US4055931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing a controlled atmosphere around perishable products
Assignee: AERIFORM Ltd A CAYMAN ISLANDS Co
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Filing: 1976-07-28
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Granted: 1977-11-01
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Expires: 1996-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A perishable product is enclosed within a flexible bag and the air is evacuated from the bag to a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure. A predetermined volume of a gas is then introduced into the bag.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert H. Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:10
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/04; B65B31/08; A; A23; A23B; A23B7/00; A23B7/14; A23B7/144; A23B7/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for protecting perishable products comprising the steps of: sealing the product within an air-tight flexible bag; inserting into said bag a probe connected to a multi-position valve; moving said valve to a first position which connects said probe to a vacuum pump; evacuating air from said bag to a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure; moving said valve to a second position which connects said probe to a source of said gas; introducing a predetermined volume of gas into said bag by flowing a gas at a predetermined pressure into said bag for a predetermined time; moving said valve to a third position which closes the source of gas and vacuum to said probe; and withdrawing said probe from said bag.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for protecting perishable products comprising the steps of: sealing the product within an air-tight flexible bag; inserting into said bag a probe connected to a multi-position valve; moving said valve to a first position which connects said probe to a vacuum pump; evacuating air from said bag to a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure; moving said valve to a second position which connects said probe to a source of said gas; introducing a predetermined volume of gas into said bag by flowing a gas at a predetermined pressure into said bag for a predetermined time; moving said valve to a third position which closes the source of gas and vacuum to said probe; and withdrawing said probe from said bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the product comprises a pallet load and said enclosing step comprises enclosing the pallet load within said flexible bag.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure is a pressure less than 65 inches of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas is CO 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas is a mixture of CO 2 and N 2 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of resealing said bag after withdrawal of said probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined volume of gas is substantially equal to the volume of air removed by said evacuating step.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for protecting perishable products comprising: a flexible bag for enclosing the product; a probe for insertion into said bag after said bag is sealed; a hose connecting said probe to a multi-position valve; means for evacuating including a vaccum pump connected to said valve and open to said probe in one position of said valve for evacuating the air from within said bag to a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure; and means for introducing a gas including a source of gas at a predetermined pressure connected to said valve and open to said probe in another position of said valve, and timer means connected to said valve for controlling the length of time said valve is in said other position for introducing a predetermined volume of gas into said bag.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for protecting perishable products comprising: a flexible bag for enclosing the product; a probe for insertion into said bag after said bag is sealed; a hose connecting said probe to a multi-position valve; means for evacuating including a vaccum pump connected to said valve and open to said probe in one position of said valve for evacuating the air from within said bag to a predetermined pressure below atmospheric pressure; and means for introducing a gas including a source of gas at a predetermined pressure connected to said valve and open to said probe in another position of said valve, and timer means connected to said valve for controlling the length of time said valve is in said other position for introducing a predetermined volume of gas into said bag.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said bag comprises a polyethylene bag.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said valve comprises a three-way solenoid operated valve, the third position being an off position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means for introducing gas includes a timer coupled to said solenoid operated valve, and said means for evacuating includes a pressure sensor coupled to said timer and to said solenoid operated valve, said sensor including means for sending a signal to move said valve from said one position to said another position and for sending a start signal to said timer upon the sensing of said predetermined pressure, said timer effective to terminate the introduction of said gas at the end of a predetermined time by shutting off said valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said source of gas comprises: a bottle of pressurized gas; and a pressure regulator means for supplying gas at a constant pressure from said bottle to said multi-position valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said source of gas includes: an additional bottle of a different pressuized gas; and an additional pressure regulator means coupled to said multi-position valve, whereby said predetermined volume of gas comprises a mixture of gases.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said source of gas includes a reserve bottle of gas and said regulator means includes a pressure indicator for indicating when said reserve bottle of gas is needed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-31 | 1981-05-02 | 1981-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-31 | 1985-05-02 | 1985-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-31 | 1989-05-02 | 1989-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |