Modified atmosphere package with accelerated reduction of oxygen level in meat compartment

US6054153A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Tenneco Packaging Inc. · US

Inventors

• Daniel G. Carr · Rochester, US
• Glenn C. Castner · Victor, US
• Gary R. DelDuca · Canandaigua, US
• Rollie H. DeMay · Newark, US
• Alan E. Deyo · Rushville, US
• Stephen L. Goulette · Newark, US
• Darryl P. Hansen · Shortsville, US
• Vinod K. Luthra · East Rochester, US
• Allen J. Norby · Fairport, US
• Robert A. Sloan · Palmyra, US
• Jill F. Thompson · Fairport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 3, 1998
• Grant date: Apr 25, 2000
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B55/19
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A modified atmosphere package includes first and second compartments separated by a partition member that is substantially permeable to oxygen. The first compartment contains an oxygen scavenger activated with an oxygen scavenger accelerator. The second compartment contains a retail cut of raw meat. Various techniques are employed to rapidly reduce the oxygen level in the second compartment below pigment sensitive levels so that the growth of metmyoglobin is inhibited. Some of these techniques increase the flow of oxygen from the second compartment to the first compartment through the partition member to a level inhibiting the formation of metmyoglobin in the raw meat.