METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRIGGERING AN ARTICLE CONTAINING AN OXIDIZABLE ORGANIC COMPOUND

Abstract: A method includes the steps of providing an article comprising an oxidizable organic compound; passing the article (8) through a chamber (9); exposing the article, while in the chamber, to a source of actinic radiation (20) at a wavelength, intensity and residence time sufficient to provide the article with a dose of actinic radiation of at least 100 mJ/cm<2>, and exposing the article, while in the chamber, to a source of heat (34) sufficient to raise the temperature inside the chamber to at least 55 DEG F. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRIGGERING AN ARTICLE CONTAINING AN OXIDIZABLE ORGANIC COMPOUND Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for tnggeπng an article, especially an article containing an oxidizabie organic compound Background Of Tlie Invention It is well known that limiting the exposure of an oxygen sensitive product to OXΛ gen maintains and enliances the quality and shelf life of die product For instance, by limiting tlie oxygen exposure of an oxygen sensitive food product in the packaging system, the quality of the food product is maintained by minimizing nutnents loss, slowing enzymatic and hpolytic oxidation, preventing photolytic degradation, and reducing spoilage In addition, such packaging also keeps tire product in inventor} longer, diereby reducing restocking costs, and costs incurred from waste One means for limiting die exposure of a product to oxygen involves incorporating an oxygen scavenger into die packaging structure itself Tins achieves a more uniform scavenging effect diroughout die package This may be especially important where diere is restnctcd air circulation inside me package In addition, sucli incorporation can provide a means of intercepting and scavenging oxygen as it passes Uirougli e walls of the package (herein referred to as an "active oxygen barrier"), thereby maintaining the lowest possible oxygen level diroughout the package Oxygen scavengers diat can be incorporated into a film structure are disclosed in U S Patent Nos. 5.310,497. 5.350.622 and 5.399.289 (Speer et al ), and a meUiod of initiating oxygen scavenging generally is disclosed in U S Patent No 5.211.875 (Speer et al ) All of diese four patents are incorporated herein by reference in Uieir entirety According to U S Patent No 5.350.622. oxygen scavengers are made of an edrylenicallv unsaturated hydrocarbon and transition metal catalyst The preferred eUiylemcally unsaturated hydrocarbon may be either substituted or unsubstituted The "oxygen scavenger" matenals disclosed by Speer et al. are compounds which consume, deplete or reduce the amount of oxygen from a given environment Omer oxygen scavengers which can be incorporated into a film structure are disclosed in PCT patent publication WO 94/12590 (CommonwealUi Scientific and Industnal Research Organisation) These oxygen scavengers include at least one reducible organic compound which is reduced under predetermined conditions, die reduced foπn of the compound being oxidizabie b} molecular oxygen. wherein me reduction and/or subsequent oxidation of die organic compound occurs independent of the presence of a transition metal cata st The reducible organic compound is preferab a quinone. a photoreducible dve, or a carbonvl compound which has absorbence in die UV spectrum Oxygen scavengers are useful in modified atmosphere (MAP) and barrier packaging environments Howe\ er. oxygen scavengers often require, or at least benefit from, tπggenng in order to activate die oxygen scavenging properties In U S Patent Applicadon Senal No 08/691.829 filed August 2. 1996. incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, an apparatus is disclosed which is beneficial in tπggenng oxygen scavenger films This apparatus is especially useful when cmplo\ed in a food processing plant or odier facility where die daggering apparatus is located near a packaging machine Thus disposed, an oxygen scavenger film can be triggered shortly before, and perhaps just a few seconds before, die film is used to package a food or other oxygen sensitive product Most packaging areas in food manufacturing facihUes. such as meat processing plants, are typically kept at relatively low temperatures, on die order of 40°F to 50°F The inventors have found diat at these low temperatures die induction period (die ϋme between exposure of an article to actimc radiation or other tnggeπng mechanism, and d e onset of oxygen scavenging by the article) can undesirably lengdien Also, at these low temperatures, die rate at which die triggered article will oxidize can be undesirably decreased. Packaging matenals contaimng an oxidizabie organic compound exhibiting lengdiy inducdon times must be held by the processor in inventory for a sufficient period of time before use Thus, a longer induction time can be costly to the processor by resulting in increased inventory If die packaging step occurs shortly after exposure to the tnggeπng means, a delaved induction can mean diat the oxygen sensitive product is disposed in die package for some time widiout the benefits of oxygen scavenging. In some cases, foods have a very high affinity to oxygen. This can result in a shortened shelf life for ie package and or reducuon in product quality, because oxygen inside die package, or entenng die package from die outside environme . can deleteπoush affect the qual of the packaged product before die onset of oxygen scavenging There is dius a competitive relationship for die available oxygen between d e food and die packaging matenal Lowered oxygen scavenging rate can also have an adverse effect on product shelf life and/or quality If die oxygen in die head space of a package is not remo\ ed quickly enough, then die detrimental effects of this oxygen on die packaged product (rancidit}. spoilage due to growth of microorganisms, color change, etc ) are increased One possible solution to diese problems is to use more of die oxygen scavenger, or if present more of the photoinitiator and/or catalvst. in die article Howe\ er. it has been found diat aldiough additional loadmg of the oxygen scavenging mateπal in the article can increase die scavenging capacity of die article, it does not appreciably increase die rate at which die article scavenges A second possible solution is die use of a larger tnggeπng unit of the type generally disclosed herein and in U S. Patent Application Senal No 08/691,829 However, using additional banks of UV lamps, or otherwise increasing the level of actinic radiadon incident on die film, does not necessaπl> result in an increase in scavenging rate in die tπggered article Also, making the triggering unit larger is not desirable On the contrary, it is much more convenient for the processor to use a unit which is small m size, m order to save valuable space in die facihty. and in order to more easih pin sicalh integrate die tnggenng unit widi an associated packaging machine The inventors have discovered diat benefits in induction peπod and scavenging rate can be obtained bv raising die temperature of the environment in which die tnggenng unit is located One way to take advantage of dus discoverv w ould be to increase die ov erall ambient temperature of the processing/packaging facihtv in which the tnggenng and packaging operations occur However, in die case of food, and especially meat packaging, dus is not a feasible alternative because of the need to process and package diese products in an overall relatively cool environment The inventors have found that benefits can be obtained bv providing a means for heating, the means for heating disposed within a tnggenng chamber Tlie invention prov ides an effective mediod of and apparatus for tnggeπng an article contanung an oxidizabie organic compound so as to result in a relatively short induction penod. and enhanced oxygen scavenging rate, compared with an oxygen scavenging mediod and apparatus widiout the benefit of die invention Locatmg die means for heating mside die tnggenng chamber provides the additional benefit of warming die radiation bulbs to reduce startup time and diereb} increase overall production rates Tlie mediod and apparatus preferably allow the article to be tπggercd immediately pπor to use duπng packaging of an oxygen sensitive product, and preferablv provide a compact tnggeπng means Preferably, an apparatus is prov ided which is readily incorporated in-line into existing packaging systems for tnggenng articles at or immediately pπor to packaging DEFINITIONS "Film " herein means a film, laminate sheet web, coating, or die like which can be used to package a product "Oxidizabie orgamc compound' "owgen scavenger and the like herein mean a composition. compound, article or die like which can consume, deplete or react idi oxvgen from a given environment "Actinic radiation " and die luce herein means electromagnetic radiation, in any form such as ultraviolet radiation or visible light, capable of causing a chemical change, and is exemplified in U S Patent No 5.21 1.875 (Speer et al ) "Polymer" and die lu e herein means a homopohmer. but also copolymcrs thereof, including bispolvmers. terpolymers. etc "Room temperature" herein is an ambient temperature from 2()°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) Summary Of The Invention In a first aspect of the invention, a mediod comprises providing an article compπsing an oxidizabie organic compound passing die article through a chamber, exposing die article, while in die chamber, to a source of actinic radiation at a wav elengdi. intensity, and residence time sufficient to provide die article with a dose of actimc radiation of at least 100 inJ/cπr . and exposing die article, while in die chamber, to a source of heat sufficient to raise die temperature inside die chamber to at least 55°F In a second aspect of die invention, an apparatus compnses a chamber, die chamber compπsmg a means for emitting actinic radiation at a wavelengdi. intensity', and residence time sufficient to provide an article, the article having an oxidizabie organic compound, with a dose of actimc radiation of at least 1 0 mJ/cπr. a means for raising die temperature inside die chamber to at least °F. and a means for feeding die article into and out of the chamber A preferred form of actinic radiation is UV light, and more preferably UV light widi a wavelengdi of approximately 200-280 mn. sometimes referred to as UV-C light Bnef Descnption Of The Drawings A detailed descnption of preferred embodiments of the invention follows, widi reference to die attached drawings, wherein Figure 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus useful in connection widi die present invention. Figure 2 schematically illustrates an apparatus useful in connection widi die present invention, incorporated in-line into a packaging S}Stem. and Figure 3 schematically illustrate a mediod and apparatus accordance with die invention Descnption of die Preferred Embodiments The invention can be used in connection widi vanous articles of manufacture, compounds, compositions of matter, coatings, etc Two preferred forms are sealing compounds, and flexible films, both useful packaging of food and non-food products In addition to caps and closures, and traditional flexible film applications, die invention can be used m association idi semiπgid packaging, rigid containers, foamed and unfoamed trays, and paperboard liners, in systems where an oxygen scavenger has been tπggered. It is known to use sealing compounds in die manufacture of gaskets for die πgid container market Large, wide diameter gaskets are typicallv made using a liquid plastisol This plastisol is a lughly viscous, liquid suspension of polymer particles in a plasticizer In die manufacture of metal or plastic caps. lids, and die like, dus liquid plastisol is applied to die annulus of a container such as ajar, and die container widi die applied plastisol is "fluxed " in an oven to solidify the plastisol into a gasket. The result is a gasket formed around die annulus of the container Smaller gaskets are typically made for use in beer cro ns in bottles. A polymer melt is applied by cold molding to die entire inner surface of the crown Pol} (vinyl chlonde) (PVC) and otiier polymers are used in dus application Discs for plastic caps are typically made by taking a ribbon of gasket mateπal and making discs. and inserting die discs into die plastic cap In tiiese applications, hen an article compnsing an oxidizabie orgamc compound is to be triggered by exposure to actimc radiation, heating ihe article dunng tnggenng can beneficialh enhance die oxygen scavenging rate of the tπggered article The invention can be used m die packaging of a wide variety of ox}gen sensitive products including fresh red meat such as beef. pork, lamb, and veal, smoked and processed meats such as sliced turkey, peppero . ham and bologna, egetable products such as tomato based products, odier food products, including baby food, beverages such as beer, and products such as electronic components, pharmaceuticals, medical products, and die like The invention is readily adaptable to vaπous vertical form-fill-and-seal (VFFS) and horizontal form-fill-and-seal (HFFS) packaging lines Tlie invention is also adaptable to use in connection with sl nnk film-type packaging equipment A method and apparatus for tnggenng oxygen scavenging film are provided wherein an induction penod of the film after tnggenng can be reduced to peπods of preferabl} substantially less tiian one day. and whereby triggering can be incorporated preferably as an in-line step, preferably by an end user of the oxygen scav enging film, so as to reduce inventory problems with respect to tπggered films As used herein, oxygen scavenger film refers to film hav mg a compound which consumes, depletes or reduces die amount of oxygen from a given environment to which die film is exposed The mediod and apparatus for tnggenng die oxygen scavenger film serves to tngger die film, leading to activation (usually within a relatively short time) of the oxygen scavenging capability of the film Films for use with die invention include an oxidizabie orgamc compound, and preferably include both an oxidizabie orgamc compound and a transition metal catalyst Optionally, die oxygen scavenging film may also include photoinitiator compositions, antioxidants and odier additives, for example as disclosed in U S Patent 5.21 1.875 Preferred films contain oxidizabie organic compound of substituted or unsubstituted ediylemcally unsaturated hydrocarbon polymers, preferably having a molecular weight of at least 1000 More preferably . die oxidizabie orgamc compound is selected from die group consisting of styrene/butadiene copoKmers. styrene/isoprene copolvmers. polybutadiene. polyisoprene. or mixtures tiiereof Films of the invention can also include ultrav lolet stabilizers The transition metal catalyst of the oxygen scavenging film is preferably a transition metal salt of cobalt, manganese, or mixtures diereof Odier suitable transition metal catalysts are disclosed m U S Patent 5.211.875 The ediylemcally unsaturated hydrocarbon and transition metal catalyst mav be further combined widi one or more polymeric diluents, such as tiiermoplastic polymers which are topically used to form film layers in plastic packaging mateπals In die manufacture of certain packaging mateπals well known tiiermosets can also be used as die polv meπc diluent Polymers w hich can be used as die diluent include, but are not limited to. polvethylene terephtiialate (PET). polycth\ lene. low or