GB2210806A - Atmosphere control device - Google Patents
Atmosphere control device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2210806A GB2210806A GB8823745A GB8823745A GB2210806A GB 2210806 A GB2210806 A GB 2210806A GB 8823745 A GB8823745 A GB 8823745A GB 8823745 A GB8823745 A GB 8823745A GB 2210806 A GB2210806 A GB 2210806A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- container
- gas
- permeable material
- box
- active ingredient
- 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- Withdrawn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
- 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
- B65D81/268—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 the absorber being enclosed in a small pack, e.g. bag, included in the package
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
- Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
Description
2 1 0d06 ATMOSPHERE CONTROL DEVICE This invention relates to an atmosphere
control device which is suitable, for example, for emitting a component toi or extracting a component from, the surrounding atmosphere. One specific use of a device in accordance with the present invention is to maintain the freshness of produce kept, for example in a refrigerator.
According to the present invention there is provided an atmosphere control device comprising an active ingredient packed in an enclosure which comprises a rigid container for the active ingredient, the container having an opening which is covered by a gas- permeable material.
In one embodiment, the rigid wall of the container is made from a stiff, foldable material such as carton board. The container may be elongate, with a square cross-sectiont with openings provided in one or more of the long sides. Each side may be provided with more than one of the openings.
In another embodiment, the container may be made from plastics material which is formed to provide one or more cupshaped recesses. The open end of the or each recess is covered by the air permeable material.
The active ingredient will be selected to provide an appropriate influence on the ambient surroundings.
If the device is to be used to maintain the freshness of fruit in domestic refrigerators, the active ingredient may comprise potassium permanganate. The potassium permanganate may. for example, be mixed with a suitable carrier, -such as iron oxide, and formed into pellets.
Potassium permanganate absorbs ethylene, and consequently reduces deterioration of fruit and vegetables. Other active ingredients may be used for different purposes. For example, calcium hydroxide will absorb not only ethylene but also carbon dioxide, and hygroscopic compounds will absorb moisture.
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows an atmosphere control device; Figure 2 shows a blank from which the container of the device shown in Figure 1 is formed; Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the material from which the blank of Figure 2 is formed; Figure 4 shows packaging for the retail sale of the device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a plan view of an alternative form of atmosphere control device; Figure 6 is a side view of the device of Figure 5; and Figure 7 represents diagrammatically how the device of Figures 5 and 6 is made.
The device shown in Figure 1 comprises an elongate container of generally square cross-section. The container is formed from the blank shown in Figure 2, which comprises two layers 2, 4 of material. The layer 2 is relatively rigid and may, for example, comprise carton board, while the layer 4 is relative flimsy and gas-permeable and may comprise, for example, an unwoven fabric formed from natural or synthetic fibres.
The container as shown in Figure 1 has, on each of three sides, three oblong openings 6. These openings 6 are formed in the rigid layer 2, as shown in Figure 3, but are covered by the gas-permeable layer 4.
In the illustrated embodimentr the'gas-permeable layer 4 covers the entire extent of the rigid layer 2. However, it would be possible to apply the gas- permeable layer only over that region of the blank shown in Figure 2 which is occupied by the openings 6.
The blank shown in Figure 2 comprises three panels 8 provided with the openings 6, and a fourth panel 10 which is continuous. The blank also has a glue flap 12 and end tabs 14. To form the container, the flap 23 is glued to the inside surface of the panel 10, and the tabs 14 at one end are folded down and glued together to close that end. The partially formed container is then filled with an active ingredient, such as potassium permanganate pellets or granules, and the tabs at the other end are then also folded down and glued.
For use, the device is placed in a refrigerator or other food stor age cabinet. Air is able to pass through the material 4 covering the openings 6, and so circulates through the device with the result that ethylene gas is absorbed by the potassium permanganate. Ripening and subsequent deterioration of fruit is retarded in the absence of ethylene, and consequently produce in the refrigerator will keep longer in the presence of the device. Also, the active ingredient will absorb odours in the refrigerator or other storage cabinet and so prevent or reduce crosstainting of produce. Thus, for example, mild-flavoured products, such as butter, will not become tainted with the flavour of more strongly flavoured products, such as cheese.
