Food packaging method and packaging machine

Abstract

A method (600) for packaging a food product is provided, comprising receiving (602) at least one packaging material (PM) in a packaging machine (500), the packaging material (PM) comprising a cellulose-based intermediate layer (400), an inner layer (404) arranged to face a food product (FP), and an outer layer (402), an ink-based print is provided on the outer layer (402), curing (604) the inner layer (404) of the at least one packaging material (PM) such that ink particles (302) released from the outer layer (402) to the inner layer (404) bond to the inner layer (404), thereby preventing the ink particles (302) from being released to the food product (FP), forming (606) the at least one packaging material (PM) into a package (110), and filling (608) the package (110) with the food product (FP).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates generally to liquid food packaging technology, and more particularly to a method for reducing the risk of ink particles associated with printing packaging materials transferring to food products. [Background technology]

[0002] Roll-fed packaging machines are now commonly available. An example of such a machine is the Tetra Pak® A3, also called a filler, sold by Tetra Pak® Corporation. Briefly, a roll-fed packaging machine receives a reel of packaging material in roll form, which is unwound and a web of packaging material is fed into the machine. To prevent, or at least minimize, the spread of unwanted microorganisms from the packaging material to the food product, the web is treated using a hydrogen peroxide bath or a low voltage electron beam (LVEB) device. Once the microorganisms on the web have been killed, the web is formed into a tube held vertically. The food product is filled into the tube from above, and the tube is continuously sealed and cut at the bottom end, allowing packages to be produced at impressive speeds, e.g., 30,000 packages per hour.

[0003] Before the packaging material is fed into the packaging machine, it is printed. In many cases, the packaging material is produced and printed in a so-called converting plant. Briefly, in such a plant, a laminate made of different layers is produced and the outer layer of the packaging material is printed, which is called decoration.

[0004] When the packaging material is wound onto a reel, the printed outer layer is pressed against the inner layer. The effect of this is the risk of ink particles transferring from the outer layer to the inner layer that is made to face the food once the package is formed. To mitigate the effects of ink particles adhering to the inner layer, food-grade inks have been developed that are safe for consumers, i.e. do not pose a risk to the consumer even if they do get on the food. Alternatively, or in addition, a cover layer can be provided over the print to eliminate or at least reduce the risk.

[0005] Another possible solution to the problem would be to have the printing take place in the packaging machine after the packaging material has been wound off the reel, i.e. changing the order of the steps and not carrying out the printing when the packaging material is presented on the reel, thereby eliminating the risk of printing particles transferring from the outer layer to the inner layer.

[0006] Despite available solutions on how to avoid or at least reduce the adverse effects associated with ink particles migrating from an outer layer to an inner layer during transport of the packaging material, the problem of migrated ink particles remains. Thus, there is a need for a solution to reduce the adverse effects of ink particles migrating between the outer and inner layers without compromising the cost efficiency and versatility of the packaging machine. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome one or more of the above identified limitations of the prior art, in particular to provide a safe, cost-effective and versatile method for reducing the effect of ink particles being transferred from an outer layer of a printed packaging material to an inner layer of the packaging material arranged to face a food product when the package is formed.

[0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of packaging a food product, the method comprising: receiving at least one packaging material at a packaging machine, the packaging material including a cellulose-based intermediate layer, an inner layer arranged to face the food product, and an outer layer, the outer layer being provided with ink-based printing; curing the at least one inner layer of the packaging material such that ink particles released from the outer layer to the inner layer bond to the inner layer, thereby preventing the ink particles from being released into the food product; forming at least one packaging material into a package; Filling the packages with food, Be prepared to do so.

[0009] The advantage of curing the packaging material after it is received in the packaging machine is that even if ink particles are transferred from the outer layer to the inner layer during transport, for example, from the printer arrangement to the packaging machine, these particles are bound to the inner layer and do not transfer from the inner layer to the food product at a later stage. By arranging the curing device in this way, various measures to prevent the ink particles from reaching the inner layer can be omitted, which can result in improved cost efficiency.

