Packaging containers for preserving freshness

Abstract

Packaging containers for preserving the freshness of contents placed therein, such as pastries, doughnuts, baked goods, coffee, fruits, vegetables, and other perishable food items, are disclosed. The packaging containers include a liner that is capable of creating an air-tight environment within the container, which in turn, helps to preserve the freshness of the contents and protects the contents from air, humidity, bacteria, or other materials that may have a deleterious effect on the contents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A packaging container for preserving freshness of perishable products, comprising:
 a front wall, a pair of side walls, a rear wall, a bottom, and a lid, which together define an interior container space suitable for the storage of the perishable products,   a liner placed within the interior container space and configured to contact the front wall, the side walls, the rear wall, and the bottom,   wherein the liner is formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, and any combination thereof, and the liner has a thickness ranging from about 1 mil to about 10 mils, and   wherein the liner is configured to enclose the interior container space and create an air-tight environment.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a front flap and a pair of side flaps configured to overlap at least partially with the front wall and the pair of side walls and the front flap comprises a tab. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging container of  claim 2 , wherein the front wall comprises a slot configured to receive the tab on the front flap. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is secured to the front wall, the side walls, the rear wall, and the bottom using an adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is formed of HDPE, LDPE, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the liner comprises an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of  Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris , essential oils, nisin, pediocin, plantaricin BM-1, lysozyme, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and oregano essential oil, potassium sorbate and vanillin, citric acid and chitosan, gallic acid grafted chitosan, chitosan, grape fruit seed extract, propyl paraben, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging container for preserving freshness of perishable food, comprising:
 a front wall, a pair of side walls, a rear wall, a bottom, and a lid, which together define an interior container space suitable for the storage of the perishable food, wherein the front wall and the side walls each comprise a flap attached thereto that is configured to fold inwardly over the interior container space,   a liner placed within the interior container space and configured to contact the front wall, the side walls, the rear wall, and the bottom,   wherein the liner is formed of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, and any combination thereof, and the liner has a thickness ranging from about 1 mil to about 6 mils, and   wherein the liner and the flaps are configured to enclose the interior container space and create an air-tight environment.   
     
     
         8 . The packaging container of  claim 7 , wherein the liner comprises an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of  Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris , essential oils, nisin, pediocin, plantaricin BM-1, lysozyme, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and oregano essential oil, potassium sorbate and vanillin, citric acid and chitosan, gallic acid grafted chitosan, chitosan, grape fruit seed extract, propyl paraben, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging container of  claim 7 , wherein the liner is formed of HDPE, LDPE, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging container of  claim 7 , wherein the packaging container is formed of cardboard, glass, Styrofoam, or plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging container of  claim 7 , wherein the lid comprises a front flap and a pair of side flaps configured to overlap at least partially with the front wall and the pair of side walls and the front flap comprises a tab. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging container of  claim 11 , wherein the front wall comprises a slot configured to receive the tab on the front flap.