MXPA05010124A - System and method for packaging of fresh produce incorporating modified atmosphere packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

A modified atmosphere packaging system (5, 10, 30) and method which allows field and/or centralized facility packing of fresh produce and refrigerated air to circulate (50, 55) throughout a palletized stack of cartons (60). The packaging includes a transparent lid which is sealingly attached to a corrugated carton allowing for inspection of perishable produce contained therein without breaching an established modified atmosphere.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PACKAGING FRESH PRODUCTS INCORPORATING PACKAGING WITH MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to an article manufactured to be used in packaging fresh products and more specifically to a packaging system and method incorporating modified atmosphere packaging technology.

DESCRIPTION OF PREVIOUS ART The fresh produce industry incorporates the use of apilabies corrugated fiber boxes or returnable plastic baskets of various shapes and sizes to accommodate a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for transport to markets. In general, there are two broad categories of types of stacked corrugated fiber boxes used in the product industry, open type boxes that incorporate openings used as handles and concavities for cooling air circulation and enclosed type enclosures that do not include these openings and concavities but incorporate selective gas permeable membranes to limit the gas exchange between the sealed box and the ambient atmosphere The biggest advantage of open-type boxes is that they allow the packing of products harvested in boxes in the same field, followed by refrigeration and shipping to the market. This simple way of packing and cooling the products provides significant savings in time, labor and costs. The biggest The disadvantage of this type of packaging is that the free movement of oxygen around the product reduces the amount of time the product can be stored and / or transported. To overcome some of these harmful effects, production is harvested earlier in the growing season, usually before the nutritional values and the desired flavor are developed, thus reducing the quality of the product delivered to the market. Another disadvantage of the open-box system is the minimum protection against undesirable temperature variations that occasionally occur during transport to markets The lack of isolation of the air and the environment of the packaging materials of the product allow that the changes of temperature affect the stored product more quickly. For products that are very sensitive to temperature (eg peaches), a lack of long refrigeration can result in a total loss of shipment. Examples of typical stackable containers include US Pat. No. 5,121,877 to Bodary et al., Which discloses a palletized container for ripening the fruit during shipment and storage; US Patent 3,871, 570 to Garmon, which shows a stackable tray for shipping fresh fruits and vegetables; U.S. Patent No. 5,967,406 to Moorman, which exhibits a Bliss type shipping container that can be transformed into a display container for a club, market or shop; U.S. Patent 5,052,615 to Ott et al., which discloses another deployable apiable carton for shipping; US Patent 4,101,048 to Rieben, et al., which discloses another stackable box for the field; and US Pat. No. 3,863,831 to Woznicki et al., which discloses a shipping box that allows ventilation and / or cooling of the contents of the box.

Corrugated boxes incorporating gas selective permeable membranes are known in the prior art as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP: Modified Atmosphere Packaging). Modified atmosphere packaging is available in various shapes and sizes and generally includes caps or tabs integrated into the box. The biggest advantage of using MAP is that the life of the product is extended beyond that of packaging with unmodified atmosphere, being 10 to 15 days depending on the particular product being packaged, and the loss of weight due to refrigeration. It reduces in an important way. The extended life of the product allows it to be harvested near ripening and therefore maintains optimal nutritional values and desirable flavors and facilitates longer durations during transport, a particularly important consideration when fresh fruits and vegetables are transported from tropical regions to markets located around the globe (eg bananas).

The ability to extend the life of the product through the MAP is extremely important in the quality fresh produce industry, where considerable cost savings can be obtained over regular boxes when the products must be shipped by air freight instead of using less expensive boarding alternatives such as cargo containers or ground transportation. The sealed packaging also allows great protection from temperature increases due to the great insulating properties of the modified atmosphere and the enclosure surrounding the product. There are, however, several disadvantages in considering the prior art relevant for modified atmosphere packaging including difficulties in efficiently cooling a paied or stacked product during shipment, due to the inability to provide adequate circulation of refrigerated air around the boxes of the palletized and / or stacked products, in particular the inner boxes that are isolated from the air cooled by the outer boxes that surround them.

