Food packaging closure with an oxygen scrubbing function

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system comprises a container and an oxygen sorbing closure operable to close an opening of the container. The closure comprises an oxygen sorption layer, an oxygen permeable layer, and a removable oxygen impermeable layer. When the oxygen impermeable layer is removed, the oxygen sorbing closure is operable to sorb oxygen molecules from a headspace of the container.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a container comprising an opening; and   an oxygen sorbing closure comprising:
 an oxygen sorption layer; 
 an oxygen permeable layer; and 
 a removable oxygen impermeable layer; 
   wherein the oxygen sorbing closure is operable to sorb oxygen molecules from a headspace of the container after the oxygen impermeable layer is removed.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen sorbing closure removably couples to the container to selectively open and close the container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the oxygen sorption layer positioned proximate to an inside surface of the oxygen sorbing closure;   the oxygen permeable layer positioned proximate to the oxygen sorption layer; and   the oxygen impermeable layer positioned proximate to the oxygen permeable layer such that the oxygen permeable layer is positioned between the oxygen sorption layer and the oxygen impermeable layer.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen sorption layer comprises a molecule or a compound operable to bond with the oxygen molecules. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen sorption layer comprises iron oxide. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen permeable layer comprises cotton, wool, linen, or silk. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen impermeable layer comprises polyethylene or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen sorbing closure further comprises:
 a first portion operable to couple the oxygen sorbing closure to the container and a second portion operable to selectively open and close the container, the second portion comprising an inside surface on which the oxygen sorption layer is formed.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen sorbing closure further comprises:
 a screw cap portion operable to couple the oxygen sorbing closure to the container and a snap-lid portion operable to selectively open and close the container, the snap-lid portion comprising an inside surface on which the oxygen sorption layer is formed.   
     
     
         10 . A container, comprising:
 an oxygen sorbing portion located on an interior surface of the container, wherein the oxygen sorbing portion comprises:
 an oxygen sorption layer; 
 an oxygen permeable layer; and 
 a removable oxygen impermeable layer; 
   wherein the oxygen sorbing portion is operable to sorb oxygen molecules from a headspace of the container after the oxygen impermeable layer is removed.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen sorbing portion is coupled to an upper portion of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 the oxygen sorption layer positioned proximate to the interior surface of the container;   the oxygen permeable layer positioned proximate to the oxygen sorption layer; and   the oxygen impermeable layer positioned to prevent oxygen from contacting, reacting, or interacting with the oxygen sorption layer prior to removal of the oxygen impermeable layer.   
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen sorption layer comprises a molecule or a compound operable to bond with the oxygen molecules. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen sorption layer comprises iron oxide and the oxygen permeable layer comprises cotton, wool, linen, or silk. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the oxygen impermeable layer comprises polyethylene or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH). 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 forming an oxygen sorption layer on an inside surface of a closure, the closure operable to selectively open and close a container;   forming an oxygen permeable layer over the oxygen sorption layer; and   forming an oxygen impermeable layer over the oxygen sorption layer and the oxygen permeable layer;   wherein the closure is operable to sorb oxygen molecules from a headspace of the container after the oxygen impermeable layer is removed.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the closure comprises:
 a first portion operable to couple the closure to the container; and   a second portion operable to selectively open and close the container, the second portion comprising the inside surface on which the oxygen sorption layer is formed.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming an oxygen impermeable layer over the oxygen sorption layer and the oxygen permeable layer further comprises:
 selecting an adherent to facilitate removal of the oxygen impermeable layer by a consumer; and   coupling the oxygen impermeable layer over the oxygen sorption layer using the adherent.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming an oxygen permeable layer further comprises:
 selecting a material that allows the oxygen molecules to pass to the oxygen sorption layer and retains the oxygen sorption layer within the closure; and   forming the oxygen permeable layer in a flat, disk shape.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising filling the container with a food product by:
 degassing the container;   filling the container to full capacity;   gas flushing the headspace with non-oxygen gas;   sealing the container with an oxygen impermeable seal; and   coupling the closure to the sealed container prior to removing the oxygen impermeable layer.