Classifications

• • 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
  • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
• • 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
• • 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
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a container for holding a particulate or powder product, such as infant formula. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to an absorptive container that includes an oxygen and/or moisture vapor absorptive material disposed therewith. The disclosure also relates to a can end including an absorptive material, and a method of manufacturing an absorptive container.
• the container should be user-friendly for the ultimate consumer.
• a user-friendly container is one that is convenient for the ultimate user to store, use and from which to scoop, measure and dispense the product contained within.
• a user-friendly container also should minimize the risk of contamination or leaching of the container components into the product and providing a consumption risk to an end user. For example, a desiccant mixed directly with the product would provide too great of a risk of product contamination or subject consumption to be practical.
• the container should also be able to be produced using, and compatible with, modern container designs, manufacturing process, and materials.
• Containers formed of plastic and/or metal are often used to store and sell various particulate products, particularly in the industrial, food, and pharmaceutical sectors.
• Modern container manufacturing and product packaging may, for example, place a separately manufactured can end or lid on the container before or after the container is filled with product.
• a container should provide product with a long shelf life under high temperatures during distribution and storage (i.e. temperatures of at least about 30°C, and up to and above 40°C) and sequester oxygen and/or moisture from the container chamber and the product.
• a container in one embodiment, includes a sidewall defining an interior chamber and a can end attached to the sidewall.
• the can end may include a recessed concavity integrally formed in the can end and open to the chamber.
• At least one barrier layer may be disposed between, or dividing, the concavity and the chamber.
• the can end may include a center on which the concavity is disposed.
• An oxygen absorptive material may be disposed within the concavity. The oxygen absorptive material may be granular.
• the at least one barrier layer includes a gas barrier layer and a second barrier layer.
• the gas barrier layer may face the interior chamber, and the bottom layer may face the concavity.
• the gas barrier layer may be comprised of, or constructed from, a metalized film having a polymer layer and a metal layer disposed on the polymer layer.
• the second barrier layer may be comprised of, or constructed from, an oxygen permeable material.
• the barrier layer may include a plurality of apertures.
• a can end in another embodiment, includes a body having a shallow concave depression.
• An absorptive material may be disposed in the depression.
• the absorptive material may absorb oxygen and/or moisture vapor.
• the barrier layer may cover the absorptive material and be attached to the body.
• the barrier layer may comprise a gas barrier layer and a second barrier layer.
• the gas barrier layer may be constructed of a metalized film.
• the second barrier layer may be constructed of an oxygen and/or moisture vapor permeable material.
• a can end includes a body with a medial portion, and the shallow concave depression is positioned in the medial portion.
• the body and/or the depression may each have a circular profile.
• the depression may have a depression depth and a cross-sectional depression length, the depression depth being from 1% to 25% of the cross-sectional depression length.
• the body may have a cross-sectional area, and the depression has a depression cross-sectional area of from 2.5% to 50% of the body cross-sectional area.
• a method of manufacturing an oxygen absorptive container comprises: (a) providing a can end including a shallow cavity, the cavity including an oxygen absorptive material covered by at least one barrier layer; and (b) securing the can end to a container.
• the method of manufacturing may further comprise the at least one barrier layer to expose the oxygen absorptive material to an interior chamber of the container.
• the container is filled with product after the puncturing.
• the puncturing of the barrier layer may include laser- etching at least one aperture in the barrier layer.
• the barrier layer includes an oxygen permeable layer and a metallic layer. The puncturing may be of the metallic layer and not of the oxygen permeable layer, keeping the oxygen permeable layer intact.
• Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a cross-section of an embodiment of a container.
• Fig. 2 is an elevation view of a cross-section of an embodiment of a can end.
• FIG. 3 is top view of an embodiment of the can end of Fig 2.
• FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a cross-section of a can end with a packet disposed thereon.
• FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a cross-section of an embodiment of a container.
• Container 10 includes a sidewall 12 that defines an interior chamber 13.
• Interior chamber 13 may be filled and sealed with product 11, for example, particulate product such as nutritional compositions, infant formula, or coffee.
• Interior chamber 13 may have a fluid volume capacity of from 500 mL to 7000 mL.
• Sidewall 12 may be substantially non-transmissible to oxygen. Sidewall 12 that is non-transmissible to oxygen transmits no more than 100 cubic centimeters of O2 per square meter per 24 hours (O2/m 2 /24 hours).
• Sidewall 12 may be constructed of, for example, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, or metal such as aluminum, steel, iron, or tin. Sidewall 12 may include layers of the same, or differing, materials. Sidewall 12 is attached to, or formed with, a can end 14.
• can end 14 includes a recessed concavity 16 integrally formed therein.
• Recessed concavity 16 may be open to chamber 13.
• Concavity 16 may be positioned and disposed on a center 28 of can end 14.
• Concavity 16 may be formed by, for example, stamping, rolling or doming concavity 16 into can end 14. Concavity 16 may also be integrally formed with, adhered onto, or welded with can end 14.
• An oxygen absorptive material 18 may be disposed within concavity 16.
• the oxygen absorptive material 18 may be, for example, iron powder, ascorbic acid, photosensitive polymers, enzymes, or combinations thereof. Oxygen absorptive material 18 may reduce levels of free oxygen gas within chamber 13 to less than 21%, preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 1%, most preferably 0.01% or less, by volume. Oxygen absorptive material 18 may be included in an amount of from 0.1 cubic centimeters to 10 cubic centimeters or from 1 cubic centimeter to 5 cubic centimeters.
• a moisture absorptive material 19 may also be disposed within concavity 16.
• Moisture absorptive material 19 may absorb liquid water as well as water in the form of moisture vapor, such that it is a desiccant.
• Moisture absorptive material 19 may be, for example, silica gel, clay and minerals, calcium oxide, activated clay, and a deliquescent salt, such as calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, potassium carbonate, potassium phosphate, carnallite, ferric ammonium citrate, potassium hydroxide, ferric chloride, and/or sodium hydroxide, and
• Moisture absorptive material 19 may be included in an amount of from 0.1 gram to 10 grams. In one embodiment, a single material acts both as an oxygen absorptive material 18 and a moisture absorptive material 19. The oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or the moisture absorptive material 19 may be in granular form.
• the present disclosure may allow for, for example, the storage of probiotics in nutritional composition products that are currently unfeasible to include due to their shelf life in current containers. The present disclosure may also enable extended shelf life of probiotics currently included in nutritional composition products.
• Additional benefits of including oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or moisture absorptive material 19 include: extending shelf life of product 11; providing more consistent quality of product 11; faster product 11 packaging; preventing growth of aerobic pathogens and spoilage organisms in chamber 13; reducing and preventing lipid, vitamin and product 11 oxidation; and preserving freshness of product 11.
• Concavity 16 may be covered by at least one barrier layer 20 such that oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or the moisture absorptive material 19 is disposed between concavity 16 and barrier layer 20, and barrier layer 20 is disposed between concavity 16 and chamber 13.
• Barrier layer 20 may comprise multiple layers.
• barrier layer 20 comprises a gas barrier layer 22 (i.e., oxygen and/or moisture barrier) and a second barrier layer 24.
• the gas barrier layer 22 may an oxygen and/or moisture barrier
• the second barrier layer 24 may separate absorptive material 18 from product 11 while providing a surface upon which the gas barrier layer 22 is disposed.
• Second barrier layer 24 may be configured to attach to can end 14 by, for example, adhering second barrier layer 24 with can end 14, such as by a heat sealant.
• Gas barrier layer 22 may face chamber 13 and second barrier layer 24 may face concavity 16.
• Gas barrier layer 22 may be constructed of a polymeric film that is a low barrier to oxygen and/or moisture vapor, coated with a thin layer of aluminum or other high barrier to oxygen and/or moisture vapor.
• Second barrier layer 24 may be constructed of an oxygen permeable material, such as an oxygen permeable film or membrane.
• the oxygen permeable material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, which include low-, linear low-, and high-density polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polystyrene (PS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS, with 1,3-butadiene isomer added during the polymerization of the PS), oriented polystyrene (OPS), poly( vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVdC), and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polyesters, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and relative copolymer PET-PEN; polycarbonates (PC); polyamide (PA
• gas barrier layer 22 comprises a plurality of apertures
• Plurality of apertures 26 may be formed by puncturing gas barrier layer 22 by, for example, laser etching.
• Laser etching is particularly advantageous because it can be performed at high speeds with accuracy.
• Laser-etching may produce a visible pattern or text (not shown) in gas barrier layer 22 that would be visible to a customer when emptying container 10, such as text that displays an expiration date, a packaging date or an image that displays a logo.
• the puncturing of gas barrier layer 22 may puncture solely gas barrier layer 22, leaving second barrier layer 24 intact.
• Intact second barrier layer 24 and punctured gas barrier layer 22 allows the barrier layers to transmit oxygen and/or moisture through apertures 26 and oxygen permeable bottom layer 24, while oxygen permeable bottom layer 24 prevents oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or moisture absorptive material 19 from coming into direct physical contact with product 11.
• oxygen permeable bottom layer 24 prevents oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or moisture absorptive material 19 from coming into direct physical contact with product 11.
• oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or moisture absorptive material 19 are exposed, atmospherically, to interior chamber 13, while the contents of shallow concavity 16 are prevented from coming into direct physical contact with product 11 stored in interior chamber 13.
• Plurality of apertures 26 may be intentionally formed in gas barrier layer 22 when container 10 is filled with product 11.
• can end 14 with unpunctured barrier layer 20 does not require special packaging or atmospheric storage prior to being punctured.
• the puncturing of barrier layer 20 may occur prior, or after, can end 14 is secured to container 10.
• the puncturing of barrier layer 20 may occur anywhere from five seconds to one hour, from 15 seconds to thirty minutes, or from one minute to fifteen minutes prior to the filling of container 10 with product 11.
• puncturing gas barrier layer 22 close in time to the filling of product 11 the useful life of material 18 or 19 is extended, thus contributing to an increased shelf life of product 11.
• Can end 14 may include a center 28 at which concavity 16 is disposed, with concavity 16 facing chamber 13. Center position of concavity 16 may improve oxygen and moisture modulation of chamber 13.
• Can end 14 includes a body 30 having an interior surface 31. Interior surface 31 includes a shallow concave depression 32. Shallow concave depression 32 may be formed, for example, by stamping, rolling or doming body 30. Oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or a moisture absorptive material 19 may be disposed within depression 32. At least one barrier layer 20 may cover oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or a moisture absorptive material 19. At least one barrier layer 20 may be attached or adhered to body 30. Can end 14 may include a medial portion 34 on which depression 32 is disposed. At least one barrier layer 20 may be flush with interior surface 31.
• An advantage of at least one barrier layer 20 being flush with interior surface 31 is, for example, consumer preference due to a more pleasing product packaging appearance.
• another advantage of the present disclosure is that by being integral, shallow depression 32 does not interfere with a customer's interaction with container 10 or product 11, increasing customer satisfaction, and materials 18 and 19 within the depression do not require a "do not eat" label required or recommended by some regulatory government agencies, the lack of which reduces manufacturing cost and produces a more aesthetically pleasing container 10.
• depression 32 shown in Fig. 2
• Fig. 3 is top view of an embodiment of can end 14 of Fig 2.
• Body 30 and depression 32, or concavity 16 may have a body circular profile 36 and a concavity circular profile 37, respectively.
• Concavity circular profile 37 may define medial portion 34.
• Body 30 may have a body cross-sectional area 42.
• Depression 32, or concavity 16 shown in Fig.
• Depression cross-sectional area 44 may be from 2.5% to 50% of the body cross-sectional area 42.
• Body cross-sectional area 42 and depression cross-sectional area 44 may be varied according to container size and relative amount(s) of oxygen absorptive material 18 (shown in Fig. 1) and/or moisture absorptive material 19 (shown in Fig. 1) disposed within depression 32 or recessed cavity 16 (shown in Fig. 1).
• Fig. 4 is an elevation view of a cross-section of a can end 14.
• a packet 46 may be disposed on, attached to, or formed with can end 14. Packet 46 may be positioned on interior surface 31 in medial portion 34 of can end 14. Packet 46 may have a packet cavity 47. Oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or moisture absorptive material 19 (shown in Fig. 1) may be disposed and/or sealed within packet cavity 47.
• Packet 46 may include a packet wall 48 that surrounds packet cavity 47.
• Packet wall 48 may include a packet outer barrier layer 50 and a packet inner barrier layer 52.
• Packet outer barrier layer 50 may be constructed of a metalized film, for example aluminum or a polymer film coated with a thin layer of metal, such as aluminum.
• Packet inner barrier layer 52 may be oxygen permeable, moisture permeable or oxygen and moisture permeable.
• Packet inner barrier layer 52 may be constructed from the group consisting of: polyolefins, which include low-, linear low-, and high-density polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polystyrene (PS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS, with 1,3-butadiene isomer added during the polymerization of the PS), oriented polystyrene (OPS), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and poly(vinylidene chloride) (PVdC), and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polyesters, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and relative copolymer PET-PEN; polycarbonates (PC); polyamide (PA); acrylonitriles, like polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and acrylonitrile/
• Outer barrier layer 50 may include a plurality of apertures 26 to atmospherically expose oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or moisture absorptive material 19 (shown in Fig. 1).
• FIG. 5 shows an elevation view of a cross-section of an embodiment of the container 10.
• Container 10 may have the sidewall 12 that defines the interior chamber 13.
• Can end 14 may be joined with a lower portion 56 or an upper portion 57 of container 10.
• Container 10 may be joined with, attached to, or formed with, the can end 14 by a rolled edge 54.
• Rolled edge 54 joins a lower portion 56 or upper portion 57 of sidewall 12 with can end 14.
• Rolled edge 54 is a closure member and is integrally formed with sidewall 12 and can end 14.
• Rolled edge 54 may also be formed as standard double seam metal can bottom joint. Such a joint may provide a substantially 90° junction between sidewall 12 and can end 14.
• Can end 14 may include the shallow concave depression 32 that has barrier layer 20.
• Barrier layer 20 may be comprised of gas barrier layer 22 and second barrier layer 24.
• Container 10 may have a container height 58 of from 50 mm to 300 mm. In an embodiment, height 58 is from 75 mm to 250 mm. In another embodiment, height 58 is from 90 mm to 175 mm.
• Can end 14 may have a can end diameter 60 of from 50 mm to 200 mm. In an embodiment, can end diameter 60 is from 75 mm to 175 mm. In another embodiment, can end diameter 60 is from 90 mm to 160 mm.
• the can end 14 disclosed herein, having the concavity 16 filled with materials 18 and/or 19, will typically be the bottom end of the can, although it could be the top end or both the top and bottom ends. Concavity 16 may be disposed on one or more interior surfaces of sidewall 12.
• the container 10 will include the can end 14 disclosed herein on its bottom end, and the top end of the container 20 will be open, but with an initial sealing layer such as a polymer film, heavy foil laminate, or heat-sealed end with a pull ring or the like sealing the same prior to use.
• a lid may be disposed over the upper end of the container to provide a container and closure assembly having multiple seals.
• the container is thus sealed while on the shelf before sale, and the oxygen and/or moisture absorptive materials 18 and 19 of can end 14 protect the contents of the sealed container.
• the user will open the top end of the can by removing the initial sealing layer, use a portion of the contents, the re-seal the top of the can using the lid.
• a method of manufacturing an oxygen absorptive container 10 may include providing a can end 14 that includes a shallow cavity 16. An oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or a moisture absorptive material 19 may be disposed within cavity 16. At least one barrier layer 20 may cover the cavity and the oxygen absorptive material 18 and/or moisture absorptive material 19.
• the method includes securing can end 14 to container 10. Can end 14 may be secured by, for example, creating a rolled edge 54 at a junction of container sidewall 12 and can end 14.
• the method may include puncturing at least one barrier layer 20 by creating apertures 26 in the barrier layer 20. The puncturing may be prior to filling of container 10 with product 11.
• the puncturing may atmospherically expose the oxygen and/or moisture absorptive material 18 to interior chamber 13 of container 10.
• the puncturing may entail a partial removal of gas barrier layer 20 include laser-etching plurality of apertures 26 in the at least one barrier layer 20.
• At least one barrier layer 20 may include a metallic layer 22 and an oxygen permeable and/or moisture vapor permeable second layer 24.
• the puncturing may be of the layer 22, and second layer 24 may be intact.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Display Devices Of Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
• Pens And Brushes (AREA)
• Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
• Wrappers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=59700230

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (11)

Families Citing this family (2)

Family Cites Families (46)

• 2016
  • 2016-08-30 US US15/251,073 patent/US20180057241A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2017
  • 2017-08-15 MX MX2019002240A patent/MX2019002240A/es unknown
  • 2017-08-15 EP EP17757652.7A patent/EP3507212A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2017-08-15 CN CN201780053477.8A patent/CN109689526A/zh active Pending
  • 2017-08-15 SG SG11201901607XA patent/SG11201901607XA/en unknown
  • 2017-08-15 WO PCT/US2017/046857 patent/WO2018044546A1/en unknown
  • 2017-08-15 BR BR112019003941-4A patent/BR112019003941A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2017-08-15 AU AU2017321199A patent/AU2017321199A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2017-08-23 TW TW106128627A patent/TW201819261A/zh unknown
  • 2017-08-28 AR ARP170102377A patent/AR109432A1/es unknown
• 2019
  • 2019-02-27 PH PH12019500414A patent/PH12019500414A1/en unknown

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