Abstract: A method for triggering an oxygen scavenging composition for use in packaging an oxygen sensitive article includes the steps of providing an oxygen scavenging composition comprising an oxidizable organic compound and, optionally, a transition metal catalyst, and exposing the composition to a source of pulsed light wherein each pulse has a duration of between 1 microsecond and 1 millisecond, a frequency of between 0.1 to 100 Hertz, and a total intensity of at least 350 mW/cm2 so that each pulse provides the composition with a dose of light of at least 0.1 J/cm2 so as to provide a triggered composition. The triggered composition can be applied to an article so as to provide an oxygen scavenging package. An apparatus and packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger; forming the article into a container; placing an oxygen sensitive product into the container; and exposing the container to actinic radiation at a dosage effective to sterilize the container, and trigger the oxygen scavenger in the article. Alternative methods are also disclosed. A package includes a container, the container including an activated oxygen scavenger; wherein the container is sterilized; and wherein an oxygen sensitive product is disposed in the container.

Abstract: A package includes a container, the container including an oxygen scavenger; and an oxygen sensitive product contained in the container; wherein the oxygen scavenger is triggered, and the oxygen sensitive product is pasteurized. A package includes a tray; a lidstock in communication with the tray; and an oxygen sensitive product contained in the tray, and enclosed by the lidstock and the tray; wherein at least one of the lidstock and the tray includes an oxygen scavenger, the oxygen scavenger is triggered, and the oxygen sensitive product is pasteurized. A method includes providing a container containing an oxygen sensitive product, the container including an oxygen scavenger; and exposing the container and the oxygen sensitive product to ionizing radiation at a dosage and energy sufficient to pasteurize the oxygen sensitive product, and trigger the oxygen scavenger of the container.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A method for triggering an oxygen scavenging composition for use in packaging an oxygen sensitive article includes the steps of providing an oxygen scavenging composition including an oxidizable organic compound, and exposing the composition to a source of pulsed light wherein each pulse has a duration of between 1 microsecond and 1 millisecond, a frequency of between 0.1 to 100 Hertz, and an intensity of at least 350 mW/cm2 so that each pulse provides the composition with a dose of UV light of at least 0.1 J/cm2 so as to provide a triggered composition. The triggered composition can be applied to an article so as to provide an oxygen scavenging package. An apparatus and packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article includes a first and second outer surface, and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger, the first outer surface including a printed image, and a radiation-curable varnish covering at least a portion of the image. A method includes providing an article including a first and second outer surface, and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger; printing an image on the first outer surface; and applying a radiation-curable varnish on the first outer surface so as to cover at least a portion of the image. A multilayer article includes a first and second outer surface; and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger; wherein the first outer surface includes a radiation-curable printed image. A method includes providing an article including a first and second outer surface, and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger; and printing a radiation-curable image on the first outer surface.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: An article of manufacure includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A method for triggering an oxygen scavenging film includes the steps of providing an oxygen scavenging film comprising an oxidizable organic compound and, optionally, a transition metal catalyst; and exposing the film to a source of UV-C light at a wavelength, intensity and residence time sufficient to provide the film with a dose of UV-C light of at least 100 mJ/cm2. An apparatus and packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A composition capable of scavenging oxygen composed of (i) a copolymer of, at least, ethylene and a strained, cyclic alkylene, preferably cyclopentene; (ii) a transition metal catalyst; (iii) preferably, a photoinitiator; and (iv) optionally, a polymeric diluent.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of byproducts of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: An article useful for packaging oxygen-sensitive products is disclosed. The article is a single or multi-layer article capable of enveloping the oxygen sensitive product. The article has at least one layer which contains a composition composed of an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer and a transition metal salt. The layer is capable of scavenging oxygen at a rate of at least 1 cc oxygen per square meter per day and has a capacity of at least 250 cc oxygen per square meter per mil thickness of the layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting the permeability of an article to oxygen is disclosed. A fluorescent redox indicator, preferably riboflavin, is dispersed in a carrier and placed on an impermeable substrate. The article to be measured is placed adjacent to the carrier. Residual oxygen is removed, the redox indicator is photoreduced, the article and carrier are exposed to oxygen, and the indicator is exposed to UV light.

Abstract: Products and film structures using the oxygen scavengers, are disclosed. Such products demonstrate enhanced shelf stability of foodstuffs and reduced sensitivity to humidity and temperature changes.

Abstract: A method of initiating oxygen scavenging by rigid or semi-rigid articles which comprise oxidizable organic compounds and transition metal catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises initiating scavenging by exposing the composition, etc., to radiation. The radiation exposure is preferably electron beam or ultraviolet light and is preferably used on oxygen scavenging compositions which comprise a substituted or unsubstituted ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon and a transition metal catalyst. Inclusion of a photoinitiator or antioxidant in the scavenging composition is also preferred to facilitate and/or control the composition's scavenging properties. The method can be used for initiating scavenging in packaging layers or articles for oxygen sensitive products such as food and beverage.

Abstract: A method of initiating oxygen scavenging by compositions which comprise oxidizable organic compounds and transition metal catalysts is disclosed. The method comprises initiating scavenging by exposing the composition, etc., to radiation. The radiation exposure is preferably electron beam or ultraviolet light and is preferably used on oxygen scavenging compositions which comprise a substituted or unsubstituted ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon and a transition metal catalyst. Inclusion of a photoinitiator or antioxidant in the scavenging composition is also preferred to facilitate and/or control the composition's scavenging properties. The method can be used for initiating scavenging in packaging layers or articles for oxygen sensitive products such as food and beverage.

Abstract: A composition for scavenging oxygen is disclosed. The composition comprises an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon polymer which has 0.01-1.0 equivalents of carbon-carbon double bonds per 100 g of polymer and a transition metal catalyst and can be incorporated into various types of layers. The composition has an elongation-at-break of at least 20% and retains at least 50% of its original tensile strength after oxygen scavenging has occurred.

Abstract: Products and film structures using the oxygen scavengers, are disclosed. Such products demonstrate enhanced shelf stability of foodstuffs and reduced sensitivity to humidity and temperature changes.