METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FUNCTIONAL WATERTIGHT COMPOSITE STRUCTURES AND THE PRODUCTS OBTAINED ACCORDING TO THIS METHOD

Abstract

This certificate of addition relates to a process for manufacturing functional, airtight composite structures for presenting, containing, and / or packaging suitable products. The functional, airtight composite structure is obtained by creating a sufficient vacuum inside an envelope 5 containing a structural material 1, which is hermetically sealed after the desired functional shape has been achieved.

Description

Process for the manufacture of functional watertight composite structures and the products obtained according to this process. In the French patent filed on 03.02.1989 under N°89 01391 in the name of the applicant, a process for developing waterproof composite structures that can be edible for presenting, containing or packaging agri-food products intended for human or animal consumption was described. A process characterized in that it consists of isolating under vacuum by the use of a sealed envelope, obtained from at least one tearable and separable food-grade thermoplastic film from a structure made from at least one preferably edible material, intended to present, contain and package an agri-food product. This is how, from a structure made from edible material, we obtain a container that, after fulfilling its function, is consumable in its mass or, at least, non-polluting. Although this process gives total satisfaction, improvements have been found to the provisions of the main patent, the present certificate of addition therefore aims to provide these improvements which consist more specifically in the making of functional sealed composite structures for presenting, containing and / or packaging marketable products, a process of making according to claims 1,7,8 and 9 of the main patent, characterized in that there is provided inside at least one suitable plastic envelope, sealed and hermetically sealable, a material, and / or a product, which, in its mass, is capable of being shaped and the whole, envelope and material, and / or. The product, in and / or in a versatile functional form or adapted to the shape of at least a part of the product to be presented, is contained and / or packaged, and a sufficient atmospheric vacuum is created inside the envelope in order to conform, compact, stiffen, maintain and / or preserve, by physical constraints, the material, and / or the product, and the envelope, constituting the sealed composite structure, in the functional form obtained. According to a new characteristic, the material, and / or product, disposed in the envelope and capable of being shaped can be at least a material, and / or a product, which in its mass is, among other things, normally inconsistent and / or normally without structural cohesion. Thus, within the envelope, one can arrange and use as structural material a material, and / or a product, formless, not previously structured, which considerably broadens the applications of the process. According to another characteristic of this addition. the material, and / or product, placed in the envelope is a material, and / or product, edible raw or at least precooked or processed and capable of being combined with at least one accompanying product for its consumption. Another notable feature is the introduction of a material and / or product into the waterproof envelope. consumable constituting the accessory of the consumable product presented, contained and / or packaged. Advantageously, this process will produce complete dishes; depending on the material and / or product included in the container forming the functional structure, it will be possible, for example: with rice and its garnish, to make paella; with semolina and its garnish, couscous; with granulated sugar and its fruit contents, the exact quantities needed to make jams. The functional, airtight structure consisting of an envelope containing, for example, puffed rice or wheat, will be preferred for packaging fresh products, meats, fish, deli meats, vegetables, fruits; once emptied of its contents, the structure will be cut open, releasing the puffed rice or wheat to be offered to animals. Following a further improvement of the present addition characterized in that the resulting functional composite structure presents in its form and / or in a place, a means of visual and / or sensory identification such as a stylized representation and / or a relief marking in plain text and / or in braille, allowing to be immediately identified, in particular, the nature, origin or destination of the product marketed. Other applications, features and advantages will appear during the detailed reading of the improvements of the certificate of addition described in the drawings, but before addressing the description of these, and, in view of the many applications of the process, it is appropriate to distinguish the nature of the materials or products likely to be contained in the envelope which, envelope plus material / product will make up the functional composite structure according to the process. The expression "Biopack": structural process, trademark registered in the names of the applicant and Mr. LOTTE L.Serge, designates in the following, any of the functional sealed composite structures obtained according to the characteristics of the present addition in accordance with the process of the main patent, and obtained by having made a sufficient atmospheric vacuum inside an envelope containing a product, the product / envelope