CN115335300A - Packaging configured to conceal or otherwise visually obscure an attached active member - Google Patents

Abstract

A package configured to hold a product comprises an active component and a label. The active component may be placed on or attached to an inner surface of the package and the label may be placed on or attached to an outer surface of the package. The label may be placed on the package to cover the active component such that the active component is generally not visible from the external environment.

Description

Packaging configured to conceal or otherwise visually obscure an attached active member

CROSS-APPLICATION OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/004,328 entitled "PACKAGE CONFIGURED TO conceal OR OTHERWISE VISUALLY OBSCURE AN ACTIVE COMPONENT ATTACHED THERETO (PACKAGE consistent TO high OR other means) filed on 2/4/2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The presently disclosed technology relates generally to packaging for containing products, such as, but not limited to, liquid food products and/or perishable items. In one optional embodiment, the presently disclosed technology relates to a package having an active component or member that is visually obscured (e.g., at least partially hidden or not visible) from the exterior of the package, such as by a label.

Background

Various types of packaging require or at least benefit from controlled environmental conditions. For example, some products require the absence of moisture or environment in the case of a particular narrow window for relative humidity within the package. Other products degrade in the presence of ethylene. Still other products, agricultural products such as lettuce, may be exposed to the risk of contamination and would benefit from means for addressing such contamination, for example by releasing antimicrobial compounds in the headspace of the package.

Disclosure of Invention

One way to address the need for controlled environmental conditions for packaging a certain product is to provide the components, optionally in the form of a film having a certain type of absorbing, adsorbing and/or releasing activity or capacity. This component can optionally be an entrained polymer film with an active agent, e.g., a desiccant polymer or an antimicrobial release polymer. Optionally, the entrained polymer membrane may also comprise a channeling agent to help regulate adsorption or release of a given material.

In packaging applications where this component or film is placed on the interior portion of a transparent or translucent package (e.g., on the underside of a clear lid or lidding film), the component or film may not be visible to the consumer. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed technology involves placing an entrained polymeric film under or behind the packaging label (or where the packaging label will be placed) to conceal the active polymeric film.

In one optional embodiment, the active member (e.g., comprising an antimicrobial agent) may form part of, be integral with, and/or be embedded within the label. In this embodiment, the label may optionally be attached to the inner surface of the package.

In another optional embodiment, a label is attached to the package on or at a transparent or translucent portion of the package. The label may prevent the active member from being seen or make it more difficult to see the active member from the environment outside the package.

Optionally, a method according to the presently disclosed technology comprises placing an active component inside a package, wherein the active component is hidden or otherwise obscured from at least partially or completely from the external environment of the package by a sticker or label attached to the exterior of the package.

Drawings

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the presently disclosed technology, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements throughout. For the purpose of illustrating the presently disclosed technology, there are shown in the drawings, various illustrative embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package in accordance with one optional embodiment of the presently disclosed technology, wherein active members that are otherwise not visible (e.g., from a front elevation of the package) are shown in phantom only for clarity of the invention; and is

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a package according to a second optional embodiment of the presently disclosed technology, with active members that are otherwise not visible (e.g., from a top plan view of the package) shown in phantom only for clarity of the invention.

Detailed Description

Although the systems, devices, and methods are described herein by way of examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the described embodiments or the accompanying drawings. On the contrary, the presently disclosed technology is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features of any one embodiment disclosed herein may be omitted or incorporated into another embodiment.

Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used herein, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms "a", "an" and "the" are not limited to one element but are instead read with the meaning "at least one". The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

As used herein, the term "active" is defined as capable of acting on, interacting with, or reacting with a selected material (e.g., moisture or oxygen) in accordance with the presently disclosed technology. Examples of such actions or interactions may include absorption, adsorption, or release of a selected material. Another example of "active" is an agent capable of acting on, interacting with, or reacting with a selected material to cause the release of a release material.

