Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Product with defined indicating means – e.g. – indicia – etc. – Temperature responsive
Patent
1993-11-08
1995-08-22
Czaja, Donald E.
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Product with defined indicating means, e.g., indicia, etc.
Temperature responsive
426 87, 426118, 426232, 426395, 426419, 383103, 383202, 137 72, A23B 7148
Patent
active
054438519
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging apparatus including apparatus for use in controlled atmosphere packaging and to the protective packaging of sensitive produce therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Control of carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and oxygen (O.sub.2) concentration around produce has been shown in the prior art to increase the storage life thereof. Control of water vapor concentration is also important. Conditions for the optimal storage of horticultural commodities are influenced by factors which include crop species, cultivar, growing conditions, maturity, quality, temperature, relative humidity, packaging, and storage duration. Storage under controlled and modified atmosphere is influenced by the concentration of oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethylene, water vapour and other gases. Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage is achieved by externally supplying a gas stream of the required O.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 concentration into the storage cold room. Controlled atmosphere packaging achieves extended produce life because of effects such as slowing respiration and inhibiting pathogen growth.
It is also known in the prior art that CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 atmospheres surrounding produce can be modified by utilising the respiration behaviour of the produce where O.sub.2 is converted to CO.sub.2. With modified atmosphere (MA) packaging, produce is stored in polymeric film where the film permeability is exactly matched to the expected respiration behaviour as influenced by temperature and atmosphere changes to provide the optimum CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 atmosphere.
A controlled permeability film, disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/AU91/00346, to applicants, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, has proved partially successful in alleviating some of the difficulties related to the prior art. However, the CO.sub.2 -O.sub.2 balance is significantly influenced by changes in ambient temperature. For example such a film may be designated to operate over a certain temperature range (e.g. 0.degree.-5.degree. C.) in cool stores. If the temperature of the package exceeds an upper limit (e.g. 10.degree.-15.degree. C.) for an extended period of time, the respiration rate of the produce becomes too high for external O.sub.2 to permeate through the film at a sufficient rate. The produce then respires anaerobically and soon dies.
It is also known in the prior art to rupture packaging in order to permit fumigation thereof as part of disease control and in order to satisfy import requirements in certain countries. However, the packaging rupture must be handled manually and is a time-consuming and thus expensive exercise.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, one or more of the difficulties related to the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve apparatus including
a temperature- or chemical- sensitive sensor including an actuating member controlled by the sensor; and
a valve member on, or in communication with the sensor.
The valve apparatus will be more fully described with reference to its application in controlled atmosphere packaging. However this is illustrative only and the valve apparatus may be utilised in numerous other applications including fumigation as discussed below.
The valve apparatus according to this aspect of the present invention may function in use as follows: the sensor in the valve apparatus monitors the environment of the packaging film. When a change in temperature, or chemical composition of the environment is detected the valve apparatus is activated and a small puncture made or a small orifice opened in the packaging film surface. This immediately alters the internal environment and reduces the risk of spoilage.
For example, an increase in temperature which may lead to spoilage may be detected by a temperature-sensitive sensor directly, or a chemical-sensitive sensor may detect the chemical change in the at
REFERENCES:
patent: 1857015 (1932-05-01), Gere
patent: 2413490 (1946-12-01), Evans
patent: 3799427 (1974-03-01), Goglio
patent: 4842875 (1989-06-01), Anderson
patent: 4890637 (1990-01-01), Lamparter
patent: 4899543 (1990-02-01), Romanelli et al.
patent: 4902521 (1990-02-01), Rosenfeld
patent: 4923115 (1990-05-01), Sekoguchi et al.
Christie Gregor B. Y.
Turney Terence W.
Wexler David
Cano Milton I.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Org.
Czaja Donald E.
LandOfFree
Temperature sensitive valve for atmosphere control for film pack does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Temperature sensitive valve for atmosphere control for film pack, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Temperature sensitive valve for atmosphere control for film pack will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2140453