Biodegradable packaging material

Abstract

The present invention provides a biodegradable packaging material useable for indicating the expiration of the shelf-life of the goods enclosed therein. For example, the packaging material of the present invention is used to enclose perishable foods, medicines, medical devices, medical instruments, medical implant, or other such limited shelf-life goods.

1 . A packaging material for enclosing a packaged good comprising: 
 a first film layer;    a second film layer, wherein the second film layer is biodegradable; and    a reactive chemical interposed between the first and second film layers.    
     
     
         2 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the second film layer degrades when exposed to a first reactive stimuli.  
     
     
         3 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first reactive stimuli is air or moisture.  
     
     
         4 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the reactive chemical changes color when exposed to a second reactive stimuli.  
     
     
         5 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the second reactive stimuli is air or moisture.  
     
     
         6 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the packaged good is a food product.  
     
     
         7 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the second film layer is proximal to the food product.  
     
     
         8 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the first reactive stimuli is an enzyme, bacteria, or chemical emitted from the food product.  
     
     
         9 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the reactive chemical indicates spoilage of the food product.  
     
     
         10 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the packaged good is a medical device.  
     
     
         11 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the second film layer is proximal to the medical device.  
     
     
         12 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the reactive chemical indicates contamination of the medical device.  
     
     
         13 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the first film layer is made of a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         14 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the first film layer degrades when exposed to a third reactive stimuli consisting of air or moisture.  
     
     
         15 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the enclosed product has a limited shelf life and the first film layer degrades exposing the reactive chemical to indicate the expiration of the limited shelf life.  
     
     
         16 . A packaging material as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the enclosed product has a limited shelf life and the second film layer degrades exposing the reactive chemical to indicate the expiration of the limited shelf life.  
     
     
         17 . A packaging system for indicating a status of an enclosed good, comprising: 
 a packaging material enclosing the good; and    a status indicator incorporated into a least a portion of the packaging material, the status indicator including first and second film layers, at least one of the first and second film layers being biodegradable; and a reactive chemical interposed between the first and second film layers.    
     
     
         18 . A packaging system as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first and second film layers degrades when exposed to a first reactive stimuli.  
     
     
         19 . A packaging system as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the reactive chemical changes color when exposed to a second reactive stimuli.  
     
     
         20 . A packaging material for enclosing a perishable product subject to spoiling, the packaging material comprising: 
 an inner layer made of a first biodegradable material;    an outer layer made of a second biodegradable material, the second biodegradable material being different from the first biodegradable material and degrading at a slower rate than the first biodegradable material; and    a reactive chemical interposed between the inner and outer layers,    wherein the perishable product releases a stimulus during spoiling and the reactive chemical provides a visual indication of exposure to the stimulus.