Packaging and methods of packaging particulate solids

Abstract

Packaging comprising an outer container, and at least a first inner container which is preferably gas impermeable disposed within the outer container and a second inner container which is gas permeable disposed within the first inner container and which contains the product being contained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Packaging for a finely divided chemical product comprising:
 (a) an outer container;   (b) at least a first inner container disposed within the outer container, said first inner container substantially restricting the flow of water into said container from outside said container; and   (c) a second inner container disposed within the first inner container and inhibiting escape of the finely divided chemical product from the package, said second inner container permitting the flow of water from inside said second container to outside said second container.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein a space is present between said first and second inner containers, and a moisture absorbent material is disposed in said space. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging of  claim 2  wherein said moisture absorbent material is substantially symmetrically disposed in said space. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging of  claim 2  wherein said space has a moisture content of not greater than about 10% relative humidity. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging of  claim 2  wherein said space has a moisture content of not greater than about 8% relative humidity. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging of  claim 2  wherein volume of said space is at least about 0.2 times the volume of said finely divided chemical product. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging of  claim 2  wherein volume of said space is at least about 0.5 times the volume of said finely divided chemical product. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging of  claim 2  wherein volume of said space is from about 0.2 times the volume of said finely divided chemical product to about 0.8 times volume of said finely divided chemical product. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein said space has a moisture content of not greater than about 10% relative humidity. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein said space has a moisture content of not greater than about 8% relative humidity. 
     
     
         11 . A method of providing packaging for a finely divided chemical product comprising:
 (a) providing an outer container;   (b) providing at least a first inner container disposed within the outer container, said first inner container substantially restricting the flow of water into said first inner container from outside said first container; and   (c) providing a second inner container for containing the finely divided chemical product, said second inner container being disposed within the first inner container and being formed to inhibit escape of the finely divided chemical product while permitting the flow of water from inside said second container to outside said second container.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a space is present between said first and second inner containers, and a moisture absorbent material is disposed in said space. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said moisture absorbent material is substantially symmetrically disposed in said space. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising placing said finely divided chemical product in said second inner container. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising subsequent to said placing step closing at least said second inner container and said first inner container. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said space has a moisture content of not greater than about 10% relative humidity measured at 90 days after said closing steps. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said space has a moisture content of not greater than about 8% relative humidity measured at 90 days after said closing steps. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the volume between said second inner container and said first inner container is at least about 0.2 times the volume of said finely divided chemical product. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said space has a moisture content of not greater than about 10% relative humidity measured at 90 days after said closing steps. 
     
     
         20 . A method of packaging a finely divided chemical product comprising:
 (a) providing an outer container;   (b) providing at least a first inner container disposed within the outer container, said first inner container substantially restricting the flow of water into said first inner container from outside said first container;   (c) providing a second inner container for containing the finely divided chemical product, said second inner container being disposed within the first inner container and being formed to inhibit escape of the finely divided chemical product while permitting the flow of water from inside said second container to outside said second container;   (d) placing said finely divided chemical product into said second inner container; and   (e) closing at least said first and second inner containers after said placing step.