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.

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.