Oxygen-scavenging polymer compositions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10968337-B2
Application number	US-201615576843-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 26, 2016
Priority date	May 27, 2015
Publication date	Apr 6, 2021
Grant date	Apr 6, 2021

Abstract

The present invention describes polymer compositions that have enhanced properties as oxygen barriers, as well as manufacturing methods for such oxygen-scavenging polymers and devices composed of such oxygen-scavenging polymers. These oxygen-scavenging polymers offer several benefits over existing materials, including a reduced ability for oxygen and carbon dioxide to permeate the polymer, reduced foaming of beverages stored in containers composed of the polymers, improved moisture absorption, and increased anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An oxygen-scavenging polymer composition for packing and storing foods and beverages, the oxygen-scavenging polymer composition comprising:
a hydrophobic polymer comprising a thermoplastic vulcanizate;
a water activatable oxygen scavenger consisting of 12 weight % sodium sulphite;
between 2 weight % and 5 weight % of a hydrophilic polymer;
between 1 weight % and 10 weight % of a talc; and

wherein the hydrophilic polymer and particles of the oxygen scavenger are each dispersed throughout a matrix of the hydrophobic polymer.

2. The oxygen-scavenging polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyesters.

3. An apparatus containing an oxygen-scavenging polymer composition for packing and storing foods and beverages comprising the oxygen-scavenging polymer composition of claim 1 .

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the apparatus is a closure for a beverage container, the closure comprising a shell and sealing elements.

5. A container comprising:
(a) at least one wall, the at least one wall comprising the oxygen-scavenging polymer composition of claim 1 ; and
(b) at least one beverage or beverage component.

6. The container of claim 5 , wherein the at least one beverage or beverage component is selected from the group consisting of a beverage, a beverage concentrate, a beverage component, and a concentrated beverage component.

7. The container of claim 6 , wherein a volume of the beverage concentrate comprises between about 2 times and about 6 times the sugar content and alcohol content of an equal volume of a beverage from which the beverage concentrate is derived.

8. A method for preparing a beverage comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the apparatus comprises a first container comprising at least one wall, and at least one beverage component, and
(b) diluting the beverage component with a liquid to prepare a beverage.

Assignees

• Anheuser Busch Inbev Sa
• Anheuser—Busch Tnbev S A

Inventors

• Peirsman Daniel
• Valles Vanessa

Classifications

• A23B70/00

  Preservation of non-alcoholic beverages (preservation of beverages from legumes A23B75/10; preservation of beverages containing tea, tea substitutes or herbal tea A23B85/10; preservation of beverages containing coffee or coffee substitutes A23B90/10) · CPC title

• A23B2/717

  Oxygen absorbent · CPC title

• B65D51/24 Primary

  combined {or co-operating} with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes · CPC title

• C12C11/11

  Post fermentation treatments, e.g. carbonation, or concentration (methods for reducing the alcohol content after fermentation C12H3/00; methods for increasing the alcohol content after fermentation C12H6/00) · CPC title

• C08L23/12

  Polypropene · CPC title