초록 ▼

The present invention includes a gas flushing device that includes a piston portion having a hole to introduce the flushing gas. The present invention also includes a method for removing air from a container that stores food. The method includes providing the gas flushing device and aligning the dev

The present invention includes a gas flushing device that includes a piston portion having a hole to introduce the flushing gas. The present invention also includes a method for removing air from a container that stores food. The method includes providing the gas flushing device and aligning the device with the container. The method also includes moving the piston of the device into the container until the piston encounters a predetermined pressure. Next, the piston is retracted from the container while simultaneously releasing a fushing gas through the hole. Next, the piston is removed from the container and the container is sealed in an inert atmosphere.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of removing undesirable gas from a container having an interior cavity and an opening for providing access to the interior cavity of the container, the container having a food product disposed within the interior space of the container, said method comprising t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of removing undesirable gas from a container having an interior cavity and an opening for providing access to the interior cavity of the container, the container having a food product disposed within the interior space of the container, said method comprising the steps of:providing a displacement member including a piston portion that is sized and shaped to permit the piston portion to pass through the opening of the container, the piston portion also comprising at least one flushing gas supply passage having an outlet that opens through a surface of the piston portion;positioning the displacement member relative to the container so that the container opening is aligned with the piston portion of the displacement member;moving the displacement member and the container relatively toward one another so that the piston portion is inserted through the container opening and at least partially within the interior space of the container until a surface portion of the piston portion contacts the food product within the interior space, said step of moving the displacement member and the container relatively toward one another thereby causing a positive displacement of a quantity of undesirable gas from within the interior space of the container by forcing undesirable gas out of the interior space of the container by gas flow about the piston portion;moving the displacement member and the container relatively away from one another so that the piston portion is moved along the interior space of the container; andsupplying flushing gas under a positive pressure within the flushing gas supply passage during the step of moving the displacement member and container relatively away from one another and while the outlet of the flushing gas supply passage is within the interior space of the container so that flushing gas is ejected into the interior space of the container. [10.]10. A method of removing undesirable gas from a container having an interior cavity and an opening for providing access to the interior cavity of the container, the container having a dough product disposed within the interior space of the container, said method comprising the steps of:providing a displacement member including a piston portion that is sized and shaped to permit the piston portion to pass through the opening of the container, the piston portion also comprising at least one flushing gas supply passage having an outlet that opens through a surface of the piston portion;positioning the displacement member relative to the container so that the container opening is aligned with the piston portion of the displacement member;moving the displacement member and the container relatively toward one another so that the piston portion is inserted through the container opening and at least partially within the interior space of the container beyond a point at which a surface portion of the piston portion contacts the dough product within the interior space for compressing the dough product and forcing undesirable gas from the dough product, said step of moving the displacement member and the container relatively toward one another thereby causing a positive displacement of a quantity of undesirable gas from within the interior space of the container by forcing undesirable gas out of the dough product and from the interior space of the container by gas flow about the piston portion;moving the displacement member and the container relatively away from one another so that the piston portion is taken out of contact with the dough product and until the piston portion is removed from the interior space of the container; andsupplying flushing gas under a positive pressure within the flushing gas supply passage during the step of moving the displacement member and container relatively away from one another and while the outlet of the flushing gas supply passage is within the interior space of the container so that flushing gas is ejected into the interior space of the container.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the compression of the dough product is stopped when a predetermined force is encountered by the piston portion.12. The method of claim 10, wherein the flushing gas is supplied at a rate sufficient to prevent creation of a vacuum within the interior space of the container while the displacement member and container move relatively away from one another.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the flushing gas is directed from the outlet of the flushing gas supply passage so as to impinge onto a surface of the dough product.14. The method of claim 12, wherein flushing gas is also supplied while the displacement member and container move relatively toward one another including while the dough product is compressed.15. The method of claim 12, wherein the piston portion is shaped similar to the opening of the container and is sized so as to permit passage of the piston portion into the interior space of the container, but to allow flow of undesirable gas from the interior space of the container between the piston portion and the container, the piston portion thus providing a surface for contacting substantially all of an exposed surface area of the dough product when the contact between the piston portion surface and dough product occurs.16. The method of claim 12, further comprising a step of sealing the container in an environment that is free of the undesirable gas after said step of moving the displacement member and the container relatively away from one another is conducted to a point where the piston portion is removed from the container.17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of supplying flushing gas comprises supplying CO.sub.2 as the flushing gas and the sealing step is conducted in an environment comprising CO.sub.2 so that CO.sub.2 is sealed within the interior space of the container.18. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of supplying flushing gas comprises supplying CO.sub.2 as the flushing gas.