Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Packaged or wrapped product – Packaged product is animal flesh
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-11
2001-04-24
Brouillette, Gabrielle (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Packaged or wrapped product
Packaged product is animal flesh
C426S118000, C426S396000, C426S415000, C426S418000, C426S432000, C426S433000, C426S444000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06221411
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to the packaging of meat products in a controlled environment. More specifically the invention relates to an apparatus and method of packaging meat products in a first modified atmosphere environment for shipping to prolong shelf life and in a second atmospheric environment for display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fresh meat products are typically processed to various cuts, at a meat processing facility, and then packaged in atmospheric conditions and shipped directly to the supermarket or retail market. Typically, the meat is packaged at the retail market in the Styrofoam trays which are overwrapped with a clear plastic film. Attempts have also been made to package the individual meat products at the processing facility in overwrapped Styrofoam trays, which are then placed within a vacuum-packed barrier bag. The shelf life of such packaging method is relatively short, which is primarily due to the prolonged exposure of the meat product to the residual oxygen present in the packaging. The prolonged exposure to oxygen also causes bacterial decay and discoloration of the meat product.
Particularly in red meat, the prolonged exposure to oxygen causes the conversion of myoglobin meat pigmentation to the grey or brown metmyoglobin, which is unacceptable to the customer. A controlled exposure to oxygen is necessary to oxygenate the meat pigment to a bright red color which, in general, retail customers associate with freshness.
To prevent discoloration and extend the shelf life of meat products, modified atmosphere packaging technologies are used. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,667,827 and 5,711,978 to Breen et al., disclose a package and method for packaging fresh meat in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere, which includes a tray that is ventilated with holes and slits and sized to receive a piece of meat. A clear plastic wrapping material covers the tray. A number of these trays are then placed within an outer barrier bag which is evacuated and flushed with carbon dioxide and then sealed. The outer barrier bag is removed when the meat trays are ready for retail case-ready display.
One problem with this system is that it requires use of a perforated tray which may allow bacteria to enter the meat product while displayed. In addition, the packaging process requires the cumbersome grouping and packaging of a number of trays in an outer barrier bag, which then must be evacuated and flushed.
It would be desirable to have a package and process that would avoid the above problems and provide a package which would extend the storage life of meat products. In addition, it would be desirable to have an easy and efficient method for sealing a modified atmosphere tray. Moreover, it would be desirable to have a safe and efficient means of changing the atmosphere within the tray for retail display of the meat product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides a meat packaging apparatus comprising a tray containing a modified atmosphere and meat product, film sealed to the tray and including an opening formed therein, and a two-piece label attached to the film and covering the opening. The two-piece label includes a first layer removably attached to a second layer. An inner side of the second layer is secured to a portion of the film surrounding the opening. The second layer is made of a highly oxygen permeable material to allow oxygen to enter the tray when the first layer is removed. The first layer may be made of a material substantially impermeable to oxygen. Preferably, the tray includes a flange portion and the film is heat-sealed to the flange portion. The modified atmosphere may preferably comprise a blend of CO
2
and Nitrogen. Preferably, the inner side of the second layer is secured to the film with adhesive. Preferably, the first layer of the label may be made of a barrier-type plastic. Preferably, the second layer of the label may be made of a highly oxygen permeable material including, for example, paper. The second layer may further include a patterned barrier varnish to prevent wicking of oxygen. Preferably, the first layer of the label includes a raised portion to allow a user to grasp the raised portion and pull off the first layer.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of preparing a meat product apparatus for retail presentation. A tray containing a modified atmosphere and meat product is provided. A film is sealed to the tray. The film includes an opening formed therein. A two-piece label is attached to the film and covers the opening. The two-piece label includes a first layer removably attached to a second layer. An inner side of the second layer is secured to a portion of the film surrounding the opening. The second layer is made of a highly oxygen permeable material. The first layer of the two-piece label is then removed. Oxygen flows through the highly oxygen permeable material of the second layer into the tray. This allows the meat product within the tray to achieve a bright red pigmentation. Prior to removing the first layer of the label the tray may be stored for an extended period of time, which may, for example, be about 14 days.
A further aspect of the invention provides for a method of packaging a tray with meat product. Trays containing meat product positioned on an intermittent conveyer are provided. A gassing rail positioned along the conveyer is also provided. A punch station and a label application station are positioned along a film infeed path and upstream of a sealing station. The trays are moved intermittently along the conveyer toward the sealing station. Controlled environment gas is flowed through the gassing rail and into the trays. An opening is punched in the film as it passes through the punch station. A two-piece label is then applied over the opening in the label application station. The portion of the film including the label covered opening is sealed to the tray to retain a modified atmosphere within the tray. Preferably, the film is dispensed in timed sequence with the intermittent conveyer.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the 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 invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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Edwards Bruce E.
Sanfilippo James J.
Sanfilippo John E.
Baniak Nicholas Pine & Gannon
Brouillette Gabrielle
Jescorp, Inc.
Mai Hao
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