Device and system for modified atmosphere packaging
OwnerJames Sanfilippo, John Sanfilippo +1inventors
InventorsJames Sanfilippo, John Sanfilippo, Javier Soria
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A focal point gassing device or system including a gas supply tube operably connected to supply gas to a focal point gassing head and a screen attached to the lance head, wherein the screen provides high velocity laminarized and directed flow gas to product moving through a vertical form/fill/seal packaging system. The vertical packaging system includes a focal point gassing device and a gassing lance to provide gas to product as it moves from a packaging hopper through a filling tube and into the package. The packaging system includes a gassing control system monitor and adjust the flow of gas to the gassing apparatus.
Claims12
A gassing device for positioning within a food hopper or funnel, comprising:
- an elongated gassing tube including a gas inlet at a first end;
- a gas dispensing device including a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a sidewall tapering inward toward a bottom end of the bottom portion, the tapered sidewall and the bottom end including a gassing screen.
A method for controlling atmosphere in a food filled package, the method comprising:
- flowing controlled environment gas from a first region adjacent a focal point of a food hopper toward food traveling downward along a perimeter of the food hopper toward a forming tube.
A system for controlling atmosphere in a food filled package, comprising:
- a hopper;
- a forming tube operably attached to the hopper;
- a first gassing device including a gassing tube positioned coaxial with the forming tube and within the hopper, and a gas screen in communication with a bottom end of the gassing tube to dispense gas adjacent a focal point defined by a hopper wall profile;
- and
- at least one second gassing device including a gas inlet and gas rail positioned adjacent a bottom end of the forming tube and directing controlled environment gas downward into a package positioned beneath the forming tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.