초록 ▼

A system for packaging of perishable food products involves initially packaging the food product in a receptacle containing an inert gas atmosphere and sealing a film to the receptacle. The inert gas atmosphere prevents deterioration of the food product subsequent to shipment from a central processi

A system for packaging of perishable food products involves initially packaging the food product in a receptacle containing an inert gas atmosphere and sealing a film to the receptacle. The inert gas atmosphere prevents deterioration of the food product subsequent to shipment from a central processing facility. The receptacle includes a sealing flange and a tab portion extending from the sealing flange, to which the film is sealed. To prepare the food product for display at a retail establishment, the tab and the film sealed thereto are removed from the package, by operation of a severing mechanism, to form an opening between the film and the receptacle. An atmosphere exchange operation is carried out through the opening, by injecting gas through the opening into the receptacle cavity. The severing mechanism includes a knife member, and gas is injected into the opening through a gas injection port formed in the knife member. The inert gas atmosphere initially contained within the receptacle is exhausted through the opening. Once the atmosphere exchange process has been carried out, the opening is closed by sealing the film to the receptacle by operation of a sealing mechanism. Introduction of the oxygen-containing gas into the receptacle cavity induces the desired oxygen "bloom" in a fresh meat food product, and in other food products replaces the inert gas atmosphere in preparation for display and consumption of the food product. The final configuration of the package as displayed to consumers has the same external appearance as prior art packages, leading to ready consumer acceptance while greatly enhancing product life and reducing spoilage associated with production and distribution of the food products from a central processing facility.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A gas atmosphere modification system for a package including a receptacle defining an interior and having a sealing area, and further including a film sealed to the sealing area for closing the package to maintain a first gas atmosphere within the package interior, comprising:a severing member fo

1. A gas atmosphere modification system for a package including a receptacle defining an interior and having a sealing area, and further including a film sealed to the sealing area for closing the package to maintain a first gas atmosphere within the package interior, comprising:a severing member for severing a portion of the receptacle sealing area and the film sealed thereto from the remainder of the receptacle sealing area and film, wherein severing of the portion of the receptacle sealing area and the film sealed thereto is operable to form an opening between the film and the remainder of the receptacle sealing area; a pressurized gas introduction system including a gas injection port, wherein the package is adapted for positioning after operation of the severing member such that the opening is located adjacent the gas injection port, wherein the pressurized gas introduction system is operable to discharge a gas from the gas injection port through the opening into the package interior to modify the atmosphere therewithin, wherein at least a portion of the first gas atmosphere escapes from the package interior through the opening upon passage of gas from the gas injection port through the opening into the package interior to create a second gas atmosphere therewithin; and a sealing member for sealing the film to the receptacle sealing area at the opening to close the package and to maintain the second gas atmosphere within the package interior.