U.S. patent application number 10/868102 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for packaging for freezer pops containing at least one active agent.
Invention is credited to Lee, Joseph, Somani, Jitendra.
Application Number | 20050276942 10/868102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35460883 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050276942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Somani, Jitendra ; et
al. |
December 15, 2005 |
Packaging for freezer pops containing at least one active agent
Abstract
A packaging in the form of a freezer pop for storing a freezable
liquid the packaging includes a sealed chamber for storing the
freezable liquid formed from at least one inner layer having a
sealable edge portion composed of a sealable material and sealed at
the edge portion; at least one outer layer composed of a tear and
puncture resistant material having an outside surface; at least one
intermediate layer which is in sealable contact with both the at
least one inner and outer layers, such that all layers are sealable
together to form the sealed chamber; and at least one moisture
barrier layer in proximity to the outer layer for at least
substantially preventing moisture from escaping the sealed chamber
for an extended period of time.
Inventors: |
Somani, Jitendra; (Toronto,
CA) ; Lee, Joseph; (Toronto, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Linda A. Vag
Warner Lambert Company LLC
201 Tabor Road
Morris Plains
NJ
07950
US
|
Family ID: |
35460883 |
Appl. No.: |
10/868102 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/35.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 1/00 20130101; B32B
15/14 20130101; Y10T 428/1352 20150115; B32B 2307/518 20130101;
B32B 15/20 20130101; B32B 2307/726 20130101; B32B 15/09 20130101;
B32B 27/32 20130101; B32B 27/12 20130101; B32B 2307/7246 20130101;
B32B 15/085 20130101; B32B 27/36 20130101; B32B 7/12 20130101; B32B
27/08 20130101; B32B 2439/70 20130101; B65D 85/78 20130101; B32B
27/304 20130101; B65D 75/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/035.7 |
International
Class: |
B65D 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A packaging in the form of a freezer pop for storing a freezable
liquid, the packaging comprising: a sealed chamber for storing the
freezable liquid formed from at least one inner layer having a
sealable edge portion comprised of a sealable material and sealed
at the edge portion; at least one outer layer comprised of a tear
and puncture resistant material having an outside surface; at least
one intermediate layer which is in sealable contact with both the
at least one inner and outer layers, such that all layers are
sealable together to form the sealed chamber; and at least one
moisture barrier layer in proximity to the outer layer for at least
substantially preventing moisture from escaping the sealed chamber
for an extended period of time.
2. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the at least one moisture
barrier layer is located between the intermediate and outer
layers.
3. The packaging of claim 1 wherein one of the moisture barrier
layers overlays the outside surface of one of the outer layers.
4. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the packaging has a water vapor
transmission rate of less than 0.25 gms/100 inch.sup.2/24 hours at
100.degree. F., 90% RH.
5. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the at least one moisture
barrier layer is comprised of a low moisture transmission material
selected from the group consisting of low moisture transmission
polymer films and metal foils.
6. The packaging of claim 5 wherein the low moisture transmission
polymer film is selected from the group consisting of
polyvinylidene chloride and polychlorotrifluoroethylene.
7. The packaging of claim 5 wherein the metal foil is aluminum
foil.
8. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the at least
one moisture barrier layer is up to 2 gauge.
9. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the sealable material is an
adhesive material.
10. The packaging of claim 9 wherein the adhesive material is
selected from the group consisting of pressure sealable adhesive
materials, heat sealable adhesive materials, and combinations
thereof.
11. The packaging of claim 10 wherein the sealable adhesive
material is low-density polyethylene-linear low-density
polyethylene.
12. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the sealable material is in
the form of a sealable layer having a thickness of from 100 to 400
gauge.
13. The packaging of claim 1 wherein the tear and puncture
resistant material is selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene terephthalate, and oriented polypropylene, and biaxial
nylon.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to packaging for active
agent-containing freezer pops, and more particularly to a moisture
barrier-containing packaging for freezer pops containing an active
agent which needs protection against moisture loss, such as a
pharmaceutical, which substantially reduces or eliminates moisture
loss in the packaged product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Frozen ice products including "snowballs", Italian ices,
freezer pops and frozen fruit juices have long been popular treats
among consumers especially during the warmer weather months. Frozen
ice products of this type can be carried on sticks, in plastic
tubes, or in wax coated paper containers. No utensils or plates are
necessary. One popular frozen ice product in particular is the
freezer pop, which has been a staple of summer treats for many
years. The freezer pop can be purchased and consumed in either as a
chilled liquid or as a frozen product. The freezer pop is simple
and convenient to store and distribute, and less messy to consume
than other kinds of frozen ice products.
