U.S. patent application number 15/718695 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-29 for modified atmospheric packaging system and method of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dietz & Watson Inc.. Invention is credited to Louis J. Eni, John M. Schoenfellinger.
Application Number | 20180086535 15/718695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61687614 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180086535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schoenfellinger; John M. ;
et al. |
March 29, 2018 |
Modified Atmospheric Packaging System And Method Of Use
Abstract
A perishable food product packaging system in which a number of
individual packages are initially unsealed and placed into the
interior of a master package. The atmosphere within the interior of
the master package is then modified, which modifies the atmosphere
within the individual packages. The master package is then shipped
to a retail location where the master package is opened, at which
time the interior of the master package and the individual packages
are exposed to conventional atmosphere. The individual packages are
then sealed and prepared for retail sale, which typically will
include weighing, pricing and labeling each individual package. The
individual packages are then displayed in a "grab-and-go"
refrigerated case, where a consumer can select one or more of the
individual packages without having to be waited on by store
personnel.
Inventors: |
Schoenfellinger; John M.;
(Holland, PA) ; Eni; Louis J.; (Philadelphia,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dietz & Watson Inc. |
Philadelphia |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61687614 |
Appl. No.: |
15/718695 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62401491 |
Sep 29, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 25/067 20130101;
B65B 11/50 20130101; B65D 2577/042 20130101; B65B 31/00 20130101;
B65B 67/02 20130101; B65B 9/04 20130101; B65D 77/0413 20130101;
B65D 81/2084 20130101; B65B 2220/18 20130101; B65D 75/38 20130101;
B65B 7/02 20130101; B65B 25/068 20130101; B65D 77/02 20130101; B65B
25/001 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/20 20060101
B65D081/20; B65D 77/04 20060101 B65D077/04; B65B 25/00 20060101
B65B025/00; B65B 7/02 20060101 B65B007/02; B65B 31/00 20060101
B65B031/00; B65B 25/06 20060101 B65B025/06 |
Claims
1. A sealed package, comprising: a first packaging component
defining an internal cavity; an air tight seal about the internal
cavity of the first packaging component; an inert gas disposed
within the internal cavity of the first packaging component; a
plurality of unsealed, sealable or unsealable receptacles disposed
within the internal cavity of the first packaging component; and
the one or more sealable or unsealable receptacles having an
interior within which a food product is contained; wherein the
interior of each receptacle is in fluid communication with the
internal cavity of the first packaging component.
2. The sealed package of claim 1, wherein the first packaging
component comprises a package formed of a pair of sealed webs of
packaging material.
3. The sealed package of claim 1, wherein the first packaging
component comprises a pouch formed of a web of packaging.
4. The sealed package of claim 1, wherein the first packaging
component comprises a preformed tray and wherein a web of packaging
material is sealed to the preformed tray form the air tight seal
about the internal cavity of the preformed tray.
5. The sealed package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
receptacles disposed within the internal cavity of the first
packaging component comprises a plurality of bags each having a
reclosable seal.
6. A method of packaging perishable food products, comprising the
steps of: preparing a plurality of portions of a perishable food
product; placing a number of portions of the perishable food
product into an interior defined by each of a plurality of
individual unsealed sealable or unsealable receptacles; placing the
plurality of the unsealed sealable or unsealable receptacles into a
cavity of a package, wherein the interior of each receptacle is in
fluid communication with the cavity of the package; and modifying
the atmosphere within the cavity of the package and sealing the
cavity to form a package in which the modified atmosphere is
maintained within the cavity and the interior of each receptacle is
exposed to the modified atmosphere.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method is carried out in a
first location and the package is shipped to a second location
remote from the first location, wherein at the second location the
package is opened and the individual receptacles are sealed or not
sealed, weighed, labeled and displayed for purchase by
consumers.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of placing each portion
of the perishable food product into the interior defined by each of
a plurality of individual receptacles comprises placing each
portion of the perishable food product into the interior of a
reclosable bag-type receptacle.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of modifying the
atmosphere within the cavity of the package is carried out by gas
flushing the interior of the package.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of modifying the
atmosphere within the cavity of the package includes evacuating the
interior of the package.
