U.S. patent application number 11/368236 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for device and system for modified atmosphere packaging.
Invention is credited to James J. Sanfilippo, John E. Sanfilippo, Javier Soria.
Application Number | 20060213153 11/368236 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37033800 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060213153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanfilippo; James J. ; et
al. |
September 28, 2006 |
Device and system for modified atmosphere packaging
Abstract
A focal point gassing device or system including a gas supply
tube operably connected to supply gas to a focal point gassing head
and a screen attached to the lance head, wherein the screen
provides high velocity laminarized and directed flow gas to product
moving through a vertical form/fill/seal packaging system. The
vertical packaging system includes a focal point gassing device and
a gassing lance to provide gas to product as it moves from a
packaging hopper through a filling tube and into the package. The
packaging system includes a gassing control system monitor and
adjust the flow of gas to the gassing apparatus.
Inventors: |
Sanfilippo; James J.;
(Barrington Hills, IL) ; Sanfilippo; John E.;
(Barrington Hills, IL) ; Soria; Javier;
(Northlake, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARDINAL LAW GROUP;Suite 2000
1603 Orrington Avenue
Evanston
IL
60201
US
|
Family ID: |
37033800 |
Appl. No.: |
11/368236 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60658750 |
Mar 3, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/511 ; 141/66;
53/433 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 31/045
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/511 ;
053/433; 141/066 |
International
Class: |
B65B 31/04 20060101
B65B031/04 |
Claims
1. A gassing device for positioning within a food hopper or funnel,
comprising: an elongated gassing tube including a gas inlet at a
first end; a gas dispensing device including a top portion and a
bottom portion, the bottom portion including a sidewall tapering
inward toward a bottom end of the bottom portion, the tapered
sidewall and the bottom end including a gassing screen.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the gassing screen comprises a
plurality of plies of porous mesh.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the gassing screen comprises a
laminarized flow screen and a focused flow screen.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the laminarized flow screen
comprises a first portion having a first plurality of mesh plies
and a second portion having a second plurality of mesh plies.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the gassing screen comprises a
plurality of openings defined in the sidewall.
6. A method for controlling atmosphere in a food filled package,
the method comprising: flowing controlled environment gas from a
first region adjacent a focal point of a food hopper toward food
traveling downward along a perimeter of the food hopper toward a
forming tube.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: flowing controlled
environment gas downward from a second region adjacent an outlet of
the forming tube into a package positioned at an end of the forming
tube.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising: determining a package
environment; controlling flow through from the first region and the
second region based on the package environment.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein flowing controlled environment gas
from a first region adjacent the focal point comprises positioning
a tip of the focal point gassing device at the focal point.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein flowing controlled environment
gas from a first region adjacent a focal point comprises
positioning a tip of the focal point gassing device above the focal
point.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein flowing controlled environment
gas from a first region adjacent the focal point comprises
positioning a tip of the focal point gassing device below the focal
point.
12. A system for controlling atmosphere in a food filled package,
comprising: a hopper; a forming tube operably attached to the
hopper; a first gassing device including a gassing tube positioned
coaxial with the forming tube and within the hopper, and a gas
screen in communication with a bottom end of the gassing tube to
dispense gas adjacent a focal point defined by a hopper wall
profile; and at least one second gassing device including a gas
inlet and gas rail positioned adjacent a bottom end of the forming
tube and directing controlled environment gas downward into a
package positioned beneath the forming tube.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/658,750 filed Mar. 3, 2005, titled "Device and
System for Modified Atmosphere Packaging", the entirety of which is
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to apparatus for exposing product to a
controlled and/or modified atmosphere environment, and more
particularly to a gassing apparatus for delivering gasses and
mixtures into packages.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various products, including food products and any other
products having an adverse reaction to air, are packaged in a
modified atmosphere and/or a controlled environment. Various
attempts have been made to efficiently package these products in
modified atmosphere and/or controlled environments using vacuum
and/or controlled environments.
[0004] Various food products, including nuts, snacks, cheese,
meats, fruits, and vegetables, are packaged under regular
atmospheric conditions. Many of these products are presented in
supermarkets, for example, in bags, cartons, or cardboard
containers with a plastic or cellophane wrap covering the product.
One problem with this type of packaging is that the goods have a
limited shelf life, which for many products is only several days to
a week.
