Method and apparatus for exposing a container to a controlled environment

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6691747
  • Patent Number
    6,691,747
  • Date Filed
    Friday, July 14, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 17, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
An apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated rail and a first elongated gas deflecting member. The elongated rail includes a longitudinally oriented manifold. The longitudinally oriented manifold is adapted to align with a path of the container. The elongated rail also includes at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas. The first elongated gas deflecting member is positioned adjacent to the manifold. The first elongated gas deflecting member is contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The invention relates to improved apparatus and method for exposing product, including food product, semiconductors, medical products and any product that has an adverse reaction to air, to a controlled environment. More particularly, this invention relates to improved apparatus and process for replacing air in product and/or containers with a desired controlled environment, including inert gas, combinations of gases and other aromas, mists, moisture, etc.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Various products including food product, semiconductor products, medical products, and any other product that has an adverse reaction to air, are packaged in a controlled environment. Various attempts have been made to efficiently package these products in controlled environments using vacuum and/or controlled environments.




Various food products, including bakery goods, meats, fruits, vegetables, etc. are packaged under atmospheric conditions. Many of these products are presented in supermarkets, for example, in cartons or cardboard containers with a plastic or cellophane wrap covering the product.




One problem with this type of packaging is that the goods have a minimum limited shelf life, which for many products is only several days to a week. With bakery goods for example, mold may begin to grow after a few days under atmospheric conditions. Such products obviously cannot be sold or consumed and must be discarded.




Another problem arises with respect to many fruits and vegetables, which continue to ripen and continue their metabolic process under atmospheric conditions. For example, within a few days a banana can become overripe and undesirable to the consumer.




The space available for gassing operations is often limited at many facilities. In general, existing controlled environment systems are often expensive, bulky, and require three phase power, and, accordingly are impractical for use at many of these facilities.




In an effort to alleviate these problems, various attempts have been made to package food in a controlled environment by injecting controlled environment directly into filled containers. A high velocity flow is often necessary to penetrate into the food product. In general, most of these attempts have proved unsuccessful. With bakery goods, for example, the high velocity jets can pull in air and re-contaminate the product, thereby failing to reduce the oxygen to levels that would prevent the normal onset of mold.




Various techniques for removing air in food filling processes are known in the art. Such processes are used, for example, in the packaging of nuts, coffee, powdered milk, cheese puffs, infant formula and various other dry foods. Typically, dry food containers are exposed to a controlled environment flush and/or vacuum for a period of time, subsequent to filling but prior to sealing. The product may also be flushed with a controlled environment prior to filling, or may be flushed after the filling process. When the oxygen has been substantially removed from the food contents therein, the containers are sealed, with or without vacuum. Various techniques are also known for replacing the atmosphere of packaged meat products with a modified atmosphere of carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen, and/or other gases or mixtures of gases to extend shelf life.




A gas flushing apparatus for removing oxygen from food containers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,159, issued to Domke. A conveyor belt carries the open top containers in a direction of movement directly below a gas flushing device. The gas flushing device supplies controlled environment to the containers in two ways. First, a layer or blanket of low velocity flushing gas is supplied to the entire region immediately above and including the open tops of the containers through a distributing plate having a plurality of small openings. Second, each container is purged using a high velocity flushing gas jet supplied through a plurality of larger jet openings arranged side-by-side in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the food containers. As the containers move forward, in the direction of movement, the steps of controlled environment blanketing followed by jet flushing can be repeated a number of times until sufficient oxygen has been removed from the containers, and from the food contents therein.




One aspect of the apparatus disclosed in Domke is that the flow of gas in a container is constantly changing. The high velocity streams are directed through perpendicular openings in a plate, which creates eddies near the openings causing turbulence which pulls in outside air. As a container moves past the perpendicular row of high velocity jets, the jets are initially directed downward into the container at the leading edge of the container's open top. As the container moves further forward, the flushing gas is directed into the center and, later, into the trailing edge of the open top, after which the container clears the row of jets before being exposed to the next perpendicular row of jets. The process is repeated as the container passes below the next row of jets.




The apparatus disclosed in Domke is directed at flushing empty containers and, in effect, relies mainly on a dilution process to decrease oxygen levels. One perpendicular row of jets per container pitch is inadequate to efficiently remove air contained in food product.




