PACKAGING FOR OUTGASSING AND/OR MATURING FOODS, IN PARTICULAR FOR ROASTED COFFEE AND/OR COFFEE BEANS

Abstract

The invention relates to a package for outgassing foods and/or maturing foods, in particular roasted coffee and/or coffee beans, comprising a bag for storing the food, which includes a film from which the bag is formed, wherein a valve is provided to enable a discharge of gas from the package bag to the outside in the event of overpressure in the package and to reduce the diffusion-related gas exchange in the case of comparable and/or equal pressure conditions in and/or outside the package bag. It is characterized in that the valve is formed as a microperforation in the film having at least one or two holes of the size of 750 μm.sup.2 to 40 000 μm.sup.2, preferably of 390 μm.sup.2 to 20 000 μm.sup.2, particularly preferably 70 μm.sup.2 to 16 000 μm.sup.2 and/or each having the diameter of 10-70 μm, preferably 20-60 μm, particularly preferably 30 μm.

Claims

1. A package for outgassing food and/or maturing food, comprising a bag for storing the food, which includes a film from which the bag is formed, wherein a valve is provided to enable a discharge of gas from the package bag to the outside in the event of overpressure in the package and to reduce the diffusion-related gas exchange in the case of comparable and/or equal pressure conditions in and/or outside the package bag, wherein the valve is formed as a microperforation in the film having at least one hole of a size of 750 μm.sup.2 to 40 000 μm.sup.2, and having a diameter of 10-70 μm.

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein no additional valve is provided except for the microperforation.

3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the film has a thickness of 20 μm to 200 μm.

4. The package according to claim 1, wherein the film comprises: a paper layer and/or a biofilm and/or an aluminum layer and/or a film having metallization and/or a plastic and/or at least one plastic layer and/or a biologically degradable film, wherein the film is formed in particular as a composite material.

5. The package according to claim 1, further comprising an edge reinforced by melting formed around the hole.

6. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one hole includes two holes arranged on the package surface.

7. A method for producing a package according to claim 1, wherein the microperforation is produced by a laser.

8. The package according to claim 1, wherein the food is roasted coffee or coffee beans.

9. The package according to claim 1, wherein the hole has a size of 390 μm.sup.2 to 20,000 μm.sup.2.

10. The package according to claim 1, wherein the hole has a diameter of 10-70 μm.

11. The package according to claim 3, wherein the film has a thickness of 40 μm to 140 μm.

12. The package according to claim 4, wherein the plastic is selected from PET, PE, PP and PA.

13. The package according to claim 4, wherein the biologically degradable film is a PLA layer.

14. The package according to claim 5, wherein the edge is formed by melting during the incorporation of the hole in the microperforation.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the laser is a CO laser or a CO.sub.2 laser.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] An exemplary embodiment is explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the appended figures.

[0034] FIG. 1 schematically shows by way of example a package, in particular, for roasted coffee and/or coffee beans, having a valve formed as a microperforation; and

[0035] FIG. 2 also schematically shows by way of example an enlarged illustration of a film of the package corresponding to the valve shown as a microperforation in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Accordingly, FIG. 1 schematically shows by way of example a package 1 for outgassing foods and/or maturing foods, in particular, roasted coffee and/or coffee beans. It comprises a bag 1 for storing the food, which includes a film 3 from which the bag is formed.

[0037] To discharge gas from the package bag to the outside, a valve 4 is provided, which is implemented as a microperforation 5 formed in the film 3. The microperforation 5 has 7 holes 5.1 shown here by way of example.

[0038] The size of the holes 5.1 is preferably in the range of 750 μm.sup.2 to 40 000 μm.sup.2, preferably of 390 μm.sup.2 to 20 000 μm.sup.2, particularly, preferably 70 μm.sup.2 to 16 000 μm.sup.2.

[0039] Their diameter is preferably in each case between 10-70 μm, preferably 20-60 μm, particularly, preferably 30 μm.

[0040] The holes 5.1 are shown arranged in the form of a “S” or other symbol or the like, in order to symbolize a logo or the like, for example.

[0041] FIG. 2 schematically shows by way of example an enlarged illustration of a section of the film 3 of the package 1 corresponding to the valve 4 shown as the microperforation 5 in FIG. 1.

[0042] In contrast to FIG. 1, the holes 5.1 are arranged in a line by way of example. In principle, the holes 5.1 can also be arranged in any desired way on the package surface, however.

[0043] To increase the mechanical strength of the package 1, an edge 5.2 reinforced by melting, in particular, by melting during the incorporation of the holes in the microperforation, can be formed around each of the holes 5.1.

[0044] A melted edge is generally provided in principle. Depending on the material (for example, in the case of a composite material made of paper and biofilm), the melted edge can also be formed very narrow, however

[0045] According to the embodiment shown in the image of FIG. 2, this reinforced region 5.2 can extend significantly beyond the immediate surrounding edge of the relevant hole 5.1, for example, readily up to a region extending by up to five times or more of the hole diameter. A uniform force distribution around the hole edge into the film can be effectuated in this way, which massively counteracts tearing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0046] 1 package [0047] 2 bag [0048] 3 film [0049] 4 valve [0050] 5 microperforation [0051] 5.1 hole [0052] 5.2 edge