[0005] Removing air during packaging is a problem in weighing and
filling machines, which automate the packaging process. The space
available for gassing operations is often limited in machines such
as combination weighers, which employ weighing buckets and timing
hoppers to meter the product and fill packages making it difficult
to remove unwanted air. In packaging assemblies that use hoppers or
collating funnels to direct the material to be packaged, the
material continues to pull in unwanted air as it moves down the
hopper or funnel. Furthermore, the speed at which packages are
filled limits the ability to reduce the amount of air in the
product to the desired level prior to sealing.
[0006] It would be desirable to have a gassing system and apparatus
that overcomes the above disadvantages and limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a gassing device for
positioning within a food hopper or scale collating funnel. The
gassing device comprises an elongated gassing tube including a gas
inlet at a first end, a gas dispensing device including a top
portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion including a
sidewall tapering inward toward a bottom end of the bottom portion,
the tapered sidewall and the bottom end including a gassing
screen.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention provides a system for
controlling atmosphere in a food filled package. The system
includes a hopper, a forming tube operably attached to the hopper,
a first gassing device including a gassing tube positioned coaxial
with the forming tube and within the hopper, and a gas screen in
communication with a bottom end of the gassing tube to dispense gas
adjacent a focal point defined by a hopper wall profile. The system
further includes at least one second gassing device including a gas
inlet and gas rail positioned adjacent a bottom end of the forming
tube and directing controlled environment gas downward into a
package positioned beneath the forming tube.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for
controlling atmosphere in a food filled package. The method for
controlling atmosphere in a food filled package comprises flowing
controlled environment gas from a first region above and adjacent a
focal point of a food hopper toward food traveling downward along a
perimeter of the hopper toward a forming tube.
[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will become further apparent from the following detailed
description of the presently preferred embodiment, read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not to
scale. The detailed description and drawings are merely
illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of
the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustrative operating environment for a
gassing apparatus and system made in accordance with the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a gassing system made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a gassing apparatus made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the head portion of the gassing
apparatus of FIG. 3 made in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another gassing apparatus
of the gassing system made in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a gassing apparatus made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the head portion of the gassing
apparatus of FIG. 6 made in accordance with the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is another embodiment of a gassing apparatus of the
gassing system made in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for controlling
atmosphere in a filled package, in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] FIG. 1 is an illustrative packaging system 10 for a gassing
apparatus made in accordance with the present invention. The
packaging system 10 includes a plurality of weighing buckets 20, a
hopper assembly 30, a filling tube 40, a packaging assembly 50 and
a gassing controller 80. The packaging system 10 further includes a
gassing assembly, described in more detail below.
[0021] The hopper assembly 30 includes a hopper 32 for receiving
product from at least one of the plurality of weighing buckets 20
and bracket 34 (FIG. 2). Hopper 32 comprises a funnel or cone
shaped receptacle as are well known in the art. Hopper 32 tapers
towards filling tube 40. Filling tube 40 includes a funnel shaped
upper end 42 for receiving product from hopper 32 and a lower end
44 where product exits into a formed package (not shown). The
packaging assembly 50 includes film rollers 52, product stager 54
and seal jaw 56. Packaging assembly 50 may include other components
for forming and filling a package not pertinent to the present
invention.
[0022] Product flows from hopper 32 into and through filling tube
40 to be packaged by packaging assembly 50. Product is gassed as it
passes through the hopper 32 and filling tube 40 by the gassing
assembly. Packaging system 10 includes at least one apparatus for
gassing the product prior to packaging the product in a sealed
package. Gas is introduced into and along the packaging process to
reduce the presence of air included with the packaged product. As
used herein, gas includes any gas or mixture used to provide a
modified or controlled environment around a product, such as inert
gas, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and combinations of
gases.
[0023] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a focal point gassing device 60
positioned within the hopper 32 of the packaging system 10. Focal
point gassing device 60 is positioned within hopper 32 to gas the
product as the product travels down the hopper towards the filling
tube 40. FIGS. 3 and 4 are illustrations of the focal point gassing
device 60. FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of a focal point
head cross section and tubing of a focal point gassing device made
in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] The focal point gassing device 60 is operably attached to
and suspended from a bracket 25 positioned substantially above
hopper 32. The focal point gassing device 60 is operably attached
to the bracket 25 via an attachment clip 68. In one embodiment,
bracket 25 is adjustable in a vertical direction in order to change
the location of the focal point gassing device 60. The attachment
clip 68 can be any suitable material and configuration required to
maintain the focal point gassing device 60 in position on bracket
25. Focal point gassing device 60 is positioned co-axial with the
filling tube 40. In one embodiment, focal point gassing device 60
is operably attached to the bracket 25 via a pair of set collars.
FIG. 6 illustrates a focal point gassing device 660 having a pair
of set collars 675 for attaching to bracket 25. In one embodiment,
set collars 675 are operably attached to bracket 25 by sliding into
a pocket portion of bracket 25. In this embodiment, focal point
gassing device 660 is easy to remove from the bracket. In one
embodiment, set collars 675 are adjustable to allow for the
vertical adjustment of the focal point gassing device 660 within
the hopper. In one embodiment, set collars may be secured to the
gas supply tube 664 using set screws or clamps.
[0025] A gas supply (not shown) attached to the gas connector 62
provides gas through the supply tube 64 to the focal point gassing
head 66. The supply tube 64 and gas connector 62 can be any
suitable hardware for connecting the focal point gassing head 66 to
a gas supply system and for locating the focal point gassing head
66 in the desired position to dispense the gas. In one embodiment,
the gas supply tube 64 is a rigid pipe, such as a stainless steel
pipe. The supply tube 64 can be made of any material compatible
with the gas and the product. Exemplary materials for the supply
tube 64 include, but are not limited to, plastic, non-ferrous metal
or stainless steel. One exemplary application as illustrated in
FIG. 3 uses a 304 stainless steel pipe having an outer diameter of
3/8 inch and an inner diameter of 1/4 inch for the supply tube 64.
In one embodiment, the supply tube 64 has an outer diameter between
1/4 and 1 inch. The supply tube 64 can have different diameters and
cross sections, depending on the desired application. For example,
the tubing cross section shape can be semi-circular, square,
rectangular, triangular, ovoid, ellipsoid, polygonal, or the like.
In one embodiment, an end portion of an outer gas supply tube 64
mates with and is in fluid communication with an end portion of an
inner gas supply tube 65. Gas supply tube 65 includes an outer
diameter that is less than the inner diameter of gas supply tube
64. In one embodiment, gas supply tube 64 is a stainless steel tube
having an outer diameter of one inch and an inner diameter of 5/8
inch. In this embodiment, gas tube 64 mates with a stainless steel
gas tube 65 having an outer diameter of 1/2 inch and an inner
diameter of 3/8 inch. In another embodiment, the outer diameter of
gas supply tube 64 is sized to fit within the inner diameter of gas
supply tube 65.
[0026] The focal point gassing head 66 is located near the focal
point of the hopper 32 or scale hopper 40, where the gas is needed.
The focal point 38 of the hopper is defined by the inside wall 34
of the hopper 32 and is the central point where, if the wall of the
hopper were extended to form a cone (illustrated by dashed line
36), the wall would converge to a single point. FIG. 2 illustrates
an embodiment where the tip 67 is positioned below the focal point
38. The position of the tip 67 of the focal point gassing device 60
may vary depending on application and the material being packaged.
In another embodiment, the tip is placed at the focal point during
packaging. In another embodiment, the tip 67 is placed above the
focal point.
[0027] In one embodiment, focal point gassing head 66 comprises top
portion 90 and bottom portion 92. Top portion 90 is operably
connected to gas supply tube 64. Top portion 90 may be connected to
gas supply tube 64 by any means known in the art such as by welding
or by a threaded connection. Alternatively, top portion 90 may be
formed integrally with gas supply tube 64.
[0028] Top portion 90 may be composed of stainless steel. Top
portion 90 is operably connected to bottom portion 92 and interface
94. In one embodiment, top portion 90 is connected to bottom
portion 92 by welding. In another embodiment, top portion 90 is
connected to bottom portion 92 by a threaded engagement. Those with
skill in the art will recognize that the shape of top portion 90
may vary depending on the application. Other embodiments of focal
point gassing device 60 may eliminate top portion 90. In other
embodiments, top portion 90 is a plate having an opening for
receiving supply tube 64, the periphery of the plate being operably
connected to bottom portion 92. In one embodiment, a seal 63 is
disposed between top portion 90 and bottom portion 92 to prevent or
reduce gas leakage.
[0029] Bottom portion 92 comprises a support 96 and a cone-shaped
screen 98 attached to support 96. Bottom portion 92 receives gas
from supply tube 64 and delivers a targeted (focused) gas flow
(arrow 102) and a laminarized gas flow (indicated by arrows 104,
105) through screen 98, described in more detail below. The
laminarized gas flow 104, 105 typically has a low velocity allowing
it to form a blanket flow along the hopper wall to bathe the
product in gas as it moves down the hopper towards the filling
tube. Targeted gas flow 102 provides a high velocity flow directed
towards the focal point 38 of the hopper. Bottom portion 92 may
have an elongated cone-shaped screen as shown in FIG. 2 or shorter
cone-shaped screen as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The shape, size and
length of the screen may be changed to suit a particular
application or particular material for packaging. In one
embodiment, the bottom portion 92 of the focal point gassing device
60 is removably attached to top portion 90 to facilitate
interchangeability of various shaped screens. In one embodiment,
top portion 90 is threadedly attached to bottom portion 92.
[0030] The screen 98 can be made of any material compatible with
the gas and the product. Typical materials for the screen 98
include plastic, non-ferrous metal or stainless steel. The screen
98 is porous and offers a flow resistance to convert the gas flow
106 exiting supply tube 64 to either targeted gas flow 102 or to
the laminarized gas flow 104, 105. In one embodiment, the screen 98
has a mesh size of between about 10-100 microns. In another
embodiment, a mesh size of 75 microns is used. Screen 98 may be
composed of a plurality of plies to provide for varying degrees of
flow resistance. In one embodiment, the screen 98 includes a
five-ply wire screen portion indicated by flow arrows 104 and a
nine-ply wire screen portion indicated by flow arrows 105. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that different numbers of plies
and mesh sizes can be used for different applications. In one
embodiment, the screen 98 has between 2 and 10 plies. In one
embodiment, screen 98 comprises an area at tip 67 for providing the
targeted gas flow 102. In this embodiment, screen 98 may have a
single ply of screen. Those with skill in the art will recognize
that the screen 98 at point 67 may have various other arrangements
of ply and mesh size suitable for supplying a targeted high
velocity gas flow directed towards the focal point 38. The screen
98 can be attached to the support 96 by welding, braising, or
soldering. In another embodiment, screen 98 is composed of a porous
polymer material, such as, for example, polyethylene and
polypropylene. In this embodiment, screen may include layers of
polymer having varying degrees of porosity. The focal point gassing
head 66 and/or screen 98 can be ground, shaped, and polished to a
final shape and surface finish as desired.
[0031] In another embodiment of a focal point gassing device 60
made in accordance with the present invention, the focal point
gassing device 60 is composed of a material that may be placed
proximate a metal detector without interfering with the operation
of the metal detector when screening the material to be packaged
for metal. In one such embodiment, the entire device is composed of
plastic. In another embodiment, the focal point gas head is
plastic. Those with skill in the art will recognize that there are
myriad other materials suitable for manufacturing a focal point
gassing device 60 that will not interfere with the operation of a
metal detection device.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates another gassing apparatus 70 for
providing gas to packaging system 10. Gassing apparatus 70 includes
gassing lance 74, elongate gas supply tube 76 and attachment
coupling 78 for attaching gassing apparatus 70 to filling tube 40.
Gassing apparatus 70 is located within the filling tube 40 and
positioned adjacent to an inside wall 46 of the filling tube. The
gassing apparatus 70 is of a size and shape to minimize the
interference of the gassing apparatus with the product as the
product travels down the filling tube. Gassing apparatus 70 is
operably connected to a gas supply (not shown). Gassing apparatus
provides gas to packaging system 10 in an area adjacent to a lower
end 72.
[0033] Gassing lance 74 and gas supply tube 76 are composed of
material compatible with the gas and the product. Gassing lance 74
includes screen 75. Screen 75 can be made of any material
compatible with the gas and the product. Typical materials for the
screen 75 include plastic, non-ferrous metal or stainless steel.
The screen 75 is porous and offers a flow resistance to convert the
gas flow exiting supply tube 76 to laminarized gas flow. In one
embodiment, the screen 75 has a mesh size of between about 10-100
microns. In another embodiment, a mesh size of 75 microns is used.
Screen 75 may be composed of a plurality of plies to provide for
varying degrees of flow resistance. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that different numbers of plies and mesh sizes can be
used for different applications. In one embodiment, the screen 75
has between 2 and 10 plies. The screen 75 can be attached to the
gassing lance 74 by welding, braising, or soldering.
[0034] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of a focal point
gassing device 660, made in accordance with the present invention.
Focal point gassing device 660 comprises a polymeric material. In
one embodiment the polymeric material comprises a food grade
plastic. Examples of polymeric material for use in the present
invention include, but are not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS), nylon, and polyethylene.
[0035] Focal point gassing device 660 comprises a gas supply tube
664 and a focal point gassing head 666 in fluid communication with
gas supply tube 664. In one embodiment, gas supply tube 664 is
threadedly attached to focal point gassing head 666 via a threaded
attachment 678. Focal point gassing head 666 includes two gas
receiving chambers 670 and 672 for receiving gas from gas supply
tube 664. Gas receiving chambers 670 and 672 are defined by a
sidewall 668 of the gassing head. Focal point gassing head 666
includes a gassing screen 672. In one embodiment, gassing screen
672 comprises a plurality of openings 680 for dispersing gas from
the gassing chamber toward the product moving through the hopper
and into the filling tube. The plurality of openings are defined by
the sidewall 668 of the focal point gassing head. In operation, gas
received into chambers 670 and 672 exits the focal point gassing
head through a plurality of openings 680. Openings 680 are
configured to direct the gas toward the product as the product
descends the hopper and into the filling tube. The pattern and
number of openings 680 may vary depending-on the application. In
other embodiments, the size of the openings 680 may vary depending
on the application and the product that is being packaged. In one
embodiment, a focal point gassing device 660 comprising a polymeric
material is particularly well suited for use in a packaging system
that incorporates a metal detector for detecting metal in the
product as the product is packaged.
[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of a gassing apparatus
800 for use in a packaging system 10, in accordance with the
present invention. Gassing apparatus 800 includes gassing lance
874, elongate gas supply tube 876 and attachment coupling 878 for
attaching gassing apparatus 800 to filling tube 40 of packaging
system 10. Gassing apparatus 800 is located within the filling tube
40 and positioned adjacent to an inside wall 46 of the filling
tube. The gassing apparatus 800 is of a size and shape to reduce or
eliminate the interference of the gassing apparatus with the
product as the product travels down the filling tube. Gassing
apparatus 800 is operably connected to a gas supply (not shown).
Gassing apparatus provides gas to packaging system 10 in an area
adjacent to a lower end 72. In one embodiment, gassing apparatus
800 comprises the gassing apparatus described in co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/689,780 titled Apparatus and Method
for Controlling and distributing Gas Flow," the entirety of which
is incorporated by reference.
[0037] Returning to FIG. 1, packaging system 10 includes gassing
controller 80. Gassing controller 80 is operably connected to gas
supply for controlling the flow of gas to gassing apparatuses 60
and 70. Gassing controller 80 also includes at least one oxygen
analyzer. Gassing controller 80 includes sensors 82, 84 operably
connected to controller 80. Sensors 82, 84 measure oxygen levels
adjacent focal point gassing head 66 and gassing lance 74,
respectively. Sensors 82, 84 may be any gas sensor known to those
with skill in the art. Controller 80 also includes various
components well known to those with skill in the art for adjusting
the flow of gas to gassing apparatuses 60 and 70.
[0038] During operation, the focal point gassing head 66 of the
focal point gassing device 60 is disposed to supply gas to a region
adjacent to the focal point 38 of the hopper 32 and gas lance 74 is
disposed to supply gas to a region adjacent the lower end 72 of
filling tube 40. Preferably, focal point head 66 is positioned so
as not to interfere with the flow of product through the hopper 32
and to the filling tube 40. In one embodiment, hopper 32 is
designed to allow the product to be single filed along the hopper
wall so as not to bunch-up at the entrance to the filling tube
40.
[0039] During the packaging process, as the product moves down the
walls 34 of the hopper 32 toward filling tube 40, the product
passes near the focal point gassing head 66. Laminarized gas 104,
105 exiting the bottom portion of focal point head 66 drives a
substantial portion of the oxygen surrounding the product as it
leaves the weighing buckets away from the product. The focused gas
flow 102 exiting focal point head 66 at point 67 drives the gas
toward the product as the product passes the focal point thereby
removing and stripping more of the oxygen surrounding the
product.
[0040] At the same time, gas flowing from gassing lance 74 bathes
the lower end 44 of filling tube 40 and the formed package with gas
in order to drive away more residualmore residual oxygen. Gas from
gassing lance 74 also rises within filling tube 70 to encounter the
product as the product moves down the filling tube and into the
package.
