EP1298072B2 - Gebrauch eines Tabletts aus offenporigem expandierten Kunststoff für Gemüse - Google Patents

Gebrauch eines Tabletts aus offenporigem expandierten Kunststoff für Gemüse Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1298072B2
EP1298072B2 EP01830607A EP01830607A EP1298072B2 EP 1298072 B2 EP1298072 B2 EP 1298072B2 EP 01830607 A EP01830607 A EP 01830607A EP 01830607 A EP01830607 A EP 01830607A EP 1298072 B2 EP1298072 B2 EP 1298072B2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
produce
tray
plastics material
vegetal
sheet stock
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01830607A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1298072B1 (de
EP1298072A1 (de
Inventor
Luciano Piergiovanni
Francesca Mostardini
Luigi Garavaglia
Matteo Brazzoli
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SIRAP GEMA SpA
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SIRAP GEMA SpA
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Application filed by SIRAP GEMA SpA filed Critical SIRAP GEMA SpA
Priority to AT01830607T priority Critical patent/ATE299830T1/de
Priority to DE60112087T priority patent/DE60112087T3/de
Priority to ES01830607T priority patent/ES2246307T5/es
Priority to EP01830607A priority patent/EP1298072B2/de
Publication of EP1298072A1 publication Critical patent/EP1298072A1/de
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Publication of EP1298072B1 publication Critical patent/EP1298072B1/de
Publication of EP1298072B2 publication Critical patent/EP1298072B2/de
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    • 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
    • B65D81/266—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 absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants
    • 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
    • B65D81/264—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 absorbing liquids

