Superior Skin Packaging with the DARFRESH® System.A clear vision of quality and freshness

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The DARFESH® packaging system

The DARFRESH® packaging process uses specially formulated top and bottom webs to create a vacuum skin

consumer pack that fits around the product like a second skin. The top shrink web wraps itself firmly but gently

around every contour of the product without distorting its shape. The bottom and top webs are then heat-sealed

together right up to the product’s edges to produce a securely and hygienically sealed pack.

The result is a pack:

• with a high vacuum that guarantees a long shelf life

• with a practically invisible top web that surrounds the product like a second skin, giving it a natural look

for maximum merchandising appeal

• with total surface sealing that prevents juice migration and keeps surface decoration securely in place

• with an easy-peel corner for consumer convenience

• with multicolour printing capabilities for increased communication and attractiveness

• that can be competitively presented at PoS with multiple colour, imprint and label options

• that guards against freezer burn during deep-freeze storage

Funktion

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DARFRESH® packaging process

This unique skin packaging system stems from the ideal interaction

between Cryovac® DARFRESH® films and Multivac automatic RCD skin

packaging equipment, which has been specially optimised for this

application. The superb end-product DARFRESH® presentation is the

result of decades of experience and cooperation.

The DARFRESH® packaging process at the sealing dome

1. The air in the chamber and package is evacuated, drawing the top

web to the ceiling of the dome. The top web absorbs heat from the

dome and becomes formable

2. A gentle airflow is introduced and the top web relaxes and drapes

itself gently over the product and the bottom web

3. The dome opens and the top web shrinks skin-tight around all the

product’s contours

The top and bottom films are heat-sealed to each other to form a

completely flat seal right up to the edges of the product

DARFRESH® Packaging System

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A few examples from many of DARFRESH®-packed products

The DARFRESH® system delivers high-quality, added-value consumer packs for self-service retailing. Exceptional

product presentation is a particular DARFRESH® hallmark, highlighted by features such as printed, gold and silver

metallised bottom webs, crystal-clear top films, the preservation of the product’s natural contours and total surface

sealing that keeps delicate decorations in place. That’s why DARFRESH® has become the packaging of choice for

demanding products. Above all, DARFRESH® is also the brand quality promoter par excellence - it’s the face that

stands out from the crowd.

Another DARFRESH® unique feature is product freshness. The DARFRESH® range of films offers a wide choice of

properties from high barrier to breathable films, depending on the specific application. But whatever the application,

DARFRESH® offers what today’s consumers want: high quality food plus maximum convenience.

In short, DARFRESH® versatility offers an exciting, alternative presentation for fresh meat, processed meat, fish,

seafood, poultry, game, ready meals, cheeses and patés.

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DARFRESH® Packaging System

“Classic” DARFRESH®

Probably the best-known DARFRESH® pack presents the product on a rigid thermoformed pack. The top film forms a

“second skin” around the product and is sealed to the tray right up to the edges of the product. The whole DARFRESH®

process, from forming the pack through product placement to sealing, is carried out on Multivac thermoforming

machines.

Ideal optics and maximum security are achieved by choosing the film from the CRYOVAC® range that’s best suited to

the product’s shape and geometry. Products which protrude considerably above the thermoformed pack and products

with cavities or even sharp edges can be packed just as successfully as simple, flat products.

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FunktionDARFRESH® Packaging System

Films that “breathe”

To maintain their freshness, many products demand impermeable fi lms. Others,

like some cheeses for instance, need to “breathe” as part of their maturation

process, in order to maintain their freshness and optimal shelf life.

Semi-permeable DARFRESH® fi lms allow the gases to escape, while still hugging

the contours of the product.

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Flexibility included

Patés or ready meals, which are traditionally presented in bowls, dishes,

pots or on trays, not only gain a longer shelf life through being packed in

DARFRESH®, but they also benefit from the presentation advantages and

the extended distribution opportunities.

Whether for convenience or out of necessity, for instance when time-consum-

ing decorative work is involved, the containers can be filled away from the

packaging machine. They are then sealed between two flexible DARFRESH®

webs on the Multivac packaging machine.

Additional opportunities with DARFRESH® 3-Web

Further possibilities also open up

when another top lidding film is

sealed flat along the rim of the

pack tray. Such a pack has all the

advantages of a DARFRESH®

vacuum skin pack, while offering

several additional benefits:

• the flat lidding film can also be

printed or labeled as desired –

in fact, all three films can be

used for creative designs and

consumer communication

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FunktionDARFRESH* Packaging System

DARFRESH BLOOM™ for bright red, succulent meat

This system addresses the colour change that occurs when fresh

red meat is sealed under vacuum. DARFRESH BLOOM™ prevents the

colour change by using an oxygen-rich atmosphere in the space

between a top barrier lidding film and a semi-permeable inner skin

film, the latter securing the product firmly to the bottom web.

• ingredients or other items can be

enclosed in the space between

the two top webs, for example,

seasoning packs, packets with

sauces, coupons, recipes and

even small leaflets

• DARFRESH® 3-Web packs are

stackable and can also be

displayed vertically

• easy-peel corners are possible

for either separate or shared

opening of both top webs

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Haute cuisine – quickly served

More than any other system, DARFRESH® is ideally suited for offering consumers ready meals in distinctive and

appetising packs. The possibilities range from marinated meats through partially or wholly cooked menu compo-

nents to comprehensive menus including sauces and side dishes. DARFRESH® offers several alternatives for the

packaging of convenience foods: the standard thermoformed pack sealed with a top skin film; the tray or bowl

packed in a thermoformed flexible base web and skin sealed; DARFRESH® 3-Web; and finally, CRYOVAC® Simple

Steps™ for microwave applications.

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CRYOVAC® Simple Steps™ – clean and simple

It’s so simple:

1. Remove the outer packaging and place the tray in the microwave. No need to

peel off or puncture the film.

2. Heat on medium for 3-4 minutes*. The film expands to form a bubble during

heating and then self-vents and relaxes over the food.

3. Just remove from the microwave and let cool for two minutes. Then, simply

peel off the film and serve straight from the package. Bon appétit!

* Heat time will vary based on product volume.

CRYOVAC® Simple Steps™ packaging for the microwave is also possible with DARFRESH® 3-Web. In this case, you just peel off the top film before heating.

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Purpose-designed packaging Opening aids

DARFRESH® films excel with their outstanding easy-open features.

To open the pack, you simply peel back the top web.

Thermoformed pack with tray and skin film and bottom web corner cut

Pack shapes

Pack shapes and dimensions are made by changing the forming plates.

Thermoformed packs: ribbing, radius, base embossing and similar features contribute to the stability of the package

as well as to its optical design and brand profile. The rectangular pack with rounded corners is the most cost-effective

and most versatile solution for the contour cutting. More complex shapes are also possible, provided that the

product’s profile allows the use of precision die tools.

Flexible packaging: rectangular, circular, oval and other shapes are all possible.

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Presentation: horizontal, leaning or vertical Again, the choice is yours. Because the skin fi lm keeps the pack’s contents

securely in place, all display methods are feasible.

Information and colour All the possibilities of modern fi lm printing are open to you, so you can design a DARFRESH® pack that’s unique to

you and at the same time print consumer information. You can use continuous or registered printing, top and/or

bottom web printing, plus labelling variations. The choice is yours.

1. Unopened pack 2. Peel off lidding fi lm 3. Peel off skin fi lm

Lidding fi lms and skin fi lms can be peeled off together or separately.

In this instance, the peel corners lie above one another. The corner of the lidding

fi lm is unsealed; the skin fi lm has a trailing corner with a bottom web corner cut.

Naturally, peel corners can also be confi gured separately.

Tray sealed between two

fl exible fi lms with unsealed

corner

Hanging display holesHanging display slits

bottom web printing, plus labelling variations. The choice is yours.

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With this technology, you can realise all your ideas

Multivac and Cryovac DARFRESH® skin machines feed the packaging webs from rolls.

The trays are thermoformed on the machine, filled manually or automatically, and then

heat-sealed under vacuum in the DARFRESH® dome. An additional lidding film is used

for the DARFRESH® 3-Web and DARFRESH BLOOM™ concepts. Cutting devices give the

pack its desired shape. This technology offers high daily output productivity, while

different performance and equipment options allow you to tailor-design your packaging

line to your production and product requirements.

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FunktionDARFRESH® Packaging System

It can make sense or even be necessary for the filling process to be carried out away

from the machine if the product is to be packed in bowls, dishes or pre-made trays,

and particularly if time-consuming visual or decorative effects are involved.

Quite simply, Multivac and Cryovac DARFRESH® skin packaging machines equipped

with flexible or rigid bottom and top webs open up unlimited possibilities.

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Your partners

www.multivac.com

Sealed Air and Multivac have been collaborating on DARFRESH® skin packaging for

more than 20 years. Our efforts have yielded a tremendously economical and reliable

packaging technology that you can use to safeguard your product’s integrity and to

differentiate your brands. We look forward to working with you.

®™: DARFRESH, CRYOVAC, DARFRESH BLOOM and Simple Steps are registered

trademarks or trademarks of Cryovac Inc., a subsidiary of Sealed Air Corporation.

www.sealedair.com

10.547.9227 © Multivac, eb 05/07 · Printed in Germany on chlorine-free paper · Subject to design changes as progress is madeMultivac is a registered trademark of Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller GmbH & Co. KG