Gas flush high pressure pasteurization packaging and associated methods
AssigneeColumbus Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsGary DesLauriers, Paul Wolfert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for packaging perishable foods. A packaging method in accordance with several embodiments of the disclosure can include, for example, mating a tray with a product. The tray can include a compartment having a generally similar shape as the shape of the product. The method can further include gas flushing an internal atmosphere around a product, and sealing the product and the internal atmosphere between a lid and the tray. Additionally, the method can include pasteurizing the product with an application of substantially uniform high pressure to a surface area of the package (e.g., high pressure pasteurization).
Claims21
An at least partially automated method of packaging a perishable product, comprising:
- mating a tray with a product, the tray having a compartment, the compartment and the product having generally similar shapes, and wherein the product is substantially in the compartment;
- gas flushing the product in the compartment with an internal atmosphere;
- hermetically sealing the internal atmosphere and the product between the tray and a lid to form a package;
- and
- pasteurizing the product with an application of substantially uniform high pressure to a surface area of the package.
An at least partially automated method of packaging a perishable product, comprising:
- positioning a product substantially in a cavity of a container, the cavity and the product having generally similar shapes, and wherein the product has a first volume and the cavity has a second volume at least 10% greater than the first volume;
- gas flushing an internal atmosphere into a free space, the free space being defined by the difference between the first and second volumes and comprising at least 10% of the second volume;
- attaching a cover to a portion of the container, the cover and the container enclosing the product to form a package;
- sealing the cover to the container;
- and
- applying substantially uniform high pressure to an exterior surface of the package to pasteurize the product.
A packaged perishable product, comprising:
- a container having a peripheral surface and a cavity spaced below the peripheral surface, the cavity having a first shape;
- a perishable product positioned at least partially within the cavity, the product having a first volume and a shape is at least generally similar to the first shape, wherein the compartment is configured to mate with the product;
- a cover sealed to the container, wherein the cover and the container form a package having a second volume, and wherein the package is configured to withstand substantially uniform pressure of at least 80,000 psi;
- and
- an internal atmosphere at least partially filling the difference between the first volume and the second volume.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.