Food-preservation devices and methods of use

Abstract

Food packaging materials are provided. In some embodiments, foam sprayable material is provided.

1 . A packaging material, the packaging material comprising:
 a gelled foam comprising voids; and   a food-preservation gas contained within the voids, wherein the gelled foam allows for a sustained release of the food-preservation gas.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the gelled foam comprises glycerin, a gel-forming polymer, and a gelatinizing agent. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the gelled foam comprises a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging material of  claim 5 , wherein the biodegradable material comprises at least one polysaccharide. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the material is in a form of a film. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging material of  claim 7 , wherein the film is transparent. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging material of  claim 7 , wherein the film comprises a spray applied coating. 
     
     
         10 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging material has a thickness of equal to or greater than about 2 microns. 
     
     
         61 . A foam sprayable material, the material comprising:
 a water soluble and high viscosity material comprising at least one void that comprises at least one food-preservation gas; and   a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried.   
     
     
         62 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the liquid, film forming, polymer is at least one of a polysaccharide, an arginate, a carrageenan, a glycolarginate, a pectin, Gellan gum, Agar, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, propylene glycol, a polysaccharide, its salt, and their solution dissolved in water: hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, Collagen, Collagen peptide, hemicellulose, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum, guar gum, tara gum, gloiopeltis glue, agar, furcellaran, tamarind seed polysaccharide, kalaya gum, hibiscus, pectin, sodium alginate, pullulan, jellan gum, locust bean gum, various starches, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxymethylcellulose (HMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxyethylethylcellulose (HEEC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylethylcellulose (HPEC), hydroxyethylhydroxypropylcellulose (HEHPC), sulfoethylcellulose, dihydroxypropylcellulose (DHPC), propylene glycol alginate, a processed starch, or a soluble starch. 
     
     
         63 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the food-preservation gas is at least one of CO 2 , argon, nitrogen, ClO 2 , ozone, an ethylene-inhibiting gas, O 2 , a rare gas: He, Ne, Kr, Xe, or Rn. 
     
     
         64 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the food-preservation gas comprises CO 2  and argon. 
     
     
         65 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the ethylene-inhibiting gas comprises 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). 
     
     
         66 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the foam sprayable material sterilizes a surface of a food product by lowing a pH of the surface. 
     
     
         67 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the foam sprayable material is edible. 
     
     
         68 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , further comprising a foaming agent. 
     
     
         69 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , further comprising a pH adjuster. 
     
     
         70 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the foam sprayable material, once dried, is water-soluble. 
     
     
         71 . The foam sprayable material of  claim 61 , wherein the food-preservation gas is at least one of CO 2 , argon, nitrogen, ClO 2 , ozone, an ethylene-inhibiting gas, O 2 , a rare gas: He, Ne, Kr, Xe, or Rn. 
     
     
         72 . A method of packaging a food product, the method comprising:
 providing a food preservative film, the film comprising:
 glycerin comprising voids comprising a food-preservation gas; and 
 a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried; 
   providing a food product; and   covering at least part of the food product with the food preservative film, thereby packaging the food product.   
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein covering comprises spraying the food preservative film on the food product. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 72 , further comprising storing the food product in a preserved condition for a period of time longer than would have been possible if the food product had been sealed in a food preservative film that lacked the food-preservation gas. 
     
     
         75 . A preserved food product comprising:
 at least one food product; and   an at least partially dried preservative film coating at least a part of the at least one food product, wherein the film comprises an edible material within which a food-preservation gas is stored, and wherein the edible material allows for the sustained release of the food-preservation gas.   
     
     
         76 . The preserved food product of  claim 75 , wherein the edible material comprises a gelled foam comprising voids, wherein the food-preservation gas is contained within the voids. 
     
     
         77 . The preserved food product of  claim 75 , wherein the film increases its release of the food-preservation gas when exposed to moisture. 
     
     
         78 . The preserved food-product of  claim 75 , wherein the preservative film blocks at least 95% of air holes of the food product. 
     
     
         79 . A spray device comprising:
 an outlet head configured to spray a foam sprayable material;   a reservoir, configured to hold a foam sprayable material and in fluid communication with the outlet head, wherein the reservoir holds a mixture of glycerin and a liquid, film forming, polymer, wherein the liquid forms a film when dried; and   a first gas inlet in fluid communication with the reservoir.