Fruit in a bubble wrap mat

Abstract

A package for compartmentalized preservation of harvested fruit or vegetables and methods are disclosed. The package may include a first flexible polymer film, comprising integral molded or vacuum formed cups configured to hold a fruit or vegetable, wherein the integral molded or vacuum formed cups can be collapsed into a plane of the first polymer film or extended from the first polymer film; and a second flexible polymer film configured to overlay the first polymer film. In some embodiments, the cups containing the fruit or vegetable may be inflated and sealed to form protective bubbles.

1 . A package for compartmentalized preservation of harvested fruits or vegetables, the package comprising:
 a first flexible polymer film in a form of a flat sheet comprising cups, wherein the cups are configured to be expanded from a collapsed state disposed within the flat sheet to expanded cups, comprising a depth and a circumference configured to accommodate the harvested fruits or vegetables; and   a second flexible polymer film in a form of a flat sheet configured to overlay and partially adhere to the first flexible polymer film, thereby covering the expanded cups,   wherein at least one gas conduit is formed for each expanded cup between the first and second polymer films.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer film, the second polymer film, or both comprise a polymer or a composite polymer film selected from polypropylene, polyamide (nylon), polyvinyl, polyamide, polylactic acid (PLA), gas impermeable metallized film (PET), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) laminates; and wherein the second polymer film comprises a polymer or a composite polymer barrier film selected from polypropylene, polyamide, polyvinyl, polylactic acid (PLA), gas impermeable metallized film, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) laminates. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the second flexible polymer film is partially adhered to the first flexible polymer film by an adhesive bonding, hot melt glue bonding, or welded together. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded cups that contain the fruits or vegetables are inflated and sealed. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas conduit is configured to allow air to flow into each expanded cup by pumping a gas through the at least one gas conduit to form an inflated cup. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the gas comprises air, CO 2 , N 2 , hydrogen sulfide, steam, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprises an adhesive disposed on the first or second polymer films, or both, in a pattern partially surrounding the cups, wherein the adhesive pattern is configured to create the at least one gas conduit between the first and second polymer films. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive is a binder gum selected from the group consisting of Arabic gum, Guar gum, Acacia gum, Tamarind gum, Locust bean gum, and Xyloglucan. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein each expanded cup comprises a small depression along a bottom surface. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer film, the second polymer film, or both are pre-spooled. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymer film and the second polymer film comprise aligned perforations, thereby allowing tearing off one or more single sealed cups. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises activated pads, which are in fluid communication with the cups, the gas conduits, or both. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the activated pads are at least one of gas absorbing pads and moisture absorbing pads, and the activated pads are positioned within the at least one gas conduit and held in place using a binder gum or a pectin, or positioned within the depression along a bottom or side surface of the expanded cups. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the activated pads are gas-absorbing pads, comprising one or more of activated carbon, a molecular sieve, a zeolite, or calcium oxide. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the activated pads are moisture-absorbing pads comprising one or more of a molecular sieve, a zeolite, activated alumina, silica gel, and montmorillonite clay. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cups are configured to be expanded by a pulse of compressed gas. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising anti-ripening agents, anti-microbial agents, or anti-pathogen components. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the polymer films comprises preprinted product logo or delivery information. 
     
     
         19 . A packaged fruit or vegetable product, comprising:
 one or more individual pieces of the fruit or the vegetable, each compartmentalized within a sealed and inflated cup in a packing material, the packaging material comprising:   a first flexible polymer film comprising a plurality of expanded cups, each comprising a depth and a circumference configured to accommodate the individual piece of the fruit or the vegetable disposed therein; and   a second flexible polymer film in a form of a flat sheet overlaying and partially adhering to the first polymer film, thereby covering the individual pieces of the fruit or the vegetable residing within each of the plurality of expanded cups.   
     
     
         20 . The packaged fruit product of  claim 19 , wherein the fruit is selected from the group consisting of bananas, apricots, mangoes, damsons, nectarines, peaches, apples, grapes, figs, kiwis, pears, tomatoes, and plums, and wherein the vegetable is selected from the group consisting of broccoli, cauliflower, globe artichokes, leeks, brussels sprouts, celery, asparagus, tubers, carrots, beets, radishes, onions, and turnips.