US20130216657A1

US20130216657A1 - Food-preservation devices and methods of use

Info

Publication number: US20130216657A1
Application number: US13/702,291
Authority: US
Inventors: Takahisa Kusuura
Original assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
Current assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
Priority date: 2012-02-21
Filing date: 2012-02-21
Publication date: 2013-08-22
Also published as: WO2013126047A1

Abstract

Food packaging materials are provided. In some embodiments, foam sprayable material is provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments provided herein generally relate to packaging materials that preserve the item that is packaged.

BACKGROUND

A variety of various types of gases and other materials have been used in the preservation of foodstuffs and other items. Typically, an item to be preserved is placed inside a container and then a particular gas is then added to replace and/or reduce any air inside of the container.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a packaging material is provided. The packaging material can include a gelled foam including voids and a food-preservation gas contained within the voids. In some embodiments, the gelled foam allows for a sustained release of the food-preservation gas.
In some embodiments, a foam sprayable material is provided. In some embodiments, the material includes a water soluble and high viscosity material including at least one void that includes at least one food-preservation gas. In some embodiments, the material further includes a liquid, film forming, polymer. In some embodiments, the liquid forms a film when dried. In some embodiments, the film includes voids with a gas contained therein.
In some embodiments, a method of packaging a food product is provided. In some embodiments, the method can include providing a food preservative film. The film can include glycerin in which there are voids that include a food-preservation gas, and a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried. In some embodiments, the method further includes providing a food product and covering at least part of the food product with the food preservative film (either in liquid form or as a gel and/or solid), thereby packaging the food product.
In some embodiments, a preserved food product is provided. The preserved food product can include at least one food product and an at least partially dried preservative film (e.g., or other type of packaging material) coating at least a part of the at least one food product. In some embodiments, the film includes an edible material within which a food-preservation gas is stored and the edible material allows for the sustained release of the food-preservation gas
In some embodiments, a spray device is provided. The device can include an outlet head configured to spray a foam sprayable material, a reservoir, configured to hold a foam sprayable material, which is in fluid communication with the outlet head. In some embodiments, the reservoir holds a mixture of glycerin and a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried. In some embodiments, the device includes a first gas inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a drawing depicting some embodiments of a packaging material and a packaged food product.

