Spice packaging system

Abstract

A spice packaging system is provided that includes a plurality of packets for one or more spices, herbs or spice blends. Each packet includes a flexible packaging material that is impervious to light, gas and moisture. The packet has an exterior and a single or segmented enclosed and sealed interior space. A known volume of a single certified organic spice or herb is contained with the interior space of each packet, and an inert gas surrounds each known volume of the single certified organic spice or herb within the interior space.

1 . A spice packaging system comprising:
 a plurality of packets, each packet comprising:
 a flexible packaging material impervious to light, gas and moisture; 
 an exterior; and 
 an enclosed and sealed interior space; 
   a known volume of a single certified organic spice contained with the interior space of each packet; and   an inert gas surrounding each known volume of the single certified organic spice with the interior space.   
   
   
       2 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior space comprises:
 two opposing sides;   two opposing ends; and   a seal on one of the ends capable of being opened to access the interior space and subsequently closed to seal the interior space from light, gas and moisture intrusion.   
   
   
       3 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior space comprises:
 two opposing sides;   two opposing ends;   a primary seal on one of the ends capable of being opened to access the interior space and sealing the interior space from light, gas and moisture intrusion; and   a secondary seal spanning across the interior space from one side to the other and disposed between the two ends, the secondary seal dividing the interior space into two chambers such that an equal portion of the known volume of spice is disposed in each chamber, the secondary seal capable of being selectively ruptured to reunite the two chambers without rupturing the primary seal.   
   
   
       4 . The spice packaging system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the known volume comprises about 1 tablespoon; and   the interior space further comprises two secondary seals dividing the interior space into three chambers, each chamber comprising about 1 teaspoon of the spice.   
   
   
       5 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the known volume of spice comprises about 1 teaspoon. 
   
   
       6 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible packaging comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
   
   
       7 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the inert gas comprises nitrogen. 
   
   
       8 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the known volume of a single organic certified spice comprises a known volume of the whole spice. 
   
   
       9 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the known volume of a single organic certified spice comprises a known volume of ground spice having a grind size from about 1 mm to about 1.5 mm. 
   
   
       10 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , further comprising a grinder capable of grinding the spice and of holding an amount of spice to be ground substantially equivalent to the known volume of spice. 
   
   
       11 . The spice packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible packaging comprises biodegradable packaging. 
   
   
       12 . A method for packaging spices, the method comprising:
 forming a sheet of flexible packaging material into a tube;   sealing a first end of the tube;   measuring a desired quantity of a single certified organic spice volumetrically;   introducing the desired measured volume of spice into the tube;   directing a short burst of inert gas into the tube following the introduced volume of spice, the short burst of inert gas comprising a pressure, flow and duration sufficient to ensure that the entire introduced volume of spice passes into the tube; and   sealing a second end of the tube opposite the first end, the end seals and flexible material impervious to light, gas and moisture.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the desired measured volume comprises about 1 teaspoon. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the measured volume of spice or herb comprises whole spice. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising grinding the spice to a grind size of about 1 to about 1.5 mm. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inert gas comprises nitrogen. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of introducing the desired measured volume further comprises introducing separately each one of a plurality of discrete portions of the desired measured volume, the step of directing a short burst of inert gas into the tube further comprises directing the short burst of inert gas into the tube following the introduction of each one of the discrete portions of the desired measured volume, and the method further comprises establishing secondary seals in the tube between any two portions of the spice in the tube. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the desired measured volume comprises about 1 tablespoon and the plurality of discrete portions comprises three discreet portions each comprising about 1 teaspoon. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each secondary seal is capable of being selectively ruptured to combine two adjacent portions without rupturing the seals located at the end of the tube. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one of vibrating the tube and adjusting the electrostatic properties of the tube or the desired measured volume of spice to facilitate introduction of the desired measured volume into the tube.