Method for packaging perishable foods and other articles, and package therefor

Abstract

Method of packaging a perishable item wherein the perishable item is put into a liquid and gas tight container having an opening located above the perishable item, and the container opening is sealed with a liquid tight film of material permeable to gases with the film containing ingredients that will produce CO 2 and ClO 2 when contacted by moisture vapor. A package made of a liquid and gas tight container having an opening located in an upper portion, a perishable item located in the container below the opening, and a liquid tight film of material permeable to gases sealing said opening with the film containing ingredients that will produce CO 2 and ClO 2 when contacted by moisture vapor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of packaging a perishable item comprising the steps of 
 placing the perishable item in the interior of a liquid tight container; and    generating CO 2  and ClO 2  gases within the liquid tight container.    
     
     
         2 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the container is also gas tight.  
     
     
         3 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the container allows moisture vapor to pass through to the interior.  
     
     
         4 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the generation of gases is effected through activation by moisture vapor present in the interior of the container.  
     
     
         5 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the generation of gases is effected by gas generating ingredients dispersed in a portion of the container.  
     
     
         6 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the generation of gases is effected by gas generating ingredients present in a pad located in the container.  
     
     
         7 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the generation of gases is effected by gas generating ingredients dispersed in a coating located within the container.  
     
     
         8 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the container is a bag.  
     
     
         9 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the container is a tray.  
     
     
         10 . The method of packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the container is a pouch  
     
     
         11 . The method delivering CO 2  and ClO 2  to an object comprising the steps of incorporating CO 2  and ClO 2  gas generating ingredients when subjected to moisture vapor into a patch attachable to an object.  
     
     
         12 . A method of packaging a perishable item comprising the steps of 
 placing the perishable Item in a liquid and gas tight container having an opening located above the perishable item; and    sealing the container opening with a liquid tight film of material permeable to gases with the film containing ingredients that will produce CO 2  and ClO 2  when contacted by moisture vapor.    
     
     
         13 . A method of packaging according to  claim 12  wherein the film material constitutes a laminate of a top film a bottom film and a layer of adhesive binding said films together, with the ingredients being dispersed in the adhesive.  
     
     
         14 . A method of packaging according to  claim 13  wherein the top film is characterized as having (1) a high moisture vapor transmission rate and (2) a low gas transmission rate, and the bottom film is characterized by having (1) a low moisture vapor transmission rate and (2) a high gas transmission rate.  
     
     
         15 . A package comprising, 
 a liquid and gas tight container having an opening located in an upper portion;    a perishable item located in the container below the opening; and    a liquid tight film of material permeable to gases sealing said opening with the film containing ingredients that will produce CO 2  and ClO 2  when contacted by moisture vapor.    
     
     
         16 . A package according to  claim 15  wherein the film material constitutes a laminate of a top film a bottom film and a layer of adhesive binding said films together, with the ingredients being dispersed in the adhesive.  
     
     
         17 . A package according to  claim 16  wherein the top film is characterized as having (1) a high moisture vapor transmission rate and (2) a low gas transmission rate, and the bottom film is characterized by having (1) a low moisture vapor transmission rate and (2) a high gas transmission rate.  
     
     
         18 . A package according to  claim 15  wherein the perishable item is selected from the class consisting of meats, poultry, flowers, vegetables, fruits, fish and seafood.  
     
     
         19 . A package according to  claim 18  wherein the perishable item is fish.  
     
     
         20 . A package according to  claim 18  wherein the perishable item is seafood.