very low density polyethylene, ultra-low densitv pol} eth} lene. linear low density polyethy lene. polypropylene, polyvin}! chloπde. polystyrene, and ethvlene copolvmers such as etinlene-vinyl acetate, edivlene-alkyl (medι)acrylates. acid lonomers Blends of different diluents niav also be used Tlie selection of die polymeric diluent depends in part on the product to be manufactured and die end use It lias been discovered diat exposing oxygen scav enging film to actinic radiation at certain wavelengdi. intensity, residence tune and distance from die film, in an environment al a temperature of at least 55°F. results in a tnggeπng of die oxygen sca enging properties of the film in a relatively short peπod of time, 1 e die induction period UV light, and more preferably UV light of germicidal wavelengtiis (UV-C light), has been found particular effective at tnggeπng oxygen scavenging films Preferred wavelengths are between 200 nm and 280 n . such as 254 run Optimal wavelengdis can be deteπmned depending on the composition of die particular scavenging resin, and (if present) catalyst and photoimtiator As desenbed in U S Patent Application Serial No 08/6 1.829. incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, oxygen scavenger films to be tπggered are exposed to actinic radiation at die desired wavelength, at an intensity and residence time sufficient to provide die film widi a dose of actinic radiation of at least 100 mJ/cnr, preferably at least 200 mJ/cm 2 more preferably between 300 and 1600 mJ/cnr. and most preferably between 400 and 800 ml/cm 2 It lias been found diat. w itiun dus range, different doses of actimc radiation, combined with an environment at a temperature of at least 55°F, beneficially affects the scavenging rate of the film after tnggenng Preferred temperatures are between 55 C F and 120°F. such as between 60°F and 100°F. and between 65°F and 80°F. such as 70°F All values between 55°F and 120°F are incorporated herein as if set forth individually Tlie practical upper temperature limit depends on die residence time of die film in die chamber For typical packaging operations, it is expected diat 120°F represents die upper temperature limit for die inteπor of the chamber Higher temperatures could be utilized for short residence times, but it will be appreciated diat at higher temperatures, physical damage to or deterioration of die film can occur, especially duπng prolonged exposure of the film to die elevated temperatures Tlie intensity and residence tune of actimc radiation may be utilized to provide die desired dose for a particular film It is preferred to expose film to be tπggercd to actimc radiation at an intensity of at least 0 8 mW/cm\ more preferably at least 2 0 mW/cπr In order to provide film patiis which are not very long, film to be tπggered is exposed more preferably to actinic radiation at an intensity of between 3 0 and 10 mW/cm : . such as between 3 0 and 7 5 mW/cm : Tlus intensity is provided at a distance from die source of actimc radiation to die film of preferably between 1 cm and 3 cm The desired dose of actimc radiation is provided to a particular film by traversing die film over a padi liaving a particular length over which die film is exposed to the actimc radiation At intensities as set forth above, oxygen scavenger film is usefully tnggered over film paths preferably having a length between 0 5 m and 12 m. preferably 2 to 4 m and at average trav eling speed of die film along die patii of between 0 5 m mm and 30 m imn tvpicallv 1 2 to 4 m nun Ηus procedure results in exposure times of the film to actinic radiation of tvpicallv between 15 and 90 seconds The above descπbcd wavelengdi. intensity and residence time of actimc radiation have been found to tπgger oxygen scavenger film to excellent oxygen scavenging rates, and w ith v en small or negligible induction penods. dierebv allowing die mediod of the present invention to be incorporated m-linc to existing packaging methods so diat oxygen scavenger film can be triggered at or short!} pπor to packaging, and ameliorating problems related to storage and inventory of triggered oxv gen scavenger films Oxygen scavenger films tiius tnggered exhibit oxygen scavenging rates, depending upon the formulation and type of package to wluch die film is applied, of between 1 cc/m /day and 100 cc/nr/day at temperatures of 40°F (4°C) when measured 4 days after tnggenng For modified atmosphere packages (MAP) hav ing a modified atmosphere headspacc. (MAP. 1-2% 0 2 ). tnggered oxygen scavenger film exhibits an oxygen scavenging rate of between 20 and 66 cc/m : /day at 4°C when measured 4 days after tnggenng. diereby removing oxygen from the head space of such a package so as to reduce or eliminate adverse affects upon die product packaged dierem Tlie present invention can oe used in a vaπetv of package environments For example, m addition to its use in MAP packaging, it can be used in connection w ltii packages, including πgid containers, having an unmodified internal package environment. 