Product packaging and methods of making the same

• US 20070286928A1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Sarmas Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Sarmas Group LLC
• Inventors: Sarmas, Derek, Sarmas, Gregory, Sarmas, Brandon
• Application Number:
  US11/800,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20070286928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/106
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/266 for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants B65D51/244, B65D51/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]

Abstract

The present invention relates to the packaging of products in order to protect the products from the deleterious effects of heat and/or moisture. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a thermoformable container wherein a moisture-absorbing material is incorporated into or on to the interior surface of the container. The moisture-absorbing materials are water-based, water-activated adhesives. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for reducing or eliminating the effects of heat and/or moisture which are generated within a closed space such as a container by applying a moisture-absorbing material to the container.

Claims

1. A thermoformed container for housing a moisture sensitive product comprising:

a concave-shaped bottom portion and a convex-shaped top portion wherein said concave-shaped bottom portion and said convex-shaped top portion each have exterior and interior surfaces; and

wherein said concave-shaped bottom portion and said convex-shaped top portion are connected one to another, and wherein a moisture-absorbing material is incorporated into, or on to, at least one of said interior surfaces of said thermoformed container.

2. The thermoformed container according to claim 1, wherein said moisture-absorbing material comprises a grafted, modular, remoistenable resin-based polymer.

3. The thermoformed container according to claim 2, wherein the polymer is in the form of a water-activated adhesive.

4. The thermoformed container according to the claim 1 wherein the water-activated adhesives are selected from the group consisting of natural adhesives, synthetic adhesives and remoistenable hot melt adhesives.

5. The thermoformed container according to claim 3, wherein the water-activated adhesive comprises polymeric dextrin, or a derivative thereof.

6. The thermoformed container according to claim 3, wherein the water-activated adhesive comprises a resin emulsion of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol).

7. The thermoformed container according to claim 1, wherein the concave-shaped bottom portion houses a moisture-sensitive product.

8. The thermoformed container according to claim 7, wherein the moisture-sensitive product is selected from the group consisting of food products, electronic products, and medical products.

9. The thermoformed container according to claim 8, wherein the moisture-sensitive product is a food product.

10. The thermoformed container according to claim 1, wherein the moisture-absorbing material is incorporated on to at least one of said interior surfaces of said thermoformed container by laminating or coating.

11. The thermoformed container according to claim 1, having the shape of a clamshell.

12. The thermoformed container according to claim 1 wherein the material comprising said thermoformed container is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, oriented polystyrene, oriented polylactide, polyvinylchloride, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, poly(lactic acid) and polycarbonate.

13. The thermoformed container according to claim 12 wherein the material is poly(lactic acid).

14. The thermoformed container according to claim 1 wherein the moisture-absorbing material is applied in the form of a pattern.

15. A method for reducing or eliminating moisture which is contained within a container by applying to, or integrating within, the interior surface of said container a moisture-absorbing material.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the moisture absorbing material is a grafted, modular, remoistenable resin-based polymer.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the polymer is a water-activated adhesive.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the water-activated adhesive is selected from the group consisting of natural adhesives, synthetic adhesives and remoistenable hot melt adhesives.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the adhesive comprises polymeric dextrin.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the adhesive comprises a resin emulsion of poly(vinyl acetate) and poly(vinyl alcohol).

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the moisture-absorbing material is coated on to the interior surface of the container.

22. The method according to claim 15, wherein the moisture-absorbing material is integrated within the composition forming the container.

23. The method according to claim 15, wherein the moisture-absorbing material is affixed to the interior surface of said container by means of a label.

24. The method according to claim 15, wherein the moisture-absorbing material is protected from exposure to the environment by a protective membrane.

25. The method according to claim 15, wherein the container is thermoformable.

26. A method of making a thermoformed lid characterized by the presence of a adhesive affixed to the inside surface of said lid comprising the following steps:

(a) extruding a molten polymeric material;

(b) passing said molten polymeric material from step a over a chill roller;

(c) passing the cooled polymeric material from step b through an atmospheric plasma treatment station;

(d) reheating the treated polymeric material from step c;

(e) molding the molten polymeric material from step d into the shape of a lid;

(f) coating an adhesive material on to the inside surface of said lid; and

(g) drying of the adhesive material.