US20060096661A1 - Opening and/or closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs - Google Patents
Opening and/or closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs Download PDFInfo
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- US20060096661A1 US20060096661A1 US11/270,709 US27070905A US2006096661A1 US 20060096661 A1 US20060096661 A1 US 20060096661A1 US 27070905 A US27070905 A US 27070905A US 2006096661 A1 US2006096661 A1 US 2006096661A1
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- Prior art keywords
- packaging
- wall
- piercing
- cage
- plugging
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/002—Closures to be pierced by an extracting-device for the contents and fixed on the container by separate retaining means
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- 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
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
- B65B31/08—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzle being adapted to pierce the container or wrapper
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D17/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible members or portions
Definitions
- the present invention concerns an opening and/or closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs.
- opening and closing a sealed packaging intended for the preservation of agro foodstuffs after thermal treatment thereof may be mentioned. It is known that after thermal treatment, certain foodstuffs ooze a baking juice or exudate which ought to be removed from the packaging before marketing the product. It is also known that it may prove useful, if not necessary, to check during or after the thermal treatment certain data such as temperature or microbial composition of the product contained in the packaging.
- a solution to remedy this problem consists in a first step in opening the sealed packaging and in extracting the products, then in reconditioning said products in a second sealed packaging.
- the technique used consists in taking a reference sample which is perforated and whereof the content is probed, serving as a reference for the other packagings, but which cannot be reused, since it has been perforated and has contacted the surrounding medium, and consequently said product will be wasted.
- the suction of a pre-set dose of liquid contained in a vial by means of a syringe enabling notably to avoid any contact between the sucked-in liquid and the surrounding medium.
- the packaging is perforated by a syringe needle and said dose is sucked in entirely into said syringe, thereby avoiding any contact between the sucked-in liquid and the surrounding medium, and the empty vial is then thrown away.
- the opening/closing device comprises means for piercing the wall of said packaging and plugging through which the packaging can be pierced. Said plugging means may be re-closed after piercing, after removing the piercing means so as to avoid any contact between the inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium.
- the aim of the present invention which an improvement on the invention described in the document EP-1.312.566, is to provide an opening and/or closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for preservation of agro foodstuffs, which remedies the shortcomings aforementioned and enables to withdraw or to inject liquids, semi-liquids or gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam, outside or inside the packaging, without the inside medium contacting the surrounding medium.
- Another aim of the present invention is to provide an opening and closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for preservation of agro foodstuffs, which enables to obtain data on the inside medium of the packaging, without the inside medium contacting the surrounding medium.
- Another aim of the present invention is to provide a reliable opening/closing device and whereof the implementation is easy, while avoiding notably any undue risks of perforation.
- the opening/closing device of a sealed packaging intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs, exhibiting piercing means, as well as plugging means, through which the packaging can be pierced, and which can be re-closed after piercing, after removing the piercing means so as to avoid any contact between the inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium, is characterized in that said plugging means are formed of two elements, arranged at the wall of said packaging, and slaved to one another, whereas the first element is fitted with a thermoplastic material which may be re-closed after piercing, the second element having spreading means to create a vacuum chamber at the piercing means.
- the present invention also concerns a packaging fitted with the plugging means described in the present invention.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the opening/closing device of a sealed packaging according to the invention.
- FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate sectional views of the different opening/closing steps of the sealed packaging.
- FIG. 5 shows an exploded sectional view of the opening/closing device of the present invention prior to be slaved to the sealed packaging to be fitted.
- FIG. 6 shows a sectional view along the axis VI-VI of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along the axis VII-VII of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 8 shows a bottom elevation view along the arrow VIII of FIG. 5 .
- FIGS. 9 and 10 show perspective views of an opening/closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- the invention concerns first of all en opening/closing device 12 of a sealed packaging 10 , intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs.
- a sealed packaging 10 intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs.
- sealed packagings intended to any other product and for example to the preservation of pharmaceutical or chemical products.
- the opening/closing device 12 of a sealed packaging 10 comprises means 8 for piercing the wall 3 of said packaging 10 .
- the opening/closing device 12 also comprises plugging means 13 through which the packaging 10 is pierced, and which may be re-closed after piercing once the piercing means 8 have been withdrawn so as to avoid any contact between the inside medium of the packaging 10 and the surrounding medium.
- said plugging means 13 are formed of two elements 1 , 2 , each in the form of a cage, notably a cylindrical cage, arranged at the wall 3 of said packaging 1 a, and slaved together.
- the first element 1 as developed thereunder, is filled with a thermoplastic material which may be re-closed after piercing.
