Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a frame, a lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, and an upper tool configured to engage a film portion with at least one support. The lower tool is movable relative to the frame at least between: a packaging position, in which the lower tool is aligned with the upper tool, and a loading position spaced from the packaging position in which the lower tool is configured to receive said support. The packaging apparatus comprises a barrier configured to intercept the package during the movement of the lower tool from the packaging position to the loading position.

Abstract: A method and a device for setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus and in a packaging process are described. The method and device provide for determining, from pressure signals or from humidity signals detected in the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54), a reference time instant (T1). The method and device also provide for commanding a vacuum device (6; 26; 56) either to stop extracting gas from the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54) or to execute one or more prescribed steps preluding to end of the vacuum cycle at expiration of a delay time (DT) interval following said reference time instant (T1).

Abstract: A plant for vacuum packaging of products includes a plurality of packaging stations, a vacuum pump, a first circuit, an auxiliary pressure device, and a second circuit. The plurality of packaging stations are distinct from each other and configured to separately perform the vacuum packaging of products. The first circuit is configured to put said vacuum pump in fluid communication with said packaging stations. The second circuit is configured to put at least one of said packaging stations in fluid communication with the auxiliary pressure device. The auxiliary pressure device is configured to suction a gas through the second circuit from at least one of said packaging stations.

Abstract: A device (1) for evacuating gas from a package (50) in a packaging apparatus, the package (50) having an open end (55), the open end (55) having a terminal portion (54), a non-terminal portion (52), and an intermediate portion (53) located between the terminal portion (54) and the non-terminal portion (52) of the open end (55), the device (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (10) having an elongated opening (14) extending along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum chamber (10), an evacuation means configured for providing the vacuum chamber (10) with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber (10), means for moving (30) a package (50) relative to the vacuum chamber (10), and a control unit (60) programmed for controlling the means for moving (30) to relatively move a package (50) to be evacuated with respect to the vacuum chamber (10), the package (50) and the means for moving (30) each being arranged with respect to the vacuum chamber (10) so that a main movement di

Abstract: A modular packaging facility has independent packaging units configured to receive one or more product loaded supports. The upper tool and the lower tool of each unit are relatively movable the one with respect to the other between at least a first position, allowing placement of the supports in the respective seats of the lower tool, and a second position, allowing coupling of a film portion of said film to said one or more product loaded supports received by the lower tool. Each unit has a vacuum arrangement and/or a controlled atmosphere arrangement and is configured to execute a packaging cycle wherein gas is removed and/or injected via holes in the supports and/or via nozzles placed between the support and the respective film portion. The process and the infrastructure may be used to contemporaneously process and pack supports of different types.

Abstract: A method and apparatus can be used for vacuum skin packaging of a product. The product can be arranged on a support comprising providing a film sheet above said support with said product being arranged between the support and the film sheet. The film sheet can be air tightly fixed to the support. The wall of the support can be perforated to form at least one through hole. At least a portion of air from within the support underneath said film sheet can be removed through the at least one hole. A packaged product is obtainable using the method and apparatus.

Abstract: A process for packaging a product (P) arranged in a support (4) comprising unrolling a film (10a), transversely cutting the unrolled portion of film (10a) and preparing cut film sheets (18), moving the cut film sheets (18) to a packaging assembly (8) defining at its inside a packaging chamber (24), progressively moving a number of supports (4) inside the packaging chamber (24) of a packaging assembly (8), keeping the packaging chamber (24) open for a time sufficient for a number of supports (4) and for a corresponding number of film sheets (18) to properly position inside said packaging chamber (24), hermetically closing the packaging chamber (24) with the film sheets held above the respective support (4) and at a distance sufficient to allow gas circulation inside the support (4), optionally causing one or both of: a gas withdrawal from the hermetically closed packaging chamber (24) and gas injection of a gas mixture of controlled composition, heat sealing the film sheet (18) to said support (4), wherein the

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a conveyor that moves one or more supports towards a packaging station, while a plastic film to be applied to said one or more supports is simultaneously transported to the packaging station itself. A longitudinally cutting unit longitudinally cuts the plastic film in order to form two or more film strips, and a compensating device exerts a tensioning action on one or more portions of said film strips. A packaging method includes longitudinally cutting the plastic film into strips and compensating to suitably tautly hold the film strips during their movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus can be used for vacuum skin packaging of a product. The product can be arranged on a support comprising providing a film sheet above the support with the product being arranged between the support and the film sheet. The film sheet can be air tightly fixed to the support. The wall of the support can be perforated to form at least one through hole. At least a portion of air from within the support underneath the film sheet can be removed through the at least one hole. A packaged product is obtainable using the method and apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus can be used to vacuum skin package a product arranged on a support comprising providing a film portion above said support with the product being arranged between the support and the film portion; air tightly fixing the film portion to the support; removing at least a portion of air from a volume underneath said film portion through said at one nozzle inserted in an interspace between the film portion and the support.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a frame, a lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, and an upper tool configured to engage a film portion with at least one support. The lower tool is movable relative to the frame at least between: a packaging position, in which the lower tool is aligned with the upper tool, and a loading position spaced from the packaging position in which the lower tool is configured to receive said support. The packaging apparatus comprises a barrier configured to intercept the package during the movement of the lower tool from the packaging position to the loading position.

Abstract: A plant for vacuum packaging of products includes a plurality of packaging stations, a vacuum pump, a first circuit, an auxiliary pressure device, and a second circuit. The plurality of packaging stations are distinct from each other and configured to separately perform the vacuum packaging of products. The first circuit is configured to put said vacuum pump in fluid communication with said packaging stations, The second circuit is configured to put at least one of said packaging stations in fluid communication with the auxiliary pressure device. The auxiliary pressure device is configured to suction a gas through the second circuit from at least one of said packaging stations.

Abstract: A device (1) for evacuating gas from a package (50) in a packaging apparatus, the package (50) having an open end (55), the open end (55) having a terminal portion (54), a non-terminal portion (52), and an intermediate portion (53) located between the terminal portion (54) and the non-terminal portion (52) of the open end (55), the device (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (10) having an elongated opening (14) extending along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum chamber (10), an evacuation means configured for providing the vacuum chamber (10) with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber (10), means for moving (30) a package (50) relative to the vacuum chamber (10), and a control unit (60) programmed for controlling the means for moving (30) to relatively move a package (50) to be evacuated with respect to the vacuum chamber (10), the package (50) and the means for moving (30) each being arranged with respect to the vacuum chamber (10) so that a main movement di

Abstract: A tray for containing a product includes a base, a lateral wall emerging from the base to define a containing seat adapted to receive the product. The lateral wall comprises at least one movable portion configurable between a first stable position, wherein the movable portion is placed in continuity with respect to the lateral wall, and a second stable position, wherein the movable portion protrudes from the lateral wall and defines an access passing through the lateral wall itself. Moreover, the present invention refers to a process and an associated apparatus of making said tray. Further, the present invention refers to a vacuum package using the above described tray and to a plastic film sealingly applied on the tray and closing the access, and also to a process and a packaging apparatus for making said package.

Abstract: A device (1) for evacuating gas from a package (50) in a packaging apparatus, the package (50) having an open end (55), the open end (55) having a terminal portion (54), a non-terminal portion (52), and an intermediate portion (53) located between the terminal portion (54) and the non-terminal portion (52) of the open end (55), the device (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (10) having an elongated opening (14) extending along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum chamber (10), an evacuation means configured for providing the vacuum chamber (10) with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber (10), means for moving (30) a package (50) relative to the vacuum chamber (10), and a control unit (60) programmed for controlling the means for moving (30) to relatively move a package (50) to be evacuated with respect to the vacuum chamber (10), the package (50) and the means for moving (30) each being arranged with respect to the vacuum chamber (10) so that a main movement di

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a frame, a lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, and an upper tool configured to engage a film portion with at least one support. The upper tool is movable, upon action of a movement device with flat kinematic system, between a first position in which it picks up a film portion from a supplying station and a second position in which it fixes the film portion on a support housed by a lower tool.

Abstract: It is described an apparatus (1) for packaging a product (P) comprising: a forming station (2) configured for receiving a base film (3) and for forming with it a precursor body (4) having a plurality of tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent to each other, and a packaging station (8) configured for receiving said precursor body (4) and a closing film (9), the packaging station (8) being configured for attaching the closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at an upper opening (5a) of a predetermined number of said tray-shaped elements (5) for forming packages (C) flanked to each other. A movement device (13) is configured for moving at least one of said forming (2) and packaging stations (8), for conferring to the precursor body (4) a step-by-step discontinuous movement along a predetermined advancement path (T). It is also described a packaging process using the apparatus (1).

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a plant (100) for packaging products (P) arranged on a support (4), said plant comprising: a conveyor configured for moving a plurality of supports (4) along an advancement path (A); a plurality of packaging apparatuses (1), each configured for engaging a portion of a film (5a) with a support (4) for making a package (40); a transfer device (30) configured, in at least one operative condition, for transferring a support (4) from said conveyor (30) to a respective packaging apparatus (1).

Abstract: A package comprising includes a base film, at least one closing film, and at least one product interposed between the base film and the closing film. The closing film is hermetically fixed to the base film at a sealing band with the product housed in a packaging seat defined between the closing film and the base film. Also described is a process for making the package described above.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a packaging apparatus (1) wherein a conveyor (3) moves one or more supports (4) towards a packaging station, while a plastic film to be applied to said one or more supports is simultaneously transported to the packaging station itself. A longitudinally cutting unit longitudinally cuts the plastic film in order to form two or more film strips, and a compensating device exerts a tensioning action on one or more portions of said film strips. It is also described a packaging method wherein it is provided to longitudinally cut the plastic film into strips and a compensating step destined to suitably tautly hold the film strips during their movement.