Process for operating a packaging machine

Abstract

The present invention refers to a method for packaging foodstuff, particularly pizza, comprising a formed packaging tray and a formed cover film, wherein the space provided between the films and containing the foodstuff is gas-treated, and the cover film fixes the foodstuff in the packaging container.

1 . A method for operating a deep-drawing packaging machine, comprising the following steps:
 forming a packaging tray in a first film;   filling the packaging tray with foodstuff;   deforming a cover film;   feeding the packaging tray with the foodstuff and the formed cover film into a sealing station;   evacuating a space between the packaging tray and the cover film, gas-treating the space at an adjustable pressure with gas or a gas mixture; and   closing the cover film with the packaging tray to obtain a package, wherein upon subsequent venting the cover film exerts a force on the foodstuff.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cover film comprises a plastic film having a thickness of from 70 μm to 120 μm. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising applying a second cover film over the cover film. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  further comprising evacuating a space between the formed cover film and the second cover film. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the gas treatment of the space between the cover film and the second cover film is adjusted by means of a controller. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the foodstuff comprises pizza. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging machine for performing a method according to  claim 1  wherein the packaging machine comprises at least two molding stations an insertion path a sealing station an evacuating and gas-treating device and a cutting device. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 3  further comprising gas-treating a space between the cover film and the second cover film. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging machine for packaging products using a first film and a cover film, the packaging machine comprising:
 a first molding station for forming a packaging tray in the first film;   an insertion area at which a product is inserted into the packaging tray;   a second molding station for deforming the cover film; and   a sealing station for receiving the packaging tray and the deformed cover film and for sealing together the packaging tray and the cover film with the product positioned between the packaging tray and the cover film, wherein the sealing station is configured to evacuate a space between the packaging tray and the cover film, and to gas-treat the space at an adjustable pressure with gas or a gas mixture such that the cover film exerts a force on the product.   
     
     
         10 . The packaging machine according to  claim 9  further comprising an additional sealing station disposed downstream of the sealing station, the additional sealing station being configured to seal an additional cover film over the cover film. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging machine according to  claim 10  wherein the additional sealing station is configured to evacuate a space between the additional cover film and the cover film. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging machine according to  claim 10  wherein the additional sealing station is configured to gas-treat a space between the additional cover film and the cover film.