CA1307495C - Sealed internal package label - Google Patents
Sealed internal package labelInfo
- Publication number
- CA1307495C CA1307495C CA000579214A CA579214A CA1307495C CA 1307495 C CA1307495 C CA 1307495C CA 000579214 A CA000579214 A CA 000579214A CA 579214 A CA579214 A CA 579214A CA 1307495 C CA1307495 C CA 1307495C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- product
- label
- heat sealable
- film
- package
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
- G09F3/04—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/20—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method for providing sealed internal labels for vacuum skin packages and the like is disclosed. Labels with a heat seal-able printed surface are placed on the trayed product prior to entering a vacuum skin packaging chamber. In the chamber the covering film is heated to its sealing temperature before it is applied by differential air pressure to the product and tray. The label seals to the interior surface of the cover-ing film and is protected from being defaced during han-dling. Furthermore moisture and juices from the product will not discolor the label as it is sealed on its printed surface to the covering film. The package produced is intended for the display case in a retail supermarket.
A method for providing sealed internal labels for vacuum skin packages and the like is disclosed. Labels with a heat seal-able printed surface are placed on the trayed product prior to entering a vacuum skin packaging chamber. In the chamber the covering film is heated to its sealing temperature before it is applied by differential air pressure to the product and tray. The label seals to the interior surface of the cover-ing film and is protected from being defaced during han-dling. Furthermore moisture and juices from the product will not discolor the label as it is sealed on its printed surface to the covering film. The package produced is intended for the display case in a retail supermarket.
Description
`1 307~q~
SEALED INTEKNAL PACKAGE LABEL
FIEL~ OF THE rNVENTION
This invention relates generally to vacuum skin packages and to labels for such pa~k~ges. Part;cularly, the present invention relates to packages made from multi-layer barrier films wherein the barrier iayer or layers are to be peeled and separated from the non-barrier layer or layers prior to retail display of t~le packages and to a label and method of applying a label for such packages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Skin packaging can be classified as a vacuum forming process for thenmoformable polymeric films. However, the term "vacuum skin packaging"
or VSP as it is referred to hereinafter, ref.ers not to the fact that the thermoformable fi~m is formed around the product by vacuum or differential air pressure which, indeed it is, but more to the fact that the product is packaged under vacuum and the space containing the product is evacuated.
Thus, in VSP processes the film formed around the product mus~ be a barrier to oxygen, air, and othe~ gases. However, in conventional skin packaging, a backing board which is porus or which is perforated so that a vacuum may be drawn directly through the backing board is employed.
In VSP processes, generally a vacuum chamber with an open top is used. The product on an in~ervious backing board is placed on a platform within the vacuum chamber. The top of the chamber is covered by a sheet of fi~m which is cla~ped tightly against the chamber to form a vacw m tight closure. The chamber is evacuated while the film is heated to its forming and softening temperature. The platform is t~en raised to drive the product into the 1 3074~5 softened fi~n and air pressure is used above the filn to force it tightly around the product. A similar type process is disclosed in French Patent No. 1,258,357 which issued to Alain G. Bresson on March 6, 1961.
A variant of the process described in the Bresson patent is disclosed in French Patent No. 1,286,018 which issued on January 22, 1962 to LaRoach Freres Limited. The the La~Dach Freres process, after the chamber has been evacuated and the product driven into the heat softened filn, the vacuum is released and ambient air is permitted ~o enter the cha~ber so that the thermoplastic film molds more or less onto the product since there is a vacuun on the product side of the filn and ambient air pressure on the other side of the film. Australian Patent No . 245,774 which issued to Colbros Proprietary Limited et al on July 16, 1967 discloses a vacuum skin packaging process in which an article to be packaged is inserted within the lower half of a vacuum chamber on a backing board, a thermoplastic filn is placed over the opened face of the lcwer half of the chamber, the cha~ber i5 closed and both halves and are brought to es~entially the same-state of vacuum, the film is heated and softened, and, then, atmospheric air is introduced into the upper half of the chamber so that it alone forces the thermoplastic film down around the product and against the backing board. Another version of vacuum skin packaging is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 3,491,504 which issued to W. E. Young et al on January 27, 1970. In this version, heat softened film with equal vacuum on both sides thereof is physically moved down over a stationary product or the product moved into the film and, when air pressure is increased on the outside of the fi~m, the softened thermo-plastic film is molded onto the product.
In U. S. Patent No. RE.30,009, which.was reissued on May 29, 1979 to Richard R. Perdue et al, a process and package is disclosed wherein a thermoformable or heat softenable filn $heet is drawn by differential air pressure against the concave interior surface of the upper portion of a vacuu~ chamber, the fi~m is then heated by surface contact, and then, after evacuation of the chamber, air pressure is used to blow the filn down over product positioned on an impervious backing board. The resulting package camprises the product held on the backing board by the the D formable fi~m which has been formed around the product in the exact shape of the product so that it appears to be a "skin." ~he thermoformable film, as stated previously, is also gas i~pervious and usually will consist of a number of layers each of which 401/871120/l/2 1 3~7~95 performs a specific function. The product contact and backing ~mber contact layer will be a sealing or heat sealable layer. The interior layer Will typically be a barrier layer which comprises a vinylidene chloride copolymer or a hydrolyzed ethylene/vinyl-acetate copoIymer; and, an outer surface layer will be provided to protect the barrier layer from scratches, pin holes or other abuse and from moisture attack. Usually the package surface will not be particularly smooth or uniform as the surface conforms to the shape of the product. Accordingly, one general object of the present invention is to provide a satisfactory method of labelling vacuum skin package which conform to the product shape.
In U. S. Patent No. 3,574,642 which issued on April 13, 1971 to Carl Frederick Weinke. A package for a method of packaging meats is disclosed.
The package includes an inner oxygen-permeable membeF which may be either gas flushed or evacuated and an outer oxygen-impermeable ne~ber which may also be gas flushed or evacuated. The package preserves the freshness of the meat until the meat is ready to be marketed to the consumer but the meat is purplish in color. For marketing, the outer wrapper is removed and the inner package is displayed to the consumer. Being oxygen-permeable, the inner wrapper admits oxygen to the interior of the package causing the fresh meat product to change to a bright red color which the consumer associates with freshness. The inner pouch of the Weinke package may consist of ~ polyethylene film and the outër pouches may be cellophane~ film with a r~ coating of saran (vinylidene chloride copolymer). Another patent showing portions of fresh meat individually packaged in oxygen permeable plastic film and inserted into a outer container of impermeable film is U. S. Patent No. 3,681,092 which issued to Oliver R. Technell et al on August 1, 1972.
A prior art package of interest is described in U. S. Patent No. 3,713,849 which issued to Paul E. Çrindrod et al on January 30, 1973. In the Grindrod et al patent a fresh meat package having an outer oxygen impermeable layer which is readily and entirely peelable from an inner oxygen-permeable layer is disclosed. The package includes means for initiating the peeling separation along an edge of the package. The outer oxygen barrier maintains meats in well preserved condition the purplish color which has low consumer appeal. Shortly prior to display for sale to the consumer the outer layer is removed by the retailer and the product develops healthy, bright red '~lo~m" due to the high oxygen penetration of the remaining inner filn ~-rR~ K
1 307~95 package. The materials disclosed in Grindrod et al are laminates of PVC/
Saran and EVA/Saran. (EVA designates ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymer and PVC designates polyvinyl-chloride.) The EVA and PVC layers are the inner layer~ and at the periphery of the package they are sealed together. The saran layers can be readily peeled from the respective EVA or PVC layers and gripping tabs are provided for m itiating the peel m g process.
Yet another peelable package is shown in U. S. Patent No. 4,055,672 which issued on October 25, 1977 to Arthur Hirsch et al. In the Hirsch et al patent, a semi-rigid preformed tray o oxygen impermeable material is formed, a meat product placed therein and then the tray is sealed around its upper peripheral or flange area by a composite lid which has an inner layer of oxygen impermeable material, an adhesive layer, and an outer layer of oxygen impermeable material. When the package is ready for retail displays so that oxygen can reach the fresh meat package within the tray, the outer, impermeable lid is peeled away so that the oxygen can penetrate through the remaining portion o~ the lid. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a package with a strippable or peelable barrier layer which has a label which is not moved or displaced by the peeling process.
In order to readily open packages where plastic film layers have been sealed together to close the package, various tear tabs and easy open mechanisms have been devised. One such easy open, delaminating seal is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,638,913 which issued on January 27, 1987 to Milton A.
Howe, Jr. In this disclosure, two grippable film folds are provided and the folds, when pulled apart, will rupture one of the outer layers of the sealed together filn and delaminate the film to its edge. In such a case, of course, the bond strength between the two sealed together films must be greater than the layer to layer bond of the fi~m. Accordingly, it is still another object of the invention to provide a package which it is readily openable without removing or displacing the label for the package. In the prior art it has been knGwn to seal a label between two layers of thermo-plastic material to protect the label or to separate the label from the contents of the package. Such a label sealing method is shown in USP
3,638,784 which issued on February 1, 1972. However, positioning the label a separate compartment or separating it by an additional film ~mber means 401/~71120/1/4 -1 307~95 higher costs in both film and labor. Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a simplified method of providing a label which is sealed internally in the package.
In the prior art, when labels are placed inside a package, these labels can be displaced or ved within the package as it moves through the handling and distribution chain. ~ccordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide an internal label which minimizes the chances that it will mcve from its original location.
When packaging foods which may exude fluids such as fresh red meat will, if a label is placed on the inside of the package it will tend to become discolored and in some cases unreadable due to the migration of the fluids over the visible label area. Accordingly, it is yet~another object of the present invention to provide a label which will not be rendered illegible by the presence of fluids within the package.
When cold, wet suriaces are to be labeled as is the case when meat wrapped in plastic film for showcase display is to be labeled, it is often difficult to get the label to stick to the surface of the fi~m by any quick means as the surface is soft and spongy and label adhesives sometimes tend to resist sticking to a moist, cold surf~ce. Often, such labels will come off the package or become unreadable because of the crush and abuse from adjacent packages in transportation, storage, or display. Accordingly, it is still another object of the present invention to provide a label which will remain with the package and continue to be legible throughout the handling and display process.
These and other objects and the accomplishment thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following Summary of Invention, Description of the Drawings, and Detailed Description.
SUMMAKY OF THE INNENTION
In one aspect, the present invention is a method of providing a sealedinternal label for a product packaged in thermoplastic film comprising the steps of: preparing a label having a heat sealable surface, said heat sealable surface carry m g the information disclosed by the label; placing the label on a product to be packaged wqth the heat sealable surface facing outwardly; enclosing at least the part of the product upon which the label has been placed with a heat sealable, thermoplastic film which is heated to a sealing temperature whereby wh n it contacts the label as a product is enclosed, the label seals thereto; further enclosing the product by sealing the film to itself or to a second heat sealable n ~ ber thereby completing the enclosure of the product and forming a package with a sealed internal label.
In another sspect, the present invention is a method of providing a sealed internal label for a product within a skin package comprising the steps of: placing the product on a support member having a heat sealable surface; placing a label whose printed surface is heat sealable on said product with the printed side facing upw æ dly; heating a covering film having a heat sealable surface to its softening temperature; and draping the covering fi~m over the product so that it seals to the label and further draping the film around the product so that it seals to the support member around the periphery of the product. In one embodiment, the products are arranged on a support member in an array of columns and rows and labels on strips can be placed across and down each column as the products are moved in the direction of the rows.
In still another aspect, the present invention is a method of providing a sealed internal label fo~ a product within a vacuum skin package comprising the steps of: positioning a product on a gas impervious support member, said product having a relatively flat, horizontal upper surface; placing a label on said horizontal upper surface of said product, said label having a heat sealable surface, the label being positioned so that the heat sealing surface faces upwardly; pu~ting the support member, product, and label in a vacuum chamber; pro~iding a heat sealable covering web and heating it to its sealing temperature; positioning said heated covering web over the product, supporting ~ember, and label; evacuating the space containing the product while holding the web apart therefrom; molding the heated web around the product and into sealing contact with the label; and, continuing the molding of the film around the product and into sealing contact with the support n~mber to co~lplete the formation of a vacuum skin package. The support } ber is preferably a gas impervious tray and the covering or formon~ web comprises a composite of two films, one being a peelable, gas barrier film which can be re ved to expose the other film which is a heat sealable, gas pervious filn that allows oxygen to contact the package con-tents when the peelable web is removed.
In yet another aspect, the present inv~ntion is a package having a sealable, internal label comprising; a product having a relatively flat, horizontal surface; a heat sealable label positioned on said surface; a heat sealable web formed at least partially around said product, ~said web covering and being heat sealed to said label; and, a support or closure me~ber enclosing the uncovered portion of said product and being sealed to said covering web DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which are attached hereto and made a part of this disclosure, FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a continuous process by which the present invention can be accomplished;
.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective representation of a package showing one embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a package showing one embodiment of the present inv~tion;
FIGURE 4 is a top view and schematic representation of an array of packages at a loading station with labels placed thereon;
FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional representation of a completed package of the type shown in Figure 4;
1 3~7495 Figure ~ is a schematic representation of a cross section of a package of th~ type which ha~ been made from the array shown in Figure 4 and differs from Figure 5 in that a composite covering web having peelable and non-peelable films is shown;
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an array of products at a loading station having labels on a strip positioned on each product in a column;
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a cross section through one oE the products shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is the same cross section as Figure 8 but showing the covering web with a peelable barrier film.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to Figure 1, one embodiment of a process for making a vacuum skin package of the type which can utilize the present invention will be described. I'he drawing is a schematic and represents a process described in U.K. Patent 2,130,166B
wherein the application was published 31 May 1984 and the patent published 17 December 1986. In Figure 1, sheet-like material 3 to form the support or bottom web is unrolled from roll 2. The bottom web 3 for vacuum skin packaging purposes must be a relatively impervious sheet and preferably will comprise a base layer of a thermoformable material such as semi-rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is coated with saran (vinylidene chloride copolymer or PVDC) which coating is coated with a heat sealable material such as a Surlyn brand ionomer or a suitable ethylene/vinylacetate copolymer (EVA). As the material moves to * trade-mark i~ 8 the right it passes over a mold 4 for the tray and under a heater unit 5. At this station, a thermo:Eorming operation takes place in whiCh the web 3 ls heated by heater 5 by preferably using a heater plate in which vacuum ho]es are placed to draw the web 3 up against the heater plate until the weh is heated to its softening and forming temperature and then release the web at which time vacuum in holes distributed across the surface of the mold 4 will draw the softened and formable web 3 down into the mold where it assumes the shape of the ~, 8a 1 3~7~9~
ld. After cool mg and setting, the now formed tray 6 is moved to the right to ~he product loading station 7. As an alternate, mold 4 and heater 5 can be elimLnated and a flat support web be used instead.
At the loading station 7, product 8 to be packaged will be loaded into the tray. The trays in one e~bodiment are formed three across so that each set of trays as they leave the mold 4 form a column of trays across the width of the web. Looking at Figures ~ and 7 this arrangement can be seen where products 8 are loaded into either the tray cavity or when a tray is not used, onto the flat backing member or support web 6'. The operator at station 7 will place a product either in each tray or on the appropriate spot of the flat backing } ber 6. One preferred product is beefsteak 1" to 1<" thick. Alternately, rectangular blocks of cheese or other meat or food products can be packaged.
At loading station 7 when the products 8 are loaded 'the operator then places a label 16 on the horizontal upper surface of the products so that the heat sealable, printed surface of the label faces upwardly. Alter-nately, as shown in Figure 7 the labels may be on a continuous strip and held by a roll and dispensed adjacent the column of products much like a "Scotch" tape dispenser.
When the product with the label~ thereon has been properly positioned, the array, usually consisting of one column of products which in this instance are products three acro3S moves to the preheating station where the covering web 10 is fed from roll 9. The covering or forming web 10 may be a single layer fi~m or may be a two component or composite film as can be seen in Figures 6 and 7. The outer film 19 can be a layer of saran and the inner or sealable layer 20 can be a layer of PVC. Such a film is described in the above mentioned U.S.P. j3,574,642 to Weinke. In general, any suitable covering or thermoforming web may be used if the peelable feature is not desired. Since the preferred embodiment is a sealed internal layer in a package which is made by the vacuum skin packaging process being described, any suitable forming web can be used but it must contain a gas barrier layer. Such a fi~m will usually be a multi-layer film comprising a sealing layer of either an ionomer or branched, low density polyethylene (LDPE) or ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymer (EVA). A barrier layer will be 'included 1 3 o 7 ~ 5 which will c~mpr~s~ ei~her saran or ethylene/vinyl alc~hol (EVOH) which is sometimes referred to as hydrolyzed ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. Also included is a forming or support layer which may be PVC, LDPE, EVA, TlnpE
(linear low density polyethylene), or VLDPE (very low or ultra low density polyethylene). Thus, in schematic fashion, the forming web preferably comprises ~hese components: sealing layer/barrier layer/formable layer.
Such a film is, of course, not limited to three layers.
When the forming web 10 is preheated at sta~ion 11 the heated film and product on a support web are moved to the next station 12, 13 where the product is enclosed in a vacuum chamber having upper action or covering do~e 12 and lower or bottom section half 13. Inside the dome the covering web 10 may be drawn up against the heated interior of the dome and held there in a concave fashion wiile the product containing space is evacuated in accord-ance with a preferred process described in the above mentioned U.S.P.
Re.30,009 to Perdue. When the chamber has been evacuated, the web 10 which has been held by vacuum against t.he dome interior surface is released and atmospheric pressure is applied on its upper surface thus causing the pressure differential between atmospheric pressure in the evacuated chamber to force the hRated film down around the product and assume the product's shape. As the sealable surface of the covering web 10 comes in contact with the label 16 it will seal and adhere thereto so that the individually finished packages will have cross sections as shown in Figures 5, 6, 8 or 9 and the overall appearance will be a package such as that shown in Figure 2 where the support web 6' is flat or.in Figure 6 where the support web is a tray.
As can be seen in F$gures 5, 6, 8, and 9, the covering web by reason of the pressure differential is forced against the label 16 and adheres firmly and smoothly thereto. It is preferred that the product surface be relatively flat and smooth but the vacuum skin process can accommodate varying shapes and surface non-uniformities.
Numerous label e~bodiments may be used in the present invention. Cne preferred label is paper with a water proof coating on the lower side and which is printed with the label information on the upper side and afterwards coated with a heat sealable adhesive which can be a molten ionomeric resin or an EVA copolymer. These adhesive coatings are well known to those 401/8711~0/1/10 1 ~07~95 skilled in the art. The film at its forming temperature will readily seal to such a label and adhere thereto. The uniform pressure in a vacuum skin packaging process causes the label to be sealed all around and fluids fram the product will not get between the label and the covering web.
Another embodiment is to print the label information directly onto a heat sealable substrate which can be made from LDPE, EVA, Ionomer or the like.
To be printable surfaces such as those comprising may require corona or other treatment which is well kncwn to those skilled in the art of printing plastic surfaces.
The invention will find significant use and advantage in vacuum skinpackages which are used to not only store fresh red meat products such as beef, lamb, and pork, but also to display them .in the retail store showcase. In such a package, a beefsteak 8 (refer to Figures 6 and 9) is positioned on an impervious support web 6' and covered by a composite film 10 having a barrier layer 19 and a heat sealable layer 20. When packaged, the steak 8 is under vacuum and oxygen has been removed campletely fram the interior of the package during the vacuwm skin packaging process. In this condition, the meat will turn a i'purplish" color but may be stored, pre-ferably below about 37F, and more preferably at about 28 to 32F, unfrozen for periods up to 21 to 30 days. When ready for the retail showcase, tab 21 is simply lifted up and the heat sealable layer 20 which has a lower co-hesive strength than the bond force between layer 20 and support member 6' will rupture and allow the peelable barrier layer 19 to be removed. When this barrier layer is removed, the heat sealable layer 20 which is a gas pervious film, will allow the penetration of oxygen to the purplish colored meat and as the oxygen reacts the meat will "bloom" and turn a bright red which makes the product quite appealing to the retail purchaser. The label 16 being beneath the se~lable filn 20 and held in place by being sealed thereto will not be moved or displaced by the peeling away of layer 19 and because it is sealed to film 20 juices and moisture will not ge~ between the label 16 and film 20 to give the label an unsightly appearance.
As used hereLn, the terms "impervious" and "barrier" relat~ng to webs,substrates and fi~ms formed from thermoplastic materials ~ean a filn having an oxygen transmission of less than about lOOcc 2 per 100 square inches per ~ 307~95 mil of thickness per 24 hour period at 73F and a "gas pervious" or "gas permeable" film or covering web means a filn having a transmission rate for oxygen of ~reater than 2900.
The foregoing description is by way of ill~stration and is not limiting on the scope of the invention described as other embodiments and applications of the invention will become evident to those skilled in the art as they become familiar with the invention. The invention is limited only by the scope of the claims which follow and are appended hereto.
SEALED INTEKNAL PACKAGE LABEL
FIEL~ OF THE rNVENTION
This invention relates generally to vacuum skin packages and to labels for such pa~k~ges. Part;cularly, the present invention relates to packages made from multi-layer barrier films wherein the barrier iayer or layers are to be peeled and separated from the non-barrier layer or layers prior to retail display of t~le packages and to a label and method of applying a label for such packages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Skin packaging can be classified as a vacuum forming process for thenmoformable polymeric films. However, the term "vacuum skin packaging"
or VSP as it is referred to hereinafter, ref.ers not to the fact that the thermoformable fi~m is formed around the product by vacuum or differential air pressure which, indeed it is, but more to the fact that the product is packaged under vacuum and the space containing the product is evacuated.
Thus, in VSP processes the film formed around the product mus~ be a barrier to oxygen, air, and othe~ gases. However, in conventional skin packaging, a backing board which is porus or which is perforated so that a vacuum may be drawn directly through the backing board is employed.
In VSP processes, generally a vacuum chamber with an open top is used. The product on an in~ervious backing board is placed on a platform within the vacuum chamber. The top of the chamber is covered by a sheet of fi~m which is cla~ped tightly against the chamber to form a vacw m tight closure. The chamber is evacuated while the film is heated to its forming and softening temperature. The platform is t~en raised to drive the product into the 1 3074~5 softened fi~n and air pressure is used above the filn to force it tightly around the product. A similar type process is disclosed in French Patent No. 1,258,357 which issued to Alain G. Bresson on March 6, 1961.
A variant of the process described in the Bresson patent is disclosed in French Patent No. 1,286,018 which issued on January 22, 1962 to LaRoach Freres Limited. The the La~Dach Freres process, after the chamber has been evacuated and the product driven into the heat softened filn, the vacuum is released and ambient air is permitted ~o enter the cha~ber so that the thermoplastic film molds more or less onto the product since there is a vacuun on the product side of the filn and ambient air pressure on the other side of the film. Australian Patent No . 245,774 which issued to Colbros Proprietary Limited et al on July 16, 1967 discloses a vacuum skin packaging process in which an article to be packaged is inserted within the lower half of a vacuum chamber on a backing board, a thermoplastic filn is placed over the opened face of the lcwer half of the chamber, the cha~ber i5 closed and both halves and are brought to es~entially the same-state of vacuum, the film is heated and softened, and, then, atmospheric air is introduced into the upper half of the chamber so that it alone forces the thermoplastic film down around the product and against the backing board. Another version of vacuum skin packaging is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 3,491,504 which issued to W. E. Young et al on January 27, 1970. In this version, heat softened film with equal vacuum on both sides thereof is physically moved down over a stationary product or the product moved into the film and, when air pressure is increased on the outside of the fi~m, the softened thermo-plastic film is molded onto the product.
In U. S. Patent No. RE.30,009, which.was reissued on May 29, 1979 to Richard R. Perdue et al, a process and package is disclosed wherein a thermoformable or heat softenable filn $heet is drawn by differential air pressure against the concave interior surface of the upper portion of a vacuu~ chamber, the fi~m is then heated by surface contact, and then, after evacuation of the chamber, air pressure is used to blow the filn down over product positioned on an impervious backing board. The resulting package camprises the product held on the backing board by the the D formable fi~m which has been formed around the product in the exact shape of the product so that it appears to be a "skin." ~he thermoformable film, as stated previously, is also gas i~pervious and usually will consist of a number of layers each of which 401/871120/l/2 1 3~7~95 performs a specific function. The product contact and backing ~mber contact layer will be a sealing or heat sealable layer. The interior layer Will typically be a barrier layer which comprises a vinylidene chloride copolymer or a hydrolyzed ethylene/vinyl-acetate copoIymer; and, an outer surface layer will be provided to protect the barrier layer from scratches, pin holes or other abuse and from moisture attack. Usually the package surface will not be particularly smooth or uniform as the surface conforms to the shape of the product. Accordingly, one general object of the present invention is to provide a satisfactory method of labelling vacuum skin package which conform to the product shape.
In U. S. Patent No. 3,574,642 which issued on April 13, 1971 to Carl Frederick Weinke. A package for a method of packaging meats is disclosed.
The package includes an inner oxygen-permeable membeF which may be either gas flushed or evacuated and an outer oxygen-impermeable ne~ber which may also be gas flushed or evacuated. The package preserves the freshness of the meat until the meat is ready to be marketed to the consumer but the meat is purplish in color. For marketing, the outer wrapper is removed and the inner package is displayed to the consumer. Being oxygen-permeable, the inner wrapper admits oxygen to the interior of the package causing the fresh meat product to change to a bright red color which the consumer associates with freshness. The inner pouch of the Weinke package may consist of ~ polyethylene film and the outër pouches may be cellophane~ film with a r~ coating of saran (vinylidene chloride copolymer). Another patent showing portions of fresh meat individually packaged in oxygen permeable plastic film and inserted into a outer container of impermeable film is U. S. Patent No. 3,681,092 which issued to Oliver R. Technell et al on August 1, 1972.
A prior art package of interest is described in U. S. Patent No. 3,713,849 which issued to Paul E. Çrindrod et al on January 30, 1973. In the Grindrod et al patent a fresh meat package having an outer oxygen impermeable layer which is readily and entirely peelable from an inner oxygen-permeable layer is disclosed. The package includes means for initiating the peeling separation along an edge of the package. The outer oxygen barrier maintains meats in well preserved condition the purplish color which has low consumer appeal. Shortly prior to display for sale to the consumer the outer layer is removed by the retailer and the product develops healthy, bright red '~lo~m" due to the high oxygen penetration of the remaining inner filn ~-rR~ K
1 307~95 package. The materials disclosed in Grindrod et al are laminates of PVC/
Saran and EVA/Saran. (EVA designates ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymer and PVC designates polyvinyl-chloride.) The EVA and PVC layers are the inner layer~ and at the periphery of the package they are sealed together. The saran layers can be readily peeled from the respective EVA or PVC layers and gripping tabs are provided for m itiating the peel m g process.
Yet another peelable package is shown in U. S. Patent No. 4,055,672 which issued on October 25, 1977 to Arthur Hirsch et al. In the Hirsch et al patent, a semi-rigid preformed tray o oxygen impermeable material is formed, a meat product placed therein and then the tray is sealed around its upper peripheral or flange area by a composite lid which has an inner layer of oxygen impermeable material, an adhesive layer, and an outer layer of oxygen impermeable material. When the package is ready for retail displays so that oxygen can reach the fresh meat package within the tray, the outer, impermeable lid is peeled away so that the oxygen can penetrate through the remaining portion o~ the lid. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a package with a strippable or peelable barrier layer which has a label which is not moved or displaced by the peeling process.
In order to readily open packages where plastic film layers have been sealed together to close the package, various tear tabs and easy open mechanisms have been devised. One such easy open, delaminating seal is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 4,638,913 which issued on January 27, 1987 to Milton A.
Howe, Jr. In this disclosure, two grippable film folds are provided and the folds, when pulled apart, will rupture one of the outer layers of the sealed together filn and delaminate the film to its edge. In such a case, of course, the bond strength between the two sealed together films must be greater than the layer to layer bond of the fi~m. Accordingly, it is still another object of the invention to provide a package which it is readily openable without removing or displacing the label for the package. In the prior art it has been knGwn to seal a label between two layers of thermo-plastic material to protect the label or to separate the label from the contents of the package. Such a label sealing method is shown in USP
3,638,784 which issued on February 1, 1972. However, positioning the label a separate compartment or separating it by an additional film ~mber means 401/~71120/1/4 -1 307~95 higher costs in both film and labor. Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a simplified method of providing a label which is sealed internally in the package.
In the prior art, when labels are placed inside a package, these labels can be displaced or ved within the package as it moves through the handling and distribution chain. ~ccordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide an internal label which minimizes the chances that it will mcve from its original location.
When packaging foods which may exude fluids such as fresh red meat will, if a label is placed on the inside of the package it will tend to become discolored and in some cases unreadable due to the migration of the fluids over the visible label area. Accordingly, it is yet~another object of the present invention to provide a label which will not be rendered illegible by the presence of fluids within the package.
When cold, wet suriaces are to be labeled as is the case when meat wrapped in plastic film for showcase display is to be labeled, it is often difficult to get the label to stick to the surface of the fi~m by any quick means as the surface is soft and spongy and label adhesives sometimes tend to resist sticking to a moist, cold surf~ce. Often, such labels will come off the package or become unreadable because of the crush and abuse from adjacent packages in transportation, storage, or display. Accordingly, it is still another object of the present invention to provide a label which will remain with the package and continue to be legible throughout the handling and display process.
These and other objects and the accomplishment thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following Summary of Invention, Description of the Drawings, and Detailed Description.
SUMMAKY OF THE INNENTION
In one aspect, the present invention is a method of providing a sealedinternal label for a product packaged in thermoplastic film comprising the steps of: preparing a label having a heat sealable surface, said heat sealable surface carry m g the information disclosed by the label; placing the label on a product to be packaged wqth the heat sealable surface facing outwardly; enclosing at least the part of the product upon which the label has been placed with a heat sealable, thermoplastic film which is heated to a sealing temperature whereby wh n it contacts the label as a product is enclosed, the label seals thereto; further enclosing the product by sealing the film to itself or to a second heat sealable n ~ ber thereby completing the enclosure of the product and forming a package with a sealed internal label.