composite being maintained in shape by physical constraints due mainly to the relative and sufficient vacuums. Materials or products without cohesion or particular consistency may be in the form of: seeds, powders, granules, particles, crystals, flours, pieces, divided products, dry pasta, soft pasta, more or less viscous liquids, etc., as an example we will use - A consumable material but without particular use raw or processed cereals wheat, rice, oats, barley, corn, etc. edible for animals and, at least, non-polluting. - A consumable substance containing an additive for its consumption: raw or at least precooked or puffed cereals, dry or fresh pasta, dried vegetables, seasoned, flavored, vitaminized, or offering a particular appeal to humans or animals: cats, dogs, birds, etc. - A consumable material or product that can be consumed with the marketed product: raw, precooked, flavored, seasoned, natural or cooked, cereals, pasta, semolina, vegetables, fruit pieces, dried fruit, starchy foods, raw fries, vegetables in pieces, lentils, beans, tomatoes, celery, carrots, etc., also applicable to animals. - An accessory and / or complementary material or product: semolina for couscous - plain pastry for a tart - beans for a cassoulet - rice for fish cooked according to a specific recipe, etc.; for non-edible products: potting soil for flower bulbs or onions - clay pebbles for cacti, etc.; for animals: vegetables or cereals for pâté - attapulgite for the dish containing the kibble, etc. - A non-consumable material but likely to be usable or converted for another function: clay balls, colored sand, sawdust, expanded polystyrene balls (for stuffing pillows or toys), etc. - The material or product of the envelope is the product to be marketed: the resulting Biopack is intended to receive, if it is a consumable product such as pasta or rice, the box of sauce or ingredient, or the premium or promotional gift, for example: the coffee will contain a figurine, etc. - Figure 1 represents an example of a structuring material; - Figure 2 represents the structuring material between two films in formation; - Figure 3 represents the functional, watertight composite structure according to the Biopack process; - Figure 4 represents a Biopack packaging a marketable product; - Figure 5 represents a dual functional structure; - Figure 6 represents a Biopack for 9-flower bulbs; - Figure 7 represents a Biopack for a seedling; - Figure 8 represents sauerkraut containing its garnish; - Figure 9 represents a cross-section of Figure 8; - Figure 10 represents an identifiable Biopack; - Figure 11 represents another Biopack identifying the product contained; - Figure 12 represents another identifying Biopack; - Figure 13 represents another Biopack according to the process; - Figure 14 represents a shaped Biopack enhancing the marketable product.- Figure 15 is a cross-section of Figure 14 - Figure 16 represents a product identification Biopack according to the process - Figure 17 is an identifiable Biopack for dog product - Figure 18 is an identifiable Biopack for cat product. As an example, Figure 1 represents puffed rice particles (1) for animal feed; Figure 2 shows puffed rice (1) arranged between two films (2)(3) and naturally shaped using molds, forms or any other suitable and appropriate means; a first depression between the two films (2)(3) is made in order to proceed to the formation of this composite assembly and to properly arrange, while holding them, the puffed rice particles (1) in the intended functional shape, here shaped to constitute a tray intended to present, contain and package an agri-food product. Films (2) and (3) are made from food-grade plastic material, capable of being deformed either, when hot: thermoformable or heat-shrinkable thermoplastic or, when cold: stretchable quality or capable of being compatible and usable for different types of cooking: steam, microwave, infrared, etc., while remaining perfectly inert. Of course, the films (1) and (2) that will form the watertight envelope can have different and complementary characteristics, depending on the characteristics of the material contained within and constituting the composite structure. Thus, co-extruded, complex, or reinforced films (for example, with an aluminum film) can be used; opaque, translucent, composite, expanded, of varying thicknesses, and even pre-formed or thermoformed depending on the consistency of the structural material. Figure 3 shows that after creating a sufficient and permanent vacuum between the films (2) & (3) contracting the puffed rice particles (1) forming the internal structure, these two films are hermetically sealed together by a circular airtight weld (4) forming with the envelope (5) a functional airtight composite structure, rigid enough to fulfill its role as a tray for consumable product. Figure 4 represents the Biopack obtained, containing, for example, a cutlet (6), sealed with a food-grade waterproof plastic film (7), a circular waterproof seal (8) was made after, possibly, creating a vacuum inside the sealed container. Depending on the nature of the product to be presented, contained or packaged, the packaging can be carried out in Biopacks in a mummified atmosphere in order to prevent oxidation and improve the preservation of the packaged product. Once freed from its contents, the cutlet (6), a cut can be made on the Biopack tray using a notch (9) previously provided, the air will decompress the puffed rice (1) which can supplement the diet of a pet or be offered to small birds. Only the envelope (5) and the sealed film (7) will be discarded, which is a minimum in relation to the mass of the Biopack. Figure 5 shows the cross-section of a Biopack with 3 compartments designed to present, contain and package three products that can be complementary to obtain, for example, a complete breakfast based on milk and cereals. According to the process of the present addition, a first Biopack is obtained from two films (2a)(3a) between which cereals (10) such as corn flakes, puffed wheat and dried fruit, etc., have been introduced, after shaping and vacuuming, a third film (11) is hermetically sealed (4a) to the first two after introducing an ingredient (11) such as chocolate, coffee or soluble tea and vacuuming, this double Biopack containing, for example, milk (13), will be hermetically sealed after sealing (8a) the film (7a) on the circular side. According to another application of the process, Figure 6 represents the cross-section of a Biopack for presenting, containing and packaging onions (14) or flower bulbs; the structure consists of a sealed envelope obtained with films (2b) and (3b) containing, for example, potting soil (15), heather soil or any other suitable material; after compacting and maintaining it in the shape obtained by the matrix, sufficient air is removed before sealing the films (2b)(3b) by a circular weld (4b); after conditioning the bulbs or onions (14), the perforated film (16) is welded (8b), allowing sufficient aeration inside the cells of the Biopack. An improvement to the application of the Biopack structural process (Figure 7) makes it possible to obtain a sealed container from an envelope made of two films (2c)(3c) containing a material (17), for example, fertilizer, peat, colored sand, clay balls, crushed pine bark, or other products essential to a plant. After forming the envelope and the material, and evacuating the air, then performing the circular sealing (4c), the plant (18) and its compost (19) can be introduced. At the time of transplanting, it will simply be necessary to remove the plant from its pot and release the internal structure of the Biopack: the fertilizer or material (17) necessary for the plant's growth (18). Another application of the Biopack structural process is the use of one of the components or part of a complete cooked dish to present, contain and package the other part of the cooked dish while preserving their organoleptic characteristics. Figures 8 and 9 depict a Biopack designed to attractively present an assortment of charcuterie within a functional structure made of fermented and flavored cabbage to create a garnished sauerkraut. The Biopack's functional composite structure is formed from two films (2d)(3d) that create the outer shell, and its structural material is sauerkraut (20). Sufficient and permanent atmospheric evacuation is achieved after the functional structure is formed, incorporating the compartments (21, 21a, 21b) designed to properly arrange the ingredients. A structural reinforcement element (22) can be placed to further stiffen the Biopack in the event that very thin and / or insufficiently rigid films (2d)(3d) have been used. After placing the charcuterie in the spaces (21, 21a, 21b) intended to receive sausages (23), sausage slices (24), ham (25). etc.; we will proceed with the sealing using a food-grade film (7b) whose weld (8c) will seal the Biopack. The sauerkraut can be cooked or reheated directly, without removing it from the packaging, in the microwave, by steaming, or in a bain-marie. This method of applying the Biopack process is suitable for a wide variety of prepared dishes, fresh or frozen, and for all preparations where it is not always practical to mix the ingredients in advance. The present process is also characterized in that the Biopack consists of an envelope of which at least one of the constituent films may be opaque, colored in its mass and / or printed, said envelope may preferably contain a product or other structural material which has been previously lightened such as puffed, expanded or popped cereals such as popcorn, the Biopack being molded in such a form that it represents in its shape or by a stylized silhouette, the nature, origin or destination of the product presented, contained and packaged; thus, Figure 10 represents a Biopack of the tray type, made and usable according to the same process represented previously and analyzed in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and representing a stylized bull's head (26), the snout being the container (27) intended to package beef, for example, minced meat.After use, the Biopack will be torn open to release the cereals, which will then be edible and usable again. Like Figure 10, Figure 11 represents a Biopack which will allow the origin of the pieces or derivatives of beef (28) to be identified by a suggestive shape. Figure 12 represents a Biopack allowing identification without risk of error of the nature of the product marketed, the pig heads(29)(30) are arranged head-to-tail, on either side of the container, thus showing one of the two heads right-side up. Figure 13, the identification of a piece of duck will be facilitated by the general appearance reminiscent of the animal(31), a Braille marking(32) may be provided in a place on the circular flank, indicating the mandatory inscriptions in addition to the nature of the product sold. A Biopack can also be used to package and enhance a fresh product sold in bulk, Figure 14 shows a fish (33) in a Biopack, and shown in cross-section Figure 15, whose structural material (34), possibly adapted to the product, flavoured