- the second element 2 exhibits spreading means to create a vacuum chamber at the piecing means.
- both said functional element may be substantially formed of two independent parts, slaved together during moulding, at the packaging to be fitted, or still formed of a single monobloc part.
- said element 1 may be used without said element 2 .
- said first element 1 is placed on the external side of the packaging 10 and said second element 2 , called vacuum element or strainer, is placed on the internal side, whereas both said elements 1 , 2 sandwiching, in an embodiment, the wall 3 of said packaging 10 as such. therebetween.
- the fixture may also be provided on the internal or external face of the wall 3 of the packaging.
- the element 2 is clamped beforehand to the element 1 before welding the assembly to the packaging 10 .
- said vacuum element or strainer 2 exhibits a cylindrical body fitted with a closed bottom 15 and with at least one hole 11 on the lateral wall thereof. This exhibits, on the one hand, to form a barrier to prevent solid pieces from clogging the piercing means 8 , while letting the liquid flow freely, and on the other hand, to avoid unwanted piercing of both sheets of the packaging.
- said plugging means 13 may be formed of a single monobloc-type part 28 , which may be attached to the internal 29 or external 30 face of the wall 3 of the packaging 10 .
- the functions described in connection with the plugging means 13 formed of two independent parts remain similar.
- One of the advantages of the use of such type of plugging means 13 in the form of a single part 28 is to enable welding, in particular, between the part 28 and the wall 3 of the packaging 10 in a single pass.
- Welding may be performed either between the surface 32 of the skid 33 and the surface 30 of the wall 3 of the packaging 10 , as shown on FIG. 9 , or between the surface 31 of the skid 33 and the surface 29 of the wall 3 of the packaging 10 , as shown on FIG. 19 .
- the skid 33 may be placed either inside or outside the packaging.
- said plugging means 13 include, moreover, at least one thermoplastic material advantageously of elastomer type, intended in particular at said so-called plugging element 1 .
- thermoplastic material should exhibit specific characteristics enabling when said plugging means 13 are pierced, to re-close the holes made.
- said at least one material used should exhibit high elasticity coefficient and also average hardness so that said plugging means 13 exhibit good handling and that the hole is re-closed instantly, i.e. at no time the surrounding medium contacts the inside medium of the packaging 10 .
- thermoplastic material formed of a matter marketed under the trade name “VITAPRENNE” will be selected advantageously, said material exhibiting a Shore hardness close to 41 and an elongation coefficient close to 50%, the wall of the sealed packaging 10 being formed of a polyethylene film associated with polyamide. the latter being used as a barrier film against gas.
- the plugging element 1 in the form of a cage, exhibits in succession a first external skid 4 , a hollow zone 6 , delineated by a wall 5 in order to receive a disk 7 therein, and an opening 21 .
- the decompression element 2 in the form of a cage, exhibits successively a second skid 4 ′, said bottom 15 and at least one of said holes 11 on its lateral wall.
- the element 1 may exhibit moreover four anchoring points in its periphery (not illustrated). These anchoring points enable the needle 25 on the one hand to be held against the bottom of the element 2 for the whole intervention in the packaging 10 and on the other hand to ensure that the hole 9 of the needle 25 is always in the axis of the holes 11 .
- This anchoring system also enables not to exert loads onto the packaging 10 when the plugging means 7 is perforated.
- the hollow zone 6 is limited in its lower portion by an internal annular shoulder 27 so as to delineate the deformation of the disk 7 when it is perforated by the needle 25 .
- the perforation is performed by the hole 26 whereof the diameter may vary between 5 and 10 mm, advantageously 8 mm.
- said plugging element 1 is capable of receiving said disk 7 , as illustrated on FIGS. 2 to 5 , of said thermoplastic material and the front opening 21 is capable of authorizing on the one hand insertion of said disk 7 and on the other hand of being held crimped in said element 1 .
- the disk 7 is circumscribed by said wall 5 so that said wall 5 forms a circling, possibly a crimping, of the disk 7 .
- the so-called decompression element 2 is capable of forming a stop for the piercing means and a non-compressible internal volume.
- This element 2 forms thus a strainer or still a filter placed on the suction portion in order to prevent, for example, the wall of the packaging from pressing on the suction port of the needle and from clogging the suction system.
- each skid 4 , 4 ′ is intended to cooperate with the wall 3 of the packaging 10 .
- each skid 4 , 4 ′ will exhibit an annular groove 23 and a shoulder 22 matching on the one hand the marking of both elements 1 , 2 and on the other hand the positioning thereof.