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the expanded plastics industry, and in particular to the use of open-cell expanded plastics materials for packaging fresh produce of vegetal origin, such as vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, etc..
  • a benefit of this practice lies in that shopping time is reduced materially, since packaged produce can be pre-weighed and labelled with price.
  • many vegetables can be packaged in a pre-washed state suitable for direct consumption, so that the ultimate user can save further time.
  • Aerobic respiration is among the most frequent causes for decline of the quality of fresh vegetables processed for retail sale.
  • A.A. Kader 1980, "Prevention of ripening in fruits by use of controlled atmospheres", Food Technol. 34(5):51-54 ; W.D. Powrie and B.J. Skura, 1991, "Modified atmosphere packaging of fruits and vegetables", Ch. 7 ; K.L. Yam and D.S. Lee, 1995, “Design of modified atmosphere packaging for fresh produce", Ch. 3 .
  • Aerobic respiration is a metabolic process taking place inside the cells that make up the tissues of leaves and fruits, specifically in the mitochondria; the latter being cellular organelles controlling redox reactions.
  • Respiration is a process whereby organics are oxidised to generate energy that is stored up as ATP (AdenosineTriPhosphate) molecules sustaining vitalic functions.
  • ATP AddenosineTriPhosphate
  • the oxidation reaction consumes an organic substrate, and oxygen from air, to yield water, carbon dioxide and heat.
  • metabolism may switch from aerobic to anaerobic and consume other substances in order to acquire energy, which causes the produce to build up substances likely to alter its sensory characteristics (appearance, color, smell and taste).
  • an ideal packaging material for vegetal produce especially produce exhibiting deep respiration (as chopped and washed produce, such as lettuce, rocket or chicory, and cut flowers do), would be one providing sufficient aeration (gas exchange) to admit oxygen and to exhaust excess carbon dioxide, so that aerobic respiration can be retarded without incurring anaerobic respiration.
  • the package should be highly permeable to both oxygen and CO 2 ( L. Piergiovanni and F. Santoro, 1997, "Material selection for the retail packaging of fresh fruit and vegetables", Proceedings of 1st International Convention Food Ingredients, New Technologies, September 15-17, Cuneo, p. 66 ).
  • the wrapper is not infrequently micro-perforated in order to suitably aerate the produce ( D.S. Lee and P. Renault, 1998, "Using pinholes as tools to attain optimum modified atmospheres in packages of fresh produce", Packaging Technology and Science, 11(3): 119 ; H. Baugerod, 1980, "Atmosphere control in controlled atmosphere storage rooms by means of controlled diffusion through air-filled channels", Acta Horticulture, 116:179 ; P. Renault, M. Souty and Y. Chambroy, 1994, "Gas exchange in modified atmosphere packaging: a new theoretical approach for micro-perforated packs", International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 29:297 ; C.
  • the pliable materials mentioned above include in particular polyethylene and polypropylene.
  • Another material commonly used for packaging fruits and vegetables is foamed polystyrene, usually provided as closed-cell expanded sheets from which trays are thermoformed in several sizes and shapes.
  • the problem underlying this invention is to provide a package for fresh vegetal produce, such as vegetables, fruit and cut flowers, which can overcome the inconveniences of the prior art.
  • the inner surface of this tray is preferably provided with openings, e.g. in the form of holes reaching down 1/3 of the tray thickness and having a diameter dimension of 0.1 to 0.5 mm.
  • the substantially open-cell expanded plastics material is selected preferably from a group comprising polystyrene, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephtalate, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and copolymers thereof.
  • this plastics material is polystyrene.
  • the sheet of substantially open-cell expanded plastics material suitably contains an organic or inorganic material capable of adsorbing undesired volatiles, such as ethylene, water vapor, acetaldehyde, ethanol.
  • This material is selected preferably from a group comprising aluminum oxide, bentonite, kaolin, activated carbon, silica gel, zeolites, high molecular weight synthetic polymers like polyphenyloxide and polyimides, graphite, mica, diatomaceous earth, pumice, clay, and other finely divided solid materials.
  • This material has suitably an average particle size of 0.5 to 100 ⁇ m.
  • Organic or inorganic materials having desorbing properties i.e. releasing substances effective to lengthen the time for which food and vegetables are kept in a fresh state
  • Negamold® and Ethicap® silica-based of the firm Freud, which release ethanol vapors.
  • the same adsorbing materials as listed here above may be used which release ethanol or ethylene (as ripening promoters with certain fruits), or may be pre-adsorbed with other volatile substances effectively turning them into desorbers.
  • the sheet stock of substantially open-cell plastics material used to produce the tray of this invention may also embody a substance capable of releasing carbon dioxide gradually, such as ascorbic acid and ferric/metal carbonate. This in order to create a protective atmosphere within the package and inhibit surface growth of micro-organisms on the vegetal produce.
  • the plastics material for this film comprises a sealing ply supporting such plastics as stretch PVC, ionomer film, and polystyrene and polyethylene copolimers.
  • the film should be selected to provide a desirable level, within a wide range, of gas-permeability demanded for the vegetal produce.
  • Moisture control inside the package is important to the produce preservation and can be achieved by having the packaging assembly diffuse or absorb the water vapor issuing from the produce.
  • the combination of the substantially open-cell plastics material tray and plastics film is favorable to the exchange of gas between the interior of the produce-containing package and the outside world, thereby improving the conditions for produce preservation.
  • near-constant substantial transfer rates of water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide are ensured to prevent dehydration and withering of the produce.
  • the package obtained by the inventive method does not require to be perforated for gas exchange, which makes penetration by micro-organisms and/or a soiled produce a practically impossible occurrence.
  • an organic or inorganic material capable of adsorbing undesired volatile substances is aimed to prevent any ill-smelling substances (e.g. acetaldehyde, ethylene), such as can be released in trace amounts by incipient catabolic reactions and diffuse upon unsealing the package, from unduly alarming the consumer about the produce having become spoiled.
  • any ill-smelling substances e.g. acetaldehyde, ethylene
  • the material may serve a water vapor absorbing function, effectively reducing the substrate available to microbe growth.
  • the temperature pattern in the various zones of the extruder was as follows: T1 260°C T6 120°C T2 260°C T7 118°C T3 260°C T8 120°C T4 78°C T9 115°C T5 90°C T10 110°C.
  • the polystyrene foam tube was then spread open, and the sheet so obtained was taken to the nip of a roll pair and coiled. The sheet was then surface pierced under a roll equipped with metal needles.
  • the sheet so processed was then worked into trays on conventional thermoforming equipment, with the pitted side on the inside of each tray.
  • the tray comprises a body having a typical open-cell morphology.
  • Wall and bottom thickness is 4 to 5 mm, and each pit has a diameter 0,2 mm to a depth equal to 1/3 the tray thickness.
  • Each tray comprises a body 1 having a bottom 2 formed with pits 4, and sidewalls 3.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show a vegetal produce placed on the tray bottom 2, and a film 5 sealed around the rim 6 of the tray.
  • the trays according to the invention show to be 4 to 12 times more permeable than the standard trays, and are less affected by temperature variations.
  • the overall permeability of a package obtained by the inventive method was then measured.
  • the sealing film was a stretch PVC film of the kind customarily used for vegetal produce packaging.
  • the comparison packages were identical but for the tray, which was formed from closed-cell polystyrene foam to the same size.
  • the open-cell tray of this invention shows characteristics that differ sharply from standard. This can be ascribed to mainly capillary gas diffusion through the package.
  • permeability properties of the open-cell tray according to the invention afford improved preservation of many vegetal produce, such as vegetables; whole, sliced, or chopped fruit; and cut flowers, by retarding the inception of anaerobic metabolism. This effectively extends the shelf life of produce and improves their quality.
  • the packages under test contained each the same amount of produce, being salad in the one case and carrot strips in the other.
  • the package formed by the method of this invention exhibits the highest oxygen concentration, meaning reduced risk of anaerobic metabolism, and an adequate level of carbon dioxide. Under this condition, aerobic respiration is slowed down, and with it produce decay, at the same time as microbic growth is countered and the inception of anaerobic respiration postponed.
  • Selectivity is low, and can be adjusted to suit individual produce requirements. In some cases, selectivity is close to unity, indicating permeabilities to oxygen and carbon dioxide that lie close together.
  • These packages can be adjusted to suit different respiratory activities of vegetal produce by either providing trays in a range of different pore sizes (as by varying the open-to-closed cell ratio of the sheet stock and/or surface piercing to form pits with different diameters or different densities in the tray inner surface), or using film wrappers having different permeability properties.
  • the polymer matrix of the sheet stock used for making the trays may be arranged for the polymer matrix of the sheet stock used for making the trays to include organic or inorganic substances having adsorbing and/or desorbing properties for specific volatile substances (ethylene, water vapor, oxygen, ethanol, acetaldehyde, etc.).

