The disclosure relates to preparation, processing, and packaging of fresh foods, particularly proteins. In various implementations, the methods include steps for ozone exposure, reduction of surface moisture, introduction of a modified atmosphere, and high pressure pasteurization. Prior to packaging the protein may be exposed to ozone and undergo dehydration to reduce the amount of moisture on the surface of the protein. The protein may then be packaged in a modified atmosphere, lacking oxygen, and then undergo high-pressure pasteurization.

Disclosed is a vertical packaging machine configured for packaging a product. The machine may include a supply conduit formed by at least one hopper through which the product to be packaged is introduced in the supply conduit. A tube is arranged downstream the hopper. The supply conduit includes at least a first passage conduit and a second passage conduit which are separated from one another such that each of the first and passage conduits offers a different path for the product to be packaged. Each of the first and second passage conduits includes a first injection opening and a second injection opening, the first injection openings being located at different heights and in different angular positions in reference to the second injection openings. The machine also includes one or more injection devices and that are configured to inject gas into the first and second gas injection openings.

There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming a plurality of sealed packages (2) from a tube (3) of a web of packaging material (4) which is continuously filled with a pourable product. The packaging apparatus comprises a delimiting element (37) arranged, in use, within the tube (3) and being designed to divide the tube (3), in use, into a first space (38) and a second space (39). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a sterile gas supply device (43) for pressurizing the isolation chamber and the second space (39) by means of a respectively a first flow of sterile gas and a second flow of sterile gas.

There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming a plurality of sealed packages (2) from a tube (3) of a web of packaging material (4) which is continuously filled with a pourable product. The packaging apparatus comprises an isolation chamber (10) separating an inner environment (11) containing a sterile gas from an outer environment (12). The packaging apparatus further comprises a delimiting element (48) arranged, in use, within the tube (3) and being designed to divide the tube (3), in use, into a first space (49) and a second space (50). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a pressurizing device (47) for pressurizing the second space (50) by means of a pressurized sterile gas. The delimiting element (48) is arranged within the isolation chamber (10).

A method for forming sealed partially-filled packages filled with a pourable product comprises at least forming a tube from a web of packaging material, filling the pourable product into the tube for forming a product column within the tube, directing a sterile gas into the product column for forming and/or maintaining a gas cushion within the product column, and forming and transversally sealing the tube, for obtaining the packages containing the pourable product and a gas space formed from a defined volume of the sterile gas originating from the gas cushion.

There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming a plurality of sealed packages (2) from a tube (3) of a web of packaging material (4) which is continuously filled with a pourable product. The packaging apparatus comprises a delimiting element (37) arranged, in use, within the tube (3) and being designed to divide the tube (3), in use, into a first space (38) and a second space (39). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a sterile gas supply device (43) for pressurizing the isolation chamber and the second space (39) by means of a respectively a first flow of sterile gas and a second flow of sterile gas.

A vertical packaging machine for packaging products is provided that includes a forming element with an upper mouth and a hopper upstream of the forming element. At least the hopper and the forming element form a conduit through which the product falls. A flow generator includes an injection device for injecting a gaseous fluid through a distributor for directing the fluid to the conduit. The distributer has an inlet mouth for receiving the gaseous fluid and an outlet mouth with an area smaller than the area of the inlet mouth. The injection device is controlled by a control device that is configured to cause the injection device to perform an injection for each product to be packaged in one and the same package, the start and end of which depend on the position of the product with respect to the upper mouth and the outlet mouth.

A packaging apparatus for forming sealed packages filled with a pourable product comprises a delimiting element movably arranged, in use, within a tube and designed to divide the tube in a first space and a second space. The delimiting element is movable along first and second directions opposite one another and substantially parallel to the tube, and between at least a first position and a second position. The delimiting element comprises a main engagement portion configured to abut against a main abutment portion of a gas supply pipe or a filling pipe with the delimiting element being in the first position. The main abutment portion and/or the main engagement portion are designed such that at least one opening and/or at least one channel is present between the main abutment portion and the main engagement portion with the delimiting element being in the first position.

An assembly for forming bags, having a belt drive for feeding a film at a film speed to a former shoulder to form a tubular film, a set of jaws movable at a jaw speed to engage and seal a tubular film to form a closed bag, and a sensor assembly to provide a volume signal indicative of a volume of the closed bag, wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of the film speed and the jaw speed in response to the volume signal.

Disclosed is a vertical packaging machine configured for packaging a product. The machine may include a supply conduit formed by at least one hopper through which the product to be packaged is introduced in the supply conduit. A tube is arranged downstream the hopper. The supply conduit includes at least a first passage conduit and a second passage conduit which are separated from one another such that each of the first and passage conduits offers a different path for the product to be packaged. Each of the first and second passage conduits includes a first injection opening and a second injection opening, the first injection openings being located at different heights and in different angular positions in reference to the second injection openings. The machine also includes one or more injection devices and that are configured to inject gas into the first and second gas injection openings.