- the dimensions of the plugging means 13 are determined in order on the one hand to be sufficient to enable easy positioning of the piercing means 8 and on the other hand relatively small so as to require minimum material whereof the cost is high.
- said piercing means 8 are formed of a needle 25 comprising a port 9 at the part piercing the wall 3 of said packaging 10 .
- the shape of said needle 25 enables notably insertion of said injection and/or suction means, injection and/or suction of liquids, semi-liquids and gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam through said port 9 .
- said port 9 enables contact between the inside medium of the packaging 10 and the inside of said needle 25 .
- said needle 25 contains only one opening formed by said port 9 .
- This port 9 intended to avoid any contact between the inside medium of the packaging 10 and the surrounding medium has set dimensions so that, during perforation, the port cannot put in contact the inside medium of the packaging 10 and the surrounding medium.
- the dimension of said port 9 according to the axis of perforation is smaller than the total width of said plugging means 13 and the wall 3 of said packaging 10 .
- a port 9 provided with opening/closing means, the port 9 then being plugged when the port lies outside the packaging, and is opened when the port lies inside the packaging.
- the present invention also concerns a packaging 10 fitted with plugging means 13 as mentioned above.
- the present invention also concerns an installation for implementing such packagings. wherein are provided at said piercing means 8 , injection and/or suction means enabling to inject and/or to suck in liquids, semi-liquids and gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam, in and/or outside the packaging preventing any contact between the inside medium of the packaging 10 and the surrounding medium.
- injection and/or suction means enabling to inject and/or to suck in liquids, semi-liquids and gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam, in and/or outside the packaging preventing any contact between the inside medium of the packaging 10 and the surrounding medium.
- the invention may also provide, at said piercing means, a sensor enabling to obtain data on the inside medium of the packaging 10 .
- the operation of the opening/closing device 12 is as follows.
- a first step, represented on FIG. 2 said piercing means 8 formed in the example by the hollow needle 25 are positioned preferably vertically to said plugging means 13 .
- said plugging means 13 and the wall 3 of the packaging 10 are pierced.
- the wall 3 is broken. It is also clear that said plugging means 13 formed of said elements 1 and 2 are pierced.
- the rim 7 a of the disk 7 rests against the edges of said needle 25 thereby avoiding any contact between the inside medium of the packaging 10 and the surrounding medium.
- the port 9 of said needle 25 is in contact with the inside medium of the packaging 10 through the holes 11 of the element 2 , it is also possible to suck in or to inject liquids, semi-liquids and/or gases, such as nitrogen or steam, from the injection and/or suction means 19 . It is also possible at this stage, by means of said sensor 17 , to obtain data on the inside medium of the packaging 10 and in particular temperature measurements.
- the needle 25 has a diameter of 5 mm and delineates an internal conduit of 3 mm in diameter, and the washer has a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 8 mm.
- the injection and/suction means 19 enable sucking in one liter of liquid within 45 seconds. The suction speed depends obviously on the viscosity of the liquid to be injected or sucked in.
- the needle 25 has a diameter of 4 mm and delineates an internal conduit of 2 mm in diameter, and the washer has a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 8 mm.
- the injection and/suction means 19 enable sucking in one liter of liquid within one minute.
- the selection of the dimensions of the needle 25 and of the plugging means 13 will be determined generally on the one hand by the time available for the injection and/or suction operations, and on the other hand, by the quantities of liquids and semi-liquids to be injected to sucked in.
- said needle 25 has been extracted from said packaging 10 . It appears then that said packaging 10 remains pierced.
- the side 7 a created by piercing said element 7 matches the shape of the needle 25 , when the former is removed, the sides 7 a touch one another and the piercing is closed instantly, since the sides are glued together again thanks to the material(s) used for the washer 7 .
- the inside medium of the packaging 10 has been in contact with the surrounding medium.
- said side 7 a is, when withdrawing said needle 25 , sucked in towards the inside of said packaging 10 , such suction ensures even greater tightness.
- This device thus dispenses, notably in the case when it is intended for the preservation of agro foodstuffs. with extracting the products. the with re-conditioning them, and enables to use only one packaging, which confers this device significant ecological and economic advantage relative to the devices known.
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Abstract
The opening/closing device of a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs, includes a piercing device, as well as a plugging structure through which the packaging can be pierced. The packing can be re-closed after piercing, after removing the piercing device so as to avoid any contact between the inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium. The plugging structure is formed of two elements, arranged at the wall of the packaging, and slaved to one another, whereas the first element is fitted with a thermoplastic material which may be re-closed after piercing, the second element having a spreading mechanism to create a vacuum chamber at the piercing device.
Description
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
- The present invention concerns an opening and/or closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs.
- Although provided more particularly for sealed packagings intended for the preservation of agro food stuffs, it may also be used for packaging any other type of product.
- Applications wherein opening and closing a packaging require particular precautions aiming in particular at avoiding any contact between the contents or the inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium, are known.
- Among such applications, opening and closing a sealed packaging intended for the preservation of agro foodstuffs after thermal treatment thereof may be mentioned. It is known that after thermal treatment, certain foodstuffs ooze a baking juice or exudate which ought to be removed from the packaging before marketing the product. It is also known that it may prove useful, if not necessary, to check during or after the thermal treatment certain data such as temperature or microbial composition of the product contained in the packaging.
- For both reasons aforementioned, and also for other reasons such as possible injection of additional products into the packaging, it is necessary to still be able to access the products contained in the packaging.
- Consequently, taking into account the nature of the products, it is not possible for sanitary reasons to let the inside medium of the packaging contact the surrounding medium when opening, then to make the packaging airtight again when closing.
- Currently, a solution to remedy this problem consists in a first step in opening the sealed packaging and in extracting the products, then in reconditioning said products in a second sealed packaging. As regards the monitoring of data such as the temperature on the product contained in the packaging, the technique used consists in taking a reference sample which is perforated and whereof the content is probed, serving as a reference for the other packagings, but which cannot be reused, since it has been perforated and has contacted the surrounding medium, and consequently said product will be wasted.
- Among the applications requiring particular precautions when opening and closing packagings, other applications may be mentioned, such as in the medical field, the suction of a pre-set dose of liquid contained in a vial by means of a syringe enabling notably to avoid any contact between the sucked-in liquid and the surrounding medium. In such an application, the packaging is perforated by a syringe needle and said dose is sucked in entirely into said syringe, thereby avoiding any contact between the sucked-in liquid and the surrounding medium, and the empty vial is then thrown away.
- This solution exhibits however several shortcomings and in particular the packaging cannot be re-used, which causes generally costly product losses.
- Besides, it has been known since the document EP-1.312.556 an opening/closing device of a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs, which remedies the shortcomings aforementioned and which enables to open, then to close the sealed packaging, without the inside medium contacting the surrounding medium. According to such document, the opening/closing device comprises means for piercing the wall of said packaging and plugging through which the packaging can be pierced. Said plugging means may be re-closed after piercing, after removing the piercing means so as to avoid any contact between the inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium.
- However, such device also exhibits certain shortcomings, in particular as regarding the withdrawal of the liquid and the risk of perforating the packaging.
- The aim of the present invention, which an improvement on the invention described in the document EP-1.312.566, is to provide an opening and/or closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for preservation of agro foodstuffs, which remedies the shortcomings aforementioned and enables to withdraw or to inject liquids, semi-liquids or gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam, outside or inside the packaging, without the inside medium contacting the surrounding medium.
- Another aim of the present invention is to provide an opening and closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for preservation of agro foodstuffs, which enables to obtain data on the inside medium of the packaging, without the inside medium contacting the surrounding medium.
- Another aim of the present invention is to provide a reliable opening/closing device and whereof the implementation is easy, while avoiding notably any undue risks of perforation.
- Other aims and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description. solely given by way of example and without being limited thereto.
- According to the present invention, the opening/closing device of a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs, exhibiting piercing means, as well as plugging means, through which the packaging can be pierced, and which can be re-closed after piercing, after removing the piercing means so as to avoid any contact between the inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium, is characterized in that said plugging means are formed of two elements, arranged at the wall of said packaging, and slaved to one another, whereas the first element is fitted with a thermoplastic material which may be re-closed after piercing, the second element having spreading means to create a vacuum chamber at the piercing means.
- The present invention also concerns a packaging fitted with the plugging means described in the present invention.
- The invention will be described better when reading the following description in conjunction with the appended drawings.
-
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the opening/closing device of a sealed packaging according to the invention. - FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate sectional views of the different opening/closing steps of the sealed packaging.
