Three-Circuit Gas Management for Modified Atmosphere Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MAP packaging apparatuses using two circuits for gas management result in significant gas dispersion and inefficiency, leading to increased costs and technical issues due to the lack of direct communication between internal volumes within the bell members.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a three-circuit system, where a first circuit and a second circuit are connected to the main chamber and a third circuit to the internal bell member chambers, with valve control to manage vacuum and gas introduction, allowing for efficient air removal and pressure balancing using atmospheric air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a two-circuit system is used for gas management in MAP packaging, then the structure is simpler, but significant gas dispersion occurs and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gas management system into three separate circuits: a first circuit for vacuum extraction connected to the bell member chambers, a second circuit for service gas introduction connected to the product chamber, and a third circuit for pressure balancing. This segmentation prevents service gases from dispersing into the bell member chambers by providing dedicated pathways for each gas management function, thereby reducing gas loss while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Device complexity
If vacuum extraction and gas introduction are performed through the same circuit, then the device structure is simpler, but pressure balancing becomes inefficient and gas usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates distinct circuits for vacuum extraction (first circuit), service gas introduction (second circuit), and pressure balancing (third circuit). This allows each function to operate independently with optimized gas flow paths, ensuring that service gases are delivered directly to the product chamber without unnecessary dispersion, thereby reducing overall gas consumption while maintaining simple operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The third circuit acts as an intermediary pressure balancing system that uses atmospheric air to equalize pressure differences between the product chamber and bell member chambers. This mediator circuit prevents the need to use service gases for pressure balancing, thereby conserving expensive service gases for their primary function of atmosphere modification while maintaining efficient pressure control throughout the packaging process.
3Stress or pressure
If service gases are introduced into bell member chambers for pressure balancing, then pressure control is achieved, but gas dispersion and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure control function into a dedicated third circuit that uses atmospheric air from the environment rather than service gases. This circuit is specifically designed for pressure balancing between chambers, separating this function from service gas delivery. As a result, service gases are preserved for their primary purpose of creating the modified atmosphere, while pressure control is achieved through free atmospheric air, eliminating service gas dispersion into bell member chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The third circuit utilizes atmospheric air from the surrounding environment as a free resource for pressure balancing operations. By tapping into the ambient atmosphere rather than consuming stored service gases, the system performs self-service pressure control without depleting valuable service gas supplies, thereby reducing operational costs and gas dispersion while maintaining effective pressure management throughout the packaging process.
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
This configuration minimizes gas dispersion, optimizes gas usage, and reduces operational costs by ensuring efficient air removal and pressure balancing within the packaging process, enhancing the MAP packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
means for performing in synchronism extraction of the air from the tray and introduction, into the latter, of service gases
Implementation Method 2
the said service gas which enters on one side of the tray, via the said first circuit, forces the remaining air inside the said tray out of and/or towards at least an opposite side of the same tray
Implementation Method 3
a third circuit connected to the main chamber and these circuits are intercepted by respective valve means so that they may be initially all connected to the vacuum means and then the said first circuit is closed, while the said second circuit is connected to the means for introducing the service gases
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus with facing bell members for modified-atmosphere packaging of products contained in trays, comprising at least three circuits: a first circuit and a second circuit (24, 25) which are connected to the main chamber (P) enclosing the internal volume of the trays and open out in different positions (23, 23′) of this volume and a third circuit (17) connected to the internal chambers (2, 9) of the bell members (1, 8) and these circuits are intercepted by respective valve means (28, 128, 18, 118) so as to be initially all connected to the vacuum means (21, 121) and then the said first circuit (24) is closed, while the said second circuit (25) is connected to the means (26) for introducing the service gases which, entering into the tray, force the remaining air out so as to occupy a small buffer formed by the said second closed circuit (24, 28). The third circuit (17) is connected via associated valve means (118) to means (22) for gradual pressurization, using also atmospheric air, in order to balance the internal pressurization of the tray with the service gases.