Constantly changing jet patterns in prior art devices create turbulence above and within the containers, which can cause surrounding air to be pulled into the containers by the jets. This turbulence also imposes a limitation on the speed at which the containers pass below the jets. As the containers move faster beneath the jets, the flow patterns within the containers change faster, and the turbulence increases. Also, at high line speeds, purging gas has more difficulty going down into the containers because of the relatively shorter residence time in contact with each high velocity row. The purging gas also has a greater tendency to remain in the head space above the containers. In addition, a perpendicular arrangement of jets relative to the direction of container travel causes much of the jet to be directed outside the containers, especially when the containers are round. Moreover, the spacing apart of the perpendicular rows may further vary the flow pattern and pull outside air into the containers.




The size of the container and container opening are also factors which may prevent adequate flushing and removal of existing environment inside the container. Medical bottles or vials that may contain medical liquids or powder, such as, for example, antibiotics, may have openings of less than ½ inch. To effectively remove the existing environment from these containers, existing gassing systems, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,159, issued to Domke, are not adequate. It may also be impracticable to use systems with widths, which may be, for example, less than ⅙ inch.




Therefore, it would be desirable to have a gassing system that would replace the air within empty and/or filled containers of various shapes and opening widths with a controlled environment of higher purity which would greatly increase the shelf life of the product.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated rail and a first elongated gas deflecting member. The elongated rail includes a longitudinally oriented manifold. The longitudinally oriented manifold is adapted to align with a path of the container. The elongated rail also includes at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas. The first elongated gas deflecting member is positioned adjacent to the manifold. The first elongated gas deflecting member is contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and substantially into the container.




Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of operating an apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment. An elongated rail and a first elongated gas deflecting member is provided. The elongated rail includes a longitudinally oriented manifold. The container is passed along the elongated rail for a predetermined period of time. A controlled environment gas is supplied through each of the at least one inlet openings. The controlled environment gas is then passed through the manifold. Finally, the controlled environment gas is deflected from the manifold by a contour of the first elongated gas deflecting member in a direction transverse to the path of the container and substantially into the container.




Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for exposing a product contained within a container traveling on a conveyor to a controlled environment. The system includes an elongated rail and a first elongated gas deflecting member. The elongated rail includes a longitudinally oriented manifold and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas. The longitudinally oriented manifold is adapted to align with a path of the container. The first elongated gas deflecting member is positioned adjacent to the manifold. The first elongated gas deflecting member is contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and substantially into the container.




The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the present invention, rather than limiting, the scope of the present invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, longitudinally disposed along a row of containers being transported by a conveyor;





FIG. 2

is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a pre-purge gassing rail apparatus, made in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 3

is an isolated close-up view of the pre-purged gassing rail apparatus of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 4

is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a purge gassing rail apparatus, made in accordance with the present invention;





FIG. 5

is an isolated close-up view of the purge gassing rail apparatus of

FIG. 4

; and





FIG. 6

is a sectional view of another preferred embodiment of a purge gassing rail apparatus, made in accordance with the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring to

FIG. 1

, a preferred embodiment of the gassing rail apparatus is generally shown at numeral


7


. The gassing rail apparatus generally includes an elongated rail


10


. The elongated rail


10


is disposed along a row of containers


44


traveling on a conveyor


40


along the elongated rail


10


in a direction of travel designated by arrow


42


.




Referring to

FIG. 2

, a preferred embodiment of a pre-purge gassing rail apparatus is generally shown at numeral


8


. The gassing rail apparatus


8


includes a first deflecting member


26


and a second deflecting member


28


. Each of the deflecting members


26


,


28


has an arcuate shape, with an upward-turning end region


78


,


80


, respectively. As a result, each of the deflecting members


26


,


28


are preferably shaped so as to direct the flow of a controlled environment gas from the inlet


16


through an elongated open region


32


. More specifically, the first deflecting member


26


is shaped to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas (along the path shown by arrow


46


) from the inlet


16


around the arcuate curve


30


and into the container


44


(substantially along the path shown by arrow


48


). Next, the controlled environment gas is flushed out of the container


44


(along the path shown by arrow


50


), and towards the second deflecting member


28


. Finally, the second deflecting member


28


is shaped to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas (substantially along the path shown by arrow


47


) around the arcuate curve


31


and eventually out of the elongated open region


32


(along the path shown by arrow


51


).