-
FIG. 5 shows an exploded sectional view of the opening/closing device of the present invention prior to be slaved to the sealed packaging to be fitted. -
FIG. 6 shows a sectional view along the axis VI-VI ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 shows a sectional view along the axis VII-VII ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 8 shows a bottom elevation view along the arrow VIII ofFIG. 5 . -
FIGS. 9 and 10 show perspective views of an opening/closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. - The invention concerns first of all en opening/
closing device 12 of a sealedpackaging 10, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs. However, such device also applies to sealed packagings intended to any other product and for example to the preservation of pharmaceutical or chemical products. - As represented more particularly on
FIG. 1 , the opening/closing device 12 of a sealedpackaging 10 comprises means 8 for piercing thewall 3 of saidpackaging 10. The opening/closing device 12 also comprises plugging means 13 through which thepackaging 10 is pierced, and which may be re-closed after piercing once the piercing means 8 have been withdrawn so as to avoid any contact between the inside medium of thepackaging 10 and the surrounding medium. - According to the invention, said
plugging means 13 are formed of twoelements wall 3 of said packaging 1 a, and slaved together. Thefirst element 1, as developed thereunder, is filled with a thermoplastic material which may be re-closed after piercing. Thesecond element 2 exhibits spreading means to create a vacuum chamber at the piecing means. - It should be noted here that according to the present invention, indifferently, both said functional element may be substantially formed of two independent parts, slaved together during moulding, at the packaging to be fitted, or still formed of a single monobloc part.
- Besides, in the case of rigid packagings, where the risks of perforation induced by the
needle 25, as mentioned later on, are nil, saidelement 1 may be used without saidelement 2. - In the embodiment shown on FIGS. 2 to 4, illustrating notably an embodiment of the two part plugging means 13, said
first element 1, called plugging element, is placed on the external side of thepackaging 10 and saidsecond element 2, called vacuum element or strainer, is placed on the internal side, whereas both saidelements wall 3 of saidpackaging 10 as such. therebetween. - According to another embodiment, the fixture may also be provided on the internal or external face of the
wall 3 of the packaging. In such a case, theelement 2 is clamped beforehand to theelement 1 before welding the assembly to thepackaging 10. - When the fixture is provided on the internal or external face of the
wall 3 of thepackaging 10, it is necessary to cut out thewall 3 to let through theelement 1 respectively, toward the outside of thepackaging 10 or theelement 2 inwardly thereof. - According to a particular embodiment, as illustrated on FIGS. 5 to 8, said vacuum element or
strainer 2, exhibits a cylindrical body fitted with a closedbottom 15 and with at least onehole 11 on the lateral wall thereof. This exhibits, on the one hand, to form a barrier to prevent solid pieces from clogging the piercing means 8, while letting the liquid flow freely, and on the other hand, to avoid unwanted piercing of both sheets of the packaging. - Slaving said
plugging elements 1 andvacuum elements 2, when they are independent against one another, is made notably by gluing, welding or clamping. Consequently, any other means known to the man of the art in the fastening field may be contemplated. - According to another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated on
FIGS. 9 and 10 , saidplugging means 13 may be formed of a single monobloc-type part 28, which may be attached to the internal 29 or external 30 face of thewall 3 of thepackaging 10. The functions described in connection with the plugging means 13 formed of two independent parts remain similar. - One of the advantages of the use of such type of plugging means 13 in the form of a
single part 28 is to enable welding, in particular, between thepart 28 and thewall 3 of thepackaging 10 in a single pass. Welding may be performed either between thesurface 32 of theskid 33 and thesurface 30 of thewall 3 of thepackaging 10, as shown onFIG. 9 , or between thesurface 31 of theskid 33 and thesurface 29 of thewall 3 of thepackaging 10, as shown onFIG. 19 . In other words, theskid 33 may be placed either inside or outside the packaging. - In the embodiment illustrated on the Figures, said plugging
means 13 include, moreover, at least one thermoplastic material advantageously of elastomer type, intended in particular at said so-called pluggingelement 1. - This thermoplastic material should exhibit specific characteristics enabling when said plugging
means 13 are pierced, to re-close the holes made. - To do so, said at least one material used should exhibit high elasticity coefficient and also average hardness so that said plugging
means 13 exhibit good handling and that the hole is re-closed instantly, i.e. at no time the surrounding medium contacts the inside medium of thepackaging 10. - After the different tests, it has been noticed that a material exhibiting elasticity coefficients ranging between 600 and 700%, possibly between 550 and 650%, as well as a hardness ranging between 35 and 55 Shores. possibly between 55 and 90 Shores, is particularly suited to form said plugging
means 13. - In the case of an application of a sealed
packaging 10 intended for the preservation of agro foodstuffs, a thermoplastic material formed of a matter marketed under the trade name “VITAPRENNE” will be selected advantageously, said material exhibiting a Shore hardness close to 41 and an elongation coefficient close to 50%, the wall of the sealedpackaging 10 being formed of a polyethylene film associated with polyamide. the latter being used as a barrier film against gas. - Consequently, this example is obviously non-restrictive, it is possible to use materials marketed under the trade names “SANTOPRENE” and “SANDOZ” with similar hardness and elongation coefficient characteristics.
