(19)
(11) EP 0 253 648 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
25.01.1989 Bulletin 1989/04

(43) Date of publication A2:
20.01.1988 Bulletin 1988/03

(21) Application number: 87306261.6

(22) Date of filing: 15.07.1987
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4: B65B 25/04, B65B 31/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 16.07.1986 GB 8617314

(71) Applicant: Wilburton Limited
Cambridge CB1 2RN (GB)

(72) Inventors:
  • Muncey, David William
    Cottenham Cambridgeshire CB4 4RG (GB)
  • Musgrave, David
    Ely Cambridgeshire (GB)
  • Strickland, Elizabeth
    Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 3PU (GB)

(74) Representative: Cockbain, Julian, Dr. et al
Frank B. Dehn & Co., European Patent Attorneys, 179 Queen Victoria Street
London EC4V 4EL
London EC4V 4EL (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Plant matter packaging process


    (57) There is provided process for packaging plant matter (l2), said process comprising cooling plant matter to a temperature above the temperature at which ice crystals begin to form therein, filling the plant matter into containers (23) therefor, evacuating the gaseous atmosphere from the cooled plant matter-containing containers, introducing into the evacuated containers a gaseous mixture comprising an inert gas and at least 4% oxygen, and sealing the containers containing said gaseous mixture and cooled plant matter. The process is particularly suited to the packaging of uncooked and unfrozen vegetables, fruits or fungi or mixtures thereof, especially when chopped or diced, and enables the shelf storage life of such material to be extended significantly.







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