Anti-contaminant packaging

Abstract

The anti-contaminant packages, catheters and methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to reducing the likelihood of contaminants penetrating into packages for storage and final dispensing of materials. More specifically, a conduit for dispensing material from a package may include a contaminant barrier that, together with a corresponding contaminant barrier along other portions of the package, significantly reduces the likelihood of contaminants (e.g., oxygen and / or moisture) penetrating into the material in an anti-contaminant package.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 327,710, filed on April 5, 2022, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Background Art

[0003] Polymers are commonly used to package a variety of materials. Such packaging is generally inexpensive and ubiquitous, making it a commercially viable solution for packaging a variety of goods. Additionally, many types of polymers are relatively inert with respect to various types of packaged materials and have a long history of safe use, making polymers particularly suitable for packaging food or other consumable materials.

[0004] However, polymers used to package goods exhibit a certain degree of gas permeability. This limits contamination resistance. In a robust supply chain where packaged materials reach the end-use point quickly, this limited contamination resistance provided by the polymer may be sufficient to preserve the packaged material in the supply chain for a typical period of time. However, for supply chains associated with longer transportation and / or storage times, such as may be characteristic of remote areas, this is not the case. That is, the contamination resistance of the polymer may limit the feasibility of distributing some types of packaged materials (e.g., food or other consumables) to certain markets, or in some cases, may require the use of preservatives to achieve a suitable shelf life.

[0005] Thus, there remains a need to improve the contamination resistance of polymeric packaging used to transport and / or store perishable or other degradable materials. Summary of the invention

[0006] The contaminant-resistant packaging, conduits, and methods of the present disclosure are generally intended to reduce the likelihood of contaminants penetrating into packaging for storing and ultimately dispensing materials. More specifically, a conduit for dispensing materials from a packaging may include a contaminant barrier that, along with corresponding contaminant barriers along other portions of the packaging, significantly reduces the likelihood of contaminants (e.g., oxygen and / or moisture) penetrating into the material in the contaminant-resistant packaging.

[0007] According to one aspect, a catheter for anti-contaminant packaging may include: a body having a first end and a second end, the body defining an inner cavity, and the second end defining an orifice; and a head integral with the first end of the body and radially spanning the inner cavity, the head defining two or more holes, the two or more holes being fluidically connected to the orifice via the inner cavity, the body and the head each including a surface material and a core material, the surface material having a first oxygen permeability, the core material having a second oxygen permeability less than the first oxygen permeability, and the surface material surrounding the core material.

[0008] In some embodiments, the skin material may be in contact with the core material along the head and the body.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the inner cavity may define a central axis, and the central axis of the inner cavity intersects the skin material and the core material of the head. The head may include a gate location, the two or more holes are arranged around the gate location, and the central axis of the inner cavity intersects the gate location of the head. The head may be arranged along the first end of the body, wherein the gate location of the head is longitudinally recessed relative to the first end of the body along the central axis. In some cases, the body and the head may each be symmetrical about any plane including the central axis of the inner cavity. In some cases, the central axis of the inner cavity may intersect the center of the orifice defined by the second end of the body. In addition, or alternatively, the head may have a first minimum thickness parallel to the central axis, the body has a second minimum thickness perpendicular to the central axis, and the first minimum thickness of the head is less than the second minimum thickness of the body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the skin material may include a first polymer, and the core material may include a second polymer different from the first polymer. For example, at least one of the first polymer and the second polymer is a thermoplastic material.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the second oxygen permeability of the core material may be greater than 0 cc·mm / m at a relative humidity of 20% and a temperature of 23°C. 2 ·day·atm and less than about 1cc·mm / m 2·day·atm. Additionally or alternatively, the core material may be hygroscopic. Additionally or alternatively, the core material may have a stronger moisture absorption than the surface material. As an example, the core material may include ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, nylon or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the core material may include a deoxidizer (e.g., a non-ferrous deoxidizer, such as ascorbic acid).

[0012] In some embodiments, the skin material may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or a combination thereof.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the body may include an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the inner cavity and opposite to the outer surface, and the inner surface and the outer surface of the body are formed by the skin material. As an example, along the body, the core material may surround the skin material of the inner surface of the body, and the skin material of the outer surface of the body surrounds the core material. Additionally or alternatively, the skin material may be seamless along the inner surface and the outer surface of the body. Additionally or alternatively, the core material may be seamless between the inner surface and the outer surface of the body. In some cases, the thickness of the body between the inner surface and the outer surface may vary in the longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end of the body. In some cases, the inner cavity of the body has a constant radial dimension in the longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end of the body.

[0014] In some cases, the head can have a rounded edge along each of the two or more holes.

[0015] In some cases, the head may be planar in a direction radially across the lumen of the body.

[0016] According to another aspect, an anti-contaminant package may include: a container defining a volume; a catheter according to any one or more of the foregoing examples, the catheter being connected to the container, and the inner cavity of the catheter being connected to the volume fluid of the container via an orifice at the second end of the body of the catheter; and a cover connected to the catheter, and the cover releasably covers two or more holes in the head of the catheter.

[0017] In some embodiments, the container may include a first oxygen barrier disposed at least around the volume of the container. Additionally or alternatively, the cover may include a second oxygen barrier, and wherein the cover releasably covers the two or more apertures, the second oxygen barrier of the cover being disposed over the two or more apertures. At least one of the first oxygen barrier and the second oxygen barrier may have the same composition as the core material.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the container may be a bag. For example, the bag may be stably supported on a flat surface, wherein the conduit and the cover are supported by the bag away from the flat surface.

[0019] In some embodiments, the contaminant-resistant package may further include a living hinge, wherein the cover is coupled to the conduit via the living hinge.

[0020] According to yet another aspect, a method of manufacturing a catheter for use in contaminant-resistant packaging may include:

[0021] forming a cavity; injecting each of a skin material and a core material in molten form into the cavity through a flow channel; in the cavity, cooling the skin material and the core material into a component having a head integral with a body, the body defining an inner cavity and an orifice, the head radially spanning the inner cavity and defining at least two holes fluidly connected to the orifice via the inner cavity, and the skin material surrounding the core material of the component; and separating the component from the flow channel along the head of the component.

[0022] In some embodiments, the inner cavity of the component defines a central axis extending through a gate location of the head, the gate location corresponding to a location where each of the skin material and the core material are co-injected into the cavity in molten form. The runner may be a cold runner, and separating the component from the runner along the head of the component may include shearing the component from the cold runner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The foregoing objects, features and advantages and other objects, features and advantages of the devices, systems and methods described herein will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments thereof, as shown in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed on illustrating the principles of the devices, systems and methods described herein.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of anti-contaminant packaging.

[0025] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a catheter with an anti-contaminant package.

[0026] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Bottom stereogram of the catheter.

[0027] Figure 2C yes Figure 2A Side view of the catheter.

[0028] Figure 2D yes Figure 2A Top view of the catheter.

[0029] Figure 2E yes Figure 2A A top view of a cross section of a conduit, the cross section being taken along Figure 2A It is intercepted by 2E-2E in .

[0030] Figure 2F yes Figure 2A A side view of a cross section of a catheter, the cross section being taken along Figure 2D It is intercepted from 2F-2F in .

[0031] Figure 2G yes Figure 2F A magnified view of the detail area in 2G.

[0032] Figure 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of making a catheter for contaminant resistant packaging.

[0033] Figure 4A is based on Figure 3 The exemplary method of melt-forming the skin material and the core material flows into a mold to form Figure 2A A stereoscopic view of the lumen of a catheter.

[0034] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A side cross-sectional view of the flow of molten skin material and core material into a cavity, wherein the cross section is along Figure 4A It is intercepted from 4B-4B in the video. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, the above may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0036] All documents mentioned in this article are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and references to items in the plural should be understood to include items in the singular, unless otherwise expressly stated or clear from the text. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to represent any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of the conjugated clauses, sentences, words, etc., unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, the term "or" should generally be understood to mean "and / or", and the term "and" should generally be understood to mean "and / or".

[0037] Unless otherwise specified in this article, the description of the range of values ​​herein is not intended to be restrictive, but refers to any and all values ​​falling within the range individually, and each individual value in such a range is incorporated into this specification as if it were individually recorded in this article. When the words "about" or "approximately" are accompanied by numerical values, it should be interpreted as including any deviations that will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, to operate satisfactorily for the intended purpose. The range of values ​​and / or numerical values ​​is provided herein only as an example, and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language ("for example" or "such as") is only intended to better illustrate the embodiments, and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of those embodiments. The language in the specification should not be interpreted as indicating any unclaimed element as being necessary for the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

[0038] In the disclosure that follows, conduits are described in the context of use cases as accessories for packaging of materials (e.g., flowable materials) that are susceptible to various types of degradation over extended periods of time and / or under uncontrolled conditions (e.g., features of supply chains and / or storage of food or other consumables in areas that are difficult to reach and / or lack infrastructure (e.g., remote areas)). In the case where the packaging includes a container with a contaminant barrier (which is used to protect the degradable material), the accessories coupled to the container can be a weak point in the overall contamination resistance of the packaging. Thus, it should be understood that the conduits of the present disclosure as use cases for accessories for packaging described herein represent important embodiments, i.e., embodiments that can significantly improve the contamination resistance of otherwise identical packaging. In turn, the improved contamination resistance of the packaging can help supply perishable or degradable materials to areas that are difficult to reach due to supply chain constraints. It should be understood that such exemplary use of conduits as accessories for packaging described herein is for the purpose of clearly and effectively explaining the various features of the conduits, and should not be construed as limiting unless otherwise noted or clear from the context. In other words, unless the contrary intent is expressly indicated, the conduits described herein may be used for any one or more of a variety of different uses that benefit from reducing the likelihood of contamination of continuously and / or intermittently dispensable materials through such conduits. Consistent with the focus on use cases for forming accessories for packaging of food (which should be understood to include powders, solids, gels, liquids, or any combination thereof) or other consumables (which should be understood to include vitamins, dietary supplements, medications, or any combination thereof), it should be further understood that contaminant barriers are described herein in the context of oxygen barriers, given that the oxygen permeability of polymer-based packaging is an important factor in the degradation of packaged food or other consumables. The focus on such oxygen barriers is for clarity and effective description. Unless the contrary intent is indicated, it should be understood that within the scope of the present disclosure, any type of contaminant barrier may be used in addition or alternatively to the anti-contaminant packaging, conduits, and / or methods described herein.

[0039] In the following description, contaminant-resistant packaging and its various components are described in the context of oxygen permeability, as this is an important use case for improving the packaging of many materials (e.g., food or other consumables), and for the purpose of clearly and efficiently describing various aspects of the various devices, systems, and methods described herein. However, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, it should be understood that any one or more of the various different devices, systems, and methods described herein may additionally or alternatively be used to provide a barrier to the ingress or egress of any one or more other types of gases (e.g., nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.).

[0040] Reference now Figure 1and Figures 2A to 2G , the contaminant-resistant package 100 may include a container 102, a conduit 104, and a cap 106. The container 102 may define a volume 108. The cap 106 may be releasably coupled to the conduit 104. Typically, the conduit 104 may be coupled to the container 102 and in fluid communication with the volume 108 of the container 102. For example, the conduit 104 may include a body 220 having a first end 222 and a second end 224. The body 220 may define an inner cavity 226, and the second end 224 of the body 220 may define an orifice 228. The conduit 104 may include a head 230 integral with the first end 222 of the body 220, wherein the head 230 radially spans the inner cavity 226 of the body 220. As an example, the head 230 may define two or more holes 232, which are in fluid communication with the orifice 228 defined by the second end 224 of the body 220 via the inner cavity 226. Additionally, or alternatively, the two or more holes 232 of the head 230 may be in fluid communication with the volume 108 of the container 102 via the lumen 226 and the orifice 228 of the conduit 104. The body 220 and the head 230 of the conduit 104 may each include a skin material 233 and a core material 234, wherein the skin material 233 has a first oxygen permeability, the core material 234 has a second oxygen permeability that is less than the first oxygen permeability, and the skin material 233 surrounds the core material 234. Thus, the head 230 having the core material 234 surrounded by the skin material 233 is a structural feature of the conduit 104 that provides at least some barrier to contaminants where otherwise there would be no barrier to contaminants in an open tube, while still allowing the material 109 in the volume 108 of the container 102 to be dispensed, thereby providing improved impermeability to contaminants compared to an open tube having an oxygen barrier only along the sides of the tube.

[0041] As described in more detail below, the head 230 is a structural feature of the conduit 104 that may further or alternatively help protect the core material 234 from the environment outside of the conduit 104 so that the barrier properties (e.g., oxygen impermeability) of the core material 234 may be better maintained, thereby improving the preservation characteristics of the contaminant-resistant package 100. The conduit 104 may be formed by co-injecting the skin material 233 and the core material 234 along the location of the gate location 236 of the head 230 to form the conduit 104 with an umbrella-like flow of the skin material 233 and the core material 234 that flows radially from the gate location 236 to form the head 230 and then flows in a direction from the first end 222 to the second end 224 of the body 220 to form the body 220. By the combination of co-injection and umbrella flow facilitated by injection molding at a gate corresponding to the gate location 236 of the head 230, the core material 234 can be substantially evenly distributed along the body 220 (e.g., thereby allowing for small variations associated with the co-injection process), and the skin material 233 can surround the core material 234 along the body 220 and the head 230 with a reduced likelihood of seams or other cracks that permit oxygen to penetrate into the core material 234 and / or into the volume 108 of the container 102. Thus, the head 230 is a structural feature of the conduit 104 that facilitates forming a conduit 104 with fewer defects that tend to compromise contaminant impermeability and / or the structural integrity of the tubular structure, such as a fitting, as compared to using side gates to introduce an oxygen barrier into the tubular structure. That is, compared to conduits formed using side gates that cause material to move circumferentially around the conduit to merge, the head 230 spanning the inner cavity 226 of the body 220 facilitates injection molding the skin material 233 and the core material 234 together such that the skin material 233 provides improved packaging and distribution of the core material 234. In turn, this improved packaging of the core material 234 improves the contaminant impermeability of the conduit 104 for a longer period of time compared to conduits having a contaminant barrier that does not seal well against the external environment.

[0042] In use, the material 109 can be stored in the volume 105 of the container 102, wherein the cap 106 is on the container 102 such that the cap 106 covers the two or more apertures 232 of the head 230. Additionally, or alternatively, the cap 106 can be releasably secured to the conduit 104 such that the material 109 can be selectively removed from the volume 108 of the container 102 via the two or more apertures 232 of the head 230 at or near the final point of use of the material 109. As also described in more detail below, the container 102, the conduit 104, and the cap 106 can each have a respective contaminant barrier (e.g., a barrier that is permeable to oxygen and / or moisture) such that the container 102, the conduit 104, and the cap 106 can collectively protect the material 109 in the volume 105 from one or more environmental contaminants (e.g., oxygen and / or moisture) that would otherwise degrade the material 109. Advantageously, the contaminant-resistant packaging 100 can help reduce the rate at which the material 109 degrades over time, compared to packaging without such a barrier, thereby increasing the shelf life of the material 109. For certain supply chains, particularly those characterized by longer delivery and storage times, the reduction in degradation facilitated by the contaminant-resistant packaging 100 can, for example, expand the ability to distribute the material 109 into previously inaccessible and / or economically impractical markets and / or expand the distribution of materials that are more sensitive to contaminants.

[0043] Typically, the head 230 can radially span the lumen 226 along the first end 222 of the body 220 of the conduit 104, such that the head 230 is located outside the volume 108 of the container 102. Although in some cases the head 230 and the body 220 can be radially flush with each other along the first end 222 of the body 220, it should be understood that the head 230 can be longitudinally recessed relative to the first end of the body. Recessing the head 230 relative to the first end 222 of the body 220 can, for example, reduce the likelihood of punctures, cracks, or other wear along the head 230, wherein punctures, cracks, or other wear along the head 230 can inadvertently expose the core material 234 along the head 230. Such wear resistance is particularly useful in embodiments where the cap 106 is intended to be repeatedly fixed along the first end 222 of the body (e.g., for embodiments where material 109 is intermittently dispensed from the volume 108 via the conduit 104).

[0044] In certain embodiments, the lumen 226 may define a central axis C that intersects the skin material 233 and the core material 234 along the head 230, which may be useful for facilitating the manufacture of the catheter 104 by co-injecting the skin material 233 and the core material 234, according to any one or more of the various different manufacturing techniques described herein. For example, the head 230 may radially span the lumen 226, wherein a gate location 236 of the head 230 intersects the central axis C defined by the lumen 226 from the first end 222 to the second end 224 of the body 220 of the catheter 104. That is, continuing with this example, two or more holes 232 may be disposed about the central axis C such that the gate location 236 is along the central axis C. As an example, the head 230 may include two or more trusses 238 disposed between the two or more holes 232 and extending radially from the gate location 236 toward the body 220 of the conduit 104 to form a mesh pattern originating from the gate location 236 and supporting the gate location 236 along the central axis C. It should be understood that the mesh pattern formed by the two or more trusses 238 extending radially from the gate location 236 can promote symmetrical flow of the skin material 233 and the core material 234 in molten form away from the gate location 236 to form the conduit 104 according to any one or more of the various different techniques described herein.

[0045] In some cases, the head 230 may be planar in a direction radially across the lumen 226 of the body 220. As used in this context, the term "planar" should be understood to include a shape having a substantially flat two-dimensional surface (allowing for small deviations associated with manufacturing tolerances for co-injection manufacturing) that is substantially greater (e.g., greater than 10 times) than the thickness of the head 230 in the axial direction along the central axis C. The planarity of the head 230 may reduce the likelihood of inadvertent accumulation of material 109 or contaminants on the head 230 as compared to a non-planar shape. Additionally, or alternatively, the planarity of the head 230 may facilitate symmetrical flow of the skin material 233 and the core material 234 in molten form to form the body 220 and the head 230, again as compared to a non-planar shape, in accordance with any one or more of the various different manufacturing techniques described herein.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, the head 230 may have a radiused edge along each of the two or more holes 232. That is, the two or more holes 232 may be features formed according to any one or more of the co-injection molding processes described herein. Forming the two or more holes 232 in a co-injection process for forming the conduit 104 and thereby forming the head 230 with a radiused edge along each of the two or more holes 232 may provide significant cost savings compared to using a secondary machining process. Additionally or alternatively, forming the two or more holes 232 in a co-injection process such that the head 230 has a radiused edge along each of the two or more holes 232 may reduce the likelihood of inadvertently introducing punched or cut particles into the container 102 by eliminating secondary machining processes, such as punching and / or cutting that would otherwise be used to form the holes. In turn, this may reduce the likelihood that such particles will be inadvertently dispensed with the material 109 stored in the container 102.

[0047] In some embodiments, the conduit 104 can be thinnest along a head 230 of the conduit 104. Forming the head 230 thinner than the body 220 can be used to provide flexibility to the conduit 104 so that the conduit 104 can resist breaking in response to lateral forces on the conduit 104 during manipulation. Additionally, or alternatively, forming the head 230 thinner than the body 220 can be used to facilitate a cooling pattern of the conduit 104 that facilitates separating the injection nozzle from the gate location 236 along the head 230 at a faster cycle time than a cycle time required to form the conduit 104 with a consistent head 230 thickness and body 22 thickness. As a specific example, the head 230 can have a first minimum thickness parallel to the central axis C, the body 220 can have a second minimum thickness perpendicular to the central axis C, and the first minimum thickness of the head 230 is less than the second minimum thickness of the body 220.

[0048] Generally speaking, the body 220 can be coupled to the container 102, wherein the second end 224 of the body 220 extends into the volume 108 of the container 102. That is, the body 220 can be coupled to the container 102 such that the orifice 228 defined by the second end 224 of the body 220 is disposed in the volume 108 of the container 102. As an example, where the container 102 is at least partially formed of a polymer, the second end 224 of the body 220 can be welded to the container 102 using any one or more of a variety of different polymer welding techniques known in the art and suitable for mass production.

[0049] The body 220 may generally have any shape that facilitates co-injection according to the various techniques described herein, and in particular, any shape that promotes uniformity of flow of the skin material 233 and the core material 234 in molten form. The uniformity of flow promoted by the geometry of the body 220 (alone or in combination with the head 230) may increase the strength of the body 220 at the join line (the line formed when two separate molten streams of a given material meet) formed in the skin material 233 and / or the strength of the body 220 at the join line formed in the core material 234, compared to asymmetric geometries that are injection molded with less uniform flow, and / or compared to geometries that require the use of side gates for injection molding, thereby improving the impermeability of the conduit 104 to contaminants when the cover 106 (which includes its own barrier material, as described in more detail below) is secured in place over the head 230 of the conduit 104. Additionally, or alternatively, the geometry of the body 220 and the head 230 may facilitate flow of the molten skin material 233 and the core material 234 such that the skin material 233 may be seamless along an inner surface 240 of the body 220 in a finished product of the conduit 104 (e.g., after the molten skin material 233 and the core material 234 have cooled) and / or such that the core material 234 is seamless between an inner surface 240 and an outer surface 242 of the body 220 in a finished product of the conduit 104.

[0050] For example, the body 220 may include an inner surface 240 and an outer surface 242 that are opposite to each other and each is a solid of revolution about an axis (e.g., a central axis C) defined by the inner cavity 226, and each is formed by a skin material 233 that surrounds a core material 234 along the body 220, which may be useful for achieving a symmetrical distribution of the skin material 233 and the core material 234 along the body 220 using any one or more of the various different co-injection techniques described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the central axis C of the inner cavity 226 may intersect the center of the orifice 228, which may also be useful for forming the body 220 by a symmetrical distribution of the skin material 233 and the core material 234 in molten form, thereby helping to increase the strength of each material at the joint line in the respective materials, making the body 220 more resistant to oxygen penetration.

[0051] In some embodiments, the body 220 and the head 230 may each be symmetrical about any plane including the central axis C of the lumen 226. Such symmetry of the body 220 and the head 230 should be understood as a structural feature of the conduit 104 that helps improve the uniformity of the flow of the skin material 233 and the core material 234 in molten form. The uniform melt flow associated with the symmetry of the body 220 and the head 230 can increase the strength of the bond lines formed in the skin material 233 and / or increase the strength of the bond lines formed in the core material 234 compared to injection molding an asymmetric structure and / or forming a tubular structure using an edge gate. The increased strength of the bond lines in the skin material 233 and / or the bond lines in the core material 234 can in turn be viewed as increased oxygen impermeability. That is, a stronger bond line in the skin material 233 can reduce the likelihood of the core material 234 being exposed to the environment, thereby reducing the rate of degradation of the core material 234 as an oxygen barrier. Additionally, or alternatively, stronger bond lines in the core material 234 may reduce the likelihood of oxygen migrating through discontinuities in the core material 234 into the volume 108 of the container 102 .

[0052] Although the body 220 may have a constant thickness in the longitudinal direction of the body 220 between the inner surface 240 and the outer surface 242, the thickness of the body 220 between the inner surface 240 and the outer surface 242 may vary in the longitudinal direction from the first end 222 to the second end 224 of the body 220. For example, such a variation in the thickness of the body 220 may be used to form one or more features (e.g., lugs) that facilitate securing the body 220 to the container 102 (e.g., using welding, adhesives, or a combination thereof) and / or securing the lid 106 to the body 220 to cover the head 230 (e.g., by snap-fit ​​engagement, threaded engagement, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, the variation in the thickness of the body 220 may facilitate automated manipulation of the body 220 for assembling the contaminant-resistant packaging 100.

[0053] Regardless of whether the body 220 has a constant thickness or a varying thickness, the lumen 226 of the body 220 can have a constant radial dimension (allowing for small manufacturing-related variations) in the longitudinal dimension from the first end 222 to the second end 224 of the body 220. For example, the constant radial dimension of the lumen 226 along the inner surface 240 can be used to reduce the likelihood that the material 109 will inadvertently accumulate in the lumen 226 as the material 109 is dispensed.

[0054] In general, the skin material 233 and the core material 234 can be arranged relative to each other along the head 230 and the body 220 in any one or more of a variety of different arrangements for reducing the likelihood of contaminants entering the volume 108 of the container 102. As an example, along the body 220, the core material 234 can surround the skin material 233 at the inner surface 240 of the body, and the skin material 233 surrounds the core material 234 at the outer surface 242 of the body 220. That is, the skin material 233 and the core material 234 can be arranged relative to each other so that any contaminants (e.g., oxygen and / or moisture) that move radially through the body 220 must pass through the core material 234, thereby increasing the likelihood that the core material 234 will act as a barrier to contaminants when the cap 106 is secured to the head 230 of the conduit 104. In addition, or alternatively, the surface material 233 may be in contact with the core material 234 along the head 230 and the body 220 (e.g., directly in contact with each other or indirectly in contact with each other via one or more intermediate layers of material) to reduce the possibility of inadvertently forming a gap between the surface material 233 and the core material 234, which gap can serve as a preferential entry path for contaminants through the conduit 104 when the cover 106 is secured to the head 230 of the conduit 104.

[0055] The surface material 233 and the core material 234 may each include any one or more of various different types of materials that interact safely with food or other consumables, and may be heated to a molten form that can be injection molded, and may be cooled to maintain a shape within a range of conditions associated with transporting and storing food or other consumables. In addition, the components of the surface material 233 and the core material 234 may differ with respect to at least one component, so that the surface material 233 and the core material 234 have different properties. As an example, the surface material 233 may include a first polymer. In some cases, the core material 234 may include a second polymer different from the first polymer. In addition, or alternatively, according to any one or more of the various different techniques described herein, the first polymer of the surface material 233 and / or the second polymer of the core material 234 may be a thermoplastic material, which is useful for co-injection molding to form the catheter 104. Examples of the first polymer of the surface material 233 include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, or a combination thereof, wherein these exemplary polymers have a long history of safe use in storing food or other consumables and are injection moldable.

[0056] As an example, the skin material 233 and the core material 234 may differ in oxygen permeability. As an example, at a relative humidity of 20% and a temperature of 23° C., the second oxygen permeability of the core material 234 may be greater than 0 cc·mm / m 2·day·atm and less than about 1cc·mm / m 2 ·day·atm. With relatively good barrier performance, the core material 234 can generally be more expensive than the skin material 233, such that the combination of the core material 234 and the skin material 233 can provide an economically viable contaminant barrier in large-scale production. Additionally, or alternatively, for the skin material 233 that surrounds the core material 234 and has strength at the join line in the skin material 233, it should be understood that the skin material 233 can limit the exposure of the core material 234 to a degrading environment (e.g., by significantly exposing the core material 234 to contaminants in the environment), such that the core material 234 can remain as a functioning barrier for at least the duration of the intended storage life of the material 109 in the volume 108 of the container 102.

[0057] While the core material 234 may form an oxygen barrier to the conduit 104, it should be understood that the core material 234 may include any one or more other materials that are used to reduce the ingress of moisture, another common contaminant, into the volume of the container 102 via the conduit 104. That is, the core material 234 may be hygroscopic and, in some cases, may have a greater moisture absorption than the skin material 233. As an example, the core material 234 may include ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, nylon, or a combination thereof, which are ubiquitous materials that may be co-injection molded according to any one or more of the various different techniques described herein and that provide a barrier to oxygen and moisture.

[0058] In certain embodiments, the core material 234 may include a deoxidizer. In particular, the deoxidizer may be non-ferrous, which is useful in embodiments where the material 109 in the volume 108 of the container 102 is a food or other consumable product. As an example, the non-ferrous deoxidizer may include ascorbic acid.

[0059] Typically, container 102 may be any one or more of various types of containers for storing food or other consumables. As an example, the size of container 102 may be set to be manually held by a person when material 109 is distributed from volume 108 for human consumption. In addition, or alternatively, container 102 may be at least partially foldable, which may be useful for many situations of effectively transporting anti-contaminant packaging 100 along a longer and / or resource-constrained supply chain. As an example, container 102 may include a bag, such as a bag that can be squeezed by a person to facilitate dispensing material 109 from container 102. Additionally, or alternatively, in the absence of external force on the bag, the bag may have a certain degree of structural rigidity. As a specific example, the bag may be stably supported on a flat surface, wherein conduit 104 and lid 106 are supported by the bag away from the flat surface. This support can be used to keep conduit 104 and lid 106 away from contaminated surfaces, thereby promoting hygiene. In certain embodiments, container 102 may include a first oxygen barrier 110 at least arranged around volume 108 of container 102. For example, the first oxygen barrier 110 may have the same composition as the core material 234 of the conduit 104 .

[0060] In general, the cover 106 may include any one or more of a variety of different types of covers, peelable foils, and / or other coverings that can be releasably positioned over the head 230 of the conduit 104 to cover the two or more holes 232 of the head 230 when the material 109 is stored in the volume 108 of the container 102. The cover 106 may include a second oxygen barrier 112 that acts as a barrier to oxygen ingress through the two or more holes 232 when the cover 106 is releasably secured to the conduit 104 and covers the two or more holes 232. For example, the second oxygen barrier 112 may have the same composition as the core material 234 of the conduit 104. More generally, returning to the example of the container 102 including the first oxygen barrier 110, it should be appreciated that the first oxygen barrier 110 of the container 102, the second oxygen barrier 112 of the lid 106, and the core material 234 of the conduit 104 may collectively protect the material 109 in the volume 108 of the container 102 from degradation (e.g., deterioration) associated with oxygen penetration into the volume 108, thereby extending the storage life of the material 109 in the volume 108.

[0061] Although in some cases the cap 106 may be completely removable from the conduit 104, it should be appreciated that the contaminant-resistant package 100 may include a living hinge 114 that couples the cap 106 to the conduit 104 and / or the container 102. That is, the living hinge 114 may reduce the likelihood of losing the cap 106 in embodiments where it is necessary or desirable to intermittently dispense the material 109 from the container 102 (e.g., where the material 109 is a beverage).

[0062] Having described various aspects of the catheter 104 that facilitate forming the structural features of the catheter 104 using injection molding techniques, the focus is now on describing certain methods of manufacturing the catheter 104 by co-injection molding the skin material 233 and the core material 234 in molten form.

[0063] Reference now Figure 3 as well as Figure 4A and Figure 4B , Figure 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 300 of manufacturing a catheter for contaminant resistant packaging, and Figure 4A and Figure 4B 300 is a schematic diagram of various aspects of an exemplary method 300. For example, the exemplary method 300 may form a conduit 104 ( Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2G ).

[0064] As shown in step 302, the exemplary method 300 may include forming a cavity. For example, two mold halves may be brought together to form a cavity having the shape of a conduit to be formed (e.g., Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2G 104 is the same shape as the conduit 104 shown in FIG. 10A . For clarity of description, the only portions of the two mold halves shown are those portions that form the shape of the cavity 450 .

[0065] As shown in step 304, the exemplary method 300 may include co-injecting each of the skin material and the core material in molten form into the cavity through the runner. Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown in FIG. 1 , the molten skin material 233′ and the molten core material 234′ can be co-injected into the cavity 450 via the runner 452, which is positioned along the cavity 450 at a position corresponding to the gate location 236 of the final form of the conduit 104 ( Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2G ). In particular, the molten skin material 233' and the molten core material 234' may flow together from the flow channel 252 into the cavity 450. When the molten skin material 233' and the molten core material 234' flow together in the cavity 450, the molten skin material 233' and the molten core material 234' may remain separated from each other and flow in an umbrella flow pattern, which refers to radially away from the flow channel 252 to form a head of the conduit (e.g., Figures 2A to 2G ), and flows longitudinally to form a body of the catheter (e.g., Figures 2A to 2GOnce the cavity 450 is filled, the co-injection of the molten skin material 233' and the molten core material 234' can be stopped. The molten skin material 233' flowing against the relatively cool walls of the cavity 450 can solidify before the molten core material 234' solidifies so as to surround the molten core material 234'. Compared to the use of an edge gate, it should be understood that the molten skin material 233' and the molten core material 234' are formed to form the conduit 104 ( Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2G ) can reduce the protrusion of the junction line formed by the separate flows of the molten skin material 233' meeting each other in the cavity 450 and the separate flows of the molten core material 234' meeting each other in the cavity 450, thereby resulting in improved oxygen impermeability of the formed conduit.

[0066] As shown in step 306, an exemplary method may include cooling the skin material and the core material into a component having a head integral with the body in a cavity. The body may define an inner cavity and an orifice. The head may radially span the inner cavity and define at least two holes in fluid communication with the orifice via the inner cavity, and the skin material may surround the core material of the component. The inner cavity of the component may define a central axis extending through a gate location of the head, the gate location corresponding to a location where each of the skin material and the core material in molten form are co-injected into the cavity.

[0067] As shown in step 308, the exemplary method 300 may include separating the component from the runner along a head of the component. The runner may be a cold runner, and separating the component from the runner along the head of the component may include shearing the component from the cold runner.

[0068] The above-mentioned systems, devices, methods and processes, etc. can be implemented in hardware, software or any combination of these hardware and software suitable for a specific purpose. Hardware may include general-purpose computers and / or special-purpose computing devices. This includes implementation in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or other programmable devices or processing circuits together with internal and / or external memory. This may also or alternatively include one or more application-specific integrated circuits, programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic components, or any other device or devices that can be configured to process electronic signals. It will be further understood that the implementation of the above-mentioned process or device may include a computer executable code created using a structured programming language (e.g., C language), an object-oriented programming language (e.g., C++) or any other high-level or low-level programming language (including assembly language, hardware description language and database programming language and technology) that can be stored, compiled or interpreted as running on one of the above-mentioned devices, as well as a heterogeneous combination of processors, processor architectures or combinations of different hardware and software. On the other hand, the method can be implemented in a system that performs the steps of the method, and can be distributed on the device in a variety of ways. At the same time, the processing may be distributed on devices such as the various systems described above, or all functions may be integrated into a dedicated, independent device or other hardware. On the other hand, the means for performing the steps associated with the above process may include any of the above hardware and / or software. All such permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0069] Embodiments disclosed herein may include a computer program product including computer executable or computer usable code that, when executed on one or more computing devices, performs any and / or all of its steps. The code may be stored in a non-transitory manner in a computer memory, which may be a memory for executing the program (e.g., a random access memory associated with a processor) or a storage device (e.g., a disk drive, flash memory, or any other optical, electromagnetic, magnetic, infrared or other device or combination of devices). On the other hand, any of the above systems and methods may be implemented in any suitable transmission or propagation medium that carries the computer executable code and / or any of its inputs or outputs.

[0070] It should be understood that the above-described devices, systems, and methods are described by way of example and not limitation. In the absence of explicit indications to the contrary, the disclosed steps may be modified, supplemented, omitted, and / or reordered without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Many variations, additions, omissions, and other modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of the method steps in the above description and accompanying drawings is not intended to require such an order in which the recorded steps are performed, unless a specific order is explicitly required or otherwise clear from the context.

[0071] The method steps of the embodiments described herein are intended to include any suitable methods for performing these method steps consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is explicitly provided or otherwise clear from the context. Thus, for example, performing step X includes any suitable method for causing another party (e.g., a remote user, a remote processing resource (e.g., a server or cloud computer), or a machine) to perform step X. Similarly, performing steps X, Y, and Z may include any method for instructing or controlling any combination of these other individuals or resources to perform steps X, Y, and Z to obtain the benefits of these steps. Thus, the method steps of the embodiments described herein are intended to include any suitable methods for performing steps by one or more other parties or entities consistent with the patentability of the following claims, unless a different meaning is explicitly provided or otherwise clear from the context. Such parties or entities do not have to be directed or controlled by any other party or entity, and do not have to be located in a specific jurisdiction.

[0072] It should be understood that the above methods and systems are described by way of example and not limitation. Many changes, additions, omissions and other modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the order or presentation of the method steps in the above description and the accompanying drawings is not intended to require such an order in which the steps described are performed, unless a specific order is explicitly required or is otherwise clear from the context. Thus, although specific embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and these changes and modifications are intended to form part of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A conduit for use in contaminant-resistant packaging, the conduit comprising: a body having a first end and a second end, the body defining an interior cavity, and the second end defining an orifice; as well as a head that is integral with the first end of the body and radially spans the inner cavity, the head defining two or more holes that are in fluid communication with the orifice via the inner cavity, the body and the head each comprising a skin material and a core material, the skin material having a first oxygen permeability, the core material having a second oxygen permeability that is less than the first oxygen permeability, and the skin material surrounding the core material.

2. The catheter according to claim 1, wherein The skin material is in contact with the core material along the head and the body.

3. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The inner cavity defines a central axis, and the central axis of the inner cavity intersects the skin material and the core material of the head.

4. The catheter according to claim 3, wherein: The head includes a gate location, the two or more holes are arranged around the gate location, and the central axis of the inner cavity intersects the gate location of the head.

5. The catheter according to claim 4, wherein: The head is disposed along a first end of the body, wherein the gate location of the head is longitudinally recessed relative to the first end of the body along the central axis.

6. The catheter according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The body and the head are each symmetrical about any plane including the central axis of the inner cavity.

7. The catheter according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: The central axis of the lumen intersects a center of the aperture defined by the second end of the body.

8. The catheter according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein: The head has a first minimum thickness parallel to the central axis, the body has a second minimum thickness perpendicular to the central axis, and the first minimum thickness of the head is less than the second minimum thickness of the body.

9. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The skin material includes a first polymer, and the core material includes a second polymer different from the first polymer.

10. The catheter according to claim 9, wherein At least one of the first polymer and the second polymer is a thermoplastic material.

11. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At a relative humidity of 20% and a temperature of 23°C, the second oxygen permeability of the core material is greater than 0 cc·mm / m 2 ·day·atm and less than about 1cc·mm / m 2 ·day·atm.

12. The catheter according to claim 11, wherein The core material is hygroscopic.

13. The catheter according to claim 12, wherein: The core material has a higher moisture absorbency than the skin material.

14. The catheter according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein: The core material includes ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, nylon, or a combination thereof.

15. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The core material includes a deoxidizer.

16. The catheter of claim 15, wherein: The deoxidizer is non-ferrous.

17. The catheter of claim 16, wherein: The deoxidizing agent includes ascorbic acid.

18. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The surface layer material includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene or a combination thereof.

19. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The body includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defines the inner cavity and is opposite to the outer surface, and the inner surface and the outer surface of the body are formed by the skin material.

20. The catheter of claim 19, wherein: Along the body, the core material surrounds the skin material of the inner surface of the body, and the skin material of the outer surface of the body surrounds the core material.

21. The catheter according to any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein The skin material is seamless along the inner surface and the outer surface of the body.

22. The catheter according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein The core material is seamless between the inner surface and the outer surface of the body.

23. The catheter according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: The body has a thickness varying between the inner surface and the outer surface in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end of the body.

24. The catheter according to any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein: The inner cavity of the body has a constant radial dimension in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end of the body.

25. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The head has a rounded edge along each of the two or more holes.

26. A catheter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The head is planar in a direction radially across the lumen of the body.

27. A contaminant-resistant package comprising: Container, limited volume; The catheter of any one or more of claims 1 to 26, the catheter being coupled to the container, and the lumen of the catheter being in fluid communication with the volume of the container via an orifice at the second end of the body of the catheter; and A cap is coupled to the catheter, and the cap releasably covers the two or more holes of the head of the catheter.

28. The contaminant resistant package of claim 27, wherein: The container includes a first oxygen barrier disposed around at least the volume of the container.

29. The contaminant resistant package of claim 28, wherein: The cover includes a second oxygen barrier, and wherein the cover releasably covers the two or more holes, the second oxygen barrier of the cover being disposed over the two or more holes.

30. The contaminant resistant package of claim 29, wherein: At least one of the first oxygen barrier and the second oxygen barrier has the same composition as the core material.

31. The contaminant resistant package of any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein: The container is a bag.

32. The contaminant resistant package of claim 31, wherein: The bag is capable of being stably supported on a flat surface, wherein the conduit and the cover are supported away from the flat surface by the bag.

33. The contaminant resistant package of any one of claims 27 to 32, further comprising a living hinge, wherein: The cover is coupled to the conduit via the living hinge.

34. A method of manufacturing a catheter for contaminant-resistant packaging, the method comprising: forming a cavity; co-injecting each of the skin material and the core material in molten form into the cavity through the runner; cooling the skin material and the core material in the cavity into a component having a head integral with a body, the body defining an inner cavity and an orifice, the head radially spanning the inner cavity and defining at least two holes in fluid communication with the orifice via the inner cavity, and the skin material surrounding the core material of the component; as well as The component is separated from the flow channel along the head of the component.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein: The interior cavity of the component defines a central axis extending through a gate location of the head, the gate location corresponding to a location where each of the skin material and the core material are co-injected in molten form into the cavity.

36. The method according to any one of claims 34 or 35, wherein: The runner is a cold runner, and separating the component from the runner along the head of the component includes shearing the component from the cold runner.

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