Patent ID: 6494023
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for inserting an activated oxygen scavenger into a modified atmosphere package comprising:scavenger feeding means for feeding a chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers; injecting means for injecting an oxygen uptake accelerator into an oxygen scavenger located at an exposed end of the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers to activate the oxygen scavenger; separating means for separating the oxygen scavenger located at the exposed end of the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers; adhesive application means for applying adhesive to the separated oxygen scavenger; conveyor means for conveying the separated oxygen scavenger to a position adjacent to a film layer such that the separated oxygen scavenger is attached to a surface of the film layer by the adhesive; forming means for forming the film layer having the separated oxygen scavenger attached thereto into a container portion of the modified atmosphere package; and flushing means for removing oxygen from the container portion.