Vertical Flow Wrapper and Method To Produce Packages With A Reduced Gas Content

Abstract

A vertical flow-wrapper, which produces packages, with a frame/housing, at which a form-fill-tube, a longitudinal-sealing means and a cross-sealing means and a cutting means. A method to produce a package from a plane film.

1 ) A vertical flow-wrapper, which produces packages, comprising:
 a frame/housing, at which a form-fill-tube, a longitudinal-sealing means, a cross-sealing means and a cutting means are provided, and   a compression means, which at least partially compresses each of the packages prior to and/or during providing a cross seal to each of the packages, the compression means is at least partially made from a flexible plastic or rubber material and is at least partially hollow.   
     
     
         2 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         3 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         4 ) The vertical flow wrapper according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression means is connected to a pressure source, which maintains and/or changes an internal pressure within a hollow section of the compression means. 
     
     
         5 ) The vertical flow-wrapper according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression means is provided parallel to the cross-sealing means. 
     
     
         6 ) The vertical flow-wrapper according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression means is provided as a longitudinal bar or as the segment of an arch. 
     
     
         7 ) The vertical flow-wrapper according to  claim 1 , wherein the a surface of the compression means comprises anti-sticking means and/or one or more bulge(s). 
     
     
         8 ) The vertical flow-wrapper according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression means is attached to the cross-sealing means. 
     
     
         9 ) A method to produce a package from a plane film, which is formed around a form-fill tube into a film tube, whose distal ends are connected by a longitudinal sealing means with a longitudinal seal, wherein a first cross seal is provided at the film tube by cross-sealing means and wherein the film tube is filled with a product before a second cross seal is provided at the film tube and the filled package are separated from the film tube by cutting means, wherein prior and/or during the provision of the second cross seal, a gas is pressed out of the package by compression means, wherein the compression means are at least partially hollow and the pressure in the compression means, can be controlled, or is maintained constant during the compression of the package. 
     
     
         10 ) The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the film tube is compressed in a vicinity of the second cross seal. 
     
     
         11 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         12 ) The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the compression means deform during the compression of the package. 
     
     
         13 ) (canceled)