Packaging system

Packing system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a packaging system according to the preamble of claim 1.

BACKGROUND

The fresh agricultural products industry incorporates the use of stackable corrugated fiberboard cardboard containers or returnable plastic crates of various sizes and shapes to accommodate a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables for transport to the market. In general, there are two general categories of stackable fiberboard cardboard containers used in the agricultural products industry, Open-style cardboard containers that incorporate openings such as handles and concavities for refrigerated air circulation and closed-style cardboard containers that do not include openings and concavities but incorporate gas permeable selective membranes to limit gas exchange between containers of Hermetically sealed cardboard and the ambient atmosphere.

The main advantages of open-style cardboard containers take into account the direct packaging in the field of harvested agricultural products, followed by refrigeration and market delivery. The simple packaging and refrigeration of agricultural products provides significant savings in time, labor and cost. The main disadvantage of this type of packaging is that the free movement of oxygen around agricultural products reduces the amount of time that agricultural products can be stored and / or transported. To compensate for some of these harmful effects, agricultural products are harvested sooner in the growing season, usually before the optimal nutritional values ​​and desirable flavors have been developed, thus reducing the quality of agricultural products delivered to the market. Another disadvantage of open-style packaging is the minimum protection allowed for temperature deviations occasionally encountered during transport to the market.

The lack of insulating air and packaging materials surrounding agricultural products allows temperature changes to affect stored agricultural products more quickly. For temperature sensitive agricultural products (eg, peaches) a prolonged refrigeration failure could result in the loss of an entire shipment of agricultural products. Examples of typical stackable containers include US Pat. 5,121,877 to Bodary et al. that reveals a palletized container for fruit ripening during shipping and storage; U.S. Patent 3,871,570 of Garmon that reveals a stackable tray for sending fresh fruits and vegetables; U.S. Patent Moorman 5,967,406 disclosing a stackable Bliss-style shipping container that can be reconfigured into an exhibition container for the retail, independent or wholesale market; U.S. Patent 5,052,615 to Ott et al. that reveals another stackable shipping and exhibition cardboard container; U.S. Patent 4,101,048 to Rieben et al. which reveals another cardboard container for the field of stackable agricultural products; and U.S. Pat. 3,863,831 of Wozniacki et al. which reveals a stackable shipping carton that allows ventilation and / or cooling of the contents of the carton.

Corrugated cardboard packages incorporating gas permeable selective membranes are known in the relevant art as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Modified atmosphere packaging is available in various shapes and sizes and generally includes caps or flaps that are integral to the carton. The main advantage of using MAP is that the duration of agricultural products extends beyond packaging in an unmodified atmosphere anywhere from 10 to 25 days depending on the particular agricultural products that are packaged and the weight loss due to refrigeration It is greatly reduced. The prolonged duration of agricultural products allows agricultural products to be harvested closer to maturity, thus preserving optimal nutritional values ​​and desirable flavors and facilitates longer transport durations, a particularly important consideration when fresh fruits and vegetables are being transported from regions from tropical growth to markets around the globe (for example, bananas).

The capacity to extend the product life of the MAP is extremely important in the industry of fresh agricultural products of first quality where considerable cost savings can be obtained with respect to regular carton packs where such agricultural products would have to be sent by air in instead of using considerably less expensive shipping alternatives such as cargo ships and / or land transport. The tightly sealed packaging also offers greater protection from temperature deviations due to the greater insulating properties of the modified atmosphere and the wrap-around carton surrounding agricultural products. However, there are several disadvantages in the modified atmosphere packaging of the relevant technique, including difficulties in effectively re-cooling palletized agricultural products.

or stacked during shipping due to the inability to provide adequate refrigerated air circulation around the carton packs of palletized and / or stacked agricultural products, in particular the inner cartons that are isolated from the air cooled by the outer cartons surrounding.

Another disadvantage of modified atmosphere packaging of the relevant technique is that there is generally no way to visually inspect indoor agricultural products after the cartons have been sealed. Damaged agricultural products, insect pests and other problems cannot be discovered until agricultural products are delivered to their final destination. Examples of packaging incorporating modified atmosphere technologies include US Pat. 5,575,418 to Wu et al. that unveils a corrugated cardboard carton package that includes a gas permeable membrane incorporated into the packaging for shipping fresh produce and cut flowers; Greengrass European Patent Application 0282180 discloses a container, bag or coating that incorporates a gas permeable membrane for delayed maturation of agricultural products wrapped by the permeable membrane. U.S. Pat.

Myers 4,515,266 discloses a sealed container filled with a preservative gas to inhibit bacterial growth; and U.S. Pat. 6,050,412 to Clough et al. unveils a procedure and apparatus for packing and sending cut flowers using a modified atmosphere packaging.

