US 12,134,493 B2
Device and method for setting vacuum time in packaging apparatuses and processes
Riccardo Palumbo, Arona (IT)
Assigned to Cryovac, LLC, Charlotte, NC (US)
Appl. No. 17/776,627
Filed by Cryovac, LLC, Charlotte, NC (US)
PCT Filed Nov. 11, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/081793
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 13, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/094393, PCT Pub. Date May 20, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 19209223 (EP), filed on Nov. 14, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0402639 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. B65B 31/02 (2006.01); B65B 7/16 (2006.01); B65B 51/10 (2006.01); B65B 57/00 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 57/00 (2013.01) [B65B 7/164 (2013.01); B65B 31/028 (2013.01); B65B 51/10 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus, the packaging apparatus comprising:
a vacuum chamber;
a vacuum device configured to extract gas from the vacuum chamber; and
a sensor, wherein the sensor includes at least one of:
a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure present in the vacuum chamber or in a conduit connected to the vacuum chamber, or
a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity parameter of gas present in the vacuum chamber or in a conduit connected to the vacuum chamber; and
a control unit communicatively coupled to the vacuum device and to the sensor;
wherein the control unit is configured to:
cause the vacuum device to extract gas from the vacuum chamber;
receive a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal is at least one of a pressure signal from the pressure sensor or a humidity signal from the humidity sensor;
determine a reference time instant in the vacuum cycle, wherein determining the reference time instant comprises at least one of:
determining, from the pressure signal, the reference time instant based on an instant when the pressure drops below a set pressure value,
determining, from the pressure signal, the reference time instant based on an instant when a pressure variation parameter drops below a respective set value,
determining, from the humidity signal, the reference time instant based on an instant when the humidity parameter reaches a set humidity parameter value;
calculate a duration of a delay time at least based on when, in the vacuum cycle, the reference time instant takes place; and
control the vacuum device to maintain gas extraction from the vacuum chamber at least for the delay time interval following the reference time instant;
wherein the duration of the delay time interval is calculated as a function of a duration of a start time interval lasting from a start time instant until the reference time instant; and
wherein the start time instant is defined according to either:
the start time instant is the instant when the control unit commands extraction of gas from the vacuum chamber to begin, or
the start time instant is delayed from the instant when the control unit commands extraction of gas from the vacuum chamber to begin, the start time instant being determined from the pressure signal as an instant when pressure reaches a reference pressure value which is below a value of atmospheric pressure present outside the vacuum chamber and above the set pressure value.
 
8. A method of setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus, wherein:
the packaging apparatus comprises:
at least one vacuum chamber configured to receive one of:
a semi-sealed package to be vacuumized, the semi-sealed package containing a respective product,
a support having a superior surface supporting or containing a product and a closure film above the support, or
a continuous body having cavities for a product and a top film;
a vacuum device configured to extract gas from the vacuum chamber; and
a sensor comprising at least one of:
a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure present in the vacuum chamber or in a conduit connected to the vacuum chamber, or
a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity parameter of gas present in the vacuum chamber or in a conduit connected to the vacuum chamber; and
the method comprises execution of a vacuum cycle, wherein the vacuum cycle comprises:
commanding the vacuum device to extract gas from the vacuum chamber,
receiving a sensor signal, the sensor signal comprising at least one of a pressure signal from the pressure sensor, or a humidity signal from the humidity sensor,
performing at least one of the following steps for determining a reference time instant in the vacuum cycle:
determining, from the pressure signal, the reference time instant as an instant when the pressure drops below a set pressure value,
determining, from the pressure signal, the reference time instant as an instant when a pressure variation parameter drops below a respective set value,
determining, from the humidity signal, the reference time instant as an instant when the humidity parameter reaches a set humidity parameter value;
calculating a duration of a delay time at least based on when, in the vacuum cycle, the reference time instant takes place; and
controlling the vacuum device to maintain gas extraction from the vacuum chamber at least for the duration of the delay time following the reference time instant;
wherein the duration of the delay time interval is calculated as a function of a duration of a start time interval lasting from a start time instant until the reference time instant; and
wherein the start time instant is selected from the group consisting of:
an instant when the control unit commands extraction of gas from the vacuum chamber to begin, or
a delay from an instant when the control unit commands extraction of gas from the vacuum chamber to begin.