of the processed cheese from the cross-sealing zones, substantially only the heat of the processed cheese and no external heating device raising by heat transfer the temperature of the at least one sealant layer to the seal activation temperature, and the combination of the heat of the processed cheese and the compression forming hermetic cross-seals at the cross-sealing zones; and cooling the cross-seals to substantially reduce the temperature of each; wherein the longitudinal seal and the cross-seals are hermetic and peelable, so that a hermetically sealed package entirely enclosing the processed cheese is formed.