Carbon monoxide modified atmosphere packaging having a time temperature indicator

• US 20070059402A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cryovac Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Cryovac Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Inventors: Barmore, Charles
• Application Number:
  US11/225,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20070059402A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/87
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/10 Coating with a protective layer; Compositions or apparatus therefor A23B4/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/16 in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/02 Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport B65D79/005 takes precedence ; measuring devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2076 in an at least partially rigid container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2084 in a flexible container

Abstract

The invention is a modified atmosphere package comprising about 0.1 to 5 vol. % carbon monoxide and that includes a time-temperature indicator that is disposed in a temperature monitoring relationship with the package and that is configured to indicate whether a perishable product disposed in the package has been exposed to a time-temperature exposure that may have caused spoilage of the product. The time-temperature indicator may be used to alert a person that a red meat product disposed in the package has potentially spoiled even though the meat product may have a fresh “bloomed” appearance. As a result, the possibility of a consumer purchasing a spoiled product may be reduced. The invention is also directed to a method of using the time-temperature indicator to indicate the likelihood of spoilage in the packaged product. In one embodiment, the time-temperature indicator changes visual appearance based on a combination of predetermined times and temperatures.

Claims

1. A modified atmosphere package comprising:

a substantially oxygen impermeable package having an interior space configured to enclose a food product therein, said interior space having a mixture of gases comprising at least 0.1 vol. % carbon monoxide and at least one other gas to form a low oxygen environment; and

a time-temperature indicator disposed in a temperature monitoring relationship with said package.

2. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein the time-temperature indicator is disposed on an exterior surface of said package.

3. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein a red meat product is disposed in the interior of said package.

4. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein the time-temperature indicator changes color when subjected to undesired temperature conditions, undesired time durations, or a combination thereof.

5. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein said modified atmosphere comprises about 30 vol. % carbon dioxide, from about 0.1 to 5 vol. % carbon monoxide, and a balance nitrogen.

6. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein said modified atmosphere comprises from about 0.1 to 3 vol. % carbon monoxide.

7. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein said package is disposed in an interior of a carton containing a plurality of such packages and wherein said time-temperature indicator is disposed in the interior of said carton.

8. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein said time-temperature indicator is formulated to expire when a food product disposed in said package has an aerobic plate count that is about 6 log cfu/gm or greater.

9. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 1, wherein said time-temperature indicator changes visual appearance based on a combination of predetermined times and temperatures, and wherein said change in visual appearance is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical deformation, mechanical movement, color change, color movement, and combinations thereof.

10. A modified atmosphere package for sealing a food product therein, said package comprising:

a support member having an interior space for disposing a food product therein;

a barrier layer attached to said support member and sealably enclosing a food product in said interior space;

a modified atmosphere in said interior space comprising a low oxygen atmosphere having from about 0.1 to 3 vol. % carbon monoxide; and

a time-temperature indicator disposed in a temperature monitoring relationship with said package.

11. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 10, wherein the barrier layer comprises a barrier layer having an oxygen transmission rate no greater than 10 cc at STP/m²/24 hr/atm.

12. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 10, wherein a beef or pork product is disposed in the interior space.

13. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 10, wherein the time-temperature indicator is adhesively attached to an exterior surface of said package.

14. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 10, wherein the time-temperature indicator changes color when subjected to undesired temperature conditions, undesired time durations, or a combination thereof.

15. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 10, wherein the time-temperature indicator is formulated to produce a scaled visual change in response to a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold.

16. A modified atmosphere package according to claim 10, wherein the modified atmosphere comprises about 0.4 vol. % carbon monoxide.

17. A method of evaluating the likelihood of spoilage in a carbon monoxide modified atmosphere package comprising:

packaging a perishable food product in a package comprising a low oxygen atmosphere and about 0.1 to 5 vol. % carbon monoxide;

placing a time-temperature indicator in a temperature monitoring relationship with said package;

activating said time-temperature indicator; and

inspecting the time-temperature indicator at least once to determine if said package has been exposed to a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold that increases the likelihood of spoilage in the food product.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of placing a time-temperature indicator in a temperature monitoring relationship further comprises attaching the time-temperature indicator to an exterior surface of said package.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of inspecting the time-temperature indicator is preceded by one or more of storing, shipping, or displaying the package.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of rejecting the package if the step of inspecting the time-temperature indicator indicates the likelihood that the package has been exposed to a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold.

21. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of packaging a food product further comprises the steps of

placing a raw meat product in an interior of a barrier support member;

evacuating the atmosphere from said interior;

flushing said interior with a mixture of gases to provide a low oxygen atmosphere comprising from about 0.1 to 3 vol. % carbon monoxide; and

attaching a substantially oxygen impermeable lidstock to the support member to enclose the meat product therein.

22. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

placing a plurality of said modified atmosphere package and a time-temperature indicator into an interior space of a carton; and

shipping the carton; and

inspecting the time-temperature indicator to determine if the contents of the carton have been exposed to a time-temperature exposure above a predetermined threshold.