Figure 4 shows a package suitable for containing and displaying the device for retail sale. The package comprises a box portion 16, which accommodates the device itself, and a panel 18 provided with a hole 20 suitable for suspending the package from a hook for display purposes. The device is pre-padked in an airtight enclosure, for example in a flow-wrapping process using a flexible film, before insertion into the box portion 16. This avoids deterioration of the effectiveness of the active ingredient before the device is used by the purchaser.
An alternative atmosphere control device is shown in Figures 5 and 6. This device is suitable for inclusion in a foodstuff package, for example in a box of fruit or vegetable produce, to retard ripening and/or deterioration of the produce.
The device comprises a container in the form of a tray 22 which has an array of relatively small recesses 24. Each recess may have a depth slightly larger than 2mm, and will contain a small quantity of an active ingredient, such as potassium permanganate. If the active ingredient is supplied in the form of pellets 25, it is convenient for each recess 24 to contain a single pellet. The tray is made from unplasticised poly(vinylchloride) (uPVC).
A layer 26 of air permeable material is bonded over the tray 22 to close the recesses 24. In the specific example shown, the material is a bonded fibre material having a fusible polyethylene coating, and may be the material available under the designation "XPS125" with a weight of 15g/m2. The layer 26 is welded to the tray 22 along lines 28 running between the recesses 24.
Figure 7 shows, diagrammatically, a process by which the device of Figures 5 and 6 may be formed.
UPVC is drawn from a roll 30 through heater boxes 32, where it is softened, and then through a forming head 34, which forms the recesses 24. A dispenser 36 of potassium permanganate pellets (available under the name "ETHYSOW') discharges the pellets over the surface of the tray 22. A doctor blade 38 distributes the pellets evenly over the surface of the tray 22, so that each recess 24 receives a single pellet, excess pellets being returned to the dispenser 36.
The bonded fibre material 26 is drawn from a roll on to the surface of the filled tray 22, and welded along the lines 28 by means of a welding head 42. A cutting head 44 removes excess material from the sides of the tray 22. this excess material being received by a waste roll 46.
The resulting devices may be placed, for example, in the bottom of boxes intended to receive fresh fruit.
The size of the device which is used in any particular application will depend on the expected quantity of ethylene to be absorbed in order to keep the produce in a proper condition for the required length of time. Because the device is relatively thin and flat, it will not project significantly into the box, and consequently will not damage the produce subsequently placed into the box.
Claims (11)
1. An atmosphere control device comprising an active ingredient packed in an enclosure which comprises a rigid container for the active ingredient.
the container having an opening which is covered by a gas-permeable material.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which container is in the form of a box, the opening being formed in a wall of the box.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the opening is one of a plurality of openings formed in different walls of the box.
4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the box is formed from an apertured blank to which is bonded a layer of the gas-permeable material.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the container comprises a cupshaped recess covered by a layer of the gas-permeable material.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, in which the container is in the form of a tray having a plurality of the recesses.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which all of the recesses of the tray are covered by a common layer of the gas-permeable material. 25
8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, in which the active ingredient is in pellet formp each recess of the tray containing a single pellet.
9. A device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8. in which the gas-permeable material is a polyethylene coated bonded fibre material.
10. A device 'as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the gaspermeable material is welded to the container.
