METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKING PRODUCTS

Abstract: The invention relates to a Method for packing a product, comprising of providing a first and second layer of packing material, wherein the first layer of packing material is positioned on a carrier, the product is laid on the first layer of packing material and the second layer of packing material is arranged over the product for packing; clamping the first and second layer of packing material onto each other; forming a packaging of the first and second layer of packing material sealed round the product; and cutting the packing material; wherein the first and second layer of packing material clamped onto each other are moved from a first to a second position, wherein the layers of packing material are clamped onto each other on the downstream side of the product for packing and are pulled through to the second position, and wherein the second layer of packing material is guided between the first and second position such that it is tensioned over the product for packing; wherein the first and second layer of packing material are connected locally to each other in the second position by arranging at least one sealing seam; and both layers of packing material are severed on the upstream side of the packed product so that an individually packed product results; and wherein the packaged product is guided out of the apparatus. The invention also relates to a packing apparatus for packing a product.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PACKING PRODUCTS The invention relates to a method for packing products, comprising of providing a first and second layer of packing material, wherein the first layer of packing material is positioned on a carrier, the product is laid on the first layer of packing material and the second layer of packing material is arranged over the product for packing; clamping the first and second layer of packing material onto each other; forming a packaging of the first and second layer of packing material sealed round the product; and cutting the packing material. Such a method for packing products is typical for instance in the packing of fresh products such as meat products and cheese. A drawback of the known method and apparatus is however that a packaged product only leaves the device on the arrival of a following product. When supply of products is not continuous, a packaged product will therefore remain for a longer period in the apparatus after forming of the packaging and thus be exposed to the relatively high temperatures which can prevail in the apparatus, for instance as a result of the heat required to form sealing seams round a product for packing. If the packaging does leave the device without a following product being packed, packing material is generally lost. The method is therefore only suitable for packing continuously supplied products. The object of the present invention is to obviate the above stated drawback. The drawback is obviated with the present invention by moving the first and second layer of packing material clamped onto each other from a first to a second position, wherein the layers of packing material are clamped onto each other on the downstream side of the product for packing and are pulled through to the second position, and wherein between the first and second position the second layer of packing material is guided such that it is tensioned over the product for packing; connecting the first and second layer of packing material locally to each other in the second position by arranging at least one sealing seam; severing both layers of packing material on the upstream side of the product so that an individually packed product results; and guiding the packaged product out of the apparatus. With the method according to the invention an individually packed product is obtained which leaves the apparatus immediately after packing, irrespective of the presence or absence of a following product. The method according to the invention is therefore suitable for continuous supply of products as well as non-continuous supply of products without already packed products remaining for a longer period in the packing device and so being exposed to excessive temperatures. Furthermore, no packing material is lost when no subsequent product for packing follows. In the present method a product is positioned on the first layer of packing material on the carrier. On the downstream side of the product the first and second layer of packing material are clamped onto each other by clamping means. This is referred to as the first position. The clamping means are then moved to a second position located downstream, wherein they pull the packing material and the product lying on the first layer to the second position. The second layer of packing material is herein tensioned over the product positioned on the first layer of packing material. In the second position both layers of packing material are clamped onto each other by a sealing member and connected to each other locally by arrangement of a sealing seam in the packing material. Because the first and second layer of packing material are clamped onto each other in the second position by the sealing member, the clamping means can be opened and moved back again to the first position without both layers of packing material coming loose, and a neat packaging can thus be formed. While the clamping means are once again situated in the first position for a possible subsequent product, at least one sealing seam is arranged and the packing material is severed by means of cutting means on the upstream side of the product, so that an individually packed product results which is guided out of the apparatus . When a following product for packing is positioned on the first layer of packing material, the clamping means again pull the packing material and product to the second position, where both layers of packing material are again clamped onto each other by the sealing member while the clamping means return once again to the first position, and so on. An individually packed product is thus formed once again. These operations are repeated for as long as a following product is supplied. When however no following product is supplied, the clamping means will remain in the first position, while the packaging round the preceding product is completed and the packed product leaves the apparatus. The sealing seam can be arranged in the packing material by locally heating the layers of packing material, for instance using heat elements arranged on the sealing means, and pressing them together. Instead of heat elements however, wherein the layers of packing material are mutually connected by heating, the sealing means for arranging the sealing seam in the packing material can also comprise other suitable means for forming a sealing seam. The sealing seam can thus also be formed by for instance pressing the two layers onto each other, wherein a layer of glue is present between the layers of packing material. In an advantageous embodiment of the method a substantially U-shaped sealing seam is arranged round the product and a substantially straight sealing seam parallel to and at a distance from the base of the U- shape is arranged for a following product, between which two sealing seams the packing material is severed. The U-shaped sealing seam herein forms the sealing seam for the first product and the substantially straight sealing seam forms the sealing seam for the downstream side of a following product for packing. The length of a packaging can herein be varied in simple manner by pulling the packing material more or less far beneath the U-shaped sealing means. The distance between the first and second position is herein preferably adjusted subject to the dimension of the product in the direction of this distance, wherein the maximum adjustable distance corresponds with the dimension of the sealing seam in the direction of the distance between the first and second position. In this manner the length of the packaging round the product can be adapted to the product in simple manner. When the distance between the first and second position is small, a small piece of the packing material will be pulled through under the sealing means. The sealing means herein form a sealing seam only in the portion of the packing material present beneath the sealing means. By increasing the distance between the first and second position a longer piece of packing material will be pulled through under the sealing means, and a longer sealing seam will therefore be formed. The maximum length of the distance between the first and second position corresponds with the maximum length of the sealing means, and accordingly with the maximum length of the sealing seam. A gas is preferably introduced into the packaging prior to complete sealing of the packaging. The introduction of gas into the product for packing increases for instance the shelf-life of the product. Any gas suitable for this purpose can be used in the method according to the invention. In a further preferred embodiment of the method a vacuum is created in the packaging prior to complete sealing, whereafter it is then fully sealed. The shelf-life of the packed products is likewise increased in this way. The invention further relates to and provides a packaging apparatus for packing a product, comprising a frame on which are arranged means for supplying a first and a second layer of packing material, a carrier for supporting the first layer of packing material, clamping means for clamping the first and second layer of packing material onto each other, a sealing member for arranging at least one sealing seam to form a packaging of the first and second layer of packing material sealed round the product, and cutting means for severing the packing material, wherein the clamping means are movable between a first and second position by clamping movement means which move under the control of a control device, and the sealing member is movable in vertical direction by sealing movement means which move under the control of the control device, and wherein the sealing member comprises sealing means which can arrange at least one sealing seam; wherein the control device controls the clamping movement means and sealing movement means such that in the first position the clamping means clamp the two layers of packing material onto each other and the sealing member is situated above and at a distance from the carrier, and wherein in the second position the sealing member clamps the first and second layer of packing material onto each other. With the device according to the invention products, such as for instance fresh products, can be packed both continuously and discontinuously in rapid and simple manner. It is moreover readily possible to change from automatic to manual feed of products. The sealing member preferably comprises sealing means which arrange a substantially U-shaped sealing seam and a substantially straight sealing seam parallel to and at a distance from the base of the U-shape for a following product, so that the length of a packaging can be varied by pulling the packing material more or less far beneath the sealing means. The sealing means can for instance comprise heat elements, wherein the heat elements comprise for instance a printed circuit board which is arranged on the sealing means and which can heat the sealing means in a short time, herein mutually connecting the layers of packing material, and then cool again. The sealing means are herein heated for only a short time, so that the heated products are only exposed to the heat for a short time. The sealing means may however comprise other suitable means for forming a sealing seam. In a further preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the distance between the first and second position is adjustable subject to the dimension of the product for packing in the direction of this distance, wherein the maximum length of the distance corresponds with the dimension of the sealing means in the sealing member in the direction of the distance between the first and second position. Packagings of different length can hereby be manufactured by adjusting the distance. In a following particular embodiment of the apparatus the means for supplying packing material comprise a first roll with the first layer of packing material and a second roll with the second layer of packing material. A continuous supply of packing material can thus be ensured in simple manner. It is moreover possible to opt for two different types of packing material. It is for instance possible to choose a printed packing material for the top side of the packed product, and a stronger packing material for the bottom side of the product. The use of a wider upper layer of packing material enables the manufacture of deeper packagings (higher products). The