Antimicrobial packaging system

摘要

Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.

主权项

1. A packaging system comprising:
a delivery portion having an entrance and an exit, the delivery portion further having:
a base;a top portion connected to the base with a hinged connection; anda bottom portion connected to the base with a fixed connection;wherein the top portion rotates about the hinged connection and with respect to the bottom portion, such that the exit of the delivery portion has a variable cross-sectional dimension; a package having an interior surface, the package operatively coupled to the delivery portion to receive a food item that is moved through the delivery portion; a controller that receives a food item characteristic associated with the food item via a communication port, wherein the food item characteristic allows the controller to determine an amount of a sanitizing agent to apply to the interior surface of the package; one or more air dispensers communicably connected to the controller and positioned proximate to the exit of the delivery portion in order to at least partially inflate the package with air; and one or more liquid dispensers communicably connected to the controller and positioned proximate to the exit of the delivery portion in order to dispense the amount of the sanitizing agent determined by the controller to at least partially coat the interior surface of the package while the package is at least partially inflated.