Card Based Package for Sensitive Materials

Abstract

A card-based package for sensitive food products, comprises a container portion defining an interior space with a base and a sidewall extending to an upper peripheral edge for receiving a removable seal for hermetically sealing the container portion prior to use. The package further comprises a lid structure, that can open and close to allow selective access to the interior space after removal of the seal. The container portion and the lid structure are both formed of card-based material and at least the container portion has light, oxygen, and water vapour barrier properties sufficient for storage of the product for a period exceeding 24 months.

1 . A card-based package for sensitive food products, comprising:
 a container portion, the container portion defining an interior space for receiving the product and having a base and a sidewall extending to an upper peripheral edge for receiving a removable seal for hermetically sealing the container portion prior to use;   a lid structure, that can open and close to allow selective access to the interior space after removal of the seal,   wherein the container portion and the lid structure are formed of card-based material and at least the container portion has light, oxygen, and water vapour barrier properties sufficient for storage of the product for a period exceeding 24 months.   
     
     
         2 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall card-based material comprises at least 90 wt % paper and has at least one polyethylene (PE) layer or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) layer, and a metal layer. 
     
     
         3 . The package according to  claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the sidewall has an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of less than 0.5 cc/m 2 /day, preferably less than 0.3 cc/m 2 /day and more preferably less than 0.1 cc/m 2 /day (ASTM D3985-17en). 
     
     
         4 . The package according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the sidewall has a water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of less than 0.5 g/m 2 /day, preferably less than 0.3 g/m 2 /day and more preferably less than 0.1 g/m 2 /day (ASTM F1249-20). 
     
     
         5 . The package according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the sidewall has a light transmission in the 300 nm to 700 nm range of less than 0.5%, preferably less than 0.2% (ISO 2471:2008). 
     
     
         6 . The package according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the sidewall comprises an outer structural layer comprising predominantly cellulose material and an inner hygienic layer of a food quality polymer material. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the inner hygienic layer has a thickness of less than 20 microns, preferably between 2 microns and 20 microns. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the sidewall comprises an oxygen barrier layer, preferably laminated between an outer structural layer and an inner hygienic layer. 
     
     
         9 . The package according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the sidewall comprises greater than 90 wt % paper. 
     
     
         10 . The package according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the lid structure comprises greater than 95 wt % paper, preferably greater than 97 wt % paper. 
     
     
         11 . The package according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the lid structure comprises a collar portion connected to the upper peripheral edge and a lid portion, hingedly connected to the collar portion. 
     
     
         12 . The package according to  claim 11 , wherein the collar portion comprises a functional insert, including one or more functionalities selected from the group consisting of: scoop leveler, scoop holder, latch, stiffening flange, insect barrier and sealing surface. 
     
     
         13 . The package according to  claim 11 or claim 12 , wherein the lid portion further comprises a gasket located at an underside of the lid and having a resilient edge. 
     
     
         14 . The package of any one of the  claims 11 to 13 , further comprising a locking arrangement between the lid portion and the collar portion 
     
     
         15 . The package of any one of  claims 11 to 14 , further comprising a paper banderol provided prior to use around at least part of the collar portion and the lid portion. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein a circumferentially extending section of the banderol is removable to form a hinge between the lid portion and the collar portion. 
     
     
         17 . The package of any one of  claims 11 to 16 , further comprising a scoop holder, preferably located on an underside of the lid portion. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  any one of the preceding claims , further comprising a scoop located within the lid structure. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the base and sidewall are joined together, preferably in a folded seam. 
     
     
         20 . The package according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the upper peripheral edge of the container comprises a circumferential flange extending outwards from the container. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the container portion is a tube of a constant first outer cross-section. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  any one of the preceding claims , further comprising an outer sleeve, surrounding the container portion. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 22 , wherein the container portion has a first outer dimension, and the lid structure has a second outer dimension that is larger than the first outer dimension and the sleeve tapers from the first to the second outer dimension. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the lid structure can be repeatedly closed, ensuring no gaps of greater than 150 microns, preferably less than 100 microns and more preferably less than 70 microns. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  any one of the preceding claims , further comprising a removable seal hermetically sealing the container prior to use. 
     
     
         26 . The package according to  claim 25 , further comprising an amount of powdered infant nutrition sealed within the interior space. 
     
     
         27 . The package according to  claim 26 , where the interior space contains an inert gas with less than 2% oxygen, preferably less than 1.5% oxygen and more preferably, less than 1% oxygen.