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US20180327166A1 - Modified atmosphere packaging with base-mounted micro-permeable patch - Google Patents

Modified atmosphere packaging with base-mounted micro-permeable patch Download PDF

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Publication number
US20180327166A1
US20180327166A1 US15/592,305 US201715592305A US2018327166A1 US 20180327166 A1 US20180327166 A1 US 20180327166A1 US 201715592305 A US201715592305 A US 201715592305A US 2018327166 A1 US2018327166 A1 US 2018327166A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
container
patch
base
rigid
semi
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US15/592,305
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English (en)
Inventor
Nicholas J DaCosta
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
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Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US15/592,305 priority Critical patent/US20180327166A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2018/031772 priority patent/WO2018208897A1/fr
Publication of US20180327166A1 publication Critical patent/US20180327166A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • 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
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • 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
    • B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
    • B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
    • B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
    • B65D21/0217—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements
    • B65D21/0219—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements the closure presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the bottom or peripheral elements projecting from the bottom of a superimposed container
    • 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
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/20—External fittings
    • B65D25/205—Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like
    • 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
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/20—External fittings
    • B65D25/24—External fittings for spacing bases of containers from supporting surfaces, e.g. legs
    • 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
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
    • 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
    • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • 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
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/245—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with decoration, information or contents indicating devices, labels
    • 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
    • B65D53/00—Sealing or packing elements; Sealings formed by liquid or plastics material
    • 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
    • B65D81/2076—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 in an at least partially rigid container
    • 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
    • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
    • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
    • B65D81/263—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for ventilating the contents
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
    • B65D2543/0012—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners
    • B65D2543/00175—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners four straight sides, e.g. trapezium or diamond
    • B65D2543/00194—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners four straight sides, e.g. trapezium or diamond square or rectangular
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
    • B65D2543/00296—Plastic
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00509—Cup
    • 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
    • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
    • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
    • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
    • B65D2543/00546—NO contact

Definitions

  • the invention relates to packaging, and more particularly, to modified atmosphere packaging.
  • One approach for packaging fresh produce is to use packing that is well ventilated, so that the atmosphere within the container approximates the ambient atmosphere, thereby allowing unimpeded respiration by the contained produce while it is transported and stored. This approach avoids the premature spoilage that can result from hermetic packaging, but does nothing to enhance or prolong the quality and shelf life of the produce beyond what would be obtained if the produce were not contained in a package.
  • Cooling is certainly an effective means to extend the shelf life of produce, but cooling methods can be expensive. Also, it may be desirable to extend the shelf life of fresh produce beyond what can be accomplished by cooling alone.
  • Another approach for extending the shelf life of fresh produce which can be implemented either alone or in combination with cooling, is to enclose the produce in packaging that allows only a very limited rate of gas exchange between the interior of the package and the surrounding environment.
  • This approach is generally referred to as equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (“EMAP” or simply “MAP” as used herein).
  • EEMAP equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging
  • MAP equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging
  • MAP can be implemented in any of several ways. In some instances, MAP can be achieved simply by selecting an appropriate packaging material and controlling the thickness of the material so as to provide a limited permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide. However, this approach places significant constraints on package size, packaging material, overall package strength and durability, and packaging costs. It is therefore applicable only to a limited range of circumstances.
  • part or all of a package can be constructed from a microporous material that provides a well-defined gas permeability.
  • Microporous materials can be created by including small filler particles, such as silica or calcium carbonate, in a polymer formulation, and orienting the film in the longitudinal and/or cross direction so as to create microscopic pores throughout the film.
  • small filler particles such as silica or calcium carbonate
  • the methods by which microporous films are produced limit the types and thicknesses of packaging materials that can be used.
  • microporous materials can be prohibitively expensive for use as a packaging material.
  • these microporous materials are often opaque, such that making the entire package from microporous material can be unacceptable from a consumer standpoint, where great importance is given to the observation of the appearance of the fresh produce when making a selection.
  • microperforations typically having diameters measuring in the tens of microns to hundreds of microns.
  • microperforations can be made using pins or a laser during manufacture of a web, and then the web can be used to form produce bags or film tops for produce trays and other rigid containers.
  • this approach can be effective for packages that are intended for single use, but the approach is problematic for applications where it is desirable to re-seal a rigid or semi-rigid package after initial use, and to reestablish a modified atmosphere to prolong the shelf life of the remaining contents.
  • Microperforation can be challenging in cases where it is desirable for the package to be fully rigid or semi-rigid, and possible re-sealable, because it can be difficult to accurately and consistently micro-perforate the walls of a rigid or semi-rigid container, especially if the container includes an elastomeric inner sealant layer in addition to the rigid or semi-rigid outer layer.
  • One successful solution is presented in co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 14/941,028, filed on Nov. 13, 2015, also by the present inventor, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Nevertheless, this approach may not be optimal in all circumstances.
  • MAP approach that is applicable to rigid and semi-rigid containers is to provide a single, macroscopic opening or hole, typically a few millimeters to a centimeter in diameter, somewhere in the container, and then cover the macroscopic opening with a microperforated or microporous “patch.”
  • This MAP hole and patch approach can be highly effective, and can be relatively easy and cost-effective to implement for rigid and semi-rigid containers.
  • finding a suitable location for the hole and patch can be problematic.
  • the lid of a rigid or semi-rigid container is generally a primary display surface, and so it may be desirable to cover the entire lid with a product identifying and branding label, which would interfere with the patch. Also, it may be undesirable for esthetic reasons to put the hole and patch on the lid, where they will be highly visible.
  • the sides of a rigid or semi-rigid container often provide important visibility to consumers who wish to view the contents of the package. Accordingly, it may also be undesirable to place the hole and patch on a side of the container. And, of course, placement of the patch and hole on the bottom of the container is problematic, because it is likely that the patch will be blocked by whatever surface the package is resting on.
  • a rigid modified atmosphere packaging container with a rigid lid having an MAP hole and patch that are not located on a highly visible surface and are not likely to be blocked when the container is resting on a surface and/or included in a stack of containers.
  • a region of the container bottom is raised in comparison to the remainder of the bottom surface, such that an open space or cavity is created, referred to herein as the MAP cavity.
  • a macroscopic hole and MAP patch are provided on the bottom of the container inside of the MAP cavity, and is covered by a semi-permeable patch such as a microperforated or microporous patch that permits a limited gas exchange through the hole.
  • the MAP cavity extends to an edge of the bottom surface, so that air is readily exchanged between the MAP cavity and the ambient surroundings. As a result, placement of the container on a flat surface or on top of another container does not restrict the exchange of air between the MAP cavity and the surrounding atmosphere.
  • the sides of the container are slanted inward, so that air passages are created between the containers when they are arranged in a stack. As a result, air is easily exchanged between the surrounding air and all of the MAP cavities of all of the containers in the stack.
  • the MAP cavity extends to more than one bottom edge of the container.
  • the present invention is a rigid or semi-rigid container configured for modified atmosphere packaging of produce.
  • the container includes a base having a bottom and at least one side joined to the bottom by a bottom edge, a lid removably engageable with the base so as to form a seal therebetween, a raised region formed in the bottom of the container base and extending to the bottom edge thereof, so that when the container bottom is placed on a flat surface the raised region and flat surface form a cavity into which air from an environment surrounding the container can enter the cavity by passing under the bottom edge, a hole formed in an upper surface of the raised region and penetrating the container bottom, and a semi-permeable patch installed over the hole and configured to permit a limited exchange of gases between an interior of the container and the surrounding environment, so that a modified atmosphere is created within the container when respiring fresh produce is contained therein.
  • the lid can be re-engaged with the base after removal thereof so as to re-establish a modified atmosphere within the interior of the container when fresh produce remains contained
  • the side can be slanted outward from the bottom edge, so that when the container is placed against a vertical surface or next to an adjacent container having a similar shape, a passage is formed along the side of the container through which air can flow to the bottom edge and from thence to the patch.
  • the patch can be made from a material that is naturally semi-permeable to gases, a microporous material, or a material that is substantially impenetrable to gases, but microperforated so as to allow the limited exchange of gasses.
  • any of the above embodiments can further include sealant layers applied to interior surfaces of the base and lid, the sealant layers being sealable to each other when the lid is engaged with the base so as to form a hermetically sealed junction therebetween.
  • the sealant layers comprise at least one of polyacrylonitrile resin and polyester film.
  • the hole can be between 1 mm and 10 mm in diameter.
  • the patch can be adhered to the upper surface of the raised region by an adhesive that is applied to a perimeter of the patch but does not overlap the hole.
  • the raised region can extend to a plurality of bottom edges that join a plurality of sides to the container bottom.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a semi-rigid modified atmosphere packaging container in an embodiment of the present invention shown with the lid and patch separated from the container body;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the semi-rigid modified atmosphere packaging container of FIG. 1 shown with the lid and patch installed on the container body;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two containers as shown in FIG. 2 stacked on top of each other;
  • FIG. 4A is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 , shown without the patch;
  • FIG. 4B is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A , shown with the patch;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of a stack of the containers of FIG. 2 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container in an embodiment wherein the MAP cavity extends to all bottom edges of the container.
  • a modified atmosphere packaging container 100 having a rigid body 102 and a rigid lid 104 that includes a macroscopic hole 106 and MAP patch 108 that are not located on a highly visible surface and are not likely to be blocked when the container 100 is resting on a surface or included in a stack of containers.
  • the macroscopic hole 106 is provided on the bottom of the container body 102 , and is covered by the microporous patch 108 .
  • the hole 106 is between 1 mm and 10 mm in diameter.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container 100 in an embodiment of the invention shown with the lid 104 removed, and the patch 108 not yet installed.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 shown with the microporous patch 108 installed.
  • the patch 108 can include a material that is naturally gas permeable or microporous, or it can be made from a gas impervious material that has been microperforated by pins or by a laser. It can be attached to the bottom of the container body 102 by an adhesive that has been applied about a perimeter of the patch 108 , so that the adhesive surrounds the hole 106 but does not interfere with gas exchange through the region of the patch 106 that is/are directly over the hole 106 .
  • the macroscopic opening 106 and microperforated patch 108 are located in a region 110 of the container bottom that is raised as compared to the remainder of the bottom surface, such that an open space or cavity is created in the region 110 where the opening 106 and patch 108 are located.
  • This open space or cavity 110 referred to herein as the MAP cavity 110 , extends to an edge 112 of the bottom surface, so that air 200 is readily exchanged between the MAP cavity 110 and the ambient surroundings, even when the container 100 is placed on a flat surface, or stacked on top of another container as shown in FIG. 3 .
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are end views of the container 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 . It can be seen that the MAP cavity 110 is open to the bottom edge 112 of the container. In FIG. 4A , the container is shown without the patch 108 installed, and in FIG. 4B the container is shown with the patch 108 installed.
  • the sides 400 of the container 100 are slanted inward.
  • this slanted side configuration creates air passages 500 between the containers 100 when they are arranged in a stack.
  • air 200 is easily exchanged between the surrounding environment and all of the MAP cavities 110 of all of the containers 100 in the stack.
  • the MAP cavity 110 extends only to one edge 112 of the container bottom. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 , the MAP cavity 110 extends to all of the bottom edges of the cavity, allowing for additional access of ambient air to the patch 108 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
US15/592,305 2017-05-11 2017-05-11 Modified atmosphere packaging with base-mounted micro-permeable patch Abandoned US20180327166A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/592,305 US20180327166A1 (en) 2017-05-11 2017-05-11 Modified atmosphere packaging with base-mounted micro-permeable patch
PCT/US2018/031772 WO2018208897A1 (fr) 2017-05-11 2018-05-09 Emballage sous atmosphère modifiée doté d'un timbre micro-perméable monté sur une base

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/592,305 US20180327166A1 (en) 2017-05-11 2017-05-11 Modified atmosphere packaging with base-mounted micro-permeable patch

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US (1) US20180327166A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2018208897A1 (fr)

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US5686126A (en) * 1995-06-06 1997-11-11 W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn. Dual web package having improved gaseous exchange
US6880748B2 (en) * 2003-03-25 2005-04-19 Craig Dale Machado System and method for packaging of fresh produce incorporating modified atmosphere packaging
US20100181318A1 (en) * 2006-07-11 2010-07-22 Roscoe Louis Bava Packaging for fresh foodstuffs
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