apparatus preferably further comprises means for introducing a gas into the packaging. The introduction of gas into the products considerably increases the shelf-life thereof. In another preferred embodiment the apparatus further comprises means for placing the product under vacuum in order to increases the shelf-life of the packed products. The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a packing apparatus as described above in combination with for instance a cutting device for cutting the product, and/or a weighing device for weighing one or more portions of the product and/or a labelling device for arranging a label on the packaging. An assembly thus results with which a product, such as for instance meat products, can be cut, weighed and packed in simple and rapid manner. The apparatus according to the invention can however be combined with any desired device suitable for the purpose. The device is further elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically the different steps of the method according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus; Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the clamping movement means according to the invention; and Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the sealing means according to the invention and the packs formed therewith. Figure 1 shows schematically and in sequence the different steps of an embodiment of the method accordinςj to the invention. A: a product 1 for packing is positioned on the first layer of packing material 2a on carrier 3. Clamping fingers 4 herein clamp the two layers of packing material onto each other in the first position on the downstream side of product 1. B: clamping fingers 4 then move to the second position and therein pull both layers of packing material 2a and 2b to the second position. The second layer of packing material 2b is herein guided such that it is tensioned over the product 1 for packing. C: in the second position the ends of both layers of packing material are fixed using clamping jaws 5. In this embodiment as shown in figure 2, the sealing member 6 arranged above carrier 3 comprises a pressing member 7 which moves via a jack 19 in the direction of carrier 3. D: the layers of packing material are clamped onto each other by the pressing member 7 on the downstream side of product 1. E: both layers on the upstream side of the product 1 for packing are subsequently clamped onto each other by pressing member 9, wherein the clamping fingers are opened and moved back to the first position. F: clamping fingers 4 are again situated in the first position. Using the sealing means 8 movable in vertical direction a U-shaped sealing seam is then arranged in the packing material simultaneously with a straight sealing seam parallel to and at a distance from the base of the U- shape. Using a knife 10 the packing material is severed on the upstream side of product 1 between the base of the U-shaped sealing seam and the straight sealing seam parallel thereto and lying at a distance. G: an individually packed product thus results which is guided out of the apparatus using conveyor belt 11. Because clamping fingers 4 are moved back to the first position, a following product can be packed immediately by repeating steps A to G. When no following product is supplied the clamping fingers 4 remain in the first position to await the following product, while the packaging round the preceding product is finished and the packed product is guided out of the apparatus. H: in a further preferred embodiment of the method a label 25 is arranged on an individually packed product once it has been formed. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the apparatus 12 according to the present invention. Other embodiments of the present invention are however possible. Apparatus 12 comprises a frame 13 on which are arranged a first and a second roll 14a and 14b for supplying respectively a first and a second layer of packing material 2a and 2b, and a carrier 3 for supporting the first layer of packing material 2a. Clamping fingers 4 are arranged for clamping the first and second layer of packing material onto each other on the downstream side of a product 1. Clamping fingers 4 are movable by means of clamping movement means between a first and a second position, wherein the clamping fingers pull both layers of packing material and the product lying on the first layer of packing material from the first to the second position. In the apparatus as shown in figure 2 the clamping fingers 4 are situated in the first position. In the shown embodiment a sealing member 6 movable in vertical direction is arranged above carrier 3, which sealing member comprises a pressing member 7 for clamping the layers of packing material onto each other as well as sealing means 8 for forming a sealing seam round the product for packing. Sealing member 6, comprising pressing member 7 and sealing means 8, is moved by means of separate jacks 19. The individual products packed in the apparatus are; guided out of the apparatus 12 via a conveyor belt 11. In this embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention as shown in figure 3, the clamping movement means are formed by a jack 15 which is connected via a connecting piece 16 to a carriage 23 on which the clamping fingers 4 are mounted and which is received for guiding in U-shaped guide profiles 17. Clamping fingers 4 are pivotally connected on one end to a jack 16, whereby a lever is formed which rotates pivotally on a pivot shaft 24. When the outer end of the clamping finger is moved downward by means of jack 16, clamping fingers 4 move pivotally on pivot shaft 24 and the portion of the clamping finger in contact with the packing material is moved upward, whereby the clamping surface is released from the packing material. The clamping fingers can then be moved back to the first position by means of the movable carriage 23 and jack 15, while the packing material and the product remain in the second position. In the embodiment of figure 3 the packing apparatus further comprises a gas feed line 18, with which a gas can be introduced into the packaging between the first and second layer of packing material 2a and 2b. As clamping means can be used for instance the clamping fingers as shown in figure 3. Other suitable clamping means are however possible according to the invention. Figure 4A shows an embodiment of the sealing means 8 according to