11. A packaging system for perishable food products, comprising: a
plurality of receptacles, each of which defines an interior within
which a portion of a perishable food product is contained; a
package defining an internal cavity, wherein the plurality of
receptacles are contained within the internal cavity and wherein
each receptacle is configured such that its interior is open to the
internal cavity of the package when the receptacle is contained
within the internal cavity of the package; and a modified
atmosphere contained within the internal cavity of the package and
a seal that closes the internal cavity and contains the modified
atmosphere therewithin, wherein the seal that closed the internal
cavity of the package maintains the modified atmosphere within the
internal cavity of the package and within the interior of each of
the plurality of receptacles.
12. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein each receptacle
includes a closure, wherein the closures of the receptacles are at
least partially opened when the receptacles are positioned within
the internal cavity of the package.
13. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein the modified
atmosphere contained within the internal cavity of the package
comprises an inert gas.
14. The packaging system of claim 13, wherein the modified
atmosphere contained within the internal cavity of the package
comprises a vacuum in addition to the inert gas.
15. A packaging system of claim 11, further comprising a shipping
container within which a plurality of the packages are contained,
wherein the shipping container is adapted to be filled at a
facility at a first location and shipped to a retail establishment
at a second location remote from the first location.
16. The packaging system of claim 15, wherein at the retail
establishment, the package is opened, the receptacles are withdrawn
from the package and sealed, and the receptacles are then displayed
for retail sale.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/401,491 filed Sep. 29,
2016, the entire disclosure and contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0002] This invention relates to a modified atmospheric packaging
system for perishable food products, and more particularly to a
system for packaging a number of individual packages of perishable
food products in a common modified atmospheric package. The
invention also relates to a method of making a modified atmospheric
package containing a number of individual packages of perishable
food products therein.
[0003] In supplying perishable food products, and particularly
sliced perishable food products such as deli meats and cheeses or
other items, it has been known in the past to prepare and till
individual customer orders at the point of sale. This method
typically involves an employee of a delicatessen or grocery store
performing the steps of: slicing a desired number of slices from a
bulk perishable food product; weighing those slices of the food
product; printing a label to identify the food product, weight,
price, etc.; packaging the sliced food product in a receptacle,
such as a resealable or non-resealable plastic bag; and, applying
the label to the package. However, performing these various steps
is time consuming for both the delicatessen or grocery store
employee and the customer. Furthermore, this method requires use of
sharp machinery, such as electric meat slicers; the operation of
which requires proper training to prevent injury.
[0004] Accordingly, in order to increase efficiency, some retailers
have begun to pre-slice perishable food products such as popular
deli meats and cheeses, prior to customers placing orders. Such
pre-sliced food products are sliced from bulk perishable food
products in-store; weighed; a corresponding label is printed; the
food product slices are then packaged in a receptacle, such as a
resealable plastic bag; and, the label is applied to the package.
These packages are then often displayed in a refrigerated case,
where a customer can select and personally retrieve the desired
package of pre-sliced food product without engaging or requesting
assistance from a delicatessen or grocery store employee. While
this pre-sliced approach does limit the purchase time for
customers, it does not reduce the workload for the delicatessen or
grocery store employee. The time that the employee would have spent
fulfilling orders for sliced food products has simply been
reallocated to an earlier time period. Furthermore, this pre-sliced
method does not reduce the employee's need to operate slicing
equipment. Still further, this method of preparing and providing
pre-sliced food products suffers from the additional disadvantage
of the pre-sliced perishable food products potentially becoming
spoiled, due to the relatively shorter shelf life of sliced
products, in the event that they are not timely purchased by
customers.
[0005] Accordingly, there is currently a need and desire to provide
a method of packaging pre-sliced perishable food products, such as
deli meats and cheeses, which will reduce employee preparation time
and machine usage. There is also a need and desire to provide a
method of packaging pre-sliced perishable food products that delays
spoilage.
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a
sealed or resealable package, preformed tray or pouch containing
one or more unsealed food product receptacles therein, wherein a
modified atmosphere, such as an inert gas, a vacuum, or a vacuum
then an inert gas is disposed within the cavity of the sealed
package, preformed tray or pouch.
[0007] In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates
unsealed food product receptacles that may be sealable or
non-sealable, and may or may not be configured to be sealed upon
removal from the sealed package, preformed tray or pouch.
[0008] In another embodiment, the present invention contemplates a
method of transporting sliced food products in a plurality of
unsealed sealable or non-sealable receptacles disposed within a
cavity of a sealed package, where the cavity of the sealed package
comprises a modified atmosphere in the form of an inert gas.
[0009] Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating certain embodiments of the present
invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation.
Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the
present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and
invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A clear conception of the advantages and features
constituting the present invention, and that the construction and
operation of typical mechanisms provided with the present
invention, will become more readily apparent by referring to be
exemplary, and therefore non-limiting, embodiments illustrated in
the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification,
wherein like reference numerals designate the same elements can be
several views, and in which:
[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 are representations of bulk perishable food
products, such as deli meats, which are adapted to be packaged in
accordance with the packaging system of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a first step in the packaging
system of the present invention, wherein a portion of the bulk
perishable food product of FIG. 1 is separated, e.g. by slicing,
and prepared for separate packaging, such as by positioning on a
sheet of deli wrapping paper;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a number of the portions of
the bulk perishable food product of FIG. 1 that have been
separated, e.g. by slicing, and prepared for separate packaging,
such as by positioning each portion on a sheet of deli wrapping
paper;
[0014] FIG. 5 is view illustrating slicing the food product
portions of FIG. 4 and separation of the food product portions from
each other;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating each individual food product
portion, as in FIGS. 4 and 5, positioned within an unsealed
receptacle, such as a sealable bag;
[0016] FIGS. 7 and 8 are views of the individual food product
portion receptacles of FIG. 6 being placed within a sealable
package, such as a sealable bag or pouch, that is sized and
configured to receive a number of individual food product portion
receptacles;
[0017] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views illustrating a number of the
sealable packages as in FIGS. 7 and 8 being subjected to an
atmosphere modification process for modifying the atmosphere within
the sealable packages and therefore the atmosphere around the
individual food product portion receptacles contained therein;
[0018] FIGS. 11-15 are views illustrating a single one of the
sealable packages as in FIGS. 7-10, which is sealed and which
contains a modified atmosphere within its interior, and within
which a number of the individual food product portion receptacles
of FIG. 6 are contained; and
[0019] FIGS. 16 and 17 are views illustrating a number of the
sealed packages as in FIGS. 11-15 positioned within a container or
carton for shipment.
[0020] In describing the embodiment of the invention which is
illustrated in the drawings, to specific terminology will be
resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended
that the invention be limited to be specific terms so selected and
is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical
equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a
similar purpose. For example, the words "connected," "attached," or
terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to
direct connection or attachment, but include connection or
attachment to other elements where such connection or attachment is
recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The various features and advantageous details of the subject
matter disclosed herein are explained more fully with reference to
the non-limiting embodiments described in detail in the following
description.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-17, a system for packaging a plurality
of individual packages of perishable food products in a common
modified atmospheric package is shown, along with a method of
forming a common modified atmospheric package containing a
plurality of individual packages of perishable food products
therein. Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bulk perishable food
product 10 is shown in a protective cover 12, prior to slicing. The
bulk perishable food product 10 may be a meat product, such as
turkey, beef, chicken, ham, etc., a sausage product, a cheese
product, or any similar food product that be portioned or sliced
from a bulk source prior to customer purchase. As used throughout
the FIGS. 1-17, turkey will be shown as a non-limiting
representative example; however, it should be understood that the
present invention is not so limited. In addition, the following
description will refer to portions of the food product 10 as being
sliced from the bulk food product 10. It is understood, however,
that the food product 10 may be portioned in any manner in addition
to slicing, such as, for example, shredding, grinding, chopping,
etc.
[0023] Turning now to FIG. 2, the protective cover 12 is removed
from the bulk food product 10. The bulk food product 10 is then
placed on a portioning device, such as, for example, at the inlet
of a slicer 14. The slicer 14 may be a conventional automatic deli
slicer, or a manual deli slicer that is configured to produce a
single slice of meat, or other perishable food product, per pass of
the traveling arm that retains the bulk food product 10.
Alternatively, the slicer may be configured to produce multiple
slices from the bulk food product 10, simultaneously. Either form
of slicer 14 is considered well within the scope of the present
invention. The bulk food product 10 is then fed through the slicer
(not shown), and a plurality of slices 16 are output from the
slicer 14.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of slices 16 may or may
not be placed on a sheet 18 of paper or plastic film, such as wax
coated paper or conventional deli paper. The number of slices 16
included on a single sheet 18 may vary according to customer or
manufacturer preference, and may be selected by net weight of the
plurality of slices 16 or total number of the slices 16 within the
plurality. By way of non-limiting example, ten (10) slices 16 are
shown on the sheet 18 of paper in FIG. 3. As the plurality of
slices 16 are output from the slicer 14, and placed on the sheet 18
of paper, the slices 16 and associated sheet 18 may or may not be
placed together on the surface of a conveyer belt 20.
[0025] Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveyer belt 20
transports the slices 16 and corresponding sheet 18 to a position
22, where one or more persons wrap the sheet 18 about the outer
periphery of the slices 16, such that the slices are contained
within the wrapped sheet 18. In this configuration, the slices 16
may be handled and processed while minimizing direct contact with
the outer surface of the slices 16. Each of the portions of the
plurality of slices 16, now wrapped in a sheet 18, are placed into
an individual receptacle 24 by the individuals at position 22 (not
shown in FIG. 5).
[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle
24 may be a plastic bag, such as a low density plastic bag, which
may be printed or not printed, having a first wall 26 and second
wall 28 that are joined along three edges, and a closure 30, which
may be a resealable zipper-type closure or may be some other type
of closure, disposed about an opening 32 that is located at a
fourth edge of the receptacle 24. Alternatively the receptacle 24
may be provided without a closure, in this configuration, the walls
26, 28 define an interior or void space 34 within the receptacle 24
that is configured to receive the portion of the plurality of
slices 16 wrapped in the sheet 18.
[0027] Turning now to FIG. 6, multiple receptacles 24 are shown,
each containing a plurality of slices 16 wrapped in a sheet 18,
located within their respective interiors 34. The closures 30 of
the receptacles 24 are left at least partially open, i.e.,
unsealed. That is to say that the interior 34 of each receptacles
24 is at least partially exposed to atmosphere. Once filled with
the sliced food product, as shown in FIG. 6, these open or
partially open receptacles 24 are placed onto a conveyer 36 that
transports the filled receptacles 24 to a position 38.
[0028] While the above description relates to transport of the
slices and receptacles via conveyor, it is understood that any type
of transport as desired may be employed such as, but not limited
to, manual hand conveyance and placement, placing the receptacles
into a transport container for further transport, etc.
[0029] Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, one or more persons at
position 38 receive the filled receptacles 24 from the end of the
conveyer 36. The receptacles 24 are then placed into a preformed
recessed well 40 formed in a bottom web 42 of material. As will be
described in further detail below, the bottom web 42 is configured
to be sealed to a top web 44 about the outer edges of the well 40
to form a sealed package 46. In one embodiment of the present
invention, the material that forms the bottom web 42 and top web 44
may be a clear single or multilayer film, formed of plastic or any
other satisfactory material in a as is known, which can be molded
and/or melted with exposure to heat, including but not limited to
low density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl
acetate, or oriented polypropylene. Representatively, the bottom
web 42 may be supplied from a roll of material in a packaging
machine of the type that vacuum forms the bottom web 42 to define
the wells 40, and which applies the top web 44 over the wells 40 of
the bottom web 42 once the cavity is filled, in a manner as is
known.
[0030] Still referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, at position 38 multiple
filled receptacles 24 may be placed into each of the preformed
recessed wells 40. In one embodiment of the present invention,
shown in FIGS. 9-17, multiple filled receptacles 24 are placed into
each of the preformed recessed wells 40. It is understood that any
number of filled receptacles 24 received within the wells 40 are
considered well within the scope of the present invention.
[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 9 through 11, multiple filled
receptacles 24 are shown disposed into each of the various
preformed recessed wells 40, which are formed in the bottom web 42.
The wells 40 of the bottom web 42 are defined by a first wall 48, a
second wall 50, a third wall 52 and a fourth wall 54. Each of the
walls 48, 50, 52, 54 extends from a bottom surface 56, to an upper
edge 58, where the upper edge 58 extends about the well 40 and
borders a sealing surface 60 that is configured to face and engage
the top web 44 when forming the sealed package 46, as will be
described in further detail below. Each of the walls 48, 50, 52, 54
may have a height, which defines the depth of the well 40,
sufficient to receive the multiple filled receptacles 24 within the
well 40, while the receptacles 24 do not extend upwardly above the
upper edge 58 of the well 40. That is to say that in one embodiment
of the present invention, the receptacles 24 are located in the
well 40, below the upper edge 58. In this configuration, the
receptacles 24 will not interfere with the sealing of the bottom
web 42 and top web 44 in the forming of the sealed packages 46.
Furthermore, as shown in. FIGS. 9 and 10, the closures 30 of the
receptacles 24, are fully or partially open, i.e., unsealed, as to
at least partially expose the interior 34 of each receptacle 24 to
atmosphere.
