Patent ID: 6189299
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
An apparatus for packaging bulk fresh produce, comprising a vacuum chamber free of foam lining; support means for a plurality of bags or other containers for said produce within said vacuum chamber; a valve through the wall of said vacuum chamber for drawing a vacuum within said chamber; means for withdrawing air from said vacuum chamber and from the interior of each of said bags or other containers in said vacuum chamber, including valve means for each of said bags or other containers, each of said valve means being insertable in and removable from said bags or other containers, whereby the pressure inside said chamber and said bag become substantially the same, and means for delivering to said vacuum chamber and to the interior of each of said bags a replacement gas or mixture of gases of desired concentration and nature and at variable, controlled flow rates, while restoring the pressure inside the chamber and inside and outside each of said bags or other containers to ambient pressure at rates sufficient to minimize crushing or bruising of said produce within each of said bags and containers.