Apparatus and method for removing oxygen from food containers
US5228269A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B31/042
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for exposing the interior of containers to controlled environments is provided. In particular, one or more controlled force biased probes are provided for penetrating the contents of a container to inject alternate environments, such as inert gas, to desired locations within the container. The controlled force bias allows the probe to yield should an obstruction be encountered without damaging the obstruction or the apparatus itself. In a particular embodiment, two or more biased probes are provided spaced apart by a distance at least equal to the maximum linear dimension of any anticipated obstruction, so that at least one probe will avoid the obstruction and reach its desired location within the container for processing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.