Device and Method for Packaging Dry Ice in a Plastic Film

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for packaging dry ice in a plastic film, the said device comprising: —means for dispensing and shaping a plastic film comprising a shaping sleeve over the exterior wall of which the plastic film is paid out, —a dry ice generator connected to a source of liquid carbon dioxide, the dry ice generator being positioned inside the shaping sleeve so as to leave a gap between the generator and the shaping sleeve and allow the plastic film shaped to become filled with dry ice, —and means for sealing the shaped plastic film, characterized in that the shaping sleeve is equipped with thermal insulating means and/or with heating means.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A device for packaging carbon dioxide snow in a plastic film, said device comprising
 an element adapted to dispense and shape a plastic film that comprises a shaping sleeve along whose outer wall the plastic film is unwound,   a carbon dioxide snow generator connected to a source of liquid carbon dioxide, the carbon dioxide snow generator being placed inside the shaping sleeve so as to leave a free space between the generator and the shaping sleeve and allow the shaped plastic film to be filled with carbon dioxide snow, and   an element adapted for sealing the shaped plastic film,   
     characterized in that the shaping sleeve is equipped with a layer of thermal insulating material and/or a layer of heating material. 
   
   
       16 . The device for packaging carbon dioxide snow of  claim 15 , wherein the layer of thermal insulating material and/or layer of heating material are such that they allow the surface of the wall of the shaping sleeve along which the plastic film is unwound to be maintained at a temperature of at least −10° C., preferably at least 0° C., and more preferably still at least 10° C. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the layer of thermal insulating material is made of a material selected from the group consisting of cork, polystyrene and glass wool. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein a free or empty space is formed between the layer of thermal insulating material and the inner surface of the shaping sleeve. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the inner surface of the shaping sleeve comprises, instead of the layer of insulating material or juxtaposed with the layer of insulating material, at least one layer of heating material. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said layer of thermal insulating material and/or layer of heating material comprises a superposed arrangement of a protective skin, the layer of thermal insulating material, the layer of heating material and an empty space adapted to be provided with a heat sensor, the empty space being situated closest to the inner wall of the shaping sleeve. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a gas feed nozzle arranged at the inlet of the carbon dioxide generator adapted to inject inerting gas into the carbon dioxide snow generator, and/or   an injection rod disposed in the free space having a free end oriented toward the plastic film released by the shaper, said injection rod being adapted to inject a fluid having a temperature below a dew point temperature of air into contact with and inside the plastic film container; and/or   at least one tamper for compacting the carbon dioxide snow in the plastic film container.   
   
   
       22 . A method for packaging carbon dioxide snow in a plastic film container, comprising the steps of:
 generating carbon dioxide snow injecting liquid carbon dioxide into a carbon dioxide snow generator;   introducing the carbon dioxide snow into a plastic film container, and   closing the plastic film container, wherein a gas is continuously injected into the carbon dioxide snow generator.   
   
   
       23 . The method of packaging carbon dioxide snow of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 forming the plastic film container using a packaging device comprising a shaping sleeve.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 maintaining a temperature of the shaping sleeve, preferably at a temperature of at least −10° C.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 continuously removing gaseous carbon dioxide from the plastic film container that is formed during said steps of generating and introducing.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 injecting a fluid having a temperature below a dew point temperature of air into contact with and inside the plastic film container prior to the injection of liquid carbon dioxide.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 compacting the introduced carbon dioxide snow.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said method is continuously performed. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising an element adapted to remove the gaseous carbon dioxide connected, on one hand, to an adjustable hot air inlet for heating the carbon dioxide gas, and on the other hand to a line which is itself connected to a vacuum system. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising an element adapted to remove the gaseous carbon dioxide connected, on one hand, to an adjustable hot air inlet for heating the carbon dioxide gas, and on the other hand to a line which is itself connected to a vacuum system. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the continuously injected gas is carbon dioxide. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 maintaining a temperature of the shaping sleeve, preferably at a temperature of at least 0° C.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 maintaining a temperature of the shaping sleeve, preferably at a temperature of at least 10° C.