11. A package containing perishable produce and a device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
Pub'ls.el- 19B! c nne Pa^en, 0!f..:t State nc.:-cc 66 7 1 H.Cl- WCl'.R 47P rur-her::;:,eS rna,! be OttaLned t-c=. 7he Fa.,en. Ot.ce Sales Branch. St MLr7 Cray. Orping= Kent BR5 3RD PrInted by MultIP1ex techmques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 187.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB878723717A GB8723717D0 (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1987-10-09 | Atmosphere control device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB8823745D0 GB8823745D0 (en) | 1988-11-16 |
GB2210806A true GB2210806A (en) | 1989-06-21 |
Family
ID=10625037
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB878723717A Pending GB8723717D0 (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1987-10-09 | Atmosphere control device |
GB8823745A Withdrawn GB2210806A (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1988-10-10 | Atmosphere control device |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB878723717A Pending GB8723717D0 (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1987-10-09 | Atmosphere control device |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0311454A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH01230362A (en) |
GB (2) | GB8723717D0 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5624478A (en) * | 1995-09-14 | 1997-04-29 | Patapanian; Edward | Ethylene absorption device |
US8664153B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2014-03-04 | Sociedad Oxidquimica Limitada | Activated carbon as an adsorbent composition |
Families Citing this family (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001030658A1 (en) * | 1999-10-25 | 2001-05-03 | R-Tec Technologies, Inc. | Container for odor remover and ethylene absorbent |
EP1251883B1 (en) * | 2000-02-04 | 2004-10-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Apparatus and method for deodorizing air |
US20030019362A1 (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2003-01-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Air deodorization device with a detachable cartridge |
ES2267539T3 (en) * | 2000-02-04 | 2007-03-16 | THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY | AIR FILTER DEVICE. |
US20020178706A1 (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2002-12-05 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Air filtering device |
FR2819990B1 (en) * | 2001-01-26 | 2005-11-11 | Solvay | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE MATURATION OF PLANTS AND ITS USE FOR THEIR PACKAGING |
ITTO20040693A1 (en) * | 2004-10-08 | 2005-01-08 | Propack Spa | DEHUMIDIFIER DEVICE |
EP1857753A3 (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2013-07-03 | Liebherr-Hausgeräte Ochsenhausen GmbH | Refrigeration and/or freezer device |
DE102006034602A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2007-12-06 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Process for increasing the shelf life of ethylene-producing agricultural products during transport, sale, presentation and / or storage |
ES2401218B1 (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2013-11-05 | Ozeano Urdina S.L. | ETHYLENE ABSORPTION FILTER FOR REFRIGERATED SPACES |
ES2541718B1 (en) * | 2014-01-23 | 2016-05-13 | Yinan WANG | GAS ABSORPTION ENVELOPE FOR PACKAGING OF LOSS PRODUCTS |
CN107600715A (en) * | 2017-08-28 | 2018-01-19 | 安徽巢湖南方膜业有限责任公司 | A kind of buffering packing film with ethylene absorption function |
FR3077563B1 (en) * | 2018-02-07 | 2021-06-11 | Nano4 | POLYMERIC FILM FOR FOOD PACKAGING |
ES2803824B2 (en) * | 2019-07-24 | 2021-12-16 | Greenkeeper Iberia S L | TUBULAR ABSORBING FILTER OF ETHYLENE OR OTHER GASES FOR REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT CONTAINERS |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1073786A (en) * | 1964-03-26 | 1967-06-28 | Participations Et Procedes Ind | Containers incorporating dehydrating devices |
GB1267816A (en) * | 1968-06-12 | 1972-03-22 | Delbag Luftfilter Gmbh | Gas filter |
GB1376032A (en) * | 1971-10-26 | 1974-12-04 | Giffard L | Filtering element |
GB2029256A (en) * | 1978-07-14 | 1980-03-19 | Marshall D | Fluid filter |
GB2061174A (en) * | 1979-09-18 | 1981-05-13 | Freudenberg Carl | Drawn fleece materials |
GB2067428A (en) * | 1980-01-16 | 1981-07-30 | Zeidler Holmgren Handel | Storage device for desiccants |
US4333752A (en) * | 1980-01-14 | 1982-06-08 | Michlin Chemical Corporation | Adsorbent cartridge for the exhaust of diazo process machines |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4235750A (en) * | 1979-03-07 | 1980-11-25 | Cazalet Michael F | Container for prevention of postharvest decay, maturation and senescense of harvested crops |
KR890005278B1 (en) * | 1983-01-28 | 1989-12-20 | 미쓰비시가스가가꾸 가부시끼 가이샤 | Oxygen absorbent packet |
FR2592006B1 (en) * | 1985-12-20 | 1989-05-19 | Reprosol Civile Rech Pro | BOX FOR PACKAGING FRUITS OR VEGETABLES |
-
1987
- 1987-10-09 GB GB878723717A patent/GB8723717D0/en active Pending
-
1988
- 1988-10-10 EP EP88309431A patent/EP0311454A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1988-10-10 GB GB8823745A patent/GB2210806A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1988-10-11 JP JP63255761A patent/JPH01230362A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1073786A (en) * | 1964-03-26 | 1967-06-28 | Participations Et Procedes Ind | Containers incorporating dehydrating devices |
GB1267816A (en) * | 1968-06-12 | 1972-03-22 | Delbag Luftfilter Gmbh | Gas filter |
GB1376032A (en) * | 1971-10-26 | 1974-12-04 | Giffard L | Filtering element |
GB2029256A (en) * | 1978-07-14 | 1980-03-19 | Marshall D | Fluid filter |
GB2061174A (en) * | 1979-09-18 | 1981-05-13 | Freudenberg Carl | Drawn fleece materials |
US4333752A (en) * | 1980-01-14 | 1982-06-08 | Michlin Chemical Corporation | Adsorbent cartridge for the exhaust of diazo process machines |
GB2067428A (en) * | 1980-01-16 | 1981-07-30 | Zeidler Holmgren Handel | Storage device for desiccants |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5624478A (en) * | 1995-09-14 | 1997-04-29 | Patapanian; Edward | Ethylene absorption device |
US8664153B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2014-03-04 | Sociedad Oxidquimica Limitada | Activated carbon as an adsorbent composition |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB8823745D0 (en) | 1988-11-16 |
EP0311454A1 (en) | 1989-04-12 |
JPH01230362A (en) | 1989-09-13 |
GB8723717D0 (en) | 1987-11-11 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0311454A1 (en) | Atmosphere control device | |
US5885630A (en) | Multiflavor gum packaging system using a volatile-flavor adsorber | |
US4934524A (en) | Package for storing moisture laden articles | |
CA2072967C (en) | Method of packaging perishable food or horticultural products | |
US4256770A (en) | Preservation of perishable comestibles | |
US5711211A (en) | Chlorine generator for preservation of fruits and vegetables | |
US3761289A (en) | Produce package | |
US3074798A (en) | Method of packaging meat | |
WO1993004949A1 (en) | A method of packaging perishable food or horticultural products | |
US5126109A (en) | Preserving material and method for producing the same | |
US4802574A (en) | Absorbent for a gas preservative atomosphere | |
US3111412A (en) | Method for packaging perishable comestibles and product | |
US5619841A (en) | Field packing and cooling process for fresh produce | |
US5421138A (en) | Field packing and cooling process for fresh produce | |
US3940062A (en) | Moisture pod for the preservation of perishable comestibles | |
US20150017380A1 (en) | Absorbent food pad having discrete airflow passages | |
US20150196022A1 (en) | Absorbent pad having three or more modules to enhance preservation of flowers | |
US4063385A (en) | Method of preparing zoysia sod for packaging and shipment | |
JPH07206051A (en) | Packaging corrugated board for article or material sensitive to environment, and packaging method therefor | |
RU2097292C1 (en) | Sack for potato and other tubers | |
US2045627A (en) | Refrigerated package | |
US20150101244A1 (en) | Method for hydrating cut flowers and an absorbent pad for use therewith | |
JPH03224437A (en) | Method for preserving food with cyclodextrin clathrate compound | |
JP4515954B2 (en) | Fruit and vegetables preservation sheet, fruit and vegetables preservation article using the sheet, and fruit and vegetables preservation method using the sheet | |
JPH10337802A (en) | Ethylene gas removing sheet |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
732 | Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977) | ||
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |