International Paper Company

Edwin D Lomax

Gerald A Marano

Donald Evans

James C Harbison

A method for substituting inert gas for ambient air in the headspace of a container prior to closing of an opening of the container. The container is displaced along a straight path in a predetermined horizontal direction from a first position to a second position, e.g., by a conveyor. A stream of inert gas is injected generally downward from an outlet toward the headspace via an inverted recess as the container travels from the first position to the second position along the path. The inverted recess has a peripheral edge which is a closed contour lying in a horizontal plane. The exit velocity of the inert gas at the outlet and the dimensions of the outlet are such that the flow of inert gas from the outlet into the headspace is generally laminar. A portion of the inert gas enters the headspace to displace gases inside the headspace until less than 1% oxygen remains in the headspace. The gas which has been displaced out of the headspace is then channeled to flow in the predetermined horizontal direction through a volume located at an elevation which is higher than the elevation of the headspace. The channeled gas is thereafter redirected in a generally downward direction.

Gas displacement method for packaging food and non-food products

A gas displacement device and method for substituting inert gas for ambient air in a gable-top paperboard carton prior to closing of an open top of the carton. The open top has first and second predetermined dimensions in mutually perpendicular directions. The device includes a source of inert gas, a channel for outputting a blanket of inert gas through an outlet and a conveyor for moving cartons in the first direction so that each open top passes under the outlet. The outlet has maximum dimensions in first and second mutually perpendicular directions which are respectively greater than the first predetermined dimension and less than the second predetermined dimension. The open top of the carton passes underneath the outlet with the directions of the first and second predetermined dimensions being oriented substantially parallel to the first and second directions respectively. The outlet has the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners. The length in the first direction of the portion of the outlet which overlies the open top varies continuously from zero to the first predetermined dimension, is constant and equal to the first predetermined dimension, and varies continuously from the first predetermined dimension to zero respectively during first, second and third portions of the passage of the carton underneath the outlet. The width in the second direction of the portion of the outlet which overlies the open top is constant and equal to the width of the rectangle during the second portion of the passage of the container underneath the outlet.

Gas displacement device for packaging food and non-food products

A gas displacement device and method for substituting inert gas for ambient air in a gable-top paperboard carton prior to closing of an open top of the carton. The open top has first and second predetermined dimensions in mutually perpendicular directions. The device includes a source of inert gas, a channel for outputting a blanket of inert gas through an outlet and a conveyor for moving cartons in the first direction so that each open top passes under the outlet. The outlet has maximum dimensions in first and second mutually perpendicular directions which are respectively greater than the first predetermined dimension and less than the second predetermined dimension. The open top of the carton passes underneath the outlet with the directions of the first and second predetermined dimensions being oriented substantially parallel to the first and second directions respectively. The outlet has the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners. The length in the first direction of the portion of the outlet which overlies the open top varies continuously from zero to the first predetermined dimension, is constant and equal to the first predetermined dimension, and varies continuously from the first predetermine dimension to zero respectively during first, second and third portions of the passage of the carton underneath the outlet. The width in the second direction of the portion of the outlet which overlies the open top is constant and equal to the width of the rectangle during the second portion of the passage of the container underneath the outlet.

Growing community of inventors

Satsuma, AL, United States of America

Edwin D Lomax