Method for creating modified atmosphere packaging

• US 6,210,725 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1998
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tres Fresh LLC
• Original Assignee: Tres Fresh LLC
• Inventors: Colombo, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brouillette, Gabrielle
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAI, HAO T
• Application Number:
  US09/196,450
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 426/418, 426/419, 426/118, 426/124, 426/396, 426/129, 222/95, 222/105, 222/386.5, 222/389, 222/107
• US Class Current: 426/129
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2565/387 Materials used as gas barriers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2565/388 Materials used for their gas-permeability
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/225 Pressure relief-valves incorporated in a container wall, e.g. valves comprising at least one elastic element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2076 in an at least partially rigid container
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A package for storing oxygen-sensitive goods (such as meat) which contains a gas impermeable tray wrapped in a gas permeable film, a barrier bag within which the wrapped tray is disposed, a closure for closing an open end of the barrier bag, and two one-way valves. One of the one-way valves is located on the inside of one side of the barrier bag, and the other of the one-way valves is located on the outside of the other side of the barrier bag.

Claims

1. A modified atmosphere package for storing oxygen sensitive goods, comprising:

a gas impermeable tray for holding the oxygen sensitive goods,

a gas permeable film positioned over and adjacent to said tray thereby covering the goods and forming a wrapped tray, said wrapped tray disposed within a barrier bag,

sealing means for closing the open end of said barrier bag,

a first one-way valve located on the outside of one side of said barrier bag and a second one-way valve located on the inside of the other side of said barrier bag whereby a modified atmosphere gas source is introduced through said second one-way valve at the same time as a vacuum is applied to said first one-way valve thus accomplishing rapid atmosphere replacement within said barrier bag.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein said sealing means is a heat seal for closing said open end of said barrier bag.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein said sealing means is a gastight zipper seal for closing said open end of said barrier bag.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein said gas permeable film contains multiple perforations to assist oxygen transfer when said wrapped tray is removed from said barrier bag.

5. A modified atmosphere package for storing oxygen sensitive goods, comprising:

a gas impermeable tray for holding the oxygen sensitive goods,

a gas permeable film positioned over and adjacent to staid tray thereby covering the goods and forming a wrapped tray, said wrapped tray disposed within a barrier bag,

sealing means for closing the open end of said barrier bag,

a first one-way valve located on the outside of one side of said barrier bag and a second one-way valve located on the inside of the other side of said barrier bag whereby said package is placed in a microwave oven and as heat and pressure build within said package, air escapes from said second one-way valve to provide for the integrity of said package and to facilitate the heating of the food product.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein said sealing means is a heat seal for closing said open end of said barrier bag.

7. The package of claim 5, wherein said sealing means is a gastight zipper seal for closing said open end of said barrier bag.

8. The package of claim 5, wherein said gas permeable film contains multiple perforations to assist oxygen transfer when said wrapped tray is removed from said barrier bag.