FIG. 1B is a drawing depicting some embodiments of the optional release of a preservative gas from a packaging material in response to the presence of moisture on or from the item.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting some embodiments of methods of making and using a preserved product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
In some embodiments, a packaging material is provided. In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a foam (either wet and/or dried) and/or other material with small voids. These voids can contain one or more gas or other substance. The gas or other substance can, over time, be released from the packaging material, providing a prolonged and/or delayed release of the gas or other substance, so that any material to be preserved (or treated in any other manner) can benefit from a longer period of exposure to the gas (or other substance).
In some embodiments, the foam (or other material) includes a water-soluble material. In some embodiments, the presence of moisture (such as when food begins to decompose) causes the foam (or other material) to dissolve, which allows the gas (or other substance) to be released from the voids (or increase the rate of release), lengthening the usable life of the item. Thus, in some embodiments, when food (or other items) begins to decompose, the packaging material can self-regulate, such that additional gas or other substance can be released proximally, and timely, to reduce spoilage.
Some embodiments of a packaging material are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In some embodiments, the packaging material 110 at least partially covers at least a part of an item 120. In some embodiments, the item is a food product (however, in some embodiments, any item, product, device, etc., can be covered by various embodiments provided herein).
As shown in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the packaging material can do more than supply a consistent or prolonged release of the gas or other material. As noted above, in some embodiments, the packaging material 210 includes at least a void 220 which can include a gas 230 to be released against the item to be preserved. However, in some embodiments, moisture emitted from the packaged item 240 can be used as a regulator of the release of the gas 230, to allow for moisture dependent release of the gas or other substance in the void 220. In some embodiments, this can be achieved by making the packaging material 210, or at least a part of it, dissolvable to water. Not all embodiments need include a packaging material that is dissolvable in the presence of moisture. In some embodiments, the packaging material can include more than one layer, at least one of which is dissolvable, and one of which is not (or not as) dissolvable.
As noted above, the voids can serve as storage chambers for the gas or another substance which is to be released. In some embodiments, the number of voids in any given packaging material can vary depending upon the item to be stored and/or the nature of the packaging material options, and/or the desired degree of preservation. In some embodiments, the volume ratio of void to solid in the material is about 1:1000, 1:100, 1:50, 1:10, 1:5, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 10:1, 50:1, 100:1, or 1000:1, including any ranges above any one of those values, or any range between any one of those values. In some embodiments, the volume ratio of void to solid in the material is about 1:100, 1:50, 1:10, 1:5, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1, 5:1, 10:1, 50:1, or 100:1, including any ranges above any one of those values, or any range between any one of those values. In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material includes voids at a density of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 30,000, 50,000, 100,000, 300,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, 10̂7, 10̂8, 10̂9, 10̂10, 10̂11, 10̂12, 10̂13, 10̂14, 10̂15, 10̂16, 10̂17, or 10̂18 voids per cubic millimeter including any density range greater than any one of the listed values or between any two of the listed values. In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material includes voids at a density of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 30,000, 50,000, 100,000, 300,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, 10̂7, 10̂8, 10̂9, 10̂10, 10̂11, or 10̂12 voids per cubic millimeter including any density range greater than any one of the listed values or between any two of the listed values (e.g., 1000 to 10̂12).
In some embodiments, the voids of the packaging material have an average diameter of about 1 to about 10,000,000 nanometers. In some embodiments, the voids of the packaging material have an average diameter of about 100 picometers, 500 picometers, 700 picometers; 1 nanometers, 2 nanometers, 3 nanometers, 5 nanometers, 10 nanometers, 30 nanometers, 50 nanometers, 100 nanometers, 300 nanometers, 500 nanometers, 700 nanometers; 1 micrometers, 2 micrometers, 3 micrometers, 5 micrometers, 10 micrometers, 30 micrometers, 50 micrometers, 100 micrometers, 300 micrometers, 500 micrometers, 700 micrometers; 1 millimeter, 2 millimeters, 3 millimeters, 5 millimeters, or 10 millimeters, including any values above, below, or between any two of the listed values.
In some embodiments, the packaging material has a thickness sufficient to provide some level of protection and/or preservation of an item. In some embodiments, the average thickness is of about 100 nanometers, 200 nanometers, 300 nanometers, 500 nanometers, 1000 nanometers, 1500 nanometers, 2000 nanometers, 2500 nanometers; 3 micrometers, 5 micrometers, 7 micrometers, 10 micrometers, 20 micrometers, 30 micrometers, 50 micrometers, 100 micrometers, 200 micrometers, 300 micrometers, 500 micrometers, 1000 micrometers, or 2000 micrometers, 3 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 7 millimeters; 1 centimeter, 2 centimeter, 3 centimeter, 5 centimeter, 7 centimeters; 1 decimeter, 2 decimeter, 3 decimeter, or 5 decimeters, including any ranges above any one of the preceding values or between any of the two stated values.
In some embodiments, the thickness is substantially uniform throughout the packaging material. In some embodiments, parts of the packaging material are thicker than others, for example to fill gaps, crevices, gouges, or imperfections on the surface of the material to be coated. In some embodiments, the thickness includes a range of thicknesses, e.g., between or above any of 100 nanometers, 200 nanometers, 300 nanometers, 500 nanometers, 1000 nanometers, 1500 nanometers, 2000 nanometers, 2500 nanometers; 3 micrometers, 5 micrometers, 7 micrometers, 10 micrometers, 20 micrometers, 30 micrometers, 50 micrometers, 100 micrometers, 200 micrometers, 300 micrometers, 500 micrometers, 1000 micrometers, or 2000 micrometers, 3 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 7 millimeters; 1 centimeter, 2 centimeter, 3 centimeter, 5 centimeter, 7 centimeters; 1 decimeter, 2 decimeter, 3 decimeter, or 5 decimeters within a single piece of packaging material.
In some embodiments, as solid portions of the foam dissolve, break-down, or undergo other physical changes the gas can exit the voids. In some embodiments, the food-preservation gas diffuses through portions of the packaging material slowly, and break-down of the material can accelerate the release of the gas.
In some embodiments, the sustained and/or delayed release of the gas or other substance from the packaging material occurs for a period of time. In some embodiments, the period of time is about 1 minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 5 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days, 12 days, 13 days, 14 days, 15 days, 16 days, 17 days, 18 days, 19 days, 20 days, 22 days, 25 days, 30 days, 35 days, 40 days, 50 days, 60 days, 70 days, 100 days, 150 days, or 200 days including any range above any one or between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 90, 95, 98, 99, or 100% of the gas (or other substance) is released over the period of time, including any ranges above any one or between any two of the stated values.
In some embodiments, the packaging material can be in any of a variety of forms and/or configurations. In some embodiments, the packaging material can be a liquid, a gel, a film, a coating, a foam, a rigid material, a flexible material, and/or combinations thereof and/or dried forms thereof.
In some embodiments, the packaging material can be, or be part of, a container. In some embodiments the container can be sealed or sealable. In some embodiments, the packaging material can be part of a thin film, such as a wrap, foil, wax paper, or sprayable material. In some embodiments, the packaging material can include a gel or gelled foam, which is applied and/or applicable to an item to be preserved. In some embodiments, this can then be allowed to dry at least some extent, forming a dried film of the gelled foam around the item. In some embodiments, a spray applied coating allows for a smaller amount of headspace between the item and the packaging.
In some embodiments, the foam can includes a gelled foam. In some embodiments, the gelled foam includes glycerin, Vaseline, paraffin, polyethylene glycol or other polymer. In some embodiments, the gelled foam includes at least one gel-forming polymer. In some embodiments, the gelled foam includes at least one gelatinzing agent. In some embodiments, the gelled foam includes two or more of: glycerin; one or more gel-forming polymers; and one or more gelatinizing agents.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a spray applied coating. In some embodiments, the spray applied coating is arranged in a substantially even layer on the surface of a coated product, and thus is of substantially consistent thickness. In some embodiments, contours on the surface of the spray applied coating roughly correspond to contours on the surface of the coated product. In some embodiments, the spray applied coating is arranged in a substantially uneven layer on the surface of the coated product. In some embodiments, the spray applied coating includes voids.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes or is a foam sprayable material. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material includes a water-soluble and high viscosity material. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material includes a high viscosity material that is soluble in a non-polar solvent. In some embodiments, the high viscosity material and the foam sprayable material are soluble in the same solvent. In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material is one of a solid, a semi-solid, or a gel. In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material includes one or more voids that include a food-preservation gas. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material includes a liquid, film-forming polymer. In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material is water-soluble at an acidic pH. In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material is water-soluble at a basic pH. In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material is water-soluble at a pH that is about 7.
In some embodiments the liquid, film forming, polymer is at least one of a polysaccharide, an arginate, a carrageenan, a glycolarginate, a pectin, gellan gum, agar, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, propylene glycol, a polysaccharide, its salt, and their solution dissolved in water: hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, collagen, collagen peptide, hemicellulose, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum, guar gum, tara gum, gloiopeltis glue, agar, furcellaran, tamarind seed polysaccharide, kalaya gum, hibiscus, pectin, sodium alginate, pullulan, jellan gum, locust bean gum, various starches, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxymethylcellulose (HMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxyethylethylcellulose (HEEC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylethylcellulose (HPEC), hydroxyethylhydroxypropylcellulose (HEHPC), sulfoethylcellulose, dihydroxypropylcellulose (DHPC), propylene glycol alginate, a processed starch, or a soluble starch. In some embodiments, any of these polymers can be used for any arrangement of any of the packaging materials described herein.
In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material (or other appropriate form of packaging material) can be under pressure before it is applied to an item. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material is under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material is at a pressure of about 80 kilopascals (kPa), e.g., 83, 87, 90, 92, 95, 97, 100, 101, 103, 105, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 200, 230, 250, 270, 300, 330, 350, or 400 kPa, including any pressure range above any one of these values or between any two of the these values.
In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material is under a pressure that is substantially the same as atmospheric pressure, but can be compressed to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in order to facilitate the spraying of the foam sprayable material. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material is under a pressure that is substantially atmospheric pressure, but can be applied to a target surface by spreading, painting, or pouring the foam sprayable material on the target surface, or by dipping, rolling, or immersing the target surface in the foam sprayable material.
In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material (or other wet applied packaging material) sterilizes a surface of a food product by lowering the pH of the surface. In some embodiments, the pH is lowered by about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, including any ranges below any one of the preceding values and any range between any two of the preceding values. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material (or packaging material) sterilizes the surface by contacting the surface with CO₂. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material (or other packaging material) sterilizes the surface by contacting the surface with ozone. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material (or other packaging material) sterilizes the surface upon contact with the surface. In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material (or other packaging material) sterilizes the surface after it has dried, set, or cured, for example as a sterilizing gas is gradually released from voids in the foam.
In some embodiments, the foam sprayable material (or other wet applied packaging material) sterilizes the surface of a food product by contacting the surface with an alcohol, for example ethanol, propanol, or isopropanol.
In some embodiments, the packaging material is in the form of a film (which can be flexible and/or stretchable). In some embodiments, the film substantially conforms to the topography of a surface it is in contact with, for example the surface of a food product. In some embodiments, the film is rigid. In some embodiments, the film is pliable. In some embodiments, the film is pliable, and becomes rigid (or more rigid) upon drying. In some embodiments, the film becomes rigid upon curing. In some embodiments, the film becomes rigid upon cross-linking.
In some embodiments, the packaging material is a solid and/or rigid sheet. In some embodiments, the packaging material is a tray. In some embodiments, the tray is configured to carry only one item. In some embodiments, the tray is configured to carry more than one item. In some embodiments, the longest diameter of the tray is about 1 millimeter, 2 millimeters, 3 millimeters, 5 millimeters, 9 millimeters; 1 centimeter, 2 centimeters, 3 centimeters, 5 centimeters, 10 centimeters, 50 centimeters, 100 centimeters, 200 centimeters, 500 centimeters, 800 centimeters; 1 meter, 2 meters, 3 meters, 5 meters, 10 meters, or 20 meters, including any range above any one of the preceding values or between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, the tray is open on top. In some embodiments, the tray has a lid. In some embodiments, the lid includes a hinge. In some embodiments, the lid is sized to substantially cover the base of the tray. In some embodiments, the tray supports about 1 gram, 2 grams, 5 grams, 7 grams, 10 grams, 20 grams, 50 grams, 100 grams, 300 grams, 500 grams, 800 grams; 1 kilogram, 2, kilograms 3 kilograms, 5 kilograms, 10 kilograms, 20 kilograms, 50 kilograms, 100 kilograms, 300 kilograms, or 500 kilograms, including any range above any of the preceding values or between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, the tray has at least one seam, and folds along at least one seam, so that the tray can be folded to enclose the contents.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a biodegradable material. In some embodiments, the packaging material includes at least one polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a combination of two or more different polysaccharides. In some embodiments, at least one polysaccharide is water-soluble. In some embodiments, at least one polysaccharide spontaneously depolymerizes in water.
In some embodiments, the biodegradable material dissolves when contacted with a solvent. In some embodiments, the solvent includes water. In some embodiments, the biodegradable material disintegrates spontaneously, and has a half-life of about 1 hour, 3 hours, 5 hours, 10 hours; 1 day, 2 days, 5 days, 10 days, 20 days, 50 days, 100 days; 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years, including any range between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, the dissolution, disintegration, or other break-down of a biodegradable material causes the gelled foam to dissolve, disintegrate, or otherwise break-down.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes an antibiotic agent. In some embodiments, the packaging material includes an antiviral agent.
In some embodiments, the film is transparent to at least some wavelengths of visible light. In some embodiments, the film is 1%, 5%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 95%, 97%, 99, or 100% percent transparent to visible light including ranges below any of the preceding values or between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, the film is transparent at the time it is applied. In some embodiments, the film is transparent at the time has dried, hardened, or cured. In some embodiments, the film is transparent when applied, and when it has dried, hardened and/or cured.
In some embodiments, the film or packaging material includes a tinting agent. In some embodiments, the tinting agent is a neutral color, for example grey. In some embodiments, the tinting agent is selected to be a color that is desirable for the product to be packaged. For example, if a tomato is to be packaged, the packaging material may include a red tinting agent. In some embodiments, the tint is selected to shield the food from radiation. For example, the tinting agent can be selected to shield the food from ultraviolet radiation. In some embodiments, the packaging material is substantially transparent to visible electromagnetic radiation, but is substantially opaque to electromagnetic radiation in a non-visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the tint is blue or yellow.
In some embodiments, the voids include a gas. In some embodiments, one or more gases can be used. In some embodiments, gases other than CO₂and argon can be used, e.g., ozone. Ozone can also be activated by argon gas, and these gases are compatible for use in combination with in some embodiments. Additionally, ozone activity is high even under high humidity. Although ozone is short-lived in the atmosphere, it can be stored for a long period of time once contained in glycerin in the form of micro/nano-bubbles. In some embodiments, the ozone concentration in the final mixture is made to fall between a few ppm and 85 ppm (e.g., 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 85). When dissolved in water, it shows a sufficient antiseptic effect at a concentration of around 2 ppm, and generally has a sufficient antiseptic effect at a concentration of 0.1 ppm to a few ppm.
In some embodiments, the gas includes a food-preservation gas. In some embodiments, more than one gas can be employed (such as two or more types). In some embodiments, the gas includes at least one of CO₂, argon, nitrogen, ClO₂, ozone, an ethylene-inhibiting gas, O₂, and/or at least one of rare gas. In some embodiments, the rare gas is one of He, Ne, Kr, Xe, and/or Rn, or a mixture of two of more of these gasses. In some embodiments, the food preservation gas includes CO₂and argon.
In some embodiments, the ethylene-inhibiting gas includes 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). In some embodiments, the ethylene-inhibiting gas is substantially 1-MCP. In some embodiments, percent volume of 1-MCP in the gas is one of about 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, including any ranges above any of the preceding values or between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, the food preservation gas includes CO₂, argon, and 1-MCP. In some embodiments, the volume ratio of CO₂to argon is one of about 1:100, 1:50, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1 30:1, 50:1, or 100:1, including any ranges above, below, or between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, the gas or other substance can be any one or more of N₂(inert gas), ethyl alcohol (disinfectant), and/or chlorine dioxide.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes an edible material. In some embodiments, the edible material is substantially free of toxins that would be harmful to a mammal and/or animal and/or human if consumed. In some embodiments, any toxins or other harmful products are readily removable.
In some embodiments, the edible material includes at least one flavoring agent to increase its desirability for consumption. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent is selected to complement the flavor of a food product that is to be coated by the edible material. In some embodiments the edible material has a texture, odor, and/or taste that is desirable for consumption. In some embodiments, the texture, odor, and/or taste is desirable before the sprayable material has set, dried, or cured. In some embodiments, the texture, odor, and/or taste is desirable after the sprayable material has set, dried, or cured.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes at least one of: a gelatinizing agent, a foaming agent, a pH adjuster, or a water-soluble plasticizer. In some embodiments the gelatinizing agent is one of calcium carbonate, or calcium pyrophosphate. In some embodiments, the pH adjuster is at least one of an acid, a base, or a buffer.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes water. In some embodiments, the packaging material is at least about 1%, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 70, 80, 90, or 95% water, including any range below any one of the preceding values or between any two of the stated values. In some embodiments, the packaging material is in a form that is substantially free of water, and is reconstituted upon the addition of water. In some embodiments, the packaging material includes water when it is applied to a target surface, but includes less water after it has set, hardened, or cured. In some embodiments, the water is suspended in a gel, foam, or matrix. In some embodiments, the water is part of a hydrous compound, for example a crystal.
In some embodiments, the packaging material is water-soluble, once dried, cured, or set. In some embodiments, the packaging material is water-soluble before it has dried, cured or set. In some embodiments, the packaging material is water-soluble both before and after it has dried, cured, or set. In some embodiments, the packaging material, once dried, cured, or set, is soluble in at least one of: an acidic aqueous solution, a basic aqueous solution, or an aqueous solution with a pH that is about 7. In some embodiments, the dried packaging material includes a water-soluble starch. In some embodiments, the dried packaging material includes a polymer that spontaneously depolymerizes in an aqueous solution.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a UV blocker. In some embodiments, the UV blocker is at least one of: a metal particle, a dielectric oxide particle, or a UV absorbing polymer. In some embodiments, the metal particle is a nanoparticle. In some embodiments, metal particle has a diameter of about 500 picometers or more, e.g., 700, 1,000, 1,300, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 8,000, or 10,000 picometers, including a range above any one, or between any two, of the listed values. In some embodiments, the UV blocker is suspended in the foam of the packing material. In some embodiments, the UV blocker is layered on an inner or outer surface of the packaging material.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a gas barrier layer. In some embodiments, the gas barrier layer is on the outside of the packaging material. In some embodiments, the gas barrier layer is substantially impermeable to water vapor. In some embodiments, the gas barrier layer is substantially impermeable to the food-preservation gas. In some embodiments, the gas barrier layer includes at least one of a cellulose fiber, clay, montmorillonite, cellulose, cellulose fiber, or cellulose nano fiber. In some embodiments, the gas barrier layer has a thickness of about 0.5, 0.7, 1, 3, 5, 10, 100, 500, 1,000, 3,000, 5,000, 10,000, or 100,000 nanometers, including a range above any one, or between any two, of the stated values.
In some embodiments, the packaging material allows the food-preservation gas to pass through about 1 micron of the material per 2 hours. In some embodiments, the packaging material allows the gas to pass through at least about 500 nanometers, e.g., 501, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 2000, or 3000 nanometers of the material per 2 hours, including range below, or between, any two of the stated values.
In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a wax. In some embodiments, about 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 50% of the packaging material is a wax, including any range above any one of the preceding values, or between any two of the stated values.
In some embodiments, the water-soluble and high viscosity material of the foam sprayable material includes glycerin. In some embodiments, about 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% of the foam sprayable material is glycerin, including any values above, or between any two of the stated values.
In some embodiments, the packaging material (e.g., gelled foam) includes at least one of: glycerin in which a food-preservation gas (CO₂, argon etc.) is dispersed in the form of micro/nanobubbles; gel-forming polymer; gelatinizing agent; foaming agent; pH adjuster; water-soluble plasticizer; and/or water.
In some embodiments, when CO₂is employed as the gas, the CO₂itself has a sterilizing effect. In some embodiments, the CO₂, for some plants, lowers metabolism by halting respiration, retards deterioration by inhibiting the generation of ethylene gas, and prolongs the storage period.
In some embodiments, (e.g., for foam and/or gelled foam type embodiments), glycerin can be employed as part of the packaging material. Glycerin retains foams of unstable gases, such as ozone, stably over a few months. In some embodiments, various gases are dispersed in glycerin in the form of micro/nano-bubbles, diluted, and mixed with a foaming agent (e.g., a component that stabilizes foams) which is gelatinized before application. In some embodiments, glycerin can constitute at least some and/or the majority of the packaging material in terms of vol. % (e.g., 60% or above).
In some embodiments, a gel-forming polymer can be added to the packaging material. In some embodiments, the polymer can be harmless to the living body. In some embodiments, a polysaccharide such as alginate, carrageenan, glycolarginate, or various pectins (homogalacturonan etc.) can be employed. In some embodiments, the molecular amount of the gel-forming polymer can be adjusted so as to allow the dried gelled foam to suitably decompose in water. For example, in the case of arginate, a water-insoluble polymer with a high molecular weight of approximately 150,000 Daltons to 500,000 Daltons and a water-soluble polymer with a low molecular weight of approximately 20,000 Daltons to 30,000 Daltons can be combined in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, the molecular weight range of the gel-forming polymer can depend on the application of the packaging material. When an alginate with a higher molecular weight is used, such as a molecular weight of 300,000 Daltons, the resulting foam form of the packaging material can be readily rewettable or rehydrateable after drying (e.g., for wet foam based packaging materials). For applications in which it is desired that the dried gelled foam form of the packaging material disintegrate and/or dissolve in water or aqueous media, such as in certain food and pharmaceutical applications, a lower molecular weights, such as about 20,000 Daltons to about 150,000 Daltons, can be desirable. For applications in which it desirable for the dried gelled foam not to disintegrate in water or other aqueous media, such as in wound dressing applications, higher molecular weights, such as about 150,000 Daltons to 500,000 Daltons, can be employed.
In some embodiments, the packaging material can include a gelatinizing agent. In some embodiments, the gelatinizing agent can help form a gel by reacting with the gel-forming polymer. For example, when calcium carbonate is used as a gelatinizing agent, a gelled foam can be formed between pH 4 and pH 8. In some embodiments, in order to form gelled foam packaging materials that partially dissolve in water, the amount of gelatinizing agent should be adjusted so as to make the 10% to 60% of the gelled portion of the gel-forming polymer saturated with ions. In some embodiments, calcium pyrophosphate etc. can also be used.
In some embodiments, a foaming agent can be employed. In some embodiments, a foaming agent is used so as to retain contained air and maintain the foam. In some embodiments, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or propyleneglycol alginate can be employed. In some embodiments, when hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is employed, the concentration can fall between 0.5 wt % and 6 wt %. In some embodiments, in order to activate ozone and prolong the lifespan, particularly to control the metabolism of fruit and vegetables, CO₂gas and argon gas (described later), which are separately prepared, are sprayed and foamed by using a shear flow.
In some embodiments, a pH adjuster can be added to the packaging material. In some embodiments, the pH adjuster can be one or more of lactic acid lactone, gluconolactone, and/or glucuronolactone. From the perspective of preventing the propagation of fungus, it is used in a concentration that keeps the pH between 4 and 6 (acid).
In some embodiments, a water-soluble plasticizer can be used. In some embodiments, this can include one or more of sorbitol and/or polyethyleneglycol. In some embodiments, the packaging material can be soft and elastic so that it can follow deformities in foodstuffs. In order to achieve this, plasticizer concentration can be high and the ratio of plasticizer to gel-forming polymer can be from 8:1 to 4:1, for example.
In some embodiments, water can be employed in the packaging material or undried form thereof. In some embodiments, the water used is clean, drinking quality water (so as to avoid contaminating foodstuffs where appropriate). The water can be added in an appropriate amount. In some embodiments, the viscosity is adjusted so that it can be easily sprayed. In some embodiments, ethanol can be used to adjust the viscosity rather than, or in addition to, water.
In some embodiments, a surfactant can be appropriately added to maintain the foam. In some embodiments, the surfactant can include at least one of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, POLYSORBATE 80, Alkyl Sulfates and its salt, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate.
In some embodiments, an additional gas can be employed to assist in the application an/or drying of packaging materials that is sprayed on or wetted. In some embodiments, a mixture of CO₂and argon is used so as not to dilute the gas held in the liquid in the form of micro/nano-bubbles at the time of release. In some embodiments, the mixture can be 90% CO₂and 10% argon.
In some embodiments, the packaging material can be sprayed on other packaging containers (bags or plastic wrap) in advance before wrapping foodstuffs.

Method of Packaging

In some embodiments, a method of packaging a product is provided. FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart outlining a method of packaging a product. In some embodiments, a product (or item, such as a piece of food) to be packaged is provided (block 400). In some embodiments, a preservative film (or, more generically, a packaging material) is provided (block 410). In some embodiments, the packaging material includes a preservative gas. In some embodiments, the product to be packaged is at least partially covered in the packaging material (block 420). In some embodiments, a desired amount of packaging material is removed from the product (block 430). In some embodiments, the product is ready for use (block 440).
One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps and operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.
In some embodiments, the method of packaging includes providing any of the packaging materials provided herein. In some embodiments, the packaging material that is applied includes a film-forming polymer. In some embodiments, the film-forming polymer is provided as a liquid, and forms a film once it has dried. In some embodiments, a liquid that includes monomers is provided, and the monomers assemble into a liquid, film-forming, polymer upon drying and/or curing.
In some embodiments, at least part of the food product is covered with the food preservative packaging material. In some embodiments, the entire food product is covered with the food preservative packaging material. In some embodiments, at least part of a surface of a food product is covered with a liquid including a film-forming polymer, and after the surface has been covered, the polymer forms a film, thus resulting in at least part of a surface of a food product that is covered in a food-preservative film. In some embodiments, the polymer forms a film upon drying. In some embodiments, the film is dried and/or cured completely. In some embodiments, the film only needs to partially dry in order to form an effective barrier.
In some embodiments, the packaged food product is ready for at least one of storage, shipment, delivery, or consumption by a consumer once the packaging material is applied to the product.
In some embodiments, the packaging material is a wrap or wrapping material, and thus, can be wrapped around at least a portion of the material to be sealed and/or preserved. In some embodiments, the wrap simply covers the top of another container (which need not be made of the presently disclosed packaging material).
In some embodiments, the packaging material is rigid and/or at least a part of a container. In some embodiments, the method can involve placing the item to be preserved into proximity to a surface of the packaging material. For example, in some embodiments, the item can be placed into a container, whose walls are made of the packaging material. In some embodiments, the item can be placed on top of a surface of a packaging material. In some embodiments, the item is sealed within a container, such that at least some of the packaging material is exposed to the item. In some embodiments, the item contacts the packaging material.
In some embodiments, the item to be stored can be a foodstuff item. For the sake of convenience, the present application uses the term “food” or “foodstuff” in its description and examples. However, the present methods and compositions are not limited to foodstuff and can be applied to any item and for a variety of purposes.
In some embodiments, the food product to be packaged is ripe, or otherwise ready-to-eat. In some embodiments, the food product to be packaged is not yet ripe, or will require further aging or treatment in order to be in a more desirable form for eating. In some embodiments, the gas or substance within the film will retard the ripening process. In some embodiments, the gas or substance within the material can accelerate the ripening process.
As noted above, in some embodiments, the food preservative film is dried. In some embodiments, the food preservative film is dried, and then applied to a surface of a food product. In some embodiments, the film is applied to a surface of a food product and then dried. In some embodiments, the film is at least partially dried, applied to a surface of a food product, and then further dried.
In some embodiments, the packaging material, once applied to the item, is heated to facilitate drying. In some embodiments, electromagnetic radiation is applied to the packaging material and/or item to facilitate drying. In some embodiments, the packaging material and/or item is placed in a vacuum chamber to facilitate drying. In some embodiments, the packaging material and/or item is contacted with a gas to facilitate drying.
In some embodiments, the surface of the food product (or item) is covered with the packaging material by spraying. In some embodiments, the packaging material is sprayed onto at least part of a surface of the food product. In some embodiments, a liquid form or precursor to the packaging material is sprayed onto at least part of a surface of the food product. In some embodiments, this is dried or otherwise hardened once it has been applied to the surface of the food product. In some embodiments, the food product (or other item) is contacted with the packaging material, by dipping the item into, or spreading the surface of the item with a liquid precursor of the packaging material. In some embodiments, a surface of the item is contacted with a pliable packaging material, such as a film. In some embodiments, the pliable film is later hardened, although it need not be hardened completely or hardened at all.
In some embodiments, the food product is stored in a preserved condition. In some embodiments, the food product is stored in a preserved condition for a time longer than would be possible if the food product had been sealed in a food preservative packaging material that lacked the food-preservation gas. In some embodiments, the presence of the food-preservative gas increases the amount of time that the food is stored in a preserved condition by about 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 5 weeks, 10 weeks, 20 weeks, 30 weeks, 50 weeks, or 1 year, including any range above any one of the preceding values or any range between any two of the listed value. In some embodiments, when the food is stored in a preserved condition, at least one of the following parameters remains substantially unchanged: the color of the food, the shape of the food, the texture of the food, the sugar content of the food, the water content of the food, the percentage of the food that has decomposed, a bacterial count, reduced oxidation, and/or avoiding out flow of nutrition (e.g., preserving nutrition).
In some embodiments, the packaging material itself can be made in any of a variety of ways, for example, mixing of the micro/nano-bubbles of gas into liquid can be performed. In some embodiments, the finer the foam is, the more stable the micro/nano-bubbles of gas becomes in the liquid for a long period of time. In some embodiments, once a gaseous body becomes micro/nanobubbles, it can be kept as a fine foam and will allow for an increased amount of gas to be dissolved. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the gaseous body can be retained in liquid, in either foam or dissolved state, for a long period in high concentration.
Since micro/nano air bubbles stably exist in liquid, independent of one another, each type of gas is separately formed into micro/nano-bubbles and is held in glycerin in some embodiments. By doing so, multiple gases can be retained without causing any reaction among them or deterioration. Through the nano-bubbling process, bubbles can be maintained in water for more than three months.
The higher the viscosity of the liquid is, the higher the retention effect of the micro/nano-bubbles becomes. In embodiments involving glycerin, all other things being equal, the micro/nano-bubbles of gas can be stably retained for a much longer period than in water.

Preserved Items, Such as Foodstuffs

As noted above, in some embodiments, the preserved item can be a piece of food or a “foodstuff”. However, this term (unless specified otherwise or used in the claims) is simply an exemplary item that can be stored in or with any of the packaging materials provided herein. In some embodiments, the item can be an electronic device, any object that is stored under a non-atmospheric gas composition, any object for which one desires to maintain a specific atmospheric environment, various chemicals, solvents, etc. In some embodiments, the item can be a mechanical or metallic component and the packaging material can be used for storing them with reduced rusting. In some embodiments, the packaging material can be used for storing a medical device or medicine for antimicrobial preservation. In some embodiments, the items to be stored are clothes, books, and/or pictures and the packaging material provides, for example an anti-mold capability. In some embodiments, the item results in moisture as, or just before, it begins to decay. In some embodiments, the item does not result in moisture as, or just before, it begins to decay. In some embodiments, the item is susceptible to decay and/or rot. In some embodiments, the item is not susceptible to decay and/or rot.
In some embodiments, a preserved food product is provided. In some embodiments, the preserved food product includes a preserved food product, and an at least partially dried preservative coating.
In some embodiments, a preserved food product is provided. In some embodiments, the preserved food product includes at least one food product. In some embodiments, the preserved food product includes about 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300, 500, or 1000 pieces of food or more. In some embodiments, all of the food products included in the preserved food product are of the same type of food. In some embodiments, the food products included in the preserved food product are different types of food, for example blueberries, strawberries, mangos, bananas, and raspberries. In some embodiments, the preserved food product includes a partially dried preservative film coating covering a least part of a surface of the food product or product. In some embodiments, a surface of each food product in the preserved food product is contacted by the film coating. In some embodiments, the surfaces of some food products in the preserved food product are contacted by the film coating, while the surfaces of other food products within the preserved food product are not contacted by the film coating. In some embodiments, the packaging material includes an edible material. In some embodiments, the entire packaging material (for example, in a spray applied film form) is edible. In some embodiments, the packaging material becomes edible after additional treatment, for example contacting the coating with water. In some embodiments, a food preservation gas is stored within the edible material in the film coating. In some embodiments, the edible packaging material allows for sustained release of the food-preservation gas.
In some embodiments, the packaging material increases its release of the food-preservation gas when exposed to moisture, which can be from the item being stored or from another source. In some embodiments, the packaging material is contacted by water, which causes part of the packaging material to dissolve, thus releasing the food-preservation gas. In some embodiments, the water is emitted from surface of the food product.
In some embodiments, such as when the packaging material includes an edible material, the packaging material increases its release of the food-preservation gas when exposed to moisture. In some embodiments, the water is emitted from surface of the food product or item. In some embodiments, the water is applied to the packaging material. In some embodiments, the amount of moisture that contacts the packaging material increases over the period of time that the food product is stored. In some embodiments, the amount of moisture that contacts the packaging material decreases over the period of time that the food product is stored.
In some embodiments, the packaging material blocks at least one air hole of the food product. In some embodiments, at least one air hole is completely blocked. In some embodiments, some air holes of the food product are blocked, while other air holes are not blocked. In some embodiments, the packaging material blocks at least about 1%, 5, 10, 30, 50, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% of the air holes of the food product, including any ranges above any one of the values or any range between any two of the stated values.
In some embodiments, the packaging material does not block the air holes when it is first applied or put in contact with the food product, but blocks the air holes once it has dried, cured, or set. In some embodiments, the film blocks the air holes when it is first applied to the food product, and blocks the air holes when it has dried, cured, or set. In some embodiments, the air hole exists naturally or spontaneously in the food product, for example a pore in the peel of a fruit. In some embodiments, the air hole is a manufactured feature of the food product (or other item).

Spray Device

In some embodiments, a spray device is provided. In some embodiments, the spray device includes an outlet head. In some embodiments, the spray device includes a reservoir. In some embodiments, the spray device includes a gas inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir. In some embodiments, any spray device can be used to apply a sprayable foam of the packaging material. In some embodiments, the packaging material is not applied by spraying (e.g., as noted above).
In some embodiments, the spray device includes an outlet head. In some embodiments, the outlet head is configured to spray a foam sprayable material. In some embodiments, the reservoir is configured to hold a foam sprayable material. In some embodiments, the reservoir is connected with the outlet head such that fluids and gasses can move between the reservoir and the outlet head. In some embodiments, the reservoir holds a mixture of glycerin and a liquid, film-forming polymer. In some embodiments, a gas inlet is provided on the device. In some embodiments, the gas inlet is connected with the outlet head such that fluids and gasses can move between the reservoir and the gas inlet.
In some embodiments, the spray device includes a static mixer. In some embodiments the static mixer is configured to generate nano bubbles. In some embodiments, the packaging material can be in the form of a spray liquid and/or formed by mixing air in the process of spraying. In some embodiments, the material can be applied by dip coating, spraying, inkjet, painting by brush, or other type of application. In some embodiments, after application, ultrasonic energy can be applied to the material to be stored and/or the surface coating. In some embodiments, bubbles contained in the coating material can thereby be formed. Thus, in some embodiments, the bubbles can be formed after the application of the coating. In some embodiments, the packaging material can include NaHCO₃(sodium hydrogen carbonate, which can be decomposed by thermal energy and become CO₂and H₂O). In some embodiments, this packaging material can be applied in one of the manners provided herein (e.g., dip coating, spraying, inkjet, painting by brush, or any other kind of application). In some embodiments heat or infrared energy is applied to the material to be stored and/or its surface. In some embodiments, the sodium hydrogen carbonate decomposes, generates CO₂bubbles, and thereby produces the formed coating. In some embodiments, any other formulation and/or method that induces bubbles in a coating can be employed.

Additional Alternative Embodiments

While food preservation methods employing gas are present in manufacturing and distribution stages, this is not the case for individual households because the task of sealing packages and replacing (or sealing) gas is not as simple. For example, filling a container with food-preservation gas needs an appropriate gas, and in the first place, it is difficult to judge whether the container is filled with gas to the required concentration and amount. On top of that, there would be no effect unless the sealing was perfect. Thus, in some embodiments, there is a demand for a simple food preservation method employing food-preservation gas, which is feasible at a household level.
In some embodiments, in order to preserve fruit, vegetables, and other items, a foam gel packaging material including glycerin containing micro/nano-bubbles of food-preservation gas, including CO₂and argon, and a liquid containing polymer that turns into a gel can be prepared, foamed with a high-pressure gas spray containing CO₂and argon, and sprayed on foodstuffs. As the liquid turns into a gel and dries to form a film, a membrane-retaining atmosphere in which CO₂and argon are contained is formed to protect the items by tight sealing while inhibiting the spread of microorganisms.
In some embodiments, a mixed liquid in which micro/nano-bubbles of food-preservation gas, including CO₂and argon, are stably held in glycerin and to which a gelatinizing agent, polysaccharide that turns into a gel, etc. is added is sealed in containers together with a spraying gas (CO₂and argon are again used here) under high pressure, which can be supplied in a form that is useful for individual households. For example, at the household level, it can be sprayed on the surface of fruit and vegetables before storage and can be used for sterilization and as packaging for storage. In some embodiments, at least part of a film is formed by gelatinization and drying, and this dried film can then partially dissolve from water on the surface of the item, which slowly releases CO₂and argon, thus sterilizing the microorganism-friendly water-rich surface continuously and selectively. In some embodiments, this has an effect of controlling the metabolism by reacting with moisture generated from metabolism, which releases CO₂, thus reacting to and/or detecting metabolic activity.
In some embodiments, kits are provided. In some embodiments, the kits include at least one of: aqueous dried gelled foam that contains micro/nano-bubbles of food-preservation gas (CO₂, argon etc.); spraying gas (CO₂and argon); and a spraying device in which the above items are sealed.
In some embodiments, the dried gelled foam packaging material is water-soluble, biodegradable, and/or edible and/or has a low environmental load. In some embodiments, it is harmless to the human body, and it does not cause problems even if it is ingested due to incomplete peeling or removal.
In some embodiments, the foam packaging material is visible, it is possible to see whether the fruit and vegetables are completely sprayed. Even if there is a partial breakage, it can be remedied by additional spraying.
In some embodiments, the packaging material can be applied locally on some parts of a surface (for example, cut surfaces of fruit and vegetables, which tend to decay).
In some embodiments, the packaging medium is made of water-soluble, biodegradable, edible material, its environment load is low, and it is harmless to the human body.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Applying a Coating to a Food Product

An apple is selected as a food product to be coated. A foam sprayable material is provided. The foam sprayable material includes glycerin, the polysaccharide arginate, CO₂, argon, water, and a UV blocker iron nanoparticle. The Argon and CO₂are at a 1:1 volume ratio at standard temperature and pressure. The foam sprayable material is stored at 200 kPa. A layer of the material is sprayed onto the outer surface of the apple to a substantially uniform thickness of about 500 micrometers. The foam sprayable material is allowed to dry for 4 hours, thus producing a packaged apple with a film coating. The film coating on the packaged apple includes voids with an average diameter of 5 micrometers. The coating is a film that is 96% transparent to visible light. The coating blocks the transmission of 82% of ultraviolet light. The apple is further coated in a 0.5-micrometer thick gas barrier layer of cellulose fiber. The coating on the apple will allow for the longer preservation of the apple.

Example 2

Preservation of a Food Product

An piece of meat is coated in a 500 micrometer-thick layer of film coating, which includes a gelled foam. The gelled foam includes glycerine and arginate. The gelled foam includes voids, which contain CO₂and argon gas. Six days after the meat is coated, the meat releases a sufficient amount of moisture to dissolve 4% of the gelled foam, thus releasing CO₂and argon gas from about 4% of the voids in the gelled foam. The CO₂and argon pass through the foam at a rate of 1 micron per 2 hours, eventually reaching the surface of the meat. The CO₂is toxic to 40% of the fungi on the surface of the meat, and thus inhibits fungi-mediated decomposition of the meat. The Argon blocks at least some of the bacteria on the surface of the meat. The treated food product stays edible for a longer time than a corresponding piece of meat that was not treated with the gelled foam.

Example 3

Preparation of a Food Product

A solubilized gel foam layer including polysaccharide arginate, which is water soluble and biodegradable is used to coat a collection of raspberries. 12 days later, the raspberries are purchased by a customer. The fruit is contacted with warm water at a pH of 7, which dissolves 99% of the gelled foam layer from fruit. The residual 1% of the gelled foam layer is non-toxic and edible. The fruit is ready for human consumption. Five months after the water that contains dissolved arginate is processed as waste water, the arginate is fully degraded.
The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A packaging material, the packaging material comprising:

a gelled foam comprising voids; and

a food-preservation gas contained within the voids, wherein the gelled foam allows for a sustained release of the food-preservation gas.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. The packaging material of claim 1, wherein the gelled foam comprises glycerin, a gel-forming polymer, and a gelatinizing agent.

5. The packaging material of claim 1, wherein the gelled foam comprises a biodegradable material.

6. The packaging material of claim 5, wherein the biodegradable material comprises at least one polysaccharide.

7. The packaging material of claim 1, wherein the material is in a form of a film.

8. The packaging material of claim 7, wherein the film is transparent.

9. The packaging material of claim 7, wherein the film comprises a spray applied coating.

10-59. (canceled)

60. The packaging material of claim 1, wherein the packaging material has a thickness of equal to or greater than about 2 microns.

61. A foam sprayable material, the material comprising:

a water soluble and high viscosity material comprising at least one void that comprises at least one food-preservation gas; and

a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried.

62. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the liquid, film forming, polymer is at least one of a polysaccharide, an arginate, a carrageenan, a glycolarginate, a pectin, Gellan gum, Agar, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, propylene glycol, a polysaccharide, its salt, and their solution dissolved in water: hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, Collagen, Collagen peptide, hemicellulose, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum, guar gum, tara gum, gloiopeltis glue, agar, furcellaran, tamarind seed polysaccharide, kalaya gum, hibiscus, pectin, sodium alginate, pullulan, jellan gum, locust bean gum, various starches, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxymethylcellulose (HMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxyethylethylcellulose (HEEC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylethylcellulose (HPEC), hydroxyethylhydroxypropylcellulose (HEHPC), sulfoethylcellulose, dihydroxypropylcellulose (DHPC), propylene glycol alginate, a processed starch, or a soluble starch.

63. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the food-preservation gas is at least one of CO₂, argon, nitrogen, ClO₂, ozone, an ethylene-inhibiting gas, O₂, a rare gas: He, Ne, Kr, Xe, or Rn.

64. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the food-preservation gas comprises CO₂and argon.

65. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the ethylene-inhibiting gas comprises 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP).

66. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the foam sprayable material sterilizes a surface of a food product by lowing a pH of the surface.

67. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the foam sprayable material is edible.

68. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, further comprising a foaming agent.

69. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, further comprising a pH adjuster.

70. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the foam sprayable material, once dried, is water-soluble.

71. The foam sprayable material of claim 61, wherein the food-preservation gas is at least one of CO₂, argon, nitrogen, ClO₂, ozone, an ethylene-inhibiting gas, O₂, a rare gas: He, Ne, Kr, Xe, or Rn.

72. A method of packaging a food product, the method comprising:

providing a food preservative film, the film comprising:

glycerin comprising voids comprising a food-preservation gas; and

a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried;

providing a food product; and

covering at least part of the food product with the food preservative film, thereby packaging the food product.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein covering comprises spraying the food preservative film on the food product.

74. The method of claim 72, further comprising storing the food product in a preserved condition for a period of time longer than would have been possible if the food product had been sealed in a food preservative film that lacked the food-preservation gas.

75. A preserved food product comprising:

at least one food product; and

an at least partially dried preservative film coating at least a part of the at least one food product, wherein the film comprises an edible material within which a food-preservation gas is stored, and wherein the edible material allows for the sustained release of the food-preservation gas.

76. The preserved food product of claim 75, wherein the edible material comprises a gelled foam comprising voids, wherein the food-preservation gas is contained within the voids.

77. The preserved food product of claim 75, wherein the film increases its release of the food-preservation gas when exposed to moisture.

78. The preserved food-product of claim 75, wherein the preservative film blocks at least 95% of air holes of the food product.

79. A spray device comprising:

an outlet head configured to spray a foam sprayable material;

a reservoir, configured to hold a foam sprayable material and in fluid communication with the outlet head, wherein the reservoir holds a mixture of glycerin and a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried; and

a first gas inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir.