Flexible Pouch Packaging for Sliced Meat with Modified Atmosphere
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prepackaged sliced meat products are of ordinary quality and may contain preservatives, lacking the premium experience offered by deli counters, while also posing safety risks and inefficiencies in decentralized slicing and packaging operations.
Innovation Solution
Slicing ready-to-eat meat into 0.5 to 10 mm thick slices and packaging them in flexible pouches with a modified atmosphere, using materials with specific thickness, MVTR, O2 Gas Transmission Rate, and clarity to create a high-quality, premium product that mimics the deli counter experience without preservatives, while enabling large-scale production and distribution efficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional prepackaging methods are used with rigid containers and modified atmosphere, then shelf life is extended to 55-90 days, but product quality deteriorates to ordinary quality and preservatives are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid lidded tray packages with flexible pouch packaging made from thin film materials (0.2-2 mils thickness). The flexible pouch with specific barrier properties (MVTR ≤1.2 g/100 in2/24 Hrs, O2 Gas Transmission Rate ≤0.8 cc/100 sqin/day) maintains product quality and extends shelf life without requiring preservatives, achieving both high quality and extended shelf life (up to 90 days or more).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses modified atmosphere packaging with inert gas (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) flushed into the flexible pouch to replace oxygen, preventing oxidative degradation and bacterial growth. This inert environment preserves premium meat quality while extending shelf life without preservatives, directly resolving the contradiction between quality and shelf life extension.
2Reliability
If decentralized slicing and packaging operations are used at local outlets, then product freshness is maintained, but safety risks increase due to handling sharp implements and heavy materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary slicing and packaging at a centralized production facility before distribution to retail outlets. Meat is sliced to specific thicknesses (0.5-10 mm) and packaged in modified atmosphere flexible pouches in advance, eliminating the need for on-site slicing operations. This transfers the task from consumers/workers handling sharp implements to automated industrial equipment, dramatically reducing safety risks while maintaining product freshness through controlled packaging conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-packaged flexible pouches are designed for self-service retail display and consumer use. Packages are stocked in refrigerated cases and can be directly taken by consumers without requiring staffed deli counters or on-site slicing operations. This eliminates human exposure to safety hazards from handling sharp cutting implements and heavy materials while maintaining product quality through centralized controlled packaging.
3Reliability
If on-site slicing is performed at deli counters, then premium quality experience is provided, but time consumption increases for consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary slicing to consumer-specified thicknesses (0.5-10 mm) and packaging at a centralized facility before distribution. Consumers receive pre-sliced premium quality meat in flexible pouches without needing to wait at deli counters, eliminating time loss while maintaining the premium quality experience through controlled slicing and packaging conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the deli counter experience by using flexible pouch packaging that visually and tactilely mimics freshly sliced meat presentation. The transparent flexible pouch allows consumers to see the premium quality meat slices, providing a similar experience to deli counters without the time consumption of on-site slicing operations.
4Strength
If rigid lidded tray packages are used for prepackaged meat, then structural protection is provided, but flexibility and clarity for premium appearance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid lidded trays with flexible pouch packaging made from thin film materials (0.2-2 mils) that provide adequate structural protection through the film's inherent strength and flexibility. The flexible pouch maintains product protection while offering superior clarity (80% or greater) and adaptability for premium appearance, allowing consumers to see the meat quality clearly and enabling flexible retail display options.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pouch is constructed from composite film materials with specific properties: thickness of 0.2-2 mils, MVTR ≤1.2 g/100 in2/24 Hrs, O2 Gas Transmission Rate ≤0.8 cc/100 sqin/day, and clarity ≥80%. This composite structure provides structural protection equivalent to rigid containers while delivering superior flexibility and clarity for premium product appearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a high-quality, premium sliced meat product with extended shelf life, reducing safety risks and operational inefficiencies, while offering consumers a deli counter experience in a convenient, self-service format with consistent quality and reduced waste.
Implementation Method 1
an MVTR of about 1.2 g/100 in2/24 Hrs @100° F., 90% RH, 1 atm or less
Implementation Method 2
an O2 Gas Transmission Rate of about 0.8 cc/100 sqin/day at 0.8 atmosphere, 0% relative humidity and 73° F. or less
Data Source
AI summary
Sliced ready-to-eat meat are provided by slicing ready-to-eat meat, disposing the meat into a flexible pouch with a modified atmosphere, and sealing the flexible pouch containing the meat. The flexible pouch is formed from material having: i) a thickness of from about 0.2 mils to about 2 mils; ii) an MVTR of about 1.2 g/100 in2/24 Hrs @ 100° F., 90% RH, 1 atm or less; iii) an 02 Gas Transmission Rate of about 0.8 cc/100 sqin/day or less at 1 atmosphere, 0% relative humidity and 73° F. or less; and iv) a clarity of about 80% or greater.