[0041] In one embodiment, the flow of gas from the focal point head
66 and the gas lance 74 is monitored and controlled by gassing
controller 80. In one embodiment, gassing controller 80 can control
the flow of gas in response to the amount of oxygen detected in the
product or by the oxygen level sensed by oxygen sensor 84. In
another or the same embodiment, gassing controller 80 controls the
flow of gas based on whether product is present within the
packaging system 10. In one embodiment, the flow rate of gas
comprises a higher flow rate when product is dropping through the
packaging system into a waiting package and a lower flow rate
between drops of product i.e., when the buckets are filling with
product prior to dropping the product into the hopper. In another
embodiment, the gas flow rate is substantially zero between drops
of product through the packaging system. Pulsing the flow of gas
through the system depending on whether product is traveling
through the system can increase the efficiency of gas usage and may
decrease or eliminate the wasting of the gas for certain products
and configurations.
[0042] In another embodiment, the controller 80 dynamically adjusts
the percent of gas flow between the gas lance 74 and focal point
gassing head 66. In an example, the total gas flow may be split
between the focal point gassing head 66 and gas lance 74 in a 50:50
ratio to achieve the desired reduction in residual oxygen present
in the package. This 50:50 ratio may be adjusted to an 80:20 when
the product is moving through the hopper and into the filling tube
40 such that 80 percent of the total gas flow exits the focal point
gassing lance head 66 and 20 percent exits the gassing lance 74.
Then, as the product moves through the filling tube 40 and into the
package the ratio may change to a 20:80 split so that 80 percent of
the gas flow exits the gas lance 74. Those with skill in the art
will appreciate that the ratio of gas flowing from the various
gassing apparatuses may change depending on the application.
[0043] In another example, the total flow of gas from the focal
point gassing head 66 and gas lance 74 may be adjusted based on a
determination of the percent residual oxygen measured by oxygen
analyzer 86 operably connected to gassing controller 80. In this
example, if the percent oxygen is above a predetermined level as
measured by the oxygen analyzer, gassing controller 80 may increase
the flow of gas to either, or both of, the focal point gassing head
66 or gas lance 74.
[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates a method 900 for controlling the
atmosphere in a filled package. In one embodiment, method 900 is
implemented using system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. Method 900 is
described using food as the product to be packaged. Those with
skill in the art will recognize that the product may take the form
of any consumable suitable for packaging with system 10. Method 900
begins at step 901.
[0045] At step 910, food is released into a hopper of the packaging
system. At step 920, controlled environment gas flows from a first
region adjacent a focal point of a food hopper toward food
traveling downward along a perimeter of the hopper toward a forming
tube. In one embodiment, flowing controlled environment gas from a
first region adjacent the focal point comprises positioning a tip
of the focal point gassing device at the focal point of the food
hopper. In another embodiment, flowing controlled environment gas
from a first region adjacent a focal point comprises positioning a
tip of the focal point gassing device above the focal point of the
food hopper. In another embodiment, flowing controlled environment
gas from a first region adjacent the focal point comprises
positioning a tip of the focal point gassing device below the focal
point of the food hopper.
[0046] At step 930, controlled environment gas is released to flow
downward from a second region adjacent an outlet of the forming
tube into a package positioned at an end of the forming tube.
[0047] At step 940, the package environment is determined. In one
embodiment, the gassing controller measures the amount of oxygen
present in the package as the package is being filled. In another
embodiment, the gassing controller measures the amount of oxygen in
an area adjacent the opening of the package. In another embodiment,
the gassing controller measures the amount of oxygen in the product
as it travels down the filling tube.
[0048] At step 950, flow through from the first region and the
second region is controlled by the controller based on the
determined package environment. In one embodiment, the gassing
controller adjusts the flow of gas based on the level of oxygen
determined in the package or in the product traveling to the
package. In another embodiment, the controller dynamically adjusts
the percent of gas flow between the gas lance 74 and focal point
gassing head 66. In an example, the total gas flow may be split
between the focal point gassing head 66 and gas lance 74 in a 50:50
ratio to achieve the desired reduction in residual oxygen present
in the package. Method 900 ends at 960.
[0049] In another embodiment, method 900 includes reducing the flow
of gas from the first region and the second region based on the
determination of the presence or absence of product moving through
the hopper and/or the filling tube. In one embodiment, the flow of
gas is reduced during a filling run between drops of product into
the hopper. In another embodiment, the gas flow is turned off
between drops of product into the hopper and turned on when product
is detected in the hopper. In one embodiment, the presence of
product in the hopper is detected by a motion sensor located
adjacent a top portion of the hopper. In this embodiment, a signal
from the motion sensor is sent to the gassing controller to
activate the flow of gas from the gassing apparatus.
[0050] While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are
presently considered to be preferred, various changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended
claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of
equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *