Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC

Timothy E Coulson

Paul Edward Doll

Robert C Jones

Alexander D Jones

Eric J Frederickson

Ronald E Ballen

A modified atmosphere flow-wrap system and method and components thereof are provided for packaging a food product in a reduced oxygen atmosphere in a continuous or partially-continuous process. In one aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a saturation tunnel for saturating the food products with modified gas to reduce an amount of residual oxygen therein. In another aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a flow-wrapping station with a modified gas lance that extends into film webbing used to form the food product packages to insert modified gas into the film webbing and restrict oxygen from entering the food packages.

Modified atmospheric flow-wrap system

A method and packaging system for forming a sealed vacuum package having minimal residual air remaining. At least one vacuum lance is provided in the interior of a partially-formed package to withdraw the air, the package being closed on three sides and having a fourth side open for insertion of the vacuum lance. An air restriction can be provided along the fourth side to form a closed edge that prevents ingress of air into the package interior after the evacuation of air. In one aspect, the air restriction may comprise a pair of pinch rollers that compress the package at the fourth side edge to form a pinch seal that provides a relatively airtight air chamber inside of the package prior to and during sealing of the package. In another aspect, the air restriction may comprise a partial seal formed around the lances to prevent or minimize air from reentering the package. In yet another aspect, the air restriction may comprise a compressed air seal formed by an air compression device that keeps the ends of the film pressed together.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Timothy E Coulson