Apparatus and method for exposing a container to a controlled environment

Abstract

An apparatus and method for exposing a container to a controlled environment. The apparatus includes an elongated rail with first, second, and third manifolds positioned in substantial alignment with the container. The first, second, and third manifolds are adapted for providing flow of a gas therethrough. At least one gas flow regulator is operably attached to the first, second, and third manifolds. At least one nozzle is positioned adjacent the second manifold. The at least one nozzle is adapted for providing a composite gas stream exiting through the second manifold. The method includes providing an elongated rail with first, second, and third manifolds positioned in substantial alignment with the container. A flow of a gas is regulated through the first, second, and third manifolds. A composite gas stream is provided exiting through the second manifold.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application 60 / 672,194 filed Apr. 15, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the packaging products within containers. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for exposing a container to a controlled environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Various products including food products, semiconductor products, medical products, and any other product that can have an adverse reaction to air, may be packaged in a controlled environment. Various attempts have been made to efficiently package these products in controlled environments using vacuum and / or controlled environments. [0004] Various food products, including bakery goods, meats, fruits, vegetables, etc. are packaged under atmospheric conditions. Many of these products are presented in supermarkets, for example, in cartons or cardboard containe...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One problem with this type of packaging is that the goods have a minimum limited shelf life, which for many products is only several days to a week.

Such products obviously cannot be sold or consumed and must be discarded.

Another problem arises with respect to many fruits and vegetables, which continue to ripen and continue their metabolic process under atmospheric conditions.

For example, within a few days a banana can become overripe and undesirable to the consumer.

The space available for gassing operations is often limited at many facilities.

In general, existing controlled environment systems are often expensive, bulky, and require three phase power, and, accordingly are impractical for use at many of these facilities.

In general, most of these attempts have drawbacks.

With bakery goods, for example, the high velocity jets can pull in air and re-contaminate the product, thereby failing to reduce the oxygen to levels that would prevent the normal onset of mold.

The high velocity streams are directed through perpendicu

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