| abstract |
A packaging system for preserving perishable items which involves a thermoplastic reclosable bag or container wherein the thermoplastic reclosable bag or container involves sealed means for closing one end of the thermoplastic reclosable bag or container, and an external patch for delivering active packaging materials (e.g., chemicals) into the thermoplastic reclosable bag or container, and means for flowing active packaging materials into the thermoplastic reclosable bag or container from the external patch into the thermoplastic reclosable bag or container. Such packaging can perform a number of functions such as moisture regulation, antimicrobial emission, ethylene scavenging, ethylene emission, antioxidant emission, flavor adsorption and emission, and oxygen and carbon dioxide regulation. The present invention allows the segregation of active compounds in plastic packaging within an external patch that prevents the direct contact of such compounds and the contents of the package but allows the free exchange of liquids and/or gasses between the patch contents and the package interior. |