Grooved Lid for Packaging of Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers in Corresponding Modified Atmosphere Trays

Abstract

This invention relates to novel designs of tray lids and tray bases for modified atmosphere packaging of fresh fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. More particularly, this invention relates to novel designs of landscaped lids and corresponding tray bases which enable cooling air to be circulated in single or multiple directions through stacked lid and tray combinations that contain fresh fruits, vegetables and cut flowers in a modified atmosphere environment. The gas-permeable modified atmosphere package comprises a lid constructed of a polymer, the lid having on the top surface thereof at the mid-regions of each side a plurality of raised load supports and in between grooves; and a base with a hollow interior constructed of corrugated kraft paper polymer and having a configuration at the top edges which conforms with the interior profile of the lid; the grooves enabling air to be circulated over the lid when one package combination is stacked on another.

1 . A gas-permeable modified atmosphere package combination comprising:
 (a) a lid constructed of a polymer, the lid having on the top surface thereof at the mid-regions of each side a plurality of raised load supports and in between grooves; and   (b) a base with a hollow interior constructed of corrugated kraft paper polymer and having a configuration at the top edges which conforms with the interior profile of the lid; the grooves enabling air to be circulated over the lid when one package combination is stacked on another   
   
   
       2 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the lid has around its periphery at least one raised load support in the mid-region of each end and at least one raised load support in the mid-region of each side, and a depressed area between the raised end and side load supports. 
   
   
       3 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the lid has around its periphery at least two raised load supports in the mid-region of each end and at least three raised side supports in the mid-region of each of the two sides of the lid, and a depressed area between the raised end and side load supports. 
   
   
       4 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the lid has around its periphery at least two raised load supports in the mid-region of each end and at least four raised side supports in the mid-region of each of the two sides of the lid, and a depressed area between the raised end and side load supports. 
   
   
       5 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the corners of the top surface of the lid have diagonal grooves therein. 
   
   
       6 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the grooves at the sides of the lid are disposed laterally while the grooves at the ends of the lid are disposed longitudinally. 
   
   
       7 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the grooves of the surface of the lid have an “X” type pattern. 
   
   
       8 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the lid and the base are 60 cm in length and 40 cm in width. 
   
   
       9 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the base comprises a first outer layer of kraft paper, a first intermediate layer of corrugated kraft paper, a second intermediate layer of polymer and a second outer layer of kraft paper. 
   
   
       10 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the polymer in the base is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), ethylbutyl acetate (EBA), a crosslinked ionomer resin, cast polyester (PET), a polyamide and polycarbonate (PC). 
   
   
       11 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the polymer is low density polyethylene. 
   
   
       12 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the polymer is high density polyethylene. 
   
   
       13 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the polymer is a copolymer of low density polyethylene and ethylenebutylacetate. 
   
   
       14 . A combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gas permeability of the polymer of the base is between about 50 and 100,000 cc 3 /m 2  24 hr. 1 atm. 
   
   
       15 . A lid for a gas-permeable modified atmosphere package comprising a top surface which includes a plurality of raised load supports and in between grooves arranged around its periphery, the grooves enabling air to be circulated over the lid when one package is stacked on another. 
   
   
       16 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein each end of the lid has in the mid-region thereof at least one raised load support and each side of the lid has in the mid-region thereof at least one raised load support and a depressed area exists between the raised end and side load supports. 
   
   
       17 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein each end of the lid has in the mid-region thereof at least two raised load supports and each side of the lid has in the mid-region thereof at least three raised side supports. 
   
   
       18 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein each end of the lid has in the mid-region thereof at least three raised load supports and each side of the lid has in the mid-region thereof at least four raised side supports. 
   
   
       19 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the grooves at the sides of the lid are disposed laterally while the grooves at the ends of the lid are disposed longitudinally. 
   
   
       20 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the top surface of the lid has diagonally disposed grooves at each of the four corners of the lid. 
   
   
       21 . A combination as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the grooves of the surface of the lid have an “X” type pattern. 
   
   
       22 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the lid is rectangular and 60 cm in length and 40 cm in width. 
   
   
       23 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the lid is formed of transparent polymer. 
   
   
       24 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the polymer is low density polyethylene. 
   
   
       25 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the polymer is high density polyethylene. 
   
   
       26 . A lid as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the lid has a planar top surface and is formed of a transparent material. 
   
   
       27 . A lid as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the top surface of the lid is square or rectangular and the transparent material is a transparent polymer. 
   
   
       28 . A lid as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the lid is deployed on a hollow base constructed of paperboard. 
   
   
       29 . A lid for a modified atmosphere box base wherein the lid is formed of transparent polymer, has a top surface with a square configuration and a plurality of raised load supports and in between grooves positioned around its periphery. 
   
   
       30 . A lid as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the raised supports are located at the mid-regions of the top sides of the lid. 
   
   
       31 . A lid as claimed in  claim 29  wherein the raised supports are located at the corners of the top sides of the lid.