[0010] Curing can be accomplished by ultraviolet (UV) lamps, electron beam devices, and / or light emitting diode (LED) devices.

[0011] This method hardens the inner layer and also Reducing the number of microorganisms on the inner layer by using UV lamps, electron beam devices, and / or LED devices; The present invention may also include the following.

[0012] The energy (often in the form of light) used to harden the ink particles on the inner layer can also be used to kill microorganisms present on the inner layer. In this way, the energy delivered to the inner layer can serve two purposes: hardening the ink particles to prevent them from contaminating the food product, and killing the microorganisms to prevent them from contaminating the food product.

[0013] The packaging material may comprise a light barrier layer arranged to pass light of the transmitted wavelengths, and the method may comprise: emitting light from an ultraviolet lamp, an electron beam device, and / or an LED device at a transmitted wavelength; The light of a wavelength transmitted through the packaging material reduces the number of microorganisms present on the outer layer of the web. The present invention may further include:

[0014] The advantage of having a light barrier layer that allows light of transmitted wavelengths to pass through is that it shields the food from sunlight, reducing the risk of food deterioration, while allowing light of a limited wavelength range to pass through the packaging material, allowing the energy emitted by UV lamps, LED lamps and / or electron beam devices to reduce the number of microorganisms not only on the inner layer but also on the outer layer.

[0015] The light emitted by the LED device has an ink-specific wavelength that matches the properties of the ink used.

[0016] The packaging material need not include a cover layer disposed outside the printed outer layer.

[0017] The risk of ink droplets transferring from the outer layer to the inner layer is mitigated because the ink droplets transferred to the inner layer are bound by the curing device, which in turn eliminates or at least reduces the need for means to inhibit the transfer of ink droplets from the outer layer to the inner layer. The omission of the cover layer not only provides a more cost-effective packaging material, but also eliminates the need for a printer to have provisions for applying a cover layer after printing.

[0018] The packaging material may not have an ink migration prevention layer, which allows ink particles to migrate through the packaging material from the outer layer to the inner layer.

[0019] The transfer of ink particles from the outer layer to the inner layer may not necessarily be the result of the web of packaging material being wound on a reel with the inner layer against the outer layer, but may be the result of the ink particles passing through the packaging material. To avoid such transfer, it is common to use an ink transfer prevention layer. However, if the ink particles can be treated in the packaging machine with the inner layer, the need for such an ink transfer prevention layer is eliminated, or at least reduced. This layer can therefore be omitted, resulting in a more cost-effective packaging material.

[0020] The curing step can be divided into a first stage curing using a first wavelength range and a second stage curing using a second wavelength range, the second wavelength range being broader than the first wavelength range.

[0021] The first stage cure may be performed by an LED device and the second stage cure by a UV lamp.

[0022] The advantage of using a combination of an LED device and a UV lamp is that a specific wavelength range of light adjusted to the characteristics of the ink being used is emitted in the first stage, and a broader wavelength range of light is emitted in the second stage, ensuring that ink particles that were not properly combined by the LED device are reliably combined after passing through the UV lamp.

[0023] The wrapper may be a roll-fed wrapper and the wrapping material may be fed to the wrapper in the form of a web wound on a reel with the outer layer in contact with the inner layer.

[0024] Having the possibility to store the printed packaging material on reels after printing has been done by the printing press arrangement and before the packages are formed and filled by the packaging machine results in efficient storage of packaging material and an improvement to the supply chain.

[0025] According to a second aspect there is provided a packaging machine for packaging a food product, the packaging machine comprising: a packaging material receiving portion arranged to receive a packaging material, the packaging material including a cellulose-based intermediate layer, an inner layer arranged to face the food product, and an outer layer, the outer layer being printed with ink; a curing device positioned to cure the inner layer such that ink particles disposed on the inner layer bond to the inner layer, thereby preventing the ink particles from being released into the food product; a package former arranged to form the packaging material into a package; a product filling device for filling food into packages; Equipped with.

[0026] The same features and advantages set out above with respect to the first embodiment also apply to this second embodiment.

[0027] The curing device may include an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, an electron beam device, and / or a light emitting diode (LED) device.

[0028] The curing device may be a curing and microbial reduction device arranged to simultaneously cure and reduce the microbial load of the inner layer.

[0029] The packaging material may comprise a light barrier layer arranged to transmit light of the transmitted wavelengths, and the UV lamps, electron beam devices and / or LED devices may be arranged to emit light of the transmitted wavelengths, thereby enabling reduction of microorganisms on the outer layer of the web by light of the transmitted wavelengths passing through the packaging material.

[0030] The packaging material receiving section may be a packaging material reel receiving section arranged to receive packaging material in the form of a reel on which a web of packaging material is wound, and the packaging machine may further comprise a web supplying device arranged to unwind the web from the reel and supply the web downstream of the packaging machine.

[0031] Further objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roll-fed packaging machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic layout of a printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a web of packaging material wound on a reel. [Figure 4A] 3A-3C are cross-sectional views of different packaging materials. [Figure 4B] 3A-3C are cross-sectional views of different packaging materials. [Figure 4C] 3A-3C are cross-sectional views of different packaging materials. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging machine incorporating a curing device. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a method for packaging food products. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a packaging machine 100. In the illustrated example, the packaging machine 100 is a roll-fed carton packaging machine. The general principle of such machines is that a web 102 is formed from a roll of packaging material (PM). Although not shown, if necessary to meet food safety regulations, the web 102 may be sterilized using a hydrogen peroxide bath, a low voltage electron beam (LVEB) device, or other device capable of reducing a large number of unwanted microorganisms. After sterilization, the web 102 may be formed into a tube 106 by using a longitudinal seal arrangement 104. After forming the tube, a food product (FP), for example milk, may be fed into the tube 106 via a product pipe 108 that is at least partially disposed inside the tube 106.

[0035] To form a package 110 from a tube 106 filled with a food product (FP), a transverse seal can be made at the bottom end of the tube by using a transverse seal device 112. In general, this device 112 has two main functions: 1) to provide a transverse seal, i.e., to fuse together two opposing sides of the tube so that the product in the lower part of the tube located below the sealing device is separated from the product in the tube located above the sealing device, and 2) to cut the lower part of the tube at the transverse seal 114 so that the package 110 is formed. Alternatively, instead of performing the transverse seal and the bottom cut-off in one and the same device 112 as shown, the bottom cut-off step can be performed in a subsequent step by a separate device or by the consumer if the package is intended to be sold in a multipack.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a schematic of a printer arrangement 200. Such an arrangement can be installed at a food production site, for example a dairy farm, and can provide the site with packaging material (PM) without printing or with some printed parts. The advantage of such a setup is that the product to be produced can be determined at a later stage. Another advantage is that less storage of packaging material (PM) is required, especially for sites producing a large variety of products. In other words, an improvement in the supply chain can be achieved.

[0037] In the illustrated example, a reel 202a carrying unprinted packaging material (PM) is fed into the printer arrangement 200. The packaging material (PM) is unwound and then fed in a feed direction (FD) to a printing device 204. This device 204 feeds ink onto the packaging material (PM). Downstream of the printing device 204, a curing device 206 is arranged. Energy (E), often in the form of light, is applied to the packaging material (PM) in order to cure the ink (Ink) so that it adheres properly to the packaging material (PM). Once printed and cured, the packaging material (PM) is wound onto the reel together with the printed packaging material (PM) 202b.