Referring to

FIG. 4

, a preferred embodiment of a purge gassing rail apparatus is generally shown at numeral


9


. The purge gassing rail apparatus


9


also includes a first deflecting member


27


and a second deflecting member


29


. Each of the deflecting members


27


,


29


has an arcuate shape, with an end region


82


,


84


, respectively. The end regions are generally shaped in a direction perpendicular to the container


44


or parallel with an elongated rail base member


14


. As a result, each of the deflecting members


27


,


29


are preferably shaped so as to direct the flow of a controlled environment gas from the inlets


34


,


36


,


38


through the elongated open region


32


. More specifically, the first deflecting member


27


is shaped to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas (along the path shown by arrow


58


) from the inlet


34


around the arcuate curve


74


and out of the elongated open region


32


. Similarly, the second deflecting member


29


is shaped to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas (along the path shown by arrow


68


) from inlet


38


around the arcuate curve


76


and out of the elongated open region


32


. Controlled environment gas from inlet


36


enters the container


44


, flows throughout the container


44


(substantially along the path shown by arrows


62


,


72


) and eventually flows out of the container


44


(substantially along the path shown by arrows


64


,


66


). As a result of the air flow created by the controlled environment gas from inlets


34


,


38


, the controlled environment gas flowing out of the container then exits the elongated open region


32


.




The elongated rail


10


may be composed of two 2 ft. sections


60


,


70


. Alternatively, sections of various lengths may be used and positioned in series to create the desired length of elongated rail


10


. For example, elongated rail sections having a length of 3-12 inches may be combined with 2 ft. sections.




The elongated rail


10


should preferably be at least as wide, and more preferably, somewhat wider, than the opening of the container


44


. The purpose for this will be described in detail below with reference to the elongated open region


32


. The elongated rail


10


may also be narrower than the container


44


opening, but under certain conditions, this may allow outside air to contaminate the container


44


. Structure or other means may be combined with the narrower elongated rail


10


to maintain the controlled environment. The length of the elongated rail


10


may vary depending on the desired line speed and minimum residence time underneath the elongated rail


10


for each container


44


. Also, a plurality of elongated rail sections may be arranged lengthwise in series to create a greater “effective” length. The actual length or number of elongated rail sections required will depend on various factors, including conveyor speed, container and product volume, and product type. Additionally, elongated rail


10


may be controlled to follow various production guidelines (i.e., it may be curved).




Referring to

FIGS. 2-3

, the elongated rail


10


may preferably include an elongated rail top member


12


and an elongated rail base member


14


. Preferably, the elongated rail top member


12


and the elongated rail base member


14


are in longitudinal communication with each other; that is, they are situated parallel with each other substantially throughout the length of the elongated rail


10


in a manner such that the elongated rail top member


12


may be located directly above the elongated rail base member


14


.




Both the elongated rail base member and the elongated rail top member


12


,


14


may be made of any known material capable of achieving the purposes of the present invention, such as, for example, stainless steel or plastic. Furthermore, the elongated rail top member


12


and the elongated rail base member


14


may be attached to each other by any known means, such as for example, through a screw or through a nut-and-bolt assembly. Additionally, the deflecting members


26


,


27


,


28


,


29


may also be made of any known material capable of achieving the purposes of the present invention, such as, for example, stainless steel or plastic. The attachment of the deflecting members


26


,


27


,


28


,


29


to the elongated rail base member


14


may be by any known means, such as, for example, through a screw or nut-and-bolt assembly. The attachment means described here may further include a plurality of o-rings


86


to ensure an airtight seal.




Although referred to herein as “elongated rail top member” and “elongated rail base member,” it is contemplated that the elongated rail


10


may be inverted or positioned in various configurations where the elongated rail top member


12


is not completely disposed over the elongated rail base member


14


.




Included within the elongated rail top member


12


of the elongated rail


10


is at least one gas inlet


16


. In

FIGS. 2-3

, one gas inlet


16


is shown. However, it is contemplated that the present invention may include more than one gas inlet. In fact,

FIGS. 4-5

, includes a first gas inlet


34


, a second gas inlet


36


and a third gas inlet


38


, the purpose of which will be described in detail below. Preferably, the gas inlet


16


receives a controlled environment gas. The controlled environment gas enters the gas inlet


16


in a direction represented by arrow


18


. The gas inlet


16


may force the controlled environment gas into the elongated open region


32


by a speed of, for example, 10-200 liters per minute (LPM).




