METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKAGING FRESH PRODUCTS

Abstract

A method and a device for packaging fresh products, in particular meat and sausage products, where the fresh product is introduced into a container simultaneously with an absorbent base.

Claims

1. A method for packaging fresh product, wherein said fresh product is introduced into a container simultaneously with an absorbent base.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said fresh product includes meat and sausage products.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an intermediate layer is arranged between said absorbent base and said fresh product prior to the introduction.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said absorbent base and said intermediate layer are each drawn off from a roll or from a common roll and conveyed in said direction of transport, and said fresh product is applied onto said intermediate layer, where said fresh product is first applied onto said intermediate layer and said absorbent base is thereafter introduced under said intermediate layer, or said intermediate layer and said absorbent base are placed on top of one another and said fresh product is then deposited onto said intermediate layer and said absorbent base.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said cut absorbent base has a smaller area than said cut intermediate layer and the width and/or length of said cut absorbent base is shorter than the width and/or length of said cut intermediate layer.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent base comprise an absorbent body.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein said absorbent base comprises nonwoven material.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein plastic material is applied onto said absorbent body at least on one side, where the contact surface of said absorbent base is configured such that no moisture can be absorbed by said absorbent body via said contact surface, said plastic material on said contact surface is not perforated to absorb moisture, and said plastic material is perforated on the underside facing away from said fresh product.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent base is drawn off from a roll and is conveyed in a direction of transport, and said fresh product is applied onto said absorbent base and conveyed together with said absorbent base in said direction of transport.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent base and/or an intermediate layer are cut from respective web cuttings into individual cuttings before said fresh product and said absorbent base or said fresh product with said absorbent base and said intermediate layer are introduced into said container.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent base and/or an intermediate layer are fed at the beginning of a transport device, and conveyed along by said transport device in a direction of transport.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said absorbent base and an intermediate layer are attached to one another prior to the introduction of said fresh product.

13. A device, for carrying out the method according to claim 1, for packaging fresh product, with at least one feed device for an absorbent base and with a feed device for said fresh product, where said device is configured for a simultaneous introduction of said fresh product together with said absorbent base into a container.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said at least one feed device for said absorbent base comprises a roll.

15. The device according to claim 13, wherein said device comprises a feed device for an intermediate layer comprising a roll.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein said device comprises at least one transport device with which said fresh product lying on said absorbent base or on said absorbent base and said intermediate layer can be transported before it can be introduced into said container.

17. The device according to claim 13, wherein said device comprises at least one separating device for separating said absorbent base and/or said intermediate layer into individual cuttings.

18. The device according to claim 11, wherein said device comprises a transport device for transporting said containers which conveys said fresh product on said absorbent base or on said intermediate layer and said absorbent base such that said fresh product together with said absorbent base or together with said intermediate layer and said absorbent base can be introduced into said container.

19. The device according to claim 11, wherein said feed device for said absorbent base and/or said feed device for said intermediate layer comprises a guide which is configured such that said absorbent base and/or said intermediate layer can be drawn in between said product and the transport device, and be transported along.

20. The device according to claim 11, wherein said feed device for said absorbent base and/or intermediate layer comprises a drive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0025] The present disclosure shall be explained hereafter in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0026] FIG. 1A shows a simplified schematic representation of an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 1B shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 show embodiments of the present disclosure using the example of ground meat production. Fresh product 2, presently in the form of ground meat 2, is ejected from schematically illustrated meat grinder 7 in direction of transport T as a strand of ground meat and is transported onward in the direction of transport on a first transport device, presently conveyor belt 6a. Meat grinder 7 presently serves as device 7 for supplying fresh product 2, presently the strand of ground meat.

[0033] Furthermore, device 10 comprises a feed device, which presently comprises a roll 5a, via which an absorbent base 1, presently in the form of an absorbent base web, can be drawn off. The absorbent base or the absorbent base web can presently be led, e.g. by way of a guide that can comprise e.g. a deflection roller 11 and a pair of rollers 12a, to the leading end of a transport device 6a, presently, conveyor belt 6a. A drive can be provided which, for example, drives at least one roller of pair of rollers 12a and/or roll 5a for conveying the absorbent base web. Absorbent base 1 is there led over the leading end of the conveyor belt, where fresh product 2 is produced onto conveyor belt 6a and absorbent base 1 is carried along between the conveyor belt and fresh product 2. A control device, not shown, controls the drives of the feed device for the absorbent base and the drive of the conveyor belt, for example, synchronously. Disposed at the end of conveyor 6a is a conveyor 6b, presently likewise in the form of a circulating conveyor belt. In at least one example, the control device may comprise instructions stored in non-transitory memory that are executable to control the drives of the feed device.

