EP0526519A1 - Condensation control in horticultural packaging - Google Patents
Condensation control in horticultural packagingInfo
- Publication number
- EP0526519A1 EP0526519A1 EP91908291A EP91908291A EP0526519A1 EP 0526519 A1 EP0526519 A1 EP 0526519A1 EP 91908291 A EP91908291 A EP 91908291A EP 91908291 A EP91908291 A EP 91908291A EP 0526519 A1 EP0526519 A1 EP 0526519A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- sheet
- sheets
- produce
- packaging material
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/01—Ventilation or drainage of bags
-
- 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
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
- B65D85/34—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for fruit, e.g. apples, oranges or tomatoes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a packaging material and to a method of packaging horticultural produce.
- the packaging material and method of packing of the present invention enables a substantial reduction in the amount of water condensation on the packed produce to be achieved.
- This gas even at concentrations less than 1 microlitre per litre has a generally deleterious effect on the storage life of many horticultural commodities and can cause off-flavours. Off-flavours may also be produced directly by microorganisms. In addition, contact of a number of fruits such as grapes, plums and blueberries with water results in a loss of bloom from the fruit. This in turn leads to a lower market price for the fruit.
- the present invention consists in a packaging material for use in packing horticultural produce the packing material comprising a first sheet which is freely permeable to water vapour but resistant to capillary transfer of liquid water, and a second sheet which is impermeable to water vapour and liquid water, the first and second sheets being spaced apart from one another.
- the present invention consists in a packaging material comprising a first sheet which is freely permeable to water vapour but resistant to capillary transfer of liquid water, and a second sheet which is impermeable to water vapour and liquid water, the first and second sheets being connected at a number of points over the surface in a manner such that space exists between the first and second sheets.
- the present invention consists in a method of packing horticultural produce comprising the steps of: - (i) wrapping the produce in a first sheet, the first sheet being freely permeable to water vapour but resistant to capillary transfer of liquid water; and (ii) wrapping the wrapped produce with a second sheet, the second sheet being impermeable to water vapour and liquid water, the wrapping being such that a space exists between the first and second sheets.
- first and second steps are carried out simultaneously by means of the first sheet and the second sheet being connected at a number of points over the surface of the sheets.
- the first sheet is typically composed of hydrophobic polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene or polymers which have been rendered hydrophobic by special treatments such as, silicone coating.
- hydrophobic polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene or polymers which have been rendered hydrophobic by special treatments such as, silicone coating.
- Such polymers can be made in the form of fibres that can be used to fabricate sheet material.
- the resulting sheet material may be non-woven or woven.
- the essential characteristic is that the sheet is freely permeable vapour but resistant to the capillary transfer of liquid water. This resistance to capillary transfer of liquid water is achieved due to the non-wettable (hydrophobic) nature of the sheet material.
- a number of such sheet materials that resist the passage of free water but are permeable to water vapour are made by Du Pont from polyethylene under the trade name "TYVEC".
- a sheet material having similar properties but made from polypropylene fibres is sold by Kimberley Clark under the trade mark "EVOLUTION”. At present it is preferred that the first sheet is made from polypropylene fibres, and is preferably the material "EVOLUTION” sold by Kimberley Clark.
- the "EVOLUTION" material is made in a number of grades ranging from 16 grams per ⁇ q. metre of fabric to 80 grams per sq. metre of fabric, however, it is presently preferred that the first sheet has a weight of 24 grams per sq. metre of material.
- the second sheet material may be composed of any number of materials which are impervious to liquid water and water vapour. At present, however, it is preferred that the second sheet comprises a film of polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first and second sheets are connected at the number of points by point welding.
- a desiccant is provided within, and partly fills, the space between the first and second sheets.
- This desiccant may be any of a number of such materials well known in the art, however, it is presently preferred that the desiccant has some humidity buffering capabilities.
- a material having such humidity buffering capabilities may be produced by mixing a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer with a mixture of (1) a non-volatile hydrophilic liquid and (2) water, the polymer being swellable by the mixture.
- the water-swellable polymer may be any of a large number of such materials such as "TERRA-SORB”, “AGROSOKE” , “IGETAGEL”, "SUPER-SORB” , “SUPER-SLURPER” and “ALCOSORB” . It is presently preferred that the water-swellable polymer is "ALCOSORB AB3S", made by Allied Colloids. It is also preferred that the non-volatile hydrophilic liquid is glycerol. Details regarding humidity buffer formulations can be found in WO91/00316 in the name of the present applicant.
- the desiccant is contained in a woven or non-woven cloth which is freely permeable to water vapour and liquid water (hydrophilic cloth).
- Figure 1 shows schematically the diffusion of water vapour in prior art packing of horticultural produce.
- the produce 10 is at a mean temperature higher than that of the storage environment.
- Living produce has a high water potential and therefore in such a closed environment is surrounded by a relative humidity very close to saturation. Under such conditions, the water vapour pressure depends on the temperature.
- a net diffusion of water symbolised by the arrows in Figure 1 down the gradient of water vapour pressure. This gradient corresponds to the temperature gradient between the produce 10 and the moisture barrier 11.
- water condenses as soon as saturation vapour pressure is exceeded. This condensation wets the commodity by physical contact.
- Figure 2 shows schematically the diffusion of water vapour using the packing material and method of the present invention.
- there is a net diffusion of water symbolised by the arrows, down the gradient of water vapour pressure from the produce 10 through first sheet 12 to second sheet 14.
- the first sheet 12 is permeable to water vapour the passage of water vapour from the produce 10 and subsequent condensation on second sheet 14 is not impeded by first sheet 12.
- the first sheet 12 is connected to second sheet 14 at a number of points indicated generally as 16, leaving space 18 between the first sheet 12 and the second sheet 14.
- desiccant 20 Provided within space 18 is desiccant 20.
- Figure 3 illustrates schematically the resistance of the first sheet to the passage of liquid water. Due to its hydrophobicity first sheet 12 is not easily wetted by water, and any condensate will therefore be prevented from wetting the produce 10.
- the second sheet 14 is made of a hydrophobic plastic such as polyethylene, droplets rather than a continuous film of water will be formed. Such droplets tend to coalesce and dribble down the walls to the base of the package, where they can, if desired, be absorbed by capillary action in a desiccant 20. At no point can the liquid water pass back to the produce 10, because it is repelled by the hydrophobic nature of the first sheet 12.
- the condensed water is absorbed by the desiccant 20, its surface area for re-evaporation will be reduced and its vapour pressure will be reduced below that of pure water. The extent to which this reduction occurs can be controlled by using a humidity buffer as the desiccant. If the external temperature now rises to be temporarily above that of the produce, the likelihood that condensed water can return as vapour to recondense on the cold produce is reduced if such a desiccant is used.
- Figures 4 to 6 show results which demonstrate the effectiveness of the packing material and method of packing of the present invention in preventing condensate from wetting packaged produce. These figures contrast the amount of produce wetting using the packing material and method of the present invention with that of the prior art.
- the second sheet comprised a sheet of spun polypropylene having a weight of 24g/m 2 .
- Figure 4 shows the results of cooling plums over 23 hours within a sealed polyethylene bag. After cooling, the bags were agitated to redistribute the water.
- the distribution of the recovered condensate was 53% on the fruit surface and 47% on the surface of the polyethylene bag.
- B only 2% was on the fruit whilst 98% remained on the packing material.
- Figure 5 shows the results of a similar test, in which nectarines were cooled for 46 hours.
- the packing method of the prior art A
- the distribution of the recovered condensate was 73% on the fruit surface and 27% on the surface of the polyethylene bag.
- the method of the present invention B
- only 1% was on the fruit whilst 99% remained on the packing material.
- Figure 6 shows the results of cooling cabbage under the same conditions, except the time was increased to 144 hours.
- Using the method of the present invention (B) only 2% was on the cabbage whilst 98% remained on the packing material.
- the packing material and packing method of the present invention results in a substantial reduction in the amount of wetting of packed produce.
Abstract
Matière d'emballage destinée à être utilisée dans le conditionnement de produits horticoles, et procédé d'emballage de produits horticoles. La matière d'emballage et le procédé d'empaquetage de l'invention permettent de réduire sensiblement la quantité de condensation d'eau sur le produit empaqueté. La matière d'emballage comprend une première feuille librement perméable à l'eau mais résistant au transfert capillaire d'eau liquide, ainsi qu'une seconde feuille imperméable à la vapeur d'eau et à l'eau liquide. On a ménagé un espace entre les première et seconde feuilles.Packaging material for use in the packaging of horticultural products, and method of packaging horticultural products. The packaging material and the packaging method of the invention can significantly reduce the amount of water condensation on the packaged product. The packaging material comprises a first sheet freely permeable to water but resistant to capillary transfer of liquid water, as well as a second sheet impermeable to water vapor and liquid water. A space has been left between the first and second sheets.
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPJ985990 | 1990-04-27 | ||
AU9859/90 | 1990-04-27 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0526519A1 true EP0526519A1 (en) | 1993-02-10 |
EP0526519A4 EP0526519A4 (en) | 1993-02-17 |
Family
ID=3774622
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19910908291 Withdrawn EP0526519A4 (en) | 1990-04-27 | 1991-04-19 | Condensation control in horticultural packaging |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0526519A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH05506622A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2081547A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ237966A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1991017045A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2524162A (en) * | 1945-02-27 | 1950-10-03 | Chavannes Marc Alfred | Desiccant packaging |
FR2517279A1 (en) * | 1981-11-27 | 1983-06-03 | Seb Sa | Enclosures for refrigerated storage of water sensitiVe items - e.g. vegetables, with semipermeable PTFE based liner to trap local condensate |
US4730726A (en) * | 1987-04-21 | 1988-03-15 | United States Surgical Corporation | Sealed sterile package |
US4861632A (en) * | 1988-04-19 | 1989-08-29 | Caggiano Michael A | Laminated bag |
WO1991000316A1 (en) * | 1989-06-28 | 1991-01-10 | Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation | Humidity buffer formulation |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4939030A (en) * | 1988-08-19 | 1990-07-03 | Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc. | Film for retaining freshness of vegetables and fruits |
-
1991
- 1991-04-19 CA CA 2081547 patent/CA2081547A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-04-19 EP EP19910908291 patent/EP0526519A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1991-04-19 WO PCT/AU1991/000145 patent/WO1991017045A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-04-19 JP JP91507904A patent/JPH05506622A/en active Pending
- 1991-04-26 NZ NZ23796691A patent/NZ237966A/en unknown
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2524162A (en) * | 1945-02-27 | 1950-10-03 | Chavannes Marc Alfred | Desiccant packaging |
FR2517279A1 (en) * | 1981-11-27 | 1983-06-03 | Seb Sa | Enclosures for refrigerated storage of water sensitiVe items - e.g. vegetables, with semipermeable PTFE based liner to trap local condensate |
US4730726A (en) * | 1987-04-21 | 1988-03-15 | United States Surgical Corporation | Sealed sterile package |
US4861632A (en) * | 1988-04-19 | 1989-08-29 | Caggiano Michael A | Laminated bag |
WO1991000316A1 (en) * | 1989-06-28 | 1991-01-10 | Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation | Humidity buffer formulation |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of WO9117045A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0526519A4 (en) | 1993-02-17 |
CA2081547A1 (en) | 1991-10-28 |
WO1991017045A1 (en) | 1991-11-14 |
JPH05506622A (en) | 1993-09-30 |
NZ237966A (en) | 1992-06-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19921005 |
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A4 | Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched |
Effective date: 19921228 |
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Kind code of ref document: A4 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19951215 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19960426 |