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

Claims (10)

  1. Verfahren zum Verpacken eines frischen vegetativen Erzeugnisses, wie Gemüse, Frucht und Schnittblumen, umfassend die Schritte Legen des vegetativen Erzeugnisses auf eine Ablage, die von einem Bahnenvorrat eines im Wesentlichen offenzelligen Schaumplastikmaterials erhalten wird, und Verschließen des Anteils unter einem Plastikfilm, um die Konservierung des vegetativen Erzeugnisses aufgrund des Permeabilitätsverhältnisses PC02/P02 der Ablage zu verbessern, die derart ist, dass sie die aerobe Atmung verringert und den Beginn der anaeroben Atmung verzögert.
  2. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die innere Oberfläche der Ablage mit Löchern versehen ist.
  3. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 2, wobei die Löcher einen Durchmesser von 0,1 bis 0,5 mm bis eine Tiefe gleich zu 1/3 der Dicke des Bahnenvorrats aufweisen.
  4. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das im Wesentlichen offenzellige Schaumplastikmaterial ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe umfassend Polystyren, Polyethylen, Polyethylenterephtalat, Polypropylen, Polyvinylchlorid und Copolymere davon.
  5. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei das Plastikmaterial Polystyren ist.
  6. Verfahren gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Bahnenvorrat des im Wesentlichen offenzelligen Schaumplastikmaterials ein organisches oder anorganisches Material enthält, das in der Lage ist, ungewünschte flüchtige Anteile zu adsorbieren.
  7. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei das adsorbierende Material ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe umfassend Aluminiumoxid, Bentonit. Kaolin, Aktivkohle, Zeolite, synthetische Polymere mit hohem Molekulargewicht, wie Polyphenyloxid und Polyimide, Graphit, Glimmer, Kieselgur, Bimsstein und Ton.
  8. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 7, wobei die durchschnittliche Partikelgröße des adsorbierenden Materials im Bereich von 0,5 bis 100 µm liegt.
  9. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei der Bahnenvorrat des im Wesentlichen offenzelligen Schaumplastikmaterials eine eingebaute Substand aufweist, die in der Lage ist, schrittweise Kohlendioxid freizusetzen, und die ausgewählt ist aus einer Gruppe umfassend Ascorbinsäure und Eisen-/Metallcarbonat.
  10. Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, wobei das Plastikmaterial des Films ausgewählt ist aus einer Gruppe umfassend Stretch-PVC, lonomerfilm, Polystyrencopolymere und Polyethylen.
EP01830607A 2001-09-26 2001-09-26 Gebrauch eines Tabletts aus offenporigem expandierten Kunststoff für Gemüse Expired - Lifetime EP1298072B2 (de)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT01830607T ATE299830T1 (de) 2001-09-26 2001-09-26 Gebrauch eines tabletts aus offenporigem expandierten kunststoff für gemüse
DE60112087T DE60112087T3 (de) 2001-09-26 2001-09-26 Tablett aus offenporigem expandierten Kunststoff für Gemüse
ES01830607T ES2246307T5 (es) 2001-09-26 2001-09-26 Bandeja hecha de plásticos expandidos de células abiertas para verduras.
EP01830607A EP1298072B2 (de) 2001-09-26 2001-09-26 Gebrauch eines Tabletts aus offenporigem expandierten Kunststoff für Gemüse