rice, potato slices or puffed cereals which, in addition to their excellent structural strength, will be isothermal, substantially like the synthetic alveolated products. Frozen products such as, for example, Figure 16, will be recognizable and attractive, the fish sticks (35) contained in a stylized fish-shaped insulated Biopack (36) will be perfectly identifiable. Products intended for animals will be recognizable by the identifiable shape of the Biopack, Figure 11, the Biopack represents a profile of a dog(37) the container(27a) will allow the food to be presented for sale, the structural material of the envelope will preferably be a food supplement specially intended for dogs. Like the Biopacks for dogs, those for all other pets will be identifiable by their packaging. The Biopacks for cats will be recognized by the image of a cat's head (38), and more suitable food can be mixed with the structural material inside the container (27b) of the cat Biopack. The essential purpose of this process is to offer, in a way, a self-display, a self-contained and a self-packaging unit, most of which is likely to be used or consumed. Thus, a Biopack may consist of a structural material made up of puffed cereals contained in a sealed envelope designed to contain and preserve, for a certain time, ice cream which itself is structured to form alveoli intended to contain the biscuits and syrups used to coat the ice cream. The full extent of the possibilities of the present process developed in this certificate of addition and in accordance with the main Patent will be understood, for which, and only by way of example, some embodiments of the process have been described. As is self-evident, and as is already clear from the foregoing, the process is by no means limited to those methods of implementation, nor to those methods of applying its various characteristics, that have been more specifically indicated; on the contrary, it encompasses all variants, notably the one in which a rigid, pre-thermoformed film is used to create the specially designed surface of the Biopack, reproducing all the locations of the products to be enhanced. The use of such a sheet will eliminate the need for a structural reinforcement element. CLAIMS 1) A method of elaboration, according to claims 1, 7, 8 and 9 of the Main Patent, for the making of functional sealed composite structures for presenting, containing and / or packaging a product, characterized in that a material (1), and / or a product, which in its mass is capable of being shaped, is placed inside an envelope (5) made of two suitable sealed and hermetically sealable plastic films (2)(3), and the envelope (5) and material (1) are shaped into and / or into a versatile functional shape or one adapted to the shape of at least a part of the product to be presented, contained and / or packaged, and a sufficient atmospheric vacuum is created inside the envelope (5) in order to conform, compact, stiffen, maintain and / or preserve by physical constraints the material (1), and / or the product, and the envelope in the functional shape obtained, intended to present, contain and package a product. 2) A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the material(1), and / or the product, disposed in the envelope(5) and capable of being shaped can be, at least, a material, and / or a product, which in its mass is among other things, normally inconsistent and / or normally without structural cohesion such as powders, particles, crystals, pieces, flours, pastes, fibers. 3) A method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the material(1), and / or the product, disposed in the envelope(5) is edible raw or at least precooked and capable of being supplemented with at least one accompanying product for its consumption. 4) A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material(1), and / or the product, contained in the envelope(5) is a consumable material, constituting the accessory of the consumable product presented, contained and / or packaged. 5) A method according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the material(15), and / or the product, contained in the envelope, is an accessory and / or complementary material to the product presented, contained and / or packaged. 6) A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several envelopes (2a)(3a)(11) each containing a material which may be different and / or complementary(10)(12), are formed and kept in the functional form obtained. 7) A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the envelope contains a structural reinforcement element (22) in a shape suitable for stiffening and maintaining the material (20) and the envelope in the functional shape obtained. 8) A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional sealed composite structure obtained has in its form(26) or in a place(28) a means of visual and / or sensory identification such as a stylized representation(31) and / or raised lettering in plain text and / or in braille(32) allowing identification in particular of the nature, origin or destination of the product presented, contained and packaged. 9) A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional structure obtained, containing, presenting and packaging a product (6) is capped with a suitable film (7) and sealed (8) after having carried out, where appropriate, a vacuum in a possibly modified atmosphere. 10) The products presented, contained and / or packaged in a functional sealed composite structure obtained by implementing the process according to any one of the preceding claims.