Pouch residual air reduction device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to removing residual air in a packaged product. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a residual air reduction device and to methods of using such device to reduce the amount of residual air in a packaged product. Such a device is employed during the manufacturing process to release air trapped in a product matrix and/or in a head space of the package as the package contacts the device. In some embodiments, the device and methods of the disclosure are useful in reducing residual air in a pouch package by at least 5% in comparison to a pouch package manufactured without use of the device and/or methods described herein.

1 . A residual air reduction device for reducing the amount of air in a package, comprising:
 a. a bump surface having a first end section and a second end section;   b. a first alignment side connected to the first end section of the bump surface;   c. a second alignment side, wherein the second alignment side is connected to the second end section of the bump surface;   d. a third alignment side, wherein the third alignment side connects the second alignment side to another alignment side that is not the first or second alignment side;   e. a bump angle defined as the angle formed between a line perpendicular to the first alignment side and a line parallel to the second alignment side, wherein the bump angle ranges from 25° to 65°; and   f. an attachment device, wherein the attachment device allows attachment of the residual air reduction device to manufacturing equipment.   
     
     
         2 . The residual air reduction device of  claim 1 , wherein the bump angle is selected from 30°, 45°, or 60°. 
     
     
         3 . The residual air reduction device of  claim 1 , wherein the first alignment side has a length ranging from 30 mm to 80 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The residual air reduction device of  claim 1 , wherein the second alignment side has a length less than the length of the first alignment side. 
     
     
         5 . The residual air reduction device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth alignment side connecting the third alignment side with the first alignment side. 
     
     
         6 . A method of reducing residual air in a package comprising the steps of:
 a. at least partially filling the package with product;   b. contacting the package with a first residual air reducing device to remove at least some of the air trapped in the product matrix and/or located in the head space of the package; and   c. at least partially sealing the pouch package.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of at least partially opening the package prior to filling the package with product. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said package is a pouch. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein air trapped in the product matrix and air located in the headspace of the package is removed by contacting the package with a first air reducing device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the package is completely sealed. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the residual air remaining in the pouch package is at least 3 cc less than the residual air remaining in a pouch package that has not contacted a residual air reducing device but has undergone steps a and c. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the residual air remaining in the pouch package is at least 5% less than the residual air remaining in a pouch package that has not contacted a residual air reducing device but has undergone steps a and c. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of removing additional residual air from the head space of the package. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the removal of the additional residual air located in the head space of the package is by steam injection. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the residual air remaining in the pouch package is at least 3 cc less than the residual air remaining in a pouch package that has not contacted a residual air reducing device but has undergone steps a and c. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising contacting the pouch package with a second residual air reducing device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second residual air reducing device is positioned such that the contacting with the second residual air reducing device occurs sequentially after contacting the first residual air reducing device. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The residual air reduction device of  claim 1 , wherein the bump angle is 30°. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the contacting of the first residual air reducing device occurs along the bottom third of a pouch package. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the contacting of the second residual air reducing device occurs along the bottom third of a pouch package. 
     
     
         23 - 31 . (canceled)