Method and system for processing meat products in a modified atmosphere

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 packaging machine comprising:
• at least one conveyor configured for conveying containers to be sealed;
• a substantially vertical planar member having a plurality of apertures through which at least one gas is dispensed, said plurality of apertures being angled so as to direct gas generally downward towards the containers, said substantially vertical planar member adapted for preventing conveyance of containers beyond a predetermined horizontal position, wherein said substantially vertical plate has a forward portion and a rearward portion, said forward portion having a plurality of apertures for releasing and directing gas proximal to the containers, said plurality of apertures provided in the forward portion being arranged both horizontally and vertically and having at least two rows and columns of apertures, said forward portion and said rearward portion having an internal volume provided therebetween and wherein said rearward portion is in fluid communication with at least one conduit for conveying at least one gas to the substantially vertical plate and into the internal volume a translator for translating containers to be closed in a substantially vertical direction;
• a closing device provided proximal to and aligned with a transport path of the containers;
• directing the containers toward the substantially vertical member, the substantially vertical member comprising a delimiting member for stopping the movement of one of the plurality of unwrapped containers along the transport path;
• receiving the at least one gas from a source, the at least one gas comprising a gas mixture comprising not more than approximately 5% oxygen by unit volume;
• directing at least one gas from the substantially vertical member to an area immediately surrounding the containers;
• using the closing device, applying a plastic over-wrap to said containers in a substantially air-tight fashion;
• and
• conveying the wrapped container along a second predetermined horizontal path.

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 one of the plurality of unwrapped containers along the transport path;
• directing at least one gas from the substantially vertical plate to an area immediately surrounding the container, said plurality of apertures being angled so as to direct gas generally downward towards the containers;
• directing a container at least one of vertically upward and downward;
• wrapping the container in a substantially air-tight fashion;
• conveying the wrapped container along a second predetermined horizontal path;
• and
• wherein said substantially vertical plate stops the movement of the plurality of unwrapped containers prior to the step of wrapping the container, said substantially vertical plate having a forward portion and a rearward portion, said forward portion having a plurality of apertures for releasing and directing gas proximal to the containers when said containers are in a stopped position adjacent the substantially vertical plate, said plurality of apertures provided in the forward portion being arranged both horizontally and vertically and having at least two rows and columns of apertures, said forward portion and said rearward portion having an internal volume provided there between, said internal volume being rectilinear in shape, and wherein said rearward portion is in fluid communication with at least one conduit for conveying at least one gas to the substantially vertical plate and into the internal volume.