WO97 / 17264A1 discloses a packaging system with the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

None of the references cited provides stackable packaging that incorporates modified atmosphere technology, allows cooling ventilation of stacked and / or palletized packaging and facilitates visual inspection of the contents of the packaging without having to open the sealed packaging.

Therefore, what is needed is a corrugated packaging that incorporates modified atmosphere technology, allows harvesting in the field and packaging of agricultural products either in the field or in a centralized installation, allow cooling ventilation of stacked packaging and / or palletized directly in the modified atmosphere packaging, Allow visual inspection of packaged agricultural products at any time after packaging and provide the ability to restore refrigeration of agricultural products during transit is very desirable.

SUMMARY

Objects and advantages

The first object of the invention is to provide a modified atmospheric packaging that allows the packaging of agricultural products either in the field or in a centralized plant.

A second object of the invention is to provide a modified atmospheric package that allows the cooling of agricultural products after placement in the modified atmospheric package.

A third object of the invention is to provide a modified atmospheric packaging that includes a transparent lid that allows visual observation of packaged agricultural products at any time after placement in the container until arrival at a final destination.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide a packaging system that allows shipments of broccoli without ice.

A fifth object of the invention is to provide a modified atmospheric package that allows refrigerated air to circulate at least laterally and longitudinally when the modified atmospheric packages are stacked and / or placed in a palletized arrangement.

A sixth object of the invention is to provide a modified atmospheric package that allows the detection of manipulation, product decomposition, damage to agricultural products, insect infestation and temperature range deviations.

A seventh object of the invention is to provide a modified atmospheric packaging that is incorporated into a corrugated fiber board construction in combination with a transparent lid that facilitates air circulation during packaging and transportation.

An eighth object of the invention is to provide a combined modified atmospheric packaging that is incorporated into a transparent plastic lid and uses, in combination, a corrugated fiberboard cardboard container that has a barrier that facilitates air circulation during packaging. and the transport.

A ninth object of the invention is to provide a combined modified atmospheric packaging in which MAP technology is incorporated in one or more permeable, permeable, membrane-like patches. The patches are installed over one or more openings, either in one or both in the transparent lid or in the standard corrugated fiberboard cardboard container.

A tenth object of the invention is to provide a packaging system that allows direct placement and display on a retail shelf without requiring the extraction of fresh agricultural products.

An eleventh object of the invention is to provide a packaging system that meets or exceeds the export requirements for packaging of the US Department of Agriculture.

This invention addresses the limitations described above and provides a packaging system as defined by the attached claim 1 and allows harvesting in the field and packaging of agricultural products either in the field or a centralized installation, allows the cooling ventilation of stacked and / or palletized packages directly in the modified atmosphere packaging, It allows visual inspection of packaged agricultural products at any time after packaging and provides the ability to restore the cooling of agricultural products during transit is very desirable.

The ability of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to extend the duration of transport and storage has been recognized for many years. MAP is defined as the packaging of perishable products in an atmosphere, which has been modified so that its composition is different from that of ambient air. The impetus behind the popularity of MAP is based on the increased demand from consumers of fresh fruits and vegetables and the desire on the part of consumers of products without preservatives.

As defined in this document, the intention of the term carton is to include a box or tray.

Dependent claims 2 to 9 are directed to preferred embodiments of the invention.

The packaging system that incorporates at least one selective gas permeable membrane can be implemented by composing the following steps:

<dl><dt>to. </dt><dd>harvest fresh agricultural products in a place in the countryside, </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>b. </dt><dd>place fresh agricultural products in a corrugated cardboard container either in the field place </dd></dl>

or in a centralized installation,

<dl><dt>c. </dt><dd>refrigerate fresh agricultural products, </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>d. </dt><dd>apply a cover gas if necessary to fresh agricultural products, and </dd></dl>

<dl><dt>and. </dt><dd>use airtight fixing means, which tightly fix a transparent lid to the corrugated cardboard container. </dd></dl>

In addition to the steps listed above, in one embodiment where one or more openings are provided, apply the at least one selective gas permeable membrane to at least one opening associated with either the transparent lid or the corrugated cardboard container.

In addition to the steps listed above, perform the prerequisite stage of selecting an appropriate one from the at least one selective gas permeable membrane suitable for use with fresh agricultural products.

In addition to the steps listed above, apply a temperature and / or oxygen deviation sensor (s) to the transparent cover.

In addition to the steps listed above, apply a tamper detection seal to a contact surface where the transparent lid and the corrugated cardboard container are joined together by the hermetic fixing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numbers and characters are used to indicate similar characteristics, elements, components or parts of the invention. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made in the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention object of the patent as defined in the claims.

FIG. 1 - Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a basic embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 - Figure 2 represents a side view of the invention of the basic embodiment.

