Vacuum skin packaging

Abstract

Disclosed are packages and methods for packaging perishable foods such as meat, fish, poultry, vegetables or other food products. The packaging comprises a vacuum skin package comprising a film having specific package gas permeability requirements and a framing element within which the packaged goods are held.

1 . A vacuum skin package to contain perishable goods comprising (a) a first flexible web of gas permeable skin wrapping plastic material; (b) one or more rigid or semi-rigid framing elements to surround but not contact the perishable goods; and (c) a second flexible web of gas permeable skin wrapping plastic material; wherein the first flexible web and the second flexible web are sealed to each other to contain the perishable goods.  
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the gas permeable plastic materials have an OTR greater than or equal to 10,000 cc/m 2 /24 hr.  
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the gas permeable plastic materials comprise metallocene polyethylene.  
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the gas permeable plastic materials comprise ethylene/acid copolymers at least partially neutralized with at least one cation, modified with at least one organic acid, or both.  
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the one or more framing elements are interposed between the first flexible web and the second flexible web such that the one or more framing elements are in contact with the inside face of the first flexible web and in contact with the inside face of the second flexible web to surround but not contact the perishable goods; and the first flexible web and the second flexible web are sealed to each other to contain the one or more framing elements and the perishable goods.  
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the one or more framing elements are in contact with the outside face of the first flexible web and optionally in contact with the outside face of the second flexible web to surround but not contact the perishable goods; and the first flexible web and the second flexible web are sealed to each other to contain the perishable goods.  
     
     
         7 . A method of packaging goods comprising (a) placing perishable goods on a first flexible web of gas permeable skin wrapping plastic material in contact with the inside face of the first flexible web; (b) placing one or more rigid or semi-rigid framing elements in contact with the inside face of the first flexible web to surround but not contact the perishable goods; (c) placing a second flexible web of gas permeable skin wrapping plastic material over the perishable goods and the one or more framing elements such that the inside face of the second flexible web is in contact with the perishable goods, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid framing elements and the inside face of the first flexible web; and (d) sealing the first flexible web and the second flexible web to each other to contain the one or more framing elements and the perishable goods.  
     
     
         8 . A method of packaging goods comprising (a) placing perishable goods on a first flexible web of gas permeable skin wrapping plastic material in contact with the inside face of the first flexible web; (b) placing a second flexible web of gas permeable skin wrapping plastic material over the perishable goods such that the inside face of the second flexible web is in contact with the perishable goods, and the inside face of the first flexible web; (c) placing one or more rigid or semi-rigid framing elements in contact with the outside face of the first flexible web and optionally in contact with the outside face of the second flexible web to surround but not contact the perishable goods; and (d) sealing the first flexible web and the second flexible web to each other to contain the perishable goods.