In another sspect, the present invention is a method of providing a sealed internal label for a product within a skin package comprising the steps of: placing the product on a support member having a heat sealable surface; placing a label whose printed surface is heat sealable on said product with the printed side facing upw æ dly; heating a covering film having a heat sealable surface to its softening temperature; and draping the covering fi~m over the product so that it seals to the label and further draping the film around the product so that it seals to the support member around the periphery of the product. In one embodiment, the products are arranged on a support member in an array of columns and rows and labels on strips can be placed across and down each column as the products are moved in the direction of the rows.
In still another aspect, the present invention is a method of providing a sealed internal label fo~ a product within a vacuum skin package comprising the steps of: positioning a product on a gas impervious support member, said product having a relatively flat, horizontal upper surface; placing a label on said horizontal upper surface of said product, said label having a heat sealable surface, the label being positioned so that the heat sealing surface faces upwardly; pu~ting the support member, product, and label in a vacuum chamber; pro~iding a heat sealable covering web and heating it to its sealing temperature; positioning said heated covering web over the product, supporting ~ember, and label; evacuating the space containing the product while holding the web apart therefrom; molding the heated web around the product and into sealing contact with the label; and, continuing the molding of the film around the product and into sealing contact with the support n~mber to co~lplete the formation of a vacuum skin package. The support } ber is preferably a gas impervious tray and the covering or formon~ web comprises a composite of two films, one being a peelable, gas barrier film which can be re ved to expose the other film which is a heat sealable, gas pervious filn that allows oxygen to contact the package con-tents when the peelable web is removed.
In yet another aspect, the present inv~ntion is a package having a sealable, internal label comprising; a product having a relatively flat, horizontal surface; a heat sealable label positioned on said surface; a heat sealable web formed at least partially around said product, ~said web covering and being heat sealed to said label; and, a support or closure me~ber enclosing the uncovered portion of said product and being sealed to said covering web DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings which are attached hereto and made a part of this disclosure, FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of a continuous process by which the present invention can be accomplished;
.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective representation of a package showing one embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a package showing one embodiment of the present inv~tion;
FIGURE 4 is a top view and schematic representation of an array of packages at a loading station with labels placed thereon;
FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional representation of a completed package of the type shown in Figure 4;
1 3~7495 Figure ~ is a schematic representation of a cross section of a package of th~ type which ha~ been made from the array shown in Figure 4 and differs from Figure 5 in that a composite covering web having peelable and non-peelable films is shown;
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an array of products at a loading station having labels on a strip positioned on each product in a column;
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a cross section through one oE the products shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 is the same cross section as Figure 8 but showing the covering web with a peelable barrier film.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to Figure 1, one embodiment of a process for making a vacuum skin package of the type which can utilize the present invention will be described. I'he drawing is a schematic and represents a process described in U.K. Patent 2,130,166B
wherein the application was published 31 May 1984 and the patent published 17 December 1986. In Figure 1, sheet-like material 3 to form the support or bottom web is unrolled from roll 2. The bottom web 3 for vacuum skin packaging purposes must be a relatively impervious sheet and preferably will comprise a base layer of a thermoformable material such as semi-rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is coated with saran (vinylidene chloride copolymer or PVDC) which coating is coated with a heat sealable material such as a Surlyn brand ionomer or a suitable ethylene/vinylacetate copolymer (EVA). As the material moves to * trade-mark i~ 8 the right it passes over a mold 4 for the tray and under a heater unit 5. At this station, a thermo:Eorming operation takes place in whiCh the web 3 ls heated by heater 5 by preferably using a heater plate in which vacuum ho]es are placed to draw the web 3 up against the heater plate until the weh is heated to its softening and forming temperature and then release the web at which time vacuum in holes distributed across the surface of the mold 4 will draw the softened and formable web 3 down into the mold where it assumes the shape of the ~, 8a 1 3~7~9~
ld. After cool mg and setting, the now formed tray 6 is moved to the right to ~he product loading station 7. As an alternate, mold 4 and heater 5 can be elimLnated and a flat support web be used instead.
At the loading station 7, product 8 to be packaged will be loaded into the tray. The trays in one e~bodiment are formed three across so that each set of trays as they leave the mold 4 form a column of trays across the width of the web. Looking at Figures ~ and 7 this arrangement can be seen where products 8 are loaded into either the tray cavity or when a tray is not used, onto the flat backing member or support web 6'. The operator at station 7 will place a product either in each tray or on the appropriate spot of the flat backing } ber 6. One preferred product is beefsteak 1" to 1<" thick. Alternately, rectangular blocks of cheese or other meat or food products can be packaged.
At loading station 7 when the products 8 are loaded 'the operator then places a label 16 on the horizontal upper surface of the products so that the heat sealable, printed surface of the label faces upwardly. Alter-nately, as shown in Figure 7 the labels may be on a continuous strip and held by a roll and dispensed adjacent the column of products much like a "Scotch" tape dispenser.
When the product with the label~ thereon has been properly positioned, the array, usually consisting of one column of products which in this instance are products three acro3S moves to the preheating station where the covering web 10 is fed from roll 9. The covering or forming web 10 may be a single layer fi~m or may be a two component or composite film as can be seen in Figures 6 and 7. The outer film 19 can be a layer of saran and the inner or sealable layer 20 can be a layer of PVC. Such a film is described in the above mentioned U.S.P. j3,574,642 to Weinke. In general, any suitable covering or thermoforming web may be used if the peelable feature is not desired. Since the preferred embodiment is a sealed internal layer in a package which is made by the vacuum skin packaging process being described, any suitable forming web can be used but it must contain a gas barrier layer. Such a fi~m will usually be a multi-layer film comprising a sealing layer of either an ionomer or branched, low density polyethylene (LDPE) or ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymer (EVA). A barrier layer will be 'included 1 3 o 7 ~ 5 which will c~mpr~s~ ei~her saran or ethylene/vinyl alc~hol (EVOH) which is sometimes referred to as hydrolyzed ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. Also included is a forming or support layer which may be PVC, LDPE, EVA, TlnpE
(linear low density polyethylene), or VLDPE (very low or ultra low density polyethylene). Thus, in schematic fashion, the forming web preferably comprises ~hese components: sealing layer/barrier layer/formable layer.
