Flapper gate forming tube assembly for packaged produce containers

Abstract

A system for reducing metal and product-in-seal contamination in a package of produce product is provided. The system includes a tube and a flapper gate assembly. The flapper gate assembly is connected to the top of the tube, and includes a pivot and a flapper gate. The pivot is positioned outside the tube. The flapper gate is positioned inside the tube and is connected to the pivot. The flapper gate is configured to regulate product flow in the tube by rotating around the pivot when the pivot is rotated.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field[0002]This application relates generally to a system for reducing metal contamination and product-in-seal failures in packaged produce containers and, more specifically, to interrupting or regulating flow of fresh produce into a bag using a forming tube assembly flapper gate device.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]A protective container, such as a polypropylene bag, can be used to preserve the quality of packaged produce product while it is being transported and stored before consumption. The container isolates fresh produce contents from environmental elements that can cause damage or premature spoilage. The container also protects the produce from contaminates and physical contact by forming a physical barrier. The container may also help to preserve the produce by maintaining environmental conditions that are favorable to the produce. For example, a protective container may reduce oxygen consumption and moisture evaporation by trapping a pocket...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system for reducing contamination in a package of produce. It includes a tube, a flapper gate assembly, and a sealing assembly. The tube is positioned vertically and has a top, bottom, inside, and outside. The partially enclosed cavity contains the produce product and has a cavity opening positioned below the bottom of the tube. The flapper gate assembly is connected to the top of the tube and is positioned inside the tube. It includes a linkage assembly, a pivot assembly, and a flapper gate. The linkage assembly has a bracket attached to the outside of the tube and a linkage arm connected to the bracket in a fixed position relative to the tube. The pivot assembly is positioned outside the tube and is attached to the linkage arm. The flapper gate is connected to the pivot arm via the hinge. The classification describes a method for reducing contamination in produce by loading the produce product into a tube, opening a flapper gate to allow the produce product to flow through the tube into an opening of a partially-enclosed cavity positioned below the tube, closing the flapper gate to stop the flow of produce product through the tube, and sealing the partially enclosed cavity to produce a fully enclosed package containing the produce product.

Problems solved by technology

As a typical result of these packaging processes, ambient air is trapped in the sealed polypropylene bag.

For some types of produce, the oxygen content of ambient air may be harmful to the longevity of a retail produce product.

For example, if the produce includes fresh lettuce leaves, the oxygen content of ambient air (having oxygen content of approximately 20 percent) can cause a polyphenoloxidase reaction that degrades the quality of the lettuce leaves.

However, some fresh produce products, including lettuce leaf and other leafy vegetables, are too delicate to withstand either a vacuum sealing or heat shrinking process.

A leak in the seal of the bag can prevent the desired oxygen level from being maintained and cause the bag to lose internal pressure.

In addition to the integrity of the seal, metal contamination is another concern when using a mechanical device such as a VFFS machine to package produce.

As a typical result of using a mechanical device in the packaging process, components such as loose or misaligned nuts and bolts can fall into the protective container and contaminate the packaged product.

Metal shavings from dynamic portions of the machine can also contribute to contamination.

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