[0032] Once the filled receptacles 24 have been properly placed
within the wells 40, as shown in FIGS. 9 through 11, the bottom web
42 is advanced to a modified atmospheric packaging sealer (not
shown). In order to prolong shelf life and postpone spoilage, in
the process of forming the sealed packages 46, or after the
packages 46 are formed but before sealing, atmospheric air is
removed from the interior portion of the well 40, and also from the
interiors 34 within the receptacles 24, as a result of the closures
30 of the receptacles 24 being at least partially open, i.e.,
unsealed. Furthermore, an inert gas is injected into the well 40
and interiors 34 of the filled receptacles 24, either with or
without vacuumization of the package 46 via a process known as gas
flush with or without vacuum packaging. In one embodiment of the
present invention, the inert gas may be selected from one or more
of N.sub.2, CO, CO.sub.2, and/or a mixture thereof. In other
instances an oxygen scavenging packet may also be placed into each
sealed package 46 along with the filed receptacles 24 that are
being packaged. Once the sealed packages 46 have been formed, the
individual sealed packages 46 are cut away from the integrated webs
44, 46.
[0033] Each package 46 may be formed in a manner as is known by
forming a cavity in a the bottom web 42, placing products into the
cavity, and then scaling the cavity using the top web 44, in what
is commonly known as a form, fill and seal process. Alternatively,
the cavity may be defined by a preformed tray, which is then sealed
using an overlying web, or a single web may be folded over onto
itself, which forms a pouch. The seal that surrounds the cavity of
the package forms a microbial barrier that prohibits contamination
of the perishable food products contained therein. The package or
pouch also provides a protective enclosure for other packaged
items. Commonly, the package 46 includes a resealable closure, such
as a zipper-type closure or other means such as resealable adhesive
film, to close the cavity for product storage after the seal has
initially been broken.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 1-17, various views of the sealed
packages 46 are shown. In these packages 46, the outer edge 62 of
the top web 46 has been sealed to the sealing surface 60 of the
bottom web 44, located about the upper edges 58 of the well 40. As
such, the package 46 defines a sealed cavity 62 for retaining the
plurality of sliced perishable food product filled receptacles 24,
therein. The seal line 64 extends entirely around the sealed
package 46, as to prevent atmosphere from entering the sealed
cavity 62.
[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 16 and 17, multiple sealed packages 46
are shown placed into a shipping container 66, for transportation
to a retail establishment such as a grocery store or delicatessen.
Once the shipping container 66 arrives at the retail establishment,
the desired amount of sealed packages may be opened by peeling the
top web 46 from the bottom web 44, i.e., breaking the seal line 64
and extracting the filled receptacles 24 therefrom. The closure 30
disposed about the opening 32 of each receptacle 24 may then be
closed. The retail establishment may then weigh the packaged
product and apply a custom label to the outer surface of the
receptacle as to indicate content, weight, price, best-use by date,
etc. prior to displaying the filed receptacles for customer
purchase. In a typical application, the retailer will place some or
all of the receptacles 24 into a refrigerated case where other
similar products are displayed, such that consumers can select the
desired product by type and weight. The consumer can then proceed
directly to checkout or continue shopping, without having to wait
for deli service. As can be appreciated, this saves the retailer
considerable time and expense in both manpower and equipment usage,
and enables the retailer to manage inventory and control stock so
as to minimize spoilage.
[0036] It can thus be appreciated that the present invention
contemplates a number of individual packages that are initially
unsealed and placed into the interior of what may be referred to as
a master package or multi-pack. The atmosphere within the interior
of the multi-pack is then modified, such as via gas flushing with
or without vacuum packaging. The multi-pack, either on its own or
more typically with many additional multi-packs, is then packaged
into a container or carton for shipment to a distributor or to a
retail location. These steps will typically occur at a production
facility, which may be located where the food product is produced
or may be at some other location. Once the multi-pack arrives at
its final retail destination, which typically will be
geographically removed from the production facility, the multi-pack
is opened, at which time the interior of the multi-pack and the
individual packages are exposed to conventional atmosphere. At the
retail location and after the multi-pack is opened, the individual
packages are sealed and then prepared for retail sale, which
typically will include weighing, pricing and labeling each
individual package. The individual packages are then displayed in
what is commonly referred to as a "grab-and-go" refrigerated case,
where a consumer can select one or more of the individual packages
without having to be waited on by store personnel.
[0037] It should be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and arrangements of
the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope
of the present invention. It is also understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention.
* * * * *