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.

1 . An agent structure comprising: 
 a base layer including an active agent in a predetermined region; and    a plurality of removable covers removably covering the predetermined region, each removable cover covering an area less than an entire area of the predetermined region.    
     
     
         2 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , wherein each removable cover includes a peelable area to facilitate removal by a user.  
     
     
         3 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent removable covers are joined together along a line of weakness.  
     
     
         4 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , wherein each removable cover includes a barrier layer.  
     
     
         5 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one removable cover includes a diffusion layer.  
     
     
         6 . The agent structure of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one removable cover further includes an outer barrier layer separable from the diffusion layer, the outer barrier layer capable of being removed from the predetermined region separately from the diffusion layer.  
     
     
         7 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer is made of a diffusion material with the active agent contained therein.  
     
     
         8 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a barrier layer, the base layer including the active agent disposed between the base layer and the removable covers.  
     
     
         9 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a diffusion layer disposed between the base layer and the removable covers.  
     
     
         10 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , wherein the agent structure is a tape.  
     
     
         11 . The agent structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of adhesive, cohesive or static promoting material on a side of the base layer opposite the removable covers.  
     
     
         12 . A package comprising: 
 a wall forming at least a portion of the package;    an active agent disposed in a predetermined region of the wall; and    a plurality of removable covers removably covering the predetermined region, each removable cover covering an area less than an entire area of the predetermined region.    
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the active agent is incorporated into the wall at the predetermined region.  
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the active agent is extruded with the wall.  
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the active agent is included in an agent structure disposed on a surface of the wall.  
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the package is a bag; the wall forming at least a portion of a pair of opposing panels joined together along opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides.  
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined region is located on one of the pair of opposing panels; at least one of the plurality of removable covers covering the predetermined region is further secured to the panel opposite the predetermined region so as to be removed from the predetermined region when the opposing panels are spaced from each other.  
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the wall is formed of a barrier material.  
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the package is a generally rigid container, the wall defining at least a portion of the generally rigid container.  
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the package is defined at least in part by a wrap material, the wall forming the wrap material.  
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the active agent is a freshness-extension agent, antimicrobial agent, odor management agent, color indicator, spoilage indicator or fragrant.  
     
     
         22 . A wrap material comprising: 
 a web material;    an active agent disposed in a predetermined region of the web material; and    a plurality of removable covers removably covering the predetermined region, each removable cover covering an area less than an entire area of the predetermined region.