the invention. The sealing means herein comprise a U-shaped heat element 20 and a straight heat element 21 for forming respectively a U-shaped sealing seam 20a and a straight sealing seam 21a as shown in figure 4B. The heat elements comprise for instance a printed circuit board with which the sealing means can be heated for a very short time so that the sealing seam can be formed, whereafter the heat elements cool again in order to prevent the temperature in the apparatus becoming too high. A recess 22 is arranged between heat elements 20, 21 so that the packaging can be severed between the sealing seams. A longer or shorter packaging can be formed depending on the distance over which the packing material is pulled beneath the sealing means. In figure 4B is shown a packaging of maximum length, wherein the maximum length corresponds with the length of the sealing means. The distance between the first and second position is herein adjusted such that the packing material comes to lie wholly beneath the sealing means. By setting a smaller distance the packing material is pulled less far under the sealing means and a shorter packaging is formed (figure 4C) .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for packing a product, comprising of providing a first and second layer of packing material, wherein the first layer of packing material is positioned on a carrier, the product is laid on the first layer of packing material and the second layer of packing material is arranged over the product for packing; clamping the first and second layer of packing material onto each other; forming a packaging of the first and second layer of packing material sealed round the product; and cutting the packing material, characterized by moving the first and second layer of packing material clamped onto each other from a first to a second position, wherein the layers of packing material are clamped onto each other on the downstream side of the product for packing and are pulled through to the second position, and wherein the second layer of packing material is guided between the first and second position such that it is tensioned over the product for packing; connecting the first and second layer of packing material locally to each other in the second position by arranging at least one sealing seam; severing both layers of packing material on the upstream side of the packed product so that an individually packed product results; and guiding the packaged product out of the apparatus. 2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a substantially U-shaped sealing seam is arranged round the product and a substantially straight sealing seam parallel to and at a distance from the base of the U-shape is arranged for a following product, between which two sealing seams the packing material is severed. 3. Method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the distance between the first and second position is adjusted subject to the dimension of the product in the direction of this distance, wherein the maximum adjustable distance corresponds with the dimension of the sealing seam in the direction of the distance between the first and second position. 4. Method as claimed in any of the claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a gas is introduced into the packaging prior to sealing of the packaging. 5. Method as claimed in any of the claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that a vacuum is created in the packaging prior to sealing. 6. Packing apparatus, comprising a frame on which are arranged means for supplying a first and a second layer of packing material, a carrier for supporting the first layer of packing material, clamping means for clamping the first and second layer of packing material onto each other, a sealing member for arranging at least one sealing seam to form a packaging of the first and second layer of packing material sealed round the product, and cutting means for severing the packing material, characterized in that the clamping means are movable between a first and second position by clamping movement means which move under the control of a control device, and the sealing member is movable in vertical direction by sealing movement means which move under the control of the control device, and wherein the sealing member comprises sealing means which can arrange at least one sealing seam; wherein the control device controls the clamping movement means and the sealing movement means such that in the first position the clamping means clamp both layers of packing material onto each other and the sealing member is situated above and at a distance from the carrier, and wherein in the second position the sealing member clamps the first and second layer of packing material onto each other. 7. Packing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the sealing means can arrange a substantially U-shaped sealing seam and a substantially straight sealing seam parallel to and at a distance from the base of the U-shape. 8. Packing -apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the distance between the first and second position is adjustable subject to the dimension of the product for packing in the direction of this distance, wherein the maximum length of the distance corresponds with the dimension of the sealing means in the sealing member in the direction of the distance between the first and second position. 9. Packing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the means for supplying the packing material comprise a first roll with the first layer of packing material and a second roll with the second layer of packing material. 10. Packing apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 6-9, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises means for introducing a gas into the packaging. 11. Packing apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 6-9, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises means for placing the product under vacuum. 12. Assembly comprising a packing apparatus as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 7-12, further comprising a cutting device for cutting the product, and/or a weighing device for weighing one or more portions of the product.

Inventors: OSSENBLOK MARINUS H, OSSENBLOK, MARINUS, H.
Applicants: OSSENBLOK MARINUS H, PMB UVA GROUP B V, OSSENBLOK, MARINUS, H., PMB-UVA GROUP B.V.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65B9
IPC codes: B65B9