Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/18—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B1/00—Layered products having a non-planar shape
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
  • B32B27/08—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/28—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising synthetic resins not wholly covered by any one of the sub-groups B32B27/30 - B32B27/42
  • B32B27/281—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising synthetic resins not wholly covered by any one of the sub-groups B32B27/30 - B32B27/42 comprising polyimides
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/32—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyolefins
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/36—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising polyesters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
  • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
  • B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
  • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
  • B65D81/264—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing liquids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
  • B65D81/24—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants
  • B65D81/26—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators
  • B65D81/266—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants
  • B65D81/267—Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with provision for draining away, or absorbing, or removing by ventilation, fluids, e.g. exuded by contents; Applications of corrosion inhibitors or desiccators for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants the absorber being in sheet form
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/70—Other properties
  • B32B2307/724—Permeability to gases, adsorption
  • B32B2307/7242—Non-permeable
  • B32B2307/7244—Oxygen barrier
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/70—Other properties
  • B32B2307/726—Permeability to liquids, absorption
  • B32B2307/7265—Non-permeable
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2323/00—Polyalkenes
  • B32B2323/04—Polyethylene
  • B32B2323/046—LDPE, i.e. low density polyethylene
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2439/00—Containers; Receptacles
  • B32B2439/70—Food packaging

Definitions

• the present invention relates to materials and to a method useful for packaging oil-containing food products, especially packaged foods whose shelf life is limited due to oil degradation.
• Oil-containing foods that are oackaged and stored at ambient conditions are subject to limited shelf lives as the oil therein degrades due to oxidative reactions.
• the shelf life of a packaged product refers to that period of time wherein the qualities of the product are not discernibly different from freshly-made product. Over time, moisture changes and oil degradation will adversely affect the aroma, texture and taste of the packaged food.
• Such concerns have been addressed in the past by packaging oil-containing foods in moisture and oxygen barrier films, opaque films that reduce light-struck reactions, and by flushing the package wilh an inert gas such as nitrogen. These measures are successful to some degree in extending the shelf life of oil-containing packaged foods.
• each of the prior art approaches to extending shelf life is limited in that they only address ways to reduce the oxidative degradation of oil, they do not give consideration to the build up of oxidative by-products within the package. Inevitably some degradation will occur and the measures taken to prevent oxidation, such as barrier films, then act to entrap the undesirable by-products, such as aldehydes which impart off-flavors associated with rancidity, and which contribute to staling of the food product.
• the present invention relates to a method of extending the shelf life of an oil-containing food that is disposed in a sealed package, which method includes packaging the oil-containing food within a packaging material that contains an effective amount of an aldehyde-absorbing composition that is accessible to aldehydes produced as by-products from oil degradation within the sealed package.
• the invention also relates to a package for extending the shelf life of an oil-containing food, which package is sealed and contains therein an effective amount of an aldehyde-absorbing material.
• the package is constructed from a packaging material that contains an effective amount of an aldehyde-absorbing composition therein.
• the packaging material may be a flexible polymer laminate that also includes moisture and oxygen barriers.
• the packaging material may be further characterized by having a layer which separates the aldehyde-absorbing composition from the food, but which permits aldehyde migration across the separating layer.
• a composition capable of reacting with oil degradation by-products such as by absorbing, catalyzing and the like in a manner which renders the by-products immobile hereinafter referred to as absorbing; is incorporated into an oil-containing food package in such a way that the oil degradation by-products are exposed to the absorbing composition.
• Oil degradation by-products are predominately aldehydes.
• One aldehyde, hexanal is a relative indicator of the oil-containing food product's acceptability, as hexanal is a by-product of iinoleic acid oxidation. As the product ages, the amount of hexanal developed in a sealed package containing the product will increase.
• potato chips which have oil contents of about thirty percent by weight, although it is understood that any oil-containing food product that is stored for any time under ambient conditions will likewise benefit from the invention.
• Other oil-containing food products contemplated as beneficiaries of the subject teaching include other low moisture salty snack foods such as corn chips, tortilla chips, puff extruded corn-based snacks; pretzels, popcorn, bakery items such as cookies, muffins and cakes; nuts; crackers; oil-based seasoned products; fat-containing confectioneries; dairy products and cooking oil.
• any composition capable of absorbing an effective amount of aldehydes, as defined hereafter, and suitable for use in direct or indirect contact with food may be used in accordance with the present teaching to extend shelf life.
• the aldehyde absorbing composition is capable of being incorporated into a packaging material.
• a further optional property in selecting the aldehyde-absorbing composition is the composition's selective preference for aldehyde absorption.
• Other organic compounds exist within the sealed package that impart aromas and flavors associated with the food product that enhance the organoleptic properties of the food. The pyrazines are examples of such organic compounds.
• Aldehyde-absorbing compositions that also scalp significant amounts of desirable organic compounds may function to extend shelf life, but also produce a bland, flavorless food product.
• the selection of the aldehyde-absorbing composition should also give consideration to the composition's preference for absorbing aldehydes.
• compositions known to absorb significant amounts of aldehydes may be selected from compounds having available primary and/or secondary amine groups and strong inorganic bases.
• the aldehyde-absorbing compositions are selected from the group consisting of polymers with a high content of primary amines and strong inorganic bases.
• the aldehyde-absorbing compositions are selected from the group consisting of polyethylenimine, polymers containing ethyiene diamine, diisopropanolamine, sodium hydroxide, and calcium hydroxide.
• the composition may be directly exposed to the food product within the package or may have indirect contact with the food, separated by a functional barrier that prevents direct contact between the aldehyde-absorbing composition and the food product but across which aldehydes can migrate to contact the aldehyde-absorbing composition.
• the a e y e-a sor ng compos on may e spose as e nner ayer o a am na e packaging material for direct contact with the food product and the generated aldehyde by-products.
• the aldehyde-absorbing composition may also be disposed as a discrete layer or thin film within a laminated packaging material for indirect contact with the food product. Such embodiments will function in accordance with this disclosure if the generated aldehydes can migrate across any intervening layers to contact the aldehyde-absorbing composition.
• the aldehyde-absorbing composition may be disposed within a sealed package as a separate package insert, such as, by way of examples, disposed on or within a coupon or information booklet, an overwrapped coupon or booklet, a capsule or packet.
• a sealed package as a separate package insert, such as, by way of examples, disposed on or within a coupon or information booklet, an overwrapped coupon or booklet, a capsule or packet.
• an effective amount of the aldehyde-absorbing composition must be used.
• effective amount is meant that the aldehyde-absorbing composition is available to absorb aldehydes produced by oil degradation at such a rate and in such amounts that the hexanal level within the sealed package does not exceed that level indicative of staling during the intended shelf life of the food product.
• the effective amount will be dependent on the reactivity of the selected aldehyde-absorbing composition, the degradation properties of the oil used in the food product and the migration rate of the aldehydes to the aldehyde-absorbing composition including across any intervening materials that may be present.
• a preferred aldehyde-absorbing composition for use in accordance with the present invention is polyethylenimine.
• Polyethylenimine contains primary and secondary amine groups that are highly reactive with aldehydes such as pentanal. hexanal and heptanal, but significantly less so with other organic compounds such as 2-methylbutanal, toluene, methylpyrazine and 4-hepta ⁇ one.
• Polyethylenimine may be used in indirect contact with foods and is stable when disposed within a packaging material.
• Polyethylenimine is known as a primer for laminated film structures that can be used as packaging materials. In United States Patent No.
• polyethylenimine is disclosed as a primer for a multi-layer oriented heat sealable film structure.
• This reference is representative of the use of . reference is disposed within a packaging structure in such a manner that any aldehydes existing within a sealed package made from the packaging material are effectively blocked by intervening polymeric layers from reaching the aldehyde-absorbing polyethylenimine.
• the amount of polyethylenimine that is taught for use as a primer is from about 1.6 to about 8.1 micrograms/cm 2 (0.01 to 0.05 lbs/3000 ft 2 ).