As used herein, the term "active agent" is defined as the following materials: (1) Is immiscible with the base polymer and will not melt, i.e. has a melting point higher than the melting point of the base polymer or the channeling agent, when mixed and heated together with the base polymer and the channeling agent; and (2) act on, interact with, or react with the selected material. The term "active agent" may include, but is not limited to, materials that absorb, adsorb, or release the selected material.

The active agents of one embodiment of the presently disclosed technology are those that release antimicrobial gases, such as, but not limited to, chlorine dioxide gas. The active agent according to the presently disclosed technology can be in the form of particles, such as minerals (e.g., molecular sieves or silica gels in the case of desiccants), but the presently disclosed technology should not be considered limited to particulate active agents only. For example, in some embodiments, the oxygen scavenging formulation may be made of a resin that acts as or is an integral part of the active agent.

The term "antimicrobial release agent" refers to an active agent capable of releasing a releasing antimicrobial material, e.g., in gaseous form. The active agent may comprise a formulation (e.g., a powdered mixture) comprising an active component and other components (e.g., a catalyst and a trigger) configured to release an antimicrobial gas. A "releasable antimicrobial material" is a compound that inhibits or prevents the growth and proliferation of microorganisms and/or kills microorganisms, for example, chlorine dioxide gas. The releasable antimicrobial material is released by the antimicrobial release agent. By way of example only, the antimicrobial release agent may be triggered (e.g., by a chemical reaction or physical change) by contact with a selected material (e.g., moisture). For example, moisture can react with the antimicrobial release agent to cause the agent to release the releasing antimicrobial material.

As used herein, the term "base material" is a constituent (preferably a polymer) that entrains the active material rather than the active agent, which provides the structure of the entrained material.

As used herein, the term "base polymer" is a polymer that optionally has a gas transport rate of the selected material that is substantially lower than, or substantially equivalent to the gas transport rate of the channeling agent. For example, in embodiments where the selected material is moisture and the active agent is an antimicrobial gas-releasing agent activated by moisture or a water-absorbing desiccant, this transmission rate is the water vapor transmission rate. The active agent may comprise a formulation comprising an active component and other components configured to release an antimicrobial gas. In one embodiment, the primary function of the base polymer is to provide a structure for the entrained polymer.

Base polymers suitable for use in the present invention include thermoplastic polymers, for example, polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polybutene, polysiloxane, polycarbonate, polyamide, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylate copolymer, poly (vinyl chloride), polystyrene, polyester, polyanhydride, polyacrylonitrile, polysulfone, polyacrylate, acrylic, polyurethane and polyacetal, or copolymers or mixtures thereof.

Referring to this comparison of the water vapor transmission rates of the base polymer and the channeling agent in one embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate that is at least twice that of the base polymer. In another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate that is at least five times greater than the water vapor transmission rate of the base polymer. In another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate that is at least ten times the water vapor transmission rate of the base polymer. In yet another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate that is at least twenty times greater than the water vapor transmission rate of the base polymer. In yet another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate that is at least fifty times greater than the water vapor transmission rate of the base polymer. In yet another embodiment, the channeling agent has a water vapor transmission rate that is at least one hundred times the water vapor transmission rate of the base polymer.

As used herein, the term "channeling agent" or "channeling agents" is defined as a material that is immiscible with the base polymer and has an affinity for transporting gas phase species at a faster rate than the base polymer. Optionally, when formed by mixing a channeling agent with a base polymer, the channeling agent is capable of forming a channel through the entrained polymer. Optionally, such channels are capable of transporting the selected material through the entrained polymer at a rate that is only faster than in the base polymer.

As used herein, the term "channel" or "interconnecting channel" is defined as a passageway formed by a channeling agent that penetrates through a base polymer and can interconnect with one another.

As used herein, the term "entrained polymer" is defined as a monolithic material formed from at least a base polymer, an active agent, and optionally also an entrained or integrally distributed channeling agent. The entrained polymer is thus at least two-phase (without channeling agent) or at least three-phase (with channeling agent). A "mineral loaded polymer" is a type of entrained polymer in which the active agent is in the form of a mineral, for example, mineral particles such as molecular sieves or silica gels. The term "entraining material" is used herein to connote a monolithic material comprising an active agent entrained in a base material, wherein the base material may or may not be polymeric.