1 e atmospheπc air Tlie packaging film can be euher an oxygen barrier film, or a film widi relatively high oxygen transmission The invention can also be used in connection widi packages, including πgid containers, having an internal package environment widi an initially high amount of oxygen, e g lugher dian diat present in atmospheπc air Here too. die packaging film can be eidier an oxygen banner film, or a film widi relatively high oxygen transmission In diese alternative package systems, die final oxygen content of the internal package environment can be higher dian 0 5% oxygen, vet still offer benefits to die packager, depending on die product being packaged, die nature of the packaging process, and odier factors In some cases, die invention can be used to reduce or eliminate die need to gas flush a package, dius sa ing a packaging step and reducing costs Tlie oxygen scavenger can serve both as an active barπcr to die ingress of oxygen from outside die package, as well as a consumer of oxygen present inside die package, I e in die internal package environment Oxygen scavenger films, triggered as set forth above for use in high banner long hold packages, exhibit oxygen scavenging rates of preferably between 1 and 10 cc/nr/day when measured at room temperature, and 30 days after triggering, tiiercb} providing a further oxygen banner in die oxygen banner layers of the package to which die oxygen scavenger film is applied, which oxygen scavenging exists over a longer peπod of time Tπggered oxygen scavenger films can be used to rapidlv reduce the residual oxygen content of a refrigerated MAP package to less than or equal to 0 5%. preferably less than or equal to 0 1% within less dian or equal to 7 days, preferabh less than or equal to 4 dav s and ideally as quickly as possible after product packaging Tins allows packages diat include die tπggered oxygen scavenger film to be packaged witii an initial residual oxygen content of 1 to 2% or higher Tlie oxygen scavenger film rapidly reduces die residual oxygen content to acceptable levels, and packaging at a higher initial residual oxygen content allows for faster machine c cles. tiierebv enhancing product output Refemng now to die dra ings, die mediod and apparatus for tnggenng ox}gen scavenger film according to die invention will be further descπbed in a prefened embodiment Figure 1 illustrates a free standing tnggeπng unit 10 hav mg an unwind roll 12 for feeding film 8 to chamber 9. a seπes of rollers 14 defining a film patii 16 dirough chamber 9. and a wmdup roll 18 for receiving tnggered film for subsequent use Chamber 9 includes a source of actinic radiation, e g. a senes of low pressure germicidal wavelength UV bulbs 20 arranged in banks 22. widi film patii 16 being arranged to pass a film relative to banks 22 so as to expose the film to die desired dose of UV-C light The oxygen scavenger film mav include a number of layers, with die oxidizabie orgamc compound and transition metal catalyst laver preferably being arranged toward one side tiiereof Multilayer oxygen scavenger films are descπbed in U S Patent No 5.350.622 It is preferable to expose only the oxidizabie organic compound and die transition metal catalyst side of the multilayer film to UV- C light Further, it is preferred diat any layers of the multilayer film diat are between die source of UV-C light and die oxygen scavenger film be effcctiveh transparent at 254 nm Thus, as illustrated in Figure 1. film padi 16 can be arranged so as to expose onl one side of film to banks 22 of bulbs 20. aldiougli optionally both sides of the film can be exposed to bulbs 20 It is prefened to provide film patii 16 at a distance from banks 22 of bulbs 20 of between 1 cm and 3 cm. such as 2 cm Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of tnggenng unit 10 wherein tnggenng unit 10 is incorporated in-line into a packaging apparatus Chamber 9 is positioned so as to receive film 8 from unwind roll 12. pass film along film patii 1 for exposure to a source of actimc radiation, e g UV-C light, and feed tnggered film 28 directl} to a packaging unit, for example, sealing gas flush dies 24 Tπggered film 28 is immediately incorporated as a laver into packages along with formed web 26 supplied from odier elements of the packaging assembly Sealing/gas flush dies 24 serve to apply tnggered film 28 to formed web 26 so as to provide packages 30 including tπggered film Optionally, triggering unit 10 can be provided with a sensor unit 32 for mo tonng die dose of UV-C light emitted by bulbs 20 Tins allows detection of deteriorating or malfunctioning bulbs 20 Sensor unit 32 can be. for example, an Online L V Intensity Displav Module (EIT. Inc . Sterling. VA) having 250-260 nm Standard UVI Sensors Sensor unit 32 can be interlocked or operativeh associated with a controller for the packaging line so tiiat packaging can be automatically interrupted if UV-C light output is insufficient Bulbs 20 are preferably shielded to an effectiv e lntensm or lrradiance E of less dian or equal to 0 1 mWVcur, and are preferably provided w ith a sleeve member (not shown) for protecting die film in die film path 16 against contact with broken elements such as glass, etc . of a bulb 20. should bulb 20 break The sleeve can be a shnnkable member or coating to be applied to bulbs 20 Tlie preferred sleeve is a heat-shrunk FEP-Teflon® sleeve Bulbs 20 can be fluorescent tube-tvpe bulbs, hich preferabh have a widdi sufficient to extend beyond either side of die vvidtii of a film to be treated Bulbs have a widtii of preferabl} between 36 and 48 inches, which may be suitable for treating films having a widtii of up to 30 to 40 inches Smtable bulbs are sold by Voltarc under part designation U V-LUX GRFX5194 Tlie step of exposing oxygen scavenger film to actinic radiation can optionally be earned out m a stepwise procedure wherein die film is exposed in a plurality of discrete peπods of time For example, if die intended exposure time or residence time is to be 40 seconds, die exposing step can be earned out in a seπes of four exposing steps, each 10 seconds long, preferabh with a two second interval uierebetween Such stepwise exposure prov ides enhanced oxygen scavenging characteπstics of die film tnggered tiiereby This embodiment is readily adaptable to packaging machines which operate widi intermittent motion such as MULTIVAC™ R7000 distnbuted bv KOCH of Kansas Citv. Missoun Figure 3 shows a triggering unit 10 in accordance with die invention, having an unwind roll 12 for feeding film 8 to a chamber 9. a senes of rollers 14 defining a film path tiuOugh chamber 9 of tnggenng umt 10. and a tnggered film 28 advancing out of chamber 9. and towards package line 36 The direction in which die film moves is shown by the ano s At the package line 36. die tnggered film 28 is used to package an oxygen sensitive product, and the finished package is tiien advanced to a conveyor or odier appropπatc means for further processing Tnggenng unit 10 includes a source of actinic radiation, such as a scries of low pressure germicidal wavelengdi UV bulbs 20. witii die film patii being arranged to pass a film relative to bulbs 20 so as to expose the film to the desired dose of radiation such as UV-C light Means 34 for raising die temperature inside die chamber is used to raise the temperature of chamber 9 to at least 55°F duπng die time that die film 8 is being tnggered vvitiun die chamber Means for heating 34 can be any suitable means including, bv way of example only, a consumer or commercial heated blower or heat gun, an infrared heater, a temperature-controlled cartridge heater widi a suitable air circulation system, an enclosed hot water circulation s}stem diat exchanges heat with die chamber mteπor atmosphere, or any other suitable heating means As shown in Figure 3. die particular heating means employed is a seπes of infrared (IR) lamps or bulbs 34 suitably placed to effect heating of the chamber mteπor In Figure 3. IR bulbs are shown as darkened ellipses, and UV bulbs are shown as light-colored ellipses Those skilled m die art will appreciate diat die type and relative placement of heating means employed in connection idi die invention can be determined, and optimized, depending on considerations such as size of the chamber, type of actinic radiation being used, type of film being tnggered. desired scavenging rate, desired induction tune, and die like In the particular embodiment disclosed in Figure 3. die IR bulbs 34 are interspersed witii the UV bulbs, hich pro ides relatively umfoπn heating to the chamber interior, and tiierefore to die film being tπggered within die chamber Whatever die heating means employed, care must be taken not to overexpose the film to neat, such diat die film is undesirably altered in form or function Auxiliary fans 40 can be employed if desired to dissipate and/or distπbute die heat generated by die means for heating Tlie following examples are prov ided in order to further illustrate die advantageous features of the present invention EXAMPLES Table 1 discloses the formulation of the film of Example 1 Tins matenal was tnggered in a tnggenng umt of die type disclosed in Figures 1 and 3 Packages ( 10 cm \ 10 cm x 3 cm) were made using a Multivac R7000 packaging machine, ith T6070B. a standard laminate from Ci ovac Division. W R Grace & Co as die forming web Packages were gas flushed witii a mix of 1% 0 2 99% N 2 Samples were stored m corrugated boxes held at a temperature of about 40°F until analv sis Tlie percent oxygen was determined bv a Headspace Scavenging Test (HST) protocol In die HST protocol, following die packaging step, a 5cm x 7 5cm septum of 6 mil vinyl tape was applied to each pouch A first group of pouches were gas flushed witii a premixed gas to vield a final volume of 300 to 350 cc gas Premixed gas (Sunox. Inc /Cliarlotte. NO was generally 1%0 2 99% N : These pouches were used to determine oxygen scavenging rate A second group of pouches were made up containing atinosphenc air These pouches were used to determine oxygen scavenging capacity Pouches contaimng die 1%0; 99% N : i! gas mixture were stored m corrugated boxes at eitiier 22°C or 4 4°C Gas samples were taken initially unmediateh after packaging, and every 24 hours diereafter. for up to 7 days For pouches contaimng atmospheric air. die amount of oxygen inside die pouches was determined every 7 days thereafter for up to 30 days Gas samples of about 5 1 cc were withdrawn from each pouch with a 5 cc Hamilton Gas Tight Syπnge (VWR Scientific. Inc /Atlanta. GA) A Hamilton Point Style 5 22 gauge needle was used to prevent conng of septa When drawing