Laser microperforated fresh produce trays for modified/controlled atmosphere packaging
AssigneeTaylor Fresh Foods, Inc.
InventorsElizabeth Varriano-Marston, Roland Meijer, Eugene P. Thomas
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Abstract
A system for laser microperforated fresh produce trays for use in modifying or controlling the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and/out of a fresh produce container, where the microperforations are specifically tailored such as by size, location and number for the specific produce. The packaging system tailors microperforated trays for particular produce to optimally preserve the produce, using a method of making registered microperforations on the trays using at least some of the following: a conveyor, a thickness measuring devise, a sensor mechanism, and a laser system including optics.
Claims24
A laser method for microperforating semi-rigid trays for modified atmosphere packaging of respiring produce, the trays being pre-formed by injection molding, or by a thermoforming process that includes pressing or forming the trays from suitable tray stock in a tray die or otherwise, the method comprising:
- selecting a target area that is common to the walls of all of the plurality of semi-rigid trays, the target area in each tray being substantially uniform in wall thickness;
- measuring a wall thickness of the target area of at least one of the plurality of trays;
- processing a laser output requirement for laser drilling a microperforation in the target area of a predetermined diameter based on the wall thickness;
- adjusting a laser to said laser output requirement;
- and
- drilling with said laser at least one said microperforation in the target area of at least one of said plurality of trays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.