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.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A packaging system for maintaining a consistent pressure of a carbonated beverage comprising a closure, a plastic container, and a carbon dioxide regulator. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging system of  claim 19  wherein said closure comprises any materials used for sealing said plastic container, such as a plastic assembly of said closure and liner material therein. 
     
     
         21 . The packaging system of  claim 19  wherein said carbon dioxide regulator can be blended into any of the materials used to produce said plastic container, said closure, or said liner material. 
     
     
         22 . The packaging system of  claim 19  wherein said carbon dioxide regulator can be inserted into said plastic container or said closure in a form suitable for said plastic container. 
     
     
         23 . The packaging system of  claim 19  wherein said carbon dioxide regulator can be part of a regulator assembly by overmolding a preform around said regulator assembly using PET. 
     
     
         24 . The packaging system of  claim 23  wherein said preform is fabricated into a plastic container. 
     
     
         25 . The packaging system of  claim 19  wherein said carbon dioxide regulator can be added as a layer in said plastic container. 
     
     
         26 . The packaging system of  claim 19  wherein said carbon dioxide regulator can be added as a layer in said closure. 
     
     
         27 . A method for making a packaging system for maintaining a consistent pressure in a carbonated beverage comprising overmolding a preform around an assembly for a carbon dioxide regulator. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said overmolding occurs by placing said assembly on a core pin of a conventional injection mold and subsequently molding said preform around said assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein said preform is fabricated into a plastic container. 
     
     
         30 . A method for making a packaging system for maintaining a consistent pressure in a carbonated beverage comprising blending a carbon dioxide regulator into the thermoplastic material used to form the body of a container for said carbonated beverage. 
     
     
         31 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A carbon dioxide regulator composition for replenishing carbon dioxide gas in a carbonated beverage container comprising materials that absorb and subsequently release carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 34  wherein said material that absorb and subsequently release carbon dioxide comprise molecular sieves. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 34  wherein said materials that absorb and subsequently release carbon dioxide comprise silica gels, molecular sieves, clays, activated alumina, zeolites, coordination polymers, metal organic frameworks, and isorecticular metal organic frameworks.