Manufacturing method for pouch foods

Abstract

This prevents the atmosphere-improving agent from becoming buried in the food. [Solution] The method for manufacturing pouch food includes the steps of placing food into a containment section formed by an outer film, and, after placing the food, placing an atmosphere improver into the containment section. Furthermore, after placing the atmosphere improver, the air in the containment section is expelled by pressing opposing surfaces of the outer film toward each other, and the atmosphere improver is held in place by being sandwiched between the opposing surfaces. After the air is expelled, the openings for the food and atmosphere improver in the outer film are sealed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a pouch food containing a food and an atmosphere improver.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, when a food and an atmosphere improver are enclosed in a film-like bag container, in order to prevent the atmosphere improver from being buried in the food, a pocket for storing the atmosphere improver is formed in the film-like bag container. Here, an oxygen absorber is used as the atmosphere improver.

[0003] In Patent Document 2, in order to prevent a small bag (such as a desiccant) from mixing into the food in the packaging bag, the upper edge of the small bag inserted inside the opening of the packaging bag is integrally welded to the opening edge of the packaging bag by pressing with a heat-sealing bar.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress the atmosphere improver from being buried in the food inside the film-like container by means different from those in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing pouch food, comprising the steps of: placing food into a containment section formed by an outer film;, after placing the food, placing an atmosphere improving agent into the containment section;, after placing the atmosphere improving agent, pressing opposing surfaces of the outer film toward each other to expel air from the containment section and to hold the atmosphere improving agent between the opposing surfaces; and, after expelling the air, sealing the openings for the food and atmosphere improving agent in the outer film.

[0007] As an atmosphere improving agent, an oxygen absorber can be used. Here, after sealing the inlet, the oxygen inside the containment section is absorbed by the oxygen absorber, thereby bringing the opposing surface into close contact with the atmosphere improving agent.

[0008] By using a pair of pressing members, the opposing surfaces of the outer film can be pressed. Here, each pressing member may have a recess formed along the outer shape of the food contained in the outer film, and a flat surface that presses the area of ​​the containment other than the food.

[0009] The outer film may be provided with a pair of sealing sections extending downward from both side edges toward the center in the width direction of the pouch food. In this case, when loading food, food can be loaded into the space below the position corresponding to the minimum distance between the pair of sealing sections within the storage area.

[0010] The outer film can be vibrated after the food is added and after the atmosphere improver is added.

[0011] On the other hand, another invention is pouch food. This pouch food has an outer film that forms a sealed space containing food and an atmosphere improver. The sealed space is degassed, and the atmosphere improver is sandwiched between the outer film, so that at least a portion of the atmosphere improver protrudes upward from the food and its movement is suppressed.

[0012] The outer film may be provided with a pair of sealing portions extending downward from both side edges toward the center in the width direction of the pouch food. Here, at least a portion of the atmosphere improving agent may be positioned above a position corresponding to the minimum distance between the pair of sealing portions. An oxygen absorber can be used as the atmosphere improving agent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, since the atmosphere improving agent can be positioned by sandwiching it between outer films, it is possible to prevent the atmosphere improving agent from becoming buried in the food. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a pouch food product containing alpha rice and an atmosphere improver. [Figure 2] This is a side view of a pouch food product containing alpha rice and an atmosphere improver. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating a method for housing alpha rice and an atmosphere improver in a film-type container. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a pressing member used for degassing film-like containers. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] (Pouch food) The structure of the pouch food according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pouch food 1, and also shows the internal structure of the pouch food 1. Figure 2 is a side view of the pouch food 1, showing the pouch food 1 in an upright position. The pouch food 1 can be placed upright on the mounting surface PS as shown in Figure 2.

[0016] The pouch food 1 has a film-like container 10, alpha rice AR and an atmosphere improver I contained in the film-like container 10. The film-like container 10 contains the alpha rice AR and the atmosphere improver I in a sealed state, and has a front exterior film 11, a back exterior film 12, and a bottom exterior film 13. In the film-like container 10, in addition to the alpha rice AR and the atmosphere improver I, dried food ingredients can also be contained. On the outer surfaces of the films 11 and 12, various kinds of information (for example, product name, ingredients, method of eating) regarding the alpha rice AR can be written.

[0017] The materials of the films 11 to 13 can be appropriately determined. For example, polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, aluminum, etc. can be used. The materials of the films 11 to 13 may be the same as each other or may be different from each other. Also, each of the films 11 to 13 can be constituted by a single film or can be constituted by laminating a plurality of films.

[0018] By bonding the outer edges of the films 11 to 13 to each other, a sealed space S1 for containing the alpha rice AR and the atmosphere improver I is formed inside the film-like container 10. Examples of the method of bonding the films 11 to 13 include welding. In the present embodiment, the film-like container 10 is constituted by the three films 11 to 13, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any film configuration capable of forming the above-described sealed space S1 may be used.

[0019] The bottom exterior film 13 is bonded to the lower region of the front exterior film 11 and the lower region of the back exterior film 12. Thereby, a seal portion 14a along the outer edges of the films 11 and 13 is formed, and a seal portion 14b along the outer edges of the films 12 and 13 is formed. Also, the front exterior film 11 and the back exterior film 12 are bonded to each other in a region excluding the above-described lower region. Thereby, a seal portion 14c along the outer edges of the films 11 and 12 is formed. The seal portions 14a to 14c are integrally constituted at these boundaries.

[0020] In addition to the seal portions 14c described above, a pair of seal portions 14d are formed at the same positions in the height direction of the film-like container 10 on each of the films 11, 12. The seal portions 14d are integrally formed with a region along the side edges of each of the films 11, 12 among the seal portions 14c, and are formed in a shape that protrudes toward the center of each of the films 11, 12. The space S2 surrounded by the seal portions 14c and 14d is a sealed space.

[0021] The seal portion 14d has an upper region 14d1 and a lower region 14d2, and the upper region 14d1 and the lower region 14d2 are integrally formed. The upper region 14d1 extends downward while extending toward the center side of the film-like container 10 from the seal portion 14c, and the lower region 14d2 extends upward while extending toward the center side of the film-like container 10 from the seal portion 14c. As shown in FIG. 1, alpha rice AR is accommodated in the lower region 14d2 of the seal portion 14d and the space surrounded by the seal portions 14a and 14b.

[0022] Here, by accommodating the alpha rice AR along the lower region 14d2 of the seal portion 14d, the alpha rice AR can be formed into a triangular shape. Note that the shape of the alpha rice AR accommodated in the film-like container 10 is not limited to a triangular shape, and other shapes may be used. In this case, the seal portion 14d may be formed along the outer shape of the alpha rice AR.

[0023] A pair of first cuts 15a are formed at the upper portions of the side edges of each of the films 11, 12. By cutting the film-like container 10 (each of the films 11, 12) between the pair of first cuts 15a, the inside of the film-like container 10 can be opened. Then, by pouring a predetermined amount of water (hot water or cold water) into the film-like container 10, the alpha rice AR can be restored to cooked rice.

[0024] A pair of second notches 15b are formed in the center of the side edges of each film 11, 12. By cutting the film container 10 (each film 11, 12) between the pair of first notches 15b, the alpha rice AR (reconstituted cooked rice) contained in the film container 10 can be exposed to the outside. This allows the user to eat the reconstituted alpha rice AR while holding the film container 10.

[0025] A pair of third notches 15c are formed at the bottom of the side edges of each film 11, 12. By cutting the film container 10 (each film 11, 12) between the pair of first notches 15c, the rice remaining at the bottom of the film container 10 can be eaten.

[0026] In this embodiment, notches 15a to 15c are formed in the film container 10, but this is not the only limitation; any method that allows the film container 10 to be cut is acceptable. For example, instead of notches 15a to 15c, a structure that facilitates cutting of the film container 10 (each film 11, 12) can be provided. Furthermore, markers can be placed at the positions where the notches 15a to 15c are formed so that the film container 10 (each film 11, 12) can be cut with scissors or the like. The positions where each notch 15a to 15c is provided can be determined as appropriate, and some of the notches 15a to 15c can be omitted.

[0027] Each film 11, 12 is provided with a pair of open / close seals 16 that engage with each other. By engaging the pair of open / close seals 16, the opening formed in the film container 10 can be closed, and by disengaging the pair of open / close seals 16, the opening formed in the film container 10 can be opened. Here, the first notch 15a described above is located above the open / close seals 16 in the film container 10.

[0028] The atmosphere improving agent I, contained inside the film-like container 10 along with the alpha rice AR, is used to improve the atmosphere inside the film-like container 10. Examples of the atmosphere improving agent I include oxygen absorbers, desiccants, disinfectants, preservatives, fungicides, water vapor impermeable agents, and growth inhibitors.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the atmosphere improver I is positioned on top of the alpha rice AR contained inside the film container 10, with at least a portion of the atmosphere improver I protruding upward from the alpha rice AR. Furthermore, at least a portion of the atmosphere improver I is located above a position corresponding to the minimum distance between the pair of sealing portions 14 (the distance in the width direction of the film container 10). Here, the atmosphere improver I may be placed on top of the alpha rice AR, or a portion of the atmosphere improver I may be embedded in the alpha rice AR.

[0030] Before water is poured into the film container 10, the atmosphere improver I is removed from the film container 10. Here, at least a portion of the atmosphere improver I protrudes from the top of the alpha rice AR, so the atmosphere improver I can be easily removed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the atmosphere improver I is simply contained inside the film container 10 together with the alpha rice AR, and there is no structure for fixing the atmosphere improver I as described in the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, so the structure of the film container 10 can be simplified.

[0031] (Manufacturing method for pouch foods) A method for manufacturing a pouch food product 1 by containing alpha rice AR and an atmosphere improver I in a film-like container 1 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 3. First, after manufacturing the film-like container 10 described above, the process shown in Figure 3 is performed. Here, at the upper end of the film-like container 10, the films 11 and 12 are not bonded together, and an opening is formed for adding the alpha rice AR and the atmosphere improver I.

[0032] In step S101, a predetermined amount of alpha rice AR is placed inside the film container 10. Specifically, an input hopper (not shown) is connected to the input port of the film container 10, and the alpha rice AR can be placed inside the film container 10 via the input hopper. After the alpha rice AR is placed inside the film container 10, the film container 10 can be vibrated. This allows the alpha rice AR to be contained inside the film container 10 without any gaps.

[0033] In step S102, the atmosphere improver I is introduced into the film container 10. Specifically, an input hopper (not shown) is connected to the input port of the film container 10, and the atmosphere improver I can be introduced into the film container 10 via the input hopper. As described above, since the film container 10 has a sealing portion 14d, when the atmosphere improver I is introduced into the film container 10, the atmosphere improver I can be moved along the upper region 14d1 of the sealing portion 14d and guided to the region containing the alpha rice AR.

[0034] After placing the alpha rice AR inside the film-like container 10, the atmosphere improver I is added, so that the atmosphere improver I is positioned above the alpha rice AR. Here, after adding the atmosphere improver I to the film-like container 10, the film-like container 10 can be vibrated. When the atmosphere improver I is added inside the film-like container 10, there is a risk that the atmosphere improver I may remain in an unintended position inside the film-like container 10 without reaching the top of the alpha rice AR. Therefore, by vibrating the film-like container 10, the atmosphere improver I that has remained in an unintended position can be moved to the top of the alpha rice AR.

[0035] Furthermore, if the film container 10 is subjected to excessive vibration, there is a risk that the entire atmosphere improver I may become buried inside the alpha rice AR. Therefore, it is preferable to apply vibration to an extent that does not cause the atmosphere improver I to become buried in the alpha rice AR. Specifically, the vibration force applied when vibrating the film container 10 into which the atmosphere improver I has been added can be made smaller than the vibration force applied when vibrating the film container 10 into which the alpha rice AR has been added in the process of step S102.

[0036] In step S103, the film container 10 containing the alpha rice AR and atmosphere improver I is sandwiched between a pair of pressing members and pressed to release the air inside the film container 10 to the outside (degassing). This allows the films 11 and 12 of the film container 10 to come into close contact with the alpha rice AR, or to come into close contact with each other in areas where the alpha rice AR is not contained.

[0037] This prevents the alpha rice AR and the atmosphere improver I from moving freely inside the film container 10. In this case, when the atmosphere improver I is positioned on top of the alpha rice AR by the process in step S102, applying pressure to the film container 10 can keep the atmosphere improver I on top of the alpha rice AR.

[0038] Figure 4 shows an example of a pressing member 20 used to press the film-like container 10. In Figure 4, the surface of the pressing member 20 that contacts the film-like container 10 is shown. A pair of pressing members 20 have the same structure. The pressing member 20 can be made of an elastically deformable material such as foam.

[0039] The pressing member 20 has a recess 21 formed in it that conforms to the shape of the alpha rice AR contained in the film-like container 10. When the pressing member 20 presses the film-like container 10, the alpha rice AR is positioned inside the recess 21. This allows for applying pressure to the alpha rice AR while maintaining its shape in the film-like container 10. The depth of the recess 21 can be determined by considering the thickness of the alpha rice AR contained in the film-like container 10.

[0040] Of the pressing member 20, the area 22 other than the recess 21 is made up of a flat surface, and by pressing the film container 10 with the pressing member 20, the films 11 and 12 can be brought into close contact with each other in area 22. Here, the pressing member 20 can be brought into contact with the entire surface or a part of the film container 10. When the pressing member 20 is brought into contact with a part of the film container 10, the pressing force can be applied to the area containing the alpha rice AR and the area located around this area (including the area where the atmosphere improver I is placed).

[0041] In step S104, the opening of the film container 10 is sealed. This creates a sealed state inside the film container 10, completing the storage of the alpha rice AR and atmosphere improver I.

[0042] Here, when an oxygen absorber is used as the atmosphere improving agent I, after the inside of the film container 10 is sealed by the process in step S104, the oxygen absorber can absorb the oxygen remaining inside the film container 10. This further reduces the amount of gas remaining inside the film container 10, and makes it easier to sandwich the atmosphere improving agent I between the films 11 and 12, thereby preventing the atmosphere improving agent I from shifting inside the film container 10.

[0043] The atmosphere improving agent I is contained in a position within the film-like container 10. As a result, when the film-like container 10 is opened to pour water into it, the atmosphere improving agent I is positioned on top of the alpha rice AR. This allows the atmosphere improving agent I to be easily removed from the film-like container 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1: Pouch food, 10: Film container, 11: Outer outer film, 12: Back outer film, 13: Bottom outer film, 14a~14d: Seal area, 14d1: Upper area, 14d2: Lower area, 15a~15c: Cuts, 16: Opening / closing seal, 20: Pressing member, 21: Recess, AR: Alpha rice, I: Atmosphere improver, PS: Mounting surface

Claims

1. The process involves placing food into a container formed by an outer film, The process involves adding an atmosphere improving agent to the containment section after the food is added, After adding the atmosphere improving agent, the process involves pressing the opposing surfaces of the outer film toward each other to expel the air from the housing and holding the atmosphere improving agent between the opposing surfaces, After the air has been discharged, the process involves sealing the openings for the food and the atmosphere improver in the outer film, A method for producing pouch food, characterized by having [a certain feature].

2. The aforementioned atmosphere improver is an oxygen scavenger. The method for producing pouch food according to claim 1, characterized in that, after sealing the input port, the oxygen in the containment section is absorbed by the oxygen absorber, thereby bringing the opposing surface into close contact with the atmosphere improving agent.

3. The opposing surfaces are pressed using a pair of pressing members, Each of the aforementioned pressing members is A recess formed along the outer shape of the food contained in the outer film, The method for manufacturing pouch food according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage portion has a flat surface that presses against an area other than the food.

4. The outer film has a pair of sealing portions that extend downward from both side edges toward the center in the width direction of the pouch food, The method for manufacturing pouch food according to claim 1, characterized in that, when introducing the food, the food is introduced into the space in the storage section below a position corresponding to the minimum distance between the pair of sealing portions.

5. A method for producing pouch food according to claim 1, characterized in that vibration is applied to the outer packaging film after the food is added and after the atmosphere improver is added.

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