a gas sample, die vinyl tape septum was pierced once and immediately resealed with another of piece vinvl tape (2 5cm x 2 5cm) Successive gas samples are withdrawn from an unpunctured portion of the v invl septum Tune delay between sampling and injection was ≤2 sec For each gas sample, die needle was flushed with 0 1 cc of the gas immediately pπor to making die inaction into die anahzer 5 cc of the sample gas was tiien slowly injected into a Mocon LC-700F Oxygen Analyzer (Modern Controls. Inc Minneapolis. MN) at a rate of 1 cc/sec Data was recorded to 3 decimal places Data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation/Redmond. WA) which automatically calculates cc O: scavenged. Average Rate. Instantaneous Rate, and Capacit} Rates are expressed in cc/πr/dav hile capacities are expressed in cc/nr/md Typical values reported are Average Rate at 4 days at 4 4°C. Peak Instantaneous Rate. Induction Peπod (if any), and Days to Peak Rate Table 1 In Table 1 FI = Saran-coated polyethylene terephthalate film (50m-44 MYLAR™ from du Pont) AD 1 = adhesive having a mixture of sdane. ιsoc}anate. glycol. and alkyl acetate (ADCOTE 1 M 530 and Coreactant 9L23 from Morton International) PE1 = low density polyethylene (POLY-ETH™ 1017 from Chevron) Zl = a masterbatch of 80% linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and 20% UOP ABSCENTS® 2000 zeolite ( 10417- 12 zeolite concentrate from Colortech) OS 1 = styrene/butadiene copolymer widi 30% by weight of the styrene comonomer, and 70% by weight of the butadiene comonomer (VECTOR™ 8508-D from Dexco Polymers) EVA1 = ediylene/vmyl acetate copolymer with a vinyl acetate content of 9% by weight of die polymer (ESCORENE™ LD-318 92 from Exxon) PP1 = polypropylene homopolymer (ESCORENE™ PP-4292 El from Exxon) EBAl = ediylene/butyl acrylate copolymer widi 30 vvt % butyl acrylate copolymer (LOTRYL™ 30BA02 from Elf Atochem) LLDPE 1 = linear low density polvethylene. I e an eth}lene/octene copolymer (DOWLEX™ 2244 A from Dow) MB 1 = a compounded masterbatch formulation 88 3% EVA 1. 10 6% cobalt oleate. 1% benzoylbiphen l. 0 1% IRGANOX™ 1076 stabilizer Table 2 illustrates die temperature/UV dose treatments Tlie effects of increased chamber temperature and increased UV dosage were examined b} heating die chamber using a Masterflow Heat Blower (Model AH-501. 500°F) and irradiating die film witii 1 or 2 banks of lamps Table 2 Temperature/UV dose treatments for cold tπggered Lidstock Example Room Temp Chamber Temp a UV dose" (°F) (°F) (mJ/cm2) 1-A Ambient 64 No heat 79 800 1-B Cold 40 No heat 64 800 1-C Cold 45 No heat 77 1600 1-D Cold 42 Witii heat 97 800 1-E Cold 42 With heat 130 1600 Heat was transferred tiirough chamber using a shπnk film dπer ' 1 Bank ~ 800 mJ/cnr, 2 Banks - 1600 mJ/cnr Scavenging results for dus test are illustrated in Table 3 Results showed iat either increasing die chamber temperature (compare Example 1-B with Example 1-D) or die UV dosage to 1600 mJ/cnr (compare Example 1-B widi Example 1-C) significantly increased die scavenging rates and reduced the induction times of mateπal tπggered at cold temperatures Furthermore, die use of both increased heat and increased UV dosage (see Example 1-E) reduced die induction time to less dian 24 hours and raised peak rates closer to diose obtained witii film scav enged at room temperature (see Example 1-A) It can also be seen, diat die scavenging rates of either heated or highly dosed matenals are similar to the rates of mateπal diat was tnggered at room temperatures a Average rate after 4 days b One data point Thus, it was observed that increasing die chamber temperature or increasing die UV dosage increased die scavenging rates and reduced die induction tune of cold tπggered films In combination, heating and increasing the UV dose, further optumzed die induction time of these films Anodier way of evaluating die efficacv of the present mediod and apparatus, especially when dealing witii packaging having an initial level of oxygen of 1% or less, is to measure die volume of oxygen initially present in die package, and tiien die volume of ox}gen present in die package several days after packaging Thus, die present invention provides a mediod and apparatus wherein a package, having an initial oxygen content of 0 5% at 40°F. has a residual oxygen content, ithin 7 days after packaging, of between 20% and 30%. such as 22%. of the initial oxygen content of the package Tlie present inv ention also provides a πietiiod and apparatus wherein a package, having an imtial oxygen content of 0 5% at 4()°F. has a residual oxygen contenL witlun 14 da s after packagmg. of between 5% and 15%. such as 7% of the initial oxygen content of the package Tlie present invention also provides a mediod and apparatus wherein a package, having an initial oxygen content of 1 0% at 40°F. lias a residual oxygen contenL within 7 days after packaging, of between 30% and 40%. such as 35%. of die imtial oxygen content of the package The present invention also provides a method and apparatus wherein a package, having an imtial oxygen content of 1 0% at 40°F. lias a residual oxygen content, within 14 days after packaging, of between 5% and 15%, such as 10%. of the imtial oxygen content of the package All values falling between tiiese stated values are included herein as if expressly set forth herein For packages witii a relatively high imtial o.xygen content, e g 21% oxygen (atmosphenc air). die amount of oxygen scavenging mateπal present in die packagmg mateπal will typically be die limiting factor m determining die residual oxygen present m the package sev eral days after tnggenng Tlie invention is not limited to die illustrations descπbed herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative, and susceptible of modification of form. size, arrangement of parts and details of operation

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS 1 A mediod comprising a) providing an article comprising an oxidizabie organic compound. b) passing die article tiirough a chamber. c) exposing die article, w lule in die chamber, to a source of actimc radiation at a wavelcngdr intensity . and residence time sufficient to provide said article with a dose of actinic radiation of at least 100 mJ/cnr. and d) exposing die article, while in die chamber, to a source of heat sufficient to raise ie temperature inside die chamber to at least 55°F 2 Tlie method according to claim 1. w herein said actimc radiation compnses UV light 3 A mediod according to claim 2. herein said UV light has a avelengdi of between 200 and 280 nm 4 A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said article is exposed to a source of actimc radiation at an intensity of at least 0 8 mW/cnr 5 A mediod according to claim 1 wherein said article is exposed to a source of actimc radiation at an intensity of between 3 0 and 10 mW/cnr 6 A mediod according to claim I . wherein said article is exposed to a source of actimc radiation at a distance from said article of between 1 and 3 cm 7 A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said article is exposed to a source of actimc radiation at an intensity and residence time sufficient to provide said article witii a dose of actimc radiation of between 300 mJ/cm 2 and 1600 mJ/cm 2 8 A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said exposing step further compnses exposing said article to said source of actinic radiation over a patii of between 0 5 m and 12 m. and a speed of said article along said padi of between 0 5 m/min and 30 m/min 9 A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said exposing step compnses exposing said article to said source of actimc radiation for between 15 and 90 seconds 10 A mediod according to claim 1 wherein die article compnses a film A method according to claim 1 compπsmg monitoring die dose of actinic radiation emitted by said source of actimc radiation A method according to claim 1 comprising shielding die source of UV-C light so diat it has an effective irradiance E of less than or equal to 0 1 mW/cnr A method according to claim 1. wherein said oxidizabie orgamc compound has a molecular weight of at least 1000. and is selected from die group consisting of substituted ediylemcally unsaturated hydrocarbon polymers, unsubstituted ediylemcally unsaturated hydrocarbon polymers and mixtures tliereof A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said transition metal catalyst is selected from die group consisting of transition metal salt of cobalt, transition metal salt of manganese, and mixtures diereof A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said tnggered article has an o.xygen scavenging rate of between 1 cc/nr/day and 100 cc/πr/da} at 4°C A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said oxygen scavenging package has a residual oxygen content of less dian or equal to 0 5% widiin 7 days after packaging A mediod according to claim 1. wherein die oxygen scavenging package has a residual oxygen content, within 7 days after packagmg. of less than 40% of the imtial oxygen content of the package A mediod according to claim 1. wherein said exposing step compnses exposing said article to said source of UV-C light in a plurality of discrete penods of time An apparatus compπsmg a) a chamber, die chamber compπsmg a means for emitting actimc radiation at a wavelengdi. lntens . and residence time sufficient to provide an article, die article having an oxidizabie organic compound, witii a dose of actinic radiation of at least 100 mJ/cnr. b) a means for raising die inteπor temperature of the chamber to at least 55°F. and c) a means for feeding die article into and out of the chamber 20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein die means for raising the temperature of die chamber is selected from i) a heated blower: ii) a heat gun: iii) an infrared heater; iv) a temperature-controlled cartridge heater widi an air circulation system: and v) an enclosed heated fluid circulation system that exchanges heat widi die chamber interior atmosphere.

Inventors: BECRAFT MICHAEL L, SYLVIA-ESPINEL R KARINA, THOMAS JEFFREY A, BECRAFT, MICHAEL, L., SYLVIA-ESPINEL, R., KARINA, THOMAS, JEFFREY, A.
Applicants: BECRAFT MICHAEL L, CRYOVAC INC, SYLVIA ESPINEL R KARINA, THOMAS JEFFREY A, BECRAFT, MICHAEL, L., CRYOVAC, INC., SYLVIA-ESPINEL, R., KARINA, THOMAS, JEFFREY, A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B29C71
IPC codes: B29C35, B29C71, B65B55, C08J3