Referring again to

FIGS. 2-3

, also included within the elongated rail


10


, is a longitudinally oriented manifold


20


. The longitudinally oriented manifold


20


, in conjunction with gassing element


22


, preferably serves to allow the outflow of the controlled environment gas from the gas inlet


16


, via the direction represented by arrow


18


, into the elongated open region


32


.




The dual laminar screen member


24


preferably comprises the longitudinally oriented manifold


20


and gassing element


22


. The dual laminar screen member


24


preferably controls the outflow of the controlled environment gas, regulating, for example, such factors as velocity and direction.




In the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 2-3

, the first deflecting member


26


is preferably attached to a bottom side of the elongated rail


10


at one end of the elongated rail


10


. In the example illustrated, the first deflecting member


26


is attached at the left side of the elongated rail


10


. The second deflecting member


28


is preferably attached to the bottom side of the elongated rail


10


at an opposing end of the elongated rail


10


. In the example illustrated, the second deflecting member


28


is attached at the right side of the elongated rail


10


. In conjunction, the first deflecting member


26


and the second deflecting member


28


forms the first deflecting member curve


30


and the second deflecting member curve


31


, respectively.




The first deflecting member curve


30


is preferably shaped in an arcuate contour to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold


20


in a direction transverse to the path of the container


44


and into the open container


44


. The first deflecting member curve


30


also includes an upward-turning end region


78


which assists in directing the flow of the controlled environment gas along a path that the container


44


. The second deflecting member curve


31


is preferably shaped in an arcuate contour to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the container


44


in a direction transverse to the path of the container


44


and out of the elongated open region


32


. The second deflecting member curve


31


may also preferably include an upward-turning end region


80


which assists in directing the flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the container


44


through the elongated open region


32


.




As shown in

FIG. 3

, the first deflecting member curve


30


and the second deflecting member curve


31


, by their arcuately contoured shapes, forms the boundary of the elongated open region


32


, in which the container


44


is positioned. The deflecting member curves


30


,


31


operate to direct the controlled environment gas flow to a container


44


located within the elongated open region


32


(see arrow


46


), through the container


44


(see arrow


48


), away from the container


44


and the elongated rail deflecting member


30


(see arrow


50


), and out of the elongated open region


32


(see arrow


51


).




Referring to

FIG. 3

, one section of the pre-purge rail apparatus


8


may include the following preferred dimensions, although it should be noted that the apparatus may include alternative dimensions. The deflecting member curves


30


,


31


are preferably 0.480 inches thick (see C). The controlled environment gas enters the elongated open region


32


, through the longitudinally oriented manifold


20


(which preferably contains an opening of 0.062 inches—see D) and gassing element


22


, via an opening of preferably 0.188 inches (see E). As the controlled environment gas enters the elongated open region


32


, it encounters the first deflecting member


26


. The first deflecting member


26


is preferably, at the most, 0.281 inches from the bottom of the elongated rail base member


14


(see F). Preferably, the upward-turning end region


78


is 0.213 inches from the bottom of the elongated rail base member


14


(see G). Preferably, the same dimensions are maintained at the second deflecting member


28


. Additionally, the distance between the first deflecting member


26


and the second deflecting member


28


may be 0.844 inches at the closest point (see H) and 1.940 inches at the farthest point (see I). The pre-purge rail apparatus


8


may be made of any known material capable of achieving the purposes of the present invention, such as, for example, stainless steel or plastic.




Referring to

FIG. 3

, generally, the pre-purge rail apparatus


8


operates in the following manner. First, the first deflecting member


26


is positioned to receive the flow of the controlled environment gas from the manifold


20


(represented by arrow


18


). The first deflecting member


26


then redirects the controlled environment gas towards an opening formed by the boundaries of the first deflecting member curve


30


and the upward-turning end region


78


(arrow


46


). That is, the curve, which forms the shape of the first deflecting member


26


, redirects the controlled environment gas towards the center of the elongated open region


32


. Preferably, at the center of the elongated open region


32


, the container


44


is located. The controlled environment gas then enters the container


44


(arrow


48


) in a preferred gas profile to purge the environment within the container


44


. The gas then exits the container


44


(arrow


50


). Finally, the second deflecting member


28


directs the gas exiting the container


44


out of the elongated open region


32


(arrow


50


). The second deflecting member does this by the boundaries of the second deflecting member curve


31


and the upward-turning end region


80


.