[0034] Provided between conveying devices 6a and 6b, which are spaced apart, is a separating unit in the form of a knife 8 which severs product 2 as well as absorbent base 1. Conveyor belt 6b then conveys fresh product 2 onward on the absorbent base in the direction of transport. Arranged in a region below transport device 6b is a transport device 9, presently likewise configured e.g. as a circulating conveyor belt. Conveying device 9 for transporting containers 3 is arranged in such a way that conveying devices 9 overlap in direction of transport T such that fresh product 2 can drop or slide together with absorbent base 1 into a container 3 at the end of conveying device 6b. As shown in FIG. 1A, the container can have an inclined wall, or a slide (not shown) is provided which is arranged in such a way that fresh product 2 can slide together with absorbent base 1 into container 3. This is gentle on the product and minimizes the drop height. Conveyor belt 6b downstream of separating device 8 can run faster than transport device 6a in order to create a gap between the individual portions. At this point, the portions can also be placed with a retraction belt into a deep-drawing machine or into a horizontal tubular bag machine.

[0035] The fresh product can also be pushed with the absorbent base into the respective container.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, containers 3 can alternatively also be transferred, e.g. onto a conveying device, e.g. B. a conveyor belt that runs perpendicular to direction of transport T (not shown), in particular, be pushed thereonto, etc.

[0037] Guided containers 3 can then be transported, e.g. onward in direction of transport T and subsequently closed.

[0038] Absorbent base 1 comprises an absorbent body, for example, a material that can absorb moisture, such as. B. nonwoven material, in particular cellulose. The absorbent body has, for example, an absorbency of up to 4000 ml/m.sup.2.

[0039] The absorbent base is e.g. 0.2 mm-4 mm thick and can also have a cushioning effect when appropriately thick.

[0040] It is also possible that the absorbent base is configured such that it is not formed exclusively by a moisture-absorbing absorbent body, but that, e.g. plastic material e.g. a PE film (polyethylene) having a thickness of 0.05-0.5 mm is applied on at least one side, in particular laminated thereonto. At least the contact surface on which fresh product 2 rests on absorbent base 1 may be configured such that no liquid can be absorbed in order to prevent the fresh product from drying out. If the absorbent base comprises plastic material on the side facing fresh product 2 and on the underside, then the plastic material can be perforated on the underside in such a way that liquid can be absorbed by the underside. The speeds of individual transport devices 6a, 6b, 9 as well as the drive of the feed of the absorbent base web and the speed of ejection of the fresh product can be adjusted by way of a control device (not shown). In at least one example, the control device may comprise instructions stored in non-transitory memory that are executable to control the speeds of the individual transport devices, the drive of the feed of the absorbent base web and the speed of ejection of the fresh product.

[0041] FIG. 1B shows a further embodiment according to the present disclosure which corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, where only an intermediate layer 4 can there further be arranged between the fresh product and absorbent base 1. For this purpose, e.g. a second roller 5b is provide, which can also be led by way of a guide device, for example, by way of a deflection roller 11b and pair of rollers 12b as an intermediate layer web 4 to the beginning of transport device 6a in a region above absorbent base 1. The feed for the intermediate layer can there also have a drive, where, for example, at least one roller of pair of rollers 12b is driven. Fresh product 2 is then applied onto intermediate layer 4. This means that intermediate layer 4 is arranged between fresh product 2, presently the strand of ground meat, and absorbent base 1.

[0042] Intermediate layer 4 is, for example, paper, waxed paper, or film material, e.g. a PE film or a PS film (polystyrene). The intermediate layer may be configured such that it does not absorb any moisture. The remainder of the device corresponds to the device described in FIG. 1A, where fresh product 2 can then also be introduced into container 3 together with absorbent base 1, but where intermediate layer 4, which is likewise cut, is arranged between absorbent base 1 and finished product 2.

[0043] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, absorbent base web 1 and intermediate layer web 4 are jointly separated together with the ground meat to the desired size, i.e. to length when viewed in direction of transport T. The three components therefore always have the same length. The width of the three components, however, can differ; i.e., intermediate layer 4 can be e.g. wider than ground meat portion 2, and absorbent base 1 can be narrower than intermediate layer 4 so that the absorbent base is no longer visible to the end customer in the finished packaging. In this way absorbent base material can be saved if the area of the absorbent material is smaller than the area of intermediate layer 4.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the absorbent base can of course be formed exclusively by the absorbent body or, as has been described in connection with FIG. 1A, also be formed on at least the contact side in such a way that no liquid is absorbed. This is particularly advantageous when the intermediate layer is formed from uncoated paper by which liquid could be absorbed.

[0045] In order to prevent a relative motion between the intermediate layer and the absorbent base on the way into the packaging, i.e. container 3, both layers can be connected to one another after being drawn off from rolls 5a and b and before they are placed under the fresh product. The connection can be established by applying adhesive, in particular one or more points of adhesive on the intermediate layer and/or absorbent base 1 on the respective sides facing each other or by adhesive bonding using self-adhesive strips on the intermediate layer or the absorbent base. A connection can also be established by way of ultrasonic welding in a stationary manner or in a continuous flow or by way of an embossed connection in a stationary manner or in a continuous flow.

[0046] FIG. 2 corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B with the exception that absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4 are supplied at different points. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, transport device 6a is there subdivided into transport devices 6a.sub.1, 6a.sub.2.

[0047] Absorbent base web 1 is there fed between transport devices 6a.sub.1 and 6a.sub.2 and introduced beneath fresh product 2 and intermediate layer 4.

[0048] In FIG. 2, the connection between intermediate layer 4 and absorbent base can be effected e.g. by way of self-adhesive strips on the upper side of the absorbent base or the underside of the intermediate layer. In this arrangement as well, the three components (fresh product, intermediate layer, absorbent base) are separated to the same length, while, as described above, the widths can differ. The further course of the production line corresponds to that in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment which corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, where absorbent base 1 is fed between transport devices 6a.sub.1 and 6a.sub.2. In this embodiment, an additional separating device 13 is provided which is arranged e.g. immediately downstream of pair of rollers 12 and in which at least one roller is driven in order to feed the absorbent base web to transport device 6a.sub.2. Separating device 13 can there already divide the absorbent base into individual parts before it is placed under intermediate layer 4. Absorbent base 1 can then always be pulled along by way of pair of transport rollers 12a.

[0050] This embodiment has the advantage that the length (when viewed in direction of transport T) of intermediate layer 4 and absorbent base 1 can differ. Therefore, not only can the width of intermediate layer 4 and absorbent base 1 be selected differently, but also their length. The size of the absorbent base can then be adapted to the needs of the product.

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment in which already separated portions of fresh product 2, such as burgers, patties, groups of fresh sausages, etc., are supplied. Ground meat portions already separated by an upstream process are conceivable as well. For example, the ground meat can there be ejected in portions. The individual portions are transported spaced apart on conveyor belt 6a. According to this embodiment, both absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4 are fed between transport device 6a and 6b, as described above. Alternatively, it is also possible to feed only an absorbent base. Absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4 are there separated by separating device 13, e.g. to the same length. It is not imperative that absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4 be separated to the same length, since different lengths can be produced by different advance rates. The rear edge of the intermediate layer and the absorbent base are then separated at the same point. Although not shown, absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4 can also be longer than the product and project over the product at the front and/or back. Divided fresh product 2 is then pushed onto intermediate layer 4 and absorbent base 1 at the transition between two transport devices 6a and 6b, transported onward in direction of transport T, and finally, as described above, placed or inserted into respective container 3.

[0052] FIG. 5 corresponds substantially to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 with the exception that two different separating devices 13a and 13b are provided for absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4. Feed rollers 12a, 12b can also be actuated separately from one another at different speeds. This provides the advantage that the length of intermediate layer 4 and absorbent base 1 can be set completely independently of one another and can be fed to fresh product 2 at different lengths. The position of intermediate layer 4 relative to fresh product 2, but also the position of absorbent base 1 relative to fresh product 2 or to intermediate layer 4, can then be adjusted. Here as well, the size of absorbent base 1, and therefore the absorption of moisture, can be adapted very well to the product. In order to prevent the bases from slipping relative to one another, e.g. a self-adhesive strip can be provided on one or both bases. However, in the region where intermediate layer 4 and absorbent base 1 are joined, it is also possible that an adhesive is applied between them, or absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4 are connected to one another by way of an ultrasonic welding device (not shown) or an embossing device (not shown) as also described above. The onward transportation of the products is effected as described above.

[0053] In the method according to the disclosure, a strand of fresh product 2 or an already divided fresh product is supplied and at least one absorbent base 1 is placed underneath, or an intermediate layer as well as an absorbent base. Absorbent base 1 or the absorbent base and intermediate layer 4 are cut to a desired length by a cutting device 8, 13 during the ongoing process. Absorbent base 1 and intermediate layer 4 can either be cut together and then have the same length or are supplied separately by separate devices such that they differ in length. The length can then be adapted to specific requirements. A corresponding drive for conveying absorbent base 1 can then also be driven independently of a drive for conveying intermediate layer 4. In the event that the product is present in the form of a product strand, the latter can be separated either together with the absorbent base and/or optionally with intermediate layer 4. The fresh product can then be introduced into a container 3 together with the absorbent base or the absorbent base and intermediate layer 4 and transported onward and finally closed or welded shut, for example, by use of a lid or film material. In the case of a tubular bag or flow wrap packaging, the bag is sealed without additional film material. In at least one example, one or more of the devices discussed herein may comprise a control device, wherein the control device includes instructions stored in non-transitory memory that are executable to carry out the method of the present disclosure.