Adjustable aperture for plant tissue packaging

Abstract

The present invention provides improved packaging for harvested plant tissues, such as agricultural products. In some embodiments harvested plant tissues are placed in a package that contains either at least one hole, or a gas-permeable patch. The hole or patch is in turn covered by an adjustable aperture. The present invention improves available packaging methods by providing an additional level of control over the gas composition inside the package. Some embodiments of the present invention also mitigate damage to harvested plant tissues by contacting the plant tissues with ozone during transportation and storage. In some embodiments, harvested plant tissues are treated with ozone before packaging. The present invention also reduces costs by enabling the same package or kind of package to be used for different contents that have different atmospheric requirements for optimal protection from excessive ripening and spoilage.

1 . A package for harvested plant tissues, comprising:
 a sealable container for holding the plant tissues having a gas-permeable patch located in a surface of the container; and   an adjustable aperture over the patch.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the gas permeability of the surface of the container is different from the gas permeability of the patch. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture further comprises one or more elements having a gas permeability lower than that of the patch and capable of covering a portion of the patch. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the portion of the patch that is covered by the aperture is adjustable by sliding the one or more elements over the patch. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the portion of the patch that is covered by the aperture is adjustable by rotating the one or more elements over the patch. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the aperture is comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the patch comprises one or more microscopic holes. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the patch comprises a gas-permeable polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the gas-permeability of the polymer is temperature-dependent. 
     
     
         10 . A package for harvested fruits or vegetables, comprising:
 a sealable container for holding the plant tissues having a hole located in a surface of the container; and   an adjustable aperture over the hole.   
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture further comprises one or more gas impermeable elements capable of covering a portion of the hole. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the portion of the hole that is covered by the aperture is adjustable by sliding the one or more elements over the patch. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the portion of the hole that is covered by the aperture is adjustable by rotating the one or more elements over the patch. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the aperture is comprised of a plastic material. 
     
     
         15 . A method for preserving harvested plant tissues, the method comprising:
 placing the plant tissues in a package comprising a sealable container for holding the plant tissues having a gas-permeable patch and an adjustable aperture over the patch; and   surrounding the package with an atmosphere containing ozone.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising refrigerating the packaged plant tissues. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the concentration of ozone is in the range of approximately ten parts per billion volumes to approximately ten parts per million volumes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising exposing the plant tissues to ozone before placing the plant tissues in a package. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plant tissues are fruits or vegetables.