Modified atmosphere packaging containers

Abstract

A modified atmosphere container is provided. The container contains a body for receiving a product, a lid configured to provide a seal with a body opening, and a cartridge having a defined internal space. An active agent for preserving the freshness of the product may be disposed within the cartridge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modified atmospheric container system comprising:
 a container body defining a first internal space for receiving a good;   a lid configured to seal the container body;   a cartridge defining a second internal space, said cartridge being configured to facilitate fluid communication between the first and second internal spaces;   a first inhibiting element engaged with said cartridge such that fluid flow between the first and second internal spaces is inhibited; and   an active agent disposed within the second internal space,   wherein said first inhibiting element is configured to be selectively disengaged from said cartridge, thereby facilitating initiation of fluid communication between the first and second internal spaces.   
     
     
         2 . The modified atmospheric container system of  claim 1 , wherein said cartridge and said container are configured so that, after the first inhibiting element is disengaged and removed from the cartridge, the active agent is conveyed from the second internal space into the first internal space through at least a first portion of said cartridge to impart a characteristic to the good for an atmosphere within the first internal space. 
     
     
         3 . The modified atmospheric container system of  claim 2 , wherein said first portion of said cartridge is formed at least partially from an air permeable material. 
     
     
         4 . The modified atmospheric container system of  claim 2 , wherein said first portion of said cartridge defines a plurality of apertures that allow for fluid communication between the first internal space and the second internal space. 
     
     
         5 . The modified atmospheric container system of  claim 1 , wherein the second internal space is positioned entirely within the first internal space. 
     
     
         6 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 1 , wherein the container body comprises an exterior wall extending from a container body floor to a rim. 
     
     
         7 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 6  comprising a sealing ridge positioned along the outer perimeter of the exterior of the wall. 
     
     
         8 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 7  comprising a ridge positioned along interior of the lid, whereby when the lid is pressed downwardly over the container body, said ridge in the lid snaps over the sealing ridge to lock the lid in place with respect to the container body. 
     
     
         9 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 6  comprising a compression seal within the lid. 
     
     
         10 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 6  comprising a compression seal along the outer perimeter of the exterior of the wall. 
     
     
         11 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 6 , wherein the cartridge comprises a rim sized to interface with a rim of the container body such that the cartridge floor is maintained in a position above the container body floor. 
     
     
         12 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 1 , wherein cartridge comprises a cover label comprising at least one of:
 printed information regarding the contents of the first internal space;   printed information regarding the contents of the second internal space;   printed information regarding the contents of both the first and second internal spaces;   a color indicator that changes with the concentration of the active agent released; and   a transparent portion through which a user can view into the second internal space without the need to break a seal between the lid and the container body.   
     
     
         13 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 1 , wherein the first inhibiting element is a release label or other covering and wherein the first inhibiting element comprises a tab by which a user can remove the first inhibiting element to permit the active agent to move into the first internal space. 
     
     
         14 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent sanitizes, inhibits molds or pathogens, delays ripening, delays aging, preserves, fumigates, or delays senescence of the good, and wherein the active agent is contained within a sachet, a sack, or a puck that is disposed in the second internal space. 
     
     
         15 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 14 , wherein the active agent is any one or more of sulfur dioxide, ethylene, carbon dioxide, chlorine dioxide, and nitrogen. 
     
     
         16 . The modified atmospheric container of  claim 1  comprising a vented spacer positioned at the bottom of the container body, wherein the vented spacer comprises:
 a plurality of openings in a planar section that extends generally parallel to the bottom of the container body, and 
 feet, projections, or protrusions positioned on the underside of the vented spacer to raise the planar section above the bottom of the container. 
 
     
     
         17 . A packaging system comprising:
 a container comprising
 an upper portion comprising a first rim and defining an open top, 
 a first bottom wall, and 
 a first side wall extending between the first bottom wall and the upper portion; 
   a cartridge comprising
 a second side wall, 
 a second bottom wall that is configured to facilitate fluid communication through the second bottom wall, 
 a cover label, 
 a second rim positioned at an upper periphery of the second side wall, and 
 a first inhibiting element engaged with an outer surface of the second bottom wall such that fluid flow through the second bottom wall is inhibited; 
   an active agent disposed within the cartridge; and   a lid,   wherein the second rim is sized to interface with the first rim such that the second bottom wall is maintained in a position above the first bottom wall.   
     
     
         18 . The packaging system of  claim 17  comprising a cover label positioned across the second rim generally parallel to the second bottom wall. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging system of  claim 17  comprising a vented spacer comprising a plurality of openings and positioned at the first bottom wall. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging system of  claim 17 , wherein the active agent is one or more of a sanitizer, a mold inhibitor, an agent that delays ripening of the good, an agent that delays aging of the good, an agent that delays senescence of the good, an agent that facilitates fumigation of the good, sulfur dioxide, ethylene, carbon dioxide, chlorine dioxide, and nitrogen, and wherein the active agent is contained within a sachet, a sack, or a puck.