Release of ClO2 gas from produce packaging film

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11224671-B2
Application number	US-201615753314-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2016
Priority date	Aug 18, 2015
Publication date	Jan 18, 2022
Grant date	Jan 18, 2022

Abstract

A multilayer produce packaging film includes a first layer and a chlorine dioxide-producing layer. The chlorine dioxide-producing layer includes a polymer composition and a plurality of chlorite ions. The chlorine dioxide-producing layer is substantially free of an energy-activated catalyst and is substantially free of an acid-releasing compound. However, the film is capable of generating chlorine dioxide when exposed to UV light and moisture.

First claim

We claim:

1. A multilayer produce packaging film comprising:
a first layer, and
a chlorine dioxide-producing layer comprising a polymer composition and a source of chlorite ions;
wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer comprises: (i) less than 2% by weight of an energy-activated catalyst, (ii) a ratio of the energy-activated catalyst to the source of chlorite ions of 1:20 or less, (iii) and no acid-releasing compound.

2. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the source of chlorite ions is a salt selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorite, potassium chlorite, and mixtures thereof.

3. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the film has an oxygen transmission rate of at least 775 cm 3 /m 2 /24 hours (50 cm 3 /100 in 2 /24 hours).

4. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the film has an oxygen transmission rate of at least 3100 cm 3 /m 2 /24 hours (200 cm 3 /100 in 2 /24 hours).

5. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the chlorine-dioxide-producing layer is a coating having a thickness less than 15 μm.

6. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 5 , wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one of polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene alpha-olefins, or polypropylene.

7. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 5 , wherein the source of chlorite ions comprises a salt, wherein the salt is present in an amount within a range from 0.1 weight percent to 20 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.

8. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 5 , wherein the source of chlorite ions comprises a salt, wherein the salt is present in an amount within a range from 1 weight percent to 15 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.

9. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the chlorine-dioxide layer has a thickness of at least 25 μm.

10. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 9 , wherein the polymer composition comprises at least one of polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene alpha-olefins, or polypropylene.

11. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 9 , wherein the source of chlorite ions comprises a salt, wherein the salt is present in an amount within a range from 0.1 weight percent to 20 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.

12. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 9 , wherein the source of chlorite ions comprises a salt, wherein the salt is present in an amount within a range from 1 weight percent to 15 weight percent relative to the total weight of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.

13. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the first layer is an abuse-resistant layer, wherein the abuse-resistant layer is UV-light transparent.

14. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the film has a layer composition in the following sequence:
the chlorine dioxide-producing layer;
a layer of polyethylene;
a layer of adhesive; and
the first layer comprising an oriented polypropylene,
wherein optional additional layers may be dispersed within said sequence.

15. The multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the film has a layer composition in the following sequence:
the chlorine dioxide-producing layer;
the first layer comprising an oriented polypropylene;
a layer of adhesive; and
a second layer of oriented polypropylene;
wherein optional additional layers may be dispersed within said sequence.

16. A produce package comprising a sidewall comprising the multilayer produce packaging film according to claim 1 , wherein the produce package comprises an interior volume defined by an inside surface of the sidewall.

17. The produce package according to claim 16 , wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer is proximate the inside surface of the sidewall.

18. The produce package according to claim 16 , wherein the sidewall comprises a heat seal of the chlorine dioxide-producing layer.

19. A multilayer produce packaging film comprising:
a first layer, and
a chlorine dioxide-producing layer comprising a polymer composition and a source of chlorite ions;
wherein the chlorine dioxide-producing layer comprises: no energy-activated catalyst; and no acid-releasing compound.

Assignees

• Wisconsin Alumni Res Found
• Bemis Co Inc

Inventors

• Abbott Nicholas
• Jain Rishabh
• Nelson Kevin
• Busche David
• Lynn David

Classifications

• B01J19/123 Primary

  Ultraviolet light · CPC title

• A61L2/20 Primary

  Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours · CPC title

• B32B27/00

  Layered products comprising {a layer of} synthetic resin {(fibrous or filamentary layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/02; particulate layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/16; foamed layer made of a synthetic resin B32B5/18)} · CPC title

• B32B2439/46

  Bags · CPC title

• B32B15/20

  comprising aluminium or copper {(B32B15/016 and B32B15/017 take precedence)} · CPC title