In one embodiment, the principle directing the flow of the controlled environment gas through the elongated rail deflecting member


30


may operate according to the Coanda principle. In essence, the Coanda principle specifies that a stream of fluid or air will tend to follow the surface of a solid which is curved slightly in a direction away from the stream. The Coanda principle is further described in additional detail at www.cfcl.com/jef/coanda_effect.html, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein.




Referring to

FIGS. 4-5

, it should be noted that the illustrated preferred embodiment of the purge rail apparatus


9


is similar to the pre-purge rail apparatus


8


disclosed and discussed with regards to

FIGS. 2-3

. However, at least one distinct difference exists. In

FIG. 4

, there are a total of three gas inlets, noted by reference numerals


34


,


36


and


38


, respectively. The purge rail apparatus


9


may be used with a product within the containers


44


, which include product. The flow of controlled environment gas directed into the container


44


is preferably at a rate that will effectively pruge the existing environment within the product-filled container


44


. In one embodiment, first and third gas inlets


34


,


38


may be operated at, for example, 10-40 LPM. Second gas inlet


36


, which feeds the gassing rail positioned directly over the containers


44


, may be operated at, for example, 30-100 LPM. Preferably, the flow rate for the second gas inlet


36


may be greater than that for the first and third gas inlets


34


,


38


. Additionally, the purge rail apparatus


9


includes a first manifold


21


, a second manifold


23


and a third manifold


25


, wherein the first manifold


21


is positioned between the second manifold


23


and the third manifold


25


.




Preferably, the purge rail apparatus includes three gas inlets


34


,


36


,


38


. However, the purge rail apparatus


9


may include two gas inlets, and still perform the method of the present invention. In such a case, the purge rail apparatus


9


would have a middle gas inlet (similar to


36


) and one side inlet (either


34


or


38


).




The gas is supplied to each manifold


21


,


23


,


25


is designated by arrows


52


,


54


and


56


. The controlled environment gas exiting through the second manifold


23


supplied by the first gas inlet


34


is deflected by the first deflecting member


27


as shown by arrow


58


. The controlled environment gas exiting the first manifold


21


by the second gas inlet


36


enters the container


44


as shown by arrows


72


and


62


, developing a pre-formed flow profile, and exits the container


44


by arrows


64


and


66


. Finally, the controlled environment gas exiting the third manifold


25


supplied by the third gas inlet


38


is deflected by the second deflecting member


29


as shown by arrow


68


.




Similar to the deflecting members


26


,


28


of

FIG. 2

, the deflecting members


27


,


29


include a first deflecting member curve


74


and the second deflecting member curve


76


, respectively. Additionally, both the first deflecting member curve


74


and the second deflecting member curve


76


are preferably shaped in an arcuate contour to direct the airflow of the controlled environment gas. For example, in the illustration, the first deflecting member curve


74


includes an end region


82


which directs the flow of the controlled environment gas from inlet


34


out of the elongated open region


32


. Similarly, in the illustration, the second deflecting member curve


76


includes an end region


84


which directs the flow of the controlled environment gas from inlet


38


out of the elongated open region


32


. In contrast to the upward-turning end regions


78


,


80


(which possess an upward turning shape), the end regions


82


,


84


are shaped in a manner parallel to the elongated rail base member


14


, to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas out of the elongated open region


32


.




In the illustrated embodiment, one section of the rail apparatus


9


may include the following preferred dimensions, although it should be noted that the rail apparatus


9


may include alternative dimensions. The elongated rail deflecting member


30


is preferably 0.480 inches thick (see J). The controlled environment gas enters the elongated open region


32


(via the first and third gas inlets


34


,


38


) through the second and third longitudinally oriented manifolds


23


,


25


(which preferably contains an opening of 0.062 inches—see K) and gassing element


22


, entering the elongated open region


32


via an opening of preferably 0.188 inches (see L). The controlled environment gas enters the elongated open region


32


(via the second gas inlet


36


) through the first longitudinally oriented manifold


21


(which preferably contains an opening of 0.062 inches—see M) and gassing element


22


, entering the elongated open region


32


via an opening of preferably 0.156 inches (see N). The first deflecting member


27


is preferably positioned, for example, 0.375 inches from the bottom of the elongated rail base member


14


(see Q). Preferably, the end region


78


maintains a radius of 0.100 inches (see R). Preferably, the same dimensions are maintained at the second deflecting member


28


. In one embodiment, the distance between the first deflecting member


27


and the second deflecting member


29


is preferably, for example, 0.979 inches at the closest point (see O) and 1.944 inches at the farthest point (see P). The purge rail apparatus


9


may be made of any known material capable of achieving the purposes of the present invention, such as, for example, stainless steel or plastic.




