# Patent

## Title
Compositions and methods for improved packaging and storage of dry foodstuffs

## Abstract

Provided herein is a degassing valve for a foodstuff product including a valve body, a one-way valve element positioned on the valve body, and a filter associated with said valve body wherein the filter is configured to facilitate the passage of a gas. The gas may be selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and methane. Additionally, the gas may be a longer molecular chain gas that comprises the aroma of the product. The filter of the valve body may include activated charcoal, an activated charcoal mixture or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the foodstuff product comprises breadcrumbs, spices, or other flavorful dry foods, the aroma(s) of which can provide an important marketing benefit.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/993,616, filed on 15 May 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for any and all purposes.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to improved packaging and storage of dried foodstuffs such that said foodstuffs have no need for added preservatives to extend useful shelf life.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following description of the background of the invention is provided to aid in understanding the invention, but is not admitted to describe or constitute prior art to the invention.
It is well known that long term storage of dry foodstuffs derived from or otherwise containing organic matter is hampered by the potential contaminating growth of microorganisms, loss of flavor and/or decomposition resulting from oxidation over time, and the potential for the development of toxins, generally, over the useful shelf life of the product. Most foodstuff manufacturers compensate for this “spoilage” by adding chemical preservatives to the product. However, it is well known in the art that chemical preservatives sacrifice the quality, taste, and overall integrity of foodstuff products. Those products that do not contain chemical preservatives have a short shelf life and are thus limited with regard to long-term use.
One largely successful approach to solving this problem has been the use of airtight, flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid packaging containers or vessels that contain a one-way degassing valve to allow the unidirectional outward flow of gases, including but not limited to oxygen, nitrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, from the container. Most one-way degassing valves, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,994, were originally designed to preferentially exclude long chain organic molecules, those considered “aromatic” gases, from exiting the container by way of the degassing valve.
While efficient at preservation, that approach is limited with respect to effective consumer marketing because consumers are not able to sample the product by way of smelling the foodstuff ingredient(s) or aroma(s) prior to making a purchasing decision. Thus, there is a bona fide need for packaging containers and non-chemical preservation methods that can preferentially prevent outgassing from a container of long chain product-derived aromatic gases on one hand but be induced to exhale aromatic gasses upon physical stimulation or the application of pressure (e.g., by a customer's squeezing of the container), such that aroma(s) emanating from the product packaged in the container may be sampled on demand by a consumer without compromising the integrity of the vessel, immediately reducing the risk of purchase for the consumer. Such compositions and methods would be highly useful, but not limited to, the packaging and strategic marketing of breadcrumbs and breadcrumb-based products, spices, and other dry, packaged food products the aroma(s) of which are an appealing and salient feature that may be exploited for enhanced marketing purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is drawn towards packaging containers that can preferentially prevent the unwanted release from such containers of desirable long chain product-derived aromatic chemical compounds on one hand and, on the other, be induced to exhale, exhaust, or otherwise release such aromatic compounds through a one-way degassing valve outlet upon physical stimulation or the application of pressure (e.g., by squeezing such a container) such that such aromatic compound(s) may be sampled by way of smell and/or taste. Methods of making and using such containers are also included. The invention does nothing in the way of compromising the integrity of the packaging container or vessel and its ability to serve as a non-chemical preservation method. Such containers and methods have patentable utility in the packaging and strategic marketing of breadcrumbs and breadcrumb based products, spices, and other aromatic dry food products the aroma(s) from which is(are) an appealing and salient feature heretofore unexploited for enhanced marketing purposes. The utility of the present invention allows for the sampling of such aroma(s) while providing all of the preservative qualities of food packaging that includes a unidirectional degassing valve.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a food stuff package according to the invention that includes a unidirectional degassing valve that is visible and accessible to a consumer so as to allow a consumer to sample gas from inside the container prior to purchase so that consumer can sense the aroma(s) associated with the dry food products packaged in the container.
FIG. 2 shows a back view of the container shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a view of the bottom gusset used to produce a container as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As used herein, the term “aromatic gas” refers to a molecule or chemical compound having organic origin(s) (i.e., from a dry foodstuff) that can be detected by smell (or by smell and taste). As is known, a chemical compound has a smell or odor when it is sufficiently volatile to be transported to the olfactory system in the upper part of the human nose. Aromatic gasses are also known as aroma compounds, aromas, flavors, and flavorants. Aroma compounds often form during the ripening of fruits and other crops. They are also used in the production of flavorants, which are used in the food industry to flavor, improve, and generally increase the appeal of food products.
As used herein, the term “contamination” refers to the growth of microorganisms, including, but not limited to, fungi and bacteria.
As used herein, the term “long molecular chain” or “longer molecular chain” refers to long chain organic molecules, aromatics, or “aromatic” gases.
As used herein, the term “oxidation” refers to the exposure of the foodstuff to an amount of atmospheric oxygen sufficient enough to significantly oxidize it.
Provided herein are packaging containers for storing dry food products that allow a consumer to squeeze or otherwise manipulate the container so as to allow a sample of air or gas from inside the bag to exit through a unidirectional degassing valve such that the volatile aromatic long chain compound(s) in the air in the container can pass through the valve and be sensed by the consumer, for example, prior to the consumer purchasing the product or, after purchase, prior to opening the container to dispense some or all of food product stored in the container. Some embodiments of the invention include conventional unidirectional valve structures that have been adapted for use in conjunction with the invention, while in other embodiments, new unidirectional valves are utilized. For instance, such new valves do not include a filter designed to retain aromatic molecules inside a container of the invention while still allowing for gas to be forcibly expelled from the container. In some embodiments, the valve may be a degassing valve. Such valves include a valve body, a one-way valve element positioned on or with or in conjunction with the valve body, and a filter or frit. In the context of the new valves of the invention, the filter is preferably configured to retain particulate matter, such as food particles, while permitting the passage of gas or air from the container, including the passage of aromatic compounds suspended in the gas that being forcibly expelled from the container. The gas may be oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, air, or an engineered mixture of gases designed to provide enhanced food preservative characteristics. In other embodiments, the filter includes an element designed to retain gaseous aromatic compounds inside the container. For example, the filter can comprise activated charcoal. Additionally, the activated charcoal may be mixed with another suitable filtering compound or composition, including an activated charcoal mixture or any other suitable filtering compound known in the art.
In some embodiments, the aromatic gas may be an aroma. The aroma(s) present in particular package may be generated or associated with or evolved from the foodstuff. It may occur naturally in one or more of the foodstuff's ingredients, or be added during the preparation of the foodstuff. An aroma may be a long molecular chain gas, for example, but may any be any suitable aroma compound.
During manufacture of packaged foodstuffs in accordance with the invention, the packaging container is allowed to retain air or gas, preferably decontaminated air or gas (e.g., air that has been HEPA filtered) such that the container, in addition to the desired foodstuff, is at least partially inflated. In contrast, packaging for food products, e.g., coffee (ground or whole bean) that include a unidirectional degassing valve, is typically evacuated or vacuum-sealed after being filled with the foodstuff to be packaged, and the degassing valve allows gases that evolve from the packaged food product (e.g., coffee beans) over time during storage in the package to escape from package once the cracking pressure of the valve element is exceeded, thereby preventing over-pressurization and, in some cases, failure of the packaging material,
Packaging such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,994, incorporated by reference in its entirety, may in fact be used for this purpose. Unlike the valve structure described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,994, the valving structure may pass aromatic long chain gases. The present invention is based on the principle that if packaged appropriately, aromatic gases may indeed be physically induced to exit the bag containing the “unidirectional” degassing valve of U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,994, despite the presence of an intact charcoal (or other organic) filter.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,536, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,429,984, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,467, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,427, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,846, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,993, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,535, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,015, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,285, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,661, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,174, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,637, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include comprising one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,561, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,708, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,780, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,036, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,133, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,638, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,532,011, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,881, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,266, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,461, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,635, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,439, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,728, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,468,332, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,323, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,105, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,601, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,555, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,490,623, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,283, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,677, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,731, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,026, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,038,023, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,104,644, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the valving structure may include one or more of the unidirectional degassing valves described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,342,203, incorporated by reference in its entirety, to package aromatic foodstuffs including but not limited to aromatic breadcrumb product. Said breadcrumb is packaged into said container such that there is enough air present in said container to be used as a propellant, by way of squeezing or other forceful physical stimulus, to force aromatic gases from said container and into local atmosphere.
Provided herein is a packaging system for foodstuffs. Foodstuffs, such as breadcrumbs, are generated by those skilled in the art. These foodstuffs are then further packaged for sale. Once breadcrumbs are produced, they may be packaged by hand or automatically to achieve an optimal volume of foodstuffs per package. In some embodiments, the range of possible volumes of the packaged foodstuff to the overall interior volume of the container may be between about 1% to about 99%, preferably from about 20-80%. In some embodiments, the optimal range of volume may be between about 70% to about 90% of the packaging container's interior volume. Particularly preferred amounts of filled interior volume attributable to the packaged foodstuff includes about any of 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, and 10%.
A particularly preferred foodstuff for packaging in a container according to the invention is flavored or seasoned breadcrumbs. Breadcrumbs (such as plain or seasoned or flavored bread crumbs) may be dispensed into a package, such as the non-limiting example of a four-ounce stand-up pouch, malleable box, or pliable bag. The package further includes a one-way degassing valve that is visible and accessible to a consumer (or other party) who may wish to pick up the container and squeeze it to experience the aroma(s) associated with the packaged bread crumbs (or other dry food product, e.g., spice, that may be packaged in the particular product). The valve may be any suitable degassing valve such as described previously. It may also be a degassing valve that does not include a filter or other element designed for or otherwise configured to retain aromatic compounds suspended in the air (or other gas(es)) in the container. The valve may be placed in any suitable location on the packaging, optimally, both visibly and physically accessible to the consumer. In some embodiments, the valve may be placed in the upper right-hand corner on the front of the packaging container, as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the valve may be placed on any suitable surface of the packaging, such as on the top surface, any of the side surfaces, and may be placed at any location on this surface, such as on the side, corner, or in the middle.
In some embodiments, the packaged foodstuff, e.g., bread crumbs, may be dispensed into a four ounce stand-up pouch, such as a Plastic Bags for You, with an applied one-way degassing valve. The four ounce stand up pouch may be of any suitable size such as 51⁄8′′×81⁄8′′×31⁄8′′. The packaging material may be made of any suitable material for preserving foodstuffs in the packaging, including linear low-density polyethylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), aluminum, cardboard, or any other suitable packaging material. In some embodiments, the packaging may be heat-sealed, glued, taped, mechanically fixed, or sealed using any other suitable sealant. In some embodiments, the packaging may include a tear notch. In some embodiments, the seal may be formed above the tear notch.
Once foodstuffs are dispensed into such suitable packaging, allowing for suitable air pressure for use and release of aroma(s), the package is then sealed such that the package, once sealed, contains sufficient gas or air so as to facilitate at least one, and preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more consumer-initiated discharges of gas or air from the container's degassing valve before the packaged is opened and/or unsealed in order to access the foodstuff packaged therein.
In some embodiments, provided herein are packaging containers and methods that may preferentially retain long chain product-derived aromatic gases on one hand and be induced to exhale those aromatic gasses upon physical stimulation (e.g., by squeezing said container), such that the aromatic gas may be sampled without compromising the integrity of the container or vessel and its ability to be serve as a non-chemical preservation method. The articles and methods described herein include, but are not limited to, the packaging and strategic marketing of bread crumbs and bread crumb-based products, spices, and other dry foods having one or more appetizing flavors or aromas, are an appealing and salient product feature that can be exploited for enhanced marketing purposes. Surprisingly, however, such a feature has not previously been included in packaging for such foodstuffs.
Further provided herein are preservation devices for preserving foodstuffs. These devices include malleable packaging such as a bag, box, pouch, sleeve, container, and any other suitable packaging that allows consumer-initiated expulsion of air from the packaging, typically by way of a consumer applying a force to the exterior of the packaging, for example, by squeezing it in one or both hands so as to apply sufficient force to overcome the cracking pressure of the unidirectional outgassing valve disposed on the container. In such a device, the packaged foodstuff can preferably be preserved for a predetermined time (e.g., at least until the product's expiration date). As described herein, a preservation device of the invention may allow for aroma(s) to pass out of the device through the included valving structure, particularly when a consumer manually manipulates the packaging container in manner that increases the pressure inside the container above the cracking pressure of the unidirectional valve portion of the included valving structure.
Additionally provided herein are methods of using the devices of the invention. In some embodiments, these methods include sampling the aroma(s) of a foodstuff packaged in container of the invention. Such methods generally involve including applying pressure to the container containing a desired foodstuff product whereby an aroma may pass through the valve so that a consumer may experience it. The user-directed releasing of the aroma(s) from inside of the container may include preventing the passage of solid components of the packaged foodstuff product while still allowing the passage of aromatic gases that provide the aroma(s) of the product.
Other methods include filling a container of the invention with a desired foodstuff product. Such methods typically include sealing the container after the foodstuff product has been added.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

