Packages and methods for storing and transporting perishable foods

Abstract

Provided is a unitized packaging system and individual packaging elements for storing and transporting food in a controlled atmosphere. Also provided are the methods of storing and transporting food in a controlled atmosphere.

1 . A unitized packaging system for storing and/or transporting food under controlled temperature and atmosphere conditions which system comprises:
 two or more individual sealable packaging elements;   an oxygen controlling means for controlling the oxygen content of the gaseous environment within the packaging system; and   optionally a means for maintaining ambient pressure within the packaging system;   wherein each of the individual packaging elements is in gaseous communication with at least another individual packaging element and with said oxygen controlling means;
 wherein said elements comprise a thermally insulative and gas impermeable material; and further wherein said elements are stackable with each other. 
   
     
     
         2 . A unitized packaging system for storing and/or transporting food in a controlled temperature and atmosphere which system comprises:
 two or more individual sealable packaging elements; and   a means for gaseous communication between or among the individual packaging elements and/or throughout the unitized packaging system;
 wherein each said individual packaging elements comprises a thermally insulative and gas impermeable material; further wherein said individual packaging element can be stably stacked with each other, 
   an oxygen controlling means for controlling oxygen content of the package system; and   optionally a means for maintaining ambient pressure within the package system.   
     
     
         3 . The unitized packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the individual packaging element comprises a closable top portion detachably connected to the side walls of the individual packaging element. 
     
     
         4 . The unitized packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulative material comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The unitized packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulative material is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene polyurethane, corn- or soy-based thermoset plastics or foam, and soy-based polyurethane. 
     
     
         6 . The unitized packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally insulative material comprises Styrofoam™. 
     
     
         7 . An individual packaging element suitable for use in a unitized packaging system for storing and transporting food in a controlled atmosphere comprising:
 a bottom portion;   side walls;   a closable top portion; and   a means for gaseous communication with another individual packaging element and/or with the gaseous environment of the unitized packaging system, wherein the unitized packaging system comprises an oxygen controlling means for controlling oxygen content and optionally a means for maintaining ambient pressure;
 wherein said packaging element comprises a thermally insulative material, and the packaging element is capable of being stably stacked with another packaging element. 
   
     
     
         8 . The individual packaging element of  claim 7 , wherein the individual packaging element is capable of stably interlocking with another individual packaging element. 
     
     
         9 . A method for storing and transporting food in a controlled atmosphere in a unitized packaging system comprising a plurality of individual packaging elements, which method comprises:
 a) placing food in an individual packaging element, wherein said element comprises:
 a bottom element; 
 side walls; 
 a closable top element; and 
 a means for gaseous communication with another individual packaging element and/or with the gaseous environment of the unitized packaging system;
 wherein said element comprises a thermally insulative material; 
 
   b) stacking individual packaging elements, wherein a second individual packaging element is stacked on a first individual packaging element;   c) placing the individual packaging elements in a unitized packaging system;   d) controlling oxygen content of the unitized packaging system;   e) closing the unitized packaging system so as to keep the food in a controlled atmosphere; and   f) optionally maintaining ambient pressure within the unitized packaging system using a means for maintaining pressure.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein step d) comprises using an inert gas flushing, or using oxygen scavengers. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein step d) comprises introducing a gas, other than air or oxygen, into the unitized packaging system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gas is nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gas comprises carbon monoxide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises controlling temperature of the unitized packaging system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:
 g) removing at least one individual packaging element from the unitized packaging system;   h) covering the means for gaseous communication on the individual packaging element; and   i) releasing the individual packaging element to a destination.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:
 j) introducing oxygen to the individual packaging element to enhance blooming of the food when the food is susceptible to blooming.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the controlling oxygen content of the unitized packaging system is reducing the oxygen content to below ambient concentration. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the controlling oxygen content of the unitized packaging system is introducing oxygen to the unitized packaging system when the unitized packaging system comprises a reduced oxygen content.