Laminar gassing rail for food packaging

1 . A gassing rail apparatus to be used in a food packaging conveyor system, the gassing rail apparatus adapted to be coupled to a gas source, comprising:

a rail top assembly, the rail top assembly including,

a rail top, the rail top having an upper portion with at least one laminar flow port opening, and a lower portion includes a laminar flow channel, the laminar flow channel extends generally along a longitudinal axis, the laminar flow port opening coupled to the laminar flow channel, the longitudinal laminar flow channel is surrounded by an outer seat, the outer seat having a generally rectangular shape,

a gas port coupled to the laminar flow port opening, the gas port is adapted for coupling to a gas source,

a three layer element having a planar shape which extends generally along a longitudinally axis, the three layer element has an upper surface and a lower surface, the three layer element is received by the lower portion of the rail top, and

a rail frame which extends along a longitudinal axis, the rail frame has an upper surface and a lower surface, at least one gas distribution slot extending along a longitudinal axis, the rail frame substantially planar with a downward depending flange extending from the at least one gas distribution slot, the rail frame is received by the outer seat; and

a rail bottom located below the top rail, the rail bottom adapted to receive at least one rail top assembly, the rail bottom having at least one gas distribution opening corresponding to each rail top assembly, the at least one gas distribution opening extending along the longitudinal axis of the rail bottom, and is aligned with the laminar flow channel, the gas distribution opening receives a corresponding downward depending flange and aligns the rail top assembly and rail bottom.

2 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the three layer element comprises a top layer, middle layer and bottom layer, the top layer is a 5-ply element, the middle layer is a 5-ply element having at least one gas distribution opening, and the bottom layer is a 2-ply element.

3 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail top includes a plurality of through holes, the three layer element includes a plurality of through holes and the rail frame includes a plurality of through holes aligned with the through holes of the rail top and three layer element, and a plurality of fasteners secure the rail frame and three layer element to the rail top.

4 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail bottom receives two rail top assemblies, the rail bottom having two sets of three gas distribution openings, each set corresponding to one of the two rail top assemblies, each rail frame having three gas distribution slots, each middle layer having three gas distribution openings.

5 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail bottom includes two rotating locking arms per rail top assembly, wherein the rotating locking arms secure the rail top assembly to the rail bottom.

6 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail bottom includes two rail bridges.

7 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a rail height adjustment coupled to each rail bridge and adapted to be coupled to an overhead C-channel support structure, wherein the rail height adjustment includes threaded concentric sleeves for adjusting the height of the rail bottom and rail top assembly.

8 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the rail height adjustment includes a slide bar, and the rail bridge includes slotted receiver for slidably receiving the slide bar, the rail bridge further including a clamp bar for clamping the slide bar in a desired position.

9 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail top is made of plastic and the port block and rail frame are made of aluminum or stainless steel.

10 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the rail top includes an inner seat located between the longitudinal laminar flow channel and the outer seat, the inner seat having a generally rectangular shape, wherein the three layer element is received by the inner seat.

11 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the rail top includes a first and second laminar flow port opening, the first and second laminar flow port openings coupled to the laminar flow channel, wherein the gas port includes a port block having a port fitting opening and a first and second port block outlets, the port block having a channel in fluid communication with the port fitting opening and the first and second port block outlets, wherein each of the port block outlets includes a recessed seat to receive a respective port block baffle and an O-ring located below the port block baffle, and the port block is secured to the upper portion of the rail top with the first and second port block openings aligned with a respective first and second laminar flow port openings, and the a port fitting opening receives a port fitting.

12 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail top, the port block and rail frame are made of stainless steel.

13 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the upper surface of the rail frame includes a recessed seat for receiving the three layer element, the rail frame and three layer element are welded together.

14 . The gassing rail apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the rail top includes a laminar flow port opening have an oval shape, wherein the oval shaped laminar flow port opening forms an inner recessed seat and an outer recessed seat, a single layer oval shaped baffle is received by the inner recessed seat, wherein the gas port includes a port block having a port fitting opening and an oval shaped port block outlet, the port block having a channel in fluid communication with the port fitting opening and the oval shaped port block outlet, wherein the oval shaped port block outlet includes a downward extending step which is received by the outer recessed seat of the rail top, and the port block is secured to the upper portion of the rail top with the oval shaped port block outlet aligned with the oval shaped laminar flow port opening, wherein the single layer oval shaped baffle is in direct contact with the inner seat of the rail top and the downward extending step of the port block, and the port fitting opening receives a port fitting.