GAS DISPLACEMENT DEVICE FOR PACKAGING FOOD AND NON-FOOD PRODUCTS

摘要

A gas displacement device and method for substituting inert gas for ambient air in a gable-top paperboard carton prior to closing of an open top of the carton. The device includes a source of inert gas connected to an outlet, a hood for forming a blanket of inert gas in a predetermined volume of space which communicates with the outlet, the hood having an opening which lies in a substantially horizontal plane, and a conveyor for moving cartons in a direction of displacement so that each open top passes under the opening. The outlet to which the inert gas source is connected is formed in a wall of the hood. A stream of inert gas from the outlet is injected into the headspace of the container when the container is in a first position, but not when the container is in a second position and the blanket of inert gas overlies the open top of the container when the container is in the second position.