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United States Patent Application	20070245694
Kind Code	A1
Schmal; Michael D. ;   et al.	October 25, 2007

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Claims

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1. A product packaging system comprising: a packer tube comprising an elongate body having a product inlet and a product outlet, wherein a flowable product enters through the product inlet and exits through the product outlet; and a fluid sprayer system having a fluid outlet disposed approximate the packer tube for discharging a fluid, wherein the fluid sprayer system is capable of simultaneously providing the fluid as the flowable product passes through the packer tube and into a packaging material.

2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the fluid provided from the fluid sprayer system is applied directly to the flowable product as the flowable product passes through the packer tube and into said packaging material.

3. The packaging system of claim 2, further comprising an applicator, wherein the fluid is applied to the flowable product by said applicator.

4. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the fluid provided from the fluid sprayer system is applied to an interior surface of the packaging material as the flowable product passes through the product outlet and into the packaging material.

5. The packaging system of claim 4, wherein the fluid is applied to the interior surface of the packaging material by an applicator.

6. The packaging system of claim 1, further including a product shaping portion having an internal cavity for shaping the flowable product, wherein the product shaping portion is disposed between the product inlet and the product outlet.

7. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein the product shaping portion includes a loaf shaped cavity.

8. The packaging system of claim 6, wherein the product shaping portion is adapted to shape the product to a uniform size and weight.

9. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the fluid outlet is disposed approximate the product outlet of the packer tube.

10. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the product is a food product and the fluid is a food colorant adapted to give the food product a cooked appearance.

11. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the product is a food product and the fluid is a food seasoning adapted to give the food product a flavored taste.

12. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the product is a part and the fluid is a lubricant.

13. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the product is a medical device and the fluid is a medicine.

14. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is a coating adapted to give the product a desired appearance.

15. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the fluid sprayer system includes a plurality of nozzles disposed around a perimeter of the product outlet of the packer tube.

16. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising a pump for feeding the flowable product to the product inlet of the packer tube.

17. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising a packaging material feeder device adapted to position the package material over the product outlet.

18. The packaging system of claim 17, wherein the packaging material feeder device is adapted to store the packaging material.

19. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising a sealer positioned downstream of the product outlet, wherein the sealer is adapted to seal a filled product package.

20. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the sprayer system is detachably connected to the packer tube.

21. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum system adapted to remove air during the product packaging process from one or more of: the flowable product; the packer tube; and the product packaging material.

22. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the amount of fluid provided is predetermined.

23. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the packaging material comprises a material suitable for high temperature cooking applications.

24. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the sprayer system further comprises: a fluid reservoir; a pump operably coupled to the fluid reservoir; and one or more fluid passages 138 operably coupling the pump 134 to the fluid outlet.

25. A method for applying a fluid to a flowable product, the method comprising: providing a packer tube comprising an elongate body having a product inlet and a product outlet; feeding a flowable product into the product inlet of the packer tube; passing the flowable product through the product outlet; applying a fluid to the flowable product; and packaging the flowable product in a packaging material, wherein the fluid is applied simultaneously with the packaging of the product.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising shaping the flowable product as the flowable product passes through the packer tube.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising sealing the packaging material once the packaging material has been filled with the flowable product.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising removing air during the product packaging process from one or more of: the flowable product; the packer tube; and the product packaging material.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the sep of applying a fluid to the flowable product further comprises spraying the fluid onto the flowable product.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the product is a food product and the fluid is a food colorant adapted to give the food product a cooked appearance.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising: disposing the packaging material about the product outlet of the packer tube; and withdrawing the packaging material from the packer tube as the product being discharged from the product outlet fills the packaging material.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the packaging material further comprises a bag, and further comprising fitting the bag over the product outlet of the packer tube, wherein a downstream end of the packer tube is adapted to receive the bag.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein the packaging material comprises a material suitable for high temperature cooking applications.

34. A method for applying a fluid to a flowable product, the method comprising: providing a packer tube comprising an elongate body having a product inlet and a product outlet; feeding a flowable product into the product inlet of the packer tube; applying a fluid to an interior surface of a packaging material; and packaging the product exiting the product outlet in a packaging material, wherein the fluid is applied simultaneously with the packaging of the product.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising shaping the flowable product as the flowable product passes through the packer tube.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising sealing the packaging material once the packaging material has been filled with the flowable product.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising removing air during the product packaging process from one or more of: the flowable product; the packer tube; and the product packaging material.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the product is a food product and the fluid is a food colorant adapted to give the food product a cooked appearance.

39. The method of claim 34, further comprising withdrawing the packaging material from the packer tube as the product being discharged from the product outlet flows into the packaging material.

40. The method of claim 34, further comprising fitting a bag comprising the packaging material over the product outlet of the packer tube, wherein a downstream end of the packer tube is adapted to receive the bag.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the application of the fluid further comprises spraying the fluid onto the interior surface of the packaging material.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein the packaging material comprises a material suitable for high temperature cooking applications.

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Description

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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/787,620 filed Mar. 30, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

[0002] Generally, the invention relates to product packaging. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for applying a fluid to the inside of a product packaging material and/or to the outside of a product during packaging of the product. This technology is particularly suited, but by no means limited, for use in applying a food colorant to the inside of a food packaging material and/or to the outside of a food product during packaging of the food product.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Many food products, such as sausages, luncheon meats, hamburger, or other comminuted materials, may be packaged in product casings. For example, a product casing material may be stuffed with a meat emulsion. These stuffed food products may be cooked and then removed from the casing for slicing. Commercial sizing devices exist for high-speed stuffing of casing material and termination of the casing ends, typically through the use of mechanically set clips. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,348 describes one such sizer apparatus designed for this purpose. Generally speaking, sizers include an elongated, tubular stuffing horn having a rearward end adapted for coupling to a meat pump, with an opposed forward end adapted to receive casing material, either as individually applied casings or in elongated, shirred form from which multiple casing sections can be successively drawn. A clipping device may be situated adjacent the discharge end of the horn for clipping the casing material and completing the casings as they are formed. In practice, meat is delivered via the pump into the horn and out the discharge end thereof, thereby pulling casing material off of the horn as the meat emerges. As each discrete portion of meat is delivered and encased, the clipping device is operated to clip the terminal ends of the casings. Similar portioner devices exist for filling bags.

[0004] Food products cooked in the packaging materials typically do not have a cooked appearance and may not include flavoring. As a result, these cooked food products may be unappealing and unappetizing to consumers. Therefore, it may be desirable for food products cooked in the packaging material to have a cooked appearance and/or a flavored taste.

[0005] It is known to apply food colorant to a packaging material in order to give the cooked food product a cooked appearance. A colorant inside the casing may be transferred to the meat during cooking. Drawbacks of plastic sausage casings having a colorant inside the casing is that this type of system is expensive and is limited in its shape to cylindrical shapes. Cylindrical shaped meats tend to rock during slicing/cutting. Also, casings (and bags) having rounded bottoms and tops do not provide consistent size, shape, and weight slices over the whole piece of meat.

[0006] At least one conventional system discloses a two step process of first applying a colorant and then filling the casing with meat. At a first station, a colorant may be sprayed on the inside of a bag. Fingers open the bag and a colorant pipe may be inserted into the bottom of the bag. Colorant may be sprayed onto the inside of the bag as the pipe may be retracted. The bag may be then indexed to a second and separate station where another pipe fills the bag with meat. However, the application of the food colorant is performed as a separate and additional step, which adds to the complexity, time, and cost of the food packaging process. In addition, the machine used to perform this packaging process is expensive, difficult to operate, and costly to maintain.

[0007] It may also be desirable to shape and size the packaged food product for particular applications. For example, it may be desirable to have a product shape that provides for uniform size and weight slices that may be cut from the cooked food product. This may help ensure standard serving sizes.

[0008] It is also desirable to maintain a sanitary food packaging system. As such, it may be desirable to ensure that the design of the product packaging system allow for easy cleaning.

SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for applying a fluid to the inside of a product packaging material and/or to the outside of a product during packaging of the product.

[0010] A sprayer system is incorporated into a packer tube to apply a fluid to the inside surface of the product packaging material and/or the outside surface of the product to be contained within the packaging material. The fluid is applied simultaneously with the pumping of the product though the packer tube. As such, separate steps for applying the fluid and also for pumping the product into the packaging are not required.

[0011] In general, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a packer tube for handling a flowable product and packaging the flowable product. The packer tube may include an elongate body having a product inlet and a product outlet. A product shaping portion is located between the product inlet and the product outlet to shape the flowable product into a desired shape. The product outlet directs product from the product shaping portion and discharges the shaped product from the elongate body. The packer tube includes a fluid sprayer system. The fluid sprayer system includes a fluid reservoir, one or more fluid outlets disposed proximate the product outlet for discharging the fluid, and a pump operably coupled to the fluid reservoir and the one or more fluid passages for delivering fluid from the fluid reservoir to the one or more fluid outlets.

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, a product packaging may be disposed over the product outlet and about an outside surface of the elongate body of the packer tube.

[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the elongate body may include a longitudinal axis, wherein the flowable product generally flows in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis from the product inlet to the product outlet. The flowable product contacts the product packaging as the flowable product is discharged or emerges from the product outlet. The flowable product causes the product packaging to be withdrawn from about the elongate body as the product packaging fills with the flowable product.

[0014] In one embodiment, methods and apparatuses are described for use in applying a food colorant to the inside of a food packaging material and/or to the outside of a food product during packaging of the food product. The filled product package may contain a shaped product formed in the product shaping portion of the elongate body. In one embodiment, the shaped product includes a substantially rectangular shaped product that helps ensure standard slices of the product.

[0015] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. Included in the drawings are the following Figures that show various exemplary embodiments and various features of the present invention:

[0017] FIGS. 1A-1C show an exemplary product packaging system and process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an exemplary packer tube in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3 depicts an end view of the product outlet end of the exemplary packer tube of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an exemplary packer tube in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an exemplary packer tube in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 6A shows a top view of an exemplary product package; and

[0023] FIG. 6B shows an open side view of the product package of FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for applying a fluid to the inside of a product packaging material and/or to the outside of a product during packaging of the product. In one embodiment, methods and apparatuses are described for use in applying a food colorant to the inside of a food packaging material and/or to the outside of a food product during packaging of the food product.

[0025] The present invention incorporates a sprayer system into the design of a packer tube (filling horn, stuffing horn, etc.) and allows the inside surface of the product packaging material and/or the outside surface of the product to be contained within the packaging material to be coated with a fluid. The fluid is applied simultaneously with the packaging of the product. As such, separate steps for applying the fluid and also for packaging the product are not required.

[0026] For example, FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an exemplary apparatus, system, and method for food product packaging. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, a packer tube 10 having a sprayer system 14 may be provided for simultaneously applying a fluid 18 during the packaging of a product 22 in a product package 26. As shown, the flowable food product 22 may be fed into a product inlet 28 of the packer tube 10 from, for example a pump 32 of a product processing apparatus 34 (i.e., a portioner, a sizer, etc.). The flowable food product 22 flows through a transition region 36 of the packer tube 10 and enters a product shaping portion 38. The shaped food product 22 is then forced out of a product outlet 42 of the packer tube 10 and into the flexible food package 26. The sprayer system 14 is located proximate the product outlet 42 and applies the coating of fluid 18, such as a food colorant, to one or both of an inside surface 44 of the food packaging material 26 and/or an outside surface 46 of the shaped food product 22.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1A, when the packaging process commences the product package 26 is disposed over the product outlet 42 of the packer tube 10 and is empty. As shown in FIG. 1B, as the shaped food product 22 exits or emerges from the packer tube 10 and enters the flexible food packaging 26 it forces the food packaging 26 off of the packer tube 10. As shown in FIG. 1C, the filled food packaging contains a shaped food product 22 having a food colorant and/or seasoning, on and/or between, the food packaging material 26 and/or the food product 22. The filled food packaging may be removed from the packer tube 10 and closed/sealed. In this exemplary embodiment, the applied fluid 18 may color and/or flavor the food product 22 during cooking of the food product 22 in the food packaging 26. This may, for example, give the food an oven-roasted or blackened appearance and/or a desired flavor even though the food was cooked within the packaging material 26.

[0028] This one step solution for simultaneously pumping the product 22 and applying the fluid 18 helps: simplify the packaging process; makes the packaging system easier to operate; makes the packaging process more cost effective; reduces the time required to complete the packaging process; reduces operating and maintenance costs; and the like.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the packer tube 10 may include an elongate body 50 having a longitudinal axis. As shown, the elongate body 50 may be hollow and include a passage 54 through the elongate body 50 for the flowable product 22 to pass through. The hollow packer tube 10 may include a substantially tubular shape. The substantially tubular shape may include various shapes, such as a cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a loaf shape, other desired shapes, and/or combinations of various shapes.

[0030] The product inlet 28 may be provided at an upstream end 72 of the packer tube 10. As shown, the product inlet 28 may have a substantially circular opening 84. A neck portion 82 having an internal passage 86 may extend from the product inlet 28. The product inlet 28 is adapted to receive the flowable product 22 from, for example, a source of flowable product 34. As shown, a coupler 90, such as a nut, fitting, and the like, may be provided to connect the packer tube 10 to the source of flowable product 34. Piping 94 may also be provided between the packer tube 10 and the source of flowable product 34.

[0031] The source of flowable product 34 may include the product processing apparatus, such as, for example, a portioner, a sizer, a hopper, an auger, or other suitable product processing devices. The product processing apparatus 34 may be provided upstream of the packer tube 10 and prepares the product 22 for delivery to the packer tube 10 and packaging. The product processing apparatus 34 may push the flowable product 22 into the packer tube 10. The pump 32 (FIGS. 1A-1C) may be provided to feed the flowable product 22 from the product processing apparatus 34 to the packer tube 10.

[0032] The product shaping portion 38 of the packer tube 10 may include an internal cavity 108 that apportions and shapes the flowable product 22 into a desired shape for the packaged product. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shaping portion 38 may include a loaf shaped cavity having a substantially rectangular shaped center region 38a and rounded ends 38b. In other applications, the product shaping portion 38 may include other shapes and sizes, such as for example: for sausage applications, the shaping portion 38 may include a cylindrical shaped cavity; for cheese applications, the shaping portion 38 may include a square shaped cavity; etc.

[0033] The transition portion 36 of the packer tube 10 may be between the neck portion 82 and the product shaping portion 38. The transition portion 36 directs the flowable product 22 from the product inlet 28 into the product shaping portion 38. As shown, the transition portion 36 may include a section that tapers open from the neck portion 82 to the product shaping portion 38. The tapered section may include a straight taper (FIG. 2) and/or a curved taper (FIG. 5). The transition portion 36 may taper at an angle of

[0034] As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the product inlet 28 and neck portion 82 may include a diameter D. The transition portion 36 may include a taper that flares outward at the end regions as it extends from the neck portion 82. The product shaping portion 38 may be defined by a width W, a height H, and a length L, which define a central region 38a having a substantially brick shape. As shown, the shaping portion 38 may also include rounded end regions 38b having a radius R. The combination of the central region 38a and the rounded end regions 38b may define a substantially loaf-shaped cavity in the product shaping portion 38.

[0035] The product outlet 42 is provided at a downstream end 120 of the packer tube 10. As shown, the product outlet 42 may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of the shaping portion 38. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-3, the product outlet 42 may include a loaf shaped opening. The product outlet 42 is adapted to direct the flowable product 22 from the shaping portion 38 into product packaging 26.

[0036] The sprayer system 14 may apply the fluid 18 to one or more of the inside surfaces 44 of the product packaging 26 and/or the outside surface 46 of the product 22. Preferably, the sprayer system 14 applies the fluid 18 as the product 22 exits the packer tube 10 and is filling the product packaging 26. Fluid 18 as used herein refers to any flowable materials, such as, for example, liquids, solutions, dispersions, suspensions, gels, pastes, and other fluids.

[0037] The sprayer system 14 may include a fluid reservoir 124, one or more fluid outlets 130 disposed proximate to the product outlet 42 for discharging the fluid 18, and a pump 134 operably coupled to the fluid reservoir 124, one or more fluid passages 138 operably coupling the pump 134 to one or more of the fluid outlets 130. The sprayer system 14 delivers fluid 18 from the fluid reservoir 124 to the one or more fluid outlets 130 for applying the fluid 18 to one or more of the product packaging material 26 and/or the product 22. The fluid reservoir 124 and the fluid pump 134 may be located external to the packer tube 10 and may be fluidly connected to one another and to the one or more fluid outlets 130 by the one or more fluid passages 138. The passages 138 may include, for example, a pipe, a conduit, tubing, and the like. The sprayer system 14 may provide for metered dispensing of fluid 18 in that a known quantity or volume of fluid 18 may be applied to the product packaging material 26 and/or the product 22. The fluid pump 134 may include a positive-displacement pump (e.g., a piston-type pump) for dispensing a predetermined or constant amount of fluid for each fill.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sprayer system 14 may include a header 142 having a plurality of fluid outlets 130 for dispensing the fluid 18. Preferably, the fluid outlets 130 are positioned proximate the product outlet 42. For example, the header 142 may be positioned at a distal end 146 of the product outlet 42 or slightly rearward of the product outlet 42, such as shown in FIG. 2. The header 142 may be formed completely around the perimeter of the outlet 42 or may only extend around a portion of the outlet 42. Preferably, the sprayer system 14 provides for application of fluid 18 around the perimeter of the product packaging material 26 and/or the product 22. Alternatively, the sprayer system 14 may provide for application of fluid 18 over less than the entire perimeter, such as over one side only.

[0039] The fluid outlets 130 of the sprayer system 14 may include one or more holes 150 and/or nozzles for discharging the fluid 18 from the sprayer system 14. The invention contemplates that the fluid 18 may be sprayed onto the inside surface 44 of the product packaging 26 and/or the outside surface 46 of the product 22. As such, the holes 150 may be oriented to spray in the desired direction, i.e., upward toward the inside 44 of the product packaging 26 as it slides or is withdrawn from the outside surface of the packer tube 10 and/or downward toward the outside of the product as the shaped product 22 exits the packer tube 10. Preferably, the fluid 18 is discharged generally in the direction of the flow of the flowable product 22 and at an angle between perpendicularly upward and perpendicularly downward from the longitudinal axis. In addition, different fluid outlet holes 150 may spray at different angles and/or have different spray patterns.

[0040] As shown, in FIG. 3, a plurality of holes 150 may be provided around the perimeter of the header 142. The holes 150 may also include different size holes 150 depending on the application and the desired spray pattern. In addition, the holes 150 may comprise nozzles, such as spray nozzles.

[0041] The sprayer system 14 may be formed integral with or separate from the packer tube 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the sprayer system 14 may include one or more grooves 154, slots, or channels formed in or on the outside surface 155 of the packer tube 10. An outer horn 156 may be inserted over the packer tube to cover and seal the grooves 154. O-rings may be used to seal between the inner packer tube 10 and the outer horn 156. Alternatively, an inner horn (not shown) having grooves formed in an outside surface may be inserted into the packer tube 10 and the groove provide a pathway to the spray outlets 130. In either embodiment, the packer tube 10 and the horn may preferably be separated for cleaning.

[0042] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the sprayer system 14 may include a plurality of tubes 138 or conduits each having a fluid outlet 130.

[0043] The fluid 18 may include more viscous fluids such as gels, pastes, and the like. In embodiments such as these wherein the fluid 18 may be too viscous to be sprayed, the fluid 18 may be applied by the action of the product flowing past an applicator (not shown), such as for example, an opening, an edge, a brush, a wick, a pad, and/or some other structure suitable for transferring the gel, paste, etc. to the product package 26 and/or the product 22. The sprayer system pump 134 may pressurize the gel, paste, etc. causing it to be disposed by the applicator onto the package/product as the product 22 exits the packer tube 10 and enters the product packaging 26.

[0044] In one embodiment wherein the flowable product 22 is a roast beef meat product, the fluid 18 may include a food colorant. The food colorant may comprise, for example, P-300 or P-340 grades Sethness Caramel Color produced by Sethness Products Corp. of Clinton, Iowa.

[0045] The packer tube 10 and sprayer system 14 may be sized and cooperating such that the product packaging 26 may be fitted over the combination packer tube 10 and sprayer system 14 for movement over the sprayer system 14 as shaped product 22 exits the packer tube 10 and fills the product package 26. Preferably, the filling of the product packaging causes the package material 26 to slide over and off the packer tube 10.

[0046] The product packaging 26 may include a casing, a bag, a wrap, and the like. Preferably, the product packaging 26 includes a flexible packaging material. The product packaging 26 may comprise materials suitable for being filled with and containing the food product 22. The product packaging 26 may include a non-stick material. Further, the product packaging 26 may comprise a material suitable for cooking the food product 22 contained therein. Still further, the product packaging 26 may comprise a material suitable for high temperature cooking applications. High temperature cooking applications as used herein means cooking temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

[0047] FIGS. 6A and 6B show an exemplary product package 26. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the product package 26 may include a gusseted bag 170. The bag 170 may include an open end 171 and a closed, or sealed, end 172. The gussets allow the packed product to have and maintain a rectangular, or brick, shape. A rectangular or brick shape helps steady the meat during slicing and also helps ensure standard size and weight slices. The open end 171 is sized so that the product package 26 may be inserted over the product outlet 42 of the packer tube 10, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

[0048] FIG. 6A shows the gusset bag 170 in a flat or folded position and FIG. 6B shown a partial view of the gusset bag 170 in an open or expanded position. The exemplary product package 26 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may include a target width A1 with the gusset folded, a target width A2 with the gusset unfolded, a target length B measured from the opening to a seal 173, a seal width C, a tail portion D measured from the seal to the distal edge, and gussets E.

[0049] The product package 26 may comprise separate packages, such as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, or may comprise a roll of material that may be used to wrap or encase the shaped product. For example, in a sausage type application, the packaging material 26 may include a roll of tubular materials that is disposed about the packer tube 10 prior to filling. A downstream end of the tubular material may be closed or sealed. As the flowable product 22 fills the packaging material 26 and contacts the closed end 172, the tubular material is withdrawn from about the packer tube 10. Once the desired quantity of product 22 has filled the packaging material 26 (i.e., a predetermined slug of flowable product), the tubular material may be cut and sealed. Preferably, a sealing step seals both the rearward end of the filled package as well as the closed end of the next package to be filled.

[0050] The system and method may include a product packaging material storage device and/or feeder device (not shown) located upstream of the product outlet 42. The storage device may store a product package and/or package material. A storage and/or feeder device may be positioned upstream and about the packer tube 10 or may be located adjacent to the packer tube 10 to position a product package 26 over the product outlet 42.

[0051] The system and method may include a sealer and/or clipper (not shown) located downstream of the product outlet 42. The sealer and/or clipper may be used to close the filled product package 26 once it has been filled with a shaped product 22.

[0052] Preferably, the packer tube 10 comprises a material that is suitable for food handling applications, such as stainless steel material. In addition, the sprayer system 14 also preferably comprises a material that is suitable for food handling applications, such as stainless steel material.

[0053] Preferably, the packer tube 10 having a sprayer system 14 is design as a sanitary system that is adapted for easy and effective cleaning. Preferably, the hollow body of the packer tube 10 includes rounded corners, tapered surfaces, etc. and avoids pockets and sharp corners where flowable product 22 may accumulate, hide, or get stuck. The design and construction of the packer tube 10 and sprayer system 14 preferably facilitates cleaning of the flowable product 22 from the packer tube 10 and sprayer system 14.

[0054] The sprayer system 14 may also be detachable connected to the outside of the packer tube 10 to facilitate cleaning of the sprayer system 14 and the packer tube 10. The fluid connections may comprise quick disconnect fittings 160 for easy removal of the sprayer system 14 (FIG. 5). A detachable sprayer system 14 may also facilitate changing or switching out of the sprayer system 14 and may allow the use of different spraying systems 14 with the same packer tube 10. For example, one embodiment having a relatively viscous fluid 18 may require relatively large fluid outlet holes 150 while another embodiment having a less viscous fluid 18 may require smaller fluid holes 150 in order to achieve proper application of the fluid 18.

[0055] The packer tube 10 may operate under a vacuum to remove air in voids between the packer tube 10 and the meat product 22 during the filling process. A vacuum system (not shown) may be used to remove air from the flowable product 22, the packer tube 10, and/or the product package 26 during the packaging process. For example, a vacuum ring may be provide proximate the product outlet 42. The vacuum ring may be coupled to a vacuum source so that air may be removed during the filling process. Preferably, the vacuum ring is located upstream of the fluid outlets 130. Removing the air may help to provide an improved product appearance, as well as, improved packaging efficiency and safety.

[0056] The packer tube 10 may be used with a portioner and/or sizer and/or may comprise a part or portion of a portioner/sizer. The portioner and/or sizer may be provided to assist with the handling and packaging of the flowable material in order to produce individual, product-filled packages.

[0057] Preferably, the packer tube 10 evenly distributes the flowable product 22 and provides a standard product to the product package. The standard product preferably includes a predetermine shape, size, weight, etc. This may help ensure proper servings. Preferably, the sprayer system 14 evenly distributes the fluid 18 and provides a predetermined coating of fluid 18 over one or both of the interior 44 of the product package 26 and/or the exterior 46 of the product 22.

[0058] A flowable product 22 as used herein may include meats, casings, emulsions, cheeses, other foodstuffs, etc. While the above description describes exemplary embodiments and applications relating to food product packaging, the invention is not so limited and it is completed that other product packaging applications may also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the sprayer system 14 may apply: colorant to improve an appearance of a food product; seasoning to improve the flavor or taste of a food product; a lubricant that is applied to a part to prevent corrosion of a part while stored in the package or for allowing immediate insertion of the part into a system upon removal of the part from the packaging; a medicine that is applied to a medical device; a coating that may be applied to a product to affect the appearance or texture; etc.

[0059] While systems and methods have been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that modification and variations may be made without departing from the principles described above and set forth in the following claims. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims as describing the scope of disclosed embodiments.

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