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Oxygen scavenger for low moisture environment and methods of using the same

a technology of oxygen scavenger and low moisture environment, which is applied in the field of oxygenabsorbents, can solve the problems of oxygen being typically detrimental to food and pharmaceuticals, many products can have longer shelf life if oxygen is diminished, and limited in application

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-04-07
MULTISORB TECH INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention also includes a device for scavenging oxygen within a low-moisture container, the device comprising an oxygen absorbing composition comprised of an oxygen reducing agent, water, a carrier, an electrolyte salt, and a humectant salt, which may be the same as the electrolyte salt, present in an amount sufficient to reduce the water activity of the composition to below 0.6; and a barrier to enclose the oxygen absorbing composition and retain the oxygen absorbing composition within the low-moisture container. The barrier allows the passage of oxygen to the composition and limits (or retards) the escape of moisture out of the composition. When the moisture does equilibrate, the ERH of the container will not exceed the ERH of the oxygen scavenging composition itself.
[0010] Also included as a part of the present invention is a method of making an oxygen absorbing composition for use in a low-moisture environment comprising the steps of (a) dissolving an electrolyte salt and a humectant salt in water, wherein the humectant salt may be the same as the electrolyte salt, the salt(s) itself may be a reducing agent, and wherein the humectant salt and electrolyte salt are present in sufficient amount to reduce the water activity of the composition to below 0.6; (b) mixing the solution of step (a) with a carrier (where the carrier may have some water binding capability); (c) blending the mixture of step (b) with at least one reducing agent; and (d) placing the blend of step (c) within a barrier, the barrier allowing the passage of oxygen to the blend and limiting (or retarding) the escape of moisture away from the blend.

Problems solved by technology

Oxygen is typically detrimental to food and pharmaceuticals.
Many products can have longer shelf-lifes if oxygen is diminished, including paints and other consumer goods.
Other techniques include the use of chemical or biochemical methods but these are typically limited in application by relatively low capacity, low rate of reaction, and higher cost.
This is fine for the storage and preservation of products which tolerate a heightened moisture environment, but is not acceptable where such is not the case.

Method used

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  • Oxygen scavenger for low moisture environment and methods of using the same

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0032] An oxygen-absorbing blend was prepared by combining 20 grams (g) sodium chloride (NaCl), 10 g ascorbic acid (C6H8O6), and 10 g sodium ascorbate (Na—C6H7O6) with 60 g of water. This mixture was combined 45 / 55 with silica gel. The blend was found to have an ERH of 59%. Seventy-five one hundredths of a gram (0.75 g) of this blend was mixed with 0.75 g of 200 mesh electrolytic iron and sealed within a semipermeable sachet.

[0033] The sachet was placed within a high barrier test container with a measured amount of air and was found to absorb over 200 cc of oxygen in 60 days in a dry atmosphere. During this time the ERH within the test container did not exceed 51%.

example 2

[0034] An oxygen absorbing blend was prepared by combining 10 g sodium chloride and 20 g calcium chloride with 70 g of water. This mixture was combined 45 / 55 with silica gel. The blend was found to have an ERH of 48.3%.

[0035] Two grams (2 g) of this blend was mixed with 1 g of 200 mesh electrolytic iron and sealed within a semipermeable sachet. The sachet was a laminate of water-oil-grease resistant paper and a linear low density polyethylene film. The film had a water vapor transfer rate of 0.456 g / 100 in2 / day @1100° F., 90% r.h. and an oxygen transfer rate of 61.8 cc / 100 in2 / day @ 73° F., 50% r.h.

[0036] The sachet was placed within a high barrier test container with 500 cc of air and was found to absorb over 37 cc of oxygen in 66 days in a dry atmosphere.

example 3

[0037] An oxygen absorbing blend was prepared by combining 10.4 g sodium chloride, 20.8 g calcium chloride, and 68.8 g of water. This mixture was combined 45 / 55 with silica gel.

[0038] 1.2 g of this blend was mixed with 1.2 g of 200 mesh electrolytic iron, combined with 0.1 g of a 50% dispersion of a binder (polyvinyl pyrollidone) and sealed within a semipermeable canister. The canister was constructed of a cylindrical polyethylene body and a film end material. The end material had a water vapor transfer rate of 0.008 g / 100 in2 / day and an oxygen transfer rate of 45 cc / 100 in2 / day @ 73° F., 50% r.h.

[0039] The canister was placed within a high barrier test container with a measured amount of air and was found to absorb oxygen at the rate of 0.85 cc / day. During this time the ERH within the test container did not exceed 56.9%. The same formulation ceased to absorb after 13 days in a permeable sachet.

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Abstract

An oxygen-absorbing composition, device, and method for oxygen scavenging in a low moisture environment are provided. The present invention provides an oxygen absorbing composition which includes an oxygen reducing agent, water, a carrier, an electrolyte salt, and a humectant salt, which may be the same as the electrolyte salt, present in an amount sufficient to reduce the water activity of the composition to below 0.6. Also included are methods of using the composition.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to oxygen-absorbents, and more specifically to oxygen-absorbing compositions, devices, and methods of storage for low-moisture environments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Oxygen is typically detrimental to food and pharmaceuticals. There are, therefore, many technologies in existence to reduce oxygen in food, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic product storage environments, such as plastic containers, pouches, cases, bottles and the like. But the need to limit oxygen exposure is not limited to just these applications. Many products can have longer shelf-lifes if oxygen is diminished, including paints and other consumer goods. [0003] One technique that has recently been the subject of development involves the placement of oxygen absorbing packages into the product package to protect against spoilage, loss of potency, or other loss of value due to oxidation of the product. These packages themselves contain oxy...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A23L3/3436C09K3/00C09K15/02C09K15/04
CPCA23L3/3436Y02E60/324C09K15/02Y02E60/32
Inventor POWERS, THOMAS
Owner MULTISORB TECH INC
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