WO1993002130A1 - Flexible films for modified atmosphere packaging - Google Patents
Flexible films for modified atmosphere packaging Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1993002130A1 WO1993002130A1 PCT/AU1992/000383 AU9200383W WO9302130A1 WO 1993002130 A1 WO1993002130 A1 WO 1993002130A1 AU 9200383 W AU9200383 W AU 9200383W WO 9302130 A1 WO9302130 A1 WO 9302130A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- glycerolate
- film
- film according
- modified atmosphere
- atmosphere packaging
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
- C08K5/00—Use of organic ingredients
- C08K5/04—Oxygen-containing compounds
- C08K5/05—Alcohols; Metal alcoholates
- C08K5/057—Metal alcoholates
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
- C08J—WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H
- C08J5/00—Manufacture of articles or shaped materials containing macromolecular substances
- C08J5/18—Manufacture of films or sheets
Definitions
- This invention relates to flexible polymeric films useful in the modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce such as fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.
- the invention includes polymeric films in the form of a suitable package that can control the atmosphere surrounding fresh produce in such a way that the post-harvest life of the produce is extended.
- the films of the invention contain a glycerolate.
- the additives used are one or more metal glycerolates, preferably zinc glycerolate.
- the film may be any suitable flexible polymeric film, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and other well-known films suitable for packaging, and preferably contain fillers, for example silica, alumina, magnesium oxide and/or pumice.
- the glycerolate may be present in the film in an amount from 0.025 to 0.4% by weight.
- the glycerolate is incorporated into films which also contain one or more of the agents disclosed in our above mentioned Australian application 81642/91.
- the metal glycerolate in combination with the filling materials has an effect on voiding and pore formation of the microporous polymer film.
- a masterbatch was prepared with low density polyethylene in which pumice and zinc glycerolate were added so that the loadings were 20% and 1% respectively. Before extrusion the masterbatch was then combined with linear low density polyethylene so that the final composition of the blown film contained about 4% pumice and .2% zinc glycerolate.
- Example 2 In a similar manner to Example 1, a film was prepared containing 0.2% sodium permanganate, 0.1% glycerolate and 2% pumice.
- PRODUCE TRIALS
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Wrappers (AREA)
- Manufacture Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
Abstract
A flexible gas-permeable polymeric film useful in the modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce, incorporates a glycerolate, preferably zinc glycerolate. The film may also incorporate an ethylene active agent such as sodium permanganate.
Description
FLEXIBLE FILMS FOR MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING
This invention relates to flexible polymeric films useful in the modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce such as fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. The invention includes polymeric films in the form of a suitable package that can control the atmosphere surrounding fresh produce in such a way that the post-harvest life of the produce is extended. The films of the invention contain a glycerolate.
Background of the Invention
Deterioration of produce after harvesting involves many complex factors, among which oxygen, carbon dioxide, water and ethylene have been identified as playing important and interrelated roles in the ripening and decomposition process. When produce is enclosed in plastic film, respiration continues, consuming oxygen and producing carbon dioxide.
In general, produce is adversely affected by low concentrations of oxygen. The relative concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide is also important. The concentration of these gases will vary according to the selective permeability of the polymer film.
For each produce type there is an optimum range of concentrations of C02 and 02 which retard the respiratory rate and improve the quality to the greatest extent under storage conditions. Although high concentrations of C02 are sometimes beneficial (e.g. strawberries and mushrooms) low 02 concentrations have deleterious effects on the
quality of the produce. The relative flow of the two gases through the film under storage conditions and the type of produce determine the final composition of the atmosphere. Ethylene is also known to advance the onset of an irreversible rise in respiration and ripening.
The action of low levels of gaseous ethylene as maturation hormone is well established. In particular, addition of low levels (ca 1-10 ppm) of ethylene to produce, stored under controlled atmosphere conditions is an established process to induce the onset of ripening. The reverse procedure, that of removal of ethylene from stored produce, has also been commonly practiced over many years. Methods for removal of ethylene have generally centred around scrubbing processes, in which the gas was reactively scrubbed, out of a recirculating atmosphere, for example by bubbling through potassium permanganate solutions. However, it will be appreciated that the concentration of ethylene within a package may also be effectively reduced by using a packaging material of appropriate permeability. As the concentration of ethylene in the atmosphere outside the package is practically nil, diffusion of ethylene through the packaging material will essentially be a one¬ way process that permanently removes ethylene from the atmosphere within the package.
On the other hand, diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen through packaging films is a complex two-way process that is only imperfectly understood.
PRIOR RELATED APPLICATION
In our earlier Australian patent application 81642/91, the entire disclosure in which is by this reference incorporated into the present specification, we have described and claimed a flexible gas-permeable polymeric film useful in the modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce, characterised in that the film incorporates an ethylene reactive agent, a preferred agent being sodium permanganate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have now found that the relative flow of carbon dioxide and oxygen through packaging films can be affected in a manner beneficial to the storage life of fresh produce packaged therein by the incorporation of certain materials into the said films. The materials are conveniently added to the initial polymer before extrusion.
In accordance with the invention, the additives used are one or more metal glycerolates, preferably zinc glycerolate. The film may be any suitable flexible polymeric film, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and other well-known films suitable for packaging, and preferably contain fillers, for example silica, alumina, magnesium oxide and/or pumice.
The glycerolate may be present in the film in an amount from 0.025 to 0.4% by weight. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the glycerolate is incorporated into films which also contain one or more of the agents disclosed in our above mentioned Australian application 81642/91.
Although we do not wish to be limited by any hypothetical or postulated mechanism for the observed beneficial effects, it is believed that the metal glycerolate in combination with the filling materials has an effect on voiding and pore formation of the microporous polymer film.
Example 1
A masterbatch was prepared with low density polyethylene in which pumice and zinc glycerolate were added so that the loadings were 20% and 1% respectively. Before extrusion the masterbatch was then combined with linear low density polyethylene so that the final composition of the blown film contained about 4% pumice and .2% zinc glycerolate.
Examples 2 and 3
In a similar manner to Example 1, films were prepared containing:
In a similar manner to Example 1, a film was prepared containing 0.2% sodium permanganate, 0.1% glycerolate and 2% pumice.
PRODUCE TRIALS
Trials with fresh produce have shown that the films of the invention and particularly those described in the foregoing examples are satisfactory for the storage of broccoli and other produce with similar respiratory rates. In particular, freshness of broccoli and cauliflower wrapped in these films was maintained under storage conditions of about 4°C for periods of up to 50 days.
Claims
1. A flexible gas-permeable polymeric film useful in the modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce, characterised in that the film incorporates a glycerolate.
2. A film according to claim 1 in which the glycerolate is a metal glycerolate.
3. A film according to claim 1 in which the glycerolate is zinc glycerolate.
4. A film according to claim 1, also incorporating a permanganate salt.
5. A film according to claim 1, which is a polyethylene film incorporating zinc glycerolate and sodium permanganate.
6. A film according to any one of claims 1 to 5, also incorporating a filler such as silica, alumina, magnesium oxide and/or pumice.
7. A film according to claim 1, which is a polyethylene film incorporating about 0.2%wt zinc glycerolate and about
4%wt pumice.
8. A film according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described in the Examples.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPK7389 | 1991-07-24 | ||
AUPK738991 | 1991-07-24 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1993002130A1 true WO1993002130A1 (en) | 1993-02-04 |
Family
ID=3775572
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU1992/000383 WO1993002130A1 (en) | 1991-07-24 | 1992-07-24 | Flexible films for modified atmosphere packaging |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CA (1) | CA2114000A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ243716A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1993002130A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5646324A (en) * | 1993-09-23 | 1997-07-08 | Pharmaserve Limited | Zinc glycerolate manufacture |
WO1997030911A1 (en) | 1996-02-20 | 1997-08-28 | Ben-Tzur, Israel | Plastic packaging material |
US6190710B1 (en) | 1996-02-20 | 2001-02-20 | Stepac L.A., The Sterilizing Packaging Company Of L.A., Ltd. | Plastic packaging material |
EP1103274A2 (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2001-05-30 | Ticona GmbH | Absorption of formaldehyde in closed gas impervious packages |
US6812314B2 (en) | 2001-10-17 | 2004-11-02 | University Of Florida | Thermally responsive polymer materials and uses thereof |
WO2006041608A1 (en) * | 2004-10-04 | 2006-04-20 | Sud-Chemie Inc. | Sodium pemanganate ethylene absorption agent |
WO2015131663A1 (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2015-09-11 | 福州大学 | Polymer/potassium permanganate composite film and preparation method thereof |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4385139A (en) * | 1980-10-11 | 1983-05-24 | Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft | Synthetic resin composition, process for its preparation, its use and sheet made of said composition |
AU6287286A (en) * | 1985-08-27 | 1987-03-24 | Glyzinc Pharmaceuticals Limited | Plastics or rubber materials modified by crystalline glycerato-zinc complex |
-
1992
- 1992-07-24 NZ NZ24371692A patent/NZ243716A/en unknown
- 1992-07-24 WO PCT/AU1992/000383 patent/WO1993002130A1/en active Application Filing
- 1992-07-24 CA CA 2114000 patent/CA2114000A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4385139A (en) * | 1980-10-11 | 1983-05-24 | Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft | Synthetic resin composition, process for its preparation, its use and sheet made of said composition |
AU6287286A (en) * | 1985-08-27 | 1987-03-24 | Glyzinc Pharmaceuticals Limited | Plastics or rubber materials modified by crystalline glycerato-zinc complex |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5646324A (en) * | 1993-09-23 | 1997-07-08 | Pharmaserve Limited | Zinc glycerolate manufacture |
WO1997030911A1 (en) | 1996-02-20 | 1997-08-28 | Ben-Tzur, Israel | Plastic packaging material |
US6190710B1 (en) | 1996-02-20 | 2001-02-20 | Stepac L.A., The Sterilizing Packaging Company Of L.A., Ltd. | Plastic packaging material |
EP1103274A2 (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2001-05-30 | Ticona GmbH | Absorption of formaldehyde in closed gas impervious packages |
EP1103274A3 (en) * | 1999-11-29 | 2003-02-05 | Ticona GmbH | Absorption of formaldehyde in closed gas impervious packages |
US6812314B2 (en) | 2001-10-17 | 2004-11-02 | University Of Florida | Thermally responsive polymer materials and uses thereof |
WO2006041608A1 (en) * | 2004-10-04 | 2006-04-20 | Sud-Chemie Inc. | Sodium pemanganate ethylene absorption agent |
WO2015131663A1 (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2015-09-11 | 福州大学 | Polymer/potassium permanganate composite film and preparation method thereof |
US10138337B2 (en) | 2014-03-07 | 2018-11-27 | Fuzhou University | Polymer/potassium permanganate composite film and preparation method thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NZ243716A (en) | 1994-01-26 |
CA2114000A1 (en) | 1993-02-04 |
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