Packaging apparatus and process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging process comprising the steps of: providing a bottom support (1); providing a top film (2); and forming a closed chamber (C) therein receiving a portion (1a) of the bottom support, a product (P), and a portion (2a) of the top film. The process further includes the following steps: sealing the portion of the bottom support (1) to the portion of the top film (2) along a sealing strip (3) surrounding the product (P) to seal it within a volume (V); and forming one or more hollow structures (4) by sealing a portion of the top film (2a) to a portion of the bottom support (1a) at one or more selected sealing areas. Prior to forming the hollow structure (4), the portions of the top film and the bottom support intended to form the hollow structure are kept separated from each other by a certain distance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a novel process for packaging products. It also relates to a novel apparatus for manufacturing packaging containing products. The process and apparatus of this invention can find specific applications in food packaging. The apparatus and process of this invention are configured to form packaging having at least one reinforcing member in the form of a tubular element that contains gas. Background Technology

[0002] In food packaging operations, it is common to place food on rigid pallets with a base, sidewalls, and peripheral flanges. The function of the pallet is typically to provide a containment area for the product and offer basic rigid support. A thermoplastic film is then placed on the food and heat-sealed to the peripheral flanges of the pallet to airtightly seal the food product. In these types of packaging, a significant portion of the final packaging cost is due to the relatively high cost of the pallet. Furthermore, the weight and volume of the packaging remain high due to the thickness of the materials forming the pallet, especially compared to the weight of the packaged product, resulting in higher transportation and storage costs. Typically, transporting and storing pallets before they are used for packaging incurs costs and inconvenience. Moreover, such pallets increase the volume of packaging waste that consumers must handle after opening the packaging.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, WO 03051740 A2 and WO 2016174111 A1 disclose a package formed by two opposing top and bottom films fixed together to form a chamber portion capable of containing a product and a hollow frame surrounding the chamber portion and providing rigidity to the entire package. The package can be formed using a top chamber shell and opposing bottom chamber shells. The top and bottom chamber shells are movable relative to each other between a chamber open mode and a chamber closed mode, in which the top and bottom shells are spaced apart to allow the top film and the bottom film carrying the product to enter a thermally sealed chamber defined by the two shells; in the chamber closed mode, the top and bottom shells are brought close together to form a closed chamber volume. The top chamber shell has internal and external heating rods that can be moved sequentially to form an internal seal between the top and bottom films around the product, and then form a hollow frame surrounding the product.

[0004] Although the above solutions have produced very considerable products and processes, the applicant envisions ways to further improve the described prior art solutions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus and process for manufacturing the type of packaging formed using a top film and a bottom film that define a waterproof chamber portion containing a product and a hollow frame adjacent to the chamber portion.

[0006] Furthermore, one object of the present invention is to provide a simplified process and apparatus for manufacturing the packaging.

[0007] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a process and apparatus for manufacturing the aforementioned packaging, wherein a vacuum can be effectively created in the chamber portion.

[0008] Furthermore, an auxiliary objective is to provide a process and apparatus for manufacturing the aforementioned packaging, wherein gas inflation within the hollow frame can be efficiently achieved, optionally combined with the formation of a vacuum in the chamber portion.

[0009] Finally, an auxiliary object of the present invention is to provide a process and apparatus for manufacturing the above-described packaging, which can be adapted to operate using continuous top and bottom films, or using discrete top and / or bottom film sheets, or using pre-formed supports instead of a bottom film.

[0010] These and other objectives are achieved by means of devices and processes expressed in one or more of the appended claims and / or the aspects or features described below, which will become more apparent from the following description.

[0011] summary

[0012] One or more of the above objectives are achieved by a process according to any of the appended process claims. One or more of the above objectives may also be achieved by a device according to any of the appended device claims. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Some embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and therefore for non-limiting purposes, wherein:

[0014] - Figure 1 and 2 A possible structure of the packaging device according to the present invention is shown;

[0015] - Figure 3-8 A first embodiment of packaging according to the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown at various stages of the packaging cycle;

[0016] - Figure 9 yes Figure 3 Detailed view of the packaging components;

[0017] - Figure 9A yes Figure 6 Detailed view of the packaging components;

[0018] - Figure 10 yes Figure 8 Detailed view of the packaging components;

[0019] - Figure 11-14 A second embodiment of the packaging apparatus according to the invention is shown during various stages of the packaging cycle;

[0020] - Figure 15-19 A third embodiment of the packaging apparatus according to the invention is shown during various stages of the packaging cycle;

[0021] - Figure 20 This is a top view of a package obtainable by packaging equipment and related packaging processes according to the present invention;

[0022] - Figure 21 A variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein a top film is unwound from a top film supply roll and separated into discrete film sheets, which then enter a packaging assembly, where the discrete film sheets are secured to a pre-formed tray below a tray dispenser.

[0023] - Figure 22 A variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein the top film is unwound from the top film supply roll and divided into discrete film sheets before entering the packaging assembly, wherein the discrete film sheets are secured to a tray formed online from discrete bottom sheets during the packaging process performed at a respective tray molding station.

[0024] - Figure 23 A variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein the top film is unwound from the top film supply roll and divided into discrete film sheets before entering the packaging assembly, wherein the discrete film sheets are secured to a pallet formed online from a portion of a continuous bottom sheet during the packaging process performed at a respective pallet molding station;

[0025] - Figure 24 A variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein the top film unfolds from a top film supply roll and enters a packaging assembly, where a portion of a continuous top sheet is secured to a pre-formed tray below from a tray dispenser;

[0026] - Figure 25 A variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein a top film is unwound from a top film supply roll and enters a packaging assembly, wherein during the packaging process performed at a respective pallet molding station, a portion of a continuous top sheet is fixed to a pallet formed online from discrete bottom sheets;

[0027] - Figure 26 A variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein a top film is unwound from a top film supply roll and enters a packaging assembly, wherein, during the packaging process performed at a respective pallet molding station, a portion of a continuous top sheet is fixed to a pallet formed online from a portion of a continuous bottom sheet.

[0028] Agreement

[0029] In this detailed description, corresponding portions shown in the figures are indicated by the same reference numerals. The figures may illustrate the purpose of the invention by being shown out of scale; therefore, the parts and components shown in the figures that are relevant to the purpose of the invention may be schematic diagrams.

[0030] The terms upstream and downstream refer to the direction of travel for manufacturing the top film and / or bottom support of the package along a predetermined path from the starting station or forming station of the bottom support or the top film to the packaging station where the bottom support and the top film are used to form the package.

[0031] definition

[0032] product

[0033] The term product P refers to any kind of article or combination of articles. For example, the product can be a food type and can be in solid, liquid, or gel form, i.e., in two or more of the aforementioned aggregate states. In the food sector, products may include: meat, fish, cheese, processed meats, and various prepared and frozen foods.

[0034] Control Unit

[0035] The equipment described and claimed herein includes at least one control unit designed to control operations performed by the equipment. Depending on design choices and operational requirements, the control unit may be a single unit or may consist of multiple different control units.

[0036] The term "control unit" refers to an electronic component that may include at least one of the following: a digital processor (e.g., including at least one selected from the group consisting of a CPU, GPU, GPGPU), memory (or multiple memories), analog circuitry, or a combination of one or more digital processing units and one or more analog circuitry. A control unit can be "constructed" or "programmed" to perform certain steps: this can be done in any way that allows the control unit to be constructed or programmed. For example, in the case where the control unit includes one or more CPUs and one or more memories, one or more programs may be stored in suitable memory connected to the CPU or multiple CPUs; the one or more programs contain instructions that, when executed by one or more CPUs, program or construct the control unit to perform the operations described with respect to the control unit. Alternatively, if the control unit is or includes analog circuitry, the control unit circuitry may be designed to include circuitry configured to process electrical signals in use to perform steps associated with the control unit. A control unit may include one or more digital units, such as microprocessor-type digital units, or one or more analog units, or a suitable combination of digital and analog units; the control unit may be configured to coordinate all actions required to execute instructions and instruction sets.

[0037] actuator

[0038] The term actuator refers to any device capable of inducing movement on a body, such as according to a command from a control unit (the actuator receives commands from the control unit). Actuators can be of electric, pneumatic, mechanical (e.g., with springs), or other types.

[0039] Suction source

[0040] The term "suction source" can refer to a single suction source or multiple independent suction sources.

[0041] gas source

[0042] The term "gas source" can refer to a single gas source or multiple independent gas sources.

[0043] Bottom support

[0044] The bottom support may be made of a sheet at least partially composed of a plastic material. In particular, the bottom support may include at least one membrane of a plastic material. For example, the bottom support may be made at least partially of a single-layer and / or multi-layer membrane, optionally made of a thermoplastic material. The bottom support may have gas barrier properties. As used herein, this term refers to an oxygen permeability of less than 200 cm⁻¹ when measured according to ASTM D-3985 at 23°C and 0% relative humidity. 3 / (m 2 *day*bar), less than 150cm 3 / (m 2 *day*bar), less than 100cm 3 / (m 2 Films or sheets of materials containing *day*bar (a unit of weight). Gas barrier materials suitable for single-layer thermoplastic containers include, for example, polyester, polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), PVdC, etc.

[0045] The bottom support can be made of multiple layers of material, optionally multiple layers of membrane material, including at least one gas barrier layer and at least one heat-sealing layer to allow the cover film to be sealed to the surface of the bottom support. Gas barrier polymers that can be used for the gas barrier layer are PVDC, EVOH, polyamide, polyester, and mixtures thereof. Typically, the PVDC barrier layer will contain plasticizers and / or stabilizers known in the art. The thickness of the gas barrier layer will be set to provide an oxygen permeability of less than 50 cm⁻¹ at 23°C and 0% relative humidity, as measured according to ASTM D-3985. 3 / (m 2 *day*atm), optional less than 10cm 3 / (m 2The material that constitutes the bottom support component (*day*atm).

[0046] Typically, the heat-sealable layer will be selected from polyolefins, such as ethylene homopolymers or copolymers, propylene homopolymers or copolymers, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, ionomers and homopolymers or copolyesters, such as PETG, and ethylene glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate.

[0047] Additional layers, such as adhesive layers, for example, to enable the gas barrier layer to adhere better to the adjacent layers, may preferably be present in the material used to manufacture the bottom support and may be selected based on the specific resin used for the gas barrier layer.

[0048] An easily openable fragile layer may be positioned adjacent to a heat-weldable layer to facilitate opening the final package. Blends of low-cohesion polymers that can be used as the fragile layer are, for example, those described in WO99 / 54398. The total thickness of the bottom support is typically, but not limited to, a maximum of 5 mm, optionally included between 0.04 and 3.00 mm, more optionally between 0.05 and 1.50 mm, and even more optionally between 0.07 and 1.20 mm.

[0049] The bottom support can be made entirely of a film of plastic material. In a further embodiment, the bottom support is at least partially made of paper material and at least partially made of plastic material; in particular, the interior of the bottom support is made of plastic material and the exterior is at least partially covered with paper material.

[0050] Bottom supports can also be used to define so-called ready-to-eat packaging; in this configuration, the bottom supports are made such that they can be inserted into an oven to heat and / or cook the food placed in the package. For example, bottom supports suitable for ready-to-eat packaging may be made of CPET, APET or APET / CPET, foam or non-foam materials. The bottom supports may also include a heat-solderable layer of low-melting-point material on the film. This heat-solderable layer may be co-extruded with a PET-based layer (as described in patent applications No. EP 1529797A and WO2007 / 093495), or it may be deposited on the base film by solvent deposition or by extrusion coating (as described in documents US 2,762,720 and EP 1 252 008 A).

[0051] The bottom support may be a pallet (i.e., a flat pallet or a pallet with a bottom wall, side walls protruding from the bottom wall, and a top flange), which is formed in-line inside the packaging assembly or at a molding station located upstream of the packaging assembly, or may come from a pallet dispenser and thus be carried out in a process different from the packaging process described herein.

[0052] Top membrane

[0053] A top film made of plastic material, particularly polymeric material, is applied to a bottom support (flat support or tray) to form a fluid-sealed package containing product P. For the purpose of creating vacuum packaging, the top film applied to the bottom support is typically a flexible, multilayered material, comprising at least a first heat-sealable outer layer that can be welded to the inner surface of the bottom support, an optional gas barrier layer, and a second heat-resistant outer layer.

[0054] If the desired outcome is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) or packaging under natural atmosphere conditions (non-MAP), the top film (a film made of plastic, particularly polymeric materials) applied together with the bottom support can typically be single-layered or multi-layered. In the case of multi-layered sheets, the top film may include at least one of the following: one or more gas barrier layers, one or more heat-sealable layers (suitable for allowing the plastic film to be welded to the support), one or more heat-resistant layers, and one or more outer layers (e.g., polyamide, polypropylene, or polyester).

[0055] When used in skin packaging or VSP packaging processes, the plastic material, especially the polymer, should be easily formed because the top film needs to be stretched and softened through contact with a heating plate before being placed on the product and the bottom support. The top film must be placed on the product to conform to its shape and possibly to the internal shape of the bottom support.

[0056] The heat-sealable (e.g., outer) layer may comprise any polymer capable of being welded to the inner surface of the bottom support. Suitable polymers for the heat-sealable layer may be ethylene and ethylene copolymers, such as LDPE, ethylene / α-olefin copolymers, ethylene / acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, or ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, ionomers, and copolyesters, such as PETG. Preferred materials for the heat-sealable layer are LDPE, ethylene / α-olefin copolymers, such as LLDPE, ionomers, ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymers, and mixtures thereof.

[0057] Depending on the product to be packaged, the membrane may include a gas barrier layer. Gas barrier layers typically comprise oxygen-impermeable resins such as PVDC, EVOH, polyamide, and mixtures of EVOH and polyamide. Typically, the thickness of the gas barrier layer is set to provide less than 100 cm² of gas barrier layer thickness to the membrane when measured according to ASTM D-3985. 3 / m 2 *m 2 *atm, preferably less than 50cm 3 / (m 2 Oxygen permeability at 23°C and 0% relative humidity (*day*atm). Common polymers used for heat-resistant outer layers are, for example, ethylene homopolymers or copolymers, especially HDPE, ethylene copolymers, and cyclic olefins such as ethylene / norbornene copolymers, propylene homopolymers or copolymers, ionomers, polyesters, and polyamides.

[0058] Multilayer top films may also include other layers, such as adhesive layers, filler layers, etc., to provide the required thickness of the top film and improve its mechanical properties, such as puncture resistance, abuse resistance, and formability. Top films can be obtained through any suitable co-extrusion process, using flat or round extruders, optionally by co-extrusion or by hot blow molding.

[0059] Similarly, for use in skin packaging or VSP packaging processes, the top film is essentially non-oriented. Typically, the top film, or only one or more layers thereof, is cross-linked to improve its strength and / or heat resistance, for example, when the top film is brought into contact with a heating plate during vacuum skin packaging. Cross-linking can be achieved by using chemical additives or by subjecting the film layers to energy radiation treatment, such as high-energy electron beam treatment, to induce cross-linking between molecules of the irradiated material. Films suitable for this application can have thicknesses ranging from 50 μm to 500 μm, optionally from 60 μm to 3000 μm, and even more optionally from 65 μm to 100 μm.

[0060] For use in product packaging processes under controlled atmosphere (MAP) or natural atmosphere (unmodified atmosphere), the top film (plastic film, especially polymer) applied to the bottom support is typically single-layered or multi-layered, having at least one heat-sealable layer, optionally capable of heat shrinkage under heat. The applied top film may also include at least one gas barrier layer and an optional heat-resistant outer layer. In particular, the top film can be obtained through co-extrusion and lamination processes. The top film can have a symmetrical or asymmetrical structure and can be single-layered or multi-layered. Multi-layered films consist of at least two layers, more commonly at least five layers, and typically at least seven layers.

[0061] The total thickness of the top membrane can be from 30 μm to 500 μm, optionally from 40 μm to 300 μm, or even more optionally from 50 μm to 200 μm; in one embodiment, the membrane has a thickness between 65 μm and 100 μm.

