# US 2015/0147449 A1 · Method and system for processing meat products in a modified atmosphere > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0147449 A1 - Document ID: US20150147449A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/089,013 - Filed: 2013-11-25 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-25 - Assignees: Jbs USA, LLC - Applicants: Jbs USA, LLC - Inventors: John Erick Johnson; Jose Luis Montes; Brian Charles Adams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150147449A1 ## CPC - A23B 4/16: in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor - A23B 2/721: in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O - B65B 25/067: {combined with its conservation} - B65B 31/028: {closed by a lid sealed to the upper rim of the container, e.g. tray-like container} - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A method and system for wrapping meat in containers is provided. The method and system provide a modified atmosphere, other than that which exists as standard air, to a container such that a final sealed product contains an internal volume or atmosphere of modified gas. In-line processing features dispense the desired modified gas such that minimal interruption is provided in an automated or partially automated packing operation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A packaging machine for sealing containers, comprising: a first conveyor for conveying containers to be sealed; a second conveyor for conveying sealed containers; a substantially vertical planar member provided between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, the planar member adapted for preventing conveyance of a container beyond a predetermined horizontal position; a translator for translating containers to be closed in a substantially vertical direction along the height of the planar member; a closing device provided proximal to an upper terminus of the height of the planar portion; wherein the closing device is aligned with a transport path of containers defined by the second conveyor; and the substantially vertical planar member comprising apertures through which at least one gas is dispensed, the apertures provided such that the at least one gas is dispensed proximal a container and the closing device such that an internal volume of the container comprises the at least one gas when the container is sealed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The packaging machine of claim 1, wherein the first conveyor and the translator are disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane when the translator is in a first position, such that containers may be horizontally conveyed from the first conveyor to the translator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The packaging machine of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical planar member further comprises an opposing surface member, the opposing surface member comprising an input for receiving the at least one gas from a source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The packaging machine of claim 1, wherein the closing device comprises means for applying a plastic over-wrap to a container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The packaging machine of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical planar member comprises a first face of a substantially rectilinear enclosed volume, the enclosed volume comprising the at least one gas. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The packaging machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one gas comprises a gas mixture comprising not more than approximately 5% oxygen by unit volume. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The packaging machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one gas comprises a gas mixture comprising not more than approximately 1% oxygen by unit volume. ### Claim 8 A packaging machine for sealing containers, comprising: a conveyor for conveying containers to be sealed; a gas dispensation device in fluid communication with at least one gas and adapted to direct the at least one gas to an environment directly surrounding the containers conveyed on the conveyor; the at least one gas comprising not more than approximately 10% oxygen by unit volume; a container closing device aligned with a transport path of containers defined by the conveyor and provided proximal the gas dispensation device such that an internal volume of containers sealed by the closing device contain the at least one gas. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The packaging machine of claim 8, wherein the gas dispensation device comprises a substantially planar plate member comprising a plurality of apertures for directing said at least one gas toward the transport path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The packaging machine of claim 9, wherein the gas dispensation device comprises a substantially vertical plate member provided substantially perpendicular to the transport path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The packaging machine of claim 9, wherein the substantially planar plate member is provided substantially parallel to and at least one of directly above and directly below the transport path. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The packaging machine of claim 8, wherein the gas dispensation device comprises an input for receiving the at least one gas from a source. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The packaging machine of claim 8, wherein the container closing device comprises means for applying a plastic over-wrap to a container. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The packaging machine of claim 8, wherein the gas dispensation device comprises a first face of a substantially rectilinear enclosed volume, the enclosed volume comprising the at least one gas. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The packaging machine of claim 8, wherein the at least one gas comprises not more than approximately 2% oxygen by unit volume. ### Claim 16 A method of sealing containers, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of unwrapped containers; conveying the containers along a predetermined horizontal transport path; directing the containers toward a substantially vertical plate, the substantially vertical plate comprising a delimiting member for stopping the movement of a tray along the transport path; directing at least one gas from the substantially vertical plate to an area immediately surrounding the container; directing a container at least one of vertically upward and downward; wrapping the container in a substantially air-tight fashion; and conveying the wrapped container along a second predetermined horizontal path. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising conveying the containers to a subsequent operation, the subsequent operation comprising at least one of inspection, labeling, sorting, refrigerating, and shipping. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein wrapping the container is performed at a location proximal the at least one gas directed from the substantially vertical plate such that an internal volume of the wrapped container comprises the at least one gas. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one gas comprises less oxygen per unit volume than standard air. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one gas is forced directly onto the contents of the container.