Mineral entrained plastic formulations as puncturing elements

Abstract

Puncture elements and methods for using the same are disclosed. The puncture elements according to the disclosed concept include a cutting edge or a sharp and are composed of a mineral loaded polymer. The minerals of the mineral loaded polymer include an active agent, such as a desiccant. Optionally, the puncture elements are used to puncture a cover (e.g., foil seal) of a package.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for dispensing a product from a package, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a package having a base and a sidewall extending therefrom defining an interior of the package, the package further having an opening leading to the interior and a cover sealing the opening when the package is in a sealed position to enclose a product therein, the package further comprising a puncture element disposed within the interior, the puncture element having a cutting edge or a sharp facing the cover, wherein the puncture element is composed of a mineral loaded polymer comprising a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer and an active agent comprising minerals;   b. inserting the package in a dispensing apparatus; and   c. actuating the dispensing apparatus so that pressure is applied onto the cover in a direction normal to the cutting edge or the sharp until the cutting edge or the sharp punctures or detaches at least part of the cover so as to transition the package from the sealed position to a dispensing position in which the product is dispensed through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the monolithic material comprises a channeling agent. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent is a desiccant selected from the group consisting of a molecular sieve and a silica gel. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mineral loaded polymer has a mineral loading level of from 20% to 50% by weight of the monolithic material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the active agent is a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the interior of the package in order to maintain desired qualities of the product. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a powder. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cover, when in the sealed position, is secured about the opening by a heat seal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises one or more layers selected from the group consisting of: paper, cardboard, plastic and foil. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is flexible and has a thickness of from 0.01 mm to 1.00 mm. 
     
     
         11 . A package having a base and a sidewall extending therefrom defining an interior of the package, the package further having an opening leading to the interior and a cover sealing the opening when the package is in a sealed position, the package further comprising a puncture element disposed within the interior, the puncture element having a cutting edge or a sharp facing the cover, wherein the puncture element is composed of a mineral loaded polymer comprising a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer and an active agent comprising minerals, the package being configured for insertion into a dispensing apparatus such that when the dispensing apparatus applies sufficient pressure onto the cover in a direction normal to the cutting edge or the sharp, the cutting edge or the sharp is configured to puncture or detach at least part of the cover so as to transition the package from the sealed position to a dispensing position in which a product housed in the interior may be dispensed through the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the active agent is a desiccant. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the mineral loaded polymer has a mineral loading level of from 20% to 50% by weight of the monolithic material. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the active agent is a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the interior of the package in order to maintain desired qualities of a product housed in the interior. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the product is a powder. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the cover comprises one or more layers selected from the group consisting of: paper, cardboard, plastic and foil. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the cover is flexible and has a thickness of from 0.01 mm to 1.00 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A puncture element having a cutting edge or a sharp, wherein the puncture element is composed of a mineral loaded polymer comprising a monolithic material formed of at least a base polymer and an active agent comprising minerals. 
     
     
         19 . The puncture element of  claim 18 , wherein the active agent is a desiccant selected from the group consisting of a molecular sieve and a silica gel. 
     
     
         20 . The puncture element of  claim 19 , wherein the mineral loaded polymer has a mineral loading level of from 20% to 50% by weight of the monolithic material. 
     
     
         21 . The puncture element of  claim 18 , wherein if the puncture element has a sharp, the sharp has a diameter or cross sectional width of from 0.01 mm to 0.75 mm. 
     
     
         22 . The puncture element of  claim 18 , wherein if the puncture element has a cutting edge, the cutting edge has a width of from 0.01 mm to 0.75 mm. 
     
     
         23 . The puncture element of  claim 18 , wherein the puncture element is configured to puncture, without itself breaking and upon a sufficient application of pressure, a 40 micron thick aluminum foil cover. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the desiccant is selected from the group consisting of a molecular sieve and a silica gel. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein wherein the desiccant is selected from the group consisting of a molecular sieve and a silica gel.