[0062] The top film may be cross-linked. Cross-linking can be achieved by irradiation with high-energy electrons at appropriate dose levels known in the art. The aforementioned film can be heat-shrinkable or heat-curable. Heat-shrinkable films typically exhibit a free shrinkage value in the range of 2% to 80% at 120°C (measured in oil according to ASTM D2732), typically 5% to 60%, particularly 10% to 40% in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. Heat-curable films typically exhibit a shrinkage value of less than 10% at 120°C, typically less than 5% in both the longitudinal and transverse directions (measured in oil according to ASTM D2732 method). The film typically comprises at least one heat-sealable layer and an outer layer (outermost layer) typically composed of a heat-resistant polymer or polyolefin. The weld layer typically contains a heat-sealable polyolefin, which in turn comprises a single polyolefin or a mixture of two or more polyolefins, such as polyethylene or polypropylene or mixtures thereof. Anti-fogging properties can also be provided to the weld layer by known techniques, such as by adding anti-fogging additives to its composition or by coating or spraying one or more anti-fogging additives to counteract fogging on the surface of the weld layer. The weld layer may also contain one or more plasticizers. The outermost layer may contain polyester, polyamide, or polyolefin. In some structures, a mixture of polyamide and polyester may be used as the outermost layer. In some cases, the membrane includes a gas barrier layer. Measured according to ASTM D-3985 method at 23°C and 0% RH, the barrier membrane typically has a strength of less than 200 cm⁻¹. 3 / (m 2 The oxygen transmission rate (at *day*atm), also known as OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate), is more commonly below 80 cm. 3 / (m 2 *day*atm). Barrier layers are typically made from saponified or hydrolyzed products of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVOH), amorphous polyamides, and thermoplastic resins of vinylidene chloride and mixtures thereof. Some materials include an EVOH barrier layer situated between two polyamide layers. In some packaging applications, the film does not include any gas barrier layer. These films typically contain one or more polyolefins as defined herein.

[0063] Non-gas barrier membranes typically have a thickness of 100 cm. 3 / (m 2 *day*atm) to 10000cm 3 / (m 2 *day*atm), and more often up to 6000cm 3 / (m 2 *day*atm) OTR (evaluated according to ASTM D-3985 at 23°C and 0% RH).

[0064] Special compositions based on polyester are those used in films for so-called ready-to-eat foods. For these films, the polyester resin can comprise at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% of the film's weight. These films are typically used in conjunction with supports, particularly trays, made of polyester.

[0065] In the case of packaging fresh red meat, a double-layered film can be used, comprising an oxygen-permeable inner film and an oxygen-impermeable outer film. The combination of these two films greatly prevents discoloration of the meat, even in the most critical situations of barrier packaging of fresh meat, or when the packaged meat extends beyond the cavity defined by the tray or when the product emerges from the upper peripheral edge of the sidewall. Such films are described, for example, in European patent applications EP1848635 and EP0690012.

[0066] The top membrane can be monolayer. Typical compositions of monolayer membranes include polyesters and mixtures thereof as defined herein, or polyolefins and mixtures thereof as defined herein.

[0067] In all the top film layers described herein, the polymer component may contain appropriate amounts of additives typically included in such compositions.

[0068] Some of these additives are typically contained in the outer layer or one of the outer layers, while others are typically added to the inner layer. These additives include slippers or anti-sticking agents such as talc, wax, and silica, or antioxidants, stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers, pigments and dyes, crosslinking inhibitors, crosslinking agents, UV absorbers, odor absorbers, oxygen absorbers, bactericides, antistatic agents, antifogging agents, or compositions thereof, as well as similar additives known to those skilled in the art of packaging.

[0069] Furthermore, the membrane described herein can be formulated to provide a strong weld to a bottom support or tray or to be peelable from the tray / support. As mentioned above, the membrane can be of a multi-layered type and has at least one easily openable fragile layer, which can be positioned adjacent to the heat-sealable layer to facilitate opening the final package: the fragile layer is adapted to allow easy removal of the same membrane from its associated support. Such a membrane is described, for example, in PCT patent application number WO 2017 / 153434 A1. A method for measuring weld strength, referred to herein as “weld force,” is described in ASTM F-88-00. Acceptable weld force values ​​with peelable welds are between 100 g / 25 mm and 850 g / 25 mm, 150 g / 25 mm to 800 g / 25 mm, and 200 g / 25 mm to 700 g / 25 mm.

[0070] The top membrane can be made of the same material as the bottom support. Specifically, the top membrane may include (optionally constitute) at least one sheet of plastic material. In particular, the top membrane may be substantially the same as the membrane defining the bottom support. Specifically, the top membrane may include at least one plastic membrane substantially the same as the plastic membrane forming the bottom support.

[0071] The top film can be a continuous top film, which is supplied as a continuous film from the supply roll to the packaging assembly, or it can be cut into discrete sheets at a cutting station located upstream of the packaging assembly.

[0072] Although the structure of the bottom support and the top film has been described in the above sections, the bottom film can be alternatively made the same as the top film (including in terms of thickness) as a result of the present invention, thereby providing significant savings in the amount of plastic or other materials used for the entire package.

[0073] Material Specifications

[0074] PVDC is any copolymer of vinylidene chloride, wherein a large amount of the copolymer contains vinylidene chloride and a smaller amount of the copolymer contains one or more unsaturated monomers that can be copolymerized with it, typically vinyl chloride and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates (e.g., methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate) and mixtures thereof in different proportions.

[0075] The term EVOH includes saponified or hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers and refers to ethylene / vinyl alcohol copolymers having an ethylene comonomer content preferably consisting of about 28 mol% to about 48 mol%, more preferably about 32 mol% to about 44 mol%, and even more preferably a saponification degree of at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, of ethylene.

[0076] The term polyamide is intended to refer to homopolymers and copolymers or terpolymers. Specifically, it includes aliphatic polyamides or copolyamides, such as polyamide 6, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 66, polyamide 69, polyamide 610, polyamide 612, copolyamide 6 / 9, copolyamide 6 / 10, copolyamide 6 / 12, copolyamide 6 / 66, and copolyamide 6 / 69; aromatic and partially aromatic polyamides or copolyamides, such as polyamide 61, polyamide 6I / 6T, polyamide MXD6, polyamide MXD6 / MXDI, and mixtures thereof.

[0077] The term polyester refers to a polymer obtained from the polycondensation reaction of a dicarboxylic acid with a dihydroxy alcohol. Suitable dicarboxylic acids include, for example, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid. Suitable dihydroxy alcohols include, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,4-cyclohexanediol. Useful examples of polyesters include polyethylene terephthalate and copolyesters obtained by reacting one or more carboxylic acids with one or more dihydroxy alcohols.

[0078] The term copolymer refers to a polymer derived from two or more monomers and includes terpolymers. Ethylene homopolymers include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Ethylene copolymers include ethylene / α-olefin copolymers and unsaturated ethylene / ester copolymers. Ethylene / α-olefin copolymers typically comprise copolymers of ethylene and one or more comonomers selected from α-olefins having 3-20 carbon atoms, such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, etc.

[0079] The density of ethylene / α-olefin copolymers is typically around 0.86 g / cm³. 3 Approximately 0.94 g / cm³ 3 Within a certain range. Generally understood, the term linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) includes materials with densities ranging from approximately 0.915 g / cm³. 3 Approximately 0.94 g / cm³ 3 Between, especially about 0.915 g / cm 3 Approximately 0.925 g / cm³ 3 The group of ethylene / α-olefin copolymers in between. Sometimes, the density ranges from about 0.926 g / cm³. 3 Approximately 0.94 g / cm³ 3 Linear polyethylene is called linear medium-density polyethylene (LMDPE). Low-density ethylene / α-olefin copolymers may be called very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE) and ultra-low-density polyethylene (ULDPE). Ethylene / α-olefin copolymers can be obtained through heterogeneous or homogeneous polymerization processes. Another useful ethylene copolymer is an unsaturated ethylene / ester copolymer, which is an ethylene copolymer and one or more unsaturated ester monomers. Useful unsaturated esters include vinyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids, wherein the ester has 4-12 carbon atoms, such as vinyl acetate, and alkyl esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, wherein the ester has 4-12 carbon atoms. Ionomers are copolymers of ethylene and unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, wherein the carboxylic acid is neutralized by metal ions such as zinc or preferably sodium. Useful propylene copolymers include propylene / ethylene copolymers, which are copolymers of propylene and ethylene, with a weight percentage content mainly of propylene and propylene / ethylene / butene terpolymers, which are copolymers of propylene, ethylene, and 1-butene. Detailed Implementation

[0080] Packaging equipment 100

[0081] Reference numeral 100 indicates an apparatus for packaging a product P disposed between a bottom support 1 and a top film 2. The apparatus 100 is suitable for modified atmosphere packaging, wherein the top film 2 is applied to the bottom support 1 after a modified atmosphere has been created within the volume defined between the bottom support 1 and the top film 2. The apparatus 100 is also suitable for vacuum-sealed packaging of product P, wherein the top film 2 is draped over product P and adheres at least partially and tightly to the bottom support 1 and the product surface, thus leaving a minimal amount of air (if any) within the packaging. The apparatus 100 can also be used to apply the top film 2 to the bottom support 1 without creating a vacuum or modified atmosphere, but only to perform a seal between the film 2 and the bottom support 1.

[0082] The device 100 includes a frame 104 that defines a base configured to support various parts of the device 100, including at least a packaging assembly 101 configured to receive at least a portion 1a of a bottom support 1 and a portion 2a of a top film 2, and to join portions 1a and 2a to form a package 200 for product P.

[0083] Although this should not be interpreted as a restrictive approach, Figure 1 and Figure 2 Two possible alternative configurations of the packaging equipment are disclosed, including components attached to the packaging assembly. Specifically, equipment 1 may include:

[0084] - Bottom support supply assembly 103 is configured to supply bottom support 1.

[0085] - Transport component 105, which receives a bottom support from supply component 103 and is configured to move a portion 1a of the bottom support 1 toward packaging component 101.

[0086] - Product loading station 111 for positioning one or more products P onto corresponding one or more portions 1a of the bottom support 1,

[0087] - Top film supply assembly 102 is configured to supply top film 2 to packaging assembly 101.

[0088] Transport component 105 may include sliding plane 106 (e.g. Figure 1 and 2As shown in the example, the sliding plane 106 can be at least partially a physical plane, on which the bottom support 1, particularly part 1a of the bottom support 1, lies and slides, or ideally, on which the bottom support 1 is guided, for example, by a track or guide rail. The sliding plane 106 is defined on the top region of the frame 104 and may include an annular conveyor belt 107 positioned on the device frame 104 according to a closed-loop configuration. The conveyor belt 107 is driven, for example, by at least one drive roller 107a connected to a drive motor 105a, such as a stepper motor, controlled by a control unit 50 for operating the conveyor belt 107 in stepping motion.

[0089] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, the transport assembly 105 is carried by, for example, fixed to, the frame 104 such that the sliding plane 106 is substantially horizontal and the conveyor 107 moves the bottom support 1 in the horizontal direction indicated by arrow A1. The transport assembly 105 (optionally, the conveyor belt 107) is configured to move the bottom support 1 from the bottom support supply assembly 103 to the packaging assembly 101 along a predetermined path, where a portion 2a of the top film 2 is tightly secured to a portion 1a of the bottom support 1, as will be explained in detail below.

[0090] Conveyor 107 moves the bottom support 1 within packaging assembly 101 to a suitable position to receive the top film 2. For example, control unit 50 (described further below) can control conveyor 107 to move a predetermined number of portions 1a from an area outside packaging assembly 101 to an area inside packaging assembly 101 at a time, in which one or more portions 1a are perpendicularly aligned with corresponding top film portions 2a. Conveyor 107 may, for example, include conveying device 108 (see...). Figure 2 The conveyor 108 is configured to pick up one or more portions 1a of the bottom support 1 from the conveyor belt 107 and bring them into the packaging assembly 101. Note that the product P may be located upstream of the packaging assembly 101. Figure 1 ) or inside the packaging component 101 ( Figure 2 On the bottom support 1 (optionally located on part 1a of the bottom support 1).

[0091] like Figure 1As shown, the bottom support supply assembly 103 is configured to supply continuous film from the bottom film supply roll 112: the continuous portion 1a of the bottom support 1 corresponds to the continuous portion of the continuous bottom film unwound from the bottom film supply roll 112. The continuous film is positioned on the sliding plane 106 of the conveyor belt 107 and driven by the conveyor belt toward the packaging assembly 101. The bottom film supply roll 112 can be connected to an actuator or motor (not shown) configured to drive the supply roll to rotate to allow the supply of continuous film. A control unit 50 is connected to the actuator or motor of the bottom film supply roll 112 to control the latter's rotation and thus control the release of the continuous film support on the conveyor belt 107. In a possible non-limiting variation, the control unit 50 can be configured to synchronize the progressive movement of the transport assembly 105 (in particular the conveyor belt 107) with the rotation of the continuous film roll 112. The bottom support supply assembly 103 thus allows one or more portions 1a of the bottom support 1 to move from the supply roll 112 to the transfer assembly 105, optionally on a sliding plane 106 defined by the top surface of the conveyor belt 107; the conveyor belt 107 defines an operating area (tract) configured to receive a plurality of consecutive portions 1a.

[0092] Alternatively, the bottom supply assembly 103 may supply the bottom support membrane 1 in the form of a portion 1a, which is composed of individual discrete membrane sheets, such as Figure 2 As shown. In this case, the cutting assembly (not shown) can be located outside the packaging assembly 101 and configured to cut the continuous film into discrete film sheets. Alternatively, the cutting assembly can be placed in a similar manner to... Figure 1 Between the continuous film supply assembly 103 and the packaging assembly 101, the cutting occurs before the bottom support 1 reaches the packaging assembly 101.

[0093] exist Figure 2 In a variant, a portion 1a of the bottom support 1 is defined by a plurality of distinct discrete portions 1a stacked in a support loading station of a support supply assembly 103, which is configured to distribute and load these discrete portions 1a onto the operating area of ​​a conveyor 107. In this configuration, the support loading station is connected to a control unit 50 of the device 100 to control the distribution and thus deposition of one or more portions 1a of the bottom support 1 onto the conveyor operating area; for example, the control unit 50 may be configured to command the support loading station to position consecutive portions 1a onto the operating area such that each portion 1a is located at a predetermined distance from adjacent portions 1a. Figure 2As shown, the support loading station is configured to store a plurality of said portions 1a and to sequentially supply one or more portions 1a to the conveyor 107 under the control provided by the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is connected to the transport assembly 105 and the support loading station 103 to synchronize the discontinuous stepping movement of the transport assembly 105 with the positioning of the portions 1a executed by the support loading station on the sliding plane 106 of the same transport assembly 105.

[0094] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The device 100 has a product loading station 111 located downstream of the support loading station 103 or downstream of the bottom film supply roll 112 (relative to the movement of product P on the sliding plane 106 of the transport assembly 105): the product loading station 111 is configured to allow one or more products P to be positioned onto corresponding one or more portions 1a of the bottom support 1. The product loading station 111 may include an automatic dispenser for product P controlled by the control unit 50. Figure 1 A product loading station 111 is shown arranged upstream of packaging assembly 101, such that product P can be positioned on the corresponding portion 1a of the bottom support 1 before the portion 1a reaches packaging assembly 101. Alternatively, product loading station 111 is located at packaging assembly 101, such that product P can be positioned on the portion 1a already arranged inside packaging assembly 101: this is, for example... Figure 2 The equipment information was shown, but the product loading station was not presented.

[0095] The top film supply assembly 102 includes a top film supply roll 102a for supplying a continuous top film 2. The continuous top film supply assembly 102 may include an arm 102b fixed to the frame 104 and adapted to support the top film supply roll 102a. Figure 1 and Figure 2 (Indicated by dashed lines). Note that the continuous top film 2 can be supplied from the top film supply assembly 102 to the appropriate location within the packaging assembly 101 using any known means, such as using drive rollers or drive mechanisms acting upstream and / or downstream of the packaging assembly 101, or using a conveying device acting on the longitudinal boundary of the top film 2, or a combination of the above or any other suitable means. In detail, the continuous top film 2 is defined by a plurality of adjacent portions 2a aligned along the unfolding path of the top film 2. The top film supply roll 102a can be connected to an actuator or motor (not shown) configured to rotate the roll, thus allowing the supply of the continuous top film. A control unit 50 is connected to the actuator or motor of the top film supply roll 102a to control the latter's rotation and thus control the release of the continuous top film 2. The control unit 50 can be configured to synchronize the progressive movement of the transport assembly 105 (in particular the conveyor belt 107) with the rotation of the top film supply roll 102a, and thus with the bottom support supply assembly 103.

[0096] Alternatively, the top film supply assembly 102 can supply the continuous top film 2 to a cutting assembly 109 located outside the packaging assembly 101 and configured to cut the continuous top film 2 into portions 2a consisting of individual discrete film sheets. The cutting assembly 109 can be positioned between the top film supply assembly 102 and the packaging assembly 101 such that the cutting occurs before the top film portions 2a reach the packaging assembly 101 (see [link to product details]). Figure 2 The transport device 110 is configured to receive the cut film portion 2a at the cutting assembly 109 and position the cut film portion 2a within the packaging assembly 101. The control unit 50 of the device 100 can be connected to the cutting assembly 109 and the transport device 110 and control their operation to control the deposition of one or more portions 2a of the top film 2 on the transfer device 110 and to synchronize the movement of the transfer device with the operation of the packaging station 101.

[0097] For illustrative and not limiting purposes, the corresponding portions 1a and 2a of the bottom support 1 and the top membrane 2 are as follows: Figure 1 The products shown are supplied to packaging assembly 101 in a continuous manner, or they are all supplied to packaging assembly 101 as discrete parts, such as... Figure 2 As shown. It is not excluded that part 1a of the bottom support 1 can be supplied to the packaging assembly 101 in a continuous manner. Figure 1 ), while part 2a of the top membrane 2 can be supplied as a discrete part ( Figure 2 ), or vice versa.

[0098] Now we proceed to a more detailed description of the packaging assembly 101, which is configured to securely fasten each portion 2a of the top film 2 to a corresponding portion 1a of the bottom support 1. As described above, the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 may be part of a continuous bottom support film (see...). Figure 1 ) or one of the cutting diaphragms (such as Figure 2 The discrete portion 1a shown; similarly, portion 2a of the top membrane 2 can be a part of a continuous membrane (see...). Figure 1 ) or one of the cutting diaphragms (such as Figure 2 The discrete part 2a is shown.

[0099] Specifically, the packaging assembly 101 includes a lower tool 6 and an upper tool 5 movable between at least one open state, a closed state, and a sealed state. The upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are in the open state (see...) Figure 3 , 49, 11, 15, and 16) define an open chamber C: Upper tool 5 and lower tool 6, during the open state, are configured to allow portion 1a of the bottom support 1, the product P placed or placed on portion 1a of the bottom support 1, and portion 2a of the top film 2 into the open chamber C. Upper tool 5 and lower tool 6, in the closed state, define a hermetically sealed chamber C relative to the atmosphere outside the packaging assembly 101. Note that hermetically sealed means that the packaging chamber C cannot freely communicate with the atmosphere outside the same chamber, as gas can be supplied or extracted from chamber C in a controlled manner only through predetermined supply or discharge channels of the device 100, as further described below.

[0100] In the sealed state, the upper tool and the lower tool continue to define the closed chamber (in the sense just explained). Furthermore, certain portions of the upper tool and the lower tool move closer to each other and are configured to heat-seal portions 1a and 2a of the bottom support 1 and the top membrane 2, so as to fluidly seal the product P between said portions 1a and 2a.

[0101] Alternative variations of packaging equipment employing the principles of this invention are available in Figure 23-26 As shown in the image.

[0102] For example, such as Figure 21 As shown, the packaging apparatus 100 of the present invention has a top film supply assembly 102 in the form of a supply roll 102a from which the top film 2 unfolds. The top film 2a is then divided into discrete film sheets 2a at a cutting station 109 and subsequently enters the packaging assembly 101, where the discrete film sheets are secured to a pre-formed tray 300 below a bottom support supply assembly 103, in this case, the bottom support supply assembly 103 being in the form of a tray distributor that transports trays (formed in a separate process) on a conveyor belt (not shown), which then conveys the trays 300 to the packaging assembly. Note that there is a step of loading at least one product P onto the tray 300 via a product loading station 111: the product loading station 111 can operate upstream of the packaging assembly such that product P can be positioned on each corresponding tray 300 outside the packaging assembly 101; alternatively, the product loading station can operate at the packaging assembly 101 such that product P can be positioned on a tray 300 already arranged within the packaging assembly 101.

[0103] Figure 21 The tray 300 defines the bottom portion 1a and is placed in the lower tool 6 of the packaging component 101.

[0104] These pallets may include a pre-formed cavity in the lower half of their perimeter, intended to form a hollow portion for the final packaging. For example... Figure 21As shown on the right side, a corresponding membrane 2a is positioned above the pallet 300 positioned in packaging station 101. At this time, the upper and lower tools approach to form the already described closed chamber, and this process continues as described above, i.e., according to the operating cycle described for the first embodiment, or the operating cycle described for the second embodiment, or the operating cycle described for the third embodiment. Since the pallet 300 is not formed at the packaging station, therefore... Figure 21 In this variant, heating is not required for any part of the lower tool 6.

[0105] Figure 22 Another variation of the packaging apparatus 100 of the present invention is shown, wherein the top film is unwound from the top film supply roll and separated into discrete film sheets before entering the packaging assembly, wherein the discrete film sheets are secured to a tray formed online from discrete bottom sheets during the packaging process performed at a corresponding tray molding station. More specifically, Figure 22 The packaging equipment 100 has a top film supply assembly 102 in the form of a supply roll 102a from which the top film 2 is unwound. The top film 2a is then divided into discrete film sheets 2a at a cutting station 109, which subsequently enter the packaging assembly 101, where the discrete film sheets are secured to a lower tray 301, which is in this case formed online at a molding station 200. The molding station can receive pre-cut film sheets, for example, from a bottom support supply assembly 103 in the form of a film dispenser 103. The tray formed at the molding station can be conveyed to a conveyor belt (not shown), which then conveys the tray 301 to the packaging assembly. Note that there is a step of loading at least one product P onto a pallet 301 via product loading station 111: product loading station 111 may operate upstream of the packaging assembly so that product P can be positioned on each corresponding pallet 301 outside of packaging assembly 101; alternatively, product loading station may operate at packaging assembly 101 so that product P can be positioned on a pallet 301 already arranged within packaging assembly 101.

[0106] Figure 22 The tray 301 defines the bottom portion 1a and is positioned within the lower tool 6 of the packaging assembly 101. The tray 301 may include a pre-formed cavity at its periphery, representing the lower half of a hollow portion intended to form the final package. Figure 21 As shown on the right side, a corresponding membrane 2a is positioned above the tray 301 positioned in the packaging station 101. At this time, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 approach to form the already described closed chamber, and the process continues as described above, i.e., according to the operating cycle described for the first embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the second embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the third embodiment. Since the tray 301 is not formed at the packaging station, therefore... Figure 22In this variant, heating is not required for any part of the lower tool 6.

[0107] Figure 23 Another variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein the top film is unwound from the top film supply roll and separated into discrete film sheets before entering the packaging assembly, wherein the discrete film sheets are secured to a tray formed online from a portion of a continuous bottom sheet during the packaging process performed at a respective tray molding station. More specifically, Figure 23 The packaging equipment 100 has a top film supply assembly 102 in the form of a supply roll 102a from which the top film 2 is unwound. The top film 2a is then divided into discrete film sheets 2a at a cutting station 109 and subsequently fed into a packaging assembly 101, where the discrete film sheets are secured to a lower tray 301, which is in this case formed online at a molding station 200. The molding station may, for example, receive longitudinal segments of a continuous bottom support supplied from a bottom support supply roll 112. The tray 301 formed at the molding station remains attached to the continuous bottom support and is then transferred to the packaging assembly. Note that there is a step of loading at least one product P onto the tray 301 via a product loading station 111: the product loading station 111 may operate upstream of the packaging assembly such that product P can be positioned on each corresponding tray 301 outside the packaging assembly 101; alternatively, the product loading station may operate at the packaging assembly 101 such that product P can be positioned on a tray 301 already arranged within the packaging assembly 101.

[0108] Figure 23 The tray 301 defines the bottom portion 1a and is positioned within the lower tool 6 of the packaging assembly 101. The tray 301 may include a pre-formed cavity at its periphery, representing the lower half of a hollow portion intended to form the final package. Figure 21 As shown on the right side, a corresponding membrane 2a is positioned above the tray 301 positioned in the packaging station 101. At this time, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 approach to form the already described closed chamber, and the process continues as described above, i.e., according to the operating cycle described for the first embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the second embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the third embodiment. Since the tray 301 is not formed at the packaging station, therefore... Figure 23 In this variant, heating is not required for any part of the lower tool 6.

[0109] Figure 24 Another variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein the top film unfolds from the top film supply roll and enters the packaging assembly, where a portion of the continuous top sheet is secured to a pre-formed tray below from a tray dispenser; Figure 24The packaging equipment 100 has a top film supply assembly 102 in the form of a supply roll 102a from which a continuous top film 2 is unwound and supplied to a packaging station 101, thereby maintaining a continuous, unseparated top film. Specifically, in each packaging cycle, a portion 2a of the continuous top film 2 is located at the packaging assembly 101, where the film portion 2a is secured to a pre-formed tray 300 below a bottom support supply assembly 103, in this case, in the form of a tray distributor that transports trays (formed in a separate process) on a conveyor belt (not shown), which then conveys the trays 300 to the packaging assembly. Note that there is a step of loading at least one product P onto the tray 300 via a product loading station 111: the product loading station 111 can operate upstream of the packaging assembly such that product P can be positioned on each corresponding tray 300 outside the packaging assembly 101; alternatively, the product loading station can operate at the packaging assembly 101 such that product P can be positioned on a tray 300 already arranged within the packaging assembly 101.

[0110] Figure 24 The tray 300 defines the bottom portion 1a and is placed in the lower tool 6 of the packaging component 101.

[0111] These pallets may include a pre-formed cavity at their periphery, comprising the lower half of a hollow portion intended to form the final package. Above the pallet 300 located in packaging station 101, a corresponding film portion 2a of the continuous top film 2 is positioned, as follows: Figure 24 The right side is shown. At this time, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 approach to form the already described closed chamber, and the process continues as described above, i.e., according to the operating cycle described for the first embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the second embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the third embodiment. Since the pallet 300 is not formed at the packaging station, therefore... Figure 24 In this variant, heating is not required for any part of the lower tool 6.

[0112] Figure 25 Another variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein the top film unfolds from a top film supply roll and enters the packaging assembly, wherein during the packaging process performed at a respective pallet molding station, a portion of the continuous top sheet is secured to a pallet formed online from discrete bottom sheets. More specifically, Figure 25The packaging equipment 100 has a top film supply assembly 102 in the form of a supply roll 102a from which the top film 2 is unwound and supplied to the packaging station 101, thereby maintaining a continuous, unseparated top film. Specifically, in each packaging cycle, a portion 2a of the continuous top film 2 is located at the packaging assembly 101, where the film portion 2a is secured to an underlying tray 301, which is in this case formed online at a molding station 200. The molding station can receive pre-cut film sheets, for example, from a bottom support supply assembly 103 in the form of a film dispenser 103. The tray formed at the molding station can be conveyed to a conveyor belt (not shown), which then conveys the tray 301 to the packaging assembly. Note that there is a step of loading at least one product P onto a pallet 301 via product loading station 111: product loading station 111 may operate upstream of the packaging assembly so that product P can be positioned on each corresponding pallet 301 outside of packaging assembly 101; alternatively, product loading station may operate at packaging assembly 101 so that product P can be positioned on a pallet 301 already arranged within packaging assembly 101.

[0113] Figure 25 The tray 301 defines the bottom portion 1a and is positioned in the lower tool 6 of the packaging assembly 101. The tray 301 may include a pre-formed cavity at its periphery for the lower half of a hollow portion intended to form the final package. Above the tray 301 located in the packaging station 101, a corresponding film portion 2a of the continuous top film 2 is positioned, as shown... Figure 25 The right side is shown. At this time, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 approach to form the already described closed chamber, and the process continues as described above, i.e., according to the operating cycle described for the first embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the second embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the third embodiment. Since the pallet 301 is not formed at the packaging station, therefore... Figure 25 In this variant, heating is not required for any part of the lower tool 6.

[0114] Figure 26 A variation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention is shown, wherein a top film unfolds from a top film supply roll and enters a packaging assembly, wherein, during the packaging process performed at a respective pallet molding station, a portion of a continuous top sheet is secured to a pallet formed online from a portion of a continuous bottom sheet. More specifically, Figure 26The packaging equipment 100 has a top film supply assembly 102 in the form of a supply roll 102a from which the top film 2 is unwound and supplied to the packaging station 101, thereby maintaining a continuous, unseparated top film. Specifically, in each packaging cycle, a portion 2a of the continuous top film 2 is located at the packaging assembly 101, wherein, during the packaging process performed at a corresponding pallet molding station 200, the film portion 2a is secured to an underlying pallet 301, which is formed in-line from a portion of a continuous bottom sheet. The molding station may, for example, receive a longitudinal segment of a continuous bottom support supplied from a bottom support supply roll 112. The pallet 301 formed at the molding station remains attached to the continuous bottom support and is then transferred to the packaging assembly. Note that there is a step of loading at least one product P onto a pallet 301 via product loading station 111: product loading station 111 may operate upstream of the packaging assembly so that product P can be positioned on each corresponding pallet 301 outside of packaging assembly 101; alternatively, product loading station may operate at packaging assembly 101 so that product P can be positioned on a pallet 301 already arranged within packaging assembly 101.

[0115] Figure 26 The tray 301 defines the bottom portion 1a and is positioned in the lower tool 6 of the packaging assembly 101. The tray 301 may include a pre-formed cavity at its periphery for the lower half of a hollow portion intended to form the final package. Above the tray 301 located in the packaging station 101, a corresponding film portion 2a of the continuous top film 2 is positioned, as shown... Figure 21 The right side is shown. At this time, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 approach to form the already described closed chamber, and the process continues as described above, i.e., according to the operating cycle described for the first embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the second embodiment, or according to the operating cycle described for the third embodiment. Since the pallet 301 is not formed at the packaging station, therefore... Figure 23 In this variant, heating is not required for any part of the lower tool 6.

[0116] Figure 21-26 The pallets 300 and 301 described herein can be flat or substantially flat pallets or (as shown) pallets having a bottom wall, side walls projecting from the bottom wall, and a top flange projecting radially from the top of the side walls. In the latter case, the flange defines a peripheral portion of each support in which a pre-formed cavity exists (in the illustrated example, the cross-sectional shape is semi-circular or semi-elliptical). The pre-formed cavity in each flange may extend circularly along a corner portion or along the entire perimeter of the flange and is intended to form the lower half of the hollow portion of the final package.

[0117] Before further detailing the operation of the upper and lower tools, a detailed description of the structure of these tools is provided, which applies to all the embodiments and variations described above, i.e., also to... Figure 21-26 A variant of .

[0118] The upper tool 5 includes a corresponding tool central portion 42, which is configured to be located above the product P (see [link]). Figure 4 And the tool's central portion 31 faces the lower tool 6. When properly positioned in the closed chamber C, the product P is located below portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and below the central portion 42 of the upper tool 5. The tool's central portion 42 of the upper tool 5 may have a flat shape, or, as shown in the figures, may define at least one cavity having a concave surface facing the lower tool 6.

[0119] The upper tool 5 also includes a tool peripheral portion 43 surrounding the tool central portion 42 of the same upper tool 5 and directly facing the tool peripheral portion 32 of the lower tool (see, for example) Figure 5-8 Specifically, the peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5 extends around and completely surrounds the central portion 42 of the same upper tool 5.

[0120] The central portion 42 and peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5 define the working surface 5a. Specifically, the peripheral portion 43 may have a flat shape, or, as shown in the figures, may define at least one cavity having a concave surface facing the lower tool 6. More specifically, the peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5 shown in the example figures defines:

[0121] -The corresponding inner adjacent segment 43a, for example, has a flat bottom shape and completely surrounds the tool central portion 42 of the same upper tool 5.

[0122] -The corresponding outer adjacent segment 43b, for example, has a flat bottom shape and completely surrounds the tool central portion 42 and the inner adjacent segment 43a of the same upper tool 5.

[0123] - A corresponding intermediate adjacent segment 43c connects the inner adjacent segment 43a to the outer adjacent segment 43b. The intermediate adjacent segment 43c has a bottom concave shape (e.g., has a basic "C" shaped profile, see...). Figure 3 , 4 9, 9A and 10), concave surface facing downwards tool 6.

[0124] Conversely, the lower tool 6 includes a central tool portion 31, which is configured to directly contact and support portion 1a of the bottom support 1, as already described, for supporting the product P. The central tool portion 31 is configured to be located below the product P (see...). Figure 4Therefore, when product P is positioned in the enclosed chamber C, product P is located above portion 1a of the bottom support 1, and more specifically, above the central portion 31 of the lower tool 6. The central portion 31 of the tool may have a flat shape, or, as shown in the figures, may define at least one cavity having a concave surface facing the upper tool 5; the central portion 31 of the lower tool 6 may be provided with multiple seats to accommodate multiple portions 1a and corresponding products P.

[0125] The lower tool 6 also includes a tool periphery 32 surrounding the tool center portion 31. In particular, the tool periphery 32 of the lower tool 6 extends around and completely surrounds the tool center portion 31.

[0126] More specifically, the tool peripheral portion 32 may have a flat shape, or, as shown in the figures, may define at least one cavity having a concave surface facing the upper tool 5. Specifically, the tool peripheral portion 32 shown in the example figures defines:

[0127] -Inner adjacent segment 32a, which, for example, has a flat-top shape and completely surrounds the central portion 31 of the tool.

[0128] -Outer adjacent segment 32b, which, for example, has a flat-top shape, completely surrounds the central portion 31 of the tool and the inner adjacent segment 32a.

[0129] - An intermediate adjacent segment 32c connects the inner adjacent segment 32a and the outer adjacent segment 32b. The intermediate adjacent segment 32c has a concave top shape (e.g., having a generally "C" shaped profile, see...). Figure 3 , 4 5, with the concave side facing upwards. (9, 9A and 10)

[0130] The structure of the tool periphery portion 43 of the upper tool 5 allows it to cooperate with the tool periphery portion 32 of the lower tool 6 to form a hollow structure 4 during the sealed state of the packaging assembly 101. Specifically, the inner adjacent segments 43a and 32a are configured to cooperate in the formation of the sealing strip 3, while the intermediate adjacent segments 43c and 32c are configured, due to their concave construction, to result in the formation of the one or more hollow structures 4. The outer adjacent segments 43b of the upper tool and 32b of the lower tool are configured to ensure a completely leak-proof fluid seal for the entire packaging 200 and each hollow structure 4, which, due to the design of the upper and lower tools, is formed around the sealing strip 3. It is indeed noteworthy that, as... Figure 20 As shown, after being sealed, the hollow structure 4 includes at least one tubular section surrounding the central portion.

[0131] Finally, as shown in the attached figures, the shape of the lower surface of the tool peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5 can be a mirror image of the shape of the upper surface of the tool peripheral portion 32 of the lower tool 6. On the other hand, the tool central portion 42 and the tool peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5 define the action surface 5a, which is configured to directly face and act on the portion 2a of the top film 2 when the portion 2a of the top film 2 is located inside the cavity C of the packaging assembly 101. At the same time, the tool central portion 31 and the tool peripheral portion 32 of the lower tool 6 define the action surface 6a, which is configured to directly face and support the portion 1a when the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 is located inside the cavity of the packaging assembly 101.

[0132] Turning now to a more detailed description of the bottom and top sides of the upper tool facing each other, note that the upper tool 5 also includes an outer closed surface 5b surrounding the working surface 5a of the same upper tool 5, while the lower tool 6 also includes an outer closed surface 6b surrounding the working surface 6a of the same lower tool 6.

[0133] Various alternatives to the closed surface will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0134] In the first alternative, the outer closed surface 5b of the upper tool 5 may be defined by an outer portion (e.g., having a flat structure) integral with the tool periphery portion 43 of the upper tool 5: such as Figure 3-10 As shown, the outer closed surface 5b is positioned at or aligned with the bottom surface of the outer adjacent segment 43b of the upper tool 5, and optionally also aligned with the bottom surface of the inner adjacent segment 43a of the upper tool 5. The outer closed surface 5b extends around and completely surrounds or defines the bottom surface of the tool peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5.

[0135] exist Figure 3-10 In this first alternative, the lower tool 6 may include a sleeve 48 slidably mounted outside the tool peripheral portion 32 and ultimately defining an outer closed surface 6b of the lower tool 6, which may be, for example, a flat construction; typically, the sleeve 48 can be pushed to, for example, by the action of a spring mechanism or by an actuator controlled by the control unit 50. Figure 9 The positions shown are such that the outer portion 6b (when the tool is in the open configuration) is generally positioned above the top surface of the outer adjacent segment 32b of the lower tool 6, and optionally also horizontally above the top surface of the inner adjacent segment 32a. When the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are moved to the closed state (see...), the outer portion 6b is positioned horizontally above the top surface of the outer adjacent segment 32b of the lower tool 6. Figure 6 and 9AWhen the upper tool 5b and the lower tool 6b interact, they define a periphery and form a closed chamber C. Note that the outer closing surface 6b extends around and completely surrounds or defines the tool periphery 32 of the lower tool 6, and faces the closing surface 5b of the upper tool 5, so as to form a tight seal between them, while keeping the inner and outer abutment sections 32a and 32b of the lower tool respectively separated from the inner and outer abutment sections 43a and 43b of the upper tool. An additional sealing element 80 (e.g., an annular washer or O-ring) can be inserted between the closing surface 5b of the upper tool 5 and the closing surface 6b of the lower tool 6. As the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 move relative to each other to the sealed state through further relative travel, the sleeve 48 is relatively lowered relative to the lower tool 6, as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the closure surfaces 6b (and thus also the closure surface 5b, if we exclude the minimal contribution provided by the membrane) are substantially aligned with each other and with the top surface, and the inner adjacent segments 43a and 32a cooperate to form the sealing band 3, while the intermediate adjacent segments 43c and 32c, due to their concave construction, are configured to result in the formation of the one or more hollow structures 4. The outer adjacent segments 43b of the upper tool and 32b of the lower tool ensure a completely leak-proof fluid seal for the package 200 and each hollow structure 4, which is formed around the sealing band 3 due to the design of the upper and lower tools.

[0136] Alternatively, such as Figure 11-14 As shown, the outer closed surface 5b of the upper tool 5 can be defined by the outer wall of the tool periphery portion 43 of the upper tool 5 and the inner wall of the lower tool 6. For example, the closed surface 5b can be defined at the downwardly protruding portion of the tool periphery portion 43, which extends toward the lower tool 6 (see again). Figure 11-14 Therefore, in Figure 11-14 In the illustrated embodiment, the closed surface 5b of the upper tool 5 is transverse (particularly perpendicular) to the outer adjacent segment 43b of the tool periphery portion 43 of the upper tool 5. Conversely, Figure 11-14 In the example, the outer closed surface 6b of the lower tool 6 can be defined by an inner sidewall integral with the tool periphery portion 32 of the lower tool 6, protruding toward the upper tool 5 relative to the tool periphery portion 32. In this example, the closed surface 6b of the lower tool 6 is defined by a surface that extends laterally from the outer adjacent segment 32b of the tool periphery portion 32 of the lower tool 6 and receives (and closely) the closed surface 5b of the upper tool 5 (in Figure 11-14In this case, surfaces 5b and 6b are both vertical. Of course, the design of surfaces 5b and 6b allows the lower tool's closing surface 6b to be confined to the outer wall of the lower tool 6 and tightly received within the closing surface 5b on the inner wall of the upper tool 5. Similarly, in... Figure 11-14 In the example, an additional sealing element 80 (e.g., an annular washer or O-ring) can be inserted between the closing surface 5b of the upper tool and the closing surface 6b of the lower tool. The interaction of the closing surfaces 5b and 6b allows the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 to move into the closed state (see...). Figure 12 The closing surfaces 5b and 6b interact to define a peripheral closure and form a closed chamber C. Note that the outer closing surface 6b extends around and completely surrounds or defines the tool periphery 32 of the lower tool 6, and faces the closing surface 5b of the upper tool to form a tight seal between them, while keeping the inner and outer adjacent segments 32a and 32b of the lower tool respectively separated from the inner and outer adjacent segments 43a and 43b of the upper tool. As the upper and lower tools move relative to each other to a sealed state through further relative travel, the closing surface 6b continuously cooperates with the closing surface 5b to keep the closed chamber closed, while the inner adjacent segments 43a and 32a cooperate to form a sealing band 3, and the intermediate adjacent segments 43c and 32c, due to their concave construction, result in the formation of one or more hollow structures 4. When the upper and lower tools reach a sealed state, the outer adjacent section 43b of the upper tool and the outer adjacent section 32b of the lower tool ensure a completely leak-proof seal for the package 200 and each hollow structure 4, which is formed around the sealing strip 3 due to the design of the upper and lower tools.

[0137] exist Figure 15-18 In another alternative embodiment shown, the upper tool 5 may include a housing 47 with a downward opening externally surrounding the tool peripheral portion 43 and the tool central portion 42. The bottom of the housing 47 presents a bottom peripheral surface (e.g., having a flat construction) facing the lower tool 6 and defining the closed surface 5b of the upper tool 5. Specifically, the housing 47 is movable relative to the tool peripheral portion 43 between the following:

[0138] - In the retracted position, the bottom peripheral surface of the housing 47 is located radially outside the outer adjacent segment 43b of the tool peripheral portion 43, and is substantially aligned with the outer adjacent segment 43b at the same level (height). Figure 15 ),

[0139] - A protruding position, wherein the bottom peripheral surface of the housing 47 protrudes axially toward the lower tool 6 relative to the tool peripheral portion 43 (see...). Figure 16 and 17This forms an annular closed surface 5b adjacent to the lower tool closed surface 6b, or presses the membrane material against the lower tool closed surface 6b.

[0140] In the latter embodiment, during the closed state of the upper and lower tools, the housing 47 is arranged in a protruding position, with the closing surface 5b adjacent to or in contact with the closing surface 6b of the lower tool 6 (see...). Figure 18 and 19 This defines a closed chamber C while allowing the working surfaces 5a and 6a to remain separated. During the transition from a closed to a sealed state, the housing 47 moves relative to each other from a protruding position back to a retracted position, thereby allowing the working surfaces 5a and 6a of the upper and lower tools to define the sealing band 3 and the hollow structure 4. Figure 15-18 In the example, the outer closed surface 6b of the lower tool 6 may be defined by an outer portion (e.g., having a flat construction) integral with the tool periphery portion 32 of the lower tool 6; the outer surface 6b is positioned at or aligned with the top surface of the outer adjacent segment 32b of the lower tool 6, and optionally also aligned with the top surface of the inner adjacent segment 32a of the lower tool 6. When tools 5 and 6 are in the closed state, the housing is in a protruding position ( Figure 17 The outer closing surface 6b extends around and completely surrounds or defines the tool periphery 32 of the lower tool 6, and faces the closing surface 5b of the upper tool to form a tight seal between them. Also in this example, an additional sealing element 80 (e.g., an annular washer or O-ring) can be inserted between the closing surface 5b of the upper tool and the closing surface 6b of the lower tool. When tools 5 and 6 are in the closed state (see...), Figure 17 The outer closing surface 6b extends around and completely surrounds or defines the tool periphery 32 of the lower tool 6, and faces the closing surface 5b of the upper tool, so as to form a tight seal between them, while still keeping the inner and outer adjacent segments 32a and 32b of the lower tool respectively separate from the inner and outer adjacent segments 43a and 43b of the upper tool. Note that at the packaging station... Figure 16 and 17 In the closed state, passage 16 is formed by housing 47 or a channel formed between housing 47 and the peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool: this passage can be connected to gas source 15 or suction source 13 to inject gas or extract gas from chamber C accordingly. When the upper and lower tools move relative to each other to the sealed state through further relative travel, housing 47 moves to its retracted position. Figure 18The sealing surface 6b continuously cooperates with the sealing surface 5b to maintain the closure of the chamber, while the inner adjacent segments 43a and 32a cooperate to form the sealing band 3, and the intermediate adjacent segments 43c and 32c, due to their concave construction, form one or more hollow structures 4. When the upper and lower tools are in a sealed state, the outer adjacent segments 43b of the upper tool and 32b of the lower tool ensure a completely leak-proof seal for the package 200 and each hollow structure 4, which is formed around the sealing band 3 due to the design of the upper and lower tools.

[0141] exist Figure 15-18 In a variant of the example, the housing 47 may cooperate with the radially outer sidewall of the lower tool 6, and the closing surface 6b is defined at the upper part of the housing 47 and extends laterally (particularly perpendicularly) to the outer abutment segment 32b of the tool periphery portion 32 of the lower tool 6. In this case, with Figure 15-18 Compared to the diagram shown, the position of the housing 47 will be reversed, and the upper tool 5 will include an outer portion (e.g., having a flat construction) integral with the tool periphery portion 43 of the upper tool 5. Operation will be similar to that just described in the reference diagram. Figure 15-18 The described operation.

[0142] Continuing with the detailed description of the upper and lower tools, note that, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5 includes a plurality of first holes 44, which are in fluid communication with at least one suction source 13 via first channels 44a. The suction source 13 is configured to extract gas from the first holes and cause a portion 2a of the top membrane 2 to adhere to the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5. Specifically, the suction source 13 is configured to extract gas from the closed chamber C during the closed state of the upper and lower tools, causing a portion 2a of the top membrane to adhere tightly to the working surface 5a. The suction source 13 includes at least one vacuum pump 13a and at least one suction line 13b connecting the interior of the chamber C to the vacuum pump via the first holes 44. The suction source 13 may include a valve 13c that functions on the suction line 13b and is configured to regulate the airflow passage through the line. The control unit 50 controls the vacuum pump 13a and / or the valve 13c to extract gas from the closed chamber C through the first holes 44.

[0143] The peripheral portion 43 and central portion 42 of the upper tool 5 are at least partially made of a thermally conductive material. This allows the upper tool to be heated, thereby allowing portion 2a of the top membrane 2 to be properly sealed to portion 1a of the bottom support 1 during the sealing state. Specifically, the upper tool 5 includes at least one heater, such as a resistance heater, infrared heater, hot fluid heater, or heater of other nature, configured to heat the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5 to allow heating of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 specifically designed for direct sealing with portion 1a of the bottom support 1. Specifically, the heater (e.g., in the form of a resistor portion of an electric heating circuit) is at least arranged at the peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5, thereby allowing this peripheral portion 43 to form a sealing band 3 and a hollow structure 4. The heater (again, for example, in the form of a resistor) may also be located at the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5, directly facing the product P arranged on portion 1a of the bottom support 1; in other words, the heater may be arranged at the central portion 42 of the upper tool 5, thereby allowing portion 2a of the top membrane to be heated and become deformable. Specifically, when portion 2a of the top membrane 2 comes into contact with the working surface 5a of the upper tool via the suction source 13, the heater heats portion 2a to a temperature sufficient to allow the same portion 2a to thermally bond (heat seal) portion 1a of the bottom support 1.

[0144] Similar to the upper tool, the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6 may also include a plurality of second holes 33, through which it is in fluid communication with the same or another suction source 13 via second channels 33a. Although indicated by the same reference numerals, the suction source 13 may include a single suction source or different suction sources 13 acting on the first and second holes, wherein at least one acts on the first hole of the upper tool and at least another acts on the second hole of the lower tool. The suction source 13 acting on the second hole 33 is configured to extract gas from the second hole to cause a portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to adhere to the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6. In detail, the suction source 13 is configured to extract gas from the closed chamber C at least during the closed state of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 to pull the portion 1a of the bottom support to adhere to the working surface 6a. The control unit 50 may, for example, control the vacuum pump 13a and / or valve 13c of the suction source 13 acting on the second hole to extract gas from the second hole 33.

[0145] According to another aspect, the peripheral portion 32 of the tool and, in some cases, the central portion 31 of the lower tool 6 are at least partially made of a thermally conductive material. This allows the lower tool to be heated, thereby allowing portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to properly seal to portion 2a of the top membrane during the sealing state. Specifically, the lower tool 6 includes at least one heater, such as a resistance heater, an infrared heater, a hot fluid heater, or a heater of other properties, configured to heat the working surface 6a of the lower tool to heat portion 1a and allow heat sealing of one or more portions 1a, 2a of the bottom and top membranes during the sealing state. In particular, the heater may be located at the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6 to allow heating of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 specifically designed for direct sealing with portion 2a of the top membrane 2; more specifically, the heater is arranged at least at the peripheral portion 32 of the lower tool 6, thereby allowing the latter, together with the peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5, to define the sealing band 3 and the hollow structure 4.

[0146] According to another aspect, the lower tool preferably includes, at its central portion 31, an insulation body 31a at least partially made of insulating material (e.g., the insulation body could be a plastic insert as shown in the figure), such that heating of the lower tool by a corresponding heater does not excessively affect the insulation body and therefore the product above it; the insulation body 31a is actually configured to receive the portion of the product of the film portion 1a that will rest on it, thereby avoiding overheating of the product during packaging. According to another aspect, the insulation body 31a can be cooled: for example, a cooling circuit 31b (schematically shown in the figure) can be positioned adjacent to the insulation body 31a, or a portion of the cooling circuit can pass through the insulation body to keep the insulation body relatively cool. The cooling circuit can circulate a cooling fluid, such as water, and maintain the insulation body (or at least the surface of the insulation body intended to contact the film portion 1a) at a temperature below a set temperature, such as below 30°C.

[0147] Following the above description of the structure of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6, instructions are provided here regarding how the tools can work together and how they can work with other parts of the device 100.

[0148] As described above, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are movable at least between an open state, a closed state, and a sealed state. Specifically, in the open state, the outer closing surfaces 5b and 6b and the working surfaces 5a and 6a of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are spaced apart from each other to allow portions 1a and 2a to be placed between the working surfaces of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6; during the open state, the chamber C is open and the working surfaces 5a and 6a are generally at their maximum distance from each other. When the upper and lower tools approach each other (under the control of unit 50), they initially reach the closed state. When the tools are in the closed state, the upper and lower tools are positioned such that:

[0149] -The working surfaces 5a and 6a of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are still separated from each other.

[0150] - The outer sealing surfaces 5b and 6b are close to each other: In particular, the sealing surface 5b of the upper tool 5 is close to the sealing surface 6b of the lower tool 6 (optionally inserting the film portions 1a and 2a) to hermetically seal the packaging chamber C relative to the atmosphere outside the equipment; at the sealing surfaces 5b and 6b, a sealing body 80 (e.g., an annular gasket or O-ring or other element) is pressed between the surfaces 5b and 6b, thereby promoting the hermetically sealed chamber C.

[0151] At least during the closed state, at least one suction source 13 is activated to extract gas from the first and second holes, thereby allowing a portion 1a of the bottom support to adhere to the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6 and a portion 2a of the top membrane 2 to adhere to the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5. It should be noted that the suction source 13 can also be activated while the upper and lower tools 5, 6 are still in the open state; in this case, portions 1a, 2a must be arranged accordingly near the working surfaces 6a, 5a, thereby allowing the second and first holes to pull the portions into contact with the corresponding working surfaces (see...). Figure 4 , 11 (and 15). Due to the suction source 13 and the first and second holes 44, 33, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are configured to keep the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 separated from each other, at least during the closed state.

[0152] Control unit 50 can then move the upper tool and lower tool to the sealed state. During the sealed state (see...) Figure 7 , 8(10, 13, 14, 18, and 19), at least a portion of the upper tool 5 and a portion of the lower tool 6 become very close and cause contact with portions 1a and 2a of the bottom support 1 and the top film 2 to seal the portions and form a package 200 containing the product. More specifically, in the sealed state, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are configured to seal portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to portion 2a of the top film 2 along a sealing strip 3 surrounding the product P, to seal the product P in a sealed manner within a volume V between portion 2a of the top film 2 and portion 1a of the bottom support 1. Furthermore, in the sealed state, the upper tool and the lower tool are configured to form one or more hollow structures 4 by sealing a portion of portion 2a of the top film 2 to a portion of portion 1a of the bottom support 1 at one or more selected sealing areas; as Figure 20 As shown, the hollow structure 4 extends around and completely surrounds the sealing strip 3. Specifically, during the sealing state, the tool periphery 32 of the lower tool 6 approaches and almost contacts the tool periphery 43 of the upper tool 5. Figure 7 , 8 (10, 13, 14, 18, and 19); Furthermore, during the sealed state, the components of the packaging assembly are configured to interact as follows:

[0153] - The inner abutment segment 32a of the lower tool faces the inner abutment segment 43a of the upper tool 5 and is perpendicularly aligned with the inner abutment segment 43a of the upper tool 5; specifically, the inner abutment segment 32a of the lower tool 6 directly contacts the portion 1a of the bottom support 1, while the inner abutment segment 43a of the upper tool 5 directly contacts the portion 2a of the top film 2: the inner abutment segments 32a and 43a cooperate to make the portion 1a of the bottom film contact the portion 2a of the top film in a selected area, in particular forming a sealing strip 3 that seals the portions 1a and 2a together. This ensures that the product within volume V is tightly isolated; - the middle adjacent section 32c of the lower tool 6 faces the middle adjacent section 43c of the upper tool 5; specifically, the middle adjacent section 32c of the lower tool 6 directly contacts the portion 1a of the bottom support 1, while the middle adjacent section 43c of the upper tool 5 directly contacts the portion 2a of the top membrane 2: the middle adjacent sections 32c and 43c face each other during the sealing state, and due to their concave shape and vertical alignment, are configured to form the one or more hollow structures 4 adjacent to the sealing strip 3 and radially outside the sealing strip 3;

[0154] - The outer adjacent section 32b of the lower tool faces the outer adjacent section 43b of the upper tool 5; specifically, the outer adjacent section 32b of the portion 1a of the lower tool 6 that directly contacts the bottom support 1 and the outer adjacent section 43b of the portion 2a that directly contacts the top film 2 bring the portion 1a into contact with the portion 2a of the top film 2; furthermore, the corresponding outer adjacent sections 32b and 43b of the lower and upper tools face each other during the sealed state and are configured to define an outer sealing strip 30, which fluid-tightly seals the package 200; as Figure 20 As schematically shown, one or more hollow structures 4 are placed between the sealing strip 3 and the outer sealing strip 30.

[0155] To enable relative movement between the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 in the aforementioned open, closed, and sealed states, the device 100 has at least one main actuator 60, which operates on at least one of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 and is controlled by the control unit 50. In practice, the main actuator 60 can be any type of electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuator configured for use in a direction transverse to the horizontal direction A1 (see, for example, [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1 and 2 The vertical direction indicated by reference numeral A2 in the attached diagram) can be raised or lowered by one or both of tools 5 and 6.

[0156] Furthermore, the device 100 includes at least an unloading conveyor 70 disposed downstream of the packaging assembly 101 relative to the horizontal direction A1. The unloading conveyor 70 is configured to move the formed package 200 to a storage station (not shown) located downstream of the packaging assembly 101. The conveyor 70 is controlled by the control unit 50 to operate continuously or at least during the open state of the device 100: once the package 200 is formed, during the open state of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 after the sealing state, a pick-up mechanism (also not shown) may be present between the packaging station 101 and the unloading conveyor to bring the formed package 200 from the closed chamber C onto the unloading conveyor 70.

[0157] More specifically, the control unit 50 is configured to command the package assembly 101 to perform the following steps:

[0158] - Position the top and bottom tools 5 and 6 in the open state;

[0159] -Then the upper and lower tools 5 and 6 are positioned in a closed state, wherein part 1a of the bottom support 1, part P of the product P and part 2a of the top membrane 2 are received in the closed chamber C;

[0160] -Then, along the sealing strip 3 surrounding the product P, portion 1a of the bottom support 1 is sealed to portion 2a of the top film 2, so that the product P is sealed within the volume V between portion 2a of the top film 2 and portion 1a of the bottom support 1: the sealing step occurs thereby moving the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6, as described above, from a closed state to a sealed state, whereby the corresponding tool peripheral portions 32 and 43 of the lower tool and the upper tool bring portions 1a, 2a into contact with each other along the area forming the sealing strip; of course, the control unit also commands the heater to appropriately heat at least one or both of the peripheral portions 32 and 43 to reach the temperature required for thermal bonding and formation of the sealing strip 3.

[0161] - One or more hollow structures 4 are formed by sealing a portion of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 to a portion of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 at one or more selected sealing areas; this step of forming the hollow structure 4 is preferably performed by moving the upper and lower tools from a closed state to a sealed state while forming the sealing strip 3.

[0162] - Before the step of forming one or more hollow structures 4 (and preferably before the steps of forming the sealing strip 3 and forming one or more hollow structures 4), and after the formation of the closed chamber C, at least the peripheral portion of the top film 2 portion 2a is kept separate from and a certain distance from the lower peripheral portion of the bottom support 1 portion 1a; optionally, as shown in the figures, before the steps of forming one or more hollow structures 4 and forming the sealing strip 3, the control unit controls the packaging assembly 101 to separate the entire portion 2a from the lower portion 1a (see Figure 1). Figure 5 , 12 And 17); This step allows gas to be filled into the chamber, thus making it possible to create the desired gas conditions inside the volume V and the hollow structure or multiple structures 4, as will be explained further below.

[0163] As just described, due to the ability to position the working surfaces 5a and 6a separately and due to the action of the suction source 13, which is in fluid communication with the first and second holes 33 and 44 of the lower and upper tools respectively, the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are configured to keep portions 1a and 2a (or portions thereof) separated. In particular, the control unit 50 is also connected to the suction source 13 and configured to (after commanding the packaging station in the closed state of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6, and at least during the closed state before the sealing step occurs) command the suction source 13 to extract gas from the first and second plurality of holes 44 and 33 in order to separate the portion 2a of the top film 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 by adhering the portion 2a of the top film 2 to the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5 and by adhering the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6.

[0164] Thus, as the upper and lower tools transition from a closed state to a sealed state, the tool periphery portions 43 and 32 of the upper and lower tools 5 and 6 are allowed to form one or more hollow structures 4.

[0165] As shown in the attached diagram, the packaging equipment 100 may also include at least one gas source 15. Figure 4-8 (and 11-17), the gas source 15 is in fluid communication with at least one passage 16 defined on at least one of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6. The passage 16 is configured to maintain fluid communication between the gas source 15 and the closed chamber C and / or volume V, at least during the closed state of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 of the packaging assembly 101. The gas source 15 includes an inflation pump 15a and an inflation line 15b connecting the pump 15a to the passage 16. Furthermore, the gas source 15 may include a regulating valve 15c that operates on the inflation line 15b and is configured to regulate the flow passage through the line 15b. A control unit 50 is connected to the gas source 15 and is configured to (after commanding the packaging station in the closed state of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6, and at least during the closed state before the sealing step occurs) command the gas source 15 to inflate gas into the closed chamber C through the passage 16.

[0166] The control unit 50 is configured to command the gas source 15 (e.g., acting on the air pump 15a and / or the regulating valve 15c) to fill the closed chamber C with gas through the passage 16 at least during the closed state of the upper and lower tools and during the aforementioned evacuation step performed by the suction source 13 through the first and second plurality of holes 44, 33; in this way, the device ensures that a predetermined pressure or a predetermined amount of gas is present in the closed chamber C during the transition between the closed and sealed states, thereby facilitating the formation of one or more hollow structures 4 in which gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is contained.

[0167] Specifically, according to possible non-limiting variations and as shown in the figures, the packaging device 100 may include at least one hollow element 10, such as a hollow needle, which operates within a seat 14 defined between at least one upper tool 5 and a lower tool 6. The hollow element 10 is configured to pierce at least one of a portion of the top membrane 2 and a portion of the bottom support 1 and is at least partially inserted into the volume V; the hollow element 10 is also configured to inject gas into and / or extract gas from the volume V. In the figures, the hollow element 10 is supported by the lower tool 6 in a non-limiting manner; it is not excluded that the hollow element 10 is associated with the upper tool 5, or that at least one hollow element 10 may be provided for each of the lower and upper tools.

[0168] According to the currently preferred variant, the hollow element is carried by the lower tool 6 and configured to pierce the portion 1a of the bottom support. In particular, as shown, the hollow element 10 can operate in a radially peripheral manner with the inner adjacent segment 32a near the peripheral portion 32 of the tool corresponding to the central region 31 of the lower tool: this allows the hollow element 10 to pierce the bottom support 1 in operation, away from the area where the product P is located, thereby allowing (when packaging is subsequently formed) the hole formed by one or more hollow elements 10 in the bottom support 1 to be closed by the top film portion 2a hanging down onto the product and onto the bottom support portion 1a not covered by the product.

[0169] Hollow element 10 may move relative to the upper and / or lower tools 5, 6 at least among the following:

[0170] - Retracted position, wherein the hollow element 10 is separated from part 1a of the bottom support 1 and from part 2a of the top membrane 2 ( Figure 3-5 8-11 and 14-16), and

[0171] - Advancing position, wherein the hollow element 10 pierces at least one between portion 1a of the bottom support 1 and portion 2a of the top membrane 2; the hollow element 10 in the advancing position has penetrated the thickness of the bottom support (or top membrane) and has a terminal portion located within the volume V defined by portions 1a, 2a of the bottom support 1 and the top membrane 2. Figure 6-7 12-13 and 17-19).

[0172] Hollow element 10 is configured to be in fluid communication with gas source 15. Control unit 50 is connected to hollow element 10 and gas source 15; control unit 50 is also configured to control the operation of gas source 15 and command hollow element 10 (acting on an appropriate actuator) to move between a retracted position and an advanced position. Specifically, control unit 50 is configured to define an inflation cycle, including:

[0173] -At least during the closed state of the upper and lower tools 5 and 6, the hollow element 10 is commanded to move from the retracted position to the forward position.

[0174] - With the hollow element in the forward position, the command gas source 15 is to fill the volume V with gas through the hollow element 10.

[0175] As described above, the packaging equipment 100 can also be adapted to form modified atmosphere packaging: in this case, the packaging assembly 101 can be configured to generate a modified atmosphere within the volume V defined between the bottom support 1 and the top film 2. The hollow element 10 can therefore be used to inject a specific gas into the volume V to define the modified atmosphere packaging. The control unit 50 can also be configured to control the gas source 15 to adjust the composition of the airflow injected into the packaging chamber C, thereby controlling the modified atmosphere composition inside the chamber C and / or the volume V. The gas mixture injected into the packaging chamber to generate the modified atmosphere may vary depending on the nature of the product P.

[0176] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the hollow element 10 can also be in fluid communication with a suction source 13 (e.g., it can be configured to extract gas from chamber C and volume V through first and / or second holes 44, 33) for extracting gas from volume V to define a vacuum-fit package (see figure 10) surrounded by the one or more hollow structures. Figure 20 The control unit 50 operates on the actuator and suction source 13 connected to the hollow element 10. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the suction source 13 and command the hollow element to be in the retracted and forward positions as described above. The control unit 50 can be configured in particular to:

[0177] - At least during the sealing state of the upper and lower tools 5 and 6, the hollow element 10 is commanded to move from the retracted position to the forward position. - When the hollow element is in the forward position and the tools are in the sealing state, the suction source 13 is commanded to extract gas from the volume V through the hollow element 10.

[0178] The control unit can also be configured to perform the following further steps after the step of extracting gas from volume V:

[0179] - The command moves hollow element 10 from the forward position to the retracted position.

[0180] - With the hollow component in the retracted position, the suction source 13 is commanded to interrupt the extraction of gas from volume V.

[0181] - At some point after or before the interruption of gas extraction from volume V, the gas source 13 is also ordered to interrupt gas extraction from the first and / or second plurality of holes to allow portions 1a, 2a of the bottom support 1 and the top membrane 2 to wrap around the product P and to tightly bond one to the other in those areas corresponding to portions 1a and 2a that are not in contact with the product; note that at this stage, any holes formed during the puncture of the hollow element are sealed shut by the sealing attachment of portions 1a and 2a to each other.

[0182] By extracting gas from volume V, device 100 is thus able to form vacuum-sealed packaging.

[0183] Note that, similarly, when forming vacuum-sealed packaging, it is preferable to form the hollow structure 4 by filling the sealed chamber with gas. Specifically, the control unit 50 can be configured to first perform the aforementioned inflation cycle, and then perform a suction cycle including the following:

[0184] - Command the upper and lower tools 5 and 6 to move from the closed state to the sealed state.

[0185] - Move the hollow component 10 to the forward position, with the upper and lower tools in a sealed state, and command the gas source 15 to interrupt the gas filling into volume V.

[0186] - Keeping the hollow element 10 in the forward position and the upper and lower tools in a sealed state, command the suction source 13 to extract gas from the volume V through the hollow element 10.

[0187] Then, after the above suction cycle, the control unit can be configured to perform the following additional steps:

[0188] - The command moves hollow element 10 from the forward position back to the retracted position.

[0189] -With the hollow element 10 in the retracted position, the suction source 13 is commanded to stop extracting gas from volume V.

[0190] - Command suction source 13, after the gas extraction from volume V is interrupted, interrupts the gas extraction from chamber C or volume V through the first and / or second plurality of holes to allow portions 1a, 2a of bottom support 1 and top membrane 2 to wrap around product P and to tightly bond one to the other in those areas corresponding to portions 1a and 2a that are not in contact with the product; note that at this stage, any holes formed during the puncture of the hollow element are sealed shut by the sealing attachment of portions 1a and 2a to each other.

[0191] Although the device 100 may have one or both of a suction source 13 and a gas source 15, it should be understood that the control unit 50 of the device 100 may also be configured to tightly engage a portion 2a of the top membrane 2 with a portion 1a of the bottom support 1 without activating the suction source or the gas source, thereby leaving a normal ambient atmosphere inside the packaging.

[0192] After the package 200 is formed, the control unit 50 is configured to command the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 to be in the open state to allow the package to be removed from the package assembly 101, and the new parts 1a and 2a of the new product P are positioned in the open chamber C.

[0193] Packaging process

[0194] The present invention also relates to a process for packaging product P. The process described below uses the packaging equipment 100 disclosed above and / or according to the appended claims. This process is performed under the control of a control unit 50 and realizes the packaging of product P between a bottom support 1 (e.g., having a film or tray form with a structure substantially the same as the top film 2) and the top film 2. In this case, the described process allows for the creation of skin packaging of the product. In any case, the equipment 100 is also capable of packaging product P under a modified atmosphere. Furthermore, the equipment 100 can be used to apply the top film 2 to the bottom support 1, thereby forming packaging under normal ambient atmosphere.

[0195] The packaging process includes simultaneously supplying a bottom support 1 from a bottom support supply assembly 103 and a top film 2 from a top film supply assembly 102, such that one or more bottom support portions 1a and one or more top film portions 2a reach the packaging assembly 101 while the packaging assembly remains open. As described above, the bottom support and top film can be in the form of continuous films or can include multiple separate discrete portions. Portions 1a and 2a of the bottom support 1 and top film 2 are positioned within the open packaging assembly, where upper and lower tools 5 and 6 define the chamber C, which remains open. The positioning of portions 1a and 2a can be automatically performed by a control unit 50, which acts on the bottom support supply assembly 103 and the top film supply assembly 102, or on the conveying device 108 of portion 1a and the conveying device 110 of portion 2a.

[0196] The process also includes the step of loading at least one product P onto portion 1a of the bottom support 1 via product loading station 111, which can operate upstream of the packaging assembly (see...). Figure 1 This allows product P to be located on portion 1a outside of packaging assembly 101, or to be located within packaging assembly 101 such that product P can be located on portion 1a already arranged inside packaging assembly 101.

[0197] After positioning portions 1a, 2a, and product P within the packaging assembly 101, the process provides a step of forming a closed chamber C. Therefore, at this point in the process, the closed chamber C houses: portion 1a of the bottom support 1, product P above said portion 1a of the bottom support 1, and portion 2a of the top film 2 above said product P and said portion 1a of the bottom support 1. Specifically, as described above, the closed chamber C is defined by moving the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 from an open state to a closed state.

[0198] When the aforementioned components, namely the portion 1a of the bottom support 1, the product P, and the portion 2a of the top membrane 2, are located within the closed chamber C, and when the upper and lower tools are in a closed state, the working surfaces 5a and 6a of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 are separated from each other, while the external closed surfaces 5b and 6b of the upper tool and the lower tool are close to each other to form the closed chamber C.

[0199] During the closed state of the upper and lower tools, the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 are kept apart by a certain distance; specifically, at least portions of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1, which are intended to form one or more hollow structures 4, are kept apart by a certain distance. In the example shown, the entire portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the entire portion 1a of the bottom support 1 are kept apart by a certain distance. This can be achieved by adhering the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 to the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5 and by adhering the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6. Specifically, adhering the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 to the lower working surface 5a of the upper tool 5 is achieved by extracting gas through the first hole 44 using the suction source 13, while adhering the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6 is achieved by extracting gas through the second hole 33 using the suction source 13.

[0200] During the closed state of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6, and when portions 1a and 2a adhere to the corresponding working surfaces 6a and 5a, the process inflates gas into the closed chamber C between portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and portion 1a of the bottom support 1. Specifically, the inflation step is performed in the following situations:

[0201] - The portion 1a of the bottom support 1, the product P, and the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 are located within the enclosed chamber C; and

[0202] - The portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 are kept a certain distance apart from each other.

[0203] During the closed state of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6, and during the adhesion of portions 1a and 2a to the corresponding working surfaces 6a and 5a, the process can provide heating to portion 1a of the bottom support 1 and / or portion 2a of the top membrane 2, thereby allowing portions 1a and 2a to soften in order to promote proper sealing of portions 1a and 2a during the sealing steps described below.

[0204] The process then includes the following further steps:

[0205] - Seal a portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to a portion 2a of the top film 2 along the sealing strip 3 surrounding the product P to seal the product in a volume V between the portion 2a of the top film 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1; and - form one or more hollow structures 4 by sealing a portion of the portion 2a of the top film 2 to a peripheral portion of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 at one or more selected sealing areas; the step of forming one or more hollow structures 4 includes forming at least one hollow structure that extends around and completely surrounds the sealing strip 3.

[0206] The sealing step includes the relative displacement of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 from a closed state to a sealed state, wherein at least some of the working surfaces 5a and 6a of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6 approach and come closer to each other, thereby causing the corresponding portions 1a and 2a of the bottom support 1 and the top membrane 2 to come into contact with each other, thereby forming a sealing strip 3 and a hollow structure 4.

[0207] In detail, prior to the formation of the one or more hollow structures 4, at least a portion of the top membrane 2 2a and a portion of the bottom support 1 1 are kept apart from each other by a certain distance. Specifically, the portion of the bottom support 1 1a intended to cooperate in forming the hollow structure is the peripheral portion 12 surrounding the central portion 11 of the same portion 1a of the bottom support 1; similarly, the portion of the top membrane 2 2a intended to cooperate in forming the hollow structure is the peripheral portion 23 surrounding the central portion 22 of the same portion 2a of the top membrane 2; note that prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures 4, the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 are kept apart from each other and vertically aligned, corresponding to the respective peripheral portions 12, 23 intended to form the one or more hollow structures 4 (and optionally also corresponding to the central portions of the bottom support and the top membrane).

[0208] As described above, in the closed state of the upper and lower tools, portions 1a of the bottom support 1 and 2a of the top film are kept separate by adhering these portions to the corresponding working surfaces of the lower and upper tools. Specifically, during the adhesion step of portion 2a of the top film 2 to the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5, at least the peripheral portion 23 of the top film 2 adheres to the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5. Simultaneously, during the adhesion step of portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6, at least the peripheral portion 12 of the bottom support 1 adheres to the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6.

[0209] like Figure 4-7As shown in Figures 11-13 and 15-18, the central portion 22 of the top film 2 directly contacts the central portion 42 of the upper tool during the adhesion step, while the peripheral portion 23 of the top film 2 directly contacts the peripheral portion 43 of the same upper tool. Specifically, the peripheral portion 23 of portion 2a of the top film 2 includes at least:

[0210] - An inner region 23a extends radially from the central portion 22 of the top membrane 2; the inner region 23a faces and directly contacts the inner adjacent segment 43a of the tool periphery portion 43 of the upper tool 5 during the adhesion step.

[0211] - Central region 23b, which extends radially from the inner region 23a of the top film 2 away from the central portion 22 of the same top film 2, the inner region 23a being between the central portion 22 of the top film 2 and the central region 23b; the central region 23b faces and directly contacts the middle adjacent segment 43b of the tool periphery 43 of the upper tool 5 during the adhesion step.

[0212] - An outer region 23c extending radially from the central region 23b of the top film 2: The central region 23b is located between the inner region 23a and the outer region 23c of the peripheral portion 23 of the top film 2; the outer region 23c faces and directly contacts the outer adjacent segment 43c of the tool peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool 5 during the adhesion step.

[0213] On the other hand, similarly Figure 4-7 As shown in Figures 11-13 and 15-18, during the adhesion step, the central portion 11 of the bottom support 1 directly contacts the central portion 31 of the lower tool, while the peripheral portion 22 of the bottom support 1 directly contacts the peripheral portion 32 of the same lower tool 6. The peripheral portion 12 of the bottom support 1 includes at least:

[0214] - An inner region 12a extending from the central portion 11 of the bottom support 1; the inner region 12a faces and directly contacts the inner adjacent segment 32a of the tool periphery portion 32 of the lower tool 6 during the adhesion step;

[0215] - A central region 12b protruding from the inner region 12a of the bottom support 1 away from the central portion 11 of the same bottom support 1: the inner region 12a of the bottom support 1 is located between the central portion 11 of the bottom support 1 and the central region 12b; the central region 12b faces and directly contacts the middle adjacent segment 32b of the tool periphery portion 32 of the lower tool 6 during the adhesion step.

[0216] - An outer region 12c protruding from the central region 12b of the bottom support member 1: The central region 12b is located between the inner region 12a and the outer region 12c of the peripheral portion 12 of the bottom support member 1; during the adhesion step, the outer region 12c faces and directly contacts the outer adjacent segment 32c of the tool peripheral portion 32 of the lower tool 6.

[0217] Before the formation of one or more hollow structures 4 and when the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (with the product (P) thereon) and the portion 2a of the top film 2 are located at the packaging station or are already located in the closed chamber C, at least a portion of the portion 2a of the top film 2 and a portion of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 are intended to further separate from the initial approach state (where the portions 2a and 1a are closely adjacent) to reach the position where they remain separated from each other by a certain distance (see, for example...). Figure 3-5 (or 9, 9A). The control unit 50 is configured such that the command packaging component 101 performs the above steps.

[0218] Referring again to the stage prior to the steps of forming one or more hollow structures 4, and when the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (on which the corresponding product P is located) and the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 are located within the closed chamber C, the inner region 23a of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the inner region 12a of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (which will subsequently be sealed together to form a radial inner seal / sealing strip of one or more hollow structures) remain separated from each other by a certain distance. Figure 9A As shown, during the same stage, i.e. before the step of forming one or more hollow structures 4 and when the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (on which the corresponding product P is located) and the portion 2a of the top film 2 are located within the closed chamber C, the central region 23b of the portion 2a of the top film 2 and the central region 12b of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 are also kept apart from each other by a certain distance, and the outer region 23c of the portion 2a of the top film 2 and the outer region 12c of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (which will then be sealed together to form the radial outer seal / sealing strip 30 of one or more hollow structures) are also kept apart from each other by a certain distance. The control unit 50 is configured to command the packaging assembly 101 to perform the above steps.

[0219] Note that in one variant (not shown), during the stage prior to the step of forming one or more hollow structures 4, and while the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (with the corresponding product P) and the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 are located within the closed chamber C, the central region 23b of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the central region 12b of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 remain separated from each other by a certain distance, while the outer regions 23c of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the outer regions 12c of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (which will then be sealed together to form a radially outer seal / sealing band for one or more hollow structures) also remain separated from each other by a certain distance. In this variant, during the same stage described above, the inner regions 23a of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the inner regions 12a of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 do not remain separated, but are bonded together to form an inner sealing band 3, while another sealing band will be formed in a later stage. In this way, once the inner sealing strip 3 has been formed, the area intended to form a hollow structure can be inflated by entering the space between the outer region 23c of the portion 2a and the outer region 12c of the portion 1a of the top membrane 2. The control unit 50 is configured to command the packaging assembly 101 to perform the above steps.

[0220] Note that in yet another variant (not shown), during the stage prior to the step of forming one or more hollow structures 4, and when the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (with the corresponding product P) and the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 are located within the closed chamber C, the central region 23b of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the central region 12b of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 remain separated from each other by a certain distance, while the inner region 23a of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the inner region 12a of the portion 1a of the bottom support 1 (which will then be sealed together to form a radial inner seal / sealing band 3 for one or more hollow structures) also remain separated from each other by a certain distance. In this variant, during the same stage described above, the outer regions 23c of the portion 2a of the top membrane 2 and the outer regions 12c of the portion 1a are not kept separate, but are sealed together to form a radial outer seal / sealing band 30 for one or more hollow structures. In this way, once the outer sealing strip 30 has been formed, the filling gas entering the central volume V (e.g., through channel 16) can inflate the area where the hollow structure is to be formed. The control unit 50 is configured to command the packaging assembly 101 to perform the above steps.

[0221] Only during the sealing of portion 1a of the bottom support 1 and portion 2a of the top membrane 2, the inner region 12a of portion 1a is brought into contact with and heat-sealed to the inner region 23a of portion 2a, and the outer region 12c of portion 1a is brought into contact with and heat-sealed to the outer region 23c of portion 2a. After the sealing of portion 1a of the bottom support 1 and portion 2a of the top membrane 2, as just described, the central region 12b of the peripheral portion 12 of the bottom support 1 and the central region 23b of the peripheral portion 23 of the top membrane 2 form one or more hollow structures 4. Figure 20 ).

[0222] Furthermore, when air is inflated between portions 1a and 2a of the bottom support 1 and the top membrane 2, and because portions 1a and 2a adhere to the corresponding working surfaces 5a and 6a of the upper tool 5 and the lower tool 6, the process can define one or more hollow structures 4 containing the required amount of gas and thus having the required rigidity. The steps of sealing portion 1a of the bottom support 1 to portion 2a of the top membrane 2 along the sealing strip 3, and the steps of forming one or more hollow structures 4, are performed simultaneously, for example.

[0223] The process may further include the following steps: inserting at least one hollow element 10, optionally a hollow needle, through one of the portions 2a of the top membrane portion 2 and the portion 1a of the bottom support 1, thereby forming a passage to the volume V, such that the hollow element 10 is at least partially inserted into the volume V. The step of forming the passage to the volume V includes the following sub-step: piercing at least one between the central portion 11 of the bottom support 1 and the central portion 22 of the top membrane 2 with the hollow element 10, to pass through the at least one central portion and position the end portion of the hollow element 10 within the volume V. Specifically, the hollow element is inserted into the volume V during the stage when portions of the bottom support 1 and the top membrane 2 are respectively adhered to the working surfaces of the lower and upper tools 5, 6. An inflation step can be performed through the inserted hollow element 10, which may be in fluid communication with a gas source 15. Alternatively, refer to... Figure 15-18 For example, the inflation step can be performed using a passage or channel 16 formed between the housing 47 or the housing 47 and the peripheral portion 43 of the upper tool: this passage can be connected to a gas source 15 to inject gas into the chamber C.

[0224] Following the sealing step, the process may include extracting gas from the volume V to allow portion 2a of the top film 2 to adhere to the product P and portion 1a of the bottom support 1. Specifically, the gas extraction step follows the sealing step and may include inserting a hollow element 10, optionally a hollow needle, through one of the portions 2a of the top film 2 and 1a of the bottom support 1, such that the hollow element 10 is at least partially inserted into the volume V and forms fluid communication between the volume and a suction source 13 located outside the volume V: operation of the suction source 13 allows gas to be extracted from the volume V through the hollow element 10 and (once portions 1a and 2a have been released from their respective operating surfaces 6a and 5a) results in the formation of a vacuum-sealed skin package containing the product, defined by a sealing strip 3 and surrounded by the hollow element 4.

[0225] In fact, before or during the step of extracting gas from the volume V, the first hole 44, optionally both the first hole 44 and the second hole 33, either open to the outside atmosphere or are supplied with gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, to release a portion 2a of the top membrane 2 from the working surface 5a of the upper tool 5, and optionally, to release a portion 1a of the bottom support 1 from the working surface 6a of the lower tool 6.

[0226] Alternatively, the process may include a step of filling the volume V with a mixed gas through the hollow element 10 after the sealing step, thereby allowing control over the gas composition within the volume V to produce modified atmosphere packaging.

[0227] Following the sealing step, the process provides for removing package 200 from packaging assembly 101. Specifically, the upper and lower tools move away from each other, thereby transitioning from a sealed state to an open state to allow package 200 to exit or be removed from packaging assembly 101. In the case where the top film 2 and / or the bottom support 1 are in the form of a continuous film, the process may include a cutting stage that cuts the interconnected packages formed by packaging station 101 into individual discrete packages.

[0228] Finally, the discrete package 200 can be moved from the package assembly to the storage station, for example, via conveyor belt 70.

Claims

1. A packaging process comprising the following steps: - Provide bottom support (1). - Provide a top membrane (2). - Forming a closed chamber (C) that at least contains: A portion (1a) of the bottom support (1). The product (P) located above the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), and A portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) located above the product (P) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1). Wherein, when the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the enclosed chamber (C), the process provides the following further steps for execution: - The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is sealed to the portion (2a) of the top film (2) along the sealing strip (3) surrounding the product (P), so as to seal the product in a sealed manner within the volume (V) between the portion (2a) of the top film (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), and - One or more hollow structures (4) are formed by sealing a portion of the top membrane (2) (2a) to a portion of the bottom support (1) at one or more selected sealing areas; further, wherein, prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), at least the portion of the top membrane (2) (2a) and the portion of the bottom support (1) (1a) of forming the one or more hollow structures (4) are intended to remain separated from each other by a certain distance.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein, The process further includes the following steps: filling gas into the closed chamber (C) between the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the gas filling step being performed simultaneously when the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located in the closed chamber (C).

3. The process of claim 1, wherein, The process further includes the following steps: filling gas into the closed chamber (C) between the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), wherein the gas filling step is performed simultaneously with the following: - The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the enclosed chamber (C), and - A portion of the top membrane (2a) and a portion of the bottom support (1a) of the top membrane (2) which are intended to form the one or more hollow structures (4) are kept at a certain distance from each other.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), at least corresponding to a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and a portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) intended to form the one or more hollow structures (4), the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) remain separate from each other; Alternatively, prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept completely separate from each other.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein, The process further includes the step of filling gas into the closed chamber (C) between the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the gas filling step being performed simultaneously when the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located in the closed chamber (C), wherein the step of filling gas into the closed chamber (C) between the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is performed simultaneously in the following ways: - The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the enclosed chamber (C), and - The portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept apart from each other by a certain distance, or at least the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept apart from each other by a certain distance in order to form the one or more hollow structures (4).

6. The process of claim 1, wherein, The step of forming the closed chamber (C) includes moving the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) relative to each other from: - Open state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) define an open chamber and allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to enter the open chamber; arrive: - Closed state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) are close to each other and define the closed chamber (C); The upper tool (5) includes: - An active surface (5a) that directly faces the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) at least during the closed state, and - An outer closed surface (5b) surrounding the active surface (5a) of the same upper tool (5). The lower tool (6) includes: - An active surface (6a) that directly faces the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) at least during the closed state, and - A corresponding outer closed surface (6b) surrounding the active surface (6a) of the same lower tool (6).

7. The process of claim 6, wherein, During the open state: - The outer closed surfaces of the upper tool and the lower tool are separated from each other, and - The movable surfaces of the upper tool and the lower tool are separated from each other.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein, During the closed state: - The movable surfaces (5a, 6a) of the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6) remain separated from each other, and - The external enclosed surfaces are close to each other.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein, At least during the closed state, by adhering the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to the active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) and by adhering the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to the active surface (6a) of the lower tool (6), the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a distance from each other.

10. The process of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, The movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) is provided with a plurality of first holes, wherein a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) is adhered to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) by means of extracting gas through the first holes.

11. The process of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, The movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) includes a plurality of second holes, and the attachment of a portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) is achieved by extracting gas through the second holes.

12. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The steps of sealing part (1a) of the bottom support (1) to part (2a) of the top membrane (2) along the sealing strip (3) and forming one or more hollow structures (4) are performed simultaneously.

13. The process of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, The step of filling gas into the closed chamber (C) between the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is performed simultaneously with the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) respectively adhering to the moving surfaces (6a, 5a) of the lower tool and the upper tool (6, 5).

14. The process of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, The step of sealing part (1a) of the bottom support (1) to part (2a) of the top membrane (2) along the sealing strip (3) includes moving the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) relative to each other from: - The closed state, arrive - A sealed state in which at least a portion of the movable surfaces (5a, 6a) of the upper and lower tools (5, 6) are close together and cause a portion (1a) of the bottom support to contact a portion (2a) of the top membrane, thereby defining the sealing strip (3).

15. The process of claim 14, wherein, The sealing state is achieved while maintaining the closed chamber (C) continuously closed.

16. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising the following steps: - Create a pathway to the volume (V), - Gas is extracted from the volume (V) to allow a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to adhere to the product (P).

17. The process of claim 16, wherein, The steps of creating a passage to the volume (V) and extracting gas from the volume are performed after the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is sealed to the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) along the sealing strip (3).

18. The process of claim 16, wherein, The steps of creating a passage to the volume (V) and extracting gas from the volume are performed after the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is sealed to the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) along the sealing strip (3) and after the formation of the one or more hollow structures (4).

19. The process of claim 16, wherein, The step of creating a passage to the volume (V) includes: inserting a hollow element (10) through one of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) such that the hollow element (10) is at least partially inserted into the volume (V), and establishing fluid communication between the volume and at least one of a suction source (13) located outside the volume (V) and a gas source (15) located outside the volume (V).

20. The process according to claim 19, wherein, The hollow element is a hollow needle with a pointed tip designed to pierce one of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1).

21. The process of claim 19, wherein, Extracting gas involves using the suction source (13) to extract gas from the volume (V) through the hollow element (10).

22. The process of the preceding claim 19, wherein, The step of forming the closed chamber (C) includes moving the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) relative to each other from: - Open state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) define an open chamber and allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to enter the open chamber; arrive: - Closed state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) are close to each other and define the closed chamber (C); The upper tool (5) includes: - An active surface (5a) that directly faces the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) at least during the closed state, and - An outer closed surface (5b) surrounding the active surface (5a) of the same upper tool (5). The lower tool (6) includes: - An active surface (6a) that directly faces the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) at least during the closed state, and - A corresponding outer closed surface (6b) surrounding the active surface (6a) of the same lower tool (6). During the closed state, at least, by adhering the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) and by adhering the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6), the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept separated from each other by a certain distance. The movable surface (5a) of the upper tool is provided with a plurality of first holes, and the adhesion of a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) is achieved by extracting gas through the first holes. While the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is attached to the movable surface of the lower tool (6), the hollow element is inserted into the volume (V).

23. The process of claim 22, wherein, While a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) is adhered to the active surface of the upper tool (5), the hollow element is inserted into the volume (V).

24. The process of claim 16, wherein, The step of forming the closed chamber (C) includes moving the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) relative to each other from: - Open state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) define an open chamber and allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to enter the open chamber; arrive: - Closed state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) are close to each other and define the closed chamber (C); The upper tool (5) includes: - An active surface (5a) that directly faces the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) at least during the closed state, and - An outer closed surface (5b) surrounding the active surface (5a) of the same upper tool (5). The lower tool (6) includes: - An active surface (6a) that directly faces the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) at least during the closed state, and - A corresponding outer closed surface (6b) surrounding the active surface (6a) of the same lower tool (6). The upper tool (5) has a plurality of first holes on its movable surface (5a), and the adhesion of a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) is achieved by extracting gas through the first holes. Before or during the step of extracting gas from the volume (V), the first hole either opens to the outside atmosphere or supplies gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to release a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) from the active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5).

25. The process of claim 16, wherein, The step of forming the closed chamber (C) includes moving the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) relative to each other from: - Open state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) define an open chamber and allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to enter the open chamber; arrive: - Closed state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) are close to each other and define the closed chamber (C); The upper tool (5) includes: - An active surface (5a) that directly faces the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) at least during the closed state, and - An outer closed surface (5b) surrounding the active surface (5a) of the same upper tool (5). The lower tool (6) includes: - An active surface (6a) that directly faces the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) at least during the closed state, and - A corresponding outer closed surface (6b) surrounding the active surface (6a) of the same lower tool (6). The upper tool (5) has a plurality of first holes on its movable surface (5a), and the adhesion of a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) is achieved by extracting gas through the first holes. The movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) includes a plurality of second holes, and the attachment of a portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) is achieved by extracting gas through the second holes. Before or during the step of extracting gas from the volume (V), the first and second holes either open to the outside atmosphere or supply gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to release a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) from the active surface of the upper tool (5) and a portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) from the active surface of the lower tool (6).

26. The process of claim 16, wherein the process further comprises the steps of: Gas is injected into the closed chamber (C) between the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the gas injection step being performed simultaneously when the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the closed chamber (C), or The process further includes the step of: filling gas into the closed chamber (C) between the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), wherein the gas filling step is performed simultaneously with the following: - The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the enclosed chamber (C), and - A portion of the top membrane (2) of the portion (2a) intended to form the one or more hollow structures (4) and a portion of the bottom support (1a) are kept apart from each other by a certain distance, wherein the step of creating a passage to the volume (V) is performed before the step of filling with gas.

27. The process of claim 26, wherein, The step of creating a passage to the volume (V) includes: inserting a hollow element (10) through one of the portions (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the bottom support (1) such that the hollow element (10) is at least partially inserted into the volume (V), and establishing fluid communication between the volume and at least one of a suction source (13) located outside the volume (V) and a gas source (15) located outside the volume (V), wherein creating a passage to the volume includes inserting the hollow element (10) through one of the portions (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portions (1a) of the bottom support (1) such that the hollow element (10) is at least partially inserted into the volume (V), and establishing fluid communication between the volume (V) and the gas source (15) located outside the volume (V), and The filling of gas includes filling the volume (V) with gas through the hollow element (10) using the gas source (15).

28. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, Forming one or more hollow structures (4) includes forming a hollow structure that extends around and completely surrounds the sealing strip (3).

29. The process according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, The lower tool (6) includes a central tool portion (31) and a peripheral tool portion (32) surrounding the central tool portion (31), wherein the central tool portion (31) is made of an insulating material and the peripheral tool portion (32) is made of a thermally conductive material. Furthermore, when the product (P) is located in the enclosed chamber (C), the product (P) is located above the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) and above the central tool portion (31) of the lower tool (6).

30. The process of claim 29, wherein, The central portion (31) and the peripheral portion (32) of the lower tool (6) define the active surface (6a) of the lower tool (6).

31. The process of claim 29, wherein, The lower tool (6) includes an insulator (31a), wherein the insulator (31a) is cooled by a cooling circuit located adjacent to the insulator or having a portion passing through the insulator.

32. The process according to claim 31, comprising maintaining the insulator or at least the surface of the insulator intended to contact the membrane portion (1a) below a set temperature.

33. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising heating at least a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) before or simultaneously with the step of forming one or more hollow structures (4).

34. The process of claim 33, wherein, The step of forming the closed chamber (C) includes moving the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) relative to each other from: - Open state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) define an open chamber and allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to enter the open chamber; arrive: - Closed state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) are close to each other and define the closed chamber (C); The upper tool (5) includes: - An active surface (5a) that directly faces the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) at least during the closed state, and - An outer closed surface (5b) surrounding the active surface (5a) of the same upper tool (5). The lower tool (6) includes: - An active surface (6a) that directly faces the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) at least during the closed state, and - A corresponding outer closed surface (6b) surrounding the active surface (6a) of the same lower tool (6). The step of heating part (2a) of the top film (2) includes the following steps: heating the active surface (5a) of the upper tool when the upper tool and the lower tool are in the closed state and the part of the top film adheres to the active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5).

35. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The portion (2a) of the top film (2) is a part of a continuous top film unwound from the top film supply roll (102a).

36. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) is either part of a discrete membrane that has been cut outside the closed chamber (C) or formed from the discrete membrane.

37. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is part of a discrete preformed bottom support or is formed from the discrete preformed bottom support.

38. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is a part of a continuous bottom film unfolded from the bottom film supply roll (112).

39. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The portion of the bottom support is either part of a discrete diaphragm that has been cut outside the enclosed chamber (C) or formed from the discrete diaphragm.

40. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The part (1a) is: A pre-formed tray (300) from a tray dispenser (103a) located upstream of the enclosed chamber; or The pallet (301) is formed online during the packaging process at the corresponding pallet molding station (200).

41. The process of claim 40, wherein, The form of the online formed pallet or pre-formed pallet is a flat pallet or a pallet that includes a bottom wall, side walls extending from the bottom wall, and flanges extending peripherally from the top of the side walls.

42. The process of claim 40, further wherein, The tray (301) is formed in-line, thereby forming a discrete film (302) at the tray molding station (200) or a longitudinal segment (303) of a continuous bottom film at the tray molding station (200).

43. The process of claim 40, wherein, The online formed tray (301) or pre-formed tray (300) includes a bottom wall, side walls extending from the bottom wall and flanges extending peripherally from the top of the side walls, wherein the flanges define the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) intended to form the one or more hollow structures (4).

44. The process of claim 43, wherein, The flange defines a peripheral portion (12) of each support member, where a pre-formed cavity exists, wherein the pre-formed cavity in each flange may extend circularly along the corner portion of the flange or along the entire perimeter, and is intended to form the lower half of the hollow portion of the final package.

45. The process according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is the peripheral portion (12) of the central portion (11) of the same portion (1a) of the bottom support (1).

46. ​​The process according to claim 45, wherein, The portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) is the peripheral portion (23) of the central portion (22) surrounding the same portion (2a) of the top membrane (2).

47. The process of claim 46, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), the peripheral portion (23) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) intended to form the one or more hollow structures (4) and the peripheral portion (12) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept separate from each other.

48. The process of claim 47, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are also kept separate from each other, corresponding to the central portion of the bottom support and the top membrane that extend below and above the product (P).

49. The process of claim 46, wherein, After the sealing step of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), at least a portion of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2) and at least a portion of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) cooperate to define the sealing strip (3) and the one or more hollow structures (4).

50. The process of claim 49, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), at least the corresponding peripheral portions (12, 23) of the bottom support (1) and the top membrane (2) remain separate from each other.

51. The process of claim 46, wherein, During the step of adhering the portion (2a) of the top film (2) to the active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5), at least the peripheral portion (23) of the top film (2) adheres to the active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5).

52. The process according to claim 51, wherein, During the step of attaching the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6), at least the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) is attached to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6).

53. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) is the peripheral portion (23) surrounding the central portion (22) of the same portion (2a) of the top membrane (2), and wherein, The peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2) includes at least: - An internal channel (23a) extending radially from the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2). - A central channel (23b) extending radially from the inner channel (23a) of the top membrane (2) and opposite the central portion (22) of the same top membrane (2), wherein the inner channel (23a) is located between the central portion (22) and the central channel (23b) of the top membrane (2). - An external channel (23c) extends radially from the central channel (23b) of the top membrane (2) and is opposite to the internal channel (23a) of the same top membrane (2), the central channel (23b) being located between the internal channel (23a) and the external channel (23c) of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2).

54. The process according to claim 53, The portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is the peripheral portion (12) surrounding the central portion (11) of the same portion (1a) of the bottom support (1). wherein The peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) includes at least: - An internal channel (12a) extending radially from the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1). - A central channel (12b) extends radially from the internal channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) and is opposite to the central portion (11) of the same bottom support (1), wherein the internal channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) is located between the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1) and the central channel (12b). - An outer channel (12c) extends radially from the central channel (12b) of the bottom support (1) and is opposite to the inner channel (12a) of the same bottom support (1), the central channel (12b) being between the inner channel (12a) and the outer channel (12c) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1).

55. The process of claim 54, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), and while the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top film (2) are located at the packaging station or are already located in the closed chamber (C), at least the portion (2a) of the top film (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) intended to form the one or more hollow structures (4) are further moved apart from their initial approaching state to reach the position where they remain separated by a certain distance.

56. The process of claim 54, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), and while the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the closed chamber (C), the internal channel (23a) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the internal channel (12a) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a distance from each other.

57. The process of claim 56, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), and while the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the closed chamber (C), the central channel (23b) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the central channel (12b) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a distance from each other.

58. The process of claim 57, wherein, Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), and while the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) are located within the closed chamber (C), the external channel (23c) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the external channel (12c) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a distance from each other.

59. The process of claim 54, wherein, After the step of sealing the portions (1a, 2a) of the bottom support (1) and the top membrane (2) to each other, the central channel (12b) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) and the central channel (23b) of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2) form the one or more hollow structures (4).

60. The process according to claim 59, wherein, After the step of sealing portions (1a, 2a) of the bottom support (1) and the top membrane (2) to each other: - The internal channel (12a) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) is sealed to the internal channel (23a) of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2). - The external channel (23c) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) is sealed to the external channel (23c) of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2).

61. The process of claim 60, wherein, The sealing strip (3) is defined by the corresponding sealed internal channels (12a, 23a) and sealed external channels (12c, 23c) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) and the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2) (2a).

62. The process according to claim 46 further includes the following step: - Create a pathway to the volume (V), - Gas is extracted from the volume (V) to allow a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to adhere to the product (P). The step of creating a passage to the volume (V) includes: inserting a hollow element (10) through one of the portions (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), such that the hollow element (10) is at least partially inserted into the volume (V), and establishing fluid communication between the volume and at least one of a suction source (13) located outside the volume (V) and a gas source (15) located outside the volume (V). The step of creating a passage to the volume (V) includes the following sub-steps: piercing at least one between the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1) and the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2) with the hollow element (10) so that the hollow element passes through the entire thickness of at least one between the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1) and the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2), and positioning the end portion of the hollow element (10) within the volume (V).

63. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The bottom support (1) includes a membrane made of at least part or all of a plastic material, and wherein the top membrane (2) is made of at least part or all of a plastic material.

64. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The membrane material forming the bottom support (1) is the same membrane material forming the top membrane (2).

65. The process of claim 64, wherein, The membrane material forming the bottom support (1) is the same multilayer plastic membrane material as the membrane material forming the top membrane (2).

66. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The top membrane (2) is supplied to the closed chamber in the form of a continuous membrane.

67. A packaging device (100), comprising: - A packaging assembly (101) having an upper tool (5) and a lower tool (6); - Top film supply assembly (102), configured to supply top film (2) to packaging assembly (101). - A bottom support supply assembly (103) configured to supply the bottom support (1) to the packaging assembly, and - A control unit (50), which is connected to the packaging assembly (101) and configured to control the operation of the packaging assembly (101), The upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) can move relative to each other between the following: - Open state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) define an open chamber, the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6) being configured during the open state to allow at least a portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) located on the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) and a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to enter the open chamber; - Closed state, wherein the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) are close to each other and define a closed chamber (C); Furthermore, the control unit (50) is configured as a command packaging component (101): - Positioned in the open state, allowing at least a portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P) on the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), and a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to enter the open chamber, and subsequently - Positioned in the closed state to house a portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), a portion (2a) of the product (P), and a portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) within the closed chamber (C). - A portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) is sealed to a portion (2a) of the top film (2) along the sealing strip (3) surrounding the product (P), so that the product (P) is sealed and housed in a volume (V) between the portion (2a) of the top film (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1). - One or more hollow structures (4) are formed by sealing a portion of the top membrane (2) (2a) to a portion of the bottom support (1) (1a) at one or more selected sealing areas. - Prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), at least one portion of the top membrane (2) and one portion of the bottom support (1) are kept at a certain distance from each other.

68. The packaging equipment according to claim 67, wherein, The upper tool (5) includes a movable surface (5a) which, at least during the closed state, is configured to face the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) that can be received within the closed chamber (C), wherein the upper tool (5) also includes an outer closed surface (5b) surrounding the movable surface (5a) of the same upper tool (5).

69. The packaging apparatus of claim 68, wherein, The lower tool (6) includes a movable surface (6a) which, at least during the closed state, is configured to face the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) that can be received within the closed chamber (C), wherein the lower tool (6) also includes a corresponding outer closed surface (6b) surrounding the movable surface (6a) of the same lower tool (6).

70. The packaging apparatus of claim 69, wherein, During the open state: - The corresponding outer closed surfaces (5b, 6b) of the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6) are separated from each other, and - The corresponding movable surfaces (5a, 6a) of the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6) are separated from each other. During the closed state: - The movable surfaces (5a, 6a) of the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6) remain separated from each other, while - The outer closed surfaces (5b, 6b) are close to each other. Furthermore, the active surfaces (5a, 6a) of the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) are configured, at least during the closed state, to keep the portions (1a, 2a) of the bottom support (1) and the top membrane (2) separated.

71. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 68 to 70, wherein, The active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) includes a plurality of first holes (44) in fluid communication with a suction source (13), wherein the suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the first holes (44) to allow the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to adhere to the active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5).

72. The packaging apparatus of claim 71, wherein, The movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) includes a plurality of second holes (33) in fluid communication with the suction source (13). The suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the second hole (33) to allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to adhere to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6).

73. The packaging equipment according to claim 72, wherein, The suction source (13) includes a single suction source for serving both the upper tool and the lower tool, or a suction source for the upper tool and separate and different suction sources for the lower tool.

74. The packaging apparatus of claim 72, wherein, The control unit (50) is configured as follows: - Command the closed state of the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6). - At least during the closed state, the suction source (13) is commanded to extract gas from the first and second plurality of holes (44, 33) in order to separate the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) by adhering the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to the active surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) and by adhering the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to the active surface (6a) of the lower tool (6).

75. The packaging equipment according to any one of claims 69 to 70, wherein, The upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6) can move relative to each other between the following: - The closed state, as well as - In a sealed state, at least a portion of the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) is close to at least a portion of the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) for contacting and sealing the portions (1a, 2a) of the bottom support (1) and the top membrane (2) received in the closed chamber (C) with each other.

76. The packaging apparatus of claim 75, wherein, The sealing state is achieved while maintaining the closed chamber (C) continuously closed.

77. The packaging apparatus of any one of claims 68 to 70, wherein, The upper tool (5) has a movable surface (5a) configured to receive a peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2) and define at least the following on the peripheral portion (23): - An internal channel (23a) extending radially from the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2). - A central channel (23b) extending radially from the inner channel (23a) of the top membrane (2) opposite the central portion (22) of the same top membrane (2), the inner channel (23a) being located between the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2) and the central channel (23b). - An external channel (23c) extends radially from the central channel (23b) of the top membrane (2) and is opposite to the internal channel (23a) of the same top membrane (2), the central channel (23b) being located between the internal channel (23a) and the external channel (23c) of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2).

78. The packaging equipment according to claim 77, The lower tool (6) includes a movable surface (6a) configured, at least during the closed state, to face the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) that can be accommodated within the closed chamber (C), and the lower tool (6) also includes a corresponding outer closed surface (6b) surrounding the movable surface (6a) of the same lower tool (6). wherein The movable surface (6a) is configured to receive the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) and define at least the following on the peripheral portion (12): - An internal channel (12a) extending radially from the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1). - A central channel (12b) extending radially from the inner channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) opposite the central portion (11) of the same bottom support (1), wherein the inner channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) is located between the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1) and the central channel (12b). - An outer channel (12c) extends radially from the central channel (12b) of the bottom support (1) and is opposite to the inner channel (12a) of the same bottom support (1), the central channel (12b) being located between the inner channel (12a) and the outer channel (12c) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1).

79. The packaging apparatus of claim 78, wherein, The control unit (50) is configured to control the packaging assembly (101) such that, prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), and when the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top film (2) are located within the closed chamber (C): - The internal channel (23a) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the internal channel (12a) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a certain distance from each other; - The central channel (23b) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the central channel (12b) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept a certain distance apart from each other; and - The external channel (23c) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the external channel (12c) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are not kept separate, but are joined together to form an external sealing strip (30).

80. The packaging apparatus of claim 78, wherein, The control unit (50) is configured to control the packaging assembly (101) such that, prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), and when the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top film (2) are located within the closed chamber (C): - The internal channel (23a) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the internal channel (12a) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are not kept separate, but are joined together to form an internal sealing strip (3). - The central channel (23b) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the central channel (12b) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept a certain distance apart from each other; and - The external channel (23c) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the external channel (12c) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a certain distance from each other.

81. The packaging apparatus of claim 78, wherein, The control unit (50) is configured to control the packaging assembly (101) such that, prior to the step of forming the one or more hollow structures (4), and when the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1), the product (P), and the portion (2a) of the top film (2) are located within the closed chamber (C): - The internal channel (23a) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the internal channel (12a) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a certain distance from each other; - The central channel (23b) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the central channel (12b) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept a certain distance apart from each other; and - The external channel (23c) of the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) and the external channel (12c) of the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) are kept at a certain distance from each other.

82. The packaging equipment according to claim 75, wherein, The upper tool (5) has a movable surface (5a) configured to receive a peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2) and define at least the following on the peripheral portion (23): - An internal channel (23a) extending radially from the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2). - A central channel (23b) extending radially from the inner channel (23a) of the top membrane (2) opposite the central portion (22) of the same top membrane (2), the inner channel (23a) being located between the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2) and the central channel (23b). - An external channel (23c) extending radially from the central channel (23b) of the top membrane (2), opposite the internal channel (23a) of the same top membrane (2), the central channel (23b) being located between the internal channel (23a) and the external channel (23c) of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2), and / or The lower tool (6) has a movable surface (6a) configured to receive the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) and define at least the following on the peripheral portion (12): - An internal channel (12a) extending radially from the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1). - A central channel (12b) extending radially from the inner channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) opposite the central portion (11) of the same bottom support (1), wherein the inner channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) is located between the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1) and the central channel (12b). - An outer channel (12c) extending radially from the central channel (12b) of the bottom support (1) and opposite the inner channel (12a) of the same bottom support (1), the central channel (12b) being located between the inner channel (12a) and the outer channel (12c) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1). Furthermore, in the sealed state, the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6) configure the movable surfaces (5a, 6a) of the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6) to simultaneously form the sealing strip (3) and the one or more hollow structures (4).

83. The packaging apparatus of claim 75, wherein, The upper tool (5) has a movable surface (5a) configured to receive a peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2) and define at least the following on the peripheral portion (23): - An internal channel (23a) extending radially from the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2). - A central channel (23b) extending radially from the inner channel (23a) of the top membrane (2) opposite the central portion (22) of the same top membrane (2), the inner channel (23a) being located between the central portion (22) of the top membrane (2) and the central channel (23b). - An external channel (23c) extending radially from the central channel (23b) of the top membrane (2), opposite the internal channel (23a) of the same top membrane (2), the central channel (23b) being located between the internal channel (23a) and the external channel (23c) of the peripheral portion (23) of the top membrane (2), and / or The lower tool (6) has a movable surface (6a) configured to receive the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1) and define at least the following on the peripheral portion (12): - An internal channel (12a) extending radially from the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1). - A central channel (12b) extending radially from the inner channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) opposite the central portion (11) of the same bottom support (1), wherein the inner channel (12a) of the bottom support (1) is located between the central portion (11) of the bottom support (1) and the central channel (12b). - An outer channel (12c) extending radially from the central channel (12b) of the bottom support (1) and opposite the inner channel (12a) of the same bottom support (1), the central channel (12b) being located between the inner channel (12a) and the outer channel (12c) of the peripheral portion (12) of the bottom support (1). Includes a gas source (15) in fluid communication with a passage (16) defined on at least one of the upper tool (5) and the lower tool (6). The passage (16) is configured to provide fluid communication between the gas source (15) and the closed chamber (C) and / or volume (V) at least during the closed state of the upper tool (5) and lower tool (6) of the packaging assembly (101).

84. The packaging equipment according to claim 83, wherein, The control unit (50) is configured as follows: - This command sets the upper and lower tools (5, 6) to their closed states. - At least during the closed state, the gas source (15) is commanded to fill the closed chamber (C) with gas through the passage (16).

85. The packaging equipment according to claim 84, wherein, The movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) includes a plurality of first holes (44) in fluid communication with a suction source (13), wherein the suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the first holes (44) to allow the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to adhere to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5). The movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) includes a plurality of second holes (33) in fluid communication with the suction source (13), wherein the suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the second holes (33) to allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to adhere to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6), and The control unit (50) is configured to command the gas source (15) to fill the closed chamber (C) with gas through the passage (16) at least during the closed state of the upper tool and the lower tool, and during gas extraction performed by the suction source (13) via the first and second plurality of holes (44, 33).

86. The packaging apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 67 to 70, wherein, The packaging equipment includes a hollow element (10) that operates via a seat (14) defined in at least one of the upper and lower tools (5, 6). The hollow element (10) is configured to pierce at least one of the portion of the top membrane (2) and the portion of the bottom support (1) that can be received in the closed chamber (C), and to be at least partially inserted into the volume (V), the hollow element (10) being configured to blow out and / or extract gas from the volume (V).

87. The packaging apparatus of claim 86, wherein, The hollow element (10) is movable relative to the upper tool and / or lower tool (5, 6) at least among the following: - Retracted position, wherein the hollow element (10) does not protrude from the movable surfaces (5a, 6a) of the upper tool (5) or the lower tool (6) to avoid correspondingly piercing the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) or the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) that can be received in the closed chamber (C), and - Forward position, wherein the hollow element (10) protrudes from the movable surface (5a, 6a) of the upper tool (5) or the lower tool (6) to pierce at least one between the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) and the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2), and positions at least a portion of the hollow element within the volume (V) defined by the portions (1a, 2a) of the bottom support (1) and the top membrane (2) that can be received in the closed chamber (C).

88. The packaging apparatus of claim 87, wherein, The hollow element (10) is in fluid communication with the suction source (13).

89. The packaging apparatus of claim 88, wherein, The control unit is configured to control the operation of the suction source (13) and command the hollow element to move between its retracted position and its forward position. The control unit (50) is configured as follows: - At least during the sealing state of the upper tool and the lower tool, the hollow element (10) is commanded to move from the retracted position to the forward position. - When the hollow element (10) is in the forward position, the suction source is commanded to extract gas from the volume (V) through the hollow element (10).

90. The packaging equipment according to claim 89, wherein, The movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) includes a plurality of first holes (44) in fluid communication with a suction source (13), wherein the suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the first holes (44) to allow the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to adhere to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5). The movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) includes a plurality of second holes (33) in fluid communication with the suction source (13), wherein the suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the second holes (33) to allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to adhere to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6), and The control unit is configured to perform the following further steps after commanding the suction source (13) to extract gas from the volume (V): - Command the hollow element (10) to move from the forward position to the retracted position, - When the hollow element is in the retracted position, the suction source (13) is commanded to stop extracting gas from the volume (V). - After the gas extraction from the volume is interrupted, the suction source (13) is commanded to interrupt the gas extraction from the first and / or second plurality of holes so as to allow the central portion of the bottom support and the central portion of the top membrane to enclose the product.

91. The packaging apparatus of claim 89, wherein, The hollow element (10) is in fluid communication with the gas source (15). The control unit is configured to control the operation of the gas source (15) and command the hollow element to move between its retracted and forward positions. The control unit (50) is configured to perform an inflation cycle, including: - At least during the closed state of the upper tool and the lower tool, the hollow element (10) is commanded to move from the retracted position to the forward position. - During the forward position of the hollow element (10), the gas source (15) is commanded to fill the volume with gas through the hollow element (10).

92. The packaging apparatus of claim 91, wherein, The control unit (50) is configured to define a suction cycle after the inflation cycle, including: - Command the sealing position of the upper tool and the lower tool (5, 6). - When the hollow element (10) is in the forward position and the upper and lower tools (5, 6) are in the sealed position, the gas source (15) is controlled to interrupt the filling of gas into the volume (V). - When the hollow element (10) is in the forward position and the upper and lower tools (5, 6) are in the sealed position, the suction source (13) is commanded to extract gas from the volume (V) through the hollow element (10).

93. The packaging apparatus of claim 92, wherein, The suction cycle also includes commanding the hollow element (10) to move from the forward position to the retracted position.

94. The packaging apparatus of claim 93, wherein, The suction cycle also includes commanding the suction source (13) to interrupt the extraction of gas from the volume (V) at least when the hollow element (10) reaches the retracted position.

95. The packaging apparatus of claim 94, wherein, The movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5) includes a plurality of first holes (44) in fluid communication with a suction source (13), wherein the suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the first holes (44) to allow the portion (2a) of the top membrane (2) to adhere to the movable surface (5a) of the upper tool (5). The movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6) includes a plurality of second holes (33) in fluid communication with the suction source (13), wherein the suction source (13) is configured to extract gas from the second holes (33) to allow the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) to adhere to the movable surface (6a) of the lower tool (6), and The suction cycle further includes, after the gas extraction from the volume is interrupted, commanding the suction source (13) to interrupt the gas extraction from the first and / or second plurality of holes, so as to allow the central portion of the bottom support and the central portion of the top membrane to enclose the product.

96. The packaging apparatus of claim 87, wherein, The hollow element (10) is carried by the lower tool (6) and is configured to pierce the portion (1a) of the bottom support (1) during the movement from the retracted position to the forward position.

97. The packaging apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 67 to 70, wherein, The packaging equipment is configured to perform the packaging process according to claim 1.

98. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The process uses the packaging equipment according to claim 67.

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