- In the embodiment shown on
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the pluggingelement 1, in the form of a cage, exhibits in succession a firstexternal skid 4, ahollow zone 6, delineated by awall 5 in order to receive adisk 7 therein, and anopening 21. Thedecompression element 2, in the form of a cage, exhibits successively asecond skid 4′, said bottom 15 and at least one of saidholes 11 on its lateral wall. - The
element 1 may exhibit moreover four anchoring points in its periphery (not illustrated). These anchoring points enable theneedle 25 on the one hand to be held against the bottom of theelement 2 for the whole intervention in thepackaging 10 and on the other hand to ensure that thehole 9 of theneedle 25 is always in the axis of theholes 11. This anchoring system also enables not to exert loads onto thepackaging 10 when the pluggingmeans 7 is perforated. Thehollow zone 6 is limited in its lower portion by an internalannular shoulder 27 so as to delineate the deformation of thedisk 7 when it is perforated by theneedle 25. The perforation is performed by thehole 26 whereof the diameter may vary between 5 and 10 mm, advantageously 8 mm. - According to the invention, said plugging
element 1 is capable of receiving saiddisk 7, as illustrated on FIGS. 2 to 5, of said thermoplastic material and thefront opening 21 is capable of authorizing on the one hand insertion of saiddisk 7 and on the other hand of being held crimped in saidelement 1. - With reference to
FIGS. 5 and 8 , it can be seen that thedisk 7 is circumscribed by saidwall 5 so that saidwall 5 forms a circling, possibly a crimping, of thedisk 7. - The so-called
decompression element 2 is capable of forming a stop for the piercing means and a non-compressible internal volume. - This
element 2 forms thus a strainer or still a filter placed on the suction portion in order to prevent, for example, the wall of the packaging from pressing on the suction port of the needle and from clogging the suction system. - Moreover, as illustrated on
FIG. 3 , saidskids wall 3 of thepackaging 10. In this view, eachskid annular groove 23 and ashoulder 22 matching on the one hand the marking of bothelements - The dimensions of the plugging
means 13 are determined in order on the one hand to be sufficient to enable easy positioning of the piercing means 8 and on the other hand relatively small so as to require minimum material whereof the cost is high. - Good results have been obtained with a diameter ranging between 15 mm and 25 mm and a thickness ranging between 8 and 15 mm.
- It should be again noted here that the provisions regarding the plugging
means 13, relative to the embodiment with two separate elements, can be transposed mutatis mutandis to the embodiment with a single monobloc element, as illustrated onFIG. 9 or 10. - In the examples illustrated on FIGS. 1 to 4, said piercing means 8 are formed of a
needle 25 comprising aport 9 at the part piercing thewall 3 of saidpackaging 10. The shape of saidneedle 25 enables notably insertion of said injection and/or suction means, injection and/or suction of liquids, semi-liquids and gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam through saidport 9. Indeed, saidport 9 enables contact between the inside medium of thepackaging 10 and the inside of saidneedle 25. - To prevent the inside medium of the
packaging 10 from contacting the surrounding medium, saidneedle 25 contains only one opening formed by saidport 9. Thisport 9 intended to avoid any contact between the inside medium of thepackaging 10 and the surrounding medium has set dimensions so that, during perforation, the port cannot put in contact the inside medium of thepackaging 10 and the surrounding medium. - Thus, for example in the case of a perforation perpendicular to the plane delineated by said wall, the dimension of said
port 9 according to the axis of perforation is smaller than the total width of said pluggingmeans 13 and thewall 3 of saidpackaging 10. - In an embodiment variation, it is also possible to contemplate a
port 9 provided with opening/closing means, theport 9 then being plugged when the port lies outside the packaging, and is opened when the port lies inside the packaging. - The present invention also concerns a
packaging 10 fitted with pluggingmeans 13 as mentioned above. - The present invention also concerns an installation for implementing such packagings. wherein are provided at said piercing means 8, injection and/or suction means enabling to inject and/or to suck in liquids, semi-liquids and gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam, in and/or outside the packaging preventing any contact between the inside medium of the
packaging 10 and the surrounding medium. - The use of steam for a few seconds between each suction enables to avoid cross contaminations. Injecting nitrogen into the packaging, previously under vacuum, enables to inflate the packaging and to concentrate the liquids by gravity around the opening/
closing device 12. The packaging is placed under vacuum again by sucking nitrogen. - The invention may also provide, at said piercing means, a sensor enabling to obtain data on the inside medium of the
packaging 10. - With reference to the illustrations of FIGS. 2 to 4, the operation of the opening/
