The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 27, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 11, 1999
Gary R. DelDuca, Canandaigua, NY (US);
Stephen L. Goulette, Newark, NY (US);
Darryl P. Hansen, Shortsville, NY (US);
Vinod K. Luthra, Pittsford, NY (US);
Pactiv Corporation, Lake Forest, IL (US);
Abstract
A unique method and apparatus for inserting an oxygen scavenger into a modified atmosphere package for extending the shelf life of food, especially raw meats. A scavenger feeder feeds a chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A separator separates the oxygen scavenger located at an exposed end of the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. An adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the oxygen scavenger which has been separated from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A conveyor conveys the separated oxygen scavenger to a position which is adjacent to a film layer which is used to form an outer package of the modified atmosphere package so that the oxygen scavenger is attached to a surface of the film layer by the adhesive. The film layer is subsequently formed into the outer package so that the oxygen scavenger that is attached to the film layer is contained within the outer package. Optionally, an injector injects the oxygen scavenger at the exposed end of the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers with an oxygen uptake accelerator to activate the oxygen scavenger prior to separating the oxygen scavenger from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. The modified atmosphere package comprises the outer package, the oxygen scavenger, and any food-filled inner package which is inserted into the outer package.