Packages and structures with selective dosing of active agent

Abstract

Packages and structures with selective dosing of active agents are described. The at least one active agent includes a freshness-extension agent to inhibit spoilage of perishable product disposed in the package, an odor management agent to reduce, mask, or neutralize odors from garbage or waste disposed in the package, a color indicator to indicate the status of one or more other active agents, or another type of agent. Selective dosing is achieved by covering the active agent or agents by a plurality of covers. Some of these covers may be walls of a package itself.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11 / 055,575 and 11 / 055,574, each of which filed Feb. 10, 2005, is currently pending and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 375,188 filed on Feb. 26, 2003, which is currently pending and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 359,874 filed on Feb. 27, 2002. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11 / 055,575 and 11 / 055,574 also each claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of both U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 543,344 and U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 543,345 filed on Feb. 10, 2004, to which the present application also claims priority. [0002] Each of the foregoing applications is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to packages and structures, and methods for releasing active agents in such packages. ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A problem with these reclosable packages, however, is that they do not contain any feature that serves to extend the time period that the perishable can be stored in the package and remain fresh.

Thus, the contents of the package may spoil sooner and, if so, the contents will be no longer suitable for human consumption.

The cost of perishable spoilage is a significant problem for both consumers and commercial users of reclosable packages.

In this type of system, as soon as the packaging is first opened, the seal is broken and does not further inhibit spoilage of the perishable.

This type of system thus addresses only the issue of perishable spoilage before the package is initially opened, and does not serve the in-home user who is placing leftover perishable products into the storage bags.

A garbage bag or liner is often used to collect waste that can and often does produce unpleasant odors.

However, such waste bags can present a number of disadvantages.

Further, manufacturing difficulties can arise from such bags.

For example, to obtain a desired amount of scent proximate the mouth of the bag, an excess of scent material may need to be distributed throughout the remainder of the bag, which can result in an overpowering scent.

Of course, if an insufficient amount of scent material is used, the scent provided may not be suitable to mask, neutralize, or reduce the unpleasant odors.

Additionally, because the scented resin used in such garbage bags is likely to be more expensive than other polymeric resins used in forming the garbage bags, it can be economically undesirable to distribute relatively equal amounts of scented resin throughout the bag.

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