Treatment of modified atmosphere packaging

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for preserving, sanitizing, ripening, and preventing or suppressing the growth of microbials within a package used for the transport and storage of various items, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishables and parcels. The device includes an enclosed container and at least one sack operably disposed adjacent the container, wherein the sack encloses an agent and the agent releases/absorbs gases in the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging system, comprising:
 a container with an open top portion and a removable lid covering the open top portion of the container, wherein the lid includes a recess disposed on an exterior side of the lid, with air passages from a bottom of the recess into the container, and elevated portions on top corners of the lid;   at least one enclosed permeable membrane having a dry releasable or absorbing agent therein and being disposed within the recess, the enclosed permeable membrane being operably configured to release the agent or absorb gas or humidity within the container through the air passages of the recess; and   an adhesive patch or porous material covering an exterior of the recess to retain the at least one enclosed permeable membrane within the recess.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing of the agent is based upon a humidity within the container. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is at least one of chlorine dioxide, ethylene, nitrogen and an insecticide. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , further including a second enclosed permeable membrane having a second dry agent disposed therein. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve on a side of the container, wherein the valve is operably configured to release a gas from within the enclosed container or allow exchange of gases from external atmospheres. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging system of  claim 4 , wherein the agents within the enclosed permeable membranes is at least one of chlorine dioxide and sulfur dioxide. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging system of  claim 4 , wherein both the first and the second enclosed permeable membranes are disposed within the recess on the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of recesses disposed on the exterior side of the lid, each recess having one or more different enclosed permeable membranes therein. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive patch or porous material is composed of plurality of layers of variable permeability. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging system of  claim 9 , wherein a layer of the adhesive patch or porous material is non-permeable and removable via a tab extending from an edge of the patch or material. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made from a rigid material. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a modified atmosphere container. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is formed from at least one of cardboard, plastic, corrugate plastic, and recyclable plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is air permeable. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed permeable membrane is at least one of a sachet, sack and pouch. 
     
     
         1 . packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the agent is semi-dry. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable seal on the recess, sealing the air passages to prevent exchange of gases or air between dry releasable or absorbing agent and an interior of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging system of  claim 17 , wherein the removable seal is on an interior side of the container.