Oxygen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide absorption in a single use container

Abstract

The invention provides for an extended shelf life single portion package including a container having therein a material for mammal ingestion that degrades by exposure to oxygen, water vapor, or carbon dioxide, an absorber selected from at least one of a carbon dioxide absorber, water vapor absorber, and oxygen scavenger wherein the container is substantially impervious to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

1 . An extended shelf life single portion package comprising a container having therein a material for mammal ingestion that degrades by exposure to oxygen, water vapor, or carbon dioxide, an absorber selected from at least one of a carbon dioxide absorber, water vapor absorber, and oxygen scavenger wherein the container is substantially impervious to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein is the container holds a carbon dioxide absorbent. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein carbon dioxide absorbent produces water when absorbing carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen scavenger is present in the container and comprises a transition metal that is elemental iron and the oxygen scavenger is water activated. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the material for mammal ingestion comprises a food product selected from the group consisting of instant coffee, instant tea, cocoa, and dry milk products. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the rate of absorption of oxygen by the scavenger is many times that of the food product. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein oxygen scavenger is present in the container. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the mammal is human. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises sodium chloride. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container holds instant coffee, instant tea, or cocoa. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises an oxygen impermeable lid. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the container has therein a carbon dioxide absorbent comprising calcium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the container has therein an oxygen scavenger that contains calcium oxide or magnesium oxide powder and water in silica gel that react to produce calcium hydroxide. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a lid and an oxygen scavenger is attached to the lid of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein an oxygen scavenger is attached to the walls of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein an oxygen scavenger is contained in a polymer film or strip. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the absorber is formulated with polymer as a disc, tablet or capsule. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container has an absorber in a sachet that is permeable to oxygen and impervious to liquid water. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the absorber is in the shape of a washer on the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container holds a water vapor absorber. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the absorber is a carbon dioxide absorber. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal ingestible product is selected from the group consisting of instant coffee, instant tea, cocoa, and milk products. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container does not have a filter. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a carrier for the absorber that is concave in shape when viewed from the top of the package. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 24 , wherein the carrier for the absorber comprises a polymer containing oxygen scavenger particles. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the absorber is in a carrier that is convex as viewed from the top of the container and rests on the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         27 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the carbon dioxide absorbent comprises calcium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide. 
     
     
         28 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the absorber is an oxygen scavenger comprising calcium oxide or magnesium oxide powder and water in silica gel that react to produce calcium hydroxide. 
     
     
         29 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the absorber is in a carrier that comprises a cup and has an oxygen scavenger in the cup. 
     
     
         30 . The package of  claim 29 , wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises absorbent particles and the cup has an oxygen permeable cover. 
     
     
         31 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the absorber is an oxygen scavenger in a sachet that is permeable to oxygen and impervious to liquid water. 
     
     
         32 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the water absorber is silica gel or molecular sieve. 
     
     
         33 . The package of  claim 26 , wherein the carrier comprises a blend of polymer and water absorber. 
     
     
         34 . The package of  claim 33 , wherein the water absorber is selected from the group of calcium oxide, silica gel, and molecular sieve. 
     
     
         35 . The package of  claim 34 , wherein the convex carrier has an opening in the center and foraminous sides.