As used herein, the terms "bulk," "monolithic structure," or "bulk composition" are defined as a composition or material that is not composed of two or more discrete macroscopic layers or portions. Thus, the "overall composition" does not comprise a multilayer composite.

The term "phase", as used herein, is defined as a portion or constituent of a structure or composition that is uniformly distributed throughout to provide the structure or composition with its bulk properties.

As used herein, the term "selected material" is defined as a material that acts or interacts or reacts with an active agent and is capable of being transported through a channel of entrained polymer. For example, in embodiments where a desiccant is used as the active agent, the material selected may be a moisture or gas that may be absorbed by the desiccant. In embodiments where a release material is used as the active agent, the material selected may be an agent that is released by the release material, such as moisture, a fragrance, or an antimicrobial agent (e.g., chlorine dioxide). In embodiments where the adsorbent material is used as an active agent, the selected material may be a certain volatile organic compound and the adsorbent material may be activated carbon.

As used herein, the term "three-phase" is defined as an overall composition or structure that includes three or more phases. An example of a three-phase composition according to the invention is an entrained polymer formed from a base polymer, an active agent, and a channeling agent. Optionally, a three-phase composition or structure may comprise additional phases, such as colorants, but still be considered "three-phase" in view of the presence of the three primary functional constituents.

The entrained polymer may be a two-phase formulation (i.e., comprising the base polymer and the active agent without channeling agent) or a three-phase formulation (i.e., comprising the base polymer, the active agent, and the channeling agent). Entrained polymers are described, for example, in U.S. patent nos. 5,911,937, 6,080,350, 6,124,006, 6,130,263, 6,194,079, 6,214,255, 6,486,231, 7,005,459, and U.S. patent publication No. 2016/0039955, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The entraining material or polymer comprises a base material (e.g., a polymer) for providing structure, optionally a channeling agent, and an active agent (collectively, sometimes referred to as "active members"). However, other variations of active members are possible. For example, the active member can also be composed of a base material and an active agent, without a channeling agent. The channeling agent forms microscopic interconnecting channels by entraining the polymer.

At least some of the active agent is contained in the channels such that the channels communicate between the active agent and the exterior of the entrained polymer through microscopic channel openings formed at the exterior surface of the entrained polymer. The active agent can be, for example, any of a variety of absorbing, adsorbing, or releasing materials as described in further detail below. Although channeling agents are preferred, the present invention broadly encompasses entrainment materials, e.g., two phase polymers, that optionally do not contain channeling agents.

In any embodiment, suitable channeling agents may include polyglycols such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), glycerol polyamines, polyurethanes, and polycarboxylic acids including polyacrylic or polymethacrylic acids. Alternatively, the channeling agent may be, for example, a water-insoluble polymer such as propylene oxide polymerizate-monobutyl ether manufactured by CLARIANT Corporation (CLARIANT), such as Polyglykol B01/240. In other embodiments, the channeling agent may be a propylene oxide polymer product monobutyl ether, such as Polyglykol B01/20, manufactured by Clariant, a propylene oxide polymer product, such as Polyglykol D01/240, manufactured by Clariant, ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon 6, nylon 66, or any combination of the foregoing.

Suitable active agents according to the presently disclosed technology comprise absorbent materials, such as dry compounds. If the active agent is a desiccant, any suitable desiccant may be used for a given application. Typically, physical absorption desiccants are preferred for many applications. These applications may include molecular sieves, silica gels, clays and starches. Alternatively, the desiccant may be a chemical compound that forms crystals containing water or a compound that reacts with water to form a new compound.

Optionally, in any embodiment, the active agent may be an oxygen scavenger, e.g., an oxygen scavenging resin formulation.

Further, the terms "package", "packaging" and "container" are used interchangeably herein to refer to an object that holds or contains goods, such as food products and food. Optionally, the package may comprise a container in which the product is stored. Non-limiting examples of packages (packaging), and containers include trays, boxes, cartons, bottles, containers (containers), pouches, and flexible bags. The pouch or flexible bag may be made of, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene. The package or container may be closed, capped, and/or sealed using a variety of mechanisms including, for example, lids, lid sealants, adhesives, and heat seals. The package or container is constructed or constructed from a variety of materials, such as plastic (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene), paper, styrofoam, glass, metal, and combinations thereof. In one optional embodiment, the package or container is constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid polymer, optionally polypropylene or polyethylene, and preferably sufficiently rigid to retain its shape under the force of gravity.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1a package, generally designated 10, which may be used in accordance with an aspect of the disclosed concept. Optionally, the package 10 may form a cavity 11 for holding a product (e.g., food, medicine, or other perishable item) and may contain a label or advertisement 12 and a component 14, such as an active member. Label 12 may contain or display indicia, text, one or more trademarks, one or more colors, one or more images, etc. that may be indicative of the product or particular company, reason, or individual within package 10.

In one optional embodiment, the label 12 may be placed on or attached to an outer surface of the package 10, and the component 14 may be placed on or attached to an inner surface of the package 10. The label 12 and component 14 may be aligned such that the label 12 obscures the component 14 from view from the exterior (at least some or all of the viewing angles) of the package 10. In an alternative embodiment, both the label 12 and the component 14 may be attached to the inner surface of the package 10. The tag 12 and component 14 may optionally be separate or combined into one item.

In one embodiment, the tag 12 and component 14 have generally the same shape as in FIG. 1 (e.g., a rectangle or circle). However, the tag 12 and the component 14 may have different sizes, shapes, and/or configurations. For example, the component 14 may have a rectangular shape, while the tag 12 may have a circular shape or an eccentric shape. Further, the tag 12 and the component 14 may optionally be exactly or substantially the same size, or the tag 12 may be larger than the component 14.

Optionally, the component 14 may be in the form of an entrained polymeric film, which may have a thin layer on its bottom side (e.g., the side facing the interior of the package 10) for allowing activity (e.g., absorption, adsorption, release capacity, etc.) but preventing direct contact of the active ingredient with the product (e.g., food). Optionally, the component 14 may include an antimicrobial release agent.

Optionally, the package 10 is at least partially or completely formed of a translucent or transparent material such that the contents of the package 10, or at least a portion thereof, are generally visible from the external environment. More specifically, the package 10 may optionally have a transparent or translucent side or surface. The component 14 will be visible in addition to the presence of the label 11, which may optionally be opaque. Package 10 may optionally be formed from a roll of plastic film, such as by a horizontal form fill and seal machine or a vertical form fill and seal machine.

Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the presently disclosed technology. Similar or identical structures as between the embodiment of fig. 1 and the embodiment of fig. 2 are distinguished in fig. 2 by reference numerals having an amplitude that is one hundred (100) greater than the amplitude of fig. 1. The description of some similarities between the embodiment of fig. 1 and the embodiment of fig. 2 may be omitted here for convenience and brevity only.

As shown in fig. 2, a Polyethylene (PET) clamshell package 110, such as typically used for storage and/or transportation of, for example, strawberries and the like, can contain an active member 114, such as an entrained polymeric film, that is placed on the underside of the lid at or near where the package label 112 is placed on the top of the lid (e.g., on the outer surface of the lid). However, the active member 114 is not limited to this location, as the active member 114 can be placed anywhere a label or visual shade is located on the interior of the package 110.

Fig. 2 shows that the active members 114 are significantly smaller (e.g., one-eighth) than the tag 112 and are positioned at, near, or near the corners of the tag 112. However, the active member 114 may move relative to the tag 112, or the active member 114 and/or the tag 112 may be larger or smaller than shown in FIG. 2.

In an alternative optional embodiment, where a flexible lidding film is used on top of the package, the entrained polymer may be placed on the bottom side of the film underneath the package label.

In one optional embodiment, the label 12, 112 is attached to the inner surface of the package, and the active member 14, 114 forms a portion of, is integral with, and/or is embedded in the label 12, 112. In this configuration, the active member 14, 114 may be configured to hold the product within the package 10, 110 without being visible to the user or purchaser.

The presently disclosed technology is not limited to use with or for antimicrobial agents. Rather, the presently disclosed technology can encompass, for example, any membrane and active component.

In one aspect, the presently disclosed technology optionally relates to a method of forming a package containing an active member on an interior surface of the package and a label on an exterior surface of the package. The label and the active member may be aligned such that the label obscures or shields the active member from view from the external environment of the package.

The following exemplary embodiments further describe optional aspects of the presently disclosed technology and are part of this detailed description. These exemplary embodiments are shown in a format substantially similar to the claims (each group containing a numerical name followed by a letter (e.g., "a," "B," etc.)), but are not technically claims of the present application. The following exemplary embodiments will be referred to in subordinate relation to each other as "embodiments" rather than as "claims".

A package comprising an active component attached to an interior surface of the package and a label attached to an opposite exterior surface of the package.

The package of embodiment 1A, wherein the label is non-transparent and non-translucent.

The package of embodiment 1A or 2A, wherein the label is larger than the active moiety.

The package of any of embodiments 1A-3A, wherein the active moiety is an entrained polymer film.

The package of any of embodiments 1A-4A, wherein the active component is located on a lid of the package.

A package configured to aesthetically present a food comprises an active component located under a label to conceal the active component.

The package of embodiment 1B, wherein the active component is attached to an interior surface of the package.

The package of embodiment 1B or 2B, wherein the label is attached to an outer surface of the package.

4B the package of one of embodiments 1B-3B wherein the label completely or entirely blocks or conceals the active component.

While the presently disclosed technology has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the presently disclosed technology is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (30)

1. A package forming a cavity and configured to hold or store a perishable product, the package comprising:

an active member attached to an interior surface of the package, the active member comprising a base material and an active agent; and

a label attached to the package on or at a transparent or translucent portion of the package, the label preventing the active member from being seen or making it more difficult to see the active member from the environment external to the package.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the label is attached to an outer surface of the package.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the label is attached to an inner surface of the package.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the active member is embedded in, integral with, or attached to the label.

5. The package of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active member is a film configured to absorb or adsorb.

6. The package of claim 5, wherein the active member is an entrained polymeric film.

7. The package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a product is placed in the cavity, and wherein the active member facilitates preservation of the product.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein the product is a perishable food.

9. The package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the package is transparent.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein the entire package, except for the label, is transparent.

11. The package of claim 9, wherein the label is opaque.

12. The package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a portion of the package is translucent.

13. The package of claim 12, wherein the entire package, except for the label, is translucent.

14. The package of claim 12, wherein the label is opaque.

15. The package of claim 2, wherein the label is larger than the active member.

16. The package of claim 2 or claim 15, wherein the label and the active member have the same shape.

17. The package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the package is a pouch formed from a roll of plastic film.

18. The package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the package is formed of polyethylene.

19. The package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the active member comprises a desiccant or an antimicrobial material.

20. The package of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the active member comprises a channeling agent.

21. A package configured to hold or store a product, the package forming a cavity for holding a perishable product, the package comprising:

at least one transparent or translucent side or surface;

a label attached to an interior of the transparent or translucent side or surface, the label being opaque; and

an active member comprising a base material and an active agent attached to, integral with, or embedded in the tag,

wherein the label conceals the active member from view in the environment external to the package.

22. The package of claim 21, wherein the active member is an entrained polymeric film.

23. The package of claim 21 or 22, wherein the package is a bag formed from a roll of plastic film.

24. The package of claim 21 or 22, wherein the package is formed of polyethylene.

25. The package of claim 21 or 22, wherein the active member comprises a desiccant or an antimicrobial material.

26. A method of forming a package containing an active member on an interior surface of the package and a label on an exterior surface of the package, the method comprising:

aligning the label and the active member such that the label obscures or obscures the active member from view from an environment external to the package.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the active member is configured to be absorbed, adsorbed, or released.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the active member is an entrained polymer membrane.

29. The method of any one of claims 26-28, wherein the active member comprises a base material and an active agent.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the active member comprises a channeling agent.

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