In operation, a preferred embodiment of a system for exposing a container


44


to a controlled environment is as follows. A container


44


is passed along the pre-purge rail apparatus


8


. Preferably, the container


44


may be passed along the pre-purge rail apparatus


8


through any known means of conveyance, such as, for example, a conveyor belt. As the container


44


is being passed along the pre-purge gassing rail


8


, a controlled environment gas is supplied through the manifold


20


, and is deflected by the first deflecting member


26


(which includes the first deflecting member curve


30


and the upward-turning end region


78


) into the container


44


(arrows


46


and


48


). The controlled environment gas then circulates through the container


44


in a preferred flow profile. The gas exiting the container


44


(arrow


50


) is deflected by the second deflecting member


28


(which includes the second deflecting member curve


31


and the upward-turning end region


80


), out of the elongated open region


32


.




The container


44


, which may, at this point, include a product, is then passed along the purge rail apparatus


9


. Preferably, the method of passing the container


44


along the purge rail apparatus


9


is similar to the method of passing the container


44


along the pre-purge rail apparatus


8


, as described above. While the container


44


is being passed along the purge rail apparatus


9


, a controlled environment gas is supplied into the elongated open region


32


. The controlled environment gas is supplied into the elongated open region


32


through the three gas inlets


34


,


36


,


38


.




Via the first gas inlet


34


, the controlled environment gas is deflected towards the opening within the elongated open region


32


between the container


44


and the first deflecting member


27


(arrow


58


). The gas flowing from the first manifold


21


provides a lateral shield of controlled environment gas to prevent the migration of oxygen or other contaminating environment into the elongated open region


32


. In this way, the product contained within the container


44


will not be contaminated by outside air. The gassing system also provides a highly controlled flow pattern within the elongated open region


32


. A Venturi effect may also be created by the flow, which drives the exhaust controlled environment gases out of the elongated open region


32


. This allows the flow exiting the container


44


to be directed out of the container


44


and the elongated open region


32


. Additionally, this prevents the build up of air within the elongated open region


32


.




The controlled environment gas exiting the third manifold


25


is deflected through the elongated open region


32


between the container


44


and the second deflecting member


29


(arrow


68


). The flow from the third gas inlet


38


is similar to that described above with regards to the flow from the first gas inlet


34


. In fact, the operation of the third gas inlet


38


with the second deflecting member


29


is a mirror image of the operation of the first gas inlet


34


with the first deflecting member


27


.




Referring to

FIGS. 4-5

, the controlled environment gas exiting the first manifold


21


enters the container


44


, creating a centerline purge as shown in

FIGS. 4-5

(arrows


62


,


72


). The controlled environment gas then circulates within the container


44


, exits the container


44


, and is deflected out of the elongated open region


32


(arrows


64


,


66


) and with the assistance of the flow from both the first and third manifolds


20


(arrows


58


,


68


).




In an alternate embodiment shown at

FIG. 6

, the purge rail apparatus


9


may be designed and implemented without either the first or second deflecting members


27


,


29


. In such an embodiment, a Venturi effect may still apply to direct the flow of the controlled environment gas out of the container


44


. To achieve this, the outside manifolds (i.e., the second manifold and the third manifold)


23


,


25


may be positioned in a location such that the flow of controlled environment gas is substantially proximate to the edge of the container


44


. As a result, the Venturi effect of the flows (arrows


58


and


68


) causes the controlled environment gas exiting the container


44


(arrows


64


and


66


) to exit the open elongated region


32


. This embodiment may be utilized to evacuate and sterilize a large container


44


without disturbing the product contained within.




Further information regarding a gassing rail apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,249, entitled Gassing Rail Apparatus and Method, filed Mar. 13, 1997, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.




While the embodiment of the present invention, disclosed herein, are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated in the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.



Claims
  • 1. An apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:an elongated rail including a longitudinally oriented manifold adapted to align with a path of the container, and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas; and a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned beneath and adjacent to the manifold, the first elongated gas deflecting member including a curved surface to directly receive a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold and deflecting the flow in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container.
  • 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a second elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold, the second elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the container in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through an open elongated region.
  • 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one inlet openings is positioned above the manifold.
  • 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first elongated gas deflecting member includes an upward-turned end region adapted to receive the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas into the container.
  • 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second elongated gas deflecting member includes an upward-turned end region adapted to receive the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas through the elongated open region.
  • 6. A method of operating an apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising the steps of:providing an elongated rail, the elongated rail including a longitudinally oriented manifold, and a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold; passing the container along the elongated rail for a pre-determined period of time; supplying a controlled environment gas into the manifold; passing the controlled environment gas through the manifold; and receiving the controlled environment gas immediately exiting the manifold at the first elongated gas deflecting member and deflecting the received controlled environment gas in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container.
  • 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising directing the controlled environment gas out of the container.
  • 8. The method of claim 7, further providing a second elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold; and further comprising:deflecting the controlled environment gas exiting the container by a contour of the second elongated gas deflecting member in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through the elongated open region.
  • 9. An apparatus for exposing a product contained within a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:an elongated rail including first, second and third longitudinally oriented manifolds adapted to align with a path of the container, and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas; and a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the second longitudinally oriented manifold, the first elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the second longitudinally oriented manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through an elongated open region; wherein the first longitudinally oriented manifold is positioned between the second longitudinally oriented manifold and the third longitudinally manifold.
  • 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further including a second elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the third longitudinally oriented manifold, the second elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the third longitudinally oriented manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through the open elongated region.
  • 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first inlet opening is positioned above the first longitudinally oriented manifold, the second inlet opening is positioned above the second longitudinally oriented manifold and the third inlet opening is positioned above the third longitudinally oriented manifold.
  • 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first elongated gas deflecting member includes an end region adapted to receive a portion of the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas through an elongated open region.
  • 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second elongated gas deflecting member includes an end region adapted to receive a portion of the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas through an elongated open region.
  • 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first longitudinally oriented manifold is adapted to receive a first portion of the controlled environment gas at a first flow rate.
  • 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second longitudinally oriented manifold is adapted to receive a second portion of the controlled environment gas at a second flow rate, and the third longitudinally oriented manifold is adapted to receive a third portion of the controlled environment gas at a third flow rate.
  • 16. A method for exposing a product contained within a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:providing an elongated rail, the elongated rail including first, second and third longitudinally oriented manifolds, and a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the second longitudinally oriented manifold; passing the container along the elongated rail for a predetermined period of time; supplying a controlled environment gas through at least one inlet opening; passing the controlled environment gas through the first, second and third longitudinally oriented manifolds; and deflecting a first portion of the controlled environment gas from the second longitudinally oriented manifold by a contour of the first elongated gas deflecting member in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through an elongated open region.
  • 17. The method of claim 16, further providing a second elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the third longitudinally oriented manifold; and further comprising:deflecting a second portion of the controlled environment gas from the third longitudinally oriented manifold by a contour of the second elongated gas deflecting member in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through the elongated open region.
  • 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising directing a third portion of the controlled environment gas into the container.
  • 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising directing the third portion of the controlled environment gas out of the container.
  • 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising directing the third portion of the controlled environment gas through the elongated open region.
  • 21. An apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:an elongated rail including a longitudinally oriented manifold adapted to align with a path of the container, and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas; a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold, the first elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container; and wherein the first elongated gas deflecting member includes an upward-turned end region adapted to receive the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas into the container.
  • 22. An apparatus for exposing a container traveling along a conveyor to a controlled environment, comprising:an elongated rail including a longitudinally oriented manifold adapted to align with a path of the container, and at least one inlet opening to receive a controlled environment gas; a first elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold, the first elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the manifold in a direction transverse to the path of the container and into the container; a second elongated gas deflecting member positioned adjacent to the manifold, the second elongated gas deflecting member contoured to deflect a flow of the controlled environment gas exiting the container in a direction transverse to the path of the container and through an open elongated region; and wherein the second elongated gas deflecting member includes an upward-turned end region adapted to receive the controlled environment gas and to deflect the controlled environment gas through the elongated open region.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Number Name Date Kind
4707334 Gerhard Nov 1987 A
5178841 Vokins et al. Jan 1993 A
5368828 Carlson Nov 1994 A
6120730 Palaniappan et al. Sep 2000 A