The invention relates to film-to-film skin packaging of articles in which plastic films are placed above and below articles to be tightly packaged therein, effecting a sealed enclosure, and wherein said films are subjected to heat and suction in a vacuum forming machine causing adherence to each other. The primary purpose of the invention is to yield a tamper proof, sealed and airtight package, capable of retaining a controlled atmosphere therein. This is achieved by providing a perforate area on one film which marginally and closely surrounds the article to be packaged. Subsequently another film is applied to the article and both films are then subjected to heat and suction. By virtue of the marginal perforate area, evacuation of the enclosure due to suction effect is achieved. A plurality of packages may be made simultaneously by providing a plurality of nonperforate areas on the base film which are substantially congruous to contiguous areas of respective articles placed thereon. A secure film-to-film adhesion at the perforate areas closely surrounding the articles results; and the film used, if adhesively compatible with the articles packaged, adheres thereto. Thus, the film covering must be destroyed to remove the article. Likewise, where a paper or cardboard wrapper or carton initially encloses the article, e.g., a deck of cards, such wrapper materials can be adhesively compatible with the film so that the film adheres. Accordingly, the package is rendered tamperproof. Where the wrapper or carton is printed, the ink used can be adhesively compatible with the film. Further, by providing an insert in each package permeated with a selected media which volatilizes in the sealed package, a controlled and preserving atmosphere is achieved.
The present invention to a material that is coated with or soaked in a suspension of a botanical extract such that particles of said natural botanical extract are in contact with, embedded on, or embedded within the material. The present invention can be used to preserve perishable substances such as edible substances or foods by extending their freshness, shelf life or suitability for consumption by living organisms. Botanical extracts suitable for the present invention include botanical extracts that have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral or other preventative or curative properties. The botanical extract coated material described in the present invention is suitable for applications such as the packaging and preservation of perishable substances such as fruits and vegetables, meat products, dairy products, edible substances, non-edible substances and other perishable substances. Specifically, the material is impregnated with an extract of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum).
The invention provides a method of vacuum packing by defining a "dummy product" 17 alongside a product article 14 on a support sheet so that any "webbing" 18 is to the side of that projection 17 which faces away from the adjacent product article 14. That projection 17 can subsequently be trimmed to leave a webbing-free pack. Cutting down webbing reduces the risk of leakage of the pack. Preferably the height of the projection 17 is adjusted in response to the height of a product article 14 so that the extent of such webbing 18 is at a minimum.
A skin package with a plastic base sheet and a method of making it, the base sheet has projections and recesses therebetween. A heat-softened cover sheet is forced down over a product and brought into engagement with the base sheet by establishing a pressure differential. The projections are partially collapsed inwardly to form concavities and portions of the cover sheet enter into tight intimate contact with the concavities. The base sheet is formed by establishing a pressure differential while the sheet is heat softened and on a perforated platen of a skin packaging machine. There the base sheet is inverted so that those portions of the sheet which have been drawn into the perforations provide the projections.
A method for the vacuum packaging of articles including at least the steps of: creating a plurality of recesses in a backing board; positioning at least one article on said backing board; placing a film substantially over said at least one article; and using a vacuum packaging machine to substantially package said at least one article, said at least one article being situated between the backing board and the film, wherein the thickness of the backing board is at least 2 mm. Also a packaged article, the article being packaged between a backing board and a film, wherein the backing board has a thickness of at least 2 mm and the backing board further has a plurality of recesses therein.
By providing raised peripheral edges, preferably walls, for the supporting member of a vacuum skin package, a superior vacuum package is achieved when a product is vacuum packaged on such a supporting number. Wrinkles and weak spots are avoided. Preferably, the raised edges are formed in-line as the package is made.