[0038] Although not shown, printing may occur directly on the web 102, ie, the web 102 is fed directly from manufacture to the printer arrangement 200 and therefore is not first wound onto a reel 202a.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 3, the application of energy (E) to the ink (Ink) by the curing device 206 results in the formation of cured ink particles 300 attached to the outer layer, but also transfer ink particles 302 located on the inner layer. The transfer of ink particles can be an effect of the web being wound in a roll, as shown, but transfer can occur in other ways as well. For example, although not shown, there can be a situation where air currents within the printer configuration 200 cause ink particles to reach the inner layer of the packaging material. This can occur with a web as shown in Fig. 2, but can also occur when printing on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, for example.

[0040] 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a packaging material (PM) comprising a cellulosic intermediate layer 400, an outer layer 402 having an ink applied thereto, an inner layer 404 arranged to face the food product (FP), a cover layer 406 arranged on the outside of the outer layer 402, a light barrier layer 408, and an ink migration prevention layer 410. As shown, the light barrier layer 408 and the ink migration prevention layer 410 may be disposed between the inner layer 404 and the cellulosic intermediate layer 400, although other configurations are possible.

[0041] By placing a cover layer 406 over the outer layer 402, the risk of ink migration can be reduced. However, having such a layer adds cost in terms of more complex packaging material and in that the printer configuration 200 must have the capability to add this extra layer after printing. Therefore, to achieve not only cost efficiency but also versatility, i.e., making on-site printing appealing to a wider group of food manufacturers, it would be beneficial to be able to omit the cover layer 406.

[0042] The ink migration prevention layer 410 may be its own layer as shown, but may also be a combination of different layers that accomplish functions other than being present solely to prevent ink migration. Even if not added in the printer configuration 210, the ink migration prevention layer 410 adds cost to the packaging material, and cost efficiencies can be achieved if such a layer can be omitted.

[0043] Figure 4B shows a schematic representation of a packaging material (PM) without the cover layer 406, but otherwise similar to the packaging material (PM) shown in Figure 4A. One way to overcome the increased risk of ink migration caused by the absence of the cover layer 406 is to not wind the web on a reel, but this would require the printer arrangement to be located close to the packaging machine, creating a drawback in terms of versatility.

[0044] 4C shows a schematic diagram of a packaging material (PM) without the cover layer 406 and without the ink migration prevention layer 410. If the ink migration prevention layer 410 is omitted, some of the ink may migrate through the packaging material (PM). Thus, when using a packaging material (PM) as shown in FIG. 4C, not only is there a risk that the ink (Ink) will migrate from the outer layer 402 to the inner layer 404 when it is rolled up, but there is also a risk that the ink (Ink) will pass through the packaging material (PM). The advantage of omitting the ink migration prevention layer 410 is that a more cost-effective packaging material (PM) can be realized.

[0045] In the packaging material (PM) shown in Fig. 4C, the light barrier layer 408 is replaced with a light barrier layer 412 arranged to pass light 414 of a transmission wavelength. In other words, the light barrier layer 412 is configured to pass light 414 of a specific transmission wavelength, rather than blocking all light. The advantage of this setup is that the food can be sufficiently shielded from sunlight, thereby reducing the risk of microbial growth in the food (FP), but the light 414 passing through the packaging material (PM) can be used to kill microorganisms on the outer layer 402 during processing of the packaging material (PM) before it is filled with the food (FP).

[0046] To be able to use the packaging material (PM) illustrated in Figures 4B and 4C, a packaging machine 500 illustrated in Figure 5 can be used. The machine 500 may comprise a packaging material receiver 502, here illustrated in the form of a reel receiver. After arranging the PM printed by the printer 200 illustrated in Figure 2 on the reel 202b, the packaging material can be unwound and the web 102 can be fed in a feed direction (FD) by a web feed device 504. The web feed device 504 often comprises a number of components arranged to feed and orient the web 102.

[0047] In the filling machine 500, a curing device 506 may be provided for emitting energy (E) so that the transferred ink particles 302 arranged on the inner layer 404 of the packaging material (PM) are cured, i.e., attached to the packaging material (PM). The curing device 506 may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED) device, an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, and / or an electron beam device. As shown in FIG. 5, the curing device 506 may comprise a combination of an LED device and a UV lamp. By having this combination, the web 102 may be exposed first to the energy (E) emitted from the LED device and then, downstream in the feed direction (FD), to the energy (E) emitted from the UV lamp. By having such a configuration, it is possible to provide first a first wavelength range and then a second wavelength range, the second wavelength range being wider than the first wavelength range. The first wavelength range may be adjusted to the properties of the ink (Ink) used, thereby providing a reliable and efficient curing.

[0048] By curing the inner layer 404 of the packaging material (PM) in the filling machine 500, the transferred ink particles 302 that may be at risk of contaminating the food product (FP) are cured and attached to the packaging material (PM). In other words, instead of avoiding the presence of the transferred particles 302 as in previous approaches, these particles are dealt with by the curing device 506. As described above with respect to the different packaging materials in Figures 4A to 4C, this not only brings advantages in terms of how the packaging material (PM) can be handled between the printer arrangement 200 and the packing machine 500, but also in terms of the possibility of using more cost-effective packaging materials (PM), such as, for example, packaging materials without the cover layer 406 and / or without the ink migration prevention layer 410.

[0049] After the web 102 has cured, packages are formed in a package forming apparatus 508, further shown in Figure 1, and the packages 110 are filled with food products (FP) in a product filling apparatus 510, also further shown in Figure 1. Although illustrated as a roll-fed carton packaging machine, the same principles can be applied to other food packaging where there is a risk of ink particles being transferred to the food product.

[0050] Although the stiffening device 506 is shown integrated with other portions of the packaging machine 500, other implementations are possible. For example, the packaging material receiver 502, a portion of the web feeding device 504, and the stiffening device 506 may be provided in separate devices connected to the packaging machine 500. Such an embodiment may be useful when upgrading an existing packaging machine that does not have a stiffening device.

[0051] 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method 600 for packaging a food product (FP). In a first step 602, at least one packaging material (PM) may be received into the packaging machine 500. The packaging material (PM) may include a cellulose-based middle layer 400, an inner layer 404 arranged to face the food product (FP), and an outer layer 402, where an ink-based print is provided on the outer layer 402.

[0052] In a second step 604, the inner layer 404 of at least one packaging material (PM) may be cured to bond the ink particles 302 released from the outer layer 402 to the inner layer 404 to the inner layer 404, thereby preventing the ink particles 302 from being released into the food product (FP).

[0053] In a third step 606 , at least one packaging material (PM) may be formed into a package 110 .

[0054] In a fourth step 608, the packages 110 may be filled with a food product (FP).

[0055] Optionally, the second step 604 may be divided into a first stage curing 610, in which a first range of wavelengths may be used, and a second stage curing 612, in which a second range of wavelengths may be used, where the second range of wavelengths may be broader than the first range of wavelengths.

[0056] Optionally, in a fifth step 614, which may be performed in parallel with the second step 604, the number of microorganisms on the inner layer 404 can be reduced by using UV lamps, e-beam devices and / or LED devices. In other words, at the same time, the transferred ink particles can be bound to the inner layer 404, thereby reducing the risk of them ending up in food and reducing the number of microorganisms on the inner layer 404.

[0057] Optionally, in a sixth step 616, light 414 of a transmitted wavelength can be emitted from a UV lamp, an electron beam device and / or an LED device, and in a seventh step 618, the number of microorganisms on the outer layer 402 of the web 102 can be reduced by the light 414 of a transmitted wavelength passing through the packaging material (PM).

[0058] From the foregoing description, while various embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for packaging food (600), wherein the method is A packaging machine (500) receives (602) at least one packaging material (PM), the packaging material (PM) comprising a cellulose-based intermediate layer (400), an inner layer (404) facing the food (FP), and an outer layer (402), wherein ink-based printing is provided on the outer layer (402). In order to prevent the ink particles (302) from being released into the food (FP), the inner layer (404) of the packaging material (PM) is cured (604) so ​​that the ink particles (302) released from the outer layer (402) to the inner layer (404) are bonded to the inner layer (404). The packaging material (PM) is formed into a package (110) (606), The food (FP) is filled into the package (110) (608). A method for preparing for something.

