Method and apparatus for exposing a container to a controlled environment

A method of operating an apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongated rail, the elongated rail including a longitudinally oriented manifold, and a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold;
• passing the container along the elongated rail for a pre-determined period of time;
• supplying a controlled environment gas into the manifold;
• passing the controlled environment gas through the manifold;
• and
• receiving the controlled environment gas immediately exiting the manifold at the first elongated gas deflecting member and deflecting the received controlled environment gas in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container.

An apparatus for exposing a product contained within a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:

• an elongated rail including first, second and third longitudinally oriented manifolds adapted to align with a path of the container, and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas;
• and
• a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the second longitudinally oriented manifold, the first elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the second longitudinally oriented manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through an elongated open region;
• wherein the first longitudinally oriented manifold is positioned between the second longitudinally oriented manifold and the third longitudinally manifold.

A method for exposing a product contained within a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:

• providing an elongated rail, the elongated rail including first, second and third longitudinally oriented manifolds, and a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the second longitudinally oriented manifold;
• passing the container along the elongated rail for a predetermined period of time;
• supplying a controlled environment gas through at least one inlet opening;
• passing the controlled environment gas through the first, second and third longitudinally oriented manifolds;
• and
• deflecting a first portion of the controlled environment gas from the second longitudinally oriented manifold by a contour of the first elongated gas deflecting member in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through an elongated open region.

An apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:

• an elongated rail including a longitudinally oriented manifold adapted to align with a path of the container, and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas;
• a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold, the first elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container;
• and
• wherein the first elongated gas deflecting member includes an upward-turned end region adapted to receive the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas into the container.

An apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:

• an elongated rail including a longitudinally oriented manifold adapted to align with a path of the container, and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas;
• a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold, the first elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container;
• a second elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold, the second elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the container in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through an open elongated region;
• and
• wherein the second elongated gas deflecting member includes an upward-turned end region adapted to receive the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas through the elongated open region.