Dual state packaging may be implemented with a tray having a peripheral flange adapted to receive a pair of membranes to enclose the tray. The lower membrane is the more permeable of the two. It may be attached to a first surface of the flange. The second membrane is attached to a second outer surface of the flange without direct connection except through the tray to the more permeable membrane. The two connection surfaces may be separated by a depression to facilitate the cutting away of the material forming the more permeable membrane in a continuous manufacturing process. With the less permeable membrane in place, a desired gaseous environment may be maintained within the package. When it is desired to change the gaseous environment, the upper less permeable membrane may be peeled away allowing gaseous communication through the lower more permeable membrane.
"This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/459,102, filed on Jun. 2, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/216,918, filed on Mar. 23, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,736, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/064,700, filed May 20, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,752."
Apparatuses and methods for ripening and displaying fruit are provided. Methods of making those apparatuses are also disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatuses and methods employ multiple platforms and other features for ripening fruit that increase fruit ripening speed, improve fruit flavor, reduce fruit bruising, and accommodate different ripening rates of different fruit. Other aspects and features disclosed herein further help achieve those goals, and particularly help fruit consumers to ripen store bought fruit.
Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.
