WO2001034469A2 - Systeme de conditionnement pour la conservation de denrees perissables - Google Patents

Systeme de conditionnement pour la conservation de denrees perissables Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001034469A2
WO2001034469A2 PCT/US2000/042014 US0042014W WO0134469A2 WO 2001034469 A2 WO2001034469 A2 WO 2001034469A2 US 0042014 W US0042014 W US 0042014W WO 0134469 A2 WO0134469 A2 WO 0134469A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tray
comprised
disposed
gas permeable
recited
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/042014
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001034469A3 (fr
Inventor
Edward A. Colombo
Original Assignee
Colombo Edward A
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/684,381 external-priority patent/US6269946B1/en
Application filed by Colombo Edward A filed Critical Colombo Edward A
Priority to EP00993038A priority Critical patent/EP1233907A2/fr
Priority to CA002391017A priority patent/CA2391017C/fr
Priority to AU29231/01A priority patent/AU2923101A/en
Publication of WO2001034469A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001034469A2/fr
Publication of WO2001034469A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001034469A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
    • B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65D81/2069—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas in a special atmosphere
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/225—Pressure relief-valves incorporated in a container wall, e.g. valves comprising at least one elastic element

Definitions

  • a packaging system for preserving perishable items which comprises a tray made from open-cell foam, a barrier bag enclosing said tray, and a pressure valve connected to said barrier bag.
  • Applicant's United States patent 6,112,890 describes a packaging system for preserving perishable items; this patent. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved packaging system for preserving perishable goods as well as a process for preparing such packaging system. Summary of the invention
  • a packaging system for preserving a perishable item which comprised of a tray comprised of open-cell foam covered with a gas- permeable film, and such tray covered with such film is disposed within a sealed, oxygen- impermeable barrier bag consisting of an inert atmosphere containing less than about 0.05 volume percent of oxygen.
  • the tray contains a hinged section attached to at least one edge of the tray in which a receptacle is formed for the receipt of source of carbon dioxide.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of one preferred packaging system of the invention
  • Figures 2 A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E schematically illustrate one means of preparing and using the packaging system of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the tray used in the system of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4 is a sectional view of one preferred barrier bag which may be used in the packaging system of Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 is a graph illustrating the oxygen concentrations in a specified packaging material over time with two systems, one of which uses a conventional foam tray, and the other of which uses the open-cell foam tray of this invention;
  • Figure 6 is a sectional view of another preferred packaging system of the invention.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a process for making a packaging system in which the barrier bag expands during the process
  • Figure 8 illustrates a process for limiting the extent to which the barrier bag can expand during the process
  • Figure 9 is a graph illustrating how the use of granulated carbon dioxide affects the preferred process
  • FIG. 10 is schematic representation of one preferred packaging system of this invention.
  • Figure 11 is a sectional view of the system of Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 is a sectional view of another preferred tray of the inventioin;
  • Figure 13 is a top view of the tray of Figure 12;
  • Figure 14 is a sectional view of the tray of Figure 12 after meat has been disposed in it;
  • Figure 15 is a sectional view of the tray of Figure 12 after meat has been placed in it in it and a source of carbon dioxide has been charged into a receptacle located within a hinged attachment to the tray;
  • Figure 16 illustrates the device of Figure 15, after it has been wrapped with film and a vent hole has been punched therein;
  • Figure 17 illustrates the device of Figure 16 after it has been placed within a barrier bag fitted with a valve and a means for sealing the bag;
  • Figure 18 illustrates a multiplicity of the devices of Figure 16 disposed within a master barrier bag outfitted with a valve and sealing means;
  • Figure 19 is a flow diagram illustrating one preferred process of the invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of packaging system 10 which is comprised of a tray 12.
  • Tray 12 includes flanges 14 around its perimeter.
  • a perishable good or goods 15 is disposed within tray 12.
  • the perishable goods which may advantageously be protected include oxygen- sensitive food such as, e.g., red meat (veal, beef, pork, etc.), pasta, cooked food, and the like. Alternatively, one may preserve perishable non-food items such as photographic film, computer components, inorganic materials susceptible to oxidation, etc.
  • a skin layer 19 is contiguous with and attached to the bottom surface of the tray and preferably up the side of the tray to the flanges 14.
  • a gas permeable film material 18. which may include slits or perforations 20, covers the perishable goods 15.
  • the tray 12 which is overwrapped with gas permeable film material 18 is disposed within a barrier bag 22 which surrounds the tray 12 and which preferably is made of a substantially impermeable material.
  • This barrier bag is attached to a one-way valve 24.
  • Figure 2A is a sectional view of tray 12 attached to skin layer 19.
  • Tray 12 is comprised of at least 90 weight percent of foam material.
  • the foam material is open-cell foam which contains at least about 20 volume percent of open cells.
  • An open-cell cellular plastic is a cellular plastic in which there is a substantial number of interconnected cells; see, e.g., A.S.T.M. D883.
  • the open cell foam material be made from a resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile (such as the "BAREX” resin sold by the British Petrolem/ Amoco company), poly(ethylene terephthalate), polystyrene, rubber-modified polystyrene, ethylenepolystyrene, interpolymers (such as "INDEX” interpolymers sold by Dow Chemical Corporation of Midland Michigan), polypropylene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, epoxy, urea formadehyde, rubber latex, silicone, fluropolymer or copolymers thereof or blends thereof, and in general any other suitable resin, resin mixture, or any foamable composition which can be made with an open cell structure such as, e.g., materials made using a silane peroxide catalyst system (sold by the Sentinel Foam company or Hyanis, Mass.).
  • a silane peroxide catalyst system sold by the Sentinel Foam company or
  • the tray 12 is comprised of foam material which contains at least about 20 volume percent of open cells.
  • the foam material contains at least about 30 volume percent of open cells. It is even more preferred that the foam material contain from about 30 to about 90 volume percent of open cells and, even more preferably, from about 45 to about 90 volume percent of open cells.
  • the extent to which a foam material contains open-cell foam may be determined by A.S.T.M. Standard Test D2856-94, "Test Method for Open-Cell Content of Rigid Cellular Plastics by the Air Pycnometer.”
  • the open-cells in the foam contain a gas phase with gases which are substantially identical to the gases in ambient air.
  • the open-cells generally contain a gas phase comprised of from about 19 to about 22 volume percent of oxygen (depending upon the altitude) and from about 78 to about 81 volume percent of nitrogen.
  • gas phase contains from about 20.5 to about 21 volume percent of oxygen and from about 79 to about 79.5 volume percent of nitrogen.
  • they preferably contain less than about 0.05 volume percent of oxygen.
  • FIGS 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E illustrate how use the tray depicted in Figure 2A can be used to make the structure depicted in Figure 1. For the sake of simplicity of representation, much of the detailed description of the tray contained in Figure 2A has been omitted from Figures 2B, 2C,2D, and 2E.
  • the good or goods 15 are placed in the tray and then wrapped either manually or automatically with a gas permeable film material 18, or other suitable means, to holds the goods 15 in place, thereby forming wrapped tray 30 (see Figure 2C).
  • the open-cell foam material which comprises tray 12 has as an average cell diameter of from about 0.0001 to about 0.030 inches and, more preferably, from about 0.002 to about 0.008 inches. In one embodiment, the cell diameter of such cells is from about 0.003 to about 0.007 inches.
  • the average cell diameter of a foam may be determined in accordance with the procedure described in applicant's United States patents 3,953,739 and 4,329,052.
  • the tray 12 has walls with a thickness 21 of from about 0.025 to about 0.5 inches and, preferably, from about 0.040 to about 0.15 inches. In one embodiment, the thickness 21 is from about 0.04 to about 0.1 inches.
  • the thickness of the sidewalls 23 and 25 of tray 12 may be equal to or less than the thickness of the bottom surface 27 of tray 12. In one embodiment, the thickness of sidewalls 23 and 25 is from 25 to about 50 percent of the thickness of the bottom surface 27.
  • the bottom surface 27 of tray 12 forms an interior angle (29 or 31) between sidewalls 23 or 25 of from about 1 to about 90 degrees and, preferably, from about 25 to about 50 degrees. Angles 29 and 31 may be the same or different.
  • the tray 12 preferably has a density of from about 0.1 to about 55 pounds per cubic foot and, preferably from about 1 to about 10 pounds per cubic foot, and more preferably from about 1.5 to about 6 pounds per cubic foot. It is even more preferred that the density be from about 2.0 to about 5.0 pounds per cubic foot. In one embodiment, the density of tray 12 is from about 2 to about 3 pounds per cubic foot.
  • tray 12 is attached to a skin 19.
  • the thickness of skin 19 is preferably from about 0.0005 to about 0.01 inches and, more preferably, from about 0.002 to about 0.005 inches.
  • the perishable goods 15 are placed within tray 12, either manually or automatically.
  • an absorbent pad is placed between the goods 15 and the bottom of the tray in order to absorb excess juices exuded from the goods 15.
  • a gas permeable film material 18 adapted to pass both oxygen and carbon dioxide is wrapped around the entire tray 12.
  • the film material may be adhered to the tray because of its "cling properties," and/or it may be heat-treated to cause it to adhere to the tray; in either event, the film 18 is contiguous with the sides and the bottom of tray 12 and encloses the perishable goods 15.
  • the film 18 may contain additives which allow the film to cling to itself. This film generally has a thickness ranging from about 0.5 mil to about 1.5 mils.
  • gas-permeable films are well known to those skilled in the art and are described, e.g., in United States patents 5,888,597, 5,885,699, 5,852,152 (ethylene/vinyl acetate film and ethylene/acrylic acid film), 5,840,807, 5,839,593, 5,804,401, 5,780,085, 5,759,712, 4,056,639, 4,011,348, 3,867,558, 3,857,981, 3,728,135, and the like.
  • film 18 is a polyvinyl chloride film supplied by the Borden Packaging and Industrial Products company of North Andover, Mass as "Resinite.”
  • This film 18 has an oxygen permeability of from about 1100 to about 1400 cubic centimeters per 100 square inches per 24 hours, as measured by the Mocon Controls Oxtran 100 machine measured at 23 degrees Centigrade.
  • the film has a carbon dioxide permeability of from about 12,400 to about 13,4000 cubic centimeters per 100 square inches per 24 hours as measured by a Linde Cell at 23 degrees Centigrade and 1 atmosphere pressure.
  • film 18 is comprised of perforations 33, 35, 37, and 39. It is preferred that each of such perforations have a maximum cross-sectional dimensional of less than about 0.05 inches. When such perforations are present, it is preferred that from about 1 to about 4 of them occur per square inch of surface.
  • the wrapped tray 30 (see Figure 2C) is wrapped in an oxygen barrier bag 22 which, in the preferred embodiment depicted, is preferably shaped similarly to a typical bag with an open end into which to insert the wrapped tray.
  • oxygen barrier bags are well known and are described, e.g., in United States patents 5,862,947, 5,855,626, 5,811,027, 5,799,463, 5,798,055, 5,780,085, 5,753,182, 5,711,978, 5,700,554, 5,667,827, 5,583,047, 5,573,801, 5,573,797, 5,529,833, 5,350,622, 5,346,644, 5,227,255, 5,203,138, 5,195,305, 4,857,326, 4,605,175, 4,082,829, 3,953,557, and the like.
  • the barrier bag described in column 4 of United States patent 5,698,250 may be used.
  • This bag is commercially available as product number 325C44- EX861B from the PrintPak, Inc. company of Atlanta, Georgia.
  • the barrier bag used is a biaxially oriented nylon film coated with an oxygen barrier coating (such as polyvinylidene chloride) and having a thickness of from about 0.00072 to about 0.00112 inches.
  • an oxygen barrier coating such as polyvinylidene chloride
  • Such a bag is commercially available from the Allied Signal Corporation (of New Jersey) as “Capron Emblem 1530" or “Capron Emblem 2530.” It is preferred that the barrier bag have an oxygen permeability of less than 5 cubic centimeters per 100 square inches per 24 hours, as measured by a suitable gas permeability measuring device, such as the aforementioned Mocon Controls Oxtran 100 machine; measurements are taken under ambient conditions. This test method is well know, being described in A.S.T.M. Standard Test D-1434 "Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting.” Reference may also be had to United States patents 5,913,445, 5,882,518, 5,769,262, 5,684,768, and the like
  • the barrier bag 22 is preferably operably connected to a pressure relief valve 24 (see Figure 2D).
  • the pressure relief valve 24 is adapted to open and allow gas disposed within barrier bag 22 when the pressure within barrier bag 22 is from about 0.05 to about 1.0 pounds per square inch gauge and, more preferably, from about 0.1 to about 0.2 pounds per square inch gauge.
  • the valve 24 is adapted to allow gas disposed within barrier bag 22 to vent to the outside when the pressure within such bag is from about 0.12 to about 0.14 pounds per square inch gauge.
  • Pressure sensitive gas valves for releasing gas from a sealed flexible pouch, such as valve 24, are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example United States patents 5,059,036, 5,419,638, 5,048,846, 4,653,661, 4,690,667, and the like.
  • the pressure sensitive gas valve is sold by the Plitek, Inc. company of 681 Chase Avenue, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007; see, e.g., a publication by Plitek (entitled “Plitek Pressure Relief Valve") which was published on July 8, 1991. A copy of this publication is in the file history of United States patent 5,419,638 of Mark D. Jamison.
  • the valve 24 may be incorporated into the gas barrier bag 24 by conventional means such as, e.g., by means of the "CCL Model 230 Valve Applicator labeling system" which is sold by CCL Industries of 3070 Mainway, Units 16-19, Burlington, Ontario L7M3X1. This system is adapted to be secured to the side of a vertical form-fill and seal machine to apply self-adhesive valve labels to the plastic web on the forming tube section of the machine just prior to the seal and cut station.
  • CCL Model 230 Valve Applicator labeling system which is sold by CCL Industries of 3070 Mainway, Units 16-19, Burlington, Ontario L7M3X1.
  • This system is adapted to be secured to the side of a vertical form-fill and seal machine to apply self-adhesive valve labels to the plastic web on the forming tube section of the machine just prior to the seal and cut station.
  • solid carbon dioxide 16 is charged into the barrier bag 22 prior to the time the bag is sealed. In general, from about 10 to about 150 grams of solid carbon dioxide is charged to barrier bag 22. For a description of one use of such solid carbon dioxide in a barrier bag without a valve 24, reference may be had to United States patents 5,731,023 and 5,737,905. It should be noted that the amount of solid carbon dioxide used in the processes of these patents is substantially less than the amount of carbon dioxide generally used in applicant's process. In general, a sufficient amount of carbon dioxide is used to generate at least about 1.5 liters of gaseous carbon dioxide per kilogram of perishable goods 15.
  • the bag is heat sealed by conventional means; see, e.g., United States patents 5,908,676, 5,799,463, 5,759,653, 5,332,121, and the like.
  • a vacuum is applied through valve 24 to remove air disposed within barrier bag 22.
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken through line 3-3 of Figure 1, of tray 12.
  • Tray 12 is comprised of open cell foam 50 to which is attached a skin layer 19 which is preferably comprised of a multiplicity of through-holes 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62. These through holes have a maximum dimension (such as a maximum diameter) of from about 5 to about 40 mils and generally extend from the top surface 64 of the skin layer 19 to the top surface 66 of the open cell foam layer.
  • the skin layer has a thickness 68 of from about 0.0005 to about 0.01 inches, and, preferably, from about 0.002 to about 0.005 inches.
  • the structure depicted in Figure 3 is a laminated structure with one or more skin layers 19 and/or 68.
  • Means for producing such a laminated structure are well known.
  • a 0.2 millimeter thick sheet of an ethylene/propylene block copolymer having a density of 0.91 was heat laminated to both surfaces of a foamed sheet.
  • laminates made by bonding a skin layer to a foam core are described in United States patents 5,882,776, 5,876,813, 3,633,459, and the like.
  • United States patent 4,098,941 discloses a process in which a skin layer is formed in situ on a foam core by heat treatment.
  • the skin layers 19 and/or 68 may be adhered to the foam layer 50 by adhesive means, by heat lamination means, by coextrusion, by mechanical means, and by other conventional means known to those skilled in the art.
  • the skin layer 19 and/or the skin layer 68 may consist essentially of unfoamed plastic (such as polystyrene, or rubber-modified polystyrene, or polyethylene or polypropylene, mixtures thereof, and the like), paper, and the like.
  • the skin layer 19 and/or the skin layer 68 may consist essentially of either open cell foam and/or closed cell foam.
  • the laminated structure possesses substantially more flexural strength than the unlaminated foam core and, in many cases, reaches or exceeds the structural strength of an unlaminated closed cell foam core, such as the ones described in United States patent 5,698,250. Extrusion process for making the foam tray 12
  • the conventional process for making polystyrene foam uses the well documented extrusion process for producing cellular polystyrene foam in which a solution of a volatile blowing agent in molten polymer, formed in an extruder under pressure, is forced through an orifice into an ambient environment of temperature and pressure.
  • the polymer simultaneously expands and cools under conditions that give it enough strength to maintain dimensional stability at the time corresponding to optimum expansion. Stabilization is due to cooling of the polymer phase to a temperature below its glass transition or melting point. Cooling is effected by vaporization of the blowing agent, gas expansion, and heat loss to the environment.
  • the polystyrene foam sheet thus produced is allowed to equilibrate with atmospheric gases for a period of from about 1 to about 5 days, at which time it is heat shaped into a container using conventional thermoforming equipment.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of another system for preserving perishable goods in which a two compartment barrier bag comprised of compartment 102 and compartment 104 communicate with each other via an orifice 106.
  • a chunk of solid carbon dioxide 108 gradually sublimes causing gas to travel via arrows 110 and 112 and, when pressure has built up, to vent through valve 24.
  • Figure 5 is a graph presenting data generated from the experiments of the Examples described in applicant's United States patent 6,112,890 (see columns 9 and 10). Another preferred packaging system of the invention
  • Figure 6 shows an packaging system 11 which is substantially identical to the packaging system 10 depicted in Figure 1 but which differs from packaging system 10 in that it contains oxygen absorber 200.
  • oxygen absorber 200 One may use any of the commercially available oxygen absorbers as oxygen absorber 200.
  • One preferred oxygen absorber 200 is an iron-based oxygen absorber such as, e.g., the iron-based absorbent described in United States patent 5,928,960. Reference also may be had to United States patent 5,262,375, which also discusses oxygen absorber packets.
  • One oxygen absorber packet which may be used is manufactured by Multiform Dessicants Incorporated of North Tonawanda, New York. It is believed that this absorber packet contains iron and silica gel. Other iron-based oxygen absorbers also will work well as oxygen absorber 200.
  • the solid carbon dioxide 16 preferably is in particulate form and has a particle size distribution such that at least about 90 weight percent of its particles are sized in the range from about 25 microns to about 1,000 microns and, more preferably, are sized in the range of from about 100 to about 500 microns. In one embodiment, at least about 90 weight percent of the carbon dioxide particles are in the range of from 200 to about 400 microns.
  • the barrier bag 22 have an oxygen permeability of less than 10 cubic centimeters per 100 square inches per 24 hours, as measured by suitable gas permeability measuring device.
  • the tray 12 preferably has a water absorbency of from about 5 to about 500 percent.
  • a tray is weighed under ambient conditions and then immersed in water for a period of thirty minutes. Thereafter, the tray is removed from the water bath and weighed.
  • the ratio of the weight of the "wet tray” to that of the "dry tray” is at least about 2.0/1.0 and, preferably, at least 2.5/1.0.
  • a tray with the desired characteristics is commercially available form Vitembal S.A. of Remoulins, France, as the "Integral" absorbent tray.
  • Vitembal S.A. of Remoulins, France as the "Integral" absorbent tray.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the condition of packaging system 11 (see Figure 6) after the carbon dioxide 16 has sublimated and is released through valve 24. Certain components of packaging system 11 have been omitted from Figure 7 for the sake of simplicity of representation.
  • the barrier bag 22 has a height 202 which is substantially greater than the height of the barrier bag 22 depicted in Figure 6. This occurs because the sublimation of the solid carbon dioxide produces a gaseous phase which increases the pressure within barrier bag 22. Some of this pressure is vented to atmosphere via valve 24, but some of the pressure causes barrier bag 22 to increase in volume. If the expansion of barrier bag 22 is unrestrained, and depending upon the concentration of the solid carbon dioxide 16, the volume enclosed by barrier bag 22 could increase by as much as 1,500 percent. When the packaging system 11 has a large volume, it is difficult to ship efficiently and is more cumbersome to use.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a process for limiting the increase in volume of the barrier bag 22.
  • the solid carbon dioxide 16 within barrier bag 22 causes sublimate to flow in the direction of arrow 204 through valve 24. It also causes the barrier bag 22 to expand in volume, but such volume expansion is limited by the presence of constraint 206.
  • constraint 206 is comprised of opposing walls 208 and 210 which are separated by distance 202.
  • An orifice 212 disposed within wall 208 is adapted to receive valve 24 and to allow gas passing through valve 24 to exit the constraint 206.
  • the extent to which the barrier bag 22 will be allowed to expand during sublimation of the solid carbon dioxide 16 can be controlled.
  • wall 208 is hingeably attached at point 214 to wall 209 and may be rotated upwardly in the direction of arrow 216 and/or downwardly in the direction of arrow 218, thereby varying the effective distance 202 between wall 208 and wall 210 at various points along such wall.
  • the restraining means is comprised of shrink film which is used as the barrier bag 22 (see, e.g., Figure 1).
  • This shrink film barrier bag 22 is preferably oxygen-impermeable.
  • oxygen-impermeable shrink films are described, e.g., in United States patents 5,645,788, 5,482,770, 5,376,394, 5,302,402, 5,035,8512, 4,894.107, and the like.
  • shrink film barrier bags 22 are heat treated, they resist deformation by gas pressure, thereby effectively reducing the volume of the system and restraining expansion of the package.
  • the packaging device 11 constrained by constraint 206 is disposed within a vacuum chamber 300 comprised of a port 302. Sublimate exiting constraint 206 through valve 24 then can exit vacuum chamber 300 through valve 304 in the direction of arrow 306.
  • the presence of a vacuum within vacuum chamber 300 facilitates the removal of oxygen from barrier bag 22. It is preferred that the vacuum within vacuum chamber 300 be less than 10.0 millimeters of mercury absolute. This will cause the pressure within barrier bag to be less than about 10.0 millimeters of mercury absolute.
  • Figure 9 is a graph presenting data from an experiment in which various processing parameters were varied.
  • an experiment was conducted in which 53 grams of solid carbon dioxide, in the form of a block, were disposed within a barrier bag 22 with an internal volume of 250 cubic centimeters, and the bag was thereafter immediately heat sealed to isolate its interior volume from ambient conditions. Sublimate was then allowed to escape through valve 24, and measurements were taken of the oxygen concentration within the barrier bag 22 at various points in time. This system took 60 minutes to reach an oxygen concentration as low as 500 parts per million.
  • the experiment described above was repeated, with the exception that 50 grams of carbon dioxide in particulate form was substituted for the 53 grams of carbon dioxide in block form.
  • the particulate carbon dioxide had a particle size distribution such that at least 95 percent of its particles were within the range of 25 microns to 1,000 microns. Using these conditions, the system took only about 27 minutes to reach an oxygen concentration as low as 500 parts per million.
  • Figure 10 is a sectional view of a preferred packaging system 400 which is similar to the packaging system 10 of Figure 1, containing the identical elements 12, 14, 15, 18, 20 and 23. However, the cross-sectional structure 402 differs. This cross-sectional structure is illustrated in Figure 11.
  • cross-sectional structure 402 is similar to the cross-sectional structure depicted in Figure 3 with the exception that skin layer 68 is disposed on the bottom of structure 402; in the structure of Figure 3, by comparison, skin layer 19 is disposed on the top.
  • the tray of the assembly 400 has its skin layer at the bottom of such tray.
  • the laminated structure therein preferably comprises two layers, layers 50 and 68.
  • the holes 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62 are disposed within layer 50; and the 66 denotes the top surface of open cell foam layer 50.
  • the structure depicted in Figures 10 and 11 is modified so that another skin layer 68 appears on top of foam layer 50, thereby forming a three-layer laminated structure.
  • valve 24 neither valve 24 nor solid carbon dioxide 16 (see Figure 1) are required in this embodiment. Instead, a vacuum is applied in the direction of arrow 404 through opening 23 by vacuum means 406 (such as vacuum pump 406) connected to opening 23 by line 408.
  • vacuum means 406 such as vacuum pump 406
  • the assembly 400 is preferably disposed within a chamber 410 comprised of port 412 adapted for the introduction of packaging gas 414) into the chamber 410.
  • inert gas may be introduced via port 412.
  • barrier bag 22 may be sealed at opening 23 by closure 416. Alternatively, or additionally, barrier bag 22 may be sealed by heat sealing means.
  • tray assembly 22 In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 , only one tray assembly is shown disposed within the barrier bag 22. In another embodiment, two or more tray assemblies are disposed within the barrier bag.
  • the tray 12 is comprised of a material which, in use, generates chlorine dioxide. In one aspect of this embodiment, the tray is comprised of from about 0.01 to about 25 weight percent of a water-soluble metal chlorite.
  • an aqueous solution of sodium chlorite e.g., at a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 20 weight percent, may be applied to the tray 12, which will absorb it.
  • the tray 12 is comprised of from about 0.5 to about 25 weight percent of an anionic surfactant such as, e.g., "HOSTAPUR” surfactant sold by the Hoechst Chemical Corporation. "HOSTAPUR” is the sodium salt of an alkane sulfonic acid. Other suitable ionic surfactants which promote water absorption in the tray 12 also may be used.
  • an anionic surfactant such as, e.g., "HOSTAPUR” surfactant sold by the Hoechst Chemical Corporation. "HOSTAPUR” is the sodium salt of an alkane sulfonic acid.
  • HOSTAPUR is the sodium salt of an alkane sulfonic acid.
  • Other suitable ionic surfactants which promote water absorption in the tray 12 also may be used.
  • solid metal chlorite is incorporated as tab on tray 12, or within a sachet on tray 12, or by similar means.
  • the tray 12, and the assembly 400 have been shown for use in preserving perishable items, such as meat.
  • these devices have other uses.
  • they may be used for maintaining medical items in a bacteria- free state, for maintaining electronic equipment in an oxidation- free state, etc .
  • FIG 12 is a side sectional view of a tray 500 which contains a hinged attachment 502 comprised of a receptacle 504 for receipt of a source of carbon dioxide (not shown).
  • a hinged attachment 502 comprised of a receptacle 504 for receipt of a source of carbon dioxide (not shown).
  • only one hinged attachment 502 is shown, attached to wall 506 of tray 500.
  • a second and/or a third and/or a fourth such hinged attachment is attached to one or more of the other walls of the tray.
  • the receptacle 504 is adapted to receive a source of carbon dioxide.
  • a source of carbon dioxide By this term, applicant refers to any material or materials which, under ambient conditions, will generate carbon dioxide gas.
  • dry ice in various sizes and forms (such as ground powder or pellets), a stoichiometric mixture of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, and the like.
  • the receptacle 504 is coated with an adhesive 508 which will tend to retain the source of carbon dioxide within the receptacle 504.
  • Any material may be used which will effect the adhesive purpose without interfering with the conversion of the carbon dioxide source into gaseous carbon dioxide.
  • a commercially available glue may be used as adhesive 508.
  • particulate matter 510 is shown disposed within receptacle 504, and a seal 512 is shown covering receptacle 504 and preventing the particulate matter within receptacle 510 from contacting the outside atmosphere.
  • seal 512 is shown covering receptacle 504 and preventing the particulate matter within receptacle 510 from contacting the outside atmosphere.
  • the particulate matter 510 disposed within receptacles 504 may be the aforementioned stoichiometric mixture of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. As is known to those skilled in the art, when this mixture is exposed to moisture, it will react and produce gaseous carbon dioxide and sodium citrate, neither of which contaminate food items.
  • the particulate matter 510 disposed within receptacle 504 may consist of or comprise a material, which upon exposure to moisture, produces chlorine dioxide. Particulate water-soluble metal chlorite serves this purpose, as is discussed elsewhere in this specification.
  • the particulate matter 510 disposed within receptacle 504 may comprise the iron-based oxygen absorbing material described elsewhere in this specification.
  • the hinged attachment 502 is hingably attached to the main body of the tray 500 and, in the embodiment depicted, to wall 506.
  • wall 506 and hinged attachment 502 may be integrally connected to each other and hingably moved vis-a-vis each other due to the natural resiliency of tray 500 and the material from which it is made.
  • a receptacle (not shown), such as a plastic or paper pouch, can be adhesively attached to one wall of the tray, and/or attached to such wall by other attachment means.
  • Figure 12 One preferred means of making such a hingable connection is illustrated in Figure 12. Referring to Figure 12, it will be seen that a stress-relief indentation 514 is cut, formed, or compressed within the lower wall 516 of the attachment 502. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, when force is applied to attachment 502 in the direction of arrow 518, the attachment 502 will tend to pivot downwardly towards wall 506. Figure 16 illustrates the position of attachment 502 after force has been applied in the direction of arrow 518.
  • the tray 500 is comprised of means for means for holding attachment 502 in place when it is rotated about hinge 514 and contacts wall 506.
  • One such means may be adhesive means, such as glue 515.
  • Another such means can be mechanical means, such as friction fit means 517.
  • Other suitable means will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the tray depicted in Figure 12 is substantially identical to the open-cell foam tray 12 described elsewhere in this specification.
  • at least about 20 volume percent of the foam material in the tray is open cell foam comprised of a multiplicity of open cells with an average cell diameter of from about 0.001 to about 0.020 inches.
  • the tray depicted in Figure 12 is comprised of solid, non- porous, unfoamed plastic or thermoplastic material, or metal (such as aluminum).
  • such tray may be made from polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polyester, and the like.
  • the solid trays will typically have a porosity of less than about 5 percent and, thus, are not capable of absorbing sufficient quantities of water.
  • a perishable item such as meat
  • liquid exuding from the meat will collect in the bottom of the tray, thereby producing an aesthetically displeasing package.
  • a layer 501 of the absorbent open-cell foam material may be adhesively attached to the bottom interior wall 503 of tray 500.
  • This absorbent open-cell foam material may have the same properties, or properties similar to, the open-cell foam material described elsewhere in this specification.
  • the layer 501 is disposed but not adhered to the bottom interior wall 503 of tray 500.
  • Figure 13 is a top view a tray similar to that of the tray of Figure 12 from which unnecessary detail has been omitted for the sake of simplicity of representation; but it also contains a second attachment 502..
  • Figures 14 is a sectional view of the tray of Figure 12 from which unnecessary detail has been omitted for the sake of simplicity of representation.
  • a perishable item 520 is placed within the tray 500, preferably substantially in the center of the tray.
  • the location of the perishable item within the tray 500 is not critical.
  • perishable item 520 is fresh meat.
  • a source of carbon dioxide 522 is then placed within receptacle 504. It is preferred to charge the carbon dioxide source to receptacle 504 within no more than 60 minutes after the perishable item 520 is placed in the tray 500.
  • the assembly depicted in Figure 15 is then overwrapped with a film 18, which film is described elsewhere in this specification. Thereafter, a hole 524 is punched through the film 18 and the tray 500.
  • carbon dioxide from carbon dioxide source 522 is free to travel in the direction of arrows 526, 528, 528.
  • the source of carbon dioxide is dry ice
  • such dry ice will sublimate and cause the carbon dioxide to flow through the system and out of orifice, thereby also purging the system of oxygen contained therein.
  • the assembly depicted in Figure 16 is disposed within a barrier bag 22 comprised of a valve 24.
  • This new assembly can be evacuated and back- flushed with carbon dioxide, and/or mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
  • the bag can be sealed after a second source of carbon dioxide 534 is placed within the barrier bag but outside of the sealed tray assembly.
  • a second source of carbon dioxide 534 one may also dispose an oxygen- absorbing agent 200 within the barrier bag but outside of the sealed tray assembly.
  • one overwrapped tray assembly 535 is disposed within a barrier bag 22.
  • a multiplicity of overwrapped tray assemblies 535 are disposed within a master barrier bag 18.
  • adhesive layer 508 may be replaced with a metallized or metal-containing layer 508 which will readily be heated up to high temperatures either by microwaves and/or sonic waves and/or light. Thereafter, if a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid is disposed within receptacle 504, and/or microwave and/or sonic energy and/or light energy is selectively directed towards receptacle 504, the layer 508 will heat up and will melt the mixture of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, thereby causing it to produce carbon dioxide. Other selective means of preferentially directing energy to the mixture of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid also may be used.
  • a second hinged assembly 502 which contains material(s) which will generate oxygen upon exposure to certain specified conditions and which can be used when it is desired to "bloom" the meat product in the tray prior to sale.
  • the second receptacle 504 may contain two or more compartments which contain materials which, when combined, will generate oxygen.
  • FIG 19 is a flow diagram of one preferred process of the invention.
  • a tray is loaded with oxygen-sensitive goods.
  • oxygen-sensitive goods may be loaded onto the tray either manually or automatically.
  • step 602 of the process the loaded tray is moved to a station where it is overwrapped with gas permeable film, such as polyvinyl chloride.
  • the overwrapped tray is then provided with holes, which extend from the exterior of the overwrapped trays to the interior space defined by the tray sidewalls and the gas permeable film.
  • the tray is weighed and labeled to identify retail information, such as the quantity of oxygen-sensitive goods in the tray, date of packaging, etc.
  • step 608 of the process the labeled tray is conveyed to a bag-loading machine, which dispenses gas-impermeable bags from a roll contained in the bag-loading machine.
  • the gas impermeable bags are produced in a separate manufacturing process.
  • a one-way valve is attached to each gas-impermeable bag.
  • the gas-impermeable bag is opened by inflating the bag with gas.
  • step 610 of the process the overwrapped tray is loaded into the opened gas- impermeable bag. Simultaneously or sequentially, in step 612, a small quantity of solid carbon dioxide is dispensed into the gas-impermeable bag containing the overwrapped tray.
  • step 614 of the process the opened end of the gas-impermeable bag containing the overwrapped tray and solid carbon dioxide is then isolated from the ambient environment by providing a gas-tight seal on the gas permeable bag.
  • the solid carbon dioxide purges the oxygen contained in the sealed bag by subliming and forcing the oxygen through the one-way valve, which is attached to the gas-impermeable bag.
  • the oxygen content in the gas impermeable bag is less than 0.05 percent.
  • the volume of the completed package(s) may be reduced by applying a vacuum source to the one- wave valve(s) to reduce the quantity of the gas contained in the package(s)
  • step 618 of the process the finished package(s) are shipped. When they are received at their intended destination, and in step 620 of the process, the gas impermeable bag(s) are removed and the goods (such as the meat) is allowed to "bloom.” In the case of meat goods, the meet will absorb oxygen and turn to an appealing red color.
  • step 622 of the process the "bloomed" goods may be sold at retail.
  • the one-way valve may be attached to the gas-impermeable bag after the gas-impermeable bag containing the overwrapped tray has been sealed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un conditionnement à atmosphère modifiée, destiné au stockage de marchandises sensibles à l'oxygène. Il est constitué d'un plateau support accueillant ces marchandises et d'un film enveloppant le plateau. Le plateau et le film sont perméables au gaz. Le plateau est fait d'une mousse dont 20% au moins du volume est constitué d'alvéoles ouvertes. Un volet s'articulant sur une paroi du plateau comporte un récipient pouvant accueillir une source de gaz carbonique, et notamment de la glace carbonique.
PCT/US2000/042014 1999-11-09 2000-11-08 Systeme de conditionnement pour la conservation de denrees perissables WO2001034469A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00993038A EP1233907A2 (fr) 1999-11-09 2000-11-08 Systeme de conditionnement pour la conservation de denrees perissables
CA002391017A CA2391017C (fr) 1999-11-09 2000-11-08 Systeme de conditionnement pour la conservation de denrees perissables
AU29231/01A AU2923101A (en) 1999-11-09 2000-11-08 Packaging system for preserving perishable items

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16427799P 1999-11-09 1999-11-09
US60/164,277 1999-11-09
US09/684,381 US6269946B1 (en) 1998-10-29 2000-10-07 Packaging system for preserving perishable items
US09/684,381 2000-10-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001034469A2 true WO2001034469A2 (fr) 2001-05-17
WO2001034469A3 WO2001034469A3 (fr) 2001-09-27

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/042014 WO2001034469A2 (fr) 1999-11-09 2000-11-08 Systeme de conditionnement pour la conservation de denrees perissables

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1233907A2 (fr)
AU (1) AU2923101A (fr)
CA (1) CA2391017C (fr)
WO (1) WO2001034469A2 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002069723A2 (fr) * 2001-03-02 2002-09-12 The Procter & Gamble Company Dispositifs et procedes permettant de prolonger la duree de stockage de produits
EP2896406A3 (fr) * 2013-12-27 2015-12-02 Schott AG Structure d'emballage et procédé d'emballage stérile de récipients pour des substances d'applications médicales, pharmaceutiques ou cosmétiques et procédé de traitement de récipients utilisant la structure d'emballage
US11887571B2 (en) 2020-09-11 2024-01-30 Rtx Corporation Acoustic attenuation structures

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5698520A (en) * 1994-03-01 1997-12-16 Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Peptide related to human programmed cell death and DNA encoding the same
US5711978A (en) * 1995-10-16 1998-01-27 Transhumance Fresh meat packaging
US5811142A (en) * 1996-04-03 1998-09-22 Tenneo Packaging Modified atmosphere package for cut of raw meat
US5916613A (en) * 1994-06-30 1999-06-29 Cryovac, Inc. Barrier package for fresh meat products

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5698520A (en) * 1994-03-01 1997-12-16 Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Peptide related to human programmed cell death and DNA encoding the same
US5916613A (en) * 1994-06-30 1999-06-29 Cryovac, Inc. Barrier package for fresh meat products
US5711978A (en) * 1995-10-16 1998-01-27 Transhumance Fresh meat packaging
US5811142A (en) * 1996-04-03 1998-09-22 Tenneo Packaging Modified atmosphere package for cut of raw meat

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002069723A2 (fr) * 2001-03-02 2002-09-12 The Procter & Gamble Company Dispositifs et procedes permettant de prolonger la duree de stockage de produits
WO2002069723A3 (fr) * 2001-03-02 2003-01-09 Procter & Gamble Dispositifs et procedes permettant de prolonger la duree de stockage de produits
EP2896406A3 (fr) * 2013-12-27 2015-12-02 Schott AG Structure d'emballage et procédé d'emballage stérile de récipients pour des substances d'applications médicales, pharmaceutiques ou cosmétiques et procédé de traitement de récipients utilisant la structure d'emballage
US9598195B2 (en) 2013-12-27 2017-03-21 Schott Ag Packaging structure and method for sterile packaging containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications and methods for further processing of containers using this packaging structure
US11887571B2 (en) 2020-09-11 2024-01-30 Rtx Corporation Acoustic attenuation structures

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2923101A (en) 2001-06-06
CA2391017A1 (fr) 2001-05-17
CA2391017C (fr) 2006-01-24
WO2001034469A3 (fr) 2001-09-27
EP1233907A2 (fr) 2002-08-28

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