Process and apparatus for packaging potato crisps, as well as the package obtained

Abstract

A process for packing potato crisps ( 5 ) into a box ( 12 ) with a base and side-walls, with the steps of dispensing potato crisps into the box; shaking the box ( 12 ) to settle the potato crisps ( 5 ) in the box; and foil-wrapping the box. The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out the method and a pack so formed.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A process for packing potato crisps into a box with a base and side-walls, the process comprising the steps of:
 (i) dispensing potato crisps into the box;   (ii) shaking the box to settle the potato crisps in the box; and   (iii) foil-wrapping the box,   
       wherein the potato crisps are urged into the box by an urging arrangement while the box is being shaken. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 18 , wherein the step (i) further comprises
 (a) moving a delivery tube for the potato crisps to a potato crisps-dispensing position in which position the delivery tube extends into the open box, and   (b) retracting the delivery tube ( 8 ) from the dispensing position.   
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 19  wherein the delivery tube comprises a potato crisps-dispensing end that is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
     
     
         21 . The process according to  claim 19 , wherein the delivery tube is cylindrical in cross-section above the dispensing end. 
     
     
         22 . The process according to  claim 19 , wherein the delivery tube further comprises a trapdoor to hold the potato crisps in the tube and which can be opened for dispensing the potato crisps into the box. 
     
     
         23 . The process according to  claim 22 , wherein the trapdoor comprises at least one flap hingedly engaged with an inner wall of the tube. 
     
     
         24 . The process according to  claim 18 , wherein step (ii) comprises mechanically shaking the potato crisps-containing box so that all the potato crisps are within the box prior to step (iii). 
     
     
         25 . The process according to  claim 18 , wherein the potato crisps are weighed in a weigh head prior to step (i). 
     
     
         26 . The process according to  claim 19 , wherein the tube is telescopic and can be telescopically extended for delivery of the potato crisps. 
     
     
         27 . The process according to  claim 18 , wherein the urging arrangement urges a lid of the box closed against the crisps. 
     
     
         28 . A process according to  claim 18 , wherein the urging arrangement comprises a settlement barrier which is stationary and the urging of the crisps is imparted by moving the box/crisps against the barrier. 
     
     
         29 . A pack comprising (i) a box having a base and side-walls (ii) potato crisps held within the box, and (iii) a foil-wrapper about the box to hermetically seal the potato crisps in the box, wherein the pack is being prepared by the process according to  claim 18 . 
     
     
         30 . The pack according to  claim 29 , wherein the box further comprises a lid which is closed before the foil wrapper is applied.