WO1991016236A1

WO1991016236A1 - Method and apparatus to promote gas exchange from a sealed receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO1991016236A1
Application number: PCT/US1991/002627
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jerry L. Mitchell
Original assignee: Pakor, Inc.
Priority date: 1990-04-19
Filing date: 1991-04-17
Publication date: 1991-10-31
Also published as: AU7778291A

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed to enable the modification of the gaseous atmosphere contained around a given product housed within a sealed receptacle. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for extracting, modifying or exchanging the gaseous atmosphere within a closed, sealed receptacle while preventing the collapse of said receptacle.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROMOTE GAS EXCHANGE FROM A SEALED RECEPTACLE

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for modifying the gaseous atmosphere in a receptacle containing a deteriorative material or a material of which controlled fluid exposure is desired. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for extracting, modifying, or exchanging the gases within a closed, sealed receptacle while inhibiting the structural collapse of the receptacle. The invention is especially concerned with treating foods directly in transparent, flexible packages in which the foods are wrapped or otherwise sealed for display and marketing.

The shelf life, both refrigerated and at room temperature, of many food products can be greatly extended if the food product is placed in a substantially oxygen free environment. One way of achieving this oxygen free environment is to evacuate a package containing the food product to a very high level of vacuum. However, when flexible packaging is involved, the use of a high vacuum can distort, compact and crush the enclosed product as the vacuum is applied. For example, bakery products can readily be squeezed or compressed so that they lose their consumer appeal. Shredded cheeses can be compacted to such an extent that they require reshredding. Fruit products can be bruised with a resultant loss of both appearance and flavor. -2-

Meat, fruit and vegetable products subjected to vacuum packing can also undergo l^'iquid purge which diminishes their appearance and flavor. Additionally, meat products subjected to vacuum packaging often adopt a purplish color since no oxymyoglobin is formed due to the lack of oxygen. This color is sometimes unacceptable for domestic retail marketing, and hence the product must be removed from the vacuum package prior to display and repackaged in a way so as to allow the characteristic red "bloom" to appear in the meat product.

To overcome the aforedescribed disadvantages, gas packaging has been used as an alternative to vacuum packing. Gas packaging entails a modification of the atmosphere within the receptacle housing the product so as to introduce a growth inhibiting agent, or an inert gas, or an oxygenating agent, into the receptacle. As disclosed in applicant's copending application, it may also be desirable to modify the gas within the receptacle to include a desired concentration of an oxidizing agent, e.g. ozone, so as to reduce or eliminate bacterial concentration within the receptacle.

In instances where gas flush packaging is utilized, it is often desirable to remove a substantial portion of the original, resident atmosphere within the receptacle before introducing a second gas or gas combination. This is desirable so as to decrease the amount of the secondary gas necessary to beneficially affect the containerized product. If evacuation or partial evacuation of the receptacle is not first undertaken, the secondary gas will be diluted and will therefore be required in greater quantities in order to achieve its intended purpose. At least partial gas extraction is therefore desirable in order to remove the resident gas preliminary to the introduction of a second gas. This gas extraction, however, if conducted in a conventional manner, will also bring about the disadvantages noted above in connection with vacuum packaging in that the package will undergo, if only temporarily, distortion or collapse.

A variety of devices have been developed to address the problems associated with the collapse of a flexible container or receptacle during gas exchange or extraction. One such device is seen in U.S. Patent No. 1,591,932 (the ^,932 patent) as issued to Young. The '932 patent discloses a method and apparatus for replacing air in a filled container with an inert gas. In the '932 patent, the receptacle is placed within a vacuum chamber and the pressures inside and outside the receptacle regulated so as to avoid the deformation or collapse of the walls of the receptacle. Gas exchange in the '932 patent is accomplished by withdrawing the resident atmosphere from the receptacle via a vent hole while maintaining an equal pressure within the vacuum chamber. When the addition of the inert gas is desired, pressure equalization is accomplished via a yoke which is activated by the pressure of the gas injected into the receptacle.