• polyethylenimine primer are taught to not enhance the material's functions as a primer and to possibly contribute to lamination problems. However, such amounts are not sufficient to absorb aldehydes produced by oil degradation at such a rate as to prevent build-up of hexanal within the sealed package.
• Figure 1 depicts a packaging film structure made in accordance with the invention.
• the packaging film depicted represents a conventional structure except that an aldehyde-absorbing material is contained therein, in such an amount and positioned in such a manner, that it is effective in removing aldehyde by-products formed from oil degradation in food that is packaged with this film.
• the structure comprises an outer layer 2 of 0.019 mm (.00075 in) thick biaxially oriented polypropylene which imparts strength and moisture barrier properties to the structure.
• the polyester layer 6 provides a base for metaiizing the film structure.
• the metalized polyester layer provides a high barrier to oxygen and moisture migration. Contiguous to the metallized polyester layer 6 is a thin film 8 of an aldehyde-absorbing composition, such as polyethylenimine.
• polyethylenimine has been found, in this structure, to be from about 16 to 64 micrograms/cm 2 (0.10-0.40 lbs/3000 ft 2 ) and preferably from about 16 to 33 micrograms/cm 2 (0.10 - 0.20 lbs/3000 ft 2 ).
• a sealant material such as Surlyn 1652SR available from I.E. DuPont DeNemours and Company, Wilmington, Delaware.
• the sealant layer provides adhesion when the packaging material is formed into a bag.
• Aldehydes such as pentanal, hexanal and heptanal, identified by the letters A in the Figure, will be produced within a sealed package of oil-containing food, . , indicated by the arrows in the Figure.
• the aldehyde contacts an active primary or secondary amine on the aldehyde-absorbing composition thin film 8, it is immobilized and does not contribute to shortening the packaged product shelf life nor does it accumulate in the sealed package to create an unpleasant aroma or contribute to off-flavor when the package is opened.
• compositions that absorb hexanal will remove the by-products of oil-degradation from a sealed package having an oil-containing food product therein.
• a standard solution is prepared of 0.5 micrograms of hexanal per microliter of methanol.
• the compositions to be tested for aldehyde absorption may be provided as a thin film within a 6.45 cm 2 (1 in 2 ) sample of packaging film disposed in a vial, may be provided as an evaporative coating in the test vial or may be disposed in the test vial in solid form.
• To make the evaporative coating compositions that are soluble in methanol are dissolved therein at about 0.1 gram of the composition to be screened per 10 ml. of methanol. This solution is placed in a vial and the methanol is evaporated with compressed nitrogen, leaving the composition disposed on the sidewalls of the vial. If the composition is not soluble in methanol, then about 10 mg. of the composition are directly disposed into the vial.
• the composition is disposed within the test vial, a measured amount of the standard hexanal-in-methanol solution is placed in the vial and the vial is sealed.
• the sealed vial is heated at about 80°C for about one hour.
• Hexanal in Ihe vial is then measured by static headspace-gas chromatography. The difference between the initial hexanal level and the level measured after one hour at 80°C is used to calculate the percent absorbed by the aldehyde-absorbing composition. above-described manner.
• compositions that contain primary and secondary amines absorb hexanal, but absorption by tertiary amines and amides is significantly reduced.
• Strong basic compositions, such as calcium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide absorbed essentially all of the available hexanal.
• Compounds which absorbed more than 80% of the hexanal in this test are considered to be in conformance with the present invention and are capable of being used as aldehyde-absorbing compositions in food packaging.
• compositions for food packaging will include the composition's volatility and migration characteristics as well as its preference for absorbing aldehydes over other organic compounds.
• Other additives may be used to increase effectiveness of an aldehyde-absorbing composition.
• Example 2 The same test procedure described in Example 1 above was used to test the abso ⁇ fion of other organic compounds by aldehyde-absorbing compositions.
• the standard hexanal-in-methanol solution used in Example 1 was replaced with solutions of 2-methylbutanal-. heDtanak pentanal-. toluene-, methylpyrazine- or 4-heptanone-in-methanol to determine the absorption of these compounds by the aldehyde-absorbing compositions.
• Table 2 The results of these tests are displayed in Table 2 below:
• uc aldehyde compositions are especially suitable for use in conjunction with food products that also release other organic compounds which contribute to the preferred aroma and taste of the food.
• the above compositions will preferentially absorb the undesirable aldehydes produced by oil degradation, (2-methylbutanal, pentanal, hexanal and hepta ⁇ al) while not significantly reducing the amount of desirable compounds present in the sealed package (toluene, methyfpyrazine and 4-heptanone).
• This Example demonstrates the reduction of hexanal in potato chips through the use of aldehyde-absorbing compositions.
• a test was designed wherein two vials, each containing two grams of potato chips, were disposed in a glass jar along with a third vial containing the test composition. The test compositions are described in Table 3A below. The glass jar was sealed and placed in an oven at 40°C for about three days. The jar was then removed from the oven and allowed to cool. The jar was then opened and the vials containing the potato chips were removed. The hexanal level of the potato chips was measured by static-headspace gas chromatography. The results of these tests are shown below in Table 3. The data are expressed as a percent of Control Test No.
• Diisopropanoiamine 42 material separated it from the interior atmosphere of the jar (Test No. 4), as compared to when it was covered by a layer of Surlyn* brand sealant (Test No. 3), however, each test demonstrated significant hexanal reductions, 62% and 46% respectively.
• the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide was influenced by the amount of calcium hydroxide present.
• One milligram of calcium hydroxide was not effective in reducing hexanal, (Test No. 5), yet 50 mgs. removed about 61% of the hexanal tram the potato chips (Test No. 6).
• Diisopropanoiamine was about equally effective in reducing hexanal, whether present at 3 mg or 70 mg.
• Diisopropanoiamine absorbed about 52 percent and 58 percent of hexanal generated at the elevated temperature used in this test. Thus, each of these three compositions was shown to be an aldehyde-absorbing composition when present in an effective amount.
• the packaging films utilized in Test Nos. 2 and 3 in Example 3 were also used as standard packaging material for potato chips.
• About 184 gms. (6.5 oz.) of potato chips were packaged using the films under standard packaging conditions common to the business and with air interpacked with the potato chips.
• the interior surface area of the packages was about 1450 cm 2 (225 in 2 ).
• the sealed packages were then placed in a shelf life test, that is, stored at about 23 °C (73 °F), and sampled over a period of time to measure the buildup of hexanal within the packages. Hexanal accumulated in the control package at a steadily increasing rate. A projected shelf life of 49 days corresponded to a hexanal level within the bag of about .4 ppm. At the same time, 49 days, the hexanal level in the package incorporating an aldehyde-absorbing composition in the packaging material was only 0.16 ppm. The hexanal level in this package remained consistently low, measuring ⁇ .19 ppm at 80 days, 0.21 at 100 days and .22 ppm at 120 days. Thus, the present invention was useful in extending the shelf life of potato chips by more than 100 percent.
• the hexanal level in the packages that contained the additional freshness protection of an aldehyde-absorbing composition had hexanal levels of .06 after 21 days and .06 ppm after 63 days and never exceeded 0.1 ppm after a test period of 120 days.
• aldehyde-absorbing compositions is not limited to those specifically exemplified herein, or by the disclosure of typical components thereof, the examples having been provided merely to demonstrate practice of the subject invention. Those skilled in the art may readily select other compositions that are aldehyde-absorbing and compatible for use with packaged foods, as well as other means for exposing the aldehyde-absorbing compositions to aldehyde compounds generated within the package.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Wrappers (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

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• 1992
  • 1992-06-24 EP EP92305797A patent/EP0526977A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1992-07-02 AU AU23072/92A patent/AU2307292A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1992-07-02 WO PCT/US1992/005514 patent/WO1993001049A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1992-07-03 MX MX9203955A patent/MX9203955A/es unknown

Patent Citations (3)

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