Method and device for the portioned packaging of a food mass

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the portioned packaging of a food mass that is at least substantially incompressible, in particular of processed cheese, and that is filled as a flowable mass into a tubular sleeve comprising a thermoplastic plastic film, wherein the thermoplastic plastic film of the sleeve enclosing the food mass is deformed in a mold into individual units each defining a portion by forcing the food mass out of sealing areas, such that the units arranged one behind the other are delimited with respect to each other by means of sealing in the sealing area and are subsequently separated from one another.

1 . A method for the portioned packaging of an at least substantially incompressible food mass ( 16 ), more particularly of processed cheese, which is filled as a flowable mass into a tubular wrapping comprising a thermoplastic plastic film,
 wherein   the thermoplastic plastic film of the wrapping ( 2 ) enclosing the food mass ( 16 ) is shaped in a mold into individual units ( 23 ), each defining a portion, with displacement of the food mass out of sealing areas, in that the units ( 23 ) disposed one behind the other are delimited with respect to each other in the sealing area ( 24 ) by way of sealing and are subsequently separated from one another.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   a vacuum that suctions the plastic film into the mold is generated in a forming means ( 1 ) in order to support the shaping of a unit ( 23 ) in the film layer ( 17 ,  18 ).   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein   the vacuum is generated after one segment ( 7 ) of the forming means ( 1 ) has been moved completely into the food mass ( 16 ) enclosed by the film strip ( 2 ).   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the sealing is carried out using ultrasound, wherein parts of the forming means are used as ultrasonic generators (“sonotrodes”).   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein   the portions are separated from one another by cuts in the sealing area.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein   the tubular wrapping is formed by a film strip ( 2 ) sealed on the longitudinal side, wherein adjacently disposed film edge regions ( 20 ) remain, which form the opening tabs ( 27 ) for the individual package ( 27 ).   
     
     
         7 . A device for the portioned packaging of a flowable, at least substantially incompressible food mass ( 16 ), comprising:
 filling means for filling a tubular wrapping comprising a thermoplastic plastic film with the flowable food mass ( 16 ),   forming means ( 1 ) for creating units ( 23 ), each defining a portion, from the wrapping ( 2 ), wherein the forming means ( 1 ) comprises mold segments ( 15 ) for forming consecutive units ( 23 ) having a specifiable shape in the film strip ( 2 ),   sealing means for creating sealing areas ( 24 ) delimiting the units ( 23 ), each forming a portion, and   cutting means for separating portions.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein   the sealing means comprises a sonotrode for the ultrasonic sealing of the sealing area ( 24 ).   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein   the forming means ( 12 ) comprises means for generating a vacuum in the mold segments ( 15 ).   
     
     
         10 . Packaging for an at least substantially incompressible food mass ( 16 ) manufactured according to the method of  claim 1 .