Process for producing a packaged food product

Abstract

A method of producing a packaged food product begins by directing a plurality of food particles into a flexible container to at least partially fill the flexible container. A quantity of air is then evacuated out of the flexible container to create a vacuum within the flexible container. Next, an opening in the flexible container is sealed or closed. Air is then allowed to seep through a sidewall of the container after closing or sealing the flexible container to permit air to gradually flow back into the flexible container to gradually dissipate the vacuum within the flexible container.

1 . A method of producing a packaged food product comprising the steps of:
 directing a plurality of food particles into a flexible container through an opening to at least partially fill the flexible container;   evacuating a quantity of air out of the flexible container to create a vacuum within the flexible container;   closing the opening of the flexible container; and   seeping air through a sidewall of the container after the closing step to permit air to gradually flow back into the flexible container.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising the step of forming the flexible container of a gas permeable material for receiving the plurality of food particles. 
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as evacuating the quantity of air out of the flexible container through the opening. 
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as enclosing the flexible container within a vacuum chamber to evacuate the quantity of air out of the flexible container through the opening. 
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the closing step is preformed within the vacuum chamber. 
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the seeping step is further defined as increasing the air pressure gradually within the flexible container until the air pressure inside the flexible container is approximately equal to the air pressure outside the flexible container. 
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the increasing the air pressure step is further defined as equalizing the air pressure inside the flexible container with the air pressure outside the flexible container from about one (1) hour to six (6) weeks. 
   
   
       8 . The method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the increasing the air pressure step is further defined as equalizing the air pressure inside the flexible container with the air pressure outside the flexible container from about one (1) day to two (2) weeks. 
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as reducing a volume of the flexible container by about 15%-50%. 
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as reducing the pressure differential between the flexible container and the area outside the flexible container by about 75-750 mmHg. 
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as shaping the flexible container for placement in a carton. 
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  further including the step of placing the flexible container into a carton after the closing the opening step. 
   
   
       13 . A method of producing a packaged food product comprising the steps of:
 forming a flexible container of a gas permeable material with a closed bottom, sidewalls and an opening for receiving a plurality of food particles;   directing the plurality of food particles into the flexible container through the opening of the flexible container to at least partially fill the flexible container;   enclosing the flexible container within a vacuum chamber;   evacuating a quantity of air out of the flexible container to create a vacuum within the flexible container;   sealing the opening of the flexible container after the evacuating step;   placing the flexible container into a carton; and   expanding the flexible container within the carton by seeping air gradually into the flexible container to gradually dissipate the vacuum in the flexible container.   
   
   
       14 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the expanding the flexible container step is further defined as initiating the seeping prior to the placing the flexible container into the carton step and continuing the seeping during and after the placing the flexible container into the carton step. 
   
   
       15 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the sealing step is preformed within the vacuum chamber. 
   
   
       16 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as reducing a volume of the flexible container by about 15%-50%. 
   
   
       17 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as reducing the pressure differential between the flexible container and the area outside the flexible container by about 75-750 mmHg. 
   
   
       18 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the expanding the flexible container step is further defined dissipating the vacuum in the flexible container from about one (1) hour to six (6) weeks. 
   
   
       19 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the expanding the flexible container step is further defined dissipating the vacuum in the flexible container from about one (1) day to two (2) weeks. 
   
   
       20 . The method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the evacuating step is further defined as shaping the flexible container for placement in the carton.