FIG. 3A - Figure 3A represents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B - Figure 3B represents a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 - Figure 4 represents a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 - Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the basic embodiment of the invention shown in a palletized arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a basic embodiment of the invention is shown where a corrugated cardboard container 10 and a transparent lid 5 are used to maintain a modified atmosphere for delayed maturation of the agricultural products contained therein. The lid 5 is tightly attached to the cardboard container 10 using packaging adhesive tape 30. Alternative sealing means for attaching the lid 5 to the carton 10 include the use of hot glue or an elastic sealing gasket placed between the inner surface of a flange 20 associated with the lid 5 and the outer surface of the side walls of the cardboard container 10.

The lid 5 includes a plurality of elevated, generally rectangular or triangular stacking structures 15 disposed approximately at each of the four corners of the lid 5. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the elevated stacking structures 15 includes a groove. horizontal 25 running longitudinally through each elevated stacking structure 15. The grooves 25 are displaced laterally from a lateral central line of the raised stacking structure 15 so that each groove 15 is arranged closer to a closer lateral edge of the lid 5.

Each slot is aligned uniformly on a longitudinal axis of a lid so that the longitudinally adjacent grooves are disposed approximately the same distance from the nearest side edge of the lid 5. The height of each of the raised stacking structures 15 is at minus 0.5 cm on an average horizontal surface of the lid 5, generally between 0.5 cm and 5 cm. The height of the elevated stacking structures 15 provides an air gap between a bottom of another carton that allows cooling air to circulate both laterally and longitudinally through an outer surface of the lid 5 and the bottom of another container of cardboard when two or more heights are stacked vertically and / or when they are evenly placed in multiple columns and rows on a pallet.

Also, the grooves 25 included in each of the elevated stacking structures 15 allow cooling air flow to penetrate between opposing stacking structures. A lower side of each elevated stacking structure 15 forms a tightly sealed depression in the lid 5 that provides an internal air chamber to the cardboard container to accumulate the respiratory gases generated by agricultural products and can also be used to maintain a gas tank of coverage if required to maintain a particular type of agricultural products.

In an alternative embodiment, the lid 5 includes a saddle-shaped depression between both adjacent side and longitudinal raised stacking structures 15 so that a lower side of the lid 5 conforms to the upper vertical edges of a cardboard container Bliss or other style commonly used to pack fresh agricultural products.

The lid 5 is constructed of a semi-rigid or rigid polymeric material such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or polyethylene and is sized to fit over the corrugated cardboard container and conform to the vertical edges of the side walls. The lid 5 includes a flange 20 that extends downward enough to cover the downwardly oriented concavities incorporated in the vertical side walls of the cardboard container common to the Bliss or other style packaging. For example, the carton shown in US Pat. 5,052,615 to Ott et al.

The thickness of the lid 5 can be varied to obtain the desired structural strength for stacking and have a general range of 0.25 mm to about 2.0 mm. The inner surface of the lid may be treated with a layer or anti-fog film to limit the development of condensation on the inner surface that would limit the ability to observe the contents of the carton.

The carton 10 is constructed of corrugated fiber board and can include a selective permeable membrane or an active oxygen scavenger polymer incorporated into its construction. The cardboard container 10 includes four vertical side walls joined perpendicularly to a fiber board bottom forming a regular polygon in the form of a square or rectangular box.

The cardboard container is designed to occupy a standard space (dimensions) of 40 cm x 60 cm but other dimensions are also provided, such as 40 cm x 30 cm. The upper part of the cardboard container is open, allowing unrestricted access to an interior storage volume defined by the vertical side walls and the bottom. The vertical height of the side walls is variable, typically between 10 cm and 30 cm, and largely dependent on the desired packaging density of the agricultural products to be placed inside the carton. In general, agricultural products should be placed to reach a height equal to or less than the lower open upper edge of the vertical side walls. The permeability of the selective membrane is chosen based on the respiratory nature of the agricultural products that must be contained within the packaging. A type of corrugated fiber board construction suitable for use in this invention is described in US Pat. 5,575,418 to Wu et al. Other polymer films suitable for use are marketed by numerous suppliers. For example, Cryovac Division of WR Grace &amp; amp; Company, Duncan, SC www.cryovac.com (See the PD 900 family of films).

Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of a long dimension of the modified atmosphere packaging system is shown where the lid 5 includes a saddle-shaped profile to fit the upper vertical edges of the cardboard container 10. The face facing down 20 of the lid 5 is tightly attached to the cardboard container 10 using packing adhesive tape 30. The raised stacking structures 15 are shown with a generally flat outer surface that is substantially parallel to the outer surface of the lid 5. The grooves 25 are intended to engage with the grooves 75 included in the cardboard container 10, which allows The lid 5 will be level with the vertical edges of the cardboard container. The dashed line indicates the end of the downwardly oriented flange 20 that is covered by the adhesive tape 30. The downwardly oriented flange 20 extends vertically downward along the outer surface of the four vertical side walls sufficiently to fully enclose any exposed concavity associated with the vertical side walls and allow suitable contact surfaces for the application of the tape of packaging on a contact surface where the end of the flange and the exposed part of the vertical side walls is produced. The adhesive tape 30 can be used as a product handling indicator or another seal can be placed on the tape 30.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown where one or more openings 35a, 35b, 35c are provided on one or more surfaces such as the lid, one or more vertical side walls or the bottom of the carton. The openings completely penetrate the lid, the side walls and / or the bottom of the cardboard container so that the external ambient air is in contact with the inner storage volume of the cardboard container. One or more selective permeable membranes in the form of adhesive patches 40a, 40b are applied over the openings and adhere to the lid 5 and / or the vertical side wall of the cardboard container 10 to establish a modified atmosphere within the interior storage volume of the cardboard container. The adhesive patches 40a, 40b, 40c are sized to completely enclose and tightly close the openings.

Adhesive patches 40a, 40b, 40c suitable for use with this invention are marketed by various suppliers including Landec Corporation, 3603 Haven Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, www.Landec.com (See IntellipacTM smart tags), River Ranch Technology, Incorporated, 1156 Abbott Street, Salinas, CA, www.riverranchfreshfoods.com/FreshHold/freshhold.html .

In this embodiment of the invention, the lid 5 and the carton pack 10 do not include modified atmosphere packaging technology but instead retain a modified atmosphere established using adhesive packaging. The cardboard container 10 used in this embodiment of the invention will have to be hermetically sealed and generally air tight to prevent the loss of the modified atmosphere. The lid 5 is tightly fixed to the cardboard container 10 using the adhesive tape 30 or alternative hermetic fastening means described above.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of a lid 5 that can be used in the modified atmosphere packaging system is shown. The lid 5 is essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 1, with the addition of vertical stacking tabs 45 arranged in each of the four corners of the lid 5.

The vertical stacking tabs 45 allow the stacking system to be stacked vertically in modified atmosphere with returnable plastic crates (RPCs) that are occasionally used to transport fresh agricultural products to the market. Each of the vertical stacking tabs 40 includes a right angle that matches each corner of the lid. The right angle portion of each of the vertical stacking tabs 40 has a height sufficient to fit on a bottom side adjacent to a bottom corner of a returnable plastic drawer, generally between 0.5 cm and 5 cm. The bottom corners of the returnable plastic drawer are supported by the four raised stacking structures 15.

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of the modified atmosphere packaging system is shown where a plurality of packages are palletized and stacked in rows and columns. The raised support structures 25 allow the refrigerated air to circulate laterally 50 and longitudinally 55 through a plurality of air spaces 70a, 70b created between a bottom of a cardboard container stacked vertically and uniformly and supported by an elevated stacking structure 15 on a combination of lid 5 and underlying carton 10. This arrangement allows more efficient re-cooling of the inner packages placed on the pallet. The transparent lid 5 allows visual inspection of agricultural products for the detection of insects, mold, decomposition or contraband without having to open the packaging.

The modified atmosphere packaging system can be deployed for harvest in the field of fresh agricultural products or used in a central packaging facility. For satisfactory results, the appropriate selective gas permeable membrane packaging suitable for use with the intended fresh agricultural products to be packaged must be selected. Once the appropriate packaging is selected, fresh agricultural products are placed inside the carton packs. Cardboard containers containing agricultural products should then be refrigerated.

After cooling, the lids should be placed on the cardboard containers containing the fresh agricultural products, and if it is advantageous for the particular type of agricultural products, a cover gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide can be added by lifting the lids slightly to allow a cover gas discharge nozzle to enter the inner storage volume of the carton and discharge the cover gas, immediately sealing a transparent lid to said corrugated cardboard container. Alternatively, the lid can be tightly attached to the carton and the injected gas and the plugged injection hole as described in US Pat. 5,575,418 to Wu et al. If cover gas is not to be supplied, the lids should be tightly attached to the carton packs immediately after cooling.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, where one or more openings are provided in either the lids and / or the carton packs, the lid can be fixed to the carton pack before applying the cover gas. The cover gas discharge nozzle can be placed inside the opening and allowed to discharge the cover gas followed immediately by the application of one or more gas permeable membranes selective to the openings associated with the transparent lid or corrugated cardboard container .

Temperature deviation sensors, oxygen sensors, and / or tamper detection seals may be applied to the packaging.

The above described embodiments of the invention are provided as illustrations and descriptions. Its intention is not to limit the invention to the precise manner described. In particular, it is contemplated that the functional implementation of the invention described herein can be constructed of various materials and different packaging arrangements. Other variations and embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings, and it is not intended that this detailed description limit the scope of the invention, but rather by the following claims in this document.