Packaging foodstuffs
First Claim
1. An improved packaging method for producing an air evacuated and desired gas filled package, said method comprising:
- (a) providing a cup shaped depression in a web of package material to provide a packaging base,(b) providing a product in said depression,(c) providing a cover for said base,(d) providing a gas flushing member between the cover and the base, said gas flushing member being plate like and having an opening therethrough,(e) passing said cover through said opening so that it extends from one face of the gas flushing member, through said opening, to the opposite face of the gas flushing member and over said depression, said gas flushing member having gas passageway means therein which terminates with said opening in the region where said cover passes through said opening from said one face,(f) closing an air evacuation chamber over the components and the gas flushing member so that it makes a substantially air tight seal with said one face and said opposite face,(g) evacuating air from said air evacuation chamber so that air within said depression will be evacuated,(h) expelling desired gas from said gas passageway means so that it discharges between said cover and said base and can enter said depression,(i) sealing the cover to said base around the edge surfaces of said depression, whereby to provide said air evacuated and desired gas filled package.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Packaging for foodstuffs, particularly meat, comprises a rigid tray (3) of plastic material, preferably polypropylene, enclosed between two opposing, preferably transparent, plastic webs (2, 4), one of which (4) has a depression formed therein in which the tray nests. The tray has corrugations (5) which give it its rigidity, with those on the base (7) also serving to support and space the contents above the base. The package is air evacuated and filled with a desired gas to prevent deterioration of the contents. The method of packaging essentially entails placing the tray, with contents, in the depression, overlying the upper web, evacuating and gasifying the partially completed package and sealing the webs together. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An improved packaging method for producing an air evacuated and desired gas filled package, said method comprising:
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(a) providing a cup shaped depression in a web of package material to provide a packaging base, (b) providing a product in said depression, (c) providing a cover for said base, (d) providing a gas flushing member between the cover and the base, said gas flushing member being plate like and having an opening therethrough, (e) passing said cover through said opening so that it extends from one face of the gas flushing member, through said opening, to the opposite face of the gas flushing member and over said depression, said gas flushing member having gas passageway means therein which terminates with said opening in the region where said cover passes through said opening from said one face, (f) closing an air evacuation chamber over the components and the gas flushing member so that it makes a substantially air tight seal with said one face and said opposite face, (g) evacuating air from said air evacuation chamber so that air within said depression will be evacuated, (h) expelling desired gas from said gas passageway means so that it discharges between said cover and said base and can enter said depression, (i) sealing the cover to said base around the edge surfaces of said depression, whereby to provide said air evacuated and desired gas filled package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for producing packaging comprising:
- a gas flushing and sealing station, means for receiving a base with a product therein, a cover therefor,
said gas flushing and sealing station means including a first chamber part and a second chamber part which together define an air evacuation chamber, said second chamber part being for receiving said bases with said product therein, said first chamber part and said second chamber part being, in use, closeable onto a gas flushing member, said gas flushing member being plate like and having one face and an opposite face with an opening therethrough, through which said cover can pass to extend over said base, said gas flushing member having gas passageway means therein which teminate with said opening in the region where, in use, said cover passes through said opening from said one face, said first chamber part having sealing means therein for effecting sealing of said cover to said base. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a gas flushing and sealing station, means for receiving a base with a product therein, a cover therefor,
Specification