Such a film is, of course, not limited to three layers.
When the forming web 10 is preheated at sta~ion 11 the heated film and product on a support web are moved to the next station 12, 13 where the product is enclosed in a vacuum chamber having upper action or covering do~e 12 and lower or bottom section half 13. Inside the dome the covering web 10 may be drawn up against the heated interior of the dome and held there in a concave fashion wiile the product containing space is evacuated in accord-ance with a preferred process described in the above mentioned U.S.P.
Re.30,009 to Perdue. When the chamber has been evacuated, the web 10 which has been held by vacuum against t.he dome interior surface is released and atmospheric pressure is applied on its upper surface thus causing the pressure differential between atmospheric pressure in the evacuated chamber to force the hRated film down around the product and assume the product's shape. As the sealable surface of the covering web 10 comes in contact with the label 16 it will seal and adhere thereto so that the individually finished packages will have cross sections as shown in Figures 5, 6, 8 or 9 and the overall appearance will be a package such as that shown in Figure 2 where the support web 6' is flat or.in Figure 6 where the support web is a tray.
As can be seen in F$gures 5, 6, 8, and 9, the covering web by reason of the pressure differential is forced against the label 16 and adheres firmly and smoothly thereto. It is preferred that the product surface be relatively flat and smooth but the vacuum skin process can accommodate varying shapes and surface non-uniformities.
Numerous label e~bodiments may be used in the present invention. Cne preferred label is paper with a water proof coating on the lower side and which is printed with the label information on the upper side and afterwards coated with a heat sealable adhesive which can be a molten ionomeric resin or an EVA copolymer. These adhesive coatings are well known to those 401/8711~0/1/10 1 ~07~95 skilled in the art. The film at its forming temperature will readily seal to such a label and adhere thereto. The uniform pressure in a vacuum skin packaging process causes the label to be sealed all around and fluids fram the product will not get between the label and the covering web.
Another embodiment is to print the label information directly onto a heat sealable substrate which can be made from LDPE, EVA, Ionomer or the like.
To be printable surfaces such as those comprising may require corona or other treatment which is well kncwn to those skilled in the art of printing plastic surfaces.
The invention will find significant use and advantage in vacuum skinpackages which are used to not only store fresh red meat products such as beef, lamb, and pork, but also to display them .in the retail store showcase. In such a package, a beefsteak 8 (refer to Figures 6 and 9) is positioned on an impervious support web 6' and covered by a composite film 10 having a barrier layer 19 and a heat sealable layer 20. When packaged, the steak 8 is under vacuum and oxygen has been removed campletely fram the interior of the package during the vacuwm skin packaging process. In this condition, the meat will turn a i'purplish" color but may be stored, pre-ferably below about 37F, and more preferably at about 28 to 32F, unfrozen for periods up to 21 to 30 days. When ready for the retail showcase, tab 21 is simply lifted up and the heat sealable layer 20 which has a lower co-hesive strength than the bond force between layer 20 and support member 6' will rupture and allow the peelable barrier layer 19 to be removed. When this barrier layer is removed, the heat sealable layer 20 which is a gas pervious film, will allow the penetration of oxygen to the purplish colored meat and as the oxygen reacts the meat will "bloom" and turn a bright red which makes the product quite appealing to the retail purchaser. The label 16 being beneath the se~lable filn 20 and held in place by being sealed thereto will not be moved or displaced by the peeling away of layer 19 and because it is sealed to film 20 juices and moisture will not ge~ between the label 16 and film 20 to give the label an unsightly appearance.
As used hereLn, the terms "impervious" and "barrier" relat~ng to webs,substrates and fi~ms formed from thermoplastic materials ~ean a filn having an oxygen transmission of less than about lOOcc 2 per 100 square inches per ~ 307~95 mil of thickness per 24 hour period at 73F and a "gas pervious" or "gas permeable" film or covering web means a filn having a transmission rate for oxygen of ~reater than 2900.
The foregoing description is by way of ill~stration and is not limiting on the scope of the invention described as other embodiments and applications of the invention will become evident to those skilled in the art as they become familiar with the invention. The invention is limited only by the scope of the claims which follow and are appended hereto.
Claims (18)
1. A method of providing a sealed internal label for a product packaged in thermoplastic film comprising the steps of:
a) preparing a label having a heat sealable surface, said heat sealable surface carrying the information disclosed by the label;
b) placing the label on a product to be packaged with the heat sealable surface facing outwardly;
c) enclosing at least the part of the product upon which the label has been placed with a heat sealable, thermoplastic film which is heated to its sealing temperature whereby when it contacts the label as the product is enclosed, the label seals thereto;
d) further enclosing the product by sealing the film to itself or to a second heat sealable member thereby completing the enclosure of the product and forming a package with a sealed internal label.
a) preparing a label having a heat sealable surface, said heat sealable surface carrying the information disclosed by the label;
b) placing the label on a product to be packaged with the heat sealable surface facing outwardly;
c) enclosing at least the part of the product upon which the label has been placed with a heat sealable, thermoplastic film which is heated to its sealing temperature whereby when it contacts the label as the product is enclosed, the label seals thereto;
d) further enclosing the product by sealing the film to itself or to a second heat sealable member thereby completing the enclosure of the product and forming a package with a sealed internal label.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second heat sealable member is a sheet-like member having a heat sealable surface upon which the product is placed prior to the label being placed on the product.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the label is formed by printing the label information on heat sealable thermoplastic film.
4. A method of providing a sealed internal label for a product within a skin package comprising the steps of:
a) placing the product on a support member having a heat sealable surface;
b) placing a label whose printed surface is heat sealable on said product with the printed side facing upwardly;
c) heating a covering film having a heat sealable surface to its softening temperature; and, d) A draping the covering film over the product so that it seals to the label and further draping the film around the product so that it seals to the support member around the periphery of the product.
a) placing the product on a support member having a heat sealable surface;
b) placing a label whose printed surface is heat sealable on said product with the printed side facing upwardly;
c) heating a covering film having a heat sealable surface to its softening temperature; and, d) A draping the covering film over the product so that it seals to the label and further draping the film around the product so that it seals to the support member around the periphery of the product.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the covering film and support member are gas impermeable and the draping of the covering film is accomplished within a vacuum chamber.
6. The method of claim 4 including the steps of:
i) in step (a), arranging a multiplicity of products in an array of columns and rows on a support member;
ii) in step (b), placing an individual label on the top of each product; and, iii) in step (c), draping the heated film so that it contacts and seals to each label and then to the support member around the periphery of each product.
i) in step (a), arranging a multiplicity of products in an array of columns and rows on a support member;
ii) in step (b), placing an individual label on the top of each product; and, iii) in step (c), draping the heated film so that it contacts and seals to each label and then to the support member around the periphery of each product.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein in step (ii) a label in a strip of labels is placed on each product in a column and the products are moved in the direction of the rows as they are packaged.
8. A method of providing a sealed internal label for a product within a vacuum skin package comprising the steps of:
a) positioning a product on a gas impervious support member, said product having a relatively flat, horizontal upper surface;
b) placing a label on said horizontal upper surface of said product, said label having a heat sealable surface, and the label being positioned so that the heat sealing surface faces upwardly;
c) placing the support member, product, and label in a vacuum chamber;
d) providing a heat sealable covering web and heating it to its sealing temperature;
e) positioning said heated covering web over the product, supporting member, and label;
f) evacuating the space containing the product while holding the web apart therefrom;
g) molding the heated web around the product and into sealing contact with the label; and, h) continuing the molding of the film around the product and into sealing contact with the support member to complete the formation of a vacuum skin package.
a) positioning a product on a gas impervious support member, said product having a relatively flat, horizontal upper surface;
b) placing a label on said horizontal upper surface of said product, said label having a heat sealable surface, and the label being positioned so that the heat sealing surface faces upwardly;
c) placing the support member, product, and label in a vacuum chamber;
d) providing a heat sealable covering web and heating it to its sealing temperature;
e) positioning said heated covering web over the product, supporting member, and label;
f) evacuating the space containing the product while holding the web apart therefrom;
g) molding the heated web around the product and into sealing contact with the label; and, h) continuing the molding of the film around the product and into sealing contact with the support member to complete the formation of a vacuum skin package.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein a plurality of products are placed on a support member arranged in columns and rows.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein labels on a strip are positioned on each product in each column.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the covering web is a composite web comprising a gas impermeable peelable film and gas permeable, heat sealable film.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the product is a cut of fresh red meat.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the gas impervious support member is a tray having an upper, heat sealable surface.
14. A package having a sealed, internal label comprising:
a) a product having a relatively flat, horizontal surface;
b) a heat sealable label positioned on said surface;
c) a heat sealable web formed at least partially around said product, said web covering and being sealed to said label, and, d) a support or closure member enclosing the uncovered portion of said product and being sealed to said covering web.
a) a product having a relatively flat, horizontal surface;
b) a heat sealable label positioned on said surface;
c) a heat sealable web formed at least partially around said product, said web covering and being sealed to said label, and, d) a support or closure member enclosing the uncovered portion of said product and being sealed to said covering web.
15. The package of claim 13 wherein the product is a cut of fresh red meat placed on a support member.
16. The package of claim 13 wherein the package is evacuated.
17. The package of claim 15 wherein the covering web is a composite web comprising a peelable gas impermeable film and a gas permeable, heat sealable film.
18. The package of claim 17 wherein the support member is a heat sealable, gas impervious tray.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US135,870 | 1987-12-21 | ||
| US07/135,870 US4890739A (en) | 1987-12-21 | 1987-12-21 | Sealed internal package label |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1307495C true CA1307495C (en) | 1992-09-15 |
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ID=22470101
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000579214A Expired - Lifetime CA1307495C (en) | 1987-12-21 | 1988-10-04 | Sealed internal package label |
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| US (2) | US4890739A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU616926B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1307495C (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2211814B (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ227261A (en) |
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| DE3267527D1 (en) * | 1981-09-24 | 1986-01-02 | Toshiba Kk | Bundle and method for bundling sheets of paper or the like |
| IT1153034B (en) * | 1982-11-15 | 1987-01-14 | Grace W R & Co | PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT FOR VACUUM PACKAGING AND REACTIVE PACKAGING |
| US4642239A (en) * | 1984-01-09 | 1987-02-10 | Transparent Paper Plc | Packaging of fresh meat |
| JPH0711706B2 (en) * | 1984-07-14 | 1995-02-08 | ミノルタ株式会社 | Electrophotographic photoreceptor |
| US4709819A (en) * | 1986-07-23 | 1987-12-01 | Environmental Diagnostics, Inc. | Method for preserving plated media and product |
| US4726171A (en) * | 1986-09-12 | 1988-02-23 | Frito-Lay, Inc. | Method and apparatus for applying article to inside of bag |
| ES2161811T3 (en) * | 1995-07-28 | 2001-12-16 | May & Christe Gmbh | BASKET WITH MOUNTING LAMP BASKET. |
-
1987
- 1987-12-21 US US07/135,870 patent/US4890739A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1988
- 1988-10-04 CA CA000579214A patent/CA1307495C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-12-09 NZ NZ227261A patent/NZ227261A/en unknown
- 1988-12-14 GB GB8829137A patent/GB2211814B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-12-21 AU AU27382/88A patent/AU616926B2/en not_active Ceased
-
1990
- 1990-07-03 US US07/545,686 patent/US5330777A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2211814B (en) | 1991-11-13 |
| AU616926B2 (en) | 1991-11-14 |
| GB2211814A (en) | 1989-07-12 |
| AU2738288A (en) | 1989-06-22 |
| US4890739A (en) | 1990-01-02 |
| US5330777A (en) | 1994-07-19 |
| NZ227261A (en) | 1991-06-25 |
| GB8829137D0 (en) | 1989-01-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |