Using Carbon Dioxide Regulators to Extend the Shelf Life of Plastic Packaging

Abstract

A method for replenishing carbon dioxide gas in a carbonated beverage container where a carbon dioxide regulator releases carbon dioxide at a rate approximately equal to the rate of carbon dioxide loss from said container. Also disclosed is packaging system for maintaining a consistent pressure of a carbonated beverage comprising a closure, a plastic container, and a carbon dioxide regulator. Also disclosed is a method for making a packaging system for maintaining a consistent pressure in a carbonated beverage comprising overmolding a perform around an assembly for a carbon dioxide regulator, or blending a carbon dioxide regulator into the plastic material used to form the body of a container for said carbonated beverage. Also, disclosed is carbon dioxide regulator composition for replenishing carbon dioxide gas in a carbonated beverage container comprising polymeric carbonates, organic carbonates, or materials that absorb and subsequently release carbon dioxide.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to provisional patent Appl. No. 60 / 548,286, filed Feb. 27, 2004, and to provisional patent Appl. No. 60 / 628,737, filed Nov. 17, 2004, and to provisional patent application titled “Using Carbon Dioxide Regulators to Extend the Shelf Life of Plastic Packaging” filed Feb. 24, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Plastic and metal containers have been replacing glass in bottling beverages where easy handling, low weight and non-breakability are needed. Plastic packaging, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, are widely used for the packaging of carbonated products such as beer, soft drinks, still waters and some dairy products. For each of these products there is some optimum amount of carbonation or carbon dioxide (sometimes referred to in this document as “CO2”) pressure within the package to maintain its optimum quality. In conventional plastic packaging, it is difficult to maintain the CO2 ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In conventional plastic packaging, it is difficult to maintain the CO2 pressure at this optimum level for an extended period of time.

Ultimately, after a defined amount of carbonation is lost, the product is no longer suitable for use which is usually determined by a noticeable and unacceptable change in flavor or taste.

Lighter, thinner bottles lose carbonation more quickly, cannot withstand high internal pressures, and have shorter shelf-lives.

As plastic bottles become smaller, the relative rate of carbonation loss becomes more rapid.

Permeation is faster at higher temperatures, reducing shelf-life, and making it difficult to store carbonated beverages in plastic containers in hot climates and still maintain a reasonable shelf-life.

This is currently used for carbonated soft drinks and for beer, but its effectiveness is hindered due to the effect of the over-carbonation on product quality and the negative effects that this can cause on the bottle's physical performance.

Small differences in internal pressure within the package cause significant differences in the effervescent qualities of the beverage.

Over-carbonation is also hindered by the pressure limitations of the package.

These manufacturing approaches are invariably significantly more expensive than what is incurred in typical polyester bottle production and often these create new problems especially with recycling.

This is approximately ten times higher than needed for application in a PET beer bottle and would likely cause an unsafe pressurization of the package.

We have found such high loading levels to be unsuitable for our application since they have the potential to release far too much carbon dioxide into the package.

Images