Composition for ambient moisture regulation, method of preparation thereof and use thereof to regulate the moisture of an environment

Abstract

A composition for moisture regulation in the form of a gel is disclosed. The composition includes magnesium chloride, and a cellulose selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and water, in which the ratio between the quantity of magnesium chloride and the cellulose is between 0.1 and 16 by weight. Preparation methods for such composition and methods for regulating the moisture of an environment are also disclosed.

1 . A composition for moisture regulation in gel form consisting essentially of magnesium chloride, a cellulose selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and water, characterised by the ratio between the quantity of magnesium chloride and cellulose being between 0.1 and 16 by weight. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterised by the ratio between the quantity of magnesium chloride and cellulose being between 0.5 and 4. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , characterised by the ratio between the quantity of magnesium chloride and cellulose being 1. 
     
     
         4 . A method for the preparation of a composition according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 a) dissolving the magnesium chloride in water to obtain a solution;   b) heating said solution to a temperature higher than 50° C.;   c) adding a cellulose selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose to said solution;   d) quenching to a temperature lower than 10° C. to form a gel; and   e) conditioning said gel in a climatic chamber.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein heating said solution is conducted at a temperature of 70° C. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein quenching is conducted at a temperature lower than 5° C. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a fragrance and an antibacterial substance. 
     
     
         10 . A method for regulating moisture of an environment, the method comprising:
 providing a composition, in gel form, consisting essentially of magnesium chloride, and a cellulose selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and water; wherein the ratio of the quantity of magnesium chloride and cellulose is between 0.1 and 16 by weight; and   including the composition in packaging with a product, thereby regulating the moisture within the packaging.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the product is a foodstuff. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition is present as a coating on a wrapping, and the method further comprises placing the coating facing the foodstuff. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein providing the composition in gel form further comprises providing the gel form in a shape maintainable thereby without an enclosure surrounding the shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , including the composition in packaging with a product comprises positioning the composition inside a package. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising conditioning the gel form to have a selected relative moisture before including the composition in the package.