Selective Permeability Packaging for Blue Cheese Respiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cheeses with intrinsic characteristics such as breathing, like blue cheese with a bloomy rind, are difficult to control using conventional packaging methods that modify the atmosphere by adding gases or creating a vacuum, as they require specific gas exchange control without altering the internal atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed packaging with walls of selective permeability to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, having a thickness between 550 μm and 1050 μm, which allows for controlled gas exchange without modifying the internal atmosphere, specifically designed for whole, unsliced blue cheese with a bloomy rind, comprising a receptacle and a cover made from materials like polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalate, ensuring precise control of the cheese's breathing characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional packaging methods (adding gases or vacuum sealing) are used, then the atmosphere inside packaging is modified, but the intrinsic respiration characteristics of blue cheese with bloomy rind cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the permeability characteristics of the packaging wall through controlled thickness (550-1050 μm) and material composition. This allows the packaging to naturally regulate gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide transmission) without requiring active atmosphere modification systems, thereby controlling cheese respiration while simplifying the packaging structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging wall with selective permeability enables self-service by automatically regulating gas exchange between the cheese and external environment. The wall's intrinsic permeability properties allow it to control respiration rates without external intervention, eliminating the need for complex gas addition or vacuum systems while maintaining appropriate atmospheric conditions for blue cheese with bloomy rind.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the packaging wall is made thinner to improve gas exchange, then respiration control is enhanced, but mechanical strength and protection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wall thickness parameter to a specific range (550-1050 μm) that balances gas exchange efficiency with mechanical strength. This parameter optimization allows sufficient permeability for respiration control while maintaining adequate structural integrity and protection for the cheese, resolving the trade-off between thinness for gas exchange and thickness for strength.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The packaging effectively manages the respiration of blue cheese by maintaining an oxygen content below 1% and carbon dioxide content between 4% and 13% within the package, enhancing the preservation and quality of the cheese without the need for additional gas modifications or vacuum sealing.
Implementation Method 1
packaging has at least one wall with selective permeability to oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and/or water vapor
Implementation Method 2
walls with selective permeability... so as to control the respiration of said cheese
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a food article comprising at least one cheese and a closed package (10) enveloping said cheese, said cheese being whole, unsliced, soft-ripened blue cheese with a bloomy rind, said bloomy rind substantially covering all of the cheese, said package (10) being hermetically sealed, said package (10) having at least one wall (21, 26, 31) with selective permeability to oxygen and/or carbon dioxide and/or water vapor, so as to control the respiration of said cheese, said wall (21, 26, 31) with selective permeability having a thickness between 550µm and 1050µm.