US4919955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for packaging perishable products
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-06-27
•
Granted: 1990-04-24
•
Expires: 2008-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for packaging perishable products is disclosed, said method and apparatus enabling the alteration of the gaseous environment surrounding a given product. The packaging system can be readily prepared for immediate transport and aging, retail display and consumer freezing. The present system comprises a relatively rigid tray which is sealed with a flexible gas impermeable cover, said tray being provided with a resealable septum valve. The tray is also preferably provided with a plurality of protrusions or mounds so as to facilitate gas flow and contact with a given perishable product. The atmosphere in the packaging system may be modified to inhibit bacterial decay of the product and/or to enhance its appearance. Likewise, the package may be prepared for freezing by drawing a substantial vacuum within the packaging system.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry L. Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:18
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00; B65B31/04; B65B31/08; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/18; B65D81/20; G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for processing a perishable fresh meat product for controlled aging and subsequent presentation to the consumer, comprising the sequential steps of: positioning the product on a gas impermeable package tray; sealing said product on said tray in a non-inert atmosphere with a gas impermeable cover so as to form a gas tight package; inserting an atmosphere exchange apparatus through a septum valve disposed in the tray removing the non-inert gas from within the package through said valve disposed in said package; filling the interior of the package through said valve with a first gas capable of forming an anaerobic atmosphere in said package; aging said product in the anaerobic atmosphere in said package; removing said first gas from said package though said valve; filing the interior of said package with a second gas conducive to the formation of oxymyoglobin in said meat product; maintaining said meat product in said package in said second gas for at least a time sufficient to product a bloom in said meat product; removing said second gas from the package through said valve; and freezing said product while in said package.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for processing a perishable fresh meat product for controlled aging and subsequent presentation to the consumer, comprising the sequential steps of: positioning the product on a gas impermeable package tray; sealing said product on said tray in a non-inert atmosphere with a gas impermeable cover so as to form a gas tight package; inserting an atmosphere exchange apparatus through a septum valve disposed in the tray removing the non-inert gas from within the package through said valve disposed in said package; filling the interior of the package through said valve with a first gas capable of forming an anaerobic atmosphere in said package; aging said product in the anaerobic atmosphere in said package; removing said first gas from said package though said valve; filing the interior of said package with a second gas conducive to the formation of oxymyoglobin in said meat product; maintaining said meat product in said package in said second gas for at least a time sufficient to product a bloom in said meat product; removing said second gas from the package through said valve; and freezing said product while in said package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first gas is inert.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the inert gas consists essentially of nitrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the inert gas comprises a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the atmosphere conducive to the formation of oxymyoglobin comprises a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the oxygen - carbon dioxide atmosphere is comprised of a ratio of approximately 80% oxygen and 20 % carbon dioxide.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for packaging a perishable fresh meat product for controlled aging and subsequent presentation to the consumer, comprising the sequential steps of: positioning said product on a substantially impermeable package tray while in an anaerobic, inert gas atmosphere; sealing said product on said tray in said anaerobic inert gas atmosphere with a substantially gas impermeable cover so as to form a gas tight package; aging said product in said anaerobic inert gas atmosphere; inserting an atmosphere exchange apparatus through a septum valve disposed in said tray removing said inert gas from said package through said valve; filling through said valve the interior of said package with a second atmosphere conducive to the formation of oxymyoglobin in said meat product; and maintaining said meat product in said package in the second atmosphere for at least a time sufficient to produce a bloom in said product,
Claim 9
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for packaging a perishable fresh meat product for controlled aging and subsequent presentation to the consumer, comprising the sequential steps of: positioning said product on a substantially impermeable package tray while in an anaerobic, inert gas atmosphere; sealing said product on said tray in said anaerobic inert gas atmosphere with a substantially gas impermeable cover so as to form a gas tight package; aging said product in said anaerobic inert gas atmosphere; inserting an atmosphere exchange apparatus through a septum valve disposed in said tray removing said inert gas from said package through said valve; filling through said valve the interior of said package with a second atmosphere conducive to the formation of oxymyoglobin in said meat product; and maintaining said meat product in said package in the second atmosphere for at least a time sufficient to produce a bloom in said product,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the inert gas consists essentially of nitrogen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the inert gas comprises essentially a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the atmosphere conducive to the formation of oxymyoglobin comprises a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the oxygen - carbon dioxide atmosphere comprises a ratio of approximately 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the sequential steps of: removing the second atmosphere from the package through the valve; and freezing the fresh meat product while in the package.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |