Method of reusing modified atmospheric packaging

Abstract

A method of restoring a modified atmosphere package, including the steps of providing a package with an opening and holding a modified atmospheric gas, opening the package opening and allowing atmospheric gases to enter to at least partially replace the modified atmospheric gas, changing an amount of product in the package, replacing atmospheric gas in the package with modified atmospheric gas, and sealing the package to retain the modified atmospheric gas.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of restoring a modified atmosphere package, comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a package with an opening and holding a modified atmospheric gas,   B) opening the package opening and allowing atmospheric gases to enter to at least partially replace the modified atmospheric gas,   C) changing an amount of product in the package,   D) replacing atmospheric gas in the package with modified atmospheric gas, and   E) sealing the package to retain the modified atmospheric gas.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of changing the amount of product comprises the step of:
 removing at least a portion of the product from the package. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of changing the amount of product comprises the step of:
 placing product in the package. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of changing the amount of product comprises the step of:
 substituting a type of product in the package. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 repeating steps B through E, using the same package. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 opening an exit port while the package opening remains in a closed position. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 squeezing atmospheric air out at least a portion of the opening. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 closing the opening of the package then placing modified atmospheric gas into the package through an entrance port. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 leaving the package opening in an open position, while placing modified atmospheric gas into the package. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method of restoring a modified atmosphere package, comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a package with an opening and holding a modified atmospheric gas,   B) opening the package opening and allowing atmospheric gases to enter to at least partially replace the modified atmospheric gas,   C) changing an amount of product in the package,   D) replacing atmospheric gas in the package with modified atmospheric gas,   E) sealing the package to retain the modified atmospheric gas, and   F) repeating steps B through E with using the same package.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of changing the amount of product comprises the step of:
 removing at least a portion of the product from the package. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of changing the amount of product comprises the step of:
 placing product in the package. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of changing the amount of product comprises the step of:
 substituting a type of product in the package. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 opening an exit port while the package opening remains in a closed position. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 squeezing atmospheric air out at least a portion of the opening. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 closing the opening of the package then placing modified atmospheric gas into the package. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of replacing atmospheric gas, further comprises the step of:
 leaving the package opening in an open position, while placing modified atmospheric gas into the package. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method of restoring a modified atmosphere package, comprising the steps of:
 A) providing a package with an opening and a modified atmospheric gas source,   B) opening the package opening and allowing atmospheric gases to enter an interior space of the package,   C) placing product in the interior space of the package,   D) replacing atmospheric gas in the package with modified atmospheric gas from the modified atmospheric gas source,   E) sealing the package to retain the modified atmospheric gas, and   F) repeating steps B through E with using the same package.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the step of:
 closing the opening of the package prior to the step of replacing atmospheric gas. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of closing the opening, further comprises the step of:
 opening an exit port.