Package for food preservation

Abstract

A container for fresh cut produce comprises a first section and a second section separated from one another by a web, the web comprising a first three-dimensional apertured film, a second three-dimensional apertured film bonded to the first three-dimensional apertured film, and a nonwoven web bonded to the second three-dimensional apertured film. Produce is contained in the first section and the juices exuded from the produce flow into the second section, but are prevented from coming back in contact with the produce by the web, thereby increasing the shelf life of the produce.

1 . A container comprising a first section and a second section separated from one another by a web, said container being adapted to contain fresh cut produce, said web comprising a first three-dimensional apertured film, a second three-dimensional apertured film bonded to said first three-dimensional apertured film, and a nonwoven web bonded to said second three-dimensional apertured film. 
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said web comprises means for maintaining separation of a solid material in said first section and a liquid material in said second section. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first three-dimensional film and said second three-dimensional film is independently selected from a vacuum formed film and a hydroformed film. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first three-dimensional film and said second three-dimensional film has a loft and wherein the loft of said films is not equal. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second three-dimensional films comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and blends thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven web is selected from spunbonded, carded, meltblown, hydroentangled and airthrough bonded nonwoven webs. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said nonwoven web comprises a bicomponent nonwoven. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second apertured films comprises angled protuberances. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven web is ultrasonically bonded to the second film. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven web comprises a fully calendered web. 
     
     
         11 . A method of increasing the shelf life of fresh cut produce comprising the steps of
 a. providing a container comprises a first section and a second section separated from one another by a web, said web comprising a first three-dimensional apertured film, a second three-dimensional apertured film bonded to said first three-dimensional apertured film, and a nonwoven web bonded to said second three-dimensional apertured film   b. placing fresh cut produce into said first section of said container;   c. allowing juices exuded from said fresh cut produce to flow through said web from said first section to said second section   d. wherein said web comprises means for maintaining separation of said fresh cut produce from juices exuded therefrom, thereby increasing the shelf life of said produce.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of said first three-dimensional film and said second three-dimensional film is independently selected from a vacuum formed film and a hydroformed film. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of said first three-dimensional film and said second three-dimensional film has a loft and wherein the loft of said films is not equal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of said first and second three-dimensional films comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and blends thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said nonwoven web is selected from spunbonded, carded, meltblown, hydroentangled and airthrough bonded nonwoven webs. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said nonwoven web comprises a bicomponent nonwoven. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second apertured films comprises angled protuberances. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the nonwoven web is ultrasonically bonded to the second film. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the nonwoven web is a fully calendered web.