Biodegradable packaging material

Abstract

The present invention provides a biodegradable packaging material useable for indicating the expiration of the shelf-life of the goods enclosed therein. For example, the packaging material of the present invention is used to enclose perishable foods, medicines, medical devices, medical instruments, medical implant, or other such limited shelf-life goods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 568,620 entitled Biodegradable Packaging Material, filed May 6, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to biodegradable packaging material and more specifically to biodegradable packaging material for limited shelf life goods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Approximately 60.5 billion pounds of plastic materials were produced in the United States in 1991, of which approximately 15 billion pounds were one-way, or non-returnable, plastics used in packaging. A significant amount of these plastic materials are discarded and become pollutants that deface the landscape and threaten wildlife. At least about one million seabirds and about 100,000 marine mammals die each year as the result of plastic pollutants. Degradable disposable materials have become a replacement for the tremendous amount of conventional plastic materials wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In one embodiment, the packaging material for enclosing a packaged good comprises a first film layer, a second biodegradable film layer, and a reactive chemical interposed between the first and second film layers. The second film layer degrades when exposed to a first reactive stimuli, which can be, for example, air or moisture. The reactive chemical can change color when exposed to a second reactive stimuli. The second reactive stimuli can be the same or different than the first reactive stimuli.

[0012] In an embodiment, the packaged good is a food product and the second film layer is proximal to the food product. The first reactive stimuli can be an enzyme, bacteria, or chemical emitted from the food product. The reactive chemical can indicate spoilage of the food product.

[0013] In another embodiment, the packaged good is a medical device and the second film layer is proximal to the medical device. The reactive chemical can indicate contamination of the medical device. The first film layer can be made of a biodegradable material such that the first film layer degrades when exposed to a third reactive stimuli consisting of air or moisture. If the enclosed product has a limited shelf life and the first film layer degrades, the reactive chemical is exposed to indicate the expiration of the limited shelf life.

[0014] The present invention also includes a packaging system for indicating a status of an enclosed good. The system comprises a packaging material enclosing the good and a status indicator incorporated into a least a portion of the packaging material. The status indicator includes first and second film layers, at least one of the first and second film layers being biodegradable, and a reactive chemical interposed between the first and second film layers. At least one of the first and second film layers can degrade when exposed to a first reactive stimuli. The reactive chemical can change color when exposed to a second reactive stimuli.

Problems solved by technology

Alternatively, the packaging material is used to intentionally break the seal, contaminating the goods enclosed therein.

In some instances medical instruments, devices, or implants have a limited shelf life, the packaging material can indicate the expiration of the shelf life and render the enclosed goods unusable by intentionally contaminating and / or providing a visual indicator of expiration of shelf-life.

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