Aluminum foil retort bag with surface having profile flatness adjusting function

Abstract

The application provides an aluminum foil cooking bag with a surface having a shape flatness adjusting function, comprising a polyolefin inner layer, an aluminum foil middle layer and a polyester outer layer, further comprising an elastic hose, the elastic hose being located at the lower part of the polyester outer layer; further comprising an extrusion type self-inflating device, the extrusion type self-inflating device being connected with the air inlet of the elastic hose at the end of the cooking bag. The aluminum foil cooking bag with a surface having a shape flatness adjusting function can adjust the shape of the outer surface of the cooking bag as needed, effectively solves the uncontrollable deformation problem of the cooking bag, can repeatedly adjust the flatness at any link after leaving the factory, satisfies the surface flatness adjustment of the cooking bag at any link of production, transportation and sales, effectively improves the appearance of the soft can cooking bag, promotes the effective display of commodity information, promotes the market sales of the soft can product, and improves the consumer experience satisfaction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of soft canned food packaging, specifically relating to an aluminum foil retort pouch with surface shape flatness adjustment function. Background Technology

[0002] Food packaging directly impacts the entire process of production, processing, storage, transportation, and market sales. Traditional glass jars suffer from complex production processes, and their excessive weight hinders storage and transportation, limiting their application. In contrast, retort pouches, typically made of composite materials such as polyester, aluminum foil, and polyolefins, offer significant advantages over traditional glass jars. They are widely used for packaging various raw and cooked products, including meat, liquids, and pastes, and are gaining popularity among younger consumers.

[0003] Aluminum foil retort pouches offer the best preservation of food's color, aroma, and flavor, and are most widely used in meat packaging. Aluminum foil retort pouches are also composed of multiple layers of film material. Typically, the innermost layer is a non-toxic polyolefin material, which comes into direct contact with the food and isolates it from moisture. The middle layer is aluminum foil, which isolates gases and light. Sometimes, a thin nylon film is added to both the inner and outer surfaces of the aluminum foil to improve its toughness. The outermost layer is a polyester material, the surface of which can be used for printing and displaying product information for flexible packaging foods.

[0004] However, the outermost film of a retort pouch, which displays product information, often needs to be bonded to the middle and inner films using adhesives beforehand. After the food is filled into the inner layer of the retort pouch, the entire pouch undergoes high-temperature sterilization. To further improve preservation and extend shelf life, some meat products often require vacuum processing. The resulting retort pouches often have uneven surfaces due to variations in the shape, volume, and hardness of the packaged food. This is detrimental to product storage and display, and also prevents important product information from being effectively displayed during sales. Furthermore, the uneven surface of the retort pouch makes it difficult to attach product labels after processing flexible food packaging.

[0005] To address these issues, pressure is applied during the cooking process to reduce stress and mitigate deformation, preventing issues like rupture due to high-temperature expansion. However, due to the significant differences in volume and structure between the filled food and the cooking bag, this method cannot fundamentally solve the deformation problem during production. Current technologies for improving the cooking bag structure include increasing the area outside the sealing zone to create space for attaching product information. However, the area where the food is filled remains wrinkled and uneven, and the excessively large outer edge leads to material waste and poor appearance, hindering display and sales. Other companies use an additional outer packaging bag, but this results in excessive volume and over-packaging of small-quantity canned goods, increasing storage and transportation costs.

[0006] Therefore, how to adjust the shape of the outer surface of retort pouches as needed, and how to repeatedly adjust the flatness at any stage after leaving the factory, is a problem that needs to be solved in the current production and processing of retort pouches and the production of soft canned food. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems with retort pouches in this technical field, this invention provides an aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function. This allows for on-demand adjustment of the outer surface shape of the retort pouch, enabling repeated flatness adjustments at any stage after leaving the factory. This effectively solves the problem of uncontrollable deformation of retort pouches.

[0008] The main technical solution of the aluminum foil retort bag with surface shape flatness adjustment function of the present invention is as follows:

[0009] It includes a polyolefin inner layer, an aluminum foil middle layer, and a polyester outer layer, and also includes an elastic hose located below the polyester outer layer; it also includes a compression self-inflating device connected to the air inlet of the elastic hose at the end of the retort pouch.

[0010] Furthermore, the compression-type self-inflating device is a foldable elastic tube or a rubber bladder.

[0011] Furthermore, the flexible hose is also provided with a rigid plastic ball inside, and the surface of the rigid plastic ball is provided with 1-3 through-holes.

[0012] Furthermore, at least two points on the outer surface of the flexible hose are bonded to the outer surface of the aluminum foil intermediate layer, and the distance between any two adjacent bonding points is not less than 5 times the diameter of the flexible hose in its unexpanded state.

[0013] Furthermore, the rigid plastic ball can move or rotate inside the elastic hose under external pressure, thereby adjusting the position and size of the airbag.

[0014] Furthermore, each of the elastic hoses on both sides of any plastic ball has at least one movable closing ring on its outer surface, the inner diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the plastic ball.

[0015] Furthermore, the flexible hose is a continuous circular tube with a constant or variable diameter.

[0016] Furthermore, the flexible hose is two or more interconnected round tubes.

[0017] Furthermore, the elastic hose is a polymer material hose, and the outer surface of the elastic hose is coated with an oily lubricating medium.

[0018] Furthermore, in the unexpanded state, the elastic hose between any two bonding points is in a bent shape.

[0019] Furthermore, the polyester outer layer has an openable structure with snaps on the side, and there is no fixed connection between the polyester outer layer and the lower elastic hose.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the aluminum foil retort bag of the present invention, which has a surface flatness adjustment function, has the following advantages:

[0021] First, the technical solution of the present invention has designed an elastic hose structure on the lower surface of the outer layer of the cooking bag. The elastic hose can be inflated by an external compression inflation device. Then, by utilizing the different deformations of the elastic hose at different positions, the wrinkles or convex and concave deformations of the outer surface of the cooking bag can be adjusted.

[0022] Secondly, the flexible hose of this invention contains a rigid plastic ball with fine holes inside, which can form and adjust the air bladder space as needed, thereby adjusting the flatness of different shapes at different positions on the outer surface of the retort pouch. In the inflated state, external compression can cause any two plastic balls to move, and combined with the rotation of the fine holes in the plastic balls, the spatial changes within the flexible hose can be adjusted. When the fine holes of the plastic balls connect the spaces of the flexible hose on both sides, gas can pass freely. When an independent air bladder space needs to be formed at both ends of any section of the flexible hose, simply turning the fine holes of the plastic balls towards the inner wall of the flexible hose to prevent free gas passage can obtain an air bladder of the appropriate size. Simultaneously, the flexible hose of this invention can be moved between any two adjacent bonding points, thereby adjusting the deformation of the outer layer at the corresponding position.

[0023] Third, each of the elastic hoses on both sides of any plastic ball in this invention has at least one movable closing ring on its outer surface. The diameter of the closing ring is smaller than the diameter of the plastic ball, thereby ensuring the effective formation and adjustment of the air bladder between any two plastic balls. When the inflation volume exceeds the diameter of the plastic ball, the closing rings on both sides of the plastic ball on the outer surface of the elastic hose effectively lock the plastic balls at both ends of the formed air bladder, preventing the formation of a gas channel between the elastic hose and the plastic ball due to increased pressure. This allows the plastic ball to effectively control the inflation volume and deformation of the air bladder.

[0024] Fourth, the flexible hoses of this invention can be designed with varying diameters and quantities as needed to meet the requirements for adjusting the surface flatness of soft cans with different filler shapes and states. For soft cans with small solid particles as fillers, a single continuous circular tube of equal or varying diameter is sufficient to adjust the flatness. For soft cans with large solid fillers, two or more interconnected circular tubes are required. The number and position of the flexible hoses can be designed according to the deformation at different locations. Furthermore, for locations requiring large deformation to achieve the desired flatness, more or higher-density flexible hoses can be arranged to obtain greater deformation adjustment capability.

[0025] Finally, the technical solution of the present invention can meet the surface flatness adjustment of the retort pouch at any stage of production, transportation and sales, and the adjustment process is simple and quick. It can meet the requirements of the outer surface of the retort pouch due to storage or temperature environment at any stage of production, transportation and sales, and will effectively promote the in-depth application of retort pouch in the fast food field. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the retort bag of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the elastic hose of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the elastic hose of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] See Figures 1 to 3According to the present invention, an aluminum foil retort pouch 1 with surface flatness adjustment function includes a polyolefin inner layer 11, an aluminum foil intermediate layer 12, and a polyester outer layer 13. It also includes an elastic hose 14, located below the polyester outer layer 13 and above the aluminum foil intermediate layer 12. Furthermore, it includes a compression-type self-inflating device 18, which is connected to the air inlet of the elastic hose 14 at the end of the retort pouch 1. The four edges of the retort pouch are firmly bonded, and the sealing form and shape of the top and bottom edges can be adjusted according to actual needs. It should be noted that, to better illustrate the differences between the different layers, Figure 1 Each layer, including the polyolefin inner layer 11, the aluminum foil intermediate layer 12, and the polyester outer layer 13, is represented by a black or white area of ​​a certain thickness. The thickness and shape of each area do not represent the actual size and shape of the retort pouch. Figure 1 The layers present a symmetrical structure, with the food filling area located between the two opposing polyolefin inner layers 11.

[0030] Furthermore, the polyolefin inner layer 11 and the aluminum foil intermediate layer 12 are tightly bonded together. Except for the area of ​​the elastic tube 14, the aluminum foil intermediate layer 12 and the polyester outer layer 13 are firmly bonded at at least three locations, and the four edges of the aluminum foil intermediate layer 12 and the polyester outer layer 13 are firmly bonded together.

[0031] Furthermore, the compression-type self-inflating device 18 is a foldable elastic tube or a rubber bladder. The compression-type self-inflating device can be folded and placed at the bottom or side of the cooking bag 1, or it can be designed separately from the cooking bag.

[0032] Furthermore, the flexible hose 14 is internally provided with a rigid plastic ball 15. The surface of the rigid plastic ball 15 has 1-3 through-holes. When the through-holes connect the two sides of the flexible hose, gas can flow through them during inflation. When the middle plastic ball rotates, causing the through-holes to be blocked by the flexible hose wall, an air bladder is formed between the two plastic balls. An air bladder can be formed between any two rigid plastic balls 15. The size of the air bladder can be controlled by the movement and rotation of adjacent plastic balls and the amount of gas filling. Furthermore, the axes of the through-holes within the rigid plastic balls are parallel to each other and follow a single direction, making it simpler and easier to control the position of the air holes and to control the passage of gas within the flexible hose. Because the shape and distribution of the filler vary at different locations, the outer surface of the aluminum foil interlayer exhibits different deformations. The presence of air bladders allows for shape adjustment based on the required shape at different locations, enabling on-demand adjustment. By adjusting the number and size of air bladders at different locations, the deformation differences caused by the food filler on the outer surface of the aluminum foil interlayer can be effectively compensated, thereby achieving a smooth polyester outer layer surface.

[0033] Furthermore, at least two points 16 on the outer surface of the flexible hose 14 are bonded to the outer surface of the aluminum foil intermediate layer 12. The bonding of the flexible hose 14 is achieved by bottom adhesive or by top covering adhesive tape. This bonding design can limit the position of the flexible hose. Furthermore, the distance between any two adjacent bonding points 16 is not less than five times the diameter of the flexible hose 14 in its unexpanded state. This design allows for adjustment of the flexible hose's position within a certain range and for expansion after inflation, thereby enabling better adjustment of the shape of the polyester outer layer surface.

[0034] Furthermore, the rigid plastic ball 15 can move or rotate inside the elastic hose 14 under external pressure, thereby adjusting the position and size of the airbag. On the one hand, the position of the elastic hose can be adjusted in real time during inflation by means of compression, and on the other hand, the position of the elastic hose can be adjusted after inflation, ultimately achieving the desired shape adjustment effect.

[0035] Furthermore, the diameter of the rigid plastic ball 15 is 1.5-2 times the diameter of the elastic hose 14 in its unexpanded state. It should be noted that... Figure 3 The dimensions of the rigid plastic ball and flexible hose shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the actual dimensions or relative dimensional relationships under any conditions. The limited diameter of the rigid plastic ball 15 further restricts the expansion degree of the flexible hose, ensuring the safety of the retort pouch inflation.

[0036] Furthermore, at least one movable closing ring 17 is provided on the outer surface of the elastic hoses 14 on both sides of any rigid plastic ball 15. The inner diameter of the closing ring 17 is smaller than the diameter of the plastic ball 15. Preferably, the inner diameter of the closing ring 17 is 1 / 2 to 4 / 5 of the diameter of the plastic ball 15. The design of the closing ring restricts the movement of the plastic ball to a certain extent. The closing ring and the plastic ball work together to achieve stable formation of the airbag, thereby allowing the maximum diameter of the airbag to exceed the diameter of the plastic ball, resulting in a better shape adjustment effect. When the movement of the rigid plastic ball is required for airbag space adjustment, it can be achieved by moving the closing ring and the rigid plastic ball simultaneously under the action of external force.

[0037] Furthermore, the flexible hose 14 is a continuous circular tube with a constant or variable diameter, the diameter of which is 1-2 mm. Different diameters can be arranged to accommodate different deformation areas of the retort pouch.

[0038] Furthermore, the flexible hose 14 consists of two or more interconnected circular tubes. The two or more flexible hoses can coordinate with each other and adjust in real time to achieve the required deformation adjustment in a timely and effective manner.

[0039] Furthermore, the elastic hose 14 is a polymer material hose, and its outer surface is coated with an oily lubricating medium. The coating of the oily lubricating medium facilitates more flexible and easier adjustment of the local position of the elastic hose. The local position of the elastic hose 14 can be adjusted by squeezing it onto the surface of the polyester outer layer 13, thereby allowing for targeted adjustment of surface flatness.

[0040] Furthermore, in the unexpanded state, the elastic hose 14 between any two bonding points 16 is in a bent shape. This design further provides space for the adjustment of the elastic hose's position within a certain range, as well as for its expansion after inflation.

[0041] Furthermore, in another preferred embodiment, the polyester outer layer 13 has an openable structure with snap-fit ​​sides, and the elastic hose 14 is bonded to the upper surface of the aluminum foil intermediate layer 12. There is no fixed connection between the polyester outer layer 13 and the lower elastic hose 14, and the surface polyester outer layer 13 can deform freely when the elastic hose 14 is inflated. In this embodiment, the adjustment of the elastic hose is more convenient.

[0042] This invention discloses an aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function, which can adjust the shape of the outer surface of the retort pouch as needed. The flatness adjustment can be repeated multiple times at any stage after leaving the factory, meeting the surface flatness adjustment needs of the retort pouch at any stage of production, transportation and sales. This will effectively solve the problem of uncontrollable deformation of retort pouches, effectively improve the aesthetics of retort pouches for soft cans, promote the effective display of product information, boost the market sales of soft can products, and enhance consumer satisfaction.

Claims

1. A retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function, comprising a polyolefin inner layer, an aluminum foil middle layer, and a polyester outer layer, characterized in that, It also includes an elastic hose located below the polyester outer layer; it also includes a compression self-inflating device connected to the air inlet of the elastic hose at the end of the retort pouch; the elastic hose is further provided with a rigid plastic ball inside, the surface of which has 1-3 through-holes; at least two points on the outer surface of the elastic hose are bonded to the outer surface of the aluminum foil intermediate layer, and the distance between any two adjacent bonding points is not less than 5 times the diameter of the elastic hose in its unexpanded state; at least one movable closed ring is provided on the outer surface of the elastic hose on both sides of any plastic ball.

2. The aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compression-type self-inflating device is a foldable elastic tube or a rubber bladder.

3. The aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid plastic ball can move or rotate inside the elastic hose under external pressure.

4. The aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function according to claim 1, characterized in that, A flexible hose is a continuous circular tube with a constant or variable diameter.

5. The aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function according to claim 1, characterized in that, Flexible hoses consist of two or more interconnected round tubes.

6. The aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the unexpanded state, the elastic hoses between any two bonding points are arranged in a bent shape.

7. The aluminum foil retort pouch with surface flatness adjustment function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The polyester outer layer has an openable structure with snaps on the sides.

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