Abstract:
A system and reusable plastic container for preserving the quality of a range of fruits and vegetables are provided. The container independently maintains modified atmospheres and relative humidity within the range of 1% to 50% carbon dioxide plus 1% to 15% oxygen and relative humidity of 75% RH and 100% RH. For produce highly susceptible to mould, yeast and/or bacterial growth at RH of 75% to 80% will result in optimum quality retention. The container includes a plastic body, plastic lid and a gas permeable film membrane hermetically sealed between the lid and the container. The plastic body and lid can be polyamide (nylon 6, 11, 12, or 66 and blends thereof), polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyethyleneterepthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, and mixtures thereof. The lid can be macro-perforated for a three piece application or micro-perforated for a two piece application. The film membranes can have different oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability rates for specific package volumes and specific produce respirations.
Abstract:
A water permeable sealed container for preservation of produce such as fruit, vegetables and flowers made out of three layer laminate corrugated to form, further three to five layer construct. The layers also include a layer of Kraft paper fluting and layer of polymer which is enclosed between two layers of Kraft paper. The container has a lid, which absorbs water vapor and transmits water vapor from the interior of the container to the exterior through micro perforations. The container can also regulate relative humidity within a range of 75% to 85% for some foods by removing moisture from the food generated from respiration and suppressing product decay due to microorganisms. The laminate may be die cut to be formed into a range of box designs for vertical profiles that provide ventilation spaces between containers in a vertical stack and to provide airflow channels within a stack.