Gas permeable polymer label for controlled respiration

Abstract

The present document describes a label for installation over an opening of a container to be loaded with produce. The label comprises: a polymer-based film; and micro-perforations through the polymer-based film, whereby upon the polymer-based film being sealingly installed over the opening of the container, the micro-perforations controllably transfer a gaseous substance (such as oxygen and/or carbon dioxide) into or out of the container, through the label, and according to a respiration rate of the produce to be loaded in the container.

1 . A label for installation over an opening of a container to be loaded with produce, the label comprising:
 a thin layer of material; and   micro-perforations through the thin layer of material, whereby upon the label being sealingly installed over the opening of the container, the micro-perforations controllably transfer a gaseous substance into or out of the container, through the label, and according to a respiration rate of the produce to be loaded in the container.   
     
     
         2 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the thin layer of material comprises at least one of a polymer-based film, a layer of translucent plastic, a layer of paper-based material a cellulose-based film, and a corn-based film. 
     
     
         3 . The label of  claim 1 , comprising printing on at least a portion of the thin layer of material, the print layer for providing labeling information. 
     
     
         4 . The label of  claim 1 , comprising a layer of adhesive over at least a portion of the thin layer of material. 
     
     
         5 . The label of  claim 1 , comprising an additive in any one of the layers of the label. 
     
     
         6 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the label has a thickness from about 25 to about 175 microns. 
     
     
         7 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-perforations have a diameter from about 30 to about 150 microns. 
     
     
         8 . The label of  claim 6 , wherein the diameter is from about 30 to about 90 microns. 
     
     
         9 . The label of  claim 6 , wherein the diameter is from about 30 to about 60 microns. 
     
     
         10 . The label of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-perforations are uniformly distributed over a middle-portion area of the label. 
     
     
         11 . The label of  claim 10 , wherein the additive comprises at least one of: an ethylene absorption agent for slowing a ripening rate of the produce to be stored in the container; and an anti-fog agent for improving a translucence of the container once labelled. 
     
     
         12 . A gas permeable package comprising:
 a container for holding produce, the container defining an opening to an interior space of the container;   a label sealingly affixed to the container to cover the opening; the label comprising a thin layer of material; and micro-perforations practiced therethrough for controllably transferring a gaseous substance into or out of the container, through the label, and according to a respiration rate of the produce to be loaded in the container.   
     
     
         13 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , wherein the thin layer of material comprises at least one of a polymer-based film, a layer of translucent plastic, a layer of paper-based material a cellulose-based film, and a corn-based film. 
     
     
         14 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , wherein the container comprises a lid and the opening is defined in the lid. 
     
     
         15 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , further comprising an adhesive for affixing the label to the container. 
     
     
         16 . The gas permeable package of  claim 15 , wherein the label comprises the adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The gas permeable package of  claim 16 , comprising an additive in any one of the layers of the label. 
     
     
         18 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , wherein the label is printed portion on at least a portion of the thin layer of material, to provide labeling information. 
     
     
         19 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , wherein the label has a thickness from about 25 to about 175 microns. 
     
     
         20 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , wherein the micro-perforations have a diameter from about 30 to about 60 microns. 
     
     
         21 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , wherein the micro-perforations are uniformly distributed over a middle-portion area of the label. 
     
     
         22 . The gas permeable package of  claim 12 , wherein the container comprises at least one of a bag, a box, and a closeable bowl-like container. 
     
     
         23 . A method for labeling a container loaded with produce, the method comprising:
 forming an opening within a container to be loaded with produce;   loading the produce into the container, the produce having a given respiration rate;   sealingly installing a label to the container, the label comprising: micro-perforations positioned over the opening once the label adhered to the container, the micro-perforations for controllably transferring a gaseous substance into and out of the container according to the respiration rate of the produce therein.