Another disadvantage of the prior art packaging documents of modified atmosphere is that there is generally no way to visually inspect the product inside the boxes once they have been sealed. Damaged product, insect pests and other problems may not be discovered until the product is delivered to its final destination. Examples of packaging incorporating modified atmosphere technology include U.S. Patent 5,575, 418 to Wu, et al., Which describes a corrugated paper box including a gas permeable membrane incorporated in the packaging for shipping fresh produce and flowers. Patent EP 0 282 180 of Greengras discloses a container bag or drawer incorporating a permeable gas membrane for late maturation of the product wrapped by the permeable membrane. US Pat. No. 4,515,266 to Myers discloses a sealed container filled with a preservative gas to inhibit the growth of bacteria; and US Patent 6,050, 412 to Clough, et al., discloses a method and apparatus for packing and shipping flowers using modified atmosphere packaging.

None of the cited references provides stacking packaging incorporating modified atmosphere technology, which allows refrigerant ventilation of palletized and / or stacked packaging, and which facilitates visual inspection of the contents of the packaging without having to open the sealed packaging.

Therefore, what is needed is a corrugated packaging incorporating modified atmosphere technology, for harvesting and packaging either in the field or in centralized facilities, which allows refrigerant ventilation of stacked or palletized packaging directly in the modified atmosphere packaging, and allows visual inspection of the packaged product at any point followed by the packaging and providing the ability to re-establish product refrigeration during the transit. All this is very desirable.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The first objective of the invention is to provide a modified atmosphere packaging that allows the packaging of the product either in the field or in a centralized plant.

A second objective of the invention is to provide a modified atmosphere packaging that allows cooling of the product after placing it in the modified atmosphere packaging.

A third objective of the invention is to provide a modified atmosphere package that includes a transparent lid that allows visual observation of the packaged product at any point while the container reaches the final destination.

A fourth objective of the invention is to provide a packaging system that allows a shipment of unfrozen broccoli.

A fifth objective of the invention is to provide a modified atmosphere package which allows the cooling air to circulate at least laterally and longitudinally when the modified atmosphere packages are stacked or palletized in batches.

A sixth objective of the invention is to provide a modified atmosphere packaging that allows the detection of unauthorized manipulation, decomposition, damage, insects, and temperature increases.

A seventh object of the invention is to provide a modified atmosphere package that is incorporated in the corrugated fiber construction in combination with a transparent cover that facilitates the circulation of air during packaging and transport.

An eighth object of the invention is to provide a package of modified modified atmosphere that is incorporated in a transparent plastic lid and uses in combination a corrugated fiber box having a barrier that facilitates air circulation during packaging and transport.

A ninth objective of the invention is to provide a modified atmosphere packaging in which the MAP technology is incorporated in one or more selective permeable membranes in the form of patches. The patches are installed on one or more openings in the transparent lid and / or the standard corrugated box.

The tenth objective of the invention is to provide a packaging system that allows it to be put on shelves for sale without requiring the fresh product to be taken out.

An eleventh objective of the invention is to provide a packaging system that meets or exceeds the packaging requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The invention is aimed at overcoming the limitations described above and provides a modified atmosphere system and a method that allows the harvest and packaging of products from the field either in the same field or in centralized facilities, which also allows ventilation for cooling of palletized or stacked packaging directly in the modified atmosphere packaging, which also allows the visual inspection of the packaged product at any packing tracking point and in which providing the ability to re-establish product refrigeration during transit is highly desirable.

The ability of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to increase and protect the life of the product has been recognized for many years. MAP is defined as the packaging of perishable products in an atmosphere that has been modified in such a way that its composition is other than that of ambient air. The impetus behind the popularity of MAP is based on the growing demand of consumers of fresh fruit and vegetables and the desire of the consumer to have products free of preservatives.

The term carton, previously included, is defined as or that includes a box or tray.

The invention is comprised of an integral packaging system incorporating at least one gas selective permeable membrane. The box includes a top surface open a closed bottom and a certain number of walls attached to the bottom of the box. The side walls and the bottom of the box define an internal volume of storage to store fresh product. The box also has a square or rectangular shape and includes a general hermetic air barrier as a jacket, when a selective gas permeable membrane is associated with a lid.

The packaging system assembly further includes a transparent polymer cap of a length and width corresponding to a length and width of the box and is dimensioned so as to completely cover the open upper opening and at least a portion of the outer surface of the box. the side walls of the box.

The additional cover includes an inner and an outer surface, four corners and a number of lifting support structures for stacking disposed at each of the four corners. The lifting support structures for stacking include a predefined height sufficient to provide a tolerance between the base of another corrugated box and the outer surface of the lid when they are stacked two or more boxes in height. In one embodiment of the invention, the predefined height is at least one and a half centimeters.

The set of lifting support structures for stacking also provide an interior that can be sealed by isolating the space adjacent to the interior storage volume, which allows the accumulation of breathing gases generated by the packaged product and / or maintains a gas that covers all the inside of the stored volume.

The transparent cover also includes an edge that extends over the entire perimeter of the lid and extends vertically downwards along the length of the cover. set of side walls, from ta! so that the lid completely closes the open top and the edge completely closes any undesirable space along the the outer side walls, which could allow the ambient air to come into direct contact with the product stored there.

The cap may also include one or more sealing contours that fit with one or more downwardly extending concavities, included in each of the set of side walls. That the cap is sealingly attached to the box using a sealing union means that at least one gas-selective permeable membrane maintains a modified atmosphere inside the interior storage volume.

The lid may further include a treatment to prevent fogging to thereby limit the formation of moisture by condensation on the interior surface.

At least one gas permeable selective membrane can be incorporated into the construction, based on polymers of the lid, on the fiber construction of the box or a combination of both.

In another embodiment of the invention are included one or more openings in the lid, the box or a combination of the two and at least one gas-selective permeable membrane, is in the form of an adhesive patch having dimensions greater than one or more openings, It is located on the opening (s), preventing the ambient air from being in direct contact with the product stored there.

The integral packaging system that incorporates at least one selective gas permeable membrane can be implemented fulfilling the following steps: a) harvest a fresh product in the same field; b) place the fresh product in a corrugated box either in the same field or in a centralized installation; c) refrigerate the fresh product; d) if necessary, apply a layer of gas that covers the product; Y e) using sealing fixing means to fix a transparent sealing cap to the corrugated box.

In sum, to the steps mentioned above, in one embodiment of the invention, where one or more openings are provided, at least one gas-selective permeable membrane is applied to at least one associated opening either to the transparent lid or to the corrugated box .

In sum, to the steps mentioned above, performing the step that is prerequisite for selecting at least one gas-selective permeable membrane appropriate to at least one associated aperture that conforms to the use with the fresh product.

In sum, to the steps mentioned above, provide a temperature sensor and / or oxygen presence to the transparent cover.

In addition, to the steps mentioned above, provide an unauthorized tamper detector seal in a place where the transparent lid and the corrugated box are joined by means of the sealing elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a basic embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 represents a side view of the basic embodiment of the invention Figure 3A represents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention Figure 3B represents a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention Figure 4 represents a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of! invention Figure 5 represents a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the invention shown in a stacking position on a pallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to figure 1, a perspective view of the basic embodiment of the invention is shown where a corrugated box (10) and a transparent cover (5) are used to maintain a modified atmosphere to delay the maturation of the product contained therein. The lid (5) is attached as a seal to the box (10) using sealing tape (30) for packaging. Other alternative ways of achieving the seal means joining the lid (5) with the box (10) including the use of hot glue or elastic packing placed between the inner surface of an edge (20) associated with the lid (5) and the outer surface of the side walls of the box (10).

The lid (5) includes a certain amount of stacking lifting structures (5) generally rectangular or triangular arranged in each of the four corners of the lid (5). In one embodiment of the invention, each of the stacking lifting structures (15) includes a horizontal groove (25) running longitudinally through each of the stacking lifting structures (15). The grooves (25) are laterally equidistant from a lateral centerline of the stacking lifting structures (15), such that each groove (25) is disposed adjacent a near side edge of the cover (5).

Each groove (25) is uniformly aligned on a longitudinal axis of a cover such that the longitudinal adjacent grooves are disposed at the same distance from the closest lateral edge of the cover (5). The height of each of the lifting structures for stacking (15) is at least 0.5 cm on an average horizontal surface of the lid (5), generally in a range of 0.5 to 5 cm. The height of the lifting structures for stacking (15), provide a gap between the bottom of another box, which allows the air cooler to circulate laterally and longitudinally through an outer surface of the lid (5) and the bottom of another box when they are stacked vertically by two or more in height and / or when they are located uniformly in columns and rows on a pallet.

Also, the grooves (25) included in each of the stacking lifting structures (15), allow the cooling air flow to penetrate between the structures Opposing stacking lifts (15) A side that is under each of the stacking lifting support structures (15) forms a sealed depression in the lid (5), which provides internal space in the box to accumulate respiratory gases generated by the product and can also be used to maintain a gas reserve, if required, to maintain a particular type of product.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lid (5) includes a sealing depression between both adjacent stacking support structures (15), both lateral and longitudinal, such that a side that is under the lid (5) adjusts to the upper side edges of a Bliss or other type of box that is commonly used to pack fresh produce.

The lid (5) is constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid polymer material, such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or polyethylene and is sized to fit over the corrugated box and fit into the edges of the side walls. The lid (5) includes an edge (20) that extends downwardly enough to cover the concavities incorporated in the vertical walls of the box, commonly to a Bliss type or to another type of packaging, for example, the box shown in U.S. Patent 5,052,615 to Ott, et al.

The thickness of the lid (5) can vary in order to obtain a certain structural strength to be able to stack and has a range generally ranging from 0.25 mm to 2.0 mm. The inner surface of the lid can be treated with anti-fogging coating or a film to prevent condensation that may form on the inside of the surface and which could limit the observation of the contents of the box The box (10) is constructed of corrugated fiber and may include a permeable selective membrane, or an active oxygen scavenging polymer incorporated in its construction. The box (10) includes four vertical side walls perpendicularly joined to a fiber bottom formed a regular polygon, forming a box either square or rectangular in shape The box should have standard dimensions of 40 x 60 cm, but other dimensions such as 40 x 30 cm. They have also presented themselves. The upper part of the box is open, allowing unrestricted entry to a storage volume defined by the vertical side walls and the bottom. The height of the side walls is variable, typically in the range of 10 to 30 cm. and depending very much on the density of the product that will be put in the box. In general, the product should be placed until it reaches a height equal to or less than that of the lower bottom edge of the side walls. The permeability of the selective gas membrane is chosen based on the natural respiration of the products to be stored inside the package. One type of corrugated fiber construction suitable for use in this invention is described in U.S. Patent 5,575,418 to Wu, et al., Herein incorporated by reference. Other polymer films suitable for use are commercially available from many suppliers. For example Cryovac Division of W.R. Grace & company Duncan ,. www cryovac. com (see PD movie family).

Referring to Figure 2 which is a side view along a modified atmosphere packaging system, it is shown where the lid (5) includes a sealing profile to conform to the vertical top edges of the box (10). The face of edge (20) that goes down the lid (5), is stuck to the box (10) in a sealing way using tape (30) to seal packages. The lifting structures for stacking (15) are shown with a surface generally in the same outer plane, which is parallel to the outer surface of the lid, the grooves (25) is understood to be twinned with the grooves (75) included in the box (10), which allow the lid (5) to rest on the vertical edges of the box. The dotted indic line where the edge (20) that goes down and that is covered by the sealing tape (30) ends. The downwardly extending edge (20) extends vertically downwardly along the outer surface of the four vertical sidewalls sufficiently to fully envelop any exposed concavity associated with the sidewalls and allows adequate contact of the surfaces , to apply the packing tape (30) in a place where the end of the edge and the exposed portion of the vertical wall of the box occur. The sealing tape (30) can be used as an indicator of unauthorized manipulation or another seal can be placed on the tape (30).

