Packaging apparatus and method of expelling gas

Abstract

A packaging apparatus ( 1 ) comprises: a housing ( 11 ); an actuator ( 12 ) configured to move the housing between a first position, in which a package ( 22 ) is unconstrained by the housing, and a second position, in which the housing houses the package ( 22 ); and a gas blower ( 13 ) configured to introduce a flow of gas into the housing via a gas inlet ( 15 ), wherein the gas blower comprises a fan.

1 . A packaging apparatus ( 1 ) comprising:
 a) a housing ( 11 );   b) an actuator ( 12 ) configured to move the housing between a first position, in which a package ( 22 ) is unconstrained by the housing, and a second position, in which the housing houses the package ( 22 ); and   c) a gas blower ( 13 ) configured to introduce a flow of gas into the housing via a gas inlet ( 15 ), wherein the gas blower comprises a fan.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , configured such that the flow of gas at an upstream end of the housing is greater than the flow of gas at a down-stream end of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises at least one channel configured to guide the flow of gas from the gas inlet towards the upstream end of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 2 , comprising a gap at the upstream end of the housing such that the flow of gas forces gas from within the package through the gap. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the upstream and downstream ends of the housing are substantially open such that the housing has the form of a tunnel. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas blower is configured to increase the pressure within the housing to greater than the pressure outside of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a gas diffuser ( 16 ) over the gas inlet configured to reduce the turbulence of the flow of gas into the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a form fill and seal machine. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the form fill and seal machine is a horizontal form fill and seal machine. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 9 , comprising a conveyor belt ( 30 ) for supporting the package in a tube sealed at one end. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the actuator is configured to move the housing such that the housing moves along with the conveyor belt. 
     
     
         12 . A method of expelling gas from a package ( 22 ) for a packaging process, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) moving a housing ( 11 ) from a first position, in which a package is unconstrained by the housing, to a second position, in which the housing houses the package; and   b) introducing, via a gas blower comprising a fan, a flow of gas into the housing via a gas inlet ( 15 ).   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the flow of gas at an upstream end of the housing is greater than the flow of gas at a downstream end of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of sealing the package after expelling the gas from the package. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of heat shrinking the package after sealing the package.