## Claims

1. A method of sampling the aroma of a foodstuff, comprising: manually applying pressure to a sealed container containing an aromatic foodstuff product, which container (i) comprises a malleable package that includes a unidirectional degassing valve disposed therein such that the valve is visible and accessible to a consumer from outside the container and (ii) prior to sealing, is inflated with gas (A) to a pressure that is less than a cracking pressure of unidirectional degassing valve and (B) in an amount sufficient to facilitate at least one consumer-initiated gas discharge from the container's unidirectional degassing valve, so as to increase pressure inside the container above the unidirectional degassing valve's cracking pressure and thereby release from the container aromatic compounds from the aromatic foodstuff product contained therein, thereby allowing the product's aroma to be sampled outside of, but without unsealing, the container.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the unidirectional degassing valve comprises: a valve body; a one-way valve element positioned in the valve body; and a filter configured to prevent passage of solid components of the foodstuff product but allow passage of aromatic compounds that contribute to the aroma of the aromatic foodstuff product.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising preventing the release of the aromatic foodstuff product during sampling of its aroma.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the container contains sufficient gas to facilitate 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 consumer-initiated discharges of gas from the container's unidirectional degassing valve before the container is unsealed.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the foodstuff product has an appetizing aroma.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the aromatic foodstuff product is selected from the group consisting of one or more spices and a foodstuff that comprises bread crumbs.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and methane.