Disadvantages of the aforedescribed apparatus include the need to form an aperture in the container in order to achieve evacuation and repressurization in addition to the need to utilize a secondary sealing step to maintain the second atmosphere within the receptacle.

The present invention addresses the aforedescribed and other disadvantages for modifying the gaseous atmosphere in a closed receptacle. More specifically, the present invention addresses the disadvantages associated with the preservation of perishable products by providing a method and apparatus to exchange the gases within said receptacle without inducing distortion or collapse. Moreover, the present invention enables gas exchange to be undertaken in an economical and automated fashion which may be accomplished at various levels along the wholesale or retail chain of distribution.

The present invention generally comprises a vacuum chamber provided with a means to move and align a sealed receptacle from a position exterior to the chamber to a desired position within the chamber whereupon the chamber is automatically closed and sealed. Once the chamber is closed and sealed, a gas exchange probe is automatically inserted into the receptacle through a resealable valve so as to establish flow communication between the interior of the receptacle and the vacuum chamber. The valve is preferably a septum-type valve capable of being penetrated by the probe in a self-sealing relation. A vacuum is then drawn in said chamber thereby evacuating the interior of the receptacle through the gas exchange probe. In such a fashion, distortion or collapse of a flexible receptacle is avoided, since the gas exchange operation does not cause a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the receptacle.

Gas introduction and exchange is accomplished in a similar manner insofar as the balanced introduction of gas pressure about both the interior and exterior of the receptacle. During the gas reintroduction phase, however, gas introduced into the package is separately valved from the gas used to repressurize the vacuum chamber. In such a fashion, the exchange gas flows only into the interior of the package, while pressure inside the chamber exterior to the package may be maintained by the introduction of a third, lεsc expansive gas, or even outside air.

The present invention has particular application to the packaging of food products in polystyrene foam or other plastic trays which are hermetically sealed with transparent plastic wrap. While many other products may be sealed and marketed in this manner, food products require special care in order to preserve both their quality and appearance.

The present invention has a number of advantages over the art. One such advantage is the ability to maintain a minimum pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the receptacle during gas exchange operations. In such a fashion, distortion of the package and liquid purge of the product is minimized.

A second advantage of the invention is the ability to accommodate automated gas exchange operations without the need to reseal the receptacle in a second, separate operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a partial cutaway, perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a side, detail view of the door mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a gas exchange apparatus of the present invention as it may relate to a preferred package design.

Fig. 4 illιι«=trates a top, cut away view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 illustrates a side, detail view of the gas exchange apparatus and accompanying activation means. Fig. 1 illustrates a vacuum chamber 6 supported on a frame 2. Chamber 6 is provided with doors 21 and 21A situated on opposite sides thereof so as to allow the progressive movement of receptacles or containers 100 which are moved along conveyor track 4 into and through chamber 6 for purposes of gas exchange and modification as will be further discussed herein.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, conveyor track 4 is preferably situated such that it abuts chamber 6 on opposite sides thereof at a height generally compatible with the operation of internal conveyor assembly 83 as will be further described. Conveyor track 4 may be comprised of a series of rollers 17 linearly assembled along a frame 18 in a generally conventional fashion.

Alternatively, track 4 may be comprised of a conventional endless track conveyor assembly. Preferably, however, track 4 should be provided with a means to automatically regulate and govern the linear movement of articles placed thereon. In such a fashion, it is preferred that track 4 be automatically rather than manually operated.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , doors 21 and 21A are pivotally attached to chamber 6 about hinges 7 such that they open in an upward fashion as illustrated in Fig. 2. (See arrow B) . When in a closed position such as that illustrated in Fig. 1, doors 21 and 21A maintain an airtight seal with the body of chamber 6. To accomplish this airtight seal, doors 21 are preferably provided with a sealing gasket or the like (not shown) to allow a vacuum to be drawn in chamber 6. Alternately, an appropriate sealing material may be provided on the contact face of chamber 6 receptive to doors 21 when they are situated in a closed position. Doors 21 and 21a are also preferably provided with a locking mechanism to allow for the pressurization of chamber 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the operation of doors 21 and 21A is independently controlled by motors 24 and 24A, respectively. Motors 24 and 24A are secured to the top exterior 5 of chamber 6 and are operatively coupled to cam 26 which is rotatably coupled to control arm 22. Control arm 22 is in turn rotatably coupled to door bracket 20, which itself is partially connected to the exterior of chamber 6 as a bracket assembly 9 at one end and to the door at its bottommost extent. In such a fashion, operation of motors 24 and 24A in a "forward" direction results in the upward pivot of doors 21 to an "open" position. Reversal of motors 24 and 24A results in the movement of doors 21 and 21A to a "closed" and locked position. In a preferred embodiment, motors 24 and 24A are electrically coupled to a central control system such as a Toshiba Ex-20 control device (not shown) . In such a fashion the operation of doors 21 and 21A may be automatically controlled as will be further discussed herein.

While one preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1, other structural configurations of the present invention are also envisioned in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. For example, the door pivoting arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1-2 may be replaced with a sliding door mechanism or the like. Similarly, the overall configuration of chamber 6 may also be modified so as to allow for the introduction of a plurality of receptacles 100 of varying sizes. Alternatively, the operation of the doors may be controlled by a single motor in either an independent or dependent fashion. In all embodiments, however, it is desirable that chamber 6 be fashioned of or provided with a transparent panel or "window" so as to allow for visual inspection of the gas exchange operation. -8-

The gas exchange system of the present invention may be seen by reference to Figs. 1,' 4 and 5. Fig. 4 illustrates a top, cutaway view of the interior of chamber 6 revealing a receptacle 100 positioned on an endless track conveyer assembly 83. As illustrated, assembly 83 is comprised of two or more drive rollers 84 and a supporting belt 82. In a preferred embodiment, belt 82 may be made of neoprene or other elastic material, while rollers 84 may be driven by a Dayton Electric 50 RPM, 115 V motor or other comparable equipment. Other conveyance systems are also envisioned and will become obvious to one skilled in the art. It is desirable that any conveyance mechanism be either sealably containable within chamber 6 or otherwise allow for the creation of a vacuum in the chamber.

The gas exchange apparatus of the present invention is designed to be used in association with a presealed receptacle 100 such as that described in applicant's copending application. As illustrated in Fig. 3, receptacle 100 generally includes a sidewall 19 and a top 21, the combination forming a sealable, pressurizable unit. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewalls 19 of receptacle 100 are provided with a resealable valve 102 which may be integrated into the sidewall itself or may be affixed to the surface of the package exterior. In the receptacle 100 illustrated in Fig. 3, valve 102 is disposed in a corner of sidewall 19 so as to be compatible with the gas exchange mechanism in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

To provide for gas exchange, receptacle 100 is preferably aligned on assembly 83 so as to rest flush against a retaining rail 19 and stop 125. Lateral positioning of receptacle 100 along assembly 83 may be accomplished via a flexible alignment arm 80. As illustrated in Fig. 4, arm 80 is situated in chamber 6 so as to be capable of flexure in a plane generally co- planar with that described by assembly 83, and in a lateral direction such as to urge receptacle 80 against retaining rail 19. When compelled by the forward movement of assembly 83 (whose direction of movement is indicted by arrow A) and the lateral force exerted by alignment arm 80, receptacle 100 is moved into an abutting relation with stop 125 and rail 19 as previously described. In this fashion, package valve 102 is positioned immediately proximate gas exchange assembly 120.

In a preferred embodiment, control stop 125 is electrically coupled to the central control system previously described (not shown) . Actuation of control stop 125 results in the transmission of an electrical signal to this control system. In a preferred embodiment, stop 125 is pressure activated and thus transmits an electrical signal to the central control system when contacted by package 100. Preferably, the activation mechanism for conveyor assembly 83 is likewise coupled to the central control system. In such a fashion, when receptacle 100 is moved into contact with stop 125, conveyor assembly 83 is disengaged. Gas exchange assembly 120 is likewise coupled to the control system previously described, and is thus activated upon the activation of stop 125. The aforedescribed operations have been described as essentially simultaneous in nature. It is envisioned, however, that it may be desirable to provide a programmed or timed delay in the operational sequence of the apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the gas exchange assembly 120 may be seen by reference to Figs. 4-5. Gas exchange assembly 120 generally comprises an injector probe 125 mounted on a plunger 123 which is slidably disposed in a housing 125. Probe 125 may be comprised of a fine hollow tube or needle such as a number 20 hypodermic needle manufactured by Becton, Dickinson and Company. Plunger 123 is itself fixedly mounted on the frontal extremity of solenoid 121 as illustrated. Such a solenoid is conventional in design, such as that manufactured by Dayton Electric. Upon activation, solenoid 121 moves injector probe 125 through resealable valve 102 and into communication with the gases sealed within receptacle 100.

Gas exchange assembly 120 is coupled to a three-way valve union 86 via a gas conduit 88. Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4, union 86 allows for the routing of gas flow from and into the interior of receptacle 100. Union 86 is coupled to an evacuation valve 95 via a secondary gas conduit 90. Union 86 is also coupled to a vacuum pump 40 via conduit 41. (See Fig. 1) .

The operation of evacuation valve 95 is controlled by a solenoid 94 such as a Dayton Electric Speedair 2A242, and includes a gas inlet 96. Solenoid 94 is electrically coupled to the aforementioned control system and thus may be automatically controlled. When solenoid 94 and valve 95 are activated to an "open" position, gas communication is established between the interior of receptacle 100 and the interior of vacuum chamber 6. When deactivated, solenoid 94 moves to a "closed" position, thereby closing valve 95 and thus preventing the escape or introduction of gas between receptacle 100 and chamber 6. Evacuation of package 100 thus takes place when solenoid 94 is urged to an "open" position. Repressurization of package 100 takes place when solenoid 94 is situated in a "closed" posi^ion.

Chamber 6 is also provided with a second pressure valve 92. Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, valve 92 is provided with a gas inlet 91 and is coupled to a second vacuum compressor 43 via gas conduit 39. In such a fashion, a vacuum in the interior of receptacle 100 may be drawn through valve 92. Alternatively, outside air may be introduced into chamber 6 through valve 92 so as to equalize gas pressure in receptacle 100 as will be further described herein.

The operation of the present invention may be described in sequential fashion as follows. At the completion of the previous gas exchange operation, door 21A is moved to an "open" position via the activation of motor 24A. Conveyor assembly 83 is likewise activated, thus moving a receptacle out of chamber 6. Conveyor track 4, which has likewise been activated, moves the receptacle downstream for packaging or further processing. During this operation, a new receptacle 100 is simultaneously moved into chamber 6 through door 21 which has also been moved to an "open" position. Once package 100 is moved into an abutting relationship with stop 125, door 21A is then moved to a sealed and "closed" position. In a preferred embodiment, movement of receptacle 100 may be automatically controlled as earlier described. Alternatively, the operation of the various separate mechanisms may be conducted via a timed program. Once receptacle has been moved partway into chamber 6, the forward movement of receptacle 100 is completed via the movement of conveyor assembly 83. The operation of assembly 83 moves receptacle 100 into contact with alignment arm 80 which exerts a lateral force on said receptacle. This lateral force, in combination with the forward movement of assembly 83, moves receptacle 100 into contact with retaining rail 19 and stop 125.

When contacted by receptacle 100, stop 125 carries an electrical impulse to the control center which activates motor 24 which in turn moves door 21 into a closed, sealing position. By a subsequent signal from the control center, conveyor assembly 83 is then deactivated. To avoid the problems of contamination which might occur in the event the receptacle is damaged or punctured, it is desirable to create a positive pressure inside the receptacle prior to the initiation of the gas exchange operation. Accordingly, it is preferred that a partial vacuum be created in chamber 6 prior to the exchange. As a next step therefore, vacuum pump 43 is engaged and solenoid 94 activated to an open position so as to enable gas flow through valve 95 immediately prior to the insertion of gas exchange probe 122. Solenoid 121 is subsequently activated, driving probe 122 into receptacle 100 through valve 102.

A vacuum is now being drawn through valve 92 and valve inlet 91. Simultaneously, gases within receptacle 100 are being evacuated through inlet 96 into the interior of chamber 6. In such a fashion, evacuation of chamber 6 results in a simultaneous evacuation of the interior of receptacle 100, thus avoiding any resultant modification in the shape of said receptacle. When a vacuum has been drawn in the interior chamber 6, pump 43 and solenoid 94 are deactivated, and valve 92 is moved to a "closed" position. Deactivation of pump 43 and solenoid 94 may be accomplished by vacuum sensors which are activated when a satisfactory vacuum is achieved in chamber 6, or may alternatively be accomplished via the operation of a timer (both not shown) .

The present invention has particular application to processes where gas withdrawal and exchange is contemplated. In the event the introduction of a second gas mixture into the receptacle 100 is desired, solenn.ri 121 is activated to an "open" position so as to allow high pressure gas from compressor 40 to be introduced into receptacle 100 via probe 122. Compressor 43 is then activated thereby introducing a third gas or. alternatively, outside air, through valve 92 and valve inlet 91 into the interior of chamber 6. Preferably the rate at which gas is introduced in chamber 6 is sufficient to balance the introduction of gas into the smaller volume container 100. In such a fashion, pressure equalization is thereby maintained between the interior and the exterior of the package 100, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing any collapse.

When gas exchange is completed as governed by a timer or pressure sensor (not illustrated) , probe 122 is automatically withdrawn from receptacle 100 whereupon assembly 83 is reactivated to move receptacle 100 forward. Concurrently, motor 24A is activated, thus moving door 21A to an "open" position. Receptacle 100 is then moved forward until it establishes contact with track 4, which automatically moves receptacle 100 downstream for further processing or packaging.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A method for replacing a first gas contained within a sealed receptacle containing a food product with a second gas, comprising the sequential steps of:

placing the sealed receptacle containing said product in a chamber capable of maintaining a desired pressure on said receptacle;

placing the receptacle in fluid communication with the interior of said chamber through a self- sealing resealable valve so as to equalize the pressure therebetween while otherwise maintaining the sealed condition of said receptacle;

drawing a first partial vacuum in said chamber so as to remove the first gas from said receptacle through the self-sealing valve;

injecting an oxidizing gas into said receptacle while separately injecting a second gas into said chamber so as to equalize the pressure between the interior of the receptacle and the interior of the chamber;

placing the receptacle containing the oxidizing gas in fluid communication with said chamber through the self-sealing valve;

drawing a second partial vacuum in said chamber so as t<-> substantially remove the oxidizing gas from the receptacle through the self-sealing valve; injecting a third gas in said receptacle through the self-sealing valve while separately injecting the second gas into said chamber so as to again equalize the pressure between the interior of the receptacle and the interior of the chamber; and

removing the equalized receptacle containing the third gas from the chamber.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein a partial vacuum is drawn in the chamber immediately prior to placing the receptacle in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the oxidizing gas includes O³.

4. The method of claim 3 where the third gas is inert to the product.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the third gas comprises C0₂.

6. A method for replacing a first gas contained within a sealed, valved receptacle with a second gas, while maintaining the structural integrity of said receptacle, the method comprising the sequential stεpc of:

placing the sealed receptacle in a vacuum chamber;

closing and sealing said vacuum chamber; evacuating the first gas contained in the receptacle into the chamber through said valve while simultaneously evacuating said chamber;

introducing a second gas into the evacuated receptacle through said valve while simultaneously introducing a third gas into the evacuated chamber at a rate so as to substantially eliminate any pressure differential between the interior of said receptacle and the interior of said chamber.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said second gas is inert.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said inert gas includes C0₂.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said second gas includes an oxidizer.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said oxidizer includes ozone gas.

11. An apparatus for removing a first gas surrounding a given material in a sealed receptacle and exchanging said first gas with a second gas so as to avoid the collapse or loss of structural -integrity in <.aif- receptacle during such exchange, comprising:

a vacuum chamber for maintaining a controlled pressure and environment about said receptacle; valve means to selectively enable gas communication between the interior of said receptacle and the interior of said chamber;

means to simultaneously evacuate said receptacle through said valve means and said chamber at a rate to control the pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the receptacle;

means to introduce a second gas into the evacuated receptacle while simultaneously introducing a third gas into the evacuated chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a hollow probe between the valve means and the receptacle operable in a first condition to communicate between the valve means and the receptacle and in a second condition between the receptacle and the exterior of the chamber.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 which further comprises a septum valve in said receptacle adapted to receive said hollow probe.

14. Apparatus adapted to remove, modify, or exchange a first gas contained within a sealed flexible receptacle provided with a resealable valving means, while preventing the structural collapse of said receptacle, comprising:

a sealable, pressurizable chamber adapted to receive said receptacle; a probe automatically insertable through said valving means upon such receipt of said receptacle in said chamber; and

selective valving means operable in a first condition to enable gas communication between the interior of said chamber and said receptacle, and in a second condition between said external of said receptacle.

15. Apparatus adapted to remove, modify, or exchange a first gas contained within a valved, sealed receptacle while preventing the structural collapse of said container, comprising:

a vacuum chamber provided with a sealable entrance and exit;

a conveyor assembly sealably disposed in said chamber and operable to move said receptacles sequentially from said entrance to said exit;

a hollow insertion probe rigidly coupled to a solenoid such that activation of said solenoid moves said probe through said valve into fluid communication with the interior of said receptacle, said probe coupled to a first chamber valve and a supply of gas, where said valve is actuated via a second solenoid; and

a second chamber valve adapted to evacuate said chamber.

16. A method of treating a product which has been placed on a plastic tray and hermetically sealed with a transparent plastic wrap, which comprises:

providing the wrapped tray with a self-sealing valve;

placing the wrapped tray with the self-sealing valve in a vacuum chamber;

closing the vacuum chamber;

establishing fluid communication between the chamber and the interior of the wrapped tray through the self-sealing valve;

evacuating the vacuum chamber at a rate consistent with maintaining substantially equal pressures within the chamber and the wrapped tray through the self-sealing valve;

interrupting fluid communication between the chamber and the interior of the wrapped tray;

supplying a first gas through the self-sealing valve into the evacuated wrapped tray separately from the chamber, and contemporaneously supplying a second gas into the evacuated chamber separately from the wrapped tray at a rate consistent with maintaining substantially equal pressures within the chamber and the wrapped tray; and

interrupting the flow of said first and second gases.

17. The method of claim 16 which further comprises separately evacuating the wrapped tray and the chamber, after the interruption of the flow of said first and second gases at rates consistent with maintaining substantially equal pressures between the chamber and the wrapped tray.

18. The method of claim 17 which further comprises:

supplying a third gas through the self-sealing valve into the wrapped tray after evacuation of the first gas, and contemporaneously supplying another gas into the evacuated chamber separately from the wrapped chamber at a rate consistent with maintaining equal pressures within the chamber and the wrapped tray; and

interrupting the flows of said third gas and said other gas.

19. Apparatus for treating a food product packaged on a plastic tray and hermetically sealed with plastic wrap and a septum valve, which comprises:

a vacuum chamber adapted to receive such a package at a first end and discharge the package at a second end;

closure means at said first and second ends operable to seal said vacuum chamber;

guide means within said chamber operable to guide such packages of various sizes into a position within said chamber, such that the septum valves of the various size packages engage a common point of the chamber;

a hollow probe operable when the septum valve contacts said common point to penetrate the septum valve;

a forked conduit connecting said probe via a first fork to the interior of said chamber and via a second fork to the exterior of said chamber;

a first valve in said first fork; and

a second valve operable to connect the interior of said chamber to the exterior of said chamber.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 which further comprises a vacuum pump positioned external of the chamber and connected to said second valve.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 which further comprises a source of gas positioned external of the chamber and connected to the second fork of the forked conduit.