Abstract: A meat packaging apparatus includes a tray containing a modified atmosphere and meat product, a film sealed to the tray and including an opening, and a two-piece label attached to the film and covering the opening. The two-piece label including a first layer removably attached to a second layer, which is attached to the film. The second layer is made of a highly oxygen permeable material to allow oxygen to enter the tray when the top layer is removed.

Abstract: A controlled environment sealing apparatus includes a reciprocating seal head positioned above an intermittent conveyer carrying product-filled trays, a film feeder to dispense film between the tray and reciprocating seal head, and at least one seal head gassing assembly positioned in the seal head and oriented to direct a flow of controlled environment gas through a cut-out portion of the film into a product-filled tray positioned beneath the seal head. The seal head gassing assembly may preferably direct a high velocity controlled environment gas stream surrounded by a lower velocity controlled environment gas stream downward into the tray.

Abstract: A controlled environment gassing system is provided for removing the existing environment from containers. The existing environment may be purged by passing the containers along a gas distribution manifold disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the containers. The manifold includes at least one region of flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, and the manifold may have a width less than the width of the container and/or screen openings sized to provide a laminarized flow, for supplying a controlled environment gas flushing stream continuously and at substantially steady state to the containers. As the containers pass along the manifold, the controlled environment flushing gas creates an optimal flow pattern which consistently and steadily removes the existing environment from the containers while preventing the flushing gas from drawing in air. Return gas chambers are provided to retrieve the gasses exiting the container as they are purged.

Abstract: An open-architecture system for filling and sealing containers in controlled environments. The system provides easy access to containers being processed, and minimizes start-up times and waste. Containers are processed by gas distributors (which may comprise gassing rails) provided in segments and individually movable between operating and service positions. Exhaust plenums are described for improving function of the gas distributors when processing containers. Gas exchange systems including on-demand processors and improved gassing elements are provided. An independent processor is provided to receive, correct and environmentally process defective (e.g. underfilled or overfilled) containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling gas flow is provided and includes a block having a plurality of distribution channels, and an inlet receiving gas from a source, a plurality of solenoid valves each communicating with the inlet and one of the flow control meters, a plurality of flow control meters each communicating with one of the channels. An opening is formed through the block and is in communication with and transverse to the distribution channels. A spool may be received within the transverse opening to group the channels to provide discrete stepped control of the flow to the outlet. The apparatus is contained in a compact control panel housing which may be mounted adjacent the gassing operation.

Abstract: A controlled environment sealing system and method of operating the same. The controlled environment sealing system having a transport system for transporting containers between processors, a lid placement processor positioning lids on the containers, a controlled environment processor providing the containers with a controlled environment and pre-sealing the lids to the containers, and a permanent sealing processor permanently sealing the lids to the containers in a contaminating environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing product to a controlled environment includes a rail top, a rail base, and a longitudinally oriented gas limiting member including two sections connected at their longitudinal ends and providing a gap between the sections. The controlled environment gas may be provided to one longitudinal end of a baffle positioned in a channel region formed in the rail top. The gas is distributed along a longitudinally oriented baffle which is aligned with a gassing element positioned in the rail base. A T-shaped port block may be attached to the rail top and engage with a bracket and adjustment member for positioning.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for exposing product to a controlled environment. The apparatus includes a distribution chamber with an inlet for receiving controlled environment or combination of gases, and a region of flow resistance. A plurality of jet nozzles are surrounded by the flow resistance region and provide high velocity streams of controlled environment which are surrounded by the low velocity streams from the resistance region. For some applications, a section of chamber immediately preceding entry into a sealer, the controlled environment supply to the jet nozzles may be shut off.

Abstract: A controlled environment sealing system and method of operating the same. The controlled environment sealing system having a transport system for transporting containers between processors, a lid placement processor positioning lids on the containers, a controlled environment processor providing the containers with a controlled environment and pre-sealing the lids to the containers, and a permanent sealing processor permanently sealing the lids to the containers in a contaminating environment.

Abstract: A row of open top containers travelling on a conveyor is purged of oxygen by passing the containers along a gas distribution manifold disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the containers. The manifold includes at least one region of lower flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a higher velocity inert gas flushing stream continuously and at substantially steady state to the containers. The manifold also includes at least one region of higher flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a lower velocity inert gas region along the containers, continuously and at substantially steady state. As the containers pass along the manifold, the inert flushing gas steadily removes oxygen from the containers, while the lower velocity inert gas region prevents the flushing gas from drawing in air.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for exposing the interior of containers to controlled environments is provided. In particular, one or more controlled force biased probes are provided for penetrating the contents of a container to inject alternate environments, such as inert gas, to desired locations within the container. The controlled force bias allows the probe to yield should an obstruction be encountered without damaging the obstruction or the apparatus itself. In a particular embodiment, two or more biased probes are provided spaced apart by a distance at least equal to the maximum linear dimension of any anticipated obstruction, so that at least one probe will avoid the obstruction and reach its desired location within the container for processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a container with a controlled environment utilizing a plunger having openings with a contour complementary to an opening in the container. The apparatus is useful, for example, in food packaging applications whereby oxygen is removed from the food containers and replaced with a substantially inert environment prior to sealing the containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a container with a controlled environment utilizes a first flow system for applying a first source of environment to the interior of the container, a second flow system for applying a second source of environment to the interior of the container, and means for controlling application of the individual sources of environment such that the first and second sources of environment are applied simultaneously for at least some period of time. The apparatus is useful, for example, in food packaging applications whereby oxygen is removed from the food containers and replaced with a substantially inert environment prior to sealing the containers. In a preferred embodiment, a rotary drum-type apparatus is employed for exposing containers in a continuous sequence to the individual sources of controlled environment.

Abstract: A method for providing a container with a controlled environment utilizes a first flow method for applying a first source of environment to the interior of the container, a second flow method for applying a second source of environment to the container, and methods for controlling application of the individual sources of environment such that the first and second sources of environment are applied simultaneously for at least some period of time. The method for providing a container with a controlled environment is useful, for example, in food packaging applications whereby oxygen is removed from the food containers and replaced with a substantially inert environment prior to sealing the containers. In a preferred method, a rotary drum-type apparatus is employed for exposing containers in a continuous sequence to the individual sources of controlled environment.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for sealing jars and other containers within specialized environments, such as a vacuum, is provided. The containers are introduced into chambers of a rotary drum, and an outer enclosure for the drum is provided by means of a substantially flexible moving belt which conforms to the periphery of the drum and seals the chambers. A vacuum may then be introduced to the chamber to evacuate the interior of the container, and the lid of the container may then be secured to maintain the desired vacuum within the container. The flexible belt may move in synchrony with the rotation of the drum, eliminating relative motion between the outer enclosure and the drum and avoiding need for complex sliding seals. The device is quickly adaptable to sealing and closing numerous configurations and sizes of containers.