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01830607A EP1298072B2 (de) 2001-09-26 2001-09-26 Gebrauch eines Tabletts aus offenporigem expandierten Kunststoff für Gemüse

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1298072A1 EP1298072A1 (de) 2003-04-02
EP1298072B1 EP1298072B1 (de) 2005-07-20
EP1298072B2 true EP1298072B2 (de) 2011-02-02

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EP01830607A Expired - Lifetime EP1298072B2 (de) 2001-09-26 2001-09-26 Gebrauch eines Tabletts aus offenporigem expandierten Kunststoff für Gemüse

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EP (1) EP1298072B2 (de)
AT (1) ATE299830T1 (de)
DE (1) DE60112087T3 (de)
ES (1) ES2246307T5 (de)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2410738A (en) * 2004-02-03 2005-08-10 Rexam Speciality Food Packagin Moulded containers having liquid retention means
US7748560B2 (en) 2006-07-11 2010-07-06 Taylor Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs
US7748561B2 (en) 2006-07-11 2010-07-06 Taylor Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Atmosphere controlled packaging for fresh foodstuffs
GB201103287D0 (en) * 2011-02-25 2011-04-13 Agri Tech Global Technologies Ltd Improvements in containers used for storage of fresh produce and other food products
ES2525887B1 (es) * 2013-06-26 2015-09-23 Sucesores De Alcalá Y Aviño, S.L. Producto alimentario envasado
ES2815650T3 (es) * 2014-09-05 2021-03-30 Basf Corp Sistema de almacenamiento de alimentos que comprende un recipiente y un material adsorbente, y procedimiento para extender la vida comercial de un producto

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4842875A (en) † 1986-10-06 1989-06-27 Hercules Incorporated Controlled atmosphere package
US5891376A (en) † 1993-09-17 1999-04-06 Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation Film process

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
PH26042A (en) * 1987-06-05 1992-01-29 Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals Fresh fish package and method for processing fresh fish
EP0849309B1 (de) * 1996-12-18 2000-03-08 SIRAP-GEMA S.p.A. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer offenzelligen Polystyrolschaumfolie und daraus hergestellte Verpackungsschale
US6093751A (en) * 1997-12-11 2000-07-25 Sirap-Gema S.P.A. Method for the production of substantially open-cell polystyrene sheet
ES2226760T3 (es) * 2000-01-18 2005-04-01 Sirap-Gema S.P.A. Bandeja para alimentos producida a partir de una lamina de un material termoplastico expandido de celda abierta.

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4842875A (en) † 1986-10-06 1989-06-27 Hercules Incorporated Controlled atmosphere package
US5891376A (en) † 1993-09-17 1999-04-06 Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation Film process

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE299830T1 (de) 2005-08-15
ES2246307T3 (es) 2006-02-16
DE60112087T3 (de) 2011-07-28
ES2246307T5 (es) 2011-06-03
DE60112087T2 (de) 2006-05-18
EP1298072B1 (de) 2005-07-20
DE60112087D1 (de) 2005-08-25
EP1298072A1 (de) 2003-04-02

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