closing device 12 is as follows. In a first step, represented onFIG. 2 , said piercing means 8 formed in the example by thehollow needle 25 are positioned preferably vertically to said pluggingmeans 13. - In a second step, said plugging
means 13 and thewall 3 of thepackaging 10 are pierced. At this stage, it may be noted that thewall 3 is broken. It is also clear that said pluggingmeans 13 formed of saidelements - Taking into account the physical features of the material used for said
disk 7, therim 7 a of thedisk 7 rests against the edges of saidneedle 25 thereby avoiding any contact between the inside medium of thepackaging 10 and the surrounding medium. - At this stage, illustrated on
FIG. 3 , theport 9 of saidneedle 25 is in contact with the inside medium of thepackaging 10 through theholes 11 of theelement 2, it is also possible to suck in or to inject liquids, semi-liquids and/or gases, such as nitrogen or steam, from the injection and/or suction means 19. It is also possible at this stage, by means of saidsensor 17, to obtain data on the inside medium of thepackaging 10 and in particular temperature measurements. - At this stage, it is important to put in evidence that to guarantee proper sealing of the
packaging 10, it is advantageous to select for the needle a diameter representing approximately a quarter, possible from a quarter to a sixth, of the diameter of the washer. - For exemplification purposes, according to a first embodiment, the
needle 25 has a diameter of 5 mm and delineates an internal conduit of 3 mm in diameter, and the washer has a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 8 mm. By way of example, the injection and/suction means 19 enable sucking in one liter of liquid within 45 seconds. The suction speed depends obviously on the viscosity of the liquid to be injected or sucked in. - According to a second embodiment, the
needle 25 has a diameter of 4 mm and delineates an internal conduit of 2 mm in diameter, and the washer has a diameter of 20 mm and a thickness of 8 mm. The injection and/suction means 19 enable sucking in one liter of liquid within one minute. - The selection of the dimensions of the
needle 25 and of the pluggingmeans 13 will be determined generally on the one hand by the time available for the injection and/or suction operations, and on the other hand, by the quantities of liquids and semi-liquids to be injected to sucked in. - In a third step, with reference to
FIG. 4 , saidneedle 25 has been extracted from saidpackaging 10. It appears then that saidpackaging 10 remains pierced. When removing theneedle 25, theside 7 a created by piercing saidelement 7 matches the shape of theneedle 25, when the former is removed, thesides 7 a touch one another and the piercing is closed instantly, since the sides are glued together again thanks to the material(s) used for thewasher 7. Thus, at no time, the inside medium of thepackaging 10 has been in contact with the surrounding medium. - At this stage, it should be noted that, when the sealed
packaging 10 is a vacuum packaging, saidside 7 a is, when withdrawing saidneedle 25, sucked in towards the inside of saidpackaging 10, such suction ensures even greater tightness. - Thanks to the depression and to the material of the
washer 7, there is a kind of self-plugging. It will be noted that this effect is still reinforced by the presence of thering 5 compressing radially the material of thedisk 7. - This device thus dispenses, notably in the case when it is intended for the preservation of agro foodstuffs. with extracting the products. the with re-conditioning them, and enables to use only one packaging, which confers this device significant ecological and economic advantage relative to the devices known.
- Obviously, other embodiments of the device could have been contemplated by the man of the art without departing from the object of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (13)
1. An opening/closing device of a sealed packaging, intended in particular for preservation of agro foodstuffs, comprising:
a piercing means; and
a plugging means through which the packaging is pierced, said packaging being re-closable after piercing, after removing the piercing means so as to avoid any contact between an inside medium of the packaging and a surrounding medium,
wherein said plugging means is comprised of two elements, arranged at a wall of said packaging, and slaved to one another, a first element being fitted with a thermoplastic material re-closable after piercing, a second element having a spreading means to create a vacuum chamber at the piercing means.
2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said first element is placed on an external side of the packaging and said second element is placed on an internal side, and wherein both elements sandwich the wall of said packaging therebetween or attach to an internal or external face of said wall.
3. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said two elements are independent and slaved to one another by gluing or welding or clamping.
4. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said plugging means is comprised of a single monobloc-type part attached to the internal or external face of the wall of the packaging.
5. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said second element has a closed bottom and at least one hole on a lateral wall thereof.
6. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said plugging means is comprised of two elements in a form of a cage, said cage having a diameter ranging between 15 mm and 25 mm and thickness ranging between 8 and 15 mm.
7. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said plugging means is comprised of a first element, in a form of a cage, having an external skid cooperating with the wall of the packaging and a hollow zone defined by a wall in order to receive a disk.
8. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said plugging means is comprised of a second element, in a form of a cage, having an external skid cooperating with the wall of the packaging and at least one lateral port, the cage forming a stop for the piercing means and a non-compressible internal volume.
9. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the plugging means, in a form of a cage, having an external skid cooperating with the wall of the packaging, is further comprised of a front opening, the cage being able to contain a disk of said thermoplastic material, the front opening being able to authorize insertion of said disk and maintenance thereof, crimped in said cage.
10. A device according to claim 1 , wherein said piercing means is comprised of a needle having a port at a part piercing the wall of said packaging.
11. A packaging fitted with the plugging means according to claim 1 .
12. An installation designed for implementing a packaging according to claim 11 , further comprising:
at said piercing means, an injection and/or suction means enabling to inject and/or to suck in liquids, semi-liquids and gases, such as nitrogen and/or steam, in and/or outside the packaging preventing any contact between tho inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium.
13. An installation designed for implementing a packaging according to claim 11 , further comprising:
at said piercing means, a sensor enabling to obtain data on the inside medium of the packaging while preventing any contact between the inside medium of the packaging and the surrounding medium.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR0411935A FR2877643B1 (en) | 2004-11-09 | 2004-11-09 | DEVICE FOR OPENING AND / OR CLOSING A HERMETIC PACKAGING, PARTICULARLY FOR PRESERVING AGRO-FOOD PRODUCTS |
FR04/11935 | 2004-11-09 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060096661A1 true US20060096661A1 (en) | 2006-05-11 |
Family
ID=34950630
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/270,709 Abandoned US20060096661A1 (en) | 2004-11-09 | 2005-11-09 | Opening and/or closing device for a sealed packaging, intended in particular for the preservation of agro foodstuffs |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060096661A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1657158B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE403605T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005008687D1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2877643B1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110209443A1 (en) * | 2008-08-29 | 2011-09-01 | Jan Jozef Ryckewaert | System, method and device for sterilization and packaging for use therefor |
US20130142992A1 (en) * | 2011-12-02 | 2013-06-06 | Claudio ROVELLI | Fluid tight tape for cooking under vacuum |
US20140260100A1 (en) * | 2013-03-13 | 2014-09-18 | Silgan White Cap LLC | Fluid injection system and method for supporting container walls |
DE102016119890A1 (en) * | 2016-10-19 | 2018-04-19 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Method and device for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas supply |
DE102017124332A1 (en) * | 2017-10-18 | 2019-04-18 | Krones Ag | Apparatus and method for pressurizing the headspace of containers |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2905115A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-02-29 | L C 2 Entpr Unipersonnelle A R | Bag type package for protecting and persevering agri-food product, has rails and joints cooperated between them to form seal with gases or liquids when conditions of package are in pressure or depression when package is in closed position |
FR2915736A1 (en) * | 2007-05-03 | 2008-11-07 | L C 2 Entpr Unipersonnelle A R | Liquid or gas sucking and injecting device for hermetic package, has sealed chamber with gas or liquid introducing and evacuating unit, and movable transfer needle perforated to package and communicated with sealed chamber |
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-
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- 2005-11-03 EP EP05370033A patent/EP1657158B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-11-03 DE DE602005008687T patent/DE602005008687D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-11-09 US US11/270,709 patent/US20060096661A1/en not_active Abandoned
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DE102016119890A1 (en) * | 2016-10-19 | 2018-04-19 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Method and device for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas supply |
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US11225345B2 (en) | 2016-10-19 | 2022-01-18 | Krones Ag | Method and apparatus for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas feed |
DE102017124332A1 (en) * | 2017-10-18 | 2019-04-18 | Krones Ag | Apparatus and method for pressurizing the headspace of containers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE403605T1 (en) | 2008-08-15 |
EP1657158A1 (en) | 2006-05-17 |
FR2877643B1 (en) | 2007-02-09 |
FR2877643A1 (en) | 2006-05-12 |
EP1657158B1 (en) | 2008-08-06 |
DE602005008687D1 (en) | 2008-09-18 |
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Owner name: LC 2, SARL UNIPERSONNELLE, FRANCE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHAUDE, LAURENT;REEL/FRAME:017196/0080 Effective date: 20050729 |
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