2. The curing (604) is performed by an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, an electron beam device and / or a light-emitting diode (LED) device. The method according to claim 1.

3. The inner layer (404) is cured (604) and at the same time, the number of microorganisms (614) on the inner layer (404) is reduced using a UV lamp, an electron beam device and / or an LED device. The method of claim 2,

4. The packaging material (PM) comprises a light barrier layer (412) arranged to allow light of a transmitted wavelength (414) to pass through, and the method (600) is, Light (414) from a UV lamp, electron beam device and / or LED device is emitted at a transmitted wavelength (616), The number of microorganisms (618) on the outer layer (402) of the web (102) is reduced by light (414) of the transmitted wavelength that has passed through the packaging material (PM). The method according to claim 3, further comprising the above.

5. The light emitted by the LED device has an ink-specific wavelength that is suitable for the characteristics of the ink used. The method according to claim 2.

6. The packaging material (PM) does not have a cover layer (406) placed outside the printed outer layer (402). The method according to claim 1.

7. The packaging material (PM) does not have an ink migration prevention layer (410), and allows the ink particles to migrate from the outer layer (402) to the inner layer (404) via the packaging material (PM). The method according to claim 1.

8. The curing step (604) is divided into a first curing stage (610) in which a first range of wavelengths is used and a second curing stage (612) in which a second range of wavelengths is used, wherein the second range of wavelengths is wider than the first range of wavelengths. The method according to claim 1.

9. The first stage of curing (610) is performed by an LED device, and the second stage of curing (612) is performed by a UV lamp. The method according to claim 8.

10. The packaging machine (500) is a roll-feed type packaging machine, and the packaging material (PM) is supplied to the packaging machine in the form of a web (102) wound onto a reel such that the outer layer (402) is in contact with the inner layer (404). The method according to claim 1.

11. A packaging machine (500) for packaging food products (FP), wherein the packaging machine (500) A packaging material receiving section (502) for receiving packaging material (PM), and the packaging material comprising a cellulose-based intermediate layer (400), an inner layer (404) facing the food (FP), and an outer layer (402), wherein the outer layer (402) is printed with ink. In order to prevent the ink particles (302) from being released into the food (FP), a curing device (506) is provided to cure the inner layer (404) so ​​that the ink particles (302) placed on the inner layer (404) are bonded to the inner layer (404), A package molding machine (508) for forming the aforementioned packaging material (PM) into a package (110), A product filling device (510) for filling the aforementioned food into a package (110), A packaging machine (500) equipped with the following.

12. The curing apparatus (506) comprises an ultraviolet (UV) lamp, an electron beam device and / or a light-emitting diode (LED) device. The packaging machine (500) according to claim 11.

13. The curing apparatus (506) is a curing and microbial reduction apparatus arranged to simultaneously cure the inner layer (404) and reduce the number of microorganisms. The packaging machine (500) according to claim 11.

14. The packaging material (PM) comprises a light barrier layer (412) that allows light of a transmitted wavelength to pass through, and a UV lamp, electron beam device and / or LED device emits light of a transmitted wavelength (414), enabling a reduction of microorganisms on the outer layer (402) of the web (102) by the light of a transmitted wavelength (414) that has passed through the packaging material (PM). The packaging machine (500) according to claim 11.

15. The packaging material receiving section (502) is a packaging material reel receiving section that receives the packaging material (PM) in the form of a reel (202b) on which the web (102) of the packaging material (PM) is wound. The packaging machine (500) further includes a web supply device (504) that unwinds the web (102) from the reel (202b) and supplies the web (102) downstream within the packaging machine (500). The packaging machine (500) according to claim 11.

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