[0003] The conventional freezer pop is generally packaged in a
substantially tubular pouch formed from two plastic laminate films
adhesively joined and sealed along the common edges thereof. The
sealed plastic laminate films, in combination, define a central
cavity for enclosing a freezable liquid. The freezable liquid
typically contains a flavoring agent, a coloring agent and/or a
sweetener. Freezer pop formulations are described in published
European Patent Application EP 1 287 747 A2 published Mar. 5, 2003,
incorporated herein by reference. To form the freezer pop, a
freezable liquid is cooled to temperatures sufficiently low to
freeze the liquid as the freezer pop takes the shape of the central
cavity. Thereafter, the freezer pop can be dispensed from the
packaging by first cutting off the top end of the pouch to form an
opening. The consumer simply presses the bottom end of the pouch to
slide the freezer pop out through the opening. Alternatively, the
freezer pop can be consumed in the liquid form by simply drawing
the freezable liquid through the opening in the packaging.
[0004] Since freezer pops are seasonal products and are usually
kept in the freezer or on the shelves for relatively short periods
of time at a time, extended shelf life is not required for such
products. Typically, the packaging film used for conventional
freezer pops is fairly pervious to moisture, which can result in
significant moisture loss over an extended period of time. The
amount of moisture loss can reach 20% to 30% or more. As indicated
above, due to their seasonal nature, conventional freezer pops are
not adversely affected by long-term moisture loss. Therefore, the
packaging used in freezer pops is generally designed for storage
over a relatively short period of time.
[0005] Recently, active agents including, pharmaceuticals,
medicaments and nutritional agents and the like have been added to
freezer pop formulations to provide a unique vehicle for dosing
various active agents to patients including children. However, the
packaging used to house freezer pops containing such active agents
has been found to be inadequate. This is because conventional
packaging allows excessive moisture loss over an extended period of
time, and current laws regulating typical active agents such as
pharmaceuticals generally require a shelf life of two years. The
amount of moisture loss typically encountered in current packaging
is considered unacceptable for freezer pops which contain
controlled amounts and concentrations of active agents. Such
moisture loss can adversely affect the taste, ingredient balance,
consistency, quality perception, and efficacy of the product.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a packaging
for storing a freezable liquid containing an active agent, which
greatly enhances the shelf life and quality of the product. It
would be further desirable to develop a packaging for freezer pops,
which significantly reduces or eliminates undesirable moisture loss
that would otherwise adversely affect the taste, quality,
ingredient balance, and efficacy of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates generally to packaging for
storing a freezable liquid containing an active agent so that the
active agent may be administered through a freezer pop. The
packaging of the present invention includes an arrangement of film
layers including a moisture barrier, which substantially reduces or
eliminates undesirable moisture loss, thereby enhancing the quality
and storage life of the freezable liquid. In addition, the
packaging of the present invention is designed to resist tears and
punctures for enhanced child-proof safety.
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
packaging in the form of a freezer pop for storing a freezable
liquid, the packaging comprising:
[0009] a sealed chamber for storing the freezable liquid formed
from at least one inner layer having a sealable edge portion
comprised of a sealable material and sealed at the edge
portion;
[0010] at least one outer layer comprised of a tear and puncture
resistant material having an outside surface;
[0011] at least one intermediate layer which is in sealable contact
with both the at least one inner and outer layers, such that all
layers are sealable together to form the sealed chamber; and
[0012] at least one moisture barrier layer in proximity to the
outer layer for at least substantially preventing moisture from
escaping the sealed chamber for an extended period of time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The following drawings in which like reference characters
indicate like parts are illustrative of embodiments of the
invention and are not intended to limit the invention as
encompassed by the claims forming part of the application.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging containing a
freezable liquid in one embodiment of the of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the packaging
along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a packaging
illustrating the layers used to form the sealed chamber in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] As used herein, the term "freezer pop" refers to a
consumable freezable liquid contained within a sealed chamber which
may be opened by the consumer to ingest the freezable liquid when
in liquid or frozen form. The size and shape of the sealed chamber
may vary and is only limited by the practicality of producing a
consumer product.
[0018] The term "active agent" refers to any one or more
ingredients which may be incorporated into a freezer pop to provide
a beneficial effect to the consumer upon ingesting the freezer pop.
The active agent will typically be a therapeutic agent such as
pharmaceuticals, medicaments, nutritional agents, vitamins,
neutraceuticals and the like.
[0019] The present invention is directed generally to packaging for
a freezer pop containing one or more active agents as defined
herein. The packaging containing the freezer pop, can be placed in
a freezer to freeze the liquid. The packaging of the present
invention is also designed to provide sufficient tear and puncture
resistance to provide adequate child safety features, while
withstanding the effects normally encountered with freezing and
thawing the freezable liquid. Furthermore, the packaging of the
present invention includes a moisture barrier that significantly
reduces or eliminates moisture loss from the freezable liquid,
which would otherwise adversely affect the quality and storage life
of the freezer pop and the active agent that may be contained
therein. Accordingly, the packaging of the present invention
provides excellent protection against moisture loss, thereby
maintaining the taste, quality, ingredient balance and efficacy of
the freezable liquid and particularly any active agents contained
therein.
[0020] Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is
shown a packaging designed for enclosing a freezable liquid in the
form of a freezer pop which may contain an active agent. The
packaging identified generally by reference numeral 10 is shown
having a substantially tubular body 12 with opposing ends 11. The
tubular body 12 is formed from first and second films 14 and 16
positioned coextensively with one another. The first and second
films 14 and 16 are each formed with a laminate construction of one
or more layers of select materials as will be described
hereinafter. The inner surfaces of the first and second films 14
and 16 are adapted to facilitate sealing of the films together
through suitable sealing means along edge portions 18 thereof. The
sealed first and second films 14 and 16 define a sealed chamber 20
(as best shown in FIG. 2) extending longitudinally through the
tubular body 12.
[0021] The sealed chamber 20 is adapted to retain a quantity of the
freezable liquid 22 which may contain one or more active agents (as
best shown in FIG. 2) within the packaging 10. The first and second
films 14 and 16 are made of select materials and are fabricated to
resist tears and punctures, and withstand the effects normally
associated with freezing and thawing of the freezable liquid
22.
[0022] The packaging 10 containing the freezable liquid 22
including one or more active agents may be placed in a freezer for
a sufficient time to yield a freezer pop containing the active
agent. Upon freezing, the freezer pop can be consumed by first
opening one of the ends 11 of the tubular body 12, and thereafter
exerting pressure from the opposed end to urge the frozen liquid
out of the open end.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, the first and second films 14 and 16
are positioned so that opposing inner surfaces 23a and 23b face one
another and thereby form an inner boundary of the sealed chamber 20
which encloses the freezable liquid 22. The edge portions 18 are
maintained in sealing contact with one another at contact areas 19
through suitable sealing means as known in the art (e.g. an
adhesive or through heat sealing). The outer surfaces 25a and 25b
of the respective films 14 and 16 which form the exterior surface
of the freezer pop and thereby do not contact the freezable liquid
may be adapted to permit printing thereon. The printing, for
example, may be required instructions for consuming a freezer pop,
which contains an active agent. The first and second films 14 and
16 may be transparent to enable the product to be visible to the
consumer, if desired.
[0024] The arrangement and composition of the layers of material
forming an embodiment of the packaging will now be explained with
reference to FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the
relative positioning of the first and second films 14 and 16 of the
packaging 10 with the understanding that the dimensions of the
different layers comprising first and second films 14 and 16
depicted herein are not drawn to scale or shown in proportion to
one another. The first and second films 14 and 16 each include one
or more discrete layers of polymer materials arranged to form the
sealed chamber 20, which is occupied by the freezable liquid
22.
[0025] The first and second films 14 and 16 each include at least
one adhesive layer 24 (a single layer is shown) in contact with the
freezable liquid 22, one or more intermediate layers 26 (a single
intermediate layer is shown) overlaying the adhesive layer 24, and
at least one outer layer 28 (a single outer layer is shown)
overlaying the intermediate layer 26.
[0026] The adhesive layers 24 form the base portion of the laminate
film construction of the first and second films 14 and 16 and are
the layers which are in direct contact with the freezable liquid
through the respective bottom surfaces thereof. The adhesive layers
24 are sealingly engaged to one another along the edge portions 18
of the first and second films 14 and 16. The adhesive layer 24 may
be composed of a suitable adhesive material, including, but not
limited to, pressure sealable and/or heat sealable materials such
as, for example, low-density polyethylene-linear low-density
polyethylene (LDPE-LLDPE). The thickness of the adhesive layer 24
may typically range from about 100 gauge to 400 gauge. The
selection of a suitable adhesive material may also provide tear and
puncture resistant properties to the packaging. For example, LLDPE
is known to exhibit both tear and puncture resistance.
[0027] One or more intermediate layers 26 overlay the outer surface
of the adhesive layer 24. The intermediate layer 26 draws the
adhesive layer 24 and the at least one outer layer 28 together into
a single laminate structure, and forms a transition layer to
provide a structural bond between the adhesive layer 24 and the
outer layer 28 which contributes to providing a desirable
childproof product which is both tear and puncture resistant. The
intermediate layer 26 is typically composed of material such as
low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and has a thickness generally from
about 9 to 12 lbs/m.sup.2, preferably about 10.8 lbs/m.sup.2.
[0028] The at least one outer layer 28 forms the main structure of
the laminate film 14 and 16, and overlays the outside surface of
the intermediate layer 26. The outer layer 28 provides the laminate
films 14 and 16 with the structural integrity necessary to provide
the packaging 10 with the requisite tear and puncture resistance.
The outer layer 28 provides the packaging with tear and puncture
resistance sufficient to prevent children from accidentally gaining
access to the freezable liquid. Tear and puncture resistance
properties for this purpose would be known to those skilled in the
art. The outer layer 28 is composed of a tear- and
puncture-resistant material such as, for example, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), oriented polypropylene (OPP), and biaxial
nylon. The thickness of the at least one outer layer 28 is
typically of from about 36 gauge to 200 gauge, and preferably about
92 gauge.
[0029] The packaging 10 further includes at least one moisture
barrier layer 30, which may be located between the intermediate
layer 26 and the outer layer 28 and/or may overlay the outside
surface of the outer layer 28. In the specific embodiment of FIG.
3, the moisture layer 30 is positioned in both locations for
purposes of illustration. The moisture barrier layer 30 is selected
from materials which are capable of providing sufficient moisture
barrier properties to the packaging 10 so as to reduce moisture
loss from the freezable liquid 22 for an extended period of time,
typically up to or exceeding two years. The moisture barrier layer
30 provides the packaging with a water transmission rate of less
than 0.25 gms/100 inch.sup.2/24 hours at 100.degree. F., 90%
RH.
[0030] The moisture barrier layer 30 may be selected from low
moisture transmission materials including, for example, low
moisture transmission polymer films such as, for example,
polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), and polychlorotrifluoroethylene
(PCTFE), coatings of silicon oxide and/or aluminum oxide and metal
foils such as, for example, aluminum foil. The preferred low
moisture transmission material is polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC).
The moisture barrier layer is typically fabricated with a thickness
of up to 2 gauge.
[0031] The packaging of the present invention is particularly
suited to store freezable liquids containing one or more active
agents, but may be employed for freezable liquids which do not
contain an active agent. Suitable freezable liquid formulations in
which an active agent may be added are disclosed in EP 1287747A2,
as previously described.
[0032] The frozen liquid in the form of a freezer pop is preferably
fast dissolving. The term "fast dissolving" as used herein means
that the frozen liquid dissolves in less than 30 seconds,
preferably less than 15 seconds, and more preferably less than 10
seconds, after placing the freezer pop in the oral cavity. To
freeze the above-described freezable liquid, the packaging
containing the freezable liquid is placed in a freezer at a
temperature below 0.degree. C., preferably from -5.degree. C. to
-20.degree. C.
EXAMPLE
[0033] A packaging for a freezer pop formulation containing
dextromethorphan hydrobromide as an active agent is prepared by
forming a packaging comprising two films sealed together to form a
chamber for storing the freezer pop formulation.
[0034] The two films have the same or similar construction to that
shown in FIG. 3. The adhesive layer is a low-density
polyethylene-linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE-LLDPE) having a
thickness of about 200 gauge. The intermediate layer is a
low-density polyethylene (LDPE) having a thickness of about 10.8
lbs/m.sup.2. The outer layer is polyethylene terphthalate coated
with saran and has a thickness of about 50 gauge.
[0035] A moisture barrier layer of polyvinylidene chloride is
provided on the outer surface of the outer layer and has a
thickness of up to 2 gauge. The freezer pop formulation is stored
in a holding tank and then passed through a plate heat exchanger
for pasteurization. The pasteurized formulation is sent to a
stainless steel feed tank. The formulation is loaded into the
packaging in a conventional filling device. Such filling devices
are commonly known in the art. It is preferred to use a device
which is serviced by volumetric pumps. In the present instance the
device is comprised of sets of eight bars on a single head feed
line. The filing line is serviced by eight volumetric pumps--one
for each filling line. The 8-bar set is vertically perforated so
that an individual bars may be separated from the rest of the bars
for administration.
* * * * *