Referring to Figure 3A and Figure 3B, it shows that one or more openings (35a, 35b, 35c) are provided on one or more surfaces such as the lid (5), one or more vertical walls or the bottom of the box (10). The openings completely pass through the lid, the side walls and / or the bottom of the box, in such a way that the ambient air is in contiguous contact with the interior storage volume of the box, one or more selective membranes permeable in the form of adhesive patches (40a, 40b), are applied over the openings and adhering to the lid (5) and / or to the vertical wall of the box (10), to establish a modified atmosphere inside the storage volume of the box (10) The adhesive patches (40a, 40b, and 40c) are sized to completely seal and seal the openings.

Adhesive patches (40a, 40b, 40c) suitable for use in this invention are available from a large number of suppliers including Landec Corporation, 3603 Haven Avenue, Menlo Park CA www.landec.com (see Intellipac smart labels); River Ranch Technology lncorporated, 1156 Abbot Street, Salinas, CA, www.riverranchfreshfoods.com/freshHold/freshhold.html In this embodiment of the invention, the lid (5) and the box (10) does not include modified atmosphere packaging technology, but will otherwise retain a set modified atmosphere, using the adhesive patches, the box (10) used in this embodiment of the invention, it will need to be sealed and generally tightened to avoid the loss of the modified atmosphere, therefore the lid (5) is joined and sealed to the box (10.) using the sealing tape (30) or other alternative sealing means previously described.

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

The vertical appendages (45) for stacking allow the modified atmosphere packaging system to be stacked vertically with returnable plastic baskets or boxes (RPC's), which are occasionally used to transport fresh produce to markets, each of which vertical appendages (40) for stacking, includes a right angle fit on each corner of the lid. The right-angled portion of each of the vertical appendages (40) for stacking, has a height sufficient to engage a low side adjacent a corner of the bottom of a returnable plastic basket, generally in a range of 0.5 to 5. cm. The corners of the bottom of the returnable plastic basket are supported by the four lifting structures for stacking (15).

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of the modified atmosphere packaging system is shown, where a certain number of packages are pafetized and stacked in rows and columns. The supporting lifting structures (25) allow the cooled air to flow laterally (50) and longitudinally (55) through a number of interstices (70a and 70b), created between a bottom of a box vertically and uniformly stacked and supported by a stacking lifting structure (15) in an underlying lid (5) combination and box (10). This set allows a more efficient re-cooling of the inner packagings located in the pallet. The transparent cover (5) allows the visual inspection of the product for the detection of insects, mold, decomposition or contraband without having to remove the seal to the packaging.

The modified atmosphere packaging system can be used for harvesting in the fresh produce field or can be used in a centralized facility. In order to obtain satisfactory results, the packing system with the most selective gas permeable membrane must be selected for use with the fresh product to be stored. Once he Proper packaging has been chosen, the fresh product is placed inside the boxes. The boxes containing the product should then be refrigerated.

After refrigeration, the lids should be placed in the boxes containing the fresh product, and if any advantage can be obtained for the particular type of product, a gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide can be introduced by lifting the lids slightly, to allow a gas discharge nozzle to enter the inside of the internal storage volume and discharge the gas, immediately afterwards, the transparent lid must be sealed to said corrugated box, alternatively the lid can be glued and sealed to the box and the gas injected through a coupling injection orifice as described in US Pat. No. 5,575,418 to Wu, et al. If gas is not to be used, the caps can be glued and sealed to the boxes immediately after cooling.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, where one or more openings are provided, either in fasteners and / or in the boxes, the lid can be fixed to the box before applying the gas. The gas discharge nozzle can be placed in the opening and can be allowed to discharge the gas by immediately applying one or more gas-permeable selective membranes to the associated openings, either in the transparent lid or the corrugated box.

In another embodiment of the invention, temperature sensors, oxygen sensors, and / or unauthorized tamper detection seals may be applied to the package.

The above embodiments of the present invention are provided as illustrations and descriptions. They should not be understood as limitations to the invention to the precise form in which they have been described. In particular, it is contemplated that the functional implementation of the invention described herein may be constructed of various materials and different packaging distributions. Other variations and presentations are possible in light of the above teachings and it should not be understood that this detailed description limits the scope of the invention.

Claims (33)

1. An integral packaging system incorporating at least one selective permeable R gas membrane CHARACTERIZED because it comprises: a) a corrugated box or fiber construction in the form of a regular polygon having: i. an open top; ii. a closed fund, and I Q iii. a plurality of side walls attached to said bottom, the side walls and the bottom previously define a seliable interior volume for storing a product; b) a transparent construction cap based on polymer that has: i. a form according to said regular polygon of said corrugated box 5 and dimensioned to completely cover the open upper part and at least an outer portion of each of the walls of said box; ii. an interior surface; iii. an exterior surface; iv. four corners, and v. a plurality of lifting support structures for stacking, arranged in each of said four corners, wherein each lifting support structure for stacking has a predefined height that defines a gap between the bottom of another box corrugated and said outer surface of said lid when they are vertically stacked two or more in height; and c) at least one gas-selective permeable membrane in communication with said internal storage volume and the ambient atmosphere.

2. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that at least one of said gas selective permeable membrane is incorporated in said corrugated fiber construction.

3. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because at least one of said gas selective permeable membrane is incorporated in the construction of said poiimeric transparent cover.

4. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because either said transparent cover or said corrugated box construction further includes at least one contiguous opening with said internal storage volume and said ambient atmosphere.

5. The system according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that said at least one gas-selective permeable membrane is incorporated into at least one separate adhesive patch having a surface greater than that of said at least one aperture and applied on said at least one aperture of said aperture. such that one of said opening is completely covered by one of said separate adhesive patches.

6. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said plurality of lifting support structures for stacking further include an empty interior space contiguous with said internal storage volume.

7. The system according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED because each of said adjacent internal voids provide a tolerance that allows the expansion of one or more gases present inside the interior storage volume.

8. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said predefined height is sufficient to allow the cooling circulation to flow through the interstices in a lateral or longitudinal manner when vertically stacked two or more in height.

9. The system according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that a plurality of said corrugated boxes and associated transparent covers can be placed uniformly on a transport pallet without said refrigerant circulation being obstructed.

10. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because it also includes means for causing a gas to fill at least said internal storage volume.

The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because it also includes sealing means for attaching and sealing said transparent cover to said corrugated box in such a way that at least one of said gas selective permeable membranes maintains the modified atmosphere at said internal storage volume.

2. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said transparent cover further includes an edge that runs the entire perimeter of said lid and extends vertically downward along an outer surface of each of the several side walls in such a way that said lid completely envelops the open upper part and the edge completely envelops any descending concavity included in said various side walls.

13. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said transparent lid T Q further includes an anti-fogging treatment.

14. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said regular polygon shape includes a square or a rectangle.

15. The system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said corrugated box further generally includes an air tight jacket when at least one of said gas selective permeable membranes is associated with said lid.

16. An integral packaging system incorporating at least one selective gas permeable membrane CHARACTERIZED because it comprises: a) a corrugated box or rectangular shaped fiber construction having: i. an open top; ii. a closed fund; Y iii. a plurality of side walls attached to said bottom, said side walls and bottom define a sealable interior volume for storing a product; b) a transparent construction cap based on polymer that has: i. a shape conforming to said rectangular shape of said corrugated box and dimensioned to completely cover said open upper part and said side walls of the box; ii. an interior surface; iii. an exterior surface; iv. four corners; and V. a plurality of lifting support structures for stacking, arranged in each of said four corners, wherein each lifting support structure for stacking has: a predefined height sufficient to provide a gap between the bottom of another corrugated box; and c) at least one opening adjacent to said internal storage volume and an ambient atmosphere.

17. The system according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED because it also includes sealing means for attaching and sealing said lid transparent to said corrugated box, in such a way that at least one of said gas selective permeable membranes maintain the modified atmosphere in said interior storage volume.

18. The system according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED because said predefined height is a! minus one and a half centimeters.

19. The system according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that each of said plurality of lifting support structures for stacking further include an interior void space contiguous with said interior storage volume.

20. The system according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that said at least one gas-selective permeable membrane is incorporated at least one separate adhesive patch having a surface greater than that of said opening and applied on at least one of said openings in such a way that one of said openings is completely covered by one of said separate adhesive patches.

21. The system according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that said transparent cover further includes an edge that runs the entire perimeter of said lid and extends vertically downward along an outer surface of each said plurality of side walls of such said lid completely wraps the open upper part and the edge completely envelops any descending concavity included in the plurality of said side walls.

22. The system according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED in that said corrugated box further generally includes an air-tight jacket when at least one of said gas-selective permeable membranes is associated with said lid.

23. An integral packaging system incorporating at least one selective gas permeable membrane comprising: a) a corrugated box or rectangular shaped fiber construction having: i. an open top; i. a closed fund, and iii. a plurality of side walls attached to said bottom, side walls and bottom define a sealable interior volume for storing a product and a gas selective permeable membrane combined with said fiber construction; b) a transparent construction cap based on polymer that has: i. a shape according to said regular rectangular shape of said corrugated box and dimensioned to completely cover the open upper part and the side walls of said box, ii. an interior surface; iii. an exterior surface; iv. four corners; and V. a plurality of lifting support structures for stacking, arranged in each of said four corners, wherein each lifting support structure for stacking has: a predefined height defining a gap between the bottom of another corrugated box and said outer surface of said lid when they are vertically stacked two or more in height.

24. The system according to claim 23, CHARACTERIZED in that said predefined height is at least one and a half centimeters.

25. The system according to claim 23, CHARACTERIZED in that each of said plurality of lifting support structures for stacking further includes an interior void space contiguous with said interior storage volume.

26. The system according to claim 23, CHARACTERIZED in that said transparent cover further includes an edge that runs along the entire perimeter of said lid and extends vertically downwards along an outer surface of each of the plurality of said side walls of said cover. such that the lid completely envelops the open top and the edge completely envelops any descending concavity included in said plurality of side walls.

27. The system according to claim 23, CHARACTERIZED in that it also includes sealing means for attaching and sealing said transparent cover to said corrugated box in such a way that at least one said selective gas permeable membranes maintain the modified atmosphere in the internal volume of storage.

28 A method for packaging fresh products in an integral packaging system incorporating at least one selective gas permeable membrane characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) harvesting the fresh products in the same field; b) placing said fresh product er, a corrugated box in either the same field or in a centralized installation; c) cooling said fresh product; d) apply a gas if necessary; and e) joining and sealing with a transparent lid said corrugated box.

29. The method according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises the steps to apply at least one of said gas selective permeable membranes to at least one opening associated with either said transparent cover or said corrugated box.

30. The method according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED because it comprises as a prerequisite the step of selecting at least one of said gas-selective permeable membranes suitable for the use of said fresh product.

31. The method according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED because further comprises the step of providing a temperature sensor to said transparent cover.

32. The method according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED because it further comprises the step of providing an oxygen sensor to said transparent cover.

33. The method according to claim 28, CHARACTERIZED because further comprises the step of